Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!

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Mark Lawrenson Capital One Cup Final watch

28 February 2016

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15' Debuchy (N) booked
16' Goal!! 1-0 Jackson Martinez
19' Goal!! 1-1 Eduardo Salvio
38' Smyth (L) booked
39' Goal!! 1-2 Luis Suarez
41' Susaeta (L) injured
41' Debuchy (N) booked - sent off
45' Goal!! 1-3 Loic Remy
Half Time
61' Goal!! 1-4 Kurt Zouma
62' Capoue (L) booked
63' Knowles (L) booked
85' Witsel (L) booked
88' Witsel (L) booked - sent off
Full Time

FINAL SCORE: Leeds 1-4 Newcastle

What an eventful, passionate match! Leeds gave it their all and they certainly had a chance after Newcastle right back Mathieu Debuchy got sent off for the second consecutive Capital One Cup Final with two yellow cards in the first half - but the Magpies were much better and scored two more despite being a man down. This means Newcastle have now completed a double by adding the Capital One Cup to the Community Shield - and it is also the third time running they win this cup! Manager Dimiter Hristov is yet unbeaten in this competition! Now let's take a look at match stats and individual performances:

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Capital One Cup 2015/16 - holders Newcastle!​
 
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February Watch

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Premier League Table

The Contenders:

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Manchester City (1st; 72pts; +54) - the Citizens picked up 12 points this month and overcame Newcastle to step on the summit on merit of a single goal!
Player of the month: Cristiano Ronaldo 8.66
4 Current first team injuries:
Pablo Zabaleta - 3 months (damaged achilles tendon)
Lucas Leiva - 9-14 days (dislocated jaw)
Lionel Messi - 1-2 days (gashed lower leg)
Sergio Aguero - 10-14 days (hernia)

Newcastle (2nd; 72pts; +53) - the Magpies picked up 10 points this month which saw them surrender their top position to Man City!
Player of the month: Kurt Zouma 7.82
2 Current first team injuries:
Javi Martinez - 10-21 days (strained knee ligaments)
Markus Grimm - 5-9 days (groin strain)

Chelsea (3rd; 72pts; +48) - the Blues picked up 12 points this month and even though they remain third, they are on joint points with Man City and Newcastle now - but need to work on improving their goal difference!
Player of the month: David Luiz 7.72
3 Current first team injuries:
Mats Hummels - 11-21 days (hip injury)
Eliaquim Mangala - 2-3 weeks (achilles tendonitis)
Nathaniel Chalobah - 4-5 months (broken leg)

Manchester United (4th; 68 pts; +45) - the Red Devils picked up 9 points but an away loss to Chelsea truly harmed their title chances as they are now four points behind the leading three teams.
Player of the month: Javier Hernandez 7.82
4 Current first team injuries:
Nemanja Vidic - 10-14 days (sports hernia)
Nani - 1-3 days (torn calf muscle)
Wayne Rooney - 5-8 weeks (torn calf muscle)
Robin van Persie - 3 months (torn calf muscle)

Tottenham (5th; 47pts; +15) - Spurs picked up just 5 points this month but they are still solid in fifth and only need to make sure they don't allow any of those behind them get closer.
Player of the month: Miralem Pjanic 8.22
2 Current first team injuries:
Paulinho - 9-12 days (gashed lower leg)
Giacomo Bonaventura - 2-3 months (torn hamstring)

Arsenal (6th; 43pts; +12) - the Gunners picked up 7 points and climbed another position in the table - they are edging closer and closer to rivals Tottenham and can look to attack them in the run in of the season!
Player of the month: Ben Davies 7.36
4 Current first team injuries:
Gerard Pique - 3-4 weeks (double hernia)
Nicolas Nkoulou - 2-3 days (bruised thigh)
Gael Clichy - 2 months (torn knee ligaments)
Victor Wanyama - 9-12 days (groin strain)

Other teams to watch:​

Stoke (7th) - the Potters still appear to be the most likely challenger for Europa League qualification outside the predicted top dogs.

Blackburn (11th) - the promoted club maintained their position in the table and can aim at top ten finish!

Leeds (13th) - the promoted club climbed two more positions in the table but are just 2 points above the drop zone.

Liverpool (15th) - the promoted club climbed 2 positions in the table this month but it is a single point between them and relegation at the moment!

Nottingham Forest, Swansea and Crystal Palace occupy the bottom three - the former two are everything but doomed with just a single point between them and safety but Palace are now nine under and need a miracle to get out.

February Player of the Month:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester City)
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February Young Player of the Month:
Anthony Martial (Hull)
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February Manager of the Month:
Jurgen Klopp (Manchester City)
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Leading Goalscorers:
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v the Hoff

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

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This week he takes on American actor, singer, producer, businessman and Manchester City fan David Hasselhoff. David is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch. Hasselhoff also produced Baywatch for a number of seasons in the 1990s up until 2001. He also crossed over to a music career during the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s. He was noted for his performance at the Berlin Wall at New Year's Ever 1989; he enjoyed a short-lived success as a singer primarily in German-speaking Europe. More recently, Hasselhoff has been involved with talent shows. He was a judge on America's Got Talent from 2006 to 2009. In 2011 he joined the Britain's Got Talent judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Michael McIntyre.

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Lawro vs Manchester City fan David Hasselhoff

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A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Leeds - Manchester City
David Hasselhoff: It was about time we come out of the shadows and take top spot, I expect us to keep it now. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll back Leeds to produce a surprise here, they spent heavily and have some quality in their team. 1-1.

Manchester United - Stoke
David Hasselhoff: I'll go for an upset - it's the Red Devils after all! 1-2.
Mark Lawrenson: I don't think Man United will allow the Potters to take anything at Old Trafford. 2-0.

Chelsea game already played

Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham games postponed

Last week, Lawro got two results right, with no perfect scores. His score of 2 was too poor to match the predictions of Arsenal fan Spike Lee, who scored 4, managing two correct results with one perfect score.

Total scores after Week Twenty Nine
Lawro: 134
Guests: 110
 
Last edited:
KevinHann said:
Quarter Final Round

Newcastle - Chelsea 3-2
Depay (5, 33), Lamela (45+2); Fabregas (62), Lewandowski (78)​
Click to expand...

Touch wood for that massive first half but the team will be receiving some very harsh pep talk after thinking it is done and dusted at half time! Chelsea had chances to equalize and the last thing we needed was a replay at Stamford Bridge! Elsewhere it's the end of the fairy tale for Preston and all we can hope for is to avoid Arsenal away in the semi!
 
English Title Contenders European Watch
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First Knockout Round Second Leg

Tuesday 8th March 2016:

Napoli - FC Porto 1-0 (3-2)

Newcastle - Benfica 5-0 (8-0)
Donovan (33), Salvio (36, 55), Ben Arfa (68), Hughes (75)
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Wednesday 9th March 2016:

Paris Saint-Germain - Steaua 5-0 (5-1)​

Chelsea - Inter 4-0 (4-0)​
Caulker (19), Cole (pen 24), Falcao (58, 65)
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Second Knockout Round First Leg

Thursday 10th March 2016:

Dinamo Moscow - Swansea 1-1

Barcelona - Tottenham 0-0
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FC Kobenhavn - Arsenal 0-3
Davies (28), Vela (34, 49)
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Real Betis - Manchester United 0-3
Hernandez (29, 37, 65)
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Newcastle announce new intake of youth players

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Rob Lee
Published at 9:06AM, March 12 2016

Newcastle United Head of Youth Development Jason Dodd has informed the Evening Chronicle a new batch of youngsters have arrived at the club's academy. The club has benefited greatly by the various facilities upgrades since manager Dimiter Hristov took over and last year's success with producing fullback Robert Partington has been repeated with the current crop. Billingham born promising midfielder Stephen Welsby (16) has been identified as possibly one of the best players of his generation.

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Stephen Welsby

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There are no other youth players manager Dimiter Hristov has approved for permanent deals although the capture of Welsby will certainly ring a bell with the Geordie faithful as his talent reminds no other than the great Paul Gascoigne. This might be an issue with the manager's preferred formation though as Paul is a natural attacking midfielder and will need to adapt with a deeper role - we will have to wait and see if he makes the grade in the coming years. In the meantime manager Dimiter Hristov has revealed his scouts are already on various trips to check on a number of prospects in other club academies throughout the world just like in the previous year and promised Newcastle will do their best to sign the new Ronaldo and Messi on a long term contract as soon as the summer transfer window opens.
 
the story just gets better and better mate, guardiola a great manager to get liverpool back in the elite, and the tightest ive ever seen the prem at the top!! eventful last 8-9 games.
 
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Adele

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

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This week he takes on English singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist and Tottenham fan Adele. Her first album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It certified four times platinum in the UK, and double platinum in the US. At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Adele received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Her second album, 21, earned her six Grammy awards in 2012, including Album of the Year. It has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK, and held the top position longer than any other album since 1985. In 2011 and 2012 Billboard named Adele Artist of the Year. In 2012 Adele was listed as number five on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music and the American magazine Time named her one of the most influential people in the world. In 2013 she received an Academy Award as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "Skyfall" - written for the twenty-third James Bond film.

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Lawro vs Tottenham fan Adele

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A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Blackburn - Newcastle
Adele: I think Rovers are stronger than given credit for and could deliver a surprise. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: I wouldn't bet against the Magpies considering their great run of form - 1-3.

Manchester United - Manchester City
Adele: I'll go with a draw in this one. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: I think the Citizens will prevail, mainly because I don't see who will score for the Red Devils with their injuries up front. 0-2.

Fulham - Arsenal
Adele: London derby, will be hard for the Gunners. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: I think the Gunners have hit form when it matters and will take this. 1-3.

Tottenham - Chelsea
Adele: I believe we could sneak a point off the Blues at home. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: Can't see past Chelsea in this one, sorry. 1-3.

Last week, Lawro got one result right, with no perfect scores. His score of 1 was a perfect match for the predictions of Manchester City fan David Hasselhoff, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Thirty
Lawro: 135
Guests: 111
 
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Premier League
Round 31

Saturday 12th March 2016:

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Blackburn - Newcastle 0-3
Santon (28), Suarez (40), Depay (49)​
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Manchester United - Manchester City 1-1
Di Maria (21); Jovetic (7)
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Sunday 13th March 2016:

Fulham - Arsenal 0-3
Ozil (45), Cavani (65), Garay (78)
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Monday 14th March 2016:

Tottenham - Chelsea 2-4
Andre Ayew (37), Balotelli (56); Cole (pen 28), Falcao (43), Fabregas (48), Hazard (82), Ramos sent off (84)
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League Table:

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Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2015/16 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Manchester United - Manchester City
1-1
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Gary Lineker: Old Trafford geared up for the second Manchester derby this season with nothing less than a win acceptable for the Red Devils if the title charge was to be renewed. The Citizens also needed a win to stay top of the league and they got off to a brilliant start, Jovetic giving them the lead in the opening ten minutes. The hosts recovered despite the absence of star striker pair and Angel Di Maria equalized soon after. Despite the importance of the result none of the teams pushed real hard for a winner and it ended in a draw.
Alan Hansen: It was strange that neither team showed genuine desire to get the win after the early exchange. It turned into a cagey affair with limited opportunities and David Moyes and Jurgen Klopp seemed satisfied with avoiding a loss. While I agree taking a point off this fixture is important that's not the approach that's going to win you the title and both Manchester clubs took a massive step backwards in that regard.
Alan Shearer: No Man United players grabbed my attention for any reason, good or bad. As for the visitors Jovetic was impressive and lively up front, got the goal for his team and picked up the PoM award. Neuer was pretty solid in goal. Lahm, Silva and especially Modric didn't live up to their usual standard.
Gary Lineker: This draw means Man United are now six points off the top and the Citizens lose top spot to Chelsea and possibly Newcastle - finding themselves 2 points off the new leaders. That's with just 7 games left to play. Man City are still pretty much in it but not in their previous commanding position, but time is quickly running out for the Red Devils.
 

Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2015/16 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Tottenham - Chelsea
2-4
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Gary Lineker: Tottenham welcomed title favorites Chelsea at White Hart Lane needing something to hold off Arsenal in the league table. The Blues already knew the outcome of the Manchester derby and were aware a win would fire them up to the top, at least until Newcastle played their postponed game. The visitors took the lead around the half hour mark when Ashley Cole scored from the spot. Andre Ayew then equalized for Spurs to get the message clear - the hosts wouldn't just roll over. Chelsea took the lead again just before the break with a good Falcao strike, and added another just after thanks to a brilliant Fabregas goal. Balotelli pulled one back and Spurs were really up for a fight but Hazard got the crucial fourth goal for the visitors in the final ten minutes to seal a big win - even though it was spoiled a little by a late red card for Sergio Ramos.
Alan Hansen: This is how a champion should play! Tottenham were the stronger, better, more aggressive team and created more chances than the Blues but Chelsea still won, and did it in a convincing manner! Credit must go to Jose Mourinho and the players who showed the Manchester clubs how you should play when you are chasing the title! Credit to Spurs too for giving it a real try.
Alan Shearer: Andre Ayew was great for Spurs, but Valencia was outright awful and I don't know why they brought him back to England! Hazard picked up the PoM award but Fabregas and Falcao were also great for the Blues.
Gary Lineker: Win at White Hart Lane means the Blues are now top of the league at least until the Magpies play their game in hand. Spurs are now just a single point above Arsenal having played two games more than their rivals and seem unlikely to hold their fifth position.
 
KevinHann said:
Crystal Palace - Newcastle 1-1​
Ngog (47); Donovan (pen 14)​
Click to expand...

Can't believe we managed to slip up in this game!! It seems more and more likely we will need a big result at Stamford Bridge on the last day of the campaign to defend our title - a scenario we just had to avoid! At least the Remy injury is only a minor one and he should be back in contention in a few days...
 
English Title Contenders European Watch​
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First Knockout Round Second Leg

Tuesday 15th March 2016:

Valencia - Besiktas 3-2 (4-3)

Manchester City - Galatasaray 3-2 (6-3)
Ronaldo (21, 66), Gotze (54); Drogba (11), Sneijder (90+1)​
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Wednesday 16th March 2016:


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Juventus - Atletico Madrid 1-0 (1-0)

Lyon - FC Bayern 0-3 (1-6)

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Second Knockout Round Second Leg

Thursday 17th March 2016:

Swansea - Dinamo Moscow 0-0 (1-1)
Swansea win on away goals

Tottenham - Barcelona 2-1 (2-1)
Tottenham win after extra time
Andre Ayew (107), Higuain (119); Samper (113)​
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Arsenal - FC Kobenhavn 1-1 (4-1)
Wanyama (53); Clemmensen (75), Rise sent off (86)​
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Manchester United - Real Betis 2-0 (5-0)​
Hamsik (55), Pogba (88)
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English Title Contenders European Watch
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Quarter Final Draw

Manchester City - Juventus
Newcastle - Valencia
Napoli - Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea - FC Bayern

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Quarter Final Draw

Swansea - Rubin
Lazio - Leverkusen
Arsenal - Tottenham
Manchester United - Spartak Moscow

Semi Final Draw

Swansea/Rubin - Arsenal/Tottenham
Manchester United/Spartak Moscow - Lazio/Leverkusen​
 
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