Last season Marseille won at Anfield in this competition and started a
crisis that almost cost boss Rafael Benitez his job. Since then
Liverpool have beaten Marseille three times, with Gerrard scoring four
goals.
Nicolas Anelka's 60th-minute strike, his 14th of the season, looked set to give Chelsea their first away win in Europe this season. It was an extremely poor performance from Scolari's side who had goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for keeping them in the game in the first half. In the 86th minutes, Frank Lampard was then sent off for a second bookable offence as Chelsea's night ended on a sour note.
United looked the more assured of the two sides throughout the game
but it took them until the 41st minute before they made a real impact.
Villarreal were then reduced to 10 men four minutes later when
Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo has he tried to
race down field. Despite being a man up, United had little time to
make their advantage pay. However a draw confirmed both teams place in
the next stage.
United looked the more assured of the two sides throughout the game
but it took them until the 41st minute before they made a real impact.
Villarreal were then reduced to 10 men four minutes later when
Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo has he tried to
race down field. Despite being a man up, United had little time to
make their advantage pay. However a draw confirmed both teams place in
the next stage.
The Frenchman concedes that retaining the trophy is more difficult
than winning it, but feels United have as good a chance of any this
season. United need a point from their game on Tuesday night in
Villarreal to secure progression to the competition's last 16.
Fabregas also realise that it is a big responsibility, but he is sure
that his team have the spirit and commitment to get back to winning
ways and fulfil their potential.
Wenger insists he has no regrets about making the outspoken Frenchman
his Arsenal captain after the departure of Thierry Henry. However, the
Gunners boss accepted the pressures of the role may have taken their
toll in the end.
Inter-Juve fierce rivalry worsened in 2006 when Juve were stripped of
the title and demoted in a match-fixing scandal, leaving Inter to be
awarded the championship and then sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick
Vieira from their rivals. Mourinho and Juventus counterpart Ranieri
are also far from being best friends after a number of crossed words
and the fact that Ranieri was sacked by Chelsea in 2004 to make way
for the Portuguese.
Last week, the Old Trafford boss also mentioned about the possibility
of recalling Frazier Campbell from White Hart Lane in January transfer
window. The young striker is currently on a loan spell with Tottenham
since the signing of Dimitar Berbatov who moved to the opposite
direction.
City beat the Blues to the forward's signature on transfer deadline
day in the summer, but Scolari appears still to be keen on the
24-year-old. Robinho signed for City sight unseeen for a record
£32.5million fee, having fallen out with Real, but has been in
free-scoring form and has started to enjoy life in Manchester, even
choosing to tour the city on a municipal bus.
Wayne Rooney had United's best chance of the match in the second half,
but he lashed wildly over the bar from close range after being played
in by an astute pass by Michael Carrick. Martin O'Neill's side ended
their 14-match losing sequence against the Red Devils but the visitors
could have cut the deficit on the pacesetters to six points after the
leading two were both held earlier in the day.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge completed a miserable day for Arsenal by
scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time. Gallas did not travel
with the rest of the squad after making critical comments about the
team in midweek and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia wore the armband
instead.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given saved superbly from Frank Lampard and
Ashley Cole went agonisingly close with a header - but Chelsea failed
to capitalise on Liverpool's home draw with Fulham. The Blues remain
top on goal difference but failed to win at home for the second
successive game.
Benitez controversially opted to name midfielder Xabi Alonso among his
substitutes as Lucas Leiva was offered an opportunity alongside Javier
Mascherano, and Fulham comfortably dealt with the tactic.
The five-times world champions had been held to 0-0 draws in their
last three home games, against Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia, and
had not scored in front of their own fans since last November. The
visitor got their goals from Danny and Simao. It was Brazil's first
win over Portugal since 1989.
Villa gave Spain the lead from the penalty spot before second-half
efforts from Torres, who netted soon after replacing the Valencia
hitman before Cazorla sealed the win as the Euro 2008 winners extended
their unbeaten run to 28 matches.
Dirk Kuyt gave the scoreline a more accurate look with the third goal
in stoppage time. Holland have won three out of three in Group Nine
and even Kim Kallstrom's goal seconds after coming on as a second-half
substitute to halve the deficit could not hide their dominance.
Maradona watched Maxi Rodriguez score the only goal at Hampden Park
before being asked about former England captain Terry Butcher, who was
on the opposing side when Maradona scored his infamous 'Hand of God'
goal in the 1986 World Cup.
Now Scotland's assistant manager, Butcher insisted in the build-up to
the friendly that he would not shake Maradona's hand. Butcher was
nowhere to be seen at the final whistle and asked if he had shaken his
hand, Maradona retorted: "Who is he? Who is Butcher?
A late John Terry header ensured England continued their resurgence
under Fabio Capello with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin to end
2008 on a high. The Three Lions, who recorded a famous 5-1 success on
their last visit to Germany, took a scrappy lead in the 23rd minute as
centre-back Matthew Upson poked home after Rene Adler had flapped at a
Stewart Downing corner.
After the break, England continued to enjoy the better of proceedings
but substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson endure a horrible mix-up with
Terry to allow Germany striker Patrick Helmes to equalise on 63
minutes. Terry headed a late winner at the Olympic Stadium after
Matthew Upson's first-half opener was cancelled out by Patrick Helmes,
and the Chelsea defender was pleased to secure the win.
Injuries forced Fabio Capello to name an experimental line-up in
Wednesday's friendly in Berlin, with Aston Villa striker Gabriel
Agbonlahor making his debut. But an England side which also included
fringe players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Carrick and
Stewart Downing put on a highly impressive performance.
He was immediately taken to hospital, where he had the shoulder put
back into place, but he is now set for a long spell on the sidelines.
This injury is a new setback for the player, as it is his right
shoulder.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has scooped the Barclays Manager of the Month award for October. The Reds won all four of their Premier League games in October to send them top of the table for a spell.
The highly-rated France international is expected to leave the Ligue 1
champions at the end of the season, with no shortage of admirers
waiting in the wings. But Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is
understood to be a long-term fan of Benzema, could now consider a bid
after the 20-year-old confessed that he would be attracted to any 'big
club'.
Anelka's double took his tally to 12 league goals for the season and
eight in the last four games. The Blues also equalled Tottenham's
48-year-old record with a 10th successive away win in the top flight.
The Blues had numerous opportunities to stretch their lead after the
break but, with the result already beyond doubt, they were ultimately
let down by some wayward finishing.
Despite the comfortable win, captain John Terry will need a scan on
his foot injury to determine whether he can join up with Fabio
Capello's squad for Wednesday's friendly international with Germany.
It took just three minutes for Ronaldo to reach his personal milestone
with a trademark free-kick and rounded off United's biggest win of the
season in similar fashion at the end. In between Michael Carrick and
Dimitar Berbatov also found the net, with England Under-19 forward
Danny Welbeck scoring on his debut.
Liverpool have never enjoyed Bolton's physical approach but this time
they stuck to their gameplan and won with fine goals from Dirk Kuyt
and Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool had deservedly taken the lead just before the half-hour when
Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed home a Fabio Aurelio cross. Despite some
more nervous moments, the Reds eventually sealed victory when Gerrard
dived into the six-yard box to head in a Fernando Torres cross.
Bolton however deserved the win with Kevin Nolan returning to the line
up. An own goal from Gael Clichy was followed by a Gabriel Agbonlahor
strike were enough to give Bolton an evening to remember. Furthermore,
Bolton could have won 3-0 if Ashley Young didn't miss a penalty.
Referee Kieth Stroud booked the 30-year-old at the time of the
incident but that was for celebrating in front of the away fans, he
did not see the missile throwing incident. Professional Footballers'
Association (PFA) chief Gordon Taylor expects the Ivory Coast
international to be given a three-match ban by the FA.
Current England manager Fabio Capello could be another suitable
candidate as he has suggested he would love to end his career when he
is 66 at the London Olympics. However, the Prime Minister's ambassador
for the 2018 World Cup bid, Richard Caborn still optimistic that Sir
Alex can still be persuaded for the job.
Daniel Agger has demanded improvement from Liverpool as they look to sustain their Premier League title challenge with victory at Bolton on Saturday. The centre-back was the only player retained in the starting 11 for the midweek Carling Cup defeat against Tottenham.
Amid reports that Liverpool are struggling to fulfill their debt
repayment schedule, there has been speculation that they could sell
Torres. However, but the 24-year-old says he has no intention of
leaving the club. Liverpool are enjoying an impressive start to the a
season and Torres admits he can sense the fans want the title.
Chelsea opened the scoring after 37th minutes through Didier Drogba,
who has just returned from injury. However, Burnley equalised by
Akinbiyi goal in the 70th minute. The scored tied until the end of
extra-time. Obi Mikel and Wayne Bridge failed to score from the spot.
Chelsea opened the scoring after 37th minutes through Didier Drogba,
who has just returned from injury. However, Burnley equalised by
Akinbiyi goal in the 70th minute. The scored tied until the end of
extra-time. Obi Mikel and Wayne Bridge failed to score from the spot.
The Gunners youngsters destroyed Steve Bruce's side with two goals
from Jay Simpson and a third from Mexican teenager Carlos Vela. The
north London club despatched Sheffield United in the previous round
6-0 and they reached the last eight with another superb performance.
The Australian side's hopes were effectively over after Brazilian
striker Lucas scored twice within the opening 15 minutes. The home
side pressed hard throughout but were unable to break down a resolute
Gamba defence. It is Gamba's first Asian club championship victory and
gives Japanese clubs back-to-back wins following Urawa Red Diamonds'
2007 ACL triumph.
Spurs raced into a 3-0 lead with a devastating spell of three goals in
six minutes at the end of the first half thanks to efforts from Roman
Pavlyuchenko (38) and Fraizer Campbell 42, 45). Liverpool pulled a
goal back four minutes after the break with Damien Plessis' header
from Ryan Babel's corner the visitors' first attempt on target.
Tottenham quickly snuffed out any threat of a Liverpool comeback with
Pavlyuchenko netting his second goal of the night on 52 minutes.
Liverpool gave themselves hope with a second goal on 63 minutes in
what was almost a carbon copy of their first as Sami Hyypia headed
home Babel's corner.
Tevez was not about to pass up the opportunity and confidently beat an
otherwise faultless Radek Cerny to steer United through. No-one could
deny United deserved their success even though they wasted a
succession of half-chances and were not as clinical as they might have
been given their dominance of possession.
Keane scored twice, his first Premiership goals since the £20.5
million summer move from Tottenham, as Liverpool beat West Brom 3-0 at
Anfield yesterday. The Liverpool boss also hope that Keane will be
okay from now on, as he has been playing well and worked hard for the
team.
Anelka's form means Chelsea are hardly missing Didier Drogba, who is
still not ready to return to first team action after injuring his knee
whilst on Champions League duty against CFR Cluj in early October.
Anelka's brace took his weekly goals total to five after hitting a
hat-trick in last week's 5-0 demolition of Sunderland. Chelsea's first
goal came after Jose Bosingwa's long-range shot hit Anelka and
deflected in.
Premier League Leading Goal Scorers @ 10/11/08
Nicolas Anelka 10
Amr Zaki 8
Darren Bent 7
Robinho 7
Jermain Defoe 6
The Gunners have been beaten by newly-promoted Hull and Stoke this
season but Nasri, who scored both goals against United, insists those
setbacks did not dent the belief amongst Wenger's young squad. He also
believes that the team will get even better when their injury hit
players return to action soon
