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Saturday

3rd November 2012

12:45pm

Satuday

3rd November 2012

5:30pm

Saturday

3rd November 2012

9:00pm

Saturday

3rd November

7:45pm

Reading 5 - 7 Arsenal

Off The Pitch 3

Fun game on page 15

New Liverpool wonderkid on page 19

Latest tranfers rumours on pages 16-18

Messi 'untempted' by PSG project on page 13

Head to head, Neuer and Casillas on pages 9-12

Off The Pitch 4

Birthday boy Diego Maradona arrives in India &

entertains 1000s of fans by dancing, singing & juggling

On October 30th Diego Armando Maradona turned 52, and the

Argentine legend held an early birthday celebration in India on

Tuesday during an event in the state of Kerala.

Maradona has landed in India to promote the opening of the Bobby

Chemmanur International jewelry store (he is an ambassador for the

brand), and as part of the fanfare Diego appeared in front of 1000s of

wild Indian fans.

Proving he is still one of world

football’s most iconic figures the

former Al Wasl coach drew

thousands of eyeballs as he

appeared on stage at a

promotional event, and with the

euphoric crowd in the palm of his

hand Diego proceeded to play the

role of entertainer.

During the fully televised

showpiece, Maradona went about

dancing on stage with former

Indian model Ranjini Haridas

(pictured), he showed his

juggling skills to the football-loving crowd, he showed off his singing

skills down the microphone, before ending his appearance by cutting a

giant birthday cake.

Off The Pitch 5

Birthday boy Diego Maradona arrives in India &

entertains 1000s of fans by dancing, singing & juggling

Harry goes cold on Blackburn as Berg and Holloway fight

it out for Ewood Park job

Harry Redknapp pulled out of contention for the Blackburn job on

Tuesday following a swift breakdown of negotiations between his

representatives and Ewood Park chief Shebby Singh.

Redknapp, 65, was on standby to fly north and have an interview for the

managerial vacancy once the financial details had been agreed between

the two parties.

But it soon became apparent that no such agreement would be reached,

with Redknapp's representative Paul Stretford understood to have stated

his camp's displeasure that Blackburn had chosen to interview Henning

Berg on Monday.

Berg, 43, would now appear to be favourite to return to the club where he

won the Premiership title and League Cup as a player.

Singh said last week that he hopes to have a new manager in place by

Wednesday and Blackburn's global advisor is known to favour Berg, the

former Lyn Oslo and Lillestrom boss.

Off The Pitch 6

However, he has been at odds with the club's managing director Derek

Shaw who prefers Ian Holloway, and the Blackpool manager remains in

the frame along with Simon Grayson of Huddersfield.

Both Singh and Shaw attended Tuesday's meeting with Stretford in the

hope of persuading Redknapp - who has been out of management since

he was sacked by Tottenham in June - to work in the Championship for

the first time since he left Southampton seven years ago.

While the search for a new full time boss continues, Rovers are also

looking at a plan to give a young coach of Indian origin a prominent

role at the club.

Judan Ali - born in London to Indian parents - played for Arsenal's

youth team and has worked at St George's Park with the England

Under 17s.

Ali studied at Barcelona's La Masia academy while gaining his

coaching qualifications and has ambitions to manage a team in the

Premier League.

Off The Pitch 7

However, he has been at odds with the club's managing director Derek

Shaw who prefers Ian Holloway, and the Blackpool manager remains in

the frame along with Simon Grayson of Huddersfield.

Both Singh and Shaw attended Tuesday's meeting with Stretford in the

hope of persuading Redknapp - who has been out of management since

he was sacked by Tottenham in June - to work in the Championship for

the first time since he left Southampton seven years ago.

Newcastle boss Pardew says he ‘nicked’ Mourinho’s

managerial traits

The manager at St James’ Park has spoken of the influence that the "special one" has had

on his revitalised career, revealing that he used to regularly watch Chelsea

The 51-year-old, who was named as both LMA and Premier League

manager of the year after his club's fine campaign last season, has

spoken of the various influences upon his interpretation of the job, and

the Portuguese is among the strongest.

"I used to watch Chelsea regularly because it was on my doorstep,"

Pardew told the Chronicle. "It was when Jose Mourinho was there.

There were things that I was seeing that I hadn't seen in English

football before.

Off The Pitch 8

"Some of the managerial traits that he was bringing I've learned from,

and I can't help but say I've nicked a few of them.

"The big managers that I've come across and been lucky enough to deal

with have influenced me. The impact of the foreign managers can't be

lost on my education. Arsene Wenger is another.

"There are a few people who have influenced me throughout my career

– Steve Coppell for sure."

Pardew also lamented the absence of Mourinho on English shores, but

predicted that both he and his long-term rival Pep Guardiola will

eventually take the reins of Premier League sides, to add to a healthily

cosmopolitan range of coaching staff already in the division.

"Unfortunately Jose is not in the country at the moment, but hopefully

he will be coming back here soon," he added.

"Pep will be, too. And then we really will have the best coaches in the

world.

"That's the one beauty about this country – we've had a melting pot of

the best coaches. That's why it is the best league in the world."

There were things that I

was seeing that I hadn't

seen in English football

before” - Pardew

Off The Pitch 9

"Some of the managerial traits that he was bringing I've learned from,

and I can't help but say I've nicked a few of them.

"The big managers that I've come across and been lucky enough to deal

with have influenced me. The impact of the foreign managers can't be

lost on my education. Arsene Wenger is another.

"There are a few people who have influenced me throughout my career

– Steve Coppell for sure."

Pardew also lamented the absence of Mourinho on English shores, but

predicted that both he and his long-term rival Pep Guardiola will

eventually take the reins of Premier League sides, to add to a healthily

cosmopolitan range of coaching staff already in the division.

"Unfortunately Jose is not in the country at the moment, but hopefully

he will be coming back here soon," he added.

"Pep will be, too. And then we really will have the best coaches in the

world.

"That's the one beauty about this country – we've had a melting pot of

the best coaches. That's why it is the best league in the world."

Who is the better goalkeeper? Neuer v Casillas head-to-

head

Manuel Neuer, the No.1 of Die Roten, and Madrid skipper Iker Casillas

are always in the mix where debates over football’s leading shot-stoppers

are concerned, and rightly so. While Casillas has been key in two

Champions League triumphs and four La Liga crowns, he was also

handed the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2008 as

captain of Spain. Neuer, meanwhile, may not have received truly notable

silverware so far, but he is tipped for big things as his talent and

reputation continue to grow.

With more than just team success to be judged when looking at a

goalkeeper, we decided to put the relative qualities of the two glovesmen

under the microscope, with a helping hand from Bayern and Germany

legend Sepp Maier, and ex-Madrid and Spain keeper Paco Buyo.

THE GERMAN & THE SPANIARD: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Manuel Neuer Iker Casillas

27/3/1986 DATE OF BIRTH 20/5/1981

Goalkeeper POSITION Goalkeeper

275 CLUB APPEARANCES 619

25 INTERNATIONAL APPS 128

Off The Pitch 10

MENTAL ATTRIBUTES

It is often said that mentality is one of the biggest factors separating a

good goalkeeper from a great one, and Buyo is clear in his assessment as

to which has the better score in this area.

"Neuer alternates good performances with big mistakes," says Buyo.

"He's not consistent enough, although on his day he can have a great

couple of matches and be key for Bayern. Casillas is very reliable and

always focused enough to produce a great save even if it's the only shot

he has to stop in the whole match. He's a very complete keeper."

However, Maier has a strong argument in favour of his countryman,

saying: "For a comparison, Neuer is still too young, you have to wait.

When he is as old as Casillas, he'll have the successes too. The older

Neuer gets, the more experience he'll have, and the better he'll become.

The boy is just 26, he doesn't have experience."

Also on Neuer's side is the huge improvement he has made to Bayern's

back line. Having been a little short of a joke at times last season,

suddenly FC Hollywood's rearguard has looked much more organised

with the former Schalke man between the sticks.

BIG-GAME PERFORMANCES

CONSISTENCY

DECISION-MAKING

LEADERSHIP

COMMAND OF AREA

COMMUNICATION

JUDGEMENT

Off The Pitch 11

TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES

Here, the Spaniard edges ahead, with Buyo explaining some of Neuer's

issues. "He is decent enough in the one-on-ones because of that big body

of his, but he's not very good technically. And he's not very good dealing

with crosses either, which is ironic because he's so tall."

Maier retorts: "Neuer plays in a good team, and plays international

football regularly too. That has a positive effect on improving your

performances. Nothing against Schalke, but he'll get better playing in the

Champions League than he would playing for them in the Europa League.

That is no real competition, it's a loser's league for me."

On the Madrid skipper, Buyo adds: "Casillas is at the top technically,

fantastic on one-on-ones. He has also improved a lot dealing with crosses,

which was the weakest aspect of his game in the past. His only liability

now is when he has to use his feet, but otherwise he's probably the best

keeper in the world at the moment."

After his years at the top of the game, San Iker has developed

significantly to become more consistent in several areas technically.

While still slightly short in one or two aspects, he's now regarded as one

of the greatest keepers in the Blancos' history.

AERIAL ABILITY

CROSSES

DISTRIBUTION

ERROR PRONENESS

HANDLING

ONE-ON-ONES

PENALTIES

POSITIONING

FORM

Off The Pitch 12

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Not being the build one would normally equate with a top-class

goalkeeper, Casillas has fought about his weight - or rather, height - for

over a decade now.

Neuer stands 12 centimetres taller than his Spanish counterpart at 1.94

metres, but also has the speed to make the most of his huge frame. Buyo

explains: "He's a very tall keeper who uses his body as if he was playing

handball."

Meanwhile, Italy shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon, who for many years has

himself staked a claim for the title of the world's best, said recently that he

hopes to meet the man he regards as the true No. 1 at the forthcoming

Euro 2012 finals.

"Ciao Manuel! You are the best goalkeeper in the world, I hope that both

of us are in the Euro final," said Buffon through Sky Sport. "I'm at the end

of my career, you still have so much in front of you. I look forward to

facing you."

BRAVERY

NATURAL FITNESS

REFLEXES

SPEED OFF THE LINE

84 / 100 OVERALL 84 / 100

So clearly, Casillas' years at the top have seen him build a great reputation, with

his impressive showings in the 2002 Champions League final and the runs to the

Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup finals leaving a mark on the minds of many.

On the other hand, Neuer's slightly better mental and physical attributes put him

on a par at present, with plenty of time on his side to boost his profile in big

games, with an increase in concentration necessary to help him make that kick

on.

Off The Pitch 13

The Argentina star has made it clear that he intends to stay at the

Blaugrana until the end of his career rejective any lucrative offers from

any teams, including the Ligue 1 giants.

"Paris Saint-Germain's project tempting? No,

no! I have the best team-mates in the world at

Barcelona. We fight for trophies every season,"

Messi told France Football.

"Barcelona is a beautiful city and Barca are the

club where I was raised. I can honestly not even

imagine leaving Barcelona."

The 25-year-old is also unsure whether the Parc

des Princes outfit can compete with the big

teams in Europe this season, despite the arrivals of several stars in the

summer, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Ezequiel Lavezzi

and Gregory van der Wiel.

"I don't know whether PSG already

have the means to challenge the big

teams in the Champions League this

season," he added.

"I think that they can win the Ligue 1

title with all the players who can be

decisive. But it takes time to build a team."

"Their situation reminds me a bit of Manchester City. It's not easy to

build a team when you have players coming from all corners of the

world."

Messi 'untempted' by PSG project

Off The Pitch 14

Top 10 most loyal players

For many players a change of scenario is not part of their aspirations.

Loyality to one club is a rare thing in football today, with players still in

activity, there are still some exceptions. The Fichajes.com produced a

ranking of the most loyal players of today. The Brazilian goalkeeper

Rogerio Ceni, with over 22 years of service in Sao Paulo is the leader.

Ranking

1. Rogério Ceni, (22 years and 9 months in Sao Paulo)

2. Ryan Giggs, (21 years and 11 months at Manchester United)

3. Francesco Totti (19 years and 9 months in the AC Roma)

4. Oleksandr Shovkovsky, (19 years and 3 months Dynamo Kiev)

4. Oka Nikolov, (19 years and 3 months in Eintracht Frankfurt)

6. Henrik Rydström, (18 years and 10 months in Kalmar FF)

7. Tórur Mortensen, (18 years and 9 months Tvoroyri TB, Faroe Islands)

7. Frode Lafton, (18 years and 9 months Honefoss BK, Norway)

7. Petter Wasta, (18 years and 9 months in Kalmar FF)

7. Nobuhisa Yamada (18 years and 9 months in the Urawa Red

Diamonds)

Off The Pitch 15

For many players a change of scenario is not part of their aspirations.

Loyality to one club is a rare thing in football today, with players still in

activity, there are still some exceptions. The Fichajes.com produced a

ranking of the most loyal players of today. The Brazilian goalkeeper

Rogerio Ceni, with over 22 years of service in Sao Paulo is the leader.

Ranking

1. Rogério Ceni, (22 years and 9 months in Sao Paulo)

2. Ryan Giggs, (21 years and 11 months at Manchester United)

3. Francesco Totti (19 years and 9 months in the AC Roma)

4. Oleksandr Shovkovsky, (19 years and 3 months Dynamo Kiev)

4. Oka Nikolov, (19 years and 3 months in Eintracht Frankfurt)

6. Henrik Rydström, (18 years and 10 months in Kalmar FF)

7. Tórur Mortensen, (18 years and 9 months Tvoroyri TB, Faroe Islands)

7. Frode Lafton, (18 years and 9 months Honefoss BK, Norway)

7. Petter Wasta, (18 years and 9 months in Kalmar FF)

7. Nobuhisa Yamada (18 years and 9 months in the Urawa Red

Diamonds)

Guess who is the player and for every right decision the player gets one point,

don’t forget to send your answers to:

offthepitchmagazine@gmail.com, and watch out for the scores in the next edition

1.

2.

3.

5. 4.

6.

7.. 8.

Off The Pitch 16

SOURCE: Epping Forest Guardian

Having already nabbed Emmanuel Adebayor from Premier League title holders

Man City it appears Andre Villas-Boas is keen to repeat the feat as he pursues

Bosnian international Edin Dzeko, a player Roberto Mancini may not be quite so

ready to see heading for the Etihad Stadium exit.

The £27m Man City signing has constantly struggled to secure a regular first

team spot, despite the fact he has been scoring on a regular basis, and the former

Wolfsburg man may well be tempted by the chance of a move to Tottenham in

January.

Edin Dzeko has made 52 Premier League appearances since moving to the

English top tier, of which half were coming from the bench. However the

powerfully built forward has still managed to rack up an impressive 21 goals and

has managed five thus far this season.

Villas-Boas may well prefer Dzeko to summer signing Adebayor, who is still

waiting for his first Premier League start of the season. England man Jermain

Defoe has done well to hold on to his spot in the Spurs starting eleven, netting

five goals in nine games.

Tottenham to Make Sensational January Move to Sign

Man City Striker Edin Dzeko

Off The Pitch 17

SOURCE: Epping Forest Guardian

Having already nabbed Emmanuel Adebayor from Premier League title holders

Man City it appears Andre Villas-Boas is keen to repeat the feat as he pursues

Bosnian international Edin Dzeko, a player Roberto Mancini may not be quite so

ready to see heading for the Etihad Stadium exit.

The £27m Man City signing has constantly struggled to secure a regular first

team spot, despite the fact he has been scoring on a regular basis, and the former

Wolfsburg man may well be tempted by the chance of a move to Tottenham in

January.

Edin Dzeko has made 52 Premier League appearances since moving to the

English top tier, of which half were coming from the bench. However the

powerfully built forward has still managed to rack up an impressive 21 goals and

has managed five thus far this season.

Villas-Boas may well prefer Dzeko to summer signing Adebayor, who is still

waiting for his first Premier League start of the season. England man Jermain

Defoe has done well to hold on to his spot in the Spurs starting eleven, netting

five goals in nine games.

Tottenham to Make Sensational January Move to Sign

Man City Striker Edin Dzeko

Tottenham Plan January Move to Sign Newcastle United

Striker Papiss Cisse

Tottenham have perhaps overly depended on Jermain Defoe for an end product

thus far this term but Andre Villas-Boas does have new signing Emmanuel

Adebayor to use a back-up option but has steadfastly refused to do so this season,

angering the Togo international who may wonder why the hell the White Hart

Lane side bothered making his temporary move to the North London club a

permanent one.

Having scored 13 goals in 13 starts following his £9m move from Freiburg to

Newcastle United in January last term, the 27 year old has not fared so

successfully during the current campaign. Indeed Papiss Cisse’s last gasp winner

against West Brom on Sunday was his first Premier League goal of the season,

despite having started seven of the Magpies nine top tier matches this term.

Alan Pardew would be loathed to lose Cisse and many would have expected

Demba Ba to be the more likely Newcastle United striker to make an exit given

that his £7.5m release clause is apparently very much active.

Off The Pitch 18

QPR Ready Ambitious January Move to Sign Real

Madrid Defender Ricardo Carvalho

QPR boss Mark Hughes will look to lure Real Madrid centre-back Ricardo

Carvalho to Loftus Road when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The 34 year old former Chelsea man has been told by Bernabeu boss Jose

Mourinho that his contract will not be renewed when it comes to completion next

summer and as such may well be allowed to leave in January.

Hughes is desperate to shore up his leaky defence who may have held relatively

firm against Chelsea and Arsenal this term has still shipped in 18 goals in nine

Premier League matches and sit bottom of the table having failed to collect a win

this season.

Carvalho may be open to a return to West London where he served Chelsea for six

years and having already signed Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero in the

summer Mark Hughes may feel he can tempt the experienced Portuguese

international to make a move back to the Premier League.

Hughes is willing to offer the determined centre back an 18 month contract.

Off The Pitch 19

QPR Ready Ambitious January Move to Sign Real

Madrid Defender Ricardo Carvalho

QPR boss Mark Hughes will look to lure Real Madrid centre-back Ricardo

Carvalho to Loftus Road when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The 34 year old former Chelsea man has been told by Bernabeu boss Jose

Mourinho that his contract will not be renewed when it comes to completion next

summer and as such may well be allowed to leave in January.

Hughes is desperate to shore up his leaky defence who may have held relatively

firm against Chelsea and Arsenal this term has still shipped in 18 goals in nine

Premier League matches and sit bottom of the table having failed to collect a win

this season.

Carvalho may be open to a return to West London where he served Chelsea for six

years and having already signed Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero in the

summer Mark Hughes may feel he can tempt the experienced Portuguese

international to make a move back to the Premier League.

Hughes is willing to offer the determined centre back an 18 month contract.

First Name Raheem

Surname Sterling

Squad Number 31

D.O.B. 8 Dec 1994

Town of Birth Kingston

Country of Birth Jamaica

Nationality English Total Appearances 17

Total Goals 1

Raheem Sterling is one of the most exciting youngsters in English football.

The skilful winger has become a regular under Brendan Rodgers and received his

first call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad aged just 17 in September 2012.

Sterling joined our Academy from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010.

Though it didn't count as a senior debut, he actually played as a substitute for the

first team aged 15 in a pre-season defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2010.

One of the highlights of his young career came during a 9-0 FA Youth Cup

thrashing of Southend in early 2011, with Sterling scoring five of the goals.

The teenager made his official debut aged 17 when he featured as a substitute in a

2-1 league defeat to Wigan on March 24, 2012.

Five months later he would score a brilliant solo effort in a pre-season friendly

against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield, navigating two defenders before finishing

into the bottom corner.

Sterling's first senior start came against Manchester City on August 26, 2012 - and

he was so good he retained his place ahead of more experienced international

stars.

Mallorca 0-5 Real Madrid: Higuain & Ronaldo fire Los

Blancos to facile win

Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a comfortable 5-0 victory

over Mallorca in their La Liga clash at the Iberostar Stadium on Sunday.

After their disappointing 2-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund in the

Champions League midweek, Los Blancos put in a professional

performance from start to finish. Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring

with a classy finish after eight minutes, before Cristiano Ronaldo added a

second goal in the 22nd minute.

The pair would come to the fore again in the second half, as Higuain

slotted home the third with 20 minutes remaining, with Ronaldo drilling

home the visitors' fourth goal three minutes later.

Substitute Jose Callejon made it 5-0 with virtually the last kick of the

game, as Madrid cruised to victory and moved up to fourth place in the

standings, though they still trail leaders Barcelona by eight points.

With Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa all sidelined through

injury, Michael Essien was chosen to start at left-back in Jose Mourinho's

depleted defence. Joaquin Capparos had no such dilemma, naming an

unchanged XI from the side that went down 3-2 away to Sevilla last

week. Off The Pitch 20

Mallorca 0-5 Real Madrid: Higuain & Ronaldo fire Los

Blancos to facile win

The pair would come to the fore again in the second half, as Higuain

slotted home the third with 20 minutes remaining, with Ronaldo drilling

home the visitors' fourth goal three minutes later.

Substitute Jose Callejon made it 5-0 with virtually the last kick of the

game, as Madrid cruised to victory and moved up to fourth place in the

standings, though they still trail leaders Barcelona by eight points.

With Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa all sidelined through

injury, Michael Essien was chosen to start at left-back in Jose Mourinho's

depleted defence. Joaquin Capparos had no such dilemma, naming an

unchanged XI from the side that went down 3-2 away to Sevilla last

week.

Madrid, though, needed only eight minutes to take the lead. Angel Di

Maria’s pass seemed routine for Anderson Conceicao, but the Brazilian

allowed the ball to deflect into the box, where Higuain pounced on the

loose ball, blasting into the back of the net with the outside of his boot.

Ronaldo also seemed eager to get in on the action early on when he

went close with a pair of long-range efforts, the first smothered by

Dudu Aouate, while the second flew just over the bar.

Mallorca, though, were not content to lay down and submit to Madrid,

and managed to sustain a few spells of pressure in the opposition half.

Emilio Nsue came closest for the home side, after he evaded Sergio

Ramos on the left and clipped towards the far post, but Iker Casillas

was alert to tip over.

Nsue would be made to rue that miss midway through the first half as a

breathtaking move saw Madrid race into a two-goal lead. Di Maria

worked the ball towards Higuain at the top of the box and the

Argentine squared to Ronaldo, who turned swiftly past his marker and

drilled into the bottom corner.

Though Mallorca threatened intermittently and created a few half-

chances of their own, Madrid were simply flowing on the

counterattack, with Mesut Ozil and Luka Modric in fine form.

The home side’s tendency to push numbers forward made them

especially vulnerable on the break, and Madrid could have probably

had a third goal before half-time had they been more ruthless when in

sight of Aouate’s goal.

Madrid though took the foot off the gas pedal in the second half, and

seemed content to hold possession and extinguish any momentum that

Mallorca could muster, rather than press forward for a third goal. Off The Pitch 21

There was a little more purpose and intent surrounding Caparros’ men

when they advanced forward, but chances remained elusive as Madrid’s

back four were able to hold firm without too much trouble.

And with the clock closing in on 70 minutes, Higuain put the result

beyond any doubt, latching on to Ronaldo’s through-ball and slotting

past Aouate to put the finishing touches on another superb Madrid break.

The visitors would strike another deadly blow on the counter four

minutes later, and Higuain would turn provider once more, slipping in

Ronaldo with a superb pass, from which the Portuguese drilled straight

home.

With only seconds remaining, Callejon rounded off matters with a

simple tap-in from Ozil's cut-back, as Madrid finished in style to

continue their push up the Liga table after a shoddy start to their title

defence.

Off The Pitch 22

Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United: Van Persie, Chicharito

& card-happy Clattenburg end Blues' unbeaten run

On an afternoon strewn with goals, red cards, drama and controversy,

Manchester United climbed to within one point of the league summit

with a 3-2 victory over nine-man Chelsea.

Roberto Di Matteo's team recovered from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 early

in the second half but had Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres sent

off before substitute Javier Hernandez scored a 75th minute winner from

what appeared to be an offside position.

A David Luiz own goal and Robin van Persie's ninth goal of the season

had put United in command after 12 minutes but Chelsea responded in

style, with Juan Mata's free-kick and Ramires' header either side of the

break.

Just as the visitors gained control, Ivanovic and Torres were sent off

within five minutes of one another midway through the second period,

ensuring the hosts played the last 22 minutes with only nine men.

United took full advantage, but it needed a controversial goal from

Hernandez to give Sir Alex Ferguson's team their first win at Stamford

Bridge in a decade. Off The Pitch 23

With John Terry serving the second match of a four-game domestic

suspension, Chelsea picked the same starting XI that won so handsomely

at Tottenham in their previous Premier League engagement. United

brought in Tom Cleverley to partner Michael Carrick in central midfield

and Ashley Young got the nod on the left flank in his first league start in

two months.

Before the action began, all eyes were on the pre-match handshake. Rio

Ferdinand and Ashley Cole drew a line under all that has happened over

the past year by ignoring their lingering grievances to shake one

another's hand.

It was Cole's defending, rather than his manners, that soon came under

the microscope. Both of United's goals inside the opening 12 minutes

were forged on his flank as the visitors focused on the lack of protection

the left-back was getting in front of him.

After four minutes, Rooney received the ball out wide and his expert cut-

back was whacked right footed against the post by van Persie but the

rebound struck the helpless Luiz and bounced past Petr Cech for an own

goal.

Eight minutes later, Van Persie was unerring with the accuracy of his

second right-footer. Antonio Valencia spotted him unmarked in the box

and, with complete concentration on the task, the former Arsenal man

slotted in his sixth goal at Stamford Bridge.

The statistics suggested Chelsea had a mountain to climb. Before today,

United had been two or more goals up in 346 Premier League games and

never lost, winning 336 and drawing 10.

With Rooney playing more as a third central midfielder than a second

striker, the home side initially found it hard to break down what was a 4-

5-1 formation. Off The Pitch 24

With John Terry serving the second match of a four-game domestic

suspension, Chelsea picked the same starting XI that won so handsomely

at Tottenham in their previous Premier League engagement. United

brought in Tom Cleverley to partner Michael Carrick in central midfield

and Ashley Young got the nod on the left flank in his first league start in

two months.

Before the action began, all eyes were on the pre-match handshake. Rio

Ferdinand and Ashley Cole drew a line under all that has happened over

the past year by ignoring their lingering grievances to shake one

another's hand.

It was Cole's defending, rather than his manners, that soon came under

the microscope. Both of United's goals inside the opening 12 minutes

were forged on his flank as the visitors focused on the lack of protection

the left-back was getting in front of him.

After four minutes, Rooney received the ball out wide and his expert cut-

back was whacked right footed against the post by van Persie but the

rebound struck the helpless Luiz and bounced past Petr Cech for an own

goal.

Eight minutes later, Van Persie was unerring with the accuracy of his

second right-footer. Antonio Valencia spotted him unmarked in the box

and, with complete concentration on the task, the former Arsenal man

slotted in his sixth goal at Stamford Bridge.

The statistics suggested Chelsea had a mountain to climb. Before today,

United had been two or more goals up in 346 Premier League games and

never lost, winning 336 and drawing 10.

With Rooney playing more as a third central midfielder than a second

striker, the home side initially found it hard to break down what was a 4-

5-1 formation.

But Chelsea raised their game leading up to the break, forcing three

athletic saves from David de Gea before Mata made Rooney pay for

hauling down Eden Hazard outside the box with a beautiful curling free-

kick after 44 minutes.

The hosts had the bit between their teeth at the start of the second half as

they reminded the visitors whose house it was.

After 53 minutes, United failed to clear following more excellent play

from Mata and Ramires rose above Cleverley to emphatically head in

Oscar's byline cross for the equaliser.

It all unravelled for Chelsea after that point. Ivanovic deservedly received

a red card for a professional foul on Young after 63 minutes, cynically

clipping the winger as he raced through on goal.

Inexplicably, Fernando Torres followed the right-back down the tunnel

five minutes later. The Spaniard received a second yellow for simulation,

even though replays clearly showed there was contact from Jonny Evans.

Down to nine men, Chelsea struggled to contain United but the officials

ensured Di Matteo's post-match press conference would be an all-ticket

affair by failing to spot that Hernandez was offside when he tapped in the

winner.

Off The Pitch 25

Everton 2-2 Liverpool: Suarez and Naismith make their

mark in pulsating Merseyside derby

Two early Liverpool goals - with Luis Suarez at the heart of them - left

David Moyes' team shell-shocked, but the Toffees responded superbly

with Leon Osman and Steven Naismith cancelling out a Leighton Baines

own goal and Suarez's header.

The Reds were left bemoaning a controversial decision by the officials in

injury time, however, when Suarez appeared to be incorrectly flagged for

offside after beating Tim Howard from close range.

Marouane Fellaini returned for the hosts after recovering from a knee

injury, while Kevin Mirallas took the place of the suspended Steven

Pienaar on the left wing.

Brad Jones continued in goal for the visitors despite Pepe Reina being fit

enough to take a place on the bench, and Jose Enrique started as the

injured Glen Johnson missed out.

After a slow start the game sprang into life after 13 minutes when the

visitors took a fortuitous early lead.

Raheem Sterling appeared to be pushed over by Baines as he shaped to

finish an Enrique cross, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on and

Suarez's fierce strike across goal hit the England left-back and ricocheted

into the net.

The Uruguayan forward ran the risk of inflaming tensions further with a

mock dive celebration in front of Moyes, who had criticised the striker

for simulation before the match.

Suarez added a second quickly afterwards, nodding in a fine Steven

Gerrard free kick to send the travelling fans into ecstasy after just 20

minutes with the home defence nowhere to be found. Off The Pitch 26

Everton 2-2 Liverpool: Suarez and Naismith make their

mark in pulsating Merseyside derby

Two early Liverpool goals - with Luis Suarez at the heart of them - left

David Moyes' team shell-shocked, but the Toffees responded superbly

with Leon Osman and Steven Naismith cancelling out a Leighton Baines

own goal and Suarez's header.

The Reds were left bemoaning a controversial decision by the officials in

injury time, however, when Suarez appeared to be incorrectly flagged for

offside after beating Tim Howard from close range.

Marouane Fellaini returned for the hosts after recovering from a knee

injury, while Kevin Mirallas took the place of the suspended Steven

Pienaar on the left wing.

Brad Jones continued in goal for the visitors despite Pepe Reina being fit

enough to take a place on the bench, and Jose Enrique started as the

injured Glen Johnson missed out.

After a slow start the game sprang into life after 13 minutes when the

visitors took a fortuitous early lead.

Raheem Sterling appeared to be pushed over by Baines as he shaped to

finish an Enrique cross, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on and

Suarez's fierce strike across goal hit the England left-back and ricocheted

into the net.

The Uruguayan forward ran the risk of inflaming tensions further with a

mock dive celebration in front of Moyes, who had criticised the striker

for simulation before the match.

Suarez added a second quickly afterwards, nodding in a fine Steven

Gerrard free kick to send the travelling fans into ecstasy after just 20

minutes with the home defence nowhere to be found.

The two-goal cushion was short-lived though - Fellaini went close with

a deflected shot and the subsequent corner saw Osman fire the hosts

back into contention. Jones could

only punch the ball to the edge of

the area, and the midfielder

struck from 20 yards courtesy of

a deflection off Joe Allen.

Suarez almost added another with

a rasping 25-yard volley, but

Everton drew level after 35

minutes. After winning a contentious throw-in, Kevin Mirallas' cross hit

Fellaini, but the tall Belgian reacted well to hook in a low ball which

Naismith tapped in unmarked from two yards out.

Mirallas' fine display continued as the winger almost put the hosts ahead

after 42 minutes, spinning away beautifully from Wisdom but injuring

himself as the shot was deflected wide. He was replaced by Magaye

Gueye at the interval.

Sterling had a golden opportunity three minutes after the break

following a delightful pass from Enrique, but the youngster got his

attempted chip all wrong, leaving an unmarked Suarez waiting in fury

on the penalty spot.

Gerrard could have won it for the visitors with eight minutes remaining

but his drive from the edge of the area was well blocked by Jagielka.

Suarez thought he had gone one better in the 93rd minute, but stabbed

finish from another Gerrard free-kick was ruled out by the assistant

referee.

Sebastian Coates climbed on the back of Jagielka to win the initial

header but it was unclear whether the official had stopped play for a foul

or for offside, with Suarez in line with the last defender. Off The Pitch 27

Off The Pitch 28

Reading 5-7 Arsenal (after extra time): Walcott &

Chamakh seal Madejski madness in astonishing Gunners

comeback

First-half strikes from Jason Roberts, Mikele Leigertwood, Noel Hunt and

an own goal from Laurent Koscielny had earlier given the rampant Royals

a lead which looked unassailable but a double from Walcott - along with

efforts from Olivier Giroud and Koscielny in the right end – forced the

match to extra time.

Marouane Chamakh edged the Gunners in front but substitute Pavel

Pogrebnyak's header looked to have sent the game hurtling towards

penalties before Walcott and Chamakh struck again to seal the win.

The astounding result gives Arsene Wenger a timely and unlikely boost

after the club's stormy annual general meeting, while his opposite number

Brian McDermott now faces a stiff challenge to pick his dejected players

up in time for Sunday's relegation crunch clash against QPR.

Off The Pitch 29

Reading 5-7 Arsenal (after extra time): Walcott &

Chamakh seal Madejski madness in astonishing Gunners

comeback

First-half strikes from Jason Roberts, Mikele Leigertwood, Noel Hunt and

an own goal from Laurent Koscielny had earlier given the rampant Royals

a lead which looked unassailable but a double from Walcott - along with

efforts from Olivier Giroud and Koscielny in the right end – forced the

match to extra time.

Marouane Chamakh edged the Gunners in front but substitute Pavel

Pogrebnyak's header looked to have sent the game hurtling towards

penalties before Walcott and Chamakh struck again to seal the win.

The astounding result gives Arsene Wenger a timely and unlikely boost

after the club's stormy annual general meeting, while his opposite number

Brian McDermott now faces a stiff challenge to pick his dejected players

up in time for Sunday's relegation crunch clash against QPR.

Wenger rang the changes from the side which beat QPR on Saturday,

resting Jack Wilshere and handing a rare start to youngsters Serge Gnabry

and Damian Martinez. McDermott, meanwhile, fielded a strong side

despite having one eye firmly fixed on the crucial trip to Loftus Road.

In front of a raucous home crowd, Reading started the brighter and, in the

second minute, Sean Morrison met Nicky Shorey's cross with a firm

header which struck the post.

Less than 10 minutes later, they did take the lead, however, when

Roberts met Hal Robson-Kanu's precise centre to sweep home from

close range.

There was no discernible reaction from Arsenal and, on 18 minutes, the

hosts doubled their advantage when Chris Gunter's cross cannoned off

Koscielny and beat Martinez at his near post.

Wenger's makeshift team looked lost and, three minutes later, they were

three down when Leigertwood drove to the edge of the box and

unleashed a fierce effort which Martinez could only help into his own

net.

Reading looked nothing like the side who have yet to record a Premier

League victory this season and Hunt nodded in a fourth from another

cross, this time from Garath McCleary, with 37 minutes gone.

Spurred on by their humiliation, Arsenal poured forward once more and,

in first-half injury time, Walcott raced onto a rare incisive Andrey

Arshavin pass and dinked over Adam Federici to give his side the

smallest measure of hope going into the break.

Off The Pitch 30

But Reading began the second half as they had ended the first and,

moments after Leigertwood had tested Martinez again, the former

Crystal Palace man raided down the left and clipped in in a cross which

Ignasi Miquel directed narrowly over his own crossbar.

The Arsenal attack were at least starting to show signs of life, however,

and after Leigertwood had spurned another decent chance, Walcott

latched onto another Arshavin pass before hitting a left-footed effort

which was kept out by a mixture of Federici and the post.

Just after the hour Wenger introduced German youngster Thomas

Eisfeld and Giroud in place of Gnabry and Emmanuel Frimpong and

the French striker took just seven minutes to make an impact,

impressively heading in Walcott's corner.

Reading began to sense a first ever victory over Arsenal as the clock ran

down but the Gunners had other ideas.

Koscielny's 90th-minute header set up a frantic finale, before Walcott's

angled shot crossed the line despite Shorey's best attempts to clear. Carl

Jenkinson followed up and smashed in to remove any doubt that this

remarkable match was headed for extra time.

Two minutes in, the hosts almost retook the lead, McCleary surging

through the centre of the pitch before jinking past two Arsenal defenders

and forcing Martinez into a decent save low to his left.

Off The Pitch 31

But the momentum was now firmly with the Gunners and, two minutes

before the interval, some good work from Giroud and Arshavin found

Chamakh on the edge of the box and the much-maligned Moroccan fired

a low shot through the legs of Kaspar Gorkss and past Federici.

Deflated but not yet defeated, Reading poured forward in the second

period and Martinez had to save superbly with his legs to deny a goal-

bound Morrison header. The Royals kept coming and they got their

reward, as Gunter's shot was deflected into the path of the newly

introduced Pogrebnyak, who powered a header in. The game was level

with four minutes to go before penalties.

Play flowed from end to end, with both sides desperately searching for a

winner, and Arsenal made the breakthrough when Arshavin's shot was

hacked off the line by Gorkss, only for Walcott to hammer home the

rebound.

Reading were in no mood to give up but their fate was sealed with

seconds remaining when Chamakh latched onto a clearance and lobbed

the despairing Federici to give a truly astonishing match the finish it

deserved.

Off The Pitch 32

Pos. Team Pts M W D L

1 Benfica 17 7 5 2 0

2 FC Porto 17 7 5 2 0

3 SC Braga 14 7 4 2 1

4 Rio Ave 11 7 3 2 2

5 V. Guimarães 11 7 3 2 2

6 P. Ferreira 10 7 2 4 1

7 Gil Vicente 9 7 2 3 2

8 Académica 8 7 1 5 1

9 Marítimo 8 7 2 2 3

10 Sporting 7 7 1 4 2

11 V. Setúbal 7 7 1 4 2

12 Olhanense 6 7 1 3 3

13 Moreirense 6 7 1 3 3

14 Estoril Praia 6 7 1 3 3

15 Nacional 5 7 1 2 4

16 Beira-Mar 3 7 0 3 4

Off The Pitch 33

Pos. Team Pts M W D L

1 Chelsea 22 9 7 1 1

2 Man. United 21 9 7 0 2

3 Man. City 21 9 6 3 0

4 Tottenham 17 9 5 2 2

5 Everton 16 9 4 4 1

6 Arsenal 15 9 4 3 2

7 Fulham 14 9 4 2 3

8 West Ham 14 9 4 2 3

9 West Bromwich 14 9 4 2 3

10 Newcastle 13 9 3 4 2

11 Swansea City 11 9 3 2 4

12 Liverpool 10 9 2 4 3

13 Stoke City 9 9 1 6 2

14 Sunderland 9 8 1 6 1

15 Wigan Athletic 8 9 2 2 5

16 Norwich City 7 9 1 4 4

17 Aston Villa 6 9 1 3 5

18 Reading 4 8 0 4 4

19 Southampton 4 9 1 1 7

20 QPR 3 9 0 3 6

Off The Pitch 34

Pos. Team Pts M W D L

1 Barcelona 25 9 8 1 0

2 At. Madrid 25 9 8 1 0

3 Málaga 18 9 5 3 1

4 Real Madrid 17 9 5 2 2

5 Real Betis 16 9 5 1 3

6 Levante 16 9 5 1 3

7 Sevilla 14 9 4 2 3

8 Getafe 13 9 4 1 4

9 Zaragoza 12 9 4 0 5

10 Mallorca 11 9 3 2 4

11 Valladolid 11 9 3 2 4

12 Valencia 11 9 3 2 4

13 Real Sociedad 10 9 3 1 5

14 Rayo Vallecano 10 9 3 1 5

15 Celta de Vigo 10 9 3 1 5

16 Athletic 8 9 2 2 5

17 Granada 8 9 2 2 5

18 Deportivo 7 9 1 4 4

19 Espanyol 6 9 1 3 5

20 Osasuna 5 9 1 2 6

Off The Pitch 35

Pos. Team Pts M W D L

1 Juventus 25 9 8 1 0

2 Napoli 22 9 7 1 1

3 Internazionale 21 9 7 0 2

4 Lazio 18 9 6 0 3

5 Fiorentina 15 9 4 3 2

6 Roma 14 9 4 2 3

7 Parma 12 9 3 3 3

8 Udinese 12 9 3 3 3

9 Milan 11 10 3 2 5

10 Catania 11 9 3 2 4

11 Cagliari 11 9 3 2 4

12 Sampdoria 10 9 3 2 4

13 Torino 9 9 2 4 3

14 Genoa 9 9 2 3 4

15 Atalanta 9 9 3 2 4

16 Pescara 8 9 2 2 5

17 Palermo 8 10 1 5 4

18 Chievo 7 9 2 1 6

19 Bologna 7 9 2 1 6

20 Siena 3 9 2 3 4

Off The Pitch 36

Off The Pitch 37

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Last 10 Years

Off The Pitch 38

Titles

Champions League: 2

Portuguese League: 32

Portuguese Cup: 24

Portuguese League Cup: 4

Portuguese SuperCup: 4

Kit

Season Position

2002/03 2nd

2003/04 2nd

2004/05 1st

2005/06 3rd

2006/07 3rd

2007/08 4th

2008/09 3rd

2009/10 1st

2010/11 2nd

2011/12 2nd

Off The Pitch 39

President

Luís Filipe Ferreira Vieira

Lisbon

22.06.1949

Elected on 03.11.2003

Stadium

Estádio da Luz

Manager

Jorge Fernando Pinheiro de Jesus

Amadora

24.07.1954

Off The Pitch 34 Off The Pitch 40

Artur Moraes

Goalkeeper

192 cm

90 kg

Paulo Lopes

Goalkeeper

184 cm

76 kg

Luisão

Centre Back

192 cm

81 kg

Luisinho

Left Back

175 cm

62 kg

Maxi Pereira

Right Back

173 cm

70 kg

Ezequiel Garay

Centre Back

189 cm

83 kg

Lorenzo Melgarejo

Left Back

178 cm

72 kg

Bruno César

Attacking Midfielder

177 cm

83 kg

Nolito

Left Wing

175 cm

73 kg

Pablo Aimar

Attacking Midfielder

170 cm

62 kg

Ola John

Right Midfielder

180 cm

80 kg

CarlosMartins

Centre Midfielder

172 cm

72 kg

Salvio

Right Wing

171 cm

70 kg

Nico Gaitán

Left Midfielder

173 cm

67 kg

Nemanja Matić

Defensive Midfielder

194 cm

83 kg

Óscar Cardozo

Striker

193 cm

87 kg

Lima

Striker

178 cm

78 kg

Rodrigo

Striker

180 cm

74 kg

Off The Pitch 41

Ola John

Right Midfielder

180 cm

80 kg

Salvio

Right Wing

171 cm

70 kg

Óscar Cardozo

Striker

193 cm

87 kg

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