World is Not Enough for Stoke-Bound United

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United's players had already switched their body clocks back to GMT before beating Ecuador's LDU to capture the Club World Cup in Japan.

The Premier League champions became the tournament's first British winners when a Wayne Rooney goal gave them a 1-0 victory over LDU in Sunday's final in Yokohama.

Their mission in Japan complete, the newly-crowned world champions face a tough turnaround with a visit to Stoke City in the Premier League on Dec. 26.

United captain Rio Ferdinand admitted that losing to LDU after flying halfway around the world could have had a calamitous effect on their season.

"Hopefully this sets a tone for the rest of the season," he told reporters. "We've been inconsistent up to now and tonight we played like the Manchester United of the last two years."

Ferdinand credited a paint-stripping battle cry from United manager Alex Ferguson for the side's refusal to buckle following defender Nemanja Vidic's red card for elbowing an opponent.

"The manager's team talk hit the nail on the head," said Ferdinand. "I won't get into what he said but he got us into gear and that's the sign of a great manager.

"Winning could be the turning point of the season -- from being quite mediocre results-wise to challenging for all the big titles.

"Sometimes you need to be told the basics and we were reminded what got us here in the first place. Even great players need reminding and we've got a few of them in our squad."

DREAM TREBLE

After completing a dream treble of the English, European and world titles, United can ill afford a slip-up at Stoke or at home to Middlesbrough three days later as the fixtures pile up.

"We have to make sure we get as much sleep as we can before Stoke," said Rooney, who was named player of the tournament after scoring twice in the 5-3 semi-final win over Japan's Gamba Osaka.

Vidic's red card was a major blow to Ferguson, ruling the Serb out of United's next Champions League game. His ban could be as long as three games if the incident is deemed violent conduct.

"It depends how FIFA interpret it and how UEFA act on the information they get," said Ferguson. "Vida is disappointed but he gave the referee no option."

The Club World Cup has traditionally been viewed with scepticism in Britain and the $5 million United earned for winning is loose change for the Red Devils.

However, Ferguson defended the seven-team competition, insisting it had merit and would give his team an important psychological lift.

His side sit fourth in the league with 32 points from 16 games, seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

"To be world champions in December is a huge mid-season boost," said the Scot. "It gives us a platform to start playing with real purpose and chase the leaders."

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(Reuters/Alastair Himmer)

What Could Beckham Make in Milan ?

All of you might be confused with this transfer right ? Because Beckham is always play with formation that include winger in that formation, like 4 - 4 - 2 or 4 - 5 - 1 or 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 or 4 - 2 - 4. Then why a club like Milan who don't play a winger style but prefer to use their full-back to be a winger, loan someone like Beckham ? Maybe all of you just think that is just to improve their profit right ?

If it's like that then the answer is No No No No. I think there is some false description here. Did all of you forget that Beckham can also play as Attacking Midfielder ? This is what exactly Milan aim from someone like Beckham. If all of you see he play in England or EL Real , even his position is in the side midfielder or winger, he often move to central midfield or not to far from outside of the box. For all of you that still don't know yet until now, remember that Beckham special ability is not just his crossing and free kick, but also his positioning, long shot and very accurate passing.

Right now Milan played with two attacking midfielder ( Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Seedorf ) that most of them is a dribble master. So can you imagine if Beckham played with one of them ? I just can't imagine what combination that could have been create by the two of them. But what can I predict is Beckham will give a big influnce to Milan squad. Because it's not just the skill but for mental attribute too Beckham is still a great athlete.

So what do you think ?




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Score EPL, A Draw & A Red Card For Chelsea Captain

Everton vs Chelsea
0 : 0

Hahaha.... Unexpected story in this match. I never though that Chelsea will get a Red Card in this match. And what surprise is the one who get the Red Card is John Terry. But from the way I see it, it's a pressure from the home fans and the official that make Chelsea just get 1 point from this match. But I don't doubt the decision from the official, because Leon Osman is really get injured after a harsh tackle from Terry. But in this match just Chelsea player who get a card from the official even Everton also play hard in this match. Rather look one sided right ? :D

After the match it's seem so many unique and interesting rumour has spread. And also all The Blues staff & management is walk away from the press conference after the match. And also they tell that they don't want to be in the press conference because they have so many problem with official decision and feel that they will get a problem with it if their in the press conference.

And the interesting part is about Big Phil. It's said in the news and there also a eyewitness said that he shouted at the reffere in a half time like this : Are you Scared.... ?? Are you Scared.... ??
Hahahaha..... It's not a secret anymore that anyone who became The Blues coach is always under pressure to get a win and it's all because their owner is always expecting a big target. So it's seem that Big Phil can't handle his frustation in this match. =P




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English Premier League

Handicap

Everton vs Chelsea
3/4 : 0
Over / Under 2 1/4

Why Chelsea ?
I think Chelsea will not let the opportunity to be number 1 like this to go away twice. Even right now their manager is under pressure to keep winning but maybe all of you know who is Scolari and also the combination between Drogba and Anelka is not good enough but you know the skill of their midfield right ? But me myself feel not so confidence though because Everton is a good team that full of surprise. So make your choices. Good Luck .... !!!!




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Score EPL, Serie A, Primera La Liga

EPL

Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke City
3 - 0

Bolton vs Portsmouth
2 - 1

Fulham vs Middlesbrough
3 - 0

Hull City vs Sunderland
1 - 4

West Ham vs Aston Villa
0 - 1

West Brom vs Manchester City
2 - 1

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
2 - 1

Arsenal vs Liverpool
1 - 1

Serie A

Lazio vs Palermo
1 - 0

Siena vs Inter Milan
1 - 2

Atlanta vs Juventus
1 - 3

Cagliari vs Reggina
1 - 1

Catania vs AS Roma
3 - 2

Chievo vs Genoa
0 - 1

Lecce vs Bologna
0 - 0

Sampdoria vs Fiorentina
0 - 1

Torino vs Napoli
1 - 0

AC Milan vs Udinese
5 -1

Primera La Liga

Real Madrid vs Valencia
1 - 0

Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid
2 - 3

D. L. Coruna vs Recreativo Huleva
4 - 1

Mallorca vs Sevilla
0 - 0

Numancia vs Valladolid
4 - 3

Osasuna vs Getafe
5 - 2

R. Santender vs Malaga
1 - 1

Sporting Gijon vs Almeria
1 - 0

Villarreal vs Barcelona
1 - 2

Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao
0 - 1

I'm very sorry for a bad prediction in EPL and Serie A. Because I'm in such a hurry to write that, so I don't really look the details. My Apologies.





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Gunners face crucial clash with Liverpool

Arsenal's French midfielder Samir Nasri controls the ball during their match against Chelsea on November 30. Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title rac

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool on Sunday as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title race.

Wenger's side trail leaders Liverpool by eight points ahead of this weekend's crucial match at the Emirates Stadium and a defeat would leave their title challenge in tatters.

But Arsenal have proved adept at raising their game against their main rivals, with Manchester United and Chelsea have already dispatched by the Gunners this season.

Wenger knows another win against one of the big four is essential if Arsenal are to mount a concerted bid to take the crown from United in the second half of the campaign.

"We are highly-motivated to beat another of the so-called top four and I am convinced we have the quality to do it," Wenger said. "It is an opportunity for us to catch them, which we want to take.

"With our position in the league, we know it is compulsory for us to beat the three other teams -- Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and we want to do that on Sunday."

While Arsenal will still be some way adrift of first place even with a win over Liverpool, Wenger takes heart from the unpredictable nature of this year's race.

Arsene Wenger, seen here in Portugal earlier this month, has admitted Arsenal face a make or break clash against Liverpool as the Gunners try to get back in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool and Chelsea have already dropped several points at home, while United have struggled to win the big games away from Old Trafford.

"At the moment the race is still very tight because it looks for me for the first time in six or seven years that the number of points for the winner of this league will be much lower than usual because everybody drops points against everybody," Wenger said.

"For us, the first step is to get back into the race and to get back into the race, the important thing is for us to beat Liverpool."

While Wenger plots a way to improve Arsenal's title prospects, Liverpool have been on auto-pilot in the absence of Rafa Benitez.

The Liverpool manager has been recuperating at home after a minor operation for kidney stones last weekend, but Benitez's attention to detail ensured a smooth week at Anfield.

Benitez has been in regular contact with Lee from his sick bed and the assistant manager fully expects his boss to make it to the Emirates on Sunday.

"He has had an eventful few days, it hasn't been the best for him," Lee said. "He was in a lot of pain earlier in the week but he has got better and he will be there on Sunday.

"Obviously when you take a presence like Rafa away from the place it is not going to be easy. But I have phoned him every day to keep in touch and let him know what has been going on.

"The players have done really well, they have focused and concentrated with all the stuff which has been going on in the background."

Benitez's input will be crucial if Liverpool are to halt a poor run of results at Arsenal, with their last win coming in 2000 when the Gunners were still playing at Highbury.

Despite Arsenal's erratic form this season, Lee dismissed suggestions that they have no chance of ending their four-year wait to win the title.

"I have nothing but respect for Arsenal. They are a terrific football club and a terrific institution," he said. "You can't write anyone off in December, particularly a side with the quality and calibre of Arsenal."

Liverpool's hopes of ending that run won't be helped by the likely absence of Fernando Torres with a hamstring strain.

Arsenal winger Samir Nasri could return from an ankle injury but Kolo Toure and Nicklas Bendtner are both fitness doubts.

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(AsianBookie)