The Soccer And The Football

Fergie's 'darkest period'

2011-11-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of 1990, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (long before he was created a Knight of the Realm) was in hassle and his facet were struggling at the incorrect finish of the Division One table. A run of eight games while not a win saw the once-great Red Devils staring relegation within the face. The accepted story is that Ferguson would are sacked if that they had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest on January seven. the sport proved to be a reprieve from those calling for his head, however - probably till the recent 6-1 hammering by rivals Man town - the time remains by his own admission his 'darkest period' as a manager.

The majority of Sir Alex Ferguson's initial years at Manchester United were spent in a very position he has since taken nice pleasure in changing into unfamiliar with. Ferguson's initial job at previous Trafford was to overturn the run that previous incumbent Ron Atkinson had placed them in and he succeeded in lifting the Red Devils from the relegation zone into eleventh place at the top of 1986-87.

Revamping each facet of life at the club, from coaching regimes to the scouting network and youth set-up, whereas paying specific attention to the boozing antics of a get few, Ferguson brought discipline back to the changing area. The signings of Steve Bruce, Brian McClair and Viv Anderson, among others, helped elevate them to a worthy second place within the initial Division, nonetheless 9 points behind champions Liverpool.

Unable to continue that sort of challenge, though, an inconsistent facet slipped to eleventh in their next season. At times, Ferguson's men sounded like they might be title contenders; at others they might not are out of place in Division 2. Clearly, their final position within the table was so much but expected and, with the facet described as ''hard operating, methodical and dull'', Fergie's cautious vogue was hardly winning over the fans either.

Ahead of the 1989-90 season, Ferguson's makes an attempt to place the club's boozing history to bed came to a head and he sold Stretford finish favourites Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath. Gordon Strachan had previously been offloaded to Leeds for £200,000 and therefore the loss of such star names, whereas ultimately smart for the club within the long-term, weren't viewed as a positive step within the short-term, despite the signings of Neil Webb, Mike Phelan and Paul Ince. Since he arrived 3 years previously, Ferguson had bought sixteen players (at a value of around £13 million) and sold eighteen with solely Bryan Robson and Mike Duxbury remaining from the team he inherited.

The overhaul initially looked as if it might bear fruit with a 4-1 drubbing of Arsenal on the gap day of the new season, however four defeats in their next six games (including a 5-1 thrashing by Man town at Maine Road) saw the detractors begin to realize support. Ferguson bemoaned the club's serious injury issues - particularly with Webb snapping his Achilles tendon a couple of games into his United career whereas on England duty - however an infamous banner declaring "Three years of excuses and it's still crap... ta-ra Fergie" was soon displayed at previous Trafford, and therefore the demand the manager's sacking grew louder.

Yet, back against the wall, Fergie undertook what would be the primary of the many rearguard actions. In October and November, United turned their early-season kind and won four of seven going into December. It mattered very little to the baying press pack as their one defeat, to Charlton, within the midst of the run saw The Daily Express's Steve Curry write a commentary entitled 'Fergie the Flop!' that referenced the actual fact that he had ''the worst record of any United manager of recent times''. Curry threatened that when the paying public become ''disenchanted, as they're doing currently, then the wind of modification blows in over Stretford".

Indeed, December brought with it a chilly wind. Ferguson had claimed that it had been ''a hell of burden running a club that hasn't won the title for twenty three years and thinks it ought to do each season.'' however soon he would have additional of a weight on his shoulders and he struggled to form his expensively assembled machine run smoothly.

The lead-up to Christmas saw four defeats in 5 - to Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Spurs and Aston Villa - with solely a 0-0 draw that they dominated at Anfield a positive sign. The reaction was additional anger from the fans typified by Richard Kurt who remembered in his book 'United we tend to Stood' the reaction to the 3-0 hammering by Spurs: ''Humiliated three-nil, we tend to jeered them off the pitch and vented our rage at the manager and chairman [Martin Edwards]."

More pressure from the media followed, that ultimately saw The Daily Express's John Bean write underneath a headline of 'Fergie's last stand' on December twenty eight that a foul end in 10 days' time against Nottingham Forest within the Third spherical of the FA Cup would build his position ''untenable''.

''League games at Wimbledon on Saturday and against QPR at previous Trafford on New Year's Day are necessary to Ferguson's immediate future,'' wrote Bean. ''But United's Cup result against Nottingham Forest is completely crucial... and he is aware of it.''

Ferguson, for his half, admitted as much: ''Everyone appears to own set the Cup tie as my trial. I will deal with that as a result of i do know that i'm doing the task the correct method and therefore the motivation of the players isn't any drawback. we tend to merely got to get on with it and keep in mind that the sport are going to be as arduous for Forest because it are going to be for us.'' once a 2-2 draw with Wimbledon and a 0-0 draw with QPR that saw United's team booed off by their own fans, they faced their FA Cup check with the threat of the axe looming. With United having won simply 9 of thirty five games since their 2-1 home defeat by Norwich in February, the shape book favoured Forest who were in mid-table within the league and within the method of winning the League Cup for the second season running.

On hostile turf at town ground, and with a controversial Sixth spherical exit at the hands of Brian Clough's men the previous year still contemporary in memory, the pressure was on Fergie as Kurt remembers: "The sense of the time was that a knock-out by Forest would unharness the Edwards butcher's chopper."

The game itself wasn't an particularly memorable one, with the stress palpable. New defensive signing Gary Pallister helped to stay the Forest attack at bay and, in line with The Guardian's David Lacey, ensured that the house facet ''did not get a significant sight of goal till the top of the match after they pushed forward in desperate numbers". With Des Walker enjoying a equally solid role for Forest at the rear, Lacey described the first-half as ''tightly contested and dour to the naked eye... [it] created dreary watching on television''.

However, the break that United (and Ferguson) required came soon into the second 0.5 as Lee Martin kept the ball in play and fed Mark Hughes, who struck a devilish pass with the skin of his right boot across the box to the waiting Mark Robins. Robins, one amongst the first batch of 'Fergie's Fledglings' - alongside the likes of Martin and Russell Beardsmore - had hardly turned twenty and was creating solely his third first-team look, however nodded home calmly to place United ahead. The Red Devils would hold on to the 1-0 scoreline, despite a late disallowed goal from Forest's Nigel Jemson jangling the nerves, and claimed an important win.

Fergie's target youth had paid off in what several thought of to be the defining match of his United career. ''[United] renewed religion with their supporters, thousands of whom cheered the players off at the top in an environment of delirium tinged with slight disbelief,'' wrote Lacey. ''For the instant, the harbingers of doom can provide their manager a possibility.''

What happened next? United's next game resulted in a very 2-1 defeat to Derby County at previous Trafford and it might be an extra 2 till they claimed a win - away at Millwall. Ferguson later described December 1989 as "the darkest amount [he had] ever suffered within the game" however the new year would be the beginning of a mini-revival as he led his team to 6 wins out of their next 10 games to end the season in thirteenth place, 5 points earlier than relegated Sheffield Wednesday. Any dwindling thoughts from the board that Ferguson wasn't the correct man for the task quickly vanished as he picked up his initial trophy for the club by defeating Crystal Palace in a very replayed FA Cup final, having played each spherical within the competition far from home.

The Cup win proved to be the catalyst for far more and, whereas then-chairman Edwards later insisted that he would still have given Ferguson longer if that they had lost to Forest, the importance of that campaign can't be understated. A year later, Fergie gave himself nonetheless additional respiration house by winning the ecu Cup-Winners' Cup in 1991, however the Premier League and his path to greatness was on the horizon; the remainder is history.

Gervinho talks up Hazard move

2011-11-03T05:48:00.001-07:00

Arsenal striker Gervinho has talked up the prospect of Lille starlet Eden Hazard joining him within the Premier League, stating his former team-mate "has everything it takes to triumph in England".

Gervinho spent 2 years alongside Hazard at Lille, with the try winning the Ligue one title along last campaign. The young Belgian has since been linked with a move to a number of the largest clubs in Europe together with Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG, Inter and AC Milan.

"Hazard may be a young player with huge quality," Gervinho told French radio RMC Sports. "If he has determined to go away, it's traditional for clubs to have an interest, as he has the amount to triumph in England.

"Eden has learnt lots at Lille, and that i believe he may succeed abroad. Where he goes is up to the clubs. however it'll be an enormous operation."

Hazard last week declared he was able to leave France at the tip of this season with each Milan clubs reportedly contacting the playmaker throughout the last transfer window. The 20-year-old insists he won't move off from Stade Metropole in January, however Lille boss Rudi Garcia still questioned the timing of his star's comments.

"Hazard's words? I actually have no downside with the content," Garcia told France soccer. "He has solely repeated what everybody has known for a short while. The timing wasn't the simplest."

Capello waits on FA verdict

2011-11-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Fabio Capello can leave John Terry out of his England squad to face Spain and Sweden if the soccer Association advises him to try and do therefore, whereas Rio Ferdinand has been placed on standby to interchange him.

It is the newest twist to the racism scandal involving the britain captain and Rio's brother Anton.

Both John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are included within the provisional squad for the 2 upcoming international friendlies, however it's inconceivable without delay that each may well be within the party which is able to converge at London Colney next week.
Capello can announce his squad for the games on Sunday evening once the weekend's Premier League fixtures are completed.

An ESPNsoccernet supply near Capello has been told that the britain manager can request steering from the FA on whether or not to pick his captain, who is currently the topic of a police enquiry.

The same supply revealed that Ferdinand, who has not played for England since June's 2-2 draw with Switzerland at Wembley, are going to be named within the provisional squad.

Capello watched Ferdinand within the Champions League tie against Otelul Galati at previous Trafford on Wednesday night, throughout that he wore a 'United Against Racism' armband, and plans to debate the player's kind and fitness with Sir Alex Ferguson on Thursday evening at a dinner to celebrate the manager's twenty five years answerable.

Ferguson said on that Ferdinand has lost a yard of pace that he had 5 years ago, however will adapt his game and still keep at the highest, and Capello concurs with that read. He looks set to pick Ferdinand to feature some expertise to the cluster of young players who can come back into the aspect.

With regards to Terry's precarious position as England captain and his doubtless omission, the britain supply said: "This very has become a problem for the FA instead of for Fabio. the matter is that if Fabio doesn't choose John Terry it's a punishment currently before the enquiries have run their course, and before any proof has been examined.

"It is innocent and till proven guilty in Italy because it is in England, and as nonetheless John Terry has not been found guilty of something.

"However, if he's proven guilty then that may be the time for Fabio to make a decision whether or not to punish him by not choosing him or by preferring the captaincy.

"Right now, it's a tough scenario and not one that Fabio ought to be taking, however a matter for the FA to make a decision. The FA has to tell Fabio what's best to try and do, and there'll be talks shortly, because the provisional squad is being selected."

For currently each Terry and Rio Ferdinand are within the England provisional squad along, however that seems doubtless to alter.

On the difficulty of Rio Ferdinand's choice, the supply said: "Fabio visited see him the Champions League. He can check once more along with his scouts and see how he's 3 or four days later.

"Yes, he went there to ascertain Rio play and currently he can have a chance to talk with Sir Alex Ferguson as Fabio goes to his dinner which can offer him the prospect to debate Rio a lot of totally."

Barcelona vs AC Milan September 2011

2011-09-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

Barcelona opened the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown with a 2-2 home draw against AC Milan in Group H.

Barcelona

Valdes - 6

He conceded at the start and at the end of the game. In between he had little to do.

Abidal - 7

Milan got almost no joy down the right hand flank, mainly because of the defensive work from Abidal.

Busquets - 5

He didn't look comfortable at all as a make-shift central defender. At times he held onto the ball far too long and stood like a statue for Milan's opening goal.

Mascherano - 5.5

Mascherano didn't cover himself with glory in a central defensive role against Milan. The Argentinean seemed unsure of what to do when balls were played over the top and straight down the middle.

Alves - 6.5

His quickness to cut out Milan's passing game was an asset for Barcelona in the opening moments when the Catalans were rocking following Pato's early strike. As time went on though, Barca imposed themselves on their opponents which allowed Alves to get forward more and more

Iniesta (Off 38') - 6.5

Iniesta has been ruled out for up to a month following an innocuous looking challenge in the 38th minute with Milan right-back Abate.

Keita (Off 67') - 7

He was preferred to Fabregas in the starting XI but found himself doing a lot more defending than he might have expected to. Pato was causing massive problems for Barcelona in the opening 15 minutes of the game which forced Guardiola to redeploy Keita into a more defensive midfield role.

Xavi - 7

Barcelona dominated possession as expected and this man was one of the key reasons why.

Messi - 7.5

Messi was full of determination and it paid off for Barcelona in their opening goal. Messi knocked the ball past Nesta and managed to beat the covering man Abate. His cut-back found Pedro who was left with the simplest of finishes to tie things up at 1-1.

Villa (Off 83') - 7.5

What a fantastic free-kick from Villa to give Barca the 2-1 lead against Milan. A right footed effort from 25-yards out which curled, dipped and beat the keeper.His technique is superb.

Pedro - 7

Other than the goal, Pedro won't have much to shout about after the match with Milan. He just didn't appear to be on the same wavelength with his team-mates tonight.

Subs:

Fabregas (On 38') - 6.5

It was his UEFA Champions League debut with Barcelona but he didn't do enough to influence proceedings to justify his place in the starting XI for the next game.

Puyol (On 67') - 6

His second half sub appearance must have been a sight for sore eyes for a Barcelona team which are leaking goals at the moment. The 2-2 draw with Milan follows a 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Afellay (On 83') - 6

Had a good chance to put Barca 3-1 ahead but he's clearly lacking match fitness and confidence.

AC Milan

Abbiati - 7

Made a string of good saves to keep Milan in with a chance at stealing a point but his time wasting tactics when the Rossoneri were 1-0 up in the first half was nothing short of annoying.

Zambrotta - 6.5

Made few mistakes although he found himself pinned back in his own half for practically the entire game.

Thiago Silva - 7.5

A bullet header in stoppage time from the Brazilian earned Milan a share of the points against Barcelona in Group H. He also showed plenty of defensive capabilities earlier in the match.

Nesta - 8

Nesta was absolutely brilliant for Milan. He made countless last ditch tackles and generally had a lot of success organising Milan's zonal marking strategy against Barcelona. He even got the better of Messi in a one-vs-one situation in the second half that left the Argentinean beating the ground in frustration, albeit with a smile on his face.

Abate - 5

He should have never Messi get past him for Barcelona's first goal - it wasn't the first time in the game he was caught ball watching.

Seedorf - 6.5

He may be approaching 40 years of age but as the saying goes: class is permanent. He displayed plenty of neat touches and flicks during the game and it was his corner that was headed home for Milan's dramatic equaliser.

Van Bommel (Off 77') - 6

The Dutchman was given the crucial role in front of the two Milan centre-backs and he did his best to protect them. Barca simply had too much of the ball and van Bommel was chasing shadows for much of the game.

Nocerino - 5.5

He never had any influence on the game.

Boateng (Off 34') - 6

Taken off injured.

Cassano (Off 61') - 6

Saw little of the ball but when he did get it he did a poor job holding up the play. Milan gave possession away far too cheaply which is something you never want to do against Barcelona. Cassano was one of the chief culprits of this.

Pato - 7

A super goal from Pato. Right from the opening whistle, he ran straight through the Barcelona defence before shooting under the goalkeeper to give Milan the lead after 25 seconds.

Subs:

Ambrosini (On 34') - 6

Did his best but the level of the game was beyond him.

Emanuelson (On 61') - 6

Came on as a left sided midfielder.

UEFA Best Player in Europe Award set to be announced

2011-08-09T04:39:00.001-07:00

The inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award will be presented during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw on 25 August. The idea was born out of an initiative by UEFA President Michael Platini and has the intention of reviving the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award.

Created in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM), the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award recognises the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the previous season.

The three nominees in the running for the honour are Xavi Hernández, Lionel Messi (both FC Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF). A jury of 53 sports journalists representing each of the UEFA member associations whittled down the 2010/11 long list to this trio and the final three will feature in a deciding vote during the group stage draw in Monaco.

Emerging talents share EURO aim

2011-08-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

EFA EURO 2012 looms closer into view with the first friendlies of the season on Wednesday and UEFA.com looks at several young talents making their case for potential finals places.

Wednesday's international friendlies mark a further step on the road to UEFA EURO 2012 and several players are hoping that impressive seasons could take them from the fringes into their nations' squads for next summer's tournament. UEFA.com profiles some of those to keep an eye on from the sides in strong qualifying positions as well as one each from the two countries ensured of finals places – co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.

Thiago Alcántara (Spain)
Continuing to progress and impress on both domestic and international fronts, FC Barcelona midfielder Thiago has completed a memorable summer by receiving his first call-up to the senior set-up for the Italy friendly. Coach Vicente del Bosque has stated the 20-year-old is "with us on merit", and Xavi Hernández's withdrawal makes a debut all the more likely. A product of Barça's La Masia youth development school, the Bari-born player struck a spectacular second for his country in June's UEFA European Under-21 Championship final against Switzerland (he'd previously also helped Spain win the 2008 U17 title). He was also on target three times in Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States, prompting Josep Guardiola to say: "Everything Thiago hits is going in at the moment but let's take it step by step with him."

Kyle Walker (England)
The Tottenham Hotspur FC right-back stood out at the U21 finals, where he was named in the all-star squad, and although he will be unable to make his senior debut due to the postponement of the friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday, Walker could fill a position that has been a worry for England ever since Gary Neville stepped aside. The 21-year-old had a successful loan at Aston Villa FC last season but Spurs are keeping hold of him for this season after extending his contract until 2016, manager Harry Redknapp saying: "He is the most exciting attacking right-back you could wish to see."

Sebastian Giovinco (Italy)
"Quality" has been Cesare Prandelli's watchword since his appointment as Italy coach last summer. The 53-year-old made it apparent that technical skills counted for more than physique, and Giovinco, 24, is arguably the epitome. "Despite his small stature he can sometimes be a giant on the pitch," Prandelli said about the Parma FC attacking midfielder. A star of the 2009 U21 Championship, Giovinco failed to make an impact at Juventus and joined Parma last season. He went on to score seven goals in 30 Serie A appearances, including two against his former employers in January and earned himself his senior Italy debut the following month. In March the 'Atomic Ant' provided a wonderful assist to Alessandro Matri when Italy defeated 2-0 Ukraine in a friendly in Kyiv. "Just being here I proved many people wrong," he explained.

Marvin Martin (France)
Another diminutive attacking midfielder, Martin has been called up for the second time by France for their friendly with Chile after having stood out during his first two appearances in June as France took on Poland and Ukraine. Indeed, the 23-year-old FC Sochaux-Montbéliard academy product scored twice in Les Bleus' 4-1 win in Donetsk having already set up another. He is all set for his continental club debut as Sochaux take on FC Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Europa League play-offs later this month, their qualification aided by Martin's 17 assists last season.

André Santos (Portugal)
Having made an international impact at youth level, Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder André Santos, 22, seems to be ready for the next step after Paulo Bento included him for the senior friendly against Luxembourg. Having proved himself with a loan spell at UD Leiria, he returned to Sporting last season and established himself in their midfield to add to Portugal's current crop of players in that position.

Sven Bender (Germany)
A UEFA European U19 Championship winner in 2008 together with his twin brother, the Benders separated in 2009 when they both left TSV 1860 München, Lars joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen while Sven tried his luck at Borussia Dortmund. While some said that Lars was maybe a bit more talented, it was Sven who was first to really break through, a key player in Dortmund's magnificent 2010/11 Bundesliga-winning midfield. His first senior cap came in the 2-1 loss to Australia in March but he could feature again versus Brazil on Wednesday. A holding midfielder who is calm beyond his years in possession, with the vision to open up the game, the 22-year-old was praised by Germany coach Joachim Löw thus: "He is aggressive but fair and he is outstanding when it comes to robbing the ball from the other side."

Kevin Strootman (Netherlands)
Having proven himself in the Eredivisie during spells at Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht, Strootman earned his first international cap on 9 February this year, coming on in place of Dutch player of the year Theo Janssen during the Netherlands' friendly against Austria. The creative, versatile midfielder caught the eye of PSV Eindhoven who snapped him up ahead of this season and the 21-year-old is a firm favourite with national team coach Bert van Marwijk. "I think Kevin can go a long way," Van Marwijk said. "I like players who can think a few steps ahead of everyone else. He doesn't get confused, is strong in any duels and I see enough quality in him to become a top player."

Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Greece)
Last summer, fringe Olympiacos FC defender Papadopoulos (who had made his senior debut aged 15) left for FC Schalke 04 and has not looked back. The centre-back, who turned 19 in February and can also play in defensive midfield, became a first-team fixture as Schalke reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and in July signed a four-year contract extension. A Greece U19 regular at 17 and an U21 player a year later, Papadopoulos was given his senior debut by Fernando Santos against Malta on 4 June, scoring in the 3-1 qualifying win. He could further impress in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, with an eye to next month's crucial trip to Group F rivals Israel, for which Sokratis Papastathopoulos is suspended.

Grzegorz Sandomierski (Poland)
Some fine goalkeepers have come out of Poland in the last few years such as Artur Boruc, Łukasz Fabiański, Tomasz Kuszczak and Wojciech Szczęsny, but the country is ready to provide even more. Sandomierski was the hero of Jagiellonia Białystok's impressive fourth-placed finish last season, having already set a club record the year before with a 564-minute unbeaten run in the league. The 21-year-old, on the radar of several well-known clubs, could win his fourth cap for the UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts against Georgia on Wednesday but the modest Sandomierski told UEFA.com: "I am working hard but I would not put myself on the top list of Polish goalkeepers. Definitely, Boruc, Fabiański, Szczęsny and Kuszczak have still an edge over me." Poland coach Franciszek Smuda's regular calls for Sandomierski suggest otherwise.

Yevhen Konoplyanka (Ukraine)
Skilful, quick and intelligent, 21-year-old FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk attacking midfielder Konoplyanka is considered one of the biggest talents in Ukrainian football. "Konoplyanka is worth €50m," Dnipro coach Juande Ramos once said, and has not changed his opinion despite the free-kick specialist's under par U21 performance in June. "At this age it is hard to be consistent," Ramos explained. "Yevhen is still very talented and will get better." His senior debut came on 25 May 2010 against Lithuania, four days before his first goal in the 3-2 defeat of Romania and he is now setting his sights on a finals squad place.

Eagles eye Derry return

2011-08-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Derry: Could be set for Palace return

Crystal Palace are looking to lure Queens Park Rangers midfielder Shaun Derry back to Selhurst Park, skysports.com understands.

Derry has already had three spells at Palace during his career, and now he could be set to move back to South London.

Some Palace fans were upset at seeing him depart for QPR last summer, but having played a major part in their promotion to the Premier League he could be set to return.

Skysports.com understands QPR are ready to let 33-year-old Derry leave and now Palace are looking to land him.

During this three spells, Derry has played over 200 games for Palace and is a former team-mate of current Eagles boss Dougie Freedman.

Potters in Upson talks

2011-08-09T04:19:00.000-07:00

Upson: Free agent defender holding transfer talks with Stoke City

Sky Sports sources understand that Stoke City are holding transfer talks with free agent defender Matthew Upson.

The 32-year-old stopper is on the lookout for a new club following the expiry of his West Ham deal this summer.

The former Birmingham and Arsenal man is now in talks with Tony Pulis' side over a potential move to the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke have already landed one experienced defender for free in the close season following the capture of ex-Tottenham man Jonathan Woodgate.

Should talks prove successful and Upson pass a routine medical he could be in line to make his Potters debut against Chelsea on Sunday.

Chamberlain hails move

2011-08-09T04:18:00.000-07:00

Chamberlain: Delighted to have finalised move to Arsenal from Southampton

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed his delight after completing his move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have paid Southampton in excess of £12million for the 17-year-old, who completed the move late on Monday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who turns 18 next week, is now looking forward to his Arsenal career.

"I'm so excited to be joining Arsenal. It's a fantastic club and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing at the highest level," he said.

"Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top quality players and an attractive style of play.

"These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal.

"I'm proud to be joining Arsenal but I would also like to thank everyone at Southampton for their help and support during the early part of my career, for which I will always be grateful.

"I'm now looking forward to giving absolutely everything in an Arsenal shirt."

VDV confident Modric will stay

2011-08-09T04:16:00.000-07:00

Modric: Wanted by Chelsea but team-mate Van der Vaart expects the Croatian to stay at Tottenham

Rafael van der Vaart is confident Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Luka Modric will still be at White Hart Lane when the transfer window closes.

Modric's future has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with Spurs having already rejected two bids from London rivals Chelsea.

The Blues are understood to be ready to make a third bid for the Croatia international, who has previously suggested he would be interested in moving to Stamford Bridge.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has insisted that the midfielder is not for sale and manager Harry Redknapp has described Chelsea's offers as 'ridiculous'.

Van der Vaart acknowledged Modric was initially disappointed by the club's stance, but expects his team-mate to continue to give his all for Tottenham.

"I'm really happy that he's going to stay because he's an important player for us," Van der Vaart told Sky Sports News.

"I'm happy, of course. Almost every day we ask him to stay and say 'have a great season, then you can go!'

"The chairman always said he's going to stay, no questions about it.

"I understand he was a little bit disappointed, but in a few weeks he's going to be happy again."

19 key moments After Manchester United secured a record 19th league title, Ian Watson reflects on 19 pivotal moments which defined their campaign.

2011-05-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Did this volley turn the title race in United favour?

1 - Upton Park fightback: West Ham had already put four past a United side at the Boleyn Ground in the Carling Cup and looked a decent bet to repeat the feat when they led 2-0 at half-time in April, courtesy of some United defending that would make schoolboys wince.

Ferguson acted swiftly, not by chucking on another striker, but by moving Giggs to left-back, from where he led the second-half charge that saw the Hammers capitulate and Wayne Rooney rattle in a hat-trick that helped United open up a seven-point advantage over chasing Arsenal and Chelsea, who both were held to draws later the same afternoon.

2 - Signing Javier Hernandez: The lovable Mexican seems scarcely unable to believe his luck that he's playing for United and no doubt Ferguson is counting his blessings too, having seen the striker exceed every expectation during his debut season in England.

This, you suspect, is just the start for Hernandez, who has bagged 13 goals - many of them crucial winners - in his 27 Premier League appearances, with only 15 of those being from the start.

Source http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11979_6936171,00.html

3 - Keeping Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford: Rumours were rife that Vidic was looking to quit United last summer, with his family's happiness often cited as one of the main factors behind his apparent desire to leave. With Europe's top clubs forming a lengthy queue, Ferguson swung into action and persuaded the Serbian warrior to sign a new four-year deal in August, with the captain's armband following swiftly after a bumper pay rise. Vidic has made more league appearances than anyone else this season and chipped in with some crucial goals at one end while throwing himself in front of anything that moves at the other.

4 - Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick v Liverpool: Berbatov's brilliant hat-trick - featuring a bicycle kick out of nothing - appeared to be the moment that the Bulgarian finally believed he was up to the job of leading the United forward line.

Not only did it repel Liverpool's fightback after Steven Gerrard's brace, but Berbatov's treble laid the foundation for his best season at Old Trafford, where he looks likely to finish the season as the Premier League's top scorer, if not a member of Ferguson's first-choice XI.

5 - Wayne Rooney's contract saga: After a disastrous World Cup, a nagging ankle injury and lurid tabloid allegations, Rooney's woes came to a head in October when he released a statement saying he wanted to quit United. Ferguson managed a delicate situation quite brilliantly, and by the end of the week, Rooney had signed a new contract and was enjoying a Paul Scholes-enforced lay-off to finally get his ankle right.

6 - Antonio Valencia's injury: Distressing though Valencia's injury was, Nani certainly made the most of a bad thing. The Portuguese winger has contributed more assists than anyone else in the Premier League, while weighing in with nine goals of his own - comfortably his biggest haul since he arrived at Old Trafford. Since Valencia's return, though, Nani has been shifted back out on to the left, where he's recently looked a lot less productive.

7 - Antonio Valencia's return: The sickening type of injury Valencia suffered in September has left many players before him unable to ever fully recover. The Ecuadorian, however, returned looking as good as new - something Ashley Cole will no doubt testify to.

As good going backwards as he is going forwards, Valencia has been a bonus for Ferguson, whose trust was evident when he threw the winger on at right-back in the Champions League at Chelsea.

A welcome return for Valencia at just the right time

8 - Berbatov winner against Bolton: Coming after defeats at Liverpool and Chelsea, Old Trafford was a jittery place when Bolton came to town. Jonny Evans' red card and Matt Taylor's missed sitter did nothing to calm those nerves, but a great weight was lifted when Berbatov bundled in a last-minute winner to open up a five-point gap over Arsenal, who had been held at West Brom.

9 - Closure of January transfer window: Ferguson is not a fan of buying in January and luckily for the United manager, seemingly nor is Arsene Wenger.

The transfer window slammed shut with Arsenal trailing United by five points but requiring only minor tweaking to become a really serious threat to United. Wenger refused to add, however, and inevitably when the going got tough, the tough got the Gunners.

10 - Hernandez breaks Toffees' resistance: United were once again falling below the standards Ferguson demands when Everton were proving typically stubborn to break down late last month.

Chelsea were licking their lips at the prospect of cutting the deficit to four points until Hernandez leapt to meet Valencia's deflected cross in the dying minutes, keeping the Blues and Arsenal at a safe distance as the title race threatened to go to the wire.

11 - Luke Varney denied a penalty at Blackpool: Two-nil up at half-time, Blackpool looked set to be the side to finally halt United's unbeaten run. Instead of sitting back on their lead, the Seasiders went looking for a third and were denied a penalty when Rafael bundled over Luke Varney in the box.

Ian Holloway could not believe his eyes as the hosts' appeals were waved away, before United did what United do, hitting back spectacularly with three goals in the last 18 minutes to steal the points.

12- Rooney's bicycle kick winner v City: With the derby rivals level at 1-1 and City looking for a winner that would have taken them within three points of the leaders, Rooney put the visitors firmly in their place with a quite brilliant overhead kick that rendered England's best goalkeeper nothing more than a spectator.

13 - Edwin van der Sar signing for his last season: Van der Sar committed to another year at Old Trafford back on February 26, 2010 when, due to fitness and family concerns, it might have been easier to call it a day. Luckily for United, the big Dutchman stuck around and looks set to go out at the very top of his game.

Few spectacular match-winning saves spring to mind - one double stop at Fulham early in the season aside - but the 40-year-old's very presence brings with it a calmness and solidity that Ferguson will find near-impossible to replace this summer.

14 - First away win at Stoke: United's first away win did not arrive until the end of October, when Stoke were beaten 2-1 on their home patch, thanks to the brilliance of Javier Hernandez and some refereeing leniency afforded to Gary Neville.

Hernandez's bizarrely brilliant back header gave United the lead, but it was the Mexican's less spectacular late winner that helped United stay within five points of flying Chelsea.

15 - Stroll in Schalke: United's 2-0 cruise at Schalke meant Ferguson could afford to rest key players for the Champions League semi-final second leg ahead of the make-or-break clash with Chelsea. The Blues were blown away by the pace, power and persistence of the United midfield, most of which was sat with their feet up the previous Wednesday.

16 - Ji-Sung Park's late winner v Wolves: Late goals are as regular as rain clouds at Old Trafford, but Park's injury-time strike against Wolves turned one point into three on a weekend that both Arsenal and Chelsea suffered defeats.

17 - Neville getting lucky at The Hawthorns: In what was Neville's final appearance in a red shirt, United somehow avoided conceding a penalty and a one-man disadvantage when the United veteran denied Graham Dorrans a clear goalscoring opportunity. The Baggies were well on top at that point, but United, with their full compliment of players, escaped with three points thanks to another Hernandez winner.

18 - Signing Chris Smalling: More than a few eyebrows were raised at the fee United paid Fulham for a youngster who was only 13 games out of non-league football. 'Rio Lite', however, has proved very capable back-up for Ferdinand, whose long-term fitness concerns look likely to see Smalling play just as crucial a role next season.

19 - Federico Macheda's cameo at Villa Park: With United two-down at Villa Park and faltering badly, substitute Macheda picked the ball up on the edge of the box and drove forward before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Brad Friedel - something he had previous for. With nine minutes remaining and the young Villans wobbling, Nemanja Vidic's equaliser came as no surprise to anyone.

Police called to West Ham United end of season dinner

2011-05-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Supporters were charged £275 to attend the event in Park Lane

Police were called to reports of trouble involving West Ham players and supporters at a top London hotel.

The club, which was relegated from the Premier League on Sunday, held its end of season dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.

Trouble is thought to have broken out at Monday evening's £275-a-head event when a player refused to sign an autograph for a supporter.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said no arrests were made.

He said: "We were called at 2115 BST to reports of a disturbance at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.

"Officers attended. There were no offences alleged and no arrests."

A spokeswoman for the club denied there had been any trouble.

West Ham's relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Just over an hour after the match, the club's owners confirmed they had sacked manager Avram Grant.

Busquets cleared to play for Barcelona in Wembley final

2011-05-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

Busquets and Marcelo have faced each other several times this season

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets can play in the Champions League final against Manchester United after being cleared of racial abuse.

Uefa has dismissed claims by Barca's Spanish rivals Real Madrid that Busquets racially insulted full-back Marcelo during their semi-final tie.

A statement on Barca's website read: "Uefa has rejected the complaint filed by Real Madrid."

Busquets is now free to line up against United at Wembley on Saturday 28 May.

European football's governing body said via a statement on its website that it had "decided to dismiss the complaint lodged by Real due to a lack of strong and convincing evidence".

Real posted a video on their website before the second leg showing Busquets allegedly calling Marcelo "mono" (monkey) during Barca's 2-0 win at the Bernabeu.

The incident was one of many in an ill-tempered match during which Real player Pepe and coach Jose Mourinho were sent off.

After the game both clubs lodged complaints about each other to Uefa.

The second leg at the Nou Camp ended in a 1-1 draw, with Barca going through to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

Blackburn 1 - 1 Man Utd

2011-05-14T22:58:00.001-07:00

Click to play

Sir Alex Ferguson leads Man Utd celebrations

By Howard Nurse at Ewood Park

A controversial Wayne Rooney penalty was enough to secure Manchester United's record-breaking 19th league title.

The point clinched a 12th Barclays Premier League title for manager Sir Alex Ferguson on an afternoon of high drama at Blackburn Rovers - 25 years after the fiery Scot declared he wanted to knock Liverpool off their perch.

United had to come from behind to write another chapter in their history books after another typically uncertain away league performance in a season in which they achieved only five victories on the road.

They looked to be heading for defeat until Rovers keeper Paul Robinson was ruled to have brought down Javier Hernandez and the visitors were awarded a penalty.

Click to play

Phelan backs penalty decision

Rooney kept his nerve to fire home the 73rd-minute spot-kick and send United's army of supporters into a title frenzy.

The point took United beyond nearest rivals Chelsea and edged the Old Trafford club ahead of Liverpool, who won the last of their 18 league titles in 1990.

The United players were joined by Ferguson on the pitch for the post-match celebrations while Blackburn's fate will not be sealed until the final day of the season next Sunday when they visit relegation rivals Wolves.

There was a sense of irony that United needed a penalty to make sure of their latest title - the spot-kick decision coming just 24 hours after Ferguson was charged by the FA for praising referee Howard Webb ahead of last weekend's showdown against Chelsea.

Blackburn had taken a first-half lead through Brett Emerton after a mix-up in the United defence involving stand-in goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak who almost allowed Jason Roberts to take advantage of his carelessness.

Kuszczak, who is certain to leave the club in the summer because he wants regular first-team football, looked shaky for most of the afternoon and he was at fault when he failed to gather a harmless-looking cross from Emerton.

He could only touch the ball out to the right where Martin Olsson was on hand to fire it back across goal to Emerton who clinically dispatched it into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal rocked United and for a 10-minute spell Blackburn sensed another goal was possible.

United held firm and Hernandez forced Robinson into a neat save when he turned and fire a low shot which the Blackburn keeper did well to push away for a corner.

Click to play

Kean pleased with Blackburn display

The visitors survived a few more nervy moments and must have been satisfied to reach the interval without falling further behind.

United were sent out early for the second half, no doubt with the words of manager Ferguson still ringing in their ears, but it was Blackburn who were unfortunate not to double their lead 20 minutes after the restart.

Blackburn surged forward and Emerton's perfectly-placed cross was met well by Olsson who was distraught to see is firm header crash back off the post and away to safety.

The let-off sparked fresh life into United's trembling title challenge and with Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov introduced, the turning point came with 20 minutes left when Ryan Giggs sent Hernandez bearing down on goal.

Robinson came out to challenge him and when Hernandez went down, referee Phil Dowd blew immediately, but went across to consult his linesman before pointing to the penalty spot.

Blackburn were incensed and replays suggested Robinson did not pull out of the challenge before making contact with Hernandez.

Rooney kept his cool to fire home from the spot and from that moment on there was no doubt that Manchester United were heading for the title.

Nani should have made the title safe but wasted a glorious close-range effort. In the end, it didn't matter as United closed the game out with ease.

The full-time whistle sealed another landmark moment of success for Ferguson, who now has the luxury of being able to rest players in the final game of the season at home to Blackpool with his thoughts now turning to the Champions League final against Barcelona in two weeks' time at Wembley.

Manchester celebrates double win

2011-05-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

The city of Manchester completed a remarkable double on Saturday as its two football clubs won the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Blackburn wrapped up a record-breaking 19th league title, before Manchester City beat Stoke 1-0 at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney's second-half penalty earned United the point they needed to win a 12th Premier League title.

Yaya Toure's second-half goal gave City their first trophy in 35 years.

Click to play

We deserve to win title - Giggs

Earlier this week, Roberto Mancini's side's 1-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League ensured City will play in the Champions League next season for the first time.

"I think it is amazing we have won this final to go with our Champions League place," said goalscorer Toure, who also scored City's winning goal in their 1-0 semi-final win over United at Wembley.

"It means a lot to the players but even more to the fans," added City midfielder Patrick Vieira, who came on in the final minutes to replace David Silva. "They have been waiting a long time for this."

Blackburn had taken a first-half lead through Brett Emerton and just before Rooney's equalising penalty, Martin Olsson hit the bar for Rovers with a header.

If Rooney showed no sign of nerves as he thumped his spot-kick past Rovers keeper Paul Robinson, who had brought down Javier Hernandez to concede the penalty, afterwards he admitted he had been "terrified" before taking his kick.

"I just had to compose myself, said Rooney. "After the year I've had, you know the ups and downs," he added, referring to the transfer request he submitted earlier in the season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: "Our away form has not been great, yet our home form has been absolutely fantastic - that's won us the title."

Click to play

FA Cup win a bonus - Roberto Mancini

The Red Devils have dropped only two points at Old Trafford, though Ferguson's side have picked up 25 points from a possible 57 on their travels.

United will be presented with the Premier League trophy on 22 May after their home game at against relegation-threatened Blackpool, who boosted their hopes of survival with a 4-3 win over Bolton on Saturday.

As Mancunians celebrated both in the city, Blackburn and London, Manchester City Council confirmed that Blues' victory parade would take place on 23 May.

United's parade celebrations will be held on 30 May - two days after Sir Alex Ferguson's side face Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.

While Manchester's two set of fans revelled in their respective successes, Mancini insisted his players would not be drinking to toast their FA Cup win.

"No, they know that we should play in three days" said Mancini, referring to City's Premier League game against Stoke on Tuesday at Eastlands. "We have another two games and we want to try if possible to get third position."

ManchesterUnited celebrate title win

2011-05-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

Manchester United were celebrating winning the Barclays Premier League after their match at Ewood Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his Manchester United team as worthy champions - but admitted this campaign does not compare with the 1999 treble-winning season.

A 73rd-minute Wayne Rooney penalty proved enough to earn United a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers and give the Red Devils a record 19th championship.

t also meant United will end the season with only five away wins, matching the total of Liverpool in 1977.

Yet Ferguson still feels his side deserve the accolades that should come their way, despite repeated doubts being cast over the quality of this particular season.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

"It is not fair to say it's a bad Manchester United team or a bad league," he said.

"It is a tighter league, a harder league to win. Any campaign has got blips for anyone. You have got to look at the league in general."

However, even though his team could yet win the Champions League and were one game away from reaching the FA Cup final, Ferguson knows the overall campaign has been below the standards set in 1999.

"Let's not get carried away," he said.

"The treble season was something special. I don't think anyone will ever do it again. We made a go at it, as a manager of the club, you have to try that.

"But I didn't think it would happen. I thought we would get knocked out somewhere along the line. Fortunately it was the one you would want to win least of all because the Premier League and the Champions League are paramount."

Rooney admitted to being "terrified" before he took the penalty that won Manchester United their 19th league title on Saturday afternoon.

Needing just a point to clinch the prize at Blackburn Rovers, United trailed to Brett Emerton's first-half goal before Rooney levelled from the spot.

"I was terrified, the ref took a long time to give it," Rooney said.

"I had to compose myself, I'd been practising all week."

Making reference to his transfer request and contract dispute earlier in the season, Rooney added: "After the year I've had, with the ups and downs, this is for the fans and the team."

United's 19th title is one more than Liverpool, and former Everton striker Rooney said: "For me personally, being an Everton fan, to win a 19th title is special."

win trophies

Ryan Giggs, winning his 12th title, said: "It's a tough league to win and it's still as special as ever.

"We have the desire and it's a pleasure to play in this team. We want to win trophies."

Asked if he was concerned with the criticism that United's current team does not compare to others in their history, Giggs added: "We're champions and in the Champions League. We're rubbish aren't we?

"Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool. It's great credit to the club, the manager and the players and it's a good feeling to be ahead of our greatest rivals.

our rewards

Twenty-two goal striker Dimitar Berbatov, out of the side in recent weeks, said: "A second title for me is great. I scored many goals this season and helped the team win it. I'm still the leading goalscorer."

United great Gary Neville, now working in the media following his retirement earlier in the season, said: "These are the moments you live for. They will have the best night of their lives."

England defender Rio Ferdinand added: "We missed out last year by a point and it was here we pretty much lost the league (with a 0-0 draw) so it was nice to come back here and get it done.

"We gave away a soft goal but we persevered and got our rewards. To get it done this week makes it easier for the manager, I'm sure.

"It's a better league this year, teams have been beating each other from the bottom to the top which makes it more exciting for the fans."

Ferdinand has endured a tough time with injuries over recent seasons and added: "I'm delighted, it's been a hard couple of years being out but if you work hard you get your rewards."

illustrious history

United will hold a victory parade in the city on 30th May to celebrate winning the Barclays Premier League title.

The event will take place at lunchtime and the open-top bus parade will give fans the chance to join in the celebrations of a record-breaking 19th league title and also a potential Champions League success.

United's chief executive David Gill has revealed the club has been inundated with pleas from fans for a parade and he feels that it is a perfect way to honour this season's achievements.

"Breaking the record of league title wins is a big day in the club's illustrious history," he said.

"We have received many letters and e-mails from fans encouraging us to hold a public celebration of that achievement and we believe this is a fitting way to mark it."

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester United winning their 19th top flight title is a remarkable and historic achievement.

"We're sure fans will come out in their droves to celebrate and acclaim their heroes and that 30th May will be a memorable day for the whole city."

Inter deny Tevez talks

2011-05-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Tevez: Linked with summer move to Inter but Italians have rejected the rumours

Inter Milan have denied that they have held talks about signing Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez.

Tevez is being widely tipped to leave Eastlands this summer, with Inter and Real Madrid touted as the two most likely destinations for the brilliant Argentine.

Inter have denied a deal was in place earlier this year, but fresh reports in Italy claimed that talks had begun over a possible move.

But Inter have again denied any such discussions have taken place regarding a move for the former Manchester United forward.

"Despite what the newspapers write, there is no contact whatsoever for Tevez," Inter's managing director Ernesto Paolillo told Radio CRC.

Tevez himself is currently battling to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup final against Stoke City at Wembley.

Premier League preview

2011-05-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Manchester United can clinch the Premier League title with just a point this weekend as the season reaches its climax.

The Red Devils are within touching distance of their 19th title and a draw at Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime would see them crowned champions with one game left to play.

Meanwhile, the race to avoid relegation enters its final furlong as the teams all the way down from 15th to 20th desperately try and pick up some late points.

The key fixture at the bottom takes place at the DW Stadium on Sunday as West Ham travel to Wigan, but at this stage of the campaign every match has implications on the final standings.

Manchester United have often been criticised this season for being short of their former strength, described as a good side but not championship material. Yet Sir Alex Ferguson has once again proved why he is one of the world's top managers as United only need a point at Blackburn to secure their place at the summit - and a UEFA Champions League final berth is no mean feat either. Last weekend's victory over Chelsea demonstrated their ability to cope with the big occasion so the chance to secure silverware should not faze the Red Devils, although Rovers are fighting for their lives and will be no pushovers.

Click below for individual match facts and previews:
Saturday
Blackburn v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Blackpool v Bolton (12.45pm)
Sunderland v Wolves (12.45pm)
West Brom v Everton (12.45pm)
Sunday
Chelsea v Newcastle (1.30pm)
Arsenal v Aston Villa (4pm)
Birmingham v Fulham (4pm)
Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)
Wigan v West Ham (4pm)

Only a miracle will do for Chelsea but Carlo Ancelotti will be keen to at least finish the season on a high. They need United to lose two while the Blues need to win their remaining games to avoid relinquishing their tag of champions. It has been a strange season for Chelsea, who started the campaign brilliantly but then slowly slipped down the standings. A miserable winter leaves Ancelotti's position at the club now the subject of intense speculation ahead of Sunday's game at home to Newcastle. The Magpies have little to play for this term and Chelsea will fancy their chances for their final match at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham are currently rock-bottom and in desperate need of a victory at Wigan. The Hammers were close to a comeback win against Blackburn last time out but are in a precarious position as the clock ticks down. Currently four points adrift of safety, it could be curtains for Avram Grant and the prospect of Championship football at the Olympic Stadium suggests a tricky future for West Ham. Wigan have similar problems but home advantage and a two-point cushion above their London opponents will give them heart.

Fight for survival - Wigan v West Ham

Blackpool host Bolton at home and it is a must-win encounter for the Seasiders as they go to Manchester United on the last day of the season. Ian Holloway will know that they cannot travel to Old Trafford in search of three points, but his team have not performed to their best at Bloomfield Road this term. They showed great heart at Tottenham last weekend though, and if the Tangerines can produce a similar showing, then they will fancy their chances against the Trotters.

A fine display from Wolves to see off Black Country rivals West Brom lifted them out of the relegation zone but the job is not yet over for the Molineux outfit. Mick McCarthy insists he will not rest until the season ends but three points at Sunderland would put his side in an excellent position going into the last day. The Black Cats are merely going through the motions and Steve Bruce is now looking to next season - they will therefore either produce a lacklustre effort or play without pressure and be difficult to beat.

Dogfight

The final team in the dogfight are Birmingham City who, despite a number of opportunities to claw themselves out of trouble, sit just three points above the drop zone. The Carling Cup winners will see survival as well as a piece of silverware as a real achievement this season, but the former is not assured just yet. Alex McLeish's Blues host Fulham who are finishing on a high - a win for City would surely be enough, can they manage it?

Live on Sky Sports

vs
Blackburn v Man Utd
May 14, 2011 12:30pm

Fifth take on sixth as Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield hoping to book their place in next year's Europa League. Spurs are tired after an exhausting campaign which saw them reach dizzy heights in Europe, but Harry Redknapp has recently admitted that he will not be too downbeat if they do not finish in the top five. Liverpool's resurgence continues and they will no doubt be buoyed by the news that Kenny Dalglish has penned a new three-year contract.

Arsenal will hope to secure third place and benefit from Manchester City playing in the FA Cup final when they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates. Another year has passed without a trophy for the Gunners and it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger will loosen the purse strings in the summer in a bid to strengthen his squad. Villa remain under the stewardship of Gary McAllister while Gerard Houllier is still on the road to recovery.

Finally, Everton go to West Brom looking to take momentum into next season. The Toffees are notoriously slow starters but they are finishing with a real bang and David Moyes will be desperate to keep this current form going in August. The Baggies have done enough to secure their place in the top-flight although it has been an up-and-down campaign for them, Roy Hodgson steering them to safety following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo. This game could go either way.

Barclays Premier League table

2011-05-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday, 14 May 2011 00:00 UK

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS

1	Man Utd	36	39	76
2	Chelsea	36	37	70
3	Arsenal	36	30	67
4	Man City	36	22	65
5	Liverpool	36	18	58
6	Tottenham	36	6	56
7	Everton	36	6	51
8	Stoke	36	2	46
9	Bolton	36	-1	46
10	Fulham	36	4	45
11	Newcastle	36	-1	44
12	Sunderland	36	-12	44
13	West Brom	36	-16	43
14	Aston Villa	36	-13	42
15	Blackburn	36	-14	39
16	Birmingham	36	-18	39
17	Wolves	36	-21	37
18	Blackpool	36	-22	36
19	Wigan	36	-23	36
20	West Ham	36	-23	33

FA charges Ferguson over referee Howard Webb comments

2011-05-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ferguson is on the cusp of winning Man Utd a record 19th league title

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for comments about referee Howard Webb.

The comments in question were made in the build-up to the 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea on 8 May.

Even though Ferguson spoke positively about Webb, he broke FA rules which state that no manager should speak about a referee prior to a match.

The Old Trafford club's manager has until 1600 BST on 16 May to respond.

Ferguson's side beat Chelsea 2-1 last Sunday to move within a point of securing a record 19th title with two games to spare.

But two days before the game - which would have seen Chelsea top the table had they won - Ferguson spoke about Webb at a news conference.

"We are getting the best referee, there is no doubt about that," he said at the time.

"But [getting a bad decision] is definitely our big fear.

"We have the players to do it all right. We just hope it's our turn for a little bit of luck."

Ferguson only recently returned to the dug-out after a five-game ban and £30,000 fine for his criticism of referee Martin Atkinson following a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in March.

He is unlikely to be banned again but the FA's action is further proof they are determined to implement their Respect Campaign.

The FA charge comes a day before United's trip to relegation-battling Blackburn as Ferguson's side aim to wrap up the Premier League title before they play in the Champions League final on 28 May.

Ferguson's news conference ahead of the trip to Ewood Park had already taken place before the FA announced its charge against him.

And the United manager said: "It is most important we approach this game in the right way.

"This is always a difficult game. Blackburn probably need another point to stay in the Premier League and we will not be underestimating them."

Sepp Blatter warns of Fifa 'black hole'

2011-05-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Blatter is bidding for a fourth presidential term at Fifa

Current president Sepp Blatter says Fifa will be plunged into "a black hole" if rival Mohamed Bin Hammam wins next month's leadership election.

Swiss Blatter is bidding for a fourth term at the helm, with Qatar football chief Bin Hammam standing in his way.

And with the days ticking down to the 1 June vote, Blatter said: "The ballot could lead to a seismic shift with irreversible damage.

"Quite simply, the survival of Fifa is at stake."

He added: "It is a question of whether the game's established world governing body will continue to exist after this date or whether it will disappear into a black hole.

"'Is it that dramatic?' you may ask. The answer is, theoretically, yes, it is."

Blatter is favourite to survive the challenge of Bin Hammam and has the support of European governing body Uefa's executive committee - a potentially decisive factor in the outcome of the vote for one of the most powerful positions in world sport.

And while confident he will retain his position, 75-year-old Blatter warned of what he believes the consequences are of a vote for Bin Hammam.

"What is actually at stake?" asked Blatter, who has been dealing with fresh claims this week about four Fifa executive committee members allegedly asking for favours in return for votes in last year's decision on hosting the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

I will happily and unreservedly restate that I firmly believe Fifa, as a decision-making body and as an organisation, isn't corrupt

Mohamed Bin Hammam

"The Fifa presidential election is not about candidate A or candidate B, it is about whether there will be any candidates at all in future.

"I am confident that I will win the election with a clear two-thirds majority. South America, Central and North America, Europe, Oceania and a significant part of Africa and Asia will continue to support my ideas.

"Nevertheless, it is worthwhile outlining what the alternative would be, i.e. none at all.

"What applies for every carpenter also applies for us: the roof will only hold as long as the foundations are in place.

"If the ground beneath crumbles, the entire edifice will collapse. And that is precisely what is at stake on 1 June. All or nothing!"

Bin Hammam, meanwhile, this week insisted football's world governing body is not corrupt.

Earlier this week Lord Triesman, who ran England's failed 2018 World Cup bid, made allegations against several high-ranking Fifa officials.

But 62-year-old Bin Hammam said: "I will happily and unreservedly restate that I firmly believe Fifa, as a decision-making body and as an organisation, isn't corrupt."

However, Bin Hammam did say that Fifa needs a "new atmosphere" to dispel negative publicity surrounding the organisation.

"It is impossible to deny that its reputation has been sullied beyond compare," admitted Bin Hammam. "It's time for that to change."

Triesman levelled corruption allegations against a number of senior Fifa officials who were involved in the voting process for the next two World Cups.

We should be prepared to give concessions in order to achieve reform and be prepared to consider giving up the historic privileges

Damian Collins MP calls for the FA to demand Fifa reform

Bin Hammam said that under the leadership of Blatter, Fifa had been "choosing to run football how it sees fit, rather than doing so in a manner that is consistent with the governing body's proper procedures".

That had made it "hard to get the public to believe in the organisation".

He added: "There needs to be an opportunity for new ideas to take hold and for the organisation to take a new direction."

Damian Collins, the MP who revealed the latest World Cup bribery scandal, said the Football Association should offer to abandon its historic Fifa privileges in return for reform of the world governing body.

Collins used Parliamentary privilege on Tuesday to allege that Fifa executive members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma had been paid $1.5m (£900,000) to vote for Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

The FA and the governing bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the only individual national associations on the International Football Association Board, the game's law-making body.

Each of the UK associations has a vote and Fifa has four votes.

This situation has long caused resentment among some figures in world football and Collins said the FA could take the lead on reform by offering to give them up.

Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, said: "The FA should be at the vanguard of pushing for the reform of Fifa. We should be leading the call for change and should be prepared to ruffle a few feathers.

"We should be prepared to give concessions in order to achieve reform and be prepared to consider giving up the historic privileges."

Collins said the reforms should include the World Cup bidding process, that there should be strict rules governing contact between bidding nations and Fifa ExCo members, and that Fifa should consider restaging the 2022 vote if the allegations against Qatar are proved.

Bin Hammam, who did much to secure the 2022 World Cup for his country, has denied any bribes were paid.

"I can assure you nothing like this has happened from our side," he insisted.

"If someone wants to damage reputations like this then they have to provide the proof. You can't just accuse people just like that. It didn't happen."

Football European review

2011-05-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

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Messi: Scored 50th goal of the season for Barca

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Barcelona and AC Milan moved closer to their respective titles, with Lionel Messi achieving a milestone goal.

Dortmund slipped up in Germany but remain clear of Bayer Leverkusen, while Marseille won the French League Cup.

Celtic and Rangers could not be separated in a 0-0 Old Firm stalemate and PSV Eindhoven went down to Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.

La Liga

Lionel Messi made it a remarkable 50th goal of the season as Barcelona ran out 2-0 winners against Osasuna, leaving them eight points clear with five games remaining this season.

Real Madrid are in good form though, and Los Blancos thrashed Valencia 6-3 at the Mestalla, going into the UEFA Champions League clash with Barca in good form.

Villarreal's hopes of a top-four finish suffered another blow as they lost to Sevilla, while Athletic Bilbao beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in the Basque derby.

Serie A

AC Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to eight points with four games remaining following a narrow 1-0 victory at Brescia - Robinho grabbing a late goal for the Rossoneri.

Inter Milan moved up to second as they beat Lazio 2-1, in a game where one player from each side was sent off.

Napoli slipped to third with defeat at Palermo, as Sampdoria earned a vital 1-0 victory at Bari to give them relegation hope.

Bundesliga

German leaders Borussia Dortmund are within touching distance of the title but slipped up 1-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach, meaning they are five points clear with three games left to play.

Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen kept the pressure on with a 2-1 success at home to Hoffenheim, despite going behind.

Elsewhere, Wolfsburg boosted their survival chances by thrashing Cologne 4-1 and Bayern Munich were held 1-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ligue 1

In France, Lille did not take full advantage of Marseille not playing until Wednesday as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Lorient.

L'OM were not in league action but secured the French League Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Montpellier.

Lens are six points off safety after a stalemate at Auxerre, Rennes fell to Monaco and PSG were held by Brest.

Eredivisie

FC Twente are on top of the Eredivisie as on Friday night they earned a 2-1 win at ADO Den Haag.

The result was made all the more significant as title rivals PSV Eindhoven fell 3-1 at Feyenoord, leaving them three points behind Twente.

Ajax are up to second after thrashing Excelsior 4-1 on Sunday, Lorenzo Ebecilio bagging a brace.

SPL

In Scotland, the Old Firm locked horns for the last time this season and while Celtic missed a penalty, Rangers held on to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox.

Hearts and Motherwell played out a thrilling 3-3 draw and although Dundee United beat Kilmarnock 2-1, the Edinburgh outfit remain in pole position for third this term.

Best of the rest

In Turkey, Fenerbahce beat Bucaspor 5-3 in an entertaining encounter as Galatasaray were held by Kayserispor.

Finally, Young Boys of Berne went down to Swiss rivals Basle 2-1 in a close encounter

Mancini wants Ibrahimovic

2011-05-11T06:56:00.001-07:00

Ibrahimovic: Has said that he wants to stay at Milan

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could attempt to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer as he builds a squad for the UEFA Champions League.

Having secured fourth place in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night, City are planning for next season.

And with uncertainty surrounding the future of Carlos Tevez, and Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko failing to meet expectations, a striker could be a target.

Ibrahimovic is currently on loan at Serie A champions AC Milan from Barcelona and the Swede has said he wants to stay at the San Siro, but a City bid of around £20million could change the situation.

Right qualities

"If Zlatan wants to come to City, I would immediately find him a place."
Roberto Mancini Quotes of the week

Mancini, who won the Italian title with the 29-year-old at Inter Milan, said in The Sun: "If Zlatan wants to come to City, I would immediately find him a place."

City reportedly fear that Argentina international Tevez still wants to quit the club this summer, despite withdrawing a transfer request earlier in the season.

There has also been speculation about Balotelli, a £24m signing from Inter last August, amid suggestions that the Italian is homesick.

But Mancini, who left the 20-year-old as an unused substitute against Tottenham, said: "He will definitely stay. Mario is an ongoing bet.

"He has shown he has all the right qualities, but needs to do more, much more, to give a sense to his talent."

Fifa question cup allegations

2011-05-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Jerome Valcke, Fifa's secretary general, has questioned why former FA and England 2018 bid chairman Lord Triesman did not bring the allegations to the world governing body before.

Triesman told a Parliamentary committee there had been "improper and unethical" behaviour by four FIFA executive committee (ExCo) members including asking for money and a knighthood when he was lobbying for England.

Valcke said however: "It could have been said before. If it was known, why did it not come to our attention? Why were we not informed?"

Two more Fifa members, Issa Hayatou from Cameroon and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast, are alleged to have been paid 1.5million US dollars to vote for Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, according to claims highlighted by MPs at the culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons.

With two other Fifa members, Amos Adamu from Nigeria and Reynald Temarii from Tahiti, banned by the body's ethics committee last year, it means no fewer than eight Fifa ExCo members - one third of the total of 24 - have either been alleged to have been or already found guilty of impropriety in relation to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

Triesman tells all

Adamu was also named in evidence provided by the Sunday Times to the committee as having been bribed by Qatar but his suspension preventing him from voting.

Valcke denied claims by MPs that Fifa had failed to reply to an official letter about the Qatar claims.

"There was a letter and we did definitely reply," said Valcke. "But there has not been a single time, apart from what we got from a UK newspaper, where we got any evidence anything was wrong during the process.

Information

"I'm not saying anyone is lying but if we had clear information that there was some kind of evidence we would have immediately asked for it."

Triesman gave evidence of "improper and unethical" behaviour by four other executive committee members.

He said Fifa vice-president Jack Warner asked for money - suggested to be £2.5million - to build an education centre in Trinidad with the cash to be channelled through him, and later £500,000 to buy Haiti World Cup TV rights for the earthquake-hit nation, also to go through Warner.

"There has not been a single time, apart from what we got from a UK newspaper, where we got any evidence anything was wrong during the process. "
Fif'a's Jerome Valcke Quotes of the week

Paraguay's Fifa member Nicolas Leoz asked for a knighthood while Brazil's Fifa member Ricardo Terra Teixeira asked Triesman to "come and tell me what you have got for me".

Thailand's Fifa member Worawi Makudi wanted to be given the TV rights to a friendly between England and the Thai national team, said Triesman.

He added: "These were some of the things that were put to me personally, sometimes in the presence of others, which in my view did not represent proper and ethical behaviour on the part of members of the executive committee."

John Whittingdale, chairman of the committee, said he would now be writing to Fifa president Sepp Blatter to launch an investigation into the evidence "as a matter of urgency".

And the FA's chief operating officer Alex Horne has pledged to bring any evidence of corruption to Fifa as quickly as possible.

Horne was in Zurich attending the inaugural meeting of Fifa's Task Force 2014 when news of the fresh corruption scandal broke.

"We will make sure the evidence gets to the Fifa ethics committee," Horne said.

"So many people put so much time into the vote but we've tried to move on. I'm not sure what the protocol is but we will recommend the select committee passes any evidence over to Fifa."

Adams cut by Blades

2011-05-10T19:34:00.001-07:00

Adams: Has parted ways with Sheffield United following their relegation

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Sheffield United manager Micky Adams has left Bramall Lane following the club's relegation from the Championship this season.

The 49-year-old boss parted ways with the South Yorkshire club on Tuesday following an ill-fated stint at the helm, which saw the Blades finish second-bottom of the table.

Adams had stressed he had wanted to remain at the Lane in a bid to revive the club's fortunes after a miserable campaign.

However, he met with owner Kevin McCabe on Tuesday when he was informed his services were no longer required.

Fan

The former Port Vale manager, a lifelong United fan, was appointed on 30th December last year after former boss Gary Speed became coach of the Wales national side.

United won just four of their 24 games under his guidance, and their relegation to League One was confirmed last week.

Adams' assistant Alan Cork, who was also appointed in December, has also parted ways with the club, as well as chief executive Trevor Birch.

McCabe told the club's official website: "It is always difficult when managers leave because usually it occurs when a team has been in trouble, but this decision has been made as amicably as possible between us all.

"Obviously I am very, very disappointed with the decision but I still wish Sheffield United all the best. "
Micky Adams Quotes of the week

"Micky is an honourable, hard-working and honest man who has had difficult circumstances to deal with from the moment he came in.

"The task was a big one and no one, least of all myself, can criticise the effort he and Alan put in to turn around what was already an awkward season for us.

"He made it clear that he wanted the chance to lead us next season but the fact remains that we have been relegated.

"There will have to be changes in player personnel in the summer, young players will have to be given opportunities at the right time, and prudent recruitment implemented for what will be a really tough division to get out of.

"With that in mind I feel that in order to give ourselves the best opportunity we should make a clean sweep at the top and start afresh next season."

Disappointed

Adams said: "Obviously I am very, very disappointed with the decision but I still wish Sheffield United all the best.

"I am a Blade and will always be a Blade so I am just sorry that my move here has not worked out.

"I pass on my thanks to the fans and would still like to think that they regard me as one of them.

"To carry the support of so many of them in some pretty dark days was very much appreciated.

"But most of all I wish the McCabes well because if anyone deserves success it is Kevin and his family."

Man City 1 - 0 Tottenham

2011-05-10T19:29:00.001-07:00

Manchester City qualified for the Champions League for the first time as Peter Crouch's own goal gave them the decisive victory over Tottenham at Eastlands.

Crouch's strike here late last season sent Spurs into Europe's elite competition at City's expense - and he was unwittingly involved at the same end again as he deflected James Milner's cross past keeper Carlo Cudicini in the first half.

It proved enough to give Roberto Mancini's side the win they required after a tension-riddled affair controlled for long spells by Spurs, who dominated possession in the second half to test the nerves of an increasingly anxious City support.

Celebrations swept around Eastlands as referee Mike Dean sounded his final whistle to send City into the Champions League, the destination desired by the club's Abu Dhabi hierarchy from the moment they started to bankroll the club in such lavish fashion.

And Carlos Tevez added to the sense of elation for City with a lively cameo as a late substitute in which he set up a chance for Patrick Vieira and was only denied a goal by a fine stop from Cudicini, who replaced the injured Heurelho Gomes.

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Top-four finish a 'milestone' - Kompany

Tevez must now wait to discover if he has convinced Mancini that he has recovered sufficiently from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him for a month to play a significant part against Stoke City in Saturday's FA Cup Final at Wembley.

He was forced to wait until the closing stages before his introduction with the game so finely poised - a state of affairs that proved highly frustrating for the Argentine and he appeared to vent his feelings in Mancini's direction as he waited to enter the action.

City's win also brought joy for Stoke, who now qualify for next season's Europa League as a result of securing a place at Wembley.

Spurs, in contrast, now face a battle with Liverpool to finish fifth and they can feel unfortunate not to have earned at least a point from a spirited performance, with City keeper Joe Hart keeping them at bay with a superb save from substitute Steven Pienaar's header early in the second half.

This is a landmark moment for City, who can now mix it with Europe's biggest clubs on the pitch after proving more than a match for them with their financial firepower off it.

And Champions League qualification also provides a footballing incentive as they pursue high-profile signings in addition to the riches already on offer for their transfer targets.

Tevez returned on the bench for the first time since tearing his hamstring at Liverpool early last month in an attempt to stake his claim for a place in City's Wembley line-up.

Spurs, meanwhile, replaced Gomes with veteran Italian Cudicini - although they insisted this was because of a back injury sustained by the Brazilian in training rather than a reaction to his recent indifferent form and expensive errors against Chelsea and Blackpool.

And Cudicini showed his quality after only nine minutes with a point-blank block from Edin Dzeko after the outstanding David Silva laid the ball into his path only eight yards out.

Silva's diminutive stature and elegance brought inevitable comparisons with the gifted Modric, who also excelled in the first half and twice almost put Spurs in front.

The Croatian had a shot deflected wide and was only inches away with a side-foot finish that beat Hart and was so close to finding the target that Spurs coach Kevin Bond initially rose to his feet and punched the air in celebration.

Spurs' disappointment was doubled as City went ahead seconds later. They failed to track Milner as he worked a short corner with Adam Johnson and his low driven cross was turned into his own net at the near post by Crouch.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was then forced to make a change when Wilson Palacios limped off and was replaced by Pienaar - who almost brought Spurs level moments after the interval.

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Redknapp still optimistic for future

The South African rose to meet Aaron Lennon's cross, but his downward header was turned away splendidly with his left hand by Hart.

It was the start of a spell of persistent Spurs pressure and possession, helped by City's passive approach that resulted in them being virtually camped on the edge of their own area for lengthy periods.

City lost Pablo Zabaleta after he sustained a nose injury in an aerial clash with Crouch and the left-back was replaced by Aleksandar Kolarov after a lengthy spell of treatment on the touchline.

And the clearest sign of Spurs' complete domination came when City got Tevez ready for action, only for Mancini to seemingly change his mind and send on Vieira for Johnson in an attempt to restore some semblance of order to proceedings.

City did start to enjoy more possession to ease the frustrations of their supporters, who were growing increasingly agitated at their inability to apply any pressure on Spurs.

Tevez was finally introduced with seven minutes remaining and set up Vieira, whose lofted effort beat the advancing Cudicini but was brilliantly cleared off the line by William Gallas.

And the Argentine was still lively in the closing seconds when he broke clear and forced a fine save from Cudicini - before referee Dean ended five minutes of stoppage time and confirmed City had finally booked their ticket at European football's top table.

Jason Steele, a 20-year-old shot-stopper Look to the future

2011-05-07T05:31:00.000-07:00

Jason Steele, a 20-year-old shot-stopper, has been on a remarkable journey over the past 12 months which have seen him go from playing League Two football to being linked with a multi-million move to the Premier League.

Steele is another graduate of Boro's highly acclaimed academy and his big breakthrough came this year.

Having spent time on-loan at Northampton Town last season, Steele was handed his chance for Boro in their Carling Cup clash with Chesterfield and such was the impact he made, he has never looked back and gone on to become first choice at The Riverside.

Steele is quick to point out the benefits of going out on loan, a move he feels changed his career.

"Without a doubt," he explained. "It was around the end of February when I went, and it was one of the most important things that has happened to me since I have been playing football.

"I have to thank Northampton for giving me that chance and it made me grow up so much."

Steele explained how league football differs so much from playing in the youth and reserve ranks.

"From playing in the reserves where it is about development and not so much about results, you're suddenly playing with men who are playing for bonuses for their wives, children and families.

"It is a good situation to be in and I got took in by them, and it was a huge thing for me. It showed me what the real world is all about, you're playing for your livelihood."

He also explained that he chose to actually move away from the north of England in order to enhance his education.

"I chose to move away, there might have been somewhere up north I could have gone, but I wanted to see if I could cope with living away. I was there for three months and it made me mature.

"I think I came back a better person, more mature and I like to think it helped me get into the first team fold."

Steele has long-since been tipped as star of the future, having been involved with England since U16 level.

And the Boro youngster reveals how also being on the international stage has helped him develop further.

"Being with England really helped me, it gives you that little taste of what you can achieve," he continued.

"You get that week of school when you're 15 and you think 'I can be something if I do work hard'. You get that taste for it, you get treated like a proper footballer, and you feel like a footballer and it gives you that self motivation to think 'wait a minute, this is what I want to do'.

"I remember when that happened and I thought there is nothing going to stop me now."

Steele has already been tipped to make the step up to the full squad soon and has been likened to current England number one Joe Hart; a player he very much looks up to.

"There are a lot good keepers at the moment, Joe Hart is number one and could easily be number one for as long as he wants to be.

"He is the sort of person I need to model myself on and try and take little bits from him. I get a lot of comparisons to him and I would like to think I could take little bits and add them to my own game, as he is top-class."

Steele feels that English goalkeeping is in a very good place at the moment.

Steele: On international duty for England

"There has been a lot of criticism about the state of goalkeeping, but there are some very good young keepers, Scott Loach, Frankie Fielding, Alex Smithies - those three alone are in their early 20s.

"I can learn from all these guys, I speak to them regularly and I know I can keep improving with work."

One of the areas that Steele feels he needs to improve is on his strength, as he admits playing first-team football has much different demands on the body.

"It is a lot different to when you first start, as you're playing once a week if that. It is a massive step up, but everyone makes sure you're ready when that comes," he adds, before admitting that natural ability is not enough to take you through.

"When you are at the that age coming into the Academy you rely on your natural ability, you have to keep brushing up on technique and technical issues, but now I'm working on making myself bigger and stronger and trying to get myself ready to play every Tuesday and Saturday, which an be a lot for a young player like myself."

Steele is also working on his mental toughness, which is another aspect of his game he has worked hard on since making his first-team debut.

"Throughout your life as a footballer you're going to have your ups and downs, especially as a goalkeeper," he said.

"When that happens it can be hard for people to understand that you can suffer from a lack of confidence."

The Newton Aycliffe-born star still admits that he finds it hard to believe how far he has come in the past 12 months.

"I was on the bench for the first game of the season and there was talk of me going out again on loan.

"And then all of a sudden I got a game in the Carling Cup and I got into the driving seat from there and I always felt I just needed that chance at Middlesbrough.

"I think it was just fate that the game was also on television and all the fans saw the match and what I could do. It was just luck and sometimes you just need that little bit of luck, but it has been surreal that I have now played over 30 games for my hometown club, it is massive.

"I still go out on a Saturday and think 'Jesus, this is surreal', but at the same time I feel I have earned that right. But, I know I cannot slack off, as otherwise I won't be playing."

Steele is proud of the fact he has added his name to a long list of players to have made the breakthrough with Boro.

"Middlesbrough have such a proud tradition of bringing through young players and it is coming to the fore now, you look at the Premier League there are a lot of players who have come through the youth system here.

"I think it shows the work that Dave Parnaby and the rest of the staff are putting in, and shows it can work."

Steele, who has already signed a new long-term deal with Boro, has been linked with a move away from the club, something he has seen happen to some of his predecessors with Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones joining Chelsea and Liverpool respectively in recent years.

"People are different, they have their own mind-sets, I wouldn't begrudge Ross or Brad what they have done. If you look at the size of clubs, not many people in the world would turn down Chelsea or Liverpool. That choice has never come up for me, and if it did that is a bridge you have to cross, but I am just happy improving and playing football."

Source :http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,19690_6916431,00.html

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Ancelotti - Rooney over Messi

2011-05-07T05:28:00.001-07:00

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he would rather have Wayne Rooney than Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star is widely regarded as the best player in the world, but Ancelotti has a different opinion.

The Blues chief, though, feels Rooney offers more to a team and he would take the Manchester United forward if offered the choice.

"Everyone goes for Messi but I would take Rooney"
Carlo Ancelotti Quotes of the week

"Everyone goes for Messi but I would take Rooney," he told the Daily Mail.

"Messi is out of this world and maybe he is reaching the level of Maradona.

"Rooney, however, is closer to the reality of football. He puts his talent out to the rest of the team and this explains the difference between players and outstanding players."

Ancelotti comes up against Rooney on Sunday as Chelsea face United at Old Trafford and he insists he will not be man-marking the England star.

"We want to play our football, not just control their skills and ability. Rooney is the key player for United, and the last time against us Ryan Giggs was the best player. He passed three balls and they scored three goals," he added.

Source : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6917781,00.html

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Mourinho to fight Uefa ban

2011-05-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho does not plan to accept his five-match Uefa ban without a fight, according to assistant Aitor Karanka.

The Portuguese was handed the punishment by European football's governing body for his actions during and after the fiery UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Bernabeu last week.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has already served a one-match ban, at this week's return leg at the Nou Camp, while another is suspended, meaning he will miss Madrid's first three European games next season.

Madrid, who also received further punishments from Uefa for other incidents during the game, have already announced they will appeal the ruling.

Mourinho did not appear before the media on Friday on the eve of Madrid's Primera Liga clash with Sevilla, with his Karanka taking his place.
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Karanka also undertook media duties before and after this week's semi-final second leg with Barca, where a 1-1 draw saw Madrid tumble out of Europe 3-1 on aggregate
Sanctions

Asked about Mourinho's reaction to his ban, Karanka said: "When you receive a sanction like that you never receive it well and more so if you don't know the reason for the sanction.

"The club have already announced they are going to appeal and, on a personal level, Mourinho is going to defend himself and he will fight to the end."

Karanka claimed the club still have not been told the reason for Mourinho's punishment.

"As things stand today, Uefa haven't communicated the reason for the sanctions against the coach," he said.

Karanka suggested Mourinho may not hold another press conference until he receives clarification about his punishment.

"The idea is that, until it's specified or a concrete reason given, Mourinho will not speak at a press conference," Karanka said.

"[Mourinho] feels he is being totally backed by the club and is proud that everyone at the club and the fans are supporting him.

"We know what we've done well and what we've done badly, what we're allowed to do and what we're not."

Source : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_6917321,00.html

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Five key factors MU Vs Chelsea

2011-05-07T05:22:00.001-07:00

The selection or omission of Torres

There has been much talk of this, and no wonder why, amid rumours Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is obligated by owner Roman Abramovich to select January acquisition Fernando Torres - a catch-22 situation for the Italian? The floodgates have so far failed to open for the £50million signing from Liverpool after 63 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur produced no second goal following the breaking of Torres' goalscoring duck versus West Ham. Common consensus seems to be that the Blues will have a stronger chance of victory at Old Trafford should they start with Didier Drogba in a solo striking role. In seasons gone by, Torres has given United's backline a rough ride, but in five appearances, for both Chelsea and Liverpool, versus the Red Devils this season the Spain international has failed to score. Drogba, meanwhile, netted in defeat after coming off the bench at United in the Champions League last month.
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The centre of the park

Yes, you knew this already, but nonetheless this matter of the game being won and lost in midfield needs to be explored further. United's slump last weekend at Arsenal that blew open the title race largely hinged on their failings in the midfield battle. The partnership of Michael Carrick and Anderson proved a weak one as a youthful Gunners trio marshalled this area. Indeed, a view of that game's post-match statistics reveals the visitors lost out to their North London hosts on possession, passing success, number of passes made and territorial advantage. It is anticipated that Ryan Giggs will return to the starting line-up, the Welshman hoping to have a similar impact as he did in the two recent Champions League meetings. For Chelsea, meanwhile, the importance of their holding man cannot be underestimated as John Obi Mikel aims to replicate Arsenal midfielder Alex Song's successful job last weekend of nullifying the threat of Wayne Rooney.
The Old Trafford influence

United's home record this campaign has been near perfection. Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have dropped just two points on their own turf in the league this season. An even more eye-watering statistic is that no opposition player has scored a first-half goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Joe Cole did in this fixture last April - good heavens. So good has the table-toppers' points return been at home this term that two wins from their remaining matches at Old Trafford would match the record haul of 55 points set by none other than Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in the 2005/06 season.

Redknapp on Man Utd v Chelsea
The psychological factor

"The results against them in the Champions League were very good. I think that gives us the psychological advantage," said Nani. Yes, while Chelsea have strung a run together of five successive league triumphs, their two European stutters versus their rivals United have deflated that swelling balloon of confidence. However, it is a rare thing for United's own mental strength to be under scrutiny. Chelsea will take great heart from the previously-thought-impossible scenario that they are even in this position come May. Chelsea had fallen back to fifth and nine points behind the Red Devils, only for a combination of their resurgence and an unusual United wobble to present them with an opportunity of going top on goal difference with two matches to play. Now, talk of a Newcastle United-esque capitulation is making the pages in newspapers. On record, the Red Devils boast the highest May points return in the Premier League, but, despite Giggs stating: "We have not thought about losing a big lead", one cannot help but feel that a peculiar emotion for a United player called 'doubt' must lurk in the depths of players' minds.
The man in black

Let us talk facts: referee Howard Webb has awarded penalties to United in three of the last four competitive games he has officiated at Old Trafford. Also, Ferguson's charges have won the last seven Premier League matches at the Theatre of Dreams that Webb has officiated. Now the conjecture: Ferguson has wasted little time in ramping up the pressure on Webb ahead of Sunday's showdown. He claims that Chelsea benefited from "great decisions" in their 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Yet, pressure is on all referees' shoulders this weekend, not just Webb's, following a number of controversial decisions in the previous round of Premier League fixtures. That said, Ryan Babel's Tweeted mock-up of Webb dressed in a Red Devils shirt remains burnt into one's memory.

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Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (Agg: 3-1) Pedro strike sends hosts through to Champions League final despite Marcelo equaliser

2011-05-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

The Catalan side took the lead in the 54th minute through Pedro’s strike, largely thanks to Andreas Iniesta's glorious through ball, only for Marcelo to equalise ten minutes later.

Jose Mourinho's men were unable to complete the task billed as “mission impossible” as Barcelona completed their journey to yet another Champions League final.

Real Madrid started brightest in the opening exchanges as they searched for an early goal, Cristiano Ronaldo in particular, began well as he looked to emulate Lionel Messi.

As the game grew in stature Barcelona began to find their customary rhythm, and when Angel di Maria was caught in possession near his own penalty area, Andrea Iniesta found room to shoot but the Spanish international dragged his effort wide.

Messi then found the ball at his feet with space around him for the first time and proceeded to surge forward only for Ricardo Carvalho to commit a professional foul earning the Portuguese man the night’s first caution.

Both Lassana Diarra and Gerard Pique earned defensive admiration when they put in vital challenges to halt the progress of Messi and di Maria respectively as the game began to become more open.

The Blaugrana were exerting their supremacy on the tie as the Madrid players began to chase shadows and should have taken the lead when Sergio Busquets evaded his marker only to direct his header from six yards straight at a grateful Iker Casillas.

Barcelona overcame Real Madrid in a match which restored some pride back into El Clasico as the Catalan giants secured a 3-1 win on aggregate to secure a place in their seventh Champions League final.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s promising start had quickly cascaded but when he peeled away from Dani Alves in the box the Portugal international had a chance to bring the ball down. Instead, though, he tried to lay it off first time with his shoulder to no avail.

Barca resumed their dominance and in a frantic ten minute period Real Madrid were left questioning how they were not behind.

Lionel Messi came inside and looked to bend an effort out of Casillas’ reach but the Spanish No. 1 was equal to it, and despite an initial fumble he held on to it on the second attempt.

The Argentine then brought down Dani Alves’ cross with class oozing from his every touch, the second took it beyond Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol but his third saw him uncharacteristically drag his effort wide of the far post.

Casillas was forced into another fine save moments later when the irresistible Messi played in David Villa who shaped to curl it in the far post only for the Spanish stopper to throw a left hand to keep Real Madrid in the tie.

Barcelona showed their prowess with smart passing inside Real Madrid’s penalty area and was only brought to an end when Messi’s shot was palmed away by a sprawling Casillas.

The second-half saw the visitors look to break the deadlock and they thought they had when the ball fell to Gonzalo Higuain who made no mistake in steering the ball beyond an onrushing Victor Valdes only for the celebrations to be cut short because of the whistle.

Javier Mascherano had gone to ground clutching his ankle following a touch from Ronaldo which proved enough to earn an important free-kick for his side.

And soon after Mourinho's team found themselves a goal down, and seemingly out of the competition. Andreas Iniesta took a moment to compose himself before threading a sublime pass through to Pedro who finished with aplomb to give Barcelona the lead in the 54th minute.

Real Madrid responded by introducing Mesut Ozil and Emmanuel Adebayor to the fray as they went in search of the three goals that they required to keep alive their European dreams.

They found themselves level soon after when di Maria took the ball past Mascherano, the No. 22 then crashed an effort against the upright but upon its return to di Maria he played it inside to Marcelo, whose first time finished pulled the Madridistas back into the tie.

Despite the capital’s clubs best efforts they couldn’t find a second goal which would have had their opponents reeling in the final stages of the match, as Barcelona secured another Champions League final.

There was a late appearance for one, Eric Abidal, who was greeted with rapturous applause from everyone in the stadium after this his first game since his operation to remove a cancerous tumour.

Barcelona will wait to see who they will face at Wembley on the 28th May, with Manchester United facing Schalke in the second leg tomorrow night, with the English side taking a 2-0 advantage back with them to Old Trafford.

Source :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/59294/barcelona-vs-real-madrid/report

Masa Depan Montolivo Masih Menggantung

2011-05-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Florence - Ricardo Montolivo adalah pemain penting bagi Fiorentina. Namun masa depannya justru masih digantung La Viola dan memungkinkan si pemain pergi musim panas ini.

Kontrak Montolivo memang baru berakhir Juni 2012. Namun pesepakbola internasional Italia itu banyak diminati klub-klub Seri A dan Eropa, contohnya Inter Milan dan Juventus.

Jika memang Fiorentina tak ingin kehilangan salah satu bintangnya itu, manajemen harus menyodorkan kontrak baru. Apabila tidak maka 'Si Ungu' akan melepas Montolivo dengan cuma-cuma tahun depan atau menjualnya ke klub lain musim panas nanti.

Masalahnya adalah agen si pemain mengakui sampai saat ini belum ada pembicaraan dengan pihak klub soal kontrak baru. Ini pun turut mematahkan rumor yang berkembang jika pekan depan sudah ada diskusi dengan Montolivo.

"Tidak ada yang berubah dalam seminggu ini dan tidak ada hal baru yang musti dilaporkan," ujar agen pemain Giovanni Branchini seperti dilansir Football Italia.

"Kini kami menunggu Fiorentina mengumumkan soal itu. Namun saya tegaskan tidak ada berita baru dan tidak ada jadwal pertemuan," tutup Branchini.

Sejak bermukim di Artemio Franchi tahun 2005, gelandang 25 tahun itu sudah tampil 179 kali dan menyumbang 12 gol.

Source : http://www.detiksport.com/sepakbola/read/2011/05/04/000051/1631797/71/masa-depan-montolivo-masih-menggantung?b99110170

Dortmund win Bundesliga

2011-05-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga with two games to spare and AC Milan need one more point to clinch their first Serie A title since 2004.

The weekend results in England and the Netherlands set up dramatic finales in those leagues while Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid both lost as they prepared for next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg.

Premier League leaders Manchester United went down 1-0 at Arsenal and go into next Sunday’s match against champions Chelsea just three points ahead of their opponents with three games left.

Dutch leaders Twente Enschede will face second-placed Ajax Amsterdam to decide the title in the final match of the season.

Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga for the seventh time and the first since 2002 as they beat Nuremberg 2-0 and challengers Bayer Leverkusen lost 2-0 at Cologne.

First-half goals from Paraguayan Lucas Barrios and Pole Robert Lewandowski sent Dortmund eight points clear with two games to go and left four-times Leverkusen still waiting for their first league title.

Few had believed in Dortmund’s title chances before the season began as they lined up a largely untried and untested group of young players, but they won 22 out of 32 games and lost only four.

Coach Juergen Klopp had beer poured over him by his players in traditional German celebrations after the final whistle.

Source : http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/dortmund-win-bundesliga-milan-close-in-on-serie-a/article2006015/

Leverkusen's Hyypia retires to start coaching

2011-05-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Bayer Leverkusen's Finnish defender Sami Hyypia confirmed on Monday he will hang up his boots at the end of the season and will join the coaching staff at the Bundesliga club.

Hyypia, 37, joined Bayer in 2009 after 10 years with Premier League club Liverpool and his contract was due to expire in 2012.

However he has decided to return to Finland to prepare his coaching diploma and will then join the coaching setup at the Finnish national side before returning to Leverkusen in 2012 after the German club offered him a two-year contract as deputy coach.

"My time at Leverkusen has been fascinating and will finish with a direct qualification for the Champions League," said Hyypia, who played 52 times for the club.

"I've spent two years with a superb team and a wonderful club which is giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career."

Hyypia has 105 caps for Finland and won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.

Source : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iXh5G8GQB88POAtdDXmEsW4pjKkw?docId=CNG.60e4dbcdd5dacfa39eff0b1976b074d3.4d1

Germany and Netherlands top Group B billing

2011-05-02T07:29:00.001-07:00

Germany and the Netherlands are predicting a tough encounter in their Group B opener on Tuesday, while debutants Romania are banking on team spirit as they face the Czech Republic.

UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B kicks off as the tournament ended two years ago, with a meeting of Germany and the Netherlands, while newcomers Romania are looking to team spirit to see them through against the Czech Republic.

Germany, then hosts, beat the Netherlands 2-1 after extra time to win the 2009 tournament, but neither qualified last season. Both put that right this year – Germany with six perfect wins – and there is much mutual respect ahead of their Smederevo opener.

""It's a special game, Holland against Germany, and a difficult game for us"," said Germany coach Steffen Freund, without top scorer Samed Yesil and defender Koray Günter due to suspension against a side they beat 2-1 in a September friendly. "Holland are really strong, I know their squad. They beat Portugal, who we lost against a few months ago, and drew against Croatia and beat Austria, who I know, we beat them in the qualifying round which was difficult. That's why I can't say who are favourites. We know what we have to do."

Albert Stuivenberg has led the Netherlands to a fourth finals in his five-year reign, but over the weekend injuries ruled out attackers Jordi Bitter and Jean-Paul Boëtius, who scored the goal against Portugal that earned qualification. "That's all in the game and we have confidence in the two new players [Danzell Gravenberch and Michael Chacon]," Stuivenberg said.

"The first game is always a difficult one. It is the first time the players have experienced this so we always have to wait and see if the players are ready. We are confident, we know Germany are a very strong side. "We have lost one game this season and it was against Germany", our first game, a friendly. Many things have changed, we have developed and they have developed."

Romania are the 31st UEFA nation to compete in the ten U17 final tournaments and coach Adrian Văsâi, missing banned midfielder Steliano Filip, is banking on the fruits of squad stability against the Czech Republic at Belgrade's Miloš Obilić stadium. "It will be a very difficult game for us," he said. "The Czech Republic are very strong. But we are here and have our strengths and we hope for a good result. "Our main strength is team spirit and the fact they have been playing together for a long time"."

The Czech Republic are the first team to make the U17s finals having only progressed from the autumn's qualifying round as one of the best third-placed finishers. Eight changes were made by coach Josef Csaplár prior to March's elite round victory in Italy and he has spoken about a "new era" in Czech football, focusing on being able to ensure youth talents can consistently make the transition to senior ranks.

"We have a lot of information on Romania," said Csaplár, missing suspended midfielder Aleš Čermák. "But for us it is important to develop the playing style as much as the results. We have a lot of information but 80% or 90% we concentrate on ourselves. "We want to see good, creative football"."

Source : http://en.uefa.com/under17/news/newsid=1626042.html

Barcelona's Montoya to miss rest of season

2011-05-01T17:26:00.001-07:00

FC Barcelona will be without full-back Martín Montoya for the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken collarbone and dislocated left shoulder during his team's 2-1 defeat by Real Sociedad de Fútbol on Saturday.

Given his first start so Daniel Alves could rest ahead of Barça's UEFA Champions League semi final second leg with Real Madrid CF, the 20-year-old fell awkwardly in the tenth minute and was replaced by the Brazilian shortly afterwards. Following analysis by club medics, the defender is estimated to be out for up to six weeks.

The Spanish champions have also confirmed that Gabriel Milito suffered a thigh tear while scoring a goal that was subsequently disallowed in the 78th minute of the Liga encounter, though the the extent of the damage has yet to be determined.

Josep Guardiola's side, who have also lost Bojan Krkić (knee), Eric Abidal (liver tumour) and Adriano (hamstring) to injury and illness in recent weeks, and were without Andrés Iniesta (calf) for Wednesday's first leg, resume their tie with Madrid 2-0 ahead after Lionel Messi's double at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1625577.html

What hope for Madrid and Schalke?

2011-05-01T17:23:00.001-07:00

Two years after they met in the UEFA Champions League showpiece, Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona seem to be on a collision course again as the semi-finals reach their conclusion.

Goals in the 2009 final from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi at Rome's Stadio Olimpico prevented the Red Devils from becoming the first club to win back-to-back titles in the UEFA Champions League era, Sir Alex Ferguson's team having triumphed 12 months earlier against Chelsea FC in Moscow.

In the first leg of the all-Spanish semi-final, Barcelona established what would appear to be an insurmountable 2-0 lead against Real Madrid CF. Pepe and coach José Mourinho had been dismissed before two Lionel Messi strikes left the Merengues with it all to do on Tuesday at the Camp Nou. "Against ten players they could play much easier," said Mourinho. "The second game in Barcelona will be very difficult, almost impossible."

Indeed, only two sides have recovered from a first-leg home defeat to win a tie in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League, and in both cases they only had to overturn 1-0 deficits: FC Internazionale Milano's triumph at FC Bayern München in this season's round of 16 (0-1 home, 3-2 away) and the 1995/96 semi-finals, when AFC Ajax recovered from losing 1-0 at home to Panathinaikos FC with a 3-0 away triumph.

Madrid have lost the home first leg five times in UEFA competition and won only one tie, recovering from a 1-0 loss with a 2-0 victory at Schwarz-Weiss Tirol Innsbruck in the 1970/71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round.

Barcelona have progressed 30 out of the 32 times they won the away first leg in UEFA competition, including all six in which the away leg finished 2-0 in their favour. They have let a two-goal advantage slip, however, a 4-2 win at FC Metz preceding a 4-1 home reverse in the 1984/85 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round.

There are no such chinks in United's armour as they await the return against FC Schalke 04. Having won 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen last week, the statistics say they are on the way to the Wembley final on 28 May; United have progressed in all 14 UEFA competition ties where they won the first game away from home, including against Chelsea in this season's quarter-finals (1-0 away, 2-1 home).

Schalke have lost only one home first leg in UEFA competition, going down 1-0 to Barcelona in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. They lost the away match by the same scoreline. Hope, however, springs eternal, and striker Raúl González said: ""There are 90 minutes left and we're not going to just give up; we know it's very difficult but will try to at least leave a good account of ourselves.""
Source :http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/blogs/blog=blog_talkingpoint/postid=1625055.html

Arsenal 1 - 0 Man Utd

2011-05-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

Arsenal blew the Premier League title race wide open as leaders Manchester United were deservedly beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's winner early in the second half condemned United to defeat and leaves them only three points ahead of Chelsea with identical goal difference - and a meeting between the two to come at Old Trafford next Sunday.

Forced to rebuild his promising career after suffering a broken leg, Ramsey made the most of a chance to deputise for injured captain Cesc Fabregas with a goal that will have been met with almost as much joy at Stamford Bridge as it was in front of Arsenal's fans.

Victory was well-earned reward for their superiority against a United side that never looked like repeating the heroics of their Champions League semi-final first leg victory against Schalke 04 on Tuesday in Germany.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must have thought the fates had conspired against him when they were denied a clear first-half penalty after Nemanja Vidic handled Theo Walcott's cross.

But the game concluded with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson angry at referee Chris Foy after substitute Michael Owen was hauled down in the area by Gael Clichy in the closing moments, only to have his appeals ignored.

It is a win that has probably come too late to revive Arsenal's own title aspirations, but one which gives Chelsea real hope that they can retain their crown if they can beat United next week.

Ferguson cut a frustrated figure throughout, a mood matched by his players as they rarely got to grips with an Arsenal side they have enjoyed so much success against in the recent past.

Arsenal lost Fabregas to a thigh injury sustained in training on Saturday - but his absence did not stop the Gunners dominating a first half that concluded with them nursing an acute sense of injustice.

Vidic, a central figure in every sense, was fortunate not to be punished for an uncharacteristic error after only three minutes.

In attempting to clear, he only succeeded in finding Jack Wilshere and was relieved to see the teenager pull his effort inches wide.

And Walcott could not keep a close-range shot under control as he stretched to meet Clichy's cross, sending it well over the top of Edwin van der Sar's crossbar.

United have had joy against Arsenal in the past by lying deep before striking with devastating effect on the counter attack.

And they almost delivered a sucker punch in the face of Arsenal's early superiority when Fabio da Silva burst into the area unmarked, but was unable to find Javier Hernandez.

Click to play

Phelan disappointed with Man Utd

Arsenal, with justification, were furious just after the half-hour when Vidic clearly used his hand to direct Walcott's cross away from the incoming Robin van Persie - an offence missed by the officials.

England striker Wayne Rooney's main contribution had been a yellow card for fouling England team-mate Wilshere just before the interval.

He did show his enduring quality with a curling 25-yard free-kick after 48 minutes, but the previously unemployed Wojciech Szczesny was equal to the task with a diving save.

Arsenal finally got the goal they had merited after 56 minutes, Ramsey sliding a low finish into the corner of the net from Van Persie's incisive cut-back.

United, thoroughly out of sorts, replaced Anderson with Antonio Valencia moments before the goal.

They did muster a response, however, when Vidic rose highest from a corner to head just wide.

And in a belated show of urgency by United, Szczesny was then forced to save well from Nani after Rooney had driven deep into the Arsenal half in a bid to lift his team-mates from their slumbers.

With three minutes left Ferguson and United's players were reduced to a fury as Owen was brought down from behind by Clichy as he raced into the area.

Referee Foy, much to Ferguson's obvious disgust, was unimpressed.

It was Arsenal's last anxious moment before closing out a win that leaves the title potentially on the line when United confront champions Chelsea, who narrowly beat Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday.

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9469712.stm

Live - Premier League

2011-05-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Rooney wants to beat rivals

2011-05-01T05:11:00.001-07:00

United striker enjoying his current position supporting Hernandez.

Wayne Rooney believes it would be 'absolutely fantastic' if Manchester United can beat Arsenal and Chelsea to clinch the Premier League title

United hold a three-point lead over Chelsea heading into Sunday's game with Arsenal, but know back-to-back victories at Emirates Stadium and at home to the reigning champions will secure a record-breaking 19th league crown.

Rooney has been a key figure in recent weeks as United close on the title after suffering an indifferent first half to the season, and also scored in the UEFA Champions League semi-final win at Schalke in midweek.

He is aware the Red Devils can not take a place in the European final for granted and is also focused on overcoming their domestic rivals over the course of the next week.

Crazy

"Nothing could be better than beating your two biggest rivals to win the league," said Rooney.

"Nothing could be better than beating your two biggest rivals to win the league. It would be absolutely fantastic. It would be great to do that and win the league with two matches to go."
Wayne Rooney Quotes of the week

"It would be absolutely fantastic. It would be great to do that and win the league with two matches to go.

"We have to stay focused, because we saw what Schalke did to Inter Milan in the San Siro, where they scored five.

"And as for the league, they are two massive matches against Arsenal and Chelsea.

"They are difficult games against two top teams. The league has been crazy all season but we've got our consistency now."

Rooney is also enjoying his current position in the United side as the link man between midfield and in-form striker Javier Hernandez.

The England international added: "I feel I can influence the game more from there.

"I believe it is my natural position and I am happy with the way I am playing. The manager has got me playing just behind Chicharito and it's working well - he has been fantastic this season.

"But it's not a new role for me. It's the position I had in junior football and my early days at Everton.

"Until now, it's a position I have never really had a run in at United. It's a position I enjoy and I still get opportunities to score. It's sort of backing up Chicharito and helping in midfield."

Source : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6907874,00.html

Di Vaio double sinks struggling Juventus

2011-02-27T07:11:00.000-08:00

Second-half strikes against his former club by Bologna FC striker Marco Di Vaio condemned Juventus to their fourth defeat in six Serie A encounters and consecutive 2-0 reverses.

Marco Di Vaio scored twice against his former side as Bologna FC completed a surprise 2-0 away win against misfiring Juventus.

The hosts, playing without the suspended Gianluigi Buffon, were hoping to arrest a slump that had grown to four defeats in six league matches following last week's reverse at lowly US Lecce. Though Vincenzo Iaquinta was unlucky to hit the woodwork in the first half, the visitors responded by taking the lead when Di Vaio (49) capitalised on a defensive error by Felipe Melo.

The 34-year-old Di Vaio, who spent two seasons with the Bianconeri between 2002 and 2004, then scored his 16th Serie A goal of the campaign (66) after dribbling past Leonardo Bonucci and Zdeněk Grygera.

Victory moves Bologna on to 35 points, level with ninth-placed Genoa CFC and Cagliari Calcio, while Luigi Delneri's charges remain seventh after their eighth reverse of the season, seven points off the UEFA Champions League places.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ita/news/newsid=1600783.html

Madrid draw leaves Barcelona in the clear

2011-02-27T07:09:00.001-08:00

FC Barcelona's Liga lead stands at seven points after Real Madrid CF failed to follow up their title rivals' 3-0 triumph at RCD Mallorca with a victory of their own.

Madrid, who hit the post through Cristiano Ronaldo in one of many late efforts, were unable to find a way through a stout RC Deportivo La Coruña rearguard in Galicia despite dominating possession and territory for large swathes.

FC Barcelona's Liga lead stands at seven points after Real Madrid CF failed to follow up their title rivals' 3-0 triumph at RCD Mallorca with a victory of their own.

Madrid, who hit the post through Cristiano Ronaldo in one of many late efforts, were unable to find a way through a stout RC Deportivo La Coruña rearguard in Galicia despite dominating possession and territory for large swathes.

Earlier, Lionel Messi (38) set Barcelona en route to their 22nd Liga win of the campaign with a header over goalkeeper Dudu Aouate, latching on to Seydou Keita's delicate chip in behind the Mallorca defence.

Mallorca, who drew 1-1 with Barcelona in October, conceded further goals to David Villa (57) and Pedro Rodríguez, whose first goal in six games for club and country was a wonderful dipping effort from the edge of the area.

RCD Espanyol climbed to fifth by virtue of a 4-1 win against visitors Real Sociedad de Fútbol and José Antonio Reyes's equaliser (76) salvaged Club Atlético de Madrid a 2-2 draw from their home encounter Sevilla FC. The other game, between Real Sporting de Gijón and Real Zaragoza, finished goalless.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=1600780.html

Manchester United not for sale

2011-02-26T20:18:00.001-08:00

(CNN) -- Manchester United's American owners have again insisted that the English club is not for sale, releasing a short statement while announcing second-quarter financial results on Friday.

British media have renewed speculation that Qatar's royal family will make an offer of a reported £1.8 billion ($2.9 billion) for a club that U.S. billionaire Malcolm Glazer and his family bought in 2005 at an overall value of £800 million.

"The board notes recent press speculation regarding a possible bid for Manchester United," the statement said. "The owners remain fully committed to their long-term ownership of the club.

"No discussions have taken place, Manchester United is not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers."

The Glazers have been criticized by United fans after it was revealed that their takeover involved a £660 million debt in finance leveraging, which they have been paying off with club revenue since.

The latest results showed that the 18-time English league champions' turnover for the three months up until December 31, 2010 increased from £87 million ($140 million) to £93.2 million ($150 million).

While domestic matchday income for the period dropped slightly from £33.1 million to £32.8 million, and media revenue stayed similar, commercial turnover including overseas merchandising climbed from £19.2 million ($31 million) to £25.5 million ($41 million).

Gross debt dropped from £512.5 million ($825 million) to £489.4 million ($787 million) while the board revealed the club had net assets of £771 million ($1.2 billion) and a cash balance of £134.5 million ($216 million).

United's bid to win a record 19th domestic crown continues at Wigan on Saturday as Alex Ferguson's team seek to restore a four-point lead over second-placed Arsenal -- who face Birmingham in Sunday's League Cup final.

Source : http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/25/football.manchester.united.glazers/index.html

Hernandez brace puts Manchester United four points clear

2011-02-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

(CNN) -- Two goals from striker Javier Hernandez helped Manchester United go four points clear at the top of the English Premier League on Saturday after a 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic.

The 22-year-old converted Portugal winger Nani's cross after 17 minutes, and the Mexico international put Alex Ferguson's team two goals ahead with 16 minutes of the match left.

England's Wayne Rooney added a third goal for the 18-time champions on 84 minutes as he finished from substitute Dimitar Berbatov's pass, and Brazilian full-back Fabio completed the rout three minutes from time.

The result helped the Old Trafford team move onto 60 points from 27 matches, four points clear of second-placed Arsenal -- who face Birmingham City in the League Cup final on Sunday.

United's comprehensive victory against second-bottom Wigan served as perfect preparation for Tuesday's trip to reigning champions Chelsea, who are 15 points behind the Red Devils in fifth and not playing this weekend.

Elsewhere, 10-man Newcastle United stayed in ninth position after a 1-1 draw at home to seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers.

Captain Kevin Nolan gave Alan Pardew's Newcastle an early lead with a header against his former club, but Bolton's on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge leveled the match with his fourth goal in four games.

Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor was dismissed after 54 minutes for a two-footed tackle on Sweden forward Johan Elmander, but Bolton could not make the most of their numerical advantage.

Two goals from Jermaine Beckford secured a 2-0 home success for Everton over Sunderland, who dropped below Bolton on goal difference.

David Moyes' side took the lead at Goodison Park thanks to a Beckford shot which deflected off defender Titus Bramble, and the former Leeds United forward secured his first-ever Premier League brace after 39 minutes.

It was a disappointing result for Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who signed a new contract this week which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2014.

Aston Villa moved away from the relegation zone courtesy of a convincing 4-1 defeat of Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park which moved the home team up to 12th -- a point above their opponents.

Stand-in captain Ashley Young fired Gerard Houllier's side ahead with a second-half penalty, and Villa went two goals clear when Rovers defender Grant Hanley diverted a Marc Albrighton cross into his own net after 62 minutes.

England winger Stewart Downing raced clear of the visitors' defense to calmly convert a third goal in the 65th minute, but Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic responded for Blackburn with nine minutes left.

England international Young made sure of the win when he hammered home Downing's pass, and Blackburn's misery was complete when captain Ryan Nelsen received his marching orders in stoppage time.

Wolverhampton Wanderers moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference above West Brom with a 4-0 win against Blackpool.

It was a fitting victory for Wolves, on the day it was announced former defender Dean Richards had died, aged 36, after a long struggle with illness.

Mick McCarthy's team took the lead thanks to Matt Jarvis' curling shot after two minutes, and it got worse for Blackpool -- who beat fourth-placed Tottenham 3-1 on Tuesday -- when striker DJ Campbell was sent off for a push on Richard Stearman.

On-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara doubled Wolves' advantage nine minutes into the second half, before two late goals by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake confirmed the three points and left Blackpool in 14th -- four points above the drop zone.

In Sunday's Premier League fixtures, third-placed Manchester City host Fulham and sixth-placed Liverpool travel to bottom side West Ham.

Source :http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/26/football.manchester.united.hernandez/index.html

Dortmund close on German title after ending Bayern hoodoo

2011-02-26T20:13:00.001-08:00

(CNN) -- Borussia Dortmund moved a big step closer to a first German Bundesliga title in nine years on Saturday with a historic 3-1 victory over defending champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Jurgen Klopp's team moved 13 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who visit Werder Bremen on Sunday, and 16 ahead of Bayern -- who lost at home to Dortmund for the first time in 20 years.

Louis van Gaal's team dropped to fourth after the home defeat, occupying Germany's final Champions League position for next season with 10 rounds to play.

Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his 11th goal of the season after Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger lost posesssion to Kevin Grosskreutz, who threaded a perfect pass into the penalty area.

Welcome win for struggling Wolfsburg

Brazilian defender Luis Gustavo equalized seven minutes later with his first goal for Bayern since arriving from Hoffenheim in January, sidefooting in a volley from Franck Ribery's corner.

Dortmund immediately went back in front through a wonderful effort from Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin, who curled a 20-yard left-foot shot past goalkeeper Thomas Kraft.

Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez thought he had leveled again in the 20th minute, but the striker was ruled to be offside.

Former Bayern defender Mats Hummels sealed the Westphalian team's victory with a header from Mario Gotze's corner on the hour mark.

With 15 minutes left, Dortmund's 22-year-old Australian keeper Mitchell Langerak capped a solid Bundesliga debut when he denied Germany international Gomez from close range.

Hanover claimed third place after central defender Christian Schulz's last-gasp header was enough to see off St. Pauli.

The 27-year-old converted from Portuguese winger Sergio Pinto's 87th-minute corner to put Mirko Slomka's team two points ahead of Bayern,.

Mainz remained in fifth place after also needing a late goal to snatch all three points away to Hoffenheim.

Former Austria midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz put the visitors in front before his compatriot David Alaba looked to have rescued a draw for ninth-placed Hoffenheim in the 84th minute.

But with just four minutes left, 30-year-old Colombian midfielder Elkin Soto secured victory for Thomas Tuchel's Mainz with his second league goal of the season.

Germany international Lukas Podolski scored an 88th-minute winner to help Cologne beat SC Freiburg and climb into 11th position, eight points behind their opponents.

Sixth-placed Hamburg could only manage a 1-1 draw away to relegation-threatened Kaiserslautern.

Marco Kurz's Kaiserslautern drew first blood through Adam Hlousek's first-half goal, but Marcell Jansen's leveler for Armin Veh's Hamburg left the home team in 15th position and above the relegation play-off place on goal difference.

Schalke's disappointing Bundesliga season continued with a 1-1 draw at home to Nuremberg.

Nuremberg, currently eighth in the table, took the lead through Jens Hegeler, only for former Real Madrid and Spain striker Raul to equalize after 52 minutes.

Source :http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/26/football.bayern.dortmund.mainz/index.html

Real Madrid setback boosts Barcelona's title defense

2011-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

(CNN) -- Barcelona moved seven points clear in Spain after title rivals Real Madrid faltered with a goalless draw at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's team had a frustrating night at the Riazor, as top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo had a first-half effort ruled out for offside and also hit the post in the second spell.

Emmanuel Adebayor earlier volleyed against the post and fellow substitute Angel Di Maria forced a fine save from goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia after Ronaldo's fierce 82nd-minute drive rebounded off the base of the woodwork.

Karim Benzema then should have scored from Xabi Alonso's low cross, but the striker -- who netted in the midweek Champions League draw with his former club Lyon -- got tangled up with the ball and the desperate Deportivo defense cleared the danger.

By contrast, champions Barcelona romped to a comfortable 3-0 victory at Mallorca earlier in the evening, with two-time world player of the year Lionel Messi again on target.

The Argentina forward broke the deadlock with an opportunist effort seven minutes before halftime as he ran onto an inventive lob by Seydou Keita, headed on the bouncing ball and then nodded it past goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.

It was the 23-year-old's 42nd goal this season and his 26th in La Liga, putting him two ahead of Ronaldo.

Mid-table Mallorca held Barca to a 1-1 draw in October, but never looked like repeating that after David Villa made it 2-0 in the 57th minute with his 21st goal this season and 17th in the league.

The Spain striker beat the offside trap to collect a defense-splitting pass from Sergio Busquets and round Aouate, who had unwisely charged out of his area.

Winger Pedro Rodriguez added his 13th league goal in the 66th minute as he cut in from the left and fired a right-foot shot that appeared to loop off a defender and over the helpless Israeli keeper.

Barcelona went into the match without injured midfielder Xavi Hernandez, captain Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes, while Brazil defender Dani Alves was suspended.

Espanyol moved up to fifth place with a 4-1 crushing of Real Sociedad, whose midfielder Dani Estrada opened the scoring three minutes before halftime and then immediately put the ball in his own net at the other end.

Striker Sergio Garcia made it 2-1 nine minutes after halftime, then midfielders Jose Callejon and Javi Marquez scored in the last 10 minutes.

Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla, which did little to help either team's hopes of European football next season.

Striker Alvaro Negredo put seven-placed Sevilla ahead four minutes before halftime, but midfielder Koke leveled two minutes after the break.

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic restored Sevilla's lead on 66, but Jose Antonio Reyes netted 10 minutes later to keep Atletico ahead of ninth-placed Sociedad on goal difference.

Sporting Gijon moved a point away from the relegation zone after being held 0-0 at home by Real Zaragoza, who remained third from bottom.

In Italy, seventh-placed Juventus crashed to a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Bologna in Saturday's only Serie A game, with the Turin club's former striker Marco Di Vaio scoring both goals.

The result, which followed last weekend's reverse against lowly Lecce, left the 27-time league champions 14 points behind leaders AC Milan, who host second-placed Napoli on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon sacked coach Paulo Sergio on Saturday with the 18-time Portugal champions knocked out of Europe and languishing in third place in the table.

Jose Couceiro will replace him until the end of this season, starting with Sunday's trip to face Nacional in Madeira as Sporting trail the new coach's league-leading former club Porto by 23 points.

Source : http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/26/football.barcelona.real.madrid/index.html

Arsenal face wait on Walcott and Fàbregas

2011-02-26T20:07:00.001-08:00

Theo Walcott and Cesc Fàbregas picked up injuries in Arsenal FC's league win on Wednesday, the former suffering an ankle sprain that will rule him out of Sunday's League Cup final.

Arsenal FC will be without Theo Walcott for Sunday's English League Cup final while Cesc Fàbregas also suffered an injury in the 1-0 Premier League win against Stoke City FC.

Fàbregas was replaced by Andrey Arshavin after 14 minutes at the Arsenal Stadium and Walcott was carried off on a stretcher with 19 minutes remaining having fallen awkwardly under a challenge from Dean Whitehead.

"Walcott has an ankle sprain; I can't tell you how long he's out for, but for Sunday he is definitely out," said manager Arsène Wenger. "Fàbregas has a hamstring problem but we will assess that [on Thursday]; tonight it's impossible to say how serious it is."

Laurent Koscielny and Robin van Persie missed the Stoke game with back and hamstring issues respectively, the latter having not played since last week's 2-1 home win against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg.

Arsenal travel to the Camp Nou for the return fixture of that tie on 8 March but take on Birmingham City FC in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1599347.html

Who has shone brightest so far?

2011-02-26T20:03:00.001-08:00

Some have soared while others have suffered, but which team most caught your eye during the opening instalments of the UEFA Champions League round of 16?
With the UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties now poised at the halfway stage, the tournament contenders have all had a chance to demonstrate their potential.

The first legs smiled on the English sides in particular, with Tottenham Hotspur FC clinching an excellent 1-0 win away against AC Milan and Chelsea FC taking a stranglehold on their tussle with FC København. Arsenal FC fought back to grab a 2-1 advantage against FC Barcelona ahead of the return meeting at the Camp Nou on 8 March and even Manchester United FC, the only Premier League outfit not to prevail, can be pleased with their goalless draw at Olympique de Marseille.

Milan's loss heralded a troubling two weeks for the Italian aspirants, all three of whom suffered damaging home losses, and holders FC Internazionale Milano will need a superb performance at FC Bayern München on 15 March if they are to avoid an early exit to last season's runners-up. As for AS Roma, their 3-2 defeat by FC Shakhtar Donetsk suggested the Ukrainian outfit could continue to prove a handful.

While Barcelona now need a victory to progress, their fellow Liga representatives are better placed but still have work to do. Real Madrid CF avoided a fourth consecutive reverse away against Olympique Lyonnais, but their tie is delicately poised at 1-1, and that is also how things stand between Valencia CF and FC Schalke 04 after the Bundesliga outfit made a solid start to their tie in Spain. All 16 clubs will be hopeful of grabbing a quarter-final berth in the decisive legs, but which team has most caught your eye so far?

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/blogs/blog=blog_talkingpoint/postid=1599533.html

Trophy tour kicks off in Kuala Lumpur

2011-02-26T19:59:00.001-08:00

The first official event of the 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken has taken place in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur at the start of an eight-week trip.

The 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken is under way in Asia – after making Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the first of eight scheduled stops over the next two months.

This latest edition of the trophy tour was launched from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, last week before reaching its first destination on 22 and 23 February. Kuala Lumpur got its first glimpse of European club football's most coveted piece of silverware during a press conference on Tuesday which heralded the official opening of the tour.

The star of the press conference was Gianfranco Zola, the UEFA Champions League Ambassador for this leg of the tour. Zola presented the trophy in front of more than 90 guests, including various media representatives and journalists. The media representatives were joined by senior representatives of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Heineken special guests.

The press conference was staged amid an authentic trophy tour atmosphere, with guests enjoying a preview of what lies in store for the many Malaysian, Thai, South Korean and Chinese football fans who will be coming to see the UEFA Champions League Trophy for themselves.

As well as the glittering prize itself, the tour houses a UEFA Champions League exhibition that features stands dedicated to unique tournament memorabilia as well as historical images and videos relating the competition's long history, which dates back to 1955. Fans will be able to learn more about the Asian players who have graced the UEFA Champions League, about the tournament's leading clubs and about previous finals, among many other items of interest.

Given the Asian setting, one appropriate exhibit was a full and signed Manchester United FC kit worn by Park Ji-Sung, the Old Trafford team's Korea Republic midfielder.

As a prelude to the interaction that takes place between trophy tour ambassadors and visitors, Zola – the former Italy, Chelsea FC, SSC Napoli and Parma FC forward – was also available for a meet-and-greet session with Malaysian fans, signing autographs and having his picture taken with dozens of football lovers.

Zola said of his participation: "For me personally, it's a great honour. I never won this competition, I just played in it a couple of times, on two different occasions. But I know how important, how prestigious this competition is, all over the world. And for me to be here in Asia, promoting it, it's a great pleasure and an honour."

The trophy tour village will open its doors to much greater numbers of local football supporters during public visiting days at the Kuala Lumpur venue on 26 and 27 February. The trophy is remaining in the Malaysian capital until after the weekend, and will also return there next month after making a stop in Penang on 5 and 6 March.

The UEFA Champions League Trophy is back in Asia for the first time since the inaugural trophy tour of 2007 and following subsequent successful expeditions to Latin America, Africa and North America. This time, it will take in a total of four countries and seven cities during an eight-week Far Eastern excursion:

• 22-27 February – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 5-6 March – Penang (Malaysia)
• 11-12 March – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 16-17 March – Bangkok (Thailand)
• 19-20 March – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
• 25-27 March – Khon Kaen (Thailand)
• 6-9 April – Seoul (Korea Republic)
• 15-17 April – Hong Kong

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1598900.html

Frank Lampard: England need Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp

2011-02-19T04:43:00.000-08:00

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is desperate to see his uncle Harry Redknapp become the next England manager.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager is becoming the overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, and his stock rose even further this week when he led his side to a 1-0 win against AC Milan in the San Siro in the last 16 of the Champions League

“It’s for him and the FA to decide but it would be nice if it were an English manager,” said Lampard. “At the moment, Harry’s doing a fantastic job at Spurs and if he has an opportunity to manage England, I’m sure he’d be an outstanding manager. But, at the moment, we have to play for Capello and we have to win something.

“Since the World Cup, we’ve had good and not so good results. We haven’t turned the corner yet. That is a process and takes time.

“When we reach the European Championship and do better than we did at the World Cup then we can say we have.”

Lampard had a taste of playing under Redknapp at West Ham United.
He made 147 appearances for them, scoring 24 goals, before joining Chelsea at the end of the 2000-01 season, the same time that Redknapp left Upton Park.

For now Lampard is concentrating on trying to put Chelsea’s campaign back on track. He says that failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League campaign would be a “disaster”.

Chelsea have slipped to fifth with 12 matches to go and he said: “We must finish in the top four and can never take our eye off the ball. It would be a disaster if we didn’t qualify.

“There’s huge importance because you can see the league’s going to be difficult and that means it’s more important to reach finals,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has moved to reassure striker Didier Drogba that he has a long-term future at the club as he prepares to play the Ivorian against Everton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Drogba was dropped in favour of new £50 million signing Fernando Torres for Chelsea’s recent Premier League match at Fulham, sparking rumours that the 32 year-old could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge in June. But Ancelotti, who is unable to choose Torres this afternoon because he is Cup-tied, insists he sees both strikers as crucial to Chelsea’s future.

“I think they will both be here for a long time. I want to say that Drogba is not old; he didn’t have a lot of injuries in his career, he has good motivation and he wants to be at the top.

“This season he had some problems because he had malaria for two months and so was not in good condition. But now he has time to do his best and to be important for us in all the games.”

Working out how to combine Drogba and Torres successfully in the same team, however, remains a conundrum for Ancelotti, who also has Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou to consider. But he does not see his two main strikers as bitter rivals.

“I don’t think they are in competition, they are in collaboration; they have to work together to help the team and try to do their best. I don’t think there is a difficulty.

“Look, everyone here is happy, because Torres can put more ability to win something in the squad and all they have to do is focus, do their best and bring Chelsea to the top.

“I saw the same Didier this week, in focus on the training field, working hard, with a good motivation. He will start against Everton and I think he will play a fantastic game.”

Chelsea have extra motivation in the FA Cup this season because they can become the first team since Blackburn Rovers between 1884 and 1886 to win it three times in a row. But victory in Saturday’s tie could also bring problems in terms of fixture congestion.

Should Chelsea beat Everton they will face Reading in the fifth round in the week beginning Feb 28, meaning a Premier League home game against Manchester United on March 1 will have to be rescheduled — and opening up the prospect of fourth-placed Tottenham building up an eight-point lead over Ancelotti’s side before they play in the league again.

“It’s not a problem,” insisted the Italian. “At the end they will play 38 games and we have to play 38 games as well. Now we’re fifth, that is our problem. We want to work to arrive quickly in the first four places. For now we have to think about the FA Cup. We did very well last year and won, but Everton is a very difficult game. We want to win and do our best to move on and play Reading.”

Chelsea have Yuri Zhirkov finally available after a long-term calf injury and he is expected to be on the bench, but new signing David Luiz is ineligible until the next round and Torres has already played in the competition for Liverpool this season.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger demands focus ahead of FA Cup fifth-round tie at Leyton Orient

2011-02-19T04:41:00.001-08:00

Just 36 hours after leading Arsenal to a stunning 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona, Arsène Wenger was up early and studying Leyton Orient ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round trip to Brisbane Road.

Wenger proved that he had already done his homework by citing Orient left-back Charlie Daniels and leading striker Alex Revell as the League One side’s key threats.

Any temptation to treat the game lightly following Wednesday night’s win were soon left behind. Wenger has never lost an FA Cup tie to lower-league opposition in 25 games, and does not intend to start now as Arsenal remain in the hunt for four trophies.

“We know that it will be a different game but the commitment needed will be exactly the same,” said Wenger. “We are hungry for success. And the FA Cup means total focus and total commitment if we are to be successful on Sunday.

“We have spent two days studying them and we have had the reports of the game, against MK Dons in midweek. They have a good left back, I have seen in the report, Daniels. They also have a striker who looks dangerous, Revell.”

After this tie Arsenal return to Premier League action, on Wednesday, against Stoke, then visit Wembley four days later in an attempt to win their first trophy for six years in the Carling Cup final against Birmingham.

“What we have learnt in the first rounds, we had tough games against Leeds and Huddersfield, and we have been warned about how difficult it is,” Wenger added.

“We are involved in all four competitions so we will do our best and my job is to get the team as far as it can. We do not choose to drop a competition - that would be silly.

“We are hungry for success and every time we go out we just want to win the next game.”

Arsenal Mimics Barcelona, and Defeats It

2011-02-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

LONDON — After the horrors of Milan only the night before, the Beautiful Game reasserted itself in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Barcelona, the best team in the world — and to beat it with youth and spirit and skills, all of which are Barça’s own qualities. A compelling night in London, but as Arsenal’s players acknowledge, a job only half done, with the second leg in Catalonia to come.

Barcelona is renowned for its academy, but Barça, as everyone knows, is built around Lionel Messi, who went there as a sickly child of 13 from Argentina.

One reason that Barça has won every honor in the world is Messi’s desire to be a team man despite having scored 87 goals in his last 88 performances. That statistic is now one less than perfect symmetry because Leo did not score at Arsenal.

Such failure. He missed three chances he would normally score. He set up the goal that David Villa struck to put Barcelona ahead. But the cold statistics say that Messi has never yet scored in six appearances in England.

Arsenal will beware. Messi did not strike in London when they met last year either, but how many goals did he get in the second match in Barcelona? Just the four, in a 4-1 home triumph.

The London club, which in style and purity is as close to Barça as it gets, has matured. Out of the mouth of its youngest performer, Jack Wilshere, who turned 19 on New Year’s Day, came this assessment of Arsenal’s 2-1 victory:

“This is my best day as an Arsenal player so far. Barcelona had a spell of 20 minutes in the first half when we couldn’t get the ball off them. But we knew that could happen, we just had to hold on, defend as well as we could, and catch them on the break. And we did.” As simple, and as darned hard as that.

Over the first hour, Arsenal hit 203 passes. Barcelona hit twice as many, with greater accuracy, penetration and inventiveness.

Arsenal was playing well; Barça was better.

For some reason, Barcelona then slowed the tempo. It tried to take risk out of the game, to hold the ball and hold slender advantage.

Pep Guardiola, its young coach, blinked first. His substitution in the 68th minute took off Villa, the goal scorer, and put on the combative midfielder Seydou Keita.

Arsenal’s coach, Arsène Wenger, took the opposite approach. He withdrew Alex Song, his midfield anchor who was in danger of a red card for persistent mistimed tackles, and sent on his Russian pocket dynamo forward, Andrei Arshavin.

“I knew if I had a chance, I would have to score,” Arshavin said later in front of what remained of the reported global television audience of 300 million. “This is the best atmosphere, the best emotion, since I joined Arsenal. That’s why today was special.”

His goal, the match winner after Robin van Persie had equalized, was also pretty special. Arsenal turned defense into attack in four passes in under 20 seconds. Wilshere passed to Cesc Fàbregas, and Fàbregas, the Catalan in Arsenal’s lineup, hit a glorious ball into the path of Samir Nasri on the right wing.

Nasri was too quick, too clever for Brazilian defender Maxwell. He cut the ball back toward the edge of the penalty area where Arshavin was arriving at pace. And the Russian knew if he had a chance, he had to score. He did, with a placement of such sweet direction and timing that Victor Valdes, the Barcelona goalie, was beaten before he could move.

There were so many reasons why Arsenal won and Barcelona lost this game. The missed chances by Messi; the static defending of Gerard Piqué on the first goal and Maxwell on the second; the fact that Valdes left his near post unguarded for van Persie’s goal.

But the crux of it was that Barcelona stopped being Barcelona after an hour.

“They dropped a little bit physically,” said Wenger. “And we didn’t.” His captain, Fàbregas, also warned: “It looks good. They are the best side, in my opinion, in history. This was one game, it’s nothing if we don’t go on to show the same performance in the Camp Nou.”

Former Liverpool Chairman Will Sue Hicks for Defamation

2011-02-19T04:21:00.001-08:00

The takeover of Liverpool F.C. may be complete, but the key players in the drama continue to squabble.

On Thursday, Sir Martin Broughton, the former chairman of the club, said that he would sue the team’s former owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., for defamation. Hicks and Gillett claimed that the sale of the club, which Broughton helped orchestrate in October, amounted to an “epic swindle” because the team’s directors had abdicated their fiduciary responsibilities.

Broughton told The Times of London that he was not seeking monetary damages but was trying to clear his name and recover his court costs. “They made accusations of fraud and conspiracy which were wholly unfounded,” Broughton, who is chairman of British Airways, told the newspaper. “I am not losing any sleep. I know I acted properly.”

Broughton’s comments stem from the roughly $480 million sale of the Liverpool soccer team to New England Sports Ventures, the owners of the Boston Red Sox. Hicks and Gillett contend the club was sold for far less than it was worth, and wanted other bidders considered. On Friday, Hicks said that he had no comment on the matter.

Hicks and Gillett lost a High Court battle in Britain, where they sued for at least $1.6 billion in damages. Their appeal was also rejected. Previously, they tried unsuccessfully to block the sale of the team in a Texas court. On Thursday, a British judge prohibited Hicks and Gillett from suing the team outside the European Union.

In a statement, Liverpool said that there was “no basis to challenge the propriety or validity of any actions” in the sale of the team taken by Broughton, New England Sports Ventures, or the Royal Bank of Scotland, a lender to the team. “They will continue to take all steps necessary to defend vigorously any litigation threatened or commenced by the Club’s former owners.”

The New York Times Company owns about a 16.6 percent share of New England Sports Ventures, which is now named Fenway Sports Group.

Football's coming home

2011-02-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

The new Wembley opens it doors for a match for the first time on Saturday, seven years after its predecessor last hosted a game. It has been a long time in coming, but as Sir Trevor Brooking tells Michael Harrold, it is "worth the wait".

"Your first sight of the old Wembley was as a youngster when you sat down to watch the FA Cup final. It was such a big occasion. I'd go out and replay the game I'd been watching on the TV with my brother. Then there were the England games. It was where all the big matches seemed to take place. All the youngsters loved going there to watch a game and they dreamed about playing there. There's always been that aura about the name."

'Excited'
So many children have harboured hopes of scoring the winning goal in the cup final; Sir Trevor Brooking is one of the few to realise the dream. The former England and West Ham United FC midfielder's past is inexorably linked with Wembley. "We're sitting here 27 years on near enough and I can honestly say not one week has gone by when someone hasn't reminded me about the header," he tells uefa.com, returning to that magic moment in May 1980 when he stooped to put West Ham 1-0 up against Arsenal FC. "When I scored 13 minutes into the game you get excited, but you think there's a long way to go. It's only when the final whistle blows that it all sinks in."

Spiritual home
Emotions will run high again on Saturday when, for the first time in seven years, Wembley Stadium opens its doors for a match. Talk of overruns and spiralling costs have haunted the new ground since work began in 2002. But as the inaugural game between England and Italy Under-21s approached – albeit at reduced capacity as final safety checks are completed – the focus shifted back to football itself. Few stadiums even come close to capturing the imagination like Wembley. Most English football supporters, and many more around the world, have their own abiding memories of the "home of football", distinct even from the highlight reels of previous finals and internationals that lit up the old arena.

Past echoes
As England trained on the pitch for the first time on Wednesday, assistant coach Terry Venables looked around the shining red sea of empty seats. It was tempting to think that he was playing back in his mind the FA Cups he won with Tottenham Hotspur FC, first as a player then as manager, or perhaps England's brilliant demolition of the Dutch at EURO '96™ when he coached the national side. The new Wembley looks to the future, yet the past echoes all around.

Stunning
Visually it is stunning. The arch is visible across London and will surely prove as iconic as the Twin Towers once were. The proximity of the stands to the pitch, now that the running track has been removed, provides an intimacy unusual for a venue with a 90,000 capacity. ""Unlike the old stadium you'll be much closer to the action, almost touching what's going on, and I think that will create a much greater noise"," Sir Trevor says. "Even though that hit you coming out of the tunnel, I think this will go up quite a few notches when the fans see the players." The tunnel is now on the halfway line, just below the Royal Box. In keeping with tradition, players will pass through the stand to collect the trophy, though things are not exactly as they were. "It's over 100 steps now," Sir Trevor says. "Players need to be pretty fit these days or they'll get half way up and collapse."

New identity
As the sun shone down, manager Steve McClaren put his squad through their paces. England are finally home, it seems, after more than six years crisscrossing the country. It was here, after all, that they celebrated their sole FIFA World Cup triumph in 1966, a far cry from the sorry send-off Kevin Keegan's team gave the old lady on her final international on 7 October 2000, a 1-0 defeat, naturally against Germany. The new stadium may have inherited a legendary name but to establish an identity of its own it will need to forge a history, starting with its first FA Cup final on 19 May. England fans will have to wait a little longer, with Brazil or Argentina possible opponents soon after.

'Worth the wait'
"Initially there was all that doom and gloom, 'Oh it's the old Wembley, it will never be the same'," Sir Trevor, now director of football development at the FA, continues. "Then we had a long period getting it rebuilt, with all the upheavals and that roller coaster, and then suddenly it's there. The initial reaction is that it's fantastic and I suppose, after a long wait and the expensive financial bill, it should be. But in the end it will be about the games that take place or the events that happen. I think over the next few years the new Wembley will create its own history, based on what happens on the pitch, although in the early stages everyone will think, yes it was worth the wait.

source: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=518874.html

2011 final: Wembley Stadium

2011-02-18T05:48:00.000-08:00

Wembley Stadium will host the 2011 UEFA Champions League final following a decision by the UEFA Executive Committee at its meeting in Nyon in January 2009. The highlight of European football's club calendar returns to the London venue for a record sixth time, the first at the new stadium, on Saturday 28 May 2011.

• Wembley has undergone a massive transformation since it hosted the last old-style European Champion Clubs' Cup final in 1992, but the new stadium has lost none of its prestige. The famous twin towers have made way for an iconic arch over the stadium, which has been totally rebuilt and is now one of the most modern and breathtaking arenas in the world. Boasting a seated capacity of 90,000, the new Wembley reopened its doors in 2007 and is once again home to the England national side, as well as host to the nation's premier domestic cup finals.

• Known as the 'Home of Football', Wembley has hosted five European Cup finals, more than any other stadium, as well as two UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals. AC Milan defeated SL Benfica 2-1 in Wembley's first European final in 1963 before Manchester United FC became the competition's first English winners thanks to their 4-1 extra-time triumph against the same Portuguese side in 1968. In 1971, AFC Ajax beat Panathinaikos FC 2-0 to lift the trophy for the first time, and there were also 1-0 wins for Liverpool FC against Club Brugge KV in 1978 and FC Barcelona against UC Sampdoria in 1992.

• The original Wembley Stadium was known as the Empire Stadium, and was built as the centrepiece of a British Empire Exhibition at the end of the First World War. Though not officially opened by King George V until 23 April 1924, the stadium hosted its first FA Cup final the previous year, when an estimated 200,000 people crammed in to watch Bolton Wanderers FC defeat West Ham United FC 2-0. That match famously became known as the 'White Horse final', as a mounted policeman took to the pitch to keep fans at bay.

• The old stadium, named after the north London suburb in which it is located, would serve as the focal point of English football from then until it was demolished in 2003 to make way for the current structure. Wembley hosted the 1948 Olympic Games and also the final of EURO '96 but, from an English perspective, unquestionably its finest hour came on 30 July 1966, when Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick to inspire England to a 4-2 extra-time win against West Germany in the final of the FIFA World Cup.

• In addition to major football events, the new venue has hosted significant sporting occasions in rugby union, rugby league, American football and even motor sports. It has likewise held a number of large concerts and charity events, with spectators able to take advantage of its 34 bars, eight restaurants and 688 food and drink service points.
2010/11 UEFA Champions League match calendar
Stage Dates
First qualifying round, 1st leg 29-30/06/2010
First qualifying round, 2nd leg 06-07/07/2010
Second qualifying round, 1st leg 13-14/07/2010
Second qualifying round, 2nd leg 20-21/07/2010
Third qualifying round, 1st leg 27-28/07/2010
Third qualifying round, 2nd leg 03-04/08/2010
Play-off, 1st leg 17-18/08/2010
Play-off, 2nd leg 24-25/08/2010
Group stage, Matchday 1 14-15/09/2010
Group stage, Matchday 2 28-29/09/2010
Group stage, Matchday 3 19-20/10/2010
Group stage, Matchday 4 02-03/11/2010
Group stage, Matchday 5 23-24/11/2010
Group stage, Matchday 6 07-08/12/2010
Round of 16, 1st leg 15-16.02.2011 & 22-23/02/2011
Round of 16, 2nd leg 08-09/03/2011 & 15-16/03/2011
Quarter-finals, 1st leg 05-06/04/2011
Quarter-finals, 2nd leg 12-13/04/2011
Semi-finals, 1st leg 26-27/04/2011
Semi-finals, 2nd leg 03-04/05/2011
Final (London, England) 28/05/2011

source:http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/final/stadium/index.html

Champions League Trophy Tour returns to Asia

2011-02-18T05:45:00.001-08:00

Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Seoul and Hong Kong form the itinerary for the 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken.

The 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken was launched today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and marked the start of an exciting lineup of events for football fans in Asia ahead of the UEFA Champions League final in May.

The trophy tour was launched with an official handover of the famous silverware by UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassador, and former England international, Graeme Le Saux to Heineken ambassador Marcel Desailly. From Switzerland, the trophy will travel to Kuala Lumpur in February, then pass through the cities of Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Seoul in March, before landing in Hong Kong in mid-April.

Returning to Asia for the first time since the inaugural trophy tour of 2007, the 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken has the following schedule:

• 22–27 February – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 5–6 March – Penang (Malaysia)
• 11–12 March – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
• 16–17 March – Bangkok (Thailand)
• 19–20 March – Chiang Mai (Thailand)
• 25–27 March – Khon Kaen (Thailand)
• 6–9 April – Seoul (Korea Republic)
• 15–17 April – Hong Kong (China)

The trophy tour has previously visited North America in 2010, Africa in 2009, Latin America in 2008 and Asia in 2007.

During the tour, UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour ambassadors, including internationally renowned former players such as Christian Karembeu, Steve McManaman, Gianfranco Zola, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Jay-Jay Okocha, will attend events and meet the media and local supporters.

Fans in each country will have the opportunity to take photos with the famous trophy, see historical UEFA Champions League memorabilia and win tickets to the UEFA Champions League final in London on 28 May.

David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA, said: "The UEFA Champions League has a long and distinguished heritage and is the pinnacle of European club football. The trophy tour really demonstrates the true global reach and appeal of the UEFA Champions League. We are delighted that together with Heineken we can reward the passion and dedication of football fans in Asia by taking the trophy to them once again."

Hans Erik Tuijt, Heineken's brand activation manager, commented: "This is the sixth consecutive year that Heineken, the world's most international beer brand, has sponsored the prestigious UEFA Champions League. For Heineken, to be able to bring the excitement and inspiration of the UEFA Champions League Trophy directly to the fingertips of fans in Asia is extremely rewarding. Heineken provides fans with extraordinary experiences, which will continue to entertain and amaze as we get closer to the UEFA Champions League final in London."
Source: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1594559.html

Spartak snatch victory at Basel

2011-02-18T05:39:00.000-08:00

FC Basel 1893 2-3 FC Spartak Moskva
Valeri Karpin's men recovered from going 2-0 down to secure victory with a last-gasp strike from 18-year-old Jano Ananidze.

FC Spartak Moskva may have taken a significant step towards the round of 16 after recovering from going 2-0 down to secure an unlikely 3-2 UEFA Europa League victory at FC Basel 1893.

Thorsten Fink's side looked to be cruising after Alexander Frei and Marco Streller struck within the space of five first-half minutes, but Dmitri Kombarov brought the visitors back into the game with a goal just after the hour. With Xherdan Shaqiri dismissed soon after Artem Dzyuba's equaliser, 18-year-old substitute Jano Ananidze arrowed home a last-ditch winner for Valeri Karpin's side.

At the interval, Basel looked to be well on top of a game which brought together two sides who had finished third in their respective UEFA Champions League groups. Frei broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, nodding past Andriy Dykan after Shaqiri's corner was directed on towards him at the near post. Five minutes later it was 2-0 after Streller got his head to another Shaqiri corner which Dykan misjudged.

Spartak started to reduce the arrears on 61 minutes. Captain Alex battled to the edge of the box and let fly, with his shot cannoning back off a defender into the path of Kombarov, who steered the ball across Franco Costanza and in off his left-hand post. Within ten minutes the scores were level, Dzyuba collecting Alex's ball, controlling on his thigh and flicking it in with the toe of his boot.

Shaqiri saw red on 78 minutes, but it looked like Basel might cling on for the draw until two minutes into added time when Alex was presented with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Rather than shoot, he touched the ball to Ananidze, whose low shot crept around the wall and in off the foot of Costanzo's right-hand post.
Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2011/round=2000129/match=2003773/postmatch/report/index.html?autoplay=true&vid=1596672

Liverpool held in Prague; Ajax take command against Anderlecht

2011-02-18T05:33:00.001-08:00

(CNN) -- New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's first taste of European football ended in a goalless draw with Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

The Scot led the club to three titles and two FA Cups in his first stint as manager between 1985-91 but never competed in Europe due to a ban on English clubs.

But his European debut won't live long in the memory in a game of few chances in the Czech Republic, though Liverpool will take a clean sheet back to Anfield for the return leg in a week's time.

Elsewhere, Belgian side Anderlecht lost 3-0 at home to Dutch neighbors Ajax. Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen and Mounir El Hamdaoui all netting.

Bayer Leverkusen, who are currently second in the German Bundesliga, took a commanding 4-0 lead over FC Metalist Kharkiv in Ukraine. Sidney Sam grabbed two goals with Gonzalo Castro and Erin Derdiyok scoring the others.

Dutch champions Twente Enschede won 2-0 in Russia against Rubin Kazan with Luuk De Jong and Peter Wisgerhof on target.

Paris Saint-Germain snatched a late equaliser through Peguy Luyindula to draw 2-2 with BATE Borisov in Belarus.

German side Stuttgart took an early lead against Benfica through Martin Harnik but the Portuguese giants hit back to win thanks to goals from Oscar Cardozo and Franco Jara.

Ukranian's Dynamo Kiev won 4-1 in Turkey against Besiktas where former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko was amongst the goals.

Lech Poznan, from Poland, will take a slender 1-0 advantage to Portugal for the second leg against Braga after Artjoms Rudnevs handed them victory.

High-fliers in Serie A Napoli were held to a goalless draw in Italy by Spanish club Villarreal. Salvatore Aronica was sent off for the hosts.

Two goals in two minutes from Wilfred Bouma and Ola Toivonen helped Dutch club PSV Eindhoven to salvage a 2-2 draw with Lille in France.

Scottish champions Rangers were on course for victory against Sporting Lisbon thanks to Steven Whittaker's header but Matias Fernandez scored a last minute equalizer for the Portuguese side.

Swiss club FC Basel raced into a two-goal lead against Spartak Moscow but a superb second half comeback saw the Russian side win 3-2 thanks to goals from Dmitri Kombarov, Artem Dzjuba and Zhano Ananidze.

Tomas Necid gave fellow Russians CSKA Moscow a 1-0 win in Greece against PAOK Salonika.

Portuguese club Porto won 2-1 at Sevilla in Spain while Young Boys, from Berne in Switzerland, beat Russian club Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 after an injury-time goal from Emmanuel Mayuka.

Source : http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/17/football.europa.liverpool.leverkusen/index.html

Lampard: Europe is the priority

2011-02-17T06:17:00.001-08:00

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has made it clear that the priority for this season is the Champions League.

John Terry, Frank Lampard
PA PhotosFrank Lampard is seeking to wipe out the memories of the 2008 final

• Lampard's Champions League dream

With Chelsea struggling off the pace in the Premier League - sitting 12 points off leaders Manchester United - Lampard has insisted that, although it is a tough decision to make, he thinks the Blues will have one trophy in mind above all else.

"It's a horrible question - but I would say I would,'' he said, when asked if he would give up retaining the Premier League for a chance to lift the Champions League cup.

Lampard was in the side that lost to Manchester United on penalties in 2008 and, having already tasted glory in England, the midfielder wants to add to his medal collection in Europe.

"I hate putting one above the other but having won three Premier League titles the Champions League is the one to win,'' he added.

"It depends on the squad but I think if you're going well in the Champions League it can help your league form. If you're winning in Europe, that form can be carried into the league."

Source : http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/881585/frank-lampard:-champions-league-is-the-priority?cc=4716

Wenger: Barcelona are favourites

2011-02-17T06:13:00.000-08:00

Arsene Wenger accepts his Arsenal side remain Champions League underdogs despite their first-leg victory over Barcelona - but thinks a new-found self-belief could prove crucial.

Nicklas Bendtner celebrates with matchwinner Andrei Arshavin
AFPNicklas Bendtner celebrates with matchwinner Andrei Arshavin

• Cesc hails special win
• Brewin: Win provides belief
• Blog: Gunners stun Barca
• Champions League gallery Photo Gallery

''I am highly delighted. It was a special football night,'' said Wenger. ''The game promised a lot and fulfilled that promise. It was two exceptional teams who tried always to be positive.

''We are not favourites now, but what is important is the belief that we have a chance. Barcelona are still favourites. We know now that we can beat them, though. We did not know that last year.

''This gives us a chance to to go to Barcelona with belief. Every game is difficult but we will prepare well and be highly focused.''

Wenger was particularly happy to see his players keep their composure during the phases of the game when Barca denied them possession for long periods.

''Against Barcelona you are exposed many times when they have possession but we kept resilient and strong,'' Wenger said. ''The problem with their possession is that if you are a fraction late you are in trouble. You have to be tight with the marking and if you don't it is difficult.

''We were prepared mentally to live with that. Usually we have the ball more than our opponents but we knew that 60% of the time we would have to be focused on them.''

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was complimentary of Arsenal's style and was measured in his assessment of the visitors' efforts.

''I think we were okay. We have lost the first leg so we have to win the second leg,'' he said. ''We controlled the play for most of the match but we know they can play very well positionally. They are very good and very fast when they counter-attack.

''If we analyse this result it is not too bad. I think in general I am happy with the performance. But we need to score goals in the second leg. They will attack and we will attack too.''

Source : http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/881567/arsene-wenger:-barcelona-are-still-favourites?cc=4716

Arsenal fightback stuns Barcelona

2011-02-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

LONDON - ARSENAL gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals here on Wednesday, coming from behind to stun favourites Barcelona 2-1 in a pulsating encounter.

Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Robin van Persie and substitute Andrey Arshavin clinched a dramatic victory for the English Premier League side after Barcelona had taken the lead through a first-half David Villa strike.

The result means Arsenal - thrashed 6-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in last year's quarter-finals - will carry a narrow lead into Camp Nou when the two sides meet in the second leg on March 8.

'It was one of the special nights because I feel we needed to be a special team,' said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.'It's open. We will go (to Camp Nou) and play our game again because you cannot just defend against this team. Our confidence will grow.'

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola said his team had been caught out by the speed of Arsenal's counter-attacking. 'It was a fantastic game (with) many, many chances for both teams,' Guardiola said.

'We created more chances than last year. It's a pity, but we knew they're a very, very good team. On the counter-attack they're dangerous. But we have the second leg.' -- AFP

Source : http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_635803.html

Media rights for UEFA Champions League 2012-15 announced in Spain

2011-02-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

UEFA announced today the award of multiple 2012-15 UEFA Champions League media rights packages to pay television operator Digital+ in Spain.

Digital+ have acquired the right to broadcast, live and delayed, all matches (with the exception of the Tuesday first-match pick) as well as the rights to Tuesday and Wednesday highlights programmes. The UEFA Champions League Final, the UEFA Super Cup and the Tuesday and Wednesday highlights programmes have been awarded on a non-exclusive basis.

Digital+ will broadcast the UEFA Champions League matches via a range of their extensive family of channels.

In line with UEFA's platform neutral approach, the rights will be also exploited via Digital+'s websites, as well as on the mobile portal: Digital+ movil. As a result, football fans across Spain will have an extensive choice of coverage both on television and via online and mobile services.

Commenting on the award of these rights, Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director of UEFA Events SA, said:

"Digital+ has shown a strong commitment to winning the UEFA Champions League media rights. They have proposed very extensive programming commitments on all platforms allowing fans to enjoy great coverage of the competition on multiple devices. We are happy to welcome Digital+ back into the UEFA Champions League family."

UEFA would like to thank its incumbent pay rights holder and valued partner of UEFA, GolTV, for its contribution to the UEFA Champions League. GolTV's commitment during the current rights term is much appreciated.

The remaining rights on offer include live coverage of the Tuesday first-match pick, the UEFA Champions League Final and the UEFA Super Cup along with the non-exclusive Tuesday and Wednesday highlights programmes. Further information on these rights will be issued in due course.

Note to editors:

UEFA Events SA is a wholly owned subsidiary of UEFA, created to manage and handle the European football governing body's commercial and event operations. It is, among other things, responsible for generating media rights, sponsorship, licensing and hospitality revenue from all professional national team and club competitions, and for managing relationships with all associated commercial partners.

TEAM Marketing AG is the exclusive marketing agency of UEFA for the exploitation of certain media and commercial rights relating to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Europa League.
For further information

UEFA Media Services:+41 848 04 27 27

* Route de Genève 46
* CH-1260 Nyon 2
* Tel. +41 848 04 27 27
* Fax. +41 22 707 28 38
* media@uefa.ch
* UEFA.com

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/newsid=1591309.html

Ticket prices for UEFA EURO 2012 announced

2011-02-15T07:05:00.000-08:00

UEFA today announced the ticket prices for the Final Tournament of the UEFA European Football Championship, to be held in Poland and Ukraine from 08 June to 01 July 2012. Prices range from 30 to 600 euros and several types of tickets will be available for purchase via UEFA.com exclusively from 01 March to 31 March 2011.

UEFA, in consultation with the Polish and Ukrainian football federations and local organising committees, has put in place a transparent and fair ticketing policy with the aim of offering affordable prices for all 31 matches of UEFA EURO 2012. The purchasing power of local citizens has been taken into account when deciding on the prices and the cheapest tickets will cost 50% less than at UEFA EURO 2008 in Austria/Switzerland. Furthermore, tickets for the final in category 3 will cost 50 euros only.

The table below lists the ticketing prices for all matches of the competition in the three available categories.

Prices in euro
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3

Opening Match 250 € 140 € 45 €
Group Matches 120 € 70 € 30 €
Quarter-Final 150 € 80 € 40 €
Semi-Final 270 € 150 € 45 €
Final 600 € 330 € 50 €

All prices are subject to an additional administrative fee to cover handling and secure courier delivery

As was already communicated at the beginning of February, residents of Poland and Ukraine will also be able to pay in their local currency, either via credit card or by domestic bank transfer, whereas international applicants will need to pay via credit card and in euros.

There are several types of tickets available: individual match tickets, venue series group or knockout, follow my team group or tournament. Further details on the type of tickets available can be found in the ticketing section of UEFA.com.

Tickets for the general public will be sold only from 01 to 31 March 2011 via UEFA.com exclusively.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/newsid=1593268.html

AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur: Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims he turned down big-money move to Manchester City

2011-02-15T04:54:00.001-08:00

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed on Monday that he turned down a move to Manchester City last summer because football is not about “playing for the money”.
The Swedish striker, who instead left Barcelona to join AC Milan in a loan move which could be made permanent for £22 million, confirmed that he had first spoken to Manchester City.

“I had a couple of talks with City and they had a fantastic project going on but I’m not one of those players who would go there and play for the money,” he said. “For me, it’s important to see what kind of future there is, what kind of possibilities there are.

“For me, the project of City is not now. In a couple of years they will come top but Milan now is at the top and I want to be playing at the top when I’m 29 rather than 32.”

Ibrahimovic was wanted by Roberto Mancini, who had been his coach at Inter Milan before the player moved to Barca. “They have made

some good investments and are playing well,” the Swede added. “The trainer is doing fantastic for City and they are one of the top teams around, but the choice for me was Milan. It was not about the money. If you are a great player there is money everywhere.”

Valencia's Emery excited to face Schalke expats

2011-02-15T04:42:00.001-08:00

Unai Emery expressed the hope that facing FC Schalke 04's ex-Real Madrid CF contingent would fire up Valencia CF as Felix Magath sang the praises of Raúl González.

The presence of former Real Madrid CF players Raúl González, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Christoph Metzelder on the FC Schalke 04 side will "motivate" Valencia CF when the two teams face off in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night according to home coach Unai Emery. His Schalke counterpart Felix Magath, meanwhile, is hoping to see his side score at the Mestalla.

Unai Emery, Valencia coach
It's such a beautiful, attractive and exciting game to play in that we are not thinking about a result right now. The favourites for the Champions League are Real Madrid and Barcelona – after that there isn't much difference and Schalke 04 and Valencia are dead level. We believe in our qualities but respect our opponents' too – Schalke are very competitive.

"There are several ex-Madrid players at Schalke and it shows you their quality; those players make the difference". This should be something that motivates us. The key point of this round is intelligence over 180 minutes, and being able to overcome individual and collective problems. It is a very important game. I came to this club to take them to where they want to be and there is a great opportunity for growth.

Felix Magath, Schalke coach
We're facing a very strong team who are third in the Spanish league and have done a great job in the Champions League, scoring a lot of goals. Valencia as a team are similar to Lyon but stronger in attack. We are hoping to get a goal to give ourselves a better chance in the second leg. The team are improving because they're getting to know each other and the way we work. In the Champions League we've been doing better because we've had many new, experienced players who needed time to get used to the Bundesliga.

"I was expecting a reception like this because of the sense of expectation Raúl brings". Now I just hope he can score tomorrow. Raúl is a great player in football terms and in human terms is an example to follow both on and off the field.

Team news

• Valencia
Vicente Rodríguez was an unused substitute at the weekend after recovering from a right thigh problem. Juan Mata has an ankle problem though Emery is hopeful he can play, while David Albelda, still nursing a knee injury, is suspended. No1 César Sánchez has been restricted to four appearances since 21 October because of hamstring, calf and knee ligament injuries but Emery says he is "ready".

• Schalke
Defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos did not travel after pulling a muscle in Schalke's last training session before departure while Christoph Moritz has a knee problem and is also missing.

Weekend results
12/02/11 Club Atlético de Madrid 1-2 Valencia CF
(Reyes 3; Joaquín 41, 86)
Valencia have collected 23 out of a possible 27 points in the Liga since ending their group stage campaign at Old Trafford, helped by four decisive late goals. Six wins and a draw represents Valencia's best start to a calendar year in the Liga. Their previous high came in 1949/50, a season they ended in third place.

12/02/11 Schalke 1-0 SC Freiburg
(Farfán 49)
Jefferson Farfán's goal was only the second Felix Magath's team have scored in five Bundesliga outings in 2011. Schalke have won eight of their last 11 games and are five matches unbeaten away from home, winning four, since a 5-0 loss to 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 27 November. That was Schalke's heaviest Bundesliga loss in 18 years.

Did you know?
Valencia's last six home games against German visitors have produced five draws and a defeat. Their most recent victory came in October 1996 with a 3-0 success against FC Bayern München in a UEFA Cup first-round tie.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/matches/season=2011/round=2000119/match=2003755/prematch/preview/index.html

Champions League rolling blog

2011-02-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

UEFA.com's reporting team bring you all the latest from tonight's games and the build-up to Wednesday's matches direct from the venues while you can have your say on the action.

Have your say on all this week's games in the comments section below.

Tuesday 13.06, Wayne Harrison in London Colney
Samir Nasri has just emerged for training on a wet and windy day at Arsenal's London Colney training ground. The playmaker is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered while on domestic cup duty a little over a fortnight ago but is expected to be in the squad for the visit of Barcelona tomorrow. Arsène Wenger will address what is expected to be a packed press conference from 14.00, followed by defender Johan Djourou.

Tuesday 12.48, London
We are about to hear from the first press conference of the day, with Claudio Ranieri and Philippe Mexès speaking ahead of Roma's meeting with Shakhtar tomorrow. Shakhtar full-backs Darijo Srna and Răzvan Raţ are both in the current UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football dream team, and you can change your side or make a first selection ahead of kick-off tonight for a chance to win a PlayStation®3.

Tuesday 11.49, Graham Hunter, in transit
The extraordinary pull of the UEFA Champions League is demonstrated on the train from Barcelona to Valencia. Ahead of tonight's game, UEFA.com's Valencia correspondent is joined by seven German fans who have travelled from Switzerland to attend the match at Mestalla – and not one of them is a Schalke fan!

Armin, an advertising agency creative director who works in Zurich but who comes from Dusseldorf explains: "We are ground-hoppers, most of us will support Schalke but ... not all of us! We just want to see a great Champions League game. I think 1-1 would be the best Schalke can hope for and Manuel Neuer will be their most important player tonight."

Tuesday 11.32, Milan
Gazzetta dello Sport's front page has a big picture of Zlatan Ibrahimović with the headline: "Ibra is hungry". The famed pink newspaper tries to anticipate Massimiliano Allegri's attacking selection against Tottenham, making Pato favourite ahead of Robinho to link up with Ibrahimović. "I don't have any kind of problem playing with Pato up front," the Swedish striker said. "This stuff is just made up."

Meanwhile, according to Corriere dello Sport, the decision between Robinho and Pato is Allegri's "huge doubt" ahead of tonight's encounter.

Tuesday 11.27, Munich
Features on Raúl are very common in today's papers in Germany, but while the Rheinische Post trumpets the striker's "great record against Valencia" (12 goals in 24 meetings in the Liga), it fears that Schalke's previous away matches "have not served as proof of Royal Blues' prowess on the road" and writes that keeping a clean sheet will be "the hardest task" for the Gelsenkirchen side.

Tuesday 11.01, Madrid
AS newspaper unsurprisingly is excited by Raúl González's return to Spain with his Schalke side in action at Valencia. "The media noise in the build-up has been monopolised by Raúl González Blanco, who is the focus for more cameras than when he played for Real Madrid (...) Today's match will only have one star, but for the Valencia fans this matters little because it has taken years of waiting for them to shine again in the Champions League. This first knockout round tie, winnable on paper, is a too historic opportunity to waste too much time thinking about anything else."

Valencia newspaper Superdeporte builds on that latter theme. "Tonight's match started a long time ago in Unai Emery's mind. The Valencia coach has worked from the first to last detail, thoroughly and with care. The players also know how important it is to go to Germany with a good lead. Lose today and it will be like saying goodbye to sleep."

Tuesday 10.23, London
In England, the Guardian are considering how Spurs will play with Gareth Bale out, Luka Modrić unlikely to start and Rafael van der Vaart only just back from injury, writing: "[Harry Redknapp] has vowed he will not dispense with the cavalier approach that swept his team into the knockout stages on the back of an avalanche of goals yet the changes he has been forced to make are hardly like for like."

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror quote Van der Vaart as pointing to the Netherlands' FIFA World Cup final run as inspiration. "When you don't believe, you can't win anything," he said. "With the national team last summer at the World Cup, our trainer Bert van Marwijk said: 'We believe or we stay at home.'"

Tuesday 9.00, London
The knockouts start at 20.45 with AC Milan playing Tottenham Hotspur FC and Valencia CF against FC Schalke 04. Ahead of the games we spoke to Peter Crouch, Gary Lineker and Christoph Metzelder, and also heard from Zlatan Ibrahimović, Roberto Soldado and Raúl González. You can follow the games and discuss them live in our MatchCentre this evening and we will have reports, reaction and video highlights from both fixtures.

Meanwhile the build-up to Wednesday's games continues. We will be at today's four press conferences: in the Italian capital, AS Roma will give theirs at 12.30 followed by FC Shakhtar Donetsk at 19.00 while in London, we hear from Arsenal FC at 14.00 and FC Barcelona at 20.45. We also have an interview with Mircea Lucescu, while our Barcelona correspondent Graham Hunter considers how Arsenal can stop the tournament favourites.

There is still time update your UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football selection as the competition enters a new phase and our Predictor competition gives you the chance to forecast this week's scores – and win semi-final tickets. During tonight's matches, tickets are on offer in our Player Rater feature and there are also prizes to be won after the games when you can vote for your Play of the Day. We are also reliving great matches from the past in our Classics section, with a quiz and even more goodies to pick up.

Monday 21.30, London
Some late injury news as Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Christoph Moritz are out for Schalke.

We will continue to bring you the latest news from this week's ties on Tuesday including the build-up to Arsenal v Barcelona and Roma v Shakhtar, and there is full coverage of Milan v Spurs and Valencia v Schalke in the UEFA.com MatchCentre and after the games we will have reports, reaction and video highlights.

Monday 19.06, Santi Solsona in Valencia
Raúl has been speaking ahead of Schalke's game at Valencia. "Tomorrow is a special game because it is the first time I have returned to Spain for a long time, since when I played there. I received a very warm and affectionate welcome here; it was very much appreciated. This is going to be a UEFA Champions League game in which I really want to feature, against a great team like Valencia with great supporters."

Monday 18.32, Roberta Radaelli in Milan
William Gallas seemed to be in a very good mood when he turned up at the press conference at San Siro. Some 30 English journalists were there and the former Chelsea FC defender repeated more than one time that his team-mates "have to be very careful tomorrow".

Gareth Bale has not recovered from his back injury and is not in Milan, but Gallas is not too worried and joked with a journalist who put his question in French - "I don't understand French, I'm sorry," and then laughed, answering in English.

"We want to win, we want to be a great club," added the defender. "I will be 100%, when I'm on the pitch I don't think about my ankle, I think about my job and tomorrow I have to do it really well. Ibrahimović is one of the best, I have already played against him with Arsenal, we have to close him down really well." He then concluded with a smile: "I didn't know Antonio Cassano cannot play. Well, sorry, I don't follow football!"

Monday 18.20, Viktor Sharafudinov in Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk arrived in the Italian capital on Saturday and the players watched AS Roma lose 2-0 at home to SSC Napoli. Olexiy Gai does not believe that league defeat will make a difference: "We'll face another Roma team," he said. "After watching this match I still consider that our task on Wednesday will be tough."

Taras Stepanenko was amazed by the Stadio Olimpico atmosphere. "Roma have excellent supporters," the midfielder said. "We have to withstand their pressure to achieve a good result."

Monday 17.27, London
Eren Zahavi's superb overhead kick for Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC against Olympique Lyonnais was overwhelmingly voted the Matchday 6 Play of the Day by UEFA.com users. After this week's games you will have the chance to vote for the next Play of the Day and win UEFA Champions League final tickets – while you can have your say now as to whether Zahavi's goal was better than Wayne Rooney's on Saturday.

Monday 16.58, Paolo Menicucci in Milan
AS Roma president Rosella Sensi spoke to her side in the dressing room at their Trigoria training camp for half an hour in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 home defeat against SSC Napoli, which left the Giallorossi eighth in Serie A, 13 points behind leaders AC Milan. Forward Mirko Vučinić missed the following training session with flu, while goalkeeper Júlio Sérgio was forced pull out 15 minutes into the session with a calf injury and is a doubt for the game against FC Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Monday 16.42, London
Zlatan Ibrahimović spoke of his own journey to footballing maturity as he looked ahead to Milan's game against Tottenham. "I get along with my team-mates now, you know," he said. "I'm not 20 years old any more; I don't feel like punching the wall or messing things up now."

Read Roberta Radaelli's blog as she asks whether the Swede is ready to shine at the very highest level.

Monday 15.06, Santi Solsona in Valencia
Valencia coach Unai Emery has hinted that Juan Mata could overcome an ankle injury to face Schalke. "He has a little discomfort but he is a player who always wants to play and give his best."

The club have sold 42,000 tickets already, with 2,700 fans expected from Germany, with most media attention focused on Raúl González's return to Spain.

Monday 14.12, Roberta Radaelli at Milanello
The news that Tottenham's Gareth Bale will not be playing at San Siro came as a relief for Milan. Coach Massimiliano Allegri, however, is sure that Spurs have other trump cards to play, saying: "It doesn't matter if Bale doesn't play this game, because Tottenham have done well recently without him. They are a tough side. They are very well organised, with a good team spirit. Some of their players have real quality."

After the weekend victory over Parma FC, the Rossoneri's morale is high, especially with arch-rivals Internazionale losing at Juventus. Yet, having scored one goal and set up two more in Saturday's 4-0 win, Antonio Cassano will miss out against Tottenham as he has already played in this season's competition with UC Sampdoria. The hosts at least take comfort in having Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf available after injuries.

See what Tottenham striker Peter Crouch makes of his side's campaign so far.

Monday 13.55, London
Arsène Wenger hinted that he may not risk Samir Nasri for Arsenal's round of 16 opener against Barcelona on Wednesday. The 23-year-old is recovering from a hamstring injury, and the Arsenal manager told the club's website: "He has worked very hard in the last week. Physically he is ready, just there is a risk to have a setback. I will not take a crazy gamble." Read Graham Hunter's blog and have your say on the game.

Monday 12.30, London
Reports in England suggest Gareth Bale has not travelled to Milan due to a back injury. That will be a big blow for Tottenham given how well he performed in his last game at San Siro; the Welsh international scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat by FC Internazionale Milano, before masterminding a 3-1 win against the European champions in the reverse fixture.

Why not check out one of UEFA.com's pre-match talking points? Read how the London clubs have a point to prove. Have your say on how Arsenal FC will fare against FC Barcelona. Is this the year Zlatan Ibrahimović finally silences his detractors in Europe?

Monday 11.00, London
The first of the press conferences for the midweek matches is Valencia CF's meeting with the media at their Paterna training base from 13.15; Roberto Soldado is the player accompanying coach Unai Emery. AC Milan will conduct their conference at their Milanello facility at 13.30. Valencia's opponents on Tuesday, FC Schalke 04, hold their conference at Mestalla from 17.15, with Tottenham Hotspur FC facing the press at San Siro an hour later.

In the meantime, this is an ideal time to update your UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football selection and to check out other great interactive UEFA.com features: Predictor, Player Rater, Play of the Day and Classics. There are super prizes on offer, so seize the day.

Source : http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/blogs/blog=blog_liveblog/postid=1594011.html

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas: My Red Card Against Espanyol Was Dubious

2011-02-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

Casillas was not pleased to have received his marching orders against Espanyol...
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has made it clear that he shouldn't have been sent off against Espanyol in their Spanish Primera Division encounter on Sunday evening.

The Spain international was shown a red card for a foul on Jose Callejon outside the Blancos' penalty box in the second minute of the match, although replays showed that there was minimal contact.

Casillas believes that he shouldn't have been given his marching orders and hit out at the referee's decision.

"My red card was dubious, but the referee deemed it so and we had to accept it," he said on the club's official website.

“The important thing is the team played a phenomenal game and deserves a 10 out of 10. Our quality came through and we took three important points home with us.”

The 29-year-old also praised his replacement Antonio Adan and enthused, “Adan played a solid game. He has a bright future."

Source :http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2011/02/14/2352370/real-madrids-iker-casillas-my-red-card-against-espanyol-was

Soccer Ball

2010-11-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

MU VS Intermilan Champion 2009

2009-03-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

The History of Football

2009-02-11T02:40:00.000-08:00

The contemporary history of the world's favourite game spans more than 100 years. It all began in 1863 in England, when rugby football and association football branched off on their different courses and the Football Association in England was formed - becoming the sport's first governing body.

Both codes stemmed from a common root and both have a long and intricately branched ancestral tree. A search down the centuries reveals at least half a dozen different games, varying to different degrees, and to which the historical development of football has been traced back. Whether this can be justified in some instances is disputable. Nevertheless, the fact remains that people have enjoyed kicking a ball about for thousands of years and there is absolutely no reason to consider it an aberration of the more 'natural' form of playing a ball with the hands.

On the contrary, apart from the need to employ the legs and feet in tough tussles for the ball, often without any laws for protection, it was recognised right at the outset that the art of controlling the ball with the feet was not easy and, as such, required no small measure of skill. The very earliest form of the game for which there is scientific evidence was an exercise from a military manual dating back to the second and third centuries BC in China.

This Han Dynasty forebear of football was called Tsu' Chu and it consisted of kicking a leather ball filled with feathers and hair through an opening, measuring only 30-40cm in width, into a small net fixed onto long bamboo canes. According to one variation of this exercise, the player was not permitted to aim at his target unimpeded, but had to use his feet, chest, back and shoulders while trying to withstand the attacks of his opponents. Use of the hands was not permitted.

Another form of the game, also originating from the Far East, was the Japanese Kemari, which began some 500-600 years later and is still played today. This is a sport lacking the competitive element of Tsu' Chu with no struggle for possession involved. Standing in a circle, the players had to pass the ball to each other, in a relatively small space, trying not to let it touch the ground.

The Greek 'Episkyros' - of which few concrete details survive - was much livelier, as was the Roman 'Harpastum'. The latter was played out with a smaller ball by two teams on a rectangular field marked by boundary lines and a centre line. The objective was to get the ball over the opposition's boundary lines and as players passed it between themselves, trickery was the order of the day. The game remained popular for 700-800 years, but, although the Romans took it to Britain with them, the use of feet was so small as to scarcely be of consequence.

El Salvador shock user poll

2009-02-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

Just six teams remain in the CONCACAF zone and all are preparing to open their 'hexagonal' accounts on Wednesday night in a hunt for 3.5 places at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. And in the spirit of supporting the underdog, FIFA.com users think El Salvador - who last qualified for a FIFA World Cup in 1982 and went out in the first round - will be out in front after their first match, at home at their intimidating Estadio Cuscatlan against Trinidad and Tobago.

FIFA.com's poll question for last week asked users "Which team will top the standings after Matchday 1 in the final round of North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010?" The response was nothing short of surprising as 31. 34 per cent of users expect El Salvador to top the standings after Wednesday's round of matches, which also sees USA against Mexico and Costa Rica taking on Honduras.

The Salvadorans grabbed 39.59 per cent of the vote, first among English-speaking users while finishing fifth in the Spanish-language results and dead last in German and French. Mexico - who have reached a CONCACAF-best 13 world finals - finished second in the overall results with 29.29 per cent of the vote, while coming in first in all three languages save for English. The United States - reigning champions of the region - finished third overall with 24.23 per cent of the vote and a full sweep of third place across all languages. Their game against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio is tipped as the marquee clash of this first matchday.

Costa Rica - who host Honduras in San Jose - just edged out their opponents with 6.56 per cent of the overall vote to Honduras' 6.13. Trinidad and Tobago - who reached their first finals at Germany 2006 - finished dead last with a paltry 2.46 per cent of the overall, although they can take heart that French and German users ranked them above El Salvador.

With the results in, and users having had their say, all that's left is to keep close to FIFA.com and see who was right and who was wrong when action commences on 11 February 2009.

President puts pressure on Okada

2009-02-11T02:34:00.000-08:00

Japan coach Takeshi Okada received an early warning on Tuesday of the importance of his FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against group leaders Australia.

Japan Football Association president Motoaki Inukai said: "It is fatal if Japan lose at home tomorrow." When Okada was asked about his reaction to Inukai's statement, he said: "It is up to the president what he thinks. We will just try to win tomorrow's game."

Japan suffered a shock 1-0 away defeat to Bahrain in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier last month when fielding only two of their European-based players, triggering media calls for Okada to be sacked.

Despite a 5-1 win over second-rung Finland in a warm-up game last week, Japan showed their vulnerability once again as they struggled with set pieces and their opponents' height. It was a third straight game in which Japan conceded a goal from a set piece, after conceding one against Yemen in an Asian Cup qualifying match.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Pim Verbeek piled pressure on Japan by indulging in more of the mind games that have featured in the lead-up to Wednesday's qualifier. "I just want to repeat: I think the pressure is still on Japan. They have to win. We'd like to win, but we don't have to win. Japan will have serious problems if they don't win," he said ahead of the sell-out clash.

"We have three home games to go. I think we need six points to qualify. There's no pressure on our side. The pressure is still on Japan, especially an away game against Uzbekistan, which is not very easy."

Australia lead Group 1 with nine points, followed by Japan on seven and Qatar on four. Bahrain and Uzbekistan each have one point. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, while the third-placed team has to go through play-offs.

Korea DPR sink Saudis

2009-02-11T02:33:00.000-08:00

Korea DPR's drive towards their first FIFA World Cup™ finals since 1966 stayed on track with a crucial 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, leaving their opponents with a massive uphill task to qualify.

Mun In-Guk was the Korean hero, toe-poking the ball under Saudi keeper Waleed Abdullah in the 29th minute to put his side on seven points in Asian Zone Group 2 after four games. The Saudis, who have made the last four FIFA World Cup finals, are now in serious trouble with just four points and four games to play, starting with a tough trip to Tehran next month to face Iran in a must-win match.

Group leaders Korea Republic (seven points) and Iran (five points) play later today, while United Arab Emirates are propping up the table on just one point. Korea DPR lack experience at international level and on paper they were the underdogs in this match, having failed to win any of their previous six matches against the Saudis.

However, the ever-progressive side, who famously last reached the FIFA World Cup in England in 1966 when they made the quarter-finals, have re-emerged from the wilderness during this qualifying campaign. Playing on an artificial surface in freezing temperatures at the Kim Il-Sung Stadium in Pyongyang, some Saudi players wore not just gloves but also scarfs as they battled the elements as well as their opponents.

The Saudis had the opening chance when Tassier Al Jassim picked up the ball in the box but couldn't find the killer touch to open the scoring. Korea DPR had a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down soon after but it was the Saudis who threatened most frequently in the opening 20 minutes.

However, the North Koreans soon woke up and were dangerous on the break. Their patience paid off with a period of sustained pressure resulting in captain Hong Yon-Jo's lovely backheel finding Mun, and the midfielder made no mistake to put his team 1-0 in front.

Influential Saudi captain Yasser Al Qatani, a former AFC Asian Player of the Year, had a golden opportunity to draw level in the dying minutes of the first half, but his shot was blocked by a body of red shirts. Despite it being mid-afternoon on a weekday, the imposing stadium was packed, but the crowd was strangely subdued.

Ultimately, the North Koreans were worthy winners, taking the game to Saudi Arabia in the second half with Hong almost making it 2-0 when his long-range drive skimmed the crossbar with 23 minutes left. They had other chances to wrap it up but in the end it needed a fine save from rookie home goalkeeper Ri Myong-Dok in the final minutes to ensure victory.

LIVE: Mun raises Chollima hopes

2009-02-11T02:31:00.001-08:00

Korea DPR beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Pyongyang to give their hopes of reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ a significant lift. Mun In-Guk scored the only goal in the 28th minute to send Kim Jong-Hun's side level on seven points with Asian Zone qualifying, Group 2 leaders Korea Republic, who face Iran, on five points, later today.

The result left the Saudis on four points, and with a mountain to climb to clinch the top-two finish that would guarantee them a place at South Africa 2010. The third-placed teams in the two sections will compete for the right to play off against New Zealand for a place at the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Over 70,000 fans packed the Kim Il Sung stadium to its capacity, despite the cold, cloudy conditions, and they were quickly engrossed by an end-to-end contest. After both teams had spurned chances, Korea DPR opened the scoring when Hong Yong-Jo's through-ball was deflected into the path of Mun, who coolly stroked the ball past the Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Ali.

The Chollima continued to press the action, and Jong Tae Se's exquisite overhead-kick forced Ali into an impressive save on the stroke of half-time.

Saudi Arabia took the game to their hosts following the interval, but they found goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk in inspired form. His finest act came in the 84th minute, when he splendidly punched away a goal-bound Yasser Al Qahtani effort.

Football legend player

2008-02-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

Ruud Gullit From Netherland

Ruud Dil Gullit player bearing at 1 September 1962, born in Amsterdam as descendant of from Afro-Suriname. The professional career started in the year 1978 moment joint forces with klub FC Harleem. That moment he trained by ex- player West Bromwich Albion namely Barry Hughes. Together Harleem he note debut of time of age of 16 year and print 32 goal out of 91 appearance in Dutch league. In season both with Harleem he reach for title as best player of the scorpion Dutch league. After four season play together Harleem Gullit switch and play at Feyenoord. During three season he gold can 31 goal out of 85 appearance. At the time can play together other Dutch legend namely Champion Cruijff. Successfulness with Feyenoord send himself as Best Football Player of year Dutch.

“The King” Eric Cantona from France

Eric Cantona immense marked French player, as player for French along the length of 1980 and early 1990. Cantona is confessed to be player it is really brilliant. He become spirit national team of French and win Championship Of French league with Olympique Marseille and French cup with Montpellier before deciding him that he cannot pursue the art, for actor him in the blood.

“The Scientist” Zinedine Zidane from France

Zidane of the France professor bleeding Algier believe in moslem. popular and famous with nickname Zizou. The position as quarter-back groan. Start career as player in klub As, Cannes, he then play at in Bordeaux Juventus and last Real Madird. He is retired from football klub in the year 2006 and retired from national team of French football after World cup of 2006. After very fanciful appearance in World cup ‘ 98 and Piala Eropa 2000, not a few footballs publics assuming him as best players in worlds. The membership and excess do dribbling and domination of ball often make opponent player feel frustration because the difficult grab ball from his. Coachs even also of opinion that forcing man-to-man marking to Zidane are useless work.

“The phenomena” Ronaldo from Brazil

Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Five ( born at 22 September 1976 in Bento, Ribeiro, Brasil, generally called by Ronaldo ) is a football player Brasil very famous. He usually play at as attacker. The epithet is Il Fenômeno (” The Phenomenon”). High of body of 183 cm.

“Master Dribble” Ryan Giggs from Wales

Birth man of 29 November 1973 holding maker champion assist many with note of 289 times. Have not yet enough reach it, he also become player most title in Great Britain. Counted main 20 championship title succeed in and collection he is an of six English player which successfully grab two League title Champions. Ryan Giggs would always remembered for lover Manchester United. The name registered in various champions sheets. Not only playing at every season since start player career, more prestisius again, Giggs was champion owner of amount of appearances many for MU give in incision of 758 property of Sir Bobby Charlton. The on unique, the idea of pension not at all bother concentration but exactly motivate himself to be more good and again. Ascription every season which experienced was last season ability can be maximal from The Welsh Wizard. For this season, licensee of training of A from UEFA carry ambition maintain trofi League Champions or even repeat sweet memory treble winners like 1999 before career cover.

“Best Kicker” David Beckham from England

David Robert Joseph, Beckham, well known name is David Beckham. Who did do not recognize football player is this. From early the action in Manchester United as one of yunior generation ‘ 95 bringing Manchester United becoming klub is best in world. Together Paul, Scholes, Gary, Neville, Philip, Neville, and Nicky Butt bring klub become klub is richest in world. The free kick which kill have become confessed by ikon is globe public. Various achievement in green belts have reach for him. Even external field Beckham also become selebriti the star become trend setter world fashion, from clothes which worn until hairstyle. David Beckham is not only considered to be by capable to lifting the klub achievement in green belt but have also becoming money machine capable to giving extraordinary production from klub with sale of image and assesoris“ Beckham”. Possibly that becoming one of consideration of Real Madrid recruit him(it from Manchester United. Process of transfer of causing an uproar in year 2003, from the dispute with Alex, Ferguson, My coach basting him, up to the salary and contract value in Real, Madrid, in one year he is employed 32 million poundsterling or same to 512 billion Rupiah!! If we account the an breath attraction worth 16 thousand Rupiah!!. Can be imagined how many properties of the this fenomenal, that still from salary, is not including the earnings is external of football namely earnings from advertisement and sponsor, bonus also not yet.

“The Magician” Ronaldinho from Brazil

Original name Ronaldo Assis de Moreira; born at 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre is a footballer of nationality of Brasil which since July 2008 advocate team AC Milan. High of the body about 180 cm. He get best player title of version world Fédération Internationale de Football Association in the year 2004 and 2005.

“The King of Skill” Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro ( born 5 Februari 1985 in Funchal) is a footballer of Portugal. He in this time advocate club Manchester United, play at as left wing s or right. He start called to national team of football Portugal since year 2003. Ronaldo born in Madeira, Portugal, child of from Maria Dolores pack Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. He have brother called Hugo, and two sister, Elma and Liliana Cátia. Liliana work as singer by the name of podium” Ronaldo” in Portugal. Name both which given by Cristiano (” Ronaldo”) relatively scarce in Portugal. Ronaldo is footballer available for fiddling around with both the foot, what making he can play at where only: right, left or through is middle. The result Ronaldo and the friend of footballer humanity in Manchester United Ryan Giggs earning is each other changing over position.

“Maradona reincarnation” Lionel Messi from Argentina

Lionel Andrés Messi born at 24 June 1987 in Rosary is a footballer of Argentina. The position is aliform attacker. In this time he strengthen FC Barcelona in League Spanyol. The ability is often the Create nicknamed as” New Diego Maradona”. Initially body height player of 169 this cm show off in club Grandoli, club upbringing Jorge Messi which no other is the father Messi. Then he change over to Newell’s Old Boys. But this klub is not ready to pay for expense of hormone therapy reaching 500.000 pounds the month. Fortunately Barcelona soon catch excitement potency Leo Messi and offer him switch to Spanyol for joining with club this Katalan of plus defray all expense of therapy. ” I am only need time less than 10 minute for sure that he truely a future star.” say coach Barcelona B the scorpion, Carles Rexach. ” along the length of My career during 40 year, I have never see a player which really talent. one with knowledge of minim football even also will be able to realize ability of excitement messi.”

Source : http://rezateknik99.wordpress.com/

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