Monday Madness!

Worst acting ever:

Equatorial Guinea beat Senegal 2-1 in the African Cup of Nations - which is a huge shock. They were winning 1-0 until the 91st minute when Sengal equalized. (Equatorial Guinea got the historic winner in the 94th minute) Just before they equalized, look what Narcisse Amia Ekanga did to waste time. This is the worst acting I've ever seen. He goes down looking for the freekick. No freekick. So he just collapses and rolls about. Calls for the stretcher. Cold spray and all. He gets carried off on the stretcher. 10 seconds later he runs back. Watch it here.

This isn't the only time Ekanga has been acting. Watch it here.

Awesome warm-up:

Look at Craig Bellamy's little dance to warm up before he comes on in the City game. Watch it here.

Contendor for miss of the season:
Have a look at this terrible miss by Robbie Findley for Nottingham against Leicester. It takes some skill to miss from there! Watch it here.

Your team wins a penalty. Great! Now argue over who takes it. This is what Bury players Giles Coke and Steve Schumacher did. Watch it here.

How do you miss this?:

Okay, we've already seen 2 terrible dives and acting, but this is real. André Dias punches Mark van Bommel and the ref completely misses it! Watch it here.

Worst PR Stunt ever:

This is the worst PR stunt I've ever seen a football club do. German giants Bayern Münich claimed on their website that they had signed "a spectacular name" and would unveil him in a press conference that will be broadcast on their Facebook page at 1pm Time passed on and nothing happened. At 3pm the Bayern manager appeared and the "player" was a picture of their own profile picture and a Bayern shirt with their name on and the number 8. Apparently this was to show the importance of the fans.

Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal: One of the greatest shocks ever?

The Preview:

Equatorial Guinea: A small nation from Africa. Not known at all for their football. Co-hosts of the CAN 2012. Worst ranked team in the competition. Ranked 141 in the world.

Senegal: 3rd favourites in the competition. African giants. Ranked 54 in the world. Many skilled footballers like Demba Ba, Moussa Sow and...Diamé.

Equatorial had already caused a minor shock as they beat Libya 1-0 and Senegal had lost to Zambia 2-1. A win for the hosts would see them through and Senegal out.

Before the match, everyone would have expected Senegal to defeat the minnows. I predicted a 5-1 win for Senegal. However, Equatorial Guinea surprised everyone with a historic win. 

1-0!

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 up:

Senegal totally dominated but just couldn't score. Out of nowhere, in the 62nd minute, Kily showed his skill a curled an amazing cross that Randy scored a header from. I couldn't believe it. Equatorial Guinea were ahead! If they hung on Senegal would be out! Come on Equatorial Guinea!

Hanging on to a historic win:

From this moment, Senegal went all out attack in an attempt to save their disastrous campaign. They, like the commentators said, literally threw the kitchen sink at them. Senegal had so many clear chances but Equatorial just got lucky and hung on to what looked like one of the greatest ever shocks in football.

Senegal had France's current top scorer this season (Moussa Sow), France's top scorer last year (Mahmadou Niang), Germany's 2nd top scorer (Demba Cissé, but he's now joined Newcastle) and England's 2nd top scorer this season (Demba Ba) but they can't score against the defence of Equatorial Guinea.

Senegal equalize:

Finally, in the 91st minute, Niang scrambled in an equalizer for Senegal and shattered Equatorial Guinea dreams. The assistant holds up the board for 5 minutes.

In the 93rd minute, Equatorial Guinea missed a chance by centimetres. It seemed it was the last chance and draw would have to be it for the underdogs.

2-1!!!:

Kily scores a screamer!

Then came an incredible finale when Kily controlled a crossfield pass before unleashing a thunderbolt that tore into the back of the net and the party had started. Equatorial Guinea have surely now caused one of the greatest shocks in football history!

And there it is, the final whistle! Confirmed: Senegal are going home after a terrible game and the whole country of Equatorial Guinea in ecstasy!

At least Wigan get Diamé back!

Later, Equatorial Guinea lost to Zambia 1-0 (no shock this time) and Libya beat Senegal 2-1 as they ended a miserable campaign. Equatorial Guinea and Zambia have qualified for the next round.

Vishal Chahwala: Flops of the season so far

GK al Habsi

RB Figeuroa CB Gohouri CB Berra LB Givet

RM Young CM Henderson CM Nasri LM Downing

ST Torres ST Tévez

Vishal Chahwala: Team of the Season so far

GK Friedel

RB Assou-Ekotto CB Kompany CB Vermaelen LB A Cole

RM Sessegnon CM Silva CM Dempsey LM Bale

ST van Persie ST Ba

Subs Vorm Enriqué Škrtel van der Vaart Mata Yakubu Yaya Touré

Tom Horn: Flops of the Season so far

GK De Gea

RB Bosingwa CB David Luiz CB Koscielney LB Hanley

RM Henderson CM Mikel CM Watson LM Crusat

ST Torres ST Carroll

Subs Cech A Cole Drogba Rodallega Chamakh Andre Santos Vermaelen Ngog Martin Petrov

Tom Horn: Team of the Season so far

GK Vorm

RB Walker CB Kompany CB King LB José Enrique

RM David Silva CM Parker LM Yaya Touré

RS Sinclair ST van Persie LS Mata Subs al Habsi Jones Taylor Ba Rooney

Monday Madness!

Bubble Football!

A Norwegian man invented a new game: Bubble Football It's exactly like football but players wear a ball filled with air on their body. In this game fouls dont exist because as soon as you fall over, you bounce straight back up! So no injuries.

Joey Barton can't stand arguing with his own player on Football Manager 2012: "Just had my first argument with myself on FM12" and "FYI @footballmanager I am not born in Runcorn. I am not 5'9 (5'11) and I am not 11st (12st). If ur gonna do it properly..."

Under performing Juventus striker, Amuari, was put on eBay buy an angry fan. The bid for him reached £8 million. The offer included: delivery in 4 working days and free shipping. This was until eBay removed it off their site.

Former Celtic player, Nakamura, gave bus travellers in Japan a shock when he curled a ball in through a window. Watch it here.

Chelsea sign three 12 year olds from Luton for £1m. No joke.

Match Report QPR 3-1 Wigan

Well this result was the probable result due to the appointment of Mark Hughes and this being his first home league game in charge but Wigan didn't do themselves proud at all. Early in the game QPR dominated and James McCarthy handles from a corner and the ref gave a penalty which Helguson put away. Shortly before half time it got worse for Wigan. Akos Buzsaky took a brilliant free kick into the top corner. 2-0 at HT Second half Sammon comes on for Wigan and does some good things and eventually Wigan score. A Hugo Rodallega free kick goes into the top corner and the game is on. But just 15 mins later Gary Caldwell gives away a penalty but al Habsi saves. However Tommy Smith's strike was unstoppable and made it 3-1 and that's how it finished.

Transfer Rumours

As quiet as this window has been it hasn't lacked a bit of excitement! Gary Cahil to chelsea is a done deal Wigan are intrested in Wolves winger Adam Hammil and apparently have had a bid accepted for leeds striker Ross McCormack. Chris Samba's transfer request has made Spurs interested and are preparing a bid for the player. Chelsea's striker crisis may see them make a 20m bid for Porto's Hulk. Also Stoke want DJ Cambell on loan for the rest of the season. Demba Cissé joins Newcastle for 10m. Liverpool sign Portuguese prospect João Carlos Teixeira for 1m.

Transfer Rumours

This window is the quietest window yet, all that money spent last year! Torres 50 m Carroll 35m Suarez 25 m The price of Carroll alone hasn't been spent so far this window! However deadline day is usually the main transfer day. So what rumours have I heard today? Well the big story is that Kenny Dalglish is willing to pay 10 million for Jermaine Defoe also PSG are after Carlos Tevez for 29 million. Liverpool are targeting a January move for 22-year-old Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair. Wigan's loan deal with spurs for Giovanni dos Santos may be off after no deal has been agreed yet. He was supposed to have joined early this week. Also Wigan are interested in Leeds striker Ross McCormack and Keith Andrews

Monday Madness!

On loan midfielder, Emmanuel Frimpong, delights Arsenal fans and nearly kills Rafael van der Vaart. Watch it here.

Paul Scholes, who just came out of retirement, urgently needed a pair of boots and decided to go to his local JJB Sports shop to buy a pair for £40.

Man City striker Balotelli randomly turned up at a local Manchester college and asked if he could use the toilet.

On a night when Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, made a return, another got hit by a football after a Leeds player aimed for his head. Watch it here.

5 a side game: Chaddy Park 16-4 Hopwood Old Boys. Paul Scholes scored 12 goals and 1 own goal. However, his cameo appeareance was against the rules, and if Hopwood appeal, the score will be reversed.

City's unpredictable striker, Balotelli, challenged a Man Utd fan, in a bowling arcade, to a duel (of sorts). A punchball machine contest. Not-so-super Mario lost.

Beckham and Balotelli's meeting

Wiping nose or kissing badge?

After meeting Mario Balotelli at the City/United game, David Beckham used a City shirt to blow his nose. Or was it to kiss the badge? Either way, it'll cause controversy in Manchester. Something his Manchester City friend, Balotelli is famous for!

What positions do teams need to invest in?

Arsenal :back up for RVP and left back Aston villa :centre midfield because jenes is injured Blackburn: centre back because it looks like sambas going Bolton : centre back cahils gone Chelsea :striker anelkeas gone drogbas on the way out and torres cant score for toffee Everton : despite a lack of money they need a striker! Fulham : actually doing ok now but a new pair of full backs Liverpool : another striker suarez has a long ban and carrol dosnt look intrested Man city : they need to sell loads of top class players get no football there Man united : centre midfield scholes just isnt the answer need a modric or sort Norwitch : centre midfield apart from that there doing well QPR : not a case of money because its all there i think they nerd another centr midfielder because faurlin is injured Stoke: wings Sunderland forwards bentner isnt top class Swansea mceachran should be enough to keep them up Spurs : another centre half samba deal looks likely West brom: creative midfielder Wolves: full backs is there weakness Wigan: a winger to provide for sammon and to create chances dos santos looks to be the man we need him because we havnt been creating to many chances of late and maybe another striker

2011

I have a bit of a different opinion to Vishal's Teams of the year 1.Crawley Town, what an FA Cup run they went on. Great giant killers to teams such as Derby and a great trip to Old Trafford which will live in the memory too. Man City Despite all the money they have, gelling is what they struggled to do in recent years but last year it all came together. Players such as Silva Aguero and Dzeko have been the exceptional three. Newcastle: Alan Pardew has done a great job on Tyneside and Demba Ba has done well, but how will they cope without him during the African Cup of Nations. Worst managers 1.Avram Grant. Sorry but what is he doing in the Premier League. Awful job at West Ham! His last game was the 3-2 defeat at the DW 2. Steve Bruce. He spent loads of money in the summer but the 2-1 defeat to Wigan proved to be the end for Mr. Bruce.

Tom Horn

African Cup of Nations

The Logo

The African Cup of Nations, which will be held in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea is exactly 1 week away! Because I was born in Nigeria, I would've supported them...if they had qualified. Will it be a success this time round with it being played in two countries not known for footballing ability and African giants Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa not even qualifying? I'm going to be supporting Senegal, with their Premier League players like: Demba Ba, Mohammed Diamé and Armand Traoré. They've named a very strong team with obviously those Prem ones but also players like Moussa Sow. The games will be broadcasted on ITV 4 and Eurosport 1 & 2.


The Groups:
Group A (easy group): Equitorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal, Zambia
Group B (it's tough): Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Angola

Group C (easy again): Gabon, Niger, Tunisia, Morocco

Group D (it's between Mali and Guinea): Ghana, Botswana, Mali, Guinea

I think that either Côte d'Ivoire or Senegal will win. Maybe Ghana? What about a shock from Mali or Guinea?

What do you think? Comment now!

Steve Kean and the Venkey's

Blackburn fans aren't happy

Well well well, whats gone on at Blackburn? One Sunday rovers lose 2-1 at Bolton and then the rich Indians Venkey's take over Blackburn and Sack Sam Allardyce and bring in Steve Kean who's never managed a team before and within 6 months there are protests against the pair of them.

Tom Horn

2011 - The Award's Ceremony

What an awesome year 2011 was. It's definitely been an eventful year. Quite a few big transfers, many records broken, huge scorelines...
So, I've done a little awards ceremony for the big talking points of the year gone by.


English Team of the Year:
1. Crawley Town: This may come to you as a shock, but I think Crawley deserve it. In 2010, no one had heard of little Crawley, but they managed to sneak into the FA Cup 5th round. However, these semi-pros couldn't defeat Manchester United and lost 1-0. Currently, they sit top of League 2. A huge rise for a small town.
2. Newcastle United: The Toons have claimed 2nd spot as this year they have brought in many exciting new players like: Demba Ba, Davide Santon and Yohan Cabaye. They have a good young squad that challenged the top teams at the start of the new season.
3. Manchester City: We all know why they got to here. Money. Last year they won the FA Cup and brought in some good players like Agüero. Personally, I don't really like City, but they just had to be here.

Premier League Player of the Year:

Robin van Persie

1. Robin van Persie: This was easy. He scored 35 goals in 2011 and captained Arsenal after the departure of Fabregas. He proved many critics wrong and just couldn't stop scoring.
2. Gareth Bale: The Welshman proved just how good he was in the Champions League when he scored a hattrick against champions Inter Milan. Currently, he is one the best left-backs in the world.
3. David Silva: After the arrival of Edin Džeko and Sergio Agüero, Silva became a key player for City as the trio formed a great partnership. This midfielder not only sets up many goals, he also scores lots.


Premier League Manager of the Year:
1. Alan Pardew: He brought in many talented players last year and Newcastle challenged the top teams last year. Demba Ba has also played well under Pardew.
2. Harry Redknapp: The Spurs manager guided his team in a tough Champions League group. He also rejected an offer from Chelsea for £40m for key player Luka Modrić. Currently, his team is in the title race with the two Manchester teams.
3. Roberto Mancini: What I love about him is the interviews because he can hardly speak English! But anyway he's a good manager. He has had a lot of pressure on him from the owners and the press, and he's done well.

Premier League Game of the season: 

The huge scoreline

1. Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City
2. Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
3. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal

Best Transfer of the Year:
1. Demba Ba: The Senegalese striker failed a medical at Stoke, then went to West Ham, then joined Newcastle on a free transfer! Since then he has scored many goals and also surprised many. However, because of a clause in his contract, he may leave this January...to his 4th English club.
2. Michel Vorm: Brendan Rodgers somehow managed to get the experienced Dutch goalie for just £1m. He has been the main reason Swansea have done so well this season.
3. Yakubu Aiyegbeni: As much I hate Yakubu (because of his miss in the World Cup), I have to admit he was a great signing for the struggling Blackburn. In my opinion (because I hate him so much) he is just plain lucky.

Worst Transfer of the Year:

Torres isn't happy

1. Fernando Torres: The Chelsea striker left for a fee of £50m - a fee that broke English records. This tranfer was just days after he claimed he loved Liverpool. Apparently he joined Chelsea because they are a "big club". He has been a flop and has only scored a few goals.
2. Samir Nasri: Every Arsenal fane hates him. I hate him. You probably hate him. And I support Liverpool. City and United both made him an offer. He joined City because he wanted to win trophies. No it's not. It's because City offered more money. He also joined City because their fans are the best in the world. No they're not. He also made his girlfriend do his interview.
3. Samuel Eto'o: Cameroun's veteran striker joined Anzhi Makachkala for £20m and will get paid £300,000 a week! That is another record broken.

So what do you think? Do you agree with me or do you think some other names should be up there? Comment now and give us your opinion!

Vishal Chahwala