Manchester United 2-2 Rotor Volgograd (Agg: 2-2 RV win on away goals)

It probably made sense that goalkeeper-turned-goalscorer Peter Schmeichel found the net in this one; simply put, everything about this game felt out of place. Back then, in 1995, there was no shame in being in the UEFA Cup — you'd qualify by finishing runners-up in the League.

I don't get excited about many Premier League fixtures but the Black Country derby certainly gets my heart racing. It's even more special when it takes place in the Premier League – todays match only the fourth in Premier League history.

So as Wolves slumped to what turned out to be an embarrassing defeat my major interest in Premier League football for this season ends in disappointment as West Brom triumphed for their eighth time to Wolves three wins since I first went to Molineux in 1999.

Thierry Henry came off the bench in his last Premier League appearance for Arsenal this year and capped the occasion off in perfect style with a late stoppage time goal that wrapped up all three points for the Gunners.

In a toughly contested match at the Stadium of Light, James McLean opened the scoring for Sunderland 25 minutes into the second half, when he capitalized on Per Mertesacker's slip to guide the ball past Wojciech Szczesny from an acute angle.

United 2: Rooney 47′ 49′
Liverpool 1: Suarez 80′

United get a deserved victory on the strength of a Wayne Rooney brace, taking advantage of a lifeless performance in the second half from a Liverpool side that were wholly disappointing. Given the occasion and atmosphere you'd have expected Liverpool to at least show up, but on the day they lacked any sense of urgency, purpose or desire.

Real Madrid wants Robin Van Persie. Look at my face: I am not happy right now.

Rather than just writing one opinion piece, I typically try to gather as much information from around the World Wide Web and condense it with my own commentary added. This week we've got Real Madrid pursuing Van Persie, Mourinho gunning for Arsene's job, Kieran Gibbs returns from a long layoff to strengthen the defense, and a hobbled Jack Wilshere all torn up about England's national team losing its coach just months before the Euro 2012.

Some areas of the press are suggesting that it hasn't been such a stellar year for Gareth Bale in comparison with last season. Those reports tend to just point to the winger's hat trick in the San Siro but they conveniently forget that this has been a much more consistent campaign for the Welshman.

What? ... No i'm not bloody offside! Meow...Liverpool fought hard on Monday night in an attempt to take three points from Tottenham Hotspur but with no goals from either side the highlight of the game ended up going to a little mischievous cat. The Reds played well but just couldn't find a goal as Spurs showed some staunch defending.

THFC1882 present a match report by Anthony Lombardi

Liverpool and Tottenham: Both Clubs Fail to Dare and To Do.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur drew 0-0 at Anfield, in a tight Premier League encounter that neither team wanted to lose, or seemed determined enough to try and win.

Pepe wished he hadn't pulled Gareth's finger
Monday night was not Gareth Bale's.
While a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield is a good result for Tottenham, and the match itself was arguably one of the better stalemates you're likely to see in terms of energy and commitment, it is a game Bale might soon wish to put behind him.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal may last just a little longer than expected, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The French striker has enjoyed his brief loan spell at Arsenal, netting a goal in the club's 7-1 win over the weekend.

Craig Bellamy has been fantastic for Liverpool so far this season, and with 9 goals and 7 assists to his name already, he is arguably the club's most important attacking player right now. Dirk Kuyt played alongside Bellamy during his first stint at Anfield, and he believes that the Welshman is an even better player now.

THFC1882 presents guest writer Kenny Palmer's report of Tottenham Hotspur versus Wigan:

A man of the match performance by Gareth Bale against obliging opponents Wigan helped reignite Spurs title challenge, as they now sit just five points behind the Manchester clubs following the leaders City's defeat to Everton.

After Liverpool's recent 3-1 defeat to Bolton, Nigel Reo-Coker laid into Craig Bellamy during his post match interview, and the Welshman has stayed silent on the issue. Until now...Reo Coker and Bellamy were involved in an onfield spat during the game, and afterwards, the Bolton captain scathed:"Craig Bellamy is going to be Craig Bellamy and I've got no respect for him.

I'd love for Carroll to score in this one...Liverpool travel to my hometown of Wolverhampton on Tuesday night as they prepare to face Wolves in the Premier League. Liverpool are on a massive high after knocking both Manchester City and Manchester United out of the League and FA Cup, but can the Reds compose themselves in exactly the sort of fixture that has caused them to stumble in the league?

Get In Bellers!...Liverpool booked their place in the League Cup final at Wembley on Wednesday night after beating Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate. It was a fantastic tie for the neutral as City took the lead twice at a boisterous Anfield but the home side were the better team over the two legs and Craig Bellamy's 73rd minute goal made sure the Reds would be fighting for some silverware next month.

Craig Bellamy has been absolutely superb for Liverpool this season, and he was excellent again yesterday against Manchester City, scoring the goal that won the tie and sent the club to Wembley. After the game, club captain Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the Welshman. Gerrard, who set Liverpool on their way to victory with another excellent penalty, told reporters:"He [Bellamy] been superb

Manchester City went six points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit after a late penalty conversion from Mario Balotelli ensured a thrilling 3-2 win over a resilient Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.

After a slow first half, the hosts came alive at the beginning of the second, with goals from Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott creating a comfortable two-goal cushion.

Queens Park Rangers were heading only one way under the stewardship of Neil Warnock. The team had not won in several matches and were perilously close to the relegation places. In fact the only reason the team were not already in the relegation places was because the team had somehow, against all the odds, and not without immense fortune, managed to achieve victories earlier in the season despite not playing well, for example when they defeated Chelsea at Loftus Road.

Liverpool have a whole host of promising young attacking players being developed at Anfield right now, but Kop legend Ian Rush believes one particular youngster stands out from all the rest. Rushie was recently asked who he felt would be the 'next Ian Rush' at Liverpool. The ever-modest Welshman argued that 'you have to be looking at someone with a better pace' than he had.

A family event at a nearby city took me out of town for the last couple of days and is the cause for the lateness of this post. It really was unavoidable but I don't want to trouble you with the details.

The result of the game, more so the manner in which the goals were conceded, was quite upsetting but after having a day to think it over I find there were a lot of talking points from the game.

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Craig Bellamy has a habit of scoring against his former clubs, and Liverpool fans will be hoping the Welshman continues this trend against Manchester City tonight. However, as he revealed this week, Bellamy takes no real pleasure in scoring against his former teams. Since returning to Liverpool, Bellamy has scored against former teams Norwich and Newcastle, and whilst it's great for Liverpool,

Goal: Craig Bellamy insists playing in big games such as League Cup semi-final with Manchester City is why he joined Liverpool

The Welshman says he will respect his former club and is grateful he had the chance to play for them as he prepares to exact revenge for 3-0 league defeat last week

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-10 11:01:00 from: Goal

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

Gerrard kisses the ball after netting his peno...Liverpool put five goals past an Oldham side that took the lead at Anfield on Friday night. A very different starting line up for Liverpool allowed Dalglish to try something new and for once Liverpool could be described as clinical rather than wasteful.

Liver Bird: Reds Beat Oldham 5-1

Gerrard kisses the ball after netting his peno... Liverpool put five goals past an Oldham side that took the lead at Anfield on Friday night. A very different starting line up for Liverpool allowed Dalglish to try something new and for once Liverpool could be described as clinical rather than wasteful.

Talksport: Dalglish explains importance of 'fantastic' Bellamy

Liverpool boss wants to preserve tricky Welshman for long-term impact

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2012-01-07 12:01:49 from: Talksport

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

Merseyside club Liverpool are seriously considering a move for young Welshman and Celtic right-back Adam Matthews and sources suggest the club are contemplating a bid for the 19 year old.
However Matthews has only just joined Celtic from Cardiff City and his performances have shown he is a player that could make him one of the Celtic legends if he were to remain.

Gerrard Scores From Acute Angle In Newcastle Win

And people say he's past it!... Liverpool put three past Newcastle United at Anfield on Friday night after finally figuring out how to convert their chances. In a game where the Reds didn't have many attempts at goal, the finishing was this time on song.

And people say he's past it!...Liverpool put three past Newcastle United at Anfield on Friday night after finally figuring out how to convert their chances. In a game where the Reds didn't have many attempts at goal, the finishing was this time on song. Newcastle took the lead but the Reds came back to take all three points.

Sir Alex Ferguson has begun his psychological war games. The Manchester United manager has said that Tottenham are the best team at the moment. Of course Sir Alex Ferguson was talking about Britain and not Europe, after all, as good as Tottenham are they are probably not quite yet at Barcelona's level.

Everything was set up for another Anfield disappointment. Liverpool had drawn 6 of their 9 home games so far this season, stumbling against the likes of Sunderland, Blackburn and Swansea, but on Friday night Liverpool went against their home form and produced a convincing display. Newcastle took the lead but Liverpool stormed back and equalised a couple of minutes later.

Even the return of Steven Gerrard cannot end Andy Carroll's barren run | Richard Williams

Liverpool's captain came on and lifted his team but the £35m striker from Newcastle could not capitalise against his old club When Steven Gerrard finally arrived to sort out the lamentable crossing that had hobbled Liverpool's efforts during the first hour, Andy Carroll began to look like a centre-forward once again.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has his eye on young Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen and after a lengthy scouting assessment the Anfield manager is said to be considering making a move for the Welsh international.
The pint sized 21 year old has been in fine form this term and has managed to adapt well to life in the top tier and shown maturity beyond his years as he helps pulls the strings in the Swansea City midfield.

Are there any other contenders for this accolade besides the amazing Gareth Bale? After the Welshman's two goals inspired Tottenham's win, manager Harry Redknapp was typically effusive in his praise.
"I played him in a free role," Harry said. Him and Rafa, rather than on the left. He pops up in positions in-between the midfield and defence, it's difficult to pick him up and once he turns and runs, like he did for the second goal, he's unstoppable.

Bale love-in takes physical turn Gareth Bale was the star of the show as Tottenham eased past Norwich in a relative stroll in the park last night. In an attempt to get some sort of revenge, Richie De Laet decided to do to Bale what the Welshman had been metaphorically doing to the Norwich defence [..

By Alan Duffy

Fellt-footed wing-wizard Gareth Bale was in devastating form at Carrow Road on Tuesday night, scoring two goals in a world class performance. So good was the Welshman's performance that one couldn't help but fall for the former Southampton star's simian charms.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes Craig Bellamy is being unfairly treated by referees.
The Welshman has a feisty reputation and his manager fears that may be working against the forward after four bookings in as many matches.
Dalglish has been disappointed by the yellow cards Bellamy has received in the recent games against Fulham and Wigan, and the Scot hopes a pattern is not developing.

Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy is unfairly treated by referees, claims Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish

Scottish boss believes the Welshman has not deserved a single one of his four yellow cards this season and suggests past misdemeanours have created "an agenda" against him

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-26 09:21:00 from: Goal

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

Another busy week for Liverpool saw a dominant away victory at Aston Villa followed (almost inevitably) by a frustrating stalemate with the Reds' perennial party poopers, Wigan Athletic.
Sandwiched in between those encounters was an FA hearing that resulted in an eight match ban for Luis Suarez, for 'racially abusing' Patrice Evra.

Skrtel Scores Second In Villa Win

Defender beats defenders... Liverpool scored two goals in the first fifteen minutes at Villa Park to secure a much needed three points. In the slot under the top four at the moment Liverpool are slowly but surely putting some pressure on and the win lifted them up to 6th.