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Agent denies Pavlyuchenko deal
Roman Pavlyuchenko's agent has denied reports the Tottenham striker has agreed a deal to join Lokomotiv Moscow in the January transfer window.
Fresh injury blow for Jenas
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish fears on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas has ruptured his Achilles tendon but says parent club Tottenham will confirm the extent of his injury.
Henry, Adams statues to be unveiled
Arsenal will unveil statues of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry to mark the club's 125th anniversary this weekend, it was reported on Wednesday.
Walker: Spurs are BPL contenders
Kyle Walker sees no reason why Tottenham should not consider themselves to be genuine contenders in the Premier League title race.
Shanghai confident of Anelka move
Shanghai Shenhua are confident a deal to sign wantaway Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka could be wrapped up as early as next week.
Redknapp hails "amazing" Bale
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has described his club’s winger Gareth Bale as a “top-class player”.
O'Neill: Money wasn't a factor
Martin O'Neill insists he accepted the job of Sunderland manager without a single mention of the transfer kitty he can expect in January.
Wenger: I would love to sign Neymar
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he would love to sign Brazil striker Neymar if he had the money.
Cahill: We will come good again
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has faith in the club's powers of recovery and is confident they will overcome their inconsistent form.
Riise defends Suarez's style
Fulham defender John Arne Riise refuses to condemn Luis Suarez for diving, instead accepting it as part of the game.
O'Neill: Black Cats in some trouble
New Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has called on his players to start winning matches soon so they can drag themselves away from the relegation zone.
Gary Cahill wins red card appeal
Bolton defender Gary Cahill has had his appeal upheld over his sending-off in the game against Tottenham at the weekend, the Football Association have confirmed.
Swansea track Ryan Donnelly
Swansea are interested in a move for Cliftonville's Ryan Donnelly but have not confirmed if an offer has been made for the striker.
Van der Vaart accepts sub role
Rafael van der Vaart bears no ill-feeling towards Harry Redknapp for starting him on the bench in Tottenham's 3-0 win over Bolton on Saturday.
Mancini: I have no problem with Toure
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to overlook controversial comments attributed to defender Kolo Toure over team selection.
Mancini: It's important to sell Tevez
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said it is "important" to sell Carlos Tevez and would be happy to see him move to Italy.
FA investigating Suarez 'gesture' The Football Association are looking at allegations Liverpool striker Luis Suarez made an offensive gesture after Monday night's 1-0 defeat at Fulham.
Manchester City have joined the race for Mateo Kovacic, but the Dinamo Zagreb star still favours a move to Manchester United.Representatives of the 17-year-old attacking midfielder met with City officials earlier this week as the Premier League leaders look to steal a march in their pursuit of one of the hottest properties in Europe.
The talks are understood to have been positive but Kovacic himself would still prefer to move to United, City's bitter rivals.United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made his interest in the Croatian teenager known to both his club and representatives after scouting him several times.
"Manchester City is an exciting project and a wonderful club that interests Mateo," a source told Goal.com."But at the moment, he would rather move to Manchester United when the right time comes to leave.""He is only 17 so right now he needs to play and grow as a player."
Kovacic has shone for Dinamo in the Champions League this season and is already valued at 10 million pounds by the club, who claimed in the summer that Arsenal backed away from a deal because their valuation was too expensive.
He is almost certain to stay in Croatia until at least the end of the season but is keen to move to the Premier League amid interest from both Manchester clubs and Arsenal.European giants including Juventus and Bayern Munich have also been linked with bids for a player who has been compared to compatriot Luka Modric.
Kovacic has been tipped as a future star since breaking into the Dinamo team last year and the Croatia under-21 international's development is being closely monitored by a number of clubs.He is already a first-team regular in the side and became the club's youngest debutant and goalscorer when he found the net in the 6-0 win over Hrvatski Dragovoljac 12 months ago.
Drogba distraught when Mourinho walked 8 December 2011
Didier Drogba 'wept like a child' at Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea, according to a new book published in Spain.The book, called 'Mourinho: Secrets of his Success', documents the exit of the Portuguese manager from Stamford Bridge in September 2007.
Mourinho left the club after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich, despite having won six trophies for the club, including two English Premier League titles.According to the book, senior players John Terry and Frank Lampard attempted to persuade club officials not to let the manager leave.
Quoted in the Daily Express, Portuguese defender Paulo Ferreira said: "It is always complicated when a manager leaves a club, but this case was much more so.""Jose came into the dressing room, gathered us all together and told us he was leaving. Didier (Drogba) was one of the worst affected. He wept like a child."
Drogba himself said: "There was lots of emotion. It seemed unreal, as though it was a movie.""We used to see him every day, and we were unprepared for him leaving. It was a real shock."Lampard said: "I thought Jose would stay for 10 years. Everything was working perfectly.""I don't normally get emotionally involved in these matters. I know managers come and go, that is football.""But in this case it was more than a manager who was going, it was a friend who was leaving us behind."
Now coached by Mourinho's former scout Andre Villas-Boas, Terry and Drogba both started as Chelsea beat Valencia 3-0 on Tuesday, qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
Suarez charged over Fulham gesture Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been charged for improper conduct following his an alleged gesture made to Fulham fans after the game.
Benayoun patient but eager to impress Yossi Benayoun hopes Arsenal fans will soon see the best of him as the on-loan Chelsea midfielder presses for a regular place in Arsene Wenger's side.
Ruiz: Move not about money Bryan Ruiz has swiftly rebuffed reports that he only joined Fulham for the money.
Coyle hoping luck has changed Bolton boss Owen Cole is hoping the overturning of Gary Cahill's red card at Tottenham heralds a change of fortune for the club.
Cox considers West Brom exit
West Brom forward Simon Cox has conceded he might need to move away from the club in January.
On-loan midfielder Joe Cole has reportedly signalled his desire to make a permanent switch from Liverpool to Ligue 1 champions Lille.Cole joined Lille in August on a season-long loan after being deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield.The 30-year-old has told friends he is enjoying life so much on and off the field that he would be happy to extend his stay in northern France.
"Joe is really enjoying his football with Lille and loving life in France so he's thinking that he could end up staying there for the long run," a source close to the midfielder told Goal.com."All he has ever wanted to do is play football regularly and that is what he is doing with Lille and he likes the fact that they play good football.""He knows that he still has to brush up on his French but he has really settled in."
"No firm decisions have been made over his future but the way things are going I can see him staying with Lille for quite a while.""He has got a smile on his face which is great. All along he's been saying that he would stay if he was happy and he could not be happier with Lille."
Cole remains a Liverpool player having signed a four-year contract with the Merseyside club in 2010.He joined Liverpool when Roy Hodgson was in charge but was told he could play his football elsewhere as new manager Kenny Dalglish continued to overhaul his squad in the close season."
Joe thinks Liverpool is a great club and (he) desperately wanted to be a success there but the way things have gone it seems as though it was it was the wrong place at the wrong time," the source said.Cole has not given up hope that he could force his way back into the England set up, and has also expressed an interest in playing for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics.
"He has always loved playing for England and as long as he is playing good football he won't stop trying to get back into the team," the source said."Club football comes first and if he keeps doing well with Lille he could get in the frame, especially when they're in the Champions League. It is a long shot but he knows that anything could happen between now and Euro 2012."
Lille president Michael Seydoux suggested last month the club would consider making Liverpool "an interesting offer" in order to keep Cole at the club beyond the summer.
The FBI has launched an investigation into alleged corruption following the USA's failed 2022 World Cup bid.It is believed the FBI holds 'substantial evidence' of outside organisations attempting to hack into the email accounts of members of the USA's 2022 World Cup bid.
The central point of the FBI's interest in the investigation are alleged bribery payments made to FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer.The American, a committee member since 1996, is believed to have received commission payments totaling more than $US500,000.
Blazer did not deny the payments, saying at the time: "All of my transactions have been legally and properly done, in compliance with the various laws of the applicable jurisdictions based on the nature of the transaction."
Members of England's failed 2018 World Cup bid were interviewed last month, although they are not believed to be under suspicion.It has also been reported that the FBI are investigating the alleged bribery of Mohammed Bin Hammam, who stood against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.
Bin Hammam was found to have offered $US40,000 bribes to three Caribbean football officials, just three weeks before the election and has since been banned from FIFA for life, with a further 16 Caribbean football officials being sanctioned for their part in the Trinidad meeting.
Another committee member under the spotlight is Thai Worawi Makudi. Makudi is alleged to have used money from FIFA's GOAL project to build facilities on land owned by him.Blatter, who has been head of the organisation for the past 13 years, had planned to publish Swiss court papers that detailed bribes received by FIFA officials from the collapsed sports rights and marketing agency ISL.
FIFA are said to have been keen to publish the documents since the court action against the officials, who have since been named as former FIFA president Joao Havelange and executive committee member Ricardo Teixeira.However, FIFA have been forced to delay the publication, following legal objections from one of the parties.
Despite the delay, Blatter remains fully committed to publishing the documents as soon as possible."It was my strong will to make the ISL file fully transparent," he said."I have now been advised that as a result of the objection of a third party to such transparency it will take more time to overcome the respective legal hurdles."
"This does not change my stance at all. I remain fully committed to publishing the files as soon as possible as an important part of my many reform plans for FIFA, which include handling the past as well as preparing the future structure of the organisation."
Suarez charged with improper conduct 8 December 2011
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after an alleged gesture towards Fulham fans on Monday night.The Anfield outfit have also been reprimanded for failing to control their players after the sending -off of Jay Spearing during the clash at Craven Cottage.
Suarez was photographed leaving the pitch after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat when he seemingly stuck his middle finger up at the Fulham supporters.An FA statement read: "Liverpool Football Club have been charged by The FA with failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, following the dismissal of Jay Spearing."
"The charge is in relation to Liverpool’s Premier League fixture at Fulham on 5 December 2011. The club has until 4pm on Monday 12 December to respond to the charge.""Luis Suarez has also been charged following an incident in the same game. The Liverpool player is charged with improper conduct, in relation to an alleged gesture made towards the Fulham fans at the end of the fixture.""
The player has until 4pm on Monday 12 December to respond to the charge."This is the second time Suarez has been charged this season after allegations of racial abuse towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra were looked into by the FA.
Jol likens Dembele to Raul
Fulham manager Martin Jol believes that in Mousa Dembele he has a player that can reach the same heights as Spanish legend Raul.
United search for Man in the mirror
Patrice Evra has admitted Manchester United's players need to "look in the mirror" in the wake of their humiliating Champions League exit.
Mancini targets two City trophies
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has responded to his side's Champions League exit by targeting at least two trophies this season.
Burton joins West Brom backroom
Terry Burton has joined the West Brom coaching staff as part of a backroom reshuffle.
Santos faces festive lay-off
Arsenal defender Andre Santos looks set to miss the busy festive period after claiming he will be out of first-team action for three weeks.
Guthrie blow for Newcastle United
Newcastle's injury problems have deepened with the news Danny Guthrie is expected to be out for up to six weeks with a groin problem picked up in last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Dalglish: Suarez saga a joke
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has criticized the delay in setting up Luis Suarez's disciplinary hearing as "a joke".
Manchester focus on Premier League
Patrice Evra has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must not "throw the season away" following their elimination from the Champions League.
Report: Inter rule out Tevez move
Inter Milan have ruled themselves out of the running to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
Rooney success leaves Dalglish cold
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has accused the FA of not setting a good example in successfully appealing Wayne Rooney's three-match international ban.
Agger can't wait for QPR visit
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger wants to right a wrong when Queens Park Rangers visit Anfield in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.
Neville doubts Donovan return
Phil Neville isn't convinced American Landon Donovan will return to Everton during the January transfer window.
Six month setback for Jenas
Aston Villa's on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas has undergone surgery for his Achilles and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
O'Neill ponders Gyan recall
New Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is weighing up a move to recall Asamoah Gyan from his loan spell in the United Arab Emirates.
Mancini: Tevez for sale, not loan
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has restated the club's desire only to sell - and not loan out - Carlos Tevez.
Mata turns attention to Man City game
Juan Mata is only thinking of victory in Chelsea's Barclays Premier League showdown with Manchester City after helping keep their Champions League dream alive.
Foster rules out England return
On-loan West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster has ruled out ending his retirement from international football in the foreseeable future.
Wenger eyes shock Alex move
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to launch a shock move for want-away Chelsea defender Alex.
Balotelli's brother on trial with Stoke
Enoch Balotelli, the younger brother of Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, is currently on trial at Stoke City.
Wilshere backs Wenger for England
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has given his support for Arsene Wenger to take up the England job.
McLeish cautious on transfer front
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish will look to strengthen his squad in January after losing Jermaine Jenas for the rest of the season, but admits he has to "trade carefully."
Jol: No Berbatov and Raul moves
Fulham manager Martin Jol has ruled out January moves for Dimitar Berbatov and Raul - as he believes in Mousa Dembele he has the better player.
Martinez keeps faith with Rodallega
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has backed striker Hugo Rodallega to get back to his best.
Cahill confident goals will return
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill insists he is not concerned about his current goal drought and is confident his scoring form will return.
Pardew points finger at Dean
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew believes Mike Dean's decision not to send off Chelsea's David Luiz last weekend could leave him without a recognised centre-half at Norwich on Saturday.
Ferdinand: We will bounce back
Rio Ferdinand is convinced Manchester United's vast experience will drag them through their Champions League nightmare.
Vidic could miss rest of season
A wretched 24 hours for Manchester United appears to have got even worse after Nemanja Vidic's agent claimed the defender ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in Basle.
Dalglish slams FA over Suarez charge
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has called for consistency from the Football Association in dealing with alleged misdemeanours by players.
FA respond to Dalglish dig
The FA have defended themselves against Kenny Dalglish's accusation of double standards after Wayne Rooney successfully appealed against his three-match Euro 2012 ban.
Rodgers turned down Northern Ireland post
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he turned down the opportunity to coach Northern Ireland on a part-time basis.
Villa continue to foot Jenas bill
Aston Villa face having to continue paying on-loan Jermaine Jenas' wages for the rest of the season despite the midfielder being ruled out for six months with an Achilles injury.
Coyle ready to handle criticism
Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes he and Aston Villa counterpart Alex McLeish are "big enough and ugly enough" to handle any criticism coming their way.
O'Neill: Confidence key for Sunderland
Martin O'Neill has identified a lack of confidence as the main problem he needs to address in the early days of his Sunderland reign.
Warnock has sympathy for Suarez
QPR manager Neil Warnock sympathises with Luis Suarez's response to the abuse he received at Fulham on Monday night.
McLeish calls for Villa improvement
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is trying to ignore his critics, but is well aware of the price of failure in the Premier League.
Walker backs Tottenham title bid
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker insists there is no reason why Spurs should not be considered contenders to lift the Premier League title this season.
Wilshere targets January return
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is confident his recovery from injury is on track as he targets a return to action in January.
Pulis backs Dalglish FA complaint
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish was right to raise the Football Association's apparent double standards on disciplinary issues.
Vidic ruled out for rest of the season
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Agent: Faurlin wanted in Serie A
Agent of QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin revealed that two Premier League sides and a Serie A team have called to ask about the Argentine.
Pardew: We are not so crazy now
Manager Alan Pardew feels he has helped tone down Newcastle's "crazy" reputation during his time at the helm on Tyneside.
Wigan will not sack Martinez
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been assured his job is safe even if the Latics suffer relegation from the Premier League this season.
Scholes: United have to recover soon
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has backed his former colleagues to not dwell on the Champions League exit and get their form back.
Allardyce admits Anelka interest
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed his interest in signing Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.
Dalglish backs under-fire Suarez
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Luis Suarez as he believes the under-fire striker is being unfairly targeted by opposition players.
Romeu happy with Premier League life
Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu has expressed his happiness at Stamford Bridge, moving from Barcelona in the summer with hopes for a more regular playtime on the pitch.
Lukaku: I'm different from Drogba
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has claimed that teammate Didier Drogba has played a big part in his career, but denies any similarities to the Ivorian.
Manchester focus on Premier League Patrice Evra has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must not "throw the season away" following their elimination from the Champions League.
United's surprise loss in Basel condemned Sir Alex Ferguson's men to Europa League football in the new year, and French defender Evra insists it is now crucial that they now redouble their efforts in the fight for the Barclays Premier League title.
United head into this weekend's game with Wolves at Old Trafford trailing five points behind Manchester City at the top of the standings, and Evra wants the recovery effort to begin immediately. "We have got to get back and get focused on the Premier League as that's the target - to win the Premier League," Evra told ManUtd.com. "We must make sure we don't throw the season away. "We still have things to win and must make sure we play with heart."
Wayne Rooney has been given a lift ahead of Saturday's match after UEFA reduced his three-match international ban to two - meaning he will be available for England's final group game at Euro 2012 - and the United striker will hope to use that boost to end a barren run of nine league games without a goal.
Arsenal will be looking to celebrate their 125th anniversary with a victory as they welcome David Moyes' Everton side to the Emirates Stadium. Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta will face his former club for the first time and Everton winger Seamus Coleman wants to spoil the Spaniard's big day by keeping Arsenal at bay. "He was at the club so long and is loved by everyone here. But on the day, we will be looking to get one over him," Coleman told evertontv. "It will be hard to keep a clean sheet but that's what we will be looking to do and then get a goal at the other end."
Elsewhere on Saturday, Newcastle travel to Norwich bidding to bounce back from the loss of defender Steven Taylor, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles problem. Fellow centre-back Fabricio Coloccini is only rated as "50-50" to make the trip by Magpies manager Alan Pardew.
Other games on Saturday see Bolton hosting Aston Villa, Fulham making the trip to Swanseaand West Brom welcoming bottom club Wigan to The Hawthorns.
On Sunday, new Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill will take charge of his first game as the Black Cats host fellow strugglers Blackburn, while Stoke striker Peter Crouch will come up against one of his former clubs when Harry Redknapp's Tottenham visit the Britannia Stadium.
League pacesetters Manchester City joined local rivals United in tumbling out of the Champions League but they will have to wait until Monday to right their wrongs as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Saturday's Premier League Fixtures Manchester United vs Wolves Bolton vs Aston Villa Liverpool vs QPR Norwich vs Newcastle Swansea vs Fulham West Brom vs Wigan Arsenal vs Everton
Sunday's Premier League Fixtures
Sunderland vs Blackburn
Stoke vs Tottenham
Monday's Premier League Fixtures
Moyes: Arteta a good fit for Arsenal
Everton boss David Moyes believes former Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta is proving a good fit at Arsenal after joining in the summer.
Redknapp rules out Spurs departures
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he has no intention of selling Jermain Defoe - or any other Spurs stars for that matter.
Fergie backs young guns to bounce back
Sir Alex Ferguson insists his young players will not be "hounded out" of Manchester United despite the Champions League catastrophe in midweek.
Redknapp unhappy with FA standards
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has accused the Football Association of double standards over their campaign to get Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban reduced.
Dalglish looking to forget Fulham woe
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists his side will not be distracted by off-field issues this week.
Mancini expects Man City to dig deep
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes his side will take some stopping if they can emerge unscathed from the next two months.
Redknapp: No chance of Modric sale
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists there is "no chance" of Luka Modric leaving the club next month.
Wenger: Henry can be a manager
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels Thierry Henry has all the qualities to one day forge a successful coaching career.
Appeal rejection would've amazed Cahill
Bolton defender Gary Cahill has admitted he would have been "absolutely amazed" if the appeal over his red card against Tottenham last weekend had not been successful.
Lambert wants strong Norwich response
Paul Lambert has called for Norwich to put their 5-1 drubbing at Manchester City behind them with victory over Newcastle.
Hodgson wants Baggies consistency
Roy Hodgson has urged West Brom to maintain the level of performance shown in recent home games against bottom-placed Wigan at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Kean out to spoil Sunderland party
Steve Kean is confident his Blackburn side can spoil Martin O'Neill's debut on Sunday and claims all the pressure will be on Sunderland's new manager.
McCarthy wary of Manchester backlash
Mick McCarthy expects the rest of the Premier League to feel the backlash from the two Manchester clubs exiting the Champions League.
Henry thrilled by Arsenal statue tribute
Thierry Henry paid an emotional tribute to Arsenal after seeing himself immortalised in a bronze statue outside Emirates Stadium on Friday afternoon.
AVB still believes title is possible
Andre-Villas Boas still believes the Barclays Premier League title is within Chelsea's reach, even if they lose to league leaders Manchester City on Monday.
Martinez wants attention to detail
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes attention to "small details" can rescue his side's season.
Sinclair hopes to get amongst the goals
Scott Sinclair is confident of rediscovering his goalscoring touch as Swansea look to arrest a run of four games without a win when Fulham visit the Liberty Stadium.
Villa in contract talks with Guzan
Aston Villa are holding talks with goalkeeper Brad Guzan over a new contract as he prepares to make his first Barclays Premier League start of the season at Bolton.
Jol wants repeat of Reds triumph
Martin Jol is confident Fulham can build on their much-needed win against Liverpool in Saturday's match at Swansea.
Moyes: Arteta a good fit for Arsenal
Everton boss David Moyes believes former Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta is proving a good fit at Arsenal after joining in the summer.
Redknapp rules out Spurs departures
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he has no intention of selling Jermain Defoe - or any other Spurs stars for that matter.
Loic Remy's agent rules out Pav swap
Loic Remy's agent has dismissed talk of the Marseille striker heading to Tottenham in a deal involving Roman Pavlyuchenko.
"What does Neville know about Chelsea?"
Andre Villas-Boas' war of words with Gary Neville continues to escalate after the Chelsea boss let rip at the former Manchester United captain's criticism of his side.
FA explain Rooney appeal stance
Disgruntled Premier League managers are set to be disappointed if they think Wayne Rooney's successful UEFA appeal will trigger more leniency from the Football Association.
McCarthy: Phil Jones is fabulous
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has hailed Manchester United utility player Phil Jones as the new Paul McGrath and believes he will become one of the top players in Europe
Moyes bemoans FA's kangaroo court
Everton boss David Moyes has criticised the appeals procedure he has had to go through with the Football Association.
Wenger: RVP can be Arsenal legend
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal captain Robin van Persie could one day be immortalised like Gunners legend Thierry Henry with a bronze statue outside the Emirates Stadium.
Benjamin Corgnet: No Chelsea talks
Dijon midfielder Benjamin Corgnet has declared that Chelsea have not made any contact with him after rumours that the Blues were interested in his signature.
Everton continue search for investor
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has stressed the cash-strapped club is doing everything in its power to back manager David Moyes as the search for a new investor goes on.
Warnock wants FA clampdown on abuse
Neil Warnock has urged the Football Association to clamp down on abusive fans as vigorously as they pursue players who have reacted to offensive chanting.
Coyle: Time for Bolton to deliver
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is optimistic his team can take a significant points haul from their remaining games in 2011 and has challenged his players to go out and make it happen.
Pulis backs Redknapp for England
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes the next England manager has to be Enlglish - and he reckons Harry Redknapp is the only man for the job.
Wenger wants fitting Arsenal tribute
Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal not to let the club's 125th anniversary celebrations detract them from delivering a match-winning performance against Everton.
AVB: Popularity don't bother me
Andre Villas-Boas stood by his attack on Chelsea's critics on Friday and claimed it did not bother him if he was disliked, even by his own players.
Villas-Boas hopes for Drogba stay
Andre Villas-Boas admits Didier Drogba is proving he could be a major asset for Chelsea for another two years.
Fergie: Don't expect January signings
Sir Alex Ferguson has cautioned against Manchester United supporters expecting a sudden influx of January signings following this week's Champions League exit.
FA explain Rooney appeal stance Disgruntled Premier League managers are set to be disappointed if they think Wayne Rooney's successful UEFA appeal will trigger more leniency from the Football Association.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp followed Kenny Dalglish's lead in accusing the FA of double standards by appealing against a suspension that threatened to rule Rooney out of the entire Euro 2012 group phase.
Current favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England boss, Redknapp was not alone in believing if Rooney had committed exactly the same offence in the Premier League, and then challenged it, he would probably have been handed an additional match suspension for a "frivolous appeal".
However, the FA have attempted to outline the differences between their own disciplinary system and that of UEFA. Whereas all violent conduct cases result in three-match bans under FA regulations, UEFA only have a one-game automatic tariff, with guidance given to the disciplinary panel to add an additional game or two at their discretion.
It is a point outlined in a lengthy statement released by FA chairman David Bernstein and, although it may frustrate Redknapp, Dalglish and Everton boss David Moyes amongst others, it does not suggest there will be any change to the present position.
"It is important that people understand that amongst the many duties of The FA we have responsibility for the England team and also, separately, to oversee the domestic game's regulatory function," said Bernstein.
"Our philosophy for the national team is clear. We will run this along the same lines and with the same focus and commitment as any football club in this country. Our fans would expect no less. "To achieve this we will fully support our manager and our players. "This is simply what we have sought to achieve in reducing Wayne Rooney's suspension. I am very pleased that we have been successful in this appeal.
"The FA's disciplinary department has stated, from the outset, that the domestic regulatory process is different to that of UEFA's. "In the case of Wayne Rooney we have been well and independently advised and have followed proper UEFA process throughout. "Our management and players respect that domestic disciplinary decisions of he FA are made independently of matters relating to the English national team."
At least Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is happy. "It is no problem for me," said Ferguson, countering suggestions that he was not interested in the well-being of England's national team. "I am pleased for Wayne Rooney and England. It does give them a better chance."
Moyes bemoans FA's kangaroo court Everton boss David Moyes has criticised the appeals procedure he has had to go through with the Football Association.
Wayne Rooney this week had his three-match ban for being sent off for England in Montenegro reduced to two games by a UEFA appeals panel. The decision, which means Manchester United forward Rooney will be able to play in England's final Euro 2012 group game next summer, is good news as far as Moyes is concerned and he is pleased for the former Toffees player. But the Scot says he has endured a tricky time of it whenever his club have made an appeal to the FA.
"They had the opportunity to appeal and they were right to do so," said Moyes, speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Arsenal. "But you should see us when we try to appeal - it's absolute murder. "That disciplinary committee - trying to get anything done, or get it through there is terrible."
Everton had such a case earlier this season when they challenged Jack Rodwell's dismissal in the Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool. It proved to be successful, with the red card being rescinded, but Moyes has likened his experience of going in front of the FA to facing a "kangaroo court".
He said: "It was right that the decision was overturned, but we didn't get anything back in terms of people saying they had gotten it wrong, and it had contributed to me losing three points. "There was very little said after that, but there seems to be quite a lot being said at the moment."
Asked what improvements he would like to see, Moyes said: "It's not down to me - I've got a hard enough job doing my job here. It's up to the FA. "They should listen to the managers and hear their point of view. "We should be given a fair and open opportunity when situations do arise, and I've got to say, the times that I have been in front them, it's like a kangaroo court - you've got no chance."
Moyes has revealed that Rodwell, who only made his comeback from a rib injury last weekend as a substitute in the 1-0 loss to Stoke, will not feature at the Emirates Stadium due to a hamstring problem he picked up in training on Thursday. Fellow midfield men Leon Osman (hamstring) and Royston Drenthe (foot) will be assessed ahead of kick-off, while Moyes is hopeful that striker Louis Saha will be able to return to action after a thigh injury.
The Toffees go into the game against the fifth-placed Gunners lying 10th in the table after an inconsistent start to the season, and they will be coming up against Mikel Arteta for the first time since his move to the north London outfit on transfer deadline day. Moyes admits his team has missed the creative influence of the likes of Steven Pienaar, sold to Tottenham in January, and Arteta, who he feels has fitted in well at his new club and is "revelling" within their free-flowing system.
The prospects in terms of boosting the ranks at Goodison Park in next month's transfer window are uncertain, with Moyes saying he was unsure whether a deal to bring back one-time loanee Landon Donovan would be possible, and that he did not know where talk of a potential move to re-sign Pienaar on loan was coming from. Everton released details of their accounts for the financial year ending May 31, 2011, which showed their net debt remaining stable at £44.9million, an increase in turnover of 3.7% and an operating loss of £500,000 before player trading.
Moyes has been working within considerable financial constraints and since the period covered by the figures, he has only brought in free transfers or loan players like Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi, despite selling Arteta, Jermaine Beckford and Ayegbeni Yakubu for a combined total of around £15million.
The manager emphasised he is "not about to start moaning about money" and chairman Bill Kenwright - who has been the target of protests over the past couple of months by a section of Toffees fans who believe he is the main barrier to progress on Everton being sold - has stressed the club is doing everything in its power to back Moyes as the search for a new investor goes on.
Defender Phil Jagielka, meanwhile, says he understands supporters' frustrations at the current predicament. "You see other teams doing so well who finished below us before, so you can see the fans' frustration," Jagielka told the BBC.
"You may think if someone came along and put some investment in that we could maybe kick on. We haven't got any money. "Unfortunately we had to sell to balance the books but hopefully we can bring in a couple in January. "The issue of the ownership of the club has been going on for about six years. "Are we getting new investors or aren't we? The lads don't see anything of the protests, but we read about it in the paper every day."
McCarthy wary of Manchester backlash Mick McCarthy expects the rest of the Premier League to feel the backlash from the two Manchester clubs exiting the Champions League.
McCarthy's Wolves side will take on United at Old Trafford on Saturday in the aftermath of their shock defeat by Basle while big-spending City have also crashed out despite beating Bayern Munich.
But McCarthy believes the two clubs will respond in a positive fashion after failing to qualify for the knockout stages.
He said: "It may have an affect on the Premier League. It might make those two teams better still in the Premier League as opposed to having to play Champions League football.
"I've seen and read all the bits and heard all the 'it's embarrassing playing on Thursday night' stuff.
"You know what, I would have thought both managers would have said 'we can't do anything about it, let's win the Europa League and the Premier League'.
"The more you dwell on it afterwards, there is nothing that can be done about it.
"All they can do is try and win the next competition they are in and it might just make them stronger in the league."
"What does Neville know about Chelsea?" Andre Villas-Boas' war of words with Gary Neville continues to escalate after the Chelsea boss let rip at the former Manchester United captain's criticism of his side.
Player-turned-pundit Neville has been outspoken in his assessment of the Blues' deficiencies in recent weeks and Villas-Boas hit out at the ex-defender for a second time after Tuesday night's Champions League win over Valencia. But that minor rant was nothing compared to the furious tirade unleashed by the Chelsea manager on Friday afternoon when Neville's name was brought up again.
In what had until that point been a mild-mannered press conference to preview Chelsea's crunch Barclays Premier League game against Manchester City on Monday night, Villas-Boas struggled to mask his outright contempt for the recent comments made by Neville.
"I'd say this to his face with most pleasure," said Villas-Boas, who watched the televised build-up to Tuesday's match during which he claimed Neville had suggested he would not want to be in the Chelsea dressing room. "What does he know about the Chelsea dressing room? What does Gary Neville know about our dressing room? "How can you imagine what is going on in the Chelsea dressing room? How can you know?
"Have you been here? Do you know where Cobham is? You don't even know how to get here! "You can't speculate and invent on things that are going on, based on assumptions or informants or speculation. Some people can have more or less an idea. But not him. He cannot know. "I'm normally indifferent, not watching on the telly to see what these people say. "But I was watching the television at that moment, and I was gobsmacked."
Chelsea's home defeat to Liverpool almost three weeks ago saw Neville claim defender David Luiz had played like he was being controlled by a 10-year-old using a PlayStation. Villas-Boas said: "You cannot approach a top Brazil central defender saying he's commanded by a kid with a PlayStation. That's ridiculous. "He plays for the team with most (world) titles, so be careful with what you're saying."
Luiz, who cost Chelsea £26.5million from Benfica in January, has been a regular target for criticism, the latest focusing on his last-man challenge on Demba Ba in Saturday's 3-0 win at Newcastle. Villas-Boas said: "Nobody tried to focus on the fact that maybe Demba Ba was offside in the David Luiz challenge. Nobody took that option. "They all wanted to give him the red card straight away.
"(Newcastle boss) Alan Pardew made a big scandal out of this but the guy is offside. "Maybe the linesman should have done his work - and maybe Pardew was lucky! "He even got a free-kick which Ryan Taylor could have scored from, and I got a yellow card and a player suspended. "So maybe, now, I should get the player and the card rescinded, because it was an offside the linesman didn't give.
"And this is the same manager who got a (controversial) penalty at Old Trafford to get a 1-1 making a big scandal out of this. "And then it was 'It got their player (Steven Taylor) injured, because David Luiz wasn't sent off' - come on!"
Neville is the latest big-name pundit to fall foul of Villas-Boas, who has also taken umbrage at criticism from Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness since his appointment as Chelsea boss. "Most of these people we are speaking about have a direct past related to single clubs, which are their favourite clubs, which in the end brings a likely biased position in their opinion-making," Villas-Boas said.
"Sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes nothing." The 34-year-old added: "Comic criticism and the lack of in-depth criticism from top ex-professional players, when they take the route to the ridiculous, I think I have a word to say. "When they opt for words as we've been seeing, in the past, I have to be aggressive."
Villas-Boas scoffed at suggestions he was being oversensitive, claiming Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini - who he will pit his wits against in Monday's Barclays Premier League clash - had been just as upset by former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann branding his side "boring".
Villas-Boas said: "We've just seen that Mancini reacted to what Lehmann said about City, which was completely out of this world as well. He opted to do that. "I could discharge these people but not when what they say is ridiculous."
Crouch: No Spurs regrets
Peter Crouch says he has "no regrets" about leaving Tottenham for Stoke.
Mancini expects AVB to ride criticism
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects Chelsea counterpart Andre Villas-Boas to ride through any criticism.
Pulis hails Stoke's unsung heroes
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Bendtner form key for O'Neill
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Kean: Twenty is plenty for Yak
Steve Kean has backed on-fire striker Yakubu to become the first Blackburn player to top 20 Premier League goals in a season since Alan Shearer in 1996.
AVB happy with players' tactics
Andre Villas-Boas is happy for his players to help dictate Chelsea's tactics in Monday's Barclays Premier League game with Manchester City.
Redknapp: Pav exit would weaken us
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists he will not let Roman Pavlyuchenko leave the club next month unless he has already lined up a suitable replacement for the Russia striker.
Neville clarifies Chelsea comments
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has sought to explain his recent comments regarding Chelsea.
Cech: Beat City, reignite title hopes
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De Rossi denies Manchester interest
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Kyle Walker looking to the future
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Ferguson delighted with wing wizards
Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with Manchester United's threat down the flanks in Saturday's 4-1 win over Wolves at Old Trafford.
Spurs want Adebayor for good
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Chelsea look to extend Cech deal
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Martinez hails birthday boy Moses
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hailed the performance of striker Victor Moses after he celebrated his 21st birthday 48 hours early in the 2-1 win at West Brom.
Villa toughness delights McLeish
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish feels his team showed their mental toughness on Saturday after defeating Bolton 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium to record their first away win of the season.
Rodgers hails Vorm 'bargain'
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the signing of Michel Vorm as a "steal" after the Dutch keeper performed more heroics in their 2-0 victory over Fulham.
Pardew rues defensive injury crisis
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admitted the absence of Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini cost his side dearly as they went down 4-2 to Norwich at Carrow Road.
Wenger grateful for "special" RVP Arsene Wenger hailed another 'special' goal from Robin van Persie after the Arsenal skipper marked the club's 125th anniversary with a 1-0 win over Everton.
Dalglish hails match-winner Suarez
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was delighted Luis Suarez was able to put some negative headlines behind him with the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory at home to QPR.
McCarthy: Fergie will get United firing
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy backed Manchester United to bounce back after watching his side suffer a 4-1 defeat to the Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford.
