For a team that was tipped by some in the Turkish media to be champions, the first quarter of the season Fenerbahce have just about lived up to that billing. The team was already making headlines before the season even started, as manager Ersun Yanal was abruptly sacked three weeks before the season kicked off. […]

Roy Hodgson finally saw his Liverpool side climb out of the bottom three with a hard-fought win at Bolton. It certainly wasn’t easy for the Hodgson’s men as the hosts frustrated Liverpool for long periods only to be undone by some Fernando Torres magic late on. Torres’ delightful flick in to the path of an […]

The last three permanent managers of Liverpool have all overseen a familiar pattern of events. Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez all enjoyed moderately successful starts – Evans had a decent first full league season, Houllier a distant third place and a (very fortunate) cup treble, Benitez's Champions League triumph rightly overshadowed a fairly […]

When Dirk Kuyt tries to collect a long pass out of the air it's like the the scene in the nature channel documentary when the gazelle eludes the mountain lion. The cat gets a paw on his prey, but cannot take the thing down. The ball scoots out of Kuyt's reach and he helplessly chases […]

This team would win neither titles nor plaudits. But, they certainly would entertain. They may even possibly scare small children. Without further delay, here is the most follically challenged/enlightened team in the English Premier League. Manager: Joe Kinnear (Newcastle) Joe Kinnear is old school and tempestuous, his hair coincides. It’s a mullet. It’s a bird’s […]

Another weekend of Premier League action and another cracking Dirk Kuyt goal. Now who would have predicted that this time last season? Certainly not me and with good reason because his goal tally in the league last season was just five, managing 11 in all competitions for the Reds. So far this time around the […]

After watching English football on television for more than 30 years, I've watched countless boring tactical games like yesterday's two nil win by Bolton against Manchester City. But I've also seen many incredible games and wonderful individual efforts that still make me jump out of my seat. This season, the club that is impressing me […]

The scenes of jubilation this evening were incredible to watch as Tottenham Hotspur's Roman Pavlyuchenko scored a last minute winner to beat Liverpool 2-1 at White Hart Lane. In just one week, Harry Redknapp's reinvigorated Tottenham side have beaten Liverpool and Bolton, and staged an incredible comeback against arch-rivals Arsenal. In the pouring rain, Tottenham […]

Today was a turning point in the 2008/2009 Premier League season as one, it marked the first weekend this season when all Big Four clubs won their matches. And two, the top four teams in the Premier League are now the Big Four clubs — at least for the next 24 hours. Each of the […]

Finally. We finally got a Premier League weekend where we had two matches with teams playing their hearts out and giving it 100%. Too often this season the majority of matches have been one-sided and negative. But fair play to Manchester City and Liverpool, and Everton and Newcastle for two thoroughly exciting matches. In both […]

Liverpool and Chelsea are often blamed for sucking the essence and style out of football, and no player embodies that more than Dirk Kuyt. His work-rate is tremendous., his vitamins are in order, and he covers great ground. At the same time, he has the finesse of a demented walrus and is as pleasing to […]

Liverpool and Arsenal had an Oscar and Felix feel. Both clubs are each other’s bogey teams. Arsenal’s Frenchified fancy dans cannot break down disciplined defenses and remain prone to adept counterattack. Lump and pray Liverpool struggle when forced to play chess on the ground rather than checkers in the air. The clash can create soccer […]

Derby 0 – Manchester United 1 This match epitomizes the season for both clubs. Derby worked but weren't quite good enough. United's only enemy was their own cuteness. Ronaldo should have scored at least three, or more according to his own verbal tally. Birmingham 1 – Newcastle 1 The result risked being critical, but little […]

Robbie Keane bitches He whines he wanks he whinges Bottles when it counts Arsenal squeaked out a 2-1 win over Tottenham in the North London Derby. They were not very convincing, but, unlike last season, it was an unconvincing win. The match began rather creepily with a friendly handshake between Ramos and Wenger. Gunners fans […]