retired_tnovo

Friday 1st September 2006

premierleague.com

The Premiership Player of the Month went to Manchester United's wonderkid Wayne Rooney based purely on his devastating performance against West Ham on the opening day of the season. Scored 3 goals and set another one up.

The Premiership Young Player of the Month was Reading's towering central defender Peter Mate as his solid displays at the heart of the Royals' defence has been the only shining light in what has been a tough start to Premiership life.

The Premiership Manager of the Month was Watford's Aidy Boothroyd as he lead his players to a 100% start in the Premiership. This run included wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Premiership Goal of the Month was Sanli Tuncay's cracking strike at Goodison Park. The Turkey international sped past two men before crashing a long range effort past Tim Howard. The goal put Spurs ahead but the match ended in defeat for Tuncay and Spurs.


Midweek Premiership Results

Arsenal 1 Fulham 2
Liverpool 0 Watford 1
Newcastle 1 Sheff Utd 0

http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?i...visionldn0.jpg

retired_tnovo

Saturday 9th September 2006

premierleague.com

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 1

It's turning into a bit of a habit now. Manchester United drew their 3rd Premiership match in a row with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane this afternoon. Wayne Rooney was on hand to save United from defeat, cancelling out Robbie Keane's wonderful opener. The match was thoroughly enjoyable to watch as an neutral as both sides created an endless amount of scoring opportunities but they found both Paul Robinson and Edwin van der Sar in great goalkeeping form. Spurs finished the last quarter of the game with 10 men following an injury to Edgar Davids. This result helped United climb up to 3rd place in the table. Manchester United boss Faiz Khan decided to named the same XI that started against Chelsea a fortnight ago, with Gabriel Heinze and Alan Smith both returning from injuries to make the bench. Tottenham gaffer Martin Jol made four changes from the side that lost at Everton with injury victim Leighton Baines, Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas and Jermain Defoe being replaced by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Anthony Gardner, Ledley King and Keane.

On a warm Saturday afternoon in North London, referee Phil Dowd got the match underway. The game began a quick pace and it was the home side that fashioned the first opportunity after 2 minutes. Davids sent Dimitar Berbatov down the left wing and he pulled the ball back for Davids on the edge of the area where the Dutchman drove his low effort just wide of the far corner. The visitors were slow out of the blocks and King blasted a hopeful long range effort way wide of the mark. Two minutes later, Spurs took advantage of their positive start by taking the lead. Gardner sent a great ball over the top of the United defence for Keane to ran onto and although the angle was very tight, the Irish international struck a venomous shot into the far corner. The concession of the goal appeared to jolt United back to life and they went close to equalising 3 minutes later. Patrice Evra sent Ryan Giggs scampering down the left flank and his smart pass found Louis Saha unmarked but the Frenchman's cleanly struck shot was tipped wide brilliantly by Robinson. On 21 minutes, Davids and Keane combined to set up Berbatov from 30 yards but his fierce shot flew just inches over the crossbar. Spurs were dominating the match at the moment and were denied a second goal on 25 minutes. Steed Malbranque's set piece found an unmarked Michael Dawson in the area but his bullet header was tipped over by van der Sar's fingertips. United found an opening on 33 minutes when Saha flicked on Wes Brown's searching ball into the path of Giggs but instead of crossing, the Welshman went for the shot which went horribly wide. The visitors gained some confidence from that attack and followed it up with an equaliser, albeit fortunately. Gary Neville's long ball was weakly headed back by Assou-Ekotto and Rooney ran onto it and rounded Robinson before rolling the ball into an empty net - a terrible goal for Spurs to concede but United won't mind! Spurs continued to put the pressure on and were very unlucky not retake the lead on 42 minutes. Malbranque's set piece was cleared out to Berbatov on the edge of the D and the Bulgarian unleashed a fearsome effort which crashed past van der Sar and off the crossbar. On the stroke of halftime, former Tottenham man Michael Carrick burst into the area and found Rooney who could only place his shot inches over the crossbar. Straight after that chance, the halftime whistle went at White Hart Lane with the score at Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 1.

United manager told his players that they were very lucky to be level at the break and told his players to take advantage of this in the 2nd half. The game was up and running again as both sides looked to push home the advantage. Early in the 2nd half, the visitors had a great chance to take the lead. Giggs swung in a corner from the right to an unmarked John O'Shea but he could only direct his header wide of the near post. After 52 minutes, Evra and Rooney exchanged passes before the latter sent Saha away on goal only for his firm effort to be tipped over superbly by Robinson. And from the resulting corner, Cristiano Ronaldo headed Giggs corner just over the crossbar at the back post. United had certainly stepped up another gear since halftime and almost had the lead on 56 minutes. Giggs was fouled just outside the area and Rooney stepped up with the curler only for it to more or less skim the far post on its way wide. It was all United now and they missed a great opportunity a couple of minutes later. Brown's clearance sent Saha clear on goal but from a very tight angle, his shot went way wide of the far corner. The home side somehow survived this relentless United pressure and created their first chance of the 2nd half on the hour. Sanli Tuncay dispossessed Gary Neville on the halfway line and began storming down the left side and when his low cross found substitute Mido in the area, his shot across van der Sar was well saved by the big Dutchman. Khan made a change after that as Alan Smith made his return from a broken leg and he almost had an instant impact. Neville's long ball was deflected into the path of Smith in the area but he hurried his shot and it went well over the crossbar. The game then descended into a scrappy midfield with both sides trying to keep hold of possession. On 80 minutes, Pascal Chimbonda's hopeful ball found its way through to Tuncay and his shot was deflected leaving van der Sar stranded but fortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball trickled inches wide. Two minutes later, substitute Heinze crossed towards the far post for Ronaldo but the Portuguese winger's header went over the crossbar. The home side finished the match the stronger and almost won it in stoppage time. Keane teed up Gardner from a freekick and the defender got everything behind his strike only for van der Sar to pull off the stop of the match, flying across his goal to tip it over the crossbar. Nothing came of the resulting corner and the referee ended the match. The final score from White Hart Lane was Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 1.

Match Verdict - a pulsating end-to-end match in North London ended with the fair result. Both goalkeepers made sure of that with some show-stopping saves.

Tottenham - Robinson 7, Chimbonda 7, Assou-Ekotto 5 (Lee Young-Pyo 62, 6), Dawson 7, Gardner 8, Malbranque 6, Tuncay 7, King 7 (Jenas 62, 7), Davids 6 (inj 68), Keane 8, Berbatov 6 (Mido 45, 7).

Goals - Keane (15)

Booked - Assou-Ekotto & Jenas

Injured - Davids (68)

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 7, Evra 7 (Heinze 73, 6), Ferdinand 7, Brown 8, Ronaldo 7, Giggs 7 (Park Ji-Sung 73, 7), O'Shea 7, Carrick 7, Rooney 7, Saha 7 (Smith 62, 6).

Goals - Rooney (35)

Booked - Ferdinand & Carrick

Man of the Match - Wes Brown - the United defender was superb at the back this afternoon as his tackling and monstrous aerial power saved United from losing this match.


Other Premiership Results

Man City 1 Fulham 1
Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 0
Reading 1 Everton 1
West Ham 4 Sheff Utd 1

retired_tnovo

Sunday 10th September 2006

skybet.com

With the group stages of the Champions League set to commence this week, the bets have been published for this season's campaign. Faiz Khan's Manchester United have been made 5th favourites at 11-1 to lift their 3rd European Cup this season. There are three joint favourites for the Champions League that are holders Barcelona and their arch-rivals Real Madrid, along with 6 time winners AC Milan. Here is a shortlist of the likely winners of this year's competition:

Barcelona 15-2
AC Milan 15-2
Real Madrid 15-2
Chelsea 10-1
Man Utd 11-1
Inter Milan 12-1

In other news, Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand has publicly criticised manager Faiz Khan for his positive reaction to yesterday's draw at Tottenham. Ferdinand was obviously disappointed to only get a point at White Hart Lane and let his new boss know that his errors of judgement had nothing to help his team. Upon hearing this, Khan was unsurprising upset with his own player's comments and almost instantly fined Ferdinand a weeks' wages.

retired_tnovo

Monday 11th September 2006

premierleague.com

After producing a lesson in goalkeeping for the 2nd straight week at Tottenham on Saturday, Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar was named in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

Hatem Trabelsi (Man City)
Paul Konchesky (West Ham)
Mladen Krstajic (West Ham)
Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham)

Yossi Benayoun (West Ham)
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Stilian Petrov (Aston Villa)
Javier Mascherano (West Ham)

Darius Vassell (Man City)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham)

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 13th September 2006

uefa.com

Bordeaux 0 Manchester United 2

The quest for Europe's biggest prize has begun in earnest. Manchester United put their scratchy domestic form on the shelf as they overcame Bordeaux in their opening Champions League group match in France tonight. A goal in each half from Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Louis Saha gave Faiz Khan's side the victory that helps them top the group. It was totally deserved as United were the dominant team and Bordeaux were very lucky that they did'nt concede more than just the 2 goals. Khan brought Gabriel Heinze and Alan Smith into the starting XI in place of Patrice Evra and Saha, who both dropped to the bench. Khan also named returning duo Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic among his substitutes. Bordeaux manager Ricardo Gomes made four changes from the home defeat to Auxerre with Franck Jurietti, Bruno Manga, Rio Mavuba and Jean-Claude Darcheville replaced by Marc Planus, Henrique, Juan Pablo Francia and Johan Micoud.

In very hot temperatures in France, referee Nicole Petignat got the Champions League campaign up and running. The visitors made a strong start to the game and almost were ahead inside 5 minutes. Ryan Giggs passed to Wayne Rooney and the England striker went on a strong run past Henrique and Francia before seeing his firm effort saved brilliantly by Ulrich Rame's fingertips. On 14 minutes, Bordeuax made their first impression on the match. Wendel sent a wonderful crossfield ball into the path of Stephane Dalmat but the former Spurs man could only drag his effort well wide of the post. A minute later, Gary Neville's hurried clearance luckily sent Smith clean through on goal but the returning striker's effort was too weak and too straight at Rame. Bordeaux came close themselves 2 minutes later, Micoud playing the ball into Marouane Chamakh but his strike on the turn flew over the crossbar. Midway through the 1st half, United should have taken the lead. Heinze's long searching ball was flicked on by Smith for Rooney to tap home but Rame came out quickly to block Rooney's stabbed effort. A minute later, United created another opportunity. Ronaldo went on a mazy run down the right flank and when his cross was flicked on by Michael Carrick into the path of Giggs, the Wales international could only drag his shot inches wide of the far corner. The away side were cranking up the pressure on Bordeaux's goal and their pressure paid off in the 35th minute. Wes Brown played a freekick out to Heinze and he crossed into a crowded penalty area where Ronaldo timed his run to perfection to give Rame no chance with his bullet header. Three minute before the interval, Bordeaux tried to hit back with an equaliser. Henrique's long ball bounced its way through to Dalmat but his shot went straight into the side-netting from an almost impossible angle. The half ended with Micoud crossing into the area where Francia's header went sailing over the crossbar. The match came to a halt in France with the scoreline reading Bordeaux 0 Manchester United 1.

Manager Khan was somewhat satisfied with his side's performance in the 1st half but wanted his players to now make sure of the victory quick and early. Into the 2nd half and United began brightly, creating an early opportunity. Brown sent a ball down the line for Smith and he stormed into the box where his shot across the keeper was kept out by Rame and the ball was cleared to safety. A minute later, the visitors came so close to adding a second goal. Rooney went on another strong, bustling run and his cross to the far post found Giggs and his header crashed off the crossbar and Bordeaux escaped. Just before the hour mark, Giggs came close again with his head, this time heading a Ronaldo centre just inches over the crossbar. By 65 minutes, United had gained control of the match and they came close to adding a second goal. Heinze took a quick throw to Rooney who cut inside before belting a right-footer on goal, forcing Rame into action once again with a super parry away to safety. It was all United upto this point but Bordeaux had the chance to make the away side pay with a golden opportunity after 71 minutes. Henrique's clearance sent substitute Darchevilla clean through on goal but his fierce low shot was superbly saved by van der Sar. And all hopes for an equaliser were put to bed five minutes later. Rame kicked the ball up and when Francia headed the ball back, it fell straight into the path of substitute Saha who ruthlessly fired the ball past a helpless Rame. United were not finished attacking and they almost added a third goal but Neville could'nt direct substitute Evra's cross on goal. Two minutes later, United should have extended their lead further. Ronaldo went on an unstoppable run down the right flank and when his low cross found Carrick at the near post, the England international was denied by two outstanding point-blank saves from Rame - goodness me, if it were'nt for Rame, Bordeaux would have been destroyed by now. The final whistle could not come soon enough for the home side. The final score from France was Bordeaux 0 Manchester United 2.

Match Verdict - absolutely dominating performance from United, particularly in the 2nd half, sent out an ominous message to their European rivals with this victory.

Bordeaux - Rame 7, Jemmali 6, Kleber 6, Planus 6, Henrique 6, Wendel 7 (A Alonso 73, 6), Fernando 6, Francia 5, Micoud 6 (Darcheville 45, 7), Dalmat 6 (Ducasse 73, 7), Chamakh 6.

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 7, Heinze 7 (Evra 71, 7), Ferdinand 7, Brown 7, Ronaldo 9, Giggs 8, O'Shea 8, Carrick 7, Smith 7 (Saha 71, 7), Rooney 7 (Scholes 71, 7).

Goals - Ronaldo (35), Saha (76)

Booked - Ronaldo

Man of the Match - Cristiano Ronaldo - the Portugal winger was simply too quick and too tricky for Bordeaux with his constant dribbling and crosses causing problems throughout. Got the all important breakthrough with an emphatic header.


Other Champions League Group Results

Liverpool 2 Fenerbahce 0
Sporting Lisbon 1 Bayern Munich 1
Lille 0 AC Milan 0
Porto 4 Slovan Liberec 0
CSKA Moscow 3 Chievo 3
PSV Eindhoven 1 Real Madrid 1
Arsenal 3 Lyon 1
Olympiakos 0 Standard Liege 0
Barcelona 2 Benfica 0
Roma 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 1
Galatasaray 1 Werder Bremen 0
Inter Milan 3 Celtic 0
Anderlecht 1 Ajax 0
AEK Athens 0 Steaua Bucharest 1
Valencia 1 Chelsea 1

Midweek Premiership Results

Bolton 2 Watford 0
Middlesbrough 1 Portsmouth 1

retired_tnovo

Friday 15th September 2006

manutd.com

Manchester United manager Faiz Khan has just announced on the club website that skipper Gary Neville will be missing for a fortnight of United's games. The right-back twisted his knee twisting sharply during training. The injury is likely to rule Neville for at least a fortnight, maybe 3 weeks at the most. He will miss Premiership matches against Everton, Reading and Wigan, as well as the Champions League encounter with Anderlecht at Old Trafford. Neville is said to be very disappointed to miss out on his beloved United's games. His place at right-back is likely to go to either Wes Brown or John O'Shea.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 16th September 2006

Sky Sports News

Ahead of their Premiership match with Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday, Everton manager David Moyes has voiced his doubts over whether Faiz Khan's players can put together a strong Premiership challenge this season. He claimed that United were not unbeatable and gave his side every possible chance of pulling a shocking win at Old Trafford this weekend.

Unsurprisingly, Khan has responded to Moyes' boasting, simply saying that he hoped his side could challenge for the title come May. He also stated that the overall squad had the capabilities to go all the way to the finish line by capturing a 9th Premiership crown.

retired_tnovo

Sunday 17th September 2006

premierleague.com

Manchester United 1 Everton 0

Now was that winning ugly or what? Manchester United managed to scrape past Everton to record their first Premiership win since the opening day at Old Trafford this afternoon. Louis Saha scored the only goal of the game just before the break to keep United in 3rd place in the Premiership table. The game was dominated for long periods by Everton, particularly in the 2nd half and can feel very aggrieved not to have won this match, let alone grab a point from it. Manager Faiz Khan made three changes from the side that won on Champions League duty in France with Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes and Saha coming in for injured Gary Neville and rested duo Gabriel Heinze and Alan Smith. Everton boss David Moyes made two alterations from the draw at Reading with the inelegible Tim Howard and Victor Anichebe replaced by Richard Wright and Andrew Johnson.

In somewhat mild but blustery conditions at Old Trafford, referee Paul Robinson got the proceedings going. United made a good start attacking the away end and they almost silenced the away support after 11 minutes. Saha flicked on a Evra ball into the path of the pacy Cristiano Ronaldo who fizzed a low cross across the face of goal with no player able to get a telling touch on it. Three minutes later, Everton almost took the lead with their first attack of note. Leon Osman sent a teasing ball into a crowded area which Wes Brown deflected towards goal only for Edwin van der Sar to come to his rescue, tipping it wide. On 17 minutes, the home side created a good opportunity. Wayne Rooney, with his back to goal, slid in an inch perfect pass for Scholes to run onto in a flash but the former England international's fearsome strike flew just inches over the crossbar. The match quietened down for a while as Everton did well to stifle United's momentum and started to grow into the game. On 28 minutes, John O'Shea gave the ball away to James Beattie who ran at both O'Shea and Rio Ferdinand before sending his shot just over the crossbar. Just after the halfhour, United missed a great opportunity to take the lead. Evra sent a great ball through for Saha to head home but with Wright coming out to meet him, the Frenchman headed straight into the side-netting. Five minutes later, the home side had another good chance to open the scoring. Ryan Giggs played the ball to Rooney, who span away from Joseph Yobo brilliantly and went through on goal but he was denied by Wright's outstretched leg and the ball was cleared away to safety. A minute later, Everton had the best chance of the game so far to make the breakthrough. Tony Hibbert switched play beautifully into the path of Mikel Arteta whose first time cross was diverted wide by an unmarked Johnson from 6 yards out - an unbelievable miss. The away side were probably still thinking about that miss when they were hit by a sucker punch four minutes from the interval. Giggs swung in a corner from the left and it was met at the near post by Saha, flicking his header into the roof of the net. Everton almost immediately equalised when Osman teed up Arteta on the edge of the area only for his firm effort to be tipped over by van der Sar. On halftime, the visitors were very unfortunate not to level matters. Arteta swung in a dangerous cross towards the far post where Osman climbed highest to head against the crossbar and over the crossbar. The halftime whistle went almost immediately with the score from Old Trafford at Manchester United 1 Everton 0.

Khan was happy that his side were in front but not very happy about the team's overall contribution to the first 45 minutes. The second half was underway at Old Trafford and Everton began the half as they ended the 1st, putting the pressure on United's goal. Phil Neville played a freekick into the area where Beattie's towering header went just inches wide. A minute later, Davies sent Johnson bursting into the box where his fierce effort was somehow beaten out by van der Sar and Davies sent an ambitious rebound well over the crossbar. In the 55th minute, United were close to scoring a second goal. O'Shea's long ball was flicked on by Saha into the path of Rooney who hit the shot low and instant but Wright denied with a great reaction save. On the hour, Davies won the ball in midfield and played the ball into Beattie who struck his effort just inches wide of the goal. Two minutes later, Beattie teed up Arteta from around 25 yards out but the Spaniard's shot was wild and did not trouble van der Sar at all. The home side were under real pressure at the moment but they managed to quieten the match down by keeping hold of possession for as long as they could. On 77 minutes, an Everton freekick was cleared out to Tim Cahill on the angle of the penalty area and he struck a nice swerving volley with his left peg which just missed the far post with van der Sar beaten all ends up. Five minutes later, United fell asleep at a corner when Arteta played it short to Cahill who cut inside before unleashing a rasper of a shot which van der Sar did excellently to tip over the crossbar. Everton were really piling the pressure in the closing moments and they forced another remarkable save from van der Sar, this time tipping over a looping goalbound cross from substitute Anichebe. There was time for one more attack from the visitors when Osman put Beattie clear on goal and as he was about to pull the trigger, Brown made a timely challenge to clear the ball to safety. The full time whistle went soon after to a very relieved Old Trafford. The final score read Manchester United 1 Everton 0.

Match Verdict - in a match dominated by Everton, Manchester United came out on top thanks to cool finishing and outstanding goalkeeping. This victory will hopefully get back on track the Premiership challenge.

Man Utd - van der Sar 9, O'Shea 7, Evra 7, Ferdinand 7, Brown 7, Ronaldo 8, Giggs 7 (Vidic 73, 7), Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Fletcher 73, 7), Saha 7, Rooney 7 (Solskjaer 73, 6).

Goals - Saha (41)

Everton - Wright 7, Hibbert 6, P Neville 7, Yobo 7, Lescott 6 (Stubbs 80, 6), Osman 7, Arteta 7 (van der Meyde 71, 6), Davies 7, Cahill 7, Johnson 7 (Anichebe 61, 7), Beattie 7.

Booked - Johnson

Man of the Match - Edwin van der Sar - if were'nt for the big Dutchman's heroics in goal this afternoon, Everton would surely have taken all 3 points away from Old Trafford. Fortunately for United, he was outstanding today making several brilliant saves.


Other Premiership Results

Arsenal 3 Man City 1
Aston Villa 0 Blackburn 0
Charlton 1 West Ham 1
Fulham 1 Bolton 1
Liverpool 3 Reading 1
Portsmouth 2 Chelsea 1
Sheff Utd 1 Middlesbrough 0
Watford 1 Newcastle 1
Wigan 0 Tottenham 3

retired_tnovo

Monday 18th September 2006

premierleague.com

After his defiant display in goal on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week for the 3rd week running. He was joined by fellow United squad member Cristiano Ronaldo. Here is the team in full:

Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

Stephen Carr (Newcastle)
Benoit Essou-Akotto (Tottenham)
Mladen Krstajic (West Ham)
John Terry (Chelsea)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
John Arne Riise (Liverpool)
Julio Baptista (Arsenal)
Didier Zokora (Tottenham)

Craig Bellamy (Liverpool)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham)

retired_tnovo

Friday 22nd September 2006

skysports.com

The draw for the Carling Cup 3rd Round has been made in the FA headquarters in Soho Square. Faiz Khan's Manchester United have been handed a very easy looking tie against League Two side Lincoln City at Old Trafford. The tie of the round looks like the London derby between Chelsea and West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Here is the 3rd Round draw in full:

Crystal Palace v Oldham
Chelsea v West Ham
Blackburn v Bristol Rovers
Arsenal v Charlton
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Huddersfield v Watford
Man City v Middlesbrough
Cardiff v Everton
S'thorpe v Plymouth
Luton v Southend
Sheff Utd v Bradford
Grimsby v Liverpool
Ipswich v Leeds
Rochdale v Millwall
Reading v Newcastle