Amy Lawrence: Henry makes stand in face of Spanish inquisition to prove he is real deal

The explosive return to form of Thierry Henry at Barcelona is a timely reminder to Arsenal fans of the club's failings this season.

Why Nemanja Vidic is my player of the season

It is at this time of the season, just after the league has passed the halfway stage, that you start assessing potential candidates for the player of the season award. Who has been the outstanding performer in the first half of the season? It has caused some scratching of heads because so many of the expected candidates have either underperformed or been sporadic at best.

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Friday's Rumours


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The Guide: what we are looking forward to from this weekend's football

Here are the matches, moments and inevitable bust-ups around Europe that we'll be keeping a close eye on.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Preview

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview

Some good fixtures this weekend as Milan host Fiorentina, Juventus go to Rome to play Lazio and Inter go to Atalanta...



Preview

England: Premier League Previews & Predictions

The Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Monday highlights the weekend fixture list. Elsewhere, Bolton host Manchester United, Chelsea go to Stoke, Newcastle face Blackburn at Ewood Park, Manchester City welcome Wigan, Arsenal are at Hull, Villa go to Sunderland, West Brom host Boro, Fulham head over to West Ham and Spurs host Pompey.

Preview 1
Preview 2

Nick Webster's Predictions
Lawro's Predictions

Name game takes a mundane turn on the streets of Philadelphia

Americans are divided on whether to adopt a zany nickname for Philly's new football club – or simply nick names from Europe.

• Philadelphia Team Compassion

• Philadelphia Laser Rocket Cocks

• Philadelphia Zombie Sharks

• Philadelphia and Hove AlbionMu

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"I had a glass of wine with Alex Ferguson and we spoke for half an hour. I told him how Inter will play against United and he named his 11 players for the game."
The Special One reveals what he and Sir Alex didn't talk about after the Chelsea game.

"We made an offer and it was turned down. We offered Stoke-on-Trent."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis on the 'failed bid' to land Kaka.

"David Beckham is not bigger than the Galaxy."
Former LA manager Alexi Lalas shows off his astronomy skills.

"For those fans travelling on the away supporters' coach, please be advised that it has broken down."
Announcement at Aldershot v Dagenham and Redbridge, followed by loud cheers from the home support.

The Rest

FA Cup: Kinnear puts up more fight than his team as Hull breeze through

A very bad night for Joe Kinnear saw the Newcastle United manager dispatched to the stands once again before Daniel Cousin's late winner dumped his stuttering side out of the FA Cup.

Newcastle United 0 - 1 Hull City

Roberto Gotta in Italy

Italy did not let itself down in welcoming David Beckham to its desolate, cold shores.





All the expected cliches, silliness, frivolous analysis and a badly disguised sense of disdain, oddly coupled with unabated praise, filtered easily from the pages of newspapers and TV shows. However, one can hardly believe the mainstream media's view of a subject coincides with the general public's.

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Thursday's Rumours

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Three Cans Of Beer Cost Barcelona €4,000

Barcelona have been hit with a fine by the Permanent Commission of the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport for allowing three cans into the game against Real Mallorca earlier this month.

Rooney's early exit exposes forward flaws in United

Berbatov and Tevez fail to fire in Rooney's absence as missed chances again threaten to hamper United progress.

EPL Report + Top of the Table

Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points - with a game in hand - as they struggled to victory against Wigan.

Manchester United 1-0 Wigan

January 14, 2009	GP	PT
Liverpool	21	46
Manchester United	20	44
Chelsea	21	42
Aston Villa	21	41
Arsenal	21	38
Everton	21	35
Wigan Athletic	21	31
Hull City	21	27
Fulham	19	26
West Ham United	21	26

Barcelona Secure Comfortable Aggregate Win Over Atletico

Barcelona recorded a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou to secure a smooth passage to the next round of the Copa Del Rey, 5-2 on aggregate.

FA Cup: Chelsea Outclass Southend... Eventually

Chelsea produced a morale-boosting performance to come back from a goal down at Roots Hall, easing into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after an entertaining replay against Southend.

Beasley Considers Exit From Rangers

Beasley, who moved to Ibrox in the summer of 2007, has been used sparingly this season as several players have competed for a place on the left side of midfield.

Norman Hubbard on what's gone wrong at Chelsea

His appointment was supposed to signal a change of direction, but his team appear to have found reverse gear. He was brought in to transform Chelsea, to win the worldwide battle for hearts and minds as well as football matches; instead, the fundamental difference could be that, for the first time in five seasons, the title race is concluded without the Blues in the top two and possibly even the podium positions.

Europe Eyes Portuguese Production Line

When Cristiano Ronaldo first arrived at Manchester United in 2003, you could have been forgiven for thinking that a Portuguese player would not cut it in the Premier League. The precedents of Helder Postiga, Hugo Viana and Abel Xavier had not been great, but after taking time to settle, the newly crowned FIFA World Player of the Year has changed the perception of Portuguese players across Europe.