Kolarov hails ´important´ win

Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov has talked up the importance of beating Wolves following Saturday’s 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals from the Serb, Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson ensured the hosts would claim all three points and maintain their five-point gap at the top of the table and Kolarov insists Roberto Mancini’s side deserved the result.

“We played well, we deserved to win,” he told talkSPORT. “They came here just to defend and in this kind of game you need to be patient and keep the ball.”

The left-back said the victory would hold them in good stead in the race for the Premier League title.

“These types of games are important if you want to win the title. It is difficult but we need to improve every game and to work hard. We know that every game is very hard,” he said.

“We are in a good moment now but we need to work hard every day and to keep our feet on the ground.”

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Kolarov hails ´important´ win

Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov has talked up the importance of beating Wolves following Saturday’s 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals from the Serb, Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson ensured the hosts would claim all three points and maintain their five-point gap at the top of the table and Kolarov insists Roberto Mancini’s side deserved the result.

“We played well, we deserved to win,” he told talkSPORT. “They came here just to defend and in this kind of game you need to be patient and keep the ball.”

The left-back said the victory would hold them in good stead in the race for the Premier League title.

“These types of games are important if you want to win the title. It is difficult but we need to improve every game and to work hard. We know that every game is very hard,” he said.

“We are in a good moment now but we need to work hard every day and to keep our feet on the ground.”

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Aquilani hails Del Piero masterclass

Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani has praised Alessandro Del Piero for his match-winning performance against Brescia on Sunday.

Brescia travelled to Turin hoping to take full advantage of a clash with reeling Juve, who had secured just one point from their past four Serie A outings.

Things looked dire for Juve when Brazilian striker Eder equalised for the visitors in the shadows of half-time, cancelling out Milos Krasic’s opener, but a little bit of magic from Del Piero ensured the Turin giants would take a much-needed three points.

The veteran striker took possession at the centre circle and charged towards goal, manoeuvring around three defenders and chipping his shot into the top-left corner in the 68th minute.

Speaking after the match, on-loan Liverpool man Aquilani paid tribute to Del Piero’s stature at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Del Piero is a champion. Any great team has a champion and he is ours,” Aquilani said.

“Today he gave us three points. He scored an unbelievable goal, even if I think the whole team should be credited for that, not only him. We believed in this victory and we got it with some sacrifice.”

“It is definitely an important win, in a delicate moment for us. We had to win today.”

“There aren’t easy matches in Serie A. They say Juventus at home against Brescia is a sure victory for Juventus, but it’s never like that.”

“We had some difficulties today too, but our attitude changed and that’s the attitude we should keep after the (international) break.”

Juve boss Luigi Delneri, whose tenure has come under increasing speculation following his side’s winless run, admitted the hosts struggled against relegation-threatened Brescia.

“We lacked a bit of confidence, results were not coming and to tell the truth playing against Brescia wasn’t easy,” Delneri said.

“They did well both against Napoli and Inter and gained important points. They missed a penalty against Inter two minutes from time; otherwise they would have won.”

“We didn’t concede much, they had some good chances but the most important opportunities were ours and Krasic and Del Piero scored two great goals.”

“The team didn’t give up much for the rest of the game and played very well both in defence and attack.”

Mon 21 March, 2011

Aquilani hails Del Piero masterclass

Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani has praised Alessandro Del Piero for his match-winning performance against Brescia on Sunday.

Brescia travelled to Turin hoping to take full advantage of a clash with reeling Juve, who had secured just one point from their past four Serie A outings.

Things looked dire for Juve when Brazilian striker Eder equalised for the visitors in the shadows of half-time, cancelling out Milos Krasic’s opener, but a little bit of magic from Del Piero ensured the Turin giants would take a much-needed three points.

The veteran striker took possession at the centre circle and charged towards goal, manoeuvring around three defenders and chipping his shot into the top-left corner in the 68th minute.

Speaking after the match, on-loan Liverpool man Aquilani paid tribute to Del Piero’s stature at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Del Piero is a champion. Any great team has a champion and he is ours,” Aquilani said.

“Today he gave us three points. He scored an unbelievable goal, even if I think the whole team should be credited for that, not only him. We believed in this victory and we got it with some sacrifice.”

“It is definitely an important win, in a delicate moment for us. We had to win today.”

“There aren’t easy matches in Serie A. They say Juventus at home against Brescia is a sure victory for Juventus, but it’s never like that.”

“We had some difficulties today too, but our attitude changed and that’s the attitude we should keep after the (international) break.”

Juve boss Luigi Delneri, whose tenure has come under increasing speculation following his side’s winless run, admitted the hosts struggled against relegation-threatened Brescia.

“We lacked a bit of confidence, results were not coming and to tell the truth playing against Brescia wasn’t easy,” Delneri said.

“They did well both against Napoli and Inter and gained important points. They missed a penalty against Inter two minutes from time; otherwise they would have won.”

“We didn’t concede much, they had some good chances but the most important opportunities were ours and Krasic and Del Piero scored two great goals.”

“The team didn’t give up much for the rest of the game and played very well both in defence and attack.”

Mon 21 March, 2011

Guardiola hails Barca´s mental toughness

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola expressed his relief after a trying week ended in a 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.

Barca kept their five-point lead at the top of La Liga intact with the victory, which came thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Bojan, who marked his 100th league appearance with his 50th-minute strike.

The win came at the end of a difficult few days for the club, amid doping allegations and news that defender Eric Abidal had a tumour on his liver.

“The week has been very long, a lot has happened and you never know how you are going to play,” Guardiola said of the distractions.

“But I think we have done well. The reaction has been good, we created many chances, but that has not been reflected at the end of the game.”

“You never know how the players react, but they were fantastic and I’m really happy with the performance.”

Guardiola confirmed that Abidal was recovering well from the successful surgery to remove the tumour.

“He is recovering well. He’s in a good mood and his family are too. Hopefully in the next fortnight he’ll be ready to visit and join us at the Ciudad Deportivo (Sports City),” he said.

The manager had no issue with Xavi picking up a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, which will rule him out of the trip Villarreal on April 3.

“It’s part of the game. He has accumulated five cards and the players know how many cards they are on. He will rest against Villarreal and have a clean slate after that,” Guardiola said.

Sun 20 March, 2011

Guardiola hails Barca´s mental toughness

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola expressed his relief after a trying week ended in a 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.

Barca kept their five-point lead at the top of La Liga intact with the victory, which came thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Bojan, who marked his 100th league appearance with his 50th-minute strike.

The win came at the end of a difficult few days for the club, amid doping allegations and news that defender Eric Abidal had a tumour on his liver.

“The week has been very long, a lot has happened and you never know how you are going to play,” Guardiola said of the distractions.

“But I think we have done well. The reaction has been good, we created many chances, but that has not been reflected at the end of the game.”

“You never know how the players react, but they were fantastic and I’m really happy with the performance.”

Guardiola confirmed that Abidal was recovering well from the successful surgery to remove the tumour.

“He is recovering well. He’s in a good mood and his family are too. Hopefully in the next fortnight he’ll be ready to visit and join us at the Ciudad Deportivo (Sports City),” he said.

The manager had no issue with Xavi picking up a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, which will rule him out of the trip Villarreal on April 3.

“It’s part of the game. He has accumulated five cards and the players know how many cards they are on. He will rest against Villarreal and have a clean slate after that,” Guardiola said.

Sun 20 March, 2011

Ferguson hails Hernandez heroics

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Mexican ace Javier Hernandez as ‘unbelievable’ following Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday.

Hernandez produced a goal in either half at Old Trafford, ensuring United dumped the French champions out of the Champions League 2-1 on aggregate and advanced to the quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old, who received a dream ticket to the Premier League from Mexican outfit Guadalajara last year, linked up with Wayne Rooney in the first instance, and Ferguson praised the growing awareness between the strike pair.

“It has developed very well,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“Where Wayne has been playing in the last couple of games, he is a real threat to teams because he has got such power and speed with the ball.”

“And, of course, Hernandez is unbelievable, his movement. Did you see his movement for the (opening) goal?”

“He has made three different types of run – in, out, in, out – and the boy has just got goals in him.”

Marseille’s only score of the match came from an own goal by United defender Wes Brown, but the visitors never looked out of the tie.

Ferguson admitted his men had been ‘nervy’ against the French side, blaming their at-times flustered display on hamstring injuries to John O’Shea and Rafael.

“It was nervy because we kept having players taken off with injuries and it shook the balance of the team in a big way,” Ferguson said.

“I thought we were quite comfortable, and then O’Shea is off, and then Da Silva (Rafael) is off.”

“We had made a substitution, which was a killer because we could have brought (Darron) Gibson on to give us a bit more height.”

“The problem tonight was always going to be height. Marseille’s set-piece play, of course, was very good and it caused us a lot of problems.”

Marseille boss Didier Deschamps was critical of his side’s poor finishing at Old Trafford, with Andre-Pierre Gignac and Souleymane Diawara missing the best of a clutch of chances.

Asked if he felt Marseille would have qualified for the last eight had they made more of their opportunities, Deschamps told Sky Sports: “I am sure.”

“I have got young players and it was difficult at Old Trafford but after that my players did well and we had opportunities, good occasions, but we didn’t score and then to be 2-0 down it was more complicated for us.”

“I think the players, and me as well, felt it was possible because Manchester United were not really fit physically.”

Tue 15 March, 2011

Montella hails terrific Totti

Roma coach Vincenzo Montella heaped praise on captain Francesco Totti after the he guided Roma to a 2-0 win over Lazio in Sunday’s Rome derby.

Totti notched a terrific second-half brace to hand Montella victory in his first derby as coach, after the Italian took over Claudio Ranieri last month.

Totti has scored three times in four games under Montella, but the coach was quick to defer any credit to the veteran striker.

“It’s not thanks to me, Totti is his own person,” Montella said.

“When he plays, there are people who don’t want him to play, whereas when he doesn’t play, they would want him to play.”

“This is his destiny but he is used to it. He’s doing very well from a physical point of view and has proved it against Bologna and Parma and he has proved it very well today.”

“Therefore it is not thanks to me, since he has been doing very well from the physical point of view since I’ve joined this team.”

He added: “We have produced a better performance in the first half of the match compared to the second half, as far as the game is concerned.”

Lazio coach Edy Reja paid tribute to Roma and defended himself against criticism for substituting off star players Mauro Zarate and Hernanes with his side trailing 1-0 in the second half.

“Roma produced a good performance in defence with players such as (Nicolas) Burdisso, (Philippe) Mexes and Juan, who haven’t left us room on many occasions,” Reja said.

“They have played very well in defence and maybe we haven’t had the right attitude for a derby. The match hasn’t been good.”

“I tried to achieve a bit more physical presence, since Roma were defending very well and we hadn’t been able to pass through their defensive line.”

“Therefore I’ve tried something different with (Libor) Kozak and (Stefano) Mauri trying to create more since there were no other options.”

“These are our skills. This team doesn’t work on physical strength, but on agility and on the chances created from the midfield onwards. Today for example there has been a lack of this.”

Sun 13 March, 2011

Montella hails terrific Totti

Roma coach Vincenzo Montella heaped praise on captain Francesco Totti after the he guided Roma to a 2-0 win over Lazio in Sunday’s Rome derby.

Totti notched a terrific second-half brace to hand Montella victory in his first derby as coach, after the Italian took over Claudio Ranieri last month.

Totti has scored three times in four games under Montella, but the coach was quick to defer any credit to the veteran striker.

“It’s not thanks to me, Totti is his own person,” Montella said.

“When he plays, there are people who don’t want him to play, whereas when he doesn’t play, they would want him to play.”

“This is his destiny but he is used to it. He’s doing very well from a physical point of view and has proved it against Bologna and Parma and he has proved it very well today.”

“Therefore it is not thanks to me, since he has been doing very well from the physical point of view since I’ve joined this team.”

He added: “We have produced a better performance in the first half of the match compared to the second half, as far as the game is concerned.”

Lazio coach Edy Reja paid tribute to Roma and defended himself against criticism for substituting off star players Mauro Zarate and Hernanes with his side trailing 1-0 in the second half.

“Roma produced a good performance in defence with players such as (Nicolas) Burdisso, (Philippe) Mexes and Juan, who haven’t left us room on many occasions,” Reja said.

“They have played very well in defence and maybe we haven’t had the right attitude for a derby. The match hasn’t been good.”

“I tried to achieve a bit more physical presence, since Roma were defending very well and we hadn’t been able to pass through their defensive line.”

“Therefore I’ve tried something different with (Libor) Kozak and (Stefano) Mauri trying to create more since there were no other options.”

“These are our skills. This team doesn’t work on physical strength, but on agility and on the chances created from the midfield onwards. Today for example there has been a lack of this.”

Sun 13 March, 2011

Coyle hails Bolton spirit

Bolton boss Owen Coyle paid tribute to his side’s fighting qualities after they scored a thrilling 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Birmingham.

Substitute Lee Chung-Yong headed home a late winner at St Andrew’s on Saturday, after Birmingham had twice fought back from a goal down.

Johan Elmander slotted home a cool left-foot shot past Ben Foster after 20 minutes, but Birmingham hit back through Cameron Jerome.

Kevin Davies then put the visitors ahead until Kevin Phillips produced a superb long-range strike to level proceedings once more. But Lee’s late heroics secured Bolton’s first berth in the semi-finals of the FA Cup since 2000.

Coyle said he was delighted with the never-say-die attitude of his men.

“Both teams went all out to book their place in the semi-final and we showed great character and determination to claim the victory,” he said.

“We have to give great credit to Birmingham because they kept coming back. ”

“Having got 2-1 in front, we should have scored a third with the chances that we created, but then you get Kevin Phillips doing what he does best by magnificently converting what seemed like a half-chance.”

“However, we picked ourselves up to get the winning goal. It was a great knock-down by the skipper (Kevin Davies) and a super finish by Chung-Yong.”

“It would have been very harsh not to have won it at the first attempt. We showed a lot of quality and endeavour, and at times we had to stand up and be counted, but each and every one of our players did that.”

“It was an example of the great spirit and resolve that underlines how we play and our approach to every single game.”

“All in all it’s a great day’s work and we are delighted to be in the semi-finals.”

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was disappointed by the loss, but said it would mean his men – who won the Carling Cup with a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Wembley in February – could now devote their full attention to staying in the English Premier League.

With nine games still to play, Birmingham are fourth from the bottom, with only goal difference separating them from the relegation zone – something McLeish is keen to amend.

“We’re now concentrating on getting further up the league,” McLeish said.

“I don’t feel as bad as I did last week after the West Brom game (a 3-1 league loss at home) but at the same time it hurts me to lose any football match.”

“You could see from that performance that the players were trying to make history a second time and get to Wembley again.”

“It wasn’t to be, it was a tough Bolton side. They had just about their best team so that was a magnificent effort by our lads.”

Sat 12 March, 2011

Redknapp hails ´great night´

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp sang the praises of his players after they qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

In their first ever season competing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Spurs reached the last eight after a 0-0 draw against Milan at White Hart Lane was enough to give them a 1-0 aggregate victory over the Italians.

Milan had the better of Spurs on the night but couldn’t find the vital goal to send the match into extra time, Tottenham’s defence holding on much to the delight of their manager.

“It’s a great night for the players and fans,” Redknapp said.

“It’s a great achievement for this club to be in the last eight of the Champions League. It’s amazing what the players have done.”

Redknapp admitted the away goal from the first leg at the San Siro put Tottenham in a tricky situation as they abandoned their normally aggressive brand of football in order to protect their lead.

“We worked our socks off and stayed with them. It’s a difficult situation because when you come home and you’ve got that one-goal lead you try to protect it, but at the same time, it’s not like you go for broke,” Redknapp said.

“You’re always aware that you want to hang on to that lead and it was very difficult.”

The Spurs boss also admitted he would like to avoid Barcelona in the quarter-finals and praised Milan for their impressive performance.

Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri also thought his side played well, but admitted mistakes in the first leg had cost his side, as had the absence of poacher Filippo Inzaghi, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

“My players all did well but unfortunately we are out,” Allegri said.

“We made mistakes in the first leg on their counterattack with just a few minutes to go. Today my players did all the things they had to do. We played a good game with a high tempo and good passing, but unfortunately the goal never came.”

“We missed a forward like Filippo Inzaghi. There were many balls passed into the box and he would have taken advantage of them.”

Thu 10 March, 2011

Redknapp hails ´great night´

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp sang the praises of his players after they qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

In their first ever season competing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Spurs reached the last eight after a 0-0 draw against Milan at White Hart Lane was enough to give them a 1-0 aggregate victory over the Italians.

Milan had the better of Spurs on the night but couldn’t find the vital goal to send the match into extra time, Tottenham’s defence holding on much to the delight of their manager.

“It’s a great night for the players and fans,” Redknapp said.

“It’s a great achievement for this club to be in the last eight of the Champions League. It’s amazing what the players have done.”

Redknapp admitted the away goal from the first leg at the San Siro put Tottenham in a tricky situation as they abandoned their normally aggressive brand of football in order to protect their lead.

“We worked our socks off and stayed with them. It’s a difficult situation because when you come home and you’ve got that one-goal lead you try to protect it, but at the same time, it’s not like you go for broke,” Redknapp said.

“You’re always aware that you want to hang on to that lead and it was very difficult.”

The Spurs boss also admitted he would like to avoid Barcelona in the quarter-finals and praised Milan for their impressive performance.

Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri also thought his side played well, but admitted mistakes in the first leg had cost his side, as had the absence of poacher Filippo Inzaghi, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

“My players all did well but unfortunately we are out,” Allegri said.

“We made mistakes in the first leg on their counterattack with just a few minutes to go. Today my players did all the things they had to do. We played a good game with a high tempo and good passing, but unfortunately the goal never came.”

“We missed a forward like Filippo Inzaghi. There were many balls passed into the box and he would have taken advantage of them.”

Thu 10 March, 2011

Guardiola hails record-breaking Barca

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was a proud man after his side’s equaled the La Liga record of 15 straight victories.

Barca’s 3-0 victory away to Hercules not only avenged their defeat to the Spanish strugglers in September last year, but equalled the league record set by Real Madrid in the 1960-61 season.

Guardiola did not shy away from talking down the achievement that his all-conquering side brought up on Saturday, as they consolidated their seven-point advantage on top of the table, although Jose Mourinho’s Real side scan reduce the gap when they face Osasuna on Sunday.

“It is a tremendous honour to win 15 consecutive league games and equal the record of (Alfredo) di Stefano’s Real Madrid side,” Guardiola said of the team which won the first five European Cups between 1956 and 1960.

“I am sure that some team will beat the record but nobody has managed to do it in 50 years. We are proud. If 50 years have passed, it shows how difficult it is.”

Barcelona will hold the record outright if they can beat Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou next week.

Guardiola also heaped praise on midfielder Lionel Messi, who scored two goals to seal the match against Hercules.

“He (Messi) has scored 164 goals at the age of 23 and is fourth in Barcelona’s all-time scorer’s list, but if he continues like this he is going to break all the records,” he said.

Sun 30 January, 2011

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Guardiola hails record-breaking Barca

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was a proud man after his side’s equaled the La Liga record of 15 straight victories.

Barca’s 3-0 victory away to Hercules not only avenged their defeat to the Spanish strugglers in September last year, but equalled the league record set by Real Madrid in the 1960-61 season.

Guardiola did not shy away from talking down the achievement that his all-conquering side brought up on Saturday, as they consolidated their seven-point advantage on top of the table, although Jose Mourinho’s Real side scan reduce the gap when they face Osasuna on Sunday.

“It is a tremendous honour to win 15 consecutive league games and equal the record of (Alfredo) di Stefano’s Real Madrid side,” Guardiola said of the team which won the first five European Cups between 1956 and 1960.

“I am sure that some team will beat the record but nobody has managed to do it in 50 years. We are proud. If 50 years have passed, it shows how difficult it is.”

Barcelona will hold the record outright if they can beat Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou next week.

Guardiola also heaped praise on midfielder Lionel Messi, who scored two goals to seal the match against Hercules.

“He (Messi) has scored 164 goals at the age of 23 and is fourth in Barcelona’s all-time scorer’s list, but if he continues like this he is going to break all the records,” he said.

Sun 30 January, 2011

Wenger hails ´perfect night´

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on his team to remain consistent after beating Ipswich to reach the final of the Carling Cup.

The north London club, trailing in their Carling Cup semi-final following a 1-0 first-leg defeat at Portman Road, produced three second-half goals to overpower the Championship outfit and book their place in the final at Wembley on February 27.

Manchester United are in control in the English Premier League title race and Barcelona await in the Champions League, but Wenger insists the outcome of Arsenal’s campaign remains in their own hands.

“For us it is the perfect night,” Wenger said.

“I am convinced our season depends on our results and our consistency. Overall we do not need to worry about Manchester United, or anybody else.”

“We are team that has taken on a wider goal and is consistent now. It is important for us to go from strength to strength, if we are capable of doing that we have a chance. Manchester United will be a very tough opponent, but we have a good chance if we can keep going from strength to strength, as I believe we can.”

“I feel we have the opportunity in the final to win one (a trophy). What I am convinced is that we will go with the same heart into everything, after we’ll see. I believe we have a chance, yes, to deliver, because now we’re in the final it will be down to delivering the needed performance on the day – that is part of mental strength as well.”

Newly-appointed Ipswich boss Paul Jewell hopes that his players can produce a similar effort to that shown in the Carling Cup as they battle for Championship survival.

“The team have had a great cup run, and I’m sure the supporters have enjoyed it, but the most important thing has always been the league,” Jewell said.

“It would have been lovely to get to the final, but we haven’t and we have got 21 cup finals ahead in the league.”

“But we gave them a good game over the two legs and credit to the Ipswich players and congratulations to Arsenal.”

Wed 26 January, 2011

Wenger hails ´perfect night´

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on his team to remain consistent after beating Ipswich to reach the final of the Carling Cup.

The north London club, trailing in their Carling Cup semi-final following a 1-0 first-leg defeat at Portman Road, produced three second-half goals to overpower the Championship outfit and book their place in the final at Wembley on February 27.

Manchester United are in control in the English Premier League title race and Barcelona await in the Champions League, but Wenger insists the outcome of Arsenal’s campaign remains in their own hands.

“For us it is the perfect night,” Wenger said.

“I am convinced our season depends on our results and our consistency. Overall we do not need to worry about Manchester United, or anybody else.”

“We are team that has taken on a wider goal and is consistent now. It is important for us to go from strength to strength, if we are capable of doing that we have a chance. Manchester United will be a very tough opponent, but we have a good chance if we can keep going from strength to strength, as I believe we can.”

“I feel we have the opportunity in the final to win one (a trophy). What I am convinced is that we will go with the same heart into everything, after we’ll see. I believe we have a chance, yes, to deliver, because now we’re in the final it will be down to delivering the needed performance on the day – that is part of mental strength as well.”

Newly-appointed Ipswich boss Paul Jewell hopes that his players can produce a similar effort to that shown in the Carling Cup as they battle for Championship survival.

“The team have had a great cup run, and I’m sure the supporters have enjoyed it, but the most important thing has always been the league,” Jewell said.

“It would have been lovely to get to the final, but we haven’t and we have got 21 cup finals ahead in the league.”

“But we gave them a good game over the two legs and credit to the Ipswich players and congratulations to Arsenal.”

Wed 26 January, 2011

Allegri hails Milan collective

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed his side’s team spirit as they beat Cesena 2-0 to move four points clear at the top of Serie A.

An own goal from Maximiliano Pellegrino handed Milan the lead on the stroke of half-time, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed the win in the 90th minute.

But Allegri refused to single out individual players after the win, saying the team as a whole had deserved their victory.

“We won thanks to strength, technical skills and sacrifice. We suffered in the first 20 minutes, but then we proved we deserved this win,” Allegri said.

“This was a victory for the whole team, as all wins are. It is extremely important as the team is able to get more compact and give better support in difficult moments. This will help us to do a good job in the end.”

“If it doesn’t go well, the result is 0-0, but we are able to find the goal as we’re a team with good skills which is able to create many chances. In any case when no goals are conceded, the team becomes more confident in defence.”

Allegri also revealed he sees cross-town rivals Inter as their biggest threat in the title race, despite Inter trailing the league leaders by nine points.

“Of course Inter Milan is the team we should be most afraid of,” Allegri said. “Roma as well, but Inter Milan has more skills to battle for the championship.”

Mon 24 January, 2011

Cahill hails hero Howard

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has heaped praise on goalkeeper Tim Howard after their 2-1 upset win over Manchester City on Monday.

The visitors at Eastlands took a two-goal lead in the opening half hour courtesy of a trademark Cahill header and a curling Leighton Baines strike, but had a massive task before them when striker Victor Anichebe was sent off midway through the second half.

City eventually scored when a Yaya Toure strike deflected in off Phil Jagielka for an own goal, but Cahill said that took nothing away from Howard’s performance between the posts.

“He’s been the man not just this season but all the other seasons as well. It’s what he brings to the team,” Cahill told Sky Sports.

“There’s times in games when we look to him to get us out of it and tonight he did that.”

Cahill said claiming the scalp of title contenders City was deserved reward for a run of good form that has not seen them convert goals into points.

“The achievement is massive for us. We knew we had to work hard but what’s been going on in the last couple of months, we’ve been working, playing some good football and not got the rewards,” the Australian said.

“But we’ve come to a stadium where it is hard to play and showed our mettle and played some good football too.”

Tue 21 December, 2010