Chelsea 1 vs Arsenal 2

Scolari’s worry proved. An own goal from Johan Djourou gave Chelsea a 1-0 half-time lead, but it didn’t bring a glory for them. Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. They was scored by Robin van Persie in minute 59 and 62. It made their position in danger. Liverpool could be in top with the same score 33 on the table. Arsenal moved up to number 4 on the table of Premier League.

Manchester United also won the derby match against Manchester City on City of Manchester Stadium. Wayne Rooney’s 100th club goal was enough for Manchester United to confirm local supremacy over City at Eastlands. But Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off midway through the second half, after receiving his yellow card for a deliberate hand-ball in the box.

Full results of match on 29 and 30 Nov 2008

Aston Villan 0 – 0 Fulham
Middlesbrough 0 – 0 Newcastle
Stoke City 1 – 1 Hull City
Sunderland 1 – 4 Bolton
Wigan Athletic 2 – 1 WBA
Manchester City 0 – 1 Manchester United
Portsmouth 3 – 2 Blackburn
Tottenham 0 – 1 EvertonChelsea 1 – 2 Arsenal

Chelsea vs Arsenal : Big Match on Sunday 30th November 2008

Which team that be the winner on Sunday, Chelsea or Arsenal. Every team always hopes the victory surely. Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea coach said, “You’re only champions at the end of the last game. Last season Chelsea were nine points behind United at the halfway point and even if you’re 15 points clear with five games to go, you’re not champions.” He confessed Arsenal is a great team with a great coach. “Defeat won’t end Arsenal hopes. Arsenal will continue to be a title threat even if Chelsea beat them on Sunday.“ A Chelsea victory will stretch their lead over Arsenal to 13 points, but he is reluctant to suggest that such a margin is still enough to rule them out of the race.

Chelsea go into this match unbeaten in five and top of the table, some 10 points ahead of Arsenal, who have failed to win four of the last five. Arsenal are bidding to avoid a third successive league loss for the first time in 59 Premier League outings and will buoyed by the knowledge Chelsea have lost more matches (15), conceded more goals (47) and dropped more points (67) to Arsenal, than to any other club in the Premier League.

Chelsea though have won two of their last three home Premier League meeting with Arsenal, having failed to do so any of the previous nine.In 29 meeting in all competitions since 1998 there has been just one goalless draw; that being at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on 20 April 2005.

UEFA Champions League Knockout Stages

Until the 5th matchday, Barcelona FC got the biggest score on the scoreboard of UEFA Champions League with 13 point and ascertained as final qualifier. It happened after they defeated Sporting Clube de Portugal 5-2 yesterday. It scored by Thierry Henry (14), Gerard Piqué (17), Lionel Messi (49), Marco Caneira (o.g.) (67) and Bojan Krkić (pen) (73).

Liverpool also kept to final qualifying after won 1-0 yesterday to defeat Olympique de Marseille, and the hero was the captain, Steven Gerrard on minute 23.

Result matchday 5 - 26 Nov 2008

Bordeaux 1-1 Chelsea
CFR Cluj 1-3 Roma
Internazionale 0-1 Panathinaikos
Anorthosis 2-2 Bremen
FC Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 Basel
Sporting 2-5 Barcelona
Atlético 2-1 PSV

Liverpool 1-0 Marseille

UEFA Champions League : Matchday 5 - 25 Nov 2008

Group E - H had finished their 5th matchday at UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

In group F Bayern Munchen scored 3 - 0 to defeat Steaua Bucureşti, Miroslav Klose as the hero with 2 goals and another from Luca Toni.

The top list of group E, Manchester United just got 1 point, which scored 0 - 0 draw against Villareal FC. But The Red Devils booked its place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with Villareal FC. Striker Wayne Rooney said, "It doesn't seem to me that they go after the victory as much as we do." So no worries for Rooney.

All Matchday 5 - 25 Nov 2008

Villarreal 0-0 Man. United

AaB 2-1 Celtic
Bayern 3-0 Steaua
Fiorentina 1-2 Lyon
Fenerbahçe 1-2 Porto
Arsenal 1-0 FC Dynamo Kyiv
Zenit 0-0 Juventus
BATE 0-1 Real Madrid

Which’s the best football league, English Premier League (EPL), Italy Serie A or Spain La Liga?

This topic always become a debate among mass media, civilian, even football players. But until now it’s really difficult to prove which is the best league. Probably, all people have their own opinion. Each one, off course, analyzes from different aspect. It’s better to start this debate now on my blog...This is my analysis…

The amusing game :

According to my perception that Spain La Liga is the most amusing. EPL is just like Serie A, great match for only the big teams.

Technique and player quality:

No offense to EPL’s fans, La Liga and Serie A are better.

Many of SUPERSTAR

Thing that can be a star-meter is FIFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD. These started from 1991 to 2006 (Lothar Mattheus, Marco Van of Basten, Roberto Baggio, Romario, George Weah, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Fabio Cannavaro). Look that the players mention before, were dominated by La Liga and Serie A. The greatest players played for Serie A. Remember that football legend players like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Batistuta, Zidane, Buffon, Ronaldo, Mattheus, Totti, Platini, Figo, Nedved, Zico, Baresi and of course Diego Maradona. Last but not least, the most impressive players were the 23 whose won the World Cup 2006, all of them played for Serie A.

Now, many great players interest to play at EPL, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballack, Shevchenko, Terry, Lampard, Rooney, Torres, etc. Of course because purchasing power of the clubs that become rich suddenly, caused by costly their broadcast rights. It’s possible in the future more players want to play at EPL. And the names above were not given more solid contribution in club and also country level.

Trophy

The best clubs in Europe play on Champions League. The winner of Champions League is the best in Europe surely, and again La Liga and Serie A defeat EPL. In last 20 years, only Manchester United (1999) and Liverpool (2005) were from EPL.

Overall Judgement

Finally, my analysis in all aspect, Serie A is still the best league in the world. Maybe in the few years later, EPL will be a powerful league because of rich clubs progressively. But if they can’t control the expenses, it’s possible they’ll be like Lazio, Parma or Fiorentina. La Liga is dominated Barcelona and Real Madrid only, just like Celtic and Rangers in Scotland.

So… now please debate… use fact….

International Friendly Match, Brazil vs Portugal

An International friendly match had finished already on 19th Nov, which's Brazil and Portugal played to this match. The match against Portugal will be Brazil’s last in 2008. It will face Italy in London in February.

Brazil, with Kaka and Robinho on the "infantry" squad, got the victory 6-2. They driven for 90 minutes of the match. On the first half, they scored 2 goals, and on the second 4 goals.

Manchester United 5-0 Stoke City

Manchester United put Stoke City to the sword with a 5-0 win at Old Trafford.

Manchester United celebrated their victory after beat Stoke City 5-0 of the Barclays EPL matchday of 15th Nov. Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range shot put United in front after just three minutes and Michael Carrick added a second just before half-time.Dimitar Barbatov stretched the lead on 49 minutes before Danny Welbeck grabbed his first league goal with six minutes remaining.

Ronaldo wrapped up the scoring with another long-range effort in the final minute.

But it was an accident for The Gunner, Arsenal. They was defeated by Aston Villa 0-2. Ashley Young had a first-half penalty saved by Emanuel Almunia but then helped set up the opener when he crossed for Agbonlahor, who celebrated despite Gael Clichy appearing to get the final touch.

Agbonlahor the added the second 10 minutes from time when Villa broke, with Arsenal cancelling put the good work of last week when they beat Manchester United.

Final result of matchday 15th Nov :

Bolton 0-2 Liverpool

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa

Blackburn 1-2 Sunderland

Fulham 2-1 Tottenham

Man Utd 5-0 Stoke City

Newcastle 2-2 Wigan Athletic

West Ham Utd 0-0 Portsmouth

WBA 0-3 Chelsea

Barclay Awards

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

"The award comes exactly three years after his last triumph."

Frank Lampard finished October on a high note by being named the Barclays Player of The Month. The award comes exactly three years after his last triumph. Lampard is the second Chelsea player to win the Barclays Player of The Month award this season after Deco won August's prize.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH












"The award is Rafael Benitez's fourth, his last coming in January 2007."

Rafael Benitez has been announced Barclays Manager of The Month for October. The award is Rafael Benitez's fourth, his last coming in January 2007. Only six managers have won the prize on more occasions, including Sir Alex Ferguson with 21 and Arsene Wenger's 10. Benitez is the only Spaniard to have won the prize.

GOLDEN BOOT AWARD

"Anelka will receive a 1,000 poundsterling donation for the charity of his choice."

Nicolas Anelka was presented with a Barclays Golden Boot Award on Friday. The award was in recognition of the Chelsea striker becoming the first player to score 10 goals during the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season. In addition to his award, Anelka will receive a 1,000 poundsterling donation for the charity of his choice. He reached the 10 goal mark after scoring a brace in Chelsea's 2-0 away win at Blackburn Rovers and now leads the "Race For The Golden Boot" ahead of Wigan Athletic's Egyptian striker Zaki who has eight goals to his name.

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1

Arsene Wanger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from a poor run of form to defeat Manchester United thanks to two goals from Samir Nasri.

Gunner manager Wenger admitted dressing-room morale was low after their 4-4 draw with rivals Tottenham Hotspur and the defeat at Stroke City - but this win at the Emirates Stadium breathes life into their campaign and lifts the above United in the Barclays Premier League.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended but Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth gaols of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

Frontrunners in sight of finishing line

FC Barcelona, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Juventus are already there, but the goal for several clubs on Matchday 5 is to reach the UEFA Champions League first knockout round with a game to spare.

Group A:

A win for Chelsea FC at third-placed FC Girondins de Bordeaux will take last season's runners-up through, regardless of the result between AS Roma in second position and bottom club CFR 1907 Cluj. The group leaders go into Matchday 5 with a one-point advantage over both Roma and Bordeaux.

Group B:

The top two teams in the section can qualify on 26 November with a game to spare. Leaders FC Internazionale Milano will advance with either a victory or a draw at home to Panathinaikos FC. The Nerazzurri could even afford to lose in the event of a draw between Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Werder Bremen, as such a combination of results would suffice too. Cypriot surprise package Anorthosis will achieve a first knockout round spot if they win and Inter do likewise.

Group C:

The main business is complete: Barcelona and Sporting rubber-stamped their last-16 tickets on Matchday 4 when the Spanish side drew with FC Basel 1893 and the Portuguese team beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Group D:

Pacesetters Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC will extend their UEFA Champions League campaigns into the new year by winning at home to PSV Eindhoven and Olympique de Marseille respectively. Atlético can also book up for the knockout stages if they draw and Liverpool avoid defeat. A point would also be enough for Liverpool – who like Atlético have eight points – provided PSV do not prevail in Madrid.

Group E:

With Manchester United FC and Villarreal CF sitting pretty with a six-point cushion overCeltic FC and Aalborg BK, both are likely to qualify on 25 November. The two clubs can be denied by only one combination of results apiece: a Villarreal victory against United, allied to a home win between AaB and Celtic, will keep the holders waiting; a United triumph in Spain, juxtaposed with a success for Celtic, will frustrate Villarreal.

Group F:

Olympique Lyonnais enter Matchday 5 knowing exactly what they must do to proceed beyond the group stage: avoid defeat at ACF Fiorentina. FC Bayern München may trail Lyon on goals scored in the pool, yet they find themselves in an even more luxurious position – only the twin occurrence of Bayern losing at home to rock-bottom FC Steaua Bucureşti and Fiorentina beating Lyon will stop the German team celebrating.

Group G:

Arsenal FC hold a two-point advantage over FC Porto and will attain qualification with victory at home to FC Dynamo Kyiv. Porto will cross the white line by overcoming stragglers Fenerbahçe SK in Turkey, unless that maximum haul coincides with a Dynamo win at Arsenal.

Group H:

By gaining back-to-back victories against Real Madrid CF, Juventus made sure they were first through the door on Matchday 4. The Spanish outfit will travel in their slipstream if they can outdo FC BATE Borisov in Belarus, with the proviso that third-placed FC Zenit St. Petersburg fail to beat visiting Juventus.