Football Digest: Barton Latest, Mears Leg Break, Chelsea Sign Romeu, DJ Joins Hoops
by FanHouse UKFiled under: Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Chelsea, Newcastle, QPR, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Joey Barton may be many things, but you can never describe him as dull.
Moments after Alan Pardew, the Newcastle United manager, told a media briefing the midfielder could still have a future at St James' Park despite being transfer-listed earlier this week, Barton responded on Twitter.
"Does anybody have Isambard Kingdom Brunel's number?" he tweeted, a reference to the renowned bridge builder of the Victorian age. If only his passing was as sharp.
Pardew is clearly unwilling to give up on his best player and said: "I've never closed the door on anyone and I'm not closing the door on Joey," he said. "He trained with the development team today and, who knows, he may train with the first team soon."
This saga is far from over. Then again, it involves Barton and Newcastle, what do you expect?
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Romeu completes Chelsea move
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of midfielder Oriel Romeu from Barcelona. Romeu, 19, has signed a four-year contract, which has a clause enabling the Catalan club to buy the player back for 10 million euros after one year and 15 million euros after two.
He is Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas's second signing after teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Cortois arrived from Genk last month.
The negotiations for Romeu, who has made two first-team appearances for Barcelona, have gone on for a numbver of weeks and the fee was agreed between the two clubs 11 days ago.
He will join the Blues after Spain's interest at the Under-20 World Cup is over. Romeu has played in both games at the tournament in Colombia and he said: "Chelsea is a great option for me. Leaving Barca hurts, but you have to take your chances."
Football Digest: Diaby Sidelined Again; Bolton Sign Duo; QPR Agree Striker Fee
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Arsenal, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, QPR, Swansea, Middlesbrough, Championship, Premier League, Football
Arsenal's preparations for the new season have been dealt a setback after midfielder Abou Diaby was ruled out for up to 10 weeks.
The France international has undergone an ankle operation after suffering problems at the back end of last season and he is unlikely to play until September, ruling him out of the Premier League games against Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as the Champions League play-off.
"Abou had ankle surgery during the break," said Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. "Normally he should be back eight to 10 weeks after his surgery, which means the end of August."
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Diaby's injury leaves the Gunners short in the midfield department with Denilson having already joined Sao Paulo on loan, while Barcelona remain keen to sign captain Cesc Fabregas.
Trotters Land Clarets Duo:
Bolton manager Owen Coyle has completed a double raid of old club Burnley after Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears completed moves to the Reebok Stadium.
Midfielder Eagles, who had previously been linked with Everton, and defender Mears have both penned three-year deals.
"Both Chris and Tyrone are top players and have shown that they have the ability to compete successfully at the highest level," said Coyle.
"I have worked with them both before and know what they will bring to the club in terms of character and commitment and along with Nigel Reo-Coker, we have added real quality to the squad."
Eagles said: "I know that it is a good squad so the challenge for me will be to work hard and then look to contribute. I am an attacking midfielder and I will certainly be looking to chip in with some goals."
Mears added: "I'm really looking forward to working with a manager I've worked with before and playing in the Premier League. From the outside looking in, this has seemed like it is a club going in the right direction."
Blackpool Agree Campbell Fee with QPR:
DJ Campbell could be set for a swift return to the Premier League after Blackpool accepted a bid from QPR for the striker.
Rangers, who won the Championship title last season, have reportedly offered £1.25million for the former Leicester forward.
A Blackpool statement read: "The club have had a bid for Blackpool striker DJ Campbell accepted by the Seasiders.
"The Tangerines frontman, who scored 13 goals in 31 appearances in the Barclays Premier League last season, will now discuss personal terms with the Rs over the coming days, ahead of a potential move to Loftus Road."
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Charlie Adam an Aston Villa Target as Alex McLeish Prepares to Spend
by John PercyFiled under: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackpool, Liverpool, Championship, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Alex McLeish was shopping in the bargain basement at Birmingham City before his controversial move across the second city divide to take charge at Aston Villa.
But he will now be in the unusual position of having substantial transfer funds at his disposal and is already targeting a raft of quality recruitments.
Charlie Adam is the latest name to be linked with a move to Villa Park, with the Sun reporting that McLeish is preparing a £9 million bid for the Blackpool playmaker.
The paper suggests that McLeish is ready to take on a string of bigger Premier League rivals, including Liverpool and Spurs, to fight for the Scotland international's signature.
Adam is well known to McLeish. He made his debut under him at previous club Rangers and also won his first international cap when McLeish was in charge.
Villa, of course, have had previous interest in Adam and Gerard Houllier's advances were enough to infuriate Ian Holloway in January.
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At least two bids were made by Villa in the New Year but it will take more than double the £4 million they last offered to prise him out of Blackpool, despite the Tangerines's relegation to the Championship.
The report also says McLeish will be returning to St. Andrew's to sign goalkeeper Ben Foster, who will cost around £10 million of the £40 million that Randy Lerner is understood to have put aside for the new manager.
The Daily Mirror goes even further, reporting that Birmingham defender Scott Dann will be another target together with Foster.
Dann is also being eyed by Liverpool and Stoke but both clubs have been scared off by an "astronomical" price tag, which is believed to be anywhere between £12 and £15 million.
McLeish will undoubtedly hold an advantage after signing Dann - but can you imagine Birmingham's acting chairman Peter Pannu wanting to do any business with McLeish after the bitterness and bile of last week?
Charlie Adam Moves Closer to Blackpool Exit as Liverpool Step up Interest
by Chris BreretonFiled under: Blackpool, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
On the day that David Vaughan admitted he would be leaving Blackpool in order to remain in the Premier League, it appears that teammate Charlie Adam is right behind him on the way out of Bloomfield Road.
According to reports on Sky Sports News, Adam is finally set to discuss a move to Liverpool and thus end 12 months of speculation about his future.
In January, Liverpool bid £7 million for the midfielder - with another £1.5m in add ons - but that was not enough to tempt Blackpool owner Karl Oyston into selling him.
However, Adam only has one year left on his Blackpool deal and the club knows it makes more sense to cash in now rather than risk seeing him leave for nothing at the end of the forthcoming season.
Adam's year in the Premier League was a huge personal success and he attracted the interest of Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City but Anfield has always been his preferred destination.
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Reports at the time suggested he was furious in January when Oyston refused to rubberstamp his exit and his form dipped notably after the discussions broke down.
Adam has been in holiday in Dubai and has left any current negotiations in the hands of his agents.
But Sky Sports News suggests Liverpool will strengthen their approach for the player towards the end of the week, with Thursday being the most likely day for Oyston to meet with Liverpool's transfer chief Damien Comolli.
While Adam is undoubtedly a talented player, the question remains as to how many games he would get for Liverpool if he does join Kenny Dalglish's side.
With the recent acquisition of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Raul Meireles, Lucas, Jay Spearing and Steven Gerrard all expected to be fit for the start of next term, Liverpool's midfield is starting to look very cramped indeed.
However, Liverpool have spoken of their desire to add strength and depth to their squad and Dalglish is known to be a huge admirer of his fellow Scotsman.
Danny Graham Seems Premier League-bound…But Is He Going to Be a Bargain?
by Jon WestFiled under: Blackpool, Everton, West Brom, Wigan, QPR, Norwich, Watford, Reading, Swansea, Middlesbrough, Championship, League One, League Two, Premier League, Football
It is rare in these days of foreign imports and Academy cherry-picking for players to ply their trade in the lower leagues for a number of seasons and then be signed by a Premier League club.
Refreshingly therefore for those of a more old school outlook, two men who fit that description find themselves on the brink of just such a move.
Watford's Danny Graham, last season's top scorer in the Chmapionship with 27 goals, is considering whether to join play-off victors Swansea for a crack at the big time, with fellow top-flight returnees Queens Park Rangers also keen, as are West Bromwich.
And Craig Mackail-Smith, whose 35, goals propelled Peterborough out of League One via the play-offs, will return from holiday later in the month to sign for a Premier League club. Everton, Norwich, QPR and Wigan are all interested and Posh have confirmed that a bid from one club has been accepted.
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Swansea are reported to have had a £3.5 million offer for Graham accepted by Watford, who are one of the poorer relations of the Championship family. That is £1 million more than QPR were initially prepared to pay and would smash the Swans' transfer record, which currently just stands at £1 million, the fee they paid Chelsea for winger Scott Sinclair, who repaid that almost a hundred times with his hat-trick in the 4-2 play-off final victory over Reading.
Swans manager Brendan Rodgers - who was previously in charge of Watford but in the summer that Graham arrived - has plenty of money at his disposal therefore and needs a striker with Chelsea loanee Fabio Borini poised to sign a long-term deal with Parma instead of staying on in South Wales.
But will Watford be getting enough for their star asset who, at 25, knows the timing of the transfer is just right as far as he is concerned?
Graham started at Middlesbrough when they were in the Premier League but was little used and was forced to kick-start his career in the lower divisions via loan spells at Darlington, Derby, Leeds, Blackpool and Carlisle before joining the latter permanently in 2007 for two seasons in League One. He has just two full Championship campaigns to his name.
Mackail-Smith has just one of those - last season's disaster as Peterborough went straight down after the striker's partnership with Aaron Mclean propelled them from League Two to the second tier.
The Scotland international is 27 and therefore even more in need of a move if he is to appear regularly on Match of the Day but the worry for Watford fans is that Posh will bank more for their star asset than the Hornets will for Graham. Mackail-Smith has just one previous league club - tiny Dagenham and Redbridge.
So far, Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry is not making public the size of the bid but should it be in excess of £3.5 million then a few eyebrows are certain to be raised in Hertfordshire, where many Hornets fans are already wondering why the club has rushed into such a quick sale.
All the cash up front into the coffers of a club that has plenty of financial worries is one logical answer but either way Danny Graham can start preparing for a crack at the Premier League - and to see if he can do better than Craig Mackail-Smith.
Premier League Top Tens: The Worst Transfer Business of 2010-11
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackpool, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Ham, Listmania, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
The worst transfer business of the season is not confined to managers spending unwisely on players they feel will transform their campaign. There are also the signings that got away and the players that should never have been sold. This is Fanhouse UK's guide to what went wrong in the market over the last 12 months:
1 Chelsea splash out to regain ground
Fernando Torres was bought from Liverpool for £50 million to breathe life into Chelsea's Premier League and Champions League campaigns. Unfortunately, the investment yielded just one goal from the Spaniard before the season ended. Pushing Manchester United in the title race was a team effort and little to do with Torres.
2 Manchester United sign untested Bebe
Sir Alex Ferguson spent a reported £7.4 million on 20-year-old Portuguese winger. He was last seen coming on as a substitute in Gary Neville's testimonial. Before that, he played in some cup matches but only made substitute appearances in two Premier League games. There is time to find his feet in English football but it has been a difficult start.
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3 Sunderland pay price in the transfer market
Nothing went right for the Black Cats when Darren Bent left for Aston Villa, with the England striker helping to secure safety for his new club while Steve Bruce's men went into freefall. The £24 million spent on the 27-year-old looks like a bargain now. To make matter worse, Bruce's investment in South American duo Marcos Angeleri and Cristian Riveros failed to come off.
4 Tottenham target Phil Neville and Charlie Adam
Spurs were outsiders in the title race when the January transfer window opened. Harry Redknapp wanted Phil Neville from Everton to add experience and admitted he was bemused at the club's bid for the veteran. With minutes of the window left open, chairman Daniel Levy tried to buy Charlie Adam from Blackpool but could not get the paperwork completed before the deadline.
5 Arsenal fail to strengthen
It did not take world's greatest coach to figure out what Arsenal needed in their squad. At the top of the list was a central defender to cover for the loss of Thomas Vermaelen and the departure of William Gallas the previous season. An experienced goalkeeper to compete with Wojciech Szczesny would have helped too. Arsene Wenger did not invest as he should have and Arsenal tailed off.
6 Manchester City bolster their attack
Roberto Mancini spent more than £50 million on Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko. Dzeko only managed two Premier League goals following his move from German club Wolfsburg. Balotelli has shown flashes of his potential but his discipline has been a problem for City. Mancini guided the club into the Champions League but it was not down to his new strikers.
7 Liverpool snap up an expensive "free" transfer
There was a real scramble for Joe Cole's signature this time last year. Tottenham were interested and Arsenal were linked with his signature but eventually he agreed a deal with Liverpool. The trouble was finding a system to accommodate his talent and the 29-year-old struggled to play regularly for his new club. Now overshadowed by Luis Suarez's arrival.
8 Aston Villa get bad end of James Milner deal
Not only did Villa part with a player that embodies work ethic in James Milner, they also got Stephen Ireland as part of the deal. The Irish midfielder was valued at £8 million and appeared to be hungry to revive his career. Before getting loaned out to Newcastle in January, he made 12 appearances for Villa. Then played only two times for Newcastle before the season ended.
9 Birmingham land Alexander Hleb on loan
There may not have been an expensive transfer fee for former Arsenal midfielder Hleb, but Birmingham had to structure a deal with Barcelona to land him for a season. Hleb, a Belarus international, did not inspire Alex McLeish's team in the way he was expected to. The season ended with Hleb injured as Birmingham were relegated.
10 West Ham sign a World Cup winger
Pablo Barrera caught the eye at the World Cup with Mexico and his deal to go to Upton Park looked a £4 million bargain. However, he failed to adjust to the pace of the Premier League and did not play after February. Perhaps not as bad as the previous season's worst buy, Benni McCarthy, but still an expensive flop as Avram Grant's team were relegated.
Premier League Top Tens: Our Best Players (Plus a Goalkeeper) of 2010-11
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Listmania, Premier League, Football
Unlike the prestigious team-of-the-year awards from the Professional Footballers' Association, here at Fanhouse UK we have the benefit of letting the dust settle on the whole season before deciding who is in our best XI. It is like our other top 10s, plus a goalkeeper:
1 Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)
The Dutchman, 40, bowed out from the game at the top, playing a key role in United winning the title then finishing second in the Champions League. The command of his area and defenders will be difficult to replace now he is retiring. Goalkeepers like Van der Sar are difficult to replace, as Sir Alex Ferguson found when Peter Schmeichel hung up his gloves.
2 Kyle Walker (Aston Villa)
There were not many contenders for right back this season. Glen Johnson is England's first-choice but has not stood out, while Branislav Ivanovic has performed well for Chelsea but is arguably a better centre back. Walker gets the nod despite only playing half a season on loan at Villa. He did well enough to earn an England call-up.
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3 Leighton Baines (Everton)
Ashley Cole had another consistent season for Chelsea but Baines was outstanding. Has matured into a fine left back and is in pole position to eventually take over from Cole when the time is right for a change in the England team. Baines has a terrific delivery from set-pieces and is reliable from the penalty spot.
4 Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger has run Wilshere into the ground - and has the statistics to prove it. That is why he was against the midfielder going with England under-21s to their European Championships in Denmark. Not only did Wilshere play in most of his club's games, he influenced many of them too. Has a terrific range of passing and stamina to get from box to box.
5 Gary Cahill (Bolton)
Emerging into one of the Premier League's most impressive centre backs. Now 25, he is no longer the youngster with plenty of potential, he is a dominant defender with the ability to cause trouble in the opposition penalty area too. Plenty of big clubs have been monitoring his progress and are ready to make their move.
6 Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
An obvious choice to lead a defence, and probably to captain this XI as well. He lifted the Premier League trophy after another fantastic year at the heart of United's back line. Physical and powerful, the Serbian is a match for any of the forwards in the division.
7 Nani (Manchester United)
Sometimes frustrating with his use of the ball and sometimes left on the bench as Antonio Valencia is more reliable. But when the Portugal winger gets it right, which he did plenty of times over the season, he is devastating. Increasingly getting better with his final ball and has an eye for a spectacular goal.
8 Scott Parker (West Ham)
So close between Parker and Charlie Adam for who would get the final place in central midfield. Parker edges it for carrying West Ham - they would have been cut adrift earlier if it was not for the England midfielder. He also played through injury for most of the time, and personal tragedy when his father passed away.
9 Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
Stakes a claim to be signing of the season. Chicharito, or the Little Pea, has the world at his feet after making the move from Mexico. Showed glimpses of his talent at the World Cup and has impressed whenever given the opportunity by Ferguson in his rookie campaign.
10 Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
He may have wanted to leave City - infamously asking for a transfer - but he put in a shift every time he played. Plenty of work-rate, plenty of goals, and a touch of glory too as City reached the Champions League and won the FA Cup at Wembley.
11 Luka Modric (Tottenham)
Gareth Bale caught the eye against Inter Milan, but Modric was consistent throughout the whole campaign, either in a central position or on the left. His manager, Harry Redknapp, believes he would fit into any team in the world. United manager Ferguson is an admirer of how the Croatia international drives forward when he gets the ball.
Luka Modric and Charlie Adam Unlikely Candidates to Replace Paul Scholes
by Matt ButlerFiled under: Blackpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Barely 24 hours after Paul Scholes announced his retirement, the talk has already turned to who will replace the Manchester United midfielder.
First on many people's lips was Tottenham's Luka Modric, who was inspirational for Harry Redknapp's side in their Champions League adventure last season. He is admired by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and would slot into the side at Old Trafford with little disruption.
That is of course if Spurs wanted to sell him - which they don't. As if Tottenham were telegraphing the talk of Modric moving to Manchester, Redknapp made a firm statement this week that they would be buying, not selling, this summer.
Redknapp said: "The chairman and I have discussed this and we have no intention of selling any of [my players]. They are at a top club and we are looking to improve the squad in the summer, not weaken it, in order to push for a Champions League place again next season."
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Modric, on the other hand, sent the rumour-mongers into overdrive by claiming this week that "when you experience playing in the Champions League, you want to keep playing in this tournament" and "if an offer comes which is good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is possible".
But even if Modric is open to the idea of a move back into Europe's elite, it is hard to see why Spurs would sell him, as they are hoping to be back among the big boys themselves by the 2012-13 season.
However, if Modric is off-limits for United, the same cannot be said for Blackpool's Charlie Adam, who has also been spoken of as a potential replacement for Scholes.
The Tangerines acknowledge they have to trim their squad after their relegation to the Championship - and the £16 million which they are understood to be hoping for would come in handy if they were to fund a return to the top flight.
But for all the plaudits showered on Adam for his performances in an ultimately unsuccessful season in the Premier League, the question remains is that is he any better than what United already have?
He is a good player, no doubt - and he would certainly give Darron Gibson a run for his money for a first-team spot. But to say he would be a worthy replacement for Scholes would be to make a massive extrapolation.
And it should not be forgotten that Ferguson will not want to replace the Scholes of today - remember he made just 16 Premier League starts in his final season - but is after a world-class midfielder for now and the future. And Adam does not yet meet those criteria.
Premier League Top Tens: The FanHouse UK Games of the Season
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football
From Newcastle's stunning comeback to draw against Arsenal to Wolverhampton's shock victory over Manchester United, once again it's been another Premier League season of thrills and spills. Here Fanhouse UK picks its 10 best games of the 2010-11 season.
1. NEWCASTLE 4 ARSENAL 4 (5 February, 2011)
When Arsene Wenger attempts to trace back to the origins of his team's title collapse, it will begin here. The Gunners were 3-0 ahead within 11 minutes courtesy of Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and Robin Van Persie goals before the Dutchman added a fourth in the 26th minute. Game over. Or so it seemed. Abou Diaby's sending off turned the contest upside down and the Magpies took full advantage of Arsenal's defensive collapse. A Leon Best effort sandwiched between two Joey Barton penalties ensured a tense finale and Chuck Tiote's stunning 87th-minute volley salvaged a precious point for Alan Pardew and left St James' Park speechless.
2. TOTTENHAM 3 ARSENAL 3 (20 April, 2011)
A pulsating derby between two footballing teams playing the game as it should be played. The game began at breakneck speed with Rafael van der Vaart having cancelled out Walcott's opener by the seventh minute. Samir Nasri and Van Persie strikes put the Gunners in the driving seat but Tom Huddlestone's goal on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the contest. A ding-dong second half ensued but it was Spurs who broke the deadlock when Van der Vaart scored from the penalty spot with 20 minutes left after Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny had brought down Aaron Lennon.
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3. WOLVERHAMPTON 3 TOTTENHAM 3 (6 March, 2011)
A game that had everything - penalties, wonder goals and late drama. Kevin Doyle's header put the home side in front only for two stunning long-range efforts from Jermain Defoe in the space of five minutes to turn the match on its head. Striker Doyle restored parity before the break but Spurs regained the lead when Roman Pavlyuchenko lashed in. An away win looked on the cards until substitute Steven Fletcher headed in with just three minutes to go to salvage a point for Mick McCarthy's men.
4. ARSENAL 2 WEST BROM 3 (26 September, 2010)
This was a first away win in 19 Premier League matches for the Baggies and how it was worth the wait. Not even Chris Brunt's early missed penalty could deter them from their task and Peter Odemwingie, Gonzalo Jara and Jerome Thomas saw them race into a three-goal lead to leave them in dreamland. Samir Nasri netted a late brace for the Gunners but it was too little too late on what was the best day of Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies reign and yet another example of the Gunners' inconsistencies.
5. WOLVERHAMPTON 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (5 February, 2011)
It was top against bottom, giant against underdog. Unbeaten in the Premier League up until then, United looked certain to extend their streak at Molineux having taken the lead via Nani within just three minutes. But McCarthy's team equalised via George Elokobi before what proved to be the winner from Doyle five minutes before the break. A tense second period followed but Wolves held firm to record a famous victory.
Premier League Top Tens: The FanHouse UK Games of the Season
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football
From Newcastle's stunning comeback to draw against Arsenal to Wolverhampton's shock victory over Manchester United, once again it's been another Premier League season of thrills and spills. Here Fanhouse UK picks its 10 best games of the 2010-11 season.
1. ARSENAL 4 NEWCASTLE 4 (5 February, 2011)
When Arsene Wenger attempts to trace back to the origins of his team's title collapse, it will begin here. The Gunners were 3-0 ahead within 11 minutes courtesy of Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and Robin Van Persie goals before the Dutchman added a fourth in the 26th minute. Game over. Or so it seemed. Abou Diaby's sending off turned the contest upside down and the Magpies took full advantage of Arsenal's defensive collapse. A Leon Best effort sandwiched between two Joey Barton penalties ensured a tense finale and Chuck Tiote's stunning 87th-minute volley salvaged a precious point for Alan Pardew and left the Emirates Stadium speechless.
2. TOTTENHAM 3 ARSENAL 3 (20 April, 2011)
A pulsating derby between two footballing teams playing the game as it should be played. The game began at breakneck speed with Rafael van der Vaart having cancelled out Walcott's opener by the seventh minute. Samir Nasri and Van Persie strikes put the Gunners in the driving seat but Tom Huddlestone's goal on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the contest. A ding-dong second half ensued but it was Spurs who broke the deadlock when Van der Vaart scored from the penalty spot with 20 minutes left after Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny had brought down Aaron Lennon.
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3. WOLVERHAMPTON 3 TOTTENHAM 3 (6 March, 2011)
A game that had everything - penalties, wonder goals and late drama. Kevin Doyle's header put the home side in front only for two stunning long-range efforts from Jermain Defoe in the space of five minutes to turn the match on its head. Striker Doyle restored parity before the break but Spurs regained the lead when Roman Pavlyuchenko lashed in. An away win looked on the cards until substitute Steven Fletcher headed in with just three minutes to go to salvage a point for Mick McCarthy's men.
4. ARSENAL 2 WEST BROM 3 (26 September, 2010)
This was a first away win in 19 Premier League matches for the Baggies and how it was worth the wait. Not even Chris Brunt's early missed penalty could deter them from their task and Peter Odemwingie, Gonzalo Jara and Jerome Thomas saw them race into a three-goal lead to leave them in dreamland. Samir Nasri netted a late brace for the Gunners but it was too little too late on what was the best day of Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies reign and yet another example of the Gunners' inconsistencies.
5. WOLVERHAMPTON 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (5 February, 2011)
It was top against bottom, giant against underdog. Unbeaten in the Premier League up until then, United looked certain to extend their streak at Molineux having taken the lead via Nani within just three minutes. But McCarthy's team equalised via George Elokobi before what proved to be the winner from Doyle five minutes before the break. A tense second period followed but Wolves held firm to record a famous victory.
Video: Our Top Goals of the Season Including That Wayne Rooney Overhead Kick
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Listmania, Premier League, Football, Videos
From fantastic free-kicks to sumptuous strikes and outstanding overheads to terrific team play, the Premier League has once again been flooded with memorable goals.
Here Fanhouse UK picks its 10 favourites of the 2010-11 season.
1. WAYNE ROONEY (Manchester United 2 Manchester City 1, 12 February)
This was the goal that announced Rooney's return to form in one of United's biggest game of the season. With 12 minutes left to go and the scores level at 1-1, there was nothing to separate these two great rivals. There appeared little on when Nani swung in a ball from the right which was behind Rooney but he propelled himself high into the air and unleashed an unstoppable overhead kick into the top corner. A goal from the very top drawer.
Goals Of The Season
2. DIMITAR BERBATOV (Manchester United 3 Liverpool 2, 19 September)
More acrobatic artistry from a United forward against another of their great rivals. The Bulgarian controlled Nani's cross with his knee before he swept a stunning overhead kick beyond Pepe Reina and in off the underside of the crossbar. He went on to cap a perfect afternoon with a third goal to seal a 3-2 triumph.
3. GARETH BALE (Stoke 1 Tottenham 2, 21 August)
A goal worthy of winning any game. Aaron Lennon floated a cross to the back post and, despite the ball being at head height, the Welsh wizard sized up its flight, arched his back and arrow a precision volley high into the top-right corner of the net. World class from the PFA Player of the Season.
4. ALEX (Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0, 3 October)
A goal from the Alan Shearer school of free-kicks. For all the flicks and tricks of the modern era, very little beats the sight of a good old fashioned leathering of the ball. The Brazilian made his intentions clear with a lengthy run-up to hit the free-kickfrom 25 yards and it arrowed into the top-right corner with venom.
5. JOHAN ELMANDER (Wolverhampton 2 Bolton 3, 13 November)
For a big guy, Elmander hasn't half got quick feet, as he demonstrated to deadly effect here. With his back to goal and closely marshalled by George Elokobi and Karl Henry, nothing looked on for the Sweden international. But he made a mockery of the Wolves duo with a mesmeric turn before calmly slotting inside the right post. Genius.
Exclusive: Blackpool Exodus Begins as David Vaughan Joins Sunderland
by Chris BreretonFiled under: Blackpool, Premier League, Football
So the exodus begins. FanHouse UK understands that Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan has agreed a three-year deal with Sunderland following the relegation of Ian Holloway's side last weekend.
Vaughan has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Blackpool's higher profile over the last 12 months and has had a hugely impressive season at Bloomfield Road.
While Charlie Adam may have stolen most of the headlines - and speculation - relating to his future, Vaughan has also caught the eye of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce who is keen to freshen up his midfield.
Sunderland somehow finished 10th in the Premier League despite chronically underperforming in the second half of the season and Bruce believes that the Welsh international can add the creative spark that the likes of Ahmed Elmohamady, Jordan Henderson and Stephane Sessegnon do not provide.
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Blackpool have desperately tried to convince Vaughan to sign a new deal at Bloomfield Road but he has resisted all those attempts, primarily because the 28-year-old knows that Blackpool can never match whatever wages can be offered elsewhere.
Blackpool's £10,000-a-week pay ceiling restricts their negotiating power and owner Karl Oyston has initiated an immediate 50 per cent decrease in wages following the club's return to the Championship and that is likely to have prompted Vaughan to hasten his exit from the Fylde coast.
On a footballing level, he has also more than proved his worth this season and underlined that he is good enough to remain in the Premier League.
He is expected to walk through the Blackpool exit alongside Marlon Harewood who is also understood to have agreed a deal with Championship side Millwall.
Harewood signed a two-year deal with Blackpool last summer but is expected to leave for the Den on a further two-year contract after spending the last three months of the season on loan at Barnsley.
Premier League Top Tens: Ten Moments That Decided the 2010-11 Relegation Battle
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan, Wolverhampton, Listmania, Carling Cup, Premier League, Football
Survival Sunday saw teams swapping places in the relegation zone during a thrilling afternoon, with Birmingham and Blackpool eventually joining West Ham in the bottom three of the Premier League.
It meant Blackburn, Wolves and Wigan were jubilant as they secured their status in the top flight for another season, escaping the drop by the skin of their teeth.
But what happened before the final day of the campaign shaped what happened on a dramatic and emotional afternoon.
Here FanHouse UK examines how the relegation battle unfolded and picks out the key moments that decided the three teams who will be playing in the Championship next season.
1. Birmingham win the Carling Cup, February 27
Alex McLeish's team secured the club's first major trophy in 48 years when they defeated Arsenal at Wembley. But after Obafemi Martins tapped home the winner, nothing went right for either club. For McLeish, his squad was hit by injuries and the cup run had taken so much out of them that they only won another two games before the end of the season.
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2. West Ham stick with Avram Grant, January 15
It looked as though Avram Grant had lost his job at Upton Park and Martin O'Neill would arrive to guide the club to safety. But in the end Grant was retained and, following a resurgence that lifted the hopes of the Hammers, they were relegated with a week of the season still remaining. It was on the day of their defeat to Arsenal that Grant looked set to depart, but he kept his job.
3. West Ham lose to Manchester United and lose Scott Parker, April 2
Mark Noble's two penalties had given West Ham a half-time lead against Manchester United but Sir Alex Ferguson's team showed why they would go on to become champions. Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick - complete with foul-mouthed celebration into a television camera - and the Hammers could not lift themselves again. It did not help that Scott Parker had an Achilles injury and could only start one of their final three games.
4. Charles N'Zogbia seals Wigan's stunning comeback, May 15
Wigan were two goals down to West Ham at the DW Stadium and fought back in the second half to claim an amazing victory, with Charles N'Zogbia scoring the winner. They confirmed relegation for their opponents but, more importantly for them, they gained momentum which they were able to take into their final game of the season, when they defeated Stoke away from home to finish out of the relegation zone.
5. Blackpool push United all the way, January 25
Ian Holloway was expecting the second half of the season to be tougher than the first. So it proved, with Blackpool needing to scrap for every point. But they were 2-0 up against United with 18 minutes remaining at Bloomfield Road but Ferguson's men showed their ruthless streak again to win 3-2. Victory, or even a draw, and it may have been different for Holloway's team in terms of belief.
6. Steven Fletcher gets on the scoresheet, April 23
A disappointing draw with Fulham at Molineux will hardly be a red-letter day for Wolves fans. They will always remember the scenes when they secured safety on the final day of the season. But it was the day when Steven Fletcher started a run of five goals in five games, which played a key part in Mick McCarthy's men staying in the top flight.
7. Stephen Hunt sparks celebrations for Wolves, May 22
Survival Sunday was defined by Stephen Hunt's strike. Wolves needed a goal to overtake Birmingham on goals scored and Hunt delivered, curling a left-footed strike into the top corner of Blackburn's net, leaving Paul Robinson with no chance. It piled the pressure on Birmingham to win, but they ended up losing in the final moments of their match against Tottenham.
8. The transfer window closes Blackburn's ambitions, February 1
Rovers' owners, Venky's, had targeted big names in global football, with David Beckham one of the players in the frame. When the transfer window closed they had Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones as significant arrivals, and it meant Steve Kean knew the players he had at his disposal to keep the club afloat. The focus was then on Kean's job, but the pressure was off the squad.
9. Darren Bent makes a shock move, January 18
The deal for Darren Bent, starting at £18 million, looks like a bargain now for Villa after the England striker scored nine goals and effectively secured their safety. He has a knack of being in the right place at the right time and Sunderland struggled without him. Steve Bruce's team may have finished in the top 10 but they looked in real trouble at one stage.
10. Roy Hodgson appointed manager at West Brom, February 11
Roy Hodgson's reputation took a pounding at Liverpool, particularly after Kenny Dalglish turned the club around after taking over. But the former Fulham manager worked wonders at West Brom, taking Roberto Di Matteo's squad and guiding them well clear of the relegation zone.
Why Europa League Would Be an Unwelcome Distraction for Blackpool
by Neil JohnstonFiled under: Blackpool, Premier League, Football
It is not all bad news for Valeri Belokon.
No sooner had Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League been confirmed than it emerged that Ian Holloway's side are still in contention for European football next season.
Heading into the final round of matches Fulham looked set to benefit from their standing in the Premier League's Fair Play table, but Zoltan Gera's sending off might just have handed Blackpool a ticket into the Europa League.
It remains unlikely - several factors come into play when determining a team's fair play record, not just red and yellow cards - but Blackpool may yet be back in action on June 30 in the first qualifying round where they could meet Latvia's FC Daugava.
That would be a dream draw for Belokon, Blackpool's president, as he hails from the Baltic country.
Just don't expect Holloway or his players to be jumping up and down with excitement.
A European adventure might help cushion the blow of going down among the fans, but for Holloway it has all the potential for a headache he does not need.
Having been told his job is safe despite relegation, Holloway's main task when he returns to his office at Bloomfield Road will be to plot Blackpool's Premier League return.
Not traipsing across the continent to play teams no one has heard of.
Defeating the likes of Brighton, Barnsley and Doncaster has to be Holloway's priorty. Not Finland's Honka, Neath of Wales or Qarabag of Azerbaijan, who are all in the hat for the first qualifying draw on June 20.
Blackpool have to be careful they do not become another Crystal Palace, Leicester or Charlton who have yet to resurface after slipping through the relegation trap door in the last few seasons.
Man United 4 Blackpool 2: Heartache For Blackpool As Own Goal Spells Relegation
by Neil JohnstonFiled under: Blackpool, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Ian Evatt's own goal spelled heartbreak for Blackpool as Manchester United warmed up for the Champions League final against Barcelona with victory at Old Trafford.
Blackpool, who started the day third from bottom, led 2-1 at one stage but their one-year Premier League adventure came to a crashing end after conceding three goals in 18 second half minutes.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made no fewer than nine changes to the side that clinched a record 19th title at Blackburn eight days earlier although it was still a much stronger team than people had predicted
Keeper Edwin van der Sar, who will retire after the Barcelona game, was handed the captain's armband on his Old Trafford farewell while there were also starts for Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher, who are all expected to feature strongly at Wembley.
Blackpool started the day in the relegation zone on goal difference but they could afford to lose and still stay up if their struggling rivals lost by a bigger margin.
Yet from the opening minute to the last, they attacked United as though their lives depended on it.
Keith Southern should have scored inside the opening 30 seconds while Gary Taylor-Fletcher also went close before Rafael da Silva forced Matthew Gilks into his first save.
In an enthralling contest, Park broke the deadlock in the 21st minute after displaying excellent composure to clip the ball over Gilks after muscling his way past Evatt.
Blackpool were living dangerously and they were fortunate not to concede a 31st minute penalty when Park was sent sprawling under a challenge by Charlie Adam.
But they responded when Adam fired the visitors level with a stunning free-kick five minutes before half time after Vidic was wrongly adjudged to have fouled Taylor-Fletcher just outside the area.
That was only the beginning of the drama.
Taylor-Fletcher, against all-odds, made it 2-1 to Blackpool after connecting with David Vaughan's 57th minute cross with an audacious flick only for Anderson to level five minutes later with a first-time shot which curled beyond Gilks following Park's tidy pass.
It was downhill all the way for Blackpool after that.
Evatt deflected Chris Smalling's cross beyond his own keeper in agonising fashion to send the Tangerines into the relegation spots before substitute Michael Owen made it 4-2 with a typical finish nine minutes from time.
REACTION:
Ferguson admitted his side's victory had given him a selection dilemma ahead of the Champions League final:
"I think I could pick four or five teams next week and they wouldn't let us down."
On bringing the curtain down on another successful domestic campaign on a winning note:
"We have won the title more times than anyone else in the country and it's great for our history."
On winning the title with a nine-point cushion - their best margin for a decade:
"It didn't feel that way a couple of weeks ago. The players have been great and they deserve it. There's been a a lot of great performances. All that nonsense about this not being a great Manchester United team. It's a great feat."
On a 15th straight Premier League home win:
"Our target was to do our best. Yes, we had some disappointing performances away from home, but at home we have been fantastic. We scored another four goals today, seven against Blackburn, five against Birmingham. We've beaten Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham here. We've beaten all the top teams here. That's pretty good."
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway put on a brave face after relegation was confirmed:
"The singing is over. The fat lady has stopped singing and I don't like her tune. It wasn't today we let ourselves down - if at all. You are famous for two seconds and then you are gone. Our castle was made of sand, but there's concrete underneath."
On going down exactly one year after they won promotion:
"There's something about May 22 and this time of year. We won promotion on this date last season, I got this job on May 21 a couple of years ago. I also lost my job at Leicester on May 23 in 2008."
On wholesale changes this summer:
"Stephen Crainey, Gilks, Vaughan and Charlie, I don't think they will want to stay. None of them will want to play in the Championship and the ones who are out of contract don't have to stay. The trouble is I know what my players are earning and I know what they will go back to earning now we have been relegated. None of them will want to do that."
On his own future:
"I have got a year on my contract and I'm looking forward to talking to the chairman."
WHAT IT MEANS:
It is the end of a dream for Blackpool. It was May 22 last year that they defeated Cardiff to win promotion to the top-flight. Exactly 12 months on and they must now start planning for trips to Brighton, Doncaster and Barnsley. Ironically, they could yet be playing in the Europa League next season because of the Fair Play League. But that is little consolation for Holloway, who is expecting to lose key players like Gilks, Crainey, Vaughan and Adam. United head for the Champions League final on the back of 15 straight home wins in the league. They finished the season nine points clear of their nearest rivals - United's biggest title winning margin since they finished 10 points clear of Arsenal in 2000-01 season.