Spurs 0 Arsenal 0; West Ham 0 Utd 1

An uninspiring day in the Premiership sees Manchester United return to the top after a Ryan Giggs second-half effort. West Ham played quite well but were never going to score although they have a good nucleus to push on under Mr Zola and become a decent team.

Arsenal’s trip to Spurs saw Adebayor pop a hamstring and Eboue become the 72nd red card in Wenger’s Arsenal tenure. The man is a first-class idiot, kicking out and then acting as if the referee’s a drunk for sending him off. The game petered out after the red card from an enjoyable contest into a bit of a nothing game, with Luka Modric guilty of a miss at the death that would have provided welcome relief for the Spurs fans.
Spurs remain in a precarious position, while Arsenal have ruled themselves out of the title chase for this season, they may focus on the Champions League now the elusive Holy Grail for Wenger after Barcelona beat them a few years back. Could even spell the end for Wenger and the core of his team. They will struggle to get fourth on their current form and with injuries and suspensions playing their part, it’s looking like a bleak finish to the Premiership season for the men in red.
United won’t be stopped this year, with home games against Fulham and Blackburn next, two or three trophies look extremely likely to wing their way back to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet. Remaining tricky games against Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool will all be at home and with the likes of Evra and Rooney still to come back, and the meanest defence in history, United could have this wrapped up sooner than we all thought a month ago, with Inter Milan to provide a sterner test than their average week domestically…..

You don’t win anything with kids…

                                    

No, seriously Arsene.
Arsenal have ’swooped’ for another talented youngster, Portugal Under-21 midfielder Amaury Bischoff from Werder Bremen. The 21-year-old midfielder has signed for the London team after rejecting a new contract offer from the German side. With compensation yet to be agreed, Arsenal may have to go to a tribunal to determine how much needs to be paid.

Wenger’s famous youth policy continues, with his main summer signing Nasri from Marseilles still a teenager and now Bischoff brought i, it seems, to replace Mattieu Flamini who left to join AC Milan in the summer. No doubt we’ll come to regret this when the Portugese is named young player of the year, but isn’t it time Arsene started looking for a few more experienced players? If the wisest man in your squad is young Fabregas then something is wrong. Obviously we don’t have to defend that statement seeing as Gallas made an absolute mockery of the captain’s armband in the premiership last year. Plus everyone’s favourite grandad at the club, Jens Lehman, has sought pastures new. (Give it up Jens, what are you 50?)

Could be another tough season for Arsenal. With Adebayor making noises about leaving, Fabregas having reached the final of Euro 2008 and barely got a moment’s rest before lamping back for training and one or two of their best players, Flamini and Hleb, having left, times are still looking tough…..

Champions League Update: 20/02/08

All of the Champions League games are delicately poised going into the second legs in a fortnight’s time.
                
Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona are in strong positions having secured an early advantage in their respective ties.
Liverpool produced a dominant performance to secure a 2-0 win over Inter Milan. Having been held by ten-man Inter for 86 minutes, the Italians were on course to pull off a terrific result having defended doggedly from the outset. However goals from Kuyt and crucially Steven Gerrard in the 90th minute, have given Liverpool a terrific platform from which to secure qualification for the quarter-finals. Gerrard’s goal may well prove to be the difference as Inter would surely have settled for a 1-0 defeat. Materazzi’s suspension and an injury to the superb Ivan Cordoba will also give Liverpool hope that they can grab a vital away goal in the San Siro.
The Inter Milan team may well be a much-changed outfit however, with the likes of Viera, Figo and Hernan Crespo likely to feature prominently in the second leg. While Torres was, for the most part, kept quiet by Inter’s excellent defence, the Spaniard will fancy his chances against a weakened defence in the second leg, especially as Inter will have to push far further upfield than they ever did in the game at Anfield.
              
An 87th minute goal from substitute Carlos Tevez gave Manchester United a vital away goal despite a lacklustre performance. Lyon took the lead early in the second half after United-target Karim Benzema scored a terrific solo effort, with four Red shirts around him the Frenchman somehow shifted the ball from his right foot to his left and belted the ball past Edwin Van der Saar.
In a free-flowing game Wayne Rooney’s 1-on-1 with Coupet was well saved while Juninho went close with a free-kick.
Benzema had a chance to make it 2-0 when he evaded a Rio Ferdinand challenge only for the ever-reliable Vidic to step across and sheperd the forward wide.
Ronaldo had a quiet night but produced a terrific save from Coupet late-on when his free-kick threatened to sneak in at the far post. However when Giggs and Scholes were replaced by Nani and Tevez, United began to look brighter and sure enough when Nani’s cross was deflected by Fred, Tevez pounced on the line to give United a foot in the quarter-finals.

              

Celtic and Barcelona put on a terrific game of football at Celtic Park but with the Catalans running out 3-2 winners, Barcelona will be confident they can secure victory in the Nou Camp, and they are already looking like the team to beat. Despite a disappointing campaign so far in La Liga, Barca have cut the gap on arch-rivals Madrid to just five points and on this display they look like peaking at just the right time.
Celtic took the lead through Venegoor of Hesselink, a terrific header against the run of play. However despite Robson’s goal to make it 2-1, a brace from Messi and a brilliant strike from Thierry Henry leave Barcelona in the driving seat.
Gordan Strachan joked after the game that he wouldn’t put his house on Celtic winning in two weeks time and he’s rarely wrong about these kind of things.

Elsewhere AC Milan and Arsenal played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at the Emirates. AC will be favourites as the old masters denied an exciting Arsenal team. Adebayor’s stoppage time miss will be giving him sleepless nights this week, the Togo striker slamming a header against the bar with the entire goal gaping in front of him…..Chelsea did enough to take a 0-0 game back to London and should progress past Olympiakos. With one eye on Sunday’s Carling Cup Final, Avram Grant rested Terry and Lampard and with one of the strongest squads in Europe, Chelsea should progress to the next phase in two weeks time…… Fenerbache’s 3-2 win over Sevilla makes for a hell of a return leg in Spain. An 87th minute deflected winner means the Turks can progress to the quarter finals for the first time if they avoid defeat in Spain. However, Sevilla will be confident they can turn the game on it’s head at home, and are many peoples’ tips as a dark horse this season…..Roma and Real Madrid served up an entertaining encounter which the Italians shaded 2-1. Despite a strong first-half performance from Real, Roma take the advantage thanks to two Francesco Totti-assisted goals….Shalke 04 lead FC Porto 1-0 thanks to a fourth minute Kevin Kuranyi strike. While the game was always likely to be tight, Shalke are firmly in the driving seat, aware that an away goal will give the Portugese team a mountain to climb. While Shalke’s defence has been their achilles heel so far this season, in Kuranyi they have a top striker and they will look to score and force FC Porto to gamble at the back, having to attack in search of three goals…

Spurs through to Wembley

Congratulations to Spurs who thoroughly dismantled Arsenal tonight, winning by five goals to one in a one-sided game. Had Spurs not withdrawn Keane and Berbatov just past the hour mark as well as Lennon later on, the game could have ended in further embarassment for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Spurs chased and harried and tackled like their lives depended on it. A mystery surrounds Gilberto Silva’s form for Arsenal. While the Brazilian can point to a lack of opportunities this season as an underlying reason for his dip in form – the fact remains that he was one of the best midfielders in the Premiership last year. Tonight he looked like he didn’t care and his poor tackling was at fault for two of the five goals.

The Carling Cup can be proud tonight, the celebrations of the Spurs players and the dejection of the Arsenal players showed how much the competition meant. A final awaits in Wembley for Spurs. Meanwhile, tonight’s game is one of many this season that have put the FA Cup to shame. The Carling Cup has brought up some cracking cup ties again this season and tonight’s game was no exception. While the FA Cup has brought many shocks this season, a game like tonight shows there’s no substitute for class….and the Carling Cup is beginning to outshine its illustrious neighbour….

WE LOVE CHRISTMAS! (Derbys galore!)

Don’t you just love Christmas?

 This weekend’s action kicks off at 12.45 with a traditional cracker: Arsenal V Spurs.
Spurs have shown promising signs recently of becoming a football team again, they’ll need to keep their discipline though because as we saw during the week, playing against a ten-man Arsenal team can be tough, playing with ten of your own is just suicide.
Spurs welcome back captain Robbie Keane which means Jermaine Defoe will be back in the familiar surroundings of the dugout. Didier Zakora starts a 3-game ban, Steed Malbranque doesn’t. Where’s the justice in that?

  Cesc Fabregas should have seen red for his nasty foul on Ashley Cole in last week’s game against Chelsea. He didn’t though and unfortunately for Spurs, he’ll take his place in the team. Van Persie is also fit to start and should be amongst the goals as he’s been a bit quiet since his return without looking 100 percent match-fit.

This game is generally very entertaining and with both teams looking to kick-start a successful Christmas campaign, fingers crossed we’ll see a few goals. Prediction: Score Draw.

                                      

 (Cannavaro V Zambrotta. We’re backing the lad with the muscles – Cannavaro)

Sunday sees El Classico: Real Madrid V Barcelona. Messi is out for Barcelona so we won’t be treated to a repeat of his famous hat-trick last year. Speculation is also rife that Ronaldinho won’t start. However, to be honest, he probably will. Giovanni dos Santos has been in top form but ‘Diny has to be included as he has a good record in the Classico encounters in his time there. Thierry Henry, if passed fit, renews rivalry with Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Expect lots of hugs and pats on the ass and both of them to get on the score sheet. Samuel Eto’o may be the preferred choice after the Cameroon hit-man has exploded back onto the scene since recovering from injury, grabbing a brace in last weeks 3-0 win over Valencia.

As with Spurs-Arsenal, this one is always worth a look. Not simply because of the players involved (although it’s a little exciting to see them all on one pitch), also because of the fact that the fans simply hate each other. And the players have been known to get a little testy too. With Real Madrid currently on top, Barca need the win. A win for Madrid would leave Raul and co sitting pretty, seven points clear of their rivals, a far cry from last year when they trailed for most of the early season. Kick-off is at 6p (GMT).

                                                  

(Kaka miserably fails to bring sexy back)

 Onto Serie A now where the Milan derby also takes place this weekend. Possibly not one to stimulate as much in recent years as the players are probably doped up and betting on each other while the referee has presumably got himself a nice brown envelope to spend as he sees fit once everything goes to plan.

Hopefully all that rubbish is a thing of the past though and 83,500 screaming fans will certainly get the pulses racing. Not to mention the volatile characters on both teams. Ok on Inter’s team. Ibrahimovic is expected to return after being rested midweek. Inter are, technically, the home team and they start the game a massive 22 points clear of their fierce rivals. AC Milan’s home form has been particularly bad this season although technically they are the away team so you never know…..

AC need the win despite the fact that Inter are already too far ahead. Defeat and te pressure on Carlo Ancelotti will increase and Jose Mourinho may find himself back in a job. Kick-off there is at 2pm (GMT).

And finally we leave you with a picture or two we just stumbled upon. Happy Christmas.

  

(Francesco Totti’s wife. Yes but is he happy though…….yes, yes I think he is)

Carling Cup Quarter Finals. Reaction and Preview.

After Everton’s last-minute winner over West Ham last week, Arsenal and Spurs joined the Merseyside club in progressing to the semi-finals last night.

Spurs took an early lead through Jermaine Defoe who was substituted soon after following Didier Zakora’s straight red card.

Zakora’s dismissal was harsh and Defoe was furious with the decision, expressing his anger by berating the fourth official as he left the pitch.

Steed Malbranque was the beneficiary of Zakora’s straight red. Had Steve Bennett not shown the red card on that occasion he almost certainly would have minutes later as Malbranque committed a far worse foul close to the left-hand touchline.

Preview: Arsenal V Manchester United

United and Arsenal in happier times… 

It feels like it has been missing for the past few years. There were epics, pitched battles, moments to savour and, unfortunately, a couple of dull ones but when the Arsenal and Manchester United have met it invariably provides talking points, controversy and deepening distaste between fans.

Arsenal falling off the pace of the likes of United, Chelsea and Liverpool over the past number of seasons has been the major factor in this fixture slipping under the radar but now the two top teams in the premier league come face to face again with the stakes higher than they have been in recent times.

This game has a high billing. The two most attrctive, arguably most consistent over the past decade and the two best managers in the league coming face to face on even points with Arsenal having one game in hand.

Ferguson has come out saying that this game won’t decide the title and he’s right but the confidence and the mental advantage that is at stake here will go a long way to getting there. It is a testament to the consistencey and performance levels of the top teams in the league that clashes such as this are so vital. We have seen Chelsea, United and Arsenal all sit on top of the league for months and months at a time. Even though it is only a table and the real decisions will be made on the pitch, the confidence of being on top is crucial to a league winning side. We saw it with United and Chelsea last year, Chelsea simply were not comfortable chasing the title.

No matter what the managers, players, pundits, tea-ladies or your mother says, this game is vital. And it is sure to be an absolute cracker. Often this fixture can be over-hyped and since the exit of Messrs. Keane and Viera it has most definitely lost some of its appeal but now there is a host of new, young players in each club and hopefully tomorrows clash will be the breeding ground for many new rivalries.

With both teams on song and both squads relatively healthy it is next to impossible to pick a winner tomorrow but when push comes to shove it has got to be United really.

Arsenal have talent and what they lacked in experience over the past few years they are making up for with determination and conviction this year but they still lack that cutting edge and if it becomes a real battle tomorrow at the Emirates then I don’t know who they have to fight for them. Fabregas is turning into a real player, a soon to be “great” player but his attitude and desire haven’t really been tested so far this season so it remains to be seen how good he is. Far be it from me to question the judgement of Arsene Wenger but, for tomorrow especially, he has to pick Gilberto over Flamini. The Brazilian’s experience of the big games and his ability to lead on the pitch is second to none, even if Wenger bowed to pressure by giving the Captain’s armband to Gallas.

Ferguson doesn’t have too much to do for tomorrow but will be boosted that Gary Neville, Louis Saha and Michael Carrick are all available. Neville is unlikely to feature but Carrick is likely to come in for the injured Scholes and then Sir Alex must decide if Saha sits on the bench or disrupts the balance of the attacking phenomena which is currently in progress. The form of United at the moment is likely to carry them through tomorrows game and give them the win they need. Big performances are expected, hoewever, from the likes of Hargreaves who needs to show why he was signed. He has yet to play the way he played for England in the World Cup and I wonder if we will see that side of him.

I’m still backing United but I don’t think there will be as many goals for either side as in previous games. It will be good to watch so make sure you see it. Anything tipped to be “GAME OF THE SEASON” usually disappoints but maybe, just maybe we could be in for something special tomorrow afternoon. 

In Brief

Brazil has been announced as the host nation for the 2014 World Cup Finals. With all they hype about Mr. Ramos taking the reigns at Spurs, this story has been slightly overlooked today. Perhaps because we have to wait another seven years for it to materialise. Still, it’s exciting news and most of us will be wondering whether we’d be in a position to afford to go in seven years time. Personally I think I know the answer to that question, good luck to the rest of you though….
Ok, ok. Ramos. Spurs.

Liverpool V Arsenal

With little under four hours to go till kick-off at Anfield, there is none of Rafael Benitez usual talk of not needing a win at this stage in the season. Instead, the pressure is on, and Liverpool know they have to produce a performance unlike any of their recent performances, if they are to beat a seemingly unstoppable Arsenal team. Forget the Liverpool camp’s talk of ‘playing a good game’ against Besiktas. The performance simply wasn’t good enough.
Arsenal are bullish, and rightly so. Fabregas claims he will be ‘very, very angry’ if Arsenal fail to come away from Anfield with the three points on offer. With no new injury problems to contend with, Arsene Wenger and co have plenty of reason to be upbeat against Benitez’ men today. With Gallas back in central defence and the likes of Hleb and Walcott stealing headlines from the mighty Fabregas, things are looking good. That today poses the first real test in the Premiership is irrelevant.
Liverpool will be desperately disappointed to be missing Daniel Agger again today. As Benitez rightly points out, Agger offers plenty to the attacking mentality of his team as well as the defensive side of things. With neither Carragher or Hyypia fond of taking the ball out of their own half, Agger represents the only option at centre-back of a ball-playing defender, someone who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. That van Persie is missing is a bonus for Liverpool. With an ageing Hyypia and Carragher not quite hitting the form of the past few seasons, Liverpool’s defence is far less solid than it has been for the past few seasons. Torres will add more to the attack, and Gallas and co will certainly be warier of moving forward with Torres behind them as opposed to Kuyt or Voronin.
Pennant’s injury may see Gerrard back on the right-wing, although Benitez claims that he is approaching his best form (clearly he’s been watching re-runs of the last few seasons instead of the games he’s been attending this season) so he may prefer to keep him in his favoured position, especially after royally pissing him off by substituting the captain against Everton. Crouch had a great time at Anfield last season, hitting a hat-trick in a 4-1 win (this fixture has produced more Premiership hat-tricks than any other), whether he gets his customary 0-10 minutes or something more, remains to be seen.
A win for Arsenal would leave a 9 point gap between the two teams. A win for Liverpool suggests game-on. We’re gonna go with a draw.

Dinamo Kiev V Man Utd. Live commentary

(Just press refresh)

0min: Probably a bit nippy in Kiev. I’m doing my best to keep warm with the central heating on and a cup of tea in my hand….

1min: Apparently Ronaldo is ‘fresh as a daisy’. Smashing news from ITV.

2min: Not too many Utd players wearing gloves that I can make out. A few Kiev players feeling the cold though. Anderson and O’Shea as a central midfield partnership is more likely to get the knees knocking though, let’s be fair….