G-O-D

And Carlos Alberto is starting in attack instead of Benni McCarthy, who is on the bench for Porto.

And he has been good so far...

EDIT: And Prso has come on for Giuly.

Smith completes £7m Man Utd switch

Manchester United have completed the controversial £7million transfer of Alan Smith from Leeds United.

Smith: £7m Old Trafford deal

The 23-year-old England forward completed his medical this afternoon and has signed a five-year contract with the Old Trafford outfit.

Smith, who is on standby for England's Euro 2004 campaign, has attracted intense criticism over the move from Leeds fans who have condemned their former hero for joining their fiercest rivals.

Commenting on the move Smith said: 'I have grown up at Leeds and spent some wonderful years there and would like to thank everyone associated with the club.

'Now I feel it's the right time to move on and there could be no better club than Manchester United.

'To be joining one of the best clubs in the world is fantastic and I'm looking forward to the new challenges that face me.'

Leeds receive an immediate £6million from their bitter rivals for Smith, with the balance reflected in the savings made by the Whites on the player's signing-on fees and other associated considerations.

Smith has agreed to waive his signing-on fee as a sign of goodwill, with the club also confirming no agents' fees have been incurred.

Smith's open desire to move to Old Trafford has infuriated the Leeds fans who chaired him from the Elland Road pitch following the West Yorkshire side's final home game of a miserable season against Charlton three weeks ago.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson sees the blind vision as a major selling point in Smith's move to the FA Cup winners.

The Manchester United boss said: 'I have never been more impressed with a young player, his desire to play for Manchester United is fantastic.

'Certain young people come along with a special determination, and after speaking to him I expect that from Alan Smith. That desire will take him a long way.'

Smith will return to United for pre-season training in July but knows he faces stiff competition from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha for his first-team place.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner said: 'We are beginning a major programme of rebuilding and restructuring at Leeds and we both believe his immediate future in football lies away from Elland Road.

'We know the feelings he has for our club and supporters and what it means to him to leave the no 17 shirt behind. We thank him for his service to Leeds and wish him well in his future career.'

Chairman Gerald Krasner, meanwhile, has officially confirmed talks with Parkin are now at an end.

In a statement, Krasner said: 'Over the past four weeks the board of Leeds United has been approached by a number of interested parties looking to invest in, or takeover, the club.

'One of those has been Steve Parkin, but with effect from yesterday, negotiations have been terminated.

'Due to confidentiality agreements having been signed, no details of the reason will be given and the matter has now been concluded.' 

Source

IMO, £7m is way too much for Smith. He is way overrated.

Match starting now

Let's hope it'll be a good one.

Gianfranco Zola's agent and club president have both dismissed speculation that the impish Italian is on his way back to Chelsea.

Reports have indicated that the Cagliari veteran has been offered a lucrative deal to return to Stamford Bridge, initially as a player but also with a view to becoming involved on the coaching side too.

The gifted former Parma star was voted Chelsea's best-ever player during a hugely successful stint in West London and only rejected the chance to stay at the club because he had already given his word to Cagliari before Roman Abramovich's takeover.

"Sincerely, we have never received any communication from Chelsea," his agent Flavio Marrucco told Corriere dello Sport.

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has also stressed his determination to keep the player in Sardinia.

"He's our emblem and he will continue being it," Cellino stated.

"If we achieve promotion to Serie A, Cagliari will try to sustain the challenge with the other sides and, to do this, we will not be selling our jewels.

"So all the best players will stay, as will the coach."

Cagliari are still fighting for the right to play among Italy's elite next season

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Chelsea defender Robert Huth has revealed that the managerial uncertainty at Stamford Bridge has halted his plans to take a season-long loan with Aston Villa.

The big centre back, 19, is keen to take up a temporary move to Villa Park following an approach from manager David O'Leary for his services for next term.

However, the German Under-21 international has been told to wait on a decision of a move until The Blues resolve their ongoing managerial issue.

"Moving to Villa would be a good opportunity for me to get more Premiership football," Huth said.

"But I have to wait."

Source

Well, I'm betting on Porto....

And Mourinho to come to Chelsea...

SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA, Italy, May 25 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham says he has nothing to prove to sceptics at Euro 2004 after his first season in Spain ended in disappointment.

The Real Madrid star vented his fury at coverage of his personal life as he described as 'disgraceful' the treatment of his family by two newspapers - the News of the World and the Daily Mail - and the Sky News television channel.

However, to his credit, Beckham still spoke to the entire media party assembled at England's pre-tournament training base in Sardinia today despite earlier asking for some individuals to be excluded.

While still stressing his displeasure with those publications, he noted his responsibility to speak publicly as England captain.

Beckham, who made a bright start to his move to the Primera Liga from Manchester United, has faced a growing number of critics over his performances in Spain as Real finished the season without a trophy.

'I don't think I've got anything to prove to people,' Beckham said. 'Since I moved to Real Madrid, from the first game onwards, I had to prove to people in Spain that I could actually play football instead of just selling shirts and I felt that I've done that.'

'I'm disappointed not to have won anything at the end of the season. But I'm into a major championship now and with the team we've got, you never know what's going to happen.'

Beckham said he had no plans to return to the premier league, dismissing speculation in the British media that a move to big-spending Chelsea was imminent.

'Whatever rumours there were about me moving back to England were never started by me,' he said. 'I was always happy at Real Madrid and wanted to stay there and that's the way it's been in my mind.

'I've just had to clear it up for other people... I'm very happy at the moment and looking forward to this championship.'

DISAPPOINTING SEASON

Real's disappointing season led on Monday to the sacking of coach Carlos Queiroz after only one season and his replacement by former Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho.

'It's always a disaster for a manager to only get one season but clubs are different around Europe...and what the president says always goes,' Beckham said when asked about Queiroz, who had been assistant manager at United.

Despite the problems at club level, Beckham is buoyant about England's prospects at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

'There'll always be a sense of failure if we don't win the thing because the expectations with the manager, the fans and everyone from our country is very high. And rightly so.

'We've got a great bunch of players, a lot of talent in the team...and we've got our own expectations. And they're as high as anyone else's.

'One of my goals is to win something with England. If we can do that this summer, then great. If not, I'll carry on trying.'

As for his fitness, Beckham said he had a minor ankle knock but was a lot more upbeat than before the 2002 World Cup, where he had not fully recovered from a broken foot.

'I've not broken any bones so far before this competition,' he said. 'Leading into the World Cup I felt 95 percent fit. But going into this I'm fresh...I'm a lot more confident.'

Beckham had an open mind on his position in Portugal, having played a central midfield role for Real after a career on the right.

'I've enjoyed my time in the centre this season but whatever position the manager puts me in I'll play there. If that's the position I've always played for England in, then great.'

England open their campaign in Group B on June 13 against champions France before facing Switzerland and Croatia.

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IMO, he still has to prove that he is able to perform well for England despite a disappointing season at Real and what's going on in his personal life.

Figo: 'Queiroz paid for others' mistakes'

Carlos Queiroz, sacked as Real Madrid coach on Monday, paid for decisions that had been made before his arrival, according to Real midfielder Luis Figo.

Luis Figo: Support for Queiroz (MikeEgerton/Empics)

'The coach did everything possible to win with what he was given by the club,' the Portuguese international told Spanish sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

Figo said decisions to organise an exhausting but money-spinning pre-season tour of Asia and offload several key players, plus Real's failure to strengthen the defence had made Queiroz's job especially difficult.

'He did everything he could and did it with the utmost professionalism and commitment,' Figo said.

Real president Florentino Perez accused Queiroz of lacking sufficient authority as coach and has replaced him with former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho. Real ended a humiliating season with a record run of five straight league defeats.

Queiroz, who warned Real that the squad was dangerously thin when he took over as coach in June, said he thought his dismissal had been unjustified.

'I'm disappointed with the decision that they have taken,' he told Marca. 'I believe that it was unjust but I have to accept it.

'All I can say is that serving Real Madrid has been an honour for me and I want to wish the club all the best in the future.'

Queiroz's predecessor Vicente del Bosque, who was discarded after leading Real to two league titles and two European Cups during his three and a half years at the helm, said he saw similarities between his departure from the club and that of Queiroz.

'It didn't surprise me,' he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Tuesday. 'They did the same with me but the only difference was that we had just won the league and were still celebrating the title.

'They were unjust, aggressive and insensitive and I'm not just talking about the decision not to renew my contract. The squad was thin then and it is even thinner now.'

Del Bosque said that Camacho, who played alongside him at Real, was the ideal person to take charge but warned that he would not have an easy job.

'Camacho now has a difficult task as the club expects a lot of him and he can't afford to fail but he is the best coach the club could appoint,' he said.

Unlike Queiroz, Camacho, who will be presented to the media on Tuesday, will have the benefit of a more balanced squad when he takes charge.

Last week Perez signed the first defender of his four-year presidency by recruiting Argentine centre-back Walter Samuel from AS Roma for 25 million euros ($30.19 million).

Perez confirmed on Monday he will be standing in this year's presidential election which is likely to take place on July 11

Source

I think Perez would not be liking Figo's comments. But I think Figo's right. Queiroz didn't had a say in the transfers, and he did the best with what he had, IMHO.

Babayaro should go, but who should be the regular first team left-back? Bridge or Carlos? And will either men be content with a place on the bench?

I sense real problems for the new manager.

Davids to shun Barca for England?

Dutch international Edgar Davids could be on his way to the Premiership.

Edgar Davids: Premiership?

Barcelona have called a press conference this afternoon to discuss Davids' status and sporting director Aitor Begiristain is expected to say the 31-year-old midfielder has turned down a two-year extension.

Begiristain met with the player and his agent Robert Geerling this morning.

Geerling is reported by the Spanish national newspaper El Mundo to have said that a club from England had made 'a huge offer'.

'We haven't reached an agreement with Barcelona,' he added.

Barcelona wanted Davids to remain in Catalonia because he was instrumental in helping them surge up the table and finish in second place but appeared reluctant to give him the three-year deal he was seeking.

Inter Milan have been strongly linked with Davids but Geerling said to El Mundo that he has no knowledge of an offer from the Italian giants.

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Valencia determined to keep Benitez

Valencia president Jaime Orti has issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool following reports linking coach Rafael Benitez with a move to Anfield in the wake of Gerard Houllier's departure.

Rafa Benitez: Led Valencia to Liga and UEFA Cup glory this season (TonyMarshall/Empics)

'Benitez has one more year left on his contract with Valencia and our intention is to extend our relationship with him even further,' Orti said to PA International.

'He will coach Valencia next season. I don't think these rumours have any substance.'

The 44-year-old Benitez, a former Real Madrid youth team boss, is the most successful coach in Valencia's 85-year history.

He led the club to the Primera Liga title for the second time in three years this season, and last week steered them to UEFA Cup glory.

Before Benitez, the Mediterranean club had not won the Spanish title since 1971.

Valencia can capture even more trophies as they still have to face Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Supercup, and then the Champions League winners in the European Supercup

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Charlton chairman Richard Murray insists he is not overly worried about the speculation surrounding the future of Alan Curbishley because he has heard it all before.

Curbishley: subject of speculation

The Addicks boss is amongst the favourites to succeed Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager after 13 years at The Valley.

Curbishley has been linked with a host of other jobs during his time with Charlton, with Tottenham reported to be another club interested in securing his services.

However, Murray - like chief executive Peter Varney on Monday - has come out to play down fears that Curbishley will walk away from The South Londoners, pointing to the fact he has just signed a new long-term contract.

"I don't know where this talk comes from but it happens every time there is a managerial vacancy," Murray declared.

"It's nothing new and I am quite cool about it.

"I've been here 13 years and Alan's been linked to many clubs.

"I remember when it was Norwich and QPR.

"I know (Liverpool chief executive) Rick Parry well and I haven't had a call from him.

"I know nothing about any interest from Liverpool.

"Alan has just signed a new deal, he has more money to spend in the summer and he has led the club to our highest league finish.

"All I can do is get him on a new deal and on much better money.

"Do I have a contingency plan? If your manager has just signed a three-year contract, do you then look to put a contingency plan in place."

Source

Personally, I think Alan Curbishley is the most likely candidate.

Cloud skiing mini-game > *

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Yeah, I remember that. That was great. A good break and distraction from the main game.

According to reports circulating in the Italian press, Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich is to meet with Milan officials this week with a view to the transfer of Manuel Rui Costa.

Abramovich has already been thwarted by Milan this season in his bid to land the prolific Ukrainian Andrei Shevchenko but could fare better in his attempts to snare the talented Portuguese playmaker.

Although both general manager Adriano Galliani and coach Carlo Ancelotti have expressed a desire to keep Rui Costa at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the emergence of the brilliant Brazilian Kaka has reduced the player's influence in Milan.

With the Chelsea managerial hotseat likely to see Jose Mourinho installed at the expense of Claudio Ranieri in the summer, it has not gone unnoticed that the former Porto coach is a known admirer of Rui Costa.

Milan have been linked with a swoop for Stamford Bridge misfit Hernan Crespo in the summer, with a possible swap deal being mooted in some quarters.

However, it does now seems likely that Lazio's Bernardo Corradi is a more realistic target.

Source

I think this move could be beneficial to all parties. Milan gets the cash, Chelsea gets the player, and Rui Costa will not play second fiddle to Kaka.

Italian referee Pierluigi Colllina could soon be seen taking charge of Premiership matches after the FA unveiled plans to bring in foreign officials.

FA, and Arsenal, vice-chairman David Dein insists English football's governing body is considering the idea of introducing a number of foreign officials in a bid to stamp out over-familiarity between English referees and players that he feels breeds prejudice.

Dein revealed that English referees would continue to take charge of the vast majority of top-flight games, but feels the introduction of overseas whistle-blowers could help in the big clashes.

At 45 years of age, Collina - widely regarded as the world's top official - must retire in Italy at the end of this term but is still eligible to referee in the Premiership for a further three years, and could be seen in England as early as next season.

"He's (Collina) one of several officials the FA is looking at introducing," declared Dein.

"Collina is 45 so would qualify for the Premiership for the next three years.

"I am in favour of introducing foreign referees into the Premier League - not for every game but maybe three or four times a season.

"I'd like to see them because I think certain players do get targeted because of familiarity.

"And you look at the difference in the way foreign referees are treated by the players.

"They are definitely respected more. You don't see players swearing at them and when a foreign referee says 'that's it', players back off.

"I'm always in favour of experimenting if it is trying to take the game forward - to try things out for three of four seasons and see if they work."

I'm all for it if this move can ensure refereeing becomes fairer in the Premiership.

Leeds striker Alan Smith is still expected to join arch rivals Manchester United as the England man is keen to move to Old Trafford.

The Whites have already turned down a couple of bids from United, while Liverpool are also said to be sniffing around.

Everton have confirmed that they are interested, while Newcastle and Birmingham are also eyeing the powerful England striker.

Italian side Perugia are rumoured to be another interested party, although he would only move abroad to join one of the top sides.

Elland Road director Peter Lorimer says that they still expect Smith to move across The Pennines and join fierce rivals Manchester United.

"We discussed the situation at a board meeting (on Friday), but as yet no deal has been done," Lorimer told the club website.

"We have offers from other clubs, but Alan has said he would like to go to Old Trafford.

"This is the situation as it is now and, with United in the Cup final, we will look at it again next week."

The relegated West Yorkshire side are thought to want £10 million for their star striker, to go some way in appeasing the fans who will be furious if he follows in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to add another striker to his squad and sees Smith as a quality addition.

Smith failed to make Sven Goran Eriksson's squad for Euro 2004 so has plenty of time to sort out his future, and the boyhood Leeds fan looks keen on joining their fiercest rivals

Source

I've read this piece of news somewhere, I believe it's on either Daily Mirror or The Sun, and I don't trust either source.

I'll believe it when I see it on a trustworthy source.

Real Madrid sign Samuel from Roma

Real Madrid have agreed a five-year deal with Argentine defender Walter Samuel, the Primera Liga club said on its website on Thursday.

Samuel is set to join the Spanish giants on July 1 from AS Roma.

Financial terms of the signing were not disclosed but sports daily Marca said on its website Real had secured Samuel for 22 million euros ($26.22 million), beating off competition from Chelsea for the powerful 26-year-old who joined Roma from Argentina's Boca Juniors in 2000.

'We have reached an agreement in principle with Roma and with the player and we can finally announce we've signed a central defender, a priority for us for next season,' Real Madrid's sporting director-general Jorge Valdano told the club's website.

Real Madrid will end this season without a trophy despite having a squad including Brazil's Ronaldo, France's Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Luis Figo and England's David Beckham.

Critics said the squad lacked depth and highlighted the team's weaknesses in defence.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez pledged earlier this month to sign another of the world's leading players.

Valdano praised Samuel as a 'thoroughbred defender' and said he believed he would help develop young Madrid defenders.

'He brings quality and maturity which will help our young players feel more comfortable and play better.

'He fills an important need the team had and does so in style because he is one of the best defenders in the world.'

Samuel's wish to play for Real Madrid won through despite interest shown by other clubs, Valdano said.

'He had a special determination and made it felt throughout the negotiations. That gave us an advantage in the fight with other very important competitors who complicated the negotiations at one point. They were rather difficult days, but finally Samuel will be at Real Madrid and there's great satisfaction in the club over the news,' he said.

Valdano said Real had learnt a lot from the 2003/2004 campaign. The club had a promising start to the season but a late-season slump erased their hopes of winning the Spanish league, cup and Champions League.

'We will try to have a balanced squad to avoid the problems we suffered in the end this season,' he said.

'We are aware of the needs and we are going out right now to fill them so that next season we have more guarantees in all areas and a deeper squad that will help us survive in all competitions and reach the last two months (of the season) wth guarantees to win a trophy.'

Source

Holy Shit! Madrid actually signed a defender?!

Looks like Perez is buying to win the Madrid elections.

I can't see Alan Smith, nor Joe Cole for that matter, going to Everton when there's much bigger teams that want him.

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The rumors are that Joe Cole will be going to Everton on loan next season.

Which is rather possible, IMHO.

Has anyone seen a snowy pitch?

I've just played a match with Barca against Vfb Stugart in the CL, and the whole pitch was white, except for the middle, and many of my players picked up minor knocks, but no serious injuries.

It was really cool.

And has anyone noticed that you can get a graph in the game when you click on the position of a club in the league table?

Amazing that you can still discover new things even after playing the game for so long.

Did you think Arsenal had the financial means to get Reyes before you did?

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If Chelsea had gone for Reyes before Arsenal, you guys would never have gotten him.

And furthermore, after getting Reyes, I'll be very surprised if you guys can come up with 17+ million for a player.

Reyes, Mista miss out on Spain squad

MADRID, May 20 (Reuters) - Spain coach Inaki Saez opted for a conservative Euro 2004 squad, naming eight defenders and leaving out Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes on Thursday.

Experienced players from Real Madrid and champions Valencia made up the backbone of the 23-man squad which will play hosts Portugal, Greece and Russia in Group A.

The coach said 20-year-old Reyes, who has won four caps and scored two goals for Spain in the Euro qualifier against Armenia in October, had not yet reached maturity.

'Reyes is a man of the future for the national side,' Saez said.

As well as Reyes, Saez left out Valencia attacker Mista, the highest-scoring Spaniard in this year's Primera Liga with 19 goals. Mista's stunning form helped his side seal a league and UEFA Cup double this season.

'My experience of international tournaments is that central defenders always receive the most punishment, and in the final - which is what we aim to reach - you are always short of defenders,' Saez said.

'So I have put another man in at the back.'

Saez named Raul despite the Spanish captain's poor season with Real Madrid. Fellow striker Fernando Morientes of Monaco also won a place after a brilliant Champions League campaign.

Saez opted for versatile Barcelona defender Gabri to plug any holes in the Spanish defence, saying he was familiar with the player from coaching the Spanish youth team which won the 1999 World Cup in Nigeria.

Defensive stalwarts Ivan Helguera and Michel Salgado of Real Madrid, and Carles Puyol of Barcelona are included and Betis's Juanito won a place despite his side's indifferent league form.

Spain, who have not lost in nine internationals, will rely on first choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao's 24-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia was named in the squad for the first time.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Gabri (Barcelona), Raul Bravo (Real Madrid), Cesar (Deportivo Coruna), Juanito (Betis)

Midfielders: Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo Coruna), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Vicente (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia), Joaquin (Real Betis), Xavi (Barcelona)

Forwards: Raul (Real Madrid), Albert Luque (Deportivo Coruna), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Monaco), Joseba Etxeberria (Athletic Bilbao)

Source

I don't want Chelsea to sign him. I want us to

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Do you think Arsenal have the financial means to do so?

Raul is the most underrated player in the world.  If he never wins the World Footballer Of The Year award, it will be a travesty.  He isn't a flashy as Zidane or Figo, but is just as good, if not better. I wouldn't go for anyone on your list, so I'm going to say other, with Pippo Inzaghi as my choice.

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Pippo? I'm interested to know why.

And Raul may have had a bad season, but look at his past goalscoring tallys with Madrid. IMO, he's in poor form because of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not the kind to set up his partner to score, he prefers to go for goal himself, hence, Raul has to play deeper, something he's not used to when playing alongside Morientes.

IMHO, the most overrated player has to be Alan Smith. The media just keeps going on about him, when he's not really that good. They should look at his goalscoring stats.

Fernando Morientes has revealed he is close to joining a new club with French sources claiming the Real Madrid striker is on the brink of signing for Chelsea.

Morientes: Chelsea move in pipeline

The experienced hit-man was the West Londoners' chief tormentor in the UEFA Champions League semi-final but had been expected to return to Real when his loan spell with Monaco expired.

However, the Spanish forward has since hinted at a possible move to London and, despite rumours that his destination could be champions Arsenal, it is believed Chelsea are in pole position to snap up the 28-year-old.

"We are close to a solution," Morientes told L'Equipe. "We can say it is settled at 90 percent.

"I like the project a lot, but the finalisation of the contract can need a little more time.

"So it is possible, meanwhile, from the end of the season, that I will go back to Real Madrid."

Roman Abramovich has reportedly offered a five-year contract to somebody who impressed the Russian owner with his appearances in Europe with a ¿12 million offer winging its way to El Santiago Bernabeu.

Valencia are potential rivals for Morientes's signature and they could have an Ace up their sleeve if they offer combative captain Roberto Ayala in exchange, but Chelsea appear to be clear favourites.

Source

Morientes sounds like a good replacement for Hasselbaink, but I would take Forssell over him any time.

GOTHENBURG, May 19 (UEFA Cup) - Fabien Barthez was sent off as Valencia claimed the UEFA Cup with victory over Marseille in Gothenburg.

Pierluigi Collina sends off Fabien Barthez in the UEFA Cup final (PhilCole/GettyImages)

The former Manchester United keeper saw red for a cynical 45th-minute challenge on Mista which enabled Vicente to set the Spaniards on their way to victory from the spot.

It was another continental nightmare for Barthez who was axed by Sir Alex Ferguson last year after United's Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

Barthez's two-footed lunge after Mista had knocked the ball past him gave referee Pierluigi Collina no alternative but to show the keeper the red card.

And it set the newly-crowned Spanish champions on course to wipe out the bitter memory of successive Champions League final defeats in 2000 and 2001.

Mista put Valencia further ahead with a crashing 58th-minute second after a superb right-wing cross from Vicente.

The striker chested the ball down before hitting an unstoppable right-foot shot past substitute keeper Jeremy Gavanon from 12 yards.

Mista's strike effectively ended any hopes Marseille had of adding to their 1993 European Cup success.

Striker Didier Drogba was allowed few opportunities to add to his 11 goals in the competition this season.

His best chance came in the 65th minute as the French at least refused to give in without a fight.

Drogba's free-kick from wide on the left was parried by Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares but former Fulham man Steve Marlet fluffed the rebound from close-range.

Then Sylvain N'diaye brought a fine save out of Canizares in the 81st minute as the French battled on.

But it was too late for Marseille and the end of the fairytale for coach Jose Anigo, who only took on the job in January.

Instead, Valencia captain David Albelda came close to hitting a third as the favourites finished convincingly.

The Spanish celebrations started well before the final whistle as they celebrated their team's first European trophy since the 1980 Fairs Cup triumph over Arsenal.

And it capped a stunning season for Valencia coach Rafael Benitez - who is sure to attract attention from abroad after adding the UEFA Cup to his side's recent triumph in the Primera Liga.

Valencia's Marchena with Marseille's Drogba in the UEFA Cup final (PhilCole/GettyImages)

While Barthez was ultimately responsible for his side's demise, he had prevented his side falling behind early in a tepid first half.

He parried Albelda's bouncing eighth-minute shot out for a corner as the Spaniards took early control.

Then he caught Francisco Rufete's cross under pressure from Miguel Angulo.

Marseille's first opening came in the 17th minute when poor Valencia defending gave Camel Meriem a shooting chance but he fired low and wide from the edge of the box.

Meriem set up another good chance for the French in the 22nd minute when his free-kick was headed just wide by Habib Beye in the box.

Rufete was being given plenty of space to make progress down the Valencia right but he failed to find the telling final ball into the box.

After Barthez's sending-off Vicente started the second half by drilling a low shot wide but it was the start of the dominance which would finally seal the Spaniards' UEFA Cup crown.

And I found this highlights clip on the internet.

Valencia deserved this. They played well all season, won the La Liga, and now the UEFA Cup. Real Madrid should watch and learn.

That may be becaue he's at Leeds.

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Fair point, but what about past seasons?

According to Skysports,

Smith scored 9 goals in 36 starts this season.

And he scored 10 goals with 46 starts in the 02/03 season.

He scored a grand total of 4 goals with 31 starts in the 01/02 season.

Hardly considered good for a striker, IMHO.