Ancelotti Takes Charge Of Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti became the 5th Chelsea manager in 2 years after finally sealing a much anticipated move from Italian club AC Milan. Ancelotti who quit Milan on Sunday afternoon, signed a three year deal. He already signalled his intent by declaring he is aiming to win the elusive Champions League for the first time in Chelsea history.

A host of players have already been linked with Chelsea since their arrival of their new coach. French winger Frank Ribery, Spanish & Valencia forward David Villa and Emmanual Adebayor are among players who are reportedly on Chelsea's 'wish list'. It is also been reported that 100million will be available for transfer funds.

Man United Win 18th Premiership

Alex Ferguson claimed his 11th Premiership title with a 0-0 home draw against Arsenal. United went into the game knowing they only needed a point to secure a record equalling 18th title, to level Liverpool's record of being the most successful team in English history.

The game itself had few chances, with Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney both going close with headers in the first half. In the second half, Ji Sung Park had a goal ruled out for offside, and late on Cesc Fabregas hit the post as the nerves settled in for the champions late on.

This was only the second time United had won the title on their home ground, and the home fans were treated to lavish show and parade of the trophy.

Football Round Up

After successful Champions league games for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, attention turned back to the league and FA Cup semi-finals.

Stoke took a giant step to securing their Premier league status with a hard fought home victory against Blackburn (1-0). It kept up Stokes incredible home form which is almost certain to keep them up as they moved 9 points clear of the bottom three. Blackburn however remain 3 points off safety, hovering in 17th. Middlesborough shared a stalemate with Fulham which did nothing to ease their relegation woes. They still remain 3 points behind Blackburn, whilst Fulham maintain their Europa league push- in 8th.

Aston Villa failed to win again after drawing with West Ham. The villains had taken the lead thanks to Emile Heskey and were a denied a second by the post. West Ham hit back in the 2nd half with Diego Tristan netting for the hammers to make it 1-1. Villa remain without a home league win since January. Portsmouth gained a valuable victory against Bolton at Fratton Park. Kanu grabbed the winner to give Pompey some much needed breathing space between and their rivals (1-0). Sunderland did the same, beating Hull (1-0).

Newcastle plunged further into oblivion with a slender (1-0) defeat to Tottenham. Darren Bent grabbed the winner, but Newcastle had a goal disallowed and chances to level. But the defeat left them 5 points adrift from safety. West Brom remain on the brink of relegation after a spirited performance against Man City (4-2). After going 2-0 down, West Brom fought back to level the game at 2-2, but threw the game away late on.

Chelsea will face Everton in the FA Cup final on May 30th after semi-final victories against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Chelsea defeated Arsenal after going a goal behind to clinch another FA Cup final appearance. Theo Walcott had given the gunners an early lead, but Chelsea fought back levelling with Malouda before half time. The blues mounted the pressure after the break and eventually got the breakthrough via Didier Drogba. (2-1)

Everton defeated Manchester United on penalties to reach their first final since 1995. United dominated the chances and had a penalty appeal turned down. United fielded a young team, starting with Macheda, Wellbeck, and Gibson and resting Rooney, Ronaldo, and Giggs. Berbatov and Ferdinand missed penalties before Phil Jageilka scored the winning penalty.

Premier League Round Up

This week produced the birth of a new star in the Manchester United crop of up and coming youngsters. 17 year old Federico Macheda scored a stunning winner to secure Uniteds first after two defeats. The goal gave United a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, who had earlier taken a deserved lead, coming from behind after Cristiano Ronaldo had given United an early lead. Villa replied with goals from John Carew and Gabrielle Agbonolahor. United seemed destined for a third straight defeat with 10 minutes remaining, but Ronaldo levelled before Macheda turned Curtis Davies and curled in a superb strike, raising the roof of Old Trafford.

Liverpool had been top of the league until Uniteds comeback after beating Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. The kop hit the woodwork on 4 seperate occasions and looked to have been destined to draw, but a late winner from Youssi Benayoun gave Liverpool 3 points and now leave them a point behind leaders United. Chelsea kept the pressure on Liverpool by ruining Alan Shearers homecoming to Newcastle. The blues scored 2 second half goals from Lampard and Malouda. Arsenal moved 6 points clear of Villa by beating Man City 2-0 at the emirates stadium. A brace from Adebayor on his return from injury secured the points. Cesc Fabregas who also returned from injury assisted both goals.

Stoke City beat West Brom 2-0 to gain a valuable victory in their fight to stay in the premier league. Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie scored the goals. Middlesborough plunged 5 points adrift of safety after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Bolton. Blackburn came back from a goal behind to beat Tottenham 2-1. Wilson Palacios was sent of for Spurs. Hull and Portsmouth played out a stalemate at the KC stadium. Glen Johnson was sent off. Everton closed the gap on Villa to a single point after beating Wigan 4-0. Goals from Jo, Fellani and Osman gave Wigan their heaviest defeat of the season. West Ham beat Sunderland 2-0.

Premier League Round Up

Manchester United continued their slump in form with a surprise defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The champions, keen to put their defeat to Liverpool behind them came unstuck by two Fulham goals, with two players sent off. Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney saw red as United dropped more points. Liverpool took full advantage of Uniteds slip up by smashing 5 goals past woeful Aston Villa, to close the gap to one point. A Gerrard hat-trick, and goals by Riera and Kuyt gave Liverpool another morale boosting victory. Chelsea failed to capitalise on Uniteds defeat as they suffered their first loss under the Hiddink regime. Arsenal own at Newcastle after avoiding an early set back. Goalkeeper Manuel Alumina conceded a first half penalty, but redeemed himself by saving the spot kick from Martins. The gunners ran away 3-1 winners. The result left them 3 points clear of Aston Villa.

Everton were beaten by Portsmouth who eased their relegation worries after 2 goals from Peter Crouch. Sunderland continued their slump, loosing to Man City (1-0), Middlesborough lost to fellow strugglers Stoke (1-0), Blackburn drew (1-1) with West Ham, and Hull lost to Wigan (1-0).

With the international break now upon us, many teams will be pleased to have a break from the league.

Premier League Round Up

The main story of last weeks football action was the humbling result at Old Trafford, where Champions Manchester United were beaten 4-1 by chasing Liverpool. The result closed the gap between the two teams to four points, but United still have one game in hand which would see the gap restored at seven points. United captain Rio Ferdinand has said the defeat was a wake up call, and maintains that such a result will not happen again. In contrast, Rafa Benitez has told all clubs in the league that United are beatable. Chelsea are on the same points as Liverpool after beating Manchester City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Michael Essien, who was starting his first league game since August scored the winning goal in the first half.

Arsenal moved into fourth with a 4-0 victory over Blackburn. Andrei Arshavin scored his first goal for the gunners, with Eboue scoring two. Aston Villa continued their slump in form with a home defeat to Tottenham. The villains lost 2-1, after goals from Jenas and Bent severely dented their champions league push. They have yet to win in 4 league games, and remain on the same points as Arsenal, but remain 5th on goal difference. Everton continued their push for 4th with a 3-1 victory over stoke.

In the relegation scrap, Middlesborough salvaged a draw against Portsmorth after going one nil down and one man down. They could have snuck the victory but Alfonso Alves failed to score, and the pressure remains on manager Gareth Southgate. Fulham finally won away for the first time at Bolton (3-1), Wigan beat Sunderland (2-1), and Newcastle and Hull shared the spoils at the KC Stadium (1-1). West Ham drew with bottom club West Brom this evening (0-0).

Manchester United Maintain 7 point lead

Manchester United relieved the pressure from title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool by registering an away win against relegation battlers Newcastle United. Edwin Van Der Sar conceded his first premier league goal since November but it was not enough to stop the reds from securing their 11th straight win in the league, 3 wins short of the record set by Arsenal. Goals from Rooney and Berbatov cancelled out the shock opener from Lovenkrank.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa dropped points in the race for 4th place after loosing 2-0 to Manchester City. Goals from Elano and Wright-Phillips continued Villa's miserable run of one point out of a possible nine. The result leaves Arsenal 3 points behind. Everton in 5th drew with struggling Blackburn, but fellow strugglers Stoke picked up 3 crucial points defeating Bolton 2-0. Hull recorded their first win in 18 league games, scoring a late winner at Fulham (1-0). Tottenham got over their Carling Cup defeat by hammering Middlesborough 4-0, and West Ham beat Wigan 1-0 with Carlton Cole scoring his 11th goal of the season.

Tuesdays Results

Pompey 0-1 Chelsea

Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland

West Brom 1-3 Arsenal