After the surprisingly impressive first half of the season Sunderland have enjoyed, the club may be revaluating their goals for this term. Steve Bruce's side have stormed to sixth place in the league and now face the very real possibility of European football coming to the Stadium of Light next season.

Although Lionel Messi is most likely the front-runner for the Ballon d'Or in the eyes of many fans, the Argentinian believes that it is Xavi or Iniesta that deserve the prestigious award. The fact that Xavi and Iniesta not only performed in Club level but also for the Spain National, in which they took home the World Cup, Messi feels that these two are more deserving than him for the Ballon d'Or award.

UW-Oshkosh takes aim at its first NCAA Division III men's soccer national championship this weekend in San Antonio, part of an impressive final four semifinalists.

The unbeaten Titans, ranked fifth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, have allowed just five goals and posted 18 shutouts this season.

No sooner have I posted on here that Carlo Ancelotti will not buy anyone in the January transfer window after he said he wouldn't, he goes and says today more or less that he is looking at maybe making moves in January. I just wonder if he saw Roman Abramovich's good mood on all the news channels after the World Cup announcement yesterday and decided to cash in on it and has maybe, just maybe, convinced Roman that we need to invest in the squad.

Former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein, a 13-year MLS veteran, has been named the Senior Director of the LA Galaxy Academy Program and Special Projects. In his new role, Klein will oversee the long term plans of the Galaxy Academy and aim to grow the team within the local soccer community.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona aim to stay in first place when they face Ryan Adeleye Hapoel Be'er Sheva while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya visit Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Images: Celebrity Paradise via The Fashion Spot

Victoria Beckham continued on her quest for world domination last night after being nominated for the Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Though she missed out on the gong to Mulberry, VB still managed to network up a storm, being being snapped next to Samantha Cameron, wife of the British Prime Minister.

By Chris Wright

Newcastle United have literally just (only the headline and photos are up on their official website at the moment) confirmed the news that Alan Pardew has officially been appointed as the club's new manager, having signed a five-and-a-half year contract at St James' Park this morning.

Man Utd Youth Policy

I have taken at look at the approximate ages of players in five years time. The aim is to look at who we have coming through that can replace these players.

Van Der Sar 45, Rafael 25, Rio Ferdinand 37, Vidic 34, Evra 34, Valencia 30, Nani 29, Anderson 27, Fletcher 31, Rooney 30,
Berbatov 34.

Mario Balotelli was named the winner of the Tuttosport Golden Boy trophy earlier today, and speaking to Tuttosport he revealed that he has no idea who Arsenal wonderkid Jack Wilshere is. The Italian went on to say that he'll be looking out for this Wilshere character the next time City meets Arsenal.

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is enjoying life under the management of Roy Hodgson, as he has made seven senior appearances for the club this season.
The 22-year-old struggled to break into the first-team under former boss Rafael Benitez, but the new boss has given him opportunities - largely in the Europa League - to prove his mettle and shine for the Reds.

I apologise for being slow on the up-keep readers, but I have just come across an article (in the Guardian) in which Balotelli makes a complete arse of himself...

After winning the award a jornalist questioned the Manchester City striker on the player who was second best to him (Jack Whilshere) - his response is both ignorant and arrogant:

"What's his name?

Is the pressure finally getting to King Carlo?

Mad as hell.

Mad as hell? Of course not. But our usually calm, understated leader has this week been in a very talkative mood. Even more unexpected? He's chosen the media as his outlet.

I. First there was the public rebuttal of England's Brave John Terry.