Football Top.com - International football rating

World Cup. Group H. Belgium start the World Cup with a 2-1 win against Algeria

Leon Smolski — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:49:19 +0000

Belgium, who had been tipped for a glorious tournament, started with a difficult victory against stubborn Algeria.

Sofiane Feghouli converted a penalty for Jan Vertonghen’s foul on 25 minutes and the African team stood firm until 70 minutes. In the second half Marc Wilmots introduced Dries Mertens, Divock Origi and Marouane Fellaini to save the match and Manchester United midfielder scored just five minutes after appearing on the pitch. With ten minutes to go another substitution proved efficient and Napoli striker Mertens scored a winner.

Belgium’s next opponents, Fabio Capello’s Russia, take on South Korea later on tonight.

David Moyes has been sacked by Manchester United

Leon Smolski — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:39:23 +0000

Manchester United official site confirmed the rumours that David Moyes has been sacked from the club after a dismal loss to Everton on Sunday.

The 50-year old Scot was appointed as the successor of legendary Sir Alex Ferguson on 1 July 2013 and was granted a six-year contract. However, former Everton boss struggled at the club of United caliber and failed to succeed in any of the tournaments. Vastly blamed by many fans for ‘conservative’ tactics and inability to inspire the players, Moyes has been supported by the club’s board. However, after the team had lost to Everton for the second time in the season and lost the chance to get to Champions League next season, the club’s executives lost their patience. The coach has been sacked with emmediate effect and Ryan Giggs will be in charge of the squad in four remaining fixtures.

During his tenure at Manchester United, David Moyes brought in Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.

Premier League fixtures: David Moyes returns to Goodison Park

Leon Smolski — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:02:46 +0000

David Moyes returns to Goodison Park for the first time since his switch to Old Trafford.

Everton, who beat United at Old Trafford last December courtesy of a late strike from Bryan Oviedo, are fighting for a chance to finish above Arsenal in a Champions League spot race. Roberto Martinez, who has been widely praised for introducing more attractive tactics to conservative Liverpool side, said he would welcome the Scot back to his old home, but will try to disappoint him on the pitch. Manchester United are now focused on reaching the Europa League and must finish above Tottenham Hotspur to secure participation in European competition, but also have a slight chance to finish above Arsenal and Everton should Gunners lose seven points in the last four matches. Pienaar, Traore, Oviedo, Kone and Gibson are long-time absentees in Everton side, while Jagielka and McCarthy are doubtful. Robin van Persie is the only certain miss for Moyes. Chris Smalling, Marouane Fellaini, Rafael and Wayne Rooney are doubtful.

Hull City host Arsenal in the FA Cup final drill. Steve Bruce still needs one win to fell safe and won’t let Arsene Wenger have an easy life at KC Stadium.

Leaders Liverpool travel to relegation-bound Norwich City as a rehearsal to crucial encounter with Chelsea at Anfield next week. Jordan Henderson will be missing through suspension.

Jose Mourinho must beat struggling Sunderland to stay in the title race, but needs his players fresh by Wednesday, when Chelsea host Atletico Madrid in Champions League semi-final.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham
Aston Villa vs Southampton
Cardiff City vs Stoke City
Newcastle United vs Swansea City
West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea vs Sunderland
Norwich City vs Liverpool
Hull City vs Arsenal
Everton vs Manchester United
Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion

Premier League: Who pulls Manchester United down?

Leon Smolski — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 07:08:00 +0000

Have you ever thought why the manager of your club keeps starting a player who had fallen out of favor with the fans? Or doesn’t give a chance to someone, who you think is a game changer? Here is something that might be the reason.

Despite hot times in Premier League and the return of Champions League, I decided to have a look at Sochi Olympic Games and shift attention to ice hockey for a change. Oh, Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres or Ashley Young would definitely not be able to compete in that sport with their theatrics and physique. But I’m not going to become a one thousand three hundred and fifty-second press person chewing over diving, spitting, biting and racist issues of modern football game. What I was impressed with was the amount of statistics available to managers and fans in ice hockey. You can evaluate players’ contribution to the game simply looking at the numbers on your computer. That said, if this system was applied in football, no one would have paid 30 million for Erik Lamela or Marouane Fellaini. They are different sports, football and ice hockey, and we can’t be guided by the same logic and statistics. But I couldn’t help trying to put some of the players in the shoes of their winter sport colleagues and put them under the scrutiny of impartial numbers in an attempt to measure their contribution to their squads’ performances. As long as possession, distance covered and other television stuff does not bring you victories, but goals and final score are the only things that matter at the end of the day, I took the plus/minus stats to see what players have positive impact on the game. Obviously, there is no fairness in those stats, because some players are picked for serious clashes, others have cameo roles, some miss games through injuries and so on. But if you look at those stats, you see that that some of the players are meant for being part of selections that bring positive results, while others pull the team down. The stats could be really surprising.

It would takes ages to count the stats of all Premier League teams and I picked Manchester United as arguably the least stable and predictable team of the season.

David Moyes has used 27 players in current Premier League season, more than any other of the managers. Obviously he is trying to find better options and the best combinations, but who are the players contributing to positive results and who are the odd ones?

A player who was on the pitch when a goal was scored gets one point. If a goal was conceded - he has one point off. Number of matches played and other patterns are not taken into consideration.

So here is the efficiency list of Manchester United players:

1. Antonio Valencia +14
2. Adnan Januzaj +12
3. Patrice Evra +11
4. David De Gea +10
4. Tom Cleverley +10
6. Phil Jones +9
6. Jonny Evans +9
8. Wayne Rooney +8
9. Robin van Persie +6
9. Javier Hernandez +6
9. Rafael +6
12. Shinji Kagawa +4
13. Nemanja Vidic +3
13. Ryan Giggs +3
13. Danny Welbeck +3
16. Michael Carrick +2
16. Fabio +2
18. Anderson +1
18. Chris Smalling +1
18. Darren Fletcher +1
19. Juan Mata +1
22. Rio Ferdinand 0
22. Wilfried Zaha 0
24. Nani -2
24. Alex Buttner -2
26.Marouane Fellaini -3
27. Ashley Young -4

Quite curious, isn’t it? So Antonio Valencia, Adnan Januzaj and Patrice Evra seem to be the ones who really have the famous United spirit. And is Tom Cleverley that useless as everybody thinks? But if you look at the bottom of the list, it’s hard to disagree with the results. Few United fans have enjoyed performances of Young, Fellaini and Nani so far.

And you can make a natural squad of the eleven most efficient players with Evra, Jones, Evans and Rafael at the back, Cleverley, Januzaj and Valencia in midfield, Rooney behind the strikers in van Persie and Chicharito. What do you say, David Moyes?

Top 5 football events 2013

Leon Smolski — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 09:25:46 +0000

Dear friends,
FootballTop.com wishes you a Happy New Year and brings back the most illustrious football events of 2013.

1. Bayern Munich dominance

You don’t have to think too much to remember the most impressive club of the year. Bayern Munich definitely stole the limelight in 2013. Well, it would be unfair to forget Juergen Klopp and his Borussia Dortmund who knocked out Real Madrid from the Champions League and beat the Bavarian side in the German Super Cup but still there was no other team like the one from Allianz Arena. They claimed Bundesliga title with an astonishing +80 goal difference and conceding just 18 goals in 34 matches. They won the German Cup and ruined Barcelona’s tiki-taka by 7-0 on aggregate in Champions League semi-finals. They beat Chelsea in UEFA Super Cup and went on with their impressive form in the new season, leading in the German championship and qualifying for the last 16 round of the main European tournament. They went through managerial change after Jupp Heynckes stepped down for Pep Guardiola. To complete the trophy cabinet Bayern won the Club World Cup in December. They are arguably one of the strongest teams to ever play football.

2. Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement

There is an entire generation of football fans who have never seen Manchester United play under somebody other than the great Scot. Many of them took it for granted and thought he would last at the club forever. But Sir Alex turned 71 and decided to end his 26-year era in the dugout at Old Trafford. Just after winning his 13th Premier League title. Leaving a huge heritage and responsibility to new gaffer David Moyes, Ferguson became the club’s director and embarked on his out-of-football interests. Have a nice retirement, Sir Alex!

3. Gareth Bale and the most expensive transfer in history

Tottenham Hotspur and their chairman Daniel Levy have produced an incredible piece of business of keeping it late to the end of summer transfer window following Real Madrid’s interest in getting the Welsh player. They inflated the price tag to the point that it exceeded the one paid for Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2009. One hundred million pounds is the new transfer record. Seems like Florentino Perez can pay any price indeed for the players he wants.

4. Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland are emerging as new national teams to consider as powerhouses

Qualification campaign to the World Cup 2014 revealed some truly admiring national sides that might become leaders of European football in the years to come. Belgium are the team that could make it to the final stages of the World Cup in Brazil with the likes of Eden Hazard, Christian Benteke, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele, Thibaut Courtois and many brilliant more in the roster. Young and bold, they finished top of their qualifying group ahead of Croatia and Serbia. Bosnia and Herzegovina produce some of the best attacking football with Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic leading the team. They finished first in the group having scored 30 goals in 10 matches and have become the youngest country to get to the World Cup. Iceland might not have beaten Croatia in play-off round but managed to surprise Europe finishing second in the group and managed to fight hard against Luka Modric and co. A truly fine generation of young players, competing in the championships of Netherlands, Italy and England.

5. Premier League title race has never been that tense

While Spanish, German, French and Italian national championships turned into two or three-horse races, Barclays Premier League clubs invested hundreds of millions in new players and promise breathtaking clashes every matchday. Top-class European and South-American players added gloss to the tournament and by the end of the year top eight teams lie within just nine points. There is nothing decided in relegation battle either and we are looking forward to the second half of the season.

Hopefully, World Cup and other football events will bring us many more emotions in 2014!
Happy New Year!

Read also:
Top 5 Champions League revelations

Fellaini believes Moyes can lead Everton to a top-four finish

Basil Naumov — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:31:39 +0000

Everton star Marouane Fellaini revealed David Moyes has what it takes to lead the club to a top-four finish.

The Scot’s current deal is due to expire in summer and he decided to postpone the contract negotiations until the end of the season.
Everton are sitting in the sixth spot, trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by four points after their scoreless draw at the Emirates. Despite the fact they are considered underdogs in the battle for the Champions League spot, Fellaini believes Everton deserve to play in the major European tournament. He said: “Playing in the Champions League would be great. We have a good team and I don’t think we are far from it. But we have to work hard and win our games.”

The 25-year-old Belgium international praised Moyes for his ability to lead the team to a respectable Premier League positions despite having lack of transfer funds. He admitted: “In 10 years he has made the club stronger and has positioned us just outside the top four or five clubs. We don’t have the same budget as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham either, yet we are still doing well.”

Man City set to offer two players plus cash for Everton Fellaini

Basil Naumov — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 08:38:03 +0000

Daily Mirror informs Manchester City are set to launch a part-exchange deal involving two players worth a combined £23 million or the Toffees ace Marouane Fellaini.

Man City are desperate to rebuild the squad this summer following the failure to defend Premier League champions title and the inability to progress to the Champions League knockout stage. They have turned attention to Everton powerhouse Fellaini in a bid to improve their struggling midfield line.

The 25-year-old Belgium international is also on a top of Chelsea shopping list, and the Blues are likely to face stiff competition from the side of free-spending Citizens for the signature of the player.

Fellaini has been in a brilliant form this season scoring 10 goals and setting up another 4 in 21 appearances.

Fellaini injury worry for Everton

Basil Naumov — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:05:58 +0000

Daily Mirror reports Everton have been struck with the news their towering midfielder Marouane Fellaini could be out for a crucial clash against Man Utd.

The 25-year-old midfielder who has been in marvelous form this season missed the training with Belgium and is considered a doubt for a friendly with Slovakia. Fellaini has played 90 minutes against Aston Villa and has scored an equalizing goal in the dying stages of the game. However he complained of pain in his hip when he reported for international duty, which raised the doubts as to whether he will be fit enough for a highly-anticipated match against leaders Man Utd.

The injury would be a huge blow for Everton as Fellaini has been an indispensable member of the Toffees’ squad this season, scoring 10 goals and setting up another 4 in 20 appearances.

Chelsea to replace Lampard with Everton's Fellaini

Basil Naumov — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:10:47 +0000

Daily Mirror states that Chelsea are considering towering Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini as an ideal replacement to their iconic player Frank Lampard who is set to leave the club in summer after the Blues have decided not to extend his contract.

With several Premier League top clubs said to be closely monitoring the situation with Fellaini’s possible move away from the Goodison Park, Chelsea are rumored to be in the driving seat to sign the big-haired midfielder. They are ready to trigger Fellaini’s £22 million release clause and offer the 25-year-old Belgium international a lucrative five-year deal worth of £25 million.

Man Utd are also said to be ready to splash the cash on the player who has been on fire this season scoring 9 goals and setting up another 6 in 21 appearances.

Chelsea to bid £20m for Fellaini

Basil Naumov — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:05:42 +0000

London Evening Standard states that Chelsea are seriously considering the possibility of signing the 25 year-old Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

The Blues are reportedly prepared to table the £20 million offer for the Belgium international . Fellaini has been instructed to play an attacking role this season by Everton coach David Moyes. This tactical maneuver has proved effective as the midfielder has scored 8 goals and set up another 4 in 15 appearances for the club. Such an outstanding performance has attracted the interest of several top Premier League clubs including Man Utd Chelsea and Man City.

However Fellaini’s competitive streak often puts him in the trouble - he was given three-match ban for the headbutting Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross last Sunday. He will miss the fixtures against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea.

Fellaini faces 3-game ban for a headbutt

Basil Naumov — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:17:52 +0000

The Sun informs that Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to be fined £150,000 and banned for at least three games after headbutting Ryan Shawcross during the 1-1 draw between Everton and Stoke City on Saturday.

The referee Mark Halsey missed the incidents and did not punish Fellaini for numerous assaults on Stoke’s skipper. Besides the apparent heabutt, Fellaini is caught on the camera elbowing and slapping Shawcross in the head and attempting a second headbutt. Taken in the lump these assaults may force the FA officials to adjudge even a tougher punishment and ban the Belgian for up to 9 games.

Everton coach David Moyes condemned Fellaini’s behavior and said that the club will “take the punishment if it is given.”

Fellaini himself has issued an apology to Ryan Shawcross, Everton fans and his teammates.

Fellaini named Premier League November Player of the Month

Basil Naumov — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:34:30 +0000

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has won Premier League November Player of the Month award.

The 25 year-old Belgian powerhouse has turned in a number of eye-catching performances for Everton last month, scoring four goals and setting up another one in five games.

Fellaini has been the subject of intensive speculations linking him with a move to the several English top clubs.

Meanwhile West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clark has been voted Premier League November Manager of the Month. WBA have won four of their five games played in November.

Latest Transfer Rumors in English Football: Arsenal eye Fellaini, Morata, Man City chase Willian, Fernandinho

HolaMexico — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 06:52:46 +0000

Everton’s powerhouse Marouane Fellaini is being targeted by Arsenal’s head coach Arsène Wenger. The signing of Belgian midfielder will allow Frenchman to strengthen the midfield line. Interest in 24 year-old Fellaini is high with Chelsea, Man Utd and PSG said to be monitoring the situation. And still Arsenal seem to be the favorites to sign the Belgian during the January transfer window.

According to Daily Mail, The Gunners are also taking an interest in Real Madrid’s striker Álvaro Morata. However Morata has recently extended his contract with Los Merengues and the prohibitive 70 million Euros release clause is reported to become the stumbling block for the Londoners. Wenger is also said to bid for the 20 year-old Borussia M’Gladbach defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Chelsea are set to continue spending spree in January with a possible move for Juventus forward Alessandro Matri. According to Tuttomercatoweb.com The Blues are ready to open their check book and pay around 8 million Euro for the Italian should Falcao’s transfer fall through (Man City are reportedly in the driving seat to lure ‘El Tigre’ from Atlético Madrid).

Man City are reportedly chasing Shakhtar Donetsk pair Willian and Fernandinho. Both players demonstrated impressive performance in the Champions League matches against Chelsea. Yet the board of directors is unlikely to increase the transfer budget and Mancini has to raise the necessary funds by selling Lescott, Džeko and Balotelli. Mancini is also rumored to be interested in signing Birmingham keeper Jack Butland. According to The People, The Citizens plan to spend 6 million Euros on a 19 year-old player during the January transfer window and immediately loan him back to Birmingham.

Liverpool are hot on the trail of Vitesse 23 year-old striker Wilfried Bony. In order to improve their attacking options The Reds are also eyeing Jackson Martinez (Porto), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke-04), and Tomer Hemed (Mallorca).

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini out for three weeks

Lyuba Koblinets — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:32:51 +0000

The 24-year-old will keep off for three weeks as he had sustained a knee injury in the Premier League match against Wigan this Saturday.

The Belgian FA’s official website conveys: ‘Fellaini suffered a small tear at the juncture of muscle and tendon in the knee, the injury was revealed during a scan.’

The Belgium international will miss two World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Serbia.

Fellaini is Everton’s key player and the team has an ambitious start this season. Nevertheless they will do without him in their further match against QPR and the question whether he will recover before the game against Liverpool or not is still open.

During the recovery period Fellaini will stay in Belgium.