Capello will now have an interesting dilemma – bring Lescott , Bridge or Leighton Baines into the reckoning. Personally I think Cole is still the best of the 4 but Baines has been in very good form the past 2 months. Time will tell. Watch out for loads more injury scares between now and June. (Please keep Rooney fit!)

PORTSMOUTH IN CRISIS

May 2009: Club accept takeover bid from Sulaiman Al Fahim
Oct 2009: Al Fahim sells 90% of his shares to Ali Al Faraj
Oct 2009: Premier League issues embargo on Portsmouth registering new players
Dec 2009: Portsmouth fail to play players for a third time
Jan 2010: Premier League confirms it will distribute TV payments directly to Portsmouth’s creditors. Transfer embargo lifted
4 Feb 2010: Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai’s company Portpin takes a controlling interest
9 Feb 2010: Portsmouth fail to agree a deal with HMRC to pay their outstanding tax bill
10 Feb 2010: High Court grants club seven-day stay of execution

Related articles by Zemanta

• Portsmouth seek High Court adjournment to winding-up order (telegraph.co.uk)

John Terry releases some tension at Stamford Bridge vs Arsenal.

Didie Drogba’s second goal was one to watch back a few times on your sky+ box. The amount of power he displayed on the run into the box before putting away his venomous shot was quite breathtaking to watch. The trauma of the Africa Nations Cup seems to be well behind him now.

Meanwhile in the game at St Andrews – Kevin Phillips put on a masterclass – at the venerable age of 36 – and left Wolves supporters despairing in a game which they should have registered at least a point.

The Sunday games gave the following results…

Sunday, 7 February 2010
Birmingham 2 Phillips (80, 85)
(HT 0-1)
Wolverhampton 1 Doyle (42)

Chelsea 2 Drogba (8, 23)
(HT 2-0)
Arsenal 0

Rodwell - Everton's Youth Team policy paying off.

The treatment room at Goodison has been a very busy one, manager David Moyes having had to manage without many of the stars that helped their side to the 2009 FA Cup final.

Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta and defender Phil Jagielka have been missing all season and injuries to other influential members of the squad have decimated the Blues.

But these problems have been cured in large part by the growing talent coming trough the youth system, with midfielders Jack Rodwell (18) and Dan Gosling (19) leading the way.

The set up at Finch Farm is fantastic – I have been down to it a few times now and its well worth the millions they spent on it from Wayne Rooney’s transfer fee.

Rodwell will surely be a mainstay for Everton if they can keep the big money of City , United and Chelsea away – Liverpool who are they? Exactly!

KRAP - Keep Rafa At Pool

An extra-time goal from substitute Shane Long capped a stunning comeback for Championship strugglers Reading as they knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup…. Here is the article on BBC

Many in the press will be after Benetiz today – and who can blame them. He has an arrogance about him that still rankles within many Evertonians.

There will be one or 2 of these at Goodison this weekend.

Liverpool A-Z edited by a Kopite obviously

The big problem comes down to heavy usage with both teams in European competition and the fact that factions of both dislike each other. To me it makes economic sense.

Time will tell.

I have a gut feel Everton may finish above Liverpool particularly if Liverpool pick up injuries to one of their two star players.
What odds methinks?

Interestingy assembled ad for the Man Utd Arsenal match up played last weekend with pledges made by various players.

Republic of Ireland captain Dunne has ended his nine-year spell with City by making a £6million switch from Eastlands.

The Premier League asked for more time to ratify the deal despite Villa starting to submit the relevant documents before 4pm on deadline day – an hour before the transfer window formally closed.

But Villa were always confident Dunne would become their player after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The Football Association were also satisfied with the paperwork presented by Villa but needed the approval of the Premier League.

Dunne was Villa’s second defensive capture after Wales international James Collins signed from West Ham on deadline day for £5million.

Manager Martin O’Neill has been desperate to bolster his back four after skipper Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton.

He said:

“Richard Dunne is the kind of person we are looking for.”