Clint Dempsey missed a 93rd-minute penalty as Fulham passed up a chance to earn a much-coveted win over London rivals Chelsea on Monday.

Mark Hughes’ side was awarded the spot kick after a clumsy challenge by the otherwise-excellent David Luiz on Dempsey, but the American was thwarted by Petr Cech in the dying seconds and the game finished 0-0.

Fulham’s best chance of a well-fought but technically limited first half came after just six minutes when former Chelsea player Damien Duff linked well with Andrew Johnson, resulting in a shot at goal for the former Everton striker that was well saved by Cech.

In reply, Frank Lampard went close with volley in the box with 28 minutes on the clock and Branislav Ivanovic miscued a cross from the right flank that Mark Schwarzer had to punch over the bar five minutes later.

In truth, the opening half was more about chances missed rather than taken.

Fernando Torres – chosen ahead of the benched Didier Drogba – cut a forlorn figure in the Chelsea attack and missed two golden opportunities to get his first goal for his new club in front of his former manager Roy Hodgson, who was in the Craven Cottage crowd.

David Luiz, however, was showing the travelling fans what sort of defender you got for 23 million pounds.

Only his assured play and towering presence kept the busy Mousa Dembele and Duff from scoring.

One of Chelsea’s misfiring strikers was replaced on 63 minutes by Salomon Kalou, but it was Nicolas Anelka and not the 50-million-pound man.

But, the Spanish striker was withdrawn just seven minutes later for the man whose place he had taken.

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Drogba was injected into the game as Carlo Ancelotti tried desperately to find a goal, but Chelsea were fortunate to escape with a point when Dempsey – handed the responsibility with Danny Murphy substituted off – had his penalty saved by Cech and bicycle-kicked the follow up wide.

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell has issued a warning to Premier League clubs by claiming that highly rated 19-year-old striker Connor Wickham is not for sale – according to a report in the Daily Mirror.

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with the England U-21, and Jewell knows just how hard it is to keep a top player when big money is involved.

“Every player has a price. You ask Manchester United – Ronaldo went,” says Jewell.

“Every player has his price, but I don’t want to sell Connor Wickham.”

However the 46-year-old denied that any club had already made any official approach.

“To answer the question, I haven’t had the opportunity to sell him because since I’ve been here, no-one’s enquired about him, certainly not that I know of anyway.”

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Connor Wickham has scored 5 goals in 23 games this season.

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil believes he has more work to do before he can measure up to comparisons with Zinedine Zidane.Speaking on Wednesday, Oezil also revealed Real was remaining focused in their efforts to win the La Liga crown but conceded the Madrid side will need a Barcelona slip-up to steal the title.Oezil joined Real from Bundesliga club Werder Bremen in August after impressing for Germany in their run to the 2010 World Cup final and has wasted little time in impressing for Jose Mourinho’s side.The 22-year-old’s performances have already drew comparisons with Zinedine Zidane, who won a La Liga and Champions League title with Real during a five-year spell.But Oezil was quick to play down the comparisons – at least for now.”Of course I am happy that I play so well these days (but) I haven’t reached anything in my life up till now,” he said.”I came here to evolve and of course Zidane was a great player, he is an idol of mine. I am not Zidane. He was a world-class player. I think I am on a good way to reach that. I want to grow and my goal is to bring my best on the pitch.”Oezil’s team is now seven points behind league-leaders Barca, and has the added hindrance of being without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo because of a hamstring complaint.But the German believes there is still much to play for in La Liga, with his side also still alive in both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.”You could see in the last matches that we have a strong team, a strong squad,” he said.”I don’t have to say anything about Cristiano – he is a world class player, has scored many times for Real and is of course an important player for us. We hope that he gets well quickly in order to help us again.””We just play our game, want to play aggressive and be successful. We always want to win without conceding a goal. Like I said, we are on a good way with this team and one could see that in these last few matches.””Of course we hope that Barcelona will make a mistake but we are only watching ourselves. The season is still long and we know that everything is possible in football.”

Lazio manager Edy Reja says it is time to move on from what he describes as a ‘terrible’ week.Reja, 65, watched his side slump to a 2-0 defeat in a tense derby against AS Roma on Sunday in a match in which Stefan Radu and Cristian Ledesma were also sent off.Lazio have now dropped two of their last three Serie A games and slipped to fifth on the table after showing good form earlier in the season.”I’ve had a terrible week,” Reja said.”I am mortified and I am very sorry for our fans. I’ve lost my fourth derby in a row and this doesn’t make me happy above all because this time we did little, but Roma have had five penalties in the last four derbies.”But Reja said the time to turn things around is now, starting with Saturday’s home match against relegation-threatened Cesena. Lazio also face third-placed Napoli and Inter, who sit second, in the next five matches.”Saturday’s game is fundamental. We can’t allow ourselves any more false steps,” he said.”I have spoken with the team. It seems to me that they’ve put the disappointment behind them and I’ve seen a great desire to react.”

Aston Villa are confident of retaining their English Premier League status, according to keeper Brad Friedel and manager Gerard Houllier.
Houllier was jeered at their most recent loss – a 1-0 derby defeat by relegation-threatened Wolverhampton – and the French boss is confident the Midlands club can stay in the top flight, despite sitting just one point outside the drop zone with eight games remaining.

“We know exactly where we stand and the difficulty of our task,” Houllier said.

“You have to remain positive. You can’t spend your time reflecting on what happened.”

“We have eight games ahead of us now and never mind what has happened in the past. This is our league and the eight games ahead are vital for our future. Everybody is concerned because we are not dreamers.”

Houllier said the mindset was to tell his players that the new eight-game league starts on Saturday, when the Villans take on Everton at Goodison Park.

“There is a new league starting up for us of eight games and the mood is positive. A lot of players are internationals so they have that experience and they know what pressure is. I also know their personalities and they want to do well for the fans and the club,” Houllier said.

Veteran Friedel acknowledged his side’s woeful predicament – just 12 months after ending the season in sixth place and gaining a Europa League spot – but the American emphasised their remaining fixtures can be Villa’s saving grace this season.

“We’ve got eight cup finals (remaining this season),” Friedel told Sky Sports.

“We’ve got enough quality in the changing room and we’re confident to get the points on the board to stay in the Premier League.”

“It’s a shame we’re in the position we’re in. I can assure the fans that we’re all pulling together as one. We’re going to be taking these games incredibly seriously.”

“We’re determined to get enough points on the board to ensure our Premier League safety.”

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has set his side a survival target of just two more wins this season.Next weekend’s game at home to Wigan has been touted as a relegation decider, but Holloway said that game will not be the only crucial match in the run home.

Blackpool host Arsenal on Sunday – a game Holloway insists they can win.

“We can lose our next five and win our last two and still stay up because I believe 39 points will be enough to survive,” Holloway said.

“I have already heard people going on about Wigan – it is being made out to be the game that could decide whether we stay up or not.”

“Our season won?t depend on what happens against Wigan. But that is nonsense as it will decide nothing.”

Blackpool have won just twice since the turn of the year and Holloway knows they will have to do better than last weekend?s 3-0 capitulation at Fulham if they are to compete with title-chasers Arsenal.

“We will have to play better than we did at Fulham,” Holloway said.

“We?ve got to get back to our attacking ways and against Arsenal, with the ground bouncing, the fans can help us do that.”

“Everyone can beat everyone else in this league on any given day, and we know we are capable of scoring goals and getting victories.”

“‘Who’s to say Arsenal will not turn up at Bloomfield Road on a cold Sunday afternoon with our fans roaring and not fancy it?”

?It is unlikely because Arsenal are a class team, but you never know.?

Richard Kingson will continue in goal as Matthew Gilks (knee) is still unavailable, while defender Chris Basham (broken leg) and forward Billy Clarke (knee) will also miss out.

Gary Cahill has been linked with move to many Premier League clubs throughout the season – but it appears that Liverpool and Spurs will be leading the chase for his signature this summer, according to reports in The People.

The Bolton centre half has been in superb form for the Trotters and his performances has seen him called up by Fabio Capello for England’s recent games against Wales and Ghana. His stock is certainly rising and Owen Coyle has a job in trying to persuade his big centre half to remain at the Reebok.

Whether Bolton will be able to resist large bids remains to be seen, given the financial losses the club have recorded this season and while Phil Gartside has been bullish that the debt will not see them having to cash in on their top players, any bids in the region of £15m+ would certainly given the money men at the Reebok food for thought.

Gary Cahill is their most saleable asset at the Reebok and with both Tottenham and Liverpool unlikely to be the only interested parties this summer, maybe Bolton will see this as the ideal time to sell him on.

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Whilst a 2-1 victory over a side who is currently bottom of the Premier League is rarely something worth celebrating with much gusto, I’ll forgive those Manchester City fans who are feeling fairly pleased with themselves following the Blues victory over West Ham on Sunday. There were great performances all over the pitch and even Mario Balotelli looked fairly impressive despite toiling away without much reward.

I was disappointed with one performance however, from a man who has failed to impress me throughout the course of this season. City may well have one of the best defences in the country, but as far as I can tell at the moment it has one major weakness and his name is Aleksandar Kolarov.

It may be a little harsh to judge the Serbian left-back after just one season in the Premier League, but thus far I’ve seen little to suggest that he has the ability to make it in a team that hopes to challenge for silverware. Kolarov joined City last summer from Lazio for a fee of £16m and he came complete with an excellent reputation.

Watching him play, however, has been another matter entirely. He’s not as great going forward as was originally believed and he lacks conviction in his defensive duties. Just look at his half-hearted challenge in the build-up to West Ham’s goal on Sunday. Can you imagine Vincent Kompany or even Joleon Lescott make such a weak attempt to win the ball?

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If it weren’t for Micah Richard’s injury it’s highly unlikely that Kolarov would be getting the chance he’s currently getting and he’s hardly grabbing at the opportunity with both hands is he? Richard’s injury necessitates Zabaletta playing at right-back and opens up a space in the left-back position.

As far as I can tell Kolarov isn’t a good passer, needs to work on his tackling, doesn’t read the game too well and can often lose track of his man. He’s distinctly lacking in pace and doesn’t get up and down City’s left-flank anywhere near as fast as is desirable. On the positive side, I will grant that the Serbian has a ferocious shot. It’s rare, however, that he manages to get these shots on target.

There will be fans who argue that it’s unfair to judge a player after just one season in the Premier League. To some extent, I’d agree, but for me to support Kolarov I’d have to have seen more from him this season that what he has offered up. You’re more inclined to grant players time to adjust if they show ‘signs’ or ‘flashes’ of brilliance or ability, but that’s simply not the case with Kolarov.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Serbian was moved on in the summer and a replacement was brought in to add more competition in City’s defence.

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Luka Modric might be playing very well this year, but if you cast your minds back to 2008, you might remember that Modric did not have the best of starts at White Hart Lane. In his first season at the club Tottenham won just two points from eight games. When Ramos signed the Croatian, there had been questions over how effective Modric would be in the Premier League due to his size. Luka Modric started his Tottenham career playing in the centre of Ramos’s midfield and there was no doubt about it; he looked lightweight.

The first rise of Luka Modric came when Harry Redknapp took over and moved him to the left wing. In this more attacking position his form improved and so did Tottenham’s. I remember at the time, Redknapp received a lot of praise for getting the best out of Modric. But it seems that even then, Modric’s best was still to come.

This season has seen the second rise of Luka Modric, as he returned to the middle of the midfield as a ‘deep lying play-maker’. In the second half of last season, Modric’s place on the left wing came under threat. Gareth Bale’s rapid improvement meant that he had to play on the wide left. But Redknapp was determined to fit Modric into the formation somewhere.

A benefit of Bale and Lennon is that they stretch defenders which allows room for van der Vaart, but it also exposes Tottenham to the counter attack. These days, Tottenham need two central midfielders to sit a bit deeper to offer balance to the attacking wingers. It was a stroke of genius to choose Modric as one of these deep sitting midfielders.

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Modric may have been a revelation to Tottenham back in 2009 on the left wing, but he is even more effective in his current position. When he was higher up the pitch he was marked more tightly and saw less of the ball. The benefit of him playing deeper is that he sees the ball more often, when he is on the ball Tottenham look in control. Modric might not posses the range of passing of a Huddlestone or a Gerrard, but his choice of pass is excellent. He rarely loses the ball because his touch is so good, and he has the ability to find space in even the most congested areas of midfield. These attributes, combined with his awareness and composure, make him an excellent choice for a central midfielder.

Oddly enough, I don’t think Ramos played him out of position back in 2008, he just paired him with the wrong type of player. In his first spell in central midfield, Modric played mainly with Jermaine Jenas. Jenas is an attacking-minded midfielder who likes to get forward. That did not benefit Modric who had to do more defending than he ideally would. However, this season, he has played alongside Huddlestone, Palacios and most recently Sandro. They all sit much deeper than Jenas did and look after Modric a bit more, allowing him to play in a more creative role.

With the way Tottenham play, which sometimes verges on cavalier, occasionally they need someone to slow the tempo down and just keep possession for a while. Modric does this perfectly. Maybe I am being a bit sentimental now, but I cannot think of any player in the Premier League who would do a better job for Tottenham than Luka Modric. If you can think of someone, your suggestions are welcome…

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The five Arsenal young stars set to feature in the first-team next season; in my opinion anyway.

Aaron Ramsey

Since he broke into the side at such a young age, it seems to have been forgotten quite how young he actually is. His career was brutally interrupted by a dreadful injury at the hands of Ryan Shawcross last year, but now seems to be on the comeback trail. Ramsey was magnificent in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates, managing to score the winner, and has put in competent shifts ever since. The key for Ramsey is whether he can gain a high level of consistency in his play – week in week out – which is always the hardest thing for a young player to achieve. The 20-year-old is the stand-out player to look out for next season, regardless.

Henri Lansbury

The 20-year-old recently stated that there would be nothing more satisfying for him than to break into the Arsenal first-team next season. His ambition is not to merely use this club in order to be more attractive to lower league sides should he not make at Arsenal. He wants to be successful at the North London club, and that can only be a good thing. He was limited to only one Carling Cup appearance this season for Arsenal, but he excelled in the game. Out at Norwich, Lansbury soon became a first-team regular in a side which gained promotion, which says a lot about his ability and talent. He could make some appearances next season.

Jay-Emmanuel Thomas

The 20-year-old is an erratic player, one who can do things of great skill and intuitiveness whilst also having an uncanny ability to look like the worst player on the pitch at the same time. He was out on loan at Cardiff, where he was jeered off in the play-off second leg against Reading. Although extremely harsh from their supporters, his performance was not up to scratch. Wenger is known to rate him extremely highly, and the youngster will be hoping to play some sort of role in the Arsenal squad next season. It seems more likely he will be sent out on another loan though.

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Emmanuel Frimpong

Before a serious knee injury right at the start of last season, there were various people who deemed Frimpong good enough to challenge Alex Song for a place in the Arsenal midfield, and there were many others who believed he was good enough for a place on the bench. The 19-year-old is physically incredible, with perhaps slightly less technical ability than his peers, but a talented player nonetheless. He has now fully recovered from his injury and is certain to be a member of the squad next year.

Ryo Miyaichi

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Arsenal did not just sign this youngster to sell shirts in Asia. The 18-year-old went out on loan to Feyenoord, simply because he could not gain a work permit for England. A talented winger, with great flair and drive, Miyaichi is certain to make it at Arsenal in at least some role – the club will re-apply for a permit this summer, hoping to get more success this time round. He is a fantastic talent, and one whom the rest of Europe were chasing. He’s in good hands with Wenger, and Arsenal are lucky to have him.

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