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.
Sunday's FA Cup draw induced a collective gasp from English football fans as it threw up the possibility that AFC Wimbledon could face their nemeses, MK Dons, in the second round. If both clubs win their replays then wounds will be reopened - wounds that are still savagely raw following a decision eight years ago that ripped a club from its community, spawned the derogatory nickname 'Franchise FC' and resulted in the birth of a supporter-owned club that would prove a model for such ventures in future.
Not only did the club receive £5 million and an excellent defender in William Gallas but there was also the consolation of believing they already had a ready-made replacement in Gael Clichy.
Dec 2004 - stubbed a lit cigar into the eye of young team-mate Jamie Tandy during Manchester City's Christmas party. Fined six weeks' wages by City. Forced to pay four weeks' salary - approximately £60,000 - immediately, with a further two weeks suspended for a year.
Chelsea are four points clear at the top of the table after a 1-0 win to Fulham while the Manchester derby ended goalless. Arsenal moved to within a point of second-placed United thanks to Marouane Chamakh's double in a 2-0 win at Wolves. West Ham remain bottom of the table after West Brom came back to earn a 2-2 draw at Upton Park. Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at Wigan after Fernando Torres had given the visitors an early lead. James Collins scored a late winner as Aston Villa won 3-2 at home to a Blackpool side which showed 10 changes. Substitute Jason Roberts earned Blackburn all three points in a 2- win at Newcastle to move Rovers away from the drop zone. Ten-man Everton drew 1-1 at home to Bolton after having midfielder Marouane Fellaini dismissed in the second half.
The Manchester derby takes centre stage on Wednesday as City aim to go level on points with bitter rivals United at Eastlands. Table-toppers Chelsea are looking to respond from their loss at Anfield when they host West London London neighbours Fulham at Stamford Bridge. Another team looking to bounce back are Arsenal after their title hopes took a hit following a 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle. The Gunners travel to Molineux to meet Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool are seeking a fourth successive three-point haul as they make the short trip to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic. Bottom-of-the-table West Ham United face a crunch game against West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park. Fifth-placed Newcastle United must be pinching themselves after they followed up their hammering of bitter rivals Sunderland with a victory at Arsenal. And they face Blackburn Rovers. Everton are out to extend their six-game unbeaten run as they welcome Bolton Wanderers to Goodison Park. Lastly, Blackpool go in search of their fourth top-flight victory on the road this campaign as they travel to Aston Villa.
Ten rounds into the Serie A season, there is still no clear-cut favorite. Five-time defending champion Inter Milan is struggling with a series of injuries and a thin bench, surprise leader Lazio is coming off a 2-0 derby loss to AS Roma, while AC Milan and Juventus are just starting to find form under new managers with a bevy of new players.
Lazio has 22 points, two more than Milan. Inter has 19 and Juventus and Napoli are tied for fourth with 18 each.
Even Roma, with 15 points after being winless in its opening four matches, is being considered as a possible challenger again.
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