Liverpool Heading In The Right Direction Under Hodgson

At the tail end of last season, Liverpool FC looked to be in free fall. Heavily in debt, American owners that nobody liked and a manager who had outstayed his time at the club. Since then, the club has at least three suitors negotiating club purchase, the elder statesman Roy Hodgson became manager, inexpensive but quality signings walked into Anfield and suddenly optimism is high among Liverpool fans.

Joe Cole was perhaps the highest profile free transfer signing of the season. The fact that he chose to join Liverpool boosted the sagging confidence of the players at the club. His experience as a Premier League winner will help a Liverpool squad short on title challenge experience. Cole will undoubtedly be the most important influence on Liverpool's 2010/2011 season.

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Cheeky Forlan Flick Wins It For Atletico!

Fulham could not cope with the striking duo of Forlan and Aguero in the mind. A valiant fightback from Fulham amounted to nothing as Forlan's flick ended Fulham's fairytale run in Hamburg. This is the extra time winning goal as it happened.

graphics by malay mail

  

Europa League Final Preview: Can Fulham Pull It Off?

After a glorious European adventure which started in July last year, Fulham step into the Europa League Final knowing that whatever happens, they have made all of Europe sit up and take notice. The resilience and fighting spirit shown by the Fulham players against Juventus and Hamburg truly were amazing. Fulham fans through the Europa League have had enough memories to last a lifetime.

Some say that Fulham's name is on the cup this season. After those great comebacks against Juventus and Hamburg, who is to deny them this bit of glory? I look forward to seeing Roy Hodgson and his motley crew of journeyman players lifting the trophy in a few days time. Roy and Fulham have proven that the Europa League can be a happy hunting ground for English clubs. Aston Villa and Everton have, in the past, given up on this European competition to focus on the league. If Fulham wins, it might interest even Mancini and Benitez to take this competition seriously.

Arsenal's 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup Final: Where Are They Now?

The 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match played on 4 May 1994 between Arsenal of England and Parma of Italy. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1993–94 and the 34th European Cup Winners' Cup Final. The final was held at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, and Arsenal won 1–0 with the goal coming from Alan Smith. In the final Arsenal beat favourites and holders Parma 1–0 with a George Graham-tight defensive performance and Alan Smith's 21st minute goal from a left foot volley eventually proved enough to give Arsenal the cup.

Arsenal's Road to ECWC Champions

Odense BK Denmark     2 - 3     England Arsenal FC
Arsenal FC England     10 - 0     Belgium Standard Liège
Torino Calcio Italy     0 - 1     England Arsenal FC
Paris Saint-Germain France     1 - 2     England Arsenal FC
Arsenal England     1–0     Italy Parma

This is what the then-victorious Arsenal players are now up to:

ARSENAL
GK     1     England David Seaman

David Seaman is famous for a series of bad haircuts culminating in a dreadful ponytail, which he had chopped off for charity. The late Brian Clough said of him, "That Seaman is a handsome young man but he spends too much time looking in his mirror, rather than at the ball. You can't keep goal with hair like that."

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Liverpool in Europa League: 10 Things You Need To Know About Lille OSC

Liverpool have had a mixed month of football prior to their Europa League Round of 16 match against French Ligue 1 side Lille. In between beating Unirea Urziceni, Liverpool have displayed their best (against Blackburn), their worst (against Wigan) and their most boring (against Man City) performances. They are probably the most underperforming team in the English Premier League. Having a "safety-first" and pragmatic manager like Rafael Benitez does not help the situation, of course. The pressure is growing on Rafa and his band of players to make it to fourth place in the League and consequently secure that final Champions League spot for next season. If anything, a Europa League match at this stage might shake off any lingering after-effects from that terrible Wigan match.

Here are 10 things about Lille OSC that could help Liverpool's quest for potential European glory.

1. Lille OSC is the highest scoring (50 goals) team with the best goal difference in the French Ligue 1.
2. Among the best talented teenaged footballers in the world today, Eden Hazard is the star playmaker of Rudi Garcia's Lille side. He has six assists and four goals in all competitions.
3. Goalkeeper Mikael Landreau has 8 clean sheets this season from 17 starts and is an extremely good shot stopper.
4. Lille have players who are very competent and comfortable on the ball. In terms of possession, Lille retains the ball 54% in their matches. Technically gifted players like Hazard, Balmont, Cabaye, Adil Ramli and Frau move the ball quickly and with dangerous intent.
   

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