Manchester United and Alex Ferguson sent a message to the rest of Premier League yesterday and, I would suspect in particular, to Rafa Benitez by beating Chelsea 3 - 0 at Old Trafford in the big game of this weekend’s English Premier League fixtures. Ferguson believes his club can catch Liverpool by beating the other teams at the top of the table and in doing so, retain the Premier League title.

Ferguson, who so unsettled Benitez, the Liverpool manager, that the Spaniard launched into a pre-meditated diatribe on Friday about Ferguson’s alledged influence over officials, got his first win this season over potential title contenders.  In reply to what the Liverpool manager had said on Friday, Ferguson said yesterday, “I think you have got to cut through the venom of it and hopefully he will reflect and understand that what he is saying was absolutely ridiculous.  He is an angry man and I think he was disturbed for some reason or another — that is all I’ve got to say about it.”

Ferguson is certainly the master of the mind games and it would appear that he has certainly rattled Benitez’s cage.  The Premier League game between the two at Old Trafford in March could be interesting for how the two react with each other, never mind the fact the result of the game could go along way to deciding the final outcome of the Championship.

Anyway, so far this season Utd have already drawn 1 - 1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September, drawn 0-0 at Villa in November, and lost on the road to both Arsenal and Liverpool.  However, those two teams have  still to visit Old Trafford and it looks like Man Utd are starting to time their push for the top again.

After the games Ferguson said, “We’ve got all the main teams at home.  We’ve got to win these games - we’ve got the first win out of the way.”

Central defender Vidic headed the opener just before half-time then the striking partnership of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov scored one each as United cut the gap between itself and second-place Chelsea to a point. 

United now have 41 points, which is five fewer than...

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The early kick-off on Saturday saw a Midlands derby between Aston Villa, who are trying to break into the “big four” and  West Bromwich Albion, who are trying to fight their way out of the relegation zone.  However it was Villa who won 2 - 1 and in doing so claimed third place in the English Premier League ahead of  Manchester United who play Chelsea on Sunday in the weekend’s main fixture. In another top versus bottom clash, Stoke did move out of the relegation zone with a 0 - 0  tie against first-place, but a very under par, Liverpool. 

The former West Brom captain Davies was constantly booed by the visiting  fans at Villa, but silenced them briefly in the 19th minute after  Gareth Barry crossed a ball from the right which found him all alone  for a header that beat Carson. 

Villa then doubled their lead four minutes before halftime.  Gabriel Agbonlahor ran onto a pass from Barry and was unchallenged as  he cut into the penalty area. He fired a shot from an angle which deflected off Carson, who spent last season on loan at Villa, and  squirted under him over the line for an own-goal.

Aston Villa headed into the half-time break with a 2-0 lead but James  Morrison then scored four minutes into the second half to give West Brom some encouragement but they could’t turn their pressure into another goal.

Villa are now on 39 points, which is one more than ......

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To help prepare you to play soccer at your optimum level we have identified 10 key areas, encompassing a "fitness regime" that you need to concentrate on. Over the first four parts of your eCourse we are going to deal with these 10 key areas, as follows:

1. You are going to need to build up the strength and endurance of your muscles, particularly your leg muscles. You need to ensure that you will not tire out half way through the second half and find yourself bent over double with your hands on your knees panting because you can't run another step without your lungs about to explode!
2. With that in mind, you are going to need to improve your cardiovascular conditioning, making it easier for your body to get the oxygen it needs. Again this will help you to keep going and preventing you from becoming tired too quickly by getting more oxygen to those muscles.
3. You are going to need to learn what foods to eat and more importantly, which foods you MUST NOT EAT. You have to decrease the fat content of your body, making it easier for you to increase your metabolism and get in shape. STAY OUT OF MCDONALDS. Or as a good friend of mine likes to say, "Put the ******* fork down!"
4. You will need to eliminate....

Please simply click the link to continue reading the 10 key areas to help you improve your soccer fitness, soccer training and soccer skills

Football or soccer, depending on where you come from, is The World's Game, The People's Game, The Beautiful Game! It is followed and played all over the world. All you need is a ball. And that "ball" can sometimes be just about anything you can kick about. But if you want to play soccer well you also need to look after your body, your fitness.  You need to train and you need to constantly practice and develop your ball skills.

Even the most famous of players like Beckham, Gerrard, Rooney, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka etc. still have to maintain their fitness, train and improve their skills.  These guys, no matter how good they actually are, don't just turn up 10 minutes before a game, get changed and run out onto the pitch. They know that to maintain their high levels and keep themselves at the submit of their game they must spend hours upon hours honing their fitness and skills. They are always trying to improve. That is why they are champions! 

Although soccer is not as nearly as physical a game as others like rugby or American football, it is still not a game to take lightly. If you want a "good engine" to enable you to run around the pitch until the final whistle, to throw yourself into tackles and do everything you can to help your team win, you don't need to be just fit, you have to be very fit.

Whether you are a top flight highly paid professional, play for your local club, the pub team or have never actually played before you must still ....

Please simply click the link to continue reading this introduction to soccer fitness, soccer training and soccer skills

Well it didn't take too long for the 4th Round Draw of the FA Cup to conjure up one of those glamour ties that all fans and neutrals alike simply love.  Putting it bluntly, it doesn't get too much better than Liverpool v Everton in the Cup.  

Couple that with the fact that 2009 is the 20th anniversary of The Hillsbororugh Disaster where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives moments after the kick-off of the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.  Not only that but Liverpool fittingly went on the play their locals rivals in a classic final and it all just adds to the expectancy of this great rivalry.  As quite often happens, the FA Cup game will be the second time the two sides meet at Anfield in the space of a week as Everton play Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby League fixture the Monday evening before.

The second tie out of the hat wasn't too bad either.  For the second time in two years Tottenham Hotspur will have to travel to Old Trafford to play Man Utd after they beat Southampton on Sunday 3 - 0 in a replay of the 1976 Final in which the then 2nd Division Southampton pulled one of those shock results that make the FA Cup the most special cup competition in the world.

Of course this year the Utd v Spurs tie has the added spice that Harry Redknapp, the current FA Cup winning manager with Portsmouth, is now at the helm at Spurs.  Harry is going to have his work cut out to hold onto the famous old trophy this season, but....

Please simply click on the following link to continue reading about the draw for the 4th round of the FA Cup

Well it's that time of year again as the January transfer window is about to open and not even a global financial crisis has prevented the Premier League's transfer rumour mill going into overdrive as what all the comings and going could be in the next few months.

But despite the whirlwind of rumours, the harsh financial reality means this could be one of the quietest new year buying and selling periods on record as clubs opt to make do with the players they already have on their books.

Several clubs could change all that in an instant though. Moneybags Manchester City could spark things into life with one big signing from a Premier League rival, while Portsmouth and West Ham may be forced to sell their more valuable assets simply to balance the books.

Arsenal

Potential Budget: £20-30m

January previous: A mixed bag. In 2006 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott for a combined £14m. Two years previously he spent an initial £10.5m to bring in Jose Antonio Reyes from Sevilla.

What they need: A central midfielder and a domineering centre-half - particularly if William Gallas is sold. "They desperately need leaders," says BBC London commentator Nick Godwin. "Arsenal's lack of strength in depth was horribly exposed against Burnley in the Carling Cup, when their midfield was blown apart."......

Please simply click the following link to continue reading about all the potential English Premier League transfers during the January transfer window

The draw for the UEFA Champions League last 16 took place yesterday and it certainly produced some mouthwatering ties. The first games will take place the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February (24th & 25th) with the return legs taking place two weeks later (Mar 10th & 11th). Here is the full draw:

Chelsea v Juventus

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v FC Porto

Lyon v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Arsenal v Roma

Inter Milan v Manchester United

Told you there were some great ties!

The current champions Manchester United and Alex Ferguson face their old friend Jose Mourinho and his Inter Milan side who were knocked out by Liverpool last year at the same stage.

The former Chelsea manager had made it clear that he wanted to draw an English club and he wasn’t disappointed, with the first leg to be played at the San Siro.

The tie will revive memories of Mourinho’s famous celebration down the touchline at Old Trafford back in March 2004 when Costinha’s last-minute equaliser for Porto sent United crashing out of the Champions League. Of course Mourinho and Porto went on the win the trophy that season beating Monaco in the final.

Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be looking forward to the tie as well and said, “It’s interesting to come up against Jose again. He’s a character with a good personality and I’ve always got on well with him.

“He’s knocked us out of the competition with Porto, so I hope we have the luck they had in that tie this time round.”

Mourinho hasn’t wasted any time in the psychological word games by talking up Man Utd. He said, “I am satisfied, I wanted the best and I have got the European champions who maybe in two days will be world champions.

“It is a team with the current Ballon D’Or winner [Ronaldo], a great coach in Alex Ferguson and a stadium with a fantastic atmosphere. It will be unforgettable returning to Manchester. Some say I have a good record against Alex Ferguson but the record isn’t mine, it’s Chelsea’s.”

Meanwhile Liverpool were drawn a mouthwatering tie and will play current Spanish champions Real Madrid and their new manager, ex Tottenham, Juande Ramos. Former Tottenham boss Ramos has only just taken over at the Bernabeu and will no doubt be looking forward to his return to England with 9 times winner Real Madrid. Liverpool have the perceived advantage of the second leg at Anfield due to finishing their group on top.

The tie is of course a of the 1981 Paris final, which the English side won 1-0 thanks to a goal by defender Alan Kennedy. That was the last time these two giants of European football have met in a competitive game.

Ramos said, “I know Liverpool perfectly. I know how difficult they are and the difficulties they are going to present us, but I think it will be an exciting tie. Real Madrid don’t have to fear anybody. We know that they are a difficult opponent but that we are going to have as much a chance of winning as them.”

The draw also provided Italian coach Claudio Ranieri the chance of an emotional return....

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So Paul Ince's short reign as Blackburn Rovers manager has finally come to an end.

Ince was appointed as manager in the summer after more successful spells at Macclesfield and MK Dons.

I feel a little sorry for Ince but it doesn't really come as a great surprise and Rovers had to act quickly to try to turn around what has become a desperate situation. Blackburn haven't won in 13 games, a run that simply couldn't be allowed to continue.

The big question now of course is who is going to take over and take on the job of moving Rovers, the 1995 champions, back up table. Harry Redknapp is of course already taken.

I've read reports that Graham Souness, who managed the club from 2000 - 04, could be in the frame to return to Ewood Park. I'm not sure about that but whoever is appointed, former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley is another name mentioned, he will have to start winning games quickly before the situation is out of control.

Something else that might be out of someone's control is the future of Liverpool striker Robbie Keane.

Keane was mysteriously......

Please simply click the following link to continue reading about Paul Ince leaving Blackburn Rovers and Robbie Keane's uncertain future at Liverpool

So, the Group Stages of this season's UEFA Champions League have come to an end and the final positions all decided.  16 teams move on into the knock stages of the competition that will resume in February next year, 8 further teams head to the UEFA Cup and the remaining 8 teams ride off into the sunset and will play no further role in Europe this season.

We start our review of the final groups games on Tuesday night and with the battle to top Group D which Liverpool finally claimed ahead of Atletico Madrid.  Liverpool fielded a slightly under strength side against PSV Eindhoven yet still managed to produce a fairly impressive 3 - 1 away win despite going a goal down.  PSV on the other hand are one of the eight teams that are now totally out of European competition.

That opening goal from PSV was scored by Danko Lazovic goal which came from a corner that should never have been.  The ball was guided out of play by Dossena only for the Russian linesman to flag for a corner to the total disbelief of just about everyone in the ground.  The decision totally incensed Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, especially after PSV scored from it and he had to be spoken to by the referee.  But you had to see his point.  The linesman was 2 yards away from the incident yet still couldn't see it was a goal kick.

However, it all came to nothing in the end.  Ryan Babel headed in an equaliser for Liverpool in first half injury time.  Then in the second half an absolutely superb 25 yard rocket from Albert Riera put the former champions in control before youngster David Ngog's sealed, what was an easy win overall, with his first senior goal for the club.

So that all meant that Atletico Madrid had to at least equal or better Liverpool's result to finish top of the group.  However, all they could manage was a 0-0 draw away to Marseille.  The point for Marseille was sufficient for them to claim one of the eight spots in the UEFA Cup.

Unlike Group D, the final standings in Group C had already been finalised before kick off on Tuesday evening. It was therefore no surprise that first-placed Barcelona fielded a somewhat weakened side at a rather empty looking Nou Camp.  The decision to field the weakened side saw Barca lose their 20-match unbeaten run by losing 2 - 3 to Shakhtar Donetsk who end up in the UEFA Cup. 

Swiss team Basle ended their miserable European campaign with a single lonely point after they were defeated 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon. Sporting, who won thanks to Yannick Djalo's first-half goal, finished second in the group behind Barcelona on 12 points.

Normal service was resumed by the top four clubs this weekend as they all earned maximum 3 points, although Man Utd did leave it very late against a battling and managerless Sunderland (more later).

We start off this weekend's action at the Emirates where Emmanuel Adebayor's early first-half strike handed, what has to be said, a below-par Arsenal, victory against Steve Bruce's Wigan.  It ended Wigan's five-game unbeaten sequence.  The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal's youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team.  Arsenal's first team weren't really as impressive.

Indeed, it was Bruce's team which came close to opening the scoring when a shot by Palacios was deflected and Almunia in the Arsenal goal pulled of a very good saves.

However, it was Adebayor broke the deadlock for Arsenal after 16 minutes.  Fabregas produced a beautiful pass for Adebayor who cooly passed the ball into the net past Kirkland in the Wigan goal.  Arsenal could have made the victory far more comfortable when again Adebayor had another shot but this time Kirkland was equal to it and he tipped the ball onto the post.  Then later the Brazilian Denilson also saw a shot cannon back off the goal frame.

At Goodison Park on Sunday there was a dramatic beginning and end to game when Aston Villa and Ashley Young who scored an injury-time winner to shatter Everton.  The Toffees had only just managed to get the score back to 2 - 2 moments earlier but still ended up on the losing side again at home.

Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for Villa after he smashed a shot from 20 yards in just the first minute but Everton were rewarded with a well deserved equaliser after Joleon Lescott prodded home after half and hour.

It was clearly not going to be Everton's day as new signing Fellaini had a header cleared off the line and also hit the bar with another before Jagielka's woeful backpass allowed Young to slot home.

It was Lescott again scored with an acrobatic volley in the 90th minute to the relief of all but the Villa fans inside Goodison but it was Young and Villa who had the last laugh snatching all three points when he curled in a shot in the dying seconds.

Well, where shall we start?  Let's head on over to Anfield shall we and get this one out of the way!

Yes, Liverpool won, beating Marseille 1 - 0 and therefore secured their passage through to the last 16 of the Champions League come next February, but (and it's a big but), this was anything but a convincing victory or display.  Especially in the second half.  

You would have expected the 5 times winners to come out and totally take the game by the scruff of the neck, power forward and kill the game off.  Instead it was Marseille, who at times looked excellent passing the ball around, who made life difficult for Liverpool. As the second half progressed it was Liverpool who were under increasing pressure and there was a certain sense of relief around Anfield when the final whistle blow.   

You have to say Liverpool's victory was more to do with Marseille's lack of striking power and some absolutely woeful defending than anything they did.  The Liverpool goal, scored by returning captain Steven Gerrard, is the perfect example of that terrible defending.  It was so bad I hardly know where to start.  In fact I'm not going to bother.  If you've seen it you'll know what I mean, if you haven't watch for the defender who obviously can't decide whether its worth following Gerrard as he attacks the goal or not.  He plainly decides he can't be bothered.  Although I suspect his manager won't agree, after it left Gerrard totally unmarked 6 yards out with a free header.

Meanwhile, in a very empty and quiet Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, (UEFA punishment) Atletico Madrid were beating PSV Eindhoven 2 - 1 to book their place in the last 16 and also remain top of the group ahead of Liverpool by virtue of scoring one more goal.  The final round of games in this group will decide who finishes on top and therefore, in theory, should get the better draw come the knock-out stages. 

On paper it would appear Liverpool have the easiest game as the are away to PSV whilst Atletico are away to Marseille.  Marseille are always .....

Please simply click the following link to continue reading about the Champions League fixtures from Round 5 of the Group Stages

Champions League Week 5 action on Tuesday saw some of the big clubs progress into the last 16, and knock-out stages of the competition, which is begin in February next year.

Over in Spain on Tuesday evening it has to be said that Manchester United and Villarreal, even though they were two of the teams to progress, produced a pretty boring and uneventful goalless draw.  The only good moments were a first half shot by the Portuguese striker Ronaldo which brought out a great save from the Villareal goalkeeper Diego Lopez who deflected the ball onto the bar.  Later the England forward Wayne Rooney produced a cross that was deflected towards the danger area but it came to nothing as Capdevila managed to clear the ball to safety.