I came across two articles at TimesOnline discussing discipline in the Premier League.

Doug Gratton discusses the FA’s lack of action in discipline issues.  He also discussed referee performance and makes a case for video-evidence for dangerous tackles.

We’re back after a long break.

Arsenal have continued their great form. The last match at Reading was another fine performance. Adebayor is back in form and scored two goals. Flamini was also on the scoreboard. Gilberto Silva’s status is a bit of a mystery - he wants to stay at the Gunners but as a senior player Wenger says that although he is on the bench, he is a key part of the Arsenal squad. Van Persie’s. With so many good youngsters Wenger can’t turn them down. They’ve earned their status and backed it up with their performance.

Tottenham sacked Martin Jol, who later said he might return - which might not be possible with the team approval of new coach Juande Ramos. Berbatov said Ramos was a perfect choice for the job and so far results are improving. A win in the UEFA cup against Tel-Aviv and a 4-0 win versus Wigan show that there has been a change at White Hart Lane. Ramos is an aggressive coach and with a team that such a established base with great players his job won’t be very hard.

Thierry Henry broke Michel Platini’s international goalscoring record today on October 17, when France beat Lithuania 2-0. Thierry Henry match level with Platini on 41 goals, but scored 2 more in the 80th and 81st minute. But he still has a long way to beat the top international goal scorer, Iranian Ali Daei, who has 109 international goals.

The other scores:

Euro 2008 Qualifying Standings:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=uefa.euroq&cc=5901

Goals and Highlights:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/2007/10/17/euro-2008-goals-england-almost-out-after-russian-collapse-scotlands-bubble-deflates-henrys-double-breaks-french-record-czechs-thump-germany/

Since last year, Real Madrid has offered Spanish phenomenon, Cesc Fabregas, to join their team. However, Fabregas has really settled in with the North London club, Arsenal. He signed an eight-year contract with Arsenal last year and has fulfilled his position on the team.

But as the top Spanish players reunite for the UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying matches,  Sergio Ramos has urged Cesc to consider coming to Madrid.  “Anything that would improve my team I think would be good, and for his quality and his characteristics Cesc would be very well received at Real Madrid,” Ramos said.

England and Russia will meet at Luzhniki Stadium in a Euro 2008 qualifying tie. The teams met last September 12 at Wembley and England won 3 - 0.  England look to pull to the top of their group however complaints over the pitch stand in their way.  John Terry reaggrevated a knee injury on the plastic pitch during training and has been ruled out of the match.  To tell the truth Terry is a tough one and played throughout his injuries. Even after wearing the mask to protect his broken cheekbone (picture here) he was also going to play on a injured knee. I found an article on TimesOnline with the faqs about the field and a little history of artificial surfaces.

Questions about the pitch at Luzhniki Stadium - Times Online

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There are reports saying that Lampard has not re-signed with Chelsea and may be in the transfer market in January.  Real Madrid have set a bid for him. Lampard turned down a new contract that would make him one of the highest paid players in England.

Chelsea Ready to Sell Lampard - Football365

Ryan Giggs extended his contract with Man Utd.  The 33-year-old has now been a Red Devil for 18 years.

I came across a funny article written by Neil Gardner at TimesOnline about football’s greatest “actors”. Youtube clips are included. I believe the funniest acting came from Steven Taylor uses his hand and then acts like he got hit in the stomach.  A very funny read.

“Football’s Greatest Actors” - TimesOnline

On Drogba’s return from nursing a bad knee he was sent off at Chelsea’s clash with Fulham at Craven College. Grant announced that he was going to launch an “all-out attack” but Fulham held the Blues to only 1 point.

Elano continued his outstanding form to setup goals for Petrov and Mpenza. He topped off his performance with a hard-struck freekick. Here is a video of his contributions in the match against Newcastle. Erikkson can be rewarded with making possibly the best signing of the season. Elano has be a key addition for Man City and Erikkson can take the credit for signing the overlooked Brazilian from Shakhtar Donetsk. The eight-million-pounds was worth every bit.

Fratton Park saw eleven goals in the Portsmouth-Reading match at Fratton Park. Benjani let lose with a hat-trick and Kranjcar, Davis, Muntari, and Hreidarsson. Long, Shorey, Kitson, and Hunt pulled goals back for Reading. Reading manager.

Blackburn topped Sunderland 2-1 with David Bentley’s first goal of the EPL season and one from former Bayern Munich striker Santa Cruz. Leadbitter pulled one back in the 90th.

Tottenham earned a very tough draw against Aston Villa at White Hart Lane. Berbatov opened the scoring but Tottenham fell 4-1 with two from Laursen, and one from Agbonlahor and a Gardner freekick. Spurs made a comeback with goals from Chimbonda and Kaboul and Robbie Keane converted a penalty. Tottenham are three from the bottom with 6 points.

Other scores:

Birmingham 0 - Manchester Utd. 1
Wigan 0 - Liverpool 1
West Ham 0 - Arsenal 1
Everton 2 - Middlesbrough 0

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Soccer AM clip: Skill School (West Brom Youth)

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Dr. Ian Graham of TimesOnline says that to be a more successful club players should sport red. He says, “the three most successful clubs in British footballing history have all worn red shirts”. Funny stuff from a guy that is considered the “stats genious”. Hey but he might have a point? …Nah

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A short article by Daniel Finkelstein on predictions of who will hold the title at the end of the 07/08 EPL campaign.

 

New Chelsea manager Avram Grant loses his first match at the helm 2-0 at Old Trafford. Tevez scored his first goal for his new team and Saha added another from a controversial penalty. Seen here, you can without a doubt its visible that Saha made the most of it and was barely touched. However even if it wasn’t declared a penalty Man U was the stronger side today. Chelsea only managed one shot on goal while Fergie’s men had nine.

Didn’t live up to the hype, huh? Well, under Mourinho’s management his men played Man U 11 times and he only lost once. Loosing Mourinho could prove very costly. Well, ok, sure they are already low on the table right now but Mourinho isn’t called the “special” one for nothing. He has the power to turn things around. Grant on the other hand barely meets the official requirements to even be a manager in the premier league. Obi Mikel was sent off for a tackle, which didn’t seem as serious as Evra made it. We all know that Mourinho would have been furious over the call but, Grant stayed calm. This might just show how different a manager like Grant could be.

Arsenal continued their great form with a 5-0 win over Derby County. Diaby opened scoring with a screamer, Adebayor scored a hat trick, Fabregas scored another long-range shot. Arsenal look to be cruising. Tottenham only managed a point against Bolton. Both sides are struggling and Bolton still haven’t found their form this season.

I watched the shootout at Craven Cottage between Fulham and Man City and I must say it was one of the most entertaining games I’ve seen this season. Lots of goals. Good skills. It seemed like as soon as one team scored the other retaliated instantly. Bouazza’s lightening strike from the free kick was unstoppable. Petrov made a big contribution to Man City with two goals and an assist but it was only enough to get a point on the road.

There were some great goals in todays Champions League matches. Pirlo scored a great free kick, Rosenborg’s Kopinen scored with an amazing finish, Shevchenko’s header saved Chelsea’s blushes. All goals from Matchday 1 can be seen here.

Today’s scores:

Tomorrow’s matches:

The premier league starts back after a EURO 2008 break. Arsenal find themselves on top after an impressive win over Tottenham. The Gunner handed Martin Jol’s men their fourth loss of the season and again it was due to a defense that just couldn’t do their job. Bale hit a curling free-kick to put Spurs on top early. Arsenal replied with an Adebayor header from a Fabregas free kick. Fabregas and Adebayor increased their lead with two great strikes. The Adebayor strike reminded me of this Ronaldinho goal. Portsmouth missed a chance to take 3pts at home vs. Liverpool. Man Utd. defeated a top-form Everton side with a lone goal from Vidic. West Ham picked up their third win in a row at home against Middlesbrough 3-0. Sammy Lee’s Bolton side lost their fifth of the season. The pressure continues to escalate on Sammy Lee as he has only recorded one win this season.

Other Scores:

Sunderland 2 - Reading 1
Wigan 1 - Fulham 1
Chelsea 0 - Blackburn 0

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Champions’ League group stage begins on Tuesday! “The Double” has a Fantasy Champions League group. Register and log-in at http://en.uclfantasy.uefa.com/ and join “The Double” league (code#: 44834-88020).