These wins aren't to be underestimated. Stoke are a handful and we rarely thrive against them, but today, despite withstanding a lot of second half pressure, Fulham stood firm and deserved their points.

New players are traditionally given a time to adjust when signing for a new club, but today Pavel Pogrebnyak was thrown straight into the deep end.

Pepe wished he hadn't pulled Gareth's finger
Monday night was not Gareth Bale's.
While a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield is a good result for Tottenham, and the match itself was arguably one of the better stalemates you're likely to see in terms of energy and commitment, it is a game Bale might soon wish to put behind him.

We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but Saturday seemed like a positive one in Steve Zakuani's journey back from his leg injury.

Here's what the official practice report had to say about his performance: "Perhaps the best highlight came in the final minute as Steve Zakuani, who played the full 40 minutes, flew down the left side with blazing speed.

By Alan Duffy

Norwich City 2-0 Bolton Wanderers Premier League 4th February 2012

An injury-ravaged Norwich fought their away to their fifth home league win of the season on Saturday, a victory which condemned the visiting Trotters to another spell in the relegation zone.

The Dynamo had another positive preseason match today, defeating San Jacinto College 4-0. Goals from Nathan Sturgis, Will Bruin, Adam Moffatt and trialist Jorge Escobar did the damage for Houston.

Houston Dynamo Press Release:

The Houston Dynamo continued their 2012 preseason with a 4-0 victory over San Jacinto College, Wednesday morning, at the Houston Amateur Sports Park.

Liverpool beat Man Utd 2-1 in the FA Cup 4th round on Saturday, thanks to an overdue goal from Dirk Kuyt in the 88th minute.
Liverpool lined up with a defensive formation with Jamie Carragher in front of a flat back four, paying too much respect to a United side shorn of players like Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney.

The US Women took down Costa Rica 3-0 to book their ticket for this summer's London Olympics. Tobin Heath scored in the first half, Carli Lloyd continued her current run of form with a goal in the second half, and Alex Morgan sealed the win with a late goal of her own.

Pia Sundhage made two changes from the team that faced Mexico on Tuesday, preferring Tobin Heath over Amy Rodriguez and giving converted striker Kelly O'Hara a start at right back.

The All-American showdown went to Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton.

Donovan came up with two assists to guide the Toffees to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over Clint Dempsey's Fulham at Goodison Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday.

Donovan hit summer acquisition Denis Stracqualursi with a pinpoint left-footed cross from the right in the 27th minute, and the Argentine headed it past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale to pull Everton level at 1-1.

Over the Sunday afternoon's match between Sudan and Ivory Coast was the third match in succession where one of the goalkeeper's had sported a kit in a horrific shade of purple, making goalkeeper's look like blueberries and in need of an Oompa Loompa escort to Willie Wonka's juicing room. It was a lacklustre performance from the Ivory Coast.

The U.S. team has proved quite popular with the Canadian media so far (and thanks also to the several American journalists in town!). Of course, the U.S. playes obliged with many interviews which of course serve to promote the game, the team and the tournament. Above, Becky Sauerbrunn gives her thoughts on various soccer topics.

By Chris Wright

Forest got stuffed 4-0 at Leicester City in the FA Cup third round replay last night. Safe to say, I don't want to talk about. Quite honestly, it could've been double figures had Leicester not had the good grace to stop playing for the last half-an-hour.

AC Milan were the better attacking team and should have been deserving winners but the crossbar came to Inter's rescue. Soccer is cruel. Javier Zanetti proving at the age of 38 years he has a full tank of gas busts down the right and then diagonals all the way towards the direction of Diego Milito.

A second half strike by Diego Milito gave Inter Milan victory over AC Milan in the Milan derby as Claudio Ranieri's men continue their Serie A resurgence. In a tight game, it was ‘hosts' AC Milan who started the brighter of the two with Mark Van Bommel striking the Inter crossbar just before the break.

José Callejón scored the winner with six minutes remaining as Real Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Mallorca 2-1 and extend their Liga lead to eight points.

Tomer Hemed's first-half header threatened to send José Mourinho's side to only their second defeat in 24 matches in all competitions until Gonzalo Higuaín equalised with a shot which was helped over goalkeeper Dudu Aouate by the sliding Fernando Tissone.

In case anyone wants to revisit Espanyol's 1-1 draw over Barcelona this past weekend here are the highlights. Barca's fierce crosstown rivals did Real Madrid a huge favour by playing spoilers moving them five points clear on top of the table. Barca went ahead through Cesc Fabregas. Who knew he could head the ball with such venom, a phenomenon previously unknown to Arsenal fans.

Brilliant goal scored by Wayne Rooney in the FA Cup 3rd round match between Man City and Man United. Rooney knocked the ball out wide to Valencia who put in a lovely first time ball, with Rooney bravely jumping to head using the back of his head, with the ball going in the top corner off the underside of the crossbar.

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- That a Dartmouth player is at the MLS Combine is an accomplishment in itself. That a Dartmouth player shone on the first day of the event, which is notorious for being rough for most participants, is even more impressive.

It's not all that surprising that an American scored at Goodison Park on Wednesday. After all, Everton's match against Bolton marked Landon Donovan's return to the Toffees. Thing is, Donovan wasn't the one to find the back of the net.

In open play, goalkeeper Tim Howard unleashed a long kick from his own box that took a perfect bounce from about 25 yards out and got carried by a furious wind over Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan into the goal.

Steven Gerrard's return from injury can help propel Liverpool into the top four.
That's the view of former Anfield stars Nigel Spackman and Don Hutchison who told Goals on Sunday that the Reds skipper's dynamism and ability to inspire those around him will stand the club in good stead for the rest of the season.

By Alan Duffy

Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City Premier League 1st January 2012

After seeing Manchester United and Chelsea both lose, and Tottenham drop two points at the Liberty Stadium, the scene was set at the Stadium of Light for Manchester City's diamond-encrusted side to move ahead in the race for the title.

Late goals were the order of the day in England, most notably at Sunderland where Ji Dong-won's last-gasp winner earned the home side a surprise 1-0 victory over leaders Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini's side had aspirations of fully capitalising on Manchester United's loss to Blackburn Rovers 24 hours earlier, to establish a three-point lead at the Premier League summit.

By Alan Duffy

Chelsea 1-3 Aston Villa Premier League 31st December 2011

Coming only days after he was chastised by manager Alex McLeish for being photographed with a hookah pipe and drink in hand, Stephen Ireland rediscovered his best midfield form to inspire the Villans to a superb and surpirsing victory at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool's record signing Andy Carroll may have not made his mark against his former club but ex-Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy more than made up for it with two goals at Anfield.
Another for Steven Gerrard on only his second appearance after two months out with an ankle infection ensured the Reds' struggles at home were banished.

By Alan Duffy

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United Premier League 30th December 2011

There was much to be thankful for at Anfield on Friday night, if you were a Liverpool fan, of course. A brace from Craig Bellamy and a goal-scoring return to action for captain Steven Gerrard fired the Reds, if only temporarily, into the top five.

By Alan Duffy

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Manchester City Premier League 26th December 2011

Good old Roy Hodgson and his merry band of Baggies became the first team in the league this season to stop the Citizens from scoring, after putting on a superb hard-working performance.

Being continuously close in getting a goal for his new team but still can't find the back of the net as just yet apparently frustrated Liverpool's Stewart Downing a bit as he can't seem to figure when will he finally have his shot not hitting the bar.

The former Aston Villa man, who arrived at Anfield for quite a lot of sum this summer, admitted his frustration but he vowed not to give up in trying as he believes his getting closer to open his account with the Reds.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

It was a disappointing second year for Jack McInerney.

Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool | Premier League match report

The woodwork continues to frustrate Liverpool and Luis Suárez in particular but this was never going to be one of those days when Kenny Dalglish would be left lamenting the number of times that his side have been denied by the upright or crossbar.

Neymar showed why Europe's best all want to sign him as he inspired Santos to a 3-1 victory over Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in a Club World Cup semi-final in Toyota.

The Libertadores Cup holders are expected to face European champions Barcelona in this weekend's final, barring the unthinkable in Barca's semi-final against Qatar's Al Sadd on Thursday.

North Carolina withstood a late-charge from Charlotte to hold onto a 1-0 win and capture its second College Cup in school history on Sunday afternoon at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.

Ben Speas scored the decider in the 65th minute while the Tar Heel defenders barely kept the 49ers off the board in the waning minutes as the first-seeded squad ended the Cinderella run of their in-state opponent.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Underdog Charlotte looked poised to pull another upset, and make North Carolina the latest victim, but Tar Heels forward Ben Speas delivered a goal worthy of a championship to help UNC win its first NCAA title in a decade.

Speas, who won a national title with Akron last season, produced the game's lone goal 24 minutes from time with a fantastic strike.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

The National Championship is headed back to North Carolina in one way or another.

It was a long yet dramatic night in Hoover, Alabama as both UNC and Charlotte booked their place in the final with the help of penalty kicks. Charlotte was never able to break down Creighton's record-breaking defense but were vastly superior in the penalty kick shootout that followed a dull 0-0 draw.

Anyone taking a bet at the start of the season would not have been able to predict how this would all end up. Manchester City and Manchester United kissed goodbye to the Champions League this season, and there were few mitigating factors that they could cite as a defence. Manchester United can point to their injury list and Manchester City can invoke their inexperience, but ultimately both clubs have resources that dwarf almost all others in Europe.

The Los Angeles Galaxy made it 3-for-3 on their Asia Pacific tour, defeating the Melbourne Victory in a penalty shootout, 4-3, after the teams played to a 2-2 draw in regulation.

The Galaxy trailed, 2-0, but Robbie Keane twice converted penalty kicks to pull the MLS Cup champions level.

Photo Credit: AFPThe Deuce was on the loose this afternoon after the Nagadoches (Texas) native bagged a rebound goal to give his Fulham side a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. The goal, Dempsey's 37th in England makes him the all-time leading goal scorer for Yanks in England. Brian McBride, who also played for Fulham (and one of the stadiums bars is named after) now sits in second with 36 goals.

Clint Dempsey's legend at Fulham continues to grow with every goal he scores.

The Texas native did it again on Monday, scoring an 85th-minute winner for Fulham in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool. Minutes after hitting the crossbar with a bending effort from the top of the area, Dempsey found himself in perfect position to slot home a spilled rebound by Pepe Reina from close range.

By Alan Duffy

Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea Premier League December 3rd 2011

Chelsea eased a little bit more of the pressure on their wiry manager Andre Villas-Boas after putting three past the Magpies at St James' Park. A revitalised Didier Drogba but the visitors ahead on 38 minutes, heading home from a Juan Mata cross.

[Editor's note: Nice write up about what went on during the u-17 game today]

The U-17 team resides in Brandenton, Fl. at the IMG Training Academy. The system used at IMG is similar to the youth academies of Europe, where students receive an education at the local school while intensively practicing soccer.

Liverpool sensationally beat Chelsea at Stamford for the second time in 9 days.
They may thank Craig Bellamy for his role in setting up the two goals for Maxi and Martin Kelly in the 2nd-half.
The result stretches Liverpool's unbeaten run to 11 in all competitions and we kept another clean sheet.

At the half, Sodium down 1-0. Refs blew the equalizer as the shot it the crossbar glanced into the and spun out. NW Nat'l keeper grabs the ball to throw it out and was just as stunned as the rest at the no call. Sodium has controlled the entire game with multiple shots and the defense pushing up to midfield.