Football news round-up 31 Aug-6 Sep

Sunday 6 September

Leeds United set a new club record of 14 successive wins at home when they beat Stockport County 2-0 in League One thanks to goals from Mike Grella and Lubomir Michalik. But it was not enough to take top spot from Charlton Athletic who earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over previously unbeaten Brentford. First-half goals from Deon Burton and Lloyd Sam were enough to keep Charlton in first place on goal difference. Elsewhere, Antony Kay scored in the 78th minute to help Huddersfield come from behind to beat MK Dons 3-2 away from home and move up to third.

Notts Country lost their 100 per cent home record after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burton. A late goal from Burton substitute Richard Walker cancelled out an early second half strike from Karl Hawley. Rotherham remain top of League Two after recording a 3-1 win over Chesterfield.

Scotland kept alive their hopes of securing a World Cup play-off place with a 2-0 win over Macedonia. Strikes from Scott Brown and James McFadden means that a victory over Holland on Wednesday will ensure they finish second in Group 9. Republic of Ireland also kept alive their World Cup dream with a 2-1 win over Cyprus.

Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder was taken to hospital during the 3-0 friendly win over Japan after suffering an ankle injury. Holland coach Bert van Marwijk said: "He heard something crack. It does not look good. Wesley is now in the hospital."
 
Andriy Shevchenko was on the scoresheet with a penalty as Ukraine beat Andorra 5-0 to move up to second behind England in Group Six of the World Cup qualifiers, level on points with Croatia. Andriy Yarmolenko and Artem Milevskiy put their side 2-0 up before Shevchenko made it 3-0 and Milevskiy and Yevgen Seleznov added further penalties late on.

Jermain Defoe wasn’t the only Tottenham striker on target on Saturday. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored two penalties in the space of six minutes as Russia beat Liechtenstein 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

Birmingham have suffered a major blow after striker Cameron Jerome was ruled out for another month with an ankle injury. Jerome picked up the injury during the opening league game against Portsmouth, but the injury is more serious than initially feared. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish said: “The news is not great. It was one of those ligament-type injuries.”

Portsmouth’s new signing Aruna Dindane will not be rushed back into action and could be sidelined until October as he looks to make a full recovery from a knee injury. Portsmouth boss Paul Hart said: "I don't know if he'll play this month. We've got to be conservative with a player who hasn't played for quite a while. You can't just stick him into a game because there are different stresses and strains.”

Barnsley say talks are ongoing in their bid to appoint Rotherham’s Mark Robins as their new manager. Director Don Rowing said: "We're hoping to set up another meeting very soon; hopefully we can get a deal sorted. We would probably have to pay Rotherham compensation, but at this stage we've not reached that stage in the negotiations." Robins was not at the Don Valley Stadium as Rotherham beat Chesterfield 3-1 to go top of League Two.

Saturday 5 September

Dwight Yorke has decided to retire from league football and concentrate on a career in coaching and management. The 37-year-old former Aston Villa and Manchester United striker was released by Sunderland in the summer and has decided to call it a day. But the former Trinidad and Tobago international has already become assistant manager of his national side.

Chelsea should have their appeal against a transfer ban heard by December, according to the Court of Arbitration Sport. Chelsea have appealed against the 12-month ban on making signings, which was imposed on them on Thursday by FIFA after an investigation into their conduct over Gael Kakuta’s move from Lens.

Barnet are top of League Two after coming from behind to win 3-1 win at Northampton Town. Ben Marshall gave the Cobblers the lead, but second half goals from Ahmed Deen, Paul Furlong and John O'Flynn gave Barnet a victory that puts them top.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey hit a spectacular volley to give Wales’ Under-21 side a deserved win over Italy in the European Championship qualifiers. The former Cardiff midfielder struck after Italy had equalised the opening goal from Bristol City’s Christian Ribeiro. Wales now have a ten point lead over Italy in their group.

Southend moved into the top half of League One thanks to a hat-trick from former Spurs trainee Lee Barnard in the 3-0 demolition of Leyton Orient. Barnard opened the scoring from the penalty spot close to the hour mark and added two more, one in the final minute, to give the Shrimpers a much-needed boost.

Everton’s new signing John Heitinga believes he can help David Moyes achieve a Champions League spot. The Dutch international joined Everton on deadline day from Atletico Madrid and said: “I want to play in the Champions League with Everton. This is a great club with a great tradition.”

China captain Zheng Zhi has been granted a work permit to play for Celtic in the SPL but will not be able to play European football after arriving too late from Charlton to register for UEFA’s deadline.

Oldham set an unwanted record after their 3-0 home defeat by Hartlepool. The latics have now gone 10 games without a home league win, their worst sequence for 89 years. James Brown, Leon McSweeney and Denis Behan scored Hartlepool’s goals.

Friday 4 September 2009

Chelsea have been banned from signing any players until January 2011 after FIFA punished them for an alleged illegal transfer of a player. The club were found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to breach his contract at Lens and move to Chelsea in 2007. The FA Cup winners have decided to appeal the decision.
 
Arsenal will appeal the decision by UEFA to ban Eduardo for two matches. The Brazilian-born Croatian was handed the suspension for diving in Arsenal's Champions League qualifier with Celtic but Arsenal believe the decision was 'deeply flawed'. A statement read: "There are obvious errors and inconsistencies in UEFA's judgment and we intend to appeal."
 
David Trezeguet has decided to leave Juventus at the end of the season. The 32-year-old former Monaco striker wants a new challenge, although he is determined to end this season with Juve on a high. The Frenchman said: "I've spoken with my family and we have reached this decision after 10 years in Turin - but I want to bow out with a title."
 
England Under-21 defender Curtis Davies could require surgery to cure a persistent shoulder problem. Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has signed James Collins and Richard Dunne as he fears Davies could be out of action for some time. O'Neill said: "I'm pleased Dunne and Collins are on board. Curtis will probably be out for a fairly lengthy period. Surgery is looking likely."
 
Michael Ballack will consider his international future after the World Cup. The German midfielder, 33, says he will have a big decision on his hands after the showdown in South Africa next year. He said: "This will be a new situation for me that I need to think carefully about."
 
Portsmouth teetered on the brink of financial meltdown before their takeover, according to chief executive Peter Storrie. Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim bought the club last week and Storrie admits Pompey flirted with administration. "On a couple of occasions it (going into administration) got very close," he said.
 
Manchester United playmaker Gabriel Obertan will be ready for his debut in October, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. The United manager bought the Frenchman for £3m in the summer although he has been struggling with a spine injury. Ferguson said:  "I think he'll be back in about a month to six weeks' time. We're taking our time with him because we want him back and at 100 per cent."
 
Rotherham manager Mark Robins has been put on gardening leave after he held talks with Barnsley. Millers chairman Tony Stewart said:  "Mark has confirmed that his talks with Barnsley FC are not yet concluded and as such, whilst he remains our manager, it has been agreed that he will take a period of gardening leave until the matter is resolved."
 
Steve Claridge, 43, has come out of retirement to help cash-strapped Weymouth. The former player-manager of the non-League side will play for nothing as he tries to help the club out of trouble. Dave Higson, Weymouth's acting chairman, said: "Steve will not be coaching or managing, just playing some games to help out in our survival bid."
 
Salisbury, another troubled non-League club, have been placed into administration although the club is confident they can survive. As a result of falling into administration, Salisbury have been docked 10 points.
 
TRANSFER NEWS: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has joined Hull on a two-year deal after the 30-year-old was released from Celtic while former West Ham goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, 36, has joined Tottenham.

Thursday 3 September 2009

Xabi Alonso says he made up his mind to leave Liverpool when the club tried to sell him last summer to raise funds for an aborted attempt to sign England midfielder Gareth Barry. "Last summer the club proposed to me that I might have to be sold to find funds for new players...that moment probably changed my mind and I thought that from that moment that maybe it was time for a change," said Alonso, who joined Real Madrid for £30m this summer.

Gary Cahill has been called up to the England squad for this weekend's friendly against Slovenia and next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Croatia. The Bolton centre-back is included by Fabio Capello as cover for injury doubts John Terry and Wes Brown.

England left-back Ashley Cole has signed a new four-year deal with Chelsea. The former Arsenal man has committed his future to Stamford Bridge until 2013.

Aston Villa have completed the £6m signing of Richard Dunne from Manchester City.

Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner have both committed their futures to Arsenal, with the two 21-year-olds both signing new contracts described as 'long-term'.

Portsmouth duo Kanu and Papa Bouba Diop have signed new contracts at Fratton Park. Both have penned new one-year deals, while Diop has an option to extend his contract to 2012.

Aidy Boothroyd has been appointed Colchester's new manager. The former Watford boss replaces Paul Lambert, who left to join Norwich City last month.

Peter Jackson has been sacked as Lincoln City manager. Jackson had been in charge at the League Two side since October 2007.

Rotherham manager Mark Robins has been given permission to talk to Barnsley after the Championship club made an approach to talk to the former Manchester United striker about their vacant managerial position. Simon Davey left the Tykes after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Reading.

Luton Town have postponed their home game against York City, scheduled for September 19, on police advice. A protest march was also scheduled for the same day.

Kettering Town have signed former England youth striker Moses Ashikodi on a free transfer.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Barnet of League Two pulled off a shock 2-0 victory over League One side Millwall in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, thanks to goals from Jake Hyde and Ismail Yakubu at Underhill. League Two promotion hopefuls Bournemouth also continued their fine early-season form, beating Yeovil 2-1 with goals from Brett Pitman and Alan Connell. Five games went to penalties with Gillingham beating Colchester on spot-kicks, Hereford overcoming Bristol Rovers, Carlisle winning a shoot-out at Morecambe, Bury following suit at Walsall and Northampton pulling off a shoot-out win at Wycombe.
 
Arsenal striker Eduardo has been handed a two-match suspension by UEFA for diving to win a penalty against Celtic. Arsenal have three days to appeal the decision.
 
Everton produced the biggest signing on transfer deadline day after paying £6m to sign Holland international defender Johnny Heitinga, 25, from Atletico Madrid. Heitinga has signed a five-year deal.
 
Croatian international midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who could face England at Wembley in a World Cup qualifier next week, has moved from Portsmouth to Tottenham in a deal worth around £2m. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said:”He's a fantastic player and I've already got two fantastic Croatian players – Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka - who can help him settle in."
 
Another Croatian star on the move is striker Ivan Klasnic, 29, who has signed a season-long loan deal at Bolton from Nantes."Ivan is a player we've been tracking for a while," Bolton boss Gary Megson said. "His goalscoring record is good and he has excellent pedigree internationally and domestically in Europe."
 
Aston Villa signed West Ham defender James Collins on transfer deadline day after he turned down a move to Stoke City – who have instead signed Danny Collins from Sunderland for £2.75m.
 
Burnley have signed Portsmouth and England striker David Nugent on a six-month loan deal, with an option to buy, at the end of transfer deadline day, subject to Premier League approval.
 
Other transfer deadline day highlights in the Premier League: Watford defender Mike Williamson has moved to Portsmouth; Fulham have signed Swedish striker David Elm on a one-year deal from Kalmar FF; Hull City have brought in Ibrahima Sonko on a season-long loan from Stoke after selling Michael Turner to Sunderland; Birmingham have taken Finnish star Teemu Tainio on loan from Sunderland for the rest of the season; Newcastle have brought free agent Peter Lovenkrands back to St James’ Park on a three-year-contract; Portsmouth snapped up Israeli international Tal Ben Haim from Manchester City.
 
Crystal Palace have signed free agent Claude Davis, a former Derby defender and Jamaican international, on a two-year deal. Reading signed Darren O’Dea from Celtic on loan - but only after he agreed a new three-year deal at Parkhead -  while Bristol City took Evander Sno from Ajax, also on loan.
 
Leigh Bromby signed for Leeds from Sheffield United in a £250,000 deal and revealed it had been  his childhood dream to play for the Elland Road club after supporting them as a boy. Defender Bromby, 29, said: "There was no decision to make once I knew Leeds were interested."
 
Torquay snapped up Brentford midfielder Marvin Williamson on a short-term deal after he was released at Griffin Park. And Devon rivals Exeter have also been busy, taking striker Stuart Fleetwood on loan from Charlton and Oscar Jansson from Tottenham.
 
Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has been confirmed as the new coach of Italian giants Roma after signing a two-year deal.

Tuesday 1 September 2009

England and Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2014. Chelsea released the following statement: "This reaffirms both John's and Chelsea's long-stated desire for him to be at Stamford Bridge for the rest of his playing career."

West Ham have allowed striker Savio Nsereko to join Fiorentina in exchange for defender Manuel Da Costa. Savio goes back to Italy just seven months after moving to London in a £9million deal with Brescia.

Wolves have signed Austria striker Stefan Maierhofer from Rapid Vienna for an undisclosed fee and on a three-year deal. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We are delighted to bring Stefan in as our ninth summer signing.

Sunderland have signed Hull defender Michael Turner for an undisclosed fee. The central defender, 25, has agreed a four-year deal.

Danny Guthrie scored the only goal of the game for Newcastle as they beat Leicester City to take top spot in the early season Championship table. The match was watched by former manager Alan Shearer, owner Mike Ashley and potential buyer Barry Moat amid talk that an America-based consortium has contacted the club about a potential takeover bid. Elsewhere in the Championship Crystal Palace went to Peterborough and came away with a 1-1 draw.

Portsmouth have failed in an attempt to sign former Wigan striker Amr Zaki. The player, back in Egypt with his club Zamalek, is the subject of interest from the Premier League side, according to his agent Nader Shawki, who is quoted as saying: “Portsmouth have made an official bid for Zaki, but Zamalek said they wanted to keep him and rejected any possibility of his exit.”

Birmingham City striker Garry O’Connor has been called into the Scotland squad for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Holland.

Wolves have signed Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade. Wolves have an option to make the move permanent for Ecuador midfielder Castillo, 27, who was on loan at Everton last season.

Monday 31 August 2009

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor kept his and the club's impressive early season record going after he scored in their 1-0 win at Portsmouth on Sunday. The Togo striker has scored three goals in three league games while City, who are fourth, have yet to concede a goal this season.
 
Everton left it late to record their first win of the season as Leighton Baines scored a last minute penalty to earn David Moyes' men a 2-1 victory at home to Wigan. Paul Scharner had given the Latics the lead before Louis Saha's strike and Baines' late show.
 
Aston Villa moved up to eighth after a 2-0 win at home to Fulham. Martin O'Neill's side bounced back from their Europa League elimination in midweek with an own goal from John Pantsil and a strike by Gabby Agbonlahor in the second half.
 
Tottenham have been rocked by news that Luka Modric will miss the next six weeks with a broken leg. The creative Croatian midfielder sustained the injury in Saturday's 2-1 win over Birmingham and he will also miss his country's World Cup qualifying clash with England. Modric said: "It's like my whole world has crumbled because I will be out for at least six weeks. I am terribly sad."
 
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp reckons Peter Crouch will be vital to England's World Cup plans. The Three Lions are on the verge of booking their place in South Africa 2010 and Redknapp thinks Crouch deserves his place in the squad. After the England striker scored in Spurs' 2-1 win against Birmingham on Saturday, Redknapp said: "I love Crouchy - that's why I keep buying him. He was different class when he came on. That's why England need Crouch, because he's Plan B for England as well in my opinion. He's a player you have to take to a World Cup because he gives you something completely different."
 
Paul McShane has joined Hull for an undisclosed fee. The Republic of Ireland defender has signed a four-year contract at the KC Stadium, having spent time on loan with the Tigers last season.
 
Dmytro Chygrynskiy has completed a medical ahead of his proposed switch to Barcelona. The Champions League winners will pay around £20m for the Shakhtar Donetsk defender, 22. He said: "I feel lucky to sign for Barca. I'm hoping to improve and form a part of this great team."
 
Didier Drogba is determined to reach a century of goals for Chelsea. The Ivorian striker has penned a new contract at Stamford Bridge and he wants to reward manager Carlo Ancelotti's faith in him by adding to his Chelsea tally of 97. Drogba said: "To be able to score 100 goals for Chelsea is a big achievement - I've never done that with my other teams.That shows how settled I am here and now I want to go on and break all the records I can."
 
TRANSFER NEWS: Jake Livermore's loan deal from Tottenham to Derby County has been extended to 1 January; Everton will give a medical to Holland defender Johnny Heitinga on Monday, ahead of his proposed move from Atletico Madrid; Aaron Niguez's loan deal at Rangers has been cut short, allowing the Spanish youngster to join Celta Vigo  and Yaya Toure says he does not want to move from Barcelona to Manchester City.