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Who will win the 2007/08 Premiership Title?

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Posted by: forwardone

Well, the new season of the Football Premiership in England is about to start. So, who do YOU think will win it?

Manchester United, the current Champions, or the runners up from last season - Chelsea. Liverpool, Arsenal, one of the new boys,or could it even be Tottenham Hotspur?


Posted by: clifton

Tottenham? Never


Posted by: forwardone

I know Aston Villa have a good manager, but are the team good enough to win the Premiership? Very doubtful.


Posted by: clifton

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
I know Aston Villa have a good manager, but are the team good enough to win the Premiership? Very doubtful.


Oh, yes. They'll beat ManU twice this year


Posted by: forwardone

Hmm, not a very good start for either of our teams, clifton. Man United drew 0-0, and.....
Aston Villa 1, Liverpool 2


Posted by: forwardone

Martin Jol

Sing to the tune of " i will survive " Gloria Gayner

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never turn Spurs into a top four side
But I spent oh so many nights thinking how Stalteri did me wrong
Perhaps I'm wrong but I'll just have to carry on

And we'll be back, into fifth place
Wait till the transfer window, sign another waste of space
I should have sold Paul Robinson, I should have dropped him from the team
If I had known for just one second he'd concede more than Derby

Go on now go – Bent, there's the door
Just turn around now 'cause you don't score goals anymore
Weren't you the one who cost more than Thierry Henry?
I knew you'd crumble, I'd rather have Emile Hes-key.

But I, I will survive
Oh, if we just win the next six games I know I'll stay alive
I've got Tainio who is crap and Huddlestone who's just fat
But I'll survive, I will survive

It took all the strength I had not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend Defoe's relationship with his little tart
And I spent oh so many nights trying on John Barnes's tights
And oh I've cried, I want the Spurs job till I die!

And you see Keane, he hates me too
I subbed him off when we were winning then we went and flippin' drew!
And now I'm scratching my big chin, should I just sell Ledley King?
If I'm gonna save my skin I'll need some Labour party spin

Oh yes I, I will survive
Levy wants the Special One because he’s got more drive
Or that bloke who’s at Seville, just the thought it makes me ill
Hang on what’s that? You say my pay off is four mill??

Go on now go, I’m out the door
Don’t need you nasty dirty scum fans any more
Tottenham have no class, so stick your job right up yourxxx
And I’ll survive, yes I’ll surviiiiiiiiiiiiive!


Posted by: forwardone

Villa Lose to United Again.

Result: Aston Villa 1-4 Manchester United

Wayne Rooney took his goal tally to six in the last five games for club and country as Sir Alex Ferguson's side overran nine-man Aston Villa.

Rooney bounced back from England's Euro 2008 disappointment in Russia to help the Red Devils chalk up a seventh successive win in the Barclays Premier League - and only a saved penalty denied him a hat-trick.

It moved United back into second place as they recovered from conceding their first league goal for 611 minutes against a Villa side who had Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson sent off in the second period.

A good, exciting game, but United`s class was too telling for the Villa, and the Reds stay 2nd from the top.


Goals: Rooney 36, 44, Ferdinand 45, Giggs 75.


Posted by: forwardone

Gallas Rescues Arsenal In Injury-Time Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United

A William Gallas equaliser in stoppage-time save Arsenal's unbeaten record and kept them top of the table against a Manchester United side who showed their tactical nous and determination in an enthralling 2-2 draw.

First Half

Manchester United took a smash and grab lead through Wayne Rooney just before half-time after Arsenal had enjoyed most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates, without carving out cleat-cut chances apart from a William Gallas header well-saved by Edwin van der Sar.

The story of the first-half was one of Arsenal possession well-contained by United, who created the more dangerous scoring opportunities.

Tactically, United's gameplan worked well. Their back four were solid and compact an in front of them Anderson and Owen Hargreaves worked prodigiously to close down the space that Cesc Fabregas had been using so tellingly all season.

Indeed, the first half was a tactical and psychological triumph for Sir Alex Ferguson based on patience and concentration, but with the threat of an incisive counter-attack always present.

From one such counter, Wes Brown broke down the right-wing, shrugged off Alexander Hleb's challenge and fed Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger fired in a low cross past Gael Clichy that the alert Wayne Rooney met at the near post. His flick went off Gallas and into the net past the wrong-footed Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal started brightly with a Hleb surge from the kick-off. He then showed deft ball control to keep possession, finding Fabregas who set up Clichy for a long-range shot that went wide.

However, the first goal threat came from United when a Ronaldo header from a Ryan Giggs corner shaved the post. The whistle had gone for a mystery infringement but the warning was there as Arsenal's defending at the set-piece was ragged.

Then a slick move involving Hleb and Clichy set up Emmanuel Adebayor for a header that flew wide.

Nemanja Vidic got away with tugging Hleb's shirt in the area as the Belarussian threatened , before Patrice Evra was booked for a rash challenge on Adebayor.

But United should have scored when Ronaldo made progress down the right and crossed to the far post where Giggs was taken by surprise and put the ball into the side-netting with Bacary Sagna dozing. Giggs followed that with a shot over the bar from 20 yards out.

Hargreaves upended Hleb and was booked before Kolo Toure's sense of adventure sent up upfield where he exchanged passes with Tomas Rosicky before firing wide.

Arsenal defended a corner and broke forward where Fabregas was brought down outside the area. His free-kick was met by Gallas with a goal-bound header that struck the legs of the diving Van der Sar. The Dutch keeper then had a comfortable save from Rosicky before Fabregas was booked for a foul on Anderson.

In the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, United struck through Rooney and Ferguson would have been the happier manager at the break.

Second Half

But a minute into the second-half, Arsenal equalised, having resumed with greater urgency. Hleb started the move with an astute cross-field pass. Van der Sar saved well from Adebayor but the ball comes broke to Sagna whose pull-back found Fabregas, and the Catalan took his time before finishing into the bottom left-hand corner of the United net.

It was the perfect riposte from the Gunners, and Clichy kept the ball in on the left, cut into the box and saw his pass hit Hargreaves on the hand, but Arsenal didn't appeal.

Hleb won a free-kick just outside the box after an Anderson foul, but Fabregas's low shot was easily gathered by Van der Sar.

Then Rooney played a one-two with Giggs who lofted the return pass but Rooney headed it wide when he should have got it on target as the game began to open up.

Hleb fired high and wide from a decent position, and Evra got on the end of a Rooney pass ahead of Almunia, but there was Toure reaching Evra's cut-back first and clearing the danger.

Theo Walcott came on for Emmanuel Eboue for Arsenal, while John O'Shea came on for Brown, Louis Saha replaced Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick replaced Anderson for United with 15 minutes to go. Then Eduardo and Gilberto came on for Rosicky and Hleb.

But the switch of Eboue for Walcott proved decisive as, with nine minutes to go, Evra burst into the box beyond the dawdling Walcott to meet Saha's pass and cut the ball back for Ronaldo, unmarked, to sweep it into the net for United's second.

Then Evra nearly conceded an own goal as a ball into the box eluded Adebayor and the French full-back slashed at it wildly to concede a corner.

Arsenal had a late chance as a high ball over the top found Eduardo in space at the far post but his volley was off-target.

But Gallas made amends in injury-time with a remarkable equaliser. Edwin van der Sar palmed away his volley from behind the line and Walcott and Fabregas had follow-ups cleared off the line - but the linesman flagged for a goal to Gallas and replays confirmed it did cross the line for a sensational finish.

In the end, it was a point that Arsenal perhaps deserved from the game, a point that keeps them on top in the Premiership.

goal.com


Posted by: forwardone

The goal by Tevez was enough to seal United`s victory over Liverpool.

A pity Arsenal did the same to Chelsea, a draw would have been preferable (from United`s point of view) I reckon.


Posted by: clifton

Wow you seem to still believe that Man U will win the title


Posted by: forwardone

Manchester United beats Tottenham 3-1 in FA Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Manchester United beat Tottenham 3-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

United also had a second reason to celebrate as neighbour Manchester City was ousted by Sheffield United 2-1.

Robbie Keane gave Spurs a 24th-minute lead at Old Trafford, but Carlos Tevez tied it in the 38th. Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the 69th and added the third with two minutes to go with his 25th goal in 21 games.

"Ronaldo was fantastic again," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is chasing his sixth FA Cup triumph to go with his nine Premier League titles. "He took the penalty well and was able to cash in on a mistake late on for the second goal.

"His performances have been fantastic and his goals return is amazing."

Manchester United will join defending champion Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in Monday's fifth round draw. The four powerhouse clubs, who traditionally dominate English soccer, have won the last 12 FA Cups and 15 out of the last 16.

canadapress


Posted by: forwardone

NO matter how you assess Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring figures this season, they are phenomenal.

The Madeiran magician has already scored nine goals in 2008, 21 goals in the last 16 matches and 19 Premier League goals for the season - despite not hitting a league goal until the end of September.

Ronaldo doesn't seem to need much inspiration to produce his finishing magic but perhaps a little light reading in the dressing room may have provided some extra motivation for him.

The 22-year-old's first ever United hat-trick against Newcastle 18 days ago had sparked an idea among the compilers of the Reds' match programme.

Last night, the United Review produced a spread about hat- tricks, titled "Three is the Magic Number". It featured Denis Law's 18 United hat-tricks, Ole Solskjaer's fastest-ever treble in 1999 against Nottingham Forest, Jack Rowley's three hat-tricks in three weeks in the 50s and Charlie Mitten's triple from the penalty spot in 1950.

Ronaldo seemed to be on a personal mission to at least challenge the feats of Solskjaer and Rowley with two sensational goals in 180 seconds in the opening 13 minutes of the match.

Or maybe the inspiration was the memory of his lowest point of the season at Fratton Park when he was sent off against Portsmouth, having been wound up by Richard Hughes senough to head butt him.

Perhaps the Portugal international was annoyed that Hughes cost him three matches to add to his scoring tally!

Whatever the reason, Ronaldo was a man possessed as he tore into Portsmouth, and ruined David James' celebrations on his 500th Premier League appearance.

Betting

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had said in his programme notes he wouldn't bet against Ronaldo beating George Best's 1968 winger's record of 32 goals in a season.

After 13 minutes, he might have thought about betting on Ronaldo to match the double hat-trick Bestie scored in the FA Cup at Northampton in 1970.

Ronaldo's first came courtesy of one of many superb passes from Paul Scholes. Ronaldo chested it down to Nani, who immediately whipped the ball forward as the Portuguese wonder turned his marker and raced clear.

The cool finish was typical of a man in form as he passed the ball beyond James and inside the near post.

If that was delicate, his second was devastating as he crashed a free-kick into the top right hand corner with James frozen on the spot.

So how long would it be before he claimed the match ball?

Incredibly, it wasn't really until the 64th minute that he had a chance to make it three.

Wayne Rooney had been dispossessed by Sol Campbell, but the Reds hitman was quickly back on his feet and sliding in to whip the ball off his toes to feed Ronaldo. However, for once he made a complete hash of his shot.

While Ronaldo is compiling his exceptional figures, Rooney - the man who shared the top scorer accolade with him last term - can't get anywhere near.

But there can be no complaints about the physical strength and determination he produced to keep United buzzing against Portsmouth.

But for a lob that didn't quite come off after 55 minutes, Rooney might have been on the scoresheet in front of England boss Fabio Capello.

When Rooney was substituted in the 73rd minute, the Italian made his exit too. Ronaldo headed for the bench at the same time and must have been puzzled as to how he went an hour after his first two without scoring again.

Manchester Evening News


Posted by: forwardone

In the Manchester derby Manchester United play City later today, kick off 1330. Should be tasty.


Posted by: forwardone

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Manchester City honoured the memory of Manchester United's tragic 1958 Busby Babes before showing no regard for their arch-rivals' current title ambitions with an unexpected 2-1 win at an emotional Old Trafford on Sunday.

After the fans of both clubs had observed a minute's silence to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash that killed 23 people including eight United players, City stunned United with an excellent performance to win at Old Trafford for the first time since 1974.

First-half goals from Darius Vassell and debutant Benjani Mwaruwari also gave them their first league double over United since 1969 and sent United crashing to their first home league defeat of the season.

Substitute Michael Carrick's well-taken stoppage-time goal was no more than a consolation for the home side, who played in a 1958-style kit without logos or markings apart from the numbers on their backs as a mark of respect to the Munich victims.
Although the kit evoked memories of the great United side that was virtually wiped out at Munich, their performance on the day did not.

City, with skipper Richard Dunne outstanding in defence and Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov battling for everything in midfield, well deserved the win that has seriously hit United's hopes of retaining their title.

The result meant City rose from eighth to sixth in the table, at least until Liverpool played at Chelsea later.

Arsenal, who play Blackburn Rovers on Monday, have 60 points from 25 matches and victory will move them five points clear of United, who have 58 from 26. Chelsea, before playing Liverpool, had 54 from 25.

football.guardian.co.uk


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Arsenal, who play Blackburn Rovers on Monday,.....


Was easy money Arsenal at $1.33


Posted by: forwardone

Yeah, Arsenal must have been odds-on favourites to win that one.


Posted by: okosh

To me it's simply a 33% overnight return with an realistic high risk attatched.....Wages if you like...Kind of like a HYIP

What's your pic for this one??....

These are the prices for a $

Quote:
2007-08 Premiership - Relegation

Who will be relegated from the 2007-08 Premiership?


derby County N/O
Wigan 2.75
Birmingham 2.55
Fulham 1.45
Sunderland 4.00
Middlesborough 12.00
Reading 3.2
Bolton 4.33
Newcastle United...... 8.50

http://www.sportingbet.com/Football.../102/160500/102


Posted by: forwardone

I`d definitely go with Fulham and of course Derby, but who goes down with them is less clear. Probably Birmingham or Wigan I reckon.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
I`d definitely go with Fulham and of course Derby, but who goes down with them is less clear. Probably Birmingham or Wigan I reckon.


So 3 teams get relegated??
In which month does the season end??
I'm thinking that $1.45 for Fulham is a good return even if you have to wait a bit for it...The more certain of relegation they become the shorter the odds naturally..So getting a bet on now may be the way to go...


Posted by: forwardone

Quote:
Originally Posted by okosh
So 3 teams get relegated??
In which month does the season end??
I'm thinking that $1.45 for Fulham is a good return even if you have to wait a bit for it...The more certain of relegation they become the shorter the odds naturally..So getting a bet on now may be the way to go...



Here`s the fixture list. The season ends in May so we are about two thirds the way through now, perhaps a little more.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foo...res/default.stm

3 teams get relegated, yes, with the same number being promoted each season.

Here are the current positions in the tables-

http://www.premierleague.com/page/LeagueTable

The figures show the current points.

Arsenal 63
Man Utd 58
Chelsea 55
Everton 47
Liverpool 44
Aston Villa 44
Man City 44
Portsmouth 41
Blackburn 39
West Ham Utd 37
Tottenham 32
Middlesbrough 29
Newcastle 28
Sunderland 26
Bolton 25
Wigan Athletic 23
Birmingham 22
Reading 22
Fulham 19
Derby County 9

You also need to take into account the number of goals for and against to perhaps get a better idea of how well, or badly, each side is doing. Many at the bottom are in a negative goal situation of course. You can get more details at the site I posted above.


Posted by: okosh

Thanks geoff...Great links...


Posted by: forwardone

Fergie isn`t too happy at the 5 point gap opened up after United lost to Man City last weekend.

With 12 games of the current campaign still remaining, Ferguson is convinced that there is still time to overhaul Arsene Wenger's side and retain their championship crown.

But he has admitted that Arsenal's growing improvement is a concern, while conceding that events have not gone to plan up until this stage of the season.

United meet Arsenal today in the FA cup, but both sides will have their eyes on the European Championship matches during the week.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
United meet Arsenal today in the FA cup, but both sides will have their eyes on the European Championship matches during the week.


So who will win??

Man Utd $1.90
Arsenal $3.80
Draw $3.20

2 top teams....I'm guessing Man Utd must be faveroute due to being home team...


Posted by: forwardone

Arsenal are also suffering from a slightly weakened team due to injuries and suspensions, so I`d say favourites are Man United. Home advantage is also a big plus for the Reds.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Arsenal are also suffering from a slightly weakened team due to injuries and suspensions, so I`d say favourites are Man United. Home advantage is also a big plus for the Reds.


This is the golden information...Thanks....

With still just over 2 hours till kick off and it being 2am here I better get to bed...hope to wake to a good result

Go the Reds!!!!


Posted by: okosh

WOOHOO!!!...Home you good thing!!!!!...Go THE REDS

I didn't back the reds just to win....I wanted better than just under even money(1.90)...I always do

Total outlay AU$50
Total return AU$157.50

Tripple my money is a great overnight result!!!
(2 bets on each selection cos when I made first bet I thought was pounds and not AU$...Increased when I saw was AU$...)


http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/...UtdFAcupbet.jpg


Posted by: okosh

Just to illustrate how valuabe the info you gave me was....
Arsenal were never in the game.....

Quote:
Man Utd 4-0 Arsenal

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/imag..._roocred203.jpg Wayne Rooney is congratulated by Nani after United's opening goal

Wayne Rooney delivered a virtuoso solo display as Manchester United outclassed Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round. Rooney headed United in front from close range after 16 minutes and Darren Fletcher provided another headed finish from Nani's cross four minutes later.

Michael Carrick set up Nani for a third as United turned on the style.

Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue was sent off after 48 minutes for a foul on Patrice Evra before Nani was the creator again as Fletcher headed United's fourth.



http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared.../video_text.gifReport: Manchester Utd 4-0 Arsenal
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared.../video_text.gifInterview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared.../video_text.gifInterviw: Man Utd assistant boss Carlos Queiroz
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif 606: DEBATE
Awesome United


Red Mik



England coach Fabio Capello was in attendance at Old Trafford and showed his appreciation for Rooney's brilliance by applauding his England striker when he was substituted with 20 minutes left.

United left Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs out of their line-up, while Arsenal kept Emmanuel Adebayor and Mathieu Flamini on the bench - and the Gunners suffered most from the changes.

Rooney returned from suspension after missing the defeat to Manchester City - and made up for lost time by destroying Arsenal with a blistering first-half display.

He was on the mark after 16 minutes when a Nani corner was only half-cleared, and when Anderson headed the ball back into the danger area Rooney was perfectly placed to divert a close-range finish past Jens Lehmann.

Fletcher deservedly doubled the lead four minutes later when Nani opened up Arsenal on the left flank and crossed for the Scot to head in at the near post.

Rooney continued to terrorise the Arsenal defence and could have added to his goals tally before United made it three seven minutes before the interval.

Carrick split the Arsenal defence wide open, leaving Nani to control and calmly shoot past Lehmann.

Rooney had already tested Lehmann again before Arsenal's misery increased after 48 minutes when Eboue was rightly sent off for a raised boot in a tackle on Evra.

The Arsenal defender seemed reluctant to leave the pitch after referee Alan Wiley brandished the read card, but he had no excuses because it was an horrendous challenge.

Rooney was in almost unstoppable form, tearing the Arsenal defence apart almost at will, shooting wide after beating Kolo Toure and then bringing a fine save from Lehmann - all in the space of seconds.

And with 16 minutes left, United got the fourth goal their dazzling football deserved when Nani floated up a perfect far post cross for Fletcher to head in at the far post.

Arsenal, who have enjoyed taunting outclassed teams in the past, were not enjoying getting a taste of their own medicine and William Gallas was lucky to escape punishment for an ill-disciplined kick at Nani.

Substitute Louis Saha almost added a fifth with two minutes left but keeper Lehmann - who had been blameless in the defeat - saved well again.



Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 72), Park, Rooney (Saha 71), Nani.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Tevez.

Booked: Ferdinand, Rooney, Fletcher.

Goals: Rooney 16, Fletcher 20, Nani 38, Fletcher 74.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas (Flamini 70), Silva, Hleb (Adebayor 70), Eduardo (Senderos 71), Bendtner.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Clichy.

Sent Off: Eboue (49).

Booked: Eduardo, Silva, Adebayor.

Att: 76,000

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).



Posted by: okosh

FA Cup games still to play...

Sheffield Utd......2.90
Middlesborough...2.25
Draw................3.20

Preston .......4.60
portsmouth...1.75
Draw............3.20

Middlesborough & Portsmouth both to win....3.95

Middlesborough & Portsmouth both leading at half time...7.50

Preston must be from a lower division.....
Portsmouth look to have better record away then they do playing at home
http://www.premierleague.com/page/FormGuide
Portsmouth should be shorter than 1.75....must be a reason why they not...maybe they played mid-week match??


Posted by: forwardone

More a thrashing than just a win for United. Arsenal had no heart for it, and they hardly had a shot on target. Arsenal did what they often do when losing, resort to dirty play and fouls.

United also rested some players with the mid week European Championship match in mind (Ronaldo for instance wasn`t even on the bench), and Park and Fletcher played who aren`t exactly first names on the teamsheet. The Reds just had more skill and passion on the day.

Man U are now favourites to win the FA Cup, with Chelsea 2nd faves.

If I was a betting man I wouldn`t even look at anyone else, especially now that Liverpool got knocked out by Barnsley.


Posted by: okosh

To win FA cup...

Man Utd 2.35
Chealsea 2.50
portsmouth 8.00

No market yet for the mid week game but I'll keep an eye out for it...

Tonight I'm going Middlesborough & portsmouth double....


Posted by: forwardone

Four English sides are left in the Champions League. United play at Lyon on Wednesday.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/index.html


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Four English sides are left in the Champions League. United play at Lyon on Wednesday.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/index.html


Lyon 2.85
Draw 3.00
United 2.40

Arsenal 2.10
Draw 3.10
Milan 3.30

United & Arsenal double is 4-1(5.05)....This is the value bet...


The Arsenal V Milan game should be good....I'll be backing Arsenal based on this news story from the site link you posted....


Quote:
Goalkeeping injuries mean Milan headache

Sunday 17 February 2008-


http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles...ediumsquare.jpg
Zeljko Kalac is a doubt for Milan's trip to Arsenal, as is understudy Dida (©Getty Images)
AC Milan may face a goalkeeping crisis in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League trip to Arsenal FC amid doubts over both Zeljko Kalac and Dida.

Duo injured
Kalac, who has recently replaced Dida as first choice, dislocated a finger on his right hand in training today, while the Brazilian has been undergoing treatment for the back injury he suffered while on the bench during yesterday's 0-0 draw against Parma FC. A club statement read: "AC Milan announces that during today’s training session goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac suffered a dislocation in the index finger on his right hand. His condition will be evaluated tomorrow to ascertain whether he will be available for the trip to London to play Arsenal."

Fiori on standby
If neither goalkeeper recovers, 38-year-old Valerio Fiori could be called upon to make his UEFA Champions League debut in the first knockout round first leg. He has not played a competitive game since 18 December 2003 when he replaced Christian Abbiati in a Coppa Italia tie against UC Sampdoria, and a Serie A appearance in 2002/03 was his only such opportunity in eight seasons at Milan.

©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.



Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by okosh
Tonight I'm going Middlesborough & portsmouth double....


Seffield and middlesborough ended with a 0-0 draw....
One would think extra time would be a better idea then to replay the game again....

Portsmouth won 1-0 with a lucky late 'own" goal...



Quote:
FA Cup review

A review of how Barclays Premier League clubs faired in the fifth round of the FA Cup.


David James continued his outstanding form with a second-half penalty save before Preston North End midfielder Darren Carter scored a 93rd-minute own goal to guide Portsmouth into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win.

North End lie fourth bottom in the Championship but they belied their lowly status with a vibrant display and the award of a 60th-minute spot-kick put them on course for a famous victory.

But James flung his 6ft 5in frame to his right to deny Preston midfielder Simon Whaley from 12 yards and Carter compounded the misery among home supporters when he fired the ball into his own net.



spectacular overhead kick
Middlesbrough's tie with Sheffield United will go to a replay after a 0-0 draw between the two sides at Bramall Lane on Sunday.

An uneventful match saw James Beattie hit the host with a free-kick for Sheffield United, while Mido saw a spectacular overhead kick saved. Mido also set up Stewart Downing who volleyed just wide, while Emanuel Pogatetz should have won it with a header late on.

Darren Fletcher was Manchester United's unlikely hero as they secured a place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over 10-man Arsenal.



The Scotland midfielder marked his first start in two months by scoring a brace at Old Trafford.



Wayne Rooney and Nani were also on target against an Arsenal side who had Emmanuel Eboue sent off.



emergency loan
Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard scored a dramatic late winner to give his side a shock 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt had put his side ahead after he smashed home Ryan Babel's cross in the 32nd minute before Steve Foster equalised with a header for the Coca-Cola Championship side in the 57th minute.

The home side dominated the remainder of the match and Tykes goalkeeper Luke Steele, who was signed on emergency loan from West Bromwich Albion earlier in the week, produced a string of second-half saves.

The match seemed to be heading for a replay before Howard struck a spectacular winner from 25 yards in the third minute of added time to put his side into the quarter-final draw.



close-range finish
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard scored twice to help give his side a 3-1 win over League One Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard opened the scoring with his 100th Blues goal
in the 18th minute after he latched on to a Scott Sinclair cross before he calmly placed the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Huddersfield, though, equalised on the stroke of half-time through midfielder Michael Collins. James Berrett's pass picked out Collins who drilled the ball home.

Lampard restored the home side's advantage in the 60th minute with a close-range finish after Terriers goalkeeper Matt Glennon had parried his initial shot.

Salomon Kalou was sent clear by Lampard 10 minutes later and added a third after he rounded Glennon to calmly slot the ball home.



results in full
Bristol Rovers 1-0 Southampton
Liverpool 1-2 Barnsley
Coventry City 0-5 West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea 3-1 Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United 4-0 Arsenal
Sheffield United 0-0 Middlesbrough
Preston North End 0-1 Portsmouth



Posted by: forwardone

FA Cup quarter-final draw

Barnsley have been rewarded for their victory over Liverpool in the last round of the FA Cup with a home tie against Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

The 2-1 surprise result at Anfield will give Barnsley hope as Avram Grant's side, who knocked out Huddersfield in the last 16, travel to Oakwell.

Manchester United have again been drawn at home and again to a Premier League side. They host Portsmouth, while at least one side from outside the top flight will be in the semi-finals after Bristol Rovers were drawn at home to West Brom, having knocked out Southampton in the fifth round.

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough will host Cardiff .

Sixth round draw:

Sheffield United or Middlebrough v Cardiff City

Manchester Utd v Portsmouth

Bristol Rovers v West Browmich Albion

Barnsley v Chelsea

Ties to be played over the weekend of March 8-9

Telegraph.co.uk


Posted by: okosh

Champions league....

Liverpool V Inter milan

Olympiakos V Chealsea

I'm taking Chealsea & Inter Milan double @ 5.13

Hard to bet against Inter when this story came from the Liverpool website

Quote:
GERRARD: ONLY OUR BEST WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH
Paul Eaton 19 February 2008 http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images5/s...61207-story.jpg Steven Gerrard today admitted Liverpool will need to produce their best display of the season to beat Inter Milan at Anfield. The two sides clash in the first leg of the Champions League last sixteen clash with the runaway Serie A leaders favourites to book their place in the quarter finals at the expense of Rafael Benitez's Reds.

Gerrard accepts he and his teammates face a daunting challenge this evening but he's confident Liverpool's recent history of knocking European giants out of the competition can be repeated again.

"To get the kind of result we need we are going to have to turn in maybe our best 90 minutes of the season. It is going to have to be one of those great performances," he said,

"They are a fantastic side. You have to be, to be so far ahead in the Italian league, as they are at the moment. They are odds-on to make it three titles in a row and that's a fantastic achievement for them.

"We will need to take our chances against them, and that's been one of the frustrations of the season for us. We have dominated games and created lots of good clear sights of goal, and we haven't taken them.

"It's not just about the strikers, it's the whole team who have been missing those opportunities and we have to change that.

"We need to make a good start to get us up for the trip to Italy. The San Siro isn't a place where you want to be chasing a result. In a perfect world we would score a couple of goals and keep it tight.

"But Inter don't concede many goals and they have got great players all over the pitch. So we will have to play well, we know that, and this is the type of game we normally respond in."

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano has insisted he'll be forgetting about personal friendships during the 90 minutes of action this evening.

The Argentine midfielder will come up against international team-mates Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cruz tonight as the Reds look to bounce back from defeat at the weekend with a morale boosting victory over the Nerrazzuri.

"They are my team-mates for my country but my job is to stop Inter Milan's players," he said.

"When I play for Liverpool, I don't have any friends in the opposing side.

"When I go out on to the pitch, when I get my mind into playing mode, I forget about everything except winning.

"If that means getting myself between the ball and people who are friends off the pitch, then that is just the way it is."


http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/dril...080219-0837.htm


Posted by: okosh

Liverpool must have played well for 90mins



Quote:
Champions League review

Liverpool won 2-0 against Inter Milan and Chelsea drew 0-0 with Olympiacos in the Champions League.


Liverpool kept their season alive with victory over 10-man Inter in the opening leg of their first knockout round Champions League tie.



Former Everton defender Marco Materazzi was booked and then sent off for twice pulling back Fernando Torres inside 30 minutes - but the hosts initially failed to take advantage.



However, with six minutes to go Dirk Kuyt fired a right-foot volley past Julio Cesar. Then captain Steven Gerrard drilled a 20-yard strike in off the post to give Liverpool a huge advantage heading into the second leg at the San Siro in three weeks' time.

Chelsea drew 0-0 against Olympiacos in Athens to give themselves a real chance of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.

But the Blues failed to create one real clear-cut chance against their opponents.

However, the Londoners will be favourites to progress into the next round when the two sides meet again in the return leg at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight.

The results mean both English sides edge closer to the Champions League quarter-finals.




results
Liverpool 2-0 Inter Milan

Olympiakos 0-0 Chelsea

Roma 2-1 Real Madrid

Schalke 04 1-0 FC Porto



Posted by: okosh

Tonights games...

Arsenal V Milan

Lyon V Man Unt


Posted by: forwardone

It didn`t help Inter in the fact they had a player sent off after just 30 minutes. Surprised at the Chelsea draw, and the Roma win.

Hoping for a Man united win tonight, and I think Arsenal will pull it off against Milan.

I always think though that European games are notoriously difficult to predict the results on, unlike the Premiership where there are less `variables` and so more predictable. Even the FA Cup throws up some weird results, as this year testifies to.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Hoping for a Man united win tonight, and I think Arsenal will pull it off against Milan.


Placed my bets just after my last post....
I'll wake up very happy if Man United and Arsenal both win

Quote:
I always think though that European games are notoriously difficult to predict the results on, unlike the Premiership where there are less `variables` and so more predictable. Even the FA Cup throws up some weird results, as this year testifies to.


Could be easier than you think.....
One would of course need to keep up to date on injuries, suspentions, travel schedual, record teams have when they travel....
The travel part is huge and has a big bearing on the outcome...
When our football code went national(started as 12 teams just in Victoria) it took some teams years to win their first game when they took the long trip to the west or up north to Queensland.......

Fair to assume that a team like Milan would have to play weekend game then fly to England to play mid-week then back home for another game few days later....This can't be easy and it must take a toll on the players performance..

Done professionally it can be very profitable information...


Posted by: forwardone

For Italian teams this might be useful.

http://www.skysports.com/football/l...0,11853,00.html

Having said that, Inter haven`t lost a game all season in the domestic league, but got beaten last night. Milan are currently 5th in the table having lost 5 games, and being away to Arsenal look strong favourites to lose.


Posted by: okosh

Do you watch a lot of these games??....
In my younger years we'd stay up all night and have people over for the FA cup final...Didn't matter who played....We enjoyed the crowd singing as much as the game...The crowd is amazing and we got used to voice of Martyn Tyler I think his mane is cos we never heard anyone else!!!!

Soccer is growing big time down here....Started at the last word cup....


Posted by: forwardone

I watch almost all the Manchester United matches on TV. They tend to be on a lot, since they are usually in Europe each season, and they are certainly a TV audience magnet, so Sky love them.

In fact very shortly I`ll be switching on to watch their match against Lyon, the French side. I do sometimes watch some of the other teams too, usually ones like Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, oh, and Manchester City, hoping they get beaten. lol


Posted by: forwardone

Quote:
Originally Posted by okosh
we got used to voice of Martyn Tyler I think his mane is cos we never heard anyone else!!!!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Tyler
And normally his co-commentator is a Scot - Andy Gray.


Posted by: okosh

From what I can gather games are still in progress....Hope your enjoying watching Man Utd winning right now


Posted by: forwardone

Actually, Man United went behind, against the run of play, but came back in the second half to draw 1-1. Bringing Tevez on changed things nicely for the Reds. That`s good on the away goals rule, so the advantage lies now with United.

As for Arsenal, they only managed a 0-0 draw at home, so they are up against it when the return leg is played in Milan.


Posted by: okosh

I am beginning to understand why people hate draws


Posted by: forwardone

'We reported the matter to Uefa before the game'

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sp.gifhttp://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-ima...ersgetty128.jpg

 Manchester United have asked Uefa to investigate after Cristiano Ronaldo was dazzled by a laser beam before their 1-1 Champions League draw with Lyon last night.The incident took place during the warm-up and Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that United informed Uefa before kick-off. "We reported the matter to Uefa before the game," said Ferguson. "We noticed it in the warm-up and they are aware of it."

Uefa's press office were unable to confirm the complaint this morning, as they are still waiting for an official report from their match delegate. "It seems very likely this has been reported to our on-site delegate," said a spokesman. "Their reports usually make their way to Uefa headquarters within 24 to 48 hours."


Guardian.co.uk


Posted by: forwardone

Sir Alex Ferguson is furious Wes Brown has refused to accept Manchester United's final contract offer and accused modern-day players of "living in the pockets their agents".

Brown, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, rejected a £40,000-a-week deal. His agent claims he deserves £50,000.

But United warned there will be no increase and Fergie revealed his anger, believing too many players like Brown are manipulated by advisers.

Apparently his advisors think he should earn the same as players like Vidic and Hargreaves, thought to be around £50,000 a week, but Fergie isn`t going for it.

Rooney and Ronaldo are thought to be earning around £110,000 a week.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Brown, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, rejected a £40,000-a-week deal. His agent claims he deserves £50,000.


Does this mean 50k by 52 weeks or just for the season??

To compare this to sports here....
50K(I don't have pound symbol) is = AU$106,000....

Our best players in AFL are maybe on AU$300-350K per year at best..


Posted by: forwardone

No, that means every week of the year. So, Brown`s new offer is £208,000 a year, plus what a player may also earn in sponsorship fees, (boots, modelling etc), plus any books they invariably end up writing.

Of course footballers, like many sportsmen, say they only have a relatively short career, but if they invest properly they can still live off those earnings when they retire from the game. Not to forget of course that many go in to management, coaching and so on.


Posted by: okosh

Obviously there is no salery cap imposed in soccer
Salery cap= a specified ammount that the clubs total wage bill can not excede....Huge fines, loss of points and even loss of draft pics to those clubs that get caught...
The advantage of this system is a more even competition rather than clubs with deep pockets winning year after year..

Here is the worst case with the biggest punishment given so far in Aus...
(wooden spoon=finished bottom of the table)


Quote:
Broadcast: 23/8/2002
Bulldogs punished with wooden spoon
From first place to last. That's the fate of the Bulldogs after being kicked out of the finals. The National Rugby League has docked the club 37 points and fined it $500,000 for salary cap breaches. And the club may find itself before the NSW corruption watchdog, ICAC, over claims it siphoned off hundreds of thousands of dollars for players from a building project fund. And more developments, with news the Bulldogs Football Club board has stood down, with an interim committee appointed to run the club until fresh elections are held in January.


This weeks Premier league games....

Saturday, 23 February 2008
Birmingham v Arsenal, 12:45
Fulham v West Ham, 15:00
Liverpool v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Newcastle v Man Utd, 17:15
Portsmouth v Sunderland, 15:00
Wigan v Derby, 15:00
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Blackburn v Bolton, 15:00
Reading v Aston Villa, 12:30
Monday, 25 February 2008
Man City v Everton, 20:00


Posted by: forwardone

Cristiano Ronaldo turned in another breathtaking display as Manchester United made the most of Newcastle's woes to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points with a 5-1 victory.

The Portugal international claimed a double either side of half-time to take his tally for the season to 29, with Wayne Rooney, who had opened the scoring on 25 minutes, adding a brace and substitute Louis Saha scoring against his former club after Abdoulaye Faye had pulled one back.

• Keegan: We're in relegation battle

It was just what manager Sir Alex Ferguson had ordered after the Gunners had conceded a late equaliser at Birmingham earlier in the day to pass up the chance of establishing an eight-point lead.

United were simply irresistible on a day when their pace and movement were just too much for an angst-ridden Newcastle side, who have now not won in 10 league games and taken only three points from the last 30 on offer.

But in truth, the Red Devils would have beaten better sides than the beleaguered Magpies on this form and Arsenal can be in little doubt that the men from Old Trafford are in hot pursuit.

Sir Bobby Robson, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Monday, was presented on the pitch before kick-off after the club he once managed had earlier unveiled a bust in his honour at St James' Park.

When a team has not won in nine Premier League games, perhaps the last thing they need is to face an outfit scenting blood in the title race and with its two most dangerous players in clinical form.

That record was effectively stretched into double figures by half-time as a home defence which battled manfully throughout, twice capitulated in the face of extreme pressure and were punished on both occasions.

Kevin Keegan might have thought his players had ridden out the early storm - indeed, they had gone close to the opening goal with just four minutes gone when skipper Michael Owen flicked a near-post shot wide from Charles N'Zogbia's cross.

However, with 25 minutes gone and Ronaldo having swapped wings with the tricky Nani, the older man curled an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Rooney to side-foot home amid a conspicuous lack of black and white shirts.

The fact that the goal came just seconds after Owen had seen penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on him by international team-mate Rio Ferdinand waved away by referee Chris Foy simply rubbed salt into the wound.

To their credit, the home side did their best to mount a fightback, Damien Duff and James Milner both going close.

Former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton gave the ball away in the middle of the park and United once again tore their hosts open with lightning pace and bewildering movement.

Ronaldo's scorching run gave the Newcastle defence no chance, but it was Michael Carrick's incisive pass which handed him the chance to slide a shot past the helpless Shay Given.

The Magpies lost 6-0 at Old Trafford on January 12 and on that day, they went in at the break level, and that cannot have made for an easy team-talk as Keegan looked for fresh inspiration.

Given's involvement ended at the break when he was replaced by Steve Harper, with his groin injury still causing him problems before the break.

Newcastle set about their task with a certain determination and went close twice in quick succession, Duff forcing a solid save from Edwin van der Sar at his near post and then United old boy Nicky Butt smashing a long-range effort wide.

United were content to try to hit the home side on the break, and they did that to stunning effect on 56 minutes when, after spurning an earlier opportunity, Ronaldo made the most of Steven Taylor's slip to round Harper and fire home the third goal.

Duff and N'Zogbia both went close as the Magpies gamely fought on, but it was defender Faye who claimed a little consolation 12 minutes from time with a close-range finish.

However, United had to have the last word, and they did when Rooney curled home a superb right-foot shot two minutes later with Saha setting the seal on a comfortable win in injury time.

# Keegan: We're in relegation battle

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan admitted his side are firmly entrenched in a battle for Premier League survival after a 5-1 thrashing by Manchester United.

United reduced the gap to leaders Arsenal to three points as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney teamed up to put the hapless Magpies to the sword at St James' Park.

Keegan is still waiting for the first win of his second spell as manager on Tyneside six games into his reign, and his team has taken only three points from the last 30 on offer.

That return has left them marooned in 13th place on 28 points, and the manager looking desperately for at least another 12.

Keegan said: 'I have said all along, we need 40 points this year, and we have got 28. Anybody who has not got 40 points can be relegated - and in the past, teams with 42, 43 have.

'To get to 40, we need four wins, or three wins and three draws.'

Newcastle have now conceded 16 goals and scored only three since Keegan returned, promising to bring the style back to a club that has slumped alarmingly in recent seasons.

However, the 57-year-old remains fully committed to his task as he tries to find a way out of the mire.

He said: 'I am here for three and a half years. That's what I signed for and that's what I am here for.

'I took a job on. This is a club I love, this is a club I have managed before and this is a club that I want to take back where I think it belongs.

'My commitment is absolutely 100%. You cannot give any more than that and that's what it is.'

Former Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson was presented on the pitch before kick-off at the end of a week during which he celebrated his 75th birthday.

But a manager who more than once got the better of Sir Alex Ferguson at St James' could only look on in horror as defensive errors paved the way for United to take a 2-0 lead by the break, and then clinically kill off their hosts.

Rooney set the ball rolling after 25 minutes when he was presented with the simplest of chances by Ronaldo, who then left the Newcastle defence for dead on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-0.

The game was all but over within 11 minutes of the restart when Ronaldo once again waltzed through the black and white rearguard to score his 29th goal of the season.

Defender Abdoulaye Faye forced home what looked like a consolation goal with 12 minutes remaining, but another unerring finish from Rooney and substitute Louis Saha's late effort took United's tally in the two league meetings between the sides this season to 11.

With Birmingham having scored an injury-time equaliser to deny the Gunners three points at St Andrews earlier in the day, the rout was just what United needed.

Rooney said on Setanta Sports: 'It was more important than ever that we won and we knew nothing less than the three points would do today.

'Of course it is important that we keep the pressure on Arsenal.

'We need to keep working hard and hopefully we will overtake them towards the end of the season.'

Ferguson was delighted with his side's continuing response to their 2-1 derby defeat by Manchester City a fortnight ago.

He said: 'We were all disappointed with the performance against Manchester City and the players did their best to atone for that against Arsenal last week and in midweek against Lyon, which was a very good result.

'And today stresses the urgency to try to do better and be top of the league.'

soccernet.com


Posted by: okosh

FA Cup 5th round....

Middlesborrough 1.57
Draw 3.5
Sheffield Utd 5.5



26/02/2008 18:43 FA Cup Preview: Middlesbrough - Sheffield Utd

What: FA Cup 5th Round Replay
Who: Middlesbrough (12th EPL, 29/81 pts) v Sheffield Utd (15th, FL Championship, 40/99 pts)
When: Wednesday, 27 February, Kick-off: 20:05 GMT
Where: The Riverside, Middlesbroughhttp://goal.com/images/22170_news.jpgWho Will Break The Deadlock?

The only FA Cup fifth round tie that finished all-square has produced this replay between Premier League side Middlesbrough and their Championship opponents Sheffield United, with a quarter-final at home to Cardiff City - also of the Championship - the prize on offer.

The first match was a goalless draw at Bramall Lane. United's James Beattie hit the post from a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, but the Blades were unable to turn their dominance into goals., and after the break Boro came back into the match. Mido's produced an overhead kick that was drew a superb save from Paddy Kenny, and Emmanuel Pogatetz saw his late header cleared off the line to make a replay unavoidable.

The game was the first in charge for new Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, who had replaced Bryan Robson a few days beforehand. Blackwell was given a standing ovation from the Bramall Lane crowd before kick-off by Blades fans who had fond memories of his time as assistant manager under Neil Warnock from 2000 to 2004.

Blackwell, who has been appointed initially until the end of the season, said of his new players after the game: "I was delighted with their attitude, their application and the things that I've asked them to do they've tried to do.

"We took on a Boro side who are in good form at the moment and that just shows you the level of performance. I thought we worked exceptionally hard and it was one hell of a Cup tie in terms of effort and spirit."

Robson - who was also Middlesbrough's manager from 1994 until 2001 - left Bramall Lane after turning down a new "head of football" role. He had succeeded Warnock in the summer but led the team to only 14 wins in 39 wins, prompting the board to want to change things around.

Blackwell, who after leaving the Lane endured two turbulent reigns as manager of financially stricken Leeds United and then Luton Town, both of whom went in administration, is a popular among Blades fans, who regard him as a key man behind their successful 2002-3 season, when they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup, and the play-off final.

Those same fans are now eyeing another thrilling FA Cup run, with the Blades seeking a hat-trick of Premier League scalps in this year's competition by beating Boro at the second-attempt to set up a home tie with Cardiff, to whom they lost 1-0 away in a Football League Championship game just before Christmas, having drawn with them 3-3 in the reverse fixture back in October.

Middlesbrough, though, will be hoping United missed their best chance of winning this tie by only drawing when they had home advantage. Boro themselves are aiming to reach a third successive FA Cup quarter-final.

After the first match, Boro manager said: "Because we're the Premier League side I think we would have been favourites from the off. But we've seen what Sheffield can offer and they've got a lot of Premier League experience. The job's not done, but we've seen a lot of teams go out and it's good to still be in the hat."


Downing Boost

Southgate (a losing FA Cup final captain with Aston Villa in 2000, against Chelsea) has been boosted on the eve of the replay by the fact that England winger Stewart Downing has finally signed a new five-year contract with the Teessiders. Local boy Downing, 23, had more than two years remaining on his existing deal, but had been linked with a move to Spurs in January, and it was feared at The Riverside that he would leave to realise his ambition of competing in Europe.

Downing had recently revealed, though, that Boro's signing of £12m Brazilian striker Afonso Alves in January had convinced him to stay. He said: "Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are. This is where I want to be. The chairman [Steve Gibson] has proved again just how much he wants this club to go forward."

And Downing has now set his sights on cup glory with his hometown club, pointing to their recent good run of form, in which he has been prominent. "It's big for us as a club," he said. "The FA Cup can get us into Europe - that's my aim, it's the team's aim and it will definitely be the manager's aim, so we've got to keep going."

Boro embarked on a run of eight games undefeated until they were beaten 3-2, a little unluckily, by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the Sheffield United game, Downing said: "There will be a lot of physical battles against Sheffield United and it will be a totally different game from Liverpool. If we can get an early goal we'd be happy, but we are confident. We need to push on now and we can't afford to relax, but the way we are playing we shouldn't fear anyone."


All Change At The Lane

Boro have never won the FA Cup, though they were beaten finalists in 1997 under Robson, when Chelsea won 2-0, having been set on their way by Roberto di Matteo's fastest goal in FA Cup final history.

In United they face a club who have won the FA Cup on four occasions - though not since 1925. They go into the replay 23 places below Middlesbrough on the league ladder, having been relegated from the Premier League in controversial circumstances, thanks to Carlos Tevez, last May. Warnock promptly resigned, and Robson was charged with master-minding an immediate return to the top-flight. When it became clear he was highly unlikely to inspire a swift promotion, the board acted again and the task now falls to Blackwell.

Blackwell steered Luton to a third round replay with Liverpool earlier in this season's FA Cup, and is currently unbeaten as United manager after two games. The first game against Middlesbrough was followed by Saturday's 1-1 draw away to newly-rich Queen's Park Rangers in the Championship.

That result extended the Blades' unbeaten run to seven league and cup matches, although they have drawn the last six of those. Their last victory was a 2-1 home win against Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 27th January.

Blackwell told United's official website this week how he is changing things from Robson's preferred methodical build-up play to a higher-tempo game. Asked if he was getting used to the players now under his charge, Blackwell replied:

"It's more a question of them getting used to me and I think one or two have had a bit of a culture shock already about what I expect from them. I won't tolerate someone missing a tackle or not putting a head in where it hurts. If they do they will find themselves sitting with me because I want players putting their bodies on the line for this Club.

"Blades fans like their team to be up and at the opposition, showing commitment, and I want our lads to play at a high tempo. That applies to training as well, and to be fair everyone seems to be responding. You only had to look at how we came back hard in the second-half on Saturday. We were pushing QPR back and they couldn't really cope. I came here and soon found out that the squad is in pretty good shape in terms of fitness, already, and that is something I am really keen to build on."


Omens?

Middlesbrough were knocked out of the FA Cup by the eventual runners-up in each of the last three seasons: Manchester United in the fourth round in 2005, West Ham in the semi-finals in 2006, and Manchester United again in the quarter-finals (sixth round) last season. The last time they lost to a lower-level club was in December 1999, when they went at he third round stage to Wrexham, who were then at level three.

Sheffield United are hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004, when they lost 1-0 away to Sunderland in the last eight. The Blades were semi-finalists 12 months earlier in 2003, when Arsenal beat them 1-0 on their way to retaining the Cup. United also lost, to Liverpool, in the semi-finals of the League Cup that season.



FORM GUIDE

Middlesbrough

Barclays Premier League
23 Feb v Liverpool (A) LOST 2-3
09 Feb v Fulham (H) WON 1-0
03 Feb v Newcastle (A) DREW 1-1
29 Jan v Wigan (H) WON 1-0
19 Jan v Blackburn (A) DREW 1-1
12 Jan v Liverpool (H) DREW 1-1

FA Cup
17 Feb v Sheff Utd (A) DREW 0-0 (5th)
26 Jan v Mansfield (A) WON 2-0 (4th)
05 Jan v Bristol City (A) WON 2-1


Sheffield United

Coca-Cola Football League Championship
23 Feb v QPR (A) DREW 1-1
12 Feb v West Brom (A) DREW 0-0
09 Feb v S****horpe (H) DREW 0-0
02 Feb v Colchester (A) DREW 2-2
29 Jan v Watford (H) DREW 1-1
19 Jan v Sheff Wed (A) LOST 0-2

FA Cup
17 Feb v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 0-0 (5th)
27 Jan v Man City (H) WON 2-1 (4th)
05 Jan v Bolton (A) WON 1-0 (3rd)


FIRST MEETING

Sunday, 17 Feb
Sheffield United 0 (0) Middlesbrough (0) 0

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Stead (Carney 75), Tonge, Quinn, Martin (Armstrong 68), Beattie (Hulse 80), Sharp. Subs Not Used: Shelton, Lucketti.

Booked: Morgan.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Grounds, O'Neil, Rochemback, Arca (Boateng 68), Downing, Aliadiere, Mido (Alves 75). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Johnson, Hines.

Booked: Wheater, Rochemback, Pogatetz, Aliadiere.

Attendance: 22,210

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).



TEAM NEWS

Middlesbrough

Midfielder Gary O'Neil is fit to play after recovering from illness and Robert Huth is being assessed in training, but Jeremie Aliadiere misses out as his three-match suspension starts after his dismissal against Liverpool and the failure of his appeal against that decision.

O'Neil had been feeling unwell and was substituted just before the hour mark during Saturday's defeat at Liverpool. However, the ex-Portsmouth man was back in training on Monday after recovering over the weekend.

Huth had missed the game at Anfield with an injured foot and Southgate will have to assess his fitness as late as possible on Wednesday before making a decision about his defensive line-up.

Southgate is likely to have the Egyptian, Shawky, back in contention after he returned from his country's successful Africa Cup of Nations defence with a hamstring strain.

Last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Grounds, Pogatetz, O'Neil (Mido 59), Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli (Alves 69). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Boateng, Hines.


Sheffield Utd

Team news to follow.

Last Starting XI (v QPR): Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Stead (Shelton 77), Tonge, Armstrong, Quinn, Sharp (Cotterill 70), Beattie (Hulse 77). Subs Not Used: Gillespie, Lucketti.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Middlesbrough - Mido
With Aliadiere banned, Mido is likely to feature, probably from the start. The Egyptian striker made his first start for Boro since October in the first meeting with Sheffield United.

Team-mate Stewart Downing welcomed Mido's return, telling BBC Tees: "He is a big strong lad who can win his flick-ons, or you can play it into him and he will hold it up and play you in. He's a bit like Mark Viduka in that he's a big strong lad and it's good to have him back. He is working hard getting fit, and he's a good player when he's fit. If we can get him back scoring goals for us it will look good for us."

Mido himself, who has only scored twice for Boro since his £6m summer move from Tottenham, is determined to show what he can do now that he's close to full fitness.

He said: "I have been working very hard over the last couple of weeks. I had a chat with the gaffer and explained to him that I wanted to do my best to get back in the side and get fit because I didn't want to come back when I wasn't fit because I would be useless to the side.

"I have been working very hard with the medical staff and the physios and they have done a good job for me. I am hopeful that in the next couple of games I will get back to top form."


Sheffield United - James Beattie
Whoever wins this replay will need to score goals - either in open play or, should it come down to that, in a penalty shoot-out - and Beattie is United's leading marksman. The former Blackburn, Southampton and Everton forward has hit 13 goals for the Blades this season - eight more than the second-highest scorer, Jon Stead.

Beattie has a Premier League pedigree, but his spell at Everton did not really work out (13 goals in 76 League appearances, after he'd scored 68 in 204 League games for Saints), and with the TV cameras at The Riverside he will be eager to remind people what he can do.



Full Draw For FA Cup Quarter-Finals:

Sheffield United or Middlesbrough v Cardiff City
Manchester United v Portsmouth
Bristol Rovers v West Brom
Barnsley v Chelsea

Matches to be played on the weekend of 8 and 9 March.


PREDICTION

Sheffield United will fight to the end and the game is likely to be a keenly contested battle. But Boro have been in a decent run of form, and should have the quality to get through this game with the crowd behind them.

Middlesbrough 3-1 Sheffield United


Graham Lister


Posted by: forwardone

Quote:
Sheffield United will fight to the end and the game is likely to be a keenly contested battle. But Boro have been in a decent run of form, and should have the quality to get through this game with the crowd behind them.


I`d go along with that. I`m not keen on Middlesbrough at all but they are likely to win out in the replay.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
I`d go along with that. I`m not keen on Middlesbrough at all but they are likely to win out in the replay.


You were right(as usual) though Middlesborrough were a little lucky with an own goal being the difference between the 2 sides!!!

Fortunatly for me who is betting on the game, the score at "90Mins" is what counts and not extra time and penalties...
For this reason the following is a winning ticket and I was paid even though Middlesborrough went on to win 1-0



http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/...esVSheffUnt.jpg

Quote:
Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheff Utd (aet)

By Phil McNulty
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/999999.gif



http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/imag...idogetty203.jpg Mido's shot hit the bar and deflected in off Paddy Kenny

Paddy Kenny's own goal six minutes from the end of extra time sank Sheffield United to gift Middlesbrough an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Cardiff.

The Blades' keeper could only turn Mido's shot over the line after his effort had rebounded off an upright.

Boro had dominated a low-key affair, with Brazilian striker Afonso Alves twice forcing Kenny into fine saves.

But the Championship side looked set to take the tie to penalties until Kenny's late stroke of ill-fortune.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif
Alves was given his first start since his £12.7m move from Heerenveen - and he justified the selection with a lively display.

He should have opened the scoring after eight minutes, but he headed Fabio Rochemback's corner wide of an open goal.

Rochemback then produced a brilliant flick to send in Stewart Downing, but he sent an angled right-foot drive wide as Middlesbrough continued to force the pace.

Alves tried his luck from long range 11 minutes before the interval, and Blades' keeper Kenny was forced to punch away his powerful shot.

The Brazilian turned creator after 42 minutes when he played in Luke Young, but he provided a defender's finish and Kenny saved with comfort.

Sheffield United held Middlesbrough at arm's length in the early stages of the second half, with only Alves threatening to break the deadlock with another shot that Kenny saved low down.

Given Middlesbrough's need for firepower, it was a surprise when Alves was taken off with 18 minutes left and replaced by Tuncay Sanli - a decision that was not well received by the home supporters.

James Beattie had been a peripheral figure, but almost snatched victory for Sheffield United in injury time when presented with a chance at the near post, but he shot wide under pressure from Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer.

It was the last clear chance in normal time, and Downing tested Kenny six minutes into extra time as he forced him to save with his feet - the keeper recovering to save well from Tuncay at his near post.

The game had degenerated into a mediocre affair, but the deadlock was broken in truly bizarre fashion with six minutes remaining.

Mido's shot was deflected on to an upright, but as Kenny tried to retrieve the rebound he could only turn the ball over his own line.

Both sides had chances in a frantic final few minutes, with Sheffield United having strong penalty appeals waved away when Emanuel Pogatetz appeared to handle.





<li>
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"We had plenty of chances to win it, but the longer it went on the more it looked like it was going to penalties. "But we have shown a lot of heart and character this season and we showed that again. Everyone left in the last eight of the FA Cup will think they are in with a great chance.

"The players were on their last legs but they have pulled through again. It was a bizarre goal and a bit fortunate, but we thought Mido's shot might have been handled by a defender before the ball ended in the net."



<li>
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"It was a cruel goal to concede, and after all the work-rate and endeavour we put in I thought we might have earned a bit of luck. "There is nothing Paddy Kenny could have done about it. He is a very good goalkeeper and someone I rate very highly and it is particularly cruel that it should happen to him.

"We can go back home on the bus feeling slightly aggrieved, but the first thing you ask of any group of players is that they give you everything and these lads did that here."



Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Hines, Pogatetz, Grounds, Boateng, Arca (O'Neil 77), Rochemback (Johnson 104), Downing, Alves (Sanli 73), Mido.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Cattermole.

Booked: Hines, Pogatetz, Downing.

Goals: Kenny 114 og.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Stead (Martin 59), Quinn, Speed, Tonge, Beattie, Sharp (Hulse 73), Martin (Shelton 91).
Subs Not Used: Armstrong, Ehiogu.

Booked: Naysmith, Morgan, Geary, Quinn.

Att: 28,108

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).



Posted by: forwardone

Ah, so you went for the draw after the 90 minutes playing time eh?

I watched some of the match, and to be honest I thought Middlesbrough always looked the more likely. It`s hard for non-Premiership sides to keep up with the pace of the Premiership teams, which are reputed to play the fastest football in the world. Teams in other countries, especially Spain and Italy, play at a much slower pace, which is why when players sign for English sides, particularly in the Premiership, they have to adjust so they fit in.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Ah, so you went for the draw after the 90 minutes playing time eh?


Yes, but it's automaticaly that way...ALL bets on soccer are for 90mins, when the reff blows his whistle to end the 2nd half all bets are decided...
Extra time and penalties don't exist as far as betting is concerned...

Our soccer is based on your faster style which is much more enjoyable...

Last weekend was the final....soccer got another big push here with the replay of the incident shown over and over....
Not often that the keeper gets a red card

Quote:

Grand Final Wrap
Monday, 25 February 2008
http://www.a-league.com.au/site/_co...16608-image.jpg
Newcastle Jets players celebrate after receiving the Hyundai A-League Champions Trophy Matt King © Getty Images


Newcastle Jets are the Hyundai A-League 2008 Champions, after a highly drama-charged Grand Final against arch rivals Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium. In front of over 36,000 fans, Mark Bridge’s magnificent strike from outside the penalty box separated the two teams. The Mariners feel aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty in the dying minutes, which also resulted in keeper Danny Vukovic getting a red card.

Results
Central Coast Mariners 0 lost NEWCASTLE JETS 1

Game Wraps
The breakthrough finally came after 64 minutes and it will be a moment not looked back at fondly by retiring Mariners defender Tony Vidmar. In his final game and having looked composed throughout, Vidmar inexplicably got the ball caught under his feet with no apparent danger. But his slip, allowed Bridge to nip in and get the ball and sprint clear towards goal. With Alex Wilkinson coming across in cover, Bridge didn’t wait and curled a terrific shot past his good mate Danny Vukovic in the Mariners goal. The goal saw the changes start coming thick and fast, as the Mariners searched earnestly for an equaliser. Matt Simon’s introduction almost paid instant dividends for the Mariners, but his shot on the turn slid by the far post. With tension mounting, Aloisi had claims for a penalty in the 86th minute, when he went down chasing a cross to the far post, but Mark Shield was having none of it. However the real drama came with just a minute to go of injury time, when a corner was swung over by Sasho Petrovski and it appeared to hit James Holland’s raised elbow, right in front of the goal. The ball diverted to Aloisi, who headed over the bar, but the Mariners players were incensed they no penalty was forthcoming. Unfortunately those protestations were taken too far by Vukovic, who was subsequently shown a red card and seconds later after play had re-started, the final whistle went. Newcastle fans, officials and players jumped around estactically, claiming the first major trophy for the region, which is regarded by many as the birthplace of the game in this country.

Goals Tally: 1

Card Count: 5 yellows – 1 red

Attendance/Average: 36,354



Posted by: forwardone

In an astonishingly forthright press conference on Friday Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger let rip on almost everyone in football, claiming they are all trying to make his side scapegoats.

Obviously still maddened by the Eduardo incident in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham last Saturday, the Frenchman was also angry that the Gunners had what he thought was a stone wall penalty declined, while Birmingham were given a soft decision at the other end.

Arsenal 'Are Victims'

Speaking ahead of this weekend's match against Aston Villa, Wenger has claimed that his side are fouled more than any other team in the league, commit fewer fouls than anyone else and are punished more harshly than anyone else by referees.

He also said that Alexander Hleb was a regular target of bad fouls and that he has never told any of his players to kick at opponents.

“The basic problem in this league is that for the past three years we are the team which has committed less fouls than any other team, the team who is fouled more than any other team, and the team who is punished more than any other team," raged Wenger. "It's not a suspicion, I just look at facts. Facts are facts.

"Every four fouls, Arsenal gets a yellow card and every nine fouls some other teams get yellow cards. The numbers are available for everybody to see. We lost Abou Diaby two years ago, and it was an unbelievable foul on him. You should come into the dressing room and look at the legs of Hleb after a game. You would be amazed. But what is happening is not a surprise to us."

The stats, meanwhile, show that Wenger is only half right. Arsenal are indeed the team who commit the least fouls, according to the figures. But they are not the most fouled team: Manchester United are, with Everton close behind.

Beautiful Game

"We want to try to play football and bring the good things out of the game," the Arsenal manager continued. "Football is fantastic, and can be beautiful and unite the world. That is the side we try to get out of our game. There are a lot of things I love here, the passion, the commitment. I do not want England to lose that, because that is above every other country.

Referees' Responsibility

"But it is in the hands of the referee to protect. I look at my team, I take responsibility when I have to, but you cannot say that Arsene doesn’t try to play football and that Arsene plays to commit fouls. We have been punished more than anybody else. I’ve been in this game long enough to know what happens in the dressing rooms before games but it is not the right moment to talk about that. At some stage, when I’m not in the job any more, I will.

"I ask my teams to play football and what other managers do is their responsibility. We never play with hate, we play with desire to win. That’s the way we will always go out on to a football pitch. If you hear of one player in my life that I have asked to kick somebody I would like you to introduce him to me.”

Eduardo Incident

Moving on to talk about the fallout from the Eduardo incident last weekend, Wenger denied that his fuming reaction after the final whistle, where he demanded Martin Taylor never play football again, was responsible for the Birmingham defender receiving death threats.

"Yes, I’m responsible for everything in this country," he responded, sarcastically. "How much unemployment do you have? [less than France - Ed]. I’m responsible for that as well. I said what I said in the heat of the moment and I took responsibility to retract it. But I am not taking responsibility for idiotic people who send death threats.”

Blubbering Gallas

And as for captain William Gallas sitting on the St Andrews pitch crying after the Blues snatched a last-gasp equaliser, Wenger opined that it perhaps wasn't the best reaction to show, but was nonetheless an understandable one. "Ideally he should not have responded like that but he was not blaming anybody.

"He is a guy who is highly committed and sometimes when he goes overboard he can respond like that. He’s an explosive one. Because we are young we don’t know exactly how to behave to look really good but we are maybe more genuine. William is not young but he has the commitment of a very young boy, believe me. You want people in this job who care.

Bad Week

"It has been a difficult week and we have been deeply hurt by what happened last Saturday," Wenger added. "But we have recovered, and will get a strong response from the team. You look at the table and for a team that is falling apart we are not doing too bad.”

Goal.com UK


Posted by: forwardone

So, it`s everyone else`s fault but Arsenal`s. He ought to look at his own side before criticising others for dirty football. The guy`s a bad loser.


Posted by: forwardone

United make capital gains

Manchester United are in to 4/6 to retain the Premier League title after closing the gap again on leaders Arsenal.

http://images.teamtalk.com/08/03/33..._Utd_686818.jpg United: Too strong for Fulham



Manchester United are in to 4/6 from 5/6 with Betfred to retain the Premier League title after Arsenal needed a last-gasp Nicklas Bendtner equaliser to prevent defeat at home to Aston Villa.


Sir Alex Ferguson's side were much more convincing in an easy 3-0 triumph at Fulham and are now only one point behind the Gunners at the top of the table.

Arsenal were consequently eased to 2/1 from 11/8 as they extended their winless sequence to four games in all competitions.

Arsenal's slip meant Chelsea were also cut, to 5/1 from 6/1, after their 4-0 crushing of West Ham at Upton Park.

Fred Done, a lifelong Red Devils fan and boss of Betfred, said: "It was a pivotal weekend when United won at Fulham last season and it looks like history could be repeated.

"I've been saying all season Arsenal would eventually fade and that experience would come into play and it seems to be happening now."

At the other end of the table it was a disastrous day for Newcastle who are now just 9/2 on Betfair to be relegated.

Kevin Keegan's search for a first win since he returned to Newcastle continued after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at St James' Park after Matt Derbyshire struck in injury-time.

And the Magpies' woes were compounded when relegation rivals Reading and Birmingham both picked up vital wins.

It all means Newcastle are now just three points above the drop zone.

Teamtalk.com


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
So, it`s everyone else`s fault but Arsenal`s. He ought to look at his own side before criticising others for dirty football. The guy`s a bad loser.


No he's a smart coach...his comments will have been heard by all the reffs who now know their performance will be watched when doing Arsenal games..
This will effect the free kick count in the next few games...
He also is maybe preparing for the end of season postmortom when he has to explain how Arsenal led all year only to lose the top spot to Man Utd...


Posted by: forwardone

lol, when it comes to mind games Wenger isn`t a patch on Sir Alex.


Posted by: forwardone

No team since the superb Juventus side of the mid-1990s have won more consistently at home than United in the Champions League and, should they overcome Lyon tonight, it will represent their 10th successive home victory, equalling the record Juventus racked up in the Stadio delle Alpi a decade ago.


Posted by: okosh

If there is a draw or if Lyon win then the bookies will think it's Christmas

Man Utd 1.04(4cents profit for each dollar bet!!)
Lyon 41.00

Odds on=look on!!!


Posted by: forwardone

A Ronaldo goal means that United are through to the next round.


Posted by: okosh



Arsenal are also through...Chealsea V Olympiakos is next....


Posted by: okosh

I have bet on Chealsea to win either 2-0 or 2-1....


Posted by: forwardone

Yes, Chelsea are hot favourites to win that match. Greek club sides aren`t usually very good.


Posted by: okosh

With a 0-0 draw in the first leg I expected Chealsea to get 2-0 up then play defensive to make sure they got through...
Unfortunatly for me they won 3-0

Quote:
Chelsea cruise into quarter-finals

Wednesday 5 March 2008Match report by Trevor Haylett from Stamford Bridge
http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles...ediumsquare.jpgvar ipImg = new ipPhoto('ipImg','ipLink','ipThumb', '/multimediafiles/photo/competitions/ucl/66/83/13/668313_biglandscape.jpg','l','/e/multimedia','photoid+668313');Frank Lampard (left) put Chelsea 2-0 up
Chelsea FC underlined their class as they comfortably dismissed the challenge of Olympiacos CFP to book their accustomed place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the fourth time in five seasons.

Smooth progress
An early Michael Ballack header set Avram Grant's team on their way and confirmation came as Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou added further strikes. It would have been more but for the defiance of Olympiacos goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis, who was setting a Greek record of 53 UEFA Champions League appearances.

Goalkeeping change
An injury to Petr Čech brought a late change to the Chelsea lineup with Carlo Cudicini stepping up in his place. The initial signs were that it was going to be an easy night for the keeper as wave upon wave of attacks bore down on the Olympiacos defence. A John Terry header in the second minute was never threatening but 60 seconds later there was a real scare for the visitors as Joe Cole seized upon Didier Drogba's half-blocked effort and shot against the upright. An offside flag gave the Greek champions a reprieve from more serious damage but it proved only temporary.

Breakthrough
With five minutes on the clock, a dangerous low cross from Ashley Cole was cleared but from the throw-in Chelsea's alertness paid rich dividends as Lampard dispatched a cross and Ballack, afforded too much space, nodded in. The pressure continued as a difficult chance fell to Drogba while Claude Makelele was presented with enough room to have a rare crack at goal.

Easy finish
Olympiacos were finding it difficult to impose themselves, difficult to maintain any possession They were especially vulnerable down their left flank where Paulo Ferreira required no invitation to bomb forward. The second goal came from just that area as the ball was worked neatly to Ballack who had a second goal in his sights only for Nikopolidis to deny him at point-blank range. However, the keeper was unable to hold on to the ball and Lampard was on hand to finish.

Third blow
The opening goal need not have concerned Olympiacos unduly. After all, they had fallen behind in all three group-stage away trips and in two of those they had managed to go on and win the game. However, at 2-0, it was clear Chelsea had the measure of them and they were able to increase their lead further at the start of the second half. Lampard's corner from the left was missed by Ballack and then Ricardo Carvalho, which left Kalou with the simple task of prodding home from barely two metres for his first UEFA Champions League goal.


Away support
It was now a question of how many Chelsea would score while the fans who had made the long journey from Athens refused to be downcast, continuing to sing their hearts out. At least in the 61st minute they had something to cheer as Fernando Belluschi aimed a free-kick on target. Cudicini was behind it all the way. With seven minutes remaining Belluschi fired against the bar and Chelsea's long sequence without conceding a goal in the competition, nearly ten hours, was also at risk when Paraskevas Antzas headed goalwards but Cudicini again made the save.



Posted by: okosh

Tottenham v PSV Eindhoven

This is from sportingbet home page...

Quote:
After winning the Carling Cup, the Tottenham Hotspur bubble was quickly burst by Birmingham City. Can they overcome a PSV side six points clear at the top of the Dutch league?


Tottenham are @ 1.65 and PSV is 4.60....

I can't imagine that Dutch soccer is anywhere near on the level of Premier league....


Posted by: forwardone

PSV is quite a good side, but no, you`re right, Dutch, Greek, French, even German leagues aren`t as strong as the Premiership. The Spanish and Italian ones come much closer.


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
PSV is quite a good side....


LOL...I think was 0-0 at half time...PSV is now winning 1-0 in the 2nd half...

I'll check the final result when I get back in 2-3 days

Edit: final score was 1-0.....Also Everton got beat...


Posted by: forwardone

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pointed an accusing finger at referee Martin Atkinson after the FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Portsmouth.

Ferguson felt United had a penalty turned down when Sylvain Distin blocked Cristiano Ronaldo, before Sulley Muntari's late winner from the spot.

He told MUTV: "It's absolutely ridiculous. I cannot explain it.

"Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week."

United had substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, on at half-time for injured Edwin van Der Sar, sent off for a foul on Milan Baros that led to Muntari's 78th minute spot-kick.

Ronaldo also revealed a lack of protection from officials had made him "scared" to play his natural game.

He said: "Sometimes I say that this is the best league in the world, but sometimes they don't protect the skilful players. "After what happened to the Arsenal player Eduardo da Silva, I am scared to do my skills.

"The referee against Portsmouth was unbelievable. In the first five minutes, there were three fouls and he took no action and then he failed to give a penalty. It's difficult to play like this.

"Sometimes they just protect the defenders and I am thinking about having to change my game because it is difficult to play like that.

"Diarra did not even try to play the ball when he tackled me and he wasn't even booked. It's a joke. So often, there were fouls and the referee did nothing."

Ferguson added: "Keith Hackett (general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board) has got a lot to answer for in this country. He's not doing his job properly.

"He should be assessed like everyone else is assessed. I'm assessed as a manager, the players are assessed, referees are assessed. Martin Atkinson will referee next week, no problem. But his performance today should not be accepted in our game.

"I agree with Sepp Blatter, the standards in our game as opposed to the Continent, the tolerance level, is behind Europe. I think it's a big problem."

Ferguson said after his side's hopes of repeating their 1999 Treble were extinguished: "The game was decided by the decision not to give us a penalty. They had great confidence to hang on knowing the referee was on their side.

"Lassana Diarra had eight or nine fouls in the match. It's incredible. I've got to agree with Arsene Wenger. Someone is going to get a serious injury in our game. He's had one himself with Eduardo.

"It's not a nice thing to talk about but, the treatment Ronaldo is getting, I'm worried about him.

"Keith Hackett is in a nice, comfortable position and does nothing really. I don't think he makes a contribution to the referees' performances in our country.

"That should be addressed. He's not doing his job properly. That guy will go and referee next week no problem. You see his favourites always get the games and that's disappointing."

Elated Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp contemplated a Wembley appearance in the semi-final, saying: "It's fantastic. To come here was the worst draw of the lot. It was a great performance.

"We came here the other week and got slaughtered but we've come back and turned it around. We worked, we had a plan and we stuck with it.

"You always have to ride your luck, they are a fantastic team. They are different class. We deserved our luck.

"It's a great day, great for the fans, I am delighted for them. "

BBC News


Posted by: forwardone

And in the 2nd FA Cup shock result..

Barnsley 1 Chelsea 0: Odejayi stuns Chelsea

Barnsley are on their way to Wembley after Kayode Odejayi's goal sent Chelsea crashing out of the FA Cup.
The Nigerian striker, a £200,000 buy from Cheltenham in May, had not found the net for 28 appearances, but he beat Cudicini to the ball from Martin Devaney's cross to head home and stun the Blues in the second half.

As if beating Liverpool at Anfield in the fifth round three weeks ago was not enough, the Coca-Cola Championship side managed to go one better, with Odejayi the man of the hour.

It now means the Reds will head to Wembley for the semi-finals, with the draw being made Monday lunchtime.

"I'm just over the moon," said manager Simon Davey. "I can't believe it. We went to Anfield and we put on a show and we came away with the result and everyone thought we couldn't do it again.

"I believed from the start that we could, especially because we've only lost here twice this season. The players were fantastic. Kayode's had a lot of stick this year but he's come out and scored the winner and I'm really pleased for him.

"We had a gameplan and it's obviously worked. I'm speechless at the moment, I can't believe we've really done it. We're in the semi-finals."

Yorkshirepost.co.uk


Posted by: okosh

Quote:
Originally Posted by forwardone
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pointed an accusing finger at referee Martin Atkinson after the FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Portsmouth.

Ferguson felt United had a penalty turned down when Sylvain Distin blocked Cristiano Ronaldo, before Sulley Muntari's late winner from the spot.

He told MUTV: "It's absolutely ridiculous. I cannot explain it.

"Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week."

BBC News


Oh I get it...This week it's Sir Alex's turn to blame the reff for his sides loss


Posted by: forwardone

Andy Gray was the commentator at that match. He said that 100 times out of 100 if it had happened outside of the box it would have been given as a foul = free kick. If it`s a foul out of the box then it`s a penalty inside the box. Simple as that. Even Jamie Rednapp, son of the Portsmouth manager, Harry, said he thought it was a clear cut penalty. Jamie Rednapp was in the studio alongside Brian Robson, who thought the same thing.

Now, if United had converted the penalty, they would have led by 1-0. Portsmouth would have had to have come out on the attack, opening up their defence, and United would probably have scored more goals, or at least kept their lead, thus resulting in a victory.


Quote:
Portsmouth's victory at Old Trafford was its first there since 1957 but the performance of referee Martin Atkinson, who refused to award the home team an early penalty when Sylvain Distin barged Ronaldo over, incensed United manager Alex Ferguson.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," Ferguson said. "Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week.

"He's not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed. I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance today should not be accepted by our game."

It was Portsmouth's first victory at Old Trafford since 1957 and Harry Redknapp's team had lost its previous seven visits.


globesports.com


Posted by: forwardone

The semi-finals of the FA Cup have paired West Brom with Portsmouth and Barnsley with Cardiff.


Posted by: okosh

Kind of loses it's spark without the big name teams...
So who's going to win??