Agger out to stay involved

Daniel Agger is hoping to keep his place in Liverpool’s starting XI after an injury hit spell at Anfield.

The Denmark defender, who has suffered several stints on the sidelines since joining Liverpool from Brondby in 2006, has featured regularly for Kenny Dalglish’s side this season and made his 100th English Premier League appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 win against West Brom.

“It’s special to play 100 league games for Liverpool and it has been a long time coming because of the unlucky injuries I have had,” said Agger, whose side moved fifth on the Premier League table, pending Tottenham’s match with QPR on Sunday.

“Hopefully now I can have an injury free run and I hope now to keep on going and play another 100 games for this club.”

“I am enjoying my football now. I feel I have been unlucky with injuries and hopefully I can get some good luck now because it means a lot to me to play for this club.”

Agger also revealed his delight at keeping a clean sheet against West Brom at The Hawthorn: “It was so important for us to keep a clean sheet and that is always good for us defenders and great for the whole team as well,” he said.

“I thought we played well and deserved the three points. We are happy and we have to continue this form and keep winning games.”

“I think we can take a lot from this result and we now look ahead to the next game against Swansea at home and try and get another three points.”

View the original article here

Serie A wrap: Udinese bounce back

Udinese climbed into second spot in Serie A with a 1-0 win over Palermo on Sunday, while Fiorentina also returned to winning ways.

Antonio Di Natale’s 38th-minute goal was enough to see Francesco Guidolin’s men take all three points at the Stadio Communale Friuli, as they bounced back from a midweek defeat to Napoli.

The win saw Udinese rise above AC Milan, who had taken second place on Saturday with their 3-2 away defeat of Roma.

Milan fell back into third, one point shy of Udinese.

Atalanta lost just their second game since being promoted into the Italian top flight, going down 3-1 at Bologna.

Stefano Colantuono’s men took an early lead away at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara when German Denis struck in the seventh minute, but a lapse late in the first half saw Marco Di Vaio equalise from the penalty spot for Bologna.

Bologna took the lead through Gaston Ramirez three minutes into the second half, before Simon Loria sealed victory with his side’s third goal.

Fiorentina snapped a five-game winless streak with a 1-0 triumph at home to Genoa, with Andrea Lazzari scoring the only goal on 41 minutes.

Lecce and Novara both remain in the relegation zone after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare, with Lecce’s Rodney Starsser firing the hosts ahead before Marco Rigoni’s equaliser from the spot.

In other matches, Parma beat bottom-placed Cesena 2-0, while Siena thrashed Chievo 4-1 in the earlier kick-off.

View the original article here

Proof in Inter triumph, says Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes his side’s 2-1 defeat of Inter Milan prove winning Serie A title is a realistic possibility.

Goals from Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio either side of a Maicon strike were enough for Juventus to take all three points from San Siro on Saturday.

The result allowed Antonio Conte’s men to maintain the pace at the top of the table, and Buffon said Juventus they can lift the Scudetto if they replicate the level of performance shown in the Derby d’Italia.

“If we keep this aggression up for the rest of the season then we will win the league,” Buffon told Mediaset. “If not, then we will go back to what we were (last season).”

“Yesterday (Saturday), we showed personality and rhythm. I just knew I could not be on the losing team on the night.”

Juventus travel to Napoli on Sunday in their next Serie A match.

View the original article here

Di Maria thrilled with form

Angel di Maria was delighted to score in Real Madrid’s 3-0 La Liga win over Villarreal on Wednesday.

And the Argentine winger says he is hopeful of maintaining the level of performance he demonstrated in the game.

Di Maria scored his first goal of the season, and Madrid’s third of the night, on the half-hour mark after previously providing assists for his side’s first two goals.

And he has stressed that he is full of confidence again following his recent impressive showings.

“I’m happy with the victory and also with my goal because I hadn’t scored for a long time. I had a chance to score tonight and it was a beautiful thing for me,” di Maria said.

“I’m very happy because things are going well for me. I’m confident again, which is important to me. I hope things continue to go well for me.”

Di Maria has already set up seven La Liga goals in the 2011-12 campaign and tops the assist chart after nine games.

View the original article here

Ranieri proud in defeat

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri praised his side’s performance despite their 2-1 home loss against Juventus on Saturday.

The Turin outfit inflicted a fifth league defeat of the season on Inter at the San Siro, with Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio scoring either side of a Maicon strike in an open and entertaining encounter.

But despite the disappointing result, Ranieri stated that he remains optimistic of a late title challenge.

“I am satisfied with the performance, especially in the first half,” Ranieri told reporters. “They scored with the only two chances they had.”

“We must not look at the table, because there are 84 points still available to gain. Surely it is better to win than to lose, but there are still many points to be won.”

“Are Juventus Scudetto-worthy? Yes, the side is working well. But I have not given up. The game was equal. All in all, I did not see Juventus dominance.”

Inter now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Lille at the San Siro, with Ranier’s side currently sitting atop Group B.

View the original article here

Olic coy on Villarreal link

Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olic has refused to rule out a transfer to Villarreal in the January transfer window.

La Liga outfit Villarreal are understood to be in the market for a new forward after learning that Giuseppe Rossi will have to spend six months on the sidelines because of a knee ligament injury.

Olic, 32, has been at Bayern since 2009, when he joined the club from Hamburg on a free transfer.

On Thursday, Olic admitted he could leave the Allianz Arena in January after growing unhappy at his lack of first-team opportunities at the Bundesliga leaders.

Quizzed on the reports about a potential move to Villarreal, Olic said: “It is too early to say anything. The season has just begun. We shall see in the winter (transfer window).”

“This is my agent’s job. I take care of my fitness.”

The Croatian ace came on for Thomas Mueller after 77 minutes in Bayern’s 4-0 victory against Nuremberg on Saturday, in what was his seventh official appearance of the season.

“I appreciate every minute I play,” Olic said.

“After a long-term injury, match practice is important. I cannot speak about anything else, I must be careful with what I say.”

View the original article here

Neymar delighted with Ballon d´Or reports

Santos forward Neymar says would be thrilled if rumours over his nomination for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or award prove correct.

The 19-year-old strike sensation scored four goals in Santos’ 4-1 victory against Atletico Paranaense to help the Copa Libertadores holders move within eight points of the Brazilian Serie A’s continental places.

Neymar has now scored 78 goals for Santos since breaking into the club’s senior ranks in March 2009, earmarking him as a target for the world’s biggest clubs and leading to rumours he has made the shortlist for FIFA’s prestigious award.

“It is a big happiness to be on a list like that while playing in Brazil,” Neymar told Globoesporte.

“I am very happy with all I have been through in my career, the good things and the bad things.”

“I only have everyone to thank.”

“I have always said I love playing football. When I am on the field I feel like a kid, playing with the ball. I am very happy playing football.”

View the original article here

Championship: Leeds United 1 Cardiff City 1

Leeds United fought back from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw at home against Cardiff City in the Championship on Sunday.

The clash was a crucial one for the hosts at Elland Road, as they could have climbed into third spot with the full three points.

However, the Welsh outfit had other ideas early, making the most of some abject defending when Joe Mason got in behind to fire the visitors ahead on 17 minutes.

Cardiff led at the break, but a rejuvenated Leeds side attacked with purpose in the second half.

They were rewarded with a goal in the 73d minute when Robert Snodgrass tapped in from close range after Tom Lees headed a Patrick Kisnorbo free-kick back into the danger area.

The draw sees Leeds remain in seventh spot on 22 points, while Cardiff stay one point adrift in ninth.

View the original article here

Corinthians reveal doubts over Tevez

Corinthians director Paulo Rosenberg is still interested in signing Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, but his recent behaviour has cast doubts on any move.

Tevez has been on the fringes of the City squad since allegedly refusing to come on a substitute in a Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich last month, and has not played since.

It looks almost certain that the 27-year-old will be leaving Manchester in the near future, and Corinthians had become one of the favourites for his signature after an abortive attempt in August.

Timao marketing director Rosenberg, however, advised that the club had doubts over Tevez’s state of mind.

“I do not know if the coach believes he needs Tevez or what he thinks of his semi-crazy behaviour,” the official told SportTV.

“I don’t know if the trainer wants to break the squad harmony by bringing in an unstable Argentine.”

Rosenberg added that he was not ruling out a transfer, but that it had to be on terms favourable to the Brazilians.

“If the transfer was for a reasonable value we would make it happen, but we cannot do crazy things. I need to win championships, be it with Messi or a nobody,” he pointed out.

Tevez is a favourite on the Corinthians terraces, after winning the 2005 Brasileirao during his previous spell in Sao Paulo – the last national title won by the Timao.

View the original article here

Barcelona and Real Madrid keen on David Silva

Barcelona and Real Madrid are pondering summer move for Manchester City star David Silva.

The Spanish giants showed interest in the Spain international when he was playing for Valencia, but he ultimately decided to join Manchester City.

The player’s dazzling displays are one of the main reasons why Manchester City have climbed to the Premiership summit and the Citizens now face a real battle to keep hold of their star.

According to Daily Mail, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have been impressed by Silva’s performances this season and are pondering summer bid for the 25-year-old.

The Spain international played a crucial part in City’s amazing 6:1 victory at Old Trafford and is already considered a cult hero at Eastlands.

Despite the impressive showings, Silva has seen little playing time in the national team, but his chances of securing a starting place would probably increase significantly if he was to return to La Liga.

View the original article here

Herd wins red card appeal

Aston Villa’s Chris Herd has successfully appealed a three-match suspension for his dismissal in Saturday’s derby loss to West Brom.

Herd was issued a straight red card in the first half of the match for allegedly stamping on West Brom’s Jonas Olsson, although replays suggested the decision was harsh and Olsson himself made no initial complaints.

The 22-year-old Australian was set to serve a three-match ban as a result, but after his club appealed for wrongful dismissal to the FA, their claims have been upheld and the suspension overturned.

“I’m very happy with the decision and I feel vindicated because I was convinced all along I had done nothing wrong,” Herd told the Villa’s official website.

“My foot was being held by a West Brom player and I was just trying to free it from his grasp. I’m grateful and glad that the appeal committee reached the right decision.”

While the news will be well received by Villa fans, it is likely to do little to appease manager Alex McLeish, who saw his side beaten 2-1 by their local rivals after playing most of the match with ten men.

Darren Bent had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot, but West Brom began to look the more threatening after Herd’s dismissal, even though captain Chris Brunt missed the penalty resulting from incident.

Olsson nodded in the equaliser from a Brunt corner, before Paul Scharner fired home the winner in the second half, giving the Baggies their first league win at Villa Park since 1979.

View the original article here

Villa to appeal Herd red card

Aston Villa will appeal the controversial red card shown to Chris Herd in their 2-1 defeat to West Brom on Saturday.

Australian-born right-back Herd was sent off by referee Phil Dowd after 36 minutes for deliberately treading on Baggies defender Jonas Olsson.

But furious Villa manager Alex McLeish supported his player’s assertion that this was untrue after the match, and confirmed on Monday that the club would be appealing the three-match ban.

“Oh yes, absolutely, I don’t think there’s any doubt about it,” he told Sky Sports.

“Looking at the pictures again, Chris has done nothing wrong.”

“It’s a poor decision on the day by the official. These things are not deliberate, he’s made an honest mistake, it’s just a shame I think that he’s guessed the decision rather than saw anything.”

Herd will miss the trips to Sunderland and Tottenham either side of Norwich’s visit to Villa Park if the suspension is upheld, but McLeish is quietly confident.

“I spoke to Phil,” said McLeish. “He will look at it again. We will see what the outcome is of the re-runs.”

“The slow-motion one indicated that Chris was extricating his foot from Olsson’s grasp. I just could not see a stamp in that situation.”

“Phil never saw it. He never saw Olsson’s punch on Chris’s shoulder. It’s difficult for a referee to see everything but the linesman saw the alleged stamp.”

Meanwhile, Villa midfielder Barry Bannan was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after being involved in a crash on the M1 early on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Scottish international midfielder smashed into the central reservation of the M1 at about 5.30am.

He was arrested by police officers, along with a 20-year-old friend, in the nearby village of Bulwell, in Nottinghamshire.

View the original article here

Premier League title race still has a long way to go

Manchester City hammering neighbours Manchester City 6-1 at Old Trafford may have been a fantastic result for the visitors but a lot of people are overreacting saying that the title race is all but over.

The bookmakers have also installed City as new favourites for the Premier League title.

Dream

Virtually everything went for the visitors at Old Trafford. To win 6-1 at Old Trafford is a dream for any Manchester City fan and player. This was a day that is very unlikely to ever be repeated. The defeat was Manchester United’s biggest ever home defeat in the Premier League.

Superb

At the moment Manchester City are in fantastic form and playing stylish football. The real test for City will come when they are going through their tough period of the season, because every club in the Premier League seems to have a tricky time during the course of a season.

If they come through that period unscathed then they would be favourites to win the Premier League. However we are only nine games into the Premier League season and there is still a long way to go in the title race.

Awful

Yesterday’s game was a really bad day at the office for Manchester United. Its very rare that Manchester United experience a heavy home defeat and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he expects a reaction from his players in their next game.

Manchester United players usually react well to defeats and that’s why the club have won so much silverware under the Scot. They have the ability to bounce back quickly and they will have to after their embarrassment at the hands of their neighbours.

A trip to Everton’s Goodison Park is next up for Ferguson’s men and they will have to produce a better display if they are to claim a victory on Merseyside.

Psychological

This victory will do more for the psyches of the two sets of players than anything else.  The victory will give City the belief that they have now arrived and are capable of winning the Premier League title. Manchester United in previous seasons though have been strong mentality and this season is unlikely to be different. This defeat could galvanise the Red Devils and they could back stronger than before.

Favourites

The Manchester City camp are not letting themselves get carried away though. Manager Roberto Mancini played down their status as Premier League title favourites. He told press: “I think there are four or five teams that can win the title in the end. The season is too long, it is very difficult every game, every three days we play.

“I think against Tottenham we played very well, and against Bolton, but this is different – we played against a strong team like United. But in the end there are three points – finished. We don’t take six points for this game.”

Challengers

Manchester City overcome the barrier of not having won a trophy in thirty odd years last season and now have a really good chance of adding to their trophy collection this season. However Manchester United and even Chelsea are accustomed to challenging for the big trophies.

Their players have been there and done it all before. If Manchester City are to become a major European club then City need to get to that point. If they win the title this season then they have arrived.

I think the Premier League title race will probably go down to the wire. Chelsea and Manchester United have too much quality in their squads to give up the title race easily. They have players who are experienced in these sorts of battles and won’t be far away from City.

Start

Manchester City still have a hell of a long way to go to catch up to their neighbours Manchester United but a first Premier League title this season would be a good start. And I suspect the trophy collecting won’t finish there for United’s ‘Noisy Neighbours’.

Will Manchester City now go on to win the Premier League title?

View the original article here

Young Gunners to be loaned

Arsenal are planning to send five of their young fringe players out on loan after Tuesday’s League Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers.

Ignasi Miquel, Sanchez Watt, Oguzhan Ozyakup, Daniel Boateng and Chuks Aneke are all in line to be loaned out to lower league clubs.

Manager Arsene Wenger wants the teenagers, who have played only five competitive Arsenal games between them, to gain some first-team experience.

Wenger has delayed sanctioning loan moves for the youngsters until after the League Cup fourth round match, for which he intends to field a mixture of established and fringe players.

Should Arsenal knock Bolton out, the Frenchman is planning to field a stronger team in the later rounds as he attempts to end his club’s six-year trophy drought and there will be no further opportunities for the fringe players.

Miquel played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury Town last month, while the other four were all substitutes, with Ozyakup and Aneke both coming off the bench to make their first-team debuts.

View the original article here

Wolves skipper blasts ´boo boys´

Wolves captain Roger Johnson has hit back at sections of the club’s supporters, who have been letting their displeasure with recent results known to manager Mick McCarthy.

Molineux has become increasingly hostile in recent weeks as the side have been struggling on the field, with the Wolves boss being on the receiving end of the majority of supporters’ criticisms.

A number of fans have resorted to booing tactical decisions and substitutions, while also chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” – when 2-0 down during Saturday’s match with Swansea City – in the manager’s direction, a game that the Midlands outfit went on to draw 2-2.

Speaking to Wolves’ official website, Johnson has leapt to the defence of the former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland boss, saying that it is not the manager, but the players who need to improve.

“We don’t want to hear that at all, but you’ve got to look what happened – we brought two subs on and we drew 2-2,” said Johnson.

“So you tell me who’s right?”

“It’s not nice to hear. I wasn’t here a few years ago when the manager was doing better but I’m sure they were singing his praises then.”

“It’s not good when we go 2-0 down and we’ve lost five games in a row.”

“I’m a football fan myself and at times you do jump on the bandwagon and question decisions. But some of the shouts I heard on Saturday were below the belt. We don’t want to hear that and it’s not on.”

“The fans have got short memories – they can have a pop at me for saying it, but we don’t need that.”

“It’s not the manager; if you brought someone else in here, what’s going to change? The players will still be here, and so will the fans.”

“He’s a good manager and what he’s done for this club speaks for itself.”

“I know what football’s like and the first person people look to criticise is the manager. He’s by himself and you can’t sack a whole football team.”

“So I’m telling you now, the only people to blame right now are the players, not the manager.”

Johnson, a summer signing from Birmingham City, is confident that having halted a run of five straight defeats, Wolves have put in place the foundations for a run of improved form, but he feels that a more united atmosphere is needed around Molineux.

“We’d lost five games on the spin, confidence is low and we went 2-0 down again, so we thought we were heading for a sixth successive loss,” continued the 28-year-old.

“So we were pleased to have got a point out of it.”

“It’s very hostile – we were trying to keep the ball, playing from side to side and you’re being booed for it.”

“Yet that’s good enough for Chelsea and Man United, then they play the ball when they think it’s right.”

View the original article here

Wolves skipper blasts ´boo boys´

Wolves captain Roger Johnson has hit back at sections of the club’s supporters, who have been letting their displeasure with recent results known to manager Mick McCarthy.

Molineux has become increasingly hostile in recent weeks as the side have been struggling on the field, with the Wolves boss being on the receiving end of the majority of supporters’ criticisms.

A number of fans have resorted to booing tactical decisions and substitutions, while also chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” – when 2-0 down during Saturday’s match with Swansea City – in the manager’s direction, a game that the Midlands outfit went on to draw 2-2.

Speaking to Wolves’ official website, Johnson has leapt to the defence of the former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland boss, saying that it is not the manager, but the players who need to improve.

“We don’t want to hear that at all, but you’ve got to look what happened – we brought two subs on and we drew 2-2,” said Johnson.

“So you tell me who’s right?”

“It’s not nice to hear. I wasn’t here a few years ago when the manager was doing better but I’m sure they were singing his praises then.”

“It’s not good when we go 2-0 down and we’ve lost five games in a row.”

“I’m a football fan myself and at times you do jump on the bandwagon and question decisions. But some of the shouts I heard on Saturday were below the belt. We don’t want to hear that and it’s not on.”

“The fans have got short memories – they can have a pop at me for saying it, but we don’t need that.”

“It’s not the manager; if you brought someone else in here, what’s going to change? The players will still be here, and so will the fans.”

“He’s a good manager and what he’s done for this club speaks for itself.”

“I know what football’s like and the first person people look to criticise is the manager. He’s by himself and you can’t sack a whole football team.”

“So I’m telling you now, the only people to blame right now are the players, not the manager.”

Johnson, a summer signing from Birmingham City, is confident that having halted a run of five straight defeats, Wolves have put in place the foundations for a run of improved form, but he feels that a more united atmosphere is needed around Molineux.

“We’d lost five games on the spin, confidence is low and we went 2-0 down again, so we thought we were heading for a sixth successive loss,” continued the 28-year-old.

“So we were pleased to have got a point out of it.”

“It’s very hostile – we were trying to keep the ball, playing from side to side and you’re being booed for it.”

“Yet that’s good enough for Chelsea and Man United, then they play the ball when they think it’s right.”

View the original article here

Premier League: QPR 1 Chelsea 0

QPR defeated nine-man Chelsea 1-0 to notch their first home win of the season as a Heidar Helguson penalty separated the West London rivals.

Chelsea played the entire second half with nine men as Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were both sent off in the first period of a fiery and combative game at Loftus Road.

QPR got off to an ideal start as a strong run from Helguson ended in David Luiz body checking the Icelandic international to give the hosts a penalty.

Helguson converted the spot kick despite Petr Cech doing well to get a hand on the ball.

A sublime through ball from Adel Taarabt then provided an opening for winger Shaun Wright-Phillips who set off in a foot race with Bosingwa, only to be brought down as he approached the penalty box.

In a highly controversial decision, referee Chris Foy pulled the red card from his pocket after deeming Bonsingwa to be the last man in Chelsea’s defence at the time of the foul.

With the opening half nearing an end matters got worse for Chelsea as a mindless two-footed lunge from Drogba reduced Andres Villas-Boas’ side to nine men.

The Ivorian had lost possession of the ball and was clearly frustrated as he flung himself at the ankles of Taarabt, who needed treatment following the foul.

With Chelsea playing with huge gaps in their formation, space was always open for QPR to exploit in the second half Taarabt did just that when his defence-splitting pass found Luke Young, whose right-footed shot flashed across the face of Cech’s goal.

A pair of possible Chelsea penalties were turned down late on as Frank Lampard tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Fitz Hall, while Luiz also had his appeals for a foul waved away by Foy.

Chelsea’s best and final chance of levelling up the affair fell to substitute Nicolas Anelka who missed a golden opportunity when he directed his close-range header straight to QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

View the original article here

Bundesliga wrap: Hannover stun Bayern

Bayern Munich blew a golden chance to move six points clear on top of the Bundelsiga when they slumped to a 2-1 loss at Hannover on Sunday.

Hannover took the lead after 23 minutes when Norwegian striker Mohammed Abdellaoue slotted home a penalty after Philipp Lahm fouled Steve Cherundolo inside the box.

Things got worse for the visitors when Jerome Boateng was sent off five minutes later after an altercation with Christian Schulz.

Hannover made their numerical advantage count five minutes after the break when Christian Pander scored their second.

The hosts also found themselves down to 10 men when Cherundolo was dismissed for a second bookable offence, and an 83rd-minute goal from Bayern substitute David Alaba set up a frantic finish to the match.

But Bayern could not force an equaliser as Jupp Heynckes’ men slumped to their second defeat of the season.

Elsewhere on Sunday, a late Jefferson Farfan strike lifted Schalke to third in the standings with a 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The result leaves Schalke just four points behind Bayern and one behind reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund.

View the original article here

Premier League: Blackburn 1 Tottenham 2

Two goals from Rafael van der Vaart condemned Blackburn to another home defeat as Tottenham recorded a 2-1 Premier League victory at Ewood Park.

Despite a strong performance from the home side they lacked quality in front of goal and were punished by two excellent strikes from Spurs’ Dutch forward.

Mauro Formica had got his side back into the game before Van der Vaart struck to seal the points for the visitors.

Despite Blackburn creating some good chances early it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Kyle Walker surged down the right and passed to Van der Vaart, who calmly side-footed the ball into the back of the net.

Gareth Bale was causing problems for Blackburn’s defence, with the Welshman’s low cross finding Emmanuel Adebayor whose shot was well saved by Paul Robinson.

Spurs had been dominating the game but in the 27th minute the hosts got themselves back on level terms when Formica reacted fastest to a scramble inside the penalty area before blasting the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.

The visitors began the second half in a confident mood and were twice very close to going ahead in the 52nd minute through Luka Modric and Bale.

Seconds later Van der Vaart doubled his tally with a sublime finish from the edge of the area.

The introduction of Yakubu in the 69th minute seemed to awaken Blackburn and the Nigerian had three good chances to get his side back into the game.

The first came from a low cross but he managed to put his shot wide of the post. He then had two good headed opportunities but he was unable to test Brad Friedel in the Spurs goal.

View the original article here

Premier League: Wolves 2 Swansea 2

Wolverhampton fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Swansea City and end a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats.

First-half goals from Danny Graham and Joe Allen cranked up the pressure on Wolves boss Mick McCarthy and led to calls for his sacking from the crowd at Molineux.

A dramatic fightback in the last 10-minutes saw Kevin Doyle and Jamie O’Hara stun the visitors and breathe life back into the hosts’ season.

Impressive Swansea midfielder Joe Allen probed the Wolves defence whenever he got his foot on the ball in the early stages.

In the eighth minute, his shot from distance was pushed over the crossbar by fellow Wales international Wayne Hennessey as the visitors forced a series of corners.

The pressure eventually saw Danny Graham open the scoring in the 24th minute, with the ex-Watford striker given time to slot home from six yards out.

Frustration grew among Wolves fans in the 35th minute as Swansea effortlessly cut through the hosts’ defence to double their advantage.

Graham left marker O’Hara in his wake, and the striker squared for Allen to side-foot home from point-blank range.

With the Wolves crowd audibly mumbling their discontent, their side’s brightest moment on the pitch came on 50 minutes as the ball fell to Ebanks Blake’s feet.

With his back to goal, the ex-Manchester United trainee was unable to work some space and the chance was snubbed out by the dominant Ashley Williams.

When all looked lost, McCarthy looked to his bench and threw on striker Sam Vokes.

This decision was rewarded immediately as the Welshman turned and shot from a corner, with his effort falling to Doyle to slot home from close range.

The unlikely leveller came two minutes later as Stephen Ward charged down the left and his centre found O’Hara in space to fire into the roof of the net.

View the original article here

Beckenbauer: Robben must be fit

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says winger Arjen Robben will only be offered a new deal if he is fit.

The Dutch international is an important player for Jupp Heynckes’ side, but has had an injury-prone year in 2011, and is currently recovering from a hernia operation.

With Robben’s current contract at the Allianz Arena due to run out in June 2013, Beckenbauer has admitted that the club may go into contract extension talks cautiously because of the former Chelsea player’s fitness problems.

“It depends. We do not know how long his injury sensitivity persists. In his first season at Bayern, he was sensational and rarely injured. We (will) have to see how he comes back,” the 66-year-old told TZ.

The former Germany sweeper did admit that Robben was an integral part of the Bavarians’ first-team, and scintillating when fit.

“When Arjen is fit, he is the best in his position in the world. So, if he still is somewhat good, I would immediately (offer) an extension to him,” Beckenbauer said.

“It’s great that the team are doing well without him. The discussion about whether Bayern (are) better without Robben is absurd. Of course the team (is) better with him.”

View the original article here

Rossi staying at Villarreal

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will not be leaving the Spanish side for Serie A, insists the club’s vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza.

Rossi, whose agent said he was upset following the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City in midweek, has long been linked with a return to Italy.

Juventus were reportedly keen on signing him during the summer but talks collapsed over a 30 million euro transfer fee.

Napoli were then linked with the 24-year-old after coach Walter Mazzarri and president Aurelio De Laurentiis said they were interested in signing him.

Recent reports claimed Juventus have reignited their interest in Rossi and view him as a replacement for Alessandro Del Piero whose contract in Turin expires at the end of the season.

Llaneza made it clear that Rossi is staying at Villarreal.

“We are very happy with the way Rossi has been playing this season, but his excellent performances are nothing new to us,” Llaneza told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

“Will we sell him? This is not our intention at all. We are happy with what he is doing for us and we have no reason to sell.”

“There is nothing regarding Juventus. Giuseppe is staying with Villarreal.”

Villarreal are set to welcome Levante to El Madrigal on Sunday in La Liga.

View the original article here

Redknapp: Relegation here to stay

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has branded the suggestion of promotion and relegation in English football being scrapped as scandalous.

The chief executive of the League Managers Association, Richard Bevan, revealed on Monday that many foreign owners of top flight clubs were keen to rid the league of relegation to safeguard their own sides.

Redknapp, who is a major contender for the England managerial position when current incumbent Fabio Capello leaves next summer, finds the idea preposterous and believes it should never be implemented.

“How can you not have promotion and relegation? It’s scandalous,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“What is the league about? When the play-offs first came in in the Championship and the first and second divisions, people said we don’t want the play-offs, but they have been a fantastic thing.”

“It keeps the league going. Years ago, with 10 games to go, the league was over. If you were not going to win the league, be promoted or relegated, then you would switch off, now everyone is fighting for something.”

“It is competition, teams trying to stay up. What is more exciting than the last day of the season when teams are looking to stay up and win the championship?”

“You have to have promotion and relegation.”

Fourteen of the 20 Premier League clubs would have to agree with the idea for it to be put into action, however the FA would have the final word on the matter.

Redknapp is also concerned that too many foreign owners in the top flight could take the football action away from England, with games taking place all over the world.

The former Portsmouth boss added: “You can’t have too many foreign owners coming in here wanting to change our game.”

“Eventually, you will end up playing loads of games around the world. That will happen.”

“They will take the games to where they want to play them. If you have owners from China, India, Russia, America, they will want to take their teams there to play. I can see that will happen.”

“It is a world game so I can see that as a possibility. When you go to Asia now, the support and following is amazing for the Premier League.”

View the original article here

Champions League Group C wrap: Rooney fires United

Manchester United edged Otelul Galati 2-0 in a tight Champions League Group C encounter, while Benfica also won on Tuesday.

A brace of penalties from Wayne Rooney gave United their first win of the group stage, while captain Nemanja Vidic and the home side’s Milan Perendija were sent off in Bucharest.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team looked off the pace in the first half but the game turned in their favour just after the hour mark.

Moments after Rooney had put a good chance wide, he earned United a clear-cut penalty.

After being put through by Nani, Rooney attempted a cross to strike partner Javier Hernandez, but defender Sergiu Costin stopped the pass with his hand.

Rooney coolly dispatched the penalty, sending goalkeeper Branko Grahovac the wrong way to put United in the lead.

But minutes later Vidic became the centre of attention, as he was harshly sent off for a high tackle on Gabriel Giurgiu.

The United captain produced an untidy rather than malicious tackle and a yellow card would have sufficed.

The numbers were even with five minutes to go as Perendija was booked for a second time after dragging down Hernandez.

Nani came close to making sure of the result two minutes later, but his 25-yard shot struck the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

But in stoppage time, Rooney made sure of the points as he earned a second penalty and brushed himself off before firing in his second goal from the spot.

Meanwhile, Benfica moved top of the group with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Basel.

Brazilian attacker Bruno Cesar gave them a 20th-minute lead at St Jakob-Park, before Paraguayan Oscar Cardozo, coming off the bench, sealed the points with a strike a quarter of an hour from the end.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men with five minutes to play when Brazilian Emerson picked up his second yellow card, but they held on for their second win of the campaign.

View the original article here

Deschamps dismisses Arsenal form

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps believes Arsenal’s poor domestic form is irrelevant as the two sides prepare to meet in the Champions League.

Arsenal are 10th in the English Premier League, while in France Marseille are even worse off – 15th in Ligue 1 with just one win.

But Deschamps’ men have two wins from two in the Champions League, topping Group F by two points from Arsenal, and he says his players are less nervous playing in Europe than in the French league.

“I do not think that to compare our situation in the Championship as theirs helps to know which team is going to win or not,” Deschamps said.

“Arsenal has lost many important players but remains a team with really good offensive players.”

“About our bad start in the Championship, we must win from now, especially at home. We do have a pressure in the Championship we do not have in the Champion League – the players are probably less nervous.”

Marseille take on Arsenal at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night, and Deschamps believes taking full points at home is imperative to his team, who face back-to-back matches against Arsenal.

“We have to play two games against Arsenal, a team which is of course the favourite of the group,” he said.

“There are six points to grab and it can be decisive before the last two matches.”

“The only advantage we have is that we have got six points, they have got four. After the match tomorrow we will know more about the situation, there will be one game less to play.”

“If we have the chance to win tomorrow, it would be so great for us. It would not mean we would be qualified but it would put us into a nice position.”

View the original article here

Allegri coy on Pato

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is yet to rule out Alexandre Pato for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with BATE Borisov.

Pato has been out of action for four weeks with a thigh complaint sustained in last month’s 1-1 draw with Udinese. The Brazilian striker is now approaching full fitness, but Allegri is reluctant to risk him at San Siro unless he is 100 per cent ready.

“Pato is much better, but it is a situation which has to be assessed day by day, and with injuries like this it’s better to be careful,” he told the club’s official website.

Allegri did confirm that Mark van Bommel is available for selection but that Massimo Ambrosini will not feature. There are also ongoing doubts over the participation of Clarence Seedorf and Thiago Silva.

“I’ll have to evaluate training (on Tuesday),” he mused.

“Seedorf has not trained with the rest of the squad for the past two days, Thiago Silva did not train (on Monday), Van Bommel’s fine, but I do not think Ambrosini will be fit.”

Allegri confirmed that Antonio Cassano will start, with the enigmatic Italian international currently in great form.

“Antonio is doing very well,” the Milan tactician said.

“He is in excellent physical condition and is working hard even when the team needs to retrieve the ball, and it makes me very happy.”

Allegri has also been buoyed by the way in which his side responded to their tame capitulation at the hands of Juventus just before the international break, in routing Palermo 3-0 at San Siro on Saturday.

“Milan messed up in Turin. Saturday was a match of real intensity, quality and great technique in attack and, above all, defence,” he said.

“It may be that Saturday’s game kick-starts our season: we had a good win and now we will have a crucial month in terms of the Champions League and Serie A.”

However, despite his renewed optimism, Allegri is not underestimating the threat posed by their opponents on Wednesday night.

“Tomorrow we will face a team that will take away space, which defends in an organised fashion. They’re young and in good shape.”

“We must play with respect, strength and great technique. We start as usual from 0-0, so we need to play a great game. Otherwise, like against Viktoria Plzen, we will give away 10-12 shots on goal: this cannot happen tomorrow.”

View the original article here

Manchester City need to learn European lessons

Manchester City managed to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Spanish La Liga side Villarreal.

City got the victory courtesy of an injury-time winner from Argentinian substitute Sergio Aguero.

City boss Roberto Mancini didn’t want to use the striker but the Premier League leaders really needed a goal the win.

Lacklustre

Manchester City looked very lacklustre and didn’t play like they usually do in the English top flight. In the Premier League the movement of the likes of David Silva and Samir Nasri is too much for most opponents.

However in the Champions League the pair have failed to reproduce their league form. The key to City’s style and pace of play is dictated by the duo. When they don’t produce the team seem to struggle. The key to City’s success in recent seasons is the pace that the team play at.

Isolated

For a lot of the Villarreal game lone striker Edin Dzeko looked isolated and struggled to hold the ball up. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini spotted the fact that Dzeko was lacking support up front and changed it after just 38 minutes.

He substituted winger Adam Johnson and brought on Gareth Barry with Yaya Toure moving into more of an attacking role just behind Dzeko. Dzeko looked far more threatening when usual strike-partner Sergio Aguero came off the substitute bench.

Different

Manchester City players know that the Champions League is different from the Premier League but they are struggling to adapt their game. It’s City’s debut season in the Champions League and it will take some time for the whole club to get accustomed to Europe’s elite competition.

Lots of English clubs in their Champions League debut season have failed to get out of the group stage. Its not uncommon because it takes time for teams to get used to playing at the top level of European football.

Mistakes

Mistakes are punished far more in the Champions League than they are in the Premier League. It’s a step up that sometimes teams struggle to make. City were punished in the first few minutes against Villarreal with the opening game. City will need to cut out the silly little mistakes if they are to progress in the Champions League this season.

Lessons

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has experienced the Champions League before with Inter but he seems to now be learning his Champions League lessons. He acted quickly against Villarreal when he realised that the game wasn’t going his sides way.

Mancini is starting to show his true managerial skills this season. City fans haven’t always been convinced by the Italian but he is starting to show them that he could be the man to bring real success to the club. He is starting to earn his vast wages and doing a decent job.

Super-sub

Argentinian superstar Sergio Aguero was again the hero for City. The striker has been struggling with injury problems in recent weeks and was only supposed to come on in an emergency. Mancini obviously thought last night was an emergency situation.

Aguero was in the right place at the right time as he scored from close-range in injury-time. Aguero is the sort of clever player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. City will need the former-Atletico Madrid striker to be at his best for this weekends derby with Manchester United.

Balance

Manchester City’s qualification for the knockout stages is in the balance but its looking brighter now than it did before their last minute winner last night. City still have tough trips to Villarreal and Napoli and also a home game with Bayern Munich.

This group has definitely been a tough introduction to the Champions League for City. However if Manchester City want to be the biggest club in Europe they will have to start to figure out how to negotiate these tricky games.

Will Manchester City qualify for the knockout stages?

View the original article here

Wenger pledges to stay with Gunners

Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal by pledging not to leave the Gunners while he has a contract at the club.

Wenger has three years left on his current deal and has said in the past that a role with Paris Saint-Germain could tempt him to one day leave the Emirates.

But with talk surrounding the club about players not signing extensions to their contracts, the Frenchman has dismissed the suggestion that he could leave the Gunners and move back to his homeland.

“I have three years to go with Arsenal and I always respect my contract. It looks like PSG are coming in at a time when Marseille are a little less strong,” he told reporters.

“Lyon have dominated French football for the last 10 years. Marseille won two years ago and Lille last year but before that it was all Lyon. It looks like PSG are coming in at the right time.”

Wenger takes his side to Marseille on Wednesday for an important Champions League match, but the club hold painful memories for the Frenchman who was manager of Monaco when the Champions League winners were found guilty of bribery.

Previously, Wenger has intimated the corrupt regime may have denied him significant success in France, though he has now chosen to move on.

“That is over now, because the owners are not the same. Now it is completely different. Football has changed in France,” Wenger said.

“I’m happy to go to back to Marseille, because it has memories of passionate games. Of course, since I was there, times have changed.”

“It’s good. I love Marseille as a city. It is a real football city. I’m happy to go back there.”

“I don’t think there is any need any more to speak about this period because it was not the happiest period of French football.”

“It was an interesting experience in my life.”

“At the end of the day, it is that. It makes you stronger or you get out of the job. It is as simple as that.”

Wenger, who admitted to nearly signing Marseille midfielder Lucho Gonzalez on loan last year, also denied that central defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has just signed a new four-year contract with the club, is injury-prone.

Vermaelen has only completed four matches for the Gunners in the past year having struggled with Achilles injuries, but his manager believes it is merely a coincidence and that the Belgian could go on a long run of matches without getting injured again.

There’s no medical reason why he should not play 50 games on the trot now. I always was a bit suspicious – why should that happen only on one side? I thought at some stage the other side will come as well, and it did,” Wenger said.

“This (contract) shows how much we trust him. We think it’s a genetic accident what he had, because he had it on both sides, exactly the same injury.”

View the original article here

Lille star drops Premier League hint

Lille defender Aurelien Chedjou has revealed that he rejected an offer from Juventus earlier this summer.

The Old Lady officials contacted Chedjou’s agent this summer to negotiate the player’s move to Turin, but the Cameroon international opted to remain at Lille.

“As I gave my word to Lille by extending (contract in April until 2015), I decided to stay for another season,” Chedjou told L’Equipe.

Liverpool have also expressed interest in signing the 26-year-old, and the player admits England could be his next destination.

“We’ll see, but England is a destination which would please me. But, I am not the one who would say ‘I’ll finish my season and leave.’ I try to play well and if the offers arrive we will sit at the table.”

View the original article here