The silent soccer site

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Maniche to reunite with Mourinho
Former Porto captain is set to join Chelsea on loan till the end of the season with an option to sign a two year deal for 5 million pounds. Maniche was in the Porto team which won the UEFA champions league with Jose and in the Euro 2004 Portugal side with sadly lost to host Grecce in the finals.

I've Won My Biggest Battle
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how the loyal and unconditional support of Manchester United fans drove him on to make an emotional comeback he feared he may never make. "It was great to get back," said Solskjaer. "It's what I've been working for all this time. I've been working to get back into training, back into the reserves, then to get on the first team bench, then to come on, which I have done now. When I came on to the field it was the moment that had been driving me on for all those months. The crowd were fantastic, really unbelievable."

Pat: My United Bust-Up
Patrick Vieira has revealed the truth behind his infamous tunnel bust-up with Manchester United. Vieira and Roy Keane snarled threats to each other before the last Premiership meeting between the rivals in February. Now Vieira reveals: “I told Gary Neville every time he plays against Arsenal he is kicking players for fun but when I see him against other teams it looks like he’s afraid of tackling people. He didn’t say anything back. He just hid behind Roy Keane! We had some hard battles over the years and on this occasion I just said to him ‘let’s go outside.’ It was like ‘are you ready?’ It was nothing bad.”

Vidic Close To United Move
Nemanja Vidic has agreed personal terms and passed a medical at United, paving the way for him to join the club when the transfer window opens on 1 January.United must first secure a work permit for the 24-year-old Serbia and Montenegro international defender. However, the club anticipate their application will go through next week.Providing there are no problems with the application, the 24-year-old centre-back, who joins from Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee, could make his debut against Burton Albion in the FA Cup on 8 January.Vidic is part of his nation's "famous four" defensive rearguard that conceded just one goal in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Top scorers:
15 goals:Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
12 goals:Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
10 goals:Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Wayne Rooney(Man United), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 12:06 PM

Thursday, December 29, 2005

EPL midweek results:
Arsenal 4-0 Portsmouth
Birmingham 2-2 Manchester Utd
Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea
West ham 0-2 Wigan
Everton 1-3 Portsmouth
Fulham 3-3 Aston Villa
West Brom 2-0 Tottenham

Top scorers:
14 goals:Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
12 goals:Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
10 goals:Thierry Henry(Arsenal)
9 goals:Darren Bent(Charlton), Wayne Rooney(Man United)
8 goals: Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro)

Midweek report:
Team of the week: Wigan
Match of the week: Fulham 3-3 Aston Villa
Flop of the week: Tottenham
Player of the week: Kanu(WBA)
goal of the week: Cisse(Lpool)

2005 lookback:
W.B.A. cheat relegation on the final day as they sent Southampton, Norwich, Palace down.
Chelsea win league cup against Liverpool in extra time thanks to goal shy Kezman.
Chelsea win EPL in Mourinho's 1st season
Chelsea beaten by Liverpool in Champions league semis.
Liverpool comback from 3-0 against AC milan to chinch ECC cup in shootout drama.
Arsenal beat manchester Utd in FA cup final which the red devils dominated.
Manchester United beat Arsenal 3 out of 5 times in 1 season. Shield-Arsenal2-1MU. EPL-Manu 2-0 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-4 Manu. League cup:manu1-0. FA cup-arsenal win 5-4 on penalties after 0-0 draw.
A star is born... Wayne Rooney for Manu. debut hat-trick, goal of the season etc...
Wigan nearly upset chelsea. 1-0 crespo 92'.
Unbeaten Chelsea loses to Fletcher's curling header. Manu1-0 Chelsea.
Wigan surprises pundits... Top half at end of the year.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 10:05 AM

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

United Agree Vidic Deal
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Spartak Moscow for 24-year-old central defender Nemanja Vidic.An undisclosed fee for the Serbia and Montenegro international has been agreed and, subject to a medical and agreement on personal terms, Vidic will complete the move when the January transfer window opens on 1 January 2006. Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson told ManUtd.com: "I am delighted the two clubs have come to an agreement. "Nemanja is a quick, aggressive centre half and at 24 will be a terrific addition to the squad."Vidic was captain of his first club Red Star Belgrade before moving to Spartak Moscow in 2004.
24-year-old attracted interest from Serie A, and was reportedly being tracked by Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months.He was widely regarded as the key member of Spartak's defensive line when they finished as league runners-up in 2005. Vidic played in 27 league games, scoring twice.He was also a member of Serbia and Montenegro's defence dubbed "the fabulous four" having conceded just one goal in the World Cup qualifiers.
"We've been watching him for some time now, I actually went to see him 3 years ago against France but he was only 20 at the time. In that particular game he played as a man-marker and it was difficult to assess him as we never play with a man-marker. I said at the time that I'd really need to see him in a back four. For the last couple of years he's been doing that for his national team, Serbia and Montenegro, and he's been very impressive."He's a very good defender, a good passer of the ball, he's quick with a good physique about him, so all the parts are there. One thing we need to do is get him a crash course in English, because his English is limited, but I don't think it'll take him long."

EPL boxing day report:
Match of the day: Wigan 4-3 Manchester City
Player of the day: Jose Antonio Reyes(Arsenal)
Blunder of the day: Freddie Ljungberg missing 1 on 1 oppotunity vs Charlton
Flop of the day: Everton
Goalkeeper of the day: Edwin van der sar(Manu)
Defender of the day: Rio Ferdinand(Manu)
midfielder of the day: Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
Foward of the day: Jason Roberts(Wigan)
Super-sub of the day: Jose Antonio Reyes(Arsenal)

EPL results:
Charlton 0-1 Arsenal
Chelsea 3-2 Fulham
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Man Utd 3-0 West Brom
Middlesbrough 0-2 Blackburn
Portsmouth 1-1 West Ham
Sunderland 0-0 Bolton
Tottenham 2-0 Birmingham
Wigan 4-3 Man City
Aston Villa 4-0 Everton

Top scorers:
14 goals:Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
12 goals: Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
9 goals:Darren Bent(Charlton)
8 goals: Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro), Wayne Rooney(Man United)
7 goals: Andy Cole(Manchester City)
6 goals:Didier Drogba(Chelsea)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 11:26 PM

Thursday, December 22, 2005

League cup results:
Arsenal 1-1 Doncaster utd(2-2 after extratime)<3-1>
Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Arsenal scrap through
Lucky arsenal scrap through to the semi-finals with a 3-1 penalty victory. The gunners was heading to a 4th conseciutive domestic defeat when Doncaster led them at extra time till Gilberto Silva equalised in the 120th minute. Blackburn qualified through to the semis after beating 2004 champion middlesbrough with a late dickov strike.

League Cup draw
Arsenal and Manchester United avoid each in the league cup semi finals. Manchester united are paired with Blackburn to set up a re-match of the 2002/2003 semis when Manchester United drew 1-1 at Ewood park and beat them at old trafford. Incedentally, united had earlier lost to Blackburn in the league before the semis. Sir Alex would hope history can repeat itself.
Arsenal will face premiership highflyers Wigan who currently sit above the gunners in the EPL table. The last time they met, Wigan and Arsenal enjoyed a great 3-2 match which the gunners won with 2 henry strikes. Arsenal will be hoping for thesame although the frenchmen might not feature in the competiton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Written by Matthew Matthias Tay~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 10:10 AM

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

League Cup Quater finals:
Birmingham City 1
Jiroski 75'
Manchester United 3
Louis Saha 46',63'
Park Ji-Sung 50'

Wigan Atheltic 2
Jason Roberts 40',45'
Bolton Wanderers 0

Gunners Head Zokora Chase
Arsenal are leading the race for Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora, according to the player's agent.The £10million-rated St Etienne star has been linked with a host of top European clubs, including United, and agent Franck Belhassen feels his client will move next summer - with the Premiership his preferred destination.
Belhassen told BBC Sport: "Arsenal is our most important contact, they have followed Didier more than the rest.
"Manchester United have also followed him, but Chelsea cannot be considered as they just have too many players at the moment."
Reports had indicated that the 24-year-old could be available in January, but that possibility has been quashed by Zokora's involvement in the African Nations Cup.
"He cannot leave in January due to the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast," revealed Belhassen. "But next summer is an option for sure.
"We have an agreement from St Etienne that Didier can go to another club in the summer for a minimum fee of £10m, so we will wait and see. St Etienne is a good club and he is very happy there so it is no problem for him to stay at the moment."
Belhassen has no doubts his client would be well suited to the rigours of life in the Premiership.
"Didier is a very fine player and there is no question he has the skills to play in the English league," he said. "More importantly, he wants to play in the Premiership and it is certainly his preferred destination."

league Cup Q-F:Predictions:
Arsenal 1-1 Doncaster (Arsenal to win at extra time)
Middlesbrough 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:45 PM

Monday, December 19, 2005

Weekend report:
Team of the week: Bolton Wanderers
Comback of the week: Tottenham 3-3(2-1 at half time)
Flop of the week: Arsenal
Goal of the week: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Player of the week: John Terry, Petr Cech
Blunder of the week: Lauren(Arsenal)
goalkeeper of the week: Petr Cech(Chel)
Defender of the week: John Terry(Chel)
Midfielder of the week: Darren Fletcher(Manu)
Strikers of the week: Michael Owen(Newu), Henri Camara(Wigan)

Top scorers:
13 goals:Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
11 goals: Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
9 goals:Darren Bent(Charlton)
8 goals: Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro), Wayne Rooney(Man United)
7 goals: Andy Cole(Manchester City)6 goals:Didier Drogba(Chelsea)

EPL Results:
Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United
Everton 0-4 Bolton Wanderers
Fulham 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Man City 4-1 Birmingham City
Portsmouth 1-0 West Brom Albion
West Ham United 2-4 Newcastle United
Wigan 3-0 Charlton
Middlesbrough 3-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea

World Club Championship final:
Liverpool 0-1 Sao Paulo
3rd & 4th placing:
Al Ittihad 2-3 Seportivo Saprissa

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 10:20 AM

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Week in report:
Team of the week: Liverpool
Goal of the week: Ryan Giggs(Manu)
Match of the week: Manchester United 4-0 Wigan
Player of the week:John Terry(Chelsea)
Comeback of the week: Manchester United (2-1 v Benfica, 1-1 v Everton, 4-0 v Wigan)
Flop of the week: Arsenal

Top scorers:
12 goals:Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
11 goals: Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
9 goals:Darren Bent(Charlton)
8 goals: Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro), Wayne Rooney(Man United)
7 goals: Andy Cole(Manchester City)
6 goals:Didier Drogba(Chelsea)

Mid-week results:
Manchester United 4
Rio Ferdinand 30'
Wayne Rooney 35', 55'
Ruud van Nistelrooy 70'
Wigan Atheltics 0

Everton 1
James Beattie 9'
West Ham United 2
David Weir 18'(OG)
Bobby Zamora 67'

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 9:38 AM

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

weekend report:
Team of the week: Manchester City
Flop of the week: Arsenal F.C.
match of the week: Charlton 2-5 Manchester City
Player of the week: Peter Crouch(Liverpool)
Goal of the week: Trevor Sinclair(Manc), Ruud van Nistelrooy(Manu)
Goalkeeper of the week: Reina(Lpool)
Defender of the week: John Terry(Chel)
Midfielder of the week: Paul Scholes(Manu)
Striker of the week: Mido(Tott)
Super-Sub of the week: Cristiano Ronaldo(Manu)
Manager of the week: Rafa Benitez(Lpool)

EPL results:
Liverpool 3 vs 0 Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers 0 vs 2 Everton
Bolton Wanderers 2 vs 0 Arsenal
Chelsea 1 vs 0 Middlesbrough
Newcastle United 1 vs 1 Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur 3 vs 2 Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion 0 vs 0 Fulham
Manchester United 3 vs 0 Portsmouth
Charlton Athletic 2 vs 5 Manchester City
Birmingham City 1 vs 2 West Ham United

Top scorers: 11 goals: Frank Lampard(Chelsea), Ruud van Nistelrooy(Man United)
8 goals: Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro), Darren Bent(Charlton)
7 goals: Andy Cole(Manchester City)
6 goals: Wayne Rooney(Man United), Didier Drogba(Chelsea)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:35 PM

Saturday, December 03, 2005

EPL predictions:
Liverpool 2 vs 1 Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers 1 vs 1 Everton
Bolton Wanderers 1 vs 2 Arsenal
Chelsea 2 vs 2 Middlesbrough
Newcastle United 2 vs 2 Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur 3 vs 0 Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion 1 vs 2 Fulham
Manchester United 4 vs 0 Portsmouth
Charlton Athletic 2 vs 2 Manchester City
Birmingham City 0 vs 0 West Ham United

Top scorers:
11 goals: Frank Lampard(Chelsea)
10 goals: Ruud van Nistelrooy(Manchester United)
8 goals: Thierry Henry(Arsenal), Yakubu Ayenbeni(Boro)
7 goals: Darren Bent(Charlton)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 2:48 PM