The Top TEN Cup Finals decided by a penalty shootout

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

So Chelsea have done it. Roman Abramovich’s millions finally bought him the trophy he so desired, the Champions League. The Blues did it the hard way though, scrapping through extra time before Didier Drogba sealed the victory in the shootout with his calm and collected effort. Many people believe a shootout is a cruel way to decide a game of football, but nothing beats it in terms of drama and excitement. In recognition of Chelsea adding their names to the list of masters from twelve yards, here are the Top 10 Trophies decided by penalty shootout:

10. Arsenal – FA Cup 2005 (Beat Manchester United 5-4)

This FA Cup Final will live long in the memory for Gunners fans, mainly because it’s the last piece of silverware they picked up. After both teams failed to find the net in normal time, extra time couldn’t separate them either and down to penalties it went. Decisively, Paul Scholes missed the second spot kick and it left Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira needing to score to send the trophy back to North London. With what turned out to be his last kick in a red and white shirt, the Frenchman slotted past Roy Carroll to win the cup.

9. Manchester United – League Cup 2009 (Beat Tottenham 4-1)

Another scoreless game in a Cup Final resulted in United and Spurs facing off in a shootout at Wembley in 2009. Sir Alex Ferguson had chosen to rest regular Number One Edwin Van der Sar, picking Ben Foster in his place. Foster turned in an impressive shift in normal time before he saved from Jamie O’Hara in the shootout. After David Bentley missed his, Anderson stepped up and completed the task. However, this shootout was memorable for Foster’s use of an I-Phone to research the spot kick takers moments before the penalties began. Modern technology eh!

8. Manchester United – Champions League 2008 (Beat Chelsea 6-5)

The two rivals went head-to-head in the first all English clash and 120 minutes of football couldn’t separate them after first half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard cancelled each other out. Interestingly for two English sides competing in a shootout, the spot kick quality was high until Ronaldo missed his effort, leaving John Terry the chance to win the game. His unfortunate slip saw him hit the post and after a round of sudden death, Van der Sar saved from Nicolas Anelka to ensure United were Champions of Europe.

7. Czechoslovakia – European Championship 1976 (Beat West Germany 5-3)

The 1976 Final went down to spot kicks after Czechoslovakia squandered a 2-0 lead against the Germans. The first seven penalties were all successful before West Germany’s Uli Hoeness blazed his effort over the crossbar. Midfielder Antonin Panenka then wrote himself into shootout folklore, cheekily chipping his effort straight down the middle to win the tournament. It was also the first and only time the Germans have lost on penalties, a remarkable record that now stretches back 36 years.

6. Liverpool – European Cup 1984 (Beat Roma 4-2)

English team winning the European Cup at the home ground of their opposition on penalties? Sound familiar? Well, Liverpool did it first, seeing off Italian opposition Roma on their home patch at the Stadio Olimpico. The game finished 1-1 and headed to the dreaded shootout and the Reds started badly after Steve Nicol skied his effort. However, Bruce Grobbelaar immortalised himself in shootout history after his wobbly legs tactics put off the Italian takers. Two of them subsequently missed and Alan Kennedy bagged the winning effort, sending the European Cup back to Anfield for the fourth time.

5. Italy – World Cup 2006 (Beat France 5-3)

Despite this clash finishing 1-1, the 2006 World Cup Final is remembered for one thing and one thing only. Zinedine Zidane’s astonishing behaviour that saw him sent off for head butting Marco Materazzi in the chest was one of the most reckless acts ever seen in the field of play. Unlike Zidane, Italy kept their nerve in the shootout, scoring all their penalties after David Trezeguet missed the second for France. Left back Fabio Grosso had the honour of delivering the match-winning strike and sending the nation into meltdown.

4. Zambia – African Cup of Nations 2012 (Beat Ivory Coast 8-7)

No one had expected Zambia to get beyond the group stage, never mind the final, but they defied all the odds to set up a clash with a strong-looking Ivory Coast side. The game was a disappointment, as the Zambians held on for a 0-0 draw, but they certainly showed everyone how to take penalty when the shootout came around. Both sides notched their first five and then the next two in sudden death before Kalaba missed to hand Manchester City’s Kolo Toure the chance to win the game. He missed though and Sunzu slotted home for Zambia, before Arsenal’s Gervinho also missed, ensuring Zambia defied all the odds to return home with the trophy.

3. Liverpool – Champions League 2005 (Beat AC Milan 3-2)

Liverpool’s truly astonishing comeback in normal time saw them recover from a three goal deficit at half time to snatch a draw and a shot at penalties. Jerzy Dudek decided he’d make up his own version of Grobbelaar’s wobbly legs and pranced around on his goal line distracting the opposition. It obviously worked. Serginho sent the ball into Heskey territory in row Z, before Dudek saved from Pirlo and Shevchenko, completing the most unlikely of victories.

2. Olympiacos – Greek Cup 2009 (Beat AEK Athens 15-14)

The Greeks certainly know how to do crazy and the 2009 Cup Final was certainly no different. The game itself was an absolute cracker as the sides drew 4-4, with Englishman Matt Derbyshire bagging twice for Olympiacos. The shootout was on another level though and after both sides scored their first five, they also both missed the decider. They both missed the ninth spot kick each as well and with the score locked at 14-14, Agustín Pelletieri stepped up for AEK. He failed though, leaving Olympiacos goalkeeper and Captain Antonios Nikopolidis the opportunity to win the cup. The Greek legend tucked home his second of the shootout and ended one of the all-time great penalty marathons.

1. Brazil – World Cup 1994 (Beat Italy 3-2)

A drab 0-0 affair in the final in Los Angeles saw Brazil and Italy face the first penalty shootout in the history of the World Cup Final. Defenders Marcio Santos and Franco Baresi traded misses first up, before both sides scored their next two each. However, Daniele Massaro missed his effort and after Brazilian skipper Dunga converted his, it left Roberto Baggio needing to score to keep the Italians in the game. The ‘Divine Ponytail’ had been the tournament’s star player, but he fired his penalty so far into space, NASA are still looking for it today.

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Time for Stoke City to start producing their own

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

One of the lowlights of my season, as a Stoke supporter, was the £750,000 exit of Ben Marshall to Leicester. Many people will be wondering who he is. Even some Stoke fans will struggle, as he never actually played for the Potters. But the 22 year-old winger was probably the best young player we have produced for a long time. His screamer against Chelsea in the FA Cup pays testament to that.

The Stoke side does, in general, lack young players with Pulis preferring experienced players to play his brand of football. Only Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Ryan Shotton and Asmir Begovic count as young players, and they are all hovering around the age of 22-25, hardly what you would you all ‘youngsters’. Marshall’s lack of first team chances frustrated him so much he decided to take his talent elsewhere, and that is hopefully not a trend that will continue.

The other young bright talent we have on the book is midfielder Florent Cuvelier. The Belgian has been on loan at Walsall for much of the few months, playing 17 games and scoring four goals including the crucial goal against Huddersfield that ensured Walsall’s league one survival.

The Potters aren’t a club renowned for their youth system, only Andy Wilkinson and Ryan Shotton of the current players came through the youth team, so when a stand out player like Cuvelier comes along it is imperative that we sign them to long term contracts and integrate them within the first team squad.

With is contract up in the summer, he said “My feeling is that I receive an offer from Stoke”. I hope so to. A small technically gifted player, it isn’t surprising that Stoke fans could let themselves get excited as he offers different things to the current centre midfield players. He has an eye for goal and a good passing game who is sure to excite fans

He may too raw for first team Premier League football, and Pulis, who is traditionally a careful manager, may not feel he is ready yet. But the mistakes we made with Marshall can’t be repeated with Cuvelier if the club want to produce young talent, they need to feel loved and valued by the club. Dean Saunders has said Cuvelier could be playing championship football next season, and Premier League soon after.

Our history of keeping young players isn’t good. The likes of Martin Patterson and Kris Commans have left in recent years and gone on to decent careers, while Adam Rooney is hoping to do the same at Birmingham. The ‘experiment’ of Diego Arismendi, the young £2.5 million signing from Uruguay, has yet to pay off with just a handful of appearances in three years, of which he has spent most of is them on loan at clubs such as Barnsley and Huddersfield.

Fans have a special spot for a young player who has risen through the club. Just ask Stoke fans about Andy Wilkinson. £5 million can buy a good player but not the love of the fans. It is time for Stoke to start investing in and producing quality young players, as we are in the age of crazy transfer fees and stupendous wages, it can only be a good thing.

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The psychology of a winner

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

It takes more than physical skill to be a winner at the highest level of professional sports. It needs grit, determination, focus and confidence. Chelsea have shown that in spades in their last three Champions’ League games. In both legs against Barcelona in the semi finals, the Blues were pinned to the proverbial wall from start to finish; tonight, in the main, was more of the same.

Home-town favourites Bayern Munich had more of the ball, four times as many opportunities on goal, and a plethora of chances to kill the 2012 Champions’ League Final both in regular time and extra time. Arjen Robben’s missed penalty, chances squandered by Mario Gomes and Thomas Muller, the botched pass from Ivica Olic which rolled past Daniel van Buyten before an open goal…

And yet Chelsea were the victors, courtesy of defying all the odds over 270 minutes. Even after John Terry’s moment of insanity in the Nou Camp, Roberto Di Matteo’s ten men clung grimly on, finding the mental strength to recover from 2-0 down and advance with an astonishing display of bloody-mindedness and sheer willpower.

Several of Chelsea’s staff embody this mental capacity. Di Matteo’s composure, level-headedness and humility in the face of all the pressures and plaudits he has encountered of late have been incredibly eye-catching. He refuses to let the incessant speculation over his future cloud the importance of the present, and has cajoled a squad which was at breaking point into an impenetrable, cohesive unit.

Didier Drogba’s selfless energy and work ethic have shone out over Chelsea’s run to the Champions’ League trophy. The Ivorian’s commitment to covering his teammates is outstanding. Chelsea fans will have noticed it long ago, I’m sure, but it’s only really dawned on me watching the semi-finals and tonight’s game that whenever Ashley Cole or Jose Bosingwa is caught out of position, it’s almost invariably Drogba who busts a gut to get back there and plug the gap. Yes, he conceded a penalty in extra time – but doesn’t that tell you something? How many strikers would have been in the position to concede it?

Veteran striker Drogba may have just played his final game for Chelsea – but between his effort defensively, the bullet header to equalise in the dying moments and the title-clinching penalty conversion, surely he has done enough to extend his eight-year stay in London. And even in the jubilant scenes which followed the shoot-out, the Ivorian found time to console not only Bastien Schweinstaiger, but his former Chelsea teammate Robben, with whom he talked and hugged for some time while his teammates celebrated.

Depleted in midfield, Di Matteo leaned heavily on Frank Lampard to anchor his team, and the Chelsea stalwart did not disappoint. This was not a night for Lampard to showcase his attacking talents, but he covered as much ground as he could in shadowing Muller and Toni Kroos and harrassing Bayern’s creative talents when they came within shooting range.

Ashley Cole rolled back the years to produce one of the finest defensive displays of his Chelsea career (Image | Sky Sports)

And then there was the back four. Many – me, for a start – believed that the absence of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic would be decisive. Although Bosingwa and David Luiz weren’t perfect in their performance – Luiz committed so many fouls it wouldn’t have been surprising to see him sent to an early bath – their work rate was outstanding. Gary Cahill played through the pain barrier in extra time.

Cole, meanwhile, personifies the siege-defence mentality Chelsea have been forced to adopt in the latter stages of this tournament, the England left-back producing one of the most memorable displays of his career in timing every tackle to perfection and getting in block after block as Munich threatened to overcome their ‘visitors’.

Many in red showed that they had what it takes to win tonight, too. Manuel Neuer, barely tested in two hours of football, stood up to save Juan Mata’s penalty and then convert his own in the shoot-out. Philipp Lahm exorcised his shoot-out demons of the semi-final; Muller recovered from a couple of poor misses to score the opening goal seven minutes from the end of normal time.

In the end, however, Bayern didn’t get enough from their front three tonight. Robben, Gomes and Frank Ribery combined to blaze shot after shot over the bar or round the post, and on several occasions missed the target when it should have been easier to hit it. And after Robben’s penalty miss in extra time seemed to herald a shoot-out, it was Schweinstaiger, the archetypal Munich hero, whose stuttering run-up backfired so spectacularly in the final moment of the competition.

There will, naturally, be endless questions over the next couple of months about the futures of Di Matteo, Drogba and others in the Chelsea squad. For now, at least, they have proven their worth – mentally, as well as in terms of results – to Roman Abramovich and Chelsea.

Article courtesy of Rob Schatten from his excellent blog ‘The Armchair Pundits’

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Football News – Liverpool face battle for Ramirez, Spurs keen on £6.5m Pabon & much more…

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Chelsea have defied the odds and become Champions League winners for the first time in their history. Didier Drogba was the hero on the night scoring a bullet header to take the game into extra time and then rolling in the decisive penalty in the shoot-out. Roberto Di Matteo was incredibly emotional at the end of the game and it remains to be seen as to whether the Italian caretaker has done enough to secure the manager’s job permanently, in the eyes of Roman Abramovich. John Terry has called upon him to be appointed, but Di Matteo will just have to play the waiting game.

Elsewhere in the news Liverpool fans unhappy about Martinez potentially taking the reins at Anfield; Hodgson believes that Rooney’s suspension could prove a blessing, while Anzhi Makhachkala are set to offer Robin van Persie a staggering £300k a week to join this summer.

Headlines

Roman Abramovich finally realises his dream and gets his hands on the very trophy he has been spending his millions for - Independent

Gary Neville believes the cliché ‘name is on the cup’ has never been more apt to describe Chelsea this season, having emerged victorious despite being beaten in football terms from Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the latter stages of the competition – Daily Mail

Brian Kidd sees similarities in Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson and believes they are both cut from the same cloth – Guardian

Roy Hodgson believes that Wayne Rooney missing the first two games maybe a blessing in disguise as it will keep him fresh for the rest of the tournament – Guardian

Chelsea appear to have stolen the march on Manchester in the pursuit of Eden Hazard – Daily Telegraph

Roy Keane believes that Manchester City need to retain their title if they want to be seen as a force in English football – Independent

Sam Allardyce has hailed the signing of Ricardo Vaz Te as his best ever at West Ham, as the Portuguese forward fired in the winner to take the Hammers back into the Premier League – Guardian

Liverpool fans have rounded on the decision makers at Anfield who have made Roberto Martinez the favourite for the job – Daily Mail

Spurs have entered the £6.5m chase for Colombian striker Dorlan Pabon – Mirror

Ole Gunner Solskjaer has turned down the opportunity to take over as Aston Villa manager following talks – Sun

Liverpool are set to face strong competition from Malaga for the signature of Bologna star Gaston Ramirez – Metro

The Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala are ready to tempt Robin van Persie with a three-year contract worth a staggering £45million – Mirror

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Crewe are Wembley bound, just don’t call them kids!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

If 19 games unbeaten or a sturdy resilience in the face of an imposing Southend side when it really mattered was not enough, the trip to Essex and Roots Hall on Wednesday night offered the final call in what has become this Crewe side’s coming of age.

The lead was a precarious one, handed to Crewe by the most delicate of back post headers by Adam Dugdale last Saturday evening, and many a betting man would have plundered the money the way of a Railwaymen capitulation given the years of forging a distinct reputation for vulnerability in the face of an intimidating atmosphere.

Southend had not shipped a goal at home since March and with the potency in attack harnessed by the experience of Freddy Eastwood, the brute force of Bilel Mohsni, the crossing ability of Ryan Hall and the supportive threat of midfielder Michael Timlin, it would be obvious Crewe would need to score again to stand any chance of withstanding the most thorough of examinations of a back-line that in the very nature of the club, bears the possibility of a glaring error or two with unerring frequency. The simple question was, would a young Crewe, managed by the relative rookie of a 6 month serving Steve Davis, buckle to the nous and stature of a Southend side managed by the wily, seasoned Paul Sturrock. The Alex duly went out and answered it with an emphatic “No!”

It was not the performance that will amble long in the memory, hallmarked by a fine opening strike by Ajay Leitch-Smith and the nimblest of finishes by Max Clayton, but the words of the superb Ashley Westwood when approached by the Sky interviewer in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle. The poser, “you should be so proud of your achievement for a group of kids” was instantly dismissed by the return “we don’t like being called kids” and with that came the true realisation that the old rationale of the club, one of a sole emphasis on tracking academy graduates through to the world of professional football, had been swept away to a world of results and mental-fortitude. Gone are the days that saw teams being able to carry out the old footballing adage of “mixing it”, so often gaining the upper hand on Crewe, for now this side can “mix it” too.

Bilel Mohsni was the projected danger man before this tie began but he was reduced to a peripheral force, offering just a few glimpses of his feral threat over the course of 180 minutes. A free header right at the death threw hearts into mouths in the away end, but it was comfortably gathered by Steve Phillips in a chance that summed his contribution up; from a fearful figure he had been reduced to the benign as he grew more frustrated and anxious the longer his influence was diminished. The tenacity in the tackle of Anthony Grant had somehow escaped punishment up until the 79th minute by referee Darren Drysdale, even a blatant scythe into the back of Nick Powell earned the 18 year old talent a remarkable yellow for diving, but Steve Davis’ side stood up to the gamesmanship that had so commonly been their downfall in the past.

There were shaky moments, Freddy Eastwood saw his effort chalked off for offside before hitting a post, either side of Timlin’s rasping drive smacking the opposite post, but Crewe had ample chances of their own to put the tie to bed before the obligatory barrage of pressure that usually accompanies the size of the prize slipping away from the losing side. Byron Moore somehow found the top of the stand where the home fans were positioned after seizing upon a woeful clearance from goalkeeper Cameron Belford and Leitch-Smith couldn’t bring the ball down to a composed level when put clean through, it looked with every passing minute, that such profligacy, continued in the second half as Nick Powell and Matt Tootle continuously contrived to waste counter-attacking chances with the utmost leniency, would be punished with the most heart-braking of blows. Pulses began to race when a cross was flung into the box and needlessly attracted Phillips for Neil Harris to prod into his vacated net. Southend had the momentum in their corner but Crewe’s youthful innocence chose not to play to the script. Max Clayton, introduced for Leitch-Smith, was released into the box by the most sublime of passes by an otherwise sporadic Powell, and illustrated the potential of his promising career that will roll on far past his 17 years by slipping a finish inside Belford’s near post.

Pandemonium, Wembley was in sight with that goal, clocked on 85 minutes, Southend would need two in the final stages but with events at Manchester City ringing in everybody’s minds, this tie was not over and Chris Barker gave a crisp reminder of that by nodding Ryan Hall’s excellent chipped cross over the line just minutes later. An Alamo ensued, but Crewe’s bunch of youngsters held firm to cling onto the 2-3 advantage that saw Wembley roll onto a touchable horizon. There was no soft-centre, see Morecambe, Doncaster, or Chesterfield for spectacular Crewe capitulations over the years, rearing its ugly head this time and the 774 fans that had travelled down from South Cheshire were sent into emotional raptures. The players and management team celebrated in front of them in a shroud of gratitude and Westwood uttered those immortal words, broadcast on screen for anybody who wants to reference them; “we don’t like to be called kids”.

That the transition from Dario Gradi’s soulless ineptitude that threatened to harm his wonderful legacy to Steve Davis’ ambitious new era will now culminate in a mass exodus of South Cheshire to the capital can be described without breaching any boundaries of hyperbole. It has been a massive, remarkable journey and it was fitting that Max Clayton, the face of Crewe’s future, should get the goal to take them to their fabled destination as Crewe Alexandra has always been about the future. Now however, they are also about the present.

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Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea (3-4 on Penalties) – Match Report

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Didier Drogba laid the ghosts of Moscow 2008 to rest scoring the winning penalty  at the Allianz Arena as Chelsea triumphed over Bayern Munich in the shootout to seal the Champions League for the first time in their history .

The Ivorian international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had already saved Chelsea in normal time heading home a Juan Mata corner two minutes from time after the German side looked to have nicked the trophy moments earlier after Thomas Muller had nodded home from close range. The 34-year-old almost went from hero to villain in extra time giving away a penalty after clipping Frank Ribery in 18-yard area only for Petr Cech spare his blushed keeping out Arjen Robbens tame spot kick as the additional 30 minutes failed to separate the two sides. But the Blues hopes of taking the trophy back to Stamford Bridge looked slim as they fell 3-1 behind during the shootout only for Bayern to lose their nerve and present Drogba with the opportunity to crown Chelsea as champions of Europe in what could be his last game for the club.

It was only four years ago that the West Londoners, led by another interim in the form of Avram Grant, lost on penalties to Manchester United on a wet night in the Russian capital. A similar chain of events have transpired this time around with Roberto Di Matteo picking up the pieces of Andre Villas-Boas’ disastrous reign, restoring a sense of pride to the club and delivering the trophy owner Roman Abramovich has craved ever since he bought the club in 2003. Whether this will secure the managers job permanently for Di Matteo has yet to be decided although he’ll certainly come under serious consideration after this.

He displayed his astute tactical intelligence by setting Chelsea’s stall out to frustrate Bayern and for much of the contest it worked as Jupp Heynckes’ side struggled to break down an unflinching defence containing the half fit duo of Gary Cahill and David Luiz. When the Bundesliga side did carve out an opportunity it was wasted by top scorer Mario Gomez who displayed none of the composure or ruthlessness that has bagged him over 40 goals this season. The German international’s control let him down in the first instance as he tried to trap a fizzing Frank Ribery cross before he lashed over just before half time as his frustration grew on home turf.

Just after the break Ribery thought he’d broken the deadlock only for his tap in from Robben’s deflected strike ruled out for offside as they continued to ask questions of a supremely disciplined Chelsea side. It took until the 83rd minute to break the Blue resistance as Muller stole in behind man of the match Ashley Cole to meet Tony Kroos’ deep cross to nod a downward header past Cech and put Bayern on the brink of a fifth Champions League triumph. But there was to be cruel twist in the tail as Drogba provided a stunning riposte five minutes later rising highest to power Juan Mata’s corner past Manuel Neuer to send the away support behind the goal into ecstasy and the game into extra time.

Just three minutes after the restart though Drogba rashly bundled Ribery over in the area giving Robben the chance to snatch the lead back only for Cech to save from his former teammate and keep Chelsea in the hunt. Blue hearts were in their mouths after Ivicia Olic stole in behind the Jose Boswinga but opted to cross as opposed to shooting and seeing the ball trickle wide as or substitute Daniel Van Buyten agonisingly tried to make contact.

But it was left to a straight shootout to decide a tensely, absorbing contest and Bayern looked to have one hand on the trophy as they raced into a 3-1 lead. But fighting back from adversity has been the overriding narrative of Chelsea’s season and Cech showed his mettle saving from Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger giving Drogba the platform to complete his redemption and clinch the Champions League trophy.

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Liverpool keen on €18m Spanish ace & Reds lead chase for Bosman swoop – Best of LFC

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Liverpool FC: Shankly GatesYou have to admit the dethroning of Kenny Dalglish was almost inevitable paying the ultimate price for a season steeped in underachievement and scandal. Disregarding his past glories, reputation and standing with the Red’s support owners Fenway Sports Group decided it was time to wield the axe. Dalglish’s fate was unavoidable after the club finished eight in the Premier League table after a 1-0 defeat at Swansea on the final day – a whopping 17 points short of the top-four. Even a Carling Cup triumph and an FA Cup final appearance wasn’t enough to save the 61-year-old former midfielder who’s second spell as manager at Anfield didn’t yield the results expected upon his return 18-months ago. There is no getting away from the fact that squandering £150 million on players that have failed to perform also contributed to Dalglish’s downfall. Whoever succeeds him in the dugout – whether it bet Andre Villas-Boas or Roberto Martinez – require time and patience from the the clubs hierarchy who are need to scrupulous in their selection process.

This week on FFC are Liverpool on the verge of plummeting into oblivion and which African star is on the clubs radar as they seek new recruits in the transfer window?

Best of FFC

Liverpool sacrifice stability for superficiality

The new Liverpool manager in waiting?

Liverpool on the cusp of ‘football limbo’

Gone but certainly not forgotten at Anfield

Should the FA or the Premier league make this illegal?

Liverpool and Spurs lead chase for Senegal ace

Best of WEB

This Decision May Prove Right, But Is Hard To Swallow - Live 4 Liverpool

Should Liverpool fans be worried by this disturbing aspect of FSG’s strategy…? - Liverpool Kop

Kenny Deserves A Better Send Off - This is Anfield

Big Plans Needed to Replace King Kenny - The Tomkins Times

Worrying Signs as FSG Lack Courage in Their Own Conviction - Live 4 Liverpool

The King is gone: what next for LFC? - This is Anfield

Can Anyone Tell Me Why Kuyt Is Being So Badly Mismanaged? - Transfer Tavern

Liverpool are interested in €18m winger – Liverpool Kop

Quote of the Week

“We have got a trophy and we got to a cup final, so in the domestic cup competitions we have had a fantastic season, but in the league we all know it was a disappointment,” said Carragher.

“We all realise now the Champions League is very important. It’s the place to be seen and we are not there. Liverpool fans probably don’t want to hear it, but it is an achievement getting into the top four. It is different to what it was a long time ago.” Jamie Carragher admits Kenny Dalglish’s successor must focus on getting Liverpool back into the top four

Dalglish sacked as Liverpool manager

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Arsenal set to offer £5m bumper deal & Hoilett should snub move for Gunners – Best of AFC

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

In the end it all proved to be quite routine for Arsenal. Any lingering doubt over securing third place were put to rest as they triumphed over West Brom at the Hawthorns aided by the slippery mits of Baggies on-loan keeper Fulop.  Obviously the North London conspiracy theorists will be buzzing with that knowledge but it doesn’t draw away from the fact Arsene Wenger has achieved something deemed inconceivable 10-months ago. Obtaining automatic qualification to the Champions League was a mere pipe dream for the Gunners at the beginning of the season after losing key figures Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri without the adequate time to replace them. Two wins from their first seven games left them staring down the barrel of the unthinkable until a miraculous revival saw them surge up the table overtaking the Spuds who appeared dead certs to finish third. Keeping Robin Van Persie at the Emirates Stadium will now be the main focus for Wenger who would loathe to lose his 37-goal top scorer ahead of the next campaign.

This week on FFC should the Gunners hierarchy stand firm during Robin Van Persie’s contract negotiations and is the season just gone a one to forget for supporters?

Best of FFC

Football FanCast Meets Robert Pires

Has Arsene’s Pride Come Before Arsenal’s Fall?

Should Arsenal look to follow suit and play hardball?

What can we honestly expect from Arsenal FC?

Arsenal set to offer bumper deal

The TEN ‘conclusions and lessons’ we have learnt From Arsenal’s season

Best of WEB

The “Oh God, It’s Going To Be A Long Summer” Post - A Cultured Left Foot

The missing ingredient in the Arsenal camp - Gunnersphere

How those RVP negotiations might have went… - Online Gooner

Can he ever create another ‘Invincible’ side? - Gunnersphere

Can’t pull the wool down - Arseblog

Arsenal take third | Robin comments concerning | Kieran Gibbs… you little beauty! - Le Grove

One way to stop players leaving, Alisher Usmanov!! - Highbury House

Why Junior Hoilett Should Join Arsenal, Not Spurs - Transfer Tavern

Quote of the Week

“Robin wants to win trophies. Arsenal have to show him he can do it with Arsenal. The best way for them to get him to sign a contract is to bring players to the club who can show him that the club are in the same line as him.

“It is really important because we know how Robin loves Arsenal – that is not the question, the question is how Arsene Wenger will convince Robin they can win trophies.” Former captain Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal need to show ambition if they are to keep top scorer Robin Van Persie

West Brom Highlights

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Arsenal set to offer £5m bumper deal & Hoilett should snub move for Gunners – Best of AFC

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An inspired signing for Fergie & United eye £50m triple swoop – Best of MUFC

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Did Manchester United lose the Premier League title or did City win it? The grimace on Sir Alex Ferguson’s face as he frantically ushered his players down the tunnel at the Stadium of Light evidently pointed to the latter. After all the Red Devil’s were mere seconds away from adding a 20th top-flight championship to their trophy cabinet until Sergio Aguero struck in what is now being billed as ‘Aguero Time’. Ferguson’s knew close United were to triumphing once again over their noisy neighbours and retaining their dominance over the English game. He watched his players toil to chip away at the advantage Roberto Mancini’s had built up only for their efforts to prove futile at the season’s climax.  Second best isn’t an established term in his vocabulary. Undoubtedly he will use the summer to hold an inquest into United’s failure to prevail over City and ensure they come out on top next season and curb the escalating power shift.

This week on FFC is City’s title triumph down to the fact United are currently in a state of flux and which three stars Bundesliga stars does Ferguson have his eye on?

Best of FFC

After Old Trafford, will any other club take a transfer risk?

City Domination or United Transition?

United Fans Discontent Warranted at Old Trafford

The TEN players that the Premier League just ‘wasn’t built for’

Will regulations see the Premier League fall into the Bundesliga shadow?

Manchester United eye triple swoop

Best of WEB

You Can’t Buy History, But You Can Buy For The Future - Red Flag Flying High

“That game was the most pressure I’ve ever felt in my life” - The Busby Way

The hire race - United Rant

A Message To Roy Hodgson: “Start Danny Welbeck!” - Red Flag Flying High

“We Will Win The Title Back Easily!” - The Busby Way

Shinji Kagawa Singing Would Be An Inspired Move - Transfer Tavern

Quote of the Week

“We have given the title to City, but if we play well from the beginning to end, we will win the title back easily. We received a lot of criticism this season, but we have got nine points better than last season.

“City played their best football and we didn’t always play our best football, but we still finished on the same points. So it makes you think that if we play our best football consistently throughout the season, then we are going to win the league by many points. Patrice Evra believes consistency is the key next season if Manchester United are to wrestle the Premier League title from the grasp of rivals City 

Ferguson and Giggs win Premier League awards

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An inspired signing for Fergie & United eye £50m triple swoop – Best of MUFC

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Levy quoted £9m to seal deal & Spurs braced for £5m summer bid – Best of THFC

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Watching their North London rivals steal third place from under their noses must have been tough for everyone connected with Tottenham Hotspur. After all it was a position they occupied for much of the season until a late collapse cost them the prize they craved most of all – automatic qualification to the Champions League. Speculation over the England job caused him to take his eye off the ball and proved the catalyst for a slump that saw Spurs completely lose their grip on third allowing their near neighbours to overtake them. Although most fans would have taken 4th at the start of the season, there is an air of disappointment as to how the season panned out.

This week on FFC what does the future hold for Spurs’ Croatian playmaker and which African star could soon be pitching up at White Hart Lane on a free transfer?

Best of FFC

A transfer punt worth taking by Tottenham?

Luka’s Mod-ification – should he stick or twist?

A blessing in disguise for Tottenham?

The TEN ‘conclusions and lessons’ we have learnt From Tottenham’s season

Time to stop this Harry love-in and let Roy play the long game

Tottenham weighing up Bosman move for Ivory Coast star

Sunderland set to test Spurs’ resolve with £5m bid

Tottenham set £9m asking price

Best of WEB

The Game that was seen around the world - Spurs musings from Jimmy G2

Adebayor (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love An Ex Gooner) - Harry Hotspur

Shut up, sit down, do as we tell you to - Dear Mr Levy

Too Late, Too Far Gone - Tottenham on my Mind

If it’s all so good why do I feel so bad? - Spurs musings from Jimmy G2

Lasagne > Fulop - Dear Mr Levy

Quote of the Week

“He was only on loan and his loan is up. It is up to the chairman if we could loan him again. I would like to keep him, obviously. He has done great for us.

“But I don’t know. We don’t pay them wages – the only way we could do a deal was if the chairman did a clever deal like he did this year for him.” Harry Redknapp admits he wants to retain the services of Emanuel Adebayor after the striker bagged 17 goals during his season-long loan deal at White Hart Lane came to an end

Fulham Highlights

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Levy quoted £9m to seal deal & Spurs braced for £5m summer bid – Best of THFC

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