Bramall Lane is a happy hunting ground for Harewood
It’s difficult to confidently argue in favour of either team ahead of tonight’s TV offering of Sheffield United v Newcastle, with the hosts winless in six and the Magpies having ended three of their last four away games empty-handed.
Therefore, our attention turns to Marlon Harewood, a boo-boy victim during last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Doncaster. Assuming Chris Hughton is brave enough to risk the wrath of the Toon Army by starting the Hare, his Betfair odds of 3.75 (11/4) to score are worth a glance.
The 30-year-old isn’t the most prolific striker in the world, which is why his record of five goals in his last seven meetings with Sheffield United - and two on his last three visits to Bramall Lane - is worth paying attention to.
It could also prove a blessing that he is playing away from the sceptical St James’ Park support - six of his last eight league goals have come on the road.
A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Kyle Naughton to Everton BBC Radio Sheffield claim that Everton have agreed a fee of around £5 million for Sheffield United right-back Naughton. The talented 21-year-old isn’t expected to discuss terms with the Toffees until Monday though.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Everton could have a fantastic all-English back four of Baines, Lescott, Jagielka and Naughton next season, all capable of making the World Cup squad. It’s unbelievable that Coral are still offering 5/1 on Everton being the highest-placed team outside the Big Four next season.
Fraizer Campbell to Sunderland Sky Sports are reporting that Sunderland have had an offer of around £5 million accepted for the England Under-21’s striker. Phil Brown confirmed
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Could the flawed Lord Griffiths ruling that forced West Ham to pay compensation to Sheffield United now be used against the Blades?
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A round-up of of this afternoon’s other football news
Cristiano Ronaldo gets in more car trouble
Six months after having his Ferrari 599 GTB written off after a collision with a concrete wall, Ronaldo is again in trouble for a car-related incident. The Real Madrid star allegedly used his £80 million-valued feet to kick the car window of 17-year-old student Sara Pardal, sending shards of glass flying into her face. The FIFA World Player of the Year was heading to an Elton John concert with his mum and sisters when he spotted the girl videoing him. Ronaldo claims she was with a photographer who had been stationed outside his house for days and that he only reacted because his mother was distressed. He has expressed regret but also accused Pardal of exaggerating her injuries.
Sheffield United try to build bridges with West Ham The Blades completed the signing of former West Ham winger Kyel Reid today and have used the move as proof that there are no hard feelings between them
A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Samuel Eto’o is going to snub Manchester City
Today’s papers are filled with talk of Eto’o moving to Eastlands for a pay packet ranging between £180,000-a-week and £250,000 depending on which tabloid, if any, you choose to believe. However, the striker’s agent has said: ”If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona.”
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It looks like the 28-year-old isn’t interested in missing out on Champions League football in favour of more money, which is impressive considering he was linked with a move to Uzbekistan last summer.
Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid
The Liverpool midfielder is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his future. The Spaniard told Don Balon magazine that he is happy to stay at
Another claret-and-blue team break Sheffield United’s hearts
Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe laughably claimed before the Championship play-off final that they would be a top-half Premier League side now were it not for only picking up 38 points in 2006-07 Carlos Tevez.
However, Burnley were the team who showed top-flight quality at Wembley and deservedly won with a brilliant 13th minute goal by Wade Elliott. Having beaten Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Brom this season and seen Sunderland and Hull stay up despite being dreadful, Owen Coyle should be confident that the Clarets can survive their first Premier League campaign.
Kevin Blackwell, as you would expect of a former assistant of Neil Warnock, struggled to be gracious in defeat and insinuated that Mike Dean’s performance
Without mentioning the fact they thought this was a good idea…
Fulham are the latest club hoping to make money from West Ham’s decision to compensate Sheffield United. According to The Independent. they will launch a legal claim on the basis that were it not for Carlos Tevez, they would have finished above the Hammers and would therefore have made an extra £700,000 in prize money.
Here are five flaws that The Spoiler has found in Fulham’s argument:
1) Fellow compensation-seeker Neil Warnock believes Fulham would have been relegated that season if Rafael Benitez hadn’t fielded reserves against them in the penultimate game of the season. Warnock has said since: “Maybe Rafa gets a yearly hamper from Harrods for his team selections.” That was Fulham’s only win from their final twelve games.
2) Carlos Tevez lasted only 13 minutes against them that season before getting injured at Craven Cottage. His replacement Bobby Zamora, West Ham’s top scorer that season, scored. Using Lord Griffiths magic calculator, it could be argued that the game may have finished 3-2 to the hosts had Zamora not replaced Tevez, a result which would have seen Fulham finish above West Ham
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