Here are the results from European qualifying on Saturday, 17th November.
The teams which have confirmed their place in next summer’s European Championships are
Group B – Italy and France.
Group D– Germany and Czech Republic.
Group E– Croatia through. Battle between England and Russia for the other spot.
Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard has said that he would not be against a rule that imposes quotas in the Premiership.
This comes a short while after both Steve Coppell and Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly said that they were in favour of a rule that would limit the number of foreigners taking the pitch.
Even the English Prime Minister has something to say on the issue.
So the big question is- Do we need a quota system ?
It is remarkable how one moment can make or break a football game. For bottom of the table Derby County, that moment came five minutes into the second half, with West Ham leading 1-0. Gary Teale’s cross into the box from the right was retrieved by Eddie Lewis, who crossed was intercepted by Kenny Miller’s head. Given Miller’s position, the ball should have gone into the back of the net. It however, did not, and at the other end West Ham scored another four in the next 20 minutes to win the game 5-0. Biggest home defeat of the season for Derby, although the margin was one in comparison to their 0-6 loss to Liverpool. For Alan Curbishley, it was as close to perfect as he could imagine. The win was West Ham’s biggest since 2000, which ironically came against Curbishley managed Charlton Athletic.