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[bia2209]

Sheffield United? What is the matter with my Gunners?? Losing to Sheffield United....*shakes head* I have no words.

[iman]

6:3 to arsenal...what the hell is wrong with liverpool!!!

[Annie]

LOL yeah apparently that was some match!!!!!!!!!! With Baptista scoring 4 goals

Baptista hits four as Arsenal beat Liverpool 6-3

LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Brazilian forward Julio Baptista scored four goals as Arsenal thumped Liverpool 6-3 in their League Cup quarter-final at Anfield on Tuesday, three days after knocking them out of the FA Cup on the same ground.

Both teams made nine changes from Saturday's lineups but it was the callow Arsenal side that swept into a 5-1 lead early in the second half thanks to a hat-trick from Baptista.


Steven Gerrard inspired a fight back to 5-3 with a wonderful volley but Liverpool's late charge was ended by a fourth for Baptista, who had managed only one previous goal since his August arrival from Real Madrid.

The stunning victory earned Arsenal a semi-final meeting with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and left manager Arsene Wenger purring.

"I thought we had the chance to qualify but you don't expect that," he told Sky Sports.

"There is an accepted character inside the club now in how we want to play the game. A great attitude and great togetherness."

Of Baptista's special night after a difficult first five months in London, he added: "I always believed it was in there - it takes time to adapt to English football.

It was the first time Liverpool had conceded six goals at home for 76 years and their woeful night was made worse by serious-looking injuries to Chile winger Mark Gonzalez and his replacement Luis Garcia.

"There was a lot of bad news at the same time," said manager Rafael Benitez.

"They (Arsenal) had four attempts in the first half and scored four goals. We have to try to forget it as soon as possible and think about Watford (in the Premier League on Saturday)," he added.

ARSENAL OPENER

Arsenal's 27th-minute opener came out of nothing as centre back Kolo Toure launched a long ball down the middle.

Jeremie Aliadiere, who was an impressive and willing runner all night, brought it down well and beat stand-in goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek at the second attempt.

Robbie Fowler cleverly backheeled the equaliser six minutes later but Arsenal regained the lead five minutes before halftime when Baptista left Dudek helpless when he sent a 25-metre free kick over the wall and into the top right corner.

Alexandre Song bundled in Arsenal's third goal after Dudek failed to reach a cross and Baptista put the fourth into an open net, both goals coming in first-half injury time.

Liverpool were booed off at the break but the crowd got a lift 10 minutes after the restart when Dudek saved a Baptista penalty.

The Brazilian's disappointment lasted all of five minutes though as he completed his hat-trick with a low drive from outside the box to make it 5-1.

Gerrard crashed in a superb volley from the edge of the area in the 68th and then had a free kick touched on to the bar by Manuel Almunia before Sami Hyypia got Liverpool's third 10 minutes from time.

However, great work by Aliadiere set up Baptista for a simple fourth four minutes later to complete the scoring.

The first leg of the semi-final will be White Hart Lane on Jan. 24 with the return at the Emirates Stadium on Jan. 30. Wenger said he would continue with the youngsters for those games as he seeks the domestic trophy still to elude him.

The first leg of the other semi is on Wednesday when league champions Chelsea visit fourth division Wycombe Wanderers, who have already knocked out Premier League Charlton Athletic

[Annie]

Chelsea shrug off Mourinho quit talk

January 10, 2007

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea have insisted they will not be distracted from their League Cup semi-final first leg away to Wycombe on Wednesday by talk that manager Jose Mourinho is set to quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

The English champions were adamant that talk of falling-out involving the club's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Mourinho was "tittle-tattle".

Kenyon insisted: "You've got to look where we are. We're second in the league and behind by six points with arguably the toughest part of the season still to come.

"We qualified top of the group in the Champions League which, again, was arguably one of the toughest groups. We're in the semi-final of the Carling (League) Cup and through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

"Would you rather be six points clear. Of course," added Kenyon, whose former club, Manchester United, currently top the table.

"But this is not the end of the season and this is not doom and gloom. I think we're in a very good position with a very strong squad."

Chelsea have been linked with a post-season move for Russia national team coach Guus Hiddink, who already knows Abramovich. But Russian officials were quick to point out Monday that the Dutchman's contract runs until 2008.

However, that is unlikely to stop the speculation surrounding Mourinho. The longest stint the Portuguese has served as a manager was the two-and-a-half years he spent in charge of Porto, the club which he left for Chelsea.

Misfiring striker Andriy Shevchenko is set to start in against League Two Wycombe. ;D ;D ;D

Although Chelsea beat Macclesfield 6-1 in the third round of the FA Cup, 30 million pounds Ukraine international Shevchenko failed to score against a side currently second from bottom of the fourth tier of English fotobal.

"I think he tried hard against Macclesfield and that's a step," said Mourinho. "For a striker to be in a team that wins 6-1 and not score one of them is frustrating, but he fought hard." at least you are decent enough to say THAT Jose

"When he fights hard and chases a better moment he can arrive there. In some other matches I couldn't accept that. Maybe in other matches he has just accepted without a fight the moment he is living in."

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho and striker Didier Drogba are both suspended for Wednesday.

Influential midielder Frank Lampard is set to be rested after scoring his first Chelsea hat-trick against Macclesfield.

With Chelsea still without several injured defenders, including club captain John Terry, Mourinho could pair Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien at the heart of his side's defence.

Up front Shaun Wright-Phillips and John Obi Mikel, who both scored on Saturday, are set to start.

Wycombe, who have already caused one major upset in the competition this season by knocking out Premiership strugglers Charlton in the quarter-finals, are set to field their playmaker Sergio Torres.

The Argentinian made a surprise appearance from the bench in Saturday's draw with Rochdale after four months out with ankle injury,

The League Two outfit should also have their first choice central defensive available with Mike Williamson returning from suspension and Will Antwi having recovered from a groin injury. On-loan Chelsea winger Anthony Grant has not been allowed to play in the tie.

[Annie]

Hammers deny Ljungberg link

West Ham have denied holding an interest in Freddie Ljungberg as the Arsenal star ponders his next move carefully.

The crowd favourite has reportedly been told he will never play for the Gunners again by manager Arsene Wenger.

Swedish newspaper Expressen quotes a source close to the player as saying: "Arsene is obsessed with the idea of making the team younger. He wants to create a new super-team and Fredrik does not fit into that picture.

"Fredrik always thought he would end his career at Arsenal. He has given them all he's got so he is obviously very disappointed and shocked."

"He is furious and he can't believe that he has been treated this badly."

"He is shocked by Wenger's betrayal."

West Ham and Tottenham have been credited with an interest in the midfielder but the 29-year-old may be in no hurry to leave.

"We have not made an enquiry about Freddie Ljungberg," insisted West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson.

"The English press have been very busy linking us with players but this is not true."

[Annie]

This is absolutely hysterical ... I cannot believe they drew!!! Jose should get his head out of his a$$ and start doing some work around there

Wycombe draws Chelsea 1-1 in League Cup

January 10, 2007

WYCOMBE, England (AP) -- Jermaine Easter's goal in the 77th minute salvaged a 1-1 draw for League Two side Wycombe against Chelsea in a first-leg semifinal of the English League Cup on Wednesday.

Wayne Bridge -- playing winger instead of fullback because of squad injuries -- beat Portuguese goalie Ricardo Batista to a long ball from Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou in the 36th minute before chipping it past Batista to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

"We are in a good position to reach the final," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. "We have to decide things at home, so if you look at it as a cup semifinal -- there are no teams from different divisions and every team is from the same competition -- I think it's a good result away from home."

The return leg will be at Stamford Bridge on Jan. 23.

Chelsea played without injured captain John Terry, goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, defenders Khalid Boulahrouz and Ricardo Carvalho, and forwards Joe Cole and Arjen Robben. Mourinho started midfielder Michael Essien at center back and Bridge on the wing.

Mourinho also rested strikers Didier Drogba -- leading English soccer with 20 goals in all competitions -- and Andriy Shevchenko, and midfielder Frank Lampard entered in the 67th minute.

Wycombe matched its best result in a domestic cup competition -- a 2001 FA Cup semifinals loss to eventual champion Liverpool -- just by facing the 2005 champ.

Chelsea arrived at Adams Park boasting a squad worth $454 million but watched as a Wycombe side worth $155,000 created the first chance. ;D ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

Midfielder Kevin Betsy chested down a Matt Bloomfield pass to the right of the penalty area in the 19th, but goalkeeper Hilario's arm caught a piece of his shot to send the ball over the goal.

Defender Tommy Doherty cleared a shot from Bridge off the line from 12 meters in the 32nd after Essien headed it back to the winger.

Four minutes later, Bridge beat Batista to the Kalou long ball, with the head-on-head collision resulting in both players receiving medical attention. The game was delayed for 5 minutes.

Wycombe had the first chance of the second half, as Bloomfield cut through the middle of the Chelsea defense to collect a through ball from Tommy Mooney in the 51st, but the midfielder struck it wide.

Easter raced to a Mooney header before deftly rolling it past Hilario in the 77th for his competition-leading sixth goal.

"(It was) awesome, a great result. It's going to be a good match when we go there," Easter said. "It was disappointing to concede a goal because in the first 30 minutes we were the better team."

Wycombe had all the momentum through the final minutes, with midfielder Stefan Oakes sending a strike from the edge of the area just over the bar.

"I think anything is possible in football," said Wycombe manager Paul Lambert of his side's chances of winning at Chelsea.

Arsenal will face north London rival Tottenham at White Hart Lane for the other first-leg semifinal on Jan. 24, with the return leg set for Emirates Stadium on Jan. 31.

The final is at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on Feb. 25.

[Annie]

Mourinho claims Chelsea denying him transfer cash

AFP
January 11, 2007

LONDON (AFP) - Jose Mourinho has claimed that his plans to strengthen his injury-hit squad have been blocked by the club's refusal to fund the purchase of new players, adding to the uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge.

In the wake of Chelsea's 1-1 draw at League Two Wycombe in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final, Mourinho revealed that the club was not planning to bring in any new players during the January transfer window.

Asked whether he had identified possible recruits but been told they would not be arriving, the Portuguese manager replied: "Yes, that is the situation."

Mourinho added: "I do not have to tell you the reason. They are club reasons. This is our situation at the moment. I hear nobody is coming in, and if nobody is coming in, nobody can leave.

"I cannot let a player go, even if he is a player I think should go, because we are very short of options and numbers. It is not my choice - it is not my club. I am just the manager."

Mourinho must have been aware that his comments would only fuel rumours that a rift has opened up between him and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Abramovich recently admitted that he did not regard the manager as a friend and there has been a flurry of stories in the British media suggesting the Russian tycoon will seek to bring Guus Hiddink, currently in charge of Russia, to London at the end of this season if Mourinho fails to deliver victory in the Champions League.

Chelsea's resources have been stretched to the limit by a combination of suspensions and injuries, most importantly to captain John Terry. These have exacerbated the problems caused by the poor form of major signings Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, who was anonymous in Wednesday night's match.

Unfortunately for Mourinho, Terry's comeback from back surgery, originally expected this weekend, has been put back and the England skipper may still be some weeks away from playing again.

"The only thing I know for sure is that John will not play against Wigan on Saturday," Mourinho said.

[sabz]

Well it is official - beckham really is stupid! he is off to the US to play there
i seriously dont get this guy - i doubt we will be seeing him again
hope he has sucess in LA

Beckham move crucial for MLS

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has hailed David Beckham’s move to the Los Angeles Galaxy as a crucial one in terms of the development of the game in the USA.

It was announced this morning that the former England captain had signed a 5-year deal with the West Coast outfit worth up to 250 million dollars (£128 million).

“David Beckham coming to MLS might be viewed by some as one of the most important moments for soccer in this country and perhaps in the history of professional sport,” Garber enthused.

“David clearly transcends the sport and is a cultural icon. David is clearly one of the most recognisable athletes in the world. People are going to feel really good about David spending the rest of his career in the U.S.”

Beckham becomes the highest-profile footballer to move to the United States since Brazilian legend Pele joined the New York Cosmos in 1975.

[bia2209]

I can't get my head around this. In footballing terms, it's a sad way for Becks to end his career. I mean let's face it, that's what this is.

But the money

It's absurd.

However I would like to point out, in a way, fair play to Becks, if you can convince the yanks to give you that kind of cash for doing your job below par then good on him.

Why do i see Victoria's hand in this?

[sabz]

HAHA that was the first thing i thought too B!!

the thing is it is such a shame, last year he was england captain and a player of real madrid and now it has come to this - shame really

so long becks!!

[bia2209]

Bye Bye Beckham....sounds like a lifetime movie to me.

[Annie]

[iman]

actually i am not surprised he is going to america...here are my reasons!!

1. he is stupid!
2. he is stupid!
3. he is stupid!

okay, no really the guy had no real choice..............he is 31 yrs old and his performance in the world cup last year was typical of a footballer who has passed it.

real madrid have put him on the bench nearly most of the season and it is not surprising that they do not want to continue his contract!! the most that beckham has done for the club is bring in revenue from 'Beckham' real madrid t-shirts sales (in Asia they sell like water!) which is a phenomenal amount of money for the club!!
furthermore he cost the club 25mill and is clearly not worth this amount today. i think this is why no italien or UK club of any significance has made a good enough bid for him.
AND if they did then he obviously think he can get more in US (which has turned out to be true). Furthermore, he probabaly thinks that to retain his famous status (which lets face it, he is somewhat addicted too) he has a better chance in the states!!! and of course so does victoria!!!......so there are my reasons but in my head it always comes back to the fact that he is generally stupid!!! his quest for fame fame and fortune is going to ruin the end of his football career.........how does he want to be remembered??? ...to be a brilliant striker or to be the next brad pitt??? who knows and who cares?

[bia2209]

iman said:

actually i am not surprised he is going to america...here are my reasons!!

1. he is stupid!
2. he is stupid!
3. he is stupid!

okay, no really the guy had no real choice..............he is 31 yrs old and his performance in the world cup last year was typical of a footballer who has passed it.

real madrid have put him on the bench nearly most of the season and it is not surprising that they do not want to continue his contract!! the most that beckham has done for the club is bring in revenue from 'Beckham' real madrid t-shirts sales (in Asia they sell like water!) which is a phenomenal amount of money for the club!!
furthermore he cost the club 25mill and is clearly not worth this amount today. i think this is why no italien or UK club of any significance has made a good enough bid for him.
AND if they did then he obviously think he can get more in US (which has turned out to be true). Furthermore, he probabaly thinks that to retain his famous status (which lets face it, he is somewhat addicted too) he has a better chance in the states!!! and of course so does victoria!!!......so there are my reasons but in my head it always comes back to the fact that he is generally stupid!!! his quest for fame fame and fortune is going to ruin the end of his football career.........how does he want to be remembered??? ...to be a brilliant striker or to be the next brad pitt??? who knows and who cares?

Very well said. ;D ;D ;D

[Annie]

Iman my girl, God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is priceless stuff you posted there!!!! ;D ;D ;D