Archive for December, 2008

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Deco: We can win the League

December 31st, 2008

Portugal midfielder, Deco, is extremely confident that Chelsea has the potential to get back into the Premier League title hunt.

Blues have now slipped 3 points behind league leaders, Liverpool, after they failed to grab full points from their previous game against Fulham.

Their West-London rivals managed a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side has secured only one victory from their 4 previous games.

However, the charismatic midfielder continues to believe that Chelsea can turn things around in the New Year. He claims, ‘I accept that we haven’t been playing to our standards in the past few games.’

‘We have missed several chances of moving to the top of the league table. However, the time that matters the most for being at the top is the end of the season. I feel that we have the team, who can finish as Premier League Champions.’

Speaking on Chelsea Boss, Deco said, ‘Scolari hasn’t changed since his days at Portugal. I still believe that he’s as strong as he was then. I find him handling us in the same manner, as he was doing earlier in the season that earned him praise from everyone.’

‘We still have a long season to go. It is always a big test playing in England in the second half, as things can get exciting in the closing stages.’

‘This is the time when we made a comeback in the previous season. I believe we have the talent to do one better by winning the League in this season.’

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Premier League

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Ferguson remains contented as Red Devils close in on Liverpool

December 30th, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Boss, is pleased with the fact that his side will be heading into the New Year filled with confidence.

Red Devils’ 1-0 victory over a struggling Middlesbrough on Monday in the Theater of Dreams has closed their gap on Chelsea and League leaders Liverpool. Their difference with the Reds has gone down to 7 points with United still having a couple of games in hand.

Ferguson said, ‘We’re currently in good position. With two games in hand and both being at home, it will surely give us an opportunity to further close down the gap.’

Red Devils struggled to break the defense of a resilient Boro side. They created 25 chances, but had only the goal from Dimitar Berbatov in the 69th minute for showing their efforts.

Bulgarian Captain volleyed a ball from close range in front of a packed Old Trafford Stadium, following a left wing cross from Michael Carrick that bounced off David Wheater.

Berbatov replaced Carlos Tevez, who was the match winner from Boxing Day game against Stoke, after the Argentinean returned home on family issues.

Former Spurs Forward along with Rooney, Park, Ronaldo, Vidic and Rafael squandered simple chances or else the score line would have been completely different.

This was United’s second successive 1-0 victory. Now, they have scored just 3 goals from their last 4 games.

Ferguson did admit the inability of his side’s to convert opportunities was a concern for everyone. However, he believes that with the class available in Manchester United, this problem will soon be resolved.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Newcastle United Vs Liverpool: Reds thrash Magpies 5-1

December 29th, 2008

Liverpool increased their lead at the top when they thrashed Newcastle United 5-1 at St. James Park and Chelsea dropped points at Craven Cottage.

With two goals from Steven Gerrard, Reds stretched their lead at the top by 3 points. Joe Kinnear’s men had no answer to the onslaught from Premier League Leaders and caved in.

However, Chelsea failed to score full points against Fulham.

The Blues did make a comeback and took the lead through two goals from Frank Lampard after the Cottagers were 1-0 ahead at half time. However, a late goal from Clint Dempsey, who also scored the first one, stole a win from the visitors.

Arsenal scraped a 1-0 win over Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium, as William Gallas, former captain of Gunners, came to the rescue for the home side.

Meanwhile, Manchester City survived a scare with late goals from Robinho and Daniel Sturridge, as they came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Everton, however, continued their winning run in the Premier League, as they stormed into the Top-Six with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland. Mikel Arteta scored two goals and helped his side in taming the Black Cats.

Again, Bolton continued their poor run in recent games, as they lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic at Reebok Stadium with Amr Zaki scoring for the visitors.

Tottenham also failed to make an impact in their last game of the year with a 2-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

Elsewhere in Upton Park, Hammers came from behind to win 2-1 against Stoke City. This was their second victory in three days.

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Posted in Liverpool, Newcastle United

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Woodgate: A big team may get relegated this season

December 28th, 2008

Jonathan Woodgate has a feeling that a big team might get relegated from Premier League this season. However, he is going to make sure that it’s not Tottenham.

Although Spurs has seen a revival under Redknapp and scored 18 points, since his appointment couple of month back.

However, they are still under pressure with two back-to-back losses against Newcastle United and Fulham.

Woodgate may return to Spurs side, after missing out with a back injury, for an important game against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

28-year-old Spurs said, ‘Situation in the league is very tight. Teams have been beating one another for a long time. At this moment, no side has any real form barring the top fives. Even, they have been dropping points.’

‘Form of the rest of the clubs has been inconsistent and there is an equal possibility of seeing a big team going down. We need to make sure that it’s not us by keep picking victories.’

Although the results may not show it, but Woodgate believes that Spurs have been playing well.

‘We have seen an incredible turnaround, but our current position in the League shows that it’s very difficult to come out of the relegation zone once you are in.’

‘Just take a look at our performance in the past couple of months and you are bound to notice the improvement. Still, we are far from getting out of the woods.’

‘When you are down, it’s tough to get back on feet as everyone else is winning. You need to keep on improving till you are completely out of the jail. However, we are displaying our true potential and what we can do.’

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Posted in Premier League, Tottenham

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Aston Villa Vs Arsenal: Gunners lose 2-goal lead against Villa on Boxing Day

December 27th, 2008

Arsenal lost yet another opportunity to go ahead of Aston Villa in the Premier League standings, as they lost a two-goal lead at Villa Park on the Boxing Day.

Goals from Gareth Barry and Zat Knight helped Villa make it 2-2 after Denilson and Diaby got the away side take the lead.

Villa has given a boost to their chances of getting through to the Champions League, whereas Gunners will now go into the New Year with a tough task in hand.

Meanwhile, Liverpool took the lead once again with a win over Bolton, after Chelsea held the top position for some minutes when they defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, as Drogba and Lampard scored for the Blues.

Reds scored a 3-0 win over Bolton at Anfield with a double strike from former Tottenham striker, Robbie Keane, and a brace from Albert Riera.

Manchester United made a return to the third position with a 1-0 victory against Stoke City at Britannia Stadium. This was the first game for Red Devils after their Club World Cup conquest in Japan.

Again, Manchester City made a stunning comeback through Robinho and Caicedo, as both of them scored two goals to help Mark Hughes’ side secure a 5-1 win over Hull City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Newcastle lost an opportunity to move further in the table, as they lost to Wigan 2-1 at JJB Stadium thanks to a wonderful free kick from Ryan Taylor, his 4th against the Magpies.

However, Everton did jump to sixth position by beating Middlesbrough 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium with a strike from Tim Cahill.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth & West Ham United and Sunderland & Blackburn played out goalless draws at Fratton Park and Stadium of Lights respectively.

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Posted in Arsenal, Aston Villa

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Ferguson: Stoke will give everything they have

December 26th, 2008

Manchester United Boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, isn’t expecting an easy outing against Stoke City during their Boxing Day encounter at Britannia Stadium.

Current Champions will be playing their first match in Premier League after 13 days, as they were away participating in Club World Cup, which was held in Japan.

Potteries venue has been amongst the toughest places for away teams, since Stoke made a promotion to the big league in previous season. Ferguson believes that they might receive the hostility level of an Anfield crowd at the Britannia Stadium.

Ferguson said, ‘I’ve visited Britannia Stadium several times in the past and always was greeted by hot atmosphere.’

‘Stoke fans are passionate and you have to deal with it properly. You’ll find situation here similar to Anfield, Sunderland or Newcastle.’

‘I expect Stoke to give us a tough fight. If you look at the bottom of the table, you’ll find 10 clubs separated by only 7 points. I haven’t seen the competition getting this tight till date.’

‘Difference between fourth-bottom side and the bottom one was 14 in the previous season. It’s a healthy change. This time, teams may require over 40 points for guaranteeing safety.’

Meanwhile, Ferguson seems happy with his current lot of players. He is showing no intentions of recruiting anyone.

‘I don’t think that there will be any transfers in January, as I’m satisfied with the available options.’

‘We might get back some of our young players, who were on loan with other clubs. They will help us in giving the added protection, which we might require when the going gets tough.’

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Ferguson: We have the opportunity to narrow the gap

December 25th, 2008

Red Devils boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, is relishing his side’s return to the Premier League, as they will aim for clawing their way into title contention.

Manchester United is currently having couple of games in their hand following their Club World Cup’s participation. They are currently sitting pretty at fourth in the League table, seven points adrift of Liverpool.

While United were away playing in Far East, Chelsea and Liverpool, dropped points in their recent games.

At Goodison Park, the Blue settled for a point against Everton, whereas Emirates Stadium saw Gunners drew with Liverpool.
Ferguson is currently intending to regain high grounds for his team.

Ahead of their Boxing Day encounter against Stoke, Fersguson said, ‘If we’ll be within a point or 2 by New Year of then leaders, we are going to be in with a huge chance.’

‘Second half of this season is going to be very imperative, as losing a single game may take you too far to make a comeback, especially in March & April.’

‘Recent results in the league were predictable. Liverpool and Arsenal game was expected to be a tight contest.’

‘Again, in spite of Everton’s poor performance against Chelsea, I expected them to do well in the match and they did. They could have even won it, but luck wasn’t going along their way.’

With this season nearing the end of its first half, every team will be looking forward to press home the advantage and get close to the top of the Premier League as possible.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Shepperd: Owen owes one more season for Magpies

December 24th, 2008

Freddy Shepherd, former chairman of Newcastle United, feels that Michael Owen still ‘owes’ a lot to the Toon fans and should give them another season.

On Monday, Magpies Forward issued a statement saying that he is going to wait till the current season end for making a decision on his future at St. James Park. His contract will be expiring then and he will be allowed to leave for nothing.
In 2005, Shepherd was involved in getting the England International for $ 25million from Real Madrid.

While speaking to the Daily Express, he said, ‘He’s been injured several times since joining the club. Thus, he barely was a part of Newcastle for more than one game in four. For me, he owes another year to the club.’

‘He shouldn’t forget the things that his club did during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when he was injured. We did look after him and made sure that he received the best care till the next year.’

‘I personally met Sepp Blatter, FIFA president. Our meeting led to a change in the international insurance cover from $ 75,000 of the player’s wages to $ 150,000.’

‘Michael will not like the way I have put up the whole situation, but this is the fact. They always say that these days loyalty is completely absent, but his case is in the level of extreme. He has been amongst those receiving the highest pays in the club, and in turn Newcastle should receive something from his end.’

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Posted in Newcastle United, Premier League

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Bendtner issues a warning to Arsenal

December 23rd, 2008

Arsenal forward, Nicklas Bendtner, fired a warning that he might leave the club, if they would not make him a regular in the first team.

Danish striker has been the third option in the pecking order of Gunners for strikers in most games this season. He has generally followed Van Persie or Emmanuel Adebayor.

However, he is adamant for being amongst the first names in the club’s sheet on a regular basis.

The 20-year old star said, ‘There is no doubt to the fact that my priority lies in playing football.’

‘I know things that I want from the club and if it doesn’t happen here, I’ll look for other options.’

‘I am looking forward to have the remaining portion of my football career playing, irrespective of the club I represent.’

Bendtner has been rumored, thus far, with Bayern Munich. Italian media has also confirmed the assortment of the young player with many Serie A clubs.

However, the striker has insisted that currently he is more interested in staying at the Emirates Stadium.

‘I’m not bothered about the rumors, as I know that I am a Gunner and have a respect for the club. I wish to stay here for a longer duration of time.’

Meanwhile, Chelsea lost yet another opportunity of getting on top of the Premier League table, as they played a goalless draw at Goodison Park against Everton.

Troubles for Luiz Felipe Scolari grew further, when Blues Captain, John Terry, was shown a red card early in the game.

Although they were a better side in spite of being reduced to 10-man, they didn’t capitalize on the slip-ups of Arsenal and Liverpool during the weekend.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Everton

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Arsenal Vs Liverpool: Gunners fail to hold an early advantage on Reds

December 22nd, 2008

Robbie Keane, former Spurs forward, struck an equalizer for allowing Liverpool to come from behind against Arsenal and continued to hold the top position in the Barclays Premier League.

This 1-1 draw against the Reds meant that Gunners stayed behind Aston Villa in the league and their desire of winning the league slipped further.

Arsene Wenger’s side got reduced to 10-man, as Emmanuel Adebayor was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Arbeloa.

The only bright spot in the day at the Emirates Stadium was a Van Persie goal, which was cancelled out by Keane.

It was yet another vital game at St. James Park, as two teams, Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspurs and Joe Kinnear’s Newcastle United, on the path of reviving their horrible season logged horns.

A late winner from Damien Duff, who was introduced two minute from time, allowed the Magpies to win this thrilling encounter 2-1.

Although visitors were always ahead with many opportunities coming along the way after Luka Modric cancelled out Charles N’Zogbia’s opener, Newcastle found a way to sneak in through Mark Viduka and Duff for making it 2-1.

Meanwhile at The Hawthorns, Manchester City Boss, Mark Hughes, saw the pressure on him continuing to mount as West Bromwich Albion defeated his side 2-1.

City moved into the relegation zone, as Roman Bednar and Luke Moore scored for the home side.

Mark Hughes might have a tough week ahead of himself, as he’ll have a lot to explain for his team’s horrible performance in the recent past.

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Posted in Arsenal, Liverpool

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