Brown moves to Pompey

Portsmouth have signed veteran midfielder Michael Brown from Wigan Athletic for a nominal fee.

The 32-year-old was in the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium but has fallen down the pecking order under new manager Roberto Martinez.

Brown has signed a two-year deal at Fratton Park, where he spent a loan spell back in 1999 while under contract at Manchester City, with the option of a third year.

MANY YEARS

"Michael's a player who has shown he can perform at this level," Pompey manager Paul Hart said.

"He's very combative and someone who I've admired for many years.

"When he was playing at Sheffield United and I was at Nottingham Forest he was a player you didn't want to come up against.

"He'll add plenty of steel to our side."

By:Paul Hart

Vladimir Dasic"i'm fit to Play for Madrid"

Real Madrid's new basketball player, Vladimir Dasic, arrived at Sanitas-La Zarzuela Hospital to have his medical check-up at 8:20 am. He was accompanied by Ramon Gonzalez, assistant to the first team basketball players. Following blood and urine analysis, an electrocardiogram and several other tests, the player was deemed to be in perfect form. "The player is in perfect health and fit to play elite basketball," said Dr. Cerralto, "He is very young and has enviable athletic capabilities."

By:John Donells

Guardiola: “The hardest final”

Josep Guardiola had no doubt that tonight’s final was the most difficult Barça have played since he became manager, and praised the team on their effort, personality and character.

Guardiola’s side won the fifth major trophy since he took over as manager tonight, and their second of a season that has barely commenced. “The players have made a huge effort” he said. “They showed strength, personality and character. In other finals we were more into the match rhythm and in the middle of competition, but tonight caught us on the back of our holidays, but we didn’t lose our essence. That has a lot of merit”.

Tough game

Guardiola described the game as “terribly tough”, mentioning especially “the heat and humidity” in the Louis II in Monaco. He also suggested that there were “no positive adjectives” to describe the condition of the pitch.

Embarrassment

“The state of the pitch was an embarrassment” he said, and had harsh words for UEFA. “They talk about looking after the players, saying they should put on a show … and then they make us play on pitches like this. I think they need to look into this. They should have a think. If we had lost, I wouldn’t have said anything about it.”

Praise all round
Pedro, with his 115th minute goal, was the man of the night, but although Guardiola is to be commended for handing the youngster his chance, he said “I didn’t create anything. The players create it all themselves. In whatever case, I congratulate the people that discovered him and helped him grow. I am reaping the benefits”. On other players, he singled out one other. “Bojan did very well, but everybody made huge contributions”.

Asked about Messi, Guardiola was again full of praise. “Leo ended up carrying the team on his back. He is somebody different, special, unique, unrepeatable. He is the best player I have ever seen by some distance and Barça are lucky to have him. He is a fundamental part of the team”.

Equalling a legendary team

The Barça team of 1951-52 won five cups, and now Guardiola’s side has won five major trophies in a year. That parallel is something the coach defines as “an honour. Being able to actively participate with this group and win five titles in a row is great” he said. “I am really satisfied. I don’t know if the legend can get any bigger. All I know is that what we have to do now is get some rest. We have a tough year ahead, but such enthusiasm provides guarantees.”

Pedro makes the difference

On Mircea Lucescu’s complaints about the referee, Guardiola wished to point out that there was a possible penalty on Messi in the first half. “So, one each, and Pedro’s goal made the difference”.

By:Vanessa Forns

Squad aim for full fitness on Monday

Squad aim for full fitness on Monday

After Friday night’s European Super Cup victory, there was little time for celebration for the squad who were back in training at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper this lunchtime.

Barca kick off their defence of the Spanish League title this week and even though they’d just conquered the third European Super Cup in the club’s history, the squad were quick to turn their attention to the next job in hand – Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp on Monday. The players went to train straight from the airport, with Leo Messi the only member missing, having been given permission by the club to fly to Argentina to join the national squad.






“Tough Game”
The squad arrived at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper at about 13.15 and the session was dedicated to warming down the players after Friday evening’s exertions, which had undoubtedly taken their toll. Guardiola himself reckoned the game had been: “terribly tough” and the high humidity and poor state of the pitch will certainly have left their mark on the players.

120 minutes
With the game also going into extra time, it’s not too surprising that Guardiola ordered a relatively light training session for his squad as he attempts to get them back up to their best for Monday’s game against Sporting.

By:David Suara

Pedro, Prince of Monaco (1-0)

A goal in the nick of time from the Canary Islander in the second half of extra time has handed Barça their third European Super Cup. Now we can talk of a brand new Barça of the Five Cups.

57 years later, Barça can once again boast a ‘Team of the Five Cups’. Like that legendary side led by the great Ladislau Kubala in 1952, Guardiola’s team has won all five tournaments possible in 2009. The Cup, the League, the Champions League and the Super Cups of both Spain and Europe.

In Monaco, Barça have made amends for the disappointment of 2006. But they suffered more than they have done in other finals this year – the Ukrainians held out against Barça’s relentless attack until the very end. Penalties were looming, but then Pedro latched onto a Messi pass to score the only goal of the night, and win the European Super Cup for the third time.

Initial impressions

Barça struggled from the start to find a way past Shakhtar’s rock solid defence. The poor condition of the grass didn’t help matters, preventing Barça from playing their trademark passing game to perfection, but the midfield also made more mistakes than we are used to seeing of them and were receiving the ball in all the wrong areas. This made it hard for midfield and attack to connect – it was uncharacteristic of Barcelona to only shoot once in the whole of the first half hour (Henry, min 8).

Gaining ground

But despite the lack of initial depth, and some sloppy combination play, Barça were undoubtedly the dominant side. And they gradually started making their possession count. In the 32nd minute, Messi had the best chance of the game with a quickly taken free kick, he himself ending the move with a shot from a narrow angle that almost had goalkeeper Pyatov beaten. Barça gained ground in the final minutes of the first half, but all they got out of it was a series of corners that came to nothing.

Messi takes over

Things hardly improved after the break. Barça enjoyed 65% of the possession and bravely opted to move Messi into a more central position in the attack. Playing the Argentinian in the middle also drew Shakhtar’s wider players in, which opened up spaces down the wings. It was Messi, who, in the 73rd minute struck powerfully from the edge of the area, an effort that was turned away only as far as Henry, whose strike was sent over for a corner by the Ukrainian stopper.

Extra time

Ibrahimovic also had a fine chance with a decent shot and a penalty claim in two counter attacking moves. The Swede then came off to make way for Pedro, who sought to open the play more towards the right. But though Barça were in supreme control, Shakhtar always looked dangerous on the counter with their fast, skilful forwards. Henry almost broke the deadlock off a Puyol corner inside the six-yard box in the 86th minute, but time was running out, and the game went into extra time.

Hero Pedro

There were some tired legs out there, and Shakhtar almost won it against the run of play with a penetrating run from Julius that Valdés dealt with in the 98th minute. Barça’s secret weapon, however, was Bojan. He had the first major Barcelona chance of extra time following an amazing slaloming run in the 101st minute. A powerful drive from Alves then skimmed wide of the post. The goals just wouldn’t come, and penalty kicks were becoming an inevitability. But just when it looked like time had run out for both teams, Pedro and Messi produced a one-two and the Canary Islander finished off the move with a delightful conversion that, at long last, had Pyatov beaten.

By:Jordi Clos

"We're anxious for the league to start"

Raúl: "The team has worked hard in preseason and now we must prove it"

Carlos Cristobal / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo

Raul sat down for an interview prior to starting his sixteenth league season as Madridista. He is confident that this squad can fight to win every title.

How do you feel about the season which is about to begin?

I’m excited, as all Madridistas are. There’s a new project and new players, very important footballers who have improved the squad. We want the Bernabeu to enjoy our game once more and we’re going to fight for every title.

Has the excitement of the fans reached the players?

Yes, we have felt the atmosphere created around the team mainly during the preseason games. We have played more games at the Bernabeu thanks to the Peace Cup and we received a very nice welcome. The same happened in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy. You can tell fans are looking forward to watching the games and seeing the new players on the pitch. We’re all anxious to win games. Now that the season is about to begin, we hope to pay back the fans with good football and victories.

How were the first days of work?

It all went well. We have a new coach who has brought new ideas to the team and we have adapted well to them. The main goal has always been to win games and showcase good football and we’ve been moving closer to achieving it with each game we played. We arrive in good shape to the start of La Liga.

It’s a positive balance, then...

Yes. Regardless of the match results, in preseason it’s paramount to build a team before the league kicks-off. The team has processed the new concepts and everything has turned out well. We didn’t have any injuries and every member of the squad has helped the team and taken part in games.

What impression has Pellegrini made on you?

He has caused good impression. His job at Villareal during the last years has been very good. He knows Spanish football and its players inside-out. He’s doing a great job. We’re happy about his ideas and the concept he has of the game. We are willing to give joy to fans and show what we have achieved so far.

There have been several new signings and they have adapted well to the team...

Yes. The squad is made up of nice people and that makes adaptation easier for the new players. They are very important players who want to do things right. They are adapting quickly and that’s good news because that way they can give everything they’ve got.

Raul sat down for an interview prior to starting his sixteenth league season as Madridista. He is confident that this squad can fight to win every title.

How do you feel about the season which is about to begin?

I’m excited, as all Madridistas are. There’s a new project and new players, very important footballers who have improved the squad. We want the Bernabeu to enjoy our game once more and we’re going to fight for every title.

Has the excitement of the fans reached the players?

Yes, we have felt the atmosphere created around the team mainly during the preseason games. We have played more games at the Bernabeu thanks to the Peace Cup and we received a very nice welcome. The same happened in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy. You can tell fans are looking forward to watching the games and seeing the new players on the pitch. We’re all anxious to win games. Now that the season is about to begin, we hope to pay back the fans with good football and victories.

How were the first days of work?

It all went well. We have a new coach who has brought new ideas to the team and we have adapted well to them. The main goal has always been to win games and showcase good football and we’ve been moving closer to achieving it with each game we played. We arrive in good shape to the start of La Liga.

It’s a positive balance, then...

Yes. Regardless of the match results, in preseason it’s paramount to build a team before the league kicks-off. The team has processed the new concepts and everything has turned out well. We didn’t have any injuries and every member of the squad has helped the team and taken part in games.

What impression has Pellegrini made on you?

He has caused good impression. His job at Villareal during the last years has been very good. He knows Spanish football and its players inside-out. He’s doing a great job. We’re happy about his ideas and the concept he has of the game. We are willing to give joy to fans and show what we have achieved so far.

There have been several new signings and they have adapted well to the team...

Yes. The squad is made up of nice people and that makes adaptation easier for the new players. They are very important players who want to do things right. They are adapting quickly and that’s good news because that way they can give everything they’ve got.

As captain and a veteran player your job is also important to ease the adaptation of the new players, isn’t it?

We all wanted to help them, not just me as captain but every member of the squad too, especially the veterans. It’s not a difficult task because we all know each other more or less. We know the main goal is to build a solid squad capable of achieving what this club demands.

How are you feeling on a personal level?

I feel as I always do at this point; very excited and willing to help the team. I’m working hard to be in my best shape as soon as possible. There’s a lot a competition to earn a spot in the line-up but the season is long, there will be chances for everyone to play and I want to make good every chance I’m given.

The first game of the league season is always an important match...

Yes, and so much more this year because there’s a two-week break due to the international games. You’re anxious for the league to start and when it finally does, there’s a break. We must try to play well and win the game. We can’t wait for the kick-off and to make a good impression.

Deportivo’s preseason hasn’t been as good as they hoped.

In preseason you can’t pay much attention to match results. Deportivo has been a competitive and threatening side during the last years, especially since the arrival of Lotina as coach. They can be dangerous on the road. We’ll try to cancel their game with our football, our stadium and our fans.

What are Raul’s objectives this season?

My objectives are simple ones. We want to showcase appealing football for fans and fight for every title during the last months of the campaign. This squad is capable of fighting for the three titles and that’s what’s on our minds. However, we take it easy, one step at a time, and going through every stage of the season.

You have played and won several Champions League finals. It would be nice to do so at the Bernabeu...

Yes, that motivates me. Historically, it has been a competition in which Real Madrid has performed brilliantly, but in the last seasons we have been knocked-out too soon, so we must be realistic. The first objective should be to fight for the semis. Then we could start thinking about playing the final.

By:Sergio Perez

Barça of the Five Cups (mark II)

Barça of the Five Cups (mark II)

The legend of Pep Guardiola at Barça is greater than ever after they have won their fifth title of 2009. At the same time, it brings back memories of 1951/52, when another wonderful FC Barcelona side brought home five trophies.

If Kubala, Gonzalvo III, César, Martín or Segarra could have seen tonight’s game , they would have been proud of this Barça side. In the same way that Ramallets, Biosca and Basora have done in their later years. All of them were members of the great Barça of the Five Cups, which 57 years ago and managed by Fernando Daucik, won the League, the Cup, the Fairs Cup, the Copa Eva Duarte (equivalent to the modern day Spanish Super Cup) and the Martini&Rossi. That amazing generation of footballers, immortalised in a Joan Manel Serrat song that honoured the Barça magic, have now passed the baton on to Pep Guardiola and his side.
2009 simply has to be the best year in the club’s history. And only the 1951/52 campaign is in any way comparable. True, this modern incarnation of the Barça of the Five Cups achieved their aim in two different seasons (2008/09 and 2009/10), but nobody can argue that what Guardiola is doing now is a mere continuation of the good work he did last year. In fact, of the players on show at the Louis II tonight, only Ibrahimovic was not in the squad last season.
From Valencia to Monaco
After an unforgettable month of May, FC Barcelona have won a further two titles, with a playing style that the world can only marvel at. Since May 13, with the win in Valencia that opened the path towards the treble, until August 28 in Monaco, 108 days have passed that have seemed like a never-ending orgy of delight.

First ever treble plus Super Cups
In Rome, Barça became the fifth team to win the European Cup plus their two domestic titles, an achievement only previously managed by Celtic (1967), Ajax (1972), PSV Eindhoven (1988) and Manchester United (1999). But now they have gone even further still. For none of the four aforementioned clubs also managed to win the two Super Cups, as Barça have done in the space of just five days, winning the Spanish and European versions.

And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s not long before Barça will be having a crack at the World Clubs Cup. That’s a trophy Barcelona have never won, but then again, until 2009, they had never won a the treble either...

By:David Suara

Iaquinta: «It was important to start-off on the right foot»

Iaquinta: «It was important to start-off on the right foot»

Vincenzo Iaquinta continued where he left off. Last season he ended the championship with great performances and this season he started off more in form and vigorous then ever. On top of all this he was decisive. It is in fact his goal that allowed the bianconeri to have the better over Chievo in the first match of the season. A header following a free-kick by Diego which allowed the team to win 3 important points and «most of all - stated the Juve striker – to start-off on the right foot». Even in a victory, things should be analyzed pointing out the positive and the negative things and Vincenzo did point out one thing which must be improved: «We must be capable of ending the match». Finally, in response to those who made him note the advantage over Inter, Iaquinta answered: «We will compete with them till the very end and to do so we must look at ourselves»

By:Alvaro lopez

Massimo Moratti on Tg1 ahead of derby

Massimo Moratti on Tg1 ahead of derby

MILAN - In an interview for Italian news bulletin Tg1, Inter president Massimo Moratti spoke about the Milan derby, the Champions League draw, José Mourinho and new signing Wesley Sneijder.

This is what he had to say.

Milan derby
"Emotionally speaking it's not easy to be ready for such an important match so early on, in the second round of the championship. There are new players and we will see who is the strongest. But let's say that it's for this reason that I'm expecting it to be a very nice match. A classic derby player was Benito Lorenzi, a champion of the past who was the classic player capable of doing everything in the derby. More recently, there's Nicola Berti. He felt the derby in a strong way. I remember him telling me 'president, it's the derby tomorrow. Please, talk to the team, make them understand what it's all about'. In the current team, Dejan Stankovic is an example of a player who really feels the derby so I hope he does well tomorrow."

Champions League draw
"Getting Barcelona and Ibrahimovic is fantastic. These things happen in football. The same thing happened to Milan with Kaka. It's very strange but it's wonderful because it responds to everyone's desire to see how things are. Sure, there will be some difficult games for us, but it's the same for Barcelona and also Real Madrid and Milan. The clash between Barcelona and Inter isn't the only important match though because the other two teams in Group F are very strong. I think it's a very hard group."

José Mourinho
"Mourinho is a great professional. He does his job very well, he prepares the players well during the week, he has a clear idea of this kind of work, on both an individual and collective level, and this is his best talent. He is complete and a victory always comes from this. I loved his 'noise of the enemies' definition. Mourinho is good at this too - finding just two words to make things clear. I told him I really like the way in which he said it. He looked at me very seriously, as if to say 'it's obvious'. Mourinho gives the right importance to the derby. He's very quiet before matches. He's very careful and concentrated. He thinks a lot about the match."

Wesley Sneijder
"I think we needed a player with the necessary class to support the two strikers. Having him gives the team an extra chance, with all the merit that all the other players have because they won last year and they are showing great determination this year too."

By:Garry Cage

Cannavaro: «I saw a good Juve especially during the first half»

Cannavaro: «I saw a good Juve especially during the first half»

Amongst the players who performed excellently in the match against Chievo is another “debutant”: Fabio Cannavaro. The captain of the azzurri, returned to Juventus after three years at Real Madrid and immediately fit in with the plans of Ciro Ferrara. The defence however also saw Buffon and Chiellini in excellent condition.

Starting from Cannavaro, here are his comments:«We managed to hold the 1-0 and win the match but we must be more cruel and score more. I saw a good Juve especially during the first half with a great Diego at the disposal of his team mates. The second half saw us be a bit too long but we managed to win and that’s what is important».

The Cannavaro who played against Chievo seems to never have left the bianconeri even though he himself declared it would not be easy to get back to the levels reached in 2006. « It is hard to reach the levels of 2006 but i will do my best to be useful to the team. It was nice to come back and find the hunger for victory. It is nice to have fit into this defence. It is thanks to my team mates».

A final consideration by the defence stalwart: «We tried to keep the ball in their area. It was not easy and sometimes we risked in trying to do so».

Buffon left the field with a clean sheet (his third consecutive one in an official match since Ferrara took over as coach). «The most important thing that we did not concede goals especially after the many conceded last year because it increases self-esteem. The defence played well never giving Chievo room for initiative. Even Fabio (Cannavaro) did a few good things which stopped them from creating problems».

The second half, especially in the dying minutes saw Chievo creating a few worries to the bianconeri’s defence: «In the last minutes I think we were a bit scared but we managed to hold on to the result. Today the 3 points were important. I think we have the honesty to say that we had a good first half but the second half could have been better and this means that we still have room for improvement. At the end of the day it is the defenders who help the goalkeeper realize how happy they are».

There is room for improvement according to Super Gigi: « We must improve the team work even in the defence because in the second half we were a bit too high and in such situations a rebound can create problems».

Finally a word by Chiellini: «We are happy with this victory which allows us to start-off on the right foot in this championship. In the first half we played really well while in the second we were a bit too long and risked more but we managed to close every space».

By:Blanco stut

Ferrara: «Three important points and a great first half»

Ferrara: «Three important points and a great first half»

Three official matches and three victories for Ciro Ferrara since he took over the team at the end of last season. The Juventus coach, however, does not choose to speak of this, perhaps even due to superstition, and concentrates on the victory against Chievo «which bring three important points and especially the satisfaction to have seen the team playing well satisfying me in the first half because they played an excellent match» stated Ferrara who went on: «In the second half we were a bit tired. Another reason to be satisfied was having seen players who last year had problems like Poulsen and Tiago, playing an excellent match».

Obviously one cannot help but feel satisfied with Fabio Cannavaro’s debut complete with applause following the summer controversy: «It was not easy for him but I had no doubt that he would have played as best he knows and I am not even surprised by the applauses because the supporters know he is a champion and that his contribution is important».

After having commented «the excellent first half by Diego, who then decreased a bit in the second, as was imaginable, since he has been working only for two weeks on full-time with the team», the absence of Del Piero «who is still suffering of back pains» and the part-time employment of Camoranesi «who is recovering from an ankle injury and so not in the best condition», Ferrara answered the question about the advantage over Inter, who drew against Bari: «It does not count much. There is still a long way to go».

By:barry kelvin

Felipe Melo and Diego available. 21 depart for Roma match

Felipe Melo and Diego available. 21 depart for Roma match

As foreseen Felipe Melo and Diego have recovered from their respective muscular problems and are available for the away match in Rome which will also see the particpation of Sebastian Giovinco who is now back with the group. Hasan Salihamidzic will not make it after failing to recover from the blow to the ankle suffered against Chievo. In all 21 players have been called-up for the match against Roma:

Below is the complete list:

1 Buffon
2 Caceres
3 Chiellini
4 Felipe Melo
5 Cannavaro
8 Marchisio
9 Iaquinta
10 Del Piero
11 Amauri
12 Chimenti
13 Manninger
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
18 Poulsen
19 Molinaro
20 Giovinco
21 Grygera
28 Diego
29 De Ceglie
30 Tiago
33 Legrottaglie

By:galuco marco

Forced Retirement

Fiorentina Striker Adrian Mutu Forced To Retire From Football Over Chelsea Compensation - Report

The striker will be forced to quit football by Chelsea if he doesn't pay the compensation within the next 48 hours, according to reports in Italy...

Adrian Mutu will be forced to quit football by Chelsea if he doesn't pay them the €17,173,990 compensation he was ordered to by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the race is now on to try and save his career, according to La Nazione.

Mutu has until Monday to pay Chelsea the compensation. If he doesn't, then the Premier League side will force the player to quit by applying to FIFA for a ban.

The race is now on to try and find a solution and the report suggests Mutu is looking at every avenue. It is said Fiorentina and the player's legal team are looking towards UEFA and the European Courts for a hand. Furthermore, voices in Italy claim Chelsea are in no mood to offer the player a chance to find the cash. He either pays, or stops playing football, putting his career at risk.

News emerging from Italy has shocked the country, and Florence in particular. The Della Valle family who own Fiorentina are also getting involved and they have applied to the Italian FA to support them. Italian minister for work Maurizio Sacconi is urging the Berlusconi-led government to take action in an attempt to save the player's career.

"The Mutu case is delicate and I urge the government to get involved," said the minister.

It is also said Juventus and Livorno are ready to back Mutu in his plea for justice. There are serious fears that the game against Palermo tomorrow night could be his last. The player's legal team and club are working over time in an attempt to explore new avenues and buy him more time.

As a last resort, the paper has even suggested a fund raising event in the city in an attempt to help the striker pay the massive sum.

All this comes from the player's sacking by Chelsea in October 2004 when he was found positive for cocaine during a doping test. Mutu was then ordered to pay Chelsea €17m in damages after the CAS rejected an appeal following the initial compensation decision last year.

In May 2008, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that Mutu had committed a breach of contract whilst at Chelsea after he was found positive for a doping test in 2004.

Mutu appealed to the CAS against the decision, but the panel upheld the original judgement by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, and ruled in favour of Chelsea. The decision means Mutu will have to pay the Premier League side a total of €17,173,990 in compensation.

The striker is now trying desperately to find a solution and it is said he will take the case to the high courts.

Fiorentina are also concerned over the prospect of losing their star player as they will stand to receive no compensation should he be suspended and/or retire.

By:Salvatore Landolina

Leaving out Eduardo 'crossed my mind'

Arsène Wenger says leaving out Eduardo from Saturday's match at Manchester United has "crossed his mind” in the wake of the penalty controversy surrounding the striker this week.

The Croatian has been charged by Uefa with "intent to cause an official to make an incorrect decision" following the Champions League tie against Celtic and the Arsenal boss has mulled over whether to omit the 26-year-old this weekend.

"It crosses your mind," said Wenger at this press-match press conference. "I don’t know, I just imagine him walking out at Old Trafford and the first tackle him going down. There can be some restrictions there [in his mind]."

By Nick Teale

Usain Bolt Stunes Bernabeu

Fastest Man On Earth, Usain Bolt, To Kick Off Real Madrid - Deportivo Clash

The Bernabeu welcomes a very quick special guest this evening...

World champion Usain Bolt, regarded by many as the greatest sprinter in history, will kick off Real Madrid's new season later tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

According to Real Madrid's official website and Marca, Bolt will make his way down to the pitch prior to the game to kick off the match, and then head up to the Presidential Box where he will watch the game alongside other VIPs.

Bolt, a long declared fan of Los Blancos, recently broke the world record for both the 100 and 200 metres sprint in Berlin this summer, and will arrive from Zurich to Madrid this afternoon. A press conference feautring Bolt will be held at the stadium the following morning at 11:00 CET.

The Jamaican sprinter joins the illustrious list of Real Madrid fans who are also world renowned athletes, alongside F1 champion Fernando Alonso and tennis star Rafa Nadal.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso will make their official debuts tonight in what will be a star-studded line-up by the Meringues.

By:Feras Saad

KYRGIAKOS STARTS VERSUS BOLTON

Sotirios Kyrgiakos will make his Liverpool debut in today's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium - a game you can listen to live on Liverpoolfc.tv from 2.30pm BST.

The Greek centre-back starts alongside Jamie Carragher at the heart of the Reds' defence, while Albert Riera is also included in the starting XI for the first time this season. Peter Gulacsi takes his place on the bench in place of Diego Cavalieri, with the Reds' Brazilian goalkeeper having flown home following the death of his father. Liverpool team in full: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Gulacsi, Voronin, Benayoun, Plessis, Kelly, Skrtel, Dossena.

By:Jame Caroll

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

90°

And that's the final whistle! Chelsea go top!

86°

KALOU!!! What a clearance from Mears! Jensen was committed and beaten by a lofted Kalou finish, however, Mears got back to take the ball from the line!

85°

Brian Jensen has stayed down following a clash with Bikey; Anelka was in the box again, winning a corner with a shot from an awkward angle.

82°

An offside goal for Chelsea! Michael Ballack slots a through ball into Nicolas Anelka, who makes no mistake in beating Jensen. However, he was indeed offside. It's Ballack's last act, as he is replaced by Mikel...

82°

Substitution Michael Ballack Jon Obi Mikel

78°

Substitution Robbie Blake Fernando Alexander Guerrero

77°

ESSIEN AGAIN!! The Ghana international lashed a left-footer on target but a tremendous flying save denied him a great goal! What a performance from the Dane this afternoon!

76°

Substitution Didier Drogba Salomon Kalou

75°

Didier Drogba is replaced by his compatriot, Salomon Kalou for the last 15 minutes..

74°

Substitution Graham Alexander Kevin McDonald

70°

Fletcher! Steven Fletcher found space outside the Chelsea area and dragged his shot off target. It was a rare step forward for the Clarets, who have been on the back foot for the entire second half! Essien, Drogba and others have all had efforts repelled....

67°

ESSIEN!! The midfielder drove from deep and forced a magnificent save from Jensen!

66°

Substitution Bosingwa Juliano Belletti

65°

Juliano Belletti will come on for Chelsea, as a replacement for Jose Bosingwa...

60°

Drogba, spinning inside the area, could not control his volley and it's ended up with the fans...

59°

Joey Gudjonsson replaces Martin Paterson...

59°

Substitution Martin Paterson Joey Gudjonsson

55°

Ballack, through ball to Anelka, and it should have been four! The pass was weighted nicely but Anelka, screening from Bikey, could do no better than hit the crossbar!

52°

Goal Ashley Cole

52°

ASHLEY COLE!!! It's 3-0!!! A wonderful strike!!! Cole played a lovely one-two with Frank Lampard and as the midfielder's lofted pass came over the top, Cole aimed a rocket of a left-footed volley into the top corner! A fine goal!

49°

Drogba! He aims the free-kick over the top!

49°

Yellow Card Tyrone Mears

48°

Tyrone Mears is booked for a slack challenge on Ashley Cole...

47°

Goal Michael Ballack

47°

MICHAEL BALLACK HAS DOUBLED CHELSEA'S MONEY!!! Nicolas Anelka finds Frank Lampard on the overlap and he chips a cross into the area; Ballack was unmarked to nod his second of the season! That should be that for the Blues!

45° +2

And that's half-time!

45° +1

ANELKA HAS GIVEN CHELSEA THE LEAD!!! Didier Drogba was released with a magnificent through-ball by Essien and he raced into the area, squared the ball for Anelka, who was arriving at pace to slide his side into the lead! 1-0!!!

45° +1

And we're back! Burnley kick-off and are seeking an equaliser at Fortress Stamford Bridge!

45°

Goal Nicola Anelka

43°

Lampard could have put Chelsea in the lead! Drogba found the byline and pulled it back into the six yard box, but Lampard could not straighten out his feet to finish!

39°

Burnley are doing well to be level at this stage, thanks in no small part to Brian Jensen...

35°

Deco! It was on target, but comfortable for Jensen!

33°

Drogba was almost through, as Bikey slipped, but Carlisle covered well as Chelsea sliced through Burnley with a fine through ball from Essien to the Cote D'Ivoire captain...

30°

Chelsea with the territorial advantage, but they can't break through! A long cross is cushioned by Terry onto the volley of Lampard, but again, Jensen is resolute!

25°

Terry! The corner dropped to the captain, but his powerful effort was straight at the big Dane!

23°

Drogba wins a corner after a strong run! He beats Bikey and tries to bend it around Mears, but it deflects for a corner!

20°

Ballack! Great save from Jensen! Deco with a threaded through pass and the Germany captain wriggled free of Bikey before attempting to chip the big goalkeeper! Good stop...

17°

Nice move Chelsea! Terry's through ball allowed Drogba to feed Lampard with a back-heel on the edge of the box; the midfielder's pass for Anelka was overcooked, and Jensen smothered!

15°

Chelsea put some more pressure on; it's Ballack on the right crossing for Anelka, but his glancing header went off target...

12°

Lampard! It was Anelka who fed a low cross into the area but Bikey charged down the effort from Frank Lampard! It's been an open game thus far!

10°

Burnley should have had the lead! Tyrone Mears picked Frank Lampard's pocket and charged on goal; he squared for Martin Paterson, who somehow fired off target with the goal at his mercy. A wake-up call for the Blues!

8°

Chris McCann! Back come Burnley and the midfielder gets his left-footed shot away from just outside the Chelsea area. It was just over though! A chance, nonetheless!

7°

Anelka should have scored! Andre Bikey lost possession and allowed Anelka to gallop freely on goal; he took on Jensen, who saved bravely at his feet! There wasn't much conviction in Anelka's effort!

6°

Drogba! It's high, wide and not so handsome!

5°

Graham Alexander fouls Michael Ballack on the edge of the area and Chelsea have a set piece chance...

4°

Ballack drives into the Burnley area and crossed for Anelka, but the Frenchman was a lunge away from making contact with the ball. Burnley under the kosh here in the opening stages...

3°

Anelka! Good strike from Nicolas Anelka. He found space outside the area and bent one into the midriff of Brian Jensen. Comfortable save...

2°

Jose Bosingwa feeds a low cross towards Didier Drogba, who was blocked off by Clarke Carlisle, and couldn't make significant purchase. Goal kick...

Chelsea kick off from right to left in a sun-drenched Stamford Bridge

By:scott cruise