Archive for December, 2008

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West Ham United Vs Aston Villa: Villa moves to top three with win over Hammers

December 21st, 2008

Aston Villa moved into the top three of the Premier League Table, as they grabbed yet another victory over West Ham United at Upton Park.

James Milner cross was deflected of Hammers’ Lucas Neil, as his side scored a 1-0 victory over the home club and went ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal in the League.

At Cravens Cottage, Fulham continued their great form at home, as they demolished Middlesbrough 3-0 with goals from Clint Dempsey, Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy.

Cottagers stretched their unbeaten run to seven games and moved to the eighth position in the League.

Early goals from former Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner allowed Bolton Wanderers to defeat Portsmouth 2-1 at Reebok Stadium.

Gardner and Taylor scored only within 3 minutes from kickoff and made it too tough for Pompey to make a comeback. Although England International, Peter Crouch, did allow the touring side to make a comeback in the 20th minute, it was too late.

Blackburn finally took to winning ways under a new boss and registered a much-needed 3-0 win over newcomers Stoke City at Ewood Park.

Benn McCarthy scored twice and Jason Roberts once, as Sam Allardyce, new Rovers manager, had a great first outing.

Sunderland, playing without a permanent coach after Roy Keane was sacked, also scored a 4-1 away win over Hull City at K.C. Stadium.

3-late goals from Black Cats allowed them to get on the winning track and gave Ricky Sbargia, their caretaker boss, a reason to feel relieved.

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Posted in Aston Villa, Middlesbrough

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Ferguson: Ronaldo is a future legend

December 20th, 2008

Manchester United Boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, feels that everything is in the right order for Cristiano Ronaldo to move forward. According to him, the Portugal forward can become a true great of the game.

In his short career, Ronaldo has seen all his sides achieve plenty of accolades. It started following an appearance in the finals of Euro 2004 for Portugal. Then, he moved to lifting couple of Premier League wins and one Champions League trophy for the Reds Devils.

Portuguese winger has even been honored with prestigious awards including the footballer of the year and Ballon D’Or.

Ferguson said, ‘Pele scored in semifinal of the World Cup at 17, whereas Maradona started playing for Argentina at the same age. Cristiano was also 18 when he made his debut for Portugal. Signs are quite similar.’

‘What you may still not know about Ronaldo, but about the other two greats, is that they had a career, which lasted for a long time.’

Ferguson feels that Ronaldo should maintain high-levels, which earned him 42 goals in the previous year. He amassed major honors that Zinedine Zidane and Ruud Gullit achieved for assuming the mantle of greatness, which they did.

Yet, the wily Scot knows that Ronaldo is having all attributes required for reaching those heights.

‘Cristiano is wonderful. He has got the timing to get into the penalty box, ability on two-feet and you’d never associate this winger’s magnificent ability on the air. He’s quite similar to old-fashioned centre forward.’

‘There are many things going in his favor for moving ahead and becoming a legend in the game. However, only time will tell what is in store for him.’

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Nasri expected to make a comeback against the Reds

December 19th, 2008

Samir Nasri, Arsenal Forward, is expected to make a comeback in the Gunners squad for facing Liverpool on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

Nasri has been out of action, since their 1-0 victory over Wigan for an ankle injury. According to Arsene Wenger, he is almost fit and may make a return against the Reds.

However, Toure is struggling with his fitness and almost certain to miss out this important game for the Gunners.

Wenger quoted on the club’s official website, ‘There’s 95 percent hope of seeing Nasri on the field against Liverpool. However, I feel that Toure may not make it for this crucial game.’

‘Nicklas Bendtner is also having a problem in his knees, which he injured during training.’

Meanwhile, Wenger was confident of seeing the teenage sensation, Jack Wilshere, in the same league as Dennis Bergkamp, if he keeps playing in the same manner.

When Wilshere came of the bench for Arsenal against Blackburn, he became the youngest Gunner to do so at the age of only 16. He scored his first goal for the senior side against Sheffield United in a Carling Cup game, where Arsenal went on to annihilate their opponents.

Now, Arsenal Boss has no doubt that midfielder, who joined the club at nine, has the attributes of becoming a hero for the fans in the future.

Wenger said, ‘I feel that he’ll end up being a central-midfielder, playing off the forward, a role that Bergkamp managed wonderfully for years.’

‘He is going to have tremendous power of penetrating the tightest of defenses. Don’t forget that he’s only 16 and still has so much of strength. He might even become the next big thing of the Premier League in the coming four years.’

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Posted in Arsenal, Liverpool

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Ferguson supports foreign limit

December 18th, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Boss, has again delineated his support for limiting the count of foreign players in the line-up of a team.

Ferguson was amongst those few managers, who voiced their approval for the FIFA’s plan of keeping five foreign players to the maximum in a starting XI of a club.

This proposal is yet to be implemented in the European Union. However, opinion of Red Devils’ Manager is still the same.

Speaking from Japan ahead of the World Club Cup campaign of his side, Ferguson quoted in fifa.com, ‘I believe that it’s a concern when local and national players get limited or no opportunities with the current regulations.’

‘For avoiding that, you need to have a limitation on foreign players. This way the youth system of the club can be protected.’

‘Yes, progress of the club should be given an importance. Still, protecting the national game should be the main interest.’

Red Devils earned high praise from Sepp Blatter, FIFA President, to win Champions League in the previous season with a squad having 6 English players.

‘We are fortunate having players, who understand the loyalty and romance of the club.’

‘Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have been with United for close to two decades. This demonstrates the role loyalty has in this game.’

‘People looking their stats get amazed, but what’s the reason? They have been supportive to the cause of United.’

‘Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea and Wes Brown also are instrumental. We have bought young players and they have stayed with us for long periods.’

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Wenger: We are not out of title race

December 17th, 2008

Arsenal Boss, Arsene Wenger, has rejected the claims of his side being far from the title of the Premier League in this season.

Rio Ferdinand, Red Devils’ star defender, reckoned that after their 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium, Gunners have left themselves with a lot of work for catching on leaders Liverpool, who are 8 points adrift from them.

However, Wenger is insisting that with the second half of the League games yet to happen, his side have a lot of time.

Speaking on the official website, Wenger quoted ‘We have been constantly improving. If you have watched the previous game against Middlesbrough, we had chances for scoring and were stable defensively too.’

‘I’m confident that we are going to make a comeback and will cover some ground before Christmas. After that, we’ll consolidate.’

‘I have belief in my players. I consider them being as good as the one I had in 2004.’

‘This is the question that we’ll be looking forward to answer in the coming months. We will have to show that it’s not only showing potential, but playing to the levels of expectation from our fans is important.’

‘At this moment, we are not able to play with the same belief on the field that we have inside us. We have understood this, as we lost games that we shouldn’t have.’

‘However, we’ve got time in our hands for showing our strengths to other club and reach the level that most believe we cannot at this stage.’

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Posted in Arsenal, Premier League

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Owen mulling over Newcastle offer

December 16th, 2008

England International, Michael Owen, is right now considering the new offer made by Newcastle United, after his club finally made a move.

It’s understood that Magpies are continuously being in touch with Owen’s representatives. They are looking forward to discuss the details with the representative in regards to their latest contract, as his current 4-year deal has entered the last phase.

Newcastle Boss, Joe Kinnear, is hoping for sitting down with his 29-year old Captain on Tuesday for persuading him to stay at St James Park.

According to reports, Kinnear has confirmed that England international won’t be on sale in the coming transfer period.

He feels that goals from Owen are more imperative than the fees that could be collected for the player, who might leave for a Bosman free transfer after the current season finishes.

However, similar to former manager, Kevin Keegan, Kinnear is desperate to make Owen commit himself for an extended stay at the club.

On Friday, the 61-year old admitted that he wasn’t confident of retaining services from his striker, whose 9th goal in 15 appearances set his club to a needed 3-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. The goal took his tally to 29 from 62 games for Newcastle United over a period of an injury-hit four seasons.

Owen gave very little indication to where he was supposed to go following the victory over Portsmouth. Instead, he was concentrating more on their fight to survive in the league.

Speaking in press conference, Owen said, ‘We’re looking up and moving up in the table.’

‘Like other teams, we’ve also got some games during Christmas. This is where we can gain confidence. If we’ll keep the run going, we not only can clear relegation zone, but might end up with a commendable position.’

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Posted in Newcastle United, Premier League

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Portsmouth Vs Newcastle United: Owen gets Newcastle out of relegation zone

December 15th, 2008

Newcastle United’s Captain, Michael Owen, celebrated his 29th birthday in style with a goal.

The goal was his ninth of the season and proved to be imperative in his club’s 3-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. This elusive away win got them past the relegation zone.

English Forward scored in the 52nd minute and created the ground for his teammates to latch upon. They completely rubbished the unpredictable Pompey’s defense.

Obafemi Martins and Danny Gutherie scored the other two goals for Magpies. They helped Kinnear win his first game away from St. James Park and end a horrendous run of his side at Fratton Park.

Another hero of the game was Shay Given. He kept his clean sheet alive and made some stupendous saves in the end to help Newcastle United keep their recent run in the league alive.

Meanwhile, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea failed to capitalize on the opportunity given to them by the draws involving Manchester United and Liverpool during the weekend.

The Blues drew 1-1 against West Ham United and continued their inconsistent run at Stamford Bridge.

Craig Bellamy stunned the home fans with the opening goal, as Hammers took the lead in the 33rd minute.

Tension was clearly visible on the faces of Chelsea players, as Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole received a yellow card in the first half.

However, the shot from Nicolas Anelka, top scorer for the Blues this season with 16 goals, helped his side to save their face in the end with a 1-1 draw.

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Posted in Newcastle United, Portsmouth

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Tottenham Hotspurs Vs Manchester United: Clash of Managerial Greats sees fitting end

December 14th, 2008

Manchester United failed to overcome an advantage of closing the gap on Liverpool, as they failed to score full points against Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Keepers from both the side, Van der Sar & Heurelho Gomes, played a crucial role in this goalless draw and kept waiving off challenges from forwards.

However, it was a tough day for Dimitar Berbatov. He found it tough not only to hit the target, but also received a terrible response from his former home crowd, whom he abandoned for United on the final day of transfer.

The draw was a fitting end to the clash of the managerial greats, Sir Alex Ferguson & Harry Redknapp. Their respect for each other was visible in the end, when both of them hugged on the final whistle.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool came out of a disastrous two-goal deficit and scored a draw against Hull at Anfield.

Two goals from Gerrard in 8 minutes helped the Reds to cancel an own goal from Carraghar and a good finish from Paul McShane.

Arsenal also lost an advantage and their place from the Top Four, as they drew 1-1 against Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium.

Aston Villa, who has been in great form this season, won 4-2 against Bolton to regain the fourth spot from the Gunners at Villa Park and extended their unbeaten run to 5-game.

Elsewhere at Eastlands, Everton continued their excellent away record this season, as they defeated Manchester City 1-0 with a late strike from Tim Cahill.

Caretaker boss, Ricky Sbragia, felt a relief after Sunderland scored a much needed 4-0 win against West Brom at the Stadium of Lights with a double strike from Kenwyne Jones.

Paul Ince’s miserable run continued, as Rovers slipped to another defeat against Wigan at the JJB Stadium. With their 3-0 win, Wigan moved into the top ten in the table, whereas their opponents slid further into the relegation zone.

Again, Fulham survived a scare, as they managed a scrappy goalless draw against newly-promoted Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

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Posted in Man U, Tottenham

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Redknapp: No plans to sale Pavlyuchenko

December 13th, 2008

Harry Redknapp rubbished all reports, which said that he has been planning to sell Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Reports released on Friday revealed that Spurs Boss was willing to sell his striker whenever transfer window reopens, as he hasn’t be impressed by the Russian’s performance.

After arriving from Spartak Moscow just before the transfer window closed, Pavlyuchenko has been able to score only 7 goals at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp insisted that he has got no plans of selling his forward, as he’s already falling short of strikers in his side.

‘That’s total rubbish,’ said Redknapp while speaking to a reporter. ‘I’ve got only 2 strikers available with me for Saturday’s game against Manchester United, as Fraizer Campbell is out with a calf strain.’

‘The 2 strikers, who will be playing, are Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent. So how will I even think of offloading anyone?’

‘Pavlyuchenko is a talented player and it’s impossible for me to let go of him at this stage.’

Again, Redknapp admitted that the club didn’t have any specific transfer target in the coming transfer seasons.

‘We’re not ready to dive-in on players and pay huge some for them, as our chairman isn’t going to allow that.’

‘We just need to wait and watch. If clubs will ask for extortionate amount for their players, who interest us, we’ll ignore them.’

Meanwhile, Redknapp confirmed that former Spurs forward, Dimitar Berbatov, will not get abused similar to Sol Campbell earlier in the season.

He said ‘What happened on that day was different and will not be repeated. Yes, he can get some stick, which he should expect, but not to the extent of what Campbell received?’

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Posted in Premier League, Tottenham

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Hoyte ruled out for clash against Gunners

December 12th, 2008

Justin Hoyte, Middlesbrough defender, is likely to miss the clash against his former club, Arsenal on Saturday.

Hoyte was all geared up for facing the Gunners, who he left for joining Boro during August. However, he suffered a knee injury while training and now is in doubt to play the game.

He has joined Gary O’Neil and Mido, who are also on the sidelines and will be missing as they have failed in overcoming their injuries.

Chris Riggott and Robert Huth might make the side, but they aren’t fit then Gareth Southgate is going to be left with fewer options in defense.

Southgate will be only having Andrew Taylor and Captain Emanuel Pogatetz available in his backline, as David Wheater has also been suspended for the game.

However, good news for Boro boss is that Tony McMahon is back in the club after having a successful time at Sheffield Wednesday, where he was on loan. Again, both Matthew Bates and Seb Hines are also fit and might push for getting included against Gunners.

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender, Mikael Sivestre, insisted that his side still has time in their hand to get back strongly in the Championship race.

According to him, this is the point where Chelsea made a comeback in the previous season and almost went on to win the Premier League and Champions League.

To his defense, Gunners have got the potential to make a comeback. At the same time, the gap between the top four sides is still under manageable proportions. If things go accordingly, it will be yet another close finish for the title in the league.

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Posted in Arsenal, Middlesbrough

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