Chelsea Thrashed Boredeaux 4-0 in Champions League 08-09 Group Stage

Chelsea got off to an excellent start in their Champions League 2008-09 campaign, clinching a scintillating 4-0 victory over Boredeaux tonight at Stamford Bridge in an easy affair. Chelsea opened up 2-0 lead within 30 minutes of the match thanks to goals from Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. In the 14^th minute, Frank Lampard scored the first goal, putting Chelsea ahead in the match. Lampard headed a cross from Jose Bosingwa and slotted the ball into the net. Chelsea moved up 2-0 after 30 minutes when Joe Cole scored the second goal for Chelsea through a header from a corner taken by Frank Lampard. Chelsea was leading by 2-0 in the half time.

Florent Malouda hit the third goal with eight minutes from the final whistle. Nicolas Anelka increased the margin on the 90^th minute after receiving the ball deflected off the crossbar and slotting it into the net. To tell the truth, Chelsea has showed as much dominance as the score line suggests. Chelsea was the runner of the last season as they were beaten by winner Manchester United in the All-English final.

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The Sun

Liverpool Defeated Marseille 2-1 in Champions League 08-09 Opener

Liverpool has pulled off an excellent 2-1 away victory at Marseille tonight in their Group D opening match of Champions League 2008-2009. With this victory, Liverpool made a good start in their Champions League campaign, while Olympique Marseille was disappointed being losing all three points in front of the home fans.

Marseille took the lead in the 23^rd minute of the match when unmarked Lorik Cana received a through and rushed into the Liverpool box to score the goal, saving himself from the off-side trap created by Liverpool. However, the visiting side took only three minutes to level the score thanks to the equalizer from Captain Steven Gerrard. The English midfielder collected a Dirk Kuyt pass outside the box and converted it through a curling shot past Marseille goal keeper. Just six minutes later, Gerrard scored the winning goal through a penalty awarded to Liverpool after Ryan Babel was knocked down illegally in the box.

Last year, Liverpool pulled off a 4-0 victory at Marseille. Now, this year only the winning margin has been decreased, but that will not lessen the disappointment of the home fans. With this defeat, Marseille’s hope to make it to the round of 16 has been pushed all the way. Liverpool, who went into the match in the back of 2-1 triumph over Manchester United last Saturday, has started off well, but in order to ensure a place in the last 16, Liverpool needs to continue their excellent form in the coming matches as well.

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Times Online

Manchester United vs Villarreal CL 08-09: Preview and Live Score

Manchester United will kick off their title defense campaign in Champions League on Wednesday when they host Spanish club Villarreal at Old Trafford. Starting as defending champion, Manchester United is looking to start off the campaign well. Villarreal made a direct entry to the group stage of Champions League 2008-2009 competition thanks to finishing second in Spanish La Liga last season. So, Villarreal must be gearing up to replicate their last season’s excellent form in this season in order to secure an entrance to the round of 16 from Group E.

Match: Manchester United vs Villarreal, Group E, Champions League 2008-2009

Date: 17 September 2008, Wednesday

Venue: Old Trafford

Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)

With Manchester United becoming most favorite in Group E, Villarreal is expected to be pitted against Scottish club Celtic for the second spot in the group. The Spanish club finished second in La Liga last season with 8 points deficit from Champion Real Madrid. Villarreal’s recent form is also satisfactory. They defeated Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Sunday in La Liga and seem to be confident enough ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.

Defending Champion Manchester United is currently in search of their prime form of last season, in which the Red Devils secured an invaluable doubles including Premier League and Champions League titles. Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend. This is their first defeat to Liverpool in seven years. With this defeat, Manchester United is left in the middle of the table with 4 points from 3 matches. So, it is not the kind of performance that could be said to be good for a team who dominated all through the last season both in premier league as well as in Europe.

Manchester United will definitely look to pick up three points from the match, considering the fact that next time they have to face Villarreal in Spain. On the other hand, even a draw would be a satisfactory result for Villarreal because a point from the away match against Manchester United will boost up their confidence level.

There are many who consider the current injury spell of United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been affecting the performance of the club. Ronaldo has not made his appearance for Manchester United so far this season. With 42 goals, Ronaldo was United’s highest goal scorer in the previous season. The player underwent an ankle surgery following his international duty with Portugal in Euro 2008 tournament. However, Ronaldo is reported ready to come back in action against Villarreal. Reports have it that Cristiano Ronaldo might make a came back on Wednesday, but still, he would not make it to the starting line up; rather he will be in the substitute list initially.

Manchester United Facing a Number of Injury Woes

Ahead of the home fixture for Villarreal, Manchester United now has a number of injury problems to contend with. Though Ronaldo is likely to make a come back in the match, Manchester United will not get the service of English midfielder Michael Carrick who picked up with broken bones in his foot in their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. Carrick will be out for at least a month. In his absence, Owen Hargreaves might be rushed back Paul Scholes will also miss the home fixture due to suspension as he was sent off during their loss to Zenit St Petersburg in the European Super Cup Final earlier this season. United will also be without defender Patrice Evra, as the player suffered an injury following the 2-1 loss at Anfield.

Telegraph reported:

Carrick missed this morning's training session for the start of United's Champions League defence against Villarreal tomorrow night but now looks set to also miss the game against Aalborg and is doubtful for the visit of Celtic on Oct 21.

Earlier today it was revealed that Patrice Evra is also likely to miss the Villarreal game. The 26-year-old left-back was taken to hospital following the defeat at Liverpool.

Ireland's John O’Shea is waiting to step in against Villarreal if Evra is ruled out, but Manchester United's likely starting XI looks thin on ground with Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo both missing as they start the defence of their European crown.

Strikers Rossi and Kahveci will miss tomorrow’s match due to injury. Rossi has not recovered well from thigh injury, while Kahveci is in his way to come back in action after his surgery.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some names of the online live score websites from where you can get to know about the latest of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

On pen and paper, Manchester United is favorite against Villarreal, but considering the recent form of the two clubs, I think, it is going to be too close an affair to call. No doubt, United has one of the strongest as well as biggest squads in the Europe, but the cause of concern is that they are yet to be back with their excellent form this season. However, Manchester United will enjoy the home advantage in the match. Overall, Manchester United seems to have a slight edge in the opening encounter of the two clubs in Champions League. Now, let us see if Manchester United gets their form back or Villarreal continue their last season’s excellent form.

Apple will rule Americas consumer electronics for the next three months

High oil price and economic slow down has tightened consumer spending but American software and consumer electronics company, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has good news. In a survey conducted over 4400 consumers by ChangeWave, a reputed research company, it was found out that those who were planning to buy either desktop or laptop in next three months, would buy Apple brand.

Out of the 4400 consumers, 8% said that they were planning to buy laptops in next three months and 5% were going to buy desktops. Now, the respondents who were planning to buy laptops, 34% of them wanted to buy Apple brand. Those who wanted to buy desktops, 17% said that they wanted to buy Apple brand. The major reason behind this popularity was Apple’s popular cell-phone, iPhone 3G.

The survey was conducted in mid-August. ChangeWave is best known as the supplier “e-mail get-rich-quick investment tips.” The company has a subscriber base of 15,000.

For Apple, it may be good news but for the rest of the consumer electronics industry, it is not good news at all. Only 15% of the total respondents said that they will spend more on electronics and 34% said that they would spend less. The net difference between these two numbers is 13% lower compared to the same period in 2007.

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eFluxMedia

Chelsea vs Bordeaux CL: Preview and Live Score

Chelsea is going to welcome Girondins de Bordeaux tonight in their Group A Champion League 2008-09 encounter. The match will take place at Stamford Bridge with both sides having something to achieve from the match. Chelsea will definitely look to win the match considering the fact that they will have to travel to Bordeaux next time, while Bordeaux will even be happy with a point from tonight’s meeting knowing that they will take on Bordeaux next time at home.

Match: Chelsea vs Girondins de Bordeaux, Group A, Champions League 2008-2009

Date: 16 September 2008, Tuesday

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)

Chelsea’s recent form has been in evident of their current level of confidence. The Blues outclassed Manchester City 3-1 on Saturday away at Eastlands. Chelsea is currently leading in the premier league on goal difference with 10 points from 4 matches. Girondins de Bordeaux, on the other hand, has not been at their best so far this season as they could manage to pick up seven points from five matches in League 1 in France. The French club finished second last season after Olympique Lyonnais in League 1, but they are yet to find their right form this season. However, the performance of Bordeaux was pretty much satisfactory in their recent draw against League 1 rival Olympique Marseille.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to face his first Europe test tonight when Bordeaux will travel North London tonight. The world cup winning Brazilian coach has not managed any European club before taking over the job at Chelsea, but Scolari had two success stories in South America’s Copa Libertadores, the equivalent club competition of Europe’s Champions League, with Gremio and Palmeiras. However, the Chelsea manager has recently said that their target was to win all the things coming in their way; not just Champions League. Chelsea has not won any Champions League title yet, but they did see their best performance last season when they reached the final for the first time and went as close as a penalty kick to clinch the European title. However, they could not capitalize on that opportunity and lost in the Moscow final to Manchester United.

Chelsea boss Scolari said that Chelsea knew a lot about Bordeaux and had a lots of information about the French club. The manager also said that Chelsea’s primary target in to match last season’s success-meaning to reach the final.

Goal.com reported:

Luiz Felipe Scolari - "We know quite a lot about Bordeaux. We've seen tapes of their games and have some additional information from other people. They've warned us to be careful, especially in this first match."

Luiz Felipe Scolari - "The primary objective is to reach the final again."

Girondins de Bordeaux saw their best ever performance in Champions League in 1985 when they reached the semi final of the tournament, but failed to make it to the final being defeated by Juventus. Bordeaux had an excellent last season in domestic league, but still tonight’s encounter could be termed as a David and Goliath fight. However, Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc has recently said that Chelsea has enough money and a strong squad, but still they could not manage to win Champions League yet, indicating how tough Champions League is. He has also stated that money can not bring success all the time. In order to succeed, a club needs talent and performance. He has also added that Chelsea looks so strong that you might think it would be easy game for Chelsea. Besides admitting the strength of the North London club, Blanc still thinks that clinching a point from the match is possible for Bordeaux.

AFP reported:

"If you look at the strength Chelsea have compared to us you would think it would be an easy game for them, but that is one of the great things about football, and the Champions League especially, because smaller teams can upset the bigger ones," Blanc said.

"We didn't spend long looking for their weaknesses because there aren't many. And if we had looked at their strengths we wouldn't have slept because they have so many. But can we get a point? Why not?

"It is always the case that you learn from every game and gain experience but we don't just come for that. It would be a bad state of affairs if we came just for experience.

"We might start in a reserved manner but hopefully we will be able to become more audacious as the game goes on."

Chelsea will be without their injured midfielder Michael Essien in the match. Essien will be out of action for at least six months after picking up a major knee injury during his international duty for Ghana recently. However, Michael Ballack is expected to be available for the match against Girondins de Bordeaux after shaking off his ankle/foot injury. Ivorian striker Didier Drogba made a substitute appearance in their recent premier league victory over Manchester City at Eastlands. It was his first appearance for Chelsea this season as he was suffering from a niggling knee injury since the Champions League final of the last season. Girondins de Bordeaux does not need to contend with any injury, even through the club featured a full-strength side in their latest League 1 match against Marseille, but the good news is that Bordeaux did not suffer any injury woe from the match.

Online Live Score and Updates

Fans of both sides are now eagerly waiting for the match. However, if you are not lucky enough to manage your time to watch the match on television, then you can visit the online live score sites for the updates of the match. Here, I am giving some websites names from where you can get online live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Chelsea is clearly favorite against Girondins de Bordeaux, but Bordeaux might show some spirited performance considering the fact that they have nothing to lose in the match. Even a point will be considered as a victory for the French side, while anything less than a victory will be considered as a failure for Chelsea. So, the pressure will be on Chelsea. No doubt, they will have home advantage, but I think, Bordeaux is going to throw some tough challenges for the home team, and any kind of negligence in the match could be lethal for Chelsea.

Related article:

Canadian Press

AFP

Goal.com

Soccerway

Olympique Marseille vs Liverpool CL 08-09: Preview and Live Score

Olympique Marseille will host English club Liverpool tonight (16 September) in their Champions League 2008-09 opener. The Group D match will take place at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. This is, in fact, a rematch of last year’s Champions League meeting when Liverpool pulled off a 4-0 away victory at Stade Velodrome and ensured their progress to the last 16 of Champions League. However, ahead of tonight’s clash, Olympique Marseille can take inspiration from their last season away victory over Liverpool thanks to the only goal from Mathieu Valbuena.

Match: Olympique Marseille vs Liverpool, Group D, Champions League 2008-2009

Date: 16 September 2008, Tuesday

Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille

Kick off: 19:45 BST (British Standard Time)

Live TV: ITV1, BBC Radio Five Live

When Marseille took on Liverpool at home at season, the situation was more intense as they needed at least a draw to get into the last 16. On the other hand, Liverpool, who was in the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Marseille, was left with the only option to win the match in order to progress to the round of 16. However, the upcoming match does not seem to be a ‘do or die’ affair for either side, given the fact that this is the opening group stage match of their Champions League 2008-09 campaign. Even a defeat in the match for either side would not be meant to be the end of their hope of progressing to the next round.

After the morale-boosting victory over Manchester United on last weekend, Liverpool must be flying in the sky now, given the fact that it is their first victory over Manchester Untied in seven years. Saturday’s 2-1 victory came as a confidence booster for the All reds at Anfield and they are currently at second position on goal difference in the league table with 10 points from 4 matches. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was full of confidence following the victory and said that nothing could have given a better boost to their confidence level ahead of the Champions League encounter. The Spanish coach also confirmed that Liverpool would now go into the Marseille match with good frame of mind and spirit. Benitez also termed the 2-1 victory over Manchester United their best performance so far this season. However, Rafael Benitez also cautioned his boys about the forthcoming fixture at Marseille and asked Liverpool players to forget the United heroics and focus on the Olympique Marseille match.

Wales Online Reported:

“We did well against Manchester United but we must be focused on the next game, and that is Marseille.

“We must not allow ourselves to get carried away. We played well on Saturday but the Champions League is different.

“Clearly we must not think about what happened in the past and think only of our next game and making sure that we win it. Otherwise you waste what has gone before.

“We have talked to the players about putting Manchester United out of their minds and just concentrate on the future.”

Olympique Marseille is gearing up to take revenge of their 4-0 humiliating defeat to Liverpool last season. Interestingly, Marseille also currently stands at second in the league table and are unbeaten so far in League 1 this season. However, their performance has not been as impressive as it should have been due to their weakness in the defense, even though their attacking flair has been outstanding so far this season. Remembering last season’s 4-0 home thrash that forced them to narrowly miss out on a place in the round of 16, Marseille must be careful about Liverpool. The French side got a 1-1 draw against Bordeauxb last Saturday and their performance was satisfactory. Especially, their performance in the first half was excellent against Bordeaux. Marseille manager Eric Gerets asked urged his players to show the same form throughout 90 minutes against Liverpool. Gerets has praised Liverpool for their comprehensive victory over Manchester United, but he has also vowed that Liverpool would be able to repeat the same performance that the English club produced in their last visit to Stade Velodrome.

AFP reported:

"We're hosting what is, for me, the favourite to win the group, they're a fantastic team," added Gerets.

"But it was a pleasant surprise to see how my team coped against Bordeaux, especially in the first half.

"I think we need to reproduce that kind of performance over 90 minutes against Liverpool. I don't think Liverpool will surprise us quite the way they did last year, when they basically out-muscled us.

"I don't think that will happen again. We won't make the same mistakes."

Liverpool Missing Fabio Aurelio, but Gerrard, Torres, Mascherano and Lucas Fit for Marseille Showdown

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will not get the service of full-back Fabio Aurelio who has been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League opener with a minor calf injury that he sustained against Manchester United. However, the good news is that Captain Steven Gerrard is ready for first team appearance, while Spanish striker Fernando Torres is also ready to come back in action with the match against Marseille. Gerrard could manage to play 22 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Manchester United coming off the bench as a substitute on his return after a minor groin surgery. Torres remained sidelined in the match, but he is reportedly ready to be back in action.

Moreover, Liverpool will also get the service of Javier Mascherano who played excellently well during their victory over United last weekend. However, the Argentine midfielder took a minor knock to his knee, but he has been named in the 18-member squad declared for Marseille trip. Brazilian Lucas, who could not play any part in the Red’s last match due to international duty, will be available for the Champions League encounter tonight.

Olympique Marseille Facing no Major Injury Problem

Marseille does not have any major injury problems ahead of the match. That means will come out with their full strength against Liverpool. Rather, Marseille will get the service of Hatem Ben Arfa and midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, two important players of Marseille, who returned from injuries in their latest league match. Ben Arfa is the most important player of Marseille attack, while Valbuena was the scorer of the winning goal for Marseille last season at Anfield. Both the players are expected to start for the Liverpool match tonight.

Online Live Score and Updates:

Here, I am giving some names of the websites from where you can get the online live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Liverpool seems to be favorite considering their current form and confidence in evident. However, you should not forget that Marseille will be playing before their home fans and will be looking to take some pride back that they lost last season at home, but Marseille defense must be up to the mark to stave off the Liverpool challenge. Liverpool, in contrast, needs to dominate in the midfield because their main strength lies in the midfield. One thing is for sure that this is not going to be one-sided match like last season. Now, let us see if Liverpool and Marseille could come up with their best and present the football fans with a mind-blowing match.

Nissan will develop a new truck engine and introduce nine models in India in the next four years

Nissan Diesel Motor (PINK:NSNDF), a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co.Ltd. (TYO: 7201), is going to develop a new low-pollution engine for its trucks. The company acquired Swedish automaker, Volvo AB B (PINK: VOLVF), in 2007. Till now, Nissan Diesel used to buy engines from Hino Motors Ltd. ADR (PINK:HINOY) From now on, the company is going to use Volvo engines.

Nissan Motor’s manufacturing plant in Saitama prefecture in Japan will start sales of the new model in 2009. They will market 4-ton trucks.

On the other hand, Nissan Motors India Pvt. Ltd. is going to launch nine new car models in India in the next four years to strengthen its position in one of the fastest growing car markets in the world. The company will source these models from India. With that end in mind, Nissan and Resnault SA (EPA:RNO) are going to build a manufacturing plant in Chennai.

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Bloomberg