Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Applying for a Foreign Maid in Malaysia: Introduction


Foreign maid, or called Pembantu Rumah Asing (PRA) is a must for a family with children. Not all family in Malaysia especially in urban area can afford to have a maid right now since the processto get one from local agent can easily cost you about MYR7000.

Of course if you have no problem with your financial, you can apply through a miad employment agency. They should do all the running for you. Just provide them with the required items. You can get the list here.

If you opted to do all the things by yourself, here I will explain step-by-step on how to apply foreign maid in Malaysia.

Continue in the next posting....and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happy New Year 2009!


Murshidism team would like to wish all the blogger and surfer a very prosperous New Year. May 2009 will bring more luck and better opportunities for us.

I am looking forward to increase back my traffic and page ranking.

Need to buy a new domain with new Adsense account...hehe

Anyway....have a nice holiday..!

Liverpool captain Gerrard arrested over assault


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was arrested on Monday after a brawl at a restaurant. The England midfielder was among six men arrested when officers were called to the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside.

A 34-year-old local man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, which are not thought to be serious. Merseyside Police said the 28-year-old footballer and five other men were arrested on suspicion of assault.

Gerrard went out with friends just hours after his side's 5-1 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park. After the game Gerrard, who scored twice, hailed his table-topping Liverpool side as the best he has played in. He was arrested after a disturbance at the Lounge Inn, a modern restaurant close to the junction of Bold Street and Stanley Street. The venue converts to a late-night club venue with live music and DJs. No one was available to comment on Monday.The well-to-do seaside town is a popular destination for wealthy footballers looking for a night out.

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country on four occasions. He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Liverpool's next match is against Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday.

A police spokesman said: ''Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport.

''At around 2.30am this morning officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street. Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street. The men, four aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, who all come from the Huyton area, a 28-year-old man from Formby and an 18-year-old man from Litherland remain in police custody.

''A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. Anyone who saw anything or who has any information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 3165 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.''

A Liverpool spokesman said the club would not be commenting on the alleged incident.

The altercation took place outside the Lounge Inn in Bold Street. The town centre premises were shut this lunchtime.

A Bentley car, which is believed to have been parked overnight, remained outside the club with a parking ticket attached.

Almunia: Gallas is the real leader at Arsenal


Manuel Almunia believes William Gallas is still the real leader of Arsenal despite having been stripped of the captaincy.

Almunia is currently in possession of the armband after Cesc Fabregas picked up a long-term injury.

Yet he insists the inspiration still comes from Gallas and cites the manner in which Arsenal players celebrated Gallas' winning goal against Portsmouth as evidence that there are no lingering problems over the French defender's controversial autobiography in which he questioned his team-mates' bravery and accused one Arsenal player of disrupting morale.

Almunia said: "William is a very good professional. When he was captain he would fight for the team, in every aspect.

"He is a real winner and has a strong character. But we are on William's side - everyone supports him. I have a very good relationship with him and I was very happy for him to score.

"He has shown that he is an unbelievable professional. He is a player with more trophies than anyone else in the team - everyone has to respect that.

"He knows how to get success. Even though he is not the captain we follow him. I play with so much confidence when William is playing in front of me. He has won the World Cup and I have so much respect for him."

Wenger has confirmed he does not want to sell in the January transfer window so at 31 Gallas could have a crucial role in the Gunners' quest to get back into the title race.

Arsenal trail league leaders Liverpool by 10 points and long-term injuries to players such as Theo Walcott, Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky have disrupted their season.

Yet Almunia believes it is the steely identity which saw Arsenal win so many trophies with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry which is still missing.

Almunia said: "We have shown good character, but we still have a little more to go to find the real Arsenal.

"The main thing is to look for our identity, our way, our character that gave this club all their titles and trophies.

"For whatever reason we lost our way, our character and the way we play on the pitch. We need to re-find our spirit and our desire to win games."

The form of Gallas could be key, especially now he seems to be rediscovering his love for the club without the stripes of responsibility.

Almunia added: "Maybe he lost some energy when he was captain. He took responsibility for the pressure felt by all the players. William took too many responsibilities and tried to be the main player on the pitch.

"I think he is playing better than before. I spoke to him last week and he told me that now he is playing better because he is not losing too much energy because he is not worried about other things and other players or other circumstances off the pitch."

Barca star Messi asks to play in France friendly


Lionel Messi has approached Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola with a request to allow him to play in Argentina's friendly against France in February.

The winger's inquiry comes despite and agreement between Barcelona and the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) that he would not play in friendly matches unless special circumstances arise.

That deal was struck following the Olympics earlier this year as an act of goodwill from the AFA after Barcelona allowed the 21-year-old to appear for his country despite a Court of Arbitration of Sport ruling that they could justifiably deny him from doing so.

Messi told TyC Sports cable today that Guardiola had agreed to his request, although the Barca board are yet to rubber stamp the coach's approval.

And while Messi admitted that may prove problematic, he said he had asked to be released to play in the February 11 match because it would be his final opportunity to meet up with new Argentina coach Diego Maradona before the World Cup qualifiers resume in March.

Messi said: "If Diego names me for February, I will be there. I already talked to Guardiola about this and he understood.

"Talking to the directors is much more difficult, but Pep understood because he was a player.

"I will never say 'no' to Argentina, but I also respect my club a lot. That's why I want to make things clear.

"If I am only able to play in the (World Cup) qualifiers then it will be difficult for me to have a contact with Maradona and my team-mates before then.

"That's why I decided to talk to Guardiola, because if I have to wait for something from the AFA and then from Barcelona board, then it becomes more difficult. They have their reasons and I understand them.

"I knew Guardiola would understand me."

Messi added that his form with his country was being hampered by his lack of preparation with the national team.

"I know I am not the same with Barcelona as I am with the national team," he added. "In the World Cup qualifiers, people and the media criticised us and it makes you play under more pressure."

Friday, December 26, 2008

EPL: A Knight's tale

Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal

Aston Villa's fight for Champions League qualification was given a significant boost as Zat Knight rifled home an injury-time equaliser to rescue a well-deserved 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

Martin O'Neill's side had battered the Londoners throughout the first half but somehow found themselves two goals down only to mount a superb fightback.

Goals either side of half-time by Denilson and Abou Diaby for Arsenal were not a fair reflection of the game and, after Gareth Barry's penalty pulled a goal back, Knight smashed home a stoppage-time leveller to maintain Villa's three-point lead over the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger was without captain Cesc Fabregas through injury and striker Emmanuel Adebayor due to suspension.

His injury problems worsened when Johan Djourou had to be replaced at late notice by Kolo Toure, having seemingly suffered a problem in the warm-up.

Villa began the day third in the Barclays Premier League, three points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal thanks in part to a 2-0 victory away to the Gunners in November. However, Manchester United's victory at Stoke earlier in the day had lifted them above O'Neill's side.

Villa started well and nearly secured a sixth-minute lead when Steve Sidwell ran intelligently to send a header from Gareth Barry's corner crashing against the woodwork.

At the other end Knight was forced to make a decisive intervention with a sublime last-ditch tackle to deny Robin van Persie following Diaby's pass.

After 14 minutes England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor won a free-kick to the right of the penalty area and, though James Milner's shot was blocked after the set-piece was taken short, Luke Young's subsequent effort from distance had to be tipped over spectacularly by stand-in captain Manuel Almunia.

Villa again spurned a brilliant chance in the 20th minute.

Agbonlahor produced a burst of pace to go beyond William Gallas but saw his bending effort saved by Almunia and, as Sidwell ghosted in to convert the rebound, Gallas recovered to deflect his shot wide.

Almunia made another sublime save in the 34th minute when Milner beat the advancing Arsenal defence to slide in and connect with Luke Young's cross from deep, only for the Spaniard to get down quickly and smother the ball as it came off the post.

Toure was next in the book for fouling Agbonlahor. And from the resulting free-kick Curtis Davies found himself in space and sent a brilliant shot goalwards only to see it hit the bar.

Barry then saved Villa as he made a crucial tackle inside the box but somehow Arsenal hit them with a sucker punch in the 39th minute.

Denilson collected the ball near the halfway line and burst forward. When his pass to Eboue broke loose inside the box, the Brazilian kept sprinting forward and reached it first to fire home an unlikely opener.

Wenger then sent youngster Aaron Ramsey on for fellow midfielder Alex Song shortly before the break while Villa again came agonisingly close.

Nigel Reo-Coker's launched ball forward was met by Agbonlahor and with Almunia beaten, it needed Bacary Sagna's acrobatic clearance to keep their lead intact.

Somehow it was 2-0 barely three minutes into the second half as Diaby combined with Eboue before rifling home past Brad Friedel.

In the 55th minute Diaby forced his way into the area again and though his path was blocked, Van Persie collected the ball - only to sidefoot against the upright.

Arsenal were clearly buoyed by their good fortune and began to play with authority. Ramsey, celebrating his 18th birthday, was settling into the match with maturity.

But Villa got a lifeline in the 64th minute when referee Lee Mason awarded a penalty. Milner released Agbonlahor down the right with a simple ball and when Gallas made a clumsy challenge, the England striker went down.

Stand-in captain Barry stepped up to send Almunia the wrong way.

On the touchline, meanwhile, O'Neill and Wenger exchanged angry words and were spoken to by Mason.

The game was becoming scrappy as Villa looked to claw themselves level.

Their hopes of an equaliser looked slim but were boosted by the awarding of four minutes of added time and their prayers were soon answered.

Barry attempted to control a cross into the box and when the ball landed in the path of stand-in defender Zat Knight, the centre-half smashed home a late equaliser.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Barca starlet Busquets signs long-term deal


Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has agreed a new four-and-a-half-year contract extension with the Primera Liga leaders.

Busquets has been given his chance under new coach Pep Guardiola after proving his ability when they worked together with the Barca B team.

The 20-year-old, whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, is now tied to Barcelona until June 2013 with his buy-out clause set at €80 million.

The Sabadell-born midfielder joined Barca's youth system from Jabac in the summer of 2005.

Having progressed through the ranks, he made his Primera Liga debut in September in a 1-1 draw against Racing Santander on the second weekend of the season and has gone on to establish himself as a regular member of the starting XI.

His emergence has seen more experienced players such as Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure relegated to the bench by Guardiola, whose side have built a 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga heading into the Christmas break.

Injured Fabregas ruled out for 3-4 months


Arsenal have suffered a bitter blow to their hopes of success this season with the news that Cesc Fabregas will miss up to four months with the knee injury he sustained against Liverpool on Sunday.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the news during a press conference on Tuesday and chose not to blame the tackle by Liverpool midfielder and fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso on the recently appointed captain that caused the injury.
Fabregas suffered a partial rupture to his medial ligament and may be out until the final month of the Premier League season.

"The news is not good," Wenger said. "It will take three to four months, we count four. He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months."

Wenger has been linked with a move for Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin but he has not confirmed any interest to Zenit St Petersburg.

He did however, suggest Fabregas' injury makes it more likely he will be active when the transfer window opens next month.

"It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," Wenger said.

Wenger is yet to decide who will take the captain's armband, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia taking over when William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy and Fabregas was serving a suspension.

"We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say," Wenger added.

"We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.

"I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months. I believe we are able to do it."

Alonso, who alongside played Fabregas as Spain won Euro 2008, told Marca: "It was just another incident of the game and, of course, there was no malicious intent."

"I'm hoping for a rapid recovery for Cesc. Now comes the most tedious bit, the recuperation, but I will be there encouraging him.

"If anything, I'm even more upset than Fabregas is. It always affects me to see a companion injured, but especially if it is a friend and a national team-mate like Cesc.

"I already went to see him after the game, and from what he told me we both expected it was something serious. But today (Monday) I spoke with him again and, bearing in mind the situation, he was in quite good spirits."

Smacked by Google

My PR was down back to 0, my traffic rank down to 4 millionth something and my Adsense Account has been banned!

Start thinking to find other alternative already.....

sigh....

Click Here for Answers
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Sunday, December 21, 2008

La Liga: Henry winner completes Barca fightback

hierry Henry scored the winner as Barcelona came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 away and go 10 points clear at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday.

Cani had given Villarreal the lead just after the restart in a pulsating match at the Madrigal, bursting clear to chip Victor Valdes.

Barca's Mali midfielder Seydou Keita levelled with a brave header soon after and France striker Henry volleyed the winner in the 67th minute from Xavi's run and cross.

Barca had to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men after defender Gerard Pique was shown a second yellow card but they hung for the win and have now beaten all five of their closest challengers.

Pep Guardiola's side have 41 points from 16 games. Sevilla were held to a 0-0 draw away to struggling Real Mallorca but climbed into second place on 31 points.

Manolo Jimenez's side, who were knocked out of the UEFA Cup during the week, put in a listless display and Luis Fabiano headed their best chance against the bar in the first half.

EPL: Ten men Gunners hang on


Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane dealt a fresh blow to Arsenal's fading title hopes as he secured a point for Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal had striker Emmanuel Adebayor sent off in the second half, which hampered their hopes of finding a winner after Keane's goal had cancelled out Robin van Persie's strike.

Arsene Wenger's men went into the match eight points off the pace, and perhaps more significantly they were - and remain - out of the top four following Aston Villa's win at West Ham.

Despite taking the lead through a fine strike from Van Persie after 24 minutes, it proved a false dawn as the Reds levelled before the break when Keane latched onto a long ball up-field and lashed in a thunderous shot.

Arsenal were forced to play the final 30 minutes with only 10 men after referee Howard Webb showed Adebayor his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa.

Liverpool were without manager Rafael Benitez, who was back on Merseyside recovering from an operation on his troublesome kidney stones.

His side could yet be knocked off top spot before Christmas by Chelsea, who play Everton tomorrow night - but for the Gunners, the new year looks set to be a hard battle to prove they have the stomach to somehow claw themselves back into contention.

Arsenal have beaten both United and Chelsea this season, but a failure to see off supposedly lesser sides has proved costly and resulted in them being overtaken by a resurgent Villa.

The leaders were, of course, set to present a stern test of Arsenal's credentials and there was a cagey opening to the game.

The first decent chance came in the ninth minute.

A long ball was knocked back by Keane from the edge of the Arsenal penalty area into the path of Reds captain Steven Gerrard, whose 20-yard effort was straight at Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal responded and a clipped ball in from Bacary Sagna on the right floated through to Adebayor, but his glanced, diving header just lacked the power to beat Jose Reina.

Arsenal then snatched the lead through Van Persie after 24 minutes.

Samir Nasri, fit again after an ankle problem, chipped a high ball through from just inside his own half towards the edge of the Liverpool penalty area.

The Dutchman collected it on his chest before turning two defenders and spinning to fire a right-footed shot into the net.

Liverpool, whose form has dipped in recent weeks, were clearly rattled after having looked quite comfortable.

However, slowly they found some composure and were level three minutes before the break.

The ball was pumped from deep inside the Liverpool half by Daniel Agger and bounced over centre-half Johan Djourou into the path of Keane.

The former Tottenham striker - barracked by sections of the home crowd - let the ball bounce again on into the Arsenal penalty area before blasting it past Almunia, wheeling away in delight at having silenced the jeers.

The Reds almost got another ahead of half-time, but Gerrard was just unable to convert Dirk Kuyt's low ball across goal when he arrived at the far post.

Almunia then produced a finger-tip save to deny the Dutchman and keep things level at the break.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas had sustained what looked like a knee problem in a tackle with Spanish compatriot Xabi Alonso at the end of the first half, and was unable to continue, with Abou Diaby coming on.

Liverpool started strongly, as Almunia was forced to beat away a snap-shot from Lucas.

The tempo of the match increased as the hour approached, but it was the visitors who remained in the ascendancy as Agger headed wide following a corner.

Referee Webb then caused a storm when he reduced Arsenal to 10 men after Adebayor was shown a second yellow card for a hefty challenge on Arbeloa, who fell to the ground clutching his face.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was incensed, but replays suggested the Togo striker had indeed gone in with a raised boot, rather than a flaying arm, and as such probably merited a caution.

The atmosphere in the Emirates was highly charged, and Van Persie was another in the book when he fouled Agger.

To their credit the Gunners responded by pressing Diaby further forwards as they looked to get back in front.

Tempers, though, were never far from boiling point as Sagna became the third Arsenal man into the book when he tripped Albert Riera.

Nasri sent a 25-yard effort wide before a deep corner was whipped across the Liverpool goal from the right.

Almunia saved bravely at the feet of Kuyt as the visitors pressed for a winner.

Agger fired a 25-yard strike just over as both teams had to settle for a point.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Nasri set to return as Wenger hails Wilshire



Samir Nasri is expected to be back in the Arsenal squad for the crucial clash with Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The French midfielder has been missing since the 1-0 win over Wigan earlier this month because of an ankle injury but, according to coach Arsene Wenger, he is almost fully fit.

However, Kolo Toure is struggling to be fit and will almost certainly miss out.

"There is a 95% chance that Nasri will be available against Liverpool but a five per cent chance that Toure will come back,'' Wenger told Arsenal's website.

"We also have a problem with Nicklas Bendtner who picked up a knee injury in training.''

Meanwhile, Wenger is convinced teenager Jack Wilshere has all the attributes to go on and become an Arsenal legend in the mould of Dennis Bergkamp.


Wilshere became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in league football when he came off the bench at Blackburn in September and the 16-year-old scored his first senior goal as part of the youthful Gunners side which ripped Sheffield United apart during their Carling Cup run.

Now the Arsenal manager is in no doubt the Hertfordshire-born midfielder - who joined the club aged nine - has all the traits to become a hero at the Emirates.

"I believe he will end up a central midfielder, just off the striker in the Bergkamp role,'' Wenger said. "I am convinced he will have tremendous penetrative power and we forget that this boy is only 16 and already has so much power - you give him four more years and he will be massively strong.

"He can find the final ball and can also score goals. He is a passionate and committed guy, he is not afraid of tackles and you would want this type of player to finish off central.

"But I would not like to put too much pressure on him because of the expectation level. That is one of the problems you have when you are talented and very young- Theo Walcott went through that.

"At the start there is a lot of enthusiasm around players, and suddenly afterwards people say, 'Oh he is not as good as we thought he would be', there is a lot of scepticism around the player. He has to survive at the top level and it is not easy.

"Theo coped well with that and I am confident we can surround Jack well enough to deal with it.''

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Arsenal to honour "philosophy" after board reshuffle


Arsenal will maintain their ''philosophy'' and ''heritage'', according to chairman Peter Hill-Wood - despite changes in the boardroom which are set to reignite takeover speculation.

The departure of major shareholder Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith from the company board was announced last night, along with Richard Carr, a director for 27 years.

However, Carr will remain on the board of the Barclays Premier League club while new chief executive Ivan Gazidis will join both boards on January 1.

It is, though, what Lady Bracewell-Smith, whose family have a long association with Arsenal, will now do with her significant holding of just under 16% which is sure to be of concern to Gunners fans.

Arsenal are the last remaining member of the Premier League 'big four' to be in British ownership, and the board all signed up to a lockdown agreement meaning the first option on any sale of shares must be given to existing board members until 2012, so as to stave off any potential hostile bid from outside.

However, Hill-Wood could offer no guarantees of where Lady Bracewell-Smith's holding may eventually now end up.

American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke, who holds around a 12% stake in the Gunners parent company, accepted the offer to become a non-executive director on the Arsenal board in September as ties with his Kroenke Sports Enterprises group were strengthened, and he could be tempted to invest further.

However, Uzbekistan metals magnate Alisher Usmanov - who bought into Arsenal when he paid former vice-chairman David Dein around £75million for his 14.65% stake - is certainly one likely interested party as his Red & White Holdings company look to increase their holding, which currently stands around 24%. If that were to reach 30%, then under financial legislation, a formal takeover approach would have to be launched.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always made it clear any speculation surrounding the club's ownership will not affect how he approaches his job.

And Hill-Wood maintained: ''The philosophy of the club remains the same. Our efforts are directed towards stability and making the club successful.

''Changes of personnel will not alter the directors' view of how we should proceed in the future.

''All the directors love the club and are committed to maintaining its heritage.

''Acting in the best interests of the club is fundamental to the decisions we take on behalf of Arsenal.

''The directors feel the club's future is positive both on and off the field.''

Hill-Wood hopes the Bracewell-Smith family will remain shareholders, but indicated current board members - who include director Daniel Fiszman, the largest stakeholder in the club with 24.11% - would be keen to ''retain control'' in their own hands.

''Lady Nina is no longer representing the club and therefore is released from the lockdown,'' the chairman confirmed to the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.

''However it was created to maintain stability in the club and those participants are committed to maintaining the ownership structure as it is.

''I don't know for certain what she wants to do with her shares. I do know that the Bracewell-Smith family have been involved with the club for many, many years and are great supporters.

''I know that Lady Nina is an advocate of the policies we have been following to make the club self-sustaining and free from external injections of money. She has certainly been in favour of what we are doing.

''We hope that she would remain a shareholder, but she has not spoken to me about it lately.

''She is no longer in the lockdown so she is free to do what she wishes to do.''

Hill-Wood added: ''A number of the board have indicated in the past that they are interested in buying more shares so the future stability of the club is secure.

''The board is very keen to retain control of the club to ensure that its values and traditions are upheld and live on for many years to come.''

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Lost Season 5 Coming Out Soon


I am very excited to hear that latest season of Lost will be on air soon. This season will be everything about those who escaped from the Island last season and they need to come back to the Island. The rest...lets wait and watch the Lost Season 5.

New Honda City Spotted in Highway


I got this picture from Paultan. It is sure a new Honda City that will be launch soon in Malaysia.

So watch out guys, here's the Dugong (Vios) slayer!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Barcelona boss guards against complacency


Barcelona may be flying away at the top of the Primera Liga table but coach Pep Guardiola is determined to keep his feet and those of his players firmly on the ground at this stage of the season.

Barca continued their hugely impressive league form last night be seeing off arch rivals Real Madrid 2-0 at the Nou Camp, taking their tally to 38 points from a possible 42 since losing to Numancia on the opening day of the campaign.

The victory also left them 12 points above two-time reigning champions Madrid, plus eight points above second-placed Valencia, although Villarreal could reduce that gap back to six if they beat Sevilla tonight.

These are heady days for Barca as they chase their first piece of major silverware since 2006, but Guardiola is not one for getting carried away.

"I'm very happy to have beaten the current champions, and there is a good distance between us. But there is long way ahead of us, and we do not only play against Madrid," he said.

"We have only played 15 matches and there more rivals such as Villarreal, Valencia, and others," he said.

"I know very well what it means to go to difficult grounds, and you have to take into account that in January we will be back playing in three competitions (Primera Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey), which will take a lot out of us."

Guardiola, who replaced Frank Rijkaard this summer, also had words of comfort for new Madrid coach Juande Ramos, who was taking charge of his first league match with the injury-hit champions, having only replaced Bernd Schuster on Tuesday.

"I want to congratulate them for the great attacking game they played," Guardiola said.

"Madrid are a high-quality team and had important players missing. They are very dangerous and the counter-attack is their best weapon. It would be a mistake to rule them out (of the title race)."

Petrol and Diesel Price Reduced to Another 10 sen

It’s the middle of the month again, which means it’s time to revise the fuel prices! In line with the lower average prices for crude oil over the past month, the government has decided to slash prices of RON97 petrol, RON92 petrol and diesel in Malaysia by another 10 sen across the board.

RON97 petrol new price : RM1.80 per litre
RON95 petrol new price : RM1.70 per litre
Diesel new price : RM1.70 per litre

Redknapp writes off Gunners


Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has told North London rivals Arsenal that they can forget about winning the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners slipped out of the top four after being held to a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday and Redknapp believes that spells the end of their championship challenge.

"Arsenal aren't going to win it this year,' Redknapp said. "I can't see them coming back into it and winning the championship."

Liverpool sit on top of the table but Redknapp feels the eventual winners will come down to a battle between second place Chelsea and defending champions Manchester United, who are currently in third place.

"One of those two will win," Redknapp said. "That's not being too clever, though, is it? Because there's only Liverpool up there as well with them."

"And I think Liverpool rely so heavily on (Steven) Gerrard and (Fernando) Torres. If something happened to Gerrard, I don't know what they'd do, really. So I still see them being short of Chelsea and Manchester United."

Redknapp's Tottenham held United to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

EPL: Aliadiere haunts Gunners


Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Arsenal

Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere delivered another blow to Arsene Wenger's flickering Premier League title hopes by denying Arsenal three precious points in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Aliadiere pounced with a fine glancing header in the 29th minute to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's 17th-minute opener and ultimately ensure Gareth Southgate's men a well-deserved share of the spoils.

Stewart Downing was denied a second-half winner by a fine save from Manuel Almunia but the Gunners also had their chances through Robin van Persie and substitute Nicklas Bendtner.

And at the final whistle there was little doubt which side was happier with the point with Wenger facing up to the prospect that his side would be even further adrift of the division's top three by the weekend's end.

Wenger had brought back his big guns after the dismal midweek Champions League loss in Porto with Emmanuel Eboue dropped to the bench - although he was given a cheer by Gunners fans when he warmed up on the touchline.

Boro, whose own form this season has been almost as topsy-turvy as their visitors, bristled with commitment and forced a succession of early corners, Adebayor heading one of them inches over his own bar.

And from another Boro set-piece, the ball eventually fell to Adam Johnson on the right side of the Gunners box but the midfielder blazed his shot high into the visiting fans behind the goal.

Almunia also had to race to the edge of his box to snatch a long ball away from Tuncay Sanli before Arsenal forced their first chance in the 11th minute, Abou Diaby setting up Van Persie who bobbled a low shot inches wide.

Wenger's men were slowly coming to life, largely thanks to the persistence of Adebayor who saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Robert Huth in the box before Ross Turnbull parried an effort from Abou Diaby.

But from the resulting 17th-minute corner the Gunners grabbed the lead when Adebayor stooped to meet captain Cesc Fabregas' set-piece in front of goal and sent a low header past Turnbull.

Tuncay tried a low long-range effort in the 25th minute that was easily gathered by Almunia down to his left while at the other end Diaby's effort from another Fabregas corner was gathered by Turnbull.

But French striker Aliadiere drew the home side level in the 29th minute with a superb glancing header from Tuncay's driven cross from the right which gave Almunia no chance.

Boro had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 35th minute when McMahon claimed he had been tripped by Gael Clichy just inside the Boro box but referee Peter Walton waved play on.

Van Persie missed a golden chance to put his side back in front in the 38th minute when he mis-kicked completely in front of goal after Adebayor had crossed low from the right.

There was plenty more spirit coming from Southgate's men after the break as they continued to press without quite fashioning clear-cut chances, with the excellent Tuncay at the centre of everything.

And Boro came close to grabbing the lead on the hour when Stewart Downing out-paced Bacary Sagna chasing an Arca ball down the left before rifling a left-foot shot which struck Almunia's arm and went out for a corner.

Just when the Gunners were starting to look worryingly lightweight again, they had a fine chance of their own when Diaby sent through Van Persie who saw his left-foot shot slide across the face of goal from a tight angle.

Diaby sent in a long-range drive which was gathered by Turnbull much to the exasperation of Wenger, who was living every moment of a match his side needed to win on the edge of his technical area.

As the action began to tighten, Boro continued to hold the upper hand and Wenger sought to freshen things up in the 81st minute with the introduction of Nicklas Bendtner in place of Diaby.

And Bendtner almost made a big impression in the 86th minute when he sprang the Boro offside trap and hit a shot from the right side of the box which was well blocked by Turnbull in goal.

La Liga: Late goals seal Clasico win


Late goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a dramatic win over bitter rivals Real Madrid in a tense derby encounter at the Nou Camp tonight.
Madrid - in their first league match under new coach Juande Ramos - frustrated the league leaders for long periods and looked set to snatch a point after Iker Casillas saved Samuel Eto'o's penalty with 20 minutes remaining.

But the Cameroon frontman finally gave the Catalans the lead with seven minutes remaining and Lionel Messi smashed home a second in stoppage time to move Pep Guardiola's side 12 points ahead of their fierce rivals after 15 rounds of the championship.

Eto'o returned from suspension to take his place in the centre of Barcelona's three-man forward line, between Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi.

Sergio Ramos was given the unenviable task of marking the Argentina forward and made his intentions clear when he scythed down the youngster after just two minutes.

The Nou Camp faithful were furious and Ramos was lucky to get away with a yellow card.

Messi did manage to get away from his marker four minutes later and tested Casillas with a fierce right-footed effort, but the Madrid goalkeeper responded with a fine one-handed save.

That sparked a period of Catalan domination, but with Messi shackled by Ramos, Barca were forced to look elsewhere for inspiration.

And it almost came from an unusual source as defensive midfielder Yaya Toure twice dribbled through the heart of the Madrid defence, only to see his shots blocked on both occasions as he bore down on goal.

Barcelona were struggling to impose themselves, though, and the wet conditions appeared to suit the visitors.

As the game wore on, Madrid began to improve and Wesley Sneijder saw his powerful drive tipped over by an alert Victor Valdes after he was set up by fellow Dutchman Roysten Drenthe.

And Ramos' side missed a glorious chance to take the lead after 26 minutes when Raul put through Drenthe, but the unmarked winger saw his low effort well saved by Valdes.

The former Feyenoord man should have scored, but despite his miss, Madrid continued to grow in stature and Gonzalo Higuain volleyed just over the bar a minute later.

At the other end, the visitors continued to resort to negative tactics to stop Messi and Ramos was finally booked for a shocking late tackle on the Argentinian.

Sneijder, who had been doubtful for this game, was then forced off through injury eight minutes before the break.

The Holland midfielder was replaced by youth-team player Miguel Palanca.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra, Gabriel Heinze, Ruben De La Red, Pepe and Miguel Torres are out injured and Marcelo missing through suspension, Madrid were down to the bare bones.

But the champions were coping well against the league leaders, despite their horrific injury list, and went in on level terms at the break.

Following a disappointing first half, things livened up again after the interval.

Barca continued to dominate possession, but Madrid were still looking dangerous on the break and Raul glanced a header wide from Guti's corner after 50 minutes.

Eto'o then blasted a volley over the bar as the hosts continued to press for an opening goal.

And the African seemed certain to score when the home side were awarded a penalty after 68 minutes, when Michel Salgado clattered into substitute Sergio Busquets in the area.

However, Eto'o looked nervy as he stepped up to take the kick and saw his effort brilliantly saved by Casillas.

Two minutes later, the Spain goalkeeper denied Eto'o once again with another fantastic stop and picked himself up quickly to save from Messi on the rebound.

The goal was remaining elusive for Barcelona and Madrid almost capitalised with 12 minutes remaining, when Palanca found himself one on one with Valdes.

But the Barca keeper saved the day once again as he stood tall to deny the young striker.

And just when they appeared to be running out of ideas, the home side finally went ahead after 83 minutes.

Captain Carles Puyol headed on from a corner and the ball fell to Eto'o, who poked home somewhat clumsily from close range before Palanca could clear.

The scrappy strike provoked scenes of sheer joy in Europe's biggest stadium as Eto'o ran halfway down the pitch to celebrate with the coaching staff, ball boys and the rest of his team-mates.

Messi wrapped up a deserved Barca victory as he crashed a left-footed shot towards goal and Fabio Cannavaro's despairing lunge only served to help the ball into the net.

The win sees Barca move provisionally eight points clear at the top, while the champions could drop to sixth tomorrow if Atletico Madrid beat Real Betis.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Wenger: No more slips in tight title race

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger heads to Middlesbrough for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off knowing that his side cannot afford another slip-up after getting themselves back in the race for the Premier League title.

Although the Gunners are eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, Wenger maintains that the strength in depth of the competition this season will ensure no-one runs away with the title.

Arsenal travel to the Riverside Stadium boosted by last weekend's win against Chelsea but they have already been beaten by the likes of Hull City, Fulham, Stoke City and Manchester City, as well as fifth-placed Aston Villa and that proves the intensity of the league, according to Wenger.

"The level of demands are higher from everywhere," Wenger told Arsenal's website. "You cannot have on one side the best Premier League in the world and on the other side have teams just to turn up and think you will win the game. You will have surprises."

The Gunners boss, though, is determined not to suffer another shock result on Saturday - and is expected to recall several first-team players who missed the midweek Champions League defeat in Porto.

He continued: "I believe we have come back into some consistency - we have beaten Chelsea and Wigan, also Kiev, and that the Porto result was a special game. When you get to a position where you can protect your Premier League game a bit, then you do it.

"You have a period now where you can completely focus on the Premier League and you can set yourself a target. If we can get to within a reasonable difference by Christmas, we still have half of the championship to play after to come back into the race."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez agrees that it will be a very tight championship this year and speaking ahead of the Reds' clash with Hull City declared it would need the other big four to "mess up their season" to ensure a smooth path towards the title come May.

But, like Wenger, Benitez is fully focused on domestic matters now that the Champions League is on a winter break and has urged his side to knuckle down for the 10 league games before European football resumes.

"We now have almost three months to concentrate on the Premier League, and the FA Cup. We would want to go back into Europe next year still top of the table," Benitez said.

"We have qualified for the next stage in Europe, we are top of the Premier League, and now we can concentrate on domestic considerations. We do not want to give up top spot. If we are still there when we start up again in Europe, the chances of a really good season will be obvious."

Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester United continue their defence of the title with a number of injury worries ahead of a tricky trip to White Hart Lane to face Harry Redknapp's resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.

Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov is struggling with an Achilles injury, while defender Rio Ferdinand suffered a back spasm towards the end of Wednesday's Champions League draw with Aalborg.

Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are suspended and Cristiano Ronaldo (hip) and Michael Carrick (thigh) are also receiving treatment, which could leave Ferguson needing the full depth of his squad.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari must decide whether to stick with France striker Nicolas Anelka or recall Didier Drogba against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba is available again after completing a three-match ban for throwing a coin into the crowd against Burnley in the Carling Cup and Scolari has never started the Ivorian and Anelka together.

Barcelona eye revenge in "El Clasico"

Barcelona are itching to avenge last season's 4-1 defeat away to Real Madrid when they meet in Saturday's "Clasico" at the Nou Camp, defender Rafael Marquez said.

"A win would give us an important advantage over Madrid and a boost to help us make progress," the Mexican said on the club's website.

"Hopefully it will be a great game and we can convince people that the 4-1 is forgotten. It's something that I don't like thinking back to and I understand people want revenge."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red could become the third player from the Spanish champions to be forced to end the season early after his collapse on the pitch in a Copa del Rey match in October.

Club president Ramon Calderon said in a television interview late on Thursday the Spain international would not play again this season but officials said Real Madrid were still waiting for final test results.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfielder Mahamadou Diarra are already out with serious knee injuries.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Henry: We haven't won title yet



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Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is warning against complacency after seeing his side further stretch their lead at the top of the Primera Liga summit with a 4-0 demolition of Valencia on Saturday night.

Henry, who had recently come under fire for his lacklustre performances since joining the Catalan club from Arsenal, led the way with a hat-trick as Barca recorded their 11th win in 14 league matches this season.

With second-placed Villarreal drawing 3-3 earlier in the night, Barca now boast a six-point advantage at the summit, but Henry is preaching caution with the season not yet at its midway point.

"We still haven't won anything," said Henry, whose side are next in action against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek, before hosting Real Madrid next weekend.

"We need to play each game and already we have to think about the next one, and then about Real Madrid," he added on Spanish television channel La Sexta.

Henry also played down his starring role in last night's Nou Camp mauling of third-placed Valencia, insisting everyone has their part to play.

"You always gain confidence when you have a game like that, but above my performance I want to highlight the collective work of the whole team and the end victory.

"We all do what we can to help the team. Today (Samuel) Eto'o was not here and I scored three goals, but maybe another day it will be a defender who makes the big impact."

He added: "I hope we continue like this. The fans are enjoying it in the stands and us on the pitch.

"We knew that to win we would have to play very well, because Valencia still hadn't lost away from home. They were a very difficult opponent."

Champion's League: Barca youngsters undone


Barcelona's Champions League Group C campaign ended in defeat as Pep Guardiola's inexperienced side were punished by Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Catalans snatched a late victory in Ukraine earlier in the campaign but Shakhtar managed to exact some revenge by exploiting a much-changed Barca team's inexperience tonight to end their impressive unbeaten home run.

Oleksandr Gladkyy scored either side of half-time to put his side 2-0 up at the Nou Camp before Sylvinho pulled one back. But when Fernandinho got a third, Sergio Busquets' 83rd-minute strike mattered little.

Guardiola rang the changes with his team already guaranteed top spot in Group C. Seydou Keita, Sylvinho and Alexander Hleb were the most experienced players in the hosts' line-up alongside several youngsters and the likes of Bojan Krkic, Busquets and Martin Caceres.

Among those players given a break were Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Dani Alves and the hat-trick hero against Valencia, Thierry Henry, as Guardiola keeps one eye on next weekend's Primera Liga showdown against Real Madrid.

Mircea Lucescu's side had already been forced to settle for third place and a spot in the UEFA Cup after Christmas.

Despite their youth Barca dominated the early possession with Mali international Keita trying his luck twice without success.

In the ninth minute Bojan's effort from outside the effort failed to cause Shakhtar goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov any difficulties.

Willian had a go at the other end and won a corner when Gerard Pique deflected his shot high over the bar.

Another Barcelona half-chance saw winger Pedrito head straight at Pyatov from Sylvinho's cross before Hleb shot powerfully, forcing Pyatov to punch away.

Bojan had another go in the 21st minute when he created space and fired a powerful shot which Pyatov parried.

In the 31st minute Shakhtar hit back in style, however, as Barca switched off and paid the price. Razvan Rat worked the ball to Willian from the left and the Brazilian did well to find Gladkyy, who put the ball beyond Albert Jorquera to hand his side the lead.

Barca dominated proceedings early in the second half just as they had in the first.

The lively Pedrito tested Pyatov twice with teasing corners after Victor Vazquez had forced a save with a long-range shot.

But it was 2-0 in the 58th minute when Shakhtar again stunned their opponents. Barca keeper Jorquera was completely caught out by Jadson's free-kick as Gladkyy seized the opportunity he was gifted to head home.

Barca finally came to life a minute later, however, as Sylvinho made a trademark push forward and exchanged a one-two with Keita before slotting home.

Shakhtar hit Barca on the break for a third time in the 75th minute, Rat again involved as he bombed forward before squaring the ball for Fernandinho to score.

Again Barca showed some life by pulling a goal back. Eidur Gudjohnsen, on as a substitute, chipped a delightful ball into the area for young midfielder Busquets to bury and at least restore some dignity to the scoreline.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Eidul Adha Greeting


To all muslim all over the world, I would like to wish Happy Eidul Adha, may Allah bless you all.

If you are driving to your home town, then drive carefully...and make sure you're not stranded at kampung because of flood!

~murshidism~

Murshidism Page Rank Improved!


Hehe, quite surprised that Google revised my Page Rank "0" to Page Rank "1" recently. When I login to PayPerPost, a few opps are available already to take but I will wait until my PR improved up to 5 or 6 and I will maintain it as long as I can. Taking paid post will ruin down your PR.

As for Alexa ranking, Murshidism rank at 10,000,000th website in July 08 and now it is proudly rank at 3501365th in the world wide web. I think it is an improvement there...and still need more work and time to improve..maybe by March it will be under 1,000,000th most famous website in the world.

Leaders Barca ready to test Valencia's defences

The Primera Liga is set for a bumper crop of showdowns between the top five that should help to sort out the true title contenders from the also-rans in the run up to Christmas.

The quirk in the fixture list that means everyone has to play the leading clubs in succession has hit the top five.

This weekend, leaders Barcelona face third-placed Valencia at the Nou Camp and champions Real Madrid, in fourth, host fifth-placed Sevilla.

Next weekend, Real visit Barca for the "clasico".

Pep Guardiola's free-scoring Barca are four points clear, having won 10 of their last 11 league matches, and face a classic clash of styles on Saturday.

Unai Emery's Valencia have built their success on a rock solid defence and the counter-attacking skills of David Villa and Juan Mata up front. They are unbeaten on their travels.

"Valencia are an awkward team that have conceded very few goals away from home (three)," Barca midfielder Xavi said. "They feel comfortable as the away team and are very dangerous on the counter-attack. It will be difficult to beat them."

Barca will be without suspended top scorer Samuel Eto'o while Valencia will be seeking to focus on matters on the pitch after a week where the financial problems facing the club were in the news.

Real Madrid need to recover from a demoralising 3-1 defeat away to Getafe, their second reverse in three league matches that left them six points behind the leaders.

Bernd Schuster's side are unbeaten at home but have up to seven players out injured, though Arjen Robben, Fabio Cannavaro and Gonzalo Higuain are set to return on Sunday.

New signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar is not eligible to play for them until January.

Sevilla, beaten 3-0 at home by Barca last weekend, will be without suspended Brazil striker Luis Fabiano.

On paper, second-placed Villarreal have the easiest game of the top five at home to 12th-placed Getafe on Saturday (1900), but appearances can be deceptive.

Victor Munoz's Getafe side took a point off Barca at the Nou Camp two weeks ago and were impressive winners against Real Madrid last weekend.

Near the foot of the standings, new Espanyol coach Mane takes charge for his first game away to Real Betis on Sunday.

The Barcelona-based side, 17th, have one win from their last 11 matches, have suffered four defeats on the trot and have lost talismanic captain and striker Raul Tamudo to injury for up to two months.

Injured Eduardo close to return for Gunners


Arsene Wenger believes it will not be long before Arsenal see striker Eduardo back in action.

The Brazilian-born Croatia striker suffered an horrific broken leg following an X-rated challenge from Martin Taylor at Birmingham in February.

However, the 25-year-old is now closing in on a return to competitive action with the Gunners.

Wenger confirmed: ''As soon as possible, he will play now. He is joining in full training matches, but he needs games now.''

The home clash with Wigan will come too soon for Eduardo, and deposed captain William Gallas is also set to miss out because of a calf injury.

However, Wenger hopes to have defender Kolo Toure back from a similar problem while Emmanuel Eboue may return after a knee injury.

''We certainly lose Gallas for Saturday, but we have Mikael Silvestre, who will be available,'' said the Arsenal manager.

''We have Kolo Toure available again and he is more suited to playing on the right side [of central defence]. We will see until Saturday how well he is.''

The Gunners kick-started their campaign last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea after coming from behind at Stamford Bridge.

Although still some eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool - who must come to Emirates Stadium on December 21 - it was a second win over their direct rivals, having also seen off Manchester United last month.

It marked the end of a troubled spell both on and off the pitch for Arsene Wenger's men, now led by new skipper Cesc Fabregas after Gallas was stripped of the captaincy for airing his controversial views in public.

Arsenal's youngsters were knocked out of the Carling Cup at Coca-Cola Championship side Burnley in midweek, and Wenger will recall his first-team regulars for tomorrow's Premier League clash.

The Latics were beaten 3-0 at Emirates Stadium in the last round of the cup, but nevertheless will present another test of the Gunners' title credentials.

Successive league defeats followed the win over United, and defender Gael Clichy knows there can be no more mistakes - with the likes of Hull, Stoke, Fulham and Manchester City having all beaten Arsenal this season.

''Now we cannot afford to drop any more points and must really go for it,'' he said. ''We have to play against these sides with a great desire, because they are going to want to beat the big teams and will give everything.''

Meanwhile, new captain Fabregas has once again re-affirmed his commitment to the Gunners following reports of a possible move to Italian giants AC Milan.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Wenger: Young Gunners lacked "intelligence"

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits his young players were taught a lesson by Burnley during their Carling Cup defeat.


Wenger's much-changed and largely teenager-packed side were beaten 2-0 by the Championship outfit at Turf Moor to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage after the roaring success of their previous dispatching of Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "When you are not focused from the first minute you don't win this kind of game. We had chances but didn't put them away and at that level you pay for it.

"We had the quality to win this competition but you have to make the maximum of what you have. You have to mix intelligence and experience. We did not have the experience but could have made up for that with intelligence."

Wenger has ruled out adopting a similar policy of fielding inexperienced players in the FA Cup next month but added that some of Tuesday's beaten side may now move out on loan to gain more first-team experience.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

EPL: Van Persie gets Arsenal back on track


Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal

Robin van Persie put Arsenal back into the Premier League title race with a superb second-half double in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Van Persie struck twice in three minutes after the Blues had taken a first-half lead through a fortuitous Johan Djourou own goal.

But while the Dutch striker's second goal was sheer class, his equaliser was clearly scored from an offside position.

Chelsea remain top on goal difference from Liverpool but the Merseysiders will replace them if they get at least a point from their home clash with West Ham on Monday night.

The victory helped Arsenal to move back into the top four and cut the gap between them and Chelsea to seven points.

There was no hint of an Arsenal revival after a first half which saw them largely outplayed by the league leaders.

Arsenal's season, dogged by dressing-room unrest and five league defeats, looked in danger of imploding completely.

The opening 45 minutes was typically frenetic for a London derby and although Chelsea started brightly, the visitors almost snatched the lead in the 13th minute.

A cross to the far post from Emmanuel Adebayor was expertly controlled by Samir Nasri at the far post.

His drilled shot was only kept out by the outstretched arm of the giant Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

But Chelsea weathered Arsenal's early fire and almost opened the scoring themselves in the 23rd minute when a cross from Jose Bosingwa was met by the unmarked Frank Lampard.

The England midfielder sent his header goalwards only for Manuel Almunia to grasp it with both hands.

But Chelsea went ahead in the 29th minute thanks to some comedy football from Arsenal.

Almunia threw the ball straight to Bosingwa and when the Portugal right-back had exchanged passes with Nicolas Anelka, he sent over a dangerous low cross that Djourou could only turn into his own net from six yards.

But the first portent of an Arsenal revival arrived in the 32nd minute when Van Persie forced Cech into another fine save after the Arsenal midfielder had got the better of Branislav Ivanovic and unleashed a low drive towards the bottom corner.

Arsenal could have gone further behind five minutes before the interval but Almunia denied Salomon Kalou after Lampard's audacious headed flick had put him clear.

Chelsea had not conceded a second-half goal all season and so any chance of an Arsenal fightback was deemed remote at best.

The home side should have gone two in front four minutes after the restart but Lampard saw his shot flash just wide of Almunia's left-hand upright.

It was the last Chelsea attempt before Arsenal, against all the odds, turned the game on its head with two goals in three minutes.

The first was a controversial one as Van Persie was clearly yards offside when Denilson found him on the edge of the penalty area.

But with no whistle from referee Mike Dean, the Arsenal midfielder smashed the ball into the net for a 59th-minute equaliser.

Three minutes later the Dutchman put Arsenal in front. There seemed little danger as Van Persie shielded the ball on the edge of the penalty area with his back to Cech's goal.

But a superb shot on the turn sent the ball through the legs of Lampard and beyond the surprised Cech and into the bottom corner to the delight of the Arsenal fans. It was his ninth of the season.

Chelsea were stunned but the introductions of both Florent Malouda and Miroslav Stoch in place of John Obi Mikel and Deco, proved fruitless for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea have not won at home now for three games and the flowing football that allowed them to destroy Sunderland 5-0 at the start of the month has deserted them.

Scolari's side ran out of ideas as the game wore on and even when they fashioned a rare chance to get back in the game, it was squandered by poor finishing.

Malouda sent a shot high into the crowd with four minutes remaining when the Frenchman should have at least hit the target.

Arsenal were clearly in no mood to allow Chelsea to get back in the game and despite a spell of injury-time pressure, Wenger's side clung on to defy the critics and keep themselves in the hunt for the title.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Wenger: Tough campaign won't 'break' young stars

Arsene Wenger maintains the experiences of this season, however tough, will not "break'' his young Arsenal squad - and insists they have the quality to become a major force once again.

The Gunners travel to Premier League title rivals Chelsea on Sunday in need of a victory to breathe fresh life into a campaign which threatens to unravel before Christmas.

A string of injuries - with key men such as Tomas Rosicky and now England winger Theo Walcott unavailable - have forced Wenger to turn to teenagers like Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere for cover, while 20-year-old Brazilian Denilson has emerged as the regular partner for new captain Cesc Fabregas at the heart of the midfield.

Having lost five Premier League matches already, Wenger accepts there is now no more margin for error if Arsenal, currently down in fifth place, are to reclaim a championship they last won during the 'Invincibles' campaign of 2003/2004.

However, even if they should endure another season of frustration, the renowned French coach is in no doubt his young Gunners will be all the stronger for it.

"How can you break this squad?'' Wenger declared. "They are a very young team and have 15 or 20 years in front of them. They are already at the top, some at the age of just 19.

"This squad has a fantastic future, despite all of the efforts from outside the club to break them. It will not happen.

"I feel this team can be one of the forces in Europe for many years, but we have to convince people - and that is not to talk too much, just to go out and play well.

"The definite opinion is always the last game. If you win you are a hero, even if the other team hits the bar 10 times. If you lose, and you hit the bar 10 times, you are useless.''

Arsenal head into tomorrow's showdown under the guidance of 21-year-old Fabregas, who was promoted to the job following the unceremonious axing of outspoken William Gallas.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari feels his skipper John Terry was "born a captain''.

Wenger, though, believes it is more about developing the skills necessary to take a team forward.

"For me there is no such thing as a born leader,'' he said.

"I believe leadership is something you learn and grow into when you are given responsibility.

"I have never met someone who was a born leader - but I believe Cesc can develop it.

"He knows about the job, he understands the problems within a team, and he will quickly adapt to the role.''

Wenger added: "As for his age I do not think being a captain is necessarily linked with that.

"Tony Adams was 21 when he became Arsenal captain and don't forget Cesc has already played more than 200 games for us.''

Wenger will come up against one of his former proteges tomorrow in striker Nicolas Anelka, who left Arsenal in 1999 after making a major impact at Highbury as a teenager where he helped them win the Double.

Stints with Real Madrid, Paris St German, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton followed, but with limited success.

However, now back at one of the top sides, Anelka has found his form in front of goal once more and with 12 so far this season is the leading marksman in the Premier League.

Wenger said: "I feel he had a strange career because he had a fantastic start and after he played in some clubs who were mid-table clubs, now he is coming back to the top.

"I am not surprised because he always had the same talent, but that was not always coming to the top.

"No disrespect to Bolton, but it is easier to be a top-level goalscorer when you play in a big team instead of teams who do not create as many chances.''

La Liga: Barca Beat Sevilla


Sevilla FC 0-3 Barcelona

Lionel Messi struck two late goals as Barcelona brushed aside Sevilla 3-0 to move six points clear at the top of the Primera Liga.
Samuel Eto'o gave the Catalans the lead after 20 minutes and Messi sealed the points with a fine solo effort late on.

And the Argentina forward scored again at the death after Sevilla had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Luis Fabiano.

Barca had seen fierce rivals Real Madrid lose 3-1 at Getafe earlier on and sensed a great opportunity to move further clear at the top of the table.

But they were up against a Sevilla side with aspirations of breaking into the top four.

Sevilla genuinely believed they could get a result from this game and matched the Catalans early on.

Luis Fabiano shot over the bar from distance after 10 minutes as the match began to liven up.

Barcelona took a while to find their rhythm, but soon showed why they had won nine league games in a row prior to last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Getafe.

Messi shot just wide after 16 minutes as Barcelona signalled their intent.

Four minutes later they went ahead and Messi, inevitably, was involved.

The Argentinian lost possession on the edge of the Sevilla area, but the rebound fell kindly to Eto'o, who clinically smashed the ball past the helpless Andres Palop and into the top right-hand corner.

The goal had an element of fortune, but Eto'o took his chance superbly to set Barca on their way and claim his 14th league strike of the season in only the 13th round of Primera Liga matches.

Sevilla almost hit back four minutes later, but Luis Fabiano dragged his shot just wide.

At the other end, Palop did well to deny Eto'o as Barca threatened to double their lead.

But Sevilla looked the better side in the remainder of the first half and came close through both Enzo Maresca and Frederic Kanoute in the build up to the break.

And the latter really should have equalised when he was presented with a glorious opportunity three minutes before the interval.

Kanoute was left alone in the box as Barca got their offside trap all wrong following a Sevilla free-kick, but the former Spurs striker lifted the ball onto the crossbar with only Valdes to beat.

Barcelona were the better side in the second half and missed several good chances to add to their tally.

Thierry Henry was guilty of squandering several good openings, while Dani Alves was also twice denied by a busy Palop.

But Barcelona went two up after 78 minutes, when Messi headed down a long pass before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed drive past Palop.

It was a moment of brilliance and from then on there was no way back for Sevilla.

Luis Fabiano was sent off for an elbow on Sergio Busquets as the home side fell apart in the last few minutes.

Eto'o and Messi missed good chances in the closing stages, but the Argentinian did add another goal in injury time, when he ran onto Aleksander Hleb's pass, rounded Palop and slotted into the empty net.

Barcelona are now six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, but Villarreal could close to within four points of the Catalans with a win at Recreativo Huelva on Sunday.

Sevilla will stay fifth, whatever happens on Sunday.
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Friday, November 28, 2008

Former Gunner Flamini backing Cesc as captain


Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini believes Cesc Fabregas deserved to be named the Gunners' new captain after William Gallas was relieved of the duty following his comments about his team-mates.

New Milan signing Mathieu Flamini was asked about his old club.
Flamini spent four years at Arsenal before signing for Italian giants AC Milan in the summer on a free transfer, but was back in England on Thursday for Milan's 2-2 Uefa Cup draw at Portsmouth.

Speaking after the game, he backed Arsene Wenger's decision to appoint Fabregas as skipper, telling Sky Sports News: "I am not surprised by the choice. I have talked with him [Fabregas] a bit about it and he is very happy.

"It is great for him, for the club and for the fans. He is a big player in that team. I think he deserves it."

When asked if he understood Gallas' criticism of his team-mates, Flamini said: "It is difficult to say. William Gallas wanted maybe a reaction from his team-mates.

"It is never easy to know what to do. Maybe it will be positive and there will be a reaction from the team."

Of Arsenal's testing start to the season, he added: "Big clubs can have difficult periods. But there is a lot of quality at Arsenal so I am sure they will go forward. The important thing is to keep working hard and I am sure they will be okay. They have some amazing players."

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey has voiced his desire to become a permanent fixture in Arsenal's starting XI.

Ramsey has made nine appearances for Arsene Wenger's side this term but faces stiff competition in securing a regular role in the Frenchman's side.

He said in The Sun: "I want to kick on and force my way into the starting XI. I want to play week in, week out, and become an established first-team player at Arsenal. I'm an ambitious person and I've always had high expectations."

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Champion's League: Five-star victory for Barca


Sporting Lisbon 2 - 5 Barcelona

Barcelona sealed top spot in Group C of the Champions league courtesy of a night of high farce among the Sporting Lisbon defence.
Barcelona were 3-0 up within 50 minutes courtesy of goals from Thierry Henry, Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi, before Sporting pulled two back in two minutes through Miguel Veloso and Liedson.
Barca responded immediately with a Marco Caneira own goal and once Rui Patricio was sent off for the foul that led to Bojan Krkic's penalty, the Sporting defence had played their part in all five of Barca's goals.
The onslaught began in the eighth minute as Xavi's curling free-kick from 20 yards beat Patricio but struck the top of the crossbar.
Barca took the lead in the 14th minute, when Henry played in Messi down the right.
The Argentina forward shrugged off a weak challenge from Daniel Carrico before pulling back for the France striker, who finished with ease.
A miserable defensive night for Sporting continued three minutes later as they allowed Barca in for an inelegant second.
Xavi's cross from the left struck the back of Eidur Gudjohnsen at the far post and found its way back into the danger zone, where Pique just about got the final touch to turn the ball into the back of the net.
Sporting's Brazilian defender Anderson Polga was equally as responsible as Pique, but the former Manchester United man was credited with the goal.
At the other end Polga found himself unmarked in the Barca box, but the whistle went, somewhat harshly, for offside.
But in the main the first half fizzled out with Barca content to sit on their two-goal lead.
The third came five minutes after the break in controversial circumstances, with Polga again involved.
The Brazilian handled just outside the box and Alves took the free-kick quickly, much to the chagrin of the of the Sporting players, slipping Messi through to score.
The match then see-sawed in a wild 10-minute period which saw four goals and a red card.
Veloso grabbed one back for Sporting in the 65th minute, though he should never have had the opportunity.
Rafael Marquez was adjudged, wrongly, to have handled 20 yards from goal and was booked, while Veloso thundered the set piece into the net.
And the deficit was reduced to one a minute later as Marquez could only flick on a hopeful Sporting long ball and Liedson finished well.
But Barca were restored to a position of comfort a minute later when Caneira, under pressure from Sergio Busquets, lifted the ball over his own keeper and into the net via the bar.
And things got worse for Sporting after 73 minutes as another defensive calamity led to Patricio being sent off.
Leandro Grimi inadvertently nodded the ball into the path of Bojan and Patricio, despite getting a touch on the ball, hauled down the youngster inside the area and duly saw red - Sporting's fifth dismissal in six matches.
Bojan converted the spot-kick, though substitute goalkeeper Tiago got his fingertips to the ball.
It was an ignominious night for Sporting, though they could console themselves with the knowledge they had already secured their place in the knockout stages.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Champion's League: Bendtner late show


Arsenal 1 - 0 Dynamo Kiev

Cesc Fabregas' reign as Arsenal captain began with a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev at Emirates Stadium tonight which guided his Gunners into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has pledged to take the club "as far as it can go" after being handed the armband to succeed deposed William Gallas, stripped of the role following a public outburst criticising the squad's fighting spirit.
And while tonight's display may not have been vintage Arsenal - victory eventually secured by a late strike from substitute Nicklas Bendtner from a quickly-taken long free-kick by Fabregas - the end result was all which mattered as Arsene Wenger's men go into Sunday's crucial Barclays Premier League showdown against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with renewed belief following one of the most testing spells of the past decade.
Gallas, meanwhile, will have restored some of the burned bridges with an assured display at the back which on another night could well have been capped with a goal.
It was a bright start by the young Gunners, whose bench had an average age of just 19 such were the current injury problems for Wenger with some nine players unavailable.
Mexican Carlos Vela and Aaron Ramsey combined down the right to set up the attack-minded Welshman for a near-post effort which was turned behind by the goalkeeper.
After 17 minutes, Robin van Persie sent over a teasing free-kick which looked to be dropping for Gallas in the six-yard box, only for Stanislav Bogush to make a timely punch clear.
The Dutch forward continued to press high on the Kiev back line, as did the busy Vela, yet without any real impact in the final third.
At the other end, some good link-up play from the visitors found Olexandr Aliyev in space, and his shot on the turn was held by Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal then created another opening when Vela's low ball across the six-yard box was missed by the defence and fell to Ramsey at the far post, but his snap shot under pressure flew high into the stands.
A slip by Gallas almost proved costly when he let Ismael Bagoura in down the left, but fortunately for the former captain, the Guinea striker's shot struck the upright.
With five minutes to go to half-time, Van Persie sent in another good delivery from a free-kick on the right which Mikael Silvestre poked over the bar in front of the keeper.
In stoppage time, Gallas flicked the ball into the net from a downward header after a corner, but celebrations were cut short by the assistant's flag for offside.
The defender was then in the thick of the action in front of goal again at the start of the second half, this time deflecting a shot from Van Persie clear when any sort of touch the other way would have steered the ball past the keeper.
Kiev, though, continued to look dangerous on the break and Bagoura saw his low shot flash across goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Vela was now the main outlet for Arsenal as the Mexican teenager continued to make progress down the left.
With 21 minutes left, Wenger replaced the hard-working Ramsey as big Danish striker Bendtner, sporting pink boots, was sent on to freshen up the attack.
However, it was the Ukrainians who continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock with a spell of sustained possession.
Wenger again looked to the future when 16-year-old Jack Wilshere was given another taste of first-team action with 14 minutes to go, replacing Vela, to become Arsenal's youngest European debutant.
A stunning reaction save from Almunia kept Arsenal in it when he raced out to block Artem Milevskiy's snap shot at the far post.
Van Persie drilled a low centre across the six-yard box which was just too far ahead of Bendtner.
The Dane, though, arrived on cue with just three minutes left to latch onto a quickly-taken, long free-kick from Fabregas to hold off the defender and fire Arsenal into the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition.
Kiev's frustration was compounded when Aliyev was show a second yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct after appearing to barge into referee Alain Hamer at a free-kick.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Fabregas replaces Gallas as Arsenal skipper


William Gallas will line up with his Arsenal team-mates when they face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, but not as captain.

Wenger has ended Gallas tenure as skipper.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the 31-year-old has been permanently replaced as the Gunners skipper by 21-year-old Cesc Fabregas.

The controversial defender was axed from the trip to Manchester City on Saturday, which Arsene Wenger's men lost 3-0 as their Premier League title hopes were dealt another blow, after publicly making critical remarks about the team and questioning their fighting spirit.

However, Wenger - who named goalkeeper Manuel Almunia his captain at Eastlands - maintained former Chelsea defender Gallas, 31, still had a future at the club.

Although the Arsenal manager refused to discuss the reasons behind the player's absence, Wenger confirmed Gallas would be reinstated, but not in a leadership role on Tuesday.

''William will play against Kiev, but the captain of the team will be Fabregas,'' said the Arsenal manager. ''I do not think I have to especially explain why I make the decisions, but it is a permanent thing.''

Wenger felt it had been an ''interesting'' few days for Arsenal, whose season is threatening to unravel.

He said: ''When you do not win, nobody jumps off the roof, but the frustration does kick in. It is a good opportunity now for us to show we have strength and ability - you know how it works, you go from fantastic to a catastrophe, but real life is somewhere in between.''

Wenger insisted: ''So even if we are at the moment frustrated, it is not all doom and gloom. We have a strong belief in our ability and we have a good opportunity to show we care about the club and that we can qualify tomorrow.''

Wenger, though, maintained the future of the club was in safe hands, led by 21-year-old Spain international Fabregas.

The Arsenal manager said: ''I believe the captain is the voice of the club towards the outside, and is one of the leaders of the team.

''However, I do not believe in just one man in the dressing room who sorts out all of the problems. A successful team is a shared leadership inside the dressing room. He (Fabregas) will be one of the leaders, but not the only one.''

Fabregas told Arsenal's official website: "It is a great honour for me to captain one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"It is a proud moment. I know it's a big responsibility but together with my team-mates, I know we have the spirit and commitment to get back to winning ways and fulfil our potential.''

Wenger continues to keep the faith this group can produce the results needed to compete for honours.

He said: ''It is a learning trade, to be a top player in a top club, you need to be mentally very strong and to deal with these types of concentration. We have quite a good way to protect the players here and they know how much we believe in them and how much confidence we have in them.

''My trust in my players has not be affected. I have to stand up for my players in the criticism we get, but we are a strong team and that will come out.

''I am focused to do things well, the right way. I am strong enough to let people have opinions, and do what I feel is right.''

Gallas arrived from Chelsea as part of the deal which took full-back Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge in August 2006, and Wenger insists he has no regrets about making the outspoken Frenchman Arsenal captain following the departure of Thierry Henry.

''William is a player and a man whom I rate, I have a big respect for him,'' he said.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Eto'o would welcome Benzema at Barcelona


Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has urged his club to make another addition to their galaxy of attacking talent by signing Lyon and France star Karim Benzema.

Benzema, the French league's leading scorer and stand-out talent, last week spoke of his desire to play for one of Europe's heavyweight teams in the coming years.

And he would be welcomed with open arms at Barca by Eto'o, even though the Spanish giants already have the likes of Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi on their books.

"Barca are the biggest club in the world and the biggest club in the world need the best players in the world," he said. "Benzema is in that category at the moment."

Eto'o, in his interview with French daily L'Equipe, poured cold water on speculation linking him with a move to AC Milan by saying he wanted to stay at Barca until his contract expires in 2010.

The 27-year-old is now flourishing with the Blaugrana after appearing to be on his way out during the summer, when he was given the cold shoulder by new coach Pep Guardiola and placed on the transfer list.

When his time at the Catalan side comes to end, he has set his sights on drawing the curtain on a distinguished career by playing a season in France and having another year at old club Mallorca.

"I dream of one day playing for Marseille, even though I am a Parisian," added Eto'o, who grew up in the French capital and owns an apartment in the city. "France, for me, is like Cameroon. So at the end of my career, when the time comes where my body is telling me to stop, I will perhaps play a last season in France.

"And also a season in Mallorca. I really owe them that."
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Clichy fears inconsistency will cost Gunners


Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy has expressed his fears that the Gunners could again end the season without a trophy after he scored an own goal in the home defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend.


After a thrilling win over Manchester United was followed by such a damp squib to leave Arsenal nine points behind leaders Chelsea, Clichy feels Arsenal need to improve his consistency, and called for the right "desire and attitude". "Those are the key words in football today, being consistent and working hard as a team," said the France defender on Arsenal TV Online.

"It was a great performance against Manchester United and if we do that every week we'll be fine. But we did the opposite (against Villa) and we cannot work like this.

"There is time and there's a way to go. There is time to catch and for other teams to drop points but if we play like we did (against Villa), after a few months the season will be finished."

Clichy added: "We realised the win against Manchester United counted for nothing. We have to give them (Villa) credit, look at ourselves and ask the right questions.

"We have to work like we did against Manchester United. If we play with that desire, the quality will make the difference.

"Of course, we have to be positive. The game against Manchester United was the perfect example of a team display and desire. We have to play with the right desire and attitude."

Fuel price down by 15 sen

The new retail price of RON97 unleaded petrol is RM2 per litre, RON92 will be at RM1.90 and the price of diesel is RM1.90. The new price will be effective tomorrow.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

La Liga: Messi and Keita stretch Barca lead


Barcelona 2-0 Recreativo Huelva

Barcelona opened a three-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday after goals from Lionel Messi and Seydou Keita gave them a 2-0 win at struggling Recreativo Huelva.


Spain midfielder Xavi fooled the Recreativo defence by playing a short ball to Messi from a freekick and the Argentine smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his seventh league goal of the season.

Thierry Henry shot against the bar and a post before Keita sealed the win near the end with a simple tap-in from Samuel Eto'o's mishit shot.

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