With a third of the Premier League season now gone by, the table is starting to find its level and supporters are starting to get a better understanding of where their respective clubs are at this season and the challenge that faces them in the coming months. Once again the Premier League has been broken up into three tiers, with each team facing their own private battle.
Unlike previous years there has certainly been some stability on the managerial front with only Steve Bruce succumbing to the bullet so far, as clubs look to show patience with their managers to turn around their current plights. The managers may not be so patient with players at their disposal and may look to make significant changes in the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is loved and loathed in equal measures, with many managers and supporters alike welcoming the opportunity to freshen things up, while others see it as a source of distraction. History shows it is a renowned place for panic buying, as last January certainly proved, but there have been notable successes in the past that shows it can be a significant period to turn around a club’s fortunes. I feel the African Cup of Nations and the unprecedented amount of long term injuries we have seen will force many club’s hands and subsequently we can expect to see another expensive month for many Premier League chairman.
So how do you feel about Newcastle’s fortunes so far this season and would you look to see changes made in January? Who would you like to see brought in and ultimately who would you like to see moved on in the up and coming window?
[gigya_comments]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed that they are set to charge John Terry over accusations of racism, but the Chelsea defender is eager to clear his name.
QPR centre half Anton Ferdinand accused Terry of a racist slur in Andre Villas Boas’ men’s 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road on 23rd October, and the England international will now appear in West London Magistrates’ Court on 1st February.
Despite the charges being aimed against him, Terry still maintains his innocence and has vowed to get a not guilty verdict.
“I am disappointed with the decision to charge me and hope to be given the chance to clear my name as quickly as possible,” he told reporters after the CPS’ news.
“I have never aimed a racist remark at anyone and count people from all races and creeds among my closest friends.
“I will fight tooth and nail to prove my innocence. I have campaigned against racism and believe there is no place for it in society,” he stated.
The Stamford Bridge club has also vowed to stand by their talisman in the face of the scandal.
“Chelsea Football Club today received notification that the Crown Prosecution Service has charged John Terry with a racially aggravated public order offence,” read a statement from the club.
“John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence. Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and will continue to be so.
“The club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and we are proud of the work we undertake campaigning on this important issue.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Chelsea will not be commenting further on the subject while the legal process runs its course,” it concluded.
Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart has stated that his side are set to run Manchester City all the way to the end of the season in contention for the Premier League title.
A 2-0 win over Everton on Wednesday night moves Spurs to within three points of Roberto Mancini’s men, with the duo to lock horns at the Etihad Stadium in a fortnight’s time.
The Netherlands international feels that Spurs are constantly improving and must be considered as real title contenders.
“Everybody knows Spurs have a great team and if we can keep playing like this, then we’re also favourites to win the title,” Van der Vaart told The Telegraph.
“We know we’re good and apart from the first two games, we have won almost every week.
“When we played Man City in August, they were too good but in the last few games they have not been as consistent and they lost the other night, too. Maybe it’s a little bit in their heads.
“They have invested so much money, so everyone expects they’re going to win it but we’re still there. Do we believe we can do it? Absolutely. It’s a massive game and we’re really looking forward to it but first we must beat Wolves on Saturday.
“We are much better now than we were at the start of the season, so I’m really looking forward to the games that are coming up.
“City have so many good players that even when they’re not playing well, they can decide a game, whereas we’re more of a team. It’s going to be very interesting.
“We played well there last season but lost 1-0, so we will go there with confidence and there is no reason why we can’t win,” he concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It’s almost a year since Chelsea broke the British transfer record to bring Fernando Torres to Stamford Bridge and by way of an anniversary present the forlorn Spaniard has recently repaid the Blues backing by breaking a longstanding goalscoring record.
Unfortunately though, another blank at the weekend against Norwich means Torres’s haul of no goals in his last fourteen club appearances represents his worst trot as a professional and even aside from the paucity of goals, the former Liverpool hitman remains a pale imitation of the player that once terrorised Europe.
Statistics have long stopped being kind to Torres, so much so in fact that Chelsea fans have taken to consoling themselves with the number of assists their number nine has conjured up as a faux-replacement for his lack of finishing things off.
Without the presence of Didier Drogba looming over his shoulder Torres has been granted a sustained opportunity to find his feet, but even against the fertile opposition of Portsmouth, Sunderland and most recently a Norwich side previously without a clean sheet all season, the ailing assassin has again failed to register.
The Canaries were roundly lauded by their faithful and the press for earning a rare shut out but in truth – one fine John Ruddy save from Torres apart – Paul Lambert’s men had to do nothing more than defend studiously and with concentration to keep an insipid Chelsea at bay.
Quite whether Torres is the problem or the service to him is the route of the strikers travails really is chicken or the egg and to be brutally honest both are contributory factors merging to cause a conundrum with no obvious solution.
There is no doubt that a fit and firing Torres has the capability to alleviate some of the pressure on Andre Villas-Boas but with every next heavy touch, sluggish slalom and convictionless strike both parties struggles become more exasperated.
With Drogba away at the African Nations for the next couple of weeks, Torres theoretically has another window of opportunity to try to begin to right some of the year long wrongs, but with his performances in part impeding Chelsea’s form, is it time for AVB to swing the axe.
Drogba’s absence should not mean an automatic inclusion for Torres, especially given that the opportunity so far has hardly been seized upon. Instead, would the mini-me Drogba-esque Romelu Lukaku be a better bet to try to imitate the big Ivorian’s muscular presence?
Lukaku has barely figured since being procured for the princely sum of £18m from Anderlecht in the summer despite his prolific form in the Jupiler League. The Belgian international has averaged a goal every other game since making his debut for Anderlecht shortly after his 16th birthday yet this goalscoring prowess has been given few opportunities to flourish at the Bridge aside from a trio of Carling Cup starts and a few substitute appearances in the league.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]
For anybody that has watched Lukaku at close quarters, the word ‘raw’ would be a suitable adjective to describe the hulking teenager. Indeed, shortly after signing him, Villas-Boas stressed that the purchase centred around the players potential rather than having an instant impact but perhaps inadvertently the 18-year-old’s unknown quantity and quality could stir things up for the Blues.
Lukaku is far from the finished article. His touch lacks finesse and his leggy style is uneasy on the eye but armed with pace, power and a desire to run the channels, Lukaku could in some way replicate unsettling style that Drogba has long since brought to the Chelsea ranks.
His phenomenal goalscoring record albeit in Belgium must also be taken into consideration. Plenty of players have come to these shores with impressive returns in the lowlands but few have flourished. However, Lukaku’s goals at such a tender age suggest a natural ability to find the back of the net and at the sake of losing all credibility, if you chose to peruse youtube to see his collection of strikes with Anderlecht, Lukaku does seem to possess an innate penalty box prowess and coolness in-front of goal which few can be taught.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Given that Fernando Torres is approaching a half-century of Chelsea appearances but has notched in just four of those games, Lukaku would do well to do worse. Whether Villas-Boas opts to throw in the unproven and largely untried talent ahead of his expensive but misfiring star-turn depends on his motives for the remainder of the season.
All at Chelsea are clutching to the hope that a few goals will bring the old Fernando back again but with that notion drifting further away with every passing chance, the best way for them to win games immediately may lie with going with the lad with little to lose.
Referee Stuart Attwell has been demoted from the Premier League’s elite list, after it was deemed that he has made too many mistakes.
The young official, only 29, will now spend an unknown amount of time in the lower leagues to prove his ability, but may well be considered for top flight refereeing again in the future.
Despite the blow for Attwell, Professional Game Match Officials Limited general manager Mike Riley has backed the ref to make his way back to the Premier League.
“Throughout his career in the Select Group Stuart has demonstrated great courage and mental strength in responding to the challenges that he has faced,” Riley told Mirror Football.
“He has shown many of the attributes of a top flight official but the Premier League is an exacting standard with huge demands. It is imperative that PGMOL deliver the best officiating possible to the English game at all levels.
“This is not the end for Stuart. There are several match officials who have returned to the National List and benefited from it.
“Stuart has a high level of maturity and responsibility and I’m convinced that he has a long-term future as a referee at the very highest level.
“PGMOL sincerely hopes to be welcoming Stuart back to the Select Group in the future,” he concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Ok, so I am going to contradict myself ever so slightly here. Last week I made the point that Tony Pulis’ next challenge is to alter the style that Stoke play football, add a central midfielder who can pass the ball, a couple of genuine full-backs who can push on and a goal scoring striker. These would all definitely improve the team, and make Stoke a far harder opponent for the sides who come to the Britannia aiming to settle for a point, Stoke don’t like being the team who take the initiative and have this season found themselves losing at home to the likes of QPR, West Brom and Sunderland, while drawing with Wigan and Aston Villa.
But against the better sides, I am all for the robust style we employ every week. Quite simply it works. This season Stoke have managed a 0-0 at home to Chelsea, 1-1 with Manchester United, 1-1 with Manchester City, and have beaten Liverpool 1-0 and Tottenham 2-1. Arsenal is still to come, and the Potters always turn up against Arsenal.
After deservedly earning a point against Man City on Saturday Roberto Mancini lambasted Stoke’s style of play, and even sent assistant David Platt to do the post-match interview in case Roberto said things that might see him end up in trouble. The way I saw it Stoke played hard but fair, and with the night rolling in, in front of a packed Britannia Stadium which had as ever an electric atmosphere, it was a truly exciting match. The likes of Man City and Arsenal are fresh meat entering the den in an atmosphere like that, it creates a similar atmosphere you would have thought to the Rome Coliseum.
I can’t see how the game wasn’t exciting for the neutral, of who most would have been supporting Stoke. We saw one of the greatest goals you are ever likely to see; the equaliser wasn’t too bad either. We had pantomime villains in Tevez and Ballotelli, Crouch the hero, Huth and Shawcross the courageous soldiers who survived many periods of intense City pressure.
And Stoke played exciting football; it is a huge contributor to the electric atmosphere that surfaces most weeks in the Britannia, especially against the bigger teams. Is David Silva’s playing a 10 yard clever pass, actually more exciting than Robert Huth making a thundering last gasp slide tackle. Silva may be more effective, but Huth’s gets you on your feet. It stirs the emotions, and that in turn spurs the team forward. I would argue that every team should alter their style against the big teams, Everton play at 100mph and look at their success against Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham in recent weeks.
Some of the purists will think I am talking absolute rubbish (especially Arsenal fans), how can we enjoy this football, how can we bare to cheer when a crunching tackle, but the fact is that Stoke don’t care, we enjoy it and you hate it. This makes us enjoy it even more.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
From being a young, aspiring lower league player with plenty of potential, to one of the best wingers currently in the Championship, Garath McCleary has deservedly received the Championship Player of the Month award for March. Whilst it might for some players, be a regular, taken for granted award, for McCleary, it couldn’t be more different.
Since his move from lower-league side Bromley, McCleary’s ride to being a weekly inclusion in the Nottingham Forest starting line up has been far from smooth. He showed glimpses of quality from the very start of his Forest career, soon flaunting his fine ability of taking on players, using his speed, coupled with his skill to parade past them. Having joined for a mere sum of £25,000, expectations weren’t high for the winger, and he certainly showed exceeding these low expectations would be a breeze.
However, injuries and lack of first team oppurtunities were a momentus part of why McCleary’s Forest career didn’t kick off completely. Often declaring his obvious talent in the few chances he got over the years, McCleary, and the majority of the Forest fans were left wondering why he wasn’t being given more chances to showcase his talents.
If there is one word that has stayed with McCleary during his time at Forest, it’s been ‘promise’. By some, he was labelled as the ‘super sub’, and nothing more, because in seasons gone by he’s rarely got a run of 3/4 games, where he could establish himself, and unveil himself so Forest fans could make an accurate assessement of his ability.
In his place usually in previous seasons was the energy of Paul Anderson, who was a Billy Davies type player, hence why he was favoured over the hungry and patient McCleary. Anderson was, and still is, more of a runner than a footballer. Brilliant at tracking back and helping the full-back when he could, but when it came to forward play, he was a figure to make up the numbers, rather than actually producing the goods with the ball at his feet, frequently shying away when gifted the chance to take on a player and produce a cross worthy of trying to challenge optimistically for.
In defence of Billy Davies though, it worked. As the saying goes, ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’. Without a doubt, it wasn’t broken. It was just a matter of whether Billy had it in him to gamble on McCleary, with the fear that it may damage the way the team was currently playing, which was rather successful, managing 2 consecutive playoff places. In addition, it was occasionally evident that Billy didn’t have faith in McCleary, which reflected in McCleary’s play in patches of last season, every so often not parading past a player, when it was ever so blatant to fans McCleary had all of the attributes to do so.
This season however, has perhaps summed up his Nottingham Forest career so far. Starting the season injured, missing the whole of Steve McClaren’s reign as manager, therefore meaning McCleary sadly couldn’t impress, because McClaren was out of the door quicker than McCleary galloped past Leeds’ Carl Robinson in Forest’s recent 7-3 thrashing.
With McClaren having resigned, McCleary must’ve been thinking what could’ve been, as McClaren spoke weekly of his love for typical wide players, and his intention of discovering some, failing with attempts to sign the likes of highly rated Dutch winger Wesley Verhoek, now at FC Twente with McClaren, and reportedly missing out on last resort Lloyd Dyer, currently plying his trade at Leicester City. We will never know if McCleary was fit, whether he would’ve been the solution to all of McClaren’s problems, but if he was, he would’ve prevented the travesty that has been the 2011-12 season at Forest.
With Twitter rumours flying around hinting McCleary was set to retire, because of the seriousness of his injury, there was a definite element of confusion surrounding what was wrong with McCleary, as new manager Steve Cotterill was in desperate need of reinofrcements. With the degree of uncertainty, came an element of caution. It was vital McCleary wasn’t rushed back into things, because we didn’t know how quickly the injury could flare up once again.
Chris Gunter, the Welsh right-back was handed the job of covering for McCleary at right-midfield at times. Gunter, being an enthusiastic young player, also a type that would do anything for the team, happily obliged. Despite being a vital part of the side that beat Middlesbrough at home, during Cotterill’s honeymoon period, it was still apparent Gunter was there as a temporary figure. Unfortunately for ‘Gunts’, he’s been unfairly thrust into the right-midfield position too often this season, being an enemy of his own flexible nature.
Welsh full-backs will never make it as wingers anyway, will they?
When McCleary finally got back to fitness, it was well worth the wait. The player that fans had seen endure a rocky ride for a few years, was eventually getting a run of games to show what he’s made of. Being an integral part of the group that beat the likes of Birmingham, Ipswich, Coventry, Leeds and Crystal Palace, scoring some beauties along the way.
Steve Cotterill, to some, has been horribly guilty this season, but McCleary’s form is largely down to him. Being a weekly fixture in the team was something McCleary was desperate for, meaning he could finally transform his promise, into concrete, undoubted ability. The highlight of McCleary’s ressurgence was the 4 goals against Leeds United. The factor that maked this performance all the better, was the fact by this point, McCleary was a marked man. McCleary’s form had become public, and started to feature highly in the thoughts of managers as they prepared to face Forest. Paul Robinson, an experienced Premiership defender who has turned out for Bolton and West Brom, was the Leeds player given the job of coping with McCleary. The old-fashioned left-back, who is typically known to like the physical aspect of the game, also liking a hard tackle or two, was left shaking in his boots by the undefendable form shown by the magical McCleary on the night.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If that hadn’t woken the nation up to McCleary’s talents, nothing could. With McCleary’s contract ending in the summer, many Premiership clubs have been keeping tabs on the in-form man, and with Forest’s financial future uncertain, it may be a matter of ‘who’ to depart to, rather than ‘if’.
Whatever happens with McCleary, it’s been great to revel in the brilliance of of the man, even if it does prove to only be for a short period of time. What also becomes continually clear is that it’s his attitude and determination that got him in the position he is in today, and judging by what we see on the pitch, and the language used on Twitter, he is ready to strive further, to progress his career.
If that’s with Forest, then all Forest fans will be elated. If he finds himself elsewhere next season, I will be eternally thankful to him for being an important part of the Forest revival, which has seen them close to rescuing themselves from what was a daunting situation earlier in the season.
We started the summer confident and somewhat convinced that over the coming weeks there’d be an influx of quality players arriving at Leeds, ready to take on a gruelling campaign in the Championship, which we hoped would result in a push for promotion, and a return to the promised land.
Those weeks have now passed and as it stands, we’d struggle to put out a competitive five a side team.
The fans have almost given up, we’ve been here before and it didn’t end well. You could even say it never actually ended at all. For years now we’ve questioned Ken Bates’ reasons for being at Leeds, asking why we are put through the agony of having to wave off our better players season after season, with the ‘greedy’ excuses still ringing in our ears. We’re still waiting for an answer.
His regime has seen us improve a stadium that we don’t own, create fancy new executive boxes for nobody to fill, make a profit on any player that ever dared to play well in the shirt and he has slowly but surely ripped the heart right out of Leeds. The fight is gone, the spirit has been crushed and almost all hope has been extinguished.
On paper, the club will survive, but Leeds United and all it stands for are hooked up to a life support machine.
Bates is a clever man, appointing Neil Warnock was a good move, but even he must know that promotion is an unrealistic target without supplying Warnock with the financial backing he needs.
This is another worry, as a detailed report into Leeds’ finances recently did the rounds, revealing just how much we could afford to gamble on promotion without risking any problems in future. This was swiftly followed by news that Joel Wards proposed transfer from Portsmouth was being held up as Leeds were unable to find the reported £400,000 upfront payment for his services.
The silence at Leeds was deafening. Here we were again, with Bates seemingly unable to deliver the promises he’d made.
Bates recently stated – “The rebuilding of Leeds United is a bit like sex. In an age of instant gratification, Leeds United is having a long, drawn-out affair with plenty of foreplay and slow arousal’”
Yet the feeling the fans have at present can only be described as being trapped in a relationship with no escape route, having to endure the same lies, excuses and let downs on an almost daily basis. Ken has ground us down until we physically cannot find the energy to put up a fight anymore.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
One person you have to admire at Elland Road, for now, is Robert Snodgrass. In recent days he has publicly confirmed what we all already knew, stating how he is struggling to buy in to the plans for the coming season being preached to him by Bates, as the promises previously made by him had not materialized. If Snodgrass does indeed leave Elland Road over the summer, possibly to the Premier League, it will be with a heavy heart, though he can be assured that no Leeds fan could ever blame him.
Ken Bates once said “I shall not rest until Leeds United are kicked out of the Football League’’
Chelsea skipper John Terry has stated that he feels Roberto Di Matteo should get the manager’s job on a permanent basis, and the players can make the board’s decision easy by winning the Champions League.
The Italian took over on an interim basis after Andre Villas Boas’ dismissal, and has led the west London club to FA Cup glory and the Champions League final.
Terry has praised the impact of the new coach, and would welcome Di Matteo taking over on a permanent basis.
“It’s a decision the board are going to make and hopefully with this win we can go on and achieve greatness in this club,” he told reporters, published by Sky Sports.
“We can make it very easy for the board because he’s been exceptional. I think this win can help us win the Champions League with the momentum it gives us.”
The England international went on to admit that he hopes Didier Drogba also stays with the club.
The Ivorian striker is out of contract with the Stamford Bridge club in the summer, but Terry feels that Drogba still has a role to play.
“It will be such a shame because he’s been incredible for this club.
“Throughout the world, when people look at Chelsea, they think of Didier and Lamps and these kind of players. They are Chelsea.
“Did loves the club. We’ve got a massive Champions League game in a couple of weeks and, after that, hopefully something can be thrashed out and he stays,” the defender stated.
By Gareth McKnight
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli secured the victory Italy needed against the Republic of Ireland to reach the last eight of Euro 2012 as runners up in Group C.
A tense first half in which the already eliminated Irish started brightly ended with them going behind to Cassano’s header in the 35th minute before Balotelli wrapped up the win at the death to ensure Cesare Prandelli’s men made it into the quarter finals behind Spain who finished top of the group after beating Croatia in Gdansk.
Maximum points was the requirement for Italy and while they eventually came up with the goods, a plucky Ireland side, who’s exit was confirmed last week, made them sweat. Giovani Trapattoni’s side ended the tournament pointless a but restored a sense of pride, despite Keith Andrews’ sending off, with a display that threatened to spoil the 2006 World Cup winners’ hopes of reaching the knock-out phase.
In fact they could have been ahead straight from kick-off as Kevin Doyle took advantage of a rare careless pass from Andrea Pirlo but was thwarted by defender Giorgio Chiellini who dispossessed him before he could muster a shot on goal. After conceding inside four minutes in every half of football they’ve played in the tournament the organisation and discipline that was absent during their first two fixtures made a welcome return as they constantly broke down their frustrated opponents attacks.
Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger produced superb blocks to deny Antonio Di Natale from troubling Shay Given as he enjoyed a relatively trouble free first period. But with 10 minutes left before the break Italy cranked up the heat and Cassano went close to breaking the deadlock but after latching onto Di Natale’s pass and rounding Given he was denied by St Ledger on the line.
The Ireland goalkeeper wasn’t so lucky minutes later spilling a Cassano’s strike out for a corner that led to him scoring Italy’s opener. Pirlo whipped the ball into the near post which was met by a glancing header by the AC Milan striker crossing the line despite Given’s best efforts to keep the ball out.
It was a goal that relaxed the Italians and they should have doubled their advantage straight after the break but for St Ledger producing another block to keep out Di Natale before Given got down to repel Cassano’s effort seconds later. Daniele De Rossi then curled over in the 51st minute as Ireland opened up and Prandelli’s men looked to kill the game off.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
On a rare forage forward Robbie Keane forced Ignazio Abate to concede a corner that Dunne headed over but normal service was resumed soon after as Given was on hand to foil Di Natale once again. Andrews then brought the first save out of Gianluigi Buffon on the hour trying his luck from distance. With time running out Ireland went all out attack in search of an equaliser whilst Prandelli sent on wild card striker Balotelli with quarter of an hour remaining.
Andrews then tested Buffon again from range before receiving his marching orders earning himself a second yellow card for dissent, before Balotelli wrapped up the win and Italy’s passage to the last eight brilliantly hooking Pirlo’s corner past Given.