برنامج Hotspot Shield | برنامج Internet Download Manager | برنامج كاسبر سكاى | برنامج جوجل كروم | تحميل فايرفوكس

• Sides meet at Reebok Stadium on Wednesday evening
• 'It would give him a chance to thank both sets of fans'

Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, feels Wednesday's Premier League game against Tottenham could present a "wonderful opportunity" for Fabrice Muamba to thank fans and players from both clubs for their support following his cardiac arrest last month.

Since he collapsed on the pitch during an FA Cup tie against Spurs at White Hart Lane on 17 March – after which his heart stopped beating naturally for 78 minutes – Muamba has made a remarkable recovery, and he was discharged from hospital two weeks ago.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old former England Under-21 midfielder took to his Twitter account for the first time since the incident, posting a message to thank people for their "prayers, love and support" and wishing his team-mates well ahead of their match at Sunderland that afternoon, which they drew 2-2.

Next up for Bolton is Wednesday's game, which Coyle, particularly given the opposition, would be delighted to see Muamba come along to watch from the stands at the Reebok Stadium – although he has stressed the decision ultimately lies with the player, his family and his doctors.

"We have always said that before the end of the season, we would love it if Fabrice was fit and available to come to a game," Coyle said. "We have to remember after everything he has been through, it has to be the right thing for him, his family and the medical team.

"But it is an open invitation, and if Fabrice is fit and well for that then I think the game against Tottenham would be a great opportunity, because of the events that took place at White Hart Lane.

"It would give a chance for everybody to see how well he is doing and from his end, it would also give him a chance to thank both sets of fans, who were magnificent on the night, and the Tottenham players, because the concern they showed for Fabrice that night was remarkable. If it came about, I think it would be a wonderful opportunity.

"If the family and Fabrice think it is something he would like to do, he would be welcomed with open arms." Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until June next year the Bundesliga club confirmed on Monday Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Germany striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal for the start of next season his current club Cologne have confirmed Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle feels Wednesdays Barclays Premier League home game against Tottenham could present a wonderful opportunity for Fabrice Muamba to thank fans and players from both clubs for their support following his cardiac arrest last month Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Brian Horton has parted company with Macclesfield by mutual agreement after failing to save the club from npower League Two relegation Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Asamoah Gyans permanent departure from Sunderland looks more likely after Al Ain chief executive Carlo Nohra claimed he was very confident of signing the striker on a new deal Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

The Guardian (formerly Manchester Guardian) has never been far from the action on derby day

Only weeks ago, Manchester City had their title ambitions written off by practically every football pundit in the land, as well as their own manager. However, with just three games left of the current season, they have crept back into title race. They face their neighbours Manchester United tonight, in a fixture being heralded as the title decider – if City slip up against United, the trophy will, in all likelihood, go to Old Trafford.

Down the years, there have been many great battles between the red and blue halves of Manchester, and the Guardian's coverage of these encounters still makes for fascinating reading. Here we pick five match reports, starting with a fine win for Manchester City.

12 February 1955: Manchester United 0-5 Manchester City

A harsh lesson for the Busby Babes as they failed to cope with the "Revie Plan". The Manchester City forward, and future England manager, Don Revie, sat deep and controlled the game, his team scoring almost at will.

6 November 1971: Manchester City 3-3 Manchester United

A strong police presence kept rival fans apart, but a largely well behaved crowd enjoyed a thrilling 3-3 draw and the spectacle of George Best and Francis Lee squabbling over who was the biggest diver.

27 April 1974: Manchester United 0 Manchester City 1

A result that most reds would prefer to forget. Already plunged into a relegation scrap and feeling jittery, the last thing United needed was a derby encounter. In a tight match, it was their former idol, Denis Law who scored with a backheel to put City in front. Some United fans ran on to the pitch, whilst others lit small fires in the Stretford End using toilet paper and programmes. The game was restarted and the result stood; so did United's relegation.

10 November 1994: Manchester United 5 Manchester City 0

Manchester United claimed bragging rights over City with this emphatic win in front of their own fans. Eric Cantona was at his most imperious and helped Andrei Kanchelskis to score a memorable hat-trick.

20 September 2009: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City

For the first time in years City had money to spend, putting them in a better position to compete with their fiercest rivals. The game itself didn't disappoint, and both teams had scored three each as full-time beckoned. The stage was set for a derby day hero, and Michael Owen delighted United fans with a fine finish deep into added time.

. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Geoff Hurst: 'Harry Redknapp was outstanding candidate'
• Owen Coyle: 'Roy has a proven track record'

Sir Geoff Hurst has admitted his surprise that "outstanding candidate" Harry Redknapp is unlikely to get the vacant England manager's job.

Redknapp was installed as favourite to succeed Fabio Capello when the Italian stood down from the post, but the Football Association has now made an approach to West Bromwich Albion to speak to their manager, Roy Hodgson, as it looks to appoint a successor ahead of Euro 2012. Hodgson is expected to be formally interviewed for the post on Monday.

"I thought Harry was probably the outstanding candidate at the time because he has had success with Tottenham at a higher level," said the 1966 World Cup -winner Hurst, "He's been involved in the Champions League and that's been good experience for him. Roy has managed in the Europa League and also at international level, which is also good experience, but what Harry has achieved at Spurs in the last three or four years as been quite remarkable, taking them from almost being relegated into the Champions League as the most attractive side in the country. He was the media favourite and the fans' favourite, so it was a bit of a surprise when the FA turned to Roy Hodgson.

"But Roy is a nice man, he has some good football qualifications and I wish him all the best in the job if he chooses to accept it."

Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, has also given his views. He said: "There was the clamour for Harry, and we all understand why. But it didn't surprise me that they then tried to approach Roy. I am absolutely thrilled. If Roy decides to take the job, there is no doubt he ticks every box in terms of what England are looking for. He has a proven track record and international experience.

"Obviously people made a lot of Harry being the favourite, and I think you have two outstanding candidates there. If it is an English manager you are looking for, then those are the two you certainly would have been looking to choose between.

"Harry was always going to be a difficult one because of the compensation involved, but Roy is a terrific manager, someone I have a lot of time for and I have no doubts he can bring real success to the England national team." Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Edwin van der Sar on his former club Manchester United's crucial derby clash with City.Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

We've trawled through the archives to bring you some classics from the 161 games between the two



Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Podolski had one year left on contract with Bundesliga club
• 'Köln is in my heart but this is a great opportunity'

Lukas Podolski has agreed to join Arsenal for the start of the 2012-13 season, leaving FC Köln with one year remaining on his contract.

The Germany international, who has been linked with a move to north London for several months and joins for an undisclosed fee, said: "The move to Arsenal provides a great opportunity for me to gain experience in international competitions at a top European club.

"I have made this decision not against FC Köln but for this great opportunity and the good of my own individual development. This was not an easy decision for me at all, as Köln, our fans and the city are something special for me. I will always carry FC Köln in my heart. We need to pool our strengths now and have to be fully focused on our survival in the Bundesliga."

Claus Horstmann, the German club's executive board chairman, said: "Lukas Podolski is a player of world class standing with a special relation to FC Köln's fans and to the city. We are proud of the development Lukas Podolski has taken at the club within the last years. From his early days at our youth squads, via his first competitive match for our professional team, through to a highly renowned Germany international.

That's why we deeply regret his step, which is not a decision against FC but for the good of his own career. FC Köln were prepared to extend Lukas Podolski's contract on the basis of a competitive offer. Nonetheless, this early transfer decision offers scope and planning security for the next season. We will jump at this opportunity to reinvest these transfer earnings back into our team's quality and into the promotion of our youth squads.

Podolski joined Köln at the age of 10 and scored 10 goals in 19 Bundesliga matches in his first season (2003-04). He has played 95 times and scored 43 goals for Germany. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

England's Luke Donald reclaims golf's No. 1 ranking from Rory McIlroy by finishing third at the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic, but it could be the shortest of stays at the top.Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Amanda Davies talks to Edwin van der Sar about former club Manchester United's crucial clash with Manchester City.Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

It's no Super Bowl. Heck, it's no Monday Night Football, but for an American audience, Monday's Manchester derby between the English city's top two Premier League teams is about as big as it gets stateside.Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Roy Hodgson was to hold talks on Monday about taking over the England managers job and looked certain to be appointed within days Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Top sides Galatasaray Fenerbahce Trabzonspor and Besiktas are among 15 teams set to appear before the countrys Professional Football Disciplinary Board PFDK over alleged matchfixing which has rocked Turkish football Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Harry Redknapp has sent his best wishes to England manager-elect Roy Hodgson Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Russia coach Dick Advocaat has revealed he will step down after the end of the European football championships to be co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland from June 8 to July 1 Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy and the Blue Knights have confirmed they have submitted a revised bid for Rangers with administrators Duff and Phelps Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Headbanging, facerubbing and a sensational European Cup win all feature in our whistlestop tour of Roy Hodgson's career

1) The potential new England manager in his days as a headbanger. And here he is in a football supergroup with Arsène Wenger.

2) Roy's Switzerland thrash a brilliant Romania side 4-1 at the 1994 World Cup.

3) A comic burst of furious facerubbing during his short spell as Liverpool manager.

4) Losing his temper as Blackburn manager in 1998.

5) A hint of feistiness during a post-match interview after West Brom's defeat to Newcastle this season.

6) Hodgson presided over Malmo's sensational European Cup victory against his future employers Internazionale in 1989. Here are highlights of the first leg (including an interview with freshish-faced Roy) and the second leg.

7) Roy placates an angry Javier Zanetti with a manly hug during his time as Internazionale coach.

8) BBC commentator Steve Wilson with a controversial appraisal of the merits of Roy Hodgson and Harry Redknapp.

9) Roy stops his press conference because of some clumsy Turkish journalists.

10) Last but emphatically not least, Roy Hodgson's Musical Walkabout.

Have any YouTube clips of Roy Hodgson to share? If post, please post them below the line. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Roy Hodgson is set to be named as England's new manager, the FA deciding against making an approach for Spurs' Harry Redknapp. Is Hodgson the right man for the job?



Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Stoke winger questioned by police after BMW crash
• Pennant to appear before Trafford magistrates on 9 May

The Stoke City winger Jermaine Pennant has been charged with drink-driving.

The player was questioned by police after his BMW collided with a silver Audi in Sale, Greater Manchester.

The 29-year-old of Altrincham, Cheshire, has been charged with drink-driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance.

He is due to appear before Trafford magistrates on 9 May.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "At about 5.20am on Sunday April 29, police were called to Cross Street to reports a white BMW collided with a silver Audi.

"The driver of the Audi went to hospital for treatment.

"He was treated for a minor injury to the back. He has been discharged." Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

"A good man is just about to take on the Impossible Job." That was the conclusion of the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter in writing about the Football Association's decision to offer the England football manager's job to Roy Hodgson.

The reason was made abundantly clear in the coverage in other national papers this morning. As Winter noted, they were declaring Hodgson "a failure before he's even been appointed."

A couple of editors registered their surprise - and implied criticism - in front page headlines: "Hod choice for England" (Daily Mirror); "What are the Hods on that?" (The Sun) and "Forget 'Arry, it's Roy in the frame for England" (Daily Star).

In the sports pages, the boot really went in. Reminding readers of Hodgson's brief and unhappy stewardship of Liverpool, the Daily Mail's main headline said: "Kop flop Roy is FA's choice."

The Mirror was critical too: "Oh why, oh why, oh Woy?" This reflected the widespread bafflement that the media's favourite, Harry Redknapp, had been overlooked.

The general view from almost every football commentator was that Hodgson was nothing more than a safe and uninspiring choice.

They included The Sun's Steven Howard, "After Fab... the drab", the Mail's Martin Samuel "Is this a job for Mr Average?" and the Daily Express's John Dillon, "Little joy in a chase for Roy Hodgson".

Brian Woolnough in the Daily Star predicted that the FA would suffer a backlash from fans. "He is a safe pair of hands rather than the 'character' England needed," he wrote.

The word "safe" can be found in almost every reaction. Daniel Taylor in The Guardian thought him "a safe option, a mid-table manager whose best work in England has been done at two relatively small clubs in Fulham and West Bromwich Albion."

In The Independent, Musa Okwonga thought Hodgson's appointment has infuriated people "because it shows us what we really are: we are outsiders, peering up at football's elite." So a pragmatic choice makes sense.

Tony Evans, The Times's football editor, was wholly unimpressed by the appointment of a man "whose bathroom cabinet is bigger than his trophy cabinet."

It was "a retrograde step," he wrote and then had the gall to add: "It is unfair to pillory Hodgson."

In what is clearly a self-fulfilling prohesy he concluded that Hodgson "will become the focus of public criticism very quickly."

Amid the negativity, it was a pleasure to read the piece by Oliver Holt in the Mirror, "Don't destroy Roy: why Hodgson deserves better than to be written off before he's even got the England job".

He accepted that Hodgson, unlike Redknapp, he lacks the common touch, nor does he have the charisma of Martin O'Neill.

But, wrote Holt, "he is tactically astute, he is a clever coach and... he is well-respected throughout the game...

"What he will need to overcome is the inverted snobbery that will be aimed at him by some because he's a cerebral manager."

I found myself nodding at that. As a long-standing West Ham fan, I recall the same reaction to the appointment of Ron Greenwood in 1977. Too cerebral, it was said.

But his record as England manager was far from disastrous: we qualified for the 1982 World Cup - for the first time in 12 years - and though we were eliminated in the second round, we were unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Will cerebral Roy do as well as cerebral Ron? I think he might do better. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

A remarkable incident at the end of Udinese v Lazio rounded off the latest drama in the race for third place in Serie A

In Serie A, it's never over until the fat lady sings. Even then, you better make sure you're listening to the right one. Lazio's players clearly heard the full-time whistle blow as Udinese launched a counterattack deep into injury-time at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday night – leading Alvaro González to give up his pursuit of a ball he could easily have retrieved. The goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti, had been sprinting back too after going up for a corner, but instead threw himself to the ground in exhaustion.

Roberto Pereyra needed no further invitation, running on to the loose ball and curling it into Marchetti's vacant net from near the right-hand touchline. Confusion became outrage among Lazio's players and staff as the goal was awarded, the scene degenerating into a melee as arguments in the technical area spilled onto the pitch and the referee Mauro Bergonzi was surrounded. Lazio's André Dias would be sent off after confronting Bergonzi, while Marchetti seems certain to be banned retrospectively after pushing the official. By the end even team directors had become involved.

All for the sake of goal difference. Lazio had trailed 1-0 when the false whistle went, and with just seconds left on the clock it is doubtful whether they would have had time to launch another meaningful attack even if González had played on. While it was certainly frustrating – not to mention a little ludicrous – to concede in such a manner, Pereyra's goal had done little to alter either team's reality. Goal difference is only used as a tie-breaker in Serie A when teams cannot be separated on head-to-head records.

That was the case last season – when Udinese and Lazio finished level on 66 points, having each beaten the other once, and the Friuliani claimed Italy's final Champions League berth. The race for third place this season also appears certain to go down to the wire; with three games remaining, the four teams still realistically in the running for third place – Lazio, Udinese, Napoli and Internazionale, each have 55 points.

Even so, head-to-head results are more likely to be the decider – Lazio drew their first meeting with Udinese this season – and in any case the prospect of Edy Reja's side being in position for such considerations to matter seems increasingly unlikely. Their form has been sufficiently poor over the last month that Inter have been able to make up 10 points in six games, despite drawing two of them. The suspensions earned by Dias and co will be far more harmful than a minor goal difference adjustment to a team already missing a host of key players through injury.

That is not to absolve Bergonzi – who was accused even by Udinese players of handling the situation poorly. Maurizio Domizzi claimed the referee had initially suggested that the goal would be disallowed, and a drop-ball held, but then changed his mind. "I'm sorry that it ended this way. The game should have been stopped," said the Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin – who claimed not to have heard the ghost whistle at the time. "But there were 13 seconds left. We would have won anyway."

Udinese had previously undergone a loss of form even more drastic than Lazio's, winning only one of their last nine games coming into this fixture. It is no coincidence that such a run should coincide with a dry run for Antonio Di Natale. The striker had gone three league games without a goal before scoring the opener on Sunday with an instinctive close-range volley. That represented his longest drought of the season.

The team's owner, Giampaolo Pozzo, had insisted during the week that a change of approach was required, stating that "[Antonio] Floro Flores and Di Natale cannot play together; they are both strikers and having them both together leaves the midfield unprotected". With Floro Flores suspended on Sunday he got his wish, Guidolin instead deploying the 21-year-old Diego Fabbrini behind Di Natale. While Fabbrini's individual performance was unremarkable and Udinese struggled to create clear openings, they also controlled the match and never looked likely to concede.

Udinese's remaining fixtures are among the easiest of the four sides locked together on 55 points – away games against Cesena and Catania sandwiched either side of a home fixture with Genoa. But the bookies' favourites for third, Napoli, also have a very amenable run-in, facing Palermo, Bologna, then Siena – with the first and last of those fixtures at home.

Napoli ought to be in an even more commanding position, having led 2-1 away to Roma with three minutes remaining and never looking likely to relinquish that advantage before Fábio Simplicio was allowed to head home a Junior Tallo cross from close range. The mood inside the Stadio Olimpico at that point was venomous, with the Ultras of the Curva Sud having launched moments earlier into fresh chants for the manager, Luis Enrique, to be sacked.

There was a moment of panic, then, as Simplicio raced off towards one of the stands – albeit the more peaceful Tribuna Monte Mario – after scoring his goal. Commentators voiced fears that he might be seeking a confrontation of some kind with a supporter but instead it turned out to be quite the opposite, Simplicio dodging fans and stewards as he clambered over rows of seats to share a kiss with each of his son Jordan and wife Elaine. And then booked for his troubles.

It was a rare moment of joy in among the darkness for Roma – where the mood has soured considerably as the team's Champions League hopes have collapsed. The home game against Fiorentina on Wednesday had begun with fans unveiling a huge banner in support of Enrique, but ended with the same group turning on the manager after a 2-1 defeat, and further protests followed at the club's Trigoria training ground.

At the end of Sunday's draw the players were summoned to the Curva Sud to hear the fans' protests. Francesco Totti – the one player who had not been booed when the team first came out to warm-up before the match – led the way but was unmoved by the supporters' demands that he bring them Enrique, who had headed straight down the tunnel at full-time. The manager himself would insist afterwards that it was not for the manager's place to get involved in such situations.

"I didn't go because I have a clear idea about what it means to be a manager," he said. "If something good happens I will disappear quickly then too – because football belongs to the footballers. Even if we had won 10 games in a row I wouldn't have gone. Celebrations are for the players. Plus in a situation like this one, with the fans so disappointed, it could have been read as a provocation."

As for his own future, Enrique was typically guarded. "There is no definitive position from me," he said. "Could I take a year's sabbatical like [Pep] Guardiola? You never know. For now I only know that I will be the manager of Roma on Tuesday at Verona and at the end of the season. Then we will talk."

What is known is that even a place in the Europa League now looks unlikely, with Roma needing to overtake at least one of Napoli, Udinese, Inter or Lazio in order to get in – but trailing all of them by four points. Franco Baldini insisted after the game that if the project was failing then it should be he, not the manager, who took the blame. But just like with Bergonzi in Udine, he may be about to discover that others are intent on making these decisions on his behalf.

Talking points

• A 4-0 victory at Novara means Juventus could have the title sewn up as soon as Wednesday – albeit only if Milan were to lose at home to Atalanta. Failing that, they merely have to win two of their last three – against Lecce and Atalanta at home, plus Cagliari at a neutral site – to be sure of the Scudetto. After Wednesday's long slog to break down Cesena, this was an altogether more confident display – with Mirko Vucinic clearly in the mood to show off before an audience that included Michel Platini and Giampiero Boniperti. He opened the scoring with a brilliantly nonchalant flick after just 16 minutes, and from there his team never looked back. "We need to win our three remaining games," said the manager Antonio Conte at full-time, before being reminded that two would be enough for the title. "But I would prefer to win three," he replied.

• There was positive news for Milan – as well as for the Italian national side – too, however, with Antonio Cassano starting his first game since his mini-stroke in October and putting in a man-of-the-match performance, scoring one goal and setting up two more for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a 4-1 win away to the previously in-form Siena. "Cesare Prandelli take note: the real Antonio Cassano is back," writes Luca Calamai in Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport. It's a safe bet that the Italy manager was already paying very close attention to the forward he used more than any other in Euro 2012 qualifying.

• Not only is Andrea Stramaccioni proving a dab hand at coaching since stepping up from the youth team to take charge of Inter's senior side, but he also continues to show rare poise in dealing with the press. "Would I like to have Lavezzi in my team?" he pondered after being posed a question to that effect by a gossip-hungry reporter during a press conference this weekend. "I might be about to have my first argument with the head of our medical team Franco Combi because he never told me Lavezzi was available for selection." There was a hint of José Mourinho to his eventual follow-up response too. "Are you asking if I like him? I like my own players."

• There was a missed opportunity for Lecce at the other end of the table – their game against Parma kicking off after Genoa had already lost, leaving Serse Cosmi's side aware that even a draw would move them out of the relegation zone. Instead they suffered a second consecutive home defeat – this time against a Parma team with little to play for. Then again, Parma's recent form belies their status as a team wedged in mid-table – with only Juventus having picked up more points in the last six games.

• As well as three points, Parma also acquired a new mascot – Acaya the dog: a stray caught the attention of the manager Roberto Donadoni during their stay at the Doubletree Hilton hotel just outside Lecce. According to a club statement, he "barked with joy in celebration at the team's splendid win at the Stadio Via del Mare". The club now intend to give him a full-time home as their new mascot.

• The Derby di Sicilia might not have provided quite the fireworks hoped from an encounter between two rivals with less than perfect defensive records, but a point suited both sides OK – Palermo edging closer to safety while Catania earned their 47th point of the season: a club record in Serie A.

Results: Atalanta 2-0 Fiorentina, Bologna 3-2 Genoa, Cagliari 0-0 Chievo, Inter 2-1 Cesena, Lecce 1-2 Parma, Novara 0-4 Juventus, Palermo 1-1 Catania, Roma 2-2 Napoli, Siena 1-4 Milan, Udinese 2-0 Lazio

Latest Serie A table

Watch the latest Serie A highlights Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Blackburn striker admitted to 2010 attack in Glasgow
• Goodwillie will have to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work

David Goodwillie has been given a community service order for assaulting a man. The Blackburn striker will also be supervised for one year after admitting the attack on John Friel in Glasgow's Queen Street on 3 November 2010.

The 23-year-old Scotland international repeatedly punched Mr Friel on the head and body and kicked him. Sentencing him at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, Sheriff Stuart Reid said Goodwillie had been convicted of an assault charge less than 12 months before the Queen Street incident and that he did not seem "deterred" by a fine and compensation order he had been handed for it.

He imposed a 12-month probation order on him, with the conditions that he is of good behaviour and is supervised by a local authority officer. The order also requires Goodwillie to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Donald Findlay QC, representing Goodwillie, said his client was "keen to make the most of his talent". He said: "It is difficult for young men who have high profiles thrust upon them. It is sometimes difficult for them to cope. I am sure Mr Goodwillie can go on to have a long and successful career in the game of professional football. He realises he must learn to deal with situations, even if they are not of his making or instigating."

Mr Findlay added Goodwillie would approach any sentence handed to him in a "positive and constructive way".

Sheriff Reid said: "I have taken into account the fact you were convicted of assault just under 12 months before this. The fine and compensation order imposed on you then did not seem to have deterred you, and in fact this matter has escalated in severity.

"I plan to impose a probation order on you for a period of 12 months."

The sheriff said Goodwillie's sentence of 80 hours of unpaid work had been cut from 90 to reflect his plea of guilty on 2 April this year, before the matter was due to go to trial.

Goodwillie, from Stirling, moved from Dundee United to Blackburn last summer for £2m. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to reunite Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick as a central pair has its drawbacks

The opportunity for Manchester United to avenge Manchester City's 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October is the inevitable context for this match. In tactical terms, however, City's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley last April is a more relevant previous encounter.

Yaya Touré scored a winning goal that brilliantly epitomised the two teams' styles: the Ivorian stormed forward to intercept a short Michael Carrick pass intended for Paul Scholes, drove past the United defence, and finished past Edwin van der Sar. It was a fitting decider in a game primarily about tempo – United wanted to be slow and relaxed in possession with Carrick and Scholes, while City were about the power of Touré, Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry. After half-time, City turned the game into a ferocious midfield battle, with United's struggles demonstrated by Scholes's red card.

When the game was timid in the first half, Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated, and the best two opportunities were wasted by Dimitar Berbatov. Despite being the Premier League's joint top scorer last season, Berbatov has barely featured this year. The reason, according to his agent Emil Danchev, is that Ferguson "wants to change the style of play of United, to put more speed into the game". That explains why Berbatov is behind Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernández in Ferguson's pecking order.

Berbatov is one of the more thoughtful footballers and might have pondered the contradiction in United's style this season when glancing at their central midfield. In that department, United are slower, more patient, more sideways than ever before now that Scholes and Carrick have re-emerged as Ferguson's first-choice pairing. It is quite a contrast from the beginning of the season – Carrick did not start any of United's first 11 league games, even when fit enough to make the matchday squad, but has been in the first XI in the subsequent 24. Scholes spent the first half of the season in retirement, yet has missed only one league game since his surprise return – United's only defeat in that time, away at Wigan Athletic.

Ferguson appeared to be building a midfield with the opposite characteristics – the brilliant turnaround against City in the Community Shield, winning 3-2 having been two goals down at half-time, came once Tom Cleverley was introduced to give thrust to the midfield. Two of Cleverley, Anderson or Darren Fletcher comprised the midfield duo for the first seven games of the season, and United were more mobile and vertical than we've seen for many years without a deep-lying passer in their side. Later, as those three players all struggled for fitness, the likes of Park Ji-Sung, Rafael da Silva and Phil Jones deputised, primarily bringing the ability to charge up and down the pitch relentlessly.

Reverting to the calmness of Scholes and Carrick has largely been a successful improvisation but United are back to the situation of last year's semi-final. They can control the game brilliantly when playing at their own tempo, yet can be overrun when the opposition increases the pace. That was partly the problem last week against Everton, with Marouane Fellaini pushed high up and closing down robustly.

City have also evolved from last year's semi-final and are less of a physical force. De Jong is now a reserve, with Touré played deeper alongside Gareth Barry, and Sergio Agüero's introduction has made City a more intricate side. Yet they also have great energy across the pitch, with Agüero and Carlos Tevez both adept at making well-timed runs, and also hard-working when the opposition have possession.

Therefore, rather than the brute force of last April, the best way for City to pressure Scholes and Carrick will be to crowd attacking players around them. If they are unchanged from the side that defeated Wolves last weekend, City will have Tevez and Agüero up front able to drop into deep positions, plus David Silva and Samir Nasri cutting into central zones from wide. Combine that with Touré and Barry pushing up, and United could be drastically overrun in the centre of the pitch.

In previous seasons Ferguson would have unquestionably dropped a forward and played an extra midfielder in a game of this magnitude but that has happened only once in the really big away games in the league this season, away at Liverpool – that was when Wayne Rooney was unavailable, and Fletcher was. The Scot was United's big game player, and featured in United's last two league wins over City – the 1-0 two years ago when Scholes headed the winner, and the 2-1 last season won by Rooney's overhead kick. On both occasions, Fletcher's energy was preferred to Carrick's precision. For this match, the third central midfielder could be Jones, Cleverley, Ryan Giggs or Park Ji-Sung – but that is a choice between two players who lack experience, a veteran who doesn't offer much more mobility than Carrick or Scholes, or a player dramatically out of position.

If Ferguson does not go for a third central midfielder, Rooney has a huge role to play. The battling qualities United lack with Scholes and Carrick have been outsourced higher up the pitch to Rooney, and his defensive contribution will be as vital as his attacking invention. He might even drop deeper and play as more of a midfielder.

Context plays a big part in any tactical battle; here, Mancini needs a win, while Ferguson would accept a draw. In a clash between a frenetic City and a patient United, that difference will only exaggerate the contrast in style.

Swansea experimenting with a new shape

Swansea have frequently been compared to Barcelona this season, and Brendan Rodgers took the similarity a step further this weekend, starting with a 3-4-3 formation at home to relegated Wolves. Swansea went 4-0 up and were 4-2 ahead at half-time, but defended poorly in the second half after they'd moved back to their usual 4-3-3.

As a coach who likes his side to dominate possession heavily, Rodgers will have noted that Swansea's 55% possession was less than their average home figure of 59% this season, which is not what you'd expect when playing an extra central midfielder – Rodgers described the system as a '3-diamond-3', indicating that his four midfielders were all playing centrally rather than stretched across the pitch.

In describing the tactical shift as 'deciding to look at something different', it's clear Rodgers saw the game as an opportunity to experiment – and although Swansea fell away late on, the early success means Rodgers might be tempted to re-visit the alternative shape in Swansea's final two games of the season.

Blackburn's experiment is less successful

Blackburn's experiment with three central defenders was much less successful, as they failed to record a single shot in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. Steve Kean named an unchanged side from last weekend's important 2-0 victory over Norwich, but decided to move Jason Lowe from a central midfield role to right wing-back, with Bradley Orr tucking in to become the third centre-back.

Blackburn put no pressure on the ball, dropping into their own third and trying to frustrate Tottenham. They defended reasonably well, but showed no ambition to get forward and create chances, despite the fact that they were trailing from the 22nd minute. Kean's only changes were straight swaps, replacing his two forwards in the second half.

Kean explained that he wanted to keep a spare man at the back against Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart, but the Dutchman tends to drift around into midfield rather than stay supporting the main striker. Blackburn also had a spare man in midfield, but this meant they had no wingers, and left Kyle Walker and Danny Rose free. It was a very simple problem – too many defenders and not enough players higher up. That's a passable strategy to try to get a 0-0, but the failure to change was baffling, only partially explained by Kean's desire to keep Blackburn's goal difference down.

Michael Cox is the editor of the football tactics website zonalmarking.net Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Striker scored 28th league of season in 1-1 draw with Stoke
• Wenger: 'It is difficult to change before the end of the season'

Arsène Wenger has admitted Arsenal have been over-reliant on Robin van Persie this season and claimed there was little he could do to change that for the club's final two games of their Premier League campaign.

Van Persie scored his 28th league goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stoke, which left Arsenal four points clear of fourth-placed Tottenham having played a game more.

"There are two games to go. We have been a bit over-reliant on him, I concede that," said the Frenchman. "But it is difficult to change that before the end of the season."

"We'll see how important this point [against Stoke] is at the end of the season. I knew that Newcastle were losing [against Wigan], so in the last 20 minutes I thought it was important not to lose the game. We had a good game defensively. We had some great fluency in the first half. In the second half, we did not create enough anymore. I don't know if it was because Stoke defended better or we were tired.

"It was a valuable point because we showed battling qualities we have not always shown here."

Arsenal were on Monday assessing the extent of the thigh problem picked up by injury-plagued midfielder Abou Diaby at the Britannia Stadium amid fears he could miss their final two games. Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• Tottenham manager insists he golds no grudges with FA
• Hodgson could be new England manager in next 48 hours

Harry Redknapp said that he did not bear any grudges over losing out on the England job and wished Roy Hodgson "all the best" after the Football Association approached the West Bromwich Albion manager over the England vacancy.

Redknapp had been the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello following the Italian's resignation on 8 February, but the FA instead approached Hodgson on Sunday and he is now holding talks over the role.

"No problem," Redknapp said to BBC Sport. "I wish him [Hodgson] all the best. He's a great guy. I've got a great job here [at Spurs]. I don't hold grudges."

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 65-year-old added: "I like Roy, he's a top man. There are some fantastic players in this country and I'm looking forward to watching the European Championship in the summer. Life is good, I'm a very lucky man."

Hodgson is scheduled to meet the four-man Club England board comprising the chairman David Bernstein, chief executive Alex Horne, director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington later today.

Providing there are no unforeseen problems, Hodgson could be confirmed as Fabio Capello's successor within the next 48 hours, although it is expected he would complete the Premier League season with West Brom before taking up his duties ahead of two Euro 2012 warm-up matches against Norway on May 26 and Belgium on June 2.

"If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He's a great guy," Redknapp said. "I'm sure he'll be a big success. I still think England's got some great players, I really do. I think there's some fantastic players in this country, some young players coming through, some great experienced players."

Redknapp had described the England job as the "ultimate job for an Englishman" but now insists he is fully focused on succeeding with Tottenham, who are currently fourth in the Premier League with three matches of the season remaining.

Asked if he would now seek a new contract with the London club, Redknapp said: "That's up to the chairman [Daniel Levy]. I've not spoken to him and I'm not the type of person who pushes for new contracts." Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

German champions Borussia Dortmund are resigned to losing playmaker Shinji Kagawa who is said to be considering a switch to the Premier League amid reports of an enticing offer from Manchester United Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Italian international striker Antonio Cassano hit his first goal Sunday since returning from heart surgery opening the scoring for AC Milan in the 4-1 win over Siena in their Serie A clash Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Barcelona in their first match since Pep Guardiola announced he would quit at the end of the season produced a sensational attacking display of their own to help ease a little of the pain suffered by their midweek Champions League exit to Chelsea Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

FC Porto celebrated their 26th Portuguese league title triumph on Sunday Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

England fans spokesman Mark Perryman has backed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as Fabio Capellos successor but warned supporters to forget any prospect of winning a trophy for at least four years Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted his relief as the club got their quest for fourth place back on track after a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempt to seize control of their Premier League destiny against leaders Manchester United Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempt to seize control of their Premier League destiny against leaders Manchester United Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Carlos Tevez has declared his intention to remain at Manchester City Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Michael Carrick does not believe the Manchester derby can be billed as a title decider Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Blackburn counterpart Steve Kean has done the best job possible as Spurs returned to the top four in the Barclays Premier League with a commanding 2-0 victory over a poor Rovers side who remain marooned in the bottom three Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Roberto Di Matteo has warned Chelseas top four rivals that his sides sky-high confidence could be the decisive factor in the race for Champions League qualification Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Roberto Di Matteo has admitted even he was shocked by Chelseas ruthless dismantling of QPR that catapulted them right back into the frame to qualify for next seasons Champions League Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist fears there might not be an Old Firm fixture next year if his clubs financial crisis is not sorted soon Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Yossi Benayoun expects striker Robin van Persie to stay at Arsenal for a long time Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Neil Lennon watched his side cruise to a 3-0 win over Rangers at Parkhead then revealed the agonies of being the Celtic manager in an Old Firm game Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

The Manchester City right-back admires Manchester United for the way they will never accept defeat

The valet business that is based permanently in the car park of Manchester City's training ground is getting to work on all the different Ferraris and Porsches. At the front gate, there are men in smart blazers, with walkie-talkies and little earpieces. The lawns and conifers are trimmed immaculately. "Abu Dhabi Travellers Welcome", it says on the sky-blue facade.

Micah Richards takes his seat, pulls down his hood and shakes off the wet. Outside, in a clattering downpour, photographers have scaled stepladders and precarious looking branches to get a shot of the training pitches. Carlos Tevez has just left in a car the size of a tank. Richards will talk about the Argentinian later and, in doing so, he firms up the sense that if Tevez had not gone walkabout for most of the season, City might already have been confirmed as champions.

There is only one place to start, though. Richards is thinking about Manchester United's game at the Etihad Stadium, trying to put into words the enormity of the occasion. City versus United, blue versus red, under the floodlights with a title at stake. In the end, he just blows out his cheeks and smiles.

Three weeks ago, Richards and his colleagues sat in silence in the away dressing room at Arsenal. A five-point lead had turned into an eight-point deficit in little more than a month, Roberto Mancini was outside telling the world's press that Mario Balotelli would probably never play for the club again, and the team had walked off the pitch thinking they had blown it. "Everyone thought the same," Richards says. "It gets to eight points and you know it's rare that United will give you another chance."

He is "delighted" one has come along. Which translates as "surprised". One bookmaker paid out on United's 20th title win on 4 April. The first "Champ20ns" T-shirts had appeared on Internet sites around the same time.

"I don't think anyone thought Wigan would then go and beat them," Richards says. "And again, I don't think anyone could have seen Everton fighting back from 4-2 down at Old Trafford to draw. At 4-2, I was just thinking: 'Here we go again.' Five minutes later, two goals and you know, once again, you've got a chance."

City, he says, have "played the best football in the league". Richards grew up as an Arsenal supporter: "I just love watching them play but I think we've been even better." And United? "I wouldn't say they have been that good. Look at the Champions League, them not going through. You see them conceding four goals at home [against Everton] and six against us. If you give them a fight you can get results against them."

Do not misinterpret this as an attack on City's neighbours. On the contrary, one of the things that stands out with Richards is his grudging admiration about the way they have recovered from October's 6-1 mauling at Old Trafford. "Any other season we would have enough points to win the league," he says. "But they always find a way. When you play United you always know it's drilled into them: 'We have to win.' Even when I was playing against them in the under-14s they would always go right to the last minute. They just never wanted to lose.

"Just look at their game at Chelsea when they went 3-0 down. I was watching that and, seriously, if we go down 3-0 down, we're not coming back. I think only Man United could have done that. It shows what they're about. Once we get a little bit of that …"

It will not come overnight. "No, it could be years," Richards says. "United have that togetherness. Look at someone like Park [Ji-sung]. When he doesn't play, he doesn't moan, does he? At City we've got 20 to 25 internationals, we all want to play and, when you don't, you get upset and it's hard to deal with sometimes.

"You don't see players at United complaining to their manager when they are taken off. They have been doing it [rotation] for years and it's Sir Alex Ferguson's way or no way: 'If you don't like it, we'll get someone else.' It's different here. It's all new to us. If we are going to be a strong team, the players are going to have to accept we can't play every week."

Richards, at 23, is talking like a future captain of the club. There are things at City he believes can be improved. "Just look out there," he says at one point, gesturing towards the training pitches. "Anyone can come down to our training ground and take pictures." It wouldn't happen, he says, at United, and he is right. There was a tree the photographers used to climb outside United's training ground. The club had it cut down. Problem solved.

Richards has matured a lot these last couple of years. He is not afraid to say City can learn from their closest rivals, even though he knows it is not what some supporters want to hear. He rates Ferguson as the "best manager of all time" and he has no appetite, either, to prolong the debate about whether United are top because they have had a favourable deal when it comes to refereeing decisions, a line perpetuated through various levels of the club, from Mancini down, and eagerly grasped by supporters.

"It looks bad sometimes – like Ashley Young and the diving – and it seems to happen a lot but I'm not going to moan about it. I won't be looking back at decisions if we don't win the league. United deserve to be where they are, we deserve to be where we are. That's it. I'm not completely biased to City. I love the club and would do anything for the club but United are there because they deserve to be there. It's not because of decisions."

Would it have been different if Tevez had stuck around? "Maybe," he says, nodding. "It would definitely have helped. United always seem to find a way but we would certainly have had a better chance if he'd been here all season.

"It's not only that he scores goals. If you watch the game closely he presses the opposition players and he makes the people around him press them, too. If they're not doing their jobs, he will tell them. Before, Agüero might not want to tell Silva. Carlos, though, he's is a real leader on the field."

Increasingly, the same could be said of Richards. He has already worn the captain's armband at times this season and his improvement under Mancini has been so marked it remains perplexing how Fabio Capello almost steadfastly ignored him for the England team.

The right-back's respect for Mancini is clear. "There's a great deal of pressure that comes with Manchester City and I think he's dealt with it superbly." His face changes, though, when it comes to Capello. Richards spoke recently about the former England manager preferring to use Phil Jagielka in one game "even though he hadn't played right-back for about six years". Tom Cleverley, he noted, had "played half a good game at Wembley [in the Community Shield] and was in the next England squad". Now he uses another example. "Phil Jones. At Blackburn, he didn't have a sniff. Goes to United and then he's in. These are my mates. I really like Phil and he'll probably be England captain in five or six years. But it [Capello's snubs] did get to me. I guess there's no point moaning about it because not everyone is going to like me."

He discovered as much on Twitter, closing down his account because of the abuse (some of it racist) that was sent his direction. "It's such an easy way for people to attack you. You might have an important game, you want to be focused totally on it and then you read your tweets the night before and it's someone giving you shit. It would get to me. I had to stop looking at my messages and, if we lost, I wouldn't go on for a week. It's not right but the world's not right."

Here, though, Richards is strikingly relaxed – a legacy, perhaps, of the mood that day at Arsenal, and the sense that the pressure is now on United. "We deserve this chance. We've been in the top two all season. We've played some outstanding football this season. We knew that unless United had some bad results it was all over. But we kept fighting. We could have rolled over but we kept fighting."

Micah Richards was speaking on behalf of Barclays Ticket Office, which gives fans the chance to win tickets to Premier League matches at the bank's ATMs, or by visiting www.barclaysticketoffice.com Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

• 'It was the project that made me come to City'
• Striker was expected to leave the club

Carlos Tevez has declared his intention to remain at Manchester City.

Tevez looked destined to leave City in January after effectively going on strike following his apparent refusal to warm-up prior to a Champions League tie in Munich last September.

However, the Argentina star returned to City when a move to AC Milan failed to materialise.

Tevez has subsequently triggered a revival if City's title challenge, scoring against West Brom before grabbing a hat-trick in the 6-1 win at Norwich.

He is expected to start tonight's crucial Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, and he wants to be around a lot longer.

"This club has been building something special for the last few years," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"It was the project and the dream that made me come to City in the first place. I've been here since the start of that project and I share the same vision as Sheikh Mansour.

"He has always been brilliant with me and I want to repay his faith and stay here as long as it takes to make the project a success.

"I am an ambitious person. I want to work hard and win things with City. That's all that matters to me, as a player and a person." Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Wigan's great escape, Saints look towards Norwich, Newcastle's comedy tumble and John Terry's special apology

1) If Wigan stay up it will be one of the greatest escapes

It's hard to recall a precedent in the English top flight for Wigan's recent performances. Great escapes are nothing new – and West Ham's in 2006-07 was even more dramatic in terms of results - but the style and audacity with which Wigan have all but secured their Premier League future has been breathtaking. A recurring word in Roberto Martínez's recent post-match interviews has been "arrogance"; it's particularly striking coming from one of the humblest men in the Premier League. Martinez's switch to a 3-4-3 formation has catalysed Wigan's improvement. Just as you can get good bacteria, so Wigan have demonstrated good arrogance, passing the ball with intimidating confidence and obliterating all the clichés about the style of play you supposedly need in a dogfight. After four wins in the first 29 games, they have won five of their last seven, four of them against sides in the top eight. They gave Manchester United a football lesson and then hammered Newcastle on Saturday. Wigan played with the irresistible swagger of a team going for the title, best exemplified by Franco Di Santo's outrageous fourth goal. This is not just a great escape. It's one of the greatest escapes. RS

2) The 'Norwich way' works for Southampton too

Who needs parachute payments? Southampton confirmed their elevation to the Premier League with a 4-0 thumping of relegated Coventry City, following the example set by Norwich last year in going straight through the Championship in their first season after promotion from League One. Like Norwich, Saints have built their side largely around those that took them up in the previous campaign, using a vibrant attacking style spearheaded by a ruthless target man. For Grant Holt last year, read Rickie Lambert this. Lambert certainly deserves his tilt at the top flight, having been perhaps consistently the best natural finisher in the Football League over the past five years. As does his lively and effective fellow striker Billy Sharp, whose season has been enveloped in trauma following the death of his baby son in October, while still at Doncaster.

The manager who brought him to St Mary's, Nigel Adkins, and who used Sharp to great effect in the pair's first promotion, with Scunthorpe from League One in 2007, is another whose low-key lower-division knowhow has worked wonders in the Championship this term and who deserves his chance in the Premier League. The youth team graduate Adam Lallana has also consistently caught the eye as a creative force in recent weeks and is well placed to make the step up. Not that Southampton's story is quite a rags-to-riches heartstring-tugger – as a big one-city club likely to attract more than 30,000 fans a game next season, a "plucky, homely club" tag doesn't really stick – but they've certainly demonstrated that hungry talent schooled in the lower divisions can offer a better path to promotion than Premier League cast-offs. Adkins 1-0 Allardyce, you might say. TD

3) Nobody apologises like John Terry

Never mind Being John Malkovich. Imagine spending 15 minutes inside John Terry's head. It's a very special place, in which you are magnanimous enough to forgive other people for your mistakes. Before the Wayne Bridge game in 2010, Terry said: "I will offer my hand and be prepared to shake his." On Sunday, in Chelsea's programme notes, he apologised for being sent off against Barcelona. Sort of. "I'm big enough to come out and man up when I make a mistake," wrote Terry, "and, clearly, I made a mistake on Tuesday."

It would seem Terry does not regard one of the most deliciously inept excuses in the history of the entire known universe as a mistake, because there is still no explanation for his original reaction to the red card – both on the field and in the tunnel. "I've just spoken to an absolutely distraught John Terry who says he did not deliberately strike the player," said Sky's Geoff Shreeves just after half-time. "What happened was the player checked his run so, in John's words, [Terry had no choice but to] pile into the back of him. He put his weight on [the] back foot, that's why his knee went up. He said, 'Look at me, I've not had one booking in the Champions League this season, there's no way I would do that. That would be madness to do that deliberately'."

Terry has the hilarious capacity to turn an apology into an act of aggression, an assertion of his masculinity. He is man enough to apologise, so do you want some? It seems that, with Terry, sorry isn't the hardest word; it's the hard-faced word. RS

4) Newcastle's comedy tumble

At around about 5pm on Saturday Alan Pardew might have decided that he does want Chelsea to win the Champions League after all. Newcastle's display at Wigan on Saturday was not so much a stumble as a comedy fall down a steep staircase, banging their head on every step. And four games from the end of the season is not the time for comedy tumbles. Pardew spent most of Friday's press conference talking up the merits of the Europa League and saying that whatever European competition Newcastle found themselves in next season it will be an honour and a privilege for the club. He may no longer have any choice.

Newcastle let their control of a top four finish slip from their grasp at the DW Stadium and, if things don't go their way in Wednesday's trip to Stamford Bridge and Sunday's game against Manchester City, then the notion of them being in the Champions League may seem a distant memory. At least it will for everyone who is not connected with the club. If things don't go their way, Pardew and his players may find themselves willing Chelsea to victory in Munich on 19 May. If fourth place doesn't bring Champions League qualification then it will soften the blow of letting it slip from their grasp. EF

5) Alexander leaves them wanting more

Always a classy player, Preston North End's Graham Alexander ended his 1,023-game career on Saturday in some style, coming off the bench to score in the final minute. The reaction of the crowd says more about Alexander than any words. EF Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Ahead of Monday night's crunch Premier League game, we take a look back over the season to see how Manchester City and Manchester United have battled it out for top spot



Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

Today's tittle-tattle just is

According to today's Daily Mail, Kenny Dalglish has made "a personal trip" to watch fashionable Montpelier goal-machine Olivier Giroud, a break with tradition from Dalglish's many other trips abroad where he tends to send either a minion, a doppelganger or a life-sized papier-mache effigy dressed in a quilted sports coat. Giroud, who is rated at £50m, missed a penalty and failed to score. Not that that's likely to be any kind of obstacle on recent evidence. Also watching were Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi and Bayern Munich's general manager Christian Nerlinger. Liverpool are also keen on Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Modern day Brian Clough-style England-might-have been Harry Redknapp says Gareth Bale, who hasn't looked much like a Barcelona player ever since people started talking about him as a possible Barcelona player, isn't going to be a Barcelona player. "He has got a long contract at the club, I don't think he will be going anywhere, he isn't going to find too many better clubs than Tottenham," Redknapp said in a very fast voice without taking a breath.

Manchester United are in a keening funk over Japanese midfield sprite Shinji Kagawa, who has turned down a new contract offer from Borussia Dortmund. Kagawa could join United in the summer. Dortmund want £5m. "We have a Plan A and B and we will follow one of them," Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc said, frowning over a series of heavily-annotated flipchart diagrams, adjusting his pince-nez and making a little steeple with his fingers.

According to The Mail, Sir Alex Ferguson, Mike Phelan and somebody else called Rene Meulensteen all watched likeable Scando-beanpole Gylfi Sigurdsson play for Swansea on Saturday. Hoffenheim want £10m for the gangling dead-ball ace.

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Wigan midfield bouncer Mohamed Diame, who has been superb in recent weeks and whose contract is up in the summer, two things that are not necessarily related. Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle are also "monitoring" the Senegalese enforcer. Fulham want to pay £3m for Belgium international Nacer Chadli of Steve McClaren vehicle FC Twente. Spurs, who are also interested in pretty much everybody, are also interested.

Meanwhile in the Mirror he's at it again: King Kenny Dalglish has made another personal trip, this time to Holland to watch hotly-tipped AZ Alkmaar midfield-Swede Rasmus Elm play against Feyenoord. Elm is 24, will coast £8m and was first identified by moneyball meddler Damien Comolli. Assorted usual suspects in Spain and Italy are also interested.

Also in the Sun, chart sensation Olly Murs believes Manchester United need to strengthen in midfield, where Darren Fletcher has been "a big miss". "Michael Carrick has been inconsistent and Anderson is always injured," the pop-hunk raged yesterday. "It's an ageing midfield and we're lacking youth and enthusiasm. We need a Luka Modric, a Wesley Sneijder or a Yohan Cabaye," he added, twirling his pork pie hat and performing a series of swoon-inducing groin-thrust pirouettes.

According to Goal.com, Inter loanee and one-time Birmingham oddity Mauro Zarate says he doesn't want to return to Lazio. " We must wait and see what happens, but honestly I'd rather stay here," Zarate said, handcuffing himself to a filing cabinet.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is "proud" Real Madrid are after him but really doesn't, honestly, want to go anywhere else. "I do not know how much my input has contributed to us being in first place," Vidal said modestly, in the process implying that actually he does know, and the answer is: a lot. "I'm happy to wear the shirt of Juventus. I cannot ask for more," he added on Sky Sports Italia.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vidal could soon be joined at Juve by Chelsea's own Branislav Ivanovic. The chunky-thighed Serb, who does, it turns out after extensive investigative reporting, know he's not going to play in the Champions League final, could be the subject of a £6m offer in the summer. And still on Goal.com, Real Madrid are after Argentinean midfield-spoiler Lucas Biglia, currently with Anderlecht and who, if he does go, is likely to be sent off at least once next season playing against Barcelona as part of a standard issue chest-jabbing, rabbit-punching bench-emptying 22-man handbag-melee.


guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

The British Ministry of Defence might place surface-to-air missiles on a water tower in a densely populated London neighborhood as part of security for the Olympic Games this summer, a ministry official said Sunday.Read More

هل تريد وضع المحتوى السابق فى موقعك او مدونتك مجانا؟؟
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.

موضوعات عشوائية

الارشيف