Paul Bestall

So yesterday saw Portugal and the Czech Republic take massive strides to joining the last and their potential opponents all open their accounts today. We've two David and Goliath clashes here in terms of history and ability and we could see two very one sided games. First up, it's the co-hosts Austria, who begin with […]

So, here are my two final choices as my two favourite games from the European Championships and both may seem suprising. Number 2: Spain Vs Yugoslavia Euro 00 Group C June 21 2000 So this was one of these games were both sides could qualify or be eliminated depending on other results. Sometimes, that can […]

Romanian striker Adrian Mutu has been ordered to repay Chelsea a staggering £9.6 million in compensation after his sacking in 2004. FIFA ruled on the decision following Chelsea's attempt to sue Mutu to cover losses incurred by his transfer fee and wages paid to him during his 14 month spell. Mutu was banned from football […]

The Mexican winger Giovani Dos Santos has completed his £5million move to White Hart Lane from Barcelona this afternoon. Dos Santos has signed a 5 year contract and joins up with his team mates for pre-season training on July 7th. It was a signing we discussed last weekend here on EPLTalk.com. Spurs had been in […]

Udinese fullback Andrea Dossena has become the first Italian international to sign for Liverpool. The players agent has confirmed that Dossena has passed his medical at Anfield earlier this week and expects the move to be finalised next week. Liverpool have paid £7 million to capture the exiciting fullback and he had a clutch of suitors chasing […]

After my initial choice for 5th, Here are my next two favourite matches from the European Championships. Number 4: Holland Vs Yugoslavia Euro 00 Quarter Finals June 25th 2000 Occasionally, when you're as obsessed with football as much as me, you sit through some dire games. This wasn't a game that I had that bad a […]

The Everton manager, David Moyes, has been awarded compensation in his writ against Wayne Rooney for damaging his professional reputation. The case was brought over allegations made in Wayne Rooney's 2006 Autobiography "My Story So Far" regarding how Rooney came to leave Everton and sign for Manchester United. In the book, Moyes had been accused […]

As we build up to the impending start of the 13th European Championships, I thought I’d take a walk down memory lane and share my five favourite games that this tournament has thrown up over the years with you and I’ll start with the match that hooked me in to become the football obsessive that […]

The Italian squad has suffered a major scare today with the news that talismanic defender, Fabio Cannavaro, is having to seek hospital treatment on ankle injury received in training. Cannavaro was injured in an accidental clash with the full back Giorgio Chiellini. Reportedly, Italy's doctor, Paolo Zeppilli said “We have to do tests but it does not […]

Less than a week after being cut from the French 23 for the European Championships, the AC Milan midfielder Matthieu Flamini has been recalled as cover for Patrick Vieira. Squads can be changed anytime until midnight on June 8th and Domenech has serious concerns that Vieira may not recover from a thigh injury in time to play […]

Blackburn Rovers fans will be stunned to discover this morning that the club have allowed Manchester City permission to discuss the vacant manager’s position with Mark Hughes. A brief statement has been placed on Blackburn’s website and reads as follows: "Blackburn Rovers can confirm that they have received a request an approach from Manchester City […]

In a move that has surprised no-one, Manchester City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra has sacked Sven Goran Eriksson. The only thing that has surprised everyone is how long this crazy situation has dragged on for. In my honest opinion, it is a disgrace, one based purely on ego and delusion on the part of the owner's […]

England finished the season with a comfortable win against the home side last night. Two goals from Portsmouth’s Jermaine Defoe and a lovely volley from Gareth Barry made light work of sticky temperatures and a bouncy pitch. England's line took to the field in this commerative fixture to the T & T FA's 100th birthday […]

This weekend has seen most of the participants for the European Championships have their final friendly games before the tournament begins on Saturday and saw a mixed bag of results. France could only draw 0-0 against Paraguay in Paris, though they did hit the post twice. Missing, Thuram, Vieira, Sagnol and Gallas, Les Blues will be […]

The Manchester City and Ireland defender Richard Dunne and Barcelona's Mexican wonder kid Giovanni Dos Santos are set to become Juande Ramos' latest signings this weekend. City seem resigned to losing Dunne after he turned down their offer of a new contract this week and Spurs look set to complete a £5 million transfer for […]