Anelka’s goal sinks the champions, as Fergie is sent off to the stands
November 24, 2007
Wanderers 1-0 Manchester United
United lost to Bolton Wanderers due to a stupid goal, unimaginative attacking play and profligacy in front of goal. Nicolas Anelka’s 11th-minute winner helped Wanderers pull off a major shock as they beat Manchester United at home for the first time in nearly 29 years.
Struggling Bolton had not defeated the champions on home soil since December 1978 - but the Frenchman’s eighth goal of the season was enough for the Whites to secure only their second win of the campaign.
It was also Gary Megson’s first victory as Wanderers manager, in a game where his counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson, was sent off at half time.
The Reds were without Cristiano Ronaldo (God only knows why, BBC wrote he’s rested) and Nemanja Vidic did not make the game after suffering a back injury while away on international duty.
Bolton started in a bullish fashion, predictably. What I could not predict that they would be given a helping hand by our very own Gerard Pique, Vidic’s replacement. He completely misjudged Campo’s free-kick and allowed Anelka to lash the ball home.
Fergie praises Solskjaer’s growing confidence as a coach
November 23, 2007
The Norwegian has been a part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff since being forced into retirement by a persistent knee injury.Having scored 126 goals for United, He has been working with the strikers at all levels, and earned himself some praise from Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Ole has been working with the forwards and alongside Rene Meulensteen, our technical skills development coach,” Ferguson told Inside United.
“He’s started with the first team, and he’s just building his confidence as a coach.”
“He was always in the dressing room as one of the players and all of a sudden he’s a coach.
“But he’s doing great, we’re really pleased with him.”
O’Shea signs new deal, Evra looking forward as well
November 23, 2007
Irish defender John O’Shea has signed a three-year extension to his contract with Manchester United.
The 26-year-old Waterford man has now committed himself to the club until 2012.
O’Shea has already played more than 250 games for United having joined the club at the age of 17.
After handing extended deals to Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic and now John O’Shea, Manchester United are now looking to tie full-back Patrice Evra with a new long-term contract.
The 26-year-old France international, who had joined the Red Devils from Monaco in 2006, has established himself as the first-choice left-back in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, and his all-action style has made him a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford.
Ferguson said that Evra is in line to get an extension. “Patrice will be the next one [we look at],” the Scot said.
Rafa gets a shut up call from the owners
November 23, 2007
Liverpool are 5th in Premier League, and their chances of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League are also not very bright. The owners have expressed their worry by telling Rafa Benitez to concentrate on games and not talk much about transfer plans.
On Thursday Benitez hinted Hicks and co-owner George Gillett were holding up his transfer plans and even suggested he could be England’s next coach.
“We told him to concentrate on the games coming up. I guess he didn’t like it,” Hicks told the Liverpool Echo.
“We will come over in December. That is the time to talk about other issues.”
Benitez arrived late for Thursday’s news conference, seemingly in a state of distress, and used the answer “I am focused on training and coaching my team” a number of times in response to a series of questions on various issues.
He also hinted his future could lie away from Anfield.
“Maybe I could be Steve McClaren’s replacement if I improve my English,” said the 47-year-old Spaniard.
“I was being serious. You never know what can happen in the future.”
Benitez is thought to have already started making plans for the January transfer window, but the club’s American owners do not seem to be thinking that far ahead at the moment.
“After the Champions League final in Athens, Rafa made certain demands of us and we responded to those demands in the summer,” said Hicks.
“We brought in some good players and spent more money than has ever been spent before at this club.
“This was the message we gave to Rafa recently and I think during the international break he must have grown a bit frustrated.
“For the time being we just need to be focused on what happens on the pitch.”
Scousers: Kuyt becomes 5th Liverpool played to be burgled
November 23, 2007
No wonder United fans have so many chants and jokes on Liverpool mocking the the abduncy of thefts and crime in their city. Even the above picture mocks them and suggests the tires of this plane standing at Liverpool airport was taken away by thieves.
and now… Dirk Kuyt has become the fifth Liverpool footballer to be burgled in less than 18 months.
The 27-year-old striker’s luxury home in Woolton was targeted on Thursday while he was away on international duty with home country Holland.
Jerzy Dudek, Liverpool’s goalkeeper from the 2005 Champions League final penalty shoot-out, was burgled in June 2006.
Dudek, who now plays for Real Madrid, was on holiday in Poland when thieves took his Porsche car, jewellery and a large haul of football memorabilia from across his career, including his European Cup medal.
Pepe Reina was burgled while he played for Liverpool in last May’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. He also had his Porsche taken during the raid, among other things, with the car later found burnt-out in West Derby.
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger had his Wirral home burgled in September last year and striker Peter Crouch’s house in Alderley Edge was targeted in the same month while he was on England duty.
