Santos made it three wins from as many games in Brazil’s Campeonato Paulista with a 4-2 away victory at Gremio Prudente on Sunday.
Former Manchester City and Galatasaray midfielder Elano scored a first-half brace for Santos before Keirrison and Maikon Leite netted early in the second half to give their side a 4-0 lead.
Gremio’s Romulo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, while Bruno Riberio added further respectability to the scoreline with his 82nd-minute goal.
Americana also maintained its winning record courtesy of a 2-1 triumph over Botafogo SP at Estadio Decio Vitta.
After a scoreless first half, Charles found an opener for the home side before Rafael Chorao doubled Americana’s lead in the 72nd minute.
Botafogo’s Rodrigo Pontes reduced the visitors’ deficit in the 84th minute, but the minnows could not find an equaliser in the dying stages.
Ituano’s Jefferson helped his side open their Paulista account with a 1-0 victory over winless Sao Caetano, scoring the decisive goal in the eighth minute.
Paulista got off to a dream start at home to Sao Bernardo by scoring in the first minute via Barboza, but were held to a 1-1 draw when Nena equalised in the 43rd minute for the visitors.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Palmeiras’ Patrick was the hero for his side in their trip to Oeste’s Estadio dos Amaros, scoring the only goal of the game in the 86th minute.
Corinthians and Noroeste played out a 1-1 draw at Estadio Municipal Paulo Machado de Carvalho.
There has been a lot of talk about loyalty in the modern game over the past week or so since the goings on in the January transfer window. Whether it was Fernando Torres’ departure to Chelsea or Andy Carroll’s arrival from Newcastle, the question of whether there will be anymore “one club” players has been raised this week. On his move to Chelsea, Torres remarked that romance in football was dead and that it has been replaced by the obsession of winning trophies. Loyalty has been effectively replaced by “Glory-hunters” in the modern game.
Of course, this is not necessarily a new phenomenon. For decades players have moved clubs to teams they feel they can have more success with. In recent years at Liverpool, players such as Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres and others arrived at the club in the hope they would replicate the great Liverpool teams of the past by winning Premier League titles and Champions League trophies. While Torres has moved to pastures new to find trophies sharpish, Pepe Reina has apparently stated today that he is impatient for success at the Reds.
Players moving clubs in search of trophies is pretty much part and parcel of the modern game in most player’s eyes. However, what Torres and others, do not take into consideration when they move clubs in search of glory, are the fans. Like many before him, on his arrival and during his stay on Merseyside, Torres preached loyalty to the club and stated that he would never play for another English club. He was stating what he believed at the time but when asked about this statement after his move to Chelsea he said:
“I said that at that moment, I didn’t think I would play for another club – because at that moment Liverpool were giving me what they promised … but not now.”
For him, circumstances had changed and therefore his future at Liverpool was also in question. From his point of view, it was a purely selfish calculation in which his own career objectives took priority over the feelings of the fans who had grown to love him as an idol. If he had stated on his arrival at Anfield that he had come to Liverpool to “win trophies or he would look to move on in search for winners medals,” then fans would not have grown so attached to him, and become so angry at his departure.
A player such as Torres would never have said such a thing though as it comes across as purely selfish. He would be perceived as player, playing for himself, rather than working and fighting for the team. How would that go down with his new team-mates and the fans? To ingratiate yourself to the club it is best to speak in the most reverential terms about both the club and the supporters. He may even mean many of the sentiments but at the end of the day, his priority is to be in a successful team. Personal glory looks to have sway in his mind above all else.
The same may go for Pepe Reina. People believe him to be an honorary Scouser as John Aldridge said in his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, but it’s again apparent that the desire for trophies and success are first and foremost in his mind. Hopefullly with Kenny Dalglish turning the club’s fortunes around, it will persuade the Spanish goalkeeper to stay, but what maybe now in question is whether he is staying purely for his love of the club or because there is a greater chance of winning medals. Certainly a player should not be criticised for wanting to win things. After all, players have short careers and they want to make the best out of them, but it is a shame that loyalty to clubs doesn’t stretch far these days.
Read more of David’s articles at the excellent Live4Liverpool
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Bolton Wanderers will be without Sam Ricketts for the rest of the season after he ruptured his Achilles.The injury happened as Bolton beat Wigan in an FA Cup fourth round replay on Wednesday.Full back Ricketts, who will also miss Wales’ European Championship qualifier against England in March, had surgery on Friday and faces up to six months on the sidelines.”He has been outstanding for us and our immediate thoughts go to him as we wish for a speedy recovery,” said Bolton manager Owen Coyle.”It was very innocuous as he sustained the injury by tracking their winger Victor Moses. He has put his foot down and stumbled, so it is very unfortunate.””Sam will get all the help from the club that he requires, but we will now have to get on with everything.”Coyle faces something of an injury crisis at the back, with Zat Night out for six weeks with a knee injury.Bolton take on Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
We all know that the best part of the week is when Saturday comes and we get that football feeling. What’s even better than that is actually going to a game. You get that buzz inside you, putting on your colours and eating the statutory pie and chips covered in either gravy or curry sauce, depending on which half of the country you’re from.
Other than watching your side, the best part about being at a game though is cheering your team on and laughing at some of the funny chants echoing around every ground in the country. I’m starting to think that football fans don’t get enough credit for our level of intelligence, because every season the new songs seem to get more ridiculous than the last. The top teams get a lot of stick for their home support resembling a library, but away from home even they know how to have a good time. Arsenal fans have been known to ‘go mental’ at half time at various stadiums and Manchester United make one hell of a racket on the road.
But with fans coming up with new chants about their favourite players and rival clubs, I started to wonder what were the funniest ones? For the sake of publication, I had to straight away discount any which used some choice language, and opted for 10 of the more cleaner songs. So here are my top 10 funny Premier League songs at the moment. The list doesn’t include many old songs or chants about former players (unless they really deserve it) as I’ve concentrated on the more modern of times. Feel free to add to the list at the bottom with some funny, but clean, songs from your club.
[divider]
Click on the fans below to see the Top TEN
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Beira-Mar ended a run of three straight losses with an emphatic 3-1 win over 10-man Pacos de Ferreira in Friday’s Liga Sagres action.The result leaves Pacos’ spot in the Europa League places under threat, with Vitoria Guimaraes and Nacional both able to leapfrog the fourth-placed side with victories this weekend.Beira-Mar provisionally improve to ninth on the table with their first win in two months, kicked off by Brazilian striker Leandro Tatu, who found the net in just the fourth minute.The hosts held their advantage through to the hour mark, but Venezuelan forward Mario Rondon scored in the 61st minute level the match for Pacos.However, Chadian midfielder Djamal Bindi wrested back the initiative in Beira-Mar’s favour with a goal 11 minutes later.Brazilian playmaker Leonel Olimpio was sent off with a straight red in the 79th minute, all but killing off Ferreira’s hopes of a late equaliser, and Renan rubbed salt into their wounds with another goal in injury time.
Relegation-threatened Blackpool had some good news ahead of Sunday’s clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage.Skipper Charlie Adam has shaken off the knee injury he suffered in Scotland’s 2-0 loss to Brazil last Sunday and will take his place in the crucial Premier League clash.
“Charlie had a clash of knees in the Scotland game but he hasn?t reported to (Blackpool physio) Phil Horner, so there should be no problems there,” assistant manager Steve Thompson told the Blackpool Gazette:
“Both Charlie and Stephen Crainey (who also played against Brazil at Arsenal) were a little bit stiff and leggy in their first training session back.”
“We are monitoring them, and (Wales?) David Vaughan, to make sure we get the balance between rest and work right.”
Meanwhile, Fulham’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has warned his team-mates they are in for a tough afternoon, in a fixture he describes as ‘huge’.
Schwarzer knows maximum points are needed with the Cottagers on 35 points, two ahead of Blackpool, who are only three ahead of cellar dweller Wigan.
“It?s a huge game but Blackpool have shown on their away trips that they are a very difficult team to play against,” he said.
“They have done tremendously well this season and we know we?re in for a very tough afternoon.
“But we believe we should be picking up three points, especially at home. It is imperative we get results at home and nick some away.”
Fulham?s defeat at Everton, their last game, was their first loss in six.
Blackpool, meanwhile, have gone three games without a win and have only one victory in their last 10 in the Premier League.
At Bloomfield Road in August Dickson Etuhu stole a late equaliser for Fulham to earn a 2-2 draw.
Blackpool have lost on their last four league visits to Craven Cottage and have failed to score in their last five. They last won there in April 1990.
Fulham are still without Steven Sidwell, Philippe Senderos and Matthew Briggs.
Blackpool have lost Paul Rachubka, Chris Basham, Matt Gilks and Billy Clarke, while DJ Campbell completes a three-match ban.
Chelsea exited the Champions League at Old Trafford last night, as Manchester United completed a 3-1 aggregate victory to leave Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Stamford Bridge in the balance. With Chelsea’s European adventure now over and the Blues currently way off the pace in the race for the Premier League title, it looks like the Italian could be headed for a summer exit.
This morning in the newspapers it is being claimed that Manchester United have swooped for their next goalkeeper, with David de Gea to arrive at Old Trafford at the end of the season for a fee of 20 million Euros. Jack Wilshere has dismissed talk of a move to Manchester City, while the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust have rejected Stan Kroenke’s offer for their shares.
Ancelotti admits his future is out of his hands – Telegraph
Mourinho taunts Tottenham – Guardian
David de Gea a done deal for Man United – AS
Modric insists Tottenham teammates are committed to the club – Telegraph
Arsenal Supporters’ Trust rejects Kroenke’s offer – Guardian
Carroll told Hart he’d score against him – The Sun
Kuyt to stay at Liverpool until 2014 – Daily Mail
Wilshere dismisses talk of move to Man City – Mirror
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
West Ham take financial hit on Benni McCarthy – The Sun
Kolarov set for return to Italy – Daily Mail
[divider]
Listen to the first episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and Toploader’s Dan Hipgrave makes a special appearance!
Valery Karpin has resigned as coach of Spartak Moscow after the club’s poorest ever start to a season, the Russian club announced on Monday.Traditionally one of the Russian Premier League’s most powerful clubs, Spartak have not won a major trophy since 2003 and bowed out of the Europa League quarter-finals 10-3 on aggregate to Porto on Thursday.
Spartak then fell 2-1 to Anzhi Makhachkala on Sunday – their third defeat in five league matches this season – to plummet to the bottom of the Premier League table.
In an announcement the day after the club’s latest defeat, former Russia midfielder Karpin revealed he would be stepping down as Spartak manager but would remain as the club’s general director.
“Today the board of directors had accepted my resignation,” said Karpin, who has been in the role since April 2009.
“In the current situation I was ready to quit my other job as the club’s general director but the board did not discuss such a scenario.”
Spartak take on Krasnodar in the Russian Cup on Wednesday, with Karpin’s replacement yet to be announced.
Barcelona re-established their eight-point lead on top of La Liga with a comfortable 2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday.After Real Madrid thumped Sevilla 6-2 on Saturday and closed the gap to five points, Pep Guardiola’s team extended the margin back to eight points thanks to goals from Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique – putting Barcelona within touching distance of a third consecutive La Liga title.
It took 29 minutes for Iniesta to break the deadlock after he cut inside from the left and buried his shot into the bottom corner.
Pique doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half when he headed in a corner from Xavi at the near post.
Espanyol sit in eighth, four points from sixth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Osasuna scored three times in the last 30 minutes to move out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win over Real Zaragoza.
Camunas, Sergio and Kike Sola struck in the second half after Lafita had given Zaragoza a 15th-minute lead.
The win moved Osasuna into 14th, two points clear of relegation, while Real Zaragoza slipped to 17th, only out of the drop zone on goal difference.
In Sunday’s other game, Mallorca and Villarreal played out a 0-0 draw.
Villarreal remain fourth on the table with Mallorca sitting in 11th.
Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen believes his relegation-threatened side can beat Manchester United on Saturday and delay their visitors’ title celebrations.Sir Alex Ferguson’s team only need a point to seal their 19th Premier League title, while Blackburn are just three points above the drop zone.
But Pedersen insists his team can pull off a huge shock at Ewood Park and secure their survival.
“It’s a tough game but we’ve done well against the big teams at home this year and hopefully we can do well against Manchester United as well,” said the Norwegian.
“We know they need a point to be the champions but we drew with them last year and we’ve beaten them here before.”
” We just have to work as hard as we can. We need the points as much as United. I’m looking forward to it, it’s always fun to play these games.”
But Pedersen admits that he won’t be upset when United do claim the title, as he grew up supporting the club.
“I was a little bit of a United fan when I was younger,” he said.
” I followed the teams with Norwegian players in but my dad was a Manchester United fan and they were probably my number one team as well.”
“It’s fun to go to watch them when they play the big teams and it’s next door to me as well so I’m lucky.”
“Manchester United are unbelievable. Other teams may be better on paper, player for player, but the team of Manchester United is the best in England.”
“My dad was never a crazy fan and him supporting United has never been a problem for me.”
“When we play, he supports Blackburn.”
“I’ve got other friends who say, ‘You have to do this and that to let United win the league’, but I tell them I have more important things on my mind – to keep Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League.”