MANCHESTER UNITED...the RED DEVILS march on !!!

[kueytoc]

Rooney leads United in Club World Cup final

By JIM ARMSTRONG,AP Sports Writer AP - Monday, December 22

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Wayne Rooney scored late in the second half Sunday to lead 10-man Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Ecuador's Liga de Quito in the final of the Club World Cup.

Rooney, who was named player of the tournament, took a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 73rd minute and fired an angled right-footed blast into the bottom corner past diving Liga goalkeeper Jose Cevallos.

"It was a very difficult game especially after going down to 10 men," said Rooney. "I'm very happy to have scored and for us to become the best club in the world is something we can be very proud of."

United was reduced to 10 men when defender Nemanja Vidic was given a red card in the 49th minute for elbowing Claudio Bieler in the face.

United becomes the first English club to win the cup in its current format. The Red Devils participated in the first Club World Cup in 2000 without making the final, while Liverpool lost the 2005 decider.

In 1999, United did win the predecessor to the Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup which matched the European and South American champions.

United manager Alex Ferguson had high praise for Rooney.

"He played well enough to score two or three goals tonight," said Ferguson. "It was a magnificent game that he played."

Liga didn't have a shot on target until Alejandro Manso rifled a left-foot blast from the top of the area in the 63rd minute only to see United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar make a spectacular diving save.

Manso came dangerously close to equalizing in the 89th minute with a long-range shot that Van Der Sar tipped over the bar.

"Now we can say we are the best team in the world," said United captain Rio Ferdinand. "We knew they could create problems but I think today we kept them down to a minimum of chances."

Looking to add to their Premier League and Champions League titles, United controlled the flow of play from the outset.

Rooney had a superb chance 10 minutes in when he played a long ball from Vidic off his chest and unleashed a powerful volley from the top of the area that Cevallos stopped with a diving save.

Ronaldo set up Carlos Tevez 10 minutes later with a cross but the Argentine's low header was saved by Cevallos, who kept his team in the match in the first half.

Rooney set up Park Ji-sung after a nifty one-two with Tevez but the South Korean fired into the hands of Cevallos late in the first half.

Jairo Campos had Liga's best scoring chance in the opening minutes when he redirected a Manso free kick inches wide of the post.

United qualified for the Club World Cup in May after beating fellow English side Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the Champions League final at Moscow.

Liga qualified for the competition by becoming the first Ecuadorean club to win South America's Copa Libertadores.

Liga defeated Mexico's Pachuca 2-0 on Wednesday to reach Sunday's final, while United advanced after a 5-3 win over Japan's Gamba Osaka.

Gamba secured a third-place finish earlier Sunday with a 1-0 win over Pachuca.

Striker Masato Yamazaki scored the winner in the 30th minute when he volleyed a superb pass from fellow forward Ryuji Bando past goalkeeper Miguel Calero.

[kueytoc]

Where did IT all go wrong ???

Man United 1

Ronaldo (23)

Liverpool 4

Torres (28), Gerrard (44), Aurelio (77), Dossena (90)

14 March 2009 Old Trafford 75,569

Report by Ben Hibbs

It had looked rosy when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a first-half penalty, but an uncharacteristically nervy display at the back allowed Liverpool back into this match; and the subsequent 4-1 defeat means the Reds’ lead at the top is chopped to four points, albeit with a game in hand.

Ronaldo put United ahead but three defensive mistakes led to Liverpool goals, and Nemanja Vidic’s second-half sending off, which preceded the visitor’s third goal, put paid to taking any points. In truth, this wasn’t a great day at the office, it never quite clicked into place. But one thing is certain: this defeat must be used to propel the Reds’ forward in the title race. The team responds well to set-backs, and this is only minor stumble.

United made three changes from the team that beat Internazionale in midweek. Whereas Sir Alex chose the experience of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs against Jose Mourinho’s men, the Reds boss favoured the energy and youthful vigour of Anderson and Ji-sung Park, while Carlos Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney in place of Dimitar Berbatov.

It must have stuck in throats of Liverpool’s players and fans when United were welcomed onto the field as “the Champions of England, the Champions of Europe, and the Champions of the Worldâ€. Such is United’s dominance these days that the roles are reversed from when Liverpool dominated at home and abroad years ago.

The shouts of “United, United†were deafening as the teams kicked off, and the sheer gravity of how potentially decisive this match could be added extra spice, though it was hardly needed. Liverpool, who knew that they had to win to keep alive their ailing title hopes, were forced into a change when Alvaro Arbeloa was injured during the warm-up and replaced by Sami Hyypia.

United made the early running, while Liverpool started with a game-plan of containment, a 4-5-1 formation aimed at constricting United’s free-flowing football, but the Reds were urged on by the fans, the coaching staff and Rooney screaming at his team-mates to press forward. The start typified both team’s styles; United brooding with attacking intent, Liverpool patient and poker-faced.

The visitors blinked first. Tevez slotted a pass through the channel to Park on 23 minutes, and the midfielder was wiped out by Pepe Reina – referee Alan Wiley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ronaldo stood poised ready to strike from twelve yards and his perfectly-placed kick was followed with a collective roar of approval and rousing “We shall not be moved†as Old Trafford bounced and rocked.

The lead lasted only five minutes, however, after a rare error from Nemanja Vidic, who failed to deal with a high ball forward from Reina. Whether it was the intermittent spring sunshine or indecision, he let the ball bounce and Fernando Torres nipped the ball off his toes. The Serb stumbled and Torres was left to slip the ball past the onrushing Edwin van der Sar. It was a frustrating leveller, largely undeserved and just as the Reds had appeared to take control.

United immediately looked to make amends when Reina just held onto a deflected Ronaldo free-kick, and shortly before half time Michael Carrick sent a wicked shot just over the bar. But seconds later Liverpool took the lead. Gerrard latched onto Torres’ pass and Patrice Evra brought him down. The Liverpool skipper calmly despatched his spot-kick, though Edwin guessed the right way.

In the second half, no doubt with Sir Alex’s words still ringing in their ears, the United players pressed forward, roared on by the Old Trafford crowd. Reina was twice lucky to escape after spilling crosses, once allowing the ball to rebound off his post, another dropped on the goal line. But neither occasion gleaned an equaliser. Nor did Ronaldo’s flashed cross on 63 minutes, or the return ball from Rooney which Tevez couldn’t quite reach. But United were definitely in the ascendancy.

Tevez had an even better chance on 70 minutes when Carrick’s lofted pass found him free in the area. He chested the ball down but could apply the finish. Shortly afterwards, United made a triple substitution with Berbatov, Scholes and Giggs coming on for Carrick, Anderson and Park. But United’s hopes of turning this match around were all but curtailed when Vidic was given a straight red card for hauling down Gerrard who was through on goal, and to make matters worse Aurelio curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner of van der Sar’s goal.

It all but snuffed out even the slimmest hopes of a Reds recovery and Andrea Dossena's late lob compounded matters and made this a day to forget. Liverpool may claim the bragging rights and a double over United in the league this season, but Sir Alex and co's sights are set on bigger prizes.

[kueytoc]

Liverpool win title? No way!

Humiliation of Red Devils only serves warning of future title clashes. -AFP

Mon, Mar 16, 2009

AsiaOne

MANCHESTER - IN CASE Liverpool fans are deliriously proclaiming their club as world-beating champions, here is a bucket of cold water for them: The Reds are not going to win the Barclays Premier League title this season.

This verdict, after their astonishing 4-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday, came from former England and Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, who writes for The Daily Mail.

He wrote: "This 4-1 scoreline will be a blip in the history books.

"I don't think it will alter the destination of where the league title is going. Man United simply have too much class and experience to allow one bad day at the office to run into several weeks of poor form.

"I expect them to pick up straight away, probably starting with Fulham next weekend."

Indeed, Man United still have an imposing lead despite the humiliating loss to one of their most hated rivals.

They are four points ahead of the Merseyside club and have a game in hand. If the Red Devils win that extra game, they will be seven points ahead - meaning that they need to lose three of their remaining 10 matches for Liverpool to even have a chance of catching up.

Man United's fixtures against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal are the ones which Liverpool will regard as most likely to result in United dropping points.

Still, the fact that they are all at Old Trafford is in the champions' favour, as is the fact that the Reds still have to entertain both Villa and Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Robson believes Liverpool have earned more than mere bragging rights for their fans after beating the Red Devils both home and away this season.

He wrote: "I don't think Liverpool will win the league this season, but I can see him achieving it at some time at Anfield.

"In the short term, it will not change the course of the title race. Over the next few years, though, it shows United cannot take the Liverpool challenge lightly."

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has also refused to be carried away.

He has, however, challenged his Liverpool squad to test Manchester United's nerve by winning all nine of their remaining BPL matches.

Said the Spaniard: "It depends on United. They have to lose games and we have to win all ours.

"I'm realistic. The important thing now is that we do our job and win our matches."

A defiant Ferguson insisted that "the best team lost" last Saturday.

He told The Independent: "We made mistakes under pressure. But at this club, it's a case of 'When you lose, respond', and that's what we'll do."

Should his players do so, then Liverpool fans would have to be content with the consolation of bragging rights over their arch-rivals this season.

--AFP

[liverpool4ever]

Liverpool win title? No way!

Humiliation of Red Devils only serves warning of future title clashes. -AFP

Mon, Mar 16, 2009

AsiaOne

MANCHESTER - IN CASE Liverpool fans are deliriously proclaiming their club as world-beating champions, here is a bucket of cold water for them: The Reds are not going to win the Barclays Premier League title this season.

This verdict, after their astonishing 4-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday, came from former England and Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, who writes for The Daily Mail.

He wrote: "This 4-1 scoreline will be a blip in the history books.

"I don't think it will alter the destination of where the league title is going. Man United simply have too much class and experience to allow one bad day at the office to run into several weeks of poor form.

"I expect them to pick up straight away, probably starting with Fulham next weekend."

Indeed, Man United still have an imposing lead despite the humiliating loss to one of their most hated rivals.

They are four points ahead of the Merseyside club and have a game in hand. If the Red Devils win that extra game, they will be seven points ahead - meaning that they need to lose three of their remaining 10 matches for Liverpool to even have a chance of catching up.

Man United's fixtures against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal are the ones which Liverpool will regard as most likely to result in United dropping points.

Still, the fact that they are all at Old Trafford is in the champions' favour, as is the fact that the Reds still have to entertain both Villa and Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Robson believes Liverpool have earned more than mere bragging rights for their fans after beating the Red Devils both home and away this season.

He wrote: "I don't think Liverpool will win the league this season, but I can see him achieving it at some time at Anfield.

"In the short term, it will not change the course of the title race. Over the next few years, though, it shows United cannot take the Liverpool challenge lightly."

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has also refused to be carried away.

He has, however, challenged his Liverpool squad to test Manchester United's nerve by winning all nine of their remaining BPL matches.

Said the Spaniard: "It depends on United. They have to lose games and we have to win all ours.

"I'm realistic. The important thing now is that we do our job and win our matches."

A defiant Ferguson insisted that "the best team lost" last Saturday.

He told The Independent: "We made mistakes under pressure. But at this club, it's a case of 'When you lose, respond', and that's what we'll do."

Should his players do so, then Liverpool fans would have to be content with the consolation of bragging rights over their arch-rivals this season.

--AFP

the race is not over yet.

best of luck to all the teams.

[raydiative]

the race is not over yet.

best of luck to all the teams.

well said! glad to hear that from a anfield supporter! May the best for this season win the league.. =]

[tagie_tag]

winning title or not doesnt method.

best is beat them at anfield

and at old trafford...

forever liverpools..........................yes.

[wilsontantw]

winning title or not doesnt method.

best is beat them at anfield

and at old trafford...

forever liverpools..........................yes.

my take - Man U will take the title and match Liverpool's record of most number of English League Titles.

The winner of the league basically is the most consistent team throughout the entire season... and Man U with so much depth and talent in the team, will virtually bag the title.

Before you think i'm a Red Devils fan... read again...

First XI vs First XI - The Reds beat Red Devils (twice) this season. hehe...

Now, we'll just wait and see for Champions league... That should be quite a fire-cracker of a match!

[kueytoc]

[ReDDeviLs]

excited about friday's CL draw.

scali meet them in CL LOL!

[kueytoc]

Liverpool, Chelsea to clash in Europe again !!!

Foes reunited in Champions League

20 March 2009 13:59

There was a distinct air of deja-vu about Friday's draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, not least after English powerhouses Liverpool and Chelsea were paired together for the fifth successive season in the competition.

A keen rivalry has developed between the sides since a controversial goal by Liverpool's Luis Garcia settled their 2005 semi-final tie and paved the way for the Reds' stunning comeback in that year's final against AC Milan.

The teams met again in last year's semi-final, when a John Arne Riise own goal in the last minute of the first leg at Anfield shifted the momentum of the tie in favour of Chelsea, who advanced with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

"We need to make sure we don't make a mistake in the first leg like we did in last year's semi-final," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

"They will be two tough games but we are playing well and we are confident we can win."

Liverpool are on a high, with Benitez's new contract agreement coming hot on the heels of the 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg and a stunning 4-1 victory at the home of arch-rivals Manchester United.

The manner in which Benitez's men set about Real made headlines right across Europe, but interim Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink said he was "OK" with the draw.

"If you have great desire to get to the end in May, you have to play them - Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona," said the Dutchman, who guided PSV Eindhoven to the European Cup in 1988.

"Both teams like to play football and have players in their teams to play in an attacking way. That's a guarantee for big clashes."

The winners of the Liverpool-Chelsea tie will play either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, with Manchester United and Arsenal on course to meet if they can overcome Porto and Villarreal respectively.

"This is a good draw. We've met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

"We have had a huge Portuguese influence in the club, firstly with (former assistant manager) Carlos Queiroz but now with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani so we understand Portuguese football."

Porto eliminated United en route to their shock 2004 Champions League triumph, while Arsenal are reunited with the side that they beat in the semi-finals of the 2005-06 tournament.

The tie will hold special meaning for Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires, who won two league titles and two FA Cups in six years at Arsenal before leaving for Spain in 2006.

"Of course it will be a special match," Pires said.

"Returning there makes me very happy but today, as a Villarreal player, I want to win to continue in the competition with my team."

Pires's former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry declared himself relieved that his Barcelona team had avoided being drawn against the Gunners, but warned that German champions Bayern - who notched a record 12-1 aggregate win over Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 - would be no push-overs.

"It is going to be a very difficult match," Henry said.

"They scored a lot of goals in the previous round, so it is not going to be easy."

[kueytoc]

PENGZ-SUN LIAO !!!...Cracking under pressure ?

United crash at Fulham in 2-0 defeat

21 March 2009 11:38

By Martyn Herman

LONDON - Champions Manchester United imploded at Fulham on Saturday when Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were sent off in a 2-0 Premier League defeat.

The result blew the title race wide open as United suffered their first loss at Craven Cottage for 45 years.

Scholes was dismissed for handball on the line in the 18th minute giving Danny Murphy the chance to put Fulham in front from the penalty spot and Rooney was red-carded for throwing the ball towards the referee after Zoltan Gera had made it 2-0.

After last week's 4-1 drubbing at home to Liverpool, United have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time since 2005.

The setback was softened later on Saturday as second-placed Chelsea wasted a chance to narrow the gap to one-point by losing 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur in a match delayed by a security scare.

Luka Modric's goal ended Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink's 100 percent record in the league since taking over in February.

The results made it a great day for Liverpool who host Aston Villa on Sunday knowing victory will see them breathing down the necks of a United side who seemed out of sight two weeks ago.

United lead the table with 65 points from 29 games while Chelsea have 61, having played a match more. Liverpool also have 61 points from 29 games played.

RELEGATION WORRIES

Portsmouth eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 home win over Everton in the early kickoff thanks to two Peter Crouch headers and Stoke City moved out of the bottom three with the 1-0 defeat of visiting fellow strugglers Middlesbrough.

Bottom club West Bromwich Albion look to be sliding towards the trapdoor after a 1-1 home draw with Bolton Wanderers. Blackburn Rovers also drew 1-1 with visitors West Ham United.

United had not lost at Fulham since 1964 and recently won 4-0 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup having registered a 3-0 win over the west London side at Old Trafford in the league.

However, the match swung Fulham's way when Bobby Zamora headed goalwards after Edwin Van der Sar had saved an effort by Brede Hangeland and Scholes used his hands to stop the ball going over the line.

Scholes was sent off before Murphy, a former Liverpool midfielder, placed his penalty beyond Van der Sar.

"That was a double blow, you miss a great player like Scholes and of course they got the penalty," United's Ryan Giggs told Sky Sports. "It knocked us off track a little bit.

"The lads were determined to get back on track but in the first half Edwin Van der Sar kept us in it. We were the better team by far in the second half."

United manager Alex Ferguson replaced the sluggish Dimitar Berbatov at halftime with Wayne Rooney to revive the visitors.

The champions duly pinned Fulham back but Mark Schwarzer made fine stops from Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-sung and Rooney before Gera finished off a flowing move to clinch a victory that should make them safe from relegation.

A frustrated Rooney then compounded United's day of misery when he appeared to throw the ball angrily towards referee Phil Dowd to become the third United player dismissed in two games.

Chelsea blew their chance to exert real pressure on United with a subdued display at rejuvenated Tottenham.

Modric converted an Aaron Lennon cross after 50 minutes to settle the London derby. A later Chelsea flurry saw skipper John Terry denied by a great save from Heurelho Gomes.

[kueytoc]

EPL: Liverpool crush Aston Villa 5-0

Gerrard hat-trick helps Liverpool crush Villa

22 March 2009 11:30

By Mike Collett

LONDON - Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick as Liverpool maintained their stunning recent form by crushing Aston Villa 5-0 at Anfield on Sunday to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United to just one point.

Two of Gerrard's goals came from penalties, with Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera adding the others as Liverpool, who beat Manchester United 4-1 last weekend, ensured the title race remained wide open.

Liverpool, who last won the title in 1990 and seemed out of contention a few weeks ago, moved on to 64 points from 30 matches, one point behind United, who lost 2-0 at Fulham on Saturday but who have a match in hand.

Chelsea, beaten 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, slipped back to third on 61 points from their 30 games.

Arsenal, 3-1 winners at Newcastle United on Saturday are fourth on 55 points while Villa, who have now gone eight matches without a win in all competitions, remain fifth on 52 points with their Champions League hopes diminishing by the week.

Villa's cause was not helped when goalkeeper Brad Friedel was sent off in the 64th minute as Fernando Torres tumbled over him, leading to the penalty which Gerrard converted to put Liverpool five goals clear.

After beating Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League 12 days previously and thumping Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, Liverpool raced to a 3-0 halftime lead over Villa and maintained their grip on the game throughout the second half.

In Sunday's other matches, Wigan Athletic climbed from 10th to seventh with an 84th minute goal from Ben Watson giving them a 1-0 win over Hull City.

Manchester City moved up to 10th with a 1-0 win over Sunderland at Eastlands where Micah Richards headed the only goal in the 57th minute after Robinho missed a first half penalty.

Sunderland, who like Hull, are just above the relegation zone, played with 10 men from the 15th minute after George McCartney was sent off for pulling back Shaun Wright-Phillips.

BEST FORM

Liverpool, enjoying their best form for months, quickly capitalised on last week's stunning victory at Manchester United which put them right back in the title race.

If Liverpool had lost that match, United would have moved 10 points clear of them, but United now have only the slenderest lead following two successive losses. Liverpool also have a better goal difference: plus-33 to United's plus-31.

Liverpool carried on from where they had left off at Old Trafford, going ahead with a powerful half-volley from Kuyt who smashed the ball home after a deft Xabi Alonso header rebounded back into his path off the bar.

Villa hardly troubled Liverpool apart from the 25th minute when Pepe Reina made a superb save from a John Carew effort -- but eight minutes later Liverpool doubled their lead with a simple, but stunning goal.

A huge clearance from Reina bounced over the Villa defence and Riera gave Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel no chance with his volley.

Liverpool went 3-0 ahead when Nigel Reo-Coker sent Riera tumbling in the box and Gerrard sent Friedel the wrong way with his first penalty of the game.

Gerrard then added a fourth five minutes after halftime when he arrowed a touched free-kick from Alonso wide of Friedel whose afternoon was cut short after 64 minutes.

Referee Martin Atkinson showed Friedel a red card after he sent Torres sprawling and Gerrard easily beat substitute goalkeeper Brad Guzan, making his first Premier League appearance, from the spot.

[kueytoc]

Vidic & Co The United Fall Guys...

Posted 12/04/09 19:20

A month ago, Nemanja Vidic was many people's pick for player of the season as United's impregnable defence provided a platform that catapulted the champions to the top of the league. Now as United's defence has a whiff of Swiss cheese about it, Vidic's reputation has taken something of a battering.

The Serb's fall from grace is emblematic of the malaise at Old Trafford - but it would be unfair to place blame solely at his door. The reality is that United's midfield has a soft underbelly that has been exposed time and again in recent weeks - leaving Vidic and co without protection.

The rot seemed to be setting in during the second leg of the Champions League against Inter. United got through, but largely due to the profligacy of their Italian opponents. If United's failings had been covered up by that result, their weaknesses were ruthlessly exploited in their thumping by Liverpool.

That victory was a tactical masterclass from Benitez as his side unpicked the lock between United's midfield and back four and then laid waste to United's aura of invincibility. The tactics were two pronged. Firstly, Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 formation saw Anderson and Carrick drawn into a combat with Mascherano and Alonso. In sucking them in, Benitez opened some space between United's midfield and their centre-halves.

Liverpool's direct approach - launching numerous, early long passes to exploit the pace and power of Torres - forced Ferdinand and Vidic to play a little deeper than usual thereby widening the critical gap. Gerrard filled the vacuum and United simply could not cope. It was notable that Fergie substituted three of his starting midfield quartet that day.

The question then would be whether any other side could similarly exploit United's midfield frailty. The surprise was that their next opponents, Fulham, did so with such ease. Key to this victory was Ferguson's selections on the day - resting Rooney was bizarre, but had less of an impact than his decision to play the ageing legs of Giggs and Scholes in the middle of the park - offering little by way of defensive screen to his back four. Fulham capitalised, bossing midfield with ease - and again exploiting the space and time afforded them in front of United's defensive unit.

Many felt that the international break had come at a good time for United, allowing them to analyse their problems and refocus. On the surface, their late late show against Villa suggested that normal service had been resumed. However, on the evidence of Tuesday night's performance against Porto, the concession of two more soft goals against Villa on Sunday suggested that few lessons had been learned by the champions.

Yet again, the defensive weakness in United's midfield was there for all to see. If United are still not aware of it, then it seems that observers in Portugal certainly were. Scholes and Carrick and later Carrick and Fletcher were desperately loose both when in possession and without the ball. The performances of Lisandro and Hulk for Porto were reminiscent of Torres and Gerrard in Liverpool's impressive Old Trafford drubbing of United. Both used the space in front of United's defence to great effect - Hulk's power and movement pulled the overworked Vidic into wide areas where he was less than comfortable, while Lisandro (and Porto's midfield runners) probed intelligently in the space provided.

So while the spotlight shines on the likes of Vidic as United continue to concede goals and chances at an alarming rate, the truth is that as a team, United have sprung a leak further up the park. No matter how good a defender you are, if your midfield does not fulfil its defensive duties, then you are in danger of being exposed.

Up until four or five weeks ago, Vidic and co dealt very comfortably with what slipped past the United midfield - which really wasn't very much. But that defensive screen has become so porous in recent timers, that even the heretofore rock solid Serb has struggled to cope.

Paul Little

[kueytoc]

United stuns Porto in Champions League

15 April 2009 13:56

Manchester United rekindled glorious European nights from their past as a stunning goal by Cristiano Ronaldo fired them to victory over Porto in their Champions League semi-final Wednesday.

No English team had ever beaten the Portuguese champions on their own soil, but the winger's first-half wonder strike gave his team a 1-0 win on the night, 3-2 on aggregate, to set up an all-English semi-final tie with Arsenal.

Coming into the game as underdogs after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last week, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson urged his players to bring the spirit of the 1999 treble winning team to the Dragao Stadium.

One flash of genius from the Portuguese maestro coupled with gritty defensive play earned United glory and keeps the red half of Manchester dreaming of the quintuple.

United boss Ferguson started with the same formation as the first leg but had the luxury of picking a fit Rio Ferdinand in defence while midfielder Anderson was given a start against his old club.

The Dragons from Porto were intent on making the same type of start which rocked United last week, but after a promising opening they were stunned by a sixth minute rocket from Ronaldo.

There seemed no danger when the winger drove into the Porto half, but the World Player of the Year took a swing of his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 35-yards into the top left-hand corner of Helton's goal.

The home team's attacks were disjointed, and it was through set-plays where they were looking most dangerous with defender Bruno Alves firing a 30-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the post.

United had been undone by the Portuguese team's slick positional interchange at Old Trafford, and again it was when Rodriguez drifted in from the left-wing that they looked dangerous.

The Uruguay winger found space on the edge of the area and floated a ball to Lucho Gonzalez but the midfielder's acrobatic volley was easily saved by visiting 'keeper Edwin van der Sar.

It was therefore against the run of play when Ryan Giggs nearly doubled United's lead.

The Welshman fired in a volley from Dimitar Berbatov's cross but Helton did well to smother the shot and recovered before Ronaldo could pounce on the rebound.

However, things did get worse for Porto a minute later when midfield general Lucho was forced of with an injury to be replaced by last week's hero Mariano.

One of the misses of the season prevented United registering a perfect half which would probably have put the tie beyond their hosts.

Giggs whipped in a corner which found defender Nemanja Vidic after Berbatov's flick. Virtually on the goalline and with the goalkeeper nowhere, the Croat somehow sliced the ball over the crossbar.

The visiting side, maybe spurred on by a traditional Manchester downpour, started the second period brightly with Berbatov testing Helton a minute into the half.

The game settled into a less frantic pattern than the first-half as United drew numbers back and invited their hosts to play in-front of them.

With their defence looking much more solid than the first leg, the visitors were restricting Porto to long-range shots, midfielder Raul Meireles coming closest with a 25-yard curler over the crossbar.

Again set-plays threatened United and centre-back Rolando should have equalised from Meireles's corner, but put his header wide of the goal with van der Sar floundering.

There was time for one last scare for the visitors but Lisandro Lopez hit his six-yard shot straight at van der Sar with the goal gaping.

[kueytoc]

I'm so HAPPY !!!

Chelsea's title hopes fade after Everton stalemate

22 April 2009 14:06

Chelsea's Premier League title challenge is fading after the Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton on Wednesday.

Guus Hiddink's side couldn't break down a stubborn Everton rearguard action at Stamford Bridge and look destined to miss out on the English crown for a third successive season.

The west London club are six points behind leaders Manchester United , who returned to the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, and Sir Alex Ferguson's team can make the gap nine points with a win in their game in hand.

After being frustrated by Everton, Chelsea will see the Champions League, where they face Barcelona in the semi-finals, and the FA Cup as their best hopes of giving Hiddink a successful send-off before he returns to his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis.

Judging by the evidence of this FA Cup final dress rehearsal, Chelsea will have to raise their game considerably to beat David Moyes' team at Wembley.Moyes' men arrived in west London basking in the afterglow of Sunday's victory over United, which booked their first FA Cup final appearance for 14 years.

In a bid to combat the debilitating effects of extra-time at Wembley, Moyes made four changes to his team, with defender Phil Jagielka, scorer of the winning penalty in the shoot-out, relegated to the bench.

It was Chelsea who looked more lethargic in the first half. The Blues' defence has been surprisingly porous of late and they were exposed again in the early stages.

Jo tested Petr Cech with a header from Steven Pienaar's cross before the visitors created an even better chance.

Tim Cahill's pass dissected Chelsea's defence and Jo surged onto it. The goal was at his mercy but the Brazilian shot too close to Cech.

Hiddink's side finally threatened when Frank Lampard, playing his 50th game of the season, drove a swerving strike just over the crossbar.

But Chelsea were still struggling to impose their usual high-tempo style and Pienaar, Everton's South African midfielder, bent a long-range shot past the far post.

Jo was causing no end of problems and he took up a clever position wide on the left before picking out Cahill. The Australian turned and hit a low shot on target but Cech made a sprawling stop.

Another astute Pienaar pass gave Jo a sight of goal just before the break, but he slipped and shot wide as John Terry made a last-ditch attempt to block.

Hiddink's half-time team-talk didn't seem to have the desired effect as Everton went close again when Cahill met Lars Jacobsen's cross with a diving header that forced Cech to save.

Didier Drogba has been revitalised under Hiddink but the Ivorian made little impact against Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott. His one contribution was a neat flick to put Nicolas Anelka through, but the Chelsea forward shot tamely wide.

Hiddink had seen enough and sent on John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou for Anelka and Michael Essien.

At last there were signs of life from the Blues. Terry tried to raise his team with a fierce shot from 35 yards which Tim Howard pushed away for a corner.

Kalou should have broken the deadlock with 15 minutes to go but he headed over from Ashley Cole's cross.

Chelsea kept going until the end and Howard made a finger-tip stop to push over Kalou's rasping drive.

There was one last chance as Drogba rattled the crossbar in stoppage time but Chelsea's time had run out.

[kueytoc]

We are On Track folks !

United pull clear after punishing Pompey

22 April 2009 15:08

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick gave Manchester United a 2-0 win over Portsmouth that saw them go three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Wednesday's victory here at Old Trafford put the reigning champions back on top of the table with a game in hand after Liverpool had briefly been at the summit on goal difference following Tuesday's dramatic 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

Rooney's tenth Premier League goal of the season sent United on their way against Pompey before fellow England international Carrick made the game safe with eight minutes left.

It was the perfect way for United to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton at the weekend.

United, who have a game in hand on both Liverpool and third-placed Chelsea, are closing in an 18th English title that would equal Liverpool's record tally and they have now won 14 of their last 16 Premier League matches.

Portsmouth had the better of the early exchanges and winger Nadir Belhadj shot high and wide from distance as the visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession in the United half.

But with just eight minutes on the clock, United made the breakthrough with their first real attack.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson picked out Ryan Giggs on the left flank and the veteran's low cross was stabbed in from close range by Rooney.

Despite the early breakthrough, there was a downside for United with captain Gary Neville limping off with what looked to be a foot problem shortly after the goal.

But Anderson continued to threaten and after he played Rooney through only for the England striker's effort to be saved by David James, the United midfielder shot wide himself following the Portsmouth goalkeeper's slack throw.

Just before the half hour, Giggs' corner was glanced towards goal by Neville's replacement John O'Shea but Belhadj managed to head off the line.

And soon afterwards Giggs was played into the area by Rooney only for James to race out to block.

James was called into action once again to save from Rooney's low drive.

Giggs should have made the game safe five minutes before the interval after Sol Campbell's poor header played Cristiano Ronaldo into space.

The Portuguese tore down the right wing and sent over a low cross that Giggs stabbed just wide of James's goal.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, Darren Fletcher sent Ronaldo clear down the right and his cross was helped on by Rooney only for Fletcher to drive wide from just inside the area.

United continued to hunt for a second goal after the restart and Sean Davis did well to head away Ronaldo's cross with Rooney poised to pounce.

Sir Alex Ferguson has had to deal with regular injury problems in his defence this season and he had another when Rafael came on for O'Shea.

There was a scare for the hosts when Glen Johnson was allowed to carry the ball into the United area and his cross was palmed away by Edwin van der Sar and then hacked clear by Jonny Evans.

United were more than happy to sit back and wait for their chances to come but they were almost caught out again midway through the second period by a Portsmouth side still not yet safe from the threat of relegation.

Davis's diagonal ball was misjudged by Patrice Evra. That in turn allowed Jermaine Pennant to cross but Peter Crouch failed to test van der Sar.

Paul Scholes, making his 600th United appearance , then set up the goal that took his side close to another title when his typical through-ball released Carrick to break through and guide the ball into the corner of James's net.

[kueytoc]

United thrash Spurs to retain pole position

25 April 2009 12:12

Manchester United moved a step closer to the Premier League title after coming from two goals behind to beat Tottenham 5-2 in a superlative second-half performance at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side, having seen Liverpool move top of the table on goal difference with victory at Hull earlier in the day, put a lacklustre first-half display behind them in a stunning 15-minute spell that brought them their first four goals - two each for Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

But it was the half-time introduction of substitute Carlos Tevez, the Argentine international who was quoted this week in his homeland bemoaning his lack of first-team opportunities, which was the catalyst for the crucial victory.

And the win was not without its controversy, as referee Howard Webb seemed to err when he awarded United a 56th-minute penalty for a foul by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on Michael Carrick, Ronaldo converting the kick impressively.

Ten minutes later, former Spurs striker Berbatov started a move which ended with Tevez finding Rooney inexplicably unmarked at the far post, the England forwards shot helped into the net by the palm of Gomes.

Tottenham, so disciplined in the first half, were in complete disarray and the 68th minute saw Rooney's cross converted by Ronaldo's diving header, the noise generated by 75,458 inside Old Trafford now reaching a crescendo.

The deluge was not over. Just three minutes on and United counter-attacked effectively, Berbatov springing Ronaldo clear for the winger to pick out Rooney whose strike was blocked by Jonathan Woodgate only for the officials to judge that it had crossed the line.

At 4-2, the contest was finished although United were not. In the 78th minute, Rooney's left-wing cross picked out the head of Berbatov with Gomes initially saving the attempt before the United striker forced the ball home to make it five goals in 22 minutes.

There had been little hint of the drama to come in the opening half hour as United seemed to take control of affairs.

But the game shifted unpredictably just before the half-hour mark when Darren Bent and Luka Modric both benefited from Aaron Lennon's dominance down the right wing.

First, Lennon's short pass opened up the angle for Vedran Corluka to cross into the area where Rio Ferdinand was slow to detect Bent's presence.

Having failed to connect with one header, Bent still had time to gather the loose ball and drive it past Edwin van der Sar.

Just three minutes later, Patrice Evra again failed miserably to deal with the threat of Lennon and the England winger's cross was missed by the entire United defence, allowing Modric the time and space to take a touch and finish emphatically.

Finally provoked into life, United responded with Gomes saving well from Rafael Da Silva's running shot and then the keeper producing a quite stunning, one-handed save to keep out a Ronaldo half-volley, attempted after the United man's initial free-kick had struck the Tottenham wall.

But Ferguson acknowledged the dire situation by bringing on Tevez as a half-time substitute for the ineffective Nani.

The switch paid off almost immediately with the Argentinian picking out Rooney in a crowded area, only for the former Everton star to try and place his shot into the far corner, succeeding only in putting the ball behind.

Tevez himself raced clear on goal and was denied by a brave Gomes save, but United's strong opening to the second half was a mere prelude to the devastating blitz that was to come.

[kueytoc]

Champions League - United dominate Arsenal to make final

Eurosport - Tue, 05 May 23:51:00 2009

Manchester United booked their place in the Champions League final thanks to two early goals against Arsenal at the Emirates which helped them to a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Ji-Sung Park's eighth minute opener and Cristiano Ronaldo's 11th-minute free kick put the tie almost beyond the home side in the opening few minutes, while Ronaldo's second just after the hour mark put things beyond doubt.

Robin Van Persie's late penalty gave the home side a consolation goal in a 3-1 scoreline on the night - but Darren Fletcher's red card in the spot kick incident took the shine off a superb night for United.

The home fans' raucous cheering had helped boost their team to a lively start in the first five minutes, but optimism quickly turned to gloom for the Gunners when Kieran Gibbs slipped in the box to allow Ji-Sung Park to slot home the opening goal on eight minutes.

The goal gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 aggregate lead that meant Arsenal needed to score an improbable three goals; yet just three minutes later, the highly improbable target of three became all-but-impossible four as Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a 41-yard free kick that beat Manuel Almunia purely for pace.

The stunned Arsenal team now faced not so much an uphill battle as an assault on the north face of Everest, but United clearly had no intention of resting on their lead.

Instead, their fluid passing and movement allowed the hosts little time on the ball, and their tireless closing-down of the gutsy Arsenal attack force meant that every time the Gunners managed to find the door slightly ajar it was quickly slammed in their faces.

And with the sound of the visiting fans' victory chants filling the Emirates already, it was United who came closest to adding to the scoring in the remainder of the first half. Rooney's 18th minute strike forced Almunia to tip the ball around the post, and Ronaldo's powerfully-struck 32nd minute free kick was well held by the keeper.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger seemed unwilling to make drastic changes to chase the game at half-time, and after the re-start it was United who continued to look the more likely to score.

Ronaldo's left-foot effort demanded a terrific save from Almunia on 52 minutes as the visitors seemed comfortably in control, and as the hour mark loomed the Arsenal tactics finally opened up a little.

Yet as they did so, United struck again: Ronaldo released Park from an Arsenal corner, who charged up field and released Rooney on the left.

The England striker, who was playing as a left-winger on the night, released the flying Ronaldo down the centre with a perfectly-weighted ball, and the world player of the year made no mistake in burying the ball in the roof of the net with unstoppable power.

With the tie decided beyond any doubt, the pace of the game died down in the final 20 minutes, though to their credit Arsenal continued to push hard for a consolation strike with Samir Nasri and Van Persie particularly effective.

And it was the latter's run on to a ball into the box which saw Fletcher sent off: the defender's lunging challenge from behind sent the Dutchman flying on the edge of the six-yard box. Though it was a highly-risky tackle, replays showed that Fletcher had made contact with the ball - yet the referee sent him off and he will miss the final.

Van Persie converted the penalty brilliantly, yet it was purely academic and none of the Arsenal players even bothered to make the usual show of clamouring to pick the ball out and rush to get the game restarted.

The sides played out the remainder of the match in relative calm, and though Emmanuel Adebayor had half-chances in the final few minutes the affair had begun to take on all the urgency of a training match.

For Arsenal, the result ended their hopes of lifting a first trophy since 2005.

For United, a superb performance over the two legs will give them every hope of becoming the first side to retain the Champions League trophy.

Toby Keel / Eurosport

[ReDDeviLs]

hope they can retain it this time!

[kueytoc]

Champions League - Iniesta breaks Chelsea hearts

Eurosport - Wed, 06 May 23:25:00 2009

Andres Iniesta's injury-time leveller sent 10-man Barcelona into the Champions League final after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international struck a screamer in the 93rd minute to cancel out Michael Essien's equally , if not more, stunning early strike to win the tie on the away goals rule following last week's goalless stalemate at the Camp Nou.

Chelsea were left to reflect on what might have been, although initial reaction to defeat was one of anger after referee Tom Ovrebo denied the hosts several strong penalty appeals.

The full-time whistle sparked shocking scenes as Didier Drogba remonstrated with the Norwegian official and had to be restrained before he turned to television cameras and gave his strong opinions on the referee's performance.

The hosts had looked favourites to seal a second consecutive final appearance, having led since the ninth minute and enjoyed a man advantage for the final 25 minutes after Eric Abidal was dismissed for a professional foul.

But Iniesta's sensational strike into the top right hand corner - Barcelona's first attempt on target throughout the 90 minutes - deep into time added on dashed Guus Hiddink's hopes of reaching the final in his first season in charge of the Blues.

The effective defensive showing that secured a goalless draw for Chelsea last week had prompted sharp criticism from Catalonia, but Hiddink is in the business of getting results, not making friends.

Chelsea began the return leg in a similarly blunt vein, packing the defence in a bid to keep out Barca, who enjoyed initial superiority in the game and had far more possession than their hosts.

Chelsea were forced to rely on long balls forward to give their backline relief during the opening exchanges, and it was from one such pass, played downfield by Petr Cech, that led to the opening goal on nine minutes.

The keeper's punt was headed on by Drogba, the ball eventually making its way to Frank Lampard who saw his cross deflected and loop up towards Essien on the edge of the box.

There was nothing anti-football about the Ghanaian's strike. Indeed, a more spectacular finish will not be seen this year. The midfielder struck the ball with a volley so sweet it arrowed towards the top corner and went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Understandably, the goal settled Chelsea, who began to play the ball around with more confidence and more purpose.

And their efforts could easily have been rewarded, as not once, twice, or even three times, but on four occasions, Chelsea had big appeals turned down by Mr Ovrebo.

First, marauding full-back Dani Alves was caught out at the back by some lovely control by Florent Malouda who then fell under the Brazilian's clumsy challenge, apparently a yard inside the box. Ovrebo saw the foul, but deemed the offence to have taken place outside the area.

Didier Drogba then saw his blasted effort from the resulting free-kick well saved by Victor Valdes before John Terry headed wide moments later with Alex stretching to get a telling touch at the far post.

Chelsea were enjoying their best spell of the game, and soon after they had a second, more convincing, penalty appeal waved away.

Drogba was at the centre of the action once again, the Ivorian brilliantly bringing down Lampard's through pass only for Abidal to seemingly bring him down. Again the official opted not to give a spot kick.

It was a bad miss, so perhaps there was a certain sense of justice when the France international did receive his marching orders on 66 minutes, after he halted Nicolas Anelka's run on goal by clipping his compatriot's ankles.

That said, the foul was far less clear cut than the earlier offence and Barca were right to feel aggrieved at having to see out the remainder of the game with a man less.

Abidal will now miss the final against United, as will Alves , who was booked for an aerial challenge on Malouda on the half-hour mark.

Earlier, Drogba had passed up the best chance of the night to give the hosts the luxury of a two-goal lead after Anelka had played him in on goal. Drogba opted to cut inside the challenge of Gerard Pique, who was left on his backside, but his shot was well blocked by Valdes. Malouda fired the follow-up into the side-netting.

The third handball came on 82 minutes, as Chelsea looked for the second goal that surely would have seen them home. Anelka flicked the ball past Pique, who clearly stopped its progress with his hand, yet once again the referee refused to point to the spot.

A second goal eluded Chelsea, who knew full well that at just 1-0 a single Barca goal would change everything. And so it was, as almost inevitably Iniesta pounced on the disappointing Lionel Messi's square pass on the edge of the area to crash a shot past Cech and break Chelsea hearts.

Yet still there was time for more late drama as Michael Ballack's goalbound shot hit a Barca arm even deeper into injury time. For a final time, the referee dismissed the appeals, prompting Ballack to go on an amazing rant at the official, earning himself a booking.

The yellow card would have seen the German deprived of a final appearance, but the referee's performance had already made sure he, and Chelsea, will miss out.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

[kueytoc]

United's win a triumph for Fergie

Wed May 06 10:52AM

So it wasn't close after all. Manchester United were in the Champions League final after just 11 minutes of last night's semi, from the moment Manuel Almunia was exposed by Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick.

That was the moment that put Arsenal flat on the canvas, their weak chin shattered, their senses scrambled. Needing four goals against the best-marshalled defence in the European game: they were already beaten, humiliated, mangled and there were still 80 minutes left to play.

It was at that point that the noise in the Emirates changed. Before kick off, this often contemplative stadium had been a cauldron of happy local expectation, of waving flags and cheery chants. Even after the first goal went in, there was still a grumble of defiance about the place. But after the Ronaldo rocket, the only sound came from the away fans, chirpily reprising Rafa Benitez's rant and announcing that they were "off to Rome and that's a fact". Mind, even that happy row was challenged as United went three up on the hour. It was then that the stadium began to echo to the clack-clack-clack of emptying seats.

There were many reasons for United's utter superiority on the night. There was the huge gulf in experience (only two of Arsenal's players had won a major trophy, whereas every one of United's needs an extension to their home to house the baubles). There was the lung-busting effort of the visiting players (evidenced in the distance Ronaldo - a player routinely and ignorantly derided by his many detractors as nothing but a showboater - ran to score the third). There was the magnificence of a defence that - unlike poor Kieran Gibbs, whose stumble had United followers smirkingly speculating that he was wearing John Terry's boots from last year's final - did not put a foot wrong. But the one that really matters, and oddly the one that is likely to be given the least prominence in the post mortem, is that in the tactical battle of the dug outs, their manager won hands down.

Alex Ferguson is reckoned to have many talents as a football manager. He is a superb judge of a player, he exudes a contagious passion and he is a wonderful motivator. As he recently revealed, among the many backroom staff at Carrington he does not employ a psychologist. Why should he? He does all that sort of thing himself. But what is not often recognised about him is his tactical nous. I recall once interviewing him following a game against Liverpool in which United had come from behind to win. I asked him why he thought it was, why had a seemingly determined Liverpool side had capitulated in the second half? He patiently explained that it might have had something to do with the fact that Steven Gerrard had been gifted the freedom of the park by the United midfield for the first 45 minutes, but a quick change of tactic at half time had seen his movement curtailed.

And so it was with Arsenal. In both legs, Ferguson out-foxed a manager who is often portrayed as his tactical superior. Everything the Scot did was a triumph. For a start, he picked exactly the right team to stifle the Gunners' habit of completing 45 consecutive passes before attempting a shot on goal. Knowing they have no Plan B, he dispatched Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Ji-Sung Park to tear at them. Cesc Fabgregas, Denilson and Samir Nasri barely had the space to breathe, never mind create. On the train back from the Emirates last night, I sat opposite some Arsenal fans who were bemoaning the fact that their team had been so comprehensively out played by "such ordinary players". Park, one of them moaned, had only been bought to sell shirts in the Far East and here he was dominating their team.

Well, not quite. Even after Gibbs's desperate slip had presented him with a chance, Park was required to demonstrate considerable skill to score. For those with ridiculously long memories, the United player he most brings to mind is Steve Coppell, a similarly all-action combination of endeavour and touch who still retains the longest sequence of first team appearances in United history. Ferguson sent Park out knowing the job that was required and he did it. Even for those of us who would argue that a United team is not a United team without Paul Scholes at its heart, it was the right choice. The Ginger General would simply not have been able to run like Park.

Not only did Ferguson select the right team, he played them in precisely the right way. Wayne Rooney was brilliant defensively, working as a shield on the left side, but still with enough forward nous to produce a wonderful pass for Ronaldo's second. In fact that goal was the glittering amalgam of all that Ferguson planned, the swiftness of its execution a thing as beautiful as it was brutal. The only downside to Ferguson's evening of personal triumph was Darren Fletcher's unhappy red card. One of the returning Arsenal fans suggested he would have been better off letting Fabregas through to score. But you suspect that if he had done that, Ferguson would immediately have crossed him off his final team. At Ferguson's United that is simply not the way.

[kueytoc]

Drogba disgrace

Drogba says sorry for ref rant

07 May 2009 11:52

Didier Drogba on Thursday apologised for his furious confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the wake of Chelsea's stormy Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Barcelona.

The striker faces potentially severe sanctions from UEFA over his conduct, which was aggravated by him screaming into a television camera that the official had been a "f-ing disgrace," forcing some broadcasters to apologise to viewers watching the match live.

In a statement published on Chelsea's website, Drogba said: "I was very upset at what happened during the game, but having seen the pictures on TV I accept that I overreacted."

"I also accept that the language I used did not set a good example for those watching at home, especially children.

"I regret that in the heat of the moment I let out my incredible frustration and disappointment in this way, and for that I apologise."

Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, was shown a yellow card for coming onto the pitch to vent his fury at Ovrebo after the final whistle.

He was incensed at the referee's refusal to award Chelsea two spot-kicks in the first half at Stamford Bridge when he and Florent Malouda were brought down.

The Norwegian official, who had to be smuggled out of Britain on Thursday because of police fears for his safety, also rejected two handball penalty appeals after the break when Gerard Pique handled as Nicolas Anelka tried to go past him and in the final seconds when Michael Ballack's shot hit Samuel Eto'o's arm.

That last claim came after Andres Iniesta had lashed home a 93rd-minute leveller for Barcelona to cancel out Michael Essien's opener and put the Catalans into the final against Manchester United on the away goals rule.

Chelsea welcomed Drogba's display of contrition -- in sharp contrast to the backing the Ivorian had received after the match from club captain John Terry and manager Guus Hiddink.

A club statement read: "Chelsea welcomes Didier's statement today which was made honestly and after reflection.

"We are all acutely aware of the responsibilities that lie with both the club and its players towards setting a good example as role models."

Fearing reprisals from furious fans, police changed Ovrebo's hotel on Wednesday night before organising his hasty exit from the country on Thursday morning, according to former international referee Graham Poll.

Poll said: "He's been smuggled out of our country under police escort - this is a referee of a football match. That is a disgrace."

Ovrebo's situation has worrying echoes of the hounding of Swedish referee Anders Frisk, who retired from the game in 2005 after receiving death threats in the wake of another ill-tempered meeting between Chelsea and Barcelona.

Hiddink, who attempted to restrain Drogba, acknowledged that the striker's conduct was close to the limit of what is acceptable but said he understood his frustration over what he described as the worst refereeing performance he had seen in his long career.

"People say he should be in control. The moment a player starts hitting then he is going beyond where he should go," Hiddink said.

"I can understand his emotion and his behaviour after the game. I will protect that."

Terry appeared to suggest that Ovrebo's handling of the match was influenced by a perceived desire by UEFA to avoid another all-English final.

"I'm fully behind Didier. The fact is the referee is the one who should face the consequences," he said.

UEFA will decide on Friday what action to take after seeing Ovrebo's match report.

The governing body's General Secretary, David Taylor, dismissed any suggestion that Chelsea's exit reflected the governing body's desire to avoid another all-English final.

Ovrebo undeniably made a string of errors but Barcelona were also victims of his poor decision-making with Eric Abidal sent off 25 minutes from the end for tripping Nicolas Anelka, who actually tripped himself up.

Taylor, who was at the match at Stamford Bridge, said he was angered by the implication that UEFA would try to influence the outcome of a match.

"If anything it's a media conspiracy against UEFA," he said. "It does make me angry. It really annoys me because it's a load of rubbish."

[kueytoc]

Manchester United eye historic football record

09 May 2009 18:49

Manchester United are five games away from an historic season and veteran winger Ryan Giggs feels Sir Alex Ferguson's side are hitting form at exactly the right time.

With the League Cup and the Club World Cup already won, United can look forward to a Champions League final against Barcelona on May 27 and need seven points from their last four games to secure an 18th English Premier League title.

Sunday's derby with Manchester City will be their 63rd game of the season but after their back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Fulham in March, United have responded with an impressive run of form.

They have won five matches in a row going into the game with Mark Hughes' team at Old Trafford.

While United are on course for more silverware, City's expectations have increased considerably since they were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September and they are continuing to battle for a Europa League place.

Despite being well into the 10th month of their campaign, veteran Giggs thinks United's energy levels are high.

Giggs said: "At this part of the season you want to be involved in big games all the time - and we are.

"We have another one on Sunday against Manchester City but it is not something we should be complaining about.

"We just have to get ourselves ready and on Sunday we will be. I hope we are hitting form at the right time.

"The manager always knew we would need a big squad because of all the games we might have to play. Now he is using it."

United will be without Wes Brown, who has been out since January with a foot injury, for the rest of the season but Gary Neville could return after a short spell on the sidelines with a similar problem.

Ferguson could also call on Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes for the game against their local rivals.

The United manager agrees that his side are peaking when it really matters.

He said: "The team has just come into top form at the right time. I'd like to say it was my preparation, but it's not. I think the players smell the big games well.

"They like those situations, they've proved they can handle them and we're so close now."

Hughes thinks his City team are feeling the benefit of their UEFA Cup run ending last month.

Argentinian utility man Pablo Zabaleta could return from a hamstring problem and the England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips may also earn a recall after an ankle injury.

And even though United are on the verge of retaining their Premier League and Champions League trophies, the City manager thinks it is a good time to be facing his former club.

He said: "We're on a nice little run, four games unbeaten, and as I have said all week you have to go to Old Trafford with a lot of belief and confidence.

"That's what we have, we're playing well and winning games. We're looking forward to Sunday, we're in decent shape and if ever there was a time for us to go to Old Trafford, it's now."

City midfielder Stephen Ireland is adamant that, having won away in the derby last season, Hughes' team will not be intimidated by visiting their big rivals and are desperate to make up for their 1-0 defeat at Eastlands in November.

He said: "When you think about the build-up to the game all you have to do is go back to last year and think about how positive it was.

"With the performance last season and how we are playing at the moment, we have to be confident.

"I'm really looking forward to it, the derby at our place was a real disappointment, but on Sunday it will be electric and it will be up to us to dictate the tempo.

"We have a better squad than last year, the players on the bench are really hungry to get in."

[kueytoc]

Red Devils too hot to handle

United back on top after win over Man City

10 May 2009 10:07

By Martyn Herman

LONDON - Manchester United strolled to a 2-0 defeat of Manchester City on Sunday to return to the top of the Premier League and closer to a record-equaling 18th title.

Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free kick and a superb strike by Carlos Tevez on the stroke of halftime made it a comfortable afternoon at Old Trafford for United who moved three points clear of second-placed Liverpool.

United are on 83 points and have three games left to play to Liverpool's two. Four points from their matches at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday and at home to Arsenal next Saturday would mean they are uncatchable.

Chelsea made sure of finishing at least third with a 4-1 victory against their fellow Champions League semi-final losers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

After United's thrilling Champions League win against Arsenal in midweek they rarely needed to get out of second gear to overcome a disappointing City side. "We didn't play well," United boss Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. "I think we got a horrible game but City didn't look like scoring."

"It's a hard game at Wigan and we've only got three days to prepare so I'll have to freshen up the team again," added Ferguson, who started with Wayne Rooney on the bench and substituted Ronaldo early in the second half.

Ronaldo appeared less than happy to be taken off.

"Of course he wants to play all the time but I have to look at the bigger picture," said Ferguson, who hopes to have Rio Ferdinand back for the Wigan game after the central defender sat out the derby because of a calf injury.

Any pressure Liverpool's 3-0 win at West Ham United on Saturday put on United soon disappeared as Ronaldo scored his 18th league goal of the season in the 18th minute with a free kick after Dimitar Berbatov had been fouled by Stephen Ireland.

Ronaldo did not strike the ball with his usual venom but it took a deflection and nestled into the corner past the slightly wrong-footed City keeper Shay Given.

Tevez, who was quoted in Sunday's newspapers as saying he wants to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, was intent on showing United's fans what they might be missing next season.

The livewire Argentine was denied by the woodwork when he cut in and curled a great effort past Given but he was not to be denied again as the halftime whistle approached.

Berbatov controlled a high ball before picking out Tevez who fired an unstoppable shot past Given off the inside of the post.

Chelsea blew away their hangover from Wednesday's last-gasp Champions League knockout against Barcelona by ending Arsenal's 21-match unbeaten league run.

Defender Alex headed them in front and former Arsenal player Nicolas Anelka made it 2-0 at halftime. Kolo Toure's own goal made it 3-0 and although substitute Nicklas Bendtner pulled one back Florent Malouda completed the rout late on.

With two games remaining Chelsea have 77 points, three behind second-placed Liverpool and six behind United. Arsenal are back on 68.

[kueytoc]

Chelsea crush Arsenal 4-1 !!!

09 May 2009 18:44

A sense of anti-climax will hang heavy over the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal and Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday after their dispiriting exits from the Champions League in midweek.

Although the manner of Arsenal's comprehensive semi-final defeat to Manchester United couldn't have contrasted more with Chelsea's agonising stoppage time loss to Barcelona, the end result was same; a nine-month quest to be crowned king of Europe for the first time terminated with the holy grail within touching distance.

Although Chelsea were closer to reaching the Rome final, the consequences for both these London rivals will be felt long after the bitter memories have started to fade.

While the history books will record that Andreas Iniesta's away goal was the cause of Chelsea's exit, no player or supporter at Stamford Bridge blamed anyone but Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who turned down four strong penalty claims by Guus Hiddink's team.

Defeat in such controversial circumstances was too much to take for Didier Drogba, who harangued Ovrebo as he left the pitch and continued his foul-mouthed rant to a live television audience before running down the tunnel to continue his verbal assault of the referee.

Hiddink insists Drogba, who could miss Sunday's game with an ankle injury, won't be punished by Chelsea because he apologised publicly.

But the Ivory Coast striker and team-mate Michael Ballack, who is also accused of abusing Ovrebo, could face lengthy European bans and it remains to be seen if either will even be at Chelsea next season.

With Hiddink set to return to his role as Russia coach, there are likely to be substantial changes on the horizon for an aging team that once has fallen short in Europe once too often and Drogba and Ballack could lead the departures.

Hiddink knows Chelsea, six points behind leaders United, must refocus because a win this weekend would stretch their lead over fourth-placed Arsenal to nine points with only two games to play, giving the Blues a guaranteed place in the Champions League next season, while Arsenal would have to endure the qualifying stages.

"We must be strong. The players must put what happened behind them and be very energetic," Hiddink said.

Wenger expects Chelsea to find it harder to get back on track quickly than Arsenal because Hiddink's team suffered a more crushing exit.

"I believe Chelsea have the right to be more disappointed than us because they were qualified and you could not see how Barcelona could come back," Wenger said.

"The game on Sunday will be down to the team who deals best with the disappointment, who wants it more and who has more strength of character."

While Chelsea try to recover their equilibrium, Wenger stubbornly refuses to let the obvious gulf in class between his side and United change his philosophy of youth development.

The Arsenal boss will look to strengthen his squad in the close-season but he has no intention of bringing in new faces at the expense of the club's emerging talent.

"If you look at our team on Tuesday, our oldest player in midfield was 22. They were in the best four teams in Europe, so why should we panic?" Wenger said.

"I believe we have to take on the chin the critics, but it is down to how strongly we believe in ourselves and how good I think the team is.

"You cannot imagine that we work as we did with young players and give them a chance, then let them go.

"We are criticised because we play young players, then we are supposed to let them go when they are in a position where they start to perform at the top level? That is not acceptable."

Wenger's hopes of closing the gap on Chelsea will be dented if Andrey Arshavin fails to recover from a virus that forced the Russian midfielder to miss two days training this week.