RAFAEL KEEP IMPRESSING AT OLD TRAFFORD

Rafael Da Silva arrived with twin brother Fabio and Possebon as
United's search for young talent took on a global dimension. Although
it was felt all three would have to be patient in waiting for their
first-team opportunities, Ferguson has recognised the extreme talent
in his midst.

Rafael is now pushing skipper Gary Neville and currently-injured
England international Wes Brown hard for a regular starting spot.
Ferguson credited Rafael with providing the lead that eventually
resulted in the Red Devils snatching a precious Champions League point
off Celtic at Parkhead last week. And then on Saturday, he belted home
his first senior goal, even if it was not enough to stave off defeat
at Arsenal.

CHELSEA 2 - BLACKBURN 0

Chelsea are back on top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over
Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. The shot from Bosingwa was deflected
by Nicolas Anelka to wrong-foot Rovers' keeper Paul Robinson for the
first.

The French striker doubles the Blues' lead with another goal in the
68th minutes from a through ball by Frank Lampard which is also his
10th of the season. Despite the rain, Blackburn made it a difficult
task for Chelsea to collect a full 3 points from Ewood Park. Finally,
the Blues' victory was achieved without Didier Drogba, but Anelka has
established himself as the club's current favourite.

HARGREAVES TO MEET KNEE SPECIALIST

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has flown to Colorado to
see renowned knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman to see if he can put
an end to his injury nightmare.

The midfielder has been out of action for seven weeks and has seen his
time at Manchester United constantly interrupted by what the club
diagnosed as endonitis. It has got so bad that the 27-year-old cannot
play two games in the same week for the Reds and United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson has confirmed that Hargreaves has flown to America.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS VERY PHYSICAL

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is enjoying managing in the
physicality of the Premier League. The committed nature of England's
top flight has been called into question following Arsenal's loss to
Stoke City last weekend.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger intimated that some Potters players sought
to injure his squad during the encounter. Scolari concedes the Premier
League is a combative division but is not of the belief that players'
safety is in jeopardy.

ARSENAL 2 - MAN UTD 1

Arsenal bounced back from turmoil to defeat Manchester United 2-1
thanks to a brace from Samir Nasri. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger
admitted that the at Emirates Stadium breathes life into their
campaign and lifts them above United in the Barclays Premier League.

The Gunners had Adebayor injured and van Persie suspended but Samir
Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking
in each half to grab his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Rafael
da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir
Alex Ferguson's men hope, but Arsenal held on after six minutes of
stoppage-time for the win they needed..

It was Arsenal's first test this season against their traditional
top-four rivals and Wenger's men passed the examination. This clash
between two heavyweights had everything, chances, yellow cards,
counter-attacking and also four penalty shouts.

LIVERPOOL 3 - WEST BROM 0

Rafael Benitez recorded his 150th victory as Liverpool boss as the
Anfield club moved back to the top of the Premier League. Keane, who
had managed to score only twice (both in Champions League) since his
arrival to Anfield, finally broke his Premier League duck when he
drove home from a Steven Gerrard pass in the 34th minute.

Keane's second came when he rounded Scott Carson a couple of minutes
before the break and Alvaro Arbeloa added the gloss in injury time.
Liverpool have now beaten West Brom in their last 10 meetings and
wiped away the memory of losing their unbeaten record at Spurs last
weekend. Fernando Torres made his return after a six-game absence with
a hamstring injury, but initially only as far as the bench.

MARADONA VISITS MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United's players were given a lift ahead of their Premier League game against Arsenal when Diego Maradona visited them at their training ground on Friday. The new Argentina coach is visiting clubs in England to meet up with some of the key players in his national squad.

Maradona had a conversation with United's Argentina striker Carlos Tevez but also made a big impact on the rest of Alex Ferguson's squad, including Rio Ferdinand who received a signed shirt from the 1986 World Cup winner to mark his 30th-birthday. Ferdinand added that Maradona had been one of his inspirations when he started to play football as a youngster in London. Sir Alex Ferguson, preparing his team to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, also welcomed Maradona's visit.

 

OWEN IS HEADING FOR STAMFORD BRIDGE?

Michael Owen can be at Chelsea in January, as reported by a few British media. The Newcastle striker is expected to join Stamford Bridge for £5million, as the Blues is looking for some cut-price forwards. Their main target, Luis Fabiano of Sevilla, is now too expensive, at £25million.

Owen's contract set to run out next summer, the Stamford Bridge outfit hope they will be able to land their target on the cheap, although whether they will be keen to match his approximate £120,000-a-week salary is another question. Chelsea might face competition from North London rivals Spurs, also interested in Owen, who consider the Newcastle man a cheaper alternative to another of their reported targets, White Hart Lane old boy Jermain Defoe.

RONALDO WANTS TO WIN AT EMIRATES

Cristiano Ronaldo is anticipating a tough encounter against Arsenal on Saturday but feels confident that Manchester United can pick up three points. The Gunners have struggled for form in recent weeks and also have a number of injury problems ahead of the match at Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's men are already six points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea and Liverpool and have yet to play any of their major rivals. There have been suggestions that Arsenal's title challenge could be over if they slip to defeat against United but Ronaldo is still wary of the threat they will present.

United lost their visits to both Liverpool and Arsenal and also dropped points against Newcastle and Everton this term, and Ronaldo feels Sir Alex Ferguson's side have plenty to prove as they go for a title hat-trick. United had an excellent record at Highbury in its latter years, they have so far managed a single point from two visits to the Emirates, conceding late goals on both occasions.

TORRES WILL BE FIT FOR WEST BROM

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres now seems almost certain to make his comeback from a hamstring strain in Liverpool's domestic clash with West Brom at Anfield on Saturday. He said he was not confident with his hamstring against Athletico and Benitez couldn't take any risks.

The striker has not played since the last international break on October 15 but both the Liverpool boss and captain Steven Gerrard are confident the 24-year-old will return against the midlands side.

FABREGAS CHALLENGES TEAM-MATES FOR DEVILS CLASH

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has challenged his team-mates to turn around their recent slump and beat Manchester United at the weekend. The Gunners were held to a goalless draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday, making it three games without a victory.

Boss Arsene Wenger repeated his recent criticism of Stoke's strongarm tactics by again accussing referees and opponents of victimising his side following the stalemate with Fenerbahce. Mikael Silvestre is a fresh injury concern and Almunia missed the Group G clash with an upset stomach, while Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were also sidelined.

REAL MADRID 0 - JUVENTUS 2

Alessandro Del Piero scored two goals to give Juventus a 2-0 victory at Real Madrid to put the Italians through to the Champions League knockout stage. The striker grabbed the opener after 17 minutes at the Bernabeu, crashing a left-foot shot past keeper Iker Casillas as the defence backed off.

 

Del Piero's second came from a direct free kick on 67 minutes which he whipped past Real's badly-positioned wall into the left-hand corner of the net with Casillas rooted to the spot. With four matches played, Juve top Group H on 10 points. Real are second on six, Zenit St Petersburg have four and BATE Borisov of Belarus two.

 

INTECH2U   MAT KEPOH   TIME FOR LAUGH

ARSENAL 0 - FENERBAHCE 0

Arsenal remain top of Champions League Group G despite being held to a goalless draw by Fenerbahce at the Emirates. The Gunners started brightly enough but failed to capitalise on a quick start with Robin Van Persie failing to convert a hat-trick of close-range efforts.

 

Fenerbahce picked Roberto Carlos at left-back and the Brazilian endured a nervy start that almost set up the opener for Van Persie. Arsenal showed far greater invention in attack but still had nothing to show for their obvious superiority.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL 

CELTIC 1 - MAN UTD 1

Ryan Giggs equaliser six minutes from time rescued Manchester United from defeat at Celtic and send the Champions League holders to the brink of a place in the last 16. Giggs, who celebrates his 35th birthday this month, finish from close range after Artur Boruc had failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo's stinging shot.

 

Celtic opened the scoring as early as 13th minute after start when Ben Foster was left in no man's land and McDonald's lob looped over his head and dropped neatly into the visitors' net. With Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney consigned to the bench, United's attempts to get level centred around Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils also had the better share of possession throughout the match.

 

BOLA BOYZ    MAN UTD

ROMA 3 - CHELSEA 1

Chelsea suffered the first loss of their UEFA Champions League campaign after going down 3-1 to Roma in the Stadio Olimpico. Two costly errors by John Mikel Obi sent 10-man Chelsea crashing to shock defeat to Serie A strugglers Roma.

 

The hosts stormed into a three-goal lead inside 58 minutes thanks to Christian Panucci and two goals from Mirko Vucinic. Chelsea reduced the deficit through captain John Terry in the 75th minute. It was not enough to save them from a humiliating defeat, their worst since 5-1 thrashing by Barcelona in 2000. Their miserable night ended in more woe with Deco dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA  

LIVERPOOL 1 - ATHLETICO MADRID 1

Steven Gerrard was the saviour at Anfield once again, winning and converting a questionable penalty in the fifth minute of injury time in front of the Kop to secure a 1-1 draw against Atletico. Atletico had led from the 37th minute following a cleverly constructed Maxi Rodriguez goal and frustrated Liverpool at every turn.

 

But Gerrard never gave up and his penalty eventually spared Liverpool's blushes and both sides should advance to the last 16. Referee Martin Hansson's awarded the penalty to Reds from a debatable foul on Gerrard by Mariano Pernia.

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL

BARCELONA 1 - BASEL 1

Barcelona and Sporting have already secured qualification from Group C after the Nou Camp outfit drew 1-1 with Basel. The hosts had been expected to coast past their Swiss visitors after recording a 5-0 triumph in Basel a fortnight ago.

 

They endured a frustrating night in front of goal until Lionel Messi stepped off the bench to score his fourth of the campaign after 61 minutes. Basle substitute Eren Derdiyok struck seven minutes from time as Barcelona forfeited their 100% record in this season's Champions League.

 

BOLA BOYZ  SOCCERTALK

BALLACK IS STILL GERMAN'S SKIPPER

Michael Ballack will remain Germany's captain after apologizing for and settling his differences with coach Joachim Loew during a private talk. The German football federation took nearly 24 hours to give a statement on the meeting that took place on Thursday evening.

 

Ballack caused an uproar last week when he criticize Loew's selection of players and accuse the coach of showing disrespect to some older players in a newspaper interview to . Loew reacted by requesting the Chelsea midfielder to explain his statements in person.

 

BOLA BOYZ   CHELSEA

CAPELLO PRAISED BECKHAM'S MILAN DEAL

England boss Fabio Capello fully approves of David Beckham's move to AC Milan, whom the England midfielder will join on loan on January 7. According to the deal, Beckham is only available for nine Serie A matches, he will be training at high intensity and will be determined to win a place in Carlo Ancelotti's team, with Capello certain the Milan boss will be impressed by the England midfielder's attitude.

 

The England also added that signing Beckham is a great acquisition. He is a very focused lad true professional. Recalling to his own experiences of the former Manchester United's star's strength in adversity: "When I left him out of the team in Madrid because he had signed the contract with the LA Galaxy, he continued to come to the pitch to train and I put him back in the team."

 

BOLA BOYZ   MAN UTD

BENITEZ SAD WITH POOR FINISHING

Rafa Benitez blamed Liverpool's poor finishing as they slipped to a late 2-1 defeat at Tottenham. The loss ends Reds' unbeaten start to the season and are now down to second with Chelsea back on top of the Premier League.

 

After Dirk Kuyt gave an early lead, The Reds missed a series of opportunities to extend their advantage. And then, Jamie Carragher headed into his own net. With time running out, Roman Pavlyuchenko suddenly displayed a smart near-post finish from Darren Bent's that leave Benitez distinctly unimpressed.

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL