The dream of being double Cup winners is slowly materialising. Liverpool got past a potentially difficult quarterfinal match and comprehensively beat Stoke City. Goals from Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing handed a semifinal berth to the Reds.
Like every season, FA Cup semifinal drama could be in store with the prospect of a special Merseyside derby. I'd prefer that Liverpool meet Sunderland instead. Being in the semifinal of the FA Cup should be a big enough game for the Reds to be fairly motivated even if they were to face Sunderland. Besides, Liverpool have unfinished business with O'Neill's men, having lost due to Bendtner's winner recently. Storming into the FA Cup final while demolishing a side with x-Devils O'Shea, Bardsley and Richardson, would bring a happy smile to my face.

Three things stood out in the win over Stoke last weekend.

One, Stewart Downing's recent performances have been very encouraging. There are signs that he is starting to get to grips with the immense spotlight of playing for the mighty Reds. He has built on his sterling Carling Cup final performance with much improved displays. His winning goal, drilled past Sorensen, was deserved reward for his recent improvement. The inverted winger tactics worked for Liverpool's winner. Cutting in from the right, Downing was able to shoot with his favoured left foot. Clarke's insistence on using inverted wingers paid off for the first time this season.
It has been frustrating to watch Downing this season, so for him to score that goal in the weekend should have increased his confidence further. I can't wait for a vastly different and more productive Stewart Downing next season. For now, I hope that he will continue his rise in performance to help Liverpool to the FA Cup trophy.
Two, Luis Suarez had to do everything on his own the whole season. Though he has coped admirably with the pressures of carrying the club, his goals tally have suffered as a result. With Steven Gerrard back in goal scoring form and Downing's resurgence, the pressure is beginning to lift. El Pistolero can now enjoy his football again, doing what he does best, bamboozling defenders with his trickery.
Three, Maxi Rodriguez must be the ultimate team player, kicking his heels on the bench while Dalglish persisted all season with Stewart Downing. However, Liverpool generally win when Maxi plays. The Argentine got his chance against Stoke and his understanding with Suarez created the all-important first goal. In a side short of midfield goals, La Fiera should be playing a lot more often as he is a proven finisher. His intelligent link up play is perfect foils for Gerrard and Suarez.
Winning the FA Cup to dominate the domestic Cup competitions would be a wonderful finale to a turbulent season. Doing the Cup double will cultivate a priceless winning mentality within Dalglish's Liverpool squad. This winning mindset will hopefully drive the Reds to a 19th Premier League crown next season.

Make no mistake about Daniel Sturridge's value to Chelsea, his contributions have been exceptional for the Blues. His goals have somewhat dried up, but he is still a first choice player in the eyes of Robbie Di Matteo. RDM has taken his chance at the helm of Chelsea and now rides the wave of three consecutive victories. Ironically he has reverted to Chelsea's old guards to get the job done.
And so it was a surprise that the Italian decided to gamble on the "new" Chelsea, playing Meireles and Torres against Leicester in the FA Cup quarterfinals. The players he picked have yet to let RDM down, and Chelsea strolled to a victory that they deserved.
Though the standout performance came from Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge's singlemindedness to get goals lend itself to a general perception that he is constantly hunting for personal glory. His agenda is to gratify himself rather than doing what's necessary for the good of the team.

Young strikers typically have this trait. It's all about goals and the excitement that scoring brings to them. As they mature, strikers become more rounded. In his early years, Michael Owen was a greedy goal poacher, he went on to refine his game in later years, becoming a more complete attacker in the final third.
Ever willing to run with the ball, Sturridge tried too hard on his own to break down the Leicester defence. Nothing epitomises his eagerness to score than when he weaved his way to the Leicester byline only to shoot disappointingly into the outer net. Torres got into scoring position, waiting for the cutback which never came. The sounding that Sturridge got from Nando will have done him good. Having awareness of the players around him and then making the right decisions (to pass or to shoot) will transform Sturridge from a top Premier League player to a world class striker.

Sturridge can lift his game further by studying the manner Torres has sacrificed personal glory for the better of the team. Torres' selflessness reaches its zenith in the game when he burst past two Leicester defenders to roll the ball for the onrushing Meireles to score. El Nino could easily opt to shoot for the hattrick and Chelsea fans would not have complained.
Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie scores goals and creates goals in equal measures. With the skills and talent that he possesses, Daniel Sturridge is capable of the same. However, he needs to continually expand his all-round game and emulating what Fernando Torres now brings to the Chelsea team is a step in the right direction.

It's not everyday that Liverpool collapse in the final 13 minutes of a game like they did against QPR. Overconfidence might have had something to do with that, as the Reds were so dominant in that game. Much like they had been throughout the season. One could actually count in one hand the number of terrible performances. But the Premier League standings don't lie and Liverpool, for all their vibrant football, deserve to sit in seventh spot.
All eyes will be on the mighty Reds this weekend, as they take on struggling Wigan Athletic at Anfield. If Reds fans are hoping that Liverpool will sweep aside the Latics, they might have to think again. Liverpool have struggled against Wigan in recent seasons and with Martinez' men fighting for their Premiership lives, the Reds might well struggle again. Factor in Asia's best goal keeper, Ali Al-Habsi and one can be sure goals will not come easy.
You will need to go back three seasons (2009/2010) to find the last home win for Liverpool over Wigan. A 2-1 win inspired by goals from Bolton's David N'gog and Chelsea's Fernando Torres.

Steven Gerrard, as Liverpool captain, must lead by example and inspire the players around him to put the QPR defeat behind them. The Reds needs all his leadership qualities to ensure that they do not suffer another bitter disappointment at Anfield.
With Charlie Adam injured, Gerrard can affect the game in his favoured position, knowing that Spearing will be the midfield enforcer. The Reds captain have not been able to exert his influence too much this season, apart from matches against Newcastle and Everton. Partly due to the presence of Adam but I believe it's more to do with Gerrard opting to play deeper in midfield. As a result, Liverpool lost a goal threat this season.
Gerrard's inspirational and influential abilities are needed against Wigan if the Reds expect three points. His Kop hero status and goalscoring prowess makes Steven Gerrard the man to watch in this weekend's Premiership clash.
But if Craig Bellamy is fit, a repeat of his two goal act in Liverpool's biggest win over Wigan would be much welcomed.


Liverpool have been a soft touch all season for the Premiership strugglers. Wigan are fighting for their Premiership survival and surely the Latics will be plotting the downfall of the Reds at Anfield. After all, Wigan's first ever point against the Big 4 came courtesy of Liverpool back in 2008.
 

Torres has had to endure tough times since his transfer to Chelsea. Even if his desire to move was to win trophies, he obviously had not figured how difficult it would be to firstly, fit into a world-class team and secondly, to displace Didi Drogba.
The best striker in the Premiership, Fernando Torres had to deal with a trophy-ladened but ego-filled dressing room. And as far as world class strikers go, El Nino had to contend with the ill-fated Chelsea strikers' graveyard. And then there is the looming monster shadow of a defiant Drogba, seemingly oblivious to his diminishing powers.

So you see, Torres had to endure an environment completely different to the one he fondly remembered at Liverpool. Far away from the Anfield adulation he enjoys, he had to undergo a transformation to be successful in a club like Chelsea. So, to replace Drogba is to be like Drogba.
Against Leicester, Nando really did look the part. His acceleration was terrific, his vision exemplary and his contribution with two assists was telling. His two goals also had a Drogba-esque feel to them, a headed second goal and a slightly fortuitous toe poke first goal.

Still, they all count, and scoring two will give the Spaniard a massive confidence boost. The smiles returned and The Torres Revival finally takes shape.

Nando is finally winning over the Chelsea fans. It must have been heartwarming to see the Blues fans willing him on to score during the FA Cup match. His selfless displays and willingness to work hard are reasons that Blues fans have stuck by him.
When Drogba leaves at the end of this season, they clearly see Torres as the future of the club.
May The Torres Revival continue to gather steam. Next up, a brilliant hattrick against the Citizens?

 

"Super" Mario Balotelli is always an accident waiting to happen. I thought that he had matured quite a bit this season. Unfortunately the talented Italian is still a ticking timebomb on the football pitch. Much of his goalscoring genius stems from that right-brain thinking which also courts disaster by the busloads.
Against Sunderland, Balo once more showed his madness and his genius in equal measure. With City 3-1 down, he chose to get into a childish argument with Kolarov over who should take a freekick.

As though to prove a point to both City and Kolarov, Balotelli went on a run at the edge of the Sunderland box and curled a shot past Mignolet. The curious thing was that the shot took place in roughly the same area as the disputed freekick. Coincidence? With Balotelli, I doubt it. I am sure the Italian wanted to prove a point.



I guess Kolarov sensed that as well. Because as City continued to push forward to level the game, the highly rated Serbian latched onto a Pizarro pass and fizzed a shot past a sea of Sunderland players and into the net. Kolarov must have taken special care to wait till the ball dropped into the exact same spot as the freekick to let fly. Kinda felt as though Kolarov was sticking two fingers up to Mario Balotelli, doesn't it?


With the unexpected 3-3 draw at The Etihad, it is unlikely that Manchester City will lift the Premier League title come May. The Citizens are fading at exactly the wrong time of the season. Unfortunately, Mancini and City must rely on the excellence of Balotelli rather than the tantrums of Balotelli. Edin Dzeko's form has stagnated since the new year, Aguero's injury is a concern and Tevez' return has been a damp squib, City have only the temperamental Italian to count on.

The title is slipping away, and Roberto Mancini is fuming....

It is a known fact that Roman Abramovich goes into panic mode when his Chelsea team stumbles either in the Premier League or in the Champions League. He has done so in numerous occasions during his ownership of the Blues. With the inevitable departure of Andre Villas Boas, Roberto Di Matteo was entrusted with the task of seeing the current Chelsea players through the season. RDM as he is now known, has shown that a temporary manager fare a whole lot better at Stamford Bridge.
RDM has done fantastically well since taking over from AVB. From impossible situations and player power, he has guided Chelsea into the Champions League quarterfinal and FA Cup semifinal. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit against Napoli and victory over Leicester have earned RDM the player's respect and the chance to improve on Chelsea's poor season. Under Di Matteo's Chelsea, the enigma who is Fernando Torres is even beginning to regain form and goalscoring touch. El Nino has scored three goals and made four goals since AVB's sacking.
Abramovich clearly knew what he was doing when he sacked AVB. The owner was sure that results would improve once the manager was gone and he dealt his ruthless hand. It wasn't a risk, in his mind, after all he had done it before, sacking Mourinho and Scolari, bringing in Avram Grant and Guus Hiddink. The previous temporary assignments had brought immediate results to Chelsea.


When he sacked Jose Mourinho, he gave the short term managerial reins to an unknown Avram Grant. Grant's managerial skills became well known through his steadying handling of Chelsea post-Jose. The Blues could have imploded then but instead, through the wily Grant, they stayed on course for a treble quest. Chelsea under his stewardship made it to the Champions League final (lost to the Red Devils), League Cup final (lost to Spurs) and lost out on the last day of the Premiership to again the Red Devils.

Scolari's initial superb run of results with Chelsea earned the World Cup winning Brazilian rave reviews. However his "flying fullback" tactics were subsequently found out, and after a 2-0 defeat at Anfield, he was sacked. Guus Hiddink was brought in to carry Chelsea through that troubled season. He did just that, with Chelsea winning the FA Cup against Everton. However, the Dutchman could not secure the Premier League title for Abramovich. Players and fans truly loved the football that he presented.
All three interim managers have winning records since taking over from their predecessors, lending weight to the perception that stand-in managers do better with the same squad of Chelsea players than their sacked predecessors had done.

Sinister undertones of players refusing to perform for their beleaguered managers? The troubled manager losing dressing room confidence before his sacking? After all, this is Chelsea with larger-than-life players.
Anything is possible at the high profile, multinational club like Chelsea. For now though, the replacement manager is doing a great job, uniting players and fans alike. More crucially, Torres finally looks happy.

Andy Carroll started the last two Liverpool games, and they were important games in some respect. Liverpool ended a four game win-less streak with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers. The Reds followed that up with a come-from-behind FA Cup victory over Everton, thus maintaining their hoodoo spell over the blue of Merseyside. In both these games, Carroll scored late winners to emerge as the hero for Liverpool. That the winners were both headed goals made everything all the more sweeter.
When asked about the 87th minute winner, Andy Carroll told ESPN, "It's the best feeling ever. We worked hard and getting the goal right there at the end was great. I had a few chances and should have probably scored earlier. But I kept at it and it was a great ball in by Craig, and I just had to score with that one and I did. It's a great feeling. I've had some criticism but I've just kept on going. I get the winner here and it's a great feeling. I believe in myself every day."
It's been a while since he had felt the love of the fans. And he certainly felt it after that superb header against Everton.



For some time now, Carroll had looked out-of-sync with his fellow team mates and even worse, the giant had been easily outmuscled by smaller central defenders. These two concerns were addressed by his goals against Blackburn and Everton.
Against Blackburn, Carroll followed up on an Agger flick on to power Liverpool's third goal past Paul Robinson. His anticipation has not been the best this season, but he saw the possibility as soon as Agger jumped and he buried his diving header. That goal was vintage Carroll, The Beast that we knew at Newcastle.
In the FA Cup semifinal, Carroll was surrounded by at least five Everton defenders and yet managed to get the side of his head on the Bellamy freekick to score past Tim Howard. That clearly demonstrates his reputed strength and aerial ability.
So, two game-winning goals have given Carroll a confidence boost. Perhaps he is right after all...all that is needed is an extended run in the first eleven. It takes him a while to get into the pace of the game. So to throw him on with 20 minutes remaining, expecting Carroll to change the game, renders him ineffective.
Tony Adams was nicknamed donkey in his time as an Arsenal defender. He went on to become a Gunners legend and multiple Premier League winner. Andy Carroll is now labelled donkey, at age 23, Carroll has time to turn things round and be a Liverpool legend.  

It is easy to back Steven Gerrard in any game as a potential match winner. However, this season has been a little bit harder. Having said that, he has shown that just his presence on the pitch adds a significant star quality in the matches that Liverpool have played in this season.
Even in a more restrained role this term, he has been the most influential player in a Liverpool shirt. With Luis Suarez a marked man and unable to repeat his performances of last season, even a half-fit Gerrard looked far more a match winner than Andy Carroll or Suarez or Adam or Henderson or the whole Liverpool team put together.

He has been the one Liverpool midfield player who has played with purpose and direction every time he stepped on the pitch this season. The Reds need goals from midfield, something that we know Gerrard can provide in abundance, so it's time for the captain to be at his marauding best, starting with Newcastle.
Four seasons ago, Steven Gerrard scored two amazing goals in Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 win over Newcastle in a match best remembered for its post match incident.


This season, he provided Reds fans with tiny globules of hope that Andy Carroll could yet be a success at Liverpool. Coincidentally, that hope came against Newcastle when the Liverpool captain turned in a super-sub performance.


Steven Gerrard has shown brilliance against Newcastle in past matches, he should be expected to carry the hope and expectation of all Liverpool fans today at Newcastle's Sport Direct Arena.
Even with a wayward Liverpool, a meeting with a fellow top six team should bring out the best in the Reds. Knowing Steve Clarke and Kenny Dalglish, they are bound to rest Carroll, which means that midfield runs into the Newcastle box will be the best way to break down a disciplined defence.

When Luis Suarez was accused of racially abusing Patrice Evra, he retorted with the quote, "I go to the field with the maximum illusion of a little child who enjoys what he does." I finally understood what he meant by that last Saturday against Norwich. Suarez looked very much the sure-footed striker who had scored over 100 goals for Ajax. El Pistolero is a player who is either stunningly brilliant or woefully frustrating, there is no middle ground. But then it would be hard to expect him to be anything else. Hence it seemed somewhat fitting that Suarez should liken himself to a little child doing what he loves in a playground. Football is fantasy for the Uruguayan and he plays the beautiful game with a sense of child-like joy and freedom that is rarely found in the Premiership.


That's why his trio of goals truly personify the mad genius that Suarez is. Suarez could have spectacularly missed the goals that he did score and yet still bring the fans to their feet. Against Norwich, Suarez' showed amazing pace, incredible shot power and a delirious penchant for the audacious. His first two goals, scored first with the left and then the right foot were examples of how to belt the ball past keepers. His third goal, a stunning mid-field lob was the stuff of dreams and made one ecstatic Liverpool fan get on the pitch just to hug him. That's why people pay money to watch football matches, to be part of a surreal experience that Liverpool's Luis Suarez or Barcelona's Lionel Messi can bring.

Coincidentally, Fernando Torres also struck his first Chelsea hattrick on Sunday against Mark Hughes' Queens Park Rangers. Uncanny, isn't it, that Suarez and Torres should score their first hattrick for their clubs on the same weekend since their transfer. But there was a marked difference in the way Torres' hattrick was achieved. His was attained with a precision and clinicalness which have been long overdue.

Gaining confidence from his recent performances in Chelsea blue, El Nino is starting to play his part as a vital cog in Roberto Di Matteo's system. QPR could not contain the Spaniard and Torres looked very close to the one I had seen in a red shirt. Chelsea is kicking into gear and that does not augur well for Liverpool's hopes of a domestic cup double.
Torres' hattrick was achieved through controlled brilliance. He rounded Paddy Kenny to slot home his first, curled his second after pouncing on a goalkeeping mistake and finally wrapped up his hattrick by sliding a right foot shot past Kenny's outstretched arm. Methodical, decisive, clinical and most of all, confidently taken. It hasn't been too many of these since El Nino came to Chelsea, against Rangers though, the Chelsea players looked like they are now accustomed to playing with Fernando Torres.
Two excellent hattricks scored by two of my favourite Premier League strikers. But would I trade the stunning brilliance of Suarez for the clinical finishing of Torres? Most definitely not! For once, Liverpool has what Manchester United do not have - the best player in the Premier League.

Roberto Di Matteo has been another inspired decision by Roman Abramovich. The perceptive Italian has managed to solve the old and new divide within the Chelsea squad. There is finally a distinct feeling of squad harmony not seen since the happy times of Mourinho. Winning matches usually helps, but more importantly, man management is the key.
While Chelsea try to revitalize their playing squad this season, the old guards of Frankie Lampard, Drogba and Terry have stubbornly refused to concede their starting places to the young stars-in-the-making. Conversely, the young stars of Mata, Torres and Sturridge have found their performance on the field stifled by the legends.
Against Spurs in the FA Cup semifinal, it was apparent that Chelsea old and new have begun to develop a symbiotic relationship within the team. Frank Lampard commented that Di Matteo should be credited favourably for that.

Under Di Matteo, Chelsea is playing more like a team. Players are working for each other instead of finding cliques on the pitch. There is a willingness now to get results. RDM have reverted to Ancelotti's midfield diamond but with Juan Mata at the head. With players in familiar roles, results have started to flow as have confidence.
Four of the goals that Chelsea scored against Spurs perfectly highlight the confidence flowing through the team and the improved team work.
The Veterans' Act At the 41st minute, Lampard went route one. His long ball found Drogba who controlled it deftly, turned round Gallas and blasted a shot past Cudicini. Frank and Didier reprise the familiar tandem that has been so successful over the years.
Young and Old Working Together On the 49th minute, Lampard takes a Chelsea corner. David Luiz flicks onto goal. Terry flies through the air and missed, but the ball falls to the lurking Mata who scores a controversial goal. A great example of Chelsea legends combining well with the future of Chelsea.

Chelsea's fifth goal was all about Mata and Florent Malouda combining. Another perfect lob for the onrushing Frenchman to slot the ball past the unfortunate Cudicini.
The Future The third goal came in the 77th minute. This time, Juan Mata flighted a ball to Ramires who scored easily. The understanding that has developed will make Chelsea even stronger next season, regardless who comes in as manager.
Chelsea's stock is on the up. From being a crisis club, the Blues is now a team on form. Another final beckons but this time a more formidable opponent awaits. Get past the mighty Barcelona and Abramovich should hire Di Matteo permanently - at least for next season.

And so the season finally ended. It was a season filled with drama, with more ups and downs for all clubs than in any previous season. Who would've scripted a more dramatic end to the Premier League title race? The excitement involved is what makes the Barclays Premier League the best league to watch.
What struck me most was that two of the Premier League's best players finally achieved what they had wanted in English football and that is to win titles and medals. The moves were controversial and the separation acrimonious but now with titles won, both players' actions can be considered justified.
Samir Nasri left Arsenal at a time when they needed him most, and also at a time when Arsenal were not in a position to challenge for any titles. The Arsenal fans did not take kindly to him leaving and he was vilified for leaving the Emirates. And now with the much dreamt about Premiership title under his belt, his actions are vindicated. His first trophy turned out to be the coveted Premier League trophy, making him a League champion. Something not even Steven Gerrard can claim to be.

Similarly, Fernando Torres' desire to win trophies drove him towards Chelsea. Though his time at Chelsea has been turbulent to say the least, he has finally won a trophy at club level. Something which has eluded him throughout his club career. The fact that he is now an FA Cup AND Champions League Cup winner fully vindicates El Nino. Finally, Torres has covered himself not only with international honours but now also club glory. As a footballer, that's really all that matters, not money but trophies.


Both players have achieved the highest accolade possible in club football. Who's to say that footballers are all about money, I doubt Torres and Nasri were thinking about that when they joined their new clubs.

Wigan, in recent seasons have played a type of football which is pleasing to the eye. Since the appointment of Roberto Martinez, he had taken the blueprint he developed at Swansea and imbued it onto the Latics DNA. Their passing was amazing against Newcastle last weekend. Rarely kicking a ball in anger, the Latics players played the ball out of defence into midfield, down the channels and finally exploiting the openings with quick one-two wall passes. It was delightful to watch. If Wigan were any other Big Four team, they would have been the toast of English football.
But the current flavour of the month is Newcastle, and that's no surprise with the way the Toon Army has been making its way to a potential Champions League placing. However, that wait may have to be longer as Wigan brought the high flying Magpies back down to earth. With Shaun Maloney pulling the scheming strings, Wigan are all set to stage the great relegation escape that had seemed impossible back in January.

What had seemed like a hellish run-in - games with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea became the catalyst for a Wigan revival. Who would have thought Martinez' men could pick up nine points against these clubs?? And the results were achieved by playing the right way and with positivity.
The team is finally coming together. Victor Moses, Franco di Santo, Jean Beausejour and James McCarthy are really gelling and that makes for a fantastic footballing displaying befitting of their manager's philosophy.
Victor Moses, above all, has been magnificient. The former England U-21 star has repaid (with interest) the faith that Martinez has in him over the past months.

Newcastle never really got going in the first half...is the pressure of Champions League football affecting the players? Wigan's incisive passing tore the Magpies apart and that's how all the goals came about. In the second half, Newcastle fared a lot better, but a combination of Al-Habsi and the woodwork kept the Toon Army at bay.   Another three points and the Latics will be looking forward to their eighth season in the English Premier League. With Bolton, QPR and Blackburn all slipping, Wigan's Premiership status looks all but secured with two winnable games against Blackburn and Wolves.

Powered by their famed Dortmund trio, the co-hosts of Euro 2012 looked to be cruising after a powerful first half. Poland's midfield quintet of Kuba, Obraniak, Murawski, Polanski and Rybus were totally in control and gobbled up every mistake that Greece made in the first half. Greece and Fernando Santos looked shell shocked and simply had no answer against the swarming Polish players.
Poland could have scored three goals at least in the first half, such were their domination. The Greeks simply looked overwhelmed and every mistake in possession was pounced upon. Every Greek player, when in possession, was surrounded by three Poles, forcing mistakes after mistakes.
This swarming attacking offense provided Poland with the necessary deserved breakthrough as Robert Lewandowski kickstarted his Euro 2012 campaign, scoring with a simple header. He had narrowly missed some earlier chances so the highly rated Dortmund marksman looked elated to score the first goal of Euro 2012.

One goal up and gifted a one-man advantage, Poland went into the halftime team talk, feeling like they could turn it on in the second half. But they did not bargain on some brilliant tactics from Greece's Fernando Santos!
Although there was a surprise that Kyriakos Papadapoulous did not start the game, the highly rated Schalke stopper came on as a substitute in the first half. In the second half, the ineffective Ninis was removed in favour of hardworking Dimitrios Salpangidis.
Greece also started to trouble Poland more on their defensive left area. One such attack down the left side of the Polish defence caused confusion and Salpangidis suddenly became Greece's unlikely supersub. Fernando Santos had instructed his players to start playing balls over the top of the Polish defence and it worked like a charm. With Poland defending a high line, Greece were starting to get behind the Polish defenders and subsequently got the penalty decision.Salpangidis' efforts easily pivotal to the Greek revival on the pitch.
Greece were enjoying more and more success with their passing as the Poles tire inevitably. Giorgios Samaras should have done better when he was set free in the penalty box late in the game.
In the end, Poland must be wondering why they did not wrap up the game in the first half. Santos and Salpangidis rescued a point for Greece. With an expectant home crowd, Poland will be feeling a lot more pressure going into their next two potentially harder group matches.

The Reds had another season to forget.  - 37 points behind the title winners, Manchester City - Racism rows which divided opinions between player, manager and owners - A totally unnecessary siege mentality - Finishing behind cross-town rivals, Everton - Losing pathetically in the FA Cup Final - Having a dismal home record at what used to be "fortress" Anfield - Not gaining maximum points against the eventual bottom six in the Premiership table
And yet, Liverpool amidst a trying season, won the Carling Cup, making Suarez, Carroll and Henderson first time winners of an English club football competition. The players could have made it a season to remember but decided to turn into shrinking violets under the pressure of delivering the club's first domestic cup double since 2001.
The Carling Cup win is all Liverpool have to show for the 2011-2012 season and I guess we should just enjoy these pictures and remember the lucky win over Cardiff City. One could say that the Reds' name was on the cup this season. Putting things into a positive perspective, this was Liverpool's first trophy in six years.
Here's how the action unfolded.

Cardiff's Joe Mason turned the heat up by scoring the first goal of the Cup final.

The increasingly influential Martin Skrtel leveled the score with an typically hard shot into the net.

Liverpool then thought they had wrapped up the cup when Dirk Kuyt scored an excellent goal in extratime.


Only for Ben Turner to pounce on a mistake by Kuyt and force the match into penalties. Stewart Downing's best showing of the season was in danger of going up in flames.


The Reds looked to be self-destructing when Gerrard and Adam missed their penalties....


The pressure was on once more when Cardiff's Don Cowie scored from the spot, turning the penalty shootout 1-0 in the Bluebirds' favour.


But Dirk Kuyt again came to Liverpool's rescue when he made sure he slotted home his penalty kick.

And when Anthony Gerrard screwed his penalty kick agonisingly wide of Reina's right hand, the joy and delight at winning the 2011-12 Carling Cup final were there for all Liverpool fans to see.


And so Liverpool can always look back on their fantastic Carling Cup run, in which they beat Stoke City, Chelsea and Manchester City en route to the Cup.
 

Instead of watching the Euro 2012 tournament, why not go hunting?


Via: Redneck Blinds

Andrey Arshavin has not had a good time in the English Premier League in the season that just ended. The Russian captain fell out of love with the Arsenal faithful and more crucially, with Arsene Wenger. In a bid to ensure top condition for Euro 2012, Arshavin returned to Zenit St. Petersburg for regular football. That proved important in his conditioning, allowing him to enter Euro 2012 at peak form.
Although there are many match winners in this Russia team (Alan Dzagoev is the much talked about player, Igor Akinfeev is a previous Manchester United target), Andrey Arshavin was always going to be the star man for Russia. He proved that in his performance against the Czech Republic with his two assists and excellent contribution.
He clearly looks back to his best, with complete focus in his eyes. That bodes well for both Advocaat and Russia in general. An enigmatic talent at worse, but an inspirational leader at his best, Arshavin should carry Russia far in this tournament.

Much like Poland in their opening match, Russia attacked with fluidity and that caught their opposition off-guard. The Zenit connection worked very well, as Arshavin, Shirokov, Kerzhakov and Zyryanov all seemed to have that "club" understanding. Similarly, with six Liverpool players in the England squad, maybe the same club mentality will help England advance past the group stage.
With this crucial opening win, Russia has made progress to the quarterfinals that much easier. This emphatic win against the Czechs was arguably Russia's hardest match in the group.
The media also has been raving about the Russian captain's majestic performance. Russia, Arshavin rekindle memories of 2008
Russia inspired by Andrey Arshavin
Arshavin wins battle of No. 10s at Euro 2012

Soccer is not only the most popular sport in the world, it is also the most amazing. Besides having plenty of investors pumping money into the various club leagues, soccer also has the largest talent pool from which to draw from. Soccer scouts can search for new stars in every corner of the world. There are many reasons why soccer is amazing besides these.
Real-time strategy and decision making. Soccer is all about making good decisions, but doing so in real-time. Players are coached and schooled on how to develop the best mindset and acumen for soccer. This means that a player must understand whether a safe pass or a higher risk offensive pass is preferred. Sometimes, however, it is better to dribble the ball into space when that ground is given by a defender. Part of the decision making process for a soccer player will be how to strike the ball, i.e., which foot to use to strike the ball, whether to drive the ball straight, chip the ball with backspin to allow the receiving player more time to run onto the ball or trap it, slice the ball with the outside of the foot for pace and curve, or hit the ball with the instep for a lofted opposite curve with a soft bounce. With defenders bearing down, decisions such as these must be made in a matter of seconds. This is unlike many other popular sports: in the NFL, each play starts from a static and equal position, the strategy and decision making once a play starts is limited to only a few positions, and is the result of plays dictated to the quarterback by a coach through microphone headsets. In soccer, the coach is often too far away to make a real impact on the game, and every player must be able to determine what to be doing--even if they do not have the ball or are on the other side of the field.

Equal parts speed, power, and skill. Soccer does have skill positions, and some players have more specialized roles (such as a center midfielder's ability to send crosses on corner kicks, or a striker's ability to hit accurate shots from free kicks). However, each player must have a similar amount of speed, power, and skill. A defender in soccer must have the same footwork and coordination as a cornerback in football. This includes the ability to back-pedal and keep an offensive player in front while also being able to turn around and sprint with closing speed to catch an offensive player after that player makes a move past them. An offensive player must have the power to explode for a 10-20 yard sprint, but have the skill to stop or cut the ball in various directions--in response to the defensive player's movements! After the offensive player's expenditure of energy to sprint past a defender and the skill to cut or stop the ball mid-sprint, the forward must then (in full stride and with a defender throwing their legs at the forward's) strike the ball toward the goal. According to Accredited Online Colleges, a soccer player can strike a soccer ball with incredible power, regularly touching 80 mph, and often touching between 90-100 mph.
To put it in perspective, playing soccer is akin to a basketball player dribbling while standing on their hands for 90 minutes, be thinking constantly, all the while retaining the power to propell the ball as fast as an MLB pitcher. This is pretty amazing.

What an utterly breathtaking game between Liverpool and Everton over the weekend! Without the usual red cards and farcical refereeing decisions, it was refreshing to watch a Derby Day match where football actually took center stage.
Pundits are arguing that there was little technical quality in the game, but it did not matter one bit to me. The match had everything in it, pressure was high, the pace and tempo were ridiculously furious and Luis Suarez once more showed just why he is THE most electrifying footballer in the Barclays Premier League today.
Sure, El Pistolero may not be everyone's idea of a clinical striker but hey, there is no other player I would have on my side. He has the "samba-like" skills (just watching his numerous nutmegs on defenders), the unpredictability, frighteningly high energy and unquestioned workrate that no other player can compete against. To have scored six goals in a Liverpool side in which he fights ALONE every weekend against FOUR tough opposing defenders is a remarkable feat.

It's a shame he could not get that last-minute game winning goal for the Reds.
Either way, I still feel that Liverpool should have won the game earlier in the second half and this came from possibly the best Liverpool move of the match.

Raheem Sterling found himself one-on-one with Tim Howard and the wunderkind was caught in two minds, either to go for goal or to square it for Suarez. Any other experienced player would instinctively know what to do in such a situation but unfortunately for Sterling, this will prove to be another lesson in a very promising season for the youngster.

Buoyed by his excellent goal against Reading, Sterling lost his footing slightly in his excitement, and skewed his shot embarassingly away from the gaping Everton goal. Luis Suarez, in a good position, visibly angered by Raheem's selfishness, understandably told him exactly that. I am pretty sure that Sterling will pass the ball if he ever gets into those positions in the future.
While watching the game, I reminisced over Dirk Kuyt. How the Reds could have used the veteran Dutch striker in this game, he gets goals in big games. The times Suarez found himself all alone without any Reds support in the Everton penalty area alone were innumerable. A younger Steven Gerrard would've busted a lung and a gut to be at the end of a Suarez pass as the mercurial Luis beat one defender after another. Rodgers need to ensure that the midfield gets up in support of Suarez - something to work on in the training ground.
All in all, Liverpool is creating chances but not finishing them as they should. A top-class defender and a prolific goal scorer should remain the manager's top priority. The addition of the unsettled Daniel Sturridge could not come soon enough. Heck right now, even the erratic Theo Walcott looks pretty promising as Suarez' striking partner!

A nice way to get excited over the upcoming Anzhi Makhachkala v. Liverpool Europa League match tonight, eh? Can the Reds' second stringers show resolve and determination against a strong Anzhi side? The Reds outpassed the millionaire Russians at Anfield, will it be the same at the Khazar Stadium?

Europa League and Western Union have launched their new PASS Initiative – where every pass in the Europa League equals a day of school for kids around the world. www.wu-pass.org

At Liverpool, Andy Carroll had to adapt his playing style. Then again, at Newcastle, Dalglish had been favoring a classic no. 9 already so the signing of Carroll for Liverpool should not surprise many last year. What was more disappointing was the lack of service for Carroll especially when Dalglish also bought Downing and Enrique to lay bombs on Carroll's head. For me, Carroll was not a flop at Liverpool, the supporting cast of Downing and Enrique let him down badly.
The move to West Ham, where Sam Allardyce plays the football that Andy craves, could not come at an opportune time. Andy Carroll scored arguably the best goal in the Euros and he proved that when it comes to heading the ball, he has no peers in the Premier League.


It may still be early days but Carroll looked to be back to his best, terrorising opposing defenders with his body strength and target man abilities. Against Arsenal, he towered over Arsene's defenders, winning 17 aerial duels against the experienced Per Mertesacker and Vermaelen. Carroll also created four chances for his team while completing 13 successful passes in Arsenal's penalty area. That's astounding numbers, and it shows that in the right team, Big Andy is a major force.



The numbers continue to stagger. At DW Stadium, Carroll won 14 out of 16 aerial duels against Wigan, an astounding 88% rate. However, the bad side of Andy showed up as well when he failed to control a simple ball over the top which could easily have been a goal. So although he is still short of match sharpness, the move to West Ham has allowed Carroll to dominate in the penalty box as he did when in Newcastle.
Suffice to say, "The Beast" is back and Premier League defenders had better watch out!

Have a look at this brilliant video titled the Golden Age of Passing, highlighting the best passes made during Match Day 3 of the Europa League. Particularly interesting was the deft touches made by Sammy Ameobi who had a stellar performance against Club Brugge.



Ameobi's performance did not go unnoticed as Pardew envisioned a big future for Shola's younger brother.

Chiek Tiote is the top passing player on Match Day 3 of the Europa League. Newcastle won 1-0 against Club Brugge. Pavel Horvath is still doing the business at the age of 37. How would they fare on Match Day 4?


Western Union unveils new education initiative around UEFA Europa League to deliver one million schooldays where they will turn every pass completed in the Europa League into funding to provide one day's education to young people around the world. This is the PASS initiative led by former French and Arsenal star, Patrick Vieira.