United move to within a point of another Premier League crown

Manchester United need just a point this weekend when they play Arsenal to secure another Premier League title after a 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic last night. In a tricky match for the champions, a professional performance was enough to see them past a Wigan side that had clearly improved from this point last season.

It was in fact Wigan who went ahead on the half hour mark. Nemanja Vidic’s slip allowed Hugo Rodallega to slam the ball home to cancel out a first half pretty much dominated by United. Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick both got on the score sheet in the second half to give United the three points they were looking for.

It was a very professional display by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and he will be pleased at the manner of the victory and the fact that there were no players looking to throw their toys out of the pram with this performance.

One Wigan fan said before the game: “We just need to stay in there and fight.” That’s exactly what Steve Bruce’s men did. They literally made it as difficult as they could for United to get any time on the ball that would allow the killer last pass to be made. The Wigan goal may have been against the run of play but it was deserved.

Wigan look to be getting better all the time and surely as time passes they will add higher quality additions to their squad. This will allow them to push on next season and based on this it wouldn’t be a surprise if they show enough grit and determination to secure a top six spot in the next campaign.

United’s work is not yet done. They still need to get a point from the Arsenal game and will face a side likely to be rampant on revenge having been stuffed in the Champions League. United will know that they can’t waste as many good chances to score as they did last night and there is no doubt that if Arsenal can do any thing to spoil the party then they will.

Ferguson will be pleased with the performance of Tevez who looks to have kick started the manager into negotiating with him over a new contract. He will also be pleased that the team got through the match with no fresh injury doubts, something so important when you consider the high calibre of matches they have left to play.

Although the quintuple is now no longer a possibility there has really only been one team who has been so dominant over the entire season and it’s United. Despite Liverpool’s push this season United have proved time and time again that they know how to grind out results and win key points.

This is easily a match they could have let their heads drop in. The rain was pouring down and no doubt one or two of the players wouldn’t have fancied it. However, they stuck to their task and are now within touching distance of the Premier League trophy yet again.

Reading will be looking to turn around first leg deficit

Reading will be looking to over turn the 1-0 score line they conceded in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, when Burnley travel to the Madejski stadium tonight. Reading played well and built up good spells of pressure in the first leg but fell behind to a penalty, which saw Andre Bikey sent off.

The added incentive is there for the Royals who will want to bounce back into the Premier League at the first attempt. However, Burnley must not be over looked as the prospect of unknown water can often inspire a team and make them play above their normal levels of performance.

Whoever wins the match will set up a mouth watering final clash with Sheffield United and the prospect of playing for a place in the Premier League and a club pay day of £30 million.

Bikey is obviously suspended for four games so will play no part in the match, Kalifa Cisse is likely to take his place. Kevin Doyle is struggling to shake off an injury and winger Glen Little is available for selection. Steve Coppell will have to get his side right if they are to have any chance of progression as Burnley will no doubt adopt a defensive element in the game.

Chris Eagles faces a late fitness test for the travelling side and it is unknown whether he will start. Wade Elliot and Joey Gudjonsson also face fitness tests but otherwise Burnley will travel at full strength.

The match is likely to be a lot more open than the first leg and Reading will be hoping that the home fans can get right behind the team and ensure that the recent home form they have shown is corrected. Reading have all of the tools necessary to progress and watching their last few performances there is a big display about to explode from this side.

However, Burnley are not naïve. They will travel with one goal already in the back and will adopt an efficient system. They may choose to string five men across the midfield if Reading go with three strikers up top again. The only problem is that this sort of system invites pressure and could well be their undoing if Reading hit their straps.

Although Sheffield United at the moment won’t care who they play in the final they would probably prefer it to be Burnley as Reading will want revenge over United for a recent league defeat.

Burnley can win this match but they need Reading to have an off day. Reading’s failure to make the pressure tell the other night was reflected through an angry and animated Coppell, who as we all know is otherwise calm and collected. Therefore it is likely he has been banging on at his side over the last couple of days that they cannot keep failing to convert their chances.

At this moment in time the match is hard to call. For all of the football perfectionists they would probably prefer a Sheffield United v Reading final but this is unknown territory for Burnley, which is something that could fuel the performance of the side.

Barcelona, more than a club

When Barcelona players walk on to the pitch at the Nou Camp in their famous blue and claret strip, they are representing not just a club but a way of life.

They and their fans throughout Spain and the rest of the world hold values dear to their hearts. Fortitude, loyalty, freedom, the right of choice and speech, determination, principles and passion.

But these are not manufactured ethics. These have been earned over more than 100 years of distinguished history. A history which has seen near bankruptcy, the suicide of one of its most influential presidents, a fight to retain its name, the murder of a leading protagonist and even a Fascist bomb. All this from humble beginnings and a tiny advertisement in a sporting newspaper which laid the foundations for a proud future.

Today, Barcelona is one of the most famous football clubs on the planet. It’s estimated that one in four Spanish residents support the team which became a symbol of anti-dictatorship following the country’s harsh years under the forceful rule of Primo de Rivera and Franco.

Barcelona has always shunned the norm and became the first team to refuse shirt sponsorship despite the offer of huge sums of money from household names. Instead, in 2006, the club signed a five year agreement which sees UNICEF receiving nearly two million dollars each year towards its work. It may be one of the richest clubs ever but Barcelona FC has never forgotten its humble roots and the fight to survive and prosper.

The man who started the football club in Barcelona was actually from Switzerland. Businessman Hans (Joan) Gamper, born in 1877, was an avid sports enthusiast. He put a note in a local magazine in 1899 calling for players. Just one month later, he was presiding over the club’s inaugural meeting. Englishman Gualteri Wild became the first president and their very first game was against some ex-Pats who scored the only goal (with a little help from some Barcelona players!)

Barcelona’s famous and imposing Nou Camp is probably as well-known as the team but playing life actually started in the grounds of a number of hotels. However, their first official ground in 1909 made history, having a capacity of 6,000 with a two-tier stand, unique in those early days.

By this time, Barcelona were already winning titles and cups, including the Catalan Championships and the Spanish Championships year after year.

Founder Gamper, who also played for the club as a prolific striker, became president of the club in 1908 to save it from financial disaster. He was to serve as president five times in all up to 1925 and did not deserve his sad end as he committed suicide in 1930 because of business and political pressures.

The years between 1919 and 1929 was a golden age decade for Barcelona, despite huge political difficulties. In 1922, they moved to their new Les Corts ground which became known as “the cathedral of football”.

Much of Barcelona’s history is directly linked to the Fascist reign of Spain which was to haunt them even into the 1970s and it’s said that many supporters joined the club as a way of expressing their disgust at the supremacy, rather than become members of direct political groups. In 1925, the crowd even jeered the Spanish National Anthem and Gamper was forced to resign, contributing to his tragic demise.

In the 1930s, the regime ordered the closure of Les Corts and it was used as a type of military camp during the civil war. Barcelona’s president Josep Sunol was also murdered by Franco’s soldiers and, in 1938, a fascist bomb was dropped on the social club. Franco even ordered the club to change its Catalan name to the more Spanish Club de Futbol Barcelona, a move which was finally reversed in 1970.

Through it all, Barcelona stood strong and earned the respect of millions of Spaniards who shared the same ethics but were not at liberty to speak out. Today, there is still great rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid who were seen as favourites in the Fascist regime. It is one of the reasons why one of their most famous managers, Johan Cruyff was so revered. He said he opted for Barcelona over Real Madrid and even chose a traditional Catalan name, Jordi for his son.

Cruyff is just one of the famous names associated with Barcelona who celebrated the opening of their incredible Nou Camp stadium in 1959. It holds 90,000 spectators and is regarded as one of the best in the world. Walking down its famous steps is said to take your breath away. Great names associated with the club include Gary Lineker, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Efo, Figo, Kluivert, Rivaldo, Simatoz, Schuster and Alberto as players and Terry Venables, Rijkaard and Bobby Robson as managers.

Barcelona have had periods of massive success but lulls too yet the trophy cabinet at the Nou Camp is packed to the brim with silver-ware. They have won virtually everything there is to be won in football, including the La Liga title, the Spanish Cup, the Super Cup, the League Cup, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the Super Cup. Barcelona are just one of three teams never to have been relegated from La Liga and are the second most successful club in Spanish football. One of their greatest nights was winning their first European Cup at Wembley in 1992 and their support at the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on May 27, 2009 was just incredible.

Throughout it all, the peaks and troughs, the triumphs and the defeats, membership of Barcelona has continued to grow as millions of fans agree it is so much more than just a club. Mes que un club. It’s a living legend.

Barcelona suffer injury setback

Barcelona play maker, Andres Iniesta, picked up a thigh injury in the club’s 3-3 draw with Villarreal yesterday that could see him miss the Champions League final against Manchester United.

Iniesta has been arguably Barcelona’s most influential player in recent seasons and the injury is a massive blow to the club and their trophy bids. Barcelona’s manager, Pep Guardiola, admitted that losing such a key player would be a huge blow to the club ahead of the biggest game of their season.

Guardiola said in the Spanish media today: “Losing Iniesta through injury is worse than not having won the title on Sunday. He is definitely out of the cup final but I hope he will be in Rome.”

“Anyway, it is part of the game. You have to take risks. Another player will replace him. We will fight to win and could use players from the academy.”

It must be remembered that Iniesta is the reason that Barca are in the Champions League final. His brilliant precision and accuracy to score the goal against Chelsea last week, which sent them through, was something only he could produce.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that he does not face up against his side as it will give United one less headache to worry about and no doubt it will provide some space and opportunity in the midfield during the final, which United would otherwise not have.

The reason Iniesta is so important to the Barcelona side is that he has the ability to make everyone else on the pitch look like a world-beater. He creates space and brings players into the game. Pundits speaking after Barca’s win over Chelsea said he was even better on the ball than Thierry Henry or Lionel Messi.

These are not easy comments to attract and prove why Iniesta is so highly rated at the top level. It must also not be forgotten that he was in the heart of a Spain side that cantered to European glory last year.

Every single football neutral will want to see the best players picked for the Champions League final on May 27 so for Barca what they have to do is quite simple. They have to wrap Iniesta in cotton wool for the next couple of weeks while continuing to keep him motivated.

His come back could come at exactly the right time for Barca and no doubt they will want to unleash him for another final and hope that he replicates his performance in a similar manner to the one that was too good for Arsenal in 2006.

Barca can think themselves lucky that the injury was not a lot more serious and providing there is no internal or muscle damage and the blow to Iniesta’s right thigh was just this then a dead leg can easily be over come. Even though United will be hoping it is a lot more serious, in the back of Fergie’s mind he will want the Spaniard to get fit, as he will want to beat Barca’s best team.

Liverpool can temporarily move back to the top of the Premier League

Liverpool face a tricky trip to West Ham United today but can move back to the top of the Premier League with a win. It will be a tough encounter at Upton Park as West Ham are also trying to push for a UEFA cup sot ahead of next season.

Rafa Benitez has no other matches to worry about this season so is likely to pick the best Liverpool side he can. Xabi Alonso will not play any part in the match as he is still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered after Joey Barton’s challenge last weekend. Liverpool’s only other concerns are Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano who are both carrying slight knocks but are expected to play.

Gianfranco Zola will be relying on the ever-audible West Ham support as well as the talents of many young players he has brought into the first team. Carlton Cole will miss out as he continues his recovery from a groin strain and joining him will be James Collins and Kieron Dyer.

Benitez will insist that his team still have a chance the Premier League title glory and will refuse to concede the title to Manchester United until it is a mathematical certainty. This makes for an attacking promise from the Liverpool boss and we may be treated to some of the best football of the weekend if Liverpool hit their straps.

However, West Ham must win the game if they want to have any chance of stealing 6th place away from Everton who are looking more and more likely to finish in that position. The gap is currently six points and a win will put the pressure back onto Everton who face a tough match today against an ever-improving Tottenham Hotspur side.

Hopefully it will not be a dead game as considering both teams do still have something to play for the likelihood that they will get anywhere near these proposed goals by the end of the season is grim. It could well turn out to be a rather pointless encounter, but such is professional football this is not likely to happen.

Until the fat lady sings, everyone on Merseyside and East London will be signing their hearts out and any slack effort or match play from either side will not only let the fans down but will not do either club justice.

There is also the added spice that both managers like to wield the post-season axe and the players should be aware of this. Liverpool will want to improve their squad again at the close season so anyone who does not pull their weight in Liverpool’s remaining games could fast find himself in the Benitez list of players to get rid of.

West Ham are also likely to increase their ambitions next season and this could well mean a massive over haul of playing staff if the new owners of the club allow Zola adequate funds to create a squad good enough to compete in Europe. There are a lot of youngsters currently in the West Ham side and they need to play out of their skins if they want to have any chance of staying in Zola’s plans.

Arsenal secure the future of one of their best talents

Arsenal winger and front man, Theo Walcott, has committed his future to the club by signing a new long term contract. The news comes just days after reports of a new offer being prepared for manager, Arsene Wenger, and the gaffer will be pleased by the news that Walcott has no intentions to move this summer.

Walcott has come under increased scrutiny within the last couple of weeks as his inexperience in the Champions League ties against Manchester United was displayed at its fullest. However, Arsenal fans can now rest easy that this gifted individual will not be playing his football in any other place than at the Emirates come the start of next season.

Walcott seems as enthusiastic by the new deal and is insistent that Arsenal can win trophies in the next campaign. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The way the boss has managed all the team, the players he brings in just settle into the team straight away and just be part of it.”

“This team has definitely got the chance to win something, especially for the fans as well because they’ve been absolutely terrific for us this season. We want to do it for them mainly and it would be brilliant to look back on the amount of trophies and medals you’ve won.”

The North London club will be hoping that more players publicly commit their future to the club as Wenger will no doubt look to change things around this sumemr in his endless quest for the perfect football formula.

Walcott was a name rumoured to be targetd by a number of Premier League and Spanish clubs. His pace and touch on the ball are his two biggest assets, both of which are the sole reasons he is at such a big club.

There is little doubt that Arsenal are going to have to rapidly improve if they are to seriously challenge on all fronts next season. The first sign to doing this is to make sure the manager is not forced to sell anyone and the signature of Walcott is the first insurance of his more than talented squad staying together.

The bigger challenge for the former Premier League champions will be to hang onto their bigger players. Captain, Cesc Fabregas, has been linked with a move to Barcelona all season long and, no disrespect to Walcott in the slightest, it is these high calibre players that the club will have to keep.

The younger players can take something from Walcott’s commitment. He obviously recognises the fact there is no better manager in the game than Wenger to develop and nurture the talents of a gifted young player. Wenger, lest we not forget, turned Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira into two of the biggest names in the game from a point where they arrived at Arsenal as just young and raw young men.

The foundatons for Arsenal are very good. If the bigger players stay then it just needs one or two tweaks to make the Arsenal amchine strong again.

Former Manchester United star will be looking to get one over on his old side

Gerard Pique will be looking to get one over on Manchester United when he faces his old club in the Champions League final at the end of the month. Pique made the move back to his native Spain last summer having been raised under the wing of Sir Alex Ferguson at United.

Now Pique wants to snuff out the United attack and prove to the current European champions that they were wrong for ever agreeing to let him leave. He said: “It means a lot. It will be special because I have three good years there, maybe I didn’t play a lot but they were important years for me.”

“There are no words to describe how happy the team is. A team like this, trying to attack all the time, cannot go 180 minutes without scoring a goal. It was in the last minute but it was enough.”

The significance of Pique’s transition as a player is outlined by the fact he is bound to start the final for arguably Europe’s best current team, when he would have struggled to even get in the squad if he was still at United. There will not be any malice or bitterness in his wanting to beat United, but he will be spurred on by the fact that he feels he may have something to prove.

If it is a good night in Rome for Pique then he won’t have an awful lot to do but this is very doubtful considering the rampant display that United showed against Arsenal the other night. Even Barca’s players could not help but sit back and admire the way they destroyed Arsene Wenger’s men.

The Spaniard has transformed himself from a fringe player at United into a first team regular at Barcelona and he will square up in the opposite number to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the hope that his team comes out well on top. If he scores then celebrations are unlikely as is the mutual respect obviously evident between Pique and his former club, but he will be as determined as ever when he puts on that Barca shirt.

It is impossible to predict what Pique’s performance will be like in the final. Both United and Barca have come a long way from the club’s they were this time a year ago. On the one hand United have learnt how to win the hard way and get through dodgy spells of form and bad performances this season. On the other, Barca have proved that they can take apart any team at will, but have frailties that United can exploit.

Pique will have one hell of a time trying to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney quite all night when the teams meet in Italy but the determination he must feel after his Old Trafford exit could raise his level of performance to heights that United fans didn’t know he could reach. It is an impossible final to call but the feelings involved are already open on display.