Gäste Forum » ity in the AL wild-card game, Oakland tra

Adam Johnson and Manuel Pellegrini may well have walked off with Januarys BPL Player and Manager of the Month Awards, but no other club have had a better new year than Chelsea. Jose Juan Barea Jersey . Seven matches played, six clean sheets, wins heaped upon wins. The copy book only blighted by an inability to deal with West Hams so termed 19th century tactics. Having just returned from spending three weeks in the city of the 2012 Summer Olympiad, much time spent within the century plus old Stamford Bridge walls, its as if the clocks have been turned back to circa 2004-05. It was Mourinhos debut season, and the little horse galloped away from the entire BPL field. Chelsea winning the title by a very distant 12 points. Most remarkably, conceding an improbable 15 goals through the 38-match season - numbers Gary Bettman apparently salivates over. Such was Chelseas dominance of the Champions for almost the entire second half they played in reverse gear. Ryan Giggs couldnt watch as he continually covered his face in his hands. He likely would have thrown in the towel if he could have found one. The only passion on display that afternoon from anyone in a red shirt came from the quite magnificent Manchester United support - 6,000 strong, and as one in their complete support for club. The true definition of what the word supporter actually means. There in the midst of yet more adversity and not once did they veer from the full encouragement, slap on the back script. Hopefully, someone at the club shot a video which David Moyes has had time to watch. If theres one man in world football who needs to fully understand the inherent value of positive body language, additionally to be classically re-conditioned it is the boy set adrift by Ferguson. Ive witnessed more sideline encouragement during the traditional park life early Sunday morning pub league football. When most are still feeling the awful side effects of a very late and mostly liquid Saturday night. The Chosen One? More like The Shrugged Shouldered One. Such was Manchester Uniteds public demise at Stamford Bridge, Sir Alex Ferguson had to slum it sat next to yesterdays soul man, Mick Hucknall. Meanwhile, Miami FCs David Beckham took pride of place over in the regal confines of Roman Abramovichs private suite. Court side seats at a Lakers game are renowned as the ultimate status symbol of the celebrity and glitteratti set. As I walked the Fulham Road streets before the match, there was more jewellery than scarves on display in London SW6. I even caught sight of a man not often associated with the jet set. England manager Roy Hodgson walking with his assistant Ray Lewington as they purposefully mingled amongst the crowd making their way to the ground. Not an air of grace about them. For Englands Brazil 2014 sakes, lets hope the WAGs will have taken notes. Next up for Chelsea was an FA Cup fourth round tie against Stoke City. Late that morning, Mata completed his £37.1m ($69m million) move to Old Trafford, Matic made his Stamford Bridge debut that afternoon. Now over my time, I have seen some monsters on a football pitch. Not all of them dressed in football shirts. Nemanja Matic is almost completely unrecognizable from the person and footballer that he was in his previous stint. He hardly got a look in then, against Stoke he hardly put a foot wrong. Oscars sublime free kick separated the sides. Matic though was the talk of the press room at full time. That was until a 51st birthday celebrating Jose Mourinho walked into the room. It was only mere minutes after it had been announced the win against Stoke set up a highly tasty fifth round encounter at the Etihad. Hours previously, the twice straight player of the year had been sold. To Manchester United of all clubs, and a transfer which had Wenger and Pelligrini going into a lather. First question to the manager? “When Rafa Benitez was Chelsea manager, on his birthday he bought a cake in for the media. Wheres your cake?” Not to be outdone by Rafa, the Happy One promised champagne for when next he would meet the media 48 hours later. You couldnt make this stuff up. When the subject did finally get round to Mata, Mourinho let it be known it was not his sole decision to discard the best left foot in the BPL. “Only the big boss makes sole decisions.” The manager made it abundantly clear it was a team decision that the 25-year old Spaniard was surplus to requirements. Weve all witnessed Oscar and Hazard on the ball. From the comfort of your sofa or bar stool, what the camera doesnt tell you though is the staggering amount of tracking back these two highly gifted players do through the course of a match. Out of possession sometimes, it seemed Oscar was so deep in his own half he was paired in defence with John Terry. Hauled off soaking wet with 10 minutes left and the Sunday evening sky darkening, one clever hack suggested the Brazilians mother had sent a text to Mourinho reminding him the fresh-faced youngster had to be at school Monday morning. There was nothing fresh-faced about Oscar, nor Mourinho, 72 hours later when Big Sams Claret and Blue Army [and Im speaking about the West Ham players] made the short hop over from Londons East end. Those gale-forced winds and pouring rain that has battered the south west of England for much of winter showed up too. Attending the match as a Chelsea supporter, with the trouble ‘n strife [wife] in tow, we took our seats in the lower tier of the West Stand. Mercifully under cover, but such was the ferocious wind we were rain lashed for the entire 90 minutes. The action on the pitch was not one bit as exciting as a sole Chelsea fan sat directly behind us. He made more noise than the thunder - his humour hotter than the tea. As he performed all the Chelsea classics in a virtuoso solo performance worthy of any Grammy winner. For all the plaudits bestowed on Mourinho following Mondays Etihad ‘title decider, he got it wrong against West Ham. In fact, it started with his Stoke line up when Frank Lampard captained the side and played the full 90-minutes. Lampard plays West Ham with fire in his belly and a goal in his feet. Not coincidental the best chance that evening fell to Chelseas leading goal scorer of all time in the 96th minute. But for a superb save from Adrian in the West Ham goal and Chelsea could be a magnificent seven straight wins through 2014. Matic should have started. Not as Mourinho did, only introduce him with less than 30 minutes left. Oscar struggled. Not so much with coming to grips with West Hams iron-like resolve, the conditions were so soggy and about as far removed from ball playing, he must have wished for the Copacabana. Of late, David Luiz has been spraying balls up field for Hazard to run onto. Luiz didnt leave the bench. Hazard for all his crafty guile was able to turn opponents inside out but where ever he went another West Ham player was in very close proximity. Baton down the Belgian on a windswept Stamford Bridge night they did. The Happy One, though wouldnt have swapped a moment of that ‘19th century like opponent for what was achieved against modern footballs shining knights, Manchester City. Hung, drawn and no Mourinho quarter given. As we get set later this month for the start of the knock out stages of the Champions League - the manner in which Etihad victory was achieved will have instilled a certain fear in Europes finest. That though is for the future. Speaking to Chelsea future, Samuel Etoo may have slayed Manchester United. The Cameroonians hier apparent is Islam Feruz. An 18-year old Somalian refugee who was signed from Celtic is currently ripping it up in Chelseas reserves. Scoring goals from all over the pitch, seemingly just for fun. Thoroughbred lightening quick, just maybe Feruz is the ‘little horse- The Especially Happy One was referring to after Chelsea made a mockery of Manchester Citys perfect BPL home form. You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter Steve Nash Jersey . Jovanovski, the 2012 champ seeded fifth, will meet surprise Japanese qualifier Misa Eguchi on Friday. Eguchi, ranked 183rd, qualified for her first WTA main draw this week, then beat No. Jason Kidd Jersey .C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. http://www.officialmavericksfanstore.com/kids-dennis-smith-jr-mavericks-jersey/ . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66.SAN DIEGO - Some things to know as Major League Baseballs winter meetings head into the third day on Wednesday:WINDY CITY WONDERSNorth Side, South Side, its fun to be a baseball fan in Chicago this off-season. Jon Lester agreed Tuesday to a $155 million, six-year contract with the Cubs, who earlier in the day acquired All-Star catcher Miguel Montero from Arizona for a pair of minor leaguers. Lester turned down a chance to return to Boston, where he helped pitch the Red Sox to a pair of World Series titles before he was dealt to Oakland last summer. While the Cubs seek their first championship since 1908, the White Sox try for their second since 1917 and first since 2005. After agreeing with free-agent closer David Robertson on a $46 million, four-year deal late Monday, the White Sox acquired former Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday to join a revamped roster that includes first baseman Adam LaRoche and left-hander Zach Duke.UN-KEMPWith a crowded outfield that includes Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, the Dodgers have discussed a possible deal to trade Kemp down the Interstate 5 (or the Pacific Coast Highway, if a longer trip with a view is preferred) to the San Diego Padres. While the Dodgers ended the New York Yankees 15-year streak as baseballs biggest spender and could afford Kemps huge contract, the Padres are not likely to take on all of the $107 million he is owed over the next five seasons. Through two days of the four-day session, Kemp remained in Dodgers blue.SPEED IT UPMLBs rules committee meets Wednesday, and one of the big topics of discussion will be pace oof game after a season in which the average time of a nine-inning game stretched to 3 hours, 2 minutes — up from 2:33 in 1981. Dwight Powell Jersey. Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre said he will first discuss with the 30 managers changing the way they make their requests for replay reviews. Torre is unhappy with the way managers meander out of the dugout and wait to be signalled by a coach.OUTTA HEREKnown for Moneyball in Oakland, Athletics general manager Billy Beane has been the Federal Express of baseball during the off-season: He ships anywhere at any time and seems to be telling other teams Our Most Important Package Is Yours. The As traded an All-Star for the third time in less than two weeks, sending Samardzija to the White Sox along with right-hander Michael Ynoa. The As obtained right-hander Chris Bassitt, catcher Josh Phegley, first baseman Rangel Ravelo and infielder Marcus Semien. Following its loss to Kansas City in the AL wild-card game, Oakland traded third baseman Josh Donaldson to Toronto on Nov. 28 and first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss to Cleveland on Monday.ONE MORE GAMEBuck Showalter spent Saturday with Chris Davis, and the Baltimore Orioles manager came away from their meeting impressed — so impressed that Showalter is counting on Davis having a big season for the AL East champions after a down year that ended with the slugger on the suspended list. Davis has to sit out one more game of a 25-game ban for testing positive for adderall. He will miss the April 7 opener at Tampa Bay before he gets a chance prove his 53 homers and 138 RBIs in 2013 werent a fluke. Davis hit .196 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs this season. ' ' '