..::Football III::..

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Torres: We know how to beat Arsenal

Fernando Torres is confident that Chelsea will consign Arsenal to a third consecutive defeat on Monday night, given the Blues have already beaten their London rivals this season.

Jose Mourinho's men dumped the Gunners out of the Capital One Cup in October with a 2-0 win at the Emirates and will be eager to heap further misery on a side routed 6-3 in their last Premier League outing against Manchester City, just days after a Champions League reverse at Napoli.

Spain striker Torres is bullish over Chelsea's chances of securing another win in Arsenal's backyard, which would see them climb above Arsene Wenger's side and move level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

"We know how important it is for us. It's a chance to overtake them in the table and we know how important that is for the fans," Torres told the club's official website.

"We're playing Arsenal, and it's a huge game for both sets of fans.

"We've beaten them once this season at the Emirates, so we know what we need to do to win there.

"We just have to ensure we prepare for the game the best we can, and I'm sure we can go and do it."

The Capital One Cup triumph means the Stamford Bridge outfit have won their last three games against Arsenal, who have failed to win any of their nine matches against a Mourinho-managed Chelsea.

 

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Chelsea striker Ba rejects talk of Arsenal switch

Demba Ba has played down suggestions he could move from Chelsea to Arsenal in the January transfer window.

The Senegalese striker has started just two Premier League games this season for the Blues, with Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o regularly preferred by Jose Mourinho.

Reports have linked Ba with a switch to the Emirates Stadium, a side he allegedly came close to joining on loan during the summer, but he insists he is staying put.

"People talk a lot about me joining Arsenal. But there has never been an approach from them," Ba told The Sun on Sunday.

"There is nothing going on in this regard. Things are OK for me at the moment.

"It's working, as the situation is turning around for me here bit by bit. You just need a bit of time to adapt when you change clubs.

"I've been in a process of adaptation while moving between West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea.

"But as soon as I'm given the chance to prove myself, I take it. So the fact that I've often been on the substitutes' bench is nothing serious."

Ba has scored three Premier League goals in 22 appearances for the west London outfit since joining from Newcastle United at the start of the year.

 

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Baines is not for sale, reiterates Martinez

Roberto Martinez has reiterated Everton's desire to keep hold of England left-back Leighton Baines.

Baines was the subject of a rejected bid from Manchester United during the summer and with the January transfer window approaching, the 29-year-old’s future is set to come under scrutiny again.

However, Martinez insists Everton do not need to sell and are under no pressure to raise funds, while he also revealed that the club have yet to enter negotiations over a new deal for the defender.

"If I want a player I need to match the valuation to then put the other club and the player in a situation to make a decision," the Spaniard told the Sunday Mirror.

"We have never been in a situation where the valuation has been matched with Leighton.

"We don't want to sell Leighton. When you are in a position when you have to bring money then you are relying on what you can sell. We are not in that position.

"As a club we don't need the money. We don't need to balance the books and that is a situation we wanted to have - to make football decisions, not financial decisions.

"We're not in talks with him about a deal. We don't have to say it publicly but nobody is for sale."

Martinez, who succeeded current United boss David Moyes at Goodison Park, has been hailed by midfielder Steven Pienaar for placing trust in Everton's players.

The Toffees sit fifth in the Premier League having lost just once this season and Pienaar is delighted to see Martinez’s style of play reaping rewards.

"This season we've been more patient. His [Martinez's] philosophy is if you keep the ball, you're not going to work as hard as the other team," said the South African.

"The trust the manager has in his players is unbelievable. He wants us to go out there and dominate a game. It takes a lot of courage and hard work. To keep the ball is not only passing – you have to move, you have to be fit.

"He came in and told us, 'Listen, you have to get over your fears now – just go out and enjoy the game'. He is so positive and it carries over to the team and makes us more relaxed."

 

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Moyes happy to be patient with injured Van Persie

Manchester United manager David Moyes is happy with Robin van Persie's continued injury rehabilitation, but is cautious of returning the striker to the first-team fold too quickly.

Van Persie has not featured since the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on December 10, with a one-month spell on the sidelines the initial prognosis.

And Moyes is pleased with Van Persie's progress, but is wary of the striker's previous injury woes while at Arsenal.

"Robin is progressing, he’s coming on, and he is feeling quite good," Moyes told the club's official website.

"He had a similar injury at Arsenal on his thigh, so it is something we have to be sure about [before he returns]. It wouldn’t be much good if it got repeated, so we will try to take it steady.

"I think it probably will be [too soon to face Hull on December 26]. Obviously the medical team are controlling him, but we speak to Robin as well about how he feels and what he feels he needs to do.

"We’re doing everything we can to make sure he’s well looked after and well treated."

 

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Ribery: Ballon d'Or win would be for my dad

Franck Ribery hopes that he can secure the Ballon d'Or after his exploits with Bayern Munich in 2013, saying that it would be great for him and his family.

The Frenchman featured as the Bavarians overcame Raja Casablanca on Saturday to lift the Club World Cup, their fifth trophy in 2013 to add to their Champions League, Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Uefa Super Cup wins.

Ribery stressed that his stellar year should put him firmly in contention for the Ballon d'Or alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and that he would dedicate the win in part to his construction worker father, Francois.

"It was an extraordinary year, for the club, the people and for me," he told Telefoot. "We broke everything record-wise. We took a lot of pleasure on and off the pitch.

"I have put in so much effort on the pitch. I think I deserved the Uefa European Best Player award. I would be very happy to win the Ballon d'Or. It would be great for me, my wife, my kids and my father."

The future France international was two years old when he was propelled through a car windscreen as his father Francois Ribery slammed on the brakes to avoid a head-on collision, though it left his son scarred for life.

The winger also commented on team-mate Arjen Robben, playing down any disappointment at the fact that the Dutchman publicly expressed his backing for Ronaldo in the race to be named Ballon d'Or winner.

"He corrected himself quickly," the 30-year-old added. "Everyone can give their thoughts, no problem.

"It is already something extraordinary to be nominated alongside Ronaldo and Messi. I have every chance, I was there in the big games. It is the best year of my career."

The winner of the Ballon d'Or will be announced in a ceremony in Zurich on January 13.

 

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Ozil completes the puzzle for Arsenal - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has hailed Mesut Ozil's impact in the Premier League, describing him as the final piece of the puzzle as Arsenal look to win a first title in a decade.

The German was a surprise club-record €50 million deadline-day signing at the Emirates Stadium, notching four goals and a league-high seven assists since his arrival.

Mourinho worked with Ozil for three years at Real Madrid, and he feels the midfielder - along with the maturing talents of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott - can guide Arsenal to the title.

"Mesut is a phenomenal player, one of these players that you buy to complete the puzzle of your team," Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"You don't need time with him, you need nothing. The player just arrives. His quality and his maturity and his leadership... You put him in and you know automatically your team becomes better.

"There are many ways to improve your team. One of them is to work with young players and another is to go directly to the market and buy one of these finished products. Arsenal had the chance to do it with Mesut and they did very well.

"I think, in the deep of their souls, [Arsenal] think they can [win the title]. In my previous time here, Walcott was a kid. He's now a man. Other players are in the best moment of their careers - [Jack] Wilshere, Ramsey and [Kieran] Gibbs."

Mourinho - who missed out on No.1 target Wayne Rooney during the summer - was less positive about Chelsea, hinting that fans will have to wait until next season for the first piece of silverware of the Portuguese's second spell.

"Next season, Chelsea will have a phenomenal team," Mourinho said. "Between the work we are doing [on] the evolution of the players and a couple of clinical signings [next summer].

"When you buy two clinical players to complete the puzzle you are building, I think that Chelsea next season will have a really very good team."

 

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Man Utd could struggle with transfer targets - Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes thinks that the club may fail to lure top transfer targets in the January transfer window.

The reigning champions have experienced an indifferent season approaching the half-way point, as five losses in the Premier League have left them in seventh position, eight points off table-toppers Liverpool.

Moyes, however, has seen his side improve in recent matches following four straight wins in all competitions, with United topping their Champions League group and reaching the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.

United's patchy league form had led to rumours the Scot could bolster his ranks, especially in midfield, but Moyes feels his targets are unlikely to leave their clubs midway through the campaign.

"We will look [at targets]," Moyes said. "But I wouldn't turn around and say that I'm massively sure that we will get them.

"Because a lot of the players we would be interested in wouldn't be available for us in that month of January.

"But we'll certainly be looking."

Man Utd struggled to sign players in the summer window too and only sealed the Marouane Fellaini on deadline day, with moves for Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera falling flat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes wa epa wenne menne meh welawata thamai

Transfer market 1ka patan ganna kalinma NegativeOhoma wela nam baha​

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.12.23 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2013.12.23 Fixture

Arsenal Vs Chelsea

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Arsenal Vs Chelsea pattama gemak yai

 

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patta comeback eka

 

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Getafe 2-5 Barcelona: Pedro scores hat-trick in stunning comeback

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.12.23 Fixture

Arsenal Vs Chelsea

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Arsenal Vs Chelsea pattama gemak yai

 

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INTER are back Won the home derby

 

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Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea: Dour draw leaves Liverpool top for Christmas

Liverpool will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day after Arsenal and Chelsea played out a goalless draw in driving rain at the Emirates Stadium.

Jose Mourinho's men wasted the two best chances of a cagey first half, with Frank Lampard striking the underside of the crossbar with a fierce volley and Willian forcing a low save from Wojciech Szczesny.

Clear chances remained at a premium after the break, but Olivier Giroud spurned two big opportunities for either side on the night and Cesar Azpilicueta cleared Bacary Sagna's header off the line late on.

Jose Mourinho made it 10 matches against Arsene Wenger as Blues manager without suffering defeat as the Gunners saw their winless Premier League run extended to three games.

Wenger made four changes from the side beaten 6-3 by Manchester City last time out, Thomas Vermaelen replacing the injured Laurent Koscielny in defence, while Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta came in for the suspended Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini in midfield.

Frank Lampard was restored to the Chelsea line-up as part of three alterations made by Mourinho, who also selected Gary Cahill and John Obi Mikel in his starting XI.

The game got off to a slow start and it was the visitors crafted the first opening as Ramires headed over from Willian's cross after 25 minutes.

Chelsea began to exert more influence as the half progressed, and Mourinho's charges were unlucky not to take the lead just after the half-hour mark when Lampard's half-volley crashed against the underside of the crossbar.

Fortune looked to favour Chelsea in the latter stages of the first half, first Mikel appeared to catch Arteta hight with a sliding tackle, only to escape punishment from referee Mike Dean, who then waved away claims for an Arsenal penalty following Willian's apparent foul on Theo Walcott.

Chelsea were again perhaps fortunate to keep 10 men on the field 18 minutes into the second half as Ramires was booked for a rash challenge on Arteta.

Tensions threatened to boil over in what was an ill-tempered affair, Mesut Ozil and Branislav Ivanovic coming together soon after the Chelsea defender had forced a save from Wojciech Szczesny with an effort from range.

Arsenal almost claimed the victory 11 minutes from time, but Giroud spurned a good opening as he fired into the side-netting from the near post.

And Bacary Sagna saw a late header cleared off the line as Arsenal finished strongly without finding a way past Petr Cech.

 

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Wenger: Arsenal denied '100 per cent' penalty against Chelsea

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal should “100 per cent” have been given a penalty during Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

Winger Theo Walcott appeared to be felled in the box by Willian in the 36th minute but appeals from Gunners players were turned down by referee Mike Dean.

And Wenger believes that his side were denied a clear and crucial decision against Jose Mourinho's men, one which would have turned a tight game decisively in their favour.
"[It was] 100 per cent a penalty," the Gunners boss told Sky Sports.

When asked why it had not been given, the Frenchman added: "That's a question you have to ask the referee; I cannot give it.

"In my mind, there is no doubt."

The dropped points mean that Arsenal will go into their Boxing Day clash with West Ham second in the Premier League, as Liverpool remain top the table on goal difference.

But Wenger is adamant that his side deserved the three points against Jose Mourinho’s Blues.

"I think in the final part of the game we should have won it. They came here to defend well and catch us on the break," he argued.

“We were a bit - you could see at the start of the game - edgy, and when we took control of the game in the second half we should have won it.

"It was a game of very few chances and the few opportunities we had we couldn't take. When you cannot win the game, don't lose it and that's what we did."

 

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Falcao: Ronaldo better than Messi

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao believes that Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Colombia international is a huge admirer of both players, having played alongside them in La Liga for two years before leaving Atletico Madrid for Monaco during the summer.

However, as far as Falcao is concerned, the Portugal international is the slightly superior talent.

"Messi and Cristiano are the two most important players in the world today but, for me, Ronaldo is the best," the 27-year-old striker told El Tiempo.

Falcao only returned to the Monaco line-up just before the winter break after a spell on the sidelines with an injury that some reports suggested was merely a convenient way of covering up an alleged falling-out with coach Claudio Ranieri.

However, the former Porto forward insists that there was no truth in the rumours that he had been dropped and was trying to force through a move away from the Stade Louis II.

"I had a physical problem and it was not convenient to play," he stated. "It was risky. It was not a serious injury, but it could have turned into something worse."

 

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Michu out for 'up to three months' with ankle injury

Swansea striker Michu is set to be out of action for three months after scans on Monday showed he is likely to need ankle surgery.

The Spaniard was forced to sit out the Swans' 2-1 defeat to Everton on Sunday and assistant coach alan Curtis says the Welsh side will decide on Tuesday whether the former Rayo Vallecano man will have to go under the knife.

"They will decide when the operation will be, if an operation is required. It probably will be," he told reporters.

"Hopefully we're looking at something maybe around the six-week mark [out].

"It will be a blow obviously to lose him for that length of time, but possibly we were looking at two to three months.

"But to be fair to him it's something that needed to happen, because he's been struggling with his knees and his ankles.

"It's interrupted his training and he's missed a fair chunk of game-time this year.

"So we've missed him, likewise Nathan Dyer we've missed a lot, and Michel Vorm had a cartilage operation midweek.

"Ashley Williams has been out, Ben Davies has been out, Leon Britton has been out - some big players for us that have missed a fair portion of the season.

"That allied to the European football, if we can get some of these players back we can concentrate a little bit more on the [Premier] League and I'm sure results will improve."

 

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'Next year will be even better' - Ronaldo tops 2013 goals table

Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a record-breaking year - but the Real Madrid superstar says that he'll have an even better 2014.

The 28-year-old attacker has been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or for his remarkable goalscoring exploits over the past 12 months, with the Portugal international netting 69 times for Los Blancos, making him the most prolific hitman in European club football in 2013.

However, Ronaldo, who also effectively carried his country to the World Cup by netting all of their goals in the 4-2 play-off triumph over Sweden in November, says that the best is yet to come.

“This year has been a good one," the former Manchester United ace wrote on his Facebook page, "but next year will be even better."

As things stand, the second-placed player on the 2013 goals table is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who came off second best in that aforementioned play-off shootout.

However, though the Swede has come home 22 goals shy of Ronaldo, he did at least manage to get his hands on some silverware, as it was the enigmatic forward who fired Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title last season.

Ibrahimovic, though, could yet lose second spot to the in-form Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan is currently fourth on the list, on 42 goals, three behind the injury-plagued Lionel Messi, but the Liverpool forward still has two more games to play before the year comes to an end and, given he has struck 19 goals in 12 outings, Suarez cannot be discounted.

There are no other potential late movers, though, as the Premier League's two other representatives, Manchester United's Robin van Persie and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, are both sidelined through injury until the New Year.

 

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Sherwood named permanent Tottenham manager

Tim Sherwood has been appointed Tottenham head coach until the end of the 2014-15 season.

The former Spurs midfielder took over first team affairs after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in the aftermath of a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at White Hart Lane last Sunday.

And after a Capital One Cup fifth round loss to West Ham, Sherwood oversaw an impressive 3-2 victory against Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday.

"We were extremely reluctant to make a change mid-season, but felt we had to do so in the club's best interests," chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement.

"We have a great squad and we owe them a head coach who will bring out the best in them and allow them to flourish and enjoy a strong, exciting finish to the season.

"We are in the fortunate position of having within our club a talented coach in Tim Sherwood.

"We believe Tim has both the knowledge and the drive to take the squad forward."

Sherwood’s former Spurs team-mates Les Ferdinand and Steffen Freund will make up the new first-team coaching set-up along with ex-Swindon defender Chris Ramsey.

When questioned about his future on Sunday, Sherwood told Sky Sports: "I never said I wanted the job and I never said I don't want the job.

"I've got to talk to the chairman and see where they want to take this football club.

“[Hopefully the decision will come] sooner rather than later, as these players need a manager.

"Hopefully I will speak to the chairman tonight. I don't want it [the job] on a temporary basis. I want it for the long term. It's got huge tradition but at the end of the day, it's got to be right for me."

Sherwood made 118 appearances as a player for Tottenham between 1999 and 2003, after joining the club from Blackburn for £4 million, as well as picking up three caps for England.