The January transfer window slammed shut last week (Feb 2nd) and it saw a last minute gasp of frantic transfer action particularly in the English Premiership. Tottenham where the transfer windows biggest spenders with over 40 million pounds on a new pair of strikers recruiting former players Irish international Robbie Keane & Jermaine Defoe from Liverpool & Portsmouth respectively. On the other half of North London Arsenal finally brought long term target Andrei Arshavin for a reported club record fee of 15million pounds. It is hoped that Arshavin can be the catalyst that will pull the Gunners up to that crucial fourth place for Champion’s League football.
The north London rivals clashed last Sunday (8th Feb) at White Heart Lane. The game was marred by the dismissal of Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboué. But even though Tottenham had the man advantage they failed to capitalise, the game ending 0-0. Elsewhere in the premiership Chelsea only managed to draw with Hull 0-0 that being the last game for Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was quickly replaced by Dutch coach Guus Hiddink. Portsmouth are also the latest club to be looking for a manager as Tony Adams was given the sack from the Fratton Park hot seat, after a woeful 3-2 defeat to title contenders Liverpool. They failed to keep a two goal lead and gave the Portsmouth board no choice but to sack Adams who was in charge for only 4 months.
Over in Spain and Barcelona are still the team to beat with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sporting De Gijon at the Nou Camp. Baca scored their 102 goal of the season in all competitions. And an interesting fact is that the front three strikers of Henry, Messi, and Eto have scored more goals combined than any team in the top four European leagues (Spain, Italy, England, and Germany). Elsewhere Real Madrid scraped a one goal victory at home to Racing, and Sevilla lost to local rivals Real Betis 2-1 in the big Seville Derby.
In France and the title race is hotting up as PSG managed to defeat Nantes 4-1 at the Parc de Paris. The victory leaves the Parisians just one point off the league leaders, with goals coming from young Benin striker Stephane Sessegnon & also former Barcelona player Ludovic Giuly. Leaders Lyon kept top spot with a victory against Nice with a brace from Jean Makoun.
Over to Germany and it’s turning into a three way race for the title between Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich & Hertha Berlin. The later two just two points of the league leaders. Bayern looked comfortable against Borussia Dortmund winning 3-1 with a brace from German striker Miroslav Klose. However Hertha could only manage a draw against Arminia Bielefeld, as could Hoffenheim who draw 1-1 away from home against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Finally over to Italy where it seems that David Beckham's stay at A.C Milan could be much longer than his initial loan. The English super star is reported to be happy at Milan and is considering leaving American side L.A Galaxy to join the Rossoneri. However Beckham, who won his record equalling 108th English cap midweek against Spain, failed to inspire as Milan drew 1-1 against lowly Regina. At the top of the table and Inter cruised to a convincing 3-0 victory against Lecce with goals from Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Louis Figo.
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