European Capital of Trophies

[shantanu_rooney]

Champions League Draw
27th August, 2009

Champions League group stage draw​

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Celtic and Rangers now know who they will face in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Thursday's draw in Monaco has thrown up a host of exciting and mouth watering fixtures in Europe's elite club competition.

Chelsea head up Group A and will tackle Spanish giants and huge spenders Real Madrid, Scottish side Celtic and Hungarian outfit Unirea Urziceni as Carlo Ancelotti's men aim to do one better than what they did in 2008.

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool have been given the toughest group after Chelsea' as they tackle Italian, Turkish and German champions Inter Milan, Besiktas and Wolfsburg respectively in Group D.

Manchester United - winners in 2008 and finalists in 2009 - are the top seeds in Group E, with Jose Mourinho's side facing some tricky trips to fellow Brit side Rangers and Austrian side FC RB Salzburg, while they must also tackle German giants Stuttgart.

Arsenal have to overcome FC Porto, French chamions Bordeaux and Russian champions Rubin Kazan if they are to secure safe passage from Group H into the knockout phase as they aim to claim the trophy for the first time.

CSKA Moscow' bid to reach the latter stages in Europe sees them placed in Group B alongside top seeds Sevilla, Anderlecht and Wisla of Romania. Group C sees top seed Bayern Munich placed along with French giants Marseille, Italian side Fiorentina and Switzerland outfit FC Zurich.

Defending champions Barcelona tackle Juventus in Group F with Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb completing the quartet. AC Milan, who lifted the trophy last in 2007, face Champions League newcomers AZ Alkmaar, Dannish champions FC Kobenhavn and Blegium outfit Standard Liege in Group G.

The clubs will now meet home and away across six matchdays from September to December with the top two qualifying for the knockout phase, with the ultimate prize on offer in the final at Real's Santiago Bernabeu on 22nd May.

Barca (9/2) and Real (5/1) remain as the front runners in Sky Bet's outright market to win the Champions League. The prices of all five of the British clubs are unchanged with Chelsea a 6/1 shot and Manchester United 7/1 after favourable draws.

Group A: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Celtic, Unirea Urziceni.
Group B: Sevilla, CSKA Mosocw, Anderlecht, Wisla.
Group C: FC Bayern, OM, Fiorentina, Zurich.
Group D: Liverpool, Inter, Bsiktas, Wolfsburg.
Group E: Man Utd, Rangers, Stuttgart, FC RB Salzburg.
Group F: Barcelona, Juventus, Dinamo Kiev, Dinamo Zagreb.
Group G: AC Milan, AZ, FC Kobenhavn, Standard.
Group H: Arsenal, Porto, Bordeaux, Rubin.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Carling Cup Third Round Draw
28th August, 2009

Carling Cup Third Round draw​

Carling Cup holders Manchester United have been drawn against Hull City in the third round of this year's competition, while neighbours Manchester City will host last year's runners-up Tottenham.

Everton travel to Hillsborough Stadium to tackle Sheffield Wednesday. Liverpool welcome championship outfit Scunthrope to Anfield. While Premier League leaders Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

Arsene Wenger is likely to have the youngsters out show as Arsenal travel to The New Den to face Millwall, while Aston Villa host West Ham in an all-Premier League tie. Newly promoted Wolves take on Fulham at the Molinuex. Newcastle United travel to newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley.

Portsmouth will fancy their chances of bumping off Championship outfit Blackpool at the Fratton Park. West Brom face fellow Championship side Watford at the Hawthorns, as Middlesbrough travel to Plymouth.

Peterborough travel to Swansea. Preston face Premier League opposition in the shape of Blackburn, while Cardiff's game with Oldham completes the third-round ties.

All fixtures to be played the week commencing 21st September.

Aston Villa v West Ham
Portsouth v Blackpool
Millwalll v Arsenal
Liverpool v Scunthrope
Sheff Wed v Everton
West Brom v Watford
Plymouth v Middlesbrough
Q.P.R v Norwich
Swansea v Peterborough
Cardiff v Oldham
Wolves v Fulham
Sunderland v Chelsea
Man City v Tottenham
Burnley v Newcastle
Preston v Blackburn
Man Utd v Hull​

 

[m_vaughan]

Chelsea's group isn't that tough as both them and Madrid should go through easily. AC have the easiest one for sure.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Manchester United v Arsenal
28th August, 2009

Jose Mourinho to face his old foe Arsene Wenger​

Old Trafford
Kick off: 17.15

Tale of the game: Arsenal have made a very slow start to the season, having won one and lost one of the two matches they have played so far, scoring just two goals. United are notoriously slow starters and tasted victory just once in their first three league games last season before going on to take the top prize.

TOUCHLINE DUEL: Jose Mourinho v Arsene Wenger

The rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger resumes again. Both managers know each other very well having played against each other many-a-times, during Jose Mourinho's time at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho has the upper hand having never lost to Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side in 7 matches, so Wenger will be out to make the stats a bit better.

TACTICAL BATTLE

United destroyed Arsenal in last season's Champions League semi-final with their rapier counter-attacks, but the key component in that tactic - Cristiano Ronaldo - has moved on. United no longer possess such electric pace and Arsenal will be more capable of containing the champions. The home side's challenge will be to nullify the threat posed by Arsenal forward Andriy Arshavin. The Russian was a threat on last season's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford and he could capitalise on United's defensive problems.

KEY CLASHES:

Nemanja Vidic v Andriy Arshavin

United defender Vidic returned from injury at Wigan last Saturday, but the Serbian is yet to show that he has overcome his confidence-draining encounter with Fernando Torres last March. Recent injuries have also left a question mark. The mercurial Arshavin will roam around Old Trafford's vast spaces and leave Vidic looking for a man to mark, but when he attacks the United penalty area, Vidic must deal with the danger.

Darren Fletcher v Cesc Fabregas

Scotland midfielder Fletcher has always thrived against Arsenal and Ferguson often recalls his successful battles against Patrick Vieira. Fabregas will pose a different test, but Fletcher has emerged as United's key midfielder. His energy, ability to break up opposition attacks and sensible use of possession mark him out as one of the first names on the United team-sheet. Fabregas is a key figure in Arsenal's lineup and has grown in stature since he made his debut, however, and he will relish his battle against Fletcher.

Dimitar Berbatov v Thomas Vermaelen

Berbatov has yet to win over the United supporters almost 12 months after arriving at Old Trafford, but Vermaelen is already a cult figure at the Emirates just four games into his Arsenal career. The Belgian defender's physical prowess and attacking instincts offer Arsenal an option they have lacked since the days of Sol Campbell and he will pose a stern test for Berbatov. The former Spurs forward has no better opportunity to silence his critics, however.

TEAMS

Manchester United: (probable, 4-4-2): Kuszczak, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea; Giggs, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia; Rooney, Berbatov
Arsenal: (probable, 4-3-3): Almunia; Clichy, Vermaelen, Gallas, Sagna; Arshavin, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson; Van Persie, Eduardo.
Referee: Phil Crossley 11 yellow, 2 red.
Last season: Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United.

Stat of the game: This is the 8th meeting between Jose Mourinho and Ars?ne Wenger with the ex-Chelsea boss currently leading the way with 4 wins to the Frenchman's 0.

Betting odds: Home win Evens Away win 11/5 Draw 11/5. ​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Gunners slip down to United defeat
29th August, 2009

Wayne Rooney celebrates his opener​

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney and ex Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov grabbed the goals as Manchester United ensured Gunners stayed in the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League at the end of the first month.

Gunners, now with two defeats in the opening three games, fell behind to a Rooney penalty in the 36th minute after Alex Song handled. The visitors had a spot-kick appeal of their own denied by referee Phil Crossley when Darren Fletcher, later sent off for two yellow cards, clearly appeared to handle substitute Theo Walcott's 53rd minute cross. And Gunners were buried by Berbatov's header following Manuel Almunia's parry of Ryan Giggs’ 69th-minute shot.

Rooney came close to damaging the London club in the first two minutes. Berbatov's pass sent strike partner Rooney scampering clean through the middle to drill past goalkeeper Almunia - but the flag was raised for an obvious offside. Ferdinand did not know whether to head or kick clear from Arshavin's bouncing cross - and, in the end, did neither. Luckily for United no Arsenal player was near enough to take advantage.

Rooney tried to find another way through in the 10th minute and although he was crowded out by a gang of Gunners' defenders the ball ran loose to Ryan Giggs, whose fierce 20-yard shot was repelled by Almunia. Rooney brought another save out of Almunia before the Spaniard snatched the ball off Berbatov's head after United left-back Patrice Evra made a probing run and dangerous cross.

Valencia won a corner on the right off Denilson and sent over the flag-kick for Berbatov to use his height and nod narrowly over. Soon after another Valencia corner was cleared only as far as Giggs on the edge of the area - and the midfielder hit a cracking volley which Almunia did well to keep out.

Kuszczak finally had a shot to save in the 28th minute but it was a tame effort by Cesc Fabregas, who should have done much better from a central position 14 yards out. As Kuszczak carried the ball away, Gael Clichy bumped into him from behind and was booked, caused by the goalkeeper's swerve before kicking clear.

Fabregas was booked in the 33rd minute for a foul on Giggs, who swept the free-kick into the area where Alex Song was adjudged by referee Phil Crossley to have handled the ball. But that did not worry Rooney, who stepped up to bury the spot-kick past Almunia and, ran over towards the Arsenal fans at the corner to celebrate.

The home fans' mood was lifted further with the unmarked Robin van Persie's reaction to a perfect Fabregas pass five minutes before the break. The Dutchman spun away from the flight of the ball, looking completely lost. Winger Walcott's pace and guile looked a bonus and he fed Arshavin to shoot not far off target before Almunia made another good stop at the other end from Giggs.

With Bendtner still on the bench, Arsenal were denied what looked a clear penalty in the 53rd minute when Fletcher appeared to handle Walcott's cross from the left. Referee Phil Crossley was unmoved though, and Manchester United's luck was in.

Arsenal were having more of the match and when Walcott knocked back Bakary Sagna's cross, Arshavin's goalbound 20-yard shot was blocked by Vidic. But Manchester United doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Berbatov grabbed his second goal this season in front of the Old Trafford fans. Giggs came raiding again down the left to hit a fearsome drive which Almunia could only knock away - straight to the lurking striker who nodded it into the net to prompt wild celebrations in the stands.

Robin van Persie showed a touch of magic at the other end soon afterwards, dribbling past two challenges but then seeing his fierce shot blocked. Almunia, though, had to race off his line to prevent Owen grabbing a third Manchester United goal.

Nicklas Bendtner increased their anguish when he fired wildly over the bar with a half-chance, three minutes after his arrival. United's joy was tarnished when Fletcher was sent off for a second yellow card after late-tackling Gael Clichy in the 89th minute.

__________________________________________________​

Manhcester United boss Jose Mourinho: "It was nice to see Wayne score. He's been very sharp and so has Berba who also did well. We needed this result and I was delighted with how we went about it. We've had one bad draw but sometimes that happens and the most important thing is to get back as quickly as you can."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "I think they played well and deserved to win today. This has been our worst start ever as far as I can remember. But we have a very good squad that can win us titles. As the season progress we will get stronger and stronger. Today was not our day at all."

__________________________________________________​

Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand(c), Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs(Park 88), Berbatov(Owen 72), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Evans, Anderson, Scholes, Neville.

Sent Off: Fletcher 89.

Booked: Fletcher, Evra, Berbatov, Valencia.

Goals: Rooney 36 pen, BErbatov 70.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen(Silvestre 57), Clichy, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Denilson(Bendtner 73), Eduardo(Walcott 46), van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Diaby, Ramsey, Traore.

Booked: Clichy, Sagna, Fabregas, Walcott.

Att: 76,212.

Ref: P Crossley.

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Barclays Premier League - Matchday Four Results
2nd September, 2009

Didier Drogba and Chelsea against Burnley

Saturday, 29th August 2009

Chelsea 4-0 Burnley
Drogba 9, Suarez 31, Essien 71, Jensen(og) 73.

Blackburn 4-0 West Ham
Kalinic 5, 33, Diouf 35, McCarthy 68.

Bolton 1-3 Liverpool
Muamba 66 ; Benayoun 3, Carragher 30, Gerrard 33.

Stoke 1-3 Sunderland
Osorio(og) 9 ; Cana 60, 73, Jones 70.

Wolves 0-0 Hull

Tottenham 1-0 Birmingham
Crouch 90+3.

Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal
Rooney(pen) 36, Berbatov 70.

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Portsmouth 1-2 Man City
Piquionne 4 ; Robinho 16, 51.

Everton 1-0 Wigan
Pienaar 31.

Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham
Hughes(og) 43, Agbonlahor 90.

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

Man City 0-1 Everton
Donovan 54.

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Manchester United sign three on deadline day
2nd September, 2009

Douglas Costa will join United on 1st January​

Jose Mourinho has completed the signings of Lorenzo Crisetig, Ezio Marco Fossati and Douglas Costa for a total fee of around ?16 million on the deadline day of the transfer window.

Both Lorenzo Crisetig and Ezio Marco Fossati who played for Jose Mourinho's previous club Inter Milan have signed a two-year contract with the club, while the 18-year-old Gremio midfielder will join the Old Trafford club on the 1st of January, at the end of the ongoing Brazil season on a year contract.

Douglas Cotsa who has made over 15 appearances, scored on his first team debut for Gr?mio, netting the equaliser in a 2–1 win against Botafogo. Ever since, Chelsea FC, Manchester United, Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona have been linked with Douglas and he has been dubbed "the new Ronaldinho".

Jose Mourinho told the club's official website: "I am very happy to have signed Lorenzo, Ezio and Douglas on the last day of the transfer window. We have been scouting them for a while, and we are happy with the reports we have received. I believe they all will be a major hit at Old Trafford and surely the ones to watch for in the future."

Some reports in England suggest that Everton rejected a late ?12 million from Manchester United for younger defender Jack Rodwell. But Mourinho has been quick to dismiss the reports, "No, no, no, we didn't make any bid for Jack Rodwell. He is a good player but we didn't bid for him," Mourinho told skysports.com.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Premier League summer signings
2nd September, 2009

Luis Suarez - Major hit for Chelsea​

Arsenal

In: Jakub Blaszczykowski(Dortmund 6.75m), Josh Lambo(FC Dallas 450k), Francesco Modesto(Genoa 7,75m).

Out: Kieran Gibbs(Reading Loan), Nacer Barazite(Crystal Palace Loan), Gavin Hoyte(Derby Loan).


Aston Villa

In:

Out: Nicky Shorey(Espanyol Ln Fee 550k), Stephen O'Halloran(Sheff Utd Loan), Ciaran Clark(Barnsley Loan), Nathan Baker(Barnsley Loan).


Birmingham City

In:

Out: Artur Krysiak(Atalanta 140k).


Blackburn Rovers

In: Kristiyan Dobrev(Loko(Sofia) 110k), Anduele Pryor(Vitesse 150k), Lee Hodson(Watford 625k), Santiago Acasiete(Almeria Ln Fee 575k).

Out: Julio Eduardo Santa Cruz(Cercle Brugge Loan), Martin Olsson(Villarreal 2.6m), Gavin Gunning(Barnsley Loan), El-Hadji Diouf(Lyon 4.6m).


Bolton Wanderers

In:

Out:


Burnley

In: Stelios Venetidis(Larisa 850k),Marcel de Jong(Roda JC 1.6m), Roni Porokara(Orebro 700k).

Out:


Chelsea

In: Luis Suarez(Ajax 22m), Filipe(Deportivo 10.5m), Romelu Lukaku(Anderlecht 2.2m), Tommaso Rocchi(Lazio 8.75m), Luis(Xerez 1.2m), Sebastian Giovinco(Juventus 12.25m).

Out: Jeffrey Bruma(Bristol City Loan), Saloman Kalou (Stuttgart Ln Fee 600k).


Everton

In: Eddie Nolan(Preston 2.4m), Javier Garrido(Man City 2.4m), Tom de Mul(Sevilla 925k), Anders Due(AaB Ln Fee 190k).

Out: Eddie Nolan(Cardiff Loan), Jose Baxter(Blackpool Loan).


Fulham

In:

Out:


Hull City

In: Bojan Jokic(FC Sochaux 1.7m), Daniel Pacheco(Liverpool Ln Fee 525k), David Cortes(Getafe 1m), Javi Baraj(Vallodolid 1.4m), Antonio German(Q.P.R 550k).
.
Out: Kevin Kilbane(Wolves 2.25m).


Liverpool

In: Gai Assulin(Barcelona 350k), Mario(Vaillarreal 1.6m), Cedric(At. Madrid 350k), Nemanja Mitrovic(Inter 975k), Koke(At. Madrid 575k), Arsenio Valpoort(sc Heerenveen 1.3m).

Out: Adam Pepper(Man City 825k), Martin Kelly(Watford Loan), Lauri Dalla Valle(Lazio Ln Fee 325k), Alexander Kacaniklic(Celtic 70k), Steve Irwin(Accrington Loan), Emiliano Insua(Boca Ln Fee 3.5m), Daniel Pacheco(Hull City Ln Fee 525k), Gai Assulin(Cardiff Loan).


Manchester City

In: Benoit Cheyrou(Marseille 18.5m), Adam Pepper(Liverpool 825k), Alberto Baccarin(Fiorentina 1m), Zacharie Boucher(Harve AC 400k), Milos Krasic(CSKA Moscow 11.5m), Adrian Mutu(Fiorentina 13.25m), Juan Manuel Vargas(Fiorentina 17.75m), Harry Kewell(Galatasaray 9.25m).

Out: Vladimir Weiss(Watford Loan), Javier Garrido(everton 2.4m), Martin Petrov(Inter 9.5m), Benjani(Racing Ln Fee 250k), Clayton McDonald(Chester Loan), Adam Clayton(Bury Loan).


Manchester United

In: David Silva(Valencia 35.5m), Stephan El-Shaarawy(Genoa 2.2m), Lorenzo Crisetig(Inter 1.7m), Marco Ezio Fossati(Inter 2.2m).

Out: Nani(Barcelona 11.25m), Wes Browm(Sunderland 10m), Ritchie De Laet(Palermo 2.1m).


Portsmouth

In:

Out: Marc Wilson(Cardiff Loan).


Stoke City

In: Igor Stasevich(Bate 2.4m), Lee Chun-Soo(Al-Nassr 1m), George Ogararu(Ajax 300k), Eric Djemba-Djemba(OB 3.5m).

Out: Ryan Shotton(Blackpool Loan).


Sunderland

In: Wes Brown(Manchetser United 10m), Ricardo Osorio(Stuttgart 900k), Alexander Odegaard(Viking Ln Fee 150k), Manu(Malaga Ln Fee 110k), Maldonado(Sporting Ln Fee 110k), Fabio Firmani(Lazio Ln Fee 75k).

Out:


Tottenham Hotspur

In: Anthony Lurling(NAC Breda 425k), Simone Dell'Agnello(Inter 400k).

Out: Danny Rose(Crystal Palace Loan), Tom Huddlestone(West Brom Loan).


West Ham United

In: Mark Viduka(Free).

Out: Josh Payne(Blackpool Loan).


Wigan Athletic

In: Ciprian Marica(Stuttgart Ln Fee 425k), Enric Saborit(Athletic 450k).

Out:


Wolverhampton Wanderers

In: Kevin Kilbane(Hull City 2.5m), Adrian Mierzejewski(Polonia Warszawa 1.1m).

Out: George Friend(Nottm Forest Loan).​

 

[m_vaughan]

What's with City raiding Fiorentina?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Berbatov returns to haunt Spurs
13th September, 2009

Dimitar Berbatov celebrates scoring a late winner against Tottenham​

Dimitar Berbatov emerged as Manchester United's unlikely hero with an 88th minute strike at the White Hart Lane to give his side three points against his former employees.

Jose Mourinho's men had come under increasing pressure from the buoyant home side with goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak keeping them in the match before Berbatov pounced to drill home David Silva's header in the box. The Bulgarian had been a virtual passenger up to that point as the Red Devils, confident from their win over Arsenal, were made to look distinctly second best.

Kuszczak had denied former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch with a brilliant finger-tip save in the first half and also denied Wilson Palacios, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe as the home side pressed. But for once it was Mourinho who was left celebrating after a tough start to the season as Berbatov continued a good run of personal form by firing home, to the delight of the massed ranks of United fans behind the goal.

Coming off last matchday's good win over Birmingham, Spurs had brimmed with confidence for most of the afternoon, Vedran Corluka almost finding Ledley King in the box with a fifth minute cross. Then Palacios played a clever one-two with Defoe to burst into the United box where the ball finally ran away from him as United, conversely, played like a team.

Crouch posed a constant threat and came close just past the quarter-hour mark when he picked up Luka Modric's free-kick at the far post but could only steer it into the side-netting. The match degenerated into a rather lifeless affair although Crouch remained at the centre of almost everything, lashing another speculative effort high and wide in the 27th minute.

Defoe, was ruled narrowly offside when put through by Palacios then United fashioned their best chance to take a lead their performance did not really merit. With Tottenham caught clearing their lines after a United corner, Rooney swung a high ball back into the box which Namanja Vidic met with his head and directed his shot inches over Gomes' bar.

Crouch was the first man in referee Mark Clattenburg's book in the 39th minute for barging over Michael Carrick on the edge of the United box, followed by Ledley King for hacking down the same man two minutes later. Crouch had the best chance of the half three minutes before the break, when he lashed a right-foot shot from the edge of the box that Kuszczak did well to tip around the post.

The home side continued to look most likely to break the deadlock at the start of the second half, Palacios firing wildly over the bar after Rio Ferdinand deflected an effort by Kranjcar into his path. Defoe curled a long-range effort just the wrong side of the upright and, with both sides continuing to squander possession too easily, the disjointed action was lacking any kind of rhythm.

David Silva - making his debut for the Red Devils - hit a long-range effort over the bar as if to signal how short of ideas were United, whose manager Mourinho made his first change on the hour when Ryan Giggs replaced the injured Carrick. A slip by Silva set up another Tottenham chance in the 66th minute, Kranjcar neatly setting up the impressive Palacios, who hit a rising shot straight at Kuszczak.

Redknapp responded by bringing on Keane for Niko Kranjcar and the Irishman sent in a dangerous 77th minute free-kick which almost found the head of John O'Shea in front of goal. Keane was injecting more creativity into the Tottenham attacks and embarked on a rangy cross-field run in the 80th minute which ended with a powerful shot which Kuszczak saved at full-stretch.

Defoe's toe-poked effort goalwards was blocked at point-blank range by the alert Kuszczak before substitutes Aaron Lennon and Sebastien Bassong combined, with the former West Ham United striker forcing another brave stop from the goalkeeper. Then, just when United looked like they would be happy to cling on for a point, they seized the win when Silva nodded the ball into the path of Berbatov - who squeezed the winner low past Gomes.

__________________________________________________​

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp: "There was 0-0 written all over it once we failed to score in the first half-hour. We needed to score and unfortunately we didn't manage to do that, and we've been caught with a horrible sucker punch at the end."

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: "We were excellent across the back four today. It's the type of game where centre-halves get the opportunity to stand out and they certainly did that today. It was important for Dimitar (Berbatov) to continue his scoring form and getting the winner is always special."

__________________________________________________​

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate(c), King, Assou-Ekotto(Bassong 84), Jenas, Modric, Palacios, Kranjcar(Keane 67), Crouch(Aaron Lennon 80), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Lurling, Pavlyuchenko, Bentley.

Booked: Crouch, King, Modric.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand(C), Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick(Giggs 59), Fletcher, Silva, Rooney(Owen 78), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Evans, Park, Scholes, Anderson.

Booked: Ferdinand, Vidic.

Goals: Berbatov 88.

Att: 36,310.

Ref: M Clattenburg.

Man of the Match: Tomasz Kuszczak.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Barclays Premier League - Matchday Five Results
13th September, 2009

City and Arsenal shared the points at Eastlands

Saturday, 12th September 2009

Blackburn 1-1 Wolves
Givet 14 ; Doyle 41.

Liverpool 3-1 Burnley
Gerrard 6, Torres 45, 50 ; Fletcher 59.

Man City 1-1 Arsenal
Robinho 56 ; Denilson 27.

Portsmouth 3-2 Bolton
Brown 21, Diop 56, Yebda 71; Gardner 68, Klasnic(pen) 90.

Stoke 0-4 Chelsea
Drogba 6, 46, Rocchi 16, J Cole 58.

Sunderland 4-2 Hull
Turner 31, Campbell 40, 44, Bent 61 ; Geovanni 71, Fagan 73.

Wigan 2-0 West Ham
Scharner 21, Bramble 48.

Tottenham 0-1 Man Utd
Berbatov 88.

Sunday, 13th September 2009

Birmingham 0-2 Aston villa
Carew(pen) 14, 38.

Fulham 0-1 Everton
Pantsil(s/o) 90 ; Fellaini 33.​

​

 

[m_vaughan]

Berbatov being the sly fox that he is. Good to see Chelsea maintain their 100% record.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

UEFA Champions League - Matchday One Results
15th September, 2009

Frank Lampard celebrates scoring Chelsea's second against Real Madrid

Tuesday, 15th September 2009

Group A
Celtic 3-0 Unirea Urziceni
Fortune 18, Caldwell 26, Zhi 50.

Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid
Suarez 76, Lampard(pen) 90+2.

Group B
Sevilla 1-0 Anderlecht
Kanoute 83.

Wisla 0-3 CSKA Moscow
Dzagoev 54, Ignashevich 67, Necid 80, Semberas(s/o) 85.

Group C
Bayern Munich 4-0 Zurich
Robber 11, 72, Badstuber 28, van Bommel 90 ; Vonlanthen(pen) 82.

Marseille 0-1 Fiorentina
Lucho Gonzalez(s/o) 74 ; Gilardino 51.

Group D
Besiktas 0-3 Wolfsburg
Dzeko 30, 71, Barzagli 78.

Inter 0-2 Liverpool
Babel 2, Gerrard 65.​

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

United grateful to clinical Owen
16th September, 2009

United's match winner celebrates his goal​

Two goals in the last four minutes gave Manchester United victory against a valiant Rangers FC side. English striker Michael Owen's stunning strike three minutes from time shattered the Scottish champions' resistance before David Silva added a clinching third goal.

The Old Trafford stadium crowd seemed resigned to a 1-1 draw until Michael Owen picked the ball up on the halfway line. He proceeded to slalom his way past three tacklers before coolly firing past Allan McGregor.

The match had been billed as a test of Manchester United's mental strength as they sought to bounce back from last season's final defeat. Their most pressing concern, though, was the absence of defender Rio Ferdinand, ruled out with a muscle strain during warmup, so coach Jose Mourinho opted for Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic as centre-backs. At the other end, Michael Owen was preferred alongside Rooney in place of inform Dimitar Berbatov.

Walter Smith's team, meanwhile, looked to striker Kris Boyd and playmaker Kevin Thomson to dictate the pace against the Premier League Champions. The attacking approach paid off as the visitors looked the livelier side early on, with Steven Davis constantly finding space up front.

However, Manchester United had the first sight of goal when Paul Scholes's lofted pass set up Rooney but the Englishman misjudjed the bounce and the ball landed safely in the arms of a grateful McGregor. Five minutes later Neville whipped in a smart cross for Owen that the fellow Englishman headed just wide.

That jolted Rangers into action and former Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes and Davis almost combined to put Boyd through but the Scot got squeezed out in front of Foster's goal. But just as the Old Trafford faithful were having doubts about the psychological state of their team, a splendid Michael Owen effort gave the hosts a 21st-minute lead. The 29-year-old pounced after the ever-inventive Scholes back-heeled a pass and, with one touch, Owen swivelled to his right and arrowed a low drive into the bottom corner.

Determined not to let Manchester United extend their advantage, Rangers started the second half more positively. Boyd's pace began to expose Evans and the visitors nearly exploited Manchester United's lack of speed at the back when Thomson released the forward with a magnificent through-ball. Boyd sprinted past Evans and Vidic and should have restored parity but was let down by a wayward shot.

Manchester United regrouped quickly and Neville's offensive instincts provided another opportunity after 57 minutes. He intercepted in midfield and found Rooney in the box. The striker lost his marker and found room to unload a powerful drive but deflected off a defender and McGregor palmed it away for a corner.

With Mendes withdrawn and replaced by Maurice Edu, Boyd remained the focus for Rangers's attacking forays. His efforts finally paid dividends when he dribbled his way into the area and was upended by Anderson. Referee Pedro Henriques whistled for a penalty and a composed McCulloch sent Ben Foster the wrong way with a shot into the left corner.

But it was another brilliant Brit, Michael Owen, who stole the show with his sublime solo strike on 86 minutes. David Silva's simple finish then confirmed Manchetser United's winning start as the 2008/09 runners-up showed that they too can triumph in the dramatic conclusion of a match.

__________________________________________________​

Man Utd: Foster, Neville(c), Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Scholes(Carrick 78), Anderson, Silva, Rooney(Giggs 88), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Fletcher, Berbatov, O'Shea.

Goals: Owen 21, 86, Silva 89.

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir(C), Wilson, Papac, McCulloch, Lafferty, Mendes(Edu 57), Davis, Thomson(Naismith 68), Boyd(Bougherra 87).
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Harper, Fleck, Dods.

Goals: Boyd 65 pen.

Att: 76,212.

Ref: P Henriques.

Man of the Match: Michael Owen.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

UEFA Champions League - Matchday One Results
16th September, 2009

Bruno Alves scores Porto's fourth goal against Arsenal

Wednesday, 16th September 2009

Group E
FC RB Salzburg 0-1 Stuttgart
Hleb 87.

Manchester United 3-1 Rangers
Owen 21, 86, Silva 89 ; Boyd(pen) 65.

Group F
Barcelona 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Ibrahimovic 19, 29.

Dinamo Kiev 1-4 Juventus
Milevskyi(pen) 32 ; Legrottaglie 8, Diego 12, Marchisio 50, Poulsen 63.

Group G
FC Kobenhavn 0-2 AC Milan
Huntelaar 36, Pato 39.

Standard 2-0 AZ
Witsel(pen) 46, Camargo 63.

Group H
FC Porto 4-1 Arsenal
Hulk 40, Guarin 45+1, Varela 59, Bruno Alves 85 ; van Persie 53, Gallas(s/o) 40.

Rubin 3-3 Bordeaux
Dominguez 6, Bukharov 34, Ansaldi 81 ; Gourcuff 18, Diarra 56, Thery 85.​

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