Barca Take Copa Advantage

Defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal were the unlikely scorers as Barcelona fought back from a goal down to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been criticised by some fans recently, made bright start to the game and gave the home side an early lead but Los Blancos could not deal with Barca's incessant attacks and wilted under the pressure in El Classico.

Barca overcame some particularly cynical challenges in the tie, with Portuguese defenders Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho both extremely lucky to have avoided red cards. Pepe for a stamp on Lionel Messi and Carvalho for two reckless challenges.

Madrid took the lead in the 11th-minute when Ronaldo slipped the ball under goalkeeper Jose Pinto's body. However, Puyol levelled with a second-half header before Abidal converted Messi's sublime pass for Barca's 77th-minute winner.

Both sides named line-ups resembling their strongest XIs, but Pep Guardiola's one significant exclusion was goalkeeper Victor Valdes. They paid the price for that decision when, after Ronaldo created a yard with a step-over, Pinto allowed the ball to go straight through him for the opening goal.

That proved to be the only shot on target for Madrid in a first half dominated by Barcelona. Messi, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez all went close, the latter heading against an upright from Cesc Fabregas' delightfully flighted pass.

A goal had to arrive, but it came in very straight-forward style from a corner. Pepe completely lost Puyol at the back post, and the Barcelona veteran made no mistake with his stooping header.

Karim Benzema hit a post for Madrid during a rare foray upfield from the Liga leaders, but Barcelona fully deserved their winner, which came when Abidal latched onto Messi's chip over the Madrid defence, controlling before guiding past Iker Casillas.

Get Real!! He's Worth Every Penny

Cristiano Ronaldo came to London just before Christmas.

He was a guest at a tennis tournament, the ATP World Tour final between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the O2 Arena. It was a major event and football was well represented.

Gareth Bale, Robert Pires, Chris Smalling and Andrey Arshavin were all in attendance. Federer won, but by the time Ronaldo left town the place was buzzing with a big sports story of a different kind.

Earlier that morning, it was claimed, Ronaldo was seen at Les Ambassadeurs, a private club and casino near Hyde Park. He was with his agent, Jorge Mendes, and most intriguingly David Gill, the chief executive of Manchester United. At no stage has this meeting been confirmed by any of the parties, but the talk will not subside, either. Of course, there are some fevered imaginations in football; in the press box, too.

Equally, Ronaldo, Mendes and Gill might have come together entirely by chance. Les Ambassadeurs is a common haunt for football people. All three men are acquainted and are known there. If Gill found Mendes and Ronaldo having coffee, why wouldn't he join them? Newspapers often get tips about supposed clandestine discussions that turn out to be nothing more sinister than old friends bumping into each other on familiar territory.

The widely reported talks between Rio Ferdinand and Peter Kenyon, then chief executive of Chelsea, in 2005 are a case in point. Coincidence, said those around the table. Aha, caught you, chided the rest of the world. Yet, almost seven years on, has Ferdinand ever come close to being a Chelsea player?

Indeed, if Gill was conducting top-secret business, he would hardly choose a venue crawling with football people and the odd newspaper man. He would have more chance of keeping this appointment quiet had Ronaldo waited for him with a red carnation under the giant clock at Waterloo during rush hour.

So, having now ridiculed Ronaldo's rendezvous with a senior Old Trafford executive as at worst fictitious and quite possibly accidental, only one question remains. Suppose there is something in it? Oh go on, dream.

Suppose Manchester United genuinely have a chance of enticing him back? Would that not be the greatest coup? Wouldn't that throw this idea of Manchester City dominating the fading force that is United for a loop?

Speculation that Ronaldo is worth pursuing will increase if he disappoints again in Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg with Barcelona. His habit of underwhelming in El Clasico encounters is behind much discontent at the Bernabeu. Indeed, Ronaldo is still suffering a hangover from a 3-1 home defeat by the Catalan club on December 10.

In Madrid's first game back after the winter break, at home to Granada, contemptuous of the scorn he had received from his own fans throughout the game, Ronaldo did not celebrate after scoring Madrid's fifth. This went down about as well as a Catalan flag with the locals. Even club legend and honorary president Alfredo di Stefano condemned him.

On Wednesday, if Lionel Messi reigns supreme and Ronaldo is anonymous again, the derision will grow even louder. The return leg is seven days later, by which time the hint of an opportunity for Manchester United might be apparent.

Not right now, obviously. Five points clear of Barcelona in La Liga and still involved in the Champions League, there is no chance of Real Madrid releasing Ronaldo in the short term. At the end of the season, however, who knows? No club president relying on the grass roots supporters for re-election, as Florentino Perez does, will go too aggressively against the will of the many.

Were Ronaldo's open shows of defiance to continue as the crowd take against him, the crisis could quickly escalate. Inevitably, Ronaldo would become disillusioned - this is his dream move, after all, so any rejection will be doubly hurtful - and will Jose Mourinho, or his successor, have the patience to tease the talent out of him in such circumstances?

A coach might even begin to share the reservations about Ronaldo's inferiority complex, head-to-head with Barcelona and Messi; he might feel a star who cannot take the fight directly to Madrid's most challenging opponent isn't much of an asset at all. If Barcelona ended up catching Madrid from a distance this season, it would surely aid United's cause.

Of course, it would be a mistake for Madrid to lose Ronaldo, but the club have erred before. Not until Claude Makelele was sold to Chelsea did Perez appreciate he was the glue holding the team together. Maybe, like some of Manchester United's more deluded followers at the time of Ronaldo's departure, Madrid's powerbrokers will underestimate the sheer weight of his goal contribution (he has 26 this season to go with 53 last year and 33 in his first campaign).

He is La Liga's top scorer with the most shots on goal and is in the top five for goal assists. United must surely hope Madrid are blind to this magnificent contribution. Only a fool still believes Ronaldo has not been missed at Old Trafford.

Reduced to lauding the return of Paul Scholes, the result of a much discussed midfield crisis, United stalwarts must now appreciate the way Ronaldo's individual excellence masked cracks. Wayne Rooney never looked unhappy when Ronaldo was on the pitch because he made United formidable. Without Ronaldo, United have become increasingly reliant on Rooney, and the strain is beginning to show. So what if Ronaldo was open to a return? What would he be worth to United?

How about offering a fair exchange, no robbery deal, and give Madrid back the £80million that they paid? Sounds excessive? Well, Fernando Torres cost Chelsea £50m and Ronaldo is certainly worth more than that. Then factor in multiple league title wins - every chance with Rooney and Ronaldo together again - and the stealing of City's thunder. Consider also that £80m is only what United received for Ronaldo, and would not represent additional outlay as he has never been supplanted with an equivalent marquee name.

Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are good players, but neither can be considered Ronaldo's replacements. Messi aside, who could make that claim? So here's hoping. Here's hoping that Gill, Mendes and Ronaldo did team up in Les Ambassadeurs that day, and it wasn't just coincidence, and there was something in it and, when the last coffee cup was drained, both sides agreed they really must do this again, perhaps somewhere more private next time. Because we miss him. English football misses him, and United certainly miss him.

If the 80,000 at the Bernabeu do not get the beauty of this player, we do, and he should know that. He's worth it, he really is. He's worth the £80m, plus the chief executive's 1,000 membership of Les Ambassadeurs. Indeed, that could be the best cheque the Glazers ever wrote.

Mourinho defends Ronaldo

Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho: 'If someone criticizes Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a problem with me'.

The Portuguese coach has defended his compatriot against recent negative comments, and has stressed that the attacker remains a very important figure for the capital club.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has ferociously defended Cristiano Ronaldo against recent criticism as Los Blancos prepare for the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Barcelona on Wednesday.

The Portugal international has been on the receiving end of negative comments in the past few weeks for his alleged inability to shine in the big games, but Mourinho had nothing but praise for his star player on Tuesday.

"If someone criticizes Cristiano Ronaldo, he has a problem with me. We won the Copa del Rey because of his goal, and he's scored I don't know how many goals for us. He's scored countless hat tricks, he carries so much pressure on his back," Mourinho told reporters at Tuesday's prega press conference in Madrid."

"But do you know which game of his I've liked best?" he continued. "The second half he gave us against Mallorca. He worked like an animal. He won the ball back for us and ended up exhausted. I told him that it was the game of his I was most proud of.

"I told him that when he works like that there's nobody who can touch him. When he works like that he doesn't have to score all the time and be the man of the match. That was his best game for me".

How will history remember Ballon d'Or-shorn Xavi Hernandez?

Xavi could work his way into the collective conscious as the emblem of Barcelona's asphyxiating passing style despite missing out on individual trophies.

Xavi didn't raise an Iberian eyebrow during the Ballon d'Or gala. He knew. Everybody knows; Lionel Messi is the best player in the world.

But Messi also knows, and quickly admitted under the amber-hued lights in Zurich, that his bestness is contingent on Xavi's facilitation.

"I want to share this award specially with my friend Xavi," Messi said as he accepted his record-tying third straight gong. "This Ballon d'Or is also yours. Without your help I would not be here."

Despite Xavi's gushed thanks – "I am honestly and deeply touched. Leo's words are better than getting the award" – he doesn't get to share the FIFA World Player of the Year. It goes to whatever section of Messi's house is designated for all the shiny metal things people keep handing him. Xavi, instead, joins Bernd Schuster as the only one to make the top three in Ballon d'Or voting thrice without ever winning it.

A few days away from his 32nd birthday, the suspicion stomping down the Camp Nou corridors is that Xavi Hernandez's chance has passed. Really, if he ever had a shot, it was in 2010 when he – and not Messi – won the World Cup. The rest of their trophies they share at Barcelona.

Even with a pleasant uptick in statistics this season – five goals and five assists in La Liga thus far, which equals last season's league record of 10 goals created or scored – Pep Guardiola has started rotating his maestro more frequently, easing Thiago Alcantara into the first team and leaning on repatriated Cesc Fabregas to supplement Messi's goal haul.

We have seen Xavi's magnificent prime and are now witnessing his tranquil autumn.

"Xavi isn't better than Messi but, looking at his career, it'd be a disgrace for soccer if he'd never win the Ballon d'Or," legendary Barca player and coach Johan Cruyff, himself a three-time winner, told EL9.

But these sorts of awards always tend to go to attackers. Since the Ballon d'Or began in 1956 (Stanley Matthews), exactly one goalkeeper and only three defenders have won. Xavi clearly isn't a defender but he plays deeper than the usual winger/striker champ.

Consider: In 2011, according to Opta, less than 18 percent of Xavi's successful passes in the league – of which he regularly clocks over 100 – went forward. It's easier to prevail in individual awards as a trequartista than as a regista.

History will not forget him, of course. This Barcelona team has already entered the discussion for greatest club side of all time, and Xavi, aside from winning the World Cup in 2010, was named the best player at the Euro 2008, which Spain also won.

Perhaps the most surefire way the 5-foot-7 midfielder will enter the collective historical memory is as the prototype of Barcelona's and Spain's collective tiki-taka passing game, like Franco Baresi for the selfless pressing of AC Milan and Italy in the early '90s.

Spain won the last two major international tournaments. Pep Guardiola has won 11 of the 14 medals available since taking over as Barca head coach three and a half years ago, including three league titles in a row and two of three Champions Leagues. No one besides him quite expected a generation of diminutive, pale, beguiling kids from La Masia would conquer every major trophy – especially not so thoroughly.

"Six years ago I was extinct; footballers like me were in danger of dying out," Xavi told the Guardian last year. "It was all: two meters tall, powerful, in the middle, knockdowns, second balls, rebounds."

Now, club chairmen and coaches across the globe salivate and have to tuck their tongues back in their mounts when talking about recreating a Barca model at their own teams.

"I'd like to see Milan playing like Barcelona does," AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi admitted less than a month ago.

The player most associated with that style of play? No, not Messi and his scandalous record of 17 goals and seven assists in 17 league games, supplemented by six goals and three assists in five Champions League games. Not captain Carles Puyol, all bangs and brawn and bravery. Not Andres Iniesta's gasping record of history-altering strikes.

The man who personifies the Catalans' asphyxiating blanket of passes, the one who most artfully uses the half-touch pass, the most intrinsic pinion is Xavi.

Several years ago, when Xavi made a five-man shortlist for an award, the Daily Mail led with the headline: "The best players in the world (and Xavi)." Now nobody, not even English tabloids, dare protest Xavi's genius. His Ballon d'Or-less mantle pains even those who win in.

Before the Daily Mail headline, before the swamp of trophies, before Hernandez had even solidified himself in the first team, then-starter Guardiola turned to Xavi on the training ground one day and said, "You will retire me, but Iniesta will retire us both."

Guardiola doesn't get much wrong. But here we are, a series of imitations to Xavi's position crammed into the same roster, and no one has managed to make him obsolete just yet.

The Death of A Football Club

Here's a sad story surrounding Darlington FC. Things took an unfortunate twist on the demise of the promising football club.

Darlington moved a step closer to folding on Monday night after the club’s administrators sacked caretaker manager Craig Liddle and the remaining 10 players.

Supporters and businesses are still trying to put together a rescue package for the 128-year-old Blue Square Bet Premier club but hopes of a deal before Saturday’s league match at home to Fleetwood are fading.

Liddle was still planning to be at Darlington on Tuesday to coach their youth players, whose futures are secure for now thanks to FA funding.

Earlier this month the Quakers entered administration for the third time in nine years, with the subsequent 10-point deduction leaving them hovering just above the relegation zone in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Joint administrator Harvey Madden confirmed the decision in a statement released this afternoon but offered a glimmer of hope that the 128-year-old club could still survive.

Darlington's 25,000-seater stadium has come to represent the stark contrast between the lofty aims of former owner George Reynolds and the reality of their situation.

Reynolds revealed a five-year plan to take the club into the Premier League, with the stadium, then known as the Reynolds Arena, forming a key part of his ambitions.

In 2003 they went into administration for the first time as they struggled to meet loan repayments on the ground and they were back in administration in 2009, with the subsequent points deduction costing them a place in the League Two play-offs.

Relegation from the Football League followed in 2010, making the newly-named Northern Echo Arena the biggest ground in non-League football history.

De Gea v Lindegaard

For the past few weeks there's been a lot of questions being raised by fans (and non-fans) of Man Utd regarding the goalkeeping situation. Two promising goalkeepers were given a fair share of action between the sticks by Sir Alex Ferguson. Even the 3rd choice, Ben Amos, had his opportunities during the Carling Cup matches. Here's my opinion on who should be the number one choice for Sir Alex. Let's breakdown the differences between De Gea and Lindegaard.

Let's start with De Gea. He's seen only a handful of matches during his time at Atletico Madrid. He was entrusted into action when the supposedly number one choice, Sergio Arsenjo was ruled out for the season with a knee ligament damage and 2nd choice Roberto Jimenez got himself injured during the winter period. I still remember he was wearing the number 43 in his first senior season with Atletico Madrid. This was back in the 2009/2010 season. A tall and skinny lad but he maintains his composure and his back four until Atletico surprisingly became the Europa League champions.

Fast forward to 2011/2012 where he signed with Man Utd. A relatively bold and brave move for a 21 year old to join such a historic club. Yeah, he made a few errors in the first few games for United, but he made ammends for it later on. He's command his goal area well lately until another howler from him against Blackburn cost United the match 3-2. His notable howlers were against Dzeko (Community Shield), Long (WBA) and FC Basel (Champions League) . Having said that, to replace Van der Sar, a legend for United, is no easy task. De Gea's only 21 years old and personally, he's become more mature, his judgment and his reflexes are getting better now. The only problems are his physic and language, his communication with his back four are limited. You better buck up on your English and gain some muscle son!!!

Let's move on to Lindegaard. He's 27 years old and look more built for the Premier League. A Dannish international and his reflexes is proving to be good too. He joined United back in 2010 January transfer window as an understudy of Van der Sar. He's been getting his chances lately and has performed when in goal for United. The advantage he has ahead of De Gea is that he can speak English. Communication is very important on the field especially when it's between your back four. Lindegaard has kept a number of clean sheets previously but when he's called upon after De Gea's howler, he simply dropped the ball. Two free kicks (Cabaye - Newcastle; Kolarov - Citeh) flew past him. I'd like to point out that the 2 free kick goals he conceded, was down to his fault. He's suppose to stand in the middle of the goal. If he was at the middle, I bet he could've make an easy save.

Having said that, I personally think that De Gea should return to the sticks for Man Utd and Lindegaard should be given games too. What United have now, are 2 great keepers and  with Sir Alex rotating those 2, can only benefit both of them. It keeps the 2 on their toes all the time. Well, theres another 18 matches to go til the end of the Premier League. It's gonna get bumpy now. Til next time, see ya lads!!!

FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011

As most of you have known, Lionel Messi was crowned as football's Best Player of 2011. Me personally, thought the award should've gone to his FC Barcelona teammate, Xavi Hernandez. Yes Messi scores goals, yes Messi can turn around a game with a single moment of magic, but I personally think Xavi is a midfield genius, the backbone/engine room of FC Barcelona, the visionary, the pass master and has an eagle eye when attacking the opponent. What amazes me more is that he has some sort of telepathic understanding with another midfield genius, Andres Iniesta. I really hope that one day, Xavi Hernandez will win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award as the best player in the world.

The star-studded FIFA Ballon d'Or awards hit Zurich once more in a celebration of the world's finest football players. As expected, Lionel Messi stole the show, taking home his third Ballon d'Or Award in as many years. Teenage sensation Neymar pipped Messi and Wayne Rooney to the FIFA Puskas Award, while Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola landed the FIFA Coach of the Year Award.

The record-breaker landed the prestigious treble after another spectacular year. Lionel Messi propelled Barcelona to another five titles in 2011, including the La Liga title, the Champions League, the Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. Not forgetting to mention the incredible 55 goals in 57 games that Leo netted in a Barca shirt. At just 24 years old Messi is already judged as one of football's all-time greats.

In an attempt to show that the night wasn't all about Barcelona and Real Madrid players, Old Trafford representatives Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic found themselves in the FIFPro World XI line-up. The final eleven, chosen by the FifPro group of players' unions, comprised entirely of Barca, Real Madrid and Manchester United players.

Finally the FIFA Puskas Award was awarded to a man (boy) who will be attending many more FIFA Ballon d'Or Award ceremonies in the future. Brazilian teenager Neymar was presented with the award for his stunning solo goal in Santos's 5-4 defeat to Flamengo in July, beating both Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney in the votes.

Road to WrestleMania 28

The Road to WrestleMania 28 has begun in the WWE. We're just 2 weeks away from Royal Rumble where the traditional 30 men will compete for a shot at the WWE or the World Heavyweight Championship. Tonight, we'll have to more inductees of the WWE Hall of Fame announced on Monday Night Raw.

It came as a huge surprise when WWE announced that The Rated "R" Superstar will be inducted for the Class of 2012. Personally, I thought it would be more emotional if he were to be inducted in his hometown, Toronto, Canada. There has been a rumour saying the next WrestleMania will be held there. But I guess WWE just couldn't wait to honour Edge for his undying support and charismatic work for the business the absolutely loved.

This time, the Hall of Fame will get Rated "R"!!! Thank you Edge!!!



Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone!!! How was 2011? I hope we all left 2011 in a very good note as we embark on another journey in 2012. Time to look forward and not look back on what could've been or all the what if's. For me personally, I ended with an absolutely good note.

Now, let's focus on 2012. What's your New Year Resolutions? Let's see what I have in mind. Hmm *thinking really hard here* ... Oh, I got one!!! How's this "Dear God,my prayer for 2012 is for a fat bank account and a thin body..Please don't mix this up like last year.." Hahahaha.. Okay okay, I'm just messing around with you all. Share some insights on your Resolutions yeah..

Let's recap what happened on WWE's Monday Night Raw recently. Cryptic videos have been playing for a couple of weeks on a returning WWE Superstar. Who could it be? It was non other than The Ayatolla of Rock N' Rolla himself, Chris Jericho!!!! This time around, he was smiling all the way through his return. Didn't say a word, kept fist pumping and teasing the crowd. Gotta say, his return has always been magnificent.

I just gotta wonder if there's actually another WWE Superstar plotting a return. In the video mentioned "She holds the mystery of my rebirth". Who is that "She"? Check out his return on the video below: