..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Holtby expresses joy at January Tottenham move

Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby says he is overjoyed with his accelerated transfer to the Premier League club, and he says Andre Villas-Boas played a key role in convincing him to leave Schalke.

The 22-year-old initially agreed to move to White Hart Lane in the summer when his contract was set to expire, but Spurs pushed through a 1.75 million euro deal for the midfielder with Sandro facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"As soon as I saw the facilities, the crowd and spoke to Andre I just knew I wanted to be here,” he told the club's official website. "The facilities are the best I've seen. I'm proud to be here, a huge club that is only getting bigger and bigger."

The Germany international is looking forward to the new challenge of settling in to the club midway through the season.

"It's fantastic to be here. I can't wait to settle and to play for the club and I'm looking forward to the season," Holtby said. "I played Champions League with Schalke but I wanted to be here now. I've been checking the club and Premier League on Twitter and YouTube, I've got the app! As footballers say, I'm over the moon to be here!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bastos completes Schalke move

Schalke has completed the signing of Lyon winger Michel Bastos on loan for the rest of the season.


Goal.com exclusively revealed last week that the two clubs were in talks over the possible transfer of the Brazil interational, and the move has now been confirmed.

“We are very happy that Michel Bastos has signed for us," Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt told the club's website. "He is an experienced international player who has special abilities and can help us immediately. He is also eligible to play in the Champions League. "

Bastos has featured 12 times in Ligue 1 this season, scoring five goals in the process.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Verratti and De Rossi swap deal ruled out, says agent

The agent of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has ruled out his client returning to his native Italy in a swap deal with Roma's Daniele De Rossi.

Reports in Corriere dello Sport suggested that a deal was being discussed that would see the two players move on loan until the end of the current season. Donato Di Campli, who represents the former Pescara man, has refuted these claims, though, and believes the 20-year-old is a key component of Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"There is no truth in it. Marco will remain in Paris, he’s untouchable, I’ve said that before and I say it again," he told TMW. "A sheep is difficult to recall once it leaves the flock. Marco is at the center of a project at PSG, and he’s playing regularly. I honestly don’t think that he could leave."

De Rossi has been in and out of the Roma side after a reported dispute with coach Zdenek Zeman, while Carlo Ancelotti has previously admitted interest in the player.

 

[Banks PLK]

QPR 0-0 Manchester City: Champions slip up in title pursuit

A stubborn defensive performance from QPR held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in tricky conditions at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

Pablo Zabaleta's diving header and a disallowed Sergio Aguero goal were as close as Roberto Mancini's side came to breaking the deadlock leaving the Premier League champions to rue a missed opportunity to keep pace with Manchester United.

Playing in the face of a swirling gale, much of QPR's first 45 minutes was spent in its own half as the club soaked up continuous pressure from its illustrious visitors. Though Julio Cesar at times called his own international credentials into question with a pair of ill-judged punches – one of which should have been punished by Joleon Lescott, who volleyed over – the hosts were resolute and tough to break down. This was emblematic of a side that kept Chelsea and Tottenham scoreless in recent clashes.

A thunderous Javi Garcia half-volley from almost 40 yards had Cesar flying to his right, while the Rs had the woodwork to thank on 20 minutes as David Silva's enterprising run and cross picked out Zabaleta, who was left to curse the crossbar for preventing his diving header rippling the net.

Though content to sit back, QPR did pockmark the half with a couple of chances as firstly the brilliant Adel Taarabt found Loic Remy with a quick free kick, but the Frenchman watched his shot deflect past Joe Hart's far post. On 39 minutes, Taarabt was again the instigator, as he broke from a City corner and drove from the halfway line and into Hart's box, beating Gael Clichy with a trademark stepover. The Moroccan's left-foot effort was brilliantly deflected to safety by Hart's elbow though.

Roberto Mancini's side threatened to break the deadlock and looked to have done so as Aguero finished low beyond Cesar, only to be denied by the linesman's flag. Then, on the stroke of halftime Gareth Barry's first-time strike from the edge of the box was tipped expertly behind by a wonderful one-handed save from Cesar to bring an intriguing half to a close.

City continued to dominate play in the early stages of the second half, helped by the introduction of Edin Dzeko for Samir Nasri, but was kept at bay by the QPR backline. At the other end, Taarabt continued to mesmerise as he dribbled from the left flank, inside Javi Garcia and watched agonisingly as his curled effort flew wide of the far post.

The match was finely poised heading into the final half hour but the Premier League champions were again kept at bay by Cesar, who clung on to a powerful Silva volley, before Aguero volleyed high into the away supporters following Zabaleta's deft header across the box.

Remy's pace on the break kept the City defense honest and remained QPR's sole outlet and for a moment it looked to have handed the hosts a penalty, as Remy tumbled over Lescott's outstretched leg. Phil Dowd though, correctly chose to wave play on as replays showed there was minimal, if any, contact.

A late surge from the visitors tested Cesar's reflexes once more but the Brazilian was up to the task, pouncing on Silva's close-range finish to maintain his clean sheet, before Dowd's eyesight was again tested as substitute Scott Sinclair tumbled under Nedum Onuoha's challenge.

Good we didnt loose there
these important days strikers failed to hit the target damn

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2013.01.30 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.01.30 Fixtures​

Arsenal Vs Liverpool

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Everton Vs WBA

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Norwich City Vs Tottenham

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Reading Vs Chelsea

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Manchester United Vs Southampton

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Fulham Vs West Ham United

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[Wolverine GTR]

Copa Del Rey 2013.01.30 Semi-Final Fixtures

Copa Del Rey 2013.01.30 Semi-Final Fixtures

Real Madrid Vs Barcelona

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Barclays Premier League 2013.01.30 Fixtures​

Arsenal Vs Liverpool

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Everton Vs WBA

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Norwich City Vs Tottenham

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Reading Vs Chelsea

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Manchester United Vs Southampton

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Fulham Vs West Ham United

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[Wolverine GTR]

Fulham 3-1 West Ham United: Birthday boy Berbatov on target for hosts

Dimitar Berbatov celebrated his birthday with a goal and a fine solo display as Fulham managed to claim a priceless Premier League home victory over West Ham United.

The Bulgarian was on hand to give his side an early lead, when he headed home Damien Duff’s free kick.


Kevin Nolan leveled things for the Hammers after the break, but Fulham soon regained the lead through Hugo Rodallega, before a Joey O’Brien own goal wrapped up things for the Cottagers late on.

After an even start to the game, in which few chances were created, Fulham slowly started to assert themselves in front of their home crowd, and could have taken an early lead through Bryan Ruiz, only for his powerful effort to be well-saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Cottagers did not have to wait long to take the lead however, when Duff’s crafty free-kick evaded everyone in the centre, allowing the talismanic Berbatov to sneak in at the far post and beat Jaaskelainen at his near post with a downward header.

West Ham fought back as the half wore on, but struggled to create anything in attack, with Matt Jarvis heading a rare Hammers chance over the bar when well-placed at the far post.

With both sides defending valiantly, Berbatov almost doubled his side’s lead with a moment of brilliance just before the interval.

The Bulgarian shrugged off two West Ham players on the halfway line before going on a mazy solo run, but Jaaskelainen was more than a match to the Bulgarian’s low, driven effort from the edge of the area.West Ham upped the tempo after the break as it peppered the Fulham penalty area with balls into the box, and it was soon back on level terms.

Shaping up to cross a free kick into the box, Mark Noble played a quick through ball forward to Nolan, allowing the West Ham captain to unleash a thunderous first time effort at goal, which sailed through Mark Schwarzer’s legs into the bottom corner.

The Hammers were back on level terms for just a minute however, as Rodallega soon restored the Cottagers’ lead.Duff turned provider once again, as his cross from the left found the Columbian, who out-jumped three West Ham defenders to head home from close range.

Despite restoring its lead, Fulham continued to look rattled in attack, as West Ham pressed forward searching for another equalizer.

Each side continued to exchange attacks, with Nolan going close for the Hammers, before Berbatov was once again came close at the other end, his rasping effort from just inside the penalty area, drifting cruelly wide of Jaaskelainen’s far post.

West Ham brought on Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll as their quest for an equalizer continued, with the latter almost making an instant impact, volleying an effort at goal which Schwarzer did well to keep out.

Substitute Mladen Petric made sure of the result late on, as O’Brien deflected his chipped effort past the stranded Jaaskelainen, as Martin Jol’s side secured only their second league win from their last eight games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 1-1 Tottenham: Bale saves Spurs with superb solo strike

Gareth Bale rescued a point for Tottenham in a 1-1 Premier League draw with a resilient Norwich City side at Carrow Road on Wednesday.

Wes Hoolahan had given the Canaries a deserved first-half lead as Tottenham failed to make an impact on the opening period. An improved second-half effort salvaged dignity, however, as a stunning individual strike from the Welshman pulled Spurs back onto level terms.

Sebastian Bassong returned from a calf injury to start for the hosts against a side he previously made 72 appearances for, but loanee Harry Kane was ineligible to start against his parent club.

Meanwhile, Andre Villas-Boas was able to name new signing Lewis Holtby on the bench, with Jermain Defoe making the starting lineup despite worries about a pelvic injury.

A quiet opening period saw neither side make a distinctive mark on proceedings, with the first notable moment coming in the 20th minute when Grant Holt fired a shot way over the bar.

Holt was involved again just three minutes later when the home side cried out vociferously for a penalty, but the referee was unwilling to entertain the appeals.

The home side had shaded the opening half hour and came close on 29 minutes when Hugo Lloris was forced to tip a header wide of the Tottenham goal.

Norwich was rewarded for its efforts just three minutes later when Hoolahan slotted home his second goal of the season after Anthony Pilkington had received the ball from a Robert Snodgrass cross and squared to Hoolahan in the area.

The home side then almost doubled the lead as Bassong charged through the middle to latch on to a low cross from Snodgrass but was denied by a block from Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Spurs soon enjoyed their own period of attacking dominance and almost grabbed a quick equalizer as Defoe robbed Bassong of the ball at the other end and advanced on goal, only to have his shot stopped by a terrific save from Mark Bunn.

Norwich held onto their lead until the break and began the second half a similarly positive manner.

However, Tottenham was looking a much sharper side after the break and eventually the club's pressure paid off.

Just as Spurs looked like they were running out of options, Bale – who scored two against Norwich last season – made a fantastic run into the box and smashed a left-footed shot straight into the top corner.

Spurs looked the more likely side to snatch a late winner and substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson almost grabbed it with a shot from distance, but Bunn produced another fantastic save and the affair finished all square.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 2-1 West Brom: Brilliant Baines doubles up for Toffees

Everton kept its top-four challenge on track with a 2-1 win over West Brom at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening.

The hosts looked to be cruising to victory after Leighton Baines plundered two first-half goals, but substitute Shane Long ensured a nervy finish with his headed goal.

Both sides started tentatively, with missed headers from Phil Jagielka and Romelu Lukaku the early highlights in a cagey opening 10 minutes. And matters took some time to improve, with 18 minutes having passed before Marouane Fellaini shook Ben Foster’s post with a half volley inside the penalty area.

It would take a further 10 for a show of further genuine quality, but this time it would prove more decisive.
Baines collected the ball from Leon Osman 25 yards out after one of his trademark surges up the left and, in a show of class, found the top corner beautifully from the edge of the box.

The Baggies, who had been marginally second best despite the lack of cutting edge on show, were dealt a further blow when Thorne was forced to leave the field with injury. Things were about to get worse, though, as Thorne’s replacement Claudio Yacob tripped Victor Anichebe in the box to hand a penalty to the hosts two minutes after coming on.

Baines, the scorer of the game’s first goal, subsequently stepped up to send Foster the wrong way and give his side a 2-0 halftime lead which it had earned without breaking a sweat.

The teams came out with notably more enthusiasm in the second period but this simply resulted in a scrappy midfield battle rather than added quality, meaning the Toffees looked certain of closing out an easy victory with an hour gone.

However, the introduction of Long for the ineffective James Morrison changed things significantly, as the Irishman capitalized on Heitinga’s inexplicable chip in the box to nod home with virtually his first touch.

That goal prompted a late flurry of attacking surges from both sides, with Osman’s terrible miss in the box the most notable. The ball had bounced fortunately for the England international, but he did not take the invitation and smashed the ball over the bar from just six yards.

That was the best opportunity either side had before the end, as Moyes’ men saw the game out well to earn another important win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Manchester United 2-1 Southampton: Rooney fires twice to extend league lead

Manchester United came from a goal behind to take a seven point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Southampton at Old Trafford.

Jay Rodriguez capitalized on a mistake from Michael Carrick to give the Saints a shock early lead but a double from Wayne Rooney had the hosts in front by halftime.

The Saints improved in the second half with Rickie Lambert testing David De Gea on a couple of occasions but the league leaders were worth their win despite a nervy end.

Sir Alex Ferguson reinstated Robin van Persie back into his attacking looking starting line-up, with Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa and Rooney supporting the Dutchman in attack, while Nemanja Vidic returned in defense.

Mauricio Pochettini made two changes from the draw against Everton, Danny Fox and Rodriguez replaced Luke Shaw and Guly do Prado.

The hosts got off to an awful start when Michael Carrick's backpass put David De Gea in all sorts of trouble, Rodriguez pounced on the United shot-stopper, taking a touch to beat him before passing it into an open net in the third minute.

The Saints' lead didn't last long, however, as Rooney fired United level five minutes later when he timed his run on to Kagawa's lobbed pass and stroked the ball easily past Artur Boruc.

The Japan international was involved again moments later, getting down the left flank and cutting inside before striking a shot on to the near post.

Southampton was pegged back in its own half from then on and could only hold off the Red Devils' attacking onslaught until the 27th minute.

Van Persie drifted a deep free kick towards Boruc's back post where Evra was on hand to head the ball back across the box for Rooney to turn into the net from a yard out.

The Saints started the second period brightly with Rickie Lambert making De Gea make is his first save with a tame volley.

Southampton continued to apply pressure on the hosts and could have gone ahead on the hour mark when Lambert hit the target with a fierce free kick. De Gea spilled the initial effort but managed to clear before Adam Lallana could pounce on the loose ball.

United weathered the Saints' storm and then created some chances of its own with Rooney and Kagawa combining to drive Sir Alex Ferguson's side forward.

Van Persie thought he had added his name to the scoresheet in the 75th minute when he headed past Boruc at the second time of asking but the Dutchman had his celebrations cut short by a harsh offside decision.

Lambert then came close to grabbing the equaliser with another free kick; the Saints' striker curled an effort perfectly over the wall only to see De Gea make an outstanding low save.

Rooney then wasted a chance to seal his hat-trick when he was slid through by Van Persie but the England forward took a bad touch allowing Boruc to smother.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

But Manchester United 2nd Half Performance nam godak madi​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona: Cesc and Varane share strikes in absorbing contest

The shares were spoiled in a pulsating Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, as a thumping late header from Raphael Varane earned Real Madrid a 1-1 draw in the first leg of its Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona.

The Catalan side looked to have put one foot in the final as it led late on after Cesc Fabregas had put the club up 1-0 with a well-taken goal shortly after the break, only for Madrid's young defender Varane to secure the home team a draw in the 81st minute.

Madrid was without five first-team players for its fourth Clasico of the season, as Iker Casillas and Pepe missed out because of injury, while the likes of Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria were all absent through suspension. Barcelona, meanwhile, named a full-strength starting lineup.

For all their missing men it was los Blancos that made the brighter start of the two sides. Within a minute of kickoff Ronaldo was charging at the heart of the Barcelona defense, and his driving run towards goal was only stopped by a cynical challenge from Gerard Pique. The Portuguese attacker took the set piece himself and proceeded to force Pinto into making a fine diving stop.

In the 12th minute a moment of mastery from Andres Iniesta created a chance for the overlapping Jordi Alba, but the Barcelona left back could only volley wide of Diego Lopez's goal after bursting through the Madrid defense and connecting with Iniesta's effortless chipped pass.

Moments after being booked for a mistimed challenge on Cesc Fabregas, Ricardo Carvalho bundled into Iniesta 25 yards from goal, and from the resulting free kick Xavi came within inches of giving Barcelona the lead, as his devilish curling effort rattled the crossbar with Lopez beaten.

Carvalho then nearly supplied an assist for Barcelona when his tame back-pass allowed Messi to steal the ball and tee up Xavi inside the Madrid box. The Barcelona midfielder arrowed a shot towards the bottom left corner but Madrid's young center back Varane was there on the line to brilliantly hack Xavi's goal-bound strike away from danger.

On the half-hour mark, Karim Benzema nearly scored for the home side when he found space in behind the Barcelona backline to meet Jose Callejon's superb pass and send a volley crashing into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Somehow, a frantic opening first half ended 0-0 despite an avalanche of chances being created by two teams putting clear emphasis on attack rather than defense.

Madrid mimicked its strong start to the first half after the break and fashioned a chance after just 40 seconds of the second period - Benzema hammering a shot over 18 yards from goal.

Despite its pressure, Madrid found itself a goal behind in the 50th minute when Fabregas clinically side-footed the ball past Lopez after being played in by Messi. Just a single touch was needed by Messi to both dispossess Xabi Alonso and play a weighted through ball into the path of Fabregas, with the former Arsenal captain producing a cool finish to give the Catalan side a 1-0 lead.

Then, if not for a sumptuously timed challenge from Varane, Fabregas could well have given Barcelona a two-goal lead. The Frenchman's tackle on his opponent brought Jose Mourinho to his feet, and prompted the coach to make an immediate change with his team on the back foot - introducing Luka Modric for Callejon.

Ronaldo then missed a glorious opportunity to head Madrid level from close range, but he could not test Pinto after connecting with Essien's teasing cross from the right.

Pique, perhaps not to be outshone by Varane up the other end, then produced an equally brilliant tackle on Ronaldo as the Portugal international shaped to send a shot goalwards inside the Barcelona penalty area.

With Barcelona seemingly set to hold out for the win, up popped Varane in the 81st minute to rise highest and send an emphatic header past Pinto from Mesut Ozil's free kick to make it 1-1 and set up an enticing second leg at Camp Nou on Feb. 26.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reading 2-2 Chelsea: Benitez on the brink after injury time collapse

Reading staged a stunning comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday night.

Juan Mata grabbed the opener, driving home from close range after a superb through pass from Fernando Torres, before Frank Lampard belted a header into the top corner halfway through the second half.

Adam Le Fondre orchestrated the comeback, scoring twice from the bench as the Royals continue their fine unbeaten form.

Brian McDermott had an almost fully-fit squad to choose from and made seven changes from the FA Cup win over Sheffield United. Adam Federici continued in goal in place of Alex McCarthy (shoulder) and Jason Roberts (hip) remained out, with Pavel Pogrebnyak returning to the starting lineup after being rested.

Chelsea, meanwhile, was without Eden Hazard, who is serving his suspension for kicking a ball boy at Swansea, which meant Ryan Bertrand started in midfield for the Blues as Rafael Benitez made two changes from the draw at Brentford, bringing in Cesar Azpilicueta and Mata at the expense of John Terry and Marko Marin.

Ross Turnbull continued in goal with Petr Cech (calf) still injured, while David Luiz (ankle) was also sidelined.

The away side started to control the flow of the game after a turgid start, keeping possession for long periods, but was unable to make a quick impact on the Reading defense. However, Reading forced a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas when Pogrebnyak caused problems for the Chelsea defense, but the Royals were unable to create a decent chance.

Ashley Cole then blasted a long-range effort over the bar, before Torres was shut out by Adrian Mariappa and Federici after a looping ball caused problems for the Reading defense.

Lampard had a shot blocked as Chelsea continued to press, but Torres was penalized later on for clipping Mariappa after the defender sliced a simple clearance.

Gary Cahill wasted a glorious opportunity from a Lampard free kick, failing to connect with the ball when he was unmarked. After the home side cleared another set piece, Jimmy Kebe had a chance to break but was too slow to react as Cole came running in to intercept.

The Chelsea left back blasted another speculative effort way off target after Torres had struck a shot out for a throw, and as the break approached Chelsea didn’t really look like breaking through the Reading back line.

With practically the last kick of the half, however, Chelsea took the lead. Torres collected the ball and scooped a delightful pass into the path of Mata, who fired the ball first time low past Federici.

Torres got in behind the defense early after the break but Reading managed to clear the striker’s cross, with three Chelsea players waiting in the box. Alex Pearce then brought down the Spain international 30 yards out, and Lampard’s belted free kick came straight back off the wall.

Oscar should have made it two when he sprung the offside trap to meet Lampard’s floated ball, but the Brazil international tried an acrobatic finish which flew wide, when he had plenty of time to take a touch in the box.

Oscar was involved again as he was set loose by Lampard, but the midfielder’s cross was cleared by the Reading defense. From the resulting corner, Lampard rose highest to meet Mata’s ball and hammer a header into the top corner.

As the half went on Reading had opportunities from set pieces but failed to work Ross Turnbull. Substitute Adam Le Fondre saw a header fly high over the bar, before the striker curled another effort just over from 20 yards.

Oscar had a chance to make it three late on but was denied by Federici, and at the other end Le Fondre latched on to a through ball to get the home team back in it with a low strike into the near post from the same position as Mata's in the first half.

Ramires then forced a fine stop from Federici 30 yards out, before Le Fondre was there to equalize with a volley deep into the area which flew past Turnbull to set the home crowd into raptures.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Walcott stunner completes outstanding Gunners comeback

Arsenal came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Liverpool in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.

Jordan Henderson had added to Luis Suarez’s 17thleague goal of the season to put Brendan Rodgers’ team in control at the hour mark.

But, just when it looked like Liverpool were going to shed its flat-track bully tag, Arsenal produced a storming revival to score two goals in three minutes through Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.

In a grandstand finish, Arsene Wenger’s team went all-out for the winner but Liverpool remained resolute through a combination of grit, fortune and poor finishing from the hosts.The draw meant that Arsenal remained four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for the Champions League positions.

It will agitate Wenger that his side has mustered only a single point in league fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool this month after some more abject defending on a marquee occasion.

Earlier, Arsenal had recalled Jack Wilshere, Walcott, Santi Cazorla, fit-again Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs to the team that began the 3-2 FA Cup win at Brighton.

For Liverpool, Rodgers also rung the changes from the weekend, with skipper Steven Gerrard returning to the team alongside fit-again pair Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Lucas, Jamie Carragher and Stewart Downing.It was like football in fast-forward in the early exchanges as the two teams traded lightning quick attacks and clear goalscoring opportunities.

Suarez, starting on the left of the three attacking midfielders behind central striker Daniel Sturridge, caused havoc with his uncanny ability at finding space, and also for some spectacular passes from out wide.

The Uruguayan’s goal owed much to some calamitous defending from the home side. Bacary Sagna's slip allowed Glen Johnson to run clear on the left and, after a hashed clearance from Thomas Vermaelen and a smothered shot from Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson tapped the rebound to Suarez, whose shot deflected off a defender and in.

Arsenal responded by carving open Liverpool’s defense seemingly at will with some excellent combination play. The menacing Theo Walcott (twice) and Olivier Giroud both came close to scoring an equalizer.Somehow, Liverpool held firm, although it had Gerrard to thank for an excellent last-ditch clearance that followed another zippy Arsenal attack.

Rodgers’ pre-match sermon appeared to have fired up the visitors, who were incisive in possession and pressed the hosts’ jittery defense into making mistakes as they ended the opening period the better team.

The one let-down was Henderson, who made a series of wonky passes when well placed. Yet, the midfielder kept getting in good positions and came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage with a chipped shot on the cusp of half-time that landed on the roof of the net with Szczesny stranded.Following 15 minutes of second-half dominance from Arsenal, Henderson made another excellent run and finally made it count with a fine solo goal.

After turning past Per Mertesacker and outmuscling the substitute Andre Santos, the midfielder collected a lucky rebound after his first shot was saved to pass the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal were momentarily demoralised but were soon back in the game following two goals in three minutes.The comeback began when Giroud headed in Jack Wilshere’s right-wing free kick for his fifth goal in three games and his 14thof the season.

But the best goal of the night came after 67 minutes, when Walcott, who had been lively all game on the wing, received a lay-off on the right side of the box and sent the ball flying into the far corner of the net with a shot of tremendous speed and precision.Arsenal threw bodies forward as it went all out for the winner with some wonderful attacking play.

Giroud got in some excellent positions but was guilty of missing a hat trick of chances late on, including a sitter with only a few minutes on the clock.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli: I ran to join Milan

Mario Balotelli says he has wanted to join AC Milan for a long time after completing his move from Manchester City.



The Italy striker had fallen out of favor at Manchester City and said that joining the Rossoneri is something that has long been a dream and expressed his delight at making the move a reality.

“I'd wanted to play for Milan for such a long time, but I played for other teams as the opportunity to play for them had not yet arisen,” he told the club’s official TV channel.

“Whenever there was a chance, I ran. The beginning to the season for me was negative [with Man City]. With this shirt I will do better.

“I come here with the hope of doing well again. The fans just want me to do well and I hope that I can return the favor. I did not start the season very well with City.
“I already knew this was the place I wanted to go. I hope my choice makes Milan great again.”

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani revealed that the signing of Balotelli is a “dream” capture for the side and a transfer that everyone connected with the club wanted to see come to fruition.

He said: “Balotelli in Rossoneri is a dream that has been realized. It is a transfer that everyone wanted: club, president and fans.”

It is understood a fee of 23.4 million euros has been agreed by both Milan and City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas praises Bale's solo strike against Norwich City

Andre Villas-Boas praised Gareth Bale after his superb solo goal earned Tottenham a 1-1 draw against Norwich but slammed an attempted tackle by Alexander Tettey on the winger.

The Portuguese claimed that Bale would have suffered a serious injury had Tettey made contact with a challenge in the immediate buildup to the Wales international's stunning equaliser.

Villas-Boas expressed his unhappiness with referee Neil Swarbrick and felt the official should have taken action once play had stopped.

"It was a great goal," Villas-Boas told reporters. "He was extremely lucky to avoid Tettey's challenge, which could have broken his ankle. It's disappointing that the referee did not give a yellow or red card after the incident.

"I've spoken to the ref and I'm extremely disappointed with his game. I think you have to protect the unpredictability and passion of the game but you have to be aware that people go over the top.

"If he had made contact with Gareth's ankle you have an injury that keeps him out for six months and you have a player who has to continue to receive insults about his reputation [for diving], which I think is extremely insulting."

Norwich dominated the first half at Carrow Road before Tottenham's second-half revival ensured they escaped with a point.

Wes Hoolahan opened the scoring for the Canaries but while Villas-Boas conceded that his team had been on the back foot, he was not impressed with the hosts' approach to the game.

"We couldn't really play our game in the first half, Norwich were difficult to handle," he reflected. "There were lots of long balls that were difficult to defend and they were on top of us. The second half was all ours. We played good football and the boys showed great commitment. At halftime they recognized they could change their performance. I think in the end a draw is a fair result.

"They don't try to play, really. They put the ball in your box and lots of clearances end up in your box. They fight for first and second balls and that's the nature of our game. It's not here, in the Premier League, to be beautiful. Sometimes it's difficult and dirty but we managed to handle it in the second half and get the ball on the ground."

New signing Lewis Holtby was brought on in the second half and was influential during an impressive cameo.

"He did extremely well," Villas-Boas added. "I think he's an excellent addition. He was extremely comfortable and it's always very difficult players to come into this league.

"Myself and the team are happy with his performance. He found a couple of balls in behind and linked the team well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus completes Anelka signing

Juventus has confirmed the signing of Shanghai Shenhua striker Nicolas Anelka.The former France international is reported to have signed on an initial six-month loan deal, for a fee of 600,000 euros, with the option of extending his stay at the club by a further year at the end of the season.The Bianconeri have been linked with a whole host of frontmen since their failure to acquire a quality goalscorer in the summer transfer window.

Last week the club announced a deal for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, but with the 27-year-old set to join at the end of his contract in June, Antonio Conte continued his search for an immediate answer to his side's goalscoring dearth.Anelka only joined the Chinese Super League outfit in January of last year and was joined by former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.

But since the move, rumors have been rife regarding the player's alleged unhappiness in Asia and despite numerous denials, the 33-year-old has opted to make the move to Juventus Stadium.

Key to the deal was the player's eligibility for the Champions League, with the Turin club set to face Celtic in the knockout stages, as well as juggling Serie A and Coppa Italia challenges.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli mobbed by AC Milan fans outside restaurant in Italy

Outgoing Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli was mobbed by hundreds of AC Milan fans outside a restaurant where the striker met with the Italian club's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, on Wednesday evening.

The 22-year-old is on the verge of returning to Serie A in a 20 million pound deal and is currently in Italy ahead of the move, which is set to be officially completed on Thursday.

Balotelli had his medical at a hospital in Busto Arsizio on Wednesday afternoon and then went to have dinner with the club official after his three-hour examination.

Prior to meeting with Galliani, the Italy international was greeted by a large crowd of Milan supporters, who were chanting: "You threw the shirt of s**t [referring to Inter in the Champions League semifinal against Barcelona in 2010] on the ground, now you're with Milan. The dreams have come true, you score the best goals. We will win with Mario Balotelli."

The swarm of supporters also set off fireworks and police were required to use tear gas in order to break up the crowd.

A policeman was also taken to hospital after being hit on the head with a bottle which was thrown by one of the fans.