424112 PLAY MY GAME IN SEVEN WEEKS

My thanks to all of you who have played my new game on this website.424112 in seven weeks who have controlled my goalie the Pieman trying to keep out shots....the first winner with the most number of shots is Joshua who has won a tray of Pukka Pies,the best in the business! But although we have Joshua's email he has not responded.We need his address to send the pies.Joshua,please get in touch again!

FERNANDO TORRES GIVES LIVERPOOL HOPE

Brilliant...that's Fernando Torres.His latest two goals gives Liverpool hope for fourth spot,and a Champions League place next season.Torres brace-18 for the Premier League-enabled Liverpool to beat Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield and move to fifth--four points behind Spurs who have a game in hand.But Manchester City have two games in hand over Liverpool and are just one point behind them.Tonight(Monday) City are at home to Wigan.I still believe that Liverpool have left it too late and will miss out.

ZOLA FIGHTS ON

Gianfranco Zola had a long think over the weekend and has decided to carry on as West Ham manager.Good for him..and in fairness to co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold well done to them for supporting this decision.Now the co-chairmen need to stay out of the dressing room.

CHELSEA HIT 7 BUT MAN UTD STAY TOP BY SCORING 4

Confirmation of what a great English Premier Season is being enjoyed around the world.Every situation is a contest.The Title,the final European Champions League place,the Europa League places and of course relegation.The Premier League championship took plenty of twists again yesterday ( March 27) Chelsea,who had scored 5 at Portsmouth in mid-week,beat Aston Villa 7-1 without top scorer Didier Drogba!Chelsea took over at the top albiet briefly,with a new goal difference advantage of 6 over Manchester United.But the reigning champions scored 4 at Bolton without reply-and without Wayne Rooney( Sir Alex Ferguson explained that he did not want to risk a knee injury with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday and Chelsea there on Saturday!).Frank Lampard scored 4 against Villa ( two were penalties) while Dimitar Berbatov scored twice.While all this was happening and before United regained top place Arsenal dropped two points at Birmingham where veteran super-sub Kevin Phillips scored a last minute equaliser for the home side off his face!Arsene Wenger's looked a treat.He is gettting more crotchety by the match!Arsenal are now four points behind United,three after Chelsea and with inferior goal difference.And goal difference may be all important if Sir Alex is right when he says the title will be decided on the last day.The top three each have six matches left.On the last day on Sunday May 9 all three at at home...United to Stoke,Chelsea to Wigan and Arsenal play Fulham.Can't wait! But I have tipped United all season..........

ZOLA HEADS FOR THE EXIT.

Gianfranco Zola is heading for the exit as West Ham manager.The new club directors are in panic mode and for good reason.They are slipping into relegation.Yesterday's seventh successive Premier League defeat leaves them on the same points as Hull who won and still have a game in hand.The owners have had a right go in public at the players and that includes the manager.Zola has gone home to consider his future which means one way or another he is certain to have gone by Monday lunchtime once compensation has been sorted.David Sullivan and David Gold have a deserved reputation for giving managers a longish reign.Birmingham managers usually had six years on average.Sullivan once told me he did not like changes.It cost millions on and off the field as the new manager wanted new backroom staff and new players.But West Ham is different.The debts and table position they have taken over are terrible.Zola is not their appointment.Terry Cooper,in a similar position did not last long at Birmingham.Who comes in? Mark Hughes is available,they admire Alex McLeish while Terry Venables or Sir Trevor Brooking would be great for just the rest of this season.Who ever you  cannot imagine Zola surviving.Cue another statement in the coming week from Richard Bevan at the League Managers Association.

SPURS HARD RUN-IN

Harry Redknapp has done a brilliant job for Spurs who were rank bottom when he took over.Currently they sit fourth in the Premier League-five points ahead of Manchester City ( who play at home to Wigan tomorrow,March 29)and seven ahead of Liverpool who are at home to Sunderland later today and will then have played an extra game.Aston Villa are also seven points behind Spurs.But when you look at the run-in,Spurs have Arsenal andChelsea both at home, Manchester United and Manchester City both away among their seven remaining fixtures.Man City do have Man Utd,Villa and Spurs at home with Arsenal away.Its all going to be tight but Spurs with Peter Crouch scoring again and Jermain Defoe should have a great chance.

CHAMPIONS GRINDING IT OUT

Manchester United's 2-1 win over the old enemy Liverpool was even more signficant with Fergies mate Big Sam making sure his Blackburn Rovers held Chelsea.Sir Alex Ferguson knows how to grind it out although he continues with his attractive football philosophy.The destiny of this year's Premier League title was in Chelsea's hands but Sam Allardyce did his old mate a huge favour at Ewood Park.Now its all in United's court and their home match  with Chelsea on April 3 becomes THE match of the season.It is sandwiched between United's Champions League quarter-final legs with Germans Bayern Munich.All season I have predicted that United would land a record fourth successive Premier League title and a record 19th overall.But I never figured Arsenal to be in their current position.On paper Arsenal have the easiest run-in.Tottenham and Manchester City are the highest placed opposition in their remaining seven fixtures.United's seven include Chelsea,Manchester City and Tottenham.Chelsea have eight more games with Aston Villa,United,Spurs and Liverpool in their list.Its a tight,great season that could well go down to the wire on May 9.

MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE GOOD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW

Manchester United have an excellent European Champions League draw;Arsenal have a really tough one.Football people always trot out,no easy games,all great teams at this stage..and football will often prove you wrong.But inside Sir Alex Ferguson must have though,yes I will take Bayern Munich,Lyon or Bordeaux to reach the final rather than Barcelona,Inter-Milan or even Arsenal .Maybe Sir Alex would have swopped CSKA Moscow for Lyon,but apart from that is looks as if the draw has left him in pole position.The Bayern Munich-Manchester United pairing is a repeat of the 1999 Champions League final.I was pitchside for ITV that night and the United stoppage time goals when the game seemed lost were among the most exciting moments of my reporting career.Arsenal v Barcelona was the 2006 final which Barca won.

IS IAIN DOWIE THE RIGHT MANAGER TO SAVE HULL ?

Hull chairman Adam Pearson is right when he says it is a big gamble to bring in Iain Dowie as acting manager-he has some fancy title because Pearson has put Phil Brown on gardening leave-to try and keep the club in the Premier League.He has 9 games left and Hull are three points adrift of safety but have only won 5 of their last 39  league games.Chairmen believe that a change of manager will gee up the players who will be wary of their position under a new boss.And sometimes they study the fixture list.  Roberto Mancini has an easy looking opening few matches when he replaced Mark Hughes at Manchester City.Dowie's opener is at bottom team Portsmouth-hardly Man Utd,Arsenal or Chelsea away!Will Dowie do it? His general track record as manager is less than 50 per cent wins.   That would be enough.This will be a tough ask,though, after Pompey.Hull have Fulham( home),Stoke(away) fellow strugglers Burnley (home),Birmingham(away),Sunderland(home),Wigan( away) and Liverpool (home).One other to be arranged.   Must win games are obviously Portsmouth,Burnley and Wigan.

INTER KNOCK-OUT CHELSEA AS I SADLY PREDICTED

So my pre-round prediction that Inter-Milan would knock Chelsea out of the European Champions League sadly came true at Stamford Bridge tonight.Inter were the best team in the second leg and won 1-0,3-1 on aggregate.The Jose Mourinho factor was there.His game plan was right and his players were outstanding.Chelsea should never have sacked him.....I also had Manchester United to send AC Milan packing and Arsenal  to overcome Porto.3 from 3 for this blogger!

SAD FOR DAVID BECKHAM AND ENGLAND

So sorry  that David Beckham has snapped his achilles tendon in his left ankle.As I write my blog he has just arrived in Finland for surgery.They have a cutting edge in this department.It just went in AC Milan's 1-0 home win over Chievo  yesterday (Sunday).I am sure he will miss the World Cup and at 34,despite his fitness,there has to be a big doubt about whether he can just pick up his playing career at top level.South Africa would have been Becks 4th World Cup finals.Now he faces the strong possibility of not playing for England again.What a shame for the squad,for the football fans and for himself.The wonderful ovation he received from the Old Trafford supporters when he came on for AC against his old club last week spoke volumes about his popularity.He is a truly International star around the world.

HULL SACK PHIL BROWN-WHY THE GARDENING LEAVE?

There was talk of new chairman Adam Pearson sacking manager Phil Brown soon after he took over.In fairness Pearson stuck by Brown who had taken them to the Premier League  three years ago and then survived by the skin of his teeth last season.Clearly the stoppage time defeat by Arsenal on Saturday was a big factor.Pearson has spelt out the financial problems at Hull which would be compounded by relegation.Pearson says he will have a new manager in place by Saturday's must win match at Portsmouth.He admits Alan Curbishley is on the short list.What about Gary Megson?Steve Coppell woulod be my choice right now.Why meanwhile is Phil Brown on gardening leave? Cannot they pay him off?Will it be month by month until his contact is paid up? I am sure all will be revealed.Brown has never recovered on the results front since his stupid decision to sit the  players down in front of their own supporters at half-time last season when trailing heavily to Manchester City at the City of Manchester stadium. They have only won single figure Premier League matches since.

CHELSEA TO GO OUT TO JOSE MOURINHO'S INTER-MILAN

What a Champions League second leg in prospect at Stamford Bridge tomorrow ( Tuesday) between Chelsea and Inter-Milan..Inter,who head the Italian League by one point from rivals AC Milan,lead 2-1 from the first leg at the San Siro.Chelsea have really kept themselves in the tie with that away goal.AC were poor at Old Trafford.I am sure Jose Mourinho will make sure his Inter are a far harder proposition for his old club.I was sure about Manchester United knocking out AC Milan and Arsenal taking care of Porto.Before the round I also predicted that Inter would reach the quarter-finals.I am not quite as confident now but I will stick with Inter.The Italians when on their game,know how to hold what they have.Chelsea are bigging up third choice goalie Ross Turnbull but let's see in reality.He is no Petr Cech.

ITS OH SO TIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE

All season I have said that the Champions Manchester United would retain the Premier League for a record fourth successive time..and win the title for a record 19th time.I stick by that but it is oh so tight.One point seperating Manchester United,Chelsea and Arsenal.Chelsea have a game in hand but have to go to United who play Liverpool at home this Sunday.Arsenal,who we all wrote off  pre-Christmas, have the easier run in but are doing it at the moment without Gallas,Van Persie and Fabregas.Quite amazing! Wayne Rooney,25 Premier League goals,is vital for Chelsea as is Didier Drogba who has netted 21 Premier League goals.Rooney's over all 32 strikes leaves him just 10 short of Ronaldo's total.Who would have thought that?Chelsea are down to their third choice goalkeeper which may prove decisive.The United-Chelsea match should be the result that decides this season's title.The only certain fact-its a great season  and the tightest ever!

WHO GOES DOWN WITH PORTSMOUTH?

Portsmouth are at home to Hull on Saturday.If Pompey do not win it would be a huge nail in their coffin.Talk of yet another take-over will not ease their relegation threats.They look certain to be relegated.Hull are in real trouble and chairman Adam Pearson is in panic mode.He has sacked Phil Brown and has a replacement in mind to be installed by Saturday.Burnley look likely to join those two for the drop.I feel West Ham,Wolves,Wigan,Sunderland and Bolton all have more in their squad to just avoid it all.Its tight at both the top and bottom of the Premier League but the bottom has more consequences for the losers.

YOURE ON SKY SPORTS WITH TONY CASCARINO

I am on YOURE ON SKY SPORTS tomorrow( Saturday March 13) at 7.30p.m. with Chloe Everton on Sky Sports 1.Our guest is Tony Cascarino.I love working with Tony who says exactly what he thinks.He is laid back in what re-actions are to his views and never seems to have a care in the world.But he is a clear thinker and good judge which accounts for why he is a successful gambler on football results and poker schools!He played a bit as well of course including two World Cups for the Republic of Ireland.

UNITED ROMP HOME MY PREDICTION

Manchester United romped home in the second leg of their Champions League tie with AC Milan 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals7-2 on aggregate.I predicted before the round that United would go through but I never expected them to score 7!Wayne Rooney once again was terrific.By the way full marks to the Old Trafford crowd for the fantastic reception they gave returning hero David Beckham.What a contrast to the  booing that greets former players who had given their particular previous club good service.Beckham's crossing  was as excellent as normal.So I was successful with my tips for Arsenal and United but I do have Chelsea going out on Tuesday after the second leg with Italian leaders Inter.Chelsea only trail 2-1 from the away leg.Will they prove me right or wrong?.

ARSENAL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS AS PREDICTED

Arsenal thumped Porto 5-nil in last night's second leg to go through 6-2 on aggregate.No Fabregas but Song was immense last night.Nicklas Bendtner scored his first hat-trick to take the attention and headlines but Samir Nasri's wonderful goal,seconds after clearing off his own goalline,will live on longer.Arsenal,despite their injury problems to other key players like Gallas and Van Persie,are playing brilliantly right now and getting the results.They are just two points behind Premier League champions and leaders Manchester United and now first into the last eight of the Champions League.I predicted Arsenal,who lost the away leg,would overcome Porto.I also had United,who lead AC Milan 3-1 from the San Siro,to make it but Chelsea,trailing Inter-Milan 2-1 from the San Siro to go out.United play tonight;Chelsea next Tuesday.

LIVERPOOL BAD

Liverpool were awful at Wigan on Monday night.Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not up to their normal classy standards.Torres missed so many good chances.Its still tight for fourth spot but Liverpool have played extra games and Manchester City and Aston Villa both pose bigger challenges to Spurs for that final European Champions League place. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has to get that Champions League spot or you would worry for his future at Anfield.Wigan's win eases their relegation threats but its still all to play for at the bottom.

CHELSEA-VILLA SHOULD BE FINAL-NOT SEMI-FINAL!

Former Aston Villa player David Ginola picked the ball with Chelsea's name on it at Sunday's FA Cup semi-final draw.Former Chelsea player had picked out Aston Villa and so the competition was deprived of the best looking final.Instead it hard to pick the winner to play either Fulham,Spurs or Portsmouth who will eventually resolve the other semi-final.One thing if for sure...you would not want to bet against Chelsea or Aston Villa winning the FA Cup.One of them will get it!The neutrals will want Villa after their defeat in the Carling Cup final.

WHAT ARE FIFA THINKING ABOUT?

Sepp Blatter says no again to goalline technology with this year's World Cup finals looming.The FIFA president is adamant still on a weekend when there was another example of how much it is needed.Birmingham had the ball over the Portsmouth goalline but no goal awarded.The FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says football will have to continue to accept such errors.The reasons he  gives are not worth printing.Its heads in sand time.We live in a modern techhnology time and why not try just the simple one to start with.Instead FIFA says its about humans-players and referees.(By the way what do the extra officials actually go in those Europa League matches?)FIFA say the door is closed.How come when other sports use it so well FIFA have the monoply on brains?

TIME TO GIVE JOHN TERRY SOME PEACE

Ok,every-one feels justified to hammer John Terry.The media,players,the public and of course Wayne Bridge.But now its time for everyone to move on.It cannot go on for ever.Now we have a World Cup to play.John Terry decided to use his captain's arm band to make his point to his supporters after scoring against Stoke.Now JT need to get on it with it.The Sun was a bit rich today with a sub-headline"JTedious,now it's time to move on,John."Its the media that keep it stoked up and there will be constant reminders for everymore in articles written about the England centre-half and Chelsea captain.Ask Ron Atkinson about all that after his stupidity six years ago!

EURO PREDICTIONS

My pre-round Champions League predictions were Manchester United to beat AC Milan ( 3- 2 to United from Milan);Chelsea to go out to Inter (2-1 down from Milan leg ) and Arsenal to knock-out Porto (2-1 down in Portugal Portugal) Arsenal play the return leg at the Emirates with injured skiper Cesc Fabregas.It a big blow but they still have enough to get through.Porto had an unimpressive 2-2 home league draw against struggling Olhanense on Saturday.Porto say they will not be defensive and the game will be decided in mi-field.I think Arsenal are far more likely to score and have the away goal.United have three away goals and I believe have enough strength to beat AC Milan at Old Trafford.David Beckham knowing they have to win 2-0 in its simple reckoning admits it will  "be very,very difficult".Chelsea did deserve to score against Inter but without goalkeeper  Cech one would worry about Chelsea whenever they face top opposition from now on this season.Stoke never really tested Hilario until the closing minute of Sunday's FA Cup tie.Chelsea play a week later against Jose Mourinho's Italian league leaders.I stick by my predictions.

UNITED RED KNIGHTS

Its a job to take the Red Knights too seriously.Where were they when the Glazers were making their move in better financial days? These are troubled days and the clubs are now deeply in debt.The Glazers will not doubt want their mark up.Are these serious people really sure they will do it without more problems?

PETER CROUCH SHOULD START

What has Peter Crouch got to do to convince England coach Fabio Capello that he starts in the World Cup finals with Wayne Rooney.I think Crouch is a better bet than Emile Heskey and Jermain de Foe who both have a part to play as substitutes.Crouch has now scored 20 goals in 37 England appearances--six in succession when he starts.I do think Capello has got to start Wayne Rooney down the middle and not out on the left.Sir Alex Ferguson is certainly gettting the best out of England's best player this season.Left back by the way? If Ashley Cole does not recover in time,and I think he will,then what about converting James Milner or Gareth Barry to that spot for the big games?

YOURE ON SKY SPORTS

Youre on Sky Sports is back on Saturday week (March 13) on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30p.m. Try and join Chloe Everton and myself with guest Tony Cascarino who is always outspoken and says what ever he thinks.
But I stress it is a show about the views of Sky subscribers.If you are one why not give us a call.From the UK it is 09051-680-777 but from the Republic of Ireland it has to be 15-50-718-728...You can email .YOU'REON@SKYSPORTS.COM or Text YOUREON,gives us your name and then your comment to 84401.Texts cost 25p.That's Saturday week,March 13.Try and join us with your views

SO SAD ABOUT KEITH ALEXANDER

Football is sad to learn of the death of Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander at the age of only 53.It is wonderful that both the England team  and the England Under 21 team both wore black armbands in respect at last night's internationals.Keith was the first black manager in English football's professional Leagues.He did a very good job for several clubs and was a first class person.I recall doing a TV show with him in Birmingham and being so impressed with him on all counts.

TV APPEARANCES

Two TV shows on Sky Sports this week.This Tuesday I will be presenting live greyhound racing from Wimbledon with the Racing Post Juvenile Championship  at 7.30p.m. on Sky Sports 3.The race first started in 1963 and most reckon this will be the greatest ever line-up including the favourite for the English Derby-Eye on the Storm.Then on Wednesday with Chloe Everton I will be hosting YOURE ON SKY SPORTS on Sky Sports 1 at 10.15p.m.It the football phone-in following a night of international football.Our guest is Peter Beagrie.

WAYNE ROONEY DOES IT AGAIN

Wayne Rooney,the best player in the Premier League,England and maybe right now in the World,scored a great headed winner for Manchester United as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.But there cannot be any doubt that Nemanja Vidic should have been red-carded for bringing down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the penalty area.Referee Phil Dowd got it wrong and so did former ref Graham Poll in the Daily Mail when he wrote that Agbonlahor was not in a goalscorin g position and not on his way to goal.Wrong on both counts.Vidic was not even yellow carded for it.Dowd was certainly inconsistent with his cards in the match.But while Villa manager Martin 0'Neill was right about Dowd's decision not to send Vdic off..last man and goalscoring opportunity etc..he was not,I thought,right to say his side were maginificent.They have played better,especially Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock.But Villa should be pleased with their progress in 3 and a half years under O'Neill and there is still the FA Cup to come plus still a chance of a top four finish in the Premier League....United..they just keep rolling on what ever side he fields and what ever injuries they suffer!

ITS ALL GETTING SILLY NOW

I thought it was pathetic.First of all Wayne Bridge makes himself unavailable for England even though the country has a major problem at left back.Then he refuses to shake John Terry's hand in front of millions watching around the world.I am sure Bridge had sympathy from most people over what John Terry did off the pitch.But he needs to move on;not drag it out.A simple handshake could have put closure on the subject.He is a professional footballer for goodness sake!.As for Craig Bellamy joining in afterwards enough is enough.Everyone including all of us in the media should now put it,if you will excuse the phrase,to bed.Any more and it will get boring .The only stories left are that Terry says sorry and Bridge says he will go to the World Cup as a member of the England squad

NEVER WRITE OFF SIR ALEX

As Sir Alex Ferguson was preparing  to win his 34th trophy as Manchester United manager,his "noisy neighbours,Manchester City were doing him a huge favour by beating leaders Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.One point in it now and Chelsea have to go to Old Trafford to face the Champions.I warned last week that the loss of goalkeeper Petr Cech could help swing it United's way.Hilario was a dreadful deputy.There will,I am sure,be more twists and turns but I have tipped United since the start to retain the Premier League.It will be tight but would you want to back against United?

ARSENE OFF BEAM BUT ENTITLED TO BE UPSET

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is wrong when he suggests the awful injury to his 19 year old Aaron Ramsey was part of a plan to kick Arsenal off the pitch.But he is entitled to be angry about the tackle from Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.It was very bad but having watched it over and over on TV I am convinced it was not deliberate.I think Birmingham's then defender Martin Taylor was even more clumsy with the dreadful tackle on Eduardo.And Manchester City's Carlos Tevez was fortunate not to be badly hurt from the dreadful red-card lunge by Chelsea's Michael Ballack.The FA/Premier League have got to use TV evidence to cut out this dangerous play.Too much emphasis is placed on yellow carding excited goalscorers and not enough on heavy penalties for dangerous play.True in most cases the red card is shown but further punishments should be imposed when warranted.I know its a physical game but it is also a player's career.

ENGLAND WOES

England play Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday hoping to find a suitable left back in case Ashley Cole does not recover in time from injury.And maybe another worry is central defence.Rio Ferdinand is having a lot of fitness problems and he is meant to be the new captain! The replaced skipper John Terry is bang out of form.The off field stories are obviously having a big effectTo compound it all Wayne Bridge has dropped out because of John Terry.Our chances of winning the World Cup were never quite what everyone claims but injuries,as I have been warning,are always a big problem for England going into major tournament.Wayne Rooney's injury threats...let's not even go there!