Luis Suarez decided to snub Patrice Evra's handshake ahead of today's 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Given that Suarez was the guilty party, having been banned for eight games for racially abusing Evra, it is incredible that he opted to disrespect our captain again today.

However, this could have been predicted when you consider Suarez revealed this week that Evra was wrong to report the racial abuse he received.

Well hello there.

I see you've caught me in your office, bearing the gift of my presence and my musky, Vin Diesel-like scent. ... Who am I? Judging by my decidedly unsexy lack of playing time, I thought you might have forgotten. I am Dimitar. Dimitar Berbatov. Or, as all the Berba-babes call me: "What Are You Doing Under My Sink?

Gary Cahill made his long awaited debut for Chelsea against United last Sunday and I thought he did well and looked calm and composed. OK there is an argument that he was part of a defence that conceded three goals but two of them were penalties and you he is in no way at fault for the Hernandez header.

This lunchtime, Chelsea travel to Loftus Road to take on QPR in the next round of the FA Cup but somehow I don't think much of the focus leading up to this one won't be on the football!.
I could sit here all day talking about what happened and what is going to happen in a couple of days time but there is a football match to be won so I would rather concentrate on that!

Ahh. I've finished my exams. I can say it's been a very long week, and I'll be getting my grades back tomorrow. Fingers crossed, people.

But, beside talking about me, I want to point out that this was an immensely significant week for American soccer, and one that really gives us a glimpse into where it'll be going in the near future.

I have said it time and time again now, you have to earn the right to win any game against any opposition in the Premier League and let's face it, once again Chelsea didn't do that against a hard working and plucky Norwich side yesterday.
We keep hearing that the players have jetting off for some warm weather training in Majorca for five days ahead of QPR away in the FA Cup next week and it seemed to me that quite a number of players had one eye on the plane already.

Ahead of their important match up against third place seat, Tottenham Hotspurs this weekend, Manchester City's defender, Joleon Lescott insisted that getting a win over Spurs wouldn't be an attempt to stop Harry Redknapp's team surged in the table but more of staying away from Manchester United's chase.

Very interesting news emerging from Paris. PSG Coach Carlo Ancelotti is claiming that he has been offered Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. Of course Chelsea have maintained that Torres is not for sale so there is a very high likelihood that the deal won't go through.

That said, with notable Chelsea strikers Drogba and Kalou having linked up with their national side for the African Cup of Nations, Torres has been gifted the perfect opportunity to prove himself.

This afternoon is a must win game for Chelsea and it really is as simple as that. We cannot afford to drop points over the next few weeks as we need to try and close the gap to the sides above us now in the league.
AVB and his Chelsea players have a job on their hands this afternoon as a rejuvenated Sunderland side under new man-manager Martin O'Neill travel to the Bridge with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Too much time has been devoted to transfer activity in this space. It's time we get on with the business of matches. This weekend sees a rejuvenated Sunderland visit the Bridge for what promises to be an interesting affair. More, after the jump:

Down, but not out

In our last PL encounter, we put the screws to Wolves on the road, before a ten minute finishing salvo against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Rapids Snubbed Steve Nicol

You know how we always complain about the opacity and ineptitude of the Revs front office? Imagine dealing with the clown show going on in Colorado right now. Major disrespect to one of the league's legendary coaches.

It's a depleted side that will step out on the park to face Cheltenham in the FA Cup tomorrow but we do know that Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon will play at least.

Elsewhere, injuries and loan departures mean that Harry will pick from whoever is available, while looking for a chance to rest some of his more influential players

It's great to have Michael coming back, he's been out quite a while now," said Harry Redknapp about tomorrow's likely skipper.

Back before the Bundesliga hibernation began, Jermaine Jones landed in hot water for his hunt-and-stamp on the injured toe of Gladbach's superstar. Rather shameful really, and since then, their fates have diverged.

Marco Reus got his big money move to Borussia Dortmund yesterday, while Jones netted a two month suspension for a litany of offenses, prime among them his complete disrespect for the art of subtlety.

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- (Photos from Bushman archives)
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

I have said it's no surprise that we drew 1-1 in this one really based on our performances of late. We pick ourselves up for the big games like Newcastle, City and Spurs in the league but for some reason our performances suffer against the likes of Wigan and now Fulham!. In saying that I mean no disrespect to both those sides and to Fulham especially as I don't think Fulham fans thought they would come away with anything after being stuffed 5-0 at home to United.

According to The Guardian this morning, Josh McEachran has been told by Chelsea that he CAN leave the club on loan in January to "further his development".
I asked the question the other day about McEachran as we were linked with a £20m move for Jack Rodwell. I asked why we would want to make a move for Rodwell when we have McEachran warming our bench weekly?

According to The Guardian this morning, Josh McEachran has been told by Chelsea that he CAN leave the club on loan in January to "further his development".
I asked the question the other day about McEachran as we were linked with a £20m move for Jack Rodwell. I asked why we would want to make a move for Rodwell when we have McEachran warming our bench weekly?

Jose Reina admits a productive Christmas can help to shape a season, and he believes Liverpool can catapult themselves into the New Year.
A top-four finish is the target for those in the Anfield camp, with the Reds having slipped out of that elite group in recent years.
Kenny Dalglish has them well placed to push on towards that goal, with three points currently separating them from the UEFA Champions League spots.

Jonjo Shelvey is hoping his display in his first ever top-flight start for Liverpool at Villa Park alongside Luis Suarez will be the springboard to future success with the Reds.
Kenny Dalglish handed him a role playing just off Suarez through the centre - a position he excelled in during his loan spell at Blackpool, and the No.

A pivotal trip to White Hart Lane is on the holiday horizon. Slow your roll, though. First, we need to navigate this potentially tricky venture to Greater Manchester on Saturday.

Hey, it's Franco

On paper, away to Wigan doesn't appear to be too much trouble.

Tomorrow in the later kick off Chelsea take on Wigan in our next Premier League fixture buzzing off the back of another win on the spin against Manchester City last Monday night. Chelsea have David Luiz back after suspension and no new injury concerns so it makes for an interesting team selection by AVB.

OK let's get this going early this morning. Chelsea are in a slump, badly need a win, getting criticised all over the place, reports that the players are turning against AVB, we are asking to play a deeper defensive line and for now, AVB seems to be sticking to his guns.
So with the news that it appears Didier Drogba is ahead of Fernando Torres to be selected for this game tomorrow lunchtime, I am asking who YOU THINK, as the Chelsea fan reading this, needs to start the game to give us the best chance of getting a massive three points.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted he would love to face Liverpool in the Carling Cup final should the Eagles overcome fellow Championship rivals Cardiff.
The South London outfit dumped a second-string Manchester United side out the competition on Wednesday night thanks to a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory at Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace chairman dreaming of 'fairytale' Liverpool cup final

• Palace beat Manchester United to reach semi-finals • Steve Parish hails spectacular goal by Darren Ambrose The Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is dreaming of a "fairytale" Carling Cup final against Liverpool after his side's shock quarter-final win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina knows that the coming months are set to be pivotal to the club's push for a top four place this season.
The Reds are desperate for a return to the Champions League after missing out on Europe altogether last term, and have showed signs that they are one of the teams to beat after beating Chelsea and drawing with Manchester City in back-to-back league matches.

At 3pm this afternoon all the talking stops and it's down to those players entrusted wearing our shirt by AVB this afternoon to get out on that pitch and to give everything to get three points.
We are taking a battering from all quarters right now and rightly so. The only thing that can start to turn things round now is a win.

As you can imagine, after four defeats (so far) this season already, leaking goals and rumours rife for a few weeks now, the increasing pressure on AVB to sort out our defensive frailties has resulted in speculation growing in the media that TWO PLAYERS could be making a move to Stamford Bridge in January.

The Homeless World Cup helps over 50,000 people in seventy countries across the world. And Scotland are reigning world champions. That's one of the reasons I'm doing this.
Our first debate post of the day with the argument provided by Kenny Millar. Follow Kenny on Twitter and to borrow from a book that changed my life:
"Sunday morning?

Craig Bellamy has revealed how he turned down the chance to join Tottenham this summer to return to Liverpool.
The Welsh striker was in-demand during the off season with his career at Manchester City hanging in the balance. He spent last season on loan at Championship - and boyhood - club Cardiff, but a permanent move to a Premier League outfit was always expected.

Anfield legend Kevin Keegan has always been refreshingly honest when it comes to talking about his career, and in a recent interview, the former England Manager spoke of his sadness over the way legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was treated by club after he left.
Speaking to the official LFC site, Keegan argued that Liverpool should have taken a different approach over Shankly's departure from Anfield:
"The saddest thing is - and it's a lesson for any football club - if you've got someone like him [Shankly], try and find the solution that's right for everybody.

For any club to be successful you have to strike the right balance. You need the experience players combined with younger players to gel and if you do find the right mix, you will have a good chance of being successful.
It pains me to say it but look at Sir Alex Ferguson at United. He continues to do it season after season, he evolves his squad and his team to keep things fresh and has done it again this term with the likes of Wellbeck, Cleverley, Jones and Smalling.

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy admits Liverpool have "slipped up" of late, but expects them to get "stronger and stronger" as the season progresses.
Three successive home draws, including being held by Norwich and Swansea, have seen Kenny Dalglish's side drop off the pace at the top of the Premier League table.

Boro were a completely different class to their West Yorkshire based opponents today, no disrespect to Thackley who are a decent side, but today they could not live with the brilliance of Boro.
After today's performance I cannot imagine Rudy leaving Gary Hepples out of his future starting line-up's, once again Gary was my man of the match, he rightly regained his place today at the expense of Dean Windass, who was on the subs bench.

Stewart Downing acknowledged his disappointment at Saturday's 0-0 draw with Swansea City - but pledged that Liverpool will keep working hard at Melwood to ensure they turn chances into goals over the coming weeks.
While the England winger accepts the Reds were not at their best against the Swans, he cites several good goalscoring opportunities as proof that Kenny Dalglish's side can perhaps consider themselves somewhat unfortunate not to have taken all three points.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has warned his team they must not take newly promoted Swansea City lightly when the clubs clash on Saturday.
The Scot believes the Reds have squandered too many points against sides promoted from the Championship in recent years and hopes to avoid a repeat against the Welsh team.

Craig Bellamy has called on Liverpool to demonstrate their top-four credentials by securing victory over Swansea City this weekend and extending their unbeaten run to eight matches in the process.
The Swans will journey to Anfield on Saturday having enjoyed an encouraging start to life in the top flight after securing promotion from the Championship last term.

Self-confidence, it would seem, is something Alex Ferguson has never lacked. Full of ambition, the Scot declared in his first programme notes as Manchester United manager: "I am not really interested in what has happened here in the past. I don't mean any disrespect to the great achievements of Manchester United over the years.

Self-confidence, it would seem, is something Alex Ferguson has never lacked. Full of ambition, the Scot declared in his first programme notes as Manchester United manager: "I am not really interested in what has happened here in the past. I don't mean any disrespect to the great achievements of Manchester United over the years.

Let's be honest, after seeing Genk at Stamford Bridge the other week, this should be a walk in the park for Chelsea. I thought Genk were poor at best and for a side in the Champions League proper were disappointing. No disrespect to Genk as a football club, but it was fact based on their performance on the night.

I have stated that AVB's bubble has burst in the title of this post and this is exactly what has happened yesterday. For too long we have seen our defensive deficiencies and we knew we had been struggling to keep clean sheets. After conceding three a Old Trafford we were worried but the fact we played so well in attacking United it was more or less played down.