..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Manchester United 2 Vs 0 Swansea

Manchester United Goal(s)

Valencia 47'
Welbeck 59'

Congratulations Manchester United!
Meetawada goals score karanna puluwan chances godak miss karagattha
& Januzaj Patta​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hull City 0-2 Chelsea: Hazard & Torres strikes send Blues top

Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League on Saturday as Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored in a 2-0 victory at Hull City.

After a goalless first half, Hazard broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second period with a low drive beyond Allan McGregor, who had an otherwise impressive game in Hull's goal.

Torres then got the better of Alex Bruce three minutes from time to burst into the danger area and slide the ball beyond the Scottish goalkeeper to make sure of the points.

The win is Chelsea's fifth in a row in all competitions and, with Manchester City and Arsenal not playing until Sunday and Monday respectively, sends them top of the league.

Steve Bruce made just a single change to the side who lost 2-0 to Liverpool last time out in the Premier League, George Boyd coming in for captain Robert Koren, while Jose Mourinho gave Oscar and Willian starts after starring substitute outings at Southampton on New Year's Day.

Ahmed Elmohamady had the first chance of the match for Hull in the seventh minute, with Petr Cech getting down well to gather the Egyptian's dipping effort from 25 yards.

The hosts had the better chances throughout the opening half-hour, with Cech into action once again in the 22nd minute, pushing the ball around his left post from a 20-yard Jake Livermore strike, while Yannick Sagbo wasted a gilt-edged chance after Boyd charged down an attempted John Terry pass in the Chelsea penalty area.

The Blues worked their way back into the contest, however, and Oscar squandered a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock for the visitors in the 33rd minute, drawing a superb save from McGregor after receiving the ball somewhat fortuitously from a deflected Hazard cutback.

And Scotland international McGregor had to be alert again on the stroke of half-time as a well-struck Luiz free kick required a touch over the crossbar before a second set-piece from the Brazilian after the break was again stopped by the 31-year-old.

But it was Hazard who eventually netted the first goal of the match in the 56th minute, delaying his shot on the edge of the penalty area before rifling an effort into the bottom right-hand corner for his ninth Premier League goal of the season, equalling his tally from last term.

With Hull struggling to find a response, Torres extinguished their hopes of salvaging a point towards the end of normal time, taking the ball beyond Alex Bruce to slot the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, scoring in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2012.

And Chelsea cruised to the full-time whistle to secure their fourth clean sheet in five outings - taking Cech past Peter Bonetti's club record.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ajaccio 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Lavezzi & Matuidi save Blanc's blushes

Blaise Matuidi completed Paris Saint-Germain's fightback from a goal down to defeat Ajaccio 2-1 on Saturday.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions extended their lead at the top of the table to five points, claiming victory on the road after Monaco could only draw 1-1 at Montpellier on Friday.

PSG suffered an early blow as Brazilian striker Eduardo put the hosts ahead after just six minutes with a close-range finish.

However, Laurent Blanc's men responded strongly and were rewarded shortly before half-time when Argentine attacker Lavezzi scored only his third goal of the campaign.

Ajaccio provided strong resistance in the second half, but Matuidi's 74th-minute header completed the turnaround and ended a streak of three games without a win against the Stade Francois Coty outfit.

PSG named the same side that saw off Brest in a midweek Coupe de France tie, while the in-form Eduardo started up front for Ajaccio, who made three changes from their own cup triumph over Quimperle last weekend.

The visitors went close inside the first two minutes as Guillermo Ochoa was forced to tip Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected free kick over the bar.

Yet it was Ajaccio who surprisingly struck first, Eduardo tapping home Benjamin Andre's lay-off for his third goal in as many matches following good work down the right from Cedric Hengbart.

PSG responded well and would have levelled had Ochoa not displayed great reflexes to keep out Lavezzi's close-range effort.

Ajaccio continued to create chances, though, with midfielder Johan Cavalli shooting wide on the half-volley as his side pushed for a second.

The Parisiens dictated possession without creating many goalscoring opportunities, although the capital club were unfortunate not to level when Ibrahimovic struck the post with a low free kick just before the half-hour mark.

The pressure from PSG finally told four minutes before the break, Lavezzi finishing off a sweeping move after Ibrahimovic had been played through by an excellent pass from Matuidi.

Blanc's men started the second half the brighter, but Ajaccio proved adept at frustrating their opponents, who found life difficult in the final third.

Lavezzi and midfielder Adrien Rabiot spurned PSG's best chances, before visiting keeper Salvatore Sirigu prevented Eduardo from restoring Ajaccio's advantage.

Ajaccio's valiant effort was to prove in vain, though, as a diving Matuidi headed into the bottom corner after Ibrahimovic had turned Javier Pastore's far-post cross back across goal.

Eduardo wasted a chance to equalise for the hosts when he fired into the side-netting with the goal gaping seven minutes from time, before Ochoa prevented Edinson Cavani from adding a brilliant third in stoppage-time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham: Carlton Cole & Noble ease pressure on beleaguered Allardyce

West Ham moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 Premier League win at Cardiff City on Saturday to ease the pressure on manager Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce has come under fire after the London club's run of seven Premier League games without a win and humiliating FA Cup and Capital One Cup thrashings at the hands of Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, respectively, in the previous week.

But Carlton Cole scored shortly before half-time at the Cardiff City Stadium before Mark Noble sealed the points in second-half stoppage time to ensure that Cardiff replace the Hamers men in the bottom three on goal difference.

West Ham had to dig deep for the victory as James Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence 18 minutes from time and they also lost Guy Demel to what appeared to be a serious injury in the first half.

They were not to be denied three precious points, though, and Andy Carroll also made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute, the striker setting up Noble's goal as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was beaten in his first home game in charge of the Bluebirds.

Record signing Carroll was named in the West Ham squadfor the first time since his close-season switch from Liverpool, while Allardyce made five changes to the side who were hammered at City in midweek.

Cardiff centre-back Mark Hudson made his first Premier League start and new signing Magnus Wolff Eikrem was on the bench as Solskjaer also made five alterations to his starting line-up.

West Ham started brightly and the hosts breathed a sigh of relief when Stewart Downing's fourth-minute cross from the right evaded everyone and struck the far post before David Marshall denied Tomkins from the rebound.

Demel then became the visitors' latest injury victim when he was caught in the face by team-mate Roger Johnson's elbow after only seven minutes and was carried off wearing a neck brace following a lengthy stoppage.

Cardiff came tantalisingly close to opening the scoring after 31 minutes, when Kim Bo-Kyung's shot deflected over Adrian and struck the crossbar before bouncing down on the line, whereupon Frazier Campbell fouled the goalkeeper in his follow-up.

The visitors made the most of that fortune 11 minutes later, as Matt Jarvis picked out Cole with a precise ball across the face of the goal and the striker made no mistake from six yards out.

Cardiff were almost caught out again a minute later but Matt Taylor's right-footed effort whistled just past the far post.

The home side thought that they should have had a penalty during 10 minutes of added time when Craig Noone went down under a George McCartney challenge but referee Lee Mason waved play on.

Craig Bellamy made his return from injury when he replaced Peter Odemwingie at the break and the evergreen forward wasted no time in making an impact, swinging in a free kick that was headed over the bar by an unmarked Hudson.

Cardiff piled on the pressure and Adrian produced a fine reflex save to deny the lively Campbell 12 minutes into the second half after an inviting cutback from Bellamy.

Norway midfielder Eikrem came on to make his debut after 64 minutes and Bellamy curled a free kick just wide six minutes later as the hosts' frustration grew

Carroll replaced Cole a minute later to warm applause from the travelling fans but West Ham were reduced to 10 men when Tomkins was shown a second yellow card for a high challenge on Campbell in the 72nd minute.

However, the visitors stood firm and Noble sealed the points in stoppage time when he drilled the ball into the far corner after being played in by Carroll.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fulham 1-4 Sunderland: Adam Johnson hat-trick lifts Black Cats off bottom

Adam Johnson's hat-trick inspired Sunderland to a 4-1 win at fellow relegation contenders Fulham as they took a giant step towards Premier League survival.

After coming off the bench to devastating effect in Sunderland's Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg win over Manchester United in midweek, Johnson made his first league start since early December and he produced a match-winning display.

He gave the visitors the lead when he expertly converted a free kick on the half-hour before he was involved again just before half-time as he assisted Ki Sung-Yueng in scoring Sunderland's second.

The hosts were resurgent at the start of the second period and quickly pulled one back through Steve Sidwell but Johnson grabbed his second of the match with 21 minutes left to effectively wrap up the three points.

Second-half substitute Jozy Altidore's quick feet in the final stages earned the away side a penalty to put gloss on the scoreline and Johnson dispatched it to ensure that he claimed the match ball, while the visitors took a big step towards safety.

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen made eight changes from the FA Cup draw at Norwich City - Clint Dempsey one of just three players to keep their place as he made his return to Premier League football. As well as Johnson, meanwhile, Jack Colback also returned as Gus Poyet's only other alteration.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, both sides went close as Steven Fletcher headed just over the crossbar following a well-worked free kick for Sunderland, while the tricky Adel Taarabt forced Vito Mannone into a reflex save from a narrow angle.

The deadlock was finally broken just before the half-hour mark, however. Johnson won himself a free kick just outside the Fulham area and the winger curled it into the top corner, despite David Stockdale getting both hands to the ball.

Things got even worse for Fulham four minutes before the break. Johnson cut a free kick back towards the penalty spot and Ki's low, first-time strike found the back of the net via a deflection off Philippe Senderos.

Fulham were gifted a lifeline seven minutes into the second half when Damien Duff's inswinging corner found its way through to the unmarked Sidwell, who glanced a header home.

The hosts' need to attack saw the match become increasingly stretched from there and Sunderland almost capitalised when Fabio Borini hit a drive wide from the edge of the area, before Stockdale clawed Lee Cattermole's 30-yard effort away.

With Fulham throwing players forward, the visitors produced a decisive counterattack to restore their two-goal lead in the 69th minute. Ki combined with substitute Altidore before slipping a delicate through-ball into the area for Johnson, who slotted past Stockdale with ease.

Altidore played an important role again late on as he won a penalty against Senderos and Johnson confidently scored to complete his hat-trick.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace: Eriksen & Defoe on target for hosts

Jermain Defoe began his month-long Tottenham farewell with a first Premier League goal this season in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The England striker's February move to MLS side Toronto FC was confirmed on Friday and he was greeted warmly by the White Hart Lane faithful before finding a typically assured finish to secure a fourth victory in five unbeaten league outings under new boss Tim Sherwood.

It might have been a very different story had Jason Puncheon not woefully missed from the penalty spot in a first half that Palace dominated, their front two of Marouane Chamakh and Cameron Jerome providing a constant threat.

But Christian Eriksen's third goal in four league games settled the nerves of the home fans, who were then able to salute their soon-to-be-departed striker.

Sherwood named an unchanged Tottenham XI, while Jonathan Parr started at left-back for Palace, allowing Joel Ward to revert to midfield in Kagisho Dikgacoi's absence.

Tottenham were caught cold by a fast start from their visitors, who should have taken the lead in the eighth minute. Mousa Dembele clattered through Jerome after Damien Delaney had unpicked the home defence with staggering ease, the Tottenham man conceding a clear penalty, only for Puncheon – who almost fell over after colliding with referee Michael Oliver when pacing out his run-up – to blaze high and wide in comedic fashion.

Palace again sabotaged their impressive work when Chamakh rose unchallenged to meet Puncheon's right-wing corner. The former Arsenal man looked destined to score until team-mate Mile Jedinak clattered into his back and the resulting header looped over.

Chamakh was frustrated by the presence of one of his colleagues once more as Tottenham flailed under another set-piece delivery, Yannick Bolasie inadvertently blocking his goalbound volley.

Nabil Bentaleb, making his first Premier League start in midfield for Totteham, then rattled the inside of the post with a blistering 34th-minute drive that then flashed agonisingly across the goalmouth – the closest that Sherwood's men came in a half in which they were comfortably second best.

That was certainly not the case when the action resumed as Bentaleb's midfield colleague, Eriksen, shook off an anonymous opening 45 minutes to give Tottenham a 50th-minute lead. Two minutes earlier, a combination of Delaney and Parr had scrambled clear when the Dane caused panic in the area with a weaving run but they could do nothing to thwart him when Emmanuel Adebayor's flick from Kyle Naughton's pass dropped for him to lash, left-footed, into the roof of the net.

Defoe was afforded a rapturous reception upon his 58th-minute introduction for Roberto Soldado – Sherwood's second change of the half after Kyle Walker had limped off to be replaced by Naughton.

The Canada-bound forward twisted and turned to thread a shot just beyond the far post, an effort Adebayor that agonisingly failed to meet with a decisive touch.

But Defoe was not to be denied as, despite looking to be offside, he evaded Parr's attentions to lift Aaron Lennon’s 73rd-minute pass into the net.

Jedinak, substitute Adlene Guedioura and Chamakh all went close in a spirited finish from Palace but they could not find a way back.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Southampton 1-0 West Brom: Lallana winner enough for Saints

A second-half strike from Southampton captain Adam Lallana made sure that his side took all three points from Saturday's Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion.


Much of the focus during the game's build-up centered on Pepe Mel, the newly appointed West Brom manager who signed an 18-month contract at the club on Thursday. Mel looked on from the stands at St Mary's as his new side's unbeaten Premier League run of four matches came to an end, and the former Real Betis boss takes over a club that sits only three points above the relegation places.

Caretaker manager Keith Downing had led the visitors to a win and three draws in his four games in charge, but his last match at the helm comprised of a lacklustre display and a disappointing defeat.

England international Lallana struck the only goal of the game midway through the second half, collecting Gaston Ramirez's superb clipped pass to slot home and hand Southampton just their second win in 10 league games.Both teams made three changes from their previous league outings, Artur Boruc returning from a hand injury in goal for the hosts, who also brought Rickie Lambert back in.

Shane Long, the subject of ongoing interest from Hull City during the transfer window, came in for West Brom to partner Nicolas Anelka in attack.

In a first half devoid of goalmouth action, Lallana and Lambert were the only men to muster efforts on target, both players seeing their shots from distance comfortably saved by Ben Foster.

West Brom’s best openings came on the counter-attack, but a lack of composure let them down and Mel will not have been enthused by his new side’s slack play.

Jay Rodriguez wasted a good chance to give the hosts the lead six minutes after the break, the England international firing wide of goal after robbing Youssouf Mulumbu in midfield.In the 66th minute, Southampton finally broke the deadlock with a moment of rare quality.

Ramirez, on as a substitute just four minutes earlier, chipped a delightful no-look pass into the path of Lallana, who took a touch to control on the edge of the area before firing through the legs of Foster and into the net.

Long should have earned a point for his side with a minute remaining, sidefooting straight at Boruc from six yards out after being picked out by Liam Ridgewell's ball from the left as West Brom's afternoon ended in frustration.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 2-0 Norwich: Mirallas free-kick helps Toffees climb to fourth

Everton continued their bid for a top-four finish with a 2-0 win over out-of-form Norwich City in Saturday's Premier League encounter.


Goals from Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas sealed a victory which kept moved the Merseysiders into the Champions League qualification places, overtaking cross-town rivals Liverpool, who travel to Stoke on Sunday.

Barry's powerful strike – his third since arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City – sailed in from 25 yards midway through the first half, and Mirallas ensured his side's win with an exquisite free-kick in the 59th minute.

Roberto Martinez's side produced an excellent team performance, demonstrating ruthlessness against opponents who had claimed 1-1 draws on their last two trips to Goodison Park.

Everton – who presented new signing Aiden McGeady to fans before the match – recalled captain Phil Jagielka following his recovery from a hamstring injury but were missing midfielder Ross Barkley (toe), while Leroy Fer returned from suspension for Norwich.

The hosts started brightly, immediately settling into a quick tempo that forced Norwich back, and should have taken the lead in the 12th minute, only for Romelu Lukaku to head Mirallas' pinpoint cross wide from three yards.

A heavy first touch from Gary Hooper let Everton off at the other end, but the visitors remained on the back foot and Javier Garrido was forced to clear a corner at the far post before both Mirallas and Leighton Baines missed the target with efforts.

A goal for the hosts seemed inevitable and Barry produced a moment of genuine quality to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute, charging forward before unleashing a left-footed strike from 25 yards that gave Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy no chance of intercepting its route towards the right-hand side of the net.
Norwich's record signing, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, almost equalised with a curling 20-yard effort that was well saved by Tim Howard, while Leon Osman and Seamus Coleman shot over as Everton pressed for a second.

Howard was off his line quickly to deny Hooper on the stroke of half-time, but Norwich failed to improve after the break as Everton continued to pour forward.
After Jagielka and James McCarthy had wasted half-chances, Mirallas provided the second goal with a stunning set-piece that was bent into the top-left corner from 20 yards.

Lukaku, who led the line superbly throughout, was denied by a diving Ruddy and then had a goal ruled out for offside, while a late Norwich revival was highlighted by a Robert Snodgrass header that hit the post.

Nathan Redmond, Bradley Johnson and Van Wolfswinkel also had attempts on goal, but Everton stood firm to complete a valuable win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi the best ever but Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or - Villas-Boas

Former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas believes that Lionel Messi might be the best player of all time, but says Cristiano Ronaldo would be a worthy winner of the Ballon d'Or.

The Barcelona star suffered with injuries throughout 2013 as his Portuguese rival went from strength to strength for both the Seleccao and Real Madrid.

And Villas-Boas has backed his compatriot to claim the award he last won back in 2008 for his achievements at Manchester United.

"Cristiano has had a big impact recently and has played more games than Messi, so he can win the Ballon d'Or this year," he is quoted as saying by AS.

"But that should not influence the idea that Messi is perhaps the best player of his generation, his time or even all time.

"If we look at his development over the last year, Cristiano could win it, though."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matuidi: PSG victory all that matters

Blaise Matuidi says Paris Saint-Germain were not at their best in their narrow 2-1 victory over Ajaccio but believes the result is all that matters.

The 26-year-old scored the winner in a less than convincing performance against the hosts who are rooted to the bottom in Ligue 1.

However, the midfielder believes it was of fundamental importance to claim the three points even if they did not reach their normal high standards.

"We knew coming here it was going to be difficult. Ajaccio are a team that are playing for their survival," Matuidi told Canal+.

"We came, we connected, we played on Wednesday [in the Coupe de France] and used a lot of energy. The bottom line is winning and the manner of it, we tried to play football."

Ezequiel Lavezzi equalised for PSG just before half-time following Ajaccio's shock lead courtesy of Eduardo. Matuidi's diving header ensured the hosts' effort was in vain and he says it was a difficult game.

"They afforded us opportunities but they created chances too. The score seems deserved," he continued.

"The pitch was not easy to play on. It was very dry and hindered us. But we do not make excuses, the main thing is to win this match to continue our march forward."

Laurent Blanc's men have now opened up a five-point gap at the top after Monaco drew with Montpellier, but Matuidi insists there is still a long way to go in the title race.

Asked if the win gave them a comfortable cushion in the championship, Matuidi replied: "It's too early to say.

"It's good to win and maintain the gap but the season is still long and we show that we are there and we will not give up."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pirlo keen to sort Juventus future

Andrea Pirlo has stressed that his intention has always been to remain at Juventus and that he is keen to sort his future sooner rather than later.

The 34-year-old has a contract with the Serie A champions that expires this summer and he had recently been linked with a move away from the Turin giants.

However, Pirlo has now made it clear that he's eager to commit his future to Juventus, where he has been since 2011 after joining from AC Milan.

"It has always been my intention to remain at Juventus," the influential midfielder told Radio 105.

"We will sit down with the club in the next few days and we will see what happens. I am optimistic about my renewal. There's no deadline to sort it.

"I am feeling well and I am still motivated to keep on playing and go on. I will quit when I no longer enjoy training and playing, but it all depends on how I feel."

Pirlo has made 14 Serie A appearances so far this term, scoring three goals in the process.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Morata not for sale at any price, insists Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Real Madrid have no intention of selling Alvaro Morata amid reports linking the striker with a move to Arsenal.

The 21-year-old recently suggested that he could leave Madrid in order to get regular first-team action elsewhere, but Ancelotti has stressed that Morata is going nowhere and has urged the youngster to remain patient.

"I haven't spoken to him about a transfer," the Madrid coach stated at a press conference.

"There hasn't been any enquiries about him but, if any club comes along to ask us about his situation, the answer is simple and clear: he's not for sale, he's not going anywhere.

"He doesn't lack anything. It's only a question of stiff competition for a place in the side. That's how it is at Real Madrid."

Morata, who has netted twice in 10 La Liga appearances so far this season, has a contract with the Blancos until the summer of 2015.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Morata wa sell karana 1kak naha wage keeyatawath.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cech sets new Chelsea record with 209 clean sheets

Petr Cech has set a new Chelsea record of 209 clean sheets following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Hull City.

The Chelsea goalkeeper surpassed the previous record held by Peter Bonneti, who spent 20 seasons at the club between 1959 and 1979.

Cech, though, has overtaken Bonneti's record in only his 10th season at Stamford Bridge, having joined from Rennes in the summer of 2004.

The Czech international has been ever-present during his time at Chelsea, playing a vital role in the three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, Europa League and Champions League trophies amassed over the previous decade.

Speaking to BT Sport after Saturday's clash, Cech was keen to keep his focus on the acheivements of the team. "The important thing is that we keep winning games, we keep winning trophies," he said. "We want to win the league. Hopefully the clean sheets will halp us to achieve our targets.

"The most pleasing thing about all this is that we won a very important game," he continued. "Now we are top of the league for the first time in a long time, and we hope to stay there as long as we can."

Cech, whose record-breaking clean sheet was also his 150th in the English top flight, is now only 20 short of for the all-time Premier League record, currently held by David James. James clocked up 170 clean sheets over his 18 seasons in the division.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Buffon: Juventus cannot slow down

Gianluigi Buffon has insisted that Juventus cannot afford to slow down if they are to win silverware in 2013-14.

The Turin giants currently sit top of the Serie A table with 49 points from 18 games, holding an eight-point lead over second-placed Roma.

Nevertheless, Buffon has warned that the Bianconeri must remain focused in order to hold off their rivals.

"We need to keep our foot on the accelerator now more than ever," the Italy international, 35, told the official Juventus website.

The veteran goalkeeper then went on to discuss his future and made it clear that he's not thinking about retiring just yet.

"I turn 36 on 28 January, but I’m still hungry for more.

"Maintaining my physical fitness is key, but above all I hope to make sure I always deserve that No.1 spot."

Buffon has a contract with Juventus until June 2015.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Milan loan can help me make France squad - Rami

AC Milan's on-loan defender Adil Rami is hopeful his spell at San Siro will boost his chances of making France's World Cup 2014 squad.

The Valencia loanee was unveiled at a press conference in Milan on Friday, having completed his temporary switch in the current transfer window with an option to make the deal permanent.

The Frenchman, who has 26 caps for his country, is focused on having a positive spell with the Rossoneri in a bid to be selected by Didier Deschamps for the World Cup. "Should I play well here, I hope to go to the World Cup but you have to go step by step. Now I just think about Milan," he told reporters.

"It's a fantastic club with tradition. I just want to work a lot and repay the faith."Of course I think of the French national team. Milan is one of the most important clubs in the world and I think if I work hard and earn my place, of course I can aspire to the national side."

Milan have brought in the likes of Keisuke Honda and Rami on a budget this transfers window and club chief Adriano Galliani explained his preference for bringing players in from overseas, rather than scouring Serie A."We monitored the situation in Europe [with Rami and Honda] and as soon as we saw a glimmer of hope we arrived first," he said.

"There are many deals abroad. I would say that abroad is much more dynamic than the Italian scene."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo has been better than anyone else, says Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti feels Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best player of 2013 and deserves to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or.

The Portugal international faces competition from Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery for the prestigious individual award, but Ancelotti is adamant that Ronaldo is the only one who really deserves to take home the trophy.

"If we're talking about the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo has been the player who has been better than anyone else in 2013," the Madrid coach stated at a press conference.

"Ronaldo is a unique player for all of his talent and his professionalism. He is a player who is extraordinarily consistent."

Ancelotti then went on to discuss this weekend's Liga match against Espanyol and underlined the importance of the game for Madrid's title ambitions.

The Santiago Bernabeu side currently sit third in La Liga, five points adrift of leading duo Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who face-off at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

"We have to compete with two very strong teams to win the league. Atletico Madrid have been a surprise for everyone.

"Tomorrow's match is an important one. We want to end the first part of the season with a victory but we know they are tough.

"It will be a tough match but we have to do our best to win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moses adapting to 'massive' club, says Rodgers

Liverpool loanee Victor Moses is still adapting to life at a "massive" club, manager Brendan Rodgers believes.

The Nigeria international has started just six Premier League games since joining on loan from Chelsea, and was recently withdrawn at the interval of Liverpool's 2-0 FA Cup win over Oldham Athletic following an under-par first-half display.

That led to talk that Rodgers may look to cut Moses' stay on Merseyside short by sending him back to Chelsea, however the Northern Irishman has dismissed such speculation, saying the 23-year-old has reacted superbly to his disappointing performance against Oldham.

"There will be no cancelling the loan - Victor and I have spoken a couple of times this week and I explained my reasons for taking him off," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"He has been excellent since then, I have seen a real marked difference in terms of his performance.

"It's not easy when you come to a big club.

"You come from a really good club like Chelsea to a massive club like Liverpool where there is expectancy every day. For any player to go into a big club there is a big difference in terms of mentality.

"He's a good kid and I'm delighted to have him here. I've got no doubt that over the course of time here he will show his talent - I still expect him to make a big contribution in the second half of the season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Records not the focus for Juventus, says Conte

Antonio Conte insists Juventus do not have their eyes on breaking any records as they bid to win a third successive Serie A title.The Turin outfit could achieve a new club record with an 11th straight victory against Cagliari on Sunday, while they remain on course to challenge Inter's record of 97 points in a campaign set in 2006-07.

But Conte, who saw his team move eight points clear at the top of the Italian top flight with a 3-0 win over second-placed Roma last weekend, has stressed that consistency takes precedence over everything else.

"Records are made to be beaten, but it's the final goal that's more important as far as I'm concerned," he said.

"It's important for us to be consistent and we'll be in for test tomorrow at a tough venue."I think (Cagliari coach Diego) Lopez is doing a fine job. Cagliari are a tough, solid side.

"Cagliari have dangerous players up front and hit us on the counterattack when we played them last year. We'll have to remain alert."The suspension of Andrea Barzagli after surpassing the yellow card limit presents Conte with a defensive dilemma, but the coach is certain he has the players to cover the Italy international's absence.

"Barzagli's suspended for tomorrow and we're evaluating our options in defence," he added. "(Martin) Caceres represents an excellent solution."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fiorentina star Rossi may require further surgery

Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi may require further knee surgery after a specialist detected damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 26-year-old was thought to have sprained ligaments in his right knee during his side's 1-0 victory over Livorno on Sunday and was sent to visit professor Richard Steadman in Colorado, United States, for tests.

And the player's agent has now revealed that Rossi, who has undergone surgery on the same knee on two previous occasions, will complete three weeks of rehabilitation before being able to put a timescale on his return to action.

"Now we need to wait three weeks before understanding how best to proceed and above all how long he’ll be out for," Andrea Pastorello told FirenzeViola.it.
"Professor Steadman found Pepito's knee was slightly swollen, so he could not make a guess as to the recovery time. He put that back to the next visit.

"Unfortunately any damage to the cruciate ligament was what worried us the most and today continues to worry us. If it was only the collateral ligament then there certainly would've been no need for an operation and at most two or three months out.

"This now leaves a big question mark over the whole situation that will only be resolved after the next visit."Obviously it's a difficult situation, above all psychologically. He'll have to wait three weeks and his spirits are very low at the moment."Now Pepito will remain in New York with our doctor for rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the club and I will evaluate what to do next. We'll only know more after the next visit.

"Unfortunately, damage to the cruciate ligament is what worried us the most."
Rossi has scored 14 goals in 18 Serie A appearances this season.