What is it with unusual pitch invaders on Merseyside lately? Last week, a protestor cuffed himself to the posts at Goodison Park to register his disgust with a budget airlines, and tonight a cat found its way onto the pitch during Tottenham's bout with Liverpool at Anfield.

Brad Friedel was visibly freaked out by the impromptu appearance of the misplaced moggy — perhaps he thought Harry Redknapp had sent one of his pets in his absence from the match — and Liverpool fans responded with the inventive chant "a cat, a cat, a cat, a cat, cat.

Didier Drogba could not be denied as he made up for a missed penalty by pouring in a brace. Ivory Coast added another through Yaya Toure as they send Equatorial Guinea, the co-hosts, out of the ACN. The Taranga Lions are through to the semi-finals.

Drogba will be missing today's huge showdown with Man Utd, and in his absence, Chelsea is hoping that misfiring Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge, take up the goalscoring slack.

Match Report Video By the numbers

I think we can safely say this morning that's just what the doctor ordered.

Three points, a good performance, and a day which brought no controversy, animosity, angst or worry. For a moment it looked a bit shaky, when Pedersen equalised with Blackburn's first attempt on target, but instead of setting us back it sparked us back into life and withing a couple of minutes we were two goals to the good.

Seven home games without a goal... Here's hoping the end of the transfer window and a few loans might change things. James Bolton reports from the City Ground. The big news as kick off approached was that youngster Jamaal Lascelles would start in the centre of defence in the absence of Luke Chambers through suspension [.

Rafael Da Silva has made just three league appearances this season after bad luck with injuries have kept him out of the team. Even when he does get on the pitch, there are plenty of tongue in cheek sweepstakes amongst United fans predicting what time he will be subbed off with an injury.

Rafael has reflected on this bad luck but wonders whether his style of play has an influence on it.

This match saw the welcome return of Captain Coloccini, and also the absence of Yohan Cabaye a victim of trial by television and the London FA earlier in the day. Chris Samba was missing from the Blackburn Rovers line-up following the club's failure to release him during the January transfer window clearly fit [.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have signed Freddie Veseli from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old central defender joined the club in 2008 but has become frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities. He made his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly in the summer but when the dreadful Stefan Savic got the nod ahead of him during Vincent Kompany's absence, the Veseli clearly realised it was time to leave.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon remains a Union player.

A Union official confirmed Sunday that Mondragon is in camp with the Union and said the club has not talked with Deportivo Cali, despite Colombian reports that Mondragon could sign with his hometown club, Deportivo Cali.

The long substitution

It's finally confirmed, the news that we did not want to hear. That Jack Wilshere has had a setback and would not be available in the date that we initially had hoped he would be back for. AC Milan's games were touted as his return period but that will now have to be extended.

It's been such a flat start to the week after Sunday's defeat which was hard to take, followed by current Spurs headlines which are dominated by Harry's court case.

The season goes on however and at the club, Joe Jordan and Jermain Defoe are leading the voices that are ‘taking the positives' out of Sunday's game.

Granada have hired former Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino to replace the sacked Fabriciano Gonzalez and try to save the La Liga strugglers from making an immediate return to the second division.

"Granada CF announces the hiring of Abel Resino as the red and whites' new coach until next June 30," the club said in a statement on their website.

The only one with the ball will be the one missing

Ahead of this Sunday's game against Manchester United, the latest injury news update does not help to reassure any nerves. We are already going through a bad run of 2 consecutive league losses at the moment ahead of the imminent arrival of the team that gave us a beating in August.

Saturday morning. South London is grey and gloomy.

It's always exciting to have a game after a bit of a break. Back into your regular seats to see the Whites playing against an intriguing looking Newcastle side.

In a way it's a shame that Tiote and Ba will be absent always nice to see the opposition's best players close up.

Only a Game: The Diary of a Professional Footballer By Eamon Dunphy Published by Penguin (second edition) July 1998, £8.99, ISBN: 9780140102901 Left Foot in the Grave By Garry Nelson Published by CollinsWillow August 1998, available from 1p, ISBN: 9780002187749 [E]veryone wants to be a footballer. I still do, and I'm 37.

Under-pressure Liverpool striker Andy Carroll admits that the return of skipper Steven Gerrard has boosted his hopes of performing more consistently for the Reds.

Carroll, who was signed for over £35 million from Newcastle United last January, has scored only four times in 25 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, leading to continuous criticism from both within and outside the club.

Having had a great win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, expect to see Kenny re-introduce the likes of Jose Enriqué, Maxi Rodriguez as well as the combination of returning Captain Steven Gerrard to play alongside Charlie Adam in midfield in the absence of young Jay Spearing who did his hamstring on Wednesday.

On my way to work this morning I saw a sticker in the back wondow of a car that said 'My daughter plays rugby' in bold, pink letters.
At first I thought, well that's a bit of an odd think to have advertised in your car.
But when I thought about it more I realised, actually it's not.

Telegraph: Liverpool's return to Wembley after 16-year absence would endorse Kenny Dalglish's return

Kenny Dalglish determined to end Liverpool's 16-year Wembley exile by overcoming City in the Carling Cup.

View the full story here: The Telegraph

A news article on 2012-01-10 23:00:17 from: The Telegraph

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If ever there was a match made in Heaven in the footballing world, it would have to be between Arsenal and Thierry Henry, who have found each other again after a five-year absence, with the magic the same as it ever was.

It was an otherwise drab encounter, with little to get excited about as a makeshift Arsenal team struggled to break down a determined and dogged Leeds side coming with only one intention a lucrative replay.

Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

What was supposed to be a winter during which Omar Gonzalez was going to take the next step in his career has turned into disaster.

The Los Angeles Galaxy centerback tore his left ACL on his first day on loan with FC Nurnberg, and he has returned to Los Angeles to undergo surgery, according to Nurnberg's official website.

There's obviously no transfer news as yet from White Hart Lane but surprisingly, the rumour mill is also a little quiet after the Christmas break.

As far as any potential incomings are concerned, we looked at the possibility of either Christopher Samba or James Tomkins at the back while our search for a striker could see Harry secure the services of Lille's Moussa Sow.

Liverpool feel the full force of Luis Suarez absence how will his eight-game ban shape their season?

The Reds chose not to appeal against their Uruguayan forward's ban and he endured his first match on the sidelines as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-04 08:58:00 from: Goal

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With just a little over half the season already gone, and 20 league matches played, it's time to assess the individuals that make up the glorious institution that is Arsenal FC. Some you know have had great years; others, not so much. We begin this player review by looking at some of the under-performing players of this season's team so far.

Wayne Rooney was a notable absence from Man United's shock 3-2 loss with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and despite Ferguson stating that he was struggling with an injury, rumours have been circulated that the player was axed following allegations that he, Johnny Evans and Darron Gibson went out following the 5-0 win against Wigan on boxing day.

Thomas Broich's importance to Brisbane Roar was always fairly clear but the club's recent losing streak has more than highlighted just how urgently they need the German back fit. Broich's absence from the team has coincided with a run of defeats – as predicted by numerous soccer betting tips that has the potential to undo all the hard work the club did on their way to a record 36-match unbeaten run.

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal

By Walter Broeckx

The Wolverhampton match was a tin can-game. More on that later when we come to the analyzing part. First unpleasant thing was the absence of Walcott. I know some fans don't appreciate him and say he is a waste of place. I disagree on [.

Following Manchester United's 5-0 win over Wigan, Patrice Evra, our captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic, has hailed the spirit of the players at Manchester United.

Due to injuries, Valencia played at right back, Michael Carrick played in the centre of defence, and after Jonny Evans went off at half time, Evra moved to the centre too.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return from his two-month injury absence against Blackburn on Boxing Day.
The England international has not featured since the draw with Norwich at the end of October after sustaining an ankle infection having already missed a large chunk of the season.
Gerrard, 31, has appeared in just five matches this campaign as a result of injuries, but he is back in training and stands a chance of facing Blackburn at Anfield.

Liverpool v BLACKBURN: Under-fire Steve Kean may be without keeper Paul Robinson for Anfield test

Beleaguered Blackburn manager Steve Kean is hoping his defence will not be further weakened by the absence of goalkeeper Paul Robinson for their Boxing Day clash at Liverpool.

Reds monitor Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return from his two-month injury absence against Blackburn on Boxing Day.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-23 11:15:57 from: Sky Sports

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While Aaron Lennon is definitely out of tomorrow's match with Chelsea, Gareth Bale is also rated as very doubtful for the clash.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp gave his comments on how the two wide men are progressing and the news on Lennon is a little more encouraging than first thought,

"Gareth's struggling at the moment," reported Harry.

Exclusive – Staunton: Gerrard return will make up for Suarez absence

Former Liverpool star says return of skipper will ensure hitman is not badly missed by club

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-12-21 12:20:18 from: Talksport

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Spurs done a win; the other team didnae. That would by my conclusion of Sunday's meeting with the floundering Wearsiders. And if that's not enough woodbine for your mind-pipe then I don't know if we can go on meeting like this.

But, it's the festive season, I suppose, and I'm a generous sort.

Many of the newspapers and websites are giving the nod to VDV this morning for his all round contribution to yesterday's win. Rafa linked up with the two strikers well after Harry shuffled the pack on 27 minutes and his neat pass let in Pavlyuchenko for the goal.

Pav could conceivably be a contender too while elsewhere, Scott Parker made his usual telling contribution.

After a disappointing week the only thing that really counted yesterday was a win. The absence of Bale and the early departure of Aaron Lennon took away much of our flowing football and potent threat and while Sunderland offered little in the way of goal scoring chances, the 1-0 victory wasn't one of our best.

The absence of the top five or six clubs from much of the schedule for yesterday's Premier League fixtures may have meant that the eyes of many may have drifted towards the bottom of the table instead. As has been the case for the previous couple of seasons, the bottom half of the Premier League table is starting to look rather congested, with just six points separating the team in tenth place in the table from the relegation places.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has hailed his partnership with Daniel Agger, stating the Dane is easy to play alongside.
The Reds have conceded three goals in six games since the Slovakian stopper was paired with Agger during Jamie Carragher's absence.
Uruguayan Sebastian Coates is also vying to start for Liverpool and Skrtel believes competition for places is healthy.

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio rues Lucas Leiva's season-ending injury

The Brazilian has admitted his countryman's absence will come as a blow for the Reds, but has revealed the midfielder is already looking ahead to next term at Anfield

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-15 19:03:00 from: Goal

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If Edson Buddle's absence from FC Ingolstadt's match-day roster this past weekend didn't raise eyebrows, what has transpired since surely will.

According to German outlet Kicker, Ingolstadt manager Tomas Oral has dismissed Buddle from the relegation-threatened team until after the winter break.

Steve Gerrard could make Christmas return for Liverpool

Liverpool are confident that they will soon have Steven Gerrard back in the side as the Reds skippers steps up his recovery from his two-month injury absence.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-15 11:14:00 from: The Mail

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