Mirror Football

Chelsea facing goalkeeper crisis with Cech and Hilario injured

Nick Ive — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:43:30 GMT

Ross Turnbull set to play against West Ham

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

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:42:19 GMT

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...

Mother's Day special: Football's top 10 most important mothers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:11:52 GMT

1) George Best's mum Anne

Shy and softly-spoken, the mother of Manchester United's 1960s superstar stayed far from the limelight he craved. But Anne and her son shared a drink dependency which would kill them both, Anne first of heart problems related to alcoholism in 1978.

They are buried side-by-side in Belfast's Roselawn Cemetery, and their relationship formed the basis of a BBC film last year.

Terry confident of ending Mourinho dream

Pa Sports — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:51:04 GMT

Captain John Terry is convinced Chelsea can end Jose Mourinho's bid for Champions League glory when the former Blues boss returns to Stamford Bridge next week.Mourinho's Inter will arrive in London on Monday holding a 2-1 advantage from the first-leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro. It will be the first return to Stamford Bridge for Mourinho since September 2007, when he departed after leading the club to every domestic honour including successive Barclays Premier League triumphs in 2005...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Friday's papers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:48:17 GMT

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 ...

Drogba: 'Title triumph this season would be my Chelsea highlight'

Martin Lipton — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:45:31 GMT

Striker desperate to regain Premier League crown from Manchester Cunited

Capello: 'Champions League glory won't hurt England'

Martin Lipton — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:45:22 GMT

Three Lions boss says success for Chelsea or Man United would boost chamces

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

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:31:34 GMT

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 ...

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

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:17:58 GMT

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

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:30:14 GMT

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

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:06:49 GMT

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

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:05:19 GMT

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...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:00:27 GMT

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...

Why Man City should take a stand over spoilt, greedy and out of touch Wright-Phillips

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:05:12 GMT

Spare a thought for poor Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose father Ian says his son is being "mugged off" by Manchester City's offer of a new deal worth £90,000-a-week.Yes, that's right, £90,000-a-week, more than what most City fans who pay to go and watch Wright-Phillips can hope to earn in a year, maybe even two or three.Yet it's not enough for poor little Shaun, whose dad has valiantly decided to fight his son's corner against those miserly folk who are running City and handing such meagre contr...

A genius squandered by England: Joe Cole is the new Hoddle.. and he's right to face down Chelsea

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:02:03 GMT

In years to come, we will look back upon Joe Cole as a new version of Glenn Hoddle.The most naturally gifted English player of his generation and yet hopelessly underused and misused by a succession of international managers.Hoddle was exactly the same. A brilliant midfielder for Tottenham and yet he was wasted on England because where exactly was he supposed to fit into our rigid 4-4-2 system?As a result, Hoddle won only 52 caps and, despite that being a lot by most standards, his talent mer...

Chelsea get Cech injury boost

John Cross — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:30:07 GMT

Keeper set to return from calf injury ahead of schedule

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

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:55:25 GMT

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...

Pat Nevin's indie disco!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:40:42 GMT

Pat Nevin always was a bit nippy, but the former Chelsea and Everton winger turned commentator and pundit will really have to be quick on his feet next Friday, March 19th.After talking football on Kicking Off, his Radio Five Live Premier League preview show with Colin Murray and Perry Groves, Nevin and his CD collection will head to the King's Cross Social Club, where he's DJing at indie night Scared To Dance.Glasgow-born Nevin's star rose alongside that of his home city's Postcard Records in...

Ryan Giggs, Diego Maradona, Ricky Villa and the top 10 best dribbled goals

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:53:44 GMT

Nicklas Bendtner may have taken the match ball home last night - even though he gave away the fact that it was his first treble by being slightly confused as to why he was being given it - but Samir Nasri was the one who really caught the eye with his fabulous solo effort in the second half.It was a superb dribbling run and finish from the young Frenchman that drew comparisons with Ricky Villa's FA Cup Final goal or even Archie's Gemmill's famous strike at the 1978 World Cup.In honour of Nasr...

"Champions of England; Champions of Europe" - Could this be Arsenal fans' new chant?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:23:26 GMT

"Champions of England; Champions of Europe."A Manchester United chant, of course, but the 60,000 leaving the Emirates last night with smiles as wide as the Holloway Road were not the only ones wondering if Arsenal could pull off one of the great seasons of all-time, just weeks after they looked abject, bedraggled and fighting for respectability.Admittedly, it helped that Porto were powder-puff opponents, okay-ish on the ball until they got within 30 yards of the Arsenal goal but a disaster wa...

City and United to battle it out for Joe Cole

David Anderson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:37:37 GMT

Manchester rivals ready to slug it out for Chelsea star who will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer

Revealed: Find out what was said in the secretly taped England team meetings

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:31:23 GMT

MirrorFootball can reveal why the FA are so keen to suppress publication of the secretly-taped England team meetings.We have heard part of the clandestine recordings made at the England HQ at the posh Grove hotel in Hertfordshire and the conversations between Fabio Capello and his players go right to the heart of the team's problems.(A door opens and footsteps are heard)Fabio Capello: "Good afternoon everyone and before we start, can I check that everyone's wife or partner - past or present -...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:12:01 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror: Man City target Sporting Lisbon defensive ace Villa keeping tabs on Spanish midfield star Wolves facing a losing battle to keep Doyle Forest chiefs on collision course over Barnet star Anelka set for new Chelsea deal Bendtner: 'We can win the Champions League' Beckham: 'I'm still scared of Fergie' Babel reveals Anfield confidence crisis Wigan owner Whelan dangles Caribbean carrot as survival reward - Exclusive From today's other papers:Tottenham midfielder W...

Why Man United's 1999 Treble winners are the best team of the past 30 years

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:35 GMT

There's more than just a whiff of mediocrity about the Premier League this season. So much so that it's made me nostalgic for the good old days - everyone's good old days. So I've put together a dream top tier from the best teams of the last 30 or so years. Imagine a league where Billy Bremner, Graeme Souness, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira squared up to each other, or where you could see the sublime skills of Kenny Dalglish, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs? Champions: Manchester...

Anelka set for new Chelsea deal

John Cross — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:45:08 GMT

Striker opens talks about two-year contract extension

3PM Extra: The funniest things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, March 9

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:03:25 GMT

Are you the boss of an ailing Premier League football club which was once the powerhouse of European football but now can't even beat a team from a town who prefer rugby?Well fear not Rafa, we have the very thing to cheer you up. No, not a £100m transfer kitty, but the three best videos we've found on the internet today. That's bound to turn that Spanish frown upside down, don't you think?1) This is superb. One cheeky fan buttonholes love rat John Terry and asks him to sign a picture for him....

Why FIFA was right to ignore the pleas for goal line technology - where would it end?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:54:12 GMT

We as a society have an obsession with the quick fix.Everything we want, we get. Nobody wants to wait. Why bother watching TV at home when you can watch it on your phone in the park? Why diet when you can get a tummy tuck?We've got fast food and one-hour photos. We have football fans all over the country desperate for a billionaire foreign investor - the next Roman Abramovich - to come in and turn their club into the next Chelsea or Manchester City.And now English football is stamping its fee...

Why fans should stop booing John Terry - it's time to let it go

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:44:24 GMT

Apologies for returning to the John Terry booing debate but surely the time has come for it to stop now.I wonder if there is another nation that mullers its top players like fans are continuing to do up and down the country with Terry.He was subjected to another bucketload on Sunday by Stoke's fans and, let's be fair, he'd be the first to admit he has earned it following the news of his relationship with Wayne Bridge's ex.But there is something unseemly about grown men (and women) taking thei...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:48:37 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror: Donovan desperate to stay at Everton Birmingham plot summer raid for Portsmouth strike star Wenger: Porto match is too big a risk for Fabregas Arsenal rocked by Gallas injury blow World Cup dreams still alive for Brown and Hargreaves Yebda fears end of his World Cup dream Coyle promises Bolton survival with a smile Bruce sets out Sunderland survival plan Premier League set for FIFA war over goalline technology From today's other papers:Lokomotiv Moscow will ...

Lampard promises more misery for Villa

John Cross — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:00:51 GMT

Chelsea ace vows to end Midlanders' FA Cup dream

Lampard backs Terry to silence the boo boys

John Cross — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:00:46 GMT

Chelsea star insists Captain Fantastic can handle the abuse

Premier League set for FIFA war over goalline technology

Alan Biggs — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:00:11 GMT

Top-flight bosses set to fight back after governing body's decision to ditch experiments

Lampard: Taunts make Terry stronger

Pa Sports — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:01:01 GMT

England midfielder Frank Lampard insists John Terry thrives on the kind of vile abuse dished out by Stoke fans during Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Terry, 29, is still being taunted for the lurid headlines that accompanied his alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel - the former girlfriend of his one-time Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge. Terry responded to the abuse by setting up the opening goal for Lampard and then heading the clincher in the second h...

3PM Extra: The funniest things we've found on the internet today - Monday, March 8

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:43:57 GMT

Lost out to your ex-missus at The Oscars? Only collected three minor technical awards despite directing the most successfuol movie the world has ever known? No longer feeling like the king of the world?There's no need to feel blue (unless, of course, you're one of the Na'Vi). Just forget all about the Academy Awards and enjoy our latest selection of football-themed videos from the web.1) The Americans are trying hard to get interested in 'soccer' ahead of the World Cup finals. Too hard, in fa...

Oi slaphead! The best Baldy XI of all-time

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:13:12 GMT

So, ladies and gentlemen, here it is... the best baldy XI - EVER!We noticed during last week's England win over Egypt that a certain Mr W Rooney now has a hairline that's disappearing quicker than a footballer's morals.So that got us thinking... just who would make the, ahem, cut, for a starting berth in a slaphead selection side.We asked for your nominations and 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 ey...

10 things we learned from watching football this weekend

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:19:42 GMT

Before you catch your breath from another busy few days of football, take five minutes to take stock, and see what we learned from watching the beautiful game this weekend. 1) Conceding twice may be Villa's only chanceJust a couple of hours after a thrilling comeback against Reading to seal their FA Cup semi-final place, Aston Villa learned they must now overcome Chelsea if they are too make it to a second Wembley final this season. After their classic game of two halves against the Royals ye...

Is Chelsea's name already on the FA Cup?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:37:27 GMT

Chelsea beat Stoke 2-0 yesterday to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals. Chelsea 2-0 Stoke: The Daily Mirror match report Remarkably, it will be Chelsea's ninth FA Cup semi-final match in the past 17 seasons, and if they do win it this year it will be their fifth FA Cup triumph in 13 years.With the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal already out of the competition, Carlo Ancelotti's men have a great chance to retain the trophy they won under Guus Hiddink last season.But ...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Monday's papers

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:19:42 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror:Tottenham and Fulham in fight for Rochdale youngster Swansea launch loan move for Bolton defender Derby send starlet back to Manchester City Piquionne eyeing permanent Premier League move Aston Villa join chase to land Cardiff starlet Mick McCarthy undecided over Chris Iwelumo future McLeish pleads with Man City to loan him Hart again Benitez insists Aquilani's Liverpool future is safe Anderson set for six more months out after surgery Fergie rubbishes rumours he is ...

Terry silences boo-boys as Blues progress

Pa Sports — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:31:04 GMT

Chelsea captain John Terry provided the perfect response to an afternoon of abuse as the Blues claimed a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Stoke at Stamford Bridge. Terry's second-half strike confirmed Chelsea's place in the last four where they will meet Aston Villa at Wembley.Terry, stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello because of lurid headlines concerning his private life, celebrated his goal by running to the corner flag and pointing at his captain's...

Chelsea hit out at John Terry abuse after skipper scores again

Darren Lewis — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:00:07 GMT

Under-fire Blues skipper headed the FA Cup winner to silence foul-mouthed taunts from Stoke fans

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke: The Daily Mirror match report

John Cross — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:45:25 GMT

John Terry still Chelsea's main man despite England axe

Tony Pulis' Potters can steel hold their heads high

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:30:13 GMT

By Darren LewisThe enforcers of Stoke were out-muscled by two touches of Chelsea class.That is not to say, however, that the Potters are not evolving into a decent side themselves.Tony Pulis’s men may not be everyone’s cup of their tea with their in-your-face approach and their unwillingness to let more accomplished sides settle on the ball.But, with each season that they stay in the Premier League, Pulis adds ever more silk to their steel and the club can hold their heads up high after acqui...

Cup holders crack Potters

Pa Sports — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:21:05 GMT

Goals from Frank Lampard and controversial captain John Terry sent Chelsea into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Stoke. Lampard put the holders in front in the 35th minute when he fired a rising 20-yard shot into the net and Terry sealed victory 22 minutes from time with a firm header.Stoke caused Chelsea some anxious moments in the opening half but their best effort was a Dean Whitehead shot that was cleared off the line by John Obi Mikel. Chelsea's season has been litte...

FA Cup draw: Chelsea to face Villa and Pompey set for possible Redknapp reunion

MirrorFootball — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:17:32 GMT

Harry Redknapp will face former club Portsmouth at Wembley if Spurs can overcome Fulham

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke: Lampard and Terry fire Blues into semi finals

MirrorFootball — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:02:22 GMT

Stubborn Stoke undone by England duo

HT: Chelsea 1-0 Stoke

MirrorFootball — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:57:58 GMT

Frank Lampard goal gives Blues the half-time lead

Chelsea set to unleash their own long-throw weapon against Stoke

Chris Hatherall — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:40 GMT

Blues reckon Serbian full-back Branislav Ivanovic can rival Rory Delap with his long throws

Tony Pulis aiming for the top

Ralph Ellis — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:04 GMT

Stoke chief will be hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on FA Cup Final day

John Terry: I've held my hands up to my mistakes

Paul Smith — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:00:51 GMT

Chelsea star has accepted responsibility for the on-field gaffes he’s made in recent games

Wayne Bridge will NOT make England return - Exclusive

Paul Smith — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:00:29 GMT

Manchester City star will only come out of retirement if John Terry is unavailable for selection