I don't know whether to congratulate Chelsea for deactivating the explosive Barcelona attack. Or chastise them for playing a very negative, defensive brand of football that has nothing to do with the reasons why we call this the beautiful game. The reality is that if Chelsea played their usual brand of attacking football, they would […]

Spain did not enter the inaugural World Cup of 1930, but qualified for the Italy-hosted tournament of 1934. They progressed as far as the quarter-finals, drawing 1-1 with Italy, but losing 1-0 in a replay. A combination of the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War denied Spain competitive football until the 1950 World […]

For all those neutrals out there who may not have seen Barcelona play before this season I would encourage you not to write off the Catalan side based on just one performance. I have seen Barca break down some stubborn resistance at the Nou Camp this season both in La Liga and the Champions League […]

The Old Trafford clock showed 55 minutes had gone when Freddie Ljungberg'a shot was spilled by Fabien Barthez. The first player to react was Sylvain Wiltord, Arsenal's then record signing, to slot the ball home with minimum fuss to put Arsenal 1-0 up and ultimately wrap up the Premier League title. It was a great […]

The transfer merry-go-round has begun to turn once again as we approach the summer when all there is to talk about is who you would like your club to sign. For Liverpool top of their list appears to be Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, and David Villa and Raul Albiol from Valencia. The problem for […]

Arsenal fans love to speak of Arsene Wenger's shrewd and miserly eye for talent. Up until a few years ago, Wenger's net spending in the transfer market was something around ten million pounds, extraordinary when you consider the amount of trophies Arsenal have won since his arrival. Of course, much of Wenger's bottom-line performance can […]

This is not a post to moan about a referee getting a decision wrong. Rather, this particular incident got me wondering, "How is that supposed to work then?" Maybe you have the answer... It's been reasonably well accepted that Arsenal's opener against Middlesbrough should have been flagged offside (video link). Graham Poll on Setanta's Football […]

There he is ladies and gentleman the whiny quitter known as John Carver. As usual here is another wonderful mind coming to North America trying to install his tactics & emotion into a club that wants to be the best in Major League Soccer and of course being the best pro Canadian side to take […]

How do you stop the best player in the world, Lionel Messi will probably be keeping Guus Hiddink awake tonight as he prepares for his stiffest test yet as Chelsea's interim manager. Whilst I appreciate the bravado that Hiddink is giving in regards to his own players, he is right to dampen down the furore […]

Jimmy Bullard, the Hull City midfielder, will be the next guest on the EPL Talk Podcast. Bullard, who previously played at Fulham, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United and other teams, will be interviewed tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29, 2009). Here's your chance to ask any questions you may have to Jimmy. Simply post your questions in […]

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 […]

Chelsea's epic 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool drew high praise from football fans, with some going as far to call it the match of the century. The reward for the Blues was a berth in the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona, and that two-legged tie begins today at Camp Nou. History lesson: There's good news […]

John Carver and Sir Bobby Robson/Getty Images Jurgen Klinsmann and John Carver left their respective jobs within a few short days of one another. While Klinsmann was sacked, and Carver left voluntarily both are bad signs for the current perception of American football in Europe. Klinsmann dubbed "California Klinny" by some in the German press […]

Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Manchester City, Wimbledon (aka MK Dons), Leeds, Oldham, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Leicester, Barnsley, Bradford. Soon to be joined by another two and probably three in Charlton, Southampton and Norwich. All these clubs have tasted the sweet nectar of life in the Premier League only to later sup at the workaday bitterness of […]

A few weeks ago when Tottenham Hotspur unveiled ambitious plans to rebuild its White Hart Lane stadium, little attention — if any — was given to the fate of the old red Victorian house at the corner of Bill Nicholson Way and High Road, the house that is the physical address of the club at […]