Last week in the build-up to the English Premier League's most anticipated match of the season, there were many in the press and blogosphere that openly questioned Dimitar Berbatov's ability to replace Wayne Rooney as an effective lone striker. I, myself, wrote an article arguing that Rooney's ankle injury made the EPL Chelsea's title to […]

Without even kicking a ball, Chelsea were given a gift this week.  One roll of Wayne Rooney's ankle has altered the dynamic of the entire 2009-10 EPL campaign, and has handed Carlo Ancelotti more than just a lifeline, but possibly the title itself.  While the Italian would never admit that the championship may have been […]

Football truly is a game like no other where minutes can feel like hours and hours can sometimes feel like days. As quickly and powerfully as the ball can be slammed into the net, it's equally as quick that a team's fortune or good form can disintegrate. American Baseball is described as a "game of inches", however, by my decree, football now […]

  It seems my fear, dread and worry over the past few months has somehow manifested itself into an Atlantic Ocean-traveling orb of negativity. It's left my old injured knee in Southeastern America, and traveled the 4,000 some miles to Manchester, England and snuck into the knee of the man I place my footballing hopes […]

It's the week of the Cheltenham festival, so in order to celebrate, this edition of fantasy football tips will take on a slightly equine nature. Apologies in advance for the inevitably dodgy puns. I'll try and ensure that there's not too much horse play... Anyway, to business. Just like horse racing, it's crucial that you're […]

Manchester United players such as Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney star in a new comedy video to raise money for the Sport Relief charity in Britain. The new video (see excerpt above) features Smithy (the Gavin & Stacey character played by James Corden) leading the players in a workout routine (Richard Simmons, watch out). Rio […]

In ten years time, English football fans will look back in the annals of history and cast villainous or glorious eyes upon someone named Wayne. This pending assignment of fates will depend on the outcome of this summer's World Cup. Wayne Bridge, as unfortunate as it is, has been in the media for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. […]

The race to the top narrowed Tuesday night as Manchester United swept aside West Ham United at Old Trafford. Shades of 1966 early on as Man United's Ben Foster dropped Alessandro Diamanti's dipping shot onto the goal-line. Did it cross? Sir Alex Ferguson's sometime nemesis, referee Alan Wiley, thought not. Can we at least agree […]

Editor's note: EPL Talk reader Nicholas Buchel shared a series of three drawings he made that I should many of you would enjoy. The first features Fernando Torres who returned to action Sunday against Manchester City. The above picture is hand drawn in ballpoint by Nicholas. Below the fold, Buchel has included a ballpoint drawing […]

If you can't beat them, buy them. That has often been Manchester United's strategy when the club has lost pivotal league games against smaller English clubs and/or have been embarrassed by Premier League players who display incredible raw skill. United has often gone on to purchase many of those footballers. Examples include Everton (Wayne Rooney), […]

Will Manchester United Win the Champions League?(polls) It was a textbook Manchester United performance. The Red Devils entered the San Siro with the pressure of performing against some of the top footballers in the world such as Pato, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Seedorf, Nesta, Pirlo, Ambrosini and Huntelaar. And despite being outplayed in the first half of […]

It sounds too simple, but the difference between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday was finishing. Both teams had several chances in front of goal. Manchester United scored most of them. Arsenal missed all of them except for one deflection. There were several shots from Arsenal that skimmed past the post or straight at Edwin […]

A week after Manchester United's shock FA Cup exit, Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a side with immense respect for Birmingham City's Alex McCleish at St. Andrews. A match that was 1 of only 2 to survive the inclement weather on Saturday saw a 4-5-1 with Wayne Rooney in a lone striker role supported by Ji-sung […]

Wayne Rooney: husband, father, footballer, striker, play-maker, defender, captain, international, the list could really go on, was involved in all four goals (Manchester United only had 3) Sunday as the reigning champions not-so-impressively beat relegation applicants Hull City at the KC Stadium. It was a performance United fans are reluctantly getting used to this season […]

  As we head into the festive season, English fans are wrapping the present they give themselves before every World Cup – the gift of unbridled confidence in their national football team.  And yet, as they have for the past 40+ years, those English fans are likely to stick their thumb in the Christmas pudding […]