Was Ben Foster Cheating With His iPod ?

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The FA will take no action against Manchester United on goalkeeper Ben Foster for using an iPod during the Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Foster watched videos of Spurs players taking penalties on an iPod and then saved from Jamie O'Hara as United lifted the cup after winning the penalty shootout 4-1 following their goalless draw at Wembley Stadium.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has resisted the use of any form of video technology, especially to determine if the ball has crossed the goalline, for many years. But the idea of using an iPod as a tactical aid is new and not against the laws of the game.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll told the Daily Mail that using iPod technology "had the potential to exploit a loophole in the laws which should be referred to FIFA".

What a load of b*llocks. I have heard some Spurs fans saying Foster is a cheat and that it is against the rules but that is ridiculous and laughable. The fact that Manchester United had the brains and the foresight to use modern technology which is not against any laws of the game, then I say well done to them. While Harry and his boys were busy kicking their heels after extra time finished Foster and his coach were preparing themselves mentally for the task ahead. And they got it spot on....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Take Carling Cup After Penalty Shoot Out

With the score 0-0 after 120 minutes, Manchester United triumphed 4-1 on penalties over Tottenham in the Carling Cup final. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his team had keeper Ben Foster to thank for the penalty shoot out drama.

Speaking to Sky Sports Ferguson said, "Well they took their penalties very confidently and Ben Foster made a fantastic first save which gave us a big lift."

Carlos Tevez, Vedran Corluka and Cristiano Ronaldo then all converted their kicks before David Bentley missed allowing Anderson to take the decisive spot kick.

The United boss added, "To be honest with you I could have done without the extra time, because we have a tough game on Wednesday (in the Premier League against Newcastle United) and I’ll need to freshen up."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted he feared the worst when the match went to penalties. "I thought we were terrific. It was a great performance. It comes down to a lottery in the end with penalties, I've got to be honest, we weren't that confident with our penalty takers. You looked at United and they looked like they had some great, confident penalty takers. That's how it goes. But overall they couldn't beat us in 90 minutes plus extra-time. We fought them. I thought we didn't deserve to lose today. I thought we were better.".....Back To Home Page...

Spurs To Become A Feeder Club For Manchester United

Spurs player Roman Pavlyuchenko has got great timing and his prowess for scoring in the box is exemplary. But his timing was a bit off today as he spoke to The Daily Mail. He has rocked Tottenham on the eve of their Carling Cup final, by admitting he dreams of playing for their Wembley opponents Manchester United.

Pavlyuchenko has explained how deep the bad feeling toward Berbatov and United goes within the Spurs ranks. Berbatov is actually not in the squad to face Spurs as it happens. We all know Berbatov refused to play at the start of the season to try and force through a move to Manchester United.......and now Roman has declared he too would like to follow Berba up North and play for United as well.

"It would be wrong not to dream about this. I have realised the English Premier League is exactly why you should start playing football in the fi rst place. And Manchester United is the leader of it. Once your first dream comes true you must start dreaming of another target."

I bet these revealations have gone down a treat in the Spurs dressing room. As you're preparing for your one single chance of silverware this season, one of the most loved and most talented players says he has his heart set on playing for the opposition.......nice work Roman...Mind you, he does look good in red ;) .....Back To Home Page...

Berbatov Left Out Of Carling Cup Final

Just after I wrote my last piece on here, the news of the likely Manchester United team to face Spurs in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday has been revealed. Though whether this is reliable news or not is yet to be seen.

Dimitar Berbatov will not have the chance to get one over his former club Sir Alex Ferguson left the striker out of his squad to face Tottenham.

Ferguson has named a strong squad for Sunday's showdown at Wembley, with Edwin van der Sar the only other notable absentee alongside Berbatov. Berbatov scored a penalty in last season's final as Tottenham came from behind to beat Chelsea.

Ferguson has promised Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck they will start at Wembley as the pair have shown plenty of promise for United this term already which is great news. I'm such a big fan of Danny Welbeck and it will be great to see him in action on Sunday.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Youngster Gibson Should Start Against Spurs At Wembley

Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson put on a great display against Derby County, winning the Man Of The Match according to ITV. Having scored in the FA Cup against them and in an earlier round against Southampton, he is one of a few United youngsters who have stepped up to the mark this season when injuries have given them their chance in the first team. However, Gibson refuses to get carried away by talk of a guaranteed place in the United line up at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final.

Gibson has played in every round of United’s path to the final, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has publicly promised the Republic of Ireland international a place against Tottenham at Wembley on 1 March, however Gibson wont be getting too excited until he is told personally by Fergie this will be happening.

“The Carling Cup has been good for me this year so fingers crossed I will play in the final, but the manager has not told me anything yet,” said Gibson. "I don't mind playing on the right but central midfield is my proper position, I feel more comfortable in there but to be honest, I am just happy to be on the pitch. In training I have been working on trying to get into the box and having a few more shots. I am glad I scored but the main thing is we got through.”

I think players such as Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Rodrigo Possebon along with Nani deserve a tilt at starting the Carling Cup Final. They have been called into action with United's huge injury list at times this season and they have stood tall and shown determination and a great cohesion when needed. This will be a great day for them if they do start, and with United holding the likes of Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez in reserve, they can be called upon if needed.....Back To Home Page...

Pav Is Out To Wreck United's Quadruple

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is declaring he is ready to prove himself in the Carling Cup final against Manchester United, after Spurs surrendered a 4-1 lead to Burnley in the semi-final.

The north London misfits almost surrendered a first leg advantage of 4-1 to Championship side Burnley when going 3-0 down in the second leg of the final four, but managed to escape by the skin of their teeth with two late goals and secure their passage to the final.

Pavlyucehnko scored the first of those efforts late in extra time but despite his efforts does not want any credit, as he feels the ultimate stage on which to garner such praise is at Wembley.

“No I'm not a hero, the job is only half done, there is one more step left. We still have a month, I think, to prepare seriously for the final. Hardly anyone would argue that this is not one of the strongest teams, not only in England but in Europe. Therefore it will not be easy.”

Fighting talk from the Russian hit man but I feel this will be United Carling Cup for only the thrid time in their history and Pavlyuchenko will be left red faced.....Back To Home Page...