Posts for 'English Premier League' Category

THE past met the present last night as David Beckham's Champions League future was left looking like history. Wayne Rooney swaggered around the San Siro before delivering a second-half two-goal show that sent Manchester United to the brink of the last eight. Milan will feel they can stun Sir Alex Ferguson's side on their own patch in three weeks' time. Of course they will.

But not even Clarence Seedorf's exquisite flick five minutes from time will have dented Fergie's belief. Not after Rooney had flattened the Italian giants to ground Siro. Fergie's pride was taken to a new level and the United boss said: "Wayne is in absolutely devastating form.

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Manchester United and Real Madrid are reportedly on the trail of Brazilian starlet Wellington.The 17-year-old Wellington is also rumoured to be attracting the interests of Arsenal and Valencia, who are reportedly both keen to snap up the influential defensive midfielder.

The Sao Paulo-born player has only made one appearance for the Tricolor, but European scouts have been closely observing the youngster's development and are apparently ready to make bids for the energetic 17-year-old.

The Sao Paulo central midfielder has come through the club's youth ranks and has been developing into an assured and mature defensive midfielder.He already has a major honour to his name, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro with the club last year, and will be on the lookout for the world's major honours at both club and international level.

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A narrow 1-0 win against Stoke City won’t send shockwaves around the globe, but the three points gained by the world champions on their return to Premier League action was all that mattered.Carlos Tevez was the savour of the day after he popped up in the 83rd minute with his second top flight strike of the season.

The plucky Argentine’s shot gave the Reds the win that their stuttering display only just deserved.Yet again, the newly goal shy United team struggled to break down a vastly inferior side, whilst flashpoints surrounded Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo after the pair lashed out in frustration as the Potters threatened to hold them to a crippling draw.

The elbow from Rooney and the kick from Ronaldo were only minor infractions, but they show the irritation caused by the club’s return of only three goals in their last five Premier League matches. This is a far cry from the swashbuckling charge to domestic and European success enjoyed in the last campaign.

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Last weekend won’t be one that lives long in the memory of the United faithful. The disappointing 2-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal made certain of that. The match was a delight for the people who tuned in to watch these two footballing heavyweights attack each other at full pelt. This was scant consolation for Sir Alex Ferguson.

On the day, the Red Devils created a number of opportunities. Wayne Rooney had several wayward shots at Manuel Almunia, Dimitar Berbatov had an early strike ruled out for offside, and Cristiano Ronaldo miscued a volley with the Arsenal goal gaping just after their hosts had gone 2-0 up.

At the other end of the pitch, United were a complete shambles. Edwin Van Der Sar flapped at any ball that came his way, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were given the run around by Nicklas Bendtner, and Gary Neville chased the shadow of the Gunners’ two-goal hero Samir Nasri all afternoon.

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When Wayne Rooney introduced himself to the football world with his winning goal against Arsenal in 2002, he found a place in the hearts of all Everton fans.These supporters sat enthralled as one of their very own set the game on fire with his performances for both club and country over the coming years.

An awe inspiring Euro 2004 swiftly followed. The aftermath of this tournament saw the man who famously wore a t-shirt saying “once a blue, always a blue” swap the colours of his boyhood team for the red of North West rivals Manchester United.A betrayal like this was an unforgiveable act. The return of Rooney to his spiritual home this weekend should ignite this hatred once again.

However, the defending champions are also seeing signs within their own ranks that the Red’s latest signing is beginning to set the United front line alight.Dimitar Berbatov’s double against Celtic took his tally to five goals in four games to prove that he should easily shoot up the scoring charts by the end of the campaign.

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Whilst it is hard not to be dubious when it comes to considering omens, United’s glorious 2007/08 campaign got off to a faltering start before it kicked in to life around this time last year with a 4-0 home thrashing of Wigan Athletic.

For those of a mystic persuasion though, it is hard to not see signs of history repeating as United struggle to gain any momentum once again after a series of poor results in the early weeks of the season.

To increase the feeling of déjà vu, North West opposition in the guise of Bolton Wanderers are also entering the Theatre of Dreams at a time when the Reds are desperate for a sacrificial lamb to give themselves a kick start.

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Manchester United recorded their first win of the Premier League season when Darren Fletcher's scruffy first-half goal secured a 1-0 triumph at Portsmouth.

Fletcher was credited with turning the ball in from Patrice Evra's cross in the 32nd minute although Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin appeared to make contact with the ball and Sol Campbell also got a touch in a vain attempt to keep it out.

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Chelsea can make the Premier League lead its own this weekend when it plays at a Wigan side hit by a disappointing opening-day defeat.

With Manchester United having already dropped points and not in action until Monday, the Blues, who are already top of the standings after routing Portsmouth 4-0 last week, could be as much as five points clear of the defending champions following Sunday's visit to the JJB Stadium.

Few would bet against another victory for Chelsea after such a convincing win over the FA Cup holders in Luiz Felipe Scolari's first game as coach.

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OK, let’s get the clichés out of the way now. It’s the traditional curtain-raiser for the new season, with the first silverware of the campaign up for grabs between two sides who know each other well….

However, what makes Sunday’s FA Community Shield (previously the Charity Shield) refreshing is that, for the first time since 1996, one of the participants will be from outside the ’Big Four.’

By winning the FA Cup final against Cardiff City last May, Portsmouth guaranteed

their presence not only in the Uefa Cup this season, but also in this prestige showpiece against the Premier League Champions, Manchester United. The nature of the occasion means the winners habitually regard it as a competitive fixture and the losers as a glorified friendly. But both Harry Redknapp and Sir Alex Ferguson would far sooner win the shield than lose it.

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Rafa Benitez believes that Liverpool are finally ready to defeat their bitterest rivals - thanks to the man he dubs the new Roy Keane.

The Spanish coach has only ever tasted victory over Manchester United once in England.

Peter Crouch's goal in an FA Cup win in 2006 was the only time a Liverpool player has scored against United under Benitez in eight attempts.

But now the Anfield boss believes the psychological hold United clearly have over his team can be released.

AdvertisementAnd it is midfielder Javier Mascherano - a player United tried to sign - who he believes will hold the key in a game that could go a long way to deciding the destination of this season's title.

Benitez sees a lot of Roy Keane in the Argentine, and he stressed his importance to Liverpool when he said: "Javier gives us balance and leadership.

"Like Roy Keane he is a player with a strong character and like him, he could be a very important leader for us in the future.

"What impresses about him is his attitude. He has developed already and when he understands the language even more he will become even more of a leader, which is what we need.

"In terms of winning a game with his attacking actions, that is not Mascherano's role. But in terms of the balance he brings to the side, he is our key player. He gives players like Torres and Gerrard the freedom in attack. That will be important at Manchester United."

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