..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 0-1 Chelsea: Mata strike enough for buoyant Blues

Chelsea maintained its recent run of good form thanks to a fairly comfortable 1-0 win at Norwich City on Boxing Day.

The hosts started the game well, enjoying lots of possession, but their inability to carve open chances saw them pay as Juan Mata gave Rafa Benitez’s side the lead just before halftime.Chelsea’s control continued after the break, forcing Norwich to play on the counterattack, but with neither side creating too many opportunities, a bag of goals never looked likely.

The first half was a very tightly contested affair, but Norwich looked promising, stringing together a good number of passes in the Chelsea half, but the visitors’ defense remained solid.Around the half-hour mark, Chelsea began to take control as Mata started to get himself involved a little more, but the Blues were still struggling to create chances with Norwich defending well.

However, in the 38th minute Oscar did well to retain possession in the center before finding Mata on the edge of the box, and the Spaniard smashed an effort into the far side of the net to open the scoring.

Bradley Johnson saw a near-post header go just over a few minutes later, but Chelsea went into halftime with a 1-0 lead which it probably deserved.The second half just seemed to carry on from the first period as Chelsea controlled possession and looked comfortable, knocking the ball around in a confident manner, while Norwich attempted to spring counterattacks.

Hoolahan seemed Norwich’s best bet of getting back into the game, but often the only pass on for him was forward to Grant Holt, but either the Chelsea defense would halt the forward, or he strayed offside.The visitors continued to control the match, but for all their possession they could not get past the Norwich defense, much like the hosts in the first period.

Benitez’s decision to introduce Lampard and Hazard helped create a bit more dynamism in the final third and Mata could have got his second as he headed just wide from an Azpilicueta cross. It mattered not in the end, as the Blues picked up their third straight league win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nene will join Besiktas if terms are met, reveals president

Besiktas president Fikret Orman has claimed that Nene will join the club providing that conditions are met by the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and recently announced that he will not renew his stay with the Ligue 1 leaders, meaning he is free to talk to other teams with a view to signing a pre-contractual agreement.

Speculation in the Turkish media suggested that the Brazilian had already negotiated personal terms, and on Wednesday, the Black Eagles' supremo told NTVspor: "If our conditions are met, the transfer will happen."

Nene, who despite finishing as the French top flight's joint-top scorer with 21 goals last term, has been frozen out of Carlo Ancelotti's plans at PSG in 2012-13, featuring just nine times in the league.

The forward has reportedly been offered an annual net salary of 2.25 million euros by Besiktas, which is seeking a replacement for the newly departed Ricardo Quaresma.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United: Chicharito snatches last-gasp winner to settle seven-goal classic

Manchester United came from behind three times to earn a vital 4-3 win against Newcastle in a Boxing Day cracker at Old Trafford.

James Perch gave the visitors a shock early lead, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side was level against the run of play through Johnny Evans midway through the first half. Evans then put the ball in his own in net, in a goal surrounded by controversy before Evra once more got United on level terms shortly after the break.

Papiss Cisse put the Magpies ahead for the third time in the second half, just moments before Robin van Persie found a third equalizer for the hosts.

Javier Hernandez spurned a number of chances but dramatically gave United the lead right at the death.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side which drew at Swansea, with Wayne Rooney the most notable absentee. Hernandez, Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs all returned to the starting lineup.

Alan Pardew, meanwhile, replaced the suspended Cheick Tiote with Gael Bigirimana, while Sylvain Marveaux came in for Jonas Gutierrez in the only other change.

The visitors looked up for it early on and found themselves ahead inside four minutes. Michael Carrick's mishap in the midfield allowed Demba Ba to fire a speculative shot at David De Gea, and the United shot-stopper could only push the striker's effort into the path of Perch, who tapped home his first-ever Premier League goal.

Newcastle continued its bright start with Cisse and Ba keeping the United's defense on their toes. Fabricio Coloccini nearly doubled the club's lead after 20 minutes when he nearly looped a header over De Gea, while the hosts failed to even register a meaningful effort on goal.

But the equalizer, against the run of play, eventually came five minutes later when Evans bundled the ball in from six yards after Tim Krul had originally done well to keep out Hernandez from close range.

United was only level for a matter of moments as the Magpies regained the lead four minutes later with a highly controversial goal. Danny Simpson had his shot deflected into his own goal by Evans but it was disallowed for offside, with Cisse judged to have been in an active position. However, referee Mike Dean reversed the decision after consulting with the linesman.

It could have been even worse for United going in at halftime as Marveaux rattled the crossbar just before the break with a superbly struck left-footed free kick.

Newcastle was on top at the beginning of the second period too, but was again pegged back in the 58th minute as Evra drove home United's first shot of the half. Krul could perhaps have done better as the defender's shot crept past him from the edge of the area.

The visitors again took the lead, though, this time via an emphatic finish from Cisse after fine work on the left flank from Gabriel Obertan. Amazingly, United was straight back in it two minutes later; Van Persie drew a good save from Krul before turning in the ball in at the second time of asking.

It was all United for the last quarter of the game as it desperately piled forward in search of a winner. Van Persie and Hernandez spurned numerous chances, with the Mexican coming closest with a header of the post.

In a frantic final few minutes both sides could have snatched all three points. Sammy Ameobi did brilliantly after coming on to hold the ball up and beat De Gea with a controlled low effort, but saw his shot come back of the foot of the post. While Hernandez once again wasted a golden chance with a close-range header hit directly at Krul.

But the Mexican wasn't to be denied for much longer, Carrick's excellently chipped ball found Hernandez in the box and he slid home United's winner in injury time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Congratulations Manchester United!

Pattama gemak gihin

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham: Brilliant Bale hat trick moves Spurs up to fourth

Tottenham made it a Christmas to forget for Aston Villa as it condemned the hosts to a second big defeat in four days with a 4-0 victory.

A second-half hat trick from Gareth Bale and a Jermain Defoe strike punished some sloppy defending from Villa to seal all three points for Andre Villas-Boas’ side.

Villa made three changes to side that was battered by Chelsea as Eric Lichaj, Barry Bannan and Andreas Weimann were replaced by Joe Bennett, Karim El Ahmadi and Fabian Delph. Spurs made two changes to their defense with Michael Dawson and Steven Caulker both dropped to the bench in favor of William Gallas and Kyle Naughton.

The visitors dominated the opening half and should have tested goalkeeper Brad Guzan more, but the American was only really stretched from a Gareth Bale strike in the 15th minute. Emmanuel Adebayor had two good chances from two of Spurs’ 15 first half corners but didn’t get any power in either of his efforts.

Two changes from Lambert just before and during halftime brought Villa to life as Stephen Ireland and Marc Albrighton gave the hosts much more of an attacking threat. And it was Albrighton who caused trouble almost immediately after coming on but his crosses into the penalty area were easily dealt with Hugo Loris.

Despite Villa’s improvements, the club was punished just before the hour as Naughton superbly found Defoe inside the penalty area, and the England striker made no mistake poking the ball through the legs of Guzan for his 14th goal of the season.

The visitors doubled their lead minutes later as they punished some sloppy attacking from Villa with a devastating counter attack. Benteke’s cross was intercepted and cleared by the Spurs defense, as Ciaran Clark failed to control the long ball and Defoe touched the ball away from Joe Bennett’s challenge for Bale to race clear. Once inside the penalty area he danced around Guzan and simply tapped in the ball.

The points were sealed in the 73rd minute as Bale added his second and Spurs’ third with an easy finish into the bottom corner giving Guzan no chance. Lennon jinked along the edge of the penalty area, spotted Bale and rolled a perfect pass into him and the Welshman fired into the bottom corner.

Bale completed his hat trick in the 84th minute as another lovely passing move released Gylfi Sigurdsson inside the penalty area and he rolled the ball back to Bale, and the Welshman couldn’t miss from eight yards out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney out for up to three weeks, says Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled Wayne Rooney out of action for up to three weeks through injury.

The Scot told reporters that the England international is struggling with a slight knee ligament problem and is facing two to three weeks out.

"It was a volley towards the end of training," said Ferguson. "He did a ligament at the back of his knee and could be out for two to three weeks."

The striker played in the 1-1 draw with Swansea on Sunday but was not involved as the Premier League leader secured a 4-3 Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United late on.

Sir Alex was also without Ashley Young with a knock, while Danny Welbeck was ruled out prior to the game through illness.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mancini laments 'big problems' after Sunderland defeat

Roberto Mancini admits that Manchester City's attacking players are suffering from "big problems" after the champions' 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Boxing Day.


City has now lost on Wearside for a third season in a row, although it had several chances throughout the game, forcing Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet into a string of impressive saves.

The defeat, coupled with Manchester United's dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle, leaves Mancini's side seven points adrift in the title race and the Italian was bewildered at his strikeforce.

"Next year we won't come. We won't spend the money to come here but in the end we won the title [last season]," He told BBC Sport.

"We didn't deserve to lose, we dominated this game, I don't know how it's possible that we didn't win this game, but every year it is the same.

"I'm frustrated at this because it's impossible that our strikers don't score but we have this problem, we don't score enough to win the game. This is a big problem at the moment."

Pablo Zabaleta appeared to be fouled in the build-up to Adam Johnson's goal and Mancini criticized referee Kevin Friend and his officiating team for their overall performance.

"Maybe Zabaleta deserved a red card," the Italian scolded. "I don't think the referee and the linesmen had a good performance today."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I live for Roma, says De Rossi as he dismisses Man City speculation

Daniele De Rossi has reiterated his desire to stay at Roma, as the January transfer window looms despite the Italy international being far from a regular in coach Zdenek Zeman's plans this season.

The 29-year-old put in a storming performance in the Giallorossi's 4-2 victory over Massimiliano Allegri's side last weekend, and he has since affirmed his commitment to his boyhood club, insisting he has never contemplated a move away from Stadio Olimpico.

“I was born in Rome. For me, it is the normal thing to play right here. I never tried, or really wanted, to play outside for another team," he told the New York Times. “For me, it is amazing, great. I first came to the training centre when I was 12 years old. It’s my home."

There has been talk of De Rossi joining Manchester City at the upcoming transfer window, but he says Roma president James Pallota, who is from Boston, says De Rossi is not going anywhere.

"Mr. Pallotta said I am not on the market, not for sale," De Rossi told the newspaper. "I repeat, I still love this city and the club. Everything I love is here. It would be so difficult for me if I have to change. If some clubs want me, my manager will have to talk with them. I don’t hear this rumor of Manchester City.

 

[rcccc]

Aniwa

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham: Brilliant Bale hat trick moves Spurs up to fourth

Tottenham made it a Christmas to forget for Aston Villa as it condemned the hosts to a second big defeat in four days with a 4-0 victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas: Bale is up there with the best in the world

Andre Villas-Boas has lavished praise on Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, after his man-of-the-match display in Spurs' 4-0 win at Aston Villa on Wednesday evening - but warned Europe's elite clubs that they cannot afford him ahead of the January transfer window.

The Welshman netted a second-half hat-trick – his first in the Premier League – to take his tally for the season to nine, as Spurs moved back into fourth place on goal difference.

Amid rumors that Bale is ready to tell Tottenham that he wants to move to Real Madrid, Villa-Boas remained defiant with his post-match comments as he lauded the 23-year-old.

“Gareth is up there with the best,” he told reporters. “He is helping the team and we recognise he is one of our major assets for sure. But in England there are no release clauses and a player of this dimension has a market value that is not attainable for most other clubs.

“It was an important day for him with his first hat trick in the Premier League. He has shown tremendous skills and talent. He is improving every day as such a young player and has a wonderful personality. As he learns to feel even better in this team then probably his performances will improve.

“His finishing is very accurate and he has been prolific in front of goal. He is enjoying getting into those positions - his left foot is wonderful.”

And Villas-Boas pointed to Aston Villa's change in approach in the second half as the turning point in his side's victory.

“We had an excellent first half and truly deserved to win. They came out against us more in the second half which gave us space to exploit."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers: We deserved nothing

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that his side “deserved nothing” after losing 3-1 to an impressive Stoke side at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Reds went a goal up in the early stages of the match through a Steven Gerrard
penalty after Luis Suarez was brought down in the box by Ryan Shawcross. But the Potters soon equalised, and went on to take a two-goal lead, thanks to a Jonathan Walters double and a fine header from Kenwyne Jones.

And Rodgers has expressed his disappointment at the nature of the goals his team conceded, explaining that his side must defend better if it is to take points away from such matches.

“It was a great start for us, getting our first penalty, but we just gave away poor goals tonight,” he told Sky Sports. "I think all three goals were actually quite straightforward to defend. A direct ball, and obviously Martin Skrtel slips, which was unfortunate.

“The other two goals, we've got to be much better than that. That was a disappointment really. We got into some good areas but ultimately, when you come to places like this, it's a difficult place to come and you've got to defend better or else you'll get nothing. “We deserved nothing because of that.”

However, the former Swansea manager also moved to praise Tony Pulis and his Stoke side, which is now unbeaten in its last nine matches.

“They [Stoke] probably don't quite get the credit they deserve and Tony's done a brilliant job here in keeping them in this division and progressing,” he added.“They've got some terrific players and they do what they do very well. But from our perspective it was poor defending.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villa's future 'in Barcelona's hands', admits agent

David Villa’s future is in the hands of Barcelona, according to his agent Victor Onate.

The Spain international has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal mooted as potential destinations for the ex-Valencia man, who has reportedly become tired of a bit-part role at Camp Nou.



But the managing director of VOS Marketing - which represents the forward - insist that Villa will respect the contract he has signed unless Barca allows him to leave.

"There is always speculation about David because he is a great forward, but his future is in the hands of Barcelona," Onate told Sky Sports.

"They have a contract and it is important to always respect such documents."The 31-year-old’s current deal runs until 2014 and it would still come as a surprise if coach Tito Vilanova sanctioned the departure of the striker in the January transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Villa Transwer weida?

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United forward Bebe nearing Rio Ave loan move

Rio Ave club president Antonio Silva Campos has revealed the Portuguese side is on the verge of signing Manchester United forward Bebe on loan.

The 22-year-old has yet to make an appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson's side this season after spending last term on loan at Turkish club Besiktas where he suffered a cruciate ligament injury.

Bebe has struggled to cement a place at United following his 7.4 million pound switch in August 2010 and is now on the verge of heading back to his homeland in order to get more playing time.

"He [Bebe] is one of the players who should be just hours away from joining, but there are still some details left to address," Campos told Bola Branca. "His signing could be announced very shortly."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke 3-1 Liverpool: Walters double inspires comeback win

Stoke came from behind to beat a disappointing Liverpool side 3-1 in an enthralling Premier League encounter at the Britannia on Wednesday evening.

The game got off to a flying start when Ryan Shawcross brought down Luis Suarez in the penalty area inside the first minute, and Steven Gerrard stepped up to slot the ball home calmly from 12 yards. But the response from the hosts was instant, as John Walters equalized just minutes later.

The home side then went on to take the lead, as Kenwyne Jones met a Matthew Etherington corner with a powerful header. The Potters later went two up, as Jones flicked a long throw on to Walters, who scored his second of the match.
The visitors found themselves with a chance to take the lead inside the first minute, as Suarez cut into the penalty area from the right wing and was brought down by Shawcross. Gerrard stepped up and drove the ball low and hard into the bottom left hand corner of the net past a helpless Asmir Begovic.

But Stoke was instant with its reply, gaining an equalizer just minutes later. A long ball from the hosts’ defense found Kenwyne Jones, who towered above Daniel Agger to flick the ball into the Liverpool 18-yard box. Walters latched onto the ball and slotted smartly past Pepe Reina.

Pulis’ men then took the lead, after a Matthew Etherington corner was met by a towering Jones, who evaded the attentions of Agger and Gerrard with ease. Glen Johnson was the man on the line, but pressure from Shawcross prevented the right back from making the clearance.

The visitors came close to equalizing at the beginning of the second period, as substitute Raheem Sterling raced past Shawcross and crossed towards Suarez. The Uruguayan did well to escape Robert Huth at the near post, but diverted the ball off the outside of the near post.

The Potters then added to their lead, after a long throw from Geoff Cameron was flicked on to Walters by the impressive Jones. The Ireland international finished emphatically, taking the chance quickly by volleying the ball into the top corner.
Shawcross nearly conceded a second penalty, as Downing went down under a challenge from the center back just outside the penalty area. The former Aston Villa winger took the free kick himself, but failed to test Asmir Begovic after blasting straight into a crowd of players.

Liverpool never really looked like getting back into the game, however, as a combination of determination and a fantastic work-rate ensured Stoke kept possession and continued to threaten the visitors’ goal until the final whistle.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Corinthians hoping to seal January Pato deal

Corinthians has confirmed it hopes to sign Alexandre Pato in the first week of the January transfer window.

The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a 15 million euro move away from San Siro over the past couple of weeks, with the Brazilian club seemingly the most likely destination.



Club chief Duilio Monteiro Alves has thrown his backing behind the potential capture and said it would be a gift to supporters ahead of the new season.

"A lot of people know about his potential on the pitch," he told ESPN Brasil.
"He is an exceptional player. Our medical department and physiotherapists are already following Pato and are going to work with him.

"We hope that in the first week of January we can give him as a gift to Corinthians' fans."

Pato has been with the Rossoneri since 2007 and has made 151 appearances for the club, though much of his time in Italy has been marred by injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale delighted with first Premier League hat trick

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was delighted after scoring his maiden Premier League hat trick but placed more importance on the three points his goals helped Spurs to claim as the side thrashed Aston Villa 4-0.

Jermain Defoe opened the scoring for the visiting team in the 58th minute, before the Welshman added a swift treble to secure a comfortable victory.

The north London outfit went into the game on the back of a goalless draw with Stoke, knowing anything other than a win would see the club slip further behind their contenders for a top four place.

"Great to score goals and my first hat trick in the Premier League but important to get the 3 points," he told Tottenham's official Twitter account.

"All the lads worked hard out there and we knew once we got one we'd get more, we look to Sunderland now."

Bale's manager Andre Villas-Boas was also pleased with the way that his squad took control of the game from the beginning to the end, adding: "It was very good from start to finish, we truly deserved it.

"We deserved it in the first half and it did not happen so we had to keep on concentrating, we deserved to win and it was a great performance."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man United on verge of sealing £18m deal for Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is on the verge of signing for Manchester United, according to German newspaper Bild.The Borussia Dortmund striker has long attracted interest from Sir Alex Ferguson and is expected to complete a £18million move in the summer.

United are prepared to double his wages by offering a five-year contract worth £20.5million - or £4.1 annually.The Poland international has told friends he would be leaving the Bundesliga, according to the Daily Mail.

Inter Milan had threatened to start a bidding war after entering the chase for the 24-year-old but it is understood he prefers a move to the Premier League.
Lewandowski is a main source of goals for Dortmund but lags behind the likes of Mario Gotze and Marco Reus in the payscale.

The German club had claimed they would not sell the forward before he reached the end of his contract at the end of next season but they have now accepted he will leave in the summer.

Lewandowski has scored 40 goals in 83 league games for Dortmund and would form one of Europe's most potent attacking forces by linking up with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie at Old Trafford.

 

[මුගටියා]

Man United on verge of sealing £18m deal for Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is on the verge of signing for Manchester United, according to German newspaper Bild.The Borussia Dortmund striker has long attracted interest from Sir Alex Ferguson and is expected to complete a £18million move in the summer.

United are prepared to double his wages by offering a five-year contract worth £20.5million - or £4.1 annually.The Poland international has told friends he would be leaving the Bundesliga, according to the Daily Mail.

Inter Milan had threatened to start a bidding war after entering the chase for the 24-year-old but it is understood he prefers a move to the Premier League.
Lewandowski is a main source of goals for Dortmund but lags behind the likes of Mario Gotze and Marco Reus in the payscale.

The German club had claimed they would not sell the forward before he reached the end of his contract at the end of next season but they have now accepted he will leave in the summer.

Lewandowski has scored 40 goals in 83 league games for Dortmund and would form one of Europe's most potent attacking forces by linking up with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie at Old Trafford.

wow

 

[rcccc]

Man United on verge of sealing £18m deal for Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is on the verge of signing for Manchester United, according to German newspaper Bild.The Borussia Dortmund striker has long attracted interest from Sir Alex Ferguson and is expected to complete a £18million move in the summer.

United are prepared to double his wages by offering a five-year contract worth £20.5million - or £4.1 annually.The Poland international has told friends he would be leaving the Bundesliga, according to the Daily Mail.

Inter Milan had threatened to start a bidding war after entering the chase for the 24-year-old but it is understood he prefers a move to the Premier League.
Lewandowski is a main source of goals for Dortmund but lags behind the likes of Mario Gotze and Marco Reus in the payscale.

The German club had claimed they would not sell the forward before he reached the end of his contract at the end of next season but they have now accepted he will leave in the summer.

Lewandowski has scored 40 goals in 83 league games for Dortmund and would form one of Europe's most potent attacking forces by linking up with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie at Old Trafford.