steevojeevo

Bad week/good week

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:12:38 GMT

This week's been a mixed bag for Football's elite, and not so elite.

Good week for:

ARSENAL FC

Well in fact the last couple of months have been good for the North London club

Doubted by nearly everyone at the start of the season, the Gunners are yet to be beaten in all competitions this season so far.

That's the Premiership and the Champions league. The only blip on their record being a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers; purveyors of the "if you can't join em, try and beat them all over the park(physically that is)".

And with the Arsenal players recording a 7-0 victory over the Czech Republic league leaders Slavia Prague they have shown just how entertaining their brand of football can be.

But of course it's not all about the players. Arsene Wenger received a manager of the month award for September.

Bad week for:

TOTTENHAM SPURS FC

The Tottenham baord did what we all knew they were going to do and sacked Martin Jol, and if reports are true the now ex-Sevilla manager will take over at the club, presumably confusing everyone in football at why he would leave sunny Seville and a club playing good football for Tottenham.

Before Thursday's UEFA cup defeat to La Liga's Getafe Spurs hadn't lost in 7 games.

They had been draws but manager Martin Jol must have felt he was getting his team back on track, though as it turned out he knew that was his last match, the look on his face said it all.

Bad week for:

BOLTON FANS

Sam Allardyce left, then his replacement and former assistant Sammy Lee was sacked, er, I mean he left by mutual consent (shhh).

And now Gary Megson is in charge at the Reebok fans are absolutely devastated. While having a decent record at championship level he has yet to prove himself at the top level.

Some fans may have felt relegation was a possibility this season. Now it's all but confirmed as far as they're concerned.

Question of the day

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:13:31 GMT

David Beckham has at times been accused of someone who just wants to mingle with Hollywood stars and become a showbiz icon. This I feel is grossly unfair to a player who has got many people interested in the game and been hugely successful as a player in it.

I for one hope he does himself justice at his new club. But as for the future of Soccer in the US i would like to pose a question.

Sport in the States appears to be extremely star led. Take for instance the Michael Jordans, Shaquille O Neil's, Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras and many more. In Europe there doesn't seem to as much emphasis on the star player, while we appreciate them we don't always consider one man the symbol of the team as the be all and end all.

Is American sport too star led, or more specifically, when David Beckham does retire, will the absence of a major star force interest in Soccer to decrease?

David Beckham making his debut for LA Galaxy

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:04:02 GMT

Here is the moment David Beckham made his debut coming on for the last 12 minutes against Chelsea FC in the Home Depot Center, a moment that it is hoped would be the catalyst for a change in the popularity of Soccer. Below are two clips of him making his debut, just to highlight the differences in presentation.

This is the English commentary

The US version

Where do you get your European football/soccer news from?

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:47:38 GMT

With the much publicised move to Los Angeles by David Beckham there is talk of football spreading to the one corner of the world, and the largest territory yet to embrace it in the same way the rest of the world has.

It has always been obvious to followers of Football just how popular a figure David Beckham has been, but the excitement surround the move in the States just goes to show how many people do follow the European game from the US. It may have taken the worlds most recognizable footballer on the planet to get Americans talking about Soccer but there is definitely a fan base for the European game.

Since beginning this football journal I have been surprised how knowledgable fellow Football/Soccer fans from different countries of the world are about the European game and their awareness of not just the English Premier League, but of Spains La Liga and their players and Italy's Serie A considering the effort to watch games broadcast well into the night and early morning, and having to scour for information on their teams.

I want to know where do you get your Football news from. And what excites you in the European game? What is it about the leagues, players, teams?

Do you watch televised matches, do you watch highlights shows, radio? Newspapers? Let me know.

Bye bye Thierry -thanks for the memories

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:35:45 GMT

So it finally happened. After summer upon summer of speculation Thierry Henry finally left Arsenal. Most fans will be sad to see him go, some will be angry, some shocked while others dissapointed. For many, the parrallels with the Patrick Vieira transfer saga meant there was an air of inevitability that the clubs most prolific striker would eventually leave the Gunners.

The most prolific striker. At Arsenal, ever. Says it all really. But Thierry Henry was so much more than just a goal-getter. There are differences between footballers and footballers who can play. These are the players we remember forever. These are players like the Zidanes, Ronaldo (the brazillian one) Van Basten, Pele and Maradona, or in the English league in years gone by players such as Eric Cantona, George Best and most recently Christiano Ronaldo. Players who can control games taking them by the scruff or producing momnts of brilliance that can win a game and entertain. Throughout history the top clubs have had players like these that define a period in a clubs history.

Henry's time at arsenal was one where Arsenal football club dramtically changed. It was a period when an unknown manager from Japan revolutionized a football club known for its drinking culture and turned it into a model for excellence that the majority of clubs in the English premier league follows. From dietary and exercise preparation to the free flowing football philosophy that is still strong where going a whole season unbeaten was the glorious and historic fruits of that manager who turned out to be Arsene Wenger.

Thierry Henry for many will be the memory the current generation of Arsenal fans have decades from now when we talk of this period in the history of Arsenal football club. People will tell their children of the time they saw Thierry Henry play in the flesh, just like many are still proud to have seen George Best in the red shirt of Manchester United will gunners fans be proud of who is still and should be known as an Arsenal legend.

For many Henry's heart was not at the club in what was now his final season in North London. That of course was more than possible but fans of Arsenal should not turn on a man who has given so much.

This was no shady deal involving meeting Barcelona in a london hotel, just like Ashley Cole did before his switch to Chelsea, nor was it him saying he hates life in London and wants to move somewhere he can sunbathe, this is a man who wants to never regret the choices he made in his football career. Now was the right time to go. As he himself said it was now or never. He left with grace and dignity in the end with only praise for the club he spent eight years at, an incredible amount of time for such a talented player in todays football world. A player cannot spend so long at a club if he had no feelings for it.

Not only are fans of Arsenal sad to see him go, but the Premiership as a whole. Sometimes as supporters, only once in a lifetime do players like Henry play for our clubs.

Henry will be a great loss to English football and should only be remembered for the great times he gave not only fans of Arsenal, but fans of football.

Thierry Henry scores the final goal at Highbury, a penalty against Wigan to complete a hat-trick that will go down in Arsenal history.

Charlton Athletic just got relegated to the championship

Mon, 07 May 2007 21:10:53 GMT

There is now one place left in the relegation spots after Charlton were relegated at White Hart.

Alan Pardew, who swapped places with ex West Ham boss Alan Curbishley would have been hoping to prove he has the mettle to cope with a relegation dogfight but the task proved too difficult, there recent form although improved from the last few months has been a case of too little too late.

Berbatov, who has been a revelation this season, his first for Spurs scored the opener, with Jermain Defoe adding a second late in the game.

Charlton simply had to beat Tottenham tonight, and Liverpool to stay up, a task that seemed to be too difficult for Charlton, and so it proved.

Now the last relegation spot will go to either Wigan, West Ham or Sheffield United as Fulham look to have beaten the drop.

West Ham, reinvigorated by Carlos Tevez seemed destined for relegation, but 6 wins in their last eight games has moved them into a great position to stay up, and could even do so if they lose against Manchester United at Old Trafford in their last game of the season.

Some cheer for the Gunners, Arsenal ladies win the F.A Cup

Mon, 07 May 2007 17:34:12 GMT

Congratulations to the Arsenal ladies team who beat Charlton 4-1 in the womens F.A Cup final after going down by a goal early in the match. Charlton were given no hope by anyone before the match started, being ranked as extreme outsiders, those predictions proved correct as Arsenal eventually ran away with it.

The Arsenal ladies have now completed an unprecedented quadruple, including the women's UEFA Cup.

Change of subject briefly

Sun, 06 May 2007 18:39:47 GMT

Im well annoyed that Flloyd Mayweather beat Oscar De La Hoya in last nights boxing match...never have i wanted someone to lose so badly..what an arrogant so called sportsman...

Any word on Denilson?

Sun, 06 May 2007 18:25:09 GMT

Im glad that Chelski are no longer champions...im even more glad Arsenal stopped them from being champions again...but...

In the midst of all this...Paulo Ferriera's "challenge"...his two footed jump on Denilson's foot was an absolute disgrace!!

Lets not forget it was also the same defender who on the last day of last seaosn broke Rooney's metartarsal!!

Denilson's only a young boy too, that sort of challenge was career threatening!

Youtube getting sued: Bad for Football

Sat, 05 May 2007 16:19:00 GMT

So it seems that the popular video website youtube may get sued for showing premiership Football.

Apparently the English Premiership is gaining in such popularity that to let people watch any of it for free would be a waste of intellectual property, by this we mean, the corporate suits want to make more money from it.

Though understandable from a business standpoint, for the good of the sport this should not go ahead.

Currently thousands of people from all over the world are able to watch clips from the latest matches, from as far as Japan to the U.S the premiership has indeed appealed to many, surely depriving these people a source to indulge in it can only restrict the popularity of the Premiership.

Football is a sport to be enjoyed by all.

Note to Cashley

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:46:30 GMT

Ashley Cole has been implying that Arsenal fans have been stupid for still going on about his acrimonious decision to leave Arsenal.

Ashley you seem to have forgotten why they hate you.

It was you who went behind the clubs back in some secret meeting in central London. For a player who practically grew up with the club this was disgraceful. I mean, being someone who lives and works in London, how secret a meeting did you think it would be when all the major newspapers and magazines journalists work right in the heart of London.

In your biography, you went on to call call the paycheque of over £50,000 a week a disgrace. An insult to every fan, not just of Arsenal, but to all those who work hard from 9-5 and struggle to make ends meet, when people say footballers have sometimes lost touch with the common man it is times like this when we know we're right.

Chelsea to be left red faced???

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:22:22 GMT

It's funny how things can turn out in football. Liverpool reaching the champions league final, only to be facing the team they last beat to win the competition is surely one of them.

Another one of these strange coincidences could happen when Man Utd play Chelsea. A win for Utd today at Manchester City meant they will be champions should chelsea fail to beat arsenal.

Should Man Utd be champions by the time they next play chelsea this season, they will recieve a guard of honour from chelseas players as they walk out of the players tunnel before the match.

How embarrassing.

Fouls, fate and football.

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:30:15 GMT

Come the Champions League final in Athens most football fans will put aside their differences, judgements and perceptions to watch a showpiece that is the envy of all followers of the game. From the fan on the street to the footballers and managers who didn't manaage to cut it in Europes premier club competition every body wants a piece of it.

When one looks at how few teams in modern day football actually contest the final it is no surprise that the average footballer will never know what it is to grace club football's biggest stage.

When we, as fans dreamt of being a footballer as a young child it was occasions like playing in the Champions League final and World Cups that shielded us from the real world. The footballers we see on screen were just the same as us. No Footballer dreamt of scrapping his way out of a relegation dog-fight, or languishing in mid-table mediocrity.

The reality is hardly any professional footballers will ever get a chance to live their ultimate dreams in Football. Even some of the very best have missed out on the chance to acheive international honours. From the premier league some of our best players like Alan Shearer has only one premiership medal with Blackburn to show for being one of the countries best ever strikers. Players like George Best hardly had a chance to win anything with the Irish, and Ryan Giggs has yet to play at a major international tournament.

The cruel nature and unpredictability of Football has also meant some of the games most average players have been more successful than some of the games more skilled ones. When Liverpool won the Champions League against Milan two years ago in an epic finale some football sites were greeted with letters from fans stating their disbelief that Djimi Traore, the Liverpool right-back at the time had a Champions League medal. A player now looking likely to be relegated with Charlton.

As dedicated followers of the sport we revel in such sporting occasions and finals as the players themselves might, we follow our teams in the hope that in our lifetime they will one day reach the top. Even if they lose at least we can say we were around. People still talk about England's World Cup triumph over West Germany in 1966.

So when such an occasion arises we hope it lives up to our expectations as a spectacle, no matter the result. This years semi finals of the champions league will be fought between Manchester United and AC Milan and Liverpool and Chelsea. How unfortunate that it seems likely that whoever make it to the final, some of the games best players could miss out.

The likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Didier Drogba are all on a yellow card. It would be a shame if any of them were to miss the final as a result of a booking.

It is time for FIFA to scrap the cards tally being carried over into the final. Just imagine if Ronaldo, a player his manager Sir Alex Ferguson called 'the best in the world' misses out on an occasion he may never ever reach again in his career, and for what, a mistimed tackle, an accidental clip of someones heel when at full speed. Of course he might make it to the final many times in his career, but in football these things are not guaranteed. This is why the likes of Djimi Traore will treausure them. As many honours as Roy Keane, the former Man Utd captain won it still riles him to have missed out on the showpiece of club football.

For the good of football FIFA need to sort it out because it cheats the fans who pay good money to watch their team, the millions watching at home and it robs the best footballers of the greatest moment of their careers.

England fail to hit the heights with little and large combination...

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:35:48 GMT

England were abysmall..! Should we be surprised?

Thats pretty much it in half a nutshell. But do read on.

Spritley midfielder Andres Iniesta scored the only goal in what was meant to be a stern test against quality opposition, a test which England failed.

From the start England created a couple of near chances. Shuan Wright Philips showed a glimpse of what he used to do so often at Manchester City, and rarely, if ever for Chelsea. Taking on two players with ease and skill he arrowed in a terrific low cross only for Kieron Dyer to dwell on the ball when an almost first time shot would have surely meant an England goal, within 1 minute of play, 58 seconds to be exact.

Peter Crouch also had a fantastic chance after some good play, only to shoot wide of Iker Casillas' far post.

Ultimately that was it for England. That one shot by Dyer within the first minute and a weak shot at goal in the last minute were all England had to show for themselves. In Old Trafford of all places. It was hardly enough to convince England fans the players deserve to be playing in front of an 80,000 seater Wembley stadium costing near enough to a billion pounds.

Spain on the other hand were far more impressive. Looking anxious, perhaps even nervous in the first 5 minutes their confidence grew the more they passed the ball around.

Like a matador eyeing up the incoming bull Villa and co were seemingly teasing England at times with flowing one-touch football. The quality was evident. But it was the red of the Spanish kit that the English at times struggled to get near.

David Villa, currently one of the most consistent and skillful performers in La Liga showed many glimpses of why he is now a much courted player with the likes of Chelsea being interested.

Whenever the Valencia forward had the ball he looked to do something with it. Looking up to find his team-mates, looking down to shield the ball and hold the play up, setting up Iniesta for the winning goal with a great piece of skill to beat Jonathan Woodgate.

Going away from Englands goal he rolled the ball backwards, wrong-footing the now Middlesboro defender. It was met with one touch from Iniesta to control sublimely before firing a fierce shot Englands keeper was never going to save.

But it should have been two. Fernando Morientes, surely wanting to score against England because of his experience at Liverpool wasted the best chance of the match after he bamboozled Rio ferdinand with a dummy, giving him plenty of time to ease the ball inot the net. But like in his Liverpool days he missed the composure that made him a hit at Real Madrid before it went sour.

Public perception of the English football team has evidently changed. We used to have confidence in our team. The day before last nights match many football websites were sarcastically looking forward to the game. One website said

"Cancel your evening plans...its Crouch on his own up front"

What we are witnessing is a more informed audience and media than ever before. We had great hopes for the 2006 World Cup in germany....England failed once again..this time with less fight than ever before...it was the final straw for many...myself included. I am no longer surprised by how bad, un co-ordinated and disjointed England play.

My own prediction for last nights game was 2 - 0 to Spain. I was not far off. But my point is simply this. Fans are losing hope in the England team. We were pessimistic about Crouch on his own up front. We weren't wrong. Of course being an England supporter myself means i should get behind them.

Many an England fan would love to go back to the days when England were playing. It used to be an event. Now it has become a sideshow.

Now all i look forward to is the competition between the sports writers. Who can come up with the headline that best sums up Englands latest woes.

The story that could have been...never!

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 20:53:24 GMT

Perhaps one of the biggest shocks of the week has to go to....the English media!

During the Portugal versus Brazil game at Arsenal's Emirates stadium television cameras showed us Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho talking on the phone....at the same time...could they have been talking to each other?

Whoever was operating the camera seemed to think so, hence the interspersed shots of Wenger and Mourinho both on their mobiles....only for Mourinho to hang up...Wenger still talking...the football gossip columnists fantasy was cut short...

Im still surprised the following days headlines resisted the urge to dream up something delusional like 'Could Jose be about to swoop for Henry, or even Fabregas'.......

Such is the fabrication of footy related gossip mongering, especially in the Abramovich era of Chelsea...but then again....Roman doesnt like Jose anymoreso he's not buying him any more expensive toys....or so they say...Jose is one baby who it seems cannot afford to throw his toys out of the pram...

Most interesting premiership season for years???

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 02:10:44 GMT

Chelsea's purchase of Ballack...and in particular Andrei Shevchenko were for many the final nail in the coffin for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in the title race at the beginning of the season, but things don't always turn out like that.

Chelsea are shipping in goals like never before and no longer look the invincible force many believed them to be. This will only instill more belief in other teams facing them.

Of course Arsenal are yet to hit any sort of consistent form so far, having not lost since losing Thierry Henry to a sciatic nerve problem, they lost today agaisnt it must be said in one of their poorest displays of an Arsenal side for years.

Now with Arsenal and Liverpool not doing as well as they would have hoped things ahead could get very interesting towards the top of the table near the end of season, especially if Tottenham can provide a resurgence too, excpect a big club to miss out on the champions league.

This season there really does look to be real competition for the title from Manchester United. But it is not only all about the title race.

At the end of 2006 Portsmouth and Bolton actually look capable of breaking into the fab four. Usually occupied by Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal. Of course there is the chance of the usual happening. Small team get good results, become complacent and end up where they belong, the bottom half of the table.

Harry Redknapp has done an outstanding job at Portsmouth and should now take nobody by surprise should they finish in the top five, most likely fifth, a superb position considering they have spent most their premiership life trying to stay in the division. And Bolton have now won their last 6 games in a row, ands with Anelka scoring 7 goals in his last 8 games he may soon be approaching the form that made him a 24 million pound player when he joined Real Madrid from Arsenal.

The furore and belief that West Ham were on their way to becoming a super power after the capture of Tevez and Mascherano, only for the club to become embroiled in the relegation dogfight.

Charlton, a previously stable club now with their thrid manager of the season and trying to stay up. Even teams that many were sure would never get relegated are being dragged into the mire. If the relegation fight was open last year, it will be a free for all in 2007.

There have also been some good performances from many players. Christiano Ronaldo has been a joy to watch, Drogba is hitting great form, and Thierry Henry could be frightening to watch after he has had a good rest now. Add to this some inspiring performances by the younger players such as Fabregas, Agbonlahor, Rooney, Ronaldo, Adebayor, and even some of the older players like Kanu and Solskaer.

This season is going to be a great one.

Wenger "banished to the stands"

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:29:52 GMT

One of the more funnier sights in football this week goes to:

Arsene Wenger!!

After being sent to the stands during half time after arguing with referee Steve Bennet for disputing a foul during the match against Portsmouth the Frenchman was banished to the stands where he would be unable to affect matters in the dugout.

Or so that was the plan.

Only for the Arsenal manager to then take his seat...2 rows behind the dugout!

Chelsea for a third title?

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:46:02 GMT

True champions, as they say, always stand up when it is time to be counted. This was evidently displayed by Chelsea in their 3-2 defeat of Everton on Sunday.

Coming back not once, but twice from a goal down has inevitably been the catalyst for the bookmakers now making Chelsea the title favourites, this despite Manchester United being 2 points ahead of them in the Premiership table.

Stating the obvious it may seem at first, havent Chelsea always been the favourites in recent history? Maybe but thats not the point. Man Utd's recent form had many believing it was finally their year once again, indeed many, if not most neautrals would have been hoping it will be their year, simply so they don't have to suffer the sight of Mourinho basking in his 'specialness' .

Manchester United may still be top but Chelsea have shown in recent times they have a certain tenacity that cannot be brought no matter how many roubles are injected into the 'project' as many foreign managers like to call their ambitions, using some tangible entity as an example to reassure fans.

Let us look back at the treble winning Manchester United team of 1999. In fact let us fast forward all the way to the very end of that campaign. A goal down against Bayern Munich, in the Nou Camp, in the Champions League final. The referees assistant signalled stoppage time a minute ago. It would be easy for the players to have felt sorry for themselves but they fought on. We all know what happended. Two literally last minute goals made sure their already fantastic season culminated in european glory thanks to Sheringham and Solskaer.

It was this performance which best summed up that teams fighting spirit. Not to mention the epic semi final against Juventus that got them there, with captain Roy Keane shown the yellow card he drove his team on and scored setting up Unied for the victory that would put that team on the path to greatness.

Arsenal too in their unbeaten season also had this steely determination not to lose whilst playing some of the best football that has ever been played in England. This was best illustrated by their matches against Middlesboro at Highbury on the league when they were 3-0 down only to win the match 4-3. Arsenal fgans will also point out the match against Liverpool, again at Highbury when the Gunners were 2-0 down only to win the match 4-2, helped by a wonder goal from Thierry Henry where he dribbled past five Liverpool players including Steven Gerrard, Sami Hypia and Jamie Carragher, sliding the ball past Jerzy Dudek.

Henry slides the ball past Dudek to seal a hat trick against Liverpool in their unbeaten season. The Gunners came back from 2 goals down to win 4-2

Thierry Henry was instrumental in helping the Gunners go unbeaten

Despite the skills of Henry it was the sublime team play and passing never before seen in England that made the Gunners team of 2003/4 already legendary

As much as it pains me to say it Chelsea's will to win (im an Arsenal supporter) is why i think they will win the title for a third time. Their ability to win when not playing well and the difficulty teams have when trying to break them down is highly evident for those used to watching their teams get beaten by Chelsea, a list that is always growing. Add to this a new found charisma that many commentators and fans may have felt was lacking in this Chelsea team.

Chelsea have shown they do have that certain something that is required to win the title once again, ilustrated by their dramatic match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge (which they could have won well considering they hit the bar and post) and most recently against Everton at Goodison Park. And whats more, the most expensive player in the team is not even playing very well making Match of the Day pundit Mark Laurenson say "They are effectively playing with 10 men".

Maybe its time to finally realise, once again, maybe it is Chelsea's year, again.

A sight we might get used to seeing?

The Christiano Ronaldo poll, is he a cheat, you decide

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:21:37 GMT

View Poll: Christiano Ronaldo....a cheat?..or just picked on?

Leave Ronaldo alone...says Ferguson

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:13:19 GMT

Manchester United's tricky winger Christiano Ronaldo is not a diver, he just gets picked on. Thats the verdict according to his boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United manager today said in a press conference that the treatment of Ronaldo is a result of revenge of the English press holding a grudge for what happened during the World Cup.

"It is revenge for the English press," he said. "They have been waiting months to do this since the World Cup."

The player himself was seen to go down under a challenge from the Middlesboro keeper Mark Schwarzer when one on one, only to be accussed of diving. Television replays showed there was no contact, although Ferguson disputes that in the keeper simply causing Ronaldo to lose his balance in a goal scroing situation it was still a penalty.

"What's more serious in our game, preventing the best players playing or going on for three days about a dive that wasn't a dive?

"I have seen it a million times and Cristiano lost his balance completely."

The Scot went on: "As I have said time and time again, we do not condone diving and Cristiano knows that.

"But it is difficult for players who run as quickly as he does. For instance, if you were driving at 70mph in a car and another car comes out in front of you, do you brake or carry on?

"The interpretation is down to the referee but, to me, it was a clear penalty."

Ronaldo himself backed up his managers view of the treatment he recieves from opposing players, fans and the press.

"I was trying to get past the goalkeeper. I lost my balance.

"I realise people criticise me for anything I do. They love to do that ever since the World Cup. But it doesn't bother me."

Recently Ronaldo has been turning in some of his best performances since coming to England. While impressing with his skills from day one it was his tendency to go down and tendency to showboat which annoyed both fans and at times even his own players. Since then he has been able to use his skills more effectively and steering clear of controversy, that is until saturday. Alex Ferguson claims he is still being judged from his first season, a situation amplfied by events in the World Cup.

"The first thing that happened to him at Middlesbrough on Saturday was that he was hacked from behind. The referee did not book the player, which only encourages players to keep kicking him and kicking him.

"All I know is that Cristiano is the most fouled player in the Premiership and the stats are there to back it up."

Arsene refusing to talk about "bust up"

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:30:07 GMT

Todays newspaper are full of the story regarding the alleged bust up with Thierry Henry. While Henry himself has admitted he walked out of the clubs training ground he explained it was bcause he was upset at not playing in such a big game as the North London derby, which the Gunners won 3-0.

While being upset he seemed to understand the situation stating that while he was upset to miss such a big game saying that while he hates to miss games he has to listen to his body if it is tired.

Too many newspapers have made a big deal of Arsene Wenger refusing to talk about it, using it as a reason to exaggerate the so called rift between the players.

Arsene Wenger is right in not talking, why should he feed the tabloids with more gossip. he correct way to diffuse the situation is to sort it out behind closed doors, not through trial by media. Henry was seen by everyone yesterday celebrating with his Arsenal teammates and clearly did not look like a man out of love with his club. Or suffering from "Barcelona-itis" as Mark Laurenson said on last nights Match of The Day.

Thierry Henry congratulates Adebayor after he scored Arsenal's opening goal in the 3-0 win over Tottenham in the North London derby.

It seemed to be going so well for Christiano Ronaldo

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:10:37 GMT

Manchester United winger Christiano Ronaldo was yet again caught in the middle of cheat accusations during yesterdays match against middlesboro at the Riverside stadium yesterday in which Manchester won 2-1 thanks to a penalty from Saha and a header from Darren Fletcher.

The Portugese star looked like he was certain to score as he begun to round opposing keeper Mark Schwarzer only to take a tumble in anticipation of the keepers challenge.

At first it looked like a foul by the keeper, though television replays showed there was in fact no contact whatsoever. Something the Middlesboro fans near the goal had already knew, voicing their disgust at the tricky winger. Boro manager Gareth Southgate was not surprised at Ronaldo's antics however:

"Ronaldo has a history of it," Southgate told the News of the World.

"Our keeper has done everything to get out of the way, but the lad has gone down once again."

"He did it again afterwards with a free-kick against George Boateng."

Despite this Manchester united manager Alex Ferguson seeemed to dispute this claiming it was a penalty, despite the proof it clearly was not.

Christiano Ronaldo would have been looking to clear his reputation in England of being a cheat especially after being seen winking at the Portugese bench after Wayne Rooney was sent off in the World Cup against Portugal in the quarter finals in Germany. Last night he was even being touted as a possible player of the season on match of the day.

His recent performances for United were beginning to silence the boo's, winning fans over with his skill and improving team play. Yesterday's performance, in diving that is will only leave him where he left of. Being labelled a cheat. A shame for one of the games most exciting players.

Back to sqaure one for Ronaldo in rebuilding his reputation.

Why does it always seem that players try to act as managers

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:44:01 GMT

The Sun newspaper today reported that Spains wonderkid, or former wonderkid judging by the progress of David Villa wants Chelsea's Shaun Wright Phillips to join him at Atletico Madrid.

This is but another example of a player flirting with another openly via the media in an attempt to coax them. How many times did we hear stories of Ronaldinhho proclaiming his love for Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard.

Do not be surprised to hear a statement from the president of Atletico Madrid claiming they are not in the market for a right winger if this story turns out to be untrue.

Meanwhile if true Atletico fans should have something to smile about if their star player is planning for a future with the team he supported as a boy, picking players for his manager he's beginning to sound like former Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Chelsea steal a draw in the Nou Camp

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 18:24:43 GMT

Fresh from the latest chapter in the trilogy of Mourinho versus Barcelona...in fact the rest of the world nowadays the Chelsea manager continued berating Barcelona even after his team came from behind to steal a point at the Nou Camp claiming that the refereee was being intimidated by Barcelona and wishing he was in the same position of respect as his conterpart on the Barca bench.

In what was a great match, despite being interrupted by countless fouls and actions that would have not been out of place at the local swimming pool Chelsea often looked to have the measure of Barcelona for much of the game.

An exhilirating start from the Catalan side saw them go a goal up in he third minute thanks to some glorious play by Deco who was fed by Xavi, choosing to use the nearby Ronaldinho as a decoy he evaded the actions of Carvalho to fire in a belter of a shot past Hilario sending the crowd wild. It was already starting to look like Barcelona's night.

Barcelona showed touches of brilliance such as when Messi easily cruised past Ashley Cole to hit a great pass to Ronaldinho who skied his shot when a player of his stature and skill should have at least made the stand in goalkeeper work but an equaliser from Frank Lampard was equally sublime.

Latching onto a through pass Lampard looked to have spoilt his chance to make a name for himself in the Nou Camp (there is reported interest from Barcelona regarding a transfer)when he miscontrolled the ball. All looked lost until he delightfully chipped the ball over the head of the bamboolzed Valdes into the top left corner of the post from an absurd angle, placing it in the only spot the keeper would never have reached. The commentators debating whether he meant it or not. If he did many England fans would be wondering where was this inspiration in Germany in the summer. More, however was to come from the Catalan side.

As the commenators curse was being affixed to Ronaldinho he once again pulled some of his magic from his hat to fool Boulharouz, who was so impressive in the match at Stamford Bridge into making a wild swing for the ball only for the Brazillian to lob it over him and feed former Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen who converted an easy tap in that took the proverbial roof off the stadium and looked to be the winner.

The former Chelsea favourite who was recently presented an award for services to Chelsea football club must have been angered by former manager Jose Mourinho for accusing him of being a diver so the goal must have been hugely gratifiying, however his night was spoilt by looked like a terrible injury after landing awkardly jarring his left ankle.

The last laugh went to Chelsea though who equalised in the ninety third minute of the game. There were six minutes added on in a match that was filled with time wasting, diving, arguing, fouls and substitutions.

Didier Drogba who is finally starting to look more like a top player equalised while showing great composure chesting down a header from John Terry and sliding low past Victor Valdes. The look on John Terry's face while celebrating showed just how much it meant to the team to get a result against their regular adversaries in the champions league, much to the anger of Frank Riikard.

As if the final whistle was going to put an end to the drama the manager of Barcelona rushed onto the pitch to confront Ferina the Italian referee gesticulating with his hands showing the amount of time he added on.

Like the Star Wars trilogy this one looks set to continue after Jose Mourinho seemingly accused Frank Riikard and Barcelona of intimidating the referee. Only time will tell what the next episode has in store.

Frank Lampard after scoring with an excellent chip against Barcelona

Old Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen scored what looked like it was going to be the winner for his new club

The match was littered with fouls

Drogba scoring the equaliser in the ninety third minute

Jose celebrates after the final whistle

Barca teaches diving!

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:38:50 GMT

Chelsea manager Jose Mourihno has once again stirred things ahead of todays match against Barcelona by implying that the club have turned former player Eidur Gudjohnsen into a diver.

Mourinho went on to say he knew exactly how many penalties Barcelona get at the Nou Camp and that they seemed to often be in a position where they play against ten men.

He was also referring to Barcelona's most recent match against Recreativo during the weekend where Gudjohnsen won the softest of penalties with what appeared to be a clear dive.

Asked if Mourinho expected more of the same in the rematch at the Nou Camp he simply said "Ask Eidur"

Nevertheless the Chelsea manager is confident his newly assembled team have what it takes claiming

"This season we are a team with more experience

"Last season we were a team who always played 4-3-3 but this season we are able to play different ways.

"We can play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, with a diamond in midfield or two lines. We are more mature in tactical terms."

Third choice goalkeeper Hilario will start at the Nou Camp having done well during his time between the posts and looks to be a player growing a cult following, but he will surely be in for a sterner test tonight.