Liverpool fall at Anfield to Marseille, Chelsea win in Valencia, Lazio and Real Madrid draw...
And they didn't even catch the fan!!
Liverpool 0 - 1 Marseille:
Anfield has built its reputation on raucous European atmospheres but an unfamiliar sound accompanied Liverpool down the tunnel last night. Boos reverberated around a stadium unacquainted with defeat in the Champions League proper since Rafael Benítez's Valencia won here in October 2002, and the uncharacteristic response was perfectly in tune with a performance the Spaniard readily accepted as the worst of his Liverpool reign.
Celtic 2 - 1 Milan:
This victory, secured with a dramatic last minute winner from Scott McDonald, adds Milan to an illustrious list of sides who have tasted defeat in Glasgow's East End - including Juventus, Valencia, Lyon and Manchester United to name but four - and puts Gordon Strachan's team right back in contention in Group D.
Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea:
Victory over Valencia came by the same score as at the Mestalla in the Champions League quarter-final six months ago, but it was accomplished without the departed Jose Mourinho. Mourning and resentment no longer seeped into the display and Chelsea, just as they did on their previous visit to this ground, came back to win after falling behind.
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.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Denilson struggling to have an impact for FC Dallas
No one quite knew what to make of Denilson as FC Dallas signed the mercurial former Brazilian international a few weeks ago. Here was a guy who graced two World Cup finals and was once the most expensive player in the world, and yet had bounced around the continents without distinction over the last few years.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
SSN Special Report: River Plate Salvages a Draw
Our man Aaron Sheedy is on the ground in Buenos Aires and filed this report from El Monumental where River salvaged a draw with Rosario Central:It was a muggy and heated affair at Monumental Stadium on Sunday where River Plate played host to Rosario Central and managed to find the net in the 98th minute, yes the 98th, to get a most unlikely draw.
I'll start with a bit of back-story since it was equally unlikely that we were even there to see the 14:30 match in the first place. My wife and I got off the plane in BA at 10am and were ogling our way through the outskirts of the city when we happened to ask if there were any matches to be seen. Not only was our young driver a River Plate fan, he drove us out of the way to the stadium gates, paid for scalped tickets out of his own pocket (we didn't have any currency yet) and then dropped us off at the apartment an hour late, imploring us not to tell the miffed apartment owners that we had made a little detour.
And so it was that we found ourselves seated in a half full stadium in Plata D2 among the slightly more sedate fans while songs and mayhem raged above us in the packed cheap seats.
River Plate controlled the game early on with neat ball movement and solid midfield play. But even with the bulk of the possession they failed to mount any serious threat and perhaps more ominously were easily penetrated by even the most straightforward runs from Rosario. River hit the post several times before the half but it was Rosario who netted the first goal with a fine 30 yard strike from Garcia at 41'.
The crowd turned from loud and bemused to loud and angry with many of their chants being directed at River Plate's coach Passarella. He was cursed openly when the half ended and was lucky not to be hit by sundry coca Cola and paper detritus hurled his way as he slunk into the tunnel.
The second half opened in disaster as Rosario closed ranks, stalled for time, and still managed a great goal from Diaz when he rocketed on in at 49' past a frozen and staring River back line. At that point the game started to turn ugly as the Rosario Central players took liberal opportunities to fall to the turf in mock agony and the crowd took liberties with the Rosario Central's mothers if their chants were any indication.
The river plate front 6 pushed erratically forward and managed few chances until the 63rd and 75th when they put two swift, pretty goals in to tie it up. After the 2nd goal I feared for my hearing as the entire stadium erupted. It was insanity and even the formerly aloof fans on either side of us gave the weird, out of place, Americans huge grins. By that time it was ridiculously hot and Meredith had herself a River Plate cap so either we were becoming more endearing or they were beginning to suffer mild heat induced delirium.
The last 25 minutes of the game made all that came before look sedate and placid. First, to my tactical surprise, River Plate did not play for the tie and kept pressing the attack. This was all the more puzzling since their back 4 had looked disastrous all afternoon and now in addition were looking a bit knackered. I was beginning to suspect the earlier abuse of the coach was not unfounded.
Rosario on the other hand redoubled their tactics that I have since dubbed "stalling and falling" and were given 3 yellow cards in quick succession for their efforts. After the 3rd yellow, the Rosario coach must have felt left out as he started screaming on the sidelines until he too was booked.
At 89 minutes the referee flashed that 6 minutes were to be added to play given all the shenanigans that occurred. Not 3 minutes later Rosario's left back Raldes (a force all day) seemingly strolled into the box and after some indifferent pressure from River, neatly put one past the keeper. The River Fans in response, nearly tore the place apart. To their credit, their anger was directed not at Rosario’s small boisterous fan contingent, nor at the opposing team but at their own appallingly bad defenders.
After the restart and a quick foul, Rosario was again carded for stalling and apparently, the referee took the liberty of tacking on a few minutes of injury time since the game was still underway at 97 when River gained the chance for a corner. Rosario's backup keeper took this break in play to have a little break of his own earning a red card by leaping from his bench, screaming at the ref, refusing to leave the field and eventually rushing onto the pitch where he finally was restrained and sent packing.
River took their corner, promptly lost possession and were nearly undone when Rosario came within inches after a quick run by Raldes (again.) It was now 98' as River prepared their goal kick only to be delayed by members of the Rosario team surrounding the ref apparently in protest of the clock.
When order was restored, River took full advantage of the frazzled opposition by working the ball up the pitch and getting a solid cross to striker Falaco who headed over the keeper in the final seconds for the draw.
Post game, the ref had to be escorted from the field by police as the Rosario Central team seemed to want to kill him. As for the poor River fans, they kept us penned in the stadium singing and chanting and waiting for a good 30 sweltering minutes while the Rosario fans were bustled away.
Today we see Boca Juniors play San Lorenzo. Hopefully we won't be disappointed.
-Guest Correspondent Sheedy
The Top 50 Football Kits: 50 - 26
From the pink jersey donned by Sicilian hardmen to the strip that hid blood on George Best's ankles, Nick Szczepanik has picked the best kits ever. The first 25 are below. Return tomorrow for the second installment.38. Birmingham City 1972
The penguin outfit worn by Bob Latchford and Trevor Francis revived a season. There was a red away version and a strange third kit that was black on one side, gold on the other and red down the middle.
The Big Interview: Teddy Sheringham
After 23 years in the game the former England forward has a cabinet full of trophies. So why play on at Colchester at the ripe old age of 41?
Inside Teddy's Fridge:
2 Time Out bars. 5 tins of Foster’s lager. 1 Caramel bar. 4 tins of Red Bull. 1 jar of Tesco’s strawberry jam. 5 bottled beers. 1 jar of Colman’s horseradish sauce. 2 bottles of Dom Perignon. 1 tub of Flora. 2 bottles of white wine. 1 jar of Colman’s mustard. 1 carton of milk. 6 (slightly rotten) tomatoes. He examines the tomatoes curiously and throws them in the bin. “Not exactly what you would call performance-enhancing,” I observe. “No,” Sheringham admits. “But you haven’t looked in here.” He opens an adjoining cupboard and you suppress the urge to gag. 4 tins Ambrosia rice. 5 tins Heinz baked beans. 4 packets of biscuits. 1 box of Shredded Wheat. 1 box of teabags. 1 jar of instant coffee. 1 entire shelf laden with crisps and sweets.
Joey Barton feels Manchester City fans owe him a debt
Joey Barton believes the newly-resurgent Manchester City would not even be in the Premier League but for his performances last season.What a jackass! This from a clown who moons opposing fans, puts a cigar out in the eye of a teammate, starts a brawl in a preseason match and attacks another teammate in practice, sending him to the injured list. And he slapped a 15-year-old fan.
But since we’re looking at Joey B., why not a glance at his family? His brother, was convicted of murder in a racially motivated attack after he and his cousin killed a black man with an ice pick to the head. And two of his cousins turned themselves in this past August for stabbing another man.
Joey Barton: Oozing Class
-Sanford
Tim Vickery in South America
While Brazil's women were hitting the headlines for their splendid campaign in the World Cup, back home the players of Botafogo were greeted with a shower of women's underwear on their arrival at Rio airport.
Champions League Wednesday Previews
There are games in And arguably the most intriguing ties are those in
Lazio host Real Madrid, Valencia have a re-match with Chelsea following last season's quarter-final, and Celtic have another crack at Milan, who beat them 1-0 on aggregate last season in the first knockout round, a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Glasgow being followed by the San Siro return settled by Kaká three minutes into extra time.
What's in store in each of the groups?
Valencia vs. Chelsea:
John Terry will complete a remarkable recovery tonight when he captains Chelsea at the Mestalla Stadium little more than 72 hours after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone. There were fears that he would be out for up to six weeks when he was injured on Saturday after being struck by the Fulham striker Clint Dempsey's elbow but, aided by a custom-made protective mask which he will wear against Valencia, the 26-year-old has made clear his desire to play.
Liverpool vs. Marseille:
History suggests there is no way back for a player who falls from grace with Rafael Benítez and the consequences of crossing the Liverpool manager should be apparent to Peter Crouch at Anfield tonight in the shape of the man wearing the No9 jersey for Marseille.
Celtic vs. AC Milan:
The Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati has given tonight's Champions League game against Milan an extra edge by speaking of his desire to prove a point to the coach of the European champions, Carlo Ancelotti.
Champions League: Brits' success, Inter win
Wins for Manchester United, Rangers, Arsenal, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Inter Milan and SevillaLyon 0 -3 Rangers:
Goals from Lee McCulloch, Daniel Cousin and DaMarcus Beasley clinched a win which was as remarkable as it was unexpected. Lyon have beaten Real Madrid 2-0 and 3-0 here in the past two seasons - and top the French league - but Alain Perrin's side will now struggle to get out of the group.
BBC Images
Manchester United 1 - 0 Roma:
Manchester United opened up an emphatic lead in Group F thanks to a tentative superiority. This victory over Roma was in keeping with muted yet generally effective showings in the Premier League. At least United will not be damned as tiresome drudges so long as they can decide a match as they did this one.
Steaua Bucharest 0 - 1 Arsenal:
Arsène Wenger's dynamic young Arsenal team have not been held up by much this season during their imperious march to the Premier League summit and their sweep into the Champions League. Last night was no different.
Stuttgart 0 - 2 Barcelona:
In a scintillating encounter in the Daimler-Gottlieb stadium, the Blaugrana were at their attacking best and two second half goals were enough to maintain their 100 per cent start to this season's Champions League campaign.
Inter Milan 2 - 0 PSV Eindhoven:
A solid display by Inter allowed the Nerazzurri to win three precious points for the qualification to the second round of the Champions League as Ibrahimovic scored a brace for the Italian champions.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The Joy of Six: The Greatest Ever Football Kits
From Johan Cruyff's limited edition Oranje shirt to Coventry's chocolate brown number, The Guardian pays tribute to some of the best kits ever worn.All became instantly recognisable and iconic strips for - in design terms at least - otherwise unremarkable clubs. But the greatest wanton embellishment of the era was surely Cardiff's mid-70s get-up, which saw a yellow-and-white stripe loosely influenced by the London Weekend Television ident cascading down the left-hand side of a previously plain blue number. Nowadays this garb is most famously associated with Super Furry Animals cover star and 25-time Bluebird Robin Friday, the most over-rated player you never saw.
Don't get me started on their away kit at the time.
-by Scott Murray
Champions League Previews
Lyon vs. Rangers,
The Italian Challenge:
On paper the Italian teams face an extremely difficult task if they are to improve on their Champions League results from matchday one.
Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho, back in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League Group E tie at VfB Stuttgart, wants to prove the doubters wrong after enduring a difficult start to the season. The Brazilian has missed the last three matches with a calf strain and suffered criticism about transfer speculation and media reports on his private life.
Arsene Wenger admits he would sacrifice Champions League success to restore Arsenal to the pinnacle of English football. Wenger has never won Europe's elite club competition but it is not a short-coming that hurts him because the French coach believes coming out on top in the Premier League is the acid test of his team. He insists the 38-game domestic season will give a true picture of their ability, whereas the Champions League's knockout stages mean it can be won by a team who get a good draw or a lucky break in a big match.
Wayne Rooney is expecting Roma to come out with all guns blazing tonight at Old Trafford to avenge last season's 7-1 humiliation by Manchester United.
Tottenham 4-4 Aston Villa
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Spurs Fight Back to Get an Epic Point
Americans on the Continent: Another Goal for Bradley
Michael Bradley scored again last week, extending his streak to four games, but on the weekend, his club, Heerenveen, ran into the juggernaut that is Feyenoord. Goal.com's J.R. Eskilson and Zac Lee Rigg take a look at all the Yanks in Continental Europe.
Americans in England: Keller Stuffs Chelsea
After two weeks on the bench, Kasey Keller got the starting nod in the goal for Fulham on Saturday. Thanks to the big 38-year-old's performance, the Cottagers earned an impressive point at Chelsea. Goal.com's Matthew Braine takes an American whirl around the EPL.
EPL: Summer recruits still bench-warming
Others, however, are all too predictable. Nolberto Solano arrived at West Ham as the fourth player signed for the same position within three months. With more right wingers than the Norman Tebbit fan club, Alan Curbishley has not called upon the Peruvian yet.
Phil Ball and Sid Lowe in Spain
Phil Ball:Quite a week here in Spain, with three league games crammed into a space of seven days. Although it's still too early to make any sweeping statements, it's nevertheless interesting how such a short and intensive period of league action can make a difference to a team's morale, in both the positive and negative senses. Whether it makes a difference only in the short-term we will have to wait and see, but take poor Sevilla, for starters.
Sid Lowe:
Three matches in eight days has upset the table, with Sevilla's 100% record shattered and Real Madrid's players in the doghouse.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Curtains for SoccerTV.com?
The amazing internet soccer resource soccertv.com is auctioning its domain names. This notice is currently posted to the site:
Auction of soccerTV.com/futbolTV.com to take place in October
The "silent" auction of domain names soccerTV.com, futbolTV.com,
soccerTV.net, soccerTV.org, soccerTV.biz, and soccerTV.us,
as well as the rights to the "soccerTV" trademark
in the United States and the rights to the
soccerTV Update e-mail list (over 23000 email addresses), will be
conducted by Moniker and will take place on October 12-18, 2007.
Let's hope that whomever purchases the domain names in question will continue to operate some sort of useful online broadcast schedule tool, rather than building some sort of craptacular portal site.
Auction of soccerTV.com/futbolTV.com to take place in October
The "silent" auction of domain names soccerTV.com, futbolTV.com,
soccerTV.net, soccerTV.org, soccerTV.biz, and soccerTV.us,
as well as the rights to the "soccerTV" trademark
in the United States and the rights to the
soccerTV Update e-mail list (over 23000 email addresses), will be
conducted by Moniker and will take place on October 12-18, 2007.
Let's hope that whomever purchases the domain names in question will continue to operate some sort of useful online broadcast schedule tool, rather than building some sort of craptacular portal site.
The Cuauhtemoc Blanco Chronicles
Cuauhtemoc Blanco is one of the most colorful characters in Mexican soccer history and even after moving to the United States, he still attracts magnified levels of adulation and controversy south of the border.
Yahoo! Sports followed his three-day trip to Los Angeles – the USA's biggest Hispanic market – as Blanco's Chicago Fire took on Chivas USA, the only Mexican-owned team in Major League Soccer.
MLS Round Up
Streaks Alive!Conference leaders D.C. United and Chivas USA continued their 11-game and 9-game unbeaten streaks, respectively. But two other streaks intrigued even more: Chicago’s 3-game run of relinquishing late leads, and (gasp!) LA’s 3 wins on the trot.
La Liga Wrap
Sunday:Valladolid Collapse, Villarreal March On Villarreal - perhaps temporarily - top the table after a hard-fought victory over Villarreal, while Espanyol and Atletico Madrid also picked up consecutive wins. Real Betis got their first victory of the season, Murcia punished nine-man Valladolid, and Racing Santander took three points from a lacklustre Almeria side as La Liga's Sunday afternoon card unfolded...
Saturday:
Henry Hit Hat-Trick As Barça Sink Levante
Sevilla Stumble
Serie A Reports
Serie A Round 6 : A moment of madness by Ludovic Giuly literally hands Inter the lead and the Nerazzurri run out 1-4 winners at 10 man Roma. David Trezeguet scores an injury time winner to settle the Turin derby. Fiorentina win the Tuscan derby in Livorno for the first time in 75 years. Antonio Cassano scores his first Serie A goal in two years in Sampdoria's 3-0 win over Atalanta. Fabio Quagliarella is finally off the mark for Udinese but defender Cristian Zapata scores the winning goal. Milan's misery continues."Atalanta hit the post for a second time before completing a hat-trick of failed offside traps to allow Cassano in for his first goal of the season. He stripped to his underpants at full time and was either clearly excited or had stuffed his pants with socks."
EPL match reports
More Chelesa gloom:
Chelsea's woes near crisis point
More Arsenal joy:
Arsenal combine graft with craft
More Arteta magic
Everton shake Euro blues
More goals:
Benjani puts Portsmouth in seventh heaven
More drudgery:
Reality hurts for Gary Speed
More Blackburn success:
Straight-up Hughes puts McCarthy in his place
More Liverpool rotation:
Torres factor makes the difference
More ManU playing poorly but still winning 1-0:
Ronaldo takes advantage
More of Eriksson proving everyone wrong:
Man City stars shine on centre stage
More EPL Action
West Ham 0 - 1 Arsenal: The Insider Returns to Upton Park
Premier League Replay: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Andrew Discenza spotlights what was best and worst about the weekend's action in the English Premier League…
Premier League Replay: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Andrew Discenza spotlights what was best and worst about the weekend's action in the English Premier League…
Women's World Cup: Germany Retains the Title, U.S. Third
Germany won its second straight Women's World Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil 2-0 behind second-half goals by Birgit Prinz and Simone Laudehr. Prinz scored in the 52nd minute and Laudehr added a cushion in the 86th, helping Germany become the first women's soccer team to successfully defend its title in the World Cup or Olympics.Abby Wambach gave the United States something more than bad memories to carry home from the women's World Cup. Wambach's two goals, and two more from Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly, led the United States to a lopsided 4-1 victory over Norway on Sunday in the third-place game.
Jen Chang's Musings
Andrea Canales: U.S. Makes Solo Scapegoat for its Failure
Friday, September 28, 2007
Marta's brilliance leads Brazil's rout of the U.S.
USA 0 - 4 BrazilThe streak is over, and so is the United States' bid for a third Women's World Cup championship. Brazil and its star player Marta put on a dazzling performance against the Americans and cruised to a 4-0 victory in the semifinals Thursday, ending the U.S. unbeaten streak at 51 games and sending the Brazilians into their first title match, against Germany on Sunday.
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Breaking with a tradition that players who don't appear in games don't speak with the media, Solo offered a scathing indictment of Ryan's decision in a postmatch interview.
Solo also said she would have saved some of the shots that got past Scurry, the goalkeeper for the 1999 U.S. World Cup championship squad as well as Olympic gold-medal teams in 1996 and 2004.
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Jen Chang's Take: Ryan's Decisions Hurt the U.S.
Martin Rogers' Take: Questionable Calls
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"People say this is a step back, but I think Greg Ryan has put us three steps back – all the way to the starting gate," said Chastain, the 1999 World Cup hero who watched Thursday's loss from her home in Northern California. "He lacks the ability to communicate and is not in tune with his players, and he's obviously not a tactician or he wouldn't have made the decisions he did.
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Self-belief has pushed Brazil to the brink of World Cup glory as the Samba Girls go in search of a title won by their more famous male counterparts five times.
Few would have wagered money on Brazil at the beginning of the tournament but their silky skills and unselfish teamwork have not only won over the Chinese fans but driven them further than they have ever been before.
Coach Jorge Barcellos said their philosophy has always been never-say-die.
Women's World Cup Final - Germany vs. Brazil: Preview
Sunday's women's World Cup final between Marta's Brazil and Birgit Prinz's Germany will be a veritable clash of styles.
Lawro's Premiership Predictions
Chelsea v Fulham
Chelsea are still getting over Jose Mourinho and the loss to Manchester United, but I think they will get back to winning in this local derby.
I think Fulham need to stand in something on the walk down the King's Road because they have had absolutely no luck with decisions this season.
However, Stamford Bridge is not a good place for your luck to start changing.
Prediction: 2-0
All Of Lawro's PicksEngland's Premier League: Weekend Preview
No real massive clashes this weekend. Fulham's visit to Stamford Bridge is probably of the most note considering the upheaval at Chelsea. And there's another London Derby in the East End as West Ham welcome Arsenal to Upton Park. All the previews...Fast Eddie's Betting Guide:
Goal.com’s exclusive guide to this weekend's Premier League matches for those who like to back informed hunches with a flutter for an extra dash of excitement and the possibility that the football results will deliver more than three points...
More Previews
Italian Serie A Preview: Matchday Six
Roma- Inter Milan
The match of the week sees the two joint league leaders clash at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have already served up two Serie A classics in the past seven days against Juventus and Fiorentina and if recent history is anything to go by, another game to remember could be in store here.
Spain: La Liga Updates and Previews
Villarreal are challenging Spain's established order after Manuel Pellegrini's new-look side made it four wins from five to top the Primera Liga for the first time in their history in midweek.
This after some bad omens at the start of the season, with top scorer Diego Forlan sold to Atletico Madrid and centre-back Roberto Ayala walking out on them without playing a game.
Real Madrid 2 - 0 Real Betis
Real Madrid returned to the top of the Primera Liga table on Thursday night as second-half goals from Raul and Julio Baptista saw off battling Real Betis at the Bernabeu.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Chelsea charged after Old Trafford incident
Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players during their defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.
Mike Dean, the referee, reported the club after at least four players, including John Terry, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien and Andriy Shevchenko, surrounded him after he sent off John Obi Mikel, the Chelsea midfielder.
Terry, the Chelsea captain, appeared to grab Dean's red card but the England defender has not been charged individually by the FA.He DID grab his hand! How can the FA not charge Terry individually for grabbing a ref's hand to try and keep him from producing a card?! More absurdity from the "governing body." -Sanford
USA vs. Brazil: Teamwork vs. Individual Brilliance
Coach Greg Ryan knows the United States' Women's World Cup semifinal against Brazil on Thursday will provide the ultimate contrasting battle between teamwork and individual brilliance.
Ryan's team is a collective unit, having lived together in a residency program leading up to the tournament and operating with a high level of understanding and organization forged by hundreds of training sessions and more than 50 matches over the past two years.
While there are experienced veterans like Kristine Lilly and standout stars such as Abby Wambach, no one in the U.S. squad is put on a pedestal.
La Liga: Messi Leads Barca to 4-1 Win
Villarreal go top of the table for the first time in their history; Real Madrid play today: All the Summaries
Honours Even After Fiorentina And Roma Serve Classic
The marquee match of the fifth round of the Serie A lived up to expectations and then some as Fiorentina managed to come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Roma in a game that on its own could stand to debunk the myth that Italian football is boring. A cheeky penalty kick by Adrian Mutu on 78 minutes salvaged his side a precious point after wonderful goals by Giuly and Manini sandwiched a first-half strike by Gamberini.
Inter pull even with Roma at the top while Milan lose to Palermo:
All the Summaries
Inter pull even with Roma at the top while Milan lose to Palermo:
All the Summaries
Carling Cup: Manchester United humbled by Coventry
Coventry stunned an inexperienced Manchester United side to send the Premier League champions crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted last night that he was "flabbergasted" by Manchester United's third-round exit from the Carling Cup after a dismal 2-0 home defeat against Coventry City.
Phil McNulty on Fergie's Shadow Squad Worry
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted last night that he was "flabbergasted" by Manchester United's third-round exit from the Carling Cup after a dismal 2-0 home defeat against Coventry City.
Phil McNulty on Fergie's Shadow Squad Worry
Emmanuel Adebayor Interview
Despite all the debate around Thierry Henry's departure from Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor has not let the added pressure of replacing the Frenchman affect his game and, so far this season, has proven that he could be the Gunners' new attacking sensation.With five goals in his last two Premier League games, the unpredictable Togolese striker, who according to Wenger brings a strong physical impact to the side, is currently in the form of his life. He caught up with ESPNsoccernet's Bruno Salla for a quick interview.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
THE SSN ALL-NAME TEAM INDUCTEE NUMBER FIVE: DANNY SHITTU
I realize it's been a while since our last induction, so before we dive into Mr. Shittu, let's recap the squad as it stands currently:
Dean Windass - Starting Striker
Rod Fanni - Starting Right Back
Berndt Haas - Starting Center Back
David Seaman - Reserve Goalkeeper
Now then, on to our latest member...
Danny Shittu is a 6’ 3” defender who currently plies his trade for
Oligarchs Will be Oligarchs
Arsenal's new sugar (or should I say oil?) daddy Alisher Usmanov is making headlines in the UK right now by taking aggressive legal action against critics in the news media. Specifically he's had the webservers hosting a blog by author and former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, shut down. Notice to Arseblog: be careful about any criticism of team selection or the Board of Directors or you're next!We asked Murray if he intends to stay on Usmanov's back. He replied: "There is room on Usmanov's back for an awful lot of people. You could get even more on his stomach, and possibly lose some under the overlap of his chins."
Women's World Cup: Germany 3-0 Norway
Germany reached the Women's World Cup final with an own goal and a quick-fire second-half brace against Norway.
Editor's Note: I will not post the results of USA/Brazil tomorrow morning due to the amount of individuals planning to record and view the match after the workday tomorrow. USA/Brazil results will be posted and discussed on Friday.
Editor's Note: I will not post the results of USA/Brazil tomorrow morning due to the amount of individuals planning to record and view the match after the workday tomorrow. USA/Brazil results will be posted and discussed on Friday.
Little big man still retains ability to divide opinion around the world
Diego Maradona is coming to England, which feels a bit like issuing a storm warning. The Argentinian is about as likely to slip quietly in and out of the country as José Mourinho is to withdraw discreetly out of our lives. Controversy is already in the air and we are still a couple of weeks from the revival of the famous 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England being planned for Villa Park. While Peter Reid longs finally to catch up with the little man who danced away from him at the Aztec Stadium all those years ago, Terry Butcher has said that he would “rather gnaw my own arm off than share the pitch with the cheating little s***”.
Jol endures new role as caretaker and sets his sights on Christmas
Martin Jol has been called many things in private by various Tottenham directors during what has been a spiky managerial tenure. Yet the Dutchman cannot ever have envisaged the label that clings to him at present and undermines him most gravely - that which says "caretaker".
Major League Soccer: Crew, Fire and Rapids chase final playoff spot
The MLS playoff system remains far from perfect, of course. Four weeks still remain and the playoff question has been more or less answered for 10 of 13 teams. But that represents progress; it's better than having things more or less settled with two months remaining.
Owen ruled out of qualifiers, set to see specialist
Club boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed Owen has a 3cm tear in his abductor muscle - an injury set to rule him out for most of the next month.
Is anyone surprised about this??
Is anyone surprised about this??
Chelsea line up Van Basten to be long-term successor to Mourinho
A report in Wednesday's edition of The Sun claimed that Chelsea's Russian owner had already offered the job to Van Basten, who sat behind Abramovich in the VIP seats as Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And deny that they are making any move for him...
Barcelona aim to go top of Spanish league
Barcelona have an opportunity to catapult themselves to the top of the Spanish league if they can overcome Real Zaragoza on Wednesday.
The Catalonians, led by an in-form Lionel Messi, hope to continue their victory run after beating Lyon 3-0 in the Champions League and then beating Seville 2-1 in the Spanish league at the weekend.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has meanwhile insisted that Barcelona can afford to leave their Brazilian star Ronaldinho out of the squad.
United States makes surprise change in goal for Brazil; veteran Scurry replaces Solo
Briana Scurry will replace Hope Solo as goalkeeper when the United States plays Brazil with a spot in the women's World Cup final on the line.
Coach Greg Ryan made an unexpected change in goal 24 hours before the semifinal, benching Solo in favor of the 36-year-old veteran who made the decisive save in the Americans' win on penalty kicks over China in the 1999 championship game at the Rose Bowl.
Carling Cup Wednesday Preview
After impressive displays from Arsenal and Liverpool in the first of the scheduled mid-week Carling Cup ties, Manchester United and Chelsea will feel obliged to make it into the hat for the fourth round draw. But as this competition has proved on many occasions before, nothing can be taken for granted.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007:
Wednesday, 26 September 2007:
Aston Villa v Leicester, 19:45
Blackburn v Birmingham, 20:00
Fulham v Bolton, 20:00
Hull v Chelsea, 19:45
Man Utd v Coventry, 20:00
Sheff Wed v Everton, 19:45
Tottenham v Middlesbrough, 20:00
West Ham v Plymouth, 19:45
Carling Cup Tuesday Review
The third round of the Carling Cup got underway tonight with Arsenal v Newcastle the pick of the ties. True to form, Arsene Wenger selected a team of young players on the fringes of the first team for this competition - and they were as impressive as the first team in beating a strong Newcasytle side 2-0. Liverpool beat Reading 4-2 thanks to a Fernando Torres hat-trick, while Giorgios Samaras scored a last-ditch winner for Manchester City against Norwich....
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Arsenal 2 - Newcastle 0
Blackpool 2 - Southend 1 (AET)
Burnley 0 - Portsmouth 1
Luton 3 - Charlton 1 (AET)
Man City 1 - Norwich 0
Reading 2 - Liverpool 4
Sheff Utd 5 - Morecambe 0
West Brom 2 - Cardiff 4
Choose Your Own Interview: Derby County's Eddie Lewis
What was the first concert you ever went to?
Lewis: Saw the Jackson 5 victory tour at Dodger Stadium. Sat about five seats away from Boogaloo Shrimp as well. I could have break danced all the way home.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
More Chelsea Commentary From Williams and Hansen
Richard Williams: If Roman Abramovich keeps wearing his gaffer's coat - like he did last week - it could be curtains for Chelsea.
Alan Hansen: Despite my gloomy view, Chelsea are not out of the title race.
Alan Hansen: Despite my gloomy view, Chelsea are not out of the title race.
Hagi's love affair with Bucharest ends in tears
Jonathan Wilson: The resignation of Romania's favourite son as coach of Steaua is the latest chapter in a saga of fiery friendships and huge egos.
Becali remains unrepentant. "I admit I humiliated Hagi," he said, before an alarming lapse into the third person. "It is very hard to work with Becali. You can't work with Becali if you don't get results."
Glanville's Top 50 Greatest Hits
The doyen of football writers picks his top 50 football moments of the past 65 years - he was present at every occasion.
#30May 1953 Rome: Hungary crush Italy
My first sight of that dazzling Hungary team at the belated inauguration of Rome’s Olympic Stadium. The Italy team largely composed of Roma and Lazio men were outplayed by Hungary, with Ferenc Puskas’s deadly left foot, Sandor Kocsis’s “Golden head”, Nandor Hidegkuti, operating behind them and Jozsef Bozsik bursting through from right half. 3-0 was the score.
The Big Interview: Ruud Gullit
The Dutch legend says his sacking by Chelsea was the worst moment of his professional life and claims he was betrayed by people he trusted.He had spent the best years of his football life in Italy and was a central figure in a Milan team that won three Serie A championships and two European Cups. The tifosi loved him but, by the end, it was suffocating love. “One evening at a restaurant, the owner said, ‘Ruud, can you do me a favour? Can you come outside for a second?’ I said I’d prefer to just continue my meal. He insisted. So he dragged me outside and there were hundreds of fans just standing there, blocking the street and waiting for me to come and wave. I smiled and waved and they went away.
That kind of thing happened a lot.”
Lalas to keep Becks on a tight leash
Nearing the end of a season filled with frustration and disappointment, the Los Angeles Galaxy have decided it is time to get tough.
On the pitch, there are small signs of a harder edge, with the team looking more like the Galaxy of old in a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday. But it is away from the glare of the spotlight that a significant shakeup will take place over the next few months.
Even David Beckham could find himself caught in the crosshairs as Galaxy president Alexi Lalas prepares to usher in a tough new era that he hopes will avoid a repeat of this fractured and uneasy campaign.
Womens' World Cup: U.S. prepared for a physical clash with Brazil + Marta Focus
With a spot in the World Cup final on the line, soccer's old power and young challenger will collide when the United States and Brazil meet in Hangzhou (ESPN2, Thursday, 8 a.m. ET). And before assuming that's just some kind of metaphor, consider that the American team's medical staff has already had to add a staple gun to its triage inventory.What's in a name? She's Marta and she's marvelous...
Americans on the Continent: Bradley Rolls On
Goal.com's J.R. Eskilson and Zac Lee Rigg take a glance at how the American players on the European continent fared over the past week.
Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege (Belgium)
vs. KVC Westerlo (90 minutes, 0 goals)
Onyewu started, as he has every league game, since returning from his loan stint at Newcastle. With the 2-1 home win over Westerlo, Standard move four points clear of Anderlecht at the top of the Jupiler League table. Israeli international Salim Toema was the day’s hero, scoring a brace for the home side. Next up: Sint Truidense VV on the 29th.
Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege (Belgium)
vs. KVC Westerlo (90 minutes, 0 goals)
Onyewu started, as he has every league game, since returning from his loan stint at Newcastle. With the 2-1 home win over Westerlo, Standard move four points clear of Anderlecht at the top of the Jupiler League table. Israeli international Salim Toema was the day’s hero, scoring a brace for the home side. Next up: Sint Truidense VV on the 29th.
Italy: Serie A Midweek Preview: Round 5
Goal.com looks ahead to the midweek Serie A action with a round-up of each game in Matchday 5...
Fiorentina - Roma
Fiorentina - Roma
The match of the day sees league leaders Roma travel to fourth-placed Fiorentina. Both teams are unbeaten and both have been hugely impressive this season. Fiorentina showed that they have instilled some mental toughness into their armoury with a gritty 1-0 win against Catania on Sunday. This followed three successive draws in all competitions, including the impressive 1-1 draw at San Siro against European Champions Milan on matchday two.
Spain: La Liga Midweek Preview: Round 5
Round four of La Liga action showed a shift in momentum from Madrid to Barcelona. Will it turn into a seismic one, or turn out to be just an aberration? We will get some indication over the next few days!
Carling Cup Tuesday Preview: Can Magpies Steal Gunners' Thunder?
This midweek sees the Carling Cup enter its third round - the stage at which those clubs involved in European campaigns enter the competition. Their participation inevitably raises the interest level in a tournament which has enjoyed something of an on-off relationship with the British footballing public since it was conceived 47 years ago.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has released details of his squad ahead of this evening’s Carling Cup tie with Newcastle United.
Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone
Defenders: Phillipe Senderos, Justin Hoyte, Gavin Hoyte, Emmanuel Eboue, Armand Traore,
Midfielders: Denilson, Abou Diaby, Lassana Diarra, Alexandre Song, Fran Merida, Henri Lansbury
Attackers: Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo, Theo Walcott
Norman Hubbard on Arsenal's Age of ChangeMonday, September 24, 2007
le nou Camp Nou
Okay, it does look a bit like a cake strewn with Hundreds and Thousands [Jimmies or Sprinkes in Yankland?], but the Allianz Arena in Munich has proved that something a touch more adventurous can work.
Foster to give Nou Camp Gaudí-inspired facelift
More pictures
Sid:Ronaldinho misses Barcelona's big night out
Are Chelsea the new Hearts?
Uvidimsia Jose! I'm the coach now.
Abramovich tells Essien how to play football
Or perhaps the new Energie Cottbus?
The Monday MLS Breakdown: Table Setting
Major League Soccer isn't geared for a single table ... yet. But as Goal.com USA's Kyle McCarthy points out, the playoff system would be upgraded if a table system was used for seeding purposes.
Arsenal profits to provide £70m transfer warchest
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been promised a mammoth £70million transfer kitty after Arsenal revealed themselves to be one of Europe's richest clubs. Figures unveiled this morning show the Gunners' move to the Emirates Stadium has driven a near 50% increase in turnover to more than £200million for the year ending May 31, 2007. That sum means they are only edged into second place in the continent's money league by Real Madrid.
Germany: Bayern Cruise to the Top of the Table
All the Reports| German Bundesliga Table | ||
| September 23, 2007 | GP | PT |
| Bayern Munich | 6 | 14 |
| Hertha Berlin | 6 | 12 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 6 | 11 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 6 | 11 |
| Schalke 04 | 6 | 10 |
| Hamburg SV | 6 | 10 |
| Arminia Bielefeld | 6 | 10 |
| Werder Bremen | 6 | 10 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 6 | 9 |
| Karlsruhe | 6 | 9 |
| VfL Bochum | 6 | 8 |
| VfL Wolfsburg | 6 | 7 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 6 | 7 |
| Hannover 96 | 6 | 7 |
| MSV Duisburg | 6 | 6 |
| Nurnberg | 6 | 5 |
| Hansa Rostock | 6 | 3 |
| Energie Cottbus | 6 | 2 |
Italy: Juve Snatch a Point in Rome, Parma Snatch a Point in Milan
Roma 2 - 2 Juventus: Totti Brace Not Enough
A Classic Match in Rome
R. Mehdi's Reports: How can a team (Milan) that perform so well in Europe against quality opposition, the 2-1 victory over Benfica flattered the Portuguese, play so poorly in the league? It's as if the players think Serie A is beneath them. Gilardino can't handle the pressure of playing for Milan. Inzaghi is incredible in Europe but useless domestically. None of this would be an issue if Ronaldo was fit. Ancelotti's negative tactics don't help either.
Police Arrest 66 Armed Lazio Fans As They Leave For the Match Vs. Atalanta
Women's World Cup: USA Defeats England, Brazil and Norway Advance to Semis
USA 3 - 0 England
Brazil 3 - 2 Australia
Norway 1 - 0 China
Semifinals:
Brazil 3 - 2 Australia
Norway 1 - 0 China
Semifinals:
Wednesday, September 26
Match 29: Germany vs Norway at Tianjin, 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, September 27
Match 30: United States vs Brazil at Hangzhou, 8:00 a.m. ESPN
England: EPL Review + Table
Manchester United 2 - 0 Chelsea: Richard Jolly at Old Trafford
Angry Fergie Blasts Cole for Tackle on Ronaldo
Arsenal 5 - 0 Derby County: Adebayor hat-trick
EPL Replay: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
All the Reports
| Premier League Table | ||
| September 23, 2007 | Played | Points |
| Arsenal | 6 | 16 |
| Man Utd | 7 | 14 |
| Man City | 7 | 13 |
| Liverpool | 6 | 12 |
| Newcastle | 6 | 11 |
| Chelsea | 7 | 11 |
| West Ham | 6 | 10 |
| Aston Villa | 6 | 10 |
| Everton | 7 | 10 |
| Blackburn | 6 | 9 |
| Portsmouth | 7 | 9 |
| Wigan | 7 | 8 |
| Middlesbrough | 7 | 8 |
| Birmingham | 7 | 8 |
| Sunderland | 7 | 8 |
| Reading | 7 | 7 |
| Fulham | 7 | 6 |
| Tottenham | 7 | 5 |
| Bolton | 7 | 4 |
| Derby | 7 | 4 |
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