bruno

Manchester United vs. Leeds United – The Millennium Stadium
League Cup Final – Sunday 29th February 2004

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

After playing well the whole season we felt very confident before the game that we could beat the Devils. But then they had won in the last match against us. We knew this would be a difficult match. And on warm-up Alan Smith tore his groin, which meant that after surgery he has about 5 months of recovery to go through.

Adriano opened the scoring early on, as we usually do these days, when scoring a magnificent goal from far out. With the Man Utd back four being jittery all first half Tim Howard stepped up to the occasion and played real well.

But it didn’t last in the second half though. Especially not when he was capped for an own goal after the ball bounced of his back and into the net. And minutes later Adriano scored again and one could see in Howard’s eyes that he blamed his pals in front of him. And when Adriano scored his hattrick in the 67th minute Howard lost it. He went completely berserk yelling at the defenders and Roy Keane had to calm him down.

Howard’s words seemed to have little affect, as United continued to let us through way to easy. And with only seconds left of the match Ronaldo two-foot dribbled past Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea before smashing the ball past Howard.

After the whistle our fans went completely bonkers, and flooded out on the pitch. A nice evening both for them and for me.

Leeds 5: Adriano 11’, 54’ 67’, Howard own goal 51’, Ronaldo 90’
Man Utd 0:

Attendance: 72,471

bruno

The Daily Telegraph
Monday 1st March

United hammered by United

Last nights clash between the two giants in English football at the moment, Leeds United and Manchester United, was an eventful and goal filled match. It might also have been a taste of what Leeds will achieve in the future, or possibly even this season. Many people believe that Leeds United has begun a new era that will bring success club, just as Man Utd got when Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed back in the eighties.

The Manchester defence acted very strung-up and nervous right from the start and already on 11 minutes Leeds took the lead after a fine goal from the boot of Adriano. Adriano seemed to be fond of the limelight this night as he added both a second and third goal to his score sheet this night. The score was settled to 5-0 when Ronaldo took the ball into the box and smashed it in behind Tim Howard.

Tim Howard, yes. He also got his name to the score sheet. Ian Harte stepped in from the left and aimed for the near post but it denied him the goal. Instead it racketeered of the post, went straight into Howard’s back and rolled over the line.

”I can’t express the joy I’m feeling right now. The lads played just as I want them to and it resulted in a trophy for us”, said Leeds United’s owner Paul Campbell. ”Never had I thought that we would beat Manchester in such a way that we did. It’s unbelievable.”

Sir Alex Ferguson praised the opponents after the match. ”They deserved to win, they were the better team on the night. Now all we can do, and will do, is to come back and hopefully win the premiership, although Leeds have the trophy in a firm grip at the moment. But nothing is impossible and we will do everything we can to take home at least one trophy this year.”

The score of 5-0 didn’t flatter Leeds as they totally controlled the game played in front of 72,000 spectators but the fans went home in high spirits. If Leeds continues this excellent style of play, who knows what will come? Perhaps a European Cup trophy next year?

bruno

As much as I hated the idea, the only realistic way to get rid of Eddie was to attack him. Of course this could not be done physically but verbally (or in writing). I also knew it had to happen anonymously, although I had my suspicions that Eddie would figure out who had done it. If the board knew I was behind it, then they could easily discharge me. Also, with the good start of the season, at the moment Eddie was sitting secure.

Removing Eddie was a top priority, so we, me and O’Flanagan, got to it immediately, spreading around rumours that he had been involved in a group rape. Yeah, this would stir up emotions amongst the fans and not least in the press. We also leaked to the press that Eddie had received large amounts of money from an untraceable account for loosing against Liverpool and Man Utd in the middle of the season. I knew it wasn’t very nice but what choice did I have?

Of course the whole thing could boomerang but I didn’t really care, not at the moment. If now Eddie wouldn’t go, then I eventually would. But not before putting up to a fight.

Also in midweek we got an offer from Norwich City to take on Stephen McPhail for three months. But as they didn’t offer us any compensation, or to pay Stephens wages, we refused. Stephen wasn’t exactly happy when he got the news, as he’s been a reserve player all year, but I didn't really pay much attention to his "lecture". Also Jamie McMaster returned from his loan spell at Chesterfield.

retired_embartl

This is great, exciting football and an equally enjoyable rivalry in the background - just kill the git

bruno

Thanks Brian... And who knows, maybe I will...

bruno

Leeds United vs. Everton – Elland Road
FA Cup 6th Round – Saturday 6th March 2004

Squad: Iker Casillas; Frazer Richardson, Gary Kelly, Dominic Matteo, Matthew Kilgallon; James Milner, Riccardo Montolivo, Aaron Lennon, Seth Johnson (c); Mark Viduka, Simon Johnson

Yet again, as he had done many times this season in cup matches, Eddie substituted the whole team. A bit risky perhaps when we now faced a better opponent than before.

But it proved to be a good move. Already after 15 minutes Simon Johnson nodded the ball past ex-Arsenal goalie Richard Wright, after a magnificent cross from James Milner. The same Johnson had many chances to score in the first half but was unable to trick Wright.

However we extended our lead in the second half through Mark Viduka before Johnson scored his second of the night, yet again assisted by James Milner. 16-year-old Aaron Lennon broke free late in the game and scored a fabulous goal to put the end to an impressive Leeds debut.

Leeds 4: Johnson 15’, 68’, Viduka 63’, Lennon 90’
Everton 0:

Attendance: 40,192

bruno

A few days after leaking my story to the press, as an unnamed source of course, Eddie came to see me. He had a few, “nice”, things to say.

PC How nice to see you Eddie. It’s been a while.

EG Don’t give me that crap… I know what you did.
Eddie was seemingly furious

PC What have I done?

EG You know what I’m talking about. It was a real cheap shot. I’ve been having hell at home after this. Rachel hasn’t exactly been in a joyful mood. Not after your lies.

PC My lies? Must I remind you that I did not write anything... The papers did it.

EG And of course you didn’t have anything to do with it?

PC I certainly did not...

EG Yeah sure… I know you want me away from the club and you almost succeeded this time Campbell. I’ve just been at a hour-long meeting, or interrogation if you like, with the board and they weren’t happy. You’ve given me major problems now, Campbell.

PC Really? I did that?

EG Yeah, you did that. So then one wonders: why? Why did you do it? Surely, you can’t hate me that much, can you?

PC As I've tried to explain to you, I haven’t done anything. Get that into your thick skull! And besides, you had this coming, you twat.

EG Strong words from a weak man... Watch your back Campbell. Mark my words. Watch your back.

PC I always do...


Instead of sacking Eddie, this I was told later on that day by chairman John McKenzie, the board appointed a special commission to investigate all the accusations made against Eddie. Of course the police are also investigating all claims.

[This message was edited by Bruno on 08 April 2004 at 21:04.]

bruno

Everton vs. Leeds United – Goodison Park
Premier League – Sunday 14th March 2004

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

Not much to say about the game really. It was a one sided story with us unable to score on the chances given to us. Except from Ronaldo’s 79th minute goal. Jermaine Jenas swivelled on the ball before playing a lovely ball out to newly fielded Riccardo Montolivo who crossed the ball into Ronaldo in the area. Directly on arrival Ronaldo hit the ball straight into the right corner, leaving Richard Wright with no chance of saving.

Although Everton lost this game too, they showed that they had learned their lesson.

Everton 0:
Leeds 1: Ronaldo 79’

Attendance: 40,124

bruno

Leeds United vs. Manchester City – Elland Road
Premier League – Wednesday 17th March 2004

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, Ian Harte, Lúcio, Walter Samuel; Jermaine Pennant, Francesco Totti (c), Andrés D’Alessandro, Jermaine Jenas; Adriano, Ronaldo

After a poor performance in the last game we, not least me, expected more this night. The game proved to be a tough and nasty one, with many cards being awarded. But this didn’t stop Adriano from opening the scoring before Ronaldo scored on the penalty in the 36th minute, after Sun Jihai fouled Adriano by holding his shirt. Steve Dunn saw both a penalty in that and a Sun Jihai received his marching orders.

His sending off led to us taking over the match completely and Francesco Totti fixed us a free kick just outside the penalty area minutes into the second half. Totti self stepped up and whipped it in beautifully; he kind of bent it like Beckham. We got another free kick in a similar position, after Totti had been substituted, and Andrés D’Alessandro flighted in a free kick with two minutes to go.

Leeds 4: Adriano 12’, Ronaldo pen 36’, Totti 50’, D’Alessandro 88’
Man City 0: (Sun Jihai sent off 36’)

Attendance: 31,567

bruno

My latest attempt of trying to get rid off Eddie had failed. Today the special commission, and the police, had reached conclusions that Eddie had not done any of the things that the media (newspapers) had reported.

It was a big blow to my cause but I wasn’t very surprised. After all they weren’t accurate. And I should know since I made them up. As I was about to go home O’Flanagan came to see me.

AO’F Have you read the papers?
He waved the latest edition of the Daily Telegraph

PC Sure have. That cünt was cleared. Not very surprising though, was it?

AO’F No, not really. You should have let me taken care of him a few weeks back.

PC So you say. But I still think we need to wait before taking on such drastic measures.

AO’F Well, you’re the boss. But if you change your mind, you know where I am.

PC Yeah, down at the pub getting pìshed.