Manchester United 1 - Lyon 0
AC Milan 0 Arsenal 2
Barcelona 1 Celtic 0
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Premier League Title Chase
What the teams have to do and guard against for glory....
by Don Howe
ARSENAL
Mathieu Flamini exemplifies everything that is good about my old club. Not only has young French midfielder fulfilled he role of midfield anchormen with intelligence and tenacity, he also urged to get forward by manager Arsene Wenger.
Flamini's endeavours this season have tpified the way Wenger approaches football that he combines a demanding work ethic with a strong desire to see his players express themselves in attack. Aresenl might not boast as many match-winning individuals on the books as Old Trafford, but the way they work for each other and play off each other is splendid.
Flaminin is an unsung hero. He complements the more attack Cesc Fabregas perfectly by sitting back when the Spaniard heads forward, but he judiciously joins the attack when the opportunity arises.
His efforts against Newcastle a fornight ago showed what an asset he has become setting up a goal for Adebayor and scoring one himself. It obviously helps the midfield that they have the best pair of Premier League ahead of them in Adebayor and Eduardo.
MANCHESTER UNITED
When they're not on song collectively United have a terrific advantage in that they have several individuals capable of winning matches on their own in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
They possess the flair and ingenuity to sway matches United's way when their team is flat because players like Ronaldo can rise above mundane performances - a great asset that Arsenal and Chelsea can't really match.
It's great that Sir Alex Ferguson has maintained the club's proud tradition of attractive, passing football, but he must be aware that his defence could be more resilient. United are very capable defensively, and in Rio Ferdinand they have appear an excellent centre-half, but they still appear vulnerable at set-plays- due to a mixture of lapses in concentration and the failure to attack the ball in these situations. It is an area of weakness they will have to work on in the training ground or it will end up costing United their Premier League crown.
CHELSEA
by Don Howe
ARSENAL
Mathieu Flamini exemplifies everything that is good about my old club. Not only has young French midfielder fulfilled he role of midfield anchormen with intelligence and tenacity, he also urged to get forward by manager Arsene Wenger.
Flamini's endeavours this season have tpified the way Wenger approaches football that he combines a demanding work ethic with a strong desire to see his players express themselves in attack. Aresenl might not boast as many match-winning individuals on the books as Old Trafford, but the way they work for each other and play off each other is splendid.
Flaminin is an unsung hero. He complements the more attack Cesc Fabregas perfectly by sitting back when the Spaniard heads forward, but he judiciously joins the attack when the opportunity arises.
His efforts against Newcastle a fornight ago showed what an asset he has become setting up a goal for Adebayor and scoring one himself. It obviously helps the midfield that they have the best pair of Premier League ahead of them in Adebayor and Eduardo.
MANCHESTER UNITED
When they're not on song collectively United have a terrific advantage in that they have several individuals capable of winning matches on their own in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
They possess the flair and ingenuity to sway matches United's way when their team is flat because players like Ronaldo can rise above mundane performances - a great asset that Arsenal and Chelsea can't really match.
It's great that Sir Alex Ferguson has maintained the club's proud tradition of attractive, passing football, but he must be aware that his defence could be more resilient. United are very capable defensively, and in Rio Ferdinand they have appear an excellent centre-half, but they still appear vulnerable at set-plays- due to a mixture of lapses in concentration and the failure to attack the ball in these situations. It is an area of weakness they will have to work on in the training ground or it will end up costing United their Premier League crown.
CHELSEA
Jose Mourinho may be long gone but he certainly hasn't been forgotten by the players at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese coach was shown the door beacuse the people upstairs wanted the club to head into a more attractive direction where goals are plentiful. Against Liverpool, when things didn't click, Chelsea reverted to their old defensive ways instead of preservering . It showed that they remain locked into Mourinho's style.
Chelsea remain very efficient defensively ut they are still finding it difficult to score goals, which explains why they bought Nicolas Anelka. Against Liverpool there was the tendency to lose sight of the basic objectives which are, of course, to score goals and win matches. I wonder whether this desire to play eye-catching football will scupper Chelsea's chances of regaining the title.
Shaun Wright-Phililips remains a key player for thie hopes, having become more of an attacking threat inside and outside the penalty box. - Telegraph Group Ltd, London.
Chelsea remain very efficient defensively ut they are still finding it difficult to score goals, which explains why they bought Nicolas Anelka. Against Liverpool there was the tendency to lose sight of the basic objectives which are, of course, to score goals and win matches. I wonder whether this desire to play eye-catching football will scupper Chelsea's chances of regaining the title.
Shaun Wright-Phililips remains a key player for thie hopes, having become more of an attacking threat inside and outside the penalty box. - Telegraph Group Ltd, London.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Premier League transfer rumours.
Rangers are believed to be interested in Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras.
Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill finally looks poised to complete a move to Bolton.
Spurs have also agreed a £9.3m fee for Juventus midfielder Tiago, but may lose out to Atletico Madrid.
Middlesbrough are in talks with Brazil striker Afonso Alves after agreeing a fee in excess of £12m with his club Heerenveen.
Bolton manager Gary Megson also wants to sign Barcelona's former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Aston Villa will sign Tottenham misfit Wayne Routledge, but will lose defender Olof Mellberg to Juventus at the end of the season.
Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill finally looks poised to complete a move to Bolton.
Spurs have also agreed a £9.3m fee for Juventus midfielder Tiago, but may lose out to Atletico Madrid.
Middlesbrough are in talks with Brazil striker Afonso Alves after agreeing a fee in excess of £12m with his club Heerenveen.
Bolton manager Gary Megson also wants to sign Barcelona's former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Aston Villa will sign Tottenham misfit Wayne Routledge, but will lose defender Olof Mellberg to Juventus at the end of the season.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Transfer rumours 26/1/08
Wigan manager Steve Bruce is closing in on Watford striker Marlon King, with talks apparently having already taken place between the two clubs. "We've shown an interest and it's ongoing," said Latics assistant boss Eric Black.
Sir Alex Ferguson is still determined to land Dimitar Berbatov and will monitor the £30m-rated striker when Spurs visit Old Trafford for their FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday. (Manchester Evening News)
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Juande Ramos has admitted that there is still a slim chance the 26-year-old could leave while the transfer window remains open, but "it would have to be an offer from a very big club with a very big contract to make him leave us."
Arsenal have rejected an audacious attempt by Liverpool to take Theo Walcott on loan for the rest of the season - but Sven-Goran Eriksson is still hopeful of luring the player to Manchester City.
Kevin Keegan is planning to snatch David Bentley for £10m - but that planned raid could be ruined by Blackburn's proposed takeover. (The Sun)
Middlesbrough face the prospect of losing both Stewart Downing and Jonathan Woodgate before the end of the month with Spurs and Newcastle interested in the England pair. (Daily Star)
Dean Ashton is a £7m target for Manchester City and West Ham may sell their striker if they can land Darren Bent from Spurs. (The Sun)
Sir Alex Ferguson is still determined to land Dimitar Berbatov and will monitor the £30m-rated striker when Spurs visit Old Trafford for their FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday. (Manchester Evening News)
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Juande Ramos has admitted that there is still a slim chance the 26-year-old could leave while the transfer window remains open, but "it would have to be an offer from a very big club with a very big contract to make him leave us."
Arsenal have rejected an audacious attempt by Liverpool to take Theo Walcott on loan for the rest of the season - but Sven-Goran Eriksson is still hopeful of luring the player to Manchester City.
Kevin Keegan is planning to snatch David Bentley for £10m - but that planned raid could be ruined by Blackburn's proposed takeover. (The Sun)
Middlesbrough face the prospect of losing both Stewart Downing and Jonathan Woodgate before the end of the month with Spurs and Newcastle interested in the England pair. (Daily Star)
Dean Ashton is a £7m target for Manchester City and West Ham may sell their striker if they can land Darren Bent from Spurs. (The Sun)