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Wayne Rooney scored a memorable hat-trick to help Manchester United record a 4-2 comeback victory over West Ham on Saturday.Two penalties from Mark Noble in the first half put West Ham 2-0 up at half-time, but United refused to lie down and Rooney stole all the headlines with his second half hat-trick.

West Ham opened the scoring after Carlton Cole broke clear of the United defence and attempted to lift the ball over Patrice Evra but the French defender clearly handled the ball inside the box.

Referee Lee Mason pointed straight to the spot and Noble made no mistake sending Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way from the penalty kick.

The hosts at Upton Park were awarded their second penalty of the game on 25 minutes when Nemanja Vidic was adjudged to have brought down Cole inside the area.

Noble kept his nerve and struck the penalty into the top right hand corner to make it a dream start for the home side.

Ferguson knew he needed to take drastic action and brought on Javier Hernandez at half-time to replace Patrice Evra.

Hernandez almost scored with his first touch when he volleyed a cross from Ryan Giggs just over the bar.

But United showed the true signs of champions when their amazing comeback started on 65 minutes when Rooney curled a free-kick past Green into the back of the net to start the revival.

The visitors were back on level terms just eight minutes later when Antonio Valencia played the ball into Rooney who combined a great first touch with a clinical finish past Robert Green.

Mason awarded the third spot kick of the game on 79 minutes after Fabio da Silva wove into the penalty area and struck the ball against West Ham captain Matthew Upson.

Rooney sent Green the wrong way from the penalty spot to celebrate his hat-trick and complete the comeback for the league leaders.

United sealed all three points on 84 minutes when Ryan Giggs’ cross into the box was tapped in by Hernandez at the far post.

Liverpool failed to beat Braga at Anfield on Thursday night. Their 0-0 draw was not enough to keep them in the UEFA Cup. Braga employed many tactics to delay the game and slow down the procedure but in truth they defended in an organised fashion. Kenny Dalglish lamented, at the end of the game, that his side lacked creativity.

This creative problem should be resolved by a change in style, not by a change in players. You cannot solve every problem by buying a different player.

Last night was also Andy Carroll’s first start and I think Liverpool suffered the ‘curse of the tall striker’. Sometimes when a tall striker plays, midfielders choose to play direct instead of keeping the ball on the floor. Even if they are instructed not to, when a player is under pressure, it is easier to hoist it up and try and land it on Carroll’s head rather than look for a pass. Liverpool players, even the experienced Jamie Carragher, were guilty of this last night.

I think Liverpool did lack a creative edge last night, but that is because they were lazy on the ball. They did not work hard enough to keep possession and work the ball into an offensive position, they instead tried to get the ball up the pitch via Andy Carroll’s chest or head.

It is a testament to the passing ability of the likes of Joey Barton, that Newcastle got the best out of Carroll. They created opportunities where they could play an accurate pass to Carroll in a good position, rather than just using him as an outlet and a first option. This is the way to best exploit his aerial ability; put balls into the box where he can attack. Not by going straight from defence to attack with a long ball.

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This is a problem that other tall strikers suffer from. Peter Crouch is a player that will always stand out on the pitch. Players see him up the field and think a long ball is the right option. Sometimes having a tall player can be detrimental to a side’s passing game. And it is not the fault of the striker. Players like Crouch and Carroll are not so one-dimensional target men, they can play with their feet too. So I’m not blaming Andy Carroll. I blame a manager who tells his players to look for the long ball and the players who resort to it.

I don’t know what Dalglish’s plan was before the game against Braga, but in his defence, it takes a while for a side to get used to using such a big striker. Newcastle had the luxury of doing this in the Championship, where they were rarely put under pressure. It will take Liverpool time to adjust to having such a big target to aim at. They must be disciplined and continue to play the same way as they would if he was not playing. This will come with time. Liverpool have just invested in new players and it will take time for them to gel. Someone like Andy Carroll will take longer than most.

I have heard Liverpool fans bemoan a lack of creative players in their team. But it is too soon to call for new signings. Kuyt, Lucas, Poulsen and Maxi hardly set the world on fire, and I admit that. But Liverpool missed their two most creative players last night, Gerrard and Suarez. Rather than demanding a change in personnel, Liverpool fans should be patient and have faith, both in their current squad, and Andy Carroll.

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To keep an eye on Liverpool’s and Carroll’s development, you can follow Joe on twitter @joeasutin8

One man who might be playing alongside Andy Carroll at Liverpool soon is starlet Conor Coady…

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Arsenal and Barcelona have been getting to know each other quite well recently, what with their four encounters in the last two seasons’ Champions League knock out phases. Arsenal must be sick of the sight of the Catalan giants stunting any ambitions they have of Champions League success. However, Arsenal seem to have come up with an ingenious way of getting their own back. The clever ploy, which Arsenal first exploited in 2003 with the capture of a certain Cesc Fabregas, is poaching Barcelona’s brightest young talents before they have even stepped out of the gates of La Masia (Barcelona’s football academy). In addition to Fabregas, Arsenal have signed Fran Merida, now with Atletico Madrid, Ignasi Miquel and Jon Miguel Toral Harper who will join at the end of the season. Arsenal are also tracking 15 year old Xavi Quintilla. These youngsters have all been schooled through Barcelona’s renowned youth set up and Arsenal seem to be reaping the benefits.

This hardly seems fair does it? Whatever your take on the situation, Arsenal can quite rightly point out, that they aren’t breaking any codes of conduct or laws with these signings. The youngsters can’t sign professional contracts in Spain until they are 18 years old, so all Arsenal have to do is pay a small compensation fee to Barca. Arsenal have the luxury in this country of being able to open negotiations with players under the age of 18, as the age a player can sign a professional contract is 16. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona have been left incensed by the loss of their future starlets and Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has branded Arsenal’s recent acquisition of Toral Harper as “legal but immoral”. Do Barcelona have grounds to feel aggrieved? In my view they certainly do, but as long as this loophole remains Spanish clubs are left wide open to lose their best young players. However, if the opportunity is there for teams like Arsenal to legally sign quality players, some would argue, immoral or not, why would they turn this chance down?

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Arsenal fans will be quick to point out in their defence that Barcelona have acted just as immorally over the last two years in their pursuit of their skipper, Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas’ future has been the constant subject of speculation and it’s common knowledge that Barcelona registered substantial bids for the Spanish International on more than one occasion. Fabregas is under contract with Arsenal and knowing his services are wanted by his boyhood club has unsettled him. Arsenal will quite rightfully suggest that while Fabregas is under contract with them, Barca’s constant barracking of their player surely carries more deceit than their legal purchase of Barca’s youth players. If this is true or not is of course a matter of opinion.

Arsenal and Barcelona relations have slowly deteriorated ever since the Gunners snapped up Fabregas, and with the recent signing of Toral Harper and the ongoing feud over Fabregas’ future it doesn’t show any signs of relenting. This situation will have many divided opinions on who is in the right and wrong. It is rumoured that Toral Harper had no intention on signing a contract with Barcelona anyway, so in the light of this does it make Arsenal’s approach any less immoral? To add more irons to the fire Toral Harper’s agent, who engineered the move, is Barcelona manager Pepe Guardiola’s brother!

The whole situation is something that clearly needs addressing by the governing bodies. I’m quite shocked there has not been a ruling implemented by FIFA before now. It doesn’t seem right to me that a player who is coached from a child through a club’s development system can just be plucked by another team as they begin to prosper. However, the feasibility to sanction any ruling as a result of the laws in place in each country is something that will prove decisive.

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Is Fergie onto a winner this weekend? His horse What a Friend is 11/1 to win the Grand National. Make sure you don’t miss out on the biggest betting event of the year!

Marseille boss Didier Deschamps paid tribute to his players’ fighting spirit after they became the first side to win the Coupe de la Ligue two years running.Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining in an often spiteful match at the Stade de France to give Marseille a 1-0 victory.

Deschamps said he was delighted with the win, adding that his players had shown tremendous character to emerge victorious.

“It was a complicated, well-contested match,” Deschamps said. “It was a heated match. We created many chances and my players showed character.”

“There was lots of character and courage. It’s great that the players are rewarded, and also all our supporters.”

“A lot of people will be delighted in Marseille tonight.”

Montpellier manager Rene Girard said he was proud of the efforts of his men but rued some sloppy defending that allowed Taiwo to score.

“We were made to pay for a lapse,” Girard said. “They scored from a set-piece and we knew it would make the difference tonight.”

“I’m a bit disappointed but I’m proud of the boys, they gave all they had.”

The Express and Star has reported that Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster, who has recently made himself unavailable for international fooball, is wanted by Tottenham Hostspur. The North London outfit are also said to be willing to offer Roman Pavlyuchenko in cash plus player deal but Birmingham are said to be keener on Jermaine Defoe.

Redknapp is believed to have run out of patience with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, after recent high profile gaffes against Chelsea and Blackpool. The Spurs manager is has been a long term admirer of the former Manchester United goalkeeper, who has enjoyed an impressive season with the Carling Cup winners, playing in all 36 Premier League games so far, making 157 saves in the process.

The one sticking point for the former Portsmouth manager is Foster’s reluctance leave after finally securing regular first team football after years behind Edwin Van Der Sar at Old Trafford.

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While the FIFA disputes continue to rumble on in the background, the attention now moves on to Wembley’s showpiece between Barcelona and Manchester United. UEFA believe it will be the most watched game of all time as arguably the two biggest teams in Europe go head to head for the biggest prize in club football.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Bin Hammam goes on the defensive; Stuart Pearce hits out at Wenger over Wilshere, while Billy Davies moves into the frame to takeover at West Ham United.

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‘If I’m guilty, so is Blatter,’ declares Bin Hammam – Guardian

Arnesen’s legacy at Chelsea open to debate – Daily Telegraph

England Under 21 manager Pearce hits out at Wenger over Wilshere U-turn – Daily Mail

Graphic: Ferguson’s Plan B – Daily Telegraph

FA hands Touré six-month suspension – Guardian

Billy Davies in frame for West Ham job – Mirror

Ray: I’ll never go back to Chelsea – Sun

It’s a Downing dilemma as Arsenal urge contract rebel Nasri to decide on future – Daily Mail

Valenica: The boss saved me – Sun

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Falcao linked with Arsenal and Spurs – Guardian

Adam set to leave Blackpool so Scot can stay in the Premier League – Daily Mail

United-Barca will be most-watched club game ever say UEFA – Mirror

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Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!

Sepp Blatter has outlined reforms to be implemented if he is re-elected as FIFA President, while also revealing he once rejected a bribe.Blatter, 75, is campaigning for re-election to his post as head of world football’s governing body, a role he has held since 1998.

The Swiss is up against Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed Bin Hammam, with the election set to take place on June 1.

The issue of alleged corruption within FIFA has dominated the election agenda.

In response, Blatter has proposed changes to the process of selecting the chairman on three key committees.

“Handling the past will be presented to the Congress,” Blatter said.

“We have to make sure that immediately after the election that we rebuild the image of FIFA.”

“We need to reinforce the judicial bodies and we shall find a solution how to handle the past in order that we can stop forever in the future all these damaging things about corruption.”

“These bodies should be more independent and this is a question I will bring to the Congress, that the Congress should elect the members of these committees or at least the chairmen of the three committees – the ethics, disciplinary and appeal committees.”

Blatter also revealed that was given cash in an envelope – an attempted bribe – during his time as FIFA General Secretary, a role he held between 1981 and 1998.

He did not reveal who tried to bribe him.

“I received once an envelope, when I was secretary general and in this envelope there was an amount of money,” Blatter said.

“I couldn’t refuse because he put it in my pocket.”

“I came home here to FIFA and gave it to the finance director and he put this money on the account of the Swiss Bank Corporation at that time, and informed the guy ‘the money you gave to the secretary general is in that bank’ and a few days later he reclaimed it.”

“Then it was specifically known that please don’t try to give money to somebody who’s in the FIFA.”

We have all heard many times the famous ‘where did it all go wrong?’ anecdote about George Best in the 70s and have no doubt afforded ourselves a wry smile at the tale.  It makes you wonder if such an incident occurred in the modern day as to whether the story would have been appreciated in the same way; given the way that footballers are chastised for the slightest misdemeanour these days.

I know I risk the wrath of some by seemingly trivialising some of the footballer’s extra marital activities, but I ask the question as to whether it has anything to do with those who condemn it. I am sure Ryan Giggs is in a very dark place at the moment and why it is unforgiveable what he did to his wife and brother; it is his problem to sort out, not for the whole world to pass judgment on.  I am sure there are many Premier League footballers out there have got up to no good off the field, but it appears Giggs is getting destroyed just because he looked to spend thousands of pounds attempting to keep his private life, well private.

I have a great amount of sympathy for Ryan Giggs and what will be his legacy within the game. If rumours in the papers are true and United are concerned that Giggs may turn his back on football in light of the last few weeks then I think it will be a terrible shame that the most decorated footballer in England of all time will bow out this way. Giggs is the finest player of his generation and deserves to be remembered so, not that person who struggled to keep his pants on. Show disgust for his off-field actions, but let’s not let it tarnish the excellent contributions he has made on it. George Best was let off for similar misdemeanours in the eyes of the public, largely down to his footballing abilities – I only hope Giggs is viewed upon in the same way in time, given the outstanding contributions he has made to the English game.

Liverpool have seemingly been linked with every winger in Europe in the past week as the media try to second guess Kenny Dalglish. A deal for Downing is looking most likely; especially with reports suggesting that the winger is set to put a transfer request in so to force a summer move.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include why Charlie Adam would be a good signing; the pros and cons of Stewart Downing, while rival managers cannot second guess Kenny Dalglish.

We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.

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Time for Liverpool to get their finger out in the transfer market?

The pros and cons of a Liverpool deal

To those who think Liverpool shouldn’t sign him, think again

Liverpool’s transfer activity and player development (Hybrid Moneyball)

Time to give Liverpool newbie a break

The seven signings by Kenny Dalglish this summer?

Trying to decipher Kenny’s transfer plans at Liverpool

Udinese star set to snub Arsenal for Liverpool

*Best of WEB*

Why Managers will find it hard to second guess King Kenny – Live4Liverpool

Time is a luxury Liverpool do not have – Our Kop

Why I Fear For Jordan Henderson – The Tomkins Times

Damien Comolli can work successfully with Kenny Dalglish despite previous problems with Martin Jol – Anfield Opinion

Why FSG are wise to invest in the future, but should never overlook quick success – This is Anfield

How the Reds maybe able to get £20M MORE to spend – Live4Liverpool

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Click on Mikel Arteta’s lady to unveil our WAG XI of the season

Manchester United is a team in transition. The summer arrivals of David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones indicate a real shift in focus from Sir Alex Ferguson. But whilst the United ship is firmly set on course for a new era under Fergie, one player is getting left behind.

Defender Jonny Evans has made 84 appearances for United since his debut in September 2007 and the 23-year-old was long seen as the successor to the established pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The departures of fellow defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown to Sunderland may have given some hope to Evans but unfortunately the capture of Jones and tying Chris Smalling to a new five-year deal seems to have pushed Evans back down the pecking order once again.

The defender has said this week he is happy to fight for his place at United despite the intense competition for places. Ferguson is also an obvious admirer of Evans’ talents as he has worked his way up the youth ranks at Old Trafford and may want him to stay as he can act as cover across the back four but Evans must now look elsewhere to establish himself as a formidable Premier League defender.

Evans didn’t enjoy the most successful of campaigns last season. Despite picking up another league winners medal, Evans struggled for form and missed out on a place in United’s Champions League final squad. He made 13 league appearances for United but his season was slightly soured when he was also involved in a bad (but completely unintentional) challenge with Stuart Holden that earned Evans a straight red card and left Bolton’s Holden out for six months.

The £16 million deal to bring relatively inexperienced Jones to Old Trafford and Smalling’s new contract seem to line up the pair as the replacements for the current partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand. Hopefully Evans wasn’t watching the U21 European Championships this summer where despite England’s failure, Jones and Smalling shone as a partnership at the back. And despite the pair being lined up as replacements in the long term, Ferdinand and Vidic still look a way off both leaving United after another successful league winning campaign. This is all good news for Fergie and United but not Evans.

A possible move away from Old Trafford may still be on the cards for Evans and if he does leave, there could be plenty of suitors for the defender. Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham are all rumoured to have shown an interest though Wolves and Sunderland have already purchased defensive cover this summer. As an agile and calm defender Evans definitely possess the skills to ply his trade in the Premier League.

Despite enjoying a mixed season and not being a first-choice starter Evans still managed 21 appearances for United last year, a stat that might give him hope that his future could still be in Manchester. At 23 he is nowhere past his best and should have many more years in football ahead of him. But Evans must now decide whether he is happy as a squad player at United or ready to break in the starting eleven elsewhere.

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If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5

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