Football Forums Are The Rivals

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted Nicolas Anelka was just as crucial to the Chelsea cause despite Didier Drogba scoring in their 2-1 win over FC Cluj.

Drogba's late goal edged his side into the last 16 of the Champions League.

"Don't forget we arrived in this position, and second in the Premier League, because our scorer is Anelka," Scolari said at Stamfo...

[ Full reading ]

Blackburn chairman John Williams has set his side a target of nine wins to save their season.

Rovers are second from bottom in the Premier League after a run of five straight defeats with manager Paul Ince coming under increasing pressure.

"Nine wins is a priority and we need to get them as soon as we can," Williams told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph....

[ Full reading ]

Steven Gerrard has admitted to being 'selfish' in his desire to play in his favourite position.

The Liverpool skipper has complained in the past when moved away from the central role he has become accustomed to, saying his performances suffered as a result.

He admits he was wrong to be so stubborn but insists he is now happy to play anywhere to help the Reds in their ...

[ Full reading ]

Nemanja Vidic snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory for Manchester United in Sunderland's first game since the departure of Roy Keane.

The Black Cats, who had fallen into the bottom three after losing five of their last six games, looked set to be rewarded for a spirited display with a vital point.

They had withstood everything United had thrown at them, while Cristiano Ron...

[ Full reading ]

A controversial penalty saw Hull City come from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1.

After a long period of stalemate in which Brazilian Geovanni wasted the best openings, the match sprang to life in the closing stages.

Tuncay gave Boro the lead after 79 minutes, tapping in from close range after great work by Justin Hoyte.

But the Tigers roared back in th...

[ Full reading ]

Nicolas Anelka returned to haunt his former club with the opener as Chelsea returned to winning ways in impressive fashion at the Reebok Stadium.

The Frenchman put Chelsea ahead when he headed home Jose Bosingwa's cross after nine minutes, and Deco wrapped up the points with a superb scissors-kick.

The Blues had chances for a third, but Bolton responded valiantly late...

[ Full reading ]

Goals from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard were enough to keep Liverpool top of the table and leave Blackburn without a league win in 10.

Stephen Warnock stopped Benayoun giving Liverpool the lead before Morten Gamst Pedersen fired against the crossbar.

After half-time Alonso sidefooted past Paul Robinson to open the scoring and Benayoun shot low to dou...

[ Full reading ]

Hull hope to have Andy Dawson and Dean Marney available, but striker Caleb Folan is out with a knee injury.

Dawson has been out with an Achilles problem and Marney has been unable to train fully because of a knock.

Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth, who has been out since September with a foot injury, is back in the squad.

Emanuel Pogatetz is likely to...

[ Full reading ]

Fulham defender Chris Baird's wife and child are ill, but boss Roy Hodgson is hopeful the player will be available this weekend.

Diomansy Kamara remains sidelined following knee surgery and midfielder Andranik Teymourian is also still out

Manchester City are without midfielder Elano, who will be sidelined for up to 10 days with a groin strain.

Robinho (...

[ Full reading ]