A Football Report

“If I look back after 10 weeks and say, ‘I really want to stay,’ then maybe I can make that happen,” Donovan told the Liverpool Echo last month. “If I say, ‘OK, it was good but I’m ready to go,’ then I can go. But for now I’m taking it week by week.” Well ten weeks later it looks like the Goodison faithful want the American international to remain or at least prolong his stay on the Merseyside. After Landon’s “last” game, the American was asked a number of questions in a post-match interview.

After Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Hull, the 28-year-old revealed there is a small chance he may stay on in England a little longer.

While shrugging off Man of the Match Mikel Arteta’s plea for the winger to stay, Landon said, “there is a chance (of staying). We will know more this week. If that was it then I’m happy. Maybe we can stay a little longer, we’ll see.

“The fans, the people here are fantastic, the players are fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it here tremendously.”

David Moyes told the BBC in an earlier interview, “I am keen to keep Landon and it sounds initially in America that they might say yes.” (more, including an Everton “last game” tribute video to LD, is after the jump)

Read More

By Ryan Morrison

And the winner of the worst home support goes to……. France. During the recent two nil defeat to Spain at the Stade de France this week, some of the players were singled out and persistently jeered. Thierry Henry who readily admits he is not playing at the top of his form right now, partly due to the lack of games he has had in the previous few months at Barcelona after losing his place in the European Champions starting line up, was singled out by “Les Bleus” for the most ferocious abuse. Henry is a man who is the all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals, has won the World Cup for them in 1998, and won the European Championships in 2000. What more do these “so-called fans” want from him?

Henry told reporters after the game, “It’s the same story as usual and it’s not the first time I’ve experienced that kind of situation at the Stade de France. I understand people who were eager for us to play well against Spain and, when you don’t play well, you have to expect being jeered at. I don’t know if I deserved that but there is nothing I can do.” Stick to the egg chasing. For highlights of France’s midweek loss to Spain, click here.

Ryan Morrison has his own site dedicated to football at http://www.myoffside.com/

England are hosting African Cup Nations Champions Egypt next Wednesday at Wembley. This is the last friendly for England until Fabio Capello announces the provisional World Cup squad, which is announced on May the 12th.

Ryan Shawcross has been selected for the first time and is set to make his debut, his call up was announced hours after he accidentally broken Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey’s leg.

Leighton Baines was called up to replace Wayne Bridge, but Capello stated he can still play in the World Cup in South Africa if Bridge changes his mind. There is also no room for Ben Foster, Paul Robinson, Joe Cole, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Owen, Bobby Zamora and Agbonlahor in the england squad. But with under 3 months of Premier League football, they can all work their way into the squad. The door is open for everyone. Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole are all missing the encounter through injury.

England captain, Rio Ferdinand, is injured for this match and it will be exciting to see who will wear the captain’s armband; Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard are all favourites. The full roster for the friendly is after the jump.

Read More

By Dominic Vieira

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United – Sunday 28^th Feb 2009, 15:00 GMT – Wembley

Defending champions Manchester United will play against underdogs Aston Villa for the 50th final of the League Cup, otherwise known as the Carling Cup.

This competition is normally viewed as the cup of least importance and prestige in England, but for some clubs it is their entry into the Europa League. However, over the past 5 finals, either Manchester United or Chelsea has been present in the final. Therefore, it is correct to state that this cup is becoming just as important as any one of the others simply because everyone truly wants to win it. But even so, stronger sides do tend to rotate their team and give younger players a chance to play in this competition. The last time Aston Villa picked up any trophy it was this one, back in 1996; they will be expected to field their strongest XI to ensure that the silverware is taken back to Birmingham. Manchester United have a never-ending list of achievements and cups, however, the Red Devils will not be playing with their strongest team as Sir Alex likes to use a younger team in this cup. Nevertheless, United will be 100% concentrated and playing at their best to return the trophy to Old Trafford.

Read More

The highly-anticipated and highly-controversial Chelsea - Manchester City match at Stamford Bridge certainly lived up to its billing. Vindication was in the air as the traveling City side went on to embarrass Chelsea with a 4-2 victory. Earlier in the week die-hard Manchester City supporter Noel Gallagher of Oasis said, “When Chelsea come to play us Terry is going to get so much s*** and he’ll deserve all of it. I hope our boys give him as much abuse as they can.”

Well “abuse” may be a bit of a harsh word to use, but Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy both snatched respective braces, and City did not “look back in anger” as they put on a truly professional performance. The Citizens kept their composure, however, Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not as they finished the game with 9-men (Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti were sent off late in the second half).

Wayne Bridge added a little drama before the game by (rightfully) refusing to shake John Terry’s hand.

Read More

England: Wayne Bridge says he won’t play any role in this summer’s World Cup

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge has announced he does not wish to be chosen by Fabio Capello to play in the World Cup, despite many pundits labeling him as the next option at left-back due to Ashley Cole’s ankle injury. Bridge’s lawyers said that his position in the national team squad had become “untenable and potentially divisive.”

Personally, I am disappointed in Wayne Bridge. Not to the extent that I am disappointed with John Terry, who was rightfully stripped of his England captaincy a few weeks ago, but I’m still disappointed in the ex-Chelsea man. I believe that if you have a value to your country, and your country needs you, then there really should be a good reason in your decision to not to do your bit. Fabio Capello has always emphasized the importance of professionalism in his squads over the years, and I believe that the Italian could have managed to get the best out of Bridge, if England needed to call on him.

Bridge’s statement also read: “I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.

“I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa.” [Source: BBC]

Jose implies that AC Milan are getting decisions from referees! I love this guy.

Inter’s charismatic gaffer Jose Mourinho decided to speak to the press after the Nerazzuri’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea about his thoughts that AC Milan, who have been on a recent run of good form despite losing to Manchester United, may be getting a little more than their fair share of favourable decisions from the Italian referees this Serie A campaign.

Read More

By Mirko Corli

What a match in the San Siro!

Inter defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home and has now 51% chance of going through the knockout stage. The Nerazzurri had an awesome start with the early goal by Argentine striker Diego Milito. The goal came from a quick pass play by Eto’o, Snejider and Milito into the box, JT not able to guess the right side to stand in front of the striker, and a superb shot between Cech and the near post.

After taking the lead, Inter tried to defend, led by a superb Lucio. Chelsea had two great chances with Drogba’s freekick that shook the crossbar and a legitimate penalty-shout Kalou had that the referee did not take into account.

In the second half, Kalou scored the equalizer for Chelsea (big mistake from Julio Cesar, who was involved in a car crash a couple of days ago), but Cambiasso responded brilliantly by giving the Italians the lead with a precise left-footed shot in the lower corner.

It was an intense match, the crowd was simply outstanding. Both teams had their oppportunities to score even more goals, and the result leaves the upcoming match in London open to every possible interpretation.

Man of the match: I’ll pick Lucio for Inter and Kalou for Chelsea. It will be a tough match in London, but I think that if Inter will play like they did in the second half (Milito, Eto’o, Balotelli and Snejider all on the pitch in great form), they’ll be able to secure a deserved victory. What’s your guess?

Porto forward Hulk’s chances of making Brazil’s World Cup squad took a sizeable blow on Friday when Portuguese Liga officials handed him a four-month domestic ban for violent conduct. The 23-year-old received the punishment for his role in a post-match brawl with match stewards in the players’ tunnel following Porto’s 1-0 defeat to title rivals Benfica last December. Fellow Porto player Sapunaru received a six-month ban for assaulting two security guards at the end of the same game. The video of the incident is embedded above.

Old Trafford is 100 Years Old! The Theatre of Dreams first opened its doors back in 1910 and has been the setting for numerous momentous occasions since then. The BBC has a wonderful photo gallery of United’s stadium over the last century.

Chelsea has issued a statement to its players telling them to “protect the club’s image” in regards to the recent behavior of John Terry and Ashley Cole.

Jose Mourinho is widely expected to leave the Nerazzurri at the end of the season and the Spanish press have speculated that a move to Los Merengues could be on the cards, but the Portuguese gaffer insists that he is only focused on being successful with Inter, especially in next week’s Champions League clash with his former club, Chelsea.

There are a few hours left to send in your picks for this weekend’s Premier League games for our EPL prediction contest. Remember, the best predictor gets a Who Are Ya Designs Gift Card!

Hope it’s a good one. If you have no plans, then just enjoy the matches on show. We are going to have something special for you guys tomorrow, as we have a new contributor to the site. Mirko Corli, a Torino-based writer/calcio enthusiast, will be writing a weekly column on Serie A and Serie B on Monday which will be known as “Mondays with Mirko the Maestro”. Again, give Mirko a warm welcome to the AFR community!

Phoenix - 1901 (A Take Away Show)

We’re less than four months away now from the best month of every four years… I personally cannot wait to witness some World Class talent at Nelson Mandela Stadium.