Newcastle 3 - 0 Man Utd

Newcastle 3 - 0 Man Utd
By Saj Chowdhury Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Manchester United's, title challenge, suffers another blow, after they, are swept aside by, Newcastle, at Sports, Direct Arena,

Manchester United's title challenge suffered another blow after they were swept aside by Newcastle.The visitors, who lost to Blackburn on New Year's Eve, went behind before the break when striker Demba Ba hooked in his 15th goal of the season.

Yohan Cabaye doubled Newcastle's lead with a 30-yard free-kick before Phil Jones diverted in a late own goal.Wayne Rooney had a shot blocked on the line and Dimitar Berbatov's header hit the post for the champions.The Jones howler, which came deep in stoppage time, summed up Manchester United's night at the Sports Direct Arena.Visiting manager Sir Alex Ferguson said prior to the match that his side may be affected by the strong winds and they failed to cope in the difficult conditions while Alan Pardew's Newcastle thrived. But the away side were also slow to the loose ball and ineffective in attack.The defeat leaves the champions three points behind fierce local rivals Manchester City who beat Liverpool 3-0 on Tuesday.And with Tottenham breathing down their necks, Ferguson will need to call upon all his great managerial experience to lift his players again after two successive league defeats....

Scotland boss Craig Levein hopes for Darren Fletcher return

Scotland boss Craig Levein hopes for Darren Fletcher return
Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Scotland, manger Craig Levein, hopes to have, captain Darren Fletcher, available for the, 2014 World Cup, qualifying campaign, starting, in September,

Scotland boss Craig Levein has not given up hope of having captain Darren Fletcher available for the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying in September.The Manchester United midfielder is taking a break from football as he is suffering from the bowel condition ulcerative collitis.

"He's out for four months' complete rest, and then we can reassess things," Levein told BBC Scotland's Sportscene."I'd be desperately hoping [to have him for the qualifiers]. He's a huge loss."Scotland begin their campaign to reach the World Cup in Brazil with a double-header against Serbia and Macedonia in Glasgow.When Fletcher announced in December that he was facing an "extended" spell away from the game, there were immediate doubts over his ability to help his national team.The news also sparked fears for the player's career, but Levein has raised the possibility that, with proper rest, Fletcher could return to fitness in time to lead his country later in the year."He's had this for nearly four years now," Levein said. "He's been pushing himself and he's really suffering it this time.....

Real Madrid vs Málaga Report

Real Madrid vs Málaga Report
By Angela Asante, January 4 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Real Madrid, redefined, team work, and character. last night, in their, comeback victory, over ,Malaga,

Real Madrid redefined team work and character last night in their comeback victory over Malaga.Jose Mourinho picked up a strong starting XI as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain led the forward line with the assistance of Kaka and Callejon.

Lass and Xabi Alonso combined in the defensive midfield area as Real Madrid’s back four missed the services of Sergio Ramos. For Malaga, former Merengues Ruud van Nistelrooy started.The first goal in 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu went the visitors’ way. Sergio Sanchez was too strong to beat in the air and his header from a corner ended up crossing the line.Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Callejon tried to respond with efforts of their own, but the score line remained 1-0 until Martin Demichelis doubled the advantage for Malaga. Shockingly, Iker Casillas conceded his second header of the night as Pellegrini’s new-look men were in for an upset.At the hour mark, it really looked like defeat would be Real Madrid’s. Los Blancos, however, had other ideas. In dramatic fashion, they turned the tables around to make their opening of the year 2012 a memorable one.In fact, Jose Mourinho’s triple substitution at the start of the second half certainly paid off. The Portuguese manager sent in Sami Khedira, Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil in replacement of Arbeloa, Kaka and Callejon respectively.German international Khedira thought he had scored in the 57th minute but the referee rightfully disallowed the goal for offside. Still, Real Madrid kept pushing forward through the energy of Benzema, Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, Sami Khedira got his name on the scoring sheet after marvelously controlling the ball in the buildup.At 2-1, there was hope for Real Madrid. In a blink of an eye, Los Blancos went leveled. Gonzalo Higuain’s shot from a tight angle played the trick inside the 70th minute.French striker Karim Benzema sealed the comeback 12 minutes from normal time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 advantage ahead of the second leg of this tie.

Barcelona vs Osasuna: The game will not be easy, says Guardiola

Barcelona vs Osasuna: The game will not be easy, says Guardiola
By Isaac Asante, January 4 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Barcelona, play Osasuna, later in the day in the Copa del Rey, but Pep Guardiola, believes the match, will look nothing, like the meeting, they had earlier this season.

Barcelona destroyed Osasuna 8-0 in a league match on 17 September 2011 at the Camp Nou. The two clubs once again face each other in Cataluña, but Guardiola is not even eyeing an easy challenge.“That was a long time ago,” he said while referring to his side’s major triumph over Los Rojillos. “The situation has changed.”Preferring to look at his mission in its entirety, he added: “This is a 180-minute match and we have to try to get a good result.”Indeed, good results are just what Barcelona need if they are to get through their busy schedule this month with satisfaction. Using the team’s key players wisely is the central idea of Guardiola’s plan, but he has yet to decide whether Lionel Messi will perform tonight or not.He has however affirmed that “the sooner he returns the better.” Iniesta is also said to be making great improvements, and he is therefore expected to play a few minutes against Osasuna.

Chelsea’s Juan Mata backs Villas-Boas and Torres as Blues maintain hopes for glory

Chelsea’s Juan Mata backs Villas-Boas and Torres as Blues maintain hopes for glory
By Angela Asante, January 4 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Although Andre Villas-Boas and Fernando Torres are under scrutiny at Chelsea, key player Juan Mata has found reasons to believe in the Blues’ chances for success this year.

The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder can look down at this individual performance at Chelsea with pride. The former Valencia play maker has already provided 9 assists and scored 5 goals in 23 appearances for the Blues. However, his good form has been overshadowed by the entire team’s flaws from a general point of view.“It's true we've had a little crisis of results,” Juan Mata admitted before reiterating his belief in Chelsea’s criticized manager.“But Villas-Boas is doing things very well and both the players and the club have a lot of confidence in him. He won everything with Porto last year.”

Andre Villas-Boas is not the only person targeted by the public’s criticism. Striker Fernando Torres is also constantly blamed for Chelsea’s failure to reach higher standards. Mata, however, is among the few people that haven’t lost hope in Torres.“Torres was very good in the last game [against Wolves which Chelsea won 2-1]. He wanted to play a full game, is training hard and wants to contribute to the team.“He can rest assured that the team and the coach all have confidence in him. I'm sure he will score many goals for the club,” Mata concluded.

With their victory over Wolves, Chelsea did just enough to remain in the top 4 zone. The Blues seat above Arsenal by a point, but they lack behind league leaders Manchester City by 11 points. Meanwhile, 5 points separate them from Tottenham Hotspur.The bad news for Chelsea fans is that Spurs have played a game less. This means that the gap between the third position and the fourth position could increase from 5 points to 8.This weekend, Chelsea will have the chance to kick-off their FA Cup campaign on a high. They will be at home to former Premier League team Portsmouth.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could be set to make a nostalgic return to north London

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could be set to make a nostalgic return to north London
By Stewart Flaherty, December 26 2011,

At the start, of this month, Arsenal fans, were delighted, that the ,club erected, a statue, legendary striker, Thierry Henry, outside, Emirates Stadium,soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles,

The statue of Henry was unveiled as part the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations, and now Gunners fans could be ready for an even better gift just after Christmas, the return to Arsenal of the man himself.

Arsene Wenger signed Henry for Arsenal in 1999, and the enigmatic striker spent eight successful years in England’s capital, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. The graceful French striker scored 226 goals during his time with the Gunners, before leaving to join FC Barcelona in the summer of 2007.Henry is currently employed by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, but has been training with Arsenal since the end of the American season.This shows the favorable relationship Henry still enjoys with Wenger and his former club, and reports have been surfacing about the Frenchman performing very well during these sessions. In fact, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told The Telegraph newspaper that Arsenal’s current players “can’t get the ball off him,” when defending against Henry.While it is unlikely Henry would scale the heights of his first spell with the club, when he was twice awarded the PFA Player of the Year award, and four times finished as the Premier League’s leading goal scorer, Henry would give a boost to the Arsenal squad.....

Alfio Basile to become the new coach of Racing Club for the fourth time

Alfio Basile to become the new coach of Racing Club for the fourth time
By Gregory Sica, December 26 2011,

The former, Argentina, boss, will be hoping, for a, successful, fourth stint, at La Academia, soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Alfio Basile has accepted to replace Diego Simeone as the new coach of Racing Club. The former Argentina boss is expected to sign a one-year deal with the popular Avellaneda club on Wednesday."I'm travelling to Buenos Aires to finish the final details, which are only minor and don't put the negotiations under any risks, so that we can say that Alfio will return to Racing, " Norberto Recassens, the agent of the coach, affirmed to Telam.Recassens left his vacations momentarily, so that he could travel to the Argentine capital to come to an agreement with Racing over the minor details left in the contract, in order to speed up the hiring process.

"There are a few minor clauses in the contract to adjust, which will be for one year. They are only minor details. 'Coco' told me: 'now we will become champions,'" added Recassens.Basile, 68, will sign a contract for the upcoming Clausura and the following Apertura 2012. It will be his fourth stint at the club, where he won silverware both as a player and as a coach.Simeone, who was given the door by Racing after failing to lead the club into the 2012 Copa Libertadores, is likely to be named the new coach of Atletico Madrid sometime this week. With Simeone Racing ended the 2011 Apertura championship in second place.For that reason last Friday Gaston Cogorno, the new president of Racing, reunited with a few of his directors, including General Coordinator Roberto Ayala, for discussions with a keen Basile.Basile led Racing to the Argentine championship in 1966, before leading them to both the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup the following year.While Boca Juniors was the last club Basile coached, he had coached the Argentine national team between 2006 and 2008, before being replaced by Diego Maradona after a 1-0 defeat to Chile in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match.

Cobreloa Calama vs Universidad de Chile Report

Cobreloa Calama vs Universidad de Chile Report
By Gregory Sica, December 26 2011,

Cobreloa, and .Universidad de Chile, fight out goalless, draw in, first leg, Chilean Clausura, championship, final, soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Cobreloa and Universidad de Chile fought out a goalless draw in the first leg of the Chilean Clausura championship final at the Estadio Municipal de Calama on Monday.It was a hotly contested final between two solid sides who battled in the midfield for large part of the match. Cobreloa proved the stronger team on the field, however, they couldn't take advantage of their goal-scoring opportunities.

Cobreloa came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute, when Diego Barrios connected to a precise cross with a powerful header, but although his header seemed to beat Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, it didn't beat the post.Herrera picked up the rebound, but Barrios kicked it out of his hands and fired the ball into an unguarded net. The goal was correctly disallowed by referee Eduardo Gamboa.After the incident both teams did their best to threaten the opposing defense, but to no avail, as both sets of goalkeepers were on top of their game.La 'U' clearly felt the absence of key striker Eduardo Vargas who missed the match due to suspension. They lacked firepower in their attack, but held on to the draw thanks to their strong defense. Their Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli was sent-off in the 89th minute for insulting the match referee.With the goalless draw in Calama, Universidad de Chile only need a draw in Santiago to complete what would be a rare treble, after lifting the Chilean Apertura championship and the Copa Sudamericana. Meanwhile, Cobreloa will have to set out for the victory in order to win their eighth national title.Cobreloa will be motivated by the fact that Universidad de Chile's long unbeaten run was put to an abrupt end against Universidad Catolica in Santiago in the semi-finals of the competition.The 2011 Clausura championship will be decided at the Estadio Nacional of Santiago on Thursday.

Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers England Premier League Dec 26 2011 kick-off 15:00 Online Watch Free

Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers England Premier League Dec 26 2011 kick-off 15:00 Online Watch Free.Liverpool face another disappointing , they were at the top 6 of the league teams and they must be much stronger in the next game against the Blackburn Rovers in the upcoming Monday. Liverpool need 3 points o get back on the track to get themselves to the top 4 teams of the league. Blackburn the worst ever start of the season for them. Blackburn is only the team who is at the end of the table and very much closer to the relegation .

Liverpool must put some of the better option against the team Blackburn if Liverpool have to qualify for the next year Uefa Champions League . There is allots of computition between the English Premiere League teams. Maxi Rodreguiz performed well for the Man United side in last few games while Luis Suraze is the top scorer for the Liverpool team.

Carig Bellamy , Steve Gerrard , Andy Carrol , Kyut are some of the key players for the teams of Liverpool . Luis Suraze is suffereing 8 matches ban and Sir Alex Ferguson admired the decision of the according to him its a “right decision. Liverpool have a sucessful season in the start of the English Premiere League.Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers Free Online Streaming, Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers Live Online Streaming, Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers Live Streaming, Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers Online Streaming.Liverpool will made some new arrangements for the place of Luis Suraze in the upcoming games.Marton Gamsat Pederson the keyplayer for the Blackburn.Yakubu is one of the best players in last few matches . David Dunn will be the hope for the team of Blackburn as he played in the defesive midfield. It’s the important and tough game for the both sides . Prediction about such game is so much difficult but Liverpool is looking faviourtes for this match.

Liverpool (Probable, 4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique; Maxi, Adam, Henderson, Downing; Suarez, Bellamy.
Out: Gerrard (ankle), Lucas (knee).

Blackburn (Probable, 4-3-3): Robinson; Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Pedersen; Dunn, Nzonzi, Vukcevic; Formica, Hoilett, Yakubu.
Out: Dann (groin), Nelsen (knee), Salgado (ribs), Givet (heart condition).
Test: Olsson (hamstring), Roinson (calf).

Referee: Mike Jones (Matches 10, R4 Y49).

Chelsea vs Fulham England Premier League Monday Dec 26 2011,14:00 CET Online Watch Free

Chelsea vs Fulham England Premier League Monday Dec 26 2011,14:00 CET Online Watch Free

Chelsea FC - Fulham
English Premier League, Round 18
Date: 26.December 2011 - 14:00 CET
Stadium: Stamford Bridge - London
Referee: Andre Marriner

Match Info:
On Monday, 26th December at 14:00 (CET), Chelsea FC will host Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge for Round 18 of the English Premier League. The west London derby should be a lively match on Boxing Day, with history indicating that home victory is likely in the cards.Chelsea are only just holding onto their fourth place position with Liverpool and Arsenal right at their heels. Last week's away draw against third place Tottenham Hotspur was a positive result, especially considering Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel both limped off due to injury. Adding to Villas-Boas' problems is the suspension of midfielder Ramires, who is ineligible for this week's match after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season. Frank Lampard, who sat out last week, is the logical replacement against Fulham.

Chelsea vs. Fulham live: streams, video highlights, statistics, results, match preview, news. Find out on what television channels broadcast the match. Shedules all sport TV channels. Acquired rights. Coverage. Availability.The Cottagers have few days to recover from the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United last Wednesday and Martin Jol will be addressing issues in defense. David Stockdale has taken over for Mark Schwarzer in the goalkeeper position and will start his third match against Chelsea, hoping to avoid a repeat of last week. Fulham are 13th in the table and have a chance at jumping to the top half with a surprise victory over their local rivals. However, the Cottagers have won just once at Stamford Bridge (Last in 1964), and Jol should be satisfied if they manage even a draw.


Chelsea vs Fulham Probable line up:
Keeper: Cech
Defenders: Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole
Midfielders: Romeu, Meireles, Lampard, Mata
Forwards: Drogba, Sturridge
Manager: Andre Villas-Boas
Injured: Obi Mikel, Ivanovic, Essien
Booked: Ramires

Fulham:
Keeper: Stockdale
Defenders: Senderos, Bair, Hangeland, Riise
Midfielders: Ruiz, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey
Forwards: Zamora, Dembele
Manager: Martin Jol
Injured: Grygera, Schwarzer