The nominees are in. So let democracy reign and vote for your sporting icon of the Noughties!

Steven Gerrard has admitted he is disappointed about getting knocked out of the Champions League Group stage, but insists Liverpool should move on and try and win the Europa League. Here is what he said:

“The disappointing thing was having to rely on other teams going into tonight,” said Gerrard.

“We’ve played fantastically well tonight and deserved the three points, so it’s disappointing that we won’t progress in the Champions League.

“You get what you deserve in this competition and the two late goals we conceded against Lyon have been crucial. But it’s gone now – it’s in the past and we’ve got to move on.

“We’re in the Europa League and we’ll go and try to win it.

“Tonight’s performance was encouraging and we can build on that. We’ve got a lot of players coming back from injury so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

So Liverpool have crashed out of the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2002.

With the well-documented problems off the field, and the team currently languishing in 7th place in the Barclays Premier League, can Rafa Benitez hold on to his job? The financial hole that lack of progress to the group stages will bring will not help the already precarious financial position the club find themselves in, and could this signal the selling of their two diamonds in their rough, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard?

The amount of money Rafa has spent is incredible. In the summer, Glenn Johnson came in for £18 million, and £20 million was spent on Alberto Acquilani, a talented player but one who was given one minute in the game against Debrecen last night.

Will the Kop now turn on Benitez after what can only be considered a failure? Every time I have caught Liverpool on TV this year they have seemed to be lacking any sort of penetration and ideas in the final third. The lack of quality beyond their two superstars is truly shocking. Perhaps they are missing Xabi Alonso?

So after Christmas it will be the Europa League and a battle for fourth. Given their form has been so poor since the opening day of the season, when they were abject against Tottenham, it is surprising that I still think they will finish in the top four. Villa, Man City have failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s current poor form and I can see Spurs running out of steam towards the end of the season.

The only question for Rafa now is, will he be there for their for the Champions League challenge next season.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

Since the arrival of Fernando Torres to Liverpool, Everton fans have dreaded to see the Liverpool topscorer banging in goal at Goodison Park.

All the important matches are coming thick and thin for Liverpool as fight another day in the Premiership against their bitter rivals, Everton. The Merseyside derby is usually a pretty much heat affair with the Red side of Liverpool claiming an advantage when it comes to the Premier League matches. Both teams will do their best in order to get one over the other in the league.

Everton will have to go all the way back to 2006 to find a victory over Liverpool in the Premiership. That day they record a 3-0 win over Liverpool where Tim Cahill and Andrew Johnson were on target. Although, David Moyes will want to remember their recent 1-0 after extra time in the FA Cup last season as the benchmark going into this game. The Toffee manager will be with Phil Neville, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Victor Anichebe, James Vaughan and Leon Osman. Fellaini & Bilyaletdinov will return back to the squad after serving a one match suspension against Hull.

Liverpool are going through rough times and maybe the game against their neighbors might have come a bit early. Manager Rafa Benitez will find it hard to keep his job if he loses to Everton and fall even more behind from a Champions League spot next season. They were dumped out of the Champions League in the midweek even though they beat Debreceni 1-0 away. Benitez will be hoping that Fernando Torres will return to the starting lineup after 3 weeks off with an ankle injury. Ryan Babel and Albert Riera are ruled doubtful to face Everton.

Don’t expect pretty football when these two teams meet on Sunday. We will be lucky if we will see some good football played at Goodison Park, it is more likely that yellow and red cards will be flying around instead. It will be a physical affair as both teams are desperate for three points while not for filling their potential.

Read the report on Bettingexpert.com called  “A betting report for the 2008/2009 season“ and the tipsters might be able to help you decide where you want to bet.

Register yourself on the Bettingexpert.com twitter to keep up with sports, bonus codes and live sports.

He came into his own at the weekend

And gave Everton a bit of a bend

He can only get better and better, coz

He goes by the name of Darren Fletcher!!

Fletcher never ceases to amaze, is a must have in big games, and spurs the team on. Probably next only to Wayne Rooney for his fighting spirit and contribution on the pitch, Fletcher reveals some interesting things in an interview about his affirmations before big games, and life without the Most Expensive Player of the world.

He makes no bones of the fact that he loves propping himself against the best players.

“I love challenging myself against all the best players. I watch how good they are, but when we play them I think to myself  ‘right, I’m going to see how good you really are, Fabregas, Lampard and Gerrard. I’m going to get amongst you and see how you like it’.

And when you’ve not got the ball, I’m still going to get about you and see how you like it.

I’m going to ask you do you fancy it? Do you like getting kicked? Do you like the fact that I’m going to be at you for the whole 90 minutes? As soon as you get the ball I’m going to be in your face.

You’re not going to like it one bit. And when we have the ball, I’m going to run you into the corner and you’re going to have to follow me. Are you ready for that? Because that’s what’s going to happen.

That’s my attitude and I don’t feel I’ve come off second best to anyone this season.”

Considering how under rated he used to be, this really is saying some. But not anymore, as his contributions have been under increasing spotlight and continue to get him much deserved acclaim. The fact that we missed him in the Champions League Final is enough to underline his importance.

On Ronaldo and his move away from OT

Most of the footballing fraternity had been saying that the going will get tough for United after Ronaldo’s departure. Fletcher emphasized that the gap is being plugged and we have already showed signs of adjusting to life without him.

“Any team in the world would miss Cristiano. He’s a fantastic player and a great goalscorer.

He adapted so much when he was here. He went from being a silky winger to being a goalscoring winger and the best player in the world.

Hopefully we can become a more-rounded team and other players will raise their game to cover the gap left by his absence.

We need more goals from midfield and more goals from all the players. That will make us a stronger team, because we won’t be as reliant on one player.

Teams adapt when players leave, much as Cristiano was brilliant for us, the team sacrificed a lot for him too.

As a midfielder, I knew that I couldn’t go bombing forward because Cristiano had gone forward. I knew that I had to cover on the right so that the left-back and left midfielder couldn’t double up on our full-back.

Maybe now we’re a lot more rigid 4-4-2, with everyone knowing their role. There are perhaps more opportunities for midfielders to get in the box and get goals.

Other players will hopefully step up. Wazza springs to mind straight away and he’s already banging the goals in.

You could see at the start of this season that he was really hungry. He was in the shadows of Cristiano and often sacrificed himself for the greater need of the team.

Now it’s his time to become a bit more selfish and score the winning goals, while other players can also do a job, like Berba and Antonio.”

E plictisitor, plictisitor de moarte, fiind deci cazul s-o luam din loc. A fost concluzia lui Roy Keane despre reactia unei intregi Irlande, mai putin a sa, of course, la hentul lui Henry, parere exprimata la nici doua zile dupa jocul de la Paris.

Sunt perfect de-acord cu Keane c-ar fi timpul sa scriem si de-altceva. Dar, intr-o ultima radiografiere a tonelor de hartie consumate in Albion pe marginea meciului intre vecinii de peste Canalul Manecii si Marea Irlandei, m-am izbit de editorialul unuia dintre cele mai reputate peneluri din Regatul Unit, al carui comentariu m-a facut sa pricem ca, in ciuda deceniilor petrecute de la distanta ori de la fata locului cu ochii pe fotbalul insular, nu deprinsesem o piatra de temelie a etosului jocului inventatorilor sai.

Intr-o stranie coincidenta in privinta nationalitatii eroilor fazei aduse in discutie de jurnalist, se intampla cu doar 9 zile inaintea henturilor de pe Stade de France ca un mulatru atacant francez sa obtina un penalty nemeritat, plonjand in careu ca in bazin, in preajma unui mijlocas irlandez ce se lansase intr-o deposedare prin alunecare, fara insa a-l fi atins. Faza s-a derulat in ultimul joc al etapei dinaintea meciurilor intertari, mai exact Liverpool – Birmingham City, intr-o luni seara.

David Ngog a patruns pe flancul stang, a cazut neobstructionat in careu, arbitrul a acordat penalty iar irlandezul Lee Carsley s-a facut foc si para pe francez si oficial. Acest incident, si nu mult discutatul dublu hent de la Paris, a fost subiectul randurilor ce mi-au dezvaluit un fapt esential despre crezul iubitorilor de fotbal din Regat.

Am aflat astfel ca, la conferinta de presa dinaintea recentei partide Liverpool – Manchester City, un alt 2-2, ca si cu City din Birmingham, Rafael Benitez s-ar fi exprimat ca plonjonul lui Ngog s-a constituit intr-o mai mica ofensa la adresa fotbalului decat un tackling periculos. La care, atragandu-i-se atentia ca auditoriul englez are o perceptie inversata in aceasta privinta, spanionul a solicitat presarilor sa incerce furnizarea unei ordini mai umane a prioritatilor.

E posibil ca, influentat de numarul accidentatilor din lot in cursul acestei toamne, incluzand piese cheie ca Gerrard si Torres, antrenorul Benitez sa fi incercat diminuarea oprobiului iscat la adresa oportunismului tanarului sau atacant prin a-i aseza plonjonul in lumina unor “rele” pe care le considera mai mari, exemplificand tacklingurile ce pun in pericol ori chiar accidenteaza adversari.

Benitez nu si-a gasit insa cu acest punct de vedere aliati intre ziaristi. Dintre care, editorialistul a dezvaluit consensul sincer al breslei ca, amintind de-un plonjon similar din vara al lui Eduardo, in jocul Arsenal – Celtic, gestul brazilianului-croat a fost mai grav decat incidentul in care ii era rupt piciorul, intr-un tackling considerat accidental, comis acum 20 de luni, coincidenta, de un fundas de la… Birmingham City, Martin Taylor. Faultul de maidan din preajma centrului terenului, in primele minute ale acelei partide, e probabil inca intiparit pe retina multor telespectatori, cu tibia lui Eduardo franta ca o grisina si cu Wenger explodand imediat dupa fluierul final, cum ca Taylor ar trebui suspendat pe viata din fotbal. Sentinta pe care si-a renegat-o in aceeasi seara.

Ei bine, dintotdeauna am admirat fair-playul britanic si, mai mult, am detestat copios trucurile de tot felul ale fotbalului in general de sorginte latina, contrast care m-a determinat cu si mai mare usurinta sa simpatizez abordarea insularilor. Dar n-am intuit ca britanicilor le repugna intr-asemenea masura teatralitatea ori micile farse ale jocului latin incat sa imbratiseze ca pe un mai mic rau o incercare de deposedare generand oase rupte. In fiecare zi invatam cate ceva si abia acum am priceput ordinea lucrurilor, pe un subiect de principiu mai mult decat important in privinta fotbalului insular.

Benitez, dupa 6 ani in Albion, de o parte a faliei, iar presarii de cealalta, cand vine vorba de merele stricate ale fotbalului. Plonjonul in speranta unui penalty ori tacklingul primejdios. Falia e probabil extinsa in aceasta privinta, existand in general intre jocul din Marea Britanie si cel continental ori macar latin.

Iar pentru a-si fortifica argumentul, comentatorul a exemplificat atacul lui Guthrie, in primavara inca in elita cu Newcastle, care a sprintat la tinta, scotandu-l din joc pe Fagan, de la Hull City, dar nu pentru restul partidei, ci pe cateva luni de zile, considerand ca faultul sau, desi in mod evident premeditat, ar atrage mai putine critici decat plonjonul teatral al lui Ngog.

Aici consider ca este o fortare a notei, o exagerare, ori  – din contra – tocmai dovada absoluta a spiritului de lupta al bulldogului britanic, “fibra” esentiala a jocului in insula. Jos palaria daca determinarea respectivilor jucatori, oricat de amenintator ar parea tacklingul, ar rezulta intr-o deposedare curata prin alunecare, mingea si nu adversarul. Insa in cazul in care atacurile s-au lasat, in cazurile amintite, cu fracturi si multe luni prin sali de recuperare si pe tusa, imi cer iertare, dar n-ar putea avea mai multa trecere in fata incercarii unui Ngog de a obtine pe nedrept penalty.

In motricitatea lui Ngog nu s-a deslusit ca ar cauta penaltyul cu lumanarea, doar “saniuta” lui Carsley determinandu-l sa incerce in ultima clipa marea cu sarea, pe cand acel hei-rup al lui Guthrie, lansat la rupere, a fost cu premeditare. Acestea au fost exemplele alese de ziarist pentru a-si reliefa punctul de vedere, creand implicit o falie intre perceptia sa si probabil nu doar a lui Benitez, ci a destulor exponenti ai fotbalului non-insular.

Articolul mi-a pus in alta lumina marja acceptabilitatii deposedarii in fotbalul insular, placandu-mi mult tacklingurile desavarsite dar gasindu-le uneori mai mult decat la limita chiar si pe cele ale lui Paul Scholes, altfel deloc un jucator “murdar”.  

Mai jos, faultul asupra lui Eduardo si plonjonul sau contra lui Celtic, unii presari considerand a doua infractiune ca fiind mai grava. Va las pe Dumneavoastra sa decideti. Gusturile nu se discuta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qryjPi4KEek

E pe ritmuri sud-americane. Si zau ca mi s-ar face inima cat un purice, sa-mi mai sara cineva la picioare, dupa atacul de mai sus. Dar de-aceea nu-s fotbalist si scrijelesc in lumea virtuala.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5G6eAsfgY  

1. Amazing to think that you can score five goals in a game and there can still be a debate over whether you were man of the match. Aaron Lennon’s performance against Wigan ensured that Defoe didn’t come away with all the plaudits, his sparkling play from the right playing a big part in at least half the goals.

Defoe meanwhile became just the third player to score five in a game in the Premier League era and notched the second fastest hat trick after Robbie Fowler’s four and a half minute wonder against Arsenal many years ago. I’ve mentioned in recent weeks that he needed to watch his temper and just concentrate on his football, and with performances like that there’s no chance of him not going to South Africa. Lennon too did his case no harm, and on current form is far and away the best option when it comes to tricky small winger.

Spurs’ goal difference enjoyed a big boost in terms of chasing Arsenal, while they are beginning to take advantage of Man City, Liverpool and Aston Villa’s inconsistency to open a little gap over those three. They face one of their rivals next week in Aston Villa but should have nothing to fear the way they are playing.

As for Wigan the best you can say is that it’s just one game. These sorts of results can have a lasting effect, especially if you go behind in a game. It will be up to Roberto Martinez to ensure it remains a one off.

High five, we're going to South Africa!

2. Would Phil Brown be fearing for his job if Jimmy Bullard hadn’t got injured in his first game after signing? His performances in the last couple of games suggest that may have been the case. A win over Stoke and a fightback from two goals down to draw against West Ham possibly indicates an improvement in fortune for the men at the KC. Even Tango Man himself seems to be less in the spotlight than usual.

Bullard may have dodgy knees but he has an enthusiasm for the game that few players can match and his energy and creative play have got Hull scoring some goals again. They have a tough run coming up with three well organised teams in Everton, Man City and Aston Villa. Ok maybe not Man City but still! I’m pretty sure Geovanni isn’t injured and he appears to have lost his place to Bullard but I would be interested to see them both in the same team. Part of Hull’s success last year was to be brave, so maybe playing both together would have the same effect this year.

3. Before Arsenal get completely written off for losing against Sunderland (who have drawn with Man Utd and beaten Liverpool), let’s not forget that the key game is next week against Chelsea. Defeat would leave an 11 point gap; a win would leave it at just five with a game in hand. This defeat does render next weekend rather important if a title challenged is to be maintained. The lack of focal point without van Persie (and Bendtner) was a concern but it was in midfield where Sunderland won, with Cana stopping Fabregas and his teammates from creating many chances.

In addition to this, a set play was once again Arsenal’s outdoing at the back with Darren Bent reacting quickest after the initial ball had not been dealt with (déjà vu anyone?) While such defensive frailties are a long-term malaise, Arsene Wenger must ensure that his patched up squad is mentally right for the Chelsea game. Win it and two easier home games against Bolton and Stoke follow and momentum can be formed. Lose it and another frustrating season could be on the cards.

Pin the placenta on the van Persie.

4. They were impressive but it was only Wolves at home. Chelsea’s next two tests are the altogether tougher visits to the Emirates and Eastlands. Let’s see how the keenly the absences of Lampard and Drogba are felt then.

5. Liverpool and Man City played out a draw which leaves neither going anywhere fast. Man City have now drawn six on the spin which has stagnated them after a promising start. Just one win in eight games fro Mark Hughes’ side. A Hull side winless away from the KC provides the best possible opportunity to end that run next weekend.

Liverpool have one win in six but their habit of winning games they don’t lose (Saturday was just their second draw) means they’re still in a good position. The pretenders to the top four ideally want a gap going into the spring as if Gerrard and Torres are fit for the run in, I know who I’d back to get the last Champions League spot.

6. David Dunn is scored his fourth goal in six games and is playing the best football of his career. Someone left a comment asking what chance an England call for the Blackburn man. While I think he’s bit of a luxury and probably not quite international quality, there’s no doubting there are few more in form midfielders playing at the moment.

Quite good these days.

T.

Further to my blog on Stephen Ireland and his cars I there might be a few of you out there interested in these stars and the cars they drive.

On this clip you can see the cars of Alonso, Ballack, Beckham, Campbell, Crouch, Del Pierrro, Drogba, Essien, Gerrard, Giggs, Henry, Ibrahimovic, van Nistelrooy, Rooney, Ronaldo, Shevchenko, Torres.

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

Liverpool will want the ball and they will anything just to get it on Tuesday.

The penultimate round of the Champions League group stage will see Liverpool travel to Budapest to face Hungarian champion, Debreceni. The venue is set to be played in the Stadium Puskas Ferenc, Budapest as Debreceni opt to play their Champions League in the biggest stadium in Hungary. Debreceni’s hope of qualifying for the next round and even for the UEFA Europa League have dashed but Liverpool’s chance for the last 16 is on thin ice.

The home side has struggled in their debut year in the Champions League. They are currently sitting firmly at the bottom of Group E with zero points. They have lost all their matches so far and they will be looking to register their first points in the next two matches. The Hungarian champion has let in on an average of 4 goals when hosting a European team, they are hoping that they will be able to improve their defensive record and tighten up the back 4. With only pride to play for, Debreceni will still make Liverpool work for their points.

If Liverpool wants to stay in this competition then they need win against Debreceni while Lyon doing them a favor against Fiorentina. Rafa Benitez has guided Liverpool into the last 16 in five occasions but this is the first time the Merseyside team’s fate is not in their hands. The Spaniard will need all the firepower he can get from his key players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson. Both Johnson and Torres were not fit in the weekend 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Liverpool travels to Hungary in hope to escape early elimination with one ear on the score from Florence while playing to win in Budapest. Torres has not traveled with Liverpool to Budapest.

Liverpool are favorites against Debreceni as it is a must win match for them. They could end up playing in the Europa League next year or Champions League and we all know Liverpool would choose the prestige tournament, Champions League, as they are five times winners. Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal in the first ever meeting between Liverpool and Debreceni in Match day 1. The Dutchman will have to find his shooting boots out again if Liverpool stands a chance to qualify.

Visit www.BettingExpert.com for great betting advices and tips football, tennis and many other sports. There are many online casino reviews and promotions for you to enjoy.

Register yourself on the Bettingexpert.com twitter to keep up with sports, bonus codes and live sports.

With Rich doing the weekend preview (and I have to agree, it’s great having the domestic games back), I think it’s more sensible for me to be choosing a single game from the Premier League fixtures, one with something interesting going on compared to the others, and do a bit of an analytical preview of it. And I think most would agree that whilst Man Utd v Everton and Sunderland v Arsenal could well throw up a couple of surprises, the big game of the weekend is Saturday’s early kick-off between Liverpool and Manchester City, or as I call them in the title, the ‘will they won’t they’ teams of this seasons Premier League campaign.

Neither side is having a particularly strong run at the moment, despite the pre-season hype about both sets of players. Manchester City were the new, exciting, stupidly rich side that could only finish fourth at least. And, as usual, Liverpool were being tipped for the title more so than the other sides in real contention for the League. And it really seems like both are out to prove both analysts and media outlets wrong.

Is it fair to say that Liverpool are out of the title race already? Maybe not. But based on their current performance, and current squad depth, even the match fitness of Alberto Aquilani does not appear to be the solution to all of Liverpool’s problems. After making a fairly indifferent start to the season (beating Stoke, Burnley and Hull comfortably at home, but barely looking competitive when losing to Spurs away and Villa at home), things went from bad to worse, losing four in a row in all competitions (Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon). If it had not been for the fixture listing, which luckily gave them Manchester United after those defeats, their poor form could have continued.

But how does a side go from losing four consecutive games, to beating the Champions with relative ease, despite missing their captain? It’s almost nonsensical. But true to their situation, they went from there to lose at Fulham, draw with Lyon, effectively ending their Champions League campaign, and drawing at home to recently promoted Birmingham. For them, this is a must-win game, not only to get their season back on track, not only to prove the critics wrong, not only to peg back one of their ‘title rivals’ in City, but to show that they can win big games when missing one of their two key players (Gerrard is apparently fit, but their only other goal threat in Torres is out). Can Liverpool actually play well, dominate and win games without one or the other? And without Carragher in the back four? We’ll see.

Man City on the other hand had a remarkable start to the season, showing signs of a top-four finish, but have since started to dip, with five consecutive draws in the Premier League. They are also hit with a few injuries, with Barry and Bellamy probably playing, Robinho probably not, and in-form Martin Petrov definitely not. But you would expect a team who spent as much as they did in the summer, they should be able to cope without these players for a couple of games.

However, in the long term, is all that harmonious at Eastlands? Robinho has (according to Santa Cruz) articulated his desire to play for Barcelona at some point, and although City don’t need the money, the one thing that side does not need is an unhappy player causing problems in the dressing room. I’m sure Mark Hughes knows this, and whilst he might be telling the media on a daily basis that Robinho is staying, just to push his ego as head of a great club that bit further (seriously, how much of a knobhead has he become?), in the end I believe we will be seeing Robinho head to the Catalan giants if not in January, then certainly the summer. And might this season be the last season for Carlos Tevez, who has declared that if the Argies win the World Cup, he may well retire from football, due to him being sick of it. Well worth the £25m+ for a player who hates the sport eh? I’d be happy for Argentina to win the World Cup, just so Man City have wasted their money on a player who really hasn’t performed.

But in the short term, Man City need to get a win in the bank, and what better place than Anfield. Yes it’s on the road, which is hardly their speciality, but Liverpool are missing more key players, and after seeing them in person, Man City can sure move the ball quickly on the counter, which could suit them perfectly tomorrow lunchtime. I’m hoping we’ll see more than a boring defensive showdown, with both sides wanting, believing they can win, and actively seeking to score more goals than the other.

But I’ll be the boring bastard and take the safe option. Rich has stuck his neck out in predicting a Liverpool win, but I’ll go against both him and Lawro (dangerous territory I know). 1-1.

­Way back in March I wrote a post that tried to predict England’s World Cup squad for next summer’s tournament in South Africa. In it around 50 or so players were analysed; everyone from certainties like Wayne Rooney to certainly nots like Curtis Davies. With the friendly against Brazil fresh in the mind and only one more international break before the end of the season, there isn’t much time for players to impress if they haven’t already. As before let’s work our way through who’s on the plane through to who won’t be going at all. .

Key men (if England are to reach their usual quarter final):

First name in the squad is the captain John Terry simply as he’s captain. I personally think he gets found against the very best strikers but there’s no chance of him not going. He’s swiftly followed by Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Rio Ferdinand goes as long as he’s fit, though it’s a concern if he doesn’t make it simply as playing style wise he’s harder to replace than Terry – England don’t have a lot of ball playing centre backs but do have a lot of one paced ones.

Gareth Barry is defensive midfielder of choice though may be usurped by a fit again Owen Hargreaves. They’ll both be on the plane however. Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are the first choice full backs and are far ahead of their immediate competition. 

Thinking...

On the plane (extra leg room provided):

David Beckham has sorted another loan spell at AC Milan and I’m positive he’ll be going to his 4^th World Cup. He’s very much a bench player these days but still offers great set piece ability as well as experience. Emile Heskey has not been in great form and is no longer in Aston Villa’s starting XI but that said he will still be on the plane. He won’t score but he makes Rooney et al play better so for that reason is picked.

David James is first choice keeper, and despite his age should be able to handle that number of games in a month. Theo Walcott has had a succession of injuries but has done enough in the games he’s played to go as a wide man who can play up front. His pace is a big asset, plus he strikes me as someone who does what he’s told hence Capello likes him.

Matthew Upson and Jermaine Defoe should go as first back-up centre back and striker respectively. Neither are going to win you a World Cup final but they’re the best reserves in their position. Defoe just needs to watch his petulance slightly as there’s no point having a player who is going to miss games after needless red cards..

Looking for their passport (they are going out of Europe after all):

Joe Cole should be a little worried, just as he hasn’t found a way into the Chelsea team after injury, but at the same time he offers dribbling ability and creativity that not many can match. I was quite down on James Milner in my last prediction but did say he had a shot of making it. He seems to be impressing Capello right now and can play in a few positions. I do wonder whether he ultimately misses out due to the competition on the right side, though he has been playing down the left for England so you never know.

Aaron Lennon will be there or thereabouts, possibly in a straight battle with Milner for a spot. Rob Green looks like he’s firmly established as England’s number two while Wes Brown’s versatility of being a right back and centre back should mean he finds his way into the squad. 

Still thinking...

On the fringes (which bits are chopped?):

Wayne Bridge is doing his best to play his way out of the squad. You could argue about whether you really need to take a reserve left back, especially when the likes of Gareth Barry could play there if needed. Barring injury, the first choice defence are going to play every game so specialist reserve left back may be an area to gamble on not taking.

Of the other alternatives Capello has picked during his tenure, Leighton Baines and Steven Warnock don’t strike me as being quite good enough. If Joleon Lescott goes he provides left back cover too but he is quite shaky defensively so I don’t think he does. There is dearth of centre backs though. What price Kieran Gibbs continuing his rapid progress and staking a claim? Of all those players, he’ll be the only one playing Champions League football but a lot depends on whether he can keep Gael Clichy out of the Arsenal side once the Frenchman returns from injury. He appears to have just injured himself too.

I reckon Michael Carrick probably only goes if Barry or Hargreaves are injured and even then he’s shown countless times for Man Utd that he’s not a big game player. Gabriel Agbonlahor offers pace and will find himself with Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent in the queue for the 4^th striker spot.

Capello has only ever picked seven strikers so it would be a surprise to see him take five of them, not least when Walcott can play up front. Of the four I would say that the Sunderland man had his chance against Brazil and didn’t take it. I think Agbonlahor doesn’t give enough variety when compare to the others – with a 4^th striker you want someone who offers something unique.

In that regard I’d say it will be a close run thing between Crouch and Cole.The former has a good international record (against crap teams at least) and is very tall (though not that good in the air) while the latter is a more complete striker who has pace, power and can play the target man role too. It’s a tough choice to be honest and I think Cole may need to break his international duck in the next round of fixtures if he’s to pip Crouch.

Ashley Young may find himself as number 24 on the list of players though personally I would find a space for him. It does seem like Capello isn’t quite sure of him yet. There aren’t too many options down the left but it does seem like either him or Milner would go but not both.

Still not quite sure...

Too late to make it? (need good form and injuries to others):

Stewart Downing has upgraded clubs but has six months to shine at Aston Villa following serious injury. The same probably goes for Phil Jagielka at Everton. Tom Huddlestone got his first call up against Brazil and while he’s decent player, he’s not yet international standard. Jimmy Bullard? Unlikely but you never know. I see him being a good pundit though. Scott Parker has a very outside chance of being one of the back-up central midfielders; he’s certainly no worse than Carrick in my opinion.

Ben Foster? Joe Hart? Chris Kirkland? Take your pick for the third goalkeeping spot. I doubt it will be the latter though.Of other players we mentioned last time Jack Wilshere isn’t yet getting regular games at Arsenal while Jonathan Woodgate is permanently injured. Dean Ashton has essentially retired.

However Gary Cahill has played well enough at Bolton to come on to the radar as 4^th centre back and has a chance of going if Capello takes eight defenders. Everton’s Jack Rodwell could be a dark horse but I think it is one tournament too soon for him. The same goes for some of the West Ham youngsters like Mark Noble and Jack Collison.

Now thinking "Why are they so useless?"

 .

Providing ITV analysis (or BBC if they’re good):

I had Shaun Wright-Phillips as going six months ago but now I think he misses out as you have Lennon, Walcott and Beckham providing all you need down the right (dribbling/goals/crossing). SWP can do all three but not as well and his poor performance against Brazil has sealed a seat next to Papa Wrighty on the studio sofa.

Jermaine Jenas is another who isn’t particularly defensive or attacking. World Cup squad players need be specialists once you get beyond the first team, there’s no room for these jack of all trades types who provide little. Michael Owen has yet to be picked by Capello and barring injuries to four of the seven strikers we mentioned will not be going to South Africa.

Micah Richards needs to get back in the Man City team before he can think about England – it’s all gone a bit pear shaped for him hasn’t it? He hasn’t been picked in a year; Capello just doesn’t like his terrible positional play. Scott Carson had a shot at being third choice keeper but he won’t be going and neither will Paul Robinson, who you could roll the ball to very slowly from 30 yards and he’d still find a way to let it in.

Sadly, Ledley King can barely handle three games in a month, let alone seven. He would 100% go if he could. David Bentley, Kevin Davies, Anton Ferdinand, Gary Neville – no, no, no and no.

The closest Owen has ever and will ever get to being in Capello's plans.

 .

Possible squad:

James, Green, Foster.

Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Johnson, Upson, Brown, Lescott. 

Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Hargreaves, Milner, Beckham, Lennon, J. Cole.

Rooney, Heskey, Defoe, C. Cole, Walcott.

.

The three keepers speak for themselves as do the first four defenders. Versatility is the name of the game so to complement Upson you have two centre backs in Brown and Lescott that can cover the two full back slots.

In midfield you have the three main men plus a fit again Hargreaves. Beckham goes for his experience while Lennon and Joe Cole provide the skill and trickery on either wing from the bench.Milner offers the most versatility of the remaining midfield options so gets the eighth spot.

Up front Rooney is a given, as is Heskey due to their partnership. Defoe is the main back up and I think Carlton Cole will play his way into the squad, pipping Peter Crouch whose record of scoring against bad teams is of no use when you only have good teams in the World Cup. Theo Walcott rounds off the squad as a foward player who can play right wing or as striker.

At most risk is Lescott I’d say and possibly Milner too. You may want more cover in central midfield and down the left so perhaps Carrick and Bridge or Gibbs (who could also play left wing) end up going instead.

T.

It’s been a relatively quiet week of football news. This international break really does seem to have taken the momentum out of the season hasn’t it? Hopefully there will be a couple of cracking WC play-off second legs tonight to make up for it.

I personally think the Irish can do it. In all honesty, the French just don’t deserve to be there with that ridiculous man in charge. Not only does he look like something off Sesame St., but he clearly also does not command the respect of the senior players: this weekend there was supposedly a bust-up between him and Thierry Henry. Although he somehow steered them into the 2006 World Cup final, France haven’t seemed like a team in all the time he has been in charge. To use a tired old cliche, they are a ‘team of individuals’.

At any one point over the last five years, their side has included 6 or 7 of the world’s greatest players, yet they have significantly underperformed compared to their team of the late 90s, which arguably contained slightly inferior players.

The Irish on the other hand (led by Joe off the Royle Family) seem like a team that play for each other. I know the Irish wouldn’t support us in a million years, but I always look out for their results and hope they do well in competition, so I’m fully backing them tonight.

Despite evidence to the contrary on Sky Sports News, no one cares about the Scotland job. Not even Scotland.

England played out a dull friendly against Brazil. This doesn’t worry me too much. Once there were 9 first choicers missing, it was never likely to be anything but a tentative affair, with people so desperate to impress they were afraid of taking any risks. No one stood up to the plate and gave Capello any headaches. The only person the papers were talking about was Milner, and I believe he booked his seat on the plane a while ago anyway.

Back in the world of the Premier League, most of the talk seems to be surrounding injuries (yawn). This weekend, Arsenal are supposed to have 13 players out (unless the horse placenta works its magic), Torres is out for Liverpool, and Lampard is out for the rest of the year after flying on Ryanair.

Does anyone else wish that Liverpool would just disappear? All the stories surrounding them are so tedious. Part of me actually started to wish that they would start winning again, just so people would shut up about them. But then I came to my senses and realised it would be much funnier if they finished tenth, went out of the Champions League at the group stage, and the ever-loyal Gerrard buggered off to Real Madrid/Chelsea/Barcelona claiming ‘it’s always been my dream to play for the club I supported as a boy’.

A new video has been released to show the power of the latest adidas Predator X football boot. The vid features David Beckham and Gerrard and Zidane in a stadium at nite, testing the new adidas Predator X.

Cool scenery and amazing FXs

Its all about the shoe and what its supposed to deliver to your very own game.

adidas predator x football shoe

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

Torres could set to return to face Manchester City in Anfield. The Spaniard would not mind scoring against City again.

Liverpool could not have asked a better time for the International break to intervene as their squad is struggling to knock off injuries and a string of disappointing results. They were the last Premiership team to play a game a fortnight ago and now they will have the honor to start the Premiership fixture as they face Manchester City at Anfield in a Saturday early afternoon kickoff. Both teams are in search for the three points to keep up with Chelsea at the top of the table.

Manager Rafa Benitez must be pinching himself just to make sure whether the injuries crisis situation with his squad is real. He lost Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera for there to four week after getting injured in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham. Steven Gerrard made a comeback that night and he is expected to return against Manchester City. There is some doubts over Glen Johnsen, Daniel Agger and Fernando Torres as all of them have withdrew from national duties to nurse their injury. Jamie Carragher will return from his suspension and Fabio Aurelio is still out injured. Every game for Liverpool will be a FA cup feel to it as they trail league leaders, Chelsea, by 10 points. Benitez will have to come up with the good against Manchester City or else the next year’s Champions League spot could also be in danger.

Manchester City have drawn four of their last premiership matches and they could continue this streak at Anfield Road this Saturday. Manager Mark Hughes will look to change this trend City have embarked on. Their last match against Burnley revealed their defense loses concentration and marginal defensive errors which cost hem the victory. Hughes is hoping that star player Robinho could return to first team action and if not, there will be many others prepared to take his place. Martin Petrov, Craig Bellamy, Robinho, Nedum Onuoha and Benjani are all ruled out.

Liverpool looks more and more desperate each time they go on the field. Hopefully the Reds will be able to put out their strongest team to regain their last season’s good form. Manchester City will not worry too much of the issue Liverpool is dealing with, they will focus on their play and try to continue their quest in breaking into the big 4 domination in the Premiership. A win for either team could get their season on the way. Liverpool looks likely to fight for their lives to keep their hopes up.

Want to know more about oddset then check out Bettingexpert.com article for more information on what is on offer.

Register yourself on the Bettingexpert.com twitter to keep up with sports, bonus codes and live sports.

It has been some time since I have blogged… My past bitching of my life @ another blog was left alone for years…
And Yes, my hands are itching and have decided to make a comeback… but alas… the sin of abandoning my blog was to be punished, with forgetting of my password… Damn!

Anyway… here I am…

I have decided to start of my blogs with my favourite soccer team – Liverpool FC.

To be honest, I don’t feel too good at this moment blogging about them. They have gone on a wicked winless streak… and is sitting a couple of places from even the Champions League top 4 places.

Darn… it is really irritating… Season after season, Pool fans face the same scenario of “We will be contenders” at the start of the season and losing out the end of the season. This season is even worse…

The team put up by Benitez is really going backwards, especially with the departure of Alonso. 5 years at the helm for Benitez, we are still chasing that EPL No.1 spot…
Why is this so?!

Below are several reasons I can think of:
1) Not as much $$$ to compete with other teams
2) Benitez is not good enough
3) The team is too dependent on Gerrard… and Torres
4) The rest of the squad is NEVER good enough to start of (They were lucky to be 2nd last season, lucky for the Champions League win)
5) Benitez not trusting enough of his players
6) Benitez tactically good at times, but GROSSLY bad at times
7) Benitez eye for good players always fail
Inability to develop good, young players for the millions paid for the kids since his arrival

What else ???

By Joe, www.Bettingexpert.com

Liverpool are praying for a miracle in both domestic and European competitions already in November. They are currently 9 points behind Premiership leader, Chelsea, and while their Champions League campaign fate is not in their hands anymore. November month could put further misery to Liverpool’s current situation and Birmingham could not have ask a better time to travel to Anfield Road.

Manager Rafa Benitez is feeling the pressure and nothing but a win will assure the fans and board to keep fate in him. Liverpool have lost their captain, Steven Gerrard, through a groin injury, while Albert Reira (hamstring) and Glen Johnson (calf) are still out. Benitez is so desperate to keep Fernando Torres fit but it seems that he might be out for three weeks. Martin Skrtel could return against Birmingham to pair up with Daniel Agger in the heart of the defense. Vice captain, Jamie Carragher and Phillip Degen are suspended.

Birmingham shares some similar situation with Liverpool regarding the injuries and suspension issue. They will have to travel to Anfield Road without Barry Ferguson as he got red card last week while Garry O’Connor, Keith Fahey, Temmu Tanio and Martin Taylor are all ruled doubtful. Goal keeper, Joe Hart, could be on the verge to regain his first team spot after being ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester City, in a 0-0 draw last Sunday. Alex McLeish will have to choose his team wisely as this is a golden chance for him to pour salt on Liverpool’s wound.

Birmingham have a good record against Liverpool in the Premier League, they managed to win twice and drawn four game in the past three seasons. We have to go all the way to 2004 to find a Liverpool victory at Anfield against the Birmingham. It all really depends whether Torres will be risked or not for Liverpool, he is their main man and if he is not there, then it’s like sending a team out for the League Cup. Birmingham have just scored eight league goals and that could be the deciding factor whether they win or lose the match. Liverpool will force the agenda on Monday night.

Read the report on Bettingexpert.com called  “A betting report for the 2008/2009 season“ and the tipsters might be able to help you decide where you want to bet.

la grinta di Djibril Cisse ai tempi del Liverpool

Djibril Cisse continua a ripetere che è ancora presto per parlare di un’uscita dalla Champions League e incita il Liverpool a ottenere il risultato di cui ha bisogno stasera a Lione

Il nazionale francese sa perfettamente che tipo di prova dovranno affrontare gli uomini di Rafael Benitez, infatti ha giocato parecchie volte contro Les Gones ai temi dall’Auxerre e dal Marsiglia.

L’ex Red ammette che il Liverpool si è complicato la vita più di una volta ma è certo che il suo pedigree europeo lo aiuterà a passare il turno.

“Credo ancora che il Liverpool andrà avanti,” ha detto a Liverpoolfc.tv.

”Hanno bisogno di un buon risultato stasera, ma sono sicuro che l’otterranno e poi vinceranno le ultime due partite, qualificandosi per gli ottavi.”

La squadra di Claude Puel affronterà l’incontro venendo dalla vittoria sui Reds ad Anfield e con la consapevolezza di aver perso solo una volta in casa contro squadre inglesi.

In ogni caso, Cisse sostiene che i Reds possano tranquillamente reggere sia l’atmosfera che la storia dello Stade Gerland, ricordando come si dimostrino maggiormente pericolosi proprio nel momento in cui vengono dati per spacciati.

“Sarà certamente dura,” ha detto. “Il Lione è una squadra difficile da affrontare, con giocatori di qualità.”

”Hanno già vinto ad Anfield quindi avranno fiducia, ma il Liverpool è il Liverpool ed è in grado di vincere ovunque – come ha dimostrato in passato.”

“Ho giocato allo Stade Gerland molte volte nel corso dei miei passaggi in Francia, ma solo in campionato.”

“Col fatto che si gioca per la Champions League e che c’è il Liverpool, uno ei più grandi Club al mondo, l’atmosfera sarà meravigliosa.

“Credo che il Liverpool abbia l’esperienza necessaria per affrontare l’impegno e come si è visor in passato non sono mai morti.”

I Reds, al momento, sono flagellati da una serie di infortuni e hanno già perso ben 5 dei primi 11 incontri di Barclays Premier League.

Cisse sa che è stato l’inizio della stagione 2009-10 è stato difficoltoso per la sua vecchia squadra ma ha detto di essere ancora in contatto con alcuni dei suoi ex compagni ed è convinto che abbiano quel che serve per reinserirsi nella corsa al titolo.

“Sento ancora Stenie (Gerrard, NdT),” ha detto. “Siamo buoni amici. Parliamo molto e chiaramente tengo d’occhio i risultati.”

“Hanno avuto un inizio difficile ma non sono troppo staccati dai primi e non c’è dubbio che abbiano qualità.”

“Credo che possano ancora vincere il campionato. Sarà difficile, ma non impossibile.”

servizio di Paul Hassall per il sito ufficiale del Liverpool

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N166315091104-1007.htm

         After six defeats from their last seven games, the knives are being sharpened at this minute for Rafa Benitez

 ahead of Liverpool’s crucial Champions League group game against Lyon on Wednesday. No doubt the Spaniard is under pressure, arguably the most intense since his arrival to Liverpool five years ago, but don’t be too surprised if he gains another European victory in France.

         Benitezs’ European track record ranks as one of the best over the last five years. In 2005 Liverpool won the famous trophy, snatching victory after almost certain defeat in Istanbul against Carlo Ancelloti’s AC Milan. Their victory astounded football fans around the world, the win showed evidence that there was some romance left in the game. Hard as it is to believe now, Alex Ferguson even sent Benitez a ‘dossier’ of how Benitez and Liverpool shut out Milan in the second half and went on to win the game; the way Didi Hamann kept Kaka in his pocket, and how Liverpool closed down the space Milan’s midfield had exploited to much effect in the first half. A sharp football mind like Ferguson’s noticed the astute tactics Benitez had used to such effect.

        A repeat final was on the cards in 2007, and although Milan got the better of Liverpool that time it was now widely acknowledged that Benitez and Liverpool were to be taken serious in Europe, their style of football added to the ferocity of Anfield on a European night made them Liverpool of the few teams nobody wanted to face. The following two seasons could also be deemed successful: a semi final defeat (2008) and a quarter final defeat(2009), so what are the factors the have Liverpool as underdogs going into the game in France on Wednesday?

       After all, it was only last April when Liverpool trailed Chelsea 3-1 going into the quarter final second leg in London, and after that game the Chelsea players surely felt relieved following the fright Liverpool gave them; at times that night you would have had to fancy Liverpool to progress. Is Wednesday night’s task harder? No way. Getting a win against Lyon is never harder than having to beat Chelsea by three clear goals. If you read today’s papers though, it seems Liverpool have little chance. They media forget that it’s the same manager, and the eleven players who start will be as strong as the ones who started in the Chelsea game. Yes there are injuries, and no Gerrard, but Torres is at his most prolific stage in his Liverpool career to date even if he does start only eighty per cent fit. Yossi Benayoun has never been playing better, and it looks likely that new addition Alberto Aquilani will start, adding his flair to a midfield which already has the steel of Mascherano.

        Liverpool will line out without reguler players and will look vulnerable at times, but this is were Benitezs’ mind comes to the fore. He will have his players close down Lyon and allow them little space, Mascherano along with Lucas will operate with that in mind in midfield, allowing Benayoun and Aquilani to feed Torres.  The Liverpool defence, who have been poor lately, will have learned from their naivety in the reverse fixture and keep Lyons attack quiet.

          I expect it will be a tight, scrappy game, with only one goal being the difference at the end. If Liverpool perform with the discipline and concentration that Benitez has drilled into them since he took over they should come through victorious. Knowing it’s a must win game the Liverpool players will surely give that bit extra, like they did against Man Utd recently, and silence the critics of themselves and their manger.

I’d rather listen to Britney Spears’ new CD The Circus on repeat than some of our network’s commentators. Watch Stevie G’s top 10 goals and listen to the commentators. Andy Gray on the number one goal is absolutely fantastic. Gives me goosebumps.

Then watch this year’s AT&T Goal of the Year Nominees from the MLS. The commentators make me want to listen to Britney.

          After six defeats from their last seven games, the knives are surely being sharpened at this minute for Rafa Benitez ahead of Liverpools crucial Champions League group game against Lyon on Wednesday. No doubt the Spaniard is under pressure, arguably the most intense since his arrival to Liverpool five years ago, but don’t be too surprised if he gains another European victory in France.

         Benitezs’ European track record ranks as one of the best over the last five years. In 2005 Liverpool won the famous trophy, snatching victory after almost certain defeat in Istanbul against Carlo Ancelloti’s AC Milan. Their victory astounded football fans around the world, the win showed evidence that there was some romance left in the game. Hard as it is to believe now, Alex Ferguson even sent Benitez a ‘dossier’ of how Benitez and Liverpool shut out Milan in the second half and went on to win the game; the way Didi Hamann kept Kaka in his pocket, and how Liverpool closed down the space Milans midfield had exploited to much effect in the first half. A sharp football mind like Fergusons  noticed the astute tactics Benitez had used to such effect.

        A repeat final was on the cards in 2007, and although Milan got the better of Liverpool that time it was now widely acknowledged that Benitez and Liverpool were to be taken serious in Europe, their style of football added to the ferocity of Anfield on a European night made them Liverpool of the few teams nobody wanted to face. The follwing two seasons could also be deemed successful: a semi final defeat (2008) and a quarter final defeat(2009), so what are the factors the have Liverpool as underdogs going into the game in France on Wednesday?

       After all, it was only last April when Liverpool trailed Chelsea 3-1 going into the quarter final second leg in London, and after that game the Chelsea players surely felt relieved following the fright Liverpool gave them; at times that night you would have had to fancy Liverpool to progress. Is Wednesday nights task harder? No way. Getting a win against Lyon is never harder than having to beat Chelsea by three clear goals. If you read todays papers though, it seems Liverpool have little chance. They media forget that it’s the same manager, and the eleven players who start will be as strong as the ones who started in the Chelsea game. Yes there are injuries, and no Gerrard, but Torres is at his most prolific stage in his Liverpool carrer to date even if he does start only eighty per cent fit. Yossi Benayoun has never been playing better, and it looks likely that new addition Alberto Aquilani will start, adding his flair to a midfield which already has the steel of Mascherano.

        Liverpool will line out without reguler players and will look vunerable at times, but this is were Benitezs’ mind comes to the fore. He will have his players close down Lyon and allow them little space, Mascherano along with Lucas will operate with that in mind in midfield, allowing Benayoun and Aquilani to feed Torres.  The Liverpool defence, who have been poor lately, will  have learned from their naivety in the reverse fixture and keep Lyons attack quiet.

          I expect it will be a tight, scrappy game,  with only one goal being the differance at the end. If Liverpool perform with the discipline and concenration that Benitez has drilled into them since he took over they should come through victorious. Knowing it’s a must win game the Liverpool players will surely give that bit extra, like they did against Man Utd recently, and silence the critics of themselves and their manger.

Under serious pressure

1 – Another false dawn for Liverpool after a shambolic defeat at Craven Cottage. Two red cards, 3 goals conceded, Torres a major doubt for Wednesday’s crunch game at Lyon and Gerrard definitely out. How much worse can things get for Rafa Benitez? His power base within the club is secure after he saw off Rick Parry and negotiated a huge contract with the American owners last season. But Benitez knows the sack won’t be as distant as it appears now if a majority of Liverpool fans decide enough is enough. When that line is crossed Rafa will most definitely start to hear the Fat Lady clearing her throat.

2 – I’m beginning to seriously dislike Harry Redknapp. When he was at West Ham and Pompey he always seemed alright and managed to produce some very decent sides. Since he’s gone to Spurs though ‘Arry has taken on a whole new persona and seems to be fighting a running battle against the world. Every question posed is met by a sneering and dismissive response and he views every opposing side as flawed when compared to his charges. All he’s achieving by acting this way though is creating new enemies and feeding ammunition to those already opposed to him. And after Spurs got tanked by their North London rivals Arsenal at the weekend, exposing them for how good they really are, you’d think Redknapp could do with all the friends he can get.

3 – Football is a funny old game sometimes. Throughout Portsmouth’s early season struggles one of the most glaring deficiencies in Paul Hart’s side was the lack of quality up front. Nowhere was this more evident than in the form of Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane who looked like he was about as likely to score a Premier League goal as the Man on the Moon. His open goal miss from six yards v Spurs was the most notable example of his lack of precision. Then low and behold Wigan journey south with defenders Bramble, Boyce and Melchiot all having nightmares and Dindane leaves the pitch with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick. Remarkable stuff and if he keeps scoring Pompey might have a sniff at staying up.

4 – Man United have 25 points from their first 11 games and they’ve yet to come anywhere near to hitting top form. Their eight wins have come with a minimum of hassle, save for Arsenal beating themselves at Old Trafford and Michael Owen snatching a late win in the Derby. Defeats to Burnley and Liverpool were quickly rebounded from with three points and a draw with Sunderland was achieved via an injury time own goal. All in all it’s been far from a vintage few months for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men but still they look the team to beat domestically. Chelsea sit atop the table at present but once Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou depart in January for the African Cup of Nations the Blues will be dramatically weakened. History shows as winter leads into spring the Red Devils kick into gear. For now just staying in touch is all that’s seemingly required for the Champions.

His side need to improve

5 – After a very bright start to the season the Man City juggernaut has shuddered to something of a halt. Their last four league games have all ended in draws. If it were not for the excellence in goals of Shay Given, who saved a 2nd-half penalty from James McFadden, Birmingham would have defeated Mark Hughes’s side yesterday. There’s plenty of time to get the show back on the road of course, and there’s always the January transfer window if new players are needed, but City need to resume winning sooner rather than later. It’s either that or Hughes will find that his Arab bosses expect more than draws at St Andrews from a squad that cost a large chunk of petrodollars to assemble.

6 – In Spain Real Madrid closed the gap on Barcelona to a point after the Catalans conceded a last-minute own goal to draw with Osasuna. The in form Seydou Keita put Pep Guardiola’s side in front but Gerard Pique slipped up in stoppage time and Barca journeyed home with only a point. At the Bernabeu Gonzalo Higuain notched a double to ease the pressure on coach Manuel Pelligrini who heard multiple calls for his head after indifferent form in the past few weeks. Sevilla are still in touch after a 2-0 win over Xerez and the revival at Villareal gathered pace as the Yellow Submarine dispatched Tenerife five nil. After an awful start to the campaign Ernesto Valverde’s side are returning to form which is hardly surprising considering this is a squad containing the likes of Joan Capdevilla, Marcos Senna, Robert Pires and Giuseppe Rossi.

7 – Too good domestically, not good enough in the Champions League is an apt summation of Internazionale’s season to date. We’re only at the start of November and already Jose Mourinho’s men are seven points clear of Juventus. A strike force of Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito has been as lethal on the pitch as it looked on paper and players like Stankovic, Sneijder and Maicon have come to the fore in Serie A. In Europe though it has been a different story as three successive draws against Barca, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev have left the Nerazzurri bottom of Group F. There’s no need for alarm just yet as the other three teams only have a point extra each but a loss in Ukraine could signal a looming disaster. Across town the resurgence of AC Milan continued as Marco Borriello scored twice at the San Siro to secure Leonardo’s troops another three points against Parma. They’re now up to fourth, a place and two points behind Sampdoria and a point ahead of Fiorentina.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits he does not know when injured captain Steven Gerrard will be able to return to action…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: results football. The blog is also related to: english footbal.

23 jogadores que atuam em clubes da Europa concorrem ao prêmio de melhor jogador do ano da Fifa. Seis jogam agora no Barcelona, campeão europeu:  Henry, Ibra, Iniesta, Messi, Puyol e Xavi. Cinco estão no Chelsea: Ballack, Drogba, Essien, Lampard e Terry. Três são Real: Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo e Kaká. Dois da Juve: Buffon e Diego. Dois do Liverpool: Gerrard e Fernando Torres. Mais: Eto´o, agora da Inter. Luís Fabiano, do Sevilla. Ribery, do Bayern. Rooney, do Manchester Utd. E David Villa, do Valencia.

Para você, quem são os três melhores do ano, por ordem?

Entre as mulheres, Marta e Cristiane indicadas.