Everton could rue Capital One Cup mistakes

Everton may have made a better-than-expected start in the Premier League but their Capital One Cup defeat at Leeds, a match they were expected to win, will not have gone down well with fans who are desperate to win a trophy.

The Blues, who regularly picked up silverware in the 1980s, have not won anything since the FA Cup back in 1995 and will have looked at this season's League Cup rightly as a trophy they could have added to their honours list.

Boss, David Moyes, has treated the often-disrespected competition seriously in recent years so it was a slight surprise that he opted to make so many changes for the trip to Elland Road.

In the league this season, the Merseysiders have been highly impressive, with a midfield trio of Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar, and Leon Osman particularly eye-catching, but only one of those - Fellaini - started at Leeds, and it was clear they had lost their drive from the middle as a result.

Leeds dominated the first half and Everton were a pale shadow of the side that so expertly saw off Swansea at the weekend, as Moyes' stand-in players struggled to make an impact.

They deservedly fell behind to Aidan White's early opener, and it was only after Rodolph Austin's second goal that the Premier League side woke from their slumber and got back into the game late on, when Sylvain Distin pulled one back.

However, the damage had been done and the fans packed into the away end at Elland Road were to leave disappointed, many aware that probably Everton's best chance of a trophy this season had gone.

There is still the FA Cup to come and their fine start in the league points to a possible top-four challenge from the Merseysiders this season, but with no European football, it is a surprise that Moyes weakened his side considerably for the Leeds trip, as the move dramatically backfired.

It could end up being a memorable campaign for Everton and they will hope that they are not left to reflect on a disappointing night in West Yorkshire, as the moment a trophy slipped through their fingers again.

As another weekend of football dawns, be sure to visit the Betfair website to pick up more tips to bet on Premier League football.

Del Piero making a difference already

Alessandro del Piero has not yet kicked a competitive ball for his new club but already the magic dust is rubbing off on his Sydney FC team-mates.

Those who questioned the wisdom of the A League franchise pushing the boat out to land the 37-year-old need only to speak to the likes of teenage midfielder Terry Antonis and another of Sydney's young guns, Joel Chianese.

He was never the quickest over the first five yards, but del Piero has always been blessed with technique and vision and punters betting on soccer will certainly consider him when it comes to predicting the first goalscorer. He always had that unique ability to find his own space - the kind of quality that only the very best possess.

A World Cup and Champions League winner, he has only spent a few days' training alongside his new team-mates but sources indicate the Juventus icon has taken to this new, and possibly final, phase of his distinguished career like a duck to water.

Australia Under-19s captain Antonis said he had "no words for it" and added he hoped del Piero would have a "massive impact" on the club going forward, with the A-League title and qualification for the AFC champions league a definite aim.

It is to his personal credit that the veteran of six Serie A titles kept himself in shape when it appeared his time in football was at an end.

He has not trained with a professional team since leaving the Old Lady in May but kept fit with his personal trainer and a local team in Turin – another indication that those who reach the top of the game often put in the most work which the public never sees.

That other ingredient is perfection.

Chianese summed it up perfectly when he asserted "if he doesn't do something perfect, you can see that he's not happy with himself and that he wants to get it right. You can see that he's a player who wants perfection out of his game".

England Women set to Shine in Holland

England’s women have continued their superb record of reaching major international tournaments, after they crushed a young Croatia outfit 3-0 to qualify for Euro 2013, appeasing legions of fans who bet online with www.betvictor.com.

Hope Powell’s side, most of whom represented Team GB at the Olympic Games this summer, dominated for large period of the tie at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium and ran out deserved winners in front of an excited crowd.

There is more to come from this England side, however, and, while they topped Group Six to qualify ahead of the Netherlands, winger, Rachel Yankey, admitted that the job has only just begun.

“Now we’ve got to go there, be positive and prove to people that we are good enough to start winning things,” she stated.

Indeed, England do have a certain chip on their shoulder after failing to secure a medal at the Olympics. Although representing Team GB, most of the players came from Powell’s stock and they seemed destined to earn a medal until Canada pulled off a surprise 2-0 win in the quarterfinals.

Yet to win a major international tournament, Powell’s team are determined to get it right next summer; they certainly looked like a drilled outfit on Wednesday evening and will head to Sweden with great confidence from their qualifying exploits.

Without a loss in eight games, England scored more than any other team and conceded just two goals. The great odds at Bet Victor created a number of winners off the back of England’s success.

Sweden will be a difficult place to claim the European Championship, with the hosts, Germany and France, all likely to put up tough opposition.

Yet if England can replicate the performances that have seen them qualify so emphatically for the tournament, then there is no reason why Yankey and co. will not be lifting the Euro trophy in nine months’ time.

Rodgers rubbishes Reina rumours

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has rejected rumours that Pepe Reina, a favourite of the sport betting community, wants to leave the club and has tipped the Spaniard to play a big role in his side’s Premier League and Europa League campaigns.

The 30-year-old has been the undisputed first choice stopper at Anfield since joining from Villarreal in2005, making 250 appearances for the Reds and occasionally skippering the side.

The former Barcelona man is well known as one of the most boisterous characters in the Liverpool dressing room and has often been praised for his ability to motivate his colleagues and generate team spirit within the side.

However, the latest sport updates suggest his performances have dipped over the last few years and he has made a number uncharacteristic errors in big games, as the Merseysiders have regularly failed to live up to their potential.

This has led to speculation he is no longer committed to the Liverpool cause and that he is now looking for a move away from the club in January, with teams from both Italy and Spain thought to be monitoring his situation.

However, Rodgers is unconcerned by the rumours and says the stopper has shown nothing to suggest he is heading for the Anfield exit.

"I've never had a problem with Pepe. He's been brilliant for me. He's a key member of the squad here," insisted Rodgers. "Absolutely first class, he's been. He understands what it is I'm trying to do. He understands the philosophy and he's a really, really good guy.

"Off the field, he's important for the group, he's a big voice in the changing room, and I've had no feelings at all that he's ever wanted to leave. I've never felt anything like that whatsoever,” he added.

Newcastle set for great days out

The city of Newcastle is famed for its vibrant nightlife culture, with clubs, pubs and bars open all hours as thousands flock into the city centre every night. As though Tynesiders were not blessed enough with the fun to have in their own city, they’ve been given three more excuses for a wild time as Newcastle United enter the group stage of the Europa League.

After defying pre-season football betting tips of relegation last summer, the Magpies stormed to a fifth place finish and a return to Europe after six years.

Luckily for Toon fans, the club has avoided desolate fixtures in Azerbaijan or Ukraine, and instead will fly out to three of Europe’s cultural and party capitals. Bordeaux, Bruges and Maritimo (in Madeira) are all booked in to accept thousands of Magpies fans over the coming weeks.

Seeded third in their group, Alan Pardew’s side were lucky to avoid Italian giants Inter and Lazio yet will experience the same hostile reception in southern France. Bordeaux have long been famed for their passion and the atmosphere inside the Stade Chaban-Delmas replicates that of rivals Marseille.

Maritimo’s Madeira home will no doubt attract fans using a football match as the perfect excuse for a few days in the sun, while Club Bruges is just a ferry ride away from Tyneside.

Pardew’s men can therefore expect a vocal following in Europe this season as the club aims to win their first international competition since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. After an impressive Premier League campaign last season, many betting previews believe they are good enough to finally end their trophy drought this season.

For although there may be teams across the groups that have more European experience than Newcastle, the Magpies will still fancy their chances of making the final in Amsterdam this May.

This season’s European adventure is just reward for a magnificent campaign last season and the players will want to make sure they make as much of these continental trips as their fans will.

Coup for Sydney as Del Piero signs up

Sydney may have just provided the A-League with a life-saving shot in the arm after they secured the signature of Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero.

The 37-year-old was a free agent after leaving Juventus in the summer and Sydney officials have worked hard to bring this sensational deal to fruition.

Premier League duo Southampton and Liverpool were linked with a late swoop, but it appears their interest had come too late to persuade Del Piero to move to England.

The deal is reportedly worth $2million, which would make him one of the best paid stars in Australian sport and hopefully fire them to the title and into the AFC champions league.

“This signing is a major coup for Sydney FC and marks a historic day for football in this country,” said Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow. “This is for all Australian football fans”.

“Alessandro Del Piero is a global icon of the game and we are honoured he has chosen Sydney FC, ahead of many other options, as the club where he will begin the next chapter of his illustrious football career.”

The impact for Sydney is obvious; he will add guile skill and invention to their forward line and punters who like betting on soccer will no doubt back him to break all sorts of scoring and assist records. But his arrival is a great boost for the league as a whole.

Since its inception in 2005, the A-league has seen attendances steadily decline and a number of clubs struggle financially, as the warm glow of Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign slowly fades.

It was never going to compete with Europe when it comes to attracting top stars but players like Del Piero put bums on seats, inspiring a new generation of both fans and players.

Dwight Yorke had a huge impact when he signed for Sydney ahead of that inaugural season, helping them to the league title.

Del Piero could well lead the Sky Blues to similar success, though it is hoped his influence will spread far wider than New South Wales.