Daniele De Rossi Wallpaper #1

Full name: Daniele De Rossi
Date of birth: July 24, 1983
Place of birth: Roma, Italy

Daniele De Rossi Wallpaper #1
Size: 333 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Daniele De Rossi of Italy takes a penalty kick against Spain. Euro 2008.

Daniele Portanova Wallpaper #1

Full name: Daniele Portanova
Date of birth: December 17, 1978
Place of birth: Roma, Italy

Daniele Portanova Wallpaper #1
Size: 172 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Roberto Carli
Info: Siena’s Daniele Portanova celebrates after scoring during the Italian first division soccer league match between Siena and Chievo at Artemio Franchi stadium in Siena, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007. Siena won 2-1.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #7

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #7
Size: 220 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Author: dado d.d.
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #6

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #6
Size: 149 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Luca Bruno
Info: AC Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi celebrates after scoring against Bayern Munich during the second leg quarterfinal soccer match of the Champions League at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, southern Germany, Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #5

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #5
Size: 164 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis
Info: AC Milan’s player Filippo Inzaghi runs across the field with a flag in Milan colours after his team beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the Champions League Final soccer match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium in Athens Wednesday May 23, 2007.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #4

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #4
Size: 125 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Murad Sezer
Info: AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi celebrates after scoring his sides 2nd goal during the Champions League Final soccer match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium in Athens Wednesday May 23, 2007.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #3

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #3
Size: 139 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Luca Bruno
Info: AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi controls the ball during the Champions League Final soccer match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium in Athens Wednesday May 23, 2007.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #2

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #2
Size: 114 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev
Info: AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League Final soccer match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium in Athens Wednesday May 23, 2007.

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #1

Full name: Filippo Inzaghi
Date of birth: August 9, 1973
Place of birth: Piacenza, Italy

Filippo Inzaghi Wallpaper #1
Size: 194 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Luca Bruno
Info: AC Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi celebrates after scoring against Bayern Munich during the second leg quarterfinal soccer match of the Champions League at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, southern Germany, Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #6

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #6
Size: 217 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Guillermo Arias
Info: Chivas player Omar Bravo controls the ball as he is followed by Tigres’ Sidney Balderas, right, during their Mexico soccer League match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, April 7, 2007.

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #5

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #5
Size: 147 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Claudio Cruz
Info: Mexico’s Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring against Uruguay during the Copa America third place soccer game in Caracas, Saturday, July 14, 2007.

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #4

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #4
Size: 135 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Marcelo Hernandez
Info: Mexico’s Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring his team’s sixth goal against Paraguay, during a Copa America quarter final soccer match in Maturin, Venezuela, Sunday, July 8, 2007.

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #3

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #3
Size: 173 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Claudio Cruz
Info: Chivas’ Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlante during their Mexican league soccer match in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #2

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #2
Size: 236 KB
Resolution: 1280×1024
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Mario Armas
Info: Chivas player Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring a goal against Necaxa during a Mexico Soccer League game in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007.

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #1

Full name: Omar Bravo Tordecillas
Date of birth: March 4, 1980
Place of birth: Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Omar Bravo Wallpaper #1
Size: 209 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Claudio Cruz
Info: Chivas’ Omar Bravo celebrates after scoring a goal against Atlante during their Mexican league soccer match in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.

Liverpool do Hillsborough victims proud

It was an emotional day at Anfield as Liverpool remembered the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy.

96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death during their side's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Nottingham Forest after police made the decision to allow too many fans into the away section in Hillsborough that day.

As I watched today's service at Anfield, I couldn't help but feel a huge sense of admiration for the people of Liverpool. The two minute silence that marked the occasion was incredible. Not a sound for the 120 seconds.

Despite last night's exit from the Champions League, the Liverpool fans gave Rafa Benitez' men an unbelievable reception as they took their seats for the service. You would excpect nothing less from fans who are undoubtedly among the best in the world.

I am sure the friends and families of those who died in Sheffield 20 years ago will have been delighted with how the day went.

Benjani Mwaruwari Wallpaper #1

Full name: Benjani Mwaruwari
Date of birth: August 13, 1978
Place of birth: Bulawayo, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Benjani Mwaruwari Wallpaper #1
Size: 127 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Author: Steve Mandelbaum
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Martin Petrov Wallpaper #1

Full name: Мартин Ивайлов Петров/Martin Ivaylov Petrov
Date of birth: January 15, 1979
Place of birth: Враца (Vratsa), Bulgaria

Martin Petrov Wallpaper #1
Size: 100 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Martin Petrov scores twice as Manchester City gain a draw at Fulham.

Adriano Louzada Wallpaper #1

Full name: Adriano Vieira Louzada
Date of birth: January 3, 1979
Place of birth: Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

Adriano Louzada Wallpaper #1
Size: 180 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Paulo Duarte
Info: FC Porto’s Brazilian Adriano Louzada celebrates after scoring against Sporting Braga’s during their Portuguese League soccer match, Saturday March 3, 2007 at Porto’s Dragao stadium in Porto, northern Portugal. Adriano scored the only goal in Porto’s 1-0 victory.

Adriano Correia Claro Wallpaper #1

Full name: Adriano Correia Claro
Date of birth: October 26, 1984
Place of birth: Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Adriano Correia Claro Wallpaper #1
Size: 174 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: Jose Luis Roca/AFP/Getty Images
Info: Sevilla’s Brazilian midfielder Adriano (C) celebrates with the trophy as Sevilla win the UEFA Cup final football match against Espanyol on penalties at Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, 16 May 2007.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #8

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #8
Size: 219 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Forward Adrian Mutu of Romania looks dejected his penalty hot against Italy was saved. Euro 2008.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #7

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #7
Size: 225 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Adrian Mutu of Romania celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Italy. Euro 2008.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #6

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #6
Size: 244 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Adrian Mutu of Romania celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Italy. Euro 2008.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #5

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #5
Size: 135 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Marco Vasini
Info: Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu, of Romania, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A top league soccer match between Parma and Fiorentina, in Parma, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #4

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #4
Size: 106 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/ Sergei Grits
Info: Romania’s player Adrian Mutu celebrating his goal during their Euro 2008 Cup Group G qualifying soccer match Romania against Belarus in Minsk, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #3

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #3
Size: 247 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi
Info: Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu celebrates after he scored during the Italian Serie A major league soccer match between Fiorentina and AS Roma in Florence, central Italy, Wednesday Sept. 26, 2007.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #2

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #2
Size: 141 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi
Info: Fiorentina’s Romanian forward Adrian Mutu celebrates scoring during the Seria A first division soccer league match between Fiorentina and Sampdoria at Florence’s Artemio Franchi stadium, Italy, Sunday May 27, 2007.

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #1

Full name: Adrian Mutu
Date of birth: January 8, 1979
Place of birth: Călineşti, Argeş, Romania

Adrian Mutu Wallpaper #1
Size: 166 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Adolfo Bofo Bautista Wallpaper #1

Full name: Adolfo Bautista Herrera
Date of birth: May 15, 1979
Place of birth: Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico

Adolfo Bofo Bautista Wallpaper #1
Size: 219 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Aaron Lennon Wallpaper #1

Full name: Aaron Justin Lennon
Date of birth: April 16, 1987
Place of birth: Chapeltown, Leeds, England

Aaron Lennon Wallpaper #1
Size: 209 KB
Resolution: 800×600
Author: DineshLFC
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Germany National Team Wallpaper #7

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #7
Size: 244 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Matt Dunham
Info: The German national team poses prior to the Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain at the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, June 29, 2008, the last day of the European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Front row, from left, Lukas Podoslki, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Arne Friedrich, Torsten Frings, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Back row, standing, from left, Christoph Metzelder, Jens Lehamnn, Per Mertesacker, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #6

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #6
Size: 288 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Michael Ballack of Germany (2nd R) is congratulated after scoring the opening goal against Austria. Euro 2008.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #5

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #5
Size: 365 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Germany line up for a team photo before the match against Croatia. Euro 2008.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #4

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #4
Size: 328 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: Germany players line up for a team photograph ahead of their match with Poland. Euro 2008.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #3

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #3
Size: 301 KB
Resolution: 1600×1200
Photo Credits: -
Info: DFB crest wallpaper.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #2

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #2
Size: 187 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach
Info: Germany’s Lukas Podolski, Thomas Hitzlsberger, Roberto Hilbert, Miroslav Klose react after the fourth goal for Germany during the Group D Euro 2008 qualifying soccer match between Germany and Cyprus in Hanover, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007.

Germany National Team Wallpaper #1

Full name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB)
Founded: 1900

Germany National Team Wallpaper #1
Size: 245 KB
Resolution: 1024×768
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Hamburg hit back to stun City

Hamburg responded to the shock of conceding a goal inside the first minute to beat Manchester City 3-1 in an entertaining UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg clash at the HSH Nordbank Arena.

Martin Jol's impressive side, second in the Bundesliga, created a hatful of chances and were unfortunate not to win the game by a wider margin.

But City, so much better at Eastlands compared with their form away from home this season, still have a chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

Even though Hamburg kicked off, City took the lead after only 36 seconds when Stephen Ireland slotted the ball home after being set up by Robinho.

Hamburg were unfazed though and poured forward creating chance after chance.

Shay Given saved David Jarolim's shot before the unmarked Mladen Petric headed straight at the former Newcastle United goalkeeper when he should really have scored.

In the eighth minute Given was forced to make a superb one-handed stop to keep Michael Gravgaard's close-range effort out but, from the resulting Piotr Trochowski corner, he was finally beaten when Netherlands international Joris Mathijsen headed the ball home.

The game continued at a frenetic pace with the Bundesliga side looking to attack at every opportunity.

Hamburg came within inches of taking a 20th-minute lead when Jonathan Pitroipa's floating header from a tight angle came back off the crossbar with Given beaten.

City were struggling to repel wave after wave of Hamburg attacks and Given once again had to come to their rescue when he pushed away Marcell Jansen's fierce shot midway through the first period.

In a rare City attack Craig Bellamy was denied by Frank Rost after being sent clear by Shaun Wright-Phillips but the ball should have been squared to Ireland who was unmarked and could have side-footed it into an open net.

Just before the break Given was at it again, saving Trochowski's shot with his knees.

The second half was a less open affair although Wright-Phillips tested Rost with a long-range effort just before the hour mark that the Hamburg keeper was equal to.

However, after Wright-Phillips was forced to hack the ball off the line, Hamburg took the lead in the 63rd minute. Micah Richards conceded a penalty when he handled the ball and Trochowski scored from the spot.

With 11 minutes left City were given a mountain to climb when substitute Jose Paolo Guerrero fired Trochowski's cross high into Given's net but, in truth, a two-goal advantage was the least Jol's side deserved for an enterprising display.

Rafa blames Reds mistakes

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez blamed a series of mistakes for their 3-1 Champions League defeat to Chelsea, but still believes his side can keep their European dream alive.

The Reds now require something of a miracle result at Stamford Bridge in next week's quarter-final second leg where they will have to score at least three times.

RAFAEL BENITEZ

Liverpool struck first on Wednesday night through Fernando Torres but two goals from Branislav Ivanovic and a third from Didier Drogba put the Blues in control of the tie.

"I was disappointed with the manner of our defeat and the bad mistakes we made at set pieces to allow them two goals," admitted Benitez.

"Now it will be very difficult. We have to score three times at Stamford Bridge, which is a tough call against a very good side.

"For their first goal there were three players near to the scorer and they were not able to stop him. And then something very similar happened for the second, we made bad mistakes at crucial times.

"Now we know we have a difficult task in the second leg. We have to score three times and that will be very difficult.

"But we must believe we can do it. We have scored four at Manchester United so we know what we are capable of.

"Chelsea did not really surprise us and they clearly believe that this is the competition they have most chance of winning now.

"They have won many away games this season but the way we lost was hard to take."

Source : 4thegame

Zhivko Milanov Wallpaper #1

Full name: Zhivko Milanov
Date of birth: 15 July 1984
Place of birth: Sofia, Bulgaria

Zhivko Milanov Wallpaper #1
Size: 314 KB
Resolution: 1280×1024
Author: Zhivko.bg
Photo Credits: -
Info: -

Maybe this will make Robinho start scoring again

Well I certainly hope so.

The Manchester City striker has today been cleared off all charges following allegations of a sexual assault in January. The Brazilian was arrested at the time after some Yorkshire woman accussed him of sexually assaulting her, however he was soon released on bail.

Since the time of his arrest, Robinho hasn't scored a single goal for the club he joined back in September for a British record fee of £32 million. The 25-year old has come in for some strong critiscim for his lack of goals and apparent lack of effort in recent weeks and months. Maybe now that he has been cleared of the allegations he might start performing on the field for Mark Hughes' men.

We will see if Robinho can add to the 12 goals he has already scored for City when they travel to Hamburg for their crucial UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg clash on Thursday.

Source: Football-Corner

Man Utd vs. Aston Villa Match Highlights

Manchester United v Aston Villa

Last chance to pocket £10,000 by picking a Premier League XI

So there's only 8 games to go in this season's Premier League and to say it's close is an understatement. At the top, Manchester United and Liverpool are neck and neck with Rafa Benitez' men in with every chance after a terrific last few weeks.

At the bottom, there's still six or seven teams who could realistically be relegated. So we are in for a very exciting few weeks ahead, yes?

Well, here's a chance to make the final eight games of the season even more exciting. By entering "You the Manager", the Daily Mirror's fantasy football game, you have the chance to win some smashing prizes between now and May 24th. Manager of the Month (well for April & May together) wins a massive £10,000.

Also, every week you have the chance to win a cool £100 by being the Manager of the Week. So enter your team now by following the link below and avail of the Daily Mirror's special offer. Two teams for the price of one. So that's just £5 to be in with a chance of winning £10,000. What are you waiting for?

Here are a few players I think are definitely worth a look when picking you're team :

• Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - £7.5 million
• Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - £8 million
• Phil Jagielka (Everton) - £4 million
• Petr Cech (Chelsea) - £ 5 million

Best Free Kicks Video

Robrto Carlos, Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Henry and many other players who score free kicks. They and their brilliant goals. A well composed Video. Enjoy!

Video Source: MetaCafe

Adriano Not Certain Of Contract Renewal With Inter

José Mourinho & Adriano - Inter-Milan - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Adriano may have been able to contribute some solid performances and goals for Inter, but the striker admitted he does not know if he will remain with the club past next season.

"My contract with Inter expires in 2010 and I will calmly reflect on whether to renew or not," the Brazilian international explained to Globoesporte.

"I have a good relationship with [Inter coach Jose] Mourinho - I was deployed as a starter in lots of important matches, in the Milan derby and against Manchester United in the Champions League."

Earlier this season the 27-year-old credited the former Chelsea tactician with "saving" his career and further alluded to their respect for one another.

"I am happy because the coach always talks [about his decisions] with me," he concluded.

Adriano has had an inconsistent season, scoring seven times in 22 appearances. Recently, he has fallen behind starlet Mario Balotelli in the pecking order at San Siro.

Source: Goal.com

Ireland deserve a lot of credit for snatching point in Italy

It was a case of better late than never for the Irish national team last night as they claimed a late point in Bari, Italy.

Robbie Keane was the hero on the night as Ireland kept their hopes alive of qualifying in top spot in Group 8 of World Cup qualifying. Marcelo Lippi's Italy took an early lead just minutes after they were reduced to ten men. Giampaolo Pazzini saw red with just two minutes on the clock after he "supposedly" elbowed Manchester United defender John O'Shea.

It was Vincenzo Iaquinta who gave the hosts the lead. Fabio Grosso got on the end of a smart ball played down the line by AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, and the Lyon man's subsequent cross was met by Iaquinta.

Giovani Trappatoni's men were clearly rattled by the early goal and the Italian manager was forced to make a change just moments after the opener. The unimpressive Andy Keogh was replaced by Hull City striker Caleb Folan.

That move seemed to give the visitors that much needed kick up the backside.

Ireland controlled proceedings there after, without ever really threatening until the final few moments. A long ball hoofed forward by Manchester City keeper Shay Given was met by the head of substitute Folan, who nodded it down to Keane who coolly slotted the ball beyond Gianluigi Buffon to send the travelling fans into hysterics.

All in all, it was a good result for Trap's men. Looking back at it now, the Irish players may feel as though they could of won the game, however a draw was probably a fair result. There is no doubt Ireland's job was made a lot easier when Italy were reduced to ten men but to go a goal behind and still manage to claim a point against the World Champions deserves a lot of credit. Next up for the Boys in green is a trip to Bulgaria.

Source: Football-Corner

Shearer just the man to lead Newcastle to Premier League survival

Mike Ashley hasn't done many things right since taken over Newcastle United back in July of 2007, however his decision to bring Alan Shearer in as manager at St James' Park until the end of the season deserves a lot of praise.

Newcastle are in a relegation dog-fight right now. They currently sit 18th in the Premier League, two points adrift of Blackburn in 17th with several tricky ties to come for the North East club.

It's no secret that appointing a new manager has a very positive affect on a struggling team (most of the time anyway) so I think the appointment of Shearer is just what Newcastle need right now. A person who knows the club inside out, to come in and give the team a much needed lift.

In all probability, Newcastle will need to win four of their last eight games to be sure of survival and I feel they will just about manage that now that Shearer has arrived. The former Magpies number nine's first game in charge will be this Saturday's encounter with Chelsea (not an easy fixture by any stretch of the imagination).

Based on the assumption that Chelsea win that game, that leaves just seven games for Newcastle to get the 12 points they require. I can envisage home victories for them against the likes of Portsmouth, Fulham and Middlesbrough. So where will that other victory come from. Well, the trips to Stoke City and Tottenham seem likes the most likely candidates.

So in conclusion, well done Mike Ashley.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Good appointment or not? Comments below please.

Source:Football-Corner

So Fabregas has spoke to Real Madrid

After weeks and months of speculation, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has today admitted he has spoke with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Spanish international has been constantly linked with a move back to his homeland in recent months, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keen on him.

Fabregas had this to say about the matter : "It's true the president of Real Madrid (Ramon Calderon) called me personally - we spoke on the phone,"

"But I never gave him my word that I was going to sign for Real Madrid. He asked about my progress and that was it ... It is an incredible compliment that two of the most important clubs in the world are interested in you, but I am an Arsenal player and have a contract with them until 2014."

Fabregas, 21, is still sidelined by a knee injury he picked up back in December, however the media spotlight certainly hasn't gone away from the Gunners skipper. It was alleged earlier this month that Fabregas spat at Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton in the immediate aftermath of Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup victory over the Premier League strugglers.

Obviously Arsenal fans won't be too happy to see their most prized asset had been talking to one of Europe's elite. There is no doubt that Arsenal are a far better outfit when Fabregas is in the team and Arsene Wenger will certainly be doing his best to keep him once the summer comes. Despite what Fabregas says at the end about being under contract for another five years, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him leave the Emirates before the start of next season.

What do you think? Comments below please.

Football Skills Display

Good Football Skills Displayed In This Video. Good Video. Enjoy!