Roberto Di Matteo has continued his excellent run as temporary Chelsea manager and made it four wins in all competitions with a 5-2 victory over Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
The Stamford Bridge side rushed into a 2-0 lead, with Gary Cahill and Salomon Kalou scoring within the first 20 minutes.
Fernando Torres ended his goal-drought on 67 minutes to make it 3-0, before Jermaine Beckford give his side hope with a 78th-minute strike.
Torres scored again five minutes from the end, and Raul Meireles also found the net; Ben Marshall scored a second consolation goal for the Championship team.
Di Matteo hailed Torres’ performance after the game, stating that the Spaniard’s hard work had paid off.
“Every win gives the players confidence. You can see they have more confidence,” the Italian told Sky Sports.
“I thought Fernando had a terrific game, he fought very hard for the team and managed to score a couple of goals too. It’s wonderful for him.
“I have a lot of belief in him and the other players. He works so hard and in life if you do that you will get rewarded for it.
“I really wanted us to keep a clean sheet. We didn’t manage to do that but I’m very pleased with the performance.
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“I’m trying to get the players to perform as best they can but I’m very relaxed about it,” he admitted.
Not long ago the Premier League was an almost pre-determined list, with the usual suspects finishing in their predicted positions at the start of the campaign. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were labelled the ‘big four’, with the likes of Tottenham and Everton occupying the places just below the quartet. As you journeyed down the table, for much of the 38 games, the bottom five often consisted of the same names, sitting behind the remainder of the sides in mid-table obscurity.
However, the past couple of seasons have seen a shake-up when it comes to end result of the English season with the emergence of new title challengers, and teams joining the mix from the Championship proving that the leap isn’t as vast as feared. It looks increasingly likely that both Liverpool and Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football for next season due to the exploits of Tottenham or Newcastle, allied with the emergence of the Abu Dhabi backed Manchester City. The appearance of these sides, has been met with fear from managers who had become used to their almost guaranteed position in the upper echelons of the division, and are now looking over their shoulder at the ‘new kids on the block’ and the former occupiers attempting to re-establish themselves.
As well as the shifting dynamic in the top-flight, the reputation of Premier League sides in Europe has taken a hit, with Chelsea the only side to make it to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. Over the past decade English sides have enjoyed large levels of success, with Liverpool claiming victory in 2005 and Manchester United beating national rivals Chelsea in 2008, but over the past few seasons the dynamic has shifted toward other continental nations, mainly Spain.
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As a result it’s believed that the summer spending by the upper level teams of the Premier League will once again be vast, as they all look to cement their status within their nation, and continent’s elite. There was a period of complacency on the part of some of the higher level sides in England during the course of the past few years, as teams allowed star men to move on, never really believing that those below them could emerge. Liverpool in particular have struggled with this, allied to financial difficulty, allowing Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano to depart, eliminating the spine of the promising 2007-08 team. As well as this Manchester United sanctioned the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, albeit for a world record £80 million, as well as refusing to spend big money to keep Carlos Tevez from the clutches of local rivals Manchester City.
Moves such as these have seen a real drop in the quality at the upper end of the Premier League, shifting momentum away from the established forces, and handing a sense of optimism to the chasing pack. Due to this a summer of transfer activity is expected on the part of the United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, who have seen their cosy quartet blown apart. Red Devils’ chief executive, David Gill, has recently admitted that there will be comings and goings during the next window, hinting that the side are likely to spend big once more, after a relatively quite period of time in the transfer market. As well as the defending Champions, Arsenal have already made inroads to sign German international Lucas Podolski, while rumours surrounding wholesale changes, and a phasing out of the ‘old guard’ at Chelsea have gathered momentum throughout the season. It’s likely that Liverpool will once again spend big, with Kenny Dalglish keen to put the disappointing memories of this season behind him, while Manchester City will be linked to anybody who becomes available at a price of over £20 million, and Tottenham will be looking to build upon their recent upturn in fortunes.
Such actions show a sign of fear from the former ‘top sides’. Arsene Wenger has never been one to spend big and secure the signatures of proven players, yet this summer he could buck that trend, as he did during his deadline day flurry last season. The case of Manchester United is another fascinating one, as over a period of time their formidable squad gained an increasingly porous look. With the rumoured financial issues at the club, a big spend would hint at a genuine fear for their status as ‘top dogs’ after the emergence of their noisy neighbours.
The recent shift in the power dynamic at the upper end of the Premier League looks to finally be sinking in. This summer will once again be a busy one, with a spot in the top-four becoming ever more important.
What are your thoughts? Comment or follow @Alex_Hams to have your say
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Are we about to witness a cultural shift in English football? It would appear players are increasingly eager to gain Oscar recognition for their performances on the pitch, with an array of theatrics that wouldn’t look out of place in the WWE. You’ll often hear pundits and commentators yearn for the ‘good old days’, when football was comprised from blood, sweat and tears rather than snoods, alice bands and unfortunately, the replacement of sportsmanship with gamesmanship.
Queens Park Rangers’ midfielder Shaun Derry recently declared that play-acting was “very much in fashion at the moment.” His comments were perhaps designed to rile Didier Drogba ahead of their encounter on Sunday but aside from that fact his remarks still carry a certain degree of merit. It’s a sad fact of the modern game that players will resort to underhand tactics if there is even the slightest chance of gaining an advantage.
“It happens, it is part of the game. I really don’t think that footballers go out intentionally to get the upper hand on the opponents. What I do believe is that they try and get an advantage for their team and that is part of the game unfortunately, it is not nice to watch at times.” (Daily Mail)
Manchester United’s Ashley Young has found himself in the tabloid firing line after a series of flamboyant lunges in the area. This prompted his manager Sir Alex Ferguson to have a ‘word’ with his precarious winger, three words in fact, “well done Ashley” or perhaps simply “keep it up.” You see, although the guilty party may get stick from the crowd or rinsed in the papers, by the time the next set of fixtures roll around it’ll all be but forgotten. In fact, if you score the winning goal against the greatest club of the past decade, the 3 minutes 18 seconds you spent on the floor will be nothing more than a comical footnote, aye Didier?
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Speaking of the Catalan giants, perhaps the fact that El Clasico has descended into a derisory drama performance has meant we now accept such incidents as normality. The encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid are hailed as the pinnacle of club football and yet it quickly transforms into a competition of who can produce the best impression of a fish out of water, starring Messrs Pepe and Busquets. Lionel Messi is arguably the only player who retains any dignity during these matches, which is strange considering he spends the entire match trying to avoid a Galactico’s boot wrapping itself around his knee.
In foreign cultures, such as in Spain, Italy and especially South America, conning the referee is considered an art form. How often do we see players celebrate winning a penalty, as if it’s an achievement rather than simply the chance to regain your goal-scoring opportunity?
Perhaps this mentality is beginning to worm its way into the Premier League, with players striving to sell their phony performance to any nearby official. Arsene Wenger has spoken of his disgust that players often continue their pretence long after the supposed foul has been committed.
“When they roll down the sock, take the shin-pad out like he has been kicked like mad, it’s a bit overboard. Everyone who has played football can understand they try to win the penalty but what he does afterwards to get a bit more, we don’t need that.” (Daily Mail)
The stark reality reveals that officials can no longer trust players, making their difficult job almost impossible. If the incorrect decision is awarded than the blame often lies with the referee rather than the offending player. This leads on an increased amount of pressure to make the right call, meaning officials cannot help but suffer further lapses of judgement, especially when it’s so easy to be swayed by the hoards of incensed supporters.
One issue referees have managed to eradicate is this pretentious waving of the imaginary card. Howard Webb went some lengths to redemption in the eyes of many when he booked Gonzalo Higuain in their recent Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. What strikes me is that players know how many cameras grace the average Premier League stadium and yet they continue to employ such drastic measures. Perhaps the pressure and expectation that weighs heavily on their shoulders compels them down such an immoral path, especially when they know the punishment of a potential yellow card is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
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It must be time for the FA to inflict penalties (not the kind from 12 yards) in the aftermath of such blatant incidents. The moment a suspension is successfully implemented, players will perhaps think twice about throwing themselves to the floor. Otherwise if this trend continues, footballers will become more and more like jigsaws, not complex or interesting, but likely to fall to pieces once they get into the box.
Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where this incident in the Australian A-League final would perhaps warrant a lifetime ban under my leadership.
Didier Drogba is rumoured to have agreed terms on a move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, according to The Daily Mail.
The Ivory Coast international was the west London club’s hero in the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich on Saturday, scoring the equaliser in normal time before slotting home the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.
Despite the African forward’s heroics, it is believed that he has kicked his last ball for the Blues, and will now join former team-mate Nicolas Anelka at the big-spending Asian side.
Drogba’s contract is expiring in the summer, and is eager for a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge, however Chelsea are thought to be unwilling to offer anything longer than one year.
Shanghai are thought to have offered Drogba £250,000-a-week, and confirmation of the deal may well be forthcoming.
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Liverpool are thought to be the frontrunners to sign Juventus winger Milos Krasic according to Mirror Football.
The Serbian winger had an excellent 2010-11 season in Turin after moving from CSKA Moscow, but was largely a fringe player last term under new boss Antonio Conte.
The wideman was linked with a move to the Premier League in January, with both Chelsea and Tottenham eager to sign him in the last window, but he decided to stay and fight for his place in the Scudetto winners’ side.
However, the Anfield outfit are thought to be the main suitors for Krasic’s signature this time round. Ideally Brendan Rodgers’ men want the attacker on loan, but Juventus would prefer to sell him, with a £6 million fee touted.
West Ham are also being spoken off as a potential interested party, but the Reds are thought to already be in negotiations with the Italian club over a fee.
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The new Premier League season is just around the corner as the clubs begin their pre-season preparations that will be vital for the tough months ahead. Managers are starting to up the ante in the transfer market in order to find the right balance to their squads, while some of the deadwood will be cleared out to make way for new arrivals.
Last season’s form has been forgotten and those who had a good year need to build on their performances. Similarly, those who struggled need to put that fact behind them and ensure that there is no repeat this time around. So there will be a lot of hard work going on at Anfield then.
The supporters of all 20 Premier League clubs will have identified those individuals who disappointed them the most last season, so here is a club by club guide on which players need to improve in the 2012/13 season.
Click on Stewart Downing to unveil the 20
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Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has warned that internal politics at the club threaten the side’s chances of success.
The north London outfit are renowned for living within their means and as such will not break their wage structure for star players.
As a result the likes of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas have left in recent times, and Robin van Persie is refusing to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Russian executive, who is the outfit’s second-biggest shareholder, is warning that politics could lead to another trophyless campaign in 2012-13.
“We do not consider just qualifying for the Champions League to be the chief ambition of the club, and with all our hearts we support the team and wish them well for the new season,” he told Forbes Magazine.
“Victory is absolutely not ruled out, but the current politics of the club’s management will leave Arsene Wenger and his team with fewer and fewer opportunities in the long run.
“I am a fan and I am not going to sell these shares at any time, since this is the club that I consider the best in the world,” he concluded.
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Tottenham have failed in bids to sign Hugo Lloris and Gaston Ramirez, according to The Guardian.
Andre Villas-Boas is looking to revamp his inherited squad this summer, and has already added Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson to his contingent.
However, attempts to sign a new goalkeeper have been frustrating, as Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that an offer from the north London club has been refused for Lloris.
“Hugo wants to play at one of the best clubs in Europe,” the French executive told RMC.
“This year there was an approach from Tottenham that was quickly rejected. If he absolutely wants to leave, we will look at the proposals but they must be consistent with what we want. If not, he will stay.”
Meanwhile, Uruguay international Ramirez is one of the brightest prospects in Serie A, and is being chased by teams in Italy and England.
The South American’s agent has confirmed that a deal could have happened to bring him to White Hart Lane, but there was a disagreement over wages.
“The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered €16 million [£12.6m],” Oscar Betancourt told Calciomercato.
“But the deal didn’t go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.
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“Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramírez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more,” he concluded.
There is a chance Jonny Evans may be fit in time for Manchester United’s clash with Fulham.
The Northern Ireland international’s return would provide a huge boost to the 19 time league champions who have only one fit senior centre half in Nemanja Vidic.
United’s defensive issues were exposed badly in their Premier League opener at Goodison Park. The only goal in the game was a direct product of an aerial mismatch between make-shift centre-half Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini.
The United team that succumbed to 1-0 defeat on Merseyside saw two specialist midfielders in Antonio Valencia and Carrick deployed in defence.
Evans is recovering from ankle surgery and has been training with the first team for the past ten days after missing pre-season.
Rio Ferdinand remains absent with a groin injury, Phil Jones is still out with a back problem and Chris Smalling is still absent with a foot injury which needed surgery and was responsible for him missing the European Championships.
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In light of Arsenal’s fantastic 2-0 victory away to Liverpool during the weekend, it would appear bizarre that both Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski managed to come out of the game overshadowed by one of their teammates. But Sunday’s victory at Anfield heralded the rebirth of one Abou Diaby and the Frenchman’s virtuoso display, gave a tantalizing sample of what Arsene Wenger’s team may have to look forward to this term.
Such was the level of his performance the other day, Diaby fever has already seemed to hit a level of relative overkill, with observers from every corner of the Premier League heaping some pretty heavy praise on the 26-year-old. And let’s not forget, Diaby is indeed, 26. He’s not just cropped up overnight.
To most Arsenal fans, the antics of Diaby last weekend won’t have come as any surprise. Where as many neutrals have always been quick to write the Frenchman off, Gunners supporters have always known exactly what he’s been capable of. The problem is, he simply hasn’t had enough chances to exhibit his skills in a red shirt.
Diaby’s talents as a footballer, as he demonstrated during the weekend, are perhaps fairly unique in today’s game. As the English game moves towards a more tactically refined set-up, players – especially midfielders – seem to be geared to beholding a more specialist set of skills. The defensive enforcer, the deep-lying playmaker and the separate attacking units all play their part in Premier League midfields in 2012. But what about the box-to-box midfielder?
Quite whether Diaby represents something of a dying breed is an argument for another day, but his range of abilities as a midfielder are nothing short of eclectic. Diaby has the physicality and temperament to sit as a defensive midfielder but his technical ability and craft on the ball allows him to be just as adept as an attacking outlet, He has that rare combination of physical power and technical brilliance that makes him such an asset for Arsene Wenger in the centre of the park.
His close control and dribbling at speed brings more than a gentle reminder of a certain Yaya Toure at Manchester City but perhaps even more prominently, of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. Such is their physical resemblance on the ball, you could wonder the French have stored vials of Vieira’s DNA for some sinister cloning project at Clairefontaine.
But for the man who has coached both, the resemblance with Vieira is nothing more than a trick of the eye. In 2009, Wenger said of his midfielder:
“I believe Vieira was more of a passer of the ball. Diaby is more of a dribbler, more offensive and makes more penetrating runs. Vieira was more of a constructor. They have a similar elegance and type of play but are not completely comparable.”
The problem for Diaby, however, has never been impressing the manager or winning over the Emirates support. The issue has been a string of injury issues and an inability to sustainably keep fit. The last two seasons in particular, have been a living nightmare for the Frenchman.
It feels remarkable to note that Diaby is now participating in his seventh full season for the club. On one hand, his 115 league appearances (166 in all competitions at the time of writing) suggest that he’s not been quite the peripheral figure that many make him out to be. Indeed, his real stand out season in the 2009-10 term saw Diaby score six goals and four assists in 29 league games- following on from his 24 top flight appearances the season before.
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But looking past those two terms and the statistics don’t make great reading for the Parisian-born star. Excluding those two terms, Diaby has failed to rank up more than 16 appearances in a Premier League season. A catalogue of muscular issues, most notably to his calf and hamstring, restricted Diaby to a meager five run outs in all competitions last season and since he came to the club in January 2006, he’s only started for Arsenal in the league 85 times.
You can’t help but feel sympathetic to Diaby’s plight, especially considering some of the injuries he’s had to deal with. He’s been plagued with ankle issues ever since the now forgotten Sunderland defender Dan Smith, fractured and dislocated his right ankle in the May of 2006. Three operations during his career are the legacy of that wild lunge and Diaby has certainly been through the mill in looking to stay regularly match-fit for the Gunners.
And to his credit, Arsene Wenger has stood right by his midfielder throughout his injury blues and has always been quick to support Diaby when criticism has come. But after floating in and out of the time and so many false starts, he’s going to have to start paying that trust back. The only way he can do so is by staying match fit; Wenger’s patience cannot last forever.
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From what we’ve seen so far, too, Diaby looks to finally be putting the past behind him and pushing on for the season ahead. He’s grown in both prominence and influence in the first of Arsenal’s three Premier League games and his display against Liverpool is the amalgamation of a summer of hard work and desire to get fit for the new season. He’s looked to develop a sense of maturity within this developing Arsenal side, knowing when to sit and when to go from the centre of midfield and if he keeps it up, then Diaby fever could be lasting well past the season’s opening.
Abou Diaby is still only 26 and make no mistake about it, he has his best years of football still to offer Arsenal. But he has to make this term count. No one has ever doubted his ability and it’s time to forget the past and keep looking forward. If Wenger can keep him fit, than the 2012-13 season could be a memorable one for both player and club.
How do you feel about the Diaby fever that’s currently sweeping the Premier League? Are we going too far in our praise for the midfielder or do you believe he can be a real asset for the Gunners this term? Let me know what you think on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me your views.