Source: The BBC
Please note: Fixtures are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Blackburn v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Fulham v Aston Villa, 15:00
Liverpool v Sunderland, 15:00
Man City v Swansea, 15:00
Newcastle v Arsenal, 15:00
QPR v Bolton, 15:00
Stoke v Chelsea, 15:00
Tottenham v Everton, 15:00
West Brom v Man Utd, 15:00
Wigan v Norwich, 15:00
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Arsenal v Liverpool, 15:00
Aston Villa v Blackburn, 15:00
Bolton v Man City, 15:00
Chelsea v West Brom, 15:00
Everton v QPR, 15:00
Man Utd v Tottenham, 15:00
Norwich v Stoke, 15:00
Sunderland v Newcastle, 15:00
Swansea v Wigan, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Fulham, 15:00
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Aston Villa v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Blackburn v Everton, 15:00
Chelsea v Norwich, 15:00
Liverpool v Bolton, 15:00
Man Utd v Arsenal, 15:00
Newcastle v Fulham, 15:00
Swansea v Sunderland, 15:00
Tottenham v Man City, 15:00
West Brom v Stoke, 15:00
Wigan v QPR, 15:00
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Arsenal v Swansea, 15:00
Bolton v Man Utd, 15:00
Everton v Aston Villa, 15:00
Fulham v Blackburn, 15:00
Man City v Wigan, 15:00
Norwich v West Brom, 15:00
QPR v Newcastle, 15:00
Stoke v Liverpool, 15:00
Sunderland v Chelsea, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Tottenham, 15:00
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Aston Villa v Newcastle, 15:00
Blackburn v Arsenal, 15:00
Bolton v Norwich, 15:00
Everton v Wigan, 15:00
Fulham v Man City, 15:00
Man Utd v Chelsea, 15:00
Sunderland v Stoke, 15:00
Swansea v West Brom, 15:00
Tottenham v Liverpool, 15:00
Wolverhampton v QPR, 15:00
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Arsenal v Bolton, 15:00
Chelsea v Swansea, 15:00
Liverpool v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Man City v Everton, 15:00
Newcastle v Blackburn, 15:00
Norwich v Sunderland, 15:00
QPR v Aston Villa, 15:00
Stoke v Man Utd, 15:00
West Brom v Fulham, 15:00
Wigan v Tottenham, 15:00
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Aston Villa v Wigan, 15:00
Blackburn v Man City, 15:00
Bolton v Chelsea, 15:00
Everton v Liverpool, 15:00
Fulham v QPR, 15:00
Man Utd v Norwich, 15:00
Sunderland v West Brom, 15:00
Swansea v Stoke, 15:00
Tottenham v Arsenal, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Newcastle, 15:00
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Arsenal v Sunderland, 15:00
Chelsea v Everton, 15:00
Liverpool v Man Utd, 15:00
Man City v Aston Villa, 15:00
Newcastle v Tottenham, 15:00
Norwich v Swansea, 15:00
QPR v Blackburn, 15:00
Stoke v Fulham, 15:00
West Brom v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Wigan v Bolton, 15:00
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Arsenal v Stoke, 15:00
Aston Villa v West Brom, 15:00
Blackburn v Tottenham, 15:00
Bolton v Sunderland, 15:00
Fulham v Everton, 15:00
Liverpool v Norwich, 15:00
Man Utd v Man City, 15:00
Newcastle v Wigan, 15:00
QPR v Chelsea, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Swansea, 15:00
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Chelsea v Arsenal, 15:00
Everton v Man Utd, 15:00
Man City v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Norwich v Blackburn, 15:00
Stoke v Newcastle, 15:00
Sunderland v Aston Villa, 15:00
Swansea v Bolton, 15:00
Tottenham v QPR, 15:00
West Brom v Liverpool, 15:00
Wigan v Fulham, 15:00
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Arsenal v West Brom, 15:00
Aston Villa v Norwich, 15:00
Blackburn v Chelsea, 15:00
Bolton v Stoke, 15:00
Fulham v Tottenham, 15:00
Liverpool v Swansea, 15:00
Man Utd v Sunderland, 15:00
Newcastle v Everton, 15:00
QPR v Man City, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Wigan, 15:00
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Chelsea v Liverpool, 15:00
Everton v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Man City v Newcastle, 15:00
Norwich v Arsenal, 15:00
Stoke v QPR, 15:00
Sunderland v Fulham, 15:00
Swansea v Man Utd, 15:00
Tottenham v Aston Villa, 15:00
West Brom v Bolton, 15:00
Wigan v Blackburn, 15:00
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Arsenal v Fulham, 15:00
Bolton v Everton, 15:00
Chelsea v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Liverpool v Man City, 15:00
Man Utd v Newcastle, 15:00
Norwich v QPR, 15:00
Stoke v Blackburn, 15:00
Sunderland v Wigan, 15:00
Swansea v Aston Villa, 15:00
West Brom v Tottenham, 15:00
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Aston Villa v Man Utd, 15:00
Blackburn v Swansea, 15:00
Everton v Stoke, 15:00
Fulham v Liverpool, 15:00
Man City v Norwich, 15:00
Newcastle v Chelsea, 15:00
QPR v West Brom, 15:00
Tottenham v Bolton, 15:00
Wigan v Arsenal, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Sunderland, 15:00
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Arsenal v Everton, 15:00
Bolton v Aston Villa, 15:00
Chelsea v Man City, 15:00
Liverpool v QPR, 15:00
Man Utd v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Norwich v Newcastle, 15:00
Stoke v Tottenham, 15:00
Sunderland v Blackburn, 15:00
Swansea v Fulham, 15:00
West Brom v Wigan, 15:00
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Aston Villa v Liverpool, 15:00
Blackburn v West Brom, 15:00
Everton v Norwich, 15:00
Fulham v Bolton, 15:00
Man City v Arsenal, 15:00
Newcastle v Swansea, 15:00
QPR v Man Utd, 15:00
Tottenham v Sunderland, 15:00
Wigan v Chelsea, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Stoke, 15:00
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Tottenham v Chelsea, 19:45
Wigan v Liverpool, 19:45
Wolverhampton v Norwich, 19:45
QPR v Sunderland, 20:00
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Aston Villa v Arsenal, 19:45
Man City v Stoke, 19:45
Newcastle v West Brom, 19:45
Blackburn v Bolton, 20:00
Everton v Swansea, 20:00
Fulham v Man Utd, 20:00
Monday, 26 December 2011
Arsenal v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Bolton v Newcastle, 15:00
Chelsea v Fulham, 15:00
Liverpool v Blackburn, 15:00
Man Utd v Wigan, 15:00
Norwich v Tottenham, 15:00
Stoke v Aston Villa, 15:00
Sunderland v Everton, 15:00
Swansea v QPR, 15:00
West Brom v Man City, 15:00
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Arsenal v QPR, 15:00
Bolton v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Chelsea v Aston Villa, 15:00
Liverpool v Newcastle, 15:00
Man Utd v Blackburn, 15:00
Norwich v Fulham, 15:00
Stoke v Wigan, 15:00
Sunderland v Man City, 15:00
Swansea v Tottenham, 15:00
West Brom v Everton, 15:00
Monday, 2 January 2012
Aston Villa v Swansea, 15:00
Blackburn v Stoke, 15:00
Everton v Bolton, 15:00
Fulham v Arsenal, 15:00
Man City v Liverpool, 15:00
Newcastle v Man Utd, 15:00
QPR v Norwich, 15:00
Tottenham v West Brom, 15:00
Wigan v Sunderland, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 15:00
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Aston Villa v Everton, 15:00
Blackburn v Fulham, 15:00
Chelsea v Sunderland, 15:00
Liverpool v Stoke, 15:00
Man Utd v Bolton, 15:00
Newcastle v QPR, 15:00
Swansea v Arsenal, 15:00
Tottenham v Wolverhampton, 15:00
West Brom v Norwich, 15:00
Wigan v Man City, 15:00
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Arsenal v Man Utd, 15:00
Bolton v Liverpool, 15:00
Everton v Blackburn, 15:00
Fulham v Newcastle, 15:00
Man City v Tottenham, 15:00
Norwich v Chelsea, 15:00
QPR v Wigan, 15:00
Stoke v West Brom, 15:00
Sunderland v Swansea, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Aston Villa, 15:00
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Sunderland v Norwich, 19:45
Swansea v Chelsea, 19:45
Tottenham v Wigan, 19:45
Wolverhampton v Liverpool, 19:45
Bolton v Arsenal, 20:00
Man Utd v Stoke, 20:00
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Aston Villa v QPR, 19:45
Blackburn v Newcastle, 20:00
Everton v Man City, 20:00
Fulham v West Brom, 20:00
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Arsenal v Blackburn, 15:00
Chelsea v Man Utd, 15:00
Liverpool v Tottenham, 15:00
Man City v Fulham, 15:00
Newcastle v Aston Villa, 15:00
Norwich v Bolton, 15:00
QPR v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Stoke v Sunderland, 15:00
West Brom v Swansea, 15:00
Wigan v Everton, 15:00
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Aston Villa v Man City, 15:00
Blackburn v QPR, 15:00
Bolton v Wigan, 15:00
Everton v Chelsea, 15:00
Fulham v Stoke, 15:00
Man Utd v Liverpool, 15:00
Sunderland v Arsenal, 15:00
Swansea v Norwich, 15:00
Tottenham v Newcastle, 15:00
Wolverhampton v West Brom, 15:00
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Arsenal v Tottenham, 15:00
Chelsea v Bolton, 15:00
Liverpool v Everton, 15:00
Man City v Blackburn, 15:00
Newcastle v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Norwich v Man Utd, 15:00
QPR v Fulham, 15:00
Stoke v Swansea, 15:00
West Brom v Sunderland, 15:00
Wigan v Aston Villa, 15:00
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Blackburn v Aston Villa, 15:00
Fulham v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Liverpool v Arsenal, 15:00
Man City v Bolton, 15:00
Newcastle v Sunderland, 15:00
QPR v Everton, 15:00
Stoke v Norwich, 15:00
Tottenham v Man Utd, 15:00
West Brom v Chelsea, 15:00
Wigan v Swansea, 15:00
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Arsenal v Newcastle, 15:00
Aston Villa v Fulham, 15:00
Bolton v QPR, 15:00
Chelsea v Stoke, 15:00
Everton v Tottenham, 15:00
Man Utd v West Brom, 15:00
Norwich v Wigan, 15:00
Sunderland v Liverpool, 15:00
Swansea v Man City, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Blackburn, 15:00
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Aston Villa v Bolton, 15:00
Blackburn v Sunderland, 15:00
Everton v Arsenal, 15:00
Fulham v Swansea, 15:00
Man City v Chelsea, 15:00
Newcastle v Norwich, 15:00
QPR v Liverpool, 15:00
Tottenham v Stoke, 15:00
Wigan v West Brom, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Man Utd, 15:00
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 15:00
Bolton v Blackburn, 15:00
Chelsea v Tottenham, 15:00
Liverpool v Wigan, 15:00
Man Utd v Fulham, 15:00
Norwich v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Stoke v Man City, 15:00
Sunderland v QPR, 15:00
Swansea v Everton, 15:00
West Brom v Newcastle, 15:00
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Aston Villa v Chelsea, 15:00
Blackburn v Man Utd, 15:00
Everton v West Brom, 15:00
Fulham v Norwich, 15:00
Man City v Sunderland, 15:00
Newcastle v Liverpool, 15:00
QPR v Arsenal, 15:00
Tottenham v Swansea, 15:00
Wigan v Stoke, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Bolton, 15:00
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Arsenal v Man City, 15:00
Bolton v Fulham, 15:00
Chelsea v Wigan, 15:00
Liverpool v Aston Villa, 15:00
Man Utd v QPR, 15:00
Norwich v Everton, 15:00
Stoke v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Sunderland v Tottenham, 15:00
Swansea v Newcastle, 15:00
West Brom v Blackburn, 15:00
Monday, 9 April 2012
Aston Villa v Stoke, 15:00
Blackburn v Liverpool, 15:00
Everton v Sunderland, 15:00
Fulham v Chelsea, 15:00
Man City v West Brom, 15:00
Newcastle v Bolton, 15:00
QPR v Swansea, 15:00
Tottenham v Norwich, 15:00
Wigan v Man Utd, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Arsenal, 15:00
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Arsenal v Wigan, 15:00
Bolton v Tottenham, 15:00
Chelsea v Newcastle, 15:00
Liverpool v Fulham, 15:00
Man Utd v Aston Villa, 15:00
Norwich v Man City, 15:00
Stoke v Everton, 15:00
Sunderland v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Swansea v Blackburn, 15:00
West Brom v QPR, 15:00
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Arsenal v Chelsea, 15:00
Aston Villa v Sunderland, 15:00
Blackburn v Norwich, 15:00
Bolton v Swansea, 15:00
Fulham v Wigan, 15:00
Liverpool v West Brom, 15:00
Man Utd v Everton, 15:00
Newcastle v Stoke, 15:00
QPR v Tottenham, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Man City, 15:00
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Chelsea v QPR, 15:00
Everton v Fulham, 15:00
Man City v Man Utd, 15:00
Norwich v Liverpool, 15:00
Stoke v Arsenal, 15:00
Sunderland v Bolton, 15:00
Swansea v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Tottenham v Blackburn, 15:00
West Brom v Aston Villa, 15:00
Wigan v Newcastle, 15:00
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Arsenal v Norwich, 15:00
Aston Villa v Tottenham, 15:00
Blackburn v Wigan, 15:00
Bolton v West Brom, 15:00
Fulham v Sunderland, 15:00
Liverpool v Chelsea, 15:00
Man Utd v Swansea, 15:00
Newcastle v Man City, 15:00
QPR v Stoke, 15:00
Wolverhampton v Everton, 15:00
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Chelsea v Blackburn, 15:00
Everton v Newcastle, 15:00
Man City v QPR, 15:00
Norwich v Aston Villa, 15:00
Stoke v Bolton, 15:00
Sunderland v Man Utd, 15:00
Swansea v Liverpool, 15:00
Tottenham v Fulham, 15:00
West Brom v Arsenal, 15:00
Wigan v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Reproduced under licence from Football DataCo Limited. All rights reserved. Licence number NEWMEDIA/BBCCEEWEB/109274a.
Barclays Premier League table
Monday, 13 June 2011 09:30 UK
P GD PTS
1 Arsenal 0 0 0
2 Aston Villa 0 0 0
3 Blackburn 0 0 0
4 Bolton 0 0 0
5 Chelsea 0 0 0
6 Everton 0 0 0
7 Fulham 0 0 0
8 Liverpool 0 0 0
9 Man City 0 0 0
10 Man Utd 0 0 0
11 Newcastle 0 0 0
12 Norwich 0 0 0
13 QPR 0 0 0
14 Stoke 0 0 0
15 Sunderland 0 0 0
16 Swansea 0 0 0
17 Tottenham 0 0 0
18 West Brom 0 0 0
19 Wigan 0 0 0
20 Wolves 0 0 0
Full Premier League table
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Premier League Transfer Talk
Off to the Cottage? Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo grapples with Barcelona's Pedro
Photo: AFP
Transfers: Latest news, rumours and gossip for every Premier League club.
Arsenal
Samir Nasri's is holding out for £110,000 pounds a week, which is £20,000 more than Arsenal are willing to pay. (Mail) Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger is taking refuge in one certainty. "One thing's for sure: we will not sell him to Manchester United," he told a French radio station. He went on to say that Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Cesc Fabregas, and that he is in the market for a world-class striker and an experienced striker. (Guardian)
NIcklas Bendtner is confident that somebody will pay £10 million to take him away from the Emirates. Maybe Bayern Munich, maybe Fulham. (Sun)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Aston Villa
Mark Hughes is favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa. (Mail)
Ashley Young and Stewart Downing are angling for a move to Champions League clubs. Who knew? (Independent)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Blackburn Rovers
Christopher Samba might be off to Arsenal (Football FanCast)
Steve Kean has warned 21 year-old centre-back Phil Jones against a move to a Champions League club (all of the top six bar Manchester United have been linked to the defender) on the grounds that he would be unlikely to make the first team. (Mirror)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bolton Wanderers
Johan Elmander, whose contract has expired, has signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray. Jloyd Samuel, Joey O'Brien and Tamir Cohen have also left the Reebok as their contracts run out. Owen Coyle puts the players all left for "footballing reasons." (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chelsea
Of the summer's two must-have striking prodigies - Romelu Lukaku of Anderlecht and Neymar of Santos - Chelsea reckon they will land one, Lukaku, by the end of next week. But their chances of landing the silly-haired Brazilian, for whom they bid £17 million in January, don't look so good. (Times)
Michael Mancienne, who joined the club aged eight, has confirmed that he is moving to Hamburg. (Sun)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Everton
Everton are considering moving for 29 year-old striker Jay Bothroyd, who is out of contract at Cardiff. (Liverpool Daily Post)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Fulham
A £10 million bid for Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo has been rejected, with the Spanish club holding out for £17 million. Fulham will face competition from other Premiership clubs according to Osvaldo's manager. The 25 year-old scored 13 goals in La Liga last season. (Goal)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool
Liverpool will have to cough up £12 million if they want to sign defensive midfielder Vurnon Anita after the 22 year-old signed a new deal with Ajax. (Sun)
Kenny Dalglish is also eyening Cameroonian winger Benjamin Moukandjo. The winger will be anxious for a move from Monaco since their relegation from Ligue 1. (Sun0
----------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester City
Alexandr Kolarov denies that he is considering a move to Serie A. (Sky)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United
Nicky Butt is harbouring a dream: to return to Manchester United as manager. But the former midfielder, who is training as a coach, isn't fussy: he's take the England job too. (Independent)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Newcastle
Alan Pardew is ready to meet Manchester United's £7.5 million asking price for striker Dimitar Berbatov to fill the hole left by Andy Carroll's departure. (Sun)
The Sun also says Pardew will buy Demba Ba from West Ham, to the frustration of Everton and Sunderland.
Newcastle are also set to sign Yohan Cabaye from Lille. £4.3 million looks like a snip for the box-to-box midfielder, who has been capped twice for France. Coach Rudi Garcia is resigned to losing Cabaye, but has told potential bidders for striker Gervinho to give up. (Guardian)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Norwich City
Sriker Cody McDonald will not be returning to Gillingham on loan next season. (Pink 'un)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Queens Park Rangers
Neil Warnock wants to sign Spurs' two Kyles, Walker and Naughton, on loan deals as he bids to bolster his defence. (Mirror)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Stoke City
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Ibrahima Sonko have left the club as expected, with Gudjohsen hoping to move to Fulham permanently after spending the last few months on loan at Craven Cottage. (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunderland
Steve Bruce's side is one of four in the Premier League believed to be in for newly-relegated Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson. His agent says everything will be sorted out by early June. (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Swansea City
20 year-old Chelsea loanee Fabio Borini has confirmed that he will move to Parma this summer. The club will also struggle to hold on to Angel Rangel (Mail)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp's resigned to letting Luka Modric go if an offer in the region of £25 million comes his way, but he's written '£50 million' in big letters on a piece of cardbox, attached it to a string and hung it around Gareth Bale's neck. The winger has been encouraged to wear the sign at all times. (Mirror)
-------------------------------------------------------------
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion are eyeing a £2.5m move for Watford striker Danny Graham. (Mail)
Peter Odemwingie's agent says West Brom are set to open talks with him over a new deal. (PA)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wigan Athletic
Wigan will battle Leicester City for the services of 38 year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam el Hadary. (Mail)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have fended off competition from QPR to secure the signature of Jamie O'Hara, who has been at Molineux on loan from Spurs since January. (Express)
Photo: AFP
Transfers: Latest news, rumours and gossip for every Premier League club.
Arsenal
Samir Nasri's is holding out for £110,000 pounds a week, which is £20,000 more than Arsenal are willing to pay. (Mail) Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger is taking refuge in one certainty. "One thing's for sure: we will not sell him to Manchester United," he told a French radio station. He went on to say that Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Cesc Fabregas, and that he is in the market for a world-class striker and an experienced striker. (Guardian)
NIcklas Bendtner is confident that somebody will pay £10 million to take him away from the Emirates. Maybe Bayern Munich, maybe Fulham. (Sun)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Aston Villa
Mark Hughes is favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa. (Mail)
Ashley Young and Stewart Downing are angling for a move to Champions League clubs. Who knew? (Independent)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Blackburn Rovers
Christopher Samba might be off to Arsenal (Football FanCast)
Steve Kean has warned 21 year-old centre-back Phil Jones against a move to a Champions League club (all of the top six bar Manchester United have been linked to the defender) on the grounds that he would be unlikely to make the first team. (Mirror)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bolton Wanderers
Johan Elmander, whose contract has expired, has signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray. Jloyd Samuel, Joey O'Brien and Tamir Cohen have also left the Reebok as their contracts run out. Owen Coyle puts the players all left for "footballing reasons." (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chelsea
Of the summer's two must-have striking prodigies - Romelu Lukaku of Anderlecht and Neymar of Santos - Chelsea reckon they will land one, Lukaku, by the end of next week. But their chances of landing the silly-haired Brazilian, for whom they bid £17 million in January, don't look so good. (Times)
Michael Mancienne, who joined the club aged eight, has confirmed that he is moving to Hamburg. (Sun)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Everton
Everton are considering moving for 29 year-old striker Jay Bothroyd, who is out of contract at Cardiff. (Liverpool Daily Post)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Fulham
A £10 million bid for Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo has been rejected, with the Spanish club holding out for £17 million. Fulham will face competition from other Premiership clubs according to Osvaldo's manager. The 25 year-old scored 13 goals in La Liga last season. (Goal)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool
Liverpool will have to cough up £12 million if they want to sign defensive midfielder Vurnon Anita after the 22 year-old signed a new deal with Ajax. (Sun)
Kenny Dalglish is also eyening Cameroonian winger Benjamin Moukandjo. The winger will be anxious for a move from Monaco since their relegation from Ligue 1. (Sun0
----------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester City
Alexandr Kolarov denies that he is considering a move to Serie A. (Sky)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United
Nicky Butt is harbouring a dream: to return to Manchester United as manager. But the former midfielder, who is training as a coach, isn't fussy: he's take the England job too. (Independent)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Newcastle
Alan Pardew is ready to meet Manchester United's £7.5 million asking price for striker Dimitar Berbatov to fill the hole left by Andy Carroll's departure. (Sun)
The Sun also says Pardew will buy Demba Ba from West Ham, to the frustration of Everton and Sunderland.
Newcastle are also set to sign Yohan Cabaye from Lille. £4.3 million looks like a snip for the box-to-box midfielder, who has been capped twice for France. Coach Rudi Garcia is resigned to losing Cabaye, but has told potential bidders for striker Gervinho to give up. (Guardian)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Norwich City
Sriker Cody McDonald will not be returning to Gillingham on loan next season. (Pink 'un)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Queens Park Rangers
Neil Warnock wants to sign Spurs' two Kyles, Walker and Naughton, on loan deals as he bids to bolster his defence. (Mirror)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Stoke City
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Ibrahima Sonko have left the club as expected, with Gudjohsen hoping to move to Fulham permanently after spending the last few months on loan at Craven Cottage. (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunderland
Steve Bruce's side is one of four in the Premier League believed to be in for newly-relegated Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson. His agent says everything will be sorted out by early June. (Times)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Swansea City
20 year-old Chelsea loanee Fabio Borini has confirmed that he will move to Parma this summer. The club will also struggle to hold on to Angel Rangel (Mail)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp's resigned to letting Luka Modric go if an offer in the region of £25 million comes his way, but he's written '£50 million' in big letters on a piece of cardbox, attached it to a string and hung it around Gareth Bale's neck. The winger has been encouraged to wear the sign at all times. (Mirror)
-------------------------------------------------------------
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion are eyeing a £2.5m move for Watford striker Danny Graham. (Mail)
Peter Odemwingie's agent says West Brom are set to open talks with him over a new deal. (PA)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wigan Athletic
Wigan will battle Leicester City for the services of 38 year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam el Hadary. (Mail)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have fended off competition from QPR to secure the signature of Jamie O'Hara, who has been at Molineux on loan from Spurs since January. (Express)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Premier League would like to see us relegated, says Blackpool manager Ian Holloway
SOURCE: Telegraph
Photo: AFP
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 10:37PM BST 18/05/2011
Take a bow: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is in a fighting mood as he takes his entertaining side to Manchester United with a chance to enjoy a Premier League party
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made the astonishing claim that the Premier League would be “relieved” to see his club relegated.
He also said he was insulted by suggestions the only way his side could beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday was if the champions fielded a weakened team.
Holloway, who bemoaned the “mad” and “surreal” world of top-flight football during an explosive press conference on Wednesday, remains angered by the Premier League’s decision to fine Blackpool £25,000 after he fielded an under-strength team at Aston Villa last November.
But with Blackpool facing United with their Premier League future hanging by a thread, Holloway claims the game’s authorities will shed no tears should the Lancashire club be relegated.
“They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated.” Holloway said. “Then I am not badgering all these people who don’t do their jobs very well. They will be relieved because I won’t then be sat here saying what I am saying.
“Already, our division is saying we can’t beat Manchester United. It does us a massive disrespect. They think we can only beat United if they are weak. What a load of baloney. Unfortunately, that is what we are dealing with.
“I am glad I don’t go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got promoted last year. That attitude offends me. I take it as a personal insult that, if we beat United, they might get fined because we are supposed to be crap. I don’t understand. Aren’t we capable of winning?”
As he prepares to face the biggest, most daunting challenge of his managerial career, it was fitting that Holloway arrived to discuss Blackpool’s fate having seemingly dressed himself as Rocky Balboa.
Wearing a body-warmer, jogging bottoms and hooded top, he appeared ready for a fight on Blackpool’s behalf. But he goes into Sunday’s clash with United, where Blackpool could be relegated with a victory or survive with a defeat, in the role as the undisputed people’s champion.
“Someone in the gym came up to me last night and he said, ‘Fantastic, thanks for entertaining us’.” Holloway said. “It takes something to speak to someone on the treadmill beside you when you’re running and can hardly breathe to say, ‘Well done!’ At first I didn’t get it, but that’s great.
“We live in the world of money and we are the club with the least in the history of it, yet we have played some fantastic football and have the chance to stay up.
“The disappointment if we go down would be massive. It’s too hard and too emotional to put into words.”
Having taken six points off Liverpool, secured five away victories and given United the fright of their life when leading 2-0 before falling to a 3-2 defeat against the champions at Bloomfield Road in January, Blackpool have won many admirers.
Yet there have been too many seven-goal thrillers in tangerine this season. Too many points lost by a failure to grind out results and, in Holloway’s words, “shut up shop”.
“My contingency plan is exactly the same as it has been for the last two years,” Holloway said. “We’re going to try to outscore this lot in front of us and when we’ve got one goal, let’s go and get another one because we are no good at shutting up shop.
“Our shop never closes. It could be those late-night openings which cost us our position because we’ve conceded a few late goals, haven’t we?
“Blackburn away, 2-0 up, how important was that one? How important are the two points which got away at Tottenham? But for us to go Old Trafford on Sunday is fitting. I think we deserve it and I think we deserve a crack at trying to do the impossible.
“I wouldn’t pick any other game or team than United. I want this one because I believe it’s set up for us to have a tremendous day.
“Imagine what it might mean if we are celebrating at Manchester United. I imagine them having a party and us having a party with them. It would be in keeping with our journey so far to do it there because, realistically, our journey is a bit special.”
Holloway believes the build-up to Blackpool’s date with destiny has been marred by negativity, however.
A meeting of the club’s first-team squad was called on Tuesday to inform the players who would be retained and which unlucky ones would be released this summer. Seven players are to be released, including two, who Holloway would not name publicly, who could be involved at Old Trafford.
And despite taking Blackpool to the brink of survival against all the odds, Holloway admits he has been angered by his chairman, Karl Oyston, being asked whether his manager’s position would be safe should the club be relegated.
“That question gets to me.” Holloway said. “It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I’m watching TV with questions being asked about my future, and some bloke patted me on the back and said: ‘Well done, you’ve still got a job’.
"The question was asked because West Ham sacked their manager. But we’re not West Ham. We have got 39 points with a budget of £10 million, so I find it quite hilarious to be honest.
“The chairman has backed me right from the time of my interview two years ago, and that’s how it should be. I never undermine my chairman, and he never undermines me.
“This whole industry is unreal, but I don’t know any other, so I’m having a go at it. This week, of all weeks, I’ve had to tell seven of my players that we will be releasing them.
“All the contract options, which we do so cleverly, have had to be taken up as if we were still in the Championship, and because the rules state players have to be told by the third Thursday in May, we had to tell them this week.
“We contacted the league and tried to get it pushed back a week, but were told there’s no leeway on that, which is just great. It’s been hideous.
“So amongst all this wonderful euphoria from playing so well and giving ourselves a chance by beating Bolton last Saturday, we have had to tell certain players they no longer have a contract or that we’ve taken up options that will see their wages cut. So now we’ll see whether I’m any good as a motivator this weekend!”
But despite United’s 13-month unbeaten record at Old Trafford, Holloway is not giving up hope. “We know we can beat them because of what happened here [in January], but as Fairground Attraction sung: ‘It’s got to be perfect!’ We could win and go down, or lose and stay up, so it promises to be a crazy day. Quite surreal.”
Photo: AFP
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 10:37PM BST 18/05/2011
Take a bow: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is in a fighting mood as he takes his entertaining side to Manchester United with a chance to enjoy a Premier League party
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has made the astonishing claim that the Premier League would be “relieved” to see his club relegated.
He also said he was insulted by suggestions the only way his side could beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday was if the champions fielded a weakened team.
Holloway, who bemoaned the “mad” and “surreal” world of top-flight football during an explosive press conference on Wednesday, remains angered by the Premier League’s decision to fine Blackpool £25,000 after he fielded an under-strength team at Aston Villa last November.
But with Blackpool facing United with their Premier League future hanging by a thread, Holloway claims the game’s authorities will shed no tears should the Lancashire club be relegated.
“They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated.” Holloway said. “Then I am not badgering all these people who don’t do their jobs very well. They will be relieved because I won’t then be sat here saying what I am saying.
“Already, our division is saying we can’t beat Manchester United. It does us a massive disrespect. They think we can only beat United if they are weak. What a load of baloney. Unfortunately, that is what we are dealing with.
“I am glad I don’t go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got promoted last year. That attitude offends me. I take it as a personal insult that, if we beat United, they might get fined because we are supposed to be crap. I don’t understand. Aren’t we capable of winning?”
As he prepares to face the biggest, most daunting challenge of his managerial career, it was fitting that Holloway arrived to discuss Blackpool’s fate having seemingly dressed himself as Rocky Balboa.
Wearing a body-warmer, jogging bottoms and hooded top, he appeared ready for a fight on Blackpool’s behalf. But he goes into Sunday’s clash with United, where Blackpool could be relegated with a victory or survive with a defeat, in the role as the undisputed people’s champion.
“Someone in the gym came up to me last night and he said, ‘Fantastic, thanks for entertaining us’.” Holloway said. “It takes something to speak to someone on the treadmill beside you when you’re running and can hardly breathe to say, ‘Well done!’ At first I didn’t get it, but that’s great.
“We live in the world of money and we are the club with the least in the history of it, yet we have played some fantastic football and have the chance to stay up.
“The disappointment if we go down would be massive. It’s too hard and too emotional to put into words.”
Having taken six points off Liverpool, secured five away victories and given United the fright of their life when leading 2-0 before falling to a 3-2 defeat against the champions at Bloomfield Road in January, Blackpool have won many admirers.
Yet there have been too many seven-goal thrillers in tangerine this season. Too many points lost by a failure to grind out results and, in Holloway’s words, “shut up shop”.
“My contingency plan is exactly the same as it has been for the last two years,” Holloway said. “We’re going to try to outscore this lot in front of us and when we’ve got one goal, let’s go and get another one because we are no good at shutting up shop.
“Our shop never closes. It could be those late-night openings which cost us our position because we’ve conceded a few late goals, haven’t we?
“Blackburn away, 2-0 up, how important was that one? How important are the two points which got away at Tottenham? But for us to go Old Trafford on Sunday is fitting. I think we deserve it and I think we deserve a crack at trying to do the impossible.
“I wouldn’t pick any other game or team than United. I want this one because I believe it’s set up for us to have a tremendous day.
“Imagine what it might mean if we are celebrating at Manchester United. I imagine them having a party and us having a party with them. It would be in keeping with our journey so far to do it there because, realistically, our journey is a bit special.”
Holloway believes the build-up to Blackpool’s date with destiny has been marred by negativity, however.
A meeting of the club’s first-team squad was called on Tuesday to inform the players who would be retained and which unlucky ones would be released this summer. Seven players are to be released, including two, who Holloway would not name publicly, who could be involved at Old Trafford.
And despite taking Blackpool to the brink of survival against all the odds, Holloway admits he has been angered by his chairman, Karl Oyston, being asked whether his manager’s position would be safe should the club be relegated.
“That question gets to me.” Holloway said. “It’s brilliant, isn’t it? I’m watching TV with questions being asked about my future, and some bloke patted me on the back and said: ‘Well done, you’ve still got a job’.
"The question was asked because West Ham sacked their manager. But we’re not West Ham. We have got 39 points with a budget of £10 million, so I find it quite hilarious to be honest.
“The chairman has backed me right from the time of my interview two years ago, and that’s how it should be. I never undermine my chairman, and he never undermines me.
“This whole industry is unreal, but I don’t know any other, so I’m having a go at it. This week, of all weeks, I’ve had to tell seven of my players that we will be releasing them.
“All the contract options, which we do so cleverly, have had to be taken up as if we were still in the Championship, and because the rules state players have to be told by the third Thursday in May, we had to tell them this week.
“We contacted the league and tried to get it pushed back a week, but were told there’s no leeway on that, which is just great. It’s been hideous.
“So amongst all this wonderful euphoria from playing so well and giving ourselves a chance by beating Bolton last Saturday, we have had to tell certain players they no longer have a contract or that we’ve taken up options that will see their wages cut. So now we’ll see whether I’m any good as a motivator this weekend!”
But despite United’s 13-month unbeaten record at Old Trafford, Holloway is not giving up hope. “We know we can beat them because of what happened here [in January], but as Fairground Attraction sung: ‘It’s got to be perfect!’ We could win and go down, or lose and stay up, so it promises to be a crazy day. Quite surreal.”
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
FHM Premier League of WAGs
Abbey Clancy Number 1 WAG
Abbey Clancy has knocked Cheryl Tweedy off the top of the WAG table and Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham does not even make the grade, a new FHM poll revealed today.
The poll of 3,000 fans by FHM magazine found Tottenham and England striker Peter Crouch’s girlfriend Abbey is now rated the sexiest WAG, relegating Cheryl Tweedy – who recently married Ashley Cole – into second spot.
FHM Premier League of WAGs
10 Toni Poole (John Terry)
9 Michaela Henderson-Thynne (Stuart Downing)
8 Carly Zucker (Joe Cole)
7 Louise Bonsall (Michael Owen)
6 Alex Curran (Steven Gerrard)
5 Elen Rives (Frank Lampard)
4 Coleen McCloughlin (Wayne Rooney)
3 Melanie Slade (Theo Walcott)
2 Cheryl Tweedy (Ashley Cole)
1 Abbey Clancy (Peter Crouch)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
New Manchester United Home Shirt 2011/12
We have now comes across an better leaked image of the new Man Utd home shirt, which will be released over the summer. Manchester United have now all but confirmed winning the English Premier League title and are also in the Champions League Final against Barcelona on 28th May. This new shirt will be manufactured by Nike.
The 2011-12 Man Utd home soccer jersey is mostly red, which is what would be expected. It has a relatively plain design and the collar features both white and black detail on it. The white Nike logo is on the right chest and the Man Utd club badge sits on the left chest. The AON sponsor is in white across the middle of the shirt.
Tell us what you think of this new football shirt in the comments box below.
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Tottenham’s Gareth Bale to miss Manchester City clash with ruptured ankle ligament
Uncertain: Gareth Bale was stretchered off after Charlie Adam's challenge at the weekend
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 4:16PM BST 09/05/2011
Gareth Bale will miss the remainder of the Premier League season after a scan confirmed he suffered a ruptured ankle ligament in the club’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the weekend.
Tottenham confirmed the PFA Player of the Year will wear a protective boot for the next 12 days before starting a rehabilitation regime and despite the seriousness of the injury he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training.
Bale was forced off in the 1-1 draw following a robust challenge from Blackpool captain Charlie Adam and the Wales international’s most impressive season to date has now ended prematurely.
Harry Redknapp had already speculated Bale would miss the games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Birmingham and after consulting an ankle specialist his fears were confirmed.
“It’s badly swollen, his ankle. We will just have to wait and see how bad the damage is,” Redknapp said before the results of the scan were known.
“It’s a blow but we have been without Gareth quite a bit recently.
“He has had injuries and he hasn’t really come back from those injuries to the form (he was in before).
“It’s been difficult for him. The injuries have knocked him back.
“He has had a fantastic season. The first three-quarters of the season, he was unplayable. He was making goals and scoring goals and he won player of the year.
“Over the last couple of months the injury has taken its toll on him. During that time he hasn’t quite been the same boy and now he has another injury that rules him out again.”
Bale’s likely absence from the run in is a big blow to the Londoners whose otherwise fantastic season risks ending on a downbeat note with there participation in Europe next season in doubt due to a string of damaging draws and the resurgence of Liverpool.
Redknapp refused to be overly critical of Adam, with the Blackpool midfielder also insisting he never meant to hurt Bale.
“I just saw the ball, I just tried to get it,” said Adam. “It was never intentional, I never tried to hurt him because he’s a wonderful player and at the end of the day I’d rather see these players on the pitch.”
Adam came close to an 11th-hour move to White Hart Lane, and despite a dip in form, Spurs and Liverpool have been linked with a summer transfer for the midfielder.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway denied the 25-year-old would definitely be leaving, saying: “I am not resigned to losing him.”
Redknapp also ruled out lodging another bid for the Scot despite seeing him score the opening goal in Saturday’s draw from the penalty spot before Jermain Defoe equalised in the 89th minute.
“Charlie Adam is a good player but the closest I came to signing him was at 10.10pm on deadline day,” Redknapp said.
“I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I would have liked him to come here because is a very good player but I have a lot of good footballers here. Sandro is improving, (Luka) Modric is fantastic, Tom Huddlestone will be back, (Wilson) Palacios is getting fit hopefully.”
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Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 4:16PM BST 09/05/2011
Gareth Bale will miss the remainder of the Premier League season after a scan confirmed he suffered a ruptured ankle ligament in the club’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the weekend.
Tottenham confirmed the PFA Player of the Year will wear a protective boot for the next 12 days before starting a rehabilitation regime and despite the seriousness of the injury he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training.
Bale was forced off in the 1-1 draw following a robust challenge from Blackpool captain Charlie Adam and the Wales international’s most impressive season to date has now ended prematurely.
Harry Redknapp had already speculated Bale would miss the games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Birmingham and after consulting an ankle specialist his fears were confirmed.
“It’s badly swollen, his ankle. We will just have to wait and see how bad the damage is,” Redknapp said before the results of the scan were known.
“It’s a blow but we have been without Gareth quite a bit recently.
“He has had injuries and he hasn’t really come back from those injuries to the form (he was in before).
“It’s been difficult for him. The injuries have knocked him back.
“He has had a fantastic season. The first three-quarters of the season, he was unplayable. He was making goals and scoring goals and he won player of the year.
“Over the last couple of months the injury has taken its toll on him. During that time he hasn’t quite been the same boy and now he has another injury that rules him out again.”
Bale’s likely absence from the run in is a big blow to the Londoners whose otherwise fantastic season risks ending on a downbeat note with there participation in Europe next season in doubt due to a string of damaging draws and the resurgence of Liverpool.
Redknapp refused to be overly critical of Adam, with the Blackpool midfielder also insisting he never meant to hurt Bale.
“I just saw the ball, I just tried to get it,” said Adam. “It was never intentional, I never tried to hurt him because he’s a wonderful player and at the end of the day I’d rather see these players on the pitch.”
Adam came close to an 11th-hour move to White Hart Lane, and despite a dip in form, Spurs and Liverpool have been linked with a summer transfer for the midfielder.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway denied the 25-year-old would definitely be leaving, saying: “I am not resigned to losing him.”
Redknapp also ruled out lodging another bid for the Scot despite seeing him score the opening goal in Saturday’s draw from the penalty spot before Jermain Defoe equalised in the 89th minute.
“Charlie Adam is a good player but the closest I came to signing him was at 10.10pm on deadline day,” Redknapp said.
“I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I would have liked him to come here because is a very good player but I have a lot of good footballers here. Sandro is improving, (Luka) Modric is fantastic, Tom Huddlestone will be back, (Wilson) Palacios is getting fit hopefully.”
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Monday, May 9, 2011
Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1: match report
Chelsea beaten: Javier Hernandez and Nemanja Vidic were the goal scorers as United virtually ensure a record 19th league title
Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Henry Winter, at Old Trafford
Last Updated: 11:46PM BST 08/05/2011
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday May 8 2011.
Sir Alex Ferguson has all but completed his mission to knock Liverpool off their famous perch as the most successful club in English league history.
Manchester United are so close they can almost reach out and touch that record 19th trophy. They certainly played like champions on Sunday.
In 1991, Liverpool had 18 titles and United seven. Twenty years on, and thanks to Ferguson’s astonishing ability to build and rebuild sides, United are within one point of breaking Anfield’s mark. The lady with size issues will sing either at Ewood Park next Saturday or against Blackpool here next week.
United demonstrated why they are the best in the land yesterday, why they feel they have a hope in the Champions League final against Barcelona. Nemanja Vidic set the tone, a goalscoring captain who embodied the team’s will to win.
Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick again excelled as the central partnership, delivering the ball constantly to friendly feet.
Wayne Rooney shuttled selflessly and productively between midfield and attack, supporting Javier Hernández, who took his goal with the ease of a natural-born scorer.
Not even Cristiano Ronaldo ever gave Ashley Cole, the Chelsea and England left-back, as much relentless grief as Antonio Valencia did yesterday.
Any number of contenders for the sponsors’ bubbly could be found in the victorious home dressing room, and it eventually went to Giggs, but the real catalyst was Ji-Sung Park, who ran and harried and created for 90 breathless minutes.
This is why United are champions, they possess so many players like Park who rise to the big occasion.
By contrast, the vanquished champions had nobody who came close to matching such high standards. Chelsea will panic in the summer, probably dismissing Carlo Ancelotti when the very obvious lesson preached at Old Trafford is the importance of stability.
Ferguson’s respect for Ancelotti was evident in the way he embraced the Italian at the final whistle, consoling him, along with his comment that Ancelotti doesn’t deserve “to have his future queried”. Sadly, it will be.
Ancelotti must take some responsibility for yesterday’s flat-footed, slack-tempo approach. The Old Trafford DJ played Pump It Up before kick-off – as if the electric atmosphere needed it, as if United needed any additional impetus.
Giggs, Park and Hernández flew through the champions, cutting through within 36 seconds to score. Red Devils? They were more like the Red Arrows.
This was United at their best, moving with speed and skill, giving an opponent little chance to form a meaningful barricade. Giggs teased a pass to Park, who let the ball run across him and then swept it forward.
Chelsea had a split second to stifle the whirlwind, to keep their title dream alive. They missed it. David Luiz should have cut Park’s ball out. He missed.
Hernández did not. A twitch of the Mexican’s shoulders wrong-footed Petr Cech, a strike from his right boot sent the ball racing into the net, bringing almost a guttural roar from the United support.
Ancelotti, not a man easily given to expressing anger, conveyed his displeasure to Luiz. He should have taken responsibility. He should have cut out the danger.
“Not me,” replied Luiz, unwilling to accept the blame. And that is where part of Chelsea’s problem lies, in the failure of some individuals to be accountable. And that is where part of United’s prominence, the desire of players to fulfil their missions.
Chelsea were as sluggish as United were fleet of foot and mind. Salomon Kalou was dispossessed by Giggs. Park was immense, hounding blue shirts, pressing them into losing the ball. He quickly found Rooney, whose 25-yarder was turned away by Cech.
Still United pressed, still Chelsea yielded possession. Park nicked the ball off Didier Drogba. The South Korean was everywhere, linking with Giggs, dinking a ball to the far post, where Hernández just failed to make contact. Chelsea were a mess.
United’s work-rate and superiority deserved a second. Then came another magical moment for United, another reminder of Giggs’s imagination. Giggs and Park worked a short-corner routine, and the Welshman tricked his way past Kalou. The yard of space by the byline created, Giggs lifted the ball across for Vidic, allowed a free run by Branislav Ivanovic, headed in.
The cadaver of Chelsea’s season twitched occasionally. Edwin van der Sar saved well from Kalou and then pushed away a Drogba free kick. Chelsea could easily have gone down to 10 when Ivanovic caught Rooney painfully on his heel.
Chelsea fans felt United’s No 10 was milking the contact and turned the air blue. Rooney responded with a V sign, although United claimed he was signalling to the assistant referee, Darren Cann, that he had been the recipient of two fouls by the Serb.
Few were taking bets on Ivanovic emerging for the second period and a top-class right-back is required this summer. Amazingly, Ivanovic survived.
Alex came on for Luiz and Ramires replaced Mikel. For all Luiz’s rawness as a defender in the white heat of the Premier League, the Brazilian could have been pushed into midfield, shaking it up. Chelsea claimed afterwards Luiz was carrying an injury.
Just after the hour, Ancelotti played his last card, a £50 million one that Chelsea had hoped would be an ace. Fernando Torres, still shorn of belief, was greeted by chants of “You should have signed for a big club” from the Stretford End.
The Spaniard ran hard enough but Chelsea remained too disjointed, barring one moment.
With 20 minutes remaining, Ramires crossed from the right, the ball deflecting high towards Ivanovic, whose head-down was turned in neatly by Frank Lampard. Apart from this poacher’s touch the midfielder was largely anonymous.
Moments after Cole’s desperate attempt to equalise from his own half failed, Howard Webb blew the final whistle and United players gathered in a massed, jubilant huddle.
Ferguson marched purposefully down the touchline, acknowledging the salutes. His players had proved themselves the best in England. Now they have to prove themselves the best in Europe.
Say a prayer ... how Little Pea left Blues on their knees
Manchester United fans already consider Javier Hernández heaven-sent, and their new hero is clearly able to summon divine intervention. Having prayed in the centre-circle just before kick-off, he took just 36 seconds to open the scoring with the fastest goal in the Premier League this term.
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Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Henry Winter, at Old Trafford
Last Updated: 11:46PM BST 08/05/2011
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday May 8 2011.
Sir Alex Ferguson has all but completed his mission to knock Liverpool off their famous perch as the most successful club in English league history.
Manchester United are so close they can almost reach out and touch that record 19th trophy. They certainly played like champions on Sunday.
In 1991, Liverpool had 18 titles and United seven. Twenty years on, and thanks to Ferguson’s astonishing ability to build and rebuild sides, United are within one point of breaking Anfield’s mark. The lady with size issues will sing either at Ewood Park next Saturday or against Blackpool here next week.
United demonstrated why they are the best in the land yesterday, why they feel they have a hope in the Champions League final against Barcelona. Nemanja Vidic set the tone, a goalscoring captain who embodied the team’s will to win.
Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick again excelled as the central partnership, delivering the ball constantly to friendly feet.
Wayne Rooney shuttled selflessly and productively between midfield and attack, supporting Javier Hernández, who took his goal with the ease of a natural-born scorer.
Not even Cristiano Ronaldo ever gave Ashley Cole, the Chelsea and England left-back, as much relentless grief as Antonio Valencia did yesterday.
Any number of contenders for the sponsors’ bubbly could be found in the victorious home dressing room, and it eventually went to Giggs, but the real catalyst was Ji-Sung Park, who ran and harried and created for 90 breathless minutes.
This is why United are champions, they possess so many players like Park who rise to the big occasion.
By contrast, the vanquished champions had nobody who came close to matching such high standards. Chelsea will panic in the summer, probably dismissing Carlo Ancelotti when the very obvious lesson preached at Old Trafford is the importance of stability.
Ferguson’s respect for Ancelotti was evident in the way he embraced the Italian at the final whistle, consoling him, along with his comment that Ancelotti doesn’t deserve “to have his future queried”. Sadly, it will be.
Ancelotti must take some responsibility for yesterday’s flat-footed, slack-tempo approach. The Old Trafford DJ played Pump It Up before kick-off – as if the electric atmosphere needed it, as if United needed any additional impetus.
Giggs, Park and Hernández flew through the champions, cutting through within 36 seconds to score. Red Devils? They were more like the Red Arrows.
This was United at their best, moving with speed and skill, giving an opponent little chance to form a meaningful barricade. Giggs teased a pass to Park, who let the ball run across him and then swept it forward.
Chelsea had a split second to stifle the whirlwind, to keep their title dream alive. They missed it. David Luiz should have cut Park’s ball out. He missed.
Hernández did not. A twitch of the Mexican’s shoulders wrong-footed Petr Cech, a strike from his right boot sent the ball racing into the net, bringing almost a guttural roar from the United support.
Ancelotti, not a man easily given to expressing anger, conveyed his displeasure to Luiz. He should have taken responsibility. He should have cut out the danger.
“Not me,” replied Luiz, unwilling to accept the blame. And that is where part of Chelsea’s problem lies, in the failure of some individuals to be accountable. And that is where part of United’s prominence, the desire of players to fulfil their missions.
Chelsea were as sluggish as United were fleet of foot and mind. Salomon Kalou was dispossessed by Giggs. Park was immense, hounding blue shirts, pressing them into losing the ball. He quickly found Rooney, whose 25-yarder was turned away by Cech.
Still United pressed, still Chelsea yielded possession. Park nicked the ball off Didier Drogba. The South Korean was everywhere, linking with Giggs, dinking a ball to the far post, where Hernández just failed to make contact. Chelsea were a mess.
United’s work-rate and superiority deserved a second. Then came another magical moment for United, another reminder of Giggs’s imagination. Giggs and Park worked a short-corner routine, and the Welshman tricked his way past Kalou. The yard of space by the byline created, Giggs lifted the ball across for Vidic, allowed a free run by Branislav Ivanovic, headed in.
The cadaver of Chelsea’s season twitched occasionally. Edwin van der Sar saved well from Kalou and then pushed away a Drogba free kick. Chelsea could easily have gone down to 10 when Ivanovic caught Rooney painfully on his heel.
Chelsea fans felt United’s No 10 was milking the contact and turned the air blue. Rooney responded with a V sign, although United claimed he was signalling to the assistant referee, Darren Cann, that he had been the recipient of two fouls by the Serb.
Few were taking bets on Ivanovic emerging for the second period and a top-class right-back is required this summer. Amazingly, Ivanovic survived.
Alex came on for Luiz and Ramires replaced Mikel. For all Luiz’s rawness as a defender in the white heat of the Premier League, the Brazilian could have been pushed into midfield, shaking it up. Chelsea claimed afterwards Luiz was carrying an injury.
Just after the hour, Ancelotti played his last card, a £50 million one that Chelsea had hoped would be an ace. Fernando Torres, still shorn of belief, was greeted by chants of “You should have signed for a big club” from the Stretford End.
The Spaniard ran hard enough but Chelsea remained too disjointed, barring one moment.
With 20 minutes remaining, Ramires crossed from the right, the ball deflecting high towards Ivanovic, whose head-down was turned in neatly by Frank Lampard. Apart from this poacher’s touch the midfielder was largely anonymous.
Moments after Cole’s desperate attempt to equalise from his own half failed, Howard Webb blew the final whistle and United players gathered in a massed, jubilant huddle.
Ferguson marched purposefully down the touchline, acknowledging the salutes. His players had proved themselves the best in England. Now they have to prove themselves the best in Europe.
Say a prayer ... how Little Pea left Blues on their knees
Manchester United fans already consider Javier Hernández heaven-sent, and their new hero is clearly able to summon divine intervention. Having prayed in the centre-circle just before kick-off, he took just 36 seconds to open the scoring with the fastest goal in the Premier League this term.
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Monday, May 2, 2011
QPR deserve their promotion to the Premier League
QPR finally celebrated winning promotion to the Premier League yesterday.
The Hoops are acknowledged as the best team in the second tier of English football and they will probably finish as champions of the Championship.
Promotion
QPR boss Neil Warnock is a promotion specialist. The former-Sheffield United boss has achieved seven promotions in his managerial career and has taken the club a long way.
He told Sky Sports:
“It’s a wonderful feeling. I think it’s the best job I’ve ever done, I’ve got other promotions but not in such a short space of time, in 13 months from battling relegation to winning the Championship,”
“ Over the season the players have been magnificent. I can’t fault any of them.”
Love him or hate him he is a proper football man. He loves the game and has to be praised for his enthusiasm for the game.
Money
People say that QPR have a lot of money but when you look at the money Warnock has spent its not an amazing amount really. He likes a bargain and he has managed to pick up a few bargains a long the way.
Granted Warnock has spent a bit of money but he has also picked up a few free transfers and paid small fees for players who have been crucial to the sides effort this season.
Star
The star of the show for QPR this season has undoubtedly been Adel Taarabt. The Moroccan international has scored 19 goals in the Championship this season and created far more with his skill and vision.
At just 21 years old he has the potential to be a top player. Next season will be a big one for the youngster. His temperament has been questioned at times and he will need to improve his mental strength if he is to become a top player.
He does however have special ability with the ball at his feet and when he’s on song he is a joy to watch. He’s definitely a match winner and will be vital for Neil Warnock’s side next season.
Problem
It’s not all good news for Rangers though. Their promotion celebrations could be cut-short on Friday with an FA investigation into the transfer of Alejandro Faurlin about to come to a conclusion.
Newspaper reports that the club could be docked 15 points have been denied by the FA themselves. An FA Statement read:
“The FA clarifies that no comment has been made regarding charges against QPR.
“The FA wishes to make clear it dissociates itself from an article concerning QPR’s forthcoming disciplinary hearing published in the Sun newspaper.
“Any alleged FA source is not speaking on behalf of The FA and The FA’s policy remains not to comment on the charges, evidence or potential range of sanctions before the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.”
Ironic
The whole situation is slightly ironic considering Neil Warnock’s involvement in the Sheffield United-West Ham affair. The Yorkshireman campaigned for the Hammers to be deducted points after a similar situation, which effected his then team Sheffield United.
The Hammers were handed a fine instead of a points deduction and that’s what could happen to QPR this season.
Unfair
A points deduction would be unfair on the QPR players, fans and manager. However clubs have had points deducted before for player registration issues, so a points deduction isn’t out of the question.
If QPR are deducted points then they could have to drop down into the play-offs. That would be harsh on the players who have worked so hard to get back into the top flight. An admin error shouldn’t be allowed to destroy a whole seasons hard work.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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