5 Conclusions From Arsenal's 7-5 Win Over Reading, via HITC Sport

Arsenal produced a stunning 7-5 comeback from 4-0 down last night. Let us help digest what you saw.

It was a scoreline which resembled a tennis match. 7-5. That just doesn't happen in football. Does it?

Here are five conclusions from last night's epic encounter.

Via HITC Sport

1) This Arsenal have the mental strength which previous sides did not

Would Arsenal have achieved this comeback last season? We aren't so sure. The season before? Certainly not. It may have been a defensive shocker for the Gunners, but they dug deep and from somewhere, found it within themselves to win despite finding themselves 4-0 down after 39 minutes. This Arsenal squad have a real togetherness, and the players are all fighting for the same cause. The camaraderie within the squad is plain to see, as Theo Walcott and Carl Jenkinson showed in their post-match interview. It has to bode well for the season ahead, and nights like this will boost the unity within the club. 

2) The manner of defeat could be catastrophic for Reading's season

For Reading, make no bones about it, this was a disaster. For any side to go 4-0 up and then fail to win is embarrassing, but for Reading it could have even deeper effects. They are still to win a Premier League match this season, and confidence will have been low as a result ahead of this game. Beating one of the 'top sides' - even if under strength, would have done wonders for their confidence, especially if they had maintained the manner of their first half performance. Instead they wilted and collapsed, and Brian McDermott will have a tough job picking his players up. It could be a watershed moment, and their season kicks on from here, but it is more likely this defeat only serves to highlight their poor form, and could further damage their confidence for the upcoming games ahead.

3) Theo Walcott may have a future up front after all

Theo Walcott said he wants to play up front for Arsenal; well the way he took Arsenal's first goal was reminiscent of Thierry Henry in his pomp. His pace and calmness under pressure showed all the attributes of a top striker, and Arsene Wenger will no doubt have taken note. Whether the side's fourth on the night goes down as his or Jenkinson's ultimately does not matter, but Walcott's poise, the way he scored from inside the six yard box under immense pressure was like the 'fox in the box' Arsenal have long craved. Obviously he has far more in his locker than that, but to be able to finish in such situations bodes well for his ambitions of playing up front.

4) Comeback was just what Arsenal needed ahead of trip to Old Trafford

At 4-0 down and shipping goals like a Sunday league side, Arsenal fans will have had horror flashbacks to their 8-2 capitulation at Old Trafford last season. Had it stayed 4-0, the weekend's visit to Manchester would have been the last thing they needed. Instead, the 7-5 win was the perfect tonic. Firstly nobody believes the Gunners will concede eight again on Saturday, and their clinical attacking last night will give them the confidence they need that they can go toe to toe with United. After two successive defeats, and a shaky 1-0 win over QPR, Arsenal needed something big, to give them the belief they can go to Old Trafford and cause an upset. After this miraculous game, the players will believe they can suddenly achieve anything.

5) Marouane Chamakh is not completely done yet

Ahead of last night, if Marouane Chamakh had never pulled on an Arsenal shirt again, it would have been too soon. And don't get us wrong, for the first 40 minutes of the game he was abominable as his reputation. After that, he sprung into life, helping Walcott on the way to netting before half time, and it was in extra time that he really came into his own. He hit an improbable goal to send supporters wild at 5-4, and when he chipped Adam Federici from 25 yards out in the final minute to make it 7-5, watching viewers really felt they were in the twilight zone. The Moroccan showed he might just be of use to Arsenal yet, even if it is just between now and January. He won't have done his chances of a move any harm, and wherever he is playing come the New Year, this game has certainly reignited his career somewhat.

What can you say about the above? 

Source: HITC Sport

Read More

What does Jonny Evans Say About Fernando Torres and Mark Clattenbug?

Mark Clattenburg made the right decision in sending Fernando Torres off, says Jonny Evans.

Jonny Evans has backed referee Mark Clattenburg for sending off Fernando Torres in Manchester United's 3-2 win at nine-man Chelsea in what was a controversial encounter at Stamford Bridge. 

More pictures on the last Sunday's Game?

 

 

 

Read More

Will Manchester United Finish up Chelsea Once Again Tomorrow Night?

Javier Hernandez is Manchester United's lethal weapon. Just ask Chelsea, who have conceded five at the hands of the Mexican in eight games.

Via Bleacher Report

Chelsea will be utterly sick of the sight of Javier Hernandez. When they saw him stepping off the United bench on Sunday, they should have known what would happen.

Even in such an unpredictable game, there was an air of predictability as Chicharito took to the field. It would be he whose swift feet and quick adjustment allowed him to divert in Rafael's goalbound effort after Robin van Persie's shot was cleared off the line.

It was of course Chicharito who headed the equaliser in the 3-3 draw last season at the Bridge, and Chelsea fans will not forget his goal after just 41 seconds against them at Old Trafford in April 2011, a game which effectively decided the fate of the title.

Whether or not Hernandez starts tomorrow night in the League Cup is one of many intriguing selection dilemmas when United return to Stamford Bridge.

The furore over Mark Clattenburg has distracted from an eventful 3-2 win for United at the weekend, and you can only hope the match will be a welcome break from another dispiriting racism saga which again threatens to taint English football.

Should United start Hernandez? We would argue they should. The League Cup is a competition the big clubs take lightly, until they either reach the latter stages, or come up against each other.

Sir Alex Ferguson will want to complete double over Chelsea, beating them at Stamford Bridge twice in a week, making up for a terrible run of form at the ground in recent years, and leave Chelsea asking themselves further questions heading into their upcoming Premier League fixtures.

After their defeat to Shakhtar in the Champions League last week, it would be the Blues' third loss in a row, and Ferguson will want to turn the screw and not let them off the hook easy.

This may mean resting Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, starters at the weekend, but Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck are likely to be given the nod, and opportunities to stake a claim for further involvement against Arsenal at the weekend.

Anders Lindegaard will likely rotate in goal, while Nani could get a recall too. Anderson who scored last round against Newcastle will also likely start, with Ferguson commenting lately that he was keen to give the Brazilian gametime.

Chelsea have dilemmas of their own, and would have preferred an easier tie, but will likely rotate their fringe players - including Azpilicueta and Moses in too, and there should be a start for Daniel Sturridge as he steps up his comeback from injury.

If recent games are anything to go by, it should be an entertaining affair tomorrow night, but if you are looking for a likely gamewinner, search no further than Javier Hernandez, to continue his torment of Chelsea.

Who should United select tomorrow? What is your prediction for the game?

Source: Bleacher Report

Read More

What we Learnt from Chelsea v Manchester United Last Sunday

Via Bleacher Report 
 
Chelsea v Manchester United was the best match of the season so far. There was plenty to learn, especially for referee Mark Clattenburg and the FA.

A growing number of people are absolutely fed up with what FIFA calls "simulation." Referees are clearly under pressure to deal with it, because apart from the obscene money factors, this is killing the game.
Many bemoan all the foreign players coming into the game because they are squeezing homegrown players out. Yes, they have brought great flair and skill to the Premier League, but they've also brought the ugly face of cheating.

It is suspected that in some countries abroad, players are told to take every advantage and also coached as to how to get an unfair decision.

FIFA wants to keep the game unsullied by video technology and rely on the "human factor," but today, Chelsea fans would have every right to feel aggrieved because of decisions that could have been resolved by a second look.

OK, so in rugby, Rugby League and cricket, replays are helping to bring fairness to decisions, but football is a much faster game than any of those. It is a game based on momentum.

For example, when Chelsea scored their second goal today they had the momentum and could have gone on to win the match, having been 2-0 down.

So you can't keep stopping the game to check whether somebody dived. That would kill spectator interest faster than the simulation itself.

But something has to be done. Surely, a "dodgy dives" panel on a Monday, with an automatic three-match ban if a dive is proven would sort the matter out in less than a month.

Two days ago, they predicted a 3-2 United win, with the following teams on the pitch. 

Chelsea
Cech
Ivanovich Luiz Cahill Cole
Ramires Obi
Oscar Hazard Mata
Torres

Manchester United
De Gea
Rafael Ferdinand Evans Evra
Carrick Anderson or Cleverley
Valencia Rooney Young
Van Persie

Nobody could have predicted how the result would come about. What they could safely have expected, however, was an exciting game with loads of quality football.


Anyone who thought that this would be a cagey affair doesn't understand the Premier League. With United having been top dogs for much of Sir Alex's reign and Chelsea nicking the Champions League last season, this match was all about bragging rights. Both sets of fans have a case.

We didn't learn much that we didn't already know or suspect, but there were some standout points.

They say Manchester United were lucky

There are more cliches in football than you can shake a stick at. Great players and teams make their own luck. Great teams win ugly.

It is so sad after an enthralling match that the referee is the main talking point once again, and once again, it was Mark Clattenburg getting a key decision wrong. 

Fernando Torres was probably yellow carded as much because of his reputation as anything. Watching the incident of his second yellow card over and over from the referee's point of view, you can see why he missed the contact by Evans and also how he can clearly see what looks like a clumsy dive.

However, Torres was probably lucky to be on the pitch anyhow after a dreadful lunge with his foot into the throat of Tom Cleverley, for which he got only a yellow card.

There was nothing wrong with Ivanovic's sending-off because whether intentionally or accidentally, he stopped Ashley Young's forward run. The referee consulted with his assistant, who was in line with the incident and was then clear in his decision. United then had the momentum.

In the event, the biggest decision turned out to be what should have been an offside against Chicharito for the winning goal. But that's the referee's assistant's decision, not the referees.

The assistant didn't have a clear view, but surely, this is the one exception that should be made for video technology. In both Rugby Union and Rugby League, the referee can use video replay to answer the question "can I award a try?" 

The footballing equivalent would have been "can I award a goal?"
In the case of Luis Suarez's disallowed goal at Everton, the answer would have been yes, and for Chicharito's winner, it would be no. Chelsea would still be four points clear of United, and Liverpool would be on the way back towards the top.

But to suggest that United didn't deserve to win this match is pure hypothesis. Chelsea were down to 10 men and had changed to a more defensive formation, taking off their most creative player.

United's history is one of driving forward to the very end. Who is to say they wouldn't have scored a legitimate winner rather than coasting to the finishing line on their questionable winner?

Manchester United Should go on with their traditional style

Not for every match, but Sir Alex's tinkering with tactics hasn't been an unqualified success.
For 60 years or more, people have watched United for the way they play football: an uncompromising attempt to win every match, based on out and out attacking football.

To play this way, you have to be strong in defence as well. Because of injuries, they are creaking at the back. Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra aren't getting any younger; Jonny Evans was pressed into service barely back from injury. They need Smalling and Jones back for relief and their captain for leadership.
United aren't just an attacking team, however. They have showed in Europe for years that they can also counter-attack at pace and with precision.

And so, it was that Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down in less than 15 minutes. The home team had the lion's share of possession, but United had started to look like they could score at will. 

So, full credit to Chelsea that they got themselves back into the game. After the first goal, they had United on the back foot. That was nothing to do with the tactics and they were doing nothing wrong. It was just that they had been driven back into their own penalty area rather than the high line they had taken earlier.

There were two teams in this match committed to getting a win. No nonsense about both being prepared to settle for a draw. Once City had beaten Swansea, it was game on and no-holds barred. That suited Chelsea's new style, but it also suited the way United have played for years.

Ferguson still has his magic touch

It could be said that Sir Alex has made some errors of judgement recently. It is to the credit of the man that he has admitted to those errors, like getting things wrong in the first half against Tottenham. He rectified that and nearly came away with a result.

He has wrestled with the possible need for change. Alright, he has constructed a squad that is built on pace, flair and technical skill in depth with attackers who can interchange and make it difficult for stolid defences.
But he's also seen teams like Liverpool, Swansea, Wigan and Chelsea move to a different style of football. He and Rene Meulenstein have thought about this. They have come up with a "diamond" formation and 4-2-3-1 as variants to combat the new styles and still get a result.

Nowhere was this more clear than in the matches against Newcastle and Braga. The Geordies were stunned by a formation that Pardew clearly couldn't have planned for, and they were basically thrashed. 

But when Ferguson tried to play the diamond against Braga, it backfired badly and they were 2-0 down in 20 minutes, compounded by the daft experiment of yet again playing Carrick in the back four.

There again, and helped by Kagawa's injury, Sir Alex showed his nous and experience. Where a Brendan Rodgers might have stubbornly stuck to the plot, the Scot changed shape and United ended up with a comfortable win.

Of course today, he was desperate to get his team into the dressing room unscathed as Chelsea mounted wave after wave of attack. He didn't manage it, and the Blues took momentum into halftime that carried them through to an equaliser in 53 minutes.

Even allowing for the double sending off, the match still had to be won. He had the courage to replace Rooney with Giggs, just in case Clattenburg was tempted to "even up" with a second yellow card.
But the masterstroke was to bring on Chicharito. He has pace, he is a natural finisher and, like last year in the astonishing three goal come-back, he delivered.

Whatever the feelings and opinions about the result and the circumstances, Sir Alex still has that magic touch to drag a result out of the fire when the chips are down.

The race for the title is wide open

Right now, Sir Alex is probably the most confident of all the top managers in the Premier League.
Once again, he has had an injury crisis in defence, but he's got Chris Smalling and Phil Jones available for the Arsenal match next weekend. United may have lost two matches they didn't expect to lose, but they are one point off the top with half a dozen easier matches to come after Wenger's side visits.

Chelsea have lost their first match of the season, but now they're back in the pack with the other two fancied teams. Arsenal keep scraping results and Tottenham are on a roll.

For a few years, we have said "this could be the most open season ever."
This season, it looks like coming true. You get the feeling that most teams could beat most other teams on the right day.

It will be interesting to see how Chelsea and City react if they don't reach the knockout stages of the Champions' League. They both had disappointing results this week, and City were unconvincing against Swansea.

The Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney combination has come together nicely, even if the ex-Evertonian was a bit below par today.
Sir Alex now has four or five tactical formations he can use and a squad that has strength in depth that will soon have a fully-fit defence.

They say Chelsea have the markings of champions

Let's be honest here. The football Chelsea played and the way they drove themselves back to 2-2 in the absence of their inspirational captain made a statement.

A couple of days ago, we reviewed the threat of Mata and Hazard, but actually, it is the combination of them and Oscar that is the magic at the core of the Chelsea team.

However, and this is a big however, they don't have the strength in depth that United have, or even that of Manchester City. 

The standout aspect of this is the dearth of strikers. 
United have four: Van Persie, Rooney, Chicharito, Welbeck, with genuine young talent in reserve.
City have four: Aguero, Balotelli, Tevez, Dzeko.

Chelsea have one and a half: Torres (who is a shadow of his Liverpool self), Sturridge.
But Chelsea have a style and a presence which, if they can keep the squad fit, has a real shot at the title this year. If they add another striker in January, watch out.

RVP and Juan Mata are truly world class

Of all the decisions he's made in a long and illustrious career, buying Robin Van Persie might just be the best. 

To spend £24 million on a 29-year-old who has had injury problems in the past looked like a massive gamble at the time, but now looks like genius.

Last season, it could have been contended that RVP was one of the top three strikers in the world. This season, under Ferguson and with the service he is getting from United's attacking armoury, he has, if it is at all possible, gotten even better.

He is the Eric Cantona signing of the 2010s.
And because we believe in being objective and fair, it must be said that Juan Mata is probably the best signing Chelsea have made in a decade.

How on earth can this guy not get a regular place for Spain? One thing is for sure: When Xavi or Iniesta step aside, Juan Mata can step onto that stage and not look out of place, adding pace as well as technical skill.
And as for Chelsea, if they can keep him for the rest of his career, they can build their new dynasty around him.

This is a great time to be alive and watching Premier League football. We are blessed.
RVP and Juan Mata are both truly world-class, as they showed last Sunday and every week.

Source: Bleacher Report

Read More

Nani Mkali wa Soka Miongoni mwa Wahispania Hawa?

Nani Mkali Miongoni mwa Wachezaji Hawa, "Mata, Cazorla or Silva?

Hii hapa ni statistic ya michezo yao waliyoicheza

Juan Mata - michezo- 13, magoli - 6, saidia - 5, pasi kamilifu           asilimia 88.4 

Santi Cazorla - michezo - 14, magoli - 2, saidia - 2, pasi kamilifu asilimia 87.8 

David Silva - michezo - 14, magoli 0, saidia - 1, pasi kamilifu asilimia 88.9 

Read More

Do You Know Mr. Mark Clattenburg, the Referee? Here He Is.

He is the one who was in charge during Chelsea v Manchester United match last Sunday. He was faced with so many decisions and did not hesitate to decide whenever he was obligated to. I mean, no one saw him hesitating but went straight to deciding whenever he felt like it was according to the FIFA football rules.

The big issue was when he sent off Fernando Torres after he tried to cheat. Torres fell down "dived" looking for a free kick and was awarded a second yellow card which was really accordingly, and automatically Mr. Clattenburg, according to the FIFA rules, not his, had to give him a red card because that is what the rules say, and that is what all the referees do.

What do you have to say about this as a football fan? You can comment as a Chelsea's fan, a Manchester United's fan or any. Your comment is even more valuable.

Read More

This is What Took Place Inside the Stanford Bridge Yesterday

I do not think if it is wise to write so many things about the Chelsea v Manchester United game because I do believe that no any real football player missed the game. So, down here I have just prepared some pictures for you to see and remind yourself of what happened at the home of Chelsea, "Stanford Bridge."

 Everybody looked furious

 Diving seemed a big problem to the 

Chelsea star Torres. He was rewarded 

a red card after he was shown a second

 yellow card.

 The referee always tried to calm people 

down whenever he thought there was 

a problem.

 It was just like his usual moment whenever 

he plays against Chelsea, aka Chicharito 

scored the third goal for Man United.

 Even a steward was injured, that is how 

tough the game was.

 Torres diving

 Glorious moment to them

 

Have got anything to say about what happened 

during this game? Your comments are very valuable.

Read More

Will Robeerto Mancini Last Long?

According to HITC SPORT

 

What does a potential Champions League exit mean for Roberto Mancini and Manchester City?

Despite a positive start, Wednesday night was a chastening one for Manchester City's players, staff, and fans.

The English champions lost against Ajax, a game they really had to win, and now sit on just one point after three games. A maximum haul from their final three games (which would include winning in Dortmund), would see them finish on 10 points; the same number which saw them cruelly eliminated at the same stage last season.

Elimination once again at such an early stage would be a body blow for the club, whose ambition this season extends beyond simply attempting to retain their league crown. 

Progress in Europe is required, to continue their upward curve of success, and to keep and attract star players. And then there are the financial implications. With the possible Financial Fair Play rules incoming, television money from the latter stages of the Champions League would be more than welcome.

So while it is too early to write off City so far, its impossible to pretend all is rosy, and questions are being asked as they so often are in football about the future of their manager, Roberto Mancini.

It seems unthinkable. The man who delivered the club's first league title in 44 years earlier this year is being so closely scrutinised. Yet this is modern football, it is as unsurprising as it is shocking.

A second successive year of failure to progress from the group stages would be a blemish on his record at City, despite their tough draws in both, and couple with his Champions League failure at Inter Milan, raises questions over his ability to kick on at the top level of European football.

It is not the only issue Mancini has to deal with. He is a manager of a prickly nature, careering from one fallout to the next with his expensively assembled team of stars,  and cannot decide on his preferred tactical formation, let alone a settled line-up.

On the pitch, he will not move City forward without sorting these out, and while their league form has picked up recently with three straight wins, retaining their league title is looking even tougher than last year, thanks to the renewed challenge of Chelsea appearing to make it a legitimate three-way fight.

It is crucial to note however that Mancini signed a new five-year contract as recently as July. While City could afford to sack and replace him, whether they want to is doubtful.

After all their options to replace him are limited. Standout name Pep Guardiola is one option, but has been linked with rivals United, and may not see City as the place for him. Mourinho would not be popular with City fans after his derogatory comments about the club earlier this season.

Then it must be considered that Mancini is simply paying the price for increased expectations thanks to his own rapid achievement at City, a victim of his own success. Last year was supposed to be the season they strongly challenged for the title, after rising to third in 2010/11. Second would have been begrudgingly accepted as improvement, but they arguably exceeded expectation if not ambition when Sergio Aguero hit his famous title winning goal in May.

Recent European results haven't been great for City. but time to reflect is needed. The Champions League is tough, just ask Sir Alex Ferguson who has won it twice in 15 seasons, or Arsene Wenger, none in 14. If the champions can retain their Premier League trophy in May, early elimination will be brushed off once again, ready for a renewed attempt next year.

City might just be be best off with sticking with the devil they know, if supporters pardon the phrase. Long-term thinking is more likely to lead to long-term success than kneejerk reaction.

Do you still believe Mancini is the long-term future of Manchester City?

Read More

One of These 5 May Replace Rio Ferdinand

Via Bleacher Report

 
Manchester United's veteran defender Rio Ferdinand continues to push to be at the top of his game for the Red Devils.

However, at the age of 33 the out of favor England international is no longer looked to as a first choice for his country and he is beginning to be less and less a first choice for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

His recent controversial incident over the 'Kick it Out' anti-racism campaign has also cast a doubt on his status with the club and his manager according to the Telegraph.

With his career in red looking to be winding down here is a look at five potential replacements for the veteran defender that has been such a massive part of the club's success over the last decade.

Stoke City and former Manchester United youth player Ryan Shawcross has been linked with a return to his former club by British news outlet Sport as well as other sources in the past two weeks.

The strong English defender has been a first team player in the English Premier League for half a decade and at only 25 years of age he is more than capable of a step up in club stature.

According to BBC Sport however, his manager Tony Pulis claims that Shawcross is going nowhere.

 Borussia Dortmund star defender Mats Hummels was linked with Manchester United this summer and the rumors of his potential move appear to have resurfaced on Goal.com.

Sources for the news outlet claim that the play refuses to rule out a move if the deal is right for both him and Dortmund, according to Sky Sports 

 

Although Mats Hummels has been the most recent Borussia Dortmund defender linked to Manchester United, his counterpart at the Bundesliga club Neven Subotic was picked by Metro to replace Rio Ferdinand during the previous January transfer window as well as over the summer.

Schalke 04 defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos was linked with Manchester United in the summer transfer period by Sky Sports.Although at the time the player played down a potential move to Manchester United, the Greek defender could be a long term replacement for the veteran English center back.

.Atletico  Madrid and Uruguayan international defender Diego Godin was linked with Manchester City as well as Chelsea and Liverpool this summer by the Daily Express.

Although there are no official links to Manchester United with the player, he could be a much more cost effective replacement.

Read More

Chicharito "The Superman" for Manchester United

Via Bleacher Report

Manchester United survived the shock of conceding two early goals to move a step closer to the Champions League knockout phase with victory over SC Braga. 

The Portuguese side's veteran Brazilian striker Alan punished carelessness from United's reshuffled defence - without the rested Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra - with two clinical finishes to stun Old Trafford.
It was the sort of slow start that has threatened to undermine United this season, but Mexican Javier Hernandez took advantage of the opportunity to make his mark by leading the fightback.

Hernandez scored with a far post header to put United back in the game before half-time and, after Jonny Evans scrambled an equaliser, he was on the mark again as he rose to beat Braga keeper Beto for the winner with 15 minutes left. 

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wanted a third successive victory in the group stage to move his side closer to the target of 10 points he believes will ensure a safe passage into the last 16. 

And while he will be delighted by the verve and finishing shown by 24-year-old Hernandez as he demonstrated his determination not to be overshadowed by Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, Ferguson will once again have concerns about how easily United are conceding goals. 

For all those faults, however, United's character can never be doubted and they deserve great credit for the manner in which they recovered from such a dreadful start. 

Ferguson has already noted with indignation how often his side have fallen behind this season - and here was no exception as the opposition scored first for the eighth time in 12 games. 

The game was only 90 seconds old when former Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana crossed from the left for Alan to head low past home keeper David de Gea in front of the Stretford End. 

United were sleepwalking their way through the early stages and paid for it again as the visitors doubled their lead after 20 minutes. 

Michael Carrick, never a comfortable fit in central defence, was embarrassed as Eder showed great technique to cross for Alan to apply another clinical finish inside De Gea's near post. 

Ferguson looked nonplussed but he was at least cheered by a swift response as Hernandez pulled a goal back with a header at the far post from Shinji Kagawa's cross. 

The same pair were in action again as United were unfortunate to have a goal ruled out for offside. The flag went up as the Japanese midfield player crossed for Hernandez to score but replays confirmed the goal should have stood. 

Kagawa was not seen after half-time as Ferguson gave the hosts extra width and pace with the introduction of Nani. It provided the impetus required as they drew level just after the hour. 

Van Persie's corner created confusion in the Braga box and, after one unsuccessful attempt to make contact, Evans stabbed the ball over the line beyond Beto. 

As United applied concerted pressure, Beto then did well to save from Nani after he was released on the edge of the area by Hernandez's fine pass. 

Hernandez had been a constant threat and he was rewarded with his second goal after 75 minutes as United completed the turnaround. 

He showed his trademark clever movement in the area but credit must also be given to a magnificent cross from Tom Cleverley that allowed him to rise and head past the exposed Beto.

Read More

Sir Alex Ferguson Prefers Guardiola to Take Over After His Retirement

Sir Alex Ferguson wants former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and not Jose Mourinho to become his eventual successor at Manchester United.

According to a report on ESPN, chief executive David Gill and a member of the Glazer family also met the former Barcelona manager, who left his role at the Camp Nou after four successful years, at that time.
A United source said that the meeting was “informal”, however the future is understood to have been discussed.

Of course, all this talk comes in the wake of an interview given by Manchester United chief executive Woodward. He said: “We have a view as to what type of manager we want and how and when we’ll go about it. But it’s in the drawer and long may it stay in the drawer.”

Mourinho shares a good relationship with Ferguson but others in the Man United hierarchy believe that the former Chelsea coach doesn’t have a long-term vision and he isn’t a long term candidate as well. In the last 12 years, he has coached six clubs — very successfully though. Ferguson, in contrast, seems to have been at Man United forever.

And many at United wouldn’t want a scene where Ferguson’s successor exits after a few years in the job. At his last four managerial stints, Mourinho hasn’t lasted more than 4 years. He just feels the need for a different challenge.

Guardiola, on the other hand, is still interested in Chelsea, AC Milan and Bayern Munich. But Old Trafford is said to hold a special sway over him. Just last month, Guardiola and Ferguson skipped the elite UEFA Coaches Forum to meet in New York. That sent the Spanish and English media in a tizzy.

Currently, the former Barcelona coach is on a year long break from football and the fact that he is still in touch with many clubs is an indication that he will be back soon. Will he be better than ever? Will he have Man United playing a version of Tiki-Taka football?

Either which way, nothing has been confirmed as yet but one can see a vision on Man United’s future post the Ferguson era begin to form.

What do you say about this? Can Pep Guardiola do the job?

Source:FirstPost Sports

Read More

Lampard Huenda Akaikosa Mechi Dhidi ya Manchester United

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard anaweza kuikosa mechi kati ya Chelsea na Manchesster United itakayopigwa Jumapili ijayo baada ya kuumia na kuchechemea wakti wa pambano lao la ligi ya mabingwa pale walipopambana na kupewa kichapo na Shakhtar Donetsk kwenye dakika ya 18 tu siku ya Jumanne.

Je, unafikiri Chelsea wakimkosa Frank Lampard wataathirika kwa namna moja au nyingine?

Read More

The Angry Wenger

After his team Arsenal was beaten by Norwich City 1-0, this was what Arsene Wenger had to say showing how angry he became because of losing their game.

"We gave an easy game away and I am angry,"  

"In the end, Norwich gave us a good lesson, but it is one I would rather not have.

"They wanted the win more than us, showed more desire and it is hard for me to admit that. Too many lessons like this and you stand at the end of the season with too many regrets."

"The gap is very unpleasant. We had an opportunity that Tottenham could win and we could win, and we both lost. That of course makes the gap a lot bigger.

"You cannot say you do not worry about that, but what is more disappointing is that we could not score. After we went 1-0 down we had the ball for 70 minutes and could not score a goal."

Wenger was asked after the game whether he could look to sign a striker in the January transfer window, following a lack of firepower demonstrated against Norwich.

He said: "I cannot answer that question now. We did not create enough against Norwich, that is for sure, but we have players coming back and have to assess how things are progressing in January before making decisions.

"There are far too many players who are below what is required in the Premier League, and the players weren't at their best in terms of their concentration or commitment. We have to face the reality."

Source: Bleacher Report

Read More

Hivi Unasemaje Kuhusu Patnaship ya Rooney na RVP?

 Wayne Rooney na Robin Van Persie wakiwa kwenye mazoezi

Jamaa wanaonekana wakali. Ukali wao unathibitika pale wanapocheza pamoja na jinsi wanavyoonesha ushirikiano wakiwa kazini.

Lakini maswali ni kwamba ushirikiano huu utadumu? Ushirikiano huu utaleta mafanikio ya kutosha na hata kuwasaidia kurejesha ubingwa wa EPL? Ushirikiano huu utaisaidia Man United kuchukua hata kombe la mabingwa?

Najua na wewe unayo maoni yako. Unasemaje?

Read More

Hawa Ndiyo Wakali wa Man United v Stoke City

Wayne Rooney alifunga magoli mawili ukiachilia mbali lile la kujifunga baada ya kutokea kizaa zaa langoni mwao, Van Persie alifunga goli moja na Danny Welbeck alifunga moja.

Pamoja na Stoke City kuanza kuleta purukushani lango mwa Man United lakini walijikuta wakipewa kichapo kikali cha magoli 4-2 na kuwagawia wappinzani wao pointi zote 3.

Uzembe wa mabeki wa Man United uliwafanya Stoke City wapate goli la pili baada  ya kumwachia mshambuliaji wa Stoke kupenya katikati yao bila kipingamizi.

Read More

Didier Drogba and His Colleague Anelka Aren't Paid..!!

Shenhua Shanghai, the Chinese Super League club that made the game-changing move to sign ex-Chelsea stars Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba, is facing a player insurrection over unpaid wages. The players, Anelka included, boycotted practice on Monday and could skip the club’s next match if the money owed to them isn’t paid. You can’t help but wonder if everyone else would get paid if it wasn’t for those pesky aging stars. Ahem.


Not that Nico and Drogs can’t still contribute. Drogba is in high demand, apparently, having been linked to defending Super League champion Guangzhou Evergrande (I will never get tired of that name). Guangzhou’s manager, Marcelo Lippi (yes, that Marcelo Lippi) has denied the rumor, even while the man attempted to take control of Shenhua Shanghai, Zhu Jun, tweeted (well, it’s not tweeting—it’s the Chinese equivalent, so weibo…d) that Guangzhou is actively bidding for Drogba. Considering the money crunch in Shanghai, maybe overloading the Ivorian would be a good idea.

“I know nothing about Didier Drogba’s move, I have never contact him myself or via somebody since I took charge of Guangzhou Evergrande,” Lippi told Xinhua after Guangzhou’s training session on Thursday afternoon.

“I don’t know how it comes, I am satisfied with my forwards. We already have Lucas Barrios, Muriqui, Cleo and Gao Lin, we don’t need another Drogba,” the 64-year old Italian said.

On top of that whole Nico as player/manager nonsense and ongoing match-fixing issues of various severity, all of this is pretty boring. Clubs don’t pay their players all the time, unfortunately. It’s just that Chinese soccer is supposed to be taking over the world, and bickering billionaires aren’t going to make that happen if they’re bickering.
Chinese soccer’s massive potential is why IMG just signed a 10-year marketing deal with the Super League.

Also, a new generation of Chinese billionaires has taken over the 16-team Chinese Super League and has begun to import some of the biggest stars in the world. Last year Argentinean player Dario Conca, one of the top players in the Brazilian league, joined Guangzhou Evergrande, and French star Nicolas Anelka joined Shanghai Shenhua. Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba this year also joined the Shanghai club, just weeks after helping Chelsea win the European Football Championship.

Mr. Drogba’s move signaled China’s emergence as a growing force in international soccer.
“The Drogba signing was transformational,” said Jefferson Slack, IMG’s senior vice president for business development. The league already has modern stadiums, where the average attendance is about 20,000, he said. “A lot of the really hard work has been done.”

Maybe IMG can help transform Shanghai Shenhua into a team that pays their players. Good place to start, no? What say you?

Source: Bleacher Report

Read More

Ashley Cole Apigwa Faini Huku John Terry Akiadabishwa na Mabosi Wake

Ashley Cole amepigwa faini ya kiasi cha £90,000 na FA kufuatia hatua yake ya kuandika ujumbe usiokubalika kwenye twitter, huku mwenzake John Terry anatarajia kupewa adhabu na timu yake kufuatia adhabu yake aliyopewa ya kutocheza mechi nne na £220,000 na FA kwa kosa lake la lugha ya ubaguzi wa rangi kwa Ferdinand mdogo, huku yeye mwenyewe akiwa hajapanga kukata rufaa.

wachezaji wpte hao wawili wameomba radhi, huku Terry akishindwa kuomba radhi ya moja kwa moja kwa Ferdinand.

Read More

Ni Sawa Kwa Man City Kumuuza Mario Balotelli?

Ni mchezaji mwenye purukushani za kutosha awapo uwanjani. Purukushani zake ni za aina mbili. Zipo zile zinazoisaidia timu yake ya Man City pamoja na timu yake ya taifa ya Italy. Lakini pia zipo zile zinazowafanya siyo washabiki wa soka tu wakereke bali pia hata makocha wake.

Lakini Balotelli ni mchezaji mwenye kipaji cha cha pekee kwa miongoni mwa wachezaji wa umri wake.

Lakini sports director wa Man City, Brian Marwood, alikuwa na haya ya kusema kumuhusu Balotelli.
 

“I think that it’s important to make a good example. I think – and we all know who we are talking about – that you will get people within the system who do not show the right values and the right behavior.

“In the main, we have a ­fantastic group of players here. I look at Pablo Zabaleta, I look at Vincent Kompany, I look at Joe Hart, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott.

“I think we have a lot of players who can behave in the right way. You just have to make sure that they are the role models.”

Katika mambo aliyowahi kuyafanya Balotelli tangu ajiunge na Man City haya hapa machache:-

• Set his house ablaze by letting fireworks off in his bathroom
• Explained to police who stopped him in his car that he was carrying thousands of pounds worth of cash on his person by saying "because I am rich"
• Sent out on an errand for cleaning products by his mother only to return with a delivery van containing a giant trampoline, Scalextric set, a table tennis set and two Vespa scooters
• Drove into a women's prison in his hometown of Brescia to see what it was like inside
• Threw a dart out of a first-floor window in the direction of some City youth-team players
• Drove around Manchester city center dressed as Santa Claus throwing money to random members of the public.
• sasa ukorofi wake na vituko vyake, wewe ungekuwa ndo bosi wake, ungemuuza?

Read More

At Last Drake Graduates From High School

It’s hard being a teenage celebrity. The paparazzi, the screaming fans, the inability to graduate from high school. It’s all so difficult, which is why we can imagine that it’s gratifying for celebs when they finally receive that elusive high school diploma. The latest famous person to be awarded said diploma is Drake, who, at 25, has officially graduated high school.

Drake

.

The rapper joined Degrassi at age 15 and never finished high school. But this week, Drake tweeted that he’s finally finished high school. Drake wrote, “97% on my final exam. 88% in the course. One of the greatest feelings in my entire life. As of tonight I have graduated high school… Thank you to my teacher Kim Janzen for spending the last 5 months working tirelessly with me!! OVO SOUND.”
.
This is big news for the rapper, who left Toronto’s Forest Hill Collegiate Institute for Degrassi, which he has said was motivated by a desire to help his family. Drake told Complex last year, “My mother was very sick. We were poor, like broke. The only money I had coming in was off of Canadian TV, which isn’t that much money when you break it down… A season of Canadian television is under a teacher’s salary, I’ll tell you that much.”
.
Drake isn’t the only celeb to graduate high school late. Justin Bieber was awarded his high school diploma earlier this year, although not quite late since he’s only 18. The singer missed out on his graduation ceremony due to the commitments of, you know, being famous but did get a cap and gown on Ellen. The real winner is actor Nolan Gould, the 13-year-old star of Modern Family, who graduated high school recently and is already taking college classes. Top that, Drake.
.
You can leave your congratulations for the rapper in the comments!
.
 Source: What's Hot-MY SPACE
.

Read More

Did President Obama Fight Back Very Well?

A much more aggressive President Barack Obama showed up to the second presidential debate Tuesday, which at times devolved into angry crosstalk with Republican rival Mitt Romney.

President Obama was under pressure to perform dramatically better at this debate—held at Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y.—than the one held two weeks ago. Gov. Romney's energetic performance at that first debate quickly boosted him in the polls, with some recent measures showing he and the president in a virtual tie among likely voters.

Romney kept up his Denver demeanor, attacking Obama on his jobs record, failure to pass immigration reform, policies in the Middle East, and other issues. But this time, instead of simply repeating portions of his stump speech, Obama was ready with specific retorts and counter-attacks. The president frequently accused Romney of twisting facts, occasionally interrupting him as he spoke.

At one point, the debate almost became a shouting match over whether President Obama had cut back oil extraction from public lands. Obama repeatedly said Romney was lying about his claim that oil production was down, pointedly saying, "Not true, Governor Romney." (Politifact ranked a similar claim by a conservative super PAC "half true.") Feeling the heat, moderator Candy Crowley took the candidates to another topic.

The 90-minute town hall-style debate got personal at times. Romney took a detour on an answer on immigration reform to address Obama campaign claims that his personal fortune is invested in China and shielded from taxes. "Mr. President, have you looked at your pension?" he asked, implying the president is also unaware of the nature of his investments. "You know, I don't look at my pension," Obama retorted, adding, "It's not as big as yours so it doesn't take as long."

Obama returned more than once to the topic of Romney's wealth, saying Romney sees nothing unfair about millionaires paying the same tax rate as a nurse or other middle-class worker. Later in the debate, Romney criticized Obama for attending political events so soon after the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed, and also said Obama's campaign unfairly painted him as a villain. Obama closed the debate by mentioning Romney's leaked comments that half the country is dependent on government.

Both candidates appeared comfortable with the more intimate town hall-style, during which an audience of 80 undecided voters, handpicked by polling organization Gallup, watched and asked questions. Audience members picked by Crowley asked the candidates about immigration reform, jobs, gun control, the gender pay gap, and other issues. In answer to a question about the economy from college student Jeremy Epstein, Romney said if elected he could guarantee Epstein would find employment when he graduates in 2014 because of his economic policies. "I'm going to make sure you get a job," Romney said. Obama answered a question about the pay gap with a personal story about his mother's struggle to make ends meet while raising two children on her own.

By the end of the debate, Romney spoke for nearly 41 minutes, Obama a little over 44 minutes.

The final debate of the election is Monday in Boca Raton, Florida, and will focus on foreign policy.

Source: YAHOO! NEWS

Read More

Penati zawatoa Waganda Kombe la Mataifa ya Afrika

 Hii furaha ilipotea mwishoni

Bobby Williamson alishindwa kutimiza ndoto yake ya kuipeleka Uganda kwenye Fainali za Kombe la Mataifa ya Afrika mwakani baada  ya timu yake kupoteza mchezo kwa kufungwa kwa penati na mabingwa watetezi Zambia.  

Kocha wa Zambia

Uganda hawajacheza mashindano hayo tangu mwaka 1978. Mechi yao ya Jumamosi iliwapeleka kwenye sheria za matuta baada  ya kutoka sare hadi mwisho wa dakika 90, na Zambia kushinda kwa penati 9-8.  

 Jinsi mambo yalivokuwa

Read More

Wapenzi wa Soka Senegal Wazusha Vurugu Baada ya Kufungwa na Drogba.

Wana usalama wakijaribu kutuliza vurugu zilizoletwa na washabiki wa soka huko senegal baada ya timu yao kufungwa magoli 2 na kupoteza matumaini ya kufuzu kushiriki kombe la mataifa ya Afrika.

Baada ya kuona hakuna tena matumaini wakaanza kuwasha moto na kurushia vitu kadhaa uwanjani na kuleta fujo nyingine zisizo na msingi kutokana na hasira iliyowatawala.

wachezaji wa Ivory Coast ikabidi wasindikizwe na polisi ili wasije kudhuriwa na washabiki wenye hasira ya kufungwa wa Senegal.

Taarifa zilmesema kwamba watu 10 akiwemo waziri wa michezo wa Senegal Hadji Malick Gakou walijeruhiwa kwenye vurugu hizo.

Ingawaje mechi ilivunjika lakini inaonekana ushindi utatolewa kwa Ivory Coast.

Read More

Ashley in The Squad Despite His Ugly Tweet.

The Chelsea left back apologized in person to FA chairman David Bernstein for posting a vulgar tweet after a commission set up by the governing body questioned the evidence Cole gave in defending John Terry in a racism case.

"He expressed a degree of remorse for what he had done, wished it hadn't happened," Bernstein said. "I looked him in the eye and really felt that he meant it."

Cole has been charged with misconduct by the FA and is set to be fined, but is free to play for England in Friday's match against San Marino and the away game in Poland on Tuesday - if selected by coach Roy Hodgson.

"His contrition is greater because he realizes that he might have put his position in jeopardy - and I'm very happy he hasn't done that," Hodgson said.

"I'm pleased the chairman has gracefully accepted the apology from Ashley. I know how saddened he was by it and I'm glad it's been resolved."

Cole is currently training with the England squad at the country's new national training center in Burton-upon-Trent, where he greeted Prince William and his wife, Kate, at the facility's official opening. William is the honorary president of the FA, which Cole criticized in the vulgar tweet on Friday.

Cole has made 98 appearances and will become only the sixth Englishman to reach the century mark if he plays against San Marino and Poland. He is unlikely to be made captain to mark the occasion, however.

"We've had issues and we've stated publicly many times that we have a very high level of behavior and so on and so forth required from an English captain," Bernstein said.

Cole has until Thursday to respond to the FA charge. He had already issued an apology through his lawyers soon after sending the tweet in question.

 

Read More

Kibaki stands with outraged Kenyans, rejects Sh2.1b MPs bonus. via Capital FM-Kenya

As it was reported yesterday by Capital FM-Kenya

 
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 – President Mwai Kibaki has declined to assent to the amended Finance Bill (2012) that was passed by Parliament on Thursday October 4, 2012.

 
The amendment awarded parliamentarians a severance pay of Sh9.3 million each.
The pay award would have cost the taxpayer a total of Sh2.1 billion.

“The president objected to the amendment on the grounds that it was first unconstitutional, and secondly untenable in the prevailing economic circumstances in the country,” a statement from State House said.

The president said that coming shortly after the increment of salaries for teachers and doctors, the severance pay for parliamentarians would lead to an unsustainable wage bill at a time when the country requires massive resources to implement the new constitution and meet other competing demands in the economy.

In the meantime, the Head of State has assented to the amendment in the electoral laws extending the period to January 4, 2013 during which Members of Parliament should have chosen the political party on which to seek nomination and contest a political seat in the forthcoming general elections.

The president’s decision came hours after demonstrators marched in the Kenyan capital over the lawmakers’ move.
Analysts said a worker earning the national minimum wage would have to work for 61 years in order to earn the amount the MPs have voted to pay themselves.
“It is totally ridiculous for the MPs to award themselves such an amount of money,” said Morris Odhiambo, who helped organise the demonstration.

The demonstrators, waving placards with messages such as “MPs are thieves” and “greedy hyenas,” marched through central Nairobi to Parliament.

“We want them to know that the public mood is against this unjustified increment,” said Robert Alai, another of the organisers.

Kenyan lawmakers are already some of the best paid on the continent, with a tax-free monthly salary of some $13,000.

“It is totally ridiculous for the MPs to award themselves such an amount of money,” said Morris Odhiambo, who helped organise the demonstration.

Each of the 222 members and the speaker would get $110,800 (85,700 euro) as a sendoff package at the end of their current term.

“How come our teachers had to strike for three weeks to get a salary hike, yet within a single sitting the MPs could easily increase their remuneration,” Odhiambo said. “So where is the Sh2 billion going to come from?”
Rights groups, including Transparency International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, said in a joint statement the move was “extremely disturbing” and broke constitutional rules.

The statement called on Kenyans to let lawmakers “know that they are not willing to foot the cost of their greed.”

Read More