Monday, September 24, 2012

Liverpool and Manchester united over Hillsborough

When Liverpool and Manchester United go head-to-head at Anfield on Sunday, an epic sporting rivalry between English football's two most successful clubs will be renewed.

But ahead of the clash - the Reds' first home match since the shocking and damning findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were published - both clubs have pleaded with their fans to respect the occasion and each other by commemorating the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster together.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has written an open letter to the club's fans urging them not to let themselves down on the day, and the general mood appears to be one of rare unity between two very different clubs whose illustrious histories are similarly scarred by the memory of terrible tragedies.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

No glove lost between Friedel and Barthez

Brad Friedel took to Twitter on Friday to defend himself against comments made by Fabien Barthez regarding new Tottenham signing Hugo Lloris.

"He [Lloris] is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher, and he is very strong mentally," the former Manchester United man said. "What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I am not concerned. He will become the centre-piece for the club."

Exasperated by the former France shot-stopper, the American launched a counterattack on the social networking site.

"Just saw Barthez comments," Friedel wrote. "I normally don't comment on such crap, but when disrespected by someone I don't respect I must.

"Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name."
 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Trent Reznor Cartoon of Nine Inch Nails

Rodgers' babes overcome Young Boys

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers gambled on youth in the Europa League clash with Young Boys on Thursday night.

The Anfield boss handed debuts to Andre Wisdom, Suso and summer signing Oussama Assaidi, while Dani Pacheco was handed a rare start.

It took two goals from Jonjo Shelvey - just 20 years of age himself - but Liverpool managed to seal a topsy-turvy 5-3 battle in Berne as Rodgers' youthful side managed to finally get the better of Young Boys.

Juventus ruin Chelsea's big Oscar night

It was a performance worthy of an award, but not quite enough for three points - Oscar dazzled fans at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with two first-half goals to give Chelsea a commanding lead over Juventus.

But the Italian side would soon pull the red carpet out from underneath the Blues as Arturo Vidal struck before the interval.

And, 10 minutes from time, Fabio Quagliarella clinched a valuable Champions League point to put a dampener on what would have been a perfect night for the competition holders.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

MOU-REKA! Madrid rediscover winning DNA


Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho appeared less than happy with his side going into the Champions League clash with Manchester City at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

“At the moment, I have no team," Mourinho said after the Spanish giants suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla in La Liga.

But Mourinho had changed his tune entirely after watching his side come from behind to beat the Premier League champions 3-2, courtesy of goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It's good because the DNA of my team is back," Mourinho said.

He added: "We could lose and I would be proud, but we cannot lose matches like we did in Sevilla and Getafe and my happiness is not just about the three points, it is about the DNA of my team being back."

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Mancini keeps Silva safe at fortress Manchester City

Real Madrid face Manchester City in a mouthwatering Champions League tie at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

The trip to Spain marks a return to his homeland for David Silva, who is coveted by Jose Mourinho's side.

But, having tied the playmaker to a five-year contract on Monday, Roberto Mancini and the Premier League champions have made it very clear one of their prized assets is going nowhere.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Lonely One - Mourinho feels the heat in Madrid

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho continues to feel the pressure after the club's slow start to the new league campaign, which saw them beaten 1-0 by Sevilla in their last outing.

The side have now lost two of their opening four league fixtures as they fell eight points behind rivals Barcelona at this crucial early stage of the season.

Mourinho's charges have started this term in indifferent form as they look set to host Premier League champions Manchester City at home in their opening Champions League fixture on home soil, looking to put to bed rumours of unrest.

Crouch slam-dunks Mancini into NBA rage

Stoke City secured an unexpected point at home to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday, thanks in part to their opening goal, courtesy of Peter Crouch.

The former England international got more than a little lucky not to see his effort disallowed, however, as multiple apparent handballs in the build-up set City fuming.

Manager Roberto Mancini complained after the game about watching "the NBA, not football", but there was nothing that he could do. Perhaps a time-out might be in order...

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Kylie gets Cole in a spin

Ashley Cole may have the pressing issue of an Anton Ferdinand snub to deal with in Chelsea's clash with QPR on Saturday, but that hasn't stopped the left-back being distracted by the allure of popstar Kylie Minogue.

After enjoying the 44-year-old's hit single, 'Spinning Around', on Friday, Cole tweeted: "Wow @kylieminogue is hot in that video, spinning around, love the 90's".

Unfortunately for the England international, the track was actually released in 2000, but that hasn't stopped the saucy Aussie from getting Cole caught up in a spin...