Toyota Football Fever - SHOW 2
What the UK papers said this week?
1) Chelsea state Gallas “Threatened
to score Own Goal”
Chelsea have childishly claimed that recently
departed William Gallas made a series of bizarre threats
to the club in an astonishing five-month feud with manager
Jose Mourinho.
Bitter club chiefs yesterday decided to
reveal the “catalogue of misbehavior” in an
official statement on their own website. They revealed
that Gallas had apparently refused to play in the FA Cup
Semi-Final against Liverpool last season, and even threatened
to score an own-goal or get sent off if picked. Gallas
has said he may sue the club over the allegations.
2) Boro Chief blasts reckless Mac
ENGLAND boss Steve McClaren has been branded
‘reckless’ — for wasting millions in
the transfer market.
Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb
said: “There have been reckless signings here in
the past.” “Perhaps people have been signed
on reputation rather than performance.” He claimed
that McLaren had wasted over 21 million pounds on flops
such as Massimo Maccarone, signed for over 8 million,
Malcolm Christie and Michael Ricketts.
3) Ardiles says Tev and Masch can
hit it off
CARLOS TEVEZ and Javier Mascherano will
become Premiership superstars — because they have
each other. That is the view of ex-Argentina star Ossie
Ardiles who first arrived in London in 1978 with fellow
countryman Ricky Villa.
The arrival of the pair strikes a chord with Ardiles,
who admits swapping South America for England was daunting.
But thanks to having old pal Villa by his side, Ardiles
settled superbly as both became instant heroes at Tottenham.
Fast forward 28 years and Tevez and Mascherano are ready
to make their West Ham debuts against Aston Villa on Sunday.
4) I'm not Gunner bite over Gallas
ARSENAL chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists
the club will not be making an official complaint about
Chelsea’s attack on William Gallas.
The Gunners chief admits he was astonished
when the champions released a statement criticising the
behaviour of former Blues defender Gallas. He said: “I
have no idea why Chelsea issued that statement”.
“That is something for them to answer.
It’s certainly not something I or anyone at Arsenal
would have done, but I don’t see why we should make
a complaint to the FA or the Premier League about this
latest episode.” “I really think it’s
best just to leave the matter alone.”
5) East Svender eyeing return
SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON could be in line for
a dramatic return to English football — with West
Ham.
The former Three Lions manager is great
pals with super-agent Pini Zahavi, who helped take striker
Carlos Tevez and midfield star Javier Mascherano to London’s
East End, and West Ham would not have to pay a large salary
as the FA have promised Eriksson his wages for another
two years.
Alan Pardew has revealed that he would
quit the Hammers if he faced any pressure to play either
of his new Argentinean stars, and Eriksson may be lined
up to replace him.
6) Targets too costly for Ferguson
Man Utd will renew their interest in long-term
targets Owen Hargreaves and Jermaine Defoe in the Christmas
transfer window, because they were overpriced this time
around. Ferguson believes that his squad can cope until
then, but is prepared to strengthen in the new year, with
David Trezeguet also believed to be a target.
Quotes of the Week
"I couldn't get forward as much against
Andorra because of how busy it was in the midfield"
– Frank Lampard makes a worrying
statement, with the key word being “Andorra”.
"I am 100% sure if I win my place with
Arsenal and play for the first team, then I will play
for Spain one day. But if not, in two years I can be English,
take the nationality and then I can play for England”.
- Arsenal Keeper Manuel Almunia shows
he’s not really bothered which country he plays
for.
“Jose Mourinho generously offered
Gallas a way back into the "family" after the
American tour, but this was thrown back in the Chelsea
manager's face" – an official Chelsea statement
confirms that the club is indeed now just a front for
the Mafia.
“Even if Chelsea has much money, its
new leaders lack class" – William Gallas
replies to his former Employers, but might want to take
out some extra insurance just in case…
As a manager I want to work with the best.
Who's to say I haven't got eight or nine world-class players
already?" - Alan Pardew asks a question
that everyone can answer.
International Round-Up
No Premier League fixtures, so a round-up
of the games International fixtures, with the opening
round of qualifying for the European Championships 2008,
held in Switzerland and Austria.
| England 5 |
Andorra 0 |
Crouch (5, 66)
Gerrard (13)
Defoe (38, 47) |
|
Report: Steve McClaren
made things look easy, with second game in charge yielding
another win and five goals. Clearly there are far tougher
tests ahead for the new boss - but his team followed up
the 4-0 defeat of Greece by going one better against an
awful Andorra team at Old Trafford.
| Macedonia 0 |
England 1 |
| |
Crouch (46) |
Report: Peter Crouch just
keeps on scoring, and goal number 11 secured three crucial
points for England in Macedonia. Steve McClaren's England
were made to work extremely hard by the team ranked 67th
in the world. But they stuck at their task and left Skopje
with the win thanks to a volley from Crouch which rattled
the bar and bounced just over the line.
No wonder Abbey Clancy wants to be his bird!
The beanpole just can’t stop scoring!!
| Italy 1 |
Lithuania 1 |
| Inzaghi (46) |
Danilevicius (21) |
Report:
World champions Italy made a stuttering start to their
Euro 2008 qualifying campaign when they were held to a
shock 1-1 draw by Lithuania in Group B on Saturday. First-half
goals by Lithuania striker Tomas Danilevicius and Italy's
Filippo Inzaghi cancelled each other out and put a dampener
on the party atmosphere inside the San Paolo stadium.
| France 3 |
Italy 1 |
Govou (2, 55)
Henry (18) |
Gilardino (20) |
Report:
Olympique Lyon winger Sidney Govou hit a double as France
stunned arch-rivals Italy 3-1 in a showcase Euro 2008
qualifier in Paris on Wednesday. It was sweet revenge
for Les Bleus who bowed to the Italians on penalties in
a controversial World Cup final two months ago.
| San Marino 0 |
Germany 13 |
| |
Podolski (11, 43, 64, 72)
Schweinsteiger (28, 47)
Klose (30, 45)
Ballack (35)
Hitzlsperger (66, 72)
Friedrich (87)
Schneider (pen 90) |
Report:
Germany crushed San Marino with a record breaking 13-0
win on Wednesday, striker Lukas Podolski scoring four
in a Euro 2008 Group D qualifier. The victory is a record
in a European Championship qualifying match -- bettering
Spain's 12-1 victory over Malta in December, 1983.
| Brazil 3 |
Argentina 0 |
Blumer Elano (3, 67)
Kaka (89) |
|
Report:
A dominant display from Brazil overshadowed any impact
that might have been made by West Ham duo Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano as Argentina were outplayed at the
Emirates Stadium. While all the pre-match hype was about
the Premiership's most exciting new additions, Brazil
quickly asserted their authority with two goals from Elano
in only the third minute.
Upcoming Premiership Games
Everton v Liverpool
Suspensions
Injuries EVE - Stubbs
LIV - Riise, Kewell
Prediction 2-1 (Actual 3-0)
Reason: Liverpool are
still bedding in their new players, and looked a little
disjointed in their opening two games. They have the skill
to win this one though, but Everton have been very disciplined
so far, and with Andy Johnson on form, may just sneak
the derby win.
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Suspensions
Injuries ARS - Clichy, Senderos, Diaby, Lauren
MID - Arca
Prediction 2-0 (Actual 1-1)
Reason: Arsenal struggled
in their opening day draw against Sheffield United, but
should find things easier against Gareth Southgate’s
Middlesbrough side. The Boro have new defenders Woodgate
and Huth in their back line, and may need more time for
them to form a solid partnership. Arsenal at the Emirates
may well be a baptism of fire for them.
Bolton v Watford
Suspensions BOL Davies
Injuries BOL - Gardner
WAT - NONE
Prediction 1-1 (Actual 1-0)
Reason: This is a difficult
game to call, with both sides playing a similar physical
style of football. Bolton have new boy Nicolas Anelka
making his debut, and it will be interesting to see how
he fits into Sam Allardyce’s plans, but I expect
Watford to fight hard. and emerge from the Reebok with
a point
Chelsea v Charlton
Suspensions CHA Hreidarsson
Injuries CHE - Geremi
CHA - Sorondo, Thomas, Gibbs
Prediction 3-0 (Actual 2-1)
Reason: Chelsea have been
bolstered by the acquisition of Ashley Cole from Arsenal,
and Jose Mourinho will be desperate to continue the blues
winning streak from Blackburn last week. Charlton should
prove to be easy meat at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle v Fulham
Suspensions FUL Kilbane
Injuries NEW - Ameobi, Owen
FUL - NONE
Prediction 2-1 (Actual 1-2)
Reason: Fulham have been
playing some decent football since their hammering at
the hands of Man Utd., but Newcastle have players of the
quality of Duff, Emre and Parker – and should manage
to outplay the Cottagers at St James’s to take all
three points.
Portsmouth v Wigan
Suspensions
Injuries POR - Johnson, Mendes
WIG - Taylor, Teale
Prediction 2-0 (Actual 1-0)
Reason: Portsmouth have
started the season well, and with Wigan losing a couple
of key players during the summer, I don’t see them
being the force they were last year. This should be a
relatively easy victory for Harry Redknapp’s side.
Sheff. Utd. v Blackburn
Suspensions
Injuries SHF - Davis
BLA - NONE
Prediction 1-0 (Actual 0-0)
Reason: They don’t
have many points on the board, but Sheffield United will
be looking at their home games as the ones they have to
win, and this match up against Blackburn is one they will
be savouring. Blackburn have yet to win, and won’t
fancy this trip to Bramall Lane. They will be lucky to
take even one point.
Man Utd v Tottenham
Suspensions MAN Rooney, Scholes
Injuries MAN - NONE
TOT - Malbranque, King
Prediction 2-2 (Actual 1-0)
Reason: Spurs will have
been delighted with the International break, as it would
have allowed them to recompose themselves after a horrendous
performance against Everton at White Hart Lane. Man Utd
however are on a rich vein of form, and even without Rooney,
I feel they will have too much for Tottenham at home.
West Ham v Aston Villa
Suspensions
Injuries WHM - McCartney, Ashton
AST - Berger, Cahill
Prediction 2-1 (Actual 1-1)
Reason Will Tevez and Mascherano start
for the Hammers? How will they fit into Alan Pardew’s
team? Aston Villa have been solid so far, without being
spectacular, and I feel that this is the perfect game
for the Hammers to debut their new signings. Expect West
Ham to outplay Villa in a narrow win.
Reading v Man City
Suspensions
Injuries REA - Little, Kitson
MAC - Isaksson
Prediction 0-0
Reason: Stuart Pearce
has his side working hard, and despite poor performances
so far, I expect the Blues to come away from this game
against a hit and miss Reading side with all three points.
