Just a quick note to tell you that we have broken 300 pageviews (and counting!) in one month for the first time, beating our previous record of 245 in August 2012.
Thanks to everyone who reads my blog, especially readers in the UK and America, who have contributed to more than 200 views this month. It's really nice to know that people read my writing.
Thanks,
Zachary :-)
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Beckham to buy MLS franchise
David Beckham has decided to make a new Major League Soccer team in Miami, Florida.
Beckham, who retired after a short spell in France since leaving LA Galaxy, bought the new franchise for a reported $25 million (£15.6m).
There are currently 19 teams from Canada and the U.S playing in the MLS. A joint venture between Manchester City and the New York Yankees baseball team will become the 20th in the form of New York City FC in 2015. The MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020.
Beckham, who retired after a short spell in France since leaving LA Galaxy, bought the new franchise for a reported $25 million (£15.6m).
There are currently 19 teams from Canada and the U.S playing in the MLS. A joint venture between Manchester City and the New York Yankees baseball team will become the 20th in the form of New York City FC in 2015. The MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020.
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| Beckham left the field in tears on his final professional match with French team PSG in May |
United and Chelsea stay in League Cup
Manchester United and Chelsea have reached the last eight of the League Cup.
United thrashed Norwich 4-0, with Javier Hernandez scoring two. Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the cup with a 2-0 win.
Birmingham went down with a fight against Stoke. After being 3-1 down with only ten men, Peter Løvenkrands scored a brace to bring it to extra-time. Each team scored another before Stoke won it on penalties.
The full results:
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
Burnley 0-2 West Ham
Leicester 4-3 Fulham
Birmingham 4-4 Stoke aet. (Stoke win 4-2 on penalties)
United thrashed Norwich 4-0, with Javier Hernandez scoring two. Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the cup with a 2-0 win.
Birmingham went down with a fight against Stoke. After being 3-1 down with only ten men, Peter Løvenkrands scored a brace to bring it to extra-time. Each team scored another before Stoke won it on penalties.
The full results:
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
Burnley 0-2 West Ham
Leicester 4-3 Fulham
Birmingham 4-4 Stoke aet. (Stoke win 4-2 on penalties)
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| Hernandez scored two in a thrashing of Norwich |
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Bale only British player in Footballer of the Year shortlist
Gareth Bale is the only British player to be named in the World Footballer of the Year award shortlist.
Welshman Bale, 24, went to Real Madrid for a world record £85m from Tottenham in the summer. He has not made the best of starts in Spain, having yet to play a full 90 minutes.
There are five Premier League-based players up for contention, though. They are Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Mezut Ozil (Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Yaya Toure (Manchester City) and Robin Van Persie (Manchester United.
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon D'Or four times in a row, and he is the favourite alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Imbrahivomic and Frank Ribery.
Welshman Bale, 24, went to Real Madrid for a world record £85m from Tottenham in the summer. He has not made the best of starts in Spain, having yet to play a full 90 minutes.
There are five Premier League-based players up for contention, though. They are Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Mezut Ozil (Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Yaya Toure (Manchester City) and Robin Van Persie (Manchester United.
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon D'Or four times in a row, and he is the favourite alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Imbrahivomic and Frank Ribery.
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| Messi has won the award for four years running |
Monday, 28 October 2013
Platini wants World Cup changes
Head of UEFA Michel Platini has today said that he wants the World Cup changed from 32 teams to 40 teams.
His comments come after FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that more African and Asian teams should qualify, losing spots for Europe.
But Platini's proposal, two more teams from Asia, Africa and the Americas, with one more place for a European team. There would be eight groups of five at the World Cup group stage, instead of the eight groups of four currently.
It is not the first time the number of teams has changed at the World Cup. In 1930, the first time the competition was held, only thirteen teams competed. 1934 had sixteen nations, which grew to 24 in 1982. Most recently, 32 teams were allowed in at the 1998 World Cup.
His comments come after FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that more African and Asian teams should qualify, losing spots for Europe.
But Platini's proposal, two more teams from Asia, Africa and the Americas, with one more place for a European team. There would be eight groups of five at the World Cup group stage, instead of the eight groups of four currently.
It is not the first time the number of teams has changed at the World Cup. In 1930, the first time the competition was held, only thirteen teams competed. 1934 had sixteen nations, which grew to 24 in 1982. Most recently, 32 teams were allowed in at the 1998 World Cup.
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| Platini had an amazing career in the 1980's |
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Sunderland earn win and is Torres back on form?
Sunderland's first home match under new manager Gus Poyet ended in triumph against bitter rivals Newcastle.
Matthieu Debuchy pulled a goal back for the Magpies after they went behind to an early Steven Fletcher goal, but on-loan striker Fabio Borini's late effort gave the Black Cats their first win of the season.
Fernando Torres has now scored three goals in his last two games for Chelsea as the Blues were able to beat Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The full results are:
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City
Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspurs 1-0 Hull
Swansea 0-0 West Ham
Matthieu Debuchy pulled a goal back for the Magpies after they went behind to an early Steven Fletcher goal, but on-loan striker Fabio Borini's late effort gave the Black Cats their first win of the season.
Fernando Torres has now scored three goals in his last two games for Chelsea as the Blues were able to beat Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The full results are:
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City
Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspurs 1-0 Hull
Swansea 0-0 West Ham
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| Borini's had a bad start since joining Liverpool in 2012 but could be showing some new found form |
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Liverpool thrash WBA and United scrape past Stoke
Liverpool thrashed West Brom and Man United scraped past Stoke on a day when Southampton went third.
Luis Suarez scored a brilliant hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge scored the other as the Reds stayed second with a 4-1 win over West Brom.
Manchester United went behind but came back to beat Stoke 3-2. Arsenal still beat struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 despite having only ten men for 35 minutes.
Southampton's Victor Wanyama made a very strong claim earlier in the season by saying that the Saints 'could challenge for Champions League'. However, this could be true as a 2-0 win over Fulham left them third in the Premier League table.
The full results are:
Liverpool 4-1 West Brom
Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
Southampton 2-0 Fulham
Aston Villa 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 3-2 Stoke
Norwich 0-0 Everton
Luis Suarez scored a brilliant hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge scored the other as the Reds stayed second with a 4-1 win over West Brom.
Manchester United went behind but came back to beat Stoke 3-2. Arsenal still beat struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 despite having only ten men for 35 minutes.
Southampton's Victor Wanyama made a very strong claim earlier in the season by saying that the Saints 'could challenge for Champions League'. However, this could be true as a 2-0 win over Fulham left them third in the Premier League table.
The full results are:
Liverpool 4-1 West Brom
Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
Southampton 2-0 Fulham
Aston Villa 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 3-2 Stoke
Norwich 0-0 Everton
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Manchester clubs win in Champions League
Manchester United and Manchester City both won their Champions League matches on Wednesday night.
In an earlier kick-off, Sergio Aguero scored two to help City come from behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 in Russia.
Wayne Rooney's effort, hit in by an opposition player, was the only goal of the game when United played Real Sociedad.
In an earlier kick-off, Sergio Aguero scored two to help City come from behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 in Russia.
Wayne Rooney's effort, hit in by an opposition player, was the only goal of the game when United played Real Sociedad.
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Holloway leaves Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have parted company with Ian Holloway after a dismal start to their Premier League season.
The 50 year old left Championship side Blackpool to come to the Eagles in November 2012, and led them to promotion through the playoffs in his first season as boss.
However, they have only won one game this season, against fellow strugglers Sunderland, and a 4-1 loss to Fulham left them in 19th place in the Premier League table.
The 50 year old left Championship side Blackpool to come to the Eagles in November 2012, and led them to promotion through the playoffs in his first season as boss.
However, they have only won one game this season, against fellow strugglers Sunderland, and a 4-1 loss to Fulham left them in 19th place in the Premier League table.
Mixed results in Champions League for the Brits
There were a mix of results in the Champions League for the British teams on Tuesday night.
Chelsea and Celtic both won, but Arsenal lost.
Fernando Torres marked his 100th appearance for the Blues' with two goals in a 3-0 win over German side Schalke 04.
Arsenal also faced German competition, up against last year's finalists Borussia Dortmund. They couldn't find the form that has served them so well in the Premier League recently, losing 2-1.
Celtic pulled off an impressive 2-1 win over Dutch champions Ajax at home.
Chelsea and Celtic both won, but Arsenal lost.
Fernando Torres marked his 100th appearance for the Blues' with two goals in a 3-0 win over German side Schalke 04.
Arsenal also faced German competition, up against last year's finalists Borussia Dortmund. They couldn't find the form that has served them so well in the Premier League recently, losing 2-1.
Celtic pulled off an impressive 2-1 win over Dutch champions Ajax at home.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Arsenal stay top and United continue woeful start
Aaron Ramsey helped Arsenal stay top by two points with a 4-1 win over Norwich. Liverpool couldn't overtake the Gunners, drawing 2-2 with Newcastle.
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw with Southampton, but their rivals had better luck - City beating West Ham 3-1.
A controversially given goal let Chelsea beat Cardiff 4-1. Gus Poyet's start to life as Sunderland manager got off to a bad start, losing 4-0 to Swansea.
The full results are:
Swansea 4-0 Sunderland
Arsenal 4-1 Norwich
Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff
West Ham 1-3 Manchester City
Everton 2-1 Hull
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Manchester United 1-1 Southampton
Stoke 0-0 West Brom
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw with Southampton, but their rivals had better luck - City beating West Ham 3-1.
A controversially given goal let Chelsea beat Cardiff 4-1. Gus Poyet's start to life as Sunderland manager got off to a bad start, losing 4-0 to Swansea.
The full results are:
Swansea 4-0 Sunderland
Arsenal 4-1 Norwich
Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff
West Ham 1-3 Manchester City
Everton 2-1 Hull
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Manchester United 1-1 Southampton
Stoke 0-0 West Brom
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
England qualify for 2014 World Cup
England beat Poland 2-0 at Wembley to secure a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland avoided finishing bottom of their group, Scotland beat Croatia, and Wales produced one of their best games of qualifying with a 1-1 draw away to Belgium in Craig Bellamy's last international game.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland avoided finishing bottom of their group, Scotland beat Croatia, and Wales produced one of their best games of qualifying with a 1-1 draw away to Belgium in Craig Bellamy's last international game.
Saturday, 12 October 2013
England win in World Cup Qualifiers
England won 4-1 against Montengro to help their World Cup Qualifying hopes.
Wales also won, beating Macedonia 1-0, but Republic of Ireland lost 3-0 to Germany, and Northern Ireland were beaten 2-0 by Azerbaijan.
The result means that England have a good chance of winning their group and going through to 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Wales also won, beating Macedonia 1-0, but Republic of Ireland lost 3-0 to Germany, and Northern Ireland were beaten 2-0 by Azerbaijan.
The result means that England have a good chance of winning their group and going through to 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Thursday, 10 October 2013
Tendulkar to retire from all cricket
Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
The only cricketer to score 100 centuries, the Indian 'Little Master' will bow out against the West Indies in his 200th test match. Tributes have been pouring in for a man who many people see as one of the greatest sportsmen ever.
The only cricketer to score 100 centuries, the Indian 'Little Master' will bow out against the West Indies in his 200th test match. Tributes have been pouring in for a man who many people see as one of the greatest sportsmen ever.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
West Ham stun Spurs and Arsenal go top
West Ham stunned Tottenham with a 3-0 win at White Hart Lane.
It propelled Spurs further down the table. However, it was better news for the rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners had a tough ask against Manchester United-beaters West Brom. Despite only a 1-1 draw, the North Londoners reclaimed the top spot from Liverpool.
Chelsea survived a bit of a scare to win 3-1 at Norwich, while Southampton saw off Swansea with a 2-0 win.
It propelled Spurs further down the table. However, it was better news for the rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners had a tough ask against Manchester United-beaters West Brom. Despite only a 1-1 draw, the North Londoners reclaimed the top spot from Liverpool.
Chelsea survived a bit of a scare to win 3-1 at Norwich, while Southampton saw off Swansea with a 2-0 win.
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Liverpool go top as SAS beat Palace
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge showed their deadly strike partnership as they both scored to send Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table.
SAS, as the two players have been nicknamed, helped their team to a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Manchester City ended Everton's run with a 3-1 win, while United survived an early scare to beat Sunderland 2-1.
The full results are:
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
Man City 3-1 Everton
Sunderland 1-2 Man United
Cardiff 1-2 Newcastle
Fulham 1-0 Stoke
Hull 0-0 Aston Villa
SAS, as the two players have been nicknamed, helped their team to a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Manchester City ended Everton's run with a 3-1 win, while United survived an early scare to beat Sunderland 2-1.
The full results are:
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
Man City 3-1 Everton
Sunderland 1-2 Man United
Cardiff 1-2 Newcastle
Fulham 1-0 Stoke
Hull 0-0 Aston Villa
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