Mirror Football

Liverpool were second best by a distance... they are not even fifth in a four-horse race

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:45:44 GMT

There is a party going on in the Premier League but Liverpool are not invited.Three of the big four are locked in the most gripping battle for the title in years.Arsenal went top on Saturday, Manchester United went top yesterday afternoon, Chelsea dropped two points last night.Liverpool aren’t involved. They’re not even fifth in a four-horse race any more.Their 2-1 defeat to United and Manchester City’s win at Fulham dropped Liverpool to sixth. Their hopes of qualifying for the Champions Leag...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Sunday's papers

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:55:59 GMT

Stories from today's Sunday Mirror:Spurs set to swoop for £7.5million West Ham star - ExclusiveJuventus line up shock move for Mancini - ExclusiveBeckham poised to become the official ambassador for English football - ExclusiveTerry admits Chelsea stars fear the axe after European exitArsenal's title charge to be boosted by van Persie returnMascherano demands mega pay-rise to stay at LiverpoolRiera set to be shipped off to Russia after Rafa Benitez rantVidic insists he will not quit Mancheste...

Redknapp: Eidur's a Gud signing

Pa Sports — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:31:04 GMT

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp revealed he is desperate to make Eidur Gudjohnsen's move permanent after watching him star in a 2-1 win at Stoke.Gudjohnsen, on loan from Monaco until the end of the season, scored Spurs' opener then played a superb dummy to tee up the winner for Niko Kranjcar after Matthew Etherington had equalised from the penalty spot. Redknapp said: "I want to keep him here next year. He's a real top player and he's got fantastic ability. With Jermain Defoe out injured he has...

Why Aquilani is the Premier League's 'Golden Bin' winner

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:01:44 GMT

In Italy it’s called the Bidone d’Oro, the most unwanted award in football.The prize goes to the biggest flop of the season. The player who costs his club a fortune as a marquee signing and turns out to be an embarrassing turkey.Step forward Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo. The Brazillian was taunted by Juve fans at Fulham last Thursday and has failed to live up to the £25million fee paid to Fiotentina for him last summer.So who would rate as the Premier League’s biggest flop of the curr...

Spurs will be scared stiff of Fulham, says Konchesky

Julian Bennetts — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:00:34 GMT

Full-back reckons Spurs will be quaking in their boots after Fulham's victory over Juventus

Tottenham to offer Gareth Bale new long-term deal

Steve Stammers — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:45:58 GMT

Welsh star will be offered chance to stay at White Hart Lane until 2015

Spurs set to swoop for £7.5million West Ham star

Steve Stammers Exclusive — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:45:14 GMT

Harry Redknapp lining up big-money move for goalkeeper Robert Green

Harry Redknapp: The FA Cup means everything to me

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:30:36 GMT

Harry Redknapp has left no one in any doubt what the oldest cup competition in the world means to him as he looked forward to the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Fulham this week.“Anyone who has any understanding of the history of football knows what it means,” said the Tottenham manager. “It grabs you.“People who know about football in this country realise that it is still a massive competition.”In the recent years, the importance of the FA Cup has been diminished in some quarters. The batt...

Stoke 1-2 Tottenham: The Sunday Mirror match report

Michael Morgan — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:37:49 GMT

Pulis hits out at ref as Spurs steal a march on top four rivals

Gudjohnson inspires Spurs victory

Pa Sports — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:31:05 GMT

Eidur Gudjohnsen clambered off the bench to tighten Tottenham's hold on fourth place in the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 win over 10-man Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. Gudjohnsen polished off a delightful chip by Peter Crouch to put Spurs ahead just 18 seconds into the second half and then his clever dummy set up Niko Kranjcar to blast the 77th-minute winner after Matthew Etherington's penalty had restored parity. Stoke had seen Dean Whitehead sent off for two bookable offences four mi...

Stoke 1-2 Tottenham: Kranjcar keeps Spurs in hunt for fourth place

MirrorFootball — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:07:40 GMT

Eidur Gudjohnsen bagged first Tottenham goal in vital away win

HT Stoke 0-0 Tottenham - Gomes the hero as home side shade gritty first half

MirrorFootball — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:57:01 GMT

Spurs keeper denied Dave Kitson the best chance of the game so far

Pictures of the Week, March 14-20, 2010

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:23:40 GMT

Welcome to our new Pictures of the Week gallery, your pictorial guide to the past seven days in football.

And what a week it's been: Euro glory - and despair; managerial sackings - and appointments; and, of course, that injury to David Beckham.

Come back next - and every - Saturday for more amazing football pictures from the week that was,

What do you think will happen in today's games?

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:02:49 GMT

It's shaping up to be a great weekend for football, with the best of the action likely to happen at Old Trafford tomorrow, when Liverpool face Manchester United.There's still plenty of great games to get your teeth into today, however.In the Premier League, Arsenal can do their title ambitions a world of good by beating troubled West Ham, while the race for fourth place sees Spurs travel to Stoke, Villa host rivals Wolves and Everton take on Bolton. And at the bottom, Iain Dowie will manage H...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:52:54 GMT

From today's Daily Mirror: Benitez: I would rather have Torres than Rooney Reina: I will sign a new deal - I am lucky to be at Liverpool Paolo Di Canio 'dreams' of becoming West Ham boss Zola denies David Gold dressing room rift Tamas set to seal permanent West Brom deal Forest close to clinching permanent deal for midfielder Phillips urges Birmingham to spend wisely this summer From today's other papers:Portsmouth's Serbia international Dusko Tosic is expected to join Swansea on an emer...

Defoe vows to be back fit in TEN days - Exclusive

Darren Lewis — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:00:08 GMT

Spurs striker dismisses fears his season could be wrecked by hamstring injury

Mancini confident Pompey won't unfairly affect fourth place race with weakened sides (video)

by MirrorFootball — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:38:50 GMT

The Manchester City boss also previews his side's weekend clash with Fulham

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

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:25:54 GMT

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...

The Plugger vs...The Rifles

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:49:07 GMT

You know how it is with celebrities these days - they're always trying to flog you something. Well, we thought it was about time they did something for us in return.So, from now on, anyone wanting to hawk their wares on the pages of MirrorFootball will have to submit to an interrogation by The Plugger first.If you want us to buy your DVD/book/video game/embossed tea-towel etc, then you need to tell us, amongst other things, if you've ever had sex in a football shirt. Seems like a fair deal, n...

Hamstring blow for Defoe

Pa Sports — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:41:01 GMT

England striker Jermain Defoe has been ruled out for a "few weeks" after suffering a grade-two tear to one of his hamstrings, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp confirmed on Friday.Defoe is Spurs' leading scorer this season with 23 goals in all competitions.He joins an already lengthy injury list at White Hart Lane with Redknapp currently without Tom Huddlestone, David Bentley, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate.Redknapp confirmed: "It's a grade-two tear but it will be a few weeks. He...

Jermain Defoe out for a 'few weeks' confirms Redknapp

MirrorFootball — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:09:06 GMT

Spurs striker has torn hamstring

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

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:56:54 GMT

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

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:19:24 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 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

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:33:00 GMT

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

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:21 GMT

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...

Redknapp: Keane will not stay with Hoops

Pa Sports — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:31:04 GMT

Harry Redknapp insists there is "no way" he will let Celtic keep Robbie Keane beyond his current loan deal.Tottenham striker Keane joined his boyhood idols in a transfer deadline day move at the beginning of last month in a bid to rescue their ailing season. Amid rumours Celtic will approach Spurs over extending his loan move into next season, Redknapp has moved to end any hope of that happening."I don't see us loaning Robbie out again," the Tottenham boss said in the Scottish Sun. "We paid a...

Why Rooney gets my vote over Messi in the shoot-out of the super strikers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:02:24 GMT

They are two fantastic players who leave you running out of superlatives. But despite Leo Messi's fantastic goals for Barcelona on Wednesday night I'd have to keep Wayne Rooney as the man I believe is the best in the world. When you talk about dribbling, close control and beating players I'd admit, Leo Messi is the king. I watched Barcelona's Champions League win over Stuttgart on the TV and Messi was different class with his two goals. His balance, his desire and his goal ratio are incredibl...

Why I'm thrilled Robbie Keane is scoring for Celtic, and am daring to dream about Cup glory

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:01:16 GMT

I was delighted to see Robbie Keane's hat-trick for Celtic in the 3-0 win over Kilmarnock the other day. His record speaks for itself and nobody can take that away from him. What pleases me the most is that he is doing the business at a club he has always dreamt about. That's eight goals in seven games for them and he is proving what a quality player he is. There are lots of rumours about other clubs wanting him in the summer and its easy to see why. Robbie brings leadership, experience and ...

Vieira: City can win the race for fourth place

David McDonnell — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:53 GMT

French ace reckons Blues can kick on, starting at Fulham on Saturday

Sunderland offer olive branch to Spurs in bid to land defensive star

MirrorFootball — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:29 GMT

Steve Bruce hoping Darren Bent debacle won't hinder deal for Alan Hutton

Why I'm gutted for my pal Becks, the best example for young players there is

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:22 GMT

"Like everyone else up and down the country I am gutted for David Beckham. I texted him earlier this week to wish him all the best and he came straight back to me - but then that's the kind of guy he is. A top man. I will always remember the day before I made my first start for England under Sven Goran Eriksson in a World Cup qualifying match against Poland in 2004. Becks took the time out to support me and I'll always be grateful to him for that. He just came over to me in training and said:...

Sorry Becks, but the real injury worry for England is Aaron Lennon

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:29:01 GMT

I've got huge sympathy for David Beckham after the injury which has ruled him out of the World Cup finals.Becks worked so hard to get back into the England set-up and he's done brilliantly to stay there while playing in the equivalent of League Two football.But honestly, you'd think no-one had ever suffered an injury before by the amount of coverage his Achilles tendon has got.So far I've heard from four different physios and three doctors, read acres of paper coverage and watched hours of ne...

Lennon set for Spurs return

MirrorFootball — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:35:53 GMT

Winger hopes to be back in action against Chelsea next month

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:51:28 GMT

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 ...

Pavlyuchenko pledges future to Spurs - for now

MirrorFootball — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:09 GMT

Russian striker ready to help fire Tottenham into the Champions League

Whoever finishes fourth deserves it, but I hope it's Spurs

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:01:52 GMT

Liverpool are still in with a shout of fourth place, and if they finish in the Champions League places then they will have deserved it.Any team that plays 38 games deserves to end up where they end up. No question. In a similar vein, if Arsenal win the league, despite losing to Chelsea and Manchester United twice, they will have been the most consistent team.But hands up who thinks Liverpool have really done themselves justice this season? They have been hugely disappointing, under-achieved a...

Tottenham boosted by Bentley return

John Cross — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:54 GMT

Fit-again winger poised to face Stoke as he sets his sights on England World Cup call

Villa target £9m deal for Spurs ace - Exclusive

James Nursey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:10 GMT

Manager Martin O'Neill wants to steal Robbie Keane from former club Celtic

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

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:08:50 GMT

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...

St Patrick's Day special: See amazing unseen pictures of Irish football legends

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:25:28 GMT

It's St Patrick's Day! And what better way to celebrate than by re-living the careers of five of the finest footballers ever to have emerged from the Emerald Isle?Ok, so a better way might be to drink your own bodyweight in Guinness while wearing an outsized leprechaun hat.And, frankly, that's what we plan to do as soon as we can get out of the office and into the pubs.But in the meantime, follow these links for amazing pictures and original Daily Mirror match reports and articles on these Ir...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:38:26 GMT

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...

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

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:56:36 GMT

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...

Huddlestone boost for Spurs

Pa Sports — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:51:03 GMT

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has received positive news over Tom Huddlestone's ankle injury following a second scan on the midfielder's damaged ligaments.Huddlestone was hurt following a challenge by Everton's John Heitinga during Spurs' victory at White Hart Lane and is understood to be progressing well in recovery and is not considered a long-term absentee, although no date has been set for his comeback.Redknapp needs Huddlestone back as Wilson Palacios is his only fit out-and-out central ...

David Beckham by the Poet Laureate and the ten best football poems

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:15:35 GMT

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has put pen to paper for crocked David Beckham. Here's her poem Achilles, followed by our pick of the 10 best poems about football:Achilles (for David Beckham)Myth's river- where his mother dipped him, fished him, a slippery golden boyflowed on, his name on its lips. Without him, it was prophesised, they would not take Troy.Women hid him, concealed him in girls' sarongs; days of sweetmeats, spices, silver songs... but when Odysseus came, with an athlete's build, ...

Sandro set for Spurs

Pa Sports — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:31:05 GMT

Internacionale president Vittorio Piffero claims Tottenham's deal for Brazilian youngster Sandro is imminent.Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has previously revealed his interest in the 21-year-old Sandro, with chairman Daniel Levy negotiating with Internacionale since before the last transfer window."The negotiations with Tottenham have been going on since last summer, but now we are in the key moment," said Piffero"The deal is agreed and we will sign this week. I don't expect that to change becaus...

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:59:01 GMT

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...

Spurs agree £6m deal for Brazilian wonderkid

John Cross — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:15:11 GMT

Sandro expected to sign at White Hart Lane later this week

New deal for Huddlestone

Pa Sports — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:51:05 GMT

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone has signed a new contract which will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2015, the club have announced.Huddlestone joined Spurs from Derby in July 2005 for £2.5million and has made almost 150 appearances for the club.The 23-year-old has been a regular fixture in the starting XI this season, scoring three goals in 34 appearances and making his senior international debut against Brazil in November.Huddlestone has missed the last two games through injury as Sp...

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

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:49:53 GMT

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.

England need Crouch - Redknapp

Pa Sports — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:01:03 GMT

Harry Redknapp believes Peter Crouch has to go to the World Cup - even though the England striker cannot get into the Tottenham team.The 29-year-old again found himself warming the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash against Blackburn on Saturday, as Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko continued his fine form with a brace in the 3-1 victory which kept Spurs in the top four. Crouch, though, remains one of the most consistent performers with England, taking his tally to 20 goals from 37 caps whe...