Avram Grant Facing a Tough Job at Portsmouth

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has recently joined struggling EPL side Portsmouth who are now facing a possible relegation this season. Grant, who guided Chelsea to their first Champions League final last year, is now facing a number of problems at his new job. First of all, Portsmouth is going through a financial crisis as it has a huge debt and reports out in the media suggest that the club may not be allowed to buy any new player in January with their current amount of debt.

Despite the debts, Portsmouth is determined to bring some new faces in winter transfer window as they are preparing to cut their debt to some extent, and thus, attaining the permission of buying new players. Moreover, the condition for Portsmouth will be much more intensified when five of its African players will be out with international duty in January. Grant is reportedly interested to buy at least two new players, most probably Olivier Kapo of Wigan Athletics.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant Upset with 2010 African Cup of Nations Timing

Avram Grant has expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of 2010 African Cup of Nations. This grand event of African football will take place on January and Portsmouth is going to miss some of their important players who would be engaged with this national teams. Aruna Dindane of Ivory Coast, Kanu of Nigeria, Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda of Algeria- these 4 key players of Portsmouth are likely to be missed in January. Avram Grant has questioned the wisdom of FIFA officials for holding such an event during the mid season of European leagues.

"We pay a lot of money, especially the big teams, to players who are not with us for two months. I think Fifa need to think about this.

"Firstly, you have to change the team and secondly, it's not easy when they are back.

"They are coming from hot weather to the coldest days in England. It takes more than a few days to get them back to normal," said a very annoyed Avram Grant. Now, it is to be seen that how Avram Grant and his team can coup without these key players.  

Portsmouth vs Chelsea Carling Cup 2009 Preview

Chelsea will travel to Fratton Park to take on home side Portsmouth in a tricky third draw of Carling Cup 2009 tomorrow (24 September 2008). Portsmouth is a very hard premier league opponent to break for any team. However, Chelsea can feel a bit of relief considering Portsmouth’s recent 6-0 humiliating defeat to Manchester City.

Ahead of the Carling Cup encounter, Chelsea is missing a number of players with injury. Reliable centre back Ricardo Carvalho has been out of action for a month after picking up a knee injury in Chelsea 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Ricardo Carvalho’s Portugal team mate, Deco, is also missing the Portsmouth match as he is yet to recover from thigh injury fully. Both the players are crucial for Chelsea in all competitions. However, Deco is expected to be back in action next week. Midfielder Michael Essien is injured out for a long time and is not likely to return before next January.

Midfielder Michael Ballack and striker Didier Drogba have returned from injury recently, but both of them lack match fitness. So, Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to go though a tough time to contend with so many injury problems in the squad. Portsmouth, though, suffered a huge blow at Manchester City; the Pompeys are very strong and capable of taking any advantage given to them. So, Scolari might find it a bit hard to come out of Fratton Park with the fourth round berth of Carling Cup 2009.

Portsmouth is also missing a number of players with injury. Injury hit badly in Portsmouth midfield as three regular midfielders- Lassana Diarra, Sean Davis and Papa Bouba Diop- are ruled out of Chelsea match. However, Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth manager, would have rested some of his regular members for the Carling Cup match, but the injury of Lassana Diarra seems to be very dangerous. The ligament injury might keep the midfielder out of action for a long time. However, Davis is suffering from groin muscle and Diop is out with a hamstring injury, but neither of the injuries is as serious as it is for Diarra. John Utaka might come back in the starting line up after making a substitute appearance against Manchester City.

However, it is not yet sure if Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will rest some of the key players like Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Sol Campbell against Chelsea to whom Portsmouth suffered a 4-0 defeat at premier league this season. So, Chelsea will look to continue their winning run over Portsmouth despite facing a number of injury woes. Portsmouth players, on the other hand, will try to inspire themselves to take revenge of the defeat, capitalizing on home advantage.

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Sportinglife

Manchester United Defeated Portsmouth 1-0 Thanks to Fletcher Strike

Manchester United picked up full three points from their second match of the season as Alex Ferguson boys defeated Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park tonight. Manchester United dominated throughout the first half and in the 32^nd minute of the match, Darren Fletcher scored the winning goal for the Red Devils. Fletcher shot past Sol Campbell towards into the goal, Sylvain Distan tried to stop the goal-bound ball, but failed to put it off.

Manchester United could have doubled the lead if Rooney’s shot did not go just wide off the target in the closing minutes of the first half. Carlos Tevez and Rooney always kept the pressure on Portsmouth. In the second half, Portsmouth appeared with a bit more attacking mode, but could not pose any threat for United defense. Portsmouth’s best chance in the match came in the 24^th minute of the match when Peter Crouch failed to beat van der Sar in one- in-one. With this victory, Manchester United acquired four points under their belt from two matches, still two points behind league leader Chelsea.

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Sportinglife

Portsmouth vs Manchester United EPL 08-09: Ferguson Missing Few Key Players, but Carlos Tevez Available

If you want to get the live score and updates of the Portsmouth vs Manchester United match visit the following link:

Portsmouth vs Manchester United EPL 08-09: Live Score and Updates

With Manchester United looking to pick up all three points and Portsmouth looking to retain their lost confidence after 0-4 defeat to Chelsea in the season opener, Portsmouth vs Manchester United match is going to be an interesting one tomorrow. The match will take place at Pompey home ground, Fratton Park. Manchester United got off to an ordinary start in the season as they drew against Newcastle United 1-1 at home in the opening match of the season. Manchester United recently defeated Portsmouth to clinch the FA Community Shield 2008 title, before English premier league started.

Match: Portsmouth vs Manchester United, English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 25 August 2008

Venue: Fratton Park

Kick off: 20:00 BST

Live on: BBC Radio Five Live

Manchester United has good news as their Argentine striker Carlos Tevez will be available for the Portsmouth meeting after missing the last week’s 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United. However, Manchester United will still be without Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha and Michael Carrick, while Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung and Owen Hargreaves are doubtful for the fixture. Moreover, Nani will miss the match due to suspension. Portsmouth might miss Noe Pamarot who is suffering from thigh injury, though he is not yet out of the match. Portsmouth will have their new recruit Armand Traore, who joined the club from Arsenal on a year long loan deal, to provide his debut match.

I think, the match will be very interesting, because Portsmouth has happened to be a hardest opponent for Manchester United over the years. With Tevez back to action, Manchester United attack will get better. Along with Rooney, he could be lethal for Pompey. However, Portsmouth will have home advantage and previous records against Manchester United to be inspired from. So, I guess, football fans are going to experience an exciting match.

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BBC

Manchester United vs Portsmouth Preview and Live Score: FA Community Shield 2008

If you want to get the live score and updates of the Portsmouth vs Manchester United match visit the following link:

Portsmouth vs Manchester United EPL 08-09: Live Score and Updates

To know the result of the Community Shield 2008 match visit here.

With just a week left before the new season of English premier league gets underway, Manchester United and Portsmouth will take on each other for the first silverware of the season- FA Community Shield 2008 title. However, ahead of the season’s traditional curtain-raiser, both Manchester United and Portsmouth are facing severe injury problems and both sides will be missing some of their key players in tomorrow’s Community Shield meeting. The match will take place at the Wembley Stadium in London on 10 August 2008.

Match: Manchester United vs Portsmouth, FA Community Shield 2008

Date: 10 August 2008, Sunday

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Kick off: 15:00 BST

Live on Television: Setanta Sports

FA Community Shield has a long tradition in English football. In fact, this year’s Community Shield match is going to be the 100^th edition of the tournament. Though it has both pride and prestige, the participating teams hardly take it seriously in order to avoid any fresh injury ahead of the new season. However, the interesting fact is that the winning teams never let the chance of feeling proud of the title, while the losing sides find condolence terming it as a mere friendly match.

Manchester United got the ticket of the Community Shield 2008 as the reigning champion of premier league, while Portsmouth has become the first team out of “Big Four”- Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, to reach the Community Shield since 1996. Portsmouth clinched the FA Cup title of last season, defeating Cardiff City in the final last May. En route to win the title, Portsmouth eliminated Manchester United in the sixth round. Portsmouth clinched another victory over Manchester United last season when they defeated the touring Manchester United at home 2-1, though Portsmouth suffered a 0-3 away defeat to Manchester United.

Recent Form: Manchester United and Portsmouth

Well, it would be unfair to seek any indication of the current form of both sides in their recent pre-season friendly matches. Manchester United and Portsmouth even faced each other recently in Nigeria in a pre-season friendly where United clinched a 2-1 victory. However, I do not think that the friendly match could reasonably indicate anything about the upcoming Community Shield match at the Wembley Stadium, London.

Considering the recent matches, both sides are currently in good form. Manchester United has not lost any of their six pre-season friendly matches, with four victories and two draws. Manchester United defense showed excellent resilience conceding only two goals in these six matches. Portsmouth, on the other hand, has been in good scoring form, netting 22 goals in eight pre-season matches. Out of the eight matches, Portsmouth lost the only match to Manchester United, with five victories and a draw.

Manchester United vs Portsmouth: Injury Appears as a Big Factor

I already stated that both sides are missing some of their key players for the traditional Community Shield match. Manchester United seems to be affected more due to injury. Their star winger Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to recover from his ankle injury and has already been left out of the Shield match. Some other key players including Owen Hargreaves, Ben Foster, Louis Saha and Park Ji-sung are all struggling with knee injuries. Wayne Rooney has become a big doubt as they striker has just got over the virus he was suffering. He just joined training recently. However, the good news is that Captain Gary Neville is fit for the match, while Michael Carrick will also be in contention for the match after recovering from the virus that Rooney also suffered from.

Goal.com reported:

"Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and I'm taking him to Wembley," said Ferguson. "Hopefully I'll give him some minutes on the pitch. If he is feeling good then we have to get some minutes on the clock for him ahead of next week against Newcastle."

"We have a big job to get him ready for Newcastle," said Fergie, "but with seven or eight days training, we may just make it now. He's much better and the medical reports are good.

"Gary Neville and Nani are fit and they will travel,” he continued. “Nani will probably start on Sunday because he is suspended for the first two league games of the season.

"Owen Hargreaves is not ready. He should be OK for Portsmouth away (on Monday 25 August), that's the time frame we've put on it.

Portsmouth is also facing some injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s Community Shield match. French midfielders Lassana Diarra is suffering from ankle injury and Sean Davis is trying to recover from his hip injury. Their loan player Ben Sahar might replace David Nugent who has been left out of the match with groin injury. Glen Little is expected to be back after recovering from thigh injury. However, their big worry might be the injury of Kanu, the man who led Portsmouth to win the FA Cup final against Cardiff City last season. Kanu suffered a deal leg during his international duty with Nigeria. The good news is that Sol Campbell is most likely to play against Manchester United after recovering from virus.

Manchester United vs Portsmouth: Online Live Score and Updates

Manchester United vs Portsmouth FA Community Shield match is the first match of the season and it is the mirror to see the final preparation of the both sides. Though neither side might take any risk ahead of the full-fledged premier league season, fans on both sides will look to see the latest condition of their favorite sides. So, I think, fans will be interested to enjoy the match as a lot of prestige and pride is now at stake around the match.

However, if you can not stick to your television screen due to personal or professional works, you can visit the following websites from where you can at least know the updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Pricking up a favorite team for this match may not be that many difficult, considering the strength and past records of the two sides. Thus, Manchester United should be the favorite side on pen and paper. However, as I earlier mentioned that the Red Devils are currently running short of resources thanks to a number of injury woes. In addition, as I already stated, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp always holds good record against Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Though Portsmouth is also facing some injury problems, Manchester seems to be more affected by injury problems. So, I think, both sides have enough chance in the match. I just wish that excessive carefulness would not mar the excitement of the match.

Related articles:

Goal.com

Sky Sports

Timesofmalta.com

Setanta Sports

Wikipedia

Manchester United vs Portsmouth Community Shield 2008: Without Lassana Diarra

To know the result of the Community Shield 2008 match visit here.

Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra will not be able to take part in the Community Shield 2008 match against Manchester United. The French international is running out of fitness as he joined late to the pre-season training. Portsmouth manager Joe Jordan did not hide anything about the issue, stating that Diarra needs about a week to regain his fitness, but he is out of contention for the FA Community Shield meeting with Manchester United.

Diarra joined Portsmouth in a move from Arsenal in January 2008. Portsmouth’s Croatian winger Niko Kranjcar also joined pre-season training late after his international duty with Croatia in Euro 2008. Portsmouth won the FA Cup title last season and thus achieved the ticket of FA Community Shield 2008. However, Manchester United is interested to use the match to boost up the match fitness of some of their players, ahead of the premier league 2008-2009 season, starting from 16 August.

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BBC

Community Shield 2008: Manchester United to Provide Match Practice Opportunity to Injury-Recovered Players

To know the result of the Community Shield 2008 match visit here.

With new season of Premier League starting from 16 August, fans and players are eagerly waiting for the upcoming season. For the fans, there is a big occasion to cheer even before the English premier league 2008-2009 gets underway and that is FA Community Shield 2008. Defending premier league champion Manchester United and the reigning FA Cup winner Portsmouth will face each other at the Wembley Stadium on 10 August 2008 for the FA Community Shield 2008 title.

Though it is a traditional match in English domestic football, it has little importance these days. Teams take it as a match for final preparation and very often the clubs do not feature their key players in Community Shield matches, thinking of the injury fear at the beginning of the season.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks to use the match to give chances to the injury-recovered players so that they can regain their match fitness by the time premier league gets underway. He admitted that teams always use the Community Shield match as a barometer of fitness. It was clear from his words that he is going to bring some players in the starting eleven just for giving match practice to those players. Since 1996, this is going to be the first FA Community Shield Cup in which one team will come outside the “Big Four” of English premier league: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, it is for sure that Portsmouth will take very seriously as this is their first appearance in FA Community Shield 2008 since 1949 and overall third Community Shield match.

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The Canadian Press

Manchester United Knocked out of FA Cup with a Surprise Defeat by Portsmouth

Manchester United has been out of FA Cup being defeated by Portsmouth 1-0 at home. It was a surprise defeat for the defending champions of premier league. It does not mean that Manchester United was not up to the mark. Manchester United created a number of chances throughout the match, but Portsmouth defense and their goal keeper showed enough resistance against Manchester United attack.

Manchester United manager Ferguson accused referee for having his favorite in the match. Referee denied a penalty on Manchester United’s favor in the 6^th minute of the match when Cristiano Ronaldo was tackled by Sylvain Distin in the penalty box. Moreover, referee send off Manchester United goal keeper Tomasz Kuszczak for a foul on Milan Baros in the 78^th minute and eventually given a penalty against Manchester United and Sulley Muntari scored the winner for Portsmouth.

However, it would unfair to say that Portsmouth players outperformed the Manchester players in every position. Sol Campbell, Distin and Glen Johnson were impressive in the back line of Portsmouth, while Diarra made his presence felt in the midfield. Portsmouth played Kanu in the up front. However, Kanu could not make enough impressive in the match and was eventually replaced by Milan Baros in the second half.

Manchester United’s treble hope has been ended with this defeat. However, they still have hope to win double so far this season. They have progressed to the quarter final of Champions League and are only a point behind leader Arsenal in the premier league. Now, let us see if Ferguson players win the double this season which is very much possible for Manchester United.

Related article:

Times Online

Milan Baros Happy being at Portsmouth

Portsmouth striker Milan Baros has expressed his satisfaction being in the Pompey club. The Czech Republic international has joined the Portsmouth in the winter transfer window on a load deal with French league 1 side, Olympique Lyon. Baros has been struggling with his form and has lost his first team pace at Lyon. Now, after coming back to English premier league, Milan Baros thinks that it would be easier for him to settle down in England as he earlier playing for Liverpool and Aston Villa.

ESPN Soccernet reported:

'Both sides have accepted the deal and I decided it was a good chance to get back into English football. I was here five years with Liverpool and Villa and hopefully I can settle again very quickly.

'Speaking the language and knowing what is going on makes it easier and I'll be living in Portsmouth. I spoke to (Czech team-mate) Patrik Berger and he said it's a good club and a good manager.

The striker must try his best to hold his place in the first team. However, much of his chances depend on the coach at Portsmouth. They have been in good form this season. Portsmouth can eye on to win a place of UEFA Cup next season finishing top six in this season. So, Milan Baros could have a good future if he can perform with sheer consistency. I think, he is a skilled player. So, he can bounce back an get his form back in Portsmouth.

Manchester United vs Portsmouth English Premier League Preview

Manchester United and Portsmouth are going to face each other in a premier league match at the Old Trafford on Wednesday. No doubt, the match is important to both the clubs, though with different reasons. Manchester Untied has been in a dominating form this month with their key players including Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney all are at their great form.

Portsmouth is also going though a good time in premier league. They are currently at the ninth position in the table with just four points behind the fourth position held by Aston Villa. So, they have a good chance to win a place in the UEFA Cup finishing the season within top six places. So, winning a UEFA Cup berth is now very possible for the Pompey and it is a realistic target as well. What is more, they have a balanced side.

The fact is very much interesting that Manchester Untied is very strong at their home ground. In the same way, Portsmouth has been performing consistently well on the road. So, it is almost clear that Manchester United’s 11 straight league victories will strongly be challenged against Portsmouth.

Manchester United has recently confirmed their fifth round FA Cup place though the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday this week. Manchester Untied is now jointly sharing the top place of league point table with Arsenal in English premier league. So, there is not doubt that the defending champions are now going smoothly towards another premier league title.

Manchester Untied attack spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo has been in imperious form in the recent matches. The Portuguese midfielder is the highest goal scorer of Premier league of this season with 17 goals so far. Argentine striker Carlos Tevez and England striker Wayne Rooney are also in great form. About Ronaldo’s form this season, his team mate, Owen Hargreaves has said that Ronaldo is yet to reach his top form. He said:

"The thing is, Cristiano can do even better, he can do more, and I think he will," said the Canadian-raised United midfielder.

"He just wants to be the best, and you can see that in him. There's no doubt for me that he will get there, if he's not there now.

"I think he's got to the point now where you'd almost be surprised if he didn't score, he's in such good form," he added.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has included two effective players in the side in the winter transfer window. Lassana Diarra and Milan Baros are expected to be very much effective for the Pompey in the coming matches. So, it seems that Portsmouth is going to be much stronger in the matches to come.

Goal.com reported:

Harry Redknapp has worked his magic once again in the January transfer window, bringing in talented duo Lassana Diarra and Milan Baros from Arsenal and Lyon, respectively. Diarra will provide an extra shield in front of a well marshalled back four while the pacy front man Baros will offer Pompey another option in attack. Both players have Premier League experience and look like astute signings.

Manchester Untied will not get their Serbian left back Nemanja Vidic for the match against Portsmouth because of his illness. Louis Saha (knee) and Gary Neville (ankle) will also be sidelined with their injury problem, while Paul Scholes is expected to play in the match against Portsmouth. For Portsmouth, Milan Baros is now hopeful to play regularly for Portsmouth.

I think, the match is going to be an exciting one. Though Manchester United will play in front of the home crowd, Portsmouth will also come up with a strong challenge for the home side. Now, let us see if Manchester Untied get over the Portsmouth challenge and hold their place at the top of the point table.