It seems every World Cup, England puts together a solid team, that somehow depends upon the brilliance of a single man, who can take the merely good players around him, and make them into world beaters. In years past it was Beckham, and this year it's Wayne Rooney. Ask the common man why Rooney is […]

Another England match, another goal for Peter Crouch. Sure, the one against Mexico yesterday was hardly artful, in fact, it was illegal on two fronts: handball and offside. But to speak of that Mexican injustice misses the point. Peter Crouch somehow, someway finds the back of the net for England at an astonishing, befuddling, flabbergasting, […]

During the past few weeks, over 58,000 soccer fans from around the world voted in the 2009-10 EPL Awards, a readers choice awards competition that recognizes the best in Premier League football — everything from players and managers to podcasts, blogs, commentators and TV shows of the 2009-2010 season. Drum roll, please. Here are the […]

Manchester United were eliminated from the most coveted Cup competition in the world on Wednesday night in heartbreaking fashion. Having won their home leg 3-2 and finishing off the tie with a level aggregate score of 4-4, United were put to the sword by the dreaded away goals rule. Such are the laws of the […]

Last week in the build-up to the English Premier League's most anticipated match of the season, there were many in the press and blogosphere that openly questioned Dimitar Berbatov's ability to replace Wayne Rooney as an effective lone striker. I, myself, wrote an article arguing that Rooney's ankle injury made the EPL Chelsea's title to […]

Without even kicking a ball, Chelsea were given a gift this week.  One roll of Wayne Rooney's ankle has altered the dynamic of the entire 2009-10 EPL campaign, and has handed Carlo Ancelotti more than just a lifeline, but possibly the title itself.  While the Italian would never admit that the championship may have been […]

Football truly is a game like no other where minutes can feel like hours and hours can sometimes feel like days. As quickly and powerfully as the ball can be slammed into the net, it's equally as quick that a team's fortune or good form can disintegrate. American Baseball is described as a "game of inches", however, by my decree, football now […]

  It seems my fear, dread and worry over the past few months has somehow manifested itself into an Atlantic Ocean-traveling orb of negativity. It's left my old injured knee in Southeastern America, and traveled the 4,000 some miles to Manchester, England and snuck into the knee of the man I place my footballing hopes […]

It's the week of the Cheltenham festival, so in order to celebrate, this edition of fantasy football tips will take on a slightly equine nature. Apologies in advance for the inevitably dodgy puns. I'll try and ensure that there's not too much horse play... Anyway, to business. Just like horse racing, it's crucial that you're […]

Manchester United players such as Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney star in a new comedy video to raise money for the Sport Relief charity in Britain. The new video (see excerpt above) features Smithy (the Gavin & Stacey character played by James Corden) leading the players in a workout routine (Richard Simmons, watch out). Rio […]

In ten years time, English football fans will look back in the annals of history and cast villainous or glorious eyes upon someone named Wayne. This pending assignment of fates will depend on the outcome of this summer's World Cup. Wayne Bridge, as unfortunate as it is, has been in the media for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. […]

The race to the top narrowed Tuesday night as Manchester United swept aside West Ham United at Old Trafford. Shades of 1966 early on as Man United's Ben Foster dropped Alessandro Diamanti's dipping shot onto the goal-line. Did it cross? Sir Alex Ferguson's sometime nemesis, referee Alan Wiley, thought not. Can we at least agree […]

Editor's note: EPL Talk reader Nicholas Buchel shared a series of three drawings he made that I should many of you would enjoy. The first features Fernando Torres who returned to action Sunday against Manchester City. The above picture is hand drawn in ballpoint by Nicholas. Below the fold, Buchel has included a ballpoint drawing […]

If you can't beat them, buy them. That has often been Manchester United's strategy when the club has lost pivotal league games against smaller English clubs and/or have been embarrassed by Premier League players who display incredible raw skill. United has often gone on to purchase many of those footballers. Examples include Everton (Wayne Rooney), […]

Will Manchester United Win the Champions League?(polls) It was a textbook Manchester United performance. The Red Devils entered the San Siro with the pressure of performing against some of the top footballers in the world such as Pato, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Seedorf, Nesta, Pirlo, Ambrosini and Huntelaar. And despite being outplayed in the first half of […]