Defender Jonas Olsson scored in the 53rd minute as a young and inexperienced back four held strong against today's continuous Boro attack. West Brom's players enjoyed their first away victory of the Premiership season. 23-year old goalkeeper Scott Carson performed admirably throughout the match. Click to continue reading...

1. Billionaires always have good home security Which would explain why Salomon Kalou's equalizer on Sunday means Chelsea haven't lost at Stamford Bridge since February 2004. 2. But Roman Abramovich should definitely think about building an extension There were less than 42,000 at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea vs Man Utd. Click to continue reading...

Michael Chopra's two goals in the final ten minutes are enough to see off Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

A game that was more frantic than metered, this was a game that took a long time for anything to build. Yes both sides had plenty of chances (per Soccernet, 21 for Sunderland, 18 for Middlesbrough), but not many tested either Craig Gordon or Ross Turnbull. Click to continue reading...

I really don't know how the 7,000 plus England fans do it. Travel away to see England play no-hopers Andorra in a World Cup qualifier in Barcelona - perhaps the attraction of a weekend in Barcelona did it.

Its bad enough supporting your club every weekend without expending more energy and emotion on a two-bit, two-bob international team who really haven't done anything since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. Click to continue reading...

Apparently Fabio Capello 'vented his anger' at Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney after England's laboured 2-0 win against Azerbaijan in their World Cup qualifier yesterday. He said that he was pleased with the team and that the performance was a good confidence booster ahead of the far sterner test in Croatia on Wednesday. Click to continue reading...

Stewart Downing started for England tonight Click to continue reading...

Fabio Capello asked for patience. Between the Czech Republic last month and Andorra today, I would say the fans patience has run out. England's performance against Andorra this afternoon can only be described in one word, dire.  From the team selection that had me wondering if Fabio Capello thought this was a friendly, to a first half [. Click to continue reading...

Picture from the BBC via Getty Images.

Fabio Capello asked for patience.

Between the Czech Republic last month and Andorra today, I would say the fans patience has run out.

England's performance against Andorra this afternoon can only be described in one word, dire.

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It's taken me a little while to catch up on the goings on this week as I was away over the weekend. My wife and I took a camping trip and got away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while. We ended up with some rainy weather but made the best [...] Click to continue reading...

Tuncay's winner five minutes from time is all the difference as Middlesbrough win at the Riverside 2-1. First off it must be said that Middlesbrough were pushed to the limit. Despite being a man down for seventy minutes (if you add both first and second half stoppage time), Stoke City were resolute at the back, but [. Click to continue reading...

Photo Courtesy of the UK Sun


Tuncay's winner five minutes from time is all the difference as Middlesbrough win at the Riverside 2-1.

First off it must be said that Middlesbrough were pushed to the limit. Despite being a man down for seventy minutes (if you add both first and second half stoppage time), Stoke City were resolute at the back, but two breakdowns proved to be all the difference in this one.

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Liverpool are preparing a £10 million bid for Newcastle United midfielder James Milner. It was confirmed yesterday that the England under-21 international has handed in a transfer request at St James' Park after spending three years at the club. (Guardian)

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been linked with Milner all summer as he looks to sign a new left-sided midfielder. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool are closing in on Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera after the La Liga outfit dropper their asking price. The Spanish international has been linked with a move to Anfield all summer after Rafa Benitez made his interest in the player public in June. (The Times)

The former Manchester City man has also been linked with Liverpool's arch rivals Everton this summer but for whatever reason, David Moyes hasn't made his interest known. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reported to have agreed a fee for Espanyol winger Albert Riera.

The Liverpool Echo understands that Liverpool have beaten rivals Everton in their attempt to land the player and agreed to the Spanish club's £12 million fee.

Espanyol were reluctant to allow the former Manchester City winger to leave the club, but after spending some considerable time yesterday in negotiations, Riera's wish to join Anfield now appears within reach. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool are edging closer to signing Espanyol winger Albert Riera despite Everton's attempts to hijack the deal.

The Anfield outfit are ready to lodge an improved bid to sign the 26-year-old Spain international.

While Everton are thought to have met Espanyol's asking price, Riera has set his heart on a move to their Merseyside neighbours. Click to continue reading...

After the drudgery of two awful premiership performances in a row, it is clear that Liverpool need to sign at least one dedicated winger before the transfer deadline. Stewart Downing is once again in the frame but it seems that many fans just don't want him. However, in my view, Downing could be just the player Liverpool need to bring some much needed balance to the team. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has admitted he is eager to stay at Anfield despite reports linking him with a move away from the club.

Manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly been told he needs to raise funds in order to sign new players and Pennant had been one of those players rumoured to be expendable after being unable to cement a place in the first team. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool are ready to make a £14 million bid for Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing. The England international has been linked with a whole host of exits from the Riverside over the past 12 months or so with Tottenham also said to be interested. (News of the World)

The 24-year old could finally solve Rafa Benitez' left-sided problems, which have existed for some time now. Click to continue reading...

Rafa Benitez will this week make an official approach to Middlesbrough for Stewart Downing.

The Reds boss had hoped Downing would remain on Merseyside for talks following Boro's 2-1 defeat at Anfield yesterday, but the winger's boss Gareth Southgate refused him permission.

Benitez is a huge fan of the England star and is prepared to meet the north-east side's £12 million valuation. Click to continue reading...

Both sides come into this game hungry for another Premier League victory in order to maintain perfect starts to the season. Last week Liverpool lacked sharpness and struggled against Roy Keane's lively Sunderland side. A moment of Fernando Torres magic snatched Liverpool a victory late on but Rafael Benitez will certainly demand more from his men this weekend. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool have been linked with a move for a wing wizard nicknamed Harry Potter as they look for alternatives to signing Gareth Barry.

Rafael Benitez is weighing up a bid for Porto star Ricardo Quaresma, but the Anfield club face competition from Italian champions Inter Milan.

Benitez has become frustrated by the protracted move for versatile Villa midfielder Barry and is considering other options to strengthen his left flank. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry have vowed to "move forward together" after holding clear the air talks at Anfield.

The working relationship between the two had come under pressure over Liverpool's activity in the transfer market - particularly over the Gareth Barry transfer saga. Click to continue reading...

From link man to left midfielder, they will find a way to squeeze Steven Gerrard into this England team somehow.

They shoehorn the Liverpool midfielder into the side and encourage him to slide up and down the greasy pole that has become England's left midfield. Poor blighter.

Too good to leave out and too flexible to hold down his own position, he was stationed out there again last night. Click to continue reading...

Martin O'Neill believes Gareth Barry's future is "not completely resolved".

The Anfield hierarchy's refusal to meet Villa's £18m asking price has forced Benitez to look elsewhere.

But Villa manager O'Neill said: "We want him to stay I think that's obvious. I think the fans want him to stay and for the length of time it has gone on it is hard to pre-empt anything. Click to continue reading...

According to this source, a certain Middlesbrough favourite is top of the list of feasible targets for Rafa Benitez. Why not join the debate at the COS forum? Liverpool look set to renew their interest in Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing after Espanyol demanded £16million for Albert Riera. Having failed to raise the funds . Click to continue reading...

• It's clear that England is really lacking in two positions – left wing and center forward. Steven Gerrard is a very good player and performed well on the left today, but that's not his natural position and he doesn't give England much width. He needs to play in the position Frank Lampard occupied today. Click to continue reading...

The most impressive side I watched, by far, on Saturday was Middlesbrough. The link-up play between Tuncay, Alves, Downing, Aliadiere and, later, Mido was sensational. Wheater was also impressive. At times, it was like watching Brazil with all of the backheels and blistering attacks. Seriously. While Spurs controlled a lot of the possession in this match [. Click to continue reading...

The most impressive side I watched, by far, on Saturday was Middlesbrough. The link-up play between Tuncay, Alves, Downing, Aliadiere and, later, Mido was sensational. Wheater was also impressive. At times, it was like watching Brazil with all of the backheels and blistering attacks. Seriously. While Spurs controlled a lot of the possession in this match [. Click to continue reading...

Fabio Capello has named his 23-man roster for England's friendly against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, and there were a couple of surprise absentees, one of which really bothers me.

I can't emphasize enough just how highly I rate Aston Villa's Ashley Young, who had a breakout season last year and was rewarded with a place in the PFA Team of the Year for his efforts. Click to continue reading...

Middlesbrough bounced back from an early Arnold Slot goal to hit the Ere Divisie side for 6 in Rotterdam. Boro, captained by local star Stewart Downing, went behind after only 2 minutes as slack defending gave Slot an opportunity and he left Ross Turnbull with no chance. Click to continue reading...

According to the BBC in an online article published in December of last year, Middlesbrough's youth academy has produced the most graduates (9) eligible to represent England at international level and start in at least five senior games for the club since the 2002-2003 season, including Stewart Downing, Lee Cattermole (now at Wigan), David [. Click to continue reading...

According to the BBC in an online article published in December of last year, Middlesbrough's youth academy has produced the most graduates (9) eligible to represent England at international level and start in at least five senior games for the club since the 2002-2003 season, including Stewart Downing, Lee Cattermole (now at Wigan), David Wheater, Stuart Parnaby (now at Birmingham City), Andrew Taylor, and Adam Johnson. Click to continue reading...

Notable arrivals: Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam), Didier Digard (PSG) Notable departures: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), George Boateng (Hull City). Pending: Lee Cattermole (Wigan) Stewart Downing is still not for sale. Gareth Southgate has said it yet again. Aston Villa, Liverpool, Spurs... Click to continue reading...

Well it appears that a certain Middlesbrough winger has once again hinted that his future at the Riverside is unstable to say the least! Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager! Stewart Downing has warned Middlesbrough he may have to look for a move away from the Riverside Stadium, if the . Click to continue reading...

MIDDLESBROUGH Notable arrivals: Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam), Didier Digard (PSG) Notable departures: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), George Boateng (Hull City). Still brewing: Gareth Southgate made an unprovoked statement that he intends to keep Stewart Downing at Riverside. Of course all that... Click to continue reading...