Toyota Football Fever Show 27
What the UK papers said this week?
1) Abramovich snubs Chelsea celebrations
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH blanked Chelsea’s Carling
Cup celebrations.
His snub left the players fuming, and it makes manager Jose
Mourinho’s exit this summer even more likely.
The Russian billionaire first failed to visit
the Blues’ dressing room to congratulate the team,
manager and coaches after the win over Arsenal. He then
avoided the victory party held at London’s Aura nightclub
on Sunday night.
It is the first time Abramovich has not gone to the dressing
room when Chelsea have won a trophy, and his behaviour is
in stark contrast to the last time they won the tournament
in 2005.
Abramovich then paid for a lavish party at
La Famiglia restaurant in Chelsea following the win over
Liverpool. The reclusive owner also delighted boss Mourinho
and his squad by drinking champagne from the Carling Cup
and leading a chorus of ‘We are Chelsea’.
2) Curbs says goodbye to Anton
ALAN CURBISHLEY told Anton Ferdinand he has
no future at West Ham in a furious dressing room row.
Boss Curbishley clashed with the England Under-21
star after Saturday’s 4-0 humiliation at Charlton.
Angry Curbs told his flops several of them would be out
the door this summer.
Ferdinand demanded he “name names”
and Curbishley pointed at the defender and said “You!”
The former Charlton manager then walked away
from the dressing room to avoid further confrontation with
his players.
The bust-up came after a defeat at The Valley
that saw them slide below their relegation rivals. An Upton
Park source said: “It is one thing after another —
the team is in meltdown.
3) Eto’o offered to Reds
RAFA BENITEZ’S agent has admitted Liverpool
have been offered Samuel Eto’o.
The Anfield boss is considering a summer raid for Eto’o,
25, with Barcelona looking to offload the Cameroon ace.
But Barca want to spark a bidding war to
push the price-tag up to £30million and are touting
Eto’o around England with Chelsea also interested.
Benitez’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon
said: “Barcelona have made Eto’o available on
the English market. He has been offered by agents to Liverpool
among others.”
4) Carlton’s Debt Problems
WEST HAM are in a new jam after bailiffs came
looking for Carlton Cole yesterday.
Debt collectors were refused entry to the
Hammers’ Essex training ground as they tried to collar
Cole over outstanding Congestion Charge payments.
The former Chelsea striker, 23, is believed to owe around
£800 following several weeks of non-payment in a dispute
with Transport For London.
Cole is refusing to cough up, telling pals
he is innocent as he was not driving his car when it passed
through the Central London Congestion Zone.
Club staff turned the men away when they
turned up just before training yesterday at around 10.30am.
5) United land Brazil whizkid twins
MANCHESTER UNITED have signed identical Brazilian
twins as their future full-backs.
Fabio and Rafael Silva put pen to paper on
pre-contract agreements from Brazilian side Fluminese. The
youth internationals will join up with United on July 9,
when they turn 18.
Rafael revealed it was Cristiano Ronaldo
who sealed the deal. The right-back said: “When we
were negotiating, Cristiano Ronaldo phoned us saying that
Manchester United was a tremendous club and it was a wonderful
place to play football.”
Left-back Fabio said: “We were there
to be familiar with the club and we played part of a friendly
match. “We were on the same pitch as Rooney and Ronaldo.
They were very kind with us.”
Quotes of the Week
“I went on the pitch because I wanted
to calm things down. Basically I am not strong enough to
do that. I overestimated my power a little" Arsene
Wenger admits he is more mental, less physical.
"I don't care about what happened on
the pitch, I'm just glad to have got the three points..."
Wayne Bridge after the Carling Cup Final win. Maybe Eboue
hit him harder than he thought…
“Plenty of managers who have won the
Champions League will not be considered great managers"
Arsene Wenger, who is still a little bit miffed with Jose
Mourinho…
Last Weeks Premiership Results
| Fulham 1 |
Man Utd. 2 |
| McBride (17) |
Giggs (29)
Ronaldo (88) |
Report: Cristiano Ronaldo
blasted home an 87th-minute winner as Manchester United
dug deep into their reserves of strength to take a massive
stride towards the Barclays Premiership title with a 2-1
win at Fulham.
| Charlton 4 |
West Ham 0 |
Ambrose (24)
Thomas (34, 80)
D Bent (41) |
|
Report: Alan Curbishley's
return to The Valley turned into a nightmare as his West
Ham team were humiliated 4-0 by his old Charlton charges
in their Premiership relegation clash.
| Liverpool 4 |
Sheffield United 0 |
Fowler (pens 20, 25)
Hyypia (70)
Gerrard (73) |
|
Report: Liverpool rested
seven of their Nou Camp heroes from the starting line-up
- and still cruised to a 4-0 victory over Sheffield United
that stretches their unbeaten home league record to 30 matches.
| Middlesbrough 2 |
Reading 1 |
Viduka (7)
Yakubu (69) |
Oster (87) |
Report: Mark Viduka and
Aiyegbeni Yakubu combined to hand Reading a lesson in finishing
and dent their European hopes by securing a 2-1 home win
for Middlesbrough.
| Watford |
Everton 3 |
| |
Fernandes (23)
Johnson (pen 25) Osman (90) |
| Wigan 1 |
Newcastle 0 |
| Taylor (40) |
Solano (pen miss 31) |
Report: Paul Jewell celebrated
becoming the longest-serving manager in Wigan's history
with a priceless 1-0 victory over Newcastle. Jewell, in
charge for his 250th league game to surpass the record set
by Bryan Hamilton, watched his side move six points clear
of the relegation zone.
| Blackburn 3 |
Portsmouth 0 |
Nonda (1, 25)
Warnock (50)
Nonda (pen miss 60) |
|
Report: Shabani Nonda blew
his chance of a Premiership hat-trick but still sent Blackburn
soaring into the top 10 as two first-half strikes help sink
dismal Portsmouth 3-0 at Ewood Park.
| Tottenham 4 |
Bolton 1 |
Keane (11, 22)
Jenas (19)
Lennon (90) |
Speed (pen 37) |
Report: Robbie Keane scored
twice and set up another against Bolton before getting sent
off and watching Tottenham complete a 4-1 victory from the
sidelines at White Hart Lane.
Carling Cup Final
| Chelsea 2 |
Arsenal 1 |
| Drogba (20, 84) |
Walcott (12) |
Report: Three players were
sent off as Chelsea came from behind to win the Carling
Cup for the second time in three years with a 2-1 win over
Arsenal - but skipper John Terry was not around to lift
the trophy after being taken to hospital following a sickening
kick in the head.
FA Cup Fifth Round Replays
| West Brom 1 |
Middlesbrough 1 |
| Carter (26) |
Viduka (63) |
Middlesbrough win 5-4 on pens
Report: Middlesbrough clinched
a home FA Cup quarter-final with Manchester United after
triumphing in a penalty shoot-out against West Brom at The
Hawthorns.
| Reading 2 |
Man Utd 3 |
Kitson (23)
Lita (84) |
Heinze (2)
Saha (4)
Solskjaer (6) |
Report: Reading were the
width of a crossbar away from completing one of the finest
comebacks in FA Cup history at the Madejski Stadium as they
went down 3-2 to Manchester United. Three goals down after
just six minutes following some catastrophic defending against
Manchester United, the Royals responded in regal fashion,
but it was just not enough.
| Blackburn 1 |
Arsenal 0 |
| McCarthy (89) |
|
Report: Benni McCarthy heaped
more knockout woe upon Arsene Wenger's Arsenal after clambering
off the bench to shoot Blackburn into the FA Cup quarter-finals
with a dramatic late winner at Ewood Park.
Team of the Week - Tottenham Hotspur
Both Blackburn and Man Utd both had great
weeks taking three points in the League and progressing
in the FA Cup, but the best performance of the week was
by Tottenham Hotspur, who played at home against Sam Allardyce’s
Bolton. Spurs have had an up and down season so far, and
are not achieving what they set out to, but recently they
have been playing some excellent football, with strikers
Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov forming perhaps the most
fearsome strike force in the Premiership this year. The
4-1 victory over the Trotters merely confirmed that Spurs
are finally moving in the right direction.
Player of the Week - Mark Viduka
Mark Viduka is certainly getting on in years
now, but the stocky Australian hitman has been putting in
some of his best performances recently. He is surely Middlesbrough’s
most valuable player at the moment along with Jonathan Woodgate,
and his two goals this week helped Boro gain three league
points and advance to the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup.
He is certainly enjoying life under Gareth Southgate, but
how long can his form last?
Donkey of the Week - Alan Curbishley
For anybody who didn’t see West Ham’s
game against Charlton last week, the 4-0 scoreline did not
flatter Charlton. West Ham produced one of the worst first-
half performances of the season to go in at the break three
down. While it cannot be disputed that the Hammers have
a poor group of players at the moment, and injuries have
taken a toll, the blame for this defeat must rest at the
feet of new manager Alan Curbishley. Tactically, West Ham
were completely undone in the first half, Charlton wreaking
havoc in the huge gaps left in midfield. Hearing his own
fans cheering for the opposition manager must have been
the icing on the cake for Curbishley in his old home...
Upcoming /Premiership/Champion’s
League Games
Premiership (Saturday 3rd & Sunday
4th)
Liverpool v Man Utd
Suspensions
Injuries LIV - Garcia, Kewell, (Crouch)
MAN - NONE
Prediction 1-0
Reason: There is no doubt
that this will be a very tight game at Anfield. Liverpool
are unbeaten in 30 games here and United have not been quite
at their best recently, needing a last minute goal to beat
Fulham at Craven Cottage. With Liverpool on form, and their
strikers in the goals, I can see a home win here, unless
Cristiano Ronaldo has something to say about it that is!
Arsenal v Reading
Suspensions ARS - Adebayor, Toure REA - Duberry
Injuries ARS - Diaby, Clichy, van Persie
REA - Mate, Sonko, Convey
Prediction 3-1
Reason: Arsenal will be
unhappy at having been beaten in both cups this week, and
will be looking to put their season back on track at home
in the Emirates against Reading. Steve Coppell’s side
are just starting to stutter a little, and I think that
European football may just be beyond them this year. Home
win.
Fulham v Aston Villa
Suspensions FUL - Montella
Injuries FUL - Quedrue, Bullard, Elrich, Niemi, Pembridge,
Elliott
AST - Sutton, Delaney, (Samuel), (Gardner), (Moore)
Prediction 3-1
Reason: This should be a
simple win for Fulham here. They have been playing well
at home all season, and Villa’s recent away form has
been horrific. The cottagers were unlucky to lose to Man
Utd after a spirited performance last week, but there should
be no such problems against a Villa side, still being shaped
by boss Martin O’Neill.
Man City v Wigan
Suspensions WIG - Hall
Injuries MAC - Sinclair, Onuoha, Mills, Dickov
WIG - (Scharner), Heskey, de Zeeuw, Kirkland
Prediction 1-0
Reason: Wigan believe they
have now turned the corner with seven points out of the
last twelve, but going away to Man City will be a harder
proposition for them and I think that there confidence could
be short-lived if City get on top. Stuart Pearce may start
with new striker Emile Mpenza, who has 17 goals for Belgium
– and he is much needed in a City side bereft of decent
strikers.
Newcastle v Middlesbrough
Suspensions
Injuries NEW - Krul, Ameobi, Owen, (Dyer), (Carr), (Ramage),
(Emre), (Moore)
MID - Huth
Prediction 2-2
Reason: Middlesbrough have
had a good week, and will go into this match with great
confidence. With Yakubu and Viduka on form, goals are not
a problem, especially against a still poor Newcastle defence.
Newcastle should also get goals at home though, so a score
draw North-East derby is most likely here.
Sheffield Utd v Everton
Suspensions EVE - Anichebe
Injuries SHF - Li Tie, (Kilgallon), (Leigertwood)
EVE - McFadden, Van Der Meyde, (Valente)
Prediction 1-2
Reason: Sheffield United
have proved quite tough to break down at Bramall Lane, and
are still not quite safe from relegation, but David Moyes’
Everton can fight with the best of them, and have now added
some skill to their side as well. With Johnson up front,
and Arteta, Cahill and Fernandes in midfield I feel they
will have too much for the Blades here.
Watford v Charlton
Suspensions
Injuries WAT - King
CHA - Gibbs
Prediction 0-1
Reason: The four-nil win
over West Ham last week will have done Charlton the world
of good confidence-wise. Now Alan Pardew’s men will
believe they can stay up, but this match is vital to them.
Watford look down already, and while I am sure they will
battle to win this game, I don’t think they will manage
to take anything from it.
Portsmouth v Chelsea
Suspensions CHE - Mikel
Injuries POR - Lauren, Stefanovic
CHE - Terry, Boulahrouz, J Cole
Prediction 0-2
Reason: Portsmouth’s
great start to the season is now beginning to come undone.
Pompey’s problem is that they are finding it hard
to score goals, while their normally watertight defence
is beginning to leak. Chelsea should capitalize on this
at Fratton Park, and will expect to take all three points
back to the Bridge with them.
Bolton v Blackburn
Suspensions
Injuries BOL - O’Brien, (Davies)
BLA - Savage, Ooijer, Reid
Prediction 2-0
Reason: Bolton Wanderers
will be desperate to kick start their season again, after
some poor results lately, and a Lancashire derby against
rivals Blackburn is the best way to do it. There will be
plenty of fight from both sets of players, but I think this
will suit the Trotters more, and with home support as well,
they should win this game.
West Ham v Tottenham
Suspensions WHM - Reo-Coker TOT - Keane
Injuries WHM - Neill, Upson, Gabbidon, Collins, Ashton
TOT - Assou-Ekotto, King, Dervite, (Gardner), (Huddlestone),
(Barnard)
Prediction 1-1
Reason: West Ham have hit
rock bottom and gone below that with their 4-0 loss to relegation
rivals Charlton last week. The body language from players
and manager looks bad, and if this game was at Tottenham,
there would be only one winner. As it is though at Upton
Park West Ham have a chance – and against their London
rivals they may get just enough motivation to steal a valuable
point from in form Spurs.
Champion’s League (Tuesday
6th & Wednesday 7th)
Chelsea v Porto (1-1 after
first leg)
Prediction CHELSEA TO WIN
Reason: Chelsea needed a
rare Andriy Shevchenko goal to draw in Porto, but that goal
was vital to the Blues. It means that the Portuguese need
a goal at Stamford Bridge, which will allow Chelsea to attack
with pace. Expect Shevchenko and Robben to feature heavily.
Liverpool v Barcelona (2-1
after first leg)
Prediction LIVERPOOL TO HANG ON
Reason: Liverpool have already
done the hard work in this tie at the Nou Camp, and only
need to draw at Anfield to progress. With their excellent
record at home, and miserly defence, against a faltering
Barca side they should be able to manage it.
Arsenal v PSV (0-1 after
first leg)
Prediction ARSENAL TO FALL SHORT
Reason: Arsenal have it
all to do after losing in Eindhoven, and in their new home
they will be hoping the 60,000 fans generate a good atmosphere.
I just feel though that the Gunners may not manage to get
the goal that they need, and could be hit on the counter
by a good PSV side.
Man Utd v Lille (1-0 after
first leg)
Prediction MAN UTD TO COAST HOME
Reason: There is no doubt
that Lille feel wronged after the first leg two weeks ago.
They should not, but the incident is sure to galvanise their
team to play better at Old Trafford. Having said that though,
there is a major difference in quality between the two sides,
and United should win this to ease through.
