FT Spurs fail to create any danger out of what was the last chance and Martin Jol’s record stays as bad as before: only one win this season and Sam Allardyce can add another 3 points to his tally as Newcastle win 3-1.

90′ + 2′ Spurs win a last corner on the right. Keane behind the ball.

90′ Nicky Butt elected Man of the Match.

89′ Lennon wins the corner at the left. Rozhenal clears, and NUFC breaks out. Barton gets the foul against at the right corner flag. Last chance for Spurs?

88′ Although they have problems to break out and combine, Newcastle manages it to keep Tottanham from becoming dangerous.

86′ Cerny comes out, more than 30 yards from his goal and clears the beall before Martins can be reached.

83′ Lee center from the left, but Given comes out and easily catches the ball.

With the last 10 minutes in front of us, both teams are now looking for the little hole. Posssession mainly goes to Tottenham, but they don’t really become dangerous in the last third. Newcastle seems to be happy with this concept and sits back.

78′ Newcastle substitution: Rozhenal comes on for Owen.

78′ Tottenham substitution: Aaron Lennon comes on for Darren Bent. Why does Jol take off a striker when his side are 2 goals behind?

77′ Berbatov wins a corner after he penetrated the box from the left, but Given comes out well and NUFC breaks out, winning a corner at the other side.

75′ Clean tackle from Faye on Bent at the left.

72′ 3-1: Deep Enrique pass on Martins, but his low cross from the right is blocked. Rebound lands just outside of the box, to Millner who goes for the volley with the right, but totally mistimes. His missed volley results in the perfect setup for his left and he immediately goes for the second chance: a low volley from the left to the far post. Cerny beaten again. 3-1.

70′ Newcastle substitution: Joey Barton comes on for Emre.

70′ Booking: Nicky Butt booked for unsportive behavior.

69′ Fast outbreak from Tottenham over a quick Berbatov, who passes deep to Darren Bent, but his shot from the right goes over.

68′ Shot from Millner but goes wide.

66′ Chimbonda clears before Bent. Jenas wins a corner from the rebound.
Bent doesn’t get his head properly behind the ball. Goal kick for Given.

65′ Tottenham now clearly has taken over the game and are pushing Newcastle back more and more. Again Beye can do nothing else than kick the ball away.

63′ Deep ball from Lee on Keane, who gets in the box. His high ball/pass to the right is too sharp for Bent.

61′ Booking: Beye gets booked for a rough challenge on Tainio. But Spurs fail to create any direct danger from the resulting free kick from the left.

60′ Geremi free kick, but Dawson can clear with the head.

58′ Martins again gets away from Dawson, inside Spurs’ box, but when trying to create space to shoot, Dawson can recover and blocks Martins’ shot with his sliding.

57′ Tottenham substitution: Berbatov comes on for Malbranque

56′ 2-1: I can hardly believe it, but Tottenham managed it to score! Darren Bent’s flick hits the left post and Robbie Keane only has to push in the rebound anymore. 2-1.

55′ After some rather poor defending and an emergency clearance, Spurs eventually manage it to break out and try to set up an attack, but it doesn’t look as if the players see each other and Newcastle easily clear.
Berbatov doesn’t feel like continuing his warm up either. Seems to me there will be some loud words between some foreigner on the way back to London tonight.

53′ Berbatov warming up down the lines. Err… looking frustrated and pi$$ed off I mean.

50′ 2-0: Great header from Cacapa on the resulting corner and things look really bad now for Spurs and Martin Jol.
Great corner, Cacap easily gets away from Dawson and can head in from only 7 yards, on the right. No chance for Cerny. Poor Tottenham defending again.

49′ Geremi cross from the right. Owen’s header is cleared in corner.

48′ One of the few moments Spurs try to actively pressurize Newcastle, but without any danger.

Although Spurs need to take the game in hand, it must be said that the first 2 minutes of the second half entirely took place on Tottenham’s half.

46′ NUFC replacement: KO. Millner starts the 2nd half instead of N’Zogbia. No chances at Spurs side.

The first half time clearly has shown us who’s the strongest and most dangerous team today at St. James Park. Tottenham has struggled all first 45 minutes and Newcastle’s midfield, with a very effective Emre and Geremi, has kept the pressure on Martin Jol.
Martins’ goal, two minutes before the end of the first half, was not really a surprise, and could have happened much earlier.

Martin Jol will have to make changes now, the Spurs are fast and dangerous on the outbreak, but if they want to take 3 points to White Heart Lane, they will have to work harder in both midfield and defence.

HT

44′ 1-0: Martins for Newcastle. Deep Newcastle ball and Dawson’s attempt to clear the ball is rather poor. Martins follows the ball and Cerny is too late to come out. Martins’ shot between Cerny’s legs is deflected by the Spurs keeper but finds the way in goal: 1-0 for Newcastle.

42′ Spurs come away! Martins challenging the ball until the last moment and manages to go round Dawson who wanted to let the ball roll out. Martins shot from only some yards in straight on Cerny, who came out as needed.
Owen’s rebound also is pushed away by Cerny.

40′ N’Zogbia – Jenas duel at the left, on the edge of the box, but the NUFC player gets the foul against for obstruction.

38′ Center from the left from Enrique. Not deep enough and Nicky Butt tries to hook the ball in, but his attempt goes wide and a little (like 6-7 yards) high.

37′ Low free kick from Geremi. Ball deflected, but referee gives goal kick for Spurs.

36′ Booking: Yellow for Chimbonda after a challenge on N’Zogbia. Free kick from just outside of the box for Newcastle.

34′ Tottenham free kick after an ‘almost scissor’ tackle on Keane.

31′ Emre wins the ball and pushes it to Martins, on the edge of the Spurs box, but Martins can’t become dangerous, Dawson always in neighbourhood. The rebound comes to Emre, who pulls off from around 25 yards, but his shot also goes wide.

29′ The resulting goal kick reaches Robbie Keane, who unleashes from a narrow angle at the other side. Easy save for Given.

28′ N’Zogbia turns and shoots with his right from around 25 yards, but his shot goes wide.

26′ Cerny save on an attempt from Owen, who just penetrated inside the Spurs box, after sloppy Dawson defending. Marvelous save on Owen’s low, curling ball from the left.

24′ Corner for NUFC.

23′ Jenas tries from outside of the box, but his shot is blocked. Short penalty appeal from Spurs, but Steve Bennet doesn’t react.

22′ The resulting break out comes to Bent who takes off on speed, but only wins a throw in.

21′ NUFC now really pushing Spurs in to their own box. But neither Geremi, Butt or Faye can cross from the right, although 3 NUFC players are waiting in the box.

Long ball Enrique, Dawson clears in throw in for NUFC. Only after several attempts, Spurs can clear the ball and escape the minute of NUFC pressure.

19′ Spurs substitution: Bale off, Tainio in.

17′ Bale is still suffering and it looks as Jol’s injury problems will never end.

16′ Butt running all the way down to the Spurs box and almost wins the ball from Zokora, just outside of the Spurs box, but Zokora and Bale can finally clear before Butt’s effort becomes dangerous.

14′ Foul on Gareth Bale, who calls for treatment. Spurs don’t wait for the physio and a Keane takes a quick free kick, but Bent’s shot from inside the box, but his shot is blocked. Given furious because Spurs didn’t wait and Bale still is waiting for the physio.

NUFC almost: Faye puts his head behind the ball and almost scores, but the near post saves Spurs.

12′ Booking First corner for Newcastle after a bad clearance from Bale, who doesn’t agree and gets booked for his complaints.

10′ Owen wins a throw in for NUFC at the right, close the corner flag. Same tactics as before: Germei towards Faye, Spurs can clear and Newcastle doesn’t manage to become dangerous on the rebound.
Goal kick for Cerny.

8′ Emre is being treated for a knock on the ankle. Joey Barton warming up on the sidelines, but Emre rejoins the game.

6′ Keane on the right, close to the 6 yards box, for Spurs but he doesn’t get his foot behind the ball properly and Newcastle can escape.

Again Faye moves forwardly and can go for the thrown in ball, but gets a foul on Cerny against him.

5′ Chimbonda stupidly gives the ball to Emre, who crosses for Martins, but his cross is too far and Lee clears. Throw in for NUFC.

2′ Newcastle win a first throw in, close to the Spurs box, on the right. Geremi finds Faye in the box, but Chimbonda clears the effort. Faye stays down for some seconds after the aerial challenge with Chimbonda.

1′ Tottenham immediately plays forwardly, but the long ball towards Cerny is played too late and both Spurs strikers are flagged offside.

KO Tottenham kicks off the game.

I say 4-2, just not that sure about who will score 4 times and who will only twice.

Will Newcastle consolidate their application for Europe or ill Spurs again score several goals today and climb out of the danger zone?
Send in your predictions for today’s game now.

Newcastle, by many tipped to end in the top 4 this season, have improved highly since the season started. They have a solid defense and Michael Owen always has been dangerous.

Stakes today are high. For Tottenham this clearly is a ‘must not lose’ game and Spurs surely have gained some confidence thanks to the UEFA cup and the game against Liverpool which they should have won. Losing will only raise the pressure on Martin Jol.
And we certainly shouldn’t forget the run Tottenham is on: 6 games unbeaten already.

Hi all, welcome to another of our live game reports. Today: Newcastle United FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur.
The page will reload every 60 seconds during the game.

The squads have been announced and biggest surprise comes from Tottenham today, who start with Dimitar Berbatov on the bench and Keane and Bent up front and Paul Robinson is injured. Cerny will start in the goal for Spurs.
At Newcastle’s side, Viduka is injured and Barton starts on the bench.

Newcastle: Given, Beye, Faye, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Emre, N’Zogbia, Martins, Owen.
Subs: Harper, Rozehnal, Barton, Milner, Ameobi.

Tottenham: Cerny, Chimbonda, Dawson, Kaboul, Lee, Malbranque, Jenas, Zokora, Bale, Keane, Bent.
Subs: Forecast, Tainio, Berbatov, Lennon, Gardner.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)

Match Details

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Monday, 22 October, 2007
St James Park
20:00 UK Time
Newcastle United vs Tottenham – Match Preview

There’s one thing that’s certain about this game – it’s going to be very very close and probably decided by a single goal.

Newcastle tend to do very well against Spurs, especially at St. James’ Park and we think this be another opportunity for a good win at St. James’ Park.

There’s no doubt Tottenham have some excellent players, not least of which is Dimitar Berbatov, a big fan of Newcastle United and his hero Alan Shearer.

Tottenham are currently 4th bottom of the league, just one place above the drop zone with just 7 points from 9 games and they certainly will want to pick up points quickly. If they linger any length of time near the bottom, don’t be at all surprised if manager Jol doesn’t see out the rest of the year as Tottenham manager. It’s not surprising the Tottenham hierarchy want to see more from the team they have invested so heavily in over the last couple of years.

From a Newcastle viewpoint they have just 4 injuries right now and two of them, Ameobi and Viduka may just miss out on this game. But it will probably mean that Owen and Martins will start up front for the first time under manager Sam Allardyce. Many Magpie fans have wanted to see this pair working together but it will mean big changes in Newcastle’s tactics. No long balls down the middle in this game. The other interesting item is what will the starting 11 will be, since most players, including Barton and Emre, are finally back from injury. We think Emre may just a get a start in the following side.

Given
Beye Cacapa Faye Enrique
Milner Emre Butt (Capt) N’Zogbia
Owen Martins

Subs: Harper, Taylor, Rozehnal, Geremi, Barton

You can see how much the Newcastle team has been improved this season by just taking a look at the bench – it’s very strong. We think Newcastle can edge this game by a goal at 2-1. We’d really like to see a clean sheet and 1-0 would be good enough – but we’ll stick with a 2-1 win for the home side.

As we’ve mentioned at the start, there will be live coverage of this game on Soccerlens – so make sure you sign in and follow the game, if it isn’t televised in your part of the world.

Comments, predictions and your attendance live at the blog, all welcome.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England played a ‘must not lose’ game in Russia. On an artificial pitch McLaren’s squad went out amid 77000 Russian fans and scored the first goal after less than 30 minutes.
After a wrongly accorded penalty, Pavlyuchenko turned the score and qualification chances: within only 4 minutes Russia went from elimination to pole position for the Euro 2008 qualification.

We covered the game live.
Click to read our complete live report after the jump.

England lost this game in the midfield, if Barry and Gerrard were heroes over the last 3 games, today they were the most anonymous players on the pitch. They have forgotten to fight for the ball, there was no bite in the English midfield and the Russians created chances over the midfield.
The first 60 minutes were in the advantage of England, but in only 4 mintes Pavlyuchenko turned the game and Russia now has everything in own hand to qualify for Euro 2008. McLaren and England depend on Russia dropping points: Russia only needs 4 points out of two games to qualify now.

England had 2 great chances to score the second goal: Gerrard and Richards, but instead of 0-2, Pavlyuchenko turned the score in to 2-1, with 2 goals in less than 5 minutes, the first one scoring from the penalty spot after a foul from Rooney outside of the box.

FT. 2-1

90′ + 3′ Last throw in for Russia. Ball out now for England, but the Lions can’t create any danger anymore and Hiddink becomes the hero. Rooney the anti-hero. Again.

90′ + 2′ Pavlyuchenko starting in his own half, one on one with Ferdinand but he doesn’t really put the pace on, not enough to penetrate in the box and Ferdinand clears.

90′ + 1′ Zhirkov allowed to run down the line before anyone intervenes and Robinson clears

90′ England throwing everything forward now, Hiddink tactically replacing Arshavin and bringing on one more defender.
3 minutes added, will it be enough?

88′ Throw in for Gerrard but Russia clears before Richards. Corner

I’m going to repeat what I said on Saturday about Lamps: he has to run, chase the ball, claim it and tackle! And no word about Gerrard, he didn’t do anything either today.

86′ Free kick for Russia from 30 yards but wide.

85′ Quick outbreak over Lamps. Lampard quickly to Rooney in the box, but his shot is saved by Gabulov. Nothing comes out of the resulting corner though.

England now besieged in their own box and things look bad. Really bad for England now.

84′ Pavlyuchenko wins another corner.

83′ Ferdinand who wanted to clear, almost scored an own goal but the ball went in corner again.

82′ Richards gives away a corner.

81′ England playing 2-5-3 now

Quickly taken, but without any danger and after a blocked Rooney shot, the ball comes to Gerrard who’s looking for Crouch, but the robot is offside.

79′ Rooney wins a corner. Something for Lamps or Crouch?

78′ Triple substition for England: Lampard comes in for Lescott, Downing for Joe Cole and Crouch for SWP.

75′ This could be the chance for lamps, now he would be the perfect replacement for Gerrard, but right at the moment it are the Russians who are pushing AGAIN/still, with an Arshavin shot from within the box on the right… straight on Ferdinand’s head.

McLaren – Bolton? Anyone?

74′ Pavlyuchenko booked for kicking the ball away. And Hiddink just has won everything in 5 minutes… and McLaren has lost it. His job too if it stays like this.

72′ Nobody can properly clear and after a save from Robinson on Berezutsky, Pavlyuchenko can touch the ball in, being faster on the ball than Lescott and Campbell. 2-1.

71′ Arshavin goes around Richards, can center finds Russian feet, but English bodies in the way.

69′1 – 1. Pavlyuchenko.

67′ Penalty for Russia after a Rooney foul, OUTSIDE of the box!

Today’s poor performance from Gerrard shows s who we REALLY need in our squad and it’s not Lamps, but it’s Owen Hargreaves!

65′ The Russian’s now really are pushing, and our defense is tested, but except Campbell’s last minute save no one has managed it to really penetrate our defense.

63′ One-two between Asharin and Kerzakhow. Again it is Campbell who saves, preventing Asharin from pulling of from within the 8 yards.

61′ Berezutsky going deep in the box at the left ad manages it to center, a low center but Campbell just cleared before Asharin

59′ And as I wrote this, 4 Russian players all tried to shoot from outside of the box, but every time there was an English foot preventing them from testing Robinson. We bless the English defense for taking care of our Robinson doubts

It is surprising to see that Russia really gets no grip on the second half and I think England even has a possession advantage at this moment.

57′ Rio is booked for a professional obstruction foul in Russia’s half on Zhirkov and hence misses the qualifier against Croatia. If we win today’s game, of course his suspension is a blessing, if not…

55′ Micah Richard now on the other side, just not able to put his foot against the the ball. On a cross from Barry and Gabulov can push the ball away. This could have been 2-0 if the young Citeh boy managed it to touch the ball.

53′ Last minute tackle from Richards inside the box, just before Zhirkov can touch the ball.

52′ England now playing 4-4-1-1, Russia playing 3-4-Arshavin.

50′ Perfect free kick from Barry to the far post where Gerrard runs in, but the Liverpool player does the impossible and manages it to push the ball wide from only 6 yards.

49′ Richards wins a free kick on the right.

Owen center to Rooney, but he doesn’t get his head properly against and Gabulov eaily catches the ball

47′ Owen center to Rooney, but he doesn’t get his head properly against and Gabulov easily catches the ball

46′ KO 2nd half

What can we expect in the second half?
Hiddink is going to throw everyone in the offense and Owen and Rooney will be our lethal weapons, together with Joe Cole’s pace.
I don’t see Lampard participating today, because we don’t really need him and in a game where Russia can only lose, we don’t need another one who thinks offensively, but we need tacklers. Gerrard surely will be told to tackle earlier and Barry will continue his rather anonymous game in front of Rio and Sol.
Maybe one or two England outbreaks, but I expect Russia to push the English team now against their own goal.

HT. England, and McLaren, are enjoying a great moment: 1-0 and the Lions are qualified for Euro 2008 right at the moment.
The English 11 did exactly what McLaren wanted, and Ahmed feared: not concede a goal in the first twenty minutes and an amazing control and volley from Wayne Rooney did the rest.
England will have to work more in the midfield though, the Russian are having a rather dangerous possession advantage and the likes of Barry and Gerrard are NOT tackling enough nor soon enough in the midfield. Arshavin is playing a great game for Russia and seems to be dangerous anytime, but who else than Rio Ferdinand would be the fun disturber for Russia.
Robinson had a great save, pushing Arshavin’s shot against the post and then in corner, otherwise the English defense did what needed: throw their body there where the ball went… if Rio Ferdinand wasn’t already there.
The second half could become an interesting one, Russia have to score twice to keep qualification chances open.

45′ 1 minute added

43′ England corner and the usual suspects all move forward: Ferdinand, Campbell, but Joe Cole can’t really control Gerrard’s corner and the ball rolls out. Goal kick for Russia.

42′ Gabulov has to come out to punch a high center from SWP away before the ball reaches Owen and jumps over/on Rooney to do so. Free kick for England, but without any danger.

39′ Another corner for Russia, but Barry finally clears the ball out of the box

Russia is the more dominant team, benefiting the home advantage obviously, but England is organized very solidly. For anyone having seen the game several weeks ago: today’s game reminds me of the Sporting Lisbon – ManUtd Champions League game some weeks ago. The home team being the more dominant one, but at the same time the less dangerous team.

Cole is the most active English player right at the moment, running and chasing/claiming the ball both at the left and the right.

33′ Arshavin wins another corner in similar fashion: penetrating deep. Except this time it was Lescott who pushed the ball in corner with his sliding.

The corner curves around everyone and is out already before any Russian touches the ball.

31′ First Russian outbreak after the goal and they win a corner, after a Joe Cole sliding.

28′ 1 – 0!!! Rooney has another of those brilliant volleys!
A great flick from Owen to the middle of the field and Rooney controls the ball with the chest, penetrating in the box, and then unleashes with his right foot takes the volley.
No chance for the keeper. 1-0 for England.
Watch Rooney’s goal here and here

27′ Lescott keeping Zurianov of the ball at the corner flag and wins a free kick.

26′ Zurianov moving towards the English box, running almost 15 yards unchallenged with the ball before he unleashes his shot, low to towards the right post and Robinson can just deflect the shot on the post.

25′ Robinson moving out more than 30 yards with the ball at the feet allowing England to move deeper in the Russian half, but the Eastern Europeans are really well organised at the back.

24′ The England midfield, especially Gerrard and Barry didn’t get their grip on the fast moving and passing Russians yet. Hopefully we’ll see more white shirts in action in the middle half of the pitch.

20′ Russian pushing, the ball comes to Arshavin, who’s low shot from outside of the box is blocked by Rio and the outbreak over Rooney is absorbed easily by a well positioned Russian defense.

18′ Barry to SWP, but the Chelsea player can’t find anyone in the center.

17′ Long deep ball on Kershakow, but a little to sharp and Robinson intervenes before any danger can follow.

15′ We are seeing a hard game, quick passing play from both side and the synthetic pitch is perfect for many tackles and slidings. We already saw some of those and the slightly wet pitch will invite everyone to tackle even more.

No danger from the corner, and England wins another corner.

13′ Berezetski roughly tackles Joe Cole who was moving forward and gets booked for his late tackle on Cole.
The fast free kick goes to Rooney, but he doesn’t get behind properly and obtains a corner

11′ Kershakow goes down in the box after a clean Joe Cole challenge but the referree stays stoic and doesn’t react.

Russia clearly is the faster team right at the moment

9′ Arshavin going on Ferdinand, looking for someone on the right, but his pass doesn’t find anyone and Campbell recovers

Very fast combination play from Russia through the midfield, but a poor shot and blocked by Campbell

7′ Luckily Russia’s explosive start only lasted some minutes and the next minutes have been a tactical midfield discovery and search for space from both squads.

2′ The first minutes totally belong to Russia, an only a foul on Owen, in England’s half gives the white shirts a short break and the occasion to breathe.

1′ Owen and Rooney kick off the game for England.

Steve McLaren has opted for a starting team without Frank Lampard. Lescott replaces the injured Ashley Cole. In the central defense Rio and Sol Campbell are playing together again. An experienced duo, having played more than 40 times together in the England shirt already.

The squads:
- Russia: Gabulov, Alexei Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutsky, Zhirkov, Bilyaletdinov, Semshov, Zurianov, Aniukov, Arshavin, Kerzhakov. Subs: Malafeev, Torbinsky, Pogrebniak, Shirokov, Kolodin, Sychev, Pavluchenko.

- England: Robinson, Richards, Lescott, Ferdinand, Campbell, Wright-Phillips, Gerrard, Barry, J Cole, Rooney, Owen. Subs: James, Shorey, L Young, Lampard, P Neville, Downing, Crouch.

This page will be auto refreshing every 15 seconds from now until after the final whistle.

Match Details

Russia vs England
Wednesday 17 October 2007
Moscow, Russia
Euro 2008 Qualifier
Kickoff – 16:00 (UK time)

Russia vs England Preview

England dispatched Estonia with relative ease, as expected, but the wave of euphoria following that win is as misguided as the wave we saw at the very start of McClaren’s reign. At this point, Russia away will be England’s toughest test, as tough as Croatia away, perhaps, and that day, despite the formation the players looked fit enough to grab a draw at best, not more.

Wednesday sees a new-look England (oh yes, retrofitted even), with no Neville, no Ashley Cole, no Frank Lampard, no David Beckham. In their places are players you could call England’s future: Richards, Lescott, Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Rooney and Owen will resume their striking duties up top, with Crouch once again relegated to the bench.

The astroturf and the weather will make it tough for England, but it’s more psychological than anything else. Luckily, mental fortitude is something that England have in abundance…errr, right. The FA have gone ahead and doubled their insurance for English players for the Russia game, a rare pragmatic move from them.

Lampard, for all the booing, is not match-fit, but apart from that you can expect Terry, Owen, Gerrard and co to line up for England as usual for their most important game of their Euro 2008 qualification.

England will find it much harder in Moscow than they did at Wembley, and that’s only because at Wembley, the Russian defenders didn’t mark Owen that well and thus whenever the high balls got knocked down to him, he had ample space to control and shoot. Hiddink is a smart coach so you’d expect him to have his players stick to Owen like super-glue.

Expected England Lineup:

Robinson
Richards, Rio, Terry, Lescott
SWP, Barry, Gerrard, J Cole
Rooney, Owen

Apart from the usual gripes (Robinson is error-prone, Joe Cole can’t go wide and can’t cross so the tight Russian defence will eat him up unless he pulls a blinder or two), this is a good team. Rooney and Owen can easily play together if they have support from midfield, and right now they have two captains playing in midfield who are both focal points for their respective teams and know how to adapt to different situations.

Predictions? I’m going for an England win, but handbags and the odd Russian goal (Richards and Cole did exceptionally well at Wembley to prevent Russia from threatening too much) are also in the offing.

Also Read: England October 07 Euro 2008 Qualifiers Preview.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England has won an important Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia, with 3-0. We covered the game live. Find the complete live coverage after the jump.

3-0 for England after a great performance in the first half, perfectly scoring three points from the territorial advantage in the first 45 minutes, with goals from Shaun Wright-Philips, Wayne Rooney and a fantastic header from Rahn, who maybe scored the most brilliant own goal ever. A header from outside of the box. Brilliant!

The second half was rather boring, but none of England’s booked players got a new booking and all three are available for the Wednesday game in Russia.
Ashley Cole went off injured in the first half and is getting a scan (X-Ray) at Wembley.
Owen was replaced by Lampard and the versatility up front almost immediately disappeared, the Chelsea player not being able to impose his style next to Rooney.
Great performance from both Gerrard and Barry.

England has everything in own hands now and can qualify on Wednesday against Russia.

FT.

90′ + 1′ Joe Cole gets the ball from Lescott, just outside of the box at the left, and penetrates, moving in. His shot with the outside of the right foot goes wide. Weird choice for outside of the foot, one would rather expect in inside of the foot curler around the keeper from that spot.

90′ 3 Minutes added.

89′ Wide pass from Rooney to Gerrard, who cut inside and then could have a shot at goal, but he passes the ball to Joe Cole who challenged the ball too late and loses the chance for 4-0.

88′ Gareth Barry deservingly announced as winner of the Man of the Match award.

Lampard again is disappointing in a England shirt. Having the possibility to play next to or behind Rooney and claiming the ball, he fails to impose himself in this free role, backed by Barry and Gerrard.

85′ Deep pass from Neville to Rooney, who’s offside.

83′ Rooney lets the ball roll out after a deflected pass from Joe Cole. He takes the corner himself, before the defenders can come in and Gerrard dives to the ball but doesn’t get his head behind the ball.

No danger from Barry’s ball or on the rebound. Estonia manages to clear and leave their own half, winning a throw in.

81′ England reorganizing in the midfield. Gerrard looking for SWP who goes deep and wins a corner.
Barry behind the ball.

79′ Dimitrijev shot from right side, 24 yard, blocked by Campbell and Klaven who gets the rebound at the left shoots over.

The game now rather has turned in to an unattractive kick & rush game, with little organization from any of the teams.

76′ Joe Cole penetrates in the box, but doesn’t find anyone to flick the ball on, nice action from Cole tho.
SWP wins a throw in.

Estonia coming more in the game now, but rather because England doesn’t provide defensive midfield cover and our defense the influence and organization of a Terry or Rio misses. But the score still is 3-0.

72′ Booking for Dimitrijev after a stupid obstruction foul on Rooney.

71′ Campbell clears for a fourth corner, which Robinson easily catches. All four corners went in to the 8 yards box, but none was really dangerous.

70′ 3 Consecutive corners for Estonia now.

69′ Deep pass from Rooney to Owen who runs in the box and AGAIN is flagged for offside. And again it was close.
Replacement for England: Lamps come on for Michael Owen who can rest for Wednesday only some days after his surgery.
Lamps and Wembley, that means boo-ing.

Foul from Dimitrijev on Gerrard. 25 yards from goal, in the middle. Gerrard’s curler goes straight on Proom.

67′ Joe Cole shot from more than 25 yards, but wide.

66′ Rooney wins a free kick after he got pushed several times in the back.

England pushing again and every ball up front now goes to Owen. It is clear that the lads want Michael Owen to score his goal today.

62′ Estonia’s best action of the match ends with another Lindpere shot from almost 20 years. Robinson easily in two times.

61′ Another great Gerrard pass, deep in the box to the left for Owen, who again is flagged for offside.
Estonia replacement: Kink goes off, Vikmane comes in.

Rooney brilliantly keeps a cross from Barry in and wins a corner. But nothing comes out of Barry’s corner.

59′ Campbell moves in, pass to Barry but he just didn’t find Michael Owen who claimed the ball in the middle, on the line of the box. Gareth Barry clearly one of our best players today.

57′ Joe Cole cutting in to the middle, short pass to Owen who prolongates to Rooney but Estonia clears.

55′ Joe Cole cross goes wide over.

54′ Kink goes down after a clash with Gerrard, but no harm done and the game continues.

52′ Low shot from Lindpere from just outside of the box, but wide. England now needs to regain control of the midfield before Estonia scores.

50′ Header from Lescott to Robinson on a deep high ball. Looked more like a panic header, because Robinson first moved and then stayed on his spot. No danger tho.
Cole now finally carrried off on a stretcher.

49′ Klaven shot, bounces before Robinson, who again doesn’t look really sure and can be lucky no Estonian player followed.

Cole, who needed to be helped up and after only some steps goes down again, is replaced by Phill Neville.
Looks like another injury for England.

47′ Cole goes down after Lescott wrongly evaluated a deep pass. Saag goes for the ball and Ashley Cole down for the second time in this game. I think we better replace Ashley now, we need him on Wednesday.

Owen challenged by Rahn, who was booked in the 11th minute. Free kick for Barry, but his cross is too high for Campbell and Proom must be happy to have caught this ball easily.

46′ England kick off for the second half. Lescott replaces Rio as was to be expected. I wonder if we can make it 7-0 today. I surely expect a goal from both Owen and Gerrard today.

The HT analysis again shows how brilliant the duo Barry – Gerrard is: perfect homogeneity, both playing forwardly but notice immediately when one goes forward so the second stays in the midfield and provides cover. It will be very hard for Lampard to come back in the midfield after another Barry – Gerrard display.

HT. England clearly in control of the game. 3-0, after goals from SWP, Rooney and an own goal from Rahn. Estonia participated rather well in the first twenty minutes of the game, but then Barry and Gerrard always got more control over the midfield and Estonia had problems getting out of their own half.
McLaren now has the option to rest Rio and both Coles for Wednesday and avoid that one might catch a second yellow.
The first half was rather entertaining to watch, not a typical Arsenal or ManUtd display, but England perfectly used their territorial advantage.

45′ 2 Minutes added time.

44′ Joe Cole free kick from the left after a foul on Ashley Cole, but Piiroja heads the ball away in front of Campbell, Rio and Richards.

42′ SWP goes down in the box, but that one was ripe for the worst diver thread in our forums.

40′ Estonia tries to recover and for the first time in minutes manages it to come out of their own half.
Shot by Dimitrijev from 24 yards. Easily caught by Robinson who launches Barry. Throw in for Ashley Cole at the other side now.

38′ SWP at the corner flag gets a foul against after an unlucky contact in a challenge.

33′ Ashley Cole looking for Owen or Rooney with a deep and high ball from the midfield, Ragnar wants to head the ball away, avoiding that Rooney might get to it. But his header, from outside of the box (!), goes in his own goal, down the left post. No chance for Proom and England leads 3-0.

32′ 2-0. Joe Cole down the line, low center and Owen lets the ball go to Rooney who doesn’t hesitate and scores from 12 yards.

England clearly n control of the game now, with Gerrard and Barry as the main motors of the English squad. Rooney and Owen very versatile upfront.
I would love to see more action wide tho, over Joe Cole and SWP.

28′ Free kick for England from 22 yards. Rooney who had been fouled twice by Piiroja, takes the free kick himself, but no real danger for Poom.

26′ Rooney’s arm hits Piiroja in an aerial challenge. The Estonian goes down, but doesn’t claim a foul or card.

24′ England doesn’t manage to clear a Kruglov throw in and Estonia manages too create some danger, but Rio is positioned perfectly again and clears.

22′ First corner of the game. For Estonia.
Everyone going deep in the 6 yards box, but the corner is too low and no danger. Robinson not tested either.

21′ Throw in for Richards, ball comes to Joe Cole who stifts the ball over the defense to Rooney, but Wayne was wide offside.

20′ Michael Owen caught offside on a brilliant, splicing pass from Gerrard, in the 18. Replay shows that Owen was level, and if offside maybe only some inches.

18′ Ashley Cole wins a free kick on the right, but Joe Cole’s touch is too deep and Poom punches the ball away.

17′ Barry to Rooney who stops the ball with his right, outside of the 18 yards, quickly turns around and then tries to stift Poom who’s standing 3 yards out of his goal, but the ball goes over. Lots of class Rooney showed there, almost Zidane alike.

Although England has the early lead, it needs to be said that the Estonian squad very organised and compactly plays.

15′ Bad pass from Rooney, Estonia wins the ball in the midfield and only knows one way: the way to England’s box, but Rio tackles correctly.

13′ Estonia didn’t wait long and is playing offensively again, but the English defense is very well placed, with Rio in control.

11′ Gerrrard launches a counter attack to Owen, who tries to find Rooney but Gerrard in the end gets the ball. Passes to Cole, who centers. Estonia doesn’t clear properly and after a 1-2 with Campbell SWP scores, from a narrow angle at the right through the legs of Poom.
England 1 – Estonia 0. England a their so desired early goal.

8′ Gerrard intercepts the ball close to the Estonian box and launches Rooney with a deep pass in the box, but too hard and the free kick for Estonia.

6′ Cole centers again, looking for Owen but Estonia can clear and immediately attacks.

3′ Nice and fast midfield combination Owen – Barry – Joe Cole who centers.
Micah Richards who came in at the far post, goes down after an aerial challenge and the physios come on the pitch.
Phil Neville warming up in case Richards must be replaced, but the City player finally gets up again after almost 3 minutes on the ground.

Estonian midfield covering England’s midfield very closely in the first minutes.

2′ Barry looking for Owen, good position play from Estonia who immediately attack and even get a shot from out of the box. But it went wide.
Promising start

1′ Estonia kick off and Rooney immediately wins the ball, but Owen is flagged offside.

Gerrard leads the team when walking on the Wembley pitch.

Any predictions for today’s game?
Leave your prediction in the comments. I think England should easily win 4-0.

England’s squad: Robinson, Richards, Ferdinand, Campbell, Cole, Wright-Phillips, Gerrard, Barry, Cole, Rooney, Owen.
Substitutes: Lescott, James, Neville, Lampard, Bentley, Crouch, Defoe.

Against first fears, McLaren did decide NOT to rest our defense and Rio will play. John Terry obviously is out, but hopefully he can restart training on Monday.
Up front we see the expected partnership Rooney-Owen.

Today is another must win game for Macca, who can look back on two good performances last month and now England again has everything in own hand.
Normally this should be an easy game for England, but we have said that before and with Macca one never really knows.

Welcome to our live coverage of what might be the most important game in Steve McLaren’s career so far: the Euro 2008 qualifier England – Estonia

Match Details

England vs Estonia
Saturday 13 October 2007
Wembley, England
Euro 2008 Qualifier
Kickoff – 15:00 (UK time)

England vs Estonia Preview

An easy as hell game – in the reverse fixture England struggled in the first half but were clearly superior at the end of the day, and with the injuries, returning players and yello cards, you’d hope that Steve Macca (the man with the supremely annoying fake grin) will rest his key players – you know, like Terry and Owen, and Gerrard.

Ideally, the lineup for the Estonia game would look like this:

Carson
Phil Neville, Campbell, Lescott, Nickey Shorey
Lennon, Barry, Bentley, Downing
Rooney, Crouch

with Owen, Lampard and Joe Cole getting some sub action.

Hardly anything with Macca is ideal, so expect to see a first XI. Rio, Terry, A Cole are all one booking away from a suspension and this is as easy a game as England will ever get to blood the youngsters – not sure about Neville playing at right-back though, hopefully Macca can draft in someone else from England to fill in.

Owen and Lampard are returning from injury, so they should be kept fresh for the Russia game, and Gerrard deserves the rest anyway.

Predictions? A couple of yellows for England’s finest and a glut of goals that will hype us to the hilt before the crunch game against Russia.

Also Read: England October 07 Euro 2008 Qualifiers Preview.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

This article is a submission for the Soccerlens Football Writing Competition; to participate, please read the details here.

Written by Franky.

When Roman Abrahamovich months ago already, in May decided that Jose Mourinho had to leave Chelsea F.C, after having missed out on the UCL finale once more, there were only little options. Options as in possible managers for the toy club of the billionaire. Actually there were only two managers worthy enough for Roman’s dreams.

In 2004 the Russian oil tycoon invested around 1% of his estimated worth in a football club and immediately enjoyed the glamour boy status, not only because he made his trips to Stamford Bridge in his private helicopter. There was no doubt about it that Chelsea had become a private prestige project and it would become a fairy tale: Abrahamovich wanted to win the Champions League twice in the next ten years.

Millions of Pounds flew in the club and squad and results followed soon. The tycoon was happy, but not for long. There was something more, something many people oversee nowadays: the Russian, who always is rather closed about his professional activities, already had gathered quite some experience in owning a top football club, as the owner of CSKA Moscow. He knew that in 98% of the time, managers are set to be fired. But not the owner.

That experience in mind, he brought both the German international Michael Ballack and his favourite Andrij Shevcenko to the club in the summer of 2006, adding his personal favourites to Jose’s squad. A power battle between the owner and the Manger, Mourinho, was slumbering. Both knew things wouldn’t last long anymore and every tale has an end.

Mourinho enjoyed an acceptable (for Roman) start of the Season 2006-2007 and he even listed Michael Ballack among his 9 untouchables. But then came the feared English Christmas break. Handicapped by several injuries, Jose’s and Chelsea’s reign came to an end. For the first time the Portugues tactician experienced what that many have done before: 7 games within 3 weeks and most of all, no time for the stars and injured players to recover. The points lost over Christmas 2006 would lead to the first big, bust up between manager and owner. And later to Mourinho’s sack.

The tactician knew those things can happen in football and asked for more money during the January transfer period. The tycoon suddenly had to deal with a non performing manager in his emperium. He listened to the arguments, excuses but went his own way and made a decision based on the experience of managing multi-billions company, rather than doing what the club needed, buying new, high quality defenders. The wallet stayed closed and Mourinho had to finsih his season without extre defensive squad width.

The end of Mourinho was near, but Chelsea fought until the end and the execution was postponed. Until after the Champions League semi finale. The title went to Manchester United and suddenly names started to be mentioned publicly at Stamford Bridge. Managers were seen visiting London… and Chelsea. The most notorious one being Jurgen Klinsmann, who had resigned from his Germany job after he reached the semi finals of the World Championship in 2006.

Among all the rumoured names, Klinsmann actually was the only one who could be considered a worthy candidate. Not because of his managerial experience or his name, top club managers such as Trappatoni and Eriksonn both were available.

Klinsmann was the only one who had a real chance, a chance because of his tactics. A well organised offensive style, maybe someone who could bring the Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger style and pace to Stamford Bridge. But the German denied, returned to his wife and kids in sunny California, and Mourinho finally stayed on board at Chelsea.

The announcement that Mourinho was going to be manager for the Season 2007-2008 followed rather late, early July, and was far from a sign of confidence in the former UCL winner. Mourinho had a contract with the club and would be the manager for the next season. Period. No word more, no word less. Just a contract.

Why did it take that long for Stamford Bridge to confirm Jose’s contract and hadn’t this happened immediately at the end of the season? Because of La Liga, the Spanih football league.

Traditionally La Liga ends 2-3 weeks after the Champions League finals and if there were another worthy candidate, he was still competing for the Spanish title when Jose, SAF and Arsene already enjoyed the sun and probably several bottles of £400 red wine each.

Frank Rijkaard at that time still wasn’t sure about his job at Barcelona when the Premiership ended and with Real Madrid being in pole-position one can surely expect that the Chelsea, Roman lobby was active to lure to Dutchman to Stamford Bridge.

Why Rijkaard? Rijkaard has everything Roman expects from a coach. As a player he has won the Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam and won twice the European Cup with AC Milan.

He made a tremendous managerial debut, as Dutch coach leading them to the semi finals of Euro 2000 and then resigned after having lost the semis. Later he won the UCL with Barcelona in 2005-2006. More important than his managerial record is Rijkaard’s football philosphy.

The Dutchman comes from the Ajax school, and has Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff as examples. He will always play forward, with the team as an offensive unit. Aimed at scoring goals, unlike Jose who’s tactics were built around not conceding goals. Exactly that what Sven and Trappatoni don’t have, that special flair, nose for the goal. Even as a player Rijkaard was dangerous and scored regularly (81 times in 414 games as a professional – FYI he was a central defender converted to a holding midfielder).

The perfect combination for Abramovich: a talented, experienced coach who has won everything already and who wants to entertain the crowd with goals. Just like in a perfect football tale.

Goals and success.

Avram Grant has no chance, he is only ad interim manager at Chelsea. But Kenyon and Co are not allowed to admit this, because it would harm the club, the squad’s performance. Just as it would have if Chelsea would publicly have admitted Jose got the sack. Already now some players were close to rebellion. The likes of Drogba, Essien and Carvalho probably would never have made it on to the biggest stage without Mourinho’s confidence and support. Nor would they want to play for a care taker. Especially not when no suitable high profile manager available is.

And then it happened. Ajax Amsterdam was eliminated from this year’s Champions League and the UEFA Cup. And Ajax’s (former) coach suddenly became available. Henk ten Cate, Frank Rijkaard’s right hand when Barcelona won the Champions League. The person who will assist Grant not only with his coach services, but also with his knowledge of the highest European stage, the Champions League. A coach who was ready to leave his manager job of one of the most famous Dutch clubs, Ajax, to work in the shadow of a nobody.

Finding himself in the same position as Avram Grant some months ago when he became Director of Football at Chelsea: able to control the manager, to put pressure on the squad and undermine the manager’s position. A much needed thing when Rijkaard gets the sack at Barcelona in some weeks (or months).
There’s no doubt either that ten Cate would agree with working as assistant of Rijkaard, like in Barcelona times.

Abrahamovich wants no nobody in control of Chelsea. Friendship doesn’t count in Abrahamovich’s business plan, he’s a multi-billionaire who only wants the best people in his team. Friends get honorary jobs, but not the axe.

If Grant would stay manager, with his little [European] experience on the highest stage he soon would get sacked too. If Abrahamovich wanted an intermediate coach he might as well have asked Steve Bruce, who at least is respected in England, instead of a nobody. But Grant matched the profile to push Mourinho out of Stamford Bridge and maintain the peace in the squad.

Until someone else is available. Until Frank Rijkaard can come to Stamford Bridge.

Franky writes at the OTHER Manchester United blog.

This article is a submission for the Soccerlens Football Writing Competition; to participate, please read the details here.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News