Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Rooney & Roy lead England's school trip to Brazil

Roy Hodgson's England squad may read a bit like a school trip after six players under the age of 23 were named for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley, Phil Jones and Jack Wilshere will all be heading to South America, so the experience of the squad's senior players will be more vital than ever. That means Wayne Rooney riding up front with Roy!
Tuesday, 13 May 2014 12:00

Monday, May 12, 2014

Man City coast as La Liga title scuffle continues

While Manchester City were celebrating their second Premier League title in three years having cruised to a 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of the season, the scramble for the Spanish championship continued.

Atletico Madrid, who lead La Liga by three points, were held at home by Malaga but Barcelona were unable to capitalise as they slipped to a goalless draw at Elche.

Diego Simeone's side now face a trip to Barcelona next Saturday in a match which will decide the title.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are now out of the running following their 2-0 defeat at Celta.
Monday, 12 May 2014 12:00

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Liverpool calling in Carroll favour

In a curious quirk of fate, Liverpool are hoping Andy Carroll - a player they sold last summer - can hand them the Premier League title by netting against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds must beat Newcastle and hope West Ham can triumph at the Etihad Stadium, with a draw likely to be enough for City who boast a healthy goal difference advantage over the Merseysiders.

Anfield midfielder Lucas Leiva admitted he would be texting both the Hammers frontman and former Reds winger Stewart Downing to urge them to do everything possible to beat City, with Carroll saying he would "do his best" to crown his old club champions.

Ironically, after ushering Carroll towards the Anfield exit little under a year ago, Liverpool now need the towering Geordie striker to do them a massive favour - it would certainly be one way to repay his £35m price-tag!
Sunday, 11 May 2014 08:30

Real Madrid's title bid derailed

Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes have been left in tatters after Carlo Ancelotti’s side slipped to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Valladolid on Wednesday evening.

Sergio Ramos had put Madrid in front but Osorio’s 85th-minute equaliser has left Ancelotti’s men four points behind leaders Atletico with just two games remaining.

To make matters worse, Cristiano Ronaldo limped out of match after just nine minutes with a hamstring problem.
Thursday, 8 May 2014 12:00

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Guardiola braced for beer shower

Having already wrapped up the Bundesliga in record time, Bayern Munich have the chance to secure a domestic double by winning the DFB Pokal final.

Borussia Dortmund stand in Bayern’s way on May 17 but if they find a way past Jurgen Klopp’s men, Dante says Pep Guardiola is in for a soaking.

"We want to continue preparing by being compact, aggressive and acting as a unit. We need that to be confident ahead of the final in Berlin,” said the Brazilian.

"Pep doesn't stand a chance! He'll get his beer shower - don't worry about that.
Saturday, 10 May 2014 12:00

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Zanetti calls time on career

Zanetti in history cartoon
Javier Zanetti has confirmed he will call time on his 22-year career at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old will bow out at Inter having won Serie A five times, the Coppa Italia on four occasions, and the Champions League once.

"I feel that now is the right time to do it," he told La Nacion.

"Football has given me so much, and I have enjoyed every moment. Because after the achilles injury last April, I wanted to demonstrate that I could return and be competitive, but I could not.

"I feel complete and have realized that to retire at 40 is a priceless feeling. For me it is something that has immense value and now is the right time. Do I fear life after this? No, there is no fear."
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 12:00

Liga leaders slip up in title race

La Liga fans must be wondering if anyone wants to win the title this season as all three sides fighting at the top of the table slipped up in an astonishing weekend of Spanish football.

Barcelona were the first side to drop points, drawing 2-2 at home to Getafe on Saturday, before Atletico Madrid appeared to relinquish their grip on top spot with a 2-0 defeat away to Levante.

Then, on Sunday night, Real Madrid failed to take advantage of their rivals' failings as they twice fell behind to Valencia, with a magical back-heel volley from Cristaino Ronaldo needed to salvage their title hopes in stoppage time.

The title is still in Ateltico's hands, but Barcelona and Madrid will be ready to pounce if Diego Simeone's men slip up on any more banana skins.
Monday, May 5, 2014 09:30

Man City move ahead in title race

Manchester City moved into pole position in the title race after beating Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men were forced to come from behind to secure the win but did enough to claim all three points that takes them top of the table on goal difference.

Chelsea’s title hopes faded into the distance on Sunday, however, after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Norwich, while Liverpool will hope to keep pace as they face Crystal Palace on Monday.
Sunday, May 4, 2014 20:51

Chelsea's season threatens to go down the toilet

Having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, Chelsea's only hope for silverware this season is to win the Premier League.

The Blues, though, are third favourites for the title behind Liverpool and Manchester City, and Jose Mourinho has dismissed his side's chances of overcoming the odds to win the league.

Chelsea's woes were summed up by David Luiz, who said a trophyless campaign for the west Londoners would be considered "a s*** season", and even victory in all their remaining games may not be enough to save their aspirations from going down the toilet.
Saturday, May 3, 2014 11:30

Eusebio & Coluna salutes Benfica heroes


Benfica qualified to the Europa League final after surpassing Juventus.

Super Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on the trophy holder Bayern Munich and help his team to qualify to the Champions League final after they thrashed the German giants 4-0.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Tears for Suarez as Liverpool's title hopes fade

After watching his side squander a comfortable 3-0 lead, Luis Suarez could not contain his emotions at the final whistle as Crystal Palace dashed Liverpool's hope of securing the Premier League title on Monday evening.

The Uruguayan was consoled by both Kolo Toure and Steven Gerrard as he left the pitch, while Manchester City look to hammer home their title advantage by beating Aston Villa at home on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:00

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mourinho's bus runs out of gas


Jose Mourinho suffered his fourth successive Champions League semi-final defeat as Atletico Madrid triumphed 3-1 over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

The Portuguese had lauded his side's efforts in the first leg, where they claimed a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon, but the lack of an away goal would prove costly as the Blues were forced to chase the game following Adrian's equalizer.

At 1-1, and in need of a goal, Mourinho threw on Samuel Eto'o in place of Ashley Cole, though the Cameroonian's first - and only - involvement of note was to gift Atleti a penalty.

After back-to-back clean-sheets at Liverpool and Madrid, Mourinho's 'parked bus' tactics finally came unstuck, with Diego Costa netting from the spot before Arda Turan wrapped up the win.

Unable to get out of first gear and find a response, Chelsea's bus well and truly ran out of gas as the Blues limped out of the Champions League.
Thursday, May 1, 2014 11:30

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Madrid aim to put out Bayern fire

When Real Madrid visit the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night to face Champions League holders Bayern Munich, the Liga giants will be entering "hell" according to die Roten CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The former Bayern player and club chief says Munich will be on "fire" for the second leg of the two sides' semi-final, and it will be up to Madrid's horde of superstars to put out the flames.

Speaking at a post-match dinner after the first leg, Rummenigge said: "Bayern have a quality when playing at home that makes teams think they are in hell.

"This [a 1-0 defeat at the Bernabeu] is certainly not the ideal result. But don’t be sad. On Tuesday, we and 70,000 fans will stand behind you, and Munich will be on fire."
Tuesday, 29 April 2014 11:15

Monday, April 28, 2014

Oops I did it again: Gerrard error hands Man City title advantage

Uh oh. It's happened again.

Steven Gerrard's costly error on Sunday gave Chelsea exactly the opportunity they needed to turn over Liverpool at Anfield and inadvertently hand Manchester City the advantage in the title race.

A typical Mourinho display full of dogged defending and underhand tactics frustrated the usually free-flowing attacking flair of Brendan Rodgers' side until Gerrard's slip allowed Demba Ba to roll the visitors in front.

Willian tapped home a second goal in the last minute to ensure this season's title race is far from done and dusted.
Monday, 28 April 2014 10:26


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Rodgers and Mourinho gear up for title clash

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday in what promises to be another dramatic day in the race for the Premier League title.

The Reds go into the game on top of the pile, five points clear of Jose Mourinho’s men with the Blues boss threatening to field a weakened team, with an eye on Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Victory for Liverpool will see them put one hand on the trophy, but manager Brendan Rodgers knows defeat will open up the title race once again.
Sunday, 27 April 2014 11:12

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Giggs embarks on managerial era at Manchester United

Ryan Giggs has been at Manchester United since the age of 13, has won hoards of trophies in his time at the club and now, at age 40, embarks on his managerial career at Old Trafford.

The Welshman took over from David Moyes, who was sacked on Tuesday, and is initiially in place on an interim basis for the club's final four matches of the season.
Saturday, April 26, 2014 12:56

Friday, April 25, 2014

Klopp and his 1000 reasons to avoid Manchester United job

Jurgen Klopp has already denied interest in the vacant Manchester United managerial position and seems set on emphasizing it as much as humanly possible.

The Borussia Dortmund boss said on Thursday that "There are about 1000 reasons why I am super happy to work with this club," seemingly ending all hope of the Red Devils tempting one of Europe's most sought-after managers to Old Trafford.
Friday, April 25, 2014 12:42

مقابلتي على موقع سكوبات

كان لي شرف ان اقبل مقابلة لطيفة مع موقع سكوبات عن طريق الزميل وليد خلف,تحدثت فيها عن اسباب اختياري للرسم الرياضي و عن أمور أخرى.
  عنوان المقابلة  هو : عمر المومني في حوار مع سكوبات: لم أهرب من السياسة و المواطن الأردني جبار.
من هنا رابط الحوار:


Real Madrid have a snail of a time in the Bernabeu

Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night after shutting up shop and keeping Pep Guardiola's boys away from Iker Casillas's goal.

The Bundesliga champions were criticised for their style of play, often for the lack of tempo and incision in their build-up and drew a blank on the night.

Though Real sacrificed possession, their counterattacking threat was evident and were unfortunate not to at least score a second through either Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria. The story though, was of a sluggish Bayern.
Thursday, 24 April 2014 12:30

Mourinho parks his bus in Madrid

Jose Mourinho took his Chelsea side to Atletico Madrid for their Champions League semi-final first leg, with a starting line-up that can be best described as 'conservative'.

The Blues duly delivered a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon, in a game of few chances which saw even Chelsea-target Diego Costa fail to find the back of the net.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014 13:40

Moyes shown the door as Giggs takes over Manchester United

Tuesday morning heralded a momentous changing of the guard at Old Trafford as David Moyes was sacked as Manchester United manager just 10 months into a six-year contract.

The Scot has paid the price for overseeing United's worst campaign in the Premier League era, with club legend Ryan Giggs tasked with guiding the club through the final four matches of the season.

Prior to the first leg of United's Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich, Giggs sidestepped questions from the media on whether he had designs on the manager's job at Old Trafford.

But with Moyes no longer 'The Chosen One', it seems the 40-year-old will get his chance to shine in the hotseat, even if only briefly.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014 12:49

Klopp rejects Manchester United despite the insistence of the Glazers

The famous Azerbaijani show "Doktor Ziya & Rustam Efserli"

Grim Reaper visits Moyes on Everton return

David Moyes endured a miserable return to Goodison Park on Sunday as his Manchester United side were beaten 2-0 in a dismal display by the Red Devils.

Goals from Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas did the damage as Roberto Martinez's men cruised to a comfortable victory and handed Moyes an 11th Premier League defeat of the season.

The Scot was booed on his first return to Everton and also had to cope with a visit from the Grim Reaper with a supporter dressed as Death sitting right behind the away dugout.
Monday, 21 April 2014 11:53

Monday, April 21, 2014

Mourinho stung as title turns to Rodgers

Jose Mourinho had quite the bee in his bonnet after his incredible record of unbeaten Premier League games at home as Chelsea manager came to an end on Saturday.

In a result that handed the advantage in the title race firmly to Liverpool, on-loan Reds forward Fabio Borini scored the decisive penalty as Sunderland beat the Blues 2-1 and the Portuguese sarcastically "congratulated" Mike Dean and his officiating team as well as Gus Poyet's side after the game.

While the Chelsea boss was stung by what he saw as an unfair defeat, it was all smiles for Brendan Rodgers, who has had no such bad luck and looks to have had the title dropped in his lap after Liverpool's 3-2 win over Norwich City on Sunday.
Sunday, 20 April 2014 14:57

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Moyes set for Everton return

David Moyes returns to Goodison Park for the first time on Sunday as Manchester United take on Everton.

The Red Devils go into the game nine points behind the Toffees and with Roberto Martinez calling for the home fans to produce a hostile atmosphere.

Moyes, meanwhile, says he deserves respect from the Everton fans after they booed him when the two sides met at Old Trafford in December.
Saturday, April 19, 2014 08:14

Bayern Munich are only human

After being crowed German champions back in March and cruising into the Champions League semi-finals, Bayern Munich have surprisingly stuttered in recent weeks.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won just two of their last six games prompting Franck Ribery to confess the German giants have lost focus.

"Perhaps we were crowned champions too early in the season. It has affected our focus," Ribery told ARD. "We are not machines, we're all human beings. We get tired as well.
Friday, April 18, 2014 11:56

Berlusconi handed community service

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has been handed a year’s community service, an Italian court has ruled.

The 77-year-old was convicted of tax fraud and given a four-year sentence, later reduced to one, due to a 2006 amnesty.

However, the former Italian prime minister is too old to go to prison and will now undertake community service in a home for the elderly instead.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 12:02

Friday, April 18, 2014

Brilliant Bale leaves Neymar & Messi in the shade

Gareth Bale claimed the headlines with a brilliant late winner as Real Madrid clinched the Copa del Rey after beating Barcelona 2-1.

The Welshman struck in the 85th minute, showing stunning pace to surge past Marc Bartra before poking past Pinto to seal a dramatic win.

There was more drama to come with Neymar passing up a chance to equalize, hitting the post moments later, on a night when the Welshman lefts his rivals in the shade.
Thursday, April 17, 2014 11:49

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Mertesacker the BFG spares Wenger's blushes

Arsenal were indebted to Per Mertesacker, affectionately known as 'BFG' by Gunners supporters, as the gargantuan German headed past Wigan keeper Scott Carson to wipe out the Latics' FA Cup semi-final lead and help them towards victory at Wembley.

Barely 20 minutes prior to levelling the scores, the former Werder Bremen centre-back has scythed down Callum McManaman inside the box to gift Wigan a penalty, but made amends with his back-post header deep into the second half.

Arsenal continued to lay siege to Wigan's goal in extra-time but, unable to find a breakthrough, booked their place in the final via a confident penalty shoot-out display – relieving the pressure on Arsene Wenger as his side bid to end their nine-year wait for silverware.
Sunday, 13 April 2014 09:48

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Arsenal protest at FA Cup final ticket allocation

Arsenal have expressed their frustration after being allocated just 25,000 tickets for the FA Cup final against Hull City in May.

The Gunners booked their place in the showpiece with victory over Wigan Athletic in the semi-final where they were handed 49,000 tickets.

However, the Football Association have confirmed both finalists will receive 25,000 tickets with 20,000 given to volunteers while 17,000 tickets will be handed to Club Wembley members.
Tuesday, 15 April 2014 12:24

Monday, April 14, 2014

Rodgers' Liverpool juggernaut powers on

Liverpool's remarkable season chugs on - their first title win since 1990 is edging ever closer.

Manchester City threatened to derail Brendan Rodgers and his side after coming back from two goals behind at Anfield on Sunday.

But the Reds fired up the engines once again to rally back and find a winning goal, via Philippe Coutinho, to move seven points clear of third-placed City.

Just four games now stand in the way of the Anfield club as they strive to bring an end to 24 years without a top-flight title.

Can they do it? All the signs suggest they most certainly can...
Monday, 14 April 2014 11:00

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Guardiola prepares for Madrid return

During his time at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola had some enjoyable battles against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And the 43-year-old is now preparing for another test in the Spanish capital as Bayern Munich will meet Madrid in their Champions League semi-final tie.

Will Guardiola guide Bayern to the final in Lisbon?
Saturday, April 12, 2014 12:00

Moyes the Champions League castaway


Manchester United have been cast into the wilderness following Wednesday night’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

With David Moyes’ men seven points behind fourth spot in the Premier League, winning the Champions League this year was their only real hope of staying in the competition for another season.

And now it will be 18 months, at the very least, before United will be back facing the best Europe has to offer.
Thursday, April 10, 2014 12:00