“Egypt and Algeria will return to the pitch on Wednesday to settle the last of Africa’s qualifying berths for the 2010 World Cup after a dramatic late goal gave the home side a 2-0 win in their last group game on Saturday. Substitute Emad Moteab’s header five minutes into stoppage time gave Egypt the winning margin they needed over Algeria in a tense encounter in front of just over 74,000 fans in the capital and ensured they finished level at the top of Group C.” (ESPN)

Francois Boucher, Diana Leaving the Bath
“A header by Bruno Alves gave Portugal a valuable 1-0 win over Bosnia in their first-leg encounter but Carlos Queiroz’s side missed a host of chances to put the tie beyond doubt. Portugal dominated the first half-hour, with Nani exploiting space on the right wing to give Emir Spahic a torrid time. The hosts took a deserved lead after 31 minutes when Nani crossed for Alves to head in unchallenged at the far post.” (ESPN)

“Find out who will be playing alongside hosts South Africa at the 2010 World Cup with BBC Sport’s definitive guide to who has qualified and when they wrapped up their place at the finals…” (BBC)

“England’s stand-in captain Wayne Rooney conceded Brazil were the better team in their 1-0 friendly defeat in Qatar but admitted the defeat still hurt. The Manchester United striker was handed the armband in the absence of the injured John Terry but could not inspire Fabio Capello’s injury-hit side against the five-time World Cup winners.”
(ESPN)

Boys from Brazil prove Fabio’s understudies have lot to learn
“Unused to playing to a largely shirt-sleeved crowd on a mid-November night, a depleted England got what was coming and set off on the seven-hour flight home grateful the damage was no worse. It would have been, but for a shocking penalty miss by Luis Fabiano after Ben Foster, playing in goal in preference to Robert Green, should have been sent off. Brazil, joint favourites with Spain to win the World Cup, may claim to have gained a psychological advantage over a side the bookmakers rate not far behind them, but for all their fluid play it would be wrong to read too much into what was probably the most low-key of the 23 meetings between the countries.” (Independent)

The ten best England v Brazil matches
“England take on Brazil in Qatar this weekend in a mouth-watering fixture between two of the world’s most football crazy nations. Over the years there have been some classic matches between the sides and moments that have since become legend.” (Independent)

Captain Rooney unable to lift inexperienced, uninspired England
“Wayne Rooney seldom suffers from apathy on a football pitch. The opportunity to be captain in Doha seemed to make him particularly animated, although frustration then gripped him even more quickly than usual. He had a craving to leave his mark on a game where the play was sometimes perfunctory, but this was one of his weaker outings for England.” (Guardian)

“Nicolas Anelka fired France a step closer to next summer’s World Cup finals as the Republic of Ireland’s brave resistance finally wilted. Anelka’s 72nd-minute strike, which was deflected past Shay Given by the unwitting Sean St Ledger, was enough to condemn Giovanni Trapattoni’s side to their first defeat of the qualifying campaign and send the French into Wednesday night’s return with a lead and a precious away goal.” (ESPN)

Pluck of the Irish is deflated by Anelka
“What a pity. This was arguably Ireland’s best performance under Giovanni Trapattoni but it earned them absolutely nothing bar an incredibly steep hill to climb in Paris on Wednesday. Nicolas Anelka’s deflected goal on 72 minutes was the difference between the teams on the night and the result means that Ireland have to score once at the Stade de France to stay in the tie, or twice if they want to win it without recourse to a penalty shoot-out. Which is a shame because Ireland’s efforts last night were worthy of a 0-0 draw, or with some better finishing – particularly from Liam Lawrence in the first half – a single goal advantage.” (Independent)

Scott McDonald
“Phil Gartside’s plan to revolutionise the Premier League (any personal gain from which to him or his club Bolton Wanderers would, of course, be entirely coincidental) has failed, for now. The issue of relegation from Premier League Two can be stored away for another day (in December 2010, to be precise), and Bolton Wanderers can get on with the small matter of avoiding the relegation that Gartside is so scared of. It was not this aspect of his proposals, however, that attracted the most attention in the media. It was the proposal to invite Celtic and Rangers to join the league that invited the most comment from the fourth estate.” (twohundredpercent)

“Firstly there was the tragedy of German goalkeeper Robert Enke committing suicide under the strain of depression, then there has been Liverpool’s confusing struggle for a victory even against lowly opposition and once again the Old Firm duo of Rangers and Celtic being refused entry into a proposed British Premier League. While these stories have all contained elements of interest, tragedy and intrigue, there have been two other stories that have occupied my mind to a greater extent this week. They are Carlo Cudicini’s motorcycle accident, which has left him with two broken wrists and an injured pelvis and Aston Villa defender Like Young’s decision to retire from international football.” (Three Match Ban)

“This is it, it’s now or never, it’s all or nothing; after almost one year of fighting in the African jungles and North African deserts, the grudge match has come. The sleepless city of Cairo will witness a historical day when the Egyptian team, backed by 80 million fan hosts Algeria for the world cup qualification ticket. Stakes?….everything is at stake; we have went through many ups and downs in this world cup qualification campaign, emerging from a successful African cup of nations In 2008, expectations were high from us but we stumbled and we had to fight back for the ticket and had to live some nervous killing moments waiting for very crucial goals in order to reach this day.” (World Cup Blog)

Iran v Australia November 22nd and 29th
“As the eyes of the footballing world switch to the glittering international events, no not the friendlies, that are the World Cup Play-offs to see just who will take final spots in the world’s biggest football tournament, so we take a look back over some of the finest play-offs in World Cup history. (SoccerLens)

“With 23 nations already qualified for World Cup 2010, there are just nine places in South Africa still up for grabs. Three of those will be decided when African qualifying concludes tomorrow. But that’s a separate post. The six other qualifiers will be decided by playoffs, starting tomorrow. There are eight European teams competing for four places. They’ll play two legs over the next five days (Saturday, November 14th and Wednesday, November 18th) and the four winners go to South Africa. Second prize is watching World Cup 2010 on television.” (World Cup Blog)

“This year’s thrilling run-in to Brazil’s national championship has been punctuated by traditional gripes at referees like Carlos Eugenio Simon. He has officiated at a World Cup but has been asked to sit out the rest of the championship after making a major error last Sunday in disallowing an apparently legitimate goal for title contenders Palmeiras during their 1-0 defeat at Fluminense. Simon is threatening legal action against Palmeiras president Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo who described the FIFA referee as “a conman who is in someone’s pocket”. In recent weeks, however, another complaint has emerged to accompany the endless quibbles over refs” (WSC)

ESPN – Nov 14
ESPN – Nov 18

“The bid to represent Africa at the continent’s first World Cup finals reaches its climax this weekend, with six teams harbouring hopes of taking the last three available places. Yet threats of violence in the Egyptian capital Cairo are overshadowing Africa’s final round of qualifiers as the Pharaohs host Algeria in an explosive encounter on Saturday. The bitter North African rivals are fighting for Group C’s World Cup ticket – while Group A’s will be decided by Cameroon or Gabon, and Group B’s by Tunisia or Nigeria.” (ESPN)

“This playoff matchup of World Cup finalist and one of Europe’s feisty minnows promises high tension, few goals, but an intriguing contest. It’s about the managers, mostly. With failure, one is on the brink of being the laughingstock of Europe, known for being charge of a team of talents he has led to disaster. The other is a winner no matter what happens.” (NYT)

Gourcuff and Benzema fear play-off date with Ireland
“France stars Yoann Gourcuff and Karim Benzema give off the impression that they have been pinned back on the ropes for a little too long as they prepare for Saturday’s World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland.” (ESPN)

“From Pitaco do Gringo’s Brazilian football blog, ‘São Paulo are the new leaders in the Brasileiro’, from 8 November, by Jon Cotteril {click here}. Campeonato Série A table {click here (SoccerStats.com)}. Although Palmeiras regained the lead Wednesday night, with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Sport Club do Recife, São Paulo FC look well positioned to grab their fourth consecutive Brazilian title. There are 4 four rounds to go, and all of São Paulo’s matches are against clubs lower than 9th place.” (billsportsmaps)

Jorge Luis Borges
“The USMNT has qualified for the World Cup, yet questions remain. Under the reign of Bob Bradley, the US has registered important and impressive away victories in both rounds of qualifying, and also made the finals of three tournaments. But two finalist appearances mask disappointing returns – a 5-0 drubbing on homesoil and a 3 goal second half collapse.” (futfanatico)

“There is a debate raging over at Football365 who is the best player of the Noughties? The answer is Zidane obviously. Henry and (Fat Ronaldo) 2nd and 3rd. Zidane still has it. He, like Cruijff, had a move named after him (The Zidane Roulette). (Left Back In the Changing Room)

“One of the best things about an obsession with international soccer is the window it opens to the world. After all, how many Americans even knew where Slovakia was located before the announcement of the friendly match against the United States, which will be played in Bratislava on Saturday (10 a.m., Eastern, live on Fox Soccer Channel)?” (NYT)

“Ever since I became an addict of football management simulations on the computer I have always taken great pleasure in assigning the appropriate numbers to the players of my inherited team. This unhealthy obsession has unsurprisingly transferred itself over to real life. I find myself getting worked up when a defender is given a number that should be allocated to a forward player or when a player is given a squad number in the high eighties when there are only twenty or so professionals on the wage bill. Perhaps the real reason I am devoting this column space to such a subject is to try and find out if I am alone in the football supporting world or not.” (Just Football)

“James Richardson is joined by Sean Ingle, Rob Smyth and Paul Doyle. On the pod this week: • The team are joined on the phone by Raphael Honigstein to reflect on the death of Robert Enke. • A full World Cup play-off preview. • Brian Oliver drops by to discuss the African World Cup qualifiers and reminisce about the infamous Egypt v Algeria game from 1989. • And Sid Lowe is on the line to preview Spain’s friendly against Argentina.” (Guardian)

“He has won the Champions League, but only one of his last nine fixtures. He still appears adored by many on the Kop, but is derided by still more on messageboards and phone-ins. He is one of the most divisive figures in football. But how many of the criticisms commonly levelled at Rafa Benitez stand up to analysis?” (ESPN)

John Barnes
“An interesting piece here from Matt Slater. Sadly, this isn’t a new piece. In 2004, the BBC wrote a similar piece. The piece said then that one in four football professionals was black yet there were only three black managers. Since the breakthrough players of Viv Anderson, Cyrille Regis, Lawrie Cunningham and so on there have been a number of generations of black players come through the ranks.” (Left Back In the Changing Room)

What we can learn from Rooney, Dan Rooney
“Perhaps the worst row I’ve had in my scribbling career came when a press officer at a Premier League club accused me of racism. We had written a story about whatever issue everybody was talking about that week and buried the launch of an anti-racism rap that had been recorded by a couple of the team’s players. To give that story secondary importance was racist, the PR man claimed. I disagreed and tempers flared.” (BBC)

Super San Siro primed and ready for All Blacks
“San Siro. Or, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, if you prefer. As it looms into view along Via Patroclo, it makes famed rugby grounds like Ellis Park or Millennium Stadium look more like the local town domain. Eleven concrete towers, all 50m high, loom above the third tier of seating to prop up the distinctive roof of red girders which ominously cuts the skyline.” (NZHerald)

“It often ends in tears and it’s never, ever, easy. Yes, we’re talking about England’s World Cup qualifying campaigns, and we kick off the list with our efforts to get to Spain in 1982…” (midfielddynamo)

“After viewing photographs in The Guardian last week about the greatest number of league grounds that can be seen on a single train trip in Great Britain, the feature got me thinking about my life growing up in Wales.” (EPL Talk)

“France justifiably head into their World Cup qualification play-off against the Republic Of Ireland as favourites, especially given that the second of the two legs takes place in Paris at the Stade de France. But if any supporters of ‘Les Bleus’ who believe that qualification against Giovanni Trapattoni’s side is a foregone conclusion are surely mistaken. And they clearly haven’t paid enough attention to the Republic’s qualifying campaign so far.” (WorldSoccer)

“FC Barcelona hosted Cultural Leonesa on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in the second leg of the round of 32 of the Spanish Copa del Rey. Barcelona had a 2-0 lead after the first leg and are the overwhelming favorites to advance. Here’s a recap of the match along with video highlights.” (The 90th Minute)

“Apologies for not updating since before the Crystal Palace defeat. Those of you who regularly peer into the bowels of this blog will understand why. As the news of our loss filtered through, following various desperate attempts to find some way to listen to the match without having to subscribe to the decidedly hit and miss service offered by Boro World (like our forwards, it’s frequently unavailable when you really need it), I was at a genuine loss to find anything new to say. I mean, you’ve heard all this stuff before, haven’t you? We lack cutting edge in attack and we struggle to dominate midfield and possession.” (Smog Blog)

“This week the football world was shocked by the suicide of Hannover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke. Seemingly at the top of his career Enke was firmly established as the first choice stopper at one of Germany’s most respected clubs, and looked the favorite to be his country’s number one heading into the World Cup next summer in South Africa. That was before depression claimed his life after just thirty-two years.” (Pitch Invasion)

“I went down to see young Robin’s art class today. Had to get away from ‘er indoors; she was having another one of her happenings: feminist reclamation of craft, and all that gubbins. Anyway I get down to see Robin and let me tell you, he doesn’t take after his old man! He was really floundering out there, I mean, it’s hard for me to admit this but the boy just isn’t cut out for a life in art.” (The Run of Play)

“The FIFA World Cup 2010 welcomes Chile to South Africa after they qualified in an impressive second place. This will be the first time they have qualified for the finals since 1998 (they were banned from qualifying for 1990 and 1994 after their ‘keeper feigned injury during a qualification match against Brazil). While they have made seven appearances at the World Cup (including the first in 1930) the Chileans have never fared too well. Their best performance was as hosts in 1962 when they made it as far as the semi finals only to be knocked out by the eventual winners Brazil.” (spaotp)

“In recent years, generous tax breaks have been a key factor in encouraging players to move to Spain. But that may be about to change. In 2004, the Spanish government passed a law to lower the tax bracket for high-level ‘foreign executives’ working in the country in an attempt to attract multinational corporations. This law was specifically applicable to non-Spanish residents earning an annual salary of €600,000 (£537,000) or more and therefore included footballers.” (WSC)

“Nate Silver, the baseball analyst-turned-political analyst, has now turned his numerical acumen to soccer, producing a ranking of national teams for ESPN.com. The Soccer Power Index, which is meant to be used to predict match outcomes and will be put to the test at the next World Cup, differs markedly from its competition. Rankings by FIFA, the world soccer governing body, have England seventh in the world, Chile 17th and Uruguay 25th. Silver ranks them at third, eighth, and 10th, respectively. Meanwhile, Italy drops from fourth to 12th in his system, and Croatia from eighth to 19th.” (WSJ)

Ingres, Vergil Reciting from the Aeneid, 1812
“Steven Gerrard’s hotly-disputed second-half penalty rescued a point for Liverpool but did little to lift the pressure on boss Rafael Benitez. It is just one win now in nine matches for the Reds and they must be grateful for the two-week international break which will allow the dust to settle on their faltering season. It had started so well for the hosts with youngster David Ngog firing them into an early lead. But Ecuadorian Christian Benitez’s nodded equaliser and Cameron Jerome’s thunderous 30-yarder had Birmingham ahead at the break.” (ESPN)

Injury problems mount for troubled boss Benitez
“Rafael Benitez will be a relieved man that the international break has finally arrived, hopeful that some of his injured players will return to fitness ahead of a crucial clash against Manchester City at Anfield on November 21.” (ESPN)

Liverpool ride their luck but remain stuck in the mire
“There is no obvious route out of the mire for Liverpool and Rafael Benítez. Even the latest rescue act involving Steven Gerrard was tinged with regret and no shortage of controversy. The Liverpool captain answered his manager’s call and his club’s prayers to return from the groin problem that had sidelined him for the previous four matches and donned his familiar talisman cloak within 25 minutes of his return.” (Guardian)

David Ngog’s ’embarrassing case of cheating’ gets Liverpool a draw
“The Liverpool striker David Ngog was accused of indulging in ‘an embarrassing case of cheating’ last night as a controversial penalty salvaged a draw against Birmingham City but left Rafael Benítez’s team seventh in the Premier League and 11 points behind leaders, Chelsea.” (Guardian)

Benitez calls for ‘realism’ at Liverpool
“Rafael Benitez has for the first time played down Liverpool’s title dreams and asked for “realism” as the club fight to end a run of disastrous results. Liverpool are 11 points behind leaders Chelsea following last night’s 2-2 home draw with Birmingham.” (Independent)

Liverpool striker David Ngog cheated to win penalty, says Birmingham’s Lee Carsley
“Even his manager, Rafael Benitez, admitted referee Peter Walton was “maybe” wrong to award the hosts a spot-kick, which Steven Gerrard converted to cancel out goals from Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome, while his counterpart, Alex McLeish, and Carsley were left seething by Ngog’s deception.” (Telegraph)

“ESPN ran a story about a recent match between BYU and New Mexico’s women’s teams which has become infamous for the elbows-to-the-ribs and ponytail-yank antics of New Mexico player Elizabeth Lambert. Fans of the sport are groaning, because this is what it takes to get a non-Olympics/World Cup/WPS Final into headlines – replays of bitchslap.” (From a left wing)

Is this the world’s dirtiest female footballer?
“The hair-pulling defender has become an internet sensation after being seen hitting, kicking and, in one instance, pulling an opponent down by her hair during a game against Brigham Young University. When questioned about Lambert’s actions, team coach Kit Vela said: ‘Her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship’.” (Telegraph)

ESPN does an ACTUAL story about the New Mexico/BYU match
“Watch this interview with a local reporter (Jared Lloyd/Desert News) who covered this match. He points out that the “refs allowed” for a “physical game” – and offers a well informed perspective on the tone of the game (explaining New Mexico’s use of a physical style of play to break up BYU’s movement up and down the field).” (From a left wing)

“Reigning champions are FC Porto, who have now won four straight Portuguese titles. Porto have won 24 Portuguese championships overall, second only to the 31 titles won by Benfica. This season, Sporting Braga are the surprise club so far, though the northern club just lost ground Monday to Portuguese giants Benfica, who beat Naval 1 May 1-0, to go even on points with Braga. Braga had defeated Benfica 2-0 on 31st October, so they remain in first, because tie-breakers in Portugal are head-to-head results, not goal difference (like in Spain’s La Liga)….” (billsportsmaps)

“One of the men in charge of European football when the Berlin Wall came down has told World Football the international game suffered as a result. Gerhard Aigner – a German himself – was General Secretary of UEFA on 9 November 1989. He was speaking on World Football’s special programme on Football and the fall of the Berlin Wall.” (BBC)

“Today we present the second in a multipart series of articles focused on some of the financial problems facing football leagues across the world- especially those in smaller countries. By the end of the series it will become clear that many of these financial problems are the result of a century and a half old organizational model that simply cannot cope with the realities of the modern football and the modern financial world. Having highlighted the ways in which this model has increasingly come up short when faced with the unique problems presented by the sporting and financial landscape of the twenty-first century, we will offer a number of possible solutions which will help to ensure the future stability of the game, both on and off the pitch. As always, we here at Avoiding the Drop look forward to your comments, questions, and criticisms.” (Avoiding the Drop)

“This week’s Video Of The Week takes us back to the race for the Second Division title from the 1978/79 season and features three matches from an episode of London Weekend Television’s ‘The Big Match’, presented as ever by Brian Moore. The first match is between from Selhurst Park and is between Crystal Palace and Notts County, the second match is from The Goldstone Ground and is between Brighton & Hove Albion and Blackburn Rovers (about whom Moore says, ‘they’ve already been relegated to the Third Division, so at least they’ll be relaxed) and the final match is from Roker Park, and is between Sunderland and Cardiff City’.” (twohundredpercent)

“It is not difficult to find fault with some of the decisions made in the boardrooms of Manchester United and Liverpool. But the haranguing the clubs have faced for not joining the rest of the Premier League in displaying poppies on their shirts for the weekend fixtures is more disingenuous than the supposed offence. The Daily Mail’s Charles Sale has been applying “poppy pressure” on Premier League clubs this week after only 12 of the division’s 20 clubs announced plans to attach a poppy onto their kits.” (WSC)

“The integrity of football is under severe threat. What other conclusion can be drawn from news revealed by UEFA that it is investigating 40 separate cases of suspected match fixing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup, its two elite competitions?” (WorldSoccer – Jim Holden)

“Brazil coach Dunga is fiercely loyal to his group of players – which is hardly surprising. When he was appointed after the last World Cup, this novice coach was widely seen as a short-term solution, a poor man’s Luiz Felipe Scolari keeping the seat warm while the real thing was unavailable. Instead of which, Dunga and his band of men have, bar last year’s Olympics, won everything in their path – they have claimed the Copa America, Confederations Cup and finished top of South America’s World Cup qualification table.” (BBC – Tim Vickery)

“I’ve always had a book inside me, readers. Whether it’s the spark of a horror novel about someone who survives the trenches of World War One yet continues to be haunted by his memories of friends dying and eating Rat Surprise, a slice of fiction based on a season of Football Manager, or the endless concepts connected with Boro, I’m forever dreaming of fame, fortune and making it onto The South Bank Show before reality kicks in and I remember I work full time.” (Smog Blog)

“It is not difficult to find fault with some of the decisions made in the boardrooms of Manchester United and Liverpool. But the haranguing the clubs have faced for not joining the rest of the Premier League in displaying poppies on their shirts for the weekend fixtures is more disingenuous than the supposed offence. The Daily Mail’s Charles Sale has been applying “poppy pressure” on Premier League clubs this week after only 12 of the division’s 20 clubs announced plans to attach a poppy onto their kits.” (WSC)

“LIVERPOOL will brush off the controversy over England’s top clubs selling naming rights to their stadiums and chase the most expensive naming rights deal in the history of sport. Despite the recession, the Merseyside club’s hierarchy are convinced they can raise a mammoth £250m by persuading a leading global firm to buy the rights to name Liverpool’s proposed ground.” (TimesOnline)

“The Spanish league could very soon lose one of its handiest advantages, an advantage which puts its clubs in pole position in the European transfer market – namely the low tax charges foreign players enjoy in La Liga. This week Spanish football was hit hard with a government decision. A painful blow to all the top clubs and one that has put them all on alert, to the extent that rumours of a potential strike are flying around.” (ESPN)

“The nightmare of Liverpool was always going to provide this week’s most riveting drama in Europe. What we couldn’t know, though, was that it would be put into quite such tortured perspective by somebody else’s dream. Arsenal’s, that is.” (Independent)

“Pedro bagged a brace and Thierry Henry scored his first goal of the season as Barcelona cruised to a routine 4-2 win at home to Mallorca. Barca began the day a point ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division. The Catalans took to the field two hours before Madrid’s derby clash at city rivals Atletico, in the knowledge a win would keep them top for another week, regardless of what happened in the capital.” (ESPN)

“Today we present the first in a multipart series of articles focused on some of the financial problems facing football leagues across the world- especially those in smaller countries. By the end of the series it will become clear that many of these financial problems are the result of a century and a half old organizational model that simply cannot cope with the realities of the modern football and the modern financial world. Having highlighted the ways in which this model has increasingly come up short when faced with the unique problems presented by the sporting and financial landscape of the twenty-first century, we will offer a number of possible solutions which will help to ensure the future stability of the game, both on and off the pitch. As always, we here at Avoiding the Drop look forward to your comments, questions, and criticisms.” (Avoiding the Drop)

“So… to review… for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League round of sixteen one of the following scenarios needs to occur: 1.) Liverpool beat Debrecen AND Lyon beat Fiorentina AND Liverpool beat Fiorentina. 2.) Liverpool beat Debrecen AND Lyon draw with Fiorentina AND Liverpool beat Fiorentina by at least three goals. 3.) Liverpool beat Debrecen AND Fiorentina’s players are abducted by space aliens and replaced with cyborg footballers (this invokes an ancient Uefa rule that states any match influenced by extra-terrestrial involvement is automatically forfeit – see: Wolves v. Martians, 1972).” (EPL Talk)

“We all know about his fancy turn, his penchant for smokes and lollipops, and that something weird happened in the build up to the 1978 World Cup, but what else is their to know about Hendrik Johannes Cruijff ?” (midfielddynamo)

Pieter Bruegel, Peasant Wedding Feast (1567)
“If you’re a Liverpool fan, you’re probably pretty angry right now. You’ve won one game since September (albeit a pretty important one, against Manchester United), qualification to the knockout stage of the Champions League seems extremely improbable right now and you’re sixth in the English Premier League, after finishing second last year. (SI)

“Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside has popped his head above the parapet again. An article in today’s Guardian has once again floated the idea of a two tier Premier League. This would involve the co-opting of the current Cocaleague into the EPL structure, with those Bhoys and Gers from Glasgow added to taste.” (thetwounfortunates)

“Just as the Second World War had started at the beginning of the football season, it ended – in Britain, at least – at what would have been the end of it. It took, however, many years for the country to recover from the end of the fighting, so perhaps it is unsurprising that the Football League was unable to resume fixtures for the start of the 1945/46 season. The FA Cup, however, was a different matter. In the season immediately after the after the cessation of hostilities, The FA Cup was the only show in town.” (twohundredpercent)

“Trainspotting meets football trivia: welcome to the Knowledge’s very own perfect storm of nerdvana. Click here for our all-singing, all dancing interactive map of the route.” (Guardian)

“During Debrecen’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League in September Clive Tyldesley referred to the Hungarian league as “the 35th strongest in Europe”. Given that the 15 or so countries below Hungary in the UEFA co-efficient included Albania, Armenia and Liechtenstein (who don’t even have a league) ‘strength’ is perhaps a misplaced word. Sadder perhaps is that Hungary is by some distance the lowest ranked country on the list to have appeared in a World Cup final. Given this weakness it is perhaps with some irony that September 2009 was anticipated more than almost any month since Hungary last appeared in a World Cup 23 years ago.” (WSC)

“Traditional terrace tipplers still mouthing up their marmite at the news that Newcastle’s St. James’ Park will henceforth be known as sportsdirect.com@St. James’ Park Stadium will be further aghast to learn that Chelsea would consider cashing in on Stamford Bridge. We are not too far off from Ethan Armstrong’s vision here at EPL Talk of sponsored songs and players. While the idea of selling naming rights in England is not new, what with the Emirates Stadium, the KC Stadium, Reebok Stadium and the DW Stadium; the practice is not nearly as common as in the United States, what with Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Pizza Hut Park, the Home Depot Center and virtually every outdoor or indoor facility in the country.” (EPL Talk)

“James Richardson was in the hot seat for our groundbreaking live video edition of the web’s favourite football podcast. He was joined by Barry Glendenning , Rafa Honigstein and Paolo Bandini for a look at the latest Champions League action, as well as a preview of the weekend’s Premier League matches.” (Guardian)

“We should be close to learning the fate of Adam Johnson, and unfortunately it isn’t the news we all wanted to hear. Jinky’s leaving, and after all the talk about Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, it looks as though his likely destination will be Sunderland. Bloody Sunderland. Yeah, I realise he’s a Mackem, but still. Only joking, of course. If I’m honest, I can’t blame the winger for seeing the Stadium of Light as a better choice than the Riverside. Steve Bruce is doing a fine job up there, putting together a cogent side from all those disparate elements signed in a mad rush by Roy Keane.” (Smog Blog)

“The grand, pillared entrance to the Valeriy Lobanovskiy Stadium in Kiev, with a large image of Lobanovskiy himself resplendent on one side, gives the old stadium a presence far beyond its sub-17,000 capacity. The chill wind from the adjacent Dnipro river is equally foreboding. Old Trafford or the Santiago Bernabéu this is not, but the team from the black-and-blue half of Milan have seemed ill-at-ease at just about any Champions League venues of late.” (ESPN)

“Thanks to the Paulton Rovers site. Thanks to Matthew Bissex Architectural design Limited. Thanks to This Is Somerset.co.uk (set at ‘Lacey living Cup dream’, from 5 November,’09).” (billsportsmaps)

“Cote d’Ivoire secured a place at the World Cup finals in South Africa next year after Didier Drogba struck within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to clinch a 1-1 draw with Malawi on Saturday. The Ivorians, needing only a draw with the bottom-placed team in African qualifying Group E, had to come from behind after the hosts took a surprise 64th minute lead through Jacob Ngwira.” (AllAfrica)

‘Lethal’ Drogba holds key for Chelsea
“Manager Carlo Ancelotti hails striker Didier Drogba as “the best in the world” and Stamford Bridge new chief executive Ron Gourlay believes Chelsea can go on to win the Champions League twice in the next five years. One rings true. The other sounds rather hollow. Ancelotti’s not wrong about Drogba. He holds the key to the United clash.” (BBC)