Like most people, I have been hugely impressed with Bolton Wanderers this year. After 15 league games the Lancashire outfit are flirting with the Champions League places and whilst it is highly unlikely they will reach the Promised Land, their footballing reinvention is as entertaining as it is unfamiliar.

Like most people, I have been hugely impressed with Bolton Wanderers this year. After 15 league games the Lancashire outfit are flirting with the Champions League places and whilst it is highly unlikely they will reach the Promised Land, their footballing reinvention is as entertaining as it is unfamiliar.

For nearly 80 minutes last weekend, Blackpool thoroughly deserved to beat the Wanderers. The last 10 to 15 minutes were when Bolton turned on the style. A great turn and half-volley from Petrov pegged one back and then an absolutely wonderful team goal sealed the point. That team goal, a move that involved Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander, Ivan Klasnic, and a neat little backheeled pass, was the perfect metaphor for Bolton's season thus far.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres achieved their dreams of playing in a World Cup earlier this year, and now they'll get a chance to play in a different one.

Gomez, Torres and fellow American Marco Vidal all aim to get playing time on Friday as Pachuca begins its quest for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

By Ollie Irish

Nice fat suit man. Oh...

I've lost my appetite suddenly.

If you're not following @ussoccer on twitter then you are missing out on some awesome links and highlights! Here's what has taken the webz by storm in recent times:
- Trending Tim Howard - New nickname, perhaps? OK maybe not, but after last night's awesome performance for Everton against Manchester City, Tim Howard was the name on everybody's fingertips in the twitterverse.

By Chris Wright

'Twas fairly inevitable that, after losing defensive mainstay Jamie Carragher for three months yesterday, Liverpool would find themselves linked with replacement centre-backs hither and thither until January and the Daily Star, perpetual front-runners in their field, have been first off the mark.

The what now? Behind the goal at the Reebok Stadium yesterday was one of the more controversial advertising hoardings you are likely to see at a Premier League game. The advert for the Nipple Shop promises "Total Lubrication Supplies". By the end of the match, Blackburn boss Big Sam Allardyce must have been wondering if [.

Greatest save ever? It has been an incredibly frustrating weekend with the sodding weather, but Craig Gordon has taken it upon himself to brighten up everyone's time off, and also confirm a victory in save of the season competition with a wonder save from Zat Knight of Bolton. Best save you have seen in the [.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Inclement weather may have postponed a chunk of this weekend's matches in Europe, but that doesn't mean there were no Americans Abroad with noteworthy performances.

Ricardo Clark received his first start of the Bundesliga campaign, going the distance in Eintracht Frankfurt's 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

If you could name one Person Of The Year award for someone who has achieved so much in the Premier League this calendar year, who would it be and why? It's an interesting question because rather than just narrowing it to a Footballer Of The Year or Manager Of The Year, the nominations are open to anyone connected with the Premier League.

Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Holden worry for Bolton Bolton Wanderers could again be without midfielder Stuart Holden for Saturday's Premier League game at Manchester City. Holden missed last week's 2-2 draw with Blackpool due to a thigh strain and has yet to fully recover from the problem.

Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Holden worry for Bolton Bolton Wanderers could again be without midfielder Stuart Holden for Saturday's Premier League game at Manchester City. Holden missed last week's 2-2 draw with Blackpool due to a thigh strain and has yet to fully recover from the problem.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Playing time has been hard to come by this season for Jonathan Spector, but after his Carling Cup heroics, he might just see the field for West Ham for a second straight game.

Spector made a strong case for more minutes with his brace in the 4-0 win over Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, and that performance could bear fruit when the Hammers visit Sunderland.

Today's video features Manchester United players in an ad for a popular vodka. Poor Rio barely gets a touch though. Thanks to Off The Post for the good find.

Here's the links:

• Ray Wilkins speaks [Vital Football]
• Everton secure young midfielder [Guardian]
• Pardew leads manager race [Soccer News]
• Mike Ashley's Pardew checklist [Transfer Tavern]
• True form of EPL teams [Bleacher Report]
• Weekly gossip [Sinnacle]
• 10 most underwhelming managers [Telegraph]
• The Hawthorns [Stadium Journey]
• Fantasy home vs.

The last time the mighty Whites beat Blackburn? 2006. El Hadji Diouf and Big Sam were still on our sidelines. Good news though as Stuart Holden made his return after two weeks out with a thigh problem. It's incredible how the 25 year old American has become our quietly brilliant midfield general in such a short amount of time and, in turn, how lost the midfield was without him.

By Ollie Irish

Superb athleticism and hustle by Gordon, if not quite the miracle save some people have made it out to be.

By Chris Wright

Bolton Wanderers (as well as Blackpool, Wigan and West Ham, according to the Daily Mirror) have been told that Norwich's £2-million-rated top-scorer Grant Holt will not be for sale in the January transfer market, which has seemingly put paid to the Trotters' nefarious ploy of being able to field a near-identical strike partnership come February.

By Chris Wright

Bolton Wanderers (as well as Blackpool, Wigan and West Ham, according to the Daily Mirror) have been told that Norwich's £2-million-rated top-scorer Grant Holt will not be for sale in the January transfer market, which has seemingly put paid to the Trotters' nefarious ploy of being able to field a near-identical strike partnership come February.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa may have lost their match against Tottenham on Sunday, but the American put forth one of the most solid performances of his young career.

Starting at right back in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Boxing Day, Lichaj helped contain the dangerous Gareth Bale before Bale eventually moved over to the opposite flank.

By Eric Beard, writing from Boston

As Florent Malouda rushed to the Chelsea bench after scoring what would be the winner for the Blues as they defeated the ever-resilient Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, there was nothing but a hint of desperation in the air.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: Predictions

This week we go north to Scotland for one of the biggest derbies in world football, spotlight some of the big Premier League clashes and also take a look at La Liga, which resumes action in January.

Today's video features the reaction to the World Cup going to Russia in 2018. A sad day for both England and the United States who thought their chances of hosting were real.

Here's the links:

• EPL preview and predictions [SB Nation]
• Sir Alex's five goalkeeper options [Back Page Football]
• Baggie bird makeover [Who Ate All The Pies]
• Nine wins to survive [Daily Star]
• John Terry returns [Chelsea FC]
• No United players for fantasy?

The Premiership, probably at the moment, is the most open league for anyone to win since its introduction in 1992. The emergence of teams like Bolton and Sunderland is making them competitors worthy of testing the best in the league. The league in my mind has stretched across a different range altogether, watching a resurgent Newcastle United side under Chris Hughton and a spirited Blackpool side under Ian Holloway, who in their own way have silenced critics that wrote them off even before the season kicked off.

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is being lined up by Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively, with a view to becoming their manager should Sir Alex Ferguson retire or Roy Hodgson lose his job, according to a report in The Mirror.
Coyle – named Premier League manager of the month for November - joined Bolton from neighbours Burnley less than a year ago in January 2010.

England one-cap wonder faces stun gun over alleged assault Police officers held a 50,000-volt Taser stun gun to the chest of former Bolton star Michael Ricketts as they arrested him for allegedly headbutting and punching a woman at his birthday celebrations. The 32-year-old, currently without a club, allegedly assaulted the woman after calling her a [.

By FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team fans know all about Carlos Bocanegra's heading ability, and now St. Etienne fans do too.

Bocanegra scored his first goal for St. Etienne in the club's 2-2 draw with Bordeaux by losing his mark and heading home a free kick from close range.

Here's our feature video of the day: Chris Hughton being fired from Newcastle has stirred up some controversy. Will former Ajax manager Martin Jol be the replacement?

Here's the links:

• Tevez Interview [Man. City]
• Manchester City wacky Christmas party [Metro UK]
• Hughton sacked [Four Four Two]
• Favorite Freddie Ljungberg [The Equaliser]
• EPL fantasy advice [Roto Experts]
• Ronaldinho to Liverpool?

By Chris Wright

According to several Spanish sources, Real Madrid have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Rennes' £13 million-rated scrapper Yann M'Vila in the summer with the move rumoured to be primed to set off a eight-club 'transfer chain reaction' should it go through.

‘Premier League Links Of The Day' is kicking off Monday in style with another great video. Take a look at the excellent skill moves from the past week.

Here's the links:

• Friedel on the decline [Back Page Football]
• Grapevine rumors [Soccer 365]
• Ugg-oh [Kickette]
• Malouda faces possible ban [Mail Online]
• EPL formations guide [Soccer Portal]
• Peter Crouch boot interview [Soccer Bible]
• Arsenal without Koscielny and Vermaelen [League Football Live]
• Marko Marin scouted [Sport]
• Americans abroad [Soccer By Ives]
• EPL photo gallery [Espn Soccernet]
• Goal of the month compilation [Soccer Portal]

Feel free to follow me on Twitter and let me know if you'd like to suggest an article, video or photo for inclusion on the Premier League Links Of The Day.

A list of fifty matches that have never been an FA Cup fixture (as of 7/12/2010)

1. Sunderland vs Barnsley
2. Manchester City vs Bristol City
3. Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
4. Burnley vs Bristol City
5. Burnley vs Preston North End
6. Burnley vs Ipswich Town
7. Blackburn Rovers vs Crystal Palace
8. Blackburn Rovers vs Watford
9. Portsmouth vs Queens Park Rangers
10. Portsmouth vs Watford
11. Bolton Wanderers vs Queens Park Rangers
12. Bolton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
13. Liverpool vs Middlesbrough
14. Liverpool vs Plymouth Argyle
15. Birmingham City vs Cardiff City
16. West Ham United vs Coventry City
17. West Ham United vs Bristol City
18. West Ham United vs Reading
19. Manchester United vs Swansea City
20. Stoke City vs Watford
21. Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Bristol City
22. Fulham vs Barnsley
23. Fulham vs Middlesbrough
24. Everton vs Blackpool
25. Everton vs Reading
26. Chelsea vs Swansea City
27. Chelsea vs Blackpool
28. Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace
29. Cardiff City vs Preston North End
30. Cardiff City vs Blackpool
31. Barnsley vs Crystal Palace
32. Barnsley vs Coventry City
33. Barnsley vs Middlesbrough
34. Queens Park Rangers vs Preston North End
35. Queens Park Rangers vs Sheffield Wednesday
36. Queens Park Rangers vs Watford
37. Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion
38. Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough
39. Crystal Palace vs Derby County
40. Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool
41. Coventry City vs Blackpool
42. Coventry City vs Ipswich Town
43. Bristol City vs Ipswich Town
44. Bristol City vs Newcastle United
45. Bristol City vs Reading
46. Sheffield Wednesday vs Ipswich Town
47. Middlesbrough vs Ipswich Town
48. Middlesbrough vs Reading
49. Blackpool vs Reading
50. Derby County vs Reading

Johan Elmander intends to finish the season at Bolton Wanderers and insists money will not motivate a decision regarding his future.
The Sweden international's contract expires next summer and Bolton have held talks regarding an extension for the striker.
Elmander, who has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season, has been linked with a January transfer window move to Liverpool.

Former Liverpool manager and current Inter Milan boss Rafa Benitez will reportedly look to pip his former club to the signing of Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander.
Elmander's contract at Wanderers expires at the end of the season and he has so far turned down a one-year extension. Although the Swedish international has taken a while to settle down at the Reebok Stadium, he has had a stunning start to the season, with eight goals and three assists for Owen Coyle's side.

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez's written transfer request has been rejected by Manchester City, the Eastlands club announced in a statement on its website on Sunday ( December 12, 2010). Tevez, City's current skipper, has been one of their standout players this season, but is reportedly homesick and does not see eye to eye with the [.

LONDON, England — Chelsea missed the chance to go top in the English Premier League after Didier Drogba saw a late penalty saved in a 1-1 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who'd let substitute Drogba's shot go through his hands for Chelsea's 70th minute equaliser, [.

The Bolton Wanderers were winning the game with less than five minutes to play when Blackburn Rovers scored to tie the game 1-1.

US national team midfielder Stuart Holden (who currently holds first position for tackles won in the EPL) scored a dramatic late winner for Bolton Wanderers on Sunday upon his return from a thigh injury. The prolific twitterer (@stuholden) has become a fixture in Owen Coyle's side, and though Bolton had gone down to ten men Holden continued to attack, turning a chested trap into a powerful one-time volley that slid in at the near post.

US national team midfielder Stuart Holden (who currently holds first position for tackles won in the EPL) scored a dramatic late winner for Bolton Wanderers on Sunday upon his return from a thigh injury. The prolific twitterer (@stuholden) has become a fixture in Owen Coyle's side, and though Bolton had gone down to ten men Holden continued to attack, turning a chested trap into a powerful one-time volley that slid in at the near post.

The what now? Behind the goal at the Reebok Stadium yesterday was one of the more controversial advertising hoardings you are likely to see at a Premier League game. The advert for the Nipple Shop promises "Total Lubrication Supplies". By the end of the match, Blackburn boss Big Sam Allardyce must have been wondering if [.

By IAN HOLLIDAY

AC Milan got goals from three of its biggest names en route to a comfortable 3-0 win over Bologna Saturday. Kevin-Prince Boateng got the opening goal in the ninth minute, and Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic added strikes of their own in a match in which Milan controlled 63 percent of the possession.