Liverpool perlu belajar hadapi tekanan

Liverpool perlu belajar hadapi tekanan

ALONSO menjadi sandaran utama Liverpool untuk menewaskan Portsmouth hari ini.

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LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool perlu belajar untuk menghadapi
tekanan ketika sedang selesa memimpin kedudukan teratas Liga Perdana
England selepas beberapa musim ketinggalan di belakang Manchester
United dan Chelsea.

Meskipun berjaya menamatkan rekod tanpa kalah Chelsea sebanyak 86 perlawanan apabila menang 1-0 ke atas The Blues di Stamford Bridge Ahad lalu, perebutan gelaran liga masih lagi terbuka.

Malah kemenangan itu tidak akan memberi sebarang makna jika mereka tewas kepada Portsmouth di Anfield hari ini.

Tetapi, dengan harapan realistik untuk menamatkan penantian 18 tahun
kelab itu untuk memenangi gelaran liga, cabaran seterusnya akan menjadi
bukti kekuatan sebenar kelab Merseyside itu.

Selepas kehilangan pengurus Harry Redknapp yang berpindah ke
Tottenham Ahad lalu, Portsmouth bakal berdepan tugas sukar apabila
mereka berdepan anak-anak buah Rafael Benitez itu.

Xabi Alonso yang menjaringkan gol kemenangan di Old Trafford dan
pemain veteran Jamie Carragher berkata, Liverpool perlu bekerja lebih
keras bermula dari sekarang selepas mencatat keputusan yang baik di
Chelsea.

Alonso berkata: "Ia adalah satu kemenangan yang menarik untuk kami
tetapi ia hanya tiga mata. Tiga mata menentang Chelsea adalah sama
penting dengan tiga mata menentang Wigan Athletic dan tiga mata lagi
diperlukan menentang Portsmouth hari ini.

"Mereka semua sama penting, jadi kini kami perlu memikirkan mengenai
perlawanan Rabu ini (hari ini) dan seterusnya dengan tenang."

Carragher yang telah memenangi banyak gelaran bersama The Reds berharap akan memenangi satu trofi Liga Perdana England sebelum dia bersara.

Tetapi pemain berusia 30 tahun itu menegaskan, masih banyak yang
perlu dilakukan oleh Liverpool sebelum mereka mampu memenangi gelaran
Liga Perdana England.

"Kemenangan ke atas Chelsea sepatutnya melonjakkan keyakinan kami
tetapi kami menyedari bahawa perjalanan masih jauh," kata pemain
pertahanan itu. - AFP

Ref- KOSMO!

CHELSEA 0 - 1 LIVERPOOL

ALONSO FIRES REDS CLEAR AT THE TOP

Liverpool have moved three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after Xabi Alonso's first-half strike gave them a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard's first goal of the season was enough to maintain the Reds' unbeaten start to the season and brings an end to the Blues' proud home run that had stretched to 86 matches undefeated. 
  
It means Liverpool have now notched up a landmark 600th top-flight victory on the road and halts a Chelsea hoodoo that had seen them win only once at the Bridge - in January 2004 - since the inauguration of the Premier League. 
  
Both sides had gone into the match level on points at the summit of English football and with Chelsea protecting their incredible Bridge record, few observers would have been surprised to see them create the first opening of this heavyweight bout on three minutes. 
  
A slip from Alonso allowed Nicolas Anelka to seize possession and race towards the Liverpool goal. The Frenchman jinked past the first defender before seeing the ball break menacingly towards Deco, but just when it seemed the Portuguese playmaker would open the scoring, Jamie Carragher intervened with one of his trademark blocks to deflect the ball to safety. 
  
If the home support thought it was a sign of things to come then they would be very mistaken, and Alonso's next contribution would result in the opening goal of the game on 10 minutes. 
  
A long throw on the right was flicked on by Dirk Kuyt and as Robbie Keane battled for it, the ball fell invitingly to Alonso who did not waste his chance, firing an awkward left-foot shot that deflected past Petr Cech and into the net. 
  
It was a dream start for a Rafa and co and they would go on to boss the remainder of the first-half, restricting Chelsea to wayward shots from distance, whilst carving out one or two good opportunities of their own. 
  
Indeed, it could have got even better for the visitors on 16 minutes when the impressive Albert Riera danced his way beyond the attentions of Jose Bosingwa and fizzed a shot just wide of the near post. 
  
With Steven Gerrard operating just behind lone striker Robbie Keane, the Reds continued to cause problems, and the skipper nearly added to his eclectic mix of great goals with a stunning 25 yarder that Petr Cech somehow managed to touch over the crossbar. 
  
For their part, Chelsea continued to probe for openings but the away side were well worth their interval lead and Deco's 34th minute piledriver was the closest they came to troubling Pepe Reina. 
  
The home side upped their tempo in the second period but it was the away side who continued to enjoy the best attacking moments with Dirk Kuyt firing just wide from 20 yards. 
  
If the Dutchman's strike was close, then Alonso's exquisite free-kick was even closer, with only a lick of paint on the post preventing the midfielder from doubling his tally. 
  
At times Liverpool were playing some breathtaking counter-attacking football and substitute Ryan Babel was only inches away from collecting a pass to send him clear on goal while Javier Mascherano over-hit his cross when he may have been better placed to shoot. 
  
Babel then showed a cameo of what he is all about with a great first touch to turn his man before sending a sizzling effort wide of the left-hand post. 
  
With so many opportunities going begging, there was always the nagging doubt that Luiz Felipe Scolari's men would snatch a draw, but with Jamie Carragher once again immense at the back, the Reds saw it out to secure Rafael Benitez's first victory away to one of the top-flight's so-called big four.

TEAMS

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Keane. Subs - Hyypia, Babel, Leiva, Dossena, Cavalieri, Pennant, Benayoun
 
Chelsea: Cech, Cole, Terry (captain), Carvalho, Bosingwa, Malouda, Lampard, Obi Mikel, , Kalou, Anelka. Subs - Cudicini, Ferreira, Belletti, Di Santo, Sinclair, Ivanovic, 
 
Referee: Howard Webb
 
Conditions: wet
 
Attendance: Unknown
 
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

BREAKDOWN

13:34 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Chelsea get the game underway at the Bridge
2 mins : Bosingwa is caught in possession but Gerrard can't get in behind the Chelsea defence and Cech gathers
3 mins : Alonso loses his footing and Deco has a shot at goal which is deflected behind for a corner
7 mins : Kalou is flagged offside down the right as Chelsea look for an opening. Home side have had more of the ball so far
10 mins : GOAL! Xabi Alonso: Alonso's left footed strike is deflected past Cech to give us the dream start
14 mins : Lampard slips the ball into Kalou who should do better but shoot tamely at Reina
17 mins : Riera goes past Bosingwa down the left and fires disappointingly wide. We're well on top at the moment
21 mins : First Booking: Albert Riera: Foul on Bosingwa
22 mins : Bosingwa sends in a cross from the right which Kalou heads well over Reina's goal
25 mins : Stunning dipping volley from Gerrard is met with an equally brilliant save from Cech who tips the ball over for a corner
29 mins : Carragher helps the ball back to Reina under pressure from a couple of Chelsea players
33 mins : Lampard shoots from distance and Carragher blocks at the expense of a corner
36 mins : Deco regains the ball for Chelsea and charges forward into space before striking wide of target from 20 yards
38 mins : First Booking: Steven Gerrard:
40 mins : Deco sends another shot goalwards which is deflected over for another corner
14:20 GMT : Half Time Reached
14:37 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway. Can we hold on and move three points clear at the top?
47 mins : Chance rightaway for Keane but he can't take advantage and the home side clear
49 mins : Bosingwa clatters into Aurelio and wins a free kick on the right hand side
52 mins : Malouda has space on the left but his cross is well defended by Carragher
53 mins : First Booking: Florent Malouda:
55 mins : Kalou is taken out by Reina in the area but the flag is already up for offside
56 mins : First Booking: Ashley Cole:
57 mins : Kuyt goes for goal and isn't too far away from the far post
57 mins : Substitution: Franco Di Santo for Salomon Kalou:
57 mins : Substitution: Juliano Belletti for Florent Malouda:
60 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Robbie Keane:
61 mins : Alonso's free kick comes crashing back off the base of the post - what a great effort
65 mins : First Booking: Javier Mascherano:
66 mins : Mascherano has space down the right but can't find a teammate with a cross into the danger area
73 mins : Best chance Chelsea have had for a while as the ball falls to Ashley Cole but he fires his volley well wide
76 mins : Great defending from Carragher to deny Deco as he prepares to pull the trigger inside the area
77 mins : Babel turns outside the area and fires a low shot just wide across Cech's goal
79 mins : First Booking: Deco :
85 mins : Substitution: Scott Sinclair for Jose Bosingwa:
85 mins : Kuyt has space on the right but his low cross is defended by Terry
88 mins : Substitution: Lucas Leiva for Dirk Kuyt:
15:25 GMT : Match Over

'Battle at the Bridge' Liverpool pula dilanda kecederaan

MADRID: Pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez, mula
dicuit kebimbangan menjelang menentang Chelsea dalam pertandingan Liga
Perdana England di Stamford Bridge Ahad ini.

Ini
kerana tiga pemain utamanya - Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane dan Xavi
Alonso - mengalami kecederaan semasa seri 1-1 dengan Atletico Madrid
dalam Liga Juara-Juara Eropah Kumpulan D dini hari semalam.

Keane
tampil sebagai penyumbang gol Liverpool pada minit ke-14 sebelum
Atletico menyamakan kedudukan melalui pemain sayap Portugal, Simao,
pada lewat permainan.

'Jika anda memberitahu saya belum perlawanan ini bahawa kami akan memungut tujuh mata, ia tentunya satu pencapaian yang baik.

'Malangnya,
kami bukan sahaja tercicir dua mata, malah juga dilanda masalah
kecederaan ke atas beberapa pemain utama,' ujar Benitez.

Gerrard, Alonso dan Robbie semuanya telah digantikan dalam separuh masa kedua.

Keane
mengalami kejang otot tetapi kecederaannya tidak dianggap serius.
Alonso mengalami kecederaan pada lututnya. Begitu juga dengan Gerrard.

'Ketiga-tiganya
kelihatan penat dan kami ingin mereka berada dalam kedudukan segar dan
100 peratus cergas (bagi pertemuan dengan Chelsea nanti),' tambah
Benitez.

Kedua-dua Liverpool dan
Atletico berkongsi kedudukan atas Kumpulan D dengan tujuh mata dan akan
bertemu lagi di Anfield pada 4 November.

Penyerang
Sepanyol, Fernando Torres, begitu ghairah mahu kembali cergas bagi
menghadapi perlawanan penting itu selepas mengalami kejang otot
gara-gara menyertai skuad nasionalnya dalam kelayakan Piala Dunia 2010.

Benitez mengakui ketiadaan Torres begitu dirasakan dalam perlawanan ini.

'Tentunya,
kami terjejas dengan ketiadaan Torres dalam pertemuan dengan Atletico
kerana beliau adalah pemain yang begitu istimewa.

'Tetapi
tiada guna nama Torres disebut kerana beliau tidak beraksi dalam
perlawanan itu. Terdapat terlalu banyak pertandingan antarabangsa dan
anda sendiri sudah tahu pandangan saya tentang perkara ini,' Benitez
menerangkan.

Mengulas lebih lanjut
tentang perlawanan itu, Benitez berkata: 'Kami menguasai separuh masa
pertama dan juga awal babak separuh masa kedua. Tetapi saya kecewa kami
gagal mengekalkan penguasaan tersebut.' / Reuters

Torres turut diketepikan ketika menentang 'The Blues' di Stamford Bridge Ahad ini

Liverpool waspada ancaman Atletico

TORRES tidak dapat beraksi di Stadium Calderon awal pagi ini ekoran masalah kecederaan.

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MADRID - Kepulangan Fernando Torres ke Atletico Madrid dijangka penuh emosi.

Namun masalah kecederaan menghalang penyerang Liverpool itu daripada
beraksi pada perlawanan Liga Juara-Juara menentang bekas kelabnya,
Atletico awal pagi ini.

Ketika ini kedua-dua pasukan mengutip enam mata penuh selepas menang
dua perlawanan pembukaan ke atas Marseille dan PSV Eindhoven dan
kemenangan hari ini akan mencerahkan peluang mereka untuk melayakkan
diri ke pusingan kalah mati.

Menyedari Atletico akan mendapat sokongan padu penyokong sendiri di
Stadium Calderon, kapten Liverpool, Steven Gerrard berkata, ia sama
sekali tidak akan mengganggu kempen The Reds di peringkat Eropah.

"Atletico adalah sebuah pasukan yang berbahaya. Mereka telah
menunjukkan peningkatan sejak dua musim yang lalu dan telah
membelanjakan banyak wang," kata Gerrard.

"Beberapa pemain Sepanyol seperti Fernando Torres telah memberitahu
saya bahawa suasana pada perlawanan itu nanti pasti akan menjadi tegang.

"Tetapi kami telah membuktikan sejak beberapa tahun yang lalu betapa hebatnya kami beraksi di peringkat Eropah."

Liverpool yang masih mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah dalam saingan
Liga Perdana England terpaksa merehatkan Torres selepas dia mengalami
kecederaan hamstring pada aksi antarabangsa bersama Sepanyol minggu
lalu.

Torres, 24, dianggap sebagai penyerang terbaik Atletico selepas
menjaringkan 75 gol daripada 174 perlawanan Liga Sepanyol sebelum
berpindah ke Liverpool pada tahun 2007.

Dalam pada itu, pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez yang pasti
merasai kehilangan Torres yang dianggap 'mesin gol' Liverpool sejak
musim lalu.

Ketiadaan Torres menyaksikan Benitez bakal menggandingkan Dirk Kuyt dengan Robbie Keane di barisan serangan.

Benitez juga boleh memberi kepercayaan kepada Kuyt untuk bergerak
secara solo di bahagian serangan jika dia menggunakan formasi 4-5-1. -
AFP

Liverpool eye Heskey in January sales

Emile Heskey may return to play in front of the Kop next year, if
reports linking him with a return to Liverpool across the British press
are correct.

Heskey is keen for Champions League football next season

The
Wigan striker, 30, has been in fine form for both club and country this
season, and his current contract is due to expire next summer.

JJB
manager Steve Bruce admits his heavyweight frontman could quit Wigan
once the transfer window opens, and Heskey himself has done nothing to
quell the speculation. "Yeah, I hope [to attract interest]," he said.
"It's a nice situation that I'm in, but I'm still a Wigan player and I
want to do my best for them. Everyone wants to be playing on these big
stages, and for their club to be in the Champions League."

Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez may try to sign the former Red in the January
transfer window, although he could face stiff competition from Aston
Villa and Tottenham, who are also believed to be jostling for the
striker's signature.

An added advantage of Heskey's signing in
January would be the fact that he is not cup-tied, and so would be
eligible to take part in Liverpool's Champions League campaign.

Heskey
spent four years at Anfield, from 2000-2004, after arriving for a
then-record £11m from Leicester City. Benitez' predecessor Gerard
Houllier offloaded the attacker to Birmingham for £3.5m, shortly before
the Spaniard's arrival at Liverpool at the end of the 2003-2004 season.

Liverpool laung amaran, yakin rampas EPL musim ini

LONDON: Keyakinan diri merupakan kunci yang akan
membawa kejayaan kepada Liverpool dalam merebut kejuaraan Liga Perdana
England musim ini.

Pengurus Liverpool,
Rafael Benitez, menyatakan demikian selepas anak buahnya bangkit
mencatatkan kemenangan 3-2 pada minit-minit terakhir ke atas 10 pemain
Manchester City di padang lawan kelmarin.

Jurulatih
dari Sepanyol itu selanjutnya berkata kewibawaan yang ditunjukkan
Liverpool sungguh hebat semasa kelab Anfield itu meneruskan saingan
dengan pendahulu liga, Chelsea.

Chelsea
mengalahkan Aston Villa 2-0 di Stamfod Bridge untuk memungut mata yang
sama dengan Liverpool dan menduduki takhta liga dengan kelebihan
perbezaan gol.

Liverpool tercicir
0-2 sebelum Fernando Torres menyamakan kedudukan dengan dua gol dan
Dirk Kuyt pula menyumbatkan gol kemenangan pada masa kecederaan.

'Keyakinan setiap pemain tentang kemampuan mereka dan pasukannya menjadi kunci kejayaan kami,' tegas Benitez.

'Pada
masa rehat, saya hanya memberitahu pasukan bahawa kami memerlukan satu
gol untuk bangkit dalam perlawanan ini. Kewibawaan dan azam kami
terserlah dalam separuh masa kedua, dan ia sungguh hebat.

'Secara fizikal, kami berada pada kedudukan yang baik dan para pemain cukup bersedia menghadapi setiap perlawanan.'

Stephen
Ireland meletakkan City di hadapan pada minit ke-19 dan Javier Garrido
menjadikan 2-0 menerusi tendangan percuma sebelum rehat.

Pengurus
City, Mark Hughes, yang begitu kecewa kerana pasukannya mensia-siakan
kelebihan dua gol, menyatakan kelabnya memerlukan pemainpemain baru
Januari ini jika mahu bersaing merebut tempat dalam Liga Juara-Juara
Eropah musim depan.

Dengan sokongan
kewangan Abu Dhabi United Group yang diketuai Sheikh Mansour, City mahu
memecahkan penguasaan empat pasukan terkemuka - Manchester United,
Chelsea, Arsenal dan Liverpool.

Ini hanya dapat dilakukan dengan menguatkan lagi skuadnya apabila tempoh pemindahan pemain dibuka lagi Januari ini.

Hughes
berkata: 'Orang ramai harus realistik kerana Liga Perdana baru saja
menjalankan beberapa perlawanan. Kami perlu bermain dengan konsisten
jika ingin mendapatkan keputusan yang dihajatkan.

'Pasukan kami masih lemah dan kami perlu bekerja keras mengatasinya apabila tempoh pemindahan pemain dibuka Januari nanti.'

Liverpool
kehilangan pemain pertahanan Slovakia, Martin Skrtel, pada minit ke-19
kerana kecederaan ligamen lutut, sementara pemain City, Pablo Zabaleta,
dibuang padang kerana melakukan kekasaran ke atas Xavi Alonso.

Ini menjejas kemantapan permainan City dan Liverpool memanfaatkan kelebihan seorang pemain dengan menguasai permainan.

Sementara
itu, Benitez menegaskan keputusannya tidak menurunkan Robbie Keane
dalam kesebelasan pertama atas sebab-sebab taktik permainan.

'Saya
memulakan permainan dengan Robbie di bangku simpanan kerana City
mempunyai padang besar dan begitu lebar, dan saya cuba menurunkan lebih
pemain di bahagian midfield,' jelasnya.

'Ini membolehkan Steven Gerrard bergerak lebih bebas.' / AFP

MANCHESTER CITY 2 - 3 LIVERPOOL

Match Stats : EPL MANCHESTER CITY 2 - 3 LIVERPOOL

TEAM
LIVERPOOL
Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres.
Subs - Benayoun, Agger, Babel, Dossena, Leiva, Cavalieri, Keane

MANCHESTER CITY
Hart, Garrido, Dunne (captain), Richards, Zabaleta, Blumer, Ireland, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, , .
Subs - Schmeichel, Fernandes, Hamann, Evans, Ben-Haim, Petrov, Sturridge

Referee : Phil Walton

Match Highlights Photos


Martin
Skrtel of Liverpool tackles Robinho of Manchester City as Dirk Kuyt
looks on during their Premier League match at The City of Manchester
Stadium on October 5, 2008 in Manchester, England.
Alex Livesey - Getty Images


Stephen Ireland of Manchester City celebrates after opening the scoring against Liverpool.
Alex Livesey - Getty Images


Manchester City's Javier Garrido (left) celebrates with teammate Pablo Zabaleta after scoring the second goal against Liverpool.
ANDREW YATES/AFP - Getty Images


Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates after scoring against Manchester City. Torres scored twice for the Reds.
Alex Livesey - Getty Images


Liverpool
forward Dirk Kuyt celebrates after scoring the third goal and winner
against Manchester City in the dying moments of the game. The Reds
rallied from two goals down to win the clash 3-2.
ANDREW YATES/AFP - Getty Images

Manchester City v Liverpool

A preview of Sunday's match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Eastlands.

 

This encounter pits a City side with the strongest attack (16 goals
scored) against a Liverpool team with the best defence (two goals
conceded).

The Reds are just one of two sides unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League this season, the other being Chelsea.

This match ended 0-0 last term.

For team news and an in-depth preview, click here.

Lupakan hasrat untuk lamar Gerrard

KELAB Manchester City berhasrat untuk mengikat kontrak perancang Liverpool, Steven Gerrard.

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LONDON - Pemain Liverpool, Dirk Kuyt meminta Manchester City supaya
melupakan hasrat untuk mengikat kontrak dengan Steven Gerrard kerana
dia sudah selesa berada di Anfield.

City memiliki status baru sebagai kelab terkaya di dunia serta merancang untuk mendapatkan pemain terbaik dunia.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas dan perancang Liverpool, Gerrard
antara tiga pemain bintang berkelas dunia yang turut disenaraikan.

Kuyt membayangkan, meskipun Liverpool berasa bimbang namun City
tidak pernah berhasrat untuk mendapat pemain bintang yang beraksi di
Anfield.

"Saya tidak fikir mana-mana pemain di sini (Liverpool) akan pergi ke City kerana Liverpool adalah kelab yang lebih besar.

"Saya sudah tiga musim di sini dan tiada apa yang perlu dibimbangkan."

Liverpool akan melakukan kunjungan ke Stadium Manchester esok untuk menghadapi City dalam saingan liga.

"Saya tidak pernah terfikir dia akan meninggalkan Liverpool untuk menyertai City," katanya. - Agensi

Ref: KOSMO!

Fixture changes - December 2008

The Barclays Premier League have announced the latest fixture changes for matches to be screened live. 
Roy Keane's return to Old Trafford with Sunderland remains on
Saturday 6th December but now has a 5.30pm kick-off and will be shown
on Setanta Sports.


The following afternoon sees Everton host Aston Villa at 4pm with
the London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur on
Monday 8th December at 8pm.

Viewers get a pre-Christmas treat with Arsenal v Liverpool being shown on Sky Sports at 4pm on Sunday 21st December.

Boxing Day sees two fixtures being shown live - Stoke City against
Manchester United at 12.45pm and then Aston Villa v Arsenal at 5.15pm.

Mark Hughes returns to Ewood Park for the first time since taking
over as manager of Manchester City whose visit to Blackburn Rovers will
be screened on Sky Sports at 4.15pm on Sunday 28th December. That is
preceded by Newcastle United v Liverpool at noon, also on Sky Sports.

Fixture Changes

Manchester United v Sunderland, Saturday 6th December, 2008 - kick-off 5.30pm (Setanta Sports)

Everton v Aston Villa, Sunday 7th December, 2008 - kick-off 4.00pm (Sky Sports)

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur, Monday 8th December, 2008 - kick-off 8.00pm (Setanta Sports)

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, Saturday 13th December, 2008 - kick-off 5.30pm (Setanta Sports)

Portsmouth v Newcastle United, Sunday 14th December, 2008 - kick-off 1.30pm (Sky Sports)

Chelsea v West Ham United, Sunday 14th December, 2008 - kick-off 4.00pm (Sky Sports)

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City, Sunday 21st December, 2008 - kick-off 1.30pm (Sky Sports)

Arsenal v Liverpool, Sunday 21st December, 2008 - kick-off 4.00pm (Sky Sports)

Everton v Chelsea, Monday 22nd December, 2008 - kick-off 8.00pm (Setanta Sports)

Stoke City v Manchester United, Friday 26th December, 2008 - kick-off 12.45pm (Sky Sports)

Aston Villa v Arsenal, Friday 26th December, 2008 - kick-off 5.15pm (Sky Sports)

Newcastle United v Liverpool, Sunday 28th December, 2008 - kick-off 12.00pm (Sky Sports)

Blackburn Rovers v Manchester City, Sunday 28th December, 2008 - kick-off 4.15pm (Sky Sports)

Manchester United v Middlesbrough, Monday 29th December, 2008 - kick-off 8.00pm (Setanta Sports)

Hull City v Aston Villa, Tuesday 30th December, 2008 - kick-off 8.00pm (Sky Sports)