Manchester United going to Moscow!!

Its the first time in UEFA Champions League history that 2 English clubs are in the final.

Paul Scholes scored a stunning volley from 25 yards out in the opening 15 mins gives the advantage to the home side.

Barcelona had most of the possession thru out the 90 mins, but the ball simply coundn't find the net.

Man Utd now meet either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow.

results & CL 2nd-leg preview, 29th Apr.

DERBY v ARSENAL
2-6 (1-2)

(KOREA) SUPER REDS v (CHINA) DALIAN SHIDE SIWU
1-0 (1-0)

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is set to return for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg.

The England star missed Saturday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United following the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia.

But he is understood to have trained on Sunday and is expected to be back with the rest of the squad on Monday.

The first leg at Anfield finished 1-1 after Liverpool's John Arne Riise scored an own goal in injury time.

The Reds are set to start with striker Fernando Torres after he was rested for Saturday's draw with Birmingham.

Chelsea are slight favourites to get past Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final, second leg on Wednesday after earning a 1-1 draw at Anfield last week.

Meanwhile, the Football Association will request CCTV footage of a scuffle involving United players and Chelsea staff after the match on Saturday.

Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Ji-Sung Park and Paul Scholes were warming down on the pitch when they were asked to move by groundstaff, sparking a row.

Newcastle United midfielder Geremi has said sympathy for former club Chelsea will go out of the window when the two clubs meet at St James' Park.

Although a Newcastle win next Monday could end the Blues' title hopes, the Cameroon international is determined to help his present employers to victory.

"I'm sorry for Chelsea but that's football," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Football is funny because we are not going to let them come to win. We have to give them a good game and enjoy it."

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson held talks with owner Thaksin Shinawatra over the weekend.

Recent comments from ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin fuelled talk of Eriksson being shown the door at the end of his first season in charge.

But a senior City source said the pair met at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester and shared a "cordial" meeting.

They had further discussions before a dinner held in honour of City's FA Youth Cup-winning side.

On Saturday Thaksin was at Eastlands to see City throw away a two-goal lead at home to Fulham in a 3-2 defeat that almost certainly ends their hopes of a place in the Intertoto Cup.

But while doubts remain over Eriksson's future with the club, Thaksin says he is at the club to stay.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says Luka Modric made the right choice in deciding to join Tottenham, rather than any other Premier League side.

The 22-year-old midfielder will join Spurs next season after they agreed terms with Dinamo Zagreb.

Modric had been linked to several other Premier League clubs - including Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle - but Bilic said Spurs boss Juande Ramos would get the best from the highly rated star.

Modric, who has scored three goals in 24 appearances for Croatia, said Ramos had been a major factor in his decision.

"It is a big thing that Ramos wanted me in Tottenham so much," Modric said.

"Ramos's desire was my major motivation to play at White Hart Lane."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Semi-Final Second leg,
MANCHESTER UNITED vs BARCELONA
Old Trafford, Manchester.

Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic are both very doubtful to be fit in time for the match. Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown all trained alone at the start of the session, while Darren Fletcher is set to return after a knee injury.

Carles Puyol returns to the side after missing the first leg through suspension and he will replace Rafa Márquez who is out after being booked last week. Edmílson has been recalled to the squad in place of the injured Giovani Dos Santos. Gaby MIlito, and Andrés Iniesta missed the weekend outing through suspension, while Leo Messi, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o were all rested, but all five will travel to Manchester.

On paper the teams are evenly matched though and a draw looks the best bet. It could of course be completely one-sided with either team running away with it.
1-1.
LS: D-H

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Ronaldo, PFA Award winner

Ronaldo did it again, he won the players' recognition that he's still the best after he did it last season.

PFA young player goes out to Fabregas.

monday night football preview;

results played last night;

PORTSMOUTH v BLACKBURN
0-1 (0-0)

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA
2-2 (0-0)

DERBY v ARSENAL
Derby midfielder David Jones is a doubt for the visit of Arsenal with a tight calf and will face a late fitness test.

Marc Edworthy (cracked rib) remains sidelined, while Claude Davis and Giles Barnes (both knee) are also out.

Arsenal winger Alexander Hleb is suspended while Abou Diaby (thigh), Mathieu Flamini and Bacary Sagna (both ankle) are also out.

Keeper Manuel Almunia is fit after a wrist problem, but Lukasz Fabianski could make his first top-flight start.


Arsenal -1.5


S-LEAGUE tonight;

SUPER REDS vs DALIAN
Dalian will miss midfielder Zhao Honglue, who has featured in all of their eleven league games, through suspension.

The Koreans have no injuries or suspensions in their team.

Super Reds -1.5

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year.

The 23-year-old wins the award for the second successive season after another outstanding campaign that has seen him score 38 goals in all competitions.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas picked up the young player of the year award.

Ronaldo beat off competition from Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, 20-year-old Fabregas and Gunners team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

The Portugal international was also in the running to scoop the young player of the year award, a feat he achieved last year, but was pipped to the prize by Spain star Fabregas.

Of his award, Fabregas said: "I'm very proud. It's a very prestigious trophy.

"Football is a collective game and you prefer to win trophies with team-mates but it's always nice to have this type of award.

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BERN's BPL preview, 27th Apr.

yday too busy handling personal stuff so no time to blog predictions... Chelsea & Manchester United, both dominant teams this season goes head-to-head at Stamford Bridge in yday early-kickoff. everywhere in town was bustling wif people.. surprising babes galore donning blues and reds jersey.. cheering their team on...

usual case wif big matches like this.. lots of controversy... drama... Ballack & Drogba apparent 'argument' over who shld take set-pieces.. this shows that Grant had no command respect from his players... the scuffle that follows after a near-empty stadium resulting in a almost free-for-all wrestling match... shame on those involved... big men fighting... no difference than kids squabble. faintz..

Ballack was brave i wld say and under no pressure, slot in the winning penalty... sending Van de Sar the wrong way. gd one from the German captain.

the title equation is simple... both Chelsea & Man United need to win all remaining games, wif United having goal difference advantage shld Chelsea match their results.

the title for them to lose now... :)




matches feature tonight;

PORTSMOUTH v BLACKBURN
LS: 0/2 goals

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA
LS: away win

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Chelsea 2 Man Utd 1

Man Utd playing warming down, but were chase off the pitch by the ground staff... So unsporting..

Interesting match, now the whole world know that Ballack and Drogba cant get along with each other.

Rest of the result..
Birmingham City 2 - 2 Liverpool (1 - 0)
Manchester City 2 - 3 Fulham (2 - 0)
Sunderland 3 - 2 Middlesbrough (2 - 1)
Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers (0 - 0)
FT West Ham 2 - 2 Newcastle United (2 - 2)
Wigan 0 - 0 Reading

Bacca vs Man Utd

Man Utd returns to Nou Camp after 1999 cup final. A tough tie, which i think this should be the final in Moscow. Both sides dominate their own league and are strong contenders in CL every season.

This year, Bacca lost its former glory, it now lies third in La Liga. Brazilian ace had enjoy being a clubber morn than a footballer, French striker had left his scoring boots back in London, Cameroon international threatening to leave if no silverware next season, Argentine forward just return from thigh injury lack match fitness, Spanish defender is suspended in this tie.

United on the other hand sits comfortably over Chelsea with 3 pts and 18 goals difference, had a pool of talented players. Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez combining to terrorise the opposition, Hargreaves holding the middle, Ferdinand & co keeping the back clean.

Tough call here, but I go for Utd leaving Nou Camp with at least a goal in the bag.

BARCELONA vs MANCHESTER UTD
Match No. 0502
A-A 4.90
1-2 9.50
LS 2-2 15.00

Glory Glory Man Utd.....

Chelsea will go on to Moscow...

yes.. the above is not a joke or bluff... i support Liverpool, love them to e bits.. which is why i know they won't be going to Moscow nxt month... if they played well and lost im fine wif that.. but to give away a goal from ur own player is hard to swallow.

has Liverpool had it coming?? one will understand the anguish that a certain manager was pounding his fist to e ground some weeks back. playing at home first in a 2-legged game is always tricky... provided u dun allow ur opponent to leave e ground wif a away goal, then it be easier to go thru e tie. for now, Avram Grant is smiling... Benitez disappointed.. me?? thousands miles from England.. swallowing a bitter bitter pill.

Liverpool last won at Stamford Bridge was in season 2003-04 when Houllier still in charge. Benitez record against Chelsea since he took over???

one league win. one FA CUP semi-final win. 2 CL wins. all of which was not in London. final showpiece in Moscow, home city of Roman Abramovich.. wld anyone of u think Liverpool wld stand any chance to progress??

the REDS have to score at least once to cancel out Riise own goal. last league meeting ended 0-0, lost 0-2 in Carling Cup. all at Stamford Bridge...

this game is as gd as over for e REDs... in addition to e backroom squabble... jus can't wait e season to end now...

i go vegetarian for a month if Liverpool can progress to e final which right now i think is impossible.

i LOVE Liverpool FC and which is y im so honest and confident.




UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE semi-final 1st-leg
BARCELONA vs MANCHESTER UNITED
Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Striker Thierry Henry was unable to take part in training on Monday morning because of a fever. He had been an unused substitute in Saturday's goalless Liga draw against Espanyol. Ronaldinho, Lilian Thuram, Jose Edmilson and deputy goalkeeper Albert Jorquera also missed training.

Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has been suffering from bruising and inflammation in his right foot but is expected to be able partner Gabriel Milito in the heart of the Barca defence.

Skipper Carles Puyol suspended.

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is fit after a groin strain and is in line to play, while Wayne Rooney seems to have overcome the hip injury he sustained against Blackburn on Saturday.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson have both recovered from minor injuries, and Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also been named in the squad.


1-1 (5.80)

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Riise spoil the day!!

A heartbreaking evening for Liverpool as Chelsea grab an away goal.. from a Liverpool player and ALSO in the 95 min...ARGG....

Just when Rafa thinks he shut Grant's Chelsea, his own player, Riise, headed an vital away goal under NO pressure from Anelka. He could even cleared the ball with his own legs.. What the hell is he doing man...

My H-H ticket now can't collect money already... WTF Riise, drank too much Carlsburg right!!!

BERN preview on tonight UEFA CL semi-final.

LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA
Anfield, Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard is a doubt for Tuesday’s game after picking up a neck injury in training. A decision on the Reds skipper will be taken on Tuesday, with Lucas on standby.

Frank Lampard return having missed the last two Chelsea games on compassionate leave. Wright-Phillips and Malouda will likely compete for a spot down the wing with Joe Cole set to get the other berth. Didier Drogba is doubtful. Michael Ballack and Michael Essien will not feature.



all rite... speculation... flaming goes out ahead of this semi-final 1st-leg meeting between 2 extreme teams in recent times. Liverpool came top on 2 occasions in the last 3 meetings at this stage. since Roman Abramovich bought e club in e summer of 2003. e UEFA Champions League remains the only silverware that eludes him. and thus make this fixture a rather tricky one.

With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.

Liverpool, being the home side this time for the first-leg. have to score somewhere somehow. probably early in the game.

H-H, 1-0.

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UEFA Champions League Semi Final Liverpool vs Chelsea

Well, tonight is the semi final of the 2 teams playing again.. Chelsea crashed out twice at this stage, will this be their hattrick lost to Liverpool again??

May 1, 2007 UEFA Champions Liverpool FC 1 - 0 Chelsea FC (1 - 0)
Apr 25, 2007 UEFA Champions Chelsea FC 1 - 0 Liverpool FC (1 - 0)

May 3, 2005 UEFA Champions League Liverpool FC 1 - 0 Chelsea FC (1 - 0)
Apr 27, 2005 UEFA Champions League Chelsea FC 0 - 0 Liverpool FC

Looking at the past results suggest that it will be a low scoring afair at the big stage.
So my pick will be......

LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA
Match No. 0501
Home 2.10
H-H 4.00
LS 2-1 8.00

Special..
LIVERPOOL 1-0 4.00

You'll never walk alone with CARLSBERG of cos!!!

BPL results, 19-20th April.

EVERTON v CHELSEA
0-1 (0-1)

WIGAN v TOTTENHAM
1-1 (1-1)

WEST HAM v DERBY
2-1 (1-0)

MIDDLESBROUGH v BOLTON
0-1 (0-0)

FULHAM v LIVERPOOL
0-2 (0-1)

BLACKBURN v MAN UNITED
1-1 (1-0)

ARSENAL v READING
2-0 (2-0)

ASTON VILLA v BIRMINGHAM
5-1 (2-0)

NEWCASTLE v SUNDERLAND
2-0 (2-0)

MAN CITY v PORTSMOUTH
3-1 (2-1)


with United drawing at Ewood Park comply with Chelsea winning at Goodison Park on Thursday night, this weekend game at Stamford Bridge is A MUST SEE FOR ALL soccer fans.

a win for Avram Grant men will level Chelsea on same points with United. the latter would then have to win their remaining games to ensure they pip Chelsea on goal difference should the blues match United in their remaining games.

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Justice had been done..

Finally the clash of the titans is over.. Man utd won by beating the gunners 2 goals to 1. After watching the replay, I saw Adebayor actually used his left hand to score the opener!! Of cos there Utd had themselves to be blame, Ferdinand could head the ball out for a corner or Van der Sar could grab it.. Luckily, Gallas handed the ball too!!



Bolton 1 - 0 West Ham (0 - 0)

Tottenham 1 - 1 Middlesbrough (1 - 0)

Sunderland 1 - 2 Man City (0 - 0)

Reading 0 - 2 Fulham (0 - 1)

Birmingham 1 - 1 Everton (0 - 0)

Derby 0 - 6 Aston Villa (0 - 3) *2.35 + 2.10

Portsmouth 0 - 0 Newcastle

Liverpool 3 - 1 Blackburn (0 - 0) *2.35 + 4.20

Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal (0 - 0)

West Brom 1 - 1 Watford (0 - 1)

Juventus 3 - 2 AC Milan *2.20

BERN's BPL picks, 12th April.

TOTTENHAM (11) vs MIDDLESBROUGH (14)
Match No. 0302
3/5 goals

SUNDERLAND (13) vs MANCHESTER CITY (9)
Match No. 0303
home win

READING (16) vs FULHAM (19)
Reading -1.5
1-0

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Man Utd will not walk alone!

Nothing much to shout abt this sat... out of the 7 games, only those fighting for survival to stay in the premiership looks exciting.

BOLTON (18) vs WEST HAM (10)
Match No. 0301
Draw 3.20
TG 4 5.50
LS 2-2 13.00

TOTTENHAM (11) vs MIDDLESBROUGH (14)
Match No. 0302
Home 1.60
TOTTENHAM (-1.5) 2.80
LS 3-0 15.00

Woodgate faces his former club

SUNDERLAND (13) vs MANCHESTER CITY (9)
Match No. 0303
Draw 3.20
A-D 14.00
LS 1-1 6.50

READING (16) vs FULHAM (19)
Match No. 0304
READING (-1.5) 3.20
H-H 2.90
LS 3-0 16.00

BIRMINGHAM (17) vs EVERTON (5)
Match No. 0305
Away 2.05
EVERTON (-1.5) 4.00
LS 0-3 15.00

DERBY (20) vs ASTON VILLA (7)
Match No. 0306
ASTON VILLA (-1.5) 2.35
A-A 2.10
LS 0-2 6.00

PORTSMOUTH (6) vs NEWCASTLE (12)
Match No. 0307
Home 2.15
1-0 7.00
LS D-H 4.40

LIVERPOOL (4) vs BLACKBURN (8)
Match No. 0308
LIVERPOOL (-1.5) 2.35
D-H 4.20
LS 2-0 7.00

MANCHESTER UTD (1) vs ARSENAL (3)
Match No. 0309
MANCHESTER UTD (-1.5) 3.15
H-H 2.80
LS 3-1 10.50

Selected games..

WEST BROMWICH (1) vs WTFRD (5)
Match No. 1802
Home 1.90
H-H 3.30
LS 1-0 6.50

Both teams fighting for promotion.

JTUS (3) vs MILAN (5)
Match No. 1301
Home 2.20
2-1 7.50
LS H-H 3.70

Liverpool & Chelsea again in the semis.

the road to Moscow heats up with semi-finals taking place on week commencing 20th-26th of this month.

first-up, i wld like to congratulate my wkend soccer-watch partner David on his fav. Chelsea progression into the semis with a 2-0 victory over Turkey's Fenerbahce. Michael Ballack got the Blues in front early in the game before Frank Lampard sealed Chelsea passage minutes before the end. I've no doubt bout Chelsea ability to overcome 1-2 deflict in the 1st-leg. Being strong at home and needing to score one goal to go through. i was rightly spot-on on my 2-0 ticket.. :P

Liverpool was struggling in the early stages in their game against Arsenal. the home side seems to be overawed by the KOP faithful. no doubt Diaby got the Gunners in front after 13 mins, cancelling out Dirk Kuyt 1st-leg away goal advantage. though it still early for Arsenal to celebrate. Hyypia header and Torres excellent strike with 20mins to go means Liverpool had for the first time leading on aggregate. but.. but i was visibly disappointing and frustrated again when Liverpool could jus stroll and pace Theo Walcott as the young man steamed pass 4 players en-route to assist Adebayor for Arsenal 2nd goal and hand the advantage back to the Gunners.

i admit luck could be smiling at Liverpool again when jus seconds after Arsenal equaliser. Ryan Babel got down under Kolo Toure challenge and referee pointed to the spot. Gerrard then convert the penalty and a frantic last minutes means Arsenal was pouring everyone in front to try and get another goal. Ryan Babel was lone upfront when Liverpool steered clear from a corner, he raced clear of the chasing Cesc Fabregas to slot home in injury-time... ending Arsenal resiliance.

meeting the 3rd time in the semi-finals of the last 4 seasons. Chelsea was close to the final spot.. beaten 1-0 on agg. in season 2004-05, on penalties in season 06-07, a 1-1 on agg. after extra-time.

could Liverpool once again ruined Roman A. dream of seeing his heavily-invested team turning up for the finale in his home capital, Moscow next month?

quite frankly.. looking at the way Liverpool make hard work for themselves against Arsenal. worry and weary is the words to describe. Chelsea would surely make sure they dun missed out again. Liverpool.. well. as their fan and honestly to my beloved REDS.. hope they could continue this journey and hope for a Liverpool-Man United final next month in Moscow.

no team is favourite now. its anybody game...

come on REDS, prove me wrong...

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BERN's view for Liverpool v Arsenal.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Quarter-Finals 2nd-leg;
LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
Anfield, Liverpool.

Rafa Benitez surprised everyone by making eight changes for the league game at the Emirates but don’t expect him to keep the same team for the second leg. Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel and Skrtel should all return after being rested at the weekend and expect Mascherano to return after suspension. Saturday’s goal scorer Peter Crouch may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Arsene Wenger made five changes for the league game against Liverpool but expect his big hitters back for this match. Adebayor, Hleb and Clichy who all started on the bench on Saturday should be back in the first XI. Bendtner may retain his place up front as Robin Van Persie is still out.



tonight Liverpool and Arsenal played out their 3rd and final meeting in a week. after two 1-1 draws, it doesn't come as crucial as tonight fixture. one of these 2 would go on to the semi-finals of Europe premier soccer tournament.

Benitez bold changes last weekend stunned me, i thot the plan to rest key players would backfired again. but it proved me wrong... Voronin, Riise had chances wasted.. Crouch in a rare start upfront. got the opener just before 1/2 time and wat a hit that was.

Plessis, i really dun know who he is.. had a justify debut alongside Lucas Leiva. my fav. Carragher was as usual outstanding.. Skrtel, well... ive no idea when he will lift up his potential as a centre-back. Benayoun, another performer who shine with his first-touch and ball-trapping abilities..

one concern was Liverpool poor handling at set-pieces, Bendtner whom was the culprit when he stopped Fabregas shot on the line in the 1st-leg fixture, redeemed himself when he out-jumped Crouch to score Arsenal equaliser. ironically, both Arsenal goals came from set-pieces, so Liverpool have to be REAL ALERT on these point.

last season, Arsenal came calling in both Carling & FA Cup and went away with 1-3 & 3-6 scores respectively. would Arsenal scored again?? as a devoted REDS fan who dream of standing among those in KOP stand... i wish THEY DON'T LA... a away-goal advantage and home support. Liverpool have the slightest edge to win PROVIDED Arsenal do not score.

1-0 is my pick.

GOOD LUCK REDS, come on...

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Trilogy of Liverpool vs Arsenal

Finally have some peace at office to do some posting....

BPL is getting more exciting this weekend as 3rd place Arsenal visit current leader Man Utd. BUT before this, the gunners got to travel to Anfield tonight for their third game with Liverpool in a week, with 2 games ending in a 1-1 draw..

Liverpool has got the away goal advantage for tonight's Champions League tie. But do not rule the gunners out yet, cos there's still 90 mins (maybe extra time) more. And I be up supporting Arsenal (for 90 mins or ET ONLY).

Right now, Liverpool is very bad at defending set pieces, their defenders were dreaming.. Hope Arsenal will use this to attack Liverpool.. and draw 1-1 AGAIN, so extra time will be play.. tired out the Gunners so they will not beat Utd this sunday. Liverpool had been very lucky when Referee turn blind for not awarding Arsenal penalties during the last 2 games.

My picks for tonight...

CHELSEA (1) vs FENERBAHCE (2)
Match No. 0501
Draw 5.00
FENERBAHCE (1.5) 1.95
LS H-D 17.00

LIVERPOOL (1) vs ARSENAL (1)
Match No. 0502
Draw 2.95
A-D 13.00
LS 1-1 5.50

BPL final score (selected) + news.

MIDDLESBROUGH v MAN UNITED
2-2

MAN CITY v CHELSEA
0-2

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
1-1

FULHAM v SUNDERLAND
1-3

EVERTON v DERBY
1-0

NEWCASTLE v READING
3-0
Magpies chalked up their 3rd win in a row.

ASTON VILLA v BOLTON
4-0

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says he will decide on his future at the end of the season.

The club have offered the 27-year old a new contract, but he believes he needs to be playing regularly.

"I've got to be realistic, if I want to have any aspirations of playing for England, or furthering my career, then I have to be playing."

Crouch bagged Liverpool's goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and despite not being able to win a regular starting place, maintains he is happy at the club.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand did not break his foot in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

The England defender left The Riverside with his foot in a protective plastic case as a precaution.

With Vidic sidelined and crucial Premier League games against Arsenal, Blackburn and Chelsea following Wednesday's Champions League return match against Roma, Ferguson can ill afford to be without his other first-choice central defender.

But Ferguson took heart from the display of Gerard Pique, who replaced Ferdinand on 69 minutes.

"The danger was to keep him (Ferdinand) on when he was limping and not at his full level," said Ferguson.

"Pique came on and did absolutely terrific, he was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually.

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson would love owner Thaksin Shinawatra to buy Brazil and Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho.

The 28-year-old is said to be unhappy at Barca and could leave in the summer.

His brother and representative Roberto De Assis were entertained by Manchester City directors on Saturday and they hope to tempt the forward to the club.

"It was the first time I had heard such a thing, so I really hope it is true," said Eriksson.


Chelsea will be without Petr Cech for a fortnight after the keeper had surgery to his lips and chin following a collision with a team-mate in training.

Cech has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury and will now miss Tuesday's Champions League quarter final second leg against Fenerbahce. "He has been unlucky with injuries this year," said Chelsea boss Avram Grant.

"But this is football - it happens." he added.

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