Steve Griffiths
Guest Author
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/ 18 September 2007

Rooney return perfectly timed for United

Sir Alex Ferguson will let Wayne Rooney off the leash as Manchester United start their Champions League challenge at Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. Rooney has been sidelined since breaking a metatarsal bone in United’s first match of the season against Reading, but he is set to feature at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

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/ 22 August 2007

Diouf steals limelight as Senegal, Ghana draw

Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf impressed a host of Premiership managers and scouts as his predatory strike earned Senegal a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Tuesday’s friendly international in London. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and several representatives from other English clubs were in the crowd at Millwall’s New Den.

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/ 9 August 2007

Mourinho savours smell of team spirit

Jose Mourinho believes the team spirit he has forged at Chelsea is strong enough to see his side through the injury crisis that threatens to damage their title challenge. Mourinho could be forgiven if he had given up taking a roll call of his remaining fit players in case another one has joined the growing ranks of walking wounded.

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/ 7 August 2007

Lampard backs resilient Chelsea

Frank Lampard insists Chelsea will shrug off the injury crisis that threatens to wreck the start of their season. Jose Mourinho’s side are likely to be without a host of stars, including John Terry, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Arjen Robben, when Birmingham visit Stamford Bridge for the Premiership opener on Sunday.

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/ 1 August 2007

Cristiano Ronaldo steps into the spotlight

As Cristiano Ronaldo shielded his eyes from the blinding explosion of flashbulbs, it was clear the Manchester United winger’s transition from pride of Old Trafford to global phenomenon was complete. After a magnificent season in which his dazzling array of feints and flicks bewitched defenders and fans in equal measure, Ronaldo has become one of the game’s new icons.

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/ 20 May 2007

Giggs rues the one that got away

Ryan Giggs claimed Manchester United had been harshly treated in the FA Cup final after his extra-time effort was ruled not to have crossed the line. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side missed out on the double after Didier Drogba’s goal five minutes from the end clinched Chelsea’s 1-0 victory at Wembley on Saturday.

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/ 26 February 2007

Arsenal, Chelsea face censure over Cup brawl

Arsenal and Chelsea face disciplinary action from the English Football Association after the mass brawl that marred their League Cup final clash on Sunday. Arsenal duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel were all sent off by referee Howard Webb in stoppage time of Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

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/ 6 February 2007

Fury at Ronaldo ‘dive’

Tottenham defender Young-Pyo Lee accused Cristiano Ronaldo of diving to win the penalty that set Manchester United on course for their 4-0 victory at White Hart Lane. Lee was close to Ronaldo as he stumbled after a challenge by Steed Malbranque late in the first half on Sunday and the South Korean left-back is adamant there was no contact.