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Sunday, August 27, 2006

Thursday, August 24, 2006

UEFA Champions League Draw

Prediction: Teams with * qualify-1-first 2-second

Group A <5>
1*Barcelona
2*Chelsea
Werder Bremen
Levski Sofia

Group B <4>
1*Internazionale
2*Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon
Spartak Moscow

Group C <4>
1*Liverpool FC
PSV Eindhoven
Bordeaux
2*Galatasaray

Group D <3>
1*Valencia
AS Roma
2*Olympiakos
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group E <3>
1*Real Madrid
2*Lyon
Steaua Bucuresti
Dynamo Kiev

Group F <3>
1*Manchester United
Celtic
2*Benfica
FC Copenhagen

Group G <2>
1*Arsenal
FC Porto
CSKA Moscow
2*Hamburg

Group H <2>
1*AC Milan
Lille
AEK Athens
2*Anderlecht

Old rivals meet again
The most noticable pairing is Barcelona and Chelsea again, like they did two seasons ago, in the group stages of the champions league. This means that they will play the defending European champions for the third time in 3 seasons, twice in the group and once in the knockout. Other old rivalry is that of Lyon and Real Madrid, who again find themselves grouped together. Real fell to Lyon once last season and they will be looking for revenge. Another team bent on revenge is Manchester United, who have been drawn with Portugese champions Benfica. Benfica defeated United in the final group game last season to knock them out of europe. Celtic will also be tested with United. They have met united twice in 4 months in pre-season. After Roy Keane's testimonal, they fell 3-0 to an understrength united side 3-0.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:18 PM

English Premiership:

Manchester City stun Arsenal while United swat Hornets aside

Manchester City punished Arsenal for miss chances as they held on the Joey Barton's solitary penalty. Arsenal has only collected one point in two games and are near the bottom of the premiership table. Their arch rivals, Manchester United struggled to get a result but taught a lessoned to Watford. If you get a chance, score. If you make a mistake, you'll pay. Henderson had a fantastic chance at United's far post to put Watford into the lead after Francis equaliser cancelled out a rare strike by Mikael Silvestre. United, showed their fighting sprite, and are the only team with maximum points and are the early pace setters.

Score:
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Watford 1-2 Manchester United
Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United
Fulham 1-0 Sheffield United
Charlton 2-0 Bolton
Wigan 1-0 Reading
Tottenham 0-2 Everton

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 3:47 PM

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Full Time Update:

Liverpool 1
Agger 42
Crouch 45
West Ham United 1
Bobby Zamora 17

Liverpool started the game on the backfoot. Crouch was denied a penalty early on but the real talking point is Papa Reina's bad luck with West Ham United as he makes his third mistake against them. Bobby Zamora was fed with the ball on the right wing. His cross was miss kicked and went towards goal. Reina dived to save it but it slipped for a huge blunder. Zamora's 4th goal of the season. The top scorer in the EPL would be looking for more.

However, the lead was cancelled by Daniel Agger's superb 24 yard strike. He hit the top corner with his blast and the defender scores his first Liverpool goal. Peter Crouch finished of a fantastic Liverpool build up and just before half time, Liverpool lead. Garcia the provider.

Top Scorers:
4 goals:Bobby Zamora(West Ham United)
2 goals: Kanu(Portsmouth), Louis Saha & Wayne Rooney(Manchester United)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:16 PM

Thursday, August 24, 2006

English Premiership

Manchester United surge to the top while Chlsea stubble... big time...

Manchester United make their way to the top of the premiership with a convicing 3-0 victory over Charlton at the valley. Although without Scholes and Rooney. The United side showed that they can still imulate their goalscoring feet at Fulham as they smash 3 past sorry addicks. Fletcher's magnificant first goal showed that he has calm composure when he tricked the defenders with two sidesteps before smashing it past Scott Carson.

Louis Saha added a second with another trick. After receiving the ball, he feigned a past to Ronaldo which dfprced two defenders to move away only for him, with all the space, to slide the ball pass Carson. Michael Carrick offically debut for United and nearly provided Solskjaer his return goal but Carson pulled of a fantastic stop. The old guard would not be denied however, as Saha's low and hard cross found Solkjaer unmarked in the far post and he slots home low into an empty net.

United have more to be happy about with Chelsea slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the riverside. Despite an early Shevchenko goal, Chelsea seccummed to Southgates tactics of holding Mark Viduka as a sub. After Pogetez scored the equalisr\er, he unleashed a fresh aussie to destroy Chelsea's early title ambitions.

Results:
West Ham 1-1 Watford
Tottenham 2-0 Sheffield United
Fulham 1-1 Bolton
Charlton 0-3 Manchester United
Manchester City 0-0 Portsmouth
Aston Villa 2-1 Reading
Middlesbrough 2-1 Chelsea
Blackburn 1-1 Everton

Top Scorers:
3 goals:Bobby Zamora(West Ham United)
2 goals: Kanu(Portsmouth), Louis Saha & Wayne Rooney(Manchester United)

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

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Transfer Talk:

Owen's no move near impossible
Owen Hargreaves' switch to Manchester United looked doomed last night after Bayern Munich told him to shut up. Bayern ahs threatened to go to FIFA if Manchester United continue their pursuit of the english star. Owen is set to speak up although he was told by Bayern to shut up. He and his agents has set up a press conference and it is said that he is to demand a transfer.

Red Tevez alert
Manchester United were placed on red alert last night after long-term transfer target Carlos Tevez announced he planned to quit Brazil for a move to Europe. Carlos Tevez has been a potential target to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy and with Hargreaves' deal seemingly inevitably falling through, the striker could be the next to walk into Old Trafford.

Sammy eager to seal Nicola
Sam Allardyce is working against the clock to complete a 6.5million deal for Nicolas Anelka for fear he will be pipped by rival clubs. The frenchmen, whop has already agreed a 4 year deal, is being held by his club's president from completing the signing.

Martins to tyeside
Obafemi Martins is almost set to move to Newcastle after inter accepted a 10 million pound deal. the deal is said to be 80% done. Martins is tipped to be a replacement for Shearer and to partner Michael Owen once he recovers from his injury.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 9:00 PM

Monday, August 21, 2006

Super Sunday:
Manchester United 5
Louis Saha 7'
Ian Pearce 14'(OG)
Wayne Rooney 19', 63'
Cristiano Ronaldo 19'
Fulham 1
Rio Ferdinand 40'(OG)

Half time update:
Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City
John Terry 11'
Frank Lampard 25'

Manchester United stated their intention to Chelsea when they hammered sorry Fulham 5-1 in their opening match. Saha, Rooney and Ronaldo were on the scoresheet asthe reds romped past Fulham into their next game away to Charlton. Rooney and Ronaldo linked up well throughout the game and they were celebrations when Rooney's inch perfect cross found the Portugese winker for United's fourth goal. The young starlet immediately hammered the ball to complete a quadruple within twenty minutes.

Chelsea look set to get off to a winning start to their title defense leading Chelsea 2-0 at the break. Englishmen Terry and Lampard gave Jose Mourinho's side a deserved lead at half time. But unless they win by four goals, Chelsea will not top the premier league table from start to finish as Manchester United has a goal difference of +4. It is definately no consolation though, the season is played over 38 games, not 1.

Premiership Saturday results:

Bolton 2-0 Tottenham
Davis, Campo

Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
Ars: Gilberto Villa: Melberg

Reading 3-2 Middlesbrough
Red:Sidwell, Kitson, Lita
Boro: Downing, Yakubu

Everton 2-1 Watford
Eve:Johnson, Arteta(P)
Wat:Francis

West Ham Utd 3-1 Charlton
WHU: Zamora(2), Cole
Cha: Bent(P)

Portsmouth 3-0 Blackburn
Ports: Todorov, Kanu(2)

Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool
She: Hulse
Lpool: Fowler(P)

Newcastle United 2-1 Wigan
NewU:Parker, Ameobi
Wigan: McCollach

Top Scorers:
2 goals: Kanu(Portsmouth), Rooney(Manchester United), Zamora(West Ham United)

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 12:04 AM

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Premiership Saturday:

Opening match shocker:

Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool
Rob Hulse 46' Fowler(pen) 70'

A shocing goal after 50 seconds into the first half marked the start of a new premiership season. Liverpool, who beat EPL champions chelsea trailed premiership new-boys, Sheffield United with a Hulse header which Auerillo failed to mark the lone striker. After Gerrard was fouled inside the penalty area. The last man was not sent off but Fowler converted the penalty after a horride day infront of goal, wasting countless chances.

Earlier on in the game, Riise and Carragher was subsituted due to injury and Liverpool looked like ametuers against the hardworking Blades. Kuyt, Crouch, Pennant, Alonso, Garcia did not start the game. At a star-studded fan base which include Lord of the Rings star Sean Dean(Boromir), the precious point was well earned by the Blades.

Transfer talk:

Owen 'no' move
Owen Hargreaves' dream move to Old Trafford is further in doubt as Bayern has offered a hands off warning to United. They were unwilling to let another midfielder go after ballack left for Chelsea.

Kanu reunites with Campbell
Kanu has reunited with former Arsenal colleague at Portsmouth after signing a 1 year contract suince he was released by W.B.A. Portsmouth will be challenging for a European spot this season with the defense strongly strengthen.

Chelsea's Boulahrouz
Chelsea have agreed a fee for dutch star Boulahrouz from Hamburg. With the Cole deal temporary paused, Chelsea has more or less signed another left back to back-up Wayne Bridge.

Diarra Real move
Mahamadou Diarra will most likely be granted his dream move to the Bernabeu. Lyon and Real has agreed a fee worth 26 million euros and he is over the moon. Diarra, who was pursue by english giants Manchester United, has stated that if he were to move clubs, it would be to Real, ont United.

A Sennaless United
Villareal will keep Marcos Senna after united failed to honour their bid for the Spainish citizen. Having been interested in taking Owen Hargreaves to the theatre of dreams, they have put Senna's move on hold. Villareal has issued an ultinatum to United by a friday deadline but United did not respond.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 9:13 PM

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Fergie focused on midfield
Ferguson has focused on bringing in another midfielder, and not a striker as the fans widely expects. His targets are Mahamadou Diarra, Owen Hargreves and Marcos Senna. Intial reports of a bid for Adriano and Carlos Tevez has now cooled although Tevez admits he could go.

Chelsea loses to Reds
Chelsea lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the community shield mainly to 2 mistakes by skipper, John Terry. He failed to stop Riise's run to go and also was not able to prevent Crouches headed goal. Shevchencko scored Chelsea's equaliser and show that he will not flop in England.

Saha tipped to shine
Louis Saha is tipped by Ferguson to shine this season. After the departure of van Nistelrooy and no arrival to fill his gap, Saha will be one of the strikers to fill the gap. Rossi, Scholes, Solskjaer, Smith and Ronaldo are also able to fill the void.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 10:15 AM

Friday, August 11, 2006

Transfer Talk:

Fergie Will Owen Up
Owen Hargreaves has emerged as a shock £7million transfer target for Manchester United. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has identified the Bayern Munich midfielder as his next transfer target. Fergie was impressed with the way Hargreaves, 25, performed at the World Cup and has earmarked him for the midfield holding role.

United vs Real-Diarra Championship
United are ready to go head-to-head with Real Madrid over Lyon star Mahamadou Diarra. Real are preparing a bid for the Maliam midfielder but sources in France claim Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to step in and hijack the Madrid club.

Roo:"Ease of Ron!"
Wayne Rooney has called on England fans to lay off Cristiano Ronaldo. And to prove he has forgiven the Portuguese winker over the World Cup red-card row, Rooney revealed how he felt Ronaldo was robbed of the FIFA best young player award after the tournament. Rooney also believes he is being targeted by headline-grabbing referees following his sending-off in United's pre-season tournament in Amsterdam.

Red-riano
In other transfer news, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has paved the way for Adriano to head to Old Trafford after sealing a £16.7million switch to Inter Milan from crisis-torn Juventus. The Swedish striker’s arrival at the San Siro is hot on the heels of Hernan Crespo signing from Chelsea — and Brazilian hitman Adriano, 24, is now considering his options.

Kusacak Completes United move
Kusacak has signed for united on a season long loan. He has also pre-signed a contract after the loan ends in 2007 and join the club permently. The transfer fee is not know.

James move to Pompey
David James has joined Portsmouth after his 1.2 million pound move plus add on fees. His move is both personal and business with his Fiancee living in the south of England. Campbell, his best mate, is also ready to kick start his Pompey career by bringing Portsmouth to Europe. He has said that Portsmouth is a special team and has the quality to play in Europe.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 9:07 PM

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Transfer talks:

Adriano linked with United
Adriano is the latest big name striker linked to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy. United officials has spoken of a move 'on the scale of Wayne Rooney' to arrive and Sir Alex Ferguson has eyed Inter Milan's Adriano for a 30 million pound swoop. Although Inter has denied talks, they did not state that they were not listening to offers. After the 17 million pound purchase of Zaltan Ibrahamovic from relegated Juventus. The Newly crowned Italian Champions have a host of strikers in their posession. Along with Zaltan and Adriano, there are still Obafemi Martins, Christian Vieri, Julio Cruz, Goran Slavkovski, Lambros Choutos, Alvaro Recoba. Not to mention versitle midfielders Solari, Figo, Dacourt and Kily Gonzelez.

Pompey target james hands in Transfer Request
David James has handed in a transfer request, opening the door for a two million move to Pompey. After aquiring the huge signing of Sol Campbell, James could be swayed to join his good friend at rising Portsmouth.

Cole Deal delayed
The Ashley Cole saga has twisted to a detour as Chelsea insist they will not be held ransom by the gunners 25 million pound price tag.

Christian Bolanos signs for Addicks
The costa rican has signed a loan deal for Charlton.Bolanos, who played in two matches for his country at the World Cup, had been on trial with Iain Dowie's side and impressed sufficiently in pre-season games to earn a contract. The deal is subject to a work permit being granted, while Charlton have secured an option to buy Bolanos before the loan period expires. His deal follows yesterday's capture of Djimi Traore from Liverpool and Amady Faye from Newcastle, each player costing £2million and signing three-year deals.

Kuyt to Anfield?
Liverpool's glaring need for more forward options was obvious and speculation continues that Liverpool are closer to signing £10million-rated Holland international Dirk Kuyt. Yet even though Benitez now has an extra £2million from selling Djimi Traore to Charlton, he remained cagey. He said: 'We have two or three names, Kuyt is one. We are still working hard but maybe a little closer.'

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 6:50 PM

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Transfer Talk:

Carlos 2 United?
Carlos Tevez agents has reportedly met with Manchester United. The club has be rumoured to readily offer the Argentine star striker to United in order for him to escape the Brazilian hate mob. It is Tevez way out of Brazilian football.

Red Roon 4ever
Despite being only plaed for the red devils for 2 seasons, Wayne Rooney has said that he is ready to devote his entire future to United like previous icons like Dennis Irwin, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson.

Campbell set to sign for pompey
After realising he is not wanted by european clubs, Sol Campbell looks almost certain to sign for Portsmouth. They are the only team to have really shown firm interest in the former arsenal player.

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 9:24 PM

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Transfer talk:

Vieira sparks united interest again
Vieira has once again spoke of his interest to return to the premiership, with United being the obvious choice. Although he was close to moving to Inter but the deal was postpone. Now Vieira is insisting that he should make a decision within the next 48 hours. Reports said that he was ready to snub United but other sources claims he would love to play for United.

Carrick handed Keano Jersey
Michael Carrick will be wearing the famous number 16 jersey that belonged to united legend Roy Keane. When Ferguson told him that he would wear their former skipper's jersey, Carrick said he was honoured.

Senna happy at club
Marcos Senna is reportedly happy at Villareal. 'I know they are negotiating my situation and I hope that it is fixed soon so I know what my future will be. 'Villarreal opened the doors to me and the truth is that here I am very contented. 'The squad is being reinforced very well with the arrival of Leandro Somoza, Cani and Robert Pires we have greater depth in midfield. I always said that my dream is to be able to win a title with this cub, and this year is a great opportunity to obtain that.'

<--Matthew Matthias Tay--> Red Devil entered entry @ 8:49 PM