Lille closed in on a league and cup double with victory over holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on Saturday.A bizarre late goal, scored by Ludovic Obraniak from what hardly looked a threatening free-kick, settled an uninspiring contest at the Stade de France and handed Lille their first Coupe de France triumph since 1955.
The first chance came from Lille’s Belgian forward Eden Hazard in the 10th minute, but he dithered in possession to waste the good work of teammate Gervinho.
Nene had PSG’s earliest sight of goal, testing Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau with a 19th-minute free-kick.
The two opportunities remained the best chances of a tight first half, with a yellow card to Nene for an elbow on Idrissa Gana Gueye one of the only other incidents of note.
The second half continued in much the same fashion as the first – Nene and fellow winger Ludovic Giuly impressed for PSG but without producing a breakthrough.
As both sides searched for an advantage, Lille coach Rudi Garcia made the first change, replacing midfielder Gueye with Brazilian forward Tulio de Melo.
PSG boss Antoine Kombouare responded by swapping Mathieu Bodmer for Mevlut Erding.
Turkey international striker Erding nearly had an instant impact, finding space on the right flank and attempting to tee up Guillaume Hoarau, only to misplace the final ball.
Defensive midfielder Clement Chantome also went close for PSG, glancing the post with a free-kick from 15 yards out.
With genuine chances at a premium, the match appeared destined for extra-time.
That was until the 87th minute, when Lille’s Mathieu Debuchy was fouled by full-back Siaka Tiene.
Midfielder Obraniak – on as a substitute – lofted a quick free-kick towards the back post which somehow evaded PSG goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
The former France international inexplicably elected to leave the ball when he should have claimed, effectively handing Lille victory with just minutes remaining.
It should have been 2-0 when Coupet brought down Gervinho inside the area, but midfielder Debuchy saw his spot-kick saved by the veteran.
The damage had already been done, with Lille going on to collect their sixth Coupe de France crown.
Also on course to secure the league title, they meet PSG again at the Parc des Princes on May 22.
Everton midfielder Leon Osman has been ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury.
Osman was replaced at half-time during last weekend’s 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Liverpool and manager David Moyes has reveaeled the extent of the problem.
The 29-year-old’s absence has left Moyes with a midfield selection headache ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League trip to Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta is a doubt with a hamstring problem, while Marouane Fellaini (ankle), Steven Pienaar (groin) and Jack Rodwell (ankle) are definitely ruled out.
Strike pair Louis Saha (calf) and Victor Anichebe (knee) remain absent with long-term injuries.
“There is no getting away from it we have another bad set of injuries like we had last year,” said Moyes.
“Hopefully they will not be as bad as that in terms of the length of time the players will be missing for.
“Leon Osman has a bad ankle injury which will keep him out for four to six weeks which is a real blow.
“We’ll also have to have a close look at Arteta’s fitness as well.
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“There are others we will have to assess today, we are getting some players back but maybe some not quick enough.”
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Avram Grant believes that pressure is a good thing for a football manager to be under at a club and it shouldn’t be viewed upon as a negative at all. The Partizan Belgrade boss believes that talk of life being difficult under Roman Abramovich is unfounded and the pressure at Chelsea is a good one; given you have the best facilities and resources to work from:
“Everybody speaks about the pressure of working at Chelsea, but it is a good pressure. This is better than any other pressure. I am now in Serbia, and there is pressure to do good things. There is always pressure to be the best, but that has to be there. At Chelsea, you get everything to be the best; great players and great facilities. The owner wanted the best for the club. We are not living in a perfect world. I enjoy working under pressure. I came to Chelsea with the long-term programme to be the best. Unfortunately, the job was cut in the middle, but I enjoyed it. Everybody looks at pressure being a negative thing, but it is not negative.”
The Israeli revealed also looks back at his time as Chelsea boss with great fondness and how close he actually came to landing the much coveted Champions League trophy for Roman Abramovich.
“I’m not arrogant, but when I look back I think that was the best season for Chelsea in recent years in terms of the way the side played. They played great football, and showed great character. One of the strengths of this team was how we recovered from a poor start to the season. We were struggling a bit when I took over, but we beat all the big teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. We played the best football in the league and almost became champions of England and champions of Europe. I am proud of that season, and how we played.”
For more insight from Avram Grant and other leading managers plus exclusive Barclays Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport
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Liverpool fans must be wondering what if Kenny had been appointed manager sooner as the Reds close in on a top five finish. Dalglish has performed absolute wonders at Anfield and you sense it is only a matter of time before he is given the job on a permanent basis.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Liverpool blogs that includes new kids on the Kop, Suarez provides a refreshing change from the norm, while is it time for Kenny to bring Hyypia back into the fold.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
*
New Kids on the Kop
Luis Suarez provides a refreshing change from the norm
Would Rafa Benitez be ideal choice to take the reins?
Do Tottenham and Liverpool fans see it as a distraction?
VIDEO: Busby, Shankly, Stein – Football Men Part 3
The ideal transfer plans for Liverpool FC
Time for Kenny to bring Liverpool legend back into the fold?
Should Liverpool sign him? The Spaniard certainly fits the criteria
Arsenal & Liverpool hit with £20m asking price
Why Liverpool should show caution over Bosman deals
Pledging future the final piece in Liverpool’s resurgent jigsaw?
* Best of Web *
Book Review: ‘An epic swindle: 44 months with a pair of cowboys’ – This is Anfield
How Ian Ayre transformed Liverpool FC’s commercial fortunes – Management Today
One Liverpool Man Who Deserves A Hell Of A Lot Of Credit – Live4Liverpool
Do Liverpool give Joe Cole a chance? – Our Kop
Liverpool Top of the ‘League’ – Tomkins Times
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A gift from the chairman is how Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp described their deadline day acquisition of Rafael van der Vaart. Daniel Levy has emerged as the club’s real wheeler dealer, swooping for a World Cup finalist for a fee of £8 million. It was patently a deal too good to turn down for the ambitious club, playing in Europe’s top club competition for the first time since the 1961-62 season. But for Redknapp, who was already bestowed with reams of quality and creativity in midfield, where does the Dutchman fit in? He has adapted to life in London exceptionally well but in organising a balanced midfield, are there concerns over the regular inclusion of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon?
An ankle injury put short shrift to Jermaine Defoe’s excellent early season form. His absence has allowed Spurs to experiment with one striker due to the abundance of creative talent in the centre. Making his Premier League debut at the Hawthorns, van der Vaart started on the wing as Bale went to left back and Modric adopted his preferred central playmaker role. The Dutchman and the Croat combined to put the Lilywhites ahead. The former Real Madrid player’s pass was driven low into the bottom corner by Modric. The Croatian international sustained an injury in that away draw but his manager believes the two talented attacking midfielders can play together. “I’m looking forward to seeing them play together. I love people who can play, and know how to play together, who can see a pass where others can’t.” Having played on the wing thus far the presumption would be that the former Ajax man will be given licence to exploit space across the forward line.
However Redknapp said, “In an ideal world (van der Vaart would play) behind the two strikers, playing in the hole. But it’s difficult (to accommodate that) in the way we shape up with Bale on the left, and Lennon on the right.” This selection dilemma befell Tottenham in their next league match at home to Wolves. Reverting back to a 4-4-2 system, the deadline day signing who scored from the penalty spot, started on the right edging out Lennon. Described as a ‘roadrunner’ by Mark Lawrenson, his substitute appearance together with the impressive Alan Hutton gave the team a necessary injection of pace.
Tom Huddlestone is another elegant player critical to Spurs’ midfield. The England international prospered when partnering Modric in central midfield last season. Having filled in at centre-back before, he is known as a versatile midfielder who can protect the defence and control the tempo of the game. Furthermore he has varied passing ability and can unleash a sweetly struck shot. Arguably all of the aforementioned midfielder could be accommodated in a 4-5-1 formation which has been utilised domestically and in Europe. Yet this formation cannot successfully operate without the destructive, combative play of Wilson Palacios. Defensive midfielder Sandro is yet to make his debut and the manager has noted the resurgent form of Jermaine Jenas.
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Champions League football has come late in the career of Redknapp who will be expected to field a cautious five across midfield away from White Hart Lane. This is not a tantalising prospect for season ticket holders who would fear that against teams who swamp the midfield, a long ball game to Peter Crouch may become the default option. The centre of the park is undoubtedly the area where Spurs are strongest. Unlikely to stay fixed, the onus will be on maximum competition for places and tactical diversity. However van der Vaart’s fluidity and technique suggests he will eventually be the club’s resident midfield improviser. Last year’s cast offs at Real Madrid, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, were the toast of Europe, competing against each other in the Champions League final. Spurs fans may feel that Madrid’s profligacy will be to their lasting benefit.
As the famous saying goes, football is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans and rugby is a game for hooligans played by gentlemen and the more time I spend watching both sports it is hard to disagree. It is becoming almost impossible to argue that football is worthy of being called the ‘beautiful game’ when you compare it with rugby. Having been a late-comer to the wonders of the egg-shaped ball game, I now spend weekends watching both sports and every time I tune into the rugby it leaves me thinking about what football could learn from them.
In just one 80 minute match a constant stream of changes that need making to football will run through your head and it will almost certainly be detrimental to your enjoyment of our national sport once the rose-tinted football glasses are removed to show the games’ ugly head. Even those that don’t appreciate rugby will begin to realise that rather than a brutal, uneducated game there is intelligence, respect and an ability to change within the sport that further highlights the problems we face.
People will say that this argument is completely flawed because the sports are inherently different in every way: the shape of the ball, the amount of players, the scoring, the breaks in play and the basic rules and more. But ignoring this, the conduct of the players, the use of video technology and the quality of officiating is far superior in rugby, and that’s the problem for football that needs to be addressed.
The first thing that needs to be addressed is the conduct of the players that we pay to see represent our clubs. Every week there is a player that attempts to deceive the referee by diving. It is one of the most frustrating facets of the game to see somebody going to ground as if they have been shot when a member of the opposition gets within touching distance. There is no glossing over the fact that this happens and affects most games, whether it earns their team a penalty or gets them out of a difficult situation near their own goal. Players are hardly ever punished and even receiving a yellow card isn’t going to affect them so for the likes of Nani and Sergio Busquets the reward outways the punishment and even if a referee decided to tackle the problem by booking everybody that dived then there would be a record number of cards handed out and they would be chastised by managers, pundits and fans alike.
While in rugby, feigning injuries and diving is extremely rare. It is a brutal, full-blooded game where tough tackles are par for the course but there are strict parameters that are heavily enforced on players that break the rules with high and dangerous tackles. For a player to pretend that they were a victim of a dangerous challenge in order to gain an advantage is unheard of and ridiculous. In 2009, the sport was embroiled in the Bloodgate scandal where a player feigned an injury so his team could make a blood substitution. When the cheating was found out those who created the incident were banned from the game and since then the incident hasn’t been repeated. If footballers decided to obey the rules rather than manipulate them, maybe games would be won by the better side rather than the team that included the good actor.
In football, players treat officials like verbal punch bags, hurling abuse in their direction for daring to give a decision against a multi-million pound star. The sight of players surrounding the referee is all too common (particularly at Old Trafford) and is a slap in the face to the failing Respect campaign set up by the FA. Players swearing, shouting, pushing and harassing referees are disgraceful and the respect that these stars have for the man in charge is minimal if it exists at all. Even though the referee will not change his decision once it’s made it doesn’t stop them venting their anger.
Instead, rugby players learn from an early age to call the referee “Sir” and only speak to him when he addresses you first. It is only the captain that can question a referees’ decision but that is done in a respectful way and there is no chance they would get away with using foul and abusive language towards the official. Having watched football for so many years, to begin watching a different sport and seeing the referee spoken to as if he was the school headmaster was a shock, especially when you see the considerable difference in size between player and ref, so why can’t that same rule be taken into football? Swearing isn’t the problem here, it’s the lack of respect. Players are ruining matches by intimidating officials into giving the decisions there way and if they continue to do their job then teams criticise them after the game. Like diving it is something that we know is a problem but until you watch a game of rugby it is difficult to comprehend just how bad the problem is.
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Continued on Page TWO
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One way of dealing with the problem would be to give the referee a microphone for each game so we can hear every conversation they have with a player because although players should show respect, referees should be accountable as well. Far too often a referee makes a shocking decision but never comes out to justify what he did or apologise for making a mistake but if they we were able to hear everything they said to their linesmen, their fourth official and the players when they give a decision then we would be able to understand it. It would offer an explanation to fans who think the referee is against them, it may breed respect from players to referees because everything they say could be heard and it would make sure that the officials justify their decision and prevent any arrogance or aggression from them back to the players.
However, even more important than a microphone is the use of video technology. In rugby it is to determine whether or not a try has been scored, with the referee asking for help in making the decision and it guarantees the correct decision. Although it usually takes less than a minute the game is already stopped so there is no disruption caused by the referral system like there would be in football. Not always does the ball go straight out of play after a possible goal so there is no opportunity for the referee to ask for help. One of the great aspects of the football is that it is fast paced and constantly moving so the argument that this would be ruined by video technology is a good point. However, there have been so many moments that would have been affected if we had the technology that it needs to be introduced. If the referee and linesman can’t decide whether the ball crossed the line or not then the game should be stopped while they ask for the video referee to take a look. It is very rare that a team has gone up the other end and scored straight after so it wouldn’t be affecting the game too much. Alternatively, a cricket style referral system should be in place, offering teams a specific number of opportunities to ask for a video consult during the game. Things like Thierry Henry’s handball against Ireland in the World Cup play-offs could be referred and the right decision made.
The idea of a sin-bin is another aspect of rugby that has been toyed with in football circles and could well serve a purpose in the game. Somewhere between a booking and a sending off, it could be used to deal with players caught diving and disrespecting the officials by giving sending them off the pitch for 10 minutes before allowing them back on. It means that something that two of the more despicable parts of our game are punished with more than just a yellow card but they aren’t put on a par with things that are violent or dangerous. This no-nonsense approach to the situation is likely to be the best way to finally eradicate it from the game.
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When the problems are laid out in front of you as they are when you watch a game of rugby followed by football, there is only one reason why these changes aren’t already in place: controversy sells.
There is no such thing as bad publicity and every week the sports pages are full of negative stories about the game, the poor decisions and the actions of the players. Analysis of a game will almost certainly focus around penalties, diving and red cards so how would they fill the airtime if there was nothing to discuss? Similarly what would newspapers fill their spaces with and how would they write about sport without a major talking point? Controversy is a unique commercial commodity and it is presents infinite opportunities to journalists who need to have something to say. It has meant that football is now dishonest but it is insanely lucrative and we all still love it.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and a game of teamwork, passion and athleticism is far more enjoyable than what we have now but it won’t stop us watching and FIFA know that.
So as much as these changes need to be made for the good of the game, don’t expect them any time soon.
Should football learn lessons from rugby? Tell me on Twitter @jrobbins1991.
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy may be set for a dramatic return to the Premier League with both Stoke City and Sunderland showing an interest, according to reports in The People.
The Dutch striker has confirmed that he will quit Hamburg in the summer, being he will be out of contract at the end of the season. Van Nistelrooy is a proven goalscorer and was clinical is his spells with Manchester United and Real Madrid – however his spell in Germany hasn’t been great and has only produced 12 league goals so far.
Whether Ruud still has what it takes to cut in the Premier League remains to be seen, but given his reputation both Tony Pulis and Steve Bruce clearly believe he is worth the gamble. The Dutchman has gone on record to say that he would be open to a Premier League return; however it remains to be seen whether the Britannia or the Stadium of Light fit in with the player’s own personal brief.
Like this rumour? Follow me on Twitter
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Owen Hargreaves has been left out of the Manchester United squad eligible to compete in this season's Champions League.
The injury-plagued midfielder was included in the 25-man Premier League squad named by Sir Alex Ferguson earlier in the week.
However, he will not be able to feature in the group stages of this season's European competition following his omission.
The 29-year-old England international has made just one substitute appearance during the past two seasons following a lengthy battle with tendinitis in his knees.
Hargreaves, who joined United in a £17million deal from Bayern Munich in 2007, has spent the last six weeks in the United States where he is continuing his rehabilitation following surgery.
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Meanwhile, new Portuguese signing Bebe and young Belgian defender Ritchie De Laet have also been left out of the 24-man squad submitted by the Old Trafford club to UEFA.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Blackburn boss Steve Kean has confirmed that Christopher Samba will return to the starting XI for the Ewood Park club’s next game, against Newcastle on February 1st.
The central defender has been the subject of interest from both QPR and Tottenham, and handed a transfer request in at the Lancashire outfit.
Despite missing Blackburn’s last game against Everton, the Scottish coach has confirmed that he will be back to action soon.
“It was a tough week. We’ve had a couple of bids for Chris from one club. We put out a strong statement, he handed in a transfer request so all those things put together, I thought it was best he wasn’t involved,” Kean told The Daily Mail.
“This is the last game for us before the window closes. He’ll be back in next week and we can move on, get him back in for the next game and get him back playing,” the trainer stated.
Kean also reaffirmed the fact that Samba would not leave the club before the transfer window ended.
“If Chris is going to move, it’s not going to be in this window. It wasn’t a case of trying to get teams bidding against each other to get a figure up, we’d just like to keep him, it’s as simple as that.
“You could see we’ve got other lads we can put in, it was a tough decision leaving Grant Hanley out to put Scott Dann in so we’ve got real competition for places in the centre-half position and we want Chris to be one of those players competing and putting performances in for us, as he’s done ever since he’s been at the club,” he concluded.
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Borussia Dortmund struck a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Hamburg, while Schalke’s good week continued in Saturday’s Bundesliga action.Jakub Blaszczykowski’s goal two minutes into injury time secured an all-important point for the league leaders, leaving Juergen Klopp’s side destined to win their first league title since 2001-02 despite an unconvincing run of form since the German winter break.
Dortmund appeared set for just their fourth loss of the season when Ruud van Nistelrooy put Hamburg ahead on 39 minutes from the penalty spot, after Mats Hummels had clumsily bundled over Croatian forward Mladen Petric in the area.
Mario Goetze, Dortmund’s 18-year-old prodigy, almost equalised just before half-time when his shot was cleared off the line and he went close to scoring again just after the break, when he headed over the bar.
Dortmund were beginning to impress and when Hamburg’s Aenis Ben-Hatira was sent off for a second yellow card, they finally made the most of when Blaszczykowski got on the end of Patrick Owomoyela’s pass and gave his side a priceless point.
Just five days after their shock 5-2 Champions League victory at Inter Milan on Tuesday, Schalke maintained their winning form with a 1-0 home triumph over Wolfsburg.
Jurado’s 76th minute goal decided the contest, as Wolfsburg’s winless run extended to five, with the defeat leaving the club third-bottom on the table.
Hannover climbed to third with a 2-0 home victory over Mainz, courtesy of goals to Didier Ya Konan and Sergio Pinto.
Ya Konan’s strike was his 13th for the season and his third in five matches as Mirko Slomka’s side took advantage of Bayern Munich’s slip-up at Nuremberg, as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.
Bayern looked on track for a fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory when Thomas Mueller converted Arjen Robben’s assist after five minutes.
But Nuremberg have been solid all season, and despite losing their last two, have a place in the top six for a reason, as highlighted by Christian Eigler’s equaliser on the hour-mark.
Goals from Papiss Demba Cisse and Heiko Butscher in the second half saw Freiburg come from behind to defeat Hoffenheim 3-2 at the badenova-Stadion.
Julian Schuster put Freiburg in front after 23 minutes but goals to Vedad Ibisevic and Ryan Babel, his first for the club since joining from Liverpool, put the visitors in front at the break.
But Freiburg responded impressively, with Cisse scoring his 20th league goal of the season from the spot before Ibisevic grabbed the winner with 12 minutes remaining.