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Steve Bruce sacked from Sunderland, is Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas next in the firing line?
Bruce had led the Black Cats to a very respectable 10th place finish in the Premier League last season, but was axed after a run of two wins in 13 games this term.Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is currently not meeting expectations at Stamford Bridge, and if his struggling team do not pick up their form he could join a long list of managers to get the bullet from trigger happy owner Roman Abramovich.
Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti and Avram Grant were all fired by Abramovich with Chelsea second placed in the Premier League, while Jose Mourinho was dismissed after winning two Premier League titles, and never losing a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.
Former Gunner Seb Larsson Out to Haunt Arsene Wenger
Young attacking midfielder Seb Larsson is enjoying a positive start to the season with Sunderland, and will be looking to continue that against the man who brought him to England.The Swedish starlet opened his account this season with a spectacular strike to earn Sunderland a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, he has went on to register a total of two goals and one assist in his first seven games.
Larsson also had good news on the international scene in midweek when he scored for Sweden in a 3-2 EURO 2012 qualifying win over the Netherlands.
The win ended the 100% winning record of the Group E leading Netherlands, and sealed automatic qualification for Sweden as the best runners up.
Arsenal takes on Sunderland following the International Break in a Must Win Fixture
If any team needed an international break, it would be Arsenal. Having equalized against Spurs in the league, they managed to lose the match by squandering some great chances and giving away some glorious chances at the opposing end. Aaron Ramsey, who did score the equalizer, had too much too handle in the match and gave the ball away very often.This week, the challenge comes in the form of Sunderland. Looking at the table, this battle can certainly be said to be one of equals. Arsenal sits in fifteenth, a point and a place ahead of Sunderland.
The Big 4 EPL Debate: What’s your take on Liverpool and 10-man Arsenal’s draws?
The 2011/12 English Premier League season everyone was dreaming of so badly finally kicked off on Saturday with 2 of England’s traditional Big 4 in action. Liverpool entertained Sunderland at Anfield whereas Arsene Wenger’s under-pressure Arsenal travelled to Newcastle to face the Magpies.
No goals but a red card: have Arsenal lost their status as giants?
The camp of the Gunners have been rocked by transfer reports concerning the career of the club’s top 2 stars, captain Cesc Fabregas and play maker Samir Nasri. The pair didn’t make it for Saturday’s late kick-off away to Newcastle United; Fabregas and Nasri seem well on their way to FC Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.
Liverpool Transfer News: Is Henderson Destined For 'Hero' Status At Anfield?
Liverpool are poised to officially announce their signing of 20 year-old England starlet Jordan Henderson for a £20 transfer from Sunderland in the next 24 hours or so. The Black Cats officially announced that they had reached an agreement with Liverpool and Henderson is expected to sign the deal before he links up with the England under-19 Squad at Denmark.Following that imminent move, former Liverpool great Ronnie Whelan has expressed his satisfaction at this transfer deal, claiming that Henderson could very well be the next KOP hero.
Scotland vs Brazil: Goalkeeper Craig Gordon Makes Unsafe Declaration
The Sunderland goalie is actually weakened by a disturbing knee injury that requires delicate treatment and a period of rest, but Gordon is confident that getting a feel of his country’s battle against the World Cup quarter-finalists will not damage him any further. Taking into consideration his current poor physical status, there is a great chance that an appearance from the keeper against Brazil will stir up the anger of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, since the boss is willing to keep his player out of action for the necessary amount of time.Sunderland are presently in the Premier League table’s ninth position, but given that they could slip down at any moment—jeopardizing the team’s defence is certainly not an option for the coach. Apparently, Gordon has realized how unique his opportunity was to face a world-class team such as the giant South Americans, and he is willing to pursue his dream.
Arsenal vs Sunderland: Team News As Ramsey Is Back, But Fab Is Out For The Gunners
This weekend, Arsenal could cut the gap at the top of the English Premier League table to a single point and Wenger has chosen the players that he’ll use in order to attempt doing so. In a pre-match press conference, the Arsenal coach confirmed the availability of defender Laurent Koscielny and of midfielder Aaron Ramsey. The latter last played for the Gunners in February 2010 whereas Koscielny is said to have recovered from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Alex Song is among the names that have been ruled out for Saturday’s English Premier League match at home to Sunderland. According to the club’s official website, Coach Arsene Wenger affirmed:
Football Transfer News: Inter’s Muntari To Land At Sunderland Shortly
Sulley Muntari has been suffering to cement his position in Inter Milan’s first XI team. The midfielder joined the Italian giants for £14M almost 3 years ago in a move that was set to completely turn around the career of the ex-Portsmouth player. In terms of trophies, Sulley Muntari achieved everything he could have dreamed off – the Serie A, the Champions League and more. However, his personal contribution at the San Siro has been disappointing as he has spent most of his time on the bench or on the sidelines.
Now as agent Fabien Piveteau told The Sun, Sulley Muntari is now ready to put an end to his misery by becoming a Black Cat. The Internazionale midfielder’s agent explained:
Football Transfer News: Darren Bent On His Way To Aston Villa – Confirmed
It was reported earlier on that Darren Bent had issued a transfer request letter to Sunderland on Sunday night – much at the surprise and displeasure of Coach Steve Bruce and his club. A statement from Sunderland on Monday read:“The club can confirm that it has received a written transfer [request] from Darren Bent, following yesterday’s Wear-Tyne derby match.”
It has recently been confirmed that Daren Bent will join Aston Villa for a transfer fee of £18M which could mount to £24M based on the player’s individual statistics among other points. Commentating on this shocking transfer news, Steve Bruce told ESPN Soccernet:
Chelsea vs MSK Zilina: Can Zilina Stun Chelsea Like Sunderland And Co. Recently Did?
Well, this question may sound laughable to any football fan bearing in mind Zilina’s dreadful record in the Champions League this season. They hold awful records such as the worst defensive side as they’ve conceded 15 goals in only 4 matches. Zilina are also the biggest home and overall losers in the competition following their 7-0 defeat in the hands of Marseille.So why would anyone think that tonight’s visitors have a chance of upsetting Chelsea? Well, the fact is that the Blues are going through a shocking moment and whereas the Zilina match offers a splendid opportunity for them to bounce back in fashion, it also presents a great danger. Actually, anything less than a victory for Chelsea will let the media all but confirm that that the big boys from London are in a crisis – at least, on the pitch.
FIFA Ballon d’Or Award Debate: Why Was Asamoah Gyan Nominated But Not Luis Suarez?
The FIFA Ballon d’Or award’s 23-man shortlist is a controversial one which instantly provoked debates among football fans over the choices for the nominees. Spanish, Dutch, and German players were always likely to be enlisted following the exploits of their respective national teams during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, just as Wayne Rooney’s elimination from the nominations has surprised the public, the inclusion of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan besides the exclusion of Uruguay and Ajax’s Luis Suarez is set to cause an interesting debate.
Taking into account each player’s 2010 FIFA World Cup achievements, which of them really deserve to be in contention for the first edition of the combined FIFA Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards – actually named the FIFA Ballon d’Or? What does Luis Suarez’s omission, in truth, reveals? Is it, in a way or another, as part of the punishment for his unpopular “Hand of the Devil” incident which he boldly defended despite FIFA’s criticism that was based on role model concerns?
Ghana And Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan Nominated For African Player Of The Year Award
He stood out as Africa’s most impressive player during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament as he powered Ghana into the quarter-finals where an eventful and dramatic game saw Uruguay prevail in a penalty shoot-out. Asamoah Gyan’s three goals and impressive performances saw him nominated for the World Cup Golden Ball award which was eventually won by La Celeste Olimpica’s Diego Forlan.
The Sunderland striker and ex-Rennes player has now been included in a 17-man list for Africa’s biggest individual honor, MTNfootball.com reported. He is one of the hot favorites to succeed Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba for the CAF African Player of the Year award. Gyan will also become the first Ghanaian to win the prize since Abedi Pele clinched it back in 1992.
Sunderland’s Fraizer Campbell: Ex-Manchester United Mate Danny Welbeck Is Good
The English player of Ghanaian origins is on loan with the Black Cats to receive more playing time on the field. Danny Welbeck, who scored a screamer for Manchester United against Stoke City on his English Premier League debut, is excited at the opportunities that a club like Sunderland could give him.
Now his former teammate at Old Trafford, Fraizer Campbell, has encouraged the 19-year-old forward to dazzle at the Stadium of Light. Talking to Goal.com UK, 22-year-old Campbell declared:
Manchester United v Sunderland English Premier League Match Preview
The Red Devils will be the only side among the big four to play on Saturday. Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns and Arsenal will play Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium on the last day of the week.
Sunderland analysis
The Black Cats will face a tough test away to Manchester this coming Saturday. Sunderland will enter the game fresh from last Sunday’s 5-2 victory over Wolves who were previously beaten by United that same week.