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BBC storm! Broadcasters criticised for forcing Fowler to make on-air apology after comparing Torres and Vertonghen to girls
By JOHN DRAYTONPUBLISHED: 16:58 GMT, 28 September 2013 | UPDATED: 09:51 GMT, 29 September 2013
The BBC have been heavily criticised for making Robbie Fowler apologise live on air for comparing Fernando Torres and Jan Vertonghen to girls. The former Liverpool striker was a guest on the BBC’s ‘Final Score’ football programme when he was asked about the fiery London derby at White Hart Lane between Chelsea and Arsenal. Blues striker Torres was booked in the 52nd minute after an off-the ball scuffle, in which he appeared to scratch the defender’s face after clipping his heels for a free-kick. Describing the incident, Fowler said: ‘They were pulling at each other like a pair of girls.’
Unfair: Robbie Fowler was forced to apologise by the BBC after comparing players' behaviour to girls
Liverpool's banned words
In July, Liverpool issued a list of banned words which their staff were supposed to listen out for in an attempt to combat discrimination at Anfield.
The term: 'Play like a girl' was among them.
But he was made to apologise live on air for his comments, saying: 'I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to offend anyone.' Hundreds of viewers immediately took to Twitter to voice their surprise that the 38-year-old was made to back-track, apologise and confirm that no offence was intended to women’s football. Incidentally, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Torres was shown a second yellow card by referee Mike Dean after supposedly leading with his elbow during an aerial challenge with Vertonghen.
On the sofa: Fowler was appearing next to Garth Crooks on BBC's 'Final Score'
Handbags: Chelsea's Fernando Torres and Spurs' Jan Vertonghen get to grips with each other
Battle: The pair were tussling from the start of the game until Torres was sent off
Jessica Green posted: ‘Cannot believe that Robbie Fowler had to apologise for what he said, world gone mad.’James Wilson tweeted: ‘I am a big supporter of BBC and what it stands for but this is a massive low. Embarassing.’Connor Newhall added: ‘The fact Robbie Fowler has to apologise for what he said is ridiculous #PcGoneMad.’Eleanor Parks also posted: ‘I find it incredible that Robbie Fowler was forced to apologise on Final Score for saying that 2 players were acting like a couple of girls.’
'Play like a girl': Liverpool's list of banned words at the beginning of the season
Mou makes up his own rules to master the mind games
Sep 30, 2013 10:00:00 AM
Correspondent's Column: The Spaniard's display against Tottenham showed his manager might know what he's doing after all, although his Vertonghen outburst was uncalled for
Greg Stobart
Goal UK Correspondent
MOURINHO’S PLAYED A MATA MASTERSTROKE
If Juan Mata were to pick up the phone and call Cristiano Ronaldo, he would probably receive some reassurance.
He would be told that Ronaldo, too, was asked to adapt his game by Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese took over at Real Madrid - but the coach’s demands turned the forward into a better player.
Much has been made of Mata’s absence from the Chelsea team in the early part of the season - and quite rightly given his stunning performances since joining the club in 2011.
But six league titles and two Champions League winners’ medals suggests Mourinho knows what he is doing in the dugout and he may have pulled off a masterstroke with his treatment of Mata.
The 50-year-old was derided for leaving the Spaniard out of his starting XI and publicly calling on the former Valencia playmaker to work harder defensively, while making it clear that Oscar was his first choice for the No.10 role.
Mourinho, though, has always used psychology to motivate even his best players.
On Saturday, he got the response he was looking for as Mata came on at half-time against Tottenham with a point to prove and turned the game and helped earn his side a draw.
After a listless first-half performance in which Chelsea were overrun and fortunate to be trailing only by a single goal, Mata inspired a complete turnaround.
All of Chelsea’s best moves were orchestrated by him and it was no surprise it was he who put John Terry’s equalising goal on a plate from one of his trademark free kicks.
Mata will now start in Tuesday’s crucial Champions League game at Steaua Bucharest with a spring in his step and determined to keep his place in the team.
But while Mourinho may have played a masterstroke with Mata, there was more than a touch of hypocrisy in the Portuguese’s accusations of Jan Vertonghen cheating to get Fernando Torres sent-off.
Mourinho blasted Vertonghen for making the most of his aerial clash with the striker. Of course, no Mourinho player - say Didier Drogba, or Pepe - has ever behaved in such a manner, have they?
And just as bad was his refusal to condemn Torres’ ugly face scratch on Vertonghen earlier in the game, for which he should have been sent-off and could yet receive retrospective punishment.
ARSENAL MUST BELIEVE THEY ARE CONTENDERS
They say the Premier League table starts to take shape after six games of the season - in which case it looks pretty good for Arsenal.
The Gunners are top of the pile having won five matches in a row since their opening day defeat at home to Aston Villa - talk of a crisis has long been forgotten, but now Arsenal must start to believe they can occupy top spot when it really matters next May.
Aaron Ramsey, the country’s most in-form player, was hesitant, almost sheepish, after Saturday’s win at Swansea when asked about Arsenal’s title chances. Even Arsene Wenger went only as far as to say his side were in with a “chance”.
Given the current Premier League landscape Arsenal’s players and management have every right to be bullish about their targets for the campaign ahead, but their reluctance make a verbal statement of intent is the consequence of eight years without a trophy.
They have started the season in the same fashion that they finished the last campaign, and added more star quality with the deadline day signing of Mesut Ozil.
But the question with this Arsenal team will always be how they can cope if and when results slip – is there the same drive and determination in this squad that characterised Wenger’s earlier sides?
In reality, Arsenal have had the easiest fixture list of the top six and are only where they should be. In fact, in comparison with the corresponding fixtures last season they are three points down.
Arsene Wenger’s side are playing the best football in the league, they have a stable squad and a manager who is part of the furniture.
Summer changes at Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City means this season is Arsenal’s best opportunity in years to reclaim a title last won by ‘The Invincibles’ in 2004.
This is not the perfect squad, there will be bumps in the road and questions to be answered – but there is no need for them to adopt an inferiority complex as they strive to claim their first league title in a decade.
SAS: STURRIDGE AND SUAREZ HAVE THE MAKINGS OF A FINE DOUBLE ACT
The fashion across Europe at the moment is to play a lone central striker, but Brendan Rodgers looks like he could be on to something in reviving the old-fashioned double act with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
A trip to bottom-of-the-table Sunderland provided a perfect opportunity to pair them together and it worked a treat, with the speed and movement of both players suited to counter-attacking away from home.
Sturridge scored his fourth league goal of the season before putting two more on a plate for Suarez to convert from close range on his first league game since his 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.
After the 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light, upcoming games against Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Brom will provide further opportunity to develop a potentially devastating partnership ahead of sterner tests.
POCHETTINO PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG
The common response last season to Southampton’s decision to sack Nigel Adkins and replace him with Mauro Pochettino was one of either ignorance or brazen xenophobia.
The Argentinian is proving to be an inspired appointment as the Saints sit giddy in fifth in the Premier League table. The dark days of administration and languishing in League One long forgotten.
They have been aided so far by a kind fixture list - last week’s winning trip to Anfield aside - but the signs of progress are undeniable, especially when you remember their ragged defending at the start of last season.
Southampton have already kept four clean sheets and conceded just two league goals this term. Pochettino is building the right base to take Southampton to the next level, to turn attention from survival to challenging for a European place.
Who's the kid now? Mourinho storms out of press conference after being questioned on De Bruyne axing ahead of Steaua clash
By JOHN DRAYTON PUBLISHED: 16:26 GMT, 30 September 2013 | UPDATED: 16:49 GMT, 30 September 2013
A furious Jose Mourinho walked out of a highly charged press conference ahead of Chelsea's Champions League game at Steaua Bucharest.The Chelsea boss cut an unhappy figure throughout and abruptly departed after being questioned on leaving out Kevin de Bruyne for his side's group stage clash. Having already been criticised for leaving out last season's star man Juan Mata this term, Mourinho came under question again having previously left the Belgian out the squad to face Tottenham last weekend.
Early end: Jose Mourinho storms out leaving Frank Lampard in the press conference
Fury: Jose Mourinho lashed out at those questioning his squad selection
Unhappy: Mourinho walked out of the press conference shortly after being question on De Bruyne's axing
But Mourinho reacted with fury when asked about De Bruyne's current squad status.
Mourinho said: 'It’s amazing because nobody asks me about Mata and now you ask about Kevin de Bruyne. You are not interested in the players who play only those who don’t.'Only 11 can play. I try to decide by what they do on the pitch and in training. Frank Lampard beside me knows me for nine years and he knows I make mistakes but I try to be honest.
Light footed: Mourinho puts himself through the paces on the National Arena pitch in Bucharest
Letting out some anger? Mourinho strikes a ball during Chelsea's training session in Bucharest
Follow through: Mourinho will hope Chelsea can return to winning ways in the Champions League
'He’s not selected because I didn’t like the game he played at Swindon and the way he has trained.'After a half-hearted wave, Mourinho then walked out leaving the already present Frank Lampard to see out the rest of the press conference. The incident came just three days after Mourinho had referred to Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas as acting like a child. Mourinho also confirmed that Eden Hazard also did not travel with the squad for the Group stage clash.
Tried and trusted method? A member of the Bucharest ground staff tries to drain moisture from the pitch
Stamp it out: Groundstaff attempt to dry the pitch at the National Arena in Bucharest prior to Chelsea's Champions League visit
Damp squib: Ground staff at the National Arena attempt to soak up moisture from the pitch
Hazard picked up a minor ankle injury in the 1-1 draw at Tottenham last weekend, while De Bruyne has been left out of the squad following a poor performance against Swindon in the Capital One Cup last week.Chelsea were greeted with heavy Romanian rain on arrival in Bucharest, with ground staff at the National Arena seen laying down mats in an unorthodox method to soak up moisture from the pitch.
As Man United slump to 12th in the table, was Moyes right to dispense entirely with Ferguson's trusted backroom staff?
By ADAM SHERGOLD PUBLISHED: 11:38 GMT, 30 September 2013 | UPDATED: 16:45 GMT, 30 September 2013
In the gloomy aftermath of Manchester United's defeat by West Brom on Saturday - their third loss in six league games - everything David Moyes had done in his first days at the club came under intense scrutiny.Why were title-winning players looking so listless and demotivated? Why was the back line suddenly so vulnerable to direct runs? Where was the trademark late bombardment for an equaliser?There were even questions asked of the backroom team he had assembled upon arrival at Old Trafford, dispensing completely with Sir Alex Ferguson's trusted lieutenants.
Under pressure: David Moyes cut a concerned figure after Manchester United lost their third Premier League match out of six against West Brom on Saturday, leaving them 12th in the table
Backroom team: Moyes brought in assistant manager Steve Round (second left), coach Jimmy Lumsden (second right) and first team coach Phil Neville (right) when appointed at Old Trafford in the summer
Former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele spoke out over the weekend, suggesting Moyes had made a mistake in bringing in a completely new staff.In an interview with United We Stand fanzine, Steele said: 'He listened to the manager's [Ferguson] advice but he wanted to be his own man.'I didn't want to leave. Why would I? I knew that David was coming in and wondered who he'd bring.'You had the United perspective - the manager saying: "Keep what we've got, keep the continuity, work with them and they'll guide you through".'You're taking on a massive machine here. You've gone from Marks and Spencers to Harrods.'
Trusted: Moyes got rid of all of Sir Alex Ferguson's coaching staff despite being advised to keep them
Teamwork: Ferguson with assistant Mike Phelan (left) and first team coach Rene Meulensteen (right) during the final home match of his tenure against Swansea last season
However, Ferguson's advice went unheeded as Moyes dispensed with assistant Mike Phelan, first team coach Rene Meulensteen and goalkeeping coach Steele.In came assistant Steve Round, first team coach Jimmy Lumsden and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods, while former United player Phil Neville came in as a coach. But United's start to the season, which has seen defeats by Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom, has led to questions over whether one member if not all of Ferguson's staff should have been retained.
Misjudgement: Eric Steele, United's goalkeeping coach under Ferguson, said over the weekend that Moyes may have been well advised to keep some of Fergie's backroom team
Losing belief: United's players stand in bewilderment after conceding to West Brom on Saturday
Since leaving Old Trafford, Phelan has been prominent in the media while pursuing his first managerial role.Steele has been helping out old friend Graham Turner at Shrewsbury, while Meulensteen spent just 16 days in charge of Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala before they decided he was too expensive.Here's the full lowdown on the respective backroom staffs of Ferguson and Moyes.
SIR ALEX FERGUSONMike Phelan - Assistant Manager
After five years at Old Trafford, Phelan was ushered out alongside Ferguson in the summer and his right-hand man position taken by Steve Round. Phelan had been at the club since September 2008, when he replaced Carlos Queiroz, and became a familiar face on the BBC's Match of the Day when Ferguson refused to speak to them. During his playing days, midfielder Phelan made 102 league appearances for United between 1989 and 1994.
Right-hand man: Mike Phelan was at Ferguson's side for five years
Prior to that, he was at Burnley and Norwich City, helping the Norfolk side into the first division in 1986. After joining Ferguson at Old Trafford for £750,000, he helped the club win the FA Cup in 1990 and the European Cup-Winners' Cup a year later. However, the emergence of young midfielders like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Nicky Butt left Phelan's place under threat and he closed out his career at West Brom. He worked under Gary Megson at Norwich, Blackpool and Stockport, then started as head of United's Centre of Excellence in 1999. After succeeding Steve McClaren as first team coach, he moved up to the role of Ferguson's assistant in 2008.
Midfield battler: Phelan (left) playing for Man United against Millwall in 1989
International caps: One for England
Honours: (Playing for Burnley) Football League Division Three 1981-1982; (Playing for Norwich City) Football League Division Two 1985-1986; (Playing for Manchester United) Premier League 1992-1993, FA Cup 1990, European Cup-Winners' Cup 1991, League Cup 1992, FA Community Shield 1990 (shared with Liverpool); (Assistant manager for Manchester United) FA Premier League 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-2013; League Cup 2009, 2010; Club World Cup 2008.
Rene Meulensteen - First-team Coach
Dutch coach Meulensteen, 49, had been at United in two separate spells for 12 years until the departure of Ferguson, serving as youth team coach, reserve team coach and then first team coach after Carlos Queiroz left in July 2008. He spent the 2006-2007 season as first team coach at Danish side Brondby but quickly returned to Old Trafford.
On the way out: Rene Meulensteen left United for a short-lived tenure at Russian side Anzhi
Like Phelan, he had an important role in delivering United's impressive success at home and abroad.Upon leaving United, he signed a contract to be assistant to Guus Hiddink at Anzhi Makhachkala and was then promoted to manager after Hiddink left just two games into the Russian league season. However, with club owner Suleiman Kerimov slashing the budget, he was no longer able to afford Meulensteen and he was sacked after just 16 days.
Honours: (Coach at Manchester United) Premier League 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-2013; League Cup 2009, 2010; UEFA Champions League 2008; Club World Cup 2008; FA Community Shield 2008, 2010, 2011.
Consultation: Meulensteen talks with Ferguson at training
Eric Steele - Goalkeeping coach
Steele had been at United for five years, joining from Blackburn to replace the retiring Tony Coton. In his playing days, Steele first kept goal for Newcastle United, winning the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1973 and caps at England Under 18 level. He moved on to Peterborough, setting a club record for the most consecutive league appearances (124), Brighton, Watford, winning five promotion in 12 years with those clubs. After retiring in 1988, he established a company offering goalkeeper training in a number of countries and also worked at Huddersfield, Derby, Villa and Man City.
My boys: Steele celebrates with goalkeepers David de Gea (left) and Anders Lindegaard after the Premier League title was secured in April
DAVID MOYES
Steve Round - Assistant Manager
Round, 42, left Everton for Manchester United in the summer, remaining as assistant manager. He had a very short playing career with Derby County, making just nine league appearances before being forced to retire through injury. Appointed to the Pride Park coaching staff, he worked with Steve McClaren, following the manager to Middlesbrough in 2001 and into the England head coach job in 2006. He remained at Middlesbrough in a dual role until December 2006, when Gareth Southgate arrived at the club. Following a season as first team coach to Sam Allardyce at Newcastle United, Round became assistant to Moyes at Everton in 2008. He was an automatic choice when Moyes moved to Old Trafford in July.
Advice: Assistant Steve Round (left) offers a suggestion to Moyes during the Manchester derby as City boss Manuel Pellegrini looks on
Chris Woods - Goalkeeping Coach
Woods, who replaced Eric Steele as United’s goalkeeping coach, had a long and distinguished playing career in English and Scottish football, as well as winning 43 caps for England. Woods, 53, started as understudy to Peter Shilton at Nottingham Forest during the glory days of Brian Clough and was instrumental in the club’s 1978 League Cup triumph over Liverpool because Shilton was cup-tied.
Woods collected a European Cup winners’ medal the following year but he watched Forest’s win over Malmo from the bench. Following spells at Queens Park Rangers and Norwich, Woods had established himself as a top-class goalkeeper. He again won the League Cup in 1985 with the Canaries, though he was fortunate in the final to see Sunderland’s Clive Walker strike the post with a penalty.
Experience: Moyes brought in Chris Woods as United's new goalkeeping coach
In that year, he also won the first of his England caps, though it wasn’t until the early 1990s that he finally usurped Shilton as the No 1. Woods went on to Rangers, whose dominance of Scottish football at that time is shown by the phenomenal 1,196 consecutive minutes Woods went without conceding between November 1986 and January 1987. He won four league titles and four League Cups in Glasgow. Woods wound down his career with Sheffield Wednesday, reaching the League Cup and FA Cup finals in 1993, losing both to Arsenal.
International caps: 43 for England Honours: (Playing for Nottingham Forest) FA Community Shield 1978, League Cup 1978, European Cup 1979, European Super Cup 1979; (Playing for Norwich) League Cup 1985; (Playing for Rangers) Scottish League 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, Scottish League Cup 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991
Great save: Woods in action for Sheffield Wednesday in 1991
Jimmy Lumsden - First team coach
Again, Lumsden joined Moyes at Old Trafford as first team coach in the summer. The 65-year-old had an unspectacular playing career, struggling to break into the Leeds United first team at the end of the Sixties, before spells at Southend United, Morton, St Mirren and Clydebank. He also started out in coaching at Leeds, but was sacked alongside manager Eddie Gray in 1985. Lumsden managed Bristol City for two years until 1992 before joining Moyes at Preston in 1998 and continuing to Everton.
Long-serving: Jimmy Lumsden has worked with Moyes since he started at Preston in 1998
Phil Neville - Coach
The one man who didn't need any introduction at Old Trafford was Neville, who played for the club between 1995 and 2005, achieving great success. Along with elder brother Gary, he broke into United's first team at a young age in the mid-nineties. However, unlike right back Gary, he did not become a regular fixture in Ferguson's team until the departure of Denis Irwin in 2000, though his versatility meant he did play across the back line and in midfield.
Back at Old Trafford: Phil Neville returned to United as a coach when Moyes was appointed
In his decade in United's first team, Neville won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League. He also won 59 caps for England though could never quite establish himself as first-choice left-back. He missed out on Glenn Hoddle's squad for the 1998 World Cup and then attracted national vilification at Euro 2000 for conceding a last minute penalty against Romania. Neville moved to Everton in 2005 for £3.5million and, having established himself as a regular fixture in the midfield, was appointed club captain by Moyes in 2007.
Midfield maestro: Neville scores a goal against Rangers in the Champions League in 2003
Long before his retirement at the end of last season, Neville had been working towards his coaching qualifications and gained experience by working with the England Under 21 side. He was considered by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright as a replacement for Moyes, before deciding to join him at Old Trafford.
International caps: 59 for England Honours: (Playing for Manchester United) FA Premier League 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2002-2003; FA Cup 1996, 1999, 2004; FA Community Shield 1996, 1997, 2003; UEFA Champions League 1999; Intercontinental Cup 1999.
Manchester United need to improve in every department, says Moyes
By Chris Davie112
Sep 30, 2013 8:16:00 AM
The Scot is concerned by his side's lack of goals from open play in recent games and says his players should be creating more chances when they dominate possession
David Moyes admits Manchester United were lacklustre in all areas against West Brom and has urged his players to improve ahead of their Champions League tie away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
The Premier League champions slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Steve Clarke's men at Old Trafford on Saturday and currently sit 12th in the Premier League after recording seven points from six games.
Moyes says he was unhappy with the performance level from the majority of his players against West Brom and is concerned that the two goals scored in their last three matches have been via a free kick from Wayne Rooney.
"There were lots of things that disappointed me," the United manager told reporters.
"I don’t think the midfield was just the one department where you’d say we were lacking. I think it would be unfair to say it was any [specific area].
"It was the whole thing, we were lacklustre in nearly all the areas.
"So we’ve got to try and work on it and improve. We’ve just not played that well. We should be scoring more from open play.
"What surprised me is that I felt, with the amount of possession we had in the first half, we didn’t go on to create enough opportunities.
"But I was also disappointed in that, from a game we controlled and in the main had the majority of the ball, we allowed ourselves to give them quite easy chances against us."
Old Trafford's new starting line-up! WAGs out in force for United ladies lunch
By GRAEME YORKE PUBLISHED: 15:52 GMT, 30 September 2013 | UPDATED: 16:19 GMT, 30 September 2013
Manchester United may have put in an ugly performance on Saturday in the 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion, but the girls have more than made up for it.The beautiful game has never been quite so beautiful as United's wives and girlfriends turned out for the Manchester United foundation ladies lunch.
Line up: Bouchra Van Persie, Sam Cooke (Chris Smalling), Helen Evans, Laura Christ (Alex Buttner), Kaya Hall (Phil Jones), Nicky Pike (Ashley Young), Daniela Martins (Nani), Misse Beqiri (Anders Lindegaard)
Among those present were Michael Carrick's wife Lisa, Robin van Persie's wife Bouchra and The Only Way is Essex star Georgina Dorsett, who is Tom Cleverley's girlfriend.
Hosted by Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, following the sell-out success of last year’s event, the event saw the girls enjoy live entertainment and the chance to experience the luxury treatments in the Selfridges beauty village.
Kitted out: Anna Vidic, Lisa Carrick, a guest, Georgina Dorsett (Tom Cleverley), Hayley Fletcher
In defence: Sam Cooke, the girlfriend of defender Chris Smalling, arrives at the funcion
Ladies lunch: Georgina Dorsett, girlfriend of Tom Cleverley and star of TOWIE, poses for the cameras
All proceeds from the event were split equally between the Foundation and our local charity partners, The Christie and Francis House Children’s Hospice. Defender Alexander Buttner, whose girlfriend Laura Christ attended, insists there is no crisis at United.
On the wing: Daniela Martins, girlfriend of winger Nani
Sweeping in: Anna Vidic, wife of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic arrives at the function
A troublesome start to David Moyes' tenure took a sharp downturn on Saturday as West Brom recorded their first win at Old Trafford since 1978. It was United's third loss in six Premier League games, representing their worst start to a league campaign since 1989.
Together: Lisa Carrick married midfielder Michael in 2007, a year after he joined United
Nicky Pike (left) girlfriend of Ashley Young and Misse Beqiri (right), girlfriend of goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard
Yet Buttner is adamant there is no need to panic. 'I don't think it is a crisis," said the Dutch defender. 'Of course the crowd want to see Manchester United winning - the players want that too. We have lost games and if we lose we are not happy.'
Partnership: Kaya Hall (Phil Jones' girlfriend) and Bouchra van Persie (Robin van Persie's wife)
MUTV presenter Helen Evans (left) is married to defender Jonny, while Laura Christ (right) is with Alex Buttner
Up for grabs at £300,000, West Brom fight to keep United slayer Berahino from Arsenal and Everton (and he's on £850 a week... compared with Rooney's £250,000!)
By SAMI MOKBEL PUBLISHED: 21:00 GMT, 29 September 2013 | UPDATED: 10:40 GMT, 30 September 2013
West Bromwich Albion are working on a lucrative new deal for Saido Berahino with his £850-per-week deal set to expire in the summer. However, the Barclays Premier League’s big guns are threatening to derail Steve Clarke’s efforts to secure the England Under 21 forward’s long-term future, particularly after he caught the eye by scoring the winner against Manchester United on Saturday. Worryingly for West Brom, under his current contract, which gives them the option of extending his deal on the same terms until 2015, they are also at risk of losing Berahino for just £300,000 in compensation.
Cool finish: Berahino scores to seal West Brom's 2-1 victory against Manchester United
All smiles: Berahino celebrates his first Premier League goal with his West Brom team-mates
Admirer: Steve Clarke wants to offer Berahino a new contract to stay at West Brom
BERAHINO, THE LOW EARNER
Wayne Rooney, the star man at Manchester United who Saido Berahino helped to defeat on Saturday, earns £250,000 a week. That means the £850-a-week West Brom striker, who has this season scored five goals in six games, would take five years and 241 days to earn what Rooney, who has five in eight, does in a week.
Rooney, incidentally, needs less than 30 hours to earn Berahino's yearly salary.
The 20-year-old scored against Arsenal in the midweek Capital One Cup defeat before his heroics against United. Both Everton and the Gunners are hovering.Roberto Martinez has instructed Everton chief scout Kevin Reeves to go to West Brom’s match against Arsenal this weekend. Interest from the Gunners and Everton will hinder West Brom as they try to keep Berahino, who fled to England from war-torn Burundi at the age of 10 before joining Albion’s centre of excellence in 2004.His goal against United was his first in the Premier League but he has scored four in the Capital One Cup and two in his first two England Under 21 appearances.
Top gun: Berahino (centre) celebrates his Capital One Cup equaliser against Arsenal last week
Quick start: Berahino salutes his debut goal for England Under 21s
Man United boss David Moyes rejected Sir Alex Ferguson's staff advice, says former coach
30 Sep 2013 12:13
By Ben Burrows
The new Old Trafford boss turned down the wishes of his legendary predecessor, according to Eric Steele
Rejected: Moyes ignored the pleas of his predecessor not to axe his backroom staff
Manchester United boss David Moyes rejected advice from Sir Alex Ferguson on who to hire and fire at Old Trafford, according to axed goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.
Steele was let go along with assistant manager Mike Phelan and first-team coach Rene Meulensteen at the end of the season as Moyes made the decision to install his own men.
The former-Everton chief chose to bring Chris Woods, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden with him from Goodison Park, while appointing former-Toffee and Red Phil Neville to his first-ever coaching role.
And Steele, who is credited for David De Gea's vast improvement at Old Trafford, has now revealed how Ferguson offered his own guidance before Moyes decided to forge his own path.
Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine he said: "He spoke to me, Mick and Rene. I told him I thought it was a brave decision.
"He listened to the manager's advice, but he wanted to be his own man."
Moyes has suffered a poor start to the season, culminating in Saturday's shock home defeat to West Brom, something Steele believes wouldn't have happened had the old backroom team been kept on.
"I don't blame him for doing what he did. I've been in the game long enough to know how it is.
"But it's ironic, isn't it? You've just been part of a team that has had a great season and won the league. David De Gea's had his best season.
"Does it make sense that you're not retained to continue the good work? Sadly, that's out of my hands."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says as many as SEVEN teams can win the Premier League
30 Sep 2013 12:23
By Paul Gorst
The Gunners boss feels that his in-form side are just one of over half-a-dozen clubs that are good enough to be crowned champions this season
7-up: Arsene Wenger says there are seven contenders for the Premier League title this season
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down his side's good start to their Premier League campaign by insisting that as many as seven teams are in the title hunt this season.
Wenger's men brushed aside a potentially tricky visit to Swansea City on Saturday by coming away from south Wales with a 2-1 win .
The league-leaders have 15 points from their first six games and are above second-place Liverpool who are on 13.
However, the Frenchman feels that the title race is as unpredictable as it has ever been in the Premier League.
"We have a chance but it is very open," Wenger said.
"Let's just try and keep going. You can add Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton to the top four [of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and ourselves] it will be very interesting."
After suffering a 3-1 opening day defeat at home to Aston Villa, Arsenal have gone on to win all their games, but Wenger, who celebrated his 17th year in charge last week, is not getting carried away.
"It's still the early stages of the season, we have only played six games, but I would have signed up to have 15 points now after losing the first game.
"What has changed compared to years before is that at 80 per cent you will not beat any team in the Premier League.
"You have to be at least between 95 and 100 per cent and that promises a very interesting season."
Arsenal will now turn their attention to European action, as they entertain Serie A runners-up Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
We saw it... but we didn't see it! Torres off the hook as Chelsea striker ESCAPES four-match ban in FA review farce
Spaniard faced longer suspension for scratching Jan Vertonghen
Longer ban avoided as referee's assistant says he saw incident
First incident under FA's new review system
Striker will still be banned for one match after sending off on Saturday
By DAVID KENT PUBLISHED: 14:07 GMT, 1 October 2013 | UPDATED: 15:26 GMT, 1 October 2013
Fernando Torres has escaped a four-match ban for scratching the face of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. The Chelsea striker was captured on television gouging Vertonghen, leaving visible marks. The clash was however, missed by referee Mike Dean, leading the Football Association to review the incident.But, as Dean's assistant Jake Collin saw the incident, under FA rules, no action can be taken and farcically he escapes any extra ban.
Ouch: Vertonghen pushes Torres away as the Spaniard grabs his face
Angry: Vertonghen snarls at Torres who tries to laugh the incident off
Games Torres would have missed
October 19: Cardiff (h) Premier League October 27: Man City (h) Premier League October 29: Arsenal (a) Capital One Cup
He will instead serve a one-game suspension after he was later sent off in the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane for two bookable offences. The Spaniard will subsequently miss Chelsea's trip to Norwich on Saturday. A statement read: ‘The FA will take no action against Chelsea’s Fernando Torres in relation to an incident involving Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen which occurred in the 50th minute of their match on Saturday 28 September 2013. ‘One of the match officials saw the coming together of the two players, albeit not in its entirety.'
Build up: Torres angers Vertonghen after tripping him up from behind
FA STATEMENT
'The FA will take no action against Chelsea’s Fernando Torres in relation to an incident involving Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen which occurred in the 50th minute of their match on Saturday 28 September 2013.
‘One of the match officials saw the coming together of the two players, albeit not in its entirety.'
The FA has put a new system in place where a panel of three former referees will look at incidents retrospectively and decide if charges should be brought.That replaces the old system where action was only taken if the referee viewed the footage and judged whether he should have sent a player off.However, in both cases if any match official saw part of the incident, even if not the full detail, then the FA cannot take further action.The FA statement added: 'In these particular circumstances, in line with the FA's policy on when retrospective action may be taken, reviewed this summer by the game's stakeholders (the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers' Association, the League Managers Association, Professional Game Match Officials Limited and the National Game), no action may be taken.'
Heads up: Vertonghen and Torres continue their battle in mid-air
Down and out: Both players fell awkwardly after the challenge
You're off: Referee Mike Dean shows Torres a red card
Goodbye: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho speak to Torres as he leaves the pitch
Respect: Mourinho and Villas-Boas shake hands before the game
Sir Alex Ferguson retirement stalled Januzaj contract negotiations
By Tim Simon31
Oct 2, 2013 3:29:00 PM
Plans to offer the Manchester United winger a new deal were halted by the Scottish manager's retirement, as the player's agent confirms other clubs are interested in signing him
The agent of Manchester United winger Adnan Janusaj has revealed that talks over a new deal broke down following former boss Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
The 18-year-old has impressed for the Red Devils this season, making two Premier League appearances, but his current contract with the Old Trafford outfit expires in 2015.
After initial talks stalled falling the legendary Scot's departure, Januzaj's representative, Dirk de Vriese, is keen to re-open negotiations, though says there are a number of clubs interested on acquiring his services.
"I’m not going to say which teams are interested in him, but I can tell you that there is interest from several European clubs," De Vriese is quoted as saying in an interview with Voetbal News.
"The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson meant that there was a break in the negotiations. We are back working on the calls and will see how it goes.
"Adnan’s family have given me the permission to communicate. As it is only me involved, there can be no misunderstandings in the media."
Januzaj is eligible to play for four different countries, including Belgium, Turkey and Serbia, and De Vriese says the youngster will weigh up his options before electing to decide on the nation he will reprsent.
"Januzaj’s father has always been clear about his future as an international. He must have a starting spot somewhere and then he can decide from there," De Vriese added.
"There have already been sent many e-mails and faxes from the respective bodies to inquire about his future. In Albania there are even entire television shows about him that have been organised to convince him to choose their national team."
The Manchester United legend says Roman Abramovich approached him to take over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, and has backed David Moyes to succeed after a tough start
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he rejected an offer to become Chelsea manager when Roman Abramovich purchased the club in 2003.
The Scot called time on his Manchester United career in May after 26-and-a-half years at the Old Trafford helm having won 38 trophies with the club, including 13 Premier League titles.
And Ferguson says he was approached to replace Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge when Abramovich arrived in England, but the tentative offer was dismissed immediately.
"They used an agent to approach me when Abramovich first took over the club and I said no chance," he said in an interview on American TV.
David Moyes - chosen by Sir Alex as his successor - has struggled in his new role, with United currently sitting 12th in the Premier League table with a return of just seven points from six games.
But the 71-year-old remains confident that Moyes is capable of achieving success at Old Trafford, and reaffirmed his decision to retire from the game.
"United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He's a good manager," Ferguson said.
"I'm not interested in managing again or getting myself worked up about Manchester United's results.
"You would be throwing your money down the drain if you put any money on me coming back as a manager. I made my decision. The timing was perfect.
"There is no way back for me now. I've got a new life. I want to go to the Kentucky Derby and the US Masters, the Melbourne Cup. I want to visit vineyards in Tuscany and France."
Frustrated Zaha to be loaned out in January with host of Premier League clubs waiting to pounce
By LAURIE WHITWELL PUBLISHED: 21:30 GMT, 3 October 2013 | UPDATED: 05:42 GMT, 4 October 2013
Wilfried Zaha is set to leave Manchester United on loan in the January transfer window as he looks to get first team experience in the Premier League. David Moyes has not used the £15million winger, 21 next month, since the Community Shield as he continues a policy of selecting experienced players in his opening period as United manager. Zaha has instead turned out for the club’s development side but is aware that regular top-flight football is required if he is to stand a chance of making Roy Hodgson’s squad if England qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Loan ranger: Moyes will let Zaha leave Man United temporarily in January
Crystal Palace remain keen to take him back but Swansea, West Brom, Stoke and Newcastle are also interested and appear likelier destinations given their styles and standing in the Premier League. Zaha, who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s final signing at United, has three times been named in a matchday squad by Moyes — in the Premier League games against Swansea and Crystal Palace as well as the Capital One Cup tie with Liverpool — but each time failed to make it off the bench. After winning two England caps, the last against Scotland at Wembley in August, he was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad on Thursday for the upcoming 2015 European Under 21 Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Lithuania.
Frozen out: The England Under 21 star has only featured in the Community Shield for United this season
Zaha’s team-mate Ryan Giggs has admitted there are no excuses for United’s stuttering start to the season after the 1-1 draw against Shakhtar in the Donbass Arena followed a worrying sequence of three defeats in four Premier League games.The Group A clash saw 39-year-old Giggs come on as a second-half substitute to move ahead of former Real Madrid striker Raul as the leading appearance-maker in Champions League history on 145. But the man appointed player-coach by Moyes is more concerned with ironing out the early-season problems that have brought unwanted pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor.
Record-breaker: Giggs appeared in the Champions League for the 145th time on Wednesday night
‘I can’t put my finger on what’s happened,’ said Giggs. ‘We have just not played as well as we can both individually and as a team.‘We know the quality in the dressing-room. We’re the champions so we showed that quality last year and we have to show it again.‘We are not playing well as a team. We haven’t got injury problems as we have had in the past — there is no excuse.‘You would rather be showing this form at the start of the season than at the end. You have just got to hang in there to the turn of the year and then hopefully hit a bit of form like we historically do.’
Blow for Arsenal as Sagna is out for at least two weeks with hamstring injury
By SAMI MOKBEL PUBLISHED: 21:58 GMT, 3 October 2013 | UPDATED: 21:58 GMT, 3 October 2013
Arsenal have been hit by yet another injury blow with the news that Bacary Sagna will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury. The right-back, who has been a consistent performer for the Barclays Premier League leaders this season, sustained the problem during the Champions League clash against Napoli on Tuesday night. And after undergoing a scan yesterday, the defender will miss at least the next fortnight through injury.
Pulling up: Bacary Sagna holds his hamstring and looks set to miss two weeks
It means Sagna will sit out Sunday's trip to West Bromwich, France's clashes against Australia and Finland and is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the visit of Norwich on October 19. Carl Jenkinson is likely to deputise for the 30-year-old against Steve Clarke's side on Sunday.
Out of action: Sagna has suffered a hamstring injury
Sagna's absence is the latest in a long line of injuries to have disrupted Arsenal's stunning start to the season.Ten of the club's first team squad have missed games through injury this season, with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski among those currently nursing problems.
United watching giant French defender Koulibaly but face battle for £7m-rated Zouma from neighbours City
By JOHN DRAYTON PUBLISHED: 21:00 GMT, 3 October 2013 | UPDATED: 21:15 GMT, 3 October 2013
Manchester United are watching 6ft 5in defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Belgian side Genk as David Moyes looks to strengthen his backline after a torrid start to the season.The 22-year-old Frenchman has played 11 times for the U-20 national side, and has played 20 times for Genk since joining from Metz last summer.
Strengthen the back: KRC Genk defender Kalidou Koulibaly is wanted by Manchester United
Wanted man: Zouma has also attracted the attention of the Manchester clubs
Koulibaly can also play as a defensive midfielder, and rivals Manchester City were also rumoured to have been tracking him last year.Both United and City are also interested in St-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma, with City boss Manuel Pellegrini looking to solve the problem centre-half position.The powerful 18-year-old was watched by City's top scout Gary Wirthington for the French U-21 side last week, with £7million thought to be enough to prize him away.Bolton will rival Derby for the loan signing of United defender Michael Keane, 20.
In competition: Moyes will possibly face competition for Zouma from rival manager Manuel Pellegrini
Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones drafted in by Liverpool
• Brendan Rodgers to utilise Anfield old boys
• It's both coaching and mentoring, says manager
Press Association
The Guardian, Wednesday 2 October 2013 11.43 BST
Robbie Fowler will be hoping some of his Liverpool magic rubs off on the youth players. Photograph: David Davies/PA Archive/Press Association Ima
Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones have been drafted in by the manager Brendan Rodgers to help coach Liverpool's young players.
The former first-team players are to assist the Under-21 and Under-18 squads at the Kirkby academy.
"It's great to have Robbie, Steve and Rob on board," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. "I wanted to get more former players involved and over the off-season I spoke to a number of them about a possible role here.
"For me it's so important to have players like that around. These are players who the young guys look up to. The three of them have come in recently and I know they have thoroughly enjoyed having that involvement of working with the kids.
"We're starting with the older academy players as they are ones they can really affect at this moment. It's both coaching and mentoring."
The manager has spoken previously about wanting to utilise the experience of the recently retired Jamie Carragher, who has opted for a career in television.
Rodgers has immersed himself in the club's history since arriving in the summer of 2012 and will continue to do so. "Sometimes managers feel the need to distance themselves from players like that but I love what this institution is all about at Liverpool," he added.
"It's important to retain that connection with the history of the club. I want to protect that great history to ensure these players get the opportunity to be involved at a club they love."
Stub it out! Wenger blasts Wilshere after Arsenal star is caught smoking outside club
By DAVID KENT PUBLISHED: 08:43 GMT, 4 October 2013 | UPDATED: 09:18 GMT, 4 October 2013
Jack Wilshere will face the wrath of Arsene Wenger on Friday after the Arsenal midfielder was caught smoking outside at a nightclub.The England intentional was pictured in a newspaper puffing on a cigarette and speaking with a blonde girl after Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Napoli.'I disagree completely with that behaviour,' said Wenger. 'I need to have a chat with him about that.
In hot water: Jack Wilshere could face disciplinary action after he was caught smoking outside a London nightclub
'You don't do what damages your health as a footballer. You damage your reputation when you do that in public.'When pressed on whether he'd take disciplinary action against the midfielder, whose girlfriend Lauren Neal gave birth to their second child last week, Wenger added: 'I don't know what happened so I can't talk about any punishment.'Wilshere played 27 minutes of Arsenal's Champions League Group F victory over Napoli after replacing Tomas Rosicky as a second-half substitute.
And it's been reported that he and his Arsenal team-mates were given permission to celebrate at the Dstrkt Club in central London. Wenger added: 'Things are different now. I've travelled on the coach as a player when you could to see each other because of smoke. But things have changed. We are role models now.'He is a very important player here. 'My plans for the future involve Jack. He is a important player for me.' Arsenal travel to West Brom on Sunday with a two-point lead at the summit of the Barclays Premier League. The Gunners have won 10 games in a row.More follows...
Baby love: Wilshere tweeted a picture with his new-born daughter Delilah Grace last week
Suarez is waiting for his Real deal! Cavani claims Liverpool striker still wants to quit when Spanish giants return with bid
By JAMES ANDREW PUBLISHED: 15:20 GMT, 4 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:28 GMT, 4 October 2013
Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani says Luis Suarez is holding out for a move to Real Madrid and was not keen on a switch to Arsenal. Suarez returned to action for Liverpool last weekend and scored twice against Sunderland in his first Premier League game since he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and served a subsequent 10-match ban.The Uruguayan striker was hotly tipped with a move away from Anfield this summer with Arsenal submitting a £40million plus £1 bid for the Suarez but Liverpool refused to sell.
Back with a bang: Luis Suarez scored twice for Liverpool on his return from his 10-match ban
And now his international team-mate – who did make a big money switch from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain – says Suarez is still dreaming of a move to Real Madrid.Cavani said: ‘It is no surprise to me at all that Luis has come back for Liverpool and is scoring goals right away. ‘He is the most complete striker in England - and one of the most complete strikers in the world. Ability and confidence is no issue for him, he will score a lot of goals this season I am sure.‘I am sure Liverpool fans are very happy Luis stayed - he will be a big player for them. I think Arsenal was not Luis's dream move, maybe if it had been Real Madrid then it would have been a different outcome - but of course Madrid were concentrating on a different target this summer.
Anfield return: Suarez look set to play his first game of the season at home against Crystal Palace
Getting up to speed: Suarz is back in the Liverpool side after serving his ban
'It is his dream club - and a club he thinks is worth waiting for.’After forking out £86m for Gareth Bale, Real did not want to pay Liverpool's asking price of £55m for Suarez. Liverpool would still demand the same fee in January and any potential transfer would depend on how the sides are performing by December. Real may decide they do not need the striker if their form improves, while if Liverpool are still in a position to contend for the title, they will be more reluctant to sell Suarez.
Claims: Edinson Cavani says Suarez wants a move to Madrid
The player is still keen on the idea of moving to Madrid - and his agent Pere Guardiola is also happy for him to do so. If any potential transfer looks like happening, Arsenal may try to intervene - although Liverpool are not keen on selling to a domestic rival. Arsene Wenger wanted to secure the striker's services in the summer but could not, instead splashing £42.5m on Mesut Ozil.
