USA and England both go through with 1-0 wins

Epic, truly epic,  with tears in my eyes I write these reports having just seen Landon Donovan score USA's last gasp goal. 
Here's how group C stands after the two results:

USA           (5)
England     (5)
Slovenia     (4)
Algeria      (1)


USA - Algeria

Donovan's epic tap-in

What can I say, the USA have done it again, an epic comeback after having a goal (wrongly) disallowed. It was USA all the way as they piled on the pressure against Algeria, constantly making chances which somehow didn't end up in the back of the net. And then, when the goal was disallowed, I thought conspiracy, but if there's a team which can fight past anything, it's the US of A! After the 90 minutes the USA have hit posts and the goalie too many times, it's injury time and the USA are still pushing for the winner. Donovan follows up on a goal-mouth scramble and scores, an epic win to say the least.

Slovenia - England


Just like Capello said, this England team finally clicked, the shackles were off, and they played with freedom. They found the back of the net with Defoe in the 23rd, cross swung in, Defoe anticipates and taps the ball with his foot past the goal-keeper. England did not play a pretty game, while they started off well, it was a boring game, I wouldn't have watched it if it was between any two other teams. England almost created another goal after their first, but Handanovic did well, and Defoe also wasted a good opportunity. Rooney hit the post in the second half as his run of poor form continues and Slovenia almost got the equalizer. England were the better team no doubt and I'm glad they've gone through.

Good News Bad News Friday: Jim Lovetoy Wonderblog and Donovan Returning to MLS

This is the first installment of the weekly Good News Bad News Friday, it's quite simple: every Friday SWU will find some good, and some bad to report, whether it be tabloid gossip or player injuries. And now on with the news...

Good News: Jim Lovetoy has a wonderblog


Jim Lovetoy's blog is probably the funniest football blog around right now, bringing memories of the fantastic Ballack and Neville diaries (if you haven't read those then search em up) the Lovetoy blog on The Football Ramble site is hilarious. With fantastic Chelsea bias, it has lines like,

"Chelsea will score first, second, third, fourth, fifth, but the score will remain at 0-0 as the officials will contrive a way to disallow each goal."

This is probably the best footy comedy blog around, so check it out at http://www.thefootballramble.com/blog.asp and follow Jim Lovetoy on Twitter at @JimLovetoyTFR.

Bad News: Donovan returns to MLS after Birmingham match


Donovan will be returning to the MLS to play for the LA Galaxy after the Birmingham City match, although there is some speculation that the USA captain could stay, it is unlikely and it would mean that the MLS strike continues. As an American I have loved following Landon throughout his Everton experiences, and Donovan says that he will certainly return to England, until then he will be an LA Galaxy player.

Real Latch onto Barcelona and Inter held to a draw

This weekend was filled with cup action in England, allowing footy fans to watch leagues from around the world. And the only Premiership match that took place was one in which an American scored, hoping that Donovan can continue with Everton.

In England, Everton - Hull City finished 5-1 for the toffees, Arteta netted two, with Donovan scoring one and giving a great assist for Rodwell. Hull scored with Cairney, but Garcia put one past Myhill in an unlucky own goal created by Arteta. The other Premiership fixture was Wigan - Liverpool which finished Wigan 1 Liverpool 0, Torres missed great chances, and eventually Rodallega put one away to make sure that Wigan stay firmly out of the relegation zone.

Roma - AC Milan


Both teams were desperate to gain some points, but in the end they basically cancelled each other out, Roma started with vigour, Julio Baptista shot a rocket in the first ten minutes which swerved towards the top right corner, only to be saved by a brilliant Abbiati. But after their strong start, Roma lost their pace, and Milan started to grow in confidence, raising the tempo of the match which hurt the tired Roma side. Vucinic tried to make the difference but AC Milan was the dominant force throughout the rest of the match, and although they didn't capitalize on their chances, Milan look ready to face Manchester United in midweek.

In Italy, Juventus continue their chase for Champions League football after defeating Fiorentina 2-1, a great goal by Diego, rounding Frey to tap it in, and a powerful close range shot by Grosso let Juventus push for the fourth spot. Inter Milan were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa, Balotelli started, and disappointed, the youngster slowed down the tempo of the game constantly diving and attracting fouls, and eventually when he was actually fouled in the box, the ref refused to acknowledge it, thinking of it as another dive. Sampdoria came back to win 2-1 against an everfalling Lazio, Floccari started the scoring, but a rocket by Guberti, and a goal by Pazzini helped Sampdoria claim three important points.

In Spain, Real Madrid latch onto Barcelona after an epic 3-2 comeback against Sevilla, Real went two down after Xabi Alonso netted an unfortunate own goal, and Dragutinovic scored, seemingly giving Sevilla the win. But in four minutes Real Madrid were level, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first in the 60th with Sergio Ramos following in the 64th. Then it was super-sub Van der Vaart who was able to squeeze the ball past Palop in the 93rd minute who gave his side a fantastic win. Barcelona had a slip rarely seen, away to Almeria Barcelona drew 2-2,  Domingo Cisma gave Almeria the lead in the 12th minute, but Messi equalized twice after Puyol let in an own goal. One goal was a beautiful free kick by the Argentinian, just a half step, and the chip swerved beautifully into the back of the net, but what probably stopped Barcelona from winning was Ibrahimovic's direct red card in the 61st, leaving Barcelona to watch Real Madrid latch onto them at the top of the table.

What do you think of this week's action? Comment below!

Everton Overpower Manchester United and Real-Ronaldo Pummels Villareal

This weekend must be described as liberating for me, not only is an american finally proving his worth abroad, Landycakes at Everton, but we are finally seeing some fantastic football by Real Madrid, guided by its galacticos.

Real Madrid - Villareal

We start at the Santiago Bernabeu, Manuel Pellegrini was under a lot of pressure after the Lyon loss, and it seemed that Villareal was finally rising up the tables in La Liga, but a spectacular free kick by Ronaldo in the 18th minute seemed to put the game to bed, and only 2 minutes later Kaka' put a penalty away. Then Marcos Senna scored a fantastic free kick to keep Villareal in the match, but Higuain promptly puts away a goal after halftime. Nilmar scores for Villareal, but the game was definitely over after Higuain scored another in the 71st minute, and Kaka' and Xabi Alonso followed soon after making the final score, 6-2.

In Spain, Barcelona had no trouble facing Racing Santander who recently had their young starlet, Sergio Canales, bought by Real Madrid, Barca scored four to keep themselves five points ahead Real Madrid. Mallorca's fantastic run ends against Sevilla, a 3-1 victory, but the talking points were the two red cards to Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo and Zokora, and Mallorca's Ramis. David Villa scores two to make sure Valencia get past Getafe 2-1, and Almeria beat a disappointing Atletico Madrid.

In England, Everton beat Manchester United, 3-1, the red devils were overpowered by Everton and its teamwork, Rooney was disappointing and it seems that Chelsea could run away with the title after winning against Wolves 2-0. Arsenal rise up to beat Sunderland 2-0, and Aston Villa have a fantastic match against Burnley with the final score being 5-2 for Villa. Manchester City and Liverpool had a terrivle match between them, the final score 0-0, the two teams were scared of giving up anything, taking out any excitement from the match. Tottenham continue their romp to fourth place after beating Wigan 3-0 thanks to two goals by the controversial Pauvlychenko, who although is disliked by Redknapp, the Russian can only score goals.

In Italy, Genoa find their form against an ever-sinking Udinese who has re-signed Marino as it's coach, Genoa beat Udinese 3-0 thanks to two goals by Acquafresca and one by Palacio. Inter Milan lose more points against Sampdoria after Cordoba and Samuel were sent off, leaving the nerazzurri in nine men, the two teams drew 0-0. All the teams chasing Inter were able to nab wins, Roma beat Catania 1-0, Juventus beat Bologna 2-1, and AC Milan beat Bari 2-0 after a fantastic bicycle kick by Borriello.

What do you think of this week's action? Comment below!

Major European Leagues Wrap Up: *MLS Special* Real Salt Lake Beat LA Galaxy to Claim MLS Cup

This week was full of action, in which the MLS Cup was conquered by Real Salt Lake.


*MLS SPECIAL*

The MLS Cup between LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake ended in an epic penalty shootout, both teams put heart into the game, but in the end, Real Salt Lake prevailed in the shootout, claiming the 14th MLS Cup. In the first half Magee scored for the LA Galaxy, but Findley is able to get one back for Real Salt Lake. 90 minutes passed, and 30 minutes of extra time, still can't separate these two sides, in the penalty shootout Donovan misses, allowing Real Salt Lake to claim the MLS Cup. Even though Beckham has to return to Milan, he'll return in tears, having missed an important trophy to win over american fans.

In England, an amazing week with wonderful score lines and great upsets for the Premiership, an epic 9-1 for Tottenham Hotspur against Wigan, a super Defoe which bagged five goals almost completing the double hat trick. Wigan has said that they will refund the traveling fans using the players salaries, this wonderful win allows Tottenham to move to fourth, three points clear of Aston Villa. Portsmouth lost 1-0 to Stoke City, leaving Portsmouth manager Paul Hart to be sacked, and probably replaced by Avram Grant. Sunderland overcome a Van Persie-less Arsenal 1-0, and Hull City drew a fantastic game 3-3 against West Ham United. Chelsea against Wolverhampton Wanderers finishes 4-0 for the blues, but more importantly, three youngsters had their debut for Chelsea, one of them being Gael Kakuta who showed a lot of promise.

In Italy, Inter Milan have no trouble with Bologna, a simple 3-1 win, but Maicon receives a red for badmouthing an official which will make him miss the next two Serie A matches, and with Santon out this could heavily affect the neroazzurri against Juventus. Parma continue their great run by beating Fiorentina 3-2, a wonderful display of both teams, and if Parma continue like this, they might be in for a Europa League spot. Totti returns to Roma with a hat trick, one penalty, and two fantastic goals lead Roma to a 3-1 victory over Bari. AC Milan show strength and determination beating a super Cagliari 4-3, the seven goal thriller had spectacular play by both sides, and Cagliari will be disappointed to come out of this match without a point.

In Spain, Real Madrid take first place in La Liga thanks to a 1-0 win over Racing Santander, a goal by Higuain sets them up well for what should be a fantastic "El Classico" against Barcelona next weekend. Barcelona instead give up two points against Athletic Bilbao, a 1-1 draw could be dangerous, especially with "El Classico" coming up. Valencia beat Osasuna and Villareal beat Real Valladolid, while Atletico Madrid are unable to find their form. An early goal by Sergio Aguero in the game against Real Deportivo La Coruna should have let Atletico win, but a Deportivo came back to win 2-1.

What do you think of this week's action? Comment below!