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Manchester United make the short trip to Merseyside to face Everton just six days after their derby day humiliation.

The Toffees on the other hand found themselves travelling back to Goodison Park with three points after two late goals from Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha saw them past Fulham. That victory on the Thames was first away from home this season and first win in three Premier League games. It’s been an inconsistent start from David Moyes’ men who have failed to put together a decent run of unbeaten fixtures. One of their main problems at the minute is scoring goals with Tim Cahill yet to find the net in 2011. His 10-month goal drought is becoming a real concern for the Toffee’s faithful considering their lack of options up front at present. With Royston Drenthe suspended after his red card against Chelsea in the mid-week Carling Cup tie Moyes’ is shorn of another attacking option. The Dutchman was superb at Craven Cottage last week scoring a stunning goal and proving to be a constant threat throughout. They’ll also be without Johnny Heitinga for the visit of United with the Dutchman struggling with a knee injury. The onus is good for the blue half of Merseyside though with Sir Alex Ferguson last tasting victory at Goodison in 2007.

Victory is the only thing on the Red Devils’ mind after their derby day drubbing at the hands of neighbours City. Ferguson watched his side capitulate during a stormy afternoon in Manchester with six goals going past the helpless David de Gea. Some of the demons from that game were put to rest in the 3-0 Carling Cup win over Aldershot but the rebuilding starts on Saturday. Ferguson claimed in week that his side will be back to it’s best by the New Year but fans will be expecting an instant response at Goodison. Being five points behind City and seemingly second best to the Premier League’s big spenders is sure to motivate United but fears have started to creep in about the strength of the squad. Darren Fletcher and Anderson were dominated in midfield whilst Ashley Young and Nani were marked out of the game. Wayne Rooney and Danny Wellbeck failed to make an impact and it’s likely the latter will be rested with Dimitar Berbatov pushing for a start. The Bulgarian was as majestic as ever against The Shots on Tuesday night but still needs to convince the boss of his worth to the team. He could be just what they need with creativity lacking last week especially considering Everton’s status as United’s bogey team. Phil Jones can expect a recall after Jonny Evans’ red card last week whilst Ryan Giggs is out with injury.

Key Player

Marouane Fellaini – After a period of mediocrity the big Belgian has found his form once again. Ravaged by injuries last season he is back to his best patrolling the Everton midfield. His height will come in handy against United’s defence shaken from last week’s thrashing.

Wayne Rooney – As ever the England striker is Ferguson’s go to guy for inspiration. He’ll be straining at the leash to get out onto the Goodison Park pitch and right the wrongs of the City defeat. A former Toffee himself he can expect a hostile welcome from the Merseyside faithful.

Prediction: 1-1

 

 

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The Toffees covered 115.4km in that game, compared to Fulham’s 115.1km, with Maraoune Fellaini covering the most ground with 11.762km. Fellaini has covered more ground than any other Everton player in six of his seven starts for Everton so far this year, averaging 11.911km per game Jack Rodwell also scored his first goal of the season against Fulham. The young midfielder has been excelling in defensive duties so far this season, making 11 interceptions and winning 87% of tackles attempted Manchester United covered just 106.09km in that game, their second lowest tally of the season, with Darren Fletcher covering the most ground with 11.29k. Everton’s defenders will need to be on their guard, as United have the two most prolific crossers in the league in Ashley Young and Luis Nani, who have both put in 37 crosses so far this season.

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Aston Villa’s Australian central midfielder Chris Herd is closely monitoring the progress of his country of birth at the cricket World Cup.Australia play Sri Lanka in the one-day international tournament on Saturday at almost the same time as Villa step out at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.Herd, who was given his first start as the Villains crashed out of the FA Cup with a 3-0 loss at Manchester City on Wednesday, has told the Villa website of his second love – cricket.Herd, who had previously made five brief substitute appearances this season, admits he was almost lost to cricket growing up in Perth. “Ever since I was a little boy I had a ball at my feet, kicking it around in the back garden,” he told the club’s website:”I got into football locally over in Australia and kept on playing. My dad coached me when I was younger growing up.””He was heavily involved in football and it just felt right and natural to follow in his footsteps.” “But I took cricket quite seriously, to be fair, back then too. I played a lot in the off-season while I played football in season. But it was never really a difficult choice because I always knew it was going to be football for me.””Cricket is obviously well known as a major sport in Australia but football is growing and getting bigger all the time and is one of the biggest and most popular in the country now.” “I did love playing cricket. I was a batsman.””I did a bit of bowling but my main strength was always my batting. But I always had my main focus on football. That never wavered.” “That was always my main goal. I always dreamed of being a footballer. “But I did love cricket too as a sport. It’s a good passion too now when I watch it. I don’t play it seriously. When I go home I have a bit of a knockabout with the boys but nothing too strenuous. “I obviously follow the Australian team and I will be following their progress in the World Cup avidly.””Whenever I’ve got a chance, I’ll switch the television on and watch it. I think we’ll win it – I’ve got a good feeling. We have a new team with quite a few young players coming through the ranks.” “It’s exciting times and interesting to see how they develop. A few of the older stars have moved on now. “If Australia can win the World Cup, Villa can move steadily up the league and away from the relegation issues and I’ve played a few more games in the process too, it would be brilliant.””It would be the perfect scenario.”

Excuses have been made since the dawn of time for all sorts of things. “I’m late because my sundial didn’t go off” or “The bus was late because the wheel hasn’t been invented yet” or even “A Stegosaurus ate my homework.” Of course, I’m being silly – dinosaurs and man never came into contact with each other outside of Jurassic Park and, if the documentary series I saw about those islands are to be believed, there wasn’t much homework-doing going on.

But excuses generally all have one thing in common – they’re utter cowpats. “I’m sorry I’m late, the bus didn’t turn up on time” is, 99% of the time, code for “I’m not actually sorry I’m interrupting your lecture, but I know I have to give a reason for doing it now that I have and I know that telling you I preferred to sleep in for another half an hour isn’t going to go down well, so here’s some rubbish I’m spouting out of my face to save both of us the embarrassment of me turning up late.”

And, of course, turning up late isn’t the only time you need excuses. Excuses are golden for when leaving early: for example, a party you didn’t want to go to (“I have to get home because I’m working in London tomorrow”), a date that isn’t going well (“My grandfather’s not well, so I have to get back”), or even an international football competition where you didn’t do as well as you and millions of others had expected (“Manchester City keep buying people from abroad, so the England team is rubbish”).

Like I said, cowpats.

It has to be City’s fault that Wayne Rooney had the control and agility of a combine harvester. Who else is there to blame that the defence looked as stable as a puddle of Nitro-glycerine near a fire? And it goes without saying that there’s only one place to look as to the reason why Gerrard and Lampard looked like two people who’d not even spoken to each other for ten years.

So, and this is a question aimed at a certain Brian Woolnough from the Daily Star, why have England not been much cop for the last 44 years? I mean, City were taken over in 2008 and Chelsea in 2003 – so that covers the last seven years, but what about the remaining 37? And why are City being blamed for the high finances of football and lack of English youth development when they are just the latest of many clubs to have spent big and, in the years just before the takeover, they were over reliant on academy products to be able to put out a team most weeks?

That transfer fees and wages are as high as they are isn’t the fault of football’s latest rich kids. Before City broke the English transfer record for Robinho, many others had broken it first, on such illustrious flops as Juan Sebastián Verón or Andriy Shevchenko. Money clearly not well spent at a time when the fees spent on those individual players were more than City’s entire transfer budget for the season.

I don’t think there’s a football fan in the world that wouldn’t prefer a team to win their league by producing a squad of academy talents all at the same time, over spending money on foreign imports. There’s always that romantic view of the team of kids showing the big boys in the league how it’s done, most of them from the area around where the club is based.

Unfortunately, as much as that would be the desired method of competing with the best, it just isn’t ever likely to happen. With the amount of prize money that has been earned by those at the top, it made them self-financing in that they were the only teams that could afford to price everybody else out of the market. They bring in better players, win more things, get more money and bring in better players.

The days when several academy graduates topple the establishment are going, if not already gone. So, when City are taken over and decide that they’d like to compete with the best, it’s unfair to blame them for inflating transfer prices. The choice was to either spend little money and remain everybody’s second favourite club or to try and compete. Competing, of course, involved bringing in better players; players whose value had previously soared.

England don’t win the World Cup and City spend big. To say the first happened because the second happened is an inaccurate and ill considered conclusion that’s far too easy and lazy to arrive at. For a start, at the time of writing, City’s squad contains no less than nine Englishmen (four from the club’s own academy) who have been regulars for the club in the past, with an additional three that are currently breaking into the first team. And that doesn’t include the six non-English academy products that have represented the first team and are currently available for selection.

Clearly, youth development is at an end because the chequebook has come out for Silva, Touré, Boateng, et al.

While it may be true that City can field a first team that contains no English players, it is also true that they can field one that contains no foreigners (though the formation would be a bit off, granted). It seems pretty churlish to point the finger at City for strengthening the squad from abroad, when there’s a potential season of 64 matches (not including any FA Cup replays) coming up and when English players are as over-priced as they are.

If recent reports are to be believed, Aston Villa’s valuation of James Milner is £30m. And, of course, should City decide to pay that amount, they would still be the bad guys, because, despite the promotion of English talent, it would be an obscene transfer fee. Should City decide it’s too much and look overseas for a cheaper, equivalent player, then the club are ruining the chances of future England teams.

The only option for City to be the good guys is to promote academy products before they are ready… The very same system of providing first team players that nearly saw the club relegated in 2007. The club is now in the position where they don’t need to rush young talent into the squad, where only the best of the best will make it through, and where those youngsters can learn from some of the best players the game will see.

Yet that is the wrong way to run a football club. Work that one out.

The problem isn’t that the influx of foreigners is stopping English youth developing. Forcing teams to play x number of English players in their team won’t increase the quality of the national team, but rather decrease the quality of the Premier League. If the youth isn’t good enough to break into the first time for any reason other than being forced in there by the rules, then those players are never going to be good enough to help England to a World Cup win.

But if the English youth is good enough, then those players will play.

If you want to look for excuses as to why England didn’t win the World Cup, you could look at poor management, incorrect tactics, the fact that we’re not as good as other teams that have gone further than us… But the takeover of Manchester City and their transfers in isn’t a valid excuse.

Written By David Mooney

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Click on image below to see the PORTUGAL babes at the World Cup

Manchester United were humiliated in their own back yard as rivals City ran riot at Old Trafford to claim a memorable derby day victory and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.

Roberto Mancini’s men were simply gorgeous as they inflicted the Red Devils’ heaviest home defeat since 1955 smashing six past the hapless David de Gea to confirm their validity as genuine title contenders. Mario Balotelli continued his recent hot streak with a double whilst Edin Dzeko came off the bench to score twice late on with Sergio Aguero and David Silva getting on the scoresheet as City romped to an unforgettable win. Darren Fletcher did manage a consolation but it was in vain with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side facing an uphill struggle following Jonny Evans’ red card in the second half with the score poised at 2-0. City capitalised though with their slick passing and movement proving too much for the home side to handle with Silva the hub of everything positive about their play. It was surprising to see United take such a battering on their own turf considering they hadn’t lost a game at home since last year.

With both teams unbeaten and scoring goals for fun the game had draw written all over it but the visitors were having absolutely none of that. Their intentions were clear from the kick off and after a tense opening 20 minutes Balotelli showed just why Mancini rates him so highly. The Italian made the headlines for all the wrong reasons again this morning but Monday’s newspapers will tell a different story after he opened the scoring at Old Trafford. Neat build up on the left saw Silva slip the ball into Milner who in turn cut the ball back to Balotelli on the edge of the area. Opening his body out the 20-year-old cooly angled the ball away from De Gea and into the bottom corner and celebrating by revealing a t-shirt bearing the phrase ‘why always me?’ which forced referee Mark Clattenburg to brandish a yellow card.

City took that lead into the break as United continued their patient, probing approach as Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott stood defiant in defence thwarting the efforts of Wayne Rooney and co as the hosts desperately searched for an equaliser. Their cause wasn’t helped after Evans was dismissed for hauling Balotelli to the ground as the striker made his way to goal just a minute after the restart. City made their superiority count doubling their lead on the hour mark with Balotelli again benefiting from a superb Milner delivery to tap home is second. They didn’t stop their though and Aguero, who had been uncharaceristically quiet, pounced to turn Micah Richards low cross past De Gea after the superb Milner had played in the full back down the right. Balotelli was then withdrawn with Edin Dzeko his replacement with the Bosnian almost scoring seconds after his arrival on the field.

United continued to look for a way back into the game and Fletcher handed them a lifeline with nine minutes left giving Joe Hart no chance of saving his rasping drive from 20-yards. It was in vain though as City continued to press and a frantic scoring frenzy in injury time put the gloss on a victory that will go down in Manchester Derby history. Substitue Dzeko was the first to get in on the act taking advantage of some good work from Lescott to fire home before Silva’s composed finish gave him the goal he deserved for his world class display. The duo then combined brilliantly to complete the route with the Spaniard setting up Dzeko for his second and City’s sixth of the afternoon.

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If ever there was a signal that power is shifting between red and blue this result confirmed it as United’ conceded six goals at home for the first time in 81 years. This is arguably the biggest test Ferguson has faced in his 25 years as manager and how he picks his players up from this is yet to be seen. As for City the sky is the limit at the moment!

Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes the defending Serie A champions deserved more than a ‘strange draw’ at Brescia on Friday.The visitors escaped with a point at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti after Brescia captain Andrea Caracciolo’s late penalty was saved by Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.Samuel Eto’o had earlier put Inter into the lead in the 18th minute, before Caracciolo made the most of a dreadful defensive error by Inter substitute Ivan Cordoba to level the scores in the 85th minute. The drawn result temporarily narrows the gap between Inter and league leaders AC Milan to four points, though Milan will almost certainly widen it to seven when they host bottom-placed Bari on Saturday.A disappointed Leonardo said after the match he felt Inter had done enough to win at relegation-threatened Brescia.”We had many chances and there could have been a different result,” the Brazilian said. “In the first half we played as we expected to, we went ahead and managed the game well but in the second half we conceded a goal from a set-piece and that changed the game.””I’m not too keen on draws, this was a strange draw because we made a lot of chances and it wasn’t a typical drawn game.””But what we’ve done, 11 wins, one draw and two defeats, we’re doing great work.”

England kicked off their World Cup campaign with a dire 1-1 draw against the US, then (this past Friday) put their fans through despair once more as England performed abysmally against Algeria which ended a 0-0 bore draw. So with 2 games played and 2 points accumulated so far, and the team not performing well, is it any wonder why England fans are upset?

Many fans and pundits alike have questioned the player’s spirit and unity, whilst some (if all) believe that Capello needs to change the system and stop being so stubborn for the good of the team.

This Wednesday’s clash against group C leaders Slovenia has become a must win, a draw may be enough but a win will no doubt see Capello’s men through to the last 16.

So, taking this all into consideration, and having seen the performances being produced by the England team so far, isn’t it about time Capello made some drastic changes.

In no particular order, here are 10 things that Capello must now do to keep England’s World Cup hopes alive:

1. Change the 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1

The 4-4-2 system is clearly hampering the likes of Stevie G, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. The current formation is not working and has only managed to grab to draws so far, the formation needs to be changed for the match against Slovenia this Wednesday. A 4-2-3-1 is visibly the way to go.

My team to line-up against Slovenia would be Hart in goal, Johnson, Terry, Dawson, A. Cole at the back, Barry and Lampard in the centre, with Barry more of a defensive role, Lennon and J. Cole on either flank, with Gerrard just behind Rooney up front. Might as well give it a go Fabio, what’s the worst that could happen?

2. Utilize your captain in the right way

Steven Gerrard is not a left sided midfielder, so why Capello has decided to install him in this position remains a mystery to many English fans. Gerrard is undoubtedly one of England’s best players and is being wasted. Capello get your captain in the centre of the park behind Wayne Rooney and stop accommodating for your best 11 players.

3. Get Joe Cole involved

Joe Cole is probably one of, if not the most creative wingers England have to offer, so why hasn’t he got time on the pitch yet? More importantly why isn’t he starting for the three lions? Get Joe Cole in as he is a much better player than Shaun Wright-Phillips who can only run in one direction. England need more flair, creativity and diversity and Joe Cole can definitely offer this.

4. Enjoy the occasion

The players looked really nervous in their two opening games of the tournament, especially against Algeria the other night. Unquestionably there is a lot of pressure on the team to deliver, and with Capello reportedly treating their training sessions like a boot camp; this will no doubt enhance the anxiety amongst several players. Capello needs to tell his players to relax and enjoy their football, if he does this then the squad will certainly improve in performance.

Continue to page 2 to view the rest of the list

5. Give Rooney what he wants

Wayne Rooney has not exactly hit the heights of this World Cup so far, but then again, the striker is playing in a formation he is not happy with. Rooney has expressed his desire to play up front on his own, but Capello has opted to partner the United man with Emile Heskey for both England’s ties. Its time to give England’s talisman what he wants, and see what he can produce…he can’t do any worse than he already has, right?

6. Get Lampard firing

Lampard was in great form for Chelsea last season, but has been unable to carry on his form in the red and white of England in this year’s World Cup. The Chelsea man needs to be firing on all cylinders and create and bag as much goals as possible for England to go all the way.

7. Name his team earlier

Capello needs to name his team earlier, 2 hours before kick-off sounds preposterous to many English fans, including me. It’s just like gathering a group of mates, head down to the local park and picking teams straightaway…it doesn’t look professional.

The Italian needs to announce his starting line-up a day or two before a scheduled match, this will give the players who are in the starting eleven more time to work, train and evidently gel as a unit.

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8. Tell his three lions to be fearless

England are known as the three lions yet they look nothing more than pussycats on the pitch. Capello needs to tell his squad to go out and be fearless. The England team possess a cluster of talented players, but if they don’t believe in themselves then they will get nowhere and that is a fact. Time to stand up and be counted for guys and remember you are not nicknamed the three lions for nothing lads…let’s see you start acting like some.

9. Tell Aaron Lennon to stay wide

Aaron Lennon is potentially a major threat to any team club or country. However, the Spurs winger needs to stay more wide than he has been as of late. Capello needs to trust in Lennon’s ability and give the speedy wide-man more freedom to take on full-backs like he can has done in the past.

10. Keep team spirit high

Reports suggested that there was trouble within the England camp following the 0-0 draw against Algeria last week. However, John Terry and Frank Lampard have since come out and squashed these rumours, everything seems to be fine. Nevertheless, team spirit and unity will have to be at its maximum for the crucial match against Slovenia this Wednesday, and of course this will be down to the England coach to do.

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With Chelsea proposing to buy up the shares currently owned by Chelsea Pitch Owners in an attempt to either rebuild Stamford Bridge or move to a new stadium, Spurs angling for a new home after the failed bid for the Olympic Stadium and Liverpool still pondering their next move, does moving stadium guarantee success on the pitch? Or is it purely a money-spinning move?

Arsenal are most certainly the prime example here. They moved to The Emirates in time for the start of the 2006/7 season and then built the Highbury Square development on the site of their old hallowed ground. The theory behind this was that it would help generate funds to help the club further down the line.

The latest accounts released by the club have seen the club generate a healthy £56m pre-tax profit and for the first time since their switch, the club are now making money from the Highbury Square developments.

The sale of the Highbury Square apartments that were part of the move to the Emirates, generated £156.9m and allowed Arsenal to repay in full the £129.6m in bank loans taken to fund the original construction on the site. Along with a small profit from the net sales of players, Arsenal recorded an increase in turnover from £313.3m to £379.9m.

While this is of course an exceptional case – not every side is located on such prime real estate as Arsenal were, in a congested part of North London – the move to the Emirates was sold to fans on the provision of generating more funds for the future purchase of players – a promise most Arsenal fans will feel rightly aggrieved about as it’s simply not been kept.

But the real acid test will be how Arsenal go on from here, Wenger now no longer has any excuses. A failure to spend in the future, now that the money is clearly there for all to see, would be foolish to say the least.

Man City moved to the City of Manchester stadium, now known as the Etihad Stadium (nothing dodgy about this one at all) back in 2003 after it was purpose-built for use at the Commonwealth Games.

However, while Man City certainly increased their attendance from the 32,000 at Maine Road to 47,805 at their new home, Man City finished 16th, 8th, 15th, 14th until they were bought out by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2007. Sven Goran-Eriksson was then appointed manager and allowed to open the chequebook and they went onto finish 9th after a bright campaign.

Moving to a new ground did not solve any of City’s problems, nor did it help them bridge the gap. They finished 9th after winning promotion back to the promised land in 2002/3 under Kevin Keegan at Maine Road.

But, and this is a big but, it did help the club attract more investment, which in turn led to improved performances on the pitch. The club are now undeniably a major force in the top flight since being bought out by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.

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This appears to be the major obstacle that’s stopping clubs like Everton from expanding. Any potential investor in the club will have to fork out the good side of £200m on building a new stadium before they can even think about seeing a return on their investment on and off the pitch – for most investors, it’s a problem that’s far too fraught with danger and it’s regarded as simply too long-term in it’s outreach.

Man City’s new stadium was part of what made them such an attractive proposition, but only the subsequent reinvestment in the playing staff, firstly by Shinawatra and then the Abu Dhabi United Group is what has taken them to the next level.

Building a new stadium does not guarantee success on the pitch, it merely guarantees more profit off the pitch. For Chelsea, the move simply appears to grant them more freedom and control to do as they wish in the future, as they already have wealthy Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in charge.

For Spurs though, while under the guidance of Chairman Daniel Levy, they are a club that‘s hit a glass ceiling. Although the club can hardly be considered paupers, it’s clear that in order to move up to the next level and secure future investment, they have to address the stadium issue first, which goes some way to explaining to protracted saga involving the Olympic Stadium.

This was Spurs big chance to move up a level, but they missed out to West Ham. To move into a stadium, that while it required adjusting to accommodate a Premier League club, was built and funded by the taxpayer and it would have been worth it’s weight in gold going forward.

Liverpool are still pondering over whether to rebuild Anfield, much like NESV did with Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox team’s home, or move to a new stadium altogether – a much more costly course of action. NESV are thought to favour redeveloping Anfield simply because it’s a much cheaper option.

Having a brand new stadium is a lot like converting a loft in a house – it adds sell-on value to the club. Clubs all over the land looking to make the leap from also-ran to major player are eyeing up new homes.

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Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool will not be the last to consider such a course, but until their plans come to fruition, they’ll continue to bang their head against that glass ceiling as they fail to make the most out of the massive potential the Premier League offers in terms of making money.

Football is a business now and a new stadium is a crucial part of that – Man City have provided the model by which others will look to follow in the future.

It reminds me a lot of the line Al Pacino utters in Brain De Palma’s seminal 1983 crime flick Scarface: ‘You gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women.’ In this analogy, the money is the stadium, the power is the new investors and the women is success on the pitch – the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Stadium’s don’t guarantee success, just look at Arsenal, they are six years without a trophy, but they do lay the groundwork and conditions upon which to build a successful club.

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The 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken was launched on Wednesday morning at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon and marks the start of an exciting line up of events for football fans in Asia ahead of the Champions League Final in May.

The Trophy Tour was launched with an official handover of the famous trophy by UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Ambassador Graeme Le Saux to Heineken Ambassador Marcel Desailly, ahead of its two month journey across Asia where it will pass through the cities of Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kon Kaen and Seoul before ending its journey in Hong Kong in mid-April.

Heineken and UEFA deserve great credit in rewarding the football fans in Asia for their passion and dedication by exposing them to the most iconic and decorated trophy in European Football. In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marcel Desailly claims that he put his name to the Trophy Tour as he believes it is important to give something back to the fans who continue to give the Champions League it’s truly global and world wide appeal.

“It is a fantastic that UEFA and Heineken are looking to share with the people of Asia the magic of the Champions League. The competition and cup was so important for me, as a player, so I can only imagine how important it is for the supporters; therefore it is vital to give them this opportunity to see the European Cup”

Having played in three Champions League finals and a two time winner, we asked Marcel Desailly about the recent performances of two of his former clubs and what their chances are of Champions League success. Having been in Milan for the Tottenham clash at the San Siro, the night before, the Frenchman was still visibly disappointed at the performance of his former club and although he was quick to praise the display of the North Londoners – the wing play of Pienaar and Lennon in particular – he was just exasperated as to why Milan were so poor and had failed to show up on the night.

“Why I was pleased for Tottenham, I was very disappointed at the Milan display. They lacked movement, played far too narrow and created too much space which Lennon, Pienaar and Van der Vaart took full advantage of. I don’t know the reason why Milan performed like this but they missed the creativeness of Cassano out there. It was strange to see Milan like this, especially given the way they are playing in the league”

While Marcel was desperately disappointed with the Rossoneri, he also showed concern for Chelsea’s form this season, although he doesn’t believe it is time for panic stations at Stamford Bridge. Desailly believes that Carlo Ancelotti has been incredibly unfortunate with injuries this season, which has meant that the Blues have failed to establish the balanced shape that proved so successful last season; however Marcel refuted suggestions that Carlo could find himself under pressure over recent results as he proved last season with the domestic double that he is the right man for Chelsea football club.

“Chelsea are struggling at the moment as Carlo needs to find the right formula and shape to fit the players in. The team has had far too many injuries which has meant it’s difficult to find any consistency and when you lose your midfield like Lampard, Essien and Benayoun it is difficult as you have lost your protection of the defence and the link up with the attack. Yossi is a good player and Chelsea misses that playmaker in the team at the moment to feed the likes of Torres and Drogba, therefore the shape of the team isn’t right at present, but Carlo will get it right as he is tactically astute and he proved that last year with the double. Will they win the Champions League this season; I’m not sure as the set-up on the pitch isn’t right at present but Carlo Ancelotti will find the solution in time, he’s too good a manager not to.”

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Click here to find out more about the role that Marcel Desailly is playing in the Heineken Champions League Trophy Tour.

Frank Lampard scored a hat-trick for Chelsea in their 5-1 win over Bolton on Sunday, and has stated that he is happy to let his football do the talking after being criticised in the press recently.

The veteran midfielder has been the subject of squad rotation since Andre Villa Boas joined the Stamford Bridge club as coach, with some figures in the press asking whether his time at the top was over.

Despite this, the England international scored in midweek against Valencia, and answered his critics with a fine display against the lowly Trotters.

“I have been around a long time now and it is never plain sailing and you just have to stay strong and let your football do the talking,” he told Sky Sports after the victory.

“If you do that and keep working hard then things come to you, and I think today things came to me.

“It is always satisfying. I am just pleased to be playing and pleased to be contributing. The team has played very well this season most of the time and I just want to contribute when I am playing.

“It is great to play with good players. Stubbs (Daniel Sturridge) puts the first one on a plate for me. I feel like I’ve got a lot left in me and I just want to be part of a successful team and have a good season.

“I don’t think we could have asked for any more. That first-half performance was as good as we have played for a long time, the passing and movement and the goals that came,” he concluded.

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Chelsea are three points behind the Manchester clubs at the top of the table, and square up against Everton at home in the their next game on October 15th.

By Gareth McKnight

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Porto retained their 11-point lead in the Liga Sagres with a 1-0 win at home to Rio Ave, while Academica and Beira-Mar drew 3-3.

Wide midfielder Silvestre Varela notched the winner for Porto in just the sixth minute at the Estadio Dragao.

Rio Ave finished the match with 10 men after Brazilian midfielder Jeferson was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 82nd minute.

Porto’s win maintains their considerable lead at the top of the table and kept their unbeaten record this season intact.

They also have a game in hand over second-placed Benfica.

Rio Ave are third from bottom, just four points clear of the relegation places.

Benfica recorded a 2-0 victory over Vitoria Setubal as they continue the unenviable task of trying to haul in runaway leaders Porto.

Nicolas Gaitan, capped three times for Argentina, opened the scoring for Benfica in the 45th minute at Estadio do Bonfim and compatriot Franco Jara made sure of the win when he struck 12 minutes from time.

Vitoria’s third loss in their last five matches leaves them 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Academica de Coimbra twice gave away the lead to draw 3-3 in a rollercoaster encounter with Beira-Mar.

Diogo Gomes put hosts Academica ahead six minutes in at Estadio Cidade de Coimbra but Libyan midfielder Djamal Bindi levelled for Beira-Mar.

Artur put the visitors 2-1 up four minutes into the second half.

Senegalese forward Modou Sougou equalised for Academica and Ghana international David Addy restored their lead in the 78th minute.

Not to be denied, Beira-Mar levelled again through Brazilian Leandro Martins with eight minutes remaining.

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Elsewhere, goals from Carlos Fernandes and Paulo Sergio gave Olhanense a 2-0 win away to Uniao de Leiria

Goal-scorer Sergio was later sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Five minutes later, his Brazilian namesake Paulo Sergio was also sent off for a second yellow.

Nelson Oliveira struck with three minutes remaining to give Pacos de Ferreira a 1-0 win away to struggling Portimonense, while fourth-placed Vitoria Guimaraes were held 0-0 at home to Nacional.