Archive for September, 2006

Bolton defeats Liverpool. Chelsea scraps draw from Villa encounter.

A handfull of teams played today in the Premiership on Saturday. Liverpool went to Bolton for an early kick off, and lost 2-0 after a controversial opening goal by Gary Speed. Nevertheless, this third loss in just seven games for the reds leaves them just scraping in the top half of the table. Champions Chelsea only managed to secure a 1:1 draw from Villa after taking the lead through Drogba in the third minute. Arsenal beat Charlton away after going a goal down, with two from Robin Van Persie, moving them up to seventh in the league. Manchester City went a goal down away to Everton, through in form striker Andy Johnson, but managed to salvage a point with virtually the last kick of the game. Sheffield United got their first win of the season at home to Boro, their winning goal scored in injury time.

Sunday Fixtures
Manchester United face Newcastle at home on Sunday and a win would put them on top of the table. Blackburn face Wigan, Tottenham and Portsmouth meet at White Hart Lane, West Ham will play Reading, and Watford play Fulham on Monday.

In other news, Martin Jol is not very happy with striker Mido, who claimed former Spurs defender, Sol Campbell, was “one of the easiest” he’d ever played against. Wenger, who currently only has two Englishmen in his squad, Walcott and Hoyte, neither of whom get a game, has slated the foreign involvement of ownership in the Premiership. “The manager is foreign, the players are foreign, you need to draw a line. England doesn’t control it any more,” he says.

“Champions” of Europe (runningred.jpg)

This image was uploaded with the post "Champions" of Europe.

“Champions” of Europe (redhearing.jpg)

This image was uploaded with the post "Champions" of Europe.

“Champions” of Europe (trophy.jpg)

This image was uploaded with the post "Champions" of Europe.

“Champions” of Europe

Between 1975 and 1985, nine English teams played in the final of the European Cup, and eight times an English team lifted the trophy. This period of dominance surely would have continued through Liverpool or Everton had English teams not been banned from the competition for five years after Heysel. Manchester United, Norwich, Spurs and Southampton had also been due to compete in European competition that year. England were top dogs in Europe, and it seemed sure that one of our clubs would be at the forefront of continental football throughout this time period.

Between then and 1999, when Manchester United brought European glory back to England, the title had been held by Italian clubs five times, and Spanish clubs three times. English football had been pushed aside, and our style didn’t seem fitting with those which were successful in Europe. Are English now clubs putting us back on the European Cup Map?

Manchester United dismisses Benfica. Henry talks about his form

In the Champions League, Manchester United saw off an active Benfica side with a goal from Louis Saha. After just two games, the French man has scored more than Ruud did in the entire competition last season. Arsenal beat Porto 2-0 thanks to goals from Henry and Hleb. Celtic got a crucial win against FC Copenhagen, putting them second in the group behind United. Tonight, Chelsea play Levski Sofia away, whilst Liverpool face Galatasaray at home.

In other news, Henry has claimed he’s getting close to being at his best. Premiership sponsor Barclay’s have renewed their deal until 2010. Sir Alex Ferguson claims that despite getting a run out last night, Alan Smith is not ready for a full return yet. Arsenal’s new signing Gallas was injured in their European tie, and will miss the next fixture for definite, whilst further tests are carried out. Pardew is up for West Ham’s UEFA Cup tie against Palermo, saying his team are due a win.

Football agent banned and fined. Keiron Dyer return probable.

Jonathan Barnett, the agent involved in the Ashley Cole and Chelsea tapping up scandal has been banned for 18 months and fined

Chelsea defeat Fulham. Manchester United drop to third . Cristiano Ronaldo wants to stay

Chelsea are back on top of the league after a 2-0 win against Fulham. Manchester United have dropped to third after drawing away to Reading, despite dominating the game. Stuart Pearce was relieved after his side beat West Ham 2-0 at home. Spurs continued their poor form of the season, and are just one place out of the relegation zone after being beaten 3-0 by Liverpool, with Jenas making a costly miss in the first half. O’Neil continued to impress with Villa, leading his team to 2-0 win at home to Charlton. Arsenal went on to win their second game of the season against Sheffield United, 3-0. And Blackburn picked up three points away to Boro, with a narrow 1-0 win. Fixtures still to play are Newcaste vs Everton, and Portsmouth vs Bolton.

In other news, Big Sam is worried that his reputation will be permanently damaged after the bung accusations made by the BBC. Carlos Queiroz has said he believes Ronaldo will one day be the greatest player in the World, whilst Cristiano states that he wants to stay with Manchester United and leave a lasting impression. Alan Pardew says he is not worried about losing his job, despite West Ham’s surprisingly poor start to the season.

Newcastle’s Babayaro charged. List of upcoming Premiership fixtures

Newcastle’s Babayaro has been charged by the FA after a clash with Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt during Wednesday’s game. The incident wasn’t spotted at the time, but video evidence after the game has lead the FA to the conclusion he deserves a 3 match ban.

Shay Given is set to leave hospital any day now, after an incident during the West Ham vs Newcastle game last weekend resulted in a tear in his bowel. Rafa Benitez has admitted he is having problems finding the right combination of his strikers.

The upcoming weekend Premiership fixtures are: Arsenal vs Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa vs Charlton, Middlesborough vs Blackburn, Portsmouth vs Bolton, Fulham vs Chelsea, Newcastle vs Everton, Liverpool vs Spurs, Manchester City vs West Ham and Reading vs Manchester United and Wigan vs Watford.

Liverpool beat Newcastle. Wigan, Middlesborough and Manchester City knocked out of Carling Cup

Liverpool beat Newcastle 2-0, with a stunning 60 yard strike from Alonso last night. Xabi says he wants to do it again, whilst Rafa thought he should have passed. Liverpool no longer have a game in hand, and are 6 points behind League leaders Portsmouth, and 5 points behind title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

In the Carling Cup, Wigan, Middlesborough and Manchester City all were knocked out by lesser opposition. Stuart Pearce has taken the criticism upon his own shoulders for City’s recent poor form, after losing 13 of their last 16 games.