Maybe big-spending Chelsea is the best advert for English soccer, after all.
While Manchester United and Arsenal fought out a spiteful 0-0 draw that did no credit to either side or the sport on Sunday, Glenn Hoddle, one of the most talented players to pull on an English shirt, was fired as Tottenham manager just six games into the new season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
In an acrimonious game at Old Trafford between the two most successful clubs since the Premier League was formed 11 seasons ago, players from both teams were involved in scuffles and Arsenal players were guilty of gloating over Ruud van Nistelrooy's injury-time penalty miss.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Dutch striker was accused by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger of diving to get his captain, Patrick Vieira, sent off for the eighth time in his career. That incident too sparked pushing and shoving by rival players watched live on TV and both incidents are likely bring disciplinary action by the Football Association.
"Everyone in the country will be disappointed to see that behavior," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "After all, these are the two best teams in the country, by far. They have been the vanguard of our country in terms of Europe and league success, so you expect better."
While Vieira was ejected for aiming a kick at Van Nistelrooy, Wenger said that the United striker should have been sent off, too.
"Yes. I think Van Nistelrooy does not help himself frankly," said the Frenchman, whose team went back to the top of the standings, one point ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United. "He is a great player but his attitude -- he is always looking to dive. He looks a nice boy but on the pitch it is not always fair behavior.
"First it was Van Nistelrooy who kicked [Vieira] with his legs, by extending his legs after he had made the foul. I think the referee should have sent Van Nistelrooy off as well because he made the first foul and after he kicked Patrick," Wenger said.
Ferguson, who has rarely seen eye to eye with Wenger, said he was unhappy with the comments from the Arsenal manager.
"As far as I am concerned, I can defend Ruud van Nistelrooy," the veteran United manager said. "I heard Arsene's comments and I'm really disappointed to hear that, because Ruud van Nistelrooy has a foul on Patrick Vieira.
"There were many fouls in the whole game. Patrick Vieira himself had some fouls and he's reacted badly. Ruud van Nistelrooy has not dived. The referee has no option and alternative. I can defend Ruud van Nistelrooy on this," Ferguson said.
The final 10 minutes of shameful, violent behavior overshadowed what had gone before, which wasn't very much. Although Ryan Giggs hit the Arsenal post it was from a free kick which had been aimed at teammates in the box while, at the other end, United's American 'keeper -- though celebrating a fifth shutout in seven league and cup games -- didn't have a shot to save.
Contrast that with Chelsea's 5-0 victory at Wolves on Saturday, which temporarily put Claudio Ranieri's team top of the Premier League.
Thanks to the estimated ?200 million (US$320 million) injected into the cash strapped club by new owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea has 15 new faces. Ranieri was able to make seven changes from the team that won 1-0 at Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Argentina striker Hernan Crespo, one of the newcomers, entered the game as a substitute with the game already won at 3-0 and scored twice.
The fact that Chelsea has so many fresh faces in the squad contrasts sharply with the two teams who fought out old grievances at Old Trafford. It was clear that some of the players haven't forgotten.
Another club in search of a fresh face is Tottenham.
Hoddle, one of the most popular players in Tottenham history, was dismissed as Spurs' manager Sunday after the north London club's worst ever start to a Premier League season.
The former England manager, who has been under pressure for several weeks, was fired a day after Spurs' 3-1 loss to Southampton, the club he left for White Hart Lane.
Hoddle left Southampton to take over at Spurs two years ago, marking the return of a hero and sparking optimism of a Tottenham revival.
But Spurs faded at the end of last season and finished 10th. This term, the club has collected just one win and four points from the first six games and lies 18th in the 20-team standings.
"It is with regret that I announce that manager Glenn Hoddle is to leave the club with immediate effect," Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said. "Following two seasons of disappointing results, there was a significant investment in the team during the summer, in order to give us the best possible chance of success this season.
"Unfortunately, the start to this season has been our worst since the Premiership was formed [in 1991]. Coupled with the extremely poor second half to last season, the current lack of progress and any visible sign of improvement are unacceptable," Levy said.
"It is critical that I, and the board, have absolute confidence in the manager to deliver success to the club. Regrettably we do not. It is not a decision we have taken lightly. However, we are determined to see this club succeed and we must now move forward," Levy added.
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