Manchester achieve league and cup doubleUnited win 19th title while City bag the FA Cup

They will be partying in the streets of Manchester tonight as both United and City claimed the Premier League and FA Cup titles today.
Earlier in the day Manchester United were at Ewood Park against struggling Blackburn Rovers. United needed a point to secure a record breaking 19th Premier League title. Blackburn needed something out of the game if they wanted to secure Premier League football and escape the relegation fight.
The game started badly for Tomasz Kuszczak and in the 20th minute gifted Blackburn the lead. A Brett Emerton cross wasn't gathered cleanly by the duputising goalkeeper and the ball found Martin Olsson who fired the ball across the goal for Emerton to put it in the back of the net.
For ten minutes after the goal United looked shaky as Blackburn threatened to double their lead but as half time arrived the home side were only one goal to the good and as United only needed a point, destiny was still in their hands.
In the second half Blackburn again had a chance to double their lead and were unlucky not to do so in the 65th minute. Again Emerton caused problems and his cross found Olsson and his header hit the post. After that Manchester United found their game and started to cause problems then in the 73rd minute Hernandez ran towards goal and although he miscontrolled the ball Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson brought the Mexican down and the referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot.
Wayne Rooney, who almost left United in January, put the ball on the spot and sent Robinson the wrong way.
It seemed after that both sides were happy with a point and when the ref called time it was party time for the Red Devils.

With United claiming the Premier League title Manchester City had their chance to win their first title for 35 years with a win against Stoke City and they dominated from the first minute. Mario Balotelli, so often criticised was inspirational in all he did and David Silva was finding some form and with returning captain Carlos Tevez pulling the strings it looked like City would win at a canter but Stoke were battling and wasn't giving up but they just couldn't find a way past the City defence, in fact in the 34th minute City had a chance to take the lead. Mario Balotelli's shot was blocked by Sorenson in goal and the ball found the little Spaniard and all he could do was hit the ball over from 8 yards.
At half time it remained 0-0 and Stoke was still in the game but City were still dominating and even though the Stoke supporters tried to rally their troops they couldn't get into the game and in the 74th minute the goal City had deserved arrived on 74 minutes. Silva released Balotelli in the area and when his shot was deflected it fell invitingly into the path of Toure who gave Sorensen no chance with a thunderous finish.
In a typical Italian way Roberto Mancini got his players to protect the lead and although Stoke out the pressure on at the end City were never in trouble and when the referee blew the whistle it ended a fantastic week for Manchester City. They guarantee Champions League football on Tuesday and today claimed the FA Cup. The only guarantee after this is this will not the the last bit of silverware the Citizens will win.

Mario Balotelli beats the bulliesCity star stops pupil from being bullied

With so much bad press going around about Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli it was nice to read something positive about the Italian striker.

In todays Sun there's an article where Balotelli asked a younster why he was at the training ground with his mum rather than being at school. The student told him he was being bullied and didn't want to go to school.

Balotelli, himself bullied in the past, decided to take the pupil and his mother to the school and meet with the headteacher. The pupil then confessed what was going on, pointed out the culprit and at the end the two pupils shook hands and got everything sorted out.

Since his summer move Balotelli has had a number of stories in the papers showing the bad side of him but I have to say what he did was fantastic and shows that even though these players earn more in a week than most will do in a life time they still care and this shows Balotelli isn't all bad.

Just don't go ruining things Mario by being sent off in the cup final!!

To read the full article CLICK HERE

Hughes interested in Ntsama and SWPShaun Wright-Phillips in Craven Cottage switch?

According to reports Mark Hughes is interested in signing Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The 29 year old has seen his chances limited this season and is looking to move on in an attempt to get his place back in the England set-up.

Wright-Phillips has made 214 appearances for the Citizens in two spells but is willing to move on to improve his chances of first team football. Fulham have expressed an interest as have Bolton and Blackburn Rovers but Wright-Phillips will be hoping a team playing European football will come in for him.

Another target for Mark Hughes is Young Boys striker Henri Bienvenu Ntsama.

The 22yr old Cameroon striker is said to be Hughes number one target and is available for only £2m.

Ntsama has been in fine form this season netting 12 goals in 23 appearances for the Swiss club and has been getting a lot of attention from some of Europe's biggest names but it is rumoured Ntsama would prefer to play in the Premier League which would put Fulham in the box-seat

Bolton to wander over the pond to see Uncle SamBolton Wanderers go on preseason tour of America

The 'Unofficial Premier League Champions' Bolton Wanderers have announced they are to tour the United States for pre-season ahead of the 2011/12 season.

Only one date has been announced so far and that will see The Trotters will play Houston Dynamo in the Dynamo Charities Cup on July 20.

One Bolton player who will want to be fit for the tour will be Stuart Holden who made 103 appearances for the Dynamos scoring 15 goals before his move to Bolton. At the moment he is missing for the rest of the season with a cruciate injury but will be hoping to be on the plane heading to his homeland.

Bolton will be the fifth Premier League side to tour the States following in the footsteps of Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United.

More dates are set to be added to keep us in your favourites and we will fill you in.

Ed's In At Eastland ... At Last Fee: £27 million

Manchester City have completed the signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko for a fee of around £27 million.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and has been handed the vacant number 10 shirt.

Although the former Wolfsburg star completed his move too late to be considered for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Leicester, he is likely to make his debut against Wolves at Eastlands next Saturday.

Manchester City have been after Dzeko for some time and now Roberto Mancini has a wealth of forward talent at his disposal as they go for Premier League glory joining the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli up front.

Dzeko scored 66 goals in 111 appearances for Wolfsburg between 2007 and 2011 and has become one of the hottest properties in European football.

Edin Dzeko's career:

2003/2005 - Zeljeznicar Sarajevo - 40 apps (5 goals)

2005/2007 - Teplice - 43 apps (16 goals)

2005 - Usti Nad Labem (loan) - 15 apps (6 goals)

2007/2011 - VFL Wolfsburg - 111 apps (66 goals)

Is Dzeko the missing piece of the City jigsaw, let me know at jaymoe26@gmail.com, all "clean" comments will be printed

January Transfer Window

Its time to open the rumour mill.  The January Transfer Window is now officially open.  This is usually a quiet time of the season with not many moves being made by the Premier League sides but with so much to play for for all the teams this season they may well look to timker with their packs ready to submit another 25 man squad by the end of the year.

Its only January 3rd and although 4 players moved just before the window (Gai Assulin to Manchester City, Anders Lindegaard to Manchester United, Jermaine Pennant turning his loan at Stoke into a permanent and Adrian Lopez joining Wigan) no-one has added to their squads but the rumours are coming thick and fast.

Will Edin Dzeko join the Man City revolution?  Will David Beckham join Spurs on loan? and will Ronaldinho join ... BLACKBURN ROVERS!!!!

Whatever happens in this transfer window we will let you know first and fast* right here at worldwidefootball

*this is an estimate :)

Arsenal Crowned New "Unofficial" Champions Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3 (Nasri 20, Song 66, Bendtner 88)

Roberto Mancini had all week to make his plans for the weekends visit of Arsenal, all those hours studying formations and tactics.

After 4 minutes all that was thrown in the bin and there was only one thing left to do, try and stop Arsenal from running riot.  A task which unfortunately they couldn't do so Arsenal are the new UNOFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

A beautifully weighted pass by Cesc Fabregas put Chamakh through on goal only for the inexperienced Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata to come challenging in and bringing the Arsenal striker down just outside the area.  Despite pleas from Boyata and Vincent Kompany referee Mark Clattenburg had no choice but to show the defender the red card.

From that moment Arsenal's passing game was beginning to take over so it was no surprise when in the 20th minute a one two between Arshavin and Nasri saw the Frenchman through on goal and he slotted the ball past Joe Hart.

City were still creating chances but it wasn't long before Arsenal took over and just before the break captain Fabregas was brought down inside the area but the Spaniard saw his penalty saved by Hart so at the interval it remained 1-0.

The second half was all Arsenal so it was no surprise when a Wayne Bridge error ended with the ball in the back of the net, Alex Song the scorer getting his third of the season.

With City down to 10 men and captain Carlos Tevez injured (being replaced by ex Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor) the game was effectively over for the Citizens but Arsenal hadn't yet finished for the day.

Chamakh was replaced in the 84th minute by Danish international Nicklas Bendtner and it took the Dane only 4 minutes to find himself on the scoresheet.  

The 3-0 scoreline not only meant Arsenal moved up to second but it was also the Gunners first clean sheet for 16 away games

LINE UP:

Manchester City: 25-Hart, 02-Richards, 04-Kompany, 07-Milner, 17-Boateng, 18-Barry, 21-Silva, 32-Tevez 34-De Jong, 38-Boyata, 42-Yaya Toure SUBS USED: 03-Bridge, 09-Adebayor, 45-Balotelli

Arsenal: 21-Fabianski, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 08-Nasri, 15-Denilson, 17-A Song, 18-Squillaci, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin, 29-Chamakh SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 14-Walcott, 52-Bendtner

Weekends Other Scores:

Birmingham City 2-0 Blackpool: BC-Ridgewell, Zigic

Chelsea 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: CH-Malouda, Kalou

Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa: SU-Dunne o.g

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Everton: TH-Van Der Vaart; EVE-Baines

West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Fulham: WBA-Mulumbu, Fortune; FU-Carson o.g

West Ham United 1-2 Newcastle United: WHU-Cole; NU-Nolan, Carroll

Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bolton Wanderers: WA-Rodallega; BW-Elmander

Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: LI-Kyrgiakos, Torres; BR-Carragher o.g

Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United: SC-Tuncay; Hernandez (2)

City Retain Title Manchester City 2 (Tevez 18pen, Johnson 75) Newcastle United 1 (Gutierrez 24)

Manchester City were not at their best but secured a hard-fought win over a spirited Newcastle to move second in the Premier League.

City took the lead through a Carlos Tevez penalty after Mike Williamson was deemed to have fouled the Argentine.

But Newcastle, who lost Hatem Ben Arfa to a suspected broken leg, levelled via a close-range Jonas Gutierrez drive.

Substitute Adam Johnson won the game for City shortly after his introduction with a superb low drive.

Despite still being four points behind Chelsea who beat Arsenal, the victory did move City second in the table - a sign that a spending spree that led to the club announcing a 12-month £121m loss on Friday might be beginning to show a return.

In their previous league match, City produced an impressive display to beat Chelsea 1-0 but they were unable to reach such heights against a disciplined Newcastle side, who will feel their efforts deserved greater reward.

But City's money has given them a talented squad that can start with the likes of eventual match-winner Johnson on the bench, which is a luxury Newcastle cannot afford.

This was demonstrated early on when the visitors lost Ben Arfa - who has impressed since joining on loan from Marseille following a strong challenge from Nigel De Jong.

They would also lose centre-back Fabricio Coloccini to a groin injury before half-time.

When the game restarted following Ben Arfa's injury, City quickly took control and were ahead in the 17th minute when Tevez improved upon his record of having scored half his side's goals this season with a fiercely struck penalty.

The awarding of the spot-kick itself was a controversial decision by referee Martin Atkinson, who judged that Williamson had fouled Tevez in the box when it appeared he had got a toe to the ball.

But Newcastle rallied and were firstly denied an equaliser when Joe Hart tipped Coloccini's long-range drive past the post before a superb strike from Gutierrez drew them level.

Gutierrez's initial cross was blocked by Kolo Toure but the Argentine winger collected the loose ball in the box and blasted a powerful rising shot past Hart from 10 yards.

For the remainder of the half, the industrious Newcastle were the better side but the chances fell to City, with Gareth Barry wasting the best of them when he was found in space on the right but firstly delayed his cross before eventually allowing Newcastle to block his poorly directed attempt.

The visitors were similarly industrious at the beginning at the start of the second half but only had a wayward effort from Wayne Routledge to show for it.

City looked dangerous when they broke and Tim Krul was kept busy by a powerful angled drive from Tevez and a low cross from half-time substitute Emmanuel Adebayor.

In search of something fresh, Mancini introduced Johnson - who the manager recently suggested should work harder to earn a place in the starting line-up - for Barry and the change paid immediate dividend.

In the 72nd minute, the England winger collected the ball on the right and weaved through two challenges before unleashing a rasping low drive that found the bottom corner of the net.

However, in keeping with their overall performance, Newcastle refused to lie down and maybe should have been given the chance to level from the spot when Ameobi appeared to be fouled by Joleon Lescott only for Atkinson to wave away the protests.

Newcastle would have one further chance to salvage something from the game, but Williamson was unable to direct his header from a corner on goal.


Line Ups:


Manchester City: 25-Hart, 04-Kompany, 07-Milner, 17-Boateng, 18-Barry, 19-Lescott, 21-Silva, 28-Kolo Toure, 32-Tevez, 34-De Jong, 42-Yaya Toure Subs Used: 09-Adebayor, 11-Johnson, 24-Viera
Newcastle United: 26-Krul, 02-Coloccini, 03-Jose Enrique, 04-Nolan, 06-Williamson, 07-Barton, 14-Perch, 18-Gutierrez, 23-Ameobi, 24-Tiote, 37-Ben Arfa Subs Used: 05-Campbell, 09-Carroll, 10-Routledge


Todays Other Scores:


Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal - CH: Drogba, Alex
Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool - LI: Kyrgiakos BP: Adam (pen), Varney

New Champions Crowned Manchester City 1 (Tevez 59) Chelsea 0

Manchester City ended Chelsea's flawless start to the Premier League season as Carlos Tevez's second-half solo goal settled a tense encounter at Eastlands.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti took on his City counterpart and fellow Italian Roberto Mancini with the men from Stamford Bridge riding high on the back of five straight League wins and a flurry of goals.

It was a golden sequence that had even Mancini predicting that Chelsea would cruise to the title again this season - but this meeting with big-spending City was also regarded as by far the biggest test of Ancelotti's champions.

And so it proved, as City stifled Chelsea's attacking potency with fiercely-disciplined defence and close midfield attentions, offering encouragement to those hoping to take their crown away and allowing captain Tevez to spring the trap on the hour.

The visitors conceded possession as Mancini's men broke from defence, and Tevez ran half the length of the pitch before making light of Ashley Cole's presence to fire his finish across Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech and in off the post.

A sign of Tevez's impact on this expensively-rebuilt City side was that it was his 25th goal in his last 29 Premier League matches and his sixth in his last five games against Chelsea.

The west Londoners, who hit the post through Branislav Ivanovic in the first half, were unable to mount any response and their lack of threat was underlined when Ancelotti removed a surprised Didier Drogba with 15 minutes left - but to no avail.

City doggedly defied all Chelsea's attempts to fight their way back into the game, with the influence of injured Frank Lampard badly missed.

For the home side, despite their manager's downbeat assessment of their ability to challenge Chelsea in the title race, this victory against a side that has carried all before them in the league will only add to their confidence that they can make an impact near the top of the table this season.

Mancini left exciting Adam Johnson on the bench, and the England winger's creation and unpredictability was missed in a dour first 45 minutes.

James Milner caused Chelsea's only moments of alarm, with a free-kick that was touched away by Cech and a driven low cross on the stroke of half-time that was scrambled to safety by John Terry with Tevez closing in.

The visitors did not offer much more as a attacking force, although they came closest to scoring on the half-hour when Alex headed into the path of Ivanovic, who headed against the post before forcing City keeper Joe Hart into a diving save from the rebound.

The second half opened with what could almost be termed a flurry of action after the stalemate of the opening period, with Hart turning away Nicolas Anelka's shot with his fingertips and Cech being forced to save down at his near post from David Silva.

And the renewed ambition from both sides saw Mancini's side go ahead after 59 minutes with a solo effort from Tevez. Ramires conceded possession under pressure from Milner, and when Yaya Toure fed Tevez, the Argentine ran unchallenged from the halfway line, with Terry and Cole in retreat, to score off the post.

The challenge had been thrown down to Ancelotti's men, but it was City who almost had the opportunity to add to their lead only for Alex to get a crucial touch to Tevez's cross with Silva lurking behind.

Drogba had endured a frustrating afternoon, but he still flashed a look of surprise in the direction of his manager when he was substituted with 15 minutes left. Former City youngster Daniel Sturridge was his replacement, and his Eastlands return was not well received as he was greeted by a storm of jeering.

The home side made a change of their own minutes later, when the limping Silva was replaced by Johnson - and Mancini's side were able to close out the victory in comfort.

Line Up's:

Manchester City: 25-Hart, 04-Kompany, 05-Zabaleta, 07-Milner, 18-Barry, 21-Silva, 28-Kolo Toure, 32-Tevez, 34-De Jong, 38-Boyata, 42-Yaya Toure Subs Used: 09-Adebayor, 11-A.Johnson, 17-Boateng

Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic, 03-A.Cole, 05-Essien, 07-Ramires, 11-Drogba, 12-Mikel, 15-Malouda, 26-Terry, 33-Alex, 39-Anelka Subs Used: 18-Zhirkov, 23-Sturridge, 46-McEachran

Todays Scores & Scorers:

Arsenal 2-3 West Bromwich Albion: AR-Nasri (2), WBA-Odemwingie, Jara, Thomas

Birmingham City 0-0 Wigan Athletic

Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn Rovers: BP-Phillips, BR-Adam (O.G), Emerton

Fulham 0-0 Everton

Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: LP-Kuyt, Gerrard, SU-Bent (2)

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur: WH-Piquionne

Would Benjani Leave Man City? Yes Ewood Fee: Loan

Worldwide Football can reveal Blackburn have signed striker Benjani Mwaruwari on a one-year contract.
Rovers have an option to extend the deal by a further year after picking up the former Manchester City and Portsmouth striker on a free transfer.
Benjani had been released by City at the end of last season.
The striker will not be available for the clash with Arsenal because the paperwork for the deal was not completed in time.
The Zimbabwe international had been training with Sam Allardyce's side as a free agent recently as he sought a deal to stay in the Barclays Premier League.
Allardyce had said earlier: "We are trying to sign him on a contract because of his wealth of experience.
"He has trained with us a few days. He has shown us that we think he will be OK to play for us in the Premier League. So we are trying to sort something out.''
The Harare-born frontman, who is now 32, first came to England in 2006 when he joined Portsmouth from Auxerre. He failed to score during an eight-game loan spell at Sunderland last season.


Benjani's career:


1999-2002 - Jomo Cosmos - 45 apps (20 goals)
2001-2002 - Grasshoppers (loan) - 25 apps (1 goal)
2001-2005 - Auxerre - 72 apps (19 goals)
2006-2008 - Portsmouth - 70 apps (19 goals)
2008-2010 - Manchester City - 23 apps (4 goals)
2010 - Sunderland (loan) - 8 apps (0 goals)


International career:


1998 - Zimbabwe - 43 apps (29 goals)

Milner Finally Joins City Fee: Undisclosed

James Milner has finally completed his protracted transfer to Manchester City.

The England midfielder, 24, has joined the big-spending Blues after a summer of speculation over his future, although Eastlands always seemed likely to be his ultimate destination.

Milner has signed a five-year contract and midfielder Stephen Ireland has joined Villa from City as part of the deal.

Milner, who completed his medical late on Tuesday, could make his City debut in their Premier League clash with Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday.

City boss Roberto Mancini told mcfc.co.uk: "I am very happy to have James with us, everybody knows we have admired him for some time.

"He is an excellent midfielder who can play in a number of positions. This is important for the team and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us. We have a very strong squad and this signing is a very important one for us.

"James is already a very good player who has proved he can play at the very top level. But he is also young and a good character, I think he can also improve and be a great player for Manchester City for a long time."

Milner replaces Ireland as City's number seven, and Mancini added of the departing midfielder: "I hope things go well for Stevie at Villa.

"He is also a very good player and he has played a big part in City's history. I think he will enjoy the change of being at another club and I hope he does well for Aston Villa."

Milner's future had been the subject of ongoing speculation since Villa rejected a bid of around £20million from City in May.

Then Villa boss Martin O'Neill revealed last month that the midfielder had asked for a move away from Villa Park and had refused to sign a new contract.

Villa's decision to sell Milner and how much of the fee O'Neill would be able to reinvest in the transfer market were rumoured to be key factors in the Northern Irishman's shock resignation last week.

Under O'Neill, Milner developed into one of England's top midfielders last season, proving a revelation after moving from the wing into the centre.

He was the principal figure behind Villa's ultimately unsuccessful push for a Champions League spot and his form earned him a starting spot in three of England's four World Cup games in South Africa.

Indeed, Milner was one of the few players to emerge with his reputation intact from a disappointing tournament and City continued their pursuit on his return.

The two clubs finally agreed a fee but the deal was held up still further by the involvement of Ireland, who reportedly demanded a £2million pay-off from City.

Milner played in Villa's opening Barclays Premier League game of the season against West Ham last Saturday and scored in a 3-0 win, earning a standing ovation as he bade his farewell.

But the transfer has now finally gone through, bringing an end to two years at Villa Park for Milner and eight years with City for Ireland.

Ireland, now 23, looked set for a great future at Eastlands after breaking into the first team as a teenager and then picking up the club's player of the year award for the 2008/09 season.

But his opportunities dried up once Mancini replaced Mark Hughes last autumn and the Italian made it clear Ireland's future lay elsewhere.

Milner began his career with Leeds and became the Premier League's then youngest scorer when he netted against Sunderland on Boxing Day 2002, nine days before his 17th birthday.

Leeds' relegation saw Milner sold to Newcastle in 2004 but he was on the move again a year later when a clause in the deal that took Nolberto Solano from Villa to St James' Park sent Milner on loan in the other direction.

A permanent deal seemed on the cards the following summer but Newcastle eventually decided to keep the midfielder, and he stayed with the Magpies for another two seasons before joining Villa for a reported £12million in 2008.

Milner becomes City's eighth signing of the transfer window and follows in the footsteps of former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, who moved to Eastlands last summer.

James Milners Career:

2002-2004 - Leeds United - 48 apps (5 goals)

2003 - Swindon Town (loan) - 6 apps (2 goals)

2004-2008 - Newcastle United - 94 apps (6 goals)

2005-2006 - Aston Villa (loan) - 27 apps (1 goal)

2008-2010 - Aston Villa - 73 apps (11 goals)

England - 12 apps