Manchester City came back from a goal down against Porto on Thursday night to win their Europa League last 32 first leg 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao.
Silvestre Varela had given the competition holders the lead in the first half, but an Alvaro Periera own goal and a late strike from substitute Sergio Aguero sealed victory for the English team.
Roberto Mancini praised his players for overcoming would could have been a potential banana-skin fixture.
“I think that we played a good game,” he told ITV after the game.
“We played very well. In the first half we had three or four chances to score and we were unlucky but in the second half we played very well.
“I told them only to play as we know how. In the second half maybe we played higher (up the pitch) but we had seven or eight chances to score and more importantly we didn’t give Porto which is important because Porto are a top team,” he concluded.
City have the weekend off due to their elimination from the FA Cup, and take on the Portuguese champions again next Thursday.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted that his side must win their remaining 11 Premier League games if they are to retain their top-flight title.
The Red Devils are currently two points behind cross-town rivals Manchester City in the race to be England’s top team, and the veteran centre half knows that his men cannot afford to slip up.
“All we have ever said is to keep putting points on the board,” Ferdinand told The Guardian.
“Our last two away games have shown the professionalism in the camp and that has been fantastic. We have to continue that. We have big games coming up. Each game will be like a cup final. I know that’s a cliche but it’s true.
“We have just got to keep winning games. If we do that, we will put pressure on the other teams. It is about keeping our own house in order and making sure we remain resilient and keep putting points on the board,” he stated.
United beat Tottenham 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with Ashley Young scoring two of the side’s goals; Ferdinand is glad his international team-mate is back fit and available.
“It is fantastic to see Ashley Young back.
“He has been injured and it takes you a couple of games to get back into the groove. Before his injury, he was flying and now it looks like he is back into form. It wasn’t just his goals, it was his all-round work ethic,” Ferdinand concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
‘One more goal, one more goal’ was the chant being screamed out of the sold-out terrace at the Crown ground last Saturday as Shrewsbury Town came within 25 minutes of sealing their place in league one next season.
That goal never came and their was a strange atmosphere come the final whistle, a sense of frustration among Shrewsbury fans who felt as though they had done enough to confirm our promotion but realising that they would have to wait one more week to do finally so.
As we were leaving the ground an enthusiastic Town fan was shouting at the top of his voice ‘ Come on lads, it will be better to do it at home, seal it next weekend’ and in many ways he was right.Yes it would have been fantastic to have won promotion last weekend, to have finally got the chip of our shoulders and get out of fourth tier for the first time since 1997, but we all now know it is just a matter of time. Three days to be exact.
A solitary point on Saturday will all but seal our promotion, with a 12 goal advantage over Torquay in terms of goal difference, it is highly unlikely that a point on Saturday would not guarantee Graham Turner’s men a place in League one.
A win however and we finally return to League one, regardless of other results, this of course is the ideal situation.
I am sure that Dagenham and Redbridge will prove formidable opponents for us and they will no doubt be out to spoil the promotion party on Saturday. The Daggers, who are safe from relegation, have not lost in their last eight games so it will not be an easy three points for us.
However it will be a more than fitting way to finally seal our promotion on Saturday by making it an incredible whole season unbeaten at home in front of a sell out crowd for the first time at our new ground.
Come on you Blues! Three more days!
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Stability: resistance to change, especially sudden change or deterioration. Stability is one of life’s necessities and provides us with the backbone with which we can build our success. When instability reigns, fulfilling potential becomes an unforgiving task.
Too often in football is stability pushed aside in favour of quick alternatives, the possibility of instant solutions proving too seductive. Liverpool’s owners appear to have taken this route with the sacking of Kenny Dalglish, paving the way for a third manager in a little over 14 months. Once the very nucleus of immutability, Liverpool are now in very real danger of severely compromising their core ethics and completing the transition from the epitome of solidity to a club in constant upheaval.
The history of Liverpool Football Club is characterised by the enduring dynasties of long serving managers, each one bringing with them their own impressive catalogue of trophies. Loyalty forms the basis of Liverpool’s unfaltering presence as one of world football’s most widely recognised and venerated clubs, a symbol of English football’s indelible mystique. Stories of allegiance and fortitude are what make the club so alluring.
Since the departure of Rafael Benitez, however, Liverpool have been unable to attain the stability they so crave and have been left exposed to the perils of insecurity. Between them, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish clocked up barely 100 matches in charge, with neither able to amass a win ration of over 50%.
When assessing records of previous managers, it is all too clear that stability pays dividends. Between 1959 and 1983, only Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley were entrusted with task of assuming one of the most coveted roles in English football. Their combined total of 1318 games at the helm brought 714 wins, a ratio well in advance of 50% and far superior to Liverpool’s past two appointments. In Dalglish’s first spell, over 300 games saw a win ratio of 60%. Of all the Liverpool managers of the modern era to have overseen over 100 matches, only Graeme Souness failed to win 50% of games or more, though was still able to bring an FA Cup to Merseyside. It is more than evident that as a general rule, stability breeds success.
With Sir Alex Ferguson’s enduring influence over Manchester United’s emergence as a global footballing superpower often cited as the greatest advert for stability, the comparative records of Liverpool and their historic rivals in the past 25 years or so is a damning judgement on the constant alternation of managers. The revolving door of the manager’s office at Stamford Bridge is also an indication of this, as Chelsea constantly resist the the sanctuary of stability.
Liverpool’s next move must be geared towards a long-term strategy of recapturing the assurance and safety of yesteryear. Often a club accused of trading on past glories, continual progressive prosperity should become the primary focus as opposed to attempts to elicit previous exploits. The next appointment should be aimed at durability, a man with a vision for the next five, ten, even fifteen years of Liverpool Football Club. Only by assuming a sense of abiding continuity can Liverpool recapture the essence of Shankly and Paisley; only by fixating on the future can Liverpool salvage their previous stability.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
How do you think Liverpool can regain stability? Tweet me @acherrie1
The home leg of Cardiff’s third tilt in as many seasons at the Championship play-offs didn’t go to script. The first blow was that stalwart of the Cardiff defence ‘Super Kev’ McNaugthon was out with a hamstring niggle – As it turned out his lack of presence at the back was to be a major factor.
It all started very brightly, the Bluebirds created two quick fire chances, Whittingham unleashed a shot on goal which had West Ham ‘keeper Robert Green beaten but Whittingham’s effort took the slightest of deflections sending it onto the top of the net. Just a few minutes later, Kenny Miller also came agonisingly close via a half volley that the Hammers ‘keeper tipped onto and over the crossbar and behind.
Cardiff had West Ham under the cosh until, up popped Welsh international Jack Collison. Ricardo Vaz Te went down the left flank, beating Darcy Blake (who was making his first start in several months having been recalled into the side for the injured McNaughton) to fire the ball across the face of the goal where it found Collison, whose initial effort was parried away by David Marshall. Cardiff were to be unfortunate though, the rebounded ball went straight back to Collison, who beat the defender in the air at the far post and headed the ball home from close range.
The Cardiff supporters were stunned into silence, I was caught on camera by Sky Sports my head buried into my Cardiff scarf; a similar reaction was being echoed throughout the stands by my fellow Bluebird supporters. After what seemed like an age the silence was broken by a massive collective sigh.
The goal spurred the Hammers on while the Cardiff players lost the drive, fire and passion they had started with, West Ham took control of the game away from Cardiff. Neither side was playing particularly well, the final ball was missing for both teams and Cardiff became increasing sloppy; the ball being hoofed forward with too much pace rather than played on the ground via Whittingham, that is the undoubted strength of the side…the game became bogged down in midfield; messy, scrappy, ugly to watch.
James Tomkins headed wide for West Ham, Kenny Miller hunted the ball down then ran straight at the West Ham defence as if on some sort of kamikaze mission, somehow he arrived just outside the penalty area when with a murderous expression on his face he let go of a fearsome, vicious looking shot that flew just wide of Robert Green’s left hand post. At the other end Ben Turner pulled off a marvellous last minute tackle to deny Carlton Cole what would have been a simple chance.
City were holding on if they could just see it out in the last few minutes of the first half they could easily turn things around in the second half – West Ham weren’t playing well either, but were being flattered by the Bluebirds poorer performance. However, with four minutes left to play lady luck shined on the Hammers once more.
It was that man Jack Collison again! Who is very close to Cardiff City legend Craig Bellamy after their time together at Upton Park and with Wales, however, Collison could not hide his delight at scoring for his boyhood club on this stage. Bellamy had ultimately been pivotal in persuading Collison to take the nationality of his maternal grandfather to enable him to play for Wales at international level. So it was doubly cruel that it was his volley that took a slight deflection from the head of Liam Lawrence, the helpless City ‘keeper David Marshall (who had the original shot covered) could only watch as the ball flew past him into the Cardiff goal. 2-0 to West Ham the Cardiff faithful took stunned silence to a whole new level – Our team was playing poorly, but West Ham were little better and yet thanks to two lucky goals they were now in the driving seat, and with a minute left on the clock it could have been so much worse were it not for a spectacular save by Marshall stopping a Carlton Cole header from sneaking in at the near post.
The half time whistle saw Cardiff supporters stunned by the lacklustre performance of their team, the unfortunate almost fluky nature of the two goals they found themselves trailing by and also the overall poor half of football they had just witnessed. Chants of Earnie, Earnie and calls to bring McPhail on rang out around the ground. A quick round of the hummed version of the chorus of the Welsh National Anthem (a long held staple of Cardiff City terrace songs) rallied the Bluebird Supporters resolution to lift their team’ spirit in every way they could.
Neither team made any changes at half time – the Bluebirds came out and began the second half as they had the first full of passion and heart the tide seemed to be turning. Green fumbled a deflected shot that was then scrambled away, then Carlton Cole headed a Ben Turner header off the line.
Both sides had almost identical chances within minutes of each other, Kevin Nolan just heading the ball over from a few yards out and then young Ben Turner flicking his header just wide from a quality cross into the box from his former Coventry City teammate Aron Gunnarsson, and yet again Kenny Miller dithered too long in pulling the trigger and had the ball stolen off his foot! The Cardiff City fans started to chant Miller Off, Off, Off and Earnie, Earnie, Earnie patience having worn paper thin at the Scottish international’s failure to score.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The 75th minute of the game saw a flurry of changes. For The Bluebirds, Steven McPhail on for Don Cowie and Robert Earnshaw did indeed come on for Kenny Miller, and for the Hammers, winger Julien Faubert for defender Guy Demel.
Within minutes of coming on Earnshaw had a difficult chance on the volley, he flashed the attempt wide, Gunnarsson also shot wide from just outside the box. This was better from City with five minutes left to play the chance of the half fell to young Cardiff striker Joe Mason. A Peter Whittingham in-swinging corner presented Mason with a chance from close range but his shot cleared the bar. A minute later West Ham made another substitution Nicky Maynard coming on for two goal hero Jack Collison. Mason’s shot proved to be the final of the game, play became frustratingly broken up by niggly fouls given away by tired players.
So it’s on to Upton Park on May Day. Cardiff have a bit to do, but given that both teams away form has been better than their home this season and that statistically it had been an even match in terms of both possession and shots on goal, it’s not a foregone conclusion by any means. If The Bluebirds can find their scoring boots and have a little of the luck West Ham enjoyed in the first leg anything could happen – it’s not over until the fat lady sings! I’ve followed Cardiff City from the old Division Four to FA Cup and Carling Cup finals. So whatever the outcome on Monday I’ll continue to do just that with pride! Once a Bluebird always a Bluebird!
Portugal finally won their first points of the tournament after a hard-fought victory over Denmark in Lviv.
After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Germany, Paolo Bento’s men flew out of the blocks and goals from Pepe and Postiga put the Portuguese 2-0 up but a Niklas Bendtner header just before the break kept Denmark hopes alive.Bendtner converted his second of the game after heading in a delivery from Lars Jacobsen, to level the score. At the second time of asking Portugal took the lead and the points with a well taken goal from substitute Varela. Both Denmark and Portugal have 3 points and will be looking to Sunday’s game with a decent chance of qualifying.Portugal started the game brightly and Denmark, who had lost midfielder Zimling through injury early on, conceded a free kick. Ronaldo stepped up but his shot fired wide. However, Portugal’s next set piece was more productive; a corner delivered in by Nani found Pepe’s near post run and the defender headed his side into the lead.Portugal extended their lead 12 minutes later when Joao Periera found Nani in space. The Man United winger squared the ball to Helder Postiga who cleverly finished into the net to give Portugal a 2-0 advantage.With Portugal still dominating, Denmark surprised yet again when they drew a goal back just before the break. A lurching Jakob Poulsen cross found the head of Krohn-Delhi, who nodded the ball across to a waiting Niklas Bendtner. The Arsenal man finished with ease to give his side a fighting chance in the second period.Portugal started the second half the way they started the first and were soon on the attack. A brilliant crossfield pass from Nani found Ronaldo in the clear but the Star man hit his shot too close to ’keeper Anderson. More chances were to come for Ronaldo as minites later, he raced through on goal unmarked. The skipper’s frustrating night continued when he fired the resulting shot extremely wide. A sense that Denmark could capitalise on Portugal’s missed chances was increasing and when Lars Jacobson delivered a far post cross to Bendtner, the game was tied. The striker yet again converted, as his header drifted past Rui Patricio.Portugal looked distraught; they knew that a point would see them heading toward elimination. However, as all hope looked lost, Portuguese substitute Sebastian Varela brilliantly converted from 15 yards to send his fans and teammates into wild celebration.The final whistle blew and Portugal claimed 3 vital points that sees them with a fighting chance of qualification. Denmark would have felt that they could have snatch a point from this game but their win against Holland keeps chances of progress alive.
New Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers is looking to bolster his attacking options by signing Demba Ba in a cut-price £7 million deal, according to The Daily Mail.
Ba, who netted 16 goals for the Magpies last season has a well publicised clause in his contract on Tyneside that allows him to leave his current club for a meagre price.Having faced a tougher test than predicted to make Gylfi Sigurdsson his first signing at Anfield, Rodgers will now look to the Senegalese striker, whose value contractually cannot rise until the end of this month.However, Alan Pardew will be in no hurry to dismantle a squad that performed well above expectations last season. 27-year old Ba was a major part in Newcastle’s success, forming an illusive partnership with compatriot Papiss Cisse at the spearhead of the Magpies team. It is thought Liverpool will face some serious competition for Ba, with the rumour mill suggesting that Tottenham, Chelsea and French giants Paris St. Germain are all looking to take advantage of Ba’s bargain price. If Pardew and Co. can hold any interested suitors off until the end of the month, the clause in Ba’s contract would deteriorate and his value would increase significantly. [ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’left’]
Chelsea have upped their offer for Victor Moses to £6.5 million, but Wigan have rejected the bid once more according to The Daily Mail.
The Nigeria international impressed in the Latics escape from Premier League relegation last term, and is in the last year of his contract at the DW Stadium.
With the Stamford Bridge side looking to bolster their star-studded squad this summer, Roberto Di Matteo’s men have had a number of bids rejected for the African attacker.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has stated that he values Moses at £10 million, which Chelsea are yet to meet.
A new offer of £6.5 million pus add-ons has failed to convince the Latics to part with their star man, who is eager to move to a bigger club in the near future.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The latest bid is thought to have included a deal that would see Josh McEachran go the other way, but Wigan have rejected this.
The Brendan Rodgers era begins for the Reds this weekend with renewed optimism that the popular Northern Irishman can guide the club back into the Champions League. The second coming of Kenny Dalglish turned into a nightmare that many on Merseyside are still trying to eradicate from their memory centres. Upheaval was expected at Anfield in the wake of Rodgers’ arrival but the 39-year-old has made only a few cosmetic changes to the squad makeup intstead opting to retain a settled core of players to guide him through what could be a bumpy first season at the helm. Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy were shipped out in a bid to ease the wage bill with young and hungry players, keen to prove themselves on a big stage, brought in to replace them. The jury is still out on the money spent to acquire Fabio Borini and Joe Allen but the signing of Morocco winger Oussama Assaidi at a relatively small sum is considered somewhat of a coup. Whether they are the players to carry the Reds back into the promised line remains to be seen. The battle to climb back to the top begins now.
This week on FFC does Luis Suarez owe the Reds after they stood by him last season and could Rodgers be about to add two more players to his squad ahead of the transfer deadline?
[divider]
Best of FFC
The Full Premier League Season Preview – Liverpool
What next for Jordan Henderson?
Does Theo Walcott really fit in at either Arsenal or Liverpool?
Luis Suarez owes Liverpool a lot, let’s hope he delivers
Why Liverpool must hit the ground running
A long-term trend of rotten transfers at Anfield
Brendan Rodgers waiting for news on two signings
Arsenal out to hijack Liverpool move
Brendan Rodgers plotting double transfer swoop
[divider]
Best of WEB
[divider]
Will New Style Also Bring Substance? – Live 4 Liverpool
Rodgers close to signing €10m La Liga ace – Liverpool Kop
Liverpool FC’s future of remaking the past – This is Anfield
Lawro insists: Joe Allen is a ‘better player’ than £20m LFC flop. Agree…? – Liverpool Kop
From the Tawe to the Mersey – The Tomkins Times
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
A Bit of Wild Optimism to Start the Season Off… – Live 4 Liverpool
Year Zero: Time for the talking to stop and to support Rodgers’ vision – This is Anfield
[divider]
Quote of the Week
[divider]
“I’ve said right from the off I want to make us as competitive as we can possibly be. The challenge at the top of the table is greater than ever. Now there are seven or eight teams involved but the top four is certainly not something we’ll shy away from. It’s where a club of this status wants to be but it’s always easier said than done and the reality over the past three seasons or so hasn’t been that.” Brendan Rodgers wants to challenge for the top four in his first season as Liverpool boss
Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita has confirmed that his club have agreed to sell him to Newcastle.
The Magpies have been tracking the talented and versatile youngster for some time, and have had at least one bid rejected by the Eredivisie champions this summer.
However, Anita has confessed that a fee has been reached and that he will now discuss the potential move with Alan Pardew.
“Now it’s up to me. But first I want to talk with the manager of Newcastle United before taking a decision. The whole picture has to be right for me,” he told Voetbal International, translated to English by Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Ajax boss Frank de Boer has also stated that the player is close to a switch to the Tyneside team.
“Anita is close to an agreement with Newcastle,” ESPN have De Boer as saying.
The fee is believed to be in the region of €8 million (£6.2 million), and Anita is widely expected to sign on the dotted line in the next 24-48 hours.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.