Champions League Werder Bremen 2 Tottenham 2

No wonder Harry Redknapp has been strongly linked with the England post which is seemingly vacant from 2012 after the European Championships. Redknapp has clearly delivered at White Hart Lane. Displaying cunning fox-like ways in the transfer market (the latest example Van der Vaart seems to be settling in very quickly) and great player development skills (Lennon and Huddlestone as shining examples) Harry has made Spurs a dominant English side that previously had been labelled a poisoned challice by many pundits in the game. With a superb campaign in the 2009/2010 season where Spurs finished fourth, they didn't wobble against the Young Boys beating them 6-3 on aggregate to delight the Spurs faithful.

So the UEFA Champions League virgins Tottenham Hotspur started explosively, scoring twice in the first 20 minutes.

Left wing wizard Gareth Bale got to the goal line to cross nicely into England striker Peter Crouch who went to slot the ball in displaying goalscorer positioning. However, Werder Bremen Pasanen put the ball in for an unfortunate own goal.

It was Crouchy who scored the second for the lily whites, looping a header home from an Ekotto cross. Great midfield movement and passing from the North London travellers, they really did stretch Werder Bremen. Brilliant header from Peter Crouch, using his size and heading skill. Dominating possession for the whole of the first half, Tottenham Hotspur could have had half a dozen goals, peppering the Werder Bremen goal with shots on target. Gareth Bale was outsanding as was Peter Crouch and new dutch signing Van der Vaart.

The home team managed to steal one against the run of play, with Almeida scoring in the 43rd minute after some sloppy Spurs defending. A great opportunity for Werder Bremen was created from this moment on.

In the second half, the home team started very brightly, with Cudicini making a great save tipping a superb long range shot over the bar. Marin then scored an absolutely exquisite goal, hitting a drive from outside the box.

Marin and Almeida continuted to pile on pressure to the hear of the Tottenham Hotspur defence. This seemed to impact on the visitor's approach to the match early on in the second half, Spurs looked tentative and reluctant to pile forward in the aggressive manner that brought them their 2 goal lead in the 1st half.

Werder Bremen were good for a draw - exciting times for Tottenham Hotspur as they claim their first UEFA Champions League point.

COYS ;-)

Manchester Utd 3 Newcastle Utd 0 Premier League result

Great to see Newcastle Utd back in the big time, travelling away to Old Trafford last night with plenty of topless fat Geordies enjoying the Lancashire August evening sunshine. Chris Houghton had his troops well organised for this glamourous tie against Sir Alex Ferguson's 11, packing the midfield and defence successfully until the 32nd minute where Valencia managed to regain possession and feed Berbatov to slot home the opener for Manchester United in his 3rd season at the Red Devils.

As Houghton's men pushed on, space became apparent for Man Utd and Newscastle started to look weary. You could see a second coming and it did. Nani cleverly feed in to Evra and the cross from the left back was put into the Newcastle net by Fletcher. A deserved 2-0 at the break for Fergie's boys.

In the second half, Manchester United pushed on with bossing the promoted Newcastle. The magpies worked hard to try and build possession in the final 3rd but the front line couldn't get anything to stick. Man Utd started to move the ball around with ease, Scholes particularly showing that he on his day is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Scholes then combined with Giggs to score a superb goal, a well controlled volley going across the Newcastle keeper. A regulation victory for the ex champions and great to see the Man Utd veterans still keeping in great physical condition.

Torres to stay at Liverpool

Fernando Torres will be staying at Liverpool after speaking to new Reds boss Roy Hodgson. This has to be positive news for the financially challenged Premier League giant despite media criticism of the spanish striker during the World Cup 2010. Torres is a proven goalscorer at Premiership level so it is surprising that football journalists to forget his phenomenal goal scoring rate at Liverpool. The obvious challenge to Hodgson is achieving some balance within his front line to allow Torres to get properly fit - something we haven't seen for 2 years. Has this affected the player's chances of moving on? Perhaps, but Hodgson will recognise true class in Torres and will want him to show his devastating physicality and presence once more to get him back to aiming for in excess of 25 goals per season.

Good work Roy of the Reds!

Uruguay v Holland

Holland haven't reached the World Cup Final in 1978. That year, Holland lost in extra time 3-1 to host nation Argentina. In 2010, most bookies got it wrong when they progressed past the quarter final pushing aside Dunga's Brazil.

Tonight, the Dutch are the favourites. I think Snejder will turn it on again for them - what a player - you'd love to see him in the Premier League. Gooner Robin Van Persie is fit too, not too mention ex Chelsea left footer Robben.

For Uruguay, this is a return to their old World Cup from years back. You have to go back to 1970 for the last time that they made the semi-finals where they finished fourth. It could be said this year they've over achieved to be the only South American team in the last four, especially when they were the lasr team to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Uruguay star man Diego Forlan will relish this evening's challenge - he has had a superb World Cup and this is one player you could imagine coming back to England after a mixed spell with Manchester United.

This semi-final should be a great game - very tight. Good luck to Uruguay!

Slovenia 0 England 1 World Cup 2010 RESULT

England were runner's up in Group C with USA topping the group. Were England great in this 0-1 victory against Slovenia? Yes! Especially mid second half, England were electric. Attacking, passing waves of football.

Rooney, Lampard and Gerard were all great - our key players that can make us winning the World Cup. James Milner stroked the ball about in a way that makes you think that he could be key and the other new recruit Jermain Defoe did what he does best - putting the ball into the net to put us into the last 16.

Great form from the Chelsea defenders Cole and Terry. Ashley Cole looks like the best left back in the world and John Terry comes across as an unofficial captain as he rallyed round the players at full time. Nothing like a win to galvanise the boys.

Fabio Capello said "I re-found the team that got qualification." A sharp upturn in form - we will need to keep upping our game but isn't it great to stay in the World Cup??

ENG - GER - LAND !

Slovenia 0 England 1. Defoe and Milner have a great first half.

England are winning their group match 1-0 against Slovenia. They came close several times to a second and it should come. Good tactical decisions were displayed by Fabio Capello. Amongst the sounds of vuvuzelas in South Africa, England displayed more composure and improved passing skills. Jermaine Defoe scored from a James Milner cross early in the first half of this make or break World Cup group match. Great cross after great cross from James Milner, who will be making it hard for Aaron Lennon to get that right sided midfield slot back again. Gerard was relatively discipline in the first half for England - the formation is better but I think there is more that could be done to make us look like World Cup champions.

James Milner starts for England in Midfield. Come on England

Good luck to Jame Milner of Horsforth today - always great to see a Leeds lad in the first team of England in the World Cup!

James Milner will take the right side of midfield from Aaron Lennon (of Chapeltown, Leeds!) after a below par appearance.