Final Kick

Much ado about nothing

2012-02-13T22:16:00.001+08:00

In a week where England lost its manager, you would think that the narrative dominating the media over the weekend would've focused on the country's prospects for this summer's EURO in Poland and Ukraine. Instead, a handshake - or the lack of one - seems to have sent the English media in a frenzy. One only wonders what they would do with themselves without a sensational non-issue to blowup.

Mike Ashley did what?

2011-11-10T22:18:00.001+08:00

Just when you thought Mike Ashley was finally done screwing Newcastle United, he does this. For those in the dark, Ashley has sold the naming rights to St James Park to Sports Direct Arena. As such, from now on, Newcastle United's home grown will be called Sports Direct Arena - a name that will inspire or intimidate no one. In short, Ashley has thrown Newcastle's tradition and history under the

Will the silly season end already?

2011-08-23T23:28:00.001+08:00

With only a few days remaining in the transfer window, activity in the market is expected to intensify until the final hour on Aug 31. And as always, we can expect some major last ditch (or panic) signings on deadline day that will eclipsed anything that happens on the pitch this weekend in the Premier League. Thankfully, one of the longest transfer sagas of our time (Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona

It's about time!

2011-07-28T10:56:00.000+08:00

At long last, FIFA has come to its senses and may introduce goal-line technology. It is perhaps a bit of an understatement to say that the football's international governing body has been slow to embrace technology. Football, after all, is still one of the few major sports that hasn't adopted video replay technology to assist referees. As such, despite the immense wealth in football and the

A midfield connundrum

2011-07-25T23:52:00.002+08:00

Liverpool FC today denied that captain Steven Gerrard's rehabilitation may take longer than expected and keep the England midfielder out of Kenny Dalglish' squad for the beginning of the 2011/12 season. The Reds captain has been sidelined with a groin injury since mid-March and underwent surgery towards the end of the season. Considering how this isn't the first time Gerrard's been hit with a

Is Van Persie losing it?

2011-06-02T22:13:00.001+08:00

It was always going to happen sooner or later. After the season Arsenal's had, someone was going to crack. And it looks as if Robin Van Persie's the first casualty. The Gunners' striker launched a tirade today against what he believes to be unsporting behaviour by Spain and Chelsea players. Van Persie has slammed these players for supposedly putting referees under pressure to produce a yellow

Another one bites the dust?

2011-05-24T22:30:00.001+08:00

What is it with tabloids and their obsession with celebrities and infidelity? Are celebrities supposed to lead more pious lives than the so-called journalists who cover them? Or is it an acceptable practice to lay judgement on these celebrities just because they're rich and famous? The latest footballer to fall victim to the media's uncontrollable appetite for sleaze is, according to reports,

Barca vs Man U Part II

2011-05-05T23:28:00.000+08:00

And so, as expected, Barcelona and Man Utd will face each other in Wembley at the Champions League final on May 28, in a repeat of the same fixture in 2009. Will this be redemption time for Sir Alex Ferguson's men or will Pep Guardiola's side march on to s third Champions League trophy in five years? Interestingly enough, both sides will go in to this final with quite a number of things in

Is the title race open?

2011-05-01T15:47:00.000+08:00

It's strange how quickly fortunes can change. Several weeks ago, Carlo Ancelotti resembled a man with a very bleak future at a club that was on an alarming decline. But thanks to a five-game winning streak, Chelsea now find themselves second in the table and three points behind Man Utd. All of a sudden, there is a genuine chance Ancelotti may lead the Blues to a second successive league title.

Madrid starts calling the kettle black!

2011-04-29T17:16:00.002+08:00

In line with Jose Mourinho's post-match complaints following Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League yesterday, the Spanish giants have now posted pictures and video footage on its official website that indicate Dani Alves' dived to get Pepe sent off. The pictures and video footage were posted on the club's website along with a lengthy diatribe over what it claims were

Jose's pissed at Barca...again!

2011-04-28T21:54:00.003+08:00

For a man who's had his share of good fortune, it's fair to say that luck always seems to desert Jose Mourinho whenever he's up against Barcelona. From Chelsea to Real Madrid, the Catalan giants have, time and again, foiled the self-proclaimed Special One's quest for glory. Minus that historic victory by Inter in the Champions League last season and you might call Barcelona the Special One's

So what's wrong with second place?

2011-04-09T22:49:00.001+08:00

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has responded strongly to critics of his side by claiming there's nothing wrong with being in second place. The Frenchman also defended his youth policy and strategies and took a few subtle hits against clubs like Chelsea and Man City who have spent big but are behind the Gunners in the league. Here's what Wenger said as reported by Soccernet. "We have done well for

LeBron James is now a shareholder at Liverpool!

2011-04-07T22:31:00.000+08:00

James has often been compared to NBA legend, Michael Jordan Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has inked a deal with LeBron James which will see the basketball star become a shareholder at Anfield. News of the deal was reported earlier today and has been making headlines for the obvious reasons. The emergence of James, a two-time MVP and arguably one of the biggest names in

What?! Freakin' what Chelsea?!

2011-04-07T21:45:00.000+08:00

If Frank Lampard ever considers leaving football for another profession, he might want to consider fortune telling. Yesterday, the Blues midfielder issued a warning over the effects the negative publicity surrounding Wayne Rooney's vulgar rant over the weekend would have on his England teammate's performance on the pitch for Man Utd's Champions League clash against Chelsea. "Wayne is always a

Henry: Rafa to blame for Reds' lack of depth

2011-04-06T21:37:00.001+08:00

Rafa Benitez has been in the news lately talking about making a return to the Premier League and dropped several hints that he would be open to move back to Anfield if the opportunity arose. Well, he might have to wait until another shareholder takeover at Liverpool before he gets called in for an interview. Liverpool owner John Henry recently lamented Liverpool's severe lack of depth in the

Who was Rooney swearing at?

2011-04-05T21:04:00.001+08:00

Good old Wayne. After what can only be described as a mediocre season by his standards, the Wayne Rooney of old returned last Saturday when he scored a hattrick to help United stage a stunning comback and followed it up by yelling some expletives at Sky TV's camera crew. Yep. Not many - except for Joey Barton - can go from hero to zero in such short span of time. I say zero not so much because

Watch Tore Andre Flo take a crack at ballroom dancing!

2011-04-05T20:34:00.001+08:00

Remember Tore Andre Flo? Turns out the lanky Norwegian striker decided to pursue a career in dancing after retiring from football. The video below is a bit dated - it's from 2008 - but shows the former Chelsea striker doing a form of ballet that is supposed to represent an artistic rendition of his goal against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup. Enjoy! (Special thanks to the guys at ESPN Soccernet

Balotelli would behave if he meets Ronaldo!

2011-03-24T23:06:00.002+08:00

It appears as though Mario Balotelli's determined to dominate the headlines this month. In light of the barrage of criticism that has been leveled at the Man City forward in the past week, the Italian now claims that he would change his ways if he ever gets the chance to meet Ronaldo. No, not Cristiano. It's the other Ronaldo. You know, the overweight Brazilian one. And why would this encounter

At least Dzeko finds it funny

2011-03-22T22:25:00.002+08:00

It turns out we weren't the only ones who found Mario Balotelli's "bib malfunction" hilarious. Teammate and fellow striker, Edin Dzeko, tried his hand (no pun intended) at donning a bib Balotelli-style. I wonder if City fans find this just as hilarious.

The problem with Balotelli

2011-03-22T22:18:00.001+08:00

Mario Balotelli, as talented as he may be, has got anger management issues. A dangerously high kick against Dynamo Kiev's Goran Popov last week earned him a needless red card and contributed to City's exit in the Europa League. It also earned him the wrath of his manager, Roberto Mancini, who bluntly labeled the striker's reckless challenge as "stupid." Some reports even go so far as saying

Is this the greatest blunder of all time?

2011-03-11T21:57:00.001+08:00

We've all seen goalkeepers making ridiculous mistakes but this one may just be the greatest of all time. Check out how Zulte-Waregam's 'keeper, Sammy Bossut, fumbles this routine save. Some claim that there's an opposition player that steps on his foot as he's about to throw the ball. But seriously, no amount of obstruction could have led to that fumble.

Fergie bans media from reporting crap he says!

2011-03-04T20:21:00.001+08:00

The ongoing war between Sir Alex Ferguson and the media has taken another twist with the Man Utd manager once again banning all interviews and press conferences with the media. The reason? For reporting the Scotsman's post-match tirade against referee Martin Atkinson after United's defeat at Chelsea this week.Those damn journalists. But it gets even better. It turns that the comments that

Dalglish: Carroll may be going for Boyzone on Sunday!

2011-03-03T20:55:00.000+08:00

There's no question that Kenny Dalglish' return to the managerial post at Liverpool has been great for both the club and the fans. It's also been great for the press at Anfield after years of deciphering Rafa Benitez' sarcasm. At his pre-match press conference today, Dalglish refused to give a definitive answer as to whether the club's record signing, Andy Carroll, will play a part in this

Is the title race wide open now?

2011-03-02T22:22:00.002+08:00

If Carlo Ancelotti survives this season, he may refer to last night's victory over Man Utd as the turning point in what has been a tumultuous campaign for the Blues. With rumours intensifying of a replacement being lined-up to take over from the Italian in the summer, Chelsea's 2-1 win over the Devils may have given Ancelotti some much needed breathing space. For once, his cosmopolitan side

Is King Kenny's midas touch waning?

2011-02-28T22:33:00.002+08:00

Has King Kenny's golden touch expired at Liverpool? Was Sunday's 3-1 defeat to West Ham a blimp in the side's return to form under the Scotsman or is reality crashing down on Liverpool now that the euphoria surrounding Dalglish' second stint at the club is beginning to die down? It's hard to tell at this point. On one hand, last night's display at Upton Park bared a remarkable resemblance to the