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Chelsea ease through Champions League openers

Having started the Premier League season in fantastic form, Chelsea have also started the Champions League in a rich vein of form that has seen them clearly demonstrate why they are one of the current favourites with Champions league betting to lift the trophy at Wembley come next May.

Even though they are a side which is still ironing out one or two difficulties (having been beaten by a well-organised Manchester City side in the Premier League), they have also shown that they are a team capable of beating their main rivals, having comprehensively overcome the challenge posed by London rivals Arsenal in a recent tie in the Premier League.

With players such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard having failed to show their best form in the European competition this season, Chelsea are surely only going to improve as the competition progresses, a fact that is likely to worry rivals such as Barcelona, who will be looking to continue their rivalry with the London side come the knockout stages of the Champions League.

However, with the competition still in its early days, Chelsea know that they still have some work to do in order to ensure that they are certain to win their group and subsequently improve their chances of facing a weaker side in the first round of the knockout stages.

Should they slacken off before this time, however, the Champions League odds believe that Chelsea are likely to face a far more difficult time if they wish to pick up their first Champions League trophy at Wembley next year.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Spurs finally mixing it with the big boys

It has been 49 years since Tottenham Hotspur were last in Europe’s premier club competition. Since then, man has walked on the moon, the Beatles formed (and subsequently split up), and the Berlin wall was brought crashing down by a combination of the collapse of the Eastern Bloc – whichever way you look at it, that’s a long wait for another chance at the big time.

But if you asked their fans whether the wait has been worth it, the majority would probably say yes. When fully fit, the team now looks strong in all departments, and the man at the helm, Harry Redknapp, is one of the most respected coaches in the Premier League. He is currently strong favourite to take over the national side when Fabio Capello steps down at the end of the European Championships in 2012 – a change that many feel is long overdue following the unsuccessful reign of Steve McLaren and our poor showing at the World Cup in South Africa.

And why not? When he took over the reins at Spurs, they were languishing at the bottom of the table, but that season he guided them to an eighth place finish and refurbished his squad with an array of exciting internationals such as Jermaine Defoe, Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane – a player previously struggling for form at rivals Liverpool. He got the best from the players he already had at his disposal, and enhanced the belief and performances from those he brought in – a trait which saw him guide Spurs to a fourth place finish last term. But he’s being realistic about the challenge he faces this season.

Spurs are currently suffering something of an injury crisis in defence, with King, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson and Woodgate all taking up space on the physio table, but get them back fit and there’s no reason why last season’s success should be a one-off, the Spurs betting certainly suggests they’re in with a chance.

Add those players to a midfield reinforced with the signing of Rafael Van der Vaart – a genuine world-beater bought for a knock-down price – and a front line of Pavlyuchenko, Keane, Crouch and Defoe, they look like they could give any side in Europe a game. We’ll know more after their midweek encounter with Inter Milan, but Spurs have to believe they are where they deserve to be – and if they do, then the current holders could be in for quite a shock come Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the Blackburn betting suggests the side could pick up three points against Sunderland this weekend.

The north-east team has a woeful away record and could slip up again.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Liverpool owners try to block bids, dump officials

Liverpool's crisis escalated Tuesday after the debt-ridden club's American owners opposed two new takeover bids and attempted to remove two senior board members.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. won't accept either bid because they would not earn a significant profit. The bidders are only willing to pay about 300 million pounds ($477 million). The club's debt has grown to 285 million pounds and is due to be repaid by Oct. 15.

One offer is from New England Sports Venture - the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team - with the other from an Asian investor, a person familiar with the situation said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the names of the bidders aren't being publicly discussed. Red Sox president Larry Lucchino declined comment on whether his team was involved in a bid.

Before a meeting Tuesday to discuss the offers, the owners unsuccessfully tried to remove managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre from the board and install one of Hicks' sons and a financial controller from his company.

Purslow, Ayre and chairman Martin Broughton want to pursue negotiations with the bids and are now considering legal action against Hicks and Gillett.

"The board of directors have received two excellent financial offers to buy the club that would repay all its long-term debt," the statement said. "A board meeting was called today to review these bids and approve a sale. Shortly prior to the meeting, the owners - Tom Hicks and George Gillett - sought to remove managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre from the board, seeking to replace them with Mack Hicks and Lori Kay McCutcheon.

"This matter is now subject to legal review and a further announcement will be made in due course. Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre continue to explore every possible route to achieving a sale of the club at the earliest opportunity."

The turmoil comes after Liverpool lost to unheralded Blackpool on Sunday to confirm the club's worst start to a league season since 1953. Liverpool hasn't won in five matches in all competitions and will remain in the relegation zone for at least two weeks. The team was also recently knocked out of the League Cup by Northampton, a club struggling in the fourth tier of English football.

A group of Liverpool celebrities has appeared on a video playing on the Internet pleading with Hicks and Gillett to leave the club.

Hicks and Gillett were forced to put the club up for sale in April after struggling to meet the repayments resulting from their 2007 leveraged takeover. Hicks wants to sell for about 600 million pounds, a figure that has forced several investors to end their interest.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com

Spurs Lock In Redknapp, Set Sights on Brazilian Striker

London. Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp said on Tuesday that Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano was high on his wish list, but admitted that the player’s salary expectations could prove a stumbling block.

Tottenham has not made any official contact with the Spanish club, but Redknapp confirmed that he would be interested in the 29-year-old Brazil international, who had an impressive run during the World Cup.

“Yes, I like him,” Redknapp said during an interview with ESPN Soccernet.

“He’s a fabulous player and would be a brilliant addition to any team. It was put to us that he might be available, but we’ve not made contact with his club, Sevilla, and, to be perfectly honest, I haven’t sat down to discuss any transfer targets with our chairman, Daniel Levy, apart from trying to do a deal with Joe Cole.

“I am not unhappy with the squad I have, but of course if a special player came along I would look at it, and Fabiano is a special player all right. For sure, he is a class act, but I don’t know what he earns. He might be on mega-money, so it might prove to be impossible for us.”

Tottenham’s interest in free agent Cole continues and Redknapp said he hoped the former Chelsea midfielder would opt to head to White Hart Lane.

Cole is thought to be considering offers from Manchester City and Arsenal, but Spurs remain in the hunt, with Redknapp looking to team up again with the player he signed for West Ham.

“I managed Joe before, and I signed him when he was 11,” Redknapp said. “We have always had a good relationship. I know what makes Joe tick and it’s his love of the game, and his need to be playing it.

“I have spoken with Joe at length and I would like him, and when we talked, he appreciated my view that Tottenham is now a club going places.

“I would like Joe here with me, but it is now up to the club and up to Joe. If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that, but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe’s mind.”

Redknapp has also signed a contract extension to manage the team until 2013. His contract had been due to expire at the end of next season.

The 63-year-old Englishman took charge in October 2008 when Spurs were bottom of the English Premier League and transformed them into a top-four team by May.

“I am now committed to Spurs for the next three years and of course I am pleased by that,” Redknapp said. “That has made me think about how long I want to stay in the game, and who knows, I might stay with Spurs many more years than 2013.”

After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Spurs will contest a playoff next month to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time.

Redknapp, who left Portsmouth to manage Spurs, has shelved any talk of retirement.

“You never know what is around the corner and, while I have the energy, I think I will carry on for as long as I can,” he said.

“I have changed my mind and I feel as though I have a good few years left me in yet. When you see how long Sir Alex Ferguson has lasted, and some of the guys of the older generation that keep on going like Fabio Capello, Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson, you think I could do the same.

“None of them are youngsters any more, they are of the same age group, and it is true that there is no substitute for experience in management. The game is crying out for stability, and the experienced guys know the job.” (FP, AP)

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Drogba Factor Gives Chelsea the Edge in Final

London - Didier Drogba’s knack for scoring goals at Wembley and against Portsmouth are two of the reasons why Chelsea is an overwhelming favorite to finish the season with its first-ever league and FA Cup double.

After clinching the Engliaag Premier League title with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Wigan last weekend, when Drogba scored three times to earn the golden boot as the competition’s top scorer, Chelsea has all the ingredients to make Saturday’s Cup final against Portsmouth a one-sided affair.

Relegated from the Premier League as a last-place finisher and deep in financial trouble, Portsmouth is hoping to follow up its surprise semifinal victory over Tottenham with an even bigger shock at Wembley.

But Chelsea has the Drogba factor and the 32-year-old Ivory Coast striker is hungry to add to his five goals at the home of English football and six in games against Portsmouth.

“That pitch brings me a lot of luck,” Drogba said on Thursday. “It is something we really want to achieve, it won’t be easy because Portsmouth have been focused and it will be a happy ending for them after their season, but this next week is so important for us.”

Drogba has been at Chelsea for six seasons, helping the team win three league titles as well as two FA Cups and two League Cups.

“This is the best season of my career,” he said. “My third season here I scored 33 goals, and 20 goals in the league, this one I scored 29 in the league.”

With Drogba’s scoring success and Chelsea’s emphatic last game triumph to capture the league title, it all points to an easy victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s team as the former AC Milan coach chases the double triumph in his first season in English football.

There was a scare when John Terry left Wednesday’s training session with his right foot in a protective boot, prompting fears he had broken a bone. But he said that was just a precaution and the Chelsea captain was back in training on Thursday.

Portsmouth now has former Chelsea manager Avram Grant in charge and, although the Israeli was unable to keep the team in the Premier League, he has the chance to beat the club he guided to the Champions League final in 2008.

“Avram’s been great since he’s been here,” Portsmouth midfielder Hayden Mullins said.

“He’s a brilliant coach and a good motivator. Hopefully he can come up with a trick that will stifle Chelsea.”

Mullins said Portsmouth could use its underdog status to pull off the latest Cup final surprise in the long history of the competition, after beating Tottenham 2-0 in the semifinals.

“There’s no pressure on us. The pressure’s on Chelsea,” he said. “The longer we keep them quiet, the more the pressure mounts.”

Associated Press

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Tevez hattrick keeps Man City on course for fourth

London - Carlos Tevez grabbed a quickfire hat-trick against 10-man Wigan Athletic to give Manchester City a 3-0 victory and boost their bid to finish fourth in the Premier League on Monday.

City, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur before kickoff, struggled until Wigan`s Gary Caldwell was shown a red card for a foul on Tevez after 56 minutes but finally clicked into gear thanks to the Argentine striker.

Roberto Mancini`s side moved to 56 points from 31 matches, two more than Liverpool who have played 32. Tottenham, who City still have to play at home, have 58 points from 31.

After spending vast sums of owner Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan`s money on signing the likes of Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz, fourth spot and a chance of Champions League football was the minimum requirement for City.

Tevez brought that possibility a step closer at Eastlands with an inspired second-half display which brought him three goals in 13 minutes.

Wigan, desperately trying to stay clear of the relegation zone, still looked dangerous after Caldwell`s slightly harsh sending-off but Tevez put City ahead on minutes when he tapped in as Wigan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic failed to gather a routine
ball under pressure from Adebayor.

Another simple finish made it 2-0 two minutes later and Tevez wrapped up the points with his best effort of the night, a classy finish after waltzing into the Wigan area.

Source: http://www.antara.co.id

Wenger calls for focus on domestic challenge

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called on his players to focus on their match against West Ham on Saturday to go top of the Barclays Premier League. Wenger was talking in the wake of his side’s Champions League quarter-final draw against Barcelona.

The Gunners were drawn against the holders and the favorites to land Europe’s most prestigious competition. The two clubs faced-off in the 2006 final in Paris which ended 2-1 in favor of the Catalan giants.

Wenger warned his squad players to concentrate on their domestic challenge, “We have fought since August for the championship and it is important we keep our mind on what is vital to us – that is the championship, then we can go into the Champions League with the right belief.”

With former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry now playing at the Nou Camp and current Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas set to face his boyhood club, the Barcelona tie is a mouthwatering one.

Wenger added, “If you go to the bookmakers and try to place a few pounds, you will see that we are not favourites against Barcelona.

“Of course they are a good side, but so are we. For me, we have a 50/50 game – if we turn up with our best performance we have a good chance to beat them.

“It will be an interesting, exciting game. We have to make sure we have the belief and focus right.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Wenger backs Ferguson in fixture row

LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has backed Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that the Premier League fixture list is unfair and should be changed.

Ferguson has been highly critical this week of the scheduling that has led to his Manchester United side playing a majority of weekend Premier League games away from home following a midweek Champions League clash.

Wenger took the unusual step of agreeing with his longstanding rival after his Arsenal team’s 3-1 FA Cup third round victory over Plymouth Argyle at the Emirates Stadium here Saturday.

The Gunners boss believes Ferguson has a case – and pointed to the imbalance of home fixtures across the four Champions League teams to reinforce his claim.

"I saw Ferguson made the case about fixtures," Arsenal manager Wenger said. "And we checked because we are always curious. And he has a case, and in this case so do we.

"If you take the international fixtures plus the Champions League, everybody has played ten games, six Champions League games and four internationals.

"And after those 10 games, we played eight away games and two at home. Manchester United played nine away games, Chelsea played six games at home and four away. And Liverpool played eight times at home and two away.

"You could argue the biggest disadvantage is not the Champions League but the international games when some of your players play a Wednesday night in Mexico and they cannot even play on Saturday if you kick-off early."

Wenger said the only solution was to change the Premier League fixture list to match the international and Champions League schedules.

"I would think the way to do it is if you play 10 games after Champions League or internationals then everybody plays five games at home and five away.

"But you have some teams playing eight or nine away and some teams playing eight at home, that is not really a fair competition.

"That is an unfair advantage and that explains a lot. In that case I stand alongside Ferguson."

Wenger said he felt a sense of relief after Arsenal saw off Championship side Plymouth thanks to two goals from Robin van Persie and a David Gray own-goal.

Dutch striker van Persie was made captain for the day in the absence of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and the injured Cesc Fabregas even though former skipper William Gallas was in the starting line-up.

"He is always interested in team problems and team affairs and he wants to help sort things out," Wenger said of van Persie. "In today’s team he was the longest servant of the club and he did well.

"I believe he is one of the players who show how well you can have an evolution. When you consider how he was when he came here and who he is today, he has evolved well.

"Not many would have believed he would be captain when he arrived here."

Arsenal’s injury problems got worse when defender Mikael Silvestre was forced out after just 30 minutes with a thigh problem that should keep him out for three weeks.

Meanwhile, Wenger denied reports that Arsenal had received an offfer for centre-back Kolo Toure, who missed this match with a groin problem.

But he did say he might have to review his transfer priorities during the January window after these latest injuries.

"I have to look at it at the moment," he conceded. "At the moment with the injuries we have we are a bit short everywhere.

"Kolo I hope will not be out for a long time. He has an inflamed groin but Gael Clichy should be back next week."

Written by: AFP

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Mature United please Ferguson

MILAN, Italy (AFP) – Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson praised his team’s growing maturity after they dominated Serie A leaders Inter Milan in a 0-0 Champions League draw.

The only down side of United’s performance in the San Siro on Tuesday night was the failure to convert one of their numerous chances, particularly in a first half in which there seemed to be a gulf in class between the two teams.

It left Ferguson disappointed to be going back to Old Trafford in two weeks time with the tie still finely in the balance.

But the 67-year-old boss said the game did at least show that United have come a long way in the last two years since they were given a footballing lesson by Inter’s San Siro housemates AC Milan.

"I’m disappointed we didn’t win the match but it’s only half time in a way and we’re going to Old Trafford," said Ferguson.

"We came here two years ago and you can see the development of the team. In our immaturity we were swamped by AC Milan that night but you saw the maturity (against Inter), the team is improving."

Two years ago United had won a thrilling semi-final first-leg clash 3-2 at Old Trafford but were simply swept away in the return as a Kaka-inspired Milan cantered to a 3-0 victory.

That result came only a couple of years after United had also gone out to Milan in the second round having lost 1-0 both home and away.

However, he admitted that a 0-0 draw away from home in the first leg always presented a risk in the return.

The last time United were champions of Europe they fell at the first knock-out round the following year having drawn 0-0 away to Real Madrid.

That was followed by a dreadful defensive display in the home leg which saw United fall 3-0 behind at Old Trafford before fighting back to eventually lose 3-2 on the night and on aggregate.

But Ferguson pointed to last season’s semi-final against Barcelona for a more contemporary example of United’s response to a 0-0 first leg draw away from home.

"What you’re seeing in the team is maturity. There’s always a threat at home that you can lose a goal and that’s a threat if you don’t score away," he said.

"We didn’t score gainst Barcelona either and we were playing a fantastic Barcelona team at Old Trafford."

But a single goal from Paul Scholes was enough to see United through to the final, which they won dramatically on penalties against Chelsea.

"Our concentration in that game (against Barca) was fantastic and that’s what we will need to be (against Inter), concentrated and focused. I think we’ll be ok with that.

"I think they will play more condensed, tighter. They will go back to their penalty box."

And while Ferguson praised his team he also seemed to be enjoying another battle with Mourinho.

Ferguson smirked when reminded about Mourinho’s pre-match assertion that United would come to defend, and his claim after the match that Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo had favoured the visitors.

"I thought it was a marvellous performance from the referee, he wasn’t intimidated and that’s what Jose was hoping for but the referee wasn’t intimidated, I thought he was first class," said Ferguson.

"I think Jose new full well what we were going to do. He tells you (the press) one thing and his players another.

"He knew full well we were going to attack, he knows our club and our philosophy."

Written by: AFP

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Man Utd beat Arsenal to sign Fulham defender Smalling

Manchester United have revealed Fulham defender Chris Smalling, who had been linked with Arsenal, will join them for the start of 2010-11 season.

Smalling, 20, was playing non-league football for Maidstone until 2008 and only two of his league appearances for Fulham have been in the starting XI.

It has not been said how long a deal the Greenwich-born player has signed.

United have had defensive problems this season with both John O'Shea and Rio Ferdinand suffering injury problems.

"The club's accepted an offer - as far as I know he's going for a medical on Thursday," Fulham boss Roy Hodgson told BBC Sport after his side's 2-0 defeat by Tottenham on Tuesday.

Smalling's first-team debut for Fulham was on the final day of last season, and his first start was in the Europa League game away at CSKA Sofia in September last year.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was evidently impressed by his performance, saying he had "played with a maturity I'm not entitled to expect from a player so young".

Smalling's first Premier League start was on 28 December, at Chelsea, where he scored an own goal in a 2-1 defeat.

He also played against Spurs on the same day his transfer to United was made public, and was partly at fault for Peter Crouch's opening goal.

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Mancini eyes Manchester derby win to seal Wembley final

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has called on his side to "change history" as they take on Manchester United for a Carling Cup final place.

Mancini won the Coppa Italia four times while managing in Serie A

City lead 2-1 going into Wednesday's semi-final, second leg at Old Trafford after a heated first game where Carlos Tevez and Gary Neville made headlines.

Security will be tight for the match and both managers have called for calm.

"We must change the history of this club," said Mancini as City aim to make their first major cup final since 1981.

Meanwhile, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been buoyed by the form of Wayne Rooney, who scored all four goals in Saturday's Premier League win over Hull and has reiterated his desire to stay at the club.

"Wayne is in such great form, there are not many matching him," stated Ferguson.

Defender Rio Ferdinand will be available to play if he chooses to appeal against a violent conduct charge after he appeared to strike Hull forward Craig Fagan in the game at the weekend.

If Ferdinand accepts the Football Association charge, he will begin an immediate three-match ban, while any appeal would be heard on Thursday.

Ahead of the second leg, police made three further arrests on Wednesday morning in connection with trouble at the first match.

City will be backed by 9,000 supporters at Old Trafford and Mancini, who took over from Mark Hughes at Eastlands in December, wants his players to keep cool in what promises to be a challenging atmosphere.

Tevez turned to the United bench as he celebrated a double against his former club in the first leg.

The Argentine striker - along with former team-mate Neville - was warned by the FA about his future behaviour and English football's governing body and the police have reminded both managers of their responsibilities ahead of the crunch clash.

Neville appeared to make a one-fingered gesture from the touchline in the first leg after Tevez scored an equaliser from the penalty spot.

Tevez then called the English defender a "boot-licker" and a "moron" in a radio interview following the defender's comments about the former West Ham player before the first leg.

Eighteen arrests were made at Eastlands as the heated atmosphere spread into the crowd and an extra 75 police officers have been drafted in for the match at Old Trafford.

However, Ferguson is confident the game will pass without trouble despite the lure of a Wembley final place.

"We have great players who play to the right rules of the game," he added.

"We have never had any issues in big games. Look at the record. I am not worried about it."

Manchester City's last major cup final was the 1981 FA Cup - an encounter that resulted in a famous replay where Steve Mackenzie scored a 30-yard volley before Ricky Villa's memorable mazy run helped earn a 3-2 win for Tottenham.

The last big trophy for City came in 1976 when a spectacular overhead kick from Dennis Tueart sealed a 2-1 League Cup final triumph over Newcastle.

Mancini enthused: "We want to change the history. The players are passionate about it but we must start somewhere and it is important to get to that first final."

Supporters of both clubs are being advised to arrive as early as possible because of extra security measures at Old Trafford.

Ferguson has called for United fans to 'rise to the occasion'.

"I don't think I even have to ask the fans to turn up the volume. It will just happen," he says in his United Review programme notes.

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Arsenal must end trophy drought: Adebayor

LONDON (AFP) – Emmanuel Adebayor insists Arsenal must end their four-year trophy drought if they are to reclaim their place among European football’s elite.

Arsene Wenger’s side will attempt to ease their way past Villarreal in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg, the first leg ended 1-1, before facing Chelsea in the weekend FA Cup semi-final.

After a troubled campaign, the Gunners have rescued their season on the back of a 17-game unbeaten run.

And Adebayor – who is adamant he is settled at the Emirates Stadium after being strongly linked with a move AC Milan last summer – believes Wenger’s young squad is now ready to step up to the next level and restore the club as a trophy-winning force.

“If you want to be a big club, of course you have to win things, which is normal,” the striker said.

“If most of the people say Manchester United are a big club in Europe, it is because they won the Premier League and the Champions League.

“They are the reasons they are big. We are ready for that. We were unlucky to go out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Liverpool last season. This season we have the chance to do it and just have to take our chances.

“I’ve been here three years and saying we have to win things and achieve things and now I think it is a real chance to win something because we are in the semi-final of the FA Cup and quarter-final of the Champions League. We just have to stand up and go for it.”

The prospect of Arsenal lifting silverware looked remote after the loss of key players Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini last summer and the reports of a dressing room split that followed William Gallas’s demotion as skipper.

Gallas was critical of the efforts of some of his younger colleagues but Adebayor has no doubt that the squad is now fully united – and that he is ready to shoulder the responsibility for scoring the goals that could make the difference of success and failure this year.

He added: “The pressure is there: all the fans, the newspapers, journalists. That is normal. I can understand that.

“For me as a footballer the most important thing is how I am going to help my team to win. We know Villarreal will be one of the toughest games I will have in my life and we will have to give 100 percent. After that we will talk about other things.

“It’s been difficult with all the problems, Hleb going to Barcelona, Matthieu Flamini going to Milan and everything was struggling a little bit, are we going to buy or not, all these thing, myself going or staying.

“I know we’ve had a difficult season in the Premier League, but we’re still in the Champions League, still in the FA Cup and that’s fantastic.

“For me we are now playing quite well and we enjoy playing together as a team, we are as a team and we are back in business, that is the most important thing.”

Sumber: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Adebayor to miss Roma clash

LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has admitted Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Roma on Wednesday but the Gunners manager hopes Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure will be fit.

Adebayor has been sidelined for a month after suffering a hamstring injury in the goalless Premier League draw with Tottenham and will not travel to Italy for the last 16 second leg clash as Arsenal try to hold onto their one-goal lead.

Although Toure missed Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Burnley with a minor injury, Wenger believes he has a good chance of recovering in time.

"Adebayor definitely won’t be able to play, but I will wait to see what the report is on Kolo before I decide what my starting XI will be," Wenger said.

Despite Adebayor’s absence, Wenger will have more attacking options after Eduardo and Theo Walcott played against Burnley.

Eduardo marked his return from a hamstring injury with a superb goal, while England winger Walcott played the last 20 minutes in his first appearance since shoulder surgery in November.

Walcott admits he is not fit enough to start yet, but he hopes to make an impact from the substitutes bench in the Stadio Olympico.

"I need a few more training sessions, a few more games coming off the bench and hopefully if I am doing well the boss will put me in," Walcott said.

"I am just looking forward to another experience in Italy. In Arsenal training, you obviously dont want to injure your own players so you tend to be a little softer but matchdays are totally different.

"I still haven’t experienced getting clattered yet so that’s the next test but our new doctor has come from a rugby background. He has dealt with two dislocated shoulders a year and he said, touch wood, I’ll be OK."

With Walcott and Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas set to return by the start of April, Arsenal are approaching full strength again at a crucial stage of the season.

The Gunners are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they face Hull for the right to play Chelsea in the last four, and are only three points behind Aston Villa in the battle for a top four finish in the Premier League.

"I believe everyone at this club is a big player but the more there are in the squad it boosts the fans which is very important. As soon as we have got these players back, hopefully we will be flying," he said.

"We haven’t really lost that many games, we have just drawn a few. I am going to try and give something back to the team and try and push for those Champions League spots.

"We are not going to get too ahead of ourselves. But if we play football like we did against Burnley we can beat anyone."

Sumber: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Manchester United loan Zoran Tosic to FC Cologne

Manchester United have allowed Serbian winger Zoran Tosic to join German side FC Cologne on loan until the summer.

The 22-year-old arrived at Old Trafford 12 months ago from Partizan Belgrade as part of a reported £16.3m double deal that also saw Adem Ljajic join United.

But Tosic has failed to win a first-team place since, making only two appearances this season, in the Carling Cup against Barnsley and Tottenham.

However, he said: "I don't believe I have had my final say at United."

He added: "Hopefully my displays with Cologne will be my ticket back to Old Trafford."

Ljajic left the club only last month after manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided not to take up the option to sign him.

He has since gone on to join Italian club Fiorentina.

Tosic and Ljajic are still regarded as two of Serbia's brightest young talents, despite their failure to settle in at the Premier League champions.

From BBC

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Sir Alex Ferguson relishes Arsenal battle

Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Manchester United's Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday as his club's "biggest game of the season".

With leaders Chelsea only one point ahead of United, with a game in hand, and Arsenal one point behind, Ferguson is convinced the game could be pivotal.

"Looking at the way the league is shaping up, this game on Sunday is the biggest of the season for us," he said.

"It has relevance as both sides have a genuine chance of winning the league."

Ferguson is relishing the opportunity to try to deal a major blow to one of United's main title rivals but he admitted Arsenal's recent run of 10 league games without defeat means Arsene Wenger's side are a major threat.

"It is amazing how this league has changed," said Ferguson. "As I have said all along, the team that is most consistent will win the league now.

"Arsenal's current form has been very good. It has brought them back into the picture. That is why this is such a massive game for us."

United face Chelsea at old Trafford on 3 April and Ferguson acknowledged the importance of staying in touch with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

"If Chelsea win their game in hand they go four points ahead of us," said Ferguson. "That is the catch-up part."

Wenger has refused to put quite as much importance on the match as his United counterpart and the Frenchman is convinced the Gunners can still challenge for the title, whatever the outcome at the Emirates.

Pearce and Keown on Arsenal v Man Utd

"I believe that no matter what happens we will still be in a position where we will have a chance after these games, but it can put us in a very strong position and that is what we want," said Wenger.

"We know that to be successful in this period we have to be more of a team than the other teams. We have to think how strong and how much solidarity it takes to get through a period like that. That is what we want to show on Sunday.

"We love being in the race. Of course it was our dream to be in this position in this period of time."

United will be without Rio Ferdinand, who starts a four-match ban after a Football Association disciplinary panel decided his appeal against a violent conduct charge for his attack on Hull's Craig Fagan last week was "frivolous".

Meanwhile, Wenger is adamant defender Sol Campbell can stop in-form striker Wayne Rooney when the sides meet.

The Gunners boss will hand Campbell, 35, a first Premier League start since rejoining the club if Thomas Vermaelen does not recover from a knee injury.

"Sol can cope with Rooney. He is ready if he has recovered well," said Wenger.

Wenger backs 'big match' Campbell

"He has experience and he likes the big games. He can turn up if needed and experience helps in these games."

Rooney has dominated the headlines in recent weeks after scoring four goals against Hull last weekend and heading the winner against Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

The England striker has scored 19 goals in the Premier League this season, prompting boss Sir Alex Ferguson to hail him as "world class".

Campbell spent four months out of the game after quitting League Two side Notts County in September, but following a lengthy period training with his old team Wenger signed the centre-back until the end of the season.

The former England international made his second debut in last weekend's FA Cup defeat at Stoke before coming on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Villa following the injury to Vermaelen.

And Wenger will assess whether Campbell has recovered sufficiently to play three games in a week prior to naming his side."

The Frenchman will also run the rule over 24-year-old Vermaelen, who was originally feared to have fractured his leg at Villa Park.

"The good news we have on Vermaelen is that there is no fracture," Wenger said of the Belgian, who has been a key figure since arriving from Ajax for £10m in the summer.

"We have to assess his knee today, there is still a small chance that he plays on Sunday.

"We will do the maximum to get him fit, but at the moment it looks unlikely.

"It should be a very short-term injury, and at the latest he should be ready for the Chelsea game (on 7 February)."

From BBC

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand may fight increased ban

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is considering whether to appeal against the increase to his ban for violent conduct.

The 31-year-old lost his original appeal against a three-match suspension for an altercation with Craig Fagan during Saturday's 4-0 win over Hull.

The Football Association labelled the appeal "frivolous" and increased his ban to four games.

United have until Monday to contest the additional one-game suspension.

The FA told BBC Sport that Manchester United can appeal against the increase but have yet to hear from the reigning Premier League champions.

United were unavailable to confirm to BBC Sport what their next move would be, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed his displeasure with the disciplinary processes being used by the game's governing body.

"We have to decide whether to appeal because there are conflicting ways in how these decisions are being viewed," he said.

"I watched the game between Leyton Orient and Charlton on Monday and there was an elbow on the Charlton player three times as he was running with the ball.

"But nothing has happened with that. There is a lot of confusion there, although we accept that for (Saturday), Rio is banned."

Ferdinand only returned to action at Old Trafford at the weekend for the first time in three months after recovering from a calf injury.

But after appearing to swing an arm at Hull striker Fagan, the England centre-half picked up a three-match ban, which was then extended to four after the Football Association rejected the defender's appeal as "frivolous".

Because of the appeal, Ferdinand, who has made only 10 appearances for his club so far this season, was able to play in Wednesday's Carling Cup win over Manchester City, but he faces a further suspension if he fails to overturn the ban on the fourth game.

While he is definitely banned for the next three games, at Arsenal on Sunday and then the following Premier League matches against Portsmouth and Aston Villa, the Red Devils could succeed in having their centre-half available at Everton on 20 February.

If Ferdinand received a five-match suspension on the back of another appeal, he would be ruled out of the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa on 28 February at Wembley.

From BBC

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praises Nani

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Nani is finally starting to deliver on his potential after the 3-1 win over Arsenal.

The 23-year-old Portugal winger, who reportedly criticised Ferguson's management earlier this season, set up two goals in an impressive performance.

"Maturity is why we're seeing the best of him now," said Ferguson.

"His last three games have been absolutely first class but today was his best."

Signed from Sporting Lisbon in summer 2007, Nani has taken some time to settle at Old Trafford.

It seemed his future at the club could have been in doubt after he made just two appearances between the start of November and the end of 2009.

But he has started four of the United's last five matches and Ferguson believes his character is transforming as well as his form.

"He's a very shy boy and maybe his personality is getting stronger to play for us every week. Today was an example of that maturity," the Scot said.

Ferguson believes his side's ability on the break proved crucial in exposing Arsenal's weaknesses.

Ji-Sung Park and Wayne Rooney both scored from slick passing raids which caught the Gunners short in defence.

"Counter-attack has always been a part of our game," said Ferguson.

"Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of the box regularly, so if you can get the ball, you've got a chance against them."

Rooney's strike took his tally to seven from United's last five matches and it also means he has scored 100 Premier League goals - just the 18th player to do so.

The England international is five goals clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts having already amassed more than last season's top scorer Nicolas Anelka managed in the whole of last term.

"Rooney was the key player in the sense they just couldn't handle him," Ferguson added.

"Everything was played towards him, in front of him or behind them and he was on to it every time."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger preferred to focus on his own side's shortcomings in his assessment of the match.

The Gunners were unbeaten in their 10 previous league games, but Sunday's result leaves them five points off leaders Chelsea having played a game more.

"We gave them too much room. We were naive. It is difficult to say straight after the game why we were not at our level," said Wenger.

"It is too early to analyse but I believe there are some mental reasons.

"It is a massive blow and a massive disappointment. The players wanted to win, they are really down. We have to recover from that. That is part of top-level football."

From BBC

Source: http://www.manutd-blog.com

Stoke Smoke Arsenal, but Wenger Has His Eyes on the Big Prize

by Chibueze Kelvin Osuoji

Once more Walcott was poor.

After scrapping through West Ham, Stoke humilated the Gunners, with a poor all-round performance although there are lots of positives to take from the game as Arsene Wengers' mindset, I believe, will change for the better.

Lets clear something straight right from the start and we will know where this is going. Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2004, F.A Cup in 2005 and have never won the Champions League. Therefore Wengers is under more pressure to win the Champions League and Premier League than he is to win the F.A Cup(which I believe he just sacrificed).

With fans on his back, Wenger is feeling the pressure and wants to win a trophy this season. After this game his chances are once more low, or better said he is a dark-horse to win any trophy. This has been the case the last five years where Arsenal finished without trophies except for 07-08 when the season just collapsed after having such amazing runs.

A factor contributing to Arsenal's plight is injuries and the lack of squad depth making Wenger field youngsters and inexperienced folks for games like these. Just for a note, the F.A Cup is no Carling Cup and should be treated with respect. Niklas Bendtner, who Wenger recently put faith in, just recovered and Walcott is just returning from nagging injuries. Additionally, Rosicky can't be risked, Eduardo is low on confidence and Denilson is in shambles.

Arsenal's midfield is poor in a 4-3-3 formation without Song, even when Denilson steps in, because he is just a passenger in games and Fabregas needs tireless Song to cover every blade of grass defensively in midfield to allow Fabregas to just run the offense while Song sits and breaks up counter attacks and cuts out through balls.

Today's game brought pressure on Wenger's decision-making and squad selection. Wenger decided to field the likes of Craig Eastmond, Francis Coquelin, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Carlos Vela and Lukasz Fabianski. Against Stoke City, this is just like the Bud Lite commercial where a guest announces his arrival by whispering he has arrived. And it was indeed a whisper from Arsenal as they where blown away by hard working Stoke City.

Wenger himself already stated he was positive about his selection. But since the substitutes came on at 1-1, who can we point the finger at? The players who didn't do enough, the players who weren't determined and who lacked commitment. Who could those players be?

Rating Arsenal's defensive cover, I will say it's going to be a tough job. Gallas and Vermaelen can't do it alone, Silvestre is always a joke and Campbell just needs to get his fitness up.

Walcott's commitment and imagination has to be questioned, as he looked like he has learned nothing over the years and is one overrated player in the Arsenal ranks. There, I said it.

Is Vela the hot product everyone was craving to see play? He is just another youngster that has to be watched carefully or else......

Wenger is still to blame. After all winter signing could help out, but there is only about a week left and Wenger has to definitely look into this.

Now all that is left is the Premier League and Arsenal have to rally the troops in order to take a nearly impossible maximum points from their next four Premier League ties, play well in the Champions League and bring a trophy home.

Wenger is also pushing Fabregas closer to Barcelona with Arsenal's current and nearly future trophy cabinet. Fabregas can kiss his badge all he wants, but it has to cross his mind that he could have been part of the Barcelona dynasty.

I also believe that Wenger's selection can be justified by the fact that he, the fans, the players and the board definitely want to conquer England and the F.A Cup should come as a bonus to the team and this result definitely means alot but further down the road avoided injuries and a humiliating defeat can all be forgotten when Aston Villa is swept under the rug.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com

Liverpool out of the FA cup

By: Abbie James

There are seventeen official Rules of the Game. In addition to the seventeen rules, the many decisions of the International Live Football Association Board (IFAB), and other directives contribute to the regulation of football. The complete rules and details are available on the official website of FIFA. We're going to cover a few of those rules, and if you're looking for live scores, head over to livegoals.com

Players, equipment and referees

Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding substitutes), one of whom must be the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguished from the other leading players and referees.

A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most national leagues and international players is three, although this number may vary in other leagues or in friendly matches.

The game is controlled by a referee, who has "full authority to apply the Rules of the Game in connection with the party to which he has been assigned" (Rule 5), and its decisions are final.

Pitch
Debido to the original formulation of the rules in England, and the primordial supremacy of the four British football associations within the IFAB, the normal dimensions of a football field is initially expressed in imperial units. Now, the dimensions in metric equivalents (followed by traditional units in brackets).

The lines bounding along the ground are called side lines or lateral margins while shorter lines are called goal. Centered on each goal line lies a rectangular goal. The inner edges of the uprights of the goal must be separated 7.32 meters, and the lower edge of the horizontal beam that supports the posts should be at 2.44 meters above the ground. Usually placed behind the goal nets, but not required by the Rules of the Game.

The field has other brands and defined areas.
Duration and tie methods

The referee is in control and can formally extend the time periods if there are situations where time is lost as those causing substitutions, injured medical assistance or other stops. This added time is in the sole discretion of the referee.

In league games can be divided, but in some knockout competitions extension is needed if there is no winner at the end of normal time, this extension consists of two periods of 15 minutes. If the score is level after extra time, some competitions allow the use of penalty shoot-outs (known officially in the Laws of the Game as "failures from the penalty spot) to determine which team advances to the next stage of the tournament.

The competitions where there are two rounds (in which each team plays at home once) may use the rule of double the value away goals in the event of a tie. If the result is the same after this calculation, it is necessary to resort to penalties, though some competitions may require a playoff.

The first game of the World Cup was decided by a golden goal was France's victory over Paraguay in 1998. At Euro 1996, Germany was the first nation to score a golden goal in a major competition, beating the Czech Republic at the end. The silver goal was used at Euro 2004 (Portugal). However, these experiments were interrupted by the IFAB.

Ball in play and interruptions

When the ball is in play, it can be reset in game one of the following ways:
*Remove the center, from the center circle after the opposing team a goal or to begin each period of play.
Throw-in: from one of the two side lines, when the ball has completely crossed the sideline, being pulled by the opposing team that last touched the ball before he left.
*Goal kick, from the goal area when the ball has completely transferred the goal line without a goal has been scored, if it has been played before by an attacker, the defending team gets the (often the goalkeeper).
*Corner kick, from the corners when the ball has completely crossed the goal line without a goal has been scored, if you've been touched by a defender before, it takes the offensive team.
*Free indirect, from the point where they commit the offense. It gives the opposing team due to faults that are not punishable, certain types of technical violations or when the referee for the game to penalize without having committed a specific fault. Goal can not be dialed directly through free indirect.
*Available direct: from the point where he commits the offense. Is granted because of misconduct punishable.
*Penalty: from the penalty spot. Is awarded after a foul usually punishable, which occurred within the penalty area.
* Remove neutral, from the point where the ball was to interrupt the game. Occurs when the referee for the match for any other reason to set (eg, serious injury to a player, third party interference or faulty ball).

Fouls and Misconduct

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Manchester United Beat Portsmouth 4-1

By Stephen Lars

In an exciting game in the fourteenth round of the FA Premiership, Manchester United
fulfilled its obligation as the defending champion and beat Portsmouth 4-1. During their visit at the Fratton Park, Manchester United made worth their title of champions against a rival that since the beginning showed a dominant attitude. Portsmouth showed some control of the game during the first minutes, and that forced the Red Devils to increase their efforts and try to deal with the boys from home, which were defending themselves bravely and facing them without fear. The game was being played in a very smooth fashion by both teams, attacking and defending each other. This tone of play continued until the moment when the visiting team was able to open the score 25 minutes into the game. Michael Brown, Portsmouth’s captain, committed a penalty against Wayne Rooney, who was in charge of executing and scoring the first goal. After this first score the locals made an important effort to setback Manchester defense, with a couple offensive attacks to avoid falling behind on the score. The local effort paid off when Nemanja Vidic committed a penalty against a rival. This time, the goal was defined by the Portsmouth’s German midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng with 14 minutes to play in the first half. Without losing their touch both teams were a little more calm having achieved a goal. The first half of the game ended 1-1. At the beginning of the second half, the team led by Sir Alex Ferguson came to the pitch completely determined to put the score on their favor. Just three minutes into the second half Manchester achieved its purpose; striker Rooney, with the help of his teammates came out with a powerful shot, to make the score 2-1 in favor of the boys from Old Trafford. With the scoreboard on their favor, Manchester United raised their level of play, making amazing plays and knowing how to keep control of the opponents. In despair the players of Portsmouth began to make mistakes in their game strategy, which led them to engage in inappropriate play. The errors culminated with penalty foul committed by French defender Frederick Piquionne against the legendary Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs. This was another great chance for Rooney who, at minute 54, sent the ball into the depths of the Blue Army’s goal. This was Rooney’s second goal in the match. Needless to say, he became the most prominent figure in the match. Since then, the team led by Avram Grant, lost all hopes to equalize the score of their opponents. The Manchester team prevented them from advancing and making any play that could stand as a danger to its goal. With an absolute control of everything that was happening on the field, Manchester continued its direct attacks against Portsmouth’s defense. They were able to complete their fourth goal, thanks to a stunning shot of Giggs with just over 4 minutes left in the game. With this victory, the champions of England remain in second place with 31 points of the overall standings at the Barclays League, stalking Chelsea which is currently leading the league with 36 points.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

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