Lars Lagerback: Profile

Lars Lagerbäck

Lars Edvin "Lasse" Lagerbäck (born 16 July 1948 in Katrineholm, Sweden) is a Swedish football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles.

He is best known as the former manager of the Sweden National Team. ^[1] He managed the Swedish National Team from 1998 until 2009 leading Sweden in five consecutive championships. He resigned as manager in 2009 after Sweden's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Contents:
1. Career
2. Managing Career
3. References
4. External links

Lasse Lagerbäck

Personal information
Full name	Lars Edvin Lagerbäck
Date of birth	16 July 1948 (age 61)
Place of birth	Katrineholm, Sweden
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1960-1969	Alby FF
1970-1974	Gimonäs CK
Teams managed
1977-1982	Kilafors IF
1983-1985	Arbrå BK
1987-1989	Hudiksvalls ABK
1990-1995	Sweden U21
1996-1997	Sweden B
1998-1999	Sweden (assistant)
2000-2009	Sweden
2010-	Nigeria
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

1. Career

As youth, Lagerbäck played for Alby FF. When he was 13 years-old, he began playing for their P16 team. In 1970, he left and moved to Gimonäs CK under the guidance of Calle Lindelöf. ^[2] He continued to play there until 1974. ^[3] In 1974, he attended Gynastik and Idrottshögskolan (GIH), where he was a classmate of current assistant coach Roland Andersson.

2. Managing Career

2. 1. Club

In 1977, he was called up to the senior team. It was former teammate Kjell Pettersson that recommended him to Kilafors. He coached the Division IV team until 1982. In 1983, he moved to Arbrå IK until 1985. In 1987, he takes over Hudiksvall ABK but leaves by 1989. ^[4]

2. 2. Sweden

In 1990, Lagerbäck takes a job with the Swedish Football Association. He began to coach the junior levels which included Fredrik Ljungberg. He helped Tommy Svensson and Tord Grip with Swedish National Team. ^[5]

In 1996, Lagerbäck takes over Sweden B national team, until 1997. In 1998, Tommy Söderberg takes him on as assistant coach for the Swedish National Team. In 2000, he is promoted to dual-coach, a responsibility he would share with Söderberg until 2004. ^[6] Under his guidance, the Swedish National Team qualified for the Euro 2000 but lost in the group stages.

In 2002, he led Sweden to the World Cup where Sweden was in 'group death'. Sweden lost against Senegal. In 2004, Sweden qualified for their third straight championship. In the Euro 2004, Sweden made it to the quarter-finals where they lost against Holland. ^[7] That same year, Tommy Söderberg left the Swedish National Team to coach the U21 Team.

After the departure of Söderberg, Lagerbäck appointed Roland Andersson as assistant coach. In 2006, Lagerback took Sweden to their fourth consecutive championship, the first time in Swedish history. He led Sweden to the 2006 World Cup, losing against Germany 2-0 in the knockout stage. ^[8] Under Lagerbäck, Sweden also qualified for UEFA Euro 2008, however they were eliminated in the group stage after losing 2-0 against Russia. The team's early dismissal from the tournament led sport columnists to ask Lagerbäck to be sacked.. ^[9] Despite this, he signed an extension, which would keep him until the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign. After Sweden's unsuccessful qualification campaign for this summer's World Cup in South Africa, Lagerbäck resigned. ^[10] .

2. 3. Nigeria

On 26 February, 2010, he signed a 5 month (renewable) contract that would see him lead Nigeria to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa. ^[11]

Strengths: Lagerback earned a good reputation during his time in charge of Sweden, creating a well-drilled, hard-working team that was capable of securing results against sides with superior squads. It is understood that he was given the post after impressing the interview panel with his in-depth knowledge of Nigerian football, suggesting he is as well equipped to deal with the limited preparation time as could be hoped from a foreign candidate arriving a matter of months before the tournament.

Weaknesses: In 2007, Lagerback told the official FIFA website: "Certainly, I believe in continuity, and I think that national teams benefit from it every bit as much as clubs - if not more. After all, we don't work with our players every day like club coaches do, so it's vital to know those players inside-out, and it's only after some time you can achieve that." Although he has clearly done his research, Lagerback has very little time to get to know the players and he will struggle to experiment with tactics should his initial plans fail to succeed. The fact that his contract could well expire after the World Cup also does little to help promote a sense of stability about the side, plus in a country that expects a lot from its team, his conservative brand of football may fail to garner support.

Career high: Sweden were at their best under Lagerback during Euro 2004, when they thrashed Bulgaria 5-0 in their opening match before qualifying for the knockout stage at the expense of Italy, only exiting when they were beaten by Netherlands on penalties in the second round.

Career low: Having reached five successive tournaments in his time with Sweden, he will have been deeply disappointed at the failure to qualify for this year's World Cup, particularly as Scandinavian rivals Denmark topped the group.

Tactics: With Sweden, Lagerback favoured the 4-1-3-2 formation, with one defensive midfielder and three attacking midfielders, using the full backs to supply the width and he could well adopt a similar system in his new role. There is an issue with the lack of creative talent at present, but Lagerback made Sweden a very solid, hard-to-beat side and, given the constant changes and lack of discipline during Shaibu Amodu's recent spell, his approach should be of real benefit.

Quotes: "From what I have seen in Nigerian players, they have good individual skills and I know that the team needs to be organised - it needs to be disciplined - but, for me as a coach, I think the individual skills can do really well in the World Cup."

Trivia: Lagerback is often called 'Lasse', a common nickname for Swedes named Lars.

WC prediction: Lagerback has been set a target of reaching the semi-finals, but he is experienced enough to know that is very ambitious indeed. In a group with Argentina, Greece and South Korea, they have every chance of making it to the second round, but they will have to adapt to their new coach's methods quickly if they are to make any impression on the tournament.

Angola 4-4 Mali: kanoute Inpires a class Come back.

The african nations cup finally took off despite all the hue and cry
by some premiership coaches for the cancellation of the tournament.
While Togo has genuine concernes about further participation in the
biennial event, the same can not be said of these coaches. The fact
that they would prefer all their respective african players remained
with the club than take part in the event holding in Angola is well
documented and as such, the best response to Redknap, Avram and his
likes is a look-away.

Now to real football matters. Angola started like a team set to
fulfill all their pre-tournament threats that this is their turn. In
every department they dominated and though won two quick penalties,
one can not really take anything away from their display. It was a
class performance as they made the star studded malian midfield chase
the game for over 70 minutes. At 4-0, no one could really say the
scoreline wasn't reflective of the game. Real Madrids Diarra was
guilty so many times of lossing the ball carelessly puting consistent
pressure on the Malian defence. It was only a matter of when not how
will the Angolans score. Flavio grap two quick headed goals from
crosses and at half time the game looked settle. The second half
started in the same way the first ended. With the malian defence
jettery and naive in handling Manucho and Flavio. This time they
conceded two penalties in quick successions. After that everyone
except stephen keshi from the malian point of view looked worried. It
was game over. The Angolans thought it was time to pull out attacking
players for a few defensive options to kill off the game. The right
thing in that circumstance. But they failed woefully at it as they
couldn't hold forth, but rather the absence of threat allowed Keshi
throw everything at the Angolans. Kanoute grabbed a brace, keita got
one and a 93rd minuted equalizer left the Angolan crowd in awe and
disbelieve.
A lesson many teams just won't heed, it is not just over until it is
actually over. The Malians got 3 goals in about 8 minutes, what were
the Angolans thinking? The tournament is sure set to bring more of
this kind of excitement. Tha Malians sure can go far in this
tournament but first they need more denfensive lessons.

Amodu Shuaibu Release Final Super Eagles Team List

Amodu Shuibu released final list of Super Eagles to Angola.
What do you guys think, is this the dream team?
Nigeria's squad list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Bamidele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel) Austin Ejide (unattached)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Danny Shittu (Bolton, England) , Obinna Nwaneri and Yusuf Mohammed (both FC Sion, Switzerland) Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France) Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France).

Midfielders: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England) Sani Kaita (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) Yusuf Atanda Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Oluwaseyi George Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain).

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany).

English Premier League Eleven of the Decade

Everyone is talking about this and that of the decade as we approach 2010. Because of my obsession for football, i thought i should also do something of the decade. And what came into my mind was "Premier League 11 of the Decade". Now i was faced with the snag of making my selection without having anyone criticize me for leaving out their own legends.

Luckily for me, i came across a similar effort by Phil Mcnulty of the BBC and i was relieved. So Y'all can pour your anger on him not me. Surprisingly, i think his' is a little bit similar to what i had in Mind.

So Meet Phil.................

Ever had a hospital pass? The one with the red cross marked on it that you know is going to end with a large amount of personal grief - if you are very lucky?

This is mine. Namely the request to name the Premier League team of "The Noughties". The job that will please no-one and will have plenty of you waving your fist in fury at the laptop.

So apologies in advance. My only excuse for leaving out your own personal favourite or club legend is that I can only pick 11 players and there could have been so many more - and this might be the best substitutes' bench in history.

Tin hat at the ready. And try not to be too hard on me. Remember - I could only pick 11.

GOALKEEPER: Shay Given (Newcastle United,Manchester City and the Republic of Ireland) Given was a model of consistency for Newcastle United and has continued this at Eastlands.

He remains as good as ever for club and country, at 33. There has been plenty of debate about signings made by Mark Hughes, but no-one questions Given. Well worth his place in this team, just edging out Brad Friedel and Petr Cech.

RIGHT-BACK: Gary Neville (Manchester United and England) A taste not acquired by many outside Old Trafford, an outspoken champion of Manchster United and a player who has flourished at the highest level for well over a decade. At his peak peerless defensively, and while not a scorer of goals has created his share. Formed one half of a devastating right-flank partnership with David Beckham at Old Trafford.

LEFT-BACK: Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea and England) Part of Arsenal's "Invincibles" in 2004 and will travel to the World Cup with England as one of Fabio Capello's true world-class stars. Went through a period of public unpopularity after leaving Arsenal, but has been back to his best this season. His performance against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal at The Stadium Of Light remains one of the finest individual defensive displays I have ever witnessed in the flesh.

CENTRE-BACK: John Terry (Chelsea and England) Terry stood alongside Jose Mourinho as one of the shining symbols of Chelsea's resurgence under "The Special One." Brave, maybe sometimes too brave for his own good, ready to risk injury in both penalty areas and the emdobiment of what you want a defender to be, with his "over my dead body" approach to conceding goals. Not quite the force of old these days, but still formidable and worthy of a place in this team.

CENTRE-BACK: Rio Ferdinand (West Ham United, Leeds United, Manchester United and England) Thought long and hard about this one for some strange reason, with the Liverpool pair of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia figuring prominently. The Finn might just get the award for the most under-rated defender of "The Noughties".

Ferdinand gets it, though, for his class, elegance and defensive ability that has contributed so much to Manchester United successes. But it's a close run thing with Carragher and I would see no problem exchanging the two - a cop out I know.

RIGHT MIDFIELD: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Portugal) Right midfield is such a low-grade description of one of the greatest players to grace the Premier League. United's most devastating weapon in recent seasons and sorely missed after his move to Real Madrid. Few players are irreplaceable, but he is one. No contest for this position.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and England) Getting interesting now. Gerrard is my choice despite vicious competition for these positions, just getting the nod ahead of Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Manchester United's Paul Scholes.

So easy to make a case for those two, but in recent seasons Gerrard has been magnificent, occasionally carrying Liverpool on his own. Virtually won an FA Cup Final and the Champions League on his own. Dynamic and a leader - so he gets the vote.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal and France) Gone for a partnership in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, and Vieira and Gerrard would not be too shabby. In at the start of the Arsene Wenger revolution and the significance of his contribution can be outlined by the fact they have never quite been the same since his departure. Ruthless midfield enforcer and consumate creator. Last kick for the club earned them their last trophy, the 2005 FA Cup against Manchester United.

LEFT MIDFIELD: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United and Wales) Deservedly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2009. Could not be left out with 11 Premier League titles to his name.

Still producing outstanding performances at the age of 36, a model professional since making his debut in March 1991 and regarded as "a god" in the Manchester United dressing-room according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

STRIKER: Alan Shearer (Newcastle and England) Tough competition here, but if you want goals, leadership, bravery and someone to follow into football's trenches, Tyneside legend Shearer is your man.

Even before this decade he won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, and while not under-estimating the all-round team ethic of Kenny Dalglish's side, there would have been no title without Shearer. Shearer scored 260 goals in 441 games in the Premier League - this statistic alone ends any argument about his inclusion.

STRIKER: Thierry Henry (Arsenal and France) Henry's reputation was blemished by his recent handball for France that sent his country to the World Cup in South Africa at the Republic of Ireland's expense, but no-one can question his Premier League pedigree.

A wonderfully stylish player, he scored 226 goals in 364 games for Arsenal before leaving for Barcelona in 2007- and finally picked up the Champions League medal that eluded him with the Gunners when Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2009 final.

So with particular apologies to Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes (and maybe even the likes of Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba and many others) this is my Premier League team of "The Noughties"

I shall now retreat to my bunker and leave you to pick your own....not easy is it?

By Phil McNulty BBC Sports

World Cup 2010 Group Draws and Fixtures- Can Africa Win it?

World Cup 2010 Group Draws and Fixtures

With the world cup draws now out, what do you think? Is it now Africa’s time to win it. Granted that Pele is known to be perennially wrong with his predictions. Till date he is yet to get one right, but pundits believe this could be when Pele’s predictions finally come true.

For the first time, Africa is presenting her some of her best football nations and with the mundial taking place in Africa for the first time, they are now set to have the same advantage the south Americans and Europeans have been having over the years. Home advantage and crowd backing!

World Cup 2010 group draw and fixtures

Group A Group B Group C Group D

South Africa Argentina England Germany
Mexico Nigeria United States Australia
Uruguay South Korea Algeria Serbia
France Greece Slovenia Ghana

Group E Group F Group G Group H

Netherlands Italy Brazil Spain
Denmark Paraguay North Korea Switzerland
Japan New Zealand Ivory Coast Honduras
Cameroon Slovakia Portugal Chile


GROUP A FIXTURES

Friday, 11 June 2010
South Africa v Mexico, Gp A, 15:00
Uruguay v France, Gp A, 19:30
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
South Africa v Uruguay, Gp A, 19:30
Thursday, 17 June 2010
France v Mexico, Gp A, 12:30
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
France v South Africa, Gp A, 15:00
Mexico v Uruguay, Gp A, 15:00

GROUP B FIXTURES

Saturday, 12 June 2010
Argentina v Nigeria, Gp B, 12:30
South Korea v Greece, Gp B, 15:00
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30
Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Greece v Argentina, Gp B, 19:30
Nigeria v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

GROUP C FIXTURES
Saturday, 12 June 2010
England v USA, Gp C, 19:30
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Algeria v Slovenia, Gp C, 12:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
England v Algeria, Gp C, 19:30
Slovenia v USA, Gp C, 15:00
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Slovenia v England, Gp C, 15:00
USA v Algeria, Gp C, 15:00

GROUP D FIXTURES
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Germany v Australia, Gp D, 15:00
Serbia v Ghana, Gp D, 19:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
Germany v Serbia, Gp D, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Ghana v Australia, Gp D, 12:30
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Australia v Serbia, Gp D, 19:30
Ghana v Germany, Gp D, 19:30

GROUP E FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Japan v Cameroon, Gp E, 15:00
Netherlands v Denmark, Gp E, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Cameroon v Denmark, Gp E, 19:30
Netherlands v Japan, Gp E, 15:00
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Cameroon v Netherlands, Gp E, 19:30
Denmark v Japan, Gp E, 19:30

GROUP F FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Italy v Paraguay, Gp F, 19:30
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Italy v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00
Paraguay v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Paraguay v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00
Slovakia v Italy, Gp F, 15:00

GROUP G FIXTURES
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Brazil v North Korea, Gp G, 19:30
Ivory Coast v Portugal, Gp G, 15:00
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Brazil v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 19:30
Monday, 21 June 2010
Portugal v North Korea, Gp G, 12:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
North Korea v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 15:00
Portugal v Brazil, Gp G, 15:00

GROUP H FIXTURES
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Honduras v Chile, Gp H, 12:30
Spain v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00
Monday, 21 June 2010
Chile v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00
Spain v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
Chile v Spain, Gp H, 19:30
Switzerland v Honduras, Gp H, 19:3

Supporters who travelled to Wigan's 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham to be refunded

Wigan's players have offered to refund supporters who travelled to Sunday's 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham

The Latics crashed to the second worst defeat in Barclays history as they conceded eight second-half goals at White Hart Lane.

Defender Mario Melchiot admits the result was embarrassing and, along with the rest of his well-paid team-mates, will pay away fans the cost of tickets.

Melchiot told the club's official website: "We feel that as a group of players we badly let down our supporters yesterday, and this is a gesture we have to make and pay them back for their tremendous loyalty.

"There is not a lot else to say, just that as a group of professionals we were embarrassed by the way we performed, we feel it was below our standards and this is something we feel we owe to the fans.

"Now we have to draw a line under the game, focus completely on training this week and bounce back on Saturday.

"We are professionals, we will take it on the chin and move on but it's important that we do not take our supporters for granted."

Angola 2010 Draws:

Nigerian and Mozambique meets again. More details coming soon...........

Germany keeper dies in 'suicide'

Germany and Hannover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by a train in an apparent suicide on Tuesday, police have confirmed.

Enke, 32, was fatally injured at a level crossing north west of Hanover. The German football federation (DFB) said in a statement: "The German team has learned of the death of Robert Enke with great shock."

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff added: "We are in a state of shock. It is beyond words." Enke's daughter Lara died in 2006 of a rare heart condition when she was just two.

He leaves behind his wife, Teresa, and an eight-month-old daughter the couple had adopted in May. German police released a statement saying: "The victim is apparently national team goalkeeper Robert Enke from Hannover 96.

The first police indications are that it was a suicide." Enke was struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hannover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge and died at the scene. Some reports gave the time of his death as "shortly before" 6pm local time (1700 GMT).

He played eight times for Germany and also for clubs Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife, before returning to the Bundesliga with Hannover in 2004. Enke made his international debut aged 29 and became Germany's number one keeper after Jens Lehmann retired from internationals at the end of Euro 2008. He had missed Germany's last four matches with a virus but returned for his club at the weekend. Germany coach Joachim Low had indicated that Enke was in pole position for the number one jersey at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Dr Theo Zwanziger, president of the DFB, said that the football community in Germany "are deeply distressed and in mourning", adding: "All our sympathy goes to the wife of Robert Enke and his family."

The Germany squad is currently in Bonn ahead of a friendly against Chile on Saturday, but Enke had not been called up, having only just returned to action for his club. Hundreds of fans flocked to Hanover's Niedersachsen Stadion on Tuesday night to lay flowers and light candles for the captain of their club.

Wayne Rooney - The Latest Father in Town

Coleen Rooney, wife of Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney, has given birth to a boy they have named Kai Wayne.

Coleen, 23, had her baby at Liverpool Women's Hospital on Monday.

Rooney, who scored for United on Sunday, had earlier missed his team's training session ahead of their Champions' League match on Tuesday.

Coleen was nine days overdue. The child, the couple's first, was born at 1420 GMT, their spokesman said.

He added: "Mother and baby are both absolutely fine. Wayne and Coleen are thrilled with the wonderful addition to their family life."

The couple were married on the Italian Riviera last summer.

Coleen is the eldest of four children and a television presenter on ITV2, while Wayne is the eldest of three. Both have large extended families.

Following the birth, bookmakers have offered various odds on the couple's child achieving sporting success in future.

Coral are offering odds of 66-1 that Kai Rooney will follow in his father's footsteps and play football for England.

William Hill rate him at 100-1 to play Premiership football, 125-1 to play for Manchester United and 150-1 to gain a full England cap.

The Chelsea Destroyed Ragged Rovers

Chelsea gave Carlo Ancelotti a perfect tonic as they soared back to the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 demolition of Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti, back in the dugout after visiting his seriously ill father in Italy in midweek, watched his side produce a fabulous performance against ragged Rovers to go two points clear at the summit.

Chelsea destroyed Sam Allardyce's outfit with two goals from Frank Lampard, one a penalty, plus others from Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and an own goal from Gael Givet.

The game was so one-sided that had Chelsea taken all their first half chances, the scoreline could have been in double figures.

But four goals in a 15-minute second half spell handed Rovers their biggest defeat since Allardyce took charge at Ewood Park and kept Ancelotti's 100 per cent home record intact.

Joe Cole, making his first start since January, should have opened the scoring for Chelsea within the opening minute but he somehow headed a cross from Lampard wide of the target from six yards.

Lampard was inches away from giving Chelsea the lead in the 10th minute when his 20-yard shot just evaded the far post.

But the Blues broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a goal of classic simplicity.

A Blackburn attack broke down allowing Michael Ballack to collect the ball in midfield.

The Germany captain fed Nicolas Anelka on the left flank with a superb low pass and when the France international crossed the ball into the six-yard box, it was turned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Givet.

Blackburn had to rely on counter-attacks and in the 25th minute they almost grabbed an equaliser but Morten Gamst Pedersen's 20-yard effort flashed wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post.

Chelsea's players were lining up to shoot and Essien tried his luck from 25 yards in the 29th minute but although the ball dipped violently in the air, it still went over the crossbar.

Lampard wasted another chance to increase Chelsea's lead moments later when Ballack's cross found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. However, the England midfielder put his header wide of the target.

In the 33rd minute, Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson came to their rescue when Lampard fed Anelka inside the penalty area.

A second goal seemed on the cards but Anelka's shot hit Robinson in the chest, much to the frustration of Ancelotti.

It was shooting practice for Chelsea and Robinson did well to punch away a 35-yard blockbuster from Drogba.

Five minutes before the break, Anelka turned and twisted before firing an 18-yard shot into the sidenetting.

Pedersen was the first player into the notebook on the stroke of half-time for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic. Seconds later Robinson pulled off a magnificent save to deny Lampard again.

Chelsea, somewhat predictably, went further in front in the 48th minute through Lampard.

The England midfielder scored his first goal in open play in the top flight since last April when he finished off a fine Chelsea move.

Essien sent Drogba racing into the penalty area and his cross was only half cleared by Lars Jacobsen, leaving Lampard to pick his spot from eight yards.

It was 3-0 in the 51st minute when Essien sent a 35-yard shot thundering beyond the despairing dive of Robinson.

Anelka then tried to repeat the feat in the 54th minute and his 20-yard shot was so fierce that Robinson had to save at the second attempt.

It got worse for Rovers in the 58th minute when Ryan Nelsen brought down Drogba inside the penalty area and Lampard converted the spot-kick for his second of the game.

Drogba underlined Chelsea's superiority in the 63rd minute when he rose highest to head home a corner by Lampard to make it 5-0. It was the Ivory Coast international's eighth goal of the season.

In the 67th minute Chelsea replaced defender Ricardo Carvalho with youngster Jeffrey Bruma for his Premier League debut.

Cole was then replaced by Daniel Sturridge, making his home league debut, in the 76th minute. Cole received a standing ovation from the fans and a hug from Ancelotti.

The England midfielder had shown he was back to his best during an afternoon when Chelsea returned to top form.

Saturday 24th October 2009 will live down memory for both Ancelotti, Chelsea faithfuls and Blackburn Rovers.

FIFA U-17 wold cup now under way in Nigeria

The day we have all been waiting for finally came and the FIFA U-17 world cup kicked off at the FCT. for once let's enjoy the game and leave out the dissapointments.

Argentina and Honduras were they first before host Nigeria and Germany followed suit. There is much to say about the first day, but will limit myself to issues that are more of football than peek into the facilities.

At about 4pm local time, on one the few grass tuft of these championship, the Argentines took the game to Honduras from the blast of the whistle.

Though sometimes quilty of over elaboration, showed so much class i thought i was watching the senior world cup. One thing we need to give to this championship is the standard of play so far. It took so much persistence for them to finally breach the Honduran defence who just would'nt just yield.

They later scored and were it not for the water logged pitch, would have probably scored more goals.

Two hours later, the Nigerian Golden Eaglets took the stage along with the Germans. Many people were looking up to this team to erase the sad memories of the U-20 world cup, but that was not to be as they quickly went down by a goal following poor ball delivery and lack of cordination. The Germans superior tactics was such that at the end of the first halt, they were already 2 goals up.

Thanks to a penalty awarded the Eaglets and a red to the Germans, we regained control of the game only after we have gone 3 goals down. In very quick successions the goals came and it was 3-3 just before we went slowly back into our slumber. We couldn't capitalise on the 10-man situation to snatch a winner. Overall, they standard was high and the argies were particularly inspirational. The Eaglets showed a lot of promise but you could easily detect a disjointed team without any form of camping to get use to aone anoether. good first after all. See you tomorrow.

Anfield's Day of Destiny

Distractions and sideshows are never required when Liverpool and Manchester United meet and the current criticism, much justified but some downright hysterical, surrounding Rafael Benitez makes them even less important this Sunday.

Benitez's circumstances are clear enough. He needs to end Liverpool's worst run since 1987 swiftly, and while a meeting with Manchester United provides danger it also provides opportunity and the best possible chance to blow away the clouds of crisis.

And yet, in among the politics and behind-the-scenes pantomime that has replaced what used to be called "The Liverpool Way", it should not be ignored that the champions have not always been convincing themselves this season.

It does not do to question the team that sits on top of the Premier League once more, and Ferguson's faith in Manchester United's growing maturity and his strength of squad is backed up by how they have held firm as Liverpool and Chelsea have slipped recently.

But even seasoned and partisan Old Trafford observers would have to agree there has been an uncharacteristic vulnerability in defence, a fault that can be attributed to the uncertain goalkeeping of Ben Foster and the lack of match fitness and sharpness of Rio Ferdinand.

United needed to call on their time-honoured knack of escapology to fashion a draw from an awful display against Sunderland and it was sobering to witness the panic stations as they held on for victory against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford last Saturday.

The Champions League win against CSKA Moscow in Russia, sealed by the rapidly improving Antonio Valencia, had a reassuring "job done" air from a reshaped team and will have provided huge satisfaction for Ferguson.

Sunday provides a pivotal moment, even though we are talking about a season in its infancy and the glint in Ferguson's eye as he pondered this trip to enemy territory proved the point.

If United can go to Liverpool and win, revenge for two defeats last season will be a small matter when placed against the wider context. Ferguson is unlikely to have forgotten the way Liverpool - and in particular Fernando Torres - made short work of a defence that had made Premier League history in a 4-1 thrashing at Old Trafford, but a win at Anfield would soothe those painful memories.

Victory would be an emphatic assertion of authority by United. It would put them 10 points of clear of Liverpool and make pre-season predictions of a return of the title to Anfield (who was it who made those bold claims?) an even more distant prospect.

Ferguson will give Rooney every chance of recovering from a calf injury because he will be the main thrust of their game plan against an uncertain Liverpool defence. Darren Fletcher falls into the same category because he is implictly trusted to exert influence amid the midfield mayhem of such encounters.

If Rooney comes up short, what price the intriguing inclusion of Michael Owen in Manchester United's line-up against Liverpool at Anfield? The once unthinkable prospect.

Liverpool Hit by Injury Worries

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is facing up to the worst injury crisis of his five years at the Reds' helm ahead of Sunday's visit of champions Manchester United.

Benitez will oversee a succession of scans and medical examinations on a host of his top stars following Tuesday night's 2-1 Champions League defeat at home to Lyon.

Liverpool have lost four successive matches for the first time since 1987, and are now in danger of dropping out of the title race and failing to advance from their Champions League group.

Benitez said: "We have just too many problems, I cannot remember an injury situation like this."

Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson both missed Tuesday night's game with groin injuries, while Steven Gerrard limped out of the match in the first half with a recurrence of the problem he picked up while playing for England last week.

Winger Albert Riera is also in need of a scan on his hamstring while teenager Martin Kelly's impressive full debut was ruined by an ankle injury.

And Benitez claimed his troubles do not end there.

He said: "There are other players with other problems, I have no idea what team I can put out against Manchester United until we have had the players tested and seen by the medical team."

Benitez, however, refuted suggestions that playing Gerrard was too much of a gamble and insisted his team can still qualify from Group E and reach the last 16.

Lyon maintained their 100% record at the top of the pool with Tuesday night's win, while Fiorentina's 4-3 victory in Hungary against Debrecen puts them in pole position to grab the second qualification spot.

Liverpool now must raise their game in their final three matches in order to progress further. They are away to Lyon in a fortnight, then travel to Budapest on November 24 before their final home game against Fiorentina on December 9.

The hosts led at half-time on Tuesday night through Yossi Benayoun, before crumbling under pressure to concede goals to substitutes Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado - the latter in stoppage time.

Benitez said: "It was not a gamble to play Gerrard. He wanted to play and had trained normally for two days.

"He was given the all-clear by the doctor and it was just bad luck what happened. He felt something wrong in his groin, and it was wise to come off."

Liverpool have launched amazing recoveries in group stages in previous seasons to advance in Europe's premier club competition, and will need another one now.

Are you a Chelsea Fan? Meet peter Cech on Facebook as Chelsea Facebook Page is lunched!

Chelsea fans accross the globe will be glad to hear this one. Chelsea FC is set to leverage on the power of face book to expand it reach and satisfy online followership. With 300 million people currently using facebook, it is the right thing to do especially when you consider that Chelsea has become an international brand.

By lunching it page on facebook, it has beome the first football club in the world to use the new Facebook connect app. Next month peter Cech is set to fill questions from fans all over the world from the club' website and fans will be able to participate in an online live streaming interview session. Cech will try as much as possible to answer every question.
This will be very welcome as fans will have the one on one feel with the Keeper. This interview session with the fans comes up early next month and all you need to do to participate is to add the Chelsea badge to your facebook profile. From there you can post your questions and get it answered by Cech. To get the full details visit http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1830622,00.html .

Man United and Arsenal Power on as Chelsea and Liverpool falter

The English premier league is heating up.
Chelsea faltered at Villa Park against a more organized and determined Martin 'O Neil's side. liverpool showed again how much the team over depends on their captain and Torres.

Though sunderland isn't everyone idea of a very bad team as showed so far having claim Manchester United's scalp earlier on, the Ballon Goal notwithstanding, Liverpool need to do some spending in January. For now the league is looking like we are talking about top 7 when you consider that Aston Villa, Totternham and Manchester city are clicking so well.

Arsenal maintained thier 100% home run this season even when they appear shaky in the second half. Deja vu? Last time Eduador was the victim, this time Walcot. Manchester city will take on Wigan today and if they win they go third. I think i like it this way.