Toyota Football Fever Show 21
What the UK papers said this week?
1) Shev: I’m a scapegoat
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO last night claimed he was
being turned into a scapegoat for Chelsea's problems.
The £30million striker insisted he
did not have a special relationship with owner Roman Abramovich,
accepted manager Jose Mourinho was within his rights to
drop him and vowed to see out the remaining three years
of his contract.
"People are putting me in the middle
of all this," said Shevchenko. "I'm being made
a scapegoat for things that have nothing to do with me."
2) Big Sam Dunn up like a kipper
SAM ALLARDYCE last night accused David Dunn
of going back on his word after Blackburn sensationally
hijacked his move for the Birmingham midfielder.
Dunn, 27, completed a £2.2million return
to Ewood Park yesterday — just 24 hours after his
Bolton medical. Allardyce thought he had got his injury-prone
target on Monday but Brum allowed Rovers to talk to their
former player and he signed a 3½-year deal last night.
Blackburn-born Dunn helped them win the Worthington
Cup in 2002 before his £5.5m switch to St Andrew’s
12 months later. Shell-shocked Bolton boss Big Sam said:
“Blackburn have pinched him off us. We were prepared
to take a gamble on David.”
3) Hammers set to pip kop to Neill
LUCAS NEILL will sign for West Ham after delivering
an amazing snub to Liverpool. The Aussie full-back had been
locked in talks with Kop chiefs about a £2million,
£35,000-a-week switch from Blackburn.
But he turned his back on Rafa Benitez and
a supposed “dream” move to Merseyside after
being offered £50,000-a-week to switch to East London.
Who said money is the root of all evil?
4) Becks wins apology from Calderon
DAVID BECKHAM received an apology from Real
Madrid president Roman Calderon in front of the whole squad.
Calderon visited Real’s training ground
to say ‘sorry a thousand times’ after branding
Becks a ‘half-actor living in Hollywood’ for
his decision to join LA Galaxy.
The Bernabeu supremo also took back his claim
Beckham, 31, was no longer a major player and not wanted
by any of Europe’s top clubs.
He said: “Beckham is an elite footballer and he has
always shown exemplary behaviour.”
5) Fergie woe at £8m Bale snub
ALEX FERGUSON has failed with an £8million
bid for Southampton teenage sensation Gareth Bale.
Manchester United manager Ferguson wants Bale,
17, to replace his unsettled Argentine left-back Gabriel
Heinze. He is even willing to buy the Wales international
and loan him back to the Championship side until the summer.
Saints chief executive Jim Hone said: “We
have turned down an £8m package for Gareth.”
The defender, Wales’ youngest-ever cap, is also wanted
by Tottenham and Arsenal but favours a move to Old Trafford
to link with boyhood hero Ryan Giggs. Southampton are reportedly
holding out for £10m.
Quotes of the Week
"Are you ready to enjoy us playing with
16-year-olds and 17-year-olds and still be chasing prizes?"
Poor little Jose Mourinho in his programme notes goes a
bit over the top about not getting money for transfers…
twenty-one million pounds for Sean Wright Phillips anybody?
"I have earned an incredible amount of
money through football" Gary Neville proving that there
is still some honesty amongst footballers…
"With the transfer window I am like somebody
who is watching people in the rain outside from inside the
window. They all hurry up out there and I am sitting here
watching it with pleasure" Arsene Wenger, proving that
those claims of being a voyeur may have something to them…
"As we say in France, 'you should try
to clean in front of your own door first before you look
outside'" Phillipe Senderos talking complete gibberish
about Ashley Cole.
"The Reading goal was so questionable,
being offside, or whatever" Sylvester Stallone, proving
that his appearance at Everton wasn’t a publicity
stunt, but because of his love for football…or whatever…
Last Weeks F.A. Cup Results
| Watford 0 |
Liverpool 3 |
| |
Bellamy (34)
Crouch (40,48) |
Report: Craig Bellamy inspired
Liverpool to a comfortable 3-0 victory at relegation-threatened
Watford as the Reds responded to their midweek humbling
by Arsenal in the best possible fashion. Bellamy scored
the first goal, made decisive contributions as Peter Crouch
struck the other two, and destroyed Adrian Boothroyd's bottom-of-the-table
side with his pace, movement and creativity.
Report: Joey Barton wasted
a glorious chance to secure Manchester City's fourth straight
win as a dismal Lancashire derby ended in a goalless stalemate
at the Reebok Stadium. Midfielder Barton summed up an uninspiring
afternoon when he somehow contrived to poke his 69th-minute
chance into the side-netting from point-blank range.
| Charlton 1 |
Middlesbrough 3 |
| Hasselbaink (27) |
Cattermole (45)
Arca (63)
Yakubu (68) |
Report: Charlton's predicament
at the wrong end of the Barclays Premiership deepened as
Middlesbrough came from behind to record their first away
league win of the season at The Valley.
| Chelsea 4 |
Wigan 0 |
Lampard (13)
Robben (63)
Kirkland (o.g. 70)
Drogba (90) |
|
Report: Chelsea provided
the perfect response to a week of speculation over the future
of Jose Mourinho by destroying woeful Wigan 4-0 at Stamford
Bridge. The Portuguese coach is reported to be leaving the
club in the summer but he asked the fans to rise to the
challenge of helping them to overcome their indifferent
period on the pitch and they certainly heeded his request
with a rousing welcome for the man who has led them to two
successive titles.
| Man Utd 3 |
Aston Villa 1 |
Park (11)
Carr (13)
Ronaldo (35) |
Agbonlahor (52) |
Report: Michael Carrick
celebrated his first goal for Manchester United as Sir Alex
Ferguson's side cemented their place at the top of the table
with a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa. The £18million
buy from Tottenham may have taken time to open his account,
but the midfielder is certainly not fazed by the big stage
as Old Trafford hosted a record crowd of 76,073, who roared
United towards putting the squeeze on Chelsea.
| Sheff Utd 1 |
Portsmouth 1 |
| Quinn (22) |
O’Neil (81) |
Report: Paul Gerrard and
Claude Davis combined to produce a comical mix-up that handed
Portsmouth a 1-1 draw on a plate at Bramall Lane. Sheffield
United looked set for victory to ease relegation worries
after taking the lead with Stephen Quinn's 22nd-minute free-kick,
before handing a point to Pompey on a platter.
| West Ham 3 |
Fulham 3 |
Zamora (28)
Benayoun (46, 64) |
Radzinski (16)
McBride (59)
Christanval (90) |
Report: West Ham fans blamed
referee Graham Poll for two points lost after he sent off
substitute striker Bobby Zamora for a second bookable offence
in a frantic 3-3 draw in which he showed the yellow card
to eight other players.
| Blackburn 0 |
Arsenal 2 |
| |
Toure (37)
Henry (71) |
Report: A goal of breathtaking
quality goal from Thierry Henry saw Arsenal make light of
Gilberto's early red card to earn a valuable 2-0 victory
at Blackburn in trying circumstances.
| Everton 1 |
Reading 1 |
| Johnson (81) |
Lescott (o.g 28) |
Report: Andrew Johnson's
late header earned Everton a 1-1 draw and a point against
Reading at Goodison Park. With Sylvester Stallone, their
newest fan, watching from the directors' box, Everton had
laboured to get back on level terms with a purposeful Reading
side.
| Tottenham 2 |
Newcastle 3 |
Defoe (14)
Berbatov (54) |
Huntington (16)
Martins (72)
Butt (73) |
Report: Newcastle midfielder
Nicky Butt was involved in an ugly half-time bust-up at
White Hart Lane then responded by firing in the winner against
Tottenham. The former England midfielder was raging at the
interval after he appeared to be slapped by Pascal Chimbonda,
but he then helped his side complete a fine comeback to
win a thrilling Barclays Premiership clash 3-2.
FA Cup 3rd Round Replays
| Middlesbrough 4 |
Hull 3 |
Hines (32)
Viduka (49, 64)
Yakubu (pen 57) |
Dawson (59, 69)
Parkin (pen 63) |
Report: Middlesbrough survived
a remarkable FA Cup fightback to clinch their place in the
FA Cup fourth round with a 4-3 victory over battling Hull.
The Premiership side looked to be cruising when Aiyegbeni
Yakubu's penalty put them 3-0 ahead, however the Championship
side almost came back, with two quick goals, before eventually
losing to Mark Viduka’s second strike of the game.
| Fulham 4 |
Leicester 3 |
McBride (35)
Montella (51, 60)
Routledge (90) |
Fryatt (13)
Mcauley (45)
Wesolowski (47) |
Report: Vincenzo Montella
came off the bench to inspire a dramatic comeback as Fulham
snatched a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with
a 4-3 win against Leicester. The Italian striker, signed
on loan from Roma, scored twice in the second half as Fulham
hit back from 3-1 down.
| Newcastle 1 |
Birmingham 5 |
| Milner (56) |
McSheffrey (5)
Solano (o.g 45)
N’Gotty (59)
Larsson (83)
Campbell (89) |
Report: Woeful Newcastle
imploded at St James' Park as Birmingham deservedly claimed
a Barclays Premiership scalp with a 5-1 win to reach the
FA Cup fourth round.
| Tottenham 4 |
Cardiff 0 |
Lennon (27)
Keane (30)
Malbranque (41)
Defoe (80) |
|
Report: Robbie Keane returned
to the starting XI and helped Tottenham cruise into the
fourth round of the FA Cup - 4-0 at the expense of Cardiff.
Team of the Week - Birmingham City
In a Third Round of the FA Cup that was sadly
devoid of any real shocks this year, Birmingham City went
a small way to correct that statistic by turning over Newcastle
United at St. James Park. And they did it in style too,
putting five past the excellent Shay Given. Newcastle were
humiliated, and Birmingham perhaps showed that a team from
the lower league can defeat Premiership opposition if they
just give it a go.
Player of the Week - Arjen Robben
It’s been a long time out of the team
for the Flying Dutchman Arjen Robben. Injuries and a rotation
policy have limited the winger’s games for Chelsea
this season, but last weekend he returned against Wigan
and was an inspiration for the Blues, having a hand in two
goals and scoring one. He caused the Wigan defence no end
of problems all afternoon, and it gives cause to wonder
whether he was as important a loss to Chelsea as John Terry
and Petr Cech.
Donkey of the Week - Chris Kirkland
There is something of a crisis at the current
time for English Goalkeeping. For many years England have
had a fine keeper behind their defence, a solid rock to
rely on even in the toughest times. But at the moment it
seems there are no keepers that are safe the way Seaman
or Shilton were. Chris Kirkland is an England hopeful, who
has been talked up for many years, but it is he who is this
week’s donkey of the week for his woeful performance
against Chelsea at the weekend. It was truly a horror show
from the ex-Liverpool man, and Wigan fans will be hoping
he improves quickly!
Upcoming Premiership Games
Liverpool v Chelsea
Suspensions CHE - Makalele
Injuries LIV - Gonzalez, Kewell, Sissoko, Garcia
CHE - J Cole, Terry, Boulahrouz, (Shevchenko), (Cech)
Prediction 1-1
Reason: A tough game to
call, it is likely to be tight. Chelsea will look to Arjen
Robben to provide some magic to unlock Liverpool’s
defence, and I feel that this may be the difference between
the sides. Chelsea will be fighting hard, and while Liverpool
have dominated the smaller teams this season, they have
looked shaky at times against the big boys. Possible stalemate…..
Aston Villa v Watford
Suspensions
Injuries AST - Sutton, Delaney, (Laursen), (Moore), (Petrov)
WAT - King, Carlisle, (Shittu)
Prediction 2-0
Reason: Watford have been
struggling all season to cope with life in the Premier League,
but at least they have battled hard to keep the dream alive.
Last week, against Liverpool, that fight seemed to have
disappeared – and at Villa Park, they cannot afford
to let that happen again. Villa should win this game comfortably.
Fulham v Tottenham
Suspensions
Injuries FUL - Niemi, Knight, Bullard, Elrich, Pembridge,
(Bouba Diop), (Jensen)
TOT - Stalteri, Jenas, (Mido), (King)
Prediction 2-1
Reason: This should be an
exciting game, with both teams featuring plenty of attacking
threat. Vincenzo Montella, straight from his FA Cup tie
winning cameo appearance in midweek, will be looking to
open his Premier League account, whilst Spurs have Defoe
and Keane competing for a regular starting place. I think
that home advantage will tell, and Fulham will sneak it.
Middlesbrough v Bolton
Suspensions
Injuries MID - Parlour, Huth, (Maccarone)
BOL - O’Brien, (Pedersen), (Fortune)
Prediction 1-2
Reason: Middlesbrough have
been inconsistent all season, and although they have had
two wins on the trot now, against Charlton and Hull, I feel
that this may cause them to relax a little. Bolton will
be playing their normal game, and will not give anything
away, and I fancy them to take all three points from the
Riverside here.
Newcastle v West Ham
Suspensions WHM - Zamora
Injuries NEW - Owen, Ameobi, N’Zogbia, Moore, Bernard,
Carr, (Duff), (Babayaro), (Bramble), (Parker), (Emre)
WHM - Ferdinand, Bowyer, Collins, Ashton
Prediction 2-2
Reason: Newcastle were on
a good run until the midweek humiliation against Birmingham,
and while they will surely want to come out and put things
right against West Ham, with their injuries I feel that
confidence may be affected amongst the young squad, and
West Ham have a golden opportunity to get a result here.
Portsmouth v Charlton
Suspensions POR - O’Neil
Injuries POR - Pamarot, Stefanovic, (Lua-Lua)
CHA - Gibbs, Bent, (Young), (Lisbie)
Prediction 2-0
Reason: Alan Pardew seems
as if he is motivating his players at the Valley, but last
weeks loss to Middlesbrough will have been demoralizing
to his team. Portsmouth are a tough team to face at Fratton
Park on a good day, and with Charlton short on confidence
and without Darren Bent, this should be an easy home win
for Harry Redknapp’s side.
Reading v Sheff Utd
Suspensions SHF - Morgan
Injuries REA - Doyle, Stack, Mate, (Gunnarsson), (Murty)
SHF - Bennett, Kilgallon, (Kenny), (Leigertwood)
Prediction 1-1
Reason: Sheffield United
have impressed this season, showing better tactical awareness
than fellow new boys Watford, despite having a squad with
limited talent. Reading in contrast have been a joy to watch,
able to play a better quality of football, but I think here
the grit and determination that Neil Warnock has ingrained
into his side will earn the Blades a draw.
Man City v Blackburn
Suspensions MAC - Barton
BLA - Mokoena
Injuries MAC - Dickov, Mills, Jihai, (Trabelsi), (Reyna),
(Hamann)
BLA - Reid, Roberts, Enckelman
Prediction 1-1
Reason: Stuart Pearce has
managed to turn around Manchester City’s early season
form, and they are well placed to avoid any relegation dogfight,
but Blackburn have been on fire recently and despite last
weeks loss to Arsenal, I think they will have enough to
take a precious point away from the City of Manchester Stadium.
Wigan v Everton
Suspensions
Injuries WIG - Camara, Scharner, (Valencia)
EVE - Valente, (Turner)
Prediction 0-1
Reason: Wigan are on an
appalling run at the moment, but have had some tough opposition
to be fair. Everton though, are not the kind of team that
you want to face when low on confidence, and I can see the
Toffees stealing this match by the odd goal.
Arsenal v Man Utd
Suspensions ARS - Gilberto Silva, Senderos,
Toure, (van Persie)
Injuries ARS - Gallas, (Ljungberg), (Eboue)
MAN - (Brown)
Prediction 2-1
Reason: This match represents
a great opportunity for Arsenal, who have not been up to
their usual standard this year, to gain back some pride
and prove they can still beat the best. With home advantage
at the Emirates, I feel that Man Utd are going to have a
hard game, and will ultimately come away with nothing.
Tuesday 23rd January
Watford v Blackburn
Suspensions
Injuries WAT - King, Carlisle, (Shittu)
BLA - Reid, Roberts, Enckelman
Prediction 1-1
Reason: Watford will be
keen to win this home game to keep their slim hopes of remaining
in the Premier League alive, but Blackburn under Mark Hughes
at the moment are playing well, and I feel they will take
a point at the very least, away from Vicarage Road.
