Mata Mata, League Cup, Mancini Built This City

A pleasant Humpday to you. A brief one this morning as SSN Headquarters prepares for a bit of a winter break. Posts will be a wee infrequent over the next several days as most of the staff head to the west coast for some talent scouting. 

The big news today is still Juan Mata. If (and that's a big if) the Spanish spark-plug wants out of Stamford Bridge, United will buy him for £40 million. 

Yesterday, things got worse for West Ham. Andy Carroll has obviously been attending the Nicolas Bendtner hair academy. Sadly for Hammer fans, the samurai look failed to result in any goals while City eased to a 3-0 win. That's 9-0 on aggregate if you're following at home. Ouch.

Speaking about City, Mancini says he built this City. On what, you ask? Yep. Rock and Roll.

Today's other semi should be a bit more competitive. It's Manchester United vs. Sunderland. Will it be a Manchester Derby for the What's In Your Wallet? Trophy? Tune to beIN Sport at 2:45pm EST and find out.

The Mill. Plus One. We're Done.

Told you it'd be brief.

Onward!!

-SSN

Messi & Sergio, Hawthorns Draw, Would Mata Matter?, Anelka Charged, USA Hotlist, 2014 World Cup Babes Calendar

Oops...

Welcome, friends. The news today begins with Juan Mata's speculative move to United. Would it even mattah? It probably won't happen anyway, but it's fun to think about.

In actual soccer-playing news, West Brom came back to nab a draw with Everton in Monday Night Football action. Here's the current Premier League table. It's tight at the top...and tight at the bottom. Southampton have created a little space for themselves in ninth but other than that it's quite crowded.

No more Zoopla for you!

Speaking of West Brom, Le Sulk now faces a minimum five-match ban if he's found guilty by the FA of making the controversial "quenelle" gesture. It's described as an inverted Nazi salute. He did it after scoring against West Ham last month. He says it's in support of his friend. Whatever, brah.

The Mill. Plus One.

World Football. Europe. South America. The Scribes:

Location: Spain

Headline: Garrido pushed off Betis sinking ship

Scribe: Sid Lowe

Location: Italy

Headline: Laughter is Milan's best medicine

Scribe: Paolo Bandini

Location: Germany

Headline: Hamburg to ditch tradition in search for success

Scribe: Uli Hesse

Location: Brazil

Headline: Messi and Aguero can shine in Brazil

Scribe: Tim Vickery

Hot List! Who's Hot & Who's Not in the world of USA men.

Don't mess with the Interisti...

There is also the small matter of the Capital One Cup Semi-Final Second-Leg to discuss. Oh. Right. Well, it'll be entertaining to watch Big Sam chomp furiously on his gum while praying the home fans don't lay into him too much. Here's a preview.

Do The Heads Want More? Hell Yeah! European Leagues Review: Players, Teams and Swansea City's slump.

And finally...yes...it's what you've all been waiting for: The Official 2014 World Cup Babes Calendar!

Onward!!

-SSN

Chelsea Win, Barcelona & Atlético Draw, Monday Night Foortball, Half-Yank Julian Green, Franck Ribéry Is Pissed

And a happy Monday to you. And a happy MLK Day to you. Yesterday, Chelsea won comfortably over Manchester United. United had their moments, but didn't have what it takes to get a result. They're still a mess on the defensive side. Dominic Fifield was at Stamford Bridge. He says the United players looked haunted. Scary stuff. Phil McNulty says that reality bites for Moyes and his boys. Paul Hayward says it's the end of an era. Michael Cox talks tactics. And David Hytner learned five things at the match and has graciously offered to share them with us. Cheers.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool drew against a suddenly fluid Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal, Palace, and Tottenham claimed victories, and Newcastle won at West Ham. Here's your lot:

10 Talking Points

5 Thoughts

Team of the Weekend

Garth Crooks's Team of the Week

Richard Jolly: Defensive woes continue to hinder Liverpool

Over in Italy, Super Mario helped Clarence Seedorf get off to a winning start in Milan. Neighbors Inter lost, and Juventus maintained their top-dog status with another win. Here's a review.

Down in Spain, Real Madrid were the big winners as Barcelona and Atlético Madrid could only manage draws in their respective fixtures. Real are on a roll, baby. Watch out.

Diego finds it tough at the top...

Oh, the insufferable transfer window. Why do you toy with our emotions so? The Mill. Plus One.

Monday Night Football! It's an interesting one today as Pepe Mel takes over at West Brom. The Baggies host Everton. West Brom need points to stay clear of the drop zone while Everton have the opportunity to leapfrog Spurs and Liverpool and get back into fourth. 3pm EST on NBCSN.

Monday Musings! Gab is musing about Man Utd's mistakes, Real momentum and Liverpool's progress. Muse right along with him, why don't ya?

Ever heard of Julian Green? No. Nor us. Turns out he was born in Florida and plays for Bayern Munich. Rafael Honigstein has more on the young buck.

Franck Ribéry is not happy about not winning the Golden Ball award thingy. "I won everything, with the team and individually. Ronaldo won nothing," Ribery apparently said in an interview with Munich's TZ newspaper. Interesting take on things.

Till Tomorrow.

Onward!!

-SSN