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The talk in football
By Standard Sport Last updated at 00:00am on 22.04.04Chelsea defeat serves up an extra blow for Crespo
Hernan Crespo may have been cheered by scoring Chelsea's only goal in Monaco but had more reason than most to bemoan his side's second-half collapse on Tuesday. The tennis-mad Argentine had hoped to stay in the principality to take in some of the action at the Monte Carlo Masters but, following Chelsea's 3-1 defeat, was ordered to return to London with the rest of the team.
Fans still counting costs
Still with the Blues, fans were unhappy about the cost of tickets for the match at the Stade Louis II, which were printed as costing 30 euros. On any normal exchange rate that would be £20. Chelsea's box office charged £25 for the tickets.
Mum doesn't know best
Claudio Ranieri's 85-year-old mother said before Tuesday's European Cup debacle that her son was in chipper mood. Renata said: "In the last few weeks I have sensed a change in Claudio's spirit. Before he was really down. Who wouldn't be after all the stuff being said about him? I always say a prayer for Claudio and Chelsea before they play and I will be so happy if my prayers are answered. It will be a tough game because it's a semi-final but I think Chelsea will win 1-0." Well, she was half right - they did score once.
No support from Elijah
Two of London's Football League grounds are to feature in a major new Hollywood film. Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood has been spotted at both West Ham and Brentford filming scenes from The Yank in which he plays an American student who gets caught up in football hooliganism.
Ignoring any progress made since the Taylor Report, the US actor takes a dim view of English supporters. He said: "Fans of football over there sort of form these factions and fight among each other. It's a massive part of the culture. It's all throughout Europe and a lot of it is prevalent in England."
Keane's U-turn to the top
Ladbrokes offer odds of 6-4 about Roy Keane going on to manage the Republic of Ireland. The Manchester United skipper has chosen to end his self-imposed exile from international football and one theory explains the decision as a bridge-building exercise with the Football Association of Ireland. Should Keane eventually apply for the job, he can only hope the FAI don't ask for a reference from Mick McCarthy.
Lions dress for success
Millwall may have their playing kit made by Strikeforce, a company probably more familiar to Sunday League than star footballers. But there is no danger of them looking scruffy for the FA Cup Final next month. When Dennis Wise and his team arrive at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff before their game against Manchester United, they will be smartly dressed in Jeff Banks suits.
Contact us at: talkinfootball@standard.co.uk
