Who's the best...Ronaldo or Drogba?

Premiership leaders Manchester United dominate the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year (PFA) award, with man of the moment Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all making the six-man shortlist. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the 2006 winner, complete the contenders. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and Fabregas are also up for the young player award with Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, Kevin Doyle of Reading and Manchester City's Micah Richards join them on the list.

Ronaldo has been brilliant this season for the United side which is still hunting for their unprecedented double Treble Ronaldo, 22, is currently being acclaimed as the world's best player in some quarters and the winger has 21 goals for Premiership leaders Manchester United. Meanwhile Drogba has been consistent for Chelsea throughout the season. The Blues had already won the league cup and are still on contention for another three trophies to complete an remarkable quadraple.

"Didier has, arguably, been Chelsea's best and most consistent performer this season - no mean achievement when he is playing alongside so many top-class players at Stamford Bridge," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor. "Cristiano is the most exciting player in the country at the moment - the quickness of his feet and the skills he possesses make you think, at times, that he is from another planet," added Taylor.

Man Utd vs Chelsea in Everything?

It has been a fact that Man Utd and Chelsea always competing against each other on and off the pitch. From finacial, players signing, promoting popularity to the football field, these two teams just trying their best to outdo each other. But it has been quite different this season. Both teams are vying for the Premiership title and after another dramatic weekend, both teams are playing each other in the FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium. More than that, both are in the last four of European cup semi-finals and stand a good chance to progress to the Final in late May where the season finale comes to an end.

Man Utd 4 Watford 1

Villa Park, Birmingham, England, UK

14th April 2007

The last time that the FA Cup semi-finals are going to play in the neutral venues kicked-off at Birmingham where Man Utd played relegation-threatened Watford. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a brilliant 20-yard drive. Although being outplayed by United players for most of the time, Watford showed alot of determination and resillince. Their effort paid off in the 26th minute when Hameur Bouazza scored a spectacular overhead kick. Cristiano Ronaldo swiftly restored United's lead two minutes later. The 22-year old Portuguese winger, who just signed a five year extension to his contract with the Premiership leaders ending the speculation of him being sold to Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona in this summer, bundled in Rooney's cross from close range. United suffered a blow just before half-time when defender Rio Ferdinand was taken off for suspected damaged groin but it was later found that the injury was not as serious as first thought. The England international could be back to play against Sheffield United in a league match in midweek. Rooney's close-range finish wrapped up the win after 66 minutes and substitute Kieran Richardson chipped in a fourth. Sir Alex Ferguson again paid tribute to his fantastic United side, branded the game was as good as Tuesday's night demolition of Roma in European cup quarter-finals. He's proud of his players especially Rooney who played his best game in the season so far. Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd said the scoreline didn't clearly reflect the difference between the two sides on the pitch today. He was disappointed with his side that couldn't take their chances well early in the second half before Rooney's strike made the game more difficult for them.

Blackburn Rovers 1 Chelsea 2 (AET)

Old Trafford, Manchester, England, UK

15th April 2007

Frank Lampard put Chelsea in front after 16 minutes as Chelsea dominated early on and Blackburn made a sluggish start. After the break, Mark Hughes' side were the better team, with Rovers having numerous chances to draw level. Blackburn striker Jason Roberts got the reward for their good play just after the hour mark, flicking home from Morten Gamst Pedersen's free-kick. Petr Cech made a series of fine saves for Chelsea before the game went into extra time. And, after Blackburn's defence failed to clear a cross in the 109th minute, German midfielder Michael Ballack reacted quickest and fired hom the winner with his left foot. It sets up another end-of-season showdown in May, with the Reds already facing a trip to Stamford Bridge in the Premiership's penultimate match of the campaign, while both teams are vying for a place in the Champions League final.

Premiership Results:

14th April 2007

Arsenal 2 Bolton 1

Man City 0 Liverpool 0

Middlesbrough 1 Aston Villa 3

Portsmouth 2 Newcastle 1

Reading 1 Fulham 0

Sheffield United 3 West Ham 0

15th April 2007

Everton 2 Charlton 1

Wigan 3 Tottenham Hotspur 3

English Rules

Liverpool 1 PSV Eindhoven 0

(Liverpool won 4-0 on aggregate)

Anfield, Liverpool, England, UK

11th April 2007

Liverpool march into the semi finals of the European Champions League means that there're three English clubs in the last four for the first time in the history of European football. English club is guaranteed a final berth now and for three years in a row, there's an English team in the Final. England international Peter Crouch's scoring form continues when he put the ball into the back of the net in the 68th minute after some smart plays by another Englishman Robbie Fowler. PSV showed some determination and intentions in the begnning stages of the match but they were denied by Liverpool Spanish keeper Jose Reina. The victory set up an all English affairs between Chelsea-Liverpool next week and a repeat of 2005/2006 semi-final showdown.

Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 2

(AC Milan won 4-2 on aggregate)

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

11th April 2007

Bayern showed their intention for the first period of the match but Milan's experience and professional performance bring them into the last four. The homeside couldn't get their chances counted in the early stages of this match and it was Clarence Seedorf who opened the scoring for Milan in the 27th minute. Fillippo Inzaghi's excellent finish four minutes later put the away team on the edge. Second half started with Bayern showing more urgencies and determinations but they were denied by Dida. Kaka could have put the match beyond doubt but his shot was well-saved by Oliver Kahn. Milan is playing Manchester United, who thrashed another Italian team AS Roma 7-1 a day before on the 24th April 2007 at Old Trafford.

Semi Finals Showdown:

Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Man Utd vs AC Milan, 19:45

Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Chelsea vs Liverpool, 19:45

Chris Coleman

Fulham football club has parted company with their manager Chris Coleman after a series of bad results that put the Cottagers at the brink of relegation zone. Statement from Craven Cottage announced on Tuesday that the London club has ended their partnership with Coleman after the Welshman's four years tenure at the club. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will take over as caretaker basis at the club.

But why? For me, Coleman is one of the best managers in English football. Not to mention Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson, Coleman alongside Bolton's Sam Allardyce, Everton's David Moyes and Aston Villa's Martin O'Neil, he is one of the best British managers in English top flight football. He should be the answer to the club in avoiding relegation. But maybe the club wants an alternative and we will see.

Coleman's Managerial Stats at Fulham:

17th April 2003-10th April 2007

176 games, 61 wins, 44 draws, 71 loss (34.65% winning rate)

Seventh Heaven at the Theatre of Dreams

Man Utd 7 AS Roma 1

(Man Utd won 8-3 on aggregate)

Old Trafford, Manchester, England, UK

11th April 2007

Man Utd recorded their highest European win by thrashing AS Roma 7-1 in the return leg of UEFA Champions League quarter finals. A scintillating performance by the home side torn Roma apart within the first 19 minutes of the match in which Michael Carrick opened the scoring with a delicate lob in the 11th minute; Alan Smith with his first goal in 18 months in the 17th minute and Wayne Rooney's goal in the 19th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo proved once again he's a strong candidate for the PFA Footballer of the Year Award by scoring from 20 yards with his right foot after another sublime skills and pace. Many would have expected Roma to reorganise in the second half but they still looked fragile at the back. Four minutes after the game restarted, Ryan Giggs' cross from the left and Ronaldo's tap in put the match beyond doubt. Carrick's long range effort from 24 yards out went into the back of Alexander Doni's net once more in the 60th minute. Daniele de Rossi scored a consolation 9 minutes later for the visitor but the home side seem not to be satisfied and substitute Patrice Evra put the score into the record book 9 minutes before regular time. The Eternal City giants were clearly swept away by the more hunger United team.

Post Match Response

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly delighted with his players. He said the performance was fantastic and the scoreline was totally out of his expectations. He showed his praises to every player in the team in particular Smith who scored his first competitive goal since November 2005. "Smith deserved it more than anyone else," said the Scotsman. He has no preference who to play against in the next round.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti blamed the poor performance to his team lack of experience after being one nil down too early in the match. He said the United players' enthusiasm cost his team dearly in the early stages of the match. Captain Francesco Totti said it was the saddest day in his football life. He said his team inability to handle Ronaldo and come back from 0-3 down cost them the match. But he hope to play this kind of games again in the future and to win to pay back the traveling fans.

Analysis

Man Utd was simply brilliant and in their own league last night. AS Roma wasn't playing too bad but they were totally outclassed by the more determined and confident United side. The away goal by Rooney proved to be crucial and I believe it is the driving force behind United's greatest come back. United 'tinkerman' Sir Alex put a 4-2-3-1 formation clearly showed it to us that United was determined to get an early goal and the move seem to pay back. Smith was alone at the front and supported by Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs, and Darren Fletcher and Carrick behind these four players. The attacking options up front and fast passing game clearly torn Roma apart. I do believe with Roma coach that the inexperienced of his players especially in big games was the key to their humiliation. They never seem to recover after 3-0 down in the first 20 minutes. Every United player showed alot of hunger since the first minute of the match. Ronaldo stole the limelight once more when he was declared the man of the match. But for me, Giggs was the best player in this match. His skills, touch, pace and passings are just simply unbelievable. Four of United goals were assisted by Giggs. I think he won the match for us but every team member should be given the credits. It's really good to see different players scored for United. Carrick is usually not a goal-scoring player but two brilliant long range efforts proved everyone wrong. Evra first match since he came back from injury and scored will be a huge boost to the team. Smith first goal in 18 months is hugely important for him to build up his best again since his move from Leeds United. Amazing performance by Fletcher and Gabriel Heinze shouldn't be left out.

Valencia 1 Chelsea 2

(Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate)

Mestalla Stadium, Spain

11th April 2007

Chelsea had another great escape last night after Michael Essien's goal in the dying minutes put Jose Mourinho's multi-millions dollar team into the last four of the Champions League. Fernando Morientes put the home team ahead in the 32th minute before Andrei Shevchenko equalised in the 52th minute. The match looked certain to go into extra time but it was Essien's long range effort that beat Santiago Canizares in the last minute of regular time after the Spanish international goalie made one of the best saves ever seen in European football from Michael Ballack's header. Mourinho was full of praises for his players and said they're absolutely unbelievable. He said that every player in the team played like a beast and they deserved to win the match as they were the better team in the second half.

Oh dear..oh dear..Jose Mourinho...

Just before the European Champions League showdown between Chelsea and Valencia on Tuesday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was asked who did he fancy to go through between Man Utd and AS Roma.

Jose Mourinho: "I say this without showing any disrespect to Roma. I like Italian teams. I love Roma but no disrespect to Roma, I want Man Utd to go through!"

Did you know Patrick Berger is still playing professional football in England?

A guy who was once dubbed the best left winger in the world, Czech Republic Patrick Berger has returned to English top flight football. Fine display on Saturday and an assist on Monday evening for Aston Villa proved that he's still worth something to the team.

Results:

9th April 2007

Warford 4 Portsmouth 2

Aston Villa 1 Wigan 1

Bolton 1 Everton 1

Fulham 1 Man City 3

Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0

Charlton 0 Reading 0