English Football Digest

Liverpool’s new Red Revolution to be led by oil-rich Dubai International Capital group. Rafael Benitez is expecting a transfer budget of £80 million. The £450 million take over is going to be completed by the year-end and the current Chief Executive Rick Parry is a frontrunner to become the Club Chairman after the current Chairman David Moores sells his controlling shares.

Newcastle United is looking at the possibility of Peter Crouch joining their ranks during the January transfer period. Peter Crouch had earlier signed up with Liverpool for £7 million deal during July 2005. Newcastle Boss Glenn Roeder is also desperately in search of a couple of defenders, specifically Manchester United’s Wes Brown.

Arsenal came within minutes to handing Chelsea their first defeat in 52 games but for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien’s stunning equalizer, this came after a late goal from Arsenal’s Flamini. In the dying minutes Chelsea went all guns blazing. Essien had his shot from 25 yards and the ball swirled from outside the right goal-post into the right corner of the net; the goalkeeper just didn’t have an answer.

From the Team Managers
Jose Morinho (on Arsenal post-match)
"If Arsenal win their game in hand, there will still be 15 points between them (Manchester United), so I think it is impossible for them to be champions. Arsenal had quality, organisation and control, but ambition to win? No. Only one team tried to win the game. It is a surprise for a big team to come to Stamford Bridge and be very happy to just get a point. We are disappointed, because we had so many chances, butif we beat Newcastle on Wednesday, we will be only five points behind United - so [the title race] is more than open."

Arsene Wenger (on Chelsea)
"You could easily underestimate the size of Arsenal. When we built our new stadium we had to question whether to make it big enough to house 50,000, 55,000 or 60,000 fans. Today you see that, with a good team, even 60,000 is too small. In stark contrast, Chelsea struggle to fill Stamford Bridge, which has a capacity of 42,240. The fact we play more attractive football is one of the answers. You also have the natural size of the club through history. Real Madrid are bigger than Alaves, even if Alaves has a better team one year. To say Chelsea can be the biggest club in the world looks premature. Building a fan base takes a very long time. The dad brings the son, who becomes a fan. It doesn't bother me. I am confident that we can make something happen."

Sir Alex Ferguson (post derby clash versus Manchester city)
"You have to earn the right to win these matches. Just because you're at home and are top of the league doesn't mean you're just going to turn up and win. You have to earn the right and we did that. It was a typical derby game; there were moments when we should have punished them - we certainly had some fantastic opportunities to do that - and at other times in the game we had to really fight and scrap and Edwin van der Sar made two great saves. We can relax now and watch the game tomorrow and we'll be supporting the Gunners (Arsenal), which doesn't happen often. I look forward to watching it and hopefully we will be in an even better position by Monday morning."

Rafael Benitez (a day after meeting the Dubai delegates on their £450 million takeover)
"Because the future looks positive, I'm sure all the players will be thinking about this in a good way and, if Liverpool is moving forward, they'll want to be part of that. I have spoken to Rick Parry and the chairman and they are very positive. But it is important we now all keep our focus. My staff and I are doing exactly the same things now as we've always done — and always will do. At Liverpool, there will always be a balance between making the right changes but also thinking about the heritage. My daughter is only four but she understands what the fans in Liverpool are like and why they're different to other clubs. She always says: ‘I am strong and I'm proud and I'm Scouse'. She knows what this club means to the supporters — and why they're special."