Sanford's Soccer Net

Monday, February 11, 2008

Barton in more trouble

Will it ever end?
Joey Barton may face FA charge

Egypt retain ACN crown

Egypt claimed a record sixth title as Mohamed Aboutrika capitalised on a Rigobert Song error
Egypt retain African Cup of Nations title
Organisers fail to match quality on the pitch

Arsenal will go five points clear of Man Utd at the top of the Premier League if they win at Blackburn tonight. Arsène Wenger has praised Cesc Fàbregas for curbing his petulant streak without the need for any 'special management'
Fábregas will let his boots do the talking as Arsenal try to steal a march

Liverpool and Chelsea in 0-0 bore

Fucking hell, it's as if every time these two teams play each other in the league the managers get together beforehand and say, 'the last league match between us was pretty boring but I know we can do better, I know we can send more people to sleep'. And the Premier League want to send this tripe abroad!
Draw that suits no one a cause for owners' disquiet
Grant unhappy with Liverpool penalty decision

City do double over United

Carlos Queiroz claims that last week's international exertions were the root of Man Utd's derby loss. Of course, he doesn't seem to think this apply to the Man City players, who I guess were just lazing around all week getting massages. At least the Munich memorial went off without incident. Though it surely says much about soccer fans when they are praised for not booing at a ceremory to commemorate 23 deaths.

United blame fatigue for defeat
Dunne dominates on a blue day in Manchester
Silence was golden as City supporters show respect

Cassano: The Women In Genoa Are Beautiful

Sampdoria star Antonio Cassano has revealed the reason why he is such blistering form this season – he is getting on very well with the women in Genoa.

"I didn’t really want to move to Genoa [Sampdoria] because I had been told that it was a dead city,” said Cassano.

“Instead however I discovered that the locals are very friendly and there are lots of nice women around. This latter factor is fundamental for me.

“Are we allowed women in the build-up before matches? Well you simply have to organise it. You take a room upstairs and then quickly you meet up with them.”

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Arteta interview

Spaniard is the most fouled player in the Premier League but still loves his life at Everton. He talks to Daniel Taylor about how well he has settled in England and his international hopes
Arteta puts his spiritual home before a cap

Friday, February 08, 2008

African Cup of Nations Update [yes, another one]

Managers ought not to expect too much from their players after a gruelling Cup of Nations, says Brian Oliver
Out of Africa
Everton manager David Moyes is considering the future of £11.25 million club record signing Yakubu and preparing to fine the player two weeks' wages (£80,000) following his failure to return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria
Everton fury with missing Yakubu
After his team's thrilling African Cup of Nations win over the hosts, Geremi is now determined to bring joy to the whole of Cameroon
Pharoahs beware: sleeping lions are stirring

EPL news

"Keegan keen on Henry" - Yeah, and I'm keen on Scarlett Johansson, but for some reason she won't return my calls...

The Newcastle United manager told supporters he would like to beat the highest transfer fee ever paid
Kevin Keegan ready to pay for Thierry Henry
The Liverpool manager is backing his wayward striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch against Chelsea on Sunday
Rafael Benitez backing Dirk Kuyt to regain form
Man City have agreed a bumper new 5½-year deal with Micah Richards
Richards commits to City
Manchester City ready to ban fans who break minute's silence at derby as Sven-Goran Eriksson says 'it must be respected'
City hold breath over Munich tribute
Gary Neville's ongoing struggle to get fit has prompted Man Utd to enquire about Porto's pacy right-back Jose Bosingwa
Fears over Neville press United to declare interest in Bosingwa

EPL To Go Global

Extra games to be worth £5m per club...

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has become the highest-profile name to back English Premier League plans to stage some matches across the world.

Fergie Fury: Sir Alex Ferguson is angry that club managers, including himself, were not consulted before the Premier League made public their plans for an 'international round' of matches.

How the game is changing shape

1888
Football League founded, with 12 clubs, three years after the Football Association had sanctioned professionalism

1892-93
Second Division formed and promotion and relegation introduced, with two places contested via "test" matches between the bottom two teams in the First Division and top two in the second

1898-99
League expanded to two divisions of 18; automatic two-up two-down promotion and relegation introduced

1919-20
Top flight expanded to 22 teams as football resumes after the first world war

1973-74
Number of promotion and relegation places increased to three

1981-82
Three points for a win introduced

1986-87
Promotion and relegation play-offs initiated involving third-, fourth- and fifth-placed teams in the Second Division and fourth-bottom team in the First Division

1988-89
Play-offs to involve only the third- to sixth-placed teams in Second Division

1991-92
First Division increased to 22 clubs

1992-93
Breakaway Premier League formed

Italy: Serie A Preview

Inter travel to Catania, Roma host Reggina, Juventus travel to Udinese and Milan host Siena...

Preview

England: Premier League Previews

The Manchester Derby and Liverpool's trip to Chelsea highlight another critical weekend of fixtures in the EPL...

Previews
Fasteddy's Tips
Manchester Unites for Derby Day

Liverpool's Trauma: Life In United's Shadow

Nigel Smith looks at how the tables have turned in the North West, where Liverpool are left trying to match the standards being set by Manchester United.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Barcelona's trip to Sevilla tops the fixture list, while Real host Valladolid...

Saturday 9 February 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Real Murcia - Villarreal
20:00 Deportivo - Getafe
22:00 Sevilla - Barcelona

Sunday 10 February
17:00 Osasuna - Zaragoza
17:00 Athletic - Levante
17:00 Racing - Atletico Madrid
17:00 Mallorca - Almeria
17:00 Espanyol - Recreativo
19:00 Real Madrid - Valladolid
21:00 Valencia - Betis
Previews

MLS Releases 2008 Schedule

And they once again ignore international fixture dates

The Los Angeles Galaxy, whose top stars are David Beckham and Landon Donovan, host the Chicago Fire on Aug. 21, the day after the United States is likely to play its opening semifinal-round qualifier, likely at Guatemala. England probably will have an exhibition.