Andy Herron, Grab Some Bench

Last night while watching a surprisingly well played Crue/Revs MLS match, an ugly series of events unfolded which will undoubtedly result in a huge suspension for Andy Herron. He was blatantly fouled on a breakaway by Jay Heaps, who then did a whole bunch of yelling and pointing at Herron while recieving a yellow card. Herron is perhaps most famous for assaulting a referee during the playoffs and starting the following season for the Chicago Fire with a 6 game suspension, and on a subsequent free kick he dished out a healthy amount of payback. I can only imagine that he'll be given a huge suspension for his troubles. Oh, and the Crue came back and tied it up for a 2-2 final. That Ned Grabavoy is starting to look like a nice little player.

Adriano Handed A Two-match Ban

Adriano was handed a two-match ban last night for diving and tricking the referee into awarding a penalty in favour of the Nerazzurri during Inter's 1-3 defeat against Roma.
http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=284463

And here it is:

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

The BBC's expert likes a draw in the North London Derby...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6555519.stm

Weekend Previews For England, Spain, Italy and Germany

EPL:
Arsenal face Spurs in North London Derby amidst off-field turmoil.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6691210

La Liga:
Primera Liga heavyweights Real Madrid and Valencia meet at the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing a win would be a major psychological blow in the title race.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423066&cc=5901

Serie A:
Inter Milan will be determined to prove the midweek loss to Roma that delayed their title celebrations was only a blip by beating Siena on Sunday.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423169&cc=5901

Bundesliga:
Bayern Munich can say 'Auf Wiedersehen' to the Bundesliga championship unless they can beat VfB Stuttgart on Saturday in a showdown for third place with just five weeks left in the season.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423044&cc=5901

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

Looks like this is shaping up to be a wonderful season for traditionalists, or at least for history-laden football cities. We have already had a closer look at Schalke, en route to winning their first championship since 1958, and Karlsruhe, about to return to the top flight after nine years. And on Tuesday night, Nuremberg reached the German FA Cup final for the first time in a quarter of a century - 71 years, 4 months and 9 days after this club had become the first-ever team to lift the trophy.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=423171&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Kevin Nolan Column

The Bolton captain voted for Scholes for Player of the Year...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6562939.stm

Fulham need 'front to back' improvement - McBride

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423294&cc=5901

Messi Goal Brings Back Memories of Maradona

Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, described Messi's goal as "a work of art", while team-mate Deco said it was "the greatest goal I have seen in my life."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1676692.ece

EPL Wednesday Reports

West Ham 1 - 4 Chelsea
Wright-Phillips nets a brace:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2060605,00.html

Liverpool 2 - 0 Boro
Gerrard nets a brace:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2060604,00.html

Blackburn 3 -1 Watford
Relegation now a formality:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2060603,00.html

Roma prevents Inter from clinching Serie A title + Table

Inter had not lost in any competition since getting beat by Bayern Munich 2-0 in the group stage of the Champions League in September.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=422881&cc=5901

James Richardson's take:
Roberto Mancini reckons Roma's pooping of the great Inter title party isn't that big a problem. I'm not so sure.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/19/roma_serve_up_surprise_as_inte.html

Italian Serie A Table
April 18, 2007	GP	PT
Inter Milan	32	81
Roma	32	68
Lazio	32	57
AC Milan	32	53
Empoli	32	49
Palermo	32	49
Fiorentina	32	44
Udinese	32	42
Sampdoria	32	39
Atalanta	32	39
Livorno	32	36
Siena	32	34
Cagliari	32	34
Catania Calcio	32	33
Torino	32	32
Reggina	32	30
Chievo Verona	32	29
Parma	32	29
Messina	32	24
Ascoli	32	20

Arsenal plunge into chaos as Dein departure splits the board

Graham Lister's take: Pragmatists vs. Romantics in the Arsenal Boardroom http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=283364

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/arsenal/article1674385.ece

Baptista Lays Into Premiership Football

"Premiership football is hard. I like shopping!" OK, so he didn't say that exactly but he came close to that famous Barbie quote. Here's the truth: The Beast is flat out poor. He's had time. He's had space. He's been ass. -Sanford

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=283785

The Race to the Premiership

The rewards for promotion to the Premiership this season has never been greater, with the new wave of television cash generating an estimated £50million - guaranteed - for each of three teams promoted from the Championship. In contrast to last season there have not been two runaway sides in English football's second tier; whereas Reading and Sheffield United comfortably coasted to the automatic spots there are no standout teams this time around.

Perhaps the only side worthy of such an accolade is Sunderland and their rookie boss Roy Keane. That the Black Cats, under the stewardship of chairman Niall Quinn, managed to lose their first four games of the league season, but now sit in pole position for the title is a remarkable achievment.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=422752&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Thursday's Rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2061070,00.html

EPL Wednesday Previews

Blackburn vs. Watford
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is urging his team to push for a UEFA Cup place after seeing the door to Europe suddenly reopen:
http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/preview?id=215170&cc=5901

Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough
Rafael Benitez has confirmed publicly for the first time that he has turned down a massive offer to manager Real Madrid:
http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/preview?id=215110&cc=5901

West Ham vs. Chelsea
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has demanded an immediate improvement from Carlos Tevez ahead of the vital Barclays Premiership clash with Chelsea:
http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/preview?id=215179&cc=5901

Serie A Wednesday Preview

Inter Milan one step away from Serie A title as the face Roma:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblita&prov=afp&type=lgns

Italy Dejected As Poland And Ukraine Become Joint Euro 2012 Hosts

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=282983




Uefa's astonishingly bold move to award Euro 2012 to Poland-Ukraine means that, already, Michel Platini's presidency has its legacy:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/18/where_east_and_west_meet.html

Teddy to Call it a Day?

Will Sheringham finally retire?

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=282925

Tuesday's EPL Results and Reports + Table

Manchester United 2 - 0 Sheffield United
Richard Jolly's take:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=422562&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Arsenal 3 -1 Manchester City
Fabregas inspires revival:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215178&cc=5901

Wenger accepts fans reaction:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=422673&cc=5901

Beasley scores third Premier League goal of season in Man City loss
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-britishrdp&prov=ap&type=lgns

English Premiership Table
April 17, 2007	GP	PT
Man Utd	33	81
Chelsea	32	75
Arsenal	34	62
Liverpool	33	61
Everton	34	54
Bolton	34	54
Portsmouth	34	49
Tottenham	33	49
Reading	34	48
Aston Villa	34	42
Newcastle	34	41
Man City	34	41
Blackburn	32	40
Middlesbrough	33	39
Wigan	34	35
Fulham	34	35
Sheff Utd	34	34
Charlton	34	32
West Ham	33	29
Watford	33	23

Playing the Name Game is working just fine for MLS

Frank Dell'Apa reports:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=422382&root=mls&cc=5901

Sid Lowe in Spain

Seville's most famous dog was left howling after Real Betis lost yet again to move even closer to the drop.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/16/hugo_howling_and_helpless_as_b.html

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

Dieter Hoeneß was the worst player to appear in a World Cup final. Now he's flopping at Hertha.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/16/hopeless_hoeness.html

Tuesday's Rumours

Ribery and MGP to ManU, Henry to Inter, Reo-Coker to Spurs...
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/0,,565628,00.html

Boca held by River after electric start

All even at La Bombonera:

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

Aston Villa allow Colombian striker Angel to join MLS side

Oh great. Is New York big enough to handle all that wet hair? And the string? And who will score for Villa once he's gone? Oh, wait. -Sanford

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

Sidwell In Newcastle Talks – Report

I realize that Newcastle is a much larger club than Reading but what is Steve Sidwell thinking? There are plenty of better options than Newcastle -- that's where players go to die! It's been years since the Magpies had any sort of star/dominant player and the number of guys that have gone there and fallen apart is too high to list. On top of that, there is no stability at the club, with Glenn Roeder on thin ice and Shearer playing the eminence gris role. You know he'll manage the club, but when? I'd stay at Reading and wait for a better opportunity. -Sanford
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=282200

Tuesday's EPL Previews

Manchester United vs. Sheffield United
Smith rediscovers his first-team feet after 14-month slog:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2058717,00.html

Warnock hoping to record 'result of the decade' (Oh, be serious, Neil! - Sanford)
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2058718,00.html

Arsenal vs. Manchester City
Gilberto calls for calm:
http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/preview?id=215178&cc=5901

Beasley given five games to gain City contract

A series of niggling injuries have restricted Beasley to just 18 appearances since his arrival on a season-long loan from PSV Eindhoven last summer.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=422398&cc=5901

Phil Ball in Spain

There are other matters in Spain, however, that could do with a medical check-up. One of them is the eternal conspiracy theory about referees.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=422183&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Tim Vickery in South America

"Brazil does not even have one stadium capable of hosting a World Cup match"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6558831.stm

Richard Williams Column

If Roman Abramovich is annoyed by the failure of his billions to produce the sort of football that ravishes the eye while putting trophies on the shelves, you could see his point yesterday. Once again Chelsea produced an important victory through sheer persistence, having been forced on to the back foot for much of the game.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/16/mourinho_delivers_but_the_intr.html

Serie A Team Of The Week: Round 32

Montolivo (Fiorentina): The guiding light of the Viola. Another great performance by this young Italian midfielder.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=281146

Keller out for rest of season

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

Paul Wilson on the EPL

The Premiership has become the pinnacle of European football and everyone wants to be involved.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/15/england_means_the_best_of_euro.html

Will a gay footballer ever come out of the comfort zone?

You know, I've always liked David James. Not sure why -- perhaps it was an old 442 with a profile on him and his art. And his art was so poor that I felt sorry for him. But I thought it was cool that he was making art, and proud of it. Here's another edition of his column. I like him even more now. He seems like a solid thinking-man's footballer. And God know there are not many those about. -Sanford

David James:

If one in 10 people are gay, where are all the gay Premiership stars? It's a question that's often asked, but there are only whispers, dodgy rumours and malicious media gossip for answers.

Football, it seems, is one of the last professional environments where you can't be out and proud. In every other entertainment industry we have gay stars. Why should football be different? Are football fans really so incapable of watching a gay player without abusing him? The same bunch of fans who are routinely homophobic always sing along to the camp-as-you-like Scissors Sisters anthems played at grounds up and down the country or the Pet Shop Boys song 'Go West'?
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/15/will_a_gay_footballer_ever_com.html

English FA Cup Reports and Commentary

Blackburn 1 - 2 Chelsea
Ballack strikes in extra time:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215425&cc=5901

Chelsea’s dream of winning an unprecedented quadruple remains very much alive after they set up an FA Cup Final meeting with Manchester United, but thoughts of a showpiece opening to the new Wembley Stadium were last night overshadowed by an even more unlikely prospect — a rapprochement between José Mourinho and Roman Abramovich.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1657968.ece


Watford 1 - 4 Manchester United
United brush Watford aside:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=215423&cc=5901

Paul Wilson Column:
Watford gave an excellent account of themselves and at times in an open and occasionally tense second half they had United penned in their own half for significant periods.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2057661,00.html

Results and Reports from Italy, England, Spain and Germany

La Liga
Sevilla lose 2-0 at Valencia:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=422044&cc=5901

Serie A
Inter can clinch it with one more win:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=421991&cc=5901

EPL
West Ham stomped by Sheffield United:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Bundesliga
Wins for Bayern and Bremen:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-germanyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

The Insider at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 2 -1 Bolton

Gunners emerge from tunnel of hell:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=421746&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

INSIDER MOAN: Why does the outbreak of some moderately warm temperatures encourage women of all sizes to wear the skimpiest of clothing? The flabby woman sighted outside the Arsenal club shop wearing leopard skin leggings should consider investing in a mirror.