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Chelsea threw away a three-goal lead against Manchester United on Sunday, as the Premier League champions showed their resolve to get a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.

A Jonny Evans own goal after good work by Daniel Sturridge gave The Blues a 1-0 lead at half time, before a stunning volley from Juan Mata doubled their lead in the first minute of the second period.

Three points looked all by guaranteed when a David Luiz header took a deflection off Rio Ferdinand and beat David De Gea in the United goal, putting Chelsea three goals to the good.

However Sir Alex Ferguson’s men fought back courageously, with two Wayne Rooney penalties getting them within touching distance, and substitute Javier Hernandez heading home the equaliser with six minutes remaining.

Villa Boas was clearly frustrated by dropping two points, and questioned Howard Webb’s decision-making process in the second half.

“Of course, it’s not easy to take. A game where we were very positive and had the initiative for most of it,” the Portuguese coach told Sky Sports.

“It’s a massive recovery for United. It’ll feel like a win for them, of course. We had it in our hands and let it slip.

“There were some strange decisions today though. At Old Trafford we lost two goals that were offside and I see Sir Alex speaking about the linesman just after they recall him.

“These things just keep happening. The first one is a penalty and I agree with it. The second is very, very unlucky.

“I’m not sure if Howard is trying to compensate for something,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, despite staring defeat in the face, Ferguson feels that his side should have taken all three points and were the better team throughout.

“We had two penalties in the second half which were justified. I think we could have had four penalties.

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“It’s two points dropped to be honest with you. We played ever so well apart from the period directly after half-time when we lost two goals. I thought we were by far the better team,” he defied.

The result means United are two points adrift of cross-town rivals Manchester City at the Premier League summit, whilst Chelsea move a point closer to Tottenham in third for the time being.

By Gareth McKnight

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Turn on a football related programme this weekend and you can expect to find a former player having his say about the sport we all love. With Robbie Savage working for the BBC and ESPN, Gary Neville for SKY and former Arsenal defenders, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown both on the BBC, the question has to be asked why football pundits must be formers players who were the most irritating of their time?

The simple answer is that we appear to live in a world where people who are most controversial succeed and these former players who have already established a reputation in the game use this to grind out a career in media after they have retired. By deliberately being controversial they guarantee a reaction from a viewer or reader, something that outside of football, comedians like Frankie Boyle and shock writers like Richard Littlejohn have realised to their advantage

With the added competition that showing football has, I think the media organisations like BBC and Sky are competing against each other to find the most controversial pundit who will ensure people tune into their coverage and not their rivals. The problem for footballers who are have a decent reputation in the game is that they struggle to gain controversy. A fine example is BBC pundit Alan Shearer who just seems to states the obvious every week on MOTD to everyone’s general annoyance and also Steve Claridge who does quite similar on the Football League Show. From the reaction when these two are on our screens it is obvious that football fans do not want to watch dullards discussing football and would rather someone who can keep them entertained, whether that is through intensive football knowledge or by making controversial statements that these supporters react to.

Gary Neville has been one of football most controversial and divisive figures for years during his illustrious playing career at Old Trafford. When Sky appointed him a pundit at the start of the new season they knew what they doing as Neville is never short of an opinion or two. I have actually been surprised by Neville’s intelligent and amiable punditry so far and he actually seems to think about the game. While soon to be dancer, Robbie Savage clearly has a bright future in the media profession as after hanging up his boots last season he won the Sony DAB Rising Star Award for his work on BBC Radio Five Live. Although I was not his biggest fan as a player he has carried through the controversial aspects of his game into his media career and he can certainly bring extra life to a mundane phone call during his 606 show. I actually think Lee Dixon is one of the best pundits around, his views on the MOTD2 sofa are normally well-thought out and balanced but he still maintains the ability to entertain, he is someone that pundits in better jobs like Shearer could learn from.

I think these newly retired players are freshening up the football media landscape after it had stagnated in recent year with many pundits who had been out of the game for many years falling out of touch with the game. Some of these younger pundits were involved in the game just last seasons so will have some idea what the manager is saying at half time or what players think of a certain referee, so their words carry more weight. This new breed of football pundit in the competitive world of football looks to continue and if this trend does carry as as it has I wouldn’t at all surprised to see in the future, pundits Joey Barton and El Hadj Diouf discussing the game on a Saturday night.

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Manchester United have, for much of the last twenty years, been at the head of the pack as far as English football is concerned. Whether it’s in terms of performance on the pitch, the establishment of the first dedicated club television channel in the shape of mutv, or the way the club has been marketed in the far East, United have been out in front.

When the Glazer family took over the club in 2005 many peopled questioned the wisdom of the deal. For a start, the Glazer’s didn’t have the cash to buy the club up front, and relied heavily on lending from hedge funds and other financial institutions that charged high interest rates.

Then there was the problem that the family didn’t know a huge amount about football, and Chelsea’s big spending was raising the bar for the kind of resources that owners were expected to put into the club.

The result was a certain section of supporters setting up a new club ‘FC United of Manchester,’ whilst supporters in Old Trafford protested by wearing scarves in the club’s original colours of gold and green.

In the last year or so, despite the selling of Christiano Ronaldo, United have continued to enjoy incredible success on the field, and reported strong figures off it. Some of the most controversial debts have been paid down with another first for an English football club: a bond issue on the open markets that raised £500m.

The Glazer’s have always argued that they knew what they were doing and that the club was fundamentally undervalued. The ‘Red Knights’ group tried to buy the club, but refused to offer the amount the Glazer’s wanted as they value the club at around £1.7m. The family is now going to sell from 25 to 30% of the club on the Singapore stock exchange, in the hope of raising between £400 and £600m.

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This sum would, presumably, pay off the club’s debts, although the previous bond issue will be expensive to pay off early. The main thing concerning the fans is that there’s no guarantee that the money would be used to solely deal with United’s debt and put them back on the straight and narrow. The Glazer’s are notoriously secretive about both theirs, and the clubs, finances.

At the end of the day, the most important thing for fans is that United continue to perform well on the pitch, and with Ferguson still going strong and significant investments being made in the squad in the summer, the signs look good for as far as further silverware is concerned. More importantly for other clubs, who are always looking to raise new revenue, United’s Singapore IPO could set a precedent for big clubs around the world.

With the promotion of Brighton, Southampton and Peterborough, who were some of the division’s top spenders and the relegation of Preston, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe who all look to be in transition period, League One certainly looks the weakest it has for many a year so it is the perfect opportunity for a perennial challenger to finally make the step up to the Championship.

Promotion

Huddersfield Town were incredibly unlucky not to achieve automatic promotion last year and only a long unbeaten run by Southampton prevented them before the disappointment of the playoff final defeat. This time round Lee Clarke’s men are rightly favourites as they have all the right attributes to get out of the division however after losing key men in Pilkington, Peltier and Kilbane, it will be interesting to see if they are as consistent this season. I think Preston North End with Phil Brown in charge, who has Premier League experience, have the potential to return to the Championship and I expect them to do the best out of the relegated teams. Their end of season form was much improved despite the inevitable relegation and I believe they have a very capable squad for the division, making them strong contenders.

Playoff Contenders

Charlton are tipped to have a big season but I think they may be a bit overrated with some un-inspiring signings. They will surely be an improved side with all the new arrivals but I am not sure if Chris Powell is the man to take them back to the Championship. However I can see the Addicks challenging for the top six near the end of the season. Havign both Sheffield clubs in the third tier of English football is a rare sight and they will be looking to make the playoffs at least. Wednesday are not going to be the best team to watch under Gary Megson but if the style of football achieves promotion their fans won’t to mind. They should be contenders come the end of the season but need to find a goalscorer first. Over the city at Bramall Lane, Danny Wilson may have faced a lot of stick after taking the job but if he can take them back at the first time of asking the early animosity will be forgotten. They will be looking to use their excellent youth team to help them achieve after getting rid a number of expensive players and a place in the playoffs at the end of the season should be within their grasp.

Outsiders

Fellow relegated side Scunthorpe looked a different outfit under Alan Knill at the end of last season but it wasn’t enough to save them. A summer of departures has followed and a limited budget has meant only a few new signings to replace them. However if they can find a 20 goal a season man and sort their leaky defence, they will have enough quality to challenge for a play-off berth. Brentford look a good shot for playoffs under former Man City striker Uwe Rosler. The signing of League Two top goal scorer Clayton Donaldson is just one of their impressive captures this summer and pre-season results have been encouraging with the Bees looking like a team on the up. MK Dons under Karl Robinson enhanced as the season went on and if they continue this improvement they have the squad to sustain a challenge for the playoffs again despite the loss of key man Peter Leven.

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Dark Horses

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Current League Two Champions, Chesterfield could be this year’s surprise package after playing some fantastic football last year. John Sherdian looks to be a very capable manager and they could well make a challenge for the playoffs although the loss of Craig Davies may affect their charge up the divisions.

Let me know your thoughts on my predictions and what you think of the upcoming League Two season also look out for the teams who will be trying to avoid relegation tomorrow. Follow me on twitter @aidanmccartney for more Football League debate.

There have been three returns to football in the last couple of weeks – we all know about the ‘return of the king’ in Henry, who both scored and swore in his first two games back, and the coming out of retirement of Paul Scholes which caused a mixture of despair and jubilation due to downright blinkered love of the player, yet there was a third return this week to one of the very top clubs in English football – or they used to be  – Michael Essien made his long awaited comeback for Chelsea in the match against Sunderland and how much under pressure AVB will have been looking forward to this.

For a side who once had one of the very best midfields in Europe – in fact one so good that even the masters that are Xavi and Iniesta could not embarrass them – unlike each and every time they have faced United – Chelsea are now in vast decline in that area – well in all areas, and the once prolific Lampard is ageing and inexplicably out of favour, and Raul Meireles although not a bad signing hardly a world beater, thus the return of Essien who when fit is one of the best midfielders in Europe is better than any signing Abramovich could have presented AVB with – remember this time last year and Torres!

Essien provides Chelsea with not only the physical presence but pace, sheer ability and endless running from box to box – hence his nickname ‘the train.’ Add to this the potential to get goals and memorable ones at that, and Chelsea could well have just welcomed back the player who could clinch them the fourth spot and final coveted Champion’s League place this season.

There are of course lingering questions over the fitness of Essien, and three serious knee operations in recent memory are far from ideal, especially when you compare this to players such as Owen Hargreaves who has sent more tweets than made appearances on the field due to similar problems, there is of course the risk that the injury will reoccur or Essien will not be the player he once was – it will be here that the presence of Ramires will help Essien, alleviating some of the pressure on the Ghanaian to be that ever present running box to box midfielder, especially in the early part of his comeback.

However, AVB and Chelsea fans will not focus on this, just the fact that they have a fantastic player back in their ranks when they need him most – the club may even feel a sense of satisfaction that it is now and not a month ago that Essien made his comeback – he now avoids having to go to the African Cup of Nations and Chelsea do not have to lose his services for the best part of two months.

The versatility of Essien will also be welcomed, and the player himself has been called ‘one of the very best players in the league’ by manager AVB and we all know how fussy he can be when it comes to liking his players. It would take a brave person to suggest that Essien will not make a difference to the Chelsea side, and despite his return being the least publicised, it could well end up being the most vital of them all.

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Manchester United have reopened their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Red Devils took the lead from the penalty spot, with Wayne Rooney converting a spot-kick after seven minutes, before Danny Welbeck double the hosts’ advantage before the interval.

Rooney grabbed his second after 73 minutes to end the game as a contest, whilst Nani scored late on to seal the victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson was happy with his team after the game, and knows that they are close to winning their 20th Premier League title.

“I thought that was one of our better performances for a while,” the Scot told Sky Sports after the game.

“There could be twists and turns in the title race yet but I think the name of the game now is for us to enjoy ourselves, play with the expression we did today and hopefully we’ll be alright.

“My experience tells me that there’s always something’s going to bite you on the bum so hopefully we can avoid that.

“The name of the game is not to drop any more points,” he stated.

Ashley Young was fouled by Ciaran Clark for United’s opener, and Ferguson believes the referee was right to award a penalty.

“I think he played for the penalty. If the player decides to put his foot in and doesn’t stay on his own feet and read the situation then he’s fallen into that you know.

“He’s definitely taken him but I think it was a dramatic fall and I think that he maybe over did the fall but it was a penalty, there was no doubt about that.

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“And I don’t think he can have any compliant because he has actually taken him,” he concluded.

United host Everton at Old Trafford next Sunday.

By Gareth McKnight

Liverpool have appointed Kevin Keen as their new first team coach, who ends a nine-year spell at West Ham. The 44-year-old takes over from Sammy Lee, and will renew his working relationship with Steve Clarke from their time together at the Hammers.

Keen has penned a three-year deal and will report to Reds pre-season, which starts on Monday. Manager Kenny Dalglish feels the addition will be of benefit to the Anfield club’s chances in 2011/12.

“I’m delighted that Kevin is joining us to work alongside Steve Clarke coaching the first team. He has previously worked with Steve at West Ham and has a good reputation and a good manner about him. He is highly respected in the game and will be a great addition to our staff,” the Scot said in The Guardian.

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The Amersham born man made over 600 first team appearances as midfielder for West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Macclesfield and Wycombe in his playing career.

’s proposed transfer to Italian side Napoli has stalled, according to Sky Sports.

Napoli are only thought to be prepared to offer around £10 million for the midfielder who moved to White Hart Lane from Wigan in January 2009. However, Tottenham are insistent on recouping the full £12 million they paid for the 26-year old.

The Honduran made 30 appearances for Spurs last season and Harry Redknapp is reluctant to let the midfielder leave. However, with the emergence of Brazilian Sandro, Redknapp is willing to cash in for the right offer.

The Sun claims Napoli might even try and sign the player on loan with a view to a permanent switch but Spurs are thought to prefer a permanent deal.

The defensive midfielder has represented Honduras 71 times. He first played in England under Steve Bruce at both Birmingham and Wigan Athletic and has since made 85 appearances in 2 and a half seasons at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has moved to play down speculation linking him with a move to Italy at the end of the season.Guardiola, 40, has been the subject of reports in the Italian press suggesting he could be set to coach in Serie A with either Inter Milan or Roma in 2011/12.

He spent three seasons in Italy as a player with Brescia and Roma and is believed to be interested in a return to the country at some point in the future.

But the former Spain international has announced his intention to at least fulfil his contract at Camp Nou, which runs until the end of the next season.

“I still have an ongoing contract with Barcelona. Inter are a great club but I’ll stay with my current club for an additional season,” Guardiola was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport .

“Either way I’d never do anything without speaking to Barcelona president Sandro Rosell first.”

Barcelona continued their build-up to the new season with victory over Brazilian side Internacional at the Audi Cup.The match was part of a four-team tournament also featuring Milan and hosts Bayern Munich.

Barcelona were largely under strength, but did include the likes of Victor Valdes, Seydou Keita, Maxwell and Andres Iniesta.

They took the lead after 15 minutes when Thiago Alcantara finished off a swift passing move.

Internacional, the 2010 Copa Libertadores winners, levelled 10 minutes after the break.

Nei finished well after Leandro Damiao’s effort was deflected into his path.

Barcelona were ahead again seven minutes later though, Jonathan Dos Santos took advantage of some poor defending.

Damiao, who has been linked with both Barcelona and Spurs, did find the net five minutes before full-time, heading in after poor goalkeeping from Jose Manuel Pinto.

The match went to penalties, Barcelona prevailing 4-2 after Damiao ballooned his effort.

Pep Guardiola’s side will now play the winner of Bayern Munich’s match with Milan.