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Pardew prepares to give up on promotion

Under-achieving Charlton boss Alan Pardew has bemoaned his side’s luck following last Saturday’s home defeat by play off hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pardew believes that the match represents a microcosm of their season so far and that they just are not getting the rub of the green.

Speaking to BBC London, the former West Ham United manager stated -  “Their keeper had to work harder than ours but yet we’ve come out losers and on too many occasions thats happened.”

Charlton were hot favourites for a return to the Premier League this season, yet inconsistency has diluted even their play off hopes over recent weeks.

The Addicks travel to Plymouth on Saturday knowing that anything but three points will end their promotion hopes for this season at least.

Liverpool win the derby and the Toon start to hit form

Liverpool managed to pull away from Everton in the league with a win in the Merseyside derby beating Everton. After a first win in three months Newcastle thrashed Spurs at White Hart Lane and Chelsea grabbed a 1-0 win over Boro.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton

After losing Cahill for the season Everton had to make a few chances to the side where as Liverpool had to replace Mascherano with Lucas.

The only goal of the game came in the 7th minute.  A corner wasn’t cleared properly by Everton and Alonso nicked the ball from Yakubu, Kuyt passed wide to Torres who slide the ball past Howard. Minutes later Lee Carsley could have been sent off for a high tackle on Torres on the edge of the area. Howard Webb who was always going to have a tough time only showed a yellow.

Liverpool went on to have good chances in the half with Bable, Kuyt and Gerrard having good changed, the Liverpool captain hitting the post.

In the second half Everton could have put themselves on level terms, Osman with a near post header put they looked tired and missed Tim Cahill in the attacking third. Gerrard nearly double the lead late on with a drive from the corner of the box, Howard tipped over. Liverpool now hold the double over their neighbors and five points clear in 4th.

Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesborough

Like the Liverpool game the home side took the lead early on, a deep freekick from the touchline found Carvalho who looped a header from all of 14 yards. The home side only looked like grabbing an second late on with Wright-Phillips slotting wide once and thumping over after nice play from Kalou.

It was the away side that had the best chance, a ball over top started a 50-50 with Cudicini and Alves. The Brazilian took the ball round the Italian keeper and then shot from about 30 yards to the open goal. With Chelsea defender getting back on the line the were relieved to see the ball hit the post. That wasn’t Boro’s only chance with them hitting the bar twice at a corner, Alves and Wheater with the headers.

Tottenham 1 - 1 Newcastle United

The away side had a great opportunity to take the lead when Habib Beye smashed a shot against the bar. Spurs took the lead though Darren Bent his eighth goal of the season. Just before the break Nicky Butt grabbed the away sides first goal of the match sweeping in a shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

The game really kicked off in the second half, a foul on Martins resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area which Geremi fired in with a little help from Viduka who moved from the wall. The third from Owen came from a Martins run from the touch line and a flick from Viduka.

Before the fourth went in for the home side a Berbatov header was saved well on the line. The final goal came from Martin who took the ball round the last Tottenham man and slotted past Robinson. A great result for King Kev and his Newcastle team are starting show a little confidence.

Everton midfielder set to miss rest of season

Aussie midfielder Tim Cahill has been dealt a bitter blow by being told he will play no further part in Everton’s season.

The news comes just 48 hours before one of the most eagerly anticipated Merseyside derbies in years, and is said to be a recurrence of a previous foot problem gained against Sheffield United.

Cahill is thought to have aggravated the problem against West Ham last Saturday – lasting just ten minutes of the one all draw.

Everton are currently embroiled in a fight with their arch rivals for the final Champions League place and the news is sure to be far from ideal for the Goodison Park outfit.

Winning is Everything wishes Tim Cahill a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing him back in action very soon.

Sinclair joins Crystal Palace

Championship side Crystal Palace have snapped up Chelsea striker Scott Sinclair until the end of the season.

Sinclair,19, had previously been playing his football at fellow Championship rivals Charlton Athletic, but only made three appearances at The Valley – all of which as a substitute.

The striker joined Chelsea back in 2005 from the then League Two outfit Bristol Rovers – he has also played for Plymouth Argyll and Queens Park Rangers – both of which whilst being on loan.

Sinclair did feature in the Carling Cup for Chelsea earlier in the season, scoring on his debut in the third round victory over Hull City

France 1 - 0 England

Fabio Capello suffered his first defeat as England manager tonight losing 1-o to France in what was a dismal performance by Capello’s team.

David Beckham was given a starting place in his 100 appearance for his country tonight. Comparing to Capello’s first match John Terry started at the back in place of Matthew Upson and Jenas was replaced by Owen Hardgreaves.

France were without several first team players including Henry and Viera. Anelka started up front with Trezeguet. Capello started with Rooney alone up front supported by Gerrard, similar to how Gerrard plays with Torres at Liverpool.

England did actually control the game in the fist half for the first 3o minutes, with the best chance being a cross which Beckham tried to get on the end of. France scored after 32 minutes when Francois Clerc’s ball along the channel found Anelka, who brought down by David James, a clearcut penalty.

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery slotted the ball home from 12-yards sending James the wrong way.

At the half time break Capello changed things around with four subs and moving to 4-4-2. Crouch and Owen came on to play upfront, Terry was replaced by Lescott and Joe Cole by Downing. Despite the more attacking formation chances were scarce  and it was France that had the best opportunities to score, one falling to Anelka and one to Cisse.

Overall it was a very disappointing night for England. Although the back four looked solid the team could have played for another hour and still not scored.

Ferdinand named as England captain

Rio Ferdinand is the surprise choice to skipper the England side in tomorrow evening’s international friendly with France.

Favourite John Terry, and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard – who captained the side against Switzerland last month – have been overlooked by Capello who is eager to stamp his own trademark on English football.

Winning is Everything also understood that former captain David Beckham could lead the side out if he earns his 100th cap.

Despite the Italian naming the Manchester United defender as captain for tomorrow’s match, there is no guarantees that he will be the man to lead the country in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. This has been supported by an F A statement released this afternoon which commented –

“Capello has confirmed this continues his policy of rotating the captaincy between players in the friendly matches before confirming a permanent captain for the World Cup qualifying games.”

Ferdinand is set to earn his 66th cap for England and made his debut eleven years ago against Cameroon.

John Terry, skipper under previous manager Steve McClaren is said to be disappointed but told BBC Sport that “ I wish to continue as England captain but I respect Mr Capello’s decision”

Coventry to release eight players

New coventry boss Chris Coleman is going to be releasing eight players in the summer, all of them with contracts up.

Covenrty sit two places and one point above the relegation zone in the Championship. Coleman has won two, drawn three and lost three games in his eight game reign since taking over from Iain Dowie.

The players set to leave are Stuart Giddings, Ellery Cairo, Arjan de Zeeuw, Michael Hughes, Colin Hawkins, Wayne Andrews, Liam Davis and Lee Hildreth. David McNamee is also in the balance to leave, he’s recovering from a hamstring injury.

More maybe due to follow depending on where Coventry will be plying thier trade next season.

Polls results - FA Cup Winners?

Our first poll on the site looked at the four semi finalists in the FA Cup. Unsurprisingly Portsmouth the only Premiership outfit came out on top with 42% of the votes. Second Cardiff, third WBA and in last place Barnsley who have beaten Liverpool and Arsenal on their way to the semi finals.

We’ll find out who does get to the final on the 5th and 6th of April when the sides meet with the Final in May.

Our next poll is on the weeks talking points, the behavior of players with the referee. After the Ashley Cole and then Javier Mascherano sending off yesterday the media any many fans are looking for a change in the rules so only the captains are allowed to speak to the referee, like in rugby.

So the new poll is - Should only captains speak to referees?

United move further ahead as Chelsea go above Arsenal

It was billed as Super Sunday on Sky Sports, for me it was a super time 6 hours in the pub about 6 pints and then two pizzas afterwards and some good football! It turned out to be an important Sunday in the race for the title. Chelsea came from behind to move ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United romped to a 3-0 win after Javier Mascherano was sent off for two yellow cards, the second one for dissent.

Manchester United 3 - 0 Liverpool

The first game of the day ended in a win for the home side helped by Javier Mascherano who was sent off in the first half for two bookings. United should have taken the lead earlier on when Wayne Rooney had two one-on-one against Reina. They did take the lead when Wes Brown won the ball in the middle of the park and then found himself on the end of a Rooney cross to head past Reina. The Liverpool keeper was in no man’s land which allowed Brown to head into an empty net.

Mascherano was booked first for a rash challenge on Paul Scholes, his second was given for dissent just before the break. The Argentinian ran 20 yards to referee Steve Bennett and despite being told to go away he continued to argue and received his marching orders. It was a stupid half for the midfielder who never looked like staying on the park with constant fouling and petulant arguing with Bennett, rather silly after the mid-week antics of Ashley Cole.

United had to wait till late on the second half when Ronaldo headed in from a corner and then substitute Nani struck from 20 yards to seal the 3-0 nil win.

Chelsea 2 - 1 Arsenal

Chelsea held onto their unbeaten home run coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 and move into second place in the league. After a dull first half the away side took the lead from a corner at the near post. Frank Lampard was caught napping as Sagna headed in just after the second half kick off.

Avram Grant then made a double substitutions bringing on Bellitti and Anelka. The change worked as three minutes later Drogba stuck a lose ball away. Then on 82 the substitutes combined to create the winner. Bellitte’s cross was flicked on by Anelka to find Drogba who shot on the turn to give the home side the lead.

All in all a good day of football, Javier Mascherano’s sending off will be a talking point but Sir Alex will be sitting happy tonight five points clear of second place Chelsea.

Keegan finally get his first win

Kevin Keegan finally has seen his Newcastle team in his second spell in charge picking up a home win over fellow stragglers Fulham. Mark Viduka scored early on to take the lead of the home side. The game was sealed late on when Owen headed in in the 83rd minute. Manager Kevin Keegan was pleased with the result and the performance of his captain Owen.

“People keep questioning all sorts of things with these great players, but they can answer them

“Michael probably answered a few critics again today - there are plenty out there, from what I am seeing.

“He would certainly be in most people’s England side.”

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