Football_Dirk-Kuyts-late-winner

Dirk Kuyt smashed home a late, late winner to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup and send Anfield into raptures after a pulsating fourth-round tie.
English football's two most successful teams didn't disappoint in a game that threatened to be a sideshow to the race row involving Patrice Evra, who captained United, and Luis Suarez, who sat in the stands.
Daniel Agger gave Liverpool the lead when he met a Steven Gerrard corner to power home beyond a stranded, and thoroughly unconvincing David de Gea.

Dutch of class: Dirk Kuyt blasted Liverpool into the fifth round of the FA Cup

However before half-time, and after Antonio Valencia had struck the post, Park Ji-sung fired the visitors back on level terms.
Chances came and went in the second half before a simple back-to-front hoof by Pepe Reina was flicked on by Andy Carroll to Kuyt, who lashed the finish beyond De Gea.

More to follow....

First blood: Daniel Agger powered home from a corner to hand Liverpool the lead

First blood: Daniel Agger powered home from a corner to hand Liverpool the lead

Goal time: David de Gea was questionably positioned for the opener

Sideshow: Manchester United's Patrice Evra had to put up with jeers from the crowd

Striker: Park Ji-sung hauled Manchester United level before the break

Watching on: Luis Suarez, serving his suspension for racially abusing Evra, was in the stands

Atmosphere: The Liverpool fans created a thunderous level of noise throughout the match

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2093083/Liverpool-2-Manchester-United-1-Dirk-Kuyts-late-winner.html#ixzz1klTspoW5

Sport_Football Highlight

1) Osasuna 1 – 2 Barcelona

2) Athletic Bilbao 4 – 0 Albacete

 

 

Source - http://footyroom.com/

 

Sport_Milan's Tevez bid rejected by City

AC Milan have seen a bid for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez in excess of €20 million rejected according to ESPNsoccernet sources.

PA PhotosCarlos Tevez is unhappy with life at Eastlands

Tevez, 27, has been in exile in Buenos Aires since his public fall-out with Roberto Mancini in September after refusing to warm-up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but is still keen to quit the club in the January transfer window.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has flown to Manchester to negotiate with City after growing tired of waiting for their response to a loan offer with an option to buy at the end of the season and has made a new bid to take him on permanent deal.
However, City have rejected their offer and are holding out for the €35 million that they have always valued the striker at. That could be in the form of a lower initial fee with add-ons but the Premier League club insist the total deal must meet their valuation.
A source close to the transfer action told ESPNsoccernet: "Clearly clubs are appreciating that City mean business and there will be no loan. AC Milan have insisted all along it was a loan and then a deal in the summer, but there is now recognition from AC Milan that it has to be a sale or no deal.
"Whether it is now dead is up to AC Milan, but the feeling is that if AC Milan want the player, then they will have to increase their bid, and Inter and maybe even PSG are still lurking there and could outbid them."
Earlier, Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti appeared to concede defeat in the race to sign the Argentine. When asked if he believes Tevez will join AC rather than Inter, he told his club's official website: "I believe so. That's football."
Reports from Italy suggested that Inter were willing to take Tevez on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy him outright in the summer for €27million (£22.4m).

Source - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1007533/man-city-reject-cash-offer-for-carlos-tevez-from-ac-milan?cc=4716

Sport_Galliani: Milan's Tevez pursuit is over

AC Milan have given up on signing Carlos Tevez because Alexandre Pato does not want to join PSG, according to Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani.

GettyImagesCarlos Tevez will not be wearing the famous red and black stripes of AC Milan

ESPNsoccernet understands Manchester City rejected a bid in excess of €20 million on Thursday, when Galliani travelled to London to meet with club officials in a bid to thrash out a deal.
And the reigning Italian champions will not be returning with another offer, with Galliani claiming that Pato's refusal to move to PSG means Milan won't be able to continue their pursuit of Tevez.
"Pato has decided to stay, so Tevez will not come," Galliani told Sky Sport Italia. "Those two deals were connected, if one player does not leave, then the other will not come."
Tevez, 27, has been in exile in Buenos Aires since his public fall-out with Roberto Mancini in September after refusing to warm-up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but is still keen to quit the club in the January transfer window.
Inter Milan have also shown an interest in the wantaway striker and despite their president Massimo Moratti claiming that he expected Tevez to join Milan, the Nerazzurri still appear to be genuine contenders for his signature.
When asked if PSG or Inter were now favourites to sign Tevez, Galliani added: "I am not rooting for either club, I know what is happening, but I will keep it to myself. I do not talk about Inter."
Reports from Italy suggested that Inter were willing to take Tevez on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy him outright in the summer for €27million (£22.4 million).

Souece - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1007579/adriano-galliani:-ac-milan%27s-pursuit-of-carlos-tevez-is-over?cc=4716

Sport_Did Vincent Kompany deserve to be sent off in Manchester City's FA Cup defeat to rivals United?

POLL

Just 12 minutes into Sunday's FA Cup Manchester derby, the Etihad Stadium clash was turned on its head when referee Chris Foy elected to show Vincent Kompany a red card.

The Manchester City captain slid in to win the ball in a challenge from Nani, but had dived in with two feet. 

The Portuguese winger seemed to be unfazed and continued playing in an attempt to win back the ball, although a number of other Manchester United players, led by Wayne Rooney, instantly started appealing to the match official.

The home fans were furious when play was brought back for a foul, but that was nothing compared to their reaction when an adamant referee instantly pulled out a red card for the defender, who looked bemused.

Replays showed that Kompany had dived in with two feet, which is an illegal offence and according to the laws of the game is punishable with a red or yellow card, depending on how much 'excessive force' has been used.

However, the Belgium international had looked to be in control of his challenge and he did take the ball cleanly and make virtually no contact with the man, suggesting a lesser punishment may have been possible.

Goal.com wants to know what you think about the decision made by Foy, which undoubtedly had a huge impact on how the game panned out, particularly in United's resulting first-half charge.

Is the red card correct because by the letter of the law a sliding two-footed challenge which should be harshly penalised?

Or should the referee have applied some common sense and awarded just a free-kick or a yellow card given the circumstances surrounding the challenge?

HAVE YOUR SAY

Let us know your views by voting in our poll and by leaving a comment below. You can also engage with us and other readers on the Goal.com Facebook and Twitter pages. The best comments and the results of our poll will be published in the days ahead.

Sport_EXCLUSIVE: Fergie wants Lampard... and Chelsea legend is ready to talk to United Read

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering a sensational move for unsettled Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.
Sportsmail understands Lampard would not be averse to a switch to Old Trafford.
With United struggling for numbers in midfield and desperate to make sure Sunday's FA Cup opponents Manchester City do not leave them behind at the top of the Barclays Premier League, manager Ferguson is weighing up an offer for a player he has always admired.

True blue: But will Frank Lampard soon be wearing the red of Manchester United?

With Lampard now 33, the United board would have to be persuaded to sanction a deal for a player who earns in excess of £140,000 a week and would have no sell-on value for a club still struggling under the weight of the Glazer debt.

 

United would also face a battle to persuade Chelsea to sell to a major rival.
However, Ferguson believes that Lampard represents a unique opportunity to add something significant to his squad and was delighted to this week hear of suggestions that the former West Ham midfielder would consider a move north  to Manchester.

Dejected: United look to need reinforcements after defeat at Newcastle

Lampard has only 18 months left on his current deal and does not enjoy a particularly healthy relationship with Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas.

 

It is understood that Lampard is looking to move away from Chelsea this summer and would ideally like to stay in the Premier League.
The transfer fee would be minimal, given his contractual situation and that he has given Chelsea 10 years of service.
Ferguson considered joining the bidding for Lampard when he joined Chelsea from West Ham for £11million in 2001.

Still got it: Lampard has been in and out of the Chelsea team this season under Andre Villas-Boas but grabbed a crucial winner at Wolves on Monday

Subsequently he has made no secret of his admiration for him, saying in one interview in 2005: 'Lampard is quite an interesting case. He is an exceptional individual.'
While Lampard could not be relied upon to play every game, he would bring something different to the dressing room.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2082879/Frank-Lampard-Manchester-United-want-Chelsea-star.html#ixzz1itXt1cz9

Sport_Wayne Rooney Video: Watch Manchester United Star's Header vs. Man City

Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney ended the deadlock between the Red Devils and Manchester City in their FA Cup third-round battle on Sunday.
Rooney's quick-snap header in the 10th minute blasted past the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net, giving Man U a 1-0 lead, which they would inflate to 3-0 by halftime behind another Rooney goal. They'd ultimately win 3-2.
This little beauty was perfectly timed by the veteran, who scored his 150th goal as a club player against City on Sunday.
It's almost an indefensible goal, as Rooney just elevates effortlessly and whips home a vital strike for Man U early in the match. The Reds had lost their two previous matches before Sunday, so they desperately needed Rooney to step up and lead them to a win.
The sweet goal is also tasteful revenge for Manchester City's embarrassing 6-1 beat-down of United back in October.
Rooney's early brilliance was not only a stunner for City but also an incredible lift for a Manchester United squad that needed to find some confidence against a favored rival. His goal did just that, putting United on the board and electrifying his teammates and all in attendance.
There was no bend or anything lucky about this gem. Just a well-done finish from Rooney, who is adding to what is slowly becoming one of the more revered legacies in club football.


Source - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1015316-wayne-rooney-video-watch-manchester-united-stars-header-vs-man-city

Sport_10 EPL Players Who Must Step Up in 2012

The first half of the 2011-2012 season featured many standout performances. We saw plenty of talented players shine and make a name for themselves in the ever-changing world of football.
The second half of the season looks to be just as bright. Players have just two choices: Stand up and rise to the occasion, or sit down and fade into the background.
Here are 10 players who are confronted with these two options and must do the former. Enjoy!

 

Tim Cahill

What happened to the days when Tim Cahill ran the show at Goodison Park? The Australian legend has a streak of four straight years of 7+ goals in the EPL.
He has yet to find the net for struggling Everton this season. In fact, his last recorded club goal dates all the way back to 2010, when he scored the opener in Everton’s upset over City on the road.
It's been over 12 months without a goal in the EPL for the veteran finisher! It’s time to step up, Tim.

 

Charles N'Zogbia

After losing star wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young in the same transfer window, Charles N’Zogbia was supposed to be the updated mastermind of the Aston Villa offense.
This prediction has come true, but only if "mastermind" has a definition identical to the word “liability.”
N’Zogbia simply did not show up in his first half season for the Villans. To make matters worse, he continued to be supplied as if he was in top form. Villa seemed to try and force the poor form out of their new signing by simply overusing him, a strategy used many times before, often unsuccessfully.
N’Zogbia has started to play more like his class the last couple of matches. He seems to finally feel comfortable at Villa Park,
In order to win over the Villa faithful, though, he will need to fulfill some of the enormous expectations laid on him after the departure of his predecessors.

Anders Lindegaard

Welcome to your new starting job Mr. Lindegaard!
After David De Gea suffered another woeful day at the office against Blackburn, it was assumed that Sir Alex would officially count on the Danish keeper in net.
Before Wednesday night, Lindegaard posted a clean sheet in each of his five starts this season. He looked far more confident and comfortable in goal than his Spanish teammate.
Lindegaard has been close to perfect, and that ridiculously consistent form is now evidently expected of him as United faces possibly their biggest title struggle in recent memory.
From Third String to First XI, Lindegaard has to get ready for the big lights shining down on him.
 

Adel Taarabt

So much for Adel Taarabt taking the league by storm.
The 2010-11 Championship Player of the Year has not dazzled the EPL with his fancy foot skills and moves—as he did just last year to earn him widespread recognition.
In fact, Taarabt has done little more than take the air out of the ball in his first season of top-flight English football (zero goals, zero assists, 39 shots).
After a hot start to the year, QPR is currently four points away from the bottom of the BPL and in desperate need of an offensive savior. Cue: Adel Taarabt.
 

Hugo Rodallega

The Wigan war hero has had a disappointing first couple months to the EPL season. He failed to hit the back of the net once since August.
His poor form has even caused Wigan owners to contemplate selling their star forward this transfer window. We all know what Rodallega is capable of and that is why his recent play is just not acceptable.
Whether it is with Wigan or somewhere else, Hugo needs to get back on his front foot in 2012.

Per Mertesacker

Mertesacker was supposed to be the anchor of a shaky Arsenal defense this season, but he has instead taken the role of the “weakest link” on the back line. His slow pace allows faster forwards to attack him with ease. His mental lapses have given Gooners across the world heart attacks nearly every weekend.
Now, with injuries to Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, Mertesacker can no longer afford to be a liability on the defensive end.
Simply put, he must step up if Arsenal want Champions League football next season.

Andy Carroll

Oh, Andy Carroll. The world’s left eyebrow perked up when it heard of the 35 million pound transfer fee paid for a player with less than a year of Premier League experience under his belt.
His performance the last 12 months has been just as alarming as his ridiculous price tag. Carroll has just four goals since joining Liverpool and has not been able to find a rhythm with his Anfield teammates.
However, with Luis Suarez out until mid-February, the Reds are going to need to find a new forward to take over and assert himself. Could there be a better redemption opportunity than this one?
 

Kevin Davies

While Kevin Davies’ glory years are far behind him, the Bolton captain was still expected to play at a high level this season—a level that in reality he has not been close to since May.
In the absence of Stuart Holden and Lee Chung-Yong, Davies has simply not stepped up and picked up the offensive slack to keep Bolton competitive. Davies has scored just once since August and isn’t currently playing in the form that earned him National Team buzz just a year ago.
Relegation is nothing to play around with. If Bolton has any chance at surviving the drop, Davies is going to have to lead by example in the attacking third and push the Wanderers up the table.

Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson may have more on his shoulders than any other footballer in the world this year. With Christopher Samba likely leaving this transfer window, desperate Blackburn is going to count on Robinson to make some even bigger saves to salvage valuable points.
If Robinson can’t get the job done, then Steve Kean is inevitably out, Blackburn heads to lower division football for the first time since 2001, and he—at 32 and past his prime—may never see First XI Premier League football again.
But seriously, Paul, no pressure.

Fernando Torres

Do I even need to explain this one?
At 50 million pounds, a player has to produce more than three league goals in a calendar year. If there was ever a time that Chelsea needed him to live up to even half his price tag, it would be in the next five months. Chelsea’s Champions League qualifying streak is in doubt.
Torres’ 2011 form was poor, to say the least. Instead of falling victim to the painfully easy concept of bombarding him with insults, I will start 2012 with this statement: Fernando, If you lead Chelsea to glory, the last 12 months will all of sudden fade from our memories.
Cheers!

Source - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1011982-epl-10-players-who-must-step-up-in-2012/page/11

 

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Sunderland vs West Brom)

Barclays Premier League – Saturday 1 October 3 pm KO
Sunderland Pre-Match Report
Sunderland face West Brom this weekend with boss Steve Bruce looking to put a disappointing week behind him. It started with a 2-1 defeat to Norwich before defender Titus Bramble was arrested for an alleged sexual assault. The club sit in fifteenth with just five points from six games and they have won just three matches at home in 2011.
Bramble is suspended whilst Connor Wickham (groin) is a doubt and Craig Gordon, David Meyler and Frazier Campbell (all knee) are still working their way back to fitness.
Predicted Team: Mignolet, O’Shea, Brown, Turner, Richardson, Larsson, Gardner, Vaughan, Elmohamady, Sessegnon, Bendtner.
West Brom Pre-Match Report
West Brom have endured a torrid start to the season and sit second from bottom – winning just once all season. Recent history does suggest that Sunderland could be the ideal opponents this weekend however. The Baggies have taken more points away from home against Sunderland – seven – than against any other Premier League opponent.
Gabriel Tamas is available for selection after completing a three-game ban whilst Craig Dawson should also return after illness. But midfielder Zoltan Gera and striker Marc Fortune remain on the sidelines.
Predicted Team: Foster, Olsson, Shorey, McAuley, Reid, Brunt, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Thomas, Long, Odemwingie.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/sunderland-v-west-brom-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Wolves vs Newcastle)

Barclays Premier League – Saturday 1 October 3 pm KO
Wolves Pre-Match Report
Wolves have struggled since their encouraging start to the season and have now lost their last three games. Mick McCarthy’s side have conceded seven goals in those three games whilst scoring just once and will be keen to kick-start their campaign this weekend.
Defender Richard Stearman is out with a toe injury which could allow Matt Doherty to make his debut whilst Steven Fletcher is pushing for a start after his goal against Liverpool last weekend but Ronald Zubar, Kevin Foley, Jody Craddock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake remain on the sidelines.
Predicted Team: Hennessey, Doherty, Johnson, Berra, Elokobi, Hunt, Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis, Fletcher, Doyle.
Newcastle Pre-Match Report
Newcastle take their unbeaten run to Wolves this weekend looking to continue their fine start to the season. The club enter the match sitting in fourth position after three wins and three draws from their opening six games.
The Magpies are set to hand a debut to defender Davide Santon after he recovered from a knee injury but Shola Ameobi is a doubt with a shoulder injury and Mike Williamson is out with a broken arm.
Predicted Team: Krul, Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Jonas, Ba, Best.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/wolves-v-newcastle-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Fulham vs QPR)

Barclays Premier League – Sunday 2 October 3 pm KO
Fulham Pre-Match Report
Fulham host rivals QPR for the first time in over twenty years this Sunday, the last derby involving the two clubs was during the 1990/91 season when the Cottagers were 2-0 winners on both occasions. Fulham are still searching for their first Premier League win this season however, although they have proved difficult to beat, earning four draws in their first six games.
Bobby Zamora is expected to return having missed the 2-0 Europa League win against Odense on Thursday but Moussa Dembele is unwell. Martin Jol is also still without Simon Davies with a knee problem but Aaron Hughes should return.
Predicted Team: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise, Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.
QPR Pre-Match Report
QPR enter the match off the back of a fine run of form and they sit seven places and four points above Fulham in the league table. The R’s have also won twice on the road this season and are unbeaten in three games.
DJ Campbell could come in for Jay Bothroyd after a lively showing against Aston Villa last weekend whilst Danny Gabbidon should return after a knee complaint. Meanwhile, Kieron Dyer (foot) and Rob Hulse (knee) miss out whilst Armand Traore is suspended.
Predicted Team: Kenny, Young, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Connolly, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Taarabt, Campbell.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/fulham-v-qpr-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Bolton vs Chelsea)

Barclays Premier League – Sunday 2 October 1.30 pm KO
Bolton Pre-Match Report
Bolton host Chelsea this weekend looking to halt a miserable run of form which has seen them suffer five consecutive defeats since their opening day win against QPR and they currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Owen Coyle has a number of selection issues with the casualty list compounded this week when it was announced Stuart Holden faces six weeks out with a knee problem. To add to his woes, Gael Kakuta is ineligible, David Wheater and Ivan Klasnic are suspended whilst Tyrone Mears, Lee Young-Pyo, Marcus Alonso and Sam Ricketts remain long-term absentees.
Predicted Team: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Pratley, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov, Davies, Tuncay.
Chelsea Pre-Match Report
Chelsea enter the match off the back of a three-match unbeaten run since they lost 3-1 to Manchester United. History also points heavily in favour of the away side, with the Blues unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games against Bolton, winning the last six in a row.
Fernando Torres is suspended following his sending off against Swansea last weekend whilst Frank Lampard should keep his place in midfield. Michael Essien remains on the injury list however following knee surgery.
Predicted Team: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Mata, Drogba, Anelka.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/bolton-v-chelsea-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Swansea vs Stoke City)

Barclays Premier League – Sunday 2 October 3 pm KO
Swansea Pre-Match Report
Swansea have made a relatively solid, yet unspectacular start to the season and currently sit in sixteenth position with five points. They were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea this weekend but will be keen to return to winning ways this weekend in a match which has been dubbed, ‘beauty v the beast’ – in reference to Swansea’s attractive, passing football and Stoke’s direct style.
Leon Britton is struggling with a back injury but should start whilst Danny Graham is pushing for a place up-front. Ferrie Bodde is set to undergo another knee operation whilst Alan Tate (broken leg), Steven Caulker (knee) and Kemy Agustien (hamstring) are unavailable.
Predicted Team: Vorm, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Gower, Allen, Dyer, Lita, Sinclair.
Stoke City Pre-Match Report
Stoke continued their fine start to the season by halting Manchester United’s 100% start to the season last weekend with a 1-1 draw but they were humbled 4-0 by Sunderland in their last match away from home.
Winger Matthew Etherington will undergo a late fitness test on a dead leg but Jonathan Woodgate is available after missing Stoke’s 2-1 Europa League win against Besiktas on Thursday. Salif Diao (fractured cheekbone) and Kenwyne Jones (hamstring) meanwhile are not expected back for at least two weeks.
Predicted Team: Begovic, Huth, Upson, Shawcross, Shotton, Delap, Whitehead, Palacios, Pennant, Crouch, Walters.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/swansea-v-stoke-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Tottenham vs Arsenal)

Barclays Premier League – Sunday 2 October 4 pm KO
Tottenham Pre-Match Report
North-London bragging rights will be on offer this Sunday as Tottenham welcome Arsenal to White Hart Lane. The two sides have played out some fantastic games over the years with April’s 3-3 draw still fresh in the memory. After a poor start to the season where they lost their opening two games, they have turned things round with three wins and a draw and sit sixth.
Emmanuel Adebayor is in line to face his former club but William Gallas (calf), Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are sidelined. Steven Pienaar is available for the first time this season whilst Aaron Lennon will have a late fitness test on a groin injury.
Predicted Team: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Van der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe.
Arsenal Pre-Match Report
Arsenal are two points and seven places behind their rivals, having also played a game more going into this weekend’s fixture. There are signs that the Gunners are settling into the season however after following up a 3-0 win against Bolton last weekend with a 2-1 win against Olympiakos in mid-week.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Andre Santos are pushing for starts whilst Robin Van Persie and Aaron Ramsey are certain to feature. Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Laurent Koscielny could also hand Arsene Wenger a major boost but Yossi Benayoun, Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere are sidelined.
Predicted Team: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song,
Arteta, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/tottenham-v-arsenal-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Blackburn vs Man City)

Barclays Premier League – Saturday 1 October 3 pm KO
Blackburn Pre-Match Report
Blackburn managed to upset Arsenal in their last home game, winning 4-3 against the Gunners and will therefore enter the match full of confidence. The result lifted pressure on Steve Kean but they lost 3-1 to Newcastle last time out and history is against them this weekend, having failed to beat City in their last seven meetings.
Scott Dann, Michel Salgado, Gael Givet have joined Rovers’ ever-growing injury list whilst Martin Olsson is suspended after his red-card against Newcastle. Ryan Nelsen (knee) is also unavailable but David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Goodwillie are in contention.
Predicted Team: Robinson, Hanley, Samba, N’Zonzi, Petrovic, Pedersen, Dunn, Hoilett, Formica, Roberts, Yakubu.
Man City Pre-Match Report
Manchester City will be looking to put the Carlos Tevez saga behind them as they visit Ewood Park this weekend. The club’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in mid-week was their first of the season but the Blues are still flying high in the Premier League and sit in second position.
City have suspended Tevez for two weeks whilst Mario Balotelli could replace Edin Dzeko upfront as Roberto Mancini shuffles his pack. Nigel De Jong is in contention after playing mid-week but Owen Hargreaves is not yet ready to start a Premier League game.
Predicted Team: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Barry, Toure, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/blackburn-v-man-city-preview

EPL Preview - GW#7 (Man Utd vs Norwish City)

Barclays Premier League – Saturday 1 October 3 pm KO
Man United Pre-Match Report
Manchester United host Premier League newcomers Norwich on Saturday looking to bounce back from their mid-week draw with Basel. The Premier League champions threw away a two goal lead against the Swiss side before Ashley Young saved the Red Devils’ blushes and they will be keen to maintain their perfect home league record this weekend.
Danny Welbeck is in contention after scoring twice in mid-week whilst Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are both available after injury. Jonny Evans also returns after recovering from an ankle injury but Chris Smalling (groin), Nemanja Vidic (calf), Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) remain on the treatment table.
Predicted Team: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.
Norwich City Pre-Match Report
Norwich will enter the match on a high having beaten Sunderland 2-1 at Carrow Road on Monday to rise to ninth in the table. That victory followed their 1-0 win against Bolton as Paul Lambert’s side look to have found a home in the Premier League.
James Vaughan will be out for several months after suffering a recurrent knee injury against Sunderland whilst Zak Whitbread (hamstring), Elliot Ward (knee) and Daniel Ayala (knee) remain on the long-term absentee list.
Predicted Team: Ruddy, Naughton, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Johnson, Fox, Hoolahan, Bennett, Pilkington, Morison.

source - http://www.1000goals.com/manchester-united-v-norwich-preview