FOOTBALL NEWS
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ronaldo kayoed
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo injured his ankle in his team’s opening Spanish League match and will be out for three weeks.
Madrid said Monday on their website that the Portugal international was hurt in the 0-0 draw with Mallorca a day earlier.
The 25-year-old Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s 2012 European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway. He will also be out for Madrid’s next league match against Osasuna and their opening Champions League game against Ajax.
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Madrid said Monday on their website that the Portugal international was hurt in the 0-0 draw with Mallorca a day earlier.
The 25-year-old Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s 2012 European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway. He will also be out for Madrid’s next league match against Osasuna and their opening Champions League game against Ajax.
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Van Persie out after hurting left ankle
:Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for several weeks after hurting his left ankle in Saturday’s Premier League match against at Blackburn.
The Dutch FA said that the forward would miss their European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland because “he is likely to be out of action for at least a few weeks”.
Van Persie missed five months last season after injuring ankle ligaments in November while on international duty.
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The Dutch FA said that the forward would miss their European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland because “he is likely to be out of action for at least a few weeks”.
Van Persie missed five months last season after injuring ankle ligaments in November while on international duty.
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Portugal’s Ferreira quits national team
Chelsea’s Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira yesterday announced his international retirement, in a letter sent to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“It’s with sadness that I report the end of Paulo Ferreira’s time with the national team,” said FPF president Gilberto Madail, in a statement published on the federation website.
The 31-year-old former Porto player has been at Chelsea since 2004 and said in his letter that his decision had been “taken after deep reflection” and was motivated by “personal reasons”.
Ferreira, who typically plays at right-back but can also operate at left-back, won his first international cap against England in September 2002 and has made 62 appearances for Portugal.
His international retirement follows that of 30-year-old Atletico Madrid winger Simao, who last week called time on his career with the Portuguese national side.
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“It’s with sadness that I report the end of Paulo Ferreira’s time with the national team,” said FPF president Gilberto Madail, in a statement published on the federation website.
The 31-year-old former Porto player has been at Chelsea since 2004 and said in his letter that his decision had been “taken after deep reflection” and was motivated by “personal reasons”.
Ferreira, who typically plays at right-back but can also operate at left-back, won his first international cap against England in September 2002 and has made 62 appearances for Portugal.
His international retirement follows that of 30-year-old Atletico Madrid winger Simao, who last week called time on his career with the Portuguese national side.
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Van Nistelrooy replaces Van Persie in Dutch team
Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was recalled to Holland’s squad on Monday for the first time in two years, the Dutch FA said.
Coach Bert van Marwijk called up the 34-year-old SV Hamburg striker to replace Robin van Persie, who sustained an ankle injury in Arsenal’s match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Van Nistelrooy won 64 caps and scored 33 goals before quitting internationals after the Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Russia but he went back on his decision last season.
He was left out of the squad for this year’s World Cup in South Africa where the Dutch reached the final.
Van Nistelrooy has scored three goals in the first two league matches of the season for Hamburg.
“Ruud looked fresh and sharp and that has all to do that he played the end of the season then had holiday and completed the whole pre-season build-up,” Van Marwijk told a news conference.
“But this was one match and we also have to consider his age as he will be 36 over two years, but when he plays like this we can’t ignore him.”
Holland will start their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on Friday in San Marino and host Finland next week.
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Coach Bert van Marwijk called up the 34-year-old SV Hamburg striker to replace Robin van Persie, who sustained an ankle injury in Arsenal’s match against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Van Nistelrooy won 64 caps and scored 33 goals before quitting internationals after the Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Russia but he went back on his decision last season.
He was left out of the squad for this year’s World Cup in South Africa where the Dutch reached the final.
Van Nistelrooy has scored three goals in the first two league matches of the season for Hamburg.
“Ruud looked fresh and sharp and that has all to do that he played the end of the season then had holiday and completed the whole pre-season build-up,” Van Marwijk told a news conference.
“But this was one match and we also have to consider his age as he will be 36 over two years, but when he plays like this we can’t ignore him.”
Holland will start their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on Friday in San Marino and host Finland next week.
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Mascherano leaves Liverpool
Javier Mascherano has completed his switch from Liverpool to Barcelona after passing a medical.
The Reds reluctantly accepted a bid from the Catalan giants for Mascherano last week following months of speculation over his future and the midfielder has now signed a four-year contract with the Spanish champions.
The 26-year-old's desire to depart Anfield became increasingly apparent over the summer, and his wish was granted when his potential switch to the Nou Camp was confirmed.
A statement on Liverpool's official website read: "Liverpool have confirmed they have completed the sale of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.
"The Argentine midfielder passed a medical at the Nou Camp earlier today and has now put pen to paper on his new contract.
"Mascherano made 139 appearances and scored two goals for Liverpool during his three years at the club."
Mascherano, who arrived on Merseyside from West Ham United three years ago, underwent separate tests at the Hospital de Barcelona and at the Nou Camp on Monday, earning the thumbs up from the club's medical team on the eve of the transfer deadline.
"It was an exhaustive medical that lasted around five hours. He is in excellent condition and is physically great," club doctor Ricard Pruna said.
"His cardiovascular level is perfect and he is a player who has had very few injuries. In the last five years he has suffered one injury that has left him with problems."
Mascherano, who has a buy-out clause of 90million euros, will wear the number 14 shirt at Barca, which was previously the number worn by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry prior to the Frenchman's departure this summer.
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The Reds reluctantly accepted a bid from the Catalan giants for Mascherano last week following months of speculation over his future and the midfielder has now signed a four-year contract with the Spanish champions.
The 26-year-old's desire to depart Anfield became increasingly apparent over the summer, and his wish was granted when his potential switch to the Nou Camp was confirmed.
A statement on Liverpool's official website read: "Liverpool have confirmed they have completed the sale of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.
"The Argentine midfielder passed a medical at the Nou Camp earlier today and has now put pen to paper on his new contract.
"Mascherano made 139 appearances and scored two goals for Liverpool during his three years at the club."
Mascherano, who arrived on Merseyside from West Ham United three years ago, underwent separate tests at the Hospital de Barcelona and at the Nou Camp on Monday, earning the thumbs up from the club's medical team on the eve of the transfer deadline.
"It was an exhaustive medical that lasted around five hours. He is in excellent condition and is physically great," club doctor Ricard Pruna said.
"His cardiovascular level is perfect and he is a player who has had very few injuries. In the last five years he has suffered one injury that has left him with problems."
Mascherano, who has a buy-out clause of 90million euros, will wear the number 14 shirt at Barca, which was previously the number worn by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry prior to the Frenchman's departure this summer.
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City to dump unhappy duo
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted after his side's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland that unhappy forwards Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz could be on the move before the transfer window closes today.
Mancini hopes to hang on to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given who is wanted by Fulham manager Mark Hughes.
But Brazil's Robinho, loaned to Santos in his native country last season, is seeking an escape route and has been linked with Barcelona and clubs in Turkey, while Santa Cruz is another Fulham target.
Mancini confirmed: "I would prefer Shay to stay, but I spoke with Roque and he has two or three situations, and Robinho is the same.
"We have offers for Roque and Robinho, but I don't know whether they will remain with me."
City suffered their first loss of the season, and conceded a goal for the first time, when Darren Bent slotted a stoppage-time penalty underneath England goalkeeper Joe Hart after Micah Richards had fouled the Sunderland striker.
But much of the after-match comment centred on who will be coming and going at the two clubs before the deadline.
Mancini, who has spent around STG130 million (RM635 million) of Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour's vast wealth in the current window, hinted it was unlikely he would add to his squad before the deadline.
But Sunderland manager Steve Bruce wants a striker after selling Kenwyne Jones to Stoke and seeing Fraizer Campbell sustain suspected damaged knee ligaments against City.
Bruce wants Rennes' Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan, but suggested that hopes of reviving his interest in Wigan's French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia could fail because the asking price "might be too rich".
"It looks as if Fraizer has damaged knee ligaments. With that, it's imperative we try to bring a body in because we're short there," Bruce said.
It is over a year since Sunderland last won a league match without Bent scoring and he kept up that trend, much to Mancini's frustration.
Mancini said: "Football is very strange. We played some fantastic football in the first-half and we had three or four great chances, but if you don't score you can lose games like this."
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Mancini hopes to hang on to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given who is wanted by Fulham manager Mark Hughes.
But Brazil's Robinho, loaned to Santos in his native country last season, is seeking an escape route and has been linked with Barcelona and clubs in Turkey, while Santa Cruz is another Fulham target.
Mancini confirmed: "I would prefer Shay to stay, but I spoke with Roque and he has two or three situations, and Robinho is the same.
"We have offers for Roque and Robinho, but I don't know whether they will remain with me."
City suffered their first loss of the season, and conceded a goal for the first time, when Darren Bent slotted a stoppage-time penalty underneath England goalkeeper Joe Hart after Micah Richards had fouled the Sunderland striker.
But much of the after-match comment centred on who will be coming and going at the two clubs before the deadline.
Mancini, who has spent around STG130 million (RM635 million) of Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour's vast wealth in the current window, hinted it was unlikely he would add to his squad before the deadline.
But Sunderland manager Steve Bruce wants a striker after selling Kenwyne Jones to Stoke and seeing Fraizer Campbell sustain suspected damaged knee ligaments against City.
Bruce wants Rennes' Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan, but suggested that hopes of reviving his interest in Wigan's French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia could fail because the asking price "might be too rich".
"It looks as if Fraizer has damaged knee ligaments. With that, it's imperative we try to bring a body in because we're short there," Bruce said.
It is over a year since Sunderland last won a league match without Bent scoring and he kept up that trend, much to Mancini's frustration.
Mancini said: "Football is very strange. We played some fantastic football in the first-half and we had three or four great chances, but if you don't score you can lose games like this."
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Arsenal's Wilshere arrested after high-street row
Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere was arrested in the early hours of Sunday following a high-street row, according to a spokesman for the player.
Wilshere was released on bail following the incident in Kensington High Street in London.
fficers and paramedics called to the scene found a man with minor facial injuries and a woman with a broken arm. Both were taken to a west London hospital for treatment.
Police later stopped a vehicle and arrested four men, two aged 18 and two aged 21, on suspicion of assault.
They were taken to a west London police station and bailed to return in mid-October pending further inquiries, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.
A statement, issued by the Wasserman Media Group on behalf of the 18-year-old, insisted Wilshere was only acting as a peacemaker in the incident.
The statement read: "Jack Wilshere was arrested by police in the early hours following a fracas but was released on bail later.
"The police have made it very clear that he is an important witness to the incident and played the role of peacemaker and is unlikely to face any charges as a result. Jack has made it very clear he will co-operate fully with the police investigation."
He is regarded as one of the promising English players of his generation and made his England debut as a substitute in a friendly against Hungary in August.
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Wilshere was released on bail following the incident in Kensington High Street in London.
fficers and paramedics called to the scene found a man with minor facial injuries and a woman with a broken arm. Both were taken to a west London hospital for treatment.
Police later stopped a vehicle and arrested four men, two aged 18 and two aged 21, on suspicion of assault.
They were taken to a west London police station and bailed to return in mid-October pending further inquiries, a Metropolitan police spokesman said.
A statement, issued by the Wasserman Media Group on behalf of the 18-year-old, insisted Wilshere was only acting as a peacemaker in the incident.
The statement read: "Jack Wilshere was arrested by police in the early hours following a fracas but was released on bail later.
"The police have made it very clear that he is an important witness to the incident and played the role of peacemaker and is unlikely to face any charges as a result. Jack has made it very clear he will co-operate fully with the police investigation."
He is regarded as one of the promising English players of his generation and made his England debut as a substitute in a friendly against Hungary in August.
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Hodgson wants to save Torres
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will request Fernando Torres is left out of Spain's squad for the internationals against Liechtenstein and Argentina.
Torres made his second start of the season and scored the only goal as Liverpool won their first Premier League match of the campaign, 1-0 against West Brom on Sunday.
The former Atletico Madrid striker has been dogged by injury problems over the last two years and has struggled particularly with a knee problem that hampered him throughout the recent World Cup.
Although Torres played almost a full game against West Brom, Hodgson will ask Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque to leave the star with his club for the next fortnight.
He feels that Torres would benefit from a more intensive training regime, rather than preparing for and playing in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein and a friendly against Argentina.
Hodgson said: "He is playing catch-up. He started his pre-season late and has had to nurse his knee through a World Cup and that goal will be great for his confidence and will help him.
"We're hoping Spain will pass up on his services and give him a chance to continue his recovery and his pre-season really. He needs more training and he needs more matches and you won't see the best of him until further along the line.
"It would be very nice if Del Bosque would look kindly on him and us."
Hodgson has signed Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles and admits he wants to add another striker before the transfer deadline but has ruled out a move for PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen.
He is also hoping to tie up a deal for Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky for STG3 million (RM15 million) once Liverpool youngster Lauri Dalla Valle has passed a medical to move the other way.
"We're very pleased about (Meireles). We've lost some quality midfielders in Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera, we've lost Alberto Aquilani on loan, Javier Mascherano," said Hodgson.
"It was good to bring in Christian Poulson and Meireles who are two quality players that will boost our squad. They were much needed because other wise we would have been short on bodies in that area."
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo confirmed he is interested in signing Austrian midfielder Paul Scharner.
Scharner left Wigan at the end of last season and will complete Di Matteo's transfer business until January.
"We're talking to Paul and we'll see if there's a possibility for us to do a deal with him," Di Matteo said. "I guess that will be the end of our business."
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Torres made his second start of the season and scored the only goal as Liverpool won their first Premier League match of the campaign, 1-0 against West Brom on Sunday.
The former Atletico Madrid striker has been dogged by injury problems over the last two years and has struggled particularly with a knee problem that hampered him throughout the recent World Cup.
Although Torres played almost a full game against West Brom, Hodgson will ask Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque to leave the star with his club for the next fortnight.
He feels that Torres would benefit from a more intensive training regime, rather than preparing for and playing in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein and a friendly against Argentina.
Hodgson said: "He is playing catch-up. He started his pre-season late and has had to nurse his knee through a World Cup and that goal will be great for his confidence and will help him.
"We're hoping Spain will pass up on his services and give him a chance to continue his recovery and his pre-season really. He needs more training and he needs more matches and you won't see the best of him until further along the line.
"It would be very nice if Del Bosque would look kindly on him and us."
Hodgson has signed Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles and admits he wants to add another striker before the transfer deadline but has ruled out a move for PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen.
He is also hoping to tie up a deal for Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky for STG3 million (RM15 million) once Liverpool youngster Lauri Dalla Valle has passed a medical to move the other way.
"We're very pleased about (Meireles). We've lost some quality midfielders in Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera, we've lost Alberto Aquilani on loan, Javier Mascherano," said Hodgson.
"It was good to bring in Christian Poulson and Meireles who are two quality players that will boost our squad. They were much needed because other wise we would have been short on bodies in that area."
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo confirmed he is interested in signing Austrian midfielder Paul Scharner.
Scharner left Wigan at the end of last season and will complete Di Matteo's transfer business until January.
"We're talking to Paul and we'll see if there's a possibility for us to do a deal with him," Di Matteo said. "I guess that will be the end of our business."
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Crouch, Defoe earn England recalls
Tottenham strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe were recalled by England on Sunday for the European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Both players missed England's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary earlier this month but were two of five strikers named by manager Fabio Capello in a 24-man squad, along with Darren Bent, Carlton Cole and Wayne Rooney.
Goalkeeper Scott Carson and centre-backs Joleon Lescott and Matthew Upson were also handed recalls by Capello. Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs retained his place as back-up to Ashley Cole.
Chelsea players John Terry and Frank Lampard were ruled out of the Group G qualifiers after sustaining injuries in club action on Saturday.
England will play Bulgaria at home on Friday and Switzerland away four days later.
The fitness of both Crouch and Defoe, who were part of England's World Cup squad, was in doubt following Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Wigan on Saturday.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he feared Crouch had broken a rib during the match while Defoe had been due to undergo groin surgery before those plans were put on hold last week.
West Ham centre-back Upson was given another chance by Capello after Terry was ruled out with a leg injury, while England captain Rio Ferdinand has yet to recover fully from the knee ligament injury he sustained immediately before the World Cup.
Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka were the other central defenders in Capello's squad.
West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Carson has fought hard to recover from his disastrous debut performance for England -- the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley in November 2007 that meant England failed to qualify for the following year's European Championship.
His last appearance for his country came as a substitute in the friendly win over Germany in Berlin two years ago.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been demoted back into the Under-21 squad after making his debut for England in the Hungary friendly.
Bobby Zamora also played against Hungary but injury has ruled out the Fulham striker, too. Lampard missed out as Chelsea said on Saturday he would be undergoing hernia surgery today or tomorrow.
There was no room for Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, with Capello preferring Shaun Wright-Phillips as a second right-winger alongside the in-form Theo Walcott.
The squad -- Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (West Brom), Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Man City).
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Spurs), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Matthew Upson (West Ham).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Man City), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Spurs), Jermain Defoe (Spurs), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).
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Both players missed England's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary earlier this month but were two of five strikers named by manager Fabio Capello in a 24-man squad, along with Darren Bent, Carlton Cole and Wayne Rooney.
Goalkeeper Scott Carson and centre-backs Joleon Lescott and Matthew Upson were also handed recalls by Capello. Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs retained his place as back-up to Ashley Cole.
Chelsea players John Terry and Frank Lampard were ruled out of the Group G qualifiers after sustaining injuries in club action on Saturday.
England will play Bulgaria at home on Friday and Switzerland away four days later.
The fitness of both Crouch and Defoe, who were part of England's World Cup squad, was in doubt following Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Wigan on Saturday.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he feared Crouch had broken a rib during the match while Defoe had been due to undergo groin surgery before those plans were put on hold last week.
West Ham centre-back Upson was given another chance by Capello after Terry was ruled out with a leg injury, while England captain Rio Ferdinand has yet to recover fully from the knee ligament injury he sustained immediately before the World Cup.
Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka were the other central defenders in Capello's squad.
West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Carson has fought hard to recover from his disastrous debut performance for England -- the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley in November 2007 that meant England failed to qualify for the following year's European Championship.
His last appearance for his country came as a substitute in the friendly win over Germany in Berlin two years ago.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been demoted back into the Under-21 squad after making his debut for England in the Hungary friendly.
Bobby Zamora also played against Hungary but injury has ruled out the Fulham striker, too. Lampard missed out as Chelsea said on Saturday he would be undergoing hernia surgery today or tomorrow.
There was no room for Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, with Capello preferring Shaun Wright-Phillips as a second right-winger alongside the in-form Theo Walcott.
The squad -- Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (West Brom), Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Man City).
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Spurs), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Matthew Upson (West Ham).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Man City), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Spurs), Jermain Defoe (Spurs), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).
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Saturday, August 28, 2010
Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham United are still looking for their first points of the season after defeat at Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney put the home side in front from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after Jonathan Spector had fouled Ryan Giggs. It ended the striker's 13-match goal drought stretching back to March.
Rooney set up Nani for the second on 49 minutes and Nani then turned provider crossing for Dimitar Berbatov to get the third on 69 minutes. The result left the Hammers bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
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Wayne Rooney put the home side in front from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after Jonathan Spector had fouled Ryan Giggs. It ended the striker's 13-match goal drought stretching back to March.
Rooney set up Nani for the second on 49 minutes and Nani then turned provider crossing for Dimitar Berbatov to get the third on 69 minutes. The result left the Hammers bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
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Villa crash, Liverpool, Man City battle through
Troubled Aston Villa suffered another damaging setback on Thursday when they crashed out of the Europa League with Scottish hopes also suffering a triple wipeout.
Villa, who saw Martin O'Neill quit as coach on the eve of the Premier League kick-off and James Milner sold to Manchester City, were beaten 3-2 by Rapid Vienna in their play-off second leg.
That gave the Austrians a 4-3 aggregate win to follow up their victory over the Midlanders in last season's tournament.
Villa twice led on Thursday and also missed a penalty as they joined the Scottish trio of Celtic, Dundee United and Motherwell in being forced to write off their European hopes for another season.
Liverpool and Manchester City were left as Britain's only representatives in Friday's draw for the group stages of Europe's second tier tournament.
Roy Hodgson's Liverpool overcame a disastrous start to score twice in the last seven minutes to defeat Trabzonspor 2-1 for a 3-1 aggregate victory while City saw off Timisoara of Romania 2-0 at home for a 3-0 triumph.
At Villa Park, Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa an early lead but Vienna hit back through Atdhe Nuhiu.
Emile Heskey then restored Villa's lead with 13 minutes remaining after Stiliyan Petrov had missed a penalty.
But Mario Sonnleitner headed Vienna level a minute later before substitute Rene Gartler put the visitors through in the 81st minute.
"We gave away three really silly goals. We got ourselves 2-1 up and we should have been able to hold the lead for more than a few minutes," said Villa caretaker coach Kevin MacDonald whose side were routed 6-0 by Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.
"It is very disappointing and we defended very poorly."
Playing without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool saw their 1-0 first leg advantage last just four minutes in Turkey when Colombian international Teofilo Gutierrez put the home side in front.
He had been set up by Gustavo Colman who had pounced when Dirk Kuyt had given the ball away.
But Hodgson's side regained the initiative in the 83rd minute when Trabzonspor's Giray Kacar diverted a Glen Johnson cross into his own net.
Kuyt then added the second on the night for Liverpool in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Onur Kivrak could only parry Joe Cole's shot into the Dutchman's path.
Shaun Wright-Phillips scored his first goal of the season to help Manchester City overcome Timisoara at Eastlands.
The England winger produced a calm finish in the 43rd minute to open the scoring for Roberto Mancini's side. Dedryck Boyata made it 2-0 in the second half with a close range header to score the first goal of his professional career.
Celtic, who had already been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers, surrendered a 2-0 first leg lead to go down 4-0 in Utrecht in Holland.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored a hat-trick for the Dutch side with Barry Maguire adding a fourth as Celtic's dismal away record in Europe continued, with just one win in 28 games on the road.
Motherwell lost 1-0 at nine-man Odense, who won the first leg 2-1, at Fir Park last week. Peter Utaka claimed the only goal in the 28th minute.
Dundee United drew 1-1 against AEK Athens but went out 2-1 on aggregate in a match where the venue had to be moved several times.
Elsewhere, Juventus made sure of their place in the next round when Alessandro Del Pierro netted a 53rd-minute winner against Sturm Graz of Austria for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
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Villa, who saw Martin O'Neill quit as coach on the eve of the Premier League kick-off and James Milner sold to Manchester City, were beaten 3-2 by Rapid Vienna in their play-off second leg.
That gave the Austrians a 4-3 aggregate win to follow up their victory over the Midlanders in last season's tournament.
Villa twice led on Thursday and also missed a penalty as they joined the Scottish trio of Celtic, Dundee United and Motherwell in being forced to write off their European hopes for another season.
Liverpool and Manchester City were left as Britain's only representatives in Friday's draw for the group stages of Europe's second tier tournament.
Roy Hodgson's Liverpool overcame a disastrous start to score twice in the last seven minutes to defeat Trabzonspor 2-1 for a 3-1 aggregate victory while City saw off Timisoara of Romania 2-0 at home for a 3-0 triumph.
At Villa Park, Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa an early lead but Vienna hit back through Atdhe Nuhiu.
Emile Heskey then restored Villa's lead with 13 minutes remaining after Stiliyan Petrov had missed a penalty.
But Mario Sonnleitner headed Vienna level a minute later before substitute Rene Gartler put the visitors through in the 81st minute.
"We gave away three really silly goals. We got ourselves 2-1 up and we should have been able to hold the lead for more than a few minutes," said Villa caretaker coach Kevin MacDonald whose side were routed 6-0 by Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.
"It is very disappointing and we defended very poorly."
Playing without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool saw their 1-0 first leg advantage last just four minutes in Turkey when Colombian international Teofilo Gutierrez put the home side in front.
He had been set up by Gustavo Colman who had pounced when Dirk Kuyt had given the ball away.
But Hodgson's side regained the initiative in the 83rd minute when Trabzonspor's Giray Kacar diverted a Glen Johnson cross into his own net.
Kuyt then added the second on the night for Liverpool in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Onur Kivrak could only parry Joe Cole's shot into the Dutchman's path.
Shaun Wright-Phillips scored his first goal of the season to help Manchester City overcome Timisoara at Eastlands.
The England winger produced a calm finish in the 43rd minute to open the scoring for Roberto Mancini's side. Dedryck Boyata made it 2-0 in the second half with a close range header to score the first goal of his professional career.
Celtic, who had already been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers, surrendered a 2-0 first leg lead to go down 4-0 in Utrecht in Holland.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored a hat-trick for the Dutch side with Barry Maguire adding a fourth as Celtic's dismal away record in Europe continued, with just one win in 28 games on the road.
Motherwell lost 1-0 at nine-man Odense, who won the first leg 2-1, at Fir Park last week. Peter Utaka claimed the only goal in the 28th minute.
Dundee United drew 1-1 against AEK Athens but went out 2-1 on aggregate in a match where the venue had to be moved several times.
Elsewhere, Juventus made sure of their place in the next round when Alessandro Del Pierro netted a 53rd-minute winner against Sturm Graz of Austria for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
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Wenger all set for physical test
Arsene Wenger fears Blackburn will try to rough up Arsenal in Saturday's clash at Ewood Park unless referee Chris Foy stops their aggressive tactics.
Wenger, whose new acquisition Sebastien Squillaci will not be included in the squad following his move from Sevilla on Thursday, makes no secret of his dislike for the Premier League's more physical teams.
Rovers, who are managed by Sam Allardyce, are one of those in Wenger's opinion and when the Gunners were beaten there last season referee Martin Atkinson was berated for failing to provide the visitors with protection, especially when it came to challenges on the goalkeeper.
Wenger is keen to avoid a repeat this time and he hopes Foy will take action if Rovers over-step the mark.
"I believe everybody looks at his squad and tries to find a way where the game is most efficient and we developed one way," Wenger said.
"It is not the only way, I respect every other way -- as long as the referees get the rules respected."
Wenger used Stoke City -- another of his least favourite opponents -- as an example of how not to play the game following the Potters defeat last week to Tottenham.
"I saw some pictures last Sunday; you cannot say any more it is football, it is rugby on the goalkeepers," he said. "The referees cannot go on and accept that because that has nothing to do with the game.
"You cannot have players whose main role is to stop the goalkeepers from catching the ball and not even go for the ball."
Blackburn are sure to provide Arsenal with a sterner test than neighbours Blackpool managed in London last weekend, with the Premier League newcomers suffering a 6-0 defeat.
Andrey Arshavin, the Russia forward, believes it is vital Arsenal win ahead of next week's international break.
"We should win in order to leave for the break without any worries. This will give confidence to the team, " he said. "In addition, we haven't
forgotten about the defeat against Blackburn at the end of the last season."
French defender Squillaci, 30, has been signed to bolster a back-line that has seen William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos all depart during the close-season.
The centre-back will have to wait until next month for a chance of a debut but Wenger is confident he would make an impression.
"He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well," he said. "I believe he will be suited to the English game."
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Wenger, whose new acquisition Sebastien Squillaci will not be included in the squad following his move from Sevilla on Thursday, makes no secret of his dislike for the Premier League's more physical teams.
Rovers, who are managed by Sam Allardyce, are one of those in Wenger's opinion and when the Gunners were beaten there last season referee Martin Atkinson was berated for failing to provide the visitors with protection, especially when it came to challenges on the goalkeeper.
Wenger is keen to avoid a repeat this time and he hopes Foy will take action if Rovers over-step the mark.
"I believe everybody looks at his squad and tries to find a way where the game is most efficient and we developed one way," Wenger said.
"It is not the only way, I respect every other way -- as long as the referees get the rules respected."
Wenger used Stoke City -- another of his least favourite opponents -- as an example of how not to play the game following the Potters defeat last week to Tottenham.
"I saw some pictures last Sunday; you cannot say any more it is football, it is rugby on the goalkeepers," he said. "The referees cannot go on and accept that because that has nothing to do with the game.
"You cannot have players whose main role is to stop the goalkeepers from catching the ball and not even go for the ball."
Blackburn are sure to provide Arsenal with a sterner test than neighbours Blackpool managed in London last weekend, with the Premier League newcomers suffering a 6-0 defeat.
Andrey Arshavin, the Russia forward, believes it is vital Arsenal win ahead of next week's international break.
"We should win in order to leave for the break without any worries. This will give confidence to the team, " he said. "In addition, we haven't
forgotten about the defeat against Blackburn at the end of the last season."
French defender Squillaci, 30, has been signed to bolster a back-line that has seen William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos all depart during the close-season.
The centre-back will have to wait until next month for a chance of a debut but Wenger is confident he would make an impression.
"He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well," he said. "I believe he will be suited to the English game."
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Chelsea happy to win ugly
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel insists the free-scoring Premier League champions will be happy to win ugly against Stoke today.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have made an astonishing start to their title defence after following their 6-0 rout of West Brom on the opening day with another 6-0 victory at Wigan last weekend.
The Blues, who scored a Premier League record 103 goals last season, have picked up where they left off in May, when an 8-0 win against Wigan clinched the title.
Stoke's defenders, who conceded seven goals at Stamford Bridge last season, could be forgiven for experiencing a few sleepless nights at the prospect of facing Chelsea in this mood.
But Nigeria international Mikel knows there is little chance the league leaders will continue to beat teams with such ease.
As a defensive midfielder, Mikel takes as much satisfaction from a hard-fought 1-0 win as his team's forwards do from a high-scoring victory.
"We all have a good understanding at the moment. I think it's pretty much working out as we want it to all the time," Mikel told Chelsea's website.
"We know we're not going to score six every game, if you manage one and get three points it's all we need, but at the moment it is enjoyable to be a part of it and playing, and I hope it keeps going like this."
While Chelsea are clearly in the groove, Manchester United gave a less convincing display in their 2-2 draw at Fulham last weekend.
It is still early days in the title race, but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was unimpressed with the way his team twice squandered the lead at Craven Cottage to fall two points behind the Blues.
Ferguson will expect a far more dominant performance against West Ham, who have lost their first two league matches, at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Tottenham, fresh from qualifying for the Champions League proper for the first time in nearly 50 years, travel to bottom of the table Wigan with boss Harry Redknapp looking forward to a few days off during next week's international break.
Redknapp led his side to victory over Young Boys in the Champions League play-off round in midweek, but he has no plans to strengthen his squad before the window shuts on Tuesday. Instead he will go on holiday with his wife Sandra.
How Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson must wish he could say the same.
Hodgson's team host West Brom tomorrow looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City which raised serious questions about morale at Anfield.
The Reds looked woeful for long periods and Hodgson also has to deal with the potential departures of Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt, who have both made it clear they are interested in offers from Barcelona and Inter Milan respectively.'
Hodgson is willing to let Mascherano leave if the price is right, but he could force the Argentina midfielder to feature against Albion if his future hasn't been resolved.
"Going into tomorrow's game, I think I am entitled to have the player available for selection if he is going to continue to be a Liverpool player," Hodgson warned.
City will aim to build on that Liverpool win when Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled squad travel to Sunderland, while new Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci, signed from Sevilla on Thursday, won't feature when the Gunners take on Blackburn at Ewood Park.
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Qatar stage for boys to impress
THE Qatar tour next week is one of only two opportunities left for national players to impress coach K. Rajagobal for inclusion into Malaysia's Asian Games squad.
With 16 players from the 2009 Sea Games gold medal team in the frame, competition for places in the under-23 squad to Guangzhou in November is fierce.
Ten players from the Young Tigers squad are also in training and the likes of big striker Izzat Faris Ramlan and young midfielder Gary Steven Robbat are threatening to steal the places of more established players.
Time is not on Rajagobal's side though as immediately after returning from Qatar the players return to their Malaysia Cup sides before assembling again at the end of September for an invitational tournament in Vietnam.
Following the Malaysia Cup final on Oct 30, the team leave for Guangzhou just six days later which puts greater emphasis on Qatar tour.
"This trip and the Vietnam tournament will be a good stage to assess the players but they will also continue to be monitored during the Malaysia Cup.
"But if they don't perform well for their states in the Malaysia Cup, then they will not be called up. What's the point of calling them up when we don't have the time to prepare?
"You must remember we leave for the Asian Games on Nov 5 and the Malaysia Cup final is on Oct 30," said Rajagobal after Thursday's night training session at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya.
Rajagobal was due to name his 22-man squad for Qatar after last night's training session for the friendly matches against a Qatari club on Monday and Oman's national team next Friday. They leave for Doha tonight.
In their final local friendly match, the national team beat KL Plus 3-1 on Tuesday.
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With 16 players from the 2009 Sea Games gold medal team in the frame, competition for places in the under-23 squad to Guangzhou in November is fierce.
Ten players from the Young Tigers squad are also in training and the likes of big striker Izzat Faris Ramlan and young midfielder Gary Steven Robbat are threatening to steal the places of more established players.
Time is not on Rajagobal's side though as immediately after returning from Qatar the players return to their Malaysia Cup sides before assembling again at the end of September for an invitational tournament in Vietnam.
Following the Malaysia Cup final on Oct 30, the team leave for Guangzhou just six days later which puts greater emphasis on Qatar tour.
"This trip and the Vietnam tournament will be a good stage to assess the players but they will also continue to be monitored during the Malaysia Cup.
"But if they don't perform well for their states in the Malaysia Cup, then they will not be called up. What's the point of calling them up when we don't have the time to prepare?
"You must remember we leave for the Asian Games on Nov 5 and the Malaysia Cup final is on Oct 30," said Rajagobal after Thursday's night training session at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya.
Rajagobal was due to name his 22-man squad for Qatar after last night's training session for the friendly matches against a Qatari club on Monday and Oman's national team next Friday. They leave for Doha tonight.
In their final local friendly match, the national team beat KL Plus 3-1 on Tuesday.
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
Chelsea to spend more time with local fans
CHELSEA will do more than just play an exhibition match when they visit Malaysia for the third time in eight years next July.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said their stars including Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry will also conduct coaching clinics for aspiring youngsters besides laying the seeds of a football community programme to benefit underprivileged children.
Gourlay stressed Chelsea is serious about contributing to the development of Malaysian football and spoke of introducing here the club's Help a London Child's Sport in the City campaign, which provides free sport to disadvantaged children.
"We want to do things a bit differently this time. We just do not want our tour to be about playing games. We want to leave a legacy behind so it is very important to help develop grassroots programmes wherever we play.
"It is very much about coaching and getting to the kids. In London, we have a programme where we reach out to underprivileged youngsters in the city.
"That is our strategy going forward," said Gourlay, who added that the early announcement of their pre-season plans is meant to show their seriousness to contribute to Asian football development.
FA of Malaysia deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah hopes Chelsea's visit will lead to a long-term collaboration between FAM and the club.
"We have collaborated before when we sent Bunyamin Umar and Baddrol Bakhtiar for training at Chelsea and we would like to reactivate that collaboration.
"It would be good if we could send our young players to train there and Chelsea's star players come here to conduct clinics for the benefit of the young.
"We are proud to host them and hope to have more teams come here and make Malaysia a pre-season hub," said Tengku Abdullah.
Chelsea's planned trip follows their earlier visits in 2003, when they beat Malaysia 4-1 en route to winning the FA Premier League Asia Cup, and in 2008, when they won 2-0 against the national team in a pre-season friendly.
The exact itinerary will be announced later. Tentatively, Chelsea will head for Bangkok and another unnamed Asian destination following the match against Malaysia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
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Premier League clubs were heavily criticised in the past for their money-making trips to the Far East without giving anything in return but last season's English Premier League and FA Cup champions promised it would be different this time.
For one, the Blues will not jet in and out as they did on the last visit in 2008 but instead will set up camp for a week in Kuala Lumpur as preparation for the 2011/12 season.
For one, the Blues will not jet in and out as they did on the last visit in 2008 but instead will set up camp for a week in Kuala Lumpur as preparation for the 2011/12 season.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said their stars including Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry will also conduct coaching clinics for aspiring youngsters besides laying the seeds of a football community programme to benefit underprivileged children.
"We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Malaysia. The facilities here are first class and it is important that in our preparation we have good facilities, good opponents and a feeling of family around us.
"It will be the first team which come here. We intend to have a week's training camp here and with special projects for our young fan base," said Gourlay at a press conference to announce the visit in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya yesterday.
"It will be the first team which come here. We intend to have a week's training camp here and with special projects for our young fan base," said Gourlay at a press conference to announce the visit in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya yesterday.
Gourlay stressed Chelsea is serious about contributing to the development of Malaysian football and spoke of introducing here the club's Help a London Child's Sport in the City campaign, which provides free sport to disadvantaged children.
"We want to do things a bit differently this time. We just do not want our tour to be about playing games. We want to leave a legacy behind so it is very important to help develop grassroots programmes wherever we play.
"It is very much about coaching and getting to the kids. In London, we have a programme where we reach out to underprivileged youngsters in the city.
"That is our strategy going forward," said Gourlay, who added that the early announcement of their pre-season plans is meant to show their seriousness to contribute to Asian football development.
FA of Malaysia deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah hopes Chelsea's visit will lead to a long-term collaboration between FAM and the club.
"We have collaborated before when we sent Bunyamin Umar and Baddrol Bakhtiar for training at Chelsea and we would like to reactivate that collaboration.
"It would be good if we could send our young players to train there and Chelsea's star players come here to conduct clinics for the benefit of the young.
"We are proud to host them and hope to have more teams come here and make Malaysia a pre-season hub," said Tengku Abdullah.
Chelsea's planned trip follows their earlier visits in 2003, when they beat Malaysia 4-1 en route to winning the FA Premier League Asia Cup, and in 2008, when they won 2-0 against the national team in a pre-season friendly.
The exact itinerary will be announced later. Tentatively, Chelsea will head for Bangkok and another unnamed Asian destination following the match against Malaysia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
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Crouch all set for big guns
Tottenham striker Peter Crouch set his sights on taking on some of Europe's biggest clubs at White Hart Lane after firing his side into the group stages of the Champions League.
Crouch said: "That's why we worked so hard last season. We want massive games. We want Real Madrid and Inter Milan. You don't know how good you are until you play against the best."
"This means the world to us. It's all about Champions League football. We know we can play on this stage."
Tottenham have forged a reputation of falling when close to success but Redknapp hopes this victory will be a turning point for the club.
He was only appointed two years ago but since steering Spurs away from relegation trouble he has turned them into a top-four team in the Premier League.
"Hopefully the club will keep moving onwards and upwards," he said. "I always hoped I would do this and thought it was possible.
"Tottenham underachieved for a long time and I thought the potential was there.
"Eight or nine of the players against Young Boys were here when I came, it's not like I went out and bought a new team. It was about confidence and changing their attitude in some cases.
"They've responded and finished fourth last season. It was important not to waste the opportunity but we nearly did in the first part of the first leg."
After learning his trade at Bournemouth then moving to West Ham, Redknapp is now considered a role model for other English managers.
"There is a lot of English talent despite what people think," he said.
"We're not all idiots. People think I don't understand football because I don't have a posh accent.
"I've worked hard to be where I am and there are others who aren't as lucky who will hopefully get the chance." Redknapp does have immediate problems to solve, including whether to send Defoe to get surgery on a groin problem that has affected the striker for six months.
He has been scheduled for an operation next Monday but Redknapp said: "He's saying now he might not need it.
"He went to a specialist who said he needed it. But I don't want it to drag out, we have two weeks off after the weekend and he could only be out for three weeks."
Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes picked up a groin injury in the first half and needs assessment before it is decided how long he will be out.
Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa will be brought in on loan as cover for Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.
"He (Gomes) has had a few injuries like this," he said. "We'll have to wait and see. We have Carlo who came on and he's a top goalkeeper.
"He knows everything about the job but I'm looking to sign the Croatia goalkeeper on loan. He played a reserve game and came through fine.
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The 29-year-old scored a hat-trick against Young Boys on Wednesday as Spurs won 4-0 in the play-off second leg to wipe out their first leg deficit and cruise to a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Harry Redknapp's team go into Thursday's draw as one of the lower seeds, meaning they are guaranteed to face at least one of Europe's heavyweights in the next phase of the competition.
Harry Redknapp's team go into Thursday's draw as one of the lower seeds, meaning they are guaranteed to face at least one of Europe's heavyweights in the next phase of the competition.
Crouch said: "That's why we worked so hard last season. We want massive games. We want Real Madrid and Inter Milan. You don't know how good you are until you play against the best."
Crouch's goals consisted of two headers and a late penalty that led to Senad Lulic getting sent off, with Jermain Defoe scoring the other.
"All the hard work we put in last season has paid off now," Defoe said.
"All the hard work we put in last season has paid off now," Defoe said.
"This means the world to us. It's all about Champions League football. We know we can play on this stage."
Tottenham have forged a reputation of falling when close to success but Redknapp hopes this victory will be a turning point for the club.
He was only appointed two years ago but since steering Spurs away from relegation trouble he has turned them into a top-four team in the Premier League.
"Hopefully the club will keep moving onwards and upwards," he said. "I always hoped I would do this and thought it was possible.
"Tottenham underachieved for a long time and I thought the potential was there.
"Eight or nine of the players against Young Boys were here when I came, it's not like I went out and bought a new team. It was about confidence and changing their attitude in some cases.
"They've responded and finished fourth last season. It was important not to waste the opportunity but we nearly did in the first part of the first leg."
After learning his trade at Bournemouth then moving to West Ham, Redknapp is now considered a role model for other English managers.
"There is a lot of English talent despite what people think," he said.
"We're not all idiots. People think I don't understand football because I don't have a posh accent.
"I've worked hard to be where I am and there are others who aren't as lucky who will hopefully get the chance." Redknapp does have immediate problems to solve, including whether to send Defoe to get surgery on a groin problem that has affected the striker for six months.
He has been scheduled for an operation next Monday but Redknapp said: "He's saying now he might not need it.
"He went to a specialist who said he needed it. But I don't want it to drag out, we have two weeks off after the weekend and he could only be out for three weeks."
Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes picked up a groin injury in the first half and needs assessment before it is decided how long he will be out.
Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa will be brought in on loan as cover for Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.
"He (Gomes) has had a few injuries like this," he said. "We'll have to wait and see. We have Carlo who came on and he's a top goalkeeper.
"He knows everything about the job but I'm looking to sign the Croatia goalkeeper on loan. He played a reserve game and came through fine.
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Allardyce lauds Diouf
The 22-year-old scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 Carling Cup second-round victory over Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Brought in from Manchester United earlier this month, Diouf rewarded his boss for handing him his first start after two Barclays Premier League appearances with an impressive performance.iouf, a Senegal international, headed the opener in the 29th minute, stabbed home his second 11 minutes from time and nodded in a third late on but could easily have had a couple more, having hit the bar from close range."We made hard work of it to be honest," admitted Allardyce.
"I thought we had already had many chances to get the second goal before we finally got it and it was a really good performance and a comfortable victory.
"Diouf scored three very good goals but could have scored more than that - the easiest one he missed when he headed it on to the bar.
"A hat-trick for one of our players is always very encouraging and hopefully he can carry on scoring in the Premier League.
"But he took up lovely positions; for the first goal he drifts off to the far post, gets himself unmarked and waits for the flick-on and then runs in and taps it in.
"His third one he pulls away unmarked at the far post, Morten (Gamst Pedersen) floats in a lovely ball and he couldn't really miss that one.
"He does look a natural goalscorer in that he drifts into the right positions and that is not coachable. If we put balls in those sort of areas he will get on the end of them and that is not what we have got really."
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Defoe to go under the knife
Defoe will have groin surgery on Tuesday and is set to be out for between two and four weeks, missing England's European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland and possibly Spurs' Barclays Premier League matches against West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.he 27-year-old has been dogged by the problem since the World Cup and his playing time has become gradually more restricted since.
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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had hoped to schedule the striker's operation for last Thursday but the German surgeon the club want to perform the procedure was unavailable until next week.The delay has allowed Defoe to play a part in what he has described as "one of the biggest games of my career" - Wednesday night's Champions League play-off round second leg against Young Boys.
"Everyone's looking forward to it," the striker said. "We worked so hard to get here and we want to make the most of it and win the game, and get through to the group stage."
Should Spurs overturn a shock 3-2 first-leg deficit, their first group match will be on 14th or 15th September, around the time Defoe is expected to be back from his operation.
"Everyone wants to play in the Champions League," he added. "On Tuesday nights, you don't want to be at home watching Eastenders.
"You want to be at the Lane at playing against the great players in the world and at the fantastic stadiums.
"For a lot of the boys, it's the first time playing in the Champions League and it's great, especially when you put the hard work in and you feel like you deserve to be there on that stage."
Defoe is the third Tottenham player to require surgery this week, after the club confirmed Jamie O'Hara and Jonathan Woodgate also need to go under the knife.
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Spurs treading on thin ice
Their proud domestic tradition notwithstanding, Tottenham Hotspur need no reminding that the club merit barely a footnote to date in the history of European football's premier club competition as they target the Champions League group stage.
Spurs, who expect to overturn a 3-2 deficit against Young Boys of Switzerland today (early tomorrow morning in Malaysia) in their qualifier return leg at White Hart Lane, were the first English side to taste European glory with a 1963 Cup Winners Cup triumph.
They followed up with a win in the inaugural UEFA Cup in 1972, which they won again 12 years later.
They followed up with a win in the inaugural UEFA Cup in 1972, which they won again 12 years later.
But until they broke into the "top four" of the English Premier League last May at the expense of Liverpool, Spurs had failed to qualify for the Champions League while their only foray into the old format European Cup ended in a narrow 1962 semi-final loss to Benfica after having three goals ruled out.
Four years ago, Spurs should have made it into the competition but a mass bout of gastroenteritis contributed to a loss at West Ham which denied the club a berth.
A week ago, the Londoners appeared to have thrown away a place in the lucrative group phase as they saw unheralded Young Boys race into a 3-0 lead in the opening leg.
A week ago, the Londoners appeared to have thrown away a place in the lucrative group phase as they saw unheralded Young Boys race into a 3-0 lead in the opening leg.
But goals from Sebastien Bassong and Roman Pavlyuchenko brought Spurs back into the contest and they should now be expected to go on and put their names in the hat for the group draw.
"Hopefully, we can get a few early goals like they did," said Spurs' Michael Dawson, looking back at a whirlwind start to the first game which almost saw the Premier League side heading for a premature and humiliating exit.
Manager Harry Redknapp says he expects his side to progress despite the likely absence of Pavlyuchenko with an ankle problem and playmaker Luka Modric with groin trouble.
While Spurs seek to make it through to the money-spinning group action, there are two "local" derbies today as Norway's Rosenborg travel to Denmark's FC Copenhagen protecting a 2-1 lead while Slovakian outfit Zilina should progress having already won 2-0 at Czech neighbours Sparta Prague.
The two remaining encounters are tightly poised with French side Auxerre -- a surprise third in Ligue 1 last season -- looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Russia's 2008 UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg, while Ajax start slight favourites armed with a 1-1 draw from the away leg at Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev.
Zenit sit atop the Russian league and had a weekend off after their match with second-placed CSKA Moscow was rescheduled.
"We are going to France without any fears," Zenit manager Luciano Spalletti insists.
"We missed several chances in the first match but managed to win it and keep a clean sheet. Such a result after the first leg is quite acceptable.
"Auxerre are a very good team but I believe we are capable of earning a place in the main draw."
The five winners will join the five qualifiers from yesterday's encounters, those ten teams going through to join 22 heavyweights who automatically made it to the group stage.
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EPL 2010-11 season: United could regret Fulham frustration
Sir Alex Ferguson conceded Manchester United could live to regret their frustrating 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
But Ferguson believes Nani's penalty, which was saved by Fulham keeper David Stockdale, proved to be the turning point and expressed his surprise the Portugal winger had taken the kick when Ryan Giggs was on the pitch.
"We can't escape that. There was an opportunity to go 3-1 ahead with three minutes left and we didn't take it."
"When we got that second goal I thought we've escaped here. To miss a penalty kick to make it 3-1, you're throwing two points away there I'm afraid.
"I thought Ryan should have taken it. In the last game we played against Tottenham at home Ryan scored two penalty kicks and Nani was on the pitch the same day."
Wayne Rooney missed the game because of illness but Ferguson expects the England striker to return next week when West Ham visit Old Trafford.
"Wayne has a virus," he said. "The problem is he turned up on Saturday with it and he had no chance in 24 hours.
"If it had been a Thursday or Friday we may have been able to patch him up."
In Rooney's absence, Javier Hernandez was partnered with Dimitar Berbatov and the United manager believes the Mexican will make a bigger impact when his teammates familiarise themselves with his style of play.
Ferguson said: "Javier was bright and had two great strikes in the first half. He threatened with his pace and we have used his pace a bit better.
"There were moments when we could have threaded a pass through but took the option of passing out wide. We'll have to use that part of him more."
Stockdale's penalty save capped an excellent all round performance from the reserve keeper who was once again included after regular No 1 Mark Schwarzer was ruled out because of injury.
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Nani's late penalty miss denied Ferguson's side the opportunity to establish a 3-1 lead with six minutes remaining and was punished when Fulham defender Brede Hangeland headed home an equaliser in the 89th minute.
United manager Ferguson admitted his side hardly deserved to claim all three points after failing to build on Paul Scholes's low drive that gave the visitors a 12th minute lead and paid credit to Fulham's resilience in fighting back.
United manager Ferguson admitted his side hardly deserved to claim all three points after failing to build on Paul Scholes's low drive that gave the visitors a 12th minute lead and paid credit to Fulham's resilience in fighting back.
But Ferguson believes Nani's penalty, which was saved by Fulham keeper David Stockdale, proved to be the turning point and expressed his surprise the Portugal winger had taken the kick when Ryan Giggs was on the pitch.
And, with Chelsea already in fine form after winning their first two matches 6-0, Ferguson knows losing touch with the champions at this early stage could be costly.
"You don't want to be dropping silly points and we dropped silly points here," Ferguson said.
"You don't want to be dropping silly points and we dropped silly points here," Ferguson said.
"We can't escape that. There was an opportunity to go 3-1 ahead with three minutes left and we didn't take it."
"When we got that second goal I thought we've escaped here. To miss a penalty kick to make it 3-1, you're throwing two points away there I'm afraid.
"I thought Ryan should have taken it. In the last game we played against Tottenham at home Ryan scored two penalty kicks and Nani was on the pitch the same day."
Wayne Rooney missed the game because of illness but Ferguson expects the England striker to return next week when West Ham visit Old Trafford.
"Wayne has a virus," he said. "The problem is he turned up on Saturday with it and he had no chance in 24 hours.
"If it had been a Thursday or Friday we may have been able to patch him up."
In Rooney's absence, Javier Hernandez was partnered with Dimitar Berbatov and the United manager believes the Mexican will make a bigger impact when his teammates familiarise themselves with his style of play.
Ferguson said: "Javier was bright and had two great strikes in the first half. He threatened with his pace and we have used his pace a bit better.
"There were moments when we could have threaded a pass through but took the option of passing out wide. We'll have to use that part of him more."
Stockdale's penalty save capped an excellent all round performance from the reserve keeper who was once again included after regular No 1 Mark Schwarzer was ruled out because of injury.
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Boost for Celtic ahead of Euro clash
Neil Lennon says he is delighted Celtic will go into their Europa League play-off second leg on a high after watching his side demolish St Mirren 4-0 at Parkhead on Sunday.
Celtic gained revenge for their 4-0 defeat at the hands of St Mirren last season as goals from Joe Ledley and Shaun Maloney gave them a first-half lead before superb strikes from Jamie Forrest and Ki Sung Yeung completed the rout.
"It is a big game in the context of the season," he said.
"We would like to get a European run going but we are up for a very difficult 90 minutes on Thursday. We are aware of that but we are in good shape going into the game."
One player who may feature against Utrecht is winger Forrest. The 19-year-old set up the first and scored a sensational third against St Mirren as he justified his manager's faith in him
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Celtic kept up their 100 per cent start to the season with a comprehensive win against their opponents as they joined rivals Rangers and Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
At Easter Road a Kenny Miller second-half hat-trick secured a 3-0 away win for Rangers over Hibernian in a game where both sides ended with 10 men.
At Easter Road a Kenny Miller second-half hat-trick secured a 3-0 away win for Rangers over Hibernian in a game where both sides ended with 10 men.
Celtic gained revenge for their 4-0 defeat at the hands of St Mirren last season as goals from Joe Ledley and Shaun Maloney gave them a first-half lead before superb strikes from Jamie Forrest and Ki Sung Yeung completed the rout.
It sets the Glasgow giants up nicely for their trip to the Netherlands where they will take on Utrecht for a place in the Europa League.
The Hoops take a 2-0 advantage from last week's tie at Celtic Park and Lennon said it was important for the club to have European football after crashing out of the Champions League at the first hurdle to Sporting Braga.
The Hoops take a 2-0 advantage from last week's tie at Celtic Park and Lennon said it was important for the club to have European football after crashing out of the Champions League at the first hurdle to Sporting Braga.
"It is a big game in the context of the season," he said.
"We would like to get a European run going but we are up for a very difficult 90 minutes on Thursday. We are aware of that but we are in good shape going into the game."
One player who may feature against Utrecht is winger Forrest. The 19-year-old set up the first and scored a sensational third against St Mirren as he justified his manager's faith in him
Read more...
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