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Flurry of Activity on Deadline Day
Keane Rejoins Spurs as EPL Extends Deadline Due to Snow
February 2 - 9.35am
A day of high drama in England as the EPL extended the transfer window deadline due to snow. The deadline was supposed to fall at 9am Pacific but snow has crippled much of commercial activity in England. Therefore, the drama and flurry of activity continued a while longer.
High Drama as Arsenal Finally Snag Russian - Or Do They?
The medical was passed and the papers had just arrived. Russian star Anrdei Arshavin would now join Arsenal. But then a Zenit spokesman called the London papers and said the deal was off!; Henri Camara will move to Stoke from Wigan till end of season, Oliver Dacourt joins Fulham on loan from Inter Milan. Leon Andreasen leaves Fulham on loan to Hannover96.
Jo leaves Manchester City for Everton on loan. However Manchester City's expected influx of players has failed to materialise as new Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce kept his promise to the fans not to let Roque Santa Cruz leave despite approaches from the Manchester Club. They turned down US $27 million for him.
Charkes N'Zogbia has left Newcastle for Wigan after vowing not to play for Joe Kinnear again. Ryan Taylor made the move in the opposite direction. Robbie Keane
will leave Liverpool to return to Spurs for a quoted fee of $18m. Chelsea have acquired Ricardo Quaresma on loan from Portugal.
February 1 - 10am
Liverpool 2 v 0 Chelsea - Full Time
94: Fernando Torres scores a second for Liverpool seconds before full-time. A great result for Rafa's Reds but Chelsea will point to two decisions in the 58th minute that changed their season. It won't do them any good.
89: Fernando Torres scores for Liverpool with a header after Jamie Carragher's left wing cross. It's the 24-year-old Spaniard's first home goal for nine months. Liverpool seem certain of all three points.
85: Teenager Miroslav Stoch replaces Kalou for Chelsea. Is Scolari looking for all three points?
73: Yossi Benayoun replaces Riera for Liverpool.
71: Gerard booked for diving as he tries to fall inside the area despite starting his dive well outside it. Referee Riley seems to be compensating for his red on Lampard.
69: The impressive Alex deflects Alonso's drive onto the bar as Liverpool step up the pace. Drogba and Dec come on for Malouda and Anelka as Chelsea try and freshen up their flagging side.
65: Mascherano heads over as Liverpool begin to try and make their man advantage count.
59: Frank Lampard shown a red for exactly the same challenge as Gerard just got away with, this time on Alonso. Chelsea down to ten men and a legitimate sense of grievance. Referee Mike Riley may have ended Chelsea's title hopes. The TV commentators think Alonso was equally guilty in the challenge.
58: Stevie Gerard goes in with his studs up and amazingly escapes any card when a red could have been shown. Does get a ticking off for dissent.
Albert Riera amazingly tried to lay the ball back to Gerard seconds before half time when turning round would have prevented him with a golden opportunity. That, and one Peter Cech save apart, a dire first half with few chances and plenty of errors. Neither side looks anything like title contenders in a game both need to win to stay within touching distance of Manchester United.
One player from each side has been booked
It may be do or die for Rafa's reds
Liverpool entertain Chelsea this morning with a 8am kick off on the Pacific West Coast. Live coverage is available on the Fox Soccer Channel. Chelsea will miss Ricardo Carvalho who has a hamstring strain but Liverpool expect to welcome back Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera all of whom were substitutes in the midweek game against Wigan.
Both sides have faltered of late and watched as Manchester United have climbed above them in the EPL table. In their last six league matches, Liverpool have won just ten points, one less than Chelsea while United have picked up all 18, winning six in a row. Liverpool are now third on 48 points behind Chelsea on goal difference while United are two points ahead with a game less played.
For Chelsea, there is a revenge aspect to the trip to Anfield in England's Northwest. Liverpool ended the West London side's 86-match, four and a half year unbeaten home league run last October and Chelsea's once reliable home form has been patchy ever since. Furthermore, their record against the "Big Four" has been dismal, picking up just one point from four matches in games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Dossena, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera, Torres, Kuyt, Keane, Cavalieri.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Taylor, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mancienne, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Deco, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, Belletti.
Wigan's Heroes
Fantastic Display by Wigan Defence Foils Villa
January 31 - 9.15 am
Aston Villa, faced with the opportunity to go second, couldn't breach a valiant Wigan Athletic defence. Wigan keeper Paul Scharner made numerous saves and was bailed out by several goal line clearances by his defence. Scharner made some great decisions whether to punch or catch and when he chose to punch the ball clear, did so with authority. Gabi Agbonlahor missed a golden opportunity in the 82nd minute when fed by a Luke Young header, but Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa foiled him with a superbly timed challenge. The Honduran international left-back made a series of important challenges and at 25 looks to be a great find for Steve Bruce, Wigan Manager. Figueroa is currently on loan from Honduran club, Deportivo Olimpia.
In the early game Stoke beat Manchester City 1-0 to move them out of the relegation zone. Former Everton striker James Beattie scored with a first half header. Arsenal failed to make any ground on the leaders with a disappointing 0-0 draw in the London derby against West Ham. Bolton increased former Seattle Sounder Harry Redknapp's woes with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium. The Spurs, as they are known, had beaten Stoke 3-1 in midweek to climb out of the relegation zone but this result drags them back into it.
Hull drew with West Brom 2-2 and Middlesbrough and Blackburn couldn't find the net in a battle of two sides at the bottom end of the table. Blackburn, Middlesbrough and West Brom remain in the three bottom places although Blackburn could climb out tomorrow if Newcastle lose by more than one goal tomorrow against Sunderland. Fulham v Portsmouth is tape delayed on the Fox Soccer Channel at 5pm Pacific.
Manchester United 1 v 0 Everton
Manchester United went five points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool with a comfortable 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford. A penalty just before half-time was converted by Portuguese sttiker Ronaldo, after Mikel Arteta was judged to have tripped Michael Carrick. Everton showed few signs of breaching Edwin van der Saar's long streak without conceding a goal. The Dutchman has now gone over 18 hours since he last let in a goal in the League.
United were below their best but still never seem threatened despite the narrow scoreline. They have a relatively comfortable next few weeks with West Ham and Fulham their next EPL opponents.
Manchester United v Everton - Kick off 9.30am
Coming up live now is red-hot Manchester United against Davie Moyes' Everton in a battle between two Scottish managers. Everton have managed to draw 1-1 away to Liverpool twice in the last few days, once in the FA Cup and once in the League. Can they foil United who can't stop winning at the moment? United have recorded an EPL record eleven consecutive games without conceding a goal. Everton have been very dangerous from set pieces so their best chance of scoring may well come from corners. On a side note, the two Neville brothers line up against each other.
87: Park does brilliantly to dribble down the left and Tim Howard makes a superb close save to foil the Korean.
82: Game enters final ten minutes with Man U looking comfortable but not home and dry. Vidic gives away free kick 40 yards out and Arteta's free kick sees Rio Ferdinand haul down Lescott with his arm but no penalty is given.
73: Steve Pienaar drives a decent chance over for Everton. United are playing well but have not quite put the game beyond safety. Darren Fletcher makes way for Ryan Giggs.
68: Everton take off Fellaini and bring on Anichebe
60: Arteta drills a free kick dismally into van der Saar's arms. The Dutchman hasn't conceded an EPL goal for 18 hours now.
57: Wes Brown comes on for Gary Neville
52: Tevez blasts over as Everton defence hesitates
47: Arteta blasts a free kick abysmally wide. Carrick tries for another penalty as Lescott challenges him and he dives theatrically. Contact was made though and it could have been given.
HALF TIME 1:0
43: Penalty to United as Arteta makes seemingly accidental contact with Michael Carrick. Ronaldo scores it. 1-0 to Man U.
33: Carrick fires wide with a volley as Howard dives.
26: Ronaldo hits the post and it would have counted, as the offside call was later. Van der Saar makes an easy save from Cahill. It turns out to be Everton's only first half shot.
13: A great save by USA keeper Tim Howard from close range foils Tevez. Everton are under early pressure with Carrick and Ronaldo causing the Toffees problems.
EPL Chat Forum on Washington Premier Soccer
Televised games this weekend include Aston Villa v Wigan and Manchester United v Everton on Saturday. Villa kick off at 7am and United v Everton is at 9.30. Both are on Fox Soccer Channel.
The other highlight of the weekend package is the big North East derby between Newcastle and Sunderland. Tensions always run high when these fierce local rivals meet and their respective positions above the relegation zone adds spice to the battle. There's also a London derby at the Emirates when West Ham make the short trip to face the entertaining but inconsistent Arsenal. On form Aston Villa can rise to second place if they beat Wigan Athletic at Villa Park.
Full Weekend EPL Fixture List (all times Pacific AM):
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Stoke v Man City, 4:45
Arsenal v West Ham, 7:00
Aston Villa v Wigan, 7:00 (Live on FSC)
Bolton v Tottenham, 7:00
Fulham v Portsmouth, 7:00 (Tape Delayed on FSC 5pm Pacific)
Hull v West Brom, 7:00
Middlesbrough v Blackburn, 7:00
Man Utd v Everton, 9:30 (Live on FSC)
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Liverpool v Chelsea, 8:00 (Live on FSC)
Newcastle v Sunderland, 5:30
Fergie Says No to Team GB
Manchester United Manager Turns Down Prime Minister's Plea
Alex Ferguson Pours
Cold
Water on a British Team
Sir Alex Ferguson has dealt a fatal blow to the chances of a Great Britain Football side competing at the 2012 London Olympics. In a move which could significantly hamper the credibility of the team, Sir Alex told a 200th anniversary edition of the United's club's magazine Inside United. "No. I won't turn to international management. When I've finished here, I think I deserve a rest. After here, I'm finished."
In international soccer, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales compete as separate entities and participation in a British team has already been rejected by the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown had publicly proposed Sir Alex, a Scot, as potential manager of such a team - ostensibly to make it look less English. Sir Alex's snub has been welcomed by Scottish politicians.
Scottish National Party Culture (SNP), Media and Sport Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, has welcomed the news Ferguson will not manage Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.
Mr Wishart said:
"Gordon Brown's dream of a Team GB is unraveling. Earlier this year, he said Alex Ferguson's involvement could help "bring the Scots on board". Today's rejection is a slap in the face for the Prime Minister. Alex Ferguson joins the long list of football experts who do not believe Team GB is a realistic proposition. All UK national team fan associations plus the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have expressed their opposition. In addition, football experts including UEFA General Secretary David Taylor, former FIFA Vice-President David Will and Scotland manager George Burley have cautioned against Team GB, all believing that a UK team at London 2012 could threaten the involvement of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland as individual nations at future World Cups and European Championships. There is a clear precedent for allowing all four home nation football teams to participate in the Olympics. It's time for the Prime Minister to stop playing politics with Scotland's national side. He should listen to the experts and abandon his foolish plans for Team GB immediately."
Scottish opposition is base don two factors. Firstly playing as Britain might endanger the separate status of Scotland and the other two in international football. Secondly, many Scots, including the SNP would like to see Scotland compete as a nation in its own right in the Olympics.
Fronted by former Scotland manager Craig Brown, a 'No To Team GB' campaign has been launched to stress that any guarantees from FIFA are meaningless because rulings can be overturned because it is a democratic organisation governing by the votes of its members. UEFA general secretary David Taylor, the former SFA chief executive, also recently warned against a united British team at the Olympics.
Arsenal Still Hopeful of Signing Arshavin
Wenger Says Deal for Top Russian Still a Reality
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is "confident" that Arsenal will sign Andrei Arshavin from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg before the end of the current transfer window. However, the Arsenal boss denied a deal has been completed for the 27 year old, or that a work permit had been applied for and granted.
Arshavin was a stand out in EURO 2008 where he helped Russia to a semi final place including a great win over a fancied Netherlands side. World's wealthiest club, Manchester City, and Italian champions Jose Mourinhno's Inter Milan are also reported to be interested in the midfielder.
Owen Hargreaves Knee Surgery a Success
Midfielder Should be Fit for Next Season says United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves has made just three appearances this season for Manchester United. He had a long-standing tendinitis problem, but this week had knee surgery to correct it.
"Owen had a second operation last week and it was completely successful. This one is completely clear," Ferguson said.