Premier Bosses In Deadline Scramble

Barclays Premier League clubs have until midnight tonight to bolster their squads this season as the January transfer window closes.

A number of possible moves were still in the pipeline this morning, with Middlesbrough waiting to hear whether they would be able to sign Heerenveen's Afonso Alves for a club record fee.

The Brazilian striker was in the crowd at the Riverside for Tuesday night's Premier League victory over Wigan and has appealed a decision to reject his application for a work permit.

Manchester City face a similar problem in their bid to recruit Nashat Akram and were waiting to see whether the Home Office would reconsider its decision to refuse the Iraq midfielder a work permit.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been on the lookout for a goalscorer all month and is reportedly eyeing up Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari.

It is thought too Eriksson could be close to tying up a deal for FC Basle striker Felipe Caicedo.

Even though he is only 19, Caicedo has international experience and represented Ecuador at the Copa America last year.

Eriksson needs to boost his attacking options after letting under-performing Georgios Samaras and Rolando Bianchi join Celtic and Lazio on loan respectively.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has made a late bid to sign Charlton midfielder Andy Reid. It is understood the Black Cats have tabled an offer in the region of £4million for the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international.

Fulham's hopes of making Rangers striker Daniel Cousin their fifth January signing also hang in the balance after FIFA claimed yesterday they had still to make a decision on his £3million transfer.

Cousin played 20 minutes of league football as a substitute for French club Lens before completing his summer switch to Rangers and FIFA regulations forbid a player from playing for more than two clubs in one season.

Although midnight on January 31 is the official cut-off point for transfers, special dispensation to complete signings beyond that deadline can be sought.

Newcastle appeared set to make a host of signings following the return of Kevin Keegan as manager but he admitted yesterday he may end the month without making a single purchase.

Keegan must decide whether to make an improved offer for Derby midfielder Giles Barnes after seeing a bid rejected by the Premier League's bottom club this week.

Rams manager Paul Jewell has revealed he would be prepared to sell at the right price.

Keegan has already been snubbed by Jonathan Woodgate, who chose to leave Middlesbrough for Tottenham and the Magpies boss had been expected to turn elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

Spurs finally put an end to the Alan Hutton transfer saga yesterday by signing the full-back from Rangers for a fee believed to be in the region of £9million.

He could yet be joined at White Hart Lane by Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, if Spurs make a formal approach for the wantaway winger.

That decision could be influenced Wayne Routledge's move to Aston Villa.

Routledge became Villa first signing of the month when he agreed an 18-month deal in a transfer believed to be around £1.5million.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is also being linked with a £2.2million move for goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who plays for MLS side Chivas USA as well as Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda.

Bolton last night won the race to sign Aston Villa central defender Gary Cahill, in a deal believed to be worth around £5million.

The young centre-back has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Reebok Stadium, after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Rafa Confident On Euro Qualification

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool can still qualify for next season's Champions League, despite another Barclays Premier League defeat at West Ham on Wednesday night.

Mark Noble struck deep in stoppage-time at Upton Park to give the hosts a 1-0 victory, leaving Benitez's men without a league win since Boxing Day and virtually out of the title race.

They are 17 points off the pace in seventh place, only four points ahead of West Ham after Noble held his nerve.

But Benitez believes his side will at least qualify for Europe.

"Yes," said the Spaniard.

"Champions League."

When asked if he believes he will be given the time by Liverpool's owners to turn it around, he said: "Yes. We will improve - because we can improve."

Luis Boa Morte wasted two glorious opportunities for the hosts either side of half-time, and West Ham also hit the bar when Noble's free-kick was glanced on by Steve Finnan.

However, Benitez still felt defeat was harsh - and he also wanted a penalty when the ball struck Lucas Neill in the second half.

"Did we deserve to lose? I think we deserved to win," he said.

"If you analyse the game, you can talk about the game. If you analyse the result, you can talk about the result.

"I am a manager, so I have some experience. We must think about how to improve, how to take our chances and how to win games."

Benitez is not thinking about where Liverpool stand in the title race.

"I'm thinking just about the next game and I will try to win the next three points against Sunderland," he said.

"Our next game is more realistic to think about."

Asked if the American owners of Liverpool will be analysing the game, he said: "I don't know if they have a TV.

"Everything is behind (us), and we will start thinking about winning games."

The Hammers, meanwhile, are quietly staking their claim for a European place - despite their injury problems this season.

"We've got to win our home games and keep the run going," said manager Alan Curbishley.

"We've lost three (league) games in 15 - and those were to Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.

"We've had to use everything we've got. We've had players playing out of position - and we've had to change players during games - but we've shown great character. The fans should be pleased with that attitude."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Ronaldo Doubles Puts United In Top

Cristiano Ronaldo increased his goal tally this season to 27 as his double against Portsmouth saw Manchester United return to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The 22-year-old claimed two goals in three minutes as United cruised to a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo put United ahead in the 10th minute when he beat the offside trap to collect Nani's pass and slipped the ball across David James.

The Portuguese added a spectacular second with an unstoppable free-kick over a static Portsmouth wall and into the net before goalkeeper David James had even moved.

In the final minute, Nani beat two defenders before seeing his shot go narrowly wide from an acute angle.

Chelsea equalled a club record of nine successive wins in all competitions, set in 2005 under Jose Mourinho, with a 1-0 success at home Reading.

The victory means the Blues are now unbeaten in 75 consecutive league games at Stamford Bridge - and they remain in third place.

Chelsea almost took the lead when Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann attempted to punch the ball clear but succeeded only in sending it towards his own net where John Oster cleared off the line.

However, the hosts went ahead in the 33rd minute when Michael Ballack converted Paulo Ferreira's cross from the right with a towering header.

Shaun Wright-Phillips spurned the chance to extend the lead when he hit the ball straight at Hahnemann.

Nicolas Anelka's shot went just wide, before the Frenchman's header cannoned off Hahnemann.

Everton and Tottenham shared a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, with the hosts remaining in fourth place.

Andy Johnson came closest in the second half when he found himself unmarked in front of goal following a sharp turn - but his shot was saved by Radek Cerny.

Johnson was also involved in the most dramatic moment of the first half when he tumbled under the attention of Tom Huddlestone.

Referee Andre Marriner waved away all appeals, and it looked more like Johnson had tripped over his own feet.

The hosts had the most of the possession but they could not breach a solid defence in which Jonathan Woodgate made an assured debut.

Mark Noble scored an injury-time penalty to claim West Ham's 1-0 win over Liverpool at Upton Park.

Noble kept his cool to convert the spot-kick, after Jamie Carragher brought down Freddie Ljungberg as the Hammers counter-attacked.

Liverpool were fortunate not to have been a goal down at half-time, after Steve Finnan headed against his own crossbar on 26 minutes.

Earlier, Luis Boa Morte blazed over when the Reds panicked as Lee Bowyer tussled.

Boa Morte then snatched at the ball when unmarked in front of goal.

Liverpool remain without a league win since Boxing Day.

Derby shared a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Pride Park, the visitors leapfrogging Liverpool into sixth.

Derby took the lead immediately after half-time when Kenny Miller's shot, which was going wide, hit Sun Jihai and went into the net.

However, City replied through Daniel Sturridge in the 63rd minute - the teenager getting his second goal in two games when he converted from close range from Martin Petrov's left-wing cross.

Source: www.sportinglife.com

Man Utd Get Arsenal in Cup

FA Cup Fifth Round Live Draw

Match 1Bristol Rovers vSouthampton

Match 2Cardiff City vWolves

Match 3Sheff Utd vMiddlesbro'

Match 4Liverpool vBarnsley

Match 5Man Utd vArsenal

Match 6Preston NE vPortsmouth

Match 7Coventry vWest Brom

Match 8Chelsea vHuddersfield

Redknapp Wants Best From Baros

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has toasted the loan signing of Milan Baros, describing it as a "terrific opportunity" for the club.

Baros, who has previously played in England for Liverpool and Aston Villa, will provide a timely boost for Redknapp's depleted squad - with four players, including forwards Kanu and John Utaka, on African Nations Cup duty.

The 26-year-old striker joins from French side Lyon and Pompey have also secured an option to buy the Czech Republic forward if the move is a success.

"It's a terrific opportunity to have a look at him," Redknapp told the club's website.

"It's a loan deal until the end of the season and then we'll see how it goes from there."

Baros has failed to make an impact with Lyon and has found himself out of favour at the Stade Gerland.

But Redknapp is convinced he has signed a player of real quality.

"He's a good player who has played at Liverpool and Aston Villa - and he's been the golden-boot winner at a European Championship.

"He's got pace and he makes good runs."

Baros' arrival could spell bad news for fellow forward David Nugent, who has endured a difficult start to his Barclays Premier League career.

He signed from Preston in the summer for over £6million but he was soon linked with a move away from the club and has only moved back into the first XI since the departure of Kanu and Utaka to Ghana.

Baros now looks likely to leap ahead of the England international and stake his claim to build a partnership with 12-goal leading scorer Benjani Mwaruwari.

He is Redknapp's third signing this month, joining former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra and French defender Lucien Aubey.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Ronaldo Relishing Cup Run

Cristiano Ronaldo is intent on lifting the FA Cup after steering Manchester United into the fifth round.

The Portugal winger scored twice, once from the spot, in the 3-1 victory against 10-man Tottenham at Old Trafford.

United stormed back after Robbie Keane had opened the scoring for the Carling Cup finalists, with Carlos Tevez getting the equaliser.

Now Ronaldo wants to make up for the disappointment of losing to Chelsea in the final last season.

He said: "We are in the next round of the cup and that is what is important.

"This cup means a lot to the supporters so we want to go and win it for them. I am confident that we can go on and do that now."

The turning point of the game came when Tottenham defender Michael Dawson was sent off in the 68th minute for handball.

Ronaldo scored from the spot and added another late on when the ball squirmed under goalkeeper Radek Cerny's body.

It means he has achieved a seasonal best for the club of 25 goals - and the campaign still has four months to run.

Ronaldo said: "It is fantastic to keep scoring but I must say thanks to my team-mates. They are helping me to have a great season.

"Sometimes you miss penalties and sometimes you score but my confidence was positive so I was happy to take it.

"I never think about whether I have missed in the past or not so it was not a problem to take the penalty."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted at the way his team responded to Keane's goal.

The added bonus was a 20-minute cameo by former England midfielder Paul Scholes.

It was his first taste of action in three months following a knee operation.

Ferguson said: "I am happy with the result because Spurs came into the game on the back of a fantastic win against Arsenal in the Carling Cup so we knew it wouldn't be easy.

"It was a very open match and I think it was a fantastic cup tie where both teams contributed to what was a great game.

"We dominated possession and we created a number of opportunities but maybe our final ball wasn't as good as it can be which let us down a bit."

Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos insisted that the scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game.

They squandered a number of good chances to force a replay at least with Jermaine Jenas particularly wasteful.

Ramos said: "We matched Manchester United at all times and had many possibilities to score.

"The result is closer than the score suggests. I thought we coped well with the challenge of playing them on their own ground.

"There were some decisive moments in the game and we deserved more from it."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Inter Held But Pato Inspires Milan

Serie A leaders Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Udinese to bring an end to their eight-match winning streak.

However, coach Roberto Mancini will be relieved his men kept their unbeaten league record intact after playing for 70 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Cesar at Stadio Friuli.

And despite the result, Inter hold a five-point cushion over Roma at the top of the standings with opponents Udinese a distant fifth.

While Inter were held, their city rivals AC Milan had Alexandre Pato to thank for a 2-0 victory in a mid-table battle with Genoa.

The Brazilian, who only recently made his debut, nodded the first home in the 65th minute and the visitors' task was made all the more difficult shortly after that when goalkeeper Rubinho was dismissed.

The hosts made good use of their numerical advantage as Pato struck again eight minutes from time to help Milan climb into seventh place.

Juventus kept their faint title hopes alive after bringing to an end 10-man Livorno's fine unbeaten run with a 3-1 away win.

David Trezeguet bagged a brace either side of an Alessandro Del Piero strike as the Bianconeri bounced back from successive draws to close the gap on Inter to 10 points.

Fiorentina left it late to maintain their push for Champions League qualification as they won 2-0 to deny Empoli a much-needed point in their fight for survival.

Adrian Mutu and Giampaolo Pazzini struck in the final four minutes as La Viola recorded their fifth league win in a row to move four points clear of fifth-placed Udinese.

Last season's surprise package, Empoli, in contrast could be waving goodbye to top-flight football in May if their woeful form continues.

A second-half fightback from Reggina saw them come from 2-0 down to earn a point from a 2-2 draw at Atalanta.

Goals from Claudio Rivalta and Antonio Langella had put the home side in command before Luca Vigiani and Edgar Baretto struck to earn a vital point for Reggina, who climb out of the relegation places as a result.

Rolando Bianchi endured an ignominious debut for Lazio after being sent off five minutes after coming on in the second half of the Roman club's scoreless draw with Torino.

Torino also played with a man down after losing Simone Barone on the stroke of half-time, but the Biancoceleste were not able to capitalise on the short time they had an extra player on the pitch.

Bianchi, who moved from Manchester City earlier this week, started on the bench but was introduced on the hour mark only to earn two yellow cards in five minutes.

The result leaves Lazio in 14th place, three points clear of the drop-zone, while Torino are 16th in the standings.

Struggling Cagliari ended a run of six defeats with two goals deep in stoppage time helping them to secure a 2-1 victory over Napoli.

Already missing star midfielder Manuele Blasi, Cagliari looked like making it seven straight losses when they fell behind to Marek Hamsik's 58th-minute goal.

But Alessandro Matri levelled three minutes into stoppage time with a spectacular long-range effort and Daniele Conti headed in the winner a minute later.

Catania and Parma battled out a disappointing goalless stalemate on Sunday which does little to boost either side's flagging season.

Neither side established any supremacy in a poor first half which was largely spent in the middle third.

In Saturday's action, Alessandro Mancini's second-half header fired title-chasing Roma to a 1-0 victory over 10-man Palermo.

Mancini grabbed the only goal shortly after the hour mark and just after Palermo defender Leandro Rinaudo had been sent-off.

That was all the Giallorossi needed to temporarily close the gap on leaders Inter to four points.

Sampdoria jumped into sixth place after sweating their way to a 1-0 win over Siena.

Despite the visitors' overall supremacy, a goal from Antonio Cassano in the 44th minute was enough to earn a fortunate three points for Walter Mazzarri's men.

It also ensured a double over Siena, following Samp's 2-1 win on the opening day of the season.

But the Tuscan side will feel a little hard done by after once again playing well in Genoa, but coming away with a defeat which leaves them on the brink of the bottom three - into which they could drop on Sunday.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Sharapovas`s Olympic Dream

Fresh from securing her third grand slam title and her first Australian Open crown, Maria Sharapova has now set her sights on securing a gold medal for Russia in this year's Beijing Olympics.

Sharapova might have lived in the United States since the age of nine and speaks with an American accent, but the 20-year-old is so looking forward to representing the country of her birth in August that she said winning a gold medal at the Olympics would mean more to her than claiming a second Wimbledon crown.

"I think because I already have a Wimbledon title, I'd take the Olympic gold medal," Sharapova said. "But if it was any other tournament, I would say Wimbledon."

Sharapova spoke of her love for her native country after downing Ana Ivanovic in Saturday's women's final at Melbourne Park to add the Australian Open to her 2004 Wimbledon and 2006 US Open successes.

"I moved to the United States because of my career but if I didn't have this career I'd probably be back home in Russia in college right now, as is one of my friends that I grew up with back there.

"But those are some of the things you have to sacrifice in your life, in your career. I got the opportunity to move to a new place that taught me ... that made me more mature and basically has given me so many opportunities in my life."

But the chance to represent Russia at the Olympics is a dream come true for Sharapova and something she has coveted for a long time.

"I think for tennis players it's just incredible to be a part of it (the Olympics)," Sharapova said.

"I'm very much looking forward to the opening ceremony and that's one of the things I was always watching on TV (as a child) because my parents used to allow me to stay up late to watch the opening ceremonies.

"I'd wait until Russia would come out but they would always be near last because of the alphabetical order and that would kill me because it would be about 1am in the morning.

"But then I'd put my white hat on because that is what they were wearing and walk around the house, so that (participating in the opening ceremony) is something that I'm very much looking forward to."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Djokovic Ends Tsonga Dream

Novak Djokovic became Serbia's first ever grand slam champion on Sunday after beating the unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final of the Australian Open.

The third seed from Belgrade conceded the first set to the world number 38 but rallied to register a 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7/2) triumph in three hours and six minutes.

The victory marks the first grand slam crown for 20-year-old Djokovic, who upset world number one Roger Federer in the semi-final.

Tsonga made an uncertain start to the match, ceding his opening service game to his opponent, but Djokovic, his forehand misfiring, committed the same offence to let Tsonga off the hook.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, who defeated second seed Rafael Nadal in the last four, again had Djokovic on the ropes on his next service game, bringing up two break points that the world number three did well to repel before holding.

The match settled into a rhythm with the players holding to 4-4, but the manner in which Tsonga put himself 5-4 ahead, sending down three aces in succession, suggested that he had stolen the early psychological edge.

And so it proved in the 10th game, Tsonga racing to a 0-30 lead on the Djokovic serve and holding his nerve when the Serbian pulled level at 30-30.

But Tsonga brought up set point with a brilliant forehand winner on the next point and closed out the set with a sensational lobbed winner after chasing down Djokovic's well-placed forehand.

The second set went with serve for the first six games, although Djokovic's service game to love to bring up 3-3 suggested that he was starting to find his rhythm.

And he delivered on that in the next game as Djokovic secured a crucial break to move 4-3 ahead when Tsonga missed a forehand.

After both players held for 5-4, Djokovic pulled level in the match after racing to a 40-0 lead and claiming the set on an ace.

And Djokovic underlined the turnaround in the match in the third game of the third set, forcing break point on the Tsonga serve and wearing his opponent down with a tireless baseline rally before the Frenchman fired wide of the tramline.

Djokovic brought up two set points on the Tsonga serve at 5-3, but the Frenchman hit a winner to save the first and Djokovic netted on the second to hand Tsonga a reprieve.

But the Serbian was not to be denied and, after another set point came and went, Djokovic finally claimed the set when Tsonga's miscontrolled a forehand volley at the net.

The fourth set went with serve in the early exchanges but when Tsonga had Djokovic on the ropes at break point at 5-5, the Serbian retreated to his controversial habit of 'over-bouncing' the ball before service.

As Tsonga threatened to force his way back into the match, Djokovic bounced the ball 22 times before his service, riling Tsonga and getting the crowd on his back.

A second such incident drew jeers from the crowd and a lengthy discussion between Tsonga and the umpire, but Djokovic held his nerve to hold.

Tsonga shrugged off this moment to take the next game and force the tie-break.

Djokovic raced into a 4-1 lead in the tie-breaker, but a double fault from Tsonga stretched the gap to four points to leave the Frenchman staring into the abyss.

Tsonga held his next serve to pull back to 5-2, but Djokovic won the next point to bring up four championship points.

And he duly delivered at the first time of asking when Tsonga hit wide of the tramline to become the youngest winner of the men's title in Melbourne.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Djokovic Stunts Federer

World number one Roger Federer has crashed out of the Australian Open in straight sets to Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian sensation won their semi-final 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7/5) in two hours 27 minutes and is yet to drop a set.

It is the first time Federer has failed to reach a grand slam final since falling to clay-court master Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the French Open in May 2005.

The 26-year-old reigning champion showed signs of his top form, especially in the third set tie-break, but Djokovic held on for a famous win.

The world number three will now face surprise package Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's final.

Frenchman Tsonga, 22, is the first unseeded player to reach his first ATP final in a grand slam tournament in 11 years, and began the tournament ranked 38 in the world.

Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko won the women's doubles final.

It marks the first major titles for the unseeded Ukrainian sisters, who rallied for a 2-6 6-1 6-4 victory over number 12 seeds Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Israel's Shahar Peer.

The Bondarenkos, who won as a tandem for the first time in 39 events, are the first sisters to win the Australian Open women's title since Americans Serena and Venus Williams in 2003.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Robinson Denies Wanting Spurs Exit

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson insists he has not asked to leave White Hart Lane although he admits to being unhappy with the circumstances of his omission from the team.

The 28-year-old was dropped for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal earlier this month and has not played since Spurs' 2-2 FA Cup draw with Reading at the start of January when he was at fault for both goals.

It was the latest in a series of blunders that led to manager Juande Ramos dropping the England goalkeeper and led to suggestions Robinson could be looking to leave the north London club.

However, when asked if he had had a fall-out with Ramos, Robinson told Sky Sports News: "It's not exactly a fall-out. I was disappointed to be left out - like any professional would be - but I'm certainly not angry at being dropped by the team if you like.

"Every professional player gets phases like that in their career. If the manager decides I'm not performing and I'm not up the standard he wants at the time then he picks the team and I can't argue with that.

"I was disappointed with the way the situation was handled let's say.

"I saw reports yesterday saying I've put in a transfer request, I've never put in a transfer request."

When asked if he could leave during the transfer window he replied: "Definitely not."

He did, however, admit that he would have to reassess the situation if he was unable to regain his place in the team, saying: "Any professional worth their salt wants to play.

"If I don't play between now and the summer I've got a decision to make.

"If the club turn around to me and say I've got no future at the club then that's a whole different situation.

"As of yet that's not the situation."

Robinson has been under the spotlight since his high-profile blunder for England in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia in October 2006.

Since then, his form has been scrutinised and he admits he has been affected by the criticism.

"The press and media seem to be having a lot of fun and games at my expense recently and I seem to be reading stuff day in, day out," he continued.

"The truth of the matter is I'm getting my head down and working as hard as I possibly can to get my place back.

"I've taken a lot of criticism over the last 12 months. I think it's affected me. I think it's unfair. At times my confidence has dipped, but I'm rebuilding it again."

Robinson also admits he would not be surprised if he was left out of new manager Fabio Capello's first England squad.

He told the Daily Mirror: "I have got to start again and build again with England. I don't think I can expect to be in the squad this time.

"I am not playing football and if that's the case I can't expect to be selected. I will be surprised if I am.

"If I am considered, fantastic. But I don't think that will be the case and I am ready for that.

"I am not arrogant enough to say I should be picked based on what I have done before. It's a new manager that has come in, he will have his own opinions and we will have to wait and see.

"But this whole situation is an incentive for me to get my head down at Tottenham and concentrate on getting my place back."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Hargreaves Targets Cup Success

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves is intent on helping Manchester United go one step better this season and win the FA Cup.

The England international was wearing Bayern Munich's colours last May when Sir Alex Ferguson's side lost to Chelsea.

Hargreaves made the move to the Barclays Premier League champions in the summer for £17million and got a taste of the FA Cup for the first time two weeks ago.

He helped United defeat Aston Villa and now Carling Cup finalists Tottenham arrive at Old Trafford in the fourth round on Sunday.

Hargreaves told MUTV: "To play at Wembley against one of the top teams would be brilliant.

"But we will take step by step, focus on Tottenham and take it from there.

"They have some fabulous players and I think it is just a case of them trying to find the right balance.

"I look forward to every game and the atmosphere against Tottenham will be exceptional.

"As it is a home game for us, it becomes a must-win situation."

Assistant manager Carlos Queiroz believes the draw has been unkind to United.

"Playing Aston Villa then Tottenham, we deserve to be in the final," he said.

"It is not common to play so many good teams so early in the competition. We deserve an easier task.

"However, to be at home is a great advantage, if only because we do not have to travel."

While the squad were away in Saudi Arabia this week, Paul Scholes was stepping up his recovery from a knee operation.

The former England midfielder has an outside chance of making his comeback in the Cup match.

Hargreaves said: "He is looking good in training. Everyone knows the quality Scholesy brings to the team.

"If we can get him back, it would be a massive boost for us."

Louis Saha remains doubtful with a knee problem while Gary Neville is unlikely to be risked as he recovers from a long-standing ankle injury.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Ferguson Hopes For Beckham Century

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes new England boss Fabio Capello would be wrong to deny David Beckham his 100th international cap.

Former England skipper Beckham has had his differences with both Ferguson and Capello in the past.

The breakdown in Ferguson and Beckham's relationship led to the player's move from United to Real Madrid in 2003, while the announcement of the 32-year-old's move to Los Angeles Galaxy last year irked then Real boss Capello.

But Ferguson does not want a player of Beckham's stature to be left stranded on 99 caps and the Scot said: "To deny him his 100th cap would not be right and I think Fabio Capello has made up his mind about that.

"In fact, I don't think there is any doubt about that."

With skipper John Terry injured, Beckham could even be a candidate to captain the team in next month's friendly against Switzerland.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard should also come into contention but Ferguson feels Capello could do no worse than turn to United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Ferguson said: "Rio has captained us a few times this season and experience is important in that role. Rio has more than 50 caps.

"John Terry has the position so I don't think Rio will be looking at it as the be-all and end-all. If it happens, I think he will be happy.

"He wouldn't have captained my side if he wasn't capable of captaining England."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Djokovic Into Last Four

Novak Djokovic turned on the style to outclass David Ferrer and move through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in impressive fashion.

The number three seed started at a breathtaking pace in clinching the first set before eventually closing out a 6-0 6-3 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena.

Fifth seed Ferrer, whose progress to the last eight has gone largely unnoticed, was expected to pose a stiff challenge for the 20-year-old.

But Djokovic eventually proved too good for the Spaniard after rattling through the first set in short order.

The second was more competitive with Ferrer having a chance to break the Serb at 2-2, only for Djokovic's serve to dig him out of trouble before going on to break his opponent and take the set 6-3.

Djokovic again took charge early in what turned out to be the final set but Ferrer had a chance to break at 4-3 down, only for the third seed's booming serve to once again prove crucial.

But 25-year-old Ferrer did not give up and drew level at 5-5 after a lengthy deuce to break his opponent's serve.

However, he handed the advantage right back in the next game to trail 6-5 and Djokovic then went on to convert his fifth match point with a stretching backhand winner to serve notice he is a serious contender for the Australian Open crown.

Source : www.sportinglfie.com

Arteta Raring To Go

Mikel Arteta aims to make up for lost time after being forced to miss Everton's Carling Cup semi-final first leg through suspension.

The Spanish playmaker, sent off against Arsenal in December, had to endure a three-match ban and sat out the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.

But Arteta is back now and aiming to guide Everton into their first cup final in 13 years.

"I was suspended from the first leg and it was hard sitting and watching that game," he said.

"I did not want to miss it and I was unhappy with the way I got the red card.

"Now I want to be in the side to help the team get to the final. That is the objective.

"We want to win finals, win trophies and make this club bigger. Everyone wants to do that.

"It will be a crazy atmosphere, everyone will go mad and get right behind the team. But we have to give the fans what they want, keep them behind us."

Everton will give late fitness tests to Andrew Johnson, Leon Osman, Manuel Fernandes and Tony Hibbert, and are missing Joseph Yobo, Steven Pienaar and Ayegbeni Yakubu on African Nations Cup duty.

But Arteta believes Everton have the strength to cope.

He said: "We are all very excited, we cannot wait for the game and we are all being very positive about it. This is a great chance for the club.

"It will be a great atmosphere and we are ready for it, no doubt about that.

"There is no fear. We need to cut out the mistakes we have made recently, certainly when we are close to the end of a game we must make sure we do not give away what has been achieved in the match.

"Small mistakes, small details, that is what costs a team. But if we want to play at this level we have to cut out those errors.

"We must get used to playing semi-finals and finals. Chelsea have that experience, but we do not."

Boss David Moyes refuses to contemplate a Wembley visit before Chelsea have been overcome.

He said: "I could not be thinking about a final while we are still to play Chelsea, we are 2-1 down and face a hugely difficult game. I do not want to start talking cheap.

"It will still need a monumental performance from us now. But we have had some really big performances this season, although I accept that we have not beaten the teams who are now above us in the league table, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. And of course Liverpool too.

"But we drew at Chelsea in the league, so we are not far away against teams at that level.

"Something has to give in our favour, and I must make sure it is this time.

"Chelsea are a fine counter-attacking side, they will enjoy getting us to come onto them and wait for the mistakes to exploit.

"We have to be patient and wait for the one goal we need to get ourselves back into the tie."

Source : www.sportinglfie.com

Ramos Hails Spurs Improvement

Juande Ramos admitted his surprise at the rate of Tottenham's development following Tuesday night's emphatic Carling Cup semi-final win that left Arsenal's players appearing to turn on each other.

Spurs ended their miserable run against their rivals in style, the 5-1 victory at White Hart Lane sending them to Wembley next month to face Chelsea or Everton.

After more than eight years without defeat to Spurs, Arsenal's players lost their cool towards the end of the clash, with pictures suggesting Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner confronted each other.

Having such an effect on Arsenal seemed remote when Ramos took over from Martin Jol as manager at the end of October, when the club were struggling at the wrong end of the Barclays Premier League.

"Yes, it's been a big change," said Ramos. "But without the collaboration of the footballers themselves, this would have been impossible. The huge effort the players have made to come out of a bad situation means we have been improving.

"We're involved in everything at the moment. I want to publicly recognise that they are the architects of this change."

Ramos has played his part, though, with his changes behind the scenes.

The result has been extending his remarkable record in knockout competitions; he has not lost a cup tie in two years.

"Really I'd want to win everything, whether it's a cup competition or the Premier League or the UEFA Cup," the Spaniard added.

"Sometimes you don't get the luck. But, really, I don't know why I'm particularly good at knock-out competitions."

Jermaine Jenas got the ball rolling on Tuesday night with a third-minute strike, then Bendtner headed into his own net before the break.

Robbie Keane added a third after the restart and Aaron Lennon grabbed a fourth.

Adebayor came off the bench and found the top corner but Steed Malbranque wrapped up the scoring in stoppage-time.

"We put the record straight (against Arsenal) so fair play to the lads," said Jenas.

Keane added: "I've been here a long time, it's been a long wait to get to a final but it's been worth the wait. I know how much it means to the players and also the fans."

Reaching the final gives Spurs a chance to win their first trophy since 1999 when the won this trophy.

"To get to a final in such a short period of time since I came here is a fantastic achievement," Ramos said. "More so for the fans, who are tremendously happy.

"It's been a long time since they've had a flavour of a final. That makes it all the more satisfying."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Gunners Duo Made A Mistake

William Gallas has admitted team-mates Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Adebayor "made a mistake" as they clashed in the closing stages of Arsenal's Carling Cup defeat by Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Spurs ran out comprehensive 5-1 winners on the night and 6-2 on aggregate to book their place at Wembley, and a bad night for the Gunners was made worse when Bendtner and Adebayor squared up as the clock ticked down.

As the pair waited for Cesc Fabregas to swing in a late corner, Adebayor appeared to lash out at Bendtner, apparently cutting the Danish striker's nose and forcing shocked team-mates to step in and pull the duo apart.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claimed afterwards he had not see the incident saying: "I don't know what you're talking about."

But club captain Gallas witnessed the clash at close quarters and admitted that the behaviour of the duo was unacceptable.

"They know they have made a mistake and they will have to explain why they did that," the Frenchman said in The Sun.

"I don't know exactly what happened. I think everyone was disappointed about the score. It was very difficult to accept.

"They are both young and nervous but they have to understand. We lost our calm."

Match referee Howard Webb took no action against either player at the time but the pair could still face disciplinary action after the footage has been studied by an FA panel.

Source : www.sportinglfie.com

Pompey Laugh Off At Sol Reports

Portsmouth insist Sol Campbell missed Saturday's game with Derby due to injury, and not due to a demand to join Newcastle.

Campbell's absence from the 3-1 win over the rock-bottom Rams sparked rumours about the veteran defender's future at Fratton Park.

There had been suggestions the England international rowed with Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie in the week leading up to the game and that he had stormed out and asked to be allowed to join Newcastle.

But a Pompey spokesman played down the speculation and attributed Campbell's absence at the weekend to a back injury.

"It's quite simple," said the spokesman in The Sun. "Sol had a back problem and he's been having treatment on it all week.

"We hoped he would be fit, but he couldn't make it.

"I spoke to Peter Storrie about it and he laughed and said it was rubbish."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Fedrer Brushes Past Berdych

Roger Federer put his third round scare at the Australian Open behind him, cruising past 13th seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets, 6-4 7-6 (9/7) 6-3 to book his place in the quarter finals in Melbourne on Monday.

Federer, who needed four and a half hours to see off Janko Tipsarevic on Saturday, looked much more at ease against the Czech, although he did have a few anxious moments in the second set before wrapping up the win just under two hours.

It was apparent from early on that Berdych was not going to give Federer many opportunities to establish an advantage.

But the Swiss was just as resilient, conceding just four points on his own serve in the first set before breaking Berdych late on to win it 6-4.

The Czech secured the first break of the second set but a determined Federer broke back quickly to level.

Both men looked strong on serve and it was no surprise when the set went to a tie-breaker.

Berdych twice made unforced errors on set points and then made another mistake on set point to lose 9-7 and go two sets down.

Federer upped his game in the third and was completely dominant on serve and Berdych finally cracked in the sixth game and was broken to love.

From that point on, it was simply a matter of Federer serving out the match and he did so with consummate ease.

The Swiss master now plays James Blake in the quarter finals after the American had earlier beaten Marin Cilic in straight sets.

After this lastest triumph, in a warning to all those eyeing his crown, Federer said he was feeling in top shape despite the five-set battle against Tipsarevic and an interrupted preparation in which he missed the traditional warm-up event at Kooyong due to illness.

"I felt good," the top seed said. "Of course it throws off your rhythm a little bit playing a five-setter, especially during a tournament.

"Usually I play five-setters (only) in finals like in Miami, Rome and Wimbledon so it's a bit different to back it up.

"But honestly I felt good and I am looking forward to seeing how I feel in the next match again."

But Federer is taking nothing for granted against Blake, despite his dominant history against the 28-year-old New Yorker.

"He has improved a lot the last couple of years," Federer said of the American he has beaten in each of their seven meetings.

"He plays incredibly aggressive tennis and he has improved his serve and backhand a lot so I have to be very careful.

"I know his game sort of suits my game and I've had some great matches against him where I always play my very best.

"We'll see what happens this time but I'm excited to play against him.

"He's one the nicest guys on tour, very respected, very sportsmanlike so it's going to be enjoyable to play against him."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Fergie Was `Expressing Relief`

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has denied making offensive gestures to Reading fans, claiming he was merely celebrating a hard-fought victory at the Madejski Stadium.

The Scot was seen on television pictures appearing to respond to taunts by home supporters but has said he was just concentrating on the 2-0 win which kept his side top of the Barclays Premier League.

"All I was doing was expressing my relief at winning what was one of our hardest games of the season," the United boss told the Daily Mirror.

"Reading always make it tough for us. We ran so much that we clocked up more kilometres than we have in any game this season."

Ferguson also defended the club's trip to the Middle East to play in a testimonial for former Saudi Arabia international Sami Al-Jaber on Monday night, a game which will net United a reported £1million.

"The one thing I am sure about is that this trip won't do us any harm," he told The Guardian.

"We're back on Thursday and that gives us three days to prepare for Tottenham (in the FA Cup on Sunday)."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Valencia Hammered at Villareal

Villarreal crushed near neighbours Valencia 3-0 on Saturday to keep up their challenge for a place in next season's Champions League.

Goals from Robert Pires, Nihat Kahveci and Joan Capdevila gave the home team an easy win over a Valencia side that looks to be in freefall.

Ronald Koeman's men have now gone eight league games without a win and should this form continue for much longer they could even find themselves drawn into a relegation battle.

Getafe edged out Sevilla 3-2 in a dramatic five-goal thriller in Madrid.

Luis Fabiano gave the visitors the lead after quarter of an hour, but Francisco Javier Casquero and Juan Luis Albin struck either side of half-time to give Getafe a lead which they kept until the last minute.

Igor Dragutinovic looked to have salvaged a point for Sevilla with a late leveller, only to see his team slip to a 10th league defeat of the season following Cosmin Contra's dramatic late winner in injury time.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Mancini Keen On Ronaldinho

Internazionale boss Roberto Mancini still holds out hope the Serie A leaders could make a shock swoop for Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian playmaker has has a torrid time at Barcelona this season and has been heavily linked with moves to Chelsea and Inter's city rivals AC Milan.

But, ahead of his 200th game in charge of the Serie A giants, Mancini confirmed the Nerazzurri's interest in the 27-year-old who has yet to play in 2008 as he recovers from a knee injury.

"Two months ago I said Inter were going to sign Ronaldinho," said Mancini. "And no one believed me, in fact everyone started laughing.

"I don't think it would be a problem fitting him into a squad. Ronaldinho is a great player.

"What's more important than behaviour is that a champion steps onto the pitch and changes the game and Ronaldinho does that always."

Reports in Italy suggest that Inter could be set to offload troubled star Adriano to offset the hefty costs of bringing Ronaldinho to the San Siro.

And the money that Inter would net from the sale of Adriano, currently on loan at Sao Paolo where he bagged a brace on his debut, could be on the up if the Brazilian's dazzling form for his new club continues.

"It was important for him to return to Brazil," added Mancini. "He's rediscovered his enthusiasm.

"Here, after a few goals he was charged with too great a responsibility."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

United Stay Top With Reading Win

Manchester United remain at the top of the Barclays Premier League after second-half strikes from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo gave them a 2-0 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side had been frustrated for large periods of the game but eventually got the breakthrough in the 77th minute through Rooney.

A clever dinked ball from Carlos Tevez was met by Rooney inside the penalty area and he was able to direct the ball past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann into the bottom right corner of the net.

Ronaldo added a second in the third minute of injury time after United broke with a swift counter-attack and the Portuguese winger calmly slotted home.

Arsenal remain behind United on goal difference after striker Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice to help his side a 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The visitors had applied the early pressure and it paid off in the 19th minute when they took the lead through the Togo international.

Neat interplay allowed Gael Clichy to break clear down the left flank and his cross picked out Adebayor, who powerfully headed the ball past a static Antti Niemi and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Adebayor collected his 15th Premier League goal of the season in the 38th minute when he headed an Alexander Hleb cross past Niemi.

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky capped a fine performance and scored Arsenal's third with a volleyed finish in the 81st minute.

Chelsea kept up the pressure on the top two after they claimed a 1-0 win over a battling Birmingham side at St Andrews.

Striker Claudio Pizarro headed home a Juliano Belletti corner in the 79th minute to give Avram Grant's side victory.

Kevin Keegan's return to Newcastle for a second spell as manager ended with a 0-0 draw against Bolton on Tyneside.

The best chance fell late on to Trotters substitute Jlloyd Samuel but his effort was saved by Shay given.

Benjani Mwaruwari grabbed a hat-trick as Portsmouth ended their a six-match goal drought at Fratton Park with a 3-1 win over Derby.

Defender Lewin Nyatanga had given the visitors the lead in the fourth minute with a close-range header but Harry Redknapp's side responded positively,

Benjani equalised in the 38th minute after he latched on to pass Pedro Mendes and turned to smash the ball into the top right corner.

The Pompey striker added a second four minutes later after he headed a cross from Hermann Hreidarsson past Derby goalkeeper Lewis Price.

Mwaruwari added his 12th Premier League goal of the season 10 minutes after the half-time break following a swift counter-attack.

The Zimbabwe international was put clean through by Mendes before he calmly stroked the ball past the despairing dive of Price and into the bottom right corner.

Tottenham claimed a 2-0 win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane.

Spurs took the lead the second minute, with Lennon netting on his 100th appearance for the club.

Jamie O'Hara's perseverance created the chance after he stole the ball off Sunderland defender Paul McShane and crossed the ball from the left flank.

O'Hara's cross squirmed past Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Collins but Lennon was able to stab the ball past Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Keane latched on to a long ball from goalkeeper Radek Cerny before he unleashed an 18-yard strike in the second minute of added time.

Blackburn missed out on the chance to push themselves into the UEFA Cup places after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Middlesbrough.

Gareth Southgate's side opened the scoring at Ewood Park in the 13th minute from a set-piece that caught the home side napping.

David Wheater raced in on the blindside to get his head on the end of Stewart Downing's free-kick and Brad Friedel managed to get a hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it going into the net.

But Mark Hughes' side equalised in the 75th minute through Matt Derbyshire who tapped home Jason Roberts' knockdown inside the six-yard box.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

United Eye ` New Robinho`

Manchester United have joined the battle to sign Neymar da Silva - arguably the brightest young talent in Brazil.

Neymar is 15 but has already trained with the Santos first team and is being heralded as the 'new Robinho' - as he is very similar in stature and technique and also comes from the same team.

Real Madrid are very much at the front of the queue to land Neymar as they have already agreed a pre-contract with his agent Wagner Ribeiro - Robinho's representative.

Real signed a deal in August that runs until June 2011 - but the issue is that they have only signed with the player's representative and nothing has been agreed with Santos.

Now United's South American scouts have latched onto Neymar and have made enquires with Santos - as have Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Despite the huge amount of interest, Brazilian sources claim the battle is a straight fight between Real and United.

Santos, who realise Neymar cannot sign a professional contacrt until he is 16, have already acted to counter this by finalising a deal for his image rights until 2015. This means they are due £13million if he goes elsewhere.

Real are not too happy about this as they thought they had a deal sealed for Neymar - but now they know they have to agree terms with Santos if they want to secure the player.

Neymar is currently starring in the Copa Sao Paolo - the Copinha, which is the most important junior tournament in Brazil.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Benitez : Focus On Football

Rafael Benitez believes his Liverpool players can put to the back of their minds the power battle raging at the club as they try to hang onto the coat-tails of the top three in the Barclays Premier League.

By the time Liverpool face Aston Villa on Monday at Anfield, they could be 15 points off top spot with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all playing against teams from the bottom half of the table today.

If that is not a big enough problem for Liverpool's stars, the very public disagreements about the future financing and even ownership of the club is also hanging over Anfield.

American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are trying to negotiate a re-financing package with British and American banks, while Dubai International Capital wait in the wings with a potential new offer for the club.

Benitez said: "I am not finding it difficult to prepare for a game, I am trying to prepare for a game properly.

"The players are good professionals, they showed that with their performance against Luton in the FA Cup in midweek, and they also showed that the FA Cup is important for us.

"I do not think they are affected too much by things off the pitch, they are focused and they know we want to be as high as possible in the Premier League. They can continue to give their best."

Liverpool are in a battle with Villa, Everton and Manchester City for fourth spot, and Benitez expects Monday's challenge from the Midlanders to be strong.

He said: "There are four teams all very close, but we do have one game in hand. However, Villa are having a good season and they will have a lot of confidence.

"I have confidence in my team. We will fight for a good position at the top of the table, but I am not just thinking about fourth spot I am thinking much higher than that, as a target that is what we must be looking for.

"I have a responsibility, and especially now. That responsibility is to do the best for my club, to work hard and prepare well for every training session and every game.

"I am doing this and trying to concentrate. I am aiming to give the fans my best all the time and for the team to do the same."

Liverpool will be without Daniel Agger for the Villa game, the Danish defender having suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal injury.

Benitez said:"We are disappointed with what has happened to Daniel Agger. We felt he was ready.

"But when he was training last weekend, he felt something when he was tackling. It was right at the end of the session, it was not serious but enough to cause us concern.

"We have talked to specialists to try to find an answer. But he is now working hard again with the medical staff.

"He had been training well for two weeks, then he just had a little bit of bad luck and he is out again. Maybe it will be two weeks before he is ready again."

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch insists he is happy to stay at Anfield and fight for his place.

The 26-year-old has been the subject of much speculation having fallen down the pecking order after the summer arrival of club-record signing Fernando Torres.

However, he told the Liverpool Echo: "Everyone talks about me talking to clubs. Maybe it's because I'm not playing every game but at a club like Liverpool you're not going to play every game.

"I've come to realise that this is the case at a club like this."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Neils : We Must Hammer City

Captain Lucas Neill insists it is "imperative" West Ham get a result from Sunday's trip to Manchester City to keep their season alive.

The Hammers return to Eastlands just four days after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Sven-Goran Eriksson's side and are determined to bury their disappointment and push for European qualification.

West Ham are seven points off sixth place with a game in hand - albeit against Liverpool - and boast the best defensive in the Barclays Premier League outside the top four.

Manager Alan Curbishley believes that is the ideal foundation to launch an assault on European qualification - and Neill last night sounded the battle cry.

He said: "We were bitterly disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup by a team unbeaten at home in the league. It is imperative we do not lose this weekend.

"A win will see us close the gap on fourth place and keep tabs on the group of teams just ahead of us and of course keep us in the hunt for a European spot.

"We go into the game with a lot of confidence from the FA Cup performance and an attitude that seeks revenge."

West Ham were let down in midweek by their lack of creative attacking options, with Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora, Scott Parker, Nolberto Solano and Kieron Dyer all sidelined.

Nevertheless, the Hammers engineered a handful of decent chances but could not convert - and then paid the price when Elano stooped to head in the winner.

"It was a harsh lesson and it shows the need for us to score when we have dominant periods in a game," Lucas added on www.whufc.com.

"We need to get that ruthless streak in us."

As Curbishley awaits the return of Bellamy and company he has hammered home that same message as he targets the UEFA Cup.

"What I have said to the side, certainty the offensive players, is 'give us something a bit more, let's take our chances and be more clinical'," said Curbishley.

"We can all see where we can get to. We feel we have given ourselves a base, a bit of a chance to push on. We are looking to get into that top six or seven.

"If we can get a result at Manchester City we can see them as well. I am looking at the fixtures thinking 'let's attack the run-in'.

"We have to be looking upwards not downwards."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Keegan Calls For Time

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has admitted it will take him time to restore the club's fortunes.

The 56-year-old has returned to Tyneside after an 11-year exile and immediately set his sights on dragging the Magpies from the ranks of the also-rans to a position where they can fight for honours.

Keegan came mightily close to landing a first league title since 1927 in 1996 when his side saw a 12-point lead dissolve as Manchester United overhauled them.

He headed back to St James' Park citing unfinished business as his motivation, but he knows there is a way to go before the current crop can make a similar impact.

Keegan, recalling how he had told Sir Alex Ferguson Newcastle were coming to get Manchester United as they won promotion back to the top flight, he said: "Unfinished business, if I had come back a year later, would have been trying to win it.

"Realistically now, let's try to get a challenge on again. It is more difficult now.

"You might think a lot about me, but I am not a fool. I did not make those statements last time because I just wanted to sound good.

"I knew that my team that we had built in the first division was capable of not only coming into the Premier League at that time, but was one of the best teams in the Premier League already."

Keegan's arrival has left as many questions unanswered as those which have been resolved, perhaps most notably Michael Owen's future - the manager insists he has one on Tyneside - and the prospect of Alan Shearer joining him at the helm.

But perhaps more immediate are his efforts to strengthen a squad he admits is threadbare, armed with owner Mike Ashley's cash.

Keegan insisted cash had not even come into the equation as he talked over an offer he could not resist.

He said: "(Ashley) has told me what he wants and I think we can deliver it.

"I know if I want to bring someone here and it is right for this football club and I go and ask him, I will get the finance.

"Whether I can convince the player to come here or not, they are other questions."

Keegan's presence on Tyneside represents a major triumph for Ashley and chairman Chris Mort, who have delivered just what the fans wanted in the wake of Sam Allardyce's ill-fated reign.

The billionaire has had plenty of opportunities to gauge opinion during his afternoons sitting alongside the supporters, although Mort is adamant that the decisions to dispense with one manager and employ another were taken by he and Ashley alone.

Mort said: "You can hear what the fans are saying even where I sit.

"If you are going to be influenced, you will be influenced wherever you sit in the ground.

"They are customers at the end of the day, so we have had feedback on all sorts of issues including the manager in recent months.

"But it is us who decide what the right thing is to do. The fans won't drive that, but we will always listen to people."

Meanwhile, Newcastle yesterday completed the signing of Hungary Under-21 defender Tamas Kadar.

The 17-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half year deal after he spent a few weeks on trial from Hungarian club Zalaegerszegi TE.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Anelka : I Will Make Drogba Stay

Nicolas Anelka intends to make every effort to get Didier Drogba to stay at Chelsea.

Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain following the departure of Jose Mourinho in September.

The striker made his desire to leave the club very public in a France Football magazine interview earlier this season, but Anelka claims he would be foolish to quit.

Drogba later regretted making his remarks public and reaffirmed his commitment to Chelsea but rumours continue to circulate that he will leave at the end of the season.

The striker is currently away on international duty in the African Nations Cup but Anelka intends to persuade him to stay when he returns.

Anelka said: "I think when he comes back I will speak with him because he doesn't know anything about what happens when you leave England.

"I know because I did it and I know when I was outside of England and the Premier League it was hard. I would tell him to stay because he will not find what he has at Chelsea and in England anywhere else.

"I spoke with him yesterday and I told him I'm looking forward to playing with him. I don't know what he thinks about his future but I will tell him to stay and we can be good together.

"I did it before, I know what happened in my life. I will speak to him and try to explain what happens when you leave.

"He is a big star in England and a big star in Chelsea and everybody loves him. It's up to him if he decides to leave - what can you do? - but I will tell him not to."

Anelka believes the timing would be wrong if Drogba decided to leave.

"He's 29 I think and if he wants to come back it's going to be very difficult. I did it when I was 20 so I could come back," he said.

"He's nearly 30, so if he signs somewhere and he regrets it, it's very difficult to come back.

"I don't regret leaving Arsenal, I knew what I had to do. When Real Madrid come to you, it's difficult to say no.

"You never know what will happen in your future. I did what I had to do and I'm just happy because I won the Champions League. I have no regrets. Life is like that."

Anelka was branded 'Le Sulk' earlier in his career for his moody persona but the former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton player insists the tag was unjust.

Anelka added: "It was more outside of football than football. People were talking about my character.

"I think it was wrong because if you ask all the players I played with they would never say anything wrong about me.

"I don't like to speak too much. Maybe people thought it was arrogance or something but I was very young and couldn't speak good English so it was very difficult for me.

"I knew I couldn't stay very long in Spain. You can't do anything. You drive, people recognise you, you go to a restaurant and you have paparazzi outside. I prefer the life in England.

"In Spain it was hard outside the pitch so I couldn't play well on it. I knew I couldn't stay any longer.

"In England it's different. I like England and I like the way players live their life here. When I'm happy outside I'm happy in my football."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Mclaren - Becks Deserves 100th Caps

Steve McClaren wants Fabio Capello to hand David Beckham his 100th cap when England play Switzerland next month.

As Capello's predecessor in charge of the national team, McClaren was responsible for Beckham's 99th appearance two months ago against Croatia, and believes it is only right that the midfielder reaches the century mark on February 6.

"I sincerely hope he gets it," said McClaren. "He deserves it, he's worked hard. He would have achieved it already but for injuries at the end of the campaign.

"It's a friendly, he knows the manager. I think the whole country would like to see it as well."

McClaren controversially dropped Beckham for his first game in charge of England and it seemed it was the end of the midfielder's international career. But in an attempt to revitalise England's ill-fated bid to qualify for Euro 2008, Beckham was recalled by McClaren, giving him the chance to reach the landmark of 100 caps.

The former England manager was speaking after appearing at a coaches' convention in Baltimore, where Beckham has been a constant topic of conversation as US fans await the new season and, hopefully, a fully-fit Beckham in action for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Much of the hype created by Beckham's move to Major League Soccer last season was lost as the 32-year-old was sidelined by ankle and knee injuries, but McClaren expects big things of Beckham this year.

"I've said it to him and I've spoken to other people - it's like a new signing all over again," said McClaren. "Although you've had the furore of David Beckham coming over off the field, now you get David Beckham on the field and that can only be good for MLS."

Beckham's move to Los Angeles last July caused McClaren to take a closer look at the burgeoning American competition, which continues to grow at a rapid rate as it enters its 13th year of existence.

McClaren sees all the signs of a league ready to make its mark on the world stage.

"It's certainly building," he said. "I think with David Beckham coming, its profile has, certainly in England, shot way up.

"I think it's still got a lot of developing to do before it becomes a major force, but knowing the Americans, their ambitions with what they want to do and what they've done with other sports, they're going to be trying very very hard to make MLS competitive and attractive."

McClaren said he made the trip to Baltimore because he feels a responsibility to aid the development of young coaches and give back to the game.

"I'm just waiting for the next challenge, wanting to get back in, and now I'm working for myself and staying in football, being able to help other coaches - I see that as one of my responsibilities as a coach who has come through the system," he said.

McClaren's hopes of a return to the Premier League have been boosted by another former England manager, Kevin Keegan, taking over at Newcastle, while McClaren's predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson impresses with Manchester City.

"It just shows that ex-England managers are not dead and are better for the experience," he said. "People have got to realise that and I think they are doing. Certainly after leaving England, Sven has used his time well and it has served him well.

"With (Newcastle's) fanbase, they love their football, and if Kevin Keenan is the man that can bring them what they've been craving for, then good luck."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Saha Determined To Make Impact

Louis Saha insists he is overcoming his nagging injury problems and can play an important role in the rest of Manchester United's season.

The French striker has struggled with injuries off and on for a couple of years and has started only eight games this season.

Saha missed out on United's 6-0 thrashing of Newcastle last weekend but is now keen to return to the squad.

He told United Review: "I'm definitely getting there. I played two full games in a row over Christmas and that was the first time I'd done that for a while.

"So things are improving and I'm looking to play even more. My target now is to stay fit and keep finding the back of the net.

"I'm a striker and that's my job, and now I want to concentrate on scoring more goals for the team.

"I'm very hard on myself and always want to do better, so I'm not very satisfied with how the season has gone so far on a personal level."

Saha did score twice in the 4-0 win over Sunderland on Boxing Day but wants to do more to repay Sir Alex Ferguson's loyalty towards him.

He added: "I know I can do better, and hopefully I showed that against Sunderland. The manager's always shown a lot of faith in me and that gives me a lot of confidence."

Saha hopes to be in contention for United's trip to Reading on Saturday but Gary Neville is unlikely to figure despite being back in training.

The England full-back needs more time in reserve games under his belt before he returns.

Paul Scholes is also still out but Owen Hargreaves should be available again after missing the Newcastle game with bruised ribs, and Wes Brown is back from suspension.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Hard Work Begins For Keegan

Kevin Keegan is getting down to the business of reviving his beloved Newcastle after making a whirlwind return to Tyneside.

The 56-year-old will be officially unveiled as manager at a press conference on Friday, but there is little doubt that the hard work was already under way by the time he touched down in the north-east on his way to yet another hero's welcome.

Keegan, who has been handed a three-and-a-half-year deal, said: "It's nice to be home. I'm delighted to be back."

He has little time with which to play on several fronts as he re-shapes the club for his latest crack at glory.

He inherits a squad depleted by suspensions and the demands of the African Nations Cup, and a staff of around 20 which had been expensively assembled by predecessor Sam Allardyce.

Fans still coming to terms with owner Mike Ashley's audacious swoop for a man who has never lost his folk-hero status in the city will hope for swift and decisive activity in what remains of the winter transfer window.

However, they will also eagerly await developments on Keegan's backroom staff as talk of a dream partnership with Alan Shearer persists.

The 37-year-old, a world record £15million signing by Keegan during his last spell at the helm, insisted he would happily talk to Keegan if he wanted him on board.

Speaking on BBC1, he said: "If he were to ring me and ask to speak to me, I would certainly speak to him. I'd be foolish not to."

Whatever Keegan decides on that front, he will head into his first game at the helm - Saturday's Premier League clash with Bolton at St James' Park - having already answered the prayers of the black and white faithful.

The announcement of his appointment took Tyneside by surprise, but as shock gave way to unbridled joy, thousands flocked to the stadium to pay their respects and watch Keegan's future charges secure an FA Cup fourth round trip to Arsenal with a 4-1 replay victory over Stoke.

Newcastle had been linked with an ever-growing list of potential candidates in the wake of Allardyce's departure last Wednesday evening and Harry Redknapp's withdrawal from the race to succeed him on Saturday.

Shearer, Mark Hughes, Gerard Houllier and Didier Deschamps had all attracted support with the bookmakers with early backing for Keegan having dwindled.

Ashley and chairman Chris Mort insisted they would take their time to get the right man as, armed with a list of very specific requirements, they set about the task of identifying suitable candidates.

Mort said: "We didn't think we'd be able to get Kevin back to the club but he's the right man and we're absolutely delighted."

Both he and Ashley wore broad smiles as they flanked Keegan in the directors' box last night with the reaction of jubilant supporters concrete evidence of the initial success of their mission.

The ball is now in Keegan's court as he attempts to address the club's immediate on-field problems before looking to the future, although the one thing that is guaranteed is that life will rarely be dull at St James'.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

City Target Podolski Staying Put

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is sure Lukas Podolski will remain at the club, despite interest from Manchester City.

Podolski has had limited opportunities to impress at Bayern since Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose arrived last the summer, and he has been linked with a move away from the Allianz-Arena.

The 22-year-old is reportedly unsettled, and City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is lining up an approach for the striker in the current January transfer window.

But Rummenigge has explained that Jurgen Klinsmann is keen to have Podolski at his disposal when he succeeds Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer.

"It is normal that some clubs are interested in our player," he told setanta.

"We are speaking of a Germany international. We have received an offer for Lukas but he will be there for the second half of the Bundesliga season.

"Our next manager Jurgen Klinsmann has communicated to us a list of the players that are going to be part of his project, and Podolski's name is included.

"Podolski has been underrated (reports suggest he is available for £12 million), he is worth much more money. Manchester City are one of the clubs interested but for us this file is closed."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

We`ll Never Give Up On Ronaldo

Real Madrid say they'll never give up trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

The rumour mill linking the Portuguese superstar with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu has been in full swing for the last year.

And some reports last week claimed the Spanish giants were willing to splash out a world-record £50million to land him in the summer.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has described the constant speculation as "nonsense", while chief executive David Gill says the club have no intention of selling their star player.

But Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic clearly isn't put off by those statements.

He told The Sun: "Ronaldo is an exceptional footballer and, although we know signing a player like that is very complicated, we will just have to keep working on it.

"If one day a chance opens up, then we will be there trying to sign him. He'd grace any team in the world."

Ronaldo has been in stunning form for United this season, and currently tops the Premier League scoring charts with 16 goals in just 17 starts.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Injury Blow For Barry

Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry is battling to maintain his ever-present record this season after the England midfielder suffered a blow to his hip in training.

Villa are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the problem ahead of Monday's Premier League clash at Liverpool.

Barry has played every minute of every game during the current campaign.

Meanwhile, defender Gary Cahill is attracting plenty of interest with Birmingham, Bolton, Wigan, Sunderland, Fulham and Derby all believed to be in the hunt for the player.

Cahill, who has slipped down the pecking order at Villa, has just completed a loan spell with Sheffield United.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill would prefer to do a straight cash deal rather than allow the £4million-rated player to go out on loan again.

He confirmed: "There is a lot of interest in Gary. There have been bids from clubs."

O'Neill admits he is in the dark over speculation linking striker Luke Moore with a move to Reading.

Moore has rejected a new contract although Villa have taken up a year's option on his present deal to the end of the 2008-2009 campaign.

But, as regards Reading's interest, O'Neill said: "That is news to me." Moore has made only eight first-team starts this season.

Unsettled goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen may have to remain at Villa after O'Neill revealed there had been no bids for the Danish international.

Sorensen has found himself number three behind Scott Carson and Stuart Taylor and has indicated a willingness to go out on loan to obtain first-team football.

But O'Neill said: "No one has asked about Thomas."

O'Neill is prepared to allow midfielder Isaiah Osbourne join Leicester on a month's loan once he has shaken off a thigh problem.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Hamilton Happy Despite 2 Spins

Lewis Hamilton brushed aside his double dose of disappointment on his first official test day of the new year.

Hamilton twice went off the track in McLaren's new car on the final day of a three-day session at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

On both occasions the 23-year-old beached his McLaren in gravel, the car returning to the garage on the back of a flat-bed truck.

Hamilton blamed the lack of engine braking for his excursions, one of the driver aids - along with traction control - now banned under new regulations.

"The first time it was just wet," Hamilton said.

"I touched the kerb and just went on to the edge of the gravel - it would be good if there were some proper run-off areas here - and then it was the same again in the afternoon.

"Without these controls helping you on the entry to corners there is a lot more locking of the rear wheels, and when you are on the limit and pushing that is what happens."

Hamilton knows he will quickly have to get used to the new car if he is to again challenge for the world title, as he did last year in his rookie season when he missed out by a point.

"I'm getting used to being without traction control and developing the car," added Hamilton, who still set the second fastest time of the day with a lap of one minute 20.099 seconds.

"But it is so slippery, and even harder without traction control.

"Without these controls it does make it a little bit nervous on exiting corners, which makes it a lot easier to make mistakes.

"But you just have to try and deal with it the best you can. All the teams will have to work hard to understand how to use the power better."

Following a private test last week, Hamilton is at least convinced of the new car's reliability, although there is certainly more room for improvement.

"I've had two and a half days in the car, but I think we've got off to a really good start," he added.

"Even compared to last year it was a big improvement when we went to the first few tests to see the reliability of the car.

"Yesterday, they (team-mate Heikki Kovalainen and official tester Pedro de la Rosa) were doing 120 plus laps, so it just shows how hard they have been working.

"We're moving in the right direction and we just need to keep on chipping away."

But when asked on whether the car was a big improvement on last year's model, he replied: "It will be.

"The car is an evolution from last year, so it feels very similar. Different bits do feel a little better. It will improve."

Rookie Timo Glock surprisingly ended the day on top in the new Toyota, finishing just over 0.3secs quicker than Hamilton, with Fernando Alonso in last year's Renault third fastest.

German Glock, who yesterday felt the car was perhaps not up to scratch, changed his tune today as he said: "I believe we have made some significant improvements.

"It is encouraging to see us end the day with the fastest lap and with the car extremely reliable, allowing us to complete a lot of laps (a day high of 96).

"The team have worked really hard this week to improve the car and I am happy."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Kahn Voices Lehmann Fear

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann risks losing his place in the Germany side by not playing regular first-team football, according to former international rival Oliver Kahn.

Despite playing second fiddle to Manuel Almunia with the Gunners, Lehmann spurned the chance to move back to Borussia Dortmund last week, citing "personal reasons".

A move to Westphalia would have guaranteed him the regular playing time Germany coach Joachim Low is demanding from all his charges in the build-up to Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

Kahn, who lost his place in the Germany team to Lehmann for the 2006 World Cup, told the Bild newspaper: "In the past it would have been unimaginable that a national-team goalkeeper would be on the bench for his club.

"That is a problem, and Jens knows it as well. It is a dangerous situation."

Kahn added: "I am surprised that he (Lehmann) is not looking at every possibility to find first-team football."

Source : www.sportinglife.com