A dream come true?

What exactly is the point of such friendly internationals in these current days of bloated fixture list and ever increasing physical demands on players? Well, according to Manchester United’s Michael Carrick, the Germany - England fixture is “…the stuff of dreams.” He went on to claim that “If you ask any player if they want to play in England against Germany they will tell you it is a massive game. It is one I watched when I was growing up and wished that I would one day play in. It is not a hindrance at all, it is a massive honour. It is England versus Germany in Berlin at Olympic Stadium. The players are desperate to be a part of it.”

Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed an excellent start to their campaign the victory over United was the first at Anfield for a number of years and better was to follow as they snapped Chelsea’s four-year unbeaten home run at Stamford Bridge. A 0-0 home draw with Stoke, seemed like a blip and their first defeat didn’t arrive until November at White Hart Lane, but their challenge has been undermined by three successive home draws to Fulham, West Ham and Hull - all teams that the Reds would expect to beat at Anfield. Incredibly, following their last four games, despite taking only six points from a possible 12, they have actually moved up from second to top spot in the Premier league.

Bye bye Carlos, Hello Mickey!

For United the departure of Carlos Queiroz to replace Scolari as manager of Portugal has left a coaching gap which Mike Phelan may not be the man to fill. It is an open secret that Queiroz was responsible for much of the defensive tactics and training that served United so well last season, especially in Europe. The partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand was immense last season, but this season there have been some slips from the pair. Another problem for United this season is Cristiano Ronaldo. Apart from his injuries which restricted his appearances early in the campaign, he has failed to reproduce the glittering form that he showed consistently last season. And no wonder! He was so good last season that it would be virtually impossible for him to better, or even equal it. Ferguson may have been better to sell him to Real over the summer as it is unlikely he will ever command such a high fee again as Real were willing to pay.

What gifts will the ‘big four be offering this Christmas?

With Christmas fast approaching the race is wide open - even Aston Villa might start thinking they are in with a shout should their good form continue and those above them continue to falter. Arsenal need to beat Liverpool this weekend to resurrect their challenge for the third time already this season, whilst Chelsea and Liverpool will be desperate to sort out their home form. United have an enforced break and could find themselves with a lot of ground to make up when they return from Japan. Will all four continue to be so generous over the Christmas season, or will the spirit of Scrooge overtake them as they start to rack up the points?

Manchester United

Champions Manchester United started badly, drawing at home to Newcastle on opening day and then losing to Liverpool at Anfield in September. They went on to drop points at Chelsea and Spurs and all three at Arsenal. Recently they laboured to victory over managerless Sunderland - Nemanja Vidic slotting in a 90th minute winner - and have closed the gap on Liverpool and Chelsea to a manageable number, but now they are in Japan and could find themselves well behind when they return.

Serie A Match Day 16 - Results

Simply awesome weekend of football and what an incredible goal fest with 41 in total, that alone should put the myth to bed about which first-tier league is more attack oriented. Juventus win against AC Milan and some unlikely candidates got on the score sheet with Georgio Chiellini and Massimo Ambrosini hitting the back netting. Chiellini’s goal was quite amazing a header down and away, keeper Christian Abbiati had no chance. (see the goal highlight(s) below)

Brilliant Deco sends Chelsea to Premier League summit

WIGAN, England (AFP) - A goal of pure quality from Deco sent Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, although Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side made heavy weather of overcoming a determined Wigan side 1-0 at the JJB Stadium on Sunday.
The Brazilian-born Portuguese international, a summer signing from Barcelona, made it two goals in two games for his new club with a sublime finish from an early free-kick.
But Wigan refused to surrender and it required a string of fine saves from Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech before Chelsea could celebrate a win which leaves them five points above reigning champions Manchester United, who are away at Portsmouth on Monday.
England manager Fabio Capello was present to cast his eye over John Terry, the newly-installed England captain, and Frank Lampard but neither really sparkled. Indeed, Terry was booked in front of his international boss as Chelsea laboured to victory.
Unlike the four-goal drubbing of Portsmouth seven days earlier, this was a hard-earned three points for Scolari’s team.
Wigan, already denied the services of Austrian defender Paul Scharner to injury, were dealt a severe blow before the match had started when keeper Chris Kirkland was injured in the pre-match warm-up.
That paved the way for second-choice stopper Mike Pollitt to make his first Premier League start since conceding two goals against Arsenal nine months ago.
Yet the 36-year-old’s first touch was to fish the ball from the back of his net after Deco’s magnificently executed set-piece on four minutes.
It was conceded by Lee Cattermole, making his home debut for Wigan following a move from Middlesbrough in the summer, who handled just outside his own area and Deco did the rest.
Having spent four years watching Ronaldinho hammer home free-kicks for fun for Barcelona, finally Deco is first-choice and he is clearly determined to make up for lost time. Pollitt’s positioning was not great but that should not take the gloss off what was a fabulous goal.
But, as Chelsea discovered to their cost four months ago, Wigan are not short of character or spirit.
Back in April, Emile Heskey snatched an unlikely stoppage time equaliser at Stamford Bridge to all but end Chelsea’s title aspirations.
This time Wigan failed to find the Chelsea net, but it certainly was not for want of trying.
Within two minutes of falling behind, Cech was forced into the first of three excellent first-half saves after Honduras international Wilson Palacios cut inside from the left before testing the keeper.
The high-tempo start continued in the eighth minute when Amr Zaki, Wigan’s new Egyptian striker, found himself with a great scoring chance only to be thwarted by Cech’s body.
Then a fine one-touch move resulted in the dangerous Zaki having another effort parried away by the busy Chelsea keeper.
Wigan, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, continued to plug away in the second half without success.
They are without a point after two games yet manager Steve Bruce will not be too concerned as long as his players take the positives of this game into the rest of the season.
Scolari, on the other hand, will hope to see a bit more quality from his expensively-assembled squad in next week’s London derby with Tottenham.
While pleased to see Chelsea sitting at the top of the table so early into his reign, the former Portugal coach knows now that the hard work is only just beginning if his first season at Stamford Bridge is to end in success