Last Night's Action

As expected, Chelsea were just too strong for Porto last night. Classic Chelski. Robben takes a speculative shot and Porto’s keeper Todd Helton spills the easy pick. Once they got that goal it was all over. Of course, Mr. Anonymous Mike Ballack got the winner. The only bloody thing he did all night. Robben also had a dive that would make Rodney Dangerfield proud. No shocker there. See below for the video.

Also as expected, Liverpool had Barcelona’s number. Sissoko was magnificent and both Jamie Carragher and Carlos Puyol made cases for current top defender in Europe. Excellent tactics by Rafa kept Messi, Ronny, Deco and Eto contained throughout. Ronny hit the post but Liverpool saw woodwork though Sissoko and JAR. They deservedly go through.

Roma were the surprise package of the night with their victory over Lyon. The French side continue to roll through Ligue 1 but cannot make the leap into Euro success. Perhaps Gerrard H. will give up and head to Australia. That’s what the rumors say, at least.

And finally, Inter and Valencia draw. It’s what I predicted, but I didn’t think there would be the mayhem at the end. See the video below. If Arsenal and Chelsea had a brawl, what was this? A bit closer to the truth, I think.

Four more matches await tonight! Arsenal have all to do at home, Lille are still fuming at Manchester United, Celtic have a tough trip to Milan, and will Madrid’s lazy attitude in the last fixture cost them in Munich? Exhausting but fabulous. -Sanford

Wednesday's Champions League Previews

Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven
Gunners take gamble on Henry injury:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2027997,00.html

Manchester United vs. Lille
Lille go on the warpath and accuse United fans of violence:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2027996,00.html

AC Milan vs. Celtic
Strachan demands highest standards to spring Milan upset:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2028122,00.html

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
'It'll be bloody difficult!':
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2028367,00.html

Tuesday's Champions League Reports

Chelsea 2-1 FC Porto: Ballack caps comeback:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=211920&cc=5901

Lyon 0-2 Roma: French champions stunned:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=211921&cc=5901

Valencia 0-0 Inter: Brawl as Valencia progress:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=211923&cc=5901

Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona: Holders dumped out:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=211922&cc=5901

Richard Jolley at Anfield

Liverpool knock out the holders...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=412803&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Inter and Valencia Mix it Up

Arsenal are the sole true heirs to Cruyff's glorious vision

The game between Arsenal and PSV will evoke total football, but not from the Dutch champions, says David Winner.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/07/arsenal_are_the_sole_true_heir.html

Richard Williams Column

Despite winning, Chelsea again failed to demonstrate any of the artistry for which Roman Abramovich yearns.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/07/mourinho_rises_above_emotion_t.html

Derby County take a lead from Jones

Derby County effected the sixth change at the top of the table in 10 days with this victory last night, and it was their collective determination in coming from a goal down that suggested Billy Davies's team are in the mood to stay there.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2028130,00.html

Robben's Dive vs. Porto

The Advanced Aged One scored a lucky goal and had this lovely dive to complete a memorable evening...

Gold Cup: U.S. to play Guatemala, T&T, El Salvador

The defending champion Americans play their first two Group B games in Carson, Calif., against Guatemala on June 7 and Trinidad and Tobago on June 9, CONCACAF said Tuesday. The U.S. team meets El Salvador on June 12 at Foxborough, Mass.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=412839&cc=5901

Two men jailed for killing Milan player's brother

A Georgian court sentenced two men on Tuesday to a total of 30 years in jail for the kidnap and murder of Levan Kaladze, the younger brother of AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-europegeorgiamurder&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Tuesday's Champions League Previews

Chelsea vs. FC Porto
First-Leg: 1-1
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=249360

Valencia vs. Inter Milan
First Leg: Inter 2-2 Valencia
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=249052

Liverpool vs. Barcelona
First Leg: Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=248860

Olympique Lyon vs. AS Roma
First leg: Roma 0-0 Lyon
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=248891

Phil Ball in Spain

No prizes for guessing this week's topic. Sevilla, for reasons good and bad, have been the main soundbite in an extraordinary week here in Spain.

On Wednesday night in the 2nd leg of the King's Cup derby game at Betis, Sevilla's manager Juande Ramos was felled by a flying bottle (plastic, but filled with water) as he did a jig on the touchline after his side had gone ahead in the 57th minute. He then did a rather more worrying jig, staggering forward and losing consciousness. The game was abandoned, Ramos was taken to hospital (where he recovered) and the proverbial has been hitting the fan (not the one who threw the bottle) ever since.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=412528&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Barca ignoring talk of failure

If Jose Mourinho feels the internal politics at Chelsea have become a little complicated in the last 12 months, he should try stepping into the shoes of his old adversary at Barcelona.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=412332&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2&cc=5901

Doppelganger Gunners

Unlike many seemingly moderate middle-aged men, Arsene Wenger seems to relish all things new. Given a choice between the tried and trusted and the unfamiliar with unlimited potential, he invariably opts for the latter. It is easy, therefore, to label Wenger a neophile yet, if his prodigies appear familiar, it should be no surprise: the majority appear modelled on their predecessors in the Arsenal production line.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=412567&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Sid Lowe in Spain

Hats off to awesome Alves as Sevilla blow title race wide open...Sevilla's Dani Alves is no ordinary right-back, something Barça found out to their cost in a thrilling showdown at the weekend.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/05/hats_off_to_awesome_alves_as_s.html

James Richardson in Italy

Time to hail the magic of IbraCadabra...Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of football's supreme Marmite tests, but the doubters are being won over.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/06/time_to_hail_the_magic_of_ibra.html

Police to investigate 'anti-Semitix' West Ham video

West Ham United's season took a turn from the shambolic to the shameful on Sunday when large groups of supporters were filmed chanting racist and anti-semitic slogans at half-time of the club's 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that its football unit is investigating a complaint made by the Community Security Trust, an organisation that protects Britain's Jewish community from anti-semitism. Among the chants heard was one stating: "I'd rather be a Paki than a Jew".
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2027361,00.html

Rijkaard pulls no punches in showdown with Liverpool

With George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, Liverpool’s new American owners, taking their seats in the Anfield directors’ box for the first time tonight, the build-up to the club’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona lurched into heavyweight boxing territory last night when Frank Rijkaard, the visiting team’s coach, sent a series of caustic swipes the way of Rafael Benítez.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1475405.ece

Tuesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2027633,00.html

Veron delighted to be back in Argentina set-up

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=412702&cc=5901

Publishers give football a swerve after Cole’s autobiography crashes

When Ashley Cole heard the figure of 5,000, did he nearly swerve off the road? The figure does not represent the pay rise offered by Arsenal that the defender found so insulting, but the number of sales that Cole’s book has racked up. As Headline paid a reputed £250,000 for the defender’s story, My Defence, the publishers might feel that the figures — like the wage offer in the most infamous passage in the book — are “taking the p***”, especially as the serialisation of the book in The Times caused a sensation.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1470025.ece

Quiet on the Spurs Rumor Front

How about that excellent victory last night?! The type of game Spurs usually drop. The silly rumor front, however, has been relatively quiet. Here are the links we've seen over the last two weeks:

• 6’7” Nikola Zigic from Racing Santander
• Sticking with Racing Santander: defender Ruben Gonzalez
• NBA MVP Steve Nash to buy major stake in the club
• Spurs will lose Berbatov to ManU
• 16-year-old striker Henri Saviet from Bordeaux

Don't know anything about Racing or Santander, except that the city has a ferry link with Plymouth. Guess that's how half the team will get into the UK and make their way to North London. As for point two, pretty soon the entire Premiership will be owned by North Americans. Losing Berbatov to Lord Fergie would be a huge bummer. And, finally, a 16-year-old French kid? Who do we think we are, Arsenal?

Match Reports from the EPL, La Liga, and Serie A

English Premier League:
ManU steal another victory, Spurs comeback, Arsenal edge Reading...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

La Liga:
Sevilla take Barcelona, Valencia win, Real Madrid draw...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spainreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Serie A:
Inter start a new win streak, Roma draw, Fiorentina romp...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Injury blow to Beckham's England hopes

David Beckham's chances of winning an England recall suffered a major blow when he picked up a knee injury in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Getafe.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=412497&cc=5901

Premiership: Title not over yet, insists Jose

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has vowed to fight Manchester United until the bitter end in the Premiership title race. John O'Shea's late winner at Anfield gave United victory against rivals Liverpool and moved them closer to ending Chelsea's hopes of a hat-trick of titles, although Mourinho's men closed the gap to nine points with a 2-0 victory at Portsmouth later on Saturday.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=412496&cc=5901

West Ham squad 'out of control'

A culture of reckless high-stakes gambling is causing division within West Ham and rupturing morale to such an extent that the first-team squad, already riven by cliques, is 'spiralling out of control' - and the players, manager and directors already know that they can do nothing to stop the club being relegated. That is the damning view from inside the dressing room at the Premiership's most troubled club.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2026092,00.html

Monday's Rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2026909,00.html

Gerrard dives into a murky grey area

Fifa have been meeting in Manchester this weekend and when North-West managers were asked - by journalists, not Sepp Blatter - what positive changes they would like to see introduced, David Moyes came up with quite a good one. The Everton manager believes diving to be a major scourge of the modern game and would like to see offenders punished retrospectively by disciplinary panels viewing video evidence. 'We already do that for violent behaviour if the cameras have caught someone throwing a punch that the referee has missed,' Moyes argues. 'Why not simply extend that principle to cheating? If the cameras can prove something that the referee couldn't see at the time, the guilty player should receive a ban in the same way.'
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2026057,00.html

Nervous Schalke wind up going for the sausage

A second straight home defeat has suddenly made things a little hairy for Mirko Slomka's side, who are in danger of throwing away another title.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/05/nervous_schalke_wind_up_going.html

Mark E. Smith reading the classified results.

It doesn't get much more surreal than this. Maybe some of you, like myself, grew up listening to The Fall, so you'll know that their legendary frontman Mark E. Smith has always been a touch different. But reading out the classified results? The novelty does wear off after The Championship but the interview at the end of the clip is pretty funny.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHQcoPUEskA

Arsene keeps on throwing those toys out of his pram...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/footbalhttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifl.html?in_article_id=439503&in_page_id=1779

Sanford's Premiership Predictions

Here's what I think'll transpire this weekend on the pitches of England. We'll see how I do come Monday.


And yes, that's me, by the way. Just getting stretched and limber before the big match. -Sanford






Liverpool vs. Manchester United

I like the home club here. Liverpool are on a high and their Portugal problems only seem to have brought them together. United were lucky to get their win at Fulham last week and I think it’s high time Liverpool won this heated rivalry.

2-1

Arsenal vs. Reading

The Gunners are in disarray with injuries and suspensions after their Cup dreams ended abruptly on two fronts. With one eye on Tuesday’s visit by PSV, Reading could become the first team to win at The Emirates. I don’t think they’ll do it, though. Look for a draw here with Arsenal coming back yet again to share the spoils.

1-1

Fulham vs. Aston Villa

The Cottagers were desperately unlike not get a victory versus United, let alone a draw. Their home form has been exceptional, and on their day they can play a brand of football that flows with the same ease as some of their London neighbors. I don’t see Villa getting much out of this contest. After last week, Chris Coleman will have his charges up for it with demands for three points. And they’ll get them.

3-1

Manchester City vs. Wigan

Citeh have found goals lacking of late but I think they’ll do the business here. Psycho has no desire to get any closer to the relegation battle and playing at home, he’ll be treating this as a must-win contest. Wigan are up and down and I don’t have any confidence in their form away from the JJB.

2-0

Newcastle vs. Middlesbrough

One never knows what Newcastle squad will grace St. James’ Park. They’ve been so hot and so cold that it’s tough to pick them as winners on any given weekend. Meanwhile, Southgate has got Yakubu and Viduka linking well and that hot tandem will be enough to claim something from this quick trip up north.

3-3

Sheffield United vs. Everton

This has a draw written all over it. Arteta will make something happen, Andy Johnson will score, but in the end, United will scrap for a point at home. They’re getting comfortable with the fact that they can stay up, and I don’t expect them to blow it.

1-1

Watford vs. Charlton

A massive fixture to say the least. Charlton ran all over their London foe last weekend -- could we see a letdown on their trip to Vicarage Road? Even if we do, I still fancy them here. For Watford there remains but one question: where will the goals come from?

0-1

Portsmouth vs. Chelsea

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Pompey will get something here. Chelsea suffered greatly in the Carling Cup Final and without Terry will be prone to problems in the back. You'd think The Blues won the World Cup the way they celebrated the League Cup. I think they let off too much steam. Pompey have not had a big home win in a while and although that won’t change here, they’ll claim a deserved point.

1-1

Bolton vs. Blackburn

I give fuck all about this match.

0-0

West Ham vs. Tottenham

This week’s London Derby could prove to be quite interesting. A few weeks back you’d have to bet on the Hammers to take advantage of Tottenham’s poor travels and get a result. But Spurs have bucked up and suddenly look a side worthy of a strong finish. Meanwhile, Alan Curbishly must be wondering why he came out retirement in East London. West Ham are a mess and it’ll continue to show at Upton Park come Sunday.

1-3

Bellamy blames red, red wine for Riise row

Craig Bellamy has admitted he 'lost it' with team-mate John Arne Riise during Liverpool's Portugal break when it was alleged he brandished a golf club at the Anfield defender.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411787&cc=5901


You know, funny thing...it doesn't really take much for Craig Bellamy to "lose it." - Sanford

An American in Fulham

Mike was on holiday with some friends in London in 2003 when he first saw the football club that was to change his life: Fulham.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=411744&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2&cc=5901

Jay DeMerit Column

Defending is one of those thankless jobs sometimes. Forwards can miss 10 easy chances in a row, but score the winner in the dying minutes and get all the credit. For a defender, to see a zero in the opposition's box score at the end of the game is just as gratifying as being the goal scorer. At some points this season, we've had to set up shop in our own half of the field, defend till the death and try to hold on. But lately, we've stuck to our guns and started to pick up some crucial wins that just might keep us in the fight for survival in the Premiership.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=demerit_jay

Weekend Previews for the Top Divisions in England, Italy, Spain, and Germany

English Premiership:
Old Foes Face Off At Anfield -- Liverpool versus Manchester United tops the bill in an intriguing set of weekend fixtures that could have a major bearing both at the top and bottom of the Premiership.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=246494

Serie A:
Inter Milan aim for quick return to winning ways.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italypreview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

La Liga:
Barcelona's visit to Sevilla highlights the weekend's fixture list.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411649&cc=5901

Bundesliga:
Slumping Schalke must face an improving Hamburg.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411607&cc=5901

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

Not surprisingly, Lawro fancies a draw between Liverpool and Manchester United...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6392657.stm

Red Star worried by Partizan's purple patch

The gap between the big Belgrade rivals is being rapidly bridged and a refereeing dispute could close it even further.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/02/red_star_worried_by_partizans.html

Great in Europe, now Benítez must close gap at home

With Liverpool trailing 16 points behind Manchester United, Rafael Benítez cannot afford to pick a team with one eye on Barcelona.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/02/great_in_europe_now_benitez_mu.html

Arsenal's season of promise could soon turn to dust

Arsenal must beat PSV on Wednesday to save a season that looked so promising just a week ago.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/02/arsenals_season_of_promise_cou.html

West Ham braced for departure of players

Jermain Defoe was vilified for requesting a transfer within 24 hours of West Ham United’s relegation in 2003, but considering what has become of the club this season, who could blame several senior players for following suit this time?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/west_ham/article1459145.ece

Davies plots promotion course for shaky Derby

After three successive losses, Billy Davies is attempting to take the pressure off his faltering Derby County side by insisting that tonight’s match at home to Colchester United will not make or break the club’s drive for the Barclays Premiership.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/championship/article1459500.ece

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is knocked out cold

Richard Jolly at Ewood Park

FA Cup Replay: Blackburn 1 - 0 Arsenal
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=411577&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Serie A Report: Udinese Halt Inter's Run With San Siro Draw + Serie A Table

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=245253

Italian Serie A Table

Teams	Played	Goal Difference	Pts
Inter	25	35	67
Roma	25	31	53
Palermo	26	11	45
Lazio	25	21	40
Empoli	25	2	38
Milan	25	12	37
Sampdoria	25	1	33
Fiorentina	25	17	32
Udinese	25	-4	32
Atalanta	25	3	31
Catania	26	-14	31
Livorno	25	-11	28
Siena	25	-6	27
Torino	25	-15	25
Chievo	25	-8	23
Cagliari	25	-11	23
Reggina	25	-4	21
Messina	25	-17	20
Parma	25	-23	17
Ascoli	25	-20	15

Casey Admits MLS Frustration

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=245234

Copa del Rey: Betis-Sevilla Suspended As Coach Is Knocked Unconscious

More problems in Seville...
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=245188

More fallout from the Carling Cup Final

Wenger vents fury after more cup woe:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411602&cc=5901

Lampard denies being punched in cup brawl:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411620&cc=5901

Tickets Go On Sale for Euro 2008 Finals

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbleur2008tickets&prov=afp&type=lgns

Violence and merger overshadow new China season

Violence on the pitch and the multi-million dollar merger of Shanghai's two top clubs have dominated the run-up to this weekend's start of the fourth Chinese Super League (CSL) season.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-china_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Newcastle's Emre faces fresh racism probe

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandemre&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wednesday's Italian Serie A match reports

Draws for Fiorentina, Roma, Milan...
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Sid Lowe on the violence in Sevilla

Real Betis's president insists the incident that saw Juande Ramos knocked unconscious by a bottle from the stands was a one-off. He is wrong.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/01/this_was_no_isolated_incident.html

James Richardson in Italy

Inter's hot streak came to an end last night but it'll be a cold day in hell before anyone in Serie A catches them.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/03/01/mancini_draws_comfort_from_fai.html

Quinn reaches out to Sunderland supporters

Sunderland's chairman Niall Quinn has written to 7,000 disaffected former season-ticket holders and will begin a series of large-scale meetings with them at a social club in Washington from Tuesday. Although they had more than 36,000 at the Stadium of Light for last Saturday's visit of Derby County - more than double the attendance at Blackburn v Portsmouth the following day - Quinn argues that Sunderland need to have 40,000-plus crowds if they are to prove themselves "a big club".
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2023823,00.html