Three Lions secure their place at WC2010 in style

England 5/ Croatia 1
We probably weren’t the only ones who cracked open a bottle of Santana DVX last night as England secured their place at the 2010 World Cup finals in emphatic style. Admittedly, Croatia didn’t put up a particularly strong fight - they were a shadow of the side who embarrassed England in 2007 - but Aaron Lennon was in rude health, Glen Johnson dealt with the pressure well and Emile Heskey even got a little bit close to scoring a goal.

Now then, who’s up for some celebratory music…

The games that have made this season worth watching

Now that Manchester Utd have pretty much put the final nail in the coffin of the 2008/09 Premier League title race, it’s high time that we start peddling out some end of season lists. Accordingly, here is a top ten of the campaign’s most entertaining matches, which somehow includes a game involving West Brom…

#10: West Brom 3 - 2 West Ham, 13th September

Gianfranco Zola must have been wondering what he’d signed himself up for, watching his first West Ham game from the stands before taking over as manager. A game with a neutral-baiting mix of awful defending and open attacking play, both teams managed to lose their lead twice before an 83rd minute West Brom counter attack saw Chris Brunt sprint free of the Hammers’ defence and clinically place one inside the far post.

#9: Fulham 0 - 0 Sunderland, 18th October

Sunderland’s early visit to Craven Cottage should go down as the best goalless game of the season. Fulham’s goalmouth literally took a battering. Kieron Richardson, taking time off from his usual job of lying on a physio’s table somewhere, had his 25-yard free-kick bounce between the posts twice (before having another free-kick goal disallowed) and Djibril Cisse’s rasping long ranger was saved by the crossbar. However, the Cottagers created their own opportunities in the back-and-forth battle, with Zoltan Gera having a shot cleared off the line from Pascal Chimbonda before spurning his team’s best chance with a Carragher-esque air kick.

#8: Fulham 2 - 0 Manchester Utd, 21st March

It’s testament to how crap United were

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Spurs striker joins Harry Redknapp in singing winger’s praises

Aaron Lennon has been one of Spurs’ better players this season but that has more to do with the fact his fellow midfielders have either been passing sideways or are called David Bentley than because the winger has excelled.

However, the 21-year-old’s recent run of four goals in six games (having scored just one in the previous 51) has prompted Robbie Keane to join Harry Redknapp in talking up his teammate’s England prospects.

“I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t get back in the England squad. He’s a big player for us and is getting better with age. Since I got back to the club I see a more mature player.”

Lennon’s recent form has been reasonably impressive but The Spoiler feels that

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

On the day that Steve Bruce has registered his disgust with Manchester City’s transfer wranglings, it looks like Liverpool’s unwanted striker could be heading back to his old stomping ground…

Robbie Keane to Tottenham
The Independent claim Senor Benitez is mulling over a deal that will see Robbie Keane return to White Hart Lane in exchange for Jermain Jenas or Aaron Lennon plus cash. The deal would mean Liverpool would not have to pay Spurs the remaining £11m of his £20.3m transfer fee.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Stranger things have happened, and Spurs already have a history of luring back their alumni.

David Beckham to return to David Beckham Utd
LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena is mighty upset that the European press think David Beckham is trying to figure out a way to stay in Milan. He’s also upset that the club’s only other decent player, Landon Donovan, may sign permanently with his loan club Bayern Munich.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: The transfer window slams shut on Monday, so Milan will have to act before then if they wish to keep him. Carlo Ancelotti thinks they should sign him up, but Brand Beckham risks alienating America. Is that a risk Mr B is willing to take?

Michael Owen to Aston Villa
The Mirror are reporting that Aston Villa want

Also appearing on a computer near you…

This young lad is already diving at a top flight level
[Dirty Tackle]

Forget what we said earlier, Stewart Downing has handed in a transfer request
[BBC]

Inter Milan may be lining up a swap deal for Adriano and Jo
[Daily Mail]

Arsenal could lose Theo Walcott and his rubbish shoulders for just £400k
[The Mirror]

Aaron Lennon to Liverpool?
[Caught Offside]

The players with expiring contracts in 2009
[Soccerlens]

Jermain Defoe is receiving death threats from angry Pompey fans
[SportsbyBrooks]

22 days until the window is flung open

The man who was rewarded handsomely for a dismal Premier League performance looks to be interested in one or two players from White Hart Lane, and Zokora isn’t among them. More info in today’s round-up of gossip, rumours and damned lies…

West Ham players to the highest bidder
Cash-strapped West Ham will listen to any offers for a number of first team players in a bid to raise transfer funds for boss Gianfranco Zola, reports the Daily Express. High on The Italian’s list is Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini who is valued at £7 million. Apparently, the Hammers would be interested in selling one of their three strikers - Carlton Cole, Dean Ashton or Craig Bellamy, but are keen to keep Robert Green and Matthew Upson. The Daily Mail, however, say Harry Redknapp is lining up a £16 million joint bid for both Upson and Green.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Quashie, Davenport and Boa Morte would be welcomed departures although there might be a lack of Premiership interest, particularly in Nigel “I’ve -been-relegated-with-four-clubs” Quashie’s case. There would be interest in Ashton, Cole and Bellamy from Everton and West Brom (both in dire need of strikers) if the price was right.

Aaron Lennon and David Bentley to Real Madrid
Juande Ramos’ first transfer priority is to bring in some new widemen to the Bernabeu. Ramos is reportedly keen to raid the club nearly ran into the ground for David Bentley and Aaron Lennon.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Lennon has been Spurs’ best player under Redknapp and it is unlikely he would let either Bentley or Lennon leave unless it was for big money. The Madrid board are unlikely to release too much cash for stop-gap Ramos, who has only been given a six month deal.

A striker to West Brom
West Brom are keen to add

24 days until the window is flung open

With the focus in today’s papers being on the football that took place this weekend, transfer rumours have taken a backseat and the majority of the stories have just regurgitated some of your favourite rumours from the summer. Here’s the pick of the bunch:

Michael Owen to Chelsea
Despite spending most of his three years and four months at Newcastle on the treatment table, Owen has an amazing goalscoring record of 28 goals in 50 starts for the struggling club. The striker confirmed this weekend that his contract talks had halted five or six months ago, which apparently prompted a tired Luiz Felipe Scolari to take notice.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: It’s hard to see Chelsea gambling on him and even if they were interested in January, Ashley has history for detracting bidders with a ridiculous asking price!

Xabi Alonso to Arsenal