Friday Thoughts From The Editor

It's a good day, then. The holidays are here and that means plenty of matches to keep our focus away from mundane issues like family and yuletide spirit and all that. And what a way to kick it all off: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Inter vs. Milan and Arsenal vs. Tottenham. In Barcelona the word is that Henry will be available. He’s been injury prone and inconsistent since his move to Catalonia, and I’m not sure how much he can contribute. Mind you, with Messi out and The Geri-Curled One a question mark these days (big losses for the neutral) Barca will need all the help they can get.

Meanwhile, in Milan, this could be one of the most lopsided derbies in recent years. Milan have been struggling while Inter just don’t lose. The Rossoneri are suddenly looking old and rely too heavily on Kaka. And you’ve got to give credit to Mancini for putting together a very balanced side. I’d expect a comfortable 2-0 win for Inter here. Speaking of Milan, Arsenal have drawn them in the Champions League. Again, if you ever want to draw Milan in Europe (and you don’t), this might just be the year. On the flip side, I cannot see Liverpool getting past Inter. Mancini’s men will be there at the end, I’m certain. Oh, and ManU can’t be too worried about facing a Lyon side that barely beat Rangers. No trouble here for the Reds.

Two things in today’s news really piss me off. First: Fulham sack Sanchez. Now, it’s not so much the action of sacking Lawrie that gets me, it’s the fact that they sacked Chris Coleman to begin with. He had them competing and staying in the Premiership year in and year out. How can you expect Fulham to be a top-10 side? You cannot, it’s that simple. They’ll have good years and bad, but Coleman was an expert at getting the most out of very limited resources. And they sacked him. Now they’re screwed and it’s a shame, especially since they’ve got three Yanks in the team. Second: Peter Crouch. What is he thinking? I can’t say anything more – just read the bloody article below. Alec sums up my opinion well so no need for me to repeat here.

Oh, and Everton travel to Old Trafford. That's not bad either.

Enjoy, Sanford

The North London Derby: A History

The rivalry between supporters and players at local derby matches often has its roots in the respective histories of the clubs and their communities. The North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is no exception.

Internazionale Milan vs. AC Milan + Serie A Preview

AC seek to bring down unbeaten Inter
Serie A Team News

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid + La Liga Preview

Che cast shadow over El Clasico
Henry available for Barca-Real 'clasico'
La Liga Weekend Preview

Skint Scousers

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr are checking down the back of the sofa...
Liverpool owners face cash crisis

King hurt, Ramos stressed

Tottenham coach bemoans six injured defenders with Didier Zokora to miss derby after appeal to FA against ban fails
Ramos short of options as King injured

Champions League Draw

Here's the draw for the first knock-out stage of the Champions League:

Celtic v Barcelona
Lyon v Manchester United
Schalke v Porto
Liverpool v Inter Milan
AS Roma v Real Madrid
Arsenal v AC Milan
Olympiakos v Chelsea
Fenerbahce v Sevilla

Champions League: Arsenal draw AC Milan
Last 16 guide

Fulham show Sanchez the door

The former Northern Ireland manager has left the London club after only seven months following a run of bad results. They should have shown more faith with Chris Coleman.
Sanchez sacked by Fulham

English Premier League Weekend Previews

Fasteddy's Tips
Lawro's Predictions
Team News

What a load of bollocks

This really is a heap of shite. According to Crouchy it's only those dirty conniving foreigners who dive and cheat. Perhaps he should check out his club team mate Steven Gerrard or England team Michael Owen. Of course when they go down too easily and feign injury it's considered being clever. Wanker.
Crouch lays into Mikel and blames 'foreign' fakers
Rise of the two-footed lunge

Moratti On Calciopoli: I Want My Titles Back

Inter President Massimo Moratti says that the club were robbed of more than one Scudetto prior to the Calciopoli scandal last summer.

Vote for your football highlights of 2007

We've (The Guardian) selected our six best British football moments and personalities of the past 12 months, but which were your favourites?

5) Last-day relegation battle. Carlos Tevez scores at Old Trafford to complete an escape that was as improbable as it was controversial; meanwhile at Bramall Lane, Emile Heskey delivers an immense defensive performance and David Unsworth converts a penalty to relegate the team with whom he began the season. As drama goes, this beats the pants off Hollyoaks.

The night Wenger decided to let his young stars shine

Arsène Wenger's policy of selecting Carling Cup youth teams buoys his players and points to a bright future.

Milan happy to be away team for derby with Inter

AC Milan will be pleased they are the "away" side for Sunday's city derby with Serie A leaders Inter having failed to win at home in the league this season.

Paul Jewell convinced Derby County can be his pride and joy

Bottom of the league at Christmas? Many a manager would be more likely to reach for the Prozac than ProZone, but Paul Jewell is intent on using the second half of this season to get Derby County up to speed and ready to fulfill their potential.

Rafael Benitez sees red after Chelsea punish Liverpool’s off night

Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool

Semi-final draw

Chelsea v Everton
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

First legs to be played week commencing Jan 7

Second legs week commencing Jan 21

Manchester City Seal Nery Castillo Deal

Manchester City have got their man. Nery Castillo will join on a 12-month loan deal in January, leaving Shakhtar Donetsk behind.

The Ukrainian outfit paid over 20 million euros to Olympiakos this summer for the 23-year-old, who apparently helped wealthy City - bankrolled by Thai magnate Thaksin Shinawatra - pay for his signature.


(What's up with that body ink? Are those his parents? - Ed.)

Top Five Argentine Youngsters (Still In Argentina)

With a young generation of Argentines coming through the ranks - and fast conquering Europe - Nick Dorrington looks at the most promising youngsters (under 20) still in the country.

U.S. to Face Cuba, Honduras and Panama in Olympic Qualifying

The U.S. Under-23s, coached by U.S. National Team assistant coach Peter Nowak, will play three matches in a five-day span between March 11-15, with exact dates and times to be announced by CONCACAF at a later date. Group B will see Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico square off, beginning on March 12 in Carson, Calif.

The Pornography of Corrugated Iron Sheds

A celebrated poet, and football fan, on the joys of ‘groundtasticism’

Glebe Park, Brechin City
One of the most beautiful grounds I’ve seen; go there on a spring morning when the air is as fresh and crisp as only Scottish air can be and marvel at the only football ground in Europe with a hedge surrounding its perimeter. When I went there, a bloke was trimming it with a pair of clippers and I wept with joy. Groundtastic!