Barclays Premier League Season 2011/2012

[David Luiz]

Ashley Young: Manchester United will fight City all the way in pursuit of Premier League title
The England winger wants to play his part in the Red Devils' push for silverware after bagging two goals in the crucial 3-1 win away at Tottenham at the weekend

Glen Johnson insists season will be a failure if Liverpool miss out on Champions League
The Reds won the League Cup last month but sit 10 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League and are unlikely to achieve their main goal of finishing in the top four

Gerrard: Liverpool cannot afford to keep dropping points
The Reds have fallen 10 points behind fourth placed Arsenal after their loss to the Gunners on Saturday and the Anfield skipper admits the competition will be tough

Rooney is a 'killer' and Manchester United are favourites, but we have no need to fear them, says Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente
The Spain international is eagerly anticipating the match against the Premier League champions, and is full of respect for the Red Devils' powerful striker

In France they are pretty racist too - Chilavert backs Suarez in Evra row
The ex-Velez, Strasbourg and Zaragoza goalkeeper stated that during his time in the European country, discrimination was a common occurence against South Americans

Inter open talks with Villas-Boas over June move to San Siro
A source close to negotiations at the Nerazzurri has told Goal.com that discussions have already begun to bring the 34-year-old to Inter

Champions League exit will not be financial disaster - but Arsenal must finish in top four to avoid one
With the Gunners standing on the brink of an exit from the Champions League, next Monday's match with Newcastle is already assuming more importance than AC Milan game

Redknapp rules out taking Chelsea job
Spurs boss insists he won't be applying for the post vacated by Andre Villas-Boas and that managers have to accept that patience will never be a virtue in the world of football

Kolo Toure believes Manchester City are at the level of Arsenal's 'Invincibles'
Citizens currently lead the title race by two points and the Ivorian admits a year after his drugs ban that a league medal would ease his pain at missing his side's FA Cup triumph

'I'm trying to build my career, not destroy it' - Rodgers not interested in Chelsea job
Former Blues coach has no desire to take over at Stamford Bridge and reaffirms his comittment to Swansea after recently signing a long-term contract at the Liberty Stadium

Abbiati: Milan have to be careful against Arsenal and Van Persie
The experienced goalkeeper has called on his team to remain alert at the Emirates against the Londoners and he is relishing the prospect of facing the Gunners' Dutch striker

Hatem Ben Arfa: 'I see myself winning the 2014 World Cup or the Ballon d'Or'
The Magpies winger outlined his ambitions for the coming years to his former coach at Olympique Lyonnais Gerard Houllier, as he dreams of lifting two of the greatest prizes

Wenger demands 'belief' from his players ahead of AC Milan showdown
The Gunners face the Italian outfit at the Emirates with the Italian side four goals to the good from the first-leg, but the Frenchman insists nothing is impossible

Benitez: Liverpool fans would understand if I took Chelsea job
The Spaniard believes the Reds' supporters love him enough following his own successes at Anfield to allow a potential move to Stamford Bridge to succeed sacked Andre Villas-Boas

Europe's most wanted - why Inter, Chelsea, Tottenham & Real Madrid should be considering Luciano Spalletti ahead of next season
The 52-year-old Tuscan is one of the most innovative coaches in the game today and is undoubtedly worthy of a top job in European club football

Appointment of puppet Di Matteo gives Lampard & Co. the power at Chelsea - but interim reign won't last
The caretaker manager's influence is unlikely to be significant in the outcome of the Blues' season as he prepares for his first game in charge against Birmingham City

Wenger will convince Van Persie to stay at Arsenal - former boss Rioch
Ex-Gunners manager believes Frenchman will learn from exits of Fabregas and Nasri and make striker stay put but warns club they need to stop relying on prolific Dutchman

Al Ain CEO insists they are in the 'driving seat' to keep Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan despite interest from UAE and Qatar clubs
An unnamed Qatari club allegedly made a bid to Sunderland for the Ghanaian striker on Monday, but his current club insists they're in the best position to secure his services

Deschamps refuses to talk about Chelsea post but offers words of sympathy to Villas-Boas
The 43-year-old trainer would not talk about being linked to the vacant role at Stamford Bridge yet did offer some words of comfort for the recently fired coach

 

[David Luiz]

Europe's most wanted - why Inter, Chelsea, Tottenham & Real Madrid should be considering Luciano Spalletti ahead of next season

The 52-year-old Tuscan is one of the most innovative coaches in the game today and is undoubtedly worthy of a top job in European club football

Mar 6, 2012 9:00:00 AM

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By Mark Doyle

A perusal of the latest odds on Chelsea’s next permanent manager makes for interesting reading. There is one name conspicuous by its absence. After all, there are not many coaches who can lay claim to have served as an inspiration to Sir Alex Ferguson – but Zenit St. Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti is one of them.

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When Manchester United routed Roma 7-1 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie in April 2007, Ferguson described it as “the best night of European football” Old Trafford had ever witnessed.

The Scot was enthused by not only the quality of the football that his side had produced but of the quality of opposition they had come against. Ferguson was fascinated by Roma, who, under Spalletti, had embraced a revolutionary ‘striker-less’ system which had transformed them from Serie A also-rans to Scudetto contenders.

Despite having watched his side inflict what remains the joint-worst beating in the history of the knockout stages of the Champions League, Ferguson had seen enough of Spalletti’s 4-6-0 formation - which was essentially a 4-2-3-1 system but with a trequartista deployed in the sole striking role - in United’s 2-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome a fortnight before to convince him of its genius.

Indeed, Ferguson used a variation of the system in Europe the following season – and with great success. United claimed the Champions League with a line-up built around the outrageous attacking talent of Cristiano Ronaldo but containing no out-and-out centre forward.

Trend Setter | Spalletti introduced the 4-6-0 formation to great effect at Roma

Spalletti had been doing the same with Roma since midway through the 2005-06 Serie A season, but with Francesco Totti as the fulcrum of his attack. The 52-year-old Valdelsa native had endured a pretty inauspicious start to his career with the Giallorossi up until that point. Spalletti had arrived in the Eternal City after a hugely successful stint with Udinese in which he had qualified the Friuli outfit for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

However, he was struggling to reinvigorate a Roma side which had finished eighth the previous season when he decided upon the radical step of implementing a system without a classic centre-forward, preferring instead to deploy a winger either side of Totti, who was essentially given the freedom to do as he pleased.

The results were spectacular - in every sense - with Roma embarking on a record-breaking 11-game winning streak which would eventually see them finish fifth (later upgraded to second because of ‘Calciopoli’), while at the same time drawing plaudits from the neutrals for their attacking play. Far from being a defensive formation, 4-6-0 actually saw the Giallorossi become one of the most attractive sides in Serie A and Spalletti was a popular recipient of that season’s ‘Panchina d’oro’ (Golden Bench) award.

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[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"]POTENTIAL COACHING VACANCIES[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] CHELSEA | ROBERTO DI MATTEO
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[TD="width: 80%"]The Italian has been handed the reins until June following AVB's sacking but has no chance of permanent job with Abramovich intent on securing a proven world-class manager.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | HARRY REDKNAPP
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[TD="width: 80%"]Redknapp is expected to take over as England boss - sooner rather than later. Spurs are desperate to hold on to their man but are probably already evaluating successors.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] INTER | CLAUDIO RANIERI
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[TD="width: 80%"]The former Roma boss is under intense pressure after eight games without a win. Even if Ranieri steadies the ship, it seems almost certain that he will be axed in the summer.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] BARCELONA | PEP GUARDIOLA
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[TD="width: 80%"]The 41-year-old has led the Catalans to 13 titles since taking charge in 2008 but is out of contract in the summer and has yet to sign one of his customary one-year extensions.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] REAL MADRID | JOSE MOURINHO
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[TD="width: 80%"]The Portuguese will likely bring the Liga title back to the Bernabeu but he was spotted house-hunting in London over the weekend, sparking rumours of a return to English capital.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 2"] BAYERN MUNICH | JUPP HEYNCKES
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[TD="width: 80%"]Pressure is mounting on the German - the Bavarians are seven points behind Bundesliga leaders Dortmund and risk being eliminated from the Champions League by Basel.[/TD]
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Roma continued to improve under their Tuscan coach and they finished as runners-up in 2007, ruining Roberto Mancini’s hopes of leading Inter through the season undefeated with a 3-1 victory at San Siro before then defeating the Nerazzurri in the Coppa Italia on the back of a stunning 6-2 first-leg success, which arguably remains the finest exhibition of Spalletti’s footballing philosophy.

At that stage, the hope was that Roma were now ready to claim Inter’s crown. However, despite managing to claw to within a point of the Nerazzurri by the final round of the 2007-08 season courtesy of a late Scudetto surge, Roma ultimately finished three points off top spot after only managing a draw at Catania, while their title rivals triumphed in Parma thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double.

Spalletti still speaks mournfully of that dramatic day and it is easy to understand why: he could not have foreseen it at the time but it was the beginning of the end of his Roman reign.

The Giallorossi retained their Coppa Italia crown with another final success over Inter but it quickly became clear the following season that Roma were a fading force. They only managed to qualify for the Europa League and after opening the 2009-10 campaign with back-to-back defeats, Spalletti decided to resign amidst reports of a falling out with his former talisman, Totti.

Spalletti was, of course, succeeded at the helm by Claudio Ranieri and it is an odd quirk of fate that he is now considered as one of the leading candidates to take over at Inter should the under-fire Roman be sacked in the coming days, weeks or months.

There is nothing surprising, though, about Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti’s alleged interest in Spalletti.

Despite not having worked in Serie A in over two years, the Tuscan’s stock within his homeland has never been higher, after guiding Zenit to the Russian title in 2010 and into the last 16 of this season’s Champions League.

However, it is just as conceivable that Spalletti, despite having recently committed himself to Zenit until 2015, could end up in another one of Europe’s top leagues next season. It has already been reported that Andre Villas-Boas’ dismissal as Chelsea boss could spark a game of managerial musical chairs, with the Portuguese having been sounded out about replacing the allegedly Barcelona-bound Luis Enrique at Roma.

Certainly, Spalletti would represent a good fit for many of the sides who could be looking for a new coach come the summer. His penchant for producing exciting football would tie in with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s desire to create a side that is as entertaining as it is successful, while his propensity for playing without a centre forward would be useful at Tottenham Hotspur, given the north Londoners do not currently have in their possession one of genuine world-class status.

Spalletti’s fondness of the ‘false nine’ would make for a smooth transition were he to take over at either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the event that Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola should depart Spain in the summer, in light of the fact that the two La Liga giants have both built sides around one player: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, respectively.

While Bayern Munich do possess a genuine No. 9 in the form of Mario Gomez, one imagines that the former Empoli boss could work wonders with their fantastic array of attacking talent, particularly in relation to their wingers.

For now, though, Spalletti is solely focused on leading Zenit into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history. Their last 16 second leg in Benfica tonight is delicately poised after the Russians’ 3-2 victory at the Petrovsky Stadium last month but then any game involving Spalletti is worth watching as one is always likely to learn something.

Just ask Sir Alex.​

 

[David Luiz]

Newcastle & Sunderland charged by FA over failure to control players
Both clubs have been reprimanded regarding a row which erupted in their recent clash at St James' Park following James McClean's challenge on Danny Simpson

'Birmingham City win first step to recovery for Chelsea' - Cech
Goalkeeper feels that the FA Cup victory could be a catalyst for the struggling Blues to revitalise their push for Champions League qualification after a difficult season

Anzhi to offer Podolski €12 million per season but Koln forward not motivated by money
The Germany international is out of contract at the end of next season and has been heavily linked with a move away from his hometown club this summer

Muniain aims to give Manchester United a major scare
The 19-year-old is looking for a positive result against the Premier League champions this Thursday and insists he has no plans to leave Athletic Bilbao anytime soon

Rosicky proud of Arsenal team-mates despite Champions League exit
The midfielder spoke of his pride after the Gunners came within a goal of turning around a four-goal first-leg deficit against AC Milan

Carrick determined for Europa League success with Manchester United
Despite many questioning the Red Devils' commitment to the second-tier European competition, their English midfielder has confirmed that they are focussed on taking the title

Anderson set to make his first Manchester United start in four months against Athletic Bilbao
The Brazilian has trained all week after fully recovering from a knee injury, while Tom Cleverley is also rated '50-50' to make a rapid return from ankle damage

Evans claims Manchester United's clash with neighbours City will be the biggest ever clash between the two clubs
The Premier League heavyweights lock horns at the Etihad Stadium at the end of April, and the Ulsterman is still hurt by the 6-1 humbling at Old Trafford in October

Roy Keane blasts 'disgraceful' Chelsea players' ear-flicking during warm-up: 'They've let their manager down'
The former Sunderland manager was left unimpressed by childish behaviour of senior members of the Blues squad during the warm up at St. Andrew's ahead of the fifth round replay

'Come back Mourinho' - Chelsea fans' message is clear as uncertainty continues despite debut win for Di Matteo
A 2-0 victory over Birimingham got the Italian off to a good start, but the 'Special One's' name was on the lips of the supporters throughout the clash at St. Andrews

Balotelli challenges Manchester City team-mates: 'If we remain together until the end, United will finish behind us'
The Italian also claims he has grown as a person since last season and says he didn't break any club rules in attending a strip club yet shouldn't have gone two days before a game

Paris Saint-Germain president admits Suarez, Higuain & Torres could be summer targets
The Ligue 1 giants have been linked with both South American attackers, and it has now been confirmed they could be pursued in the upcoming transfer window

Javi Martinez open to future Premier League move following Man Utd and Liverpool links
The Spanish World Cup winner admits his game is "more oriented to being physical" and insists that it is "strange" that the Premier League champions are in the Europa League

Atletico Madrid's Gil Marin: I can't see Aguero joining Real Madrid
The Los Colchoneros official has voiced his opinion that the Argentina international will not be leaving England for Los Blancos at the end of the season

Redknapp backs Defoe for a spot in England's Euro 2012 squad
The 29-year old has found opportunities at White Hart Lane limited, but his manager feels England's current shortage of strikers could see him thrive in Ukraine and Poland

Mertesacker: I've told Podolski that Arsenal are a great club
The towering defender has revealed that his compatriot has been in touch with him about the Gunners, and has told the attacker about his experience in London

Wenger furious with refereeing decisions following Arsenal's agonising Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan
The Frenchman feels the Italian side took advantage of some poor decision making, while claiming the condition of the pitch at San Siro in the first leg was 'unacceptable'

Chelsea interim boss Di Matteo: It's 'vital' to finish fourth
The Blues' caretaker manager has stressed the importance of a top four finish this season, putting Champions League qualification ahead of his side's FA Cup ambitions

The future's bright, the future's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The teenager has impressed on the wing but produced arguably the finest display of his fledgling career against AC Milan on Tuesday night in his preferred central midfield role

Benitez: A manager who wants to win trophies has to look at top sides and Chelsea are a top side
The former Liverpool boss has stated that a job in the Premier League is a priority because his family are settled in England, but he has had "no proper offers on the table"

Di Matteo: Mourinho will always be in Chelsea supporters' hearts
The Italian believes the Real Madrid boss earned respect during his spell at Stamford Bridge, with Blues fans chanting his name during their 2-0 FA Cup win over Birmingham City

Wenger hails 'outstanding' Oxlade-Chamberlain but admits fatigue cost Arsenal an astonishing comeback
The young midfielder dazzled as the Gunners came within a goal of a remarkable comeback against AC Milan, who hung on in the second half to secure Champions League progress

Arsenal regain pride on unforgettable night as supporters fall back in love with team
Arsene Wenger's team were physically and mentally exhausted by the end of one of the most highly-charged matches in the Emirates Stadium's six-season history

Balotelli kicked out of shopping centre for wearing a hoodie
The eccentric Italian has hit the headlines again for refusing to remove the item of clothing in an attempt to hide his identity, prompting a member of staff to ask him to leave

Macheda reveals desire to move back to Lazio in the future
The Manchester United striker, who is on loan at QPR, went to see the Rome derby on Sunday and after seeing them win, he spoke of his desire to play for his boyhood club

'I speak to Chelsea every day,' jokes Barcelona coach Guardiola
The Champions League holders' trainer has laughed off rumours that he is on his way to Stamford Bridge following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas over the weekend

New report claims Podolski could cost Arsenal just €6m due to contract clause
The Germany international can allegedly leave his current club for a meagre €6m if they drop to the 2.Bundesliga this season with a move to the Emirates on the cards

 

[David Luiz]

Anzhi to offer Podolski €12 million per season but Koln forward not motivated by money

The Germany international is out of contract at the end of next season and has been heavily linked with a move away from his hometown club this summer

Mar 7, 2012 3:15:00 PM

By Mark Doyle

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Lukas Podolski has reiterated that money will not be a determining factor when it comes to deciding where he will go should he decide to leave Koln amidst reports that Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala are willing to pay the forward €12 million per season.

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The Germany international is out of contract in June 2013 and although his hometown club have reportedly put together a lucrative financial package in order to persuade him to stay, speculation is mounting that the forward will push for a transfer in the summer.

Lokomotiv and Anzhi and are both attempting to lure Podolski to Russia with four-year contracts worth approximately €12 million per season, according to Sport-Bild.

English side Arsenal are said to be only offering a yearly wage of €6m but Podolski insists that should he decide to quit Koln, he will join the club which presents him with the most interesting sporting challenge.

"Money is not the most important thing for me,” the 26-year-old told Sport-Bild. “What is crucial is the development of my game."

The former Bayern Munich man is currently enjoying his second stint with Koln after spending three years with the Bavarians between 2006 and 2009.

 

[David Luiz]

Newcastle & Sunderland charged by FA over failure to control players

Both clubs have been reprimanded regarding a row which erupted in their recent clash at St James' Park following James McClean's challenge on Danny Simpson

Mar 7, 2012 4:07:00 PM

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Newcastle United and Sunderland have been charged by the FA over a failure to control their players in the recent Tyne-Wear derby.

A fracas involving almost every player on the pitch erupted after Mackems winger James McClean slid in on Magpies defender Danny Simpson in the 19th minute of the fiercely-contested Premier League encounter.

A statement released on Wednesday on the FA's official website outlined the reasons for charging the two sides.

It read: "The charge is that the clubs failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour and is in relation to an incident which occurred in the 19th minute following a challenge by Sunderland’s James McClean on Newcastle’s Danny Simpson."

Only Simpson and McClean were booked in the aftermath of the clash but the FA have decided to extend the charges to the players' clubs.

The match saw referee Mike Dean issue eight yellow cards and two red cards - with Lee Cattermole being sent off after full-time - and involved a touchline spat between managers Alan Pardew and Martin O'Neill.

Both sides have until 4pm on March 12 to respond to the charges.

 

[David Luiz]

Balotelli kicked out of shopping centre for wearing a hoodie

The eccentric Italian has hit the headlines again for refusing to remove the item of clothing in an attempt to hide his identity, prompting a member of staff to ask him to leave

Mar 6, 2012 8:20:00 PM

By Shane Farrington

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Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli was thrown out of a shopping centre after breaking their strict ‘no hoods’ policy.

The 21-year-old was shopping in Manchester’s Trafford Centre with a group of friends and was asked to take remove the hoodie from his head.

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However the Italian refused, claiming it was an attempt to protect him from people recognising him, leading to a member of the centre's security team asking for him to leave.

The former Inter man recently hit the headlines for spending time at a strip club, but Balotelli has defended his actions.

"I didn't do anything wrong at the [strip] club," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I understand that if she [his girlfriend Raffaella Fico] had gone with her friends to a strip club, I would have been very angry.

"If you love a woman, you can avoid causing that pain. That was my first mistake. The second was to go two days before a game."

When quizzed as to whether Roberto Mancini has handed him £250,000 fine for breaking the curfew, he responded: "I still don't know. I must talk with Mancini."

 

[David Luiz]

Chelsea announce ticket price freeze for 2012-13 season
The Stamford Bridge outfit announce current prices will remain the same for next campaign while the cost of Champions League tickets have been reduced, should they qualify

Portsmouth to be given £800,000 cash injection by Football League
The cash-strapped club are to receive a much-needed monetary boost to help them complete the Championship season after going into administration for the second time in three years

Blackburn Rovers target Zenden - report
Steve Kean has reportedly expressed his interest in securing the services of the former Chelsea man to help out in the club's Premier League relegation dogfight

Joe Hart: It's just my mum who wants me as England captain
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the England No. 1 backs Scott Parker as a 'fantastic' leader and has nothing but praise for interim manager Stuart Pearce

Anelka readies himself for his Chinese Super League debut as the anticipation heats up
The ex-France international is undoubtedly the biggest name to ever grace the domestic league and he will begin his Shanghai journey when the new season kicks off on Saturday

Hulk admits he 'always wanted to be just like Ronaldo'
The powerful attacker revealed that he wants to emulate the Brazil goalscoring legend and also acknowledged that is ready for a new challenge in his career

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea insists he has gained strength from early criticism
The Spaniard hopes he has improved following a shaky start to his Old Trafford career, with Sir Alex Ferguson pointing to the Liverpool defeat as the turning point in his season

Bouncing back - Resilient Evans poised to become pillar of Manchester United's defence after silencing critics
Northern Ireland international has come of age in the heart of United's defence as he confounds his detractors to bolster club's quest for honours at home and abroad

'It’s a great honour when Sir Alex Ferguson mentions my name’ - Manchester City star Hart welcomes praise from United boss
England No. 1 flattered by Fergie's comments, warns Carlos Tevez he faces a battle to get back in the team & picks Joleon Lescott as City's player of the year

Mata reveals out of sorts Chelsea striker Torres turned down a penalty against Birmingham
The Spanish midfielder offered his compatriot the chance to score from the spot after being fouled in the box but the striker insisted he was not first on the list of shooters

AC Milan pondering summer move for Manchester City striker Tevez - report
The San Siro outfit are still keen to bolster their attack and have renewed their interest in the Argentine striker, who returned to training last month with the Citizens

Forgotten for England but still earning his Spurs - Defoe proves yet again why he should be a Euro 2012 certainty
White Hart Lane hitman has scored six in his last nine games, proving that he still has a deadly touch in front of goal and should be a certainty to travel to Ukraine and Poland

Mancini reveals Manchester City interest in signing Van Persie
The 47-year-old has admitted that he will monitor the Dutch striker's situation at Arsenal this summer but expects him to be persuaded to stay put at the Emirates Stadium

Porto winger James Rodriguez: I would not say no to a club like Manchester United
The Colombian ace has declared that he is happy with life at the Estadio do Dragao, but asserted he would not turn down an offer from any of Europe's elite clubs

'Evra made it clear that he didn't want to shake Suarez's hand' - Liverpool's Glen Johnson
England international states that the Frenchman was being clever by not fully extending his arm, and claims he "probably stayed up all night thinking about how to do that"

Redknapp confirms Dawson out for 'long-term' after suffering ankle injury in Tottenham's FA Cup victory over Stevenage
Lengthy lay-off expected for defender after landing awkwardly on right leg with Aaron Lennon also hobbling off, though the Spurs boss was pleased with his side's performance

Defoe insists England call is 'at the back of my mind' after inspiring Tottenham past Stevenage
Diminutive poacher continues his fine goal-scoring form and admits he is chasing a place in the Three Lions squad while team-mate Bale backs him for a regular starting spot

Barry hopes Manchester City meet United in Europa League final
With both clubs knocked out of the Champions League the England midfielder has revealed he would relish a game between the pair to decide the winners of the competition

Terry: We all made mistakes during Villas-Boas reign
The Chelsea captain says the club's players were not good enough under the Portuguese manager's short reign and has dedicated the win against Birmingham to his former boss

Arsenal reach agreement with Koln for Podolski - report
The Gunners have reportedly struck a deal for the highly-rated striker, who is looking for a new challenge in his career after becoming unhappy in Cologne

Tottenham defender Dawson taken to hospital with suspected ruptured ankle ligaments
The England international looks set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering the injury in the first half of his side's 3-1 victory over Stevenage in the FA Cup

Souness believes Oxlade-Chamberlain can become world class
The former Scotland midfielder has heaped praise on the Arsenal teenager, also claiming that he can one day be in the same class as Manchester United star Wayne Rooney

Zola believes Di Matteo can secure permanent Chelsea role
The Italian was appointed as temporary manager after the departure of Andre Villas-Boas but the former Blues striker and compatriot is confident he can make his position permanent

Balotelli fined a week's wages for breaking Manchester City curfew
The Italian striker has been disciplined for breaking a club curfew on a trip to a strip club in Liverpool less than 36 hours before the weekend game against Bolton

Szczesny feels English players are running Chelsea
The Polish goalkeeper has blasted the ethos at Stamford Bridge by claiming that some of the squad have too much influence and have played their part in managerial dismissals

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to see Manchester United improve home form in Europe
The Red Devils boss has been disappointed with his side's performances at Old Trafford in Europe this season and says they must remedy it against Athletic Bilbao

Terry in line for speedy Chelsea return after 'incredible' recovery
The England defender has given interim Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo a selection boost after his post-surgery rehabilitation saw him jogging just two days after knee operation

Van Persie proud to be an Arsenal player after AC Milan win
The Arsenal striker has stated on twitter how grateful he is to the fans and the atmosphere they created in their 3-0 second leg win over Milan despite losing 4-3 on aggregate

'Lampard deserved more respect from Villas-Boas' - Alex
The former Chelsea defender claims that the Portuguese boss mistreated the midfielder during his time at Stamford Bridge but insists the Blues squad were not against their manager

 

[David Luiz]

Redknapp denies being offered new Tottenham contract
The White Hart Lane manager, who is the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss, has insisted chairman Daniel Levy has not proposed an extended deal

Wenger: Arsenal are interested in the world's best & Podolski is one of them
The French manager has revealed that he is tracking the 95-times capped Germany international, whom he feels is one of the elite forwards in today's game

Cantona blasts Manchester City forward Balotelli's 'calculated' attention seeking
The Frenchman also told of his belief that the USA are not far off winning the World Cup as he continues to promote football across the Atlantic with New York Cosmos

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre hails League Cup victory
Wembley success ends a six-year trophy drought and the board member is hoping for a good end to the season to shake off negative feeling surrounding Luis Suarez's race row

Former Premier League star Dietmar Hamann unsure if Podolski is the right player for Arsenal
The Germany international has reportedly agreed a deal to join the Gunners in the summer for a fee in the region of £10.8million as his club Koln look to cash in on striker

Sporting defeat adds insult to injury as Kompany blow threatens to derail Manchester City's title challenge
Roberto Mancini's men left Lisbon with not only a defeat but also without their captain, who picked up an injury that could cost his side a first title in 44 years

On the brink - Breathtaking Athletic Bilbao rip Manchester United to shreds as embarrassing European home record goes on
The Basque side showed flair and determination in equal measure to record a stunning victory at Old Trafford and leave themselves favourites to progress to the quarter-finals

Kop star in the making: Liverpool's Henderson impressing at Anfield ahead of clash with former club Sunderland
The 21-year-old faces his boyhood club on Saturday and, after an encouraging first year at Anfield, will hope to prove he can be a long-term fixture in the Reds' midfield

Dempsey and Fulham in talks over new three-year deal
The American striker's contract expires at the end of next season and Martin Jol is keen to keep his key players at Craven Cottage as they bid for European football

Chelsea & Manchester City on alert as Sneijder holds out for summer Premier League move
The Dutchman, who has fallen out of favour at Inter, has already rejected a "staggering" offer from Zenit, while Manchester United have put Luka Modric top of their shopping list

Cleverley hails 'impressive' Athletic Bilbao as Owen insists 'Rooney has kept us in the tie'
The Manchester United duo are hopeful of a quick turnaround next week but credited the Spaniards on an impressive performance at Old Trafford

'The referee told us they were kicking it back, so we stopped' - Carrick bemoans 'strange' third Athletic goal
The Basque outfit scored their third of the night in bizarre circumstances as they capitalised on a free-kick awarded after Patrice Evra's boot came loose

McGrath hits back at Glen Johnson following Evra criticism
The former Manchester United man has entered into a war of words with the Liverpool defender over his decision to back Luis Suarez despite his alleged racial abuse of Patrice Evra

Mancini not confident of prising Van Persie away from Arsenal
The Italian appears to have already given up on the chance of signing the Dutch international as he believes he will not be able to leave the Gunners

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United were 'well beaten' by Athletic Bilbao
The Scot blasted his side's defending after successive Old Trafford defeats in Europe and labels Rio Ferdinand a key player to come in for the second leg in Spain next week

Szczesny hails 'fantastic' Rosicky form for Arsenal
The Poland international has heaped praise on his team-mate's recent performances, claiming he made the difference in the first half of their 3-0 win over AC Milan

Newcastle fans rip down advertising boards at Sports Direct Arena during reserve match
A small minority of fans took to tearing down signs during the clash with Sunderland's second string in protest over the recent renaming of St James' Park

Sporting Lisbon boss Sa Pinto: We produced the perfect game to beat Manchester City
The Portuguese outfit recorded a shock win over the wealthy Premier League outfit, thanks to a wonderfully inventive backheeled strike from defender Xandao

Mancini hopeful of Kompany return within two weeks
The Italian doesn't know the extent of his captain's injury but is hopeful that he will be back in a fortnight and he praised both Gael Clichy and Joe Hart's performances

Abou Diaby insists his Arsenal career is not over
The Frenchman has barely played an hour of football this season after an ankle injury restricted his game time but he insists he is not a lost cause

Pulis insists that Torres is in need of 'a bit of luck' as barren spell continues
The Potters manager is still wary about the Spaniard's ability after being impressed with how he performed against Birmingham but hopes his luck does not change against his side

Dalglish keen to stick to same tactical approach despite lack of goals
The 64-year-old refuses claims that Liverpool have a goalscoring problem and says they will be rewarded for their good performances as they head into the final stage of the season

Howard signs new four-year Everton contract
American keeper has been at the club since moving from Manchester United in 2006 and has extended his stay at Goodison Park after becoming club's undisputed number one choice

Dalglish blames media for Suarez's PSG link
The 61-year-old has questioned the motives of journalists after his star striker was recently mentioned in an interview with the chairman of the French giants

 

[David Luiz]

'Some people come to Old Trafford and can't spell football' - Roy Keane's best quotes

Mar 9, 2012 11:00:00 AM

Compiled by Patrick Reilly

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As a player, manager and pundit Roy Keane has always provided rich material for journalists eager for a quote. The former Republic of Ireland captain this week blasted Chelsea's senior pros as 'disgraceful' and 'childish' for their ear-flicking antics during the warm up for the Blues' FA Cup win over Birmingham following the sacking of manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Whether it is slamming his own fans, managers, team-mates or players Keane has always delivered great soundbites. Here are five of his finest.

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[TD="align: center"]The quote that got him sent home
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"I didn't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person.The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country"

Admittedly this is the slightly toned down version of Roy's infamous rant at then Ireland boss Mick McCarthy. Ireland's captain was sent home from a pre-World Cup 2002 training camp in Saipan and even a decade later the incident provokes fierce debate on the emerald isle.

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[TD="align: center"]The quote that ended his Manchester United career
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"Just because you are paid £120,000-a-week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham, you think you are a superstar"

This verbal bomb was aimed in the direction of Rio Ferdinand in a toxic interview with MUTV in 2005 which ultimately led to Keane's departure from Manchester United. The interview has never been broadcast.

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[TD="align: center"]The quote that launched 'prawn sandwich' brigade
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"Some people come to Old Trafford and can't spell football, let alone understand it. They have a few drinks and a prawn sandwich but don't realise what's happening on the pitch"

Corporate fans attracted Keane's ire following a number of quiet games in 2000 at Old Trafford. Sales of prawn sandwiches have never recovered.

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[TD="align: center"]The quote that led to a playing ban
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"I'd waited long enough. I f***ing hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***"

Keane's autobiography in 2002 was a national bestseller but his quotes on his infamous tackle on Alf Inge Haaland in the Manchester derby led to a playing suspension. Subsequent versions of the book have removed the quote.

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[TD="align: center"]The quote which may come back to haunt him
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"I was asked by ITV to do the Celtic versus Manchester United game but I've done it once for Sky and never again. I'd rather go to the dentist. My advice to anyone is don't listen to the experts, just watch the game and gather your own opinions"

Keane dabbled with punditry following his retirement from playing in 2006. Since his dismissal from Ipswich Town in early 2011 he has softened his stance and is now a regular analyst for ITV.

 

[David Luiz]

WAGs : Peter Crouch's wife Abbey falls in Louvre with Paris

The Liverpudlian model enjoys her time in the glamorous French capital leading to no rumours whatsoever that big spending PSG could swoop for her lanky spouse

Mar 9, 2012 3:30:00 PM

By Jay Jaffa

Tweeting “Louis Vuitton here we come” Abbey Clancy made her mark on Paris Fashion Week whilst poor Peter Crouch remained in Stoke contemplating his club's weekend fixture with Chelsea.

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The glamorous wife of the six foot seven beanpole striker spent the last week in Paris and tweeted the above picture before attending one of the final shows of the prestigious event.

Fortunately for the Scouse lingerie model and TV presenter, being constantly surrounded by six foot plus models would have made her feel right at home.

In fact, with so many lanky lookers floating around the city, it would be no surprise if the Parisians fancied Clancy's husband as the next big thing at PSG.

Crouch certainly looks the part and Abbey wouldn't have a problem spending more time there following a successful getaway, tweeting: "Just love Paris so so much".

The height of passion | Abbey fur-ther enhances Crouch's reputation​

 

[David Luiz]

Messi is not the only star to score five times in one game - here are 10 others to hit a quintet of goals

We take a trip down memory lane and looks at some of the most intriguing five-star displays following Lionel Messi's dazzling performance in the Champions League

Mar 9, 2012 9:00:00 AM

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By Max De Luca

Lionel Messi set a new record for the most goals in a single Champions League match when he netted five times in Barcelona’s emphatic 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The Argentine maestro continues to shatter records on his way to becoming the greatest player of all time. With the dynamic dynamo's impressive goal haul still fresh in our minds,we take a look at some other players who can lay claim to scoring five goals in a single encounter.

Football luminaries with colourful nicknames such as 'SuperMac' and 'Der Bomber' take centre stage as we examine some of the most historic and significant five-goal heroes.

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[TD="align: center"]Andy Cole: MANCHESTER UNITED vs Ipswich Town - 1995
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Andy Cole was a prolific striker in his day and forged a fearsome partnership with Dwight Yorke up front for the Red Devils. The former England international enjoyed a memorable six-year stint with Sir Alex Ferguson's side during which he became the first player in Premier League history to score five goals in a single game.

Cole achieved the impressive feat against Ipswich Town on March 5, 1995. He brought the Old Trafford faithful to their feet early and often as shell-shocked Canadian keeper Craig Forrest was forced to pick the ball out of his net nine times. Cole went on to win five Premier League titles and one Champions League crown before joining Blackburn in 2001.

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[TD="align: center"]Daniel Fonseca: Valencia vs NAPOLI - 1992
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Daniel Fonseca spent a big chunk of his career in Italy and was a hit in Naples during his two seasons at the Stadio San Paolo. The highlight of his short spell came in the Uefa Cup clash against Guus Hiddink's Valencia on September 16, 1992 when he scored all of Napoli's goals in the 5-1 win at Mestalla. The result still stands as the Partenopei's biggest away victory in Europe.

The Uruguayan was then lured to the capital city by Roma before finishing his Italian adventure in Turin where he won two Serie A titles with Juventus.

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[TD="align: center"]Jurgen Klinsmann: Fortuna Dusseldorf vs STUTTGART - 1986[/TD]
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Jurgen Klinsmann enjoyed a glittering career for both club and country and announced his presence on the German scene as a 21-year-old with a five-goal outburst in the 7-0 dismantling of Fortuna Dusseldorf on March 15, 1986.

He scored five times during a 42-minute span in the lopsided victory and received his maiden call-up to the Germany national team a year later. Klinsmann went on to shine for European powerhouses Inter and Bayern Munich and is currently the coach of the US national team.

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[TD="align: center"]Soren Lerby: AJAX vs Omonia - 1979
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Soren Lerby was the last player to score five goals in Europe's top club competition before Messi did the trick against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. The Dane's five-strike salvo came in the European Cup against Omonia Nicosia on October 29, 1979.

Lerby's scintillating display in Ajax's 10-0 win is made all the more remarkable considering that he was a hard-working midfielder and not a predatory striker. The Denmark international finally got his hands on the European Cup when he won the competition with PSV in 1988.

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[TD="align: center"]Roberto Pruzzo: ROMA vs Avellino - 1986
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Roberto Pruzzo still holds legendary status in the Italian capital after 'Il Bomber' won the Capocannoniere on three different occasions with the Giallorossi. The Italian has been passed by Francesco Totti as the club's top scorer but still holds the record for most goals in a single Serie A encounter.

Pruzzo found the back of the net five times to hand Sven-Goran Eriksson's side a 5-1 triumph over Avellino on February 16, 1986.

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[TD="align: center"]Malcolm Macdonald: ENGLAND vs Cyprus - 1975[/TD]
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Malcolm Macdonald wrote his name into the history books by scoring all five goals in England's 5-0 win over Cyprus on April 16, 1975. He could have ended up with even more goals if not for an offside decision and an effort that struck the post late on.

Affectionately called 'SuperMac' because of his goalscoring prowess, the forward enjoyed a stellar career for Luton Town, Newcastle and Arsenal. Macdonald made a total of 14 appearances for the Three Lions but could never come close to reliving that magical night at Wembley.

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[TD="align: center"]Gerd Muller: BAYERN MUNICH vs TeBe Berlin - 1976[/TD]
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Gerd Muller was one of the most prolific strikers to ever grace a football pitch and it should not be surprising that he netted five times in the 9-0 win against Tebe Berlin on September 10, 1976, but what is quite astonishing is that he repeated the feat on three other occasions.

'Der Bomber' was the German top scorer seven times during his storied career and won the European Player of the Year in 1970. It's not hard to see why he was given his nickname.

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[TD="align: center"]Oleg Salenko: RUSSIA vs Cameroon - 1994[/TD]
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Oleg Salenko is best remembered for his five-goal explosion in the 1994 World Cup group stage match against Cameroon. The Russians comfortably ran out 6-1 winners but failed to progress to the knockout round after losing to Sweden and Brazil.

Salenko also scored against the Swedes to take his overall tally to six, which was good enough to be the joint-top scorer in the tournament. He still holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup encounter.

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[TD="align: center"]Alan Shearer: NEWCASTLE vs Sheffield Wednesday - 1999
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Alan Shearer is the all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals so it comes as little surprise that he burst out five against lowly Sheffield Wednesday on September 19, 1999. The Englishman was uncompromising in the final third on that fateful day and his goal tally was aided by two penalties.

Shearer finished with 148 league goals for the Magpies and went on to manage the club after he retired in 2006.

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[TD="align: center"]Archie Thompson: MELBOURNE VICTORY vs Adelaide Utd - 2007
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Archie Thompson picked an opportune time to have one of the best games of his career. The Australia international scored five times in Melbourne Victory's 6-0 triumph over Adelaide United in the A-League Grand Final on February 18, 2007.

Thompson is no stranger to putting up impressive single-game statistics as he also scored 13 goals in Australia's 31-0 win over American Samoa in a World Cup qualifier back in April 2001.

Honourable Mentions

Unfortunately we had to leave a handful of superb performances off the list but would like to recognise Ian Rush's quintuple against Luton Town on October 29, 1983. Legendary Galatasaray striker Tanju Colak also deserves a mention for celebrating a five-goal haul on two different occasions.

Jose Altafini scored five times in AC Milan's 8-0 win over Union Luxembourg on September 12, 1962 while Fabrizio Ravanelli matched that feat in Juve's 5-1 win over CSKA Sofia in 1996.

Atli Edvaldsson became the first non-German player to score five goals in the Bundesliga back in 1983 and Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov was the first foreign striker in the Premier League to hit five, against Blackburn last season.

 

[David Luiz]

Balotelli: Manchester City fans should back returning Tevez
The Italian hopes supporters will get behind his fellow striker as the Argentine readies himself for his first appearance after a self-imposed five-month absence

Chelsea warned leaving Stamford Bridge would cost far more than staying
Hammersmith & Fulham Council have thrown their support behind the Blues increasing their stadium’s capacity rather than building a new ground elsewhere in west London

De Jong: Manchester City confident of Europa League progress
Roberto Mancini's side were defeated 1-0 by Sporting Lisbon but their hard-tackling Dutch midfielder believes that the squad can still make it into the quarter-finals

Wenger: I cannot stop people from talking about Van Persie
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes that a host of clubs would be interested in the striker but the Frenchman insisted that his star man is focused solely on the Gunners

Dalglish wants Liverpool to maintain away form
Sunderland picked up a draw on the first day of the season at Anfield, setting the tone for the rest of the campaign for the Reds, but the Scot hopes to win at the Stadium of Light

 

[David Luiz]

Chelsea warned leaving Stamford Bridge would cost far more than staying

Hammersmith & Fulham Council have thrown their support behind the Blues increasing their stadium’s capacity rather than building a new ground elsewhere in west London

Mar 9, 2012 6:45:00 PM

By Miles Chambers

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Chelsea have been told by their local council that remaining at Stamford Bridge would be more cost-effective than moving to a brand new 60,000 capacity stadium. The west London club's ground is relatively small in comparison to their Premier League rivals but planning risks regarding any expansion have been deemed “insurmountable”.

However, Hammersmith and Fulham Council have argued against a move away, insisting that it would be financially beneficial for the club to expand their current stadium. “Stamford Bridge is Chelsea's historic home and the council believes it should be their future home," said deputy council leader Nick Botterill in a statement on Friday.

“We want the Blues to stay at Stamford Bridge and, if it can be done sensibly without negatively affecting local people, increase the ground's capacity so they can retain their position as one of Europe's top clubs.

“We cannot comment on the financial conclusions [Chelsea] have drawn but it is very likely any move away from Fulham would cost far more than either the £600 million the club claim it would cost to rebuild their ground or the cost of upgrading and expanding the existing structures.”

Chelsea are 17/2 with Paddy Power to record at 3-0 win over Stoke City at home on Saturday. The Blues face numerous hurdles if they are to remain at Stamford Bridge and extend the seat capacity, with the ground surrounded by listed buildings and areas that cannot be built upon or knocked down.

However, Botterill added: “We are proud to be the only borough in the country with three Premier League clubs [Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers] and we do not want our local businesses and residents to lose out on the economic and social benefits this brings.

“CFC are a thriving business contributing significant benefits to the area and we will continue to work closely with CFC to explore all possible avenues for keeping the club at their original home.”
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[David Luiz]

The Sweeper: Hawkeye in line for multi-million pound goal-line technology contract with Premier League

The British company is in the frame as Serie A also hopes to introduce new measure, while Aaron Lennon is angry over his hamstring injury and Everton really missed out on Joe Hart

Mar 10, 2012 9:00:00 AM

With the momentum behind goal-line technology (GLT) almost unstoppable, the Premier League has begun informal talks with market leader Hawkeye about the terms of a contract that could extend to four years and be worth multi millions.

The final obstacle to utilising GLT should be cleared at a meeting in Kiev on July 2 of the law-making International Football Association Board (a co-operative of the four British home unions plus Fifa), who last Saturday approved two systems for a final round of testing in match scenarios before either can be sanctioned for competitive play.

The British company Hawkeye and the Denmark-based firm Goalref were the only two of eight companies who passed the required criteria of 90 per cent accuracy at the first stage of tests.

Hawkeye and Goalref must pass the more stringent second phase of tests between now and June to gain a Fifa licence and be in a position to pitch to individual leagues and competitions, including the World Cup.

Nevertheless, The Sweeper has learned that informal discussions are already ongoing between Hawkeye and the Premier League, which has said it wants to use GLT “as soon as practically possible”.

It is believed that the funds to utilise the technology would come out of the League’s central budget and effectively reduce the handouts to the 20 Premier League clubs. There would be a capital cost to install cameras in the stadiums (around six at each end of the pitch) and an annual running cost.

The Sweeper has been told that any agreement would likely be for a three or four year period. Despite reports that the Premier League is confident of becoming a world pioneer by having GLT in place for the start of the 2012-13 domestic season, sources believe the five-week timeframe is unrealistic and the earliest is likely to be 2013-14.

Hawkeye, who are now owned by Fifa sponsor Sony, has used its camera-based technology with great success in cricket, tennis and snooker. It will also be used in this summer’s Olympic Games for tennis, although not football.

By contrast, Goalref has not yet been utilised in a competitive environment. It is an aerial-based system that uses a magnetic field with a special ball. However, this would mean that all the match balls would have to be tested, which could include a couple of thousand at a major tournament.

Both systems send a signal within a second of the ball crossing the line to the referee, who has the power to make the final call.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter was strongly opposed to using goal-line technology but is now firmly in favour after witnessing at first hand the Frank Lampard controversy at the last World Cup. By contrast, Uefa boss Michel Platini is against using the system, preferring to rely on extra officials, as has been the case in the Champions League and Europa League in recent seasons. There is even the possibility that competitions could have both GLT and extra officials.

Serie A is also pushing strongly for GLT after three incorrect goal-line calls in top tier matches in recent weeks, including the Milan ‘ghost goal’ against Juventus that was not given and prevented the home team from going 2-0 ahead after 28 minutes. The top-of-the-table clash finished 1-1.

LENNON NOT HAPPY WITH HARRY OVER HAMSTRING

Much has been made of Harry Redknapp’s man-management skills but not everyone in his Tottenham squad thinks so highly of him.

The Sweeper has learned that Aaron Lennon, for example, is furious about the hamstring injury he picked up during Wednesday’s FA Cup victory over Stevenage that is likely to keep him out for at least two weeks.

The winger had told Redknapp he did not feel fit enough to play against the League One side after feeling tightness in his hamstring following Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United, which was his first start since January 22.

But Redknapp, not for the first time, ignored Lennon’s concerns and convinced him to play, with the winger lasting just 38 minutes before limping off after attempting a sprint to the touchline.

Lennon previously fell out with Redknapp over the handling of groin injuries in the 2009-10 season and again when the England international withdrew from the Champions League clash against Real Madrid last April five minutes before kick-off.

DID THE LOCAL COUNCIL PLAY A PART IN AVB'S DOWNFALL?

Andre Villas-Boas' departure from Chelsea is not only being celebrated by certain senior players - but many of the junior ones too.

Villas-Boas banished the reserve team, including highly-rated youngsters Sam Hutchinson and Nathaniel Chalobah, from the main training centre shortly before Christmas and ordered them to use the academy base at Cobham instead.

The Sweeper has been told that the recently sacked Chelsea boss wanted to create a ‘lockdown’ first-team base similar to what exists at his former club Porto.

It is understood that Villas-Boas did not approve of the frequent traffic of personnel at the senior set-up, which has reasonably high security but is still more open than the likes of Arsenal’s training base.

One of the principal reasons for the regular traffic is that Chelsea have an agreement with Elmbridge Borough Council to make some of their manicured pitches available for community use.

This infuriated Villas-Boas, who preferred a more closed operation.​

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SIR ALEX NEVER HAD HART... BUT MOYES MISSED OUT

Sir Alex Ferguson raised a few eyebrows last month when he claimed he could have signed Joe Hart for £100,000 years before the goalkeeper joined Manchester City.

But The Sweeper can reveal United were never offered Hart, nor did they show any interest while he was at Shrewsbury.

The man who will really be kicking himself about missing out on Hart, now England's No. 1, is Everton boss David Moyes.

The Toffees scouted Hart extensively from the age of 16 and were in pole position to sign him before Everton goalkeeping coach Chris Woods persuaded Moyes to move for John Ruddy instead in 2005.

A year later, City snapped up Hart for an initial £600,000 which has since risen to £1.5 million now all clauses in the deal have been activated.

 

[David Luiz]

Rosicky signs new Arsenal contract
Czech Republic international commits future to the Gunners stating it's an 'honour' to play for them while boss Arsene Wenger is equally delighted to secure 'top-class' midfielder

We will fight Manchester United till the end - City boss Mancini
Italian insists there is still a long way to go in the race for the Premier League title after defeat to Swansea hands top spot to rivals for the first time since October

Tevez edging closer to Manchester City comeback - Mancini
Italian boss reveals striker may be available for Chelsea clash but admits he will not be 100 per cent for a while after six month absence from football following a bust-up

Rooney rampant, Scholes' return & Young back to his best
Sir Alex Ferguson's men returned to the Premier League summit with a win over West Brom on Sunday to leapfrog their city rivals and take control of the title race

Wise up or miss out: Manchester City risk losing everything in a season that promised it all
After a calendar year punctuated by stumbles so far, Roberto Mancini's side could miss out on silverware after initially looking like they could go on to win it all

Terry return against Stoke was important to Chelsea - Gary Cahill
England international hopeful of forging partnership with skipper in the heart of the Blues defence and feels caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo has had positive impact on the team

Harry Redknapp dismisses claims Tottenham are affected by England rumours as 'absolute rubbish'
The Spurs boss has seen his side lose three consecutive Premier League matches but insists his link to the vacant national team role is not to blame for a bad run of results

Arsenal boss Wenger annoyed by Suarez's 'overboard' penalty claims
Frenchman also feels striker Gervinho learned valuable lesson about life in the Premier League following opening day dismissal against Newcastle and is eyeing consistency at home

Rooney insists Manchester United silverware takes priority over goals
The Red Devils talisman has stated that picking up medals is more important than individual accomplishments after his double against West Brom sent the team to the top of the table

Sir Alex admits surprise as Manchester United go one point clear in the Premier League
Red Devils boss delighted with performance of team as they beat West Brom 2-0 at Old Trafford but feels there's still a long way to go before the title race is decided

Manchester United winger Ashley Young delighted to be back on top of the Premier League
The 26-year-old was pleased to see the current champions return to the top of the table for the first time since October and claims the pressure has been piled on Manchester City

'Big step forward' for Manchester United in title race - Hodgson
The Baggies boss believes his side's defeat at Old Trafford and Manchester City’s loss at Swansea has seen the Champions move closer to defending their title

'We have 10 games to win the title' - Mancini urges focus after defeat to Swansea
Italian tactician insists his side did not deserve to lose at the Liberty Stadium and challenges his players to improve for the run-in and finish top of the Premier League

Di Matteo: I have no say in Drogba's Chelsea future
The Ivorian made the difference against Stoke City on Saturday, but the former West Brom boss admits he will not have a say in whether the striker stays at Stamford Bridge

Dzeko in fight to save Manchester City career - report
Despite a strong scoring record this season, the Bosnian has fallen behind Sergio Aguro and Mario Balotelli in the pecking order at Eastlands and may face the axe this summer

John Terry lauds 'fantastic' Jose Mourinho
The Chelsea skipper has spoken in glowing terms about the Portuguese manager’s ability but is remaining focused on the challenges ahead

Remy plays down Tottenham link
The Marseille striker has admitted that any move to north London is a long way off and declared that he is focused on working for his current club and their fans

John Terry plays down player power at Chelsea
The Blues' skipper refutes suggestions that the club’s senior squad members were to blame for the departure of hapless former manager Andre Villas-Boas after only nine months

Roy Hodgson: England job not 'impossible'
The West Brom boss denies that managing the national team is too difficult a role to be carried out successfully, and admits he would be flattered to be considered for the post

Wenger: Fourth place does not guarantee Champions League qualification
The Arsenal boss has warned that progression to Europe's elite club competition is no longer a formality for the side finishing fourth in the Premier League

Sir Alex believes Europa League could dent Manchester United's title challenge
The Red Devils' boss has suggested that European adventures could hinder his side's Premier League championship ambitions as they adapt to playing on Thursdays and Sundays

Mediocre Liverpool are not getting any closer to challenging at the top after Sunderland defeat ends Champions League hopes
Despite massive investment in new players since Kenny Dalglish returned to Anfield, defeat at Sunderland suggests the Reds are going backwards

Happy anniversary - Moyes leads Everton to another top-four scalp to show Tottenham why he should be Redknapp's replacement
The Scot led the Toffees to a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park on Saturday to prove why he could be the man for Spurs should they lose their manager to the England job

Bolton boss Coyle delighted at Miyaichi's Man of the Match performance
The Japanese teenager provided the assist for Ivan Klasnic's late winner in the crucial victory over QPR which has boosted the Trotters hopes of survival

Vermaelen convinced Arsenal will claim top-four finish
The Belgium defender is confident the Gunners will finish their campaign on a high with qualification for the Champions League after important wins over Tottenham and Liverpool

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson watches Hazard on scouting trip in France
The Scot was in attendance as Lille faced Lyon in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening, and was believed to be scouting the Belgian who has expressed an interest in moving to England

Redknapp urges Tottenham to 'keep believing' after third league defeat in a row
Spurs boss reflects on another set-back as Nikica Jelavic's first-half strike dents push for Champions League qualification but praises the job David Moyes has done at Everton

Tevez given motivational pep talk by Manchester City manager Mancini
The City boss told the Argentina international that he is impressed with his attitude and improved fitness since he returned to the club last month from South America

Manchester United's Cleverley: 'I've got a lot to learn'
The 22-year-old thinks that there is 'more to come' in terms of his performances and is hoping to add goals to his impressive list of attributes by working hard in training

‘It’s not always going to be easy or pretty’ – Di Matteo content with Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Stoke City
Didier Drogba's 68th-minute goal was the difference at Stamford Bridge and the interim boss admitted that his side were not able to create a spectacle despite a numerical advantage

Liverpool's Dalglish refuses to rule out top-four finish
Reds boss remains bullish after defeat that leaves his side trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by 10 points as finishing line in race for Champions League moves into view

Balotelli: I want to prosper at Manchester City to prove everyone wrong
The Italian striker claims that Roberto Mancini is a big influence on him and that he may follow him wherever he goes after the manager gave him his shot in England

Sir Alex Ferguson: Liverpool job was bad timing for Hodgson
The Red Devils chief believes that the former Inter manager was onto a loser when he took over at Anfield but has never doubted the veteran Englishman's managerial ability

From Hawthorns horror show to Manchester United mainstay: How De Gea has turned his season around
Nearly seven months on from his nightmare start, the 21-year-old is answering his critics in superb fashion, just in time to face West Brom at Old Trafford on Sunday

Dalglish: Liverpool must find a solution to goalscoring problems
The Reds have struggled to deliver goals this season, particularly at Anfield, but their manager believes that the club are better off now than they were last year

Wenger insists on Van Persie stay: We will not lose anyone to Manchester City
The 32 goal Dutchman is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, having suspended talks until the end of the season, but his boss is not envisaging another Samir Nasri saga

 

[David Luiz]

In Pictures: Didier Drogba hosts third charity ball with familiar Premier League faces in attendance

The Chelsea striker entertained his guests at the Dorchester Hotel in London, even treating them to a special guest DJ set from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Djibril Cisse

Mar 12, 2012 11:00:00 AM

By Jay Jaffa

Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was accompanied by some familiar faces as he spent Saturday night hosting his third charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

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The event was held in order to raise funds for the Didier Drogba Foundation, a charity established in 2007 with the aim of providing financial and material support in health and education to the African people.

Drogba was joined by fellow Chelsea footballers John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Petr Cech and Saloman Kalou whilst former team-mates William Gallas and Shaun Wright-Phillips also made an appearance. There was even room for a touch of royalty as Princess Beatrice mingled with the Premier League stars.

No time to talk | Christine Bleakley has arrived!​

The evening comprised of an auction that raised over £250,000 for the Foundation, which is looking to fund a new hospital in the Ivorian city Abidjan. Guests had the chance to bid for a number of exclusive prizes such as a private party with DJ Calvin Harris in Ibiza.

Speaking of DJs... QPR duo Shaun Wright-Phillips and everyone's favourite eccentric Frenchman (no, not Eric Cantona) Djibril Cisse were given the honour of a guest DJ slot during the evening. I'd pay good money to hear that set!

Good day to you | Just another normal day for the Lord of Frodsham Manor​

Drogba, 34, more or less the most influential Ivorian on the planet, said: "The support and generosity that everyone has given to the Foundation has been overwhelming. I am honoured that the people who have attended have made all this possible."

Cashley | Looking full of purpose, Cole would later enter a bidding war for a Hublot watch​

 

[David Luiz]

WAGs: Imogen Thomas settles on Bangkok as the answer to her problems

The former girlfriend of Jermain Defoe and Ryan Giggs among others, figures the best way to endear herself to fans is to tweet a photo of herself basking in the south Asian sun

Mar 10, 2012 11:02:00 AM

By Jay Jaffa

Imogen Thomas thoughtfully took the time to remind her followers that for however cold it may be in London, she could don a bikini on a Thailand beach.

That said, fans of the former Miss Wales 2003 would have no problem viewing further holiday snapshots judging by her latest effort.

The fiercely proud Welsh glamour model was involved in a well-publicised affair with Manchester United's Ryan Giggs but appears to have put that behind her, taking to Bangkok for a holiday with her current boyfriend.

With her string of footballing romances seemingly dead in the water, one can't help but wonder where she would be relaxing instead. Marbella probably.

So in truth it's probably for the best that she has turned her attention elsewhere given she caught Swine Flu on her last trip to the Spanish town.

 

[David Luiz]

WAGs: Bouchra van Persie 'tired of rumours' surrounding husband Robin's future

With people questioning where the Dutch striker will be next year after a fantastic string of performances for Arsenal, his wife has taken to Twitter and said only to believe him

Mar 11, 2012 3:59:00 PM

By Joe Doyle

Arsenal hitman Robin van Persie has been putting in some magnificent performances this season, and has already scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League. But with rumours surrounding his future, his wife Bouchra has warned people only to believe what comes from the striker's mouth.

With Arsenal hitting form at the right time, it looks as if they could secure the final Champions League spot, but in the past couple of months they have been caught short on numerous occasions, leading to speculation surrounding the future of their best player.

And Mrs. Van Persie has taken to Twitter to voice her disapproval at the rumours, and told fans only to believe what her husband has to say.

The conductor | "Sing for me!"​

"Rumours, rumours, rumours pfff getting tired of them," she said via her Twitter account. "Please don't believe anything unless it comes from @Persie_Official him self."

Van Persie himself hasn't addressed the rumours about his future, with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini recently claiming that he would be interested in signing the striker (obviously).

Other clubs said to be interested are Inter and AC Milan, among others, but manager Arsene Wenger has said it is vital that he stays in north London.

Taxi! | Could Van Persie be heading for Manchester?
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Going nowhere | Bouchra ensures Robin's seatbelt is firmly fastened

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[David Luiz]

WAGs: Danielle Lloyd slams 'disgraceful' protestors after partner Jamie O'Hara confronted by Wolves demonstrators

A group of fans protested outside Molineux after the 2-0 loss to Blackburn, calling for the 'Scouse Mafia' to resign as Terry Connor's outfit face the prospect of relegation

Mar 11, 2012 10:14:00 AM

By Jay Jaffa

All is not well at Molineux as a minority of fans have turned their anger on chairman Steve Morgan and his Wolves comrades following another dismal display in the Premier League.

The confrontation occurred after the 2-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Blackburn, where a portion of supporters hurled a barrage of abuse at the 'Scouse Mafia'.

The turmoil at the West Midlands club stemmed from the 11-day delay in naming Mick McCarthy's successor – the club eventually turning to assistant Terry Connor after Steve Bruce reportedly changed his mind.

The 'Scouse Mafia' in question is not actually Danielle Lloyd, though she does hail from that particular neck of England, but in fact Liverpool-born Steve Morgan.

The Wolves chairman confronted fans, though whether that was before or after irate protesters had a go at Jamie O'Hara, it is unclear.

Happier times | "Moving to Wolves was a great idea!"​

O'Hara tweeted: “I'm as gutted as any fan 4 today but can't be aving people wanting to fight me when I have my son in my arms, disgrace,I'm giving everything”

His partner, Lloyd, took a more aggressive stance to the confrontation, tweeting the following:

“Fuming! How dare protesters start on jamie when he is carrying our son! Am disgusted should be ashamed! F****** disgrace #getbehindthelads”

“I don't expect to get into a fight with fans outside the ground its a disgrace am so upset I've been through enough the last few weeks”

In response to what was clearly an isolated incident a club message board tweeted an apology to the couple.

TheWolvesForum ‏said:

“Apologies to @mrjamieohara and @missdlloyd for the way you were treated. As you know it is a tiny minority and most fans are good.”

You have to wonder what is round the corner if Wolves do wind up getting relegated. Let's hope it is restricted to the odd protest rather than directly threatening players and their families.

 

[David Luiz]

'I love him' - Richards keen to see Tevez feature in Manchester City's run-in
The defender believes his Argentine team-mate could help turn things around after Roberto Mancini's side were knocked from the top of the Premier League by United

Aston Villa agree deal to sign Brett Holman in the summer
The Australian midfielder described as intelligent by Alex McLeish will join the struggling Midlands club in the summer when his contract with Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar expires

Wenger accuses Busquets of simulation
While he is full of praise for the midfielder's ability on the ball, the Gunners boss believes that the Blaugrana man is always trying to con the referee into dishing out cards

Arsenal & Real Madrid target Yann M'Vila will leave Rennes this summer - Antonetti
Manager Frederic Antonetti confirms that the promising French midfielder will depart the Ligue 1 club at the end of the season, despite his contract running until 2015

Pogba agrees new deal at Manchester United - report
The French midfielder looks set to sign a new contract to stay with the Red Devils after speculation had linked him with a move to Italian side Juventus from Old Trafford

Redknapp torn between England and Tottenham posts
The Spurs manager is unsure whether he would accept the national role and admits that he would find it very difficult to leave his Premier League post with the north London club

Liverpool performances 'not good enough' - Gerrard
Reds skipper believes the club need to put the success in the Carling Cup behind them and focus fully on getting back into the top four ahead of crucial Merseyside derby