Football news round-up

Sunday 25 October 2009

England’s Joe Cole started his first Premier League game for almost nine months after recovering from a knee injury and inspired Chelsea to a 5-0 victory over Blackburn – winning praise from manager Carlo Ancelotti. Cole was outstanding at Stamford Bridge as England team-mate Frank Lampard score twice and Ancelotti was impressed. He said: “Joe is a very important player for us. He has fantastic quality in midfield. He is a genius.”

Another England player, Gabriel Agbonlahor, scored for Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw at Wolves. But it was Stoke City who produced possibly the result of the day, winning 1-0 away at high-flying Tottenham thanks to a goal from Glenn Whelan. Wigan won 3-1 at Burnley, Birmingham beat Sunderland 2-1 and Portsmouth drew 0-0 at Hull.

In the Championship, Kevin Nolan’s late goal sealed a fine comeback from Newcastle as they beat Doncaster to go back to the top of the table. And QPR produced a stunning 4-2 victory away at Derby having been 2-0 down at one stage. Goals from Adel Taarabt, Gavin Mahon, Jay Simpson and Akos Buzsaky sent Rangers up to sixth in the table. Cardiff are second after Peter Whittingham’s hat-trick helped them to a 4-3 victory at

Southampton are rapidly becoming one of the form teams in League One after beating MK Dons 3-1 at St Mary’s to make it four league wins in a row. The goals came from Dean Hammond, Rickie Lambert and David Connolly. At the top of the table, Leeds lost for the first time this season after going down 2-1 at Millwall, who scored through Neil Harris and Gary Alexander.

Bournemouth continued their promotion march in League Two with a 3-1 victory over Grimsby that included Alan Connell’s first league goal in 18 months. Manager Eddie Howe said his team played “every so well”

In Italy, Sampdoria, inspired by Antonio Cassano, returned to the top of Serie A with a 4-1 victory over Bologna.

Conference Premier side Ebbsfleet have signed former Gillingham midfielder Clint Easton and former Spurs reserve defender Chris Riley

Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa could be out for several months after injuring his knee in his team’s victory over Burnley The club say he has torn medial ligaments.

Saturday 24 October 2009

Watford maintained their improved Championship form on Friday night with an impressive 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. The Watford goalscorers were Adrian Mariappa, Arsenal loan player Henri Lansbury (2), and Jon Harley. Marcus Tudgay scored Wednesday's goal.

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, now an ambassador at the club as well as being involved in the Anfield academy, is supporting manager Rafa Benitez to end the club’s losing run. Benitez said: “I have talked with Kenny. We both have experience, but he knows this club and what happens here. He knows that if we work hard then everything will be fine.”

Tottenham and England defender Ledley King, 29, looks set to extend his stay at the club before his contract expires at the end of the season. Manager Harry Redknapp said: “I'd love to keep Ledley here. He's a big part of this football club and I think he's a special player and a special guy.”

Londoner Nyron Nosworthy will be staying in the north-east for the foreseeable future after agreeing a new contract with Sunderland. The defender is signing up until 2012 and manager Steve Bruce said: “Nyron knows this club inside out and is a hugely popular member of the squad. He has impressed me since I came here in the summer.”

South Africa have reappointed Carlos Alberto Parreira as national manager following the departure of fellow Brazilian Joel Santana, who left the job at the beginning of the week.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is also poised to sign a new three-year deal before his existing contract expires next summer. A club statement read: “FC Barcelona and Carles Puyol have reached an agreement in principle to renew the captain's contract until 2013.”

The world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to make his injury comeback in Real Madrid’s Champions league match against AC Milan on 3 November. Ronaldo, who has been out of acrtion since damaging an ankle playing for Portugal on 10 October, said: “I think I am ready to play.”

Chelsea are hoping manager Carlo Ancelotti will be back at the club in time for Saturday’s Premier League match against Blackburn. Ancelotti has been in Italy with his elderly ill father. Assistant manager Ray Wilkins said: “His father is not in the best of condition So we are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be back. Carlo will decide who plays.”

Friday 23 October 2009

Everton suffered the heaviest European defeat in their history, going down 5-0 at Benfica in their Europa League clash. David Moyes’ side were only a goal behind at half-time but crumbled after the break.

Fulham conceded a last-minute goal against Roma in their Europa League clash, with Marco Andreolli scoring a last-gasp equaliser for the Italians. Brede Hangeland had given the hosts a first-half lead at Craven Cottage and Mark Schwarzer had saved a penalty before Andreolli struck.

Manchester City star Robinho has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. The Brazilian will be out for a further two weeks.

Chelsea have requested that their transfer ban is suspended while they prepare their appeal. The Blues were banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows after controversy arose over the deal that saw Gael Kakuta join the club from Lens in 2007.

Sheffield United have signed former Wigan frontman Henri Camara on a deal that ties him to the Championship club until the end of the season.

Colchester United have captured West Ham midfielder Josh Payne on a one-month loan deal.

Darlington have signed four players – Aston Villa striker James Collins has joined on a three-month loan, while Wolves midfielder David Davis, French striker Mor Diop and former Derby defender Richard Jackson have also thrown in their lot with the League Two side.

James Lindie has had his contract with Ebbsfleet terminated by mutual consent.

Thursday 22 October 2009

Chelsea added to Atletico Madrid’s miserable start to the season by thrashing the Spanish side 4-0 in the Champions League. Saloman Kalou scored twice, Frank Lampard added a third and Luis Perea scored an own goal to complete the rout.

Manchester United moved a step closer to qualifying for the next round of the Champions League with a late win Moscow. Antonio Valencia scored the game’s only goal, in the 86th minute, to secure victory.

AC Milan surprised Real Madrid by winning 3-2 at the Bernabeu. Pato scored twice, including a late winner, as the struggling Italian side came from behind to beat the nine-time champions and move level with them at the top of Group C.

Bayern Munich were also beaten, losing 2-1 to Bordeaux after having Thomas Muller sent off, and are now third in Group A and in danger of missing the next phase.

Gordon Strachan has reportedly agreed to take over at Middlesbrough after the dismissal of Gareth Southgate. The former Southampton and Celtic manager is set to be unveiled as manager later this week.

Roy Hodgson has followed Sven Goran Eriksson in turning down the chance to manage Sweden. The Fulham manager, preparing for tonight’s Europa League tie against Roma at Craven Cottage, said: “I made it clear I have a contract here at Fulham and intend to honour that.”

Louis Saha returns from suspension for Everton as they face Benfica in the Stadium of Light tonight, but Joseph Yobo, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman will all be out with injury.

Edgar Davids is considering a return to English football with Leicester City at the age of 36. The former AC Milan, Juventus and Inter midfielder had a spell at Spurs from 2005-2007, and is a free agent after leaving Ajax over a year ago.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Liverpool’s miserable run continued as they suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat against Lyon in the Champions League. Despite taking the lead through a Yossi Benayoun strike, the French side hit back and goals from Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado condemned Liverpool to their fourth straight defeat.

Arsenal had to settle for a point as AZ Alkmaar grabbed an injury time equaliser in Holland. A first half goal from Cesc Fabregas looked to be enough for Arsenal, but David Mendes Da Silva fired a superb volley to stop the north London club claiming their third victory in Group H.

Rangers crashed to a 4-1 home defeat against Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox which leaves their Champions League aspirations hanging in the balance.

In the Championship, leaders West Brom suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Swansea while second place Newcastle also lost 2-1 at Scunthorpe. Cardiff’s 2-0 win over Coventry and Middlesbrough’s 2-0 victory over Derby helped them close the gap on the top two.

Middlesbrough have sacked manager Gareth Southgate despite a 2-0 win over Derby on Tuesday night. Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson said: "This has been the most difficult decision I've ever had to make in football."

Sven-Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out of the running for the Sweden job. The Notts Country director of football was strongly linked with the vacant managerial post, but Swedish FA chairman Lars-Ake Lagrell said: "We have had good discussions but he has now decided that, with regards to his contract with Notts County, there is no possibility of him taking charge of the national team now."

Stoke defender Robert Huth has accepted a Football Association charge of violent conduct and apologised to West Ham defender Matthew Upson. A statement from Stoke read: "All players were briefed at the beginning of the season about obstructing opponents at set-plays and Robert reacted in frustration at being impeded by Matthew Upson for the second time in the game. Robert's actions are totally out of character."

Sunderland have suffered a major blow after midfielder Lee Cattermole was ruled out for three months after suffering knee ligament damage during the 1-0 win over Liverpool. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: "He's done his medial ligament. It's not good news, but it's the best we could have hoped."

Jonathan Woodgate is ready to make his comeback against Stoke on Saturday after playing another 90 minutes for Tottenham in a friendly against Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday.

Gloucestershire Police are looking into an incident surrounding Cheltenham manager Martin Allen who has been placed on gardening leave by the club. Allen has been asked to stay away from the club pending an investigation into an alleged incident at a nightclub.

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Fulham beat Hull City 2-0 in the Premier League thanks to goals from Bobby Zamora and Diomansy Kamara. The match also saw Hull’s Jimmy Bullard come off the bench after nine months out with injury.
 
Leeds United beat promotion rivals Norwich City 2-1 at Elland Road in League One thanks to an injury time goal from the prolific Jermaine Beckford. Bradley Johnson had earlier put Leeds ahead but Norwich equalised through Grant Holt. The victory sends Leeds back to the top of the table.
 
The Republic of Ireland have been drawn against France in the World Cup play-offs. They will play at home first, on 14 November, with the second leg in Paris on 18 November. Portugal face Bosnia, Russia play Slovenia and Greece take on Ukraine in the other fixtures.
 
Chris Hughton is in talks to become Newcastle United’s permanent manager. Hughton, who is currently caretaker boss at St James’ Park, said: “Discussions have taken place and hopefully will continue. An opportunity to turn it from a temporary to a full-time role is very exciting for me.”
 
England winger Theo Walcott faces three or four weeks on the sidelines after injuring knee ligaments playing for Arsenal against Birmingham. “The news is not good,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “It is a medial knee ligament.” Walcott now faces a race against time to be fit for England’s friendly against Brazil in Doha on 14 November.
 
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has signed a new contract at Eastlands that will keep him at the club until 2014.
 
South Africa manager Joel Santana has stepped down from his post, just eight months ahead of the World Cup Finals. South Africa, who stage the finals next summer, had lost eight of their last nine games. The South African FA will discuss candidates to replace Santana, who had been in the post since April 2008, at a meeting on Friday.

Monday 19 October 2009

Blackburn Rovers won bragging rights in their fierce rivalry with Burnley after winning the local derby 3-2. David Dunn, Franco Di Santo and Pascal Chimbonda scored for Blackburn, while Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles scored for the visitors.

Manchester City missed a chance to go into third place in the Premier League after being held 1-1 at Wigan Athletic. Charles N'Zogbia put Wigan ahead before Martin Petrov equalised for City, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off.

Mike Newell has been sacked as manager of Grimsby after the League Two side's poor start to the season. The former Luton manager was dismissed after Grimsby lost to Rochdale on Saturday, their fourth straight defeat leaving them second bottom of the league.

England have four stars on the shortlist for the European Player of the Year award. John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney have all been nominated, along with Ryan Giggs. The award will be voted on by football writers in December.

England forward Theo Walcott is likely to miss Arsenal's Champions League game against AZ Alkmaar after injuring his knee in the 3-1 win over Birmingham. Walcott's first Premier League start lasted just 30 minutes because of the injury.

Stewart Downing is hoping he can make his Aston Villa debut by Christmas as the England winger recovers from a broken foot. Downing suffered the injury while playing for Middlesbrough against Villa, who signed him in the summer.

Coventry midfielder Aron Gunnarsson could be out until the new year after suffering a suspected broken leg in the Sky Blues' 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. The Icelandic international could face 12 weeks out.

Atletico Madrid's poor start to the season continued with a 3-0 defeat to Osasuna, just days before they travel to Chelsea in the Champions League. Atletico are currently 15th in La Liga.