Manchester United pulled a hat trick today

Today Manchester United made the three signings they were looking for, Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves. Now if Liverpool could only work so quickly.

The Scoop

Torino want to take the forever injured Louis Saha off of Manchester United's payroll and add him to theirs.

West Ham appear to be on the verge of clinching the £7million signing of Newcastle and England midfielder Scott Parker after fighting off late interest from Tottenham.

Manchester United were last night in the process of investing an astonishing £50million in the defence of their Premiership title after agreeing deals for midfielders Nani and Anderson with Portuguese clubs Sporting Lisbon and Porto.
UPDATE: More on Anderson here.

"I cannot wait to play in the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a great player, as well as Wayne Rooney and many more.

"I could not imagine I would ever get to work with a manager like Sir Alex Ferguson but it has happened.

"What can I say? It is a dream the size of the world."

Claudio Ranieri will be joining Manchester City as new manager. Stuart Pearce says that he will benefit from all his hard work! Sheesh!

Mark Viduka will make a Newcastle move.

Hey Rafa, listen to Hernan

Hernan Crespo says whoever buys Carlos Tevez will win their league next season. He's got a valid point. I don't know about winning the league, but he will definitely help.

The Scoop

Rafa Benitez is putting his hat the ring for Lyon's Florent Malouda.

After sealing a Robbie Keane deal yesterday, Tottenham are trying to tie down their star striker, Dimitar Berbatov to a long-term deal.

Today, Aston Villa fancy their chances at gaining Nigel Reo-Coker's signature.

Sam Allardyce wants Tal Ben Haim at Newcastle with him. Dump Titus Bramble, bring in Tal Ben Haim, hmmm, that's good business in anybody's eye.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is monitoring closely Zlatan Ibrahimovic's public row with Inter Milan.

Tottenham Make a Signing

Yes, Tottenham have made a signing. They already had him on the payroll though. Robbie Keane has signed a new 5 year deal.

Best of the Year

Another Gaffer Jumps Ship

Didier Deschamps has left Juventus after bringing them into Serie A, supposedly without paying anyone off.

England vs. LA Galaxy

Hey, the rule applies to everybody...just ask Newcastle and Micheal Owen. Now LA Galaxy will have to deal with real issues concerning their players and national sides. Welcome to the big game.

The Scoop

Tottenham and Arsenal are in a 'war' over Nigel Reo-Coker.

Barcelona are about to launch an expected bid for Frank Lampard.

Yes, this sounds more like it, but I'm still not too sure on where Franck Ribery will be landing this summer. It will definitely not be in Marseilles though. The other day it looked almost certain he will be in Munich, which I thought was a bad decision for his playing career. He'd be better off at Arsenal in my mind. He'd fit the quick style of play over there.

Can Kaka be involved in a Chelsea trade with Hard as Nails, Metrosexual™?

This does not sound like good business to me. Inter want to trade Adriano for Thierry Henry. I think Wenger will tell them to 'get bent'...and I'm not talking about the striker!

Tottenham want to enter another bidding war with Manchester United for Portu-geezer winger Nani. Hmmm, I wonder who will get their man? Not to mention the last thing Tottenham need is another midfield player.

Newcastle want our Peter Crouch. I say NO!

Juan Roman Riquelme will not be staying at Boca Juniors after his loan spell is up. Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri says, "It's out of our range. His salary is the same that Boca pay for all their team together."

Disgrace

Let me get this straight...buying the Italian League is fine, rampant racism in Spain is fine but playing a match above 2,500 meters is a no, no? Give. Me. A. Break. Are these people for real? Like watching water go down a drain. Yet again, they are a disgrace to the game.

This Boy is GOOD!

Shunsuke Nakamura's achievements stretch well beyond the pitch at Celtic, where he has won two Scottish Premier League titles, one League Cup, helped the Hoops to reach the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time and reached today's Scottish Cup final, where Celtic are the odds-on favourites to beat Dunfermline.

The 28-year-old Japanese playmaker, the most successful and most famous player his country has produced, has notched up a series of landmark "firsts". He was the first Japanese to score in the Champions League, which he did against Manchester United on 13 September last year, with one of the trademark free-kicks that have earned him the nickname "Japan's David Beckham".

Tottenham Hotspur will offer £10M for Nakamura during this off-season. Where the hell does Tottenham get the money for all these transfers? The question has to be posed, no? I wonder if they are in dodgey dealings with Silvio Berlusconi somehow?

Total Recall

It looks as if Steve McClaren will be eating his 'humble pie' and recall an in-form David Beckham to the England International squad for the friendly match with Brasil next Friday (he probably is looking like Arnold in the pic above these days.) Brilliant idea to bring him back for a friendly. I think he's got the La Liga Championship on his mind at the moment, but I'm sure he'll give it his all, as he always does. Good for Becks and good for the L.A. Galaxy. I think they are inheriting some fine experience and passion with Becks when he eventually make the move to Cali.

The Scoop

Yesterday's 'Scoop' was finally on target when we stated that the much sought after defender, Gareth Bale, was on his way to Tottenham Hotspur. It looks like that is so at the moment. Personally, I thought he was on his way to Manchester United. Now, with these developments, I suppose Pascal Chimbonda will make that move to Chelsea we've been reading about.

West Ham United have sealed a major deal. They secured Israeli midfielder, Yossi Benayoun, to a new five-year deal. Now to get on with the rest of the boys and don't carbon copy the disaster year they had this year.

I cannot find an article to link to yet, but I hear that Bayern Munich have sealed a deal with Olympique Marseilles for Franck Ribery for a deal around €15M, which seems to me a bit low for such a sought after player. Let's wait and see. I'll post the link when I find one.
UPDATE: I found an article in Bild, but it is in German and it's not the final deal...yet. Stay tuned to Footballroundtable for updates on this surprising transfer. Here is a picture with the news as well.
UPDATE II: Here is an article, although not a 'reliable' source. If this works out we will officially have two "for real...SCOOPS!" I like that. The first one, which has not happened just yet is Rodrigo Palacio to Barcelona (it's going to happen, just watch...if not I'll say I was wrong) and now Franck Ribery to Bayern Munich (I know this is kind of last minute, but I like that as I'm a betting man by nature.) Let's hope we get it right!

Rafa is stepping up his interest in bringing Samuel Eto'o to Merseyside. I've said before that I'm no big fan of the boy, but he does know how to put the ball in the back of a Spanish net. I could be convinced if he could put it in the back of an English net. I'm still reluctant, but I can be convinced.

'Arry Redknapp wants to poach two, well, I should say, both Middlesbrough strikers, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Mark Viduka. I'm not too sure how they are going to respond to that? I do see 'Arry is not talking about transfers, but actually DOING them. Look for Pompey to secure a UEFA Cup spot next season. Who would have thought two years from promotion they would be a European contender?

Arsene Wenger is offering a 'two-for-one' deal to Athletico Madrid for striker Fernando Torres. Freddie Ljungberg and Aleksander Hleb will be offered in the transfer. They should have taken Baptista and put him in there instead of Freddie, as he is a bit older and injury proned these days. Freddie should take a full-time gig with Calvin Klein and ride the wave until it diminishes.

Jumping Ship

Olympique Lyonnaise gaffer, Gerrard Houllier has stepped down as of Friday. Look for him at Manchester City next week.

The Scoop

Real Madrid and Barcelona are going for Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.

Chelsea have lodged a £10million bid for Tottenham’s Pascal Chimbonda.

Tottenham are ready to repel a reported £39million bid from Manchester United for star striker Dimitar Berbatov, who cost them £10.9M last season. SAF is prepared to offer £27.5million and striker Louis Saha - who is valued just over £11m.

Tottenham have opened the bidding war for Gareth Bale with a £10million package which they are confident will prove enough to secure the services of the Southampton teenage defender.

Rafa is Red Hot!

Rafa Benitez on Thursday warned Liverpool: Buy the players I want now or I’m off. As the Anfield manager launched his clear-out of players following the Champions League Final defeat, he said: "I want things done now because if you delay and miss out, you end up going for your second or third option.

"That is no way to build a team that can challenge for the Premiership title."

Ubelievable

Even though Manchester United won the league and have £50M to spend in the transfer market, there are still rumours that they are in financial trouble. Unbelievable.

The Scoop

Julio Baptista has been sent back to Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez is starting the fire sale of useless wingers. Bolo Zenden and Mark Gonzales are both on their way out.

Bayern Munich want Arsenal young gun, Robin Van Persie.

Villareal are looking to sign Manchester United slow poke, Gabriel Heinze.

Eto'o wants to play alongside Thierry Henry next season at Barcelona.

UEFA Champions League Final Highlights

Liverpool 1 - 2 AC Milan

Ugh!

The Scoop

Sam Allardyce may cash in on Newcastle's top scorer, Obafemi Martins if Juve step up their bid. I do not know what happened with him, but it's not very good news for Newcastle. Maybe it is the weather up there?

Manchester City, under new management, are looking to beef up the goals by adding Javier Saviola to the roster.

West Ham United want Fulham stopper, Antti Niemi between the sticks.

Tottenham do not want to lose Jermaine Jenas and have stamped a £15million price tag on the England midfielder.

Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor has extended his contract with the club.

Lyon midfielder, Alou Diarra wants a move to Juventus.

Inter Milano's, Alvaro Recoba wants Roma to come and get him. He says, "I would like to play with Roma, although I will need to speak with President Massimo Moratti before I take any decision."

Mascherano to Mark Kaka

Rafael Benitez will call upon Javier Mascherano to plug the midfield hole for Liverpool in tomorrows Champions League final. After all, he's already stopped another Brazillian star, Ronaldinho. Mascherano will repeat that feat.

Peter Crouch

The Independent has an exclusive interview with Peter Crouch before the Champions League Final.

"At the moment I am concentrating on the game, looking to beat Milan and get the winner's medals," he says. "I am not there yet, we have to win the game and once we have won it and I have got the medal in my hand I will look back at the darker days - or the times when I wasn't at the club I am now - and I will think how far I have come and how proud I would be to have that medal.

Germany Champions - VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart were on Saturday crowned champions of Germany for the fifth time, a feat sealed by their come-from-behind victory at home to Energie Cottbus.
Thomas Hitzelsperger volleyed in killer too!

Portugal Champions - FC Porto

FC Porto captured its fourth Portuguese title in five years Sunday by beating Aves 4-1 on the last day of the season.

French Awards

Here are the big winners:

• Lyon Midfielder, Florent Malouda won Player of the Year
• Lyon Manager, Gerrard Houllier won Manager of the Year
• OM's Center Midfielder, Samir Nasri won Young Player of the Year

FA CUP

As most of you know, the FA Cup was played over the weekend and the result was Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United. What a lovely goal though. Manchester had chances but repeatedly squandered them. I thought it was a good match from the second half onward. Here is the match winner from Didier Drogba set up superbly by Frank Lampard.

1,000!!!

Holy smokes! Romario finally bagged his 1,000th goal. Unfortunately, it was a penalty. Congratulations to him none the less.

Sign on the Dotted Line

Steven Gerrard and Jaime Carragher have settled new multi-year contracts while Xabi Alonso looks set for an airplane to Spain.

Changing of the Guards

Will Edwin Van der Sar be losing his starting role at Manchester United to Ben Foster next season?

The Scoop

Hard as Nails, Metrosexual fancies playing in MLS sometime in the future. I think he is ready now, personally.

Former Liverpool Captain, Sami Hyypia will move on from Anfield after the Champions League. Newcastle, Bolton and Manchester City are already lining up for his signature. You've done well over the years my man.

The forever-diving, ahem, I mean injured...Arjen Robben wants to fight for a spot on the Chelsea squad next season. I don't blame him. Who would want to move to Munich?

Mido wants away from White Hart Lane. He may be a good signing for the likes of Manchester City this summer.

Sheffield United will be unveiling Bryan Robson as their new gaffer tomorrow.

Sir Alex Ferguson has finally gotten landed his catch. Owen Hargreaves has been signed by Manchester United for £18M from Bayern Munich.

West Ham want Craig Bellamy to replace the departing Carlitos Tevez.

Topsy Turvey Arsenal

An angry Arsene Wenger may walk out on Arsenal over the boardroom revolt that saw David Dein axed.

UEFA Cup Final Highlights

Sevilla 2 - 2 Espanyol (penalties 3-1)

Carlitos Tevez

When I ask him (Carlos Tevez) what changed from the beginning of the season to now, his reply is simple. "I've played the same all the time," he explains. "Lately, the ball's gone in. At the beginning it wasn't. I always look for the goal and I haven't done anything different. Sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes it doesn't."

Also, he feels it's time to join a European Giant (like Liverpool...eh? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!!!)

The Scoop

This really isn't news to anybody, but Alex will be 're'-joining Chelsea for 50p very soon.

Titus Bramble will join Portsmouth after being let go from Newcastle. I cannot believe 'Arry is going to sign that useless player. Freddie Ljungberg and Mark Viduka may be on their way there too.

Atletico Madrid want West Ham United's Bobby Zamora. Also in the article news about various other 'high-profile' players Curbishley may lose over the summer (Benayoun, Reo-Coker, and Tevez)

Steven Taylor wants a new Newcastle United contract pronto!

Robert Pires (whatever that is worth) has urged Claude Makalele to join him at the Yellow Submarine.

Just in time for the FA Cup Final

A blue-throated Amazon parrot called Chelsea, who screeches whenever anyone mentions Manchester United, has been stolen from his cage.

Copa de UEFA

Catch all the action here. I wanted to do a Live Commentary for this baby, but couldn't in the end. Puta mierda! It starts at 19:45 Glasgow time. 2 minutes from the time of this post. Go check it out.

Wow! Romario Still Hasn't Bagged 1,000

A while ago I wrote a post about Romario scoring 1,000 goals...well, almost. He's been stuck for 2 months on 999. That kind of sucks eh? Anyhow, he is set to go for that elusive goal again on Sunday.

Larsson will be Fergie's guest this weekend

Larsson told the Daily Record: "Sir Alex told me if United got to the Final I would be his guest and he is a man of his word.

Ronnie Needs a Break

Brazil star Ronaldinho has requested that he be allowed to skip the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela in order to recharge his low batteries.

G-14

Olympique Lyonnaise chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has succeeded David Dein as president of the G-14 group of European soccer's most powerful clubs.

The Scoop

Is Didier Drogba on his way out of Samford Bridge? Not for under £50M which OM doesn't really have. So this rumour is probably nonsense. On the other hand, this story about Adriano coming to The Bridge for Hernan Crespo probably has legs.

Gabriel Milito will be packing his rucksack and Spanish/English dictionary for an Anfield move this summer.

Scott Parker may be making a London move to West Ham.

Charlton has put Darren Bent on the market for £15M.

Whatever will Newcastle do now? Titus Bramble was the first to receive his walking papers from Big Sam. Not a minute too soon.


Reading have signed Boavista midfielder Kalifa Cisse.

Platini makes a very interesting proposal to change the game

I think his ideas are very interesting... it may be the solution to using electronics but i don't fancy the idea of throwing flags like it is done in American football. I know as a ref on corner kicks I usually stand off the field so you get a good view of the players.. so perhaps if you have someone right there on the line they will catch most of the things that happen in the penalty box. There is also the human touch to football... the ref is simply part of the game. Look at how many matches we have talked about bcos of the ref.. if we take that away I am not sure how much controversy or drama will be left and drama sells.
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New UEFA president Michel Platini is ready to revolutionise the 'outmoded' world of refereeing by using two more officials in each match.

Platini, who was elected to office in January, wants to put an official behind each goal to help rule on penalty box infringements.

The former France attacking midfielder believes that would be better than using technology, which he claims would 'dehumanise' football.

'My idea is to increase the number of officials,' he told France Football. 'To referee with just three people, it is outmoded. Three officials cannot see everything.

'I am proposing two extra officials, over-45s who don't need to run because they would stay behind the goals. We must show the world that we are against injustice and that we are trying to do more to eliminate errors.

'As for using electronic systems, that risks dehumanising football.'

Platini believes the sport should take a leaf out of American football's book, and use officials who highlight infringements by throwing a flag on to the field of play.

'Why not take the example shown by American football, who uses referees aged 60 or over, who signal fouls with their yellow flag,' he added.

Gotta love this guy

No, not the dog, Jose Mourinho! He has been arrested in a row with police about his dog.

Your Pizza In Three Years Or It's Free

Great day in the morning! The pizza's finally here and just under three years. Damn...

Almost three years after Luis Aragones came under international fire for calling Thierry Henry a "black shit", Spain has finally passed a law that would penalize clubs for instances of racial abuse against players. I say international because Spanish media and politicians defended and allowed Aragones to stay on as Spainsh national coach in spite of his refusal to admit wrongdoing.

For extreme cases, the Law against Violence, Racism and Intolerance in Sport, which was approved by the lower house of parliament on Thursday, also proposes stadium closures for between four matches and a whole season.

Stiff fines of up to 90,000 euros could be imposed on clubs, while punishments will also be available for individual sportsmen, referees and club directors.

The law has been passed to the upper house and is expected to be in place for next season.

It's safe to assume that teams will be fined anything from 0 euros to 1000 euros.

Oh by the way, Aragones "was cleared of racist conduct concerning the incident by a Spanish court earlier this year" even though he admitted using the derogatory term.

EPL Best buys of the season!!! Agree or Not??

There are few names missing on this list... Andy Johnson,Javier Mascherano,Henrik Larsson, Ben Foster etc

10. Michael Carrick (Manchester United, £18.6 million)
9. Jonathan Woodgate ('Boro, loan)
8. Obafemi Martins (Newcastle,£12 million)
7. Kanu (Portsmouth, free)
6. David James (Portsmouth, £2 million)
5. Christopher Samba (Blackburn, £400,000)
4. Joleon Lescott (Everton, £5.5 million)
3. Carlos Tevez (West Ham, undisclosed)
2. Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, £2.5 million)
1. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham, £10.9 million)

Ooh Ahhh, Cantona!

The Legend speaks to The Sunday Times in a rare interview. Here are some quality excerpts:

What was the move you liked the most?

I loved putting the ball where nobody expected it, on the condition that it was efficient. Everybody expects you to pass the ball to your left, and you do it on your right. The ball is in the running trajectory of the player, the game becomes more fluid and surprising. When you know how to do that, you have 10 times more opportunities because the players around you know you can throw the ball anywhere at any moment. So they spread out on the field.

You were at the final of the World Cup. What did you think of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt?

I did not see it. I was in the stadium with my son. He called a friend who told him. What Zidane did means many things. He goes to a World Cup final as if he was playing outside his building when he was a kid. He takes his penalty with a flick, which is wilder for me than butting [Marco] Materazzi. For him, football is all about the pleasure of playing. He did not plan it. But hold on . . . I do not condone headbutting.

Wouldn’t it have been better to win the World Cup?

You do not like it when one of your players is sent off. But Zidane won a World Cup, a European Championship and led us to the final in 2006. We should not forget that. I would rather say we lost because of [the coach, Raymond] Domenech. From the beginning of the second half the Italians refused to attack. He should have put on an attacker. When you see Thierry Henry centring the ball and there is no one to get it, what is the point of having four defenders and two central defenders? It is a tactical mistake, worse than Zidane’s butt. We cannot take all the good and refuse the rest. An artist of that level is weak and strong at the same time.

A player like Michel Platini did not need those excesses. He was still a brilliant player.

I do not think Platini would have had the craziness to take the penalty Zidane took in a World Cup final.

So, in the big debate on who between the two is the greatest French football player, you would vote for Zidane?

No, it is me. (He smiles.) But I feel closer to Zidane as a player.

UEFA Cup Final

The Final is tomorrow night in Glasgow between Espanyol and, Cup Holders Sevilla. Here is a preview.

Almost Thai-ed Up

Manchester City are set for a multi-million pound injection after a takeover from ousted Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. I have a feeling there will be a bit of house cleaning over there according to this bit

"Thaksin's takeover bid has progressed more quickly than had been anticipated and there could be an official announcement about the next stage of the process within 48 hours. Gérard Houllier, the former Liverpool manager now in charge of Lyon, will be among those considered to replace Pearce, along with the PSV manager, Ronald Koeman, and the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Sven-Goran Eriksson, however, has already been discounted."

Gone in 60 Seconds, no silly, not the movie... La Liga

Sid Lowe on the topsy-turvey weekend in La Liga.

Manchester United Important Matches

Here are nine key matches that made Manchester United Champions this year.

Neverending Story

FIFA may get involved in the West Ham, Tevez/Mascherano transfer saga.

"The Swiss federal court has made a ruling by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right and the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of points”

The Scoop

Will Robbie Fowler end up playing in Glasgow next season?

Paul Jewell, OUT! Stuart Pearce, OUT! Sam Allardyce, IN! Neil Warnock, EH?

Sol Campbell a step closer to Newcastle move?

Phil Jagielka will jump ship as Sheffield United sail into the Championship.

Glen Johnson fancies fighting for a Chelsea spot to staying at Pompey.

Barcelona are convinced Thierry Henry wants a move away from Emirates. While Tottenham are pondering a Eidur Gudjohnsen move.

Juventus are interested in taking slow-poke Argentinian defender, Gabriel Heinze off of Manchester United's hands.

Abel Xavier (AKA, The Lion King) fancies the Hollywood lifestyle, but we already knew that didn't we?

Now we all know Carlos Tevez has any number of suitors. Real Madrid have made their interest noted. It seems Liverpool are at 3/1 favorites for his signature! I like the sound of that.

Portsmouth have sealed a £6million initial deal with Udinese for Ghana midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari, according to his agent.

Liverpool sign Brazil's U-20 Capitano, Lucas Leiva. Nice one Rafa! You've got the magic touch, hopefully, so does he!

JoMo has a new striker

Jose Mourinho may name back-up goalkeeper, Hilario as a striker for the FA Cup Final on Saturday. JoMo had this to say,

"I will have to choose between Hilario because he is not bad playing forward, or I'll bring one of the kids to make 16."

Now that would be something. I know it's not going to happen, but that would be something.

So, as a Liverpool supporter, I have to swallow my tongue and feelings and give a ‘big up’ to Manchester United (I still hate them though). I would also like to give props to West Ham for overcoming all their difficulties and actually ‘winning’ their way to staying up. A couple of weeks ago, West Ham staying in the Premiership was not a big deal. Today though…well frivolous lawsuits are waiting in the wings. Nevertheless, they actually earned their stay in the Premiership, with the win over Manchester United.

Sheffield United has been relegated and Wigan actually made it by the hair of their ‘chinny chin chin’ with a goal in the closing minutes. Just a fantastic day for the Premiership all in all, I would have to say.

It is a shame to see Charlton Athletic making way. My question is, where will Darren Bent end up? Will he end up in a “Top 4 Team” or will he end up with a lesser tabled team? He, Darren Bent and Carlos Tevez (if he doesn’t leave West Ham) would make an AMAZING strike force. Comparable to a Drogba/Shevchenko combo, if you would ask me…although I know you wouldn’t so I will just give my opinion anyhow...hooo haaa!

All in all, I'm glad West Ham stayed up. I, personally, could give a rat's ass about Sheffield United. Good on ya West Ham!

From UEFA.com

'West Ham set for survival miracle'

Cope del Rey

Getafe managed to overcome all odds and beat Barcelona 4-0 on the night (6-5 agg.) and make it to the final match. The Final match will be played against Sevilla.

Goal of the Week

Andres Vasquez scores a brilliant goal...I have no clue how this went in???

Naughty Naughty

Officials in Germany are calling for stricter 'tapping up' rules.

Hmmm

If there is any truth to this report that someone tried to stick a clause into Tim Howard's contract, not allowing him to play against his team when they play the loaned team in the league. That is all fine and dandy while he is on loan. It is not ok once he has been sold.

You Don't Say 'No' to Keano

That is what Dwight Yorke says anyhow.

The Scoop

Thierry Henry...Wenger says you are staying put!

Lawrie Sanchez is staying put too, after he resigned his Northern Ireland post.

As expected, Robbie Fowler is free to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Sevilla are looking to make suprising bid for Jason Roberts to beef up their front line.

I guess Big Sam hasn't filled the Newcastle managers role yet, as they are now having a look at Big Phil Scolari. You know, they are a 'Big' kinda Club.

Carlos Tevez has stopped learning to speak English because he does not know where he will be playing next season.

Dress Sharp

Chelsea is breaking tradition at the FA Cup Final.

We Need More

Can you believe UEFA only gave Liverpool and Milan 17,000 tickets? Do they think Wigan are playing in this Finale? What gives?

Apologies Accepted

Christiano Ronaldo has revealed that Jose Mourinho has apologised for his 'class' insult a few weeks ago.

The FA Blush

The FA are forced to replace 17,000 luxury seats at the new Wembley Stadium after they have turned from red to pink in the sunlight. Sheesh!

The Scoop

I'm not too much sure of this one, but I'll throw it out for the fishes anyhow...Xabi Anlonso to be included in Eto'o move to Liverpool. See, you know what I'm saying? It doens't sit well with me, but it is in print so let's link it! On the other hand, it seems Sir Alex wants to rubbish this transfer to Liverpool as well.

Is Florent Malouda on his way to a brighter future at Arsenal?

AC Milan are leaving a hole for 'Hard as Nails, Metrosexual' to fill...if he can.

Sven Goran Eriksson is looking to buy thinner outerwear this winter now.

Franck Ribery wants to leave football in France and test the waters abroad.

Sir Alex is looking to buy Portu-geezer Nani for £17.5million.

Suprise, Suprise!

Bolo Zenden wants to win the Champions League! Shocker!

Fernando Torres Coming to England?

“It is important that Spanish players go to another league,” he said. “All those in England have grown as players, they are more complete.”

Sunderland's Promotion

Niall Quinn will be giving Roy Keane a substantial raise in transfer market funds upon winning the Championship. Word on the street the available funds are around £25million. I think Roy will make some fine changes to bring the squad up to Premiership quality.

RIP Corrales

This was a shocker but I guess when it's your time.....

He was a great fighter and even in his last destruction by Quartey, he was ever the brave fighter. He will be missed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2863505

Show Us The Money!

U.S. soccer players are hoping that the impending big-money arrival of David Beckham in Major League Soccer will make them all a little bit richer.

Whoa Now!

Former Real Madrid boss and Argentine World Cup winner Jorge Valdano just 'Slams' Chelsea and Liverpool.

The Scoop

I missed this over the weekend. It seems Rafa has been getting down to business and Great British Pounds with Carlitos Tevez's people...whoever they are.

Meanwhile, over in Manchester, the Glazer family are giving Sir Alex Ferguson a £50million warchest to dive straight into the transfer market, when it opens. He has the hat-trick of Gareth Bale, Owen Hargreaves, and Dimitar Berbatov on his hit list.

Chelsea snap up Steve Sidwell on a free transfer as Michael Ballack may be given a one way ticket back to Germany. This article says Sir Alex says 'not so fast'.

Barcelona have tabled an offer for Arsenal's Thierry Henry.

Juventus have landed Gaby Milito from Real Zaragoza. They are also keen on Ludovic Giuly and Gilberto Silva.

Sven Goran Eriksson apparently will now be plying his trade and spending his money on wooly scarfs and mittens in Ukraine with Dynamo Kiev.

The Scoop

It seems AC Milan are taking their eyes off of Ronnie to focus on Samuel Eto'o for the moment.

Rafa Benitez may throw Djibril Cisse into the Simão deal.

Roy Keane is willing to battle Everton to sign 'hot head' Joey Barton and David Nugent.

Sam Allardyce to take Newcastle gig?

Manchester United Win 9th EPL title

Photos coming soon.... for now leave a message!

Disgrace

You know what, I'll just never understand the corporate world. In my mind 'free advertising' is a good thing. Apparently not for the overeducated, mental coconut, hacks who run the Premier League. Now they are filing a lawsuit against YouTube for hosting highlights. Why?

Goooooaaaaaalllll!!!

Vicious Foul

During the Copa Libertadores match the other day, Boca Juniors beat Vélez Sarsfield 3 - 0. During the match, Rodrigo Palacio took a dodgey foot to the face from the Vélez goalkeeper, Gaston Sessa. He then, had to be escorted from the pitch before the Boca fans had their way with him.

Secret Weapon?

Tom Harness feels Javier Mascherano could be Liverpool's secret weapon against Milan in a few weeks time.

Here is another Op-Ed on the Liverpool vs. Milan clash from The Times' Gabriele Marcotti.

2007/2008 Liverpool Kits

I'm not sure if these are official, but here are the new Liverpool kits for next season.

The Scoop

Gabriel Heinze may have inadvertently signed his walking papers with yet another poor performance with Manchester United. This time against Milan. I believe he is too slow for the Premiership. Are there any Argentinian defenders that can play in the Premiership?

This almost earned it's own post, but I'll just stick it here in 'The Scoop'...
'Hard as nails, Metrosexual' is having surgery on his groin. I wonder if he's getting some testicles? If the implant surgery goes well, Barcelona and Milan are open arms, although the loss on the £31million paid would be Sheffield United entire summer transfer kitty.

Hmmm, first I heard of this one...
Everton's Tim Cahill to Roma this summer?

It seems Valencia have come to terms and are awaiting the eminent departure of David Villa. Now they only want the highest bidder. He should come to Liverpool where his 'mother tongue' is spoken as a first language. It would make it easier for him to settle in England.

Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing a summertime swoop for cross-town rival, Manchester City right back, Micah Richards. £20million would look good to City for rebuilding at the moment too.

Newcastle United want to cut their losses on £10million flop, Alberto Luque, and sell him off to PSV for whatever they can get.

Fiorentina striker, Luca Toni is at dee wery top of dee Bayern Munchen vish list.

Final Española en Glasgow

UEFA Cup holders, Sevilla, beat Osasuna 2 - 0 in a fine match, to go through to the Final in Glasgow (2-1 aggregate). The second goal was a nice one!


Espanyol beat a Klose-less Werder Bremen 2 -1 (5-1 aggregate) to make it an all Spanish UEFA Cup Finale. Klose was sent off after two yellows in the first 20 minutes or so. The first one was harsh and the second was a dive. After that, it would have been tough for anyone to come back and make up the difference.

'Tis the Season for Reasons

Sir Alex is placing some blame on the Premier League for their dismal display last night.

Peter Kenyon still believes Chelsea have a shot at the Premiership title.

Fruit Salad

'Arsenal supporters are planning to pelt Ashley Cole with fruit and vegetables when he returns to his boyhood club on Sunday for the first time since his bitter move to Chelsea.'

I wonder if he is planning to eat lunch?

The Scoop

Deco says there is 'no way' he is going to leave Barcelona. I suppose the size of the supple Italian leather duffle bag stuffed until it's overflowing with multi-colored Euros will be the decider in this transfer.

Newcastle United fancy their chances at prizing ex-Liverpool skipper, Sami Hyppia at seasons end. That would be a good move for Hyppia if he wants a bit more playing time before retiring. Daniel Agger seems to have earned his position of the past couple seasons, not to mention that goal against Chelsea. Lovely!

Now, the story coming from Stamford Bridge is that Jose Mourinho has one more year to make things brighter at Chelsea.

'Salivating Wifebeater' El Hadji Diouf wants away from Bolton now that Big Sam is gone. No big loss to Small Sam. Sell him to Lokomotiv Moskow! I'm sure he'll love the weather over there.

Everton boss, David Moyes wants to sign ex-Newcastle player, Michael Chopra from Cardiff. Everton have a few good young players. Look for them to sell them in two years time.

Once Charlton is relegated, Alan Curbishly is going to cash in on his prize possession, Darren Bent. No doubt there will be many suitors for his signature. Tottenham and Newcastle are guessing they can woo him. I don't thing either of them are good enough. He should sign for future European Champions, Liverpool.

'Hard as Nails Metrosexual's' wife pouts, 'We made a mistake...' I have to beg to differ, I'd say Roman made a £31million mistake.

AC Milan 3 - 0 Manchester United

AC Milan are through to the Champions League Finale in Athens. I really wanted Manchester United to make it through to make it an 'all-English' Finale, but no such luck this year.

In the first leg of this tie, Manchester United showed 'a touch of class' coming back from behind at the first half. While Dida showed 'a touch of madness' when Rooney put that beauty of a last minute strike into the back of the netting. Things worked out well for United last week. Today, on the other hand was a complete different story. The rain was pissing from the heavens at the opening of the match which made for massive amounts of sloppy play for both sides. Kaka was the first to capitalize on the nonchalant play with a brilliant strike from the top of the box into United's side netting while Manchester defenders were lunging for a re-direction, to no avail.

The second goal was, well, stupid. Gabby Heinze made a nonsensical pass to Vidic way back in his own end. With sloppy weather and all, that was just a REALLY POOR, and costly mistake to make at that stage of the match. Needless to say, Milan shoved the mistake down their throat to take utter control of the match. It was now Milan's to lose, which with Italians and their defensive minds, do not give into easily.

The third goal, by Gillardino, was a result of Manchester United pushing too far forward and getting caught on the counter attack with ZERO defenders around him. Well taken goal from the substitute.

All in all, this was not a 'sexy' match. Much like yesterday...the better team prevailed on the night.

As always...highlights will be posted when I find them.

Leeds United Pitch Invasion

Did you guys see this?

Wino Conmen

Whoa! Two, ballsy men, posed at William Gallas and Thierry Henry and swindled a few thousand quid from some four star hotels in France.

Lawsuits for some, Litigation to come

It seems like West Ham has a world of headaches to come in the next few weeks. Especially, if they escape the drop.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea (4-1 penalties)

Champions League Highlights
Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties after a 1 - 1 aggregate at the end of regulation and extra time.