Two Tasty Dishes On Premier League’s ‘Grand Slam Sunday’

It’s a big moment once again for the EPL‘Big 4′ this week-end. Quick summary then…

.Manchester United

Hooliganism marred the draw with AS Roma last night. The 1-1 against the Italian’s was a game played out by fringe players for United. Only 3 players (Rooney, Nani and Carrick) who played were what you would call regulars. Decent game in Rome though, not great, but decent.

It has in fact been a decent week for United on the whole. Gary Neville has returned to training, he won’t be fit to visit the stadium which he loves so on Sunday however, as is the case with South Korean Park Ji-Sung. Also Owen Hargreaves is now rated as 50/50, as opposed to 0/100. Louis Saha has also been vocal, questioning how on Earth people can doubt his fitness. Fergie has been quiet though, much to my disappointment. The absence of Jose Mourinho means that there are no mind-games at all between the Big 4.
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Chelsea

Chelski played out an instantly forgettable 0-0 with Valencia on Tuesday night. Each player in the starting XI interestingly was a recognized first-teamer, meaning that the thinking of Avram Grant is to keep the players on their toes for the London derby on Sunday.

Quiet week by all accounts down by the bridge. No new injury worries, no new injury returns. We can expect Monsieur Wenger to be guilty of voyeurism again though, as he will surely look to start the mind games with Grant, as it seems the mild-mannered Israeli doesn’t do too many things that are likely to make him enemies. There has been an unlikely catalyst for the mind games between the two though, Petr Cech shouting about how he wants to be Scrooge on Sunday.
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Liverpool

What a week for Rafa B. He starts the biggest week of his Liverpool career with a loss against Reading . Doesn’t bode well considering you’ve got a must-win on Tuesday, the bosses are coming on Friday and your playing United on Sunday. Then the week flips right around on the must-win.

Liverpool were absolutely brilliant against Marseilles, and fully deserved the 4-0 win. The penalty, a stone-waller, the Torres goal, simply footballing genius from El Niño, the Kuyt goal, clinical and brilliantly taken, the Babel goal, cheeky and excellently converted. It was a vintage performance and an excellent result for Liverpool.

The only sounds coming from Melwood this week are war-cries really. There was Torres calling for the owners not to sack Rafael Benitez, and there was also Carra declaring that beating United is ‘more than 3 points’. Amen brother.
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Arsenal

The Gunners made hard work of their 2-1 victory against Steaua. We did however see flashes of brilliance by England U21 International Theo Walcott and also Nicklas Bendtner, a player who every time I see him play reminds me more and more of a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Tall, skilful, and a keen eye for goal, this guy definitely has the ability to challenge for the title of best forward in Scandinavia.

Good and bad news for Arsenal ahead of Grand Slam Sunday, Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to be fit, as is Aliaksandr Hleb. However Abou Diaby and Mathieu Flamini are likely to be in the squad, and also Robin van Persie returned midweek against Steaua. RVP is likely to be instrumental on Sunday should he play.

So Two days to go. Excited?

CAFU: "Japan brings back memories"

MILAN - Marcos Cafu has played the Intercontinental Cup final on three occasions, winning twice with San Paolo (1992-1993), and he's the only one who has played it with a team from Europe as well as from South America. In Japan, in 2002, he lifted the World Cup with Brazil, as captain. He talked to Fifa.com about his feelings ahead of Milan's debut: 'I really hope to win with Milan. Each time I come to Japan I feel the same things. I remember the World Cup final and lifting the trophy. It's an image to Brazilian people will never forget, and neither will I. I never thought this country would mean this much to me, it was impossible to imagine all this when I was a kid in Brazil.'

Drogba leads race for CAF award

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 - 22:04
By: Hatem Maher

Didier Drogba will lead the run for the 2007 African Player of the Year after the five-man shortlist was announced by CAF on Wednesday.

The Ivorian striker, who was named Africa's best player in 2006, faces competition from Chelsea teammate Michael Essien.

Drogba finished the Premiership last season as the top scorer while Essien excelled in the heart of the Blues' midfield.

Malian striker Frederic Kanoute has also made the list after his exploits with Spanish side Sevilla.

He led the Andalucian outfit to their second successive UEFA Cup title at the expense of Espanyol as well as guiding his nation to a place in the African Cup of Nations.

Sevilla have also qualified to the UEFA Champions League and booked their place in the last 16.

Kanoute's compatriot Mahamadou Diarra has been named after his consistent displays with Primera Liga holders Real Madrid.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been included as he helped fill the void left by Thierry Henry, who joined Barcelona in the close season.