Scissors Kick

The Fire in the Borgo , Giulio Romano
“Rafael Benitez grimaced on the touchline as nine-man Liverpool were given a mauling in a humiliating defeat at Craven Cottage. Liverpool defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were sent off for reckless fouls and by the end the Fulham crowd were chanting ”Easy, easy” as Liverpool resembled a shambles. Goals from Bobby Zamora, Erik Nevland and Clint Dempsey gave Roy Hodgson’s side a deserved victory with Fernando Torres grabbing the one consolation for Liverpool.” (ESPN)

Premier League: Liverpool crash at Fulham
“Liverpool’s hopes of a revived push at the Premier League title collapsed in spectacular fashion at Craven Cottage where a 3-1 Fulham win made it five league defeats from just eleven games played.” (ESPN)

Clint Dempsey crowns a fine win for Fulham after nine-man Liverpool implode
“Rafael Benítez grimaced on the touchline as nine-man Liverpool were given a mauling in a humiliating defeat at Craven Cottage. Liverpool defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were sent off for reckless fouls and by the end the Fulham crowd were chanting “Easy, easy” as Liverpool resembled a shambles. Goals from Bobby Zamora, Erik Nevland and Clint Dempsey gave Roy Hodgson’s side a deserved victory, with Fernando Torres grabbing the one consolation for Liverpool.” (Guardian)

Lucas: ‘The boos at Anfield were my worst moment’
“Lucas Leiva cannot suppress a smile when he is reminded of the moment, 18 minutes into the game against Manchester United on Sunday, when he clattered into Paul Scholes, won the ball and played in Dirk Kuyt who almost scored. It was the moment that said Lucas was not going to be pushed around.” (Independent)

Fulham 3 Liverpool 1: match report
“Liverpool suffered their sixth defeat in seven outings in embarrassing fashion, finishing with nine men after both Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were sent off against Fulham. After the jubilation of the 2-0 win over Manchester United, Liverpool stumbled to another loss ahead of next week’s crucial Champions League trip to Lyon.” (Telegraph)

Nine-man Liverpool return to losing ways
“Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez endured another day to forget after his side were beaten 3-1 at Fulham and had two men sent-off at Craven Cottage here on Saturday. Defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were both shown straight red cards in the space of two second half minutes as the good work the Reds achieved in reviving their Premier League title challenge during last week’s win over Manchester United was undone.” (TimesOnline)

“A new version of Football Manager is released today, which makes this, in my house at least, a time of hushed reflection. The old era is passing away, the new era is rising up before us. Everything we knew and loved is sliding into the sea, while before us, like a mountainous country, is thrust a terrifying and exhilarating possibility. Just like every day, really, but the arrival of a new FM makes it that much clearer. Here is the past, there is the future. Eurogamer gave it a 9, but wished more had been done to fix the press conferences.” (Run of Play)

Pro Vercelli – Brian Phillips

José Roberto Torero
“Rooted to the foot of the table and staring relegation in the face, these are dark days for fans of Fluminense who had looked forward to this latest season with so much expectation. With national team striker Fred having been enticed home from French side Lyon to lead the attack and 1994 World Cup-winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the helm, things got off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Sao Paulo – champions for the last three years.” (WorldSoccer – Tim Vickery)

“Every weekend football will consistently highlight the inconsistency of the game, whether it is Liverpool’s return to form against Ferguson United or Real Madrid being thumped 4-0 by village team Alcorcorn in the Spanish King’s Cup. Like a good thriller or horror film the weekend’s football action can leave you unsure of which way the action is going to turn right up until the final curtain falls. Away from the field of play though the bizarre twists and turns of everyday life can be just as fascinating and this week football has seemingly stepped out of its comfortable isolated bubble that it normally inhabits and has joined the struggle and annoyance of everyday of life.” (Three Match Ban)

“England manager Fabio Capello breezed into the school of excellence at Coverciano on Monday with the air of authority that comes from having won everything there is in the club game. He was there to give an inspirational speech to the school’s students who want to follow in his footsteps. Instead, Capello launched an unexpected and scathing attack on the state of Italian football, telling the assembled audience that the game on the peninsula is now being held hostage by the Ultrás. “It’s impossible to stop the Ultrás running the game and no one has the courage to stand up to them. In England the grounds are always full.” (SoccerLens)

“So stated Gordon as he begins the arduous and ten million percent necessary task of stockpiling bodies into the Boro squad. Even the most die-hard Southgate apologists must be impressed. Days into the job and the new manager has already clinched his first signing, with more to follow as he tries to add fresh impetus to our promotion campaign. According to the Gazette, Gordon has taken Marcus Bent on loan from Birmingham City. Though an official announcement is yet to be made, it’s felt that Bent could make the squad for tomorrow’s game against Plymouth, one that currently sees Boro capable of fielding two first team strikers only.” (smogblog)

“This is a list of the tallest players currently playing professional soccer around the world.” (The Best Eleven)