Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has praised his battling players after they secured a creditable goalless Premier League draw at West Ham United on Saturday.
The Seasiders excellent start to their top-flight debut continued in the capital as they ground out another point, but things could and, perhas, should have been much better at Upton Park.
Former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood scored what looked to be a legitimate goal for the visitors only for referee Kevin Friend to disallow his effort.
But Holloway was more than happy to look at his side's efforts rather than to focus on the official's aberration.
"I'm just amazed at the quality of the game. Yet again we're involved in another fantastic game of football," he said.
"Did I come here and try to get a point? No. I thought it was the best 0-0 draw I have ever seen in my entire life.
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"Irrespective of who I put out, they seem to keep going and keep learning and I thought we were terrific.
"It was always going to be tough against a team with the quality they have but what a fantastic advert for our game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal’s inability to top an easy Champions League group has well and truly come back to bite them where it hurts. The Gunners were drawn with Barcelona and the first leg will take place in London on February 15th. Arsenal will enter the fray with some degree of trepidation. When they visited the Nou Camp last season, they left with a 4-1 spanking. Their previous meeting, in the 2006 Champions League final also led to tragedy for the Gunners. Whilst Barcelona still seem to be on top of the world, the Gunners have blown hot and cold this season. Arsenal have an unwelcome reputation for faultering against the bigger teams and who is bigger than Barcelona?
So Arsenal head into the knockout stages as an underdog, but let’s not rule them out completely. This Barcelona team is not infallible. As Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas recently noted, “Barcelona are not unbeatable. If they were invincible, they would win the Champions League every year.” If Arsenal are to have a chance they will have to cross their fingers and do the following five things.
First things first: stop Messi. It was Messi who took Arsenal apart last season. He scored all four goals in Barca’s 4-1 victory over the Gunners at the Nou Camp. Barcelona are by no means a one man team, but he is certainly their best player and arguably the best player in the world. Of course, it’s wrong to wish injury upon another player, yet, surely the only way Arsenal can neutralise Messi completely is by his never being fit to turn up.
More important still – the Gunners must not try to out-football Barcelona. Arsenal are a great passing side, but Barcelona are the world’s best. With this in mind, Arsenal must show that there are two sides to their game. When Barcelona are in possession, Arsenal have to stay close to their man, apply constant pressure and try to break up the flow of Barca’s game. Snap into tackles, get in their players faces, wind them up and do whatever it takes to break up play. Arsenal could really use a Viera figure, but given that Wenger is likely to be frugal in the January transfer window, will have to make do with what they’ve got.
An obvious, but important point – Arsenal have to be clinical. In Chamakh they have a striker who always looks likely to score when given a chance, but the Gunners will probably be hoping that Robin Van Persie is fully match fit when the two teams meet and that he is firing on all cylinders.
A lot may depend on Cesc Fabregas. He is Arsenal’s best player and has a history with Barcelona that is sure to mean he will give it his everything in the hope of impressing. Hopefully he will have fully recovered from his niggling hamstring problem by February and be able to show Barcelona stalwarts Iniesta and Xavi that he can compete against the best team in Europe. Arsenal must try to give Fabregas as much time and space on the ball as possible, as he can make things happen.
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Finally, Arsenal should make good use of their underdog status. A number of times over the last couple of years Arsenal have travelled across the country to face a team languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League table expecting to walk all over them, but in found instead a tough, competitive team who refuses to let the Gunners control the flow of the game. Barcelona will waltz into the first leg of the game at the Emirates expecting a victory, can Arsenal catch them unawares?
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After five and a half years without a major trophy, Arsenal took two major steps towards two pieces of silverware this week. With Manchester United’s shock exit from the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger’s men have become the clear favourites to taste glory at Wembley in February.
The Gunners’ win at Villa Park last weekend also put them firmly in the race for the title, although their tendency to fail to put teams away, regardless of pressure, will be a concern with some big tests on the horizon.
Fulham are scrapping and scrimping points at the moment- lacking a real cutting edge in the continued absence of Bobby Zamora. Mark Hughes will hope that Mark Schwarzer, fresh from signing a new deal at Craven Cottage, puts in a strong showing against the side he nearly joined in the summer.
Prediction: 3-1
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Newcastle failed to make it three wins out of three in the Capital after losing 2-0 in what was a pulsating affair in north London.
Alan Pardew will be disappointed that they didn’t take advantage of the extra man in the last quarter of the game, but for all the crosses and diagonal balls thrown into the box, the likes of Carroll, Ranger and Lovenkrands were unable to make that decisive breakthrough. It was a spirited performance by the Magpies, which was appreciated by the loud visiting support in the Park Lane end.
So how do Newcastle fans feel about today, and what are the five things we learnt from the Magpies this afternoon?
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Inter Milan coach Leonardo is counting on the intimidating atmosphere of the Stadio San Paolo to fire up his players for the trip to Napoli.
Coppa Italia holders Inter are away to Napoli – second in the Serie A table – in a quarter-final on Wednesday, with a place in the last four at stake.
Inter suffered their first defeat under Leonardo on Sunday, going down 3-1 at Udinese in Serie A.
But the former Brazil international will resist the temptation to rotate his squad in the cup, instead calling for consistency and challenging the players to rise to the occasion of the knock-out tie.
“Napoli have put in some great performances in the last few matches,” Leonardo said.
“We played a great match against Napoli in the home game. I think we’ll be finding a team similar to that one.”
“As far as I’ve been told, San Paolo has a great and extraordinary atmosphere. There are a lot of supporters and therefore there is a lot of attention put on the match.”
“Of course we should be consistent. This is essential if you want to win the final match. Regardless of the competition, we’re talking about a quarter-final match which may qualify us for the semi-final and we are playing against Napoli.”
“I think that the motivation is crystal clear and there is no need to make differences between the different kind of competitions. If it’s championship (Serie A), Champions League or Coppa Italia. It is just a match and Inter Milan will be playing an away match, therefore I think that incentives are no different.”
Napoli lost 3-1 away to Inter in their league meeting on January 6, but coach Walter Mazzari will put his faith in the same group of players to achieve the right result at the second time of asking.
“This is a proud team, just like the coach,” Mazzari said.
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“Most likely we’ll start with the same players who played in San Siro.”
“As we’ve done up to now, we’ll be focusing on one match at a time, therefore the next match is always the most important.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to always win. If we manage to play at one hundred percent, we should try to achieve 110 percent – this is how it should be.”
Birmingham twice came from behind to earn a deserved 2-2 draw with Manchester City at St Andrews.
Manchester City took the lead in the fourth minute, a move started and finished by captain Carlos Tevez.
His through ball found David Silva who skipped past three defenders before Tevez picked up the ball and poked it into the corner of the net.
But Birmingham hit back and after Nikola Zigic’s volley brought a fine save from Joe Hart, the Serbian striker flicked in the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
The game was held up for six minutes for a serious head injury to Micah Richards. The City defender flew to head a ball but caught team-mate Nigel De Jong. He was taken to hospital as a precaution, De Jong returned heavily bandaged but was replaced at half-time.
City regained the lead four minutes from the break thanks to a superb Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick from 20 yards. There was nothing Ben Foster could do as the Serb’s rocket shot flew into the net.
Birmingham came out the stronger in the second half and created a couple of half-chances through David Bentley and Craig Gardner.
With the home side attacking, City threatened on the break as Jerome Boateng and Tevez both tested Foster who was equal to both.
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But Birmingham were handed a lifeline with 13 minutes left thanks to a clumsy challenge on substitute Kevin Phillips by Patrick Vieira in the box, with Gardner stepping up to fire home an unstoppable spot-kick.
Phillips almost won it at the death for the hosts with a speculative volley that had Hart at full stretch to tip over, while Kolarov nearly repeated his goal with the final kick of the game, though thankfully for the home side it flew inches wide.
Valencia winger Joaquin believes his team’s recent run of form leaves them full of confidence going into Wednesday’s clash with Barcelona.Valencia have won three of their last four games in La Liga, including a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Joaquin knows league leaders Barcelona will be their toughest test yet but says his team go into the game in a positive frame of mind.”The three points from Sunday gives us a big boost because winning at the Cathedral is always very difficult,” he said.”Athletic are a very solid and tough side at home and taking the three points after having to fight so hard makes people very happy.” “Irrespective of that, I am very excited about Wednesday’s game, even more so because of the confidence I have in how the team are doing. We are happy, above all, with the important three points,” he added.Joaquin also spoke of former Valencia team-mate David Villa, who will return to the Mestalla for the first time following a close-season switch to the Catalan giants.”It would be exciting for Villa to play in Mestalla, and we would love to see him beforehand,” Joaquin said.”During the game there are three points at stake that we can’t afford to drop. It is going to be harder than ever, because they are a good team.””But we are going to try and impose our football on the game. We are capable of ensuring Barcelona feel comfortable because, if they do, then they will have a good chance.”
Juventus have suffered a double blow, with midfielders Momo Sissoko and Alberto Aquilani both ruled out with injury.Malian international Sissoko will be out for the next two months after scans revealed he would need knee surgery.The 26-year-old has been battling to reach full fitness for much of the Serie A season, and it now appears as though surgery is the only option.With the former Liverpool man expected to be transferred after this season, it could mean he has played his last game for the Turin club.”The medical tests on Sissoko showed that surgery to clean up the cartilage in the left knee would be opportune,” a club statement read.”On Tuesday, therefore, Professor Jambou will perform the operation in Bordeaux, France.”Aquilani, meanwhile, will be out for 10 days with a thigh strain he suffered at training on Friday.”Aquilani underwent tests at the Fornaca Clinic in Turin today,” a statement read.”The results showed the right thigh muscle was stretched. His return is expected in around 10 days.”
Excuse the cliché, but it is a funny old game, football, isn’t it? I mean, how can a simple game of eleven against eleven entertain us quite so much? I’m sure there are many others that find themselves doing little else in their spare time than wishing the week away so Saturday comes. Luckily for us, the time in between each football-filled weekend has, for some time now, been swamped with games to keep us occupied. Whether it is the Champions League that takes your fancy, or the plucky exploits of Chasetown in the FA Trophy replay at Mansfield, there is nearly always something for every football fan. This is why I love football.
Soccer AM used to do a feature where they interviewed professionals and asked them, amongst other things, why they loved the game. Johan Cruyff claimed it was because it was a game of mistakes: unpredictable and exciting, whereas Ryan Giggs suggests his love is part of his nature – he was born to play the game. But we all think football means more to us than anyone else, don’t we? I’m no different. Just like eating breakfast or walking the dog, football is now very much part of my weekly routine, and what a dull existence my life would be without it!
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I still consider myself a player of the beautiful game, despite any ability I may have had escaping me some years ago. Without any pace or skill, I consider myself the Worcestershire Prem’s very own Wayne Bridge (make of that what you will you will). Training on a Tuesday and Wednesday is followed by the midweek game live on TV: United at Old Trafford in Europe or United at Edgar Street in League Two – it’s all the same to me. The rest of the week is spent thinking about the weekend: How will we do? Is he finally going to score? Which ref is going to get us all arguing this week?
Saturday’s festivities can be started with some easy-on-the-eye television; Soccer AM or Football Focus maybe, as long as we see goals. It all adds to the suspense: a big game isn’t a game without the build up of our over-elaborate media. If like me, you divulge into a little bit of gambling, then a trip to local bookmakers is always a good bet – excuse the pun. This is all before we can enjoy the banter between Jeff and the boys of course, that is, if your team isn’t involved in an early lunch time kick off or you don’t play yourself. It all makes for a very enjoyable afternoon, whatever the scenario. To top it all off, we have the tea-time kick off awaiting us, the results from our potential winnings and Match of the Day all yet to come.
You may have noticed I have missed out something many fans would consider paramount to being such an outspoken admirer of the game – actually going to see my team play. Admittedly, I don’t get to go too often, mainly because whilst I’m still fit enough to, I will continue to enjoy playing. But I make this point because I recently heard on a certain popular sports-based radio show, that football is beginning to lose its soul. If you ask me, or any other football fan in the country, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Whether you have a season ticket, play, occupy your favourite seat in the local just in time for Jeff and the boys, or feel like watching the results come in in the comfort of your own home, there is one thing for sure: football is certainly not losing anything. The build-up entertains, the decisions make us question, terraces bring some nostalgia but overall, win lose or draw, the game gives us satisfaction. The day in the life of a football fan – don’t you just love football?
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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has warned Sir Alex Ferguson that his side will pounce on any slip-ups as the Premier League title race heats up.Leaders Manchester United are 10 points clear of Chelsea but Ancelotti admits his side are in a ‘dream position’ following their collapse late last year.
Chelsea won just twice in November and December and won only five out of 16 matches between November and February – but they remain in with a chance of retaining their title.
“Three months ago, around November and December, it would have been a dream to arrive in this situation,” Ancelotti said.
“I don’t know what we can do until the end of the season but we have a chance to fight and do our best.”
“We have a chance to fight for the title but it is not in our hands. We have a possibility if Manchester United lose some points – and we will be ready.”
“There is a good atmosphere in this team and I’m happy.”
Yossi Benayoun remains sidelined for Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stoke on Saturday. The midfielder has been out for most of the season with an Achilles injury although he did feature for Israel in their 2-0 win over Georgia in midweek.
But Ancelotti said: “He needs to train properly and improve his condition but in 10 days he will be ready to play.”
Chelsea have no other injury worries for the trip to the Britannia, with Fernando Torres expected to keep his place in attack despite not scoring in his first seven matches at the club.
“There are moments in your career when you don’t score. In my experience I had (Hernan) Crespo, (Andrey) Shevchenko and Inzaghi and there were times they couldn’t score,” he said.
“But it is important to not lose confidence. Torres played very well against Manchester City. He didn’t score but he played well – it doesn’t matter if he scores or not but I think he will soon.”
“The team put in a great performance against Manchester United and Manchester City – fortunately we didn’t need goals from the strikers but in April we may need them. I am sure they can score.”