Third draw on the trot sees Chelsea fall behind in title raceChelsea 1 (Juan Mata 47) Fulham 1 (Dempsey 56)

Chelsea's fading Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow as Fulham hit back to earn a battling draw in a lacklustre west London derby.


Juan Mata put the hosts ahead after the break, cracking home a fine first-time shot from the edge of the box.


Fulham levelled when Bryan Ruiz easily beat Ashley Cole and found Clint Dempsey, who netted from close range.


Chelsea dominated possession and created a host of chances late in the game, but the visitors held on.


Raul Meireles and substitutes Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda each had two chances to secure maximum points after Dempsey's 56th-minute strike as the Blues laid siege to the Fulham goal.


However, Chelsea's late dominance was in stark contrast to a desperate first-half display which lacked urgency, quality and conviction.


Despite being pinned back in their own half for most of the final half-hour, Fulham were good value for a draw which leaves Chelsea 11 points below Premier League leaders Manchester City and Manchester United following the Boxing Day fixtures.


Misfiring £50m striker Fernando Torres, making his first Chelsea start in two months, once again failed to impress with another hit-and-miss display.


The Spaniard volleyed straight at goalkeeper David Stockdale after showing immaculate chest control from Mata's exquisite pass before the interval, and had a decent shout for a penalty ignored after the break.


But Torres continues to look a shadow of the player so often hailed as the best forward in the world during his Liverpool days.


The Cottagers frustrated Chelsea with a disciplined defensive display, and a line-up full of attacking talent broke with purpose to create as many decent chances as their hosts before the break.


Dempsey forced a fine save from Petr Cech with an awkward effort that bounced in front of the goalkeeper, and Moussa Dembele and Orlando Sa, who played up front on his own, also had efforts on goal.


At the other end Daniel Sturridge sliced a shot wide after being teed up by Torres, but Chelsea only sparked into life after half-time.


They went ahead when Mata found the corner of Stockdale's goal from 18 yards after Torres held the ball up.


Any hopes that it would be lay the platform for a much-needed convincing home win soon vanished when Ruiz did brilliantly to deceive Cole and Dempsey got in front of David Luiz to turn the ball home from close range.


At that point Andre Villas-Boas's side finally began to play with greater belief.


Sturridge saw a decent curling strike flicked over by Stockdale, and Malouda, on for the ineffective Frank Lampard, was unlucky not to score with a cheeky close-range backheel from John Terry's header.


Torres also had a shout for a penalty ignored as he tumbled on the edge of the area and Drogba shot straight at Stockdale from a tight angle.


Meireles then shot narrowly wide after a wonderful turn and had a header tipped over by the impressive Stockdale.


Drogba also had a free-kick tipped over in the closing seconds as Chelsea looked to avoid a damaging third consecutive 1-1 draw.


But Fulham were able to withstand the onslaught and earn the point they so craved following last week's home mauling by Manchester United.

Sturridge strike earns Chelsea draw at the LaneTottenham Hotspur 1 (Adebayor 8) Chelsea 1 (Sturridge 23)

John Terry played his part in an entertaining encounter as Chelsea survived an early Tottenham onslaught to earn a point at White Hart Lane.


Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas had no hesitation in selecting his captain 24 hours after Terry discovered he was being charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.


And despite being subjected to taunts throughout from Spurs supporters, the defender won prolonged backing from the visiting fans before throwing his shirt to them at the final whistle.


Emmanuel Adebayor gave the hosts an early lead as Harry Redknapp's side threatened to overrun Chelsea in their pursuit of Premier League pace-setters Manchester City and Manchester United.


The Blues stood firm and recovered to equalise through Daniel Sturridge before half-time - and were left frustrated as Didier Drogba struck the woodwork shortly after they levelled, then Ramires wasted two perfect opportunities in the second half.


Tottenham also posed a threat throughout, with Adebayor having a goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision and Gareth Bale and William Gallas also squandering opportunities.


Inevitably, it was left to Terry to have the final word as he blocked Adebayor's shot on the line in the dying seconds to ensure Chelsea earned a deserved draw.


The deadlock was not the ideal outcome for either side, but the result was fair. Spurs now stand seven points behind second-placed United with a game in hand, while Chelsea lie fourth.


Terry's name was met with a predictable chorus of jeering from the home fans as it was read out before kick-off, but Chelsea's supporters responded with loud backing for the England captain.


Spurs were delighted to be able to recall Bale after an ankle injury and it took only eight minutes for his importance to be graphically illustrated as he created the opening goal for Adebayor.


He ended a trademark surge down the left with a low cross that provoked a moment of hesitation from visiting keeper Petr Cech as he dived into the challenge with Adebayor, allowing the Togo striker to score.


Tottenham's pace and movement, particularly from Bale, saw Chelsea penned in and starved of possession, with manager Villas-Boas an agitated figure in his technical area.


The away side drew level against the run of play when Ashley Cole's cross was allowed to find Sturridge right in front of goal for a simple finish past the exposed Brad Friedel.


Chelsea were understandably encouraged by the lift of a goal and Drogba almost turned affairs around completely with a thunderous half-volley that crashed against the woodwork with Friedel well beaten.


Spurs had lost some of their early momentum but the Blues had to adapt as they lost Branislav Ivanovic and Jon Obi Mikel to injury before the break, with Paulo Ferreira and Oriol Romeu the replacements.


Redknapp was also deprived of a key figure for the restart as Rafael van der Vaart succumbed to a hamstring injury, giving Roman Pavlyuchenko another chance after scoring the winner against Sunderland at the weekend.


In spite of the changes, Chelsea made the better start after the interval as Friedel was forced to save twice in the space of seconds, first from Ramires as he raced through and then from Terry's header as he met the resulting corner.


Adebayor had the ball in the net again just before the hour, only to see the effort ruled out after the tightest of offside calls.


Spurs had been unable to get their main midfield orchestrator Luka Modric into the game in the manner they had at the start, but he almost made an impact from a set-piece as Sandro glanced a header wide.


Chelsea were not backing away from the battle though and Friedel was in action once more to clutch Sturridge's low shot at the second attempt, much to the frustration of the increasingly animated Villas-Boas.


As an entertaining encounter entered the last 10 minutes, Bale wasted an opportunity to restore Spurs' lead when he shot well over after being released by Modric's clever touch inside the area.


Cech then clawed away Sandro's deflected shot and Gallas turned Bale's cross inches wide at the near post as the hosts tried to regain their earlier supremacy.


The best chance came and went for Chelsea with four minutes left when Juan Mata's free-kick found Ramires completely unmarked in front of goal eight yards out, only for the Brazilian to direct a desperately poor header wide.


And, in a dramatic conclusion, Terry saved a point for Villas-Boas's side when he blocked Adebayor's shot on the line.

Chelsea remain Champions despite lackluster performance at WiganWigan Athletic 1 (Gomez 88) Chelsea 1 (Sturridge 59)

Jordi Gomez's late equaliser halted Chelsea's charge up the Premier League table and gave Wigan a vital point in their relegation battle.


The Latics felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Victor Moses' shot struck Branislav Ivanovic's arm.


Chelsea improved after the break and took the lead when Daniel Sturridge fired home from Ashley Cole's pass.


But Wigan refused to give up and denied the Blues victory when Petr Cech's fumble gifted Gomez a simple tap-in.


A point was exactly what Wigan deserved after refusing to be intimidated by Chelsea's lofty status, matching the Londoners stride for stride.


Sturridge's superb finish looked to have set Chelsea on course for their fourth straight league win, but Wigan continued to attack and boss Roberto Martinez's decision to bring on strikers Hugo Rodallega and Franco Di Santo proved inspired as the duo combined to set up Gomez's late goal.


The setback leaves Chelsea third in the table, six points behind leaders Manchester City, who host Arsenal on Sunday.


Wigan, meanwhile, are now just one point behind Wolves, who lost to Stoke, in 17th after picking up seven points in their last four games.


Indeed, the Latics began the game with the confidence of a team in good form and had an early penalty appeal turned down when Gomez went down in the box under Cole's challenge.


Chelsea slowly passed their way into the match, but chances were few and far between as Wigan defended with impressive resolve.


Unable to pierce the home side's rearguard, the Blues were restricted to shots from distance, with captain John Terry fizzing wide from 30 yards and Oriol Romeu cracking a low volley which Ali Al Habsi tipped around the post.


The best opportunity of the half went Chelsea's way five minutes before the break when Raul Meireles picked out Didier Drogba six yards out, but the striker's diving header went wide.


Then came the most controversial moment of the half, as Wigan were denied a penalty when Moses' drive hit Ivanovic on the arm.


Replays suggested the Serb moved his arm towards the ball to block the goal-bound effort, but referee Martin Atkinson remained unmoved.


Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas brought on Salomon Kalou at half-tim, and the Ivorian made an immediate impact on the left, getting to the byeline and cutting back for Drogba to fire into the side netting.


Wigan survived that scare but could not prevent the visitors from taking the lead through the consistently-impressive Sturridge.


Cole picked out the run of the England striker, who took one touch to control the ball with his left foot before drilling his fourth goal in five league games right-footed past Al Habsi.


Wigan desperately searched for a response. Maynor Figueroa fired in a shot that was destined for the bottom corner until Cech stretched out a hand to push it wide.


Then a sloppy backpass from Ivanovic gave substitute Rodallega a sight of goal. His effort was smothered by Cech, but the ball fell to Di Santo, whose shot was cleared off the line by Ivanovic.


Still the Latics poured forward and they gained their reward three minutes from time when Rodallega's shot was spilt by Cech straight into the path of the grateful Gomez.

City lose title as Lampard scores winnerChelsea 2 (Raul Meireles 34, Lampard (pen) 84) Manchester City 1 (Balotelli 2)

Frank Lampard's late penalty earned Chelsea victory and condemned leaders Manchester City to their first Premier League defeat of the season.


Lampard - once again excluded from Chelsea's starting line-up by manager Andre Villas-Boas - came off the bench to score the winner with seven minutes left after Joleon Lescott handled Daniel Sturridge's shot.


Mario Balotelli gave City a lead their early domination deserved but Chelsea forced their way back into contention through Raul Meireles's equaliser before half-time.


Roberto Mancini's side were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Gael Clichy was sent off, leaving Chelsea to make the most of their numerical advantage and record a third win in succession to leave City with a two-point lead over neighbours Manchester United at the top of the table.


City will regret not putting the game out of reach in an imperious opening spell - but Chelsea demonstrated the resilience of old to survive that siege and emerge with a win that puts them only seven points off the Premier League summit.


Villas-Boas insisted Chelsea were showing signs of a revival after beating Newcastle United and Valencia following a torrid spell. This, however, was a serious examination of their recovery and they passed the test successfully.


And Lampard, pushed to the margins in the last two games, proved his character to step up under pressure in the closing minutes to convert that vital penalty. Villas-Boas revealed afterwards that Juan Mata had been the designated spot-kick taker, but after a brief discussion with the Spaniard Lampard took responsibility.


City's unbeaten league run came to an end after 15 games - now Mancini and his players must regroup ahead of Sunday's meeting with improving Arsenal at Etihad Stadium.


Chelsea made one enforced change, with Jose Bosingwa replacing the suspended David Luiz - while Balotelli was recalled to instant effect for City.
Sergio Aguero must take much of the credit with a turn that left John Terry trailing and a sublime pass with the outside of his right foot into the path of Balotelli. The young Italian may be turbulent elsewhere, but in the penalty area he is calmness personified, as he proved by dismissing the attentions of Branislav Ivanovic to round Petr Cech to score.


City were in command and should have doubled their lead after 14 minutes when Aguero brushed aside Bosingwa and wrong-footed Ashley Cole, only to drag his shot wastefully wide.


David Silva then appealed for a penalty when he fell under Bosingwa's challenge - but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on while declining to punish the Spaniard for diving.
Chelsea, as much by force of will as any real superiority, dragged themselves into a game which had been completely in City's control and were rewarded with an equaliser 11 minutes before the break. Once again the goal owed almost as much to the creation as the finish, with the impressive Sturridge escaping from the toiling Clichy before crossing for the incoming Meireles to volley powerfully past City keeper Joe Hart.


Former Manchester City player Sturridge was one of Chelsea's leading lights on a stormy evening and he was only just off target with a rising drive a minute after the restart from Mata's free-kick.


City went down to 10 men just before the hour when Clichy, who had been booked early in the second half for fouling Sturridge, tripped Ramires to earn his second yellow card. It capped a miserable night for the defender, who had suffered in the face of Sturridge's pace and threat.
Chelsea, having been outplayed in the early stages, now sensed victory and Villas-Boas introduced Lampard with 17 minutes left in an attempt to make their numbers count.


Mancini appeared to have settled for a point by removing Aguero for Kolo Toure and sending on Nigel de Jong for Silva - but Chelsea were not to be denied.


And Lampard it was who put Chelsea in front with seven minutes left. There were few complaints from City after Sturridge's shot hit the raised hand of Lescott - leaving Lampard to drill the penalty straight down the middle before celebrating with the supporters behind the goal in the Matthew Harding Stand.

Cup draw pits Manchester rivals together

Today saw the eagerly awaited draw for the third round of the FA Cup (sponsored by Budweiser) and yet again there are some mouth watering clashes including the reigning Unofficial Champions Manchester City playing host to their city rivals Manchester United.
It'll give Alex Ferguson's men the chance to avenge their 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford in October and will also give Roberto Mancini's men the chance to announce themselves as the team to fear this season.
In the only other all Premier League tie form side Newcastle United will host Steve Kean's (correct at the time of typing) Blackburn Rovers.
Two non-league sides have been handed dream ties with Tamworth heading to Goodison Park and should Chelmsford City beat Macclesfield Town in their replay they will have the honour of hosting Bolton Wanderers.
Other ties to look out for will be Arsenal hosting Leeds United and also the London derby between Fulham and Charlton Athletic. (also my side West Ham United have to travel to Sheffield Wednesday)


All ties to be played January 7th


Ties involving Premier League sides are:


Manchester City v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Arsenal v Leeds United
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Liverpool v Southend United or Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Everton v Tamworth
Norwich City v Burnley
MK Dons v Queens Park Rangers
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Barnsley v Swansea City
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Peterbrough United v Sunderland
Chelmsford City or Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic

Five star City batter CanariesManchester City 5 (Aguero 32, Nasri 51, Y.Toure 68, Balotelli 88, Johnson 90) Norwich City 1 (Morison 81)

Unbeaten Manchester City powered on at the top of the Premier League with a crushing 5-1 defeat of Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.
Sergio Aguero gave Roberto Mancini's men a half-time lead before Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure made certain and substitutes Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson completed the rout. Norwich were outplayed for most of the game but did claim a consolation ten minutes from time with a Steve Morison header.
It was a quick return to winning ways for City after last week's draw at Liverpool and took their impressive league goalscoring tally to 48 after 14 games.
Mancini made eight changes after their midweek League Cup quarter-final win at Arsenal but defender Kolo Toure was retained ahead of Joleon Lescott. Nasri, making his third successive start, also kept his place and responded with an influential display, linking well with Aguero and David Silva throughout.
Edin Dzeko, the third City player to stay in the side after Tuesday, had the game's first opportunity after two minutes when he dragged a shot across goal from distance. 
Welsh striker Morison had a chance for Norwich early on when the ball bounced kindly for him on the left but he also missed the target. He failed to make the most of another opening when he raced clear in the tenth minute as Joe Hart came out to force him wide and Kolo Toure got back to clear.
After that scare, City began to step up the pressure with Dzeko getting in another attempt but having to settle for a corner. Aguero, who had earlier shot at Ruddy, then spurned a glorious chance when he volleyed over from seven yards from a Nasri cut-back.
Dzeko again had Norwich back-tracking when he nutmegged Russell Martin 40 yards out and charged to the edge of the box but Marc Tierney deflected his shot wide. City's opener eventually came, though, in the 32nd minute after Anthony Pilkington failed to cut out another Richards break.
Micah Richards closed in on goal and then pulled back for Aguero, who showed nimble footwork to turn past Leon Barnett and poke the ball through a crowded goal area to score his 13th of the season from six yards. Aguero could have had a second moments later after Yaya Toure won the ball in midfield and set up Nasri to cross but the former Atletico Madrid man again fired over.
Despite that home superiority, Norwich had a chance to equalise two minutes into the second half as Elliott Bennett chased a long ball. Bennett had chance to shoot but opted to go round the advancing Hart and took the ball too far wide, from where he could only shoot over.
Norwich paid the price for that miss as the impressive Nasri doubled the home side's advantage after 51 minutes, although it is doubtful the Frenchman meant it. Nasri got lucky when he floated a free-kick into the box from the left and the Norwich defence left it to run through to Ruddy. The goalkeeper was slow to react and was unable to claw it out as it bounced in front of him and crept in at the far post.
City immediately threatened a third as Silva cut in from the right but Ruddy made a fine double to keep out his shot and Aguero's attempt on the rebound. The resulting corner found its way to Gareth Barry but the English midfielder could not keep his shot down.
City's third came in the 68th minute as Nasri came short to play a one-two with Silva at a corner and the Spaniard fed Yaya Toure on the edge of the box. The midfielder nonchalantly allowed the ball to come across his body and curled in a low shot at the far post.
Nasri was removed moments later as Johnson was sent on and Mancini also decided to withdraw Aguero soon after. Balotelli, who was sent off against Liverpool, took his place.
Victory was all but a formality, but City, having conceded in their previous six league games, were again unable to keep a clean sheet as Norwich replied. Morison was the man on target, rising at the back post to plant a firm header past Hart from a corner.
The hosts restored a three-goal advantage two minutes from time as Yaya Toure played in Johnson, who turned to square for Balotelli in front of goal. Ruddy palmed out the Italian's initial effort but it looped up into the air and the striker calmly nudged it over the line with his shoulder.
There was still more to come and City added a more emphatic gloss to the scoreline in injury time as Johnson placed a low shot past Ruddy.

Lescott error gives Reds drawLiverpool 1 (Lescott o.g 33) Manchester City 1 (Kompany 31)

Ten-man Manchester City survived a serious examination of their title credentials to extend their unbeaten Premier League record to 13 matches with a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Had it not been for goalkeeper Joe Hart the visitors may have tasted a league defeat for the first time since 7 May. They barely had time to celebrate Vincent Kompany's 31st-minute opener before Charlie Adam's shot was deflected in by Joleon Lescott.
In the second half, substitute Mario Balotelli lasted 18 minutes before being sent off for a second bookable offence and had English international Hart not been on top form City would have succumbed to sustained Liverpool pressure in the final 20 minutes.
Having coasted serenely through the domestic campaign, scoring goals at will, this was the first time this season Roberto Mancini's side had failed to score more than once in a league match. Credit must go to Liverpool who, after a slow start, enhanced their own reputation as genuine top-four contenders with a second-half performance which produced everything but a winning goal.
City may have previously won only once at Anfield in the last 30 years - and that came in May 2003 - but they played the first half like they were the home team. They passed the ball around with consummate ease, as they have done all season, with both Samir Nasri and David Silva threading threatening balls down the side of the two centre-backs.
Liverpool tried to employ the same high, pressing tactics which were so effective in last week's victory at Chelsea and it worked to some degree. For all City's neat passing and movement off the ball they did not really threaten and the closest they came was when they were given an opportunity by Jose Enrique's back-pass.
The Spaniard was obviously unsighted when he rolled a ball too close to Sergio Aguero but Jose Reina raced 15 yards out of his penalty area to first block and then, after the ball rebounded off the Argentinian back onto his arm, clear.
Aguero was doing his best to unlock what is becoming an increasingly frugal Liverpool defence and he twisted past Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger with ease on the left of the area but bamboozled himself and lost balance. 
Ironically, considering the silky attacking skills at their disposal, the visitors took a 31st-minute lead from an old-fashioned corner routine. Silva swung in a left-footed cross and centre-back Kompany glanced a header into the far corner after marker Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson got in each other's way.
That is usually the key for Mancini's side to go into attacking overdrive but within two minutes they found themselves pegged back as indecision and a bad decision cost them. Kompany's weak clearance dropped to Kuyt who squared for Adam to unleash a left-footed drive which was heading wide until Lescott tried to clear and succeeded only in diverting past Hart.
If he was helpless to stop that shot the English goalkeeper showed his quality as he stuck out a leg to brilliantly divert Adam's right-footed shot over. Suddenly the momentum was with the Reds and Johnson, last week's match-winner, flashed a left-footed shot past Hart's right-hand post.
Reina saved low from Aguero in first-half added time but the open football continued after the break as Stewart Downing's cross ballooned up off Kompany and Kuyt's diving header missed the target. The languid, measured play of the first half had been replaced by a more frenetic approach after the break, evidenced by Hart's hurried punch to Downing's cross.
Hart did better with his England team-mate's shot into the turf from Adam's corner, tipping over just as the ball was about to dip under the crossbar. The increasingly manic atmosphere hardly needed enhancing but the arrival of Balotelli for Nasri did exactly that.
Right on cue the Italian produced a stumble, a fraction of a second after Skrtel had slipped trying to reach the ball, just when he was about to burst into the penalty area. 
Liverpool had steadily grown more comfortable over the course of the game and they had the momentum entering the final 20 minutes. Enrique and Downing shot wide before Balotelli's propensity for getting himself in trouble surfaced late on. Having been booked for pulling back Johnson, he was shown a second yellow card for catching Skrtel across the face.
Hart kept his side in it, though, with another good save at his near post from Luis Suarez before Silva over-complicated things in Liverpool's area having beaten Reina and Skrtel cleared off the line. But Hart was the one being worked the hardest and another brilliant one-handed save from Andy Carroll's header in added time preserved City's unbeaten start.

Europa League for City?

Unofficial champions Manchester City seem to be taking the Premier League by storm this season but it seems they can't transfer their league form into their Champions League campaign where they stand on the brink of elimination.

Last nights 2-1 defeat to Napoli saw Roberto Mancini's men fall to third place in their Group A table with only a home match against Bayern Munich to come on December 7.

With two wins in 5 matches (both against group whipping boys Villareal) the Citizens know that even a win against the mighty Bayern will not ensure progression into the knockout phase as Napoli have an away game to Villareal which they are expected to win so it could end up being Europa League football in the new year for City.

Last season the top brass at Eastlands wanted Champions League football but I think even they expected to reach the knockout phase especially when you look at their squad but alas, barring a miracles it looks like the Champions League dream has been cut short but with the form they are showing this season in the Premier League (11 wins from 12 matches) City will hope next season's Champions League campaign will be a little longer than this one.

City remain champions as Newcastle lose unbeaten recordManchester City 3 Newcastle United 0

There were no chips at Manchester City this afternoon, just another three points for the Premier League leaders as Newcastle's unbeaten record came to an end. Even City's fans shared the amusement of a club that just announced losses of £194.9m being forced to announce that there would be no chips available at half-time.


The money has been spent on far more productive items though and two of the recent big-money purchases, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero, both scored from the spot in between a rasping finish from home-grown defender Micah Richards, who had an outstanding afternoon. It maintained City's 100 per cent home record in front of a stadium record crowd, although Alan Pardew's men could justifiably feel the scoreline did not pay due reward to their own efforts, even after Dan Gosling's consolation.


It was a matter of some satisfaction on Tyneside that Newcastle should head into this three-match sequence which sees meetings with both Manchester clubs followed by an encounter with Chelsea still unbeaten. Few thought Alan Pardew's men would still be awaiting their first loss in a fortnight's time yet the confidence that has soared with the Magpies made them think anything was possible. 


If Demba Ba had profited during the visitors' best spell of the opening period, they might well have headed back to the north-east in even more buoyant mood. Instead, his snap-shot after being set up by Hatem Ben Arfa was turned away by Joe Hart before he glanced a header wide from Yohan Cabaye's corner.


It was Ben Arfa's first Premier League start since he broke his leg in a challenge with Nigel de Jong in the corresponding fixture last season. The pair have since made up from what Ben Arfa felt was a nasty tackle by De Jong and thankfully there was no hint of a repeat.


It does seem City have moved forward since then both in personnel and a more expansive style. Yet again, they were the team carrying most of the threat and before Newcastle's purple patch, Aguero fizzed a shot over the bar and Tim Krul produced an excellent one-handed save to deny Balotelli's close range header.


Taylor troubles
The Blues were still searching for some kind of inspiration when Taylor made his intervention. He would be correct in claiming he was within close proximity of Yaya Toure's shot five minutes before the break. However, referee Chris Foy presumably took the view that with his arm outstretched, Taylor was asking for trouble, which duly came in the form of a penalty when the ball hit him inside the box.


Never one to avoid a bit of drama, Balotelli strode slowly to the spot-kick before side-footing neatly into the bottom corner. It was the Italian's ninth goal of the season and was celebrated with a folding of the arms and a steely stare.


Taylor's afternoon was soon to get worse as on City's next attack he tried to control Samir Nasri's through ball and turn at the same time. All the full-back succeeded in doing was allow Richards the chance to intervene. Overlooked by Fabio Capello for England, the full-back finished smartly and suddenly City were clear.


To their credit, Newcastle refused to let their heads drop. But the second-half just brought more anguish in their bid to drag themselves back into the game. First Ben Arfa drove a low shot against a post after he had nipped in to rob Vincent Kompany. Then Fabricio Coloccini belted a volley wide after being picked out completely unmarked from Yohan Cabaye's corner. Finally, Hart denied Guthrie, who has sped into the box and gone for the far corner from an acute angle.


Having come through those trials and tribulations unscathed, it seemed harsh that City should grab another themselves after Ben Arfa had sent Richards tumbling in the box. With Balotelli replaced by David Silva, Aguero took over spot-kick duties and promptly sent Krul the wrong way.


The sight of Aguero and Toure hobbling off before the end would be a worry for manager Roberto Mancini with Tuesday's must-not-lose UEFA Champions League trip to Napoli looming. And the City boss would not be too happy that Gosling's effort two minutes from time denied his side a clean sheet.

Barry awarded Englands 2000th goal

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has officially been named the scorer of England's 2000th goal in international matches.
Barry seemed to get his head to the ball in England's 1-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday but replays showed the final touch come from Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic but the referee has since handed in his report and he says the goal was scored by Barry, his decision is final!!
Since the match there had been differing views as to who was awarded the goal depending on which publication you read but the FA have confirmed it now by saying "We have now received the referee's report and he has stated Gareth Barry as the scorer, so he is awarded the goal officially."
Usually there isn't any fuss made over goals in a friendly but with this one being a landmark goal it was important that it was not only called correctly but that it was a Englishman who scored it.
Englands first ever goalscorer was William Kenyon-Slaney in 1873 with a goal against Scotland while Jimmy Greaves scored Englands 1000th goal in a 5-1 win over Wales in 1960.

Blatter "Settle racism with a handshake"

Controversial FIFA president Sepp Blatter has caused an outcry tonight by declaring racism on the field should be settled with a handshake.

In our very own Premier League we have two cases currently being investigated involving Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra and John Terry and Anton Ferdinand but when interviewed by CNN today the 75 year old said "I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one but also the one who is affected by that, he should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination. I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination. And on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better."

Already Blatters words have reverberated around the globe and on Twitter #blatterout is already trending with a whole host of ex-professional footballers and journalists asking for the resignation of the man that has been the head of the world game for 13 years. During his time in charge he has managed to court controversy wherever he goes. As well as this racism slur he has also been questioned about corruption and also indicated the womens game would be more interseted if they were to wear tighter shorts.

No matter what has been thrown at Blatter he has always managed to do enough to keep in his role but is this one error to many.

Just as this story broke it was announced Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was to be charged the alleged racial abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

An official statement from the FA read "The FA has today charged Liverpool’s Luis Suarez following an incident that occurred during the Liverpool versus Manchester United fixture at Anfield on 15 October 2011. It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules. It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra."

Let us know what you think of Blatter and what you think he should do next by emailing us at admin@worldwidefootball.co.uk

City win to retain unofficial titleQPR 2 (Bothroyd 28, Helguson 69) Manchester City 3 (Dzeko 43, Silva 52, Y.Toure 74)

Manchester City had to cope with falling behind at Loftus Road tonight, but in the end, they had that familiar winning feeling as Yaya Toure's winner kept them five points ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League title race.
Coming off worst in a five-goal thriller will be scant consolation for QPR. They became the first team to take the lead against City in the Premier League this season, courtesy of Jay Bothroyd's fine header. And they had the spirit to respond through Heidar Helguson after Edin Dzeko and David Silva turned the match on its head either side of the break.
However, from Toure's 73rd-minute header, there was no response, Helguson coming closest when he struck the bar eight minutes from time before City claimed all the points in a 3-2 victory.
Yet, for all QPR's agonies, City side proving immensely hard to stop. Even if they only managed half the six goals they scored in their last away game at Old Trafford, they have now racked up 39 in 11 games, dropping only two points in the process and look more like title winners with every performance.
It was an enthralling contest, with old boys Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton keen to do well and QPR put their opponents on the back foot.
Helguson turned a Barton corner back across goal but just out of Ferdinand's reach. Joe Hart was forced to parry a thunderous Jamie Mackie effort away as City struggled to cope without suspended skipper Vincent Kompany.
Not once during their flying start to the season have City found themselves behind. Just before the half hour, it finally happened. Roberto Mancini could not be happy with the ease of QPR's goal either.
Barton sent a decent free-kick into the visitors' box but Bothroyd simply climbed highest in a crowded penalty area and sent a firm header into the bottom corner. City were rocking and Bothroyd came agonizingly close to grabbing a second when Helguson seized on a stray pass and picked the striker out with an excellent cross to the far post.
Bothroyd met it well enough, but the one-time English international could only turn away in despair as his header clipped the outside of a post. It seemed the visitors were there for the taking. But, like the champions they hope to become, they rallied quickly enough to haul themselves level before half-time.
James Milner started it with a surge downfield from inside his own half. He released the previously subdued Dzeko, who cut inside Luke Young and thrashed a shot into the bottom corner, his tenth Premier League goal of the season.
And City weren't finished there, with Sergio Aguero's well-struck effort bouncing back off the base of a post to provide QPR with a warning they would not even collect a point easily. If they thought a fine Barton shot that brought a sprawling save out of Hart straight after the restart would be a sign of things to come, they were sadly mistaken.
Forced off by a back injury during the UEFA Champions League win over Villarreal in midweek, Silva had returned to duty but not made much of an impression. That was until Dzeko picked up out with a low cross from the left touchline. The Spain star's next move had a touch of genius about it, even though it was so simple.
As the QPR defence waited for a touch to control, or even a dummy, Silva attacked the ball at pace, getting him away from Danny Gabbidon but with enough room in front of Ferdinand to blast home a fine goal.
It seemed QPR were doomed, but they rallied magnificently, and after Barton had gone close, Bothroyd met Armand Traore's cross and his goalbound header bounced in off Helguson. Once again, Loftus Road was alive with the electricity of fans who believed a famous win was on the cards.
However, City had no time for such dreams. Calmly, Kolarov strode down the left flank, then picked out Toure with a superb curling cross that invited a powerful headed finish. Helguson so nearly levelled near the end but it was the Blues celebrating once more at the end as they maintained their winning habit.

City overcome snarling Wolves Manchester City 3 (Dzeko, Kolarov, Johnson) Wolves 1 (Hunt pen)

Unofficial Champions Manchester City overcame Wolverhampton Wanderers to win 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium despite having Vincent Kompany sent off, restoring their five-point lead at the top of the table.
City went ahead early in the second half when Edin Dzeko converted a loose ball after Sergio Aguero had pounced on some hesitant play by the previously impressive Wayne Hennessey. The Wolves goalkeeper then palmed David Silva's shot into the path of Aleksandar Kolarov, who made it 2-0 in the 67th minute.
Stephen Hunt pulled one back for Wolverhampton from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining following Kompany's dismissal for bringing down Kevin Doyle, but substitute Adam Johnson wrapped up the victory for the hosts in stoppage time.
The result maintains status quo at the top of the Premier League after second-placed Manchester United had cut the gap earlier in the day with a 1-0 win at Everton. Struggling Wolves, meanwhile, are now winless in eight league fixtures.
City manager Roberto Mancini recalled most of the players who had started last weekend's 6-1 derby win at United, although Mario Balotelli was only named as a substitute. It amounted to eight changes from the 5-2 League Cup victory over Wolves on Wednesday, with Kolarov, Samir Nasri and Dzeko the survivors from that game and the likes of Joe Hart, Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero returning to the team.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made six alterations from the cup tie, Doyle one of those keeping his place and midfielder Jamie O'Hara among the men coming back in.
Given what had happened when the sides met in midweek, many were expecting a comfortable afternoon for free-scoring City, but they endured a frustrating first half as they failed to make the most of the chances that came their way thanks both to Hennessey's efforts and their own poor finishing.
Wolves were only able to partially clear a corner from Kolarov in the second minute and the ball came to Nasri, who unleashed a volley which Hennessey tipped over the bar. At the other end, Hunt picked up possession following a mistake by Micah Richards and teed up Doyle, but the Republic of Ireland frontman could only flash his effort across the face of goal.
Aguero, having played a one-two with Silva, scuffed a shot high into the stands and Dzeko put the ball over after Wanderers skipper Roger Johnson had intercepted Richards' cross into the danger zone.
City continued to break forward and Aguero was just unable to meet a cross from the left after it took a deflection. The Argentinian forward then drew a good save out of Hennessey with a turn and strike from outside the box.
Moments later Aguero looked set to put City in front, but mis-kicked as he attempted to stroke home Richards' delivery and the shot went off target. Nasri showed little accuracy too when trying his luck from distance and the same applied to an effort from O'Hara.
Silva saw his strike blocked after Nasri's cross came to him and City fans felt Richard Stearman had fouled Dzeko in the area as the ball came over, but the referee waved for play to continue. And, four minutes before the break Silva put Dzeko through on goal, but the Bosnian's shot was turned around the post by Hennessey.
City kept the pressure up after the restart, with Nasri sending in a cross that bounced out off Silva, and with seven minutes of the second half gone, the hosts made the breakthrough as Hennessey - so dependable before the break - made a hash of dealing with a backpass.
Aguero came in to challenge the goalkeeper and the ball spun out to Dzeko, who lofted it into the net for his fifth goal in three games.
Wolves looked to respond, but there was no-one to get on the end of Hunt's cross, and after Adam Johnson had come on to replace Dzeko, Aguero sliced wide following good link-up play with Silva.
Two minutes later City had their second, Hennessey parrying Silva's shot from the edge of the box and Kolarov tucking away an easy finish. Mancini then brought on Balotelli for Nasri and the Italian youngster side-footed over the bar.
City appeared to be cruising, but they were then reduced to ten men when Hart spilled a shot from Adlene Guedioura and Kompany was adjudged to have impeded Doyle as the forward attempted to get to the rebound.
Kompany was shown a straight red card and Hunt dispatched the resulting spot-kick to set up a nervy finale, but City made sure at the death as Adam Johnson collected Toure's pass and fired in.

Kolo Toure to fight Man City action

Just as it seemed Manchester City were getting things back on track after the Carlos Tevez affair they are now getting themselves ready for another in-house disciplinary hearing this time involving Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure.

The 30 year old defender who claims to have taken one of his wifes slimming pills is expected to appear in front of an internal panel next week as the club look into the possibility of fining the player for his ban which began after the Manchester derby in February.
Toure's ban ended at the end of August and has only been used sparingly as Manchester City begin their campaign in a blaze of glory which has seen then race five points clear at the top of the Premier League and a place in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup.

Former captain Toure, who's made 49 appearances for The Citizens, is looking at the possibility of a move away from Eastlands after falling down the pecking order. A likely destination for the defender could be a move to Paris St Germain but before any move is allowed to happen Toure will be fighting any action the club take and is likely to refer the case to the Professional Footballers Association (PFA)

After the outcome of the Carlos Tevez affair, which saw the striker handed a two week suspention and a £800,000 fine, everyone associated with the club hope the Kolo Toure episode can conclude swiftly and ensuer the club start making headlines for the right reasons.

Lionel Messi "incomplete player" - Pele

To football fans around the world, Barcelona's Lionel Messi is not only the number one player on the planet at the moment but also one of the greats to play our wonderful game but to one legend he has been branded "incomplete"

Brazil legend Pele, in England to launch his lifestyle collection 'The Beautiful Revolution" said "Messi is an incomplete player, he can't use his head. Also, I played at the top level for over 20 years. Messi has only played for a short while"

In his interview with Goal.com the three time World Cup winner who scored more than 1000 goals in his glittering career proclaimed the English Premier League as being "the best league in the world" better than Serie A, La Liga and the Bundesliga.

Pele, at a drinks reception held in his honour to not only launch the latest sports collection but also his 71st birthday, is never backwards when coming forward with his criticism of todays players but has he hit the nail on the head or is Lionel Messi the finished article? Let us know at admin@worldwidefootball.co.uk. All comments (non libellous) will be printed on here so let us know your views.

City beat Wolves to seal place in quarters

Unofficial champions Manchester City warmed up for their first title defense with a 5-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux tonight.
A brace from Eden Dzeko, and goals from Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri and an own goal from Dorus De Vries saw Manchester City through to the Quarter-Finals and are now 5/2 favourites to lift the trophy in February.
The match was a warm up for their Premier League clash on Saturday although who will play on Saturday from tonights line-up will remain to be seen but it showed the strength in depth Roberto Mancini has and proves he is highly unlikely to miss wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
It was Wolves who took the lead in the 18th minute when Nenad Milijas scored before Manchester City took total control and went into a 5-1 lead before Jamie O'Hara's 65th minute goal completed the scoring.
In front of only 12,436 both sides were evenly matched with Wolves startung the brighter of the two sides but Mick McCarthy's men just couldn't handle the pace and finese City had on offer and the away fans that made the journey to Wolverhampton will be looking forward to the league encounter at the weekend when the "big guns" are given a run out.
This could be the season where City dominate. They have scored 15 goals in their last 3 matches and are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and with a Quarter-Final place in the Carling Cup guaranteed there could be a celebrations galore at Eastlands and if they can transfer theiur league form into the Champions League could they really win the quadruple this season? 812/1 says they can. Worth a quid?

Competitions odds:

Premier League: 11/10
Carling Cup: 9/4
FA Cup: 6/1
Champions League:16/1
Win all four competitions: 812/1 (with Skybet click here to place bet)

French international faces attempted murder charge

FRANCE: Former French international striker Tony Vairelles has been charged with attempted murder after a shooting outside a Nancy nightclub last weekend.


Vairelles, 38, who currently plys his trade with Gueugnon was arrested along with his three brothers after the incident on Sunday night. Its believed two of his brothers were forcibly removed from the club only to return moments later.
Police reports state a gun was fired and a doorman was shot near his spine, his injuries are not considered life threatening. Two other doormen were injured in the incident.


The former Lens, Lyon and Bastia striker appeared eight times for France between 1998 and 2000 scoring one goal in a friendly against Croatia and for a brief spell was part owner of his current club Gueugnon until bankruptcy in April.
In 1998 Vairelles helped Lens win their only French title and has also played for Nancy and Bastia.

Tevez fined £1m by City

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has finally discovered his punishment after a Manchester City disciplinary meeting on Friday. A statement by the club revealed the Argentinan will face a four week fine (around £1m) and suspended for two weeks, which he has already served.


The full statement from City read: 


Manchester City Football Club can confirm that a disciplinary hearing has been concluded in relation to a charge of misconduct by Carlos Tevez.


The charge relates to events during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich on September 27, 2011.


Following a detailed investigation and associated hearing, a disciplinary panel has upheld the charge of misconduct. Five separate breaches of contract formed the basis of the decision by the panel.


As a result Carlos Tevez has been fined four weeks' wages and has been suspended for a period of two weeks (deemed to have already been served). He has received a written warning as to his future conduct.


Carlos Tevez has been informed in writing of the decision of the disciplinary panel, and the club has written to the Professional Footballers Association for ratification of the fine.


The five contractual obligations found by the disciplinary panel to have been breached are:


1. An obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a club official.


2. An obligation to undertake such other duties and to participate in such other activities as are consistent with the performance of the player's duties and as are reasonably required of him.


3. An obligation to comply with and act in accordance with all lawful instructions of any authorised official of the club.


4. An obligation to observe the statutes and regulations of FIFA and UEFA, the FA Rules, the League Rules, the Code of Practice and the Club rules, including but not limited to breach of Rule E3(1) of the FA Rules (obligation on the player at all times to act in the best interests of the game and not act in any manner which is improper or which brings the game into disrepute).


5. An obligation not to knowingly or recklessly do anything or omit to do anything which is likely to bring the club or the game of football into disrepute or cause the player or the club to be in breach of the rules (as defined in the contract) or cause damage to the club.


Carlos Tevez has the right to appeal this decision to the board of the club. Any appeal must be made within 14 days.

Match suspended due to drunken ref

A match in the Czech Republic between Jestrabi Ihota and Tynec-nad-Labem had to be suspended when referee Tomas Fidra sent off 3 Jestrabi players for no reason.
The official had been out celebrating his birthday and turned up to the match apparently "smelling like a brewery" and although both sides agreed to the referee officiating it didn't take long for both sides regretting their decision when he started falling down all over the pitch then feeling it necessary to dish out the red card three times.
In the end Tynec refused to attack when the scores were level and the local football authority decided to annul the match.
Referee Tomas Fidra who tested almost twice over the limit, is facing a 12 month ban from refereeing.

Noisy neighbours take unofficial title and silence Old TraffordManchester United 1 (Fletcher 81) Manchester City 6 (Balotelli 22, 60, Aguero 69, Dzeko 90, 90+3, Silva 90+1)

Mario Balotelli inspired the worst loss of Sir Alex Ferguson's career as Manchester City thrashed 10-man Manchester United 6-1 to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League and become the NEW Unofficial Premier League Champions.

Balotelli - who was forced to flee his home on Saturday following a bizarre late night blaze triggered by fireworks - lit the fuse on City's title charge in their biggest win at Old Trafford for 85 years.

The 21-year-old Italian fired City ahead in the 22nd minute and added a second on the hour mark before Argentine striker Sergio Aguero netted a third in the 69th minute.

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A brace of late goals from Edin Dzeko and a David Silva finish completed City's scoring on a memorable afternoon as United suffered their worst home defeat in Premier League history.

United - who had Jonny Evans sent off two minutes into the second half - scored a memorable late goal through Darren Fletcher but it was scant consolation after a nightmare afternoon for Ferguson's men.

The defeat was United's first league loss at Old Trafford since April 2010 and left City in pole position at the top of the table.

Balotelli celebrated his opening strike by removing his shirt to expose a T-shirt with the slogan - "Why Always Me? - which delighted his team-mates but irked referee Mark Clattenburg, who promptly booked the forward.

Stunned United boss Ferguson said the defeat was the worst of his 54-year career as a player and manager.

"It was our worst ever day," said Ferguson. "It's the worst result in my history, ever. Even as a player I don't think I ever lost 6-1.

"The sending off was a killer for us. We kept attacking when we went 4-1 down and we should have just said: 'We've had our day."

"We just kept attacking. They were attacking three versus two. It was crazy football," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

A good afternoon for City got even better in the late games as Chelsea crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Queens Park Rangers in a pulsating west London derby which saw Andre Villas-Boas's side finish with nine men.

Next up for the new champions is a non-title match when they head to Molineux and face Wolves in the Carling Cup. Their first title defence will be three days later when they host ... Wolves!!!!

The Karate Kid arrives in Malaga

Since running this site I have never had the need to post a video clip but tonight changed all of that. No it wasn't Johnny from the X-Factor but ex-United star Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a quite unbelieveable goal tonight in their 4-0 victory over Malaga at La Rosaleda.
I'll leave the clip to show you how special the goal was, ladies and gentleman, I give you, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool almost snatch title in Anfield thrillerLiverpool 1 (Gerrard 68) Manchester United (Hernandez 81)

Substitute Javier Hernandez earned Manchester United a point after England striker Wayne Rooney was left out of the starting line-up at Anfield.

The Mexican levelled nine minutes from time after Steven Gerrard, making his first start since undergoing groin surgery in April, put Liverpool ahead with a 68th-minute free-kick.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he dropped Rooney after he was left "devastated" by the three-match ban that rules him out of England's Euro 2012 group games following his red card in Montenegro.

As well as Rooney, Ferguson also left Hernandez and Nani on the bench in a much-changed United team.

It looked like proving an expensive decision as Gerrard slotted a free-kick through the United wall to make it 1-0.

That was the signal for Ferguson to make changes - and Hernandez rescued a point with a close-range header.

Liverpool substitute Jordan Henderson almost snatched victory twice in stoppage time but United held on to end a run of three successive Premier League defeats at Anfield.

United were second-best for long periods as they struggled to adapt to an unfamiliar line-up and were ultimately fortunate to leave Merseyside with their unbeaten league run still intact.

And Ferguson was largely indebted to young keeper David de Gea, who has had his critics this season but made crucial saves to keep United in contention as they came under concerted pressure in the closing stages.

Ferguson, perhaps recalling how United had been comprehensively outfought in the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool last season, opted for a side with a more pragmatic look with Phil Jones moved into a midfield role.

And in an undistinguished opening, Jones had the best chance when he met Patrice Evra's cross at the far post but headed weakly off-target with what proved to be United's most inviting opening of the first half.

Liverpool captain Gerrard then created confusion in the United six-yard area with a whipped cross - but the clearest opportunity fell to Luis Suarez in the 33rd minute. Charlie Adam's shot deflected invitingly into the Uruguayan's path but, after cleverly wrong-footing Jonny Evans, he was thwarted by De Gea's block.

It was Liverpool who once again carried the momentum after the break and the recalled Rio Ferdinand was booked for a foul on Suarez, whose confrontational approach and brilliant natural ability was proving hard to handle.

After Evra was also shown a yellow card following a prolonged bout of bickering which also involved Suarez, Ferguson decided on a double change by replacing Park Ji-sung and Ashley Young with Nani and Rooney.

As they stood waiting to come on, Liverpool took the lead as Gerrard showed what his side have been missing. United hotly contested the free-kick awarded when Adam tumbled under Ferdinand's challenge - and Gerrard steered a 20-yard free-kick past De Gea, thanks in no small part to Ryan Giggs jumping out of the wall.

Ferguson then made another change as Liverpool moved within sight of victory, sending on Hernandez for Jones in the hope that the Mexican's goal-poaching instincts could be the catalyst for a comeback.

And so it proved when Hernandez arrived with perfect timing on to Danny Welbeck's flick from a corner to send a header flashing past Pepe Reina.

De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing.

Liverpool were still pressing for the winner in stoppage time with another substitute, Henderson, prominent. His angled finish was brilliantly turned away by De Gea and he also headed just over.

Defender Martin Skrtel should have done better than sky a chance into the Kop in the dying moments - and it was the Manchester United supporters who were happier with a point at the final whistle.