MY FEARLESS IDIOTS. MY FANTASMAGORICAL SIDEKICKS. MY ATROCIOUS PUAKA'S.

SeratusWriters

Newcastle United are relegated

Newcastle United were relegated from the Premier League after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

The crucial goal came after 38 minutes when a corner fell to Gareth Barry whose 25-yard drive was going well wide but took a wicked deflection off Damien Duff and beat a stranded Steve Harper.

With Hull losing at home to Manchester United, a single goal would have been enough to extend the Magpies' 16-year top flight stay but they departed with a whimper, failing to muster a single effort on target in the second-half.

After swapping television punditry for the Newcastle manager's job, Alan Shearer won just one of eight matches and having won only seven of their 38 league games, the Toon Army will be watching Championship football next season.

Newcastle had won just twice on their travels and started nervously with Gabriel Agbonlahor climbing above Fabricio Coloccini to meet a cross from the left but he saw his header just go over the top.

But Newcastle asked plenty of questions in the opening 15 minutes and had three decent chances.

Duff cut inside and saw his shot pushed around the post by Brad Friedel who saw the effort very late and just a minute later

Steven Taylor's shot on the turn was cleared off the line by Carlos Cuellar.

Martins then volleyed over from 16 yards after a great flick by Mark Viduka before at the other end, Craig Gardner's rasping 25-yard drive was tipped over by Harper.

Villa then began to dominate the game and Harper had to come off his line and did just enough to prevent Gareth Barry reaching a cross from the left.

Milner's free-kick was then saved at the near post by Harper but the keeper had no chance with the goal as he was completely wrong footed by the deflected.

It was almost two for Villa when John Carew's cross was flicked just inches wide by Gabriel Agbonlahor but the closest Newcastle came to an equaliser was in first-half injury time when Martins headed narrowly wide.

Villa dominated the second-half and Ashley Young was a whisker away from making it 2-0 after he curls an effort narrowly over the top corner.

A surging run from Milner ended with him dragging his shot wide from 20 yards before a terrible mistake from Butt almost condemned his side.

He was sloppy in possession 25 yards out and Barry capitalised, checking back but curling his right-footed effort narrowly past the post.

Tweleve minutes from time Carew should have settled the match when he was unmarked seven yards out only for the big Norwegian to make a complete hash of his volley with the goal gaping.

Shearer had brought Owen on midway through the second-half but he was a peripheral and their first goal attempt of the second period only came with three minutes to go when fellow Shola Ameobi's effort from 20 yards was high, wide and not very handsome.

Ameobi then headed over and hooks Martins' cross over the top from eight yards but the Magpies can have no complaints as they go down with just 34 points.

p/s: Poor Toons...this may not happen if King Keegan left the club bcoz of arguement with the board directors...salute to Toons fans for keep cheering till the end...

Steven Gerrard Disappointed By Sami Hyypia's Decision To Leave Liverpool

Stevie G is finding it hard to imagine life at Anfield without the towering Finn...

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits he is saddened by Sami Hyypia's decision to leave the club in the summer, though made clear that he completely understands the big Finn's decision.

The 35-year-old will be marshalling the defence of Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen next term, after having done that job so exceptionally well at Anfield for the better part of the last ten years.

"I understand the reasons behind Sami's decision to go because he's got a two-year deal, so good luck to him," Gerrard was quoted as saying by The Sun.

"But for selfish reasons I wish he would stay for another season here because he's such a fantastic player and great to have around the place.

"He's been here for the whole time I've been in the first team and has been a great influence and magnificent servant - an absolute legend."

Hyypia has already stated his intent to return to the club in a coaching capacity some day, which is something that Gerrard has wholeheartedly endorsed.

"I sincerely hope he comes back as a coach one day, because he can bring so much with him and impart so much knowledge," added the Reds skipper.

"He knows how Liverpool Football Club works.

"He's a great character and I could see him playing a big role in developing the youngsters, the reserves and even the first team in time.

"I took over from him as captain in 2003 and there was some controversy at the time, but not from Sami, who was incredibly supportive of me from the very start.

"That is a measure of the man. He should be regarded as a one of the greats of this club and I don't say that lightly.

"He has certainly helped transform Liverpool and got us back to where we should be."

Hyypia, who has not featured for the Reds' first team since playing a role in their 4-1 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford, could well make his farewell appearance at Anfield on Sunday, when Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the concluding fixture of the Premier League campaign.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

New Away Kit for 2009-2010




Jamie Carragher Explains Row With Alvaro Arbeloa

The Reds defender has revealed why he clashed with his team-mate at the Hawthorns today...

Liverpool ensured West Bromwich Albion's relegation from the Premier League today, with a 2-0 victory in the Black Country that was marked by an on-field disagreement between Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Carragher revealed after the match that the motivation behind the row had been the team's determination to ensure that goalkeeper Pepe Reina won the Golden Glove award for the keeper with the highest number of clean sheets.

"We can't win the league now but there are a number of targets we can aim for," he told Liverpool's official website.

"We want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the third season running. Pepe is one behind Van der Sar now and there's a chance Van der Sar won't play next week, so we wanted to make sure he got a clean sheet today.

"To be honest we were a bit lackadaisical in our defending all through the game and they had too many chances.

"Maybe we took it a bit too easy and let them attack us too much, but that was one of the toughest games I've played in all season. We go all over Europe playing top teams and we play against the best sides in this country, but that was one of the hardest games we've had."

Carragher is hoping to end the club's title drought next season, even though it is his belief that the challenge is stiffened by the ultra-high-quality sides competing in England.

"It's hard to win the Premier League because our top four sides plus Barcelona probably make up the best five sides in Europe. That's the challenge we face," he explained.

"You can look at the statistics from this season and it's impressive that we've only lost two games and scored lots of goals, but United have got more points than us and credit to them because that's what matters.

"We have to make sure we finish second now and win our last game of the season next weekend."

Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield in their concluding fixture of the campaign next weekend.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

Super Duper Funny !!!



check out that blue man....hahahahha...so hilarious !!!

Sami Hypia - A true Anfield legend.

Liverpool today confirmed Hyypia will be joining Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal in the summer, but his contribution to the Reds' success over the last ten years will ensure he forever holds a special place in the heart of every Kopite.

Been a great servant for a decade..he's getting old,certainly the best choice is to move on..great player with great attitude..someone u can rely on,bring calmness to the back four..a true legend..

463 appearances, 35 goals

Only 27 yellow and a solitary sending off (vs Manure 2003, 4 minutes into the game. We lost 0-4).

Remarkable stats that for a Centre Back.

Top pro. True legend. One of my all time fav LFC player.

I hope he will return someday.



Good luck Sami. A true Anfield legend.

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United

The Reds cruised to an easy victory over Newcastle at Anfield. Goal.com rates the performers...

LIVERPOOL

Reina: 6.5 - Was a virtual bystander all afternoon and did not have a save to make as Newcastle failed to register a single shot on target.

Arbeloa: 7 – Had no problems with either Lovenkrands or Gutierrez and looked a threat going forwards down the right.

Carragher: 6.5 – Cruised through the afternoon and barely had to break into a sweat.

Agger: 7 – Incredibly comfortable at the back and hit a decent shot just before the break which almost flew in.

Aurelio: 7.5 – Kept Martins in check and hit a great cross in for the third goal.

Alonso: 8 – Hit the bar twice with two splendid efforts and deserved a goal for an excellent display. His afternoon ended early after an awful challenge by Barton and Liverpool will hope his injury is not too serious.

Mascherano: 7 – Helped control the midfield and hit a couple of decent shots himself.

Benayoun: 8 - Maintained his good form and scored with a tap in. Looked good in possession and was a tricky customer that Newcastle never really got to grips with.

Gerrard: 7.5 - Whipped in the corner for the second goal and never afraid to shoot. Had several chances to score but, unusually for him, struggled to find the target. Hit the bar late on with a super shot.

Riera: 7 - Some good work down the left, sent in some decent crosses and easily had the beating of Habib Beye.

Kuyt: 8.5 – Very lively and set-up the opener with a good cross before scoring the second with a diving header.

Substitutes

Babel: 6.5 - Added some pace down the left hand side.

Lucas: 7 - Arrived and grabbed the third goal with a smart header.

Ngog: n/a

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Harper: 7.5 - Kept the score down once again. Made countless good saves and easily Newcastle’s best player.

Beye: 5 – Struggled against Riera and culpable for the second goal which Kuyt beat him far too easily to.

Coloccini: 4 – A very weak display and struggled all afternoon against the Liverpool attack and found Gerrard a particularly difficult opponent.

Bassong: 6 – Looked the best of Newcastle’s defenders but made plenty of mistakes, particularly an awful header which presented Gerrard with a shot on goal in the first half.

Duff: 6.5 – Tried his hardest at left-back but was frequently outnumbered. Didn’t give up however, and a great challenge to deny Kuyt late on.

Smith: 5.5 – Chased everything in midfield but allowed Kuyt to nick if off him for the opener.

Butt: 6 - Pumped a few hopeful balls forward but struggled to cope against the likes of Mascherano and Alonso.

Barton: 3 - Back after injury and contributed little. Looked very rusty and rightly sent off after a poor challenge on Alonso.

Martins: 4.5 - Saw little of the ball and was virtually anonymous, particularly in the second half.

Lovenkrands: 5 - Preferred to Michael Owen in attack but did very little and was substituted at half-time.

Viduka: 6 - Guilty for not clearing the ball for the opening goal and was frustratingly and frequently caught off side.

Substitutes


Gutierrez: 5.5 - Arrived at half-time but made little impact.

Owen: n/a

Nolan: n/a


Gill Clark, Goal.com

Three And Easy For Liverpool As Reds Coast Past Newcastle United

Liverpool closed the gap on league leaders Manchester United to 3 points with a straight forward win over floundering Newcastle United.

Two first half goals from Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt as well as a third from Lucas Leiva were enough to see a dominant Liverpool side thrash a lacklustre Newcastle United.

Stephen Gerrard made early inroads into the Newcastle defence in the first minute, skinning Fabricio Coloccini on the left flank and driving into the penalty area. The English international collided with Nicky Butt and went down, but the referee waved play on and Newcastle cleared.

Newcastle were willing to attack the home side as well, Obafemi Martins linked up well with Mark Viduka, exchanging passes and releasing the Nigerian down the right flank. His cross was poor and overshot the box and the chance was wasted.

Gerrard charged at the Newcastle defence in the 13th minute and was brought down by Coloccini 30 yards from goal. The Liverpudlian native stepped up to take the free-kick himself and unleased a curling drive towards the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Keeper Steve Harper saw it all the way and got down well to make the save.

Liverpool broke on the counter against Newcastle and Gerrard picked up the ball 40 yards from goal, he was invited to shoot by the defence who backed off the Liverpool captain. Gerrard obliged and his rasping effort was palmed wide by Harper, stretching low to his right to save.

Kuyt attacked down the right, attempting to cross into the box but it was over hit and went to the opposite flank. Picked up by Albert Riera, the Spanish international whipped in a better cross and it was met by the advancing Kuyt at the back post. The Dutchman connected strongly and powered his header wide of the left hand post.

At the other end, Peter Lovenkrands was slotted through by Joey Barton into the Liverpool penalty area. The Dane rounded the keeper but his left footed shot was feeble effort and intercepted by Alvaro Aberloa on the goal line.

Liverpool attacked from the right, Arbeloa crossed into the box and Alan Smith failed to clear on the edge of the six yard box. Kuyt knicks in, stealing the ball, and drills ball across the goal line from the right, Benayoun taps home via his left knee at the back post into the open goal. 1-0 to Liverpool with 22minutes played.

Riera crossed in from the left flank to Benayoun in the middle, the Israeli international controlled beautifully eight yards from goal and showed wonderful footwork to beat three men before releasing a strong strike low to Harper's right. The keeper did well to get down and save but Benayoun had been ruled offside anyway.

Gerrard took a corner from the left and launched the ball into the middle of the area. Kuyt lost his marker and met the cross with a diving header into six yard box, smashing the ball past the hapless Harper, 2-0 to Liverpool.

After an extended period of possession Xabi Alonso picked the ball up 25 yards from goal. The Spaniard was given time to steady himself and he took the opportunity to shoot, curling a wonderful effort towards the top right hand corner. Harper was a spectator as the ball crashed against the woodwork and bounced out to safety.

Daniel Agger picked up the ball on the left flank, advancing towards goal unchallenged. The Danish defender unleased a powerful drive with his left foot towards the far corner, his effort curled viscously and Harper did well to save to his left.

The second half saw the introduction of Jonas Gutierrez, replacing Lovenkrands on the left, but it didn't stem the tide towards the Newcastle goal. Sebastien Bassong cleared weakly with a header and the ball fell to Gerrard on the left, he drove into the box and hit a zipping shot towards the far corner, his effort was off target.

Liverpool were willing to spring on the counter, on the hour mark Benayoun picked the ball up on the right wing and dribbled in field. Spotting Gerrard unmarked in the centre the Israeli cut the ball back to his skipper and Gerrard struck a solid effort wide of the left hand post.

Benayoun showed good trickery on the right, entering the box and heading for the goal line. Jinking past his marker the Israeli pulled the ball back across the box and found Alonso on the 18 yard line. The Spaniard squared for Javier Mascherano who hit across the ball first time, sending his shot wide of the left hand post.

Mascherano was involved again, showing neat footwork to dodge past his marker in the middle and slotted the ball cooly into the box. His team-mates weren't on the same wavelength and the ball trickled through to Harper in the Newcastle goal.

Alonso was given another opportunity to shoot from range, controlling the ball as it came across his body and duly rattled the crossbar with a right footed effort for the second time in the afternoon.

Liverpool were increasingly dominant, Gerrard found himself alone in the penalty area 10 yards from goal. The captain had time to control and sent his effort wide of the left hand post.

Barton was dismissed in the 77th minute, Alonso picked the ball up beside the corner flag and the Newcastle midfielder lunged into a reckless and needless challenge. The Spanish international couldn't continue and was stretchered off as a result of the tackle, he was replaced by Lucas Leiva.

The Brazilian didn't take long to make an impact. Liverpool won a free-kick on the right flank and Fabio Aureilo floated the ball into the box. Lucas coasted into the box, unmarked, and headed home a simple opportunity into the near post. 3-0 to Liverpool.

Gerrard completed a hat-trick of woodwork collisions, rattling the crossbar with a curling effort from 25 yards just before the final whistle.

Owen Watson, Goal.com

TM Liga Super 2009 [Matchday 13] Negeri Sembilan vs Kelantan

Negeri Sembilan VS Kelantan on the 2nd of May 2009. This is the fourth time they played each other this season. Kelatan won the tie the last time they visited Paroi in FA cup semi-final and Negri won twice in a week in Kota Bharu. Tonight however, Negri came up the better side 2-0 with Shukor Adan scoring twice in each half and went on to win player of the match.

Im sorry my fellow Kelantanese...



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