2-1 wins for United over Liverpool and Arsenal over Sunderland - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Here's a look at the weekend's biggest Premier League fixtures and the best bets to place this weekend.

Manchester United v Liverpool

All eyes will be on Old Trafford this weekend when arch rivals Man United and Liverpool face off in what promises to be a fiery encounter (12.

It will be a hostile atmosphere when United take on arch rivals Liverpool this weekend, and Sir Alex's side are slightly odds-on at 1.91 with Paddy Power to come out on top in what promises to be a real hard fought battle.

The game sees Patrice Evra come face to face with Luis Suarez for the first time since the Liverpool striker was banned for eight games after racially abusing the United defender and the role of referee Phil Dowd will be crucial.

By Chris Wright

After serving his eight-game ban for being a devious little shit to the Nth degree, Luis Suarez returned for Liverpool last night and duly picked up where he left off giving Scott Parker a sly kick in the ribs.

He's obviously spent the eight games dutifully reassessing his conduct, mulling over lessons learnt and bettering himself as a person.

By Chris Wright

After serving his eight-game ban for being a devious little shit to the Nth degree, Luis Suarez returned for Liverpool last night and duly picked up where he left off giving Scott Parker a sly kick in the ribs.

He's obviously spent the eight games dutifully reassessing his conduct, mulling over lessons learnt and bettering himself as a person.

Demba Cisse the most expensive player in the January transfer and the other half of the Senegalese strike force alongside Demba Ba, provided an instant impact as he scored a majestic goal on his debut. Majestic.

Ba and Cisse were away on ACN duty and how they were missed, especially Ba, who gave Newcastle the lead in the 30th minute for his 16th Premiership goal.

The Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong spent the whole of last season on the sidelines after damaging his cruciate ligament in pre-season, but he has come back strongly this year and was sent on loan to Wolves to give him some extended first-team action. But disaster struck yesterday when he was stretchered off halfway theough the [.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was often criticised for his dispassionate demeanour on the touchline. The ever-studious Spaniard would never celebrate when Liverpool scored, preferring instead to stay calm and analytical for the entire 90 minutes of practically every game. Some might argue that this approach is counter-productive, but in Dietmar Hamann's view, being calm on the sidelines

Arsenal have been hit with a huge blow after midfielder Jack Wilshere was ruled out for the entire season after yet another injury setback The news also means that Wilshere is a major doubt for Euro 2012 which kicks-off in June with England boss Fabio Capello adamant that he will only be selecting players who [.

By Alan Duffy

Manchester United 2-0 Stoke City Premier League 31st January 2011

A penalty kick either side of half-time was enough to give an under-par United side a vital win at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, a victory that sees them go level with title rivals City at the top of the table.

Despite being a closed session today without any tasty tidbits from John Spencer to chew on, today's Timbers practice was an interesting one none the less.

Although Kris Boyd was, not surprisingly, not yet practicing we were told that he would likely join the team in around ten days while they are in California.

Is Jose Mourinho putting out feelers for a return to England at the end of the season?

According to a report in The Sunday Times (subscription required), an unnamed source close to Mourinho intimated that the Real coach could leave. "He was sick and tired of this situation at Madrid.

A run of three straight defeats in the league suggest the FA Cup could well be a welcome diversion for Arsenal this weekend. With Manchester United crashing out to a last minute winner from Dirk Kuyt, one highly credible winner of the Cup has been eliminated. Considering City are also watching on from the sidelines, [.

Kuyt was the Hero today with a 88th minute winner to put Liverpool into the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup. The game ended 2-1 and the result seemed so bitter sweet for Luis Suarez who watched had to watch on from the sidelines serving his 7th match ban after the racial incident against Evra in their last encounter.

Kuyt was the Hero today with a 88th minute winner to put Liverpool into the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup. The game ended 2-1 and the result seemed so bitter sweet for Luis Suarez who watched had to watch on from the sidelines serving his 7th match ban after the racial incident against Evra in their last encounter.

The Timbers practice today was an uneventful one on the field but saw several developments on the sidelines. Once again Jose Adolfo Valencia was missing from practice which was yet again explained as being further fitness testing. John Spencer went on to say that as soon as he was done testing we would see him back on the field.

It's the 60th minute at Wembley. Glorious sunshine stream down on the immaculate playing surface. Kenny Dalglish watches on from the sidelines as the ever-reliable John Aldridge steps up take a penalty...I don't even need to finish the sentence because all Liverpool fans know exactly what game I'm talking about.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he is strongly opposed to loan deals such as Emmanuel Adebayor's spell with Tottenham Hotspur.

Adebayor has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals in 19 games for the Spurs after parent club Manchester City chose to loan him out at the beginning of the season.

Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio is fit again after his recent injury blow, and despite the frustration of having to deal with regular setbacks, the Brazilian is raring to go. However, it has been difficult for him to actually get into the team, something he admits is very frustrating.

It can be often be difficult for young players in certain positions to make it at Liverpool football club, and goalkeeper is possibly the hardest position of all to break into. Danish stopper Martin Hansen has found this out over the last five years at Anfield, and now it seems he's had enough of sitting on the sidelines.

There are many critics who love bickering about the downward spiral of Italian football but at least they have the equivalent of a glamorous Oscar night! Finally, Zlatan Ibrahimovic silenced his entire phone-book of haters last night and won the title of Serie A's 'Best Player in 2011′ while Edison Cavani's Udinese were announced 'Best Club'.

Anfield legend Kevin Keegan has delivered a withering assessment of Liverpool's wretched performance against Bolton yesterday, and he believes that some of the club's players will find themselves dumped on the sidelines for a long time to come. Summarising the game for ESPN, Keegan was typically blunt with his assessment of Liverpool's performance:"He [Dalglish] is livid; he's very disappointed,

Good morning to you and welcome to Thursday. The week is flying by. Must be all the high jinks and fun. Can't think what else it would be.

Let's start this morning with Jack Wilshere. Apparently he's 'stunned' doctors by being ready to make his comeback ... erm ... pretty much on schedule. When he limped out of the Emirates Cup in late July there was no indication he'd be out this long but since the need for surgery we've been told he'd be back in full training by the end of January, ready for a mid-February comeback.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is currently kicking his heels on the sidelines as he serves his 8-match ban, but whilst he's out, he will have plenty of opportunities to watch Steven Gerrard in action, a player he described yesterday as a 'fantastic player'. Speaking to Goal.com, Suarez was full of praise for Liverpool's captain, who has now scored three goals in his last three games:"Steven is a

Kenny Dalglish is hopeful Jay Spearing isn't facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being forced from the field during Liverpool's 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final, first-leg win over Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The midfielder pulled up sharply midway through the first half after playing a pass and was promptly replaced by Charlie Adam.

Ah Levadeiakos... one of those teams, along with Panionios, Volou, and Xanthi, that I just love seeing AEK beat.

Couldnt watch the game because I had to work, but hey, we got the three points. Highlights from what Ive heard/seen: Sialmas' goalara, good keeping by Konstantopoulos, and a well reffed match (aside from the unnecessary to Sialmas).

Since arriving at Liverpool in 2006, Fabio Aurelio has spent an incredible 23 months on the sidelines recovering from injury, which makes him the most injured player in the club's history. After a frustrating spell on the sidelines this season, the Brazilian made his return in the 5-1 victory at Oldham.

Liverpool feel the full force of Luis Suarez absence how will his eight-game ban shape their season?

The Reds chose not to appeal against their Uruguayan forward's ban and he endured his first match on the sidelines as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-04 08:58:00 from: Goal

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

Stories of loud and obnoxious soccer parents are not hard to come by. We've all encountered them, though in my experience they're not as widespread as the media would lead you to believe. When you do encounter them, it's usually a couple of parents being loud and/or obnoxious while the other parents behave (and often try to get as far away from the loud ones as possible).

BBC Sport Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger unhappy after loss to Fulham.

Over the past year or so, football experts have taken a shot at trying to troubleshoot Arsenal's predisposition to losing games which they had already had won. Many comments focused on the squad's lack of defensive strength but I have a different take on the problem

It's not the defenders that cause Arsenal's fragility, it's the attitude of the manager who almost never holds his players accountable for their mistakes, blames everyone else around him when they lose, and so consequently, his players have no fear.

Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, prayed Steven Gerrard's wretched luck is over after seeing a brilliant cameo from his skipper inspires victory against Newcastle.
Gerrard's appearance as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 win at Anfield proved to be the game's pivotal moment, bringing a miserable 12 months for the 31 year-old to a satisfactory conclusion.

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Goals:
Agger (og) 25'
Bellamy 29' 67'
Gerrard 78'
Another tepid, frustrating, harsh 1-1 at Anfield. Until Gerrard came on at the hour mark.
As usual, Liverpool were the better side from the start, but neither keeper had a save to make in the first half. More often than not, Liverpool's possession ended at the edge of the final third, mainly with shots from distance charged down by Newcastle defenders or crosses just too high/far for Carroll.

• Kop That: So, did your team' striker deliver in the festive fixtures? http://t.co/FfInNmgU 22:27:52, 2011-12-27
• Kop That: Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liver... http://t.co/LuVXrQmB 22:27:38, 2011-12-27
• Kop That: Agger refuses to blame strikers for 'worrying' goal drought http://t.

Eye-watering injury to 'man zone' sidelines Gillingham winger

Whelpdale brings whole new meaning to the phrase 'bad tackle'

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-12-27 17:30:42 from: The Mirror

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

Liverpool look poised to open talks with FC Porto for the transfer of defensive midfielder Fernando.
The Reds recently lost Lucas to injury, depriving boss Kenny Dalglish of his favoured holding midfielder.
But Dalglish is looking beyond Lucas' spell on the sidelines – Fernando's potential presence at Anfield would allow the Scot to play two midfield enforcers when required, but at other times the option to play Lucas in a more advanced role would be explored.

Ashley Young is set for a spell on the sidelines, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are both out, and Phil Jones could join them as well, but Manchester United are still humming along after a 5-0 win yesterday at Craven ... Continue reading →

Images via tumblr. Cheers to Kat for the tip!

... Olalla Dominguez giving Justin Bieber some serious side-eye?

Yes, Kickettes, it flippin' well is. As most of you are probably aware, the Bieb-u-lator was at Stamford Bridge the other day for a kickabout with Frank Lampard and Olalla's hubby Fernando Torres.

Four games in the next 13 days should give Arsenal sufficient opportunity to bounce back from the recent disheartening defeat against the League leaders. Given the state of injuries in defence though, Arsene will have to take things game by game. There isn't much room left for tinkering, particularly at the back.

Four games in the next 13 days should give Arsenal sufficient opportunity to bounce back from the recent disheartening defeat against the League leaders. Given the state of injuries in defence though, Arsene will have to take things game by game. There isn't much room left for tinkering, particularly at the back.

Jack Wilshere. A name you should, by now, have heard. Arsenal's youngest ever league debutante and future England great is currently on the sidelines nursing an ankle injury, but here's why I think he will one day be huge.

Movement, aggression, dribbling, vision and passing. Attributes which I think sum Wilshere up brilliantly, on the break and attacking he is a serious threat with his snappy short passes and his ability to put in the defence splitting long ball.