UEFA Cup Football

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2007-08

Thursday, March 13
And Then There Were None

Having seen all four English teams win through to the quarter finals of the Champions League there has been much comment about the strength of the Premier League and how it is currently leaving the rest of Europe behind.

Having now watched all three of our remaining UEFA Cup hopefuls bow out this week that opinion might have to be revised somewhat.

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur both gave excellent performances but were left rueing shoddy first leg displays after going out on penalties while Bolton fought gamely away to Sporting Lisbon but were always likely to go out having decided to leave half a side at home in preparation for their weekend relegation battle with Wigan.

Everton were two goals down from their first game with Fiorentina but produced a rousing display at Goodison which saw them claw back the deficit in ninety minutes through an early goal from Andy Johnson and a blistering drive from Mikel Arteta midway through the second half.

There were a plethora of missed chancesd to bemoan while there could only be admiration for the outstanding display given by the Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey.

I've maanged Frey a few times on Championship Manager and he's always been a good 'un but I don't think he ever gave me a better performance than the one he managed at Goodison on Wednesday night.

Arteta, Yakubu twice and Johnson were all left scratching their heads after top class saves from the French custodian.

Tim Timiny Howard was a virtual spectator for most of the night but did produce one superb save of his own to thwart Giampaolo Pazzini and ensure that his side went to extra time, which was the least their efforts had deserved.

The Toffees ran out of steam somewhat in the extra thirty minutes but still had several decent sighters of Frey's goal but at this stage they were failing to make the keeper work.

So onto penalties and while Fiorentina took four beauties Yakubu and Phil Jagielka were found wanting for the home side. The Yak saw his effort come out from the face of the post while The Jag was denied by another tremendous save from Frey.

Hugely disappointing for The Blues but they should take solace from a performance that was as good as any they have given in their increasingly impressive campaign.

Tottenham were looking to overturn a one goal deficit but were having to do it on foreign soil after losing to PSV at White Hart Lane.

Spurs generally looked the more dangerous side during a tight encounter in which both keepers made decent saves to keep the tie goalless on the night.

Ten minutes from time, however, Pascal Chimbonda crossed, Dimitar Berbatov hit a volley that was sweeter than the witches' house in Hansel and Gretel and the game was destined for an extra thirty minutes. (by the way, did the witch in Hansel and Gretel build her house from a Pascal Chimbonda centre? she might have done).

Tottenham were unlucky not to clinch victory in extra time with Darren Bent going close with a volley and Steed Malbranque being denied right at the end by a spectacular save from Heurelho Gomes.

On to penalties and Spurs looked to be heading for victory after Paul Robinson saved PSV's second kick from Danko Lazovic while Berbatov, Jamie O'Hara, Tom Huddlestone and Bent stepped forward in turn to score.

With the chance to put his side through, however, Jermaine Jenas saw his shot clawed round the post and the man who ended up the fall guy was Pascal Chimbonda himself who rolled his shot a yard wide of the post.

Just a word about Paul Robinson in this shootout. With Spurs looking like going through for most of it the visiting fans were quite happily chanting "England's number one" each time a PSV player stepped forward but his attempts at saving the penalties were almost embarrassing.

Robinson didn't just move early, he came running forward and hurled himself one way or another way before the taker had even shot. The one penalty he did save was a woeful effort which he almost dived past but just about managed to keep out.

I am sure the PSV players must have noticed what he was doing and thereafter they all found the opposite corner from the one Robinson had flung himself into.

Keepers' never take the flak after penalty shootouts but this was a poor effort from a man whose claims to the England goalkeepers' shirt wear thinner and thinner (unlike Hansel at the witches' house).

Bolton rarely looked like getting the away goal they needed to have any hope of upsetting Sporting Lisbon after their 1-1 draw at The Reebok and ended up losing on the night to a late goal by Bruno Pereirinha as they vainly tried to push forward.

It always seems a waste when teams go out of a cup competition after fielding under strength teams. The gamble might pay off with Bolton going on to stay in the Premier League, although if they do that might have nothing to do with going out of Europe anyway, but it's depressing that playing another season in the top flight is deemed more important than a potential European final.

At the end of their careers how many players will be left wondering why they weren't given the chance of earning themselves a real glory night simply to try and safeguard a place just outside the bottom three of the Premier League for another season?

Saturday, March 8 English Teams In Peril

The three remaining English teams will need to produce something special in the 2nd leg of their ties if they are to go any further in this seasons' UEFA Cup. Everton lost badly away to Fiorentina, Bolton were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Sporting Lisbon while Tottenham were lucky to escape with only a 1-0 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven.

Tottenham included some Brazilian bloke at left back called Gilberto and while I am assured he was not the bloke from Arsenal no saboteur from across North London could have played their part with greater success.

The hapless defender, withdrawn at half time, looked out of his depths from the start and had already collected a booking before being caught in possession nonchalantly dribbling out of defence by Jefferson Farfan.

Farfan, a Peruvian with a great name just like Teofilo Cubillas and Hector Chumpitaz, moved in on the blindside before picking Gilberto's pocket and then darted forward before smashing a fierce drive straight into the wall of Paul Robinson's net.

Spurs managed a flurry of attacking before half time when Robbie Keane came closest to levelling but after half time their attacks became increasingly direct and desperate but less and less dangerous.

Juande Ramos proved that all he touches does not turn to gold by replacing Ledley King with Adel Taarabt and going to three at the back in an attempt to force the pace. PSV immediately began picking great holes in the depleted Tottenham defence and should probably have added to their lead.

Woodgate made one superb recovery challenge to deny a clear run on goal and Robinson produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Farfan who continued to prove a menace.

Everton were never at the races at Fiorentina and could hardly grumble at their 2-0 defeat. It took the home side 70 minutes to break the deadlock but two sweet finishes, both inside Tim Howard's near post, finally gave them the result their performance had merited.

Questions could be asked about Howard on the goals, the answers being inconclusive, but overall the Everton goalkeeper had been far and away their best player with a string of impressive saves to just about keep his side in contention.

Bolton gave the strongest performance but paid for missed chances and had to eventually settlre for a draw with Sporting.

Gavin McCann produced a cool finish to put them ahead but this composure was not matched by his colleagues as several chances came and went.

Heidar Helguson and Matt Taylor both hit the woodwork but it was not one way traffic, especially in the second half, and Sporting had also been denied by the bar before Simon Vukcevic rattled in a stunning finish to give the Portuguese side the advantage going into the second leg.

Bolton weren't happy that the Sporting keeper had been allowed to stay on after handling outside his box early on in the game but at least this sense of grievance did lead to a slightly amusing post match interview when he referred to the fourth official as a "doughnut".

A doughnut, I ask you.

Friday, February 22
Feed The Yak Cos He Is Back

All three remaining English clubs progressed into the last sixteen of this competition during the week.

Everton's was the easiest passage as they blitzed SK Brann 6-1 at Goodison for an 8-1 aggregate victory.

David Moyes has been in a bit of a quandry recently after Yakubu's relaxed attitude in returning to Merseyside from the African Cup Of Nations. As a member of the old school style of management Moysie would love nothing better than to take his centre forward into the darkest recesses of Goodison and spell out a few home truths to him, mainly using his forehead.

Mad as he may be though Moysie realises that in this day and age of political correctness gone mad he is not actually allowed to do that so he has had to make do with curtailing the Nigerians' appearances since his belated return.

Moysie also knows that with important games coming up thick and fast he will have to put his robust front man to use sooner or later and after the Yak grabbed a hat trick in this game it is likely his manager will have to put this indiscretion to the back of his mind.

I still wouldn't advise Yakubu to go into any 50/50's with Moysie in training, however. The temptation would probably prove too much.

While Yakubu was collecting his hat trick strike partner Andy Johnson also helped himself to a couple while Mikel Arteta will try to claim the other although it had own goal written all over it after a huge deflection took the Spaniards' shot into the opposite corner.

Brann threw caution to the wind once the tie was completely beyond them and could have scored a couple more than the one they did get but this belated sense of adventure left them wide open at the back and they ended up paying a heavy toll.

Spurs would also have been hoping for a comfortable passage after returning from Slavia Prague with a 2-1 victory but the second leg followed the pattern of the first and they were left hanging on for victory at the end.

Spurs dominated the first half and led through Jamie O'Hara's deflected goal but then found themselves under mounting pressure after taking Berbatov off at the break.

Prague quickly pulled one back and then went all out for the goal that would have taken the tie to extra time. Recalled goalkeeper Paul Robinson made a couple of decent saves and one that was excellent while the post also came to the home sides' rescue on one occasion.

Darren Bent also struck wood late on but Tottenham were left very grateful for the full time whistle.

Bolton had the toughest task as they went to Atletico Madrid protecting a one goal lead but they managed to do the job with a minimum of alarms.

Madrid were mainly forced into efforts from long range and seldom looked like finding the goal that would have taken the tie to extra time.

This game was mainly memorable for the wrong reasons. Bolton had to put up with the ridiculous decision by Atletico to publish the travelling itinery of their visitors on their official website and once again English supporters were treated to some impromptu beatings from a foreign police force.

UEFA are looking into the events but they do that every time and nothing ever really happens.

This competition will now really begin to hot up after the ludicrously protracted preliminaries.

Bolton have a stiffer test against Sporting Lisbon, Spurs take on PSV Eindhoven, potentially a security nightmare, while Everton face Fiorentina.

Nice to see the European Capital of Culture coming up against the city of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

Still, the good news for the culture vultures travelling over to Italy for the game is that Florence does also have places where you can get pissed.

Friday, February 15
Played Three, Won Three

Oh dear, how naughty. It would appear as though this website has made no mention of the UEFA Cup at all so far this season. Oh well, that group stage thingymebob is just about the most boring thing ever invented in the history of sport so I won't apologise.

Casting my mind back I think one English club bit the dust before the last 32 stage and that was Blackburn Rovers who managed to lose to a team I'd never heard of before in the qualifying round.

The three English clubs definitely still in the competition all won their first leg games this week with Everton and Tottenham, who both won away from home, looking certain to qualify. Bolton, who had the toughest tie, still have it all on to qualify despite beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Reebok.

Everton were the first in action and stirred themselves after a drab opening forty five minutes to claim a 2-0 victory over SK Brann (football team or breakfast cereal?) in Norway.

There was little to get excited about on a freezing cold night before the break but Everton came out for the second half in more positive mood and quickly showed their intent when Tim Cahill drove against a post. Soon afterwards Brann could not clear a centre properly and Leon Osman sent a sweet low drive into the net from just outside the box.

The Blues had other chances and finally gave themselves breathing space late on when Victor Anichebe scored yet again in this competition after coming on as a sub when picked out for a tap in by Lescott's fine centre.

Hard to see any way back for Brann at Goodison.

Tottenham will wonder how they came away from Slavia Prague with only a 2-1 victory. Berbatov fired them ahead after four minutes and Robbie Keane doubled this advantage on the half hour having been fed by Jermaine Jenas who had also been heavily involved in the first goal.

Chances continued to arrive regularly but were spurned and Spurs ended up slipping a little too far into the comfort zone.

The tie was suddenly ignited midway through the second half when Radek Cerny made an embarrassing mess of dealing with a weak, lobbed centre and David Strihavka pounced to reduce the arrears.

This inspired the home side to exert some pressure and Slavia should have levelled when Brabec headed against the bar from close range.

Spurs continued to have chances of their own, however, and will doubtless create plenty more in the second leg at White Hart Lane. That game still needs seeing out, however, which might theoretically affect Tottenham's Carling Cup preparations with the final being played later that week.

Bolton edged a one goal lead against Atletico Madrid after a niggly affair and will be delighted to have kept a clean sheet.

Atletico have plenty of goalscoring potential, however, and the Trotters will need a mighty performance to progress in the second leg. That game will doubtless be just as tetchy (what odds some racist abuse?) and Bolton might find a lot more decisions going against them in Spain.

Wanderers started this game in determined fashion and Matt Taylor had three efforts at goal in the first ten minutes. Taylor has yet to have his shooting boots delivered north from Portsmouth, however, and the breakthrough eluded the home side.

The game settled down into a tense, even affair but Taylor had another chance just before the break and stung the hands of the Atletico keeper.

The game began to look a nailed on goalless draw as the second half wore on but suddenly exploded into life with around twenty minutes remaining.

Firstly the referee produced a red card for spitting but it was not waved at El-Hadji Diouf. The offender this time was Atletico's Aguero and within a minute Bolton had grabbed a precious goal.

Stelios and Taylor combined down the right and the centre found its way to Diouf beyond the far post whose low shot back across goal nutmegged two defenders before nestling in the corner.

Advantage Bolton but the second game could well be an explosive one in more ways than one.

2006-07

Friday, April 13
All Gone

While the Premier League dominates this seasons' Champions League competition last night saw its' last remaining representative bow out of the UEFA Cup at the quarter final stage.

Newcastle had surrendered tamely in the 2nd leg of the previous round, losing 2-0 to AZ Alkmaar of Holland to go out on away goals, and Tottenham bit the dust in the quarters after a disastrous start to their 2nd leg at home to Sevilla.

Spurs had been buccaneering along without a care in the world in this competition before suddenly hitting a brick wall in the 1st leg in Spain. It took them too long to come round from the impact.

Having swept past Braga in breezy fashion they took this momentum with them to Sevilla and swept into a first minute lead through Robbie Keane.

Facing opponents riding high in the Spanish league it was always unlikely that Spurs would be able to run away from Sevilla and this proved to be the case.

Over the course of the two legs Tottenham would find plenty of cause for grievance with the officials but the biggest gripe of all was their first.

Sevilla levelled the tie in Spain with a ridiculous penalty awarded against Paul Robinson for a perfectly timed intervention at the feet of an opponent looking to go round him.

Freddie Kanoute rolled in the spot kick and an Alexander Kerzhakov header had the Spaniards ahead by half time.

There would be no further goals in Spain so Tottenham were left looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit at White Hart Lane.

Martin Jol's side were no doubt looking to make a strong start in front of their own fans although with a 1-0 victory enough for progress the important thing was not to offer Sevilla any early encouragement.

In just about the worst beginning imaginable the away side were two goals to the good inside ten minutes, the first coming courtesy of an ugly Steed Malbranque own goal and the second a classy finish from old boy Kanoute.

This left Spurs needing to score four goals without reply to progress, an unlikely task, and there looked no hope whatsoever when half time was reached without the Sevilla keeper being tested.

Dimitar Berbatov, exceptional throughout this campaign, chose the wrong night to start firing blanks as he wasted several presentable opportunities and saw his one good effort cannon out off the post.

Two goals in as many minutes midway through the second half from Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon raised hopes of a miracle but it was not to be as the referee refused to give a likely looking penalty claim and Berbatov and Michael Dawson missed the best of the other chances created.

Teemu Tainio, who had suffered an unhappy night, then earned himself a straight red card in stoppage time as mounting frustration resulted in a bit of a knee high hack.

The earlier play acting of the Sevillians probably justified this response which was high but not delivered with the purely evil intent of Roy Keane's infamous stamp on Alfie Haaland.

Tottenham remain what Tottenham always have been. Pretty, good to watch but lacking the steel and intensity to challenge for the top honours.

Friday, March 9
Goals Galore

The two English clubs left in the UEFA Cup certainly came out top in the entertainment stakes this week. The games involving Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur saw a hefty 11 goals fly in to the various nets and both teams emerge victorious.

With Newcastle eventually prevailing 4-2 against AZ Alkmaar and Spurs coming away from Braga with a 3-2 victory it is just possible that our betting maestro Minty has made himself a fortune at the bookies. They are his type of scores but unfortunately he limits his expertise to the weekends on this site.

Both will be happy enough although their winning margins could have been more conclusive than they actually ended.

Newcastle came flying out of the traps at St James Park to race into a three goal lead and by half time the score stood at 4-1 in their favour.

With the midfield first to the challenge and confidence evident in some slick one touch passing Newcastle also had a real cutting edge with Obafemi Martins in top form.

Martins was poised to finish a Kieron Dyer cross only to see AZ's Gretar Steinsson do the job for him early on and midway through the half Newcastle took real control with two goals in a minute.

Antoine Sibierski got in on the party atmosphere with a clever flick to release Kieron Dyer who finished with aplomb above the plunging keeper.

Moments later Scott Parker dived into a challenge in midfield and emerged with the ball before Martins breezed past a couple of defenders to drill home.

Alkmaar responded with a splendid goal of their own, Shota Arveladze diving headlong to crash a header past Shay Given and in off the underside of the bar.

Newcastle were in no mood to be upstaged, however, and Martins quickly collected his second with a sweet low finish from Nobby Solano's centre.

The Toon were more content to sit back after the break and trust their defence to preserve the three goal advantage.

This was always likely to be a dangerous exercise, however, and the Dutch side gave themselves a measure of hope for the second leg when they were awarded a debatable penalty.

Moussa Dembele's centre certainly struck Steven Taylor on the arm but the defender had kept his hands down by his side and made no movement towards blocking the centre, it was simply ball to hand.

Dembele took the kick himself and it was a truly awful attempt. Given had actually dived past it and although he blocked the ball ran back into the box and eventually fell kindly for Danny Koevermans to slam home.

Newcastle had one glorious late chance to restore their three goal cushion but Martins blotted his excellent performance with a weak finish when clean through on Boy Waterman, the keeper managing to sit on the ball before it squeezed under him.

Newcastle will be confident but the game in Holland could be just as exciting and unpredictable as this one.

Tottenham were dominant for long periods in Portugal against Braga and always carried an infinitely greater threat but ended up grateful to a late Robbie Keane goal for their victory.

Spurs were particularly forceful in the first half yet somehow failed to score.

The outstanding Dimitar Berbatov set up Teemu Tainio with a clear chance that the midfielder took too early and saw his shot saved at a comfortable height.

When Steed Malbranque then produced an equally precise through ball for Berbatov a goal seemed inevitable but the striker drilled his low cross shot wide of the far post.

As Tottenham turned the screw Berbatov had two sights of goal in as many minutes but sent his efforts straight at Jorge Paulo Santos on both occasions.

The second half had started at a more even tempo but on 57 minutes Spurs grabbed the lead they richly deserved.

Aaron Lennon stumbled through a couple of weak challenges before lobbing a ball through for Keane who took the ball down expertly on his throat before knocking a volley beyond Santos.

Almost immediately Malbranque offered Keane a better chance only for the Irishman to loop his header over.

With 20 minutes to go Lennon cut inside to drill in a low shot that seemed to be passing wide of the target. Santos dived to save in any case and spilled the ball back into his box where the lurking Malbranque finished eagerly.

Braga had barely threatened Paul Robinson but they were handed a lifeline minutes later when an extremely tough decision penalised Anthony Gardner inside the box and the home side had a home town penalty.

Paulo Jorge produced a weak effort but Paul Robinson could not hold on and the penalty taker was able to mop up the rebound.

The England keeper looked culpable as Braga then drew level when Ze Carlos glanced a header inside the keepers' near post from a right wing free kick.

From nowhere the home side now sensed an almost inconceivable victory but with the game stretched Tottenham punished them right at the death as Didier Zakora pierced a ragged defence to send Keane through to score with a nutmegging finish on the keeper.

Typical Spurs, I suppose, but it would be a real shock if they do not close this tie out with something to spare at White Hart Lane.

Friday, February 23
One Up; One Down

Newcastle United were almost as certain of going through to the next round as Tottenham after their 3-1 away victory against Zulte-Waregem of Belgium in the 1st leg.

They gave a performance so lethargic in the 2nd leg last night, however, that there were spells when you could almost imagine the part-timers getting themselves back into the tie.

Indeed the Newcastle highlights on the night were goal saving challenges from Titus Bramble and Steven Taylor.

With the crowd growing increasingly restless Obafemi Martins redeemed another profligate night with a goal, just as he had done in Belgium.

Martins' goal was created by Damien Duff whose performances over the two legs offered hope that he might be about to find his best form for the Toon, which would help them out significantly if he could.

The question remaining to be answered was whether Blackburn Rovers could overcome their one goal deficit against Bayer Leverkusen at Ewood Park.

Eventually the answer was no as the Germans grimly hung on for the goalless draw that put them through.

Rovers could look back on a nervous, tentative first half and feel they had not given this one a proper go although when they really set about their task after the interval they did have the chances to get the goal that would have took them through.

Benni McCarthy missed badly from six yards out after Pedersen's perfect left wing centre and the substitute Shabani Nonda passed up two excellent opportunities.

The Leverkusen players had obviously learnt their lessons from the 1st leg and didn't bother trying to block any of the Blackburn attempts on goal.

They had deflected two in at home and last night just let the Rovers forwards mess things up themselves.

McCarthy will not want to remember this tie. His miss last night compounded the inept defending in the 1st leg that allowed Leverkusen to score their opening goal.

In what could be called a "professional" performance by the Germans tempers began to fray badly towards the end and at one stage there was a bit of a free for all which threatened to turn really ugly but didn't quite manage to do so.

Anyone who thought Rovers wouldn't miss Robbie Savage was proved wrong at that moment, he could have been down on the floor holding his face as well as any German.

For the record, in case anyone is reading this 30 years into the future, Spurs gained a bye because some Dutch team got kicked out for crowd trouble.

Saturday, December 2
Beer And The UEFA Cup

It's a strange competition these days the UEFA Cup and it's very hard to muster much genuine interest until it reverts back to the knockout format.

Last week, for example, all three English teams had a game but I got so drunk in the pub the night they were playing that I forgot to write a review of these games.

I can vaguely remember one of the games being on but I wasn't paying any attention to be honest.

Apparently Tottenham won away to Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle saw off Celta Vigo and Blackburn Rovers got a goalless draw away to Feyenoord which was enough to put all three sides through I think.

The most interesting aspect of these games was that Morten Gamst Pedersen got a pot of beer thrown over him in Holland.

I would imagine his shirt ended up smelling like the ones I used to play in on a Sunday morning.

This week I forced myself to pay more attention, even though there was only Newcastle in action.

My diligence stretched to occasionally looking across at the tv while guiding Sheffield Wednesday out of Division Two and to a heartbreaking League Cup semi final defeat on an old version of Championship Manager.

I caught enough to work out that Joe Royle still has feelings for Titus Bramble that go way beyond the bounds of normal admiration and that Newcastle rode their luck outrageously to secure a goalless draw in Frankfurt.

Fair play to them, however. They were once again way below full strength and had little to play for in comparison of their opponents and were facing a remarkably large and boisterous crowd.

For once it wasn't even Shay Given coming to their rescue. More often than not the Frankfurter forwards simply missed the target in such a brazen way that you felt confident Newcastle were probably lining up bids for each and every one of them as the game wore on.

The most interesting thing in this game was the ripped shirt of Steven Taylor which neatly displayed his incredibly scarred back after a rash challenge from the centre forward.

Only two lashes were visible, however, not the 20 Charles Laughton would have ordered in Mutiny on the Bounty.

As for Taylor, does he remind anybody else of that freak out of Boyzone/Coronation Street.

I think his name is Keeet.

Friday, November 3
Nothing Short Of Remarkable

There were three more victories for the English sides in the UEFA Cup group games last night which as the headline says is nothing short of remarkable.

Home wins for Tottenham and Blackburn might have been expected but Newcastle winning in Palermo with half a side missing, whatever next?

Palermo 0 Newcastle United 1

Newcastle went to Italy with a patched up side that had a teenager in the nets and just Albert Luque in attack. There was little reason for anyone in black and white to feel confident even against opponents wearing pink.

Palermo pressed hard from the start, swamping Newcastle's five man midfield and putting pressure on the makeshift defence.

Tim Krul, in the nets, looked pretty nervous and with Ramage, Moore, Bramble and Taylor lined up in front of him he had every right to be so.

As often happens, however, the presence of a vulnerable youngster behind them inspired the Toon defence to one of its' most determined displays. Both Taylor and Moore blocked bravely to protect their keeper and as the game wore on Krul's confidence increased.

The player who really turned the tide, however, was James Milner who took it upon himself to impose himself on the game. It is impossible to work out whether Milner is a top quality player or not but he was excellent here.

He had already worked the Palermo keeper before robbing Cassani inside the box and then escaping the defender with an exquisite drag back.

His shot was blocked at close quarters by the keeper although he certainly had a valid shout for a penalty as the defender took his only remaining option and grabbed a handful of Milner's shirt as he was shooting.

Milner had the bit between his teeth, however, and surged past Cassani out wide on the left before swinging over a perfect centre onto Luque's head six yards out. The forward did not need to jump or break his stride as he headed home at the far post.

Luque sank to his knees as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders and it was a gesture designed to give the impression that he is ready to start firing for Newcastle.

I would not hold my breath. His all round display here was slovenly and disinterested. There appears to be no real passion or pride for the club.

A more appropriate response to his goal would have been to go and congratulate and thank Milner for his part in it, the option most of the other players took.

Not surprisingly the second half became an intense defensive battle for Newcastle but by this time Krul was feeling decidedly confident and proceeded to produce a string of fine saves.

His best was undoubtedly the reaction, one handed stop from Bavia's strong header which was equally impressive given the blocking save he immediately made from the rebound.

Krul showed bravery as well as agility to deny Caracciolo and he ensured victory at the end by foiling Brienza.

The only disappointing aspect of this performance was the fact that once again a young player getting an opportunity with a top English side was in fact not English.

What price the future of the English national side?

As for Newcastle this was obviously a fine win and one that will do flagging confidence no harm.

It would be silly to consider this a turning point for their season, however. This win was one against the odds and more often than not, given the way the game went, it was one they would have lost.

There is a lot more hard work to be done on the domestic front to get the club going back in the right direction permanently.

Tottenham 3 Club Brugge 1

Dimitar Berbatov was the undoubted star of this show, scoring twice and setting up the other in a quality all round centre forwards' display.

Spurs made the running from the start but went behind just before the quarter hour when Ibrahim was too strong for Michael Dawson on the edge of the box and turned to send a precise curling shot beyond Paul Robinson.

On this occasion Spurs were not daunted and pulled level almost immediately when Berbatov rifled home a splendid shot from Chimbonda's knock down.

This allowed Spurs to forget the shock of conceding and continue playing their football. They continue to miss chances, however, with Ghaly missing badly and Jenas unlucky with an effort against the outside of the post.

It was just past the hour mark when they finally got their noses in front. Berbatov speared a perfect ball through the Brugges defence from half way to send Robbie Keane racing away to score confidently.

Victory was confirmed when Berbatov capped a fine display with a bullet header from a corner.

Spurs could be equipped to make a challenge in this competition.

Blackburn Rovers 3 Basel 0

This scoreline certainly flattered Rovers as both sides wasted decent chances at regular intervals before the home side finished with a flourish.

Blackburn had the early pressure but when Basel responded Petric quickly found himself with the clearest chance of the game only to miss badly at the far post.

Blackburn were dealt a blow when Robbie Savage limped off with half time approaching but they still created their best chance of the half which David Bentley snatched at, sending the ball into the crowd (or should I say seats?) at the far post.

The second half was even more open than the first but no-one seemed to want to score.

Nonda headed a good chance wide while Brad Friedel responded well to keep out a dangerous Petric free kick.

The deadlock was finally broken on 75 minutes by Tugay who showed a nice touch on his chest before smacking a crisp drive into the top corner.

Basel had one great chance to equalise when Khizanishvilli's awful clearance fell straight to Ergic but his effort was poor and Rovers finished strongly to put a gloss on the scoreline with a Franny Jeffers penalty and Benni McCarthy's close range goal.

Friday, October 20
Played Three Won Three For The English

All three of England's remaining representatives won their UEFA Cup games this week with two turning in fine performances and the other doing just about enough.

In a format that isn't unduly taxing at this stage all three teams must now fancy their chances of progressing.

Wisla Krakow 1 Blackburn Rovers 2

Krakow, it sounds like some kind of mystical beast that Jason would have had to kick the crap out of the get to the golden fleece, but it didn't hold too many terrors for a determined and well organised Blackburn side.

Rovers were the more controlled team in a quiet opening spell and Pedersen sent one volley wide when he had the time and space to take more care about his finish.

Therefore it came as a shock when the home side went ahead just before the half hour. Cantoro's shot from the edge of the area needed a decisive deflection off Tugay to beat Brad Freidel and an uncomfortable night could have been expected from there on.

Instead Rovers weathered the squall which followed the goal and went on to dominate proceedings.

Nonda was denied at close quarters by the Polish keepers' exceptionally strong hand before Robbie Savage headed home from a David Bentley cross for the simplest of equalisers.

Rovers remained in command and the confidence of their manager showed itself as he introduced a third striker in Jason Roberts as he sensed his side could leave with more than a point.

This decision gained its reward in the last minute when both Roberts and McCarthy saw shots charged down in the jaws of goal before Bentley arrived to slide home the winner at the far post.

Overall a fine result and a performance which is becoming something of a Rovers trademark under Mark Hughes. Compact, composed and controlled. The manager deserves plenty of credit for skillfully changing the mould at Ewood Park on limited funds.

Where they were simply a team of cloggers not so very long ago they are now competitive in the best sense of the word and are making the most of more talented individuals like Bentley and McCarthy.

The mercurial Tugay was also at his best on this occasion.

Besiktas 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

The most convincing display of all the English clubs came from Spurs in Turkey.

They basically dominated this game throughout and could easily have won by a much greater margin. On this occasion they will not be unduly worried but it is that lack of killer instinct in front of goal which is threatening to sabotage their season.

Berbatov thought he had opened the scoring when he tapped home the rebound after the keeper had parried Danny Murphy's drive at the end of a typically patient and precise build up.

The Bulgarian striker had moved too soon, however, and was correctly pulled up for offside.

Berbatov would be impressive throughout though and it was his lovely angled ball that released Ghaly to open the scoring. Even then Spurs needed a huge slice of luck to finally get the goal their approach play merited.

Ghaly's shot was poor, straight at the advancing keeper, but the ball rebounded against his other leg and bounced back into the net.

There was one real moment of danger for Tottenham when Paul Robinson somehow fisted a free kick into orbit and things looked bleak as the ball dropped down towards goal with a host of rampant Turks looking to convert. Robinson recovered bravely to fist clear properly.

After half time Tottenham's superiority was even more marked and they extended their lead with a quality goal. Keane's first time pass sent Berbatov running into the box and the striker showed real class in turning inside the last defender then turning outside the advancing keeper before sliding into the empty net.

Berbatov was again the provider to give Keane a clear chance but his shot bounced up against the bar and away to safety.

It would not be Keane's last chance but neither he, Berbatov or Jermain Defoe could extend the lead as chances continued to flow for the visitors.

Newcastle United 1 Fenerbahce 0

It was always likely that Newcastle might struggle to convince with a patched up defence that included Taylor and Ramage as centre halves and Damien Duff at left back.

Although there was precious little for the St James' faithful to get excited about the relative solidity at the back will have pleased manager Glen Roeder and their one goal victory was just about deserved.

The persistence of James Milner to steal possession near the byeline looked likely to present Obafemi Martins with a goal but a covering defender denied the striker while Taylor bulleted a header over from six yards out from Emre's corner.

Rustu, or Rusty the clown as I like to call him, made a fine plunging save (mascara and all) from Martins' header but when he made a meal of a more routine low save later on Antoine Sibierski was on hand to punish him from close range.

There were still over ten minutes to play and not many Geordies would have been willing to bet their house on the lead being protected but on this occasion the United rearguard was up to the task and ensured a perfect start for the English clubs in the process.

Friday, September 29
One Down, Three To Go?

English football suffered its' first European casualty of the season with West Ham's exit in the UEFA Cup to the Italians, Palermo.

Will one of the three teams left in be able to mount a serious challenge for the trophy? I personally wouldn't bet on it.

Newcastle United 2 Levadia Tallinn 1
Newcastle win 3-1 on aggregate

A half empty St James Park went away probably feeling their bottles of dog were half full after seeing their side progress into the group stage comfortably and their new centre forward bag a couple of goals.

Those who prefer the half empty option could point to another howler from goalkeeper Steve Harper.

The first half was forgettable but the first five minutes of the second were anything but.

Obafemi Martins headed home his first goal at St James' when left unmarked six yards out to bury Emre's pacy corner and after Harper had made a good block one on one the striker struck a memorable second.

Collecting a lay off from Sibierski the bulky Nigerian delivered a stunning left footed drive which flew between a defenders' legs, almost causing maximum damage, before rising in the manner of Concorde on take off to crash into the net via the underside of the bar. Spectacular.

Newcastle didn't need to do anything else and therefore didn't bother.

Harper will be gutted to have made another elementary error having been given a rare opportunity by Shay Given's injury though.

Zelinsky's close range header was firm and directed at Harper's feet but the save should still have been a regulation one. Instead Harper reacted clumsily and simply helped the ball on its' way into the net.

Job done but very little to get excited about over the two legs, just Martins' shot in fact.

Palermo 3 West Ham United 0
Palermo win 4-0 on aggregate

Having lost the first leg at Upton Park this was always going to be a big ask for West Ham and the task proved too much.

This game was similar to the first encounter in many ways, West Ham were not without possession or chances but the tie always had the feel of a surgeon up against a butcher.

West Ham's attempts were muscular and somewhat crude, Palermo's were incisive and precise.

Of course West Ham's lack of form, and surely confidence, also counted against them and Alan Pardew gambled with a new formation in an attempt to find a winning formula involving his two Argentinians.

Carlton Cole was surprisingly chosen up front with Harewood and Tevez also in the line up but operating mainly from the flanks. This suited Tevez to some degree but most of Harewood's contributions out wide were clumsy and uninspiring.

Tevez forced Alberto Fontana into an early save with a smart volley but the keeper would prove himself equal to everything the Hammers could throw at him.

If I was a teammate of Fontana's I would call him Fonzie, his name is almost the same and on this performance he is a pretty cool customer.

Roy Carroll also gave the impression he might be capable of an inspired performance with a splendidly brave double save as his defence parted before him which was quickly followed up by two more decent stops.

The lack of certainty between Gabbidon and Collins in the centre of defence was already apparent, however, and did not bode well.

Fonzie came to the fore in a hectic five minute burst as West Ham enjoyed their best spell of the entire tie.

Cole reacted painfully slowly when an inviting chance fell his way eight yards out, in fact he probably didn't move at all as the ball bounced to safety from his shin, but did manage a pot shot in the next attack which was shovelled behind by the keeper.

From the corner Harewood flicked in an instinctive shot over his own shoulder which brought an equally instinctive save and then Collins rose to meet the next corner but this only required a more routine tip over.

Any thoughts that the Hammers were about to take control were quickly quashed, however, as Palermo extended their aggregate lead shortly afterwards.

Konchesky dived rashly into a challenge on the edge of the box and although he managed a nibble at the ball the resulting free kick was basically inevitable.

Although there was a wall in place to discourage a direct shot at goal from the corner of the area their was nobody alert to the possibility that the ball could simply be knocked sideways to provide an excellent shooting chance.

So it proved. The ball was tapped into a central position where Simplico had the time and space to take an awful touch and still send a less than stinging drive through a sea of legs past Carroll.

Poor goal to concede.

Carroll needed to go full length to keep West Ham in the tie shortly after half time from Zaccardo's shot before Cole headed the Hammers best chance of the night against the outside of the post from six yards out.

The tie was then put to bed in a manner which will have infuriated Alan Pardew.

With his side looking to build an attack the ball was played towards the left wing. Zamora ran away from the ball as it came in his direction and Tevez, also in position to move onto the pass, simply stood his ground.

Palermo seized possession but the pass forward sent the ball straight back to Gabbidon. Facing the touchline the defender thought better of whacking the ball into touch and promptly found himself mugged by Di Michele who instantly released Simplicio running away from Mascherano through the middle.

As Carroll advanced the midfield player lifted his shot over the keeper and into the net.

The Hammers tried to put a brave face on it but this was very definitely game over and Di Michele helped himself to a deserved third goal with a confident finish after the West Ham defence again disintegrated.

After the euphoria of last seasons' achievements there is work needed to be done, and quickly, to stop this campaign turning into a massive anti climax at Upton Park.

Blackburn Rovers 2 SV Salzburg 0
Blackburn win 4-2 on aggregate

Blackburn completely forgot their hard earned tradition of embarrassing themselves in Europe by sweeping past Salzburg with absolute certainty and a hint of style.

There was an open beginning to the game which might actually have concerned Mark Hughes but after the early exchanges it quickly became evident that Rovers were by far the more dangerous side.

With their dominance increasing Nonda shot wastefully into the side netting after being expertly fed by Tugay before McCarthy showed more composure after being found by Pedersen's long ball.

The striker turned his defender with ease before firing home comprehensively at the near post.

It was then head in hands time for the former Porto striker when he could only head vertically from a fine Bentley centre but the killer goal did arrive after ten minutes of the second half when Bentley got on the end of a Nonda knock down and belted home a beauty from 25 yards.

It would have been a mercy for everyone involved had the referee blown for full time there and then but the motions had to be gone through with Rovers never looking like allowing their opponents back into the tie.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Slavia Prague 0
Tottenham win 2-0 on aggregate

A decent crowd, 35,191, was made to suffer as Spurs passed up a plethora of chances to make this tie safe before finally obliging ten minutes from time.

Spurs have struggled in front of goal all season and there was little here to suggest that is about to change as chances came and went begging with annoying frequency.

Jenas saw an early effort deflected wide while Mido and Keane simply shot wide without needing the assistance of an opponents' flailing limb.

When Keane did put an effort on target it still represented a bad miss as his effort located the keepers' belly button after quality build up play between Jenas and Murphy.

Slavia did their best to make an impression after the break with Krajcik trying his luck on a couple of occasions, one of his efforts flying to close to the crossbar for comfort.

It was still mainly Tottenham pressure, however, and this finally told in the 80th minute when Keane scored with a low drive from a Hossam Ghaly lay off.

Although this all but ended the tie the action continued to the end with Vlcek hitting the post for Slavia and Spurs carving out chances at will in the closing stages but missing them all, Mido being the worst offender.

Job done, however, and there can be few supporters craving a bit of European adventure more than Tottenham's.

They were the first ever English winners in Europe and have a proud history in European football. No new chapters have been written in that history for a good few years now though. Let's hope that this team can do something about that.

Thursday, September 14
Better Than Expected

The UEFA Cup is seemingly designed to provide football with its' most boring ever competition format and, bearing that in mind, the opening games involving English sides were about as interesting as could be expected.

At least we got the worst out of the way first with Newcastle's tedious trip to Tallinn.

Levadia Tallinn 0 Newcastle United 1

Newcastle scored early to take control in Estonia and, in truth, everyone might as well have gone home as soon as the ball entered the net.

Antoine Sibierski headed home with the help of a deflection from Damian Duff's free kick and both sides seemed reasonably content for the scoreline to remain the same from then on.

Scott Parker tried to inject some urgency into Newcastle's play with the occasional first half burst and was unlucky to see the Tallinn keeper save one low shot with his backside at the end of a decent move.

The keeper than used his feet to save from Obafemi Martins after the striker showed good pace to get beyond the defence.

In general it was an unconvincing performance by the new Geordie centre forward, however.

Newcastle had one escape in the first half when a dozing Titus Bramble allowed his opponent a shooting chance from close range but the volley was well off target.

The one hairy moment of the second half came early when Shay Given saved one handed from an angled drive and the rebound was prodded over with the goal gaping.

Martins slammed a late shot wide from the edge of the box but the game certainly did not deserve another goal.

Slavia Prague 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Spurs also won by the only goal in a marginally more interesting clash.

Spurs generally looked in control and were given a solid look in midfield by Huddlestone and Zokora while Ledley King made sure the defence was not giving away gifts.

Huddlestone showed he can play a bit too by sliding an excellent ball into Defoe who turned sharply but could not keep his drive down.

Chimbonda tested the replacement keeper with a downward header after being left unmarked at a corner as the visitors began to dominate.

The real driving force was Zokora who was quick to push forward and difficult to dispossess when he did so.

From one particularly powerful burst he played in Jenas on the corner of the box and he had the time and space to measure his low drive precisely inside the far post.

Again this goal left Spurs mainly happy to protect what they had and the second half was pretty forgettable.

Paul Robinson needed to be sharp to pull off one double save but was happy to acknowledge the adulation of the travelling support for most of the night.

West Ham 0 Palermo 1

West Ham could certainly feel hard done by in having to face Italian opposition at this stage and the game was just as hard as could have been imagined.

Palermo do not have the European pedigree of the bigger Italian sides but no-one would have known as they displayed all the attributes that countries sides' have become famous for over the years.

Well organised in defence, not averse to putting a sly foot in and defending deep and in numbers they also passed and moved well, breaking with purpose when the opportunity arose.

Although West Ham had kept Palermo pushed back in the opening quarter they seldom threatened and the first real chance came when Anton Ferdinand was megged deep inside the West Ham box but the forward was only able to poke his shot wide of goal.

Carlos Tevez was fitfull and certainly not looking match fit, at least I hope he's not match fit. His control was generally good, however, his turning sharp and occasionally he could produce an incisive ball down the channels.

His best pass almost played in Lee Bowyer but he could not quite gather as he burst clear on the edge of the box.

Nigel Reo-Coker lashed over after a defensive error gave him a shooting chance but Palermo were looking increasingly assured in a hard fought encounter.

The match swung the visitors way with incidents at either end inside a couple of minutes.

Firstly Bobby Zamora swung over a perfect centre from the left which Tevez cushioned on the volley towards goal. He probably thought he only needed to hit the target but the Palermo keeper managed to deflect the ball clear with his foot.

Straight up the other end and Palermo worked a neat move down the right after Benayoun lost possession which ended with a perfect right wing centre that found Caraccicio ghosting in to knee home from point blank range.

There were complaints that the ball had gone out in the build up and claims for offside from the centre but both complaints were unfounded.

The second half, predictably, became more niggly as the Hammers toiled to get back in the game.

Roy Carroll had to make one brave block when Palermo threatened on the break while the Hammers' threat petered out with Tevez looking more and more tired.

The game ended in a rousing atmosphere after the Palermo keeper bizarrely threw the ball behind while claiming his fingers were hurting and West Ham, not unreasonably, took the corner.

Marlon Harewood scuffed an effort against the post but clear chances did not materialize against a well drilled rearguard.

Matthew Etherington was rightly booked for diving inside the box and we are being left with less and less right to pretend that this problem is a foreign thing.

Palermo were excellent on the night but I wouldn't rule out a West Ham recovery in the 2nd leg when they might enjoy more space to attack even though Palermo don't need to win.

Red Bull Salzburg 2 Blackburn Rovers 2

Blackburn back in Europe; scary. If any team has been an embarrassment to the nation in European competition then it is certainly the East Lancashire wizards.

Faced with a plastic pitch and an experienced, cosmopolitan Austrian line up Rovers might have feared the worst.

The opening exchanges did find them on the back foot with Salzburg claiming two penalties without success and a Khizanishvili error almost handing the home side the lead.

A worse gaffe almost saw Blackburn take the lead when the home keeper stepped over a back pass in trying to control and was grateful that the ball rolled wide of the post.

Then the floodlights went out and the game was held up while someone found the new bulbs.

When the game restarted it exploded into life. Zickler fired Salzburg in front from a free kick before Robbie Savage equalised in similar fashion.

Then another free kick led to Rovers taking the lead. Pedersen's effort was only parried and Benni McCarthy was on hand to sweep home.

Blackburn should have gone further ahead after the break but Savage managed to scoop over with the goal gaping.

Salzburg had struggled to create chances but rallied late on. Niko Kovac and Thomas Linke both saw efforts strike the woodwork but in the last minute Janko headed home from a Kovac centre to send the teams back to Ewood Park all square.

Could be a nervy night.