Thursday, May 23, 2013

Project Pen tribute

Bayern & Dortmund given licence to thrill

There are only three days until the Champions League final, with two excellent German teams ready to take the field in London.

With Bayern's buying up of star players - including Dortmund's main-man Mario Gotze - one could be forgiven for seeing the Bundesliga champions as some sort of supervillain.

Will Dortmund, led by "Klopp... Jurgen Klopp..." be ready to shoot down Jupp Henyckes' side? Or, after being defeated in the final in two of the previous three years, is it a case of 'You Only Lose Twice' for Bayern?

One thing is for sure: both teams have a licence to thrill

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Casillas' birthday wish comes true as Mourinho leaves Madrid

And so the Special One finally departs the Bernabeu. What better day to do it on than the birthday of club captain, and feud-er in chief, Iker Casillas?

The pair had a rocky relationship this season, with Casillas' Spain team-mate and Barcelona rival Xavi lambasting Mourinho for his "terrible" treatment of the keeper.

But late on Monday, Real Madrid announced that they were parting company with Mourinho by mutual consent, and the manager is set to join Chelsea within the next two weeks.

So, happy birthday to Iker Casillas, who got exactly what he might have wished for. 

Tears and cheers as the curtain closes on Premier League

Sunday saw the final round of games as another Premier League season came to an end.

Manchester United claimed the title, inspired by Robin van Persie's goals, before Sir Alex Ferguson stunned the world by announcing his intention to retire from the game, closely followed by Paul Scholes.

Deposed champions Manchester City lost not just top spot but also their manager after firing Roberto Mancini while Rafael Benitez went from zero to hero at Chelsea.

Elsewhere Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was rarely out of the headlines and Wigan claimed a memorable FA Cup win but still slipped out of the top flight.

And of course, there was still time for drama on the final day as Arsenal pipped Spurs to the fourth spot, despite Gareth Bale’s heroics, as the curtain came down on yet another season. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Fergie, Scholes, Owen & Carragher take to the stage one last time

It's the end of the season and we are bidding farewell to four Premier League stars as Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen all call time on their careers.

As we usher in a new wave of players and managers ready to take the Premier League by storm, Sunday provides a chance for football fans to pay homage to four people who have secured their own history in English football.