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."
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Palacio also great as a goalkeeper

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Marlon Brando Caricature

 

From The Missouri Breaks

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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.

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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...
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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".
 

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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."
 

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David Luiz shows Gary Neville how to play the game

 

David Luiz was once described by Gary Neville as looking like a Playstation character controlled by a 10-year-old.

But the Brazilian looked far from the liability he has been labelled to be in the Club World Cup victory over Monterrey, patrolling the Chelsea midfield for over an hour before being replaced by Frank Lampard.

And, prior to the game, the 25-year-old made it clear he was able to take criticism on the chin and move on.

“When you experience difficult moments, I know I’m strong enough to change things and move on," Luiz said.

“I know my personality and what it’s taken to get me here at Chelsea. It’s just another moment to be strong.”

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Wenger on thin ice after Arsenal defeat to Bradford

 

Ahead of Arsenal's trip to Bradford City in the Capital One Cup, the oft-derided tournament was starting look like the Gunners' best chance of ending their long wait for a trophy.

Indeed on paper, Arsene Wenger's side looked to have the pick of the ties having being drawn to face the League Two side in the quarter-finals of the competition.

The Frenchman even picked a strong team for the match, yet that did not matter to Bradford. The League Two side almost won the game in 90 minutes, before Thomas Vermaelen popped up with a late equaliser to take the game to extra-time

However, Bradford were not to be denied and took the Gunners all the way to penalties before beating them in the shoot-out to dump them out of the competition and leave under-pressure Wenger on thin ice at Arsenal. 

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Bonucci, Sergio Busquets' horrible student

 

Juventus striker, on loan from Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner mocked his teammate Leonardo Bonucci, after the later tried to playfully dive, in order to get a penalty.

Danish international on his own account on Twitter joked "who fired on Bonucci? Haha :)"

It seems that Bonucci was a failure to learn scuba diving ...
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