In the sixth minute of the game, Marouane Fellaini picked up the ball near the centre circle, attempted to run deep into Evertons territory to start another Manchester United attack but immediately saw the ball stolen away from him from James McCarthy. Stitched Jerseys . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Around the Premier League on Saturday, numerous examples of midfields taking over games were on show. For Tottenham at Sunderland, Paulinho and Moussa Dembele ran the game in the second half, Stoke got back into their match against Chelsea by exposing a double pivot of Ramires and John Obi Mikel, while Liverpool lost momentum in their home match against West Ham once Steven Gerrard departed through injury. This is football in todays era. Central midfield is the most important zone on the field, where turnovers are caused, counter-attacks are started, defensive cover is needed and vision with the ball is demanded. Most teams in the Premier League play in systems that can be labeled 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, where at least three men centrally are asked to work as a unit, both defensively and in attack. It is the engine that motors the team forward and back. At Manchester United this season this has usually been done by two central midfielders and Wayne Rooney.Rooney has looked very good and if you were to make up a list of Uniteds problems he would certainly be at the bottom labeled as ‘Rooney – only concern is how to play him with van Persie against superior teams. The English striker has proven in recent years (see vs Andrea Pirlo at Euro 2012 for reference) to be a liability when it comes to making up a midfield three in a defensive manner but against the majority of inferior Premier League teams this is not a problem. Last season for example, against the 13 teams who finished between eighth and 20th in the Premier League, Manchester United, playing 4-4-2, won an astonishing 22 of 26 matches, claiming a total of 69 points from a possible 78. However, upon closer inspection there were matches where they looked outrun in midfield and allowed a goal through a defensive lapse, but these were quickly forgotten about because United painted over the cracks by banging in goals at the other end. It happened against Fulham, when Dembele ran the game before getting a move to Spurs (Fulham led 1-0, lost 3-2), it happened against Liverpool and Southampton in second halves at Old Trafford (games won 2-1) and against Newcastle who led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 last season before losing 4-3. On Boxing Day the United system was handing their opponents regular gifts with numerous goal scoring chances but once again, their attacking heavyweights powered their way out of trouble. United would go on to win the game through Javier Hernandez in the 90th minute, who, like on Saturday, partnered van Persie up front for United that day. That however, is where the similarities ended for the pair. Last season the service towards them was remarkably different to the amount of passes they received in Saturdays 1-0 home loss. Sixty-seven passes to 36 is a remarkable difference over 90 minutes: Hernandezs winning goal last December would give his side three more points won from a losing position and in total United would go on to claim 29 points from losing positions last season. On the surface that seems like a remarkably impressive number, it is after all the second highest of all-time in the Premier League behind Newcastles 01-02 season of 34 points, but you must have flaws in your team to be behind many times to get to that number. Uniteds flaws remain this season but because they cannot power themselves out of trouble with goals they have been magnified to the level where action is now required. Two seasons ago United were stunned by a Champions League group stage elimination after Benfica and Basel ran through their midfield and scored eight goals between them in four matches. United were sent into the Europa League and would go on to again be exposed in similar fashion, losing back-to-back home games to technically superior teams, Ajax and Athletic Bilbao. In those matches United looked far too English. A timid, reactionary team lacking true post-to-post midfielders who excel in both the attack and defensive side of the game. It is an accusation that remains even more glaring two years on. The worlds best teams today all have world class deep-lying playmakers who control matches with the combination of brilliant, forward thinking vision and equally outstanding footballing intelligence without the ball. In central midfield, Real Madrid has Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso, Barcelona has Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi, Bayern Munich has Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez and Toni Kroos, Manchester City have Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. Manchester United has Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverley or Phil Jones. Carrick remains very important to United, a fine player in the Premier League whose calmness and passing ability has been sorely missed lately. Fellaini remains a mysterious buy, a player whose escalated price came from playing further forward but who wants to play in central midfield, despite not yet excelling at the attributes needed to play there. Cleverley has now started nine of their 15 league games this season and isnt anywhere near the quality of, at least, 20 other Premier League midfielders who have (and will continue to do so) the beating of the United youth product. Jones remains a promising player who will likely move to centre-back as he ages, but certainly does not have the offensive abilities to play regularly in central midfield for a team like Manchester United. None of these players are not close to being deep lying playmakers and none are anywhere close to being world class. United badly need at least one, and most likely two, of these caliber players as soon as possible. As last season showed the team is more than capable of going on a long successful run this season, beating inferior teams and that will help them climb towards a likely finish amongst the top four but what absolutely must not be forgotten again next summer is what was ignored in recent transfer windows. It is time to stop the likes of Dembele, McCarthy, and Cabaye running the show in games at Old Trafford. While United were spending a whopping 65 million pounds (the cost of Smalling, Young, Jones, Zaha and Powell) on mediocre, or unproven English talent the last four summers, many other teams have not only caught them up in central midfield, but now overtaken them. A club like United should be close to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern, but through bad buys and neglecting a key area they are not even close and are left exposed by average teams in their own league. It is time to get to work on a very deep-lying problem. NFL Jerseys Cheap . According to the CFL Scouting Bureaus January rankings, four of the top five Canadian prospects line-up on the offensive side of the trenches, which is good news for Bombers general manager Kyle Walters. With only one selection in the first two rounds — Walters sent his second-round pick to Saskatchewan in the days ahead of the 2013 trade deadline — the No. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. http://www.nfljerseyschina.net/ . Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in May, and was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. He has a 53-37 record with a 3.63 ERA in seven major league seasons, including five with Atlanta.(SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Foley is arguably the best motivational speaker of this generation. Foley does his preparation in a van down by the river. Kobe Bryant knows how to light a fire under those who are willing to listen, only he constructs his case on the basketball court. Because hes Kobe Bryant, there are zero repercussions when he calls his Los Angeles Lakers teammates soft or berates them with expletives that would make Ralphie Parkers father cringe (Yes, A Christmas Story reference). You see, Parkers father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. Bryant behaves in similar fashion when he wants to motivate. Hes Kobe Bryant. He can do that. And if anyone has the audacity to question the five-time champion and 16-time All-Star, they better be ready for a challenge. Bryant put on a show in Thursdays practice and vehemently expressed displeasure with words that belong in an R-rated movie or the mouth of a sailor. He described them as Charmin or soft like the name-brand toilet paper, and knows the 2014-15 season has been in the toilet with a 6-16 record. Theres still a chance to revive the season, but it doesnt appear possible even with a spry Bryant in the twilight of his career. Wearing practice gear and talking with a swagger, Bryant sorts through defenders toward the hoop: gawkers to one side; wannabe defenders, curious onlookers and more amazed teammates on the other. More teammates and coaches watch elsewhere, impressed he still has it. Bryant, who said he enjoys practice more than the game unlike former Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson, thrives on testing his teammates. I just challenge guys, see what happens, Bryant said Thursday. I always believed in throwing them in the pool and seeing if they can sink or swim. The only one swimming is Bryant and it has to be difficult for the future Hall of Famer with nobody else around him. Any so-called basketball expert knew the Lakers would struggle coming into the season. Jeremy Lin has been benched, veteran point guard Steve Nash and talented rookie Julius Randle are done for the season and Jordan Hill is the second leading scorer with 13.0 points per game behind Bryants 25.5 ppg. Carlos Boozer is now coming off the bench and is third with 12.5 ppg. Bryant can fire up, insult or compliment his teammates as much as possible, and its not going to reflect in the standings. He recently had breakfast with Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, leading many to speculate whether Bryant is courting the assist machine. Lets face it, the Lakers would still struggle with Rondo on the team unless the NBA decided on a whim to send Los Angeles to the Eastern Conference. Perhaps Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has a point when he said the team should tank the season. I hope the Lakers lose every game, Johnson said. Because if youre going to lose, lose. And Im serious. If youre going to lose, youve got to lose, because you cant be in the middle of the pack. You either have to be great, or youve got to be bad to get a good pick. Johnson should mind his own business and remain focused on improving the Dodgers. He has the right to his own opinion and should keep it quiet. Time is running out for Bryant and who knows how many years remain for the Black Mamba. He cann still score and is proving that on a nightly basis, and is also a great teacher, leader and mentor. Cheap Jerseys. Bryant said Thursdays practice was good because he not only let his teammates know how he felt, but he spilled some secrets on how to score and defend. The Lakers should be soaking up any tidbit of information Bryant shares. I think he just did a great job of getting everybody else fired up, Lakers first-year head coach Byron Scott said. Hes always fired up. Thats the great thing about him. Hes such a competitor. Like I said, when he comes out and he practices, the intensity level in practice goes sky-high. And he challenges guys. Its what you should do. Today, (the reserves) responded by getting their butt kicked. Scott went on to say Bryant brings out the best in guys, including trash- talker and reserve guard Nick Young, who went back-and-forth with Bryant during the heated practice. Whether it pays off Friday night in San Antonio remains to be seen. Los Angeles will start a three-game trip against the defending champion Spurs. We know its going to be a tough trip. Anytime you open with San Antonio, its going to be tough, Scott said. Bryant said he cant do the same things he used to because of his body. He has been limited in practice to rest for games, which is why Thursday was an important lesson for the Lakers at this stage. Bryant doesnt know if his appearance at practice will help the Lakers or raise the intensity level. Perhaps watching Bryant pass Hall of Famer Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs all-time scoring list will be more than enough motivation. The Lakers are last in opponents scoring at 110.1 ppg and will soon have two players in the top three in scoring. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Jordan (32,292) are the top three scorers with Bryant (32,262) 31 points shy of passing his idol. Bryant was asked to compare himself with Air Jordan. I think were both cursed with the obsession of trying to be the best that we can. Its a blessing and a curse at the same time, Bryant said. I think were both very similar in that regard. The biggest difference between the two, according to Bryant, is that he had to play both shooting and point guard. Bryant was jealous of Jordan having Scottie Pippen for a teammate. Bryant reflected on what it will be like to pass MJ. Its a huge honor to be here in this position. I cant believe Ive scored that many points especially from where my career started, In the sixth minute of the game, Marouane Fellaini picked up the ball near the centre circle, attempted to run deep into Evertons territory to start another Manchester United attack but immediately saw the ball stolen away from him from James McCarthy. Stitched Jerseys . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Around the Premier League on Saturday, numerous examples of midfields taking over games were on show. For Tottenham at Sunderland, Paulinho and Moussa Dembele ran the game in the second half, Stoke got back into their match against Chelsea by exposing a double pivot of Ramires and John Obi Mikel, while Liverpool lost momentum in their home match against West Ham once Steven Gerrard departed through injury. This is football in todays era. Central midfield is the most important zone on the field, where turnovers are caused, counter-attacks are started, defensive cover is needed and vision with the ball is demanded. Most teams in the Premier League play in systems that can be labeled 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, where at least three men centrally are asked to work as a unit, both defensively and in attack. It is the engine that motors the team forward and back. At Manchester United this season this has usually been done by two central midfielders and Wayne Rooney.Rooney has looked very good and if you were to make up a list of Uniteds problems he would certainly be at the bottom labeled as ‘Rooney – only concern is how to play him with van Persie against superior teams. The English striker has proven in recent years (see vs Andrea Pirlo at Euro 2012 for reference) to be a liability when it comes to making up a midfield three in a defensive manner but against the majority of inferior Premier League teams this is not a problem. Last season for example, against the 13 teams who finished between eighth and 20th in the Premier League, Manchester United, playing 4-4-2, won an astonishing 22 of 26 matches, claiming a total of 69 points from a possible 78. However, upon closer inspection there were matches where they looked outrun in midfield and allowed a goal through a defensive lapse, but these were quickly forgotten about because United painted over the cracks by banging in goals at the other end. It happened against Fulham, when Dembele ran the game before getting a move to Spurs (Fulham led 1-0, lost 3-2), it happened against Liverpool and Southampton in second halves at Old Trafford (games won 2-1) and against Newcastle who led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 last season before losing 4-3. On Boxing Day the United system was handing their opponents regular gifts with numerous goal scoring chances but once again, their attacking heavyweights powered their way out of trouble. United would go on to win the game through Javier Hernandez in the 90th minute, who, like on Saturday, partnered van Persie up front for United that day. That however, is where the similarities ended for the pair. Last season the service towards them was remarkably different to the amount of passes they received in Saturdays 1-0 home loss. Sixty-seven passes to 36 is a remarkable difference over 90 minutes: Hernandezs winning goal last December would give his side three more points won from a losing position and in total United would go on to claim 29 points from losing positions last season. On the surface that seems like a remarkably impressive number, it is after all the second highest of all-time in the Premier League behind Newcastles 01-02 season of 34 points, but you must have flaws in your team to be behind many times to get to that number. Uniteds flaws remain this season but because they cannot power themselves out of trouble with goals they have been magnified to the level where action is now required. Two seasons ago United were stunned by a Champions League group stage elimination after Benfica and Basel ran through their midfield and scored eight goals between them in four matches. United were sent into the Europa League and would go on to again be exposed in similar fashion, losing back-to-back home games to technically superior teams, Ajax and Athletic Bilbao. In those matches United looked far too English. A timid, reactionary team lacking true post-to-post midfielders who excel in both the attack and defensive side of the game. It is an accusation that remains even more glaring two years on. The worlds best teams today all have world class deep-lying playmakers who control matches with the combination of brilliant, forward thinking vision and equally outstanding footballing intelligence without the ball. In central midfield, Real Madrid has Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso, Barcelona has Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi, Bayern Munich has Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez and Toni Kroos, Manchester City have Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. Manchester United has Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverley or Phil Jones. Carrick remains very important to United, a fine player in the Premier League whose calmness and passing ability has been sorely missed lately. Fellaini remains a mysterious buy, a player whose escalated price came from playing further forward but who wants to play in central midfield, despite not yet excelling at the attributes needed to play there. Cleverley has now started nine of their 15 league games this season and isnt anywhere near the quality of, at least, 20 other Premier League midfielders who have (and will continue to do so) the beating of the United youth product. Jones remains a promising player who will likely move to centre-back as he ages, but certainly does not have the offensive abilities to play regularly in central midfield for a team like Manchester United. None of these players are not close to being deep lying playmakers and none are anywhere close to being world class. United badly need at least one, and most likely two, of these caliber players as soon as possible. As last season showed the team is more than capable of going on a long successful run this season, beating inferior teams and that will help them climb towards a likely finish amongst the top four but what absolutely must not be forgotten again next summer is what was ignored in recent transfer windows. It is time to stop the likes of Dembele, McCarthy, and Cabaye running the show in games at Old Trafford. While United were spending a whopping 65 million pounds (the cost of Smalling, Young, Jones, Zaha and Powell) on mediocre, or unproven English talent the last four summers, many other teams have not only caught them up in central midfield, but now overtaken them. A club like United should be close to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern, but through bad buys and neglecting a key area they are not even close and are left exposed by average teams in their own league. It is time to get to work on a very deep-lying problem. NFL Jerseys Cheap . According to the CFL Scouting Bureaus January rankings, four of the top five Canadian prospects line-up on the offensive side of the trenches, which is good news for Bombers general manager Kyle Walters. With only one selection in the first two rounds — Walters sent his second-round pick to Saskatchewan in the days ahead of the 2013 trade deadline — the No. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. http://www.nfljerseyschina.net/ . Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in May, and was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. He has a 53-37 record with a 3.63 ERA in seven major league seasons, including five with Atlanta.(SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Foley is arguably the best motivational speaker of this generation. Foley does his preparation in a van down by the river. Kobe Bryant knows how to light a fire under those who are willing to listen, only he constructs his case on the basketball court. Because hes Kobe Bryant, there are zero repercussions when he calls his Los Angeles Lakers teammates soft or berates them with expletives that would make Ralphie Parkers father cringe (Yes, A Christmas Story reference). You see, Parkers father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. Bryant behaves in similar fashion when he wants to motivate. Hes Kobe Bryant. He can do that. And if anyone has the audacity to question the five-time champion and 16-time All-Star, they better be ready for a challenge. Bryant put on a show in Thursdays practice and vehemently expressed displeasure with words that belong in an R-rated movie or the mouth of a sailor. He described them as Charmin or soft like the name-brand toilet paper, and knows the 2014-15 season has been in the toilet with a 6-16 record. Theres still a chance to revive the season, but it doesnt appear possible even with a spry Bryant in the twilight of his career. Wearing practice gear and talking with a swagger, Bryant sorts through defenders toward the hoop: gawkers to one side; wannabe defenders, curious onlookers and more amazed teammates on the other. More teammates and coaches watch elsewhere, impressed he still has it. Bryant, who said he enjoys practice more than the game unlike former Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson, thrives on testing his teammates. I just challenge guys, see what happens, Bryant said Thursday. I always believed in throwing them in the pool and seeing if they can sink or swim. The only one swimming is Bryant and it has to be difficult for the future Hall of Famer with nobody else around him. Any so-called basketball expert knew the Lakers would struggle coming into the season. Jeremy Lin has been benched, veteran point guard Steve Nash and talented rookie Julius Randle are done for the season and Jordan Hill is the second leading scorer with 13.0 points per game behind Bryants 25.5 ppg. Carlos Boozer is now coming off the bench and is third with 12.5 ppg. Bryant can fire up, insult or compliment his teammates as much as possible, and its not going to reflect in the standings. He recently had breakfast with Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, leading many to speculate whether Bryant is courting the assist machine. Lets face it, the Lakers would still struggle with Rondo on the team unless the NBA decided on a whim to send Los Angeles to the Eastern Conference. Perhaps Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has a point when he said the team should tank the season. I hope the Lakers lose every game, Johnson said. Because if youre going to lose, lose. And Im serious. If youre going to lose, youve got to lose, because you cant be in the middle of the pack. You either have to be great, or youve got to be bad to get a good pick. Johnson should mind his own business and remain focused on improving the Dodgers. He has the right to his own opinion and should keep it quiet. Time is running out for Bryant and who knows how many years remain for the Black Mamba. He cann still score and is proving that on a nightly basis, and is also a great teacher, leader and mentor. Cheap Jerseys. Bryant said Thursdays practice was good because he not only let his teammates know how he felt, but he spilled some secrets on how to score and defend. The Lakers should be soaking up any tidbit of information Bryant shares. I think he just did a great job of getting everybody else fired up, Lakers first-year head coach Byron Scott said. Hes always fired up. Thats the great thing about him. Hes such a competitor. Like I said, when he comes out and he practices, the intensity level in practice goes sky-high. And he challenges guys. Its what you should do. Today, (the reserves) responded by getting their butt kicked. Scott went on to say Bryant brings out the best in guys, including trash- talker and reserve guard Nick Young, who went back-and-forth with Bryant during the heated practice. Whether it pays off Friday night in San Antonio remains to be seen. Los Angeles will start a three-game trip against the defending champion Spurs. We know its going to be a tough trip. Anytime you open with San Antonio, its going to be tough, Scott said. Bryant said he cant do the same things he used to because of his body. He has been limited in practice to rest for games, which is why Thursday was an important lesson for the Lakers at this stage. Bryant doesnt know if his appearance at practice will help the Lakers or raise the intensity level. Perhaps watching Bryant pass Hall of Famer Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs all-time scoring list will be more than enough motivation. The Lakers are last in opponents scoring at 110.1 ppg and will soon have two players in the top three in scoring. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Jordan (32,292) are the top three scorers with Bryant (32,262) 31 points shy of passing his idol. Bryant was asked to compare himself with Air Jordan. I think were both cursed with the obsession of trying to be the best that we can. Its a blessing and a curse at the same time, Bryant said. I think were both very similar in that regard. The biggest difference between the two, according to Bryant, is that he had to play both shooting and point guard. Bryant was jealous of Jordan having Scottie Pippen for a teammate. Bryant reflected on what it will be like to pass MJ. Its a huge honor to be here in this position. I cant believe Ive scored that many points especially from where my career started, he said. Its a huge honor. It wasnt something I thought about growing up as a kid. It was championships. Being one of the top three scorers with former Lakers center Abdul-Jabbar is the coolest thing for Bryant. Passing his hero Jordan was never a thought. It wasnt a goal that I set out to accomplish. Being in that company with Michael and Kareem and the other great scorers, I think thats most fun part, Bryant said. Being a part of that group I grew up idolizing and learning from and aspiring to be one day, thats the true honor in it. Theres honor in losing, too. And the Lakers are doing plenty of it. Bryant may have said passing Jordan on the scoring list was never a goal and winning championships outweighs statistics. However, the next 31 points he posts will strengthen his case as the best to ever play. ' ' ' he said. Its a huge honor. It wasnt something I thought about growing up as a kid. It was championships. Being one of the top three scorers with former Lakers center Abdul-Jabbar is the coolest thing for Bryant. Passing his hero Jordan was never a thought. It wasnt a goal that I set out to accomplish. Being in that company with Michael and Kareem and the other great scorers, I think thats most fun part, Bryant said. Being a part of that group I grew up idolizing and learning from and aspiring to be one day, thats the true honor in it. Theres honor in losing, too. And the Lakers are doing plenty of it. Bryant may have said passing Jordan on the scoring list was never a goal and winning championships outweighs statistics. However, the next 31 points he posts will strengthen his case as the best to ever play. ' ' '