Going to Upton Park tomorrow

Title: Going to Upton Park tomorrow

Tomorrow sees my first visit to Upton Park in 20 years. There are many things riding on this game and it's not just money or the result. It could determine my future involvement in football. Should the mighty Hammers win and I have an amazing experience then it could spur me to attending more regularly. At present I still play myself but the knee's are going and I'm getting older. I'm now thinking about what happens when I have to give up. Following football now is very expensive so it needs to be good tomorrow.

The natural thing to do would be to go with my girlfriends 8 year old to his games and turn into one of those annoying parents. However, if things go well tomorrow then this will change everything.

As for the game itself, the return of a certain Mr Bellamy should at least ensure an electric atmosphere, getting the crowd worked up and creating plenty of noise. He does, of course, also cause a conundrum. He is the sort of person who seems to thrive on being despised and raise his game against former clubs. I fully intend to politely inform him of my feelings about what he did but, in reality, should I really be that angry at at the despicable little man. What did he really do at West Ham. In 2 years he played about 20 odd games and was not in double figures in terms of goals. Drew a big salary in that time for little return. He has form for being disruptive (allegedly lol) and for being disloyal. He has shown no respect for the clubs that have taken a gamble on him, giving him chance after chance. So what to do? Jeer him and boost his desire or, as I've seen suggested elsewhere, refuse to even acknowledge his existence. How confused would he be if the crowd remained silent and looked non-plussed at the mention of his name? Treating him like some player from foreign parts that only his manager has heard of. If it could be done I'd laugh my proverbial's off.

Our recent results are cause for concern. We face a city team that are woeful away from home but appear to be picking up. Couple that with the fact that both teams and players seem to break their bad streaks against and I'm a bit worried. I can't wait to see first hand the Zola revolution but think he'll have had his work cut out to get the players confidence up after a very poor display midweek.

So, experience dependent, tomorrow could see me commit a large portion of my hard earned dollar to attending Upton Park on as regular a basis as possible. However, should I spend in the region of £80 -£100 to see a steaming pile of turd my options are limited. Quit football all together, turn into a raging touchline parent (I can't seem to do quiet and encouraging when footballs involved) or (and I'm joking here) become a referee.

I feel like a kid on Christmas eve a the moment and really hope I'm not getting over excited, having not been in such a long time, but we will see. If I'm not feeling too suicidal tomorrow I'll let you know how it went.

Written By: 13hammers

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Is 3-5-2 the way for Liverpool ?

Title: Is 3-5-2 the way for Liverpool ?

While watching Liverpool the other day, I was thinking- why should anyone of the great triangle Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi , get benched . It's about 3 great central midfielders and it would be shame that one of them gets converted to the flank or gets benched. They would find their spot in 90 percent of the teams , and if anyone would be guaranteed a place in United team, apart from Torres, it's one or two of them . Of course Gerrard is one but no big unjustice would be done if any of the later 2 found their place in United team.
So, here's the thought - why not trying 3-5-2 with 2 holding midfielders ( Xabi, Mascherano ) , 1 attacking midfielder ( Gerrard ) , with Babel and Riera (or Kuyt ) on the flanks, and Torres and Kuyt ( or Babel ) in attack. So I think that Benitez should use his solid, firm midfield in order to : 1. Take possesion away from opponents more often, 2. Score goals through good combination of passes . Think about it - why should every english team have 4 defenders ? I mean , when a team attacks, fullbacks go forward in order to penetrate the flank, and let's face it - Liverpool don't have such a quality fullbacks who can repeatedly do the job. Not as often as Evra,Sagna,Bosingwa,Cole hell even as Rafael or Wes Brown ( whoever saw the last season knows what I'm talking about).Why shouldn't Rafa try something different ? Nothing would be changed, players would keep their natural positions - Riera would stay on the flank, Kuyt too, and central midfield would stay as they are. Steve McClaren tried something similar in Zagreb (thankfully ), but his problem was not trying it before, picking the wrong players for the system and telling them simply - "go and play" without having the time to practice it and underestimating the opponent.
But now when Liverpool are all but out of the title race, Rafa has enough time to make the team gel. And it is easily converted into any formation- 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 4-4-2, you name it - those players can play it.

I know most of you gonna say how it doesn't go through in England, but when you think of it - nothing else has went through for Liverpool already, especially not 4-4-2 rotation system. What's there to lose ?!

Cheers

Written By: crooney

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Liverpool's title hopes were dealt a severe blow as they were held to a draw by Manchester City at Anfield. - Taken from BBC Sports football page.

Title: Liverpool's title hopes were dealt a severe blow as they were held to a draw by Manchester City at Anfield. - Taken from BBC Sports football page.

Liverpool's title hopes were dealt a severe blow as they were held to a draw by Manchester City at Anfield.

City broke the deadlock when former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy's shot was deflected in off Alvaro Arbeloa.

A poor Liverpool had rarely threatened but levelled when Dirk Kuyt poked home after a Yossi Benayoun cross.

Shay Given saved a powerful Benayoun strike in a frantic finish but the Reds failed to get a winner and trail Manchester United by seven points.

Liverpool have now drawn six and won seven at home, while United have drawn just one and won 12 at Old Trafford.

It is a telling statistic, revealing the story of Liverpool's failure to break down visitors to Anfield and, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso missing, their lack of squad strength and creativity compared to United's was also highlighted.

Benitez not giving up title race yet

The Merseysiders had gone into the game with the pressure of knowing anything less than a win would have delivered a damaging blow to their title aspirations after United beat Blackburn on Saturday.

The gravity of Liverpool's situation was hard to tell from the majority of their play as they struggled to find any sort of rhythm or fluency.

City have won just once away from home in the league this season but were looking comfortable from the start and should have taken the lead through Stephen Ireland.

He had intercepted a stray Javier Mascherano pass and released Robinho on the right with a long diagonal ball before making a run into the Liverpool box.

The Brazilian found Ireland at the far post but the City midfielder's shot lacked conviction as he tamely sidefooted straight at keeper Jose Reina.

606: DEBATE What are your thoughts on the game?

Liverpool's play was laboured and predictable and they lacked a player in the mould of the injured Gerrard to to take the game by the scruff of the neck and inspire their play.

Striker Fernando Torres tried his best to fill the Gerrard void as he set up chances that he would have relished for Albert Riera and Benayoun.

But Riera dragged a shot wide and Benayoun put his effort into the crowd to sum up a poor first-half which suggested anything but a side challenging for the title.

Things got worse for Liverpool soon after the break when Robinho started a move which saw him find Vincent Kompany, who teed up Bellamy.

Bellamy's shot went in off an Arbeloa deflection and gave the Reds little choice but to commit more numbers forward.

We showed what we're about - Hughes

The situation was looking desperate the longer the game went on before Kuyt equalised when he pounced after Torres scuffed an effort from Benayoun's low cross.

City had seen Liverpool overturn a two-goal deficit to win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

But, despite Benayoun's late effort and in contrast to their defensive vulnerability so far this season, the visitors held on to earn a point.

---

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Aurelio 76), Benayoun, Mascherano (Babel 83), Lucas, Riera (El Zhar 63), Torres, Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Ngog, Spearing.

Booked: El Zhar.

Goals: Kuyt 78.

Man City: Given, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong, Kompany, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho (Caicedo 88).
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Evans, Elano, Weiss.

Booked: Dunne, Kompany.

Goals: Arbeloa 51 og.

Att: 44,259

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

---

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Stephen Ireland on 6.85 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

Credit to: BBC Sport -> Football -> Premier League

Blues Hold On to 1-0 Win

Title: Blues Hold On to 1-0 Win

The Blues inspired by Frank Lampard get back to winning ways as Anelka found the back of the net

First game in management for Guus Hiddink, who looked excited for the big game.

It was a good first half, from both sides as they looked to nick an early goal. Chelsea enjoyed a lot of possession in the game , and that was where the match was Decided. Ballack looked bit anonymous like the last few games. Kalou out was the best option for Chelsea in the first half. The only dangerous chance that Villa had was through a Ashley Young free kick which hit the crossbar.

The star studded Chelsea line up looked up for the challenge in the first 45 as they kept the ball well.

1-0 Anelka

The Dutch coach who is temporarily in charge till the end of the season played Anelka and Drogba in the same 11 and it looked to pay off.

Villa's midfield got mixed as 2 men went to Lampard but didn't do enough, leaving the space for him to slip it through to Anelka. Great feet and close control from Lampard and an even better finish from Anelka.


Villa surge forward

Chelsea looked quite a bit Vulnerable in the second as Villa pressed forward It was a good start by Villa for the second half. They kept knocking on the door but sadly it never opened. Ashley Young was fantastic for Villa and provided the quality they needed. Martin O'Neill brought on John Carew to freshen things up.

Petr Cech was tested at his near post by Agbonlahor after muscling Alex aside, and the keeper also saved well from Barry's shot.

Hiddink brought on Deco who showed superb skills to put in Ballack in stoppage time who was denied by Friedel who was up to the task.


But the patched up Chelsea defence held on for a 1-0 win.Hiddink, the new manager in place at Chelsea got the the three points that take them above Villa into third place in the table. Chelsea are now back on track although way behind the pace set by Manchester United. Great game , great atmosphere and a great win for Chelsea.


Goals and Goalscorers

1-0 Nicolas Anelka [Assissted by Lampard]

Written By: futbol

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Man Utd vs Blackburn Preview.

Title: Man Utd vs Blackburn Preview.

Rooney likely to start as Red Devils look to extend their lead upto 8 points at the top of the table. Extending their Lead United have an added incentive for winning, that is extend their lead upto eight points before Liverpool play next. Experts beleive Sam Allardyce's Rovers side who currently occupy the last relegation spot and find themselves a point from safety may not pose much of a threat to a United side that is on the move. Rooney's Comeback Rooney made his comeback from a hamstring injury as a substitute against Fulham and scored with his first touch on Wednesday. This will be the last game that precedes the Inter Milan game away in the Champions League on Tuesday. Sir Alex would look to give Rooney some match fitness before United take on Mourinho's Inter. Team News Man Utd team (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Gibson, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Fletcher, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck Blackburn team (from): Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Dunn, Villanueva, Grella, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Pedersen, Treacy, Mokoena, Haworth, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Roberts.

Written By: futbol

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How Can Liverpool Win The Title?

Title: How Can Liverpool Win The Title?

As a loyal Manchester United supporter and I know this may be against my religion, but I personally believe Liverpool can still challenge United for this year’s title. First off, I’ll start by saying at the beginning of this season Liverpool had all the credentials of a league winning side. They had the right blend of experience and youth, along with the superstars in Gerrard and Torres.
In my opinion, it won’t be easy, but if anyone can beat Manchester United to the title this year, I believe its Liverpool. What needs to be done in order to win their first title in 18 years?
1. Their manager, Rafa Benitez needs to concentrate on his own team. There is no need to hit out at United, the FA or whatever. Besides, you can’t wind mind games with the mastermind that is Sir Alex Ferguson.
2. It is vital that both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres stay injury free for the remainder of the season. Gerrard is the heart of the team and midfield. If Torres can get firing, watch out United.
3. Liverpool must focus on their results. Concerning themselves with United’s results will add extra pressure. Basically, forgetting all about United from-here-on-end will do Liverpool a world of good.
4. Beat United at Old Trafford.
If Liverpool can manage to do these things (this is just my opinion), it should make for an interesting title race.

Written By: Jerrakos

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How To Beat Manchester United?

Title: How To Beat Manchester United?

Its a question 19 other Premier League managers are thinking, along with countless others ones around Europe and Manchester United just keep on winning, even when playing poorly.

With talents of Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Giggs, Berbatov, Scholes, Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Der Sar, Nani, Anderson...and on and on and on...how do you stop them? As a United fan, heres how I think we can be got at...

1. Play tough! Bolton did it before, and roughed us up, get physical, hit (fairly) players hard in challenges. get Ronaldo oiut of the game early on. If you let him know he's gonna be hit hard, he'll fade away.

2. Cross that ball! Whip countless crosses into the box. Sure 9 out of 10 maybe brilliantly defended, but that 1 could lead to a chance.

3. Go man for man in midfield. If you give Scholes/Carrick/Fletcher/Giggs/Anderson etc... time on the ball, they'll demolish you. Get tight, stay tight. Get the toe in and stop them getting their heads up to find a 30 yarder to set up attacks.

4. Take your chances! You will get 2 maybe 3 chances to score against United in a game, and you simply MUST take them by the scruff of the neck. At the very least, call the keeper into a save!


Sounds simple reading, of course. But to me anyways, this is how United can be got at, and even doing all the above....they still might nick it!

Written By: Keano!

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Liverpool Need A Lucky Break!

Liverpools title challenge could look all the harder come their match on Sunday against Manchester City at Anfield.

Should Manchester United, current leaders, beat Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, then the Mersysiders will be 8 points behind the Champions and the pressure will be on big time.

Since Rafa's "rant", Liverpool have stutered and stumbled, but hope was renewed when they admirably came from behind twice to beat Portsmouth on the South Coast 3-2 after they were minutes away from defeat.

Liverpool have never won the Premier League Crown, but this season is argueably their best chance in years. Chelsea and Arsenal have been cut loose, and its seemingly down to the two bitter rivals.


United fans will be hopeful of close rivals, City doing them a massive favour, and with Mark Hughes in charge, you'd think Liverpool maybe in need of a lucky break!



Written by: Keano!

Bookies Payout On United Doing The Treble

Incredibly, not even at the end of February and Bookies, PaddyPower are paying out on Manchester United sealing the Premiership, FA Cup and League Cup crowns.

The Irish bookies are so confident of the English, European adn World Champions winning the three that they've suspended all bets on the odds and paid out to delighted punters.

A spokesperson had this to say...

"Teams can't even score against United at the moment so what hope have they of catching them? Nobody can touch them, they look unbeatable in England anyway. We're going to have to rely on somebody from Europe stopping them in the Champions League."

Power has paid out on bets early before, when it comes to Man Utd winning the Premier League. But a bookmaker has never coughed up so quickly on a domestic treble.

"We’re confident that we won't be left with egg on our faces by paying up early, United just have that look of invincibility about them this season."


United are currently 5 points clear of Liverpool in the League, in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals against either Swansea City or Fulham and face Carling Cup holders, Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Wembley on March 1st.


One thing for certain is that this season, will not be a trophy less year at Old Trafford, it would seem.

Eduardo Back With A Bang

After suffering a shocking injury last season, all most exactly 12 months down a long road to recovery, Eduardo Da Silva made his Arsenal return in the FA Cup 4th Round Reply against Cardiff City at the Emriates ast night.

The script was written really, and was followed eerily well, as fans saw the youngster float a header into the back of the net after a sweet Arsenal move. It really was an emotional moment as he found his goal scoring touch so quickly.

He added a second to his name after that and almost seasled a wonderful hat-trick until Arsene Wenger replaced him with Van Persi on the hour mark.

Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners on the night, as the brused Cardiff aside with very little challenge from the Championship team.


Great news for Arsenal that Eduardo is back, and Arsenal now have a 5th round tie in store at home to Burnley (Who knocked them out of the League Cup) and the winners of that will have a home tie against either Championship side Sheffield United, or Premier League new-boys, Hull City.

FA Cup 6th Round Draw

Blackburn/Coventry V Chelsea
Swansea/Fulham V Man United
Cardiff City/Arsenal or Burnley V Sheffield United or Hull City
Everton v West Ham United V Middlesbrough

Ties to be played on 7/8 March


My views on who shall be featuring in the semi-final pot..

Chelsea - Man United - Sheffield United - Everton


One thing for sure is I hope we don't get United and Chelsea in the final again after the no show the two gave 2 seasons ago!

Tottenham Vs. Arsenal (0-0)

The spoils are shared, and in a reverse of the fixture at Ashburton Grove, Arsenal can feel the better for the result. No goals, but this was far from a dire encounter.

The North London derby, the one we all mark on the calender, and after that 4-4 draw earlier in the season anything could have happened this afternoon. Arsenal were boosted by Arshavin and Eduardo being named in the squad, albeit on the bench.

In charge of the game was Mike "card king" Dean sent into a highly charged local derby with the highest red card count of the Premier referees. Slightly odd. However, he was to produce a red card, sending off Emmanuel Eboue. Dean had asked Eboue three times to leave a decision alone, but Eboue seemed either deaf or daft, and continually moaned, earning himself a yellow card. Had he have kept his mouth shut, the next incident might well have passed un-noticed. The player was having a blinder until this point as well, but after an early yellow, he was always going to be watched, and so it proved to be. An off the ball incident with Modric saw Eboue kick out, and Dean had little alternative but to issue a second yellow, followd by the red, and Arsenal were down to ten men for the majority of the game.

Perhaps he was frustrated after a goal was ruled out, and for the life of me, I still can't see why, and that with the benefit of replays. Had the goal been given, perhaps Eboue wouldn't have been in such a moaning mood, who knows. As it was Arsenal were under pressure for most of the remainder of the game.

At the point of the red card, Adebayor had just been taken off with a hamstring problem and replaced by Bendtner, who I am sure was being reserved for a far later impact appearance, something he has been rather good with lately.

Arsenal put up stern resistance to most thrown before them, but Middlesex had their chances, and how close they were on several occasions. Robbie Keane on his return looked keen to impress, but couldn't find a way past Almunia. Although Middlesex dominated for long periods, Arsenal had their moments, and possibly could have won the game on a couple of occasions late on, but Cudicini was equal to all thrown before him.

At the end of the day, Arsenal can feel mighty pleased with a point under the circumstances, especially looking at the statistics! So a goalless draw, and an eleventh match unbeaten. Too many of those games are draws, hence our league position, but today not many would be complaining.

Arshavin and Eduardo were unused, so Wenger still has these players up his sleeve, and with Adebayor now added to the injury room, we will need them!

-GoonersWorld

England Squad For Spain

England Squad:

Goalkeepers: Green (West Ham), Hart (Man City), James (Portsmouth).

Defenders: Bridge (Man City), A Cole (Chelsea), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), L Young (Villa).

Midfielders: Beckham (LA Galaxy), Barry (Villa), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man City), A Young (Villa).

Forwards: Agbonlahor (Villa), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), Heskey (Villa)

January Transfer Window (Prem Teams)

Format:


Club
In: Player (Club Which Player Came From, Fee)
Out: Player (Club Going To, Fee)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arsenal
In: Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg, £15m)
Out: Paul Rodgers (Northampton Town, Loan), Jay Simpson (West Brom, Loan), Rene Steer (Gillingham, Loan), Rui Fonte (Crystal Palace, Loan), Henri Lansbury (Sthingyhorpe United, Loan)

Aston Villa
In: Arsenio Halfhuid (Excelsior, Undisc.), Emile Heskey (Wigan, £3.5m)
Out: Wayne Routledge (Queens Park Rangers, Undisc.)

Blackburn
In: Nick Blackman (Macclesfield, Undisc.), Gael Givet (Marseille, Loan), El-Hadji Diouf (Sunderland, £2m)
Out: Eddie Nolan (Preston North End, Undisc.), Frank Fielding (Rochdale, Loan), Sergio Peter (Sparta Prague, Undisc.), Alan Judge (Plymouth Argyle, Loan), Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos, Loan), Jamie Clarke (Rotherham United, Loan)

Bolton
In: Sebastien Puygrenier (Zenit St Petersburg, Loan), Ariza Makukula (Benfica, Loan), Mark Davies (Wolverhampton Wanderers, Undisc.)
Out: Heidar Helguson (Queens Park Rangers, Undisc.), Kevin Nolan (Newcastle, £4m)

Chelsea
In: Gökhan Töre (Bayer Leverkusen, Undisc.), Ricardo Quaresma (Internazionale, Loan)
Out: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City, £10m), Ben Sahar (De Graafschap, Loan), Jack Cork (Watford, Loan), Scott Sinclair (Birmingham, Loan), Lee Sawyer (Coventry City, Loan), Carlo Cudicini (Tottenham, Free), Carl Magnay (Milton Keynes Dons, Loan), Jimmy Smith (Leyton Orient, Loan) , Sergio Tejera (Real Mallorca, Undisc.)

Everton
In: Jô (Manchester City, Loan)
Out: Lee Molyneux (Southampton, Free), John Ruddy (Crewe Alexandra, Loan), John Kissock (Accrington Stanley, Loan)

Fulham
In: Giles Barnes (Derby, Loan), Olivier Dacourt (Internazionale, Loan), Julian Gray (Coventry City, Undisc.)
Out: Thomas Moncur (Wycombe Wanderers, Free), Hameur Bouazza (Birmingham, Loan), Lee Parker (Queens Park Rangers, Undisc.) Seol Ki-Hyeon (Al-Hilal, Loan), Leon Andreasen (Hannover 96, Loan), Andranik Teymourian (Barnsley, Loan), Adrian Leijer (Norwich City, Loan)

Hull
In: Kevin Kilbane (Wigan, Undisc.), Manucho (Manchester United, Loan), Kamil Zayatte (Young Boys, £2.5m), Jimmy Bullard (Fulham, £5m)
Out: Dean Windass (Oldham Athletic, Loan), Stelios Giannakopoulos (Larissa, Free), Wayne Brown (Leicester City, Loan)

Liverpool
In: None
Out: Jermaine Pennant (Portsmouth, Loan), Krisztian Nemeth (Blackpool, Loan), Craig Lindfield (Accrington Stanley, Loan), Peter Gulacsi (Hereford United, Loan), Adam Hammill (Barnsley, Loan), Robbie Keane (Tottenham, Undisc.)

Manchester City
In: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea, £10m), Craig Bellamy (West Ham United, £14m), Nigel De Jong (Hamburg SV, Undisc.), Shay Given (Newcastle United, Undisc)
Out: Sam Williamson (Wrexham, Free), Javan Vidal (Aberdeen, Loan), Paul Marshall (Blackpool, Loan), Jô (Everton, Loan), Tal Ben-Haim (Sunderland, Loan)

Manchester United
In: Zoran Tosic (Partizan Belgrade, Undisc.), Adem Ljajic (Partizan Belgrade, Undisc.), Ritchie De Laet (Stoke City, Undisc.)
Out: David Gray (Plymouth Argyle, Loan), Sam Hewson (Hereford United, Loan), Manucho (Hull, Loan), Tom Cleverly (Leicester City, Loan), James Chester (Peterborough United, Loan)

Middlesbrough
In: Marlon King (Wigan, Loan)
Out: Seb Hines (Derby County, Loan), Jonathan Grounds (Norwich City, Loan), Graeme Owens (Blackpool, Loan), Hossam Mido (Wigan, Loan), Rhys Williams (Burnley, Loan), Tom Craddock (Luton Town, £80,000)

Newcastle
In: Peter Lövenkrands (Unattatched, Free), Kevin Nolan (Bolton, £4m), Ryan Taylor (Wigan, Undisc.)
Out: Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan, Undisc.), Shay Given (Manchester City, Undisc)

Portsmouth
In: Nadir Belhadj (Lens £4.4m), Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool, Loan), Pelé (Porto, Loan), Hayden Mullins (West Ham, Undisc.), Angelos Basinas (AEK Athens, Undisc.), Theofanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen, Loan)
Out: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid, £20m), Jean Christophe (Southend United, Undisc.), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham, £15m), Richard Duffy (Millwall, Loan), Khaleem Hyland (Zulte-Waregem, Loan)

Stoke
In: Matthew Etherington (West Ham, Undisc.), James Beattie (Sheffield United, Undisc.), Henri Camara (Wigan, Loan)
Out: Ritchie De Laet (Manchester United, Undisc.), Nathaniel Wedderburn (Notts County, Loan), Tom Soares (Charlton Athletic, Loan), Carl thingyinson (Leeds United, Loan), Lewis Buxton (Sheffield Wednesday, Nominal)

Sunderland
In: Calum Davenport (West Ham United, Loan), Tal Ben-Haim (Manchester City, Loan)
Out: Roy O'Donovan (Blackpool, Loan), Graham Kavanagh (Carlisle United, Free), Ross Wallace (Preston North End, Undisc.), Liam Miller (Queens Park Rangers, Undisc.), Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham, Undisc.), Jordan Henderson (Coventry City, Loan), El-Hadji Diouf (Blackburn Rovers, £2m), Michael Chopra (Cardiff City, Loan)

Tottenham
In: Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth, £15m), Carlo Cudicini (Chelsea, Free), Wilson Palacios (Wigan, Undisc.), Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland, Undisc.), Robbie Keane (Liverpool, Undisc.)
Out: Andy Barcham (Gillingham, Undisc.), Paul Stalteri (Borussia Monchengladbach, Free), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Borussia Dortmund, Loan), Troy Archibald-Henville (Exeter City, Loan), David Button (AFC Bournemouth, Loan), César (Valencia, Free), Dorian Dervitte (Southend United, Loan), Tomas Pekhart (Slavia Prague, Loan)

West Brom
In: Marc-Antoine Fortune (AS Nancy Lorraine, Loan), Jay Simpson (Arsenal, Loan), Youssuf Mulumbu (Paris Saint-Germain, Loan), Juan Menseguez (San Lorenzo, Loan)
Out: Joss Labadie (Shrewsbury Town, Loan), Lee Baker (Kidderminster Harriers, Free), Sherjill MacDonald (Roeselare, Loan)

West Ham
In: Savio Nsereko (Brescia, Undisc.), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow, Loan)
Out: Joe Widdowson (Grimsby Town, Loan), Matthew Etherington (Stoke City, Undisc.), Lee Bowyer (Birmingham, Loan), Kyel Reid (Wolverhampton Wanderers, Loan), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City, £14m), Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth, Undisc.), Calum Davenport (Sunderland, Loan), Julien Faubert (Real Madrid, Loan)

Wigan
In: Hossam Mido (Middlesbrough, Loan), Hugo Rodallega (Necaxa, £4.5m), Ben Watson (Crystal Palace, Undisc.), Charles N'Zogbia (Newcastle United, Undisc.)
Out: Lewis Montrose (Cheltenham Town, Loan), Luke Ashworth (Leyton Orient, Loan), Kevin Kilbane (Hull City, Undisc.), Marlon King (Middlesbrough, Loan), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa, £3.5m), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham, Undisc.), Henri Camara (Stoke, Loan), Ryan Taylor (Newcastle, Undisc.)

Given Swaps Newcastle For City

Much publicized move, Shay Given to Manchester City, has finally gone through with the Irsih stopper moving to the City of Manchester for an undisclosed fee.

Given, hailed as one of the best around and not nearly given the credit he really deserves is set to push aside Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel from the goal line in the blue of Manchester as Mark Hughes looks to try and sure up the defence in his side.

Upon signing the 32 year old, Hughes had this to say.

"I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such an accomplished keeper."



Given is expected to line-out for the first time next Saturday in City's home game to Middlesbrough.

Given is the next name on the list of signings for Man City following Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy and Nigel de Jong to Eastlands.




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Prem Round-Up (Feb 1st)

Unlike yesterday's action, today had a bit more bite and a little bit more interest too. We had a Tyne-Wear Derby to start us off at lunchtime and then the title challengers game between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.


Newcastle played host to visitors, Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear Derby and were looking for a win to boost their form under Joe Kinnear. After a lively opening, with Sunderland doing all the pushing, Harper was unable to deny Cisse a goal after he failed to prevent the Sunderland forwards second strike giving Sunderland the lead. Sunderland deservedly led at half time, but in the second Newcastle came forward a lot more and began to create chances with Damien Duff and Jonas Gutierrez really taking hold fo the game driving at the Sunderland defence. But midway through the half, everybody, including some of the Newcastle players were stunned when Howard Webb awarded a penalty to the home side after he had judged Malbranque's tackle on Taylor had been worthy of a foul. It looked extremely harsh and Newcastle didn't deserve the opportunity to score from the spot on 69 minutes. Shola Ameobi stepped p and smashed the ball home to make things interesting for the last 20 or so minutes. Both sides tussled for a goal, with the games stretched, when substitute, Michael Chopra managed to nip the ball off the Newcastle defence after some shocking defender. The striker was in on goal, and when you would think all he had to do was wrap his right peg around the ball and curl it into the far corner beyond Harper, he tried to play in Kenwyne Jones with an audacious chipped ball with the outside of his foot, yet the skills were absent and he over ht the ball and Jones had to turn away from goal in order to keep it in play. It was a golden opportunity to nab a possible 3 points! Thats how it ended, and Sunderland, despite feeling they could have taken all the points from Geordie land, will be pleased with the performance.

At 16:00, Liverpool and Chelsea lined up in the cold of Anfield, and even the light dusting of snow too! It was a game where there simply had to be a winner, otherwise, Manchester United would have been 4 clear of the two with a game in hand. A very tame and timid first half played out, with Liverpool having the two best chances with long range drives from Alonso and Mascherano which both called Petr Cech into action to keep the scores level. Mike Riely had a game to forget really, issuing needless cards at various points and making some very suspect decisions. The second half began and Liverpool came to life as Chelsea seemed to almost tire. Alex was like a rock at the back blocking numerous shots and passes from Liverpool. However, all was to change drastically, as referee Riely brandished a red card to Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, for "serious foul play" on Xabi Alonso. Lampard who appeared to actually win the ball was stunned as Alonso lay on the floor. It seemed a very, very harsh sending off and one you would expect to see overturned at the FA. Questions also arose, when Steven Gerrard lunged at a Chelsea player yet didn't receive a card at all. 89 minutes passed and it was all looking like Man United's evening when up popped Fernando "El Nino" to head the ball past Cech, who wasn't in the best position, after a decent Liverpool move. Chelsea appeared to give up then and Liverpool capitalized on this and Chelsea's woeful defending as Ashley Cole failed to deal with the ball and as the ball broke loose, Torres again, had an open net in front of him to roll the ball into and send Chelsea hearts lower, and lower. A final talking point was an outrageous "kick" from Bosingwa on Benayoun in the corner as he lifted his leg and shoved his studs into the back of the Liverpool winger. You have to wonder, if Lampard's "foul" deserved a red, what on earth let Bosingwa stay on the pitch. Wit the linesman less then a meter from it too, you just have to sit back in amazement at the poor officiating. I think Bosingwa can be expecting a suspension in the coming days as the FA must surely take action upon it. The game ended 2-0 to the home side and arguably Chelsea's title challenge now.


Many eyes will be on Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 14th.



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Lennon Liverpool Bound - Keane Leaving?

Talks are reportedly going on between Liverpool and Tottehnam Hotspur who are apparently close to agreeing a deal to see the Reds signing Englishman, Aaron Lennon from Totteham with Robbie Keane and a sum of money heading the London clubs way.

Keane is tipped to go back to Spurs, but no one was expecting to see Lennon go the other way.

News on any such transfer news and reports will follow here.



Watch this space!

Keane Left Out Of Squad

Despite Rafa being asked week in, week out, why is Robbie Keane not getting games, the Liverpool boss has left the Irishman out of the squad completely for the Reds home game with title challengers, Chelsea at Anfield.

This may further open the door for Keane's exit and perhaps pave the way back to London as Harry Redknapp has already stated that "if Keane's available, we're interested"


Surely you play your 20M man on a game like to day? No?



Post-match news along with further news on English football will follow here.