Football

Match-winner Fernando Torres said Spain deserved to win Euro 2008

2008-06-30T15:28:00.000+01:00

Torres struck in the first half as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in Vienna to win their first major trophy for 44 years and Torres's first trophy of any kind.
The Liverpool striker said: "I feel a tremendous joy. It still hasn't sunk in what we've achieved with this victory.
"The team that played the best football at Euro 2008 won the title and we have a place in European football history."
He added: "It's just a dream come true. This is my first title and I hope it's the first of many. "Victory in a Euro, it is almost as big as a World Cup. We are used to watching finals on television, but today we were here and we won.

Torres was soaked in champagne by his team-mates
"My job is to score goals. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world."
Coach Luis Aragones, who now steps down after four years in the job, paid tribute to Torres after the final whistle.
"Fernando is a great player for Liverpool and for our team and he can go anywhere because he has really extraordinary speed and he knows how to dribble," said the 69-year-old.
"We always tell him he's a player who is so young that he can learn to do everything and there is no doubt he can be one of the best players in the world."
Aragones, who could barely contain his delight with his side's resounding victory, believes the way they won the tournament may inspire other teams to try and play the same brand of football in the future.
"All those that love football want to see it played that way," he said. "People want players who can pass well and get into the penalty area and score goals.
"They'll look up to Spain as a model of how to play football.
"We've won this tournament brilliantly, it's a happy day for the players, the background staff, me, all Spaniards."
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas hailed his team's triumph as a "victory for beautiful football". The 21-year-old said: "It feels amazing, this is the best day of my life in football, I don't think we've realised yet what we have achieved.
"It's been a long time since a team playing this kind of beautiful football won a tournament like this.
"It is 44 years after Spain last won anything. This is one of the best trophies you can win as a footballer and I did it, we did it.

Fabregas hailed victory as the best day of his life
"We play football on the ground, we try to pass the ball and we won this tournament in style. We gave football the success it deserves.
"You know what a young squad this is, so hopefully we can think about winning the World Cup in two years' time."
Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, who came off the bench in the second half, added: "It feels great, of course - so many years without winning anything.
"It was very important for everyone - for the supporters, for the players, for the staff - and now we are absolutely happy and we want to enjoy the moment."

Eriksson deserves better from Thaksin

2008-04-29T20:06:00.000+01:00

Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at Manchester City in July to a fund of goodwill from success-starved fans - now he risks every shred of his sporting reputation by sacking Sven-Goran Eriksson.The mere mention of Eriksson's name is the catalyst for a variety of a emotions after his time of under-achievement and excess personal baggage with England.And yet the Swede now, rightly, finds himself the subject an outpouring of sympathy as Thaksin prepares to make his sacking official.Before outlining the scale of mistake Thaksin is about to make, it is only right to go back to June last year when I wrote a piece insisting the former Thai Prime Minister was wrong to appoint Eriksson.He was right. And I was wrong. Now he is very wrong.I questioned whether Eriksson was a modern team-builder and whether he had the hunger and desire to do the job at Eastlands. It was a view coloured by watching his listless performances at three major tournaments in charge of England.Eriksson has answered those charges emphatically in a first season that has been one of undoubted progression, despite a fade-out in the second half of the campaign.He has also achieved the specific goal set for him by Thaksin - namely a top ten Premier League finish.Eriksson had to work the transfer market quickly and effectively when he took over because he was barely left with enough players after the departure of Stuart Pearce and the clock was ticking on the new season.Martin Petrov and Elano brought class and creativity, while Croatia's Vedran Corluka was another success.He made mistakes, namely the £8m paid for striker Rolando Bianchi, but when a workable squad has to be assembled swiftly from the wreckage of what had greeted him, the odd gamble will fail.If Eriksson made a fatal error, it may have been by blending his new players so quickly and starting the season so spectacularly.This appeared to raise the expectations of Thaksin, a man who appears to have a slender grasp on the realities of football if he feels Eriksson's performance this season warrants the sack.As I have stated, there is a helping of humble pie with these words because I believed Eriksson would be a failure at Eastlands after the England experiences.But he had started to rebuild his own and Manchester City's reputation this season - and this should have only been the start.City have worked hard in recent years to cast aside a name for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.This has been done behind the scenes and Eriksson was in the process of putting matters right on the pitch. Thaksin is now about to throw so much good work away.Eriksson has also shown a willingness to give City's exciting crop of young players their chance and it was clear they had faith in him.Word from City is that Eriksson is a hugely popular figure, revered and respected by everyone at the club - except, it seems, by the man who matters.If Thaksin thinks his sacking of Eriksson is the decisive hands-on action the club's supporters revel in, he is guilty of a desperately bad misjudgement.City's fans, almost unanimously, are outraged by the news and the cynics might even suggest it is rather handy for Thaksin that the axe is falling after City's final home game.This spares him inevitable protests at Eastlands, although City fans will make their voices heard in support of Eriksson at Anfield and The Riverside in the final two games of his reign.Thaksin is apparently lining up Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - and while the Brazilian is a World Cup winner with his own country, what is his knowledge of the Premier League?Eriksson's departure has reportedly devastated City's squad. What now for them? What of all the players Eriksson brought in?Make no mistake, the law of football dictes that predators will now be circling the likes of Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Martin Petrov and Elano, ready to make capital of the uncertainty and unrest.Will the new man want Eriksson's signings? Will Thaksin effectively have to start spending again?What will the new man have to spend? When will he be able to spend it? And will he be allowed to spend it on the men he wants?And - crucially - will Thaksin start the sacking game again next term if City fail to achieve what appear to be his farcially unrealistic expectations?Eriksson achieved Thaksin's goal of a top ten finish with something to spare and will still be sacked. Would any manager of consequence be in a rush to join City with that backdrop?Manchester City is a club crying out for stability on the pitch after the wilderness years and Eriksson could have provided it.Sadly, Thaksin has chosen to demonstrate his impatience and sporting naivety in one fell swoop in a move that has alienated fans only too willing to give him a chance.Manchester City's fans do not deserve that. Manchester City as a club does not deserve that. Eriksson does not deserve that either.It remains to be seen whether this is the defining moment of Thaksin's reign - but he is in the process of committing a major error.

Liverpool 6-0 Derby

2007-09-02T10:00:00.001+01:00

Ryan Babel celebrates after scoring Liverpool's second goalLiverpool outclassed Derby to move to the top of the Premier League table for the first time under Rafa Benitez.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a 45-yard free-kick that sailed straight into the net before Ryan Babel's turn gave him space for a superb second.
Fernando Torres' cool finish made it 3-0 and Alonso added a fourth with a rasping drive from the edge of the box.
Andrei Voronin tapped home to make it 5-0 and Andy Todd's mistake let in Torres to complete the rout.

It was an utterly dominant performance from the Reds, who have now won five out of their six games in all competitions this season - but none as easily as this.
They always looked like extending their impressive start to the season against a Derby side lacking ambition and devoid of ideas.
There was little to cheer Rams boss Billy Davies with his side merely hanging on from the start.

Bywater did well to keep out Agger's 25-yard shot after it clipped off Derby defender Robert Malcolm and had to dive to stop a Torres header soon after.
Liverpool then spent an unsuccessful spell trying their luck from distance but, when Alonso did break the deadlock on 27 minutes, it was also from long range.
The Spanish midfielder was not trying to find the net when he curled in a free-kick but Kuyt ran across Bywater's line of sight and the keeper could not react in time to keep the ball out.
Derby could probably count themselves slightly unlucky in the manner in which they conceded but they could not argue that Liverpool deserved their lead.
And there was nothing fortuitous about the way Babel made it 2-0 before the break with his first goal since his £11.5m summer move from Ajax.
The Dutchman collected the ball from Alvaro Arbeloa's pullback, bamboozled Andy Griffin and Claude Davis with his first touch and then buried the ball past Bywater for a goal of genuine class.
Things continued in the same vein after half-time and Alonso should have added to Liverpool's advantage when Arbeloa, Torres and Kuyt combined to tee him up with only Bywater to beat.

Torres celebrates after scoring Liverpool's third goal
A third goal duly arrived when Javier Mascherano fed Torres and the Spanish striker made for goal before slotting coolly home.
Derby simply had no answer to Liverpool's pace and movement going forward and, when another attack was not properly cleared, Alonso notched again with a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Torres was clearly enjoying himself too and he played a part in Liverpool's next goal, exchanging passes with Kuyt who saw his shot saved before substitute Voronin followed up to score.
And it was apt that Torres rounded off the scoring, nipping in when Todd failed to deal with Voronin's lobbed through ball and sliding the ball home.
A miserable day for Derby was summed up late on when Craig Fagan failed to make contact with the ball with only Jose Reina to beat and Davies will have few positives to take away from such a demoralising defeat.

Red carpet rolled out for Beckham

2007-07-13T21:37:00.001+01:00

The Galaxy turned on the style to welcome Beckham to LADavid Beckham has been officially unveiled as an LA Galaxy player to an audience of media and supporters at the club's Home Depot Stadium.
In a ceremony rich in American razzmatazz, several MLS and Galaxy figures praised Beckham.
The 32-year-old midfielder, wearing a grey suit, then rose from his seat as ticker tape flew into the sky.
He then held an LA Galaxy shirt and posed for photographs while the assembled fans chanted his name.

I think that potentially in the US soccer could be as big as everywhere else in the world
David Beckham
"I'm looking forward to starting training next week and my first game," said Beckham.
"I would like to say how honoured I am to be presented. It is nice to see so many fans.
"I have always looked for challenges and something exciting in my life.
"I think that potentially in the US soccer could be as big as everywhere else in the world."
But when Beckham made his first reference to the game he plays he said "foot.." before correcting himself and saying "soccer", adding "I'll get used to that at some point, I'm sorry".
Beckham's wife Victoria appeared before her husband and posed for photographers wearing a fuchsia pink dress and trademark black sunglasses.
Prior to Beckham's arrival a large video screen replayed highlights of Beckham's career.
As Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas stood to address the gathered media and supporters, he was initially drowned out by the crowd chanting "Beckham, Beckham".

Supporters turned out in force to welcome Beckham
When the crowd calmed down, Lalas said the arrival of Beckham was an historic moment "not just for the Galaxy but for soccer and for the sport of soccer in the United States".
MLS commissioner Don Garber said: "Here in Los Angeles we have one of the world's most recognised athletes, most recognised players coming here to our league, our city, our team."
After Beckham spoke the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, was introduced to the crowd, who welcomed him by booing loudly.
Villaraigosa then put on a Galaxy shirt and presented Beckham with a framed picture.
Beckham's first appearance for the Galaxy is scheduled to be a friendly against Premier League side Chelsea on 21 July.
The England midfielder has a five-year contract with Galaxy, who are currently struggling in second-bottom place in the MLS Western Division after 12 matches.

The club play at the 27,000-capacity Home Depot Center stadium in the south Los Angeles suburb of Carson.
Beckham will be paid $6.5m (£3.2m) by Galaxy this season, according to figures posted on the league's players' union website, and could make $250m (£123m) over the life of the contract in profit-sharing and sponsorship deals.
Beckham arrived in Los Angeles late on Thursday with his wife Victoria and three children - Brooklyn, Cruz and Romeo - but did not answer questions from the waiting media.
A series of media interviews and photo-shoots preceded their arrival, while a television programme documenting the family's move is set to air on US television on Monday.
The Beckhams will make their new home in a reported $22m (£10.8m), 13,000-square-foot villa in Beverly Hills, where neighbours include their friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

Beckham assured of England future

2007-06-15T09:58:00.000+01:00

Beckham needs to maintain his form to impress McClarenDavid Beckham says England coach Steve McClaren has given him assurances about his international future.
Beckham, 32, will join LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in the summer but has been told by McClaren that he can keep his England place.
The former England skipper said: "Without a doubt, the manager has already made me aware of that.
"As long as my fitness is right, and I'm playing like I have been for the last six months, there's no problem."
Beckham has starred in his recall to the England colours, after his international career appeared to be on the rocks following England's exit from last summer's World Cup.
Some people think I'm going into semi-retirement, I don't see it as that
David Beckham
The Real Madrid midfielder set up John Terry's goal in his comeback match against Brazil, and then set up two more in England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia.
Many thought Beckham's move to America's MLS would make it difficult for McClaren to pick the midfielder.
But Beckham said: "Some people think I'm going into semi-retirement, I don't see it as that.
"My fitness will be the same as it is now, if not better. I don't think that's going to be a worry.
"There's some people who think I can play for another two or three years at the top, and I'm one of those people."
Beckham confirmed that Sunday's clash with Real Mallorca will be his last for Madrid, who made a vain attempt to buy the England midfielder out of his contract.
Victory for Real will guarantee their first La Liga title since 2003, and will see Beckham end his time in Spain on a high note, with his first major honour for Madrid.

McClaren tight-lipped on Beckham

2007-05-25T14:00:00.000+01:00

David Beckham has been in impressive form for Real MadridEngland coach Steve McClaren has refused to play down growing speculation that former captain David Beckham is in line for a recall.
McClaren names the England squad for the friendly against Brazil at Wembley and the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia at noon on Saturday.
Beckham, 32, has not played for England since the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Portugal in June.
McClaren said: "Is the door open for Beckham? I never said it was closed."
Beckham, who will move to Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy in the summer, has been an influential member of the Real Madrid side that is closing in on La Liga.

McClaren added: "Does Beckham enter my mind? There are quite a few who do that and you will see on Saturday what the intentions are.
"Is there a more in-form midfielder than Beckham? We are talking about issues which aren't here yet and we will deal with them on Saturday if they come up.
"I keep my eye on everyone and David is one I said from day one that his form will be monitored."
McClaren will also monitor the fitness of striker Michael Owen on his international comeback at Turf Moor on Friday, when he captains England B against Albania.
Owen is on his way back after a serious knee injury suffered in the World Cup last summer.
He said: "Michael looks fit and sharp but lets not put too much pressure on him.
"He needs games and training sessions. He looks stronger and fitter and he has worked on that on his year out.
"It is a boost for everyone that he is involved. You do miss your best players."

Relegated Leeds in administration

2007-05-04T22:04:00.001+01:00

Dennis Wise (left) and Leeds must look forward to life in League OneLeeds United have been relegated to League One after being deducted 10 points for going into administration.
The 10-point deduction - in accordance with Football League rules - means Leeds will finish the season at the bottom of the Championship.
However, they will not lose any points for the start of their first season in League One in August.
Administrator KPMG has already agreed to sell the club to a newly-formed company led by chairman Ken Bates.
A KPMG statement said: "Shortly after their appointment the joint administrators agreed to sell the business and its assets to a newly formed company.
"This company is called Leeds United Football Club Limited, the directors of which are Ken Bates, Shaun Harvey and Mark Taylor.
A cash injection of approximately £10m is required to continue trading
Leeds' administrators
"The sale of the club is subject to approval by its creditors, via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
"The creditors' meeting, to consider the CVA, will be held before the end of May. The Football League will also need to approve the sale."
Former Chelsea chairman Bates hailed a new era for the club - but also criticised the old regime for incurring huge debts.
"The action taken brings to an end the financial legacy left by others that we have spent millions of pounds trying to settle," said Bates.
"But the important thing now is not to view this as the end, but the beginning of a new era.
"The financial burden of the past finally pushed the club into administration following the issuing of a winding up petition by HM Revenue & Customs, who will be one of the company's major creditors.
"The other parties who will suffer the biggest financial loss are institutions from which the board arranged funding: Astor Investment Holdings, Krato Trust and Forward Sports Fund who collectively will lose in excess of £22m."

The Football League has confirmed Leeds' 10-point deduction and expressed its disappointment.
"Following confirmation that Leeds United have obtained an administration order, the Football League can confirm that the club has been deducted 10 points from its 2006/07 tally," said head of communications John Nagle.
"Given the recent reduction in the numbers of clubs resorting to formal insolvency proceedings, it is disappointing that Leeds United have had to seek the protection of an administration order.
"Discussions have already begun aimed at establishing how Leeds United intend exiting administration.
"This will have to include complying with the League's insolvency policy under which all 'football debts' must be settled in full."
KPMG revealed Leeds had debts "totalling approximately £35m, with a cash injection of approximately £10m required to continue trading".

Kenyon rules out sacking Mourinho

2007-04-20T21:11:00.001+01:00

Mourinho is eyeing up four trophies this seasonChelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has revealed the club have no plans to sack boss Jose Mourinho in the summer.
Speculation over the Portuguese coach's future at Stamford Bridge - and his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich - has been rife all season.
But Kenyon has denied the club have been looking at potential replacements.
"Jose's got a contract until 2010 and we're not going to sack him. He's got the full support of the board, that's really important," he told Chelsea TV.
Interview: Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon
"We've been linked with something like 14 managers now I think, but we've not got a list and we're not looking."
Mourinho has masterminded back-to-back Premiership titles since arriving at the club from Porto in 2004.

He has also won the League Cup twice, including this season, and is still fighting for silverware on three fronts this term.
However, Mourinho has grown frustrated at the lack of transfer funds made available to him this season, particularly in the January transfer window when he was desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements.
And the big-money summer arrival Andriy Shevchenko, thought to be a close friend of Abramovich, is also believed to be a bone of contention between owner and coach.
But the pair shared an embrace after the tense FA Cup semi-final victory over Blackburn, in a move interpreted by some as a sign of a thawing in relations between the two.

Healy for first goal

2007-03-30T00:29:00.000+01:00

The man of the moment, David Healy takes centre stage this Friday as he tries to help Leeds United begin their fight against relegation when they take on Preston North End at home.

The 27-year-old took his Northern Ireland tally to nine in six games in the stunning 2-1 victory against Sweden on Wednesday that took the province to top spot in Group F.

However, at club level Healy has managed just eight goals in 25 games and United find themselves rooted to the foot of the table.

Fourth-placed Preston are the visitors to Elland Road and that spells trouble for the home side.

David Nugent, who scored on his England debut against Andorra in midweek, will be brimming with confidence watched by a posse of scouts ready to make their bid ahead of the inevitable summer sale.

But we think there could be something of an upset in Yorkshire.

Leeds boss Dennis Wise must surely come to his senses before it's too late and take Healy away from the right wing and plonk him at centre forward.

The Ulsterman is 13/2 with Betterbet.com to score the first goal and we will go with that.

Rooney for first goal against Andorra

2007-03-27T23:18:00.001+01:00

We return to Euro 2008 qualifiers this Wednesday and Steve McClaren must be dreading the very thought of failing to win against Andorra.

The goalless draw in Israel on Saturday hammered another nail into the former Middlesbrough boss's coffin and only a comprehensive win will earn him some respite - but one suspects only some.

Make no mistake, this is a 'can't draw' game far less a 'can't lose' game but although talk of rifts in the England camp continues, even under the less than inspirational guidance of McClaren, victory is assured.

No real value in the England win at 1/40 in some places so we will take Betterbet.com's 5/2 for the every-angry Wayne Rooney to score the first goal and double it up with a bet in the Scotland versus Italy game in Bari.

Alex McLeish's side sit atop Group B along with France with 12 points out of 15 but they will have to make history if they are to beat the World Cup holders.

The Scots have never won on Italian soil and indeed have only scored once in five attempts.

We think that even a draw is beyond the visitors and again, given that there is no value on an Italy win, we will take Betterbet.com's Luca Toni at 10/3 to get the first goal.

Draw as top two Conference sides clash

2007-03-26T08:24:00.000+01:00

We thought we were rather unlucky with Saturday's tips, England drawing and Ireland winning as we said, only for Georgia to trip us up with a defeat against Scotland at Hampden.

Klaus Toppmoller's side were the better outfit but paid for a lack of
conviction by losing a last-gasp goal to Craig Beattie.

Monday night's fare is a little less rich but the Nationwide Conference game
between Oxford United and Dagenham and Redbridge sees the top two teams in
the league go head-to-head live on television.

The Daggers are leading the way, 11 points ahead of Jim Smith's side who
really need all three points if they are to have a realistic hope of
catching the Essex club.

We think the visitors will be good enough to get the point that will keep on
track for the title and will take Betterbet.com's 11/5 for the draw.

England to settle for draw in Tel Aviv

2007-03-24T13:56:00.001Z

The Euro 2008 qualifiers take over the weekend and the most interesting ties involve England at Israel and Scotland at home to Georgia as well as the historic match at Croke Park between the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

England cannot travel to Tel Aviv with any real confidence after four games without a win and just one goal.

Israel are no world-beaters but you have to remember that Steve McClaren's side have drawn 0-0 at home against Macedonia and lost 2-0 in Croatia, shocking results for the former Middlesbrough boss who is a hairsbreadth away from totally losing the support of the public.

Israel are a formidable side at home, they have lost just one game in their last six which leads us to think that England may have to settle for a draw which Betterbet.com offers at 2/1.

We will go for glory at Hampden Park and add that draw to high-priced Georgia to stump Alex McLeish in his first match as Scotland boss.

The Scots are top of Group B after four games but many think that Walter Smith got out at the right time when he departed to take over at Ibrox for the second time.

McLeish's appointment was arguably one of convenience and he is under pressure to get all three points against Georgia before they travel to Bari to play Italy.

The visitors have lost three of their four qualification games but have beaten Uruguay and Turkey in their last two friendlies.

We have a hunch that the 6/1 that Betterbet.com offers for the Georgia win will turn out to be the best bet of the weekend.

A triple is perhaps pushing it, given the risk we are taking with Georgia, but if you are feeling lucky then the Republic at 8/13 should nudge their way past Wales in the first ever soccer match played at Croke Park.

Richards trains to boost McClaren

2007-03-23T21:27:00.000Z

Micah Richards came through Friday's sessionGroup E: Israel v EnglandDate: Saturday 24 MarchKick-off: 1830 GMT Venue: Ramat Gan StadiumCoverage: Live on BBC Five Live Sport, updates on the BBC Sport website, highlights on BBC 1 at 2220 GMT
Manchester City defender Micah Richards should available to play for England in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
The 18-year-old defender limped out of City's win against Middlesbrough at the Riverside with a calf injury.
But Richards was able to train with the rest of the England squad on Friday after shaking off the injury.
Coach Steve McClaren will now hope Richards suffers no reaction to Friday's training session.
All 23 players in McClaren's squad were involved in training.
Jonathan Woodgate has remained in England for treatment on a knee injury.
Woodgate, on loan at Middlesbrough from Real Madrid, has not travelled to Tel Aviv but could be back to play Andorra next Wednesday.
"Jonathan's fitness comes first and we won't take risks with any player," said England coach Steve McClaren.
"We will keep in close contact with Middlesbrough to determine his availability for the Andorra match."
Woodgate's withdrawal has added to McClaren's defensive problems.

Right-back Gary Neville is out injured, left-back Ashley Cole is suspended and Richards must come through a training session.
Full-backs Luke Young and Gareth Barry were late call-ups to help ease McClaren's problems at the back but Woodgate's injury will leave England short of cover in central defence.
John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are expected to start in the heart of the defence and, with Jamie Carragher set to play on either the right or left side of defence, will be the only recognised centre-backs in the squad.
In attack, injured striker Darren Bent has been replaced by Preston's Nugent.
Nugent will be getting his first taste of the senior international scene and, If he plays, the 21-year-old would be England's first outfield player from outside the top flight since Michael Gray in 1999.
Nugent has scored 16 goals this season and is the first Preston player to be called up by England since Sir Tom Finney in 1959.

Oxford to sail home

2007-03-20T00:12:00.000Z

Dear punters, let us refresh your memory concerning Monday's tip for the two FA Cup quarter-final replays.

In advising a Manchester United and Chelsea double, we said: 'We will take Betterbet.com's 7/2 for the Old Trafford side to emerge victors after a drawn first-half and ….take Chelsea at 11/10 with Betterbet.com for the other part of your double.'

As you know, that is exactly what happened and hopefully you cashed in.

While we wait on the Euro 2008 qualification weekend coming up, the Conference clash between Halifax and Oxford United allows us the chance to add to Monday's winnings.

The visitors are still battling to catch leaders Rushden and Diamonds at the top of the table while Halifax are clear of the relegation zone and it doesn‘t look like they will be under any pressure.

To us, it looks like it's a case of the form side winning. Oxford carved out a fine 3-0 win at Altrincham at the weekend while Halifax went down 1-0 to Tamworth.

Jim Smith believes that United's comprehensive victory - their biggest away win since October - showed that his side can still make promotion and we certainly don't think they will trip up at Halifax.

Betterbet.com offers a healthy 12/5 for Oxford to be winning at half-time and full-time. Lump on.

Man U and Chelsea to progress

2007-03-19T01:05:00.000Z

Manchester United and Chelsea will thank no one for their respective FA Cup quarter-final replays which add greatly to their already-congested fixture list but fans and viewers will be glad to see some more exciting knockout football this Monday night.

United drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough in the first game at the Riverside and inevitably they are favourites to finish the tie off at Old Trafford.

Saturday's thrashing of Bolton showed that Sir Alex Ferguson's men are on top form and despite Boro having sprung a couple of surprises on their trips to Old Trafford in the previous few years we can't see anything but a home win.

The Teessiders suffered something of a shock home defeat by Manchester City on Saturday and are no match for an on-form Red Devils side.

Watford await the victors in the semi-final and unfortunately for the Hornets, we expect them to be facing United.

We will take Betterbet.com's 7/2 for the Old Trafford side to emerge victors after a drawn first-half and add it to the other replay at White Hart Lane where Spurs and Chelsea fight out for the right to meet Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final.

Spurs managed to pass up on the chance of a famous victory over the Blues in the first game at Stamford Bridge when they surrendered a 3-1 lead and conventional thinking is that they will be made to pay for that ineptitude in the replay.

The North London side have beaten Chelsea at home in the Premiership this season but we think the psychological damage done in the first cup game will hand Jose Mourinho's side the advantage.

Take Chelsea at 11/10 with Betterbet.com for the other part of your double.

Draw beckons for Arsenal

2007-03-18T16:00:00.000Z

There is something about Arsenal without striker Thierry Henry that instantly makes you think about betting against them.

The Frenchman is out for the rest of the season through injury and hence will miss the trip to Goodison Park on Sunday.

The Gunners are out of all the cup competitions and while they are on course for another Champions League spot, Arsene Wenger needs to put down a marker for next season.

However, they're coming up against an Everton side who have lost just three times in 14 starts at home in the league this season and have suffered defeat just once in their last seven games.

Arsenal will probably have enough class to escape with a point so we will take Betterbet.com's 9/4 for the draw and take it onto the CIS Insurance Cup final between Kilmarnock and Hibs at Hampden.

Betterbet.com's 11/5 for the draw in this match looks good to us.

Both sides are evenly-matched, to say the least. Both sit on the same points total in the SPL, with the three clashes this season producing a win for each and a draw.

On their day both are capable of playing good football with perhaps the Easter Road side just easier on the eyes than their more robust Ayrshire counterparts.

Hibs have not won the Scottish Cup in 105 years but their League Cup record is better - it's only 16 years since they last paraded that trophy down Princess Street.

Killie, meanwhile, have to go back 10 years for their last major trophy.

But it's a draw for us with the Rugby Park side maybe to nick it in extra-time.

More gloom for Hammers

2007-03-16T11:51:00.000Z

West Ham's visit to Blackburn on Saturday could end up as another depressing day of public humiliation for the Hammers.

United's season has moved from bad to worse and it looks like they are on their way to the Championship with some spectacular displays of defensive ineptness.

The loss of eight goals in their last two games does not augur well for the Irons who are coming up against a side who are, by their standards, on a roll.

And given that West Ham have taken just three points from a possible 42 and scored only four goals, their supporters who travel up to Ewood Park could be forgiven for watching the match through their fingers.

Certainly Rovers are in rude health. In the semi-finals of the FA Cup and having now won their last four games, this is a run of form as good as anything in recent years.

Mark Hughes' side are not prolific in front of goal however, so we don't think there will be a barrowload of goals.

We will take Betterbet.com's offer of 11/2 for a 2-0 win with a side bet of 3-0 at the more attractive 10/1.

Chelsea to pile more pressure on City

2007-03-14T13:50:00.000Z

Manchester City versus Chelsea at Eastlands is a delicious contest between two managers under different pressures.

Under-fire Stuart Pearce has vowed he 'will not hide' as he faces crisis point as City boss but many are saying he could be out if they get beat by the Blues.

After four successive league defeats, followed by an FA Cup quarter-final capitulation at Blackburn, the Sky Blues fans are on the warpath.

And it has to be said, a game against the Chelsea superstars is not what he would want.

However, all is not running smoothly in West London either. The Stamford Bridge manager Jose Mourinho has been in the news again but it's nothing to do with side who continue in their quest to win four competitions this season.

Coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Spurs in the FA Cup showed the fighting qualities of the players but not for the first time, the former Porto boss made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

To is great relief, Mourinho will not face any disciplinary action from the Football Association over allegedly using the Portuguese word 'puta'- which translates as 'bitch', towards referee Mike Riley at half-time against Tottenham on Sunday.

Let's hope Chelsea make the news for the right reasons after this match but we think it will be Pearce who will be closer to the precipice.

There seems to be a split in the City dressing room and we can't see them galvanising so quickly.

We shall take Betterbet.com's even money for Chelsea to be win both halves and nudge Pearce nearer the exit.

Burton Albion to win Monday night Sky clash

2007-03-12T15:30:00.001Z

Monday night provides us with some Conference football and the rare chance to see Burton Albion live on television when they welcome Forest Green Rovers.

The home side are in sixth place at the moment while the visitors are languishing 12 points behind in mid-table so there is a gap in class.

Burton's 2-1 win over Woking on Saturday kept their promotion hopes alive while Forest Green registered a fine 2-0 win at Oxford United although there is no chance of them getting out of the league.

It's not always easy to find a winner in a Conference table which is characterised by inconsistency and with so many former League clubs looking to get back among the big boys.

However, we can't see this being anything other than a straightforward home win.

Nigel Clough believes home form can take Albion up this season and certainly on their day, they are a match for most in the Conference. We agree and will back them against Rovers.

We will put enough money on Albion at 8/11 with Betterbet.com to make it worth our while.

Sunday's FA Cup action

2007-03-11T09:33:00.000Z

We tipped Middlesbrough and Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final tie to go to a replay so let's hope our luck holds out when we look at the other three ties that are being played this Sunday.

Chelsea are still going for "The Quadruple" this season and take on arch rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, a side they traditionally beat with regularity and ease.

The Blues are unbeaten in 10 matches and haven't lost at home all season but Spurs are also in good form having won five on the trot, their latest victory coming against Braga in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night.

Tottenham's win over Chelsea earlier in the season at White Hart Lane, however, was their first over the Blues in 11 games and all things being equal, their next won't come in this game.

Take Betterbet.com's 4/9 and put it on Blackburn to beat Manchester City at Ewood Park.

Rovers are not everyone's cup of tea but they have played City twice in the league this season, winning 4-2 at Ewood Park and 3-0 at Eastlands.

Mark Hughes' FA Cup history is well chronicled and so maybe his name is on the trophy again this season.

City's last win over a Premiership side was a 1-0 victory over Everton on New Year's Day so there is nothing to suggest they can raise their game to take on the stuffy Lancashire side.

We will take Betterbet.com's 5/6 on offer for Blackburn win and put it on Plymouth at 7/5 to beat Premiership Watford in the third tie of the day.

The Pilgrims have some unfinished business with the Hertfordshire outfit reaching back to 1984 when the Hornets came out trumps in their FA Cup clash and we think a large and vociferous home crowd will roar their heroes into the semi-finals.

FA gains control of Wembley keys

2007-03-10T07:56:00.000Z

The rebuilding of Wembley Stadium has cost £757m
The Football Association has finally taken control of the new Wembley Stadium, more than a year after it was originally scheduled to open.
Construction firm Multiplex handed over the keys late on Friday, signalling an end to its £757m building work.

The FA said it was a "significant step" towards staging May's FA Cup final at the new north London complex.

Works were originally scheduled to finish in January 2006, and the cost of the project has increased dramatically.

Test events

In a statement on the FA website, chief executive Brian Barwick said the handover was a "significant step towards staging this year's FA Cup final and opening the new Wembley Stadium".

But he said confirmation of whether the final on 19 May would take place at Wembley would only be given after two "ramp-up events" of up to 60,000 capacity to test the facilities.

"We have been preparing for a very long time and are delighted to finally get inside the stadium," he added.

The first of two test events needed to get a safety certificate will be a community day for 60,000 people on 17 March.

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Do you think the new Wembley will have been worth the wait?

There will be a mini-football tournament on the day involving celebrity teams, and visitors will also help the organisers test facilities such as the turnstiles, escalators and toilets.

The second test event will be an England Under-21 match against their Italian counterparts on 24 March and, unless there are unforeseen problems, a safety certificate will be awarded in time for the FA Cup final to take place.

Pop star George Michael is scheduled to play the first concert at the revamped stadium on 9 June.

Tom Kelly, an official of the GMB union, which represents many of the workers involved in the building work at the stadium, said the complex was a "wonderful memorial to the craftsmanship of the skilled workers" involved.

He added: "We are proud of it and we are certain that Wembley will stage many dramatic and memorable events in the future."

Boro to hold Man U at the Riverside

2007-03-09T11:32:00.000Z

The prospect of this season's FA Cup final returning to Wembley appears to have increased and the eight quarter-finalists will be going all out this weekend to make sure they are in the hat for the semi-final draw.

Only one tie, however, is being played on Saturday, the tea-time clash between Middlesbrough and Manchester United at the Riverside.

Boro, under Steve McClaren, knocked United out of the competition in 2001/02 and Gareth Southgate's side have shown enough good form recently to suggest they could spring a surprise.

The Teessiders have lost only once in their last 14 games in all competitions as they have consolidated after a dodgy start to the season.

But despite their good form, United remain a formidable obstacle.

The Red Devils are sweeping all before them this season and even when they are not playing particularly well, like against Lille in midweek, they are still grinding out the results.

United are also on course for the Barclays Premiership, holding a nine-point lead over Chelsea and in case Middlesbrough forget, the Old Trafford side gathered three points at the Riverside with a 2-1 win at the end of last year.

They won't like it but we think the visitors may have to settle for a draw and another replay to add to their congested fixture list and so we will take Betterbet.com's 5/2 for the side to be level after 90 minutes.

Blues for late victory

2007-03-08T18:27:00.000Z

Championship drama is assured in the mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash between Birmingham and Derby at St Andrews.

This promises to be one of the most compelling encounters of the season between two sides who are nip and tuck as the title races approaches the final furlong.

As the leaders appear to change on a game-by-game basis, County are currently top of the table over Birmingham by two points although the Blues have a game in hand.

Sunday's 1-0 win over Cardiff was City's fourth such scoreline in the last six games and they have received another boost to their Premiership aspirations this week.

Steve Bruce could throw striker Mikael Forssell into the fray, the Finland international continuing his successful comeback from knee surgery by scoring twice in a 4-1 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns.

But it won't be easy. Derby's hard fought 2-1 win over Norwich on Tuesday night took the Rams back top of the table and it is likely that they will be there or thereabouts when the trophy is won.

However, home advantage could be crucial and the midlands club are building up a nice head of steam.

We think Birmingham will return to the top and will take Betterbet.com's 7/2 for the game to be drawn at half-time before the Blues emerge as winners.

English double on Wednesday

2007-03-07T17:29:00.001Z

Another dramatic Champions League night is promised as three British sides aim to join Liverpool and Chelsea in the quarter-finals of Europe's most prestigious club tournament.

On the face of it, the easier task on the night falls to Manchester United who take on Lille at Old Trafford 1-0 up from the first leg in France.

There was a huge furore when they nicked that victory with Ryan Giggs' free-kick but they won't need luck to cruise through to the last eight.

We will take Betterbet.com's admittedly skimpy 1/3 for the Red Devils win and add it to Arsenal to beat PSV in London.

At the Emirates Stadium, things could be tricky for the Gunners who try to recover a 1-0 deficit against the Dutch.

The return of talismanic Thierry Henry will be a boost but the pressure is on the Frenchman and his team mates because, despite all the plaudits they have received for their good football this season, they are struggling at the moment.

Out of the Premiership race, losers in the Carling Cup final and dumped out of the FA Cup by Blackburn, Arsene Wenger knows he needs to make a significant impact in Europe.

We think they will just about manage it and will take Betterbet.com's 4/9 for the home win and an English double.

In Italy, Celtic attempt to grab their first ever away win in the Champions League when they take on the formidable AC Milan at the San Siro.

The Hoops were put through hoops at Parkhead a fortnight ago in the first leg but escaped with a goalless draw which means one goal will turn the tie in their favour.

However, in each of their away games in the tournament this season, they have lost three goals and sides like Copenhagen and Benfica didn't need to work hard for their wins.

The Rossoneri are not the side they used to be but it is difficult to see them slipping up and so we will have some of Betterbet.com's 8/1 for a 3-0 with a side bet of 11/2 for 2-0.

Pendulum swings towards Southampton

2007-03-05T15:04:00.000Z

While we look ahead to the Championship clash between Preston and Southampton let us remind you of Sunday's tip that came up trumps albeit courtesy of a dramatic last-gasp goal.

Our advice was, '..We think things are too far gone for Curbishley's side and although Spurs have displayed a soft centre in crunch games, we reckon they are worth Betterbet.com's 11/10 for the win.'

This game in Lancashire might end up being a little less dramatic than Spurs' 4-3 win at Upton Park but there can be no disguising how crucial this match is to the home side. But we think they may come a cropper.

George Burley's talent as a boss is well recognised and he has the knack of gelling players together into solid football side.

Southampton moved up to sixth place with a 1-0 win over Ipswich and that occurred despite the backdrop of backroom turmoil, the Saints confirming last week that Leon Crouch has taken the role of acting chairman of the club following Michael Wilde's departure.

Preston, on the other hand, were hammered 4-1 at Cardiff on Friday and they will be reeling from what was a comprehensive defeat.

We think the pendulum may have swung away from North End and will take Betterbet.com's 7/4 for a Southampton win.