Saturday, November 28, 2009
Beltway Baseball Podcast: April 13th
Been very busy this weekend; however, myself and James Baker of Oriole Magic recorded a podcast of the state of Major League Baseball in Mid-Atlantic where we discussed both the Baltimore Orioles & Washington Nationals.
It's about 67 minutes in length, thus listen it to while you're doing nothing at home or work, download it to your IPod and hear us chat whilst working out or walking.
>>> Link --> Beltway Baseball
Dunn?
Right now, while the big lynch pin on the market – Mark Teixeira – decides on a new home or stays perhaps with the Angels, Birdland might as well start looking at Plan B just in case Plan A fails.In a very quiet Hot Stove season, Adam Dunn's name has not been mentioned much aside from the media in Washington (lest we forget, he's very much admired by Nationals' GM Jim Bowden from their days in Cincinnati).
In case Baltimore does not get Teixeira and they still have a few bucks in the bank they want to spend, why not on Adam Dunn?
He would not be my first choice – h! e's better than Giambi, and far superior to Millar, but he could be a suitable bat in the heart of lineup who could strike fear into opposing pitchers.
From the Washington Post's Tom Boswell (his piece is more focused on the Nationals, but here's a snippet…Dunn has had five straight seasons of forty home run seasons – 46 in '04 and 40 from 05-08 – and carries a career on-base percentage of .381; sadly, he leaves nothing to be desired in the field (he can play first or one of the corner positions) -- but Baltimore could use his power.
…The market for Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Dunn has shriveled along with the economy. Once thought to be a $15-million-a-year player, despite his weak defense and plentiful strikeouts, Dunn (29) may eventually be available for a few years at $10-million-per or even less.
The big slugger's real big downside – his career batting average of .247 – and his propensity to whiff (he had 164 strik! eouts in '08); however, his bat could be one of incredible val! ue in th e Oriole lineup – especially with the right field wall that's ever so inviting.
He's one-dimensional, ala Dave Kingman – with a better batting eye; however, but he's only 29, and could come far cheaper than Teixeira. I don't know if I would allow him to put on a fielding glove (let Huff hold the fort at first), but the big man could be formidable in the Baltimore lineup.
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Terrell Owens, A Goner From Texas?
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First Workouts & Quick Hits
Today the Baltimore Orioles held their first workout in Fort Lauderdale, and on Wednesday, the rest of the team should be there as well. This Spring Traning should be interesting as there are a lot of new faces in camp, and right now all eyes have been on the duo of pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Matt Wieters.
Obviously the real big storyline of camp is the state of the rotation -- who'll be on it, who won't; however, we'll be keeping eye on the bullpen as to how it shapes up and as well the position players. My eyes will be on Felix Pie, Rich Hill, David Pauley (a dark horse) and Chris Ray -- who is coming off injury.
There's been a lot that has already come out of camp -- I don't know if the news is necessarily insightful, but the scribes down in Florida are getting! a lot of content.
- Peter Schmuck and Roch Kubatko gives us details of Koji Uehara's first workout as a member of the Orioles along with the debut of Rich Hill.
- Jeff Zrebiec notes that all eyes will be on pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Matt Wieters.
- The langauge barrier may be a problem for now with Uehara and his teammates; however, he is trying his best to bridge the gap.
- Tony Wisniewski of the Examiner notes that Koji Uehara could be a hit-or-miss based on the history of Japanese pitchers in Major League Baseball.
- Spencer Fordin goes over what happened in the first day of camp.
- Most suspect that Matt Wieters will start the season off in the minors.
- Finally, today is final edition of the Baltimore Examiner. Just sad to see a newspaper just fold like that due to the economy, and hopefully everyone there will find something if they have not.
Orioles FanFest 2009
The Orioles once again held their annual FanFest at Camden Yards on Saturday. I'll say the place was packed (the team estimated 10,000 fans showed up), and once again the organization had activities for everyone, from forums where experts talk about the team -- from the majors all the way down to the minors -- to autograph signings with players and old school Orioles, vendors selling various items, stuff for kids to do, and watching the 2009 Orioles workout on the field.
Well, the event I look forward to the most would be "The State of the Orioles" with Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley (hosted by MASN's Jim Hunter). All three men spoke about the team, and fans asked various questions; therefore, most of the questions centered obviously on the development of the team -- specifically the young pitching -- along with moves made in the offseason.Overall! , it was good to see the fans out and about, the Orioles actually back home, meeting with friends and fellow season ticket holders, along with the park which looks spectacular as always!
Orioles Fan Fest - April 5th, 2009 - Photos
The Second Half is Upon Us...
The second half of the season for the Baltimore Orioles kicks off today as they head out to the Windy City to face the White Sox, but right now, we are in the All-Star break.
That being said, the Orioles are 40-48, and miles away from contending. As fans, what do we expect from Baltimore in the second half? Another second half swoon? Who stays, who goes? Who do you want to see come up from the minors (Tillman, Arrieta)? Does Trembley stick around for 2010?
Finally, do you like the job Andy MacPhail has done so far? Well, in my opinion, the Orioles are exactly where they should be; however, some guys have been pulling their weight, and some have really not.
I'm still all for Andy MacPhail's plan -- the organization is a lot better from the top of the bottom, the young talent are finally getting their due, and the Orioles are staying away from costly motakes (big contracts to guys over the hill) that would cripple them for years to come.
! We start the second half off away from the comfy confines of Camden Yards against the White Sox, then the Yankees, and the road trip ends in Baltimore's personal hell -- Boston. How the Orioles finish this trip will say a lot about how the team will finish in 2008 and should tell us if reinforcements are needed from the farm. So, far with the Orioles there a some positives, and negatives.
Positives: Right now, Adam Jones is having himself a solid year (although I think he's regressed some from his blistering start), Luke Scott is hitting like an All-Star at the plate, Bergesen is getting guys out, and the duo of Jim Johnson along with George Sherrill are closing out games.
>>> Read More
Aaron Voros Autograph Signing Thursday Night
For any NYR fans in North Jersey - Aaron Voros will be at the Poitin Still in Hackensack on Thursday night (Feb. 19th) from 7pm-9pm. Colton Orr was originally supposed to be there, not sure why he was pulled out by the Rangers but Voros will be there in his place.
Rangers Headlines: Friday Morning
- Andrew Gross discusses John Tortorella's 30 second interview (more like tirade). One things for sure, if you want to hear the truth about how they played, just listen to the head coach, he certainly wasn't sugar coating it when he said ""We sucked." I have two different links because one version was for the newspaper and the other version for his blog (which is more detailed about what was said). [Link] and [Link]
- Larry B! rooks talks about John Tortorella's "bush league" interview after last night's pathetic game in Atlanta. According to Brooks, Tortorella had threw out a bunch of obscenities and then stormed off without answering any questions. [Link]
- Interviews after the game with Wade Redden, Chris Drury and Steve Valiquette. [Video]
- Game recaps here, here and here. Plus, a l! ook at it from an Atlanta perspective here.
- Stan Fischler looks forward to Saturday afternoon's game against the Penguins, who are currently just one point ahead of the Rangers and holding onto 6th place in the East. [Link]
- A look at the Rangers OHL prospects. [Link]
Fletcher To Be Named New Wild GM
According to TSN:
Chuck Fletcher will be the next general manager of the Minnesota Wild. Sources tell TSN the formal announcement will come on Friday.
Fletcher will replace Doug Risebrough, who was fired by the team after the season. He is the son of hockey Hall of Fame member Cliff Fletcher.
Chuck Fletcher, 41, is currently the assistant GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported earlier this month that even though the Penguins are still active in the playoffs, they would not stand in the way of Fletcher being approached to take the job with the Wild.
Thankfully that means that Pierre McGuire doesn't get the job and the chance to whimpify an entire team!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Mike Sullivan Named NYR Assistant Coach
According to Blue Notes:
The long-awaited deal for John Tortorella's former assistant coach, Mike Sullivan, to join the Rangers is complete and is expected to be announced Thursday, according to a source.If you remember back to February when John Tortorella took over for Tom Renney as the New York Rangers head coach, that's when it was first mentioned that Mike Sullivan would be joining John Tortorella behind the Rangers' bench.
At the time the rumor was that the Rangers had agreed on a contract with Tortorella but there was a hold up because Tampa wanted compensation for Tortorella who was still under contract with Tampa until June. It was then rumored that the holdup was a clause that Mike Sullivan (Tampa Assist! ant coach) had in his contract, which stipulated that he had the option of being John Tortorella's assistant if Tortorella becomes a coach for another NHL team. It now appears that Tortorella wanted Sullivan to come to NY and be one of his assistants but the Lightning wouldn't allow it, so Jim Schoenfeld said that he would take over that position for the remainder of the season.
Sullivan's Coaching Bio from Wikipedia:
Sullivan began coaching professional hockey during the 2002–2003 season, when he became the head coach of the Providence Bruins of the AHL. In his only season, his team had a 41–17–9–4 record.
Sullivan was hired as the 26th head coach of the Boston Bruins in 2003 by then-general manager Mike O'Connell. His first season with the Bruins was highly successful, as he led them to a 41-19-15-7 record, 104 points and a first place fin! ish in the Northeast Division. They were eliminated however, i! n the fi rst round of the playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens. After the lockout, Sullivan and the Bruins struggled to win in the new NHL, as they ended the 2005-2006 seaon with a dismal 29-37-16 record, missing the playoffs and finishing last in the Northeast Division. He was subsequently fired by incoming general manager Peter Chiarelli on 27 June 2006 and was replaced by Dave Lewis.
On May 31, 2007, he was named assistant coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has also served as an assistant coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
Announcement expected tomorrow, not sure what has taken the organization so long to announce this, it's been anticipated that Sullivan would join the Rangers during the offseason since Tortorella took over the head coaching position.
Update 3:30pm July 16th:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has named Mike Sullivan assistant coach.
Sullivan, 41, begins his first season as an assistant coach with the Rangers after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He served as an assistant coach under John Tortorella with Tampa Bay during the 2007-08 season.
It's believed that Sullivan will be Tortorella's only assistant coach.
Around The NHL: News & Video
- Puck Central's "7 Reasons To Watch the Rangers This Season"
- Stephane Robidas knocks out J P Dumont with a huge hit
- Avery likely to make his season debut Thursday against the Caps. [NY Post]
- The Hockey News takes a look at the worst contracts in hockey
- Marc Andre Fleury's spectacular save on Vinnie Prospal on a 2 on 1 opening night in Pittsburgh.
- Ron Wilson's cheat sheet revealed. A camera zooms in on the Toronto coach's game notes.
- Owen Nolan scores a TKO on Philly's Braydon Coburn during their final preseason.
- Stan Fischler says "Don't Laugh; The Isles Can Make the Postseason"
- Ewwww! Zdeno Chara and Bill Guerin are going to pose naked for ESPN
Sponsors: Stubhub | RazorGator | TicketsNow | TickCo
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Info Sepakbola | Pemian Sepakbola terkaya di Inggris
Pemain Manchester United mendominasi tempat teratas di daftar pemain sepakbola Inggris dengan pendapatan terbesar. Ada empat nama pemain 'Setan Merah' di posisi lima besar.
Dalam Daftar Pesepakbola Terkaya terbaru --untuk 2009/2010-- yang dirilis oleh situs FourFourTwo, nama David Beckham ada di posisi pertama. Dia didapuk jadi pemain sepakbola Inggris dengan pendapatan terbesar setelah ditaksir memiliki 125 juta poundsterling (Rp 1,87 trilun).
Jumlah pemain LA Galaxy dan gelandang Inggris itu berselisih sangat jauh dari pemain dengan pendapatan tertinggi kedua, yakni Michael Owen, di mana penyerang Manchester United itu "hanya" disebutkan memiliki nilai 38 juta poundsterling (Rp 569 miliar).
Bergabungnya Owen ke MU usai membela Newcastle United memang bikin gajinya direduksi jadi tinggal setengahnya. Terlebih sekarang dia juga dibayar berdasarkan jumlah penampilan belaka. Namun, menurut FourFourTwo tetap mendaulatnya di tempat kedua.
Di bawah Owen ada rekannya di lini depan MU, Wayne Rooney, yang pendapatannya hanya berselisih satu juta poundterling saja. Selain gaji per pekan yang mencapai 100 ribu poundsterling, Rooney juga mendulang banyak uang dari kerjasamanya dengan EA Sports, Coca-Cola dan Ni! ke.
Rio Ferdinand yang mengawal lini pertahanan MU ! ada di t empat keempat dengan pendapatan mencapai 30 juta poundsterling (Rp 451 miliar). Pendapatan utama bek 30 tahun itu didapat dari gajinya yang 120 ribu poundsterling per pekan plus kerjasama dengan Nike.
Pemain veteran MU, Ryan Giggs, menempati posisi lima dengan 24 juta poundsterling (Rp 360 miliar). Pemain sayap yang masih jadi andalan di usia 35 tahun tersebut mendapatkan gaji 75 ribu poundsterling dan telah tampil di sejumlah iklan untuk Reebok, jam Citizen dan Givenchy.
Dua pemain Chelsea, Michael Ballack dan Frank Lampard, secara berurutan ada di posisi enam dan tujuh. Ballack dinilai mendapatkan 22 juta poundsterling, sementara Lampard berselisih tak jauh dengan 21 juta poundsterling.
Steven Gerrard menjadi satu-satunya pemain Liverpool yang hadir di posisi sepuluh besar daftar tersebut, dengan menempati posisi delapan. Pendapatannya disebut mencapai 20 juta poundsterling (Rp 300 miliar).
Duo Chelsea menutup sepuluh besar dafta! r ini. Ada John Terry di posisi sembilan, diikuti oleh Didier Drogba di bawahnya. Keduanya masing-masing memiliki 18 juta poundsterling dan 16 juta poundsterling.
Daftar Pemain Sepakbola Terkaya Inggris Versi FourFourTwo (20 Besar):
1. David Beckham £125m LA Galaxy
2. Michael Owen £38m Manchester United
3. Wayne Rooney £37m Manchester United
4. Rio Ferdinand £30m Manchester United
5. Ryan Giggs £24m Manchester United
6. Michael Ballack £22m Chelsea
7. Frank Lampard £21m Chelsea
8. Steven Gerrard £20m Liverpool
9. John Terry £18m Chelsea
10. Didier Drogba £16m Chelsea
11. Nicolas Anelka £14m Chelsea
11. Fernando Torres £14m Liverpool
11. Ashley Cole £14m Chelsea
14. Emile Heskey £13m Aston Villa
15. Petr Cech £12m Chelsea
15. Gary Neville £12m Manchester United
15. Damien Duff £12m Fulham
18. Joe Cole £11m Chelsea
18. Dimitar! Berbatov £11m Manchester United
20. Robinho £10m Manches! ter City
Grande colpo di LEO VALLONE!
Grande trattativa di Leo Vallone. Dopo i colpi di ieri regala altri due tasselli ai propri tifosi: presi NESTA e la giovane promessa RUBIN del Torino dalla società amica Armata Lambertoska. In cambio del più grande difensore della serie A e del talento torinese il DS Leonardo Vallone versa all'Armata 6 crediti. Ai nostri microfoni il DS Lamberti dichiara: siamo veramente dispiaciuti per la cessione di NESTA, calciatore simbolo di questa società. Ma il sacrificio economico era necessario perchè stiamo preparando una grande operazione in attacco.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Spurs Fixture List Announced!
Fixtures 2005 - 2006 Season
All fixtures subject to change...
Sat Aug 13 Portsmouth Away
Sat Aug 20 Middlesbrough Home
Wed Aug 24 Blackburn Rovers Away
Sat Aug 27 Chelsea Home
Sat Sep 10 Liverpool Home
Sat Sep 17 Aston Villa Away
Wed Sep 21 Carling Cup 2nd Round
Sat Sep 24 Fulham Home
Sat Oct 1 Charlton Athletic Away
Sat Oct 15 Everton Home
Sat Oct 22 Manchester United Away
Wed Oct 26 Carling Cup 3rd Round
Sat Oct 29 Arsenal Home
Sat Nov 5 Bolton Wanderers Away
Sat Nov 19 West Ham United Home
Sat Nov 26 Wigan Athletic Away
Wed Nov 30 Carling Cup 4th Round
Sat Dec 3 Sunderland Home
Sat Dec 10 Portsmouth Home
Sat Dec 17 Middlesbrough Away
Wed Dec 21 Carling Cup 5th Round
Mon Dec 26 Birmingham City Home
Wed Dec 28 We! st Bromwich Albion Away
Sat Dec 31 Newcastle United Home
Mon Jan 2 Manchester City Away
Sat Jan 7 F.A. Cup 3rd Round
Wed Jan 11 Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg
Sat Jan 14 Liverpool Away
Sat Jan 21 Aston Villa Home
Wed Jan 25 Carling Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Sat Jan 28 F.A. Cup 4th Round
Wed Feb 1 Fulham Away
Sat Feb 4 Charlton Athletic Home
Sat Feb 11 Sunderland Away
Sat Feb 18 F.A. Cup 5th Round
Sat Feb 25 Wigan Athletic Home
Sun Feb 26 Carling Cup Final
Sat Mar 4 Blackburn Rovers Home
Sat Mar 11 Chelsea Away
Sat Mar 18 Birmingham City Away
Wed Mar 22 F.A. Cup 6th Round
Sat Mar 25 West Bromwich Albion Home
Sat Apr 1 Newcastle United Away
Sat Apr 8 Manchester City Home
Sat Apr 15 Everton Away
Mon Apr 17 Manchester United H! ome
Sat Apr 22 Arsenal Away
T.B.A. F.A.! Cup Sem i-Final
Sat Apr 29 Bolton Wanderers Home
Sun May 7 West Ham United Away
Sat May 13 F.A. Cup Final
Argentine not signing - Bentley transfer info
This morning, the Sun newspaper published an article stating that we had an offer of £4 million accepted by Fiorentina for their right winger, Mario Santana.
This was later rubbished by the Italian clubs chairman, who frankly sounded fairly angry with his director of football. Mr. Cognigni was interviewed on Rai Sports this afternoon and set the record straight.
"We will not be selling Mario. We have had an offer from only one Spanish club, and we turned them down as Mario is very important to Fiorentina".
We're pretty confident that talk of signing the Argentine International was nothing more than mere agent chatter as no ITK from any source even came close to disclosing this transfer.
I suppose the Modric transfer came like a shot out of the blue too, but I can't see the club signing Santana when they are about to announce the transfer of David Bentley.
The news surrounding that transfer is that Blackburn won't sancti! on the deal with Spurs until they have announced who their new manager will be.
Blackburn have tried to convince Bentley to stay and discuss a new deal with the new manager (most probably Paul Ince), but sources close to him have said that David wants to return to his home in Westwood, Peterborough.
No news on Bentley changing his medical date with the club (Tuesday, 24th June 2008) have surfaced, so we take it that he will go ahead with the planned medical.
More news will follow regarding the Bentley transfer.
Spurs vs. United
Spurs play United today at 5.30pm (GMT) and I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll get all 3 points.
For those of you that can't make it to the Lane, the match will be shown live on the following TV channels;
Setanta UK, 5.30pm
Fox Sports 1 Australia, 4.25am (Sunday morning)
Fox Sports USA, 12.30pm
Showtime Middle East, 8.30pm
Nova Greece, 7.30pm
This fixture normally churns out great matches!
Provisional Spurs Team: Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, King, Corluka, Zokora, Bentley, Lennon, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Modric.
Harry Redknapp will wait until half an hour before kick-off on making a decision on whether King will play or not.
COYS!!!
Agen Pastikan Gattuso Tidak Ke Chelsea
MILAN - Pendukung AC Milan dapat bernafas lega setelah agen Gennaro Gattuso mengkonfirmasi kalau pemain bertenaga badak itu akan tetap berada di San Siro musim depan.Kepada situs Blogosfere.it, Andrea D'Amico mengatakan kalau hubungan erat Ringhio dengan Carlo Ancelotti tidak berarti kalau ia juga harus mengikuti Carletto. "Milan adalah rumah Gattuso. Hanya karena ia mempunyai hubungan yang baik dengan Ancelotti, tidak membuat ia juga harus pindah ke Chelsea.
"Masa depan karir seorang pemain dan hubungannya dengan sang pelatih adalah dua hal yang berbeda. Semua or! ang tahu kalau Rino akan cocok bermain di Liga Primer Inggris, ia hanya menjawab pertanyaan saja."
"Lagipula, Chelsea tidak menghubungi kami sama sekali," tegas D'Amico. Gattuso sebelumnya sempat menyatakan kalau karakternya yang keras akan membuatnya pas dalam gaya permainan Liga Primer yang cepat dan penuh benturan fisik.
Demi Pato, Ancelotti Tunda Berangkat ke London
LONDON - Chelsea ngotot menegosiasikan transfer penyerang AC Milan, Alexandre Pato. Sampai-sampai, Carlo Ancelotti menunda keberangkatannya ke London.Menurut The Sun, Ancelotti seharusnya sudah berada di Stamford Bridge pada Rabu (1/7). Namun, ia memutuskan tinggal lebih lama di Milan karena melihat peluang transfer Pato. Kepada Milan, Ancelotti menawarkan 31 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 520 miliar untuk Pato.
Menurut seorang sumber di Milan, klub menuntut harga 40 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 670 miliar. Chelsea keberat! an dengan permintaan tersebut. Namun, The Sun mengklaim, Chelsea dan Milan akan tetap melakukan pembicaraan dalam 24 jam ke depan. Ancelotti diperkirakan bisa menunggu hingga akhir pekan ini. Pasalnya, ia menginginkan Pato mengikuti sesi latihan pramusim Chelsea, Senin mendatang.
Sevilla Merasa Dihina Klub Semiskin Milan
SEVILLE - Sevilla kecewa dengan upaya AC Milan memboyong striker Luis Fabiano. Presiden Sevilla Jose Maria Del Nido menganggap Milan sebagai klub miskin dan menghina Sevilla dengan menawar Fabiano jauh lebih rendah dari harga standar.Fabiano merupakan satu-satunya striker yang menjadi incaran Milan saat ini. Namun, perburuan mereka terbentur oleh harga tinggi yang diminta oleh "Los Rojiblancos". Dalam kontraknya, Fabiano memiliki nilai buy-out clause sebesar 25 juta euro. Milan hanya menawarnya senilai 15 juta euro.
"Negosiasi sanga! t kompleks, tapi Milan tidak pernah membuat tawaran resmi," ungkap Del Nido seperti dilansir Channel4. "Milan tidak punya uang untuk membeli Luis Fabiano. Tawaran pertama yang kami terima dari mereka hanya sepadan untuk pemain junior. Itu penghinaan." "Luis memperbarui kontraknya bersama kami dan saya benar-benar merasa bahwa dia akan tinggal di Seville untuk dua musim mendatang," tegasnya.
Karena perbedaan tawar-menawar itu, negosiasi kedua klub akhirnya menemui jalan buntu. Milan tak lagi mengejar pemain Brasil tersebut dan memilih untuk mengandalkan pemain-pemain yang sudah ada.
Dengan kegagalan ini, Milan hampir pasti tak bakal memiliki striker baru musim depan. Semua target mereka lepas. Edin Dzeko, Emmanuel Adebayor, dan juga Fabiano, semuanya gagal dibawa ke San Siro.
Chelsea Bantah Dapatkan Pirlo
LONDON - Menyusul pemberitaan mengenai resmi bergabungnya gelandang AC Milan Andrea Pirlo ke Chelsea, kubu The Blues langsung mengeluarkan bantahan. Seperti disitat ilsussidiario.net, Sabtu (1/8/2009) Chelsea mengatakan kalau semua pemberitaan itu tidak benar sama sekali. Mereka bahkan mengaku belum mengajukan tawaran apapun terhadap Pirlo. The Roman Emperor yang diwakili Steve Atkins mengatakan kalau hal itu hanyalah gosip yang berkembang di masyarakat saja. "Tidak ada sesuatu yang resmi. Sa! ya tahu kalau berita itu hanya pembicaraan sebagian kalangan saja," ungkapnya Atkins.
Pirlo sendiri sebelumnya disebut-sebut telah resmi menyetujui kepindahanya ke Stamford Bridge untuk bereuni dengan Carlo Ancelotti. Dia di trasnfer dengan biaya sebesar 14,5 juta plus peminjaman dua pemain yakni Claudio Pizarro dan Michael Mancienne.
Abbiati: Ini Tahun Kebangkitan Milan
MILAN - Penjaga gawang AC Milan, Christian Abbiati, sangat yakin bahwa tahun ini merupakan tahun kebangkitan timnya. Milan punya pemain juara yang akan bangkit musim ini. Sudah dua tahun ini Milan tak meraih satu pun gelar baik di liga domestik maupun internasional. Musim lalu mereka bahkan tak mencicipi gengsi Liga Champions. Jelang musim baru, "I Rossoneri" semakin tak keruan setelah ditinggalkan Kaka, Paolo Maldini, dan pelatih Carlo Ancelotti.
Milan hanya meraih satu kemenangan pada laga persahabatan mereka melawan tim-tim besar! . Hal itu tak menyurutkan semangat Abbiati. Kiper yang pernah "diasingkan" ke Atletico Madrid itu percaya bahwa rekan-rekan satu timnya akan bekerja keras untuk membuktikan bahwa mereka bukan tim kacangan dan tak berdaya.
"Tahun ini kalian akan melihat Milan yang berbeda, dengan hasrat besar untuk maju dan semangat berkorban," tegasnya kepada kantor berita Ansa. "Dengan melihat kemampuan tim, ada para juara di sini dan kurasa mereka akan bermain baik."
Kiper 32 tahun itu dipastikan tak dapat memperkuat Milan dalam beberapa laga awal Serie A. Cedera memaksanya harus beristirahat setidaknya hingga Oktober mendatang. Setelah itu, ia dapat mengambil kembali tempat utama di bawah mistar gawang Milan.
Hormati Juve, Trezeguet Tolak Milan
TURIN - Musim ini menjadi akhir dari sepuluh tahun karir David Trezeguet bersama Juventus. Penyerang asal Prancis ini akan meninggalkan Juventus begitu musim berakhir.Kepindahan bahkan bisa terjadi lebih dini karena beberapa penawaran sempat dipertimbangkan pada bursa transfer lalu. Menurut agen Antonio Caliendo, AC Milan nyaris mendapatkan kliennya, meski demi menghormati klubnya saat ini, Trez memilih bertahan! hingga semusim lagi.
"Trezeguet nyaris pindah ke Milan," ujar sang agen kepada Tuttomercatoweb. Dia tak mau melakukan tindakan yang berlawanan dengan keinginan klubnya, Juventus, dan tidak pula mengecewakan para fans."
"Apakah dia hengkang Januari ini? Kita tak pernah tahu, tapi aku rasa dia akan bertahan di Juve hingga akhir musim lagi-lagi sebagai tanda hormat kepada klub dan para suporter." "Dia akan menunggu hingga klub menemukan pengganti sepadan dan baru membuat keputusan."
Baresi: Milan Harus Kejar Juve Dan Inter
MILAN - Mantan pemain bertahan Milan Franco Baresi mengatakan Rossoneri tidak bisa membiarkan Inter dan Juventus pergi dari pengelihatan mereka. Inter saat ini unggul enam angka dari pasukan Leonardo.Meski Baresi percaya Milan bisa bersaing, dia mengingatkan mereka tidak bisa membiarkan jarak semakin melebar. "Kekalahan dari Udinese sungguh memalukan.
Kami harus berusaha menempel Juventus dan Inter." kata Baresi kepada Milannews.it. "Musim baru berjalan, tetapi kami harus menemukan permainan konsisten. Tim dengan p! enampilan konsisten adalah tim favorit. Milan harus segera unjuk gigi dalam hal ini."
Pekan ini Milan akan menghadapi Bari sebelum meladeni FC Zurich di Liga Champions di pekan berikutnya.
sumber : goal.com
Iklan Three(3) Pasca Bom Mariiot dan Ritz Charlton
Beberapa waktu lalu Tim Sepak bola besar Inggris, Manchester united akan melakukan laga tur ke Indonesia. rencana para pemain sepak bola ini akan tinggal di hotel ritz charlton..namun apa daya, ulah para terorisme membuat hotel ini meldak dan membatalkan pertandingan sepak bola tersebut...berikut ini gambar pasca Bom mariot dan ritz charton SUMBER: Google
Kasian bner dah tu para pemain ! Mu nya ! waokwoakowkoakwokaow
Friday, November 13, 2009
Champions League preview
Cesare Prandelli, who oversaw a club record 100th victory in all competitions at the weekend, has seen his side win all three of their Artemio Franchi outings without conceding a single goal.
But the Reds are currently on a 21-game Champions League scoring run, and will equal Bayern Munich's record set between September 1998 and March 2000 if they find the net on Tuesday night.
Group E's other fixture sees Lyon, who overcame Fiorentina 1-0 in France in their first match, travelling to Debrecen's adopted home of the Ferenc Puskas Stadium to take on the Hungarian outfit.
Impressive
Arsenal fans heading to Emirates Stadium for their Group H encounter with Olympiakos would be advised to arrive on time following the breathtaking start to the Gunners' campaign against Standard Liege.
Arsene Wenger, who will celebrate 13 years at the helm of the North London outfit on Thursday, saw his side 2-0 down in the opening five minutes before! mounting an impressive fightback to eventually prevail 3-2.
The Greek visitors will be under the guidance of Zico for the first time in Europe, with the Brazilian legend taking charge following Temuri Ketsbaia's departure.
Standard Liege must pick themselves up from their opening round disappointment when they travel to Holland to face AZ Alkmaar, who are also searching for their first point after going down 1-0 to Olympiakos last time out.
Rangers are well aware that their home form will be crucial to their hopes of progressing from Group G, with Walter Smith's men facing a thorough examination of their European credentials when Sevilla travel to Ibrox.
Gers claimed an impressive point from their opening weekend trip to Stuttgart, while the Spanish side saw off Unirea Urziceni at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in Spain.
Smith's men have stuttered somewhat of late, with their only victory since August coming in the Scottis! h League Cup against Queen of the South, and they meet a Sevil! la side who trounced Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their last domestic outing.
Holders
The excitement is building in Romania ahead of Unirea Urziceni's home bow in the competition at the Steaua Stadium, with former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu going head-to-head with ex-Liverpool man Markus Babbel, who is now at the helm of Stuttgart.
Holders Barcelona welcome Dynamo Kiev to Camp Nou with Pep Guardiola's side strong favourites to get their first win in Group F having been held to a 0-0 draw by Inter Milan on Matchday 1.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a blistering start to life with Barca, scoring in each of their opening five league matches to set a new club record, although he was unable to find the net against his former club in the San Siro.
Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, who have not won any of their last six UEFA Champions League outings, take a trip into the unknown as they head to Russia to tackle Rubin Kazan, who went down 3-1 to ! Dynamo in their group stage debut.
Espanyol Ingin Rambah Negeri Matahari Terbit
Espanyol,-
Espanyol tidak hanya memanfaatkan skill bermain sepakbola dari seorang Shunsuke Nakamura. Lewat Nakamura, tim tetangga Barcelona ini berharap bisa menjaring fans di Jepang.
Espanyol mendaratkan Nakamura pada musim panas ini. Nakamura sejauh ini tampil dalam empat dari lima laga La Liga yang dilakoni Espanyol. Ia memang belum mencetak gol, namun telah membukukan satu assist ketika mengantar Los Periquitos mengatasi Malaga 2-1, 23 September silam.
Kontribusi Nakamura sejauh ini telah mengantarkan Espanyol berada di papan tengah kompetisi La Liga.
Espanyol rupanya tidak hanya berharap pada kualitas pemain yang dikenal memiliki tendangan bebas maut itu di lapangan. Klub satu kota Barcelona itu berharap Nakamura bisa membantu Espanyol untuk memperluas pasar di Jepang.
"Nakamura adalah ikon besar untuk kehadrian kami di Jepang. Selain itu, merk Espanyol juga merepresentasikan nilai-nilai bahwa kami sangat lekat deng! an masyarakat Jepang," demikian dituturkan direktur pemasaran klub Raul Cipers dalam situs resmi klub, seperti dilansir dari Reuters.
Guna menjaring fans di Negeri Matahari Terbit, tim berseragam utama biru-putih itu berencana melakukan sejumlah pertandingan di Jepang.
"Kami punya rencana untuk tampil dalam dua atau tiga pertandingan di Jepang, pada akhir Juli atau awal Agustus. Lawan yang akan kami hadapi masih belum dibutuhkan, namun sudah banyak yang mengajukan tawaran." (*)
SARA' DI NUOVO L'ITALIA DEL MARCELLO MUNDIAL
Lui tifava l'Italia e l'Italia "tifava" per lui. Perdendo anche l'ultima carrozza del treno EuroStar, gli azzurri si sono incamminati a piedi verso il futuro. Cioè verso il passato.
Si riparte da lì, dalla pirotecnica notte di Berlino. E da Marcello Lippi, l'avversario più tosto che Donadoni abbia incontrato in questi due anni di fughe. Da un passato troppo scomodo. Irripetibile. Le ha provate tutte, ma ha perso sempre.
Abete aveva già deciso: "Se l'Italia fa flop, si torna all'antica". Secondo qualcuno sarebbe successo comunque, anche in caso di trionfo. Per rispetto del collega, Lippi ha taciuto. Ma andando per mare ha capito che! il suo mondo è l'azzurro. "Mi piacerebbe tornare", dichiarò tempo fa.
Scartate le mille offerte dall'estero, l'ex juventino ha ricaricato le pile. La motivazione è il suo pane. Da sempre. E per rifare l'Italia partirà proprio dal fallimento austro-svizzero. Dal significato di quel fallimento.
Dubbi, in proposito, non ce ne sono. Quell'ipotesi di "ritorno all'antica" si è trasformata in certezza. "Con Donadoni parleremo nei prossimi giorni e analizzeremo questo Europeo, faremo una riflessione complessiva. Continuare insieme? Ora è solo il momento dell'amarezza": l'Abete-pensiero al termine di Italia-Spagna è di una chiarezza cristallina.
Dieci giorni: questo è il tempo massimo previsto dal contratto siglato 20 giorni fa dallo stesso Donadoni con la Federazione italiana per dirsi addio. Un addio che costerà alle casse della Figc 600.000 euro (metà dell'ingaggio annuale). Una liquidazione degna di un ct azzurro.
Via Donadoni, quindi, dentro Lippi. Con il s! uo staff, ovviamente. Dal vice Narciso Pezzotti al medico Enri! co Caste llacci, da Ciro Ferrara (assistemte tecnico) ad Angelo Peruzzi che affiancherà Bordon nel ruolo di preparatotre dei portieri.
Infine Albertini, che portò Donadoni, rischia la stessa fine del ct con la valigia. Perché l'Italia torna al passato. Il futuro ha perso, verrà dimenticato: 20 agosto, Italia-Austria a Nizza, ci sarà la prima amichevole del nuovo corso azzurro. Con Lippi in panchina.
Si riparte da lì, dalla pirotecnica notte di Berlino. E da Marcello Lippi, l'avversario più tosto che Donadoni abbia incontrato in questi due anni di fughe. Da un passato troppo scomodo. Irripetibile. Le ha provate tutte, ma ha perso sempre.
Abete aveva già deciso: "Se l'Italia fa flop, si torna all'antica". Secondo qualcuno sarebbe successo comunque, anche in caso di trionfo. Per rispetto del collega, Lippi ha taciuto. Ma andando per mare ha capito che! il suo mondo è l'azzurro. "Mi piacerebbe tornare", dichiarò tempo fa.
Scartate le mille offerte dall'estero, l'ex juventino ha ricaricato le pile. La motivazione è il suo pane. Da sempre. E per rifare l'Italia partirà proprio dal fallimento austro-svizzero. Dal significato di quel fallimento.
Dubbi, in proposito, non ce ne sono. Quell'ipotesi di "ritorno all'antica" si è trasformata in certezza. "Con Donadoni parleremo nei prossimi giorni e analizzeremo questo Europeo, faremo una riflessione complessiva. Continuare insieme? Ora è solo il momento dell'amarezza": l'Abete-pensiero al termine di Italia-Spagna è di una chiarezza cristallina.
Dieci giorni: questo è il tempo massimo previsto dal contratto siglato 20 giorni fa dallo stesso Donadoni con la Federazione italiana per dirsi addio. Un addio che costerà alle casse della Figc 600.000 euro (metà dell'ingaggio annuale). Una liquidazione degna di un ct azzurro.
Via Donadoni, quindi, dentro Lippi. Con il s! uo staff, ovviamente. Dal vice Narciso Pezzotti al medico Enri! co Caste llacci, da Ciro Ferrara (assistemte tecnico) ad Angelo Peruzzi che affiancherà Bordon nel ruolo di preparatotre dei portieri.
Infine Albertini, che portò Donadoni, rischia la stessa fine del ct con la valigia. Perché l'Italia torna al passato. Il futuro ha perso, verrà dimenticato: 20 agosto, Italia-Austria a Nizza, ci sarà la prima amichevole del nuovo corso azzurro. Con Lippi in panchina.
IL TORNEO DI MOSCA SU TVCALCIO
Tv Calcio regala ai suoi numerosissimi visitatori 2 delle 4 partite del Torneo di Mosca:Milan-Siviglia (ven 1 ago h 21) e la finalissima (dom 3 ago h 21).
Le 2 gare saranno commentate dalla collaudata e famigerata coppia Lestingi-Lupo,che tante emozioni ha regalato durante la scorsa stagione.
Gilardino riprende la Juve al 90'
Finisce 1-1 il posticipo della prima giornata di serie A tra Fiorentina e Juventus. Sfuma a un minuto dalla fine il successo bianconero grazie a una magia di Gilardino. La squadra di Ranieri è passata in vantaggio al 39' del primo tempo grazie a Nedved, lesto ad arrivare per primo su un cross rasoterra di Grygera. La Fiorentina pareggia all'89' conun'azione di Gilardino.
Ecco la sintesi completa.
TONI AVVISA FIRENZE:"SE SEGNO ESULTO"
"Credo che un'esultanza contenuta sia la cosa migliore". E' l'opinione dell'attaccante del Bayern Monaco, Luca Toni che martedì sera incontrerà la sua ex squadra in Champions: la Fiorentina. Un incontro con il passato ma anche la possibilità di segnare il primo gol in una gara di Champions League. "Non credo che esultare significhi mancare di rispetto all'avversario - spiega il centravanti -. A Firenze ho passato due anni fantastici".
Con la maglia viola l'attaccante del Bayern ha battuto tutti i record ma ora Toni veste un'altra maglia ed è giusto che l'attaccante la onori allo stesso modo di quella della Fiorentina. "Sono stati due anni fanta! stici - racconta Toni a Uefa.com - ho segnato anche 31 gol. Porterò sempre con me l'esperienza in maglia viola, con la squadra ci siamo tolti delle belle soddisfazioni".
Oltre ai suoi vecchi compagni di squadra, Toni incontrerà anche i suoi vecchi tifosi: "Ci sono tante persone che mi vogliono tanto bene a Firenze - spiega il giocatore -, però sarò un avversario e a dire il vero sono curioso anch'io di vedere come mi accoglieranno". I tifosi intanto hanno imparato ad apprezzare anche uno dei suoi successori, Alberto Gilardino. "Con Gila ho un bellissimo rapporto, lo conosco da tanti anni e siamo amici - racconta Toni -. Sono contento che la Fiorentina abbia puntato su di lui perchè sicuramente è un bomber, penso che a Firenze abbiano fatto la scelta giusta".
Infine un commento sulla Champions e sulle possibilità del Bayern Monaco di vincere la competizione. "Giocando in Champions trovi le squadre più forti, era una competizione che mi mancava e quindi ! sono molto contento di poterla giocare - conclude il centrvant! i italia no - . Non siamo certamente tra i favoriti per la vittoria finale, però dobbiamo passare sicuramente la fase a gironi. Dopo, le partite diventano secche e quindi saranno importantissimi anche gli episodi. Poi tutto quello che verrà, noi lo prenderemo".
THURAM:"FUI VICINISSIMO AL MILAN"
Lilian Thuram poteva chiudere la carriera al Milan. A rivelarlo l'ex giocatore in un'intervista all'Equipe Magazine dove spiega che Carlo Ancelotti gli diede tempo fino a fine agosto per decidersi. L'ex difensore ha preferito chiudere con il calcio e dedicarsi alla sua battaglia contro il razzismo.
MILANELLO - L'offerta, racconta Thuram, arrivò dopo l'amichevole tra Milan e Juve: "Volevo salutare l'amico Zambrotta. Quando entrai negli spogliatoi tutti mi accolsero calorosamente. Ancelotti che conosco dai tempi di Parma mi propose immediatamente di firmare per il Milan. Gli chiesi se scherzasse, visto che avevo appena detto addio al calcio. E invece era serio e mi diede tempo fino al 31 ag! osto per decidermi. Ho anche visitato Milanello. Il suo tentativo mi ha molto colpito". Ma poi non se n'è fatto più niente: "Anche perché se avessi continuato, la mia scelta era il Paris Saint Germain".
CUORE - Un desiderio rimasto insoddisfatto visto che Thuram ha dovuto rinunciare alla professione per una malformazione al cuore, scoperta durante le visite mediche a Parigi. Ma all'ex difensore oggi il calcio non manca: "A volte mi chiedo anche se sono stato davvero un giocatore. Forse fra qualche tempo mi mancherà l'atmosfera di spogliatoio". Thuram è sempre più impegnato contro il razzismo. Assiste a dibattiti a livello europeo e si prepara a entrare nel consiglio federale della Federcalcio francese, prendendo il posto lasciato libero da Michel Platini, ormai presidente dell'Uefa. In futuro, Thuram non esclude di entrare in politica: "Ma non vuol dire che mi legherò necessariamente a un partito. Fare politica vuol dire anche avere l'ambizione di cambiare le cose".
SERIE A SU TV CALCIO
MER 28 GEN H 20.30 una partita di Serie A (live)
GIO 29 GEN tutti gli hlts della 21^giornata di Serie A
NOTTE DI UEFA A SAN SIRO
Dopo l'1-1 dell'andata, contro il Werder Brema a San Siro il Milan deve vincere. Lo sa bene Car! lo Ancelotti che parla di "gara di Champions" e carica i sui: "Più siamo soto pressione, più stiamo bene". E lo stress non manca di certo. I rossoneri, senza Ronaldinho, conPato e Inzaghi davanti e con il ritorno di Seedorf dopo i fischi di domenica, affrontano i tedeschi con una certezza: scendere in campo in cerca di applausi.
Tutto in una notte: contro il Werder, il Milan o continuerà l'avventura in Europa, oppure si troverà senza l'impegno infresettimanale e con ben 11 punti dalla capolista in campionato.
Per questo in casa Milan tuti sanno che l'impegno di stasera ha grande importanza. Ancelotti senzaDinho, con Shevchenko che parte dalla panchina, schiera davanti Inzaghi e Pato con Seedorf,reduce dalla contestazioni di domenica, trequartista. L'olandese è carico e promette di scendere in campo per superare l'ostacolo tedesco e proseguire l'avventura in Europa. In campo dal primo minuto ci sarà anche David Beckham, così come promesso dall'allenatore rossonero all'andata. Aspettando di conoscere il suo fututo l'inglese parte quindi titolare a centrocampo con Pirlo e Ambrosini. Dietro Favalli e Zambrotta esterni con Maldini e Bonera centrali.
Napoli - Siena 2-1 Videosintesi con commento di Auriemma
NAPOLI-SIENA 2-1
NAPOLI (3-5-2): De Sanctis, Cannavaro, Contini, Aronica (1' st Rinaudo), Maggio, Gargano, Cigarini (23' st Pazienza), Hamsik, Datolo, Lavezzi (44' st Hoffer), Quagliarella. (Iezzo, Zuniga, Bogliacino, Denis) All.: Donadoni
SIENA: (4-4-2): Curci, Rosi, Terzi, Brandao, Del Grosso, Vergassola, Codrea, Fini (40' st Paolucci), Jajalo (17' st Calaiò), Ghezzal (29' st Reginaldo), Maccarone. (Pegolo, Rossi, Jarolim, Ekdal). All.: Giampaolo
ARBITRO: Valeri
MARCATORI: 4' st Hamsik (N), 11' st Maccarone (S)! , 17' st Hamsik (N)
Ammoniti: Brandao, Vergassola, Codrea, Fini, Ghezza, Aronica e Datolo.
Ecco tutti i campioni che potrebbero arrivare in Italia!!
ROMA - Si apre il mercato in entrata per le italiane. Dal Real Madrid stanno per arrivare Drenthe e Diarra, destinati a Fiorentina e Juventus. La Juventus cerca anche di riportare in Italia Giuseppe Rossi. Il Milan è ad un passo da uno tra Dzeko e Luis Fabiano. L'Inter ha ormai concluso per Deco e Carvalho, ormai ai margini del Chelsea. La Roma qualora arrivasse Fioranelli punterà dritto su Adebayor. Parma scatenatato: dal Manchester United in arrivo il baby Macheda.
Simone Pizzi
PINTO WITH GROUP BY NEXT WEEK
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Liverpool put up a disastrous show against Villa at Anfield
Liverpool slumped to their second Premier League defeat in nine days as they lost 3-1 to Aston Villa to put their title credentials firmly on the line.
Villa produced a defiant, organised display and deserved their first win at Anfield since 2001.
The result also ended Liverpool's 31-match unbeaten home league record stretching back to December 2007, when Manchester United were the last winners at Anfield.
But the spotlight will now be on Liverpool, wh! o only lost twice in the league last season and still did not win the title.
The margin for error is now very fine. You rarely win the crown by losing more than five games in a season, and Liverpool's hopes could already have suffered a mortal blow.
A Lucas own goal and a Curtis Davies header saw Villa 2-0 up at the break. Fernando Torres pulled one back but an Ashley Young penalty settled the points.
Martin Skrtel returned to Liverpool's defence in place of teenager Daniel Ayala, having recovered sufficiently from a jaw injury to be risked.
This was the only change in the Liverpool side from the one that beat Stoke at home last week, with new Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos not included in the squad.
Villa included Curtis Davies, who had recovered from a shoulder injury. Brad Friedel, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Stiliyan Petrov all returned to the side after being rested in the Europa League defeat away to Rapid Vienna la! st week.
Liverpool produced a vibrant start, but fo! und them selves frustrated by the quick-tackling, quick-thinking Villa midfield.
The hosts could have been ahead in the first minute when Yossi Benayoun's back-header from Torres' chip into the area, beat Friedel but dropped inches wide.
A taste of what was to follow came from Villa's first chance came when Davies met a Nicky Shorey cross with a strong header, but it went straight at Jose Reina.
Torres and Steven Gerrard both saw shots blocked in the six-yard box, before Young was booked after 12 minutes for halting a Dirk Kuyt run.
Then Gerrard struck a first-timer from 20-yards just over from Kuyt's touched pass.
But Liverpool's problems were beginning to mount in a midfield that they were unable to dominate.
Javier Mascherano and Lucas were both fortunate not to be cautioned for fouls on Petrov and Agbonlahor in quick succession.
Torres was also coming in for some rough treatment from Carlos Cuellar, two ! tackles from behind going unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson.
By now Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell were successfully breaking up Gerrard's flow in midfield, and Villa were soon to take the lead.
It came after 33 minutes when Lucas gave away a needless free-kick in midfield. Young swung the set-piece towards the near post, and it was the unfortunate Lucas who rose to head the ball past Reina for an own-goal.
Liverpool's play was sloppy and far too much possession was being conceded with ill-directed passes.
Further calamity came after Reina was booked in first half injury time for kicking the ball away in annoyance when referee Atkinson awarded a disputed corner, Sidwell's shot looking to have clipped a defender.
And from that disputed corner Villa found themselves two up. Shorey's corner swung into the near post and was headed home by Davies.
The hosts have staged some amazing comebacks in this stadium! over the years, and they were going to need another massive p! erforman ce to salvage anything from this situation.
Villa defended with organisation and desire. Roe-Coker was booked for kicking the ball away, and Friedel produced a fine save from a Kuyt header.
Kuyt then saw another header hit a post from a Gerrard corner from the left.
But Villa were still showing great resilience, and breaking quickly to cause Liverpool all sorts of problems at the back, Reo-Coker being only inches away from a third with one sliding attempt.
Liverpool sent on Andriy Voronin for Lucas after 66 minutes, with Friedel producing another fine stop from a Gerrard drive soon after.
But after 72 minutes Liverpool finally gave themselves some hope when Emiliano Insua got down the left and rolled the ball into the six-yard box for Torres to score.
Two minutes later Liverpool were back in despair and Villa celebrating. Shorey's pass into the path of Reo-Coker saw the midfielder surge into the box only to be! felled by Gerrard's desperate tackle.
It was a clear penalty and Young stepped up to restore Villa's two-goal lead.
Liverpool's frustration was obvious. Torres was booked for dissent when Young went down injured and asked for treatment. He was eventually replaced by Heskey.
Ryan Babel came on for Benayoun, Liverpool still coming forward. Friedel again made a fine save from a Torres flick, before Kuyt sent a close range effort wide of the far post.
The outstanding Friedel, against his former club, saved from Torres and Glen Johnson, with Skrtel booked in the dying minutes, but Villa held on for a famous victory.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wenger - No regrets
The Gunners received a combined fee of ?1million for the duo to form a small part of City's unprecedented summer spending spree.
Many fans criticised the North London club for the sale of such key and influential members of the squad whilst failing to bring in significant replacements.
Wenger, though, believes the change was for the best as far as the club and players are concerned.
The Frenchman also rubbished claims of a bust-up between Toure and William Gallas and poured cold water on suggestions Adebayor moved on financial grounds.
Moving on
"There are no hard feelings for Toure or Adebayor," the Arsenal manager insisted ahead of Arsenal's trip to City on Saturday.
"I always wish my former players to be happy.
"It is part of life that players move on. That is not a reason that you want them not to be happy.
"I am extremely confident they will be and wish them well."
Wenger is we! ll aware of the threat his former players pose in Arsenal's trip to Eastlands this weekend.
The Gunners boss, though, believes his side are still strong enough to take all three points.
On fire
"Adebayor has started the season on fire and we have to put that fire out," said Wenger.
However, he maintained: "I do not regret losing him.
"I believe we lost a great player, but we have other great players behind.
"I believe in Eduardo, [Carlos] Vela and [Nicklas] Bendtner and we of course already have [Robin] Van Persie as a big asset in our team.
"We have a good striking force, we have [Theo] Walcott who can be turned into a striker so we can cope with that [loss]."
Wenger insisted: "I personally do not think that Adebayor was obsessed by money.
"I must say that to be fair to him.
"If you consider the Premier League, you cannot say we are one of the bottom clubs financi! ally.
"We have very fair financial potential."
Kuyt - Blues don't worry me
The Blues lost to Wigan in the Premier League last weekend but have a 100 per cent home league record this term ahead of the Reds' visit.
But Liverpool ended Chelsea's 86 match unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge last term and Kuyt is hoping for more of the same on Sunday.
He said: "Okay, Chelsea had an unbeaten record until last weekend, but I'm not really worried about them.
Level
"If we play to the level we're capable of, we can win there again. We beat them home and away last season, so why not this year too?
"It's always a difficult game at Stamford Bridge but I believe we showed something last season by winning there.
"By beating both Chelsea and Manchester United twice each in the league last term, we proved we can beat most teams home and away.
"Chelsea have a group of players who have been together for a long time and with fantastic strikers such as Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
"Bu! t we know them well after playing against each other many times."
Know
He added: "We know what we have to do. At this stage we've already lost twice, and that's the same amount as the whole of last season in the league.
"We just have to worry about our own games for now. Chelsea is a big game but we just have to look at ourselves.
"It's too early to talk about where the title is going, but if we beat Chelsea we'll be right back in there."
Pocono Betting Take the underdog at Pocono
Sports betting players could be treated to a show this Sunday at Pocono Raceway, which will hold its second race in just under two months, the Pennsylvania 500. Carl Edwards won last year's race, and Tony Stewart will be going for the Pocono sweep, but he'll have to fend off the team from which he is getting support, and a h! ungry underdog who missed a famous win last week.Pocono Odds – Sunday, August 2, 2:00 PM ET
Jimmie Johnson won this race back in 2004, and since he has a series-best 8.1 average in seven Pennsylvania 500s, betting services have made him a +520 favorite for this race. Johnson moved into second in the points standings with a win at Indy, and he now has seven top-10s in his last eight races. Some people wonder if the No.48 team has peaked too early, but that's not the case: this team has won three straight championships. They're just that good.
Stewart is listed at +600, and he has seven top-10s in 10 Pennsylvania 500s. The No.14 driver who is l! eading the points came in third at Indy, and he'll have good m! emories of the June Pocono race, when he stretched his fuel out to earn the win. Stewart hasn't finished outside of the top 10 in over two months, and he's probably one of the best bets of the race.
Two drivers who should be in the Chase, but need a win for momentum's sake, are Edwards at +800 and Denny Hamlin at +850 in your offshore sportsbook. Edwards has just one top-10 in his last five races, although he did come from the back to finish 15th at Indy, and he came in second to Stewart in the June Pocono race, which wasn't as kind to Hamlin. The No.11 driver had a fuel-pump problem, and just last weekend at Indy, the gear shift came off in his hand early in the race. He swept the 2006 Pocono races as a rookie, and he's generally good here.
At +2500, Juan Pablo Montoya seems like a longshot, but he finished eighth in the June race, and he's coming off a dominant performance at the Brickyard in which he led 116 laps, but committed a late pit-road penalty. Pocono has very tight turns, which is right up Montoya's alley as he's one of the top road-course racers in the world. If he gets a rocket like he did at Indy, he won't make the same mistake. Go with Juan Pablo Montoya in your sports picks.
'Very easy' for Kaka as Real parade 'new Galacticos'
Real Madrid's Brazilian signing ! Kaka said he finds it "very easy" playing alongside the other new world stars at the club.
"It's very easy to play in a team with people of such quality around," he said following his Spanish debut with the side, a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
He had special praise for another of Real's 'new Galaticos', Spain international Xabi Alonso, signed from Liverpool this month.
"Xabi Alonso has brought us a lot of security and fluidity. Now the most important thing is to look for balance and we are getting that," the Spanish sporting press quoted him as s! aying.
"We understand each other and I believe we can do great things together. I have noticed that the team gains possession with Xabi Alonso and that is very important," said the midfielder, signed from AC Milan for 65 million euros in June.
Another big new signing, Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile said he thinks the team, which went on a pre-season tour of the US, is close to reaching the level that fans are expecting of it.
"We are continuing to work hard to reach the form that we want, but I know that it will not be very difficult to reach this level in a short space of time," the Portuguese striker said.
Real face Borussia Dortmund in a friendly in Germany on Wednesday, before the start of the Spanish league season at the end of the month.
Real president Florentino Perez has splashed out over 250 million euros on the likes of Kaka, Alonso, Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema since he returned to the club in June in a bid to make the nine-times European champions a formidable force again.
Perez led Real from 2000 to 2006, when it earned the nickname "Los Galacticos", with such stars as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham.
But while the club enjoyed the success of two domestic league titles and one Champions League, between 2003 and 2006 it did not win a single major trophy, and fears have been expressed that its glamourous new stars may also fail to deliver this season.
Injured Bracken will miss Trophy
 Bracken is regarded as a one-day specialist for Australia |
Australia seamer Nathan Bracken has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a knee injury.
"The nature of Nathan's right knee problem has meant that he has had so! me ongoing manageable pain," said Australia physio Alex Kountouris.
"But he is now unable to continue playing, and will return to Australia to consult a knee specialist."
Australia will now select a replacement player, subject to approval from the International Cricket Council.
The likes of Doug Bollinger, Brett Geeves, Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes are likely to come into consideration to replace Bracken.
Australia play their first game of the tournament against West Indies on Saturday.
Bracken, 32, has taken 174 wickets in 116 one-day internationals, but has played only five Tests.
He took seven wickets at an average ! of 35.14 in Australia's 6-1 thrashing of England in their recent ODI series.
Kountouris added: "His return to cricket will be determined after consulting the specialist."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Premier League results for Saturday 23 August 2008
| Blackburn | 1-1 (HT 1-1) | Hull |
| Roberts 38 | Garcia 40 | |
| Bookings: Ashbee 43 |
Hull's bright start to life in the top flight continued as they earned a battling point at Blackburn.
The Tigers were almost faultless in defence, faltering only once when Jason Roberts sprun! g the offside trap and flicked the ball home on 39 minutes.
But Hull drew level almost immediately when Richard Garcia looped a header over Paul Robinson and into the corner.
Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Reid, Mokoena (Kerimoglu 67), Dunn (Emerton 46), Pedersen, Roque Santa Cruz, Roberts (McCarthy 81).
Subs Not Used: Simpson, Treacy, Derbyshire, Brown.
Goals: Roberts 38.
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Anthony Gardner, Dawson (Mendy 58), Garcia (Barmby 78), Ashbee, Marney, Fagan, Geovanni (Folan 65), King.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Windass, Duke, Halmosi.
Booked: Ashbee.
Goals: Garcia 40.
Att: 23,439
Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
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| Fulham | 1-0 (HT 1-0) | Arsenal |
| Hangeland 21 | ||
| Bookings: Murphy 71 Teymourian 88 |
Brede Hangeland's first-half goal gave Fulham their first win of the season against a disappointing Arsenal.
The giant defender stabbed in Jimmy Bullard's cross from close range after 21 minutes.
Emmanuel Adebayor headed Bacary Sagna's cross against the post shortly afterwards, but Arsenal rarely turned possession into clear chances.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Kallio, Davie! s, Bullard, Murphy, Gera, Zamora, Ki-Hyeon.
Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Teymourian, Nevland, Stoor, Dempsey, Milsom, Baird.
Goals: Hangeland 21.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Eboue, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Song Billong, Wilshere, Djourou, Bendtner, Gibbs.
Att: 25,276
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
____________________________________________________________________
| Liverpool | 2-1 (HT 0-0) | Middlesbrough |
| Pogatetz o.g. 86 Gerrard 90+4 | Mido 70 | |
| Bookings: Arbeloa 27 Keane 78 | Bookings: Mido 79 |
Steven Gerrard smashed in a 90th-minute drive as Liverpool came from behind to beat Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Striker Mido came off the bench to put the visitors ahead with a low, 30-yard drive on 70 minutes and it seemed his side were heading for victory.
But Jamie Carragher's drive from the edge of the box flew in off Boro's Emmanuel Pogatetz to give Liverpool an equaliser 16 minutes later.
And in stoppage time, Gerrard lashed in an angled shot to snatch the points. Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (El Zhar 83), Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Aurelio 75), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun (Babel 65), Keane, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cava! lieri, Agger, Ngog, Plessis.
Booked: Arbeloa, Keane.
Goals: Pogatetz 86 og, Gerrard 90.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor (Hoyte 75), Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky, Downing, Alves (Mido 60), Sanli (Digard 87).
Subs Not Used: Emnes, Adam Johnson, Williams.
Booked: Mido.
Goals: Mido 70.
Att: 43,168
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
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| Newcastle | 1-0 (HT 0-0) | Bolton |
| Owen 71 | ||
| Bookings: Taylor 62 | Bookings: O'Brien 28 McCann 39 |
Michael Owen came off the bench to earn Newcastle a win over a Bolton side who paid the price for a missed penalty.
The visitors had a chance to take the lead when Steven Taylor handled a cross but Kevin Nolan saw his spot-kick saved by Magpies keeper Shay Given.
Owen punished the miss when he headed in a Geremi cross at the far post.
Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins (Owen 53), Duff (Geremi 46). Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Edgar.
Booked: Taylor.
Goals: Owen 71.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew ! O'Brien, Samuel, Joey O'Brien (Mustapha 85), Nolan, Muamba, Taylor (Gardner 65), Davies, Elmander (McCann 15). Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Dzemaili, Shittu.
Booked: Joey O'Brien, McCann.
Att: 47,711
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
____________________________________________________________________
| Stoke | 3-2 (HT 1-0) | Aston Villa |
| Lawrence (pen) 30 Fuller 80 Sidibe 90+4 | Carew 63 Laursen 84 | ! |
| Bookings! : Kitson 56 |
Mamady Sidibe claimed an injury-time winner to give Stoke a dramatic win over Aston Villa.
The Premier League new boys took every opportunity to shell the ball into the Villa box, with Delap testing out keeper Brad Friedel's resolve with his artillery-distance throws.
Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Delap, Amdy Faye (Diao 72), Kitson (Sidibe 76), Fuller (Cresswell 87).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Whelan.
Booked: Kitson.
Goals: Lawrence 30 pen, Fuller 80, Sidibe 90.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Laursen, Davies, Shorey (Routledge 73), Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Knight, Osbourne, Gardner, Salifou, Harewood.
Goals: Carew 63, Laursen 84.
! Att: 27,500
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
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| Tottenham | 1-2 (HT 0-0) | Sunderland |
| Jenas 73 | Richardson 55 Cisse 83 | |
| Bookings: Bale 26 | Bookings: Malbranque 58 Richardson 55 |
Djibril Cisse scored on his Sunderland debut to co! ndemn To ttenham to their second straight Premier League defeat.
Spurs, who dropped Dimitar Berbatov, were lucky not to trail at half-time after Steed Malbranque hit the post.
Gareth Bale powered a header over for the hosts soon after the re-start but they fell behind when Kieran Richardson rifled home after 55 minutes.
Tottenham: Gomes, Zokora, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto (Huddlestone 56), Modric, Lennon (Giovanni 56), Jenas, Bentley, Bale, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gilberto, Gunter, Dawson, O'Hara.
Booked: Bale.
Goals: Jenas 73.
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Malbranque, Whitehead, Reid (Miller 87), Richardson (Cisse 65), Diouf, Murphy.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Chopra, Leadbitter, Healy, Stokes.
Booked: Richardson, Malbranque.
Goals: Richardson 55, Cisse 83.
Att: 36,064
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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| West Brom | 1-2 (HT 0-0) | Everton |
| Bednar (pen) 89 | Osman 65 Yakubu 76 | |
| Bookings: Meite 45+2 Zuiverloon 45+3 Brunt 67 | Bookings: Osman 38 | |
Second-half goals by Leon Osman and Ayegbeni Yakubu were enough to give Everton an unlikely win over West Brom.
West Brom enjoyed most of the possession and carved out some decent openings but, on too many occasions, either their final ball went astray or they could not find the finish
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Barnett, Robinson, Morrison, Kim (MacDonald 71), Koren (Bednar 70), Greening, Brunt, Miller (Beattie 80).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Hoefkens, Cech, Pele.
Booked: Zuiverloon, Meite, Brunt.
Goals: Bednar 89 pen.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Jagielka, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman, Baxter (Vaughan 58), Yakubu (Nuno Valente 86).
Subs Not Used: Turner, Jutkiewicz, Agard, Kissock, Wallace.
Booked: Osman.
Goals: Osman 65, Yakubu 76.
Att: 26,190
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