Have the CaughtOffside iPad software. Obtain the # 1 Free Activities Application from the Application Store. All the latest footie news and much, much more. Striker to walk away from the Etihad Stadium at the end of the growing season. Sign in to Aston Villa versus Birmingham City The ball have been started by edin Dzeko rolling on a move far from Manchester City come july 1st after revealing that he plans to come back to the Bundesliga. Bosnian his name was made by international Dzeko in Germany with Wolfsburg, sort which earned a A27million move to him to Manchester City and the Premier League in 2011. And he wants to go back to the Bundesliga having been firmly related to a go on to reigning champions Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who'll leave to become listed on both Bayern Munich or Manchester United in summer time. aI enjoy the Bundesliga and I will come back to the Bundesliga,a Dzeko informed the Daily Mirror. aThe only point I donat know is when.a He added: aDortmund are a top club. Every one in Europe can easily see that and with (boss) Jurgen Klopp, they've a fantastic coach working there.a Dzeko served Manchester City land the Premier League title this year but has received to produce do with an excellent subscription role this time around with boss Roberto Mancini preferring Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez before him. He has obtained this year to 13 times but has still been unable to force his way in to Mancinias normal first-team thinking. As of a number of participants who could possibly be offloaded in the summer in a at the Etihad Stadium as a, Dzeko has been named. With Lewandowski set to keep Borussia Dortmund, it seems that Dzeko is really a strong candidate to be going back once again to Germany at the end of the season as his substitute.
Thursday 28 February 2013
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Strategy FC: 3 Stunning Data Concerning the Gunners In 2010 - Bleacher Survey
Arsenal have now been the ultimate enigma throughout the 2012-13 year. This assertion is born out by some surprising statistics. They include figures that indicate greater defensive security than appears evident. There's also results that suggest Arsenal don't need to make signing a goalkeeper part of their summer plans. Listed below are three astonishing data from the Gunners' tumultuous season. Support is better than you might think The initial retort many have against Arsene Wenger may be the insufficient defensive solidity many of his squads present. While no body is suggesting the Gunners provide a defense to rival their popular right back five, this season's numbers do show improvement in this area. In line with the English Premier League Index, Arsenal rank next in the league in goals admitted per game. The number is provided at 1.12, while the Premier League's standard site provides it at 1.11. That's a noticable difference on the 1.29 figure listed in 2011-12, relating to eplindex.com.AHowever, despite the figures, few could challenge that Arsenal seem susceptible in defence. Arsenal's support has increased by the figures. Nevertheless, it's only a surface-deep improvement.Michael Regan/Getty Pictures A truly solid back point creates confidence and trust in fans. You can find probably no Gunners fans whose nerves keep resolved whenever the opposition attacks. The nub of the issue is mistakes. Based on fourfourtwo.com, Arsenal have made 14 errors that have led right to goals this season, that's the highest number in the group. The common perception is that Wenger is tactically inefficient and Steve Bould is not being allowed to work. Nevertheless, it should be noted that zonal marking and falling figures behind the ball, were introduced this year under Bould's stewardship. Focus and enterprise remains the key principles Arsenal's defence must learn. It's also true that the back four has not been helped by the inconsistencies in attack. Each time a strikeforce can not be relied upon to score consistently, defensive gaffes normally undertake greater significance. Gunners understand how to protect from the front Continuing the theme of supposedly inaccurate defensive frailty, it may surprise many that Arsenal ranking high defending from the leading. In fact, your blog squawka.com sets them next greatest in theAentireAEPL in this group. The report notes that the main element for Arsenal's protecting from leading is Santi Cazorla. He's said to have created 22 interceptions in advanced positions, a league-best mark. Santi Cazorla's course and meaning to Arsenal is visible in both strike and defence.Clive Brunskill/Getty Images This is just further proof how good Cazorla has been this year. Add this to his 11 goals and understand just why it can be a vomit-inducing experience studying ungrateful Gunners fans criticising the qualities of the Spanish star. It seems that Arsenal's unpredictable forward line is at least able to regularly interrupt opposition problems at their starting points. Wojciech Szczesny and his qualifications as a No. 1 goalkeeper This author does think Wenger should replace Szczesny this summer, to be clear from the start. The young Pole only concedes way too many he should save your self. His aspects are all wrong and that is nobody's fault but his or her own. However, the numbers at the very least suggest Arsenal might not desire to give up on their recent No. 1. Szczesny was recently when compared with a pair of mooted substitutes, by talkSPORT. Szczesny is currently outperforming both Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes, based on the numbers. One of many more interesting stats is Szczeny's preserves 72 percents of the shots he has to cope with. The figures appear to suggest Szczesny is a suitable first-choice goalkeeper.Stu Forster/Getty Pictures Of course, few could challenge Szczesny's shot-stopping prowess, specially in one-on-one circumstances, close in. What these figures do demonstrate is that Wenger features a risk to create regarding Szczesny. Does he risk that the 22-year-old can finish his obvious potential, sooner as opposed to later? Or does he play that the smart youngster may remain too cavalier and susceptible to blunder? There's often a fantastic risk of getting a lot of stock in numbers. A lot can be shown by statistics but rarely disprove what's evident to the naked eye. Yes, Arsenal's defense is performing at a much higher level than last time. Yet that is relative progress and does it make anyone feel comfortable about maintaining enough clean sheets to make the very best four? Probably not. What these unexpected data show primarily, is how Arsenal's greatest weakness is their behavior for individual mistakes. If Wenger actually hopes to field a team again, he often has to buy superior athletes to cover the errors, or place more focus on mastering the basic principles.
Manchester City eye double swoop for Jesus Navas and Geoffrey Kondogbia - Express.co.uk
The Citizens are planning a major overhaul of the squad, with Edin Dzeko, Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure set to leave the Etihad.
City are looking to firm up their summer shopping list early, as they want to steal a march on rivals Manchester United, who are on course to unseat them as Premier League champions.
See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
Arsenal FC: 3 Surprising Statistics About the Gunners This Season - Bleacher Report
Arsenal have been the ultimate enigma during the 2012-13 season. Some surprising statistics bear out this assertion. They include numbers that indicate greater defensive solidity than appears obvious.
There are also figures that suggest Arsenal don't need to make signing a goalkeeper a part of their summer plans. Here are three surprising statistics from the Gunners' tumultuous season.
The first retort many have against Arsene Wenger is the lack of defensive solidity many of his squads exhibit. While nobody is suggesting the Gunners boast a defence to rival their famous back five, this season's numbers do show improvement in this area.
According to the English Premier League Index, Arsenal rank third in the league in goals conceded per game. The number is given at 1.12, while the Premier League's official site lists it at 1.11.
That's an improvement on the 1.29 figure registered in 2011-12, according to eplindex.com. However, despite the numbers, few can dispute that Arsenal appear vulnerable in defence.
Arsenal's defence has improved by the numbers. However, it is only a surface-deep improvement.Michael Regan/Getty Images
A truly solid back line inspires confidence and trust in fans. There are probably no Gunners fans whose nerves stay settled whenever the opposition attacks.
The nub of the problem is mistakes. According to fourfourtwo.com, Arsenal have made 14 mistakes that have led directly to goals this season, that is the highest figure in the league.
The common perception is that Wenger is tactically inept and Steve Bould isn't being allowed to work. However, it should be noted that zonal marking and dropping numbers behind the ball, were introduced this season under Bould's stewardship.
Concentration and organisation remains the key principles Arsenal's defence must learn. It is also true that the back four hasn't been helped by the inconsistencies in attack.
When a strikeforce cannot be relied upon to score consistently, defensive gaffes naturally take on greater significance.
Continuing the theme of supposedly deceptive defensive frailty, it may surprise many that Arsenal rank high defending from the front. In fact, the blog squawka.com puts them second best in the entire EPL in this category.
The report notes that the key for Arsenal's defending from the front is Santi Cazorla. He is said to have made 22 interceptions in advanced positions, a league-best mark.
Santi Cazorla's class and significance to Arsenal is evident in both attack and defence.Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
This is just further evidence of how good Cazorla has been this season. Add this to his 11 goals and understand why it can be a vomit-inducing experience reading ungrateful Gunners fans criticising the qualities of the Spanish ace.
It seems that Arsenal's inconsistent forward line is at least able to regularly disrupt opposition attacks at their starting points.
To be clear from the start, this author does believe Wenger must replace Szczesny this summer. The young Pole simply concedes too many he should save. His mechanics are all wrong and that's nobody's fault but his own.
However, the numbers at least suggest Arsenal might not want to give up on their current No. 1. Szczesny was recently compared to a pair of mooted replacements, by talkSPORT.
Szczesny is currently outperforming both Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes, according to the numbers. One of the more interesting stats is Szczeny's saves 72 percents of the shots he has to deal with.
Of course, few can dispute Szczesny's shot-stopping prowess, particularly in one-on-one situations, close in. What these numbers do prove is that Wenger has a gamble to make regarding Szczesny.
Does he risk that the 22-year-old can fulfil his obvious potential, sooner rather than later? Or does he gamble that the cocky youngster will remain too cavalier and prone to blunder?
There is always a great danger of putting too much stock in numbers. Statistics can show a lot but hardly ever disprove what is apparent to the naked eye.
Yes, Arsenal's defence is performing at a much higher level than last season. Yet that is comparative progress and does it make anyone feel confident about keeping enough clean sheets to make the top four? Probably not.
What these surprising statistics show most of all, is how Arsenal's biggest weakness is their habit for individual mistakes. If Wenger ever hopes to field a trophy-winning team again, he either has to buy superior athletes to cover the errors, or place more emphasis on mastering the basics.
More Info: Vitesse - FC Utrecht [Live Football]
Wilshere should beware of Gerrard mistake - Arsenal World
Wilshere must avoid Gerrard downside. There is much to enjoy about Steven Gerrard. One of the best English players of his creation, a midfielder who'd an over-all pair of complex capabilities to match any player on earth. A passer, finisher, a great shot from distance, a hard worker, and head. Gerrard has won some undoubtedly well-known goals, from the piledriver against Germany throughout World Cup qualifying in 2001, to the last minute equaliser in the 2006 FA Cup final, keeping Liverpool from beat to a very impressive West Ham area. And needless to say there clearly was that 2005 Champions League final, when Gerrard obtained the first target of the outstanding fightback against AC Milan that constituted certainly one of football?s greatest, or even the greatest ever, comeback. There's one serious problem that's adopted Gerrard through the duration of his career however, and that is an infuriating tactical indiscipline. It had been for the Liverpool man that the definition of?hollywood ball? was coined, denoting as it does if it came off a very ambitious long variety pass that would seem excellent, when there was someone better placed 10 yards away from the Liverpool man if he made a decision to take the straightforward option. Gerrard?s tactical indiscipline appears to stem from his?Roy of the Rovers? playing style. As so great was he at his best that he can get forward from midfield with purpose and ability, maybe he is a target in this sense of his great ability. Yet after beating one man, Gerrard so often tried to then accept an additional, often pushing the ball a few yards in front of him and chasing after it. While when it came off he seemed outstanding, more frequently than perhaps not he'd lose the ball. But again, there have been usually better choices available. Gerrard has often been not able to begin to see the dilemna creating around him. There have been signs in Arsenal?s last two games, as his staff have stuttered, that Jack Wilshere is developing into a undoubtedly top notch talent. Yet there have also been a few of the aspects of Gerrard?s game of old. Each time a simple one would suffice the decision to press the ball before herself and undertake an extra person rather than perform a simple pass to a well placed team mate, or an endeavor at an extremely ambitious pass. You cannot fault a person for trying, but the simplest solution is often the most effective. Fast targeting baseball of the sort Arsenal check out play is achieved by way of a rapid interchange of movement and passing. It requires people going in all directions, one or two touch football and constantly trying to move the ball to the person in place. And when the man in space gets the ball, other players need to either come to him to offer an alternative to go, or to run broad of a defensive player, in order to get that defense from the region by which the ball is, thus stretching the game, creating more space and more opportunity to make a goalscoring opportunity. Individualism damages such skillfully made tactical strategies. There's always a danger of brilliant people believing an excessive amount of in their own skills. If you have an individual who would like too much to exhibit what he can do, in the place of contributing to demonstrating what his team can do as a group a team is definitely compromised. Wilshere must be wary of the traps that good players can fall under. They could be the difference between top, top players, and the truly first class. Source: DSG
Monday 25 February 2013
Arsenal FC: Arsene Wenger's Best/Worst Decisions so Far This Season - Bleacher Report
That puts them third in the league in terms of goals conceded, behind Chelsea and Manchester City, and ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham. Really though, the numbers don't tell the whole story: Arsenal's defense has been downright awful at times this season.
Take the goal conceded against Blackburn on Saturday as a prime example. Francis Coquelin loses an aerial duel, letting Martin Olsson get the ball. As Olsson takes his shot, Laurent Koscielny is drawn in, and Olsson's shot is parried by Wojciech Szczesny right into the path of an unmarked Colin Kazim-Richards, whose mishit shot isn't cleared off the line by a waiting Thomas Vermaelen.
That's four "big-name" players making individual mistakes to concede the deciding goal against a team in the league below them.
This defensive situation isn't novel, either. Arsenal have been leaking goals for years now, so surely the manager should've realized that some new tactics and new faces would shore up the backline, right?
Instead, Arsene Wenger has persisted with zonal marking on set pieces, and it's precisely those tactics that have cost Arsenal sloppy goals, with instances against Brighton, Hove Albion and Manchester City coming to mind.
There have been glimpses of defensive solidity this season, with clean sheets against the physical teams of Sunderland and Stoke both home and away, but goals have flown in elsewhere on the fixture list.
The way I see it, if a back four that consists of top class, big name defenders (The first-choice four of Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, and Kieran Gibbs is a very strong backline on paper.) is conceding sloppy goals, it's the fault of the defensive tactics, and ultimately, the manager.
I've only mentioned three of Wenger's best and worst decisions this season, so what do you think of the Frenchman's management this season? Feel free to contribute in the comments section below.
Striker poser for boss - Clubcall
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is still without striker Jermain Defoe for the clash with West Ham on Monday night.
Defoe has been out of the side with ankle ligament damage and the hope is he will be fit for the clash with Arsenal this weekend, so Emmanuel Adebayor will lead the line on his own with Clint Dempsey slotting in behind him.Hugo Lloris is expected to return in goal after being on the bench for the Europa League match last Thursday, and he will swap places with Brad Friedel who will go back to the bench.Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Tom Huddlestone (all knee) remain on the injury list.
FC Barcelona Links Flatters Chelsea FC Defense David Luiz - The Hard Tackle
Chelsea defender David Luiz is happy about rumours connecting him with a go on to Barcelona in summer time. Brian Luiz has become regular fixture in the Chelsea beginning line-up since Rafa Benitez has absorbed at the club in 2010. The Spaniard has used the Brazilian defender both as a heart back and as a holding midfielder person. Perhaps it's this versatility that's attracted Barcelonaas interest and reports in Spain propose that the former Benfica opponent is on Barcelonaas wish list for the summertime. This season have been improved as a player by luiz. He's always been a talented footballer but what he lacks at times is composure and at times requires a lot of risk in elements of the area where some body like John Terry or Cahill might have only removed the ball. But apart from the ability to guard, what Barcelona usually looks for in a defense is ball playing ability and mobility when it comes to beginning in a variety of positions on the message a while the first requirement is a issue for Luiz occasionally, he ticks the boxes for the latter two. The 25-year-old was questioned in a recent meeting in regards to the rumours connecting him with a proceed to the Catalan leaders and the Chelsea opponent his joy at being connected with a club like Barcelona. aIam happy a club such as for instance Barcelona is thinking about me. Theyare a group of their interest and winners is really a way to obtain pleasure for me. aIam a Chelsea person for the time being. I work hard every day to create people recognize what I do. aI make an effort to do my work in the easiest way possible, wherever I am.a a' Luiz said. The existing commitment of David Luiz, who had been signed for A22million from Benfica in 2011, will end in 2017. His ability to protect has come under criticism during his time in England and it will be fascinating to see whether Chelsea will forget about the Brazilian if Barcelona do make a method in the summer. But Barcelona are unlikely to match the transfer fee that Chelsea paid for him. The Catalan giants are reportedly looking for a long-term replacement for Abidal and Puyol. They've recently been linked with Arsenal chief Thomas Vermaelen, Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund and now David Luiz.
More Info: Aberdeen FC - Ross County [Live Football]
Sunday 24 February 2013
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez Could Find Manchester United Problem Waiting ... - NESN.com
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is frustrated playing third fiddle behind Wayne Rooney and current Premier League goal-scoring leader Robin Van Persie.
Hernandez voiced his discontent with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to stick Rooney and Van Persie in big-game situations. Real Madrid is monitoring the situation with an eye toward signing the disgruntled Mexican striker, according to the Mirror.
To his credit, Hernandez has found the net 15 times in just 26 appearances with United this season, establishing himself as one of the marquee goal scorers in England. However, the young attacker is still hungry for more playing time.
Perhaps a move to the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and company have kept a keen eye on Hernandez's growing displeasure, would satiate Hernandez's desire for more minutes?
It probably wouldn't. Real Madrid already has a pair of world-class strikers in Gonzalo Higuaín and Karim Benzema — the team's top two scorers behind some guy named Cristiano Ronaldo — so it seems that Hernandez would likely run into the same issue he currently faces in Manchester.
Some are calling for United to include Hernandez in a cash-plus-player deal for Ronaldo amid speculation that the former Red Devil is seriously considering returning to Old Trafford.
Hernandez might be pining for brighter days and greener pastures at Real Madrid, but for now, he's stuck with the unenviable task helping United run away with the Premier League title. It's a tough life he lives.
Birmingham Town Beats Chelsea 2-0 in England's Premier Category - Bloomberg
Defending winner Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0 in English socceras Premier League today and still tracks head Manchester United by 12 points following the weekendas activities. Newcastle defeated Southampton 4-2. Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez got the goals for City after Frank Lampard, seeking his 200th purpose for Chelsea, found his charge end stored by Joe Hart. Yesterday United won 2-0 at bottom team Queens Park Rangers. It has 68 points, followed closely by City (56), Chelsea (49) and Tottenham (48). QPR has 17 factors, with Reading (23) and Aston Villa (24) in another two locations in the relegation zone. Wigan also has 24 points and Southampton 27. Newcastle is in 14th place with 30 items. Recently, Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-1 and Norwich beat Everton by exactly the same report. Fulham had a triumph over Stoke, Wigan won 3-0 at Reading, and Sunderland went down 2-1 at West Brom. West Ham hosts Tottenham tomorrow. Later today, Swansea City meets Bradford City in the League Cup final at Wembley. To get hold of the publisher in charge of this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net.
Manchester City v Chelsea: stay - Telegraph.co.uk
90+4 mins: Moses works his way towards the byline on the right wing to forge a space to cross, but then finds only the knees of Lescott when he does.
90+2 mins: Luiz has a punt from distance, more in frustration that optimism and it showed, high over the bar. Another change for the hosts, Silva given a warm round of applause as he makes way for Lescott.
90 mins: Yaya Toure looks displeased about something, Silva is trying to calm him down but all is not well with the big man.
89 mins: Hold up in play as Nastasic takes a knock on his shin from Ramires. Looks painful. Changes for City, off goes Aguero, on comes Nasri, who looks thrilled about it.
87 mins: City's fans defiantly tell their neighbours across the way that the title race isn't over. It probably is, isn't it, really? But they've won this one and that's all they can do now to hang on in there I suppose.
85 mins: Man City 2 Chelsea 0 (Carlos Tevez)That's certainly game over now. A screamer from tevez from outside the area gave Cech no chance. Again Chelsea slow in closign down the space but what a finish.
84 mins: City fans in good voice, Mancini looking stern and pointing a lot, Milner runnign around and closing down Chelsea at every turn. City have this in the bag.
83 mins: Yaya Toure fancies a swing at it from 30 yards out. The result is not good. Not good at all. A shank to the right that almost goes out for a throw-in.
82 mins: Gaps in the Chelsea back line for City to exploit but, not for the first time, errant passes are the home side's downfall.
80 mins: Cech out of his goal witht eh ball at his feet on the right hand side of his box. Aguero wasn't pressing with real vigour but the goalkeeper still had to deal with it. the solution? A cheeky back heel out to one of his defenders. Fancy. Coming to your screens on a Sky Sports magazine programme this Saturday morning with a indie-rock or dubstep soundtrack.
78 mins: One pass too many in the City box after some fine interchange of passes from their diminutive forwards. Final pass asked too much of Oscar in a tight space when a shot was on for an age. Arsenal used to get panned for doing that, days they must remember with warm nostalgia at present.
76 mins: Moses and Ivanovic have a break down in communication out on the Chelsea right and moe time ticks away. The visitors have been second best this afternoon for much of the game and aren't showing any signs of changing that any time soon.
"I quote your earlier posting: 'It really is astonishing how little 100 billion dollars buys you this days, isn't it?' I mean, how hard is it to say "you mark that guy and stick to him"?' It can be very hard when you have to say it all over in 11 languages! My bets are on Chelsea to finish second.
73 mins: City allowing Chelsea to have the ball in the middle of the pitch and filling up the space in front of their own box. Chelsea struggling to find a way through.
71 mins: Luiz has his pocket picked by Silva and the quick through ball almost sets Aguero free before an outstretched leg from Cahill thwarts him.
69 mins: Chelsea pressing but Tevez and Aguero staying high up the pitch ready for the break when it comes. A spot of possession football from City reduces the temperature a moment after a spell of pretty frantic action.
67 mins: Hazard produces a decent cross from the right this time but Kolarov does well to head away from under his own bar. Chelsea make changes for the resulting corner, off go Lampard and Hazard and on come Moses and Oscar. Corner comes to nought.
64 mins: It's been coming for a while and what the game desperately needed. Chelsea will have to force it now and City bubbling with confidence so pretty confident there are more goals to come one way or another here now.
62 mins: Man City 1 Chelsea 0 (Yaya Toure)Finally a break through. Silva held up the ball, cut it back to Yaya Toure inside the City box. he wasn't closed down and took a step, used Cahill as a shield and bent it to the far post out of the reach of Cech. Poor goal to give up by Chelsea.
61 mins: Counter attack from Chelsea sees the ball fed to Ramires in the middle. Instead of getting his head down and sruging for goal he cut back and was undone. Half a chance wasted.
60 mins: Mata swings over a corner from the righ, too deep, and finds its way to Luiz on the left. Eventually back in again but wasted. Chelsea not working their crosses right here at all, Ba not getting anything like the service he needs.
57 mins: This is the goal we've waited fo ... wait, no, it isn't ... Aguero again showing fantastic movement to get on to a through ball, chips over the advancing Cech, but also over the bar. real chance that one.
55 mins: Aguero nods a bouncing ball past Cahill and Cech doesn't know whether to come of stick. In the end the defender recovers to make up his mind and half a chance for the home team goes begging. City well on top now.
54 mins: That's Rodwell's last act of another disappointing afternoon for him. On comes Tevez to shake things up a bit.
53 mins: Another foul in the box ... but it's Rodwell on Cahill in the Chelsea area after he let the ball run away from him. City fans very unhappy. Boo, hiss, down with this sort of thing.
51 mins: PENALTY SAVE! Lampard goes low to the goalkeeper's right but Hart is equal to it. Fantastic save at full stretch with one, very strong, hand, pushing it away from danger. Hart makes up for his rush of blood there in style.
50 mins: PENALTY! Ba and Hart contest a ball over the top, Ba flicks it past the goalkeeper, falls over him and Hart is done like a kipper. Definite spot kick.
49 mins: Lampard and Mata make pretty patterns on the edge of the box but the eventual ball in to Ba asks too much of him and he's muscled out by a crowd of blue shirts. Quicker transition needed from Chelsea as City looking solid and ordered on the edge of their own penalty area this afternoon.
47 mins: City in possession, threatening down the left, Yaya Toure lays it out to Clichy but his cross isn't accurate enough and is cleared. City come again down the same wing and Silva this time tries to pick out Aguero. he tries an overhead volley mid-air behind himself, a shot filed in the drawer marked 'woudl have been a cracker had it come off.' But it didn't. Bah!
46 mins: Chelsea get us started in the second period with Lampard punting one forward in the general direction of Ba, easily dealt with by the swinging boot of Kolo Toure.
14.27: No goals here today, yet, but a cracker from Papiss Cisse as Newcastle lead Southampton 2-1 at the break at St James' just now:
HALF TIME Well, given that these sides cost hundreds of millions to assemble, it's all pretty unimpressive stuff. Plenty of bustling and shoving, not much guile or class. CIty had the better chances, but look a bit of a blunt instrument up front. One nice move sent Aguero round the keeper but Cech had come out quickly enough to force him too wide. Rodwell and Nastasic had decent headed chances from corners. Not a lot to report on the Chellsea front, they'll be happy to go into the break at nil-nil. I shall hand you over to Steve Wilson for the second half. Cheers.
Marc Melander writes: "You know you're getting old when you can remember the likes of Terry Mancini and his comedy barnet. Amused to note that he is now running a very successful events company. Somehow I can't see either John Terry or Roberto Mancini in this game when they are 70!"
45 mins: The half winds down as Ramires surges forward but he finds a wall of light blue in his way. There's a couple of minutes of injury time but neither side can produce an attack of note.
41 mins: From the corner, Rodwell gets above Mikel for a good header and that's another decent save from Cech down low.
40 mins: Aguero runs and twists and slips it to Jack Rodwell who lets fly from 30 yards or so. It swerves in the air but even so is easy enough for Cech.
38 mins: City continue to plug away, good link up from their forwards as they burst into the area but rather than go for goal it is cut back to Zabaleta, who strikes it with his shin. Looked like it could be a repeat of the Rafael goal yesterday for a second there.
35 mins: Hazard, looking like Chelesa's best bet so far this half, has a chance to go at Zabaleta but City get it clear.
34 mins: Pressure down the right from City. Zabaleta and Milner try to work it through to Aguero, but Chelsea are looking a bit more assured in the last couple of minutes.
Michael NoGender writes: "This is probably one of the first times United fans are wanting Chelsea to win. Usually it's just fighting over who's the better club and how Chelsea spend money."
31 mins: Yaya Toure surges down the right but Ashley Cole sticks with him and gets it away for the corner. Chelsea bundle it away.
Andy says: "Next season, Rafa will be lead steward on Romano's yacht and Bob will be wishing Jose luck in his new job in Manchester."
29 mins: Good ball in from the left, Jack Rodwell has got the jump on David Luiz and he probably should have done better with a header from ten yards.
28 mins: The last few minutes have largely consisted of niggly fouls and shocked - SHOCKED, SIR! - pearl-clutching protestations of innocence from the perps. Ref's eventually had enough of it, and it is Jack Rodwell who goes in the book.
25 mins: Ref has a word with Zabaleta for bringing down Hazard. Zabaleta has a word with the ref, as well, the gist of it I think being along the lines of "diving so-and-so". Ref also speaks to Yaya Toure for a shove, prompting a classic "who me?" from the City player.
22 mins: Chelsea can hardly get out of their own penalty area, let alone their own half. Aguero and Silva harrying their backs and Cech into nervy hoofs forward.
20 mins: Mata not doing much on the defensive side of things, letting Clichy burst through and here is yet another cross from the left, and another desperate clearance from Cahill. Chelsea under serious pressure here. Great atmosphere from the home fans.
18 mins: Chelsea dilly-dally on the ball and lose it in midfield. It's slipped to Aguero who dinks it around Cech - but the keeper got out so quickly that it runs away from Sergio for a goal kick. Good keeping, he was out like a rocket.
15 mins: Milner and Zabaleta enjoying themselves down the right, another good cross in is bundled clear. Silva now tries a slide-rule pass from the inside left channel and Cahill has to scramble it away. Cahill shouts at his midfield - where is the cover?
13 mins: City bashing away at the Chelsea defence, Clichy lofting a lazy cross too long. They eventually win a corner. Good corner from Silva and Nastasic with the header! Free header, heads it into the ground and a brilliant reaction save from Cech. Chelsea's marking from that corner left a bit to be desired. It really is astonishing how little 100 billion dollars buys you this days, isn't it? I mean, how hard is it to say "you mark that guy and stick to him"?
10 mins: Good little spell for Chelsea, Mata and Ramires picking and probing away and looking dangerous. Aguero's down but Chelsea play on. Aguero up, but he fouls his man and Chelsea have a freekick on halfway.
9 mins: Break from James Milner down the right, all bristle and determination. He swings a cross in and Cahill bullies Aguero off it, hint of arm across the opponent but no real chance of a foul being given. City enjoying sopme good pressure and are now able to cross from the left. Cleared.
Nick Morrow says: "Next season, Rafa Benitez will be refurbishing the house he purchased for £1 in Liverpool using ideas from his visit to Roman Abramovich's yacht. Roberto Mancini will be running for Italian President as leader of his new 'Rome Was Not Built In A Day' Party."
4 mins: Snaking run from Aguero, Chelsea backing off him as he uses Silva as a decoy runner. Mikel eventually sticks a foot in.
2 mins: Decent early possession for City, building down the left. Cahil comes across to sort out any nonsense. Now Ivanovic has to play safe under pressure from Augero and concede a corner.
1 mins: We're off, and there's an early run for James Milner, Chelsea a bit sluggish and Yaya is able to drill in a shot.
13.30 Workmanlike City side, no place in it for Samir Nasri, and it looks like Aguero will play up front on his own against the European Champions.
13.25 Not been a great week for Mancini, and you would imagine that matches such as this one are vital for Bobby if he wants to hang onto his job and be the man who gets to do things like spending £40million on Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.
13.20 So Big John Terry left out in the cold once again as Rafa continues with his Ivanovic and Cahill theory at the back. For Man City, there's a first PL start of the year for Jack Rodwell but still no sign of the mighty Vincent Kompany, who is not fit to play. Important game for Rafa, you feel, if he has ambitions of a full-time gig at Chelsea.
Chelsea XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Hazard, Mata, BaCity XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Toure, Nastasic, Clichy, Javi Garcia, Toure, Rodwell, Milner, Aguero, Silva
Jack Rodwell starts his first Premier League game of 2013 for City, with Samir Nasri again left out after a withering put down by Mancini in that fascinating interview on Friday. Mancini: "Every game he [Nasri] could be the difference. A player of this quality could be one of the best players in Europe. But it's not happening."
Another target, Joe Hart - "He needs to think only of his job and that is being a goalkeeper" - also keeps his place while teacher's pet Pablo Zabaleta "playing very, very well" takes his place in a back four containing Toure, Nastasic and Clichy.
13.00 Afternoon all and welcome to our live blog of Manchester City versus Chelsea. It's second plays third in the Premier League and, with Manchester United 15 points ahead of second-placed City, neither side can afford not to win if they are to have any hope at all of catching Sir's lot.
We'll bring you the teams as we have them; in the meantime, let's have a look at the match preview from Mr John Ley.
Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Lescott, Nastasic, Clichy; Y Touré, Garcia; Nasri, Silva, Agüero; Dzeko.Out: Richards (knee).Test: Kompany (calf), Barry (ankle).
Chelsea (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Luiz; Ramires, Oscar, Hazard; Ba.Out: Romeu (knee).
Team NewsManchester City captain Vincent Kompany remains a doubt for the champions' Premier League game with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Belgium defender has missed four games with a calf injury and manager Roberto Mancini has conceded the problem is taking longer to heal than expected.
Midfielder Gareth Barry, who was forced out of last week's FA Cup win over Leeds with an ankle injury, will also be assessed while right-back Micah Richards (knee) remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard could feature after being rested against Sparta Prague on Thursday night.
Manager Rafael Benitez confirmed a couple of his players are nursing knocks but has no fresh injury concerns with only Oriol Romeu absent.
Match NotesWith Manchester United in danger of disappearing over the horizon at the top of the Premier League, this fixture is nothing less than a battle for the dubious distinction of second place.
City currently sit four points clear of Rafael Benítez's team, but if one team wins at the Etihad, they will have the momentum over the final weeks of the campaign in the race to be crowned best of the rest.
Stat of the game: City, beaten at Southampton in their last game, have played 92 games since they last lost successive Premier League outings, in October 2010.
Chelsea FC urged to dump Fernando Torres this summer - Crunchsports.com
Chelsea need to cut their losses and sell Fernando Torres this summer, according to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright.
Torres has largely struggled since joining Chelsea from Liverpool two years ago for a record £50million, and wasted a number of good chances during Thursday night's draw with Sparta Prague, including two in the opening 15 minutes.
The Spaniard, who was on the bench for Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Premier League, has scored just one goal in his last 15 games - that coming against Brentford in the FA Cup.
And with Blues boss Rafael Benitez failing to help his countryman return to form, Wright believes the west London club should finally write off the once-feared striker.
"For me, it's like that film Space Jam when someone has come along and nicked his talent! With some of the chances he's missing, you have to ask yourself what's gone wrong.
"It's sad to see one of the greats - who was a proper, proper forward - go through this. He's definitely unselfish with his play, but when you pay £50million for a striker you're not paying for him to set other people up.
"You want him in there scoring goals and he just isn't someone that frightens me any more like a Luis Suarez or Robin van Persie.
Matt Kuchar wins Match Play Championship
MARANA, Ariz. (AP) — Matt Kuchar finally put Hunter Mahan in a hole and then answered every challenge Sunday to win the Match Play Championship.
Mahan had gone 169 holes over 11 matches without trailing in this wild tournament until Kuchar won the fourth hole of their championship match with a par, and Mahan never caught up. Kuchar took advantage of a series of miscues to build a 4-up lead at the turn, and then held off a noble challenge by the defending champion.
But for all the great shots, the match ended when Mahan went from a tough lie in the bunker to a bush in the desert, and it took him four shots to reach the 17th green. Kuchar wound up winning, 2 and 1, when Mahan removed the stocking cap he used to fight the cold desert air and conceded Kuchar a short birdie putt.
It was the first World Golf Championship title for Kuchar, and it follows a year in which he won The Players Championship. Kuchar became the second player in the last three years to win the Match Play Championship without ever playing the 18th hole.
Mahan was trying to join Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners, and he gave it a good shot despite the big deficit halfway through the match.
In a strong, cold wind — the wind chill index reached a low of 37 degrees on the final day — Mahan made a long two-putt par to win the 10th, and played a tough chip from the mound of a bunker to about 6 feet for a birdie on the next hole, cutting the lead in half.
Kuchar, however, followed with a tee shot to just inside 15 feet and made the birdie putt. On the par-5 13th, Mahan hit a poor approach from the fairway and Kuchar got up-and-down to restore his lead to 3 up.
Kuchar came up with one more clutch shot. With a 2-up lead on the 304-yard 15th hole, the breeze at his back, Kuchar chipped about 10 feet past the hole with Mahan only 6 feet away for birdie. Kuchar holed the putt and escaped with a halve.
Mahan won the 16th with a two-putt par when Kuchar's tee shot bounced off the corporate tents behind the green, and it look as though the match would go down the 18th for the first time in nine matches for Kuchar. Both hit into the fairway bunker, but Mahan's ball was slightly sunk in the sand, and his approach never came close to reaching the green. Instead, rolled through a patch of desert until it lodged in a bush.
Kuchar's record in this event improved to 15-3, the highest winning percentage of anyone who has played at least 10 matches. He has reached the quarterfinals each of the last three years, and this time went all the way.
Mahan hit a series of remarkable wedge shots in beating Ian Poulter, 4 and 3, in his semifinal. He twice hit difficult chips inside 5 feet to win holes, and then seized control with a chip-in from about 70 feet on the 12th hole to take command.
It was the first all-American final in five years at the Match Play Championship, and Kuchar's win gave the Americans a clean sweep of the PGA Tour's West Coast Swing for the second straight year.
He moves to No. 8 in the world and picked up $1.5 million, and now has earned just over $3.2 million from his last two wins.
Pistorius' brother experiencing fee in traffic death
JOHANNESBURG (AP) a The murder case involving Olympic star Oscar Pistorius took another unexpected turn Sunday with the headlines that his older brother, Carl, is himself facing prices for the death of a woman in a traffic accident. Carl Pistorius faces a charge of illegal, responsible killing for a highway death, "in which a lady motorcyclist sadly lost her life," Kenneth Oldwage, the Pistorius family attorney said on Sunday. The charge of "culpable homicide" is likely to be challenged in court, he informed The Associated Press. It's the next time someone from the Pistorius situation has been found to manage a serious charge. It absolutely was unveiled that the main police detective in the event is facing fees of seven counts of attempted murder for shooting at a vehicle with seven individuals. Following details, he was removed from the Pistorius study and a fresh key investigator was appointed on Thursday. In still another twist this week-end, product Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot to death by Oscar Pistorius on Valentine's was on tv again in a fresh episode of the fact present "Tropika Island of Treasure 5" even though she was buried last Tuesday. On Monday, Oscar Pistorius must report to the authorities station in Brooklyn, a suburb of the country's money Pretoria, and sign in, a twice-weekly procedure which is section of his bail conditions. Pistorius was released on bail Friday and kept at your home of his uncle Arnold in Waterkloof, a wealthy suburb of Pretoria, where Oscar has become remaining. His brother, Carl, found visit the house Sunday. The problem facing his older brother Carl is the latest complication in an instance that's transfixed South Africa and a lot of the world. "It is also doubly unhappy since it is a part of Oscar and his brother and most of the family a' so they have double kind of trouble," said Johannesburg resident Jim Plester. Attorney Oldwage explained that "Carl deeply regrets the accident" and that a test showed he wasn't drunk during the time. He explained the costs had originally been dropped, only to be reinstated later. Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder, nevertheless the player says he killed his partner unintentionally, opening fire after mistaking her for an intruder in his house. The three-story home where Pistorius is keeping with his uncle and aunt sits on a slope with a view of Pretoria. It has an immaculate garden and a large swimming pool. The type of Pistorius also continued to simply take center stage. For many, his public appearances are mirrored by it being an articulate, well-spoken advocate for Paralympic players experiencing difficulty. Watch promises describing Pistorius as a down-to-earth man were presented at the hearing. Others have identified him as a dangerous risk taker who has been around trouble before, such as a boating accident last year which put him into a hospital intensive care unit. But in a written report on Sunday, a African gentleman who said Steenkamp had stayed at his home since September, explained Pistorius as irritable and impatient. Cecil Myers, whose daughter was buddies with Steenkamp, said in a meeting in the Town Press paper, that Pistorius will have the killing of Steenkamp on his mind. "I hope he gets a long sentence. Gets what he deserves," said Myers. Pistorius appeared "very nice and wonderful to us once they started dating," said Myers. When they started to date continuously Myers said Pistorius originally used ahead in to the house but later only dropped Steenkamp down and picked her up, and as a lack of respect he explained the change. Myers recalled their first date and told the newspaper: "After he wouldn't leave her alone. He held phoning, pestering her and phoning and phoning her." Based on Myers, Steenkamp "told me he pushed her somewhat right into a place. She thought caged in." Myers said he informed Pistorius "not to force himself on her behalf. Right back off." He said that after initially agreeing with him, it seemed that Pistorius quickly took no heed. Myers declined to react to a request extra information from Associated Press. In the bail hearing, a reference for Pistorius, recognized that "the only concern in the connection that I was made alert to was that Reeva often thought Oscar was going just a little fast." Pistorius was born without fibula bones due to a congenital defect and when he was 11 months old his feet were amputated. He's run on carbon-fiber blades and was initially banned from competing against able-bodied friends because many suggested that his blades gave him an unfair advantage. He was later cleared to participate. He's a Paralympic medalist, and won a gold medal at the 2011 Daegu world championships with South Africa's 4x400 relay team. But he didn't get a at the London Olympics, where he ran in the 4x400 relay race and the 400 meter race. Com AP Activities Author Gerald Imray led from Pretoria. AP Author Christopher Torchia added from Johannesburg.
Saturday 23 February 2013
Ronda Rousey wins old women's UFC introduction
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) a Ronda Rousey won the first women's attack in UFC history Saturday evening, whipping Liz Carmouche on an with 11 seconds left in the first round of these bantamweight title combat at UFC 157. Her belt was defended by rousey ( 7-0 ) with her signature shift, making Carmouche to tap out after folding back her arm. Rousey lifted both arms in triumph while flat on the fabric following the greatest combat of the combined martial artist's ascendant career. "Is this real life right now? I'm perhaps not sure," Rousey said. A lackluster split decision was won by former UFC champion Lyoto Machida over 42-year-old veteran Dan Henderson on the undercard at Honda Center, and bantamweight Urijah Faber beat Ivan Menjivar by having an acrobatic rear naked choke late in the very first round. But the sellout crowd largely arrived to see Rousey, whose star power and athleticism finished UFC President Dana White's long-standing disinterest in women's MMA a' and also put Rousey and Carmouche in the primary function of a pay-per-view show. Rousey and Carmouche didn't fail within their sport's pressure-packed debut. Although Rousey was greatly favored, Carmouche (7-3) really got Rousey in trouble early, almost obtaining a rear bare choke while clinging to Rousey's back in the beginning two minutes. Rousey, who had never been so severely threatened in an attack, barely escaped the chokehold. She steadily imposed her will on the former Marine after that, finally finding her feet on top of Carmouche and patiently splitting up her hands to land an armbar. Rousey has won all eight of her professional MMA fits by armbar, a judo move that has dislocated at the very least two previous competitors' elbows. "I had to learn to take my time in judo, and I was only able to help keep a definite head," explained Rousey, who became the initial American woman to get an Olympic judo honor in Beijing. A huge ovation was earned by carmouche from the sellout crowd for providing Rousey more difficulty than she had ever faced. "I thought I'd it," mentioned Carmouche, who served three tours of duty in Iraq. "Like the rest, you make a error, and it turns around." Rousey had to cope with constant attention from fans and press in recent days, but said the force was nothing she could not handle. "There is no amount of media that may save these girls from me," she said. Machida (19-3), the former light heavyweight champion, had lost three of his past five fits before trimming Henderson (29-9) in a slow, complex struggle. Machida used his normal elusiveness and unorthodox, karate-based processes to pick away at Henderson, who'd won four straight fights. Henderson finally got down Machida in the 3rd round, but may not capitalize. Both fighters raised their hands in victory after the third horn, but Machida stumbled 68 per cent of the fight's important strikes, with a 23-8 edge in mind strikes. Whilst the next had Henderson earning 29-28, two judges preferred Machida 29-28. "He is just a very great adversary for me, and I have a lot of respect for him," Machida said while fans booed. "My method was to keep the struggle standup, and I think I started using it. I think I completely dominated the very first round, second round, next round." Faber (28-6) got his career back on the right track having an remarkable victory over Menjivar (25-11), a Salvadoran veteran fighting out of Canada. With his home-state group behind him, Faber got early control on the ground and then completed Menjivar by clinging to his back and wrapping both legs around his standing opponent, requiring Menjivar to tap out while on his legs with 26 seconds left in the opening round. "Ivan is a very crafty veteran," Faber said. The neck was just attacked by "i. He allow me to hold on tight too much time, and that was that." Though Faber includes a large fan following after dominating the now-defunct WEC, he was only 2-2 since going to the UFC 2 yrs ago, falling narrow decisions to bantamweight winner Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao. Early in the day, Robbie Lawler stopped Josh Koscheck with 1:03 left in the initial round with a number of strikes, and Court McGee beat Josh Neer by unanimous decision in his welterweight introduction.
Iker getting better from injury desires with winning a title this year
Iker Casillas says his recovery from a broken bone in his hand goes a lot better than expected and he could possibly be back between the Real Madrid posts as soon as late March.
Casillas' hand was broken by a random end from his team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa throughout Madrid's Copa del Rey quarter-final game at the Mestalla on January 23.
It had been feared he would experience 3 months on the sidelines, and the team moved quickly to signal Diego Lopez for 3.5 million from Sevilla to play in their likely season-defining games against Barcelona in the Copa and Manchester United in the Champions League.
The Madrid club captain told reporters on Thursday morning, at the opening of a new club shop at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, that the initial timeframe had only been a worst-case scenario.
"I am feeling really positive," Casillas said. "The physician gave me the worst-case scenario, he explained 3 months it may get. But when the splint was removed yesterday, I was told I had a month left. Now I am doing active exercises to get mobility and energy back in the finger."
Casillas said he had been spending so much time at Madrid's Valdebebas training service to get back playing as soon as possible.
"Until now I have not had much energy in it, but I'm receiving it back little by little," he explained. "We have reached the halfway point of the damage. I've still got per month to go. I will have to work more and experience more to obtain back the mobility of before. I am getting excited about returning. It's worse being off the pitch than on it."
The function was also visited by Casillas' team-mates including Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria, Jose Callejon, Nacho and Kaka, while coach Jose Mourinho was missing.
Alonso told reporters that he did not know yet whether he would recover from his groin issue in time for next Tuesday's Copa semi-final second leg at Barcelona's Camp Nou.
"I am in the recovery stage," the midfielder said. "I am looking to get better as soon as possible, to have gone the discomfort and get back in top form. Plenty of people ask when I'll be ready. I aspire to manage to perform against Barca, but I do not have an answer right now."
Former Liverpool player Alonso stated that, with the tie balanced at 1-1, whoever won first in the Champions League last 16 reunite sport at Manchester United on March 5 could be favourites to progress.
"They could have the support of their fans," he explained. "It will probably be described as a challenge. Along side it that scores first is going to be favourites. Old Trafford is a good surface and it is the sort of match all of us like to play. The link is extremely open."
Di Maria said that it will fit Madrid to be playing away from home in both of the future, possibly season-defining, games.
"Things are getting well and develop to keep this way," he explained. "We know that we have to have big matches in both contests and that it will perhaps not be easy. Probably playing away is going to be inside our favor because we do well when things are against us. We've had this week to focus on the best way to approach the games. I hope everything goes well."
Benzema, who remains question for Saturday evening's La Liga sport at Deportivo La Coruna, said he wasn't focused on his recent poor form facing target.
"I trust that I score more goals than I have so far, however the thing may be the team and to win the future matches," he explained. "We need certainly to work together to win. We've a fantastic group and we're all in good form."
Kaka performed terrific in the match vs Deportivo La Coruna
"From the first moment of the second half we saw a change of attitude. We did not win because of the alterations, that have been made in the twelfth minute of the second half, but because of the change we made. It absolutely was the attitude of all of the participants that started the comeback.
"It is true that honestly he [Kaka] is playing well. He is helped by his state of mind and this is important for the staff, that he's playing well and that he is another option. That is always good.
Kaka's performance also earned the praise of assistant coach Aitor Karanka, who was simply pleased about the reaction of the squad after planning behind to a Riki attack on 35 minutes.
"We knew that Deportivo weren't playing well and saw us being an possibility to change their fortunes. In the second half we increased our play, we scored two goals and we could just take the three items house or apartment with us."
Before Blaugrana edged out Sevilla down the road Saturday night, the win moved Real to within 13 points of league leaders Barcelona. Inspite of the margin remaining the exact same, Kaka thinks victory over Depor can boost Real's odds of claiming silverware this phrase.
"I am a lot better. What we have nearby is interesting and it's the decisive the main season and if the manager wants me to play I'll be there to greatly help in those matches."
"The group is playing well and things are receiving better for me personally too. In football every thing changes rapidly and I am happy to help the team win.
"[It was] an essential success in a very difficult match. In the initial half we were a little nervous and a few mistakes were made by us. In the 2nd half we improved and we won three points that are essential for us and for what's to come over the next several weeks," Kaka told the club's officers website.
True originated from behind at the Riazor, with Kaka rating the equaliser before Gonzalo Higuain scored an 88th-minute champion for the readers. After suffering a spell with limited game time, Kaka now feels he is able to help his team as they check out keep their La Liga and Champions League hopes alive.
Kaka has expressed pleasure at his new change in fortunes, since the playmaker starred in Real Madrid's 2-1 comeback win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Ricardo Kaka played excellent in the game against Deportivo
"From the very first second of the second half we saw an alteration of attitude. We didn't get because of the alterations, which were made in the minute of the second half, but because of the change we made. It had been the attitude of all of the participants that started the recovery.
"It is true that seriously he [Kaka] is playing well. He is helped by his state of mind and this is necessary for the group, that he's another option and that he's playing well. That is always good.
Kaka's performance also earned the reward of assistant coach Aitor Karanka, who was pleased with the result of the group after going behind to a Riki strike on 35 minutes.
"We knew that Deportivo weren't playing well and saw us as an possibility to change their fortunes. However in the next half we improved our play, we scored two goals and we were able to simply take the three points house or apartment with us."
Before Blaugrana edged out Sevilla down the road Saturday morning, the win moved Real to within 13 points of group leaders Barcelona. Regardless of the border remaining the exact same, Kaka thinks success over Depor may boost Real's likelihood of claiming wallpaper this phrase.
"I am much better. What we've nearby is exciting and it's the decisive part of the period and if the manager wants me to play I will be there to greatly help in those matches."
"The team is playing well and things are receiving better for me personally also. In baseball everything changes quickly and I am pleased to support the team win.
"[It was] a significant success in a very difficult match. In the very first half we were just a little troubled and we made several errors. In the second half we increased and we won three points that are important for us and for what's ahead over the next few weeks," Kaka told the club's officers website.
True came from behind at the Riazor, with Kaka rating the equaliser before Gonzalo Higuain won an 88th-minute winner for the readers. After putting up with a difficult spell with limited sport time, Kaka now thinks as they turn to hold their Manhattan project Liga and Champions League hopes alive he is able to help his group.
Kaka has expressed delight at his new change in fortunes, since the playmaker starred in Real Madrid's 2-1 comeback victory over Deportivo Manhunter Coruna.
AC Milan and Real Madrid continue Kaka shares|Somaliweyn
EXCLUSIVEBy Elia Raimondo AC Milan remain confident of appealing Kaka far from Real Madrid in the January screen as talks between both parties continue, Goal.com understands. The Rossoneri opened talks with Madrid over a cold temperatures exchange earlier this month, but Milan CEO Adriano Galliani mentioned on Monday that the shift had fallen through. aThe negotiations for Kaka have separated. Itas extremely hard to complete the deal for financial reasons. We'd decided on everything else but the package broke down,a Galliani said. Nevertheless, despite Gallianias comments, discussions between Madrid and Milan are continuous as the Serie A giants remain keen to discover a solution. An agreement had been reached by both teams over a 24-month free loan deal, after Milan originally designed to sign Kaka until June 2015, whereas Madrid targeted to ship the Brazilian on loan for 18 months. The offer was placed on hold following Madridas need for a million (A5.9m) payment to cover duty obligations, though. Milan are unwilling to simply accept Madridas demand, but they hope to achieve a compromise prior to the move window slams shut as negotiations carry on. 209Atotal views, 7Aviews today Web Updating, Somaliweyn Website
Link: Academica de Coimbra - Maritimo Funchal [Live Football]
Town v Chelsea: Top five connections - Birmingham City Hamilton Academical
Notoriously let it go by Nottingham Forest for being atoo smalla, Shaun Wright-Phillips undoubtedly demonstrated that size doesnat subject after breaking through Cityas Academy to produce over 150 looks for the Blues between 2005 and 1999. He broke City bears by joining Chelsea in 2005 but after 36 months in the administrative centre found he made a hero's return under Mark Hughes in 2008. SWP made an additional 64 shows for City in his second cause ahead of the signings of Adam JohnsonAand David SilvaAsaw him fall down the pecking order forcing his transfer to QPR. City Academy item Daniel SturridgeAwon the FA Youth Cup in 2008 and produced 16 appearances for the first-team before joining Chelsea on a tribunal in '09. Despite flashes of his prodigious ability in four decades at Chelsea, Daniel was hardly ever really able to cement a spot in the first-team, despite a goal-laden mortgage spell at Bolton in 2011. Where he has made a start, including a goalscoring return to the Etihad Stadium at the start of the month he joined Liverpool at the start of in 2010. Summer acquisition Scott Sinclair joined Chelsea right after he became Bristol Roversa minute youngest debutant at age 15 years and 277 days. The pacey winger made his debut for Chelsea as a late substitute in the 2007 League Cup semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers and won his first target for the club against Hull in exactly the same competition in September that year. He only produced five appearances for Chelsea, leaving on a series of mortgage deals before joining Swansea on a permanent basis this season. 82 looks and 28 goals later, he joined City in last summeras exchange window. Manchester-born full-back Terry Phelan started his career at Leeds United but really made his name as part of Wimbledonas aCrazy Ganga, climbing the group pyramid between 1987 and 1992. Town director of times Peter Reid had seen enough in those five years to encourage him to break the British transfer report for an opponent with a A2.5m jump. Phelan built 122 appearances in three and a half times for the Blues before joining Chelsea but spent couple of years on the fringes of the first-team at Stamford Bridge and left in 1997 for Joe Royleas Everton. The cash was splashed by kevin Keegan to bring Nicolas Anelka to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2002 and the club history signing took your in Manchester like a duck to water, scoring 37 goals in 98 shows for the club before joining Fenerbahce in 2005. The former French global only lasted annually in Turkey before finding its way back to English soccer with Bolton Wanderers, then Chelsea. Anelka won the Premier League and two FA Cups in his four years at Stamford Bridge and now represents his soccer for Juventus in Serie A. To see our entire listing of 10 Chelsea contacts, choose the match time program at Sunday's game. Concept competition alive and kicking says Mancini Spotlight: James Milner v Liverpool
City v Chelsea: Top five connections - Manchester City FC
Famously let go by Nottingham Forest for being "too small", Shaun Wright-Phillips certainly proved that size doesn't matter after breaking through City's Academy to make more than 150 appearances for the Blues between 1999 and 2005.
He broke City hearts by joining Chelsea in 2005 but after three years in the capital found he made a hero's return under Mark Hughes in 2008.
SWP made a further 64 appearances for City in his second spell before the signings of Adam Johnson and David Silva saw him fall down the pecking order prompting his transfer to QPR.
City Academy product Daniel Sturridge won the FA Youth Cup in 2008 and made 16 appearances for the first-team before joining Chelsea on a tribunal in 2009.
Despite flashes of his prodigious talent in four years at Chelsea, Daniel was never really able to cement a place in the first-team, despite a goal-laden loan spell at Bolton in 2011.
He joined Liverpool at the start of this season where he has made a promising start, including a goalscoring return to the Etihad Stadium at the start of the month.
Summer acquisition Scott Sinclair joined Chelsea shortly after he became Bristol Rovers' second youngest debutant at the age of 15 years and 277 days.
The pacey winger made his debut for Chelsea as a late substitute in the 2007 League Cup semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers and scored his first goal for the club against Hull in the same competition in September that year.
He only made five appearances for Chelsea, leaving on a succession of loan deals before joining Swansea on a permanent basis in 2010.
Manchester-born full-back Terry Phelan began his career at Leeds United but really made his name as part of Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang', ascending the league pyramid between 1987 and 1992.
City manager of the time Peter Reid had seen enough in those five years to convince him to break the British transfer record for a defender with a £2.5m swoop.
Phelan made 122 appearances in three and a half seasons for the Blues before joining Chelsea but spent two years on the fringes of the first-team at Stamford Bridge and left in 1997 for Joe Royle's Everton.
Kevin Keegan splashed the cash to bring Nicolas Anelka to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2002 and the club record signing took to life in Manchester like a duck to water, scoring 37 goals in 98 appearances for the club before joining Fenerbahce in 2005.
The former French international only lasted a year in Turkey before coming back to English football with Bolton Wanderers, then Chelsea.
Anelka won the Premier League and two FA Cups in his four years at Stamford Bridge and now plays his football for Juventus in Serie A.
Norwich City Vs Everton Preview: Premier League Team News ...
Everton need a win to keep the pressure on Arsenal above them and restore their six-point lead on rivals Liverpool, but a trip to Carrow Road is no easy task. Norwich have been beaten on their own turf by just three teams in the Premier League this season, boasting victories over Arsenal and Manchester United in that run, and the forecasted snow will only make the visit more arduous. Norwich have captain Grant Holt back from injury, while David Moyes needs Nikica Jelavic to rediscover last season's form, with Victor Anichebe a doubt.
Subs from Camp, Steer, Whittaker, Fox, Howson, Jackson, R Bennett, E Bennett, Surman, Becchio, Barnett, Tierney, Kamara
The two clubs have drawn each of their last three league encounters. Five of their previous 11 Premier League meetings have ended all-square (45%).
Norwich are without a win in their last seven league games against the Merseysiders. Their last win was a 3-0 home victory against Mike Walker's Everton in March 1994. Both of Norwich's only other two Premier League wins against theToffees came when Walker was the Canaries' boss.
The Canaries are winless in their last nine Premier League games (D4, L5). They have drawn four of their last five matches.
Wes Hoolahan's goal in the 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham at the end of January is the only time Norwich have scored in their last five Premier League matches.
The Toffees have drawn seven of 14 matches against sides currently in the bottom half of the table, although they have suffered only one defeat (2-1 at Reading).
Friday 22 February 2013
The Result: Granada CF 1-2 Hamilton Academical Barcelona|totalBarAa
RESULT: Granada CF: 1 Hamilton Academical Barcelona: 2 GOALSCORERS: Granada CF: Ighalo (26a) FC Barcelona: Messi (50a), Messi (73a) LINEUPS: Granada CF: ToAo, Nyom, IAigo LApez, Mainz, Siqueira, Mikel Rico, Recio, Torje, Nolito, Aranda, and Ighalo Hamilton Academical Barcelona: ValdAs, Alves, PiquA, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Thiago, FAbregas, Alexis, Messi, and Pedro SUBSTITUTES: Granada CF: Roberto, Borja GAmez, Buonanotte, Brahimi, Iriney, El Arabi, and J. Ortiz FC Barcelona: Pinto, Puyol, Montoya, Alba, Song, Iniesta, and Tello SUBSTITUTIONS: Granada CF: El Arabi on for Aranda (58a), Buonanotte on for Nolito (74a), Brahimi on for Torje (76a) FC Barcelona: Alba on for Adriano (38a), Tello on for Alexis (61a), Iniesta on for Pedro (72a) CAUTIONS: Granada CF: Siqueira (34a) Hamilton Academical Barcelona: Thiago (88a) Photograph Credit: fcbarcelona.cat
Manchester United Names Ed Woodward Top Executive as CEO ...
LONDON - Manchester United, the most valuable sports franchise in the world, said Wednesday that long-time CEO David Gill will step down mid-year. Executive vp Ed Woodward will assume his responsibilities, but keep his current title.
The English soccer club, which has a global fan base that follows its stars on TV and on the Internet and buys its popular merchandise, had its IPO last summer, making it a rare sports powerhouse to be listed on a stock exchange. Media and entertainment industry analysts are covering the stock as Manchester United is seen as a big content franchise.
Woodward has been with Manchester United since 2005. He initially focused on developing a growth strategy before assuming oversight of the club's commercial and media operations.
Gill, 55, joined the board of the club, known as the "Red Devils," in Feb. 1997 and has been its CEO since Sept. 2003. He will remain on the board. He was appointed vice chairman of the English Football Association in October and has been nominated as its candidate for the executive committee of European soccer association UEFA.
"I have always been conscious of the fact that, as a member of staff, I was always just a temporary custodian of this marvelous institution," Gill said. "I am also of the view that all businesses need to refresh themselves with new management and ideas and after 10 years in charge, I believe it is appropriate for someone new to pick up the baton."
Richard Arnold, currently commercial director, will become group managing director and oversee all commercial and operational aspects of the club.
Manchester United's stock earlier this month hit a new high of $19.34. It has traded as low as $12 since the club went public.
In early Wednesday trading, the stock was down only 0.9 percent at $18.65 as investors seemed to be comfortable with the leadership appointment from within. That gave it a market value of $3.05 billion. Forbes magazine last year estimated the value of the soccer franchise at $2.23 billion.
Credit Suisse analyst Michael Senno last week reiterated his $21 price target and "outperform" rating on the stock of Manchester United.
"On-field performance is the biggest swing factor to our fiscal year 2013 estimates," he wrote, predicting some possible upside. "A higher-than-expected Nike [sponsorship] renewal deal is also a potential catalyst."
Eredivisie: NEC Nijmegen 1 VVV Venlo 2 - Soccerway
15 February 2013 23:11 VVV Venlo gave their Eredivisie emergency hopes a boost on Friday with a 2-1 win on the road at NEC Nijmegen. Uche Nwofor produced an immediate response, but, collecting Barry Maguire's move to position home an equaliser just five full minutes later. Heap Lokhoff's side had to attend before the 72nd minute to snare the winner, which arrived via Dutch midfielder Bryan Linssen following still another Maguire assist. Venlo stay static in the relegation zone in 17th place on 19 points but have bridged the gap to the security of 15th place, currently occupied by Roda JC, to two points. Having observed their three-match winning streak clicked, NEC remain seventh, 10 points shy of last spot and a future Europa League spot.
More Info: Real Murcia - CD Numancia [Live Football]
Real Madrid Will Sell Cristiano Ronaldo This Summer According to ...
Real Madrid are reportedly ready to sell Cristiano Ronaldo after running out of patience with the Portuguese international's contract stalling tactics according to the Daily Mirror.
fanatix tickets – El Clasico tickets are still available for the biggest derby match in Europe.Real Madrid vs Barcelona tickets are on sale for this massive La Liga clash at the Bernabeau on March 3rd.
Bernabeu president Florentino Perez has reached the end of his tether on the matter of the 28 year old's contract renewal talks and is ready to cash in now to avoid the prospect of the attacker running down his deal and leaving on a free transfer.
Apparently the final straw came when Ronaldo stated during the January transfer window that he intended to 'see out' the last two years of his current Real deal leaving Real Madrid mindful of the possibility that that a player they purchased for a world record fee of £80m could leave for nothing.
Another concern is the fact that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho share the same agent and the uncertain future of the Real Madrid boss could also play a part in the former Man United man's intentions.
Cristiano Ronaldo has of course been a massive success since his move to the Spanish capital, scoring an astonishing 183 goals in 181 appearances.
The best of the others of the motion from the Europa League|Sunlight...
Fredy Guarin won twice and Marco Benassi struck a third whilst the Italian leaders racked up a 5-0 aggregate success. Romanian part Cluj had Mario Camora sent down. Europa League members ATLETICO MADRID crashed out despite a win at RUBIN KAZAN. Falcao won nevertheless the Spaniards lost 2-1 on aggregate. REVISED ROUND OF 16 BRING Anzhi Makhachkala v Newcastle Basel v Zenit St Petersburg Benfica v Bordeaux Levante v Rubin Kazan Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea Stuttgart v Lazio Tottenham v Inter Milan Viktoria Plzen v Fenerbahce. 1st legs to be played March 7, second legs March 14.
More Info: PAOK Saloniki - Kerkyra [Live Football]
UEFA Europa League 2013: The next round cant come quickly ...
There are some good ties remaining in the UEFA Europa League's Round of 32, but they are not numerous. Most ties are already sorted.
The next round of the UEFA Europa League is probably going to be very good. There are no true duds left in the competition, and there are no heavy favorites who are on the ropes in their current tie. There's every reason to expect five or six extremely close ties out of the eight when the Round of 16 rolls around. And it can't come soon enough, because this round hasn't been terribly interesting.
A few of the 16 ties in the first knockout round are still in question, but most are not. Chelsea, Inter Milan, Benfica and Ajax are among the big sides who would have to fall apart to avoid going through. Zenit are very much in control against Liverpool, while there's not much reason to believe that Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Olympiakos or Napoli could fight their way back into their tie.
However, some ties are worth watching. Newcastle head to Kharkiv having failed to win at home, but also having managed to deny Metalist an away goal. They'll like their chances to go through. Tottenham lead Lyon by one goal, but also gave up an away goal at White Hart Lane. Three more ties also resulted in first leg draws, so there are five very competitive ties worth keeping an eye on.
Rubin Kazan vs. Atletico Madrid - 12 p.m.CFR Cluj vs. Inter Milan - 1 p.m.Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk vs. FC Basel - 1 p.m.Metalist Kharkiv vs. Newcastle United - 1 p.m.Lazio vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach - 1 p.m.Olympique Lyonnais vs. Tottenham Hotspur - 1 p.m.Racing Genk vs. VfB Stuttgart - 1 p.m.Benfica vs. Bayer Leverkusen - 3:05 p.m.Bordeaux vs. Dynamo Kiev - 3:05 p.m.Chelsea vs. Sparta Prague - 3:05 p.m.Fenerbahce vs. BATE Borisov - 3:05 p.m.Hannover 96 vs. Anzhi Makhachkala - 3:05 p.m.Liverpool vs. Zenit St. Petersburg - 3:05 p.m.Olympiakos vs. Levante - 3:05 p.m.Steaua Bucharest vs. Ajax - 3:05 p.m.Viktoria Plzen vs. Napoli - 3:05 p.m.
More Info: Modena FC - Brescia [Live Football]
Bundesliga struggler Fuerth fires coach Bueskens - Football news
FUERTH, Germany (AP) — Bundesliga bottom side Greuther Fuerth fired coach Mike Bueskens on Wednesday because the promoted team has won only twice this season.
Fuerth spokesman Immanuel Kaestlen told The Associated Press that Bueskens, a former Schalke midfielder, was informed of the club's decision in the afternoon. Assistant coach Mirko Reichel subsequently decided not to continue.
Former under-23 coach Ludwig Preis and club manager Rouven Schroeder will take over on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found, Kaestlen said. The 44-year-old Bueskens led Fuerth to its first-ever promotion to the top flight after winning the German second division last year — following several near misses.
"This has historic dimensions for us," Bueskens said at the time. "So many thought: They don't want it, they can't do it. And now we've shown everyone." But Fuerth has struggled in the Bundesliga where it was last with 12 points from 22 games.
"It was a very hard decision for us because we know what we have to thank Mike Bueskens for," Fuerth president Helmut Hack said. "We've still got a chance of (Bundesliga) survival. That's why we want to try giving the team new impetus."
Bueskens' dismissal came after a 1-0 defeat last weekend by Fortuna Duesseldorf, another promoted side. Fuerth next plays on Sunday, at home against third-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Bueskens is the fourth Bundesliga coach to be dismissed this season following Felix Magath at Wolfsburg, Markus Babbel at Hoffenheim and Huub Stevens at Schalke.
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Live: Arsenal, Bayern Munich Score, Highlights, Goals - Business ...
FSCArsenal suffered a bad loss to Bayern Munich 3-1 in the first leg of their Championship League knockout stage matchup.
The two teams will play again in Munich next month, and Arsenal needs to win by two and score at least three goals to advance to the quarterfinals.
Toni Kroos opened the scoring in the 7th minute. The ball deflected off an Arsenal player and dribbled on the ground before Kroos banged it home on a short-hop:
They haven't allowed a goal in forever in the German league, and they have had a cutting edge going forward. Arsenal is just being outclassed.
Bayern looked like the dominant team in all areas. Arsenal pushed them for a five-minute span late in the half, but it's all Bayern right now.
If Bayern wins 3-0, Arsenal would have to win 3-0 or 4-1 or better in the return leg of the series in Munich next month.
Arsenal isn't enjoying as much possession as they were in the early stages of the second half. Bayern has had a few corners. Still 2-1.
They're pressing hard for the equalizer, which would be massive going into to the return leg in Munich next month...
Fabricio Coloccini: Newcastle concerns are behind me a' now enables win...
The Toon skipper says the quit strategies which rocked employer Alan Pardew in the brand new year have now been shelved. Colo won't agree to the Geordies beyond the end of this time and will hammer out his future in the summer. But with the Argie set to cause the Toon here tonight in the next leg of the Europa League last-32 clash against Metalist Kharkiv, the chance remains of planning to those shares with a medal around his neck. Last weekas 0-0 draw at St Jamesa Park a' by which Papiss Cisse had TWO targets wrongly ruled out for offside a has left this link wide open. Leading Toon to their first little bit of important wallpaper since 1969 would prove one hell of a negotiating device. He said: aYes. I'm very happy to enjoy today. If the situation was finished, I said to the club that we may turn the page, we have shifted. Iam just emphasizing the club today. aNext year, I donat know. I recently desire to be focused on the Premier League and the Europa League this season.a The group arrived in Ukraine any way you like, aboard a lush aircraft which has been used by pop diva Lady Gaga. The 31-year-old Magpies skipper said: aNewcastle have acquired nothing for therefore several years and that is wrong. Amazement want to set that right and get our names in the real history books. Shock showed in the first leg that we are able to produce chances against them, so that has got to give confidence.a to us NEWCASTLE (likely ): Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote, Marveaux, Sissoko, Cisse.
Ryan Giggs may be next Man Utd person to become top chef says...
That is the verdict of Reading manager Brian McDermott, who takes his part to Old Trafford today because of their FA Cup fifth round clash. After meeting the evergreen Welshman at a training program recently, McDermott thinks the 39-year-old is likely to be the next United person to defeat the dugout. He said: aI achieved him recently at Burton. He was doing his pro permit and he's got all of the components to become a top manager. aI really was satisfied, he came up to me and shook my hand. He's humble and silent. He was asked by ai just how many medals he'd gained. aHe was very small and and only said 12. I asked what he did using them all and he said they certainly were in museums. He was really a ethical man.a Although he's 51, McDermott is a spring chicken in relation to United manager Alex Ferguson. Having been in the Madejski Stadium hot-seat for three years, the former chief search has a good record in the Cup a' attaining the fifth round three times in four seasons. But he's unlikely to ever attain the success had by 71-year-old Ferguson. McDermott joked: aIam only very happy to awaken in the morning to be honest. aI donat think about what will happen in two decades. aIall never arrive at these amount of games, he started a whole lot younger than me. aBut he is passionate and when he stumbled on our game against Stoke it was summed by it up for me personally. He wished to begin to see the resistance and that tells anything to you you have to know about the man. aIave read a lot about Bill Shankly and what he did a' Jock Stein too. aSir Alex Ferguson must be right up there. Heas the figurehead of this club. aFrom when he took to where they are now's amazing. Heas a premier guy, also, and I've lots of time for him, heas good business. aItas interesting, but I believe this game means more if you ask me than the players. aIam older and Iam off to control a part at Manchester United. When youare younger, you think these specific things can happen year in and out a' but sometimes that isnat the situation. aThe playersa attitude is great but I enjoy the ability to go out at Old Trafford. I'll aways appreciate that and look right back at it. aI appreciate each day nevertheless when youare younger you donat. You imagine it'll last eternally, so itas a different mindset.a Despite never earning at Old Trafford, Reading have earned a Cup replay when Adam Federici starred in purpose throughout their 1-1 fifth-round lure 2007. Queens then had their own aUnited momenta when they came back from the play-off beat to win the Championship last period. And McDermott has believed that the Red Devils will go on to win the Premier League after accumulating a double point edge over Manchester City a and get revenge for losing the subject last period. He added: aTheyare 12 in front with 12 to go and he wonat just take such a thing for granted, thereas undoubtedly about that. aTo go on the way they did from last time, to simply take that hurt on to the message a' that just lets you know the power of the people there. aThat harm that day could have given them a tough summer. aWe can relate with that in a small way since we had the play-off ultimate defeat. aYou have two ways of going a' you both go under as a club or get stronger. United 've got stronger and we got stronger from our play-off final.a Video: Man Utd and Real enthusiastic for second leg
More Info: Al Gharafa - Lekhwia [Live Football]