Manchester City could be without striker Mario Balotelli for four games after he was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.
The controversial Italian appeared to stamp on Scott Parker's head during City's dramatic 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and despite the incident going unpunished at the time, has been charged retrospectively.

Being realistic the FA Cup is the last throw of the dice for Arsenal to win silverware this season.
We have as much chance of winning the league as Frank Lampard trying Diet Coke, are out of the pint of Carling Cup and the way Barcelona are playing UEFA may as well hand them the Champions League trophy now.

By Zara B. and A. Cortez

Alex Ferguson

This past 6th of November marked Sir Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary since taking charge of Manchester United. While many managers are fads at other clubs (Chelsea, Real Madrid), Manchester United have been fortunate enough to have a single manager lead the club to 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League trophies.

Blackburn Rovers Football Club turns more into a laughingstock with every passing day. The latest news is that embattled Rovers manager Steve Kean admits that Blackburn basically "forfeited" last night's Carling Cup quarter-final against Cardiff in order to rest players for the upcoming run of league games.

Mr Teo Hock Seng, Tampines chairman hugged by his players
after the 1-0 victory over Home United on an atrocious field. A decent turn out at the Tampines Stadium saw the epic clash between Tampines Rovers and league leaders Home United on a unplayable surface marred by the heavy downpour before the start.

Kieran Richardson joined Manchester United as a teenager and showed great promise down the left wing. He made his England début when he was 20-years-old and scored twice, seeming to be another youth product ready to make his mark at United.

However, poor form and unimpressive attitude made him unpopular amongst United fans, with him receiving jeers from some when he scored against Watford in the FA Cup semi-final in 2007 and even when he lifted the Premier League trophy later that year.

With tonight's Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge against Genk, and with Chelsea hitting form under AVB, there are obvious questions being asked of the players. One player in particular was asked about winning the Champions League but stated that winning our domestic Premier League trophy was more difficult.

An odd thing happened to the prediction that Celtic would break the GI Joe kung-fu grip Rangers have had on the Scottish Premier League trophy the past three years. Quite simply, it appears to have been rather hastily determined based on deceptive appearances alone, or perhaps a notable disappearance from Ibrox.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images(Bleacher Report) He was believed to be the Blues future, the next legend to lift the Barclay's Premier League Trophy at Stamford Bridge and be the talisman to take over the throne of Didier Drogba as the spearhead of the Chelsea Attack.
However, £50 million plus 21 appearances and only one goal later the once prolific Liverpool goal machine is on the edge of stagnation in London.

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This week's main report takes a look at this season's Spanish League: La Liga 2011-12. This report has a transcript below and explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post, while other key phrases (in blue) also have meanings explained.

Europa League or Carling Cup, which ought we to want less? It's a tricky one. The Europa League trophy is a sizeable beast, and its lack of handles gives it a pleasingly Neanderthalic edge – one cannot help but handle it in rough, uncouth manner when raising it aloft, which is rather apt after 90 minutes of blood and thunder.

Manchester City new boy Samir Nasri has hit back at the media for misrepresenting his recent comments about the lack of passion shown by the supporters at his former club Arsenal, but has further emphasized his faith in joining the Eastlands outfit.

Speaking to the media ahead of his return to North London for the Citizens' tricky fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, Nasri told reporters that he only raised doubts over the atmosphere at the Emirates and in addition to seeking a superior atmosphere at Etihad Stadium, he is confident about lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

Not a great win, but a win just the same. If we want to have any hope of reclaiming the league trophy, we need to win these games where we aren't playing so well. And this time, we did.

Well, the first half was dire. Utterly awful. Especially our passing. It was that awful passing that helped contribute to the West Brom goal Ramires sent a light pass toward Alex, who didn't move toward it and thus got bullied off the ball.

By Neil Blackmon

Will United add another to the case this year?

Part I Part II Part III

Toe met stiching this past weekend in the Barclay's Premier League, and we've now seen an opening weekend lacking quality, or at the very least, entertaining football and devoid of a home side claiming full points.

The largest challenge that awaits a defending title holder is managing the high level of expectations that go along with being the favorites or defending champions.
Rio Ferdinand talks of how last season's Premier League trophy will not hamper performances this season.
Ferdinand told the BBC: "I think it's just acknowledgement of the season we had before really, but that doesn't mean you're going to win it just because you're favourites.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 12, 2011) US Soccer Players --Let's start with the obvious. Manchester United would have to suffer a collapse of tremendous proportions not to come away with another Premier League trophy this season. Picking against United at this point is simple contrariness. Other would-be contenders are worse off than they were the last time we saw them in a competitive game and the teams that have made improvements shouldn't.

Why Spurs' inactivity this summer could cost them - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Harry Redknapp and shrewd transfer usually go hand in hand, the cheaper the better. However this summer has been a period of austerity at Tottenham and that, excuse the pun, could cost them this season.

While many clubs are undergoing some degree of financial conservatism this summer, they are the sides that finished below Tottenham.

Steven Gerrard lifting the Premier League trophy: the picture all Liverpool fans want to see

It may never happen, so we thought we'd treat Liverpool fans before the season kicks off

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-08-08 06:30:00 from: Talksport

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

Sergio Aguero playing as a lone striker? It's possible he could play second fiddle to Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, or even Carlos Tevez during the Premier League season.

£39 million for Aguero is a record signing for the City rich boys, surpassing the £32.5m spent on flop Robinho but will their new number 16 be worth it?

Clive Rose/Getty Images (Bleacher Report) The title race was truly blown open today for Chelsea thanks to another stumble for Manchester United.
With only three league games remaining it is looking increasingly more possible that the Blues could pull off a miraculous return to the top and clip the heels out from under Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils.

Exclusive – Wilkins: Liverpool and Arsenal don't stand a chance of winning the title

Ex-Chelsea assistant manager insists neither side will be able to compete for the Premier League trophy

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-07-15 17:12:11 from: Talksport

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

Manchester United winger Nani has welcomed fellow countryman Andre Villas-Boas to the Premier League, hailing his decision to take the reins at Chelsea. The young Portuguese manager enjoyed success at the helm of Porto last season, and has Chelsea fans excited at the prospect of regaining the Premier League trophy.

English champions Manchester United will arrive in Bangkok on July 1 with the Premier League trophy.

The trophy will be on display at CentralWorld and there will be activities with United players led by Rio Ferdinand, Park Ji-Sung and Patrice Evra.

The visit will be part of the club's 12-day tour of Asia to thank their fans in this part of the world.

According to reports in Portugal, the best young manager in football, Andre Villas-Boas has accepted an offer to become manager of Chelsea. Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay the £13.2m release clause to get Villas-Boas out of his contract with Porto.

Porto president Pinto da Costa said the club could not prevent Villas-Boas leaving should certain financial conditions be met.

According to reports in Portugal, the best young manager in football, Andre Villas-Boas has accepted an offer to become manager of Chelsea. Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay the £13.2m release clause to get Villas-Boas out of his contract with Porto.

Porto president Pinto da Costa said the club could not prevent Villas-Boas leaving should certain financial conditions be met.

It has been a topsy-turvy season in the K-League so far. Asian champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma have been kept off the bottom of the standings only thanks to the dreadful form of Gangwon FC. Suwon Bluewings find themselves in one of their annual slumps in form while champions FC Seoul have improved since earlier in the season but still can't quite break free of the middle level.

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool's aim next season is nothing less than to win the Premier League title.
The Reds captain has been out of action since March, when he saw his season cut short by a groin injury, and is looking forward to returning for the new campaign.
And the influential midfielder is eyeing silverware ahead of his comeback.

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool's aim next season is nothing less than to win the Premier League title.
The Reds captain has been out of action since March, when he saw his season cut short by a groin injury, and is looking forward to returning for the new campaign.
And the influential midfielder is eyeing silverware ahead of his comeback.

Parading the Premier League trophy around the streets of Manchester on Monday, there was a distinct and justified sense of achievement for Sir Alex Ferguson. In 25 years at Old Trafford, the Scot has won 12 Premier League titles, along with 24 other...
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Doing a Ramos Manchester United nutter Patrice Evra mocked Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos by pretending to drop the Premier League trophy from the top of an open-top bus during yesterday's victory parade. The Frenchman mimicked Ramos' Copa Del Rey mishap by dangling the trophy from the bus and pretending to drop it.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has announced that he has retired from playing football with immediate effect. It was thought that Scholes may have continued on for one more season but he's stated that he's played his last match, and will now be joining the Man United coaching staff.

Scholes last game came during the defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final, but helped United to regain the Premier League trophy.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has announced that he has retired from playing football with immediate effect. It was thought that Scholes may have continued on for one more season but he's stated that he's played his last match, and will now be joining the Man United coaching staff.

Scholes last game came during the defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final, but helped United to regain the Premier League trophy.

Sky News has reported that 150,000 United fans watched the lads bring the Premier League trophy through the streets of Manchester this afternoon.

Despite the awful weather and disappointment from Saturday, reds showed up to show their support and appreciation of the players who earned us a record breaking 19th title.

By Chris Wright

Premier League sponsors Barclays and the League Managers' Association banded together to set the twenty 2010/11 top flight managers some homework a couple of weeks ago to pick their 'team of the last decade', though it seems that all twenty misread the instructions and just picked their favourite Manchester United and Chelsea players from the past ten years instead.

Having parted company with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after a disappointing season, Chelsea are once again searching for a new coach with Dutchman Guus Hiddink the bookies favourite to take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge. Rolly Pelovangu investigates...

A poisoned chalice or a great opportunity to manage at one of world football's richest clubs?

Have you Evra seen anything like that? Following the recent exploits of Sergio Ramos, Maarten Stekelenburg and Manchester United reserve player Scott Wootton, Patrice Evra had a joke at the expense of dented silverware the world over by pretending to drop the base of the Premier League trophy during the presentation this evening.

Manchester United were presented with the Premier League trophy after their 4-2 win over Blackpool at Old Trafford today which seen the Seasiders relegatedalong with West Ham and Birmingham

Of course, the day belongs to Porto for winning their first Europa League title in eight years (the last one they picked up was with Mourinho when he was making his mini mark as a mastermind in 2002!) But these innovative fans take the cake for using paper plates (or something along those lines) to create their butts/costumes!

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- On this Day Eight Years Ago: QPR 1 Oldham 0.

Antonio Valencia is looking forward to the day he can raise his arm to his daughter again - but this time with the Premier League trophy in his hand. The last time he did it was to reassure little...
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