Blatter Will Kill The Game

FIFA should start preparing for a series of court cases unless president Sepp Blatter removes the new rule he wants implemented by 2010. Blatter wants that all clubs should not have more than 5 foreign players in the starting line up. The EU has promised to make a big hue and cry about this should this rule come into existence. The G14 which represents 18 of the biggest clubs in Europe warned the president about the complications of this rule. Blatter claims to have the support of Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Arsenal in their last Champions League outing last week had only one English born player. Blatter has asked a newly formed committe to look into the situation of the rule and hopes to make a decision by next may.

Is 1-0 The New Trend For United

I am absolutely exuberent with United's 1-0 win at home against Roma. Rooney who hasn't scored for a long time answered his critics with a sublime goal. All the matches that United have one in the premier league this season have been 1-0 barring the win against Chelsea (2-0). It doesn't stop there, even the two rounds of Champions League saw United win 1-0. I don't care as long as they keep winning.
In other Champions League action, Lyon continued their poor run by getting a hammering at home by Rangers 3-0. Lyon have now conceded 6 goals in their two opening matches. Barcelona were comfortable 2-0 winners away to Stuttgart. Sporting Lisbon beat Dynamo Kiev away 2-1. Moscow drew at home to Fenerbahce 2-2 and Inter beat PSV with nine men 2-0. Sevilla got a 4-2 win at home against Slavia and Arsenal trhanks to a Van Persie goal won away Bucharest.

A Similar Story For United

It was a similar story for Manchester United as they came away from Birmingham City with all 3 points thanks to a goal from Christiano Ronaldo who capitalised on a mistake by defender Quedrue. Manchester United remain in second place, a point behind leaders Arsenal who have a game in hand. Arsenal alo picked up three points away at West Ham with a Van Persie header. Liverpool also playing away from home at Wigan came away with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Benayoun strike. The Losers of the day were Chelsea who were brilliantly held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea also saw star striker Drogba sent off in the 75th minute. Chelsea are now falling behind considerably. Manchester City continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-1 home win against Newcastle United. Bolton stayed in the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw against Derby and Blackburn Rovers came home after beating Sunderland 2-1. The match of the day came from Fraton Park which saw a record number of goals being scored. Portsmouth, with a Benjani hattrick beat visitors, Reading 7-4 in a memroable goal fest. Portsmouth played absolutely brilliant football but should be disappointed about letting 4 goals in. Eight of the goals came in the second half.

Saturday's Premier League Preview

The Premier League is back after a break due to the Euro qualifiers. Saturday does see some interesting match ups in store for viewers.
Everton vs Manchester United- United playing away from home, will be bolstered by the return of Christiano Ronaldo after suspensionand Wayne Rooney from injury. Everton are sitting pretty near the top of the table and have looked good this season. A 2-1 win for United.
Liverpool vs Portsmouth- Liverpool playing away, will look to secure all three points. They have been in top form and are strong contenders for the title this year. 3-0 to Liverpool.
Tottenham vs Arsenal- The Spurs who have started this season pathetically will be hoping to salvage pride against rivals Arsenal. Arsenal have 10 points with a game in hand. 1-1 draw.
Birmingham City vs Bolton- Bolton should come away with all three points at City. 0-2 to Bolton.
Sunderland vs Reading- Sunderland after their stunning opening round win have not had a good run and will be hoping to get something from this game. 1-1 draw.
West Ham vs Middlesbrough- Craig Bellamy has looked in minous form this season scoring regularly for the Hammers. They should pull this one off. 1-0 Hammers.
Wigan vs Fulham- Both teams to fight out for points. 2-2 draw
Chelsea vs Blackburn- The last game of the day sees Chelsea take on Blackburn. Chelsea losing their first game of the season last time would ne hoping to climb their way back to the top of the table. 2-0 Chelsea.

Villa Stun Chelsea, Arsenal Overcome Portsmouth

Arsenal, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half secured all three points comfortably against visitors Portsmouth 3-1. Goals from Adebayor(Penalty), Fabregas and Rosicky saw the home side comfortably through. Kanu got a late consolation goal for the visitors who could not take advantage when Senderos was sent off in the 50th minute. The shock of the day came when Aston Villa ran out 2-0 winners at home to favourites Chelsea. Knight scored early in the second half and young upcoming senstation Agbonlahor sealed the win with a goal in the dying minutes. Elsewhere Blackburn Rovers beat Manchester City at home 1-0 thanks to an early goal from striker Benny McCarthy. This surely is turning out to be a great unpredictable season.

Wins For Big Clubs Around The World

Saturday saw the start of the Spanish La Liga and the Serie A and matches from the Premier League. Liverpool were comfortable winners away at Sunderland with Sissoko and Voronin getting the goals. Chelsea struggled a bit but a goal from Lampard saw them through against Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge. Fabregas scored the lone goal for Arsenal at home against an improved Manchester City. Van Persie had earlier missed a penalty. The Spanish La Liga saw Real Madrid come from a goal down to beat rivals Atletico 2-1. Raul and sneijder were the scorers for Real. UEFA Cup winners Sevilla saw of Getafe 4-1. The Italian League saw the return of 'the old lady', Juventus. The 5-0 drubbing of Livorno show that they are definitely are a force to reckon with this season.Over at the Dutch Eredivisie Ajax, thrashed NEC Nijmegen 5-0 and over in Scotland Celtic humbled Hearts 5-0. An interesting Sunday lies ahead with Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona all ready to play.

Arsenal's Demise

No one can quite figure out what exactly the Arsenal management is trying. Having just moved to the new Emirates Stadium fans surely would have been expecting a title contention season, however that can't be ruled out, but looking at their transfer season, it doesn't seem likely. Last season they lost Pires, Viera, Wiltord and brought in Baptista who hasn;t done much so far. This season the club has let Henry and Alliadiere go and now even Ljungberg. The only replacement they have got in is striker Da Silva. Surely the board can't expect to be title contenders if this is what they are going to do. This may just be a nervous season for Arsenal Fans.