Perfect Football

The legend Bobby McMahon's links (all worth looking at)

Nick Szczepanik on the cardiac screening of players.

The Beckham effect on MLS website visits. (very interesting)

For those of you who followed the FA Cup blog last season you will recognize Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association FC. That was the side that the blog started to follow at the Extra Preliminary Round last season.

A look at the challenge Israel will pose for England in European qualifying.

Duncan Castles considers the battle for the Arsenal boardroom.

James Lawton delves more deeply into David Dein’s ambition.

Stewart Robson with a comparison of Pires and Ljungberg vs. Hleb and Rosicky.

Brian Doogan takes a look at Portsmouth’s impressive new signing John Utaka.

The dream is dead – again! American Samoa will not be one of the thirty-two teams in South Africa in three years time.

In another extract from his autobiography, Sir Bobby Charlton on Denis Law and George Best.

EPL: GAMEWEEK 1

The English Premier League started this weekend and I think I watched about 14 hours of great football, not including the MLS FC Dallas game I went to last night, which was one of the best games I had ever seen. Thank God football is back! There were so many incredible games and several magnificent individual performances. There are also many great new faces of talent that should make huge impacts this year.

Even though there were numerous stunners in week one that included the newly promoted three teams doing quite well and the defending champs Man United drawing with a Reading team that finished the game down a man, in my opinion the biggest news of the week is just coming out right now, which is that Wayne Rooney has fractured his foot, again, and will be out most likely for about two months.

According to BBC, Skysports, ESPN and others: In attempting to make a tackle, Michael Duberry accidentally trod on Rooney's foot. It was clear instantly Rooney had a problem, as he went down and removed his boot. Although he was able to continue briefly, he did not reappear for the second half, with Ferguson sending the 21-year-old for a scan. Although the United boss expressed the hope the damage would not be too bad, his worst fears now appear to have been confirmed, although the precise extent of the injury is not known.

In all probability England coach Steve McClaren will also be without his first choice striker for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at the beginning of next month. With Rooney out and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only returning to training after long-term injuries last week, Ferguson seems certain to hand Carlos Tevez his debut at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

I can't wait for that, but this is seriously a huge disappointment for the England national team because of the lack of top strikers they have and the fact that they are still struggling with EURO 2008 qualifying.

Finally, if you haven't seen Steven Gerrard's game winner, check it out... it is amazing. Other great goals and/or game winners by Obafemi Martins, Hleb, Essien, Malouda, Benjani (Pompey), Andy Todd (Derby), Stuart Downing (M'brough). Even though Arsenal ended up winning a stunner, Jens Lehmann had an incredibly embarrassing moment. Also, it looks like Essien was injured as well on Sunday with a leg ligament problem.

Sidenote: the FC Dallas game on Saturday night was one of the best I have ever seen and certainly the best that I have attended. They should be replaying it on FSC this week.

What to watch for tonight: Will David Beckham play when the LA Galaxy take on the New England Revolution? Answer is NO!

As always, neuter your Tottenham Hotspur fans as well as those Red Devil vampires.

GO BLUES!!!