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Saturday 15 June 2013

Chelsea Turn their Sights on Lewandowski as Cavani Bid Rejects

Chelsea have entered the race for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, with top target Edinson Cavani looking increasingly likely to snub the Blues’ advances. Lewandowski, who scored four goals as Dortmund pulled off a surprise Champions League semi-final victory over Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, is wanted by a host of clubs across Europe, including Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.But Dortmund have no intention of allowing the Polish international to follow Mario Gotze to the Allianz Arena and the delay in Lewandowski sealing a deal elsewhere could allow Chelsea into the fray.Returning Chelsea boss Mourinho is on the hunt for a leading striker, with the Portuguese unconvinced over duo Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, both of whom could leave Stamford Bridge this summer.he Europa League champions had originally placed Radamel Falcao at the top of their hit list, but his £50m move to Monaco saw the Blues turn to Napoli frontman Edinson Cavani. However, it looks as though the Uruguayan is considering his options, with Manchester City also on the hunt. Mourinho’s admiration of Lewandowski could yet see the Blues ditch their interest in Cavani to secure a new striker before the players return for pre-season training next month.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Didier Drogba Joins Galatasaray on 18 months deal


Didier Drogba has signed an 18-month deal with Galatasaray after turning down the chance of a sensational return to Chelsea.The Ivorian has joined the Turkish outfit on loan from his Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Roman Abramovich gave the go-ahead last week to offer Drogba a deal until the end of the season, with an option for a further year.Drogba said through his representatives, Sports PR Company, on Twitter: 'The opportunity to play for this great club was an offer that I could not turn down.'I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League again, against the best clubs in Europe.'The 34-year-old joined Shanghai last June on a two-and-a-half year deal reportedly worth £200,000 a week but was repeatedly linked with a move back to Europe in recent months.FIFA rejected a special request from the striker for him to join a club on loan outside the transfer window, amid speculation linking him with Juventus, AC Milan and Liverpool, among others.Despite his protests to the contrary, reports persisted that Drogba's move to China had not worked out, largely due to boardroom wrangling, and he has now left the Far East to return to Europe.Incredibly the talks were so far advanced that Chelsea were convinced that the man who delivered the European Cup last season was on the brink of signing before Thursday’s transfer deadline.He won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and his Chelsea career ended with that glorious finale against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in May last year.Chelsea offered him a year’s extension on reduced terms at the time, but Drogba, 34, decided to quit after lifting the Champions League.The Blues have been struggling without him this season and Fernando Torres, who scored yesterday, is still struggling for form.Drogba, whose family still live in Surrey and whose children attend Chelsea’s academy, had been training with his old team-mates ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations and they initially began teasing him that he wanted to return.Gala are five points clear at the top of the Super Lig standings and the big-spending Turkish side also recruited former Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder last week. Galatasary face Schalke in the European Cup next month and the lure of playing in the competition he won last season proved too much.An emotional reunion with Chelsea is not possible, though, after the holders crashed out of the competition in the group stage.

Monday 21 January 2013

Chelsea Win Rivalry Clash, Man Utd Drew Against Spurs, Valencia gets owned by Real Madrid

BPL RESULTS (SUNDAY)

CHELSEA 2-1 ARSENAL
The prospect of Ashley Cole in contract talks at a time when the country’s road network is hazardous with ice and snow may have sparked a red alert at RAC headquarters, but it had the desired effect on Chelsea.It was seven years ago that Cole nearly swerved off the road, trembling with rage at Arsenal’s £55,000-a-week offer. This week, he is set to sign a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge at nearly £200,000 a week.How better to celebrate than with a win against his old club to reinforce Chelsea’s superiority in the capital? They have given up on the title, misfired at home and been snubbed by Pep Guardiola, but at least they are secure in the top four.Who knows, Cole may even win another trophy. As he never tires of reminding Arsenal fans, he has seven major honours since the move; the Gunners have won nothing.Juan Mata struck after six minutes and Frank Lampard soon added the second from a disputed penalty before Chelsea survived a fightback and Theo Walcott’s 15th goal of the season.Roman Abramovich may not be happy with developments since he conquered Europe, but compared to Arsenal, his team are in decent health as they head to Swansea in a bid to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Capital One Cup semi-final.There were no overt anti-Benitez protests for once and, for the first time since he replaced Roberto di Matteo, no 16th-minute homage  to his predecessor, thanks to Lampard’s 16th-minute goal.Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, had to admit his team were in grave danger of surrendering their  Champions League status for the first time in 15 years.Form is poor and confidence is brittle. There are flashes of encouragement from the likes of Walcott and Jack Wilshere, but overall, it feels like gravity is taking hold.Arsenal are 11 points behind  Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand. It is three matches without a win in the Barclays Premier League and the second time in eight days they have wilted when confronted by a genuine force.Against Manchester City, they started poorly and were two down at half-time, never to respond. At Stamford Bridge, they were two down within 16 minutes. Decisions conspired against Wenger’s team but, as with the City game, they could not summon the resolve to overcome that and were over-reliant on individuals, notably Walcott and Wilshere.Perhaps it would have been different had Olivier Giroud found the net in the fifth minute when the game was goalless. Slid clear by Walcott, Giroud’s shot was only a foot wide, but it was an excellent chance to seize the initiative.Within a minute, they were behind, Mata making no mistake from a similar situation. Arsenal complained about a foul on Francis Coquelin that went unnoticed at the turnover of possession.Ramires sank his studs into the top of Coquelin’s foot in midfield and the pass, intended for Santi Cazorla, rolled instead to Cesar Azpilicueta, who clipped a long diagonal pass forward from right back. Mata escaped Bacary Sagna without trying too hard, took a touch and slammed in his 14th of the season.For the penalty, Ramires took the ball from Abou Diaby, continued his run and took a return from Mata. As Wojciech Szczesny lurched from his goalline, the Brazilian shifted the ball to his right, paused for the keeper to touch him and went down.Referee Martin Atkinson gave a penalty, Chelsea’s eighth of the  Premier League season. It looked questionable on the slow-motion replays. Ramires clearly went to ground early, fishing for contact from Szczesny by dangling his feet.No one seemed very happy. Benitez stamped his feet and waved an imaginary card, demanding  that Szczesny be sent off, but the keeper was merely booked. Wenger thought it should have been a  yellow card to Ramires for a dive.Lampard was happy enough. He stepped up to score his 195th goal for the club, his sixth in nine games and another step closer to Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202.Ramires wasted a good chance for the third, and Arsenal found some inspiration at half-time.Wenger pushed Diaby slightly further forward alongside Wilshere to match Chelsea’s midfield trio man-for-man but, on a more basic level, his team showed more desire.Petr Cech saved from Walcott and Per Mertesacker and Giroud spurned a very good chance before Walcott scored, sprinting clear of Cole to apply a clinical finish.At least, it gave Arsenal fans something to cheer. They had bought tickets at £60, something which had gone unnoticed after the storm of Manchester City fans who refused to pay £62 at the Emirates.For Chelsea, this provided a test. Four days earlier, against Southampton, they had sped into a two-goal lead, conceded soon after the break and ended up with one point.A ripple of anxiety lapped Stamford Bridge. Fernando Torres had a top chance to settle it but his touch was heavy. Fans cheered when he was replaced by Demba Ba.Abramovich shifted uneasily in his posh seat. Not everything is cosy at Chelsea, but this was a welcome win, Cole has agreed to stay and the roads are a little bit safer.

SPURS 1-1 MAN UTD
It was so close to being over. Not just the game, but the whole shebang. Win here, and the title would have been as good as parcelled up for delivery to Old Trafford.They have played Manchester City and Chelsea away. They have visited Anfield. And Manchester United won every time. Three points at White Hart Lane and there would have been little left to conquer in the Premier League this season.United visit Arsenal on April 27 but the days when teams produced by Arsene Wenger were regarded as the greatest challenge have passed. There are 22 points between United and Arsenal this morning; there were 24 going into stoppage time yesterday.So this was the test. Tottenham look a better team than Arsenal this season and have already won at Old Trafford. Andre Villas-Boas is  enjoying a happier time than he did at Chelsea, and has learned from a bad experience. No self-conscious crouching by the touchline, no strategies that fly in the face of logic. Villas-Boas plays to Tottenham’s strengths and there are plenty of them. As the game ticked towards its conclusion, United knew they had been in a battle and were about to record one of the landmark results of the season to go seven points clear.And then the match, and perhaps history itself, made a handbrake turn in the treacherous snow. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, an intelligent substitution by Villas-Boas who instantly elevated Tottenham’s attacking power on the left, whipped in a cross which David de Gea dealt with poorly. His punch was weak and flopped at the feet of Aaron Lennon, who knocked the ball back across goal for Clint Dempsey to finish.Tottenham delighted, United devastated. Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the officials for missing a foul on Wayne Rooney by Steven Caulker that should have been a penalty.  He had a point; but Tottenham’s performance deserved one, too.They were the better team, certainly in the second half, forced to chase Robin van Persie’s 25th-minute header, and increasingly look capable of repeating last season’s fourth-place finish, at least. Ferguson tried to take heart from his belief that Chelsea and Manchester City have still to come to this corner of north London, forgetting that Chelsea won here, convincingly, in October. City visit in April in a match that could prove crucial to the destination of the title, providing United do not  accelerate further.For this was a big result for Manchester City, as much as Tottenham. It means a seven-point gap has been closed to five with a Manchester derby still to take place. Win that and who knows what might happen?Ferguson knew it, too. His face at the end was that of a man who isn’t used to being tormented by late goals in this way. Well, not since the final day of last season.It started with United in their comfort zone. Tottenham buzzed but United were organised, unhurried and ahead from their first serious chance of the game. Danny Welbeck made a crossfield run, finding Tom Cleverley who struck a deep cross which Van Persie met at the far post.The goalscorer was rarely involved after that but it should have been enough to secure victory.If United lose the title this year it will be because their defence, collectively, gives up a good chance every game, and sometimes more than one. Yesterday it was De Gea’s turn, but he has been far from alone in erring.Perhaps that was what was really eating Ferguson. Until that moment, his rearguard had been  excellent. Rio Ferdinand had played probably his best match for United this season, Nemanja Vidic not far behind. Phil Jones looked a fine defensive midfield presence and Michael Carrick was superb by his side. Even De Gea, who has developed a worrying habit of parrying shots by pushing the ball out, not wide and nearly came a cropper that way here, but was saved by a linesman’s offside flag was at the top of his game and made at least one save of world-class standard.It came in the 50th minute when Mousa Dembele, a fine, hard-running presence for Tottenham throughout, skipped past several challenges and fed Dempsey, who was left one on one with De Gea. Staying on his feet under defensive pressure, Dempsey was thwarted by the goalkeeper, making the save of the match. There were a few contenders.the 40th minute, a Lennon cross was cleared to Gareth Bale, who unleashed a fizzer with his left foot which was blocked by De Gea, who must have seen it late. Earlier, when Lennon found Jermain Defoe, De Gea was on alert again, tipping it round. So for his limp punch to be the cause of United’s downfall merely underlines the task ahead.United may be odds-on favourites to win the league still but they cannot afford too many goalkeeper errors like this, even against the weaker teams. In individual matches just about every member of United’s defence has looked vulnerable this season but few as consistently as De Gea. For one member of the back four it must have been particularly galling.Ferdinand was outstanding yesterday, as good as he has ever been in a United shirt and that is no faint boast. It was not just his brilliant block from a Defoe shot in the 78th minute, or the merest deflection to send the ball wide when the same player unleashed another thunderous effort seven minutes later. His positioning, his command of the game, his coolness in treacherous conditions, all were stamped through with pure class. Ferdinand deserved to leave White Hart Lane with three points and a clean sheet. He got neither; and now the hard work starts.It should be United’s title, we know that. From here they have one away game against a team in the current top seven, and a five-point advantage.Yet this must have felt like a match lost, not a feisty point earned at a potential Champions League finisher. Because they thought it was all over. And it most certainly isn’t, for now at least.

LA LIGA RESULT:

Valencia 0-5 Real Madrid
Real Madrid took out their pent-up Primera Division frustrations on sorry Valencia with a stunning first-half display en route to a comprehensive 5-0 victory at the Mestalla.Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring early on and then Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria helped themselves to braces during a devastating 11-minute spell just before half-time as madrid, who beat the same opponents in the Copa del Rey in midweek, ran amok.Valencia battled back after the break and had a number of chances to pull a goal back but Madrid's defense, with Iker Casillas selected ahead of Antonio Adan in goal, held firm to complete a great night for Jose Mourinho's men, who moved back to within 15 points of leaders Barcelona.Madrid and Mourinho have found themselves under increasing pressure, with their title defense already looking in tatters by the midway stage of the season.However, the capital club, no doubt buoyed by Barca's surprise defeat to Real Sociedad last night, answered a few of their critics tonight.Higuain missed a glorious chance to open the scoring in the eighth minute when he side-footed Alvaro Arbeloa's cross wide but the Argentinian made no mistake 60 seconds later, slotting in Di Maria's cutback following a rapid counter-attack to make it 1-0.Sami Khedira twice came close to increasing Madrid's lead around the half-hour mark but was denied both times by vital saves from Diego Alves.Alves could do nothing as Madrid did make it 2-0 in the 34th minute though, Ronaldo turning Ricardo Costa inside out before sending over a low cross that the unmarked Di Maria tapped home at the far post.Madrid were rampant and straight from the kick-off they regained possession, allowing Ronaldo to scamper free from the halfway line and drill a low shot past Alves at his near post.It was 4-0 in the 41st minute when Di Maria's cross to the far post was knocked back by Ozil to Ronaldo, who thrashed home his second of the night.Madrid were not finished there either, and on the stroke of half-time Di Maria added his second after being put through by Ozil and coolly slotting past Alves.Valencia's fans voiced their anger as the teams left the pitch at the break, but they will have taken some consolation from their side's performance in the second half, even if it did not result in any goals.Pablo Piatti struck the crossbar, Adil Rami saw a header cleared off the line and Tino Costa twice went close with volleys for the hosts.Madrid were not without their chances either, though, and Ronaldo really should have netted his hat-trick four minutes from the end only to side-foot Luka Modric's cross wide from close range.Mourinho's men return to the Mestalla on Wednesday, when they will look to defend a 2-0 lead in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Los Che.

Sunday 20 January 2013

Barcelona loses their 1st match against Real Sociedad By 3-2


Real Sociedad hit back from two goals down to end Barcelona's unbeaten Primera Division record in stunning fashion at the Anoeta this evening.All looked to be going to plan for Tito Vilanova's visitors when Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodriguez put them 2-0 up within 25 minutes.But Gonzalo Castro's brilliant strike gave Sociedad hope before half-time and then, after Barca had lost centre-back Gerard Pique to a red card, Castro's curling effort was deflected into his own net by Barca substitute Javier Mascherano.That sent the home fans wild, but it got even better in stoppage time when Imanol Agirretxe poked Carlos Martinez's cross from the right past Victor Valdes to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win.Barca had headed to San Sebastian having dropped only two points in La Liga this season - in October's 2-2 Clasico draw with Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.Second-placed Atletico Madrid could move within eight points of the leaders if they beat Levante on Sunday, while third-spotted champions Real Madrid can get within 15 points if they overcome Valencia at the Mestalla.

Barclays Premier League Results Match-week 23

LIVERPOOL 5-0 NORWICH
Norwich must be sick of the sight of striker Luis Suarez as he scored his seventh goal in three matches against them to help Liverpool return to winning ways.The Canaries' nemesis, after hat-tricks in his previous two outings against them, struck the second after Jordan Henderson's well-taken opener.New £12million signing Daniel Sturridge became the first Reds player since Ray Kennedy in 1974 to score in his first three matches before Steven Gerrard's strike and Ryan Bennett's own goal completed the rout.It took Liverpool's tally against Norwich in the last three league matches to 13, most of which have gone to Suarez.Only Ian Rush, with nine, has scored more goals against them for Liverpool.Questions had been asked about whether Suarez, who now has 20 goals for the season, and Sturridge could play together and how manager Brendan Rodgers would accommodate the pair.The Uruguay international dropped into a deeper role off the front man but it did not lessen his impact as he was a constant thorn in Norwich's side.After a promising 45 minutes in the defeat at Old Trafford last week, the pair continued to build on their fledgling relationship with Sturridge's awareness and dummy for Suarez's goal the highlight.With goalkeeper Jose Reina missing due to a thigh injury Norwich needed to take advantage but Bennett planted his early free-header from Robert Snodgrass's free-kick straight at stand-in Brad Jones.From that point onwards it was virtually one-way traffic with Suarez and Sturridge combining early only for the latter to shoot straight at goalkeeper Mark Bunn.By then Suarez was already running rings around the visitors one brilliant backheel skill leaving Michael Turner completely bamboozled and his low cross-shot was claimed by Bunn at the second attempt at his near post.The South American's admission this week that he had dived in an attempt to win a penalty here in October had brought condemnation but against Norwich he appeared determined to stay on his feet.That resulted in the opening goal as he avoided two crunching tackles, the second pushing the ball into the path of Henderson, who drove a first-time shot high past Bunn for only his fourth goal in 74 appearances.There has been talk this week of Rodgers wanting to bring Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder to the club if the Holland international is willing to lower his considerable wage demands.Henderson is a long way from being in that class yet he has offered, in the last six weeks, hope that he can develop into the midfielder which persuaded Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish to spend £16million to bring him to the club.Boosted by his goal Henderson attempted a swerving 30-yard effort which Bunn held but the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Suarez making it 2-0 in the 37th minute.Sturridge cleverly allowed Lucas Leiva's through-ball to pass through his legs for the Uruguayan to run onto and he coolly slotted in a shot off the far post with his weaker left foot.Sturridge had chances either side of half-time, first firing a narrow-angle shot at the goalkeeper and then completely missing his kick from close range from Suarez's pass.He made up for that, however, when he became only the seventh man to find the net in each of his first three appearances for the club just before the hour.Henderson switched the ball out to the right for Stewart Downing to drive a first-time cross for Sturridge to convert from close in. Gerrard then added the fourth when Glen Johnson's run down the left presented him with a chance which he drilled home low from 25 yards.Substitute Raheem Sterling may yet be awarded the fifth as it was his run and shot which was turned into his own net by Ryan Bennett.After last week's disappointing defeat to Manchester United a third successive home victory was just what was required but, as Rodgers knows, consistency is the key to success.The initial indications from the performances of Suarez and Sturridge together suggests now at least Liverpool have a fighting chance of finishing off teams and stringing results together.

MAN CITY 2-0 FULHAM
David Silva struck in each half as champions Manchester City cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to four points.The Spaniard fired home a rebound after just two minutes and then struck a sublime second in the 69th minute as the champions enjoyed a comfortable win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.Silva could have completed a hat-trick moments later but shot narrowly wide.City will hope the victory puts pressure back on United ahead of their tricky trip to Tottenham. Roberto Mancini's men looked confident from the outset against a side that had won just two of their previous 14 league games.They made a blistering start as Edin Dzeko took up an early attack and was allowed to shoot from 25 yards.Mark Schwarzer parried his fierce effort but Fulham had been caught short and Silva followed up to rifle in the rebound.Fulham were unable to get anything going in response and Gareth Barry took command in midfield.Twice Barry won possession to set moves in motion that led to chances, the first as he released Silva down the left. The Spaniard curled in a good cross for Dzeko but the Bosnian headed straight at Schwarzer.Barry then stole the ball to set up a City counter-attack but Carlos Tevez was also unable to beat Schwarzer.James Milner started to come into the game on the City right and linked well with Pablo Zabaleta before floating an inviting cross into the box but it dropped inches over Tevez's head.The game went quiet as Fulham tried to take the pace out of City but the hosts still looked the most likely side and Tevez raced across the area before having a shot blocked by Brede Hangeland.Fulham played a patient game and tried to build slowly but it yielded little until just after the half hour when Damien Duff found room on the right.Steve Sidwell got free at the back post and was picked out by a good cross from Duff but his glancing header struck the outside of the post.Tevez raced past Hangeland as City came forward again but Giorgos Karagounis got back to block his cross.Ashkan Dejagah played in Dimitar Berbatov just before the break but City held firm as Vincent Kompany denied the Bulgarian the chance to shoot.Fulham made a positive start to the second half as they created a chance for Sidwell outside the area but he sliced well wide and City upped the tempo.Tevez broke towards the box but just as he looked to have found space to shoot Sidwell slid in to eliminate the threat.Tevez then fired over and Zabaleta raced into the box to win a corner after clashing with Hangeland.Silva took the set-piece as Zabaleta received treatment and Kompany leapt highest to head on for Tevez but the Argentinian's attempt on goal three yards out was smothered by Schwarzer.Zabaleta returned to the field but could not continue much longer and, aside from his outstanding form, left the field amid some concern as City's only fit right-back.City were able to cope without him for the rest of the afternoon and doubled their lead soon after his exit following some brilliant play by Tevez and Silva.The Spaniard started the move, finding Gael Clichy out wide and the left-back's pass inside was cleverly flicked back into Silva's path by Tevez.Silva then did the rest, running into the area and hitting a delicate left-foot lob over Schwarzer to score off the post.The crowd were still celebrating the goal when Silva went close to claiming a hat-trick, running through in almost identical fashion but this time rolling a low shot inches wide of the far post.Thereafter City were never in any danger and played plenty of possession football and almost carved out chances at will. Dzeko went close with a fierce drive before Mancini decided to give fit-again Sergio Aguero a run-out in the latter stages. Dzeko curled another effort narrowly wide before playing in Aguero with a fine pass. Aguero took the ball in his stride but then took a heavy touch as he tried to go round Schwarzer and failed to connect with a shot.He had another opportunity as he raced through moments later but, in his first outing since tearing a hamstring on New Year's Day, was perhaps rusty as he shot wide. Dzeko should have scored a third in injury time but somehow scooped over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 QPR
Joe Cole's first West Ham goal for 10 years earned the hosts a deserved point as Loic Remy was denied a dream debut for QPR in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Remy scored 14 minutes into his maiden appearance following his £8million signing from Marseille, but the Hammers were on top throughout, only to find Julio Cesar in inspired form as he twice denied Marouane Chamakh, who might have had a first-half penalty when Clint Hill wrestled him to the ground.Chamakh's replacement Carlton Cole also was denied by the Brazilian goalkeeper, but Joe Cole was in the right place to tuck in the rebound after 68 minutes for his first Hammers goal in his second spell at the club. QPR were looking for a second successive away win following their first of the season at Chelsea, but instead Harry Redknapp had to be content with a draw on his return to Upton Park. In Remy, who linked well with Adel Taarabt, the Hoops might have found the clinical striker required in their survival fight, but there is still much work to be done. After QPR captain Hill headed over from a corner in the second minute, Remy's desire to make a swift impression saw him caught offside twice. Chamakh, in his first start and on his home debut, was similarly keen to please.The striker twice conceded possession early on, but played a part in the move which almost led to the Hammers taking the lead. He linked well down the left with Mohamed Diame, who got in behind the visiting defence and cut the ball dangerously across the six-yard box.Matt Jarvis got a touch, but saw Cesar, wearing tights to combat the bitter cold, save.From the resulting corner Winston Reid headed the ball down to Kevin Nolan, who was denied at close range by a smart save from the goalkeeper. The Hammers were continuing to build the pressure before Remy struck.This time the Frenchman timed his run well to race past Reid and meet Taarabt's pass before finding the bottom corner with a low shot from the edge of the box.West Ham tried to regain the initiative, but Cesar coped well with the aerial bombardment. Chamakh latched on to a long punt forward which Shaun Derry failed to head clear and saw penalty appeals turned down after the ball bounced up to hit Derry's hand.There was further penalty box frustration for Chamakh after he wriggled his way around Hill, who appeared to be pulling him back, before Shaun Wright-Phillips did enough to put him off as he shaped to shoot. Again referee Howard Webb determined no foul had taken place.Diame had a shot blocked by the recovering Stephane Mbia before Chamakh headed high and wide from a Joe Cole free-kick as West Ham continued to press forward without testing Cesar. Jussi Jaaskelainen was untroubled too, with Taarabt firing well off target. West Ham resumed on the attack but this time tested Cesar.Joe Cole's effort was palmed away before Chamakh had a point-blank header stopped. Ryan Nelsen blocked Diame's follow-up shot in a congested area and Nolan could only head the ball over. With his team under pressure, Redknapp introduced defender Armand Traore for Wright-Phillips after 58 minutes.West Ham continued to press forward, with Jarvis' cross met by Chamakh, whose poor header was saved.It was Chamakh's last act as he was replaced by Carlton Cole, who had a major say in the equaliser.Cesar could only palm the striker's powerful header from Jarvis' cross to the feet of Joe Cole for a simple tap in.It was the former England international's first Hammers goal since January 2003, since a 2-2 draw with Newcastle, also at Upton Park. Reid had a shot from a corner blocked by Mbia, fired into the side-netting soon afterwards and then Joe Cole had Cesar scrambling but saw his shot blocked by Fabio. Reid blocked from Remy as QPR attempted to counter before the defender headed over from a corner at the other end in the first of four added minutes. The Hammers were unable to fashion an equaliser as they had to settle for a point.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-2 READING
Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to dump Newcastle deep into relegation trouble as Reading staged another famous fightback.The substitute struck twice inside six second-half minutes as the Magpies imploded having dominated the opening 45 minutes.Alan Pardew's men would have been out of sight by half-time had it not been for the heroics of keeper Adam Federici, but led only 1-0 courtesy of the returning Yohan Cabaye's superb 35th-minute free-kick.But they wilted alarmingly after the break to lose a game they simply had to win in front of a disgruntled crowd of 49,411.The Royals, who came from 2-0 down to beat West Brom 3-2 last week, left Tyneside having boosted their own survival hopes while significantly denting those of their hosts.If ever there was a must-win game, this was it for Newcastle after a run of just two wins in 13 Barclays Premier League games which had seen them slide inexorably towards the scramble for top-flight survival.Promoted Reading arrived on Tyneside as one of only four sides with a worse record than the Magpies, and therefore this was an opportunity the home side could not afford to let slip at the end of a difficult week.Pardew thought he had landed Marseille striker Loic Remy, only to be gazumped at the death by QPR, and the battles to land the reinforcements Pardew so desperately needs, as well as that to retain the services of skipper Fabricio Coloccini, are ongoing.But the presence of Mathieu Debuchy, making his home debut, and compatriot Cabaye, making his first start since November 11 after a groin injury, were causes for optimism.Cabaye's return re-invigorated Newcastle, and it was from his fourth-minute free that they might have taken the lead when the ball fell to the feet of Mike Williamson 12 yards out. However, the central defender slipped as he tried to steer the ball home.The lively Sylvain Marveaux saw a 12th-minute shot blocked and Federici had to get down well to keep out Davide Santon's long-range effort two minutes later as the Magpies piled on the pressure.The Australian excelled himself seconds later to keep out Cabaye's effort from a tight angle and reacted superbly to palm away Cisse's header.However, the visitors should really have been ahead with 27 minutes gone when they launched a rare foray into enemy territory and Garath McCleary crossed low for Pavel Pogrebnyak, only for the Russian to slide his shot wide of the far post.But it was largely one-way traffic and the luckless Cisse might have scored twice within as many minutes, but for Federici.The keeper was in exactly the right place at the right time to claim the Senegal international's 28th-minute volley, although had the ball been a foot either side of him, it would have ended up in the back of the net.Federici came to the rescue once again on the half-hour when Cisse ran on to Debuchy's perfectly-weighted cross and powered it towards goal, only to see the Royals last line of defence hold firm once again.But the deadlock was broken 10 minutes before half time in glorious fashion after Marveaux had been tripped 20 yards out by Jobi McAnuff.Cabaye stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick over the wall and into the top corner with Federici for once rooted to the spot.It was little more than Newcastle deserved, but they headed for the dressing room at the break knowing the job was far from complete.As if to illustrate the fact, Jonas Gutierrez was hugely relieved to see the ball fly just wide of the far post after he had attempted to cut out Ian Harte's 47th-minute free-kick with the visitors returning in determined mood.The home side struggled to rediscover the fluency of their first-half performance, and that encouraged the Royals, who were taking a much more positive approach.Pogrebnyak might have levelled after 62 minutes after Jimmy Kebe had headed down Danny Guthrie's cross, but he blasted high over.Pardew moved to close the game down when he replaced Marveaux with the more defensively-minded James Perch three minutes later, but the ploy did not work and Reading forced their way back into the game with 19 minutes remaining.Kebe was allowed time and space down the right and when Mike Williamson failed to cut out his cross, Le Fondre bundled the ball over the line.There was worse to come from the home side six minutes later when they failed to deal with a ball into the box and Le Fondre pounced to thump it past the helpless Tim Krul.Cisse fired wastefully over the top and substitute Gabriel Obertan forced Federici to make a late save in a desperate flurry, but there was no way back from beleaguered Newcastle.


WIGAN 2-3 SUNDERLAND
Steven Fletcher's first half double and some desperate second half defending proved enough for Sunderland to claim victory at Wigan.Martin O'Neill's men looked to be cruising home at the break after they had replied to David Vaughan's early own goal with a Craig Gardner penalty followed by Fletcher's impressive one-two.But after on-loan Manchester United man Angelo Henriquez netted with a far-post header 11 minutes from time, Sunderland needed to show plenty of defensive resolve to retain their advantage, sending Wigan sliding back into the relegation zone.The early signs were not good for Sunderland, who went behind after just four minutes thanks to Vaughan's comical own-goal.Ronnie Stam could barely have met Jean Beausejour's dangerous cross with any less conviction, drilling a weak shot straight into the ground.Sunderland should have escaped but when James McCarthy flicked the ball into Vaughan, the hapless midfielder could only prod it past Simon Mignolet and over the line.O'Neill's men soon shrugged off the disappointment, although it required a slice of good luck to help them on their way.For had Stam not slipped under no pressure deep inside his own half, Emmerson Boyce would not have needed to foul Adam Johnson and therefore the free-kick which McCarthy blocked with his elbow as he jumped to defend Sebastian Larsson's shot.Craig Gardner kept his cool to send Ali Al Habsi the wrong way and, within three minutes, the visitors were in front.New boy Alfred N'Diaye was the architect, peeling out to the left flank before crossing deep to Fletcher, who quickly volleyed home from close range after Al Habsi had repelled his initial header.Making his first Premier League start since his £4.5million arrival from Bursaspor, N'Diaye looked a useful addition to Black Cats ranks.A big, imposing central midfield presence, N'Diaye brushed the highly-rated McCarthy aside to break up a promising Sunderland attack as if he were swatting a fly.And whilst he failed to covert a close-range header not long after Sunderland had fallen behind, clearly O'Neill has obvious alternatives in the goalscoring department.None of Fletcher's breakthroughs this season could have been any sweeter than his 10th.Getting the slightest of touches to Gardner's deep free-kick, Fletcher was on hand when Johnson knocked it back to curl home a first-time shot in magnificent fashion as Al Habsi remained rooted to the spot.It was his sixth in seven games against Wigan and was exactly what Sunderland's dominance deserved and triggered a chorus of boos for the hosts at the break, plus the introduction of Honduran new-boy Roger Espinoza.Wigan returned in more positive mood and Shaun Maloney drew an excellent save out of Simon Mignolet after racing onto James McArthur's flick.Maloney drifted a shot just beyond the far post not long after the hour mark, by which time Wigan had protested vehemently for a penalty, believing Franco di Santo's shot had been blocked in a similar manner to the way McCarthy was punished for, when referee Anthony Taylor felt otherwise.Fletcher came close to completing an unwanted hat-trick of sorts when he stuck out a leg and sent Jordi Gomez's free-kick spinning onto the top of his own crossbar.With Maloney also hitting a post with a curling free-kick, the hosts could class themselves unlucky.However, they were living very dangerously at the back and with a touch more composure, Stephane Sessegnon would have wrapped up victory.As it was, the hosts still had hope when Henriquez was introduced and the on-loan Manchester United man quickly netted his first goal in English football as Maloney seized on some slack Sunderland defending and delivered a perfect far post cross.Wigan piled forward in search of an equaliser, with Espinoza particularly impressive.But for all their hard work, it would not come, with Mauro Boselli nodding their best chance over.

SWANSEA 3-1 STOKE CITY
Jonathan de Guzman netted a second half double as Swansea warmed up for their midweek cup date against Chelsea with victory over Stoke at the Liberty Stadium.After a sluggish, goalless first half, Ben Davies gave the hosts the lead shortly after the break with his first senior goal.De Guzman dispatched a curling free-kick into the top corner just before the hour, then coolly finished from Danny Graham's lovely pass before Michael Owen got a late consolation with his first goal for Stoke.Graham's future is in doubt with Sunderland and Norwich having submitted bids for the striker, but the Swansea faithful made clear their desire for him to stay after his appearance as a second half substitute.Kenwyne Jones, linked with a move to Swansea should Graham leave, also made an appearance off the bench but had little chance to make an impact.While Swansea eventually emerged comfortable winners, there was little to enthuse about during a drab opening half, with both sides struggling to generate any attacking tempo, and finding themselves unable to pick apart packed defences.Swansea initially started promisingly as Stoke dropped very deep from kick-off.Asmir Begovic tipped a Pablo Hernandez effort just wide of the post, although the Spaniard was offside, before Michu fired high and wide after Itay Shechter harried and dispossessed Robert Huth.But Stoke soon settled and the action dried up as the sides cancelled each other out.Peter Crouch volleyed Stoke's first real chance over after 25 minutes, but the England striker showed superb touch to release Matthew Etherington moments later, only for the winger to find the side-netting.The malaise was even affecting Michu, as Swansea's top scorer inexplicably headed wide from Angel Rangel's pinpoint cross just shy of the half hour mark.De Guzman then failed to connect with a Wayne Routledge cross after the winger had skinned Jon Walters down the left to cap a first half lacking in quality.The game desperately needed a goal, and thankfully it arrived in just the fourth minute of the second half.Davies nipped in to beat Walters to a low pass before turning and outpacing Ryan Shawcross to fire low across Begovic and put Swansea ahead.Michu should have doubled the lead two minutes later as Hernandez's pull back fell to him, but makeshift full-back Dean Whitehead made a brilliant block to prevent him adding to his 16-goal tally for the season.But De Guzman did make it 2-0 in the 57th minute. Charlie Adam cynically fouled Michu on the edge of the box and the Dutchman curled a fantastic free-kick into the top corner.Stoke boss Tony Pulis threw on Jones and Cameron Jerome for Crouch and Adam in response but the former Cardiff man only succeeded in delighting the home fans as he somehow spooned wide from barely two yards out.Graham was introduced in place of Shechter and was given a tremendous reception as chants of "We want you to stay" rang out.
And the former Watford man made an instant impact as he perfectly cushioned a long pass from Routledge into the path of De Guzman, who lofted his finish over Begovic.Substitute Owen flicked in a header in stoppage time for Stoke, but it was far too little, too late.


WBA 2-2 ASTON VILLA
Peter Odemwingie’s late equaliser earned West Brom a share of the spoils as Aston Villa let slip a two-goal lead to remain in the Barclays Premier League bottom three.Christian Benteke opened the scoring with a superb finish and Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled Villa’s lead before half-time, but the tone of the match changed early in the second half when Albion skipper Chris Brunt pulled a goal back and Odemwingie pulled his side level with a volley seven minutes from time.Villa dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Charles N’Zogbia in superb form as he produced one of his best performances for the midlands club. The winger demonstrated the quality which had helped to keep Wigan in the top flight before his move to Villa during the summer of 2011 and set up the opening two goals.Agbonlahor has a habit of scoring in local derbies and also looked back to his best as Villa controlled proceedings, but the home side were transformed after the break with Odemwingie, reportedly a transfer target for Queens Park Rangers, looking a constant threat.The home side started promisingly and Odemwingie’s low centre picked out Romelu Lukaku, whose first-time shot was deflected wide by fit-again Villa captain Ron Vlaar. Villa were then forced into a fifth-minute substitution when defender Nathan Baker limped out of the action to be replaced by Eric Lichaj.Lukaku was looking sharp and a dipping low cross from the on-loan Chelsea player was cut out by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, but after 12 minutes a stunning strike from Benteke, Lukaku’s fellow Belgian international, put Villa ahead.N’ Zogbia found Villa’s summer signing on the edge of the box and he turned past Claudio Yacob before firing an unstoppable rising shot past Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Albion tried to retaliate and an overhead kick from James Morrison flew straight at Guzan, and tempers became frayed as Baggies defender Jonas Olsson and Villa’s Agbonlahor were booked after squaring up to each other.Villa continued to pose problems for their local rivals and doubled their lead with Agbonlahor’s fifth goal of the season just past the half-hour mark. N’Zogbia again supplied the telling pass and Agbonlahor wriggled past Gareth McAuley before beating Foster with a low drive into the corner of the net.Matters worsened for the visitors as, four minutes later, Yacob, who had just returned from a lengthy lay-off with a hamstring injury, appeared to injure his arm and had to be replaced by Jerome Thomas. Dorrans was not far off target from 20 yards but Villa were coping relatively comfortably with the threat of the home side with N’Zogbia a constant danger as he teed up another opportunity for Lichaj, whose shot was blocked by Foster.However, the Baggies began the second half with more purpose and reduced the arrears after 49 minutes. Thomas’s low cross was held up and turned back by Lukaku into the path of the onrushing Brunt, who curled a sumptuous 15-yard first-time shot in off the post with his left foot.Lichaj and Matt Lowton were yellow carded for chopping down Thomas and Odemwingie respectively as the home side pushed for an equaliser. Then Graham Dorrans went into referee Lee Probert’s notebook for fouling Agbonlahor.Albion thought they had found their equaliser when McAuley’s header was cleared off the line by Joe Bennett, and Odemwingie then nicked the ball past Guzan but shot over from a narrow angle. A growing threat to Villa’s defence the Nigeria international was also only inches off target with a stinging drive.But he was not to be denied and after 83 minutes brought Albion level. McAuley headed a Brunt corner back across goal and Odemwingie reacted first to volley past Guzan on the half turn.

Ashley Cole agrees to reach an agreement at Chelsea


Ashley Cole has reached an agreement on a new contract at Chelsea.While the deal has not yet been officially signed, the formalities are expected to be completed early next week, with reports suggesting the contract is a one-year extension.The news ends speculation about the 32-year-old's future. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.Frank Lampard is also out of contract at the end of the season, but looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea.Despite coming towards the end of a glittering career, Cole is still regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world.He has won 99 England caps and has been a fixture in the Chelsea defence since moving to Stamford Bridge from Arsenal in 2006.Since what was widely regarded as a controversial move, Cole has won one Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup and last May lifted the first European Cup of his career.

Saturday 19 January 2013

The Rivalry Clash: Will J.Terry be able to start in first team XI ?


Rafael Benitez is weighing up whether to risk John Terry from the start against Arsenal tomorrow as he battles to improve Chelsea’s poor home form.Stamford Bridge was the scene of more unrest this week after Southampton came back from two goals down to deny the European champions victory, and the interim manager believes his side may have missed the presence their captain brings.Terry played 10 minutes against Stoke after eight weeks out with a knee injury but did not feature in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw.‘It’s important to have players with character on the pitch if you want to manage a game like the other day,’ said Benitez yesterday.‘We have some good players. Some of them show more character. Others show different qualities. Sometimes we miss these things.‘He’s one of the strong characters we have. To have people with this mentality can help. Hopefully he will be fine. We will see a positive influence,’ Rafa added.‘We are working very hard with John and we’ll see how he feels. You have to see your players in every training session and afterwards decide.‘Today was a light session, with the snow, and he was training with the team, doing everything.’ A photo of Terry signing autographs with Branislav Ivanovic was put on Chelsea’s Twitter feed.‘He had his specific programme and was doing well,’ said Benitez. ‘If I ask him, or anyone, they’d say they want to play. I prefer not to ask and decide at the end.’Benitez remains an unpopular figure at the Bridge, with defeats by QPR and Swansea  preceding the draw against Southampton, and the Spaniard knows owner Roman Abramovich expects him to win every competition entered.But Benitez said he would prefer such  circumstances to those of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has stayed in his job despite eight years without a trophy.‘He has won a lot, and that is the reason why,’ said Benitez. ‘The way they won means they have confidence in him.’But he added: ‘I like to be under pressure if I can win a trophy. To be in the middle of the table and stay there for 10 years is not my idea. I come from Real Madrid and there finishing second is not acceptable.’Benitez continued: ‘We know since the arrival of people with big money, the Premier League has changed a bit. To manage a club with common sense used to be fine.‘To have a good manager like Arsene Wenger was fine and you could achieve things. Now it’s a different world with clubs with big money. You cannot compare.’