World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

Tonight is the second leg of the Manchester Derby for the Carling Cup.  Last week's, which featured Carlos Tevez on the pitch and the Tevez-Neville fireworks off it, was on the BBC, but this one is on Sky (ie, satellite only).  Officials and police are sounding a bit nervy although SirAlex says there is nothing to fear.  We're trying to decide if we want to go to a pub with Sky (not being supporters of either side).  I imagine we'll stay in and watch highlights later.

[sac]

Arsenal went out on Sunday........which means 3 of the big 4 are out. 

The fifth round draw

Southampton v Portsmouth
Reading v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Notts County or Wigan Athletic
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur or Leeds United
Derby County v Birmingham City
Manchester City v Stoke City
Wolverhampton Wanderers or Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Speaking of Leeds/ManU  here's the big goal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKZHDrKbm5k&feature=related

and the aftermath, sorry for the language, but they are English.......big moment at 1:22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4In0K6i69CU&feature=related

[Hoosier Titan]

Oops...the Manchester derby is tomorrow.  It's EPL tonight--Liverpool goes to Wolverhampton and Fulham go to White Hart Lane for a London derby.  Steven Gerrard is back in the lineup for Liverpool. 

Rio Ferdinand has been charged with violent conduct by the FA for hitting a Hull striker during their match on Sunday.  Did anyone see it?

[ScotsFan]

Rio Ferdinand has been charged with violent conduct by the FA for hitting a Hull striker during their match on Sunday.  Did anyone see it?

Didn't see the incident.  I watch the EPL highlights on Super Sunday Plus on FSC and they made no mention of the incident either.  Apparently, he threw an elbow at a Hull player and was caught after the FA was reviewing video of the match.

Man.  Rio's first game back after missing 3 months with an injury and now he's facing a 3 game ban... 

An article I read stated he would miss matches with Arsenal, Pompey and Villa.

[sac]

Liverpool/Wolves 0-0  another 2 points dropped to a bad team.

[Hoosier Titan]

Liverpool/Wolves 0-0  another 2 points dropped to a bad team.

Yup. And Spurs over Fulham...the gap to fourth place is widening. Things are dire.

[ScotsFan]

Liverpool/Wolves 0-0  another 2 points dropped to a bad team.

Yup. And Spurs over Fulham...the gap to fourth place is widening. Things are dire.

What's the over/under on how long before Rafa is canned?

[Hoosier Titan]

What's the over/under on how long before Rafa is canned?

There's been a lot of support for him expressed by the fans and the team.  Tonight we read that HIS agent is dropping hints about him talking with Juventus.  I try not to put much stock in rumors, but I don't like the sound of that--it sounds like a defensive move.  My worry if Rafa goes is that players like Torres, Reina, and Mascherano will go too.

I blame the owners more than anyone; there's not enough money for top flight players because of the debts of Gillett and Hicks.  Some of the last few matches were played without Gerrard, Torres, Reina, and Benayoun...not much left with them out.

[Ralph Turner]

Paraguay's leading scorer Salvador Cabanas shot in a Mexico City bar.

[ScotsFan]

United are through to the finals of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over City to take the tie 4-3 on aggregates.  Rooney came through again with a goal in stoppage time to break the aggregate tie!

Villa will be their opponents in the finals at Wembley.

[WLCALUM83]

Paraguay's leading scorer Salvador Cabanas shot in a Mexico City bar.

This poster is reminded of the Colombian soccer player who was shot to death after letting in an own goal in a loss to the US during the 1994 World Cup.

[Just Bill]

Ghana (beat Nigeria 1-0) and Egypt (beat Algeria 4-0) will meet in the African Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

[ECSUalum]

See below article "What Happened to the Ivory Coast"

http://soccer365.com/african_cup_of_nations/story_25110204118.php

[Hoosier Titan]

Leeds finally succumbed to Spurs tonight--Jermaine Beckford had a goal, but Jermaine Defoe scored a hat trick for the Premier League side.

My husband and I were given what looks to be a great Christmas present--the Anfield Experience.  We're going on a private tour of Anfield, including a three-course lunch and a talk with a "Liverpool Legend" in the luxury boxes.  Fortunately they have a list of available "Legends" on the website so we can do our homework!  I've actually heard of one or two--Bruce Grobbelar  and John Aldridge.  I'll post a report after we go (early April).

[sac]

Speaking of Liverpool

Kind of an important stretch of Premier League and UEFA games in the next 2 1/2 weeks.

2-6 Everton
2-10  @ Arsenal,
2-18 Uniria Urziceni in UEFA Cup
2-21 @ Man City
2-25 @ Uniria Urziceni

If Rafa is to get canned, poor results in this stretch would certainly do it.