It's THE derby of all derbies!

A derby that has unfinished business and it's NOT just a Premier League title in a tug-of-war

The eagerly awaited El Clasico just passed by last Saturday, with Real Madrid doing the dubious to stun the world and beating bitter rivals Barcelona 1-2 in the Nou Camp; to all but settle the Spanish La Liga title. Real Madrid are huge favourites to become the new Spanish champions and take the La Liga title from Barcelona to the Spanish capital for the first time since 2008.

                                                        Source: Google

For once, the footballing world awaits a derby bigger than El Clasico on Monday April 30, the world's eyes will turn to witness one of the biggest derby matches in the world this season. Blue vs red, 2^nd against 1^st, the Mancini vs Ferguson mind games and only 3 points separates them from the Holy Grail. Yes you got it, it’s Manchester City vs Manchester United, better known as ‘City vs United’. The derby at Old Trafford this season finished in City giving United a 6-1 thrashing in front of their own 'loyal' fans, who had left long before the game ended. United will be seeking revenge after the suffering their biggest embarrassment in history at Old Trafford in October 2011, to their 'noisy' neighbours; Manchester City. 

The Red Devils will make the six mile journey across Manchester on derby day to play their wealthy rivals City at Eastlands. United will have unfinished business with City after the 6-1 shock reverse. Certainly this will be United’s shortest and biggest away journey this season. It is undoubtedly the most significant Manchester derby in recent times, with pride and a prestigious Premier League title on the line. After United’s 4-4 draw vs Everton at Old Trafford, they handed a precious lifeline for City and The Citizens took it with both hands, recording a 2-0 win at Wolves, with Wanderers relegated to the Championship from this defeat. Most of people including even City manager Roberto Mancini are tipping defending champions United as favourites to win the title race however it’s done. However on the other hand, United manager Alex Ferguson is wary of the difficult challenge ahead of them; taking on the unbeaten home record of City at the ‘fortress’ Etihad Stadium next Monday night. 

United are searching for a 20^th title by overcoming their so-called ‘noisy neighbours’ to the finish line. Whereas City aim to show the country that finally there is another team in Manchester. The Citizens aim to win this Premier League title and become serious competitors to neighbours United in years to come, in order to end the Red Devils’ dominance in Manchester and the Premier League.

A win for the hosts on Monday night will take them top of the table on goal difference. Goal difference is not a problem for City, currently +6 ahead of United.

A win for the visiting Premier League leaders and the title will surely by all but over with only two games to go, taking them 6 points clear at the summit.

This will be the 146^th edition of the Manchester derby in league football. The red side of Manchester has won 58 times, with City winning 38 times and 49 draws.

In the last 5 Premier League meetings at Eastlands, the visitors have the better record with 3 wins, City have won once and the most recent game last season ended in a 0-0 draw.

Premier League Under Rated XI

The most under-rated Premier League XI (4-4-2)


Manager: Alan Pardew (Newcastle United)
I remember when I was sat on work experience at the BBC, the shocking breaking news all over the Internet was 'Newcastle name Alan Pardew as manager'. The majority of people including myself wouldn't have bet their houses on Alan Pardew becoming the next name to enter St James Park. The odds on favourite to replace the harshly sacked Chris Hughton was Martin O'Neill. Entered Alan Pardew, he has done a fantastic job on Tyneside. Working under a hugely unpopular owner; Mike Ashley, Pardew has bought and developed some fantastic bargain signings including the likes of striking sensations Demba Ba and Papa Cisse. Now, Alan Pardew's side who were expected to achieve mid table at best have surprised the country again, they are currently in a serious late season Champions League 4th spot race along with Tottenham and Chelsea. The Magpies currently occupy the 4th spot courtesy of some special football tactics from Alan Pardew. The man where even his own Toon Army would never have mentioned 4th spot last August, surely deserves the Premier League Manager of the Year award for 2011-2012 as opposed to the usual Alex Ferguson for winning the expected title again. Coincidently, Alan Pardew's side controversially got a 1-1 at Old Trafford before smashing an awful United side 3-0 at St James Park in January.


Goalkeeper:  Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan)
The Wigan acrobat shot stopper has played every game for the Latics this season. The Omani goalkeeper has been crucial between the posts making stunning saves for Wigan's relegation battle. A clean sheet in the recent vital 1-0 win against the Premier League leaders Manchester United will have won respect for Wigan along with a crucial 3 points against Arsenal in the Emirates. Al Habsi deserves more recognition for his efforts all season, especially if they do make it as a Premier League side next season. Everyone talks about Swansea's outstanding Michel Vorm, Al-Habsi in my opinion has been equally effective between the posts.


Right Back: Micah Richards (Manchester City)
The Manchester City right back has featured and produced some strong performances in 35 games for City this including helping City to 2nd with his defensive contributions in 27 top flight games. For 19 months, Richards has been consistently overlooked for by then England manager Fabio Capello. Fabio Capello cost Micah Richards the chance he so badly deserved to go to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.


Centre Back: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
The 6"3 Belgian is Manchester City's best centre back. In my opinion Kompany is the best centre back in the country, yes better than over-rated Vidic and media hyped John Terry. City are arguably the best defensive team in the league when Kompany plays. In the first half of this season, Kompany has featured in every game and City were top of the Premiership table. When Kompany got sent off with a straight red card against Manchester United in the FA Cup 3rd round, City went on to lose 2-3. City went on the next game to Liverpool. The next 2 games against Wigan and Spurs with Kompany, City were defensively vulnerable and conceded 3 goals in 2 games. With Kompany at centre back, City are stronger defensively due to his size and superb tactical reading of the game.


Centre Back: Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
Another central defender who has hardly received any recognition for his consistent defensive performances all season. Fulham got off to a bad start in a relegation scrap. Hangeland has put in strong performance-after-performance hence Fulham's rise to mid-table. Fulham will owe Hangeland for his efforts. In my opinion, Brede Hangeland is Fulham's player of the season and one of the best defenders in the top flight.


Left back: Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
Liverpool snapped up Jose Enrique on the cheap last summer with a £6m bid surprisingly sufficient enough for Newcastle to accept. Since the Spaniard has arrived on Merseyside, he is Liverpool's only proper left back and he has not disappointed. The 26 year old Spaniard is strong stopping the right wingers of the opposition and in addition he charges up the left wing for Liverpool to support Stewart Downing and also puts in some deadly crosses himself. Surprisingly, the Spaniard has been overlooked by Spain manager Vincent del Bosque. Unfortunately, most of the talk when it comes to Liverpool has been related to the Suarez racism case and poor signings of Downing, Henderson and Carroll. For once, people should talk about the best signing and with positive recognition, his name is Jose Enrique.


Right Midfield: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
A player who is undoubtedly under-rated. The Ecuadorian is in fine form running down the right wing at left backs and delivering fine service to Rooney and Hernandez along with scoring some screamers himself. The fact that Sir Alex Ferguson still picks Nani over Valencia is beyond me. I feel Ferguson's wastes the 26 year old's brilliant talent and potential to become one of the greatest wingers in the Premier League. Whenever Valencia plays, Manchester United become more threatening up front and they win more games. Valencia is a team player as opposed to Nani's 'showboating' which wastes plenty of chances. A valuable player who can also play at emergency right back. Valencia plays a crucial role in United's title defence.


Central Midfield: Joe Allen (Swansea City)
Swansea has been the surprise package in the Premier League with their fine passing game this season. An influential player of the Swans' passing game is Joe Allen. Allen has featured in every game for the South Wales side this season. The young Welsh midfielder has provided fine service for Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham up front, hence their excellent record at The Liberty Stadium. No-one seems to talk about the 21 year old midfielder as all the attention is focused on Dyer, Sinclair and Graham. Allen has a bright club and Wales international career ahead of him.


Central Midfield: Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
The USA international has featured in all of Fulham's games this season so far. Dempsey is a midfielder with a striker's goalscoring record. He has scored 22 goals in 43 appearances in all competition, including an impressive 16 goals in 34 appearances in the Premier League. Fulham rely heavily on the experienced attacking midfielder, he scores plenty of goals and provides assists to the likes of Ruiz, Dembele and the free scoring Pogrebynak.


Left Midfield: Hatem Ben-Arfa (Newcastle United)
Since the Frenchman has returned from his unfortunate long leg injury absence (thanks to a certain Nigel de Jong, who also karate kicked Xabi Alonso in the chest in the 2010 World Cup Final), Ben-Arfa has made 12 appearance for the Geordies, scoring 5 goals including a sensational goal of the season candidate against Bolton at St James Park. The 25 year old has benefited vastly from the three man Newcastle attack alongside Papa Cisse and Demba Ba. Ben Arfa has rightfully earned a France call up for European Championships 2012. I don't the British media give him the platform of recognition that he deserves, as opposed to the hugely over-rated British players; Gareth Bale and Stewart Downing.


Right Forward: Grant Holt (Norwich City)
The Norwich striker is definitely the biggest surprise name among the Premier League top scorers with 13 goals (15 goals in all competitions). Not bad for a first season in the top flight. The main aerial threat up front for the Canaries, Holt has definitely done the job with the goals to put Norwich in an impressive 12th in the table. He has scored some significant goals against most of the Premier League big boys. Among the Premier League top scorers, most of the talk is about Rooney vs Van Persie. I think Grant Holt as a huge underdog deserves more of a mention for his credentials achieved for Norwich City's successful 2011/2012 season.


Left Forward: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
Manchester United signed the tiny Mexican poacher for just single figures just before the 2010 World Cup, which turned out to be a complete bargain. He was impressive for Mexico against France at the World Cup. That was when he first caught my eyes of his unbelievable talent. The 23 year old Mexican has scored 12 goals this season for United. I think he was hugely under-rated from last season, when Hernandez scored 20 goals in his first season in England, yet the media heaped praise Rooney because he is English. I've got nothing against Rooney as an England supporter, he is a great intelligent player who supplied the service for Hernandez. However I was quite surprised that Hernandez the one who scored the goals last season including the vital title deciding goal in the first minute vs Chelsea at Old Trafford, was hardly mentioned in the newspapers, it was all about one name only, Wayne Rooney. I simply think United don't appreciate him as much as they should do. It's the same situation as Ferguson had with Tevez and Ronaldo, not enough appreciation. I hate to say this, I would not be shocked if 'Chicharito' was to leave if the likes of Real Madrid come knocking for his signature.

Chelsea: Let the season begin...in April!

A month today on May 19th, the world will witness Europe's two finalists battle it out in the Allianz Arena, Munich; for the honour of winning the UEFA Champions League to become the European champions.

The reason I mention this, because Chelsea are the only English team left in the Champions League. After beating the defending champions Barcelona 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last night courtesy of Didier Drogba with a very defensive gameplan, they know they are 90 minutes away from the final. The Blues will have a difficult task of defending their one goal aggregate in the fortress Camp Nou against a side who will go out all guns blazing with attack as the best form of defence.

Should Chelsea beat Barcelona who are known as the best team in the world over the two legs, surely the London side will feel with hige belief they can beat the other finalist; Bayern or Real Madrid, to win the trophy they so badly crave for the first time in their history.

Surely if Chelsea win the Champions League, Roberto Di Matteo will have done enough to convince Roman Abramovich to give him the Chelsea manager job.

The race for fourth and final Champions League spot will go to the wire. Di Matteo's side currently sit 6th in Premier League on 57 points, 2 points behind fourth placed Tottenham and fifth placed Newcastle, both on 59 points. With five games to go in the league, Chelsea are locked in an extremely competitive three horse race. An added advantage for The Blues over their two race rivals, if Chelsea win the Champions League this season, they will automatically qualify for the competition next season as defending champions.

However Chelsea play Newcastle in a crucial six pointer at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday 2nd May...this is just three days before they play in the FA Cup Final on May 5.

Speaking of May 5, this brings us to Chelsea's third competition they are still competing in; the FA Cup Final. As mentioned, the FA Cup Final is on Saturday May 5 and it's against an old foe; Liverpool. This game will really challenge Chelsea's revival under Roberto Di Matteo, having lost to Liverpool 3 times this season under then Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas. Chelsea will know all about the Reds' FA Cup run having knocked out the likes of Manchester United and then Everton in the semil finals.

Chelsea have a successful recent history in this competition having last won it in 2009 against Everton. The West London outfit will be confident of lifting the trophy again on May 5 at Wembley, after their controversial 5-1 win against London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.

The most expensive player in British football history, Fernando Torres will be a villian in his opponent's eyes for leaving the Reds in dramatic fashion as a once Kop fan-favourite for the blue of rivals Chelsea.

The FA Cup Final will be a match where both teams will go in as evens. Form goes out of the window, there's a Cup Final to be won by the best team of the day which will then become best team of the competition.

Chelsea, let the short season begin!

Sepp needs a Blattering, he HAS crossed the line!

We all know who Sepp Blatter is, mainly for the wrong headlining reasons. Sepp Blatter is probably the most isolated man in the footballing world when it comes to...goal line technology.

There have been various calls from the majority of fans worldwide, national football institutions such as the Football Association, PFA and football clubs.

Juan Mata scored Chelsea's second 'goal' that should never have been given in the 5-1 FA Cup semi final win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The infamous moment when Martin Atkinson blew the whistle to award the goal turned the game on it's head in my opinion. Spurs players were furious and charged towards the match officials (referee and linesman) to offer their honest protests of the controversial decision.
I'm not having a go at the referee Martin Atkinson for the decision because it was an honest mistake, this should be a clear message to FIFA to introduce goal line technology ASAP. They need to consider that the European Championships 2012 are only 2 months away and then the big one, London 2012 Olympic Games. 
FIFA just like the world have also seen so many other significant goal line controversies from Frank Lampard's blatent equaliser vs Germany in South Africa (a moment which did not even need a replay to say it was at least a foot over the line). This legitimate goal would have brought the game back to 2-2 and we would have had a decent thrilling knockout stage game on our hands. As an England fan, I was furious when Frank Lampard's screamer was disallowed. This one moment convinced me that we need goal line technology, obivously it did because we got knocked out the World Cup by losing 4-1 to Germany in the very same game.

Another moment was QPR's goal at Bolton. Everyone knew that was a goal even the Bolton fans.


Arguably the most significant and biggest goal line talking point in history, Luis Garcia's 'ghost goal' in the UEFA Champions League semi final vs Chelsea at Anfield in 2005. Ironically, another game where my team is involved. This time it was my team who had claimed they had 'scored a goal'. As a Liverpool fan, I was celebrating in crazy fashion because we were beating the 'team to beat' in Europe at the time, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. The fact that Petr Cech hadn't conceded in about 2 seasons worth of games, the determination for a goal was homongous. However when I analysed the various replays of the moment from different camera angles, my view changed and I was convinced that the defender William Gallas had a fair point, the ball DID NOT cross the line.
I remember this incident being so popular, even Sky and BBC NEWS had been showing this as NEWS all day for the week after. A huge talking point in my school just weeks before my Year 10 GCSE exams.

So then Sepp Blatter, the ball is in YOUR GOAL and YES this has CROSSED THE LINE!

A big weekend for Merseyside - from Aintree to Wembley!

The contemptuous thing is that the biggest Merseyside event takes place 209 miles down the M6 and M1 at Wembley Stadium. 
Only 1 whole mile separates the red and blue of the city of Liverpool, which consists of two of the biggest clubs in English Football. Yes, it's Liverpool vs Everton, but it's not just any derby, it's the added pressure of winning a FA Cup Semi-final showdown for both sides.


No motivation will be required, motivation will be automatic the moment each club hears the other's name. The last time these two city rivals collided at Wembley, was in May 1989 where 82,500 witnessed Reds win 3-2 after extra time in one of the most notable FA Cup finals in history. Coincidently, a younger and familiar Kenny Dalglish was the Liverpool manager that earned Liverpool their fourth FA Cup glory on 20 May 1989. 


As they say, 'form goes out of the window in a derby'. I also add form also goes out of the window in the cup. This is what brings the magic of the cup, shocking results that produce thrills and memories for the history books.


A win for either side would take them to the FA Cup Final in three weeks on 5 May 2012 to face London opposition, either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea. They meet in the other FA Cup Semi Final on Sunday. 


For the red corner of Liverpool due to their famous history, it is the worst crime to lose to Everton. On Saturday, a win for the neutrals' favourites Liverpool would take them into the FA Cup Final for the first time since they won on penalties against West Ham in 2006 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.In addition, it would be a second final for Kenny Dalglish's men within eight weeks. Not bad for a side currently sitting 8th in the Premiership table after 33 Premiership games. However they are separated by 1 point to 7th placed....you got it....Everton. I'm sure most Liverpool fans would get on the back of 'the King' Kenny Dalglish, who knows as a former iconic player the priority for the Reds to finish above Everton every season.



Now to the blue corner, Everton. They will know all about defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup at Wembley, twice, in 1986 and 1989. Will they consider this third time lucky at Wembley?Everton will consider themselves as favourites for the FA Cup semi final. It's a day they will hugely countdown to, a chance to gain revenge for past FA Cup defeats against their arch rivals. The Toffees are currently one point above Liverpool in the Premiership table. Everton will be full of confidence from their league form that finally this can be the historic day they beat Liverpool in the FA Cup to reach the FA Cup Final on 5 May.



Will Kenny Dalglish's Reds make history repeat itself again or will history be made for David Moyes and the Toffees?



As a Liverpool fan and with respect to Everton, my score prediction; Liverpool 3-2 Everton AET. I think there will be deja vu for Kenny Dalglish at Wembley.


Besides the football, there's another big event in Aintree, Liverpool; it's the 165th annual Grand National. The annual famous horse race takes place at 4pm on Saturday. So you can refresh yourselves for the racing after the thrills of the FA Cup Merseyside derby.
A weekend or more like a special Saturday of Merseyside historic representation and appreciation for the country and world to witness on terrestrial television.

The big 'bang' theory comes to Coventry?

Most of the times I hear a bang and the usual thought would be 'It's nothing big, maybe someone has dropped something'.

So a 'bang' was heard today at 18:10 and like the majority, there was the unusual thought, 'WHAT ON EARTH WAS THAT!?' You'd think EARTHQUAKE or maybe someone has chucked a tonne of bricks but no...it was 2 Typhoon jets passing by and oh they forgot to tell us, they had triggered the security alert, hence the 'convenient' bang noise for Coventry to Oxford!

You'll be saying 'Ok, that still doesn't inform that The Big Bang Theory comedy show is coming to Coventry!'
You're right, the comedy show isn't coming to Coventry unfortunately. However I'm sure there will be conspiracy theorists mentioning signs of the end of the world in 2012. I must say I slightly agree, Why were 2 fighter jets flying over England in the first place? Is it the 'secret service' (you know who you are) trying to send a sign of their attempted intentions of 2012 being the year of the end of the world?