jose - soccer

Manchester United has thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford as the English Premier League champion moved an ominous step closer to leader Liverpool. Nemanja Vidic headed United in front in first-half stoppage time and Wayne Rooney doubled its advantage on the hour with a close-range volley. Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout in the 87th minute to lift United into third place. Alex Ferguson's side is now just five points behind Liverpool and one behind a Chelsea side which was desperately lacking any spark and wilted alarmingly.

United has two games in hand of both its main title rivals. "(Chelsea) had a lot of good possession and they are a threat when they get possession.. .but I don't think they really got a clear-cut chance," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "We said before that we still had all the main teams at home and we really need to win those games. "Janauary is a big month for us with eight games but we've got the squad to cope."

United faces Wigan Athletic on Thursday morning (AEDT) and Bolton Wanderers next weekend. Should it win both, it will be top of the league before Liverpool faces Everton next Tuesday. Defeat was Chelsea's first on the road in the league this season and continued manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's poor record against the top sides since taking over at Stamford Bridge. "This has done big damage to us," the Brazilian said. "We came here to win and now we need to think about what happened with some players." Wigan won for the sixth time in seven league matches when Maynor Figueroa's late header earned a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, which is third from bottom.

United was dealt a blow before kick-off when central defender Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a recurrence of a back injury that will require a visit to a specialist next week. However his absence was hardly noticed as keeper Edwin van der Sar barely had a save to make as United made it eight league games without conceding a goal. A yellow card for Frank Lampard after a foul that left Cristiano Ronaldo in a heap set the tone for a messy opening to a match that could be a pivotal point in the season.

United appealed for a penalty when Ashley Cole appeared to block a cross with his arm, but it took it half an hour to force Petr Cech into a save from a Berbatov shot. United began to ratchet up the pressure on the Chelsea goal just before the interval. John Terry was forced into one desperate block from a Park Ji-sung shot before Ronaldo had a headed goal disallowed after referee Howard Webb ordered a crafty United corner to be re-taken - much to the fury of Rooney.

Chelsea failed to learn its lesson and as Giggs delivered the ball again in stoppage time, Berbatov got a slight touch and Serbian defender Vidic crept in at the far post to nod the ball past Cech. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Chelsea and despite Scolari sending on Nicolas Anelka to partner Didier Drogba up front after the break, it was United which moved up a gear. A sweet movement on the hour mark saw Ronaldo's back heel release Patrice Evra and his pacey cross was met first time by Rooney to double United's lead. United could have scored on numerous occasions as Chelsea wilted before Berbatov supplied the final flourish, connecting with a Ronaldo free kick.

(source: www.abc.net.au)

David Beckham has made his debut for Italian giants AC Milan against Hamburger SV in the Dubai Football Challenge at the The Emirates Sevens Stadium in Dubai. It was feared that the midfielder - on loan from LA Galaxy - would miss the game following an injury picked up in training, but he was given the all clear after a last minute fitness test.

But Italy striker Francesco Totti claims his arrival will weaken the team. Beckham played the firsthalf of a friendly against Hamburg in Dubai and is due to make his Serie A debut at Roma on Sunday. But with huge competition for starting places, Roma captain Totti believes including Beckham - on loan from LA Galaxy - will "unbalance" Milan. "I like Beckham a lot and I'm glad he's chosen to play in our league," he said. "But let's hope Carlo Ancelotti fields all his big-name players together. I honestly think that could be an advantage for us as the team would be unbalanced."

Francesco Totti, the Roma captain, says he is excited by the arrival of David Beckham in Italy. The England midfielder could make his debut for AC Milan in a friendly with Hamburg tonight after agreeing a two-month loan deal from Los Angeles Galaxy and Totti has expressed his admiration Beckham.

"I am really curious about David's arrival to Italy," he said. "He is an icon. I am delighted he has chosen to play in our league, even if it will be for a short spell. "Beckham is a lad I like a lot just as I like his wife. They are two beautiful people to see. Many will envy them."

(source: timesonline&mirror.co.uk)

The capital club went in search of some reinforcements in the summer, to further strengthen their squad, to ensure that they could once again challenge the likes of Inter, Milan and Juventus for the title. They were moderately active in the transfer period, a period in which many feel is partly to blame for their poor form this season.

They lost two players full of talent and experience, which did not help their cause, as the Brazilian winger Mancini joined former team mate Cristian Chivu at Inter Milan on a four year contract, whilst Ludovic Giuly returned to PSG to finish out his playing days in France. Also, Matteo Ferrari was released to Genoa, whilst second goal-keeper Gianluca Curci was sent to Siena on a co-ownership deal.

The attacking duo of Mancini and Giuly were replaced by Jeremy Menez, formerly of Monaco, and Julio Baptista from Real Madrid, for a fee of €12 million. Spalletti also signed Simone Loria from Siena, to replace the Genoa bound Ferrari, and John Arne Riise from Liverpool, to add some depth on the left hand side of defence.

The failure to sign a big name player however, was the criticism that most had with the Giallorossi’s transfer period, as many believed that the players signed in the summer would fail to have any major impact in terms of making the club stronger. This seems to have been the case in the early stages of the season, as all four men have struggled to impose themselves on a regular basis.

Along with the criticism of their summer signings, many have pointed the finger directly at coach Luciano Spalletti, for his lack of creativity on the sidelines. According to many, it seems as if the coach doesn’t have any alternative plans; as many of the Italian clubs have discovered a way to break down his unique 4-2-3-1 set-up that managed to work wonders last season.

It is quite harsh to point the finger solely at the boss however, as he has had to deal with a number of injuries to several of his stars throughout the season. With injuries to the likes of Totti, Pizarro, Perrotta, Taddei, Baptista and Juan, just to name a few, Spalletti has rarely had the opportunity to field the same starting eleven.

Whatever the reasons may be, the Giallorossi have undoubtedly been the most disappointing side in the league thus far, and possibly throughout all of Europe. It’s a long season however, and if the club can put together a few positive results, who knows what the future may hold for Spalletti and his team.

Adrian Del Monte - goal.com