19:29 - Howdy Folks. It's another big Champions League night and we'll be here for the next two hours (and more if needs be) The Apprentice and The Apprentice: You're Fired are on Sky+ to record so its all about the football. I turn over and Avram Grant is boring me immensely.

19:33 - Glenn Hoddle, Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp join Richard Keys in the studio. They are discussing whether Didier Drogba is a diver - the general consensus seems to be that he is.

19:34 - Ads - Let's see how they compare to ITV from last night.

19:34 - Whilst the ads are on here is your team news. Essien returns to play right-back, Lampard also returns following his absence. The Drog leads the line for the home side. Liverpool are as expected although some fans may be disappointed to see Riise start.

19:39 - We are still on ads - no wait here we go. Five minutes, the only question is whether we'll have another break before we start.

19:40 - Predictions, Jamie Redknapp says draw and ET but not sure what next. Both Glenn and Graeme go for Chelsea.

19:41 - Predictions from your TalkFootball motley crew. Harry your designer says home win, no shock there, 1-0. Your developer says Liverpool will score and win. The one who always wears a hat says, 'I really don't know, it's a hard match to call' - cheers Wardo and I'm going to go with Jamie Redknapp, 1-1 and Chelsea to go through either in ET or after spot kicks.

19:42 - It's Rob Hawthorne who joins Andy Gray, Sky's worst top flight commentator. This means Martin Tyler and Ian Darke both miss out on a live semi-final despite being the best two they have in my opinion.

19:45 - And we are off. Rob Hawthorne tells us that Chelsea are halfway over Poland, I think I might change my pick to Liverpool...

19:50 - Didier Drogba has the first shot in anger, turning his man and firing it low n hard at Reina's near post. The keeper turns it around for a corner. A bit of a nondescript start to the game in all honesty.

19:54 - First real chance of the day. Joe Cole thinks he's been fouled just outside the Liverpool box and appeals to the ref. Unless Liverpool have a weather machine it's not a foul and the away side break. Torres is in down the inside left channel but takes one touch too many but still forces Cech into a good save.

19:59 - Skrtel limps off to the side and looks in trouble. Liverpool get a free kick in very dangerous territory.

20:00 - Riise goes for glory and scuffs it into the wall.

20:03 - He's missed it. The Drog goes through in the inside left channel and pulls it wide. Great chance for the £24m man - really should've scored.

20:04 - Sami Hyypia is going through a pretty thorough warm-up. You'd think that Skrtel will make way sooner rather than later.

20:07 - Here we go - Hyypia on for Skrtel - bad news for the Scousers.

20:10 - Ballack drills one straight down Reina's throat and the keeper fists it away. Liverpool are getting some joy down the Chelsea left, that's a couple of times they've got in there.

20:16 - GOAL - Kalou is put through and fluffs the chance, Reina makes a good save but the ball falls to the Drog and he absolutely rams it home. Kalou looked offside from the original ball but that is history. Chelsea lead.

20:19 - Text from Stamford Bridge 'Ave ot didier drogba lalalalala didier drogba lalalala' Harry showing his love for the front man and his lack of English in the heat of the texting moment.

20:25 - Alonso booked but Chelsea are in total control. Free kick to the Blues 25 yards out.

20:26 - Ballack hits the free kick and boy how close was that? Hits the support with Reina flat footed.

20:31 - Half Time and Chelsea are in total command. I forgot to write this earlier but the Drog's celebration was to run in front of the Liverpool bench before diving in front of them. I thought it was pretty funny as they were stupid comments by Benitez. You never wake a sleeping lion and boy has he done that with his Drogba comments. We have seen him well up for it today and showing his true class.

20:43 - Upon reflection maybe I was a tad harsh on Kalou. He did force Reina into a good save when he was through on goal before Drogba scored.

20:44 - Neil H checks in from the States to ask 'is that game over?' - I think Liverpool can score but I don't know how or when. They don't look likely at the moment but you know it only takes a second to score a goal.

20:46 - It is absolutely peeing it down and we are away for the second 45.

20:48 - Sir Alex has travelled down to London to enjoy the game and Liverpool nearly score, a free kick beautifully worked and Cech is forced into a half-decent save. From the corner Drogba clears after a scramble as Torres looked set to fire home the equaliser. Game on.

20:57 - The Olay's are coming out from the home crowd - far too early for that boys.

21:01 - Peter Crouch is warming up - surely its only a matter of time for the big lad.

21:04 - Joe Cole fires straight at Reina but in this weather anything could happen. Andy Gray thinks there's something in this game and he's right...

21:05 - GOAL - Fernando Torres is put through by Yossi Benayoun and he slides it past Cech who goes the wrong way from just inside the area. 1-1 and my prediction still stands...

21:06 - 'yeaaaaaaaaaa Go Torres Go Torres' from your web developer. I think he just wants to rile his office buddy Harry in the morning.

21:11 - Kalou off for Malouda. Chelsea have absolutely no width and with Liverpool's strength being down their spine then they need to do something about that.

21:17 - Oh boy what a run by Essien. He takes on everyone and gets into the box before trying to squeeze it inside the near post. Wrong choice as he should've passed but it has brought the crowd right back into it.

21:18 - Pennant is on replacing the man who set up the equaliser Benayoun

21:22 - 'Pool in the ascendancy!' says our man on the other side of the Pond.

21:28 - 'We are in hero time and in villain time' - Andy Gray

21:31 - Injury time folks...looks like we are going to play thirty more (again)

21:33 - And we go on to play 30 more. My original prediction circa 19:41 still stands. I look like a genius.

21:34 - 'Grant doesn't havva clue. Gerrard is (a very very bad word). And we gunna lose on penalties' - Harry as upbeat and confident as ever.

21:37 - Anelka is on for Joe Cole.

21:38 - Away we go for another spell of football. The Apprentice might have to wait until tomorrow at this rate...

21:40 - What a lovely ball from Riise but no-one can head home. Hyypia heads wide from a corner and it is Liverpool who seem to want it more.

21:42 - Carragher is World Class. but...

21:43 - **** ******* **** and Liverpool once again get an amazing decision. How they get all these amazing decision from referees I do not know. Chelsea score but its given as offside, Essien drilled it home from twenty yards clean into the back of the net, four Chelsea players are in offside positions but are they interfering with play? Not for me.

21:44 - PENALTY - Hyypia on Ballack - He's got his assistant out of jail with that decision.

21:45 - GOAL - Lampard drills it home - what a game - from nowhere this has really come to life

21:47 - Alonso has to score - Free header from six yards from a corner. Babel had gone down under duress from Essien but the ref says it was a fine tackle.

21:50 - At some point Torres went off for Babel. So you need a goal and you take off your leading scorer. That Rafa is a genius.

21:52 - GOAL - Feed the Drog and he will score - Anelka squares it for Drogba who strokes it home from six yards past the helpless Reina. Chelsea are going to Moscow.

21:53 - Half Time in Extra Time - 'Nothing wrong with the goal. Penalty was ultimately justified as a result' - That text comes from Wardo up in Frimley.

21:54 - Liverpool need to score twice in the next fifteen minutes and we are off yet again.

21:57 - Hyypia goes down in the box under a challenge by Drogba. The referee puts the whistle to his mouth and changes his mind/bottles it depending on your take. For the record it should've been a penalty.

22:04 - Chelsea are in total and utter control. Liverpool are going out and they are starting to become petulant.

22:06 - GOAL - Ryan Babel fires one in from 35+ yards and goes through the goalkeepers hands. Game on.

22:07 - Alonso has the ball and just kicks it out for a goal kick. He was caught in two minds.

22:08 - Lampard off for Shevchenko. Still a few mins to go boys n girls - hold on to your hats.

22:10 - One minute of added time.

22:11 - And it is over my friends.

22:11 - Chelsea will play Manchester United in the final of the Champions League in three weeks. Chelsea thoroughly deserved it - there is no doubt about that. This game sprung to life in Extra Time after a disappointing first 90. Didier Drogba was clearly the MoM.

22:13 - Anyone who thinks Rafa Benitez is a genius think again. He riled up Drogba by calling him a diver before the game and then took off his star player - a striker who scores goals - when you need to score. Another year of disappointment at Anfield but no-one will blame Benitez - they never do.

22:18 - I hope you enjoyed that boys and girls. They'll be write-ups on the game on this blog tomorrow. I hope you come back and enjoy them - it was quite a night!

22:39 - An additional piece - Harry texts in on his way home from Stamford Bridge, 'I always had faith. Come on you blues so happy we've done the (expletive) scouse' - Harry shows his memory isn't the best (See 21:34)

Chelsea 3 (4) - Liverpool 2 (3) - FT

Whilst surfing the worldwide interwebs this afternoon I noticed a surprising headline on the BBC Sport Homepage – ‘Online football tickets for £5,000’

A US based website is offering tickets for tonight’s Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge for a whopping $10,600 (£5,385). I know it is a big game but really is anyone going to pay that amount for one football match?

Those who could afford that would surely be able to find better ways of gaining entry to the ground than by some dodgy American based ticket agency.

Other UK based ticket agencies are offering tickets from just over £400 to £800+. It is pretty late in the day to be thinking about going to the game so I wonder just how many sales ticket agencies like these make on matchday?

On the BBC News at lunchtime they were showing agencies just minutes after Manchester United’s win over Barcelona canvassing for custom. The final over in Moscow might be a once in a lifetime event for many fans but at what price is it too much to justify?

My colleague Harry Ford blogged earlier about it and I have to agree with a lot of what he said. I’m a Portsmouth fan and will not be at the FA Cup Final because I can’t justify splashing out £299 on Club Wembley tickets. With only 25k tickets going directly to fans of each club, it left many fans, who for one reason or another haven’t been able to see their clubs on a regular basis on the outside looking in.

So how much can be justified for one game of football – even if it’ll be a memory that’ll stay with you for your whole life. It is a question I suspect many will disagree on.

I have been a Chelsea Season ticket holder now for over 12 years and have been going to Stamford Bridge week in week out for over 20 years with my dad, uncle and cousin. In my time as a Chelsea Supporter I have seen them win three FA cups, the 1997 FA Cup being my favorite game of all time, as I would wager it will be for many Chelsea Supporters. Three League Cups. One Cup Winners Cup which I traveled with over 20,000 other Chelsea Fans to Stockholm and last but not least the two League Titles (Good Times!).

The Only cup we haven't won in my time at Chelsea is the Champions League. I have been to three Semi Finals but never ventured further. Tonight's game against Liverpool would have been a massive one for me as the prospect of the final has never felt so close, but that could not be further from the truth.

If we do beat Liverpool tonight and get to the final which takes place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST in Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium. Me and my family with a combined support of over 140 years will not be able to go.

I was browsing the Official Chelsea FC website and saw that Chelsea had put ticket information about the Possible Champions League Final up. Based on me having a Season Ticket and my high loyalty point rating I would be guaranteed a final ticket. I then checked the Official flight packages that Chelsea are providing Tickets costing the minimum of 80 Euros with the prospect of paying up to 200 Euros. So Day flights in and out of Moscow and match tickets will cost over £800 and that is even without food and drink while there.

Realistically I would be looking to pay over £1000 for one game of football and yes I know it is probably a once in a lifetime experience but I cannot justify spending this amount of money on one game of football. I would love nothing more than to go with my dad (Trevor), uncle (Kevin) and cousin (Stuart) to such an occasion. I simply cannot afford it.

There was a time where football was the game for the working class that everybody could go to and enjoy. I remember being one of the only five year-old kids in the Shed End standing on a stool my dad had made me and gaffer taped around a Lamppost within the stand so I could see above all these giant men. Game days dad used to give me a 5 pound note which I gave it too the lady/man at the stand turnstile. Nowadays I pay over £700 for my Season Ticket and well over another £700 pound for Cup tickets that are no longer included in the Season Ticket.

Over the past few years I have seen so many real fans have to give up the beautiful game after years of dedicated support as they have simply been priced out. If the boards of any clubs wonder why the atmosphere is nothing like it used to be, it is their own fault.

The money in the game today is phenomenal but that same money that clubs are bringing in through sponsorship and TV money is not being passed on to the consumer. The game today is not that of the working classes but of the middle classes who see the game as entertainment and not as a way of life.

This is your modern day football like it or not and I for one do not.

Every morning most of us buy a newspaper to see what is going on in the world. If you’d bought one this morning looking for news about who’ll replace Sven at Manchester City, then you’ll of been one very confused person.

We’ll start with a red top and the Daily Mirror. They say that Thaksin Shinawatra wants Jose Mourinho as manager. Excellent news for those of us that miss the Special One in the English game; however it is not a dead cert.

If you are a Daily Mail or a Guardian reader then you’ll have read that Big Phil Scolari is on the short-list. The man who agreed to take the England job but backed out thanks to the tabloids would be an interesting choice. The fact that he blamed the English Press for him not taking the National Job seemingly doesn’t matter. He’s the man for the job unless…

You read the Daily Express or The Independent and then you’ll know that Thaksin Shinawatra has already lined up Croatian boss Slavan Bilic as their next manager.

The Times aren’t sure so are hedging their bets, putting Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard alongside Scolari on the short-list. To wrap it up, The Times’ fellow Wapping newspaper The Sun says that the players are up in arms and are set to revolt against the decision.

So does that make anything clearer? Several names from several newspapers and we are none the wiser. One of them in probably right and will claim they are when all is said and done when the reality is with the way this guy works – no-one has a clue.

19:29 - Here we go – it’s Man United v Barca for all the spoils. Steve Rider opens up with a traditional upbeat opening line before going into a disappointing montage.

19:31 – No Rooney and no Tevez, United to go 4-4-2. Barca yet again leave out Henry, surely he’s on his way to the Premiership.

19:33 – The first ad break – not bad ITV going a whole four minutes before bringing in the money. I know the Beeb don’t give long build ups either but they need to learn from Sky. Richard Keys, Graeme Souness and Ray Wilkins for the first leg last week really gave us a flavour of the atmosphere and a terrific build-up to the match.

19:37 – Four minutes of ads, I wonder if they’ll be more before the game starts?

19:38 – Sir Alex gives a really dull and uninteresting interview with Gabriel Clarke. Is it me or does he always seem better with Geoff Shreeves?

19:41 – Your web developer who put this site together and is a United fan when asked for a prediction gives us a ‘Have no clue’ before stating he thinks United can do it at home. It’s that kind of insight that we pay him for.

19:42 – More ads.

19:43 – With No Rooney or Vidic I have wavered. I think Barca can and will score. I think this one might go to Barca on the away goals rule. How quick until I look stupid?

19:44 – And we are back, six minutes of adverts in the first fifteen of the show. No mention of an ITV competition yet though…

19:44 – David Pleat? Yugh

19:45 – And we are off.

19:46 – Big penalty shout for Barca, ref gives a free kick. Pleat says it was outside the box, I think penalty. Scholes got lucky.

19:48 – How does David Pleat keep his job? Please e-mail me via the ‘contact us’ link at the bottom of the page if you know how. Your web developer says no penalty – no great shock there. Still disappointed we’ve not seen another replay.

19:49 - My good friend and fellow Neil, who is not a United hater (unlike me according to him) has e-mailed me from New York and has predicted a 2-1 win to the Reds.

19:54 – Barca have settled the better.

19:56 – My New York friend has found a way to watch despite it not even being four in the afternoon. Doesn’t mean a lot to most but we’ve watched practically every big game ‘together’ via laptops and blackberries for the past seven years.

19:59 - GOAL: Paul Scholes from fully 25 yards after a sloppy clearance by Zambrotta. Cracking shot into the top right hand corner of the net – simply unstoppable.

20:00 – Expletives from the web developer – you can assume he’s happy.

20:01 – ‘World Class Goal’ says the New York dweller – who can argue?

20:02 – Wicked free kick from Ronaldo fizzed across the six-yard box. No-one could turn it home.

20:04 – Lovely run and shot from Messi, good save by EVDS, looks better upon replay.

20:06 – Nice run n pass by Ronaldo. Park side foots it at goal only to see the ball go inches wide.

20:07 - Re 20:04: ‘My Gran would’ve held the shot’ says Neil in New York – His love for EVDS knows no bounds…

20:10 – ‘You’ve got to be brave or daft to be a goalkeeper – preferably both’ – Clive Tyldesley shows us why he is the clear #1 at ITV.

20:13 – Real scramble in the box. I missed it as I was looking up on Google how to spell Clive Tyldesley. For the record I was only one letter out with my original guess.

20:16 – Real chance for Barca as Messi is clean through down the centre. However Iniesta can’t find him.

20:19 – Barca are starting to find their feet again. Nice move ended with Deco firing over from twenty yards.

20:21 – This is more like it - Barca with a lovely patient build-up before Deco fires wide. They can and will score tonight.

20:25 – Nani should’ve made it 2-0. Terrific cross by Park and Nani glances wide when it really was easier to score.

20:28 – Milito has a free header six yards out to level it up but fails. It was another good chance for the Catalan giants.

20:31 – Half Time and 1-0 to the home side. This game is still well and truly up for grabs.

20:45 – After the Half Time analysis I’m no nearer to knowing whether it was a penalty or not. ITV decided not to show a replay. Yet another uncomfortable looking interview with Sir Alex by Gabriel Clarke.

20:46 – Peeeeeeeep – and we’re off (again)

20:52 – Ji Sung Park is a wonderful player – underrated by most.

20:55 - We’ve had two yellows in the past two minutes - Zambrotta for a foul and Deco for being a twat.

20:56 – Terrific defending by Abidal as he cuts out a cross with two United players waiting behind him to put this game to bed.

20:58 – Nice save from a Tevez effort by Valdes – United are moving in for the kill.

21:00 – Henry is being readied by Barca – shall I call it right here, right now – He’ll score.

21:01 – Beautiful work by Messi sets up a chance but then Nani runs half the length of the field before firing high and wide and not very handsome. Henry is on for Iniesta.

21:04 – Yellow card for Carrick for taking down Messi in full flow.

21:05 – From the free kick Deco hits a shot that is deflected just wide.

21:07 – Clive gives us a little story about his neighbours who are Barca fans – I love it.

21:09 – Ronaldo booked for hauling down a defender – it was kind of harsh.

21:11 – Yaya Toure goes into the book and will not play in the final should Barca get there.

21:12 – United fans start chanting ‘Who are ya?’ at Thierry Henry – I’m sure they would know all about him by now but clearly United fans don’t have great memories. Bojan on for Eto’o.

21:17 – Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher are coming on for Nani and Paul Scholes. We are into the last quarter of an hour.

21:19 – There was the chance and it did fall to Henry. Free header from a corner which was directed straight down EVDS’s throat.

21:22 – Ronaldo fires wide – he has been disappointing tonight yet again in a big game.

21:23 – Finally mention of an ITV Competition – I can sleep soundly tonight!

21:24 – Whilst I do rate Clive Tyldesley as a commentator – his love for Carlos Tevez is starting to worry me.

21:26 – It is defence versus attack now – all Barca.

21:29 – Eidur Gudjohnsen on for Yaya Toure – last throw of the dice.

21:31 – Injury time and Messi goes flying in the box. David Pleat yells ‘No Pen’ but I’ve seen them given.

21:34 – Evra off for Silvestre – head injury. Still a good couple of minutes left on the clock.

21:36 – Sir Alex looks at his watch – play continues.

21:37 – Free kick to Barca – it’s now or never.

21:37 – It’s never.

21:37 – It is an all English final whatever happens. Barcelona played neat incisive stuff but were never able to open the door despite knocking at it all night. I don’t recall them even having a guilt edged chance just several half chances. You’d probably say Manchester United deserve it but it was never the classic tie that most pundits predicted.

21:40 – That is it from me for tonight – next up Chelsea v Liverpool tomorrow night in the second semi.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will pick up his p45 at the end of the season but has he been unfairly treated?

Most pundits would say that his time in charge of the England national team was a disappointment. Three major championships and three defeats in quarter-finals. We expected more with what was called a ‘Golden Generation’ of players.

At Manchester City he inherited a threadbare squad and took them to a top-ten position. The chairman Thaksin Shinawatra agreed a five-year plan with his manager at the start of the season and that included a top-ten position in his first term and that is exactly what the Swede delivered.

However apparently that isn’t enough for the former Thai Prime Minister. He wants more despite it being their best season in a long time. When I woke up this morning and turned on Sky Sports News, City fan and presenter Mike Wedderburn was reading out e-mails on the subject from City fans and could not find one in support of axing Sven.

It looks set to happen but it is a terrible decision. Sven’s record in club management has been terrific. I know the second half of the season didn’t go as well as expected but to get the sack when you look at the campaign as a whole is pretty unfair to say the least.

I know Doctor Shinawatra owns the club and can do exactly what he likes with it, but if he wants success then maybe he should take a step back and not be trigger happy. We all know that changing managers left right and centre doesn’t help in the long term and sadly for City fans they’ll be right back to square one come June.

As Derby were shipping in six against Arsenal last night, across the midlands West Brom fans were celebrating all but clinching promotion to the Premiership.

For a long time observers have thought that the Baggies were the class of the Championship field. Under the guidance of Tony Mowbray they have played attacking football and have wowed fans with their ability to score goals seemingly at will.

They have scored more goals than anyone else in the country and are led by Kevin Phillips - a player who is still easily good enough for the top flight. A long FA Cup run came to an end with a semi-final defeat to Portsmouth, but the goal for this season was always securing promotion back to the top tier.

That is now all but assured. The only way they won’t get promoted on Sunday is if they lose at QPR, Stoke pick up at least a point against Leicester City and Hull win at Ipswich and turn around a 13 goal difference deficit.

This of course is about as likely as Derby County staying up this season due to three other clubs being demoted due to financial irregularities, so I think West Brom fans were safe when they invaded the pitch to celebrate last night.

It is great to see West Brom back in the top flight but I do fear for them next season. They are an excellent Championship club but the gulf between the top two divisions is growing ever wider. Defensively they will need to strengthen considerably otherwise they’ll struggle next season.

Their strength is going forward and if they keep that core in tact then they’ll have a good chance. Miller and Phillips are an excellent front pair who’ll trouble anyone in the Premiership. Zolten Gera has been looked at by several Premiership scouts and they’ll be disappointed that it’s unlikely he’ll be available for transfer in the summer.

The Baggies’ fans are amongst the best in the land and it will be a joy to see them back in the top flight of English football. So one club down and one club up, two more to go on each front and there are a plethora of clubs still involved – it is going to be a fun end to the season!

Just a look at some of the random observations from this weekends games.

• In the interests of disclosure - I am one of those very sad muppets who look at the the referees lists week in and week out and have a strong opinion about them all. Martin Atkinson has come in for some stick this season, but nothing could prepare me for the yellow card he dished out to Reading left-back Nicky Shorey on Saturday. The England international threw the ball from a throw-in against his team-mates back and went to cross the ball. It was completely planned and is perfectly valid. Referee Atkinson thought not however and blew up and gave Wigan a free kick before taking Shorey's name. Total and utter lunacy.

• Fulham were 700/1 at one point on Saturday to beat Manchester City on Betfair. At least one lucky punter took the odds as well - the layer must be absolutely gutted!

• People wonder why Martin O'Neill was so highly thought of but yesterday's comeback said everything. He boldly changed formation and was rewarded with an equaliser. Then when Everton took the lead again, the heads never dropped and Villa scored from their next possession. Martin O'Neill's teams work hard and never give up - that is what England need but once again they passed up on him - Villa fans should count themselves extremely lucky.

• David James' consecutive streak in Premiership games ended at the weekend. The Portsmouth goalkeeper hadn't missed a league game since January '04 before Sunday. However a grade one calf strain kept him out of the game but he should return in time for the FA Cup Final.

• Both the relegation and Title issues are going to down down to the final day in the season. Just how great is that? Sky will show three live games on the final day of the season whilst Setanta will also show one. It's going to be fantastic television at both ends of the table.

It came as no surprise this morning when I woke up to the BBC Sport headline crowning Cristiano Ronaldo as the PFA player of the year.

The Manchester United winger was the stand-out player this season. I often think that the PFA award is a foregone conclusion and this year was nothing different. His goals from midfield coupled with his general all-round play have been genuinely first rate.

He was in the running to scoop the Young Player of the Year award as well but lost out to Arsenal's Spanish international Cesc Fabregas. It is just me who thinks that if you are Player of the Year and are eligible for Young Player of the Year then you should automatically win the latter category?

It is like saying that Ronaldo is the best player in the Premiership but when it comes to under-23 year-olds, Fabregas was better than him. It really doesn't make a lot of sense does it?

The Premier League Team of the Year was as follows:

David James (Portsmouth), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

So no Chelsea players made it despite them fighting for the title. Only two players from outside the perceived big four - David James of Portsmouth who seems to of been a shoo-in and Ashley Young of Aston Villa - who has had an excellent season.

TalkFootball.co.uk has put together its Team of the Year:

David James (Portsmouth), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

We'd like to hear your opinions, please put together your Teams of the Year and comment.

Thierry Henry has not even been away a year, but it seems as though clubs are starting to form an orderly queue to bring the French star back to the league.

Newcastle United have been the first to blink with multiple reports linking them to the 30 year-old front man. With attacking manager Kevin Keegan back at the helm, the Toon Army are looking forward to a season of free-flowing football next term and with Henry possibly joining Michael Owen, it would be one of the best pairings on paper in all of World Football.

However the flamboyant Frenchman has told BBC's Football Focus programme that he is happy in Spain and would only consider a move back to Arsenal should he return to the Premiership. Reports though are strong that he is seriously looking at leaving the Catalan giants and if he wanted to sign for Arsenal, there might just be a spot for him.

As part of the summer merry-go-round, Emmanuel Adebayor is being heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan or Juventus. The Togo front man has flattered to deceive on more than one occasion this season and coach Wenger may be willing to cash in and bring in fresh blood up front.

The first question is whether or not Arsene would welcome him back. They did leave on good terms but in the absence of Henry, players like Cesc Fabregas have stepped up and taken on the mantle of the leader. Several players have said that they felt more freedom to express themselves on the pitch since their former captain has left them.

One other big name striker has been linked with a move to the Emirates over the summer, David Villa. The Spanish international looks set for a move away from Valencia and has publicly stated that it would “be a dream” to play for Arsenal. Coach Wenger has already quashed rumours that the club are well down the road to signing Villa, but chose his words carefully as to not rule out any possible future move for the 26 year-old.

Arsenal need to make serious inroads next season and show themselves to be one of the best yet again. Otherwise changes might rapidly happen at the Emirates.

So Henry back in north London pulling on the Gunners shirt again? You wouldn't bet against it...

If Cardiff City walk up those Wembley steps and lift the famous old trophy then their prize will be a place in Europe next season. However this should not be the case

As part of the deal that allows Cardiff and their fellow Welsh teams take part in the FA Cup, they know that if they won, Europe wouldn't await them. They've always been told that the English FA wouldn't nominate a non-member for one of their European spots, but this year of course, suddenly this rule came under the spotlight.

Cardiff's run to the final has been great for the game, the whole competition has been a breath of fresh air. Should they beat their Premiership opponents on May 17th they will have thoroughly earned the right to play in the UEFA Cup next season.

The problem is the rules are being changed mid-way through the competition. Surely this can't be the case? How would Cardiff feel if suddenly the FA decided that Jermain Defoe could play in the final despite being cup-tied?

Changing rules mid-way through any competition just isn't on. The FA said in a statement, ”The board has given full approval for Cardiff City to participate in next season’s UEFA Cup should they win this season’s FA Cup.”

Cardiff do deserve to make Europe should they win it but I just can't get over the fact that rules are being changed. Also in the English FA Cup final, the Welsh national anthem will be sung. I don't have too much of an issue with that but having read a few forums, then it seems many people do.

This is the showpiece event of the season for the FA and things aren't going to plan. None of the perceived 'big four' are there and now there are issues with two nations being represented in a national final. It has all the makings of a very poor day for the FA one way or the other.

They set it up as the game that should've been the final. Two of Europe's finest footballing sides faced off last night in the second Champions League semi-final. What were we treated to?

Another game of dross - just like the first semi the night before.

With beautiful players like Leonardo Messi, Deco, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, you'd expect a game full of wonderful, attacking, free-flowing football.

With just two minutes on the clock, United had already missed a golden opportunity to open to the scoring. Gabriel Milito needlessly left his arms in the air from a corner and when the ball struck them, the referee had no hesitation to blow his whistle and run towards the penalty spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't exactly showered with cheers as he put the ball on the spot - a Portuguese darling in Spain was never really going to be welcomed any differently I suppose. The United #7 strode up to the ball, the Barca keeper went early, he went the wrong way, but as he turned his head to see the ball flying past him, he also saw it flying past his net and rebound back off the support.

Ronaldo couldn't believe it, the wolf whistles of derision had been replaced by jeers from the passionate Catalans. Barcelona had been let off the hook in a big way and it was to prove to be a more than frustrating night for the United player.

Barca got into their flow and started to dominate the ball without finding that killer pass. Thierry Henry was left on the bench because of a supposed stomach complaint, which was disappointing for the watching public. The build-up play of the home side was first rate but they were unable to find that killer pass.

Edwin Van Der Sar was not forced into a save of any quality and it was United who had the next real chance of the match. A defensive error sent Ronaldo through, Rafael Marquez got his body in the way and the Portuguese winger went flying. It was a penalty but the ease that Ronaldo went down and his strop afterwards when the referee chose not to give it was petulant at best.

The second half was just as dire. Samuel Eto'o could've won his side a penalty but chose to stay on his feet and the chance was missed. Henry came on with a quarter of an hour left and forced the United keeper into his only real save of note.

As the whistle blew for full time, most pundits would give the English side the advantage going into the second leg. However I am of the belief that 0-0 in the first leg is not a bad result for the home side, if they score at Old Trafford next Tuesday night then United have to score twice.

This one still has all to play for, just like the Chelsea v Liverpool tie. Let's just hope that the games are worthy of a Champions League semi-final this time around.

For the third time in four years, a Champions League semi-final paired off Chelsea and Liverpool. This time however one side did have serious momentum going into the second leg

As time ticked down, Liverpool were holding on to a 1-0 lead, given to them by Dutch international Dirk Kuyt in the first half. The four minutes of added time were up and the Kop were in full voice. Chelsea substitute Soloman Kalou swung in a wicked cross, which the defender had to deal with.

The defender was another substitute, John Arne Riise. The ball was dipping on him and he wasn't sure how to deal with the ball, he had to do something otherwise Nicolas Anelka was sweeping it home behind him.

Riise chose to head the ball instead of swinging his right boot, it bounced a couple of yards in front of him and as he went to head it clear, it hit the top of his head and flew past his stranded goalkeeper.

An own-goal at the very end of the game and suddenly the balance of power shifted. The first leg being at Anfield was an advantage for the side from west London.

By winning the toss and making Liverpool shoot towards the Kop end in the first half, they had won the first psychological battle. By scoring in the last minute, they fired the final shot that'll linger in the air for eight days.

The game itself had been about as exciting as most pundits thought it would be. At half-time the ITV punditry team of Mark Hughes and Andy Townsend alongside presenter Steve Rider raved about what a good first half it had been - were they watching the same game as the rest of the watching world?

I know they are trying to keep people from turning over, but it felt insulting to my intelligence. People knock the BBC, but if a game is bad then Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer will happily state so.

The only real action in the first half had been a couple of half chances for Joe Cole, which he failed to connect cleanly with. There was a chance for Fernando Torres, but the Spaniard took an extra touch which allowed Petr Cech to narrow the angle. Then came the two interesting incidents of the half.

Didier Drogba was put through and was bundled to the ground by a Jamie Carragher challenge. The question was whether or not the defender got a touch on the ball, replays were inconclusive but if he didn't, then it would've been a free kick and the Liverpool player may well of seen red.

Liverpool's goal came from a very soft free-kick given away by Michael Ballack. Chelsea had around 42,978 chances to clear it but chose not to and Dirk Kuyt fired a shot between the legs of the giant Chelsea keeper to put Liverpool ahead just before the interval.

The second half saw both sides have a couple of chances but nothing spectacular until the final play of the game. It was just another dull encounter and maybe we were spoilt by the Liverpool v Arsenal game in the previous round, but I just didn't enjoy the game as a spectacle or as a game of football.

I'll no doubt watch the second leg next week but if I didn't have Sky+ then The Apprentice might well of won out.

When he burst on to the scene at the 1998 World Cup with that goal (with fantastic commentary by Brian Moore and decidingly less insightful punditry from Kevin Keegan) against Argentina, the future was bright for the fresh-faced Michael Owen

For the past ten years he has been England's talisman, scoring big goals in big games for both club and country. He has long been seen as one of the first names on the team sheet for his country but in the past few months, things have changed for the 28 year-old.

Another new manager has come in on the national front in the form of Italian Fabio Capello. When he signed up for the role, Owen was still recovering from injury and he seemed to be well down the pecking order. Some pundits and fans were starting to knock Owen, believing that his best days were behind him and a return to former glories was just wishful thinking.

At his club side Newcastle United however, there had been a change of manager as well. Geordie hero Kevin Keegan had come back to try and restore the attacking football of the early - mid 90's. After a sticky start, Keegan went back to basics, he used the attacking strength at his disposal to fire Newcastle away from trouble.

Michael Owen slotted into a wide position in a front three with Mark Viduka leading the line and Obafemi Martins on the opposing wing. Suddenly Newcastle transformed into life and more importantly Owen was back and firing on all cylinders.

He has reinvented himself from the off the shoulder striker that tormented defences for the first half of his career. His intelligence is vastly underrated by most, his vision is sublime, his finishing in unerring. When this man is full of confidence and playing with a smile on his face, he is one of the very best.

If England are going to win anything in the next few years then the most important single player is Michael Owen. If he's fit and healthy, he is the one player who can carry the England team on his back. Gerrard can do it for Liverpool but not for his country, the same charges can be laid at the feet of Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. However Michael Owen has done it at the very top level time and time again.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa and if an England player is to lift the trophy, then Michael Owen needs to be involved and needs to be involved in a very big way.

The Champions League has once again turned into a tour de force for the English clubs, with three of the semi-finalists coming from these shores. TalkFootball.co.uk looks forward to the games

Liverpool v Chelsea (Tuesday ITV1)

Liverpool and Chelsea meet for the third time at this stage in four seasons. In the first game Liverpool took the spoils with a goal that never was. In the second the game went to the dreaded spot kicks. It should've been Jose Mourinho v Rafael Benitez III but sadly the stone-face Avram Grant will be sitting in the Chelsea dugout.

The main change this time around (apart from the managerial one) is that the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge and not Anfield. This is a huge advantage considering Liverpool's exemplary record in European games in front of their home fans.

Chelsea have not impressed in recent weeks with a series of lacklustre displays. The charge that is often being levelled at Avram Grant is his inability to win the big one, well over the next nine days he'll play both legs of the Champions League semi-final and on Saturday lunchtime entertain Manchester United at home in the league. I think that by the time everyone wakes up next Thursday morning, we'll know what the future holds for the man.

Liverpool though don't have it all plain sailing in the background either. With the boardroom at war and the manager not sure whether he is coming or going, all the focus has to be on the pitch to see if they can reach the final for the third time in four years.

Frank Lampard is available for the blues but Didier Drogba is still rated as doubtful with a knee complaint. Liverpool will welcome back talisman Steven Gerrard following a neck problem that kept him out of Saturday's trip to Fulham.

TalkFootball.co.uk predicts that it'll be three out of three for Rafa's boys - and this time there will be nothing controversial.

Barcelona v Manchester United (Wednesday Sky Sports 1)

United are coming off a disappointing draw at Blackburn in the league but go into this tie as heavy favourites. Barcelona have flattered to deceive all season long and this is set to be their last hurrah before a mass squad exodus, which'll include the manager, in the summer.

Manchester United have no new injury worries ahead of the game. Edwin Van Der Sar who missed the Blackburn trip is expected to play in goal. Barcelona welcome back Leonardo Messi to the squad - the Argentine playmaker returns after a thigh injury to bolster coach Frank Rijkaard's options ahead of the tie.

Sir Alex Ferguson has only the one Champions League final appearance under his belt, a surprisingly low amount considering the teams he has put together. His current crop are arguably better than the 1999 version that lifted the trophy in that dramatic finalé at the Nou Camp.

Thierry Henry is well known over here in the UK as a class player, but his season at Barcelona has not gone exactly to plan. The Frenchman has been unable to settle in the Catalan capital and hasn't set La Liga alight like most envisioned him doing. This is his chance to once again show off his talents to the watching world and possibly help his chances of a move back to the Premiership in the summer.

TalkFootball.co.uk predicts an All-English final - with Manchester United joining Liverpool in Moscow on May 21.

Just a few days after Chelsea seemingly threw away their shot at the title, they were given a second chance by a Blackburn team notorious for their performances at home against title chasers.

Chelsea had done their business in a less than impressive way by beating Everton on Thursday night. Now they were watching, hoping and praying that Blackburn could do them a favour. A goal mid-way through the first half from Santa Cruz put the home side ahead, but United had a decent penalty shout turned down by referee Rob Styles, when Wayne Rooney was challenged in the box by Steven Reid. Rob Styles’ name may well feature in this blog again before I’ve finished…

Moments after he had a penalty appeal turned down, Rooney launched into a challenge which on another day could easily of seen him sent from the field in disgrace. Then just a minute later he was kicking out at another Blackburn player - it seemed like he had lost his head and it wasn’t to be his day.

The second half though saw a completely different game and the last twenty minutes reminded me so much of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. When his teams were behind late in the game, they seemed to just go through the gears and produce wave after wave of attack.

United had two good penalty shouts turned down by the aforementioned Styles, one for a foul on Ronaldo and another for a quite clear handball by Brett Emerton. Rooney and Ronaldo both spurned chances; the latter had seen Brad Friedel stop him on no fewer than three occasions when it seemed for all the tea in china that the net was going to bulge.

The big yank then made a quite breathtaking save to deny John O’Shea from two yards out. United were rampant knowing that a defeat would suddenly not just bring Chelsea right back in it, but possibly even make them favourites for the league. From the resulting corner though Carlos Tevez headed home from a Paul Scholes flick-on and United had their valuable point.

With three games left, United lead Chelsea by three points and get to travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime. With United having a substantial lead in goal difference, even a defeat at Chelsea doesn’t hurt them if they beat a woeful West Ham side and a Wigan team who’ll hope to be safe by the final day.

Manchester United should still win the title but that Carlos Tevez goal might just be the most important one of the season. Had they lost today then suddenly a very mediocre Chelsea side had their title fate in their own hands.

Manchester United deserve to win the Premiership, of that I have little doubt, however it would’ve been nice to see them lose today, thus making next Saturday’s showdown all the more important.

It has only been 14 months since Liverpool fans rejoiced at the news that Tom Hicks and George Gillett were buying the club. Since that day however, the two men have very publicly fallen out, approached another manager and one of them has told the chief executive to quit.

It certainly hasn't been the future that Liverpool fans envisioned.

What is pretty clear is that the current situation is unworkable. One of the two men have to leave, most fans seem to want them both gone. DIC (Dubai International Capital) have long been waiting in the wings to buy the club, but for some reason they've been unable to sort a deal with either Hicks or Gillett and no progress has been made.

The latest episode of this long-running saga has been Tom Hicks stating that Rick Parry should quit. Now Parry has the support of the majority of the board and that of his co-owner George Gillett, so by making his opinion public, he is once again at loggerheads with his partner.

Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are a global brand that is recognised across the planet. The current situation is all very messy and is dragging a great club through the mud.

What the club needs is firstly for everyone to stop talking in public. Having these feuds airing to the masses helps no one. Secondly one of the two men has to agree to be bought out, the fans would prefer Hicks to go but in all honesty want them both out of the club. The problem is no-one knows what DIC would be like at owning the club.

The fans got burnt when Hicks & Gillett came in, they wanted they and they got them. Manchester United supporters didn't want the Glazer family involved in the club, but they have helped lead them back to the top of the Premiership tree. Sometimes getting what you want doesn't work out. Hopefully for Liverpool fans, the next owner will treat the club with the respect that it deserves but for now...

Just shut up Tom.

I think it’s appropriate for an Aldershot based company to open up its football blog with a story about the local club. On Tuesday night Aldershot Town returned to the Football League just sixteen years after Aldershot FC had folded.

They dominated the Blue Square Premier all season long and have been atop on the pile since early October. Promotion seemed to be more of a ‘when’ not ‘if’ question and so it was as a Scott Donnelly strike was enough to earn the all important point for the shots. 898 travelling fans joined in the celebrations down at St. James’ Park and hundreds more at bars throughout the town and across the country on Setanta Sports.

I saw the finale, including a poorly timed attempt by the touchline reporter to interview Aldershot manager Gary Waddock deep in injury time, seriously, that was never going to work. I also saw and heard several fans chanting Aldershot songs walking down the road whilst I was trying to get to sleep.

The club can now build for an exciting future back in the Football League. With large crowds already adorning the Recreation Ground, they have the scope to make a serious impact on the league. With a big catchment area being between London, Reading & Southampton, the club can attract new fans with this recent success.

Those locals who aren’t big fans are traditionally fans of the big London clubs or Portsmouth, despite the town being nearer to other places with league clubs. These are the fans that the club will be hoping to pick up; a lot of people are getting disillusioned with the prices of top flight tickets and the chance to support a local league club will tempt people in.

Finally just a big congratulations to the club; from chairman down through the manager, the players and the fans. I have enjoyed my few trips to the Rec this season and no doubt will be popping down on occasions next season. Already next Tuesday’s home game with Weymouth is selling out fast, so if you want to celebrate the clubs success then get tickets now!