Premiership Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal report.

Crouch's Hat-trick sinks Arsenal!

Peter Crouch's first hat-trick at club level saw Liverpool leap-frog Arsenal to go third in the Premiership.

The 4-1 victory sends the Liverpool above Arsenal into third spot in the Premiership and Crouch did his England cause no harm with a fine trio - two in the first half and a quality finish for his third after the break. Daniel Agger scored Liverpool's other goal, but a William Gallas effort for Arsenal failed to destroy the feelgood factor at Anfield as new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett watched from the directors' box.

Having been knocked out of both the FA Cup and League Cup by Arsenal in the space of a few days in January, Liverpool were looking to prevent Wenger's side from becoming the first club to beat them at home three times in one season.

Liverpool had failed to score in their previous three outings yet found themselves ahead as early as the fourth minute as Crouch made a memorable return from injury.

Crouch side-footed home from close range after good work from former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant allowed Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa to fire in a low cross to the near post.

Jose Reina did not have a save to make before half time although the Liverpool keeper was relieved to see Emmanuel Adebayor's powerful 17th minute header land on the roof of the net moments after Jamie Carragher's crucial challenge had denied Julio Baptista a chance to equalise.

Liverpool's slick passing and eagerness to press forward at every opportunity had Arsenal pinned inside their own half for long periods and it required a superb stop by Lens Lehmann to prevent the excellent Crouch from making it 2-0 in the 22nd minute. Crouch did not have to wait long for his 15th goal of the season, the seven-million-pound signing from Southampton leaping high to nod Fabio Aurelio's cross beyond the reach of Lehmann to seal the points in the 35th minute.

Arsenal pulled one back on 73 minutes when Fabregas' corner was flicked on by Toure for Gallas to turn over the line from a yard at the far post.But any doubt about the result was ended when Crouch produced nimble footwork to find some space in the box on 81 minutes and fire past Lehmann after excellent work from Pennant and Kuyt set him up.

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch:
"It was pleasing for us to get four goals and beat a class side.

"The manager let us know beforehand we've had some disappointing results against Arsenal this season.

"You don't care how they come but it was a nice hat-trick, I'm pleased with it. It is a special moment."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"We are not certain of being in the top four.

"There is not a big enough gap even if maybe my players felt they had done enough.

"That is not the case. We will have to give our best in every game now, we must win all our home matches and pick up some away wins too.

"My players are now concerned. They did not produce what was expected."

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Pennant, Alonso, Mascherano (Riise 82), Gonzalez (Zenden 69), Gerrard (Kuyt 56), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Fowler.

Booked: Alonso.

Goals: Crouch 4, 35, Agger 60, Crouch 81.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 82), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Diaby (Rosicky 65), Denilson, Julio Baptista (Ljungberg 65), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Senderos.

Booked: Diaby, Lehmann, Fabregas.

Goals: Gallas 73.

Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal goals video:

Premiership, Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

Diaby marks Wenger milestone with victory

Arsene Wenger celebrated his 400th Premiership game in charge of Arsenal with a 1-0 victory at Villa Park on Wednesday night as his team maintained their unbeaten league start to 2007. Also Arsenal overtook Liverpool and moved up into third place in the Premiership!

Abou Diaby's first half goal - after only nine minutes - Diaby is another of the member of the exciting crop of young players Wenger believes can emerge stronger next season and provide a Premiership title threat to Chelsea and Manchester United.

Diaby's second goal for the club - his first had come against Villa in a 5-0 win at Highbury 11 months ago - arrived during a period when they threatened to overrun their hosts. Jérèmie Alaidière's poor finishing and a spirited recovery from Villa after the interval ensured Wenger's side would endure a more demanding evening then they might have envisaged, however, and they needed to show resilience to secure the points that lift them to third.

It took only 10 minutes for Villa to discover that Arsenal's second-string cannot be underestimated. Phil Bardsley was exposed by Diaby's pace on the left, the Frenchman ghosting past the full-back before releasing Julio Baptista. The Brazilian's drive from 25 yards would merely have provided some early action for the ball boy but Diaby's decision to continue his run brought fortuitous reward when he deflected the shot past Thomas Sorensen.

There was no intent on Diaby's part although he raised his arm to celebrate all the same. Arsenal should soon have been rejoicing again. Aliadière raced on to Freddie Ljungberg's measured pass before out-pacing Olof Mellberg only to see his left-foot shot turned around a post by Sorensen. It was a chance that Thierry Henry would surely have taken and the same could be said for two more Aliadière failed to convert before the interval.

The first arrived when Denilson's lofted ball found Aliadière in space on the edge of the area and again he left Mellberg trailing but with Sorensen braced for a shot, the Frenchman trod on the ball. That misfortune was perhaps playing on his mind two minutes before the interval, when Ljungberg's cross picked out the striker, unmarked, at the far post. He duly followed the text book to the letter, heading the ball down but with such power it bounced in front of Sorensen and over the bar.

Wenger looked on with bewilderment. Profligacy is a recurrent theme with Arsenal this season and there was enough of a threat from Villa to suggest that any wastefulness might be punished. John Carew, full of powerful running, had come close to winning a penalty when he was bundled to the ground by Johan Djourou on the edge of the area, though it was his partner in attack, Ashley Young, who had the best opportunity to peg Arsenal back.

Wilfred Bouma, arguably Villa's most improved player this season, bisected the Arsenal right with a deft pass on the edge of the area. Gareth Barry, overlapping with purpose, showed composure and awareness to deliver a perfectly weighted pass into the path of the on-rushing Young but the forward's shot, from no more than 12 yards, was abjectly tame and too near to Jens Lehmann, allowing the Arsenal goalkeeper to comfortably smother.

Lehmann would be in for a far-busier second half as Villa emerged with belief and much greater urgency. Gary Cahill's punt forward encouraged the ever-willing Carew to chase, Lehmann sprinting from his line to hurriedly clear. Within seconds they were driving forward again, Barry's run down the left taking him past Gilberto Silva to the byline only for his whipped cross to elude Gabriel Agbonlahor and run harmlessly across the six-yard box.

Having passed the ball with such control, Arsenal were appearing more and more vulnerable when defending, Lehmann evincing the unease when he failed to claim Young's deep corner. The loose ball hit Diaby and would have crossed the line but for Ljungberg's last-ditch clearance. Back came Villa again, Cahill astutely chesting the ball sideways for Carew to propel a 20-yard volley that flashed inches past the right-hand upright.

Wenger responded by replacing Diaby and the disappointing Baptista with Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky and they appeared to galvanise Arsenal, with Villa's only notable effort on goal in the last quarter coming when Carew's low shot was saved by Lehmann.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Bardsley, Mellberg, Cahill, Bouma, Petrov, McCann (Berger 74), Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew, Young.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Davis, Ridgewell, Moore.

Booked: Cahill.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte, Silva, Djourou, Gallas, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby (Rosicky 63), Julio Baptista (Flamini 65), Aliadiere (Senderos 90).
Subs Not Used: Poom, Walcott.

Booked: Djourou.

Goals: Diaby 10.

Premiership, Aston villa 0-1 Arsenal full match analysis, highlights and post match interviews:

Thierry Henry: I'll be back

Thierry Henry has vouched to bounce back next season for the Gunners after being ruled out for the rest of the season. The Arsenal captain damaged stomach and groin muscles after appearing as a substitute in Wednesday night Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the 29-year-old said: "I am obviously devastated. I will miss the rest of the season. It is a tough end to what has been a difficult season for me. It has been very frustrating.

"But I hope to get back to full fitness soon and will then look forward to having a great season with Arsenal next year."

Henry's comments will momentarily end speculation that the Frenchman has played his last game for the North London club.

It will help convince manager Arsene Wenger that his side's talismanic striker will continue providing his much-needed experience to Arsenal's young side.

Henry has suffered his worst season in six years with the Gunners, after being ruled out for much of the campaign with niggling injuries following a demanding year on the pitch.

His appearance from the bench on during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates, which saw Arsenal crash out 2-1 on aggregate to Ronald Koeman's Dutch side, came after recovering from a foot injury.

A previous problem with his neck had sidelined the skipper for almost two months - his longest period out of an Arsenal shirt.

But Henry remains confident of returning stronger for the Gunners next term, and hopes his young side will continue to grown in his absence.

Her said: "This setback will make me even more determined, yet it has certainly been one thing after another.

"Last season was a very long one for me, right up to the Champions League final and then the World Cup final with France.

"I only had a few weeks' break and then the Premiership started.

"First of all, there was the sciatic nerve problem, which kept me out for a while. Then, most recently of all, the foot injury. Now these injuries against PSV.

"Any player will tell you it is not nice sitting in the stands watching our team play. You would always rather be out there on the pitch.

"But, hopefully, our young team can enjoy a good end to the season.

"People must remember, most of them are still young and they have to be given time."

Champions League, Arsenal 1-1 PSV

Alex sends Gunners out

PSV Eindhoven defender Alex went from villain to hero as his late strike earned a 2-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. Just 25 minutes earlier Alex had scored an own goal which turned the momentum of a tense tie Arsenal's way, but as the clock ticked down Alex crowned an otherwise superb performance with his late intervention at the other end to send PSV's large travelling support wild.

Kolo Toure, deployed at right-back rather than in his usual role at the heart of Arsenal's defence, surged down the wing in the eighth minute. Toure muscled his way past fellow Ivorian Arouna Kone and into the penalty area, but could only shoot harmlessly into the side-netting when a cutback would have opened up PSV's defence.

PSV - whose coach Ronald Koeman masterminded the ousting of Manchester United and Liverpool in last season's tournament when in charge of Benfica - set out to frustrate Arsenal in the first leg and, as Wenger had predicted, they started in similar fashion here. Those cautious tactics allowed the Gunners to dominate possession and they spent most of the first half camped around PSV's penalty area. Emmanuel Adebayor squandered an opening when he failed to control a Cesc Fabregas cross just six yards out and Gomes smothered the danger.

Toure was tormenting Sun Xiang, the first Chinese player to start a Champions League match, and he tested Gomes with a fierce drive from just inside the area, before Adebayor headed wide from Gael Clichy's cross.

With five minutes left of the first half, the visitors felt they had a claim for a penalty. Gilberto struggled to clear a backpass and only managed to fall over before Farfan then followed him on to the turf in a tangle of legs. Luxembourg referee Alain Hamer, though, was having none of it and waved play on.

His half-time team-talk looked to have had the desired affect as it was a bright start by the hosts. Baptista and Sun Xiang tussled on the edge of the penalty area, and the Brazilian took a tumble - but again the referee was unmoved.

Arsenal pulled themselves back into the tie on 58 minutes following a period of sustained pressure. A corner from the left was flicked on at the near post by Adebayor into the six-yard box where Alex, facing his own goal, diverted the ball into the net.
Arsenal almost snatched the overall lead in the tie when Fabregas' long ball up field was completely missed by Carlos Salcido and Adebayor raced clear - but Gomes was out quickly to make a smart save.

Fabregas then fired over from 12 yards, before at the other end Mendez shot wide following good work down the PSV right. With 25 minutes left, Wenger turned to Henry, who replaced Baptista. It needed a flying save from Gomes to keep out a curled free-kick from the Arsenal captain as the home side continued to press for a winner in normal time.

Disaster struck, however, with seven minutes to go. A needless free-kick conceded out on the left touchline by Alexander Hleb was whipped into the area by Mendez. Alex got up above everyone to bullet a header into the far corner to send PSV into the quarter-finals and Arsenal crashing out.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Silva, Gallas, Clichy (Walcott 85), Ljungberg (Diaby 75), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb, Julio Baptista (Henry 66), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Djourou, Aliadiere, Traore.

Booked: Fabregas.

Goals: Alex 58 og.

PSV: Gomes, Salcido, Alex, Feher, Sun, Culina, Mendez (Vayrynen 90), Simons, Farfan (Addo 89), Cocu, Kone (Afellay 41).
Subs Not Used: Moens, Tardelli, Marcellis.

Booked: Feher.

Goals: Alex 83.

Champions League, Arsenal 1-1 PSV extedned highlights and goals:

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Champions league, second day results

Milan 1-0 Celtic

Arsenal 1-1 PSV

Manchester United 1-0 Lille

Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid

Full reports and videos will be added tonight!

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg schedule.

Matchday 8 - Tuesday, 06 March:

Lyon 20:45 Roma
Liverpool 20:45 Barcelona
Chelsea 20:45 Porto
Valencia 20:45 Inter Milan

Matchday 8 - Wednesday, 07 March:

Milan 20:45 Celtic
Arsenal 20:45 PSV
Manchester United 20:45 Lille
Bayern Munich 20:45 Real Madrid

For the Cmapions league Full coverage please click here
First day matches reports and videos are now available click here now!

Premiership, Arsenal 2-1 Reading

Gunners back to winning ways

Arsenal moved to within one point of third-placed Liverpool with a deserved but, at the end, nervous victory. Cesc Fabregas mis-kicked in front of an open goal but Gilberto Silva put Arsenal in front from the penalty spot after Andre Bikey fouled Gael Clinchy.

This was a worthy victory for Arsenal, yet the afternoon began with Arsenal team in their default setting of seething frustration, dominating possession but struggling to expose chinks in a tightly-packed defence.

Shorn of Emmanuel Adebayor and Thierry Henry, their finishing was painfully profligate, with Cesc Fabregas the biggest culprit. Barely a minute had passed when the Spaniard was set up by Alexander Hleb, but his touch deserted him and Andre Bikey raced back to whip the ball from his toes. Then, in the 29th minute, Fabregas missed a chance that will give him sleepless nights for weeks to come. After James Harper failed to clear a loose ball, Baptista seized possession and squared to Fabregas four yards out. The 19-year-old swung his right boot but missed his shot entirely, the ball bouncing off his standing leg before bobbling clear.

In the 50th minute, Bikey, desperately attempting to keep up with the livewire Denilson, appeared to pull back at Denilson's shirt before becoming entangled with his legs. It was enough to convince Chris Foy, the referee, to award a penalty which Gilberto converted with surgical precision.

A second goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 61st minute. After a Reading corner had fizzled out, Arsenal streaked downfield at breakneck speed: Denilson slipped a pass to Baptista, who barged past Graeme Murty before toe-poking into the bottom corner.

With the game seemingly over, Reading woke up. Steve Sidwell headed over from a corner and then shot wastefully wide from close range, before Fabregas diverted a corner into his own net.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We could have done better, we looked a bit shaky at 2-1.

"We missed a few chances in the second half because we were slow to make important decisions.

"Reading were positive and dangerous and played in an intelligent way. They are one of the few teams that have come here and tried to play."

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"We had opportunities, but credit to Arsenal - they were very, very patient and when they are in front they play with a different tempo.

"They controlled possession for long periods but we responded to that and played a full part in the game.

"We now have 14 days without a game. We can take stock and recharge out batteries, which is important."

Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Gallas, Silva, Clichy, Ljungberg (Diaby 70), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb (Senderos 86), Walcott (Aliadiere 71), Julio Baptista.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Traore.

Booked: Senderos.

Goals: Silva 51 pen, Julio Baptista 62.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Little (Doyle 80), Sidwell, Harper (Gunnarsson 71), Hunt (Oster 65), Kitson, Lita.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Duberry.

Booked: Kitson.

Goals: Fabregas (87 og).

Premier League, Arsenal 2-1 Reading Full highlights and goals:

English Premier League, Arsenal Vs Reading preview

Arsenal will turn their focus back to the Premiership on Saturday, after having lost the League Cup final a week ago before being bounced out of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's side will be hoping to fight back from those two defeats, to Chelsea and Blackburn respectively, and consolidate the final Champions League spot with victory over Reading at the Emirates.

Arsenal:

RETURNING: Cesc Fabregas (rested)

OUT: Emmanuel Eboue, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure (all suspended), Vasiriki Diaby (ankle), Robin van Persie (metatarsal), Mathieu Flamini (foot), Thierry Henry (foot), Tomas Rosicky (groin), Justin Hoyte (hamstring)

DOUBTFUL: Johann Djourou (ankle), Jeremie Aliadiere (flu).

Statistics: Arsenal are still unbeaten at the Emirates after 13 games played at their new home, and have beaten Reading in all six meetings in all competitions.

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "It is just a coincidence that you have 20 men who have a brawl and only the Arsenal players were guilty. It is unbelievable but maybe they [the FA] have their own way to do justice." Arsene Wenger.

Reading:

RETURNING: Andre Bikey (suspension)

OUT: Bobby Convey (anterior cruciate ligament), Ibrahima Sonko (anterior cruciate ligament), Peter Mate (knee)

DOUBTFUL: None.

Statistics: Reading have never beaten Arsenal in league or cup games, and have not scored against the Gunners for 20 years

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "In many ways you are just in awe of teams like Arsenal when they are really flowing. You look at their ability going forward and you just think 'wow'. And I am also in awe of what they are doing with their youngsters. It is a shame they are not English youngsters but you can only but respect the way he is nurturing players there and the way any combination can gel." Steve Coppell.

FA cup fifth round replay, BlackBurn 1-0 Arsenal

McCarthy's late strike breaks Arsenal's hearts.

Substitute Benni McCarthy came off the bench to finish a strong left-wing run with a superb 87th minute shot to settle this FA Cup Fifth Round replay in Blackburn's favour and deliver a second cruel blow to Arsenal's cup aspirations in the space of four fateful days.

McCarthy's 16th goal of his inaugural season in English football was an extraordinary strike in an otherwise ordinary tie, a moment of genuine class in a game that had hitherto been as colourless as tap water. The upshot is that Arsenal, the beaten Carling Cup finalists, have been dumped out of two competitions in the space of four days and have lost three games in succession for the first time since October 2002. Blackburn, eliminated from the Uefa Cup last week, will go on to face Manchester City at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 11 and there were scenes of wild jubilation at the final whistle. As Mark Hughes pointed out, Blackburn have already beaten City at home and away this season.

FA CUP fifth round replay, Blackburn 1-0 Arsenal, highlights and goals video:

Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (Khizanishvili 46), Bentley, Tugay (Dunn 63), Mokoena, Pedersen, Nonda (McCarthy 63), Derbyshire. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Roberts.

Booked: Tugay, Dunn, Derbyshire, McCarthy.

Goal: McCarthy 87.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue (Walcott 61), Senderos, Gallas, Traore (Clichy 66), Hleb, Denilson, Silva, Ljungberg, Aliadiere, Julio Baptista. Subs Not Used: Poom, Gavin Hoyte, Randall.

Booked: Traore, Clichy.

Carling Cup issues, Wenger Accuses Carling Cup Linesman Of Lying

Arsene Wenger has defended Emmanuel Adebayor following his Carling Cup final red-card and has accused the linesman of lying over the incident.

Emmanuel Adebayor is to be banned for three matches but there has been some confusion over what he was sent-off for, as it originally seemed to be a mistaken identity relating to a punch from Emmanuel Eboue on Wayne Bridge.

However, Adebayor has been accused of hitting Frank Lampard. Wenger denies this to be the case, saying: "We don't agree with the statement of the linesman. I think it's a lie.

"He comes out now and says Adebayor punched Lampard. I'd like Lampard to come out and say Adebayor punched him.
"There are players that have punched that haven't been charged."

Adebayor was furious over the red-card decision and had to be persuaded to leave the field, which may yet land him in yet more trouble with the Football Association.

For Carling Cup full coverage please click here.

Carling Cup Final, Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal, match highlights and report

Chelsea snatches the Cup from Arsenal! Didier Drogba grabbed both goals as Chelsea came from behind to win a Carling Cup final that ended in ugly scenes at the Millennium Stadium.

Theo Walcott was entitled to feel for a while that this day would be the key to open the adult phase of his career. Theo Walcott's first goal came when he chased a lax clearance, turned, exchanged passes with Diaby and lifted a finish high past Petr Cech in the 12th minute.

With 20 minutes gone, Michael Ballack lifted the ball to the right and Drogba was kept onside by the trailing foot of Philippe Senderos before he went through to shoot past a tentative Manuel Almunia. The gradual transformation of the final was in progress.

The Blues lost skipper Terry midway through the half when he took a boot in the face from Diaby as he tried to finish off an Arjen Robben corner.

Terry looked to be knocked unconscious and a mask was applied to his face to help with his breathing before he was carried off the field and taken to hospital.

Arsenal waned and their bar was to be struck by both Frank Lampard, with a 25-yard shot, and Andriy Shevchenko in the second half. The balance of power was also tipped by Mourinho's astute replacement of Claude Makelele with Arjen Robben. He neeeded Arjen Robben to disrupt a lively Arsenal by compelling them to spend more time covering and tracking back.
Robben steered the exact cross for the winner that flew over Touré and was headed in powerfully by Drogba with six minutes remaining.

Let's see the goals:

The game ended disappointingly when Obi clashed with Toure and several players from each team, as well as both managers, got involved in an ugly scuffle.
Referee Howard Webb dished out three red cards as well as yellows to Fabregas and Lampard.
Over 11 minutes of added-on time was played before the final whistle was blown to hand the first major trophy of the season to Jose Mourinho's side, who are still in the hunt for three other pieces of silverware.

Now for the fight:

Carling Cup final, Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

Final result: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

56th minute: John Terry unconscious!
96th minute: Red cards for:
Obi
Toure, Adebayor
97th minute: Yellow cards for:
Fabregas
Lampard

Goals:
Arsenal: Theo Walcott, 11th minute
Chelsea: Didier Drogba 19th, 83rd minute

Match report and Highlights, click here now!

London Pubs Head To Cardiff For Final.

Two London locals are set to be transported to Cardiff for the Carling Cup Final - lock, stock and beer barrel.

Sponsors Carling will be meticulously recreating Arsenal and Chelsea supporters' pubs inside two hospitality boxes at the Millennium Stadium to give fans the ultimate football viewing experience - in the pub with their mates and at the game at the same time!

The landlord and regulars from The Bailey in Highbury, North London, will represent Arsenal whilst customers from Riley's on the Kings Road, West London, will be hoping it's cheers for their beloved Chelsea.

Carling Cup Sponsorship Manager Richard Smith said: "Fans told us it's great to be at the game but sometimes if you can't share the big occasion with your mates in the pub, it feels like something's missing; so we set out to create the best of both worlds!

"We decided to recreate the pubs after inviting fans to the first ever 'Carling Cabinet' meeting where fans from the four Carling Cup semi-finalist clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs & Wycombe) came together to give us ideas to try to make the final better. It was a simple concept, fans told us they always wanted to go to the final but also felt drawn to watching the game in their favourite pub with their mates.

"Although nothing can replace being in the stadium and watching the big match live, getting all the lads along from your local is an obvious way of making things better. We thought we could go the extra mile and not only bring their mates but bring the whole pub to the stadium.

"The idea is that the box will look and feel as much like the local pub as possible - we will recreate the pub's characteristics and of course its landlord and a handful of locals will be there too to really capture the atmosphere.

"Meanwhile back at the pubs themselves we're working with Sky TV arrange a state of the art HD screening so all the fans back at base are having as close to a match day experience as we can make it."

The Bailey landlord Chris Paddock, aged 40, will host the HD session whilst assistant Sonia Christie, 43, heads to Cardiff armed with some of the pub's memorabilia such as photos of Holloway Road and Arsenal tube stations plus football souvenirs from the pub walls; likewise Riley's owner Vince Healy, 48, will lead a group of locals to the Millennium Stadium with historic photos of Stamford Bridge and other football treasures. Landlord Brian Moignard, 47, will host the HD session back at the pub.

The pub in a box is part of a collection of fan based activities, including the sponsor's decision to hand over its entire contractual ticket allocation of Carling Cup Final tickets to fans, repeating its initiative launched at the 2006 Final. This year almost 900 Chelsea and Arsenal supporters are set to benefit from Carling's not so corporate hospitality in a bid to ensure as many fans as possible get to the final.

More than 400 Chelsea fans and 400 Arsenal fans will receive the tickets and in a further step away from the traditional approach to hospitality, 200 of both sets of fans will be pre-match guests in the sponsor's suites at the Millennium Stadium.

In a further push to make the final more fan friendly, the sponsors have insisted the usual dress code in their hospitality areas is lifted on the day with fans encouraged to wear their club colours, jeans, trainers, scarves and flags.

Wenger Hits Back, Questions Mourinho's Class!

Arsene Wenger responded to Mourinho's taunt over never having won the Champions League, by suggesting that it was consistency over 10 or 15 years as a coach, and consistent good use of resources, that mattered. Wenger also took another shot at Mourinho by suggesting that the Chelsea coach did not have the class to handle success.

With the Carling Cup final 48 hours away, the now customary mind games are in full flow as both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho try to edge the psychological advantage. Mourinho had earlier suggested that Wenger was not in the same league as him, having never won the Champions League.

"Whether I am big or small is not so important, it is not my obsession," Wenger responded this afternoon. "Plenty of managers have won the Champions League who will not be considered as great managers.

"What is important is that you look at the careers of ten, 15 or 20 years."
"The importance of the manager is over a longer distance. It is the continuity in his career."

"It will not change my life if I do not win the Champions League," he continued.

The Arsenal boss then went on to have another dig, suggesting Mourinho did not have the class to handle success, by saying that he was not "jumping on tables" around when Arsenal were the undisputed class of the Premiership,

"We played a whole season unbeaten [2003-04] but you did not see me every week jumping on the tables," he said, obviously pointing towards the Chelsea coach's constant clamour for attention.
"If you would like to compare every manager, give each one the same amount of resources. After five years you can see who has done the most."

UEFA Champions League, for First knockout round Full reports and Videos Please click the link below.

Full reports and videos
Second leg schedule

UEFA Champions league, PSV 1-0 Arsenal

Harsh lesson for Arsenal

Edison Mendez punished wasteful Arsenal with a stunning strike to clinch a 1-0 win for PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie. Arsene Wenger's side enjoyed total control at the Phillips Stadium for an hour, but Ecuador midfielder Mendez's moment of magic gave PSV the edge going into the return at the Emirates Stadium on March 7.

"From tonight we're in a tricky situation because we'll have to score two goals without conceding," Wenger admitted, "but I feel from the game we have seen tonight we have enough confidence and belief that we can achieve that."

PSV were depleted by the loss of their top scorer, Jefferson Farfán, because of a swollen left foot but his presence would have provided little assistance to a PSV side who spent almost the entire first half defending. Wenger had criticised the PSV manager, Ronald Koeman, for employing "negative" tactics when Arsenal twice drew with his Ajax side in the 2002-03 competition and the Frenchman was frustrated again last night.
"I felt that they started the game to play a nil-nil. It was important to score the first goal and afterwards they defended even more," he said. Koeman rejected Wenger's claim and said: "It was a deserved result and we are in a fantastic position."

Match Analysis:
Tomas Rosicky almost gave Arsenal the perfect start when he squeezed in a shot from a tight angle that Gomes got a hand on before Carlos Salcido scrambled the ball off the line as Henry prepared to pounce. Jens Lehmann was only called into action once in the first 25 minutes and even then he easily dealt with a speculative drive from Mendez.

Henry should have broken the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Rosicky and Aleksandr Hleb combined to set him up, but Henry's shot from 12 yards was too close to Gomes. Henry's frustration at that miss was evident as he fought to win possession moments later and sent a curling shot just past the far post.

PSV striker Arouna Kone had been well policed by his Ivory Coast compatriot Kolo Toure for long spells, but he escaped early in the second half to meet Salcido's cross with a volley that went narrowly wide of the far post. That near-miss sparked PSV into life and they took the lead in the 61st minute thanks to a moment of pure class. Kone's lay-off gave Mendez the chance to drive in a raking 30 yard strike that skimmed off the turf past Lehmann, who will feel he should have done better after getting a hand to the ball.

Arsenal had been punished for failing to turn their dominance into goals, but they responded well and Cesc Fabregas' fierce effort forced Gomes into a superb tip-over. But Wenger's side were left to rue those early misses as PSV held on for their first win over Arsenal in five attempt.

Arsenal's lost chance and PSV's goal:

Chelsea to face Tottenham in FA Cup quarters

Favourites Chelsea will play Tottenham Hotspur in what is likely to be an extremely lively FA Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge next month following the draw made on Monday.
Manchester United will play at either Middlesbrough or second division West Bromwich Albion if they beat Reading in their fifth round replay.
Arsenal will be at home against Manchester City if they beat Blackburn Rovers in their fifth round replay at Ewood Park while Plymouth Argyle, of the second division, will play Premier League strugglers Watford in a repeat of their famous 1984 semi-final which Watford won 1-0. That was Plymouth's only semi-final appearance while Watford went on to the final for the only time where they lost 2-0 to Everton. Chelsea lost to Spurs in the league for the first time in 16 years in their last meeting at White Hart Lane in November and will be desperate to avenge that defeat in the all-London derby on either March 10 or March 11. Chelsea reached the last eight with a 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday - their third successive home victory in this season's competition - while Spurs beat Chelsea's west London neighbours Fulham by the same score on Sunday. The sides have only met eight times in the Cup in the last 97 years, with Spurs beating Chelsea 2-1 in the 1967 Cup final. Chelsea beat Spurs 4-0 in their last FA Cup meeting in a quarter-final tie in 2002.

FA Cup sixth round draw (ties played over weekend of March 10 and 11):
Middlesbrough or West Brom vs. Manchester United or Reading
Arsenal or Blackburn vs. Manchester City
Chelsea vs.Tottenham
Plymouth vs. Watford

UEFA Champions League, First knockout round schedule.

First knockout round matches that will be played on 20/2/2007 - Match kick-offs are listed in CET:

Celtic VS. A.C Milan, 20:45
PSV VS. Arsenal, 20:45
Lille VS. Manchester united, 20:45
Real Madrid VS. Bayern Munich, 20:45

First knockout round matches that will be played on 21/2/2007 - Match kick-offs are listed in CET:

Roma VS. Lyon, 20:45
Barcelona VS. Liverpool, 20:45
Porto Vs. Chelsea, 20:45
Inter Milan VS. Valencia, 20:45

Full reports and matches' highlights:

PSV VS. Arsenal
Lille VS. Manchester united
Real Madrid VS. Bayern Munich
Inter Milan VS. Valencia
Porto Vs. Chelsea
Barcelona VS. Liverpool

Second leg Schedule

Adebayor predicts Arsenal glory.

Emmanuel Adebayor is sure Arsenal will be a major force in all competitions next season - and has predicted they can achieve a 100% winning home record.

The Togo international striker has scored 10 goals for the Gunners this term, including two against Bolton in the FA Cup win on Wednesday.

And he said: "We have a young squad getting better and better, and we will be ready for everything next year."

"I think we will get maximum points from every home game next season."

He added: "Our aim is to be up there with Manchester United and Chelsea in the league and I believe we can be."

But there is the small matter of Arsenal's involvement in the Carling Cup final, the FA Cup and the Champions League before that.

And Adebayor is relishing the chance to win some silverware with the club he joined from Monaco in January 2006.

"This season we still have great opportunities for success," he said.

"Getting through in the FA Cup at a place like Bolton has given us an enormous amount of confidence.

"It was great for me to get two goals and you could see from our reaction at the end of the game how much the win meant to us."

Will an English club rule Europe again?

It's been seven years since Manchester United did the treble, and two since Liverpool's stunning Champions League fightback against AC Milan in Turkey. Now England's big four are homing in on the big one again.

English clubs have won only two of the last 22 European cups, which is unacceptable for the supposed ‘best league in the world’. Recent years, however, have seen an improvement, with Liverpool winning on that famous night in Istanbul and Arsenal grinding their way to the final last year.

England’s best chance of Champions League glory is with Manchester United. Top of the league by six points, and playing some of the best football that the Premiership has ever seen, Alex Ferguson’s side must believe they can improve on their disappointing European history. In Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, they have the two best youngsters in Europe, and with Scholes returning to his best, Manchester United stand a real chance.

Chelsea have reached the semis twice recently but have never had the grit when it was most needed. In Didier Drogba they have the in-form striker in Europe, and with John Terry back fit, they are defensively solid. The midfield is Chelsea’s main problem. They have too many superstars, and not enough team ethic. If Jose Mourinho can drop either Michael Ballack or Frank Lampard, then Chelsea may be better equipped to combat tough defensive teams.

Arsenal are a developing side, and in Thierry Henry, have the ultimate player. However ,any physical team will cause them problems. Against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, they will fancy their chances as they will be allowed to play football. However, PSV may prove to be a difficult tie for them, as a physical team will intimidate the north London side.

Liverpool will have to overcome Barcelona if they are to progress, and although Rafael Benitez's team has the experience of winning a European Cup, they don’t quite have class of United, Chelsea or Arsenal. However, bigger shocks have happened in football.

The usual suspects are all through to the last 16, with no major shocks yet to occur. Barcelona are exceptional, and Inter Milan have a strong powerful team. Lyon could potentially be the surprise package, and with a great team-ethic, and pacy forwards, they stand a chance.

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