Darren Byfield Interview

Meet …..

Darren Byfield

The 33 year old former Aston Villa, Rotherham, Gillingham, Milwall striker now enjoying his second experience as a Walsall talisman tells me about playing along side a global superstar, scoring in the play off final and his toughest ever opponent.

Growing up as an Aston Villa fan, I remember hearing about Darren Byfield as a star of the future. But coming through at Villa the same time as future England international Darius Vassell did not exactly do him any favours. Even though his time as a professional at Villa Park was brief, it still did not prevent him from briefly being part of one of the most unlikely strike partnerships in history.

“The best player I ever played with was Brazil’s Ronaldo” he said remarkably.

“While I was coming through the ranks at Aston Villa, the Brazil national team used the facilities at Villa. They had a practice match amongst themselves and three of the youth lads – me, Lee Hendrie and a lad called Ben Petty – were picked to join in. I played up front with Ronaldo. What a talent he was back then” he stated.

Somewhat an understatement to describe one of the greatest players the game the world has ever seen. But there were other influences on Byfield as a young player.

“I’m an Arsenal fan, so it’s between Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. As a striker, you always look up to players who play in y our position. Henry and Wrighty were two of the best forwards every to pull on an Arsenal shirt.”

Like his two heroes, Byfield has scored one or two important goals over the course of his career. The most notable of which was a play-off final winner in his first spell at Walsall against Reading, which got Walsall promoted to the old first division.

“What a day that was. Got to be my favourite ever goal” he announced proudly.
That first spell at Walsall was not always so plain sailing, as is proven by one of his tougher days at the office when another future England international was at the caused him a headache.

“In my first spell at Walsall, we played West Ham United. Rio Ferdinand was with them then and he was immense. It’s the only time in my whole career that I’ve thought during a game ‘I’m not going to get past you’. He was class” he said emphatically.

Since those earlier days, Byfield’s career has taken him to places such as Gillingham, Milwall and Rotherham with mixed personal and club success, but despite that he maintains an admirable passion for a game where the stars on the pitch live in a different world to those who adore them in the stands.

“You can’t beat playing football for a living. Simple” he said passionately. “Match days are special, preparing for a game and then playing in front of fans, that’s a special feeling.”

And while he maintains that desire, it’s clear that Byfield will go on scoring goals for a long time to come.

Time for heroes.

When Villa and Arsenal last met, the pre-game talk centred around which of the two clubs was more likely to make the Champions League spots come the end of the season.

As it transpired, the two sides were seperated primarily by the supreme skill of Cesc Fabregas, and further by a naive Villa side who chased a game when going a goal down.

Since then, Arsenal have raced clear of the midlands club and after last weeks game against Bolton, they sat at the top of the league.

Villa on the other hand have stagnated. Defeat to Arsenal was confounded by a heart breaking injury time defeat to Fernando Torres (playing for Liverpool at the time) and the home league 0-0 against West Ham which followed suggested the wheels may have come off for Villa.

The defeat to Arsenal and Liverpool cemented the difference between the pretenders from the Midlands and the two established top four clubs. That being simply Fabregas and Torres.

Both are world class players, amongst the top ten players in the world. Villa can match both sides all over the pitch, but as of yet none of the current side have proved themselves capable of controlling a game against the big four clubs.

Villa's three victories over the established order this season have come by virtue of resolute team performances rather than at the hands of a world class player.

Martin O'Neill has developed a flair for hyperbole when it comes to describing his young guns. Ashley Young was labelled 'world-class' and James Milner has been constantly referred to as 'magnificent' this season.

But is either capable of doing what Fabregas or Torres did to Villa?

The concensus suggests not. Milner has failed to impact any game so far this season against the top sides. No goals and no assists. Whilst a recent shift to the centre of midfield has reaped dividends against the lower sides, he is yet to be tested against a Fabregas or Lampard.

Young on the other hand, created the winner against United and showed great poise to slot the winning penalty away at Anfield. But yet, questions remain about whether he is clinical enough to influence the games against the top four.

For me, the difference in this game may lie with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Twice last season against Gallas he caused him problems, scoring a goal by out pacing him, and winning a penalty from the same situation. Ironically, Agbonlahor is often maligned at Villa Park for his lack of work ethic, and yet he has done the most to prove he is capable of providing a touch of quality against the big teams.

Arsenal on the other hand will be hoping the defeat at Stoke does not knock what has been a good recent run. Win tonight, and they will have pulled fifteen points ahead of Villa since they last met and could go back to the top of the league.

Despite that good run, Arsenal have shown a vulnerability in recent weeks. Against Bolton, they found themselves 2-1 down when a controversial equaliser got them back in the game.

Arsene Wenger is as prone to self-preservation as any manager. Much like O'Neill's ego boosting hyperbole, Wenger does his upmost to protect and inspire his players. But he went to far last week.

Gallas' clear foul on Mark Davies, which resulted in the player leaving on crutches, was brushed aside by Wenger. His defiant claims he would 'show you all the fouls we had over the last two games' don't mean that Gallas' foul is acceptable. What Wenger said basically implies that he has no problem with dirty play as long as its in favour of his side.

Clearly Bolton are a physical side, but that does not make Gallas' horror show right. Wenger should know as well as anyone the effects of a mistimed lunge, I'm sure he didn't take the same stance when Martin Taylor's mistimed tackle broke Eduardo's ankle.

That aside, tonight promises to be a good game and a test for Arsenal. Villa have lost twice at home all season and are tough to break down but injuries could conspire against them tonight.

Carew and Warnock are definitely out, with Richard Dunne and Stilian Petrov potentially joining them on the sidelines. Those potential absentees make it even more important for Villa that someone produces a Fabregas-esque moment if they are to get the win.

All the talk has been about James Milner in recent weeks. Lets see if their is a world class player in the Villa ranks.

Breathing room for Ferrara... for now.

Parma 1 Juventus 2

On the face of it, watching Parma vs Juventus on a Wednesday afternoon where there are more important things to be doing wouldn't exactly appeal to many fans of English football.

But I'm glad I opted to finally order ESPN just to watch it.

The game had everything. Vociferous home support, an early goal, great saves, a come back, a red card, injuries, tackles and two sides separated heartbreakingly for Parma, by an own goal.

It was also contested by two sides consisting of numerous Italians on both sides, who knew exactly what the game meant to both sets of fans.

After seeing a game contested in the Premiership with no English players or managers on show, it was refreshing to see a game where the desire was clear to see in the Parma side and an equally dogged display by a Juventus side whose manager is under great pressure.

The respect for the club legend Ferrara is something which would be nice to see more often in England, as a pose to the merciless recruitment of foreign managers and players.

Pressure

Juventus went into the game with a robust looking side, which was very much in the ilk of their under pressure manager and club legend Ciro Ferrara. Despite seeing his side sit second in the league, crashing out of the Champions League and a 9 point gap to leaders Internazionale meant the Italian manager was feeling the heat.

The talk before the game was that should the Old Lady lose today’s game, Ferrara's brief tenure as manager of the famous Turin club would be bought to an abrupt end.

Parma on the other hand were riding the crest of a wave, sitting in sixth place and having a genuine opportunity to knock off one of the leagues big boys.

But much like in recent English Premier League fixture, the pretender's Champions League aspirations tend to get stubbed out by their more illustrious opposition.

And it didn’t take long today.

In the third minute, a scrappy corner routine left Hasan Salihamidzic unmarked inside the six yard box to give Juventus a 1-0 lead.

From then on, the game was all Parma. They had opted to leave Valeri Bojinov on the bench to partner former Juventus man Nicola Amoruso with Jonathan Biabiany up front, and it was the on loan 24 year old who bought the first save off the match out of Alex Manninger, who was filling in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon.

As well as missing Buffon, Juve were also without the suspended Fabio Cannavaro and there were no starting places for the creative trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Amauri or Sebastien Giovinco.

Amauri appeared earlier than expected, at the expense of top scorer David Trezeguet who left the game with an injury, but his introduction didn't increase the goal threat posed by Juventus. So it was no surprise when hard working Parma's industry produced an equaliser.

The pressure told after 24 minutes, when an accurate cross by Damiano Zenoni found Amoruso, and the 35 year old directed a clinical header past Manninger.

It was no more then Parma deserved, and when Amoruse stung Manninger's hands with a dipping 25 yard half volley, it looked like there would only be one side leaving with three points.

But as is often the way, the big clubs find a way to gain wins there performance hardly merits.

When a corner came in which posed little threat, the unfortunate Paolo Castellini contrived to head into his own goal and break Parma hearts going into half time.

The second half became a battle which only added to the excitement. In a throwback to the early 90s in England, the game was highly contested with challenges flying in on an extremely difficult looking pitch.

Make shift Juventus right back Martin Caceres had looked uncomfortable all game, and after being booked in the first half dived in again with 20 minutes to go and was sent to the stand.

This responded an understandable response from Ferrara, who bought on two defenders with goal scorer Salihamidzic and playmaker Diego the ones to make way.

Parma piled on the pressure from then on, but Juventus showed all the savvy you would expect from one of the world's most illustrious clubs. Not even six minutes of injury time and the Parma keeper coming up for a corner was enough for Parma to produce an equaliser their efforts deserved.

The game was a breath of fresh air, the under dogs pushing the big boys all the way to the 96th minute despite a difference in quality.

Its that time of the year again...

This week see's the annual return of the FA Cup 3rd round and fans up and down the country will be waiting to see where the shock of the round will come in this years version of the most famous Cup competition in the world.

Some Premiership managers will put the Cup bottom on their list of priorities, which could have a part to play. Others will see there full strength sides fall at the hands of lower league minnows.

That is the magic of the cup, with this year being no different and the potential for Premier League giants to succumb is going to happen somewhere, but where?

Here's a few of the contenders.

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City

Now managerless Bolton are in turmoil. Gary Megson's spikey relationship with the clubs fans came to an end and the club face a battle to keep their place in the Premiership this season.

League 2 side Lincoln City, managed by the up and coming Chris Sutton, will go to the Reebok with no fear and with a team fresh after recent postponements. Bolton played midweek and that could play a part.

Chris Sutton has seen it all before and will have his young side fired up to make the most of their afternoon in the limelight.

Chance of an upset here.

MK Dons vs Burnley

Burnley's bright start to the season has faltered dramatically in recent weeks. They are without a win in 9 games and are yet to win away from home all season. That being said, a trip to League 1 MK Dons could be problematic.

Once again under the stewardship of former Blackburn Manager Paul Ince, MK Dons sit in 8th position on the edge of the play-off positions.

With lofty aspirations to one day Premiership football themselves, this is a chance for the Buckinghamshire side to put down a marker for the future.

Owen Coyle will be more concerned with keeping his side in the Premiership, so expect a weakened side to be pushed all the way in this one.

Nottingham Forest vs Birmingham City

These two local rivals met twice in the Championship last season but both sides are in very different places now.

Birmingham have been on an impressive run of form, unbeaten in 11 games and sitting just outside the European spots in the Premiership.

Billy Davies' Forest are on an equally impressive run, and see themselves sitting third in the Championship.

Both sides will go into the game full of confidence and under no pressure at all, so it promises to be an entertaining affair.

A gung ho battle could favour Forest but it would be a surprise if they knocked off Birmingham here.

Portsmouth vs Coventry City

Portsmouth are a mess. Bottom of the Premiership, there players not being paid again, having to sell their players and being faced with a winding up order from the HM Revenues and Customs.

A cup run while being beneficial to the club for short term finances, is ultimately not a priority for them. They need to survive in the Premiership if they are to carry on existing in their current form.

They also have a lot of players away at the African Cup of Nations which will add to the weaken the side even further then Avram Grant may have in mind anyway.

Look for Coventry to go to Fratton Park with no pressure on them and turn Portsmouth over in the same way Swansea did last season.

Stoke City vs York City

One of the lowest ranked teams left in the competition, York City go to the Britannia with absolutely no pressure on them at all. In pursuit of promotion back to the football league, they look set to provide an interesting challenge to robust Stoke City.

While Stoke's effective style of play may eventually overcome the Blue Square Premier side, it could also play into their hands by reflecting that of York's more familiar non-league opponents.

Stoke have only managed 15 goals all season, so despite the vast gulf between the sides in terms of league position, this could prove to be an interesting encounter.

Sunderland vs Barrow

Barrow are no stranger to a trip to face more illustrious rivals in the north-east, having faced Middlesborough in the 3rd round in 2009.

They took a massive following that day and were by no means disgraced, falling 2-1 to their then Premiership opposition.

Sunderland's squad is ravaged with injuries at the moment and Steve Bruce is down to the bare bones, so this is by no means a certain win for the home side.

A battered and depleted Sunderland side wont relish facing the combative Barrow players and this could be the shock of the round.

Tranmere vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mick McCarthy showed exactly where his priorities lie recently by changing his entire outfield team for the game at Old Trafford.

He clearly is only interested in survival this season, so expect more of the same here away to League 1 strugglers Tranmere.

Despite now being under the stewardship of Ronnie Moore, Tranmere are still languishing in the relegation zone so this game could be a welcome break from their league turmoil.

It's the last game of the weekend, kicking off at 18:15 on Sunday night, and it has the potential to be a big upset.

Move over Messi!

Today, Lionel Messi was inevitably crowned as Fifa World Player of the Year.

Messi may as well have been playing with the crown on his head for the first half of this season, as his exploits during Barcelona's record breaking successes last year all but guaranteed him earning the accolade.

He was unrivalled over the course of last season, leading the mighty Barcelona to an unprecedented treble of the La Liga title, Copa Del Rey, and Champions League trophies, scoring the winner in the final.

This year, he led Barcelona to the Uefa Super Cup title. Most recently, he scored the winner in the World Club Championships for Barcelona in Dubai on Saturday.

He topped the Champions League scoring charts, and amassed 38 goals and 18 assists in only 51 games last season and was undeniably the best player in the world in 2009.

2010 could be much of the same. Messi and Barcelona have won everything there is to win in 2009, but this seasons World Cup is an ideal opportunity for a new star to rise and take the crown away from Messi when next years awards are handed out.

Fabio Cannavaro was an unlikely winner after leading Italy to World Cup glory last time around and his success proves that team success on the biggest stage of them all goes a long way towards stars achieving personal glory.

So, which players have the opportunity and ability to have a year like Ronaldo in 2008 and Messi in 2009 and take the biggest award of them all?

Didier Drogba

The Chelsea hit man has started this season like a house on fire, scoring nearly twenty goals before the turn of the year that have contributed massively to Chelsea sitting on top of the Premier League.

In January, he will lead the line for Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations, hoping to provide the goals which could fire his nation to their second ever African crown.

In the second half of the season, Chelsea look set to mount a huge charge for the Premiership title. Their rivals are floundering, and barring a massive turn around in form, Chelsea look set to be crowned Champions in May.

Along side that, Chelsea will be relying on Drogba to score the goals which could take them one step further in the Champions League and earn the first ever victory in that tournament.

If successes in all those competitions are not enough for his fellow professionals, Drogba could also carry his country further than they have ever been in the biggest tournament of them all.

They have been drawn with Brazil and Portugal, but if Drogba can take his side into the latter stages, he will surely be a strong contender when the awards are given out next December.

Wayne Rooney

Prior to the start of the season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United piled the pressure on Wayne Rooney to rise up and take over the reigns as his clubs talisman.

So far he has taken to the challenge in typically bullish fashion. 13 goals for his club come on the back of the England ace being in blistering form in the World Cup qualifying campaign where he was the leading scorer in Europe.

In June, he has the hopes of an expectant nation at his feet, being England’s only world class striker and one who will be relied on to score the goals to bring the trophy back home.

The tournament also provides an opportunity for Rooney to eradicate disastrous memories from 2006, where his petulant stamp on Ricardo Carvalho caused him to see red and with it, end any hope of England progressing deep into the competition.

Rooney today is a different player. Now much mature, he has led the line for United admirably and looks set to do the same for England.

And if he can lead both to glory this season, he will be the name on everyone’s lip’s come next December.


Kaka

For a few days this summer, 2007 World Player of the year Kaka was the most expensive footballer in history.

Real Madrid took the plunge and stumped up the 70 million euros demanded by AC Milan for his signature and began building the second wave of galacticos.

They look set to make go close in every tournament they enter this season, already pushing Barcelona in pursuit of top spot in Spain and qualifying comfortably for the latter stages of the Champions League.

Kaka has been a somewhat peripheral figure so far in Spain, but once he settles in he is sure to replicate his successes with the national side at club level

Brazil manager Dunga is an obvious admirer of the 27 year old, building his new look Brazil team around the Real Madrid playmaker. In the 3 year period with Kaka as the focal point, the Selecao have won everything in their path.

Should that culminate in their 6th victory in South Africa this year, playmaker Kaka will be in for world wide acclaim once again.

Theres only one Jimmy Milner

Since the exit of Gareth Barry, Aston Villa's engine room has looked distinctly void of ideas. In my eyes, Barry was an extremely under-rated and highly talent player who bought an air of calm and reliable quality to the heart of my team.

To put it mildy, Steve Sidwell does not come close to doing that. In fact, his most telling contribution since signing for Villa was costing us at least a point by inexplicably gifting relegated Middlesboro three points last season.

So despite a reasonable start, there was clearly a massive hole to be filled in the centre of Midfield in January if Villa were to make a legitimate challenge for the Champions Leage spot this season.

But perhaps, just perhaps, Martin O'Neill has had the answer in his locker since the summer.

The return to fitness of Stewart Downing, despite the player himself making no massive contribution in terms of goals or assists, has completely rejuvinated a side who looked lacking in creativity.

How, you ask? It has set James Milner free.

Since taking up a central midfield/free role position, Milner has looked a truely top player. He's scored three goals from outside the box, and provided two more through assists. His eye for a pass is uncanny, and had he been restricted to the right hand side all season we would never have known what a talent we possessed in our squad.

Yes, his first game in this role was away to struggling Pompey, where he scored a rifled shot from twenty yards. Yes, the second was home to Hull, who were blown away by the dynamic midfield three of Downing, Young and Milner.

But most recently, any doubts about Milner's ability to be a mature central midfielder rather then a winger with license to roam have been answered emphatically.

Away at Old Trafford, home of the Champions, he regularly showed both poise in possession and great discipline in tracking back and making important tackles in Villa's most impressive result for years.

And last night came his finest hour. An early assist was capped off by a thunderous thirty yard strike, where he held off a niggling Kieran Richardson before unleashing an astonishing strike past the helpless Martin Fulop.

As you can probably tell, I am extremely excited about the potential twenty-three year old Milner has shown in the last four victories. Not only from an Aston Villa standpoint, but injuries aside, and Milner is renowned for his consistent fitness, he must surely be on the plane to South Africa.

When he gets there, he could prove to be one of the upcoming stars of the tournament and a potential difference maker in England's quest to bring the trophy home.

Fabio Capello clearly likes him, using him in a number of positions recently, and he is now starting to take that confidence into his club side.

And as a proud Villa fan, I can't believe our luck!

Rafa: We will finish in the top 4

Rafael Benitez today promised that his Liverpool side would finish in the top four.

That is despite his side currently languishing in seventh position, level on points with newly promoted Birmingham City and five points behind the precious fourth position.

It also comes on the back of a 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal in which Liverpool lacked the grit and determination which has typically personified their side in recent seasons.

As an interested observer in this season’s race for the top four positions, I have been waiting for Liverpool's form to turn on its head and them to begin their ascent to the league positions they are accustomed to.

Recent games have appeared to be ideal opportunities for that to happen, but despite Rafa's confidence recent performances have gotten worse rather than better.

Blackburn away a few weeks ago was a fixture in which I expected that form to start. No disrespect to Blackburn, who are proving tough opposition on their home patch this season, but a team who started the season with title aspirations such as Liverpool would expect to come away with better then a 0-0 draw.

Then the opportunity to right the wrongs of their result in Florence earlier this year, which contributed towards their early exit from this seasons Champions League, came and went. Liverpool contrived to lose 2-1 at home to a Fiorentina side that are languishing down in ninth in their own domestic league.

Most recently, on the back of that shock home defeat, Arsenal arrived at Anfield for a game which typically brings out the best in Rafa Benitez' men and did so earlier this season in the home game against Manchester United.

But yet again, despite Rafa finally getting his wish of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both back starting the game, Liverpool again let a lead slip at home and lost 2-1 to fellow Champions League rivals Arsenal.

There were no excuses on Sunday. Bar the potential inclusion of £20 million pound summer signing Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool had there strongest possible side out, and still produced a lacklustre performance.

But despite all this evidence to the contrary, Rafa still promises to finish in the top four.

Clearly he is a clever man, but making such bold assertions with no foundation is surely setting him up for a massive fall from grace.

This season has been like no other. No game can be taken for granted, and with at least three clubs ready to pounce, the Liverpool Manager must be secretly worried about the prospect of not making next seasons Champions League.

The game against Wigan tomorrow appears to be an ideal fixture for a club who need a result. Wigan’s inconsistency is clear, following up a devastating 9-1 loss to Tottenham with a solid 1-0 home victory against Sunderland; however they have still contrived to beat league leaders Chelsea and score a victory away at fourth placed Aston Villa.

This highlights the danger in Benitez making such bold assertions about his sides finishing position this season. Every team in the Premiership has the potential to win a game and given recent form it is highly unlikely Liverpool will not slip up against a few improbable opponents between now and May.

Defeat tomorrow would strike a catastrophic blow into the Spaniard's confidence and surely leave the clubs loyal supporters wondering whether their clubs form will pick up at all this season.

A win however, would set them up nicely for a trip to bottom placed Portsmouth on Saturday and a home tie against struggling Wolves. Rafa will be desperate that when his side go to Villa Park on the 29th of December, it is on the back of three straight wins.

Continued outward defiance and insistence that his clubs "clever fans" will continue to back him will only get them so far. Rafa needs a result against Wigan tomorrow night, and that is a fact.

Stamp out the cheats Platini

Why oh why, do football's governing body insist on maintaining there backward stance on the use of technology?

Instead of talking about how well The Republic of Ireland played tonight away in France, Football fans across the country are left with a sour taste over the actions of Thierry Henry.

His blatant act of cheating which directly led to France's decisive goal in extra time completely overshadowed a great performance by Ireland and took away any opportunity they had of making it to South Africa.

After the game, Henry attempted to make up for his ball juggling act by hugging disconsolate Irish players and having a sit down with Richard Dunne, but he is lucky he showed more class than him by not making use of his own hands as a weapon.

And while Henry has no leg to stand on in terms of a defence for his actions, the problem with the whole incident was the referee and linesman, who for whatever reason didn't see what had happened.

Surely now, in the year 2009, when near enough every other sport is using technology to get decisions correct, Football which is the most watched sport in the world, should follow suit. Referees should be helped out by the techology which is available within seconds.

Michel Platini claims that "Video referees would destroy football. You would have to stop the game every 10 seconds, for every decision"

Does he live in a cocoon? Does he not watch any other sport then his own?

In Rugby, most tries are checked on video replay to ensure there are no problems.

In Cricket, decisions which can be challenged are limited to 3 per innings at the discretion of each teams Captain.

In Tennis, players have a limited number of challenges per set. Players use these to ensure momentum changing decisions are correct.

In American Football, coaches have the opportunity to challenge two refereeing decisions per game. If they are correct,and the referees decision is reversed, they keep the challenge to use again. If they are wrong, their number of remaining challenges is reduced to one.

In the last two minutes of halves, questionable decisions are checked without coach challenges to ensure that the decisive moments in the game don't get decided by human error. When there is conclusive evidence for a decision to be changed, it is.

Coaches only have up until the game re-commences to challenge what has happened and give the referee the opportunity to check whether his decision was correct.

Decisions are correctable in a few seconds. Games dont get decided on mistakes and fans aren't left with a bitter taste in their mouths.

If you asked any true footballing fan, the ones who pay money to watch the games, would you rather spend thirty seconds extra in the ground and take home three points or get home five minutes earlier and draw to a last minute goal scored by someone handling the ball, I know what the resounding answer would be.

Platini is wrong. If a manager was given 2 opportunities a game to have a goal checked on replay before his team took the kick off, then the game would be delayed no longer than it would by the carnage that typically ensues when referees get decisions wrong.

If Trappatoni had been given the chance to challenge the decision, he would have. The ref would have booked Henry within 20 seconds and the game would have continued. Irish fans may well be now booking tickets to the World Cup if that were the case.

But it is not. We are left to wonder what it will actually take for FIFA to pull their fingers out.

They couldn't wait to bring action against Arsenal striker Eduardo when he fell over and was awarded a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier that Arsenal were on the way to winning, but something tells me FIFA and UEFA may take a different approach when dealing with the controversial moments of tonights game.

Will technology be introduced as a result? No. Will Henry be banned? No... Will The Republic be going to the World Cup? No... Sort it out Fifa

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0

An Injury time winner from David N’Gog gave Liverpool and manager Rafael Benitez a vital three points in a dramatic derby victory over rivals Manchester United.

N’Gog scored deep into injury time after replacing Fernando Torres who had given Liverpool the lead earlier in the second half.

Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano again saw red in this fixture in a dramatic last ten minutes in which the game exploded.

Liverpool went into the game looking for a win over their great rivals to ignite a season which has seen them already lose four Premiership games, and more recently four games on the bounce.

Rafael Benitez was under a lot of pressure in recent weeks and was booed during Liverpool’s most defeat against Lyon on Wednesday night.

His side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation which included Fabio Aurelio playing on the left to help keep things tight against in form Antonio Valencia, and Dirk Kuyt partnering the returning Fernando Torres.

They started with the look of a side hungry to avenge recent results but were fortunate when the returning Wayne Rooney had a goal disallowed for United after only two minutes for a marginal offside decision.

United began brightly and kept the ball well but found themselves faced with a strong, combative Liverpool side who were closing them down all over the pitch.

Despite United’s early pressure, the games first chance fell to Liverpool. After a foul by Patrice Evra which earned him a deserved yellow card, a fantastic free kick by Aurelio was destined for top corner before Edwin Van Der Sar produced a top save and got up in time to save the rebound from Dirk Kuyt.

United responded strongly and a flowing move saw Valencia get past Emanuel Insua and put a cross on Rooney’s head only to see his effort saved by Pepe Reina.

United continued controlling the game, keeping the ball nicely without really troubling. Liverpool’s resolute defending was typified by Captain Jamie Carragher’s crunching slide tackle in the penalty area on Michael Carrick.

The best chance of the half fell to Aurelio, after a long defence splitting ball came to Yossi Benayoun, whose cross came nicely for the Brazilian. His header fell straight into the grateful arms of Van Der Sar.

Liverpool finished the half strongly and the crowd started to sense the side were putting their recent poor form behind them. Prior to the game, a protest outside the ground was carried out by Liverpool fans to signal their discontent at the clubs American owners.

It was Liverpool who continued their good first half work at the start of the second half but again failed to make the most of an inviting opportunity.

After an uncharacteristic mistake from Patrice Evra, whose misplaced pass fell straight to Benayoun, he found Dirk Kuyt who inexpicably opted to pull the ball back to the unsuspecting the Israeli, instead of taking on a shot from eight yards out.

Like Kuyt previously, Fernando Torres appeared at a loss for ideas when he raced through down the left only for his eventual product to be neither a shot or cross, instead blazed across the box and out for a throw in.

Liverpool became increasingly dominant and the breakthrough finally came for Liverpool after sixty five minutes.

The ball fell to Benayoun in midfield, who hit a perfectly placed through ball into Torres who held off Rio Ferdinand and fired the ball high past Van Der Sar.

It was no more than Liverpool’s efforts in the game had deserved and the onus was now on United to break down the resolute Liverpool defence.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s response was to introduce Nani and Michael Owen to the game, which was greeted with a chorus of boos and chants of Judas around Anfield following his move to United after Owen’s previously successful career with the Merseyside club.

Their introduction had an immediate impact, with Nani firing a shot at Reina who had been untested for much of the game.

United became increasingly ominous and produced their best opportunity as the last ten minutes approached. Good work from Owen produced a chance for Valencia, but he fired his effort off the cross bar from an acute angle inside the six yard box.

That sparked United into life and a moment of great controversy followed.

Owen again caused havoc in the Liverpool defence when he got through on goal only to be pulled down by Jamie Carragher. Referee Andre Mariner opted to only produce a yellow card, much to the dismay of the United players and particularly Sir Alex Ferguson, who felt Owen was denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

United’s anger was doubled moments later when Nemanja Vidic was sent off in a similar situation.

His second yellow card for pulling back Kuyt on the half way line when he was clean through on goal was deserved, but questions will be asked about the consistency of refereeing after the decision to only book Carragher moments earlier in a much more threatening situation.

Moments later, Mascherano also saw red for a second yellow after a desperate lunge on United keeper Van Der Sar deep in injury time.

But that wasn’t the end of the drama, as a minute after the allotted 5 minutes injury time was over and United piled forward in search of an equaliser, Liverpool found themselves two on one and David N’Gog slotted away the winner for Liverpool.

The mass celebrations which ensued around Anfield were epitomised by Goalkeeper Reina who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of a jubilant Kop.

The result and performance were exactly what Liverpool manager Benitez needed and desired in recent weeks meanwhile Ferguson will surely be questioning the refereeing decisions despite his sides lacklustre display.

So Heskey will move on from Villa to secure his England place.... good riddance!

After reading Emile Heskey's comments following England’s defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, fans who attend Aston Villa games regularly will have breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Heskey believes he will need to find a new home in January after making just 5 appearances this season, the majority as a substitute.

And from attending every home game this season, I get the impression that the majority of the boo boys at Villa Park would be willing to drive him to his next club.

During last Monday nights game against Manchester City, Heskey's introduction in the second half didn't exactly trigger an increased level of optimism amongst the Villa faithful.

Heskey's most telling contribution during his stay on the pitch was to collide with his own player, when he had the chance to slide through a team mate for a goal scoring opportunity in injury time.

The jeers and disgust seen around the ground said it all.

Since being signed to boost Villa's Champions League aspirations last January by boss Martin O'Neill, Heskey has managed just 2 goals in 19 appearances.

In that time, his only performance of any repute came against Portsmouth in his debut, where he struck the winning goal and showed signs of developing a promising relationship with fellow England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Safe to say that hasn't been the case. Even when selected continuously ahead of fan favourite John Carew last season, Heskey failed to develop any relationship with Agbonlahor. When selected along side Carew, he has looked even worse.

Also in that time, his poor finishing which was highlighted in a recent International against Croatia has blighted both his and Villa's progress.

Despite that, England boss Fabio Capello has picked him consistently, sighting his contribution to the teams overall play.

This attitude directly contradicts Capello's overall ideology that he only picks players who are in form for their respective clubs and has seen him turn his nose up at starting Jermaine Defoe and Agbonlahor, and not even giving a place in the squad to Sunderland's Darren Bent, all of whom have been in fine goal scoring form this season.

Heskey is probably right that he may need to move on to secure his England place, but a message to any potential suitors, beware. The player Capello loves does not turn up 90% of the time at club level. The ability to consistently bully defenders and win headers is not present. Goal scoring is anonymous.

What you are left with is a player who spends more time on his backside, usually down injured, than being a threat in the opposing penalty area.

If that’s what you look for in a Premier League striker, then there is an entire fan base who will give any manager a character reference.

Tough night ahead

After Liverpool's defeat at the hands of last seasons fourth best Italian side, tonights games also have the potential to be difficult for the English clubs in Champions League action.

Chelsea are looking to bounce back from defeat at Wigan on Saturday against Champions league novices Apoel Nicosia, in what on paper should be a stone waller for the Londoners.

However, so did their game at the weekend. Wigan had never beaten one of the 'big four' clubs in their entire time in the Premiership but managed to turn over a ragged looking Chelsea side.

Factor in the long flight to Cyprus, humid weather conditions and a passionate home support, the easy game on paper reads slightly differently.

The experience in their squad suggests they should be able to handle the game, but results in previous years against teams such as FC Cluj show Chelsea dont always handle such trips with ease.

Tonight is the first true test of Chelsea's credentials under Carlo Ancelotti who will be looking for a reaction from his side as they attempt to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. It will be interesting to see if they react to defeat in the manner which has typified Manchester United's dominance of the Premiership in recent years.

With one eye on the arrival of Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next and no Didier Drogba at their disposal, Ancelotti's men may come up short in Nicosia this evening.

And if they do, we will really see what the Italian and his side are made off against there great recent rivals on Sunday.

Charlton 2 Brentford 0

Lloyd Sam’s 3rd goal in two games and Deon Burton’s 3rd of the season gave Charlton victory over Brentford and ensured they maintained their place at the top of League One.

Both sides went into the game with unbeaten records but it was no surprise Charlton, having won every game and sitting top of the table, settled quicker and made an early breakthrough.

Their first goal came after 10 minutes when makeshift Brentford left back Sam Wood failed to deal with a long ball. The outstanding Lloyd Sam capitalised and pulled the ball back to veteran striker Deon Burton who calmly scored his third goal of the season.

Brentford started slowly but were aggrieved after 25 minutes when their first promising moment saw the ball strike Nicky Bailey’s hand in the area but their claims were waved away.

Their grievance was confounded minutes later when Charlton put together a great team move which was finished off by Sam.

A fifteen pass move ended with promising youngster Jonjo Shelvey feeding striker Burton, who flicked the ball to Sam who produced a moment of quality to glide past Sam Wood and slot the ball home.

Just before half time came Brentford’s best moment of the game when Carl Cort headed wide despite it looking easier to score.

That theme continued in the second half, when both sides missed good chances. Carl Cort missed two further headers for Brentford, one of which produced a fine save from Charlton keeper Rob Elliot after 72 minutes.

Ten minutes later David Hunt hit the bar with a thirty yard free kick, but Charlton were able to withstand the pressure put on them in a spirited second half performance from Brentford.

Bury 0 West Bromwich Albion 2

An early Graham Dorrans strike and an own goal were enough to give Roberto Di Matteo his first win as Baggies boss.

The Midlands club dominated throughout the ninety minutes and never looked like suffering a cup upset from the moment they opened the scoring.

That goal came after only five minutes when Captain Paul Scott failed to clear a long ball forward for Bury. Portuguese winger Filipe Teixeira pounced and the ball fell into the path of Graham Dorrans, who produced a composed finish from the edge of the box.

From then on, the West Bromwich midfield took over the game and it was no surprise when they extended their lead further after 24 minutes.

Bury were enjoying their most promising moment of the game, but after a cross produced nothing the gulf in class between the two teams was epitomised by the clinical nature of the Championship sides counter attack.

Debutant Ruben Reid led the charge, exchanging one twos with Craig Beattie before the Scot fired a ball across goal which was diverted into his own net by back tracking Michael Jones.

Before half time, summer signing Simon Cox had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside, an occurrence which would again deny the striker his first Albion goal in the second half.

Bury enjoyed more of the play in the second half after failing to test Dean Kiely in the first, but first Michael Jones and then Ryan Lowe spurned the best opportunities they created.

Time to shine, Wayne

The season opener at Wembley today will be an interesting watch for football fans around the country.

With a summer of speculation at both clubs, the game today provides will show how two of last seasons top performing teams cope with the upheaval at their respective clubs.

Manchester United will sorely miss the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo as would any club, but the game today offers Sir Alex’s men the perfect chance to put the World Footballer of the year behind them and send a message to the rest of English Football.

Their appears to have been no single replacement for Ronaldo, but between them, Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen can go some way to accounting for the goals and assists which the Portuguese star gave United.

Owen has his doubters, but a partnership with Wayne Rooney would be one that blessed any team in the world. Owen will be eager to make a statement today, on the eve of his omission from the England squad yesterday.

Valencia has serious potential, with electric pace and a fierce shot that is reminiscent of Ronaldo. They will both be looking forward to pulling on United shirts at Wembley today and giving the clubs fans hope for the new season.

Wayne Rooney will finally have his chance to shine at United, having long played a supporting role to Ronaldo, this could be the season he starts to achieve his full potential. Playing him as an out an out striker could prove to be a master stroke by Ferguson if Rooney’s England form is anything to go by.

United’s opponents today have had a summer of change off the field rather than on it.

The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti is the 5th manager in 3 seasons for Chelsea but he looks to be an ideal fit for the ageing Chelsea squad. The Italian achieved great success at Italian giants AC Milan with a team of experienced professionals similar to the current Chelsea side.

Other than the arrival of talent Russian Yuri Zhirkov, their have been few ins and outs at Chelsea this summer. Fortunately for them, they didn’t have to find replacements for their top star, John Terry. He showed the class expected of an England Captain and stayed loyal to his boyhood club, resisting the money on offer from Manchester City.

Chelsea fans will be keen to see how they line up today, with rumours of a subtle new formation being implemented by the new manager. A narrow diamond formation could be effective with the talented central midfielders at his disposal, but Ancelotti could learn the hard way about the difficulty of breaking English teams down without wingers.

After a summer of questions, the answers start today.

Ryan Giggs, PFA player of the season... you what??

The recipients of the annual PFA awards are always cause for great debate and argument amongst fans and the media alike. Club supporters always feel some of their players are most worthy, and the winner is never completely unanimous.

Last nights announcement that Ryan Giggs has won the Player of the year award, and Ashley Young has received the Young Player equivalent are both up for debate.

Ryan Giggs. There is no way that his greatness as a footballer and person over the last 17 Premiership seasons can ever be questioned. If this award was for Premiership player of the last 17 seasons, he would be the unanimous winner.

However its not. What is the point of a trophy which recognises the best player in the league over the course of a season, being given to someone who has been used as a bit part player at best? He has started only 12 premiership games and featured in just 24. In that time he has scored 1 goal. Surely those sorts of statistics suggest he might not have had the biggest impact.

There is serious argument to say he hasn’t even been Manchester United’s most influential player this season, let alone best in the whole league. Out of the six players nominated, 5 play for league leading United.

Last Years winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is once again Premiership top scorer. While not being as dominating as he was to gain the previous two awards, his 17 goals have been a massive contribution and more marked then Giggs. Even if at times he has left fans enraged at his lack of team ethic, he has still been pivotal in United’s attempts to win 5 trophies this season.

Manchester Uniteds run of games in the middle stretch of the season was a key reason for Edwin Van Der Sar’s nomination for the award. His record breaking run of not conceding a goal in 1,311 minutes, was well worthy of recognition. That contribution over a period where United’s rivals were stuttering has definitely helped United maintain their position at the top of the table. It also has put them in good stead for the run in, as they managed to create enough of a cushion to afford home defeats to rivals Liverpool and at Fulham.

Rio Ferdinand’s role in United’s success has often been overlooked. He has featured in only 24 games this season, the same as Giggs. But his role as captain of the side cannot be overlooked. He has been the leader of the team in their quest for league and European glory once again this season. Together with Nemanja Vidic, they have held United together. Their absence was particularly notable in the recent game against Aston Villa.

At one point this season, Nemanja Vidic was the media darling being given much of the credit for United’s great defensive record this season. In his 30 Premiership appearances this season, United have only conceded 17 goals. His claims to the PFA crown were somewhat diminished after his performance in United’s 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool where he was sent off and at fault for two Liverpool goals.

In that game, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were responsible for leading the biggest upset of the season. Torres didn’t make the list, as he was considered to have not played enough games. Incidentally, he has scored 13 goals in 20 league appearances, 4 less then Giggs.

Steven Gerrard did make the list and could perhaps be the most aggrieved not to have won this seasons honour. He has carried the team throughout the season, in pushing United all the way in the title race this season.

His contribution of 13 goals and 7 assists don’t tell the whole story of what has been a fantastic season. He has rescued 7 points with decisive goals, and inspired them to victory with decisive goals at Old Trafford, St. James’ and the Reebok stadium. With Torres’ injury problems throughout the year, Gerrard has been the catalyst for numerous Liverpool performances over the season.

One of the main problems with the PFA system is the nominations are given out in February. It explains why the United players have dominated the nominations, with others such as Lampard, Torres and Everton’s Joleon Lescott having strong arguments for at least receiving nominations for their vital role in their sides this season.

The timing of the nominations also overlooks the most important part of the season in which the destination of trophies is decided. It counts out Torres' role in Liverpools surge up the table, Lampards key performances in Chelsea reverse in fortunes and Lescott' stewardship which has seen Everton reach the FA cup final.

It also explains why Ashley Young won the Young players award. Villa fans will tell you that up until February he was fantastic. The problem has been that Villa’s slump in form has coincided with him not scoring for 5 months prior to last Saturday, as well as a number of lethargic, ineffective displays from the undoubtedly talent winger.

Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland has a strong case for receiving the award, being a key performer for them over the entire season. He in long spells of the season has outshined £32 million Robinho, which in itself speaks volumes for the level of his performances.

Next year, perhaps the PFA will wait till the end of the season to decide the true recipients of the seasonal awards. Perhaps they could also consider giving the awards to someone who has had a massive part to play in the success’ of his side over the course of that season.

This weeks Predictions

Bolton vs. Aston Villa

Bolton need another win to qualm any fears of relegation and they could get it here. Aston Villa have been struggling greatly in the last few months with no win since early February. Their main problems have been defensively and the Reebok Stadium is notorious for teams being put under a lot of pressure in their box, which could lead to a Villa collapse.

Score: 2-0

Everton vs. Man City

Everton are on a massive high at the moment with the upcoming FA Cup final. The chairman has been singing the managers praises, and Moyes, has nothing but compliments for his injury hit squad. They have been on a great run since their poor start to the season, without which they could be pushing Arsenal mighty close for 4th place right now.
City struggle greatly away from home and have nothing to play for now. This could end up the same as Sven’s last game in charge up at Middlesbrough.

Score: 3-0

Fulham vs. Stoke

This encounter features two teams who have performed above all expectations this season. Fulham’s turnaround has been remarkable and Roy Hodgson deserves all the praise for the marvellous job he has done. They play very good football and are very difficult to beat away from home.
In contrast, Stoke have been a disaster away from home, picking up only one win. Tony Pulis has his side’s determined home performances to thank for the clubs expected survival in the Premiership.

Score: 2-0

Hull vs. Liverpool

Hull look in serious trouble. After their astonishing start to the season, their fall from grace has been equally dramatic. They have very difficult fixtures to come and are the team that Newcastle and Middlesbrough will be hoping to overtake.
Liverpool are in great form and are giving the title a real go in the run in. Rafael Benitez will be kicking himself that he didn’t encourage his side to play in a similar fashion earlier on in the season, which has probably cost them the title.

Score: 1-4

West Brom vs. Sunderland

West Brom look like they are going down, but Tony Mowbray will be determined his side don’t do so without a fight. If they have any chance of staying up, they have to win this game. Over the season, their big problems have been in both penalty areas and they will need a dramatic reverse in fortunes if they are going to keep their hopes alive.
Sunderland have had good home wins recently and will see this as an ideal opportunity to secure their Premiership status for another season.

Score: 2-1

West Ham vs. Chelsea

This has the makings of a good game. West Ham play good football and Zola has them playing the right way. He has worked wonders with a squad which has had no luck at all with injuries. The fans will be up for a chance to end Chelsea’s title hopes once and for all.
Chelsea are still plugging away in the league, but look to have left it to late. They may have an eye on the Nou Camp and could take their foot of the gas at Upton Park.

Score: 2-1

Manchester United vs. Tottenham

Its Man United’s title to lose now. They just need to keep churning out results to both retain their title and keep momentum up ahead of their clash with in form Arsenal in the Champions League.
Tottenham are safe now and hoping to get into Europe again next season, which would be a remarkable achievement for Harry Redknapp considering the clubs position when he arrived.

Score: 2-0

Newcastle vs. Portsmouth

The Shearer effect has yet to reap any real words, with only a point at Stoke to show for two spirited second half displays. His side need a win here against a struggling Portsmouth side and will be hoping the return of Mark Viduka can ignite his team going forward.
Equally, Portsmouth need to start picking up some points to avoid being sucked into the relegation spots late in the season.

Score: 1-0

Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough

Arsenal’s return to form has been impressive. They performed well up at Anfield and will feel they threw away the win in the end. They have played some great football going forward and will be hoping they can hold it together at the back ahead for the upcoming Champions League games.
Middlesbrough look to be in dire straights. They could of turned the corner after their win against Liverpool recently but their fortunes have hardly improved. Gareth Southgate has a task on his hands keeping his club in the top flight.

Score: 3-0

Blackburn vs. Wigan

This is set to be a real dogfight. Blackburn are fighting for their lives and Wigan are also a physical side. The game promises to be an old fashioned contest and will not be one for lovers of flowing football.
Sam Allardyce needs a result here or his side could fall through the trap door.

Score: 0-0

Glory, Glory Wolverhampton

Matthew Rumble
18th April

One name on the Wolverhampton Wanderers team sheet is always good for a goal. This weekend, club talisman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake proved that point at the most important moment, scoring the goal which sent the club back to the Premiership.

Football league player of the season, Championship top scorer and hero amongst Wolves fans. There was no man better for or more fitting to apply the vital finish.

The see of emotion which swept the Molineux pitch at full time was a clear sign of the importance of such an achievement to the success-starved Wolverhampton public.

It also indicates the scale of what has been achieved by manager Mick McCarthy and his young British squad.

The victory Wolves needed against QPR on Saturday was achieved thanks to Ebanks-Blake’s goal. It confirmed Wolves promotion and, at the same time as barring a Birmingham City miracle, ensured the club will win their first trophy since the 1988 Johnstone’s paint trophy equivalent.

Some may argue the clubs most recent success, their promotion via the 2002-03 play offs, was a trophy of repute. However, the clubs performance this season has been much more worthy of the trophy soon to be acquired from the cabinet of their nearest and dearest, West Bromwich Albion.

The season has marked similarities with their last promotion. Both being achieved by teams entirely British is the least coincidental.

When Wolves were promoted their Irish right back, Dennis Irwin, missed a penalty which sent them out of the league cup to Rotherham.

6 years on, young Irish full back Kevin Foley missed a penalty which sent them out of the league cup. Against Rotherham.

He obviously overcame that disappointment, defying his youth by becoming the clubs Fans Player of the Season.

In 2002, Wolves under Dave Jones signed two former Manchester United players Dennis Irwin and Paul Ince to add some experienced know how.

McCarthy’s youthful approach instead led him to sign two players who had much less impact at United.

Those two were David Jones, and a certain Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

He like the rest of McCarthy’s young side will be a breath of fresh air in the Premiership next season. McCarthy will need to add some quality in defence to the fast, flowing attacking football which will certainly take Premiership sides by surprise.

Wolves fans will be hoping that they will again be celebrating on the pitch at the end of next season, but almost certainly it would be for finishing 16 positions lower then they did this season.

Another, Saviour has returned.

So the most overdue managerial appointment has finally been made.

In yet another twist to this strangest of Premiership seasons, the battle for survival in the big league now has another interesting element: The Shearer Factor.

Alan Shearer has finally decided to get up from the comfort of the Match of the Day studios and do the job Newcastle United fans, and football fans in general have been waiting to see.

Thousands of desperate Geordies will be hoping that the man deemed as ‘God’ in Newcastle could start to become one of the great English managers of our time by preserving their Premiership status.

One man perhaps more desperate than the thousands of Newcastle fans is Chairman Mike Ashley. He will be hoping by employing Shearer that not only will the club stay up, but the fans may forgive him in part for his disastrous tenure so far.

Keeping Newcastle in the league certainly looks a difficult task, but Shearers timing is a clear sign that he isn’t one to shun a challenge.

To use an expression reminiscent of armchair pundits like Shearer, they really do need to win their home games to have any chance of staying up.

However, his first game as Newcastle boss couldn’t get much harder: Chelsea at home.
That is followed by difficult journeys to relegation rivals Stoke, as well as a trip to play resurgent Tottenham.

Shearer will be relying on the St. James’ faithful to pull his struggling side through in home encounters against fellow strugglers Portsmouth and Middlesboro, as well as Fulham.

Their run looks very difficult, with away trips to Liverpool and Villa also on the cards.

Shearer will be undoubtedly reliant on what will be fantastic support for his side in the run in. There will be joyous scenes on Tyneside at the news their ‘saviour’ has come home.

On the pitch, Shearer will also be desperate for old striking partner Michael Owen to do him a favour and save his side from the drop.

Owen and Shearer together could prove once again to be a fruitful partnership but if it doesn’t times look seriously bleak for Newcastle.

They need a serious shift in fortunes, but if there was ever a man to strike confidence into such a miserable side, it would be ‘God’.

A golden week for Rafa

There is a reason the Premiership is known as the most exciting league in the world.

This weekends events so far have proved that nothing is ever certain and teams should never give up whatever goal they are pursuing.

One of the few things football fans until recently would have said to be a formality, is that Manchester United would run away with the title when holding a 7 point and a game in hand advantage over their nearest rivals.

However, last weeks home battering against arch rivals Liverpool hinted that things may not be over.

And now, the champions shock defeat to Fulham today has capped off a fantastic week for Liverpool in their attempts to chase down the leaders.

Liverpool fans across Merseyside are now fully justified in their belief that their side can turn recent European successes into finally seeing their side lift the so far elusive Premiership trophy.

Rafael Benitez will be desperate that his side can capitalise on their late Sunday afternoon kick-off against Aston Villa, with the knowledge that a win would see his side come within a point of the Champions.

The Spaniard will be well aware that his side have difficult games to come, but riding their current wave of momentum the squad will feel the title is now in reach.

Tomorrow afternoons game looks set to be a torrid affair for faltering Villa, who could see themselves as lambs in the slaughter tomorrow afternoon against the resurgent Liverpool.

The time is now for Sir Alex Ferguson to prove that his side are true champions and come back from this remarkable week in Premiership football.

I wouldn't like to be one of the players in their dressing room today and surely the time is now for Liverpool to capitalise.

Sit back and enjoy the ride, because the next few weeks are going to be exciting.

The faltering pretenders

The Championship has long been known as one of the toughest leagues in Europe. The constant pressures put on players and clubs by the need to reach the Premiership land of riches often results in both a nervy and desperate end to the season.

After last weekend where no side in the top 6 spots managed a win, the midweek round of fixtures saw that trend flipped on its head with only 6th placed Preston failing to pick up 3 points.

If ever one week of football exemplified the nature of a division, this was it. While the Championship is renowned for its topsy-turvy nature, this season has proved to be one of the most bizarre.

Leaders Wolves epitomise this, as they have somehow remained top of the table despite recent league form that has included only 2 wins in the past 12 league games.

The faltering leaders will be counting their blessings as teams below them, such as Reading and Birmingham, have failed to capitalise on the opportunity gifted to them by the leaders.

Manager Mick McCarthy is one of the few people at the club who have experienced a Championship title success, and he will be hoping the Wanderers midweek win against Crystal Palace will act as a turning point for the rest of the season.

On current form, the team look incapable of getting promotion, let alone surviving next season. However, the first half of the season was a complete different story, with McCarthy’s young team running away at the top of the table. That previous form is what McCarthy will be desperate for his side to rekindle in the run in.

A run in which most difficult game appears to be a trip to St. Andrews although the Midlanders were comfortable winners there in the cup earlier this year. If the Black Country side can overcome Birmingham City in that fixture, they could be well on track for a return to the Premiership.

Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson claimed that if Wolves were to be promoted they would need another 20 players to stay up. That is surely wrong, with players such as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly having the credentials to carry Wolves potential fight to stay up next season. The only problem for the side, and it’s a big one, is their total ineptness when it comes to defending balls into the box.

McCarthy will be rueing the day Michael Mancienne returned to Chelsea, which it is perhaps no coincidence was at the start of Wolves terrible recent fortunes. A return to the big time for Wolves would surely trigger the signing of a centre half of his capabilities, as well as a steadying influence in goal with Wayne Hennessy proving unreliable between the sticks.

Wolves will be hoping that in this most back and forth Championship season, they can flip their recent form on its head and lead the charge in the closing weeks of the season.

Taking into account the season so far, would anyone be surprised??