Former England striker Emile Heskey took the plaudits from new manager Gerard Houllier after helping Aston Villa beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 in the third round of the Carling Cup.
Heskey came off the bench just before the hour mark to score the equaliser before having a hand on Ashley Young's two goals.
Houllier said afterwards:"I know what Emile can do. He showed a few things in training to indicate he was in good form.
"He was decisive. With Emile it's a matter of confidence. It's the same with all strikers, but probably more so with him.
"Emile came on and was showing freshness, scored one goal and played a part in the other two.
"I was not disappointed by the effort and application in the first half but there was no flow to our game, but I changed the system in the second half and I thought it suited the players more.
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"I did not feel down at half-time. I have seen the team a bit in training and I thought it was a matter of getting ourselves into the game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Wayne Rooney that the grass is not always greener after vowing to deal swiftly with his unsettled striker.
Rooney went public with his wish to leave Old Trafford in the build up to Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League victory over Bursaspor.
The 24-year-old striker cited a lack of ambition going forward for his decision to snub a new contract and seek an exit.
But following Rooney's personal statement, Ferguson has issued a firm warning to the England striker over his future.
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been mentioned as possible destinations for the striker who still has 18 months remaining on his contract.
"Sometimes you look in a field and see a cow. You think it is a better cow than the one you see in your field. It never really works out that way," warned Ferguson.
"Some players like to think the world is better somewhere else. It never really works."
Meanwhile, an irritated Ferguson suggested he would look to deal swiftly with the situation and will meet with chief executive David Gill on Thursday morning.
"I've not read the whole of Rooney's statement," he said."I have a meeting with David Gill at 10am on Thursday. David has spoken to the owners which is important.
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"What is really important is for us to put it to bed, we don't want it to become a saga.
"Sunday's game against Stoke is the most important thing. This is a bagatelle, believe me."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Chidge and the Chelsea FanCast crew discuss the games against Newcastle and Man City, and are also joined by Neil Fissler the author of new Chelsea book: Where Are They Now – Chelsea.
First we lose to Newcastle in the Carling Cup, but Chidge and the boys actually enjoyed a game we lost more than when we win. Can’t beat a bit of fight and passion and backs to the wall spirit, and we were privileged to see Josh McEachran’s transformation from a boy into a man. He didn’t put a foot wrong.
Next up we had Man Citeh in what was billed as our first big test of the season. What did we get? A bit of a feeble performance in midfield and another mugging from Man City. It was more like a game of Italian chess, but we don’t really think we deserved to come home empty handed when all is said and done. And when all is said and done, both the Arse and Man Who screwed up, so we’re still top of the league and having a laugh!!
We have a very special guest on the show in the form of Neil Fissler. Neil has written an excellent book entitled “Where Are they Now – Chelsea” which gives the true football anorak details on what has happened to Chelsea players from the past. Players like: Rati Aleksidze; Wilf Chitty, Jack Cock, Perry Digweed, Frode Grodas, and even Slavisa Jokanovic, as well as players we’ve actually heard of!
As well as all that the boys discuss the matches from the last week and award their Man of the Match; Chant of the Match; Celery and Guinness moments, as well as another classic terrace song from the terraces in “we’re out show the world the way to sing”.
And with the Dr AWOL again this week, there’s a joint effort on the Dear Mart front, and back by popular demand Chidge reads out the best of your posts in “You’re on CFFC”. Who says we don’t give the listeners what they want!!!
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The Chelsea Football FanCast: To be Frank, we missed him!
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A stereotype the majority of us associate with your average Premier League footballer would be one of greedy, over paid pre-Madonna’s who hardly justify fame and fortune. But according to the Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, this generalisation is grossly unfair.
The former Liverpool and England hit man protested that many professional footballers give a lot of their spare time to do work for charities and local community projects, yet remain undetected by the media.
Talking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “People like to judge footballers as a whole but I think that’s pretty unfair.
”Everyone’s different. I’ve met some footballers that are absolutely fantastic people, are always visiting sick kids, they do things for charities, but they don’t ask for any press coverage. They just go about it because they want to do it.”
Firstly, I’m as encouraged as anyone to hear that such stars are anonymously using their countless monies and iconic status to help those in need. But really, are fans that interested in how much of their hard earned cash they give up, as long as players’ performances are still winning football matches?
Take Wayne Rooney for example. His initial decision to leave Man United was met with some cynical opinions from biased fans, myself included. ‘He hasn’t been good enough for a while, anyway. With the money from his transfer, we could re-build the squad.’ However fast forward a week and the general consensus around Old Trafford is, ‘£20ok a week? Well he maybe over-paid, but he is still world class, after all.’
Owen, who has been ruled out for a further three weeks with a hamstring tear, made his comments at a time where footballers are being hung out to dry for the amount they earn due to the current financial climate.
But the modern day footballer now seems so far out of the realms of real life, that as long as our team is winning and our favourites are providing us with moments of football genius, we can excuse the fact they earn more in a week than we do in five or even 10 years.
Seeing your team lift a trophy is the stuff of dreams for every football fan. But this comes at a cost, particularly given the spending power of some of the bigger teams in England. The only way it seems to be successful nowadays is to pay for it. Chelsea have shown us that.
If fans of lesser clubs picture their captain, who earns over £100, 000 a week, lifting the F.A Cup at Wembley for the first time in decades, I’m not so convinced at that moment in time they would be thinking of the consequence of these professionals being so handsomely paid.
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So as fans do we care how much professionals are being paid? I wouldn’t have thought so. Just as long as we’re winning.
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Thomas is a man who will be remembered for one important moment in his life. But what happened after that immortal night in Anfield 1989?
It has to be said that Michael Thomas is a man of protean allegiances. He was born in London on August 24th 1967 and grew up as a Spurs fan. Despite this he signed for Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1982. He would later move from Arsenal on to rivals Liverpool. By 1986 Thomas had broken into the Arsenal team and was eventually switched from the right back position into midfield. In fact, his position in the midfield was the perfect forum for his surging runs and allowed him to exhibit his deadly strength and pace.
Michael Thomas made 206 appearances for Arsenal and scored 30 goals. He won the League Cup, and the picked up two League Championship trophies as an Arsenal player. Despite the plaudits and the achievements, Thomas is a man who will be remembered by Arsenal fans (and, likely by Liverpool fans) for one career defining moment.
Brian Moore’s commentary will live on in connection with that moment: “Thomas, charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now! Thomas! Right at the end!” Arsenal headed to Anfield needing to beat Liverpool by two clear goals to win the title. Early in the second-half Alan Smith headed an Arsenal goal home to give the Gunners a chance. But it looked as though they were going to spurn the opportunity before Thomas received Smith’s lay-off, scooted forward and flicked the ball past a despairing Bruce Grobbelaar. Arsenal won that game 2-0 and picked up the League title. Michael Thomas won Arsenal the league at Anfield in 1989.
Despite being known as an Arsenal legend, Thomas also spent a significant portion of his life playing for Liverpool. This is slightly surprising considering that he broke the hearts of Liverpool fans with his goal just two seasons before he agreed terms with the Reds.
Thomas made 126 appearances for Liverpool scoring only 9 goals. The best of the bunch was a turn-and-volley against Sunderland in the 1992 FA Cup Final. As well as an FA Cup Winners medal, Thomas also won the League Cup with Liverpool in 1995.
As his career dialled down he played for Middlesbrough before moving abroad to play for Benfica. He bought a house in Portugal by the sea, where his family came to live with him, but unfortunately, wasn’t able to hold down a regular place on the team. Two years later he returned to England for one last season with Wimbledon before retiring in 2001.
Now 43 years old, Thomas still lives in Merseyside where he has remained a loyal Liverpool fan (despite being voted the 37th Greatest Gunner in 2008’s official poll). In his spare time he even plays for the Liverpool legends in Masters football tournaments. He runs a security and chauffeur firm from for ‘high-level individuals’ – that means Presidents and the likes – based in Wirral.
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Of course, he still gets stopped on the streets and asked about that moment. Despite all his various achievements and accomplishments, his League-winning goal against Liverpool will, for better or worse be his career defining moment.
If you’re interested and want to hear more feel free to follow me on Twitter
Mixed fortunes for the English sides in the Champions League but Wenger and Ancelotti won’t mind one iota, as their passage to the knockout stages has been assured. Elsewhere Alan Pardew can seemingly expect a frosty reception should he take the reins at St James, while an Aston Villa director reportedly claimed that supporters were right to rage at Gerard Houllier.
In the papers this morning Jermain Defoe claims that his goals in midweek will kick-start his season; Carlos Tevez claims that City success will wind up Fergie, while Steven Gerrard will be given extra time to work on his fitness.
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Blatter attacks English ‘arrogance’ – Guardian
Pienaar coy on Everton future – Sky Sports
Pardew faces hate backlash – Sun
Fans right to rage at Houllier – director – Guardian
Defoe: My season has just started – Sun
Gerrard given extra time to prove fitness ahead of potential Reds return – Daily Mail
Manchester United inquire about Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita – IM Scouting
City success will wind up Fergie – Sun
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Ferguson calls for end to sick chants – Guardian
Marseille optimistic over beating Liverpool in hunt for Fanni – IM Scouting
As the year draws to end I would like to reflect on the last 12 months from a fan as well as club point of view.
There have been many highs and lows but that’s all part and parcel of being a football and Manchester United fan but in drafting up the list, it is clear to see this year has been one to test the blood pressure.
Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.
Click on the Theatre of Dreams below to see its most significant moments of the last 12 months
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Read more Manchester United blogs at ‘The Busby Way’
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Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Chelsea v Aston Villa and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
Blackburn Rovers will not make any big-name signings until the European summer, according to manager Steve Kean.
Kean can now look to the long-term with Blackburn after signing a new two-and-a-half year deal ahead of Sunday’s game with West Brom.
When asked about speculation linking Blackburn with a move for Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, he said: “Riquelme has been on a list with a few others but I don’t think that will happen in this window. When we went in for David Beckham and Ronaldinho it was very real.”
“I was out in India with the owners on Monday and I think if we do bring somebody in, a landmark signing, it will probably be in the summer. We’ve got time to see whether they’re going to fit in.”
Kean confirmed Pascal Chimbonda’s contract has been terminated to allow him to play first-team football elsewhere, while El-Hadji Diouf has attracted interest from several clubs.
“He (Diouf) has 18 months left on his contract and is happy to get his head down and fight for his place. It’s not the case that we’re trying to force him out but there has been interest. We’d consider any fee but we don’t have to sell.”
West Brom will bring a special brand of passing football to Ewood Park on Sunday according to Kean.
“They are a very good passing team who are open and I don’t think they change from their philosophy that they want to build from the back. They’re a tough team to play against and it’s going to be a really tough game on Sunday.”
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New signings Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones are both in line to make their debuts while Steven N’Zonzi and Vince Grella both came through a midweek practice match.
David Dunn is fit after limping off in the recent defeat to Chelsea but Ryan Nelson will face a late fitness test after taking a knock to the knee.
It’s been a pretty good week for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. After a Robin van Persie hat-trick helped to dispose of Wigan at the weekend, leaving the Gunners second in the Premier League table, they defeated Ipswich in the Carling Cup semi-final to keep them battling on four fronts this season. The second leg at The Emirates in midweek wasn’t as straight forward as it might have been and Arsenal had to wait until the second half until they finally broke the deadlock and overpowered the Tractor Boys. One Arsenal player who was forced to leave the field before that, being replaced by Emmanuel Eboue, was Bacary Sagna. The Frenchman suffered concussion after colliding with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Wenger later revealed his was sick after the match. Here is Sagna looking a little bit out of it, but what are the Arsenal physios saying to him?
Leave your suggestions below…
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This week you can win a copy of Premiership Psycho!
Kev King has the world at his feet. His is the world of top flight football: where brands are all, lifestyle is god, adoration is obligatory and there is nothing – and no one – that money can’t buy. And up until last season, Kev had the Premier League status to match his premier lifestyle.
Now, relegated to a lowly league, forced to watch injured from the bench, and paranoid about his girlfriend’s rising celebrity profile, he feels less in control of his life. And it’s making him angry. Fighting his way back to the top, he leaves a trail of destruction. But can his millions and his talent keep him at the top of his game – or are his violent secrets about to rob him of everything he has?
C.M. Taylor’s “Premiership Psycho” is a compelling, hilarious and horrible insight into celebrity culture and a brilliant fictional portrayal of contemporary football.
For the FootballFanCast.com Caption Competition Terms and Conditions click here
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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.
Last week’s winner: Kenny – click here to see all entries
The Manchester derby is the pick of what promises to be an action packed weekend of Premier League football at both ends of the table. Victory for Manchester United will undoubtedly knock City out of the title race; however defeat will open up the doors again and make it the most open title pursuit in years.
In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories that includes Tottenham considering legal action over Olympic snub; FA to ban AWOL players, while Manchester United rubbish sale rumours.
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Tottenham consider legal action over Olympic Stadium snub – Guardian
Charlton on the Sheikh – Daily Telegraph
We have the technology, we can rebuild him, that’s why Carroll is our… £35m MAN – Daily Mail
Torres failed to show respect, says Agger – Guardian
FA to ban AWOL England players – Sun
Wilshere holds key to Capello’s dream team – Daily Telegraph
Man United rubbish rumours of £1.6bn sale – Mirror
Parker keen to grasp every opportunity – Guardian
Hammers hit by Keane KO blow – Sun
Liverpool ramp up Eriksen pursuit by sending Lee to watch Ajax star – Daily Mail
Young eyes club-and-country partnership with Bent – Mirror
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