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16.12.2007 Football News

Essien to miss BIG game in England

By ghanasoccernet
Essien to miss BIG game in England
16.12.2007 LISTEN

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will miss Sunday?s Grand Slam clash between his club Chelsea and city rivals Arsenal in the English Premier League.

The game later on Sunday evening (1600GMT) is the second instalment of Grand Slam Sunday, in what promises to be a capital clash of epic proportions.

That is because the other two top English teams Liverpool and Manchester United play in Sunday?s 1330GMT kickoff.

The Ghana international is serving a three-match ban after an incident during a league game last month.

Essien, a late substitute, received a straight red card after appearing to catch Derby forward Kenny Miller in the face with his arm.

The Ghanaian will be missed in this game as he scored a stunning swerving equaliser from 25 yards in the game agianst Arsenal last season.

The midfielder, like many Ghanaians, will be looking forward to Sunday?s matches with great expectation.

By the time things get underway at Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger's side may find themselves usurped at the Premier League summit by Manchester United, depending on the result from their tough trip to Liverpool.

Liverpool sit six points behind United, who trail league leaders Arsenal by one point, but they have a game in hand on their rivals and can be labelled as genuine contenders to snatch the Red Devils' Premier League crown.

United, though, have not lost to Liverpool in the league since 2004 and Sir Alex Ferguson's side will be keen to stretch their unbeaten record while also inflicting a major body blow to their Merseyside foes' title aspirations.

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