UNSUNG HEROES

Rooney pens a new deal

2010-10-23T20:34:00.002+08:00

Wayne Rooney has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United, ending speculation about his future.
It brings to an end an amazing ten days of claim and counter claim coming out of Old Trafford which began with Rooney refuting manager Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that he was suffering from an ankle injury and seemed set to culminate with the player being sold in January.

After 24 hours of high-level talks between the player's representatives, Sir Alex Ferguson, chief executive David Gill and the Glazer family, Rooney has decided to stay with the club and immediately penned a new deal through to 2015.

Sir Alex has told radio station Key 103 that Rooney has said sorry to him and his team-mates for the event of the past week. "Wayne has apologised to me and the players,'' Sir Alex said. "He will also do so with the supporters.''

Rooney said in an official club statement: "I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the manager's a genius and it's his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history - which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.

"I'm sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they've read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again."

In an interview with MUTV, Rooney added: "Since it became public knowledge we had to move quicker than everybody expected. Once it all came out, it looked as though there was nowhere to go. But the manager made it quite clear the door was still open for me to sign. The club still wanted me to sign.

"I spoke to my agent and said 'let's go in and sit down and try to resolve it to get the deal done'. We went in, spoke with the manager, the Glazers and David Gill. I am really pleased we managed to sort it out.''

Rooney insists Ferguson was not the sole reason for his decision to stay. But he admits the Scot is a powerful influence on his career.

"I am sure it has been difficult for him as well,'' acknowledged Rooney. "He has to look after the club and was trying to convince me to sign a new deal at the club.

"He is a great manager. I have said many times one of the big reasons I joined this club was to work under him, with his experience, passion and will to win. I wanted to be successful working with him.

"I have managed to do that. I am hoping in the next few years we can do that again.''

Sir Alex tried to explain the situation after a week at the centre of a media storm.

"It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United," said the United boss. "I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.

"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief for what we stand for.

"I'm sure everyone involved with the club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of."

Rio Ferdinand considers himself "cursed''

2010-06-06T22:14:00.000+08:00

Ferdinand was injured in a collision with Emile Heskey in England's first training session in Rustenburg and he was ruled out for up to six weeks following a scan. It follows an injury-blighted season in which he was restricted to just 13 Premier League games for Manchester United with a debilitating back problem.

Agent Pini Zahavi revealed the central defender's devastation but backed Ferdinand to lead England in the 2014 World Cup.

Zahavi told the Sun: "Rio said: 'I think somebody cursed me.' That is honestly how he feels. Rio is very down. He cannot understand why this has happened to him.

"This injury is nothing to do with the ones he had before. It is completely different and it is very bad luck. Rio was feeling sharp and was ready for the World Cup. He has waited so long for this tournament and to try and help England win it. He had prepared himself so well. But he is a very strong man and he will be back. I'm sure he will be leading England in four years time at the next World Cup.'

Chelsea ready to make their move for Torres

2010-05-17T22:44:00.002+08:00

Fernando Torres will be the subject of a world record bid from Chelsea within days.

The total package of transfer fee and salary will make Torres a staggering £130 million investment.

Soccernet has been informed that owner Roman Abramovich is personally taking control of the project to bring the Liverpool striker to Chelsea.

Torres has been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid for a some time but the Blues will be first to make a concrete offer.

Abramovich is ready to release the cash following a Premier League and FA Cup double this season, but he is also acutely aware he could cut an alternative deal with Liverpool in need of new players.

Chelsea are willing to offer three players in part exchange, as an option to smooth through the Torres transfer.

Abramovich is also prepared to match City's expected offer to Torres of £200,000-a-week, which is being mooted via the middle men now authorised to try and clinch the deal.

An insider told Soccernet: "Torres is the best, and Roman wants the best. He has identified Torres as the player who can help him bring the Champions League to Stamford Bridge.

"Torres can go to City for just as much money perhaps even more, but it's clear that Chelsea offer far more in terms of a crack at the Champions League whereas City aren't even in it."

Chelsea are drawing up a list of players to offer to Liverpool in part exchange for Torres that could take the overall transfer value above the £80 million world record Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The deal could be structured like this; pick any three players from a specified list plus £40 million cash up front for Torres. That offer, according to Soccernet sources, will be made well ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa, and most likely early next week.

With the three players averaging around £15 million each, the total valuation of the Torres offer would be in excess of the Ronaldo fee.

Anelka is the one player the Italian coach might be reluctant to offer up and, of course, the Frenchman might not wish to return to Anfield - although he has expressed regret at failing to win a permanent move to the club after spending a loan spell on Merseyside.

Manchester City are also in a position to offer Liverpool a shopping list of swap players, as well as a cash payment in excess of Chelsea's, but the prospect of joining the Double winners and a club intent on landing the Champions League would be far more appealing.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are battling with losses of £54.9 million, a net debt of £351 million, no Champions League football and with new chairman Martin Broughton an appointee of the club's bank RBS, a £40 million cash-plus-players bid for their star asset will clearly be accepted.

Source from Soccernet

Congrates to Rooney

2010-04-30T15:22:00.002+08:00

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been voted the 2010 Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers' Association (FWA), adding to the PFA award he picked up last Sunday.

Rooney was picked as the best player in England this season by his fellow professionals and now the FWA gong joins his growing collection of individual accolades, after the England star topped the poll of journalists with 81% of a record number of votes cast.Rooney - who has led United's challenge for silverware this season with 34 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions - will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at The Lancaster London Hotel on May 13.FWA chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer for the People, said: "Wayne is a worthy winner of our prestigious award and the margin of his victory is testimony to the marvellous season he has had for club and country.

"His tally of 34 goals so far this season is certain to have captured the attention of our members, but I am sure the overall improvement in his game at Manchester United has been of equal significance.

"Wayne's enthusiasm, hunger and desire mark him out as a special player and we hope he can carry his club form onto the international stage in the World Cup this summer to help England achieve their dream. We now look forward to saluting Wayne at our dinner.''

Rooney becomes the 13th player to win the double of PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards, with both former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry scooping the double on two separate occasions.

Sergio Aguero heading to Chelsea

2010-04-30T15:17:00.002+08:00

Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero has already agreed a £40 million summer transfer move to Chelsea, according to ESPNsoccernet sources.

A top Premier League manager told Soccernet of the transfer as Aguero lined up for his club in the Europa League semi-final against Liverpool and maintained that it was common knowledge within the game that the deal was on its way.

Aguero was close to a move to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window but Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was convinced that his squad were capable of winning the league without a huge investment and the price for the striker quoted at the time was £50 million.

However, Atletico Madrid's financial situation has worsened since, while the player is reportedly more relaxed about a move in the summer with more time to settle in to live in London after the World Cup.

Only recently Aguero was quoted as saying how much he admires players such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, which was naturally interpreted as a 'come and get me' message to the Blues.

The question remains, is Aguero worth that much (£40) and is he capable of produce wonders as well as make his spell in Chelsea worth?

New Chelsea and Liverpool Jerseys

2010-04-29T20:40:00.005+08:00

Look guys, the new 2010/11 Chelsea and Liverpool jerseys are out! Personally i feel the Chelsea's design looks Liverpool's 09/10 design somehow. For Liverpool, it has a new sponsor : Standard Chartered! Good Bye Carlsberg... you will be missed.

Here are the reviews for the two club's jersey:

Chelsea- Chelsea's new home jersey is in the traditional CFC blue. This 2010/2011 jersey does have red details for the first time since 1995.

Collar details pay tribute to Stamford Bridge.

Customized engineered mesh fabric for optimum ventilation.

Embroidered Chelsea team badge and Adidas logo.

100% polyester with Climacool moisture control. Imported.

Liverpool- Liverpool FC wanted a new kit that could live up to their prestigious history and takes inspiration from the kit worn during the triumphant 1989/90 title winning season.

In terms of design aesthetic, this is a traditional all red kit with key features including a jacquard fabric (a fancy name for woven-in design), a laser cut woven crest execution and rich metallic gold piping detail which all help to create a jersey steeped in history and tradition with a stylish modern twist.

This new Liverpool home shirt also features their new sponsor, Standard Chartered, who will continue as shirt sponsor until at least 2014.

The shirt is made with the adidas ClimaCool® advanced material, engineered to reduce heat and moisture build-up.

If you want to order directly from their official website

Chelsea ChelseaJersey2010/11
Liverpool LiverpoolJersey2010/11

Benitez to leave Liverpool?

2010-04-29T16:48:00.002+08:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has voiced concerns about the lack of reassurances over his future at the club and hit out at press "rumours" of an impending departure and discussions of potential candidates for his job.

Benitez has been linked with a switch to Juventus for months now while a raft of managers have been mentioned as possible replacements for the Liverpool hotseat should Benitez leave - or be pushed.

Liverpool's so-far disappointing season could get worse on Thursday if they fail to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their Europa League semi-final return meeting with Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

Benitez's side crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and look like falling short of qualification for that tournament through the Premier League, despite the Spanish manager's infamous "guarantee" Liverpool would finish fourth.

Benitez insisted his focus is solely on the next match and not on his future, although he felt compelled to mention the lack of public support coming out of the Liverpool hierarchy in the wake of press speculation about possible future Liverpool managers.

Shelvey joins Liverpool

2010-04-29T16:02:00.000+08:00

Liverpool have sealed a £1.7 million deal to sign Charlton Athletic's highly-rated youngster Jonjo Shelvey.The England Under-17 international, tipped as one of the hottest prospects outside of the Premier League, passed a medical and agreed personal terms on Tuesday and will complete his move to Anfield on May 10.The initial fee for Shelvey, 18, could rise depending on a number of potential add-ons, relating to domestic and international appearances.

Shelvey made his first-team debut for Charlton aged just 16 years and 59 days - becoming the club's youngest ever player, and he has scored four goals from midfield in 27 appearances this season.

"Boring" Champions league final

2010-04-28T13:03:00.004+08:00

This year the champions league final will not have any English clubs participating and to me, it's kind of boring. Bayern were lucky to escape with an away goal rule that knocked United out of the competition while Inter knocked Chelsea out. Surprisingly, these two clubs might be on the way to meet each other at the finals. Whatever the case, lets hope next year the English clubs will perform better next year.

In the past six seasons, EPL sides regular in the champions league (Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC) have all some way featured in the semi-final of the champions league in the past six seasons, which made English and even foreigners marvel at their absence this season, in the semi-final of Europe's elite club competition.

In 2005, Liverpool (the all red) and Chelsea (the true blues) locked horns in an entertaining semi-final with both sides led by managers who have managed his team for barely two seasons, Liverpool went on to win the encounter, after a closely contested semi-final match. Liverpool eventually emerged triumphant in that year's Champions league, after defeating Ac-Milan in an epic final which saw one of the greatest comebacks in football history, 3-0 to 3-3 and then victory.

The proceeding year, Arsenal featured in both the Semi-final and final of the Champions league, to mark a turn-around in their footballing history, but were not so lucky to win the trophy after only qualifying for their first final match in the champions league. They battled with Barcelona in that year's final, i.e. 2006 final, but got beaten by 2 goals to 1, with Jens Lehmann sent off in that match.

In 2007, Liverpool and Chelsea once again were drawn to do battle in the semi-final of the 2006/2007 season. With the first leg drawn to be played at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had the opportunity of progressing, and they took full advantage of the home factor by defeating Liverpool by a lone goal after a highly contested fixture. At Anfield, Liverpool played with caution while also surging forward in search for the goal that will put them on level terms with Chelsea, luckily for Liverpool the goal came. A low cross from Steven "general" Gerard found an unmarked Daniel Agger, who sliced the ball through the bodies of Chelsea players and bang into the net early in the first half. Liverpool preserved the one goal lead even after 90 minutes until the extra time was over, then it was time for the ultimate decider; penalty kicks, Pepe Reina was the hero of the day as he saved the deciding spot kick to send Liverpool into the final for the second time in three seasons and a replay of 2005 final with AC-Milan, that dispatched Manchester United in the other semi-final clash by 5 goals to 3 on aggregate.

The final was a highly anticipated one, as two of Europe's power houses in club football go head-to-head to decide the winner of the 2007 Champions League, eventually two Pippo Inzaghi goals, which made him the highest goal scorer in the Champions league, won Ac Milan the trophy for the seventh time in their footballing history.

The following year saw the best from English teams in the Champions League. All four English representatives made it to the quarter final, with three (Liverpool, after ousting Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United) out of the four progressing onto the semi-final, Liverpool were eventually dumped by fellow English team Chelsea. The progression of Chelsea into the final in 2008 was the first time they were playing in the Champions League's final; they battled with Manchester United for the coveted trophy, matched United strength for strength, skill for skill, technique for technique, but were just unlucky to miss out in the spot kicks, as United went on to win their third and Sir Alex Ferguson's second UEFA Champions League trophy, which also aided Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the world player of the year award.

The year 2009, saw a different football style displayed by a team. 2009 Champions League was won by Barcelona of Spain, after showing the footballing world how the game should be played; neat defending, accurate passing, and clinical finishing: characterized the play of Barcelona en-route to winning the trophy for the third time in their history, after triumphs in 1992 and 2006.

2010 came with a lot of promise for the English sides, after bright starts from all the sides in their respective groups; Liverpool won its first game against Debrecen at Anfield, by a lone goal scored by Dirk Kuyt, which made him the club's third highest goal scorer in Europe with 12 goal to his name. Chelsea also won its first game against FC Porto by a lone goal scored Nicolas Anelka, in a dull encounter due to the water soaked pitch.

Manchester United didn't do badly in its first game; same was the case for Arsenal, all the English representatives representing well to the delight of English stalwarts. Things started becoming shaky as the competition progressed further to its crucial stage. Liverpool were ousted very early in the competition, as they were ousted in the group phase, even before the last group game. The victory of Fiorentina over Olympique Lyonnais in the game before the last, meant Liverpool were forced to the Europa league were they have solace recently, making an impressive run to the semi-final, having not scored lower than three goals on aggregate in the previous rounds, i.e. round of 32, round of 16 and quarter final, which has earned them a clash with Athletico Madrid away in Spain.

Chelsea were next up for elimination, after a partly successful run in the group onto the round of 16. Chelsea had great scares during a few of their group phase games, Athletico Madrid away in Spain was one those, where they had to settle for a 2 all draw after going through Didier Drogba, only to see a Sergio Diego Aguero brace give Athletico the lead, but Drogba proved to be very clinical in finishing when he slotted his second past Athletico's goal. The most surprising of Chelsea's group phase result came on the last day of the group. Apoel Nicosia making only its debut in the Champions League held all conquering Chelsea, with a full first team squad, to a 2 all draw at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal had the most impressive group phase performance where they picked up 16 of the 18 available points in a group which consisted of Olympiakos, Standard Liege, and Az Alkmaar, which are low pedigree teams with frequent Champions League due to inability to make it through the preliminary.

Manchester United, I would say, had an indifferent group campaign. Had a great start, but flattered during the crucial mid games, needed the last game to confirm qualification but put threw any doubts into the thrash after a Michael Owen hat-trick cancelled out Edin Dzeko's opening goal, for VFL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.

With the progression of three tops teams from England into the round of 16, hopes and expectation were extremely high. The English teams, however, didn't get the perfect draws, Chelsea were billed to face Inter-Milan, tutored by Jose Mourinho, Manchester United drawn to do battle with 7 times European champions, Ac-Milan, and Arsenal getting a re-match of the 2009 group game against Porto Fc, 2004 winners.

The first legs saw the English teams face real test of strength, skill and technique.

Manchester United were tested for all the mentioned above against Ac-Milan, first in Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro and then in Old Trafford, but then they emerged victorious on both legs, winning 7-2 on aggregate, with Wayne Rooney scoring four of the seven goals, i.e. 2 goals in each leg.

Arsenal had a similar situation, against Fc Porto, the Portuguese representatives giving them a good run for their money, most especially in Portugal, where the first leg was hosted, which Fc Porto won by 2 goals to 1, in a match which Porto's second goal by Falcao, was a bit controversial, appearing to be an offside goal.

At Emirates stadium, Arsenal showed no mercy, firing 2 goals past Helton in goal for Porto in quick succession, and at half time, it was Arsenal 2 Porto 1. Porto started brightly in the second half of the game, attacking Arsenal from all angles of the pitch. As the game grew, Arsenal became for more confident, and began playing like the Arsenal we are use to watching in league games. Samri Nasri threw the Emirates into ecstasy, when he dribbled past three Porto defenders and slotted past helpless Helton, who tried to rush out to prevent the goal, but all to no avail. Super sub, Emmanuel Eboue, came on minutes later and sealed the victory, with a clean finish, after he outran the Porto defenders and was set up by Andre Arshavin, with only the keeper to beat, he rounded him neatly before netting Arsenal's four to cap a fine performance from truly smoking gunners. Nicklas Bendtner, who had earlier netted 2 superb strikes, added a third to mark his first hat trick in his Arsenal career.

It wasn't a bed of roses for Chelsea neither, as they had to suffer defeats in the hands of Inter-Milan on both legs, which put paid to their Champions League campaign. At the magnificent Giuseppe Meazza, Inter tested Chelsea for wits, work rate and technique, as both teams played out their lives to progress in the competition. Chelsea partly outplayed, but all the "ball possession" could not fetch them the win which they set out to achieve. The ball possession favoured Chelsea in the first leg match, but these were not translated into goals neither were they translated in the goal attempt, shot-on-goal, and so on. Of all the teams which started European campaign in September, Liverpool can be deduced to be the most disappointing of all, due to the fact that it was knocked out in the group phase.

Presently, there are only two English teams in European competition, Liverpool FC and Fulham FC and they both have interesting fixtures in the semi-final, having to face Athletico Madrid and Hamburg, respectively.

There is the possibility of an all English Europa league final, a feat which has not been achieved for over 6 seasons.
The absence of premier league teams In the semi-final of the champions league, in my own estimation, does not connote the fall of the premier league, rather the sole reason is the reality that we have come to face, which is the fact that teams form other countries have sat down and reviewed the methods of English teams, which they have applied, and it has worked magically and very effectively too.

English teams were neither totally outclassed, outpowered nor outplayed, but rather the element of luck was against them, and also the English teams have had a good run in the past, so let other teams enjoy same, so people won't say the Champions league is an English competition. The English teams will rise up to take what's rightfully theirs, which is the prestige it has earned over the years, a prestige which in my estimation, is in jeopardy considering the inability of making it to the semi-final of Europe's elite club competition.

Upon this I settle, the absence of English teams in the semi-final of the champions league is by no means equal to the fall of the premier league, and besides which other league is so unpredictable as the premier league? A league where any team can beat any team, home or away; name the league.

Article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tobechukwu

Chelsea still going strong

2010-04-26T10:05:00.008+08:00

Victories over Liverpool at Anfield and Wigan at home will now be enough for Chelsea to clinch their first title since 2006, after the Blues responded to Manchester United's 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday by mauling shell-shocked Stoke to go one point clear of their rivals at the summit.

A hat-trick from Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou, a brace from Frank Lampard and late goals from substitute Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda maintained Chelsea's dream of winning a league and FA Cup double this season.

The critical moment for Chelsea will arrive at Anfield next weekend against a Liverpool side who will still be aiming to finish in fourth place.

Both the team have performed very well over the weekend and hope both of them will put up a classic clash and United fans will be hoping for Liverpool to keep the blues quiet at Anfield next week.

Watch 7 goals thriller

Liverpool the late bloomer

2010-04-26T09:54:00.009+08:00

Liverpool are back! However they only have to 2 games to secure not the title, but 4th place for the champions league spot. 2 goals from the Liverpool captainTwo goals from captain Steven Gerrard, a first Liverpool strike for Maxi Rodriguez and a late effort from Ryan Babel relegated Burnley from the Premier League and kept alive the Merseysiders' distant hopes of finishing fourth.

With two matches to play Burnley cannot now catch 17th-placed West Ham and return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Gerrard's first goal in the 51st minute was deflected off Burnley centre-back Leon Cort but his 25-yard strike seven minutes later was inch-perfect and Rodriguez and Babel wrapped things up.

The win, Liverpool's first in eight away league matches this year, kept Rafael Benitez's side in the hunt for next season's Champions League but only just.

Tottenham are two points ahead on 64, with a match in hand, and Liverpool must win their remaining two games and hope neither Spurs, Manchester City nor Aston Villa amass more than 68 points - and even then it could come down to goal difference.

Burnley, however, must now face up to a return to the second tier of English football, which has been on the cards ever since the departure of former manager Owen Coyle to Bolton in January.

Poor Burnley, how excited they were one year ago when they are promoted to the premier league and in fact able to win United at the 1st half of the season. As of now, Burnley will join Portsmouth to the championship and we shall see who will be the last to join them.

Watch Gerrard's opener

Injuries, injuries and injuries

2010-04-25T19:04:00.009+08:00

Both Michael Essien and Fernando Torres are regulars in the injury lists and the period that they are out usually keeps them out of action or minimum of 3 weeks and above. They are both important players to the team and now they fear staying in premier league for long might just end their career. ( *joking)

They are players from Chelsea and Liverpool respectively however there are cases like Arsenal having their player suffer major injuries. If you remember Eduardo (clashed in Birmingham in 2008) and recently Ramsey ( against Stoke in Feb 2010) suffered dislocation and fractures.

The premier league is a very intense league and like Torres has mention, we must really appreciate people who are in the game for so long like United's Scholes and Giggs, Chelsea' Lampard and Liverpool's Gerrard who are able to stay in the game for so long as they are so experienced in this league.

For us we are happy to see player suffers injuries if they are not from the team we support however, if they are the superstar of that team, it will be boring to see them missing in action for so long.
So i think they should start the Fair play campaign again.

Rooney's season maybe over due to injury

2010-04-25T05:20:00.003+08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hinted Wayne Rooney's season may be over after he saw his side go top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win against in-form Tottenham Hotspur. The England striker watched on from the stands due to a groin injury.

Man Utd back on top

2010-04-24T22:10:00.009+08:00

Manchester United has proved once again why they are the champions of England. They have beaten Spurs to a 3-1 scoreline and now they are top of the Barclays Premier League leading 2 points ahead of Chelsea.

The game was rather intense and tight until Berbatov made a clever back heel to Evra which resulted in a penalty in favor for United. Ryan Giggs made the headlines by bringing his team 1 up after he managed to convert a spot kick into a precious goal.However it seems like it a battle of the captains as Ledley King fought 1 back to level terms with the current champions. At the moment everyone thought Spurs still has the ability to make the final 2-1 hat-trick to their favor, it was until United made the attacking change when Federico Macheda came on to replace Rafael in the 80th min. Nani led United score to 2-1 just 1 min later which he made a incredible pace into the penalty box to beat Gomez with a clever chip and 5 mins later Palacios clash onto him to give United another penalty. It was then United were leading 3-1 and everyone knew Spurs hoping to win against United is over.

It was rather a warm weather as both Evra and Nani somehow collapsed which made United worry for them however now that they have won an important match, they can now rest in comfort and watch the match tomorrow in peace when they title rival Chelsea faces Stoke.

For my man of the match i felt it was a tight decision between Nani and King however i would give it to Nani as he did so much damage to the Spurs defense.

Nani's goal

Finally to United Fabiano?

2010-04-24T15:10:00.010+08:00

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has suggested he would be keen to seal a move to Manchester United.
Fabiano, 29, is out of contract at the end of next season and, with United understood to be in the market for a new striker in the summer, it appears he would welcome a switch to Old Trafford.

Fabiano, a Brazil international, has won two UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla and is thought to be valued at around £15 million.

If you ask me, i think he will be a better a player to utilize rather than the current overrated Bulgarian striker Berbetov.

Buffon offer to Manchester??

2010-04-22T14:37:00.004+08:00

Gianluigi Buffon could be heading for Manchester this summer in one of the biggest transfer deals of the close season.
Italian sources believe City and United are going all out for a man ranked by many as the world's number one goalkeeper.

Italian reports suggest United will offer Nemanja Vidic plus cash for Buffon, while City have the ability to match Juventus' £30 million asking price. United are reluctant to lose Vidic, but there has been speculation all season that the centre half wants to quit for a warmer climate as his wife has failed to settle in England.

The biggest stumbling block for Ferguson, though, is Buffon's wage demands of £4 million after tax, and with a new high rate of tax imposed in England, that would make Buffon by far the highest earner at Old Trafford.

7 up for Chelsea

2010-03-26T13:27:00.000+08:00

Nani's incredible goal

2010-03-26T13:24:00.000+08:00

Liverpool relegates Burnley

2010-03-26T13:22:00.000+08:00

Highlights

2010-03-10T18:19:00.002+08:00

Highlights

Watch the 7 goals thriller

Watch Gerrard's opener

Watch Nani's incredible goal

Livescore

2010-01-30T03:59:00.001+08:00

Liverpool

2010-01-29T20:23:00.000+08:00

Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England which plays in the Premier League and is one of the most successful in the history of English football, winning more trophies than any other English club. Liverpool has won a joint-record eighteen league titles, seven FA Cups, seven League Cups, three UEFA Cups and five European Cups, an English record.

The club was founded in 1892 and won five league championships between 1900 and 1947. However, Liverpool spent several years in the Second Division during the late 1950s, and did not win promotion again until the appointment of Bill Shankly as manager in 1959. The club traditionally played in red and white, but this was changed to all red in the 1960s.

Under Shankly's management, Liverpool won three League Championship titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup, the club's first European trophy. In the past 30 years, they have been one of the most successful clubs in English and European football; they won four European Cups between 1977 and 1984 and a fifth in 2005.

The Heysel Stadium disaster made the club infamous in Europe; 39 Juventus fans died after a wall collapsed as they fled from charging Liverpool fans. The club was involved in a worse disaster four years later—the Hillsborough Disaster— which saw the death of 96 Liverpool fans in a crush against perimeter fencing. Both disasters have had wide-ranging impacts on English and European football, and the club, to this day.

Liverpool F.C. has played at Anfield since its formation, but plans to move to a new stadium in Stanley Park, which was due to be completed by 2011 but has been put on hold until economic conditions improve. Liverpool has a large fan base which holds long-standing rivalries with several clubs. The most notable of these are their rivalry with Manchester United and Everton, with whom they regularly contest the Merseyside derby.

Liverpool F.C. Manager
Rafael Benitez (2004-Present)

Liverpool F.C. First Team Players

1 Diego Cavalieri	2 Glen Johnson
4 Alberto Aquilani	5 Daniel Agger
8 Steven Gerrard (Captain)	9 Fernando Torres
11 Albert Riera	12 Fábio Aurélio
15 Yossi Benayoun	16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos
17 Maxi Rodríguez	18 Dirk Kuyt
19 Ryan Babel	20 Javier Mascherano
21 Lucas	22 Emiliano Insúa
23 Jamie Carragher (Vice-Captain)	24 David N'Gog
25 Pepe Reina	27 Philipp Degen
28 Damien Plessis	31 Nabil El Zhar
34 Martin Kelly	36 Steve Irwin
37 Martin Škrtel	40 Daniel Sánchez Ayala
41 Martin Hansen	44 David Martin
45 Alexander Kacaniklic	46 David Amoo

Link to Liverpool F. C.com Liverpool F.C.

Chelsea

2010-01-29T20:10:00.002+08:00

Chelsea Football Club are an English professional football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions three times, and have won the FA Cup five times, the League Cup four times and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup twice.

The club had their first major success in 1955, winning the league championship. Chelsea won several cup competitions during the 1960s and 1970s, but after that did not win another major title until 1997. The past decade has been the most successful period in Chelsea’s history, capped by winning consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, and reaching their first UEFA Champions League final in 2008.

Chelsea's home is the 41,841 capacity Stamford Bridge football stadium in Fulham, where they have played since their establishment. The club are based in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. In 2003, they were bought by Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea's traditional kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. The club crest has been changed several times in attempts to modernise or re-brand; the current crest, featuring a ceremonial lion holding a staff, is a modified version of one first adopted in the 1950s The club has sustained the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football.Their average home gate for the 2008–09 season was 41,464, the fifth highest in the Premier League.

Chelsea Manager
Carlo Ancelotti (2009-Present)

Chelsea FC First Team Players

1 Petr Čech	2 Branislav Ivanović
3 Ashley Cole	5 Michael Essien
6 Ricardo Carvalho	8 Frank Lampard (Vice-Captain)
10 Joe Cole	11 Didier Drogba
12 John Obi Mikel	13 Michael Ballack
15 Florent Malouda	17 José Bosingwa
18 Yuri Zhirkov	19 Paulo Ferreira
20 Deco	21 Salomon Kalou
22 Ross Turnbull	23 Daniel Sturridge
24 Nemanja Matić	26 John Terry (Captain)
30 Rhys Taylor	33 Alex
35 Juliano Belletti	39 Nicolas Anelka
40 Henrique Hilário	41 Sam Hutchinson
43 Jeffrey Bruma	44 Gaël Kakuta
45 Fabio Borini	46 Jacopo Sala

Link to Chelseafc.com ChelseaFC

Manchester United

2010-01-29T18:50:00.013+08:00

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club who play at Old Trafford in Stretford, Greater Manchester. Having won a joint-record 18 league titles and a record 11 FA Cups, Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in the history of English football, and are the reigning Premier League champions and Football League Cup holders. The club is one of the wealthiest and most widely supported football teams in the world.

Founded as Newton Heath LYR F.C. in 1878, the club joined The Football League in 1892 and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the exception of the 1974–75 season. They were the first English club to win the European Cup, in 1968, and the Treble, in 1999; they added a third Champions League title in 2008.

Alex Ferguson has been manager since 6 November 1986 and is the most successful manager in the club's history, having won 26 major honours. The club captain is Gary Neville who succeeded Roy Keane in November 2005. Average attendances at Old Trafford have been higher than at any other English club ground for all but six seasons since 1964–65.

Manchester United Manager
Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-Present)

Manchester United First Team Players

1 Edwin Van Der Sar	2 Gary Neville (Captain)
3 Patrice Evra	4 Owen Hargreaves
5 Rio Ferdinand	6 Wes Brown
7 Michael Owen	8 Anderson
9 Dimitar Berbatov	10 Wayne Rooney
11 Ryan Giggs (Vice-Captain)	12 Ben Foster
13 Park Ji Sung	14 Zoran Tosic
15 Nemanja Vidic	16 Michael Carrick
17 Nani	18 Paul Scholes
19 Danny Welback	20 Fabio
21 Rafael	22 John O'shea
23 Jonny Evans	24 Darren Fletcher
25 Antonio Valencia	26 Gabriel Obertan
27 Federico Macheda	28 Darron Gibson
29 Thomsz Kuszczak	32 Mame Biram Diouf

Link to Manchester United.com Manchester United

Blues bring in Turnbull

2009-07-03T01:44:00.006+08:00

Chelsea have completed the signing of Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough on a free transfer.

Boro announced at the end of the 2008/9 season that the goalkeeper would be leaving The Riverside when his contract expired on 30th June.

A number of clubs were reportedly interested but Chelsea always appeared favourites and have now secured his services on a four-year deal.

The 24-year-old enhanced his reputation with a series of number of eye-catching performances for Boro in the Premier League last term.

He had previously spent time out on loan with Barnsley, Crewe and Cardiff earlier in his career.

Turnbull will now be looking to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after joining Petr Cech and Hilario as the goalkeepers in Carlo Ancelotti's first-team squad.

Chelsea's shot-stopping options had been limited during the second half of last season following Carlo Cudicini's switch to Tottenham.

Hilario provided the back-up to Cech and Turnbull is now expected to vie with the Portuguese player for the right to be second choice.

Hilario, 33, has also put pen-to-paper on a new two-year contract that ties him to the club until 2011.