Mirror Football

Big Sam: Players to blame for Chelsea failure NOT Ancelotti

2010-03-19T20:43:43Z

Blackburn chief says stars should accept the blame for failure to keep Roman Abramovich happy

Ancelotti targets domestic double after European exit

2010-03-19T23:20:45Z

Chelsea chief chasing Premier League and FA Cup prizes following Champions League fiasco

Ancelotti reveals depth of Chelsea's injury problems ahead of Blackburn game (video)

2010-03-19T17:38:52Z

Blues boss remains unsure when Michael Essien will return and Petr Cech is a major doubt for the weekend

Allardyce aiming to follow Mourinho's lead against Chelsea

2010-03-19T16:10:24Z

Blackburn chief will take some tips from Mourinho's book of tactics

3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Friday, March 19, 2010

2010-03-19T15:56:30Z

We don't know if the internet's funny guys are all watching the Cheltenham Gold Cup or what, but there's a distinct dearth of videos doing the rounds today.Still, these crackers should tide you over until it's time to spend your winnings/drown your sorrows come beer o'clock.1) Forget Kauto Star v Denman, the only debate we care about is who's better: Messi or Rooney? Our new star columnist Jermain Defoe had his say earlier on today, and now you can make your own mind up courtesy of this handy...

'This is where it starts to matter, where every game counts' - Martin Lipton previews a crucial weekend in the title race

2010-03-19T12:02:54Z

A week off for United and Arsenal. A week of woe for Chelsea.And with a potentially titanic and pivotal weekend to come, the shape of the title race could take a dramatic and decisive shift.Arsene Wenger and his players know this is their opportunity to really turn up the heat.Beat West Ham at The Emirates - something they should accomplish with the minimum of fuss - and the pressure will really be turned up on their rivals.The three-point haul that is within the Gunners' grasp would take Ars...

Listen to the new MirrorFootball podcast - March 19, 2010

2010-03-19T11:19:24Z

Welcome to the new MirrorFootball podcast - available to download from MirrorFootball.co.uk every Friday, and also via subscription on iTunes.This week: Daily Mirror assistant sports editor Alan McKinlay, 3PM columnist Steve Anglesey and Daily Mirror reporter Darren Lewis look ahead to a massive weekend of Premier League action.Can Liverpool upset Manchester United at Old Trafford? Will Chelsea recover from their Champions League exit to stay on course for the Premier League title? Can West H...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Friday's papers

2010-03-19T09:55:56Z

From today's Daily Mirror:Robinho set for early City return due to Santos salary row Riera banished from Liverpool due to bust-up with young reserve player - Exclusive Arsenal and Man City target Yaya Toure rules out move to Premier League Sunderland offer olive branch to Spurs in bid to land defensive star McLeish warns West Ham they won't get Brum stars by using a FIFA loophole Fergie Jnr hoping dad will sell him midfielder in the summer Blackpool set to raid Crystal Palace for veteran defe...

MirrorFootball's Best XI: Beardies

2010-03-18T18:03:56Z

After the soaraway successes of our Baldy XI and our Ginga XI, this week we want your help to compile the all-time Beardy XI.That's right, those fells with the best facial fuzz in the business are about to get their moment in the sun.To help you out, we've compiled the magnificent gallery of hirsute heroes above, but no doubt you will have plenty of thoughts of your own.You can nominate your players by leaving a comment below, posting on our Facebook page or joining in the debate on our Twitt...

Strawberry blond? Who are you kidding! The best Ginga XI of all-time

2010-03-18T13:15:12Z

So, ladies and gentlemen, here it is... the best Ginga XI - EVER!In honour of Paul Scholes scoring his 100th Premier League goal for Man United recently, we wanted your nominations for a team packed with carrot-topped heroes.Thanks to all of you who sent us your suggestions via Twitter and Facebook.There will be another one later this week, so keep an eye out on our Twitter and Facebook pages for the details.But now, without further ado, here is the definitive all-time Ginga XI...Goalkeeper: ...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

2010-03-18T10:24:56Z

From today's Daily Mirror:Chelsea planning dream team pairing of Drogba and Torres Abramovich will stick with Ancelotti and bankroll £140million summer spree Villa target £9m deal for Spurs ace - Exclusive Wolves star Hahnemann targets survival and a new deal Interest grows in QPR's Alejandro Faurlin Riera's broadside at Rafa's 'sinking ship' Gary Johnson faces Bristol City axe Other rumours and gossip:Pavlyuchenko pledges future to Spurs Mancini reassures Toure over Man City future Villa to ...

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Wednesday, March 17

2010-03-17T16:58:15Z

It's almost Guinness o'clock! But if you've already exhausted our amazing St Patrick's Day Irish football legends archive special, then here's some ace footy vids to help while away the time until you can stuff your face with potato and cabbage and fall down drunk in the street in the name of religious martyrs.1) Following hot on the heels of Alan Shearer's legendarily brusque newspaper interview last week, we present further evidence that Wor Alan could well be the most curmudgeonly man in f...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

2010-03-17T10:20:50Z

From today's Daily Mirror:Real Madrid target Ashley Cole Davenport seeks clean break from West Ham Blades set for sweeping cuts if promotion bid fails - Exclusive Arsenal given Fab fitness boost - Exclusive Hull appoint Dowie as new manager - Exclusive Beckham feeling 'positive' after surgery - but doc says World Cup return unlikely Portsmouth set for Premier League points penalty What's wrong with Steven Gerrard? And could he be about to leave Liverpool? From today's other papers:Arsenal t...

Roll up, roll up... get your bottled atmosphere here

2010-03-16T16:19:56Z

The National Trust has hit on the wheeze of selling bottled fresh air to gullible townies. This has got some hard-up chairmen thinking they might be able to cash in on this emerging market by selling bottled atmosphere. Too many grounds these days rely on loud-mouthed MCs and rock music to work their crowds into a frenzy. The chairmen are thinking they could provide an alternative by capturing the atmosphere at big games and flogging it off to other clubs. The way it would work is that a numb...

Rovers recall Bunn from Blades loan

2010-03-16T18:09:40Z

Keeper back at Ewood Park and lined up for Premier League debut against Chelsea

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, March 17

2010-03-16T17:00:03Z

Day one of Cheltenham is over, and already the Mirror Football shirt is lost. With nothing left to play for except the fun of seeing how many days Alan Brazil will miss of his TalkSport show due to extreme thirst, we're taking solace in these brilliant football videos from the interweb.

1) Not sure, but we THINK this might be a foul...

Robinson sidelined for a month

2010-03-17T11:41:01Z

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been ruled out for up to four weeks after tearing a calf muscle against former club Tottenham on Saturday.Robinson pulled up midway through the match at White Hart Lane with the initial prognosis being a six-week lay-off. But Rovers have now confirmed they hope he will be back quicker than that."It looks like we will be without Paul for up to four weeks," said boss Sam Allardyce.Although the news is better than first feared for Robinson it remains a blow...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

2010-03-16T08:59:03Z

From today's Daily Mirror: Spurs agree £6m deal for Brazilian wonderkid Grant refuses to commit to Pompey - Exclusive Beckham: I'll be back Campbell wins legal battle with Portsmouth I should still be Chelsea boss says Mourinho Hull want Hughes to replace sacked Brown From today's other papers:Calum Davenport has played his last game for West Ham. The defender is back in training after suffering leg wounds in a stabbing last year, but the Hammers are desperate to cut costs so have agreed...

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Monday, March 15

2010-03-15T15:17:28Z

As the nation's tanning salons and karaoke bars shut as a mark of respect for Phil Brown, here's another selection of brilliant football videos.

1) Not the greatest of weekends for David Beckham. He's out of the World Cup and, to add insult to injury, Brazilian Baiano's ripped off his greatest moment in Paulisto's win against Prudente.

Injury blow for Robinson

2010-03-16T10:51:02Z

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson's World Cup hopes could be hanging in the balance after he suffered a calf injury.

Robinson came off in the first half of the 3-1 defeat by Tottenham at White Hart Lane and is due to have a scan.

Manager Sam Allardyce said: "It is not clever, he has a calf injury. We will have it scanned to see the extent of the tear. Then we will judge how long it will take to repair before we get him back fit and well."

Ask John Cross your football questions in our live webchat on Monday lunchtime

2010-03-15T11:00:52Z

Want to talk about the weekend's football? Want to get something off your chest? Want to ask something about your club? Want to know about life as a leading football journalist?Then join Daily Mirror football writer John Cross, our king of the back page exclusives, online on Monday from 12.30pm-1.30pm in our Monday Mouth-Off series - the new place for you to chat with Daily Mirror reporters about everything that happened on another wild weekend in the Premier and Coca-Cola Leagues.To ask a qu...

Robinson's hopes of World Cup call could be over

2010-03-15T10:54:05Z

Blackburn keeper could be ruled out of tournament with calf injury

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Monday's papers

2010-03-15T08:45:18Z

From today's Daily Mirror: Liverpool set for cash boost - but still face losing Torres Birmingham owner vows to spend big this summer Beye escapes O'Neill wrath after admitting he wants to quit Villa Parker not giving up hope of England World Cup call-up Beckham's World Cup dream ended by torn Achilles tendon From today's other papers:Trying to sign Wayne Rooney and linking him up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has beocme an "obsession" for Real Madrid, says pres...

Tottenham 3-1 Blackburn: The Daily Mirror match report

2010-03-14T17:46:44Z

Brilliant Bale branded a diver by former Real Madrid hard-man Michel Salgado

Big Sam: I'll go AWOL to get Blackburn an away win

2010-03-14T21:28:36Z

Ewood Park chief has yet to see his side win away from home this season

Tottenham 3-1 Blackburn: The Sunday Mirror match report

2010-03-13T22:15:30Z

Super Pav strengthens Spurs' grip on fourth spot

Tottenham 3-1 Blackburn

2010-03-13T17:59:03Z

Pavlyuchenko and Defoe tighten Spurs' grip on fourth place

HT: Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn

2010-03-13T13:45:49Z

Defoe's close-range effort puts Spurs ahead at break

Follow all today's football LIVE!

2010-03-13T17:29:12Z

Text commentary, pictures and stats from all of today's games, plus match reports on the whistle

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers

2010-03-13T11:26:16Z

From today's Daily Mirror:Liverpool keeping a close eye on Alex McLeish's contract talks with Birmingham as Rafa Benitez continues to struggle at AnfieldEverton ready to offer TEN players new long-term dealsManchester City chasing Benfica strike star Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini tells Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop moaning over his new contract and focus on the fight for fourth spot From today's other papers:Real Madrid are said to have had informal talks with Manchester United over a ...

How Wenger's transfer policy has been vindicated while Galacticos suffer

2010-03-12T22:59:37Z

Last summer Arsene Wenger's traditional transfer window kicking was more vicious than usual.Oh how he was pummelled for selling Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure for huge mounts and replacing them with an unknown Belgian centre-half. Even Alex Ferguson claimed Arsenal were the Big Four team who looked most vulnerable. For many, the phrase "Arsene Knows" became "Arsene Knows Eff-all" and obituarists sharpened their quills.Meanwhile in Madrid, praise was lavished on the cavalier genius of Flore...

Big Sam baffled by Paul Robinson's England snub

2010-03-12T21:05:00Z

Allardyce cannot understand why Fabio Capello is ignoring the Ewood Park goalkeeper

It would be wrong to remember Keith Alexander in terms of his race, but with so few other black managers it's hard not to

2010-03-12T15:36:27Z

Many tributes have been paid in the past few days to the memory of Keith Alexander, the 53 year old manager of Macclesfield Town who died unexpectedly and suddenly last week.Perhaps the most fitting tribute to a man whose managerial career took in six league clubs came from the players at his last one. In what must have been difficult circumstances to say the least, the players of Macclesfield Town took to the field away at Hereford and won their match 2-0.The death of Keith Alexander is a tr...

I couldn't give a stuff what Alan Green thinks, it's my ticket and I'll leave early if I want to

2010-03-12T15:15:28Z

The award for patronising berk of the week this Friday goes to Alan Green, the outspoken commentator at 5Live. Commentating on the game between Arsenal and Burnley at the weekend, Green looked around the stadium early doors and was appalled at the number of people who had yet to take their seats.“I’m sorry folks,” he said, “I don’t get your commitment to football.”Personally, I couldn’t give a good God damn if Alan Green ‘got’ my commitment to football or not. But if the Ulsterman does care t...

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Friday, March 12

2010-03-12T14:42:59Z

It's double feature Friday at 3PM Extra today, where we bring you two brilliant videos for the price of one. Well, six for the price of three if you're being pedantic.

1) When he's not brawling in the park with Nicky Barmby, Hull's Jimmy Bullard is out filming spoof shampoo adverts...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Friday's papers

2010-03-16T16:49:29Z

From today's Daily Mirror:Wenger tells Madrid: 'Leave me alone' Stoke plan summer swoop for ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star Derby want Liverpool star on loan Blackpool set to beat QPR in race for Everton loan star Watford plot raid for Port Vale defensive star 'Wilshere's ready for Arsenal' says Coyle Madrid's Champions League exit means Rafa can expect a call from Spain Jermain Defoe signs for the Mirror! From today's other papers:Manchester United target Igor Akinfeev will be offered a new co...

Allardyce steps up war of words with Benitez

2010-03-11T17:46:30Z

'I don't like him' insists Blackburn boss

How Roberto Mancini tapped me up as Man City's new keeper, plus Ian's not Wright about son Shaun

2010-03-11T16:34:38Z

After a busy night on Wednesday, I woke up yesterday to the buzzing of text messages on my mobile.The first was from Craig Bellamy. “You've wasted your career,” it said. “You should have been a goalie.”The came one from Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, claiming I was now the sixth-best keeper in Wales.The third was from Roberto Mancini: “We need another goalkeeper at City, how are you fixed?”I don't want to unsettle Shay Given, so all I'll say to that one is that I'm unavailab...

Becks knew exactly what he was doing with that scarf, plus Jose's for Real

2010-03-11T16:16:43Z

David Beckham would have to be very naïve not to know the meaning behind that green and gold scarf he wore at Old Trafford on Wednesday night – and Becks is not a naïve man.I played alongside him in Manchester United's youth team and there was no bigger United fan among us. He was obsessed with the club and I'm told he still is.So I'm sure he knew exactly what he was doing when he wore the colours associated with the anti-Glazer campaign.None of the current United players could get away with ...

Diouf in Blackburn squad despite jail threat

2010-03-11T17:49:13Z

Manager Sam Allardyce will continue to pick troubled striker

How mum almost ruined my big break, and there's something fishy about my wife's kipper

2010-03-11T16:08:54Z

I love my mum Val to bits... even though she almost cost me my big break.When I was a kid my dad managed our local youth club team, Bradley, and mum used to do the catering.I'd done well in one game, and afterwards mum was pouring tea for the parents when a spectator came up and asked if he could have a chat to the manager about one of the players.She told him dad was too busy to talk as he was getting all the dirty kit together ready to take home for washing.The guy looked a bit crestfallen ...

Listen to the new MirrorFootball podcast, featuring special guest Robbie Savage - March 11, 2010

2010-03-11T18:27:39Z

Welcome to the new MirrorFootball podcast - available to download from MirrorFootball.co.uk every Friday, and also via subscription on iTunes.This week: Daily Mirror assistant sports editor Alan McKinlay, 3PM columnist Steve Anglesey and special guest Robbie Savage talks all things football, including Robbie's debut as an emergency goalkeeper. Plus: Man United and Arsenal in the Champions League and just how good is Wayne Rooney?Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions and ideas for fu...

Net masters and disasters: Niall Quinn, Bobby Moore, John Terry and the top 10 emergency goalkeepers

2010-03-11T16:30:14Z

By Joe MardonRobbie Savage joined the union of goalkeepers on Wednesday night when the Derby captain donned the gloves just before half-time after starting keeper Stephen Bywater went off injured, and his replacement Saul Deeney was red carded.Despite Sav's best efforts, the Rams succumbed to a 4-1 defeat, although the blond-haired skipper will surely claim credit for keeping the score that low.In honour of Sav's heroics, MirrorFootball remembers 10 other occasions when outfield players have ...

3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Thursday, March 11

2010-03-11T15:07:09Z

Are you Mark Owen out of Take That? Stuck for something to do now you've been rumbled as a chipmunk-faced love rat with 'around' 10 lovers (but you can't remember the exact number)?Then seek refuge in our 3PM Extra blog, which wraps up the best football videos on the web each weekday. Better than sex and cheaper than a divorce. Here's today's selection.1) Good news for Robinho: His Santos team beat Naviraiense 10-0 in a Brazilian Cup match last night. Bad news for Robinho: Only 11,336 turned ...

MirrorFootball's Best XI: Gingas

2010-03-11T12:05:19Z

Paul Scholes became the latest man to join the Premier League's 100 Club when he netted the winner against Wolves last weekend.Wolves 0-1 Man United: The Daily Mirror match report The diminutive Man United midfield ace reached his century of Premier League goals at Molineux and to mark the occasion we're going to honour one of football's leading carrot tops by compiling the all-time Ginger XI.And that's where we need your help.Jim Leighton would have to be in with a shout of getting the nod b...

Ask football's Mr Marmite (and Derby's new goalkeeper) anything you like!

2010-03-11T11:35:03Z

Ask the Derby midfielder/keeper anything you like

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

2010-03-11T09:00:27Z

From today's Daily Mirror: West Ham plan triple transfer raid on Birmingham - Exclusive Tottenham target Sandro is ready to walk the walk and talk the talk Tottenham plan Belgium loan move for new Zambian ace Roma close in on Arsenal transfer target Birmingham and Wolves in battle for Palace star Arsenal starlet is Celtic target Birmingham set to land £11million Aiden McGeady this summer City and United to battle it out for Joe Cole Manchester City lead chase for £6million-rated Cardi...

Fit-again Dunn on comeback trail for club and country

2010-03-10T16:40:07Z

Blackburn star determined to recapture best form before end of season

Bans, diving, drink-driving and spitting: The many misdemeanors of El-Hadji Diouf

2010-03-10T17:46:02Z

Younger readers would be forgiven for thinking El-Hadji Diouf's first names were 'controversial striker' as the Senegalese forward has been involved in more than his fair share of trouble over the years.Today we learned that Blackburn's spittle enthusiast is now in big trouble after he allegedly assault a woman (at a charity do, obviously), and could face two years in jail for his troubles.This latest misdemeanor is of course just one in a long line of naughtiness that goes back to his earlie...

3PM Extra: The funniest things we've found on the internet today - Wednesday, March 10

2010-03-10T13:30:26Z

The former President of the World Society of Friends of Suspenders, a pressure group formed to express disapproval with women wearing tights rather than stockings and sussies, is 74 years young today.Yes, it's happy birthday, Sepp Blatter - one-eyed opponent of video technology, baiter of the Irish and all-round Swiss clown. With a vote on the FIFA presidency due next May, let's hope this is the penultimate occasion on which he gets to blow out the candles while sipping unicorn tears and eati...