matthew123

Technically it was a perfectly good corner, even if it was gamesmanship, but Rooney should maybe have indicated to linesman his plan as it was unusual and hence did not register with linesman. Frank Lampard took a kick at the ankle from the already booked Ronaldo in the second half, fair play to Lampard he just grimaced and waved away Ref... wonder what the reaction would have been if it's been the already booked Lampard on Ronaldo or is that a silly question?

Murphy - you mean McAllister. Oddly 5 of the 6 pundits from the 2 big games this weekend on Setanta and Sky all played under Houllier at Liverpool. There is so much football on TV that they've even found work for likes of Don Hutchison and Dominic Matteo. How dumb is Wayne Rooney for not signalling to the linesman what he was doing at the fake corner kick. Up until then it was a great game that was pretty even but then once United got their noses in front United played like a steam train. I know the third goal was just the icing on the cake for United but it was a clear foul and I'd imagine Chelsea fans want to hear it being called as a foul back in the studio - not Jamie Redknapp saying it was like a block in Basketball as they slow-mo Vidic congratulating himself for the illegal block.

Nothing wrong with Rafa putting out an experimental line-up, as it worked a treat against Newcastle, but when it doesn't work and clearly wasn't working at Stoke it has to be changed sooner rather than later. When you break it down, Liverpool started with 3 "stoppers" in defense and 2 defensive midfielders against a Stoke team who put everyone behind the ball. Gerrard barely touched the ball and when he did he had no support. But if that was bad, what about the repetitive questioning by Kelly Dalglish after the game on Fergie-gate.. surely she had time to ask about bad team selection, negative tactics and wrong substitutions... but no it ended up with Rafa trying to keep a straight face out of respect for her Father.

Pathetic tactics by Rafa at Stoke - you do not win games simply by keeping a clean sheet. You cannot keep with a defensive formation and then expect to switch it on to play attacking football when you need to score. Robbie Keane should have been on that pitch at some point to bolster the attack. My personal take on the Rafa outburst is that he wants to put pressure on Referees taking charge of United - whether Ferguson was chuckling yesterday or not (btw I doubt it) the Referees in charge of United will be put firmly under the spotlight. A secondary reason for the timing is to try and deflect attention away from the looming Gerrard court case and the two Merseyside derbies, also it boosts morale in the Liverpool ranks particularly amongst the supporters.

I think you mean Rye Lane. Peckham High Street is where they soak them in batter to be deep fried ;-)

It was a great night at the Phoenix. Lots of good, fun and interesting people so look forward to the next one. My only regret is I didn't have the time to meet everyone as it really was jammed.

Having watched the press conference it looks to me like Benitez was in full control, and it was a carefully calculated attack on United. Rafa doesn't often go on the attack like that - but when he does he goes at it full power. I don't think that will be the end of the matter so expect more fireworks from the Spaniard now that he has taken off the gloves. Fergie should have a quick chat with his mates Jose and Big Sam to know you don't cross Rafa otherwise he will break you in half on and off the pitch.

This is the actual TV footage from the press conference... in case anyone thought Rafa was shouting and jabbing his finger at the camera B) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/4208636/Rafa-Benitez-vents-fury-at-Alex-Ferguson-Football.html

Daily Mail has full transcript which is even more explosive! It sounds very much like Rafa has been keeping his powder dry with his dossier on United and has suggested that Steve Bennett is in line to referee United's game in hand when they play Wigan... the same referee who Rafa has alluded to being instrumental in United winning title last season. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1110744/Rafas-rant-Liverpool-boss-launches-stinging-attack-Fergie--read-transcript.html

That will hurt United as now every aspect of their manipulation during matches will be spotlighted. Well done Rafa - as United will now find it extremely difficult to beat Chelsea on Sunday as the Refereeing officials will most certainly clamp down on their gamesmanship.

Arsenal 1 Bolton 1 Aston Villa 2 West Brom 0 Everton 3 Hull 0 Fulham 2 Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 3 Sunderland 2 Newcastle 2 West Ham 0 Portsmouth 2 Man City 1 Man Utd 0 Chelsea 2 Wigan 3 Tottenham 1

As Fergie would say, "I hope they cut each other's throats" ;-) You can bet your bottom dollar that if Liverpool beat Stoke on Saturday then come Sunday on Sky, Richard Keys will clasp his hands together, slowly hunch forward, look at camera, pause, then turn to Jamie Redknapp and ask, "Are the team that lose today out of the title race?" ... then after some fidgeting from Jamie, the obediant, but authoritative reply will be "Yes Richard"

LOL - and there is me thinking you'd come out and defend the two United players.. but instead you point the finger at Liverpool! I dare say it'll all come out in court as former KGB agents working alongside a pot bellied, shaven headed racist carrying a pitchfolk who were seen tampering with the Ferrari during its recent transit from Portugal to scupper United's chances against Chelski on Sunday.

Ronaldo and Edwin Van Der Sar could BOTH be in trouble with Police after Ronaldo crashed his Ferrari this morning. It seems Van Der Sar was the car immediately behind Ronaldo and it makes me wonder whether they were racing each other to training. It does seem to me from the mangled wreckage that Police need to examine any tunnel CCTV footage for reckless driving by both players. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1109263/United-star-Ronaldo-writes-Ferrari-walks-away-smash.html If it does go to court will we see Ferguson demanding that United have their own respresentatives on the jury to make sure United are not stitched up by the authorities.

Presentation is poor. They need to get back to a solo no nonsense presenter. I think the BBC international Correspondents on the ground, are generally, of a high standard, particulary in the Middle East.

Leeds United were the reigning League Champions when Clough took over and he showed a team packed with powerful personalities and amongst the biggest names in football a total lack of respect. A latter day repeat would probably be Mourinho walking into Old Trafford tomorrow as manager and telling Rooney, Ronaldo and Rio to bin all their medals as they'd only been won by cheating. Leeds reached the European Cup final that season with Jimmy Armfield (often heard commentating on radio 5 live) once Clough was kicked out of the door. Whether Clough would have repeated his success at Leeds is doubtful in my opinion as his track record was picking up small clubs from the rot to the top. He could have created a dynasty at Forest after 3 magical years of a league title and 2 European Cups but he was not able to sustain it (even with big money signings). Clough had one chance at a big job and he blew it although based on what we know about Cloughie he was motivated by money more than most managers if Alan Sugar's testimony of Cloughie 'likes a bung' is to be believed. The Leeds United debacle was probably a crucial factor in Clough being overlooked for the England job on more than one occasion - so I'd say Clough had more to regret than Leeds United who were always going to struggle after the Don Revie years.

It was a much stronger United line-up than I expected, and don't forget Scholes and Tevez also started. Rio is still injured and Evra suspended - but both are back for Sunday's blockbuster which will go a long way to decide which team finishes 2nd or 3rd this season. Ronaldo, Carrick and Rooney made no difference to the flow of the game so I'd say much work still to be done for United in 2nd leg, although I expect United to meet Spurs in Final. I thought Phil Dowd refereed the game well (only saw 2nd half) and I'd probably put him up there now as the best in PL on evidence of recent weeks.

I learnt long ago that holding fire or making predictions has no effect on the final result - unless you give team talk! Which reminds me of when I once give Sami Hyypia a 'pep talk' in Switzerland after Liverpool went out of Champions League to Basle in group stage. I sat down next to the skipper after we found him in a hotel with bottle of beer in hand and told him all would be forgiven by winning on weekend... we took another 12 league games before we won again!

Sandperson what have I said that has hit home so hard with you about Ferguson? As for Rafa not having a personality to make headlines maybe it is because we at Liverpool like to do our talking on the pitch - rather than making negative comments about other teams. I'm fed up with this inferiority complex from United. Smell the coffee Sandperson, Liverpool are top of the league and they're gonna stay top so get used to it!

I had an operation at the Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat hospital in Kings Cross in 2007, that involved widening of a cavity to improve airflow - and it has made an improvement. I think if it's big hospital that kind of thing is like changing a tyre on a car so it all works like clockwork the whole set-up of anaesthetists, nurses and surgeons. My only advice would be, confirm with your Consultant that it will be they that performs the surgery - rather than them delegating the delicate work to a junior.

I saw a report on BBC London today that European investors are taking advantage of price reductions and the weakness of the pound in buying London properties. Obviously I'm biased as a home owner but if I was looking... I'd probably step up my property search so when the market does turn (6 months, 12 months whenever) I am able to react quickly in what will probably be some volatile pricing before they accelerate back out of control. As I said I don't know when it will turn.. but when it does I think particularly in desirable London locations (not sh!t holes) it will be manic when you consider there are some gigantic deposits out there ready to pounce at first sign of the 'good times' returning.

I used to think Harry Redknapp was one of the good guys but now I'm not too sure after his endless campaigns of unsettling players through the media. We had it with Crouch in the summer, things like, 'lovely player but can't afford him', tried the same with Robbie Keane, but now it looks like he has got his man Jermaine Defoe. I don't want to bracket him with Alex Ferguson, but surely Redknappy is worthy of an FA charge. This in the season when Daniel Levy was complaining to the authorities after the way Liverpool and United conducted themselves over Keane and Barbatov - it seems Spurs have done exactly the same with Defoe.

i've not been before but have to say it's under consideration

I'd imagine that properties that are 20 minute walk to tube or train station will fall faster than properties only 5 minutes walk, similarly ex-local authority will be hit harder than victorian builds etc. One thing you can guarentee about the media they'll always report the extreme end. Anyway Pagey that BBC link does no breakdown?

Damn, Liverpool v Everton twice in a week and then Chelsea at Anfield the week after. It's going to be a gruelling 2 weeks for Liverpool facing the boys in Blue even if the triple header is played out at Anfield.