TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Villa can capitalise on Big Four slip-ups With the old Big Four struggling, watch out for Martin O'Neill's side even if the established quartet have rallied in the pastThe story of the Premier League season at the halfway stage is one of top-four standards slipping, in some cases quite badly, while for once the chasing teams look determined and capable enough to make a breakthrough. That would be a welcome development, in the context of the anti-competitive cartel the Champions League has produced at the top of the table, though the story of many a second half of the season before now has been the same top four surviving after all. It is still a little early to get excited even if austerity is bringing everyone closer together.As a measure of how incident-packed and overexcitable the season has already been, try thinking of a single image to sum up a hectic five months. Would it be Arsène Wenger getting sent off at Old Trafford for kicking a water bottle in frustration back in August, then standing with arms outstretched among the season-ticket holders because he didn't know where he was supposed to go? Or would it be Emmanuel Adebayor's knee slide in front of Arsenal fans at Manchester City a week later? Perhaps Michael Owen coming on to clinch the Manchester derby a week after that, or Fergie accusing Alan Wiley of booking players just to catch his breath.Tales of the unexpected? How about the beach ball goal at Sunderland, Spurs' 9-1 demolition of Wigan, or Maynor Figueroa's stunning goal at Stoke. Mick McCarthy's total rotation at Manchester United did not exactly make for a rousing evening or an edifying spectacle, yet it was the sort of talking point that will be remembered for years and could yet lead to a Premier League policy change.While it may be unfair that there is one rule for top clubs and another for those at the bottom, the harsh fact is that the Premier League has never been a level playing field and surrender is not an option in front of 73,000 paying spectators. Birmingham and Burnley have been working hard to dig themselves in at the top level through more conventional means, the former exceeding everyone's expectations in a remarkable climb up the table. When Mark Hughes was sacked last week, after all the money he had spent, his argument that agreed targets had been met was somewhat undermined by the fact that Alex McLeish's considerably less swanky City had at that stage won two more league games.The bottom of the table this Christmas resembles debtor's row, with Portsmouth and West Ham operating under severe financial constraints, and clubs with smaller budgets and fanbases such as Bolton, Wigan and Blackburn struggling to make mid‑table. Steve Bruce and Tony Pulis appear to have managed at least that for Sunderland and Stoke respectively, with Everton and Hull showing that while overachievement is possible, it is difficult to do it season after season.At the top end Manchester United have managed to lose five matches already and no longer look nailed-on for a fourth successive title, which will grieve only those who had them as favourites at the start of the season, like me. It must also be conceded that Carlo Ancelotti has done rather better at Chelsea than might have been expected of a newcomer to England, and even though his side appear to be having a mini-blip at the moment they have looked stronger and more effective at their best than United have ever done thus far; the title appears theirs to lose.Just keep an eye on Arsenal and Aston Villa, both handily placed. Villa in particular are playing well and have no European distractions to slow them down this season. Everyone is saying Martin O'Neill's side look a good bet for fourth place this season, yet the way the top four are playing they could do better than that. Much better. Villa are still a long shot for the title, 40-1 in fact, but that's a decent-value punt if you are in touch with the leaders at the halfway stage of a four-horse race.Premier LeagueAston VillaPaul Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
West Ham United ownership saga set to be concluded next week The future ownership of struggling Premier League club West Ham United could be decided next week. telegraph.co.uk |
Wigan complete deal for Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri • Gohouri signs until end of season after joining on free transfer• Defender was released by Borussia MönchengladbachWigan Athletic have signed the Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri until the end of the season. The 28-year-old free agent had been on a short trial at the club, and did enough to earn a short-term contract.He had previously been linked with a move to Wigan in 2006, but chose to join the German side Borussia Mönchengladbach from the Swiss club BSC Young Boys for £1m.He was released in December having lost his first-team place. A tall centre-back, Gohouri also had spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Bologna, and had also been linked with Portsmouth, Barnsley and Blackburn.Wigan AthleticIvory CoastPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Postecoglou serves up Ham Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou has ditched regular goalkeeper Griffin McMaster ahead of their "must win" A-League clash with Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium. foxsports.com.au |
Police make three more arrests after Manchester derby violence • Further arrests follow release of CCTV footage • Appeals for calm made ahead of tonight's second legPolice have made three further arrests after releasing CCTV pictures of fans wanted in connection with trouble at last week's Carling Cup semi-final first leg between Manchester City and Manchester United.City won the game at Eastlands 2-1, and the second leg takes place tonight at Old Trafford.Police released CCTV footage of a number of men they believed were involved in disorder. Four arrests were made yesterday in Manchester and a further three were made today: two in Oldham and one in Preston. Further arrests are expected throughout the day.Detective Chief Inspector Mark Roters said: "Many families, including women and young children, attend football matches so it is totally incomprehensible that a small number of mindless thugs would incite violence when they are surrounded by people terrified by their actions."Football-related disorder is a stain on the game and we have been working hard with both clubs and members of the public to identify those involved. These arrests also act as a strong warning ahead of the reverse leg this evening to anyone prepared to get involved in this type of behaviour that we will come after you. I would also like to thank the public for their great response to the appeal."Eighteen arrests were made last week after the match and appeals have been made by the police and the Football Association for calm ahead of tonight's game.Manchester UnitedManchester CityCarling CupPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |