Carling Cup slapstick Manchester United debutant Ezekiel Fryers had a decent match against Crystal Palace after coming on as a sub for Fabio. Alas, that will be overshadowed firstly by the fact that Palace pulled off a big upset to beat United and secondly by the bizarre incidents in the video above.

Carling Cup slapstick Manchester United debutant Ezekiel Fryers had a decent match against Crystal Palace after coming on as a sub for Fabio. Alas, that will be overshadowed firstly by the fact that Palace pulled off a big upset to beat United and secondly by the bizarre incidents in the video above.

Carling Cup hero Craig Bellamy is a big fan of veteran Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, and he's thankful to be playing alongside him during his second spell at Anfield.
Bellamy is never short of an opinion or two, both on and off the field, and he appreciates Carra's honest, no-nonsense approach to life at Anfield:
"Carra's been there for a lot of years and he's big figure at the club.

Make some tea or crack a can of lager, and read the preview.

Our kids and fringe players (and Vermaelen and Santos) are in Greece, looking to get some experience against a good side that needs to win to ensure they get anything out of the group stage.

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (not to be mistaken for Coquelin), Frimpong and Coquelin, as well as Yennaris and Miquel, who I thought played fairly well out-of-position against a strong City side in the Carling Cup.

Following Manchester United's Carling Cup exit against Crystal Palace last night, OTP looks at five players on display night who are treading a tightrope if they want to continue their careers at Old Trafford. 1. Darron Gibson It looked like Fergie was going to ship Gibson out on the regular Manchester-Sunderland service during the summer.

Following Manchester United's Carling Cup exit against Crystal Palace last night, OTP looks at five players on display night who are treading a tightrope if they want to continue their careers at Old Trafford. 1. Darron Gibson It looked like Fergie was going to ship Gibson out on the regular Manchester-Sunderland service during the summer.

The young one putting one over the old figure

The last of the Carling Cup quarterfinal fixtures were completed yesterday and surprisingly, Crystal Palace advanced to the next stage. Which leaves Manchester City, Liverpool and Cardiff as the other teams capable of winning this competition. The draw sees the Premier League sides face off against each other and whoever comes out victorious from that clash will probably win this cup.

The young one putting one over the old figure

The last of the Carling Cup quarterfinal fixtures were completed yesterday and surprisingly, Crystal Palace advanced to the next stage. Which leaves Manchester City, Liverpool and Cardiff as the other teams capable of winning this competition. The draw sees the Premier League sides face off against each other and whoever comes out victorious from that clash will probably win this cup.

Their Words Tonight we showed sheer determination to a man not to concede a goal and it was an excellent effort and they got what they deserved. Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman, on beating Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarterfinals. Other Sources Once a Cascadian: Depression in Soccer – A Personal Tale by Ian Joy - from Prost Amerika Soccer: Those players, many of whom are still there today, are some of the best.

Newcastle vs Chelsea 0-3 Highlights 2011 Goals Video Drogba Kalou Sturridge Lampard penalty miss is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Newcastle vs Chelsea 0-3 Highlights 2011 Goals Video Drogba Kalou Sturridge Lampard penalty miss is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Newcastle vs Chelsea 2011 ( Newcastle Chelsea video below) Score and result:- Newcastle vs Chelsea 0-3 ( Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge ) St.

As a United fan, I must say life has been pretty dull of late. I don't remember the last time we scored more than one goal in a game (of course I remember the 8-2. Shameless Plug alert) or winning a game when we did go ahead and score 2 or 3. Not winning is definitely a bummer, especially when it closely follows home-ground hammerings at the hands of the rich, evil super-villain (also note lack of plug here).

It was all going so well, Newcastle United had just earned a fantastic point at Old Trafford and were in confident mood ahead of their clash with Chelsea.

However, things change quickly in Football and Alan Pardew's side are now facing an injury crisis that threatens to derail their fine start to the Premier League season after Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners at St James' Park, a score line which very much flattered Andre Villas-Boas' charges.

Standing at 1.92 m tall and a good aerial ability, Johan Djourou's evident talent was spotted by Arsene Wenger and thus Arsene brought him to Arsenal's youth team in the summer of 2003. Gradually, Djourou was given chances slowly by Wenger as he featured in Carling cup matches and finally made his full premier league [.

Fascinating article in the Sun today about how today about how Andre Villas-Boas laid down the law to his Chelsea players.

Between the defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup and the trip to Newcastle, AVB met with Chelsea's four most senior players: John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech.

Fascinating article in the Sun Thursday about how today about how Andre Villas-Boas laid down the law to his Chelsea players.

Between the defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup and the trip to Newcastle, AVB met with Chelsea's four most senior players: John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech.

In an eventful day of Premier League action, Arsenal, Liverpool, and reigning champions Manchester United all bounced back from their respective setbacks to win big while Newcastle United suffered a shocking loss away to lowly Norwich.

The Gunners, who returned home from Greece after a 3-1 thumping at the hands of Olympiakos in Tuesday night's meaningless Champions League encounter, overcame Everton 1-0 at the Emirates.

The 26 year old Laurent Koscielny was signed by Arsenal in the summer transfer window of 2010. The centre half had a rather rocky start to his Arsenal career where he needed time to adapt to the fast paced and physical Premier League. His blunder with Szczesny in the dying minutes of the Carling Cup [.

Players are people. If you prick them, they bleed. Despite a professional existence that involves getting kicked, not all are invincible shoulder-goal-popping memes. They have feelings. If they sit on the bench for not scoring goals, then their confidence dips and they score less goals. It's a brutal cycle.

Betting Preview: Robin van Persie to lead Arsenal to a win over Manchester City? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Even after suffering their first defeat of the Premier League season, Manchester City still sit atop the Premier League table, but archrivals and reigning league champions Manchester United are only two points behind and ready to pounce, and Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal can‘t be dismissed at this juncture.

The Carling Cup quarterfinals were full of entertainment and although four teams saw their chances of going to Wembley brought to an end, the remaining four shall offer plenty more in the semis.

For now, here is a look at five lessons learned, in no particular order, from the quarterfinals:

1.

The Carling Cup quarterfinals were full of entertainment and although four teams saw their chances of going to Wembley brought to an end, the remaining four shall offer plenty more in the semis.

For now, here is a look at five lessons learned, in no particular order, from the quarterfinals:

1.

With giant killer Crystal Palace and Cardiff City looming in the Carling Cup semifinals, you can forgive Liverpool and Manchester City for not wanting to play each other. But they do.

The two Premier League giants drew each other in the semifinal that will begin in Manchester in early January.

With giant killer Crystal Palace and Cardiff City looming in the Carling Cup semifinals, you can forgive Liverpool and Manchester City for not wanting to play each other. But they do.

The two Premier League giants drew each other in the semifinal that will begin in Manchester in early January.

Liverpool fear Lucas Leiva will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Brazilian midfielder, one of his club's best performers this year, was carried off on a stretcher during the 2-0 Carling Cup win at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Lucas underwent a scan yesterday at 1pm, and although the results will not be known until today, Liverpool fear the worst.

Liverpool has recalled Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at Blackpool as speculation mounts about the severity of Lucas Leiva's knee injury.
Shelvey, 19, has scored six goals in ten Championship appearances for the Seasiders, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds earlier this month.

Jamie Carragher is determined to help Liverpool to a first appearance at the new Wembley, but recognises the Carling Cup represents a significant challenge.
A 2-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday night booked Kenny Dalglish's team a place in the semi-finals, where they could meet Manchester City, Cardiff, or Manchester United, if Sir Alex Ferguson's men overcome Crystal Palace.

Lucas is likely out for the season after suffering a major knee injury against Chelsea in their Carling Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday.

One of the top players for Liverpool the past season and a half, Lucas injury will be felt by the team as they continue to surge for a top four spot.

Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson could try to spell Lucas in the immediate future.

Lucas is likely out for the season after suffering a major knee injury against Chelsea in their Carling Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday.

One of the top players for Liverpool the past season and a half, Lucas injury will be felt by the team as they continue to surge for a top four spot.

Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson could try to spell Lucas in the immediate future.

LFCCTV: Bellamy v Chelsea

Craig Bellamy capped an emotional night with an inspired display in Liverpool's 2-0 Carling Cup win at Chelsea on Tuesday and LFC TV Online subscribers can now take a closer look at his performance.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-01 08:11:02 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

After ending November with a shock home loss to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup quarterfinals, Manchester United will look to open a busy and pivotal December with a win, as they visit Aston Villa this weekend.

United are always a popular Premier League betting pick, and they'll be favored to take the spoils in Saturday's showdown at Villa Park.

Carling Cup semi-final draw: Manchester City v Liverpool, Crystal Palace v Cardiff

Giant-killers Crystal Palace and Cardiff were kept away from the Premier League big guns as they were drawn to face each other in the semi-finals.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-01 08:20:08 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Carra: Maxi is a top player

Jamie Carragher has saluted the goalscoring impact of Maxi Rodriguez after the Argentine maintained his prolific run with another strike in the Carling Cup win at Chelsea.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-01 08:26:10 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Kolo Touré doesn't want his team to lose focus on the day-to-day battle if his current club is going to match the unbeaten Arsenal season in 2003-04.

Touré, who was part of the team that knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, had this to say about going unbeaten.

"We started very well but now we just need to forget about it.

Eagles flying high at Old Trafford Manchester United were knocked out of the Carling Cup last night as Championship side Crystal Palace pulled off a shock win at Old Trafford. The Eagles took the lead through a stunning 35-yard strike from Darren Ambrose. Federico Macheda immediately struck back from the penalty spot.

Eagles flying high at Old Trafford Manchester United were knocked out of the Carling Cup last night as Championship side Crystal Palace pulled off a shock win at Old Trafford. The Eagles took the lead through a stunning 35-yard strike from Darren Ambrose. Federico Macheda immediately struck back from the penalty spot.

By Chris Wright

Crystal Palace made it into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time in a decade after beating Manchester United 2-1 in extra-time at Old Trafford last night.

After a dull first-half, Darren Ambrose put Palace one up in the 65th minute with a 30-yard 'Darren Ambrose Goal™' shortly before Kiko Macheda hauled United back level a few minutes later by both winning and sticking away a penalty.

Admission: Tuesday came and went and passed me by entirely. For me, it's a rarety for me not to follow a game in some way. I go to most home games, and watch or listen to most of the others. Those matches I can't go to, see or hear I will follow via Twitter etc, as many of us do. But on Tuesday, as the match kicked off, I was out meeting football-agnostic friends (they do exist, it seems) in a pub with pleasant steak and kidney pies but no telly, and although I briefly toyed with the time-honoured gadget switch-off so I could play the match as live when I got in, I knew my resolve wouldn't last and sure enough, it didn't.

Jonny Evans made his debut for United in the League Cup against Coventry in 2007. Four years later he was named captain of the side that had the opportunity to reach the semi-finals. However, following the 2-1 defeat, Evans has claimed that he would swap the captaincy for a win.

"Before the game I was delighted to be given the armband, but I'd happily take that away to have the victory instead," he said.

After Wednesday night's triumph for Crystal Palace against Manchester United at Old Trafford, that was another reason why I'm falling in love again with the Carling Cup — a competition that has often been derided in the past. Crystal Palace ...
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Crystal Palace deservedly dumped Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford last night. The performance and the result was hugely disappointing from a Red perspective and for the second time in recent weeks Ferguson was left apologising to the fans. The United manager described last month's 6-1 derby thrashing as a "wake-up call".