Fabregas set for Arsenal clash under Mou the Hutt

Cesc Fabregas is set to renew acquaintances with former club Arsenal on Sunday as Chelsea host the Gunners at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard was adored at the Emirates, earning the captaincy during his spell at the club, but will hope to strike a hammer blow to Wenger's team by scoring in the London derby.

Wenger, meanwhile, is likely to field summer signings Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, as Arsenal look to build on their 4-1 win over Galatasaray in midweek.

Sunday, October 5, 2014 11:31

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Valencia dragon burns Atletico and scare Liga giants

I redrew the cartoon in 2019 

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Mourinho and Wenger set to clash again

Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger will renew their rivalry once again on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Mourinho’s men thrashed the Gunners 6-0 in the same fixture last season in a game Wenger has subsequently described as “horrendous”.

Indeed the Gunners boss says is desperate to put things right on Sunday but will be aware that in 11 meetings he is yet to get the better of Mourinho.

Saturday, October 4, 2014 11:26

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Golden Oldie: Totti shines again on the big stage for Roma

Francesco Totti showed he can still cut it at the highest level after his sublime chipped finish earned Roma a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The 38-year-old’s well-taken effort has kept Rudi Garcia’s side in the driving seat to progress to the knockout stages as they sit two points behind Bayern Munich but three ahead of City.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 12:00

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Wenger unveils new Arsenal signing

Mesut Ozil became the latest Arsenal star to pick up an injury this season as the Gunners’ woes – and casualty list – continue to grow.

The Germany international is unlikely to play again until 2015 after being ruled out for 10 to 12 weeks with a partial knee ligament tear suffered against Chelsea.

Ozil’s setback means he joins, among others, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey on a treatment table that might need reinforcing.

Arsene Wenger has previously admitted being concerned by his side’s bad injury luck, and had appointed a new fitness guru, Shad Forsythe, in the summer, and will surely be keeping his fit players wrapped in cotton wool from now on.

Arsenal have also been given a scare by the news that Laurent Koscielny has withdrawn from the France squad, with the centre-back continuing to nurse a long-standing Achilles problem.

Thursday, October 9, 2014 14:00

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Congraziano Pelle: Balotelli given the boot by Italy

Mario Balotelli has endured a miserable start to the 2014-15 season since joining Liverpool and has now been snubbed by Italy, in favour of Southampton's in-form striker Graziano Pelle.

Pelle has scored four Premier League goals for the Saints this season, while Balotelli is yet to hit his first domestic goal for the Reds.

As a result, he has lost his place in the Italy squad. "Mario has started a new path," Antonio Conte said when asked about his decision. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool," said the former Juve boss.

"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad. I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different. Graziano represents what I've always said. Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player who in two years has scored 50 goals.

"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League after an adventure in Holland.I am curious to see him from close quarters in order to understand if he can help us. He deserved this call-up from all points of view."

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 11:51

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'Soft' Liverpool fall to Basel defeat

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard labelled his side 'soft' after the Reds fell to a 1-0 loss to Basel in Switzerland.

Paulo Sousa's side are building something of a reputation for defeating English sides, having beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham in the last few years.

This win leaves Brendan Rodgers' side struggling to qualify with two games against Real Madrid around the corner and plenty of work still to be done.

In another game Arsenal's Danny Welbeck scored a hat-trick on Galatasaray to secure a win to his team.

Thursday, October 2, 2014 13:30

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PSG out to stop Messi and Neymar in Champions League clash

PSG coach Laurent Blanc has called on his side to be “aggressive” if they are to beat Barcelona when the two sides clash in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French champions have started the season slowly and will also be without talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the Parc des Princes.

Barcelona, who knocked PSG out of the competition in the quarter-finals two seasons ago,  thrashed Granada 6-0 last time out and will again look to Lionel Messi and Neymar for the goals in Paris.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:31

Julia Roberts Caricature

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Elvis Presley Caricature

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Frank Zappa caricature

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Adel Ferdosipour cartoon tribute

According to Wikipedia Adel Ferdosipour is an Iranian journalist, translator, football commentator and television show host and producer. He is the host and producer of the popular TV show:Navad.

Ferdosipour also has a sport web site called 90tv.ir which he foucs on the Iranian football and discuss the hot topics about it.

I've been asked from the web site to draw Ferdosipour who is famous in fighting corruption in the Irani football.

Here is the cartoon link from 90tv.ir web site:

اختصاصی/ طرح ویژه عمرممانی برای سایت نود و عادل فردوسی پور

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Messi the ‘Wilt Chamberlain’ of football

After Lionel Messi surpassed 400 career goals on Saturday evening, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has likened the Argentine to NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain.

"If Cristiano Ronaldo is like Michael Jordan, then Messi is like Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in one game," the Barca coach said at a press conference.

"I considered taking Messi off to rest him, but watching him in action is such a big joy that I preferred to have him on the pitch for 90 minutes.

"He is very generous with his assists and it really is a joy to watch him. He has been touched by the magic wand.

"Messi scoring 400 goals? Most of us didn't even score that many goals if we counted all those at school, on the streets, wherever..."

Monday, 29 September 2014 12:00

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Messi, Suarez & Neymar keen on post-match pizza

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are all keen on tucking into a pizza after their games for Barcelona.

In a list leaked to the media, the Barcelona players’ post-game meals were revealed, including Gerard Pique’s preference for a Nutella sandwich and fruit.

Saturday, 27 September 2014 12:00

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Suarez gearing up for Barca debut

Luis Suarez made his first appearance in a Barcelona shirt on Wednesday as he struck twice for the club’s B team in a 6-0 win over Indonesia's Under-19 side.

The Uruguay international, who is serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, can make his official debut on October 25 when Barca meet Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the season's first Clasico clash.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s first team could have done with Suarez on Wednesday night as Luis Enrique’s men failed to register a shot on target in the goalless draw at Malaga.

While Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is still clean without conceded any goal.

Thursday, 25 September 2014 12:00

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Fiery Rooney reaches boiling point

Just as Louis van Gaal finally caught a break, with Manchester United picking up a 2-1 victory over West Ham, he was also dealt a blow as skipper Wayne Rooney picked up a red card.

The England international had opened the scoring at Old Trafford on Saturday, but hacked down Stewart Downing as the winger looked to lead a break away and was duly shown his marching orders.

It was Rooney's first red card in a United shirt since 2009, though his manager was keen to play down the maliciousness of the challenge and felt it was merely a "professional" foul.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be forced to make do without their new captain until November, with a three-match ban ruling him out of fixtures against Everton, West Brom and Chelsea.

Sunday, 28 September 2014 11:30

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Falcao & Di Maria storm Premier League shirt sales

Manchester United may have struggled on the pitch so far this season but when it comes to shirt sales the Red Devils have been leading the way in the Premier League.

New signing Radamel Falcao saw his new No. 9 shirt account for 33 per cent of all sales globally during the week following his deadline day arrival on loan from Monaco.

Meanwhile, fellow new boy Angel Di Maria boasted 24% of first-week sales, streets ahead of both Alexis Sanchez and Mario Balotelli with just 13%.

Friday, 26 September 2014 13:17

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Ferguson's Ryder Cup pep talk

Sir Alex Ferguson has been brought in to hold a motivational pep talk to the European team ahead of the Ryder Cup.

And the former Manchester United manager’s words appear to have had an impact on Rory McIlroy and the rest of the team.

“I was just sitting there and looking up at him, and I didn't take my eyes off him,” said the 25-year-old.

I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying and I'm sort of thinking, this is all the stuff that he's probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.

“He told us a couple stories just of past experiences in some big games and big matches, and some of the players that he managed, and it was a great evening. It was a really cool thing to be a part of.”

Wednesday, 24 September 2014 12:00

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Guardiola unconcerned by Bundesliga table

Pep Guardiola admits he is not worried by the fact that Bayern Munich are not already topping the Bundesliga table.

The German champions have secured eight points from their opening four games but are fourth in the league due to goal difference.

Bayern meet current league leaders Paderborn on Tuesday and could go top with a win.

"The table isn't important yet," said the former Barcelona coach. "We have to focus on our own results and performances, not others.

"Paderborn are very impressive, though, and we know why they're top of the table. They'll press us aggressively. They have nothing to lose."

Tuesday, 23 September 2014 12:00

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Chelsea strike gives Lampard the blues

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard came off the bench to net a late equaliser for Manchester City in Sunday's clash at the Etihad Stadium, ending the Blues' 100 per cent winning start to the season.

The veteran midfielder spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge and is the club's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in all competitions, though was not offered a new deal when his contract expired over the summer.

Instead Lampard joined Manuel Pellegrini's side and was named in the squad to face Chelsea despite previous suggestions that his move to City included a clause that meant he did not have to play against a club so close to his heart.

He received a rousing round of applause from both sets of fans when he was brought on in the 78th minute, though the Chelsea support was silenced as their former idol bagged an equaliser for the 10-man hosts just seven minutes later.

It was a trademark strike from Lampard, who opted not to celebrate, and after full-time in the 1-1 draw he headed over to the away end to thank the Chelsea fans for their support - and perhaps even apologise!

Monday, 22 September 2014 13:28

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Peas release me: Chicharito leaves the bench behind

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There's a new kid on the block at Real Madrid and he goes by the name of Chicharito.

The summer signing from Manchester United bagged two goals from the bench in Madrid's 8-2 demolition of Deportivo and could well have forced his way into Carlo Ancelotti's next starting XI.

That could mean the end for Karim Benzema's run in the team who missed out on the goalscoring party on Saturday as Gareth Bale (two), Cristiano Ronaldo (three), James Rodriguez (one) all found the net instead.

Sunday, 21 September 2014 12:45

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Man Utd plot Ronaldo escape plan

Next summer's major transfer saga may already have begun in earnest, with reports emerging this week that Cristiano Ronaldo is keen on a return to Manchester United.

The Red Devils are thought to reciprocate those feelings and could plot a move for the Portuguese, who has become dismayed at the Bernabeu by the decision to sell Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso.

Louis van Gaal hinted that he would jump at the chance to sign Ronaldo, just as he did when Radamel Falcao become available, but suspects Madrid will do everything possible to retain the Ballon d'Or winner.

“It’s always a discussion in the papers. I don’t think the media shall buy Ronaldo,” said the Dutch boss on Friday.

“When it is possible, it is what I have always said with Falcao, players like Ronaldo give a lot extra to selection, to the team, but I don't think Real Madrid shall sell him.”

Saturday, 20 September 2014 11:00

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Benzema not affected by Madrid boos

Karim Benzema insists he is not affected by the jeers directed his way from Real Madrid fans.

The France international has been criticised for his early-season form but maintains that even the greatest players in Madrid's history have felt the wrath of the club's supporters.

"I am at a big club and there is always a lot expected of me. I am a Real Madrid striker and that means I have to score in every game. That’s the way it is," Benzema said.

"I was booed last season. Iker Casillas has been booed. All of the great players who have played for Madrid have been booed: Ronaldo, [Zinedine] Zidane...

"For me it’s not a problem. I will continue to work hard to change the situation."

Friday, 19 September 2014 15:00

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