1ST EVER: Arsenal vs Liverpool match in focus, will be the first match to show live teamtalks

Clash of two Titans of English Football

 The Premier League bursts back into life after the international break this weekend with Arsenal and Liverpool clashing in a potential FA Cup final dress rehearsal in the early kick-off at the Emirates on Saturday.

The Emirates Stadium, Venue of Saturday's Premier League Clash

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger warmed to the idea and is now in agreement with Brendan Rodgers

 

The match up will feature for the first time ever in Premier league history,both pre-match teamtalks by the captains will be streamed live to the world from the Emirates on Saturday.


 Fans will have the chance to go inside the dressing room ahead of the match. Wow, nice right?

As they bid to keep track with the latest technology, the Premier League has convinced both clubs to take part.

But it was only rubber-stamped last night after the rivals agreed to a strict number of rules that will ensure neither side is left at a disadvantage.

Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil will battle Liverpool counterpart, Adam Lallana

 Although the two teams are the favourites to meet in the Cup final at Wembley at the end of May, of more immediate concern to both will be the three points at stake on Saturday.

Victory for Arsenal would maintain their unlikely late challenge for the title, while a Liverpool win would rekindle their hopes of a top-four finish after their last match before the break ended in a 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United.

Arsenal have won their last six league matches and halved the gap on leaders Chelsea from 14 points on February 10 to seven now and a win for the Gunners would lift them into second place, at least until Manchester City play at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Chelsea, leaders since late August, host Stoke City, managed by the London club's ex-striker Mark Hughes, in Saturday's late match and anything other than a home win would be a major upset.



 

I'm no money-grabber - says Raheem Sterling

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling rejected suggestions he was "money-grabbing" in an interview aired on Wednesday, after his talks over a new contract hit an impasse.

The 20-year-old England star's club future has become the subject of intense speculation in the British media as Liverpool attempt to extend his current contract beyond its 2017 expiry date.
Reports claim that Sterling had turned down a new deal worth around £100 000 ($148 320/ 137 710 euros) per week, but he said claims he was holding Liverpool to ransom were wide of the mark.

"I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old," said Sterling, who is reported to earn around £35 000 per week, in a video interview published on the BBC Sport website.
"I just want to be seen as the kid that loves to play football and wants to do the best for the team."
He added: "I would never want the fans to think bad of me, to think I just want as much money for myself. I want them to understand it's been a bit much for me this season, with everyone talking about it every minute."
Jamaica-born Sterling joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers' youth academy in 2010 and broke into the first team under manager Brendan Rodgers during the 2012-13 season.

Unbelievable:Bookmaker Offers Rooney £50,000 To Fight Bardsley In Boxing Match

Knocked out Wayne Rooney Caricature

 According to Metro.co.uk, Paddy Power has offered £50,000 for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney to fight Phil Bardsley in boxing match

The leaked video of Wayne Rooney being knocked out by Phil Bardsley was the talk of the whole weekend.
First the video was leaked, then Rooney mocked it with his Manchester United goal celebration – but the story isn’t over yet.

The Wayne Rooney knockout goal celebration against Tottenham

 

 Bookmaker Paddy Power have now offered a £50,000 charity prize for Rooney to take on Stoke City defender Bardsley in an official boxing rematch. Seriously.

Former United player, Phil Bardsley now at Stoke City

The event would be broadcast live on TV and possibly take place at a famous boxing club in London.
‘Punters have been going crazy for the re-match, and there’s no doubt it could be as big as Froch versus Groves 2,’ Paddy Power said.
You can get odds of 18/1 for Bardsley to knock Rooney out in the first round.

Is Super Eagles star Keneth Omeruo really dating Super Falcons and Liverpool player Oshoala?

Middlesborough defender Kenneth Omeruo has played down talks making the rounds that he is dating Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala.

 Omeruo and Oshoala have both being spotted in different places in England fueling speculations they are serious relationship.

"I know people will talk about us. Oshoala is someone that I have been encouraging like a sister and I am really happy she has come this far. "The fact that she is in Liverpool not far from me I take her out sometimes, she is a great talent."

Omeruo said. Omeruo who starred in the Eagles loss to Uganda at the Akwa Ibom international stadium and the 1-1 disappointing draw with South Africa on Sunday.

Aitor Karanka's side are for now third on the log in the Championships, behind Watford on goal difference and a point behind leaders Bournemouth.

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi Still yet to sign a new contract

 

With the Nigeria Football Federation yet to name Stephen Keshi as the head coach of the Super Eagles, there are feelers from sources that his dreams might be shattered.

 

The Executive members of the NFF are divided over the decision of the Technical Committee to put the long term future of the Super Eagles in the hands of the 2013 African Cup of Nations winning coach, as some of them believe a foreign coach should head the team.

 

The recent struggles of the Super Eagles in friendly matches against Uganda and South Africa reportedly made some of the Executive members of the NFF to have a rethink on the abilities of local coaches.

 

However, there are moves by some well connected members of the NFF to have the former Mali coach back as Eagles' gaffer.

 

Ex Tottenham Hotspur Striker Pavlyuchenko Tells A Joke About Okocha on April fools Day

Austin "Jay Jay Okocha during his playing days for Nigeria

On the occasion of April Fool’s day, ex Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko was reminiscing about some of the funny stories he heard while playing in England.

Though the Russia international never played against Austin Okocha in the English  Premier League, he recalled that Jiří Jarošík, ex Chelsea midfielder, told him a joke about the former Super Eagles skipper.

Roman Pavlyuchenko at Tottenham

 “Jarošík, who played in Chelsea, explained to us about English humor. I remember him telling us that Okocha invested in a Nigerian bank that collapsed, all he accumulated disappeared. " “And the players of Bolton chipped in for him 10 pounds each , ” Roman Pavlyuchenko was quoted as saying by championat.com.

Jiří Jarošík, at Chelsea

Back home, it was claimed that Okocha’s  $1 million investment was trapped in the distressed and then bankrupt Societe Generale Bank .

Mercurial Okocha in his Bolton playing days

Cape Verde shock 10-man Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo sits out friendly match

Cape Verde Islands defender Gege celebrates after scoring the second goal against Portugal on Tuesday

 

 A Portugal side missing Cristiano Ronaldo were shocked 2-0 by African islanders Cape Verde in Estoril.

The Ballon d'Or winner was released from international duty ahead of this friendly meeting at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota and Portugal dearly missed his guile and killer instinct.

Odair Fortes and Gege scored the Blue Sharks' goals before half-time and the dismissal of Portugal defender Andre Pinto on the hour mark made a comeback even more unlikely. It would not materialise.

 

Portuguese coach Fernando Santos looking dejected.

 It was the first time since 1986 that Portugal had lost to an African nation, though it shouldn't come as too much a surprise with Cape Verde up at 37 in the FIFA world rankings, above the likes of Scotland and Sweden.

Cape Verde made a lively start but the European side began to stamp their mark on proceedings soon after Vozinha was called into action on a number of occasions in goal, keeping out Vierinha and then Bernardo Silva. 

Jeffry Fortes competes with Adrien Silva during the international friendly in Estoril

 

But the visitors were in front in the 38th minute, as  Fortes' cross-cum-shot looped over Lopes at the far post.

Five minutes later they doubled their advantage after Heldon's free-kick fell kindly for Gege, who made his way up from defence and could hardly miss.

Hugo Almeida spurned a golden chance in the second half as Fernando Santos' side tried to rally, but Portugal's hopes of mounting a comeback were dealt a major blow on the hour mark when Pinto was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Heldon.

Pinto's sending off did not affect Portugal's attacking ambition, but their efforts ultimately proved fruitless on a famous night for Cape Verde.

Cape Verde midfielder Platini vies with Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva in Estoril

 

Hugo Almeida heads the ball on under pressure from Cape Verde defender Jeffry Fortes

 

Andre Pinto holds the ball up as Julio Tavares looks to get back possession for Portugal