Joey Barton and Dietmar Hamann in Twitter war

Posted on January 15, 2013 by adminsports

Don't try to call me out, maggot: Raging Barton's tirade at former City team-mate Hamann

, and his family life.

Hamann began gambling after his marriage broke down towards the end of his footballing career.

When it all kicked off: Hamann told Barton to keep out of club politics

Old team-mates: Hamann left and Barton (centre) playing for Man City

'There was a time when I was on my own
when I got into spread betting. A painful and expensive experience,'
Hamann told BBC Radio Manchester last year.

'You have to look in the mirror and say “Can you carry on like this or this is way you want to carry on”'

He added: 'There was one night which cost me over 200,000 and that was obviously a long and painful night.

To and fro: The argument got personal with Barton persisting on his tangent

Blue boy: Hamann with Stuart Pearce when he signed for Man City

'You've got face up to it and when you wake up the next morning you look in the mirror and don't like what you see.'

The Twitter row continued with Barton seemingly becoming increasingly angry as the jibes he sent to Hamann became more personal.

'What a player you where (sic)' typed Barton. 'Tragic. Now do one Tourette's face!'

Using the term 'England international', with reference to Barton's international career which has seen him win just one cap, Hamann antagonised his target.

In a bizarre conclusion to the conversation, Barton tweeted: 'Disappointed in myself for getting involved in that. But never let a dog try to tell u its not a dog an that u are! A dogs a f****** dog…'.

The pair had played alongside each other in City's central midfield in the 2006-07 season.

Barton then moved to Newcastle at the end of that year, a club Hamann had played at almost a decade earlier.

Former Newcastle player Nolberto Solano then chipped in, telling Barton he was a 'good player but lack(ed a) yard of pace. Also lost temper too much.'

He also had kind words for Hamann, saying the man who had won the Champions League and played for Germany over 50 times deserved respect.

Spineless Mike Dean has let everyone down by letting Ferguson get away with it again

Posted on December 28, 2012 by adminsports

Spineless Dean has let everyone down by letting Ferguson get away with it again

UPDATED:

01:36 GMT, 28 December 2012

I was at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, supporting Manchester United, and I was appalled by Ferguson’s finger-jabbing tirade towards the match officials and particularly towards assistant referee Jake Collin at the beginning of the second half.

Regardless of whether Dean was correct in awarding Newcastle their
second goal in their 4-3 defeat by United, what followed from Ferguson
at the beginning of the second half was unacceptable.

Cleared: Sir Alex Ferguson will face no action after complaining to referee Mike Dean on Saturday

Cleared: Sir Alex Ferguson will face no action after remonstrating to referee Mike Dean on Saturday

But by electing to omit the details of Ferguson’s ‘discussion’ with the officials, Dean not only let himself down but also his colleagues and most importantly, the army of referees — some of whom are as young as 14, the age at which I began refereeing — at grassroots level.

Week after week, we are subjected to foul verbal abuse in the Saturday and Sunday leagues, the type of which just doesn’t take place in any other aspect of society.

Where else is a 15-year-old boy called a ‘f****** blind ****’

At 16, I began refereeing adult games where every decision is questioned, where every free kick awarded brings a foul-mouthed riposte and when 6ft-tall, 15-stone men are gagging for a fight. I did one game in a rough part of Manchester last year and sent a player off for two straightforward yellow cards and he had to be restrained from attacking me by his team-mates.

Heart-racing: United struck late to go seven points clear at the top of the league

Barrage: Ferguson complained to assistant referee Jake Collin after Jonny Evans' own goal was awarded

This was a rare exception but it highlights that it has become the ‘done thing’ in football to intimidate the referee. And the most frustrating part is that the Premier League referees could bring an end to it by following the laws of the game and dealing with abuse with red cards.

It would bring an instant flurry of dismissals but players and managers would soon learn that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated. More than that, the example being set would soon filter down to grassroots — finally, we would have the precedent we need to get tough on the abuse.

I am fed up of seeing referees in the Premier League being so utterly spineless. Why is it that they continue to allow players to question every decision, swear at them, and crowd around them in an aggressive manner Top-level referees aren’t helping themselves and their cowardice is damaging our cause at grassroots level.

Kauto Star owner Smith lets rip in row with Nicholls

Posted on December 13, 2012 by adminsports

Kauto Star owner Smith lets rip in row with Nicholls after legend leaves trainer's yard

UPDATED:

11:40 GMT, 13 December 2012

The depth of the bitterness behind the row over the retirement plans for superstar steeplechaser Kauto Star have been revealed by the horse's owner Clive Smith.

Smith says his association with trainer Paul Nicholls has broken down irretrievably and that the strain on their relationship stretched back to an argument at Nicholls' Open Day in September.

Smith, on holiday in New York, said: 'He came up to me with a tirade of foul language. He must have said it six times that he wanted the horse out of the yard then, never mind this Tuesday. What happened was the final straw.'

Breakdown: Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith (left) and trainer Paul Nicholls

He added in the Racing Post: 'On October 31, I had a final meeting with Paul. Kauto was in light training but it was confirmed he should be retired, as I'd wanted, but would stay in the yard until after the King George (at Kempton on Boxing Day).

'Then, a couple of weeks ago when I was at Haydock to unveil Kauto's statue, Paul bowled a googly at me, saying it would be right if he could stay at the yard with (head lad) Clifford Baker.

'I'd already spoken to Yogi Breisner (performance director of Britain's Olympic eventing team) and he said it was no good having a top-class horse in a yard like that where he's a hack.

'I'm sure Clifford Baker would do a wonderful job and he'd be lovely for him but I always thought I was the owner.

'I didn't see him enough anyway because I'm 100 miles away. As the owner I'm entitled to some time with him.'

Fans' favourite: Clifford Baker rides Kauto Star for the crowd at Haydock

Smith said he had been phoned by Nicholls and informed of his intention to remove the Kauto Star form his stable on Tuesday while he was on the runway at Heathrow about to embark.

He also laid bare his irritation at their difference in opinion in how to pronounce the horse's name. The trainer has always said 'Kato'.

Smith added: 'To be honest I was disappointed from early on that Paul didn't pronounce Kauto's name correctly. There was no excuse but he did not back off.'

In response, Nicholls said: 'I strongly refute these allegations but the last thing I want to do is to become involved in a war of words with Clive. I have wished him all the best and have no further comment to make.'

Legend: Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009

Kauto Star, the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner left the Nicholls' Somerset yard amid scenes of distress and expressions of bitterness among staff.

Nicholls said he realised that Smith planned to remove the horse and saw no reason to further delay with the hiatus causing distraction to his upset staff.

Kauto Star has joined Berkshire-based international event rider Laura Collett who, with Breisner, is assessing the best retirement plan for the 12-year-old. One option is Dressage.

Smith, who no longer has any horse in training with Nicholls, has said Kauto Star will still parade at Kempton on Boxing Day, although he will not be ridden by Baker as had been planned.

Crazy for Kempton: Kauto Star won the King George five times

Brendan Rodgers rages at Phil Dowd

Posted on November 29, 2012 by adminsports

Rodgers furious with ref Dowd after latest penalty claim ignored

UPDATED:

00:32 GMT, 29 November 2012

Brendan Rodgers launched in to a tirade against referee Phil Dowd for his performance as Liverpool's eight-match unbeaten run came to an unfortunate end at Tottenham.

Spurs ran out 2-1 winners at White Hart Lane thanks to a stunning free-kick from Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon's first half tap-in.

Rodgers, whose team pulled a goal back courtesy of a Bale own goal, was infuriated at Dowd for not awarding them two spot-kicks – one for a foul on Steven Gerrard by Mousa Dembele, and the other when William Gallas took out Luis Suarez in the dying minutes.

Stonewall Brendan Rodgers felt Steven Gerrard (left) should have been awarded a penalty

Earlier this season, Rodgers complained that his team were not getting enough decisions from officials, and he was deeply unhappy tonight that Dowd awarded the free-kick that led to Bale's goal when Clint Dempsey went down under the slightest of touches from Jordan Henderson.

'Nothing is going for us away from home, that's how its been all season in terms of decisions,' Liverpool boss Rodgers said in his post-match press conference.

'Clint Dempsey has been clever (with the free-kick). He gets a hand in his back and goes down.

Unlucky: Gerrard and Co pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find it

Aggrieved: Brendan Rodgers believes decisions have gone against his side this season

'We should have had two [penalties tonight]. It's incredible to have gone through the season without getting a penalty.

'The Steven Gerrard one was nearly assault. How is that not a penalty

'Watch the second one. Luis Suarez spins, William Gallas swings his left foot, catches him and he goes down.

'The statistics will tell you that we've been in the box as much as anyone, but to arrive at this stage of season and not get a penalty.'

Tottenham were left desperately hanging on pretty much from the moment that Bale's free-kick doubled the hosts' advantage, with Suarez and Henderson both guilty of missing good chances.

'We will struggle to play as well as that and not get anything,' Rodgers added.

'We were absolutely outstanding. We would have been disappointed had we come away from that game with a point.'

Get in: Gareth Bale fires his goal home for Tottenham

In the end it was Bale's masterclass performance that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

The Welshman eased past four Liverpool players on a 50-yard run before squaring to Lennon for Tottenham's opener and his 30-yard swirling free-kick was a strike Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of.

The only negative for the former Southampton winger came with his comedy own-goal in the second half when he found himself in the way of Lennon's goal-line clearance and saw the ball rebound in off his head.

Bale has now scored 10 goals for club and country this season – and Villas-Boas admits the biggest teams on the planet will have been alerted by the winger's form.

Me too! Aaron Lennon scored the opener for Tottenham at White Hart Lane

'Tottenham as a club want to keep him here as long as we can but we understand players like this have propositions, have market which is the nature of the game,' the Spurs boss said.

'At the moment he's doing extremely well for Spurs and we are absolutely amazed with what he can do for us. Hopefully, we have no doubt he can become a top player in the future. He is on to a great career.'

Reina was powerless to stop the ball as it dipped and swerved in to the net for Tottenham's first and Bale nearly beat the Liverpool stopper twice more from similar range.

'Ronaldo showed you can almost hit the ball from the bottom to the top and it has an effect it changes direction,' Villas-Boas said.

'Gareth has the power to hit the ball at that pace and that's why the ball gets so many effects.'

Spurs climbed above Arsenal and Everton in to fifth tonight and are now just three points off third going in to Saturday's game against Fulham.

'This is an important result given this is a midweek fixture when most of the teams have dropped points and we have gained some,' Villas-Boas said.

'It puts us in a really good position. If we can sustain this momentum in our next three games we can maybe join the top where we want to be.'

Coventry urge fans to stop abusing players on Twitter as Jordan Clarke suffers racism

Posted on October 25, 2012 by adminsports

Coventry call on fans to stop abusing own players on Twitter as Clarke suffers racist tirade

UPDATED:

10:37 GMT, 25 October 2012

Coventry City have taken the unusual step of asking their own supporters to stop abusing players on Twitter after Jordan Clarke was at the centre of a racist incident.

The Sky Blues have acted after the defender brought several tweets from irate supporters to the club's attention in the wake of 2-1 defeat at Brentford on Tuesday night.

The youngster was caught in the crossfire after tripping Harry Forrester in the second minute of injury-time at Griffin Park, leading to a penalty that was converted for the winner.

Abuse: Jordan Clarke was at the centre of a racist incident on Twitter

Clarke was upset at the reaction and the nature of a couple of responses from Coventry's supporters, frustrated at the late goal which robbed them of a point.

The right-back is the club's appointed 'Kick-it-out' ambassador. He has refused the club's offer of police involvement but both the Sky Blues and the player himself have issued public statements on the matter.

Coventry's development director, Steve Waggott, said: 'I think most players accept that if they engage in social media there are both positives and negatives.

Down and out: Coventry were beaten by Brentford on Tuesday night

'While criticising an individual player's performance in a match is not particularly helpful or constructive, we cannot stop that. However, in these instances, they went way past the mark and were no longer criticism of a player or performance but out-and-out abuse and I am sure every right-minded Coventry City supporter would condemn such behaviour.'

Clarke added: 'I can take criticism when it's about football. When you play professional football or you are in the public eye, that's what happens. You have to take the rough with the smooth from that point of view. But there is just no place in football or society for racism, it's as simple as that.'

Wayne Rooney sheds light on Sir Alex Ferguson"s "hairdryer"

Posted on September 14, 2012 by adminsports

There's nothing worse! Rooney sheds light on Ferguson's 'hairdryer' treatment as he recalls fiery tirades

UPDATED:

09:02 GMT, 14 September 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Wayne Rooney has shed some light on Sir Alex Ferguson’s notorious dressing-room ‘hairdryer’ treatment – and has revealed the United manager’s most fiery tirade.

Ferguson’s ferocious temper is infamous, and former United striker Mark Hughes coined the ‘hairdryer’ phrase to describe the locker-room rages.

But despite claims the 70-year-old boss has mellowed with age, Rooney says the Scot can still lose it when absolutely necessary – striking fear into his playing staff.

Still got it: Wayne Rooney says that there is nothing worse than receiving the 'hairdryer' from Sir Alex Ferguson

Rooney said in his book My Decade, serialised in the Daily Mirror: ‘There’s nothing worse than getting the “hairdryer” from Sir Alex.’

‘When it happens, the manager stands in the middle of the room and loses it at me. He gets right up in my face and shouts.

‘It feels like I’ve put my head in front of a Ba/09/14/article-0-0BC507CD00000578-875_468x356.jpg” width=”468″ height=”356″ alt=”He's not all bad! Rooney (right) says that he does not like to be shouted at by anyone, including Ferguson (left)” class=”blkBorder” />

He's not all bad! Rooney (right) says that he does not like to be shouted at by anyone, including Ferguson (left)

‘I’ve seen the manager shout and scream at people and when they’ve gone back on the pitch their heads have dropped. They’ve lost it.’

In his biography, Rooney recounts a particularly heated dressing-room telling off when United were beaten 1-0 at Celtic in a Champions League group game in 2006.

The now Sunderland striker, Louis Saha, missed a last-gasp penalty and failed to level the match.

Saha got the full treatment as Ferguson was livid to have lost to Gordon Strachan’s side.

‘It’s the worst “hairdryer” I’ve seen,’ said Rooney. ‘He’s in Louis’ face, shouting and screaming.

‘But Louis isn’t the only one getting an earful.

‘The manager knows I’ve been negotiating a new deal with the club and he saves some for me, “Players wanting more money from the club and new deals – you don’t deserve anything after that performance!”’

The worst he's seen: Louis Saha took a tirade after missing a penalty against Celtic in 2006

Control: Rooney believes Ferguson sometimes yells at his players to maintain his authority over his squad

Reflecting on the blast, Rooney said his performance hardly warranted the new and improved contract he eventually received from the club.

Later in the same season, Rooney also revealed that Ferguson ripped into the team just before United lifted the trophy at Old Trafford.

Ferguson’s side ended Chelsea’s two year reign at the top, but the Scot was furious that his side went down 1-0 to West Ham on the final day of the season.

‘Most sides would be celebrating in the dressing-room, getting ready for the champagne and the photos,’ recalled Rooney.

‘Not us. We’re staring at the floor like school kids, the manager giving us the “hairdryer”.

‘After the rollicking it takes a while before everyone cheers up enough to put their Premier League-winning smiles back on.’

Sidelined: Rooney is out after gashing his leg against Fulham

Serena Williams takes inspiration from Muhammad Ali

Posted on September 11, 2012 by adminsports

Fighter Williams says she was inspired by spirit of Ali to achieve greatness after US Open win

UPDATED:

22:10 GMT, 10 September 2012

It might have sounded a bit much when Serena Williams brought the name of Muhammad Ali into the conversation as she discussed the ongoing, undulating drama of her career.

Yet in the wake of her US Open triumph late on Sunday night it is difficult to deny that she is the greatest female athlete of her immediate generation – in her own sport of tennis or any other, for that matter.

The 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Victoria Azarenka means that there is a 13-year span to her wins in Grand Slams, which now run comfortably into three separate decades with the first having been registered in 1999.

Fighting spirit: US Open winner Serena Williams said she draws inspiration from Muhammad Ali

Posing: Williams visited the New York fire department on Monday after lifting the US Open

She has carved herself a remarkable place in history, just as Andy Murray was hoping to do on Monday night as he tackled Novak Djokovic in the delayed men's singles final.

With Williams it always seems to be accompanied by drama on and away from the court.

Twelve months ago she was lucky not to be banned for her appalling tirade at the umpire when losing the final, having had to recover from a blood clot in her lungs earlier in the year.

Sister Venus's struggle with Sjogren's Syndrome had also become clear.

Then she lost in the first round of the French Open in May to littleknown Virginie Razzano, which you hardly thought would be the precursor to winning Wimbledon, the Olympics and now at Flushing Meadows.

'I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall,' said Williams, 30.

'I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray I'm able to do better or able to get back to the level that I want to be on.

'I think, for me, you see great people like Muhammad Ali, for instance, who is a person I have always looked up to in sports.

Remarkable: Williams beat Victoria Azarenka at Flushing Meadows

'I was miserable after that loss in Paris. I have never been so miserable after a loss. I was playing extremely well before that. I felt like I lost a little confidence and had some tough matches at Wimbledon.

'But finally I pulled it together. I don't know if that helped me, the loss in Paris, or it fuelled me. I like to believe that it did.'

Monday's new world rankings stubbornly refuse to push her up from No 4, although that i s largely because she has played fewer tournaments than her rivals.

Her continual inability to play a full schedule, either through injury or lack of inclination, is also tied up with why she is not higher up the all-time listings.

Williams has won 15 of the 49 Grand Slams she has entered, but has missed 10 since 1999.

Not enough: Azarenka could not cope with Williams on the day

Packed house: Williams held off the world No 1 in New York on Sunday

SERENA'S STATS

Age: 30

Height: 5ft 9in

Weight: 11st 1lb

Grand slams: 15

Singles titles: 45

Career earnings: $40,047,909 (25,100,000)

World ranking: 4

It is a fair assumption that she might have won around four of those, which would have put her ahead of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in major victories and close to Steffi Graf's tally of 22.

But a key to her longevity has been this reluctance to go full-on over the years – it was also why Graf's husband Andre Agassi enjoyed such a long span at the top of the game.

As for the records, Williams said: 'I haven't thought about them until recently. I never thought I would come close to breaking them. If I can play consistently and play some more matches at Wimbledon it will be awesome. If I could win two a year it would be great.'

There seems little doubt that her own health scare, the one affecting Venus and reaching the age of 30 have made Serena value tennis more. With that in mind, motivation is unlikely to be a problem in the future but the quality of her opponents might be.

At times on Sunday Azarenka,
who served for the match at 5-4 in the third, made her look flatfooted
and the challenge for Serena will be to keep in good enough shape to get
to the ball and deliver her power.

She
also needs to keep her emotions in check during big matches – although
at least on this occasion there was no more disgraceful behaviour.

Yesterday's
rankings showed Laura Robson has moved to 75, just behind Heather
Watson, after her fourth round showing here. New Brit Johanna Konta has
gone to 148 from 203 after making the second round.

Comeback Queen: Serena Williams

P.s. The last time the women's US Open final went to three sets, Steffi Graf beat Monica Seles in 1995. The iconic duo fought out a see-saw contest which Graf won 7-6, 0-6, 6-3 in one hour, 51 minutes.

Another great: Steffi Graf beat Monica Seles in three sets in 1995

Ernie Els launches f-word tirade at at Wentworth chiefs

Posted on May 26, 2012 by adminsports

Els launches foul-mouthed tirade at Wentworth chiefs over state of greens

UPDATED:

16:54 GMT, 26 May 2012

Ernie Els moved into contention at the European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth on Saturday but fumed afterwards about the condition of the course he re-designed.

The South African carded a two-under-par 70 on another burning hot day which took him to five under in the BMW PGA Championship – an event he has been trying to win for 20 years.

Furious: Els hit out at Wentworth chiefs after his round on Saturday

However, Els afterwards hit out at tournament organisers over the state of the greens.

'I asked them to put water on the greens, so put ******* water on the greens,' said Els.

'You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. The guys are not happy and I'm with them. The Tour has got to play ball – it's not my job.

'The 15th green is holding, the 16th is not, the 17th is not, the 18th is not. They're all inconsistent.

In contention: Els is five-under par heading into the final day of action at Wentworth

'I can't keep talking about this. At some point they've got to listen. I do talk, but they don't listen.

'I can't control the wind and it seems like I can't control the greens staff either. They've seen the forecast almost a week in advance, but it's like talking to this wall behind me – I'm fed up.

Golf blog

'This is not a surprise. I've been talking since I landed on Monday – keep the moisture on the greens.

'It gets to me. I want everybody to have a fair and tough examination. Anybody who has half an idea in this game can walk to the 12th green and see. It's dead.

'Somebody is not doing their job. Why is this happening'

Tournament director David Garland said: 'We want a tough and fair set-up. The greens have been hand-watered every night after play.

'This was done last night and because we knew that east winds were forecast, sprinklers were also put on every single green to give them more water.

'Because of the conditions some fairways were also watered and tees were moved forward on the 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th.'

Ian Holloway in rant at anti-doping officers

Posted on May 21, 2012 by adminsports

Holloway launches into astonishing rant at anti-doping officers after Wembley woe

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 20 May 2012

Dejected: Blackpool boss Ian Holloway

Ian Holloway launched a furious tirade at UK Anti-Doping officers in the Wembley tunnel after asking them to delay urine tests briefly on Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips.

The two players had been randomly selected following Saturday’s Championship play-off final, but an emotional Holloway wanted them to be allowed back into the Blackpool dressing room so he could tell his team how proud he was of their performance before conducting a post-match press conference.

Officers let Ferguson return but initially detained Phillips, sparking a Holloway rant that lasted several minutes.

The Blackpool manager was heard to shout: ‘Don’t give me that bull****. Your rules are just so much bull****. Use your discretion. I want all my players in one room — now!

‘I want to talk to all my players together and I shouldn’t have to get this angry just to speak to my players as a group.’

Afterwards, Holloway made what appeared to be a vague reference to Rio Ferdinand’s missed drugs test in 2003.

‘It’s like bureaucracy gone mad,’ he said. ‘My players wouldn’t walk off and go shopping, so why should I be punished about that It’s madness.

Detained: Barry Ferguson (centre) and Kevin Phillips (right) were held back

‘I had to get Kevin Phillips back out and they would only let Barry Ferguson come back out. What’s going on When they won’t let me get my players in so I can talk to them as a group, it’s a nonsense.’

Didier Drogba positive ahead of Barcelona showdown

Posted on April 16, 2012 by adminsports

Barcelona memories aren't all bad… Drogba in positive mood ahead of semi showdown

UPDATED:

17:54 GMT, 16 April 2012

Didier Drogba has insisted he will look to Chelsea's victories over Barcelona as much as their bitter defeats ahead of Wednesday night's mouthwatering Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Blues renew their fierce rivalry with the Spanish giants this week, the fifth season out of the last eight that the sides have squared off in Europe's premier club competition.

Most of those clashes have been dogged by controversy, none more so than the most recent at the same stage of the Champions League three years ago.

Who's next Drogba is eyeing the semi showdown with Barca

Drogba's foul-mouthed tirade against referee Tom Henning Ovrebo for failing to award Chelsea several penalties in Barca's away-goals triumph earned the striker a four-match ban – later reduced to three.

But the 33-year-old has also had plenty to celebrate against the Catalans in the past, saying: 'It's not only bad memories – we have some good memories as well against Barcelona.

'It's a 50-50, even if they are said to be the best team in the world and have the best player in the world.

'There are two games. Anything can happen.'

Drogba added of 2009: 'It was a few years ago, so things have changed since then.

'But the desire is the same, the desire to beat them. It's going to be a tough game for us but we're ready to play.'

Spurred on: The demolition of Tottenham as given Chelsea a great springboard for the double-header with the Catalans

Both sides have indeed moved on in the last three years but there is a real sense of deja vu about their upcoming semi-final.

Like 2009, Chelsea are thriving under a caretaker manager after sacking the man charged with making them play more like Wednesday's opponents.

The Blues' reversion to type under Roberto Di Matteo has so far yielded just as spectacular results as they achieved under Guus Hiddink's brief stewardship.

The 5-1 FA Cup semi-final thumping of Tottenham could yet see them end the season with the same trophy and avoid a second successive barren campaign for the first time since Roman Abramovich bought the club.

Drogba said: 'Last season was a bad season because I didn't win anything. I hope this season will be different. I want to win trophies.'

The Ivory Coast star, who is out of contract this summer, added: 'It's not about it being my last year here. I just want to win trophies with Chelsea, with my team and that's the most important thing.'

Di Matteo is beginning to decide which of his Wembley heroes would be able to take the strain of two massive games in three days.

Flashpoint: Drogba landed himself in hot water over the way he reacted to the controversial defeat in 2009

It seems unthinkable Drogba, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard would not start based on their outstanding displays yesterday and previous record against Barca.

Chelsea received a fitness boost today when Gary Cahill was able to train after leaving Wembley injured last night, but fellow defender David Luiz was a real doubt with the hamstring problem that forced him off on a stretcher.

Lampard said: 'Luiz might be fairly bad but Cahill will be all right. Fortunately we have back-up.

'Branislav Ivanovic is suspended for the league games but he will be around to face Barcelona.

'It is a shame for David personally and for us as a team because he is such a good player.'

Lampard was still revelling in last night's victory and the stunning 30-yard free-kick that ended any hope of a Spurs fightback.

The dipping Cristiano Ronaldo-style howitzer brought back memories of Paul Gascogine's famous Wembley goal 21 years earlier.

Lampard said: 'I hit one a few years ago against Ipswich in the cup, but to do it against Tottenham at Wembley makes it one of my favourites.

'I think Gazza's might have been another few yards and right in the top corner, I don't know.

'I grew up on that and you couldn't feel to be amazed at the strike he hit that time.'

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Tag Archives: tirade

Joey Barton and Dietmar Hamann in Twitter war

Spineless Mike Dean has let everyone down by letting Ferguson get away with it again

Kauto Star owner Smith lets rip in row with Nicholls

Brendan Rodgers rages at Phil Dowd

Coventry urge fans to stop abusing players on Twitter as Jordan Clarke suffers racism

Serena Williams takes inspiration from Muhammad Ali

Ernie Els launches f-word tirade at at Wentworth chiefs

Ian Holloway in rant at anti-doping officers

Didier Drogba positive ahead of Barcelona showdown