December 30, 2006
By Rory Dollard Special to PA SportsTicker

Fulham exposed Chelsea's defensive deficiencies again as the champions were held to another 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side, sorely missing injured duo John Terry and Petr Cech, are now six points behind Manchester United after the Premiership leaders beat Reading 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Moritz Volz got the match off to a marvellous start for Fulham, drilling home the 15,000th goal in Premiership history – via Paulo Ferreira's leg – to give the Cottagers the lead.
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Neil Johnston
December 30, 2006

LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal's disappointing year ended predictably in frustration when Christian Nade's first Premiership goal earned struggling Sheffield United a deserved 1-0 victory over Arsene Wenger's side at Bramall Lane.

Nade, a free signing from Troyes in the summer, was only starting because of a long list of injuries yet the 22-year-old responded to his rare chance in the spotlight by smashing a 40th-minute winner.
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Andrew Fifield
December 30, 2006

LONDON (AFP) – Luis Garcia gave Liverpool's Champions League hopes a timely lift after he sealed a scrappy 1-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The Spaniard stabbed home from close range in first-half injury time to exorcise the memories of the Merseysiders' limp defeat at Blackburn on Boxing Day and lift them to fourth in the Premiership table, ahead of Arsenal's trip to Sheffield United in Saturday's late match.
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Ian Winrow
December 30, 2006

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo continued his remarkable scoring streak with two more goals that ensured Manchester United secured a 3-2 victory over Reading to move six points clear of Chelsea in the Premiership title race.

A first half header from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set Sir Alex Ferguson's side on course for three points and while the visitors replied through Ibrahima Sonko and a late strike from Leroy Lita, United held on to ensure the veteran manager can enjoy his 65th birthday celebrations on New Year's eve safe in the knowledge his side are in a commanding position in this season's title race.
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December 29, 2006

LONDON (AFP) – Julio Baptista will emerge from the ranks of Arsenal undertstudies by starting in Saturday's Premier League match away to Sheffield United after Gunners manager Arsene Wenger revealed a lengthy injury list.

Alexander Hleb and Theo Walcott have joined Boxing Day casualties Emmanuel Adebayor and Johan Djourou on the sidelines along with the already-injured Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Emmanuel Eboue, Freddie Ljungberg and Abou Diaby.
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12/29/2006
lastkick.com

Hi fans, this is an excellent tribute to the man himself, yes I am talking about non other than Diego Armando Maradona. Look for his goals against England and Belgium during the 86 World Cup, and the “Hand of God” goal is there too!

12/29/2006
the-afc.com

DOHA: The youth teams of eight nations will take part in the Friendship Cup here in the Qatari capital from January 21-30.

The teams have been drawn into two groups of four each with Group A comprising hosts Qatar, Japan, South Africa and the UAE while Group B has Korea Republic, Egypt, Iran and Belarus.

The top two teams from both groups will move to the last four. All the participating teams are preparing for the qualifying rounds of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

12/28/2006
Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has much to ponder as he prepares his side for Saturday's local derby against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

His defence is leaking alarmingly in the absence of injured skipper John Terry, playmaker Joe Cole has a fractured foot and winger Arjen Robben is struggling to be fit.
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Ian Whittell
December 26, 2006

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable holiday period continued at Old Trafford when he scored twice within four minutes of appearing as a half-time substitute in Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Wigan, to put the Premiership leaders four points clear.
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Wednesday December 27, 2006
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge, The Guardian

The rivalry with Manchester United may be no more than runner-up to the Premiership's most gripping struggle of all. Chelsea's battle with themselves could exercise a greater fascination still and yesterday they were unable to overcome the skittishness that has become so glaring. This time there was no winner at the very end, as there had been against Everton and Wigan, and the club are now four points adrift of United.
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