..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Arteta rues two points dropped as Stoke hold Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has admitted that he regards the Gunners' 0-0 draw against Stoke City as two points dropped.

The Spanish international expressed his disappointment with the result but did praise the club's defensive organization as it kept its second consecutive clean sheet.

Arsene Wenger's team have failed to find the target in those two matches, however, and Arteta acknowledged that stalemates were not good enough for a side with aspirations of challenging for the title.

"We are making chances, and the team looks very organized, but for me, we lost two points today," Arteta told Sky Sports. "You know that if you concede fouls or throw-ins, you're in trouble, because they're going to put the ball in the box and they're really organised from set pieces."

"I don't think we conceded many chances today, and we looked organized, but that's not good enough for us."

Arteta was adamant, however, that new signings Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud will come good and start firing in the goals sooner rather than later.

"I think as soon as we've played three, four, five games together, we will feel more fluent," he stated. "They've got ability, quality, and they can score goals - we don't have any doubts about that.

"We need to get three points every game if we want to win the league, that's what we're here for and at the moment we're not doing it.

"But I think we can take some positives, and we can build on these results."

 

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Adam Johnson: Working with O'Neill key to Sunderland move

Adam Johnson has revealed the lure of working with Martin O’Neill was a “main factor” in his decision to make the switch from Manchester City to Sunderland.


The 25-year-old penned a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after being made aware by City boss Roberto Mancini that first team opportunities would be limited for him this season.

Johnson started his career at Middlesborough and spoke of his delight at return to familiar surroundings as he tries to reignite the form that has seen him reach the fringes of the England setup in recent times.

"It feels fantastic [to be here]," he told the club's official website. "I was born here and there have been rumors in the past about me coming here. It's great to have signed and it's a fresh start. Coming back to the North East and Martin O'Neill were the two main factors, especially the gaffer and listening to what he had to say to me."

"He made it clear just how much he wanted me to come here. To know that and feel wanted and appreciated made me feel that it was the right choice to sign. He knows exactly what he wants from his players and from me personally. Hopefully he'll give me plenty of confidence as well."Johnson had been linked with moves to such teams as Liverpool and Tottenham before joining Sunderland.

And O’Neill believes the capture is a “real coup” for the club, in light of the reported heavy competition the Black Cats faced to land the winger.

"To get Adam, it's really, really big news for us, big news. It's a real coup,” O’Neill added. "He's a fantastic footballer and he's really exciting. I just think if he stays clear of serious injury, he will be great for us, really great."

"I am pleased he has chosen to come here because at Manchester City, he might not have been playing all the time there and maybe it seemed as if he might be leaving. But to come to us instead of a number of other teams who were definitely in for him, I was just very, very pleased, pleased for everyone."

 

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Redknapp eager for return to top-flight management

Harry Redknapp has stated his desire to make a return to a managerial role if the “right job” became available, although he insists that it would have to be a special offer to lure him away from the Premier League.

The 65-year-old was dismissed as Tottenham manager on June 13 after nearly four years in charge, with chairman Daniel Levy understood to be disappointed by the club’s faltering end-of-season form which saw it move from a comfortable third-place position ahead of Arsenal to finishing one point behind the club's rival.

Redknapp started the new season without a managerial role for the first time since 2001-02, and revealed his eagerness to get back into the game – but added that his eyes are firmly set on staying within the English setup.

"England is home to the grandkids and everything else is here - it would be difficult unless it was the right offer [abroad] I really fancied and was a special offer, he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek program. "Other than that I would look to manage in England in the future."

“I love it, I love the Premier League, I enjoy English football and I enjoy being in England. I think I am capable of managing at the very top level so we'll see what comes up."

Redknapp’s spell at White Hart Lane was his most high profile to date, following previous stints at the likes of Portsmouth and West Ham, and he guided the club through its first ever Champions League campaign - topping the group and reaching the quarterfinals in the process.

And Redknapp suggests that it would be difficult to step down to managing a team less talented to that of Spurs – seemingly ruling out a role at a club plying their trade below the Premier League.

"I've managed good players at Tottenham and at Portsmouth and at West Ham. I enjoy working with good players to be honest with you. When you've been working with top players it's very difficult to work with inferior players."

 

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Popescu: Only huge Real Madrid fans think Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Messi

Former Barcelona captain Gheorghe Popescu believes only huge Real Madrid fans can argue Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi.



The superstar duo both scored in the first leg of the Supercopa Clasico on Thursday when the Catalan club was the 3-2 winner, with the second leg to be contested at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Popescu, who played at Camp Nou for two seasons 1995 and 1997, has no doubt in his mind that Messi is a greater player than his Blancos adversary.

“You have to be a big Madrid fan to think Cristiano as better than Messi,” the ex-Romania international told AS. “Take away allegiance and there is no possible comparison between them.b“There is Messi and then there are others. Cristiano is a great player but does not have the quality to win a game that only Messi has.”

The former Tottenham defender was made club captain after his arrival from White Hart Lane at Camp Nou by Johan Cruyff, the Dutch coach who is credited for many of Barcelona’s modern footballing philosophies today.

“Yes and I did not believe it myself,” Popescu admitted. “I think that [Cruyff] took the armband from Guillermo Amor, who was a legend at Barca, to give it to me, who had just arrived. No one understood, not even me, but I've never been so proud as when I was captain of the club."

"If Cruyff had been a woman, I would have proposed every day!" the 44-year-old joked. "Nobody made me play with as much confidence as he did."

Pep Guardiola’s impact on the fortunes of the Blaugrana has been heralded by many, and Popescu believes not even the now-revered coach himself could have expected he would succeed to such a level.

“I do not think even he imagined [so much success]” he added. “But you could tell he was a leader, a guy with a lot of character, who was born and raised in the club.”

 

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Mourinho encouraged Liverpool switch, reveals Sahin

New Liverpool loan signing Nuri Sahin has revealed that Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho encouraged him to join the side after revealing that Brendan Rodgers would be a 'great person' for the promising player to work with.

The 23-year-old Turkish midfielder was the subject of a tug of war between the Reds and Arsenal but eventually decided to join Rodgers' team for the season following discussions with his Madrid coach.

"We talked and he [Mourinho] told me English football, especially Premier League, is the best to enjoy as a player. You can enjoy football every weekend," Sahin told reporters.

"He also told me Rodgers and him worked together at Chelsea and he is not only a good coach but also a great person. That's important for me. It was not only football. I wanted someone to speak with as well."

After speaking with Rodgers about how the Northern Irishman intends to set out his side, Sahin was convinced to make the switch to Anfield.

"To be honest, I hadn't thought of playing for Liverpool before talking to Brendan Rodgers, as we didn't have any previous contact. But just after the first conversation, I felt impressed," revealed the former Borussia Dortmund man.

"He told me how he wants to play football and what his objectives with Liverpool are. From that moment, I started thinking I could make that step.

"I feel proud to play for a great team, as Liverpool is. I'm the first Turkish [player] here and it's my turn to make Turkish people feel proud now."

 

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Stoke boss Pulis: Winning is important, not the critics

Tony Pulis insists that he has no time for critics as he attempts to guide Stoke City to success in the Premier League this season, declaring that he "couldn't give a s***" about what anybody in the world of football thinks of him.

Despite receiving criticism for the Potters' long-ball tactics from managers such as Arsene Wenger - whose Arsenal side travel to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday afternoon - the Welshman refuses to let it affect him."The biggest thing for me is do what you do and don’t get affected by what other people say," he told the Daily Mirror.When asked what he makes of Arsenal fans' views of him, Pulis replied: "I couldn't give a s***."

"As a nation and individuals, we worry so much about what other people think instead of just ­getting on with our lives and doing what we do. I don't know Arsene Wenger or what he thinks and it wouldn't worry me. It doesn't make any difference, whether it's Arsene Wenger or whoever."

While the duo may have differing ideologies, Pulis insists that he does not dislike the Frenchman. "I don't socialize where Arsene socializes. He's in London, I'm up in the north Midlands," he noted.

"I can't see our paths crossing and if they did, it would most probably be at a function where he would be sat with friends and I would be sat with friends. So it's difficult. But it's wrong to say I dislike him because I don't know the man."

Regardless of the buildup to the Sunday afternoon clash, Pulis insists that his primary task is to ensure his side claims the three points: "For 90 minutes today, I'll be doing my damnedest to make sure we win. That's my job. If you win against top clubs, then they are not too happy and that's the way it should be."

"I have a fantastic family and group of friends. They are the ones I care about. "Football has always been my first love, but I enjoy other sports. The Olympics was fantastic and I love golf and tennis. So I enjoy all different things, but that's away from the limelight and I try to keep it that way."

 

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Getafe 2-1 Real Madrid: Barrada strikes to stun champions

Real Madrid has handed a five-point lead to Barcelona at the top of the Spanish Primera Division after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos took the lead halfway through the first half, but a two-goal salvo in the second period and a plucky performance from the hosts left Jose Mourinho's men without a win in their opening two games of the campaign.

Madrid cames within inches of opening the scoring 15 minutes into the match when Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo exchanged a couple of neat one-two's inside the Getafe box. The ball came back to the German six yards out and with the goal gaping he smashed a shot against the crossbar.

Ronaldo had the opportunity to take center stage five minutes later with a couple of free kick attempts towards Miguel Angel Moya. The Getafe goalkeeper had to be at his best for the second as it bounced wickedly a few yards from goal, but the 28-year-old kept concentration to palm the ball to safety.

Jose Mourinho's men eventually took the lead through a well-worked goal just before the 30-minute mark. Angel Di Maria dropped into a pocket of space just in front of the Getafe defense and slid a pass through to Gonzalo Higuain, who showed intelligence to ride the challenge of Alexis and take the ball past Moya before smashing home from a tight angle.

The battle between Moya and Ronaldo continued, and once again the Getafe goalkeeper came out on top just before the break. The Portguese had cut inside from the left-hand side and lashed a shot at goal from the edge of the box, only to be denied by a solid save.

The hosts came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, and with an added impetus in their play, managed to level the game in the 53nd minute. Abdel Barrada was the provider as he whipped in a cross from the right flank for Juan Valera at the back post, who powered a header past the rooted Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo tested Moya yet again in the 70th minute when he drifted into a central area and flicked up the ball on the edge of the box, but his snatched volley bobbled into the hands of the Getafe goalkeeper, with the Real Madrid man cutting a frustrated figure.

Jose Mourinho looked to be going for broke, with the introduction of Karim Benzema in place of Diarra, but the added space in dangerous areas for Getafe lead to the hosts taking the lead fifteen minutes from time. Substitute Adrian Colunga left Albiol for dead down the left and drove forward before sliding a pass inside to Barrada who took a touch then smashed the ball past Casillas.

This result leaves Real Madrid 14th in the league with just one point taken from the opening two matches. Getafe has earned its first win of the season and move on to three points in the Spanish Primera Division.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Girondins de Bordeaux: Ancelotti's men record third straight draw

Paris Saint-Germain is still seeking its first Ligue 1 victory of the season after once more being frustrated to a 0-0 draw, this time at the Parc des Princes against a Girondins de Bordeaux side which was seeking its ninth-successive top-flight win.

Opportunities were at a premium over the course of the match, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic providing much of the inspiration for the hosts. The visitors, meanwhile, offered menace on the break but were rarely allowed to trouble the home goal.

Bordeaux traveled to the capital with the aim of stifling their opponents, and for much of the first period their five-man defence was unmoved against an attack that was often too static and too disjointed.

Ibrahimovic was a threatening presence at the head of the home side’s attack, hinting at his class after only five minutes when he clipped an effort just too high.

PSG struggled to get in behind the visiting defense, but on the one occasion they really achieved this, Javier Pastore had an effort brilliantly turned over by Cedric Carrasso.

There was a flourish from the hosts just before the break, with Nene having a fierce drive from range pushed wide and then Alex heading narrowly wide from the resultant corner.

If Francis Gillot’s side was content to play a containing game in the first half, there could be little doubt that it was somewhat more expansive after the break as its confidence steadily grew. Landry Nguemo fizzed an effort wide of Salvatore Sirigu’s goal, but its big opportunity came when Ludovic Obraniak and Mariano combined down the right to set up Cheikh Diabate. Despite a good first touch, though, he was denied by a fine block from Mamadou Sakho.

Despite more positive intentions from the Garonne side, though, it did start to be pinned back in the final quarter of the game. Ibrahimovic, who had fired a terrific free kick just past in the opening moments of the half, nearly proved to be the matchwinner with a fine turn-and-shot following a corner.

Although for a period the passing of the home side became sharper and more intricate, it largely lacked incision in the final third. Substitute Jeremy Menez did offer some promise, but his best efforts inevitably flew straight into the midriff of Carrasso, who has now gone 11 career games without losing against PSG.

With only three points from their first three matches, the pressure will now start to mount on Ancelotti, particularly ahead of a trip to Lille next weekend that will be anything but simple.

 

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Pescara 0-3 Inter: Sneijder, Milito and Coutinho secure dominant win

Inter opened its Serie A campaign with an impressive victory over a newly-promoted Pescara in Abruzzo on Sunday evening.

The host played its part in an absorbing opening to the game at the Adriatico but it was left reeling after the concession of two goals in three minutes, with Diego Milito creating the opener for Wesley Sneijder before netting himself moments later after being set up by new signing Antonio Cassano.

Milito then squandered an excellent opening to grab a second in the closing stages but the veteran striker made amends by crossing for substitute Philippe Coutinho to seal victory for the visitors.

Pescara actually began the brighter of the two, with Jonathas flashing a shot wide with less than three minutes played before a driving run from Gianluca Caprari forced Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi to rush off his line and concede a corner.

However, the Nerazzuri gradually began to settle and it was they who broke the deadlock, veteran right-back Javier Zanetti cutting infield before cleverly slipping the ball through for fellow Argentine Milito, whose low ball across the face of the six-yard box was converted by Sneijder at the far post.

Pescara were still coming to terms with that bolt from the blue when Inter struck again in just as gloriously simplistic fashion. This time Sneijder was the architect, prising open the Delfini defense with a perfectly-weighted pass which Cassano collected before squaring to Milito, who was left with the simplest of tap-ins.

Credit to Pescara, it eventually managed to regain its composure, as well as a modicum of control over the game, and the lively Caprari flashed a shot wide of Castellazzi’s right post after springing the offside trap.

However, in truth, Inter never looked remotely like throwing away their two-goal advantage and, with Sneijder looking like his old self, they always looked capable of pulling further clear.

Indeed, Fredy Guarin and Milito had both blown one-on-ones before Coutinho, who had come on in place of Cassano, made the game safe for Andrea Stramaccioni's side when he turned in Milito's cross from the right-hand side.

For Inter, who faces Roma next in Serie A, there was confirmation that it preseason optimism was thoroughly justified, while Pescara were left with the realisation that this could be a very long season for them.

 

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AC Milan 0-1 Sampdoria: Costa goal punishes lacklustre hosts

Sampdoria deepened the sense of gloom surrounding San Siro by recording a 1-0 victory over a beleaguered AC Milan side on the first Sunday of the new Serie A season.

The Rossoneri had more of the ball during a tepid first half but they did so very little with it that their visitors could not help but grow in confidence the longer the game wore on. Therefore, it came as no surprise when Andrea Costa headed the newly-promoted Blucerchiati into the lead on 59 minutes.

Milan tried to rally in the final half hour, but while Mario Yepes and Kevin-Prince Boateng struck the woodwork late on, Massimiliano Allegri's men slumped to a disappointing yet thoroughly deserved defeat after a horribly uninspiring performance.

The rows of empty seats at the Giuseppe Meazza underlined just how disillusioned and demoralized Rossoneri fans feel after a summer sale that saw their once mighty club forced to offload its two best players, Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to Paris Saint-Germain in order to balance the books.

Those supporters that did bother to show up must have been feeling like they should have stayed at home after a mind-numbingly boring first half in which a Milan side devoid of almost any creativity and dynamism in the middle of the park managed just one shot on target - and even that was an effort from Robinho which flew straight into the arms of Sergio Romero.

Indeed, despite playing just one up top, Sampdoria actually carried the greater attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes and actually went closest to scoring. Daniele Bonera appeared to have things under control when Marcelo Estigarribia aimed a diagonal ball in the direction of lone forward Eder.

However, the dozing Milan center half allowed himself to be dispossessed by the Blucerchiati striker, who then proceeded to cut inside towards the Milan goal. Eder, though, took too much out of the ball and allowed a relieved Bonera to get back to block the Brazilian’s goal-bound effort.

The home side looked ever so slightly more menacing at the start of the second half, with Robinho having two cracks on goal, albeit to no avail, while Giampaolo Pazzini’s entry into the fray in place of the grossly ineffective Stephan El Shaarawy did give the Milan fans something to sing about.

However, they were silenced just moments later when Samp left back Costa climbed highest to power home a corner from the right-hand side.

Milan very nearly equalized in almost identical fashion on 64 minutes but Romero sensationally managed to parry Mario Yepes’ towering header onto the post before the ball bounced back into the ever-so-grateful goalkeeper’s arms.

The Rossoneri continued to press and Boateng was unlucky to see his curling effort from outside the area strike the right post, while Mathieu Flamini was denied at point-blank range. However, Sampdoria survived to announce its return to Serie A with a win that was greeted with a sense of utter bewilderment by the home fans, who must now be envisaging a long

 

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Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona: Messi double earns comeback victory

Barcelona escaped from the Estadio El Sadar with a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in their La Liga encounter on Sunday.

The Blaugrana were second best for much of the game, and fell behind in the 17th minute to a goal from Joseba Llorente.

Their woes continued in the second half as Osasuna kept them on the back foot, while coach Tito Vilanova was sent to the stands in the 73rd minute for protesting to the linesman.

However, a controversial equalizer from Lionel Messi brought them back into the match in the 76th minute, and Osasuna captain Patxi Punal was sent off for protesting the goal.

The Argentine would pop up once again four minutes later to poke home the winner, and give the Catalans a win that they scarcely deserved, after a spirited and purposeful performance from the home side.

With sunlight beating down over Estadio El Sadar, Barcelona was slow getting out of the blocks, and had Victor Valdes to thank for denying Alvaro Cejudo from close range inside the opening two minutes.

Andres Iniesta would create danger at the other end, teeing up Tello, who saw his effort touched by Andres Fernandez onto the post.However, just when it looked like the Blaugrana were beginning to get into their stride, Osasuna would bring them back down to earth with the opener after 17 minutes.

Roland Lamah was the architect, whipping in a dangerous cross from the left that was side-footed in by Llorente, who ghosted in behind Jordi Alba at the far post.

Tello saw a close-range shot saved by Fernandez and Iniesta should have found the target after latching on to Sanchez’s cutback from 12 yards out, but the chances did not mask Barca’s struggles in attack, as it failed to connect with many of its passes.

Its difficulties at the back were even more pronounced, as Osasuna looked dangerous every time it attacked. The home side came very close to a second, as the lively Lamah saw his drive parried by Valdes, and Llorente blocked twice by Gerard Pique from the rebound.

However, Barca had a chance to draw level just before the break. A quickly worked free kick from Cesc Fabregas found Messi in range, but his initial attempt was saved by Fernandez, who also recovered in time to smother Iniesta’s follow-up.

The visitors’ problems continued as the second-half unfolded, and another defensive lapse almost cost them dear just before the hour mark. Carles Puyol’s sloppy pass was pounced on by Sisi, whose low angler towards the corner was tipped wide by Valdes.

Moments later, Sergio Busquets would almost gift Osasuna a second goal, after he was stripped of possession by Nino just outside the box, who bent his finish onto the post from point blank range.

In the 73rd minute, Vilanova was sent to the stands for arguing with the linesman on the sidelines. However, just when Osasuna were at their most dangerous, a moment of controversy undid all their hard work and brought Barcelona back into the game.

Punal was obstructed by referee Fernandez in the middle, but play was allowed to continue, allowing Barca to deliver into the Osasuna area. The hosts were not able to clear, and Sanchez was able to poke to Messi, who stroked home from six yards out.

Osasuna protested an offside call on Sanchez to no avail, and Punal was given his marching orders in the confusion. Within four minutes of the restart, matters became even worse for the home side as Barcelona struck again.

A sweeping move from the visitors saw Alba drive a low cross towards Messi inside the area, and the Argentine did not hesitate, side-footing past Fernandez to put his side into the lead.Osasuna could not muster a response, and Barca held on to claim a priceless three points, in a win that they barely warranted.

 

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Barton: I want to leave QPR for Marseille

QPR midfielder Joey Barton is hoping to leave the Premier League for French side Marseille this week, stating 'enough is enough' and that his heart is 'already in the Velodrome'.

Barton is still serving a suspension following his antics on the final day of the 2011-12 season when he was sent off against Manchester City - with 10 games of 12 still to go before he can play in England. And while he says there are other clubs interested in taking him, Marseille is the only one that interests him, stating he is hoping to seal a move there this week.

"Marseille won again as well. Allez les Marseillais. Maybe I'll see you all this week?" Barton stated on Twitter. "I am hopeful that things will be sorted out soon. Other clubs are in but I only want to play in Marseille. This is the place for me.

"Hopefully, QPR and Marseille can finalize the deal in the next few days. My heart is already in the Vélodrome."

Barton continued to tweet on the subject, stating that Mark Hughes doesn't see a future for the midfielder at the club and though he respects his manager's point of view, 'enough is enough' for his time at the club.

He added: "Not going to cry about it. Maybe it's just time to move on. I enjoyed parts of last season and I believe I am more than capable of playing this year. But the manager doesn't. Such is life.

"I have no problem with this as it's my fault I am banned for 12 (10 now) games. When a person [makes] a decision he has to stand by that. I respect Hughes for this. I don't agree but I accept his decision.

"I am not the type of player to sit on the sidelines and take the cash. It's not me. I could do that for the next three years but it's not me. I want to play football.

"Hopefully the QPR fans will accept that. I offered to resign from the club/contract when I got my ban. @tonyfernandes [and] @Amit_Bhatia99 will testify that I am telling the truth.

"I accepted my punishment from the FA and the club for my behavior against Man City like a man.

"I could of appealed as is my right. I choose not to out of respect. But when I returned to the club. I am forced to train away from the first team. I am stripped of the captaincy. Then, made to train at 3pm. Then, I am hawked around on loan.

"Then, I have my shirt number taken without any notice. Then, I read I wouldn't of been signed had the current regime been in place.

"I accepted all this. I never once spoke out of turn or angrily to anybody. I am a man. I can only take so much. I want to leave.

"I hope to move on with my career, with my life. If that is in France, then so be it. I don't want to be disrespectful to QPR but enough is enough.

"Good night people, I've said enough for today. I'll get in trouble. No doubt. But this is how it is. This if life."

 

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Tevez: Last season's problems with Manchester City are finished

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez insists that the problems which saw him miss months of last season are in the past, and has even indicated that he could stay beyond his current contract, which expires in 2014.

The Argentine striker scored his second goal of the campaign to equalize in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday, notching his 100th goal in English soccer in the process, and says he could easily stay at the club.

"I'd have no problem staying," Tevez told Sky Sports. "My family is here, my children are here. I'm happy, my wife is happy. I have two years on my contract, and, yeah, I could stay longer.

"Last year was difficult for me. After I came back, I played and we were champions. That was the best bit of last season.

"A year ago, was the most difficult bit. The problems of last season are finished. Now I'm happy, Roberto [Mancini] is happy, the club is happy. The problem is finished."

Mancini also hailed the striker following the draw with Liverpool at Anfield, stating that it was important for Tevez to carry on scoring for the club.

"Carlos is in great form, and it's important for us that he continues to play like he has for the last two or three games," Mancini added.

 

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'It is only the first step' - Stramaccioni staying grounded after positive Inter start

Andrea Stramaccioni's http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/italy/2/interlabelled Inter's 3-0 win over Pescara 'the first step' as the Nerazzurri began the Serie A season in impressive fashion.

Goals from Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and CoutinhoInter to the top of the table and that result had additional gloss after arch-rivals Milan were beaten 1-0 by Sampdoria.

"We are happy, it is only the first step but we are happy," Stramaccioni remarked after the game. "A great team that took the lead 2-0 at half-time on a difficult pitch is a sign of strength. It was a good start but it is a long season ahead and we need to keep our feet on the ground."

 

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Ancelotti pleads for PSG players not to lose focus after dour Bordeaux draw

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has pleaded with his side to remain focused and to not lose confidence after a dour 0-0 draw with Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.

Les Parisiens were booed off at the fulltime whistle, slipping to 11th place in the standings, after three draws from their opening three games of the season.

Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return, the side remained profligate, with the likes of Nene, Javier Pastore and others failing to trouble a resoluteBordeaux back-line.

"We did not play good football. We played without speed and away from opposing goal." admitted Ancelotti to reporters after the game. "We must not lose confidence, we will improve. The team was more aggressive and well organized. But we must win by playing more quickly to the attacking midfielders.

"New players have arrived or returned from injury. We must work more naturally like we did last year."

 

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Mourinho slams Real Madrid for 'unacceptable' defeat to Getafe

Jose Mourinho has heavily criticized his Real Madrid side, lamenting its 'unacceptable' performance as it was defeated by Getafe.

Los Blancos took a first-half lead through Gonzalo Higuain but some poor defending in the second half offered Luis Garcia Plaza's men a route back into the game. They duly obliged with strikes from Juan Valera and Abdelaziz Barrada to leave Real Madrid with just one point from a possible six so far this season.

"It was an unacceptable game, in this match for me it is not a frustrating defeat. We totally deserved to lose," Mourinho said to reporters after the game. "There are things that a coach cannot discuss with the press. I haven't talked to the players. They have no feedback on what I think and what I have analysed. I have to talk to them.

"The only conclusion that I want them to get is that this was a defeat for Real Madrid and more than a well-deserved win for Getafe."

The Portuguese coach queried two key refereeing decisions, admitting that his players had suggested that Adrian Colunga had handled the ball in the build-up to the winner and also casting doubts over the dismissal of Fabio Coentrao from the bench.

"I have just heard what my players said about the second goal. They said it was handball by Colunga [who assisted the goal]. The referee accused Coentrao of saying a word nobody on the bench heard."

Following Barcelona's 2-1 win over Osasuna earlier on Sunday, Madrid already sit five points adrift of its arch rival and Mourinho revealed his disappointment at such a gap.

"It could be six if we had lost the first game," he said. "But we are five [adrift] which is too many points when only six have been contested. But today was a different match. Against Valencia we did more to win. Today, we fully deserved to lose."

 

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Puyol faces injury lay off after fracturing cheekbone in win over Osasuna

Carles Puyol looks set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his right cheekbone during Barcelona's 1-2 win over Osasuna.

Hospital tests confirmed the injury, meaning the veteran central defender is likely to miss the Supercopa second-leg tie against Real Madrid.

Puyol will undergo further tests on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and his estimated length of absence.

 

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Mancini slams Manchester City defense after Anfield draw

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini demanded an improvement from his defense after it conceded two goals on Sunday for the fourth consecutive fixture.

City came back from a goal down twice against Liverpool at Anfield to earn a 2-2 draw, but Mancini slammed his defence after shipping another double.

The Premier League champions conceded twice on the final day of last season and have done in all three games this campaign, including the Community Shield clash against Chelsea. Mancini called for this run to end, while also complaining about the free-kick awarded to Liverpool which led to the Reds' second goal.

"I think that it's time we finished conceding two goals every game", he told Sky Sports. "Before this [happens] we need to work. Today the two goals were set-pieces, the second goal wasn't a free-kick, it was like the goal we conceded here last year, but we do need to improve."

The 47-year-old did praise his team's character though, saying he was pleased with the manner in which his players fought back despite ending up with what he feels is a disappointing result.

"I'm disappointed because when you don't win you are always disappointed," he continued. "But you know that at Anfield it is difficult to play and in the end if you go and take one point like today, go two times down and score two goals, yeah, we showed good character."

City lined up in a changed formation with three at the back and five in midfield but reverted back to its more familiar shape during the game and Mancini feels his side need more time to get used to the new system.

He added: "I think we need more time, for 30 minutes we always had the ball."

"Playing in their half we had 4 or 5 chances to score but then after we conceded from the corner, something needed to change."

Finally, the Italian confirmed the club will work hard as we enter the final week of the transfer window.

"We have 5 days, we should work really hard." He said.

 

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Allen: Liverpool looking to kick on after 'bittersweet' draw with Manchester City

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen admitted his side's 2-2 draw with Manchester City was a "bittersweet" result, but has backed the team to kick on with its season after notching its first point of the Premier League campaign.

The Reds twice held the lead against the champions through a header from Martin Skrtel and a stunning free kick by Luis Suarez, but costly errors from the latter and goalkeeper Pepe Reina gifted Roberto Mancini's men a point in a high-tempo contest at Anfield.

Allen admitted it was frustrating to let the lead slip twice in such fashion, but believes his side can take great confidence from their performance as they look to build momentum following last week's opening-day defeat to West Brom.

“It was pretty frantic at times," he told Sky Sports after the match. "For the neutral, I’m sure it was a great game; from our point of view, it was brilliant to have gone ahead twice but disappointing not go on to win the game. I think that [bitter-sweet] is the perfect way to sum it up.

“Of course, we knew we’d bounce back with a better performance and I think that was obvious from the start. We’ve put that game behind us and after today’s draw we’re looking to kick on.”

Roberto Mancini raised eyebrows by naming a 5-3-2 formation for the game, and Allen admitted it was a tactic they were forced to adapt to quickly.

“It’s something not many teams do," the 22-year-old continued. "We had to make a few changes to deal with that and for the first 15 we took a while to get to grips with it, but I thought we dealt with it quite well. From a personal point of view our system didn’t change much, although obviously our wingers had to put a shift in tracking theirs.”

The former Swansea man made his home debut for the Reds against City and put in a typically impressive passing display which boasted a 100 per cent completion rate at half-time.

Having completed his protracted move to Merseyside shortly before the start of the season, the Wales international revealed he was delighted to have made his Anfield bow.

"It was a fantastic occasion, it’s always special to get your home debut," he said. "Here at Anfield, the atmosphere was fantastic as I would have expected, and I’m looking forward to playing here for the rest of the season.”

The youngster was at the heart of Brendan Rodgers' impressive Swansea side last season, and has backed his boss to instil the same style of play in the Liverpool side as they look to break back into the Premier League top four.

“Speaking with the guys here, they were really looking forward to playing underneath him," he added. "Obviously the style of play is a big positive factor for everyone, and we’re confident that’s going to get us results throughout the season.”

 

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Torres: It is a privilege to play alongside Hazard

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has hailed new signing Eden Hazard after his impressive display against Newcastle United on Saturday, remarking that it is a "privilege" to play alongside the Belgian.

Both players were on target in the 2-0 win against the Magpies as the Blues maintained their 100 percent start to the season and their grip on top spot in the Premier League.

Hazard netted from the spot after Torres had been fouled in the box before turning provider as the Spaniard doubled the lead.

"A player like him can make a difference," Torres told Chelsea TV. "It is a privilege for a striker to have a player like him or Juan [Mata], Oscar or Lamps [Frank Lampard] behind you. It is difficult to start winning games when you change your style but we are doing it and we must be proud of that."

Despite his own impressive start to the season, Torres insisted that Chelsea topping the Premier League with three successive wins was of far more importance.

"2-0 at the end is the main thing, you helped the team by scoring and winning the penalty for Eden and that is good," Torres added.

"Always the striker has to score and I have said many times it was one of the things I wanted to improve and I have done so far this season."

He continued: "We have showed to everyone how strong we are when we have to defend like we did last season but we have another way to play as well - I think it is important a big team to have different kinds of ways to play.

"We are enjoying ourselves, we are having a really good start to the season and I think the fans are enjoying it too. We are playing really good football for the moment, so let's build on this momentum."