Rumours of Jose Mourinho wanting to leave Real Madrid for the Premiership would mean only one thing: he is heading for Manchester. Since his famous Champions League win with Porto in 2004, Mourinho has had no desire to manage any side lacking truly world-class pedigree. For this very reason, a return to a depleted Chelsea side is not on the cards.

We are playing like shit. Every one of us is waiting for the shit to stop. Some are suggesting that the shit stops with Andre Villas-Boas. I, as you know, am not of this opinion. However, seeing as there are many that would like to see the suave Portuguese vacate the premises, I thought I'd gauge just how many are leaning toward this resolution.

Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal must score an away goal when they visit AC Milan on Wednesday to make it easier to qualify for the next round. He said: "You always have to push for a goal when you play away in the first leg because it gives you a cushion for the second leg,". [...]

Match Report Video By the numbers

Despite the fact this was Thierry Henry's final Premier League appearance for the club, despite the fact he capped it with an injury time winner, and despite the fact he goes back to New York after our Champions League game against Milan in midweek, it's hard to think that the Henry Arsenal story is completely written.

Some good news for Madrid fans as arch rivals Barcelona slumped to a 3-2 loss Osasuna yesterday forcing Barca coach Pep Guardiola to admit that his side is now at the mercy of Madrid and only a slip up from the capital club would give his team a lifeline.

Madrid could go 10 points clear at the top of the table should they win at home to Levante today an opportunity i am sure Mourinho would not want to miss.

Remind me again why Henry left Arsenal? I am starting to think that were a match made in heaven. The former Arsenal captain scored a late winner to help the Gunners secure a win that propelled them into a top four spot.

It's only a shame that he won't be staying any longer than this week as his loan deal ends this Wednesday.

Chelsea lost the chance to consolidate their fourth place position in the league yesterday after they were humbled 2-0 by Everton at Goodison Park. Goals from Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi condemned Villas-Boas to his 6 loss of the season and saw Arsenal overtake them into 4th place after a 2-1 away over Sunderland.

Barcelona's shocking away form resulted in another loss last night, and with it any chance that Barca has of retaining their La Liga title this season.

Barcelona have now dropped a staggering 16 points away from him in the league this season. As incredible number. And a number that will cost Barca a chance to retain its La Liga crown.

It seems like it's almost a given that Harry Redknapp is on his way out of Tottenham – whether it be immediately or the end of the season – but what really is there for him in the England job?

Looking at the history of the job it's notorious for tainting the careers of what were otherwise top managers.

By Alan Duffy

Everton 2-0 Chelsea Premier League 11th February 2012

That much-publicised midweek training ground visit from Roman Abramovich would have done little for Andre Villas-Boas' confidence ahead of Saturday's game against Everton.

Park Chu-Young is a proven goal scorer. However, he needs a hell of a long leg to score from the bench, which is where he's been wasting away all season long for Arsenal. Chu-Young is getting fed up of watching games instead of participating in them and according to his agent he's ready to leave Emirates Stadium in the summer.

The hysteria surrounding the England job is quite simply laughable, mainly because in my view, whoever you put in charge of the national team, the current set up and set of players does not stand a prayer of even getting close to winning a tournament in the near future.
Anyway, rather unsurprisingly, following the jury's decision to find Redknapp guilty of tax evasion, combined with the sudden resignation of Don Fabio, the Droopy looking one has found himself firmly at the front of the queue for the England job perhaps sooner than expected.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted that as his side prepares to kick-off at Goodison Park this afternoon, damage control is the only ambition for the Blues in a Premier League campaign where they have not been 'very honorable'.

With Tottenham seven points ahead in third and Newcastle, Arsenal, and Liverpool all within striking distance of Chelsea's current fourth position in the table, Villas-Boas acknowledges that it has been a shaky ride for a side that was assembled to chase glory.

Me and the machines

First of 2 trips to Wearside, starting with the league match tonight and the FA Cup the following week. Beginning of a very important 7 days for Arsenal Football Club according to Arsene Wenger. 3 matches that will decide our season. An European cup tie against AC Milan sandwiched in between 2 meetings with Martin O'Neill's Sunderland.

So its almost upon us, the biggest derby in the Premier League.
Man Utd v Liverpool FC at Old Trafford today at 12:45pm, live on Sky Sports to a watching and waiting audience of millions arounds the World.
With Utd chasing for their 20th League Title and Liverpool aiming for The Champions League, its all to play for in this lunch-time kick-off.

As Arsenal head towards the business end of the season, their manager Arsene Wenger has said that the Gunners should be optimistic about their chances.

The North Londoners will face Sunderland on Saturday at the Stadium of Light, with their aim being to keep pace with their city rivals Chelsea.

Today, a guest post from Abdul Rahman Al Ze'bi, who thinks Our Beloved Valencia needs a lot of stuff, like a new coach.

Agree? Disagree? Think Emery is over-caffeinated?

Have a read and post your opinions!

Take it away, Abdul ...

What Does Valencia CF need?
This has been the question everyone asks.

Alan Shearer has spoken out today and he thinks Newcastle have a decent chance of making the European Championship League qualification this season, by finishing 4th top of the Premier League. Alan Shearer Newcastle legend Of course Alan was the Newcastle skipper when they last took part in the Champions League, when the great Sir Bobby Robson [.

Just a few weeks ago Inter were the talk of the Serie A, for all the right reasons. Seven consecutive wins on the back of solid defending and a return to form of striker Diego Milito saw the Nerazzurri shoot up the league table and become serious contenders for a Champions League place. There were even whisperings of Inter being a legitimate threat to Juventus and Milan for the Scudetto.

Just a few weeks ago Inter were the talk of the Serie A, for all the right reasons. Seven consecutive wins on the back of solid defending and a return to form of striker Diego Milito saw the Nerazzurri shoot up the league table and become serious contenders for a Champions League place. There were even whisperings of Inter being a legitimate threat to Juventus and Milan for the Scudetto.

By Alan Duffy

"Oi Xavi, stop poncing about, go long... hit the channels, you f*****g girl's blouse"

Never one to hide his light under a bushel, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has eased Hammers fans fears by reiterating that, despite being linked to the England job (a tiny bit), he is still fully focused on his job at Upton Park.

Real Madrid wants Robin Van Persie. Look at my face: I am not happy right now.

Rather than just writing one opinion piece, I typically try to gather as much information from around the World Wide Web and condense it with my own commentary added. This week we've got Real Madrid pursuing Van Persie, Mourinho gunning for Arsene's job, Kieran Gibbs returns from a long layoff to strengthen the defense, and a hobbled Jack Wilshere all torn up about England's national team losing its coach just months before the Euro 2012.

In the immediate aftermath of Fabio Capello's resignation on Wednesday night, a number of England players shared their views on the matter via Twitter. "Gutted Capello has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be English to replace him. Harry Redknapp for me," said Wayne Rooney. These comments were relayed to his former teammate and current ITV pundit Roy Keane, who promptly eviscerated him.

The yearly list of football club annual revenue is out yet again and the gap between the two Spanish behemoths and the rest of the field is growing ever wider. Despite the trophy success of last year, Barcelona has lost the financial Clasico to Real Madrid...yet again (lucky number seven in a row) and it wasn't terribly close.

At the end of the day fellow Spurs fans, it's a foregone conclusion isn't it? He is quoted this morning by Sky Sports as saying, "Tottenham is my team and the fans have been fantastic. It wouldn't be right to focus on anything else other than Spurs. That's my focus." But realistically he's never going to turn it down in the summer.

Arsenal are now just three points behind Chelsea in the coveted fourth place in the Premiership, so a win is an absolute must this weekend at Sunderland, but with the (perhaps more important?) Champions League tie against AC Milan coming up in midweek, Wenger will be considering his team selection very carefully.

There's a story about David Bentley.

I kid, I kid. I'm all out of Bentley stories. I could tell you my epic about Arturo Lupoli, his secret agent dog and his layabout sidekick, but it's all a bit too similar to an episode of Scooby Doo and I need to give it some work.

So, what's going on in the world of Arsenal?

This Sunday we have the final of the African Nations Cup, while the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool continues on Saturday. AC Milan face third place Udinese in Serie A before taking on Arsenal in the Champions League which has now reached the knock-out stages. Listen to Damon and Damian discussing their predictions on this week's show

As the dust clears from the impact of the news that Fabio Capello had called it a day with/been fired by England, the Football Association have a minor headache to deal with in their search for a replacement.
Harry Redknapp has had his name on the job for some time, at least since Tottenham Hotspur's dazzling display in last year's Champions League convinced the doubters he could cut it in international football.

Park Ji-Sung made his 200th appearance for United last weekend in our 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

When Park joined United for £2m in 2005 several people claimed it was just to appeal to the Asian market in order to sell more shirts. Those people obviously didn't watch him play for PSV against AC Milan in the Champions League a few months before we bought him.

After winning MLS Cup, earning a place in the Champions League and become the MLS equivalent of a SuperClub, the LA Galaxy had questions to answer at the end of 2011.
The possible departures of David Beckham, Juninho and the confirmed loss of Donovan Ricketts raised questions. Add to that the threat of extend loans from Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy had quiet cause for concern.

If there's one thing I've learned from the Occupy Wall Street movement, it's that all the protests in the world (bin bags, black scarves, etc) mean nothing in the face of the capitalist juggernaut.

Yesterday Arsene Wenger went on record saying that rather than buying Eden Hazard for 30 million pounds/euros (depending on which story you read), he had to show a fifteen to twenty million pound profit.

There is naturally talk of Newcastle maybe qualifying for the European Champions League this season, and that's because we are just one point away from joining Chelsea in 4th place. Jonas Gutierrez challenges Alan Hutton on Sunday But in reality we would still be in fifth place because our goal difference of +5 is inferior to the other top side like Chelsea +15, Arsenal +12 and Liverpool only +7, clubs who will also [.

There is naturally talk of Newcastle maybe qualifying for the European Champions League this season, and that's because we are just one point away from joining Chelsea in 4th place. Jonas Gutierrez challenges Alan Hutton on Sunday But in reality we would still be in fifth place because our goal difference of +5 is inferior to the other top side like Chelsea +15, Arsenal +12 and Liverpool only +7, clubs who will also [.

The transfer window might be over but that is not stopping a number of clubs from actively pursuing summer targets. After an amazing 7-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday, Arsenal manager has immediately turned his attention back to weightier issues stating that his interest for Lille player Eden Hazard has not waned.

::: FistedAway welcomes a guest post from Elliott,
editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

The path from the cusp of destruction to redemption has been a long one for Liverpool FC fans. Bad apple Americans owners. The departure of Rafael Benitez. The exodus of star players like Xabi Alonso.

Not a surprise to hear that Sevilla have hired Jose Miguel Gonzalez, aka Michel, to become their next coach after the firing of Marcelino Garcia Toral on Monday.

Michel will automatically receive an extension to the contract should he guide the 11th-placed side to UEFA Champions League qualification.

Even though they're one of the biggest teams in the world when it comes to money, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told a Belgian publication that he can only splash out on new players once the team has made a profit of £20 million. This apparently means he's admitting there's a restriction on his spending at the London club and he's worried the team will suffer because of it.

Being slightly fearful of numbers, I'm not sure how the old recipe for success of 'win at home and draw away' stands up in modern times, now we have this new-fangled three points for a win, but right now it will do for me. As against Man City, against the Pool we stood up to the considerable pressure exerted by our rivals near the top of the league, emerging with great credit and in this case a point too.

By "The Other 87 Minutes" / Senior Unemployed English Major Correspondents
What if the Champions League final were treated with the same reverence as the Super Bowl... Here are ten phenomena guaranteed to occur.
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