Double delight for Chelsea at Wembley.

Premier League champions Chelsea completed their FA Cup double with a narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Wemby stadium here on saturday. Didier Drogba scored the only goal through a free kick to seal the double win for the blues. 

The match started in front of a pack stadium. Pompeys had a decent support who came out to play for pride and prove that they still belong to the premier league but it was not their day… Carlo Ancelotti‘s side had all eyes on the cup with nothing to loose. After fighting till the last match for the barclays premier league the blues wanted to finish with a double and they did. 

The first half went goal less with both the team unable to get past the net. Chelsea suffered a big blow in the 35th minute when Kevin-Prince Boateng‘s tackle injured German mid fielder Michael Ballack. WIth World Cup less than a month this can be a huge blow for him, being out of contract this may possibly be his last match for the blues. After that Drogba hit the woodwork in the 39th minute. 

Portsmouth had a brilliant chance to take the lead when Dindane skipped around Chelsea substitute Juliano Belletti and into the area and when the Brazilian bundled the Pompey striker over, referee Chris Foy pointed to the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Pompey, Boateng’s spot kick went straight down the middle of the goal and Cech saved with his feet. And just at the hour mark, Didier Drogba scored througha free kick when he shot around the wall and in off the post. Chelsea was 1-0 up which and the score line stayed till the end. The Chelsea players and fans were over joyed with the resut giving them the first ever double.

Chelsea plays Portsmouth to finish the year with a double.

Fresh from their triumph in the Barclays English Premier League, Chelsea will be hoping to finish with a double this season. The blues will be meeting Portsmouth in the final of the Football Association Cup (popularly known as the FA Cup) on saturday at the “new” Wembley Stadium. It was a long way for both the teams to reach the 129th final  where teams from all the divisions participated. 

 

News from the newly crowned Premier League champions is that they will be going with their usual squad that trounced Wigan Athletic in the final league match of the season. Beyond that Carlo Ancelotti is still waiting for Branislav Ivanovic injury report which is expected to make the trip to Wembley. Overall Chelsea has had a very good record over the Pompeys and the five times winners will be hoping to make it six and more importantly two in a row following last year’s 2-1 win over gunners. The blues lockers room is in absolute health after the decision of Frank Lampard to take penalty over in the previous match made Didier Drogba who was fighting for the golden boot.

For the Pompeys this is a big game. After relegating from the top division of the English league. the port club will be hoping to win the FA Cup twice in three years. They last won in 2008 after beating Cardiff city by a single goal. News from theri locker room is that midfielder Jamie O’Hara is hoping to play at Wembley on Saturday despite suffering with a double stress fracture in his back. The on loan player will be playing his last match with the Pompeys before moving back to Tottenham Hotspur, his original club. Other than that Avram Grant will be going with their usual squad and hope to make headlines tomorrow.

The match will start at 1500 Hours GMT (1930 Hours IST)

 

Another nail to Portsmouth’s coffin…

Relegated Portsmouth‘s hopes of competing in next season’s Europa League after reaching the FA Cup final were dashed on Thursday when they were ruled out because they had not applied in time. The FA and Premier League said in a joint statement that they had told the club’s administrators they would “not consider any late application for granting of a UEFA Club Licence for the 2010-11 season.”Despite being 119 million pounds in debt and in administration, Portsmouth would have qualified for the Europa League by reaching the Cup final against Chelsea, who are sure to be in the Champions League. However, the south coast club cannot take up the place without a UEFA licence and the FA had set a March 1 deadline for clubs to apply for one.

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou had said earlier this month that the licence had not been applied for but the club intended to do so.The fifth to seventh placed clubs in the Premier League will now be eligible for the Europa Leaguee.They fought really hard to get to the final of the oldest event in English football but Europe is now outbounds for the Pompeys. There was also a strong feeling at the FA and the Premier League that one of the reasons the UEFA club licence was set up was to try to prevent clubs being run as badly as Portsmouth have been.The transfers also seems going against the Pompeys with the first of the lot exiting. 

British media widely reported that Portsmouth had agreed to sell Begovic to Tottenham and would be liable to make the payment if it subsequently sold him to another club. But Tottenham contends that it agreed to a combined transfer fee for Begovic and defender Younes Kaboul, paying Pompey 1 million pounds as a deposit on the goalkeeper on the understanding that it would be repaid if he moved elsewhere.Kaboul joined Spurs but Begovic instead moved to Stoke for 3.25 million pounds ($5 million) on Feb 1.”Portsmouth pressed for an immediate payment in order to alleviate their cash-flow situation,” Tottenham said in a statement. “We were assured that the transfer of Begovic would be completed before the end of the transfer window.”Our intention had been to assist a fellow club in financial difficulties.”

Off the field trouble for Pompey’s.

More trouble has hit the bottom club in the premiership Portsmouth after they were docked with 9 points following the financial administrative problems. For a team that is struggling
to stay in the top flight, this has made life further miserable as now they are
left with only 10 points in 29 matches. With this they are trailing with 14
points of their nearest rivals Hull City and Burnley who are currently at 24
points.

The problem started after Pompey‘s accumulated debts of $130 million (£85 million) which ran themselves into financial administrative troubles. The Premier League applied the sporting
sanction, rule C.60, which stipulates that nine points is deducted from
any club that suffers an event of insolvency. This is one of several Premier League rules determining how clubs run themselves and conduct their financial
affairs.

Further, “Following the High Court’s decision that Portsmouth FC’s administration is valid, the Premier Leagueboard convened today to apply the league’s rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency,” the Premier
League said in a statement.

The League regularly updates its
rulebook to reflect and adapt to an ever changing economic and regulatory
environment, which helps enable clubs to operate their business and sporting
models in a sustainable manner.

Britain’s customs and revenue service had been pursuing a winding-up order after questioning the validity of Andrew Andronikou being appointed the administrator, but will now allow him to restructure the
club’s finances and save the club. Andronikou,
who last week announced 85 redundancies at the club which is bottom of the Premier League, said the winding up order would be removed once the club came
out of administration.

So now with a elusive task of staying in the premier league, Pompey’s need to look for option and further the price thing will be to retain the players at the moment.

Chelsea host Hammers for table top position, United to counter the day after…

Fresh from their great run in the champions league, Manchester United, Arsenal & Chelsea will be eager to carry on their winning from in the premier league in their respective matches. There is plenty of acton which is bound to disturb the table positions.

Second placed Chelsea will be hosting West Ham United who are currently just two place above relegation zone and it will be crucial for both to gain there respetive places. Chelsea, with a match in hand, have a good chance of going top of the table and put pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United who will be plaing on Sunday.

The Gunners will be up against Hull City whose torrid time continues in the league with 19th place as of now. After their mid week champions league 5-0 win over Porto nothing seems stoping them. William Gallas will be out for the match due to his calf injury but veteran defender Sol Campbell, who suffered a minor cramp in the champions league match, is expected to play.

In a early kick off on Sunday Manchester United will be hosting mighty Fulham and hope to retain the top spot. Michael Carrick is fit and will be starting for the Red Devils but Giggs and Hargreaves are still some days away for their inclusion in the United line up. With Ferdinand-Vidic pair getting better and better the odds favour United for the day.

In a revival bid, Portsmouth will be visiting Anfield for an important match against Liverpool. With 5 points gap at the bottom, they would be hoping to narrow it while on the other hand The Reds will be hoping to win and hold on to the fourth place.

The match timings are:

Saturday 

Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers 12:45 Hours GMT

Birmingham City v Everton 15:00 Hours GMT

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic 15:00 Hours GMT

Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT

Chelsea v West Ham United 15:00 Hours GMT

Stoke City v Aston Villa  15:00 Hours GMT

Hull City v Arsenal 17:30 Hours GMT

Sunday

Manchester United v Fulham 13:30 Hours GMT

Sunderland v Manchester City 16:00 Hours GMT

Monday 

Liverpool v Portsmouth 20:00 Hours GMT

Tuesday

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa   19:45 Hours GMT

A sunny premier league ahead after the snow delays proceedings.

After the snowfall caused some unwanted delays, the predicted sunny weather would mean that the premier league is back for the weekend where all 20 teams would be playing. And looking forward to the fixtures it seems like an easy ones for the big guns but this also gives rise to the giant killing instincts of the bottom players.
Liverpool would be hoping to get back on track this Saturday in an early kick off against Stoke City. The Reds FA Cup hopes were also dashed out after their 1-2 loss against division 1 side Reading Football Club. More worry for the manager is that their three star players Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun all pick up injuries in the last match and are expected to be out for more than a month.

Manchester United will be definitely working on their strategy to retain the second place and launch themselves for the first place. After their frustrating draw against Birmingham City last week where they could not score even a single goal in the mach, they would be putting all behind and go for a big win against Burnley on Saturday.

Bottom Players Portsmouth would be desperate for a win but it may not came as a new year gift as they would be hosting Birmingham City at Fratton Park. Birmingham City is doing great work under their new manager Alex McLeishwhere in their are unbeaten for the last 11 games and have climbed to eighth place in the premiership.
With the sun expected to give some light to league, the action pack weekend is on the way.
Liverpool’s match will be starting at 1245 Hours GMT (1715 Hours IST) while the match at Old Trafford will kick off at 1500 Hours GMT (2030 Hours IST) on Saturday.
Other matches during the weekend are:
Saturday:
Chelsea Vs Sunderland 1500 Hours GMT
Tottenham Hotspurs Vs Hull City 1500 Hours GMT
Wolverhampton Wanderers VS Wigan Athletic 1500 Hours GMT
Everton VS Manchester City 1730 Hours GMT

Sunday:
Aston Villa VS West Ham United 1330 Hours GMT
Blackburn Rovers Vs Fulham 1500 Hours GMT
Bolton Wanderers Vs Arsenal 1600 Hours GMT

Extended party after a rocking weekend. Red Devils welcome Wolves.

Putting the weekend’s loss into the back of there mind, Manchester United will be planning to go level on points with leaders when they will be hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers this Tuesday. In other big match this Wednesday leaders Chelsea will be meeting bottom player Portsmouth at Stamford bridge. If the Pompey’s manage to take away this one surely they will regain some confidence and get away from the relegation trouble.
News from the rivals camp is that midfielder David Edwards and Michael Kightly are out due to there respective injuries for nearly 10 weeks. Good news is coming fromManchester United camp that Rio Ferdinand is recovering fast but is uncertain for the match, possibility is that Edwin Van der Sar might be brought to start as the second goal keeper but his return to the starting 11 will be delayed till the next weekend. Sir Alex is taking no risks against defender Gary Neville as his groin trouble has still not heeled to that extent.

Ryan Giggs will be in the captain’s role and fireworks will be expected from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov who just could’t find the net in the previous match.

After a draw against Everton, Chelsea will be hoping to turn the tables in their favour against the team which is already facing relegation troubles. Portsmouth on the other hand will be hoping for some giant killer stuff and find out the way out of the bottom 3.
The match at Old Trafford will be starting at 2000 Hours GMT (0130 Hours IST), while the match at Stamford Bridge will be starting 15 minutes earlier the next day.
Other matches during the next two days are:
Tuesday
Sunderland Vs Aston Villa 1945 Hours GMT
Birmingham City Vs Blackburn Rovers 2000 Hours GMT
Bolton Wanderers Vs West Ham United 2000 Hours GMT

Wednesday
Burnley Vs Arsenal
Liverpool Vs Wigan Athletic 2000 Hours GMT
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Manchester City 2000 Hours GMT

Arsenal to face Chelsea, Manchester United to visit Fratton park.

In a crucial match for both the teams, one fighting for survival and the other for the top spot, Portsmouth will be hosting Manchester United at Fratton park on Sunday. It is an important match for the red devils but it will be even more important for the team which is badly in need for points and as the experts says it is unlikely that they will achieve this mission.
News from the locker room is that Manchester United will be out in full force for the match against the port club and will be forcing a big win to boost up their confidence.Owen Hargreaves is recovering fast but is unlikely to start even the bench remains unlikely for him. From Portsmouth, the team under Avram Grant will be hoping to show up a good performance against the red devils which may bring some temporary relief but a huge boost of confidence.

The big match this weekend will be Chelsea Vs Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and the most keen watchers of that match will be Manchester United who would be hoping that Chelsea looses but that will be making things complex as the Gunners will then close in on United.
In yet another big match for the reds, Liverpool will be up against their neighbours Everton in a crucial match.Liverpool who have been knocked out of the champions league will be desperate for a win. Gerrard is expected to play a heavy role so to take his club where it belongs.
The other matches this weekend includes:
Saturday
Blackburn Rovers Vs Stoke City 15:00 Hours
Fulham Vs Bolton Wanderers 15:00 Hours
Manchester City Vs Hull City 15:00 Hours
West Ham United Vs Burnley 15:00 Hours
Wigan Athletic Vs Sunderland 15:00 Hours
Aston Villa Vs Tottenham Hotspur 17:30 Hours

Sunday
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Birmingham City 12:00 Hours
Everton Vs Liverpool 13:30 Hours
Arsenal Vs Chelsea 16:00 Hours

The bottom three in the premiership as of now.

When the champions are celebrating in the league, there is a section in which dark clouds loom large over some clubs placed 15th to 20th, being more precise the bottom three in the premier league. As everyone can’t be a winner and someone has to come last because this is all competition and it is the survival of the fittest. Coming to the current situation in the English premier league, the bottom three clubs after match week 12 are West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouthwith 10,10 and 7 points respectively. It is interesting to see that the 3 teams promoted to the premier league included Burnley, Birmingham City and Wolves in which Burnley is comfortable at 10th position and is unlikely to be relegated back again for the next season. Birmingham City is at 15th position and has to win their upcoming matches so that the relegation lines are erased for them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (or Wolves as popularly known as) are way down and need as A.S.A.P thinking on their strategies to avoid the demotion. Currently first from the bottom, Portsmouth is most likely on way to the first division losing 9 of the total 12 matches played so far and drawing one. A lot of work is left for the club and care taker come full time manager Paul Hart needs to gel in quickly.

The trouble for the port city club started when Harry Redknapp left the club in Oct’08 to become the manager ofTottenham Hotspurs and guiding the club 4th place currently. Tony Adams joined after than but was sacked after only 2 wins in 15 games. As the rich Al-Faraj family of Saudi Arabia, who are the owner of the club, must be looking at the January ’10 transfer window for a high return investment so that the club remains in the top league and aim higher the season thereafter. Last… and hopefully not the least the Hammers needs to start their work otherwise they will be crushed.

Zola needs to prove that he is a saviour when it comes to managing a team which he was like a player.