Harshad Narvekar

Lampard’s controversial goal put Chelsea on course for a win after Michale Ballack brought down Manchster United Evra down with a elbow challenge.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was left fuming after the challenge and more importantly the gaol, and even claimed that Ballack should have been sent off for using an elbow during the Comm Shield win.

Because referee Chris Foy did not intervene, it left the way open for the FA to take action.

But Foy has since confirmed he saw the incident clearly and acted as he saw fit, meaning no further sanctions will be taken against the German mifielder.

Ballack said: “I have to be happy that the referee didn’t blow because maybe I blocked him a little bit.

“If the referee gives a foul it would have been okay as well, but he decided not to. It was a bit unlucky after that because they conceded the goal.

“I kept on playing but then I didn’t have the ball so I couldn’t see how injured he was.”

Chelsea eventually won the game 4-1 on penalties after it finished 2-2 in normal time.

Starting today I will hand pick some rumours for you from the transfer zone:

After England boss Capello said: “Beckham knows well that if he doesn’t return to a big European championship in December he’ll have no chance for the World Cup.”, many clubs like Chelsea and Spurs already alerted for the 33 year old midfielder. Manchester City have also been touted as possible destinations.

European champions Barca have already missed out on Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano and they have now turned their attention to Fabregas. They are ready to offer the gunners 35 million euros for the midfielder and many fringe players.

Manchester City have offered over 20 million pounds for Theo Walcott. I am sure Arsenal must have hired Wenger for a dual role, as a Manager and as a business consultant, as his business/sales skills are impeccable. (First Adebayar, Toure, Henry )

Else where Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is ready to abandon his interest in the Everton centre-half Joleon Lescott. Aston Villa have agreed a £7million deal with Middlesbrough for the striker Tuncay Sanli.

Liver desperate manger Rafa Benítez has attested his desire to sign a 3rd center back Stoke City stopper Ryan Shawcross , after registering wishes for Hull City’s Michael Turner and Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin.

21 days of more transfer rumours lined up!

Good night!

ANCELOTTI will pay an staggering £45million for AC Milan Alexandre Pato - and then loan him back to AC Milan for a year!

Chelsea will happily smash the transfer record for a teenager, previously the £27.5m paid for Wayne Rooney, but allow Pato to stay in Italy until after the World Cup.

Ancelotti believes his former club will now do business after rejecting all of Chelsea’s earlier approaches for the 19-year-old, tipped to be one of the world’s best.

A Stamford Bridge insider said: “Ancelotti’s so keen to capture Pato that he will pay a club record fee and still allow the kid to stay at Milan for another season. That tells you how highly he values him.”

The Blues boss gave Pato his big break in Italian football after he was signed from Brazil’s Internacional in 2007.

And Pato is indebted to Ancelotti for that and has a great loyalty to him as a result.

The source added: “The boy would come to Chelsea right now but Milan have just sold Kaka and do not want to lose another top star.

“That’s why this deal could make all the difference. Milan get their money up front and keep his services for one more season and have plenty of time to scout a replacement.

“Chelsea are hoping it is the perfect deal both for them and for Milan.”

Pato scored 18 goals in Serie A last term and has also established himself in the Brazil national team.

Chelsea will double his wages to £100,000 a week to cement the deal.

He is currently on just over £50,000 a week at Milan - one of their lowest paid stars.

Watch Chelsea Vs Manchester united live streaming online in the English FA Community Shield 2009 as the excitement is bound to be high as the blues are determined to start well under the new manager Carlos Ancelotti.
Manchester has identified Chelsea as their main challengers for the league title this season before this live online streaming English FA community 2009 football match.

Live link:
http://football-liveonpc.blogspot.com/2009/08/manchester-united-vs-chelsea-live.html

Footballing rivalries will be renewed later this month when Arsenal and Celtic clash in a two-legged play-off to reach the Champions League group stage.

The Gunners travel to Parkhead for the first leg before the return tie at the Emirates.
It would be a mouth watering & blistering start to the champions league for the gunners.
Arsenal must overcome Celtic if they are to qualify for the group stages of the champions league.

* Champions League play-off draw in full:

FC Sheriff v Olympiakos

SV Red Bull Salzburg v Maccabi Haifa

FK Ventspils v FC Zurich

FC Copenhagen v Apoel Nicosia

Levski Sofia v Debrecen

Lyon v Anderlecht

Celtic v Arsenal

FC Timisoara v VfB Stuttgart

Sporting v Fiorentina

Panathinaikos v Atletico Madrid

The first legs will be played on August 18/19, while the second legs will take place on August 25/26

Xabi Alonso has finally completely his dream move to Real Mardrid,

Real Madrid finally ended the longest summer transfer saga with the capture of midfielder.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez had been extremely reluctant to part with the player, whose possible exit has been talked about almost since the last ball was kicked at the end of last season.

Alonso then underwent various tests and is expected to link up with his new team-mates at an afternoon training session.

Real’s general director Jorge Valdano is delighted to have signed the Spain international but insists there will be no more new faces at the Bernabeu.

“Xabi was a very important piece,” he told Cadena Ser. “I’m delighted that what started six years ago has been completed now.

“He will immediately join the group and tomorrow he will talk to (coach Manuel) Pellegrini to see if he will go with the rest of the team to the USA.

“This is a special season, we had to do unprecedented things.

“With Xabi we have closed the chapter of signings. Now we have to work on the exits of professionals who won’t be here next season.”