Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Arrested Over Bar Assault

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was charged with assault and affray following a brawl outside a Merseyside nightclub that left a man needing hospital treatment for facial injuries, police said. "Steven Gerrard has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray," the duty inspector for Merseyside Police said.

The 28-year-old soccer player was released on bail with two other men to appear in court on Jan. 23 following their arrest yesterday in the town of Southport, northwest England, said a Merseyside police spokesman who declined to be identified in line with regulation.

Gerrard was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray, the spokesman said. Three other men, who were arrested with Gerrard at 2:30 a.m. yesterday morning, were released without charge pending further inquiries, he added.

Calls to the London offices of WMG Management, which represents Gerrard, went unanswered. Liverpool yesterday declined to comment on Gerrard’s arrest. Liverpool is co-owned by George Gillett, Jr., who also owns the NHL's Canadiens.

Midfielder Gerrard, who has played 70 matches for England, had been out celebrating following Liverpool’s 5-1 victory at Newcastle two days ago, in which he scored twice.

Liverpool leads England’s Premier League by three points and faces Preston North End on Jan. 3 in the third round of the F.A. Cup.

Liverpool Won 5-1 at Newcastle United

Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool won 5-1 at Newcastle United to end 2008 three points clear of Chelsea.

The Anfield skipper netted the opener after 31 minutes of a one-sided match at St James' Park where the home side needed a string of fine saves from Shay Given to keep the score down.

Sami Hyypia nodded the second on 36 minutes before David Edgar pulled one back with a header on the stroke of half-time to give his side a glimmer of hope.

But the majestic Merseysiders restored their two-goal advantage through Ryan Babel five minutes into the second half. Gerrard ran through to grab his second on 66 minutes and Xabi Alonso wrapped it up with a penalty 13 minutes from time.

Barclays Premier League Results - 28th December 2008

Arsenal	1 - 0	Portsmouth	FT
Blackburn	2 - 2	Manchester City	FT
Bolton	0 - 1	Wigan Athletic	FT
Everton	3 - 0	Sunderland	FT
Fulham	2 - 2	Chelsea	FT
Newcastle	1 - 5	Liverpool	FT
WBA	2 - 0	Tottenham	FT
West Ham Utd	2 - 1	Stoke City	FT

Manchester United 1-0 Stoke City

Manchester United 1-0 Stoke City

Manchester United carved out a priceless victory after a tough examination away to Stoke City.

Carlos Tevez secured the Barclays Premier League points for Manchester United against 10-man Stoke at the Britannia Stadium with the winner seven minutes from time.

He scored only his second league goal of the campaign with a touch at the back post following an incisive move involving Gary Neville and substitute Dimitar Berbatov.

The strike came with Stoke down on numbers after Andy Wilkinson was dismissed in the 72nd minute for two yellow cards.

Manchester City 5-1 Hull City

Manchester City 5-1 Hull City

Manchester City produced a sensational performance to lift the pressure on manager Mark Hughes.

Inspirational record signing Robinho and striker Felipe Caicedo both struck twice as Hughes' men tore into stunned Hull City with four first-half goals at Eastlands.

Hull City salvaged some pride with a Craig Fagan consolation goal after embarrassed manager Phil Brown delivered his half-time talk on the pitch.

But the visitors remained distinctly second best and Stephen Ireland grabbed a fifth to lift his side out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers 3 - 0

Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Liverpool went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Chelsea's victory earlier in the day put the London side in pole position until Robbie Keane's double and a goal from Albert Riera ensured the Reds went back to the head of the pack.

The win meant Liverpool have completed all of 2008 unbeaten at home in the league. Missing Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury, manager Rafael Benitez re-jigged his back line, moving Jamie Carragher to right-back with Sami Hyypia slotting into the centre of defence.

Barclays Premier League Results - Fri 26th December 2008

Barclays Premier League Results - Fri 26th December 2008

• Stoke City 0-1 Man Utd
• Chelsea 2-0 WBA
• Portsmouth 1-4 West Ham Utd
• Tottenham 0-0 Fulham
• Liverpool 3-0 Bolton
• Manchester City 5-1 Hull City
• Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton
• Sunderland 0-0 Blackburn
• Wigan Athletic 2-1 Newcastle

Barclays Premier League Fixtures - Fri 26th December 2008

Barclays Premier League Fixtures - Fri 26th December 2008

• Stoke City v Man Utd 12:45
• Chelsea v WBA 13:00
• Portsmouth v West Ham Utd 13:00
• Tottenham v Fulham 13:00
• Liverpool v Bolton 15:00
• Manchester City v Hull City 15:00
• Middlesbrough v Everton 15:00
• Sunderland v Blackburn 15:00
• Wigan Athletic v Newcastle 15:00
• Aston Villa v Arsenal 17:15

Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool fought back to take a 1-1 draw from a high-octane match with Arsenal.

Robin van Persie had fired the Gunners ahead with a fine strike on 24 minutes, only for former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane to equalise.

Adebayor was shown a second yellow card by referee Howard Webb on the hour mark, and the Gunners had to settle for a draw which further dents their fading title aspirations.

Chelsea Draws with Everton

Chelsea missed a chance to take top spot in English soccer’s Premier League after being held to a 0-0 draw by Everton today.

Chelsea played for 55 minutes with 10 men at Goodison Park after captain John Terry was shown a red card by referee Phil Dowd for a tackle on Leon Osman. The draw ended Chelsea’s record run of 12 straight away wins in the league.

“They were in a positive mood, the crowd was right behind them and it’s a tough place to come when you play with 11 men,” Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech told Setanta Sports. “We can be satisfied with the point.”

Chelsea, on 38 points, trails first-place Liverpool by one point. Aston Villa has 34, Manchester United, which has played two fewer matches, is on 32 points with Arsenal one point back. Everton, on 26 points, remains in seventh.

Terry’s 35th-minute lunge at Osman swung the momentum Everton’s way as Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari adjusted his lineup, moving John Mikel Obi from center midfield to the middle of defense.

At the beginning of the second half he brought on striker Didier Drogba for Nicolas Anelka and Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic for Joe Cole. That allowed Mikel Obi to rejoin a four- man midfield in the England winger’s position and Deco to switch to the left side of the field outside Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack.

Cristiano Ronaldo Wins the Golden Ball

When Cristiano Ronaldo said he was option 1, 2 and 3 for the Golden Ball award, he wasn't being cheeky; he was almost right. The Manchester United star won the European Footballer of the Year today in a vote so lopsided Barack Obama would've said daaaaaaamn.

Ronaldo _ the fourth Red Devil to win, and first since George Best in 1968 _ got 446 points, with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (281) and Liverpool forward Fernando Torres (179) combining for just 460.

"It's one of the greatest days of my life. Winning this trophy ... I dreamed about it as a kid. Those who know me, who live with me, know that this is finally a dream come true for me,'' Ronaldo said in France Football. "I am only 23 and it's magnificent. Unbelievable. It's even better considering all the big names in contention this year. Lionel Messi is second and Fernando Torres is third, but also Xavi (Hernandez, in fifth place)."

Of course, now we'll still have to hear all about Ronaldo-to-Real rumors starting up again soon, but for the moment the best player on the planet resides in rainy northern England. What do you think of CR7 addiing the Ballon d'Or award to his FIFPro World Player of the Year trophy, his Professional Footballers Association and his Football Writers awards?