League leaders Borussia Dortmund maintained their winning form with a 1-0 victory over visiting Cologne in Friday’s lone Bundesliga fixture.Polish striker Robert Lewandowksi ensured the hosts came away with all three points at Signal Iduna Park, capitalising on an extended period of dominance by scoring for the hosts in the shadows of half-time.And the result could have been even worse for Cologne were it not for the efforts of goalkeeper Michael Rensing, who pulled out several acrobatic saves to keep the visitors in the contest in the second half.Dortmund nearly took the lead in the 18th minute through Lucas Barrios, who managed to squirt a shot from a goalmouth scramble only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Kevin Pezzoni.But the hosts kept pressing and eventually found a goal through Lewandowski, who thumped a left-footed volley inside the right post after being played in to the area by Sven Bender in the 41st minute.Milivoje Novakovic could have levelled for Cologne when he raced in alone on a through ball soon after the break, but the Slovenian striker tucked his shot just wide of the right post.The win sees Dortmund extend their unbeaten run to seven games and increase their lead above second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to 15 points, though the latter hold a game in hand.Cologne stay 11th on the table, but could fall as far as 14th when the rest of the weekend’s matches are settled.
It’s been a momentous week for Tottenham. While their north London rivals Arsenal were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona, Spurs managed to make it through to the quarter finals by holding AC Milan to a goalless draw at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp’s men will now be looking forward to the next round and the continuation of their European adventure. One man who has been central to Tottenham’s progress in Europe this season has been Peter Crouch. The England striker failed to find the back of the net on Wednesday night, but he still gave the Milan defence a tough time and the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and co won’t be given a comfortable ride with Crouchy around. Here is Crouch in a state of disbelief / glee / contemplation (delete as appropriate) but what is going through the Tottenham striker’s mind?
Leave your suggestions below…
This week you can win a copy of The Ghost of White Hart Lane
When John White was killed by a bolt of lightning in 1964, the football world was rocked by the tragedy. White was just 27 years of age.
Nicknamed the ‘Ghost’ for the way that he could drift into space undetected, White played inside-forward for the great double-winning Tottenham Hotspur side of the early sixties. British football was entering a golden period and Bill Nicholson’s free-flowing Spurs side was right at the forefront. White himself was on the cusp of greatness. Even alongside giants of the game like Dave Mackay and Danny Blanchflower, he stood out as a playmaker with incredible vision and touch.
For the FootballFanCast.com Caption Competition Terms and Conditions click here
Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Last week’s winner: Aleck Kit – click here to see all entries
Italy will be hoping to seal up their trip to the 2012 European Championships with victory on Friday, but Slovenia have other ideas.The Italians, desperate to restore themselves as a force to be reckoned with after their World Cup defence ended in the group stages, have settled into a comfortable three-point lead on top of Group C following three Euro 2012 qualifiers.
But their form has been patchy at best. Discounting a 5-0 thrashing of group minnows the Faroe Islands, Italy have limped their way to a 2-1 win at Estonia, drew 0-0 at Northern Ireland and been awarded a 3-0 win over Serbia after Serbian fans rioted in Genoa.
Slovenia are second in the group with seven points, with a 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland the only stain on their otherwise spotless record, and will fancy themselves a chance of at least taking a point when Italy visit Celje.
No team has yet managed to keep a clean sheet against Slovenia, with Tim Matavz the form goal-scorer after the Groningen striker piled a hat-trick past the Faroe Islands.
That means Italy could require two goals to win, a task which seems difficult given Cesare Prandelli’s side have only managed a pair of 1-1 friendly draws with Romania and at Germany this year.
Prandelli has also sprung a selection surprise by including 31-year-old Lazio forward Stefano Mauri ahead of Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti.
Mauri, who has earned only 10 caps since debuting for his country in 2004, could find himself thrust into the action at the Petrol Arena should Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini fail to find the net.
Italy will be buoyed by the fact that they have conceded just one goal so far in their qualifying campaign, as well as reports Matavz is carrying an injury and could be a game-time decision.
But in a blow to the Azzurri’s defence, Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Slovenian legend Zlatko Zahovic predicted earlier this week his countrymen would carve up the ‘too slow’ Ranocchia, so perhaps his absence will hurt the hosts as much as the visitors.
While a win will not guarantee Italy a trip to the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year, a six-point lead on the table will prove difficult for their group opponents to overhaul.
A win for Slovenia will leave both teams on 10 points and the group evenly poised.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien insists the players are not worried about the barren run being experienced by new signing Fernando Torres.The Spaniard has so far been unable to score since arriving at Stamford Bridge in January, but could break the drought in perfect fashion if he can get on the score sheet during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Manchester United.
But Essien says the playing group is not concerned, and think it’s only a matter of time before Torres begins finding the net.
“We know it is going to come. As you can see he has been working really hard,” Essien said.
“He has the support from everyone so it is going to come and you just have to be patient. He’ll start scoring for us and everything will be fine.”
Fellow Chlesea midfielder and Torres’ former Liverpool team-mate Yossi Benayoun also backed the Spanish ace to begin finding his feet and Essien agreed with the Israeli.
“Fernando (Torres) is one of the best strikers in the world and in Europe at the moment. When he starts scoring I think all the noise about him will stop and it’s just a matter of time,” Essien said.
“He’s come to a new club and he needs to settle but with the players that we have, we know he will deliver when he is really settled.”
Torres is without a goal in seven appearances for the Blues.
Retired Manchester United great Gary Neville has paid tribute to his former club as they close in on a record 19th league championship.When Liverpool took out the 1989-90 First Division title to claim their 18th championship, United – with the Sir Alex Ferguson era just four years old – had won only seven.
But since then the balance of power in the English Premier League has shifted down the M62, with Ferguson’s men closing in on their 12th title under his reign, a feat which would see them claim Liverpool’s long-held status as the country’s most successful football club.
Neville, who retired in February after 602 appearances for United, said the club had enjoyed a remarkable run.
“It would be great for the fans and I think it would be great in terms of the way the club has gone over the last 20 years,” Neville said.
“To get to the point whereby we were 12 championships behind and to think we are now level, is a great achievement.”
Neville downplayed suggestions of acrimony between United and Arsenal – their opponents on Sunday – and suggested Arsenal’s poor form over recent years has seen Chelsea eclipse them as United’s chief rivals.
“People talk about animosity, but I think between the clubs there’s always been a fierce rivalry but there’s never been a point where it’s overstepped the mark on the pitch,” he said.
“I think it’s a competitive game, the Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. I think people, to be honest with you, want that sort of passion and excitement and I wouldn’t get carried away too much by the spats that have got blown out of proportion.”
“I think Arsenal haven’t been the biggest challengers in the last few years, it’s been Chelsea so you could argue it’s not been as intense but as I’ve said before, on Sunday, when you go out there, it’s one of the biggest games of the season.”
Neville also admitted he would love to see his old teammate Paul Scholes, 36, pull the boots on for another season.
“I love watching Paul Scholes playing football. He’s the best midfield player in the country on his day when he plays,” he said.
“I think it’s up to Paul, he doesn’t need me to advise him but I would want him, as a United fan and someone who knows him very well and someone who’s loved playing with him, to see him carry on and continue. I think he’s still got so much to offer.”
Newcastle prevailed 2-1 against 10 man Birmingham in a dreary game at St James’ Park on Saturday.With two teams seemingly safe in the Premier League slowly limping their way to the end of the season , the game was pretty poor for the neutral until it sprang into life before the break.
Ten minutes before half time the rain stopped and the game sprang in to life.
Joey Barton’s superb corner caused havoc in the Birmingham penalty area, with Liam Ridgewell eventually handballing Fabricio Coloccini’s goal-bound header, earning the defender a straight red card.
Shola Ameobi stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick to give the host the lead.
Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster had to be at his very best to stop the home side going further ahead first denying Peter Lovenkrands and then tipping over Nolan’s fierce shot.
From the resulting corner Newcastle stretched their lead, Steven Taylor powerfully heading in Barton’s corner.
Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson seemed to help the ball into the net but Taylor will no doubt claim the goal.
Birmingham scrambled a goal back just before half time; Cameron Jerome’s power caused problems for the Newcastle defence and Lee Bowyer powered home the loose ball via deflection from Coloccini.
Ameobi should have had a second late on the game, but after good work from Nile Ranger and Barton, the big striker produced a tame effort that was easily cleared.
The three points mean Newcastle’s Premier League future is now secured, Birmingham however are still in a relegation battle.
New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union moved to first and second respectively in the MLS Eastern Conference with 1-0 wins on Saturday.The Red Bulls moved a point clear on top with a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Wizards, which came from a 21st-minute strike by English striker Luke Rodgers.
Philadelphia kept the pressure on with a 1-0 win at home against the San Jose Earthquakes, with French midfielder Sebastien Le Toux scoring the winner 14 minutes from time.
The Columbus Crew enjoyed a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, a second-half brace from Venezuelan striker Emilio Renteria proving the difference between the two sides, and the Colorado Rapids were held to a 1-1 draw at home by the struggling Chicago Fire.
The Seattle Sounders cruised to a 3-0 win over Toronto with Brad Evans scoring a double to add to Alvaro Fernandez’s opener, and Chivas USA had goals from Nick LaBrocca, Marcos Mondaini and Alejandro Moreno to thank for their 3-0 win over New England Revolution.
The Portland Timbers enjoyed a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake, with Kenny Cooper scoring the winner after 22 minutes.
Vegalta Sendai remain unbeaten and moved into second in the J-League after a 1-0 win over Montedio Yamagata on Sunday.A 52nd-minute strike from Naoki Sugai ensured Makoto Teguramori’s side are the only team yet to lose after seven games.
They are within one point of first-placed Kashiwa Reysol, while Montedio Yamagata remain in the bottom two following the loss.
Shimizu S-Pulse recorded just their second win of the season with a 4-1 thrashing of Omiya Ardija.
Striker Naohiro Takahara hit a brace after Australian attacker Alex Brosque had opened the scoring, with defender Shinji Tsujio chiming in with a fourth before Rafael’s late consolation goal.
Brosque made it 1-0 after 39 minutes, sliding into the back post to place home to give the visitors the lead.
The Australian forward was involved in the second as he provided the lay-off with his chest for Takahara to volley home.
Takahara was the beneficiary of a horrible defensive lapse for his second five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a wayward 20-yard back pass before placing home.
Tsujio hit a fourth 20 minutes from the end before Rafael’s 90th-minute goal, as Shimzu moved into 11th, one spot below Omiya Ardija.
Reports have suggested that this week Liverpool will open up negotiations with Blackpool over their midfield talisman Charlie Adam, who enjoyed a remarkable season in the Premier League, attracting many potential suitors. Liverpool are widely expected to continue their January transfer market approach by spending big, but is the former Rangers man actually needed on Merseyside?
Well, why wouldn’t a big side want Adam’s 12 goals and 9 assists? Imagine the statistics the Blackpool man could achieve next season with the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard around him. But perhaps the reason the Scot has done so well is because he was one of, if not the, main attacking outlet at Blackpool; on Merseyside he would be in amongst several world class players in the final third. Would Adam thrive or get lost in amongst some of football’s biggest names?
Tactically Adam is an ideal signing for any manager to have, centre midfield, attacking midfielder or even a deep lying striker, but who would he replace? Kenny Dalglish appears to already be onto a winning formation, so too much transfer activity could hinder his rebuilding process. If Adam were to join though, I simply cannot see who he would replace. Lucas’ performances have improved greatly this season, and he is the only defensive minded midfielder in the starting line up, so sacrificing the Brazilian would be foolish. Steven Gerrard is obviously the first name on the team sheet (even if his influence has dropped in the last couple of seasons) and then you have Raul Meireles and the returning Alberto Aquilani to consider. The main issue I would have in signing Adam is the impact it would have on Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing, both youngsters who have enjoyed breakthrough seasons and are key in what ‘King Kenny’ is trying to achieve at Liverpool, but signing another centre midfielder would no doubt force the two Englishman out on loan or reduce them to merely a few league cup appearances. Oh, and there is of course a certain Jordan Henderson to consider.
The one thing Adam would add to Liverpool’s play is his ability from set pieces. Liverpool have always relied on Steven Gerrard for his free kicks, but when the Englishman isn’t available Liverpool lack that threat from free kicks and corners. Fabio Aurelio clearly demonstrates superb technique from short free kicks too, but since Liverpool are pursuing a new left back and with the Brazilian, now in the twilight of his career, already fighting for a place at full back with the ever-improving Martin Kelly and England international Glen Johnson, he will presumably have to settle for a place on the bench for much of next season. The Scotland international has a delightful left foot, that delivered some of the best corners last season as well as scoring a couple of contenders for Goal of the Season from set pieces.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
Adam’s sweet left foot surely isn’t worth £10 million though? Because in this writer’s humble opinion, that’s the only attribute Liverpool will be gaining in signing the guy who didn’t even get Blackpool’s player of the season award for the 2010/11 campaign.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Let me know Liverpool are so Adam-ant on signing Adam at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102
The countdown to the new Premier League season is truly underway now after the complete set of fixtures were released this week. It’s a time of tension and excitement, especially for the newly promoted sides like Swansea, who discovered they will face the tough test of Manchester City at Eastlands in their first premier league outing. It’s also the first chance the Title and Champions league contenders will get a chance to eye up the fixtures and potential season changing periods.
Although an array of myths and statistics surround the fixture list, do the fixtures actually matter and have an influence on where the Championship and battle for top places are won or lost?
Last season this debate was arguably chucked out the window with the unpredictable, roller coaster ride which was the 2010/2011 Premier League season; who could have predicted Wolves beating Manchester United and Chelsea or Newly promoted Blackpool doing the double over Liverpool. That’s football… but I will attempt to analyse where the 2011/2012 Premier league title could be won or lost.
At a glance champions Manchester United have a tough first 5 games, facing Tottenham , Arsenal and Chelsea along with the tricky West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers. However gloomy this may seem it is handy to note their fixtures against the ‘tougher’ teams of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea are all played at Old Trafford, United will also have the fearlessness of going into the season as champions and a sense of invulnerability having just trumped rivals Liverpool’s Title tally of 19.
The winter and Christmas period are seen by most as the most crucial part of the season, it is often the team who can endure the tense schedule the best who comes out on top in the title race. On this evidence, Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with the Christmas schedule handing him newly promoted Queens Park Rangers, Fulham, Wigan, Blackburn and Newcastle , although no game in the hectic Christmas bonanza is easy.
The Manchester Derby scheduled for the April 28th will be being touted as a potential title decider as the season draws to an end, the game at Eastlands could be decisive if both halves of Manchester are pushing for Title glory.
The Manchester City fans will be craving further domestic success following their FA Cup triumph last term. Roberto Mancini ’s men will be looking to kick off their campaign in flying style with Swansea City at home on the first day followed by tough trips to Bolton and Tottenham. Last seasons promising start unfortunately ended in The Sky Blues fading away in the latter half of the season, they will have a tough ask in seeking to keep stability over the pivotal Christmas period with home games against Arsenal and Liverpool along with clashes with Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
Experts will however point to the two intriguing Manchester derbys, timed at crucial points in the season and say that whoever builds their confidence with possible big wins in either of these games could walk away with the title.
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing last season; the new manager at the helms’ first league game in charge will be a challenging trip to Stoke City. The Blues however will not be too disappointed with the following home games against West Brom and new boys Norwich City . The coaching team will clearly be looking to set straight the disastrous winter the club had last term, when their season capitulated in a tangle of injuries, backroom debacle and poor performances. The Christmas period sees them face Wigan and Tottenham on the road followed by Fulham and Aston Villa at home.
However, the Christmas fixture list didn’t seem spectacularly difficult last year, so it’s hard to predict what Chelsea will bring to the table this year. The back end of the season seems a tough one for Chelsea, with some tough games facing them in any nail biting title chase they may be involved in. Difficult away games at rivals’ Arsenal and Liverpool would not be welcomed if the title chases goes down to the wire. It’s hard to predict how the fixtures will go with a team who last year won games they were expected to lose and visa versa, so anything could happen with Chelsea this year.
Arsenal will find it difficult replicating the solid start they had last season with matches against Liverpool and Manchester United in their first 3 games, aswell as an opening day trip to St. James Park, where they suffered at the hands of that infamous Newcastle fight back last season. The young Gunners’ squad will not want to see the pressure of being top dogs’ build up like last season, meaning the fixture list may have been kinder to them this term with Christmas fixtures against Manchester City , Aston Villa, Wolves and QPR .
Arsene Wenger will look to target this stage of the season to consolidate any good start they may have had and keep his players minds focused on the road ahead. Crunch match at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea aside, the home stretch of fixtures may also favour Arsenal, where they will face Wolves, Wigan, Stoke, Norwich and West Brom. The Gunners did however seem capable of beating and losing to anyone in equal measure last term so they will not be taking any perceived ‘easy’ games for granted.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If Liverpool are to defy many pundits and mount a title challenge in 2011/2012, they’re going to clearly have to start better than last season, Kenny Dalglish will not want to see the Reds sitting bottom of the Premier League in September, the scenario Roy Hodgson found himself in. Dalglish faces a sturdy challenge with a tough and relentless start with 20 million pound man Jordan Henderson ’s immediate return to Sunderland followed by Arsenal and Tottenham in September and then fierce rivalry battles with Everton and Manchester United in October.
Their final run in of games sees them face Chelsea at Anfield, potentially a huge game, aswell as West Brom and Swansea at home. If Liverpool were to show the same passion and consistency they did when Dalglish took over, no team will wish to face them and they could be right up there at the end of the season.
The recent flurry of transfer activity has only added to the intrigue of the fixtures being released and with no senior international competitions to look forward, everyone is looking forward to the new Premier league season and it promises to be just as unpredictable and erratic as the last.
Read more of Sam Scott’s articles at This is Futbol