MATCH OF THE WEEKEND: Manchester City v Liverpool It's another big game for Liverpool and one they should be able to raise their game for. They proved against Manchester United they can perform when the pressure is on, and with the spotlight still firmly on Rafa Benitez, the situation is no different for them this weekend.It's a good time for Liverpool to face City, who are struggling to meet expectations so far this season. ...
Thierry Henry has insisted he is no cheat and that he was acting purely on instinct when he handled the ball in France's controversial World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland, and I can understand his point of view. In the heat of the moment, with the ball coming at you at pace amid a crowd of bodies, it is easy to react in the way that Henry did. And I don't think too many other players would have done differently. ...
The Republic of Irelandmay have lost the first leg of their play-off match to France, but they will have been able to take agreat deal of heart from the game at Croke Park.As usual, the Irish had a go and but for some poor finishingand a slice of bad luck, they would be taking a goal with them to Paris.A lot has been made of the part the crowd will play at theStade de France and I genuinely believe it will be a big factor on Wednesday. ...
I'm not a fan of mid-season friendlies at the best of times, but England's money-spinner against Brazil in the Middle Eastis plain crazy.And I imagine that's the view of most Premier League managers too, who willbe spending this weekend fretting over those players who have travelled to the Middle East.There are no footballing reasons to travel so far to play, even if it isagainst Brazil. ...
David Ngog's dive to win a penalty against Birmingham on Monday has caused uproar, and rightly so. What it served to do, apart from getting Liverpool and Rafa Benitez out of jail, is highlight once again the need for action to be taken to combat cheating.Gaining an unfair advantage through diving has for too long blighted the modern game and it is time it was stamped out for good.Of course that is easier said than done. ...
Match of the weekend:Chelsea v Manchester UnitedIt's the big one and I have to listen to my head, not myheart, when predicting the outcome. Chelsea are simplytoo strong for United at the moment and I expect them, with home advantage, totake all three points at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world andhe is in the kind of form to exploit United's current defensive frailties. ...
With just under a third of theseason gone, it looks like the Premier League title could be heading down southto London.Arsenal have played the best-lookingfootball so far and I would love to say they were my favourites to win theleague, but that label has to go to Chelsea.Carlo Ancelotti's side have lost twoaway games, one deservedly at Wigan and one unluckily at Aston Villa, but they havebeen the most consistent. ...
Match of the weekend: Arsenal v Tottenham HotspurThis is a real test of Tottenham'sambitions. They have a bigger squad than Arsenal and more strength in depth,but lack individuals with the quality of Andrei Arshavin or Cesc Fabregas. Arsenalhave started the season well, but they have frailties in defence and you worryabout their durability. They will always outplay teams while still giving thema chance. ...
Match of the weekend: Fulham v ArsenalIn a weekend of few, if any, standout Premier League matches, this one is probably the most interesting.Considering Fulham took four points from the Gunners last season without conceding a goal, they certainly have recent pedigree against Arsene Wenger's side.Arsenal's resilience and mental strength away from home will be under scrutiny. ...
Ryan Giggsshowed his enduring quality at the weekend with a match-winning substituteappearance for Manchester United against Stoke, but United's reliance on him isa little worrying.Giggsy cameoff the bench to set up both goals in a 2-0 win, and he - along with Wayne Rooney- is one of the few truly creative players they have left after the departureof Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. ...
Game of the week - Chelsea v LiverpoolWe don't always get a good game from these two but you never know; there is plenty of quality so hopefully we'll see a decent spectacle. Rafa Benitez has got a lot of sorting out to do after a really poor performance against Fiorentina in midweek. Given the current status of Serie A, I think it will have shaken them to get outclassed by an Italian side. ...
Liverpool's defeat to Chelseaat the weekend has prompted talk that their title bid has ended already. But it is far too early to dismiss their hopes as easily asthat. Things can change quickly in football, and all it will take is a coupleof results to go their way and they will be right back in contention.We've all heard that the last team to win the title afterhaving lost three of their first eight games was Manchester United over 40years ago. ...
They may have already qualified fornext summer's World Cup finals in South Africa,but England must still goout and give their all in the final two World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.So far England have done fantasticallywell to put together an impressive string of results, but they cannot thinkthat their job is over, even though qualification has already been assured. ...
It was unsurprising to see Rio Ferdinand struggling duringEngland's defeat to Ukraine,but calls for his head are premature.The Manchester United defender was horriblyat fault when hefailed to deal with a long ballearly on in England's penultimate World Cup qualifier, leading to the incident which led to Robert Green's sending off and Andriy Shevchenko'smissed penalty. ...
Match of the weekend: Portsmouth v TottenhamActually, this one is more event of the weekend than match of the weekend, considering the likelihood of Spurs winning all three points at Fratton Park. Nevertheless Harry Redknapp's return to his former stomping ground is sure to make this one a must-watch game. Harry is set to receive a white-hot reception from his former fans after having twice left them, the second time when the club was in deep trouble. ...
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