2011 UEFA Champions League final - Brilliant Barca down United dream

CONVINCING: Barcelona's players celebrate with the European Cup

BARCELONA turned on the style last Saturday, overcoming Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley Stadium to regain the UEFA Champions League.  It is a third title in six years for the La Liga champions, who now are equal holders for the most Champions League’s (three, with bitter arch rivals Real Madrid).  After the match, Pepe Guardiola confirmed he would be staying with the Catalans for another season, and on the evidence of this performance, he would have been crazy to think about leaving the Nou Camp.  Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who have made everyone look ordinary in the Premiership this season, were made to look distinctively average by Barcelona’s fearsome attack, which would have anyone quaking in their boots. 

      Like the 2009 final encounter between the sides in Rome, it was the English champions who started the stronger.  Javier Mascherano, playing as an emergency centre-back, seemed uncertain against Wayne Rooney in the opening exchanges.  Ferguson had shocked Dimitar Berbatov by leaving his top scorer this season out of the squad, which will raise serious questions over the Bulgarian’s long-term future at Old Trafford.  From the 15^th minute onwards, Barcelona started launching raid after raid on Edwin van der Sar’s goal.  Only some desperate defending from Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand kept the scoreline at 0-0 until the 27^th minute.  Xavi was given the freedom of the Wembley pitch, and played in Pedro, who stayed cool under a late attempted block from Vidic to beat Van der Sar, in his farewell football appearance.

HOPE: Given to United by Rooney, but it was a false dawn

     If anyone questioned the resolve of Manchester United, then the response was fantastic.  Barcelona carelessly gave possession away from a cheap throw-in and Rooney combined superbly with the off-colour Ryan Giggs to produce a stunning strike from the edge of the area, which left Victor Valdes with no chance.  Finally, Rooney had been able to produce on the biggest stage of all, after his peripheral roles in the 2008 and 2009 Champions League finals.  With the scoreline at 1-1 at half-time, the game was firmly in the balance.  What happened after the break highlighted the gulfing class between the two teams.

      Ten minutes into the second half, and with the United defence rocking, and Van der Sar having to be at his best to deny Daniel Alves, Messi seized his moment.  He stepped away from Ferdinand, and fizzled a shot which an unsighted Van der Sar couldn’t keep out.  The Dutchman will be disappointed to have not done better, but Messi wasn’t complaining.  That was the Argentine’s 53^rd goal of a staggering season.  With Darren Fletcher sill nursing a stomach bug, and Michael Owen not quite having the ultimate killer instinct he used to have at Liverpool, Ferguson’s substitute options were limited.  His only main weapon was Nani.  The dynamic Portuguese winger came on in the 68^th minute for the injured Fabio, and made an immediate telling impact.  Sadly, it was the wrong kind of impact.

      Nani gave away the ball on the edge of his own area, and a deadly Barcelona attack was never going to not punish this careless act of possession.  David Villa producing another beautiful goal, curling a shot in that gave Van der Sar no hope of keeping his attempt out.  That was that, Barcelona had completed the ultimate football performance.  There was time for Paul Scholes to make a brief cameo before he announced his retirement from the game today, and for Nani to create a late moment of panic for the untroubled Valdes.  However, this was undoubtedly Barcelona’s night, Barcelona’s season and Barcelona’s best performance ever.

     There was a nice touch at the end of the game.  Club captain Carlos Puyol allowed left-back Eric Abidal the chance to lift the European Cup.  Abidal had undergone life-saving liver surgery just 70 days ago!  His comeback to lift football’s greatest club competition prize is a story full of emotion and miracles.  For United, it isn’t the end of the world, but Ferguson knows he must come back next season, with a stronger and better squad, otherwise Barcelona will dominate European club football again.  There could be no complaints in the greatest final performance since AC Milan’s 4-0 demolition of Barcelona themselves in the 1994 final.  The class of Barcelona 2011 is quite possibly the greatest team to have graced the game.  They thoroughly deserve to be champions for such a special occasion and on this evidence, Guardiola has the ability to produce a side that can dominate European football for the next decade.

FA Cup final 2011 - City end long victory drought

MANCHESTER CITY’s 35 year trophy drought ended yesterday, as they beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.  City’s semi-final hero Yaya Toure scored the only goal in the 74^th minute to break Stoke’s resistance in an intriguing final, though hardly a classic to be remembered.

     Stoke were taking part in their first ever FA Cup final, whilst City last made it this far back in 1981.  Therefore, it was a surprising final for many and unfortunately, the game never lived up to its pre-match billing.  Tony Pulis side were very poor in the first half and thanks to some great goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen and wasteful City finishing, they held onto a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.  Both Carlos Tevez and man-of-the-match Mario Balotelli were denied by the exploits of Sorensen, who has been Stoke’s FA Cup goalkeeper all season.  The Potters were organised and very resolute, but sadly, not much more.  The best chance of the first half was missed by the off-colour David Silva.  Balotelli’s brilliant movement ten minutes before half-time set the chance up and although the Spanish World Cup winner approached it at an awkward height, he basically missed a sitter by his high standards. 

     At times, the final threatened to get out of hand into a very bitty occasion.  Two poor challenges from Robert Huth in the first half meant the German was very lucky to stay on the pitch by half-time.  Either side of the interval and Jermaine Pennant was the victim of two bruising challenges, which limited his impact.  With Matthew Etherington forced off on the hour mark, having picked up a recurrence of the hamstring injury that he first picked up against Wolves 18 days ago, Stoke’s threat, particularly on the wings was severely limited.  Toure went onto to make the right headlines, but even the Ivorian was lucky to still be on the field by the time he scored the decisive goal.  A very bad challenge on Andy Wilkinson which looked malicious and with some form of intent was the climax of a very scrappy and spicy start to the second half. 

CHANCE: Stoke's golden chance was blown by Kenwyne Jones

     Stoke’s best chance to win the FA Cup final came just before Etherington’s enforced departure.  His beautifully-flighted ball over the top found Kenwyne Jones.  Jones managed to escape the clutches of Joleon Lescott, but Joe Hart stood tall, and made a critical save.  At this point, Roberto Mancini elected to make a bold move.  He sacrificed one of his holding players; Gareth Barry, for the more attack-minded Adam Johnson and the extra aggression in the final third soon paid dividends.  Yet again, Balotelli was in the heart of the move.  His shot, after some clever skill was blocked by Ryan Shawcross and following another minor deflection, the ball fell perfectly to Toure, who produced a cracking drive to break the deadlock.  It was a strike that left Sorensen with absolutely no chance.  Despite sending Shawcross forward as an emergency striker and Sorensen for corners, Stoke’s late bombardment on the City goal ultimately came to nothing.

    The rise of Manchester City continues and it is a fitting tribute to Neil Young.  Young, who scored the winning goal the last time the blue side of Manchester won the FA Cup, in 1969, died in February.  Goalkeeper Hart insisted that Manchester United’s earlier title success at Ewood Park meant nothing to hinder the celebrations; “We don’t care about Man U.  This is about Man City and the players and the fans, we deserved to win.”  Losing manager Pulis accepted the result with good grace.  He told ITV; “We’ve had a great season, but ultimately we dropped off today.  The best side won.” 

ALOFT: Tevez lifts the FA Cup for Manchester City

      The 1976 League Cup was the last time Manchester City lifted a major domestic trophy and on the week when they also won qualification into next season’s Champions League, this will go down as a week to remember for all City fans.  Ultimately, they were the stronger and better outfit throughout and deserved the win.  It was left to Carlos Tevez, only the third overseas captain after Eric Cantona and Patrick Vieira to lift the FA Cup aloft.  Whilst Stoke played their part in a largely forgettable final, it was a Blue Day at Wembley yesterday and anything is possible from here for the rich-spenders.  This could be the start of something big and there is no doubt now, that the whole of the football world must sit-up and take notice. 

UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals, 2nd Leg - The dream final

THE destination is Wembley on May 28, and it is the final that all the neutrals really wanted.  English league leaders Manchester United will take on La Liga champions and the best side in the world, possibly even ever, Barcelona.  It will be a repeat of their 2009 final and here’s hoping it will be a better contest than it was in Rome, when the Catalans romped to a 2-0 victory. 

     There is distinguished history within the setting for both teams too.  Barcelona won their first European Cup at Wembley in 1992, when a Ronald Koeman free-kick beat Sampdoria in extra-time.  Manchester United achieved a similar feat in 1968, with a Bobby Charlton inspired team overcoming Benfica 4-1, likewise in extra-time at Wembley.  Sir Alex Ferguson will lead his side out on Europe’s premier stage for the fourth time in his reign as boss – whilst Pepe Guardiola was in the Barca team that won the 1992 Wembley final, and will become the youngest coach ever to win the Champions League twice should he succeed.

     In midweek, both teams made light work of their second leg semi-finals, after handsome wins in the first games last week.  Barcelona drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, in a game that was only slightly better behaved than the first game was.  Jose Mourinho didn’t even turn up; he watched the game in a hotel room and he will be doing that more often next season; now that UEFA have given him a five-match touchline ban for his insulting comments at the post-match press conference last week.  For the record, Pedro put Barcelona infront in the second half and although Angel di Maria did equalise on the night, Barcelona were the better team throughout both games.  The eight point margin they have over Madrid currently in La Liga is very good value.

EASY: Anderson beats Neuer to put the seal on an easy tie

     Manchester United had the opportunity to rest the likes of Giggs, Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney and still beat hapless Schalke 04 4-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.  The 6-1 aggregate win didn’t flatter United; in fact, they could have won 16-1, if they’d put all their chances away!  Schalke are below midtable in the Bundesliga, and despite accounting for Benfica, Valencia and Inter Milan in the competition this season, they have been shown up for their real quality in these two matches.  Schalke are the worst ever side to have competed in the semis of the UEFA Champions League.  There can be little doubt about that.  Antonio Valencia, Darren Gibson and two goals from the dynamic Anderson registered on the evening for the home side, and despite Jose Manuel Jurado’s bullet strike before half-time, the German side offered very little resistance throughout.  Even the unflappable Manuel Neuer made two mistakes for two of the goals on Wednesday, which summed up Schalke’s performance, forgettable!

     The dream final has been set-up then, and let’s hope the 2011 UEFA Champions League final lives up to the spectacle that it promises to be.

FA Cup semi-final review - Potters v Rich Blues in Wembley showpiece

STOKE City and Manchester City will contest this season’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium next month.  This is after the pair overcame Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United in two interesting semi-finals at the home of English football at the weekend.

MOBBED: City players pile on Yaya Toure, after his winner

     Manchester City’s pain of not winning coveted silverware for so long could well be over and they managed to overcome bitter rivals Manchester United 1-0 in the first semi on Saturday evening.  Roberto Mancini’s side fully deserved to advance to the final, ending United’s treble dreams in the process.  The only goal of the game came ten minutes into the second half.  Michael Carrick made a crucial error and was intercepted by the bullish Yaya Toure.  Toure went on to brush off Nemanja Vidic and beat the advancing Edwin van der Sar to ink his name in City folklore forever.  It was another high-profile mistake from error-strewn Carrick, who despite having a better season this campaign, has the tendency to slip up at the critical moment.  As the game wore on, United’s desperation increased, clearly missing the suspended Wayne Rooney.  His replacement, Dimitar Berbatov had an off-day – missing two early chances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.  They came within 20 seconds of one another.  The first forced a good save from Joe Hart, whilst the second was a chance his grandmother could have scored with her eyes shut!  How the Premier League’s top goalscorer missed with a gaping goal at his mercy, two yards out is enough to destroy anyone’s self-belief.  After the break, only a Nani free-kick forced Hart into some serious action as United toiled.  Paul Scholes was rightfully dismissed on 72 minutes.  His crude challenge on Pablo Zabaleta punished with a straight red card from referee Mike Dean.  Although an ugly confrontation between Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli slightly marred the post-match celebrations of City, few can begrudge their supporters of an FA Cup final, despite the club’s enhanced wealth of recent seasons.

CLINCHER: Kenwyne Jones beats Jaaseklainen to end the contest

     Their opponents on the big day will be Stoke City, who thrashed Bolton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon 5-0.  The impressive Jonathan Walters scored twice to seal the Potters first ever FA Cup final appearance.  Owen Coyle was close to tears; struggling to take in just how poor his side had been.  Bolton choked on the big stage and this made it a trouble-free and delightful afternoon for Tony Pulis’s team, who recorded one of the biggest ever Wembley thrashings.  Matthew Etherington punished careless possession from Johan Elmander to hit an unstoppable drive past Juusi Jaaskelainen in the 11^th minute.  Moments later, Robert Huth doubled the lead, although Jaaskelainen might feel he could have done better with his shot.  As a contest, the game was well and truly over on the half hour mark, once Kenwyne Jones made it 3-0.  Bolton’s fans started deserting in their drones, unable to witness such a spanking.  Walters added the gloss with his two strikes in a man of the match performance after the interval.  Congratulations to both Stoke and Manchester City, hope you give us a wonderful final.

FA Cup 6th Round Review - And now, only four remain

FOUR teams now remain in the quest for FA Cup glory this season.  Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United, Stoke City and Manchester City can all look forward to a Wembley trip for the semi-finals next month, but who will have a second visit in May.

DYING: Lee Chung Young earns Bolton a rare semi-final

     Bolton Wanderers became the first side through to the semi-finals, after securing a last gasp 3-2 win over Carling Cup winners Birmingham City at St. Andrews.  Twice, Birmingham fought back from falling behind, but Lee Chung-Young’s header in the dying stages earnt Bolton a semi-final in this competition for the first time since 2000.  Bolton have been the better side in the Premiership this season, but were made to work very hard by a Birmingham team that has been decimated by injuries and fatigue since their League Cup triumph a fortnight ago.  Johan Elmander had Wanderers infront after ten minutes, before Cameron Jerome’s delightful volley had the home side back on terms.  Curtis Davies daft foul on his namesake Kevin allowed Bolton the chance to get back ahead, which the striker didn’t waste from the penalty spot.  With ten minutes to go, Kevin Phillips produced a quality volley with the instinct to goal that he has shown throughout his amazing career, before Davies beat Jean Beausejour to head a free-kick across the box and allow Korean Lee to nod in from close range to settle a pulsating tie.

     The standout tie was the meeting of the Premiership top two on Saturday night.  However, it turned out to be a comfortable 2-0 success for Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford.  The Gunners had plenty of crafty build-up play and produced several good opportunities.  Edwin van der Sar being named man of the match highlights the fact that Arsenal looked better going forward.  However, Wenger’s men couldn’t provide the final touch, which is starting to become a very familiar story.  Brazilian left-back Fabio steered Manchester United infront on 25 minutes, turning in from close range once his twin Rafael had been denied by the valiant Manuel Almunia.  Wayne Rooney looked somewhere near his best and the striker sealed the match as a contest five minutes into the second half, as Arsenal failed to deal with a trademark United counter-attack.  Wenger’s mood wouldn’t be helped by a nasty collision between Bakary Sagna and Johan Djourou in their desperate attempts to stop Javier Hernandez score a third.  Djourou came off worse; the Swiss defender out for the remainder of the season with a fractured shoulder.  Arsenal are now a wounded club, knocked out of three competitions in the space of a fortnight and are likely to end up without a trophy AGAIN!  For Sir Alex Ferguson, a repeat of that historic treble in 1999 is still potentially on the cards.

HOBBLED: Piquionne limps off as the Hammers lose at Stoke

     Stoke City made their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years, edging out West Ham United 2-1 in the game of the weekend.  It was a tie full of controversy, and Avram Grant has since been charged by the FA for improper conduct.  This followed his comments about the referee Mike Jones, who it must be said, had a terrible game.  Stoke’s formula one was to score from a long throw-in and this they achieved in the eighth minute.  Rory Delap’s throw-in found the head of Robert Huth who powered Stoke infront.  In a nine-year career, Huth had scored only seven goals before this season, but he has eight in this season alone.  The Hammers equaliser was very controversial on the half hour mark.  Thomas Hitzlsperger’s wonderful diagonal ball found Frederic Piquionne, who controlled the ball with his arm.  Accidentally or not, the goal should have been ruled out.  Piquionne did well to finish with the ball in the net, but a collision with Danny Pugh finished his afternoon prematurely.  Tony Pulis was furious with the decision, but 18 seconds into the second half, parity was restored.  Matthew Etherington went down under the minimalist of contact from Scott Parker and Jones amazingly gave a penalty!  Justice was done as the excellent Robert Green saved Etherington’s penalty.  On the hour mark, Danny Higginbotham’s fierce free-kick took a deflection off Parker and just crossed the line before Green could keep it out.  Ultimately, it settled the tie, although Stoke survived a late penalty claim and Matthew Upson rattled the crossbar with a bullet of a header.  No glory for Grant this year in his specialist subject, and now, only a tense battle to beat the drop faces West Ham. 

     They may not be playing their best football of the season, but Manchester City has a habit to juggle out results on a regular basis.  They secured the final semi-final berth, at the expense of Championship play-off contenders Reading.  Reading’s resistance was broken in the final fifteen minutes as David Silva’s corner was powered in by Micah Richards.  It was Richards’s third goal of the season and it finally found a way past Alex McCarthy.  He produced several top-class stops to keep City out for long periods. 

     All that means we have a semi-final weekend of Manchester City v Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City on April 17 and April 18.  Wembley has arrived for the last four, but who will be feeling the joy and pain.  The countdown to the semi-finals has begun . . .  

FA Cup 1st round review - The greatest cup competition is back

THE greatest cup competition in the world returned this weekend and there were some incredible games, spectacular goals and fairytale stories that marked the first round proper of the 2010-11 FA Cup.  Clubs from the npower Leagues 1 and 2 entered along with non-league sides, who have been qualifying for this stage, some since the middle of August.

FAIRYTALE: FC United of Manchester stun Rochdale

The upset of the weekend was caused by FC United of Manchester, in the first tie of the weekend.  The club, formed by angry ex-Manchester United fans over the Glazier takeover in 2004 and therefore, has only been in existence for five years, beat League One side Rochdale 3-2 at Spotland on Friday night.  They are now only one round away from a dream tie with Manchester United in the third round.  On Saturday, Dover Athletic caused the upset of the day, as they beat Gillingham at the Priestfield in a local Kent derby.  Adam Birchall scored the goal of the day, and Luke L’Anson added a second to overcome the Gills 2-0.  It was a painful day for Andy Hessenthaler, who quit Dover in the summer and took his coaching staff over to Gillingham.  So, it was sweet revenge for his former side.

STUNNED: Dario Gradi could only look on at Crewe's shock loss

Crewe Alexandra was another league side to experience embarrassment at the weekend, as they were beaten at Tamworth 2-1.  Dario Gradi has plenty of experience, having managed Crewe for over 20 years.  However, he could only watch Alex Rodman and Danny Thomas put his League Two side to the sword.  Ashley Westwood pinched a late consolation, but it was too little, too late.  Darlington, managed by former Peterborough and Kettering manager Mark Cooper beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the other main upset of the weekend. 

HARD GRAFT: Sheffield Wednesday were made to work hard

Sheffield Wednesday struggled to overcome a brave Southport side in Sunday’s live terrestrial match.  The 1993 finalists were pegged back twice at Haig Avenue, before two goals from Clinton Morrison in three second half minutes helped Wednesday to an eventual 5-2 success.  2003 finalists Southampton also survived a scare, edging past Shrewsbury Town 2-0 at St. Mary’s.  The result was cruel on Shrewsbury, who conceded both goals in stoppage time to the Saints.  The current pacesetters of League One, Brighton were held to a goalless draw by non-league Woking.  Gus Poyet’s men are eight points clear in League One, but he rested several key players and it nearly backfired.  Port Vale was another side who narrowly escaped a humiliating loss, needing a late strike from John McCombe to scramble a 1-1 draw at Dartford.  It wasn’t all fairytales, as the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Hythe Town went down 5-1 at Hereford United and Tipton Town got dismantled 6-0 at Carlisle United.  The game of the day was at Dean Court, where Josh McQuoid scored a hat-trick in Bournemouth’s sensational 5-3 win over Tranmere Rovers.

The FA Cup is back and the long road to Wembley in May 2011 has only just begun.

England 3-1 Mexico - More Work To Do....

For Fabio Capello, Monday night’s 3-1 win against Mexico at Wembley must have felt like more questions had been posed than answers.  Remarkably, despite Wembley’s awful pitch, all English players came through the game unscathed without any further injury scares, as the Three Lions bid farewell to their boisterous fans on a winning note.  However, it was far from plain-sailing.

With the opening match of the World Cup just over a fortnight away against the USA in Rustenberg, Capello used the chance to experiment with a new formation, as all of Chelsea’s winning FA Cup stars sat this friendly out due to mutual agreement with the Stamford Bridge club.  James Milner and Michael Carrick played as two holding players, with Steven Gerrard out wide.  This didn’t work, as the talented Mexicans took command of a positive first 45 minutes.  Time and again, they threatened the English goal, with PSV Eindhoven left-back Carlos Salcido producing the closest effort, brushing the post with a bending curling shot.  However, Mexico’s ineptitude at defending set-pieces cost them, as they were 2-0 down by this point.

Fifteen minutes in and Gerrard’s corner was flicked on at the back post by Peter Crouch, and played into the path of fellow Tottenham colleague, Ledley King, who was given the freedom of the penalty area to score only his second international goal.  For King, this was his first start for England since June 2007, and everyone will be pleased to see him come through the game and the aftermath with no problem.  Despite a few shaky moments at the back, alongside the out-of-form captain, Rio Ferdinand, King’s place in the final 23 looks secure now.  Crouch continued his remarkable scoring record, by handling in England’s second goal from one yard out, after Wayne Rooney’s header was tipped onto the crossbar by the Mexican goalkeeper.  With the last kick of the first half, ex-West Ham striker Guillermo Franco almost embarrassingly got the North Americans their deserved registration on the scoreboard, tapping home after Leighton Baines had failed to deal convincingly with a Rafael Marquez goal bound header.

The second half was far more pedestrian, with only one moment of real significance.  Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson’s first international goal, straight after the interval was a beauty.  On his weaker left foot, Johnson combined well with Theo Walcott to produce a stunning effort into the top corner.  He won’t score many better.

So, the positives were no injuries, the result, Johnson’s excellent performance, Crouch continuing his scoring run for England, which might have put him in pole position to be Rooney’s strike partner at the finals, instead of the bumbling Emile Heskey and the brief impacts by Aaron Lennon and debutant Adam Johnson, which showed with pace and freshness, they could be major impact players off the bench.

Negatives was the performance of Baines, who got skinned almost everytime and looked lost on the pitch.  As Stephen Warnock has not player under Capello, Baines probably will go to South Africa, but we must hope that Ashley Cole stays fit all summer.  Another one to struggle was Carrick, who has had a poor season for Manchester United and now is carrying that form into international level.  Unless Gareth Barry is eventually declared unfit, Carrick might not make the final cut, especially with the promising Tom Huddlestone and more consistent Scott Parker on his tail for his place in the squad.

Sunday’s warm-up, at high altitude in Graz against Japan might tell us some more about England’s chances for the forthcoming finals, but after this performance, Fabio Capello will have plenty of food for thought, despite the pleasing final scoreline.

Graceful Grant Exits Pompey, Next Destination Will Be Upton Park

It didn’t come to many people’s surprise last night, when news broke of Avram Grant’s decision to step-down as manager of crisis-hit club Portsmouth.  The Israeli, who took over the Championship bound side at the end of November 2009, following Paul Hart’s dismissal oversaw a fairytale run to this season’s FA Cup final, which sadly ended in defeat against his former employers, Chelsea last Saturday.

The match at Wembley turned out to be Avram’s final game in charge of Portsmouth, with the club having dropped out of the Premier League, entered administration and docked nine points and record even higher debts than were initially feared.  The way he spoke to journalists after the final last week suggested that he was set to go, but not without a heavy heart.  This was further proven by his emotional letter to the beloved South Coast fans, posted on Portsmouth’s website last night.

GRANT’S LETTER TO THE PORTSMOUTH FANS

This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to take in my football career.

After a lot of soul searching and under the circumstances I’m taking a different direction.

It’s been both a difficult and complex year for us at the club, but at the same time, it’s been a wonderful and uplifting professional and personal experience.  

I have been inundated with letters and emails from fans. Many have brought tears to my eyes and take it from me; it takes a lot to do that.

I will never forget you; the loyal fans of Pompey who, without a doubt, helped me protect the team under such complex circumstances. There are very few teams in the world that have fans as passionate and devoted as you are.

Seeing you all so proud with your heads held up high is the best reward I can receive.

It has been a great experience to be part of one of the most wonderful occurrences that has happened in the history of British football and also shows that even in the most desperate times, loyalty, devotion, professionalism and passion can be demonstrated.

I wish you all the possible success which you genuinely deserve.

Portsmouth has given me a feeling of home away from home. I might be leaving Portsmouth physically, but you cannot take Portsmouth away from me and my heart.

I have informed Andrew the administrator that if and when the need arises, I will be at his disposal to assist in any way I possibly can.

At this point I would like to mention the good job the administrator is doing, under very difficult circumstances after he received the club from Mr. Chainrai and Mr. Levy which they had saved from liquidation. Thank you for that.

I can never fully repay the faith and backing I got from the fans, players and staff who gave a hundred per cent. I truly thank you all for granting me the opportunity and the privilege to be part of your special city and unique club.

Grant, who took Chelsea to within one spot kick of winning the 2008 UEFA Champions League has had successful spells in Israel and only narrowly missed out on getting the national team into the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, despite finishing unbeaten in a group containing Switzerland and France.  He returned to Portsmouth as director to football at the beginning of last season, stepping up after Hart was sacked following a 1-0 loss at Stoke City on November 22^nd 2009.  Grant won ten games in charge, the most memorable success being a 3-2 comeback result against Hull City in March, a stunning 2-0 success over shambolic Liverpool before Christmas and in that amazing FA Cup run, the dramatic and well-deserved semi-final glory at Wembley against Tottenham.

It remains unclear who will take over at Pompey, though England goalkeeper David James has expressed an interest in taking over the reins.  For Grant, his next destination appears to be the vacant manager’s seat at West Ham.  The Hammers sacked Gianfranco Zola ten days ago after a dismal season that saw them finish 17^th in the Premiership.  It would make sense for Avram to go there, as he would team up again with his former assistant at Chelsea, Steve Clarke. 

He may have gone for pastures new in the Premiership, but his reputation has been enhanced even further, and he has also won a soft spot in the hearts of many neutral observers.  Avram Grant is a man with two hearts, and for whatever success he may achieve in the future, whether that is at West Ham or somewhere else, he will always carry an undying love for Portsmouth FC.  I wish him all the best in his soon-to-be appointed new role.

FA Cup Final Review - Cool Chelsea Land Historic Double

On a pitch that would have been more suited for rallycross yesterday, John Terry and Frank Lampard held the FA Cup aloft, as Chelsea maintained their grip on the trophy, in a one-sided final at Wembley.  Carlo Ancelotti’s men overcame a brave, if limited Portsmouth side 1-0, to add the FA Cup to their Premiership title success seven days ago.  With it, he becomes the first Blues coach to land the double, even managing to achieve something that managed to elude the ‘Special One,’ Jose Mourinho.  Well, now Ancelotti can have his own claims to that particular mantle.

Chelsea were firmly in command from the outset yesterday, and had it not been for a bit of luck, plus coming up against an in-form David James, could have turned the final into a routine Sunday training exercise.  No less than FIVE TIMES did they hit the woodwork in the first half.  Frank Lampard and John Terry were both thwarted, whilst Didier Drogba has a free-kick wonderfully turned onto the bar by the inspired James.  Later in the exchanges, Drogba smacked the post again, then kicked at it in frustration, was this to be their day?  It was made all the more galling by Salomon Kalou’s shambolic miss from 3 yards out.  Ashley Cole set the chance up on a plate, but the unpredictable Kalou somehow smacked the crossbar with a gaping goal, a chance that to be honest, Stevie Wonder could have scored! 

However, Avram Grant’s spirited Pompey side didn’t give in, and had it not been for inspired Cech reactions, denying Frederic Piquionne from close range, his side might have had an unlikely lead.  Ten minutes into the second half, they squandered a golden opportunity to inherit the lead.  Steve Finnan’s strong work down the right-hand side, fed through Aruna Dindane, who bamboozled and forced a careless lunge out of Chelsea departure-bound Juliano Belletti.  Five weeks ago, Kevin-Prince Boateng has slotted away the decisive spot kick in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, but this time, the Ghanaian (responsible for ending Michael Ballack’s game in the first half), scuffed his kick horribly.  Cech saved the poor penalty with his feet, and with it, went Pompey’s glory moment.  Less than three minutes later, they were behind.

Papa Boupa Diop tripped Nicholas Anelka on the edge of the box, and Drogba, always deadly from set-pieces produced another moment of magic.  His free-kick beat the disorganised Portsmouth wall, and just grasped out of James’s reach, striking the post.  This time though, his accuracy was spot-on, as it struck the post and bounced in.  The Ivorian was celebrating his seventh goal in an English cup final, and gave the Stamford Bridge the deserved edge.  In the late stages, Michael Brown’s silly lunge on Lampard earned another penalty, but for once, Lampard cracked under the pressure and sent his kick wide, James not even been forced to save the kick.  Lampard became the first player to actually miss a spot kick in the Wembley showpiece and it’s the first time in FA Cup Final history that two penalties haven’t been converted in normal time.

However, that couldn’t take the edge off Chelsea’s success, as their players celebrated for the second time in six days.  They are the dominant force again in England and the question is, can they turn this into a sustained period of success….with one of two new acquisitions in the summer, there is a good chance of this happening.  For Portsmouth, it’s the end of the FA Cup fairytale and the squad will break-up for pastures new, as will Grant, who despite his love and incredible affection with the passionate South Coast fans, looks set to take over the vacant West Ham United job.  With the Fratton Park side still in administration, their future looks very bleak.  For Chelsea, their future looks far more bright and promising.

Steve McLaren - A Dutch Master

Do we all remember England’s shambolic failure to qualify for Euro 2008 in Austria/Switzerland?  The ‘Wally in a Brolly,’ headlines and the failure that was Steve McLaren.  Well, things have changed since that soggy, miserable Wembley night in November 2007, for both parties.

Whilst under the guidance of Fabio Capello, England have breezed into the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer, making the world sit up and take notice whilst doing so.  Meanwhile, McLaren has been attempting to rebuild his destroyed coaching reputation at the unheralded Dutch side, FC Twente.  This he has managed to do rather impressively and he will have bound to have raised a few eyebrows across Europe with the success over the weekend.

FC Twente became Dutch champions on Sunday, McLaren leading them to their first Eredevisie success in their 45-year history.  Facing Europa League hopefuls NAC Breda on Sunday, FC Twente stayed cool under the pressure and overcame the 10-men 2-0, with goals from Chelsea loanee Miroslav Stoch and their club-record signing, Bryan Ruiz.  It meant that Twente held on to win the league, one point clear of Martin Jol’s Ajax side.

Ajax may have won their last 14 games, including a 2-0 win over their title rivals a fortnight ago and amassed a staggering goal difference of +86, but Twente held on for a historic triumph, in an incredibly consistent season, which saw them lose just two games.  With the likes of AZ Alkmaar and former European Cup winners PSV Eindhoven beaten comprehensively into submission, this is a very impressive statistic.

McLaren, who turned 49 today, may not have the best Dutch accent around, but he has been able to master the Dutch game for sure.  Last season, his first season in charge, he took the club to 2^nd in the table and a Dutch Cup final appearance.  To have gone one better is very impressive, for a man, who when he took over in June 2008, it looked like a desperate move for a manager on the verge on liquidation.  He also steered FC Twente to Round three of the UEFA Europa League this season, eventually going down in a bruising encounter with German neighbours, Werder Bremen.

Despite successful spells as No.2 at Derby, and as Sir Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man at Manchester United, plus a five-year reign at Middlesbrough, which saw the Teesiders win the 2004 Carling Cup and reach a UEFA Cup final, it’s his England reign that will haunt his career.  His failure to get through a seemingly easy group on paper was galling, especially some of his questionable selections throughout the Euro 2008 campaign, including dropping David Beckham altogether and playing the has-been likes of David Nugent upfront.  However, his spell at FC Twente has been nothing short of a success and I wish them all the best in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League next season.

Congratulations to FC Twente and Steve McLaren, he truly is a Dutch Master!

FA Cup Semi Final Review - The Portsmouth Fairytale Continues

The magic of the FA Cup never fails to deliver; underestimating it is a sorry state of affairs.  Yesterday, the fairytale of Portsmouth in this season’s FA Cup continues, as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley 2-0 after extra-time.  It is a staggering result, considering the perilous state of affairs that have engulfed the South Coast club in the past twelve months.  Relegation was confirmed from the Premiership on Saturday afternoon and still, there is an uncertain future for the club, with no signs of an immediate buyer.  However, the players and Avram Grant have stuck together throughout thick and thin, and the results are now starting to pay dividends, especially for their loyal and caring supporters.

It was a fantastic semi-final, and even if chances were scarce, both teams had the desire and the energy to win the game in normal time.  It quickly became clear that one goal might be enough to see off your opponents, either through a stroke of genius or a critical error.  In the end, it came from Michael Dawson.  The centre-back, who has been in great form for most of the season, crucially slipped at the most inopportune time from a free-kick and the quarter-final hero for Pompey, Frederic Piquionne coolly slotted his chance past the advancing Gomes.  As Spurs pushed forward, gaps were exposed at the back and a determined Aruna Dindane drew a foul from Wilson Palacios in the closing stages of the extra period.  Kevin-Prince Boateng, an ex-Tottenham player and a man who looked bereft of confidence all day following an injury lay-off despatched the penalty with some aplomb.  The fantasy had turned into a dream.  

Moments away from going out of the cup in a replay at Coventry on a freezing January night, Portsmouth got some luck courtesy of a Stephen Wright own goal, then Aaron Mokena headed home with the last kick in extra-time to see Pompey scrape through.  Since then, they haven’t looked back and the 2008 winners will have a load of mutual appreciation for their battling qualities and support from many to finish the job off back at Wembley on May 15^th.

They will face cup holders and Premiership league leaders Chelsea in the final, after a rather comfortable semi-final success over Aston Villa on Saturday night.  A 3-0 scoreline certainly flattered Chelsea, but they were clear winners.  Villa had been on top in the first half, but failed to seize total command when Chelsea looked bereft of confidence.  Martin O’Neill’s side were unlucky, when John Obi Mikel blatantly brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half.  However, referee Howard Webb continued his shocking form, by waving away the strong protests.  He also decided to only book John Terry for an x-rated challenge, which James Milner was lucky to walkaway from a serious injury.  It wasn’t malicious, but certainly wreckless and unnecessary from Terry, and drew a lot of frustration from O’Neill, who must feel that his side have been robbed at Wembley this season, following the Carling Cup final, when Nemanja Vidic avoided dismissal for clearly bringing down Agbonlahor when he was clear in on goal. 

Didier Drogba’s Wembley love continued, as he broke the deadlock midway through the second half, turning in a mishit shot from Terry.  It is Drogba’s fifth Wembley goal already in six appearances, a staggering statistic.  Further goals from Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard in the dying stages put a further gloss onto the final scoreline.  Despite their early European exit, you can’t complain about Carlo Ancelotti’s first season at the Bridge, if he delivers the domestic double.

We are now down to the final two then, on May 15^th, Wembley Stadium, hopefully with a better playing surface which plagued the semis this weekend and though Chelsea start as overwhelming favourites on the day, the hope is that the Portsmouth bandwagon can give them a great game for a fabulous occasion.  

Headers, Handshakes & Horrors - What A Top-Flight Weekend!!

Wow! What a Premiership and Carling Cup weekend that was.  Full of intrigue, controversy, shock results and a horrific blow that reminds all of us fans that football is more than just a game.

Let’s start off with the man of the moment that is Wayne Rooney, undoubtedly the best player in the world at the moment.  Rooney defied injury which might mean he misses England’s friendly in midweek with a top-class header to win the Carling Cup final for Manchester United.  Their 2-1 win at Wembley over a resilient Aston Villa meant Sir Alex Ferguson’s side became the first side to retain the League Cup since Nottingham Forest two decades ago.  However, it might have been a different game had Nemanja Vidic seen red.  

The Serb blatantly brought down Gabby Agbonlahor inside of five minutes while the pacy Villa forward was bearing down on goal.  Though the penalty was given, referee Phil Dowd opted to not even book Vidic, a crazy decision that changed the course of the game.  James Milner tucked away the penalty coolly, but the Villains were soon pegged back by Michael Owen, who reminded Fabio Capello of what he can do, with a well-taken finish in the 12^th minute.  Unfortunately for Owen, he limped off injured before half-time with a pulled hamstring and Rooney was sent on, who changed the course of the final.  His impact was clear and as Martin O’Neill’s outfit tired, United got stronger and dominated the second half.  Rooney header was class, converting an excellent cross from man-of-the-match Antonio Valencia, with a looping header that Brad Friedel had no chance in saving.  As long as Rooney stays fit and on-form, England head to South Africa with the best player in the world.  His form might see United overhaul Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premiership, especially after Chelsea’s display on Saturday lunchtime.

The build-up to Chelsea v Manchester City was all about John Terry v Wayne Bridge, following the recent newspaper revelations about the Chelsea skipper’s private life.  The question was would they shake hands or not before the start of the game?  In the end, Terry put his hand out; Bridge blanked and ignored him, going on to shake hands with the rest of his former team members.  It was brilliant to watch and what else was John Terry expecting?  He is lucky that Bridge didn’t head butt him to be honest.  In the match, Terry produced a limp display, as did the rest of the Blues defence as Roberto Mancini’s superstars ran riot at a supposed fortress Stamford Bridge.  For 43 minutes, Chelsea were well on top, 1-0 infront and City looked lacklustre, until a comedy of errors from Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Hilario allowed Carlos Tevez to poke home an equaliser.  Hilario’s goalkeeping performance was shocking; Chelsea will really end up missing Petr Cech for the next month, whilst he recovers from his calf injury.  After the break, Chelsea were suicidal, with more shambolic defending, poor passing allowing the Eastlands side to run riot.  Tevez scored again, Craig Bellamy bagged another two goals, and despite a late Frank Lampard penalty, this was a day to forget for Carlo Ancelotti.  Add to that, Juliano Belletti’s clumsy dismissal and Michael Ballack’s daft challenge on Tevez which led to the experienced German heading for an early shower, it was a horror show to watch for the home supporters.

Arsenal keep onto the tails of the leading two, with a gritty 3-1 success at bogey ground, Stoke.  However, the result will be overshadowed by a sickening injury to 19-year old Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsay.  Midway through the second half, Ramsay was on the wrong end of a poor, but not malicious challenge from Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.  Immediately, the youngster was writhing in agony and with Sky cameras opting not to show the incident again, you could tell it was bad.  Shawcross was sent off and went down the tunnel in tears, he looked devastated on the day he received his first England call-up.   You had to feel for the Gunners players, who had to experience this again, almost exactly two years after Eduardo’s horrifying injury at Birmingham City.  Then, Arsenal lost the plot in the title run-in, but in a game they might have lost even last season, they battled away and scored twice in stoppage time, through the inspirational Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen.  Full credit to Arsene Wenger for keeping his chargers going and with an easier run-in than the top two, Arsenal are firmly back in the title race.  My thoughts are with Ramsay though, and I wish him a speedy and successful recovery.

Elsewhere, wins for Tottenham and Liverpool keep the pressure on Manchester City in the battle for 4^th, Steve Bruce faces the possible sack after Sunderland’s dire 0-0 draw with Fulham, 14 games without a win is relegation form in the making and Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle, having starred on Channel 4’s Countdown in midweek, must have had his head still full of conundrums, giving away two penalties in Burnley’s costly 2-1 home defeat to administration bound Portsmouth.  The result gives Pompey’s fans something to cheer, after one of the most traumatic fortnights in the clubs established history.

Two months left and anything is still possible in the closest Premiership season for years.  The title race, Champions League qualification and the fight to stay in the top flight could run all the way to the final day of the season in May.  What happens next in this season of twists and turns is anyone’s guess….?