Ahead of TheGame: Tevez at home in Manchester
The news in 60 seconds
TEVEZ AT HOME IN MANCHESTER
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's flirtations with Real Madrid, his Argentinian team-mate says he wants to sign a permanent deal with Manchester United. "I would certainly love to extend my contract," Tevez said. "La Liga is a possibility but that day is a long way off. I know a lot of South Americans prefer to play in Italy or Spain when they move to Europe but I am really pleased that I came here. This is the best league in the world and I am among some of the best footballers in the world." Hear, hear, Carlos.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3947272.ece
COLE BACKS GRANT FOR GLORY
The Chelsea midfielder is doing his utmost to get in the starting line-up in Moscow with a rousing defence of his manager, Avram Grant. "It is part and parcel of being a manager or a footballer - there is always someone ready to have a pop at you," Cole said. "I don't pay any attention to what those people think of me, and I am sure Avram doesn't either. He has got broad shoulders."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3946839.ece
FA CUP PREVIEW: FINALISTS IN GOOD SHAPE
Both Portsmouth and Cardiff have a full complement of players to choose from, although the Premier League team will be without Jermain Defoe, who is cup-tied. "Everyone's fit," Harry Redknapp, the Pompey manager, said. "But it's a difficult time as I may have to disappoint one or two lads who have played in the other rounds."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3944399.ece
LIVE COMMENTARY: CARDIFF CITY V PORTSMOUTH
Dave Jones will lead his underdogs out at Wembley knowing that they have the bite to cause an upset. Follow the big game with us from 3pm. For those of you who prefer only to watch games involving the big four and have made plans to visit an outlying retail park, you can still access the commentary via your mobile by texting Times to 86626. It's not too late to get the "real" football bug.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/sports_commentary/football/index.html
VIEIRA GIVES WARNING TO WENGER
The Inter Milan midfielder and former Gunners skipper fears the consequences if the Arsenal captaincy is taken away from William Gallas. "Psychologically, it could be difficult for him," Vieira said. "He could think he has lost his coach's trust and his team-mates'."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3947355.ece
LEE RETURNS TO ANFIELD
The former Liverpool player and coach has returned to the club as assistant manager. "When a club the size of Liverpool comes in for you, and when a manager of the magnitude of Rafael Benitez wants you, then you cannot say no," Lee said. "When I found out they were interested in me I was really thrilled." Martin O'Neill might not agree.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3944844.ece
MANCHESTER CITY WIN UEFA PLACE
Sven-Goran Eriksson's team have been awarded a place in the competition as a result of their placing in the domestic fair play league, the Premier League have confirmed. They may have to host their first qualifying round tie at another ground. No, Thaksin Shinawatra hasn't sacked the City of Manchester Stadium. It's because the Eastlands pitch is due to be relaid after a Bon Jovi gig in June. Apparently, it's slippery when wet.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article3946277.ece
LIVE MATCHTRACKER: DONCASTER V SOUTHEND
Who will have the pleasure of playing Leeds in the League One play-off final? The tie is finely balanced after a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Roots Hall. Follow the action from 7.45pm.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/
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If you've got another couple of minutes
Just in case you'd forgotten, it's the FA Cup Final tomorrow and Tom Dart gives ten reasons to be cheerful about it ...
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/ten-reasons-t-1.html
... and ten reasons to be fearful.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/ten-reasons-to.html
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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Beer we go lads - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Jake Payne has built a pub in his house featuring a replica of the FA Cup. 2) The 50-year-old bought the trophy for the "Pompey Arms" seven months before his team reached the Final against Cardiff. 3) "I must have had a premonition," he said. 4) Or an alcoholic hallucination in his lounge bar.
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A quickie before you go, sir?
You'll love this. Franck Ribery and Daniel van Buyten play a practical joke on Oliver Kahn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_mJJm6DqoY
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13
Years since a team from outside the big four won the FA Cup. Everton beat Manchester United in 1995.
1
Times the FA Cup has left England in its 137-year history, when Cardiff City beat Arsenal in 1927.
107
Steps the winning captain will have to negotiate to lift the famous trophy.
54
Previous meetings between the sides. Portsmouth have won 22, Cardiff 18.
28
Years since a team from outside English football's top division won the cup. The last side were West Ham United in 1980.
69
The combined age of Cardiff's possible strike pairing of Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink and Robbie Fowler.
£1,000,000
Prize money awarded to the FA Cup winners.
15
The chart position of the official Cardiff FA Cup song, Bluebirds Flying High. Not bad, but the two greatest FA Cup singles, Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCXdlxZ5RiM) and Anfield Rap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q15aQNswI8) made it to No 5 and No 3 respectively. And no, we don't care that Come On You Reds made it to No 1. It's awful and the hundreds of thousands of people who bought it should be ashamed of themselves.
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In TheGame
Tony Cascarino explains how to win the FA Cup in this week's footballing lesson. Hold on, he hasn't won a Final you say. That's true, he was a runner-up in 1994 with Chelsea but the distractions of the day are still clear in his mind: "My advice to Cardiff City and Portsmouth's players: if you want detailed memories of the FA Cup Final, buy the DVD. Too many players get caught up in the occasion and blow it. Take the atmosphere in at the final whistle when you've won. It's so easy to let your mind wander."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/tony-cascarin-3.html
In Fanzine Fanzone, our Portsmouth expert is feeling tense before his team's biggest game in his lifetime: "Having followed them for 38 years, a penalty shootout defeat in the semis against Liverpool in 1992 has been the closest I have got to knowing what it is like to win 'real' silverware."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/05/the-match-of-my.html
Bill Edgar compiles his top ten FA Cup Final underdogs and you may be surprised to see Tottenham Hotspur in the list and not Wimbledon. Have your say.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/top-ten-fa-cup.html
The Brighton Bandits, the town's gay football team, are calling for May 2, 2009 to be marked as a remembrance day for Justin Fashanu, with Premier League and Football League teams observing a minute's silence and wearing black armbands in a bid to raise awareness and improve education about homosexuality in football. Tom Dart believes it is a goal that seems unlikely to be realised.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/footballs-comin.html
Bill Edgar has posted his Fiendish Friday Quiz - ten questions that will have the keenest anorak grasping at straws - including this belter: Manchester United have won ten league titles since Liverpool were last champions in 1990, reducing the Anfield club's lead in title successes from 18-7 to 18-17. Before that sequence, how many titles did Liverpool win without United doing so?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/bill-edgars-f-2.html
In Monday's in-paper supplement
- Martin Samuel, Matt Dickinson and Simon Barnes give their reaction from Wembley
- Gabriele Marcotti previews the Champions League final in Moscow
- Rio Ferdinand talks about life at Manchester United
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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
Ronalgo - The Sun
Really tempted - Daily Mirror
Anderson gives England upper hand - The Daily Telegraph
Ronaldo opens door to Real as he ponders United future - The Independent
Letter reveals Chambers took drugs cocktail - The Guardian
Firing squad - Daily Express
Monaco royals to snub Mosley - Daily Mail
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox
Ronaldo's claim that he will consider his future after the Champions League final has provoked plenty of reaction:
"Why would anyone want to go to Spain - apart from the weather? Real are a great club historically, but you don't win historical medals in football. What counts is 'now' and right now Manchester United is the best club in Europe. Which is where Ronaldo should be. Real Madrid is for retirement - ie mid 30s."
William Tapley neglects to consider Real's recent championship win featuring such geriatrics as Ramos, Diarra, Robben, Sneijder, Drenthe, Casillas, Metzelder and Robinho. They are on the cusp my friend, the cusp.
"Ronaldo is not a local Manchester lad, he has no real ties to Manchester other than the football. If he decides he wants to spread his wings at least the Glazer debt can be reduced and one things for sure, Manchester United will attract more great talent. So as a United fan I don't worry about it."
Jon Jones is remarkably laid back. But it will eventually dawn on him that Ronaldo has no equivalent in the world game, especially when it comes to defending their Premier League title.
"As a Real Madrid fan, I hope that Ronaldo stays in England. If he comes, he'll stay three or four years, start moaning about how unloved he is, and leave for greener pastures. Now that we've got rid of the Figos, Beckhams etc, we don't need another money-loving player in the team."
What's this? A modern day football fan who thinks long-term. Come on, Lucho, you'd love to have him for a couple of moan-free years.
"Ronaldo should stay at United as he enjoys first-team football with the champions. Why go to Madrid and be on the bench?"
Are you serious, Allen in Malaysia? The Portuguese star is more than just a vehicle to sell shirts. He offers Real the chance for world domination.
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Tomorrow's news today
- Redknapp gets emotional over first Wembley final
- Jones sees ambitious future for Cardiff
And expect...
The usual muted rendition of Abide With Me as the crowd try to remember the words.
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