The game of football is similar to the game of life in several different ways. In both, you need a mix of commitment, dedication, industry and luck in order to win. The first three of the above mentioned attributes are more or less in the hands of the player, but luck is something which is sometimes not.

The phrase – “it seems even God is against him” is used quite often to depict an individual who’s luck seems to have run out, and one such individual at the moment is Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean.

Kean, who took over at the helm from Sam Allardyce last season following the takeover at the club by Venky’s has had a torrid time this campaign, with his team languishing in 19^th, already 4 points clear from safety.

Captain Frank Lampard scored the only goal of the game as a spirited England beat world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

The Spaniards dominated most of the possession but failed to carve out too many clear-cut chances, and Lampard’s close range header early on in the second half ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Fabio Capello went with Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka at centre back, while Lampard, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Phil Jones and Milner made up a five-man midfield, leaving Darren Bent as the lone striker.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was named in the starting line-up and in the process, surpassed Zubizarretta’s record of 125 Spanish caps.

England take on world champions Spain in a pulsating friendly at Wembley on Saturday. This is the first of two friendlies in the week for Fabio Capello’s men, as they travel to Stockholm following this game to face Sweden.

Frank Lampard will lead his side out for the first time at Wembley, and he has described it as “his proudest moment in an England shirt.”

This after regular captain John Terry was demoted to the bench following claims of racism against the Chelsea defender. Vice captain Steven Gerrard is also out, while Rio Ferdinand has not made the squad.

The Reds are reportedly intent on signing both striker David Villa and midfielder Seydou Keita in the January transfer market.

Kenny Dalglish wants to bolster his attacking options by placing an audacious bid for Barcelona and Spain superstar David Villa in January.

The 30 year-old reportedly had a fallout with fellow striker Lionel Messi recently, and Liverpool are hoping to cash in.

The Reds are currently in 6^th position in the Barclays Premier League table, and with 35 million pound man Andy Carroll struggling to find his feet, Dalglish sees Villa as the ideal partner for Luis Suarez.

ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB: THEIR SEASON SO FAR

Following the departures of star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively in the summer transfer window, it was no surprise that confidence amongst the Arsenal troupes was relatively low come the start of the season.

The fixture list reading Newcastle United (away), Liverpool (home) and Manchester United (away) as their first three league encounters did nothing to help their cause.

Following a goalless draw at St. James’ Park on opening day in a game where debutant Gervinho was sent off, the Gunners hosted Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool in their first home game of the season. They put in a solid performance, with Emmanuel Thomas impressing greatly. The youngster though, was sent off for two bookable offences and Arsenal conceded twice late on to end up on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.

CAN ANYONE STOP RAMPANT CITY THIS SEASON?

If The Beatles are to be believed, one thing money can’t buy is love. But judging by the way Manchester City are playing at the moment, one thing it certainly seems capable enough to buy is the Premier League title.

Having spent over 200 million pounds in the transfer market over the last two seasons, the blue half of Manchester has become more than a force to be reckoned with amongst the big boys in the top tier of English football.

City currently sit pretty at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, five points clear of second placed Manchester United, and have won 10 of their 11 games so far. The only game they didn’t win was away at Fulham, where they drew 2-2 after relinquishing a 2-0 lead.

CHELSEA CONSIDER CAHILL BID AS MILAN CHASE DROGBA DEAL

Chelsea are considering an £8 million bid to bring Bolton centre-half Gary Cahill to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer market.

If reports are to be believed, Andre Villas-Boas sees Cahill as the ideal partner for John Terry at the heart of the Chelsea defence. This comes an no big surprise seeing that Chelsea have managed just two clean sheets in their opening 11 games, slipping to 4^th in the Barclays Premier League table, 9 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Boas has tried all of the Terry-Luiz, Terry-Ivanovic and Terry-Alex combinations at centre-back but none of them has yielded satisfactory results.

25 YEARS OF FERGUSON: A TRIBUTE

On November 9th 1986, following a dismal run of results at the start of the campaign, Manchester United sacked Ron Atkinson and replaced him with 44 year-old Scotsman Alex Ferguson.

Today, when Manchester United walk out of the Old Trafford tunnel, Ferguson, now 69, is still the man at the helm. Incredible though it may seem in an age when owners and chairmen are as impatient as ruthless, Sir Alex’s reign at Old Trafford for a quarter of a century has been a quite remarkable odyssey.

These 25 years have been full of highs, lows and unbelievable drama for United. On this momentous occasion, we remember 7 of the best Sir Alex Ferguson moments.

The British record for the highest transfer fee was broken twice in the space of minutes last night as clubs went berserk in a desperate bid to land their desired players.

In the biggest deal of the day, Fernando Torres sealed his long-awaited move £50 million to Chelsea, one which made him the costliest Premier League player ever by a long margin. The Blues also signed Brazilian defender David Luiz from Portuguese club Benfica.

This was after Liverpool landed Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for £35 million. The Englishman was handed the number 9 shirt at Anfield, which clearly suggests he has been brought in as a replacement for Torres. Carroll’s presumable strike partner Luis Suarez also completed his £22 million move from Ajax.

Ironically, Chelsea meet Liverpool themselves this Sunday, a game in which Torres is set to make his debut in a Blues’ shirt.