Saturday, December 22, 2012

Ronaldo gets dream date with Sir Alex Ferguson as Real Madrid draw Manchester United

The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League has been made and thrown up some cracking ties, not least the pairing of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Not only will the tie see Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho clash once again, it will also mean a return to Old Trafford for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese, who left the Theatre of Dreams in 2009 for a mere £80 million, has already revealed how much he enjoyed his time in Manchester working with Sir Alex and now Ronaldo will get the chance to meet up with his former boss once again.

Walcott left out of Arsenal's future five

Arsenal made a show of announcing new contracts for five of their brightest young talents on Wednesday - but the one who everyone was waiting for was not among them.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson all put pen to paper on bumper five-year deals at Emirates Stadium, as Goal.com had exclusively revealed on Monday.

But Theo Walcott, whose current agreement is set to expire in the summer, has long been at loggerheads with the club over an extension, with his desire to play as a centre-forward proving a serious obstacle.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Animo Tito Vilanova

Christmas comes early for Sneijder & Santa

Christmas has come early in Wesley Sneijder's household as the midfielder has been sent on a premature festive break by Inter.

A short statement from Inter on Tuesday confirmed the following: "It was the last training session of 2012 at the Angelo Moratti centre for Philippe Coutinho and Wesley Sneijder today.

"The two players, at the behest of the club and head coach Andrea Stramaccioni, will rejoin their families for Christmas from tomorrow."

Palacio also great as a goalkeeper

Marlon Brando Caricature

From The Missouri Breaks

Club World Cup champions Corinthians deliver Benitez knockout blow

Just when it appeared Rafa Benitez might be on the verge of receiving some goodwill from Chelsea fans, Corinthians spoil the party.

The Blues romped into the Club World Cup final with a convincing 3-1 victory over Monterrey.

But Benitez and his charges came unstuck against the Brazilian outfit, who won the competition by knocking out the Stamford Bridge side with a single Paolo Guerrero goal.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Rooney and Van Persie have the Premier League at their mercy

Manchester United maintained their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday, and once again, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were on hand to fire their team to victory.

The Dutchman grabbed his 12th league goal of the season to open the scoring at Old Trafford, and strike partner Rooney was not far behind with his seventh of the campaign.

Now having disposed of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and arch-rivals Manchester City already this year, the gigantic partnership of Rooney and Van Persie has the Premier League scurrying for cover...

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Wenger & Bould display united front as press hounds demand answers

Arsene Wenger's long reign at Arsenal hit what was arguably its lowest point on Tuesday when the Gunners were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by League Two side Bradford City.

The defeat led to renewed questions regarding the relationship between Wenger and his new assistant, Steve Bould. Reports claimed a rift between the duo, with Bould's separate defensive training sessions supposedly having been stopped.

Wenger, though, denied the accusations when he faced the press in the wake of Arsenal's elimination and insists that he and Bould are part of a "united staff".
 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Chelsea prepare for 'football party' at Club World Cup against Corinthians

The boos from Chelsea fans aimed at Rafa Benitez may not have been completely silenced by the Stamford Bridge club's convincing win over Monterrey on Thursday.

But on the pitch at least, the mood was visibly lifted as Juan Mata opened the scoring, while Fernando Torres was also on target and David Luiz dominated the midfield.

And Mata summed up the atmosphere best after the game as he looked ahead to the Club World Cup final clash with Corinthians.

"We have confidence about winning but we know Corinthians are one of the best teams in South America," he said.

"It will be a football party and hopefully we will win."