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FourFourTwo.com's Christopher Cox runs his eye over the weekend's efforts in the Premier League...

Manchester City ? 10
(Man Utd A, W 6?1)
Quite extraordinary, thoroughly deserved and highly entertaining. All hail the Premier League champions elect? This was without question the most momentous result in the Premier League for quite some time and one that was a joy to watch. Silva, Balotelli, Dzeko and Aguero lit up the Manchester derby (no jokes about Balotelli?s bathroom, please) and they?ve put smiles on the face of just about every neutral in the land. City don't have to dare to dream anymore. They can dare to believe.

Queens Park Rangers ? 8
(Chelsea H, W 1?0)
Have QPR played a part in the most pivotal weekend of the 2011-12 season to date? Their pressing game prevented Chelsea from playing their usual fluid and flowing football in the first half, the one that ultimately counted. Barton looked every inch the perfect captain, his decision to take the ball off of Taarabt prior to the penalty paid off for a huge three points.

Sunderland ? 8
(Bolton A, W 2?0)
This huge win for Sunderland will ease the pressure on Steve Bruce, though realistically it was a game that could have gone either way. The victory was a timely one - being just the fifth the Black Cats have mustered in their last 23 league outings. Eight out of ten for the magnitude of this result and the potential for it to be a turning point. Perhaps we?ll see more of the prodigious Connor Wickham in the coming weeks, too.

Norwich ? 7.5
(Liverpool A, D 1?1)
A result Canaries fans will be rightly proud of. They?ve not been overawed by the ?big teams? this season and it?s as good a draw as they?ll get all season, especially given how Liverpool rallied late on. This result is another confidence booster and Norwich look almost certain to stay up if performances and results continue in this vein ? what a set of saves by keeper John Ruddy, too.

Everton ? 7
(Fulham A, W 3?1)
It?s hard to see Everton winning all that many games on the road this season ? they only managed four last term ? so this will have gone down very well with the club?s rather concerned fanbase. At times the Everton defence was like the Alamo as Fulham rained in shots and duly got their equaliser. It could have been worse had Zamora not missed a sitter, but Saha and Rodwell?s late late strikes provide a fortunate yet welcome three points.

Arsenal ? 7
(Stoke H, W 3?1)
Arsenal?s record against Stoke may be horrible, but Van Persie?s in front of goal is fantastic. A good win for the Gunners, but they need to learn how to score without their captain. Positives? Fourth place is up for grabs again based on this performance, but results like this need to keep coming. As for negatives, look no further than Chamakh ? lazy, tepid and just not a very ?Arsenal? player.

Tottenham Hotspur ? 7
(Blackburn A, W 2?1)
Job done. Van der Vaart was in scintillating form and Spurs have averaged two points per game, a record which, should it continue, will put Harry Redknapp?s side in a very strong position in the race for a top four spot. They took the opportunities presented to them on the Ewood Park pitch and off it ? with Liverpool only drawing, this was a good weekend for the men from White Hart Lane.

West Brom ? 7
(Aston Villa A, W 2?1)
The talking points will be Alan Hutton?s tackle and Chris Herd?s red card, not the Baggies? win, which is unfortunate. Hard-fought wins like this point toward a mid-table finish for Roy Hodgson?s men, and full credit to them for capitalising on the opportunity presented to them. A good win and their first at Villa Park since Art Garfunkel?s ?Bright Eyes? was number one in the hit parade?

Newcastle ? 7
(Wigan H, W 1-0)
It took 81 minutes to come but their fans won?t mind. Newcastle knocked on the door throughout the game against lowly Wigan and they?ve now cemented their place as a top half team. Measures of a good team include grinding out results, finding that goal from somewhere just as it looks as thought all hope is lost and beating the underdogs when required to do so. Newcastle met all those requirements on Saturday.

Swansea ? 6
(Wolves A, D 2?2)
Not a result Swans fans will look back on fondly, but the performance was certainly impressive. It was all going swimmingly, with Vorm playing the game of his life, another goal for ?Golden? Graham and a 2-0 lead that looked unassailable - but they then blew it against a side who had looked awful at best for most of the 90 minutes. A worrying sign, not least in a match against a potential relegation rival.

Wolves ? 5.5
(Swansea H, D 2?2)
For a long time it looked as though Mick McCarthy?s men were in trouble ? as was the man himself, with boos ringing around Molineux owing to some ?interesting? substitutions. Wolves were abysmal and yet somehow got the two goals to level it up but this is by no means a bright new dawn for Wolves. It?s probably fair to say they papered over the cracks with their point rather than building towards anything solid.

Liverpool ? 5.5
(Norwich H, D 1?1)
While Liverpool are ambitious, it doesn?t look as though this season will be the one where they get back into the top four. This wasn?t as bad a result as, say, their loss to Wolves last season, but it may have a brought back a few bad memories of the Hodgson era for some Reds fans. You don?t qualify for the Champions League without winning home games against sides outside the elite, so a draw against a newly promoted team is no good to them.

Aston Villa ? 5
(West Brom H, L 2?1)
On paper Villa had the better team, but this reign of Alex McLeish seems to be defined by the club?s continuing run of below par performances and underwhelming results. Villa are in a rut and losing to West Brom at home will be seen as unacceptable by the club?s fans. With five of last season?s top six coming up in the next ten matches, could things be set to get worse before they get better?

Wigan ? 5
(Newcastle A, L 1-0)
Only losing 1?0 is almost an achievement for Wigan these days, especially when facing a side in as ruthless form as Newcastle are at present. It seems nothing has changed since that final day relegation decider last season, and it feels like light-years since those euphoric scenes at the Britannia. How they will regret Rodallega?s missed chance in the first half?

Fulham ? 5
(Everton H, L 3-1)
A winnable fixture and for most of the game Fulham played as if they would take at least something, with the Cottagers creating several chances to put themselves in front. Bryan Ruiz?s audacious chip will have inspired the Craven Cottage faithful but it was a completely false dawn. Seven points from nine games isn?t good enough, nor were their squandered opportunities. There is a slight bit of hope on the horizon ? Wigan away up next...

Stoke - 5
(Arsenal A, L 3?1)
Maybe the good old days of Arsenal being intimidated by Stoke are over, maybe they suffered from hard luck due to an inspired substitution. Either way, Stoke lost 3?1 at the Emirates which in itself is hardly humiliating, though Tony Pulis will be concerned his side once again fell short following a midweek European match. Still, another goal from Crouch proved just how good a signing he is.

Bolton ? 4
(Sunderland H, L 2?0)
What is going on at the Reebok? Answers on a postcard please, as it?s baffling stuff. Following last weekend?s success over Wigan, you?d have tipped Bolton to record back-to-back wins due to Sunderland?s equally poor start to the season. Is this a sinking ship? Owen Coyle is constantly praised for having a commendable ?footballing philosophy?, but has he met his match? Can he show strength in a relegation battle??

Blackburn Rovers ? 4
(Tottenham H, L 2?1)
How long can Rovers stick with Steve Kean? In truth, it?s surprising he?s lasted this long. The league table tells you all you need to know, five points from nine games, one win and five defeats. The ineptitude of sides around them is the only thing preventing them from being completely cut adrift.

Chelsea ? 3
(QPR A, L 1?0)
Horrific. David Luiz, Jose Bosingwa and Dider Drogba let their team down in quite some fashion at Loftus Road. Luiz has looked defensively shaky in recent weeks and giving away the penalty wouldn?t have helped his confidence. Bosingwa showed glimpses of his Ancelotti-era self with a clumsy tug on Shaun Wright-Phillips that drew a red card, while Drogba?s tackle and sending off was a result of his sheer frustration at being isolated up front. Bouncing back from this will be Villas-Boas? first real test.

Manchester United ? 1
(Man City H, L 6?1)
There can?t be many weekends when you see a one out of ten rating for the champions, but this is deserved ? it may well have been zero were it not for Darren Fletcher?s goal. A horrendous result for United, who rang the changes - as they had done at Liverpool - and they again paid the price. Evans? dismissal shouldn?t be an excuse for the margin of defeat - United looked stale with 11 men and those left on the pitch looked largely disinterested.

Source: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2011/10/24/premier-ratings-city-dare-to-believe-as-chelsea-amp-united-endure-hell.aspx

Wayne Rooney Zinedine Zidane David Villa Xavi

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White Hart Lane wants Celtic Park star. Watch Premier League Online Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is monitoring the progress of Celtic winger James Forrest but insists he is a long way off making any move for the star. Best Money Back Specials ? Free �50 Bet for all new Paddy Power customers Spurs chief [...]

Source: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/31/tottenham-keen-on-signing-celtic-winger/

Ronaldo Wayne Rooney Zinedine Zidane David Villa

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Lille star Eden Hazard has put a number of Premier League �clubs on red alert after admitting he is likely to leave the reigning Ligue 1 champions next summer Sky Sports reports. The talented Belgian playmaker was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer with Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs vying for [...]

Source: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/10/premiership/premier-league-quartet-on-transfer-alert-as-playmaker-hints-at-move

Raul Lionel Messi Christiano Ronaldo Adriano

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This is Andrea Pirlo as a perfect werewolf

For years, many have wondered about the secret to Andre Pirlo's impressive head of hair. And now, to mark the Halloween holiday, Juventus' official website has released this undoctored picture of Pirlo under a full moon.

You see, Andre Pirlo is a werewolf. And not the silly Twilight kind -- a real one. Like Michael J. Fox.

For more Juve players as various ghouls (and Gigi Buffon as The Crow), check the club's Facebook page.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/This-is-Andrea-Pirlo-as-a-perfect-werewolf?urn=sow-wp6188

David Villa Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol

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More exclusive insights from New York Red Bulls hit-man Luke Rodgers. Here he tells Kris Heneage about goals, unique fans, and naked interviews...

What a difference this month has been from the last time I spoke to you guys. I?ve not only been playing football again, but I?ve also been scoring goals. I managed to get my first against FC Dallas, which was nice: after a spell out through injury that first goal is always important.

From there we had Real Salt Lake at home a few days later. I know I?ve stressed before just how competitive this league is, and that anyone can beat anyone, but I think the game against Real Salt Lake really proved my point.

Obviously in the wake of that 3-1 defeat, Rafa Marquez said some things that were picked up, and made big headlines. I know it?s not nice to critcise team-mates but I think sometimes it can be very difficult because of how quickly you have to speak to the media here.

They?re in the dressing room immediately after the game while you?re getting changed. That means you don?t get that time to calm down like you would in England, so sometimes you may say something you regret.

I mean, imagine Manchester United losing at Old Trafford and you stick a camera in front of Sir Alex Ferguson?s face: he?s going to say something different than if he?s had that 10-15 minutes to himself. The important thing is that we had a team meeting the next day and everybody left happy.

Three days after that we had the Portland Timbers, who are a bit crazy. I say that because at their home games they have a lumberjack pitchside that slices up a tree when they score. We have our own super fan though, he?s called ?Jonny Toro?. He actually dresses up like a bull. I mean glued-on horns, ring through the nose ? the lot.

The fans out here really do love their football. It?s great to see them get involved, especially doing something as unique as that. Jonny (real name John Russo) has met all the lads and I gave him one of my shirts for his birthday.

Toro with Luke (he's the one on the right)

We started October off with a draw in Toronto. I know it wasn?t a win, but we?d have taken it back in early September if you?d offered us three wins and a draw from five games. Especially because one of those victories came against the favourites for the MLS Cup, LA Galaxy.

I know I joked about scoring the winning goal, but to be honest a win was the most important thing. I was buzzing after I scored though, even though I should have had two. As a team we?re really starting to pick up form which is good. Thierry and me are starting to click up front which always helps. He?s been on fire lately and made it two in two against LA, so hopefully he?ll continue that on.

Luke bags against LA (photo courtesy Jim McCue)

Robbie Keane missed the game against us because he had international duty with the Republic of Ireland. We?ve got a real mixture of nationalities and actually had five or six lads that flew out the morning after the LA game to places like Jamaica, Mexico and Senegal. I?m a big England fan and I watch the games. In terms of career dreams I?ve had, playing for my country is up there with playing for Birmingham City?

Away from football, I?ve been checking out a few bookshops for things to read. While I was recovering from my injury, I came across a book on jewellery. It tells you how to identify quality gold and diamonds so you aren?t getting ripped off. It just interested me at the time so I decided to buy it and do some reading up on it. I like to learn and try new things and in a place like New York that?s really easy to do.

Soon we'll know for definite if we?ve made the play offs. You might not believe me, but I?m not really nervous as I think we can do it. We set ourselves up with some great results during September and I think with a squad like ours, the play offs should be the minimum we achieve. We?ve got two games to go, and if we can win both of those it?ll give us a great foundation and hopefully more things for me to tell you about...

Source: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/anenglishmaninnewyork/archive/2011/10/14/dressing-room-disagreements-ring-nosed-fans-and-career-dreams.aspx

Deco Ronaldinho Drogba Michael Essien

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Drunk Referee

The last time I visited the Czech Republic, there were two occasions on which I was given beer before midday. They love the stuff so much that they bathe in it. Yet most Czechs don't let their predisposition for the grain get in the way of their professional lives ? an recent exception being the referee who was so loaded during a recent match that he could barely stand up:

A referee was so drunk at a Czech football match that he constantly fell over, sent off three players for no apparent reason before police stepped in and breathalysed the boozed-up official.

"His breath smelt like a brewery and he didn't hide the fact that he had been celebrating a birthday," Karel Dusek, an official from the Jestrabi Lhota club, told the Lidove Noviny newspaper.

The man in question is Tomas Fidra, who judged himself fit enough to take charge of Jestrabi's visit to Tynec-nad-Labem, despite being more tanked than Lindsay Lohan on a night out with Charlie Sheen. Fidra's lack of control was so blatant, that when the former were reduced to eight men, the home side demonstrated some good sportsmanship by agreeing not to attack. As there's no rule stopping a drunk referee presiding over a match, if either side had refused to play, they could have been sanctioned.

According to the English report and the original Czech newspaper, the ref had a 1.94 alcohol level in his blood. Either that's a typo, a European measurement scale or he has a superhuman tolerance for alcohol, as a level above 0.5% would kill most mortal folk.

Thankfully, the regional football authority decided to annul the match, and the shamed ref could face a 12-month suspension. Suddenly, Chris Foy's perceived errors don't seem so bad...

UPDATE: Mad props to reader Zoltan Baba, who reveals that the blood alcohol figure in the article is 1.94 permille, which equals 0.194% BAC. Which is still enough to bring down a herd of rampaging Keith Richardses.

Image: sportreport.lidovky.cz

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Drunk-referee-sends-three-players-off-for-no-par?urn=sow-wp6007

Wayne Rooney Zinedine Zidane David Villa Xavi

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Another weekend of Premier League action analysed with the Stats Zone app from FFT & Opta... try it today!

Once again a meeting between some of the division's European representatives went goaltastic as Arsenal won 5-3 at Chelsea. However, this old-school scoreline doesn't mean shots were raining in from everywhere; indeed, the total number of attempts was 27, below the league average of 29.1 ? only Norwich-Blackburn, Wigan-Fulham and Everton-Man United had fewer shots, while Tottenham-QPR racked up 39.

As the graphic shows, Chelsea shaded the number of attempts and matched the number on target, but Wojciech Szczesny fielded five of the hosts' seven accurate attempts while Petr Cech only saved four of Arsenal's seven. Gervinho's set-up for Robin van Persie's first makes it four times this season that the Ivorian has assisted the Dutchman ? the Premier League's most prolific combination.

Chelsea have been playing a high defensive line this season and Arsenal weren't too purist to exploit it. They frequently attempted to play Theo Walcott in behind Ashley Cole ? a tactic suggested in a Stats Zone blog by Michael Cox on Friday ? and attempted 29 long balls to Chelsea's 25. Arsenal haven't attempted more long balls since the opening day of the season, at Newcastle; indeed in last month's home game against Bolton they only tried eight long balls.

The goalkeepers' passing chart is illuminating. Although not shy about bowling the ball out to full-backs, Szczesny also attempted to stretch Chelsea (and restrict Cole) by playing it long to Walcott ? and although it didn't always work for the young Pole, not a single one of Cech's balls beyond halfway reached its target.

Speaking of goalkeepers, David De Gea kept his place in the Man United team despite last weekend's 6-1 pummelling by Man City ? and rightly so. The young Spaniard is the only goalkeeper this season to have made eight or more saves in a match and retain a clean sheet ? a feat he managed against Tottenham back in August and again this weekend at Everton.

Indeed, every side playing Man United this season in the Premier League has managed at least 13 shots on goal ? a figure the Red Devils have themselves failed to reach on four occasions, including at Goodison this weekend, where they recorded just seven. Their shot-to-goal conversion rate of 23.48% makes them the division's most efficient chance-takers.

Once again at Everton De Gea's impermeability at the other end helped them gain all three points, but it might help if the goalkeeper was more accurate in his distribution - his pass completion of 45% was worse than all bar three Premier League goalkeepers this weekend.

The most pass-happy goalkeeper this weekend was Swansea's Michel Vorm, who against Bolton completed 32 of his 33 passes ? only two of which were long. Vorm completed more passes than any Wanderer except Nigel Reo-Coker as the Jacks' intricate short game passed the visitors to death: Leon Britton completed all 67 of his passes, the highest number of passes with 100% accuracy in the last six seasons.

Not all the promoted teams are as tied to one playing style. Like Norwich, QPR have played a fair amount of possession football while also being happy to hit it long when occasion requires. The passes Heidar Helguson received at Tottenham show this: most are long, with the Icelander dropping onto the left wing at QPR goal-kicks (presumably fancying his chances more against Kyle Walker than centre-backs Younes Kaboul and Ledley King).

Helguson was much less involved after a half-time double substitution changed QPR's set-up. Shaking up his 4-4-1-1, Neil Warnock replaced linkman Adel Taraabt and central midfielder Shaun Derry with Jay Bothroyd and Jamie Mackie. By tapping on each half in the Player Influence screen, which shows each player's average position, we can see that the attacking switch made QPR significantly narrower, with even Shaun Wright-Phillips coming in off the wing into the congested central areas.

It worked: having limped to three shots in the first half, QPR managed 11 after the break ? but only scored one. Meanwhile, Manchester United only managed half of QPR's total and won 1-0 at Everton ? while at Wigan, Fulham didn't complete a cross all day and only had six attempts, but two of them went in and they went home happy. In the end, it all comes down to efficiency: ask Sir Alex.

Fancy a go at Stats Zone? Try it today by downloading from iTunes ? all last season's stats are free of charge ? and tweet us your analysis @StatsZone...

Source: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/statszone/archive/2011/10/31/premier-analysis.aspx

Thierry Henry Ricardo Kaka Frank Lampard Michael Owen

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Jonathan Bornstein is quite popular in Honduras. He might want to consider hiding there for a while. Yes, you could say it was unfortunate that Steve Cherundolo, the USA’s starting right back, sprained his ankle so soon after his team had taken a seemingly improbable lead against Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final. Cherundolo [...]

Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/06/26/pin-the-fail-on-the-bradley/

Frank Lampard Michael Owen Robinho Ronaldo

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It’s NCAA Tournament week here in America, and as the college basketball-loving masses fill out their brackets in the vain hope of actually winning a few bucks, the press turns to head coaches from schools that just missed out on invitations to the Big Dance(tm). Angry coaches whose jobs hinge on these invitations often have [...]

Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/03/16/should-the-ncaa-tournament-be-more-like-the-uefa-champions-league/

Maradona David Beckham Gianluigi Buffon Deco

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These images have been kicking around these here interwebs for the last couple of days. You’re probably wondering where they came from. They are the work of one�Jimmy Nutini, an aspiring designer and self-proclaimed “logo nerd” from Rhode Island who wondered what NFL jerseys might look like if they were soccer shirts. So he grabbed [...]

Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/02/01/and-now-jimmy-nutinis-soccer-style-nfl-shirts/

Raul Lionel Messi Christiano Ronaldo Adriano

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The best place to start this weekend?s evaluation, At Stamford Bridge, where Arsenal shocked the nation, Robin Van Persie continues to score, John Terry meanwhile wages war, Up in Manchester, people were vexed, What on earth could Balotelli do next? After last week?s shenanigans, sadly not a lot, Despite taking their time, City won at [...]

Source: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/10/football-blogs/premier-league-weekend-review-2

Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol Andres Iniesta

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Source: http://www.kickette.com/trick-or-treat-guess-the-masked-ballers-edition/

Rio Ferdinand John Terry Karim Benzema Xabi Alonso

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NY Red Bulls advertise playoff match they haven?t reached yet

The MLS playoffs have arrived and the New York Red Bulls are trying to sell as many tickets as they can for their home semifinal match against the L.A. Galaxy on October 30 with a giant ad at the top of their official website. The only problem is that New York has the small matter of a first round match in Dallas on October 26 to get through first.

Yes, hours before they start their playoff campaign, they're already selling tickets for the next round without so much as an "if we make it..." That's confidence.

UPDATE: And that confidence proved well-founded. New York beat Dallas 2-0 to validate their advertising and the hunches of conspiracy theorists. Is David Stern running MLS while the NBA is locked out?

Spotted by the Galaxy's @JaimeACardenas

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Miami football coach causes craze with game-day fashion
? Newlywed QB Tony Romo and wife expecting Li'l Cowboy
? Detroit girl excels for high school football team ? as offensive lineman

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/NY-Red-Bulls-advertise-playoff-match-they-haven-?urn=sow-wp6068

Pablo Aimar Michael Ballack Maradona David Beckham

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Defender Cristiano Diaz of Newell's Old Boys got his face stomped on by All Boys Carlos Soto during Monday's 1-1 draw. It's amazing he still has his jaw attached and it didn't liquify or something. Even more amazing is the fact that Diaz ignored the stretcher that was brought out for him.

Soto wasn't booked and Diaz played the full 90 minutes.

Video via Globo

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/DTotD-Argentine-player-gets-his-face-trampled-o?urn=sow-wp6096

John Terry Karim Benzema Xabi Alonso Raul

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St James’ Park bad boy in more trouble. Watch Premier League Online Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger has been arrested again following a night out drinking with friends. Best Money Back Specials ? Free �50 Bet for all new Paddy Power customers Police arrested the 20-year-old yesterday morning in Newcastle’s Cathedral Square, near the city’s [...]

Source: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/31/nile-ranger-arrested-over-night-out-drinking-in-newcastle/

Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol Andres Iniesta

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Another Premier League weekend, another pantomime parade of goodies and baddies. Mark Booth cheers and boos

HEROES

Anthony Pilkington
It will have felt like a long international break for Anthony Pilkington. Having missed a golden opportunity to put his side 1-0 up at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, Pilkington got to work on the training ground ? and it paid off with a double salvo against fellow newly-promoted side Swansea. The first goal, after just 49 seconds, was particularly clinical with Pilkington hitting it on the turn to end his sleepless nights. Vital in securing the Canaries' third win of the season.

Bolton Wanderers
Cause for optimism at last for the Bolton faithful as they ran out comfortable winners at Wigan. A first goal for summer capture David Ngog, as well as an inspired performance from Chris Eagles, ended a run of six successive defeats for the Trotters. Phil Gartside isn't a trigger-happy chairman, but another defeat here would have put at least a question mark over Owen Coyle's future. Wanderers fans can start to look up the table with a fixture list that suddenly doesn't look quite as scary as their early-season assault course.

Newcastle United
Alan Pardew's men passed their most significant test of the season so far. Falling behind twice to Tottenham, Newcastle showed their team spirit by rallying for a hard-earned point ? and weren't happy to settle for a point even after Shola Ameobi's brilliant equaliser. There's more to this team than bluster, though: Yohan Cabaye looks a classy addition and with Hatem Ben Arfa and Davide Santon coming off the bench, they look to have a good mix of exciting young prospects and seasoned Premier League campaigners. Credit to Alan Pardew for dealing with the exits of last year's core trio of Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll to build a squad with real competition for places on a tight budget.

Robin van Persie
Arsenal's captain and saviour-in-chief continues to mop up sub-editors' superlative quotas. A stunning free-kick eclipsing the earlier effort from Seb Larsson settled their win over Sunderland. Van Persie's contract situation is a continuing headache for Arsene Wenger who is under no illusions as to the Dutchman's importance for the Gunners: ?Robin van Persie is a special player and he's shown that again today. He's blessed at the moment and let's touch wood with his injuries. He's shown what a great player he is when he can be consistently playing.?

Liverpool
Despite a turgid first half at Anfield, Liverpool excelled in the second and were unfortunate not to get three points. Steven Gerrard isn't quite back to his imperious best but provided the relentless drive from midfield that they've missed. The returning talisman's explosive energy was at the heart of everything good about Liverpool on Saturday, as he chased lost causes and gave the United defence an uncomfortable afternoon. One lapse in concentration spoiled the perfect day for Liverpool but they've got cause to believe that the gulf between United and themselves has been exaggerated.

Roy Hodgson
A comfortable win against Wolves was just the tonic for Hodgson, who must have been starting to get worried. The Baggies had won only one game all season and Hodgson doesn't have to leaf too far back through West Brom's history for the name of Roberto di Matteo, who was hastily removed from the hot seat last season.

VILLAINS?

Wigan and Antolin Alcaraz
No-one in football wants to see Roberto Martinez fail but beside Mohamed Diame's excellent equaliser and the return of Hugo Rodellega, this was another soul-sapping afternoon. A terrible performance was characterised by hapless centre-half Antolin Alcaraz, whose errors during a masterclass of bad defending were exposed not only by Bolton but also by Alan Hansen in a Match of the Day clipreel which will have had Wigan fans cowering behind their couches. A much better defender than this evidence suggests, Alcaraz needs to find some form quickly. So do Wigan.

Gabriel Agbonlahor
Such is the tidal nature of football, Agbonlahor's chance against Manchester City was probably the pivotal moment of the match. Score and the Etihad Stadium's natives might have grown restless, having not seen their team fall behind this season ? especially with former City stars Richard Dunne and Shay Given's reputations for rearguard actions. As it happened, Joe Hart was equal to the one-on-one and City helped themselves to four goals.

Sunderland
Although Sunderland could count themselves somewhat unfortunate to leave North London with nothing, their willingness to gift-wrap shots on Simon Mignolet's goals through free-kicks was staggering. Wes Brown, Michael Turner and John O'Shea were all guilty of diving in on Arsenal's attacking triumvirate of Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Robin van Persie ? and it eventually proved to be the difference between the teams.

Wolves
Five straight league defeats means Wolves continue to slide down the table, meaning August's flirtation with the Champions League berths are a fuzzy, half-forgotten dream for most Wanderers fans. Mick McCarthy's post-match press-conference prickliness about the logo on West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner's T-shirt told you that this was a man feeling the pressure. Next Saturday's lunchtime encounter with Swansea is as close to must-win as a game in October gets.

Luis Suarez
Whether Patrice Evra's accusations of racism are true or not, the Uruguayan doesn't exactly shy away from a flashpoint. A frustrating afternoon in front of goal told on a striker who is in danger of letting moments of petulance overshadow his more admirable talents.

Source: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2011/10/17/heroes-amp-villains-epl-highlights-and-horror-shows.aspx

Michael Ballack Maradona David Beckham Gianluigi Buffon

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Anfield side keen on White Hart Lane youngster. Liverpool v Swansea City Live Streaming Best Money Back Specials ? Free �50 Bet for all new Paddy Power customers. Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to sign Tottenham midfielder and Mexican international, Giovani Dos Santos. The attacking midfielder arrived at White Hart Lane from Barcelona in [...]

Source: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/10/31/liverpool-plot-surprise-9-7m-bid-for-tottenham-attacker/

Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol Andres Iniesta

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As Wayne Rooney returns to making headlines for the right reason with two Champions League goals against Otelul Galati, Declan Warrington explains why the Manchester United star must be included in Fabio Capello's squad for Euro 2012, despite his three-match ban...

Within Fabio Capello?s current mess there exists a wider dysfunction: an over-reliance upon individuals, a lack of a Plan B and an inherent lack of character.

The confirmation, then, that Wayne Rooney is suspended for the Euro 2012 group stages has potentially devastating consequences.

England are already a side with the flexibility and predictability of a freight train. Removing their best player - one of the few with a capricious quality to his play - suddenly strips them of the last dregs of spontaneity that could just conjure a first tournament highlight since Euro 2004.

Succeeding in international football entails navigating a process of fine lines and small percentages. The ability to create something above and beyond that of a mere mortal can make the crucial difference and quite rightly ensures the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Dennis Bergkamp are firmly written into the annals of tournament football history. Rooney, far more than any other England player, has the ability to join them.

The arguments against his inclusion are as futile as they are mystifying. If England are to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals - a genuine achievement if not lofty ambition - Rooney has to be involved. Those arguments are based on the concept that a squad place would be wasted and therefore better served by a striker who can be picked for the first three games, an argument that may have substantial substance were it not for England's shortage of genuine forward options.

At Euro 96, Terry Venables opted to select Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand, leaving out Andy Cole, Peter Beardsley, Stan Collymore, Chris Sutton and Ian Wright. Fabio Capello has no such luxury.

In Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll, England have promise and potential, but little more. Darren Bent is a prolific domestic goalscorer but still unproven at the highest level, Jermain Defoe isn't a Tottenham regular and Peter Crouch is clearly not to Capello's liking.

Consequently it can be safely assumed that Capello will include four strikers in his final squad. Bent is currently in pole position to be one, Welbeck and Carroll - who Capello has admitted to liking - are likely to be two more. Sturridge looks set to have the biggest future of that group but he doesn't provide a drastically different option to either Bent or Welbeck, making Rooney the outstanding candidate for the fourth spot (with Walcott likely to go as a winger, rather than central striker).

For Capello, being limited to three strikers represents risking England's chances of advancing beyond their group. Ignoring this isn't something that comes naturally to the Italian's deep-rooted conservatism - his reputation has been built upon successes achieved by trusting experienced, reliable performers instead of gambling on the promise and captivations of youth ? but it?s a calculated gamble given Rooney?s standing as a player within the context of viable alternatives.

With Rooney's inclusion comes the experience of two World Cups, a European Championship, three Champions League finals and seven full seasons at one of club football's elite.

Beyond his on-pitch qualities is his popularity within the England squad - a player adored for his enthusiasm for the game and for entertaining others is one that cannot be instantly dismissed within the monotonous restrictions of Camp Capello. Therein also lays the possibility that this figure - a victim of UEFA?s harsh punishment - could incite among his team-mates an inner anger at a perceived injustice and nurture a siege mentality from which they could grow.

Ultimately, England?s manager finds himself in an unenviable ?catch 22? of prodigious proportions. Leaving Rooney at home would mean any failure beyond the group stage would be blamed upon his absence - taking him, however, means any failures will likely be attributed to the distractions of his presence.

If it is as a team unit that England?s greatest problems become apparent - sterile, passionless, joyless football, bereft of invention and technical prowess - then removing Rooney, the driven playground footballer and a technician of the very highest caliber, is an exercise in exacerbation.

There was a time when it was wrongly assumed one player could make all the difference for England. In 2002 and 2006, broken metatarsals ensured panic-stricken build-ups to two World Cups when the potential absence of an individual - first David Beckham and then Rooney ? was thought to denote the end of any English hopes.

Then, England had a stronger side and others with the ability to compensate - Scholes and Owen in 2002, Gerrard or Lampard four years later. Now, with Wilshere?s fitness a doubt and Gerrard?s decline regrettably debatable, Rooney?s importance is unparalleled.

An injury against Portugal in 2004 stole his international equilibrium and it has yet to be recovered. Rooney has work to do at this level - he has to be given a chance to do it.

Follow Declan Warrington on Twitter @decwarrington

Source: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2011/10/19/ending-the-argument-why-wayne-rooney-must-go-to-euro-2012.aspx

Samuel Etto Steven Gerrard Thierry Henry Ricardo Kaka

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Drunk Referee

The last time I visited the Czech Republic, there were two occasions on which I was given beer before midday. They love the stuff so much that they bathe in it. Yet most Czechs don't let their predisposition for the grain get in the way of their professional lives ? an recent exception being the referee who was so loaded during a recent match that he could barely stand up:

A referee was so drunk at a Czech football match that he constantly fell over, sent off three players for no apparent reason before police stepped in and breathalysed the boozed-up official.

"His breath smelt like a brewery and he didn't hide the fact that he had been celebrating a birthday," Karel Dusek, an official from the Jestrabi Lhota club, told the Lidove Noviny newspaper.

The man in question is Tomas Fidra, who judged himself fit enough to take charge of Jestrabi's visit to Tynec-nad-Labem, despite being more tanked than Lindsay Lohan on a night out with Charlie Sheen. Fidra's lack of control was so blatant, that when the former were reduced to eight men, the home side demonstrated some good sportsmanship by agreeing not to attack. As there's no rule stopping a drunk referee presiding over a match, if either side had refused to play, they could have been sanctioned.

According to the English report and the original Czech newspaper, the ref had a 1.94 alcohol level in his blood. Either that's a typo, a European measurement scale or he has a superhuman tolerance for alcohol, as a level above 0.5% would kill most mortal folk.

Thankfully, the regional football authority decided to annul the match, and the shamed ref could face a 12-month suspension. Suddenly, Chris Foy's perceived errors don't seem so bad...

UPDATE: Mad props to reader Zoltan Baba, who reveals that the blood alcohol figure in the article is 1.94 permille, which equals 0.194% BAC. Which is still enough to bring down a herd of rampaging Keith Richardses.

Image: sportreport.lidovky.cz

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Drunk-referee-sends-three-players-off-for-no-par?urn=sow-wp6007

Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol Andres Iniesta

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In one of the most entertainingly sloppy matches you'll see all season, Arsenal came from behind twice to beat Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge. Robin van Persie once again carried Arsenal with a hat trick while John Terry experienced the high of a go-ahead goal just before halftime and another decisive slip to clear the way for van Persie's winner. But with all the madness this match contained in a mere 90 minutes, we really must ask: "What if it continued?"

97' -- Mario Balotelli (who is everywhere and nowhere) reveals a shirt that says "Why always John Terry?"

101' -- Carlo Ancelotti prepares to send Andre Villas-Boas a "So you've been sacked by Roman Abramovich" informational pamphlet. Avram Grant mumbles "one of us, one of us" in a dark corner of their tree house.

109' -- Excited by his discovery that falling down can lead to scoring a goal, Theo Walcott tries to do it again even though he was subbed off in the 79th minute. He dislocates both his shoulders and loses four teeth.

114' -- Robin van Persie scores, Arsenal officially renamed Robin van Persie.

118' -- In attendance to watch Per Mertesacker, Jogi Low wonders why he traveled to England just to watch Per Mertesacker.

123' -- David Luiz begs to get in on the action. He promptly gets sent off for plowing into Aaron Ramsey and mimicking the referee's every movement for five minutes straight.

130' -- Raul Meireles decides to be a guy with a normal haircut for Halloween. Gervinho thinks that sounds stupid.

134' -- John Terry makes sure he tells everyone, repeatedly, that Chelsea's backup goalkeeper for the match is his best friend.

137' -- Andrei Arshavin giggles, texts Nicklas Bendtner: "How is Sunderland? :))))))" Robin van Persie scores.

140' -- Not used to the feeling of happiness, several Arsenal fans think how this will only make it hurt that much more when Robin van Persie leaves.

145' -- John Terry finally realizes that using his homemade "butter studs" only get him in trouble. Other things he realizes this about: opening his mouth, associating with relatives or existing.

150' -- Didier Drogba officially declares the match a "f***ing disgrace." Mostly out of habit.

152' -- After its latest indignity this season, the art of defending dies from embarrassment.

Photo: Getty

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/If-it-continued-Chelsea-v-Arsenal-?urn=sow-wp6140

Adriano Pablo Aimar Michael Ballack Maradona

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There are, of course, some obvious differences between Rex Ryan and Jose Mourinho. The latter has a case full of trophies as manager, while the former’s only ring came when he was a defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV. Plus, it’s only obvious that one of them eats [...]

Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/17/the-special-ones/

Michael Ballack Maradona David Beckham Gianluigi Buffon

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For obvious reasons, professional footballers aren't allowed to take part in dangerous or extreme sports, and contracts often stipulate they're not allowed to ride on or own motorbikes. So naturally, the entire Real Madrid squad convened at a go kart track in the Spanish capital yesterday, with the ultimate goal of helping club sponsor Audi sell some more cars.

According to German tabloid Bild, the players' driving styles matched their on-pitch characteristics: Cristiano Ronaldo was ambitious, Sergio Ramos difficult to get past and Mesut �zil was "as careful as a shy deer".

The day was as competitive as you might expect ? with many players taking to Twitter with weak excuses for their performances ? but it was Arsenal target Esteban Granero who finished top of the podium, with a best lap around 0.6 second quicker than runner-up Karim Benzema.

The whole day was an excuse for Audi to deliver the players their new (read: "free") cars. Although C-Ron showed fallibility on the track, he'll almost certainly be quickest on the roads ? he was gifted an ?186,000 R8 Spyder, worth double the A8 that Jose Mourinho drove home.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Esteban-Granero-is-faster-than-Cristiano-Ronaldo?urn=sow-wp5916

Xavi Iker Casillas Puyol Andres Iniesta

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Once upon a time, anyone who had a limb amputated was considered an outcast in Haiti. Then a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a year ago, and all of the sudden, a large portion of the country knew someone who had lost a limb. That mindset clearly had to change. Football has proven to be the driving [...]

Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/19/football-removes-stigma-from-haitian-amputees/

Steven Gerrard Thierry Henry Ricardo Kaka Frank Lampard

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The balance of power has shifted. Gone are the days where players of the beautiful game pride themselves on loyalty and commitment to their clubs. Money and power are now the name of the game. Media propaganda, controversy and hard-nose ?show-me-the-money? negotiation by agents has cheapened football into a ?Hollywood meets politics? production. Carlos Tevez [...]

Source: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/10/football-blogs/the-actual-victim-of-footballs-obsession-with-money-and-power

Michael Essien Samuel Etto Steven Gerrard Thierry Henry

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