Football news round-up 2-7 Nov

Saturday 7 November 2009

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has been named Premier League manager of the month for October following a five-game unbeaten run in two competitions.

Chelsea will be allowed to sign players in the January window after their transfer ban was suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, pending a final review. Manager Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, insisted he sees no need to strengthen his squad.

England defender Rio Ferdinand will miss this weekend’s trip to Chelsea as Manchester United attempt to get to the bottom of his injury problems. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “We are having to look at something different because usually you are back from a calf injury within two or three weeks. But there is no sign of recovery from this injury so we are looking at whether it is to do with his lower back."

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross is to end speculation concerning his future by signing a new long-term contract. Stoke manager Tony Pulis said: “I have had long discussions with Ryan over his future and I am delighted that he sees his future here.”

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has conceded that South African striker Benni McCarthy could leave the club in the New Year. Allardyce said: “I think Benni has made it clear through his agent this week that he would like to see if there is anybody out there who would be wanting to take him and play him on a more regular basis than we are.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, is planning to sign a new striker in January. He said: “We are light up front as we have lost Marlon King, which was unexpected. That is something we will have to look at and do something in the next window. We need to strengthen as we have lost a player and cannot leave ourselves open.”

Three good First Round Proper FA Cup ties kicked off the main weekend football action, but Derby County won an entertaining Championship clash as two goals from Rob Hulse helped them towards a 2-1 win over Coventry and end a run of three defeats.

Friday 6 November 2009

Fulham were reduced to nine men and suffered a 2-1 defeat against Roma in the Europa League. Despite taking the lead through a Diomansy Kamara penalty, Erik Nevland was then sent off and Roma hit back with goals from John Arne Riise and Stefano Okaka. Paul Konchesky was also shown a red card near the end of the game.

Everton crashed to a 2-0 home defeat by Benfica in the Europa League. Strikes from Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardoza left David Moyes' side facing a struggle to reach the next phase of the competition.

Celtic also face a major fight to stay in the Europa League after being held to a goalless draw by Hamburg. Celtic remain at the bottom of the table on two points.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admits influential duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could need surgery to clear up their troublesome groin injuries. Benitez said: "We must see how they can improve, and by how much. Then we will decide about any possible operation."

Stan Kroenke has bought another 200 shares in Arsenal and moved a step closer to launching a formal takeover of the club. The American entrepreneur now controls 29.9 per cent of the company, just short of the 29.99 per cent threshold he needs to make a bid for the remaining shares.

Alex McLeish has ruled out making a move for former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko despite new vice-chairman Sammy Yu drawing up a shortlist of players with the Birmingham manager. McLeish said: "Sammy has not told me that. I read it in the paper, but I've not heard anything about Shevchenko."

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart admits he will never walk away from the club and is confident he can take them out of the bottom three. Hart said: "I have never walked away from a job. I've been sacked, but I've never walked away."

Patrick Vieira has been left out of the France squad for the vital World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland. France coach Raymond Domenech has named two uncapped players with Lyon defender Aly Cissokho and Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso being called into the squad.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Chris Iwelumo faces a few weeks on the sidelines after damaging the metatarsal he fractured during their pre-season summer trip to Australia. Iwelumo started his first Premier League game against Stoke last weekend but has suffered a fresh setback.

Thursday 5 November 2009

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after a last-minute goal from Lisandro denied them victory in Lyon. Lisandro’s goal cancelled out a stunning strike from Ryan Babel and means Liverpool must win their last two games in Group E and hope Lyon gain at least a point away to Fiorentina if they are to qualify.

Cesc Fabregas scored twice as Arsenal beat AZ Alkmaar 4-1 to all but qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby also scored. Meanwhile Rangers drew 1-1 in Romania against Unirea.
 
West Ham roared out of the relegation zone in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Zavon Hines scored a late injury-time winner after Mark Noble, with a penalty, had put the Hammers ahead and Ashley Young had equalised.
 
Newcastle United have announced plans to re-name their stadium the sportsdirect.com @St James’ Park stadium for the immediate future with plans to find another sponsor next  year.  Managing Director Derek Llambias re-assured fans that full naming rights would not be sold. He said: “With the renaming, it was always going to be whatever brand it was, at St James' Park.”
 
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury after requiring an extra operation to clear up an infection in the joint.
 
League One side Southend United hope to avoid going into administration after promising to pay an overdue tax bill by Friday. A High Court case against the club has been adjourned until Monday.
 
The parent company of Bolton Wanderers has announced a record loss of more than £13m despite an eight per cent increase in attendances at the Reebok Stadium.
 
Aldershot Town caretaker boss Jason Dodd will leave the club after Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Bury to take up a post at Southampton’s Academy.
 
Sweden have named Rosenborg coach Erik Hamren, 52, as their new coach following the resignation of Lars Lagerback. Hamren will continue to manage Rosenborg in a dual role until August 2010.

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Manchester United have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after two goals in the last six minutes secured a 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. United appeared to be heading for defeat before Paul Scholes and an own-goal, deflecting Antonio Valencia's shot home, from Georgi Schennikov added to Michael Owen’s earlier strike against spirited Russian opponents.

Chelsea have also secured their progress into the last 16 after a 2-2 draw at Atletico Madrid. Didier Drogba returned from suspension to score twice, although his efforts were cancelled out by a fine brace from Argentinean star Sergio Aguero.

Elsewhere in the Champions League, Real Madrid and AC Milan played out a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu that leaves Group C wide open. Bordeaux qualified for the last 16 thanks to an impressive 2-0 win at Bayern Munich, and Porto also made the knockout stages after winning 1-0 at Apoel Nicosia.

In the Championship, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace drew 1-1 at Loftus Road. Darren Ambrose equalised from the spot after Akos Buzsaky’s first-half penalty had given the hosts – who move into the top six – the lead.

Alan Curbishley has won his case for constructive dismissal against West Ham United, his former club. The 51-year-old resigned from the club in September 2008 after two defenders were reportedly sold against his wishes and his case against the club has been upheld by a League Manager's Association.

Arsenal have been rocked by the news that left-back Gael Clichy has suffered a suspected stress fracture in his back and may be sidelined for several weeks. Yet the injury may be good news for England as Kieran Gibbs, who has been tipped for a call-up to Fabio Capello's squad, is likely to take his place.

There have also been goings-on in the boardroom at The Emirates as Stan Kroenke has bought another 427 shares in the club, taking his holding in Arsenal to 29.6 per cent. If the American reaches the 30 per cent barrier, he would be obliged to make an offer for all remaining shares.

Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio are the latest players to pull out of Liverpool's crucial Champions League clash with Lyon through injury. Both England full-back Johnson and Brazilian left-sided star Aurelio have calf injuries.

Ipswich Town have announced they suffered losses of £10.2m in the year ending 30 June 2009. that figure represents a rise of £6m on the previous financial year.

Accrington Stanley have managed to secure their future after paying an outstanding tax bill. The club had owed the Inland Revenue £308,000.

Grimsby Town goalkeeper Ed Eley has extended his loan deal with Mansfield Town by a further two months.

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Liverpool will be without theirn captain, Steven Gerrard, for their crunch game at Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Gerrard is still troubled by the groin strain that has kept him out of action recently, and Fernando Torres is also a doubt.

David Beckham will return to AC Milan on loan from LA Galaxy when the MLS season finishes in January. The former England captain is keen to keep up his fitness and competitive edge in the build-up to the World Cup finals next June.

Newcastle United returned to the top of the Championship after a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Sheffield United. Blades’ captain Chris Morgan scored the game’s only goal, into his own net, in the 54th minute.

Middlesbrough defender Emmanuel Pogatetz has had surgery on a fractured cheekbone. The Austrian suffered the injury in Boro’s 1-0 home defeat by Plymouth at the weekend, and could be out for six weeks.

Johann Cruyff has returned to management after a 13-year absence by agreeing to coach Catalonia, the Spanish region who play international friendlies. The Dutch legend still lives in Barcelona, capital of the region that is not recognised by FIFA or UEFA but has played six internationals in the past three years.

Adam Pearson has given his backing to manager Phil Brown after returning to Hull City as chairman. The former Derby County chairman was unveiled at the KC Stadium on Monday and pledged his support for the under-fire manager.

Wayne Rooney was given a day off training by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after his wife Colleen gave birth to their first baby. Kai Rooney was born on Monday afternoon, meaning his father can play against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League tonight.

Monday 2 November 2009

Damien Duff should be fit for Ireland's World Cup play-off against France on 14 November despite coming off with an Achilles strain in Fulham’s weekend win over Liverpool. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson confirmed: “It is very hard stopping Damien playing for the Republic of Ireland. You have to lock him in a cage.”

Goalkeeper Shay Given was the Man of the Match for Manchester City as they replaced Tottenham in the top four of the Premier League table by winning a point from their Sunday goalless draw at Birmingham City. Given saved a second half penalty from James McFadden.

Nottingham Forest maintained their unbeaten start to the season away from home thanks to an injury time equaliser from Lewis McGugan to earn a 1-1 Sunday draw at Cardiff City.

Ryan Giggs has talked about becoming manager of Wales when his playing days are over. Manchester United midfielder Giggs, 36 this month, said: “I think if you've played for your country and want to go into coaching or management, that has got to be the ultimate job to do.”

Russell Slade has been sacked as Brighton manager just eight months after succeeding Micky Adams. Martin Hinshelwood has been made caretaker manager.

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner could be out for over a month after sustaining a groin injury in the weekend win over Tottenham. Manager Arsene Wenger said: “It's quite serious and he could be out four weeks at least.”

Defender Robbie Williams scored the only goal of the game to send Huddersfield into the top six of the League One table with a win at Oldham.