United claim Anfield win, Arsenal hold City

Manchester United came through an emotion-charged examination at Anfield to move within a point of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League on Sunday, while Arsenal grabbed a late draw at Manchester City. Elsewhere, there were home victories for Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle..
 Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool as the visitors triumphed 2-1 on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside. The Reds were hosting their first game since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report - which absolved the club's supporters of any responsibility for the 1989 disaster. And in a poignant pre-match tribute to those who lost their lives, both sides wore tracksuit tops donning the number 96, with respective skippers Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic helping to release 96 red balloons into the Merseyside air. On the pitch there was one issue to deal with before the opening whistle as Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands to put an end to their public fallout. The Reds then lost Jonjo Shelvey to a straight red card six minutes before half-time after the Liverpool man recklessly lunged in on Jonny Evans - although the United man was every bit as guilty for the same offence. Liverpool still managed to take the lead as Steven Gerrard volleyed home a 46th-minute opener but it lasted all of four minutes though as United were suddenly sparked into life, equalising through a super left-footed strike from Rafael. Despite continuing to dominate, Brendan Rodgers' side were thwarted in their attempts to snatch a winner and were made to pay for their profligacy when Johnson felled Antonio Valencia with 11 minutes remaining. Van Persie dispatched the spot-kick through the powderpuff hands of Pepe Reina. A late equaliser from Laurent Koscielny earned Arsenal a well-deserved 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Eastlands. The Gunners were on top for much of the opening period, but it was City who took the lead when, following a needlessly conceded corner, Joleon Lescott headed in at the far post, with goalkeeper Vito Mannone in no-man's land. Arsene Wenger's charges toiled without reward in the second half until Koscielny rifled into the top of the net after City failed to clear a corner effectively. Sergio Aguero spurned a golden chance to win the game for City soon after - but a draw was the least the Gunners merited. Two goals in the space of 90 second-half seconds gave Tottenham a 2-1 victory at home to QPR. Bobby Zamora gave QPR the lead late in the first period, causing Spurs to be booed from the field at half-time. But a second-half turnaround, sparked by an Alejandro Faurlin own goal and then topped by Jermain Defoe, handed Spurs all three points at White Hart Lane. Newcastle recorded their second league win of the season at St James' Park against Norwich, despite a missed first-half penalty from Papiss Cisse. The Magpies triumphed 1-0 after Demba Ba notched the winner in the 19th minute. Ba's breakthrough came against the run of play, but it was beautifully made by Hatem Ben Arfa who played in the Senegalese forward to slide the ball beyond John Ruddy. Cisse then sent a horrible spot-kick over the bar, but it mattered little as Newcastle closed out the match.

Read More

Rodgers blames refree Halsey after Reds loss

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers complained referee Mark Halsey cost his side the game after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United..
The Liverpool manager was unhappy with Halsey's decision to dismiss Jonjo Shelvey as well as the award of the penalty that Robin van Persie converted in the 81st minute, saying Luis Suarez should also have been given a spot kick. And Rodgers felt both sides could have been down to ten men before half-time when Jonny Evans escaped unpunished from the challenge that resulted in Shelvey's departure. "Decisions didn't go our way today. If Jonjo Shelvey gets sent off, Jonny Evans has to get sent off as well," Rodgers said. "It is a tackle the player has to go for and also one the Manchester United player has to go for. But the Liverpool player can't get sent off and the Manchester United player stay on the field. There were a number of poor decisions." Shelvey took to Twitter after the game to post a still image of the red card incident, which showed Evans going into the tackle two-footed. However, the Reds midfielder also apologised to supporters for his sending off and for shouting towards United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he left the pitch. "I apologise to the fans for getting sent off but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. Im sorry," Shelvey said. "I have also apologised to sir Alex , just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off." United's match-winning penalty came when Antonio Valencia went clear from the half-way line and tumbled under a challenge from Glen Johnson. Robin van Persie converted from the spot to hand the three points to the visitors. "It was never a penalty," Rodgers added. "Glen Johnson has made a fantastic recovery run back in and I don't know why Valencia goes down. Up the other end, Luis Suarez gets the contact [from Evans], goes down and doesn't get a penalty." Liverpool lost Fabio Borini and Daniel Agger to injuries and Rodgers added: "Fabio had a badly swollen ankle that he was struggling to put any force on. We have to wait and see about Daniel Agger. It didn't look too good with his knee. Some of the medics were saying he might have a problem with his medial ligament."

Read More

Terry retires from England international football

Former England captain John Terry has announced his retirement from internatonal football, less than 24 hours before a Football Association hearing into his alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand..

Terry, 31, has endured a tumultuous career with the Three Lions in recent years, having twice been stripped of the captaincy by the FA. He first lost the armband in 2010 in the wake of allegations that he had an affair with the girlfriend of former Chelsea and England eam-mate Wayne Bridge, before being deposed again this February after it was revealed he would stand trial for alleged abuse of QPR defender Ferdinand during a Premier League game. Terry was cleared of any wrongdoing with regards to Ferdinand at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July but with the FA continuing to pursue the matter, and a hearing set to begin on Monday, the Chelsea skipper has chosen to quit international football. "I am today announcing my retirement from international football," Terry said. "I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I've played with. "I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career. Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour. "I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision. I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future. "I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable. "I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support.'' A statement from Chelsea, for whom Terry has spent his entire professional career, said: "This was a personal and difficult decision for John to take as playing for and captaining his country was a boyhood dream."

Read More

Ronaldo: Messi Is The Best In The World

As a Nigerian When the name Ronaldo is mentioned you are most like expecting people to think it’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but this time we are talking about his Brazilian Namesake who looks at things critically before giving his opinion and sure respected for that.
. In an interview with CNN World Sport, the two-time World Cup winner – who played for both Real and Barca – overlooked national rivalries to say he thought Messi was the better player. Ronaldo said: “Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo without a doubt are the best players today. I give a preference to Messi, because he’s a player who fascinates us more, who shows more creativity. Even though he’s from Argentina, which has a big rivalry with Brazil! But he’s a player I admire a lot. “In fact, both of them. But I think Messi is a little above Cristiano Ronaldo.

Read More

Gordon could join Southampton

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon could be set for an earlier than expected return to the Premier League, amid reports that Southampton have made an enquiry..


Sunderland released Gordon, who they paid £9 million to sign from Hearts in 2007, in the summer and he has so far been unable to find a club after five injury-ravaged years on Wearside.

Gordon can still sign for any club with a space in their 25-man squad as he is a free agent, and Saints only named 23 players when they submitted their list to the Premier League last week.

Long-standing Saints No. 1 Kelvin Davis has come under fire after conceding 14 goals in his side's first four Premier League games, but a rapid demotion for the club captain would be harsh after he played such an important role in their back-to-back promotions successes that secured a return to the top flight.

However, with pressure mounting on Saints boss Nigel Adkins, he may feel the need to make a change ahead of Saturday's crucial home game against Aston Villa, which many observers are already putting into the 'must win' category for the manager and his beleaguered team which has yet to secure a point.

Read More

Messi: Last season was a success

Lionel Messi has claimed that Barcelona's campaign last season was still a success, despite missing out on Champions League and La Liga glory.

The Blaugrana picked up four trophies last season: the Supercopa, European Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey..

However, they effectively counted for nothing after the Catalan club were eliminated in the Champions League semi-final by Chelsea and they conceded their recent stranglehold on the league title to arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Yet Messi, 25, believes his side should still be proud of their efforts as they gear up for another European campaign against Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.

"We were lucky enough to win the Supercopa, Club World Cup, the Copa del Rey," Messi told UEFA's website. "These are all important competitions. Obviously we didn't win the Champions League and La Liga, like people expected us to do and as we have done in the past. In the Champions League we were very close. The elimination against Chelsea was a very close one and I missed that penalty against them.

"But this year we are ready to try again, we are ready to try [to win the Champions League]. I don't think there are easy groups in the Champions League, I think the opponents are all complicated.

"It seems like some groups are more complicated than others, but it's all decided on the pitch. You have to play the matches first. We know from experience that every team can make it complicated for you. They are difficult games."

Read More

Bent loses captaincy

Paul Lambert believes demoting Darren Bent from the Aston Villa captaincy will help him find his goalscoring form and return to the England ranks..

Darren Bent was made Villa captain in July following Stiliyan Petrov's diagnosis with acute leukaemia
Aston Villa manager Lambert has decided to the captain's armband to Dutch defender Ron Vlaar to allow Bent to concentrate solely on getting back the scoring touch which he needs to be part of Roy Hodgson's World Cup plans - as well as help his club up the Premier League table.

Bent spoke recently of how determined he is to make it "impossible to be ignored" by Hodgson as he looks to end a miserable sequence of missing the last four major tournaments with England.

The striker has yet to register a Premier League goal this season and is running out of time to be part of Hodgson's plans for the next round of World Cup qualifiers in October, but Lambert feels taking away the extra burden of captaining the side will help.

Bent, who missed the end of last season through injury, last scored a Premier League goal in a 2-2 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers on February 1.

"In terms of my decision on the captaincy, I just wanted to give Darren a break. I just want him to concentrate on goals," said Lambert. "He has been excellent against Newcastle and Swansea in our last couple of games and has looked sharp.

"He is playing well, but I think changing it will help him. It will let him just concentrate on scoring goals for the team."

The move has the double impact of allowing Vlaar to impose his giant personality and power on the side, following his arrival from Feyenoord in the summer.

Lambert believes the centre-back will grow into the role and could develop into a Holte End icon in the same way as Martin Laursen.

"Ron is amazing," Lambert added. "He is colossal and has been since he came here. He has been excellent for us.

"He is not a young kid. He is not 21. He has been at a huge football club himself and I just think he is a top player."

Read More

Mourinho: Blame me for poor start

The Madrid coach was again harshly critical of his side after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Sevilla - a result that leaves his side in 11th place and eight points behind Barcelona after only four games.

However, despite his side's run of poor form Mourinho has accepted full responsibility for his players' bad attitude in recent games.

"I am the one responsible for this dreadful start to the season," Mourinho said. "I have not been able to create a committed group, I have not ensured that football was the biggest priority in the life of the players..


"Now I am obliged to make a team which can be as close as possible to that of last year or the year before. In football there is only today and tomorrow, never yesterday, nor the titles won. There is no doubt who is responsible. In my teams, if we win, we do it together, and if we lose, I am the one responsible."

Mourinho, who said on Saturday in Sevilla that "he had no team" in that game, is sure his players will show up against City.

"I am convinced that tomorrow we will have a team that will be together, that everyone will want to work for each other, that everyone will give their all," he said. "Maybe we will lack a little confidence and self-esteem, because it is not easy to play against 'el City' after having played an awful game. I could be wrong, but I believe we will be at our best."

The Portuguese coach said he had no comment on how the Bernabeu crowd would receive Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese attacker's first home game since revealing his current professional "sadness".

"I do not want to talk about individuals," he said. "I believe I know how the crowd will receive the team, but not player A, B or C."

The former Chelsea man sees Tuesday's clash with the expensively-assembled English champions as an opportunity for Madrid's stars to make amends for their poor recent showing.

"The game comes at the best moment," he said. "We played great in the Supercopa (against Barcelona) and we have had a dreadful start in the championship, with very negative games. Maybe we need a very difficult game. City are now among the group of big, important teams. They are candidates to win the Champions League."

Madrid's two summer signings from the Premier League, Luka Modric and Michael Essien, are rumoured to be in contention to start against City, but Mourinho suggested he would keep changes to his starting line-up to a minimum.

"I am not going to make seven changes," he said. "It will not be a very different line-up (from Sevilla). I do not want to signal that a player is not in good form. It will be the team I consider best against an opponent of the highest level."

With Real already falling well behind Barcelona in the title race some in Madrid have suggested it is time to concentrate on winning a tenth European Cup trophy. Mourinho stated that would not happen.

"A team like Madrid cannot aspire to just one competition, say I want this one but not that one," he said. "You can lose, but not like that. The Champions League motivates me like La Liga and Man City like Getafe."

Read More

I haVE no problem with Lloris, Friedel Insist

Brad Friedel has insisted there is no problem between himself and Hugo Lloris after the Frenchman's arrival, claiming the fight for a Tottenham starting role between the two is "healthy".

The signing of Lloris, 25, has been clouded by controversy, with Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas sticking by Friedel, 41, for the visit to Reading on Sunday, despite the France captain expecting to slot straight into the team..


Villas-Boas stated that Lloris would have to fight for his place due to the form of Friedel, something which drew criticism from France manager Didier Deschamps.

However, Friedel says he has no qualms about the fight for the No. 1 spot, which also includes Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.

"Hugo has come in and is a really nice person,'' Friedel told talkSPORT. "He's a super goalkeeper but we have two other really good goalkeepers in Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini. We have friendly, and healthy, competition for places. Hopefully we will have long runs in all the cup competitions and there's going to be plenty of matches to share around.''

Lloris, who was among the substitutes on Sunday, says he was content to sit out the 3-1 win, but admits he does expect to be playing soon.

"I am in an adaptation period, I've had very few training sessions, and there are players that I didn't know. But I am expecting time on the pitch,'' Lloris told L'Equipe. "Things were very clear from the start on Sunday. I was at the disposal of (Tottenham goalkeeping coach) Tony Parks and Brad Friedel.

"That pitch, that atmosphere, that gives you desire to play. Moreover we got three points that made us start our season. For me, it is a period to manage. Obviously I have desire. I came here to play. I am at the club, I know where I have to go to. I had a talk with the coach, as he said, and I know everyone at Tottenham wanted me to come.''

Read More

West Brom's Ashworth takes FA role

Dan Ashworth has been confirmed as the Football Association's new director of elite development.

Ashworth, 41, has been West Bromwich Albion's sporting and technical director since July 2008 and will succeed Gareth Southgate, who stepped down in July, in the FA role..


He will remain at the Hawthorns until the end of the season and will then begin work at the FA's new national football centre at St George's Park.

Ashworth will help to appoint his successor at the Baggies, whom he leaves despite chairman Jeremy Peace's best efforts to persuade him to stay.

"We have had discussions with Dan in an effort to persuade him to stay, but the opportunity to work within the national set-up is an ambition he has held for a long time," Peace said.

"He has certainly taken on a challenging role within the FA, and will leave with our best wishes."

West Brom granted Ashworth permission to talk to the FA after he expressed a desire to explore the opportunity following an official approach ten days ago, and he said: "I'm really pleased and honoured to have been offered the opportunity to join the FA. Working with the national set-up has been a lifelong ambition.

"I am joining at a time when the future of the game in this country has never looked brighter, through the completion of St George's, and the youth development proposals are an exciting challenge which I look forward to taking on."

The FA general secretary Alex Horne said: "We are delighted to welcome Dan to the FA and offer our thanks to West Bromwich Albion for their courtesy throughout this appointment process.

"Dan is highly regarded and hugely respected within the game and we believe securing his services at the FA will give the future of English football, from the grassroots to the elite level, a tremendous boost.''

West Brom chief Peace paid tribute to Ashworth's work at the club, saying: "Dan has worked tirelessly for this club over the past eight years.

"The sporting and technical director post is a position we firmly believed was vital to the success of this football club, and Dan has helped to shape this role.

"He has overseen the appointment of three head coaches and the continuation of the club's traditional playing philosophy.

"His contribution has been a key factor in our two most recent promotion successes and the securing of a third successive season in the Barclays Premier League."

Peace said Ashworth "has reassured me he will continue to give his West Bromwich Albion duties his undivided attention".

He added: "Although you never wish to lose such excellent colleagues, I think the fact both Roy [Hodgson] and Dan have been chosen by the FA reflects well on West Bromwich Albion and the manner in which we have structured the football club."

Read More

REPORT: Yanga-Mbiwa will 'break' Giroud

Olivier Giroud returns to Montpellier with Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, three months after leaving France for the Premier League.

Giroud is not certain to start at the Stade de la Mosson after being left out of the Arsenal team that beat Southampton 6-1 on Saturday..


But Montpellier's Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is certain that his former team-mate won't score if he does feature, while forward Younes Belhanda believes Yanga-Mbiwa will "break" him.

Yanga-Mbiwa, 23, knows Giroud well after they played together for two years and won the Ligue 1 title last season thanks, in large part, to the 21 goals scored by the French international striker.

Yanga-Mbiwa, Montpellier's captain and full-back, said he was looking forward to the game and hoped to face his old friend Giroud.

"He is coming back here:we warned him it won't be easy for him and he won't score against us," Yanga-Mbiwa said, adding that his team needed a win after a slow start to the season that has seen them pick up only one victory in Ligue 1.

Younes Belhanda added: ''There won't be any friendships on the pitch - Mapou will break him."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said he will make ''one or two" changes' for the game. Giroud came off the bench to replace Lukas Podolski 15 minutes before the end of Saturday's 6-1 win over Southampton, and could yet start in France.

Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin has said he would take Giroud back on loan if life in London does not work out for him.

"When a player leaves my club, I no longer follow him, even though I like Olivier a lot," he said. "If Arsenal want to loan him to us, we'll take him. We've made a bad start in the league. The essential thing is not to go down, and we will fight not to.

"The Champions League is good, but it's not the be all and end all. What we're savouring is being the French champions. Our coach, Rene Girard, will have to sort things out."

Read More

Fabregas backs Arsenal for EPL Ttitle Challenge

Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is adamant his old club can challenge for the Premier League title this season.

Cesc Fabregas believes his old club can challenge for the title
Fabregas, now at Barcelona, has also insisted he is happy to fight for his place at the Catalan club - after rumours about his future emerged following a start to the season which has seen him frequently substituted..


The Gunners continued a promising start to the new campaign with a 6-1 demolition of Southampton on Saturday, and Fabregas is confident Arsene Wenger's new-look side can keep pace with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.

"Arsene Wenger is amazing and I'm sure he will prove it again this season," Fabregas told the Sun. "He always finds the best young talent in Europe and has the courage to bring them in and give them their chance.

"That is his special talent, the way he works with a player to build their confidence and encourage them to play, to perform at their best.

"That's why I'm confident that Arsenal will again be up there challenging."

As for his current fight for a first-team place at the Nou Camp, Fabregas accepts that he has to prove his worth at the club week-in, week-out, if he is to remain key to Tito Vilanova's plans.

"I said when I signed here that it was going to be the most exciting and difficult challenge of my life," he said. "I knew I was coming here to compete for a place against the best players in the world.

"But I like big challenges. If I didn't, I would have stayed at Arsenal where I was the captain, where I played every game and where I was treated so well.

"I would never have taken the big step and the huge risk to sign for Barca and fight with the best players in the world for a place in the team - especially as there were never any guarantees given that I would play.

"I have a big heart, I have a strong character and I have the courage to carry on competing for my place. It's a challenge I always wanted and it's just as hard as I expected, mainly because I am impatient to succeed.

"Both teams play similar football. But at Barcelona they have taught me if I stay in my position the ball will come to me and I will see far more of it than if I go looking for it.

"It has been a big change but I'm learning very fast now and my team-mates have been amazingly supportive. I know that I can succeed here."

Read More

Aguero Returns for City's Madrid trip

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could make his return in Tuesday's Champions League Group D match at Real Madrid after a month out with a knee ligament injury..

Aguero, City's 30-goal top scorer last term, has been sidelined since the opening weekend of the season but has trained for the past three days.

Manager Roberto Mancini will make a late call on the fitness of the former Atletico Madrid striker after deciding against using him in Saturday's draw at Stoke.

"I think he can have a chance," Mancini said. "Sergio will travel with us. He worked with the team in the last three days before the Stoke game. We didn't want to take any risks with him - but maybe he can be ready for Madrid.

"Will he start? I don't know."

City also have Gareth Barry available following his return as a substitute in the Stoke game; Javi Garcia, who caught the eye at the Britannia Stadium, is another option for the defensive midfield role.

"I'm happy for Gareth after three months to play again," Mancini said. "It's important for us because he's an important player and he had 30 minutes and did well.

"Gareth can do this job - Javi, Jack [Rodwell] also - but we have our style. We try to play football, always. We played [at Stoke] without David [Silva] because he was so tired after the international break. After an international break, it's always difficult."

Meanwhile, Mancini believes City are improving defensively as they prepare for to face Real at the Bernabeu.

City are still seeking their first clean sheet of the new season but Mancini feels that - after a 3-2 win over Southampton and a 2-2 draw with Liverpool - the 3-1 win over QPR and 1-1 draw at Stoke indicate things are getting better.

"I think we've improved in the last two games because we've only conceded one goal," he said. "In the first two games, we conceded two goals. Now is the time not to concede any goals.

"This is the first game in the Champions League for us this year and I think it will be a fantastic game, a fantastic for moment for everyone at the club."

As well as Real Madrid, City have been drawn against Ajax and Borussia Dortmund. Having failed to negotiate a group including Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal last season, it is likely to pose Mancini's men significant problems.

"The group stage is difficult, like last year. We start again on a difficult pitch against a top team, and we should be ready for it to be very difficult. They have fantastic players, fantastic history and, for these reasons, if we want to do well there, we should play very, very well."

Read More

RVP exit has helped our game Says Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed there is more variety to his side's game since the departure of captain Robin van Persie.

Van persie hit 30 Premier League goals for the Gunners last season as he inspired the side to a third placed finish, following their disastrous start..

The Netherlands international was sold to rivals Manchester United over the summer, which left many believing Arsenal would struggle this campaign.

Yet despite losing the 29-year-old, Wenger believes the departure has enabled his side to mix up their style while also creating a strong team spirit.

"Sometimes an individual grows up and becomes the main charisma and carrier of the team and then people notice only him," said Wenger. "Robin van Persie scored 30 goals and when you score 30 goals everyone gives you the ball. That's as simple as that. Our game at the moment is a little bit more diversified.

"We have a spirit, a desire to play together and the strength of depth. The vibes coming out are that we look like a real team and we enjoy to play together. That's a good basis and is interesting."

Arsenal have got off to a positive start to the season, currently lying third in the table, having only conceded one goal and still remaining undefeated.

Their 6-1 trouncing of Southampton on Saturday, along with the way new signings Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski have bedded in, has left people claiming they could be title challengers this year.

Wenger believes his side can challenge but wants to see some consistency first before getting too carried away.

"I think we have a chance [to be title contenders]," he said. "We will know that after 10 games. We have the quality to do it but we have to show how much we want it.

"At the moment I don't know how strong our opponents are. We've not played against any of the title contenders yet. It will be important to see how we do against the bigger teams."

Read More

England youngsters impress Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson praised the performances of youngsters Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the Three Lions began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 rout of Moldova.

Manchester United's Cleverley and Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain both made a significant contribution to England's biggest away win since 1993 to impress the manager as he begins to build a squad for the 2014 finals in Brazil..


However, the duo were overshadowed by Frank Lampard, 34, who scored England's first two goals and Hodgson warned them they will have to work hard to oust his old guard.

"I was really pleased with Tom and Alex," Hodgson said. "Tom stepped into that position and looks at home there. It's easy to see why Sir Alex Ferguson picks him so often in the United team.

"It's nice to see these young players taking their chances and showing they merit a place in the squad. But the old guard is making certain they don't get too much of a look-in."

On this occasion Hodgson meant Lampard, who has now scored 25 goals for his country - one more than Sir Geoff Hurst.

"Frank was excellent," Hodgson said. "Quality is permanent, and that's proved itself time and time again.

"He might not always play to the top of his game, because football is football, but you're better off going into games having that quality on the field."

Jermain Defoe added another before half-time, with James Milner and Leighton Baines increasing England's advantage over a poor Moldova outfit before the end

Read More

Aguero returns to Manchester for rehab

Roberto Mancini has got his wish with striker Sergio Aguero to return to Manchester without kicking a ball for Argentina.

Aguero, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the opening day of the season, risked the wrath of his club boss after he joined up with his international team-mates for the World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru..

He did not travel with the squad to Cordoba for their 3-1 win over Paraguay on Friday, but was confident he would be fit to play in Lima on Tuesday.

However, Aguero has failed to shake off the injury in time and will now fly back to the UK from Buenos Aires to continue rehabilitation on his knee with the Manchester City medical staff.

"It seems I won't be able to make it to the Peru match - but the effort was still worth it," Aguero confirmed on his Twitter page. "I'll continue the recovery work at Manchester.

"Rooting for to the guys for the Peru match, I hope I can join them next time. Returning to @MCFC now to ready for the upcoming challenge."

Read More

Rooney: RVP will get best out of us

Wayne Rooney believes Robin van Persie will bring the best out of Manchester United's other forwards by forcing them to fight for their places.

.And, before coming on and getting injured, Rooney was left on the bench when Van Persie struck on his home debut against Fulham..


The duo were the two top scorers in the Premier League last season but, rather than assuming they will be paired, Rooney said that he is not guaranteed to start when he is fit again.

"For us as forwards, we need to make sure that when we play, we play well to stay in the team," he said, speaking on Sky Sports to promote his book My Decade In The Premier League. "It's great for Manchester United and I'm sure that will bring the best out of us."

Rooney was particularly impressed by the way Van Persie has been converted from a creative player into a prolific goalscorer.

Van Persie scored 37 goals last season and 89 in his final four years at Arsenal, compared to 43 in the previous four.

"Everyone knows he is a world class player," he added. "He's got great experience and now the way he plays, he scores more goals whereas in the first four or five years at Arsenal he played in behind a striker or out wide and now he has adapted his game which he has done incredibly so for the forwards in the side it is fantastic."

Read More

Drogba fully committed to Shanghai Shenhua

Didier Drogba insists he is fully committed to Shanghai Shenhua, dismissing a flurry of rumours speculating on the striker’s future.

Recent rumours have claimed the 34-year-old and former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka have been caught up in a boardroom dispute over wages at the Chinese Super League outfit in the past few weeks, ultimately sparking speculation over the duo’s future..
The Cote d'Ivoire international was linked with a shock move to Liverpool as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid during the transfer window, but remains with Shenhua.


Drogba has claimed that he will remain in China, in order to maintain his fitness ahead of his country's Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

When asked to discuss his first few games with Shanghai Shenhua, Drogba told L'Equipe: "My start has generated good and bad reviews but I've always taken on my choices.

"For the 2013 African Cup of Nations, I will do everything to remain competitive by being in China. Do not worry."

Read More

Usain Bolt will play for Man United next year -Alex Ferguson

Alex Ferguson said he will give Usain Bolt the chance to play for Manchester United in a match against Real Madrid.

The Red Devils boss also said that he will happily give the Jamaican sprint legend his chance to take to the field in the club's annual charity clash against the Spanish giants next year.

I can`t wait to watch the world`s fastest man on the football pitch to display his skills.

Read More

'I don't want to be the new anyone' - Lukaku tired of Drogba comparisons

Getty Images

West Brom loanee Romelu Lukaku has called for an end to comparisons with former Chelseateam-mate Didier Drogba.

The Belgian striker is currently spending the season with the Baggies after failing to break through at Stamford Bridge following a big-money move from Anderlecht..

The 19-year-old's impressive physique had prompted discussion of the similarities between him and the Ivorian striker upon his arrival in west London but this is something he hopes to leave behind.

“Didier and I have a similar playing style, but I don't think he would have wanted to be compared to someone when he was young," Lukaku told Sky Sports.

"Every player wants to be their own person, their own personality. I don't want to be the new anyone.

"At first it was OK - but now I'm bored of it. It isn't necessary and I don't like it now.

"I have my father's surname, I am Romelu Lukaku - I'm not anybody else. This is my own name and the name I want people to remember."

Read More

Manchester City Beat Chelsea in €60m race for Falcao

Manchester City are leading Chelsea in the race to sign Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao for €60 million in January.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com in June, the Premier League champions tried to sign Falcao in the summer and are willing to pay a record fee for the Colombian in the New Year, with Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes attempting to broker the move..

A summer move failed to materialise as the club were unable to offload Edin Dzeko despite interest from AC Milan and Bayern Munich, while Carlos Tevez's return to form saw him return to favour under Roberto Mancini.

Chelsea are also huge admirers of Falcao, who has scored 42 goals in 53 appearances for Atletico Madrid including a stunning hat-trick against the Blues in his side's Uefa Supercup victory in Monaco last Friday.

Radamel Falcao's departure is a time-bomb for Atletico Madrid. At this point, it seems a question of when he will leave, rather than if. He is too good for a team that will never be able to fight for a title in Spain and that hasn't been able to qualify for a Champions League in the last years. That doesn't mean that Atletico won't try to cash in his eventual departure. They paid €40 million to get him (although there are rumours that Jorge Mendes paid half of the fee) and due to the club's difficult economic situation, I don't see them buckling for less than his release clause, which is suspiciously low. To give a comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo's is €1 billion. Manchester City wouldn't be deterred by a relative bargain at €60 million.

But City are confident of landing their man after a 12-month long pursuit with Atletico's recent financial struggles ensuring they must listen to big-money offers for their star player.

Falcao has a €60m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract and City believe their strong relationship with the Spanish club will help to facilitate a deal.

City eased Atletico's financial difficulties last year by paying €45m to sign Sergio Aguero, from under the noses of their great rivals Real Madrid, with most of the transfer fee paid up front.

And Roberto Mancini will be given the funds to land a marquee signing in January despite the club's conscious efforts to balance the books and comply with Uefa’s financial fair play rules.

In an interview with Goal.com last week Falcao insisted the Premier League wasn't a "dream" of his but the 26-year-old's father has suggested that the Colombian is very likely to complete a switch to the Premier League in January - and City sources say the club will pull out all the stops to land their man.

When asked whether a move to England could be on the cards for his son in the next transfer window, Falcao senior said: "Yes, that chance is very big."

City bolstered their squad over the summer by signing Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell, Matija Nastasic, Scott Sinclair and Maicon..
But their missed out on a number of Mancini's top targets including Daniele De Rossi, Robin van Persie, Eden Hazard and Javi Martinez.

Falcao, who joined Atletico Madrid from Porto in August 2011 in a deal worth €47m, has a reputation as one of the most clinical finishers in world football and would represent a marquee arrival to the Etihad Stadium.

Read More

PSG sign Van der Wiel

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Ajax fullback Gregory van der Wiel for a reported fee of €6 million.

Netherlands international Van der Wiel, who played in all three of the Dutch team's matches at Euro 2012, has signed a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 club..

The 24-year-old came through Ajax's famed youth academy and had made 130 league appearances for his hometown club after making his debut FC Twente in 2007.

The French transfer window closes on Tuesday night and Van der Wiel's arrival will provide competition for Christophe Jallet.

Speaking after PSG's 2-1 win over Lille on Sunday, coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "He will start training with us next week. Christophe was the only player at this position. There will be competition but it won't be a problem for Christophe."

Jallet, who won his first cap for France last month in a 0-0 draw with Uruguay, says he welcomes the Dutchman's arrival.

''He is a very good player," Jallet said on Sunday. "I saw him during Euro 2012. I will have to be good during the week to play at the weekend."

Read More

Connor sacked by Wolves

Terry Connor has been sacked by Wolves - bringing an end to his 13-year association with the Championship club.

Connor was initially retained as first team coach by manager Stale Solbakken when the Norwegian was chosen as the long-term replacement for Mick McCarthy..

But Wolves have terminated the 49-year-old's contract to allow fellow first team coach Johan Lange to become Solbakken's right-hand man at Molineux.

A Wolves statement confirmed the decision, saying: "Terry Connor's contract as assistant manager of Wolves has today been terminated with immediate effect.

"Terry has been at the club for 13 years working in a number of different roles during that time, including a stint as manager during the second half of the 2011/2012 season.

"He leaves Wolves with the very best wishes and thanks of everyone at the club.

"A fuller tribute to Terry's long-standing service to Wolves will be paid in due course."

Former Wolves winger Matt Jarvis, who moved to West Ham before transfer deadline, was one of the first to thank Connor for his unstinting work at the club.

Jarvis used his Twitter account to say: "TC left wolves.... A fantastic coach n helped me a lot progressing my career! I'm sure he will get a great job soon!"

Connor was controversially appointed interim manager by owner Steve Morgan, following the sacking of Mick McCarthy in February, but was unable to prevent the club from being relegated from the Premier League.

The loyal assistant to McCarthy made it clear he wanted the job full-time, following the drop into the Championship, but was overlooked in favour of former Cologne manager Solbakken.

It has taken two months for Solbakken to decide that Connor is surplus to requirements, now he has settled into life at Molineux and Lange will be his full-time assistant.

Read More

Juventus: Van Persie deal was Impossible For The Club

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta says it would have been "impossible" for the club to sign Robin van Persie.

Juve had made a determined effort to prise Van Persie away from Arsenal but lost out to Manchester United. Another Gunners striker, Nicklas Bendtner, eventually arrived on loan on deadline day..

Speaking to Sky Italia, Marotta defended Juve's transfer business, saying it would not have been feasible for any club in Serie A to sign the Dutchman due to the exorbitant cost.

"We had a few objectives on the market and we couldn't get all of them," he said. "For example, take Van Persie - at that moment in time it was impossible for any Italian club to sign him.

"To pay €30 million for a player coming towards the end of his contract, without taking into account his wages, was not possible for Juventus or any other Serie A club."

It was a frustrating window for Juve, with the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Llorente having also been linked at various points. They also failed with a late bid for Dimitar Berbatov, who decided to sign for Fulham.

Juve earlier looked to have gazumped Fiorentina for the Bulgarian, and the Violawere incensed by the Italian champions' actions. Marotta, though, insists his club did nothing wrong.

"I hope to come across president Andrea Della Valle soon so that we can clear up this Berbatov situation, but I want to underline that we didn't do anything wrong towards Fiorentina," he said. "We made an enquiry after the player had already turned down the Viola, but it all ended quickly because he told us that he preferred Fulham."

Read More

Kompany: Our Best are Yet to Com

Vincent Kompany has said Manchester City are not worried by their inability to keep a clean sheet so far this season and insists their best is still to come.

The Premier League champions have conceded seven goals in four games, including the Community Shield, and have endured defensive difficulties..

City had the division's best defensive record last season but have already conceded five more goals than Arsenal and, after only letting in 12 at home in their title-winning campaign, have seen Southampton score twice and QPR once at the Etihad Stadium.

But the Belgian believes City will secure shutouts in tougher circumstances.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "We've always proved to be solid come difficult times. "Come December, January and February we'll show it. At this time everyone tries to play the game nicely. We left ourselves exposed but at the end of the season we won't do that."

The City captain says his side can play better but believes that taking seven points from a possible nine is a fine start to the season.

"What's missing? Two points out of nine, that's all," Kompany added. "I'm leaving for the internationals now and if I had to leave one message for the team it would be, 'Well done guys, we've battled hard, we've shown how strong we are'.

"If we are able to get results playing what people say might not be our best, then what will happen when we do? The best is yet to come."

Read More

Carroll to miss England qualifiers

Andy Carroll will play no part in England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, after suffering an injury on his West Ham debut.

 confirmed the striker's withdrawal on Saturday evening, but they are yet to name a replacement for the former Newcastle man..

"West Ham United forward Andy Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad to face Moldova and Ukraine,'' said the FA in a statement.

"After picking up an injury in the match against Fulham, Carroll will not be part of the squad for England's opening FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next week. Any decision on whether to call additional players into the squad will not be made until after the three fixtures on Sunday have been completed.''

Carroll, who joined the Hammers on loan from Liverpool this week, impressed against Fulham - a game West Ham won 3-0 - before being forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

Sam Allardyce was quick to say after the match that Carroll was unlikely to recover in time to join up with England.

"It's a huge result but the only real disappointment for us is Andy might have tweaked a hamstring," the West Ham manager explained.

"It is hugely disappointing if that's the case ... but it will be unlikely he goes [away with England]. I don't think he's much chance - sadly for Roy [Hodgson] and sadly for us. It depends on the extent of the damage. He is desperate to play football. We had Carlton Cole warmed up and ready to go and Andy was going to be substituted anyway in the next couple of minutes."

Read More