Still Favorites

The Spanish appear to have chosen method over beauty. In the Euro they dazzled their way over the finish line. In South Africa, it seems they have to push their way there. They continue to put together the most intricate and intuitive of passes, but move towards goal far less often. Perhaps it is the struggles of striker Fernando Torres that has forced the Spanish hand into a reshuffling of the deck, or just the traditional caution that comes with the raised stakes of the World Cup. Perhaps it was the opening day loss to Switzerland.

But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Spain may have just found the type of balance that can beat any team. They've conceded twice - opening day, and a deflected strike for Chile - and haven't given the ball back since. While they carve out less chances, they continue to maintain possession of the highest order. Losing the ball to Spain means you may not get it back for another five minutes.

And just because Xavi and co. in the midfield aren't providing as many defense-splitting passes as they were with Barcelona or in the Euro, doesn't mean they won't. As evidenced by the Portugal and Paraguay goals, Xavi and Iniesta still recognize the moment that will change the game, and duly provide it- David Villa being the main beneficiary.

The Spanish midfield is still the most artistic on earth. They are also still the most cerebral. It is this genius that has led them to realize that unlocking any World Cup defense requires more than art. It requires surgery. Over the last two years, Xabi Alonso and the Barca boys especially seem to have acquired their Ph.D.

While Spain don't flow through defenses as they did in the Euro, they still win. And they are probably harder to take down. To win, you need to score, to score you need the ball, and it's all Spain's.

Big Wayne, Everton, and the title race

Last Wednesday, Everton threw Manchester United a desperately needed lifeline. This past Saturday, they've yanked it right back.

Louis Saha's superb set of strikes against Chelsea granted United a small midweek victory. (An earlier tie at Villa Park put them 1 point behind Chelsea. Just a week and a half later United traveled to Goodison to see the gap spread wide open again.

Bilyaletdinov, Gosling, and young Jack Rodwell did the damage for Everton, turning Chelsea and United's fixtures at Goodison this time around into a zero-sum game.

Berbatov opened the scoring for United on the fifteen minute mark, much like Malouda had for Chelsea.

Noticeably absent from the list of scorers is the man who's form will hold the key to where the league title ends und up this season: Wayne Rooney.

The talismanic striker's prolific form took a very surprise off-day against his former club, and United struggled. It is becoming ever clearer that Sir Alex has placed his title hopes quite squarely on the young Englishman's shoulders. The new responsibility has spurred Rooney into bagging an outstanding 27 goals in all competitions this season - but it's his rare off-days that truly highlight United's deficiencies.

It's not only his runs, his goals, and his work ethic that push United, it's his confidence. No longer second fiddle to Ronaldo, his attitude and energy visibly surge through the Red Devils when they hit their heights.

When Rooney isn't firing, neither are United, and such was the case on Saturday. Perhaps he was thrown off by the return to Goodison, where, once lauded as Everton's messiah, he has become Public Enemy Number One. It was obvious by the nintieth that a few early mistakes in the pressure-cooker environment the Goodison faithful created had taken Rooney out of his game.

This is not meant to be a scolding of Rooney, who has graduated from Best Supporting to Best remarkably, nor a scathing review of United, who have performed admirably this year when most said they wouldn't. But to make history, to win a fourth successive Premier League title for the first time, to win the title without Ronaldo, its going to take a superhuman effort from England's wonderkid. Go on, Wayne.

Can Tottenham Win the World Cup?

Wayne Rooney's role as England's leading striker is undisputed. Fabio Capello rests assured that he has at his disposal one of the world's premier match turners. But every Starsky needs a Hutch.

Spain will fly into South Africa confident of their chances: to Torres there is Villa. For France, there is an Anelka or Benzema to Thierry Henry. To Brazil's Luis Fabiano there is no shortage of partner possibilities.

England are still searching for that prolific partner to Rooney. In Tottenham's ranks they have two.

Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch make up two of the long list of "possibilities" to support Rooney in attack this summer and Defoe in particular should be especially compelling to Capello. Defoe loves to run in the channels behind defenders, and who leaves a bigger wake than Mr. Rooney?

Defoe has chosen no better year to prove his worth. His 14 goals after 21 games in the Premier League for Tottenham, who see themselves currently 4th in the league, say enough. Defoe deserves to be regarded as more than England's impact substitute. The reemergence of Micheal Owen into the conversation regarding strikers for England should push Defoe beyond aiming for a seat on the bench.

Defoe can poach with the best of them, but more importantly, he has a feel for the solo effort. Ronaldo's 2002 effort for Brazil stands as proof that a striker scoring on his own just a few times can turn a tournament. Defoe's solo stunners have always made their way to the "best of" DVD's, but they occurred with irregularity in the past. His newfound consistency may just be the key to a successful campaign in South Africa for England.

Rooney has dragged Manchester United through a barely adequate title race thus far with his outstanding goal record. Defoe has been the star of Tottenham's fight for fourth. It's time these two are unleashed on the world together. England have the midfielders to feed them, and the defender's to solidify the leads they build.

One of these supporting stars may be Tottenhams other star turn, Aaron Lennon. Lennon's goal record, as a winger, is less impressive, but his consistency this season for Tottenham parallels his prolific teammate Defoe.

Lennon's performances for club and country had been sporadic. On his day though, like Defoe, he has the power to keep an entire backline on their back foot. In Germany 2006 he proved when given the space and the chances, he can beat his man almost every time. England, headed into this tournament, are firing on most cylinders. If Lennon plays at his best when England peak, chaos may ensue for English opposition.

Lennon is a lightning quick winger who offers something new to Beckham's slow and simple style of play. A game paced on pace matched with a powerful and accurate strike with either foot make Lennon the type of player to just maybe grab or create the goal England may really need.

The World Cup is a tournament that often hinges on the form of a few stars. Sometimes it is the ripening of the supporting cast that makes the difference. In a tournament that will be so flush with top talent, Tottenham may be able to offer the B-listers that tournaments typically tip on.