Kuruwtschi wer? Der Meister der usbekischen Liga spielt nächste Saison in der AFC Champions League, dem höchsten internationalen Wettbewerb des asiatischen Fußballverbandes. Dort treten auch die Klubs der arabischen Öl-Scheichs an, die bekanntlich Jahr für Jahr mit europäischen Profis aufgerüstet werden.
Zum Vergleich: In Usbekistan würden Eto'o bei Heimspielen nicht einmal 20.000 Zuschauer bejubeln, im Camp Nuo von Barcelona wären es knapp 100.000.

Auf den ersten Blick scheint die Meldung ein verspäteter April-Scherz zu sein. Aber: Die Vereinswebseite beteuert, dass die Chance bestehe, dass der Kameruner die Rückrunde der usbekischen Liga im Kuruvchi-Trikot absolviert. Am 17. Juli soll der Superstar zur Vertragsunterschrift und zu sportmedizinischen Untersuchungen in Usbekistan eintreffen. Angesichts des Medieninteresses wurde die Meldung sogar noch einmal bekräftigt: Ja, es werde tatsächlich über eine Vertragsunterschrift verhandelt.

Aber: Die hiesige Sportpresse zitiert die Meldung des Vereins unsauber. PFC Kuruvchi erklärt, den Stürmer für die Rückrunde der usbekischen Liga verpflichten zu wollen. Das heißt: Eto'o sammelt Spielpraxis und der Leihvertrag spült Geld in die Kassen Barcelonas. Zurück kommt ein Superstar, der in der Ferne erlebt hat, wie gut es ihm in Barcelona eigentlich geht und mit umso mehr Engagement wieder für die Spanier spielt.
Mein Tipp: Der Transfer stimmt, Eto'o spielt eine halbe Saison in Usbekistan, wird nicht von Barcelona verkauft, sondern nur verliehen - und kommt geläutert zurück, um den FC Barcelona wieder zum besten Verein Europas zu machen.

Andere Meinungen?

Update: Die Meldung des Vereins ist tatsächlich keine Ente, Eto'o kam wie angekündigt nach Taschkent (Meldung auf der Vereinsseite mit Fotos). Mit an Bord waren auch Nicoloz Mikadze und Joan Patsy, die der Verein als Vertreter des FC Barcelona bezeichnet (meine eigenen Recherchen ergaben keine brauchbaren Informationen zu den beiden Personen) sowie Eto'os Berater Jose Maria Mesalles.
Noch am gleichen Tag sprach Samuel Eto'o in einer Pressekonferenz mit den örtlichen Medienvertretern (Meldung auf der Vereinsseite mit Fotos). Eto'o bestätigte, dass er ein konkretes Angebot des Vereins erhalten habe, genau deswegen sei er ja in Taschkent. Allerdings habe er auch Angebote anderer Klubs und müsse sich erst noch entscheiden.
Einer dieser anderen Interessenten ist wohl der FC Liverpool, behauptet goal.com. Nach dem Abgang von Peter Crouch fahndet Rafael Benítez nach einem Sturmpartner für Fernando Torres. Zudem steht mit Andriy Voronin ein weiterer Stürmer vor dem Absprung und Benítez' Wunschkandidat Robbie Keane wäre nur für eine hohe Ablöse aus seinem Vertrag bei Tottenham Hotspur loszueisen. Als namhafte Stürmer blieben den Reds folglich neben Torres nur noch Ryan Babel und Dirk Kuyt.
Im Moment sieht es aber danach aus, dass Josep Guardiola Eto'o nicht unbedingt loswerden will und die Iniative eher vom Vereinsvorstand ausgeht. Gegenüber goal.com sagte der neue Barça-Trainer, er werde auf Eto'o als Stürmer bauen, wenn ein Transfer des Kameruners scheitern sollte. Ein Kompromiss zwischen Trainer und Präsident wäre die Variante «Taschkent»: ein hoch dotierter Leihvertrag für ein halbes Jahr, Eto'o soll in Usbekistan bemerken, wie gut es ihm doch bei Barça geht und gestärkt und hochmotiviert zurückkommen.

This year, however, it's really hard to know what to think. 

Already we've signed three new first team players, two new coaching staff and added a handful of Europe's finest young talent to our reserve and youth team setups.  Despite all this a number of unanswered questions are slowing grinding down my usual optimism.

Concurrent with the new signings has been the biggest morale sucker.  The Gareth Barry saga.  I genuinely don't know now whether to admire MON's steadfast refusal to budge from his £18million valuation (or £17million and Steve Finnan as it's now meant to be) or be angered by his pig-headed valuations of not just Barry, but now Finnan too.  I guess it's a mixture of both.

A bigger worry was confirmed on Thursday, when Rafa more or less admitted that we were skint, and in order to buy the one or two big name signings (It's always one or two we're missing isn't it?) that we need he would have to sell first.   In my purest footballing dreams this is actually how it should be, managers wheeling and dealing with only a bit extra earned in prize money swelling there coffers.  Yet with the rest of the top four able to spend, spend, spend and even Villa supposedly having substantial backing available, as a Liverpool fan I'm left with a mix of fret n' fury.  Just over a year ago we were assured of substantial Yankee Dollar.  Twelve months on and Snoogy Doogy has most definitely left the building.

Then there's the new signings themselves.  Degen, Dossena and Cavalieri. All three come without any real national reputation and so for now have to be placed in the squad player (read Stop-Gap) signing pile under Rafa that includes the likes of Arbeloa, Bellamy, Benayoun, Kromkamp,  Pennant and Luis Garcia.

A major frustration is that when Rafa has been given the money to secure his first choices those players have become core to our first team and rarely let the side down.  Agger, Skrtel, Masch, Torres... successes so far everyone.  Given that Dossena has cost a Liverpool side watching the pennies a whopping £7 million perhaps we can expect a similar return, but unlike those four he lacks for International experience and at 26 years old is a couple of years than those players too.

There are one or two glimmers of hope however.  Rafa's remarkable candour in press interviews for one.  Merrily confirming names such as David Villa and Robbie Keane were on his shopping list and confirming that there would be at least one new striker to replace the outgoing Crouch.  I'm taking it on faith, but surely a manager so passionately backed during our blackest hours last season by the Kop faithful would not be foolish enough to chase a Villa and deliver another Voronin?

Most intriguingly of all there's the Fab four.  Insua, Plessis, Nemeth and Pacheco. Who?  The four stand-out young stars from last season's title-winning reserve side.  Sure we've been here before - Besian Idrizaj, Le Tallec, Linfield... only this time there's just that little extra buzz.  This time Rafa seems more willing to take a gamble.  It's been a long time since we saw Carragher, Owen and Gerrard breakthrough.  With Torres and the Spanish lads still on leave post-Euro 2008 and Babel, Leiva and Masch heading off to Beijing in chase of Olympic Gold pre-season offers up a golden chance for new stars to be born and it all starts in just a few hours against Tranmere!

Karl Eisenhauer

Babel behoorde zelf aanvankelijk ook tot de selectie van Nederland voor het EK, maar moest vorige week afhaken toen hij tijdens een training zijn enkelband scheurde. "Ik heb de teleurstelling inmiddels goed kunnen verwerken. De gedachte dat ik waarschijnlijk wel naar de Olympische Spelen kan, geeft mij de motivatie om positief vooruit te kijken. Over een maand hoop ik weer op het veld te staan, maar zodra over een week of twee het loopgips eraf is, kan ik alweer aan het werk in het krachthonk."

Bron: fcupdate.nl

Euro 2008 chưa kịp khai mạc đã vội khép chặt trước mắt Cannavaro. Ảnh: Reuters.

Chẳng đội nào đến Euro 2008 trong tâm trạng rối bời vì chấn thương của các trụ cột như Hà Lan và Italy. Ít ngày trước khi lên đường sao Áo - Thụy Sĩ, "Cơn lốc màu da cam" đón nhận hung tin: cầu thủ tấn công đa năng Ryan Babel bị rách dây chằng mắt cá trong một buổi tập chuẩn bị cho trận giao hữu với Xứ Wales (thắng 2-0 hôm 1/6) và sẽ nghỉ thi đấu ít nhất vài tuần. HLV Van Basten phát biểu trên website của UEFA: "Chấn thương là hệ lụy từ sự quá tải của Babel sau một mùa giải khốc liệt ở CLB. Đây là tổn thất quá lớn cho tuyển Hà Lan, bởi cậu ấy là một phần quan trọng trong kế hoạch mà chúng tôi chuẩn bị cho Euro".

Hôm qua, đến lượt tuyển Italy chịu tổn thất tương tự. Ngay buổi tập đầu tiên sau khi đặt chân đến Baden - đại bản doanh tại Áo Thụy Sĩ, chấn thương tương tự như Babel đã lấy đi của "Binh đoàn thiên thanh" trung vệ thủ quân Cannavaro. Có lẽ giờ là lúc Donadoni thấu hiểu hơn ai hết nỗi âu lo mà Van Basten, người đồng nghiệp mà ông sắp đối đầu trong trận ra quân ở bảng C ngày 9/6 này, chịu đựng trong ít ngày qua. Nhà cầm quân của tuyển Italy thậm chí còn đau đầu hơn bởi Cannavaro, ngoài vai trò chỗ dựa tinh thần, còn là chốt chặn đáng tin cậy nhất trong số các trung vệ mà ông đem đi dự Euro 2008.

Domenech (phải) vẫn muốn chờ đến giờ chót mới quyết định

có loại Vieira khỏi tuyển Pháp dự Euro 2008 hay không. Ảnh: Reuters.

Chưa nghiêm trọng như tình cảnh của tuyển Italy và Hà Lan, nhưng tuyển Pháp cũng đang phấp phỏng khi chấn thương của Vieira chưa có tiến triển tích cực đáng kể nào. Vết căng cơ ở đùi trái đang hành hạ tiền vệ đánh chặn sắp bước sang tuổi 32 này từng khiến anh phải vắng mặt trong phần lớn các trận của Inter và đá đúng 4 trận cho "Les Bleus" mùa vừa qua. Kể từ khi lên tập trung hôm 25/5, Vieira vẫn chưa tập cùng toàn đội buổi nào mà chỉ tập theo giáo án riêng. Tình hình nghiêm trọng đến độ HLV Domenech phải cấp tốc triệu tập trở lại Flamini, cầu thủ mà ông đã gạt khỏi danh sách 23 người dự Euro 2008, để dự phòng trường hợp xấu nhất - phải thay Vieira 24 giờ trước thời điểm Pháp đá trận ra quân với Romania ngày 9/6.

Flamini phần nào chứng tỏ được năng lực khi tỏa sáng cùng Arsenal mùa vừa qua và nhờ đó kiếm được bản hợp đồng hậu hĩnh sang Milan, nhưng với Domenech, việc gọi lại tài năng mới 24 tuổi vẫn chỉ là phương án chẳng đặng đừng. Trong mắt nhà cầm quân cẩn trọng đến mức bảo thủ này, ngôi sao của Inter vẫn là sự lựa chọn số một và đáng tin cậy nhất cho vai trò tiền vệ đánh chặn - một ví trí đòi hỏi cả kinh nghiệm, bản lĩnh và độ lỳ bên cạnh những yếu tố chuyên môn thuần túy như tốc độ, khả năng thu hồi bóng và phát động tấn công. Nếu Vieira không kịp bình phục, Domenech hẳn sẽ mất ăn mất ngủ.

Chấn thương còn là nỗi ám ảnh với tuyển Nga. Được khích lệ bởi thắng lợi 2-1 trong trận giao hữu với Serbia hôm 28/5, nhưng đổi lại, HLV Guus Hiddink lại ôm nỗi lo lớn khi chân sút hàng đầu và là Vua phá lưới Cup UEFA mùa vừa qua (10 bàn cho Zenit) Pavel Pogrebnyak dính chấn thương đầu gối nghiêm trọng. Mạo hiểm điền tên tiền đạo 24 tuổi này vào danh sách sang Áo - Thụy Sĩ, nhưng đến bây giờ, Hiddink vẫn chưa chắc liệu anh có kịp bình phục. Nếu không, đó sẽ là thảm họa thực sự cho hàng công của "Gấu Nga", bởi họ vốn đã không có sự phục vụ của ngôi sao tiền đạo và là thủ quân Arshavin cho hai trận đầu gặp Tây Ban Nha và Hy Lạp (vì thẻ đỏ ở trận cuối vòng loại).

Tương tự Pogrebnyak, tiền đạo của tuyển Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ là Hamit Altintop cũng đang chạy đua với thời gian với hy vọng kịp dự Euro 2008. Tiền đạo đang khoác áo Bayern bị rạn xương bàn chân trong trận giao hữu thắng Belarus 2-1 từ cuối tháng 3 và vắng mặt trong phần còn lại của mùa giải. Khi bình phục và trở lại tập trung cùng tuyển Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ, Altintop lại dính một chấn thương ở bắp đùi trong trận giao hữu thua 2-3 Uruguay và chưa biết khi nào mới hết đau để trở lại. Trước đó, người anh em song sinh với Hamit đang đá cho Schalke, Halil Altintop đã bị loại khỏi danh sách 23 tuyển thủ Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ dự Euro 2008 vì chấn thương.

Fernando Torres là nạn nhân khác của "cơn bão" chấn thương đang hoành hành tại Euro 2008. Dù HLV Aragones đã cẩn thận chỉ để anh đá hiệp đầu trận giao hữu với Peru (Tây Ban Nha thắng 2-1), chân sút chủ lực của đội Liverpool vẫn dính một chấn thương nhẹ ở mắt cá chân phải và không thể ra sân tập cùng các đồng đội trong buổi hôm qua. Tuy nhiên, khả năng bình phục của Torres vẫn là sáng hơn cả trong số những ngôi sao đang âu sầu vì chấn thương trước thềm Euro. Các bác sĩ thậm chí còn lạc quan dự báo anh có thể sẽ ra sân khi Tây Ban Nha đá giao hữu với Mỹ tại Santander hôm nay.

Tươi cười với đồng đội Deco khi rời sân tập, nhưng Ronaldo vẫn làm

các CĐV Bồ Đào Nha âu lo bởi mắt cá chân phải bị đau (vòng tròn đỏ). Ảnh: Reuters & AP.

Chưa chịu thiệt hại nào đáng kể, nhưng tuyển Bồ Đào Nha và các CĐV của họ vẫn có cảm giác bất an bởi biểu hiện đáng ngại ở Cristiano Ronaldo. Trong buổi tập tại Neuchatel (Thụy Sỹ) hôm qua, cầu thủ vừa ghi 42 bàn cho MU vẫn tập bình thường, nhưng đến cuối buổi, anh lại rời sân với cái mắt cá chân phải được bao bọc bởi những túi đá chườm. Các bác sĩ từ chối tiết lộ tình trạng sức khỏe của Ronaldo mà chỉ cho biết đang tiến hành điều trị đặc biệt cho ngôi sao 23 tuổi. Theo cách lý giải của truyền thông Bồ Đào Nha, sự xuất hiện của túi chườm ở mắt cá chân Ronaldo là biểu hiện của việc anh này phải thi đấu quá nhiều.

(Theo VnExpress)

Pour le Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo est sorti blessé de l'entraînement, il est sorti du terrain, au stade Maladière de Neuchâtel, avec une poche de glace à la cheville droite lundi matin. Une blessure de l'attaquant de Manchester United serait une très mauvaise nouvelle pour le sélectionneur Luiz Felipe Scolari à quelques jours de l'ouverture de l'Euro. Le Portugal jouera son premier match le 7 juin prochain face à la Turquie. A propos d'un éventuel transfert, Calderon du Real Madrid a déclaré que le transfert du prodige portugais vers la capitale espagnole serait impossible vu que Manchester United ne compte pas le vendre. Calderon rappelle que le club était prêt à déposer sur la table 80 millions d'euro pour le joueur.

Du côté français, c'est Patrick Viera qui souffre de la cuisse gauche. Le joueur de l'Inter de Milan pourrait d'ailleurs quitter définitivement la sélection française. Déjà non partant pour le premier match face à la Roumanie le 9 juin prochain, il n'a pas prit part au décrassage du lendemain du nul face au Paraguay. Il s'est contenté de balnéothérapie et de vélo. Raymond Domenech ayant rappelé Mathieu Flamini en renfort au cas où. Le sélectionneur français dispose d'un noyau de 24 joueurs à la veille du match face à la Colombie. Sur RMC-info, Mathieu Flamini a déclaré «Je serai là jusqu'au 7 (juin) et après on verra». «C'est une surprise quand même, a ajouté le milieu de terrain au sujet de sa convocation. Je vais travailler physiquement, histoire d'être prêt.» «Mon transfert au Milan a sans doute joué énormément», a également estimé l'ancien joueur de Marseille et d'Arsenal. La France a jusqu'au 9 juin pour remplacer un éventuel joueur.

Dossier euro 2008

De keeper van Manchester United debuteerde in 1995 onder leiding van bondscoach Guus Hiddink in de uitwedstrijd tegen Wit-Rusland. Oranje verloor die wedstrijd.

De meeste interlands wereldwijd speelde Mohamed Al-Deayea, hij kwam 181 keer uit voor Saudi-Arabië. Op deze recordlijst staat Van der Sar nog net binnen de top veertig. Het ziet er niet naar uit dat Edwin het record nog gaat verbreken, aangezien de doelman stopt met zijn interlandloopbaan na het EK.

"Een fitte Babel kan met zijn specifieke kwaliteiten heel erg belangrijk voor ons zijn", zegt De Haan in De Telegraaf. De Haan kan Babel - als hij hersteld is van zijn blessure - gewoon selecteren, omdat de oud-Ajacied geboren is na 1 januari 1985 en dus geen dispensatiespeler is.

Het Olympisch Elftal start op 21 juli de voorbereiding. Babel, die naar verwachting vijf tot zeven weken nodig heeft om te herstellen, kan dan mogelijk alweer inzetbaar zijn voor Nederland.

Babel scheurde zaterdag tijdens een training in Hoenderloo zijn enkelbanden en moet het EK missen. Van Basten besloot geen andere aanvaller, maar een extra verdediger op te roepen. Boulahrouz zat in eerste instantie bij de selectie voor het EK in Oostenrijk en Zwitserland, maar viel afgelopen dinsdag als laatste af.

Ryan Babel s'est déchiré les ligaments de la cheville à l'entraînement à Hoenderloo. Blessé pour une période de 2 mois, il doit dès lors déclarer forfait pour l'Euro. Un coup dur pour l'entraineur batave qui le considérait comme un 'joker de luxe'

Van Basten a décidé de ne pas le remplacer par un attaquant, mais par un défenseur supplémentaire. C'est pourquoi Khalid Boulahrouz a été rappelé.

Voir notre dossier Euro 2008

Voir la nouvelle sélection hollandaise

Volgens de regels mag een bondscoach een vervanger oproepen voor een geblesseerde speler voor dat de eerste EK-wedstrijd gespeeld is.

"Het gebeurde onverwachts. Er ging geen contact met een andere speler aan vooraf. Een directe oorzaak is niet aan te wijzen. Wellicht een gevolg van een soort van vermoeidheid, zo aan het einde van het seizoen" zei Marco van Basten. Ook heeft hij bekend gemaakt dat hij een speler die ook in de voorselectie zat zal oproepen als vervanger. Khalid Boulahrouz, Urby Emanuelson en Denny Landzaat lijken de belangrijkste kandidaten om Ryan Babel te vervangen.

Tim de Cler, die agelopen week de training verliet met een verdraaide knie, is volledig hersteld van zijn blessure.

Né en 1986, le joueur originaire du Cap Vert compte une quinzaine de sélection pour l'équipe A des Pays-Bas. Sa première sélection date de 2005. Pour sa première apparition avec les oranje, il inscrit le deuxième but face à la Roumanie. En 2007, il gagne l'Euro espoir avec les Pays-Bas. Les Pays-Bas et la Belgique s'était d'ailleurs affrontée en match de poule, score final: 2-2.

Voir notre dossier Euro 2008

Deze treffer Van Nistelrooy was het enige doelpunt van de eerste helft, maar het had ook gemakkelijk 2-2 of 3-1 kunnen staan. Zo had Van der Vaart minimaal één keer móeten scoren, terwijl twee schoten van Robben net voorlangs gingen. Aan de andere kant van het veld bewezen de Deense aanvallers dat de Oranje-defensie nog lang niet zo betrouwbaar is als de bank van Zwitserland. Met name Bendtner en Perez had kunnen scoren, maar Oranje ontsnapte.

Kort na de pauze was het echter wel raak voor de Denen. De ijzersterke Nicklas Bendtner mocht van zijn directe tegenstander Joris Mathijsen ver in het Nederlandse strafschopgebied de bal zomaar aannemen, rustig om zijn as draaien en de bal klaarleggen voor de inlopende Per Kroldrup. Het was voor de verdediger vervolgens een koud kunstje om de 1-1 achter de kansloos Edwin van der Sar te tikken.

Niet lang na dit doelpunt bracht Van Basten, die in de rust al Nigel de Jong rechts achterin gezet had in plaats van Andre Ooijer, nog drie verse krachten het veld in. Dirk Kuyt, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink en Tim de Cler kwamen er in voor respectievelijk Van der Vaart, Van Nistelrooy en Engelaar. Hierdoor schoof Van Bronckhorst door naar het middenveld, naar de positie van de enigszins onzichtbaar spelende Engelaar. Even later kwam ook Babel in de ploeg voor Robben.

However with the news that Crozilian hitman Eduardo wont be back in January at the earliest it makes sense to get another striker in. But given Mario Gomez's physical traits, big strong, bit of a target man it would be a major surprise if Wenger went for him as we have those traits in abundance what with Bendtner and Adebayor. However given that Eduardo is out until half way through next season, Robin van Persie always being injured and not playing 90 minutes for over 15 months for The Arsenal (I know I was shocked when I found that out too!) a striker wouldn't be a bad shout. We'll see. I'm not sure if David Villa is still doing his 'Come and get me' plea but I reckon we should snap him up. Saying that Ryan Babel was saying all summer how much he wanted to join The Arsenal (he would of been a great addition too) and Wenger didn't go for him. How different this season if Babel was on our side this season. All I know is that whoever Wenger is after it will be probably someone no one would of even thought about, remember Eduardo last season when everyone had us linked to Obafemi Martins (and again this year for some reason), and Nicklas Anelka? So Ronaldinho anyone?

Once again many a site is playing a 'Guess Who' when it comes to defenders and once more Valencia defender Raul Albiol is being linked to us. This brute could be what is needed, he's big, strong, the size of an American camping truck and a Spanish international. We'll soon see if that rumour has any legs. 

Jens Lehmann: Apparently Jens Lehmann isn't set to retire but is out to hound and take his mental self back to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart being a likely destination. Whatever the big fella decides to do, I wish him luck, oh and all those German strikers

Manchester United played a very drab affair at Nou Camp and Barcelona did not take advantage of this at home. And in the return leg at Old Trafford, Scholes, who was the star performer for the defensive United team at Nou Camp, scored the winner from a wonderful right foot volley. And then it was back to a well oiled defensive play for the rest of the 75 minutes. Messi was the only inspiration for the Spanish team but he could not get that all important goal for his team. Ronaldo as usual did not come good in the big match for his side. Barcelona did not look like a team that has dominated Spain and Europe lately. A big operation is needed for this side to prove serious contenders for La Liga next year.

Chelsea rode their luck against Arsenal in the quarterfinal, but it ran out against Chelsea as Chelsea got a lucky break at Anfield,courtesy Riise's own goal. The return leg at Stamford Bridge was a thriller especially in the 30 minutes of extra time played out. Drogba came good against strong statements made before the match by Rafa Benitez on his diving skills. His power and precision was always trouble for the Liverpool back four, Skrtel who had to limp off coming off a strong tackle from Drogba. Essien's goal was disallowed which meant that Rafa's luck was back, but Ballack earned a penalty and Lampard converted a high tension penalty coming back from a very emotional weekend. Anelka came on and his speed and movement got Drogba his second goal of the match. Drogba yet again proved that he was the big match player that every manager dreams of. Babel came on for Torres(god knows why) but justified his presence by a late goal which made the last 3-4 minutes of the match to be more tense than necessary.

Chelsea seems to be the team which is peaking at the right time. Ferguson will have a lot to think about come the final at Moscow.

Didier Drogba opened the scoring in the first half and Fernando Torres equalised in the second. The match went into extra-time wherein Chelsea had a goal disallowed for offside, then grabbed a penalty which Frank Lampard tucked away and then Drogba thumped in a third. Ryan Babel pulled one back for Liverpool but it was too little too late!

The Blues will now play the Red Devils on the 21st of May. Exactly 10 days after the Premier League title is decided. The EPL-winner will be much buoyed for the UCL Final whereas the loser will be much more keen to redeem themselves and grab some silverware. I sure hope both the trophies go to the same team. You know which team I mean.... :mrgreen:

Bring on Chelsea!!!

]]> http://philip9876.wordpress.com/?p=1004 Thu, 01 May 2008 01:38:23 +0000 Liju Philip http://philip9876.wordpress.com/?p=1004

Whoopieee, we beat Looserpool. Whooopieeeeee. Its gonna be an all-English final at Moscow on May 21st between Chelsea and Manchester United. Chelsea enter the Champions League final for the first time ever in their history. Can Avram Grant make history? Can Grant do what Jose Mourinho couldn't do in his stint as manager of Chelsea.

Bring on Manchester United baby. We are ready :)

All pictures courtesy: Sun UK

+++

• Ging het gisteren tussen Messi en Ronaldo, dit zou je het duel der overschatte Engelse middenvelders kunnen noemen. Lampard vs. Gerrard.
• Ondanks het tenenkrommend commentaar van Snoeks gisteren, is Ten napel toch een klasse apart. En noemde hij Torres nou net "Pedro"? En is die zo close met Drogba dat die hem "Didi" mag noemen? Kleine dingen, maar komend van Ten Napel erg irritant. Doet me denken aan die periode dat hij Ronaldo (de Braziliaanse travestietenliefhebber) steevast Ronaldoe noemde (en Figoe, Rivaldoe).
• Lekkere goal van Didi. Kalou kon daar vrij opstomen omdat Liverpool's tweede rechtsback (Kuyt) even de aanval in was. Eens kijken of Liverpool het spel kan maken nu het eens van ze wordt gevraagd.
• Machtig mooi dat gejuich van Drogba, op zijn knieën voor de neus van Benitez. Dat zal Rafa leren.
• Wow, gave Nike reclame tijdens de rust.
• Xavi speelt bij BArcelona, bij Liverpool speelt Xabi Alonso, Evert.
• Duel Lampard-Gerrard wordt tot nu toe gewonnen door Ballack. De Duitser lijkt de enige voetballer op het veld die het niet van lange halen of snel rennen moet hebben.
• Torres scoort. Dit keer noemt Evert hem wel bij zijn correcte voornaam. Eens kijken of Liverpool doordrukt of weer met z'n 80en in de eigen 16 gaat kamperen.
• Na de goal had Liverpool zowaar even de voorhand, maar Chelsea lijkt nu weer uit de schulp te kruipen. Voor de rest is het vooral veel "werkvoetbal" (code voor slecht, maar met veel inzet).
• Gerrard schiet twee corners achter elkaar tegen Makelele aan. Dat is het langst wat die vanavond aan de bal is geweest.
• De poep op een stokkie dreigt met 30 minuten te worden verlengd.
• Mascherano voorkomt een ingooi voor Chelsea door de bal keihard achter zijn eigen doellijn te schieten. Dat was even een komisch moment en het hoogtepunt van de tweede helft na de goal van Torres.
• Verlenging, Riise heeft geen kans gehad om zijn stunt van vorige week te herhalen. Ook niet op een pass van Mascherano.
• "De oude vos in de verdediging, die de klappen van de zweep kent". Evert ten Napel heeft er zin in.
• Hmm, was dat hinderlijk buitenspel? Jammer dat we Mourinho niet meer hebben om hier na de wedstrijd commentaar op te geven.
• Penalty op Ballack! Lampard neemt hem en scoort.
• Benitez reageert op de opgelopen achterstand door Torres, zijn beste en gevaarlijkste speler, naar de kant te halen. Opmerkelijk.
• Er gebeurt van alles, oa een schaamteloze schwalbe van Balbe (tegen Arsenal werkte het) en Ten Napel kan de opwinding niet meer aan.
• Drogba 3-1. Eens kijken of die het weer gaat inwrijven bij Benitez. Nee, jammer.
• Shot van Torres op de bank bij Liverpool. Blijft een onbegrijpelijke beslissing van Benitez.
• Hele fijne goal van Babel van heeeeel ver. Het worden een hete laatste 3 minuten voor Chelsea.
• De ooit zo machtige Shevchenko is afgezakt tot de invaller die er in komt om tijd te rekken. Zonde.

Het is over, Chelski naar de finale. Roman heeft eindelijk zijn zin. De eerste 90 minuten waren niet veel soeps, maar de verlenging zat vol vuurwerk.

 (Efe) El Liverpool tendrá que devolver 31.5 millones de libras (cerca de 40 millones) que debe a la banca en poco más de un año si no quiere verse obligado a vender al español Fernando Torres y al holandés Ryan Babel. Según el diario "The Times", el Liverpool pidió prestado ese dinero para fichar a Torres, el ex jugador del Atlético de Madrid que lleva ya marcados treinta goles esta temporada y ha superado todas las expectativas, según el entrenador del equipo, el también español Rafael Benítez.

El club refinanció la deuda contraída el 25 de enero, al mismo tiempo que se aseguraba un paquete de refinanciación del orden de 350 millones de libras (437.5 millones de euros). El Liverpool firmó un préstamo de 18 meses a un interés del 9 por ciento -2.8 millones de libras (3.5 millones de euros al año al cambio actual)- con una letra de crédito para devolver los 31.5 millones de libras al final de ese plazo.

En el caso de que el Liverpool se muestre incapaz de devolver o refinanciar ese préstamo, los bancos podrían obligarle a vender a Torres y a Babel, incluido también en el paquete de refinanciación, señala el periódico. Es raro que los clubes de la Premier League compren así a sus jugadores puesto que lo más normal es que utilizan para ello los ingresos por la venta de derechos a la televisión. El Liverpool tiene que abonar 30 millones de libras (37.5 millones de euros) al año en intereses por el crédito contraído de 350 millones de libras.

Esas revelaciones se producen un día después del alboroto creado por una entrevista del copropietario del club Tom Hinks en la que atacó a sus enemigos internos y externos, dice el periódico. Hinks tiene sólo seis semanas para lograr el dinero que necesita para realizar su objetivo de hacerse con todo el club.

En la entrevista, Hicks se quejó de que no funciona la copropiedad del Liverpool con George Gillett Jr, por lo que está intentando conseguir el dinero que necesita para comprarle a este último su parte del 50 por ciento. Ello le permitirá "resolver toda la estructura financiera" del Liverpool y construir además un nuevo estadio en Stanley Park con capacidad para 70.000 espectadores.

Gillett respondió la pasada noche a los ataques de Hinks con una declaración en la que acusaba a éste de desestabilizar al club. "Me entristece esta explosión de cólera de Tom Hicks. Si Tom quisiera una discusión seria de los asuntos pendientes para ayudar al club, debería exponer sus opiniones ante el consejo", afirmó el copropietario, quien aseguró que no le venderá a aquél su parte.

Fuente:

http://balondigital.blogspot.com/2008/04/los-bancos-podran-obligar-al-liverpool.html

Fernando Torres has titillated the Anfield crowd with thirty goals this season, but–due to recent revelations about the club’s finances–banks may cut his Merseyside career short.

Liverpool borrowed £31.5m last summer to purchase Torres and winger Ryan Babel, unusual since most Premier League clubs use TV revenue cash to cover transfers.  The club took out a letter of credit, which they are obligated to repay in 18 months.  If the club cannot repay or refinance the loan, banks could force the Reds to sell both Torres and Babel a year from now.

The club already pay £30m per year on interest payments for the £350m loan granted to Hicks and Gillett to purchase the club.  An additional payment would surely preclude the extravagant spending required for a serious title challenge.

The announcement arrives amidst George and Tom having another spat regarding the perilous state of their elaborate bubble scam gone awry. 

Despite Champions’ League optimism, the club’s future remains wedged between the cheeks of financial instability under debt ridden Americans and of potentially shady foreign investment from Dubai Investments Co.  Either way the outcome still stinks.

Great goals from Sami (fantastic header), Torres (what a strike), Gerrard (albeit a penalty) and Babel (what a run and finishing). Compliments to Arsenal who made it difficult.... Theo's run from their end was delightful and then a great pass to adebayor... DAMN it was faultless.. really a player to keep our sights at...

Anyway, for those who missed the match as i did and don't want to wait for a repeat, you can watch the goals by clicking here.  

GO LIVERPOOL!!! NEXT UP CHELSEA!!!!

This game was particularly disapointing because of the fast start, and also because of the advantages that Arsenal had coming into the game, which I have spoken to before but will mention some of here for the sake of wrapping up the series. Arsenal were in prime position, with the 1-1 tie at Emirates, to come in and progress. Anything better than a 0-0 draw would give them a chance. All they had to do was get on the board to put the pressure on Liverpool. And they came out blazing and got on the board with a nifty piece of work from Hleb. But weither through caution or fatigue, the game turned fast. Liverpool had started out playing the game close to the vest, bunker-and-counter, just as had been suspected. And Arsenal made them pay for it with attractive passing and aggressive tackling. But the Gunner goal sparked Liverpool into life, and after half time Liverpool was up 2-1. When Adebayor equilized in the 84th minute it looked as though my 2-2 prediction would proove precient and Arsenal would advance. But the collapse of my beloved Gunners was completed in the 85th and 90th minutes as Gerrard and Ryan Babel hammered the nails in the coffin. Did i or did I not say that both Torres and Gerrard would get on the board in Anfield? And of course, Senderos, having a tough season but never really that impressive, was culpable in at least 2 of the goals (losing his mark on Hyypia first and then letting Torres turn him so easily). How a team with such attractive soccer and so many of the pieces needed to be great can slowly collapse this way (especially after downing the defending European champs to get here) can only be attributed to two things in my mind: of course the fact that Liverpool play as though they are entitled to a European berth every year, and fatigue from a squad too short on personel.

Will Arsenal challenge for multiple pieces of silverware next season just as they did this season? Undoubtetly, but until they expand their squad, the numerous injuries that plague Arsenal year in and year out (Van Persie, Rosicky, Hleb, Eduardo this season, and Fabregas is usually good to miss a few games) will continue to thwart their best efforts. The frustrating way they have been thwarted this season both domestically and in the CL makes this a dissapointing season no matter what their record is.

Steven Gerrard hammers in the penalty that ends Arsenal's Champions League run...and breaks my heart.

]]> http://titoreds.wordpress.com/?p=113 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:00:43 +0000 the hermawanov http://titoreds.wordpress.com/?p=113 Pertandingan yang bener-bener ruarr biyasa, yang menjadi laga pamungkas dari sebuwah mahalaga trilogy antara Liverpool FC vs Arsenal FC. Berawal dari trilogy pertama perempat final UEFA Champions League leg 1 di Emirates Setadiyum pada tanggal 3 April 2008 yang berakhir 1-1, dan dilanjutkan dengan trilogy keduwa pada tanggal 5 April 2008 yang kembali bertempat di Emirates Setadiyum dalam lanjutan Barclay Premier League yang.. kembali.. berakhir dengan sekor 1-1. Dan akhirnya, trilogy tersebut dipamungkasi dengan sebuwah sajiyan yang maha dahsyats tanggal 9 April 2008 bertempat di Anfield Setadiyum, pada leg 2 perempat final UEFA Champions League, pertandingan dengan level maksimum dan bertensi tinggi, yang berkesudahan 4-2 untuk kemenangan tuwan rumah Liverpool. Whatta game, whatta win, whatta drama! Next, bring on another londoners, yes.. its chelsh*t again... and we'll beat 'em... again... for the 3rd times in UCL Semis! ;)

Berikut ulasan pertandingan yg menarik dari bung yesayas yes oh no nya kompas www.liverpoolfc.tv

LIVERPOOL 4 - 2 ARSENAL
Wednesday 08 April 2008 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (2)

REDS INTO THE SEMIS AFTER GUNNERS TRIUMPH

Late goals from Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel have sent Liverpool into the last four of the Champions League following a pulsating victory over Arsenal at Anfield.

The Reds had looked on the verge of a heartbreaking exit after Emmanuel Adebayor had made it 2-2 with just six minutes left to cancel out Fernando Torres' 69th minute wonder strike.

But when substitute Babel was brought down for a penalty, Gerrard stepped up to coolly restore the home side's advantage before the Dutch forward raced through in injury-time to seal a 4-2 win on the night and a 5-3 victory on aggregate.

Ahead of the match Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor had suggested the Arsenal players knew all about the Anfield atmosphere - how wrong he was.

The wall of noise that greeted every one of the away side's touches in the early exchanges is not something you grow accustomed to during Carling Cup matches.

But while the likes of Juventus and Chelsea (twice) were unnerved by the Reds' famous 12th man, Arsenal were inspired by it and made the kind of fast start that has so often been Liverpool's forte.

Indeed, the away side were first to every loose ball, harrying the Reds midfield into mistakes and looking to release Emmanuel Adebayor at every opportunity.

And so it was somewhat surprising that Liverpool were the first to make a chance of any real note, when Steven Gerrard's marauding run to the byline on eight minutes almost saw a re-enactment of the goal he manufactured so brilliantly at the Emirates. But this time Dirk Kuyt could not apply the same sort of clinical finish and the ball sailed harmlessly wide.

It was a brief respite for Rafael Benitez's side who once again relinquished the impetus to Arsenal and on 13 minutes they paid the ultimate price.

A period of sustained pressure ended with Mathieu Flamini cutting the Reds defence to pieces with a clinical through ball for Abou Diaby, who beat Pepe Reina at his near post with a low drive.

The home side needed the famous atmosphere more than ever now, but as the half wore on it was Arsenal who continued to look more likely with two lightning breaks that first saw Emmanuel Eboue test Reina with a deflected volley, before the Spanish stopper had to be alert again, this time punching clear as Adebayor looked odds on to connect with Gael Clichy's searching cross.

Liverpool's chances were restricted to long range efforts with Fabio Aurelio's opportunist volley from 20-yards the best the hosts could muster in the opening 25 minutes of the match.

The Reds looked nervous and edgy and so the irony will not have been lost on Arsene Wenger, that on a night when the pre-match talk had centred around Liverpool's frailty at set-pieces, his own side were undone from a routine corner.

A neat interchange between Aurelio and Steven Gerrard opened up Arsenal down the left and when the full-back's cross forced Manuel Almunia to palm it out of play, the crowd responded with a roar of approval.
The message seemed to transmit onto the pitch as well as Gerrard's arcing set piece from the right was met by the imposing figure of Sami Hyypia, who celebrated the one-year extension to his contract penned earlier this week, with a bullet header that crashed in off the right-hand post.

Needless to say, Anfield erupted and the tide turned in Liverpool's favour.

If the first half an hour belonged to the Gunners, the final 15 minutes prior to the interval were the home side's as they looked to punish their opponents with the knockout blow of a second goal.

It didn't materialise though, despite a good opportunity when Jamie Carragher's cross from the byline almost fell for Peter Crouch before Kuyt's follow up was deflected to safety by a desperate Arsenal defender.

The Reds maintained the ascendancy into the second period and could have gone ahead within a minute of the restart when Peter Crouch latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and hit a low strike that was well smothered by Almunia.

There was certainly more belief about Liverpool's play and as they attacked the Kop end, they continued to threaten as a lung bursting run and cross from Fernando Torres ended with Aurelio's miss-hit shot deflecting narrowly wide off the outstretched leg of Crouch.

The 12th man was certainly playing its part as renditions of 'Oh Campione,' 'Fields of Anfield Road' and the new ditty paying homage to Fernando Torres echoed into the night sky, but despite forcing a chink in the Arsenal armour, it could not inspire a second Reds goal.

For all Liverpool's possession they still had to be wary of the Gunners' threat on the counter attack, a fact further underlined when Emmanuel Eboue escaped the attentions of the home side's defence to fire a warning shot into the side netting on 62 minutes.

The tie was balanced on a knife edge and it is on such occasions that players of breathtaking genius showcase the most precocious of talents.

Again the crowd looked towards El Nino and once again it was the boy from sunny Spain delivered.

A long kick from Pepe Reina was flicked on by Crouch and when Torres took control in the penalty area, he spun brilliantly on a six pence, to curl a magnificent shot into the top right-hand corner.

It was goal 29 for the season and it was arguably his most important.
With time running out Arsenal threw caution to the wind, with Wenger bringing on both Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott, and the young England international made the impact his manager was looking for.

It was his surging with just six minutes remaining that carved Liverpool open down the left and when he crossed low into the area Adebayor was on hand to steer in the equaliser.

Anfield was stunned and the semi-finals beckoned for Arsenal.

But the Reds still had hope and little did we know that one of Benitez's substitutions would pay dividends in a similar manner, with Ryan Babel winning a penalty just two minutes later after being tumbled in the area by Kolo Toure.

Steven Gerrard held his nerve to send the Kop into raptures before Babel capped another incredible European night with an injury-time strike.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Crouch, Torres. Subs - Riise, Voronin, Leiva, Babel, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Itandje

Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas (captain), Senderos, Toure, Diaby, Flamini, Fabregas, Eboue, Hleb, Adebayor. Subs - , Hoyte, Song, Walcott, Bendtner, Lehmann, van Persie

Referee (Wasit) : Frojdfeldt Peter (Swe)

Conditions (Cuwaca di Setadiyon) : Fine (Baik-baik Saja)

Attendance (Hadirin) : 41.985 makhluks

Kronologis Kejadiyan:

18:46 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Arsenal get the game underway
2 mins : The visitors waste a free-kick in a great position. The referee showing early signs of being a bit of a tool
4 mins : The ref runs dramatically over to Gallas after a soft foul on Torres
5 mins : Oh no...Adebayor through...offside. Rafa is not happy
6 mins : The Gunners have started on the front foot
6 mins : Great challenge from Sami
7 mins : Arsenal corner...
8 mins : ...it's too long and Aurelio heads clear. Liverpool are going to have to be better at defending set pieces than in the last few weeks
9 mins : At last the Reds have some possession
9 mins : Gerrard through down the right...crosses for Kuyt. He can't get a decent connection.
10 mins : Spare a thought for those Liverpool fans stuck on the M62
13 mins : GOAL! Abou Diaby: Arsenal take a deserved lead. Anfield is stunned
16 mins : First Booking: Philippe Senderos:
17 mins : Reina saves from Eboue after Liverpool fail to make the most of a promising free kick
17 mins : Reina saves from Eboue after Liverpool fail to make the most of a promising free kick
18 mins : This has not been a good start by the home side. Come on Redmen
21 mins : Reina forced to make a last-ditch punch clear. This is horrible
24 mins : Carra crosses...cleared...comes to Gerrard...he volleys over. More like it...
26 mins : Kuyt goes down in the box. Big shouts. Ref says no - and he's right
27 mins : Torres through but his touch lets him down. Anfield has come back to life
28 mins : Stevie loses the ball
30 mins : Gerrard and Aurelio work their way through...the Brazilian crosses...poor clearance from Almunia...corner
30 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: OH MY GOD. I LOVE YOU SAMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
33 mins : What drama. It's now all Liverpool. Anfield is as loud as it's ever been and we all love Sami...
35 mins : Gerrard thunders one just wide
37 mins : Brilliant tackle from Xabi...then the same from Dirk. This is how we should have started the game
38 mins : Gerrard and Fabio come over for some water and words of wisdom while Flamini gets treatment. It looks serious
40 mins : He's going to have to come off
41 mins : Alonso is spraying some Alonso-esque passes - he's been Liverpool's man of the match so far
42 mins : Substitution: Gilberto for Mathieu Flamini: Looks like his Achilles
44 mins : Amazing tackle by Aurelio but it's an Arsenal corner
44 mins : Torres of all people heads clear
19:33 GMT : Half Time Reached
19:48 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half started
46 mins : Torres bursts down the left...it comes to Xabi on the edge of the box...gives it to Crouch but his shot is saved
48 mins : Great tackle Fabio
48 mins : Arsenal have yet to recover from the goal, it seems
49 mins : LFC corner - Kop end
49 mins : Comes to nothing - then Crouch is accused of pushing
50 mins : Great battling from Dirk. Top class, son
51 mins : The difference between now and the first 20 minutes is that now Liverpool are first to every ball
52 mins : Kuyt is down with a nosebleed
53 mins : Torres through down the right...his cross comes out to Fabio...shoots. Oh no it hits Crouch and goes hide
54 mins : Skrtel commits a beautiful foul to deny Adebayor the chance to get clear. Subtlty, grace - it had everything
55 mins : Fabio gets a round of applause for keeping Eboue in his pocket
58 mins : Brilliant tackle again from Martin
60 mins : Liverpool are enjoying all the possession right now but they have to make it count
63 mins : Eboue could be through here...hits the side netting
64 mins : The attendance is 41,985 - the capacity at CL games because UEFA puts bigger advertising hoardings up which block the view from some of the front row seats - thus those seats can't be sold. Anyway...
65 mins : Rafa is going to make a change
66 mins : Or maybe not
68 mins : What a tackle by Masch - and the ref gives a free-kick in a dangerous area. Mistake
68 mins : Cleared
69 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Senderos let Fernando turn. You just don't do that. Da da da da da der der der!!!
73 mins : Substitution: Theo Walcott for Emmanuel Eboue:
73 mins : Substitution: Robin van Persie for Abou Diaby:
73 mins : Golden opportunity for Adebayor. Nine times out of 10 he scores but when it mattered most he spooned it wide
75 mins : Torres wins a corner
75 mins : Hyypia heads wide
77 mins : Babel is preparing to come on
78 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Peter Crouch:
79 mins : Almunia punches away Gerrard corner. Reds on top
82 mins : Kuyt feeds Stevie on the edge of the box...just over
84 mins : GOAL! Emmanuel Adebayor:
85 mins : Penalty Scored! Steven Gerrard:
87 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Fernando Torres:
90 mins : Substitution: Alvaro Arbeloa for Dirk Kuyt:
90 mins : GOAL! Ryan Babel:
20:37 GMT : Match Over

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

Ryan Babel, today pledged to follow up his best performance yet for Liverpool with even more "beautiful" displays in a red shirt. Read the rest here.

Birmingham 4, Tottenham 1

Not many were expecting this result and it's pretty certain that not a soul would have expected Mikael Forssell to hit for a hat-trick against the Hotspur no less. Sure enough, that's what happened. The true 'nail in the coffin' came with Sebastian Larsson's swerving free-kick beating Paul Robinson to his right and putting Birmingham two clear right after half-time. The Blues had Tottenham's number this season, taking both match-ups, and this is the worst loss Juande Ramos has suffered since his takeover. It's pretty safe to say that Pascal Chimbonda and Younes Kaboul will never be deployed centrally on defense again. Think of Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu's worst days together with the Nats and multiply it exponentially. Ramos could barely watch...Birmingham will breathe a sigh of relief though as this puts them a little higher up in the fight for top-flight survival.

Reading 1, Middlesbrough 0

A big win for Reading, against a lesser quality side Birmingham's opponent Tottenham, but three points nonetheless. James Harper has a knack for scoring those injury time goals then going dormant for a good 10 games, but he made his presence known against M'Boro. The Royals didn't get many chances, but Shorey and Ingimarsson kept Middlesbrough rather quiet. Bobby Convey didn't dress.

Manchester United 3, Fulham 0

Brian McBride couldn't revive his magic versus United as the Cottagers were trampled on from the beginning. Eddie Johnson and McBride coupled up front as Fulham managed several decent attacks, but United got much-needed rest for their stars as their return leg vs. Lyon fast approaches and some contributions from unlikelies. Owen Hargreaves hit his first in a United shirt on a well-taken set piece, while Park Ji-Sung actually tucked away a header to make it 2-0 before half-time. Then with 20 minutes to go, Sir Alex Ferguson put in Ronaldo, Rooney, and Anderson and their entrances quickly pinned Fulham down. A Simon Davies own goal ensured the victory for Manchester and dug a deeper hole for the struggling Cottagers.

Chelsea 4, West Ham United 0

Another outclassing, but this one with a different theme. Lampard converted a penalty early on only to be shown a red after retaliating on a tackle made by Luis Boa Morte. Controversy ensued but by then Chelsea was up 3-0 thanks to Michael Ballack and Joe Cole. An hour without Lampard made Chelsea a much more disciplined squad, taking the chances when they had to. A counter-attack led to Ashley Cole's first goal of the season (and in a long time) which he converted from a seemingly impossibly acute angle. Needless to say, that was West Ham's luck. Jon Spector dressed but didn't play for the Hammers.

Blackburn 1, Newcastle 0

Newcastle's losses have become less embarassing at least, but regardless, their slide continues. Actually the only real embarassment in this match-up was missed chances. Obafemi Martins is his 30 minutes couldn't find the target, nor could Michael Owen (who later apologized publicly to his teammates for his inaccuracies). One person who did find the net was young Rover striker Matt Derbyshire and he did it in dramatic fashion, 90th minute to push Newcastle farther down the table. Roque Santa Cruz tested Newcastle's defense all day, but it was David Bentley who put Derbyshire through for the injury-time clincher. Brad Friedel played all 90 and once again led the Rovers to another shutout.

Other Results:

Manchester City 0, Wigan 0 - Sven-Goran Eriksson was understandably angry after this one as Citeh looks nothing like the first half of the season, Wigan held strong though

Derby 0, Sunderland 0 - Another angry manager in Roy Keane, but at least Paul Jewell should feel an ounce of happiness after this. Poor guy. Eddie Lewis went the whole 90, Benny Feilhaber dressed for the first time in a long time, but overall it was the worst played game all weekend.

Sunday, March 2nd

Liverpool 3, Bolton 1

The Reds were fortunate to be given a 12th minute gift of an own goal. Jussi Jaskaleinen - a keeper not used to odd mistakes like this - seemed to be tracking a Gerrard shot wide but instead corralled it into his own net. The play seemed to demoralize the Wanderers defense as Jussi was busy the rest of the game, playing rather well. Liverpool's offense was too strong however. Though rumored to be restless at Anfield, Ryan Babel put together a fantastic game scoring the go-ahead goal and terrorizing the wings. Fabio Aurelio added the third with 15 minutes to go with a Jon Arne Riise-like strike. New signing Tamir Cohen pulled back a consolation goal for the relegation strugglers as their job was made worse by yet another home loss. Martin Skrtel is really starting to settle down in the back for Liverpool, but it's going to take a while before anyone can compare him to Liverpool's Nemanja Vidic.

Everton 3, Portsmouth 1

Someone should discipline Yakubu more often. David Moyes spouted praise for the Nigerian striker after he struck for yet another two goals in an organized victory over European competition hopefuls Portsmouth. Pompey fielded an odd line-up with Muntari and Kranjcar moving equally on the wings as well as in the middle, but Everton stuck on the course. Yakubu hit for an early goal in the 1st minute only to see Jermain Defoe continue his scoring run with new club Portsmouth and equalize before halftime. Tim Cahill came to the rescue with a high-flying header, wide open, but extremely acrobatic to break the deadlock. Yakubu added the insurance goal with about 10 minutes to go, giving him 18 for the season. With the win, Moyes got the added bonus of rest for an injury-hampered Mikel Arteta who they will certainly need for their final push. Even with the 3 points, Moyes is relatively certain it is Liverpool that will pull out the 4th place finish. What words can I even say about how Tim Howard is playing right now...