Premier League Preview

After absence for couple of weekends all big fours are back in the League. The League looked quite dull, with the absence of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United creating a lack of traditionalist viewing on weekend football shows.

There is no disrespect to the other teams of the best league in Europe who, with the battle to avoid relegation taking centre stage, served up no end of tension and atmosphere that appealed to those that understand there is more to football.
With Arsenal, Chelsea and United in FA Cup action - and Liverpool awaiting Tuesday's thrilling 4-4 draw with the Gunners at Anfield - there was a characteristic lack in visual, obvious, attacking flair, which returned with a bang on Merseyside in midweek.
United and Chelsea had a dull Wednesday outings against Portsmouth and Everton, respectively, but there is expected to be high-intensity excitement this weekend with a number of intriguing encounters.
Regaining Champion and League leaders United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Saturday evening, while Liverpool visit Hull City in the afternoon and Chelsea travel across London to take on West Ham United.
Saturday also sees Everton and Manchester City meet at Goodison Park as Aston Villa travelling in at Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland journey to West Bromwich Albion, and Fulham take on Stoke City.
Sunday Arsenal welcome struggling Middlesbrough to Emirates Stadium and Wigan Athletic host Blackburn Rovers. while Portsmouth head north to Newcastle on Monday.
Manchester United could see Liverpool reclaim top position on goal difference with three points at Hull, who are going down further towards the relegation zone, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have a game in hand on Rafa Benitez's side, could again overtake their biggest rivals a couple of hours later with victory against Tottenham.

Some of Liverpool players have suggested that only a miracle in their bid to end a 19-year wait for a league title after they were held to the memorable draw with Arsenal, but Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee claims the war of words with their arch-rival United is over - will insist his players do not let standards slip at the KC Stadium.
Chelsea's meeting with capital neighbour West Ham offers the sub-plot of the weekend. With Chelsea coach Guss Hiddink conceding defeat in the league and focusing on the cup and next week's UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg with Barcelona at Camp Nou, do not rule out an upset conjured by Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park.

The Italian gaffer of West Ham, is a Chelsea legend and will be desperate to demonstrate his managerial prowess with his improving side, who are increasing in confidence with every game and also have a desire to maintain a top-seven place.

Aston Villa continue to limp over the finishing line after being held to a late draw with West Ham in last weekend's best game and, with Champions League qualification already drifting into the distance, an away match against a tough Bolton side, who are still not safe from the drop.
Everton could be forgiven for allowing their first appearance in an FA Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1995 to act as a distraction following last week's semi-final penalty shoot-out success over United, but highly-rated boss David Moyes will not allow his side to be knocked off course and will want to build on the battling point at Chelsea when Manchester City arrive at Goodison Park hoping to gatecrash the European places before the end of the season.
Stoke can sniff another season of Premier League football following a crucial success over Blackburn at the Britannia Stadium, but the Potters - so difficult to beat on home soil - are likely to find the going tough against a ruthless Fulham defence, with the hosts among the sides fighting an intriguing battle for the maiden European League campaign.
Rock-bottom West Brom's destiny looks a little less brighter than Stoke's, but a home clash with a Sunderland side who are also competing for survival could offer some optimism for next season among the Baggies faithful.

Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal will prepare for what promises to be a classic, all-English, continental tie against United with a sparring session against 18th-placed Middlesbrough on Sunday.

If the bottom three of West Brom, Newcastle and Middlesbrough are to produce escape acts, Blackburn are the side the trio have their sights on and Sam Allardyce will hope to extinguish those aspirations when Wigan arrive at Ewood Park later in the afternoon.

Portsmouth boosted their survival hopes against Bolton last weekend, but Paul Hart's squad make the long trip to Newcastle on Monday on the back of the midweek defeat to United and they are well aware that an additional defeat at St James' Park could spell trouble.

United uncertain about Tevez future

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted first time that Manchester United may be powerless to stop the departure of Carlos Tevez .Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says that he will do everything to ensure that Argentinean carlos Tevez will stay at Old Trafford. The Argentine’s future is uncertain after his two years loan deal come to an end in the summer.

United are keen to extend his contract but Carlos Tevez is seeking move elsewhere in order to play more regular football as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is his latest admirer. Tevez’s playing time is limited since the summer arrival of Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov. Ferguson quoted saying that “The games he has played are Important or not is different question but he has played in quite few big games this season. I don’t want him to be unhappy as he is very important player for us.”

“When you have so many options then this sort of things bound to happen. As I have bought Berbatov last year plus I have Ronaldo playing as striker. This is how you create problem for yourself as all the good players wants to play. But they can’t play week-in week-out in this league. I personally thinks he wants to stay here. I have told him so many times but I can’t do anything more.”

Steve G Out for Hull Clash

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with Hull City at Britannia Stadium through injury.

Gerrard is still struggling with the groin injury which has ruled him out since the first leg of the UEFA Champions League defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.

The dynamic midfielder was an unused substitute in the 4-0 win over Blackburn and failed to figure in the two 4-4 draws with Chelsea and Arsenal.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted the trip to Hull has come too early for Gerrard, but is confident the England international will be back for the home clash with Newcastle on May 3rd.

"He is not fit and won't be available. I think he will be available next week because he's improving, but this game is too soon," Benitez told the club's official website.

Redknapp admit Beckham interest

Could David Beckham ever play in English Premier League again? Harry Redknapp said that he is interested in signing former England Captain if he becomes available next season.

Beckham 33, is currently on loan at AC Milan until the end of the Serie A in the summer to complete the Major League Soccer campaign.

After a successful few months in the San Siro, AC Milan have expressed an interest in re-signing Beckham once the MLS campaign comes to an end, while Spurs have been best suitors for the midfielder should he consider another loan move to maintain his fitness ahead of his possible involvement for England at the World Cup in South Africa as England coach Fabio Capello only picks his team according to fitness and form.

Harry insists he has not considered a move for David but he would be in the running to sign him, if he became available.

"David Beckham is a fantastic player, but he is also a terrific role model and a terrific professional. If the opportunity was there to sign him, any club would have to think about it. He would still be a terrific player. His delivery of the ball remains exceptional, he is a great trainer and he is a local boy from up the road."

“Imagine what the young players at the club could get from someone like that. When I signed Teddy Sheringham for Portsmouth in 2003, he was worth his weight in gold. He was such a great professional that the other players all looked up to him in training. He did everything right, he was superb around the place, and that is what it is about.
"I have met him only once or twice, but he seems a great lad. To have someone like Beckham at your club . . . if the opportunity came and someone said he was available, any club would have to think about it.”

Man Utd move three points clear

Manchester United moved top of the table with a 2-0 comforatble win over Portsmouth at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney’s early strike put the champions in the lead as United sought to reclaim top spot after Liverpool's 4-4 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

And substitute Michael Carrick settled any lingering nerves by firing home a wonderful second goal on 82^nd minute to see off Pompey.

After sitting out United’s penalty shootout defeat by Everton in the FA cup semifinal on Sunday, Rooney and Ronaldo returned for United as they set about seizing control of the league and they were given the perfect start.

United were in front via their first dangerous attack on nine minutes as Anderson's brilliant pass played Ryan Giggs in behind the defence and he rolled the ball across the six-yard box to provide Rooney with a simple finish. Giggs and John O’Shea both missed chances to stretch the lead before halftime against an unadventurous Portsmouth side who created little threat.

There were still few jitters around Old Trafford, however, until Carrick made the points safe, supplying a polished finish to a ball from midfielder Paul Scholes who was making his 600^th appearance for the club.

United’s pleasure was enhanced by news of Chelsea’s stalemate with Everton at Stamford bridge.

Arsenal’s amazing run of form may cost Liverpool a premier league title

Arsenal’s amazing run of form may cost Liverpool a premier league title, which they crave since 1990. As they played out an astonishing 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.

Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin scored all four of Arsenal’s goals in a nail bitting encounter and look to have secured a vistory with just minute to play for but there was still plenty of time for Yossi Benayoun to snatch a point for Liverpool and send them on top of the table on goal difference with Man Utd playing on Wednesday.

Early stages of the game Liverpool had a good share of possession and were looking very dangerous. The Gunners had take nsurprise 1-0 lead into half-time, with Arshavin crashing the ball in off the crossbar after 36 minutes.

After half time, Liverpool deservely got their rewards for their early possessions with Fernando Torress levelled with the power full header from Dirk Kuyt’s cross and then Yossi Benayoun put Liverpool 2-1 ahead minutes later. Arshavin scored his second in 67 minutes after dispossessing Arbeloa and the Russian got third of the evening to silence the Anfield crowd.

Liverpool responded again and made it 3-3 thanks to a clinical finish from Torres 18 minutes from time, but the drama was far from over as Arshavin's fourth was cancelled out by Benayoun.

Arsenal ran riot against Villarreal at Emirates

Arsenal are now in the Champions League semi-final after sweeping past Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium. Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie were on the scoresheet as Arsene Wenger's youngsters defied their injury worries in defence to wrap up the tie within an hour. The Spaniards had Sebastian Eguren dismissed, and the hosts were then able to conserve energy for their FA Cup clash against Chelsea at the weekend. If they win at Wembley there will be genuine hope of getting something out a season where many predicted them to slip out of the traditional top four in England. Wenger himself admits he has been amazed by how his young players have gone 18 Barclays Premier League games without defeat - and this performance will have impressed him too. But nothing has been easy at Arsenal this season. Earlier in the campaign William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy, now Wenger is desperately short on numbers in at the back. Ahead of this clash, Bacary Sagna was taken ill, meaning an entire back four was missing as Arsenal protected their slender away-goals advantage. Kolo Toure held together a defence that contained Emmanuel Eboue at right-back, Kieran Gibbs at left-back and inexperienced Lucasz Fabianski in goal.

Villarreal had problems of their own, with Marcos Senna, the cornerstone of their midfield, out injured. They did have Robert Pires stationed on the left flank, meaning it was Arsenal's past versus the club's future, as Walcott was raiding down the right.
It was a fascinating clash, with Walcott almost putting the ball out of play early on when Pires picked up a knock, only to carry on with the ball to set up an attack.
The 20-year-old showed his ruthless side again when he netted the opener in the 10th minute.
Eboue slipped the ball forward from the right, Cesc Fabregas' flick allowed Walcott to run through on goal, with the England winger chipping home high over goalkeeper Diego Lopez.



It was reward for Arsenal's bright start after Van Persie went close with a header that cleared the crossbar and a long-range effort that Lopez gathered at the second attempt.
The hosts were inches from adding a second goal after Van Persie's powerful free-kick was saved by Lopez. Adebayor's follow-up header got deflected on target but Gonzalo Rodriguez hacked off the line. All eyes were on the assistant referee but it would have been the tightest of calls if he had flagged for a goal. The equation for Villarreal shifted only slightly - they still needed a goal.
Diego Godin had given Wenger's side an early scare when he got on the end of Giuseppe Rossi's free-kick and forced Fabianski into a save with his scissor-kick. The visitors then caused some nervous moments in Arsenal's defence before the break, with Rossi getting sight of goal at the near post before the hosts scrambled clear. Pires also had a shot blocked from the edge of the area, while Godin headed over from a corner in first-half stoppage-time. Manuel Pellegrini's men sensed that it was their time to apply pressure on Arsenal's makeshift defence. It meant all hands on deck for Wenger's makeshift back line. Arsenal's best option was to counter attack. Van Persie was making runs from deep to cause Villarreal problems, with Godin picking up a booking for stopping one run. No opponent got close enough to Van Persie on the hour mark and he sent through Adebayor, who took one touch before finishing past Lopez with the outside of his boot.
The third came from Van Persie's penalty and also saw Eguran dismissed. Godin took Walcott's legs away in the penalty area but escaped a second booking for the offence. Eguran, who got a yellow card in the first half, got another caution for dissent and then disgracefully put his hands on the referee while protesting more. Van Persie kept his nerve and fired in the spot-kick.
Wenger's goalscorers were then given a breather to rest for the battles ahead.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s madcap risk-taking rewarded in stunning fashion

Manchester United has portrayed the match as a moment for risk-taking. Instead, they went tactically about the business of becoming the first English club to beat Porto on their own ground in European competition. Porto love a late goal and Manchester United rarely make life easy for themselves in Europe, but come the final whistle at the Estádio do Dragão last night, Sir Alex Ferguson was able to reflect on a job well done. They finally seem to rediscover their self-belief that have been terribly lacking in past few weeks.The outcome is beneficial for holders who are now in better shape to make a successful defence of the Champions League, even if they will have to deal Arsenal in a semi-final whose first leg is at Old Trafford. United appear gradually to be regaining authority, and spectacle was confined last night to the remarkable long-range goal from Christiano Ronaldo in the sixth minute.

Arsenal will certainly beware the wounded animal. Ferguson’s reward for this victory, in his 150th Champions League match as United manager, is a mouthwatering semi-final showdown against his old rival Arsène Wenger. Their rivalry may not be what it once was, but if ever there was a tie that could rekindle old fires, it is this, and given the cavalier tendencies of both teams, it is a contest that will be almost impossible to call.

Come to the last night, United flaunted maturity by imposing control. Nemanja Vidic may have headed away several crosses in the second half but it is hard to bring to mind vivid images of Edwin van der Sar pulling off a taxing save. One of Porto's spasmodic moments of clarity did leave Cristian Rodríguez with a real opportunity in the 25th minute but his shot asked little of the goalkeeper.

United were, however, masters of their own fate again. After conceding 11 goals in their previous five games, resilience was resurgent. Rio Ferdinand's comeback from injury contributed but dramatic exploits were never essential. Perhaps his presence simply spreads confidence in the ranks and there was only one name on everyone’s lips last night.

With Dimitar Berbatov again flattering to deceive and Wayne Rooney looking unhappy marooned on the right-hand side, it is doubtful. Fresh speculation about Ronaldo’s future had surfaced before kick-off when Ramón Calderón, the former Real Madrid president, claimed that a world-class player, understood to be Ronaldo, had a formal agreement to join the Spanish champions in the summer, but it is easy to see why Ferguson is prepared to put up with all manner of irritability to keep the forward. Ronaldo did not have his best game, but his twentieth goal of the season — a remarkable tally given that he has performed with an apparent indifference for much of the campaign — would nonetheless prove decisive, a telling reminder of just what he brings to this United team.

There was nothing on when Ronaldo collected Anderson’s pass 40 yards from goal, but within seconds, the ball was fizzing its way past Helton into the top left corner to the astonishment of everyone in the ground. Even by the Portugal forward’s high standards, it was a stupendous strike, one that he celebrated wildly while manhandled by his team-mates.

The visitors, of course, had no need to swagger over being 1-0 up. United knew that a leveller would put Porto ahead on the away-goals rule. Such a turn of events was theoretically within the scope of a side that had, predictably, located a trace of conviction at the interval.

Efforts that missed the target still stirred the crowd. United had no intention of retreating, but they were forced to look a shade more passive. The risks were apparent when Patrice Evra committed an ungainly foul close to his 18-yard line. The set piece came to nothing, yet Porto would have grown in conviction if they had caught a glimpse of fallibility.

Ferguson will hope it is onwards and upwards from here, even if Wenger might have something to say about that.