Shakhtar have beaten Mille 2 - 0 in the early UEFA game.



They have a player called Gay (schoolboy chortle).

Totally agree, I personally think Ballack and Lampard struggle together.

I would too, and I know that in commentary, Gray was having digs at Ballack, but his ball for Malouda in the build up to the third goal was sublime. Ballack finished the end of last season strongly, lets hope he does so again this year.



Mikel isn't the answer though, he may have improved but his recklessness in the challenge and lack of seeing a pass mean he's still a poor mans Makelele.

Away goal for Citeh! Unfortunately it looks like Hamburg might get 10.





Busy night for Given in prospect.

IMO Mikel is very harshly treated by refs. If there's the slightest chance of a booking or red card then he usually gets them. Makelele was another master of the "Scholes smile" where he could commit just the same fouls but he'd get up with his huge grin, have a laugh with the ref and walk away with a warning.



And let's not forget that Mikel is only 22 years old later this month. Maka was 31 years old when he came to us and had played for Real Madrid before joining us.

Two sublime goals by Diego for Werder Bremen.



How come Shakhtar, from Ukraine, have about 8 Brazilians on their team?

Oh yeah, sure. He has improved, but he won't be good enough I don't think. To be a good defensive midfielder, you almost need to go unnoticed, he doesn't really do that. He's rash in the tackle, his distribution is poor, and he doesn't appear to read the game well. I think he's a fantastic athlete, and he gets about the pitch etc. You do look at him at times, and think he could be the real deal. I just fear that he isn't clever enough for that position, I know Makelele is always the yardstick, but he saw the game so well, wasn't blessed with pace, or physique, but to use the old "First yard in your head" cliche, it was how he played. Mikel just doesn't appear to have that football brain, but we'll see I guess.



Hiddink is frightening me a tad, publicly chasing Pavlychenko. Jeepers.

Welcome to the[i sky footy [/ifan Keith and its getting worse its getting to the point were I can see myself fukking going the game off in the near future the aways are just as bad now aswell whoppers everywhere.

Why do you keep calling people burgers?

I lol'd

Stupendous goal by Stephen Ireland last night also. He must have made up 50 yards to get on the end of Robinho's square.



Pity about the Chuckle Brothers in defence.

I bet hes a bit strange

Sam Vokes has just scored for Wolves after less than a minute against Southampton. Could it be that they might finally be about to make it back to the big time after years of knocking on the door?

Looks like it.....think Leicester will stamp their authority on the division below by beating Leeds on Monday and they will be on their way back up for sure too.



Wolves were up a few seasons back mind you so they have not been away that long.

Spot on.



Im a big fan of Mikel, having him play the Maka role with Essien more attacking with Lampard will work well.

Yes, 2003 it felt like longer for them.



2-0 now btw.

Yep and how bad is Southampton's defence????



Can see no hope for them staying up on this show

TBF whoever was chosen to step into Makelele's role was always going to have a massive job to do, and was sure to get criticism.

Certainly looks like a long afternoon for them. 3-0 now.

Yeah, baby.

Reading 0-1 Sheffield United

Fergie on said rant: [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7994397.stm"I didn't realise I was that important."[/url

You couldn't make it up.

Game on