Frank Lampard handed Chelsea the 2-0 win over Everton with a double.

Frank Lampard took responsibility for Chelsea’s fourth win in a row by scoring twice to win 2-1 at Everton today.  The 34-year -old England midfielder has been with the club since 2001 and has yet to be offered an extension to his contract ending in June.

Today’s win helps to keep the Blues in contention for the Premier League title race and also might give some hope the club will hold onto the seasoned Lampard.

On Saturday, Manchester United took their seventh win in eight matches thanks to star striker Robin van Persie.  His 90-minute shot, his League-leading 14th goal of the season, made the score 2-0 over West Brom.  United now have a seven-point lead in the standings going into 2013.

Arsenal dominated Newcastle 7-3 with help from a Theo Walcott hat trick.  The England national has refused to re-sign with the Gunners and there is speculation he will be sold in January.  In an attempt to change his mind, for the last few games, Arsene Wenger has allowed the winger to start as center striker, his requested position for many years.  He has been very effective, but is it too little too late will remain to be seen.

Manchester City squeaked out a 4-3 win over Norwich Saturday no thanks to Samir Nasri’s first half send off.  The thrilling match was a fight to the finish, but Edin Dzeko replaced the ill Carlos Tevez up front to score two plus the usual quality from Sergio Aguero helped City hold on to the lead.

Even after Sunderland beat Manchester City 1-0 last Wednesday, Tottenham managed a come-from-behind win over Sunderland in the 52nd minute thanks to a fine strike by England winger Aaron Lennon.

Other matches played over the weekend:

Stoke City 3 – 3 Southampton

Fulham 1 – 2 Swansea

Reading 1 – 0 West Ham United

Aston Villa 0 – 3 Wigan

QPR 0 – 3 Liverpool

We have a busy week of football coming up with matches on almost everyday of the week which means we have a lot of news to cover! Today we have some El Clasico scheduling issues, Shaun Derry’s red card appeal and Samir Nasri’s cocky bet with Piers Morgan. All in a days work and all in today’s DKA!

UEFA Champions League

Originally scheduled for April 22nd, El Clasico was moved to April 21st by RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation.) The reason? So Barcelona has a day to recover for their semi-final clash against Chelsea FC on April 24th for the second leg. Unfortunate for Chelsea, the FA refuses to give the Blues the same treatment, after asking to switch the date of the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham the day before their first-leg match against Barca on April 18th. And here I thought that I might get to watch El Clasico, looks like I’ll be sneaking my laptop to work!

La Liga

Wednesday is the Madrid Derby (or El Derbi de Madrileño) between Atletico Madrid & Real Madrid. This match has a lot riding on the outcome. Atletico midfielder Juanfran claims that the match could be decisive for their city rival’s title hopes, should they fail to gain two points. With Real only 4 points ahead Barca (22 days ago they had a lovely 10-point lead,) every match is critical.

Everyone loves Spain, especially Carlos Vela. The Arsenal striker is currently on a loan to Real Sociedad which expires at the end of the season, but he’d rather stay then depart back to Emirates. Turns out, Vela loves the Spanish league more than the English:

“From my point of view, from a footballing and lifestyle standpoint it is better to stay in this league. I have a contract with an English team and if I have to return there I will adapt, but if I could stay here I would be happier.”

Here at Aerys Soccer, we’ve adapted a new platform for our La Liga coverage. It’s called  ’Late Night Liga’ where I share recaps, rumors, previews of the upcoming La Liga matches in case you couldn’t follow the matches. To read the first edition of LNL, click here!

English Premier League

Too bad for QPR’s Shaun Derry, whose appeal against his red card on Sunday was rejected by the FA. Derry was sent off at Old Trafford when he apparently fouled Ashley Young. In reality, Young tumbled dramatically when Derry barely made contact with the winger. Derry will miss this Wednesday’s match at home against Swansea.

Anybody remember Samir Nasri? Remember when he ditched Arsenal to go to Manchester City then publicly bashed Arsenal supporters? Well, looks like $amir Na$ri is up to something again. The frenchman made a £10,000 bet with a loyal & famous Gunners supporter via Twitter who just happens to be Piers Morgan. Of course, whoever loses has to donate the money to charity but it was this statement that started the whole thing:

“I’m aware what I said about titles,” Nasri said on Twitter. “I’m sure I will lift a trophy with Man City before AFC. And to all the Arsenal fans, move on. City are 10 points ahead of you. Just support your team and forget about me.”

Well, sorry Nasri, but it’s hard to forget someone when they move a club for loads of $ then trash talk the supporters, the people who adored you. Maybe you should be the one to ‘move on.’ Let’s hope for AFC fans that Piers wins this bet.

We have an interesting DKA for all you footy fans out there! Everything from RvP’s son NOT joining Arsenal, Fernando Torres possibly leaving Chelsea, the Top 10 Most Expensive National Teams and a new innovative way to use your teammate when throwing in a ball!

Copa del Rey

With the Copa del Rey quarterfinal between Real Madrid & Barcelona, Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo says he “doesn’t feel any pressure” coming into the highly anticipated match of the tournament. Lately the Portuguese international has only faired one goal in Madrid’s last 4 matches, leaving the gap open for criticism. “The pressure doesn’t get to me. I try to stay positive and always see new challenges.”

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho defended Cristiano by saying that “if someone criticizes Cristiano, he has a problem with me.” Seriously people, you can’t expect Cristiano to score every match, can you?

Now for some interesting news concerning the CDR, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola’s birthday is Wednesday, meaning he’ll be spending his birthday at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid while Barcelona midfielder, Xavi, will celebrate his birthday at the Camp Nou next Wednesday for the second leg of the quarterfinals.

English Premier League

Birmingham have rejected an undisclosed bid for West Brom’s Liam Ridgewell, who said in the past that he was looking for an exit from St. Andrews.

Both Chelsea & Manchester United are looking to pick up Swansea keeper Michel Vorm. The Dutch keeper has been outstanding throughout the season, especially during Swansea’s 2-1 win over Arsenal this weekend.

Sorry Gunners but looks like Robin Van Persie isn’t moving his 5-year-old Shaqueel to Arsenal Juniors anytime soon. The Dutchman says that his son “has a lot of talent for football.” His son is happy where he is at the moment but he has caught the eyes of Arsenal, “His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He’s sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me.” AWWWW!!!

The cat is out of the bag as we find out that Chelsea is secretly offering their player Fernando Torres to other clubs! Carlo Ancelotti, Paris St-Germain manager, sais that he’s been offered a few high-class players such as Fernando Torres and Man Utd’s Dimitar Berbatov. But it doesn’t stop there folks! Ancelotti reveals, officially or not, other players that were offered to him. Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez, Hotspurs’ Roman Pavlyuchenko, Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente.

Serie A

AC Milan’s Van Bommel backs-up teammate Pato, who is hoping to become a key player, after rumors of him leaving San Siro this month. “We should stop talking about that now. Pato is staying here with us. If he can stay calm and relaxed then you will all see that he will produce some great things.”

Portuguese Liga

What an interesting way to throw in the ball, yeah? Benfica’s Maxi Pereira bounced his throw in off the back of teammate Axel Witsel, while he was tying up his boot. Benfica later won against Vitoria Setubal, 4-1.

International

Ever curious what nations are considered the Most Expensive National Football Teams in the World? Lucky for you, the list just came out! Round the #1 spot is the 2010 World Cup Champions, Spain. To see who else made the cut, check the list out here!

It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I hope most of you had the chance to sleep in this Monday morning! Lots to talk about today, from defensive changes at Bolton to the “old boys” returning to the EPL and the role MLS plays in their successful return, here’s your Daily Kick Around.

English Premier League

After four years with the Bolton Wanders, England national defender Gary Cahill has completed his transfer to Chelsea. The 26-year-old cost about $11 million, and is clearly very excited about the move. “It is a club that looks to win trophies season in, season out, and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can’t turn down.”

The Wanderers are hoping to fill Cahill’s spot with American defender Tim Ream. The 24-year-old played for the New York Red Bulls in MLS last season, along with some USMNT playing time. According to manager Owen Coyle, Ream is “a player that we would love to bring to the football club, and hopefully in the next few days that can come to fruition.” The biggest challenge will be getting his international work permit, but I’m sure someone will pull some strings to make it happen!

Apparently Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies like it was his first game back. Henry was involved in an angry interaction with a Gunners fan after their shocking loss to Swansea on Sunday. A club spokesman said Henry made a comment to the fan about always supporting the team, but it sounds like he may have been a littler more enraged than the club would like us to believe.

Speaking of players returning to the EPL, ESPN UK’s “Pardon The Interruption” had some interesting insights into why these “old boys” like Robbie Keane and Henry were finding success in their return to the EPL. They even touch on Landon Donovan’s return to Everton. You might want to have a seat when you watch this…they actually give MLS credit for these players’ good form.

Donovan has been performing well since going on loan to Everton, but the Toffees are still desperately lacking attacking power. This week, former LA Galaxy player and USMNT forward Edson Buddle is on trial with Everton. Buddle had been doing well at German club Ingolstadt, but a coaching change resulted in an early exit from the second division side. Would Buddle be a good fit for the Toffees? I think he could be successful there, but he’s got to prove himself first!

US Women’s National Team

The roster for the USWNT 2012 Olympic Qualifying squad is out! Pia Sundhage doesn’t have any big surprises from the team we saw in the World Cup. All the favorites are back, including Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. Check out the full roster here!

Scottish Premier League

A man was arrested in Scotland after racially abusing two Rangers FC players on Twitter, including USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu. Good to see police cracking down on this unacceptable behavior. Racism has no place anywhere, and especially not in soccer. Twitter is a great tool for interacting with players, but it’s incredibly sad and disgusting to see it used this way.

Happy Sunday! Hope the weekend has been a great one for all of you footy fanatics. Today we have results from the EPL and La Liga, soccer legend Maradona has been hospitalized, and Mario Balotelli is up to his usual antics…wait until you read this one! Here’s today’s Daily Kick Around.

English Premier League

There were only two EPL matches played today. In case you missed any of the action, our own Toni Stone has a recap of Arsenal’s loss to Swansea, plus who won the battle between QPR and Newcastle United.

As we all know, Landon Donovan is currently in the midst of a second loan to Everton, and manager David Moyes couldn’t be happier that the American has returned – even if it’s just for a short stint. Donovan has made an immediate impact for the Toffees, with two assists already under his belt. He’s been playing all 90 minutes in the games since returning, so Moyes said, “Now we are going to try and give him a couple of days off so I don’t burn him out before he goes back to LA.”  This Galaxy fan thanks him for that!

Ligue 1

Could Carlos Tevez end up with PSG? Boss Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t done much to dispel the rumors that Tevez might join the French side. It would be an interesting move, to say the least.

La Liga

Real Madrid nearly fell to Mallorca yesterday, but came from behind to win 2-1. The win put them eight points ahead of Barcelona in the league standings. Check out a match recap here!

World Soccer

Soccer legend Diego Maradona has been hospitalized in Dubai to treat kidney stones. Maradona was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains, and it was discovered he had kidney stones and would need surgery. The surgery is set to take place later today.

Mario Balotelli is at it again. The Manchester City striker just can’t seem to stop doing bizarre things. This time, Balotelli stopped by a college in Manchester — unannounced — asking to use the bathroom. After relieving himself, Balotelli walked around campus with some of his friends, causing quite the stir. Odd behavior, but when it comes to Mario, nothing surprises me anymore!