By Chris Wright
According to the Daily Mirror and Mail among others, Manchester City's Micah Richards has been
moved to delete his @officialMR2 Twitter account and asked police to investigate after receiving
torrents of racist abuse from a 'small but depressing minority of people' over the past few
months.
What a game in store for us this afternoon. As was said earlier this week a barometer game. A
resurgent Sunderland looking to continue their very surprising run against an Arsenal team
confident as a result of last week's big win.
And yet, in my opinion both appear to be skating on thin ice.
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.
By Chris Wright
'The Hart Fart' appears to be a phenomenon that most Man City fans are aware of already, being
as though their official in-house television channel has already produced an in-depth analysis
package to accompany the video.
For the unenlightened, the clip is taken from City's 2011 blooper reel and sees Joe Hart letting
go of a little bum toot in the back of a taxi, with captain Vincent Kompany trying desperately to
keep a straight face in order to admonish young Joseph and his rogue sphincter, while Micah
Richards just explodes in fits of howling laughter.
By Chris Wright
'The Hart Fart' appears to be a phenomenon that most Man City fans are aware of already, being
as though their official in-house television channel has already produced an in-depth analysis
package to accompany the video.
For the unenlightened, the clip is taken from City's 2011 blooper reel and sees Joe Hart letting
go of a little bum toot in the back of a taxi, with captain Vincent Kompany trying desperately to
keep a straight face in order to admonish young Joseph and his rogue sphincter, while Micah
Richards just explodes in fits of howling laughter.
Written by SlimGingerGooner
Well, can you believe it!?
Arsenal have reached the landmark 40 points needed to stay in the Premier League!
Back in August another season of struggle was being predicted by the knowledgable Arsenal
faithful. A lack of quality signings in the transfer window and an air of disappointment from pre
season results even had some sections calling for a new manager:-
"Wenger will win nothing.
Man City's official YouTube channel has provided a lot of unexpected entertainment over its
relatively short existence and has already become a model for other clubs to follow. It does,
however, go off the rails from time to time (City kitman Les Chapman's "nature watch" segment where
he tracks down a ginger kid in his underpants).
It's now officially four crucial months to the Euro 2012 and following Fabio
Capello's resignation last night, England has no manager to lead them to glory! That's
exactly what Jack Wilshere groaned about ("Euro's is just around the corner
and we have no manager?
All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award-winning Dirty
Tackle...
Sheffield Wednesday mascots Barney and Ozzy shamelessly assault FA Cup mascot Buddy.
[YouTube]
Man City's 88-year-old mascot. [Kickette]
Classic goalkeeper shirts as art.
By Chris Wright
"There's contact...juuuuust...hold on...wait a second...there."
Ne'er does a week go by without some dime-a-dozen pundit rolling it out. That sodding word.
'Contact'. A word which is quickly becoming the bane of my very existence.
I'm intrigued by Pajtim Kasami and have seen almost every kick he's made for the club, but
despite this I honestly couldn't describe him as a player.
The game he made a big difference in was Man City at home, but to my eyes he seemed mainly to
'put himself about a bit' in that one and inject some much needed urgency.
Now that the dust has settled, here's a look at some of the transfers that took place during the
January transfer window, and see if we can separate the wheat from the chaff.
Whereas last season money was being splashed out on the likes of Fernando Torres and Andy
Carroll like a mad gambler who got his greasy mits on a load of free bets, the window this time
around was a lot more sensible, indicating a lot less value in the market.
I HATE HIMLiverpool face Man Utd at Old Trafford on Saturday lunch-time in what
may look like a daunting task, to earn points away at the Manchester venue.
On paper, it seems a difficult job to get anything from the game, but I believe Liverpool are in
the right frame of mind to gain at least a point, if not all three against Ferguson's creaking
side.
I HATE HIMLiverpool face Man Utd at Old Trafford on Saturday lunch-time in what
may look like a daunting task, to earn points away at the Manchester venue.
On paper, it seems a difficult job to get anything from the game, but I believe Liverpool are in
the right frame of mind to gain at least a point, if not all three against Ferguson's creaking
side.
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.
Their is a lot of uncertainity over who will be the next England Captain after John Terry was
sensationally axed from the position last week. Favourites for the job United's Rio Ferdinand ruled
himself out of the running while Man City's Joe Hart has down played his chances of replacing
Terry.
Luis Suarez Parker Kick Video- Suarez Kicks Parker in Stomach Liverpool Spurs February 6, 2012
is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Luis Suarez Parker Kick Video- Suarez Kicks Parker in Stomach Liverpool Spurs February 6, 2012 is a
post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Suarez
Parker kick video Below Luis Suarez returned from his eight game ban in Liverpool's 0-0 draw
against Tottenham Hotspur.
Luis Suarez made his return from his eight-match suspension but their was no fairy tale ending
as Liverpool and Spurs played to a goalless draw at Anfield.
While Kenny Dalglish's side remain unbeaten at home this season, they have nevertheless
struggled for goals at Anfield, scoring just 14 in 11 matches, and again, despite a lot of
possession they were unable to unpick a superbly-disciplined Spurs defence.
Luis Suarez made his return from his eight-match suspension but their was no fairy tale ending
as Liverpool and Spurs played to a goalless draw at Anfield.
Suarez started the game on the bench and he watched his teammates come flying out of the blocks
with Gerrard slipping a delightful through ball to Andy Carroll only for Michael Dawson to make a
goal-saving fifth-minute challenge.
What do you think of United's result against Chelsea last night, was it a fair one? Andres
Villas-Boas does not. In fact, it would have been a famous victory for him had it not been for
Howard Webb awarding the Red Devils two penalties that changed the face of the game.
VIllas-Boas who believes United's second penalty should have never been awarded, claimed that
Webb seemed to be making up for decisions he made against United in the First half.
Manchester United once again showed their "Never Die" attitude after successfully coming back
from a three goals down to hold Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, providing a confidence boost despite
the result creates a gap again with league leader Manchester City.
Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez once again acted as the Red Devils savior as the former bagged
a brace, both from the spot kick, while the latter scored the decisive equalizer, which rescued
important points for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
The English Premier League is widely regarded as the most exciting League across the globe but
in many cases, big games between the top clubs turn out to be dull affairs with both teams
canceling each other out, but today, at Stamford Bridge, Man Utd and Chelsea provided one of the
truly memorable classic games that ended in a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Ahead of this afternoon's game against Chelsea, Darren Mantle from CFCNet has taken the time to
talk to us on all things Chelsea.
Scott the Red: Does your current league position match with your expectations at the
start of the season or had you been anticipating a serious title challenge from
Chelsea?
While serving his four-match ban for stepping on Scott Parker, there really isn't too much Mario
Balotelli can do during Man City matches besides watch from an executive suite...and perform magic
tricks for his friends.
As City eased to a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, Balotelli made a Coke can disappear under
his magical cloth.
Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a convincing
3-0 win at home over Fulham.
Heading into the Fulham match a lot of questions were being asked about a City side that had
lost four of their eight matches in 2012, exiting the FA and League Cups and seeing Manchester
United draw level with them on points at the top of the Premier League.
The following table shows the average age of player that each of the competing nations fielded
during the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea. As expected
Cote D'Ivoire's fading golden generation who are attempting to win their nation their first major
trophy since 1992 is one of the oldest squads at the tournament.
By Alan Duffy
Manchester City 3-0 Fulham Premier League 4th February 2012
Manchester City put the disappointment of that midweek defeat against Everton behind them at a
snowy Etiahd Stadium on Saturday, coasting to victory against a Fulham side who rarely threatened
Jose Hart's goal.
Manchester City vs Fulham Goals 3-0 Highlights 2012 Aguero Baird Dzeko Video is a post from
Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Manchester City vs Fulham Goals 3-0 Highlights 2012 Aguero Baird Dzeko Video is a post from Soccer
Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Man City vs Fulham 2012 ( Manchester City Fulham Video
Below) Final score and result:- Manchester City vs Fulham 3-0 ( Aguero, Baird own goal, Dzeko)
Etihad Stadium, 4 February 2012- Saturday- [.
AVB hasn't exactly had it easy since he has come to Chelsea has he?. He came into the club as a
breath of fresh air speaking of motivation, fine tuning the team and with his technical staff
getting the best out of everyone.
Chelsea sit fourth just ahead of the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal and a whopping 12
points behind United and Man City and more importantly seven points and four goals behind Spurs.
Lifelong City fan Celia Hodkin has been given an almighty birthday present from the folks in the
Blue half of Manchester... Celia, set to turn 88, has been given the opportunity to lead out the
team she has supported since the age of 9 vs Fulham this weekend. Her daughter wrote to the men in
charge about [.
There was a lack of real excitement during the final day of the 2012 January Transfer Window,
with none of the Premier League's big names on the move and a subsequent drop in spending from the
same day 12 months ago means the latest transfer window closed without much of a noise.
The speculation that ran wild from Sky Sports News reporters situated at Premier League grounds
became boring with attention being finally turned to actual fixtures that took place on the
night.
Chelsea v Manchester United: A Battle Of Widths - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis, both Manchester United and
Chelsea's wingers have been key to both club's positive play this season, with Antonio Valencia,
Nani, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge all enjoying impressive campaigns.
Manchester United's best chance of beating Chelsea - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
With the Manchester clubs tied on points at the top of the table and only Tottenham with an
outside chance at the title, this year's Premier League is almost guaranteed to be
Manchester-bound.
But it's not an easy road Manchester United still have City, Tottenham and Chelsea (this
weekend) away, plus Liverpool home.
Stamford Bridge hasn't been a pay hunting ground in the league for United in recent years, but
they look overpriced at 2.9 with Betfred to beat their arch rivals Chelsea and bag a vital three
points to maintain their title challenge.
Having played Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool in quick succession, and with Liverpool coming up
again, United are now at a crucial stage of their season having hauled themselves level on points
with Roberto Mancini's men at the top of the Premiership.
Football is a funny game. When you predict like a master pundit (read-Carlton Palmer) every
thing goes topsy turvy and it actually ends up even more interesting. The past week was no
exception and it had everything, I mean everything. For a guy like me the premier league is the
only source of joy in what can be called an uneventful life (Yes, what can you do when you are an
engineer with a long and winding road ahead).
Ok, Probably that isn't quite true, however, it does feel like City are holding Tevez back from
leaving sort of like a punishment for the embarrassment he has caused the club.
Speaking to Kicker magazine, Tevez (remarks which he later denied) Tevez was quoted as saying
that he was keen on leaving this winter having received offers from Italy and Spain, but things did
not work out due to City's hard stance.
After I wrote a while ago that Manchester City were the clear favourites for the Premier League
title this year, my opinion seems to have changed over the past few weeks. Their recent form has
seen them playing decent enough but Manchester United have gone that extra mile. Manchester City
has lost on far too many occasions this season.
By FRANCO PANIZO
U.S. prospect Alfredo Morales has not seen the field for Hertha Berlin since October, but that
will not stop him from making his first-ever start in the Bundesliga this coming weekend.
Morales is slated to start at right back in place of the suspended Christian Lell when Hertha
faces Hannover 96, according to head coach Michael Skibbe.
By Chris Wright
HR 4 RF IDST
As we've gradually found out over the past week-and-a-half, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp
takes his tax advice from a magical hobgoblin that lives in his biscuit tin. What we also now know
is that, instead of his labrynthine scouting network at Spurs, he seems to rely on Manchester
United's Rio Ferdinand when it comes to the final word on his signings.
Futbolitinos, the transfer deadline window is now shut! Seedy
agents all became instant millionaires when "under the table" deals were finalized yesterday,
including Coutinho's loan move from Inter Milan to Espanyol
(above).
