Portugese know how to do it

Real Madrid bought Cristiano Ronaldo for a world transfer fee last season. Along with big names like Karim Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and more. But this just didn't prove enough for Los Blancos to win silverware that season.

Following the last seasons failure to win silverware. The club President Fiorentino Perez decided to change his approach for acquiring silverware. He decided to bring in 'The Special One' aka Jose Mourinho. The 2010-11 season started with a few questions for both Mourinho and Real Madrid. But once the stage was set, the Portugese began to ran the show.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

The Portugese winger was expected to help Madrid deliver titles. But he was unable to shine at the big games. Now with Mourinho's arrival things have changed. And changed for the positive. His performance during the month of October of was just fantastic. He scored eleven goals in just six games last month. With an average goal scoring rate of 2 goals per game. Ronaldo is once again back to his best in terms of scoring goals.  



He also scored his first ever four goals in a single game for Real Madrid against Racing Santander at the Santiago Bernabeu. His four goals included one from the spot as Real Madrid thrashed Racing Santander 6-1. He is being Madrid's goal scoring machine in the month of October without a doubt.

Ricardo Carvalho:

The former Chelsea man just proved to be the missing piece in Madrid's defence. Since his arrival Madrid's goal conceding has been quite reduced. His performance in the back four has been quite impressive. The Portugese is being the same great performer he has been at Chelsea. To some that seemed like the wrong buy, turned out just perfect for Madrid. They had defensive flaws, but with Carvalho's arrival at the Bernabeu. It's not something to worry about anymore.

Jose Mourinho:

Since his arrival from Inter Milan, there have been alot of expectations from Mourinho. He has a reputation of getting deeply involved with a club he works for, and the fans soon start to get into that strong bond with him. From Stamford Bridge to San Siro, he's loved for what he's done for the game. He certainly knows how to do is job.

Mourinho came to deliver titles. And that's what he does best. The Portugese has already led the team on the first position in the table standings and have easily qualified for the Champions League knock-out stage. Everything seems according to Mourinho's plan for now. The question is, till how long he'll keep impressing?

Golden Goose Spotlight: 25th - 31st October 2010

S. S. Lazio
Italian Club - Serie A


Reason: Leading the Serie A with 22 points.

Description: Lazio has indeed suprised us all since the start of their 2010-11 campaign. They currently rest on the first position in the Serie A table, and lead it by 4 points. Just 12 months before they were fighting relegation and now they're leading the way.

Young Player of the Month (October)

Gareth Bale

The Welsh has proved worth gold for Tottenham. He's ability to play as a LB or an LM grants the option to give him a variety of roles. Since the start of 2010-11 season he has proved his importance for the team and now has a regular starting spot. His performances, particularly in the Champions League, are ecstatic and one to watch. His hatrick against Inter Milan just shows what he is capable of.

Player of the Month (October)

Cristiano Ronaldo

The talented winger is once again back to his best. Since his move from Old Trafford to Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo has somewhat been under pressure by the critics. But all of those hard times seem to fade away for the Portugese. He scored a fascinating amount of 11 goals in just 6 games. This was just too good to resist for the PoM.

Golden Goose Spotlight: 18 - 24 October 2010

Gareth Bale

Midfielder - Tottenham Hotspur

Reason: Scoring a hatrick against Inter Milan in the European Champions League group game.

Description: The Welsh had been instrumental since the start of 2010-11 campaign for Tottenham Hotspur. He has provided numerous assists and scored several goals already. His performance against Inter Milan at the San Siro was ecstatic. The North London club were four goals and a man down. And that's one Gareth Bale decided to make the move. He scored three goals in the second half. His first one was a fantastic strike. Followed by two more, which gave hope but, they couldn't make it. Neverthless, Gareth Bale made it to the spotlight.

Click here to watch his hatrick against Inter Milan.

Golden Goose Spotlight: 11 - 17 October 2010

Roberto Di Matteo

Manager West Bromwich

Reason: Leading his team to a draw at Old Trafford.

Description: The WBA manager has achieved enough to be in the O3 .i.e. Out-of-the-Ordinary, category. As a player, he's a legend at Stamford Bridge. As a manager, he's becoming another one at The Hawthorns. His recent success at the Old Trafford with WBA, ensuring a draw was remarkable. His team currently rests at 6th in the table. Di Matteo was also EPL's Manager of the Month for September.



Young Player of the Month (September)

Lewis Holtby (Mainz 05)

The young german lad has played a crucial role in keeping Mainz at the top of the table. Holtby was loaned from Schalke to Mainz at the start of the 2010/11 season. And since then he has proved his worth to the team. The young german has inspired Mainz to 7 in a row wins since the start of the season. He now finds himself in the scoutlist of Joachim Leow, as he considers the young player to be promoted to the German National Squad from the German U-21 squad. He's a versatile footballer who can at various positions. A Playmaker, Winger or sometimes as a second striker.

Review: Chelsea vs Arsenal

Chelsea vs Arsenal

King Drogba made sure that during his stay at the Stamford Bridge his known as a nightmare to the Gunners. Since the Ivorian's arrival, Chelsea hasn't lost to Arsenal. His presence keeps on getting more painful for Arsenal, season by season. He has now scored 13 goals in his 13 appearances against Arsenal.

Didier Drogba and a sensational Alex freekick proved the difference as Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners against Arsenal on Sunday in a thoroughly entertaining end-to-end match.

Carlo Ancelotti decided to keep the same line up that he did against Manchester City. Although the Blues lost to City the other day, but they still showed that they were committed to defend their title this season.

Arsene Wenger, however, decided to give Jack Wilshere a chance instead of a much sparkling Carlos Vela. Facing problems due to injuries Almunia and Fabregas were on the bench for the Gunners. Almunia was replaced by Lukasz Fabianski.

As expected, the game started in an attacking fashion. Arsenal charged Chelsea in the first five minutes nearly scoring. First Marouane Chamakh got ahead of John Terry inside the penalty area to connect with Bacary Sagna’s cross to attack the ball but his headed chance flicked off the boot of Alex and went inches wide. Then, from the resulting corner, Laurent Koscielny found himself unmarked but seemed surprised as the Chelsea defenders and managed to head the ball over.It was difficult for Arsenal to break the back four of Chelsea. They were well organized and didn't give any room to the Gunners for creatng any sort of moves. Nasri was working all over the area to create chances and taking small runs every now and then so that he can find some room or space between the back four. But couldn't do so. However his quick feet did manage to create a chance when he worked the ball from left to right, finding Arshavin. Who left unmarked, took the chance. The shot was nicely taken but Petr Cech landed with an equally beautiful save to deny the Russian from scoring.

After waves of attack from the Gunners, Chelsea struck back. They adopted a counter attacking football mentality. As they tried to avail every oppurtunity they can get for counter attacking. In doing this so, they realized the weakness of the Gunners. Their lack of organization at the back. Their defence wasn't able to properly coperate together as they experienced some 'close to concede' moments. Drogba recieved a nicely worked pass from Essien as he beat the defender and took a powerful shot at the goal. Which was somehow saved by Fabianski.

For half an hour it almost looked like as if these two sides are inseparateable. However this was all changed, as Drogba once again showed that why should the Gunners be afraid of him. Ramires did some nice work in the midfield as he won two tackles. And then sending a through pass to the left flank to Ashley Cole who whipped a low square ball to Drogba. Drogba finding the ball slightly behind him, used the inside of his foot and then the backheel to turn the ball towards the goal. It struck the near post and into the net, leaving Fabianski stunned. Qouting the commentator, the goal scored was "Nearly Impossible". This was Didier Drogba's 13th goal in 13 appearances against Arsenal.

Arsenal started the second half like they did in the first. Playing attacking football.

There were plenty of calls for penalties from the Gunners but none of them was enough to make the refree grant one. Ramires made a life saving tackle when the young brazilian tackled Chamakh, nearly getting the touch on the ball to avoid conceding a penalty.

Couple of minutes later, there was action at the other end. Sebastian Squillaci's mistake nearly cost Arsenal another goal when his error switched the ball possession to Chelsea. And Anelka taking advantage made a run towards the goal. Fabianski stormed forward but couldnt take Anelka down. And somehow Anelka missed the goal, beating the keeper 1-on-1 and ending up in hitting the side of the net.

Nearly about 70 minutes in the game. When Chelsea had the possession, Anelka worked a very nice chip ball over the Arsenal defence as Ashley Cole made a run in the box, unnoticed. He, being unmarked, took his time. Shot and scored. Only to be declared offside by the Assistant refree.

Just when Arsenal thought they could still comeback in the game. As it was a slight lead of one goal. Their hopes were shattered when Alex took a fantastic curving free kick. And blasted the ball in the top right corner of the net. Leaving Fabianski helpless.

The final whistle blew a few minutes later. Chelsea find themselves on the top of the table with 18 points, while Arsenal are seven points behind the table leaders.

Player of the Month (September)

Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan)

The Cameroonian skipper has put away his World Cup disappointments and is once again back to Serie A. Since Mourinho's departure, things have changed at the San Siro. And for Eto'o, the change was a positive one. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Inter are dependant on this talented striker's goals.

He is currently the top scorer of Serie A with 5 goals, and has scored 4 goals in the Champions League in just two matches. Including a fantastic

hatrick against Werder Bremen. The Cameroonian international is once again shining at the grand stage. First with Barcelona in Spain and now with Inter in Italy. The veteran has got a long season ahead and would be looking to perform at his best, being an inspiration on the field.

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