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Steve Bruce has revealed that Hull City's Allan McGregor suffered a serious kidney injury in the incident that saw him sent off at West Ham.
The Scotland international goalkeeper was given his marching orders for the second time this season in controversial circumstances on Wednesday when he upended Mohamed Diame midway through the first half in West Ham's 2-1 win, but referee Mike Dean initially saw nothing untoward.
Dean then pointed to the penalty spot three minutes later after a consultation with his assistant and McGregor was shown a straight red card when he got to his feet following lengthy treatment after he came off worse in the collision with Diame, who appeared to handle the ball before contact was made between the pair.
Mark Noble scored the resulting spot-kick and, although Hull equalised when Tom Huddlestone's free-kick went in off Nikica Jelavic, a James Chester own-goal consigned the visitors to defeat at Upton Park.
Bruce revealed after the game that former Rangers keeper McGregor had been taken to hospital and the club are awaiting further news as to the extent of his injury.
He said: "Unfortunately he's in a bad way, he's certainly got kidney damage.
"The specialist is on his way to see him. He's got contusion of his kidney, which we are hoping is not ruptured, but it looks a nasty one at the minute.
"He's in hospital and he'll remain in hospital overnight."
Bruce also expressed his frustration at a "calamity of errors" from referee Dean.
"I'm not going to give you the stories you want, because I've paid enough this year in fines," he added.
"If the referee had given the penalty straight away I could understand, but he didn't and we've got video evidence of that.
"I asked him if he'd given the penalty and he said did.
"It must have been two-three minutes before he made the decision, so if he has given the penalty, we've obviously got somebody on the line to clear the ball, so it's not really denying a goalscoring opportunity.
"Is it not sufficient to say, a bit of common sense, if he thinks it's a penalty - which he didn't at the time - then just give the penalty and let us play with 11 men.
"I'm convinced if we play with 11 men we take something from the game, with 10 men I still think we're the better team, with 11 obviously that would have been easier.
"He's missed a blatant handball, so it's a calamity of errors but what makes it worse is if he gives the decision okay and he's not too sure, then how does he send the player off?"
Scholes accuses Arsenal players of 'going missing'
LONDON Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:47pm GMT
Soccer player Paul Scholes attends the world premiere of the film ''The Class of 92'' in London December 1, 2013. REUTERS/Neil Hall
(Reuters) - Once one of Arsenal's chief tormentors on the pitch, Paul Scholes dissected the Gunners with a withering verbal assault after a home draw with Swansea City on Tuesday ended any hope of a late Premier League title charge.
The former Manchester United midfielder was known for letting his boots do the talking during a glittering Old Trafford career but when asked to pick over the pieces of Arsenal's season, he held nothing back.
"It was a typical week for Arsenal really," Scholes, who was working for Sky Sports as a pundit, said after the Gunners drew 2-2 with Swansea City, three days after a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea in Arsene Wenger's 1,000th game in charge.
"They capitulated at Chelsea and it seems to be a similar theme again at the top teams.
"It happened at Liverpool, they conceded six against Man City and for one reason or another players seem to go missing...
"It seems like they go on the pitch with no discipline.
"It's as though four, five midfielders go out there and do what you want - try and score a goal. A few nice one-twos, nice tippy-tappy football, but don't bother running back."
Scholes was part of a United midfield that regularly locked horns with Arsenal during a decade in which the two clubs dominated the Premier League.
NO LEADERS
While United are in a post-Alex Ferguson slump this season having won a record 20th English title in the Scot's final season at the helm, Arsenal have rarely seriously challenged for a title since the 2003-04 'Invincibles'.
"There are no leaders, no Patrick Vieira, no Tony Adams, (Martin) Keown," Scholes added of fourth-placed Arsenal.
"Sometimes a midfield player when you're up against it you have to say: 'Look, just come in, get in here beside me for five minutes or 10 and stop the flow of attacks.'
"These, they go 2-0 down and they just carry on what they are doing. And you wonder why they are in the position they are in. I feel for the Arsenal fans, they get a little hint of the title for a few weeks and go to Chelsea, to Liverpool to City and they just do nothing.
"Fans expect Arsenal to go for the league and I know they are third or fourth but they are a million miles away in my eyes."
Scholes also questioned whether Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere was developing at the Emirates.
"Wilshere, what a really top young player, but he has not really gone on," Scholes said.
"He needs players like Vieira to take him to the next level. Injuries have not helped him but his development, from being 17, he does not look any better player now than when he was 17."
Despite sitting just six points behind leaders Chelsea with seven games remaining, Arsenal's grip on a top-four place could still be challenged by Everton, who are six points behind with a game in hand, or even north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by John O'Brien)
Fulham re-sign midfielder Diarra on pay-as-you-play deal
Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:40pm GMT
West Ham United's Andy Carroll (L) challenges Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra during their English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park in London in this September 1, 2012 file photo. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
(Reuters) - Fulham have re-signed midfielder Mahamadou Diarra on a pay-as-you-play deal until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
His last appearance for Fulham was in December 2012 and the 32-year-old has been without a club since he left the west London side at the end of last season. He joined on a free transfer in February 2012.
The former Real Madrid player secured a deal with the Premier League's bottom club having proven his fitness after a serious knee injury, which limited him to just 19 appearances in his first spell.
Fulham, who host Everton on Sunday, are currently four points adrift of Crystal Palace, who are one place above the relegation zone in 17th.
The Scot's future at Old Trafford has become the subject of increasing speculation in recent weeks but his compatriot believes the criticism has been over the top
Beleaguered Manchester United boss David Moyes has been treated unfairly, according to Aston Villa counterpart Paul Lambert.
Moyes has been the target of regular criticism after failing to live up to the lofty heights set by former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson led the Old Trafford outfit to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cup crowns and two Champions League successes during a trophy-laden stint at the club that spanned more than 26 years.
United may still be in the Champions League's last eight – where they will meet Bayern Munich over two legs – but their domestic form has been poor, and they sit a disappointing seventh in the Premier League table after a 3-0 home loss to rivals Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of Villa's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, Lambert expressed his belief that his fellow Scot had been hard done by, and criticised reports that the club's fans will fly a plane with a derogatory Moyes banner over the ground during the match.
"He is trying his best for Manchester United, the way I am for Aston Villa," Lambert told reporters.
"It comes with the territory. In the modern game, you are always one bad result away from being absolutely criticised.
"In years gone by you probably would have got a lot of time, but now the success people want is instant.
"But if you are talking about flying an aeroplane over the stadium with a message to say you are not wanted, it is a bit extreme.
"I think some of the criticism is way over the top, I really do.
"I think the magnitude of the job is huge. Only David can truly tell you about that, but from the outside looking in, it is a massive, massive job.
"It is not as if he is standing out there and thinking 'things are not going well, but I still feel good'.
"He is human like everybody else and when you get that level of criticism it would not be nice."
Manchester United fans plan fly-past protest against Moyes
By Ewan Roberts
Mar 27, 2014 4:50:00 PM
A section of the Premier League champions' supporters have raised almost £1,000 to pay for a plane to fly over Old Trafford displaying the message: 'Wrong one - Moyes out'
David Moyes's woes are likely to continue on Saturday after it emerged that a group of Manchester United fans are planning to pay for a plane to carry a 'Moyes out' banner over Old Trafford.
The Premier League holders are enduring their worst season in decades, with Goal exclusively revealing on Wednesday that the club are "evaluating all possibilities" in an attempt to arrest the side's slide.
And now, after the Red Devils were humbled by a 3-0 derby defeat on Tuesday against rivals Manchester City, supporters are plotting the most overt display of disaffection with Moyes's reign yet.
A United fans' blog, therepublikofmancunia.com, claims that a section of fans, in reaction to a controversial 'Chosen One' banner that sits inside the stadium, will send their own message during Saturday's clash with Aston Villa.
"A group of United fans have raised £840 in a day to fund a plane to fly over Old Trafford with a message reading: 'Wrong One - Moyes Out'," states the blog.
"The message is a response to the Stretford End Flags banner which reads 'The Chosen One'."
Some fans have called for said banner to be removed, with stewards gathering around it at full-time after the defeat to City to prevent it from being taken down or defaced.
United have already lost six times at home this season, their worst record in the Premier League, and patience appears to be at breaking point for Moyes, who is readying the side for a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.
The Football Association could face further public funding cuts next year after revelations by Alex Horne, the governing body's general secretary.
Friday 28th March 2014
On Thursday Sport England announced a £1.6million cut over three years on the FA and also reduced the cash that goes to golf, netball, hockey, mountaineering and rowing.
The funding body warned that a further 20 per cent of the money the FA spends on its participation programmes is at risk unless it improves.
But Horne believes Sport England's measure misses out the many people who may only play two or three times a month, and that the decline is also due to local authorities reducing spending on sports facilities.
Horne told Press Association Sport: "It is quite a blunt measure for team sports. I am sure there are many, many people who have a very active lifestyle, do cycling and running, and play football two or three times a month - and yet they are not covered by these participation figures which only reflect people who play every week.
"There is also no strong evidence that the numbers are going to be any better for the most recent year looking at how wet it has been."
The number of people playing football every week has dropped by 100,000 since April last year to 1.84million.
In overall terms, the Sport England cut is pretty minimal given that the FA already spends £1million every week on grassroots football, most of it its own money.
But Horne added: "The Government need to be careful because this money is being spent on sports participation on one hand while on the other local authorities are cutting the local provision of sports facilities."
Sport England's chief executive Jennie Price defended the approach and issued a warning that sports needed to improve or face further cuts.
She said: "What we have taken from the FA is 10 per cent of the money it spends on its main participation programmes from next year but it could lose another 20 per cent if it doesn't improve. All sports could lose more - we are going to operate this system every single year."
The overall funding reduction for the six sports is £2.8million.
Cricket, rugby union and badminton also experienced a decline in participation numbers but Sport England believe those sports have the right plans in place to reverse that decline.
Meanwhile, British Olympic Association chairman Sebastian Coe said there should be discussion over elite funding for Olympic team sports following UK Sport's decision to remove all money for basketball.
Coe told the Daily Telegraph: "The issues are clearly about team sports, about the legacy potential of some of these sports. This is not something that UK Sport is oblivious to. I have had conversations with (chief executive) Liz Nicholl and (chairman) Rod Carr about it.
"We have all agreed that we will have a grown-up, calm conversation about it."
Thirteen police officers have been identified as "suspects" in the ongoing investigation into the Hillsborough disaster.
Friday 28th March 2014
The commission said 11 of these had already been interviewed under caution relating to a range of offences including manslaughter as well as misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.
A spokesman said the other two would be interviewed in the near future.
The spokesman said four of the 13 have been identified as suspects as part of both the IPCC's investigation and also Operation Resolve - the criminal investigation into the 1989 tragedy.
The IPCC's inquiry - the biggest it has ever undertaken - covers the actions of the police in the aftermath of the crush at Hillsborough stadium, in Sheffield, which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.
The investigation was announced after the commission reviewed the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, which uncovered a huge amount of new evidence about what happened during and after the tragedy.
It is examining allegations including those surrounding amendments to police statements, the actions of the police officers after the disaster and the role of West Midlands Police, which investigated what happened at the time.
Operation Resolve, under the command of assistant commissioner Jon Stoddart, the retired chief constable of Durham Police, is a new, wider-ranging criminal investigation into the disaster.
The IPCC said it could not give any further information about the people who had been arrested and how many of them had been interviewed in relation to allegations of manslaughter.
The coroner was told that the BBC has recently found an hour of unseen footage of the disaster which is now being considered by the legal teams.
Pete Weatherby QC, representing 21 families, said: "There is at least an hour of it. It is within the stadium at relevant times."
He said the BBC had previously said it had handed over everything it had but this footage had been recently found.
No further details of the footage was given in court.
The hearing was later adjourned after hearing legal argument around a range of issues including the "pen portrait" statements each family will present to the inquest about their loved ones who died in 1989.
Other aspects of the legal argument included the planned visit of the jury to the stadium in Sheffield and the disclosure of evidence to the various interested parties in the inquest.
Luke Shaw may only be 18 but he is already good enough to play for Real Madrid or any of the world's best, according to Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Friday 28th March 2014
A graduate of the club's fabled academy, the teenage left-back is one of the most sought after youngsters in the world right now.
Shaw's burgeoning reputation was bolstered by his first senior England appearance earlier this month, leading to increased speculation over his future.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been strongly linked with the teenager, who was this week mentioned as a potential target for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Such talk that does not surprise former Argentina international Pochettino, who has tipped Shaw to reach the very top of the game.
"He can play at Real Madrid or he can play in the world starting XI," he said.
"He really has the quality to do so. I am not sure if he is one [of the best left-backs in the world] already. I think so.
"I am not sure if he is already the best one in the world."
Shaw is not the only one in demand as speculation continues to mount over Pochettino's future, with Marseille, Monaco and Getafe the latest to be linked with a summer move.
"Getafe? Oh," he said with a laugh.
"I will repeat what I said last week. Everything is calm and we are working to finish off the season as best as possible."
Next up for Southampton is Newcastle, who they will usurp in eighth with victory at St Mary's on Saturday.
The match is counterpart - and former Saints boss - Alan Pardew's first since being handed a stadium ban for headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler, although he remains barred from the touchline.
It was a situation Pochettino was keen to avoid, so was the fact Andre Marriner is refereeing the match just a week on from his high-profile mistake in Chelsea's 6-0 defeat of Arsenal.
"We have full trust in the referees and we know that it's a very difficult job to do and to do well," he said.
"I'm not really one to analyse the referee's performance before the game.
"In the history of football there have been massive mistakes made in the past by referees, players and manager so it is part of the history of football."
Saints will be without a number of players for Saturday's match with Jay Rodriguez, Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Steven Davis all doubts to face Newcastle.
Nathaniel Clyne, Kelvin Davis and Maya Yoshida are definitely out, with the latter expected to miss the rest of the season.
The centre-back injured ligaments in his right knee during training this week, but Pochettino expects him to be available for Japan at the World Cup.
"I actually went through a similar situation in a World Cup and I had a similar injury to his but I recovered a month before and was able to take part in the World Cup," Pochettino said.
"He has started working already this week so he shouldn't miss any training sessions and the staff and all of us are going to help him so that's back to his best as soon as possible."
West Ham United's Mohamed Diame (R) is fouled by Hull City's goalkeeper Allan McGregor (C) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Boleyn Ground in London March 26, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Winning
(Reuters) - Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering kidney damage at West Ham United on Wednesday, the Premier League club said.
The Scotland international has been in hospital since he was sent off at Upton Park for bundling over Mohamed Diame in the 2-1 defeat.
Manager Steve Bruce said the player had suffered "a really nasty injury".
"I went to see him yesterday in the high dependency unit in London, in hospital, and the kid's in a lot of pain," he told reporters on Friday.
"Overnight the observations are better but he's awaiting another CT scan this morning and we hope that it will repair ... it certainly looks like he's going to miss the rest of the season, that's for sure."
Hull, who play at Stoke City on Saturday and face Sheffield United in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on April 13, recalled Bosnian-born Swiss international goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic from League One (third tier) side Leyton Orient on Thursday.
Jakupovic, 29, is expected to be used as back-up for reserve goalkeeper Steve Harper.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
English referee Marriner wants to put 'demons' to rest
LONDON Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:35am GMT
Referee Andre Marriner (L) reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London March 22, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
(Reuters) - Premier League referee Andre Marriner is eager to put his 'demons' to rest at Southampton on Saturday after causing a storm when he sent off the wrong Arsenal player last weekend.
The referee caused uproar during Chelsea's 6-0 win when he awarded a penalty against Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's handball and then sent off Kieran Gibbs by mistake despite the real culprit owning up at the time.
Arsenal subsequently won an appeal for wrongful dismissal with Oxlade-Chamberlain also let off a ban.
"It knocks you for six, to be honest," Marriner was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph newspaper on Friday in his first public comment on the fallout.
"You're continuously playing the incident over in your mind," added Marriner who will take charge when Southampton host Newcastle United.
"You think about how you could've arrived at the right decision and 'what could I have done differently?'...afterwards I analysed it to death."
"I made a high profile mistake last weekend but it's like a player who misses a penalty or goalkeeper who fails to make an easy save, you want to get back out there the week after to put those demons right," he said.
Marriner had faced calls for him to be dropped for the rest of the season but he said he was glad the Premier League referees' body stuck by him.
"Hopefully I won't let them down and I'll be able to go out on Saturday and perform at my usual high standard," he said.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Tony Jimenez)
Sir Alex would have struggled with this ageing Manchester United squad, says Moyes
By Gill Clark
Mar 29, 2014 7:26:00 AM
The Scot says this season would have been tough no matter who was in charge of the club but is keen for the reigning champions to start to play better and improve their results
David Moyes says Sir Alex Ferguson would have struggled at Manchester United this season due to the club’s ageing squad.
The reigning champions are enduring a dismal campaign, currently 18 points off top spot in the Premier League having suffered 10 top flight defeats already this season.
The club’s supporters have become increasingly disillusioned in recent weeks after heavy defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City and have organised a plane banner protest to be flown above Old Trafford on Saturday
However, Moyes says his predecessor would also have struggled with the current squad and feels this was always going to be a difficult season.
“If Sir Alex was here this year it would be difficult for him as well, and he would be aware of that,” he told reporters.
“People are aware that there was a squad that was ageing, so it would be a tough season for whoever was in charge this season.
“There’s been a change from a great manager, not just a great one but one who was here for 26 years. To make that change was always going to be difficult.”
While Moyes is well aware of the planned protest on Saturday, and says supporters have the right to voice their feelings, he is remaining calm in the face of supporter unrest.
“The majority of Manchester United fans are aware of the situation and obviously we want to play better, we want to get better results,” he added.
“The best people to judge are the people who appointed me.
“They are incredibly knowledgeable. In fact, the most knowledgeable is the one who gave me that job [Ferguson].”
Recent reports had suggested the squad were questioning the manager's tactical approach and team selections, but the Scot insists they are working well together
Under-pressure Manchester United manager David Moyes has dismissed rumours of a rift between himself and the squad.
Heavy home defeats against rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks have seen the Scot's position come into question, with United sitting seventh and 18 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Rio Ferdinand revealed on Friday that he was "embarrassed" by the champions' slump, but Moyes has stressed that the players are responding to his techniques and the group are working well together.
When whether he had the full support of his squad, Moyes told reporters: "Definitely. No reason to suggest anything else.
"They’re great, they train great, we work well together and we have a great relationship as far as I’m concerned. But what I want is for us to have a winning team, me and them together.
"The players know exactly what it is to play for Manchester United and the standards they have to set.
"But they're hurting as well as me and are desperate to put it right. And hopefully when we get to the game against Villa, they can show that.
"It's a long journey here and this is only the start of it. You work hard to get here in the first place but I've got to say I'm more driven to succeed than ever.
"I want the team to turn around and I want to change the position we're in just now. I really do believe we can do that.
"We’ve got a great club, which gives you the chance to do that because of the people we can attract and the players we can attract to the club. But it’s just going to take a little bit of time to get it sorted."
'People who have managed zero games have opinions' - Wenger dismisses Scholes criticisms
By Jack Davies
Mar 28, 2014 2:07:00 PM
The former Manchester United man hit out at the Gunners' record against their title rivals, insisting the north London outfit are "a million miles" away from winning the league
Arsene Wenger has hit out at Paul Scholes' assessment that Arsenal are "a million miles" away from winning the Premier League.
The former Manchester United man, while acting as a pundit for Sky Sports, criticised the Gunners' poor showings against their title rivals, adding: "[Arsenall] go to Chelsea, to Liverpool, to [Manchester] City and they just do nothing."
Arsenal have drifted from contention in recent weeks following a 6-0 defeat to Chelsea and a 2-2 with Swansea City - but Wenger dismissed the remarks ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester City.
"People who have managed zero games have opinions. We have to accept that," he told reporters.
"If six points is a 'million miles away', I don't know what the translation of a mile into a point is."
Scholes also hit out at the progression of Jack Wilshere, insisting he has not improved since coming to the fore at the age of 17, but Wenger pointed out the youngster's multiple fitness setbacks over the years.
He added: "Jack has been handicapped by many injuries, but once he is back and playing consistently he will show everybody that [Scholes] is wrong about that.
"He is an exceptional player - and Scholes knows that."
The Swansea result left Arsenal six points clear of fifth-placed Everton, who have a game in hand, and prompted Wenger to admit he is looking over his shoulder at Roberto Martinez's men.
"There is no other priority other than coming first - that is still our target," he said. "If people say Everton can catch us then we can catch the teams above us.
"The mood is of course disappointed but we want to prepare for the next game. We gave everything against Swansea. "We want to focus on our own strengths and we need to have a top defensive performance."
Arsenal host City on Saturday and will be keen to banish memories of a 6-3 defeat in the reverse fixture, although Wenger believes there are positives to be drawn from that performance.
"There's plenty of positives to take from the game at the Etihad," he said. "But of course we must defend better. We haven't started the big games on the front foot and we want to change that.
"We were 17 or 18 times top of the league this season. We need to continue to work well, we have been unlucky with injuries."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, right, and Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert speak during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, Saturday, March 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
LONDON (AP) — Jose Mourinho might have been right after all. Since Chelsea inflicted Manchester City its sole home defeat of the season in February, the Blues manager has been insisting his players are not the frontrunners in the race for the Premier League title, instead sticking the favorite tag on City.
Ahead of Saturday's trip to struggling Crystal Palace, Chelsea sits atop the table with a one-point lead over Liverpool. But following the 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, City is very much in the hunt, trailing Chelsea by just three points with two matches in hand. City travels to Arsenal on Saturday.
Mourinho has found an ally in Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who also claimed City is favorite. "If City win their games, they win. It's simple maths," Rodgers said.
Here are five things to know about this weekend's Premier League matches:
FROM TITLE HOPEFULS TO TOP-FOUR CONTENDERS
Arsenal's form has nosedived to such an extent that the Gunners will have to fight until the final rounds of the season to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.
Having followed up their humiliating 6-0 loss to Chelsea with a disappointing home draw against Swansea, Arsene Wenger's team is six points behind Chelsea and fifth-place Everton is just six points off with a game in hand. The Merseyside team is at Fulham on Sunday before hosting Arsenal on April 6.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, chasing a first trophy since 2005, acknowledges that his Premier League title hopes are all but gone and is focusing on the FA Cup and a top-four finish.
"Winning the title isn't our biggest worry at the moment because we have to be realistic," Wenger said. "Man City look unstoppable and are favorites because they have two games in hand. Everton won, so we have to focus and prepare well for the next game. It will be open until the end, we can still have surprises."
SUAREZ GREATEST EVER?
Liverpool's 2-1 win over Sunderland lifted the Reds within one point of leader Chelsea in their bid for a first league title in 24 years. Currently on a seven-match winning streak, Brendan Rodgers' team seems unstoppable, spurred on by Uruguay star Luis Suarez's superb performances day in day out.
Suarez has scored 28 league goals in 26 games this season, only six shy of the record held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.
According to former Liverpool great Steve McManaman, Suarez would become Liverpool's greatest striker if he can lead the Reds to the title.
"He missed the first five games of the season and that suggests he will go down in Liverpool history," McManaman said. "If he takes them to the league title, everybody will say he is the greatest center-forward ever. The fact you are even talking about Suarez, after just a couple of years at the club, in the same breath as Robbie (Fowler) or Rushie (Ian Rush) or Kenny (Dalglish) and whoever else shows how much he has learned at Liverpool and how much he has improved."
STILL THE CHOSEN ONE, BUT FOR HOW LONG?
Stewards had to protect "The Chosen One" banner in honor of David Moyes at the end of Manchester United's loss to bitter rival Manchester City midweek. Moyes, who was hand-picked by his predecessor Alex Ferguson, is overseeing a dismal first season in charge at United, as the Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish the season with their lowest ever Premier League tally.
After standing behind Moyes for most of the season despite the sense of shambles surrounding Old Trafford, United fans are now openly expressing their anger. British media reported on Thursday that a group of supporters are trying to raise enough money for a plane carrying an anti-Moyes banner to fly over the club's stadium during Saturday's match with Aston Villa.
Before Saturday's match, the Red Devils are five points behind sixth-place Tottenham with seven games left and finishing in the Europa League positions may be beyond their grasp.
ALLARDYCE CAN'T BELIEVE HIS EARS
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce slammed the London club's fans after his players were booed off the pitch despite their 2-1 win over Hull City that ended a three-match losing streak.
West Ham has endured a difficult season but a good run of four consecutive wins in February has eased the club's relegation fears. The victory over Hull lifted Allardyce's team to 11th in the standings before Monday's match at Sunderland.
"I've not experienced that before in the time I've been in the game," Allardyce said about the fans' reaction. "Obviously, for us, today was all about coming off with three points, whether we played brilliantly, indifferently or not so good. It was about getting the three points. I was hearing booing, I couldn't quite believe it. I'd seen something I've never seen before. Nothing surprises me, I suppose."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR LUKAKU?
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is still pondering whether he should bring back Belgium international Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge next season.
The powerful striker, who is currently on loan at Everton, is unsure about his short-term future as Mourinho is expected to sign a big-name forward this summer. Lukaku has been instrumental in Everton's excellent season so far, scoring 12 goals in 23 matches for the Toffees.
Many Premier League clubs including Tottenham have reportedly shown their interests in signing the highly rated player that Chelsea signed for 17 million pound ($28 million) three years ago, and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is among the forward's admirers.
"I think he is a player a lot of clubs will be looking at in the summer. I don't think Everton will get a free run at him," Pardew said.
Tottenham boss Sherwood questions Liverpool's title nerve
By Ewan Roberts
Mar 28, 2014 7:22:00 PM
The 45-year-old, himself a Premier League winner, believes the growing expectancy around Anfield could cause the Reds to stutter and isn't convinced they can deal with the pressure
Tottenham coach Tim Sherwood has questioned Liverpool's ability to hold their nerve in this season's Premier League title race.
Ahead of Sunday's clash with Spurs at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers' side sit second in the standings, just a point behind leaders Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City, who have two games in hand on the two sides above them.
The Reds thrashed Tottenham 5-0 earlier in the season - a game that resulted in Sherwood replacing Andre Villas-Boas at the helm of the north Londoners - but while the former England international has the utmost respect for the Merseysiders, he says that he saw signs of edginess in their 2-1 victory over Sunderland in midweek.
“The pressure’s on Liverpool," the 45-year-old, who won a title with Blackburn in 1995, told reporters on Friday.
"You sensed it a little bit the other night [Wednesday], when Sunderland got back into the game.
“After winning so many titles in their time they’re very close, one point off the top. They’re absolutely flying, they’ve got a strike partnership [Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge] who are the best the Premier League has seen for a very long time, and they’ve given themselves a real chance.
“Now they have to believe that they’ve got something there that might fall through their grasp and might slip away.
"And, believe me, that’s a really bad feeling to have, because perhaps you don’t play with the freedom that you normally played with earlier on in the season.
“It all depends on how they can hold their nerve, how many players they’ve got within their squad who have done it previously.
“Obviously Manchester City and Chelsea would have to be favourites because of the players they’ve got who have actually crossed that line and done it previously.
“But Liverpool have got from seventh last year and now they must be believing, with eight or nine games left, that they can actually win this Premier League title.
“I’d still tip Man City. They have got that firepower, as well as Liverpool have. It just boils down to whether Liverpool can cope in the run-in, because it is nothing like anything else.
“Whatever has gone before, now that you guys [in the media] have been talking about them in terms of winning the title, it makes a hell of a lot of difference when you’re warming up and you’re going out there and the expectancy is on you.
“I know that myself from doing it. At one stage we were well clear with a game in hand when we won the title [at Blackburn]. We managed to scrape through at the last. We were shot and we managed to get over the line.
“People started talking about us as title winners and that is coming from a side who finished fourth and then second and then first - not from seventh to first. It will be very interesting to see how they cope with it.”
Sherwood confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for the match due to a cut on his heel, while Vlad Chiriches will continue his recovery from injury by turning out for the Under-21s on Friday afternoon.
Ominous Liverpool hit the front after Spurs demolition
By Steve Tongue
LONDON Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:34pm BST
Liverpool's players celebrate after their English Premier League soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England March 30, 2014. REUTERS-Phil Noble
(Reuters) - Liverpool outclassed Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at Anfield on Sunday to surge to the top of the Premier League table and raise hopes of a first English title for 24 years.
An eighth successive victory for Brendan Rodgers's team lifted them two points clear of Chelsea with a much better goal difference and four ahead of Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
Liverpool will be champions if they win their six remaining games as City and Chelsea, who both dropped points on Saturday, still have to visit Anfield.
On a good day for Merseyside and a bad one for London sides, Liverpool's neighbours Everton won 3-1 at bottom club Fulham, taking them further ahead of sixth-placed Tottenham and keeping the pressure on Arsenal for the fourth Champions League place.
Liverpool have not won the English title since 1990, two years before the Premier League began. Having won 5-0 at Spurs in December, which led to the sacking of Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, they dominated from the start again.
It took only two minutes for the first of many defensive errors by the visitors, when Glen Johnson was allowed to cross from the right and force an own goal by Younes Kaboul.
Luis Suarez doubled the lead in the 25th minute with his 29th goal of the season, all in the League. That broke the Liverpool club record for a Premier League campaign, set by Robbie Fowler in 1995-96.
The Uruguayan's tally is all the more remarkable because he missed the first five games because of a long suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
Watched by former Liverpool goal scoring heroes Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish and Ian St John, Suarez almost got his 30th goal before half-time, Hugo Lloris just turning his header on to a post.
In the second half Brazilian Philippe Coutinho ran from just inside the Spurs half to score the third goal from 20 metres area and England midfielder Jordan Henderson's long free kick went straight in for the fourth.
IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE
For all Tottenham's weaknesses, it was another impressive performance by Liverpool under Rodgers, who has revitalised them in two seasons since joining from Swansea City, and they lead the standings for the first time since Christmas.
Manchester City dropped two points on Saturday when they were held 1-1 at Arsenal and Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho declared it was "impossible" for his team to win the title after they suffered an unexpected 1-0 defeat by relegation strugglers Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Tottenham's hopes of finishing fifth were further diminished by Everton's victory over Fulham.
After an own goal by Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale, Ashkan Dejagah equalised with a fierce drive, but Everton hit back with late goals from substitutes Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith.
Everton are now four points behind Arsenal but have a game in hand and host the London side next Sunday. Their manager Roberto Martinez praised the team's character in winning a fifth successive game as well as his own substitutions, which transformed the game after a tired-looking first-half display.
Fulham's German manager Felix Magath, a specialist in saving sides from relegation during his time in the Bundesliga, has his work cut out to do the same with the West London club.
They remained bottom, five points from safety and one behind Sunderland, who host West Ham United on Monday.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez gestures during their English Premier League soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in London February 9, 2014. REUTERS/Toby Melville
(Reuters) - Everton manager Roberto Martinez welcomed the challenge of finishing in the top four and believes his team have a realistic chance of doing so after they beat a spirited Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
The visitors have won five Premier League games in a row to climb to within four points of fourth-placed Arsenal with a game in hand and they welcome Arsene Wenger's side to Goodison Park next Sunday.
Arsenal have faltered in recent weeks having picked up just five points from a possible 15, prompting Wenger to talk about the need to look behind them at in-form Everton.
"We admire Arsenal and we know they've been getting consistently in the Champions League for the last 18 or 19 years," Martinez told reporters.
"That develops a real understanding of what to do in this sort of game.
"So for us the challenge against Arsenal on Sunday is phenomenal. It's a welcome one but if reflects again what a good season we've had.
"When you speak about the league you always work hard over eight or nine months to see where you're going to be in the final eight games of the season.
"It's fair to say with the amount of points we have we've got a realistic chance to fight for that aim.
"Arsenal looking over their shoulder at us is a great compliment but we're looking over our shoulder as well," he added.
LETHARGIC START
Everton were lethargic in the first half but the introduction of substitutes Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas, and Aiden McGeady made a difference after the interval.
David Stockdale's own goal was cancelled out by a fierce drive by Ashkan Dejagah before Mirallas and Naismith added late goals to seal the win and set up next weekend's game perfectly.
Everton have turned Goodison Park in to a fortress this season having won 11 and lost one of their 15 home games.
"We embrace the challenge," Martinez added. "We really enjoy playing at Goodison. We have created an incredible relationship between the fans and the players.
"We have a real advantage for playing at home. We feel if we are perfect in what we do we've got a great chance to get points and that's the way we're going to approach the final seven games."
Fulham were vastly improved from the side who were dismantled 5-0 by Manchester City last weekend and could count themselves unlucky not to take at least a point from the game.
However, their survival is now looking increasingly unlikely as they are five points adrift of the relative safety of 17th Place with six games left.
Manager Felix Magath said it was the team's performance since he arrived at the club.
"I'm disappointed for today. We have to go out and try next week again. I know we can still make it," he said.
"It was a very important game today and unfortunately we lost. That's very disappointing. If you had seen the game how we play it was our best game until now. I'm ready to stay here and work in the Championship."
Sam Allardyce believes West Ham's fans have unrealistic expectations after the team were booed, despite beating Hull City in midweek.
Mark Noble's penalty and a James Chester own-goal were enough to beat 10-man Hull at Upton park on Wednesday, though the visitors dominated much of the game and had chances to secure a point.
Jeers rolled down from the stands at the full-time whistle with Allardyce cupping his ear in the direction of the disgruntled supporters and criticising them afterwards.
And with a trip to Sunderland to come on Monday, Allardyce - who has endured a prickly relationship with the West Ham fans since taking over - believes the team's current position of 11th may even be better than they should be aiming for.
He said: "I thought we overachieved last year finishing 10th. No doubt about that.
"We had a fantastic season. Over-achievement always brings a greater expectation. That's why we have suffered at times this season, particularly at home.
"Last year we were immense. We only lost four games at home last year in the entire season. That was to Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool.
"This year at home has been much tougher. (But) we have put it right recently with four home wins from the last five games.
"We should finish no lower than 12th or 13th. That's about our top level.
"It would be the same as last season. We are building steadily and slowly."
Tim Sherwood defended his decision to stay in the main stand at Anfield as he watched Liverpool thump Tottenham 4-0 on Sunday.
The head coach has taken to viewing games from a higher vantage point recently, although he has usually taken up a place on the touchline later in matches.
On Sunday, however, Sherwood sat in the stand for the duration of Tottenham's miserable Premier League defeat, as defensive errors once again cost the team dear.
Younes Kaboul's own goal was followed up by a mistake from Michael Dawson, the centre-half misplacing a pass which allowed Luis Suarez to race clear and score.
Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson added further goals in the second half as Spurs' European ambitions were dealt a blow, but Sherwood defended himself when asked about visiting fans' calls to see him down on the touchline.
"They're entitled to have an opinion," he said. "But I've sat up there for the last few games and I get a better view of the game.
"It's a learning curve for me because when the team are not doing too well they want to see you.
"They know me well enough to know I'm not shirking and it's my responsibility. I'm in it with the team and it's my responsibility as well as the guys on the pitch.
"At 2-0 and 3-0 I think I'm going to learn more about my players by sitting up there and getting a good look at it rather than getting involved and maybe getting myself in trouble on the touchline.
"We see enough of me ranting and raving and maybe it's time for me to start assessing, and looking at what we need to do for the future because our performances against teams in the top four have not been good enough, so I've learnt a lot up there today."
Sherwood was disappointed with the manner of Liverpool's first two goals and felt Tottenham's errors could not be helped from a coach's point of view.
"All the plans you've done in the week go out of the window with the first two goals," he said. "You can't legislate for that; you can't coach that.
"No-one wants to make individual mistakes and I will never criticise anyone for doing that because they're honest players and they want to do well but it's very, very difficult when you go 2-0 down against a good side like Liverpool.
"Every mistake we made got punished severely and that's credit to them and the ability they have in forward areas."
