1ST WEEK MARCH 2003
There is no reason for me to review the 1st week of March 2003 than because my birthday was on 1st of March 2003! Hehe! Nah, it is just that something interesting happened so I wish to review it. The MAJOR REASON for me to do this is because Real Madrid for the first time after 18 games of Real Sociedad's strong hold of the top of La Liga finally takes over the No.1 position after all teams had played the same number of matches. That itself is my relief because I have been watching and hoping for many weeks just to see by when the leader of La Liga will be finally changed. This week, the answer is obviously answered and I want to just do a review of it.

Real Sociedad was beaten 3-0 by Valladolid while Real Madrid crushed Alaves 5-1 with Ronaldo's first Real hattrick and 2 brilliant strikes of Raul. My second supported team, Newcastle United continues their fine run of both Premiership and Champions League form by beating Chelsea 2-1. An own goal by Hasselbaink and a goal from defender Oliver Bernard was enough to seal victory. Newcastle extends their record of not losing in the Premiership immediately after an European tie to 20 games and are now tied with Manchester United at the standings of the Premier League.
The Double R Attacking Force
Ronaldo In Excellent Form
Dyer and The Magpies In Action
In Serie A, Juventus goes 3 points clear at the top with a 3-0 win over Inter Milan while AC Milan was held earlier at 3-3 by Atlanta and stay put at 3rd place, 1 point behind Inter. Liverpool's Worthington Cup win is another big news this week and it was their record seventh time winning the cup. The 2-0 win over Manchester United definitely will be a joy and relief to Gerard Houllier because of their poor run lately. Jerzy Dudek was hailed the hero for Liverpool for his great performance defending the Liverpool goalpost. Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen both contributed to the scoresheet.

While Manchester United was busy with their League Cup match, Arsenal extended their lead in the Premier League to a further eight points. With 9 more matches to go, Arsenal is in a good position to retain their Premiership crown if they continue their winning ways.Francis Jeffers and Robert Pires were the goal scorers in the 2-0 victory over Charlton at Highbury.In the La Liga, Valencia missed a chance to go on top and join Real Madrid when they were held 1-1 by Celta Vigo.John Carew contributed to Valencia's scoreline before Celta equalised from a Luis Edu goal 2 minutes later. They are now at the 3rd ranking, 1 point behind Real Sociedad. Deportivo La Coruna followed 1 point behind Valencia with a 2-1 win over Racing Santander. Goals from Deportivo are from Roy Makaay and Alberto Luque. While Barcelona continues their reform with a 2-2 draw with Osasuna. The goals come from Javier Saviola and Martinez Luis Enrique.

With the Champions League almost ending its 2nd round and the 2002/2003 season coming to its final stages, the heat is on for both Real Madrid and Newcastle to further extend their ambitions to win something this season. Real Madrid must hold firm the position they are now in at the top of the table. It will not be an easy task since the pressure is on from Sociedad, Valencia and Deportivo, all three having the possibilities to win the La Liga title this season. Barcelona on the other hand must try its best at least to reach the UEFA Cup qualifying ranking for next season. While Newcastle will at least have to have high ambitions to get the 2nd place in the Premier Legaue, although chasing Arsenal and winning the title is possible, but requires Arsenal to slip and that means a little bit of luck is needed. While Manchester United will not just stare on and want the title themselves.

For the Champions League, Real Madrid wil have to beat Lokomotiv Moscow and AC MIlan if they want to qualify for the quarterfinal. Likewise for Newcastle, they too have two big matches coming up against Inter Milan and Barcelona. Both teams must try hard to push for victories if they want to ensure their fight in the Champions League to continue on. Newcastle however have a more difficult task and will be more desperate since they are behind Barcelona and Inter Milan in the standings. Whatever it shall be, I will be wishing hard that both teams will win something this season, especially Newcastle's young lads for all their effort and determination.
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