Simon Barnes Column

Ferguson’s task over the next few weeks is one of the hardest he has faced. He must deal with the intergalactic Triumph of United’s 7-1 victory over AS Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
United have overcome Disaster. Now they face a far trickier foe — Triumph

Lawro's Premiership and FA Cup Predictions

Shockingly the BBC's expert likes ManU and Chelsea...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6534949.stm

Blackburn vs. Chelsea 1984 FA Cup Third Round: Where are they now?

Paul Canoville
Flying winger and Chelsea's first black player who had to endure racist abuse from his own fans when he broke into the side in 1982. He played more than 100 games for the club before joining Reading where injury prematurely ended his professional career. Has twice successfully fought off cancer and now works as a driver for disabled people and also works with schools through his work with Chelsea In The Community. He is also about to have his autobiography published.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/6475529.stm

Brazil Set to Host World Cup

Rio here I come!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6553285.stm

The Fiver

Before former US fuhrer Ronald Reagan began "ma$turbating with a flag and a bible", as the Dead Kennedys famously yelped, he was an actor. Not just any old actor, either, but a really bad one who was the favourite thespian of one Jose Dinis Aveiro. What's more, Aveiro was so impressed by Reagan's roles in bonkers flicks such as Hellcats of the Navy and Bedtime for Bonzo that he named his son after him. And that, ladies and gentleman, is the true tale of how Cristiano Ronaldo got his name.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Fiver/0,,2056853,00.html

Kevin Davies Taunts Arsenal

Maybe this is just what the Gunners need to end their barren run...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2007160622,00.html

English FA Cup Semifinal Previews

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Watford vs. Manchester United at Villa Park

Sunday April 15, 2007
Blackburn vs. Chelsea at Old Trafford

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6678336

Winners get a trip to the new Wembley

Ronaldo Stays With United

Too bad...he's perfect for Madrid -Sanford
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2056588,00.html

Weekend Previews for Top European Leagues

La Liga
Real Madrid see title race moving in their favor:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420939&cc=5901

Serie A
Inter set to test Palermo's European ambitions:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420936&cc=5901

Bundesliga
Schalke welcome Lincoln back for title push:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420935&cc=5901

Premier League
Arsenal vs. Bolton is the clash of the weekend
http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1769134&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=News

The Insider at White Hart Lane

TOTTENHAM: 2 SEVILLA: 2 - Sevilla win 4-3 on aggregate

The delusional few who dared to dream that Tottenham were on the brink of something big were brought crashing back down to earth with a sickening thud at White Hart Lane.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=421039&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3&cc=5901

Roberto Gotta in Italy

It would be shamefully easy to fit the differing European fortunes of Roma and Milan into the predictable rhetorical categories of, respectively, extreme disappointment and huge elation.

No, that's too easy, and incorrect. Because Roma's collapse at Old Trafford and Milan's triumph at the Allianz Arena were first of all connected, judging from a general reaction overheard among everyday people and fans, by the fact few Italians actually wanted them to go through.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=421201&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Chad Johnson the Soccer Fan

ESPNsoccernet: Do you have a favorite player?

CJ: Thierry Henry, [laughs] of course.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420353&root=us&cc=5901

Liverpool take a stroll at Anfield

Liverpool 1 - 0 PSV Eindhoven

Liverpool will face Chelsea

Match Report:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2055102,00.html

Richard Jolly's take:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420875&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Benitez starts war of words with Mourinho:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420872&cc=5901

Milan Dispose of Bayern

Bayern Munich 0 - 2 AC Milan

Milan will face Manchester United

Match Report (The Diving Twat Scored):
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2055101,00.html

Player Ratings:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=278038

Is it United v Chelsea for league, FA Cup and Europe?

Liverpool offer the only resistance to United and Chelsea, a trend which may continue for many seasons.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/12/is_it_united_v_chelsea_for_lea.html

UEFA Cup Previews

Spurs Face Sevilla at White Hart Lane

Jol Praises Fans:
In his programme notes for tonight's return leg, Jol said: "You, our fans, have been fantastic ambassadors for the club all across Europe this season and it has made a real difference to have you there, in real numbers, and at home, raising us when we need it most. Be in no doubt that when we step out there tonight we shall do so determined to get the result for us all."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2054864,00.html

Spanish Trio Eye Uefa Cup Semi-Finals:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420933&cc=5901

More on Fulham's Sacking of Coleman

Away Day Blues Cost Coleman:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420718&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Niemi: Players to Blame for Coleman Axe
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420925&cc=5901

Wenger Happy With Squad

As an Arsenal fan, this is tough to swallow. I never want to second guess The Boss, but I'd really like to see a few key purchases made to solidify things a bit. -Sanford
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=278410

Stoichkov To Save Celta

The 41-year-old was handed the role on the same day that he announced his resignation as head coach of the Bulgarian national team and only hours after Fernando Vázquez was axed.

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=277492

Ronaldo compared to Best and Pele as Real rumours refuse to go away

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/manchester_united/article1642712.ece

Eriksson heads list to replace Roeder at unsettled Newcastle

Something tells me this is not what Newcastle fans want to hear...-Sanford
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/newcastle/article1642705.ece

Manchester United Completely Destroy Roma

Manchester United 7 - 1 Roma









Richard Jolly's take:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420571&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1&cc=5901

Match Report:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2054231,00.html

Totti Reflects on "Saddest Night of Sporting Career"
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420698&cc=5901

The Italian Press Reacts:
"Last night was an epochal beating that Italian football has never previously suffered at the hands of the English," says Roma fan and columnist Candido Cannavò. "Now I run to father Dante to find out what circle of Hell my beloved Roma has fallen into: maybe that of the proud and vainglorious. Conceding three goals in eight minutes could only have happened to a squad that thought it was divine."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2054502,00.html

Highlights:

Clashes Mar United Night of Glory

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbleurc1engita&prov=afp&type=lgns

Chelsea Late Show Topples Valencia at La Mestalla

Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea

Match Report:
Mourinho's switch brings Chelsea rich reward
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2054251,00.html

Sanchez replaces sacked Coleman at Fulham

Cookie's Out...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=420671&cc=5901

Red Bulls gamble on Mathis rediscovering form

Just last week, Clint Mathis packed his bags again. Traded by the Rapids to the Red Bulls for draft picks and onto his fourth team in as many years, at least Mathis can say that this time it was (somewhat) voluntary. Although he became expendable in Colorado, New York's dearth of attackers makes this move an ideal fit.

For the 30-year-old Mathis, this could be his last chance to show he's not washed up, a claim he dismisses with his typical Georgian charm as "b-------".
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420477&root=mls&cc=5901

Liverpool Host PSV Eindhoven

And try to pretend that they've not already won the thing...
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2054233,00.html

Bayern Munich Play AC Milan at Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich have suffered two injury setbacks before their Champions League second-leg tie against Milan tonight. Their Argentinian midfielder Martin Demichelis will miss the match with a calf injury and Bastian Schweinsteiger is a doubt. Bayern twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in Milan last week but injury worries are hampering the coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's preparations for the return at the Allianz Arena. A decision on Schweinsteiger, who is struggling with a knee injury, will be made a few hours before kick-off today, but Hitzfeld admitted the attacking midfielder was doubtful.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,2054237,00.html

A Beast is Stirring

Unbeaten in 2007, look out for Roy Keane's Sunderland...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/championship/article1637459.ece

Sid Lowe in Spain and Raphael Honigstein in Germany

Inspired by the Milito brothers, Real Zaragoza routed Barcelona to blow the race wide open:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/09/the_marshall_and_the_prince_pu.html

And here's my favorite quote from the article above:
Barça are like a James Bond baddie: instead of just pulling the bloody trigger, they insist on the laser creeping slowly towards Connery's crotch. And if they keep arsing about and allowing their rivals to escape alive, ready to fight another day, they'll end up paying for it. Which may be exactly what they deserve.

Sums it up quite nicely, I think. - Sanford

And in Germany...
Theofanis Gekas is the unlikely success story of the Bundesliga, but the club that made him famous are resigned to losing him.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/09/greek_travesty.html

Monday's EPL Wrap + Table

Fulham in trouble, Arsenal and Newcastle draw, Watford get a big win...
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=276195

Premiership Table
April 9, 2007	GP	PT
Man Utd	32	78
Chelsea	32	75
Liverpool	32	60
Arsenal	32	56
Bolton	33	54
Everton	33	51
Tottenham	32	48
Portsmouth	33	46
Reading	33	45
Newcastle	33	41
Blackburn	32	40
Man City	32	40
Middlesbrough	32	39
Aston Villa	33	39
Fulham	33	35
Wigan	33	34
Charlton	33	32
Sheff Utd	32	31
West Ham	32	29
Watford	33	23

Monday's Rumours

Franck Ribéry, who could've escaped the daily grind of professional football if only a scar sustained in a childhood car accident hadn't dashed his dream of becoming Gary Neville's stunt double. Instead poor Franck will have to settle for a £13.5m switch to either Arsenal or Manchester United this summer. The loser in that particular tussle will give up on wingers and use the same amount of money to buy Lille holding midfielder Jean Makoun instead.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2053699,00.html

Serie A Table

Italian Serie A
April 8, 2007	GP	PT
Inter Milan	30	80
Roma	30	62
Lazio	30	55
Palermo	31	48
AC Milan	30	47
Empoli	30	45
Fiorentina	30	41
Sampdoria	30	39
Atalanta	30	36
Udinese	30	36
Cagliari	30	33
Livorno	30	32
Torino	30	32
Catania Calcio	31	32
Siena	30	31
Chievo Verona	30	28
Reggina	30	26
Parma	30	25
Messina	30	24

Phil Ball in Spain + La Liga Table

It was the perfect English day out. Transport on a coach to the game, a smiling and witty MC (Seamus, from Donegal), well-behaved English families, a Rory McGrath 'Own Goals and Gaffs' DVD on the telly, followed by a violence-free match in perfect weather. Then, in the evening, a beer and a chicken Madras to finish things off. What more could a soccer correspondent ask for? Nothing, of course, except that the day out was in Spain, Mallorca to be precise. The game was Mallorca v Getafe (2-0) and the curry was in the 'Indian Palace' in Pollença. Excellent fare, should ever you pass by that way.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=420332&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Spanish Primera División
April 8, 2007	GP	PT
Barcelona	29	56
FC Sevilla	29	55
Real Madrid	29	54
Real Zaragoza	29	50
Valencia	29	50
Atlético Madrid	29	47
Recreativo Huelva	29	45
Racing Santander	29	44
Espanyol	29	41
Getafe	29	39
Deportivo La Coruña	29	39
Villarreal	29	38
Mallorca	29	36
Osasuna	29	35
Real Betis	29	33
Athletic Bilbao	29	29
Levante	29	29
Celta Vigo	29	27
Real Sociedad	29	21
Gimnastic de Tarragona	29	21

Long Lost Brothers?

Sun Jihai and Jimmy Page...

Scouting report: David Jones, Derby County

Looks like the Rams are going to cock-up promotion to the top flight, but at least they've got this guy.

Bolton 1 Everton 1

Sweat and blood not enough for Everton

Fulham in trouble

Cookie has done a fantastic job at Fulham with almost no money, but predictably....
Now the fans turn on Coleman

Yet again getting into Europe is going to be tight for Arsenal

Arsenal on tightrope for Europe

More ManU...

Oliver Kay wonders why Manchester United’s owners rarely go to the match
Henry Winter sees Ferguson 360 minutes away from greatness
Kevin McCarra asks...has the curse of the dodgy keeper returned to haunt United?

Let's hope the action stays on the pitch this time

Italians warn fans visiting Manchester
United pledge to Roma fans
Chelsea reassure fans over safety

Can Euro-action prevent childhood trauma?

Most summers when I was a kid I had to visit my grandparents in Grimsby. Never has a town been more aptly named. On one of these trips my mother took us to the beach [I use the word liberally] at nearby Cleethorpes. Earlier that summer I'd broken my arm, so an afternoon sitting on the sand but not being able to go into the water [probably a blessing in disguise considering British pollution] wasn't fun. Then all of a sudden my mother spotted Tony Hadley. Yes, the Tony Hadley from 80's greats Spandau Ballet. Certain it was going to cheer me up, she dragged me over to Tony and demanded he sign my plaster cast. Thinking myself a genius, I handed Tony a pen I knew didn't work. Tony tried courageously to leave his mark but failed. Unfortunately this totally backfired on me, as my mother spent the rest of the summer gladly telling all my friends how heart broken I'd been at not getting Tony's autograph. I never really lived down the shame.
Image then my horror at reading yesterday that Spandau Ballet plan to reform! This sent me into an almighty state of panic. Childhood trauma came rushing back. Luckily the girlfriend stepped in, and, in typical Germanic fashion, calmed me down. Alec, she said, there's an absolute top week of European footy coming up. Other than Liverpool, every game is on a knife edge. There's even Spurs/Sevilla on Thursday. Forget the very poor man's Duran Duran and concentrate on Mourinho, Bayern, Ronaldo, etc...
I'm trying.

Tuesday's Champions League Previews:
Mourinho undaunted by Valencia cauldron
Depleted resources leave United disjointed
Alan Hansen on the Champions League

Rio's Lovely Goal

EPL: Easter Monday Preview

Faltering Arsenal can make up ground on third place in the Premier League on Monday while the title race takes a breather because of Champions League duties.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-england_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Recaps of Action in the Top European Leagues

EPL
West Ham End Arsenal's Home Run, Manchester United defeated by Pompey:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=274977
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=275025

La Liga
Real Madrid beat Osasuna to close on Barca and Sevilla:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AmgzT71_CjagI.mzRlz1XS4mw7YF?slug=reu-spain&prov=reuters&type=lgns

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

Serie A
Inter held by Reggina, Milan and Roma win:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=fbitreport&prov=st&type=lgns

The Insider at the Madejski Stadium

Reading 1-2 Liverpool

Those who have a tendency to suffer from height discrimination struggle to cope with the notion that Peter Crouch is a top class striker.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=419782&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Richard Jolly at Bramall Lane

Sheffield United 1-2 Newcastle United

In what its publicists often describe as the best league in the world, is it possible to survive by dint of spirit alone? It is a theory Sheffield United seem intent on testing.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=419778&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

The Thrill of the Title Chase

Two former players (Nigel Winterburn and Rob Lee) on how it feels to overhaul long-time leaders . . . and the pain of losing it.

In 1998 Arsenal won the title after trailing Manchester United by 12 points in January, and in 1996 Newcastle blew the championship despite leading Manchester United by 12 points in January.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2052837,00.html

No place like Rome for eternal troubles

Paul Wilson says that Manchester United fans were victims of a country that refuses to accept it has problems.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/04/08/no_place_like_rome_for_eternal.html