Also in 2000 an English amateur player, Lee Todd, was sent off after two seconds when he responded to the referee’s whistle to start the game by saying “xxxx me, that was loud” and was dismissed for foul and abusive language.
SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Player sets unwanted record with three-second dismissal
Also in 2000 an English amateur player, Lee Todd, was sent off after two seconds when he responded to the referee’s whistle to start the game by saying “xxxx me, that was loud” and was dismissed for foul and abusive language.
Martin Rogers' Column
Spain’s glorious triumph at Euro 2008 was one of the stories of the year, and the manner of victory played its part in the makeup of Yahoo! Sports’ Best XI from the last 12 months.
Recently acquired by Giggs, Ronaldo and van der Sar...
Videira Signs with Revolution
An attacking midfielder and a product of Milford, Mass., Videira played his college soccer at Duke, where he was a three-time semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy (2005, 2006, 2007) and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) third-team All-America selection in both 2006 and 2007.
Liverpool's Premier League title chances: 2008/09 v 1989/90 player-by-player
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard yesterday hailed the current squad as "the best" during his time at the club. Here, Telegraph Sport's Jeremy Wilson assesses this season's table-topping team with the last Liverpool side to win the league title back in 1989/90.
Americans in the UK: Cottage Savior
DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, Rangers
vs. Celtic (Both DNP)
Neither American was involved in the Old Firm clash on Saturday as Celtic won a close battle 1-0. Both Beasley and Edu have had a hard time earning playing time this season. Edu is getting some quality reps with the Reserves, but Beasley's time has lessened this season. Maybe 2009 will bring more opportunities for the crafty winger.
The Rest
Paul Jewell's year from Hell: Sex, slumps and Robbie Savage
The Damned United, a film about Brian Clough's 44-day disaster at Leeds United, will be released next year. An adaptation of David Peace's brilliant novel, it's billed as the inside story of the most catastrophic managerial reign in English football history.
And that's exactly what it was. Until Paul Jewell took over at Derby County.
Special - Stars Behind Bars
In light of the recent revelations over Steven Gerrard's alleged involvement in an early morning assault, Goal.com glances through the police files of other fallen idols.
EPL Report: Manchester United 1 - 0 Middlesbrough
He is the type of player who would rather miss the bus than be seen breaking into a sprint, but, as a sense of urgency grew around Old Trafford last night, it was the languid figure of Dimitar Berbatov who ensured that Manchester United did not fall further behind schedule in their hunt for a third successive Premier League title.
Dimitar Berbatov keeps Manchester United in Premier League hunt.
Gerrard Charged With Assault
One report suggested Gerrard and a group of his friends were involved in an altercation after the man refused to allow them to choose the songs played on the venue's sound system. Gerrard is a big fan of Phil Collins and counts the singer's greatest hits as his favourite album. He is also partial to Coldplay.
Oh, dear...
Monday, December 29, 2008
EPL Preview: Manchester United – Middlesbrough
What: Barclays Premier League, Matchday 20
Who: Manchester United (3rd, 35 pts/51 pts) vs. Middlesbrough (17th, 20 pts/57 pts)
When: Monday 29th December, 20:00 GMT
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Preview
Jewell quits as Derby manager
The Derby County manager, Paul Jewell, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, with the club's chairman, Adam Pearson, claiming the role had "taken its toll" on the 44-year-old.
Tim Vickery in Latin America
Almost a decade and a half after his European adventure began, Ronaldo is back in his homeland and preparing for the new season with Corinthians.
Some see this as a sign of the growing strength of Brazilian domestic football, but I'm not so sure. To me it seems more like a sign of its weakness.
EPL Review and Table
Wins for Reds, Gunners, Baggies, Hammers, Latics and Toffees
REVIEW
Deuce's Deuce holds Chelsea...
| Nº | Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts |
| 1. | Liverpool | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 45 |
| 2. | Chelsea | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 42 |
| 3. | Manchester Utd | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 35 |
| 4. | Arsenal | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 35 |
| 5. | Aston Villa | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 35 |
| 6. | Everton | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 32 |
| 7. | Wigan | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 28 |
| 8. | Hull City | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 27 |
| 9. | Fulham | 19 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 26 |
| 10. | West Ham | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 25 |
| 11. | Bolton | 20 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 23 |
| 12. | Portsmouth | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 23 |
| 13. | Manchester City | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 22 |
| 14. | Newcastle | 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 22 |
| 15. | Sunderland | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 22 |
| 16. | Tottenham | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| 17. | Middlesbrough | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 20 |
| 18. | Stoke City | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| 19. | Blackburn | 20 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 18 |
| 20. | WBA | 20 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 18 |
Liverpool skipper Gerrard held after 'bar brawl'
The Liverpool captain was arrested along with five other people in the early hours of this morning after an alleged altercation at a licensed premises on Bold Street, Southport. Gerrard has spent the night at a police station and is still being questioned about the incident this morning.
Ives: Subotic shuns U.S. colors for Serbia
Another one got away.
That's the general consensus among American soccer fans who were faced with the disappointing news that highly regarded defender Neven Subotic of the German Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund had chosen to play for Serbia rather than the U.S. national team. Subotic's decision ended a lengthy saga that saw him transform from Bosnian immigrant to U.S. youth national team player to European prospect to full-blown European star.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Phil Ball in Spain: Hasta la Vista
Barcelona go off for their Christmas break ten points ahead of their nearest rivals, Sevilla, after coming back from one-down in an awkward game at Villarreal. In this final column for the season, I would expect to be able to say for certain that the Catalans will take the title when summer comes, but you never know. There seem to be no really consistent rivals, no-one capable of a real challenge, but it's a funny old game. A couple of injuries to key players, a couple of bad results, but no. As Schuster said, it's surely Barcelona's year.
Americans in the UK: Friedel Shutout Moves Villa Up
Clint Dempsey, Fulhamvs. Boro (90 minutes, 1 goal)
Dempsey grabbed his second goal of the season on Saturday, touching up Middlesbrough in the 59th minute for the third Fulham goal of the day. The 25-year-old midfielder scored after some great build up play from Andy Johnson and Danny Murphy. Johnson threaded the ball from the left flank to Murphy, whose pass to the right side of the box found Dempsey, setting up a perfect one-on-one with the keeper which Dempsey won with a low shot into the left corner. The Cottagers moved up to eighth place in the league table and are now just 12 points behind their total from all of last season, a huge improvement no doubt.
The Rest
Americans On The Continent: Rennes Still Rolling
Jozy Altidore was left in the stands for Villarreal’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss against Barcelona.
The Rest
Paolo Bandini in Italy
David Beckham began his Milan charm offensive but his new side remain nine points off the pace in Serie A.
Beckham receives lukewarm welcome as Serie A enters its winter break.
Martin Rogers Column: Handing out Premier League’s midterm grades
Santa Claus brings nothing more than a pile of uncertainty for English Premier League clubs this Christmas. With the league choked at top and bottom, no one wants to end up as the festive turkeys. The title is still wide open as the midway point of the campaign approaches, with the usual suspects of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all firmly in the hunt.
Yet there has still been room for a few surprises, such as the emergence of preseason relegation favorites Hull City and Aston Villa’s bold attempt to crack the Big Four hegemony.
Yahoo! Sports takes a look at how the teams have stacked up so far and evaluates their chances for the second half of the season.
Sid Lowe in Spain
Mallorca, in debt and in danger, scrambled a draw with Sevilla at the weekend but the club remain in utter disarray.
Mallorca facing a battle with the banks and bulldozers
Richard Jolly at Goodison Park + EPL Table
Everton 0 - 0 Chelsea
Chelsea scuppered by Terry's dismissal
| Nº | Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts |
| 1. | Liverpool | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 39 |
| 2. | Chelsea | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 38 |
| 3. | Aston Villa | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 34 |
| 4. | Manchester Utd | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 32 |
| 5. | Arsenal | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 31 |
| 6. | Hull City | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 27 |
| 7. | Everton | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 26 |
| 8. | Fulham | 17 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 24 |
| 9. | Bolton | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 23 |
| 10. | Portsmouth | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 |
| 11. | Wigan | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 22 |
| 12. | Newcastle | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 22 |
| 13. | Sunderland | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 21 |
| 14. | Middlesbrough | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 |
| 15. | Stoke City | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 |
| 16. | Tottenham | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 |
| 17. | West Ham | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 |
| 18. | Manchester City | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 18 |
| 19. | Blackburn | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 16 |
| 20. | WBA | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 15 |
Injured Fabregas ruled out for 3-4 months
Arsenal have suffered a bitter blow to their hopes of success this season with the news that Cesc Fabregas will miss up to four months with the knee injury he sustained against Liverpool on Sunday.
Soccer: Only The Manliest Of Men Need Apply
This is making the rounds all of a sudden. Cheers to JD and Ken for the heads up...
The Fiver Super Deluxe Bumper Christmas Awards 2008 Special!
Welcome to what seems like the 163rd Fiver Christmas Awards, although in truth they're actually only the ninth. Or are they the 10th? Nope, it's no good, we've lost both count and the will to live. Anyway, enough of the padding-ou ... hold on ... pleasantries. Let's get on with handing out these awards, and then we can all get on with our lives, eh?
Monday, December 22, 2008
English Premier League Preview: Everton vs. Chelsea
What: Barclays Premier League
Who: Everton (7th, 25 pts) vs Chelsea (2nd, 37 pts)
When: Monday, 22 December 2008 – 20:00 GMT
Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool
Preview
Italy: Serie A Weekend Action + Table
Wrap
Team of the Week
David Beckham's love match with AC Milan
Jose:
Ibrahimovic better than Ronaldo
| Nº | Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts |
| 1. | Inter Milan | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 42 |
| 2. | Juventus | 17 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 36 |
| 3. | AC Milan | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 33 |
| 4. | Fiorentina | 17 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 32 |
| 5. | Napoli | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 30 |
| 6. | Genoa | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 29 |
| 7. | Lazio | 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 27 |
| 8. | Catania | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 25 |
| 9. | Atalanta | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| 10. | AS Roma | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 23 |
| 11. | Palermo | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 23 |
| 12. | Udinese | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 22 |
| 13. | Cagliari | 17 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 21 |
| 14. | Sampdoria | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 19 |
| 15. | Siena | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
| 16. | Bologna | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 15 |
| 17. | Torino | 17 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 15 |
| 18. | Lecce | 17 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 14 |
| 19. | Reggina | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 13 |
| 20. | Chievo | 17 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 9 |
England: Premier League Weekend Action
Weekend Review
Richard Jolly at the Hawthorns:
West Ham 2 - 1 Manchester City
Wenger:
Adebayor sending off was a joke
Friday, December 19, 2008
Twente fan injured by hatchet in clash ahead of PSG game
A Twente fan was injured by a hatchet in clashes with Paris St Germain supporters ahead of a UEFA Cup game at the Parc des Princes, police said on Thursday.
Lovely...
Liverpool eye chance to finally lay the ghost of Anfield '89 to bed
Memories of Michael Thomas still haunt Liverpool, but they can finish off Arsenal's title hopes with a win at the Emirates.
A draw to savour as the Champions League finally gets interesting
Jose Mourinho's opportunity to outwit Sir Alex Ferguson again is just one of the intriguing sub-plots from a mouth-watering line-up for the last 16.
Bundesliga fortunes heading into the winter break
The Bundesliga's winter break has arrived and Hoffenheim have been crowned "Autumn Champions," courtesy of a draw against nine-man Schalke 04. Mönchengladbach have been experiencing a rough season, whereas Hoffenheim are having an excellent one. Werder are going through a mixed season.
Let's take a look at each team's results through the first half of the season, and the prognosis for the second.