Tag Futebol

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was ecstatic as his side moved to the brink of a historic 19th Premier League title on Sunday.A goal from Javier Hernandez after 36 seconds and a first-half header from Nemanja Vidic set United on their way to a 2-1 win of reigning champions Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

They extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League to six points with two games remaining despite Frank Lampard pulling a goal back in the 69th minute.

United only need a point to guarantee the title and with games against struggling Blackburn and Blackpool to come, they are odds-on to claim their 19th crown and surpass Liverpool as the most successful club in English football.

“It’s fantastic to be the most successful team in the country,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened and we’ve been involved in the first two all throughout that period. It’s a fantastic achievement.”

“For the last 17 or 18 years, it’s been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers and the last few years it’s been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year, but them losing today has finalised it.”

“We deserve the title and hopefully we’ll get that point now.”

Ferguson said United could have scored more with striker Wayne Rooney particularly unlucky.

“We could’ve scored six in the second half, but we expected a tough game and we got a tough game,” he said.

“We were brilliant. We got a great start, but (Petr) Cech made some fantastic saves.”

“When we gave the ball away for their goal, we were a bit nervy but the fans helped us. We kept making chances and Rooney could’ve scored six today.”

Carlo Ancelotti admitted Manchester United deserved to win the title after beating his Chelsea side 2-1, but re-iterated his desire to keep his job.

Ancelotti, who has only one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, is due for talks with owner Roman Abramovich later this month and is widely tipped to be facing the sack after Chelsea ended the season without a trophy. But the Italian does not want to go.

He said: “You know my position, I have another year of contract and I would like to stay. But I have to accept the decision of the club; they will take a decision at the end of the season so we wait and see.”

“Manchester United played better than us and deserved to win and deserved to win the title this year.”

“Manchester United has a possibility now to take a point that they need to win the title. We have another two games and we want to finish the season well.”

Darren Bent is not a name many people would suggest when asked who the best Premiership striker is. Instead, you would hear the likes of Torres, Drogba and Rooney.

However, because of injuries and lack of form – it’s easy to see why Bent is getting increased media attention and being touted for further involvement in the England setup. With Bent also scoring his first England goal this year, the question remains as to how long Sunderland can keep hold of him. So, why is Bent so special?

Attributes

He is tall and incredibly quick, meaning he can play alongside virtually anybody up front or by operating as a lone striker. He scores goals with both feet and utilises his height and agility to get his head on the end of speculative crosses, recently seen when he scored the equalising goal against Liverpool. He uses his pace to good effect by latching onto through-balls and beating the offside trap against defenders that are slow to react.

Injury free

Last season Bent was involved in all thirty eight of Sunderland’s league games, an impressive record given the amount of running that the pacey forward puts in each week. With Kenwyne Jones now at Stoke and new boy Asamoah Gyan yet to fully prove himself, Steve Bruce hopes his fitness levels remain sky-high.

Goalscoring record

Bent has consistently been hitting the back of the net since breaking into Ipswich’s first team. For the Tractor Boys he hit 46 goals in his first full 3 seasons, at Charlton he scored 31 in 68, and he even managed 18 goals in 60 appearances whilst competing with Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch at Spurs. Last season he was Sunderland’s top scorer with 25 goals and is averaging a goal a game this season.

Knows the game

Bent is still only twenty six, yet has played for three Premier League clubs with vastly experienced managers. He learnt his trade at Ipswich under George Burley and Joe Royle, before being managed by Alan Curbishley at Charlton and Harry Redknapp at Spurs. He continues to improve under the guidance of Manchester United hero, Steve Bruce.

Attitude

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Although it didn’t work out for him in North London, Bent wasted no time settling into the groove at Sunderland – scoring on his debut, a 1-0 win over Bolton. Despite missing out on a place to South Africa and seeing the like of Emile Heskey (who hardly featured for Villa at the end of season) travel, Bent refused to speak out against the decision to leave him behind. Instead, saying that it was the manager’s choice and that he simply needed to further prove himself.

Written By Jon Ireland

Rejuvenated Bolton go in search of consecutives wins for the first time this season against a Newcastle side who are one defeat away from a full blow crisis.

Owen Coyle’s side gave themselves a major confidence boost ahead of their Boxing Day date with the Magpies after they came out on top against fellow strugglers Blackburn on Tuesday night. The Trotters’ fourth victory of the season was arguably their most important as they beat their North West rivals to move off the bottom of the table and give themselves a real chance of beating the drop. Supporters will be hoping that their side have finally turned a corner and can now string a positive run of results together after seeing their three previous ones followed by a succession of defeats. There were a number of positives from the win at Ewood Park with summer signing Nigel Reo-Coker putting in his best performance in a Wanderers shirt since his move from Aston Villa. Mark Davies has also emerged as a key player in recent weeks and Coyle will be expecting the duo to keep their form up going into the New Year.

Newcastle are also desperate for a win after seeing their strong start to the season unravel in the last month and a half. The Magpies haven’t recorded a victory in six games and with boss Alan Pardew seeing injuries and suspensions take their toll on his paper-thin squad. Defeat at home to West Brom on Wednesday night means the Geordies have taken just one point from their last three games against the Baggies, Swansea and Norwich. Despite still sitting seventh in the table after racking up 27 points there is massive room for improvement and Pardew will be expecting that at the Reebok Stadium. With 13-goal top scorer Demba Ba in the side Newcastle are always a threat but with their attack being proving to be frustratingly predictable in the last few games Pardew may opt to rejig his side in an effort to ensure his side are celebrating a win on Boxing Day.

Bolton 19th : 12 points

Team news: Summer signing David N’Gog could miss out after picking up a knock and joins eight other first team players in the treatment room.

Key Player: Mark Davies

The young midfielder has become a key player for the Trotters in recent weeks and it was goal and all round performance at Blackburn on Tuesday that provided a base for victory. He’ll be expected to be the playmaker once again against Newcastle.

Newcastle 7th : 27 points

Team news: Davide Santon misses the trip to the Reebok after limping off against West Brom with a knee injury. Yohan Cabaye will return though after completing his one match suspension whilst Mike Williamson could also start.

Key Player: Demba Ba

There will be a host of Premier League clubs ruing the day they passed over the chance to sign the Senegal forward. Ba has been a revelation since his free transfer move from West Ham and his two stunning goals on Wednesday took him to 13 for the season. He’ll be a massive miss for Newcastle when he leaves for the African Nations Cup in January.

PREDICTION

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Bolton will bet full of confidence after their win against Blackburn but are still not safe yet but they have a good home record against Newcstle. The Magpies are determined to halt their slide and know defeat at the Reebok Stadium will see them go from blip to crisis mode. However with Demba Ba up front they will be favourites for this one.

Score: 1-2

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

Aston Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister called on his players to continue their march up the table after a 1-1 draw against Stoke City.A Darren Bent equaliser cancelled out Kenwyne Jones’ opening goal to see the spoils shared in the English Premier League match at Villa Park.

Villa, unbeaten in their last four matches, have climbed to 11th in the table.

And McAllister – standing in for hospitalised manager Gerard Houllier – believes the team can now aim to catch Bolton Wanderers in eighth position.

“We are on a good run at the moment so the place is buzzing,” McAllister said.

“We need points to catch Bolton. Two or three weeks ago we would have been looking the other way.”

“We want to keep the run going. Four games unbeaten. Since we lost to Sunderland here in January, we’ve not done bad.”

McAllister was a Liverpool player in 2001 when Frenchman Houllier underwent a life-saving heart operation and was absent from the dugout for five months.

The Scottish coach revealed that his colleague was recovering well and is not expected to undergo surgery again.

“I spoke to him before the kick-off and his main concern as always was the players,” McAllister said.

“He wants them to do well. I’m going to go up to the hospital now.”

“All the signs are encouraging. He has got a bit of colour in his cheeks and he doesn’t look like a guy who has had a tough couple of days.”

“We will be guided by the specialists. It won’t be Gerard or Aston Villa’s decision when he comes back. There is no surgery this time. It will be rest and medicine.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes his players – who defeated Bolton Wanderers last weekend in the last four of the FA Cup – may have been distracted by thoughts of the final.

“There is a danger you think of Wembley before it comes along and then players take their foot off the pedal,” Pulis said.

“We must not do it. The Premier League is still our main priority. We still need points.”

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes Eidur Gudjohnsen can play a key part in the Potters' season.

Pulis snapped up the Iceland international on deadline day as well as Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant and Salif Diao and was pleased with his late transfer business.

He said:"If the new players work as hard as the rest of the players do, with that little bit of extra quality they have, you hope it will make us a better team.

"Over the next 12 days Eidur will do a mini pre-season with Salif and hopefully be ready for Aston Villa (on September 13).

"He is a fantastic player and will add that bit of extra quality we want.

"We paid £1.5million for Wilson, plus the two other players (Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson) going that way, so we think that is good business.

"He has good qualities, has had Premier League experience and is one we hope will come in and grow with this club.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"We spoke right at the start of pre-season to find out what the situation was (with Pennant) but it was too difficult a deal to do then.

"As we got closer to the deadline the deal became more viable to us as a football club."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

I can see it now; Redknapp preparing speeches on his admiration of everyone else’s players, Pep Guardiola writing his wish list of Arsenal players to Santa “Rosell” Claus, Liverpool preparing £20m cheques for players that aren’t worth five and the media spend hours practicing writing phrases like ‘splash-out’, ‘Man City to pay £200m’ and ‘reported to have agreed’. Yes you guessed it; it’s the January ‘football media circus’ sales. City fans rub their hands together gleefully at the thought of more expensive players to sit on the bench and Arsene Wenger prepares his double bluff about not being interested in new signings. Is he going to sign somebody? Isn’t he? No he isn’t; but that doesn’t matter to the papers who hype themselves and the fans up into a frenzy that resembles the pre Christmas American tradition of Black Friday.

What is it about transfers that we love so much? Sometimes it even seems that fans are more interested reading about which players their team are going to sign rather than actually watching them play. I remember reading a piece about Arseblog in which he revealed that more people visited his site during the summer transfer window than any other period. A sad indictment of football fans perhaps. I’m not saying that I’m not guilty of being caught up in the furor of it all though. I enjoy the idea of going to watch newly bought stars week in week out just as much as the next fan. Who wouldn’t? No team in the league is perfect, even Man City have their flaws. Although it is doubtful that spending more money would particularly help their problems, unless they fancy buying the rights for the Europa League from Channel 5 and giving them to the BBC or Sky just so they don’t have to endure the punditry on arguably Britain’s worst TV channel.

[divider]

[divider]

The best sorts of stories are the ambiguous player-for-sale stories. Take Fernando Torres for example. The rumour that he is available for £20m has got every fan in the world whose club has a spare £20m in the bank thinking this could be their man. It is just too easy for journalists. Where did this rumour come from? Andre Villas-Boas stringently denies this suggestion and like 99% of transfer rumours out there it was probably just some tabloid journalist trying to work out, off the top of his head, what a reasonable price would be for the Spaniard and then pairing that estimation up with the fact that Torres spends quit a bit of time on the bench. Logical yes, truthful no.

[divider]

The problem with this sort of behaviour in England is that there are laws protecting the sources that journalists use. They do not have to declare them if they don’t want to and what this leads to is the fabrication of sources, and in turn stories. However, that doesn’t mean that all stories are false. Who knows, maybe Torres does have a 60% off tag tied around his neck.

Every January it seems that we break the record for the amount spent collectively as a league. Last January clubs in the Premier League spent £225m, which was a record. However if you consider that £50m alone was spent on Torres and £35m was spent on Carroll then it seems unlikely we’ll reach those heights again. Maybe I’ll be proved wrong though. I heard from a ‘source’ that Liverpool are interested in signing Jermain Defoe for £25m and then selling him back to Spurs in six months time for half that amount. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? That’s because I made it up, although it does fit with established formula of looking at a club’s recent transfer dealings and adding to it the sensationalist’s solution to a club’s problems. Maybe making up transfer rumours could be my new job, I think I could get the hang of it.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

For more news and views follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

[divider]

FREE football app that pays you CASH

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Chelsea skipper John Terry has held his tongue over the controversial missed penalty against Manchester United for fear of UEFA punishment.The Blues were incensed that a late appeal for a penalty went begging in their 1-0 Champions League loss at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Midfielder Ramires was cut down by United’s Patrice Evra in the final moments of stoppage time, in what appeared to be a clear-cut decision, but referee Alberto Undiano was unmoved.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said afterward it was a penalty and Terry agreed, though he stopped short of offering more to avoid being rubbed out for the return leg at Old Trafford.

“It was clear. Even from 50 or 60 yards away I could see Ramires got the first touch,” Terry said.

“After the game, we watched it on the video like everyone else. It was a clear penalty. Anywhere else in the world – at the Camp Nou, Old Trafford, San Bernabeu – it’s a penalty.”

“I think the most frustrating thing for the players is that we can’t come out here and be honest about it.”

“We would face possible bans. We’re seeing players receiving bans left, right and centre for speaking honestly after games.”

“You guys lose out, the players can’t be honest and we end up walking on eggshells. Unfortunately I can’t say more about it.”

The 30-year-old acknowledged Chelsea had performed below their best in the quarter-final but remained steadfast in his belief his side can turn around the aggregate next Tuesday.

“Being the home tie you would have expected a little bit more from us,” he said.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“But it’s clearly not over, we’re not giving up and by no means are the lads getting their heads down.”

“We are still right in the tie; we can do what they’ve done tonight. As the manager said, ‘it’s not over, it’s half-time’.”

“We did it last year, we went up there and beat them 2-1 when nobody expected us to. So we are capable of going up there and winning.”

After six seasons outside the Premier League, Leeds United are in a position to get back to where a club of their stature belongs. Three years in the Championship, followed by three in League One, have been tough to take for Leeds fans; this is not what they are used to. Many are still old enough to have seen Don Revie’s dominance in the 60’s and 70’s or Howard Wilkinson’s era in the early 90’s, but there is a new generation of fans who have never seen their side compete with the best in the country. Unfortunately for them, it may suit in the long run, if they wait just that bit longer.

Regardless of how big a club is, successive promotions to the Premier League is a big ask, and holding grasp of that momentum to then avoid relegation is even greater. Under Graham Taylor, Watford reached the top flight after successive promotions in 1998 and 99, only to finish bottom the following year and head back to the second tier. Manchester City, a club with greater resources than most that come up to the Premiership, repeated the trick a year later, only to suffer the same fate.

It took Leeds three years to get out of League One because they were such a big scalp for teams; suddenly relatively small clubs had the chance to go to Elland Road in what must have felt like a cup tie, and try to take points off the big boys. This year the club may benefit from being more of a peer to the rest of the sides they face, despite still being one of the bigger clubs in the division.

As ever, the Championship remains one of the most competitive leagues going; any number of teams can lay claim to a promotion push including Hull, Burnley, Middlesbrough, Cardiff, Sheffield United, Forest, Bristol City, Derby and on and on…While Leeds have as good a squad as most, they are up against it, and it is a squad that would struggle in the Premiership, even with a few additions. Losing Jermaine Beckford is a massive blow, as strikers of that ability are a rare breed at that level, whether the likes of Luciano Becchio and Billy Paynter can score the 31 goals Beckford scored last season, only time will tell.

I still believe that Leeds’ promotion to the Premiership is a matter of ‘when’, rather than ‘if’, with that level of fan base, history and stature they will be able to attract better and better players to the club. Not being a fan of Leeds myself, it may be easier for me to say, but an element of patience is required from the Leeds fans. They can be secure in the knowledge that the club is moving in the right direction. After what must have been a pretty sickening few years in West Yorkshire, the club has turned a corner and is getting back on its feet. Fans also have to be aware how many clubs are trying to achieve the same goal. A season, maybe more, of consolidation is far better preparation for Simon Grayson’s men to have the armoury to survive the Premier League. The last thing the club needs is another relegation, and after such a topsy-turvy last five years, the relative boredom of a mid-table finish may provide a far more secure platform from which to launch their next great era.

Get updates on my articles by following me on twitter.

*

With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Premier League Manchester City maintained their 100% start to the season with a comfortable 5-1 win over Norwich at the Etihad Stadium.

Roberto Mancini’s side strolled to all three points against the Canaries to extend their lead at the top to seven points over rivals United who take on Aston Villa in Saturday’s evening kick off. Sergio Aguero grabbed the opener just after the half hour in what proved to be a frustrating first half for the hosts as Paul Lamberts plucky side managed to contain and foil a world class attack that struggled to get going during the first half. After the restart it was a different story with Yaya Toure curling in with further goals coming from Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson with Steve Morison grabbing a consolation for the visitors. Mancini’s men were searching for a seventh consecutive win at the Etihad Stadium but found the opening forty five minutes tough as Norwich put eleven men behind the ball in an effort to quell the threat of City’s multi-million pound forward line.

It worked so well until the 32nd minute for the home side to break the deadlock with Aguero showing great balance and close control to twist and turn away from a sea of Norwich bodies before poking the ball past John Ruddy for his 13th of the season. That weight off City’s shoulders saw them come out for the second half intent on putting Norwich to the sword with Nasri doubling their lead six minutes after the restart in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. The Frenchman saw his seemingly harmless 35-yard-free kick take a wicked bounce in front of Ruddy and skid into the bottom corner of the net to dampen any Norwich hopes of a surprise comeback. It was open season now for the home side and Toure ensured they would score three at home for the sixth time this season curling home from just inside the area.

However the Canaries would go down fighting and snatched themselves a consolation goal via the head of Morison after the Welsh forward beat Gael Clichy to Marc Tierney’s cross to send the ball past Joe Hart. City who would have the final say on proceedings though with substitutes Balotelli and Johnson getting their names on the scoresheet. Firstly, the broody Italian nonchalantly made it 4-1 with two minutes to go knocking the ball in with with his shoulder on the goal line after his initial effort had been saved by Ruddy. Johnson then put the gloss on City’s 12th win of the season finishing superbly from the 15-yards after captain Vincent Kompany’s long pass found him in acres of space which afforded him time to shape himself and roll the ball into the net.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

With the “golden generation” coming to the end of their playing careers there have been a number of emerging youngsters in the Premier League over the last two seasons. This season has the seen the likes of Gareth Bale and Jack Wilshere grab headlines with their outstanding performances for Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal respectively, and there is no doubt that they will be two key players to watch next season and for many years to come.

But there are also a number of other emerging talents in the next generation of footballers who we will start to see making headlines. Whilst the internet has seen an increase in hype around players with potential compared to recent decades, the following list of top ten players for the future are names that could become first-team regulars for their clubs in the Premier League.

Although there will be some omissions from the following list, these are definitely ten players at the very least to keep an eye out for towards the end of the current season when managers decide to give youngsters a run out, or during the pre-season in the summer. The 2011-2012 year could be the season for this generation of highly skilled players, so let’s get the ball rolling and have a look at these wonder kids…

Click on Ignasi Miquel below to see the Top TEN

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.