Football news round-up 15-21 Feb

Sunday 21 February

Manchester United’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown suffered a huge setback after they lost 3-1 at Everton. The reigning champions took the lead through Dimitar Berbatov, but Dinyar Bilyaletdinov, Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell secured a fine win for the hosts.

That allowed Chelsea to move four points clear at the top after a double from Didier Drogba secured a 2-0 win at Wolves. Arsenal are now just two points behind United after they beat Sunderland 2-0. At the bottom, Portsmouth’s plight has gone from bad to worse after Salif Diao scored a last minute winner for Stoke as they won 2-1 at the bottom of the table side. West Ham secured a morale-boosting victory, though, beating fellow relegation contenders Hull 3-0.

In the Championship, Newcastle have moved five points clear after they beat Preston 3-0. Nottingham Forest are up to second after they claimed a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough, and QPR eased their relegation worries by winning their first game since the departure of Chairman Flavio Briatore, beating Doncaster 2-1.

League One leaders Norwich suffered a setback as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Southampton, although second-placed Leeds could only cut the deficit to three points as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Brighton.

Moving in to League Two and Rochdale were the big winners, restoring their five point lead at the top by beating Dagenham and Redbridge 3-1, while Bournemouth could only draw 1-1 with Macclesfield.

Nathan Elder and Danny Kedwell scored the goals as AFC Wimbledon gave their hopes of promotion from the Blue Square Premier a huge boost by beating play-off rivals Luton 2-1.

Notts County face a bleak future after chief executive Jim Rodwell admitted their chances of going into administration are ’50-50’ after revealing the club have debts of £6m. "I would say [administration] at the moment is probably 50/50,” he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

Bobby Zamora has been backed to make a late bid for England’s World Cup squad by Fulham midfielder Simon Davies. The striker has scored 14 goals this season ahead of today’s (SUN) game with Birmingham. "Bobby is absolutely on fire and if he keeps doing what he's doing then there isn't any better (striker) like him in the country," said the Welshman.

Glyn Garner, Sam Lechmere and Arian Retkoceri have all signed for Grays Athletic on free transfers.

Saturday 20 February

Queens Park Rangers chairman Flavio Briatore has stepped down at the club.  Current managing director Ishan Saksena will replace the Italian.

Ryan Lowe scored a second half penalty as Bury beat promotion rivals Shrewsbury in League Two. Elsewhere, Elliott Benyon's late strike salvaged a draw for Torquay away at Rotherham, who had taken the lead through Danny Harrison.

Wayne Rooney will face former club Everton when Manchester United travel to Goodison Park on Saturday and David Moyes reckons the striker could become one of the world’s greatest players. "I think time will be the test of whether he becomes the best in the world but he is certainly getting very close to it,” he said.

Chelsea will be without influential midfielder Frank Lampard for their Premier League clash away at Wolves on Saturday, although the England star is expected to be fit for their Champions League tie against Inter Milan next week.

John O’Shea is refusing to set a date for when he will return from a leg injury. The Manchester United midfielder has been out since November and he said: “It is hugely frustrating – especially with the Champions League starting up again.”

Jonathan Woodgate is another player suffering from injury and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says it is unlikely the defender will play again this season. "This season? It's going to be doubtful.  Please God he does but I wouldn't want to say he will play this season,” he said.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has turned his back on the chance of playing for Holland during this summer's World Cup. He said: "I will not be going to the World Cup. I ended my international career and I won't be changing my decision.”

Inter Milan’s Walter Samuel has vowed to mark Didier Drogba out of the match when Chelsea head to Italy in the Champions League on Wednesday. "Marking a forward like Drogba is difficult, but if we remain tight to him he will always have problems receiving the ball," 
said the 31-year-old Argentina international.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is set to open talks with owner Carson Yeung regarding a new contract at St. Andrews. McLeish said: "I am supposed to be having talks with Carson about the real terms of the new contract because that has not been discussed.”

Weymouth fans will be offered free entry for Tuesday’s game against Braintree Town as an apology for their 6-0 defeat at Basingstoke Town. Weymouth chairman George Rolls said: "This is not what we at the football club expect and you as paying fans do not deserve."

Dutch club Ajax will be forced to make spending cuts, according to their financial director Jeroen Slop. They have made a €9.9 million loss in the first half of their current financial year and will need to cut player wages in order to stabilise.

Friday 19 February

David Ngog scored a late winner to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League. Liverpool head to Bucharest for the second leg of the third round tie next week.

Fulham secured a vital 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League. Zoltan Gera fired the home side into an early lead before Luiz Adriano grabbed an equaliser. But Fulham striker Bobby Zamora scored the crucial match-winner midway through the second half to give them an advantage going into the second leg in Ukraine.

Wolves have been handed a £25,000 suspended fine by the Premier League for fielding a weakened team against Manchester United back in December. Manager Mick McCarthy made ten changes and his team lost 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Portsmouth have asked the Premier League if they can sell players outside the transfer window. The south coast club are desperate to raise some money before their winding-up petition at the High Court on 1 March.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is ready to commit his future to the club and sign a new contract. McLeish said: “I plan on staying at Birmingham. I see my future here and I'm sure we can work something out.”

Jimmy Bullard could make his long-awaited comeback from injury against West Ham on Saturday. Bullard has been ruled out since the start of December with a knee injury but is set to be on the bench for the crucial six-pointer at Upton Park.

Nemanja Vidic insists he has no intentions of leaving Manchester United. Vidic has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford but he is determined to honour his contract and said: “I will repeat for the 100th time: my contract with Manchester is until the summer of 2012 and I want to stay in Old Trafford until the last day.”

Arsenal are hoping to welcome back keeper Manuel Almunia and midfielder Alex Song for the league game against Sunderland on Saturday. Almunia missed the 2-1 Champions League defeat against Porto with a finger injury while Song was missing with a back problem.

Thursday 18 February

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 at Porto in the Champions League as goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski endured a difficult night in Portugal. The young Pole helped a Silvestre Verela cross over his own line for the first goal and then, after Sol Campbell equalised, picked up a back-pass and conceded the free-kick from which Falcao made it 2-1. Arsenal still have a chance to go through in the second leg, however.

Arsene Wenger has complained Porto’s controversial second goal should not have been allowed. The Arsenal manager felt Sol Campbell’s backpass was accidental and the Portuguese should not have been allowed to take the kick quickly -  before Arsenal had even been able to assemble a defensive wall.

Ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben was on the scoresheet as Bayern Munich beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the Champions League.

Wigan and Bolton played out a goaless draw in the Premier League. Matt Taylor had three chances to score, and move Bolton out of the relegation zone, but could not find the net.

In the Championship, Newcastle United produced a convincing 4-1 victory over Coventry City to go three points clear at the top. Clinton Morrison put the visitors ahead but goals from Wayne Routledge, Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands and Ryan Taylor sealed a fine comeback from the leaders. Elsewhere, Reading beat Crystal Palace 3-1 away from home thanks to two goals from Simon Church and one from Jimmy Kebe.

In Scotland, Rangers beat St Mirren 1-0 in Scottish Cup thanks to a late goal from Kris Boyd while St Johnstone beat Hibernian 5-1 in the SPL. Liam Craig and Cillian Sheridan both scored twice.

Alan Curbishley says he is ready to work again after his compensation claim against West Ham was settled by the club. Curbishley, who left Upton Park in September 2008, won his case for constructive dismissal and a compensation fee has now been agreed. “I am now looking forward to getting  back into management,” the 52-year-old said.

Former Chelsea temporary manager Guus Hiddink has been named as the new manager of Turkey. He will begin the role after his contract with the Russian national side ends on 30 June.

Jamie Carragher has been cleared to play for Liveprool against Unirea in the Europa League tonight after recovering from a groin injury.

Peter Taylor, the former England Under-21 Head Coach, has been named as the new manager League Two side Bradford City after Stuart McCall stepped down from the role.

Notts County’s new owners have failed in a bid to get the club’s transfer embargo lifted following a meeting with the Football League.

Wednesday 17 February

Wayne Rooney inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 win at the San Siro in the first-leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan. Ronaldinho opened the scoring for the Italian giants before Paul Scholes equalised for the visitors. Rooney then scored two headers for United before Clarence Seedorf pulled one back.

In the Europa League, Everton beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the first-leg of the last-32 tie between the sides. Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin put Everton two ahead before Miguel Veloso scored a late penalty for the away side.

Manchester City moved up to fourth in the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Stoke City. Glenn Whelan opened the scoring for Stoke from long range but Gareth Barry equalised for City in the dying moments. Meanwhile, Stoke have been boosted by the news that key midfielder Matthew Etherington could return to action within weeks rather than months from a knee injury picked up against Manchester City in The FA Cup at the weekend.

West Brom returned to the top of the Championship with a 1-1 draw at Cardiff. Peter Wittingham gave Cardiff the lead before Gianni Zuiverloon equalised on the stroke of half-time. Elsewhere, Robert Earnshaw scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield United 1-0, Peterborough came from behind to defeat Ipswich 3-1 while Derby triumphed with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Preston.

In League One, Leeds United succumbed to their first home league defeat in 26 matches as Walsall beat them 2-1 at Elland Road. Clayton McDonald scored the late winner for the visitors. Promotion chasing Huddersfield won 2-1 at Carlisle and Colchester beat Yeovil 1-0.

Hereford secured a 2-0 win over Aldershot in League Two, where Lincoln City beat Accrington Stanley 2-1 and Morecambe overcame Burton Albion with a 3-2 victory.

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool earlier this month. Everton manager David Moyes said: "He's not good. He's going to have an operation and it's probably going to keep him out for six months."

Arsenal have travelled to Porto for their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday without a host of first-team players. Andrei Arshavin, Eduardo, William Gallas, Manuel Almunia and Alex Song join long-term absentees Robin van Persie and Carlos Vela on the sidelines.

Neil Warnock, the Crystal Palace manager, has been asked by The FA to explain comments made after his side’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in The FA Cup on Sunday.

There is also good news on the injury front for Bolton, who could have defender Gary Cahill back before the end of the season after he was sidelined with a blood clot in his left arm.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Welsh midfielder Jason Koumas will be allowed to join another club on loan. Martinez said: "We have had clear interest from two teams, he needs to play games.”

Tuesday 16 February

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic did not travel to Italy for United's Champions League first leg match against AC Milan with a leg injury. Rio Ferdinand is available.

Andrey Arshavin has a hamstring strain and will not play for Arsenal when they go to Porto for their Wednesday night tie. He hopes to be available for Saturday’s league match against Sunderland.

West Bromwich Albion will be without Gonzalo Jara for the rest of the season after he suffered a broken metatarsal in the weekend's FA Cup draw at Reading.

Ipswich Town striker Jon Stead has signed on loan for Coventry City for the rest of the season and could make the move a permanent one in the summer.

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson has damaged ankle ligaments and has been ruled out of action for six weeks.

Preston North End have signed Peterborough defender Tommy Williams on loan until the end of the season.

Charlton’s automatic promotion hopes from League One suffered a setback as they went down 2-1 against an impressive Bristol Rovers side on Monday night.

Monday 15 February

Aston Villa earned an FA Cup Fifth Round replay against Crystal Palace after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. Bulgarian midfielder Stylian Petrov headed a late equaliser for the visitors after Darren Ambrose thought he had scored the winner for Palace. It was the second time Villa had pegged back their hosts after Johnny Ertl’s opener for the Championship club was cancelled out by James Collins’ effort.
 
Elsewhere in The FA Cup, Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers also face a replay after their 2-2 draw at the Reebok Stadium. Kevin Davies gave Owen Coyle’s side a deserved first-half lead but England striker Jermain Defoe equalised for the visitors after the break.
 
Fulham ended Notts County’s fine FA Cup campaign with a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage. Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and Stefano Okaka scored the goals.
 
The FA Cup quarter-final draw was made immediately after the game at Selhurst Park and handed holders Chelsea a home draw against either Manchester City or Stoke.
 
Fulham will play the winners of Bolton and Tottenham in the last eight while Portsmouth will host Birmingham City. The winners of the replay between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will travel to Reading or West Bromwich Albion.
 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has declared his desire to keep goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City for at least one more season. McLeish said: “I've put into the system that our chief executive should be talking to City about next season.”
 
England hopeful Gary Cahill is making a good recovery from the blood clot that was feared to have ended his chances of going to the World Cup, according to Owen Coyle. “We don't want to get ahead of ourselves but the clot has dissolved. We'll revisit it in two weeks and we'll see what the picture is,” said the Bolton manager.
 
Stoke winger Matthew Etherington has undergone a scan to find out the full extent of the damage done to his knee during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City in The FA Cup.
 
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he has already received approaches regarding opportunities at other English clubs after leaving Notts County on Thursday. He said: "Agents have phoned me with a lot of different jobs, but I will wait until I have a real offer from a chairman of a club or a country."
 
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he could return to Manchester United one day in the future. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Old Trafford last summer in a world record £80m move.