Toyota Football Fever Show 19
What the UK papers said this week?
1) Its all Jose’s fault
MICHAEL BALLACK claims his disappointing start
to life at Chelsea is down to Jose Mourinho's tactics. Ballack,
30, has failed to have an impact after joining on a free
transfer from Bayern Munich in the summer.
And the German international insists his failure
to adapt to life in the Premiership is a direct result of
the way the champions play.
He said: "I would have hoped there would
be more crosses in the air for me to score from."At
Munich the tactics were similar but there were far more
crosses.
"The game we play is slightly different from what I
was used to. The full-backs do not press forward as they
did at Bayern.
2) Chelsea have run out of luck
SIR ALEX Ferguson has stepped up the mind
games with Jose Mourinho by claiming Chelsea have finally
run out of luck in their pursuit of a third successive Premiership
title.
Chelsea's festive stumble has been compounded
by a chronic injury crisis which has decimated their defence
and left them trailing leaders Manchester United by six
points heading into the second half of the season.
Fergie wasted no time in claiming: "Maybe
Chelsea's luck is changing - they've had some incredible
fortune in the last couple of years.
"They scored in the last minute against
Wigan and Spurs last season, then scored in the first two
minutes against us at the end of last season, things like
that.
3) Get me Out of Here
JAVIER MASCHERANO has demanded a move away
from Premiership strugglers West Ham. Mascherano, 22, has
played just six minutes since the Hammers lost at Tottenham
on October 22.
And the Argentina international believes
he has no choice but to leave despite the recent arrival
of new boss Alan Curbishley.
Mascherano said: "I must get out of
here. I cannot stay at West Ham any more like this, without
playing. "At my age, my game will only stagnate if
I do not get the chance to play.
4) Hammers to net £9.8 Million
SWP
WEST HAM believe they have landed Shaun Wright-Phillips
in a £9.8million deal. The Upton Park club have agreed
the fee with Chelsea.
‘The Sun’ revealed Hammers chief
Alan Curbishley is confident of signing Wright-Phillips,
24, and is just awaiting permission to finalise the player’s
personal terms.
West Ham’s new owner Eggert Magnusson
and Chelsea have ironed out the transfer, but Blues boss
Jose Mourinho has yet to give his permission for the sale.
He is wary of losing another player when
Joe Cole could miss the rest of the season through injury
and Dutch star Arjen Robben is out with a muscle tear. It
is thought Mourinho wants to bring in a top-quality replacement
before saying ‘Yes’ to Wright-Phillips going.
5) Watford snub Young bids
WATFORD have snubbed three £5million
bid for star striker Ashley Young.
Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd revealed three Premiership teams
had moved for the England Under-21 star this week, offering
big money. Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all been
linked with Young, 21.
Boothroyd said: “I have had three Premiership
clubs on the phone making verbal bids for Ashley Young,
but I have turned them all down.
“As it stands, I absolutely do not
see him leaving this month, but if he comes to me and demands
to get away, I will have to listen.”
Quotes of the Week
"I would love an Aston Martin but if
you ask me for £1m for an Aston Martin, I tell you,
you are crazy because they cost £250,000.” Jose
Mourinho on the January sales, whose analogy fails to mention
that the buyer of the Aston Martin has previously shelled
out £5m on quite a few Protons.
"We need to shut a few people up and
get on the bus with a result" Alan Curbishley proves
he is an inspiration in the dressing room with his teamtalk
notes for the Reading game.
"I am ashamed. I am shocked at the way
we played. We played like a bunch of drunks. If we keep
on playing like this, we will definitely be relegated. The
situation is very bad. I felt like crying". West Ham’s
Yossi Benayoun doesn’t want to be replaced in the
transfer window.
"My problems with Birmingham started
when I went into the boardroom at St Andrew's and David
Sullivan [the Brum co- owner] came up to me and said: 'Simon,
I have known you for a few years but you keep yourself to
yourself. Are you gay?'" Crystal Palace chairman Simon
Jordan on his dislike for Birmingham City.
There are times coming into this league as
a team from the Championship, you feel like you are a water
pistol up against multi-million pound cannons" –
Watford manager Adie Boothroyd gives a wonderful assessment
of his striking talent.
Last Weeks Premiership Results
(Sat 30th December)
| Charlton 2 |
Aston Villa 1 |
Bent (57)
Hughes (90) |
Barry (pen 40) |
Report: Charlton midfielder
Bryan Hughes climbed off the bench to give Alan Pardew the
first win of his reign as Addicks boss as the London club
beat Aston Villa 2-1
| Blackburn 2 |
Middlesbrough 1 |
Nonda (9)
McCarthy (74) |
Yakubu (pen 61) |
Report: Benni McCarthy salvaged
three more priceless Barclays Premiership points with the
winning goal in a 2-1 success for Blackburn and heaped more
away-day misery upon struggling Middlesbrough at sodden
Ewood Park.
| Bolton 3 |
Portsmouth 2 |
Faye (30)
Campo (40)
Anelka (62) |
Taylor (2)
Cole (89) |
Report: Nicolas Anelka took
his tally to seven goals in eight games as Bolton, unlikely
Champions League contenders, chalked up a fifth successive
Barclays Premiership win with a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth.
| Chelsea 2 |
Fulham 2 |
Rosenior (o.g. 35)
Drogba (62)
|
Volz (16)
Bocanegra (84) |
Report: Fulham's Carlos
Bocanegra rocked Chelsea with a late equaliser to leave
the champions six points adrift of Manchester United at
the top of the Barclays Premiership after a 2-2 draw.
| Everton 3 |
Newcastle 0 |
Anichebe (9, 58)
Neville (62) |
Martins (pen miss 45) |
Report: Victor Anichebe
enhanced his burgeoning reputation with two goals to upstage
compatriot Obafemi Martins as Everton destroyed Newcastle
3-0 at Goodison Park.
| Man Utd 3 |
Reading 2 |
Solskjaer (33)
Ronaldo (59, 77) |
Sonko (38)
Lita (90) |
Report: Cristiano Ronaldo
provided Sir Alex Ferguson the 65th birthday present he
wanted more than any other as Manchester United stretched
their lead at the Premiership summit to six points with
a 3-2 home win over Reading.
| Tottenham 0 |
Liverpool 1 |
| |
Luis Garcia (45) |
Report: Luis Garcia scored
on the stroke of half-time to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory
and bring Tottenham's run of home success to a halt. Spurs
had won their previous 12 games at White Hart Lane but were
undone in first-half stoppage time when Liverpool took advantage
of poor defending.
| Watford 1 |
Wigan 1 |
| Priskin (44) |
Heskey (23) |
Report: Watford and Wigan
will have to replay this match after they were forced off
11 minutes into the second half with the score 1-1 because
heavy rain made the pitch impossible to play on.
| West Ham 0 |
Man City 1 |
| |
Beasley (83) |
Report: Manchester City
eased their own relegation fears with a 1-0 win at West
Ham which kept the home side firmly stuck in the Premiership's
bottom three.
| Sheff Utd 1 |
Arsenal 0 |
| Nade (41) |
|
Report: Christian Nade and
Phil Jagielka emerged the heroes as Sheffield United conjured
up a remarkable 1-0 victory over Arsenal. Nade, a free-transfer
signing from Le Havre in the summer, scored the winner five
minutes from the break - his first Premiership goal for
the Blades.
Last Weeks Premiership Results
(Mon 1st & Tue 2nd January)
| Liverpool 3 |
Bolton 0 |
Crouch (61)
Gerrard (63)
Kuyt (83) |
|
Report: A stunning Peter
Crouch overhead kick, a Steven Gerrard volley and a late
goal from Dirk Kuyt gave Liverpool a 3-0 victory over Bolton
at Anfield and lifted them into third place in the Barclays
Premiership.
Report: Watford survived
a ferocious first-half onslaught in an incident-packed Barclays
Premiership clash with Fulham to leave Craven Cottage with
a point from a goalless draw.
| Man City 2 |
Everton 1 |
| Samaras (50, pen 72) |
Osman (84) |
Report: Georgios Samaras
put 17 games of goalscoring misery behind him to net the
second-half double which allowed Manchester City to welcome
the New Year on a winning note with a 2-1 success over Everton
at Eastland
| Middlesbrough 3 |
Sheff Utd 1 |
Viduka (36)
Yakubu (69, pen 76) |
Jagielka (pen 45) |
Report: Aiyegbeni Yakubu
banished Middlesbrough's festive frustration with a second-half
double as his side eased to a crucial 3-1 victory over fellow
strugglers Sheffield United.
| Portsmouth 1 |
Tottenham 1 |
| Mwaruwari (29) |
Malbranque (50) |
Report: A half-time reshuffle
and Steed Malbranque's header into an empty net rescued
a 1-1 draw for Tottenham at Fratton Park, but Martin Jol's
side are still suffering Premiership travel sickness after
just one away win all season in the league
| Reading 6 |
West Ham 0 |
Gunnarsson (12)
Hunt (15)
Ferdinand (og30)
Doyle (36,78)
Lita (53) |
|
Report: West Ham's season
sunk to new depths at the Madejski Stadium as Reading exposed
their defensive inadequacies in a comprehensive 6-0 thrashing.
| Wigan 0 |
Blackburn 3 |
| |
Heskey (o.g. 37)
Derbyshire (58)
McCarthy (pen 76) |
Report: Wigan crashed to
a fifth consecutive defeat to plunge their fast-disintegrating
season into further crisis as a 3-0 rout by Blackburn made
it five successive losses at the JJB Stadium for the Latics.
| Newcastle 2 |
Man Utd 2 |
Milner (33)
Edgar (74) |
Scholes (40, 46) |
Report: Teenager David Edgar
snatched a precious 2-2 draw for Newcastle as Manchester
United were denied a nine-point lead at the top of the Barclays
Premiership
| Arsenal 4 |
Charlton 0 |
Henry (pen 30)
Gilberto Silva (45)
Van Persie (pen 76, 90) |
|
Report: Arsenal moved back
into the top four of the Premiership thanks to the return
of their French talisman Thierry Henry as they crushed 10-man
Charlton 4-0.
Report: Aston Villa put
another dent in Chelsea's hopes of completing a Premiership
title hat-trick by deservedly holding Jose Mourinho's side
at Villa Park.
Team of the Week - Liverpool
The Reds were faced with a difficult New Years
fixture list, playing Tottenham away – a team that
had only lost once at White Hart lane this season, and Bolton,
who will always give the opposition problems with their
physical play. That Rafa Benitez’s side came out with
two wins is great credit to the way he has got his side
playing, and if the boys from Anfield can win their two
cup games this week, the season will not look to bad for
them.
Player of the Week - Kevin Doyle
The 23 year old Irish lad was only brought
into Reading as back up last season, but he has impressed
everyone at the club with his goalscoring exploits. He was
an integral part of their promotion last season, and has
been excellent again this season, now on 10 goals in the
Premiership. Two goals were added in the drubbing of West
Ham, and he was an important part of the team that almost
held Manchester United. Reading will just hope that he decides
the Madjeski is the place he wants to stay.
Donkey of the Week - Danny Gabbidon
It was a straight competition between West
Ham players this week, with each of them seemingly falling
over themselves to register the poorest performance. Danny
Gabbidon was particularly awful against Reading however
– he was all over the place, and has been in many
performances this season. Ominously for him though, he was
never the key part of the team last season that some other
players were, and could well find himself replaced in the
next few weeks
The F.A. Cup 3rd Round (Fri
5th, Sat 6th & Sun 7th January)
Birmingham City v Newcastle United
VERDICT BIRMINGHAM WIN
Reason: The leaders of the
Championship are playing injury hit Newcastle, in what could
be a real chance of a Premiership scalp for the boys from
Brum. The crowd at St. Andrews will be roaring on the in-form
home side, and I think this will tilt the match in the Blues
favour.
Chelsea v Macclesfield Town
VERDICT CHELSEA WIN
Reason: As romantic a tie
as you could have in the F.A. Cup, with the second bottom
team in League Two playing the second top team in the Premiership.
Macclesfield are 50-1 to win this, and despite boss Paul
Ince’s know-how, I think this will be one way traffic.
Doncaster Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
VERDICT BOLTON WIN
Reason: Home advantage will
play a big part in this tie pitching League One Doncaster
against Sam Allardyce’s Bolton. Doncaster are not
badly placed as well, but Bolton are not a team to roll
over without a fight and will enjoy this potential cup scrap,
and should win through.
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Prediction MIDDLESBROUGH WIN AFTER A REPLAY
Reason: Championship Hull
take on Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough in what could
turn out to be a win for the lower placed team. Hull City
are fighting relegation in their league, and this match
gives them a great chance of some glory this year. Middlesbrough
on the other hand are more concerned with the fight they
have in the Premiership, but I still feel this one will
go to the Premiership side maybe after a replay
Liverpool v Arsenal
VERDICT LIVERPOOL WIN
Reason: A titanic match
up here for the third round, with the two big guns fighting
it out. Liverpool will be expected to win as they have the
home advantage and certainly have the better cup pedigree
– but with Thierry Henry back it could be interesting…
Nottingham Forest v Charlton Athletic
VERDICT NOTTINGHAM FOREST WIN
Reason: The F.A. Cup will
be the last thing on Charlton’s minds as they are
struggling in the Premiership. Former giants Nottingham
Forest are flying high in League Two, but have stuttered
over the Christmas period, and will see this game at the
City Ground as a way back to form.
Reading v Burnley
VERDICT READING WIN
Reason: Championship side
Burnley have done well in the FA Cup in recent years, and
will be looking to take that form into this game against
high flying Reading. This will not be an easy game for them
though, as Reading are most definitely on form, and with
the sides meeting as recently as last season, there is nothing
for Reading to fear.
Tamworth v Norwich City
VERDICT NORWICH WIN
Reason: Non-League Tamworth
will be hoping to emulate great cup-upsets of the past when
they play Championship side Norwich at home in this FA Cup
tie. Norwich are struggling at the moment in their division,
and this could give them a chance, but the non-league sides
do not seem to be doing as well recently, so expect Norwich
to win, maybe after a replay.
West Ham United v Brighton & Hove
Albion
VERDICT BRIGHTON WIN
Reason: This should be an
easy win for the Hammers, as Brighton are two divisions
below them and struggling at that. But West Ham have just
been beaten 6-0, and need a big game to get the team up
for, and this match isn’t it. Brighton will have scented
victory in this one and will be fired up for their trip
to Upton Park, so look for a shock here.
Sunday Games
Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur
VERDICT CARDIFF WIN
Reason: Tottenham Hotspur
will not be looking forward to going to Wales to play a
team that is known for giving a big team a hard time. Not
only that, but Cardiff are starting to play well and are
gunning for a Premiership place themselves. Add to that
Spurs’ poor away form, and throw in a hostile crowd,
and this has all the makings of a cup upset.
Manchester United v Aston Villa
VERDICT MAN UTD WIN
Reason: This is a big tie,
in that it is two teams with a great FA Cup history playing
each other. The way Man Utd are playing at the moment, they
should beat any team, and the question will be whether Sir
Alex Ferguson rests any of his players or not – either
way it is difficult to see past a home win.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
VERDICT EVERTON WIN
Reason: Another all Premiership
game has Everton playing in-form Blackburn Rovers. Mark
Hughes side have started to get some results and will feel
they can win this one. Everton however only lost three games
at Goodison in 2006, and it would be an upset of sorts if
they were to lose here, although it could go to a replay.
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester
City
VERDICT MAN CITY WIN
Reason: Man City are starting
to put a good run together, and kept it going with a fortunate
win over Everton last weekend. Sheffield Wednesday are rising
up the Championship, and will prove to be a tough test for
the Blues, but with Stuart Pearce as manager, you can be
sure they will be up for it, and should beat their lower
opposition.
Two other cup fixtures this week
Liverpool v Arsenal in the postponed Carling
Cup Quarter Final
Wycombe Wanderers v Chelsea in the Carling Cup Semi Final
1st Leg
