..::Football II::..

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'I need him, not the money' - Napoli president rules out Cavani sale

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has declared Edinson Cavani is not for sale amid interest from Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger declared his interest in the striker on Thursday, describing the Uruguayan stiker as a player he "liked" but admitted the player would "cost a lot of money."

De Laurentiis revealed the club has received a bid for Cavani in the region of 55 million euros, which he has rejected, but stopped short of naming the club.

"For Cavani I have already been offered 55 million euros, and I said no," De Laurentiis told Calcio Mercato. "I need him, not the money. I am confident in his ability, he knows that here he is the No. 1 in the city, and I do not think in other places or at other teams, most of us can identify with that city, jersey and fans."

The 25-year-old Cavani has been in prolific form this season, scoring 25 goals in 24 games.

 

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Prandelli: Conte has done a great job at Juventus

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has credited Antonio Conte with Juventus' re-emergence over the last 18 months after a number of disappointing seasons.

The 43-year-old guided the Bianconeri to the Serie A title and Coppa Italia final last term, and they sit atop of the table this time round, and Prandelli is in no doubt as to who is behind their revival.

"Juventus have shown that with the right mentality and structure you can make up for the lack of a top player. Conte has been doing - and still does - an extraordinary job at Juve," Prandelli was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"He is extremely organized and has created a culture of sacrifices, determination and focus."

Prandelli then went on to claim that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has the potential to become one of the top five players in the world.

"He's a guy who is carrying a very heavy burden for someone of his age. There's his image, the fame, his complicated background, and wearing the jersey of the national team," he said.

Prandell added, "If he's able to turn all this into the motivation to give his all for the full 90 minutes every game, he can become one of the top five players in the world. I think that he can achieve this."

Balotelli has a contract with Manchester City until June 2015, but AC Milan are keen to lure him back to Serie A this winter.

 

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Giggs 'relaxed' about Manchester United future amid talk of one-year extension

Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs has insisted that he is solely focused on his on-field displays and not a possible contract extension.

Following Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round replay win over West Ham, in which Giggs produced a man-of-the-match display, Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that the 39-year-old is set to remain at Old Trafford for a further year.


Giggs has been committing himself to United on one-year rolling contracts for the last few seasons, and the Welshman is calm regarding his current situation - maintaining that he is "not too bothered" about his future.

"I am not thinking about my contract at the moment," Giggs told The Independent. "It is like previous seasons, I am quite relaxed about it. I am just enjoying my football. There are so many crucial games at the moment I am not too bothered about what is happening next year.

He added, "I feel good though. Obviously the manager knows how to look after me and I try and look after myself as best I can, which you have to at this age.

"I am not going to play every game but I have to be ready and prepared when called upon."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.01.19 Fixtures

Wigan Vs Sunderland

West Ham United Vs QPR

Swansea Vs Stroke

Newcastle Vs Reading

Liverpool Vs Norwich City

Manchester City Vs Fulham

WBA Vs Aston Villa

​

 

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La Liga 2013.01.19 Fixtures

Granada Vs Rayo Vallecano

Real Sociedad Vs Barcelona

Getafe Vs Sevilla

Malaga Vs Celta Vigo​

 

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Serie A 2013.01.19 Fixtures

Palermo Vs Lazio

Juventus Vs Udinese​

 

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South Africa 0-0 Cape Verde: Bafana once again fail to score in 2013 Afcon opener

South Africa and Cape Verde started the 2013 African Cup of Nations with a dull 0-0 draw in Johannesburg.

Cape Verde started well, soaking the home team's pressure as South Africa failed to create a single clear-cut chance in the first half. As the game wore on, the doubting home spectators grew restless and the pressure turned against Bafana. The home side couldn't settle down, and most critics were still unhappy with coach Gordon Igesund's ploy of using long balls.

Winger Thuso Phala again showed why Igesund chose him ahead of dropped star players. He made an immediate impression tricking Nivaldo, before being hauled down and winning Bafana a free kick in a dangerous position in the first minute. It produced the best moment for the home side as Siphiwe Tshabalala's freekick met Bongani Khumalo who headed wide of the post.

Bafana made most of the moves in the first half, but since they got rid of the ball quicker, Cape Verde held its own in possession.

In the 16th minute Cape Verde Islands gave South Africa an early warning, as Babanco split the SA defense with a brilliant through pass for Platini to be through on goal. The Santa Clara striker wasted the clear opportunity, dragging his shot wide.

Cape Verde's captain Fernando Neves and his central defensive partner Fernando Varela kept Bafana quiet, as it was an even first half with both teams in the game. Cape Verde then won a free kick, but Heldon's curling effort flew harmlessly over Khune's crossbar.

After half an hour Tshabalala's cross found Phala at the back post but the Platinum Stars midfielder couldn't control it. Then Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi took a speculative shot from distance which flew high over the crossbar.

Lerato Chabango replaced Dikgacoi at the beginning of the second half, a clear sign that Igesund was ready to take a risk and use his midfield to attack.

In the 56th minute Bafana Bafana cut through the Islanders defense from the right wing, as Majoro fed Parker. The Chiefs striker was blocked by Varela, but the ball fell for Tshabalala whose strike was parried brilliantly by Vozinha.

In the 71st minute the visitors nearly silenced South Africa as a clever cross from Babanco reached Mendes whose superb diving header was just wide of a scrambling Khune.

Captain Khumalo could have won it for South Africa in injury time with a header from a corner, but it wasn't to be and Cape Verde deserved a draw. Even though Bafana once again failed to score, at least they are still in the competition, probably needing four points from their next two games against Angola and Morocco to progress to the second round.

 

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Wigan 2-3 Sunderland: Fletcher at the double as Black Cats claim five-goal thriller

Steven Fletcher scored twice in a thrilling 3-2 win against Wigan to ease Sunderland's relegation worries on Saturday.

The home side got off to the perfect start after David Vaughan put the ball into his own net early on, but Sunderland responded through Craig Gardner’s penalty and a Steven Fletcher double put the club 3-1 up before halftime.

Wigan made a concerted effort to come back in the second half, but despite substitute Angelo Henriquez’s debut goal, Fletcher’s 10th of the season – and sixth in seven against the Latics – was enough to hand Sunderland its fifth win in eight league games.

Roberto Martinez refrained from throwing new signings Joel Robles, Henriquez and Roger Espinoza straight into Wigan’s starting lineup, instead making just two changes from the side that earned a point at Fulham last weekend. Ronnie Stam replaced the injured Ivan Ramis, while Jordi Gomez came in for David Jones.

The visitors, meanwhile, welcomed defender John O’Shea back from a long injury layoff at the expense of Matthew Kilgallon, while new signing Alfred N’Diaye replaced James McClean to make his full league debut and Steven Fletcher returned to relegate youngster Connor Wickham to the bench.

A tough task loomed for the home side. The Latics had won just once in nine league games and had lost their last four home games against Sunderland, including a 4-1 defeat last season.

But just four minutes in, the home side took a torch to the form books and capitalized on sloppy defending to carve an early lead.

Great work from Gomes and Jean Beausejour down the left ended with Ronnie Stam receiving the ball in the box and turning to shoot. The defender fluffed his finish but a Vaughan touch sent the ball past Simon Mignolet.

Sunderland’s response, however, was swift. N’Diaye and O’Shea came close minutes later, before James McCarthy blocked Sebastian Larsson’s free kick inside the box with his hand, conceding a 15th minute penalty.

It was Sunderland’s first spot kick in 34 games but Gardner made it look easy, sending Ali Al-Habsi the wrong way after coolly slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

Just five minutes later, Fletcher put Sunderland ahead after meeting an N’Diaye cross to first have his header saved and then rifle an acrobatic left-foot volley into the top corner on the rebound.

The goal turned the game on its head. And more worryingly for Wigan, it didn’t stop there.

Five minutes before halftime, a long ball into the box found Adam Johnson, who played a simple pass to Fletcher and the Scotland striker once again used his left foot to inflict hurt, sending a powerful yet pinpoint finish into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The home side came out firing after the break, with Shaun Maloney being denied by several fantastic Mignolet saves, while Fletcher deflected the ball onto his own crossbar on 68 minutes.

Henriquez got the home side back into the game with 10 minutes to go, heading in a Maloney cross to score on his debut.

But Wigan’s second half pressure ultimately came to nothing and Fletcher and co. left the DW Stadium with three valuable points.

 

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Manchester City 2-0 Fulham: Silva double reduces the gap at the top to four points

Two goals from David Silva saw an off key Manchester City overcome Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, closing the gap on Premier League title rival Manchester United.

The reigning league champion was ahead within two minutes, as Silva calmly guided Edin Dzeko’s parried shot past a hapless Mark Schwarzer.

City looked set to run riot, but didn’t strike again until mid-way through the second half, as Silva latched onto Carlos Tevez’s through ball and expertly chipped it over the Fulham keeper, guaranteeing all three points.

Roberto Mancini picked an unchanged side for the first time this season, with Vincent Kompany remaining in central defense. Fit again Sergio Aguero was listed on the bench.

Fulham made six changes to the side that stumbled past Blackpool in the FA Cup. Kieran Richardson, who scored against the Tangerines, was picked at left back, while Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov returned up front.

The home side got off to a flying start as James Milner pounced on a loose pass and immediately offloaded to Dzeko. The Bosnian’s rasping drive was palmed into the path of Silva by Schwarzer, and the Spaniard duly stroked the ball into the far corner.

Despite the early goal, City struggled to exert its usual authority on the match as Martin Jol’s side enjoyed a large share of possession – albeit in non-threatening areas – and the game become a taut, subdued affair.

Mancini’s men seemed increasingly content to sit back, absorb pressure and counter, though they could have conceded when Steve Sidwell out jumped Pablo Zabaleta at the back post, heading Damien Duff’s cross just wide.

City finished the half with a modicum of urgency, as Dzeko blasted the ball over the crossbar from an acute angle, and that intensity grew further after the break, with Tevez leading a more direct and high-pressure approach.

Nevertheless, it wasn't until the hour-mark that the Citizens really threatened Schwarzer’s goal. Good work from Zabaleta earned his side a corner (and a game-ending injury), from which Kompany powered a header on target, which was almost diverted into the net by the outstretched boot of Tevez.

The home side finally doubled the lead with 20 minutes remaining. Cute one-touch interplay between Gael Clichy and Tevez released Silva, who raced towards goal before effortlessly dinking the ball over the onrushing Schwarzer.

Seconds after the game restarted, Tevez and Silva combined again, but this time the diminutive playmaker couldn’t beat Fulham’s Australian shot-stopper, dragging his shot wide of the far post.

Fulham mounted little response, despite healthy possession, and Joe Hart was almost completely untroubled as the game rolled towards its conclusion. Aguero marked his return from injury with a brief but lively cameo off the bench and there was time for Dzeko to blaze an absolute sitter over the bar from six-yards.

The result sees Manchester City move to within four points of league leader Manchester United, and if winning ugly is a sign of a good team, then City certainly proved its title credentials today.

 

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West Ham 1-1 QPR: Joe Cole spoils Remy’s dream debut

West Ham came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against QPR on Saturday afternoon at Upton Park during a closely-fought but scrappy encounter.

The visitors took the lead in the first half after a fantastic piece of finishing from debutant Loic Remy, collecting Adel Taarabt's brilliant pass before firing home, before Joe Cole equalized with a simple tap-in for his first West Ham goal in a decade to level the game.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce made seven changes to the side that lost 1-0 away at Old Trafford to Manchester United in their FA Cup third round replay in midweek, with on-loan Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh handed his first start for the club, with James Collins missing out with a calf injury.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp handed Remy his debut for the club, with Park Ji-Sung making way and dropping to the bench in the only change from the team that drew 0-0 with Tottenham last weekend.

After a bright start from the hosts, some typically tenacious work by Mohamed Diame down the left flank saw his low ball across the box result in a corner, from which Julio Cesar had to be at his best to turn away a Kevin Nolan header from close range.

However, against the run of play, Remy handed the Hoops the lead in the 13th minute after latching on to Taarabt's superb through ball in behind the back four before coolly slotting home past Jaaskelainen.

With West Ham struggling to gain a foothold in midfield and being increasingly forced to utilize the long ball, Chamakh had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Howard Webb after going down in the box under some heavy pressure from Jamie Mackie.

Despite huffing and puffing for the remainder of the half, though, aside from a Diame effort which blazed over the bar and poorly-hit strike from Joe Cole, the home fans had little to cheer about, going it at the break a goal behind.

Manager Sam Allardyce's halftime team talk must have had an impact after the hosts racing out of the traps in pursuit of an equalizer in the second half, with Cole going close before Chamakh saw an effort well blocked by Clint Hill in the six yard box after a scrappy goalmouth scramble.

They didn't have to wait much longer for the equalizer, though, with Cole prodding the ball in after Julio Cesar parried substitute Carlon Cole's towering header after a lovely cross into the box from Matt Jarvis in the 67th minute.

By this point in time, QPR were merely clinging on and West Ham went close through a Winston Reid drive before Joe Cole saw an effort cleared off the line by Fabio after he rounded Julio Cesar on the break.

Despite their lackluster display in the second half, the visitors still posed a threat on the break with Stephane M'Bia doing well to intercept a Kevin Nolan pass before driving up the pitch and playing in Remy only to see Reid get across to block.

Nevertheless, even though they were hugely outplayed in the second half, Harry Redknapp's side managed to hold on to claim a point and ensure that both sides enjoyed a share of the spoils, with the hosts enable to find a way through late on.

 

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Swansea City 3-1 Stoke City: De Guzman double wraps up dominant win

Swansea is unbeaten in six Premier League games after a 3-1 win over Stoke at the Liberty Stadium.

Ben Davies opened the scoring with an excellent goal early in the second half before Jonathan de Guzman added two quality goals to seal the result.

Michael Owen added a late consolation with his first ever strike for the Potters.

Swansea started the brighter of the two teams, with Pablo Hernandez dragging a shot wide of Begovic's goal in the opening minutes, before Michu miscued a volley from just outside the area after a good lay-off from Itay Schecter.

The hosts' first real chance of the half came after 26 minutes when Hernandez found Michu with a long ball into the box but the Spaniard couldn't rerarrange his feet and sent his volley off target.

That was quickly followed by a chance for the visitors. Matthew Etherington should have done better as he failed to hit the target from a tight angle inside the box following a neat exchange with Adam.Etherington then nearly handed the Swans a lead in the 36th minute when he over-played deep inside his own half, allowing Angel Rangel to dispossess him before crossing for Michu, who should have scored with his header inside the six-yard box.

The second half sparked instantly into life when Davies gave Swansea the lead with a superbly taken first goal for the club. The left back shrugged off Jonathan Walters before skipping past Robert Huth and slotting a low right-footed finish past Begovic.

Less than 10 minutes later the hosts doubled their lead through a fantastic free kick from De Guzman. Michu was fouled just outside the box, allowing the Dutchman to step up and curl a sweetly struck right-footed effort into the top corner.

The Dutchman got himself on the scoresheet again with 10 minutes to play. He made a lung-busting run to support Danny Graham, whose lay-off was sublimely controlled and De Guzman provided a finish to match.

Owen grabbed a late consolation for Stoke with his first goal for the club as a late substitute, the striker got a slight touch on Cameron Jerome's cross to take it into the net.

 

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Liverpool 5-0 Norwich City: Reds destroy hapless visitors

Liverpool is back to winning ways in the Premier League after a marvelous 5-0 win over Norwich City at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.A wondrous strike from Jordan Henderson gave the Reds the lead, before a well-worked move saw Luis Suarez double the advantage before halftime.

Daniel Sturridge got his third goal in three matches for Liverpool early in the second period, and that was followed by a great Steven Gerrard pile-driver and a Ryan Bennett own goal.Brendan Rodgers made four changes from the side that lost to Manchester United last time out as Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling dropped out for Brad Jones, Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.

Norwich boss Chris Hughton made four changes too, with the Canaries drawing 1-1 at home to Newcastle last week. Out went Sebastien Bassong, Anthony Pilkington, Wes Hoolahan and Simeon Jackson, and in came Ryan Bennett, Elliott Bennett, Jonny Howson and Grant Holt.

The match started with Liverpool controlling proceedings, knocking the ball around confidently in midfield without creating much, and soon Norwich nearly took the lead as Robert Snodgrass delivered an excellent free kick from the right. Ryan Bennett’s header forced an easy stop from Jones.

Liverpool continued to pass the ball well and the interchanging front line was causing Norwich significant problems as Luis Suarez played a pass through Bradley Johnson’s legs for Sturridge, but the England man’s resulting strike was halted by Mark Bunn in the Norwich goal.Rodgers’ side eventually took the lead through Henderson, and what a goal it was. The England international struck a ferocious half volley into the top corner of the Norwich goal after a Suarez effort was blocked.

It did not take the Reds long to double their lead as Lucas Leiva played a pass forward, only for Sturridge to take Michael Turner out of the equation with an clever dummy, allowing Suarez a free run on goal before sliding the ball past Bunn for his 20th goal of the season.

The second half followed an identical pattern in most respects as Liverpool continued to blow Norwich away with what looked like consummate ease and soon the club had its third of the day.Steven Gerrard picked out Stewart Downing in the right side of the area and the winger played the ball into the danger area first time, with Sturridge on hand to tap it in from five-yards out.

Norwich’s introduction of Wes Hoolahan saw the club attempt to offer some kind of riposte, but before long it was four goals down as the Reds’ captain came up with a trademark strike.

After Glen Johnson cut in from the left, he laid the ball off for Gerrard. From between 25 and 30 yards out, he buried a shot into the bottom corner giving Mark Bunn no chance.

Goal number five arrived with about 15 minutes to go, and it came in embarrassing circumstances as Raheem Sterling capitalized on some awful defending by Turner before crossing low towards Fabio Borini. However, Bennett got on the end of it and put it past his own goalkeeper.

The final stages saw Liverpool simply see out the match by knocking the ball around with ease, dazzling Norwich for the most part and ending without the visitors offering any kind of attacking threat.

 

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Newcastle 1-2 Reading: Le Fondre double piles pressure on Magpies

Adam Le Fondre double off the bench pushed Reading to a second consecutive comeback victory as it won 2-1 away at Newcastle, continuing the Magpies woeful season.

The hosts took the lead on 36 minutes as Yohan Cabaye curled a perfect free kick past Adam Federici, but substitute Le Fondre struck twice in six minutes to secure the Royals' second consecutive comeback victory.

Shola Ameobi returned from suspension to replace Gabriel Obertan on the right wing, while Yohan Cabaye made his full comeback to first-team action in midfield after a two-month absence due to a groin injury, in the hosts' only two alterations from last week's 0-0 draw at Norwich.

Brian McDermott made three changes from the side that started Reading's miraculous comeback victory over West Brom last week, with Stephen Kelly handed a debut at right-back.

The game was slow to get goping but the Royals had a great chance to score in the 12th minute as Jimmy Kebe raced onto a long ball down the right flank, but could only cut into Mike Williamson as he reached the box.

The hosts responded brilliantly and after Yohan Cabaye had a near-post effort saved by Federici, he clipped a lovely ball into Papiss Cisse in the box, but the onrushing Australian tipped Papiss Cisse's header behind.

Cisse was denied by a superb Alex Pearce block from opening the scoring on 26 minutes, but Garath McCleary stormed down the left immediately, cutting the ball to Pavel Pogrebnyak who could only turn the ball wide on the slide from 12 yards.

The Magpies' No.9 could only fire straight at Federici after fine work from Anita and the Royals keeper denied the Toon No.9 from point-blank ranged after Mathieu Debuchy burst down the right and found Cisse with a superb cross.

The Magpies finally made the breakthrough after the half-hour. After Sylvain Marveaux was felled making his way towards the area, Cabaye stepped up and curled a perfect free kick into the top corner from 20 yards.

The Royals had the better of things after the break, but had little to show for their dominance. Harte curled a free kick that was almost deflected in by a Newcastle leg, before Pogrebnyak rasped an effort well over the bar from 20 yards out.

Reading did get itself level on 71 minutes as Jimmy Kebe was afforded too much space on the right and he whipped a dangerous ball across goal that substitute Le Fondre bundled home with his first touch.

Pardew responded by replacing the superb Cabaye with Gael Bigirmana to the home fans' fury and they were apoplectic soon after as Le Fondre pounced on Hope Akpan's scuffed shot to bury his second and complete the Royals' comeback.

The hosts had a great chance to level scores late in the game, but Cisse could only shank his effort over as the ball landed at his feet eight yards out.

 

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Bayern Munich 2-0 Greuther Furth: Mandzukic at the double

Bayern Munich kicked off the second-half of its Bundesliga campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Greuther Furth at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

In the club's first game back following the league's winter break, the hosts bossed this top vs bottom clash from start to finish, taking the lead in the 26th minute through Mario Mandzukic's fortunate opener.

The Croatian forward would add a second goal just past the hour mark to seal the win for Bayern, which maintains its nine-point lead at the top of the table over Bayer Leverkusen, while Furth remains rooted to the bottom and 10 points adrift of safety.

There was no place for Mario Gomez or Jerome Boateng in the home side’s starting XI, as Jupp Heynckes opted to bench the pair and begin with Mandzukic up front and Daniel Van Buyten at the back.

The Bavarians were on the attack right away through the threat of Frank Ribery, who was able to create danger down the flanks, even blasting one early effort into the side netting.It was a clearly one-sided opening to the match, as all the possession – and the chances – fell the way of the home side.

Dante saw a shot from a great position charged down by the desperate Furth defense, before Mandzukic was thwarted in the 25th minute by a sublime save from Wolfgang Hesl at his near post.But Hesl was to turn from hero to villain in an instant. Mandzukic’s half-volley from Thomas Muller’s cross was too hot to handle for the Furth keeper, who spilled his catch clumsily into the back of the net.

And with 35 minutes gone, Bayern could have been further in front had Muller and Mandzukic found the target with a pair of gilt-edged opportunities.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with the home side comfortable and clearly in control, if not entirely clinical in front of goal.

However, the club was given a scare eight minutes after the restart, when Zoltan Stieber’s low cross was cleared away from danger at the last by Dante, with players lining up to tap it home.

The hosts were soon back on the attack, though, with Bastian Schweinsteiger forcing Hesl to tip his drive over the bar with a fine save. But from Toni Kroos’ resulting corner, Mandzukic headed past Hesl at his near post for his and his side's second of the afternoon.

Heynckes' men could have scored again in the time that remained, with substitute Arjen Robben proving a particular threat to a tired visiting defense, but no more goals were forthcoming as Furth managed to avoid a thrashing.

 

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Newcastle boss Pardew: I had to substitute injured Cabaye in Reading defeat

NEWCASTLE -- Alan Pardew revealed that he was forced to substitute Yohan Cabaye after the France midfielder suffered a groin injury in Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Reading on Saturday afternoon.

The 27-year-old's withdrawal was received with thunderous boos and jeers from the home supporters, but the Magpies boss insists he had little choice with the midfielder recently missing two months of action due to a similar problem.

The 51-year-old manager suggested he needs to make new signings to boost the morale of the squad, which has slipped to just two points above the Premier League relegation zone.

"[Cabaye] said to me five minutes before he came off that he was injured, he was struggling with his groin," he told reporters. "If one of the top players says that, I'm not going to go against his wishes to come off. I didn't want to take him off, trust me - we needed another moment but that's how it was at the time.

"We had to take Cabaye and that gave an adverse reaction by the crowd and the negativity spread around and spread to the team and that's where we are. We can't get away from that and we need to be able to play through it, and we lost our way a little bit."

Pardew admitted he was desperate to add to his squad after losing Demba Ba to Chelsea and seeing Loic Remy opt for a move to QPR rather than St James' Park.

"We need some impetus, there's no doubt, in the team," he said. We've lost Demba Ba and we've lost Cheikh [Tiote to the Africa Cup of Nations] and they're big players for us.

"Although Yohan was back today he's on his recovery really. We're trying to get him back as quick as we can and we couldn't risk him unfortunately and we needed him at that end period of the game. We need some impetus in terms of signings, we need a little boost to let everyone get their heads up."

Pardew was happy with his side's first-half performance against the Royals, but lamented its inability to add to Cabaye's 36th-minute free kick.

"I think first half we couldn't have played any better under the circumstances," he insisted. "You could see the extra quality we had on the pitch with Cabaye and at that point you'd like to think we were away from them.

"But second half we couldn't get a grip of the game and you have to say that Reading bossed that period, and as well as we defended at times we've given away two sloppy goals."

And the manager - who says he does not know anything about the Magpies' reported bid for Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa - dismissed questions about his future, claiming he can get the Magpies through their tough run.

"I'm strong enough, and have been in situations before so that I can deal with where we're at but I think it's obvious that the team want a result and that would help every situation," he said.

 

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Sturridge overjoyed by goal on Liverpool debut

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was delighted to mark his home debut for the club with a goal, as he ‘thanked God’, and his manager Brendan Rodgers, for giving him the opportunity to play at Anfield.


Sturridge joined the Reds from Chelsea for 12 million pounds earlier this month, and became the first Liverpool player since Ray Kennedy in 1974 to score in each of his first three games for the club, as Rodgers’ side claimed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Norwich City.The England international revealed his joy at being given the chance to play at Anfield when speaking to Sky Sports News after the match.

“I enjoyed it very much,” said Sturridge in the interview. “I want to thank God for the opportunity and making me put on a Liverpool shirt, without him this wouldn't be possible. I'd like to thank the manager for giving me the opportunity also.

“It's great to be here and it's a world class club. I have world-class players with me like Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, not to mention all the other players, but in terms of me being here at this club, it's great.”

The former Chelsea forward also took time to praise his new strike partner, Luis Suarez, after the match, as the pair once again linked up impressively, with both getting their names on the scoresheet in the dominant display. Suarez took his tally for the season to 20 with his first-half strike against Norwich, after a clever dummy from Sturridge, and the 23-year-old insisted the best is still to come from the pair.

“It's good to play with him [Suarez], we've been training well together and I think it's only gonna be a matter of time before we gel properly,” Sturridge said. “At the moment it's going well but it's gonna get a lot better than this because we've only played with each other for a couple of weeks so we don't really know how each other play but it seems to be clicking.

“We work a lot on that [the dummy] in training and we've been doing it for the last six or seven training sessions since I signed, so we click. We get on very well off the field and on the field it's showing in our play also.”

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson: Carrick enjoying his best-ever season

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Michael Carrick is in the best form of his Old Trafford career.

The former West Ham midfielder came on in the second half against his old club in midweek and helped the Red Devils regain control of the match at a time when the Hammers were on top. Boosted by Carrick's introduction, Manchester United successfully protected their first-half lead to win the FA Cup third round replay 1-0.

Now the 31-year-old faces another of his former sides when United travel to White Hart Lane, hoping to avenge their 3-2 defeat to Tottenham earlier this season at Old Trafford.

"I think he's been magnificent," Sir Alex said of Carrick on the club's official website. "It's his best-ever season at the club and he's commanding that position. He's doing absolutely brilliantly.

He added, "Even when he came on against West Ham, he helped ease us through the last 20 minutes. Good players do that. He came on and settled us down."
Carrick has made 25 appearances for Manchester United this season, scoring once and assisting a further four goals.

His improved form has also seen Carrick play his way back into the England squad under Roy Hodgson, after he had effectively retired from international football when refusing to be a standby for Euro 2012.

He made the switch from Spurs to United in 2006, and has since played an integral part in the Red Devils' Premier League and Champions League successes.

 

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Schalke knocks back 'unacceptable' Tottenham offer for Holtby

Schalke confirmed it has rejected an "unacceptable" bid from Tottenham to sign Lewis Holtby in January.The midfielder has agreed to move to White Hart Lane in the summer but Spurs, who are now without Sandro for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, have made an offer for Holtby to bring forward his transfer.

"There is a request from Tottenham. The offer is not acceptable," said Schalke general manager Horst Heldt. "But the transfer window is still open. Lewis has not become cheaper today."

Holtby played a starring role as his side returned to Bundesliga action after the winter break, with a 5-4 win over Hannover on Friday.

Speaking after the game the midfielder was non-committal regarding his future, insisting he was simply concentrating on his football.

"I will give my all for Schalke until the last second. Everything else must be decided by the club."

 

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Montolivo: AC Milan must beat Bologna

Riccardo Montolivo has insisted that AC Milan desperately needs to take all three points from this weekend's Serie A match against Bologna.

The Italy international realizes that the Rossoblu will not be pushovers, though, and has singled out Alberto Gilardino as its main attacking threat.

"Bologna have good technical qualities and we'll have to be careful because they have quality in the middle and up front. Gilardino is back scoring for them, but we absolutely have to win," Montolivo told Milan Channel.

The midfielder then went on to say that he is prepared to play in whichever the coach needs him.

"Playing in front of the defense? I like it and as I always say, I'll do anything for the team. If I play there on Sunday, I'll give everything I have.

He added, "I'm very happy to be a part of the Milan family. When you play for the big teams, you always have that special motivation."

Montolivo has made 18 Serie A appearances for Milan so far this term, netting two goals in the process.

 

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Rooney still the main man for Manchester United, says Andre Villas-Boas

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes Wayne Rooney is still the heartbeat of Manchester United.

The 27-year-old returned from a two-week injury layoff against West Ham in the FA Cup replay in midweek and got on the scoresheet, taking his tally of goals to nine for the season.

That haul is dwarfed by Robin van Persie's 21 strikes so far this term, but Villas-Boas says Rooney's versatility means he is still the main component of United's team.

Speaking to The Mirror, Villas-Boas bemoaned the fact that Rooney has returned from injury in time to face Spurs.

"We’re always very unlucky, as he seems to return just in time for our games," said the Portuguese.The England international was a substitute in Tottenham's 3-2 win at Old Trafford earlier this season.

"We recognize that we had a fantastic first half in that game but he came on in the second, made a difference and created lots of problems for us," Villas-Boas explained.

He added, "But I think he’s a player who makes Man United tick because of his movements and the fact that he always sacrifices himself for the team."Also, because of his team spirit, desire to win and his focus. He has overcome some difficult moments in his career but he’s a top quality footballer.”

When asked if Rooney and Van Persie were the most daunting strike partnership he has encountered, he said: "I think so.

"For United, Van Persie is a tremendous success. Another transfer with immediate impact, immediate results, immediate return."