A new manager, some new players and the same ambition: to be crowned champions of Europe. But despite the recent arrivals Chelsea seem farther from realising that dream than at any time since Roman Abramovich turned them into a European force. They've been to five of the last six Champions League semi-finals but given their persistent weakness and the strength of some of their rivals, even going that far this year seems beyond them. Andre Villas-Boas worked wonders at Porto; he will have to do likewise at Chelsea.Glenn Hoddle, while talking on Sky about Arsene Wenger, has just said: "this is the least squad he's ever had". And on the subject of Fernando Torres, he says: "he's still a great player ... his movement off the ball is better than anyone else's in the Premier League." So, Fernando Torres = the new Oyvind Leonhardsen?
7.19pm: For those of you watching on Sky, Chris McCann wonders: "what in Jesus has happened to Jeff Stelling's eyebrows ... he Looks like a villain from Aladdin panto."Sturridge has been very bright wide on the right so far and Mata likewise on the left. They are two big reasons for the improvement in service to Torres. You get the feeling Torres is either going to score several tonight ... or get sent off in ignominy.
The culmination of Donald Trump's year-long pageant-palooza unfolded Monday (Sept. 12) evening in Sao Paolo, Brazil when Miss Angola Leila Lopes was named Miss Universe 2011. She beat out Miss Ukraine Olesia Stefanko for the title. It's our 60th anniversary, it's a very big show," she said. "We're anticipating close to a billion viewers from around the world."
Shugart said it was fitting the globe's biggest beauty pageant be held in Brazil at this time, as the nation prepares to host some major events in the coming years.
"I don't think there is any doubt in the rest of the world's mind that Brazil is the place, between hosting the Olympics and hosting the World Cup," she said. "I love the fact we're going to kick it off. I always say we're the 'World Cup' of beauty."
Rounding out her royal court are second runner-up Miss Brazil Priscilla Machado, third runner-up Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup and fourth runner-up Miss China ZiLin Luo.
Lopes, a native of Benguela, Angola, is a business management student in Great Britain where she was also crowned Miss Angola U.K.
Judges of this year's pageant included Brazilian IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, erstwhile news anchor Connie Chung, Brazilian model Isabela Fontana, actress Vivica Fox, "Real Housewife of Beverly Hills" Adrienne Maloof, Filipina singer Lea Salonga and 2003 Miss Universe (Dominican Republic) Amelia Vega.
The event was co-hosted by NBC's Natalie Morales and Bravo's Andy Cohen.
Pressure is usually associated with defense in the NFL, but the New England Patriots showed what a pressure offense is all about in their 38-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Monday night's season opener.
Quick to the line and never relenting, they had the Dolphins on their heels on a historic night for quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for a franchise-record 517 yards, the fifth-best mark in NFL history.
After the Monday night assault, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player deflected mention of his record output, focusing more on the team aspect of the win, as he often does. Yet he was more willing to touch on the rapid-fire approach that sparked the lethal effort.
The Patriots didn't substitute much on offense. They simply didn't want to waste time. Instead, the goal was to move on to the next play. Fast.
