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Last Sunday lunchtime, Liverpool Football Club burst back onto the English footballing scene in a massive way. In no uncertain terms, Liverpool gave Manchester United a good hiding. Liverpool were up for it, they hassled Manchester United, and when in possession, the movement of Dirk Kuyt, Luis Suarez and Raul Meireles was too much for a Manchester United side who lacked so much, but most of all, passion. Liverpool were simply awesome. Even Steven Gerrard was allowed a poor game, that was how good Liverpool were.

Under Roy Hodgson Liverpool lacked passion. From Hicks and Gillett, to Roy Hodgson himself and down to the players – Liverpool where going nowhere, fast. Since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish, there is a positive energy coming out of Anfield. January signalled both the managers and the clubs intent. Liverpool spent big, and spent well in the transfer window. Kenny Dalglish has motivated his side, they are playing an expansive, attractive style of football and the fans are loving every minute of the ride. Sunday’s result was much more than a win over Manchester United. It was a statement of intent for next season.

When Kenny Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson, many believed, myself included, that he had nothing to lose. He had inherited a side that wasn’t strong enough and his reputation was never going to be tainted if Liverpool had continued to struggle in the bottom half of the Premier League. However, he has been a breath of fresh air, and most of all he has a footballing vision. Every footballing pundit who said he had been out of the game too long has had to eat their words. He understands how Liverpool need to play both home and away. Liverpool’s triumph’s away to Chelsea and at home to Manchester United, were tactically very different, but still highly impressive. Dalglish taught Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson a lesson on both occasions – his tactics were spot on.

Even though this season will be seen as a bitter disappointment for Liverpool, the errors of the first half of the season may in fact make Liverpool stronger. In recent memory, Liverpool have never been written off by so many. The club has had to fight negativity at every corner, but they have come out of it the other side. That is the spirit of Liverpool FC, and without a shadow of a doubt it has united the club. Now they are ready to push on. This season doesn’t have to end with a bitter taste. If Liverpool play to the standards they set against Manchester United, they could have a real push for the Champions League, or at least fifth position. Liverpool, under Kenny Dalglish are clearly building something special for the future. We have already seen a few glimpses of what they can do together. First step, Dalglish must be given a long term contract. With that in place, next season could be very special indeed for a club starved of domestic success.

Read more of Tom’s articles at the excellent This Is Futbol

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After a slow start the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has been full of thrills and spills. Portugal netted seven against North Korea and both Brazil and Spain showed their class against the Ivory Coast and Honduras respectively, and the tournament is now moving through the gears. As the group stage of the tournament nears its conclusion and the straight knockout format is due to kick in, expect to see more thrills as there are no second chances. Only then will the battle to be crowned World Cup winners really hot up, with the experience of the final almost unrivalled.

The adrenaline and sense of anticipation that surrounds the World Cup final is something to behold. The thrills that is provides for the players involved, the supporters in the stadium and football fans around the world watching at home will be remembered for a very long time, especially if it’s a classic in the vein of England v West Germany at Wembley in 1966. That is one of those special occasions that go down in history, but something completely different that will give you an adrenaline rush can be enjoyed everyday.

The World Cup final is something that you have to wait a long time for, four years in fact, but you’ll only have to wait until work finishes to drive your Mazda MX-5, although that’s long enough! Getting behind the wheel is a thrilling experience in a car that offers unadulterated driving pleasure. From the feeling of putting your foot to the floor to that of having the roof down and the wind in your hair, driving the MX-5 will give you a buzz from start to finish. That’s something you can’t say about most football matches, apart from a select few.

Hopefully we’ll be graced with a classic or two in the 2010 World Cup that will come close to meeting the needs of thrill seekers around the world. Condor Hang Gliding in the Andes, somersaulting from the nose of a 40 ton whale and racing your friends in a buffalo stampede just aren’t exciting enough. Watching the 2010 World Cup final might just be the only thing that you delay the thrill of getting behind the wheel of a Mazda MX-5 for!

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Brought to you by Mazda Thrillseekers, for more information, visit www.mazda.co.uk/thrillseekers

Chelsea kept within three points of leaders Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 3-1 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

John Terry and Daniel Sturridge gave the Blues a 2-0 lead before the half time whistle with Ramires adding a third in the second period before Apostolos Velios pulled one back for the visitors late on. It also kept up Andre Villas-Boas sides 100% at home this season barely having to break a sweat against the Toffees. After losing the Merseyside derby two weeks ago David Moyes’ side were desperate to bounce back but were comfortably beaten and have lost their last three slipping back into the bottom half of the table in the process. It was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Merseysiders with Chelsea riding high after trouncing Bolton 6-0 at the Reebok Stadium a fortnight ago and were full of confidence going into the game.

They were made to work in the opening stages though as Everton attempted to stifle their attacking threat closing down Juan Mata and Frank Lampard afforded little or no space in the centre of the park. Ramires did find some space though as Didier Drogba, partnered with Sturridge up front, released the midfielder only for Sylvain Distin to make a crucial interception as he bore down on goal. The visitors were swift on the counter attack and Louis Saha should have done better than to just fire straight at Petr Cech from close range. Chelsea were crying out for some inspiration and they found it in the 31st minute. Mata finally found some space in midfield with the Spaniard releasing the galloping Ashley Cole down the left and the full back’s first time cross was headed home by Sturridge.

Despite looking like they could force an equaliser the visitors were undone once again in first half stoppage time when Terry beat Tim Howard in the air to bundle home Lampards free kick. Everton came out strongly in the second period and Leon Osman almost halved the deficit shaving the outside of the post with a sweet effort. With a two-goal lead in the favour Chelsea soon started to exert their influence putting together some wonderful passing play and it was no surprise when they made it 3-0 on the hour mark.

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Mata was central to it all again exchanging passes with Drogba before sending an inch perfect cross in towards Ramires who slid in to poke the ball past Howard. The Brazilian appeared to hurt himself after getting in-between two defenders to get to the ball and was replaced by Florent Malouda. Chelsea were in cruise control now and that let Everton back in with substitute Velios snatching a late consolation. The Greek striker sliding home Royston Drenthe’s cross but it didn’t take the gloss off another comfortable performance from a Chelsea side slowly coming into their own under Villas-Boas.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has slammed the surface of the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium after his side drew 0-0 with Aris Thessaloniki on Tuesday.

Mancini’s side were frustrated in their goalless outing in Greece and although City now just need a home victory to progress through to the Europa League’s Round of 16, the Italian was still annoyed with the state of the pitch.

“I think that we had control of the game but on this pitch it was very difficult to play football,” Mancini told ITV.

“I think that if we scored a goal in the first half when we had a chance with (Edin) Dzeko, everything would change but after they defended with nine or 10 players behind the ball it was very difficult.”

City’s big-money January signing Dzeko made his first European start for the club and, although he had chances, inevitably failed to get on the scoresheet.

The 27 million-pound arrival from Wolfsburg played up front with Argentine Carlos Tevez, and Mancini believes the duo need time to get the best out of their relationship.

“I think that it’s the second or third time they’ve played together, I think they need to gel. They need to play more games,” he said.

“It would be better if we won this game, we tried but it was difficult because they defended very well but we’ve got another game and I think that was a good result.”

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Mancini also believes the City of Manchester Stadium pitch will help his players in the second leg, on February 24.

“We’ll have a good pitch (in the second leg) and we can play better football because we can play with the ball on the floor, it was impossible. I think it will be another game,” he said.

Germany national team head coach Joachim Low has backed Michael Ballack to play on at the highest level for another two or three years, after the midfielder was released by Chelsea.

The 33-year-old has not been offered a new contract by the Blues and will leave Stamford Bridge after scoring 25 goals in 167 appearances in a four-year stay.

Ballack will miss the upcoming World Cup finals due to an ankle injury, but has joined the rest of the squad at a training base in Italy.

From there, Low commented:"I am certain that Ballack will play two or three more years at the top level, so he will certainly not be thinking of ending his career.

"He has lots of opportunities and he told me this in Sicily. He even has some concrete offers from different clubs in different leagues.

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"I think when you see what condition he was in recent months for Chelsea, then it is clear he will play at the highest level for two to three more years."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea fringe forward Romelu Lukaku has stated that he is out to prove a point in 2012/13.

The Belgium international had fleeting opportunities last season in the club’s first-team and spent large periods of time on the bench.

However, after the powerful attacker scored a brace for the Blues in a 4-2 win over Seattle Sounders in pre-season, Lukaku took a swipe at former boss Andre Villas-Boas and admitted that he is raring to go for next term.

“Those goals have been a long time coming. Last season was very difficult for me,” he confessed to The Sun.

“But now it’s back to zero and if you have a good manager behind you, like I do now with Roberto Di Matteo, it’s the perfect situation. I’m confident and sure I can do well.”

Lukaku has been linked with a loan move to another club this summer, but the Blues are still light in attack after seeing Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou depart at the end of last season.

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By Gareth McKnight

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A London derby at Craven Cottage see’s Fulham host neighbours QPR in their first top flight meeting with the hosts continuing their search a first Premier League win of the season.

The Cottagers have been brilliant in the Europa League and recorded a fantastic 2-0 win on Thursday night away at Danish side Odense BK. Despite their successes in Europe manager Martin Jol has failed to transport that form into their league campaign seeing his side pick up only four points from their first six games. Hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th place wasn’t the start most Fulham fans envisaged when the season kicked off in August but the truth his the Cottagers have struggled. Despite signing Bryan Ruiz for £10 million from Twente on deadline day goalscoring remains a serious issue with Bobby Zamora, Moussa Dembele and Andy Johnson also struggling to find the net. New Costa Rican signing Ruiz has begun his career in England at a startlingly slow pace but had the chance to make himself a hero in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw away at West Brom but contrived to stab the ball off the post and wide with a few minutes left on the clock. Jol, who was revered for the attacking philosophy he adopted at Tottenham, needs to get his players motivated and focused on making what do in the final third count. Aaron Hughes is an injury doubt with a knee problem and will require a fitness test with fellow defender Matthew Briggs also a worry.

Goalscoring is also a problem for Neil Warnock with his QPR strikers also coming across as shot shy after last week’s draw against Aston Villa at Loftus Road. Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell both failed to find the net with Richard Dunne’s late own goal giving the R’s a point they didn’t deserve. A week earlier they had brushed aside a tame Wolves side with Joey Barton and Alejandro Faurlin suppling the goals from midfield. Campbell also got on the scoresheet at Molineux and will be hoping to start at Craven Cottage on Sunday after recovering from injury. Warnocks side are unbeaten since his deadline day splurge and look a lot healthier after the addition of a few experienced Premier League heads. Their know how on the road has certainly come to good use with the Rangers claiming six of their eight points away from home. They’ve won both games in which they’ve taken the lead so victory should be assured against Fulham who have yet to open the scoring in any of their league fixtures this season. Armand Traore misses the game after his sending off last week with fellow defender Daniel Gabbidon also out through injury.

Key Players

Danny Murphy – The Fulham skipper has been in inspired form in the last few weeks rolling back the years with some commanding displays in the middle of midfield. They’ll need his experience and guile if they are to win their first Premier League game of the season.

Adel Taarabt – A glittering performance from the Moroccan in last week’s draw with Villa highlighted that he can mix it with the Premier Leagues best. Admittedly he did fade in the second period but is always a threat with the ball at his feet.

Verdict: 0-1

Fuham’s Danny Murphy is the highest ranked player from either club in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in 21st place, while Alejandro Faurlin is QPR’s top ranked player in 62nd place Murphy has anchored the Fulham midfield this season, winning 85% of tackles entered into and making 10 interceptions. He has also put in ten crosses, while team mate Damien Duff stays top of the ranking for crosses with 30 this season. QPR are also due some goals. Taarabt is the player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with the most shots on target without scoring (14) Faurlin and Taarabt also both occupy places in the top passers in the league, in 9th and 13th places respectively and above internationals stars such as Frank Lampard and Ashley Young

Fancy winning a million pounds??

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David Moyes wants Everton to catch the teams chasing European qualification spots and has a score to settle against Bolton Wanderers.

When he was Preston manager, Moyes was beaten in a play-off game by Bolton in 2001 – an afternoon he has not forgotten.

“When I was manager at Preston they beat me in the end of season Championship play-offs around 10 years ago and they have been in the Premier League ever since,” Moyes said.

“It has always been hard to travel to Bolton because they have always had good managers – especially Sam Allardyce.”

“Bolton have done very well this year and Owen Coyle has got them playing good football. I hope our players will be up for the challenge and we know it is going to be a hard game.”

“We have been trying to catch up with teams like Bolton and hopefully if we can go on a run of three or four wins then we can be on the tails of the teams outside of the European places.”

“We’re only in February and we’ve got to hope the best is yet to come. In the past few seasons that’s been how it’s worked out so we are hoping it will be that way again.”

“A lot of teams at the lower end of the Premier League are playing really well and it can be quite unpredictable. There are lots of good games but also some that are very tight.”

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“It’s very close and I don’t think there is a lot between the teams at the top and the teams at the bottom. Last week the team at the bottom [Wolves] beat the team at the top [Manchester United] so it is very close.”

Jack Rodwell (groin) and Louis Saha (hamstring) will play no part in the game.

The manner in which Tony Pulis’ Stoke have established themselves in the Premier League hasn’t been to everybody’s taste, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be lauded for what is undoubtedly an impressive achievement. After his reappointment in 2006, Pulis and Stoke earned automatic promotion to England’s top flight on the final day of the 2007/08 season.

Despite initially being favourites for relegation the following season, Stoke surprised many in the first year back at the top. Victories against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Spurs and Man City would be indicative of the force that Stoke would come to represent – not necessarily feared but always respected.

Pulis’ finest achievement would come in the 2010/11 season as he guided Stoke to a place in the Europa League, courtesy of their place in that season’s FA Cup final (Man City, the winners, had already qualified for the Champions League).

In order to facilitate their European ambitions they signed, among others, Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios, Jonathan Woodgate, and Matthew Upson. In fact Stoke’s current squad boasts a selection of players who have played for some of the top teams in English football including: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Stoke’s ambition should not be doubted. Over the last five years Stoke have spent over £68m on transfers despite having only sold players to the effect f £8m over the same period. The only teams to have a higher net spend during this time were Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, having made such investments are Stoke in serious danger of regressing next season? Last season Stoke finished 14th with 45 points. – their lowest position and points tally since they rejoined the Premier League.

Clearly the burden of European football will have affected their performances yet this is also the strongest squad Stoke have had in decades. Stoke may have established themselves in the league, and may have clawed their way up to European football but as many a Premier League manager will testify: establishing yourself as a European club is considerably harder than doing it on a domestic level.

Without a change in direction for next season Stoke’s hopes of continuing to rise through the table could be severely hampered. Regardless of the extra games they had to play, Stoke were a far less effective side than they had been in previous seasons. They conceded more goals than in the previous two seasons and their record at The Britannia was also considerably worse than the two previous years.

Stoke may be in possession of players with a higher level of technical ability but until Pulis manages to use them with the same level of efficiency that he did with his previous, more rugged, players Stoke will continue to struggle.

After such a defined, effective strategy of physical football have sacrificed tried and tested tactics in search of club progression. A season in to this semi-transformation and the club has regressed domestically.

Next season could be pivotal, established Premier League sides can always go down, just ask Leeds, Newcastle of West Ham, and money doesn’t buy security.

Moreover, having already spent considerable sums of money it seems unlikely that Peter Coates would be willing to invest similar funds again.

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In Pulis Stoke have an astute manager who has proven his worth both tactically and in the transfer market but another season like 2011/12 and Stoke could find themselves fearing relegation once more. They’ve come a long way since 2008 but if things don’t change at The Britannia it could be a short journey back to where they came from.

Follow Hamish on twitter @H_Mackay

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One of the most positive results of this year’s transfer deadline day was Tottenham Hotspur managing to keep hold of Croatian playmaker Luka Modric. To many this can be seen as a victory for football and evidence that player power doesn’t always win.

The Croat had previously admitted his desire to leave the North London club earlier this summer but his request was met with a firm response from Chairman Daniel Levy , the player would not be sold. Chelsea made no secret of the fact that they wished to sign him and had three separate bids rejected by Spurs.

The final bid, according to manager Harry Redknapp , came on the 30th of August and it is believed to have been worth £40m, £30m cash plus Blues defender Alex as part of the deal. Spurs stood firm and again rejected the advances of their London rivals.

Modric made a number of attempts to seal his exit from White Hart Lane and met with Levy more than once to discuss his future. Although the message from the club was clear a number of people, from the media especially thought it near impossible for them to hold on to an unhappy player.

The Croat’s exit seemed even more likely when he asked to be left out of the Spurs squad that travelled north to face champions Manchester United and even Redknapp made comments that indicated his departure could be likely.

More evidence to suggest Modric would be sold was the fact that Spurs had been in a similar situation in August 2008, when Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov sparked a similar sequence of events in an effort to secure his eventual transfer to United. Levy had at first taken the same hard line stance and insisted the player would not leave, but on deadline day he completed a £31m transfer.

Though it seems both Chairman and club have learnt from this and were determined not to lose arguably their best player, and especially not to one of their biggest rivals. The player stated he wanted to play Champions League football, but as manager Redknapp suggested keeping players like Modric will help get them back into Europe’s premier competition.

Similar again to this was Carlos Tevez’s situation at Manchester City, like Modric he had only recently signed a new contract but decided he now wanted to leave the club and yet again most expected him to do so. Like Spurs City stood firm and both players remain at their respective clubs.

Although many will argue that you can’t keep unhappy players this has to be seen as a victory for football as a whole. Players have for too long have been seen as the ones holding the power in the game but the situation of both Modric and Tevez demonstrates that this is not always the case.

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Though it remains to be seen how dedicated they will be to the cause this year but for now both clubs have managed to hang on to two of their most prized assets.

Article courtesy of Patrick Giffney from This is Futbol

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