Soccer Gurus Asia Website

2nd March 2007

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.