Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (agg 4-3)
 Bellamy has now scored five goals for Manchester City |
A second-half brace from Craig Bellamy helped Manchester City set up a last-16 Uefa Cup encounter with Aalborg after an effortless win over FC Copenhagen.
A strong City line-up were frustrated in the first half, with Robinho and Bellamy hitting the woodwork.
Bellamy shrugged off one defender to finish from 15 yards for his first and good work by Robinho on the left then allowed Bellamy to score from 10 yards.
Martin Vingaard finished to Shay Given's right for a consolation strike.
City were largely untroubled by the Danish visitors and manager Mark Hughes's pre-match proclamation that his City squad was big enough and strong enough to progress was proven right.
Although, in truth, the home side did not really have to flex all their muscles in a rainy Manchester against a team who are still on their winter break.
Copenhagen may have succeeded in frustrating City for the majority of the match, but it only seemed a matter of time until the home side scored.
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And there was perhaps no-one more deserving of two goals than the hard-working Bellamy, who was full of running and linked up well with the equally impressive Robinho.
The first half belonged to City, with Shay Given largely unemployed in the home goal.
City's chief entertainer, Robinho, went close on two occasions and was perhaps unfortunate not to have won a penalty.
In the 19th minute, he headed Bellamy's deflected shot onto the underside the crossbar and then a minute later danced past two defenders, forcing a fine save from the onrushing Jesper Christiansen.
On reflection, it seemed as if Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, who was left prostrate by Robinho as he went through, seemed to handle the ball while on the floor, but the incident was missed by referee Selcuk Dereli.
In the final minute before half-time Robinho set Bellamy free but the Welshman's scuffed shot rebounded off the corner of the far post.
City's frustrations grew as the second half progressed and, at times, they lacked a little patience in their build-up play, with Bellamy in particular being caught off-side a number of times.
Yet City continued to threaten, with Shaun Wright-Phillips wasting a great chance in the 53rd minute.
Robinho fed his fellow midfielder in the inside-right channel but, instead of shooting, Wright-Phillips slid the ball across goal for the supporting Ireland, who could not manage to get to it in time.
The much-anticipated breakthrough finally came when Ireland found Bellamy and the striker got the better of Jorgensen to coolly finish from 15 yards for his fourth goal in a Sky Blue shirt.
The majority of the 26,000 fans at Eastlands breathed a sigh of relief and City seemed to relax.
Robinho somehow missed a chance from four yards, but Bellamy clinically doubled the advantage with 11 minutes remaining.
Copenhagen responded spiritedly and Ailton should have scored from a rebound before Vingaard struck in injury time for his second of the tie.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes:
"We were a little bit off the pace in the first half but, in the end, we won it comfortably and created a lot of chances.
"We've got a group of players who understand the demands that are going to be placed on them now and in the future.
"The expectation levels have been way ahead of any Manchester City team probably in the history of the club and we're dealing with it.
"A lot of teams have gone out by all accounts so let's see how far we can go. Further progression in a top European competition can only be good for us."
Man City: Given, Zabaleta (Elano 82), Onuoha, Dunne, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Bridge, Robinho, Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Berti, Vassell, Caicedo, Evans.
Goals: Bellamy 73, 80.
FC Copenhagen: Christiansen, Pospech, Antonsson, Jorgensen, Wendt, Kvist, Kristensen (Sionko 46), Norregaard (Vingaard 76), Hutchinson, Almeida, Ndoye (Gronkjaer 59).
Subs Not Used: Coe, Niclas Jensen, Laursen, Nordstrand.
Booked: Kristensen, Wendt.
Goals: Vingaard 90.
Att: 26,018.
Ref: Selcuk Dereli (Turkey).
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Blaugrana draw against Lyon in the Champions League
After a hard game, Barca put themselves on course for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the moment a Thierry Henry header earned them a 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon. Time to breath for catalan fans.
The popular Henry stooped to head home from less than a metre in the 67th minute after defender Rafael Marquez deflected a Lionel Messi corner towards the far post.
Brazilian midfielder Juninho put the home side ahead after seven minutes at the moment his free kick from the left flank sailed over goalkeeper Victor Valdes and inside the top far corner.
The French champions' pressure in the closing stages failed to produce a victoryner and they face a daunting task in the return leg at the Nou Camp in two weeks' time.
Indeed, the Blaugrana team, who slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by city rivals Espanyol at the weekend, rose to the occasion in the second half and it proved too much for Lyon.
"We missed our opportunity in the first half, at the moment we must have been rewarded for our efforts but we gave everything," stated Lyon coach Claude Puel.
"(In the return leg) we will have opportunities. We will must be very solid."
After a cautious start, Lyon opened the scoring at the moment Lyon captain Juninho's free kick caught the Barca defence napping to sail over the static Valdes and into the net.
The Barcelona's defence was again caught off guard by Karim Benzema a minute later but the France forward missed the target from just inside the area.
Although Barca enjoyed most of the possession, Lyon were sharp on the break and showed more aggressiveness.
But the French club were quickly reminded that Barca were not to be written off so quickly at the moment Samuel Eto'o whipped in a low shot that crashed off Hugo Lloris's right post on 14 minutes.
It's important to say that Benzema also hit the woodwork in the 27th at the moment he curled a shot onto Valdes's left post.
Messi had the Lyon crowd booing him throughout an ill-tempered first half after he theatrically fell holding his head following a Fabio Grosso challenge.
Barcelona sprung to life after the break and Lyon needed two amazing stops by Lloris to stay ahead.
A Daniel Alves free kick was deflected towards the goal in the 57th minute and Gerard Pique thought he had an equaliser from close range eight minutes later but both times, the French keeper denied Barca.
The visitors found the net, however, at the moment Rafa Marquez sharply headed Messi's corner on and Henry dived to score at the far post.
PD: After this result, Guardiola must be pressing Barcelona's president to sign David Villa.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mikel Arteta season ends
Everton have confirmed that Mikel Arteta ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday's scoreless draw at Newcastle and will play no more football this season.
The influential Spanish midfielder suffered the injury after only three minutes of the stalemate and had to be stretchered off the pitch.
Arteta had a series of scans on his knee on Sunday evening which confirmed the extent of the damage.
Who is Mikel Arteta
Personal information
Full name Mikel Arteta Amatriain
Date of birth 26 March 1982 (1982-03-26) (age 26)
Place of birth San Sebastián, Spain
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Central Midfielder
Club information
Current club Everton
Arteta clips
Maybe Mikel Arteta for England?? He's not capped with Spain.. Maybe better chance in ENgland?
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
Van Persie want out?
Adebayor, Fabregas and Van Persie warns Gunners that they want to achieve more than struggle to Premier League..
Read about Robin Van Persie issues.
The 25-year-old Holland forward's contract expires at the end of next season and he confirmed the Gunners have offered him a new deal.
He told The Sun: "Financially the last offer made by the club is fine but that isn't everything for me. It's about my ambitions and how they can be fulfilled in the coming years. The club and I want the same and it is our intention we achieve that."
He added: "Arsenal have promised me they will do everything possible to make that extra step to a level where we win prizes on a regular basis.
"In the last four years I've had only one prize, the FA Cup, and that's not enough.
"I want to achieve more and I feel I can play an important role in bringing Arsenal to a higher level."
With Arsenal fifth in the Premier League and five points behind Aston Villa in the last Champions League place Van Persie's fear must be that next season the Gunners will not feature in Europe's top competition - unless they win it this year.
Van Persie wallpaper
Van Persie clips
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Friday, February 20, 2009
Fredrik Ljungberg Football Wallpaper
Fredrik Ljungberg Football Picture
Fredrik Ljungberg Wallpaper
Fredrik Ljungberg Poster
Fredrik Ljungberg 
Fredrik Ljungberg Sexy Picture
Fredrik Ljungberg Best Football Player
Fredrik Ljungberg Best PosterWednesday, February 18, 2009
David Villa wanted by Josep Guardiola
Valencia super talented striker David Villa is the player Barcelona have lined up to replace Samuel Eto'o.
In fact, with no new contract talks planned until the summer with Eto'o, a newspaper says that the Catalan Club are drawing up plans in the event they're forced to sell the African talented player.
Villa is Barca's top choice ahead of Lyon forward Karim Benzema.
Indeed, Barcelona’s boss Pep Guardiola has agreed with sports chief Txiki Begiristain that Villa is the ideal striker to succeed Eto'o. For his part, Begiristain doesn't see Eto'o as critical to next season's plans and believes the market offers better alternatives - including Villa - should agreement over a new contract fail to be reached.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Eduardo back at his best..
Eduardo celebrated with fitness coach Tony Colbert, who has helped nurse him back to health.
Who is Eduardo Da Silva
Personal information
Full name : Eduardo Alves da Silva
Date of birth : 25 February 1983 (1983-02-25) (age 25)
Place of birth : Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height : 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Playing position : Striker, Winger
Club information
Current club :Arsenal
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Sunday, February 15, 2009
Mourinho come back to Chelsea?
Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho has again spoken of his desire to return to former club Chelsea at some point in the future.
The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge in September 2007 after a trophy-laden three years in charge of the Blues and has never made a secret of his wish to head back to England in the future.
He told the Italian media: "If you are asking me if you think one day I will return to Chelsea, I tell you 'yes, I think so', although I'm not saying when.
The Portuguese manager won the Premier League title twice in his three years at Stamford Bridge. He left in 2007 after a spat with owner Roman Abramovich.
Who is Mourinho?
Personal information
Full name : José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho
Date of birth : 26 January 1963 (1963-01-26) (age 46)
Place of birth : Setúbal, Portugal
Height : 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Club information
Current club : Inter (manager)
Possible move : Chelsea(maybe)
Mourinho wallpaper
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Andriy Voronin PosterFriday, February 13, 2009
Darren Bent warning Tottenham.
The former Charlton hitman has not impressed since his move to the club and has featured in just three starts in the club's last 16 outings.
"I've spoken to the manager a couple of times about my position but I can only hear the same thing so many times," Bent told The Sun. "I'm not one of those players who will just sit back and let his career pass him by."
He added: "I'll bang on his door. At least I'm still involved. I'm not being left out of the squad or anything like that.
Who is Darren Bent?
Personal information
Full name : Darren Ashley Bent
Date of birth : 6 February 1984 (1984-02-06) (age 25)
Place of birth : Tooting, England
Height : 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position : Striker
Club information
Current club : Tottenham Hotspur
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Daniel Agger wants leave Liverpool
Agger has found himself down the pecking order under Rafael Benitez, with Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel the manager's preferred partnership in the heart of defence.
The 24-year-old Denmark international, who has failed to agree terms on a contract extension with the club, was linked with a move to AC Milan during last month's transfer window but that deal failed to materialise.
Who is Daniel Agger?
Personal information
Full name : Daniel Munthe Agger
Date of birth : 12 December 1984 (1984-12-12) (age 24)
Place of birth : Hvidovre[1], Denmark
Height : 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing position : Centre back
Club information
Current club : Liverpool
Agger wallpaper
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Daniel Agger clips
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Cafu Wallpapers
 | Full name | Marcos Evangelista de Moraes |
| Date of birth | June 7, 1970 (1970-06-07) (age 37) | |
| Place of birth | Sao Paulo, Brazil | |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | |
| Playing position | Right Back / Right Wingback |
Cafu Wallpaper
Cafu with AC Milan
Cafu with Brazil Team
Chelsea confirm Hiddink appointment
The 62-year-old Russia coach, who replaces Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari after his sacking on Monday, will meet the Chelsea players later this week.Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich made Hiddink his primary target following the club's decision to dismiss Scolari and used his close ties with the Russian FA to broker a deal.
The Dutchman takes over from Luiz Felipe Scolari after the Brazilian was sacked as Chelsea's manager on Monday following a run of results which saw the Blues drop down to fourth in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.
Who is Guus Hiddink?
Personal information
Full name : Guus Hiddink
Date of birth : 8 November 1946 (1946-11-08) (age 62)
Place of birth : Varsseveld, Netherlands
Playing position : Midfielder
Club information
Current club : Russia & Chelsea
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Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal
 Eboue did his side no favours by getting himself sent off |
Robbie Keane drew a blank on his return to White Hart Lane as Arsenal survived the first-half dismissal of Emmanuel Eboue to earn a point against Tottenham in the north London derby.
Arsene Wenger's side - who also lost Emmanuel Adebayor to a hamstring injury and left new signing Andrey Arshavin as an unused substitute - will be happier with the stalemate after a frenetic encounter short on quality.
In reality, however, the result did little to help Spurs' bid to escape the Premier League danger zone or the Gunners' attempts to force their way into the top four.
Eboue was sent off by referee Mike Dean after 37 minutes for lashing out at Luka Modric, after earlier being needlessly booked for dissent.
Keane had a busy debut, flashing a header just over and shooting narrowly wide in the second half, but Arsenal's rearguard action ensured Spurs must wait to end their sequence of failing to beat their arch-rivals in the Premier League since 1999.
The home side enjoyed superiority in terms of possession and territory, and it took a vital block from Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia to deny Modric when he raced clear in injury time.
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Modric and Aaron Lennon also forced earlier saves from Almunia, while Roman Pavlyuchenko missed two good opportunities.
Arsenal rarely threatened at the other end, but when they did Alex Song wasted their best chance when he shot wide from eight yards following a corner.
Tottenham keeper Carlo Cudicini was relatively untroubled until he turned over a shot from Nicklas Bendtner late on.
Wenger will be satisfied with the resilience demonstrated by his 10 men, but he cut an animated and frustrated figure for much of the afternoon.
He insisted his side were never in serious trouble, despite playing with a man less, and was furious that Eboue was denied what he felt was a legitimate goal in the 14th minute when referee Dean ruled Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate had been fouled.
The loss of two more points surely kills off any lingering suggestion that Arsenal might be involved in the Premier League title race, and increases the pressure in their attempt to break into the Champions League places.
Wenger hits out at 'unacceptable' decison
Spurs gave newly appointed captain Keane an instant debut after his return from a miserable spell at Liverpool - but Wenger decided to keep Arshavin on the bench.
The visitors' main danger in a fiercely contested first half came down the flanks, with Eboue an early threat after being played in by Robin van Persie.
But Harry Redknapp's side had moments of their own, with Lennon's low drive producing a save from Almunia and Pavlyuchenko shooting over from a promising position.
Modric has shown signs of flourishing under Redknapp's guidance after struggling, along with many others, under the stewardship of Juande Ramos.
The Croatian was at the heart of most of Spurs' best efforts, creating an opening for Lennon with an astute pass inside Gael Clichy and then forcing Almunia into action with an effort from 20 yards.
Spurs were almost the architects of their own downfall after 31 minutes when Vedran Corluka's clumsy attempts to shepherd the ball out of play saw him robbed by a combination of Samir Nasri and Clichy, but Arsenal wasted the opportunity.
Arsenal suffered a double blow as the interval approached, when first Adebayor was stretchered off with a hamstring injury and Eboue was sent off after 37 minutes.
Redknapp encouraged by Spurs display
Eboue had been booked by referee Dean earlier after a prolonged bout of dissent, and he saw red for kicking out at Modric following a clash that also saw the Spurs midfield man booked.
Spurs, with morale lifted by their numerical advantage, pressed after the break with Pavlyuchenko failing to hit the target with an angled effort and Keane glancing Lennon's cross on to the top of the net.
Redknapp clearly felt his side needed extra attacking impetus to break down what was becoming a rearguard action from Wenger's side, and he responded by sending on Darren Bent for Pavlyunchenko after 63 minutes.
But it was the Gunners who created the big opening six minutes later, only for Song to steer Van Persie's corner wide from eight yards.
Keane had only been given fleeting chances, but he almost fashioned an opening with a right-foot volley that flew just wide.
Bendtner then nearly provided a stunning finale with a volley that Cudicini did well to turn over - but there was still time for Modric to close in with only Almunia to beat, but the Arsenal keeper ensured the spoils were shared.
Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka (Chimbonda 74), Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Taarabt 87), Jenas, Palacios, Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 64), Keane.
Subs Not Used: Gomes, Bale, Zokora, Huddlestone.
Booked: Modric.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Gibbs 87), Eboue, Song Billong, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor (Bendtner 38), Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Eduardo, Ramsey, Djourou, Arshavin.
Sent Off: Eboue (37).
Booked: Eboue, Clichy.
Att: 36,021
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).