Monday was a celebration of NBC retaining the Premier League for another six years. Unfortunately, Saturday was a morning of frustration when those either looking for a second screen experience (as I was doing) or trying to follow the second-halves of games were completely blacked out of NBC Sports Live Extra.

Beginning in the second half of the 10am-Noon ET games, the streams of the Premier League matches on NBC Sports Live Extra would completely stop, then pick up again approximately 30-60 seconds later, and then stop again. And then repeated the same issue until all of the streams stopped to a complete halt and were replaced with a ‘Coverage will resume shortly’ on-screen graphic. Sadly, the graphics remained on-screen for the remainder of the second half.

The issue affected all platforms as Apple TV, Roku, desktop as well as NBC’s apps for Android, iPhone and iPad. My personal experience was losing the second half of Swansea City’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle United.

Fortunately for NBC, the fall-out of the NBC Sports Live Extra issues wasn’t as severe as what it could have been especially if one of the top four clubs was being streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra. Instead, the frustrations were experienced by supporters of clubs such as Newcastle, Swansea, Watford, WBA, Sunderland, Norwich, West Ham, Leicester, Spurs and Stoke. But that’s no excuse.

One of the biggest issues with the whole situation was that it took NBC Sports approximately 30-35 minutes to inform the public they were aware of the issue and working to fix it (see tweet below).

The Live Extra team should have communicated the problem to the social media people faster than they did. The silence, as people were trying to communicate with NBC Live Extra’s Twitter account, felt deafening to some and outrageous to others.

Sunday coverage wasn’t much better as the same outages that plagued Saturday’s NBC Live Extra’s coverage were mentioned on Twitter.

In comparison, FOX Sports was, in the past, able to acknowledge a problem in a matter of minutes and resolve it even quicker when they held the Premier League rights. At least that was forgivable. NBC’s silence here was not.

NBC knows how much bandwidth is needed to ensure they can get through all events streaming at any given time and have enough available to cover at least 3 times that amount of people.

NBC Live Extra needs to continue to get better. Hopefully this is the only time we speak of these issues over the course of NBC’s time with the Premier League. However if it is not, I hope they learn to acknowledge the problem sooner instead of ignoring a public hungry for their otherwise excellent coverage of the Premier League.

Photo credit: @prezbegone

While the first forty-five minutes on Sunday were not kind to Manchester United in their hopes of winning the title, one thing was completely unexpected… If you were watching the game on Fox Soccer Plus, Manchester United’s game hadn’t even kicked off before Chelsea took a 1-0 lead thanks to the strike of Anelka.

That’s right, for viewers on Fox Soccer Plus, the Manchester United/Stoke City match on the final day of the season did not kick off live. According to readers, the kickoff didn’t occur until roughly seven minutes after the game had kicked off online at FoxSoccer.tv. EPL Talk reader Civrock tweeted his astonishment and displeasure at the delay, to which Jamie Trecker responded, “I have no idea what is going on, and I’m not going to defend it, to be frank.” According to schedule, a Serie A match was played and there was no run over past the 11 am kickoff to the Premier League match. Meanwhile, the match was being shown live on FoxSoccer.tv

I have to give Jamie Trecker a little bit of credit here. He knew Fox Soccer International had screwed up in a major way and, in situations like this, there is no reason to attempt and defend the actions of his employer. After rushing Fox Soccer Plus into existence after Setanta Sports went away, it’s been a major uphill battle getting the a la carte channel on the same number of platforms that Setanta Sports was on in the first place. It has also been an even bigger uphill battle to get subscribers for the channel.

After today, expect plenty of fans to remember this moment and be extremely hesitant to subscribe to any add-ons from Fox Soccer International. While there have been many problems with Fox Soccer’s online product, some of those issues were starting to be worked out. However, it’s a case of too little to late for many people to give the product a second chance (that implies that people gave it a chance in the first place). I would expect many of the same people to now not give Fox Soccer Plus a chance should the opportunity arise to subscribe.

What are your thoughts on Fox Soccer Plus’s final day debacle? Let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s note: Fox Soccer Plus cut their commercials short at half-time and was able to play the second half live so that it was in sync with the FoxSoccer.tv coverage as well as Chelsea’s demolition of Wigan Athletic.

Wenger also brings up the point about not getting police escorts before games, but teams associated with major championships (World Cup, Euros, ect) get them. That just boils down to the fact security is budgeted into those competitions. I’m sure if you pay the London police, or any other city police where you are, you can get an escort.

I do agree with him that it is kinda surprising that football hasn’t been targeted. Then again, it probably has been targeted and we just haven’t heard about it. We know that security has been tight around competitions of late, and it’s only going to get tighter in the future. All we can do is keep our eyes out and hope for the best, along with allowing those who are involved in security to do their jobs.

Other Stories
It would appear there is a new twist to the news reported about Liverpool’s sale talks with a Kuwaiti consortium. Investment bank Seymour Pierce is taking the consortium to court over non payment of fees associated with becoming executive advisers to the takeover bid. For now the claim is just north of 300,000 pounds. If a sale is to happen, that fee will increase by seven million.

It does appear though the takeover talks will continue, divisions looks to be coming back. One member of the consortium will only deal with Tom Hicks. Seems like history is about to repeat itself. Could we see a situation where only Hicks sells?

In other Liverpool news, Rafa Benitez has lost Yossi Benayoun for the next two weeks with a hamstring injury. Rafa is also admitting he is forcing the fitness of Fernando Torres so he is ready for Real Madrid on Tuesday night. I don’t think Benayoun is that big of a loss, even though he did score in Madrid. I wouldn’t risk Torres unless he is 100 percent. Don’t gamble the short term success only to lose out over the rest of this season.

You have to love Sir Alex Ferguson’s needling of Jose Mourinho ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday. He thinks that Inter will play for penalties. Sir Alex, you aren’t Rafa Benitez and you can only hope a repeat of Porto doesn’t happen. Fergie is also hoping that Rio Ferdinand is fit enough to play. Something tells me that an injection will be used in order to aid recovery.

Fergie also gets personal and admits he’s fearful about what will happen when he retires. I know those in the UK may not get this analogy, but it’s the only one I can see that fits. I could see what happened to Bear Bryant, former American football head coach of the University of Alabama. After coaching his last game on December 29, 1982 before retirement, he died January 26, 1983. Now Sir Alex is in much better health than Bryant was, but there is something to missing the routine that I could see him missing.

And finally, Ricky Sbragia is not happy with the careless nature Sunderland threw away three away three points against Tottenham.

And then there were five.

With one FA Cup Quarterfinal yet to be played (Arsenal v Hull City, to be played on either the 17th or 18th of March per the BBC), Sunday afternoon the FA Cup Semi-Final draw was held. Both matches will be played at Wembley Stadium April 18th or 19th for a chance at the May 30th final.

The complete draw is as follows: Arsenal or Hull City v Chelsea and Manchester United v Everton.

For Chelsea’s first Premier League opponent in the competition, a London derby is probably the last thing they wanted. Chelsea probably would have wanted face Manchester United to get rid of the demons of Scolari.  Granted that is assuming Arsenal beats Hull City (and I think they will). Everton will probably feel the most hard done by as they have to face Manchester United.

If I had to guess, Manchester United v Everton will be played on Saturday while Arsenal/Hull City v Chelsea will be moved to Sunday. As for what networks cover what games, that’s anyone’s guess.

One thing Soho Square is probably happy about is the fact we didn’t see Chelsea and Manchester United together.

What are your thoughts on this draw? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

If you woke up early Saturday morning hoping to see a Championship side make it to Wembley, you could have went back to bed before eight (eastern that is). From the opening kickoff, it was obvious the Sky Blues fans at the Ricoh Arena were going to be in for a long afternoon. The formation and tactics Chris Coleman deployed gave Chelsea all the time they wanted on the ball, and Jose Bosingwa free reign over the park.

Even more shocking was the defending of Ben Turner and Scott Dunn on Chelsea’s opener. A simple long ball that Turner should have defended quite easily wasn’t even touched. Any time the ball bounces like that, it’s advantage attacker. Give that bouncing ball to a motivated Didier Drogba and it’s over. Scott Dunn was never going to out muscle Drogba on the edge of the penalty area. About that only thing Coventry City did right in this sequence was Keiren Westwood pushing Drogba wide, just not wide enough. Fifteen minutes into the game, it was all over. The only thing of note in the second half was seeing Michael Essien return to first team action coming off the bench.

At least the first twenty minutes at Craven Cottage were pleasant on the eyes. Fulham went in search of a goal, and only have Vidic to thank they didn’t take the lead. However it was one moment of set piece stupidity that sent this game to an early conclusion.

If you’re the person responsible for a post off a corner kick, you don’t leave it. It’s the first thing said to you when the responsibility is assigned. Well for Paul Konchesky, he totally forgot his job when Wayne Rooney flicked on the corner from the near post. Carlos Tevez maybe short, but he sure as hell knows where to be and where to shoot. Mark Schwarzer wasn’t going to reach the ball, and Konchesky was caught between two minds as too what to do. Cue Carlos Tevez to shoot where Konchesky should have been. Paul stays on the post, it’s still 0-0 and a completely different match.

From there, Manchester United names their own scoreline. Tevez with a beautiful run and strike before halftime gives everyone an early afternoon in the states. The second half sees a third from Rooney before anyone can blink and Ji-Sung Park finishes it off in time for everyone to catch the early train home.

Could the 4-0 scoreline be an omen for things to come at Old Trafford? Only time will tell.

About the only positive for me this today was the fact ITV seems to not know how to block international IPs to their online broadcast of Fulham/Manchester United. Not getting to hear Clive Tyldesley that often, his presenting was a breath of fresh air. Getting to actually hear the full atmosphere, instead of the muted one on Setanta Sports was even better. And I even had my own ‘Everton/Liverpool’ moment when the second half wouldn’t load and missed Wayne Rooney’s third on ITV. That’s about the only time Setanta came in handy. The 4 second delay between seeing the picture and hearing what is being said on Setanta Sports (as has been the problem of late) is just getting old.

So we have another Premier League footballer in trouble with the law. Chelsea defender Ashley Cole early Thursday morning decided after a night out doing charity work, that he would decide to have a little too much booze and then get into a one sided yelling match with the police. The police won when they arrested him on drunk and disorderly, letting him go after only paying an eighty pound fine.

So what does Chelsea do here? According to Chelsea’s club rules, they can fine up to two weeks wages (in Ashley Cole’s case, a nice sum of 164,000). The Times is reporting he’s been fined the max, The Sun though is saying Ashley Cole is going to be let off the hook because Hiddink doesn’t want to make an example of Cole.

The eighty pound fine from the police was probably paid in petty cash from Cole’s pocket. With the FA Cup on Saturday, Ashely wasn’t going to play. What does that mean? Well it means, depending on the source you want to believe in, Ashley Cole got away with only paying eighty quid. Maybe Fabio Capello for punishment could keep him out of the England squad for a while. Then again, that might not be punishment for someone on 82,000 a week.

The other big story involves sale talks gone bad with regards to Liverpool. It would appear that the 500 million pound price tag put on the club by Hicks and Gillett is just a little too high. High enough that the talks have come to a screeching halt.

Considering the circumstances right now, I tend to agree with the Kuwait group. The economy is atrocious, and the two co-owners don’t exactly see eye to eye. If there was any big club where you could pull off a low-ball offer, right now Liverpool is it.

So what should Liverpool go for? In this situation, I don’t see the club being sold for a penny over 350 million pounds. At that price, don’t expect the club being sold anytime soon.

Other Stories
Can Everton please catch a break? The latest player out the rest of the season is Victor Anichebe. He’ll be undergoing exploratory surgery on his right knee.

Sepp Blatter has opened his mouth again. After claiming the strength of the Premier League is damaging other domestic leagues, Blatter then stated that he has Sir Alex’s support of the 6+5 rule. I wonder if Ferguson will confirm that in public, because I haven’t seen it.

Friday is judgment day for Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. He’ll find out from an Icelandic court if he has more time to sell West Ham United. Even then, June would be the next deadline. The problem will be finding someone who will pay 200 million for the club. Considering the situation Gudmundsson is in, he’ll be lucky to get 75.

Mark Hughes is warning Man City’s players to qualify for Europe…or else. Or else what Hughes, you’re looking for a new club while City’s owners eye up Arsene Wenger? While we know Wenger isn’t going to leave Arsenal for Manchester City, it did make Cesc Fabregas over react by saying he’d quit Arsenal if Wenger left.

Well the Stuart Attwell fallout has begun. This weekend he’ll be the fourth official between Bury and Rochdale in League Two. He’s also facing the ire of columnist. Nick Szczepanik feels that Attwell’s rapid rise has set him up for a big fall. Paul Wilson asks if Attwell is the worst referee in Premier League history?

And finally, Richard Scudamore insists that the 39th game overseas will happen. Just shut up about it please! This is one of those ideas that is fine on paper, but horrific in execution.

So the big story that will be blown out of proportion from United’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle is the war of words at halftime between Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephen Taylor. Nothing too serious, Ronaldo calling Taylor a rubbish footballer and Taylor in grand reply going ‘well you are ugly’ like some high school girl would say to another in the middle of a junior high spat. Why this is a story I’ll never know.

So the League Managers’ Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association have got together to come up with some recommendations about referees. I have to say some of the recommendations aren’t all bad. The main ones include setting up a way of formalizing complaints and feedback between club and ref, and having the top two divisions use licensed referees with video analysis after every game. You can read the rest of the things recommended here.

Harry Redknapp is telling his Spurs players to lay off the booze, even if they stay in the top flight. I wonder if that comes with random BAC checks?

Who would have thought it would be James Beattie heading Stoke City’s fight for survival?

Fulham are opening up contract talks with Brede Hangleand to make sure he stays a Cottager. Good idea.

Here’s the latest red top Manchester City fodder. Spending 100 million quid to sign Messi in the summer. Remember the source on this one folks.

Thank you Jose Mourinho for stating the bloody obvious when you say Manchester United will win the title.

West Ham will be without the services of Valon Behrami for the rest of the season.

And finally, Gianfranco Zola and Steve Bruce have two totally different observations about the refereeing of Stuart Attwell. One backs him, the other says he’s not ready. I’ll let you figure out which one said what.

Manchester City v Aston Villa (2:45 pm live on Fox Soccer Channel). This is big for both sides. Manchester City wants to keep it’s distance from the relegation zone, Aston Villa just wants to return Arsenal’s serve. Two things have to worry Manchester City right now. The first being the absence of Craig Bellamy and Robinho. The second being the fact Villa have ten away wins this season. Right now Villa have more to lose, but they won’t be losing this one. Manchester City 1 Aston Villa 2

Newcastle United v Manchester United (2:45 pm live  on Setanta Sports). I expect Manchester United to play their full strength eleven here. When Manchester United play them in the league, it’s just no contest. I expect another three points for the Red Devils. Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 2

Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers (2:45 pm, on delay Setanta Sports 11:00 pm). Rory Delap will be back from suspension for Stoke. Bolton is looking to win their four match in five. Two sides who play similar direct football at this stage in the season only leads me to believe in one result, draw. Stoke City 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

Wigan Athletic v West Ham United (2:45 pm, live on Setanta Xtra. On Setanta Sports 4:45 pm). Wigan should get a boost with the return of Antonio Valencia and Mido. West Ham looks to build on the Manchester City result. Will we see Savio Nsereko start this one? Only one point separate these two sides, a point is what I see both sides getting in this one. Wigan Athletic 1 West Ham United 1

Blackburn Rovers v Everton (3:00 pm, on delay Fox Soccer Channel 5:00 pm). Blackburn may get a blessing in disguise with Jason Brown in goal instead of Paul Robinson (injury doubt with a bum shoulder). Everton continue to amaze without the lack of a proper forward. Can Sam Allardyce’s side make it two in a row? I don’t think it’s likely. Blackburn Rovers 1 Everton 2

Fulham v Hull City (3:00 pm, on delay Setanta Sports 6:30 pm). I hate to sound so cruel about this match, but until Hull City can prove they can get 3 points, I just can’t pick them. This won’t be easy on the eyes, but Fulham should prevail. Fulham 1 Hull City 0

Tottenham Hotspur v Middlesbrough (3:00 pm, no TV). This match is all about how each side responds to different fortunes last weekend. It’s also the one match I don’t have a clue how it’ll go. When that happens, I just go for the score draw. Tottenham Hotspur 1 Middlesbrough 1

Tuesday and Wednesday bring a full slate of Premier League action to us as the reverse fixtures of the opening weekend are played. Tonight I’ll preview Tuesday’s action, tomorrow night I’ll preview Wednesday’s action. Remember all times are Eastern.

Portsmouth v Chelsea (2:45 pm live on Fox Soccer Channel). Portsmouth have had plenty of time to prepare for Chelsea after having a ten day break. Pompey will have seen Chelsea barely scrape by Juventus and Wigan Athletic. They will have heard Guus Hiddink say that Chelsea need to find a killer instinct. The last three Chelsea performances have proven that they can be had in the second half. The question is can Portsmouth take advantage? I don’t think so, but not for a lack of trying. Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 1

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal (2:45 pm live on Setanta Xtra. On Setanta Sports 5:00 pm). The two sides who probably at present have the most in common. Plenty of ‘pretty passing’, but no goals to show for it. Arsenal have certainly had their chances, West Bromwich Albion not so much. Both sides are desperate for points for their own individual reason. The one thing that Arsenal have going for them is the fact West Brom leave massive gaps at the back. I just don’t think they can exploit them. Yes until Arsenal can prove they can score goal for two consecutive matches, my prediction for their matches set themselves. West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 0

Liverpool v Sunderland (3:00 pm live on Setanta Sports). Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres  and Alvaro Arbeloa, but will be looking to respond after their horrific performance against Middlesbrough. Sunderland have had plenty of time to prepare for Liverpool, but right now I don’t think it matters much. Liverpool will be looking to take out their bad performance against Boro on somebody, Sunderland will get to face the brunt of that revenge. This one won’t be pretty. Liverpool 3 Sunderland 0

Other Stories
So the story that seems to be getting the most legs tonight is Guus Hididnk’s pledge that he will chase Manchester United until the end of the season for the title. Well he’s right in one thing, it’ll be an uphill battle. As a Chelsea fan, I know this title race is over. There will be no repeat of what happened last season.

Sol Campbell feels that clubs that continue to see racial abuse towards players should see points deductions. That’s a start.

Brad Friedel is comparing Aston Villa’s remaining schedule as ‘11 cup finals‘. Talk about strong talk for a side just looking to get into the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo is saying that Chris Foy wrongly booked him for diving in the Carling Cup Final. From my eyes watching the game, it sure looked like he got it right.

Speaking of the Carling Cup Final, Ben Foster will not have any action taken against him after it was revealed he used his video iPod to watch Tottenham players take penalties during the break between extra time and penalties.

And finally, David James warns there is still plenty of work to do in order for Portsmouth to avoid the drop.

On Episode 112 of the EPL Talk Podcast, Johnathan Starling interviews Harry Harris. Harry Harris is author of the book ‘Down Memory Lane’.

In this episode, Harris answers questions with regards to how this book is different from other Tottenham books. We then shift to his career in the red tops and how he got into journalism. He then answers question to how journalism has changed since he began. What percentage of the tabloid press does he believe to be made up? He answers that and more on this episode of the EPL Talk Podcast.

Listen to the Harry Harris interview.

The two big stories this weekend not related to Manchester United’s getting the first leg of the quadruple would have to be events that transpired at the Riverside and at the Emirates Stadium.

We’ll start with Liverpool because after such a great result midweek against Real Madrid, their loss at the Riverside defied belief. And the papers were quick to fill column inches with their own post match thoughts. Sam Wallace compares the Liverpool situation to that of Nigel Clough’s power struggle at Derby County. Personally I don’t see that much of a comparison as Rafa and Hicks for the moment appear to have formed a loose partnership. Piers Morgan heads down the character assassination route calling Rafa the most arrogant manager in the history of the Premier League. That’s just harsh. Patrick Barclay sneaks the line in his column about Rick Parry that Rafa is the one who has to answer for the results, not Parry himself. Don’t expect that anytime soon. This Independent column pretty much states what Rafa is confirming Sunday, the title race is all over.

It’s almost become a recording at the Emirates, a Premier League nil draw. The results are something that just baffle any mind and after the result against Roma midweek, you would think confidence would have reigned supreme against Fulham. However after Saturday’s result, all Wenger could come up with is “Maybe is is partly psychological. We are getting in good positions but not taking the chances.”

Maybe? Is that the best you could come up with? At this point it is completely psychological. When week in and week out your side can’t finish in front of goal, it becomes a mental thing. Wenger can praise your keeper all you want, and keep the faith in Arsenal’s stars, but you simply have to motivate your players to get goals. That is simply something Wenger hasn’t been able to do. Maybe Theo Walcott’s return to training can be the boost that Arsenal sorely need.

Other Stories
The other big result this weekend was Aston Villa blowing a two goal lead to Stoke City at home. That didn’t stop Tony Pulis hoping pre-match that Villa finished in the top four. Post match it was Martin O’Neill not happy at the arrogant and over confident nature Villa had after going two goals up.

In other Villa news, Martin O’Neill has responded to disgruntled Villa fans who decided to fly out to Moscow just to see the Aston Villa ‘c’ side lose to CSKA Moscow. His offer, dinner with himself and the players. I guess that works, but I was thinking more a reimbursement check for expenses after having to endure that game.

The cracks are starting to show at the KC Stadium. After Geovanni’s ridiculous antics after being subbed, Phil Brown gave him the verbal hair dryer treatment. I expect that one to get much more heated before it cools off.

Speaking of hair dryer treatments, Rio Ferdinand is still sacred of Sir Alex’s.

Tony Mowbray continues to say he will not stand down from his footballing philosophy. That’s even after another defeat.

Bolton fans probably aren’t happy after Gary Megson has agreed to a new rolling contract at the Reebok Stadium.

Florent Malouda says the lack of first team action could cause him to consider his Chelsea future. I say take a hike. You were a good player for France, but the English game is not your brand of football.

And finally, if the News of the World is to be believed (and I normally don’t unless they have the video to prove it), Manchester United is going to throw 200,000 a week at Cristiano Ronaldo to stay.

Just one more thing before I go. Has anyone noticed how many clubs are now within three points of the drop?

You may have scored, but the goal should have been disallowed.

On Friday, during my game previews, Sam wondered how Wigan could score? Today, Chelsea gave us an answer, complacency. For much of Wigan’s trip to Stamford Bridge, it was Chelsea on the back foot.

Completely against the run of play, John Terry put Chelsea ahead twenty-five minutes in. Before that, Chelsea saw Wigan have five near misses and two saved off the line. It was definitely not the opening twenty minutes Chelsea were looking for, but it did serve as a reminder that it hasn’t been easy for the Blues since Hiddink was appointed temporary manager.

After Terry’s opener, Chelsea had plenty of first half chances to put the game away but simply didn’t do the job. The second half saw Wigan return to the ascendancy but doing very little to get the equalizer. However it was after Michael Mancienne’s substitution for Ricardo Quaresma that Wigan found an equalizer they deserved. It certainly helped that Olivier Kapo had to get past  Anelka and that the space Mancienne was covering from his left back roll was the location Kapo ended up in, a slow roller all that was required to beat Petr Cech. It may have been the first goal Chelsea have allowed under Guus Hiddink, but Chelsea’s second half performance only matched those of the previous two outings.

Now to the big point of contention, Chelsea’s game winner. Michael Ballack’s flick on just inside the penalty area was a weak one, Lampard’s header didn’t exactly have that much pace on it. However the looking effort had just enough on it to be Chris Kirkland and the Chelsea celebrations ensued. But live something didn’t look right to the situation, replay confirmed how jobbed out Wigan can feel.

Getting a closer view of the game winner, look carefully at Frank Lampard and former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot. There was just enough of a push to take Melchiot out of the play, and to have the goal disallowed. Yes you may argue that it was a weak push and that Melchiot should have went up stronger to head the ball clear, I’m having none of that. Letter of the law states that goal should be disallowed and Steve Bruce has every right to be upset about it.

Wigan deserved at least a share of the spoils and would have got them had Lampard’s goal been correctly disallowed. While Chelsea got three points out of this, Wigan again exposed Chelsea’s lack of a killer attitude in the second half, and it was only after Wigan equalized did they wake up and get a game winner. While all Chelsea is doing is fighting for second place, and are currently in second place, they have to start playing better football in the second half. Yes Guus has ‘just got the result’, but if Wigan could crack Chelsea’s complacency, just about anyone could.

Other Thoughts From Today’s Action
Two jinxes couldn’t be broken today.
1) Wenger can’t do any complaining about Fulham ‘not playing football’ because Fulham out played Arsenal full stop. Until Arsenal prove otherwise, my predictions for their games will simply be 0-0.
2) As for Liverpool, make it eight years now they haven’t won at the Riverside. Despite the open Liverpool had, once Alonso’s own goal on the half hour they simply gave up the ghost. It was sad to see what happened to Liverpool in the second half. That said, that was a much needed three points Gareth Southgate needed and for the evening gets them out of the relegation zone.

I was simply wrong about the fight West Brom would have against Everton. However they just don’t have the class in front of goal to scare anyone. Sure Tim Howard had to do a little bit of work in the early kickoff, but he didn’t have much difficulty doing his job.

Saturday 7:45 am
Everton v West Bromwich Albion (Live Setanta Sports). Even with Everton’s large injury list, West Brom just haven’t shown any fight against top half of the table sides. Add the fact West Brom are away, and have shipped twelve in their last four, it’s a recipe for everyone not Everton supporters to get that extra couple of hours kip. Everton 3 West Bromwich Albion 0

Saturday 10:00 am
Arsenal v Fulham (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Historically this fixture doesn’t exactly scream must watch TV…because Fulham have yet to beat Arsenal away. Add the fact in those 21 top flight matches they have allowed 55, one would expect Arsenal to get one. However with Arsenal’s inability to score in the league of late, this one will not be pretty viewing. I do see Arsenal getting the three points. Arsenal 1 Fulham 0

Chelsea v Wigan Athletic (Live Setanta Xtra. On delay Setanta Sports 5:00 pm). Here’s another historical fixture that is just simply too one sided. Wigan have never beaten Chelsea, and the Hiddink effect has taken over Chelsea (though I haven’t been all that impressed with their late performances in matches). I do think Wigan will keep this close, but expect Chelsea to prevail. Chelsea 2 Wigan 1

Middlesbrough v Liverpool (Live Setanta Sports). If there is any time for Liverpool to get off the seven year snide at the Riverside where they haven’t taken all three points, this fixture is it. Two of the last three seasons this fixture has resulted in a nil draw. Fernando Torres is a doubt, but I don’t think that matters much. Regardless of who plays for Liverpool one of two things will happen…either another nil draw, or Liverpool will win this late. I think Liverpool wins late. Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 1.

Sunday 7:30 am
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers (Live Setanta Xtra. On delay Setanta Sports 5:00 pm). I don’t know who needs this match more, Hull City or Blackburn? Hull need to find three points from somewhere while Sam Allardyce would like to get past their these last few fixtures and get back on track. Usually when we see this only one thing happens, draw. I expect it here. Hull City 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

West Ham United v Manchester City (Live Setanta Sports). Manchester City advanced in the UEFA Cup while West Ham were humiliated on the road in the FA Cup. Craig Bellamy returns to Upton Park on form and with his extra motivation, City will get their second road win. West Ham United 1 Manchester City 2

Sunday 8:00 am
Bolton Wanderers v Newcastle United (On delay Fox Soccer Channel 4:30 pm). At the Reebok, this is a game that Bolton normally wins. With Newcastle missing key pieces to their lineup, I expect that to continue. Bolton Wanderers 1 Newcastle United 0

Sunday 10:00 am
Aston Villa v Stoke City (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Aston Villa rested their key players for this one. Stoke City have yet to win on the road. Not much to see here. Aston Villa 2 Stoke City 0

Carling Cup Final: Sunday 10:00 am
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur (Live Setanta Sports). I’m going to be very curious to see what starting eleven we see out of Manchester United. Tottenham are looking to play the same eleven that got three points against Hull City on Monday. Tottenham are looking to repeat and keep the League Cup, but Manchester United have just too much class. I do expect it to be a tense one though. Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

If there is anything to worry about, the finances of the Highbury Square development are a small cause for concern. It just isn’t the big deal that the English media are making it out to be. Here’s what we do know: the 135 million pound loan is due in 14 months time. Thanks to the economy, the property hasn’t sold in the manner Arsenal anticipated. While there is still time for the economy to turn around and for this to be a story about nothing, Arsenal have smartly started preliminary talks with Barclays, RBS and the Bank of Ireland about extending the loan payment. That alone has them one step ahead of the eight ball.

Let us not forget that historically, finances for the next six months usually end up higher than the six months that are being reported. With the Champions League TV revenue added in, and gates continuing to be strong, Arsenal look set to have one hell of a financial year.

The other big story had to just make Sepp Blatter’s day. Then again, when FIFA commissions a report from the Institute of European Affairs, you just had to figure they were going to get what they wanted to hear.

In a nutshell, this INEA report simply states that FIFA’s six plus five rule that has already been passed does not violate any European Union law. When I see quotes like “We took no instructions from FIFA. INEA accepted this commission on condition that our requirements of complete independence were met”, it tells me that there is a serious possibility that there was something exchanged in order for FIFA to come out looking good here.

The European Union has yet to get in on this act. Expect them to shortly. When they do, it’s going to be very interesting to see who ends up winning this war. Something tells me the European Union will be the ones that come out smelling like a rose.

Other Stories
I’m sure this is not what Blackburn wanted to see coming out of their FA Cup defeat to Coventry City…an allegation that Jason Roberts hit a 17 year old Coventry fan.

Salamon Kalou has expressed his desire to play for Arsenal and has admitted he will consider his Chelsea future at the  end of the season. So instead of fighting to become a regular Chelsea starter, you just want to head off to Arsenal based on one interview Wenger did?

How serious are Hull City at getting out of their slump? Recalling Dean Windass is a possibility.

And finally, what do Sheffield United feel is owed to them by the Premier League thanks to the Carlos Tevez affair? If you guessed 45.5 million pounds, you win the grand prize.

I’m happy Guus is not as thrilled about Chelsea’s 1-0 win as I am.

A bit of a side bar before I get into the news tonight. Chelsea are extremely lucky they are a goal to the good heading into their Champions League second leg. For starters, I don’t believe Didier Drogba’s goal should have counted. Frank Lampard was actively offside, and when Drogba and Lampard are both teeing up to shoot, sorry the referee has to throw the flag up.

Then there are the two obvious penalties that should have been called on both Petr Cech and Michael Ballack. Then the icing on the cake, the man in the middle completely blows the last kick of the game. Alex did get the last touch and the referee didn’t seem to care.

Guus Hiddink has every right to not be happy with Chelsea’s performance Wednesday night against Juventus. Yes the first half went by fine, but Chelsea mentally checked out in the second half. Guus was the first to admit that. He isn’t satisfied with a one goal advantage heading into the second leg, but that’s understandable knowing the task at hand heading to Italy. Being complacent on an away European night could result in their ultimate undoing.

If preparing for Real Madrid wasn’t enough, having reports over your head about your job added to the difficult task Rafa had in front of him Wednesday night. The first denials about Rafa leaving hit my RSS feeder at 9:34 Wednesday morning, but nothing concrete from the ownership at Anfield.

Liverpool will be happy with their 1-0 victory. For starters they got that cliched away goal and got a road shut out. That is Rafa Benitez at his best. Every time Rafa has been under the gun, an European night has always given him comfort. Even his post match press conference was a happy place as he committed his future to Liverpool. We’ll see come this summer.

Other Stories
For those wondering, Middlesbrough are in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win over West Ham United. Now Gareth, can you get that result in league play?

And Phil Brown is hoping that an FA Cup win Thursday night will kick start Hull City’s dead form.

More FA Cup talk as Roy Hodgson is warning Manchester United that Fulham won’t be laying down. The problem is, it’s Manchester United. Even if you don’t lay down you may end up rolled over.

So Kolo Toure didn’t know the rule about not coming onto the pitch until the referee said so once play resumed? Along with a new ritual, maybe a look at the laws of the game wouldn’t hurt.

Martin O’Neill has added his two cents into the artificial pitch debate. Of course he had to use the Champions League Final jab in his comments.

So another Premier League player has been arrested. This time it was Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller. What driving offense (or offenses) could it take to be brought in for questioning.

And finally, Tony Mowbray intends to use loan signing Juan Carlos Menseguez as a super sub for that extra spark off the bench. West Brom could use one from the start as well.

Chelsea’s first leg clash with Juventus is all about one man, Claudio Ranieri. The manager who was first fired by Roman at Chelsea, after getting one season, knew he was a lame duck and insists the fact he didn’t give up shows the character he has. For a man who thinks he did ok, he certainly did alright by me…even if that meant heartbreak against Monaco in a Champions League semi-final and Arsenal in an FA Cup final.

Guus Hiddink’s first home match in charge of Chelsea has almost taken a back seat to Ranieri’s return. But Hididnk knows his place, win and win now. While Hiddink’s preparation for Juventus wasn’t exactly ideal, Guus says he won’t make excuses if there isn’t instant success.

Chelsea/Juve is an interesting tie for sure. Two sides who’s form have appeared to mirror each other will take the park Wednesday (2:45 pm ET ESPN2). This one all falls on which set of strikers decide to show up, and if John Terry doesn’t turn out to be the liability he has been of late. While Terry did have a half decent outing against Aston Villa, Ranieri will know his old players well, and which ones to quickly exploit.

That doesn’t mean the build up to the Real Madrid/Liverpool hasn’t been dull (Setanta Sports 2:45 pm). Let’s start with the Real Madrid president predicting a 5-1 aggregate victory. We then read that Rafael van der Vaart thinks Liverpool are scared of Real Madrid. Arjen Robben, he just wants revenge.

Rafa has an interesting dilemma ahead of him. Steven Gerrard is close to being fully fit, the question is will Rafa play him? I think that answer the most obvious answer of the year (yes). Fernando Torres is looking forward to making an impact in Madrid, after not  Alvaro Arbeloa has no regrets about his past and is looking to his future with Liverpool, Xavi Alonso is a bit worried about the threat Real Madrid pose.

Real Madrid come into this tie with Liverpool on fire, Liverpool just look ice cold. Rafa has always proved his sides can do the job over two legs, and with his contract still not signed, there is extra motivation. Of all the four ties between English clubs in this round of the Champions League, this could end up being the most entertaining to watch.

Other Stories
Martin O’Neill has left key players out of the side heading to Russia for Aston Villa’s second leg tie with CSKA Moscow. While I understand his wanting to have his side focused on qualifying for the Champions League, why do I get the sneaky feeling they may end up in the round of sixteen?

Darren Fletcher had a little more on his mind than he bargained for last night after it was revealed his house was robbed and his girlfriend held at knife point. I hope these bastards are caught and get exactly what they deserve.

Could AirAsia be Manchester United’s next kit sponsor?

Steve Bruce believes South Korean international Cho Won-hee will pay off for Wigan Athletic. If Bruce can keep him healthy, he might be right.

The Football League is not happy with Wembley Stadium. Reason being, that 2011 Champions League final…well it clashes with one of the dates the Football League had already booked for the playoff finals. Expect money to exchange hands on that one.

Joe Kinnear has been told to chill out after apparently spending more time worrying about Newcastle United than recovering from triple-bypass surgery.

Here’s an interesting way to apologize. Craig Bellamy says all Robinho has to do is ‘play his best‘. You first Craig.

Giofranco Zola disagrees with those who have devalued the FA Cup, insisting he wants to win the trophy as manager of West Ham. Gareth Southgate, doesn’t plan on sacrafacing the FA Cup just because they are in the relegation zone.

And Sam Allardyce says he will stick with Blackburn, even if they are relegated.

Well the next two days will be most interesting viewing. The time has come and gone for words, the threats and promises manager and player alike have made now have to turn into results. That doesn’t mean we can’t look at what is being said ahead of the Champions League to come.

The big war of words is a return bout between Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. Mourinho is quick to remind everyone of 2004, quicker to say he’ll do it again. In a return to the Mourinho everyone in England remembered so fondly, Jose claims he does not fear United. In fact, Mourinho is gloating that he should get all the credit for turning Manchester United into what they are now.

Sir Alex has been a bit restrained in his comeback, going out of his way to goad Mourinho into a bit of comfort…saying Jose is one of the best. I can understand that, as he’s more worried about who will be in defense as he sweats the fitness of John O’Shea and Jonny Evans, knowing Rafael Da Silva didn’t make the trip and Vidic is suspended.

Jose and Fergie have different ideas on how this tie will go. Jose thinks nothing will be decided in Milan, Fergie thinks there is plenty on the line at the San Siro. James Lawton of the Independent feels that Sir Alex will win the war, despite Jose’s best attempts at winning the battle. Tomorrow night, we’ll find out.

The other Premier League club in action tomorrow is Arsenal as they host Roma. Wenger isn’t in too much of a good mood about the fact Andrei Arshavin is not eligible to play. I understand his beef, but hell rules are rules. But instead of dwelling on it too much, Wenger is just happy to be back playing Champions League football, football he says is more positive in its approach. Does Wenger not realize it’s Roma he’s playing tomorrow? I guess when Wenger’s spent some time dealing with Ferguson’s latest remarks about his side, maybe not.

John Arne Riise is looking forward to facing Arsenal, but Francesco Totti and Cicinho are facing late fitness tests. With those two out, Roma could be in serious trouble.

Other News
Mikel Arteta’s season is over. Not what Everton need as they push for a European place for next season. No word yet on how long Victor Anichebe will be out.

Petr Cech continues the campaign that there has been no unrest in the Chelsea dressing room. I wonder if David Blaine’s magic has fixed all of Chelsea’s problem.

Wilfred Bouma is getting closer to making a return with Aston Villa. It looks like his first game will be a reserve match against Chelsea on March 2.

The last thing Middlesbrough needs is an injury to a key player. Well Didier Digard will be out of action for the next twelve weeks thanks partial rupture of his quad. Ouch!

And finally, bookies forgot to take Weymouth’s fixture against Rushden & Diamonds off the board after the first team walked out. The result, they had to pay out over a million quid.

You would think Rafa Benitez would have already learned his lesson. Instead Rafa is left to choke on more words, and a title dream lost.

Before Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Rafa reacted to Arsene Wenger’s comments that Manchester United were untouchable. “I can only talk of my team but I don’t think they are untouchable. In football now every game is tough so anything can happen. We have reduced the gap very well and want to reduce it more. It will be difficult but if we’re in the same position going to Old Trafford maybe that could be important”, came the words of Rafa Benitez. Now the gap is seven and even winning at Old Trafford guarantees nothing for Rafa.

Why Rafa took the bait on what was such an innocent comment from Wenger defies belief. Instead of focusing on what Rafa was going to do without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the lineup to get three points at home against a Manchester City side that had not done much away from Eastlands this year, or even worrying about signing a new contract, Rafa decides that his vendetta against Sir Alex Ferguson is just that more important.

With Real Madrid hitting a bit of form, Liverpool have a bigger fight on their hands in the round of sixteen of the Champions League than even I expected a month ago. Should Liverpool not advance out of the Champions League, will their season truly be over with before March tenth?

Rafa may have finally admitted that the title race has slipped away from Liverpool, but it’s too late for that. He may have seen these tricks work when he managed at Valencia, but Rafa can’t fool the man who let’s the football do the talking first…then the man.

One person I never expected to come out with an almighty rant would be Tony Mowbray. The manager who’s side has been rooted at the bottom for a good portion of this season decides that before West Brom’s visit to Fulham to take a swipe at, of all things, Match of the Day. Not the show itself, just those ‘sofa pundits’ on it.

“I’ve got the world telling me I’m doing this wrong and that wrong, and playing the wrong formation. But I will stay single-minded and focused on what I believe in.

‘If the experts sitting on the sofas were good enough, they would all be doing this job themselves. Even when you get teams winning 10 games on the bounce, there are still people telling you that you are not doing something right.”

Mowbray’s West Brom then proceeded to see Fulham tear them apart in a match where 2-0 was too kind a scoreline. When that happens, those sofa pundits look like absolute geniuses. In the Championship, you can get away with single-minded tactics and thinking. In the Premier League, single-minded tactics and thinking see you relegated and begging for your job.

While I’m on the subject Mowbray, shouldn’t you be taking a little responsibility for how pathetic your teams have played? Shouldn’t you be putting the pressure on the players in private to up their standard instead of lashing out on pundits who are paid to do so (and seemingly doing a better job at pointing fingers than you are)?

There are winnable games in West Brom’s future, and now it’s the time for Tony Mowbray to show that he can adapt and be flexible. Single-minded football has been a losing proposition for West Brom so far, and sitting at the bottom of the table is not the time to be stubborn with what brought you up in the first place.

Other Stories
While not a Premier League story, credit has to go Joe Prodomo for keeping Weymouth from losing by 10 or more goals.

So Bolton Wanderers are denying rumors that Gary Megson will be sacked at the end of the season and replaced by Owen Coyle, Burnley manager. Okay I was alright up until the name Owen Coyle appeared. So Bolton want to replace a guy who currently is guiding Bolton into a mid-table finish with a guy who, while has Burnley in the playoff fight, has been proven nothing more than a cup specialist. Good going there Bolton management.

The last thing Everton needed was to see Mikel Arteta injured on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri admitted that he fell asleep while watching Chelsea play Aston Villa ahead of Juve’s Champions League clash.

And Richard Scudamore has rejected the idea of a salary cap in the Premier League. All together now…WHAT A SHOCK!

Stoke City or Portsmouth Fans Didn't See Much Football Today

For seventy minutes at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke City and Portsmouth football clubs were getting very close to contending for my ‘worst match ever watched’ title. The last twenty minutes redeemed it.

When it’s all said and done we will remember one thing from today’s match between Stoke City and Portsmouth, the penalty that should have never been given.

Just minutes after the incidental one-two Niko Kranjcar played with David Nugent to put Portsmouth ahead, Michael Jones calls a ridiculous penalty on Glen Johnson. Sol Campbell’s flick on put Johnson just out of position, but when he went to control the hand was never used, only the chest. The eyes deceived Jones and Stoke City were level, for all the wrong reasons.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear, this game deserved to end level. However in the events leading up to the goal, Portsmouth were edging their way into the ascendancy. Pompey were the ones who looked like they were going to steal three points. Only Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United have gotten the max at the loud and vocal Britannia.

How Portsmouth allowed Danny Pugh to get in that much space after Stoke went level is just beyond me. Even more so, how did James Beattie head that slow bouncing shot in? While I think Portsmouth were in the ascendancy in the build up to their first goal, they allowed one bad call to nearly give Stoke City another three points at home. Portsmouth in the end, were lucky to get a share of the spoils thanks to a poor Hermann Hreidarsson shot that ended up deflected in by Ryan Shawcross.

Michael Jones called an extremely soft game, one that a Premier League referee should not call. He left a card too many in his pocket, but didn’t leave the whistle down when he should have done so.

Other Thoughts From Today
I do feel sorry for Aston Villa. They deserved something from their game with Chelsea. If Arsenal wasn’t doing everything in their power to not climb into fourth, Aston Villa’s home form would be a worrying sight heading down the stretch.

For being unbeaten in twelve, would you want six of those to be draws? Would you want the last three to be nil draws? Then again when looking at the lineup, the only two names that struck fear were Andrei Arshavin and Robin Van Persie. Arshavin I feel was subbed off too soon (maybe over cautious by Wenger after what happened to Eduardo on Monday), Robin Van Persie was kept in check all afternoon.

Bolton will have a few weeks to breathe away from the relegation zone after getting two quick goals in the first half, putting West Ham away. West Ham though looked like they could have went a month without getting an equalizer.

So Manchester United have finally given up a goal in the league. However with Edwin Van der Sar not in goal, how soon will we grow old of hearing about ‘Van der Sar’s streak’ instead of the one Manchester United had for so long? Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick that proved the difference was simply sensational.

Saturday 7:45 am ET
Aston Villa v Chelsea (Live Setanta Sports). Guus Hiddink has had a week with Chelsea, and he gets thrown right into the fire with an away trip to third place Aston Villa. Villa at home have only lost twice…but have five draws in the process while Chelsea have shown they can win away from Stamford Bridge. Emile Heskey and James Milner are major fitness doubts for Villa. Villa pulled off the win last year at Villa Park, it’ll be tough pulling it off two seasons in the row. Guus will be an instant boost for Chelsea, but I wonder how much they will save for Juve mid week. Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 1

Saturday 10:00 am ET
Arsenal v Sunderland (Live Setanta Sports). So Saturday looks to be the day Andrei Arshavin will make his first Arsenal start. After four straight draws, Arsenal flew high with a 4-0 victory over Cardiff City this past Monday. Sunderland haven’t lost their last three in the league, and even had Arsenal on the brink earlier this season. But Arsenal are riding the high of Eduardo’s return (though he won’t feature here) and should ride out comfortable winners. Arsenal 3 Sunderland 0

Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Any time a team from London heads to the Reebok, it ends up a trickier game than they will admit. West Ham though tend to be able to scrap a result on the road. However West Ham will be without on form Carlton Cole for this one and I’m not sure where the goals will come from. Bolton will come out fighting for all three, and I expect them to get it. Bolton Wanderers 1 West Ham United 0

Middlesbrough v Wigan Athletic (Live Setanta Xtra. On Setanta Sports Saturday 5:00 pm). So is this the weekend Middlesbrough finally gets a win? Wigan are a good team, but their away form isn’t exactly the greatest in the world. Then again, Boro’s form as a whole hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire. Don’t expect much from this one. Middlesbrough 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Stoke City v Portsmouth (On delay Fox Soccer Channel 6:30 pm). Could this end up being a try-out for Paul Hart and Brian Kidd to get the job on a permanent basis? Getting a win at the Britannia Stadium could end up being the push it takes for Portsmouth to remove the caretaker tag. Stoke are a tricky side at home to get points from, but I expect the new manager boost to continue for Pompey. Stoke City 0 Portsmouth 1

Saturday 12:30 pm ET
Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Nothing much for me to say in this one except I expect the streak to continue, and I expect Manchester United to be preparing for Inter by halftime. Manchester United 4 Blackburn Rovers 0

Sunday 8:30 am ET
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion (Live Setanta Sports). James Morrison coming back should be a boost for West Brom. Roy Hodgson doesn’t have much time to get past his side not bothering to show up against Manchester United. Fulham are ripe for West Brom to get their second away win of the season. Yes I’m calling for the shock. Fulham 1 West Bromwich Albion 2

Sunday 10:00 am ET
Liverpool v Manchester City (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Liverpool players are signaling their intent about still being in the title race. That’s about the time they end up laying the golden goose nil draw. However Manchester City away from Eastlands is just that bad. I don’t expect a rout, but I don’t expect it to be that close. Liverpool 2 Manchester City 0.

Sunday 11:00 am ET
Newcastle United v Everton (On delay Fox Soccer Channel Sunday 3:00 pm ET). Newcastle are getting fit again, sans Michael Owen. Everton are looking to use their 3-1 victory as a spring board into whatever the hell UEFA wants to name their secondary competition next year (Europa League). This game sets up for Arteta and Cahill to run Newcastle right out of St. James Park. Newcastle United 1 Everton 3.

Monday 3:00 pm ET
Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur (Live Setanta Sports). Boy the tides have turned since these two met last. Hull were flying, Tottenham couldn’t buy a win even if Juande Ramos paid for it. Hull keep sliding down the table and their home form is a major part of it. Spurs away form isn’t exactly hot either, dull draw on the cards? Hull City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

What are your thoughts on this weekend’s action? Leave a comment below.

Sorry Drogba, but I have to call BS on this one.

After spending this season doing more sulking than any professional football player should be allowed to do by law, and in a week where Marseille’s president has said he wants Drogba back, Didier Drogba has attempted to shut people up by saying he wants to stay at Chelsea. He even wants to get a contract extension.

Look Drogba, get out. After showing your lack of professionalism by not bothering to fight for your spot up front when Scolari was around, you think that it’s okay to all of a sudden have a change of heart because of the new manager? You think it’s okay to do more flopping around than Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard combined? Even worse to me, you think it’s okay to take your jolly sweet time to come back from injury? Yes I will admit that by that time, Scolari had had enough of your dog and pony act and your attitude deserved nothing but the bench. However when you are benched, you fight for a spot on the team, not fight to get the manager removed.

It’s going to an awfully long time for me as a Chelsea fan to warm back up to your performances. If you only had the balls to play like you did against Liverpool in last season’s Champions League semi-final second leg, you might actually be respected as a footballer. Instead, your words ring hollow, no one cares about your prepared statement.

Other Stories
So Jimmy Bullard is going to be out another lengthy spell of time. This time, Hull City could be without their record signing for up to nine months. While Fulham is sitting back counting their money, Hull City have to be wondering if Bullard will be able to get anywhere near the form he had coming back for Fulham. At 30, that’s going to be a difficult task. Yes Paul Duffen, this was a gamble that didn’t pay off.

What’s 2 weeks to Eduardo? The time it will take to come back from the hammy he suffered in his return to Arsenal first team action.

You have to give David Moyes credit. He is going to do everything in his power to make sure Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling gradually work their way into regular first team action. The last thing Everton need is for these two to have something happen where they have to be built back up from scratch. I think these two will be just fine.

Ian Herbert is asking if this Manchester United squad is the greatest Premier League team ever?

Joe Kinnear looks set to leave the hospital this weekend. I hope part of his orders is to not watch Newcastle/Everton on Sunday.

Here’s Christopher Samba coming out and saying that Blackburn are ‘too good to go down’. Umm..sure.

And finally, Giofranco Zola goes off on the bencher. You know, the big shot at the small club who takes the big contract to ride the bench at a bigger club.

I wonder why Sir Alex Ferguson waited until tonight to say what he said, when he had every opportunity to do so last week. Then again, he always has had a knack for waiting until the points were in the bag before opening his mouth (see Kevin Keegan and Rafa Benitez).

Fergie waited to damn Chelsea out of the title race until after Manchester United saw Fulham show up in kit only. Rooney came off the bench to finish off the 3-0 victory, then Sir Alex finished off Chelsea’s title chances in his post match presser.

Now I think it’s a little bold for Fergie to claim that Chelsea sacking Scolari plays right into Manchester United’s hands. However he’s right. Chelsea sacking Scolari showed the instability at the club, and the fact that Manchester United are now ten points clear of fourth speaks volumes.

This title is truly a two horse race. That could end quickly should Manchester United beat Liverpool on March 14. It’s weird that Sir Alex mentioned 1997-98 when Manchester United blew a twelve point lead to Arsenal, but it’s always good to remember the past. It helps prevent you from slipping up.

Other Stories
I’ll start with more Manchester United news. The shut out streak continues for one Edwin Van der Sar. 1,302 minutes…that’s just simply sick.

We can also thank the Daily Mail for this one. They are already starting the countdown to a Manchester United quadruple, 100 days away. While I don’t think anyone is beating Barcelona in the Champions League, and Inter is going to give Manchester United everything they can handle in the round of sixteen, there is nothing wrong with this kinda talk. If gambling is your thing, 16-1 are the best odds you can get on the Quad.

How often will we hear of talk that Mark Hughes is not getting along with Elano and Robinho before the season is over? I don’t think this is the last.

I guess Petrov’s comments have stirred up Aston Villa a bit. Now Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks it would signal Villa’s intent if Gareth Barry put pin to paper on a new contract.

Looks like we will be seeing Mark Clattenburg back as a referee after all. He won his appeal and will start again in April, after 8 months out overall. How fast after he makes his first bad call will it be before fans start chanting about being paid off?

March looks to be the time Chelsea can expect Michael Essien back.

Harry Redknapp now appears set to be interviewed by Revenue and Customs over the whole bung scandal.

Liverpool have put in a request to not have a Champions League tie on April 15, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, should they make it to the quarterfinals. Hopefully UEFA will approve.

Fabio Capello will be at the opening of Sir Bobby Robson’s Cancer Trial Research Centre with a check for 75,000 pounds. Here hoping Sir Bobby can kick cancer for the fifth time.

And finally, Luton Town will have at least one good day in their season of hell…a trip to Wembley. They will face Scunthorpe United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.

Now that Eduardo is back, I was expecting this one. Last year when the injury happened, we got headlines galore about no apology being made. Tonight, that same headline is back.

Of course there is two sides to every story, and Martin Taylor certainly has his. He claims to have done everything to apologize after Eduardo came out of surgery, but even Taylor admits that Eduardo probably doesn’t remember it due to the drugs. Taylor then admits to doing everything possible to keep up on Eduardo’s progress. Yet, no apology…at least one Eduardo remembers.

I know it’s difficult to apologize for anything, accidents in particular. And it’s even stranger that some people want them more than others. But for Eduardo almost a year to again say that he has yet to receive a formal apology directly from Martin Taylor just doesn’t make sense to me. Does Eduardo think that he’s going to get one now?

Martin Taylor in the Daily Mail had every opportunity to say I’m sorry. Instead, Taylor just wanted to reflect on how happy he was that Eduardo was back, the death threats he received, and what would happen if the two played against each other. That tells me we probably never will read about Eduardo getting one directly from Taylor. It’s a pity, if there is anything to say ‘I’m sorry’ about, an accidental tackle that left a player out of the game he loves for a year would be it.

Other Stores
Harry Redknapp is placing their UEFA Cup tie against Shakhtar Donetsk at the bottom of the priority list. Getting out of the fight for relegation and staying in the Premier League is just a little more important than the extra two games the round of 32 brings.

I would like to thank Stiliyan Petrov for letting the whole world know he can’t make a decision on his own. Instead of deciding for himself without any outside influences helping to make up his mind about staying at Aston Villa, he’s going to wait and see what Gareth Barry does before deciding if he stays or goes. Talk about the ultimate cop-out.

Thank you Arsene Wenger for finally admitting Arsenal have no shot at the title this year. At least he’s also right in saying that Manchester United right now are untouchable.

The famous Colorado doctor Richard Steadman has a new patient, Jimmy Bullard. No wonder why Fulham was so quick to sell him for only five million pounds after he was starting to get a sniff around the England National Team. I guess the bigger question now for Hull is if Bullard will play again this season?

Two more footballers have been charged in the same assault case that Steven Gerrard was charged in. These players though play for Accrington Stanley.

In a suck up to fans move, Mike Ashley will cut the price of a season ticket in order to keep fans coming to St. James Park.

FC Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken feels that all the money Manchester City have will end up destroying football. Gotta love bulletin board material.

Mark Hughes though has finally had it with City’s players with regards to their away form. Mark, don’t you think it’s a little too late for that statement?

Marseille president is saying he’ll do everything he can to resign Didier Drogba. Works for me.

I have to admit when I first read this I simply went ‘that’s it’. But that was my first reaction to when I read that Arsenal are set to offer Theo Walcott a 50,000 a week deal to keep him at the club.

And finally in a move that I can only put into the category of ‘boy Chelsea are desperate to show their fans they are moving forward’, around 5,000 people showed up for a Chelsea training session on Tuesday.

I have to admit this is one return I am glad to see.

After getting match fit in the reserves, and helping Croatia to a friendly victory, Eduardo Da Silva returned to the Arsenal starting eleven in glorious fashion Monday night as his two goals blasted Arsenal into the fifth round of the FA Cup in a 4-0 defeat of Cardiff City.

Last year when we saw Eduardo’s horrific injury, I seriously doubted Eduardo would be back in eighteen months, much less 24. To be back in less than twelve is a credit to modern medicine.

For Eduardo every game now has to be a dream. The roar from the Emirates crowd when he headed on Vela’s ball spine tingling. While granted this was Cardiff City, Eduardo looked like he hadn’t missed a beat.

His return to the first team should be a much needed boost for Arsenal’s chances of finishing inside the top four. The only hope for me is that Eduardo bounces back from that first hard tackle that will probably be intentionally coming once he starts again in the Premier League.

It was indeed the perfect dream return for Eduardo. Here’s to many more happy returns.

There was other big Arsenal news tonight. Red and White Holdings Limited, the Alisher Usmanov group, has announced they have increased their stake in Arsenal. Now at 25 percent, they are inching their way closer to the magical thirty percent number. That is the percentage that would require formal takeover talks to begin.

Furthermore, at twenty-five percent, Usmanov can now block attempts by the Arsenal board at changing the financial structure of the club or the transfer of equity to other board members.

While it doesn’t look likely a formal takeover bid could happen in the short term, one does have to wonder what Usmanov’s intentions are with the club? Having twenty-five percent of the club, he’s been an awfully silent partner with the club. Though with share prices about twenty-five percent lower since Usmanov’s initial purchase, could we see a takeover bid? All it would take is a percentage of Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s shares.

Other Stories
Everton have shone up the services of Jack Rodwell for the next five years. With his performances of late, he deserves it. I know it’s early, and he’s no Wayne Rooney, but will Rodwell be one of these people who will want to move on in a few years time?

Guus Hiddink is worried about his players fitness. I guess age and not being at AC Milan will do that.

Rafa Benitez is claiming that he wants his Liverpool future sorted soon…and denying he wants total control of transfers. Usually when the quote reads ‘I would like to clear one thing up – I have never asked for complete control’, that usually means you have.

Robinho is doubtful for Manchester City as FC Copenhagen approaches midweek in the UEFA Cup.

Here’s the latest player to complain about English food. That person, Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Roman Abramovich has seen his wealth drop to 13.9 billion dollars. At the rate he fires managers, it won’t take long for that wealth to be zero.

And Newcastle United could be getting Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith back for their clash against Everton. However for Mark Viduka, he won’t be back next season.

On Episode 111 of the EPL Talk Podcast, Johnathan Starling interviews John Kerr, the first American to play in the old English first division.

We discuss what it was like to be a kid around the New York Cosmos during the days of Pele, what made him decide to play college soccer at Duke. We then discuss how he ended up at Portsmouth and what the transition was like to play in Europe.

What were the highs and lows of his journeyman career? How was it to deal with the Millwall supporters? How did he end up in coaching? All that and more is discussed in this interview.

All feedback is welcomed.

Is there anything Tim Cahill can’t do?

Tim Cahill’s week defines the word jet lag. From Liverpool to Japan for a World Cup Qualifier. His performance for Australia wasn’t exactly great, then again neither was Australia’s. Cahill had to be thankful Everton’s FA Cup tie against Aston Villa was on Sunday, I don’t think he would have played had the game been Saturday.

Despite the fatigue Cahill obviously had, he willed Everton into the Quarterfinals with a 3-1 thrashing of Aston Villa. It wasn’t his best day, but it was a day we are all too use to from Cahill. He set up the first goal with a header that Stiliyan Petrov should have been sent off for, only for Jack Rodwell to finish. You could almost not blame Cahill for the yellow he received in the first half, knowing there is a UEFA Cup game midweek, he could use the rest against Newcastle United. However with Steve Bennett’s allegations last week, one could wonder if he intended to get booked on purpose.

Everton’s third goal was a typical Cahill goal, right place at the right time. You would think teams would know to find him at the far post. But the way he ghosts onto said far post, he’s easily forgotten. His finishing though isn’t.

Manchester United finished off Derby County by halftime, enough said.

So that leads us into the quarterfinal draw. With a fourth round replay to be had, and a fifth round tie still to be played along with four replays, fourteen teams are still alive for those four spots at Wembley. Not one tie is set in stone either, which adds to the uncertainty of this draw. I can only go with draws I hope for. I think Chris Coleman’s Coventry City hosting Chelsea would make an interesting tie. What would Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City do at home against Manchester United? Could Burnley’s wait for the fifth round pay off with a home tie against Sheffield United, or could we see Hull City back at the Emirates? Does Everton really mind which Premier League side they get?

And now the rest of the news.
In something I said last week, Luiz Felipe Scolri has come out and hinted that John Terry did not have full support in the dressing room at Chelsea. Color me shocked.

In further Scolari post Chelsea backstabbing, Nicolas Anelka has attacked Scolari for not trying to forge the ‘dream’ partnership between Anelka and Drogba up front. That goes to show Scolari didn’t have a plan b, but I also wonder if had Scolari partnered the two up front if it would have worked out…I don’t think it would have because the two had already tuned Scolari out.

And in one last bit of Scolari news, could Manchester City be his next employer? I guess they really are that desparate for Kaka.

I wonder how much Jose Mourinho is enjoying what is going on at Chelsea?

Avram Grant is eying up the Portsmouth job. It just seems the only way he’ll get it is if Portsmouth can’t come to terms in order to get Sven.

Speaking of Portsmouth, executive chairman Peter Storrie has been rearrested with regards to the bung scandal. I guess that would leave massive tax issues.

Add Gary Neville to the list of those who have signed another year contract at Old Trafford.

And finally, Dean Ashton admits his season is over.

After Roque Santa Cruz put Blackburn ahead inside of ninety seconds, two second half goals from the Sky Blues should have been enough. But the man who deflected Michael Doyle’s shot to give Coventry the lead saved Blackburn the embarrassment of losing to the mid-table Championship outfit.

Let’s be honest, the football on offer wasn’t all that great. Coventry made this a scrappy affair after going down a goal and the results were well deserved. About the only decent things on offer at Ewood park were the goals of Roque Santa Cruz and Aron Gunnarsson, Gunnarsson’s a thing of beauty. But let’s get down to the defining moments of this match.

1) Blackburn’s two disallowed goals. The first one is hard to decipher, but Steve Tanner was in the right position at the right time to see Gael Givet’s shirt tug on Scott Dann. While Allardyce can complain about the legleslation used in giving the foul, Tanner was well within the laws of the game to call it. McCarthy’s disallowed goal for offsides was off by a mile.

2) Christopher Samba’s equalizer. You hate to blame a keeper who was called into action just minutes before kickoff, but this one is all on Andy Marshall. He should have fielded that ball safely but instead of catching it, saw it bounce off the chest. He catches the ball, Coventry are in the quarter finals. Coventry’s back four who had defended so well in the initial ninety minutes were left out on an island in injury time as they simply lost all their shape. Nice make up after helping concede Coventry’s second goal.

3) The refereeing of Steve Tanner. People say we don’t praise referees when they have a good day. Steve Tanner had a great day at the office. He and his officials got all the big calls right and while Allardyce maybe complaining, he should be doing more complaining with regards to Blackburn’s second half performance than about one call that Tanner got right.

The five thousand Coventry City fans made the faithful Blackburn few sound mute. It makes you realize what is more important to those fans. Chris Coleman should fancy his side’s chances at home of a quarterfinal draw, but they will lamenting the one moment of glory that should have been. Blackburn got too big for their britches in the second half, and should have paid the price.

Other Thoughts From Saturday’s FA Cup Action
1) Roberto Martinez needs better forward play. For all the beautiful cutting passes they had against Fulham, there was zero cutting edge in front of goal. Now that could have been because of the brilliant defending Fulham did at marking him out of the game, but if you didn’t know who was playing, could you have known who were the Championship or Premier League side?

2) West Ham United are lucky to have escaped with a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

3) Chelsea are the same old story. Their slogan should be changed to ‘we only play once we go a goal down’. Roman’s fake smile wore extra thin on me and it was nice to see grumpy Guus looking about as somber as Chelsea’s performance truly was.

4) Hull City complaining about Sheffield United’s opener was downright comical. Well taken equalizer though.

5) Five matches, four draws. Could we see a weekend where in seven matches, we have five replays?

FA Cup
Saturday 7:45 am
Swansea City v Fulham (Live Setanta Sports). Swansea’s first game at home in this season’s competition sees them host Fulham, who’s only wins this season away have been in the FA Cup. Swansea have more draws than wins at the Liberty Stadium and are close to the playoff places in the Championship. With draws abound for both sides this season, logic would dictate a replay. But Roberto Martinez has done special things with Swansea City and I think there will be magic in Wales on Saturday…for the Welsh (both Football and Rugby). Swansea City 2 Fulham 1

Saturday 10:00 am
Sheffield United v Hull City (Live Fox Soccer Channel). Hull City have been better away than they have been at the KC Stadium this season, and take on a Sheffield United side who’s form since their win against Charlton in the fourth round has been sporadic at best. The loss in the Steel City Derby to Sheffield Wednesday will still be fresh in their minds, Hull City could very well springboard after their Chelsea performance. Bet Premier League to prevail here. Sheffield United 0 Hull City 2.

West Ham United v Middlesbrough (Live Setanta Sports). I don’t know what to make of this game. West Ham is on a roll, Middlesbrough can’t buy a win in the Premier League to save their lives right now and really don’t need the extra games right now. West Ham should do them a favor and let Gareth Southgate focus on the Premier League…if he survives another loss. West Ham United 1 Middlesbrough 0.

Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City (Replay Saturday 4:30 pm Fox Soccer Channel). I wonder how seriously Blackburn will take this game being in the relegation zone. Coventry City are mid-table, just far enough out of the promotion race and safe enough from relegation that they can afford a deep cup run. However Sam Allardyce usually has a plan for situations like this and should be able to sneak a late win here. Blackburn Rovers 2 Coventry City 1.

Saturday 12:30 pm
Watford v Chelsea (Live Setanta Sports). This game has torn at me all week. Watford has a former Chelsea man at the helm and Frank Lampard Sr will be on the bench against Frank Lampard Jr. Chelsea lose a manager, have not been playing anything up to their promise, and are on the road against a side who are in a Championship relegation fight. All that keeps going through my mind is Barnsley away last season and those infamous words from Jon Motson “And it’s a goal for Barnsley”. Yes you may officially call me insane, crazy and stupid. But in a move that I hope backfires perfectly, I predict Watford to advance. Watford 1 Chelsea 0.

Sunday 9:30 am
Everton v Aston Villa (Live Setanta Sports). This to me is the tie of the round. Jo won’t be able to play for Everton, and that could play into Villa’s advantage. It’s a tricky tie for both sides as a good core of both sides have been out on international duty this week. All signs point to replay for me. Everton 1 Aston Villa 1.

Sunday 11:30 am
Derby County v Manchester United (Live Fox Soccer Channel). I don’t think Sir Alex will be fielding the same side that lost at Pride Park 1-0 back in the League Cup Semi-Final. Derby County took Manchester United to the brink then, but I think Manchester United knows how to turn the screws when the time is right and will get the result. Derby County 0 Manchester United 1.

Monday 2:45 pm
Arsenal v Cardiff City (Live Setanta Sports). Cardiff can’t play for the away draw here. Arsenal will want revenge from their first meeting. I don’t think this one will be close. Arsenal will get to the fifth round here. Arsenal 3 Cardiff City 0.

Premier League Saturday 10 am
Portsmouth v Manchester City (Live Setanta Xtra. On replay Setanta Sports 9:15 am). Will Portsmouth have the bounce back post manager sacking? Manchester City have only won once away this season and will hope their second is similar to the 6-0 victory they had back in September against Portsmouth. I simply don’t know how Portsmouth don’t respond to what happened to Tony Adams. Manchester City at home is the perfect bounce back opponent for Portsmouth. Portsmouth 2 Manchester City 0.

What are your thoughts on the action to come this weekend? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

It took a couple of days, but the rift in the Chelsea dressing room seems to have finally made it out onto the public forum of the press.

It all had to start with John Terry, doing his best to absolve his blame in Scolari’s sacking by saying he was behind the manager 100 percent, but says he was only one of two or three people behind Scolari. I hate to say this JT, but I think you are lying right out of your teeth. If you were behind the manager, where was your work rate? Oh that’s right, it wasn’t there. Where was your motivation to get everyone behind the cause? Oh that’s right it wasn’t there. Did you show to the players why you should be captain? That right, you certainly didn’t.

If you are to believe the Daily Express (and Daily Mail), the three men responsible for Scolari’s sacking are Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech. Ballack has come out and denied this, saying that it was all the players faults, not Scolari’s. Petr Cech is also saying it wasn’t him. All Drogba seems to want to say is that Hiddink’s appointment will be good.

If any player went to Roman and stated their case for Scolari to be sacked, they should immediately be put up for sale come the end of the season. It is not up to the players to decide who is or who isn’t the manager, it is up to the players to do their best to fit into the system their manager wants to play. Every single Chelsea player fits into that mold.

It’s going to be interesting to see who in the end which players were responsible for Scolari being sacked. In my mind, Ballack’s right, all of em were. In that case, attitude reflects leadership John Terry.

Other Stories
Could this be the first piece of the puzzle in Sven going to Portsmouth as Brian Kidd has come in to be an assistant. Could the second piece be Mexico’s 2-0 loss to the United States Wednesday night? The Mexican press is already calling for Sven’s head and they usually end up getting their way quickly.

Add Harry Redknapp to the list of people who will probably make a bet on Guus Hiddink staying at Chelsea once this season is over.

Daniel Agger is threatening to leave Liverpool unless he gets more first team games. Hey Agger how about this, do some of the hard work and if you’re good enough, you’ll play!

Newcastle United will wait on the next two games before deciding on if they will bring someone in to replace Joe Kinnear in the short term. While I understand they want to show some restraint, the number of games in the season is starting to dwindle, and you’re already admitting relegation fears. Dennis Wise though won’t be coming back.

And finally, it’s being reported Real Madrid are looking to get a seventy million Euro bank loan in order to fund purchasing Cristiano Ronaldo. All I can say is ‘oh brother, here we go again!’

CONCACAF World Cup Qualification begins the home stretch tonight as round one of the hexagonal begins and what a clash to start out with. The weather is miserable, but not cold in Columbus and the United States only have Mexico to contend with. Can the United States get off on the right foot? Will this be Sven’s final game in charge? In reality, this game sells itself.

Join us in the MLS Talk Chat as we discuss all things United States v Mexico from Crew Stadium. No registration is required.

For Chelsea fans, this is another case of ‘here we go again’.

The Chelsea international manager merry-go-round continued Tuesday after Roman went all guns blazing after the man who has been managing the national team of his birth. Despite all the media reports of Avram Grant, Frank Rijkaard, even the team of Giofranco Zola and Steve Clarke…it’s going to be Guus Hiddink that’ll be taking over at Chelsea for the rest of the season.

This isn’t the first time Hiddink has done the duel role. While leading PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title with a 26-6-2 mark and into the round of 16 in the Champions League, he was guiding Australia into the world cup with five wins and one loss. Now it should be said that during this time Australia was in the Oceanic region of FIFA and it can be debated that the only real test he had was their World Cup playoff series with Uruguay.

Since taking over with Russia it can be said he has led a revolution of Russian Football. However it must be said that Russia back doored into Euro 2008 after England had Steve McClaren at the helm. Right now Russia isn’t exactly sitting pretty in World Cup qualifying. They won’t be passing Germany for top spot in the group and at present are tied with Wales on points for second. The two qualifiers they have between now and the end of the Premier League season are their March 28th home tie against Azerbaijan and their April 1st clash against Liechtenstein. Let’s face it, these should be two easy wins and I’m sure if they were playing Germany in this time period, Hiddink is not taking the job.

1.5 million pounds guaranteed is alot of dosh to be paying out for what is in effect three and a half months of work, but hey it’s Roman’s money and it seems right now he wants someone he is safe with guiding Chelsea through to the rest of the season. That’s all fine and dandy, but right now Chelsea’s dressing room is a divided place to be in and there are some pretty big rifts that are going to take time to heal.

In a move that wasn’t planned out at all, this isn’t exactly sensible either. However Hiddink has been a club manager in Europe and has been under this same type of pressure. If this move was going to happen, it should have happened before the end of the January transfer window.

Getting to the end of this season is obviously Roman’s short term goal right now. Hiddink will be gone from Stamford Bridge in May and Chelsea can attempt to get Ancelotti. All Hiddink has to do is make sure Chelsea make the Champions League next season, and make deep runs in the Champions League and FA Cup. Those are lofty goals and I still don’t know the last two are all that attainable. Hiddink has the squad to get the job done, however this one is on the players. Will they rise up to the challenge like they did while Avram Grant was there, or will they continue to be the same players who have done nothing for the past two months but collect paychecks?

Other Stories
Joe Kinnear maybe having to leave another management job due to heart problems. Doctors have told Kinnear he needs to have emergency bypass surgery. We may not like him, but I wish him all the best in getting through this difficult period.

Thanks to the Daily Mail for our most worthless stat of the day. 932 managers have come and gone in England since Sir Alex started at Manchester United. Fergie mind you has no plans to retire anytime soon.

The Premier League is now talking to consider using player quotas similar to those used in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Boy they must be scared of spending controls being used because this came up out of no where.

And another rule that may get experimentation is bringing in sin-bins for yellow card offenders.

Theo Walcott thinks he will be ready for Arsenal when they travel to Rome in the Champions League.

The London 2012 organizers say football or rugby can forget playing at the Olympic Stadium once the the 2012 games come and go.

Manchester City have severed all ties with former owner Thaksin Shinawatra. It took em long enough.

And Rafa Benitez feels that Aston Villa are right in the thick of the title race.

These will be rapid fire after the fun day of news already discussed.

* Shawn Wright-Phillips receives a three match ban for the kick he gave Rory Delap. Delap is supporting SWP saying he deserved what he got after his tackle on him. And through all of this, Jose Bosingwa is just laughing that he got away with nothing.

* Monday was the 30th anniversary of the first million pound transfer, that of Trevor Francis.

* Edwin Van der Sar is getting bored about talking about the goalless record he currently has in England. Don’t blame him, I’m sure he’s getting tired of people telling him he’s that good.

* Speaking of Manchester United, Mike Phelan admits they are gunning for the quad.

* Steve Bruce admits he got the team selection all wrong against Fulham.

* Tim Howard is singing all of Jo’s praises. Let’s see how that feeling is towards the end of the loan move.

*  Tony Pulis hopes that Ricardo Fuller won’t have to miss the rest of this season due to his shoulder injury.

* I wonder how much hot water Gareth Southgate will be in after saying Middlesbrough are 85 million in debt? For a man who isn’t exactly safe in his position, that’s information I wouldn’t be letting the public in on.

* And finally, Eduardo is expected to play for Croatia on Wednesday. I am honestly amazed he is back this soon.

I must have been the only Chelsea fan in the world who wasn’t surprised by today’s news. Realistically with the FA Cup the only legit chance of Chelsea winning any trophy this season, the move had to be made now. Had Scolari been in charge Saturday when Chelsea went to Watford, Chelsea would be out of the FA Cup. You can call that last statement a bit harsh, but with the recent form Chelsea have shown, it would have been Barnsley all over again.

Back last sumer when the announcement was made, I was the only one I knew who did not like the hiring at all and went as far as to say on my CSRN show that he should have never been hired to begin with. Call it a gut feeling, but with the performances Chelsea have had this season, it was going to happen. Now it’s time to start putting the blame on who really needs it.

1) John Terry. The man who has been bailed out by Claude Makelele and Ricardo Carvalho more times than one should have to count needs to be top on this list. Back when Jose was manager, he was already trying to angle his way into management by having language written into his contract saying that he would be allowed to get into management at Chelsea once he retired as a player.

Being Chelsea captain, he has the biggest influence on the players and his leadership of late on the pitch has been downright pathetic. His public campaigning for the England National Team captaincy despite the relative silence from the other candidates (Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, even Frank Lampard) downright stupid and shows the selfish nature of his own being. If it’s not all about him, he’s plotting a way to make it all about him.

When Avram Grant was in charge, the papers ran roughshod over their feelings it was John Terry managing the club, not the man who got Chelsea into their first Champions League final. Hell he even got a personal phone call from Roman to be personally told that Scolari was sacked, almost as if John Terry has been asking about it already. Though to be fair to Terry, Frank Lampard got that same phone call.

About the time Chelsea lost their first game at Stamford Bridge in over 4 years, John Terry mentally shut down, and took the rest of the club with him. His health has been questionable the last couple of seasons, his body unable to withstand the way he plays. If anything, the captaincy needs to be stripped and given to someone who is going to put the needs of the team above his own.

2) Roman Abramovich. I question his commitment to keeping this club stable. Four managers in five and a half years, only one getting more than  season doesn’t exactly give the club you own any hope at being stable. Taking orders from players with regards to how your club is to be run makes you look weak.

He’s an ego that has to be the biggest one in the room. Forcing Andrei Shevchenko onto Jose Mourinho could be pointed to as the moment the relationship between those two went south, and the opening it took for him to start listening to players demands over what was right for the club. Once Mourinho was gone, Roman’s ego dictated to the managers that followed they had to use Jose’s team, not a team of their own.

Had Roman let Jose manage the club and not meddle in his affairs, this blog is not being written. Had Roman understood that it’s his job to not cave into players demands, this blog is not being written. And above all, had Roman run this club like a proper footballing club, this blog is not being written. Notice the owners of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal, they leave their managers alone and let them do what they do best.

3) Peter Kenyon. Why the hell is he on vacation right now? In fact I think the entire time he’s been at Chelsea it’s been one long vacation for him. As long as he stays so far up Roman’s backside, he will probably get a free pass but his personnel decisions should see him sacked. He was nothing more than a bit player at Manchester United in the grand scheme of things. Now that he’s got run of the mill on decisions Sir Alex Ferguson made, he’s proving to be nothing more than a laughing stock. He couldn’t make the same decisions that Sir Alex Ferguson routinely made and it makes you wonder if he wasn’t already out the door at Old Trafford after not getting Ronaldinho? If anyone’s head at Chelsea needs to roll the most, his should have already been gone.

4) The Fans. Sure they were happy when Ranieri was sacked, but that was because they had Jose Mourinho come in. Once Mourinho left, they were never going to give Avram Grant a chance. They got star struck once Scolari was hired but turned on him quicker than they did with Avram once results didn’t go their way. Now the fans have gotten their way again, let’s see if they will start calling for the players to actually do their job on the pitch.

Chelsea have work to do if they want to dig themselves out of this mess. Hiring a long term manager is a start, and right now that isn’t Giofranco Zola/Steve Clarke. What Chelsea need is an experienced name that is going to take no crap off the players and tell Roman that he wants full control. If full control over player decisions doesn’t come, don’t expect a big name at Stamford Bridge. If somehow a big manager comes in under the conditions Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Luis Felipe Scolari left, expect more money to be added onto the 60 million already paid out to former managers.

Fans also need to be more realistic in their expectations. Pre Roman, getting into the Champions League and a deep cup run was the highest of expectation, now they have to be in the running in all competitions entered, winning at least one or two. That’s not going to happen with the lack of stability Chelsea currently have.

I wonder if Steve Bennett will be more careful with who he talk to in regards to his job.

Now I’ll be honest with everyone. When Jeffrey Hash linked me to this story earlier Sunday morning, I simply went “It’s the News of the World…why should I care?” What I read woke me up.

His revelations that players have asked to be booked so they could miss games I’ll admit I was shocked. However it did make me wonder who these people are? Who was the ‘top international Premier League player’ who wanted to go on a family vacation? Who was the player who wanted Christmas off? Who didn’t want to travel to a ground they didn’t like? Who was the ‘ace’ as the article says that Bennett calls ‘a cheating bastard’? It almost makes me want to go back through all the games and bookings he made to see if I could narrow down possible candidates, but that could take a while.

While the Premier League needs to have Steve Bennett identify these players (I’m sure the News of the World would love to make that video available to the Premier League), one does have to question why Bennett would take the bait so easily when told. Now yes this was at the bar after midnight at a UEFA referee’s course, but Graham Poll’s right. If you are involved in sport in England, you have to be careful of anything you say to anyone you don’t know all that well. There is always the strong possibility that who you are talking to is looking to do exactly what was done in this article. With that said though, I’m bet we start taking a closer look at cards because I don’t think this article will leave our consciousness for a while…if ever.

In the end, let’s hope this doesn’t kill Steve Bennett’s career.

Joe Kinnear’s weekend visit to hospital was not a distraction Newcastle United needed, even with the 3-2 away win against West Bromwich Albion. We all know of his prior health problems and a manager heading off to see the doctor instead of the match is not my idea of spending a Saturday. But credit to the grand kid for the commentary (why didn’t he just use the radio…beats me) and the players for responding in such a positive way.

Yea Joe checked out okay, but it does make you wonder if Kinnear is still cut out for the pressures of management, as the Independent questions. Newcastle United isn’t exactly the easiest of jobs due to the club’s location and the demanding expectations of the supporters. Joe hasn’t exactly set the world alight, but Newcastle seem determined to let Kinnear sink or swim with the side this season. Unlike what happened at Portsmouth, Newcastle should be commended for that. Even if it appears to be for money reasons.

Here’s to Kinnear getting well soon.

Other Stories
Few quick fire Manchester United stories. First off congrats to Edwin Van der Sar for breaking the British record for not conceding a goal. At least he’s right about the defense giving him a lot of help in that. Secondly, Carlos Tevez had his Bentley impounded because he didn’t have a full license. That sucks. And finally, Manchester United have had to warn youth clubs about a man pretending to be a Manchester United scout who happens to be a pedophile. I hope they catch that bastard and he gets what’s coming to him.

I wonder if Chelsea fans want Avram Grant back after pulling out the same tricks they did to the manager from last season? Chelsea fans listen up…YOU’RE NOT GETTING JOSE BACK! And it’s nice to see Ray Wilkins take a page out of the Gary Megson playbook.

Giofranco Zola with the manager speak saying he wouldn’t leave West Ham for Chelsea. He’s right, I don’t think Chelsea would take him and frankly it’s too eerily similar to the whole Alan Shearer situation from last season for my own tastes.

And finally, Gareth Southgate vows to fight on as Middlesbrough manager and says he won’t quit. That maybe true, but with Adams sacking, could we see a couple more rash sackings between clubs at the bottom? I honestly hope not.

The Telegraph are reporting that come Monday morning, Tony Adams will be officially sacked as manager after only 22 games in fifteen weeks in charge. His last match in charge ended in disappointment as Portsmouth blew two leads before falling 3-2 in second half injury time. His overall record in charge 4 wins, 7 draws and 11 losses, only 2 wins, 9 losses and 5 draws in league play. One could argued that even a high point to his time at the club ended in disappointment as after going 2-0 up against AC Milan in their UEFA Cup tie back in November, AC Milan ended the game honors even.

In the interim, Johnny Metgod, first team coach appointed by Adams back in November, will take over.

From the start it was highly questionable for Tony Adams to get this job. It was a rush decision after Harry Redknapp had his head turned by Tottenham and in effect left Portsmouth in the middle of the night. His previous experience as manager lasted only one season, a season that saw Wycombe Wanderers relegated. Before even joining Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth, he wandered around at various clubs in a youth role.

I feel for Portsmouth fans. After reports started to surface about the club being up for sale and the amount of debt the club was under, we found out that there would be a delay on the start of the Dockland’s project that would have resulted in a new stadium. Add to that the mini-fire sale in January and their current relegation battle and it’s been a tough season for those who support the Fratton Park outfit.

Avram Grant and Alan Curbishley are currently favorites to take over the job. While I like Avram Grant as a manager, the English press will immediately question his motivational skills and his late game tactics. Alan Curbishley has been to this dance before and has guided teams to safety before, he’s also taken teams down. However with the way Curbishley left West Ham earlier this season, I question if he’s ready to get back into the fight this quickly.

With the relegation battle as tight as I can ever remember it, Portsmouth need to get this appointment right. Right now if I could get Curbishley to agree to take over the club until the end of the season, I’d get him. Between Curbishley and Grant, he’s the safer bet.

It was just a matter of time for Tony Adams. Had Portsmouth taken their time and got the right manager after Redknapp left, we probably aren’t talking about the loss of Lassana Diarra. There’s even an outside shot (albiet small) that Jermain Defoe is still there. Instead, Portsmouth right now hang on the brink. While right now safe, the gap is just too small.

Is this move that will stop the bleeding and can whoever is brought in lead this team to safety? Let us know by leaving your comments below.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 4/3 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 7/5 SO)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA, 1/0), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 3/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 14/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 12/1), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 7/0), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 21/6), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach: 6/2), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 6/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Xerez C.D.: 3/1), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 12/6), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 1/1) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 12/4), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich: 25/9)

Nothing much of a surprise out of this lineup. I’m glad we’re leaving Freddy Adu out of the squad as he’s not done much this season in France. Jozy was a bit of a surprise, but I think with him it’s a case of filling out numbers. I think picking Torres was a wise decision as it never hurts to have someone in the squad who has played against most of the players called up by Mexico, or a good reliable midfielder that is highly capable of starting this match.

What do you think of this squad? What formation would you like to see played and what would you like the starting eleven to look like?

Don’t forget there will be a MLS Talk Chat for this game. Start time will be Wednesday night at 6:45 pm Eastern/3:45 Pacific.

One streak was going to end at Ewood Park this afternoon. Either Sam Allardyce was going to lose his first match for Blackburn in the league, or Aston Villa was going to win seven on the trot away from Villa Park.

When it was all said and done, Blackburn Rovers turned over and Aston Villa turned on the style in a 2-0 win. In fact, it could be argued Heskey’s over turned goal should have been allowed in the seventeenth minute as I saw no push and it was Robinson who ran into his own player.

It’s amazing to look at these numbers for Aston Villa.  13 games unbeaten in the league, a club record set of seven away wins. According to the BBC, this is Aston Villa’s best run in the top flight since 1898 and that’s with a title in 1980-81. What’s even more amazing is that we’re just now truly noticing what it takes to be a consistent top four club. For the Manchester United’s of the world, you expect it. You don’t even think about it because their form is a given.

There’s no denying it now. Unless there is a major catastrophe to happen to Martin O’Neill side, they will finish in the Champions League places. The only question is can they finish in the automatic Champions League places? All it takes is third this season, and with the way Arsenal and Chelsea are playing, Aston Villa will finish within the top three.

Even if Aston Villa finish third or fourth, this has been a remarkable season for them and they deserve to be playing Champions League football next season. It’s also amazing to me what happens when you don’t hear about the ownership at the club (in this case Randy Lerner, an American) and the owners let the manager’s manage and the players play.

Sam Allardyce sums up Aston Villa perfectly. His quote “Credit to Villa as they didn’t just stop us playing but played well themselves.” They keep doing that, and they just might finish second.

Chelsea on the other hand better start thinking about the UEFA Cup. Today’s performance at home against Hull City was simply pathetic. They looked a team with no guts, no heart, and were just looking to collect a paycheck. My two day old nephew probably cared more about the result than the players on the pitch.

What’s amazing to me is the mental count I had of legit scoring opportunities in the match. I counted four for Hull City and only two for Chelsea, and one of those is still in orbit thanks to John Terry’s miss from three yards out. They look tactically dead and it’s almost as if the players have tuned Luiz Felipe Scolari out.

The players at Stamford Bridge should be ashamed of themselves, but as long as they are collecting their sick wages they don’t give a toss.  About the only thing that could change Chelsea’s fortunes is missing out on the Champions League and starting from scratch. Whole scale changes need to be made if Chelsea want to even think about moving forward for titles/trophies.

If Arsenal beat Tottenham tomorrow in the North London Derby, the battle for fourth in my mind switches to between Arsenal and Chelsea. With the squads on offer today, I’d give the nod to Arsenal. Arsenal have a historic track record of being in the top four, Chelsea simply do not.

Other Thoughts on Today
* Credit goes to Jo for his two goals today. However, did that look like a bit of a dive to set up Arteta from the spot?

* I guess the trick for Newcastle United to win is for Joe Kinnear to not be on the touchline.

* For all the excitement I had for Wigan Athletic/Fulham, but what a dud.

* I would have loved to see Rafa go off about Kuyt’s disallowed goal as he was onside. But thanks to Portsmouth throwing the game away, we probably won’t get to hear that.

Credit to the BBC via the PA for the photo.

Saturday 7:45 am
Manchester City v Middlesbrough (Live Setanta Sports. Replays: Saturday 8:30 pm, Monday 11 am, Wednesday 9:15 am and 6 pm). The time has come for Gareth Southgate to shut up and simply get a win, something his side hasn’t done in twelve games. Shay Given should be between the posts for Manchester City. Manchester City will be looking to get the Stoke City game as far away from their minds as possible, and Middlesbrough are the perfect opponents to do that. The only real question is will we all be able to get a nap during the second half? Manchester City to win 3-1

Saturday 10 am
Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa (Live Fox Soccer Channel. Replays: Monday 1 pm, Friday 3 am). This is a tricky tie for Martin O’Neill. Sam Allardyce has yet to lose, yet losing to Villa might see them at the foot of the table depending on other results. Both sides played midweek, but Aston Villa had an easier time of things. This has the makings of a draw, but I think Aston Villa will sneak one out in the end. Aston Villa to win 2-1.

Chelsea v Hull City (Live Setanta Sports. Replays: Saturday 6:45 pm, Sunday 1:45 am and 6:45 pm, Monday 7:40 pm, Wednesday 2:45 pm). Nothing is easy for Chelsea these days and despite Hull City’s recent form, they will be looking to make things tough. Chelsea though have something to prove after their pathetic performance against Liverpool. When it’s all said and done, this one will be tighter than many expect, but Chelsea pulling away late. Chelsea to win 2-0.

Everton v Bolton Wanderers (On Replay Fox Soccer Channel Saturday 8 pm, Thursday 1 pm). How much did 120 plus minutes of football take out of Everton? Was Bolton’s win over Tottenham the spring to bigger and better things? Bolton’s away form mixed with Everton’s home form makes this one also a tie that will probably end up in the snooze category. My gut says draw, and that’s what I’m predicting. 0-0 draw.

Sunderland v Stoke City (On Replay Setanta Sports: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday Midnight and 4:45 am, Monday 9:15 am, Tuesday 9:15 am, Thursday 7:30 am). Stoke City have yet to win away from home this season. I don’t think that changes here. Sunderland won’t win pretty, but they’ll win it late nonetheless. Sunderland to win 1-0.

West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United (Live Setanta Xtra. Replays on Setanta Sports: Saturday 12:30 pm and 10:15 pm, Monday 2:45 pm, Tuesday 11 am, Wednesday 7:30 am). With everyone Newcastle are missing, plus their away form, one would think this could be an easy West Brom victory. I fall into that category. West Brom to win 3-0.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham (no TV). The battle of two on form teams won’t be on in the States, and that’s a shame. However it’s understandable when Fulham haven’t won on the road all season and Wigan’s home form has been very good. I’m very curious to see how the Mido/Zaki partnership grows and if Fulham can continue the form they showed against Portsmouth. Expect this one to be tight, but for Fulham to still look for their first away win. Wigan Athletic to win 2-1.

Saturday 12:30 pm
Portsmouth v Liverpool (Live Fox Soccer Channel. Replays Saturday 11 pm, Tuesday 5 pm, Thursday 8 pm). I wonder if Liverpool are happy to be seeing an opponent in the free fall as Portsmouth are this weekend? Liverpool will have a major chip on their shoulder after Wednesday night, and Portsmouth will be their perfect whipping boy, provided Rafa gets it right. Something tells me the players will get it right for him. Liverpool to win 2-0.

Sunday 8:30 am
Tottenham v Arsenal (Live Setanta Sports. Replays: Monday 6 pm, Wednesday 8:15 pm, Thursday 9:15 am). What will happen when Robbie Keane’s first match back at Tottenham? How will Andrei Arshavin do in his first competitive match for Arsenal? Those two storylines sell this match, and I expect plenty of fireworks in this North London Derby. Arsenal can’t afford anymore draws, and Tottenham needs a win to give themselves some breathing room away from the bottom. I don’t see either of those two happening. Expect Robin Van Persie to come to the rescue again. Arsenal to win 1-0.

Sunday 11 am
West Ham United v Manchester United (Live Fox Soccer Channel. Replays: Sunday 11 pm, Tuesday 1 pm, Wednesday 11 pm). West Ham have hit their stride under Giofranco Zola, while Edwin Van der Sar is looking to break Chris Woods shutout record. Can West Ham United side break down Manchester United’s stout defense? The only thing I’m certain of is a Manchester United victory, the only thing I’m not certain of is if Van der Sar gets that record. My prediction is he won’t. Manchester United to win 3-2.

Don’t forget it’s not too late to join the EPL Talk Predictor. Sign up is quick and easy. Also remember that all times are eastern and TV replays are subject to change without notice.

 Micah Richards wins the Christmas stupidity award.

It took seven weeks, but we find out tonight that Micah Richards was arrested over a December 24th attack outside a Hale nightclub.  It is alleged that Richards attacked an eighteen year old male. In something that Mark Hughes has had some practice with, he’s already coming out in support of his defender.

With all the money these players make, with the big houses these people have, why is it they feel like they need to go out. Nightclubs are a recipie for trouble and when players can have all they need at home, take advantage of it. Look I understand players are as human as I am. But they have to be just a little bit more responsible when it comes to their actions. Their stupidity will end up on the back pages, ours won’t.

Other Stories
Aston Villa won’t make any complaints over the Andrei Arshavin transfer. I’m glad to hear that. The other 19 clubs didn’t say anything either at today’s Premier League meeting.

Three weeks looks to be the amount of time Gerrard will miss with his hamstring injury. Hopefully Gerrard will be available for at least the second leg of the Real Madrid tie.

Joe Kinnear will not be dealing with his contract as long as Newcastle are in a relegation fight. Smart man, because I’m sure he knows if they go down, he won’t be needing to bother with a new contract.

Charles N’Zogbia keeps saying that he found it difficult to work with Joe Kinnear and that’s why he wanted out. I wonder what will happen once Steve Bruce gets tough with him?

I don’t think Lucas’s apology will help him after Wednesday night.

Sylvain Distin doesn’t seem to have the right attitude about Portsmouth’s chances at staying up.

Now Michel Platini wants to get into the whole transfer window debate…oh goody.

And finally, while Manchester United are still in for the quadruple, Sir Alex Ferguson is realistic about his team’s chances for silverware.

Well we know the Andrei Arshavin deal according to the Premier League is complete, but how much trouble was there in completing this deal?

It seems that lawyers had to be called in to make sure everything was in order as this deal was finally competed almost twenty-four hours after the deadline. What’s making this deal even more questionable is that reports are coming out that paperwork submitted to the FA post the five pm deadline had ‘small issues‘.

Now I’m pretty sure the FA and Premier League are going to continue to say this deal is valid, but I have just a few questions that I think need answering by the FA.

1) Since Arshavin was already in London on Monday, why was this deal green lighted for a post five pm completion other than the fact the fee wasn’t agreed upon?

2) So the FA are saying it’s okay to ratify a deal when forms aren’t completely filled  out?

3) If this deal was for a club like Hull City, West Bromwich Albion, ect, would the FA had been so kind to green light the move?

While I will be so happy once this is all said and done, some serious questions need answering. Sadly, I don’t think we will get any of those answers. Again, we aren’t talking about this had the deadline simply been midnight.

So Sky Sports have won four of the six TV Rights packages for the 2010-2013 seasons. What is good news for the Premier League is their fears of having to take a pay cut on the rights in the UK are for naught. The deal Sky made for the four packages they have won will guarantee that with the other two packages, the sum of the packages will at least match what the current deal is. The only question about the last two packages is…will Setanta and ESPN partner on getting those last two packages?

Other Stories.
Frank Lampard’s red was rescinded. There’s a shock…not.

Here’s another one of Rafa’s crazy rants. This time about Robbie Keane. Hey Rafa, have you for one second stopped to ask yourself this question…did you properly know how to use Keane? It seems to me you were trying to jam the square peg into the round hole…it never works.

But Rory Smith of the Telegraph comes out in response of Rafa’s comments with a statement about the lack of options up front for Rafa should there be a single injury.

Could this be why Fulham got rid of Jimmy Bullard? Bullard’s only played one game for Hull City, and has already needed a knee scan.

So Sam Allardyce has made a promise to Roque Santa Cruz…keep Blackburn in the Premier League and you can go. I wonder if that’ll be motivation enough to start scoring the goals again.

Looks like Criag Gordon will have to be content until the summer with being Sunderland’s number two.

Nicky Butt will be staying at Newcastle United until the end of next season. I wonder if he’ll call it a day after that?

Don’t you just love the weather?

Thanks to snow that has been unkind to transport within the UK, the five  pm transfer deadline got extended. Now obviously the catch to that was deals had to already been agreed and loose ends tied up, but just the fact the transfer window had to be extended makes me question the 5 pm ending to begin with. Yes I understand having the window end on a Sunday wouldn’t have been so friendly, however who in their right minds decided that a 5 pm deadline was the right choice?

Deadlines are always going to be arbitraily set, but setting it at 5 pm wasn’t wise. Historically the deadline is midnight, and it would have been wise to have kept it that way. Just because Sunday wasn’t smart for a transfer deadline, having to ask permission to extend the deadline was equally not wise. Had the deadline been set at midnight, like every other transfer deadline, everything would have been just fine. Yes the weather was bad, but setting a bad deadline only made matters worse. I just hope the reason 5 pm was set as the deadline was because the Premier League would be spending Tuesday going over bids for the UK TV rights.

Now obviously the big story of the day was the will it/won’t it happen between Arsenal and Zenit St. Petersburg over Andrei Arshavin. From headlines of “Arsenal ‘fail’ in bid to sign Andrei Arshavin” to “Arshavin deal collapses as Arsenal target heads back to Russia” back to “Confusion over Arshavin move”. It continues with headlines of “Arshavin’s a Gunner! Arsenal get their man on the cheap after day of tense negotiations” and it finally ends up with this one “Arshavin conclusion on hold“. Now I’ll admit, I didn’t think this deal would end up happening. If we want to get into technicalities, the deal still isn’t finalized. Fact remains that all the FA are going to do tomorrow is green light the deal. And for Arsenal, it could be just what the doctor ordered.

Here is this January by the numbers, and here is a list of players who went on deadline day (until 8 pm)

Now the other story of the night is also snow related, and it’s something I happen to agree with. Due to the weather and the uncertainty of it, the FA and Football League have already called off games for Tuesday night, including Arsenal’s FA Cup replay with Cardiff City. If the weather continues, Wednesday’s games aren’t entirely safe either.

This is a good idea. With the number of fans that would be on the roads traveling, and public transport operating at limited capacity (or not at all in some spots), it’s best to give as far in advance notice about postponements as possible. Let’s hope Wednesday’s games aren’t affected as the games Tuesday night have been.

Other Stories
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Paul Birch, former Aston Villa and Wolves midfielder, who died Monday after a long battle against bone cancer.

Well Joe Kinnear is admitting he pressed Shola Ameobi was more or less forced into playing last weekend against Sunderland.

Well Mike Riley is admitting he got it wrong, cue me going ‘WHAT A SHOCK!’. I do however have to thank Sam Dalton for taking the words right out of my mouth with regards to Jose Bosingwa. Sorry, but saying sorry doesn’t cut it Jose.

Remember the source on this one, but Tony Adams might have only three games to save his post at Portsmouth.

Sam Allardyce will be without Brett Emerton for the rest of the season.

Graham Poll has his take on Mike Riley and leaves some interesting thoughts in his path.

Jermain Defoe will be spending between 2-3 months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture on his foot.

Could Mike Ashley be looking to sack Dennis Wise?

On this episode of the EPL Talk Podcast, Johnathan Starling interviews Vinnie Jones. We discuss the Wimbledon side that won the FA Cup Title, how Howard Wilkinson kept his card count down while at Leeds United, what his second stint at Wimbledon was like, what he wants to be remembered for during his football career.

We then shift into his acting roles and the comparisons between football and acting. We also discuss Hollywood All Stars Football Club and why it came about and how to become a part of it. Has Vinnie Jones seen the IOSS parodies of him? Find out on this episode of the EPL Talk Podcast.

If anyone deserves Liverpool man of the match award, it’s not a Liverpool player. Instead of the honor going to Fernando Torres, that award should be awarded to the man in the middle Mike Riley.

Every time I see Mike Riley as referee to any game, my thoughts immediately change from how the game is going to turn out to how Riley going to ruin this one. It’s probably not the best thing to admit, but that’s how I feel. Mike Riley in my mind is the biggest reason the respect campaign died a quick and disastrous death and after the job he did in the Liverpool v Chelsea match I have a feeling we’ll never hear the words respect and referee again used together.

Riley’s decision on the hour mark was simply incorrect. Alonso and Lampard going after the same bouncing ball, Lampard sliding and Alonso just looking to punt the ball forward. It was Lampard who got the first touch to it and it was Alonso who was late in getting the ball. The key moment to me was Alonso’s follow through. The follow through is a kick right onto the shin of Lampard. Both player’s studs come together and Alonso decides to make a meal out of the challenge, staying on the ground longer than he had any right to do. Riley spends approximately zero seconds thinking about it and sends Lampard off.

Nothing dangerous, nothing malicious, just two players doing their job and one of them is wrongfully punished for it. The color commentator for TWI on this match (I didn’t catch his name) said it perfectly ‘Alonso is as least as guilty if not more guilty than Lampard there.’ It was a red card that was never a red and in fact, play should have simply continued on.

What was even more embarrassing was the cameras picking up the laughter of Riley not too long after the incident in question. Hopefully the FA makes him explain why that was. With the game threatening to boil over after the red card, laughing was not the wisest thing to do.

How many more games have to be played with the laughable decisions Mike Riley make? His refereeing of big matches this season has done more harm to the Premier League than the quality of the league has on a whole. The sooner we see fresh blood refereeing big matches so they can get that kind of experience, the better off the Premier League will be.

But that said, let’s make one thing perfectly clear. Chelsea were not going to win this game. Their football was nothing to be proud of and in fact before that red card, only had one shot in the game. Liverpool can be thankful that Alex decided to take the last two minutes of the ninety off so that Fernando Torres could give them the winning goal. Petr Cech while not playing a stellar game, came through on a few crucial saves, but it was never going to be enough.

All in all Liverpool were worthy winners on the day, it’s a pity one Mike Riley red card will end up over shadowing it.

It was the last thing Everton needed to do against Manchester United, give up a penalty. But that was exactly what they did towards the end of the first half and Cristiano Ronaldo made sure they paid the price as his goal from the spot gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory.

When I first saw the penalty live, my first reaction was ‘you have to be kidding me…another United gift’. It just didn’t look like a legitimate decision. However I’ll be the first to admit the live angle wasn’t the best angle to be looking at and once I saw a better camera angle, it confirmed in my mind that it was a right decision.

Mikel Arteta has to know not to keep his foot out that close to the penalty area and he had to realize that once Michael Carrick was heading his way, the contact was going to be inevitable.  While the contact looked accidental, according to the laws of the game, it’s still a penalty.

It’s decisions like this one that makes me wonder again if it’s time we get rid of using the words ‘soft’, ‘harsh’ ‘and ‘tough penalty to give’ when we are discussing penalty decisions. It’s either a penalty or it isn’t, regardless of what our interpretation is in terms of severity. While from my eyes it the penalty looked soft, it was indeed a penalty and that’s all that matters.

Everton didn’t have much of a threat and only seven shots in ninety minutes isn’t going to cut it against a Manchester United side. To think if Tim Howard wasn’t on song today, this could have been a 3-0 victory earily. We know David Moyes is going in search of a forward or two on loan before the end of the transfer window, and they need it badly.

Another stand out moment was the Kevin Davies goal that gave Bolton all three points against Tottenham. It gives Bolton some temporary breathing room from the relegation zone. His header towards the end of the match was just in my mind and serves as a reminder to Harry Redknapp that regardless of who’s in the posts, it’s the people in front of him that matter just a little more.

The game should have been done and dusted when Davies made it 2-0 but defensive lapses did Bolton in inside of three minutes. But Kevin Davies was not to be denied. Off the corner kick late, Davies wasn’t afraid to get his head in the mix, and the mass of bodies between him and Cudicini did the rest to make sure it wasn’t saved.

A deserving win for Bolton, a loss that will make Harry Redknapp keep the phone companies happy over the next 2 days.

Other Thoughts From Today
* Credit to West Bromwich Albion who fought back twice after going down. However I wonder why Myhill wasn’t in goal. I am sure I probably missed something.

*  Is Tony Adams fixing to be out of a job? If you’re to believe the Times, it’s highly possible. It didn’t help that Fulham just tore them apart today.

* Middlesborough and Blackburn has to qualify as one of the worst matches of the season.

* Manchester City…wow. Stoke City dared them after going 1-0 up at the end of the first half to get the equalizer and win and they simply couldn’t do it.

What were your thoughts on today’s action?

It took a little time, but the Champions League Final is heading to Wembley Stadium.

It took a little extra time, and a vote by parliament to exempt tax rules on players who would play in the final, for Wembley to get the final that will be played in 2011. What it also means is that Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium will have to wait awhile to host a European final.

It’s was a busy day for Sam Allardyce. First after telling Manchester City no about Roque Santa Cruz, then made a 2.8 million pound offer for El-Hadji Diouf. With the way Allardyce spoke today, it leads me to believe Santa Cruz is going to go this summer. As for Diouf, don’t you have enough forwards right now or did one slot open up with Matt Derbyshire’s loan move to Greece?

Well Salamon Kalou has alot of explaining to do over his handcuff gesture.  One thing that a football pitch shouldn’t be used for is to show support for or against anything political.

If Gary Megson wants to get on the Bolton supporters good sides, calling them pathetic wouldn’t be such a good idea.

How original from Liverpool. Reporting Tottenham for ‘tapping up’ Robbie Keane just seems juvenile.

Paul Robinson has seen his red card rescinded. At least the FA got something right.

The sooner Rafa Benitez keeps his mouth shut about how teams are playing against Liverpool, even in off handed ways, and focuses on getting your team back on the winning path; the better off you will be. The comments made after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at the JJB against Wigan in my mind read like a manager who has lost grip with what is important…winning.

The comments, where he calls the game crazy, says his players were okay, and takes a back handed swipe at how his team played with this comment “We’ve been giving away too many points. This has happened in the last three games and it’s something I don’t like. “I know why but I cannot say anything…” tells me that Rafa doesn’t get it.

I notice a pattern here. Ever since Rafa’s swipe at Sir Alex Ferguson, nothing has been Rafa’s fault. Maybe it’s time for Rafa to look at himself in the mirror and realize maybe it’s what he’s doing with the squad that has Liverpool playing in this manner. With Chelsea coming up on Sunday, Rafa doesn’t have long to turn things around. It’s going to be very interesting to see how he deals with Scolari’s men, considering the chances they have created lately.

Other Stories
Gotta love the red tops. I don’t think Roque Santa Cruz is gonna want to leave one team struggling for relegation to head off to another (that would be to Tottenham).

These type of gentleman’s agreements better be dealt with quickly by FIFA. No wonder why Zenit St. Petersburg has been so smug about this whole Andrei Arshavin situation. It looks like if Arsenal want him, it’ll be fifteen million to secure him.

In a subject I talked about yesterday, West Brom are going to appeal Paul Robinson’s red card picked up against Manchester United. I hope the suspension is overturned.

The BBC wins the UK Premier League highlight rights.  The only added bonus is MOTD will be available for UK Users on iPlayer on delay.

I don’t think anyone associated with Manchester City will be getting a Christmas card from Steve Bruce.  Saying that Palacios was used as a pawn in the Craig Bellamy deal is a strong accusation.

Could Marco Storari be the next backup to Petr Cech at Chelsea?

As mentioned earlier on the site today, Michael Owen looks to be out for six weeks while Joey Barton looks to be out six weeks thanks to ankle injuries sustained against Manchester City. This on the say night where Joe Kinnear confirmed that Shay Given will more than likely leave the club in January.

Friday will be the day when FIFA will decide Nemanja Vidic’s fate from the red card he picked up at the World Club Cup.

Tony Adams wants three more players before the transfer window closes. It’ll be interesting to see if he can secure them. Meanwhile Sol Campbell is coming out and lamenting that talks haven’t started on a new contract for him.

Manchester City is pledging their full support behind Robinho.

Emile Heskey feels Aston Villa are top four worthy. We’ll find out soon enough.

Here is an interview I did for Football Corner.

And finally Vinnie Jones will be our next guest for the EPL Talk Podcast. Now I shouldn’t have to be doing this but I will. Please keep your questions reasonable or else don’t expect them to be asked on air.

You never commit too soon.

Mike Pollitt did just that towards the end of the first half of Wigan’s home tie with Liverpool and paid the price. While Mido equalize late in the match, this was a game where Wigan seriously had a chance at getting all three points.

Yes it’s harsh to blame one person with regards to points lost, but on a night where Liverpool were far from their best this was a golden opportunity to get all three points. The game wasn’t all that entertaining, Wigan had huge stretches where they were on the ball. However, they didn’t do a thing with it.

Let’s be honest about Liverpool as well, they weren’t all that convincing as well. The goal in the forty-first minute came completely out of the blue. Pollitt’s decision to commit so soon left Yossi Benayoun an empty net to shoot at. Benayoun to his credit though, had the tightest of angles  after nearly running the ball out for a goal kick and did well to turn the ball in at the far post.

Liverpool though ended up shooting themselves in the foot and gave up their lead thanks to a ridiculous penalty that should see Lucas benched for the next match. Just giving Jason Koumas a right old kick in the penalty area has to go down as one of the candidates of dumb move of the season. Mido’s equalizer was deserved but it makes me wonder what would have happened had Pollitt not jumped the gun on Benayoun’s opener? Would Wigan have won it? They nearly did on their own merit at the end when Hugo Rodallega hit the wood work. I am just convinced that Wigan would have won it had Pollitt been wiser and stayed on his line.

Other Thoughts From Today’s Action
* Salamon Kalou’s two goals today were a welcomed sight as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough. However when you have 24 shots on goal, you should be scoring more than 2 goals. With all the time Boro spent in their own half, they should feel fortunate they only lost 2-0 and not by more.

* Fair play to Manchester City for beating Newcastle United at home. However the story to this one are the injuries to Michael Owen and Joey Barton. This is the last thing Joe Kinnear needs as they are only 2 points above the danger zone.

* Everton were robbed by Robin Van Persie’s injury time equalizer. However Arsenal have bigger problems on their hands as three of the top four got three points and there is a gap starting to widen between the Champions League spots. What ace does Wenger have up his sleeve to get his side back in the top four? I’m curious to find out what it is.

* How soon is it before we are talking about Hull City as relegation fodder? They look a side that right now are out of ideas. Phil Brown has a bigger job on his hands keeping this side safe than I think he will want to admit.

* Lucky for Sam Allardyce that Benni McCarthy made up for missing from the spot with grabbing a late equalizer. However, there’s still plenty of work to be done by both sides if they want to get out of the relegation mire.

* Numbers just for my own benefit. 1-4 are separated by just 3 points. The number of teams within three points of relegation, that number is 8.

I wonder if Manchester City are ready to cut their losses with Robinho at this time.  After the impromptu vacation he took last week, all Manchester City seem willing to do is fine him two weeks wages. To that I say ‘big deal’. Do you think Robinho cares about missing a couple hundred more thousand quid when he got to have his fun? Now granted Manchester City did not have a game last weekend, but to just take a hike from training is a joke. Sadly though, it doesn’t seem to scratch the surface with the trouble Robinho could possibly cause.

Tonight it is being reported that Robinho has been arrested and bailed over an alleged sexual assault charge. The incident happened a few weeks ago and the arrest was just recently made. The incident in question happened in a Leeds nightclub.

When does it get to a point where Manchester City just say to hell with it and cut their losses with this player? Just the allegation of a sexual assault is a pretty harsh one indeed, even if he isn’t guilty. It makes a club question if having a player of his caliber is worth all the trouble just to have around. For a club that is still not safe for next season this is the last thing they need. It’s another distraction that only takes away from survival in order to build for the future. At this point, it’s only in Manchester City’s best interest to sell Robinho in the summer, he just isn’t worth the headache he has caused this season.

Another guy who at this point isn’t worth the headache is Andrei Arshavin. Depending on who you want to believe, Zenit and Arshavin are at an impasse with regards to a bonus payment that came about from resigning his contract back in 2006. While at the same time, Wenger has come out and said no deal has been made over Arshavin and there are even some who are saying that Wenger isn’t all that bothered if this deal gets done or not.

And at this point, why would Wenger want to spend a few sleepless nights about it? For a transfer that has been talked about since before the January transfer window opened, it’s almost shocking at how slow this all has been. Wenger may have finally gotten to a point where he just threw his hands up and has gone ‘if it happens it does, if not, who cares’. If that is the case I applaud him. Wenger doesn’t need this headache to get in his way of guiding Arsenal back into the top four.

Other Stories
The Premier League has it’s sights on a favorite site of many football fans. The Premier League is going after myp2p.eu. Now if I’m myp2p.eu, I say screw it. All they do is link to games, not host them on their website. Go after the people behind the link, not the guy who links them, it’s counter productive. While I’m thinking about it, doesn’t this just seem like a repeat over what happened with 101greatgoals?

While Craig Bellamy is denying he went on strike at West Ham United, he makes mentions of the allure of helping to build the Manchester City project? You mean the project of staying in the top flight?

Speaking of Craig Bellamy, he could be the reason that West Ham United will never sell again to Tottenham. Or as long as Scott Duxberry is in charge of transfers.

It looks like the BBC is in a bidding group of one over the Premier League Highlights in the UK.

Good old ‘Butters’ as I call him (Mark Clattenburg) has been sacked as a referee due to a breech of contract.

More reason why the Sunday Times may not have to fork over any money to Roman Abramovich. A German investor is looking at forming a group to purchase Chelsea.

Been a busy day for Kenwyne Jones. First he signs a four year deal with Sunderland, then hits the game winner against Fulham.

The fine for calling Martin Atkinson a ‘Mickey Mouse referee’, 500 quid. Joe Kinnear must have that in petty cash.

For someone who hasn’t had the best relationship with Amr Zaki, Mido seems a little too excited about having an all Egyptian partnership at Wigan.

Will the Robbie Keane saga ever end this season? If FIFA will allow it, Manchester City and Tottenham lead the chase to pick up the Liverpool striker.

When you see West Brom v Manchester United, it’s almost written in stone what the outcome is going to be. However in being the first live match I have seen in over two weeks, I was happy to see any and all live football. When it’s all said and done, most will remember this match for the result that keeps the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea in the league and for the record Manchester United broke (most minutes without allowing a Premier League goal), I will remember this match for the red card Paul Robinson received and the questioning in my mind if it was a worthy decision.

The decision five minutes from halftime was the death knell for any opportunity West Brom had to get back in the match and from my vantage point was a very harsh red to give out. Both Robinson and Ji-Sung Park were sliding after the same ball, just Paul Robinson was second to the slide. Yes Park was injured on the slide, but in the course of 50/50 challenges there is always a possibility of an injury.

The other thing that caught my eye was the angle from which Rob Styles was at when he saw the challenge. Did Rob Styles have a proper angle to correctly judge the tackle and to me the answer was no. While there are no players blocking his line of sight, Park’s body was shielding the true actions of Paul Robinson. When we see the opposite angle, there are no studs that enter the fray.

The only reason I could see Styles giving that as violent conduct was the fact that Park required treatment. However Park’s condition wasn’t all that well known when the red card came out. When you see Ryan Giggs putting an arm around Robinson’s shoulder, it tells me that even most of the Manchester United players felt it was a harsh decision.

I do have to wonder though what would have happened had Robinson not been involved in a few decision earlier in the half. Would he have been sent off?

The red card only changed the scoreline Manchester United were going to win by and credit has to go to Manchester United for not letting their foot off the gas pedal when they had every opportunity to do so.  Instead the Red Devils took the opportunity to increase their goal difference of plus 29, equaling that of Chelsea.

So was Paul Robinson deserving of the red card? Let us know by leaving a comment below. Also what were your thoughts on the other action of the afternoon? Has Emile Heskey already started to pay off the transfer fee paid to Wigan? Will Stoke City rue yet another slow start to a match and what does the result do for Tottenham? How much time does Sunderland get to breathe a sigh of relief after Kenwyne Jones second half goal sees them past Fulham? Will we ever see any separation at the bottom? Again let us know below.

After plenty of speculation, it’s finally happened. Just hours after AC Milan said that Kaka wasn’t for sale, the newswires went crazy over the fact Manchester City has indeed opened talks to purchase the star player, and the figures are simply staggering. The 100 million euro purchase price, yes it’s there. Kaka’s salary, well enough to make everyone in football blush. That number, two hundred eighty thousand pounds a week.

I’ve been waiting for this moment the second Robinho was purchased under the wire back in early September. This was the type of transfer we were promised, and now it looks like they are going after fulfilling that obligation. While it’s hard for me, or anyone for that fact, to put their head around that amount of money,  I think this signal of intent gives us all one big message; get ready, we ain’t seen nothing yet.

Just like what happened after Roman starting splashing the cash after buying Chelsea, Manchester City are looking to raise the stakes in the transfer market. With the economy the way it is today, even teams of worldwide regard would have a difficult time saying no to having 100 million euros in their back pocket. How many different players could they buy with that money? How much of their debt could they help clear up with that money? These are all questions that clubs have to start looking at more closely.

From all I can gather, it’s up to AC Milan to say no. Kaka isn’t a fool and would sign up for that kinda cash. The only thing I think stopping AC Milan saying no to this move, is their thinking about the Pandora’s box this would open up.

Other Stories
The injury list starts to grow ahead of this weekend’s matches. Dietmar Hamann will be out for 3 months with a ruptured ligament in his toe (umm wow that’s a long time to be out for a toe ligament). And on the same day Patrice Evra dedicated Manchester United’s win over Chelsea to the FA, we find out he’ll be out three weeks with a foot injury. Rio Ferdinand will more than likely be out another week due to his back.

Speaking of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson just needs to let this one go. Who cares that there was an Arsenal fan on the panel looking over the Patrice Evra case.

I wonder how much Jose Mourinho loved seeing Chelsea’s performance after his damning verdict of them Tuesday.

I don’t know if Carlos Tevez should be taking career advice from Diego Maradona. He thinks it would be wise for Tevez to get away from Manchester United.

Rafa is denying reports that he and the ownership is again at odds, this time over signing a new contract.  He’s saying the final details are being worked out.

The police are to be commended after finding 11 classless morons who were busted for the racial chants towards Sol Campbell earlier in the year. I hope they never see the inside of a football ground again. What’s even sadder is the age of some of these people.