Toyota Football Fever Show 15

Former Chelsea and England pro Kerry Dixon returned as studio guest on Toyota Football Fever radio again this week.

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What the UK papers said this week?

1) “I’ll go if Jose wants me to”

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO last night revealed he is ready to pack his bags and leave Chelsea — if Jose Mourinho wants him out.

The Ukraine striker has scored just three league goals since his £30.8million summer move to Stamford Bridge from AC Milan.

Now his future in London is in doubt as the January transfer window approaches.

Shevchenko, 30, said: “I feel at home at Chelsea and it’s felt like my team for a long time. But unfortunately my game doesn’t suit Mourinho.

“Everyone has been writing about me being sent on loan to Milan. I still haven’t discussed this question with the management — but the bosses themselves probably still haven’t decided.

2) “Bring me home Fergie”

OWEN HARGREAVES has pleaded with Alex Ferguson to take him ‘home’ to Manchester United.

The England and Bayern Munich star, 25, is desperate for a move to Lancashire.

He said: “It would be a dream for me. My dad’s from Bolton and all his family are there so, for me, it’s not like Man United showing interest in a German player, there are very specific ties. My family is there.”

“I’m under contract at Bayern but it is important that, when you believe in something, you make it clear and say the things you believe in.”

3) Ash to be Bashed by Cash

ASHLEY COLE will be quids in against former club Arsenal on Sunday — and here’s the proof.

Thousands of fake £20 notes taunting the Chelsea left-back have been doing the rounds at the Emirates Stadium and on the internet ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash.

Gunners fans are still angry with Cole, dubbed Cashley, over his summer move to the Blues.

A club source said: “The whole thing is just a bit of banter but it’s had a lot of support from the fans.

“Thousands were dished out at the last home game against Tottenham and the plan is to wave them whenever Cole gets the ball.

4) Fabregas fears over Radioactive plot

CESC FABREGAS feared he could have been caught up in the radioactive murder mystery of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The shocked Arsenal ace, 19, revealed: “The plot happened in a restaurant I always go to.”

Fabregas regularly ate out in London at the sushi restaurant where the Russian spy was poisoned to death.

And he was petrified to discover traces of the same polonium-210, ingested by Litvinenko, have been detected at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

“I knew there were aeroplanes that could have been infected and that part of the plot happened in a restaurant I go to regularly.

“Although I like Japanese food a lot until everything is cleared up I won’t go back there as a precaution.”

5) Kop eye £450 Million buyout

LIVERPOOL are at the dawn of a new era after taking a giant stride towards another foreign takeover in the Premiership.

The Anfield club have given Dubai International Capital permission for an intense study of the books — and a £450million deal could be completed after Christmas.

Chairman David Moores has agreed to relinquish control and will sell part of his 51 per cent stake.

Yet with DIC, the investment branch of Dubai Holdings, unlikely to get involved in the day-to-day running, he is set to retain his position, as will chief executive Rick Parry.

The figure is made up of £250m for a new stadium and Liverpool’s current £80m debt, valuing the club itself at around £170m.

Moores has been seeking new investors for three years but has previously knocked back all offers — most notably from local businessman Steve Morgan and now deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

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Quotes of the Week

“Yeah, it's as simple as that" Gareth Southgate speaks for millions of football fans when asked if Ronaldo is a diving cheat.

"Gareth Southgate is very naïve. He is a young manager, we need to give him time to settle in" Sir Alex Ferguson responds to the Middlesbrough boss as only he can.

"It is your team, it is not for me to tell you which players to buy. You are going to be judged by how the team performs. It is your throat that is going to be cut if you do not produce results" - Eggert Magnusson talking to Alan Pardew, who must now be very, very worried…

"With the ability I possessed, and still have, I'd have played for a Manchester United, a Liverpool or a top foreign side if I'd gone through my career a stone and a half lighter. The extra weight has hampered my fitness and movement" roly-poly John Hartson realises that he shouldn’t have eaten so many pies.

"If you stayed down in my day, the crowd would be saying you were soft, or words to that effect. Nowadays, the fans are screaming for the referee to send the guy off" - Mark Hughes points out that the fans are as much to blame for simulation as anyone else

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Last Weeks Premiership Results

Arsenal 3	Tottenham 0
Adebayor (20) Gilberto Silva (pens 42, 72)

Report: Arsenal convincingly won the first north London derby at the Emirates Stadium 3-0 against Tottenham even without injured skipper Thierry Henry. Gilberto, standing in as captain, scored in each half from the penalty spot after Emmanuel Adebayor, leading the attack in Henry's absence, opened the scoring.

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Blackburn 2	Fulham 0
Nonda (6) McCarthy (24)

Report: Benni McCarthy re-discovered his scoring touch as Blackburn returned to winning ways against Fulham at Ewood Park. While manager Mark Hughes has seen his team progress in the UEFA Cup they have tumbled down the league. But thanks to McCarthy's first goal since October - the other came from Shabani Nonda - Blackburn chalked up their first league win in eight games.

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Portsmouth 2	Aston Villa 2
Taylor (52, pen 80)	Barry (pen 37) Angel (82)

Report: Juan Pablo Angel scored just two minutes after coming on to earn draw specialists Aston Villa a point at Fratton Park. Gareth Barry put Villa in front from the penalty spot but Matthew Taylor struck twice in the second half - the second also a penalty - to put the home side in front.

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Reading 1	Bolton 0
Doyle (33)

Report: Kevin Doyle's first-half header allowed Reading to notch their fourth Premiership win in a row with a 1-0 home success over Bolton. The Royals leapfrogged Bolton, who have now won just once in eight attempts in all competitions, thanks to the three points.

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Sheff Utd 2	Charlton 1
Morgan (64) Gillespie (88)	Reid (17)

Report: Sheffield United winger Keith Gillespie deservedly salvaged boss Neil Warnock's duel celebrations by netting the winner in a 2-1 success as Charlton's agonising wait for an away victory continued. Warnock turned 58 on Friday and Saturday marked seven years in charge at Bramall Lane, but Andy Reid's first-half opener looked set to spoil the party.

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Wigan 0	Liverpool 4
	Bellamy (9, 26) Kuyt (40) McCulloch (o.g. 45)

Report: Craig Bellamy got his mind back on football in the perfect style, netting twice at the JJB Stadium as rampant Liverpool romped to their first Premiership away win at the expense of sorry Wigan, who crashed 4-0.

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Middlesbrough 1	Man Utd 2
Morrison (66)	Saha (19) Fletcher (68)

Report: Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo plunged himself into further controversy as the Barclays Premiership leaders claimed a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. Referee Chris Foy awarded United a 19th-minute penalty after Ronaldo had gone down under keeper Mark Schwarzer's challenge, although replays suggested the anger of the home fans was justified.

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Everton 2	West Ham 0
Osman (51) Vaughan (90)

Report: Depleted Everton produced a display of defiance to make sure of a 2-0 Barclays Premiership victory over West Ham which looked unlikely for long spells of the Goodison Park clash. The Hammers dominated long spells of the game, with Carlos Tevez producing his best performance for the east London club.

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Man City 0	Watford 0

Report: Reserve goalkeeper Richard Lee managed to keep out Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium and help secure a vital point for his Watford side in a dull Monday evening game.

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Charlton 1	Blackburn 0
El-Karkouri (90)

Report: Moroccan defender Talal El Karkouri crashed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Charlton celebrated 14 years back at The Valley by climbing off the foot of the Premiership and giving new manager Les Reed his first win.

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Tottenham 2	Middlesbrough 1
Berbatov (48) Keane (84)	Huth (80)

Report: Robbie Keane came off the bench to rescue Tottenham, after Middlesbrough almost snatched a point in a bad-tempered Premiership clash at White Hart Lane.

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Newcastle 3	Reading 2
Sibierski (23) Martins (pen 57) Emre (84)	Harper (37, 42)

Report: Emre fired Newcastle out of the relegation zone as the Magpies came from behind to snatch a precious 3-2 Barclays Premiership victory over Reading. The Turkey international blasted home a superb winner six minutes from time to prevent the Royals from climbing to the dizzy heights of third place.

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West Ham 0	Wigan 2
	Cotterill (51) Baines (58)

Report: David Cotterill's first Premiership goal set Wigan up for a 2-0 victory at Upton Park which left West Ham firmly in relegation trouble. The Welsh forward, 19 this week, was making only his second league start since signing from Bristol City for £2million and curled his 50th-minute shot into the top right-hand corner.

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Team of the Week - Arsenal

Faced with a mini-crisis, a spat between coach and star player and daunting looking matches against local rivals Spurs in the Premiership and the potential banana skin against FC Porto in the Champions League, Arsenal have come through this week well. A 3-0 win in the North London derby was a welcome result at their new home, and hanging on for a draw against Porto means the Gunners are now in third position in the Premiership and through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Not so bad after all!

Player of the Week - Craig Bellamy

Going through the anguish of a court case is not the best way to prepare for a football match, especially when you have not hit form so far this season. Craig Bellamy though was excellent for Liverpool this week in their professional 4-0 victory over Wigan. Liverpool finally converted their chances into goals, and maybe Bellamy could evolve into a key part of the Liverpool side – If he stays away from nightclubs that is…

Donkey of the Week - Alan Pardew

When Eggert Magnusson’s takeover of West Ham was completed, one of the first items he dealt with was to back his manager Alan Pardew. Looking at Premiership history though – Pardew should not take this as a definitive seal of approval, Magnusson was spotted sitting next to Sven-Goran Eriksson this weekend having a good chat, and with the Hammers woeful home loss to Wigan on Wednesday following on from another loss to Everton, don’t bet on Pardew being in the hot seat at the end of the season…

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Upcoming Premiership Games (Sat 9th, Sun 10th, Mon 11th)

Blackburn v Newcastle
Suspensions
Injuries BLA - Roberts, Reid, Nelson, Enckelman
NEW - Duff, Moore, Harper, Bramble, Parker, Krul, Ameobi, Owen, Bernard
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Newcastle are starting to show signs of life in the Premiership, with a hard fought win over Reading this week. However their injury list remains a concern and facing Blackburn away will be a tough proposition for Glenn Roeder’s boys. Blackburn have been solid at Ewood Park and should take three points here.

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Bolton v West Ham
Suspensions BOL - Ben Haim
Injuries BOL - Fortune, O’Brien
WHM - Gabbidon, Ashton
Prediction 2-0

Reason: Alan Pardew must be praying for the transfer window to come quickly, as his squad desperately need an injection of confidence and new talent. Carlos Tevez is finally beginning to show some form, but it is goals that the Hammers need, and I expect this game at the Reebok to prove too much for them. Bolton Home Win.

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Liverpool v Fulham
Suspensions
Injuries LIV - Zenden, Warnock, Gonzalez, Sissoko, Kewell, (Aurelio)
FUL - Niemi, Quedrue, Bullard, Elrich, Pembridge
Prediction 3-1

Reason: Liverpool were relieved to finally knock in a few goals away from home at Wigan last week. With the players they have, they should be able to continue that form into this game at Anfield, and Fulham would be happy with anything from this game, but are likely to go home with nothing.

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Man Utd v Man City
Suspensions
Injuries MAN - (Solskjaer), (Park Ji-Sung)
MAC - Mills, Jihai
Prediction 2-2

Reason: The Manchester derby usually throws the form book out the window, but City fans will be a little happier going into this game, with better results and improved performances over the last few weeks. United look like an unstoppable juggernaut at the moment however, but do not be surprised to see Stuart Pearce’s side take a point here.

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Middlesbrough v Wigan
Suspensions MID - Boateng, Cattermole
WIG - Heskey
Injuries MID - NONE
WIG - Valencia, Filan, Teale, Taylor
Prediction 1-1

Reason: Wigan are developing into a tough side to play, whether home or away this season. A good 2-0 victory against West Ham this week will have made ‘boro boss Gareth Southgate nervous, and indeed I expect Wigan to continue their away form with a draw at the Riverside.

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Portsmouth v Everton
Suspensions POR - Mendes
Injuries POR - Stefanovic, Cole
EVE - Neville, Anichebe, Arteta, Cahill, Pistone, (Hibbert)
Prediction 1-0

Reason: Portsmouth have an excellent record at Fratton Park this season, and with Everton missing several key players for this game, expect the Toffee’s to play for the draw, but come home with nothing.

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Tottenham v Charlton
Suspensions TOT - Zokora
Injuries TOT - Mido, Gardner, (Stalteri)
CHA - Thomas, Lisbie
Prediction 3-1

Reason: This should be a game that Tottenham will expect to pick up three points. Charlton won for the first time under Les Reed against Blackburn midweek, but the team has still not quite gelled, and with Spurs performances improving, with the impressive Huddlestone in the centre of the midfield, they should run out easy winners.

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Watford v Reading
Suspensions WAT - Mahon
Injuries WAT - King, (Carlisle)
REA - Convey, Cox, Mate, Kitson, Brown
Prediction 2-1

Reason: Steve Coppell’s Reading have been the surprise package this season and have been playing well of late. Watford though will have targeted this game as one that they must win, and will have more confidence against a former Championship side. I can see them just nicking this game to relieve some of the pressure.

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Chelsea v Arsenal
Suspensions ARS - Senderos, Toure
Injuries CHE - Cech, J Cole, (Cudicini)
ARS - Henry, Diaby, Lauren
Prediction 3-1

Reason: Chelsea’s second big game of the last couple of weeks – they handled the first game well enough coming from Old Trafford with a draw, and should win this one without too much trouble. It doesn’t seem like Henry will play for Arsenal, and to be honest their squad isn’t quite good enough this year. The Blue steamroller should continue at Stamford Bridge…

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Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
Suspensions
Injuries SHF - Davis, Armstrong, Akinbiyi, (Tonge)
AST - Sorenson, Sutton, Laursen, Moore, Delaney
Prediction 1-1

Reason: Aston Villa have stuttered a little recently, in trying to match their excellent early season form, but have still lost only one game away from home. They have only won one as well however, and this game against battling Sheffield United has draw written all over it.

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Wed 13th

Chelsea v Newcastle
Suspensions
Injuries CHE - Cech, J Cole
NEW - Duff, Moore, Harper, Bramble, Parker, Krul, Ameobi, Owen, Bernard
Prediction 2-0

Reason: The Magpies have been banging in the goals lately, and seem to be finding their feet. Their massive injury list continues to affect them however, and a game away from home at Stamford Bridge is not what they need right now. Expect them to try to stifle the game, as they did against Arsenal, but this time they surely won’t repeat that result.

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Wigan v Arsenal
Suspensions
Injuries WIG - Valencia, Filan, Teale, Taylor
ARS - Henry, Diaby, Lauren
Prediction 1-3

Reason: Wigan cannot seem to string results together this season, and a good game is invariably followed by a bad one. If Arsenal lose to Chelsea on Sunday they will see this game as a must win in the race for the Champions League, and should take the three points back to North London.

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Barclays Premiership Form Table

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