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 – Roberto Di Matteo made his exit from his duties as Chelsea manager following poor recent performances that caught the ire of owner Roman Abramovich.

Di Matteo’s Chelsea won the Champions League and FA Cup trophies last season. He took over from Andre Villas-Boas in March 2012, spending eight months in the position. Since then, he led the club to win w1th ease in several matches.

The Blues’ recent decline in form, including a 3-0 loss to Juventus that could cost them their qualification chances, prompted Abramovich to end Di Matteo’s stint in the club. The club appointed former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as interim manager.

Roberto Di Matteo [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 22 November 2012, from <http://www.3news.co.nz/Chelsea-manager-Roberto-Di-Matteo-sacked/tabid/415/articleID/277606/Default.aspx>

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>