When you're playing for Tunisia in extra time of an Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Ghana, one thing you definitely don't want to do is make a point to elbow an opponent in the face. As Aymen Abdennour found out after shoving Andre Ayew and then elbowing him away from the ball in the 108th minute on Sunday (skip to the end of the video), this will earn a straight red card.

Okay, you can all relax now. Turns out that our hero, Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, will NOT be sanctioned for allegedly throwing an elbow in the face of defender Carlos Cuéllar, after all. Had the Football Association chosen to sanction him, and there certainly seemed to be justification for doing so, the punishment to both Robin as an individual and Arsenal as a cohesive whole would have been severe enough, considering the awful timing, to virtually end the team's season on quite a sour note.

Okay, you can all relax now. Turns out that our hero, Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, will NOT be sanctioned for allegedly throwing an elbow in the face of defender Carlos Cuéllar, after all. Had the Football Association chosen to sanction him, and there certainly seemed to be justification for doing so, the punishment to both Robin as an individual and Arsenal as a cohesive whole would have been severe enough, considering the awful timing, to virtually end the team's season on quite a sour note.

By Alan Duffy

After watching his side throw away a two-goal in a bizarre seven-minute second-half capitulation at the Emirates, Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is apparently desperate for some kind of retribution, with Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie firmly in his sights.

Van Persie Cuellar Video- Robin Van Persie elbows Carlos Cuellar FA Cup 2012 Arsenal Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Van Persie Cuellar Video- Robin Van Persie elbows Carlos Cuellar FA Cup 2012 Arsenal Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This Van Persie elbow on Cuellar ( see video below) drew angry reactions from Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish after his side's 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the fourth [.

The great irony here being that if it was Peter Crouch, it 100% would have gone inFootball, the great reducing force in all our lives. If Jermain Defoe had stretched for that Bale cross just a millisecond earlier, we'd all be headed to work this morning without that overbearing sense of melancholy that you're probably still feeling.

By Ref Reviewer 02

For the game between Fulham and Manchester United we had ref Halsey in charge. An easy game to ref ?

Min Type Foul from On C/NC Comment points weight

1

Foul Dempsey Evans

N/C

Dempsey threw his elbow into face of Jones ref gave nothing

0

0

[.

A former trialist, a former Uruguay World Cup national team player and a Generation Adidas #1 pick headline the strongest positional set of Seattle Sounder FC. Sigi uses these men to be the playmakers on the outside, each in their own way. Two are used to chase long balls, only one is a traditional crosser and all tuck into take shots.

Kuyt back and Gerrard on bench as Suarez ban begins

THE ANNOUNCEMENT that a decision had been made not to appeal the eight-game ban imposed on Luis Suarez by The FA's independent panel meant that the suspension kicked in immediately and so Suarez would not be available for tonight's match against Manchester City.

Liverpool's Craig Bellamy sustained a nasty cut to the eye last night after a 'challenge' from Fabricio Coloccini, and Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has slammed the Argentinean stopper for what he describes as an 'intentional' elbow. Hislop was incensed by the Coloccini's challenge, and argued that he should've been sent off:"I think without a shadow of a doubt, Colloccini could've and

Martin Skrtel Goal-Line Clearance vs Newcastle Utd Video 2011 Liverpool is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Martin Skrtel Goal-Line Clearance vs Newcastle Utd Video 2011 Liverpool is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This Martin Skrtel clearance vs Newcastle ( see video below) was a pivotal point in Liverpool's 3-1 win over the Magpies on 30 December, 2011.

Kenny Dalglish delighted with Liverpool's three goals from few chances

• Manager applauds Steven Gerrard's form against Newcastle • Dalglish denies return of Luis Suárez presents a dilemma Kenny Dalglish denied he will have a selection problem for Liverpool's next game, against Manchester City on Tuesday, with Luis Suárez available again after suspension, though he did concede it was ironic to score three times against Newcastle in a game where very few chances were created.

First fifteen

For a quarter of an hour on Boxing Day, it seemed like Sir Alex Ferguson had taken the term 'Christmas surprise' too literally. By the time that we eventually figured United were playing with 9 men + Evans + Gibson, Evra had already skipped around a static Wigan defence for Park to score his first goal in the Premier League since those days when he only scored against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea etc.

So Lee McCulloch is free to play for Rangers tonight.
How can that be? Wasn't he red carded against St Mirren on Saturday?
That he was. For flinging an elbow. I've seen more heinous crimes on a football pitch. But I'd also say that the red card was justified.
Opinions, of course, are like certain anatomical features.

1. How do you make hard work out of beating Wigan? Change your team around and play everyone out of position. I was looking forward to a late Christmas present in the form of United blowing Wigan out of the water, like usual, then the manager had to go and spoil it all. Carrick, our best player of recent weeks, shifted in to defence.

Not the president of Kramerica Enterprises....

This time the chalkboards do tell the tale.

Fulham played a 4-2-4 defense and engaged Manchester United's "back-six" with their "front-six." It was a good strategy despite the ending scoreline of 5-0. Sir Alex Ferguson recognized it as such, pulling off a woozy Phil Jones (from an early Clint Dempsey elbow) and adding in another attacker in Ashley Young to provide central linking while moving Antonio Valencia to rightback.

Hi everyone,
As most of you have seen the game between Stoke and Tottenham there were a few questionable decisions made by the referee Chris Foy.
First I think its right to talk about Peter Crouch's handling of the ball before setting up the goal. It could be said that the referee did not have a clear view of the incident, however the fact that the assistant referee could have signaled should not be ignored.

Chelsea vs Man City 2-1 Highlights Goals 2011 Video Balotelli Meireles Lampard Clichy Red card is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Chelsea vs Man City 2-1 Highlights Goals 2011 Video Balotelli Meireles Lampard Clichy Red card is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Chelsea vs Man City 2011 ( Chelsea vs Manchester City video below) Final score and result:- Chelsea vs Man City 2-1 ( Raul Meireles, Frank Lampard penalty/ Mario Balotelli) [.

It has been a near foregone conclusion ever since he was first loaned out several months ago, but Miguel Montano officially signed with the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. The Seattle Sounders did not receive compensation for Montano, but GM Adrian Hanauer noted that his loan last year gave the team the flexibility to sign Sammy Ochoa.

By Chris Wright

Pepe Reina is a superstitious man. We know this. We're talking about a man here who has two cheese and ham toasties and glass of wine every night before a game without fail to stave off night terrors about giant red beachballs. A man that always buys petrol six hours before kick-off regardless of whether he needs it or not.

After the 1-1 draw at Anfield yesterday, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini accused Liverpool players of getting Mario Balotelli sent off, and having examined the incident several times - and being completely objective - I have to agree with his view.
Mancini was clearly disappointed with the decision:
"It was not the correct decision.

First it was Carlos Tevez who got it in the neck, now it's Mario Balotelli's turn to feel the wrath of former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness. The volatile Italian International was sent off against Liverpool earlier today (unfairly in my view), and Souey wasted no time sticking the knife in.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City | Premier League match report

Manchester City learn by the day that the reaction to them becomes more intense with each step they take towards the Premier League title. A draw at Anfield, reinstating the five-point lead over Manchester United, must therefore be a highly acceptable outcome, even if they rue the own goal from Joleon Lescott that saw their hosts equalise here.

Video- Mario Balotelli red card vs Liverpool Man City 2011 Elbow on Skrtel Dismissal is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Video- Mario Balotelli red card vs Liverpool Man City 2011 Elbow on Skrtel Dismissal is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This Mario Balotelli red card ( see video below) vs Liverpool saw Manchester City being reduced to ten men for the last ten odd minutes of their clash against the [.

I have just been to the Surfing Seadog forum and came across this post from Retford United striker Carl Haslam scorer of their goal yesterday against us.I don't think Carl is happy at our view of the game, I personally think it is great when players from opposing teams get involved in this way.


Carl's post:
i havent come on here to argue or cause a fight but after reading some of ur posts i aint going 2 sit back and let you say the things u are.

Sporting KC moved one step closer to a potential trip to LA and MLS Cup last night when they took out the Colorado Rapids at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, winning 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. The shutout was the team's fourth straight, the most in a row since the team's run to the championship in 2000.

Djourou will be up against a much leaner player today

On we go to the next game. It's the visit of Stoke, an opponent that will unite Arsenal fans. 2 years on but the animosity between both sets of fans still exist. I can't say for certain if the players are on the same thought process as we are and as professionals, I wouldn't expect them to be.

By Alan Duffy

Liverpool 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League September 24 2011

King Kenny's Liverpool side battled hard to end a disappointing run of two league defeats in a row against a decent Wolves side.

Wolves' summer signing Roger Johnson opened the scoring with an unfortunate own-goal before Luis Suarez made it two before the break.

By Chris Wright

Word is filtering through that Gian Piero Gasperini has been sacked as Inter Milan coach the morning after overseeing the Nerazzurri's dismal outing against newly-promoted minnows Norvara last night -

The 3-1 defeat proved to be the straw that buggered the camel into submission, leaving Gasperini with a pretty woeful record of one draw and four defeats in his first five competitive games.

Stephen Strasburg may have trouble staying healthy, however the superstar prospect for the Washington Nationals doesn't have trouble living up to expectations. In his first start in a year a following Tommy John surgery on his elbow, Strasburg pitched five shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

In a game worthy of a Championship, the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence in a shootout 5-4 after the teams ended 120 minutes of soccer tied at one. Ashlyn Harris saved Laura del Rio's penalty on Philadelphia's fifth and final shot after every other shooter had converted for both teams.

BOGOTA – I know plenty of people who read this blog aren't into the FIFA Under-20 championships going on in Colombia. No problema. But you might enjoy this little bit:

I'm here in Colombia because I can get a little work and have a little fun – all at relatively little expense.

The Seattle Sounders officially announced that Miguel Montano has been loaned to the Montreal Impact for the remainder of the 2011 season. The 20-year-old was in Seattle on a loan from Argentinian side Quilmes.

Montano has shown glimpses of quality at various points during his Sounders career, but has also been prone to mental errors that have helped keep him off the field.

There appears to be something of a debate about what portents the Newcastle game holds for the season ahead.

Those choosing to see the positives were encouraged by a defence so impregnable that not even John Terry's mighty and unruly member could hope to penetrate it.

Others, seeing the negatives, despaired of an attack so bereft of creativity that if it were a painting it wouldn't even get a place on the wall in Tony Hart's Vision On, as the camera pans quickly past the offerings in this week's "crap our viewers sent us" section.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

1-0 looked like it would be enough against Houston. With ten minutes to play the Philadelphia Union looked as if they were on their way to another one goal, home victory. Second goal or not, they should have made it stand and for the second game in a row they are left with a draw that felt like a loss.

By Chris Wright

"Ow, ref...I fink I been hurted in ma face by de badman's pointy elbow!"

Via Dirty Tackle

WASHINGTON -- The New England Revolution have been looking for a ray of hope in their recent streak of futility, and they finally got one Wednesday night.

Rookie Stephen McCarthy headed in Chris Tierney's 74th-minute corner kick, and the Revolution held off D.C. United for a 1-0 win to complete a season sweep in front of 15,597 at RFK Stadium and snap a nine-game winless stretch.

A Luis Suarez brace ensured Uruguay's place in the 2011 Copa America at the expense of Peru who ended the game with 10 men after captain Juan Vargas was shown a straight red card after an elbow in the 68th minute.

Uruguay''s strong run of form continued in the Copa America semifinals, and Peru was Los Charruas' latest victim.

Uruguay stayed unbeaten at the Copa America and reached the tournament final on Tuesday night, beating Peru 2-0 on a pair of goals from Luis Suarez scored five minutes apart.

By Chris Wright

Pretty sure it's not supposed to bend that way Jan (warning: not for the squeamish)...

Yeesh. The sudden emergence of a third elbow is rarely a good thing.

Video: 101GG