Swansea City, Hazard Ballboy Kick, Gold Cup Venues, ACN, Adu Update

Where to start today but with Eden Hazard? You say you're not really a fan of Chelsea? How about now? The Chelsea dynamo kicked a ball boy. He was frustrated because Chelsea were not going to advance to the final of the What's In Your Wallet Cup. Instead, Swansea City now have that honor.

Let's go to the videotape!

It's really not that big a deal. We think the kid is faking it. And just who is this kid, anyway? Regarding Chelsea, the BBC's Phil McNulty says this: ...if one club is a symbol for the permanent turbulence that swirls around our national sport away from the actual playing of the game, it is Chelsea. Damage limitation has almost become a way of life at Stamford Bridge. Here's the rest of Phil's piece.

Let's not let the whole sordid affair take away from Swansea's wonderful run to the final. Swansea City vs. Bradford City for the League Cup. No arguments here. Daniel Taylor took in all the fun at the Liberty Stadium. And, while we're at it, let's check out this fine article from David Conn on Bradford the club and Bradford the town.

The Gold Cup is coming to a city near you. If you're lucky, that is. Everyone's favorite CONCACAF tournament will go down in the USA this July. Yes, the giants of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean will fight it out on our soil. Watch out for Belize. They're strong this year. Anyway, here are your cities and venues:

Atlanta – Georgia Dome (Atlanta, GA)

Baltimore – M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)

Chicago – Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)

Dallas – Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Denver – Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Denver, CO)

Hartford – Rentschler Field (East Hartford, CT)

Houston – BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, TX)

Los Angeles – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)

Miami – Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)

New York- Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)

Portland – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, OR)

Salt Lake City – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, UT)

Seattle – CenturyLink Field (Seattle, WA)

Back in the English Premier League, Arsenal took their finger out of the dyke and hit five past West Ham. Nothing much more to say than that, really. Per usual, it took a West Ham goal to wake the Gunners up, but after that they were off and running. There was a scary moment late on when Hammers' defender Daniel Potts was knocked out for a significant amount of time. Apparently he has a concussion and should be OK. Jeremy Wilson saw the show at the Emirates Stadium.

Big Sam = Not Happy

Freddie Adu. It's been awhile, mate. Let's check in and see how shitty your career is progressing.

The Mill. Your Plus One. It appears Manchester United are poised so sign Crystal Palace sensation Zaha. Newcastle Captain Coloccini wants nothing to do with the club. Llorente is going to Juve this summer.

The African Cup of Nations is underway. Here's everything you need to know for today's action where Ghana find themselves in need of a win against Mali. And here's your Round 1 Round-Up.

Meanwhile, in North London, Tottenham have cloned Gareth Bale.

That'd do for today.

Onward!!

-SSN