Benitez denies 'hand grenade' Di Canio an explosive start

 

Paolo Di Canio's "management by hand grenade" threatened to pay immediate dividends when Sunderland took the lead against Chelsea on Sunday but Rafa Benitez's team came from behind to deny the Italian a perfect start.

A Cesar Azpilicueta own goal gave the Black Cats the lead at Stamford Bridge but another own goal, this time by Matthew Kilgallon, was followed by Branislav Ivanovic's similarly fortunate winner.

The victory, coupled with Tottenham's draw at Everton, strengthened Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish but left Di Canio looking ahead to a mouthwatering Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland edge closer to the drop zone. 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Rosicky orchestrates Arsenal top-four surge

 

The race for the top four intensified this weekend as ten-men Arsenal clung on to claim three huge points against West Brom, pushing them into the top four at the expense of Chelsea.

The Gunners' unsung squad players have driven the club forward in recent weeks, with Gervinho and 'Little Mozart' Tomas Rosicky combining well at the Hawthorns to narrow the gap to third-placed Tottenham to just a single point.

With Gareth Bale injured and Chelsea in the middle of a tiring and congested fixture list, Arsenal - who have picked up 22 points from a possible 27 in their last nine games - have the other Champions League contenders running scared.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Heynckes encourages Bayern booze-up

 

Bayern Munich can clinch the Bundesliga title on Saturday if they beat Frankfurt, and boss Jupp Heynckes has allowed his players to let their hair down.

Die Roten have run away at the top of the table this season, leading second-placed Borussia Dortmund by 20 points ahead of their trip to Commerzbank-Arena.

And despite facing a trip to Juventus for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, the 67-year-old has told his charges they can celebrate with a beer or two.
 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Tottenham hope for lucky Bale break

 

If having to come back from two goals down to salvage a draw against Basel on Thursday night wasn't bad enough for Tottenham, they were left with hearts in mouths late on as Gareth Bale crumpled to the turf, clutching his ankle and was stretchered off.

The Welshman has been Spurs' leading light this season, netting 17 Premier League goals as Andre Villas-Boas looks to steer the north London side back into the Champions League.

With many scoffing that Spurs were a one-man team with Bale in the side, many at White Hart Lane will be praying for a miraculous recovery, to avoid becoming a no-man outfit. 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Madrid & Mourinho gobble up Galatasaray

 

Real Madrid enjoyed a Champions League feast against Galatasaray at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

The visitors were made to look like turkeys as Jose Mourinho's side raced into the lead early on through Cristiano Ronaldo's goal, before the victory was rubber-stamped by Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Turkish side have been left with plenty to do at home, needing to score at least four goals to secure one of the competition's biggest ever upsets. 
Tweet Follow @omomani