Sorry to all the fans of my articles, if there are any. This week’s Meet the Ref is a shortened version as I’ve been ill in bed for a few days and haven’t got enough time to do a full run down of the weekend, but we will be back to normal next week. Saturday […]

This video has been spreading through the web like crazy. Here's Emmanuel Eboue warming up before entering the game against Partizan. Here’s the links: EPL clash of the titans [Prost Amerika Soccer] Top 5 EPL players by FIFA [The Best Eleven] Take a breath Villa fans [7500 To Holte] EPL viewing guide [EPL Talk] Mexican […]

Watch the best goals from round four of FIFA 11's Goal of the Week competition in the above video. There are several sublime ones including goals for Arsenal, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Marseille. Some of them will make you drool. Others may make you sick at how easy they seem to be. For more […]

In American college football they call it Rivalry Week. Well, we don't get all of the traditional rivals this weekend, but we sure do get many. My stars are flying out like Christmas gifts. The 4 Birmingham/West Midlands teams square off on Saturday and Sunday, Bolton face neighboring Blackburn, there's an extremely juicy London derby […]

One of the most anticipated managerial appointments of the past twelve months has finally been done and dusted, much to the bereavement of Newcastle supporters the world-over. Alan Pardew was announced as Newcastle United’s next manager early this afternoon, signed on a massive five and a half year contract and charged with the task of […]

Usually when a team has top spot in the Champions League group stage locked up going into the final matchday, there is little emphasis put on the result of that team in that final group fixture. Not so when you are Chelsea and are currently mired in a run of form that better suits the […]

All four English Premier League clubs in UEFA Champions League are through to the knock-out round, though not all advancements are made the same. Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea topped their groups, but thanks to Arsenal finishing second in Group H, the Gunners can be drawn against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona in the […]

Bayern Munich were always going to be expected to beat FC Basel, especially at home, and they did just that. Thomas Kraft started in goal for the home side and he was called to action on a number of occasions but performed very admirably. Louis van Gaal will be delighted with his side's performance, but […]

Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich are set to host an FC Basel side that, with a win, could qualify for the round of sixteen. Die Roten booked their place in the next round of Europe's elite club competition weeks ago, but Louis van Gaal has stressed the importance of winning every game. Bayern Munich have […]

Several readers have asked me to share recommendations of what gift ideas would be perfect for soccer fans this time of the year, especially those who follow English Premier League teams, so here are 9 great holiday gifts for you, or for the soccer fan in your life. Editor's note: I included a variety of […]

With a few days perspective, Christopher Riordan and myself are set to give our thoughts on the decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup. On this edition of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast, we talk about the decision, FIFA corruption, American entitlement and exceptionalism, press failings, and how to move forward. Then, Chris […]

With top spot on the line for Schalke, a win was imperative in Portugal against a Benfica side who have looked far from their best in the Champions League. Elsewhere, Werder Bremen were playing for pride in front of their home fans against last year's European champions, Inter. SL Benfica 1 – 2 Schalke 04 […]

With the dust now settling in the wake of Chris Hughton’s shock dismissal as manager of Newcastle United yesterday afternoon, the spotlight is on owner Mike Ashley and his (hopefully) inevitable decision in choosing Hughton’s successor. Even before the announcement yesterday, the rumour mills had already been churning with nearly every available, out of work […]

There is almost unanimous outrage at the dismissal of Chris Hughton. From a football point of view it looks unsustainable, all the more so when instability and hysterical appointments have been the reasons behind the decline Newcastle over the past ten years but also because by any same measure Hughton was doing a great job. […]

By now the dust is beginning to settle over England’s disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign as well as the unsuccessful 2018 bid, but a disappointing end to 2010 for England may once again have the critics debating whether this England team is actually capable of anything noteworthy on the pitch. England will not play again […]