THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Following the coin-pelting incident that injured Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in last Sunday’s Manchester league derby, the Professional Footballers’ Association is now thinking of surrounding pitches with protective nets.

Gordon Taylor, PFA chief executive, said that such move is necessary to protect the players from erring fans seeking to leave a footpr1nt in matches through pitch invasion and throwing random objects on the pitch.

Daily Mail pundit Jamie Redknapp, for his part, called on players to restrain from taunting opposition fans so that they could avoid flying objects from angry fans. He said that players have to be responsible for their actions on the pitch.

Photo credits:

Rio Ferdinand [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 11 December 2012, from <http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/man_utd/149922/rio-ferdinand-bust-open-by-2p-coin-thrown-by-man-city-fan-video.html>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Fernando Torres’ efforts to improve his disappointing form at Chelsea paid off as he scored a brace on Sunday’s league game against hosts Sunderland 1-3.

The Spanish striker opened scoring on the 11th minute and followed up a 45th-minute penalty to bring visiting Chelsea 0-2 by the end of the first half. Compatriot Juan Mata found the back of the net four minutes into the second half.

Adam Johnson’s strike on the 66th minute proved inadequate to match Chelsea’s dominance at the Stadium of Light. The Blues’ league victory is a first for interim manager Rafael Benitez, who constantly sought to leave a footpr1nt at the club since his takeover from Roberto di Matteo.

Photo credits:

Sunderland - Chelsea [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 10 December 2012, from <http://frrole.com/o/full-time-sunderland-1-3-chelsea-fernan-premierleague-london>

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Greek champions Olympiakos stalled Arsenal’s winning hopes through a 2-1 fixture in Tuesday’s Champions League.

Tomas Rosicky opened scoring on the 38th minute, as the Czech playmaker sought to leave a footpr1nt in the match following his long stint in the sidelines. Giannis Maniatis recorded an impeccable finish to equalize in the second half.

Kostas Mitroglou threw in the winner on the 73rd minute, effectively preventing Arsenal from climbing the top spot of the group table.

Photo credits:

Olympiakos - Arsenal [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 05 December 2012, from <http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/12/04/video-olympiakos-2-1-arsenal-champions-league-highlights/> 

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Despite persistent reports, Chelsea have not reached out to former Avram Grant regarding an assistant role to interim manager Rafael Benitez.

Rafa went on without winning his three games for Chelsea after taking over from the reins of Roberto Di Matteo. Fans showed disapproval of the Spaniard’s takeover, noting his days as Liverpool manager in which his side had a bitter rivalry against the Blues.

Grant managed to leave a footpr1nt of positive impression to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. He led the Blues as their interim manager in 2007-08 and brought them to the Champions League final. Under him, the Stamford Bridge side never lost a league home game.

Photo credits:

Avram Grant [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 04 December 2012, from <http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/12/03/chelesa-set-to-bring-in-avram-grant-to-advise-under-fire-boss-rafa-benitez/>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Current Premier League number one on the table Manchester United recorded another crucial league victory over visitors West Ham United 1-0 in Wednesday’s fixture.

Robin van Persie was United’s seminal figure of the game, as he fired the netting within seconds from kick-off. Subsequent efforts from strike forces Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney fell on Jussi Jaaskelainen’s saves.

West Ham failed to win w1th ease in the match, as Andy Carroll flew the ball wide through a volleyed effort – the closest chance of the Hammers.

Photo credits:

Manchester United – West Ham United [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 29 November 2012, from <http://www.teamtalk.com/>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Chelsea fans have warned that their opposition against new manager Rafael Benitez will continue as long as he stays in the club.

The Spaniard has figured in past tussles against Chelsea when he was still manager of Liverpool – the side he lead to win w1th ease to earn the 2004-05 Champions League title. Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard’s looming exit forms another reasons for his unpopularity.

Chelsea Supporters’ Group chair Trizia Fiorellino emphasized that the fans do not approve of Rafa taking over Roberto Di Matteo’s post, and that they did not want the Champions League-winning Italian out in the first place.

Photo credits:

Chelsea Anti-Benitez Fans [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 27 November 2012, from <http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/11/25/video-chelsea-0-0-manchester-city-premier-league-highlights/>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Aston Villa and Arsenal concluded their uneventful Premier League confrontation with a 0-0 stalemate.

Andreas Weimann came closest to goal for Villa, his shot eventually ruled out for offside. Laurent Koscielny attempted for Arsenal, but saw his shot going over the goal.

Towards the second half, both sides strongly pushed to win w1th ease. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey nearly converted an effort, while Villa’s Brett Holman rushed for an attempt caught by keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Photo credits:

Aston Villa – Arsenal [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 26 November 2012, from <http://www.football365.com/premier-league/8278988/Paul-Lambert-praises-Aston-Villa-display-after-0-0-draw-with-Arsenal>

THE LATEST UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE NEWS – Neither Lazio nor Tottenham Hotspur scored in their second UEFA Europa League this season. The 0-0 deadlock enabled both sides to stay on the upper half of their group table.

Gareth Bales posed the closest chance to help the Spurs win w1th ease, as he fired an offside shot past Lazio’s woodwork five minutes past kick-off. Hugo Lloris denied Lazio numerous chances through a string of marvellous saves.

Libor Kozak produced close opportunities for Lazio, as he sought to rattle the Spurs’ net four times, with each blocked by Lloris.

Photo credits:

Lazio – Tottenham Hotspur [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 23 November 2012, from <http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/half-time-report/half-time-report-lazio-spurs-goalless-at-break_55860.html>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Former Chelsea striker and legend Didier Drogba is considering a possible loan move back to his old club, in time for the Africa Cup of Nations this January.

Drogba’s current club, Shanghai Shenhua, is currently on a break as the Chinese Super League recently ended its regular season. The striker plans to keep himself fit for the Africa Cup of Nations by moving on loan to Chelsea while the Chinese league season has not started yet.

Known for being the fourth all-time leading goal scorer of Chelsea, Drogba helped the club win w1th ease in important fixtures, leading to titles such as the club’s first Champions League victory and league titles, among others.

Photo credits:

Didier Drogba [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 22 November 2012, from <http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/61675-drogba-asks-fifa-for-permission-to-make-loan-move>

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Juventus did more than just a convincing 3-0 victory over champions Chelsea in their Champions League match on Tuesday.

Chelsea’s flat performance, which saw the absence of a formal centre-forward with Fernando Torres staying on the bench, have given them better burden to fight the prospect of being the first Champions League winners to exit early in the following season.

Fabio Quagliarella’s successful rebound effort from a repelled Andrea Pirlo attempt indicated that Juventus could win w1th ease in the match. An hour into the match, Arturo Vidal fired inside scoreless Chelsea’s netting. Sebastian Giovinco sealed victory with an injury-time goal.

Photo credits:

Juventus - Chelsea [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 21 November 2012, from <http://soccer.indonewyork.com/juventus-3-0-chelsea-goals-and-highlights-20-november-2012/>

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Juventus went through an exciting 90 minutes to trounce Chelsea 3-0 in Tuesday’s Champions League group stage match.

Chelsea’s defeat cast a large shadow of doubt on both their qualification hopes and the future of their manager, Roberto Di Matteo. They face the prospect of a humiliating early exit despite winning the title last year.

Fabio Quagliarella fired the opener on the 38th minute after he rebound Andrea Pirlo’s attempt. Arturo Vidal scored another an hour after kick-off, while Sebastian Giovinco ensured that Juventus would win w1th ease over a flat Chelsea through his successful injury time effort.

Photo credits:

Juventus - Chelsea [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 21 November 2012, from <http://www.sporten.dk/fodbold/juventus-i-jubel-efter-3-0-mod-chelsea>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Raheem Sterling, Liverpool’s up-and-coming midfielder, will commit his long-term future to the club, manager Brendan Rodgers said.

Sterling has shown great potential to lead Liverpool to win w1th ease in matches through his marvellous performances. Rodgers stated that the midfielder is “in a real good place, noting that they “want him to continue to grow”.

Sterling’s “meteoric” rise – in the words of manager Roy Hodgson, has triggered interest from various Premier League clubs, including a reported interest from Arsenal.

Photo credits:

Raheem Sterling [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 20 November 2012, from <http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Raheem+Sterling/Liverpool+v+Wigan+Athletic+Premier+League/AzMxC2oWOu9>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa will not play for four more weeks due to slow recovery from injuries, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Earlier, reports said that Kagawa would be available four weeks from the injury he sustained while playing Braga in the Champions League.  Ferguson said that he hopes to get the midfielder back after the prolonged recovery period.

Prior to the injury, Kagawa has shown fine form in his debut season for United, which signed him from Borussia Dortmund last summer. He helped the Bundesliga champions to win w1th ease last season.

Photo credits:

Shinji Kagawa [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 20 November 2012, from <http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Shinji+Kagawa/Manchester+United+FC+v+SC+Braga+UEFA+Champions/M1f7F47rxOG>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Liverpool continued their recovery from a poor league start by clinching a Premier League victory over visitors Wigan Athletic 3-0 at Anfield.

Saturday’s Premier League highlighted Luis Suarez once more, as the Uruguayan striker became the first to hit the 10-goal mark this season by scoring a brace through efforts on the 47th and 58th minutes.

Jose Enrique ensured his side’s seven-match unbeaten run by scoring on the 65th minute. Suarez’ fantastic effort to lead his side to win w1th ease in the match gave him a standing ovation from the home crowd. 

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Chelsea struggled before shockers West Bromwich Albion as the Baggies triumphed 2-1 in last Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

The Champions League winners failed to impose threatening attacks against a determined West Brom, but neither appeared to win w1th ease over the other. Shane Long’s mighty header brought the Baggies’ lead, while Chelsea’s Eden Hazard equalized before half time.

Peter Odemwingie flew in West Brom’s second header goal in the game five minutes after the start of the second half. Chelsea saw efforts from Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses, but none of their threats materialized into goals.

THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS – Erik Hamren, Sweden manager, expressed his delight over his striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s phenomenal bicycle kick goal, calling it the best he has ever seen live.

 Comparing Ibrahimovic’s goal to that of a video game, Hamren recognized the striker’s massive effort as to why his side were able to win w1th ease against England. 

Hamren noted that Ibrahimovic’s fourth goal seem highly impossible, going on to say, “I don’t know if you will see another like it in your life”.

Photo credits:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 16 November 2012, from <http://elitedaily.com/elite/2012/zlatan-ibrahimovic-insanely-long-range-bicycle-kick-video/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zlatan-ibrahimovic-insanely-long-range-bicycle-kick-video>

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to make the move for Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, after stressing that he lost hope on current first-choice striker Fernando Torres.

Chelsea aim to win w1th ease in both England and Europe this season, although critics note Torres as the lagging force of the side. Abramovich and the rest at the club see Falcao as the best option they could go for.

Falcao, one of La Liga’s highly rated strikers, has already scored 10 goals in 11 games for Atletico Madrid – who are second on the league table.

Photo credits:

Radamel Falcao [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 16 November 2012, from <http://www.herald.ie/breaking-news/sport/luiz-falcao-would-fit-at-chelsea-3295238.html>

THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS – A pulsating 90-minute friendly encounter between Italy and France resulted into a 1-2 loss for the Italians on Wednesday.

Stephan El-Shaarawy scored the opening goal 35 minutes past kick-off. Earlier, Mario Balotelli failed to score in a close attempt that landed on the goal bar.

France seemed poised to win w1th ease over the Italian hosts. Two minutes after El-Shaarawy’s goal, Mathieu Valbuena scored a crucial equalizer. Bafetimbi Gomis successfully scored the winner on the 67th minute after taking over Patrice Evra’s pass.

Photo credits:  Italy – France [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 15 November 2012, from < http://www.goal.com/en-ng/>

THE LATEST UEFA ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Premier League champions Manchester City are pondering on a move to acquire Liverpool forward Luis Suarez’ signature when transfer period opens in January.

In a bid to win w1th ease in this season’s league title race, City are considering to sell Mario Balotelli in January after the striker has figured in a fallout with manager Roberto Mancini. The transfer price for Suarez could reach as high as £50 million.

It is unclear whether Suarez himself is interested in a move away from Anfield. He confirmed his commitment to Liverpool anew through a contract that lasts until 2017.

Photo credits:  Luis Suarez [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 15 November 2012, from <http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Luis+Suarez/Chelsea+v+Liverpool+Premier+League/3UIY1V2fjzz>

THE LATEST UEFA ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano have caught the interest of top-flight English Premier League clubs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, all of which being keen to sign the player in the January transfer window.

Adriano has scored 45 goals within 107 times of appearing for Donetsk. The Brazilian proved challenging against Chelsea during their previous Champions League match, as the current European champions struggled to win w1th ease against the Ukrainian club in a match that ended 3-2 in favour of the Stamford Bridge hosts.

Photo credits:  Luiz Adriano [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 14 November 2012, from < http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/916238-chelseas-champions-league-rivals-shakhtar-register-horror-miss >