Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell struck late in the game to snatch all three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage as they tasted victory for the first time in four games.

The game looked dead set to end in a draw after Bryan Ruiz’s first strike for the Cottagers since signing on deadline day cancelled out Royston Drenthe’s second minute opener in a game that fell flat after an enterprising opening. But Saha and Rodwell had other ideas pouncing at the death to relieve the pressure built up on David Moyes after their recent winless run. He rewarded Greek striker Apostolos Velios for his goal against Chelsea last week with his first Premier League start as they looked to win for the first time in October. For Martin Jol’s it was another disappointing afternoon on their own patch as they failed to kick on once again despite looking to have turned the corner after the 6-0 thrashing against QPR last month. The Dutchman will be left rueing Bobby Zamora’s late miss which would have put Fulham ahead in the final minutes. Their Europa League campaign seems to be catching up with them as they looked jaded in the second half in what was their 22nd fixture of the season.

Whether they were still awake at kick-off is debatable as Everton pressed from the first whistle and took the lead after just two minutes through Drenthe. The loan signing from Real Madrid has slowly grown into the English game and produced a moment of real quality curling a superb effort past Mark Schwarzer following Rodwell’s lay-off. The Toffee’s played like a team brimming with confidence and should have doubled their lead but Marouane Fellaini and Rodwell were both unable to covert two delicious crosses from Leighton Baines. Drenthe was also looking lively and tried his luck again from distance but found Schwarzer equal to his effort this time. Fulham finally woke from their slumber and were unlucky not to equalise after Danny Murphy lashed an effort off the post with the ball hitting goalkeeper Tim Howard on the head and flew across goal and out for a corner. The American had to be at his best to minutes later to keep out a Brede Hangeland header as Jol’s side continued to grow into the game.

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They took their supremacy into the second period and they finally equalised through £10 million man Ruiz who met a Clint Dempsey through ball before dinking the deftest of chips over Howard to open his account for the Cottagers. As the game started to fade out Zamora was presented with a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead with a minute to go. The England striker showed great poise to bring the ball under control and take it round Howard only smash the ball over bar with the net ready to bulge as his composure deserted him at the vital moment it what is the miss of the season so far. He was made to pay dearly for his failure in front of goal as Everton went on a smash and grab to secure their only their second win on the Thames in 10 years. Saha was the man to break the West Londoner’s hearts as he superbly controlled the ball on his chest before expertly guiding it past Schwarzer. The icing on the cake was then applied by Rodwell who steered a wonderful volley into the net.

At the risk of this sounding more like a ‘Rant by Rebecca’ than a quality article – or at the very least an article – I am going to risk raising the subject of ticket prices. Now I enjoy going to games as much as anyone, and have been to an array of stadiums in my time, ranging from the Bernabeau to Ewood Park, and I have enjoyed all the games. What I don’t enjoy however is the price you have to pay for said game.

Now going to El Classico, I fully expect to pay premium price for a game, but if I was an away fan who had travelled half way across the country to a game and then found out the price I had paid for my ticket was double that of the team who had visited the previous week, my reaction would be roughly the same as when I get called Football Barbie– not best impressed.

Both United and Liverpool plan to bring this very issue up in the Premier League Shareholders meeting, and are, in my opinion, more than justified to do so. Whilst I will begrudgingly admit that there is some logic in charging away fans roughly the same price for a ticket that home fans have to pay, the so called ‘fairness’ of this rule is then totally negated when one away team pays under £20 for their tickets, and another pays nearly £50. It is not the fault of the supporter that they follow a so called more successful team, and the example above is that of Liverpool and Bolton at the Hawthorns.

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Clubs will tell you that in order to sell out the stadium for so called less attractive fixtures, especially should the game be on TV, they have to lower prices for fans, and I do think this idea has merit – Blackburn Rovers are offering a ‘treble ticket’ for £20 to get fans to fill the seats during games against Swansea, West Brom and Bolton, which given the state of Rovers at the minute is probably charging £19.99 too much, but in all seriousness no one can criticise offers like this, which benefit both the teams and the fans will a better atmosphere and energy around the stadium.

What people will criticise is the fact that those three sets of away fans will pay very little for their tickets yet when another side visits, they will pay much more – especially fans of say Chelsea or United. Just because a fan supports a club that come in the ‘Category A’ fixture section does not mean they have more money than a fan who supports a team that charge, by comparison, very little to watch.

From a supply and demand perspective, yes I can understand that top clubs will charge more for tickets and it does work both ways – a Swansea fan visiting Old Trafford will pay a similar price to the home supporters, and probably for the privilege of getting hammered – yet this is once a season. For ‘Category A’ supporters this is every away game, and as a fan, who can blame them for feeling that is unfair? And whilst I’m on a roll, have you seen the prices for a pie at games these days? You need a second job just to pay for the food, let alone the ticket!

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Phil Jones scored his first goal for Manchester United to see off Aston Villa in the Midlands and stay within five points of neighbours City at the Premier League summit.

The 19-year-old scored the only goal at Villa Park to give United a fourth 1-0 win in their last five games as they continue their recovery from October’s Derby day massacre. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were in control for much of the game but were almost pegged back by James Collins late header which brought the best out of goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. After seeing league leaders City beat Norwich earlier in the day to extend their lead to eight points the pressure was on the Red Devils to take home all three points and stay within touching distance of their rivals. Alex McLeish’s side had won only one of their last six games and their evening was soured further with on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas and goalkeeper Shay Given both having to go off injured. The away side also suffered an injury blow after Javier Hernandez was carried off with suspected knee ligament damage after catching his studs in the turf during the first half.

Despite that United dominated proceedings with their intelligent passing and blistering pace out wide proving too much for the hosts and it was no surprise when Jones opened the scoring on 20 minutes. The newly capped England defender showed that he is just as good in the opponents penalty area timing his run to perfection to meet Nani’s elegantly flighted cross to score his first goal for the club since his £18 million move from Blackburn in the summer. The visitors stepped up their dominance from then on with Given saving brilliantly from Nani’s header before Antonio Valencia saw his 35-yard strike sail over the cross bar. An insipid first half display from the hosts saw them booed off at half time and it proved to be the wake up call they needed as they started brightly after the break. Emile Heskey had an early chance to restore parity but could only head over from three yards out after Richard Dunne had flicked on a corner.

United were strolling with Villa’s lack of invention in the final third meaning Lindegaard, making his fifth appearance of the season, was rarely troubled. The Dane proved his concentration levels hadn’t dropped though with Collins’ header forcing him into a superb finger tip save 15 minutes from time. Wayne Rooney, without a goal since September, should have sealed victory with three minutes over but could only blaze over from close range. It didn’t matter though as Ferguson’s side secured all three points to move five points behind City one again going into the hectic festive period.

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The FA suggested that Luis Suarez’s evidence was unreliable and inconsistent and that is the reason for his eight game ban. Liverpool has said they will review the evidence of the report, before deciding whether they intend to appeal the sanction.

Elsewhere in the news Rooney was axed over Boxing Day night out; Germans rage at Capello’s jibe, while the Tax office is investigating player perks.

Suárez evidence was unreliable and inconsistent, declares FA report – Guardian

Rooney ‘axed’ over Boxing Day night out – Daily Telegraph

Redknapp: ‘You can’t win every game but we can still take title’ – Independent

Title now ‘a fantasy’, says Villas-Boas – Guardian

Germans rage at Capello’s ‘stealing’ jibe – Independent

Arsenal look to Germany and £10m bid for Cologne star Podolski – Daily Mail

Liverpool plot shock £24m swoop for England striker – Mirror

Tax office ‘investigating player perks’ – Guardian

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West Ham refuse to budge on Tomkins deal as Newcastle are told to up bid – Daily Mail

Man United face losing top starlet for just £300k – Mirror

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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has spoken of his disappointment after his side were beaten 1-0 at the Stadium of Light by Sunderland on Sunday.

A last-gasp strike from Black Cats’ substitute Dong-Won Ji in the third minute of injury time continued the Wearside club’s revival under Martin O’Neill, and prevented the Etihad Stadium outfit from opening up a lead at the top of the Premier League.

Mancini was upset with the nature of the defeat, and feels that if City want to challenge for honours this season they must not be beaten in such dramatic fashion.

“I can’t believe it. I am really disappointed,” the Italian told Sky Sports.

“Second half we had a lot of chances to score, but we didn’t score.

“We can’t concede to a counter attack like this. A top team can’t concede like that. Sometimes when you can’t win because it is difficult to get the ball in the goal, you can’t lose.

“You need to defend. When you attack with seven players, that is enough. You can’t then concede how we conceded.

“I am disappointed because it is impossible to lose a game like this.

“In the first half we played so-so, we didn’t play very well, second half we were better. We deserved to win this game but this is a strange situation,” he stated.

Mancini knows that his side need to bounce back against Liverpool on Tuesday, and with Manchester United and Chelsea also being beaten over the weekend, the coach is disappointed that City couldn’t take advantage.

“We need to get the concentration for the next game. We play again in 48 hours.

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“I think we threw out of the window a big chance to go clear at the top, but the championship is long and we have another 19 games. We need to get another 45 points,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Bolton moved themselves out of the relegation zone after beating a slack Liverpool side to record only their second win at the Reebok Stadium this season.

OWen Coyle’s side had lost eight of their 10 home games and hadn’t been victorious in front of their own supports since beating Stoke 5-0 back in November. However goals from Mark Davies, Nigel Reo Coker and Gretar Steinsson sealed an unlikely success against Kenny Dalglish’s side as their hopes of Champions League football suffered a massive hit with Craig Bellamy scoring their consolation. At the other end of the table the Trotters provided themselves with a huge boost in their bid for survival moving out of the bottom three in a game that could prove to be a huge turning point in their season. As for Liverpool they’ll be once again ruing their inability to score goals as a blunt attack featuring Bellamy and misfiring Andy Carroll failed to break down a Bolton defence that has conceded 47 goals in 21 games.

It’s in stark contrast to the visiting back four that has the second best defensive record in the Premier League but it took only four minutes for Bolton to breach it as Davies fired low into the bottom corner after striding unchallenged from just inside the opposition half. That seemed to stun the Liverpool rearguard into a sense of bewilderment as,moments later the usually reliable Jose Enrique lost possession to Chris Eagles on the right only for his cross to evade every white shirt in the penalty. Dalglish’s side struggled to get themselves into the game but finally sparked into life as they appealed to referee Kevin Friend for a penalty after the ball appeared to hit Zat Knights hand. The official merely brushed away any pleas and the Reds found themselves two down as Eagles picked his way through a gap in the 27th minute before dinking the ball over for Re0-Coker to finish from six-yards. The away side upped their efforts after that and halved the deficit eight minutes before half time as Bellamy raced onto Carroll’s flick before clipping the ball over Adam Bogdan.

The Reds seemed to increase their momentum after break in search of an equaliser but their hopes of a comeback were dashed early in the second half as Steinsson volleyed past Pepe Reina after David Wheater had rose highest to nod Martin Petrov’s corner across goal. Liverpool laboured after that with Daniel Agger hitting the bar with a stinging 25-yard drive and Bellamy testing Bogdan with a tame low shot. However Dalglish’s men failed to sufficiently threaten the Bolton defence as Coyle’s men gave themselves a timely lift with games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City on the horizon.

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I don’t want to bore you with all the details because as most of you know, the past few days have been quite eventful. With the resignation of Fabio Capello as England Manager and the even better timing of Harry Redknapp being cleared of tax evasion, there is no better way to parade the inevitable outcome of Harry being the next England head coach.

Despite the Football Association’s poor attempts to hide their unconfirmed decision, it doesn’t take a genius to know the Tottenham boss is wanted by the FA. So in that respect what is next for the club left in the middle of all this?

Spurs have been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League, largely down to Harry’s free flowing philosophy. They currently sit in 3rd place with just 13 games to go and although winning the league seems unlikely at this stage, there is little doubt in my mind that Redknapp will secure a top four finish for Tottenham before being called to manage at the Euros.

So who should Daniel Levy turn to if he fails to retain Harry’s services at Tottenham? Here is my shortlist of three:

Rafa Benitez – As surprising as this may seem to Tottenham fans, I genuinely think Rafael Benitez would be an interesting bet to take over at White Hart Lane.

And why not? He has Premier League experience with Liverpool and also a Champions League medal to boot. He has also proven in the past for Valencia and Liverpool that he is tactically sound, leading the La Liga team to two titles in 2001 and 2004.

The Spaniard may not bring the flair and free flowing football that the Spurs faithful have seen often this season but I think it’s fair to say he has a winning mentality. I accept that Rafa didn’t have the best of spells at Inter Milan but you could argue he wasn’t given enough time.

With 350 games for Liverpool, Rafa managed to merit a 55.47% win record with 194 victories, so there’s no doubt he has what it takes to win in the Premier League. With regards to his style of play, you could argue it won’t suit Spurs, but the truth is, with the players Spurs have there’s no harm in grinding out results in harder games now and then, which he’s proved he can do in the past.

In addition, back to back Champions League finals with Valencia in 2000 and 2001 is no mean feat, especially when you go to win it with a Liverpool side in 2005. The only downside is that sometimes his transfers can be questionable but he’s certainly a potential candidate worth considering.

Frank Rijkaard – If anyone has the ability to replace Harry Redknapp then the Dutchman holds a strong case in my opinion. Frank Rijkaard’s personal style would most certainly complement the way Tottenham play at present and they wouldn’t lose any of their attacking prowess with the former Barcelona boss commanding things at the lane.

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Rijkaard revolutionised Barcelona’s style of play during his time there and he could take Tottenham to the next level in challenging for the title. His time at the Nou Camp was highly successful with a win percentage of 58.61% during which time he landed two La Liga titles, as well as one Champions League title back in 2006. In some quarters Rijkaard is credited as the man who actually laid down the strong foundations that Pep Guardiola has been working from in the past few seasons.

Rijkaard is currently coach of the Saudi Arabian National Team, although it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman will find the challenge at Tottenham too hard to turn down if the opportunity presented itself.

Jose Mourinho – Famously known as the ‘Special One’ and a manager I’m sure that almost every Spurs fan would love to see at the Lane. His record speaks for itself with a win ratio close to 70% that has included a trophy haul that includes six titles in three different countries, as well as two Champions League titles.

Known for his disciplined tactics, Jose has brought a different style to Real Madrid who play with a certain swagger warranting them a place at the top of the La Liga at present. If Spurs are serious about challenging for the title this is arguably their man.

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Jose Mourinho has already stated he will be leaving Real Madrid this summer, but reports have suggested his ambitions to be reunited with Chelsea again, who he won back to back titles with in 2005  and 2006, however whether that happens remains to be seen.

So they are my three candidates for the Tottenham post, but who would you like to see take the reins at White Hart Lane?

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has stated that it is likely that the relegation battle will go down to the last day of the season.

The Latics picked up a 2-0 win over Stoke at the weekend, and the Spanish coach is predicting a tight conclusion.

“The other results are going to be like this until the end of the season,” he told Sky Sports.

“We’ve been in this situation before and we know the last seven or eight games of the season the bottom five are going to pick up a lot of points and there’s going to be many twists and turns.

“You can only control your own fate. We need to have as many points as we can when May 13 arrives.

“I don’t think there is a bad team in this league and I don’t think there was a bad team last season. Everyone will be fighting until the end.

“Our last two fixtures are against Blackburn and Wolves, and it’s very difficult not to think it’s going to go down to the last day of the season, but we’re pleased with that because we’ve been through a difficult season, we had eight defeats on the trot and we’re very happy to be able to perform in the manner we do being in the bottom three positions,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The race for that coveted automatic Champions League place intensified last week after Arsenal slipped up with a defeat to struggling QPR. Arsene Wenger’s men succumbed to a potentially damaging defeat in West London and only edged ahead of their London rivals and clung on to third spot by goal difference. Title chasing City are the next challenge the Gunners must face if they are to secure passage to rejoin the European elite next season. Mancini’s men are stuttering at the top and Wenger has urged his side to take full advantage and secure a win that could put them in pole position for third. It would be a remarkable achievement in what has been a topsy-turvy campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

This week on FFC the talents of Alex Song are analysed – is he Arsenal’s creative hub? Also the positives and negatives of the Gunners’ season are laid down whilst there are rumours of a transfer battle shaping up with big spending PSG .

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Best of FFC

A transfer ‘No Brainer’ For Arsenal to undertake

Alex Song: Much more than just a ball winner

The 20 ‘Positives And Negatives’ To Take From Arsenal this season

Arsenal set for transfer battle with PSG

Arsenal will need to spend big to land Frenchman

Where have all the ‘British Playmakers’ gone in the Premier League?

Jol remains hopeful as Arsenal look to summer bid

The top TEN ‘Young Guns’ coming through Arsenal’s latest production line

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Best of WEB

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Is The Squad Mentally Tough Enough To Put That In Their Pipe And Smoke It – A Cultured Left Foot

Why we would be foolish to splash €18M on this Marseille forward – Gunnersphere

No shows and never gos – Online Gooner

The most disgusting C word there is: complacency – Arseblog

M’Vila is going to be expensive | Jens Lehmann and his superb quote | Chamakh smoking shisha… – Le Grove

Say No to Jack! Four players on their toes & striker out to impress? – Highbury House

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Can the signing of this man end our trophy drought? – Gunnersphere

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Quote of the Week

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“Of course you question yourself, and you question what you can do about it, even more than you do when all is going well. When things are going well the players, the press and the fans all have more certainty, and so it’s easier. But it’s these moments when experience helps, because it’s important not to question and change the wrong things.

“How do you know what is right and what is wrong? Well you just try to analyse the situation as well as you can.We do that as a group in the coaching team, of course, and as well I go home and think about things by myself. Part of the job is to make decisions, and in the end somebody has to do that. You have to be decisive – it’s better to make a bad decision than no decision at all.” Arsene Wenger admitting that he questioned himself at times this season

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Match Highlights

The title is guaranteed to be staying in Manchester this season, but whether it will be the red or blue half of the city celebrating is still firmly in the balance.

With just three points separating the sides, a win for United would all but guarantee a 20th league title and ensure the title stayed at Old Trafford while a City victory would put them top of the league on goal difference and back in pole position going into the final two games of the season.

Monday’s encounter is undoubtedly the most important encounter ever between the two sides and has been hailed as the biggest game in 20 years of Premier League football.

So to whet your appetite, we thought we’d show you ten of their best clashes, how kind is that?!

1. United 4-1 City, Division One, August 31,1957

The last derby match before the Munich Air Disaster. Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Eddie Whelan all featured in the match where goals from Edwards, Taylor, Johnny Berry and Dennis Viollet ensured United maintained their perfect start to the season.

2. City 3-3 United, Division One, November 6, 1971

A thrilling game which saw a 17-year-old Sammy McIlroy score on his debut, brilliant goalkeeping from United stopper Alex Stepney and Francis Lee get the Maine Road crowd going by accusing George Best of diving. To top it off City’s Colin Bell scored a stunning equaliser to grab a point for City who had been 2-0 and then 3-2 down.

3. United 0-1 City, Division One, April 27, 1974

A game famous for Denis Law’s backheel, his refusal to celebrate and the myth that his goal relegated United. In fact, Birmingham’s victory that day meant United would still have gone down but the former Red Devils favourite refusing to celebrate remains an abiding memory for fans and an iconic football image.

[youtube aXpF2v0Kgvk]

4. City 5-1 United, Division One, September 23, 1989

Fergie’s side had started well against their newly-promoted neighbours until the players were taken off the Maine Road pitch due to crowd trouble. When both sides returned after a ten minute stoppage, City took control and were only halted by a Mark Hughes bicycle kick. The game was later described by Sir Alex as his “most embarrassing defeat.”

[youtube o3SoLyyNOGk]

5. United 5-0 City, Premier League, November 10, 1994

Just eight days after losing 4-0 to Barcelona, a result that saw sales of Barca shirts rocket in the blue half of the city, United recorded their best ever derby win thanks to an Andrei Kanchelskis hat-trick.

[youtube jWYcYTX50bc]

7. United 1-1 City, Premier League, April 21, 2001

Not the most exciting of games but it is remembered for a horror tackle that saw the long-standing feud between Roy Keane and Alfe Inge Haaland come to a head at Old Trafford. Their dispute started in 1998 when United captain Keane suffered a cruciate ligament injury when clean through on goal and being chased by Haaland, then of Leeds. Three years on, Keane went in with a knee-high tackle on Haaland that earned himself a red card. He later admitted in his autobiography that it was a premeditated attempt to injure and he later received a £150,000 fine and a 5 match ban.

7. City 3-1 United, Premier League, November 9, 2002

After going 13 years without enjoying a derby day victory, Shaun Goater’s proved to be the hero in the last derby at Maine Road. A comedy fumble from Fabien Barthez allowed Nicolas Anelka to open the scoring before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer equalised, but the Goat’s double guaranteed Maine Road was given a glorious goodbye.

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8. United 4-3 City, Premier League, September 20, 2009

An exhilarating game of football. City must have thought they had snatched a point when Craig Bellamy capitalised on Rio Ferdinand’s nonchalance to make it 3-3 on 90 minutes, but in a rare moment of magic in a Manchester United shirt, Michael Owen demonstrated his undoubted scoring ability, pouncing on Ryan Giggs’ pass in the sixth minute of stoppage time to send Old Trafford into ecstasy.

[youtube 3E6-oaC7bf4]

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9. United 1-6 City, Premier League, October 23, 2011

Changing of the guard or a freak result in a remarkable Premier League season? Whatever the reason, this match will live long in the minds of fans from both sides of the city. Roberto Mancini’s side were dominant and ruthless while United pushed forward suicidally despite having Jonny Evans sent off two minutes into the second half.

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1. United 3-2 City, FA Cup, January 8, 2012.

After their nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams, United were desperate to exact revenge on their neighbours, but by the end of the game they were holding on following a stunning City fightback. The drama began when Paul Scholes announced his return and was named on the bench and United were already ahead thanks to Wayne Rooney when Vincent Kompany was red-carded for a debatable two-footed tackle on Nani. By half-time it was 3-0 United and the threat of revenge was facing City. But they mounted a determined response, pulling two goals back and searching relentlessly for an equaliser in the last 25 minutes, but they couldn’t find a way through.

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