TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Chalkboards: Analyse the Premier League action Joe Hart mixes up his output; Liverpool take the path of most resistance, and Sunderland suffer a passing crisisHart spreads the love Joe Hart put in a fine performance against Chelsea and not only in the shot-stopping department. The Birmingham goalkeeper normally has a strong bias towards playing long balls out towards the left wing - as can be seen from his efforts against Fulham recently - but on Saturday his kicking was much more even. Whether he was trying to target Ashley Cole or avoid Branislav Ivanovic is open to debate.Getting cross with Liverpool Although their first goal against Wolves came from a cross, and the second might also be said to have originated from one, attacking down the wings might not have been the best tactic for Liverpool on Saturday. The team attempted 26 crosses over the course of the game, and only two found a Liverpool player.Sunderland's passing crisis Sunderland have only won one of their last 10 games and with confidence low they were thoroughly outplayed by Everton. Their opponents on Saturday hardly have a reputation for mastery of the short game, but held 67% of possession during the match, attempting 384 passes and completing 301 of those, while Sunderland attempted just 204. A lamentable 138 of those found their mark.Premier LeagueChalkboardsBirmingham CityLiverpoolSunderlandguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Abou Diaby signs new contract at Arsenal • Midfielder has scored six goals this season• Wenger praises France internationalAbou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the club confirmed today. The 23-year-old joined the Gunners from Auxerre in January 2006, and after recovering from a broken ankle at the end of that season, has since gone on to make 119 appearances.Diaby has posed an attacking threat this season, scoring six goals. "This shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal and I am very happy here, which is why I am so pleased to extend my contract," said Diaby."It's a great thing for me and hopefully there will be some good years ahead for me here."Arsène Wenger added: "Abou is a great player with huge presence on the football pitch and he has the potential to be an extremely influential part of Arsenal for many years to come."Arsenalguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Football versus the big freeze The country's landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland. Now send us your Patrick Vieiras guardian.co.uk |
Phoenix leave Fury floundering Three second-half goals handed Wellington Phoenix a 3-0 victory over North Queensland Fury in horrific conditions in New Zealand. foxsports.com.au |
Crystal Palace administrators ban Victor Moses playing at Newcastle • Palace told not to field club's most saleable asset tonight • Neil Warnock left 'devastated' and 'shocked' by administrationCrystal Palace's administrator has blocked striker Victor Moses from playing against Newcastle United tonight in an attempt to protect the club's most saleable asset.Moses, who had been valued at over £5m and was linked with a string of Premier League and European clubs before the club was forced into administration, is now likely to leave in the coming days before the end of the transfer window.The teenager's agent Tony Finnigan told Sky Sports News that Moses was "stunned" to have been prevented from playing by administrators P & A Partnership, and that there was now "no chance" of him staying with the club."They have pulled one of their most saleable assets from the squad for obvious reasons, probably to protect him and a deal is probably imminent," Finnigan said. "He was stunned as he was getting ready to play and do his bit for the team, but it is part of the game and these things can happen in football."Finnigan said he was unaware of any firm offers for the striker."I don't want to speculate about the clubs as there is a difference between having an interest and making a bid for a player. The stands have been full of a lot of scouts, but now Palace are into administration perhaps some clubs are looking like they could have a 'punt' as they may have thought he was too expensive before."I want my player to go to the right club: we won't just be going to the highest bidder, it won't just be about cash."Asked if Moses could still remain at Palace, Finnigan replied: "No chance, you are pulled out for a reason and that is to sell him."Earlier the Palace manager Neil Warnock admitted he was "devastated, shocked and hugely disappointed" by Crystal Palace going into administration, and questioned the timing of the move.Warnock said he was unaware the administrators had been called in by one of the club's creditors until he got off a plane taking him to Newcastle for tonight's game.He said: "I knew, like everyone else, that cash has been tight at Selhurst Park but I could not believe the news that we'd been forced into administration. The timing just astonishes me. There's still a week to go in the transfer window and we are about to sell Victor for millions. I'm devastated, shocked and hugely disappointed."He told the Independent: "I know there will be clubs eyeing up all the talent we have coming through from our youth scheme and thinking they can get players for a song. Let's hope that doesn't happen. As I said, I really cannot understand the timing."Transfer windowCrystal PalaceChampionshipguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |