JOELIKAN: 2013-11-03

Friday 8 November 2013

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Thursday 7 November 2013

Ten Manchester United players called up for England duty Six Manchester United players have been called up to the England senior side for friendlies against Chile and Germany next week while four youngsters have been called up to the Under-21s for their Euro 2015 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland. Smalling, Jones, Cleverley, Carrick, Rooney and Welbeck have all been called up by Roy Hodgson and Zaha, Powell, Lingard and Keane have got the call from Gareth Southgate. Given his injury problems, Welbeck may drop out of the squad and there are also fitness concerns about Carrick and Cleverley, both of whom have been sidelined this month with injuries. Rooney will lead the line in the friendlies as his fine form continues and hopefully Hodgson doesn’t use Smalling as a right-back. It will be good to see Zaha get some competitive game time and Powell has been in blistering form for Wigan so far this season, so certainly deserves to start for the Under-21s but Southgate has so far left him out of some of the matchday squads entirely. Here are the squads in full. England senior squad Goalkeepers Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy Defenders Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson,Phil Jones,Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker Midfielders Ross Barkley,Michael Carrick,Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere Forwards Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez,Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge,Daniel Welbeck England Under-21s Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond, Jack Butland, George Long. Defenders: Eric Dier, Carl Jenkinson, Michael Keane, Liam Moore, Jack Robinson, Luke Shaw, John Stones. Midfielders: Nathaniel Chalobah, Will Hughes, Ravel Morrison, James Ward-Prowse. Wide: Tom Ince, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Wilfried Zaha. Forwards: Saido Berahino, Harry Kane, Danny Ings, Nick Powell.

Benitez weighing up £7m raid on former club Chelsea for defender Azpilicueta Rafa Benitez is ready to return to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. The Napoli boss is desperate for a right-back after injuries to Giandomenico Mesto and Juan Zuniga have threatened to undermine the Italian side's strong start to the season. Azpilicueta figured regularly under Benitez at Chelsea but has been on the periphery this season with Jose Mourinho preferring to play Branislav Ivanovic at right-back. Spain international Azpilicueta has vowed to fight for his place but the chance to play regularly again under Benitez will no doubt appeal. Chelsea would be reluctant to sell mid-season but may be persuaded if offers come close to the £7million they paid Marseille for the 24-year-old in August 2012. Benitez is also a big admirer of Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson but that deal would prove more expensive.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce eyes 'big' win over Norwich City SAM ALLARDYCE believes the match against Norwich City is bigger for West Ham than matches against the Premier League's top sides. The Hammers, who have only conceded one goal on the road this season, travel to Carrow Road on Saturday to take on the struggling Canaries. Allardyce feels that the match represents an important chance for West Ham to grab their first three points since the 3-0 victory over Tottenham in early October. The West Ham boss, however, is convinced the clash with Chris Hughton's side will be a difficult test, despite Norwich's 7-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend. Winston Reid will be unavailable for West Ham after suffering an ankle injury in training. West Ham only have one fit senior defender available in James Tomkins, with Welsh international James Collins still recovering from a hamstring injury. Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, Mladen Petric, Matt Taylor and Alou Diarra also remain out for the Hammers. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is eager for his side to take points in their match against Norwich City

Jose Mourinho lavishes praise on 'favourite player' Samuel Eto'o JOSE MOURINHO suggested that Samuel Eto'o was one of his favourite players at Chelsea after the striker scored twice to shoot down Schalke at Stamford Bridge. Samuel Eto'o was the toast of Stamford Bridge after his Chelsea double last night [EPA] Chelsea's 3-0 win keeps them top of Champions League Group E on nine points - three ahead of closest challengers Schalke. Eto'o was the star of the show for the Blues, scoring their first two goals before a late effort from Demba Ba sealed the deal. And whileEden Hazard is in Mourinho's bad books for skipping training, the former Inter Milan manager was certainly happy with Eto'o. "My favourite players are the players that win matches for me, not the ones that lose matches for me," Mourinho said. "Samuel worked with me in the best season of my career (at Inter). We won everything. So he's in a good position." My favourite players are the players that win matches for me, not the ones that lose matches for me Jose Mourinho Eto'o now has three goals for his new club following a summer switch from Anzhi Makhachkala, with Mourinho insisting the Cameroon hitman is finally hitting his stride. "He was for two years playing without big motivations and when you play without big motivations, you train without big motivations and you lose condition, and you lose sharpness, and you lose even appetite," Mourinho added. "It was not a surprise for me that he arrived here not in the best conditions after two years in Anzhi. "Now step by step he is going. He is 32 but he's a fit, slim guy. "He's not a heavy body. He's intelligent, of course, and I think goals give confidence." Jose Mourinho was all smiles with Eto'o [EPA] Chelsea now face a trip to Basle and a home clash with Steaua Bucharest as they bid to book their place in the last 16. And Mourinho is confident his side are back on track after losing to Basle in their opening group match. "We won in quite a comfortable way and it's good for us," Mourinho added. "After the Basle defeat we put ourselves in a difficult situation and it's fantastic that after the fourth fixture we have qualified, almost. Not yet." The man Eto'o replaced, Fernando Torres, faces an absence of around three weeks with an adductor injury.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard: Luis Suárez key to our top-four bid Steven Gerrard believes Luis Suárez is key to Liverpool’s chances of finishing in thePremier League top four this season. The Uruguay international has scored six goals in his last five top-flight games after returning from a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanović in a 2-2 draw withChelsea in April. And Liverpool captain Gerrard reckons Suárez, who netted 23 Premier League strikes last season, will need to produce the goals and the performances to help the Reds seal a return to theChampions League. “His goals, his performances and his form will be the key whether we finish in the top four or not. Luis is the key,” Gerrard told Liverpool’s website. The 33-year-old Reds skipper also named Suárez as his most talented Liverpool team-mate during a distinguished 15-year-old career. “He’s out on his own,” he added. “The only player who comes close to producing what Luis has produced in a red shirt isFernando Torres, but Luis has just pipped him for me.”

Tottenham legend admits Arsenal star has been 'outstanding' this season Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has been one of the club’s most consistent players so far this season. Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Lineker has tipped his hat in the general direction of Wojciech Szczesny. The Pole has been one of the constants in an Arsenal side which continues to go from strength to strength, leading thePremier League and making an impression in the Champions League ahead of the knock out stage.

Chelsea's Demba Ba puts himself in the shop window? #UCL Demba Ba scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday night asChelsea secured a comfortable win over Schalke 04 With Fernando Torres out of action for the next couple of weeks, Wednesday night's game against Schalke 04 and Saturday's against West Bromwich Albion have provided opportunities for Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba. Both strikers grabbed their opportunity with two goals for starter Eto'o and one for his replacement Demba Ba. The Senegalese striker's goal was a lovely executed left foot effort on the turn which securedChelsea's 100th win in UEFA competitions. It has been a tough season so far for the formerNewcastle United striker. Eto'o and Torres have clearly been preferred by Jose Mourinho with Demba only in twoPremier League game so far. Romelu Lukaku is continuing to impress on loan at Everton too, so Ba's future doesn't look too great for the short or long-term.Premier League clubs are well aware of his capabilities and they will be plenty interested in his signature come January if Chelsea were willing to sell. Ba himself will be hoping to be given more of a chance to prove himself at the very top of European football. A hindrance to his chances is the fact that fellow striker Eto'o also showed his ability to put away a couple of chances. Mourinho is a big fan of the Cameroonian striker having managed him at Inter Milan too. He was given his chance following Torres' injury tonight and made the most of it, making it very likely that he will again start in the Premier League match against the Baggies on Saturday. Chelsea fans were certainly encouraged to see Demba Ba net his first goal of the season.

Arsenal can win Champions League - Jurgen Klopp Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp believes Arsenal can win the Champions League - if they avoid fellow German side Bayern Munich in the draw. Aaron Ramsey was on target as Arsenal beat Dortmund 1-0on Wednesday to stay top of Group F with two games left. The hosts had come into the match looking for an eighth successive home Champions League win having never lost to an English side. "They could win it - as long as they don't play Bayern Munich," Klopp said. "They are young, healthy and good technicians. They won a clever game tonight." Ramsey's strike was his 11th for Arsenal in 17 games this season. His form has been one of the factors in Arsene Wenger's side topping the Premier League after 10 games. The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Chelsea and have scored 22 top-flight goals this season. Holders Bayern clinched their place in the knockout stagesby beating Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday. Last year's runners-up Dortmund may need to win their remaining two games to progress to the last 16. They trail both Arsenal and Italian side Napoli - their opponents in their next group game on 27 November - by three points. Klopp, who lost the Champions League finaland his side's domestic titleto Bayern Munich last season, is braced for a tense finish to the group, but confident Dortmund will survive through to the knock-out stages. "It is a very strong group and the positive news tonight is that two wins and we will qualify," he said. "We created much more today up front but they scored with their first chance of the match and we could not come back. This defeat could have been avoided. "It's definitely going to get exciting from now on." Arsenal have never won the European Cup, finishing as runners-up to Barcelona in the 2006 tournamentin their most successful campaign.

Messi drives Barca into last 16 #UCL Lionel Messi ended his mini-drought in front of goal with a brace as Barcelona qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League following a 3-1 win at home to AC Milan. The Argentina international had not scored in his last three appearances - his worst run for a year - since his equaliser in the San Siro late last month but got scored from the penalty spot after Ignazio Abate had fouled Neymar in the area. Sergio Busquets exploited a non-existent Milan defence to head in Xavi's free-kick five minutes before the interval but Barca's control was shaken by Gerard Pique's own goal with virtually the last kick of the half. However, Messi made sure of the victory seven minutes from time when he converted a return pass from Cesc Fabregas for his 65th goal in 82 Champions League appearances. Ajax's 1-0 win over Celtic courtesy of Lasse Schone's goal just after the interval closed the gap to second-placed Milan in Group H to one point. In Group G Atletico Madrid qualified for the knockout stage for the first time since the 2008-09 season - also becoming the first side to be confirmed as group winners - with a comprehensive 4-0 win at home to Austria Vienna, setting a new club record with a fourth consecutive European win. The Spanish side continued to match defending champions Bayern Munich as the only teams with 100 per cent records as Miranda, Raul Garcia and Filipe Luis gave them a 3-0 lead with Diego Costa adding the fourth eight minutes from time. Former Porto favourite Hulk scored against his old club and missed a penalty as second-placed Zenit St Petersburg remained on course to progress after a 1-1 draw. The Brazilian equalised for the Russian club after Lucho Gonzalez had given the visitors the lead midway through the first half but he missed from the spot, costing his second-placed side the chance to open a three-point cushion over their rivals. Last season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund's first home defeat to an English side thanks to Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's solitary goal allowed the Gunners to assume top spot in Group F. However, they are ahead of Napoli only on goal difference after the Italian club won 3-2 in Marseille to make it a three-way contest for qualification. Striker Gonzalo Higuain scored twice, both times giving his side the lead with his second proving the decisive strike. Andre Ayew put the visitors in front but Gokhan Inler and Higuain scored within three minutes of each other to give Napoli a 2-1 half-time lead. Florian Thauvin pulled Marseille level just past the hour only for Higuain's intervention with 15 minutes remaining, meaning a draw in Dortmund next time out will secure qualification. Chelsea need a point from their match in Basle on match day five to secure their progress after a comfortable 3-0 win over Schalke. Basle snatched a point at home to Steaua Bucharest thanks to Giovanni Sio's 90th-minute goal after Federico Piovaccari had put the visitors ahead in the first half.

Jose Mourinho admits he dropped Eden Hazard after Chelsea star forgot the time Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will recall midfielder Eden Hazard this weekend after axing the Belgian from his squad for last night's 3-0 defeat of Schalke for disciplinary reasons. After two goals from Samuel Eto'o and a third from Demba Ba saw Chelsea enhance their position at the top of Champions League Group E, Mourinho declined to disclose the full reasons for Hazard's absence. The Blues boss revealed the Belgium forward missed a crucial training session but was reluctant to comment further. "I don't want to lie. He's not injured. He forgot the time," Mourinho said. "Let's end the story. He's a kid, kids make mistakes and fathers they have to be clever in the way they educate their sons. "He didn't play, he wanted to play. He's sad because he wanted to play. "We won without him and Saturday he's back. End of story."

Rio Ferdinand keen to cut Arsenal's lead Rio Ferdinand has told the Daily Mirrorhe has been impressed with Arsenal's start to the season but has called on his Manchester United teammates to cut their lead at the top when they meet on Sunday. Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with United eight points behind in eighth place. The pair go head-to-head at Old Trafford this weekend, with the Gunners boosted after their 2-0 win over Liverpoolwas followed by a 1-0 victory at Borussia Dortmund. Ferdinand said: “Arsenal have been impressive. Ozil has had a big impact. He has lifted the players around him. “We’ve seen that in [Aaron] Ramsey. These types of players, like [Olivier] Giroud, they’re all doing well. If we’re going to win on Sunday, we’re going to have to play well. “But I don’t go for the fact we have to make a statement. It’s part and parcel of being a Manchester United player -- you have to win your games at home.” United have endured a mixed start under new manager David Moyes but have won their last two league matches -- and Ferdinand is demanding better from the champions. “I don’t think we’ve shown ourselves this season on a consistent basis, [and] not just in the big games,” Ferdinand said. “It is time to start putting our foot on the pedal now and motor on. “We have to do that if we want to remain in contention to win the league. To do that, we have to get points on the board and that’s what we are aiming to do. “Arsenal are in a good vein of form at the moment. They had a good performance against Liverpool. They are the team to catch. We have to make sure we are right and ready for the challenge. “We have to win every game. It doesn’t matter what game it is or whoever we play against. Whether it’s a top of the league team or not, we have to get points. “Nothing changes -- we expect to win every game we play at home.”

Michu set for four weeks out injured Michael Laudrup has confirmed Swansea City forward Michu is set to be sidelined for up to a month. Michu was substituted in the 65th minute of Swansea's 1-0 loss to rivals Cardiffon Sunday and will be absent for Thursday's trip to Kuban Krasnodar. The Spaniard, who scored 18 Premier League goals last season, is struggling with knee and ankle injuries, meaning he could be out for a number of weeks. Laudrup said in the Daily Mirror: “Michu is one of our most important players and was our top scorer last season, but he has been struggling, is not 100 percent and unfortunately he is out for three or four weeks. “He has not been at his best but that is because he has been struggling with both his knees for many weeks, but he wanted to play. “With this ankle injury, hopefully he can get both his knees sorted as well. He will be away in Spain for a few days for some injections.” Michu's fitness issues mean he is set to be unavailable for Spain's forthcoming friendly matches against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. Laudrup said the onus now falls on the other members of his squad to chip in with goals, with summer signing Wilfried Bony likely to deputise. The Dane added: “When your top scorer is not in, the responsibility goes to others. It is always an important test.”

Wednesday 6 November 2013

ASUU Set To Call Off Strike As They Get A Better Deal of N1.1trillion Details of the Monday/Tuesday marathon meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have begun to emerge. “The meeting should be the longest that we have ever had on this crisis but I can tell you that both parties were frank all through the discussions. “The parties also showed commitment towards ending the crisis. The President in particular showed that he was serious about ending the strike and that was why he offered to release over N1tn to the universities in the next five years.” Punch gathered on Tuesday evening that a key component of the agreement reached by the parties was that the Federal Government would inject N1.1tn into public universities in the next five years.A reliable source, who made this known, also hinted that the strike would be called off anytime next week. He said the government team which was led by President Goodluck Jonathan would release N220bn yearly into the sector beginning from 2014.The source added, “The money will be released on a yearly basis at N220bn per annum beginning from 2014. For the outgoing year, the government will only release N100bn and this has been processed.” He said that the government, in order to show its commitment to a fresh pact, accepted that “the fund (N1.1tn) should domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria”“The money will be released on a quarterly basis to the universities. So, there won’t be any problem about funding the deal,” the source said. The National Universities Commission and the Trade Union Congress, according to him, are joint guarantors of the agreement while the Minister of Education will be the implementation officer.The source said that the government agreed among other things, to revamp the public universities by ensuring that all those issues that always led to strike were dealt with once and for all.It was learnt that the negotiating team of ASUU led by Dr. Nassir Faggae met on Tuesday to further deliberate on the deal. We gathered the ASUU team have reached an agreement to take the deal offered by Jonathan and that they will meet the larger ASUU caucus by weekend to agree and end the strike

Sergio Agüero and Alvaro Negredo epitomise new trend for twin strikers The Manchester City pair fare well in the return to favour of two-pronged attacks, with a combined tally of 21 goals Strike partnerships had become as unfashionable as the Ford Capri, pagers and Myspace. They were the inside-forward of the Premier League era, as arcane as dubbin-treated boots and the sure sign that a manager who went with two up top was a tactical dinosaur. Not anymore. At Manchester City the urbane Manuel Pellegrini fields Sergio Agüero and Alvaro Negredo, who netted all the goals in Tuesday's 5-2 hiding of CSKA Moscowto take their combined tally to 21. Across the city at the champions, David Moyes believes in the two-pronged attack of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United combo that has finished 14 times. And in Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez, Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers has an SAS pairing who have also registered on 14 occasions. Bar-room debate now centres on who is the best of these twosomes. A glance at the appearance stats and goal ratios offers one answer, with City and United each having 14 Premier League and Champions League outings, to the 10 of Liverpool, who are not in Europe. Of their leading tally of 21, Agüero, in 12 appearances, has contributed 13 times at a rate of one goal every 78.3 minutes, and Negredo (14 matches) has eight at 92.1 each. Although recording the same count of 14 goals as their United counterparts, Suárez and Sturridge have a fair claim for being the more deadly, as they have spent less time on the field. The Uruguayan has needed only five appearances for his six goals that have come at 74.8 minutes each, while Sturridge's eight strikes (in 10 games) have required 112.3 minutes per finish. Rooney and Van Persie lag behind as each have featured 12 times, with the Dutchman's average of one goal every 134.9 minutes, his accomplice's 140.3. On the assists table, Agüero and Negredo lead with nine, ahead of Van Persie and Rooney's six, with the three of Sturridge and Suárez again reflecting the latter's early season suspension and Liverpool's more limited games. After Pellegrini led City to the knockout stages of the Champions League with the win over CSKA, he was asked if Agüero and Negredo were better than the main men of United or Liverpool. Sticking to his style of avoiding inflammatory comments, the Chilean answered in general terms: "I think both of them have played really well, not only today but the whole season," he said. "For Sergio he is in a great moment, because he is not only scoring but his movement and his contribution to the team is important. Alvaro too. They have got the goals they deserve." The reinvigorated Samir Nasri, who alongside David Silva, supplies most of the bullets for "Beauty and the Beast", says: "For me, Agüero and Negredo are really complete together. One is small, quick, has good feet; the other one is just a beast – he can keep the ball, score goals – and the last couple of games they've banged in goals for fun." Negredo, nicknamed the Beast of Vallecas after his playing style and hometown, says of linking with Agüero: "It's been very good from the first day, and especially with both if us speaking Spanish, we understand each other well. He's a great player, and with great players it's easy to get along. From the first moment we did well together and with him, Edin [Dzeko] and myself, when we play, we understand one another. "I'm happy to score goals. For a striker it's a [big] part of the game, I am delighted to get three so quickly in a team like this [the hat-trick against CSKA] and let's hope I can get a lot more – that'd be a good sign for everybody." Negredo is clear why City are piling up the goals. "It's down to the type of players we've got, who have a lot of movement – they are not static, and movement does a lot to unsettle the other team," he says. "We're doing it well and thanks to this are getting a lot of goals." The other three of the Premier League big six still deploy a lone wolf, with Arsenal plumping for Olivier Giroud, Chelsea favouring Fernando Torres, and Tottenham Hotspur going with Roberto Soldado. The numbers suggest that if they too had a sidekick more goals would be harvested. In 13 appearances Giroud has seven every 162 minutes. Torres, in 10 games, has three at 170.7. Soldado, also in 10 matches, has managed four at 198.5. In Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho and André Villas-Boas these clubs have three of the most progressive managerial minds. But are they missing a trick in continuing with only one in attack? For differing reasons, across the continent the elite favour a strategy of solo artist or false No9, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus heading this band, while Paris Saint Germain go with two forwards.

Don't back Arsenal for Premier League title yet Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes Sunday's opponents Arsenal should be assessed in March before being termed genuine title contenders. The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the Premier League after 10 games and eight points ahead of United. "We've seen before that they've been in the top two until February or March and then faded away," Rooney said. "They are doing brilliantly at the minute, so it's down to them to try and stay there and us to catch them."

Robin van Persie sets an all time Premier League goalscoring record It was a truly astounding moment in Manchester United’s history. How was it possible that we had signed our rivals best player and one of the most feared strikers in the world? Did we even need him? Many fans were sceptical as to why we signed another striker when there was such an obvious gap in the middle of the park but given that we had just lost the title on goal difference, it was clearly a mistake Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t ever want to repeat. In attack, we had Wayne Rooney whose importance could never be overstated, the rising Danny Welbeck and the goalscoring supremo of Chicharito. So, did we really need him? Of course we did. It became clear relatively quickly just how right Fergie had got this one. With injury troubles and a lack of form hampering Rooney, Van Persie came into the side and made an instant impact with his hat-trick at Southampton to signal the pure genius we had signed. Even at £24 million for an injury 29-year-old with just a year left on his contract, the contribution Van Persie made to United’s title claim made that look like small change. This year, Van Persie is breaking records for fun. Last month, he became Holland’s all-time top goalscorer after scoring three goals against Hungary to take his tally to 41 goals, which surpassed Patrick Kluivert’s previous record. Not happy with that, he has now gone one further and now holds the title as the highest Dutch-scoring player in the Premier League following his goal against Fulham after a delightful through ball from Januzaj. It puts his grand total on 128. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the man usurped this time and now has to settle for second on the list whilst former red Ruud van Nistelrooy ended his tenure at Old Trafford with 95 league goals. Van Persie’s determination to continue breaking records at the age of 30 is what makes him a remarkable player and one we are glad Fergie decided was worth the risk. Few would have expected his impact to be so instant and important after having really only had one full season as a regular at Arsenal by the age of 28. He had the‘injury prone’ tag that has haunted many in the footballing world but has now (touch wood) managed to shake it off. His fitness has been good at United in times when others have struggled and his consistent run of games has given him the chance really establish himself as one of the best in the world. United fans will always be grateful for his commitment in leading us to number 20 and hope he can continue to do more of the same for years to come, starting with a couple of goals to end Arsenal’s run of form this weekend.

Why Aaron Ramsey is set to net in Dortmund v Arsenal Arsenal travel to Borussia Dortmund needing a positive result on Wednesday, and the Tipster is backing Aaron Ramsey to score against the Bundesliga outfit. However, our man-in-the-know is tipping Robert Lewandowski to also find the net in what should be a high-scoring game between two of Europe’s most entertaining sides. Elsewhere, he’s backing Chelseato beat Schalke by a single goal – but reckons the Blues may have to come from behind to do so. The Wales international was on the scoresheet again as Arsenal beat Liverpoolat The Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners midfielder produced what his fast becoming a trademark talismanic performance against the Reds. He’ll be looking to score his 11th goal of the season (fifth in the Champions League) against last season’s runners-up. Jürgen Klopp spoke of his admiration for Arsène Wengerin the lead up to this Champions League clash. Dortmund and the Gunners both playing attractive, attacking football, and it should make for an entertaining spectacle on Wednesday. Dortmund were 2-1 winners in north London just over two weeks ago, and there have been at least three goals in six of the German side’s last seven European games.

Man Utd’s Wayne Rooney: Robin van Perise will recover from penalty miss Wayne Rooney insisted that Robin van Persie won’t be affected by his penalty miss after 10-man Manchester Unitedwere held to a goalless draw by Real Socieded. The Netherlands international squandered the chance to help the Red Devils take a big step towards the Champions Leagueknockout stage after Ashley Young had won a second-half penalty. 30-year-old Van Persie has endured a mixed start to the season due to a string of injuries, but United forward Rooney backed his Dutch team-mate to bounce back from the hiccup at Estadio Anoeta. “Of course [everyone misses from time to time]. Most forwards in the world miss penalties. That won’t affect him, I’m sure,” Rooney is quoted as saying in theDaily Express. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get the three points as we had the best chances. Overall, however, we can see the positives. We got a clean sheet and we’re still top of the group.” United manager David Moyesadmitted the Red Devils had wasted a “big opportunity” on Tuesday night. “We had enough chances to win it, especially in the second half when we controlled most of it,” Moyes told ITV1. “But for one or two moments we were the team on top. “This was a game we should have won tonight – it was there for us to take the points and get ourselves in a really strong position. “We’ve not done it but we’re capable of doing it in the other games as well and at the moment we’re still top of the group and in a good position. But we should have take three points today. “When you get games like this, you need to take your chances and your opportunities. “We missed a big opportunity to take three points tonight, but we’re still in a good strong position.”

Liverpool’s best is yet to come, insists Luis Suárez Luis Suárez believes Liverpool haven’t hit top gear yet despite a promising start to the season. The Reds, who are currently third in thePremier League table, slipped five points behindArsenal following a 2-0 loss to the early leaders at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Suárez has scored six goals in five games since returning from a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanović last season, and the Uruguayan hopes Liverpool can break into the top four. “We’re doing well right now but we need to carry on that form into the Christmas period,” Suárez toldMatch. “I think our best is yet to come, which hopefully means well for the end of the season and our chances of making next season’sChampions League. That’s one of our aims. “It’s good to be playing well and contributing with goals, but the most important thing is getting three points every week. I wouldn’t be scoring without the help of my teammates, so thanks to them.” Suárez also heaped praise on his strike partnerDaniel Sturridge after the pair scored a combined 10 goals in five games over the past month or so. “He’s a fantastic player and strike partner, and we get on very well. “I hope we continue to score goals and win more awards, but it doesn’t matter who gets the goals or awards as long as we keep winning games.”

Arsenal to target Dortmunds Lewandowski - Wenger Manager Arsene Wenger has said the Gunners must contain Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund in their bid to stay top of Group F. Lewandowski netted the crucial 82nd-minute goal which sealed Dortmund's impressive 2-1 victory at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago to throw the group wide open. Having become the first player to score four goals in a Champions League semi-final, Lewandowski warmed up for Arsenal with an 18-minute hat-trick in Friday's 6-1 Bundesliga rout of VfB Stuttgart. "Usually at home, Lewandowski is quite dangerous and the best way to keep him quiet is by controlling the ball," said Wenger. "We want to control possession and we want to control the game." With Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli all level on six points, the Gunners top the table on goal difference and having lost to Dortmund in London, Wenger's side is desperate to win the return. "We definitely want to win after losing at home," said Wenger. "Dortmund is a very positive side, so at least you have a guarantee that both teams will be trying to win the game." In the build-up to the match, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, a heavy metal-fan, described Wenger as having organised Arsenal into a finely-tuned "orchestra" and the Frenchman continued the musical analogy. "I am not a music specialist, but Dortmund are a very good team, so we should see a good symphony," quipped Wenger. The showdown at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion promises to be a high-quality confrontation between the Premier League leaders and Borussia, who are second only to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Dortmund bounced back from their opening 2-1 defeat at Napoli with a 3-0 home win over Marseille before beating Arsenal in London, but Germany winger Marco Reus said Borussia can take nothing for granted. "We have improved since Napoli, but you can't compare this to the (German) league, this is the Champions League and the smallest mistake will be punished," said Reus. "It will be another 50-50 match, I believe we produced a great performance in London and will have to do so again." According to Klopp, Germany centre-back Mats Hummels is "97.5 percent" sure to miss the game with back and thigh injuries. Left-back Marcel Schmelzer could feature having played 70 minutes of the Stuttgart victory after struggling with a hamstring injury.

Real Sociedad 0 Man United 0: Van Persie blows spot kick chance while Hernandez skies sitter and Fellaini sees red This wasn’t a particularly good night for Robin van Persie or indeed Javier Hernandez. Sadly, though, it was a considerably worse one for Ashley Young. Van Persie and Hernandez will both have flown home in the early hours of this morning fretting over missed chances. Van Persie struck a post and saw a penalty hit the frame of the goal too while Hernandez contributed one of those misses that will turn up on terrible Christmas DVDs for years to come. Centre forwards miss chances, though. It is part of football. It happens. Young, however, once again finds himself charged with that most anti-social offence of diving and his reputation as a lover of one of the darkest arts in the game is becoming so deeply entrenched that one wonders if he will ever be rid of it. In fact, to call it a dark art is misleading. Many of Young’s falls and tumbles are obvious. It seems only the referees don’t see them. Tuesday night’s was not the clearest of his career. He may argue he was fouled. Certainly there did seem to be a tug on the arm by Sociedad midfielder Markel Bergara as Young attempted to go by him in the penalty area. Crucially, though, Young seemed to take another couple of steps before going over and it is unfortunately the case that his reputation does not encourage the benefit of the doubt. Certainly, the only person in the Estadio de Anoeta who appeared to see the incident as a penalty was referee Nicola Rizzoli. Many United players seemed to have turned their backs on the matter. As it happened, Van Persie couldn’t convert the penalty, Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo diving to his left to perhaps get the faintest of touches on to the post. That, however, doesn’t really matter in the wider scale of things. United manager David Moyes has already spoken to Young about going down too easily under challenges and it would appear he has more work to do yet. The 1600 United supporters who had travelled here from England will be disappointed that their team couldn’t earn the win that would have all but qualified them for the next stage of the competition in their manager’s first year. Certainly their team had enough chances. The rest of us, meanwhile, were just thankful that there was something to talk about in the second period. This had been a dull game for the first 45 minutes and it was only when Hernandez did his best impression of a man actually trying not to score that things began to get interesting early in the second period. At the weekend the Mexican has appeared to suggest that he is unhappy with life as an understudy at Old Trafford, endorsing on Twitter a suggestion by his international team-mate Carlos Vela that there were a queue of clubs waiting to sign him. Well, here, he did his chances of permanent football little good at all as he moved on to a Shinji Kagawa cross from the left in the 50th minute to side foot the simplest of chances over an open goal from only six yards. Was it actually easier to score than miss? Quite possibly. For Hernandez, that was pretty much the end of his night. He was replaced by Van Persie – as Young came on for Wayne Rooney – within a couple of minutes. For United, the plot of their evening was only about to thicken. The two replacements had been on the field for only a minute when Young eased down the left and crossed low for Van Persie on the far side. Such is the confidence of a natural goal scorer, Van Persie didn’t even consider taking a touch. Indeed his first time shot was struck crisply but it crashed against the post before bouncing away from onrushing colleagues. Soon came the penalty and another moment to rue. Late in the game Marouane Fellaini was rather harshly sent off for two bookings. Having received his first caution so early in the game it was slightly surprising that Fellaini had been left on. It had, at times, been quite a niggly sort of game. Whatever, the Belgian will now miss United’s next game at Bayer Leverkusen later this month and that is a fixture that is now taking on real significance, even if Moyes and his players do have a home game against Donetsk to end their group campaign with two weeks after that. United were the better team here on a cold and blustery night. They dominated possession for large chunks of the game in a manner that has not always been associated with them in recent years. Until the last 40 minutes, though, they just couldn’t find a killer final ball. In the first half, Kagawa – quite impressive cutting in from the left side – drove one shot across goal and wide and then thumped another in to the arms of a goalkeeper who had positioned himself well by his near post. Hernandez, meanwhile, had a half chance smothered by a defender six yards out.

Arsenal and Liverpool target Newcastle's Cabaye The Express reports that Liverpool are set to battle with Arsenal for Newcastle United’s French midfielder Yohan Cabaye in January. The 27-year-old was subject to a bid from Arsenal on transfer deadline day but was rejected by Newcastle as the valuation of the player was not met. Liverpool are now interested in the player to help maintain their impressive start to the season. Liverpool are not short of midfielders but may feel they lack quality. In the first real test for the club away from home they were outclassed by the Arsenal midfield and were deservedly beaten 2-0. Henderson missed two golden opportunities to score in the defeat and Lucas was guilty of giving away possession cheaply. Cabaye would give Liverpool much needed class and quality in midfield but the chance of Champions League football with Arsenal may be the deciding factor for Cabaye. Newcastle United value Cabaye at around £18 million and would not be willing to sell for any less. They took a hard stance with Arsenals first bid for the player and publicly criticised Arsenal for the timing of the bid and for the amount in which they offered. Arsenal bid for the player a day before Newcastle United’s away match at Manchester City, a game in which they were convincingly beaten 4-0. Alan Pardew commented after the game that Cabaye was not fit to play as his head had been turned by Arsenals bid and he wanted to join the London club. Newcastle may not want to do business with Arsenal after the handing of the first bid which could hand Liverpool the advantage in their pursuit of the player. Cabaye has been in good form since returning to the team and was instrumental in Newcastle United’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

Arsenal have learned mistakes from last Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund says Mertesacker The German believes the Gunners will be less naive this time around. Arsenal’s Champions League group couldn’t be much closer heading into the tie with Borussia Dortmund, with the two clubs and Napoli tied on six points. The two teams met at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, when a late Robert Lewandowski strike sealed a 1-2 win for the Germans. The central defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker has been praised this term, but they were found wanting in that match and the German international says the Gunners have learned from their mistakes. “I think the team have to take their lesson but we are still good enough to compete with last year’s finalists,” Mertesacker told theclub’s website. “Both teams know that we are capable of beating each other. We have to be aware in Dortmund because it’s even harder to play there. “Two years ago we just managed to draw there, we were very lucky so that will be a tough challenge. “But when you look at the numbers from Tuesday’s game we are capable of achieving something special and we are good enough to go there and win.” The 30-year-old is likely to start with Koscielny once again at the Westfalenstadion, but will have to be aware of the attacking threat posed by Lewandowski, Marco Reus and co. Dortmund made it to the final of the top European tournament last season when Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich beat them at the final hurdle. Despite losing Mario Goetze to Munich, the Yellow and Blacks still look strong and recruited Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer.

Chelsea ace ready to celebrate Champions League start on attacker’s birthday Schurrle turns 23 and could be in line for a place against Schalke. With Manchester City progressing to the last-16 of the Champions League on Tuesday night, Chelsea can take a step closer when they play Schalke 04. The occasion will be particularly special for one Blues star, Andre Schurrle, as the German also celebrates the attacker’s 23rd birthday. After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Premier League at the weekend, Jose Mourinho is set to ring through the changes and Schurrle could well start as a result.

Jonathan, Mark, Abdullahi, Imoke hail Eaglets President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their qualification for the final match of the ongoing FIFA Under-17 World Soccer Championship in the United Arab Emirates. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he joined other very proud and happy Nigerians within and outside the country in applauding the Eaglets’ enthralling 3-0 victory over their Swedish opponents in the Semi-Final match. As the Eaglets prepare for the final match against the Mexican team, Jonathan urged them not to be over-confident or take victory for granted. “The President assures the Eaglets and their handlers of the continued prayers, best wishes and fullest support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they strive to achieve ultimate victory in the competition. He looks forward to receiving them at the Presidential Villa when they triumphantly return to Nigeria,” the statement read. The Senate President, David Mark commended them “for doing the nation proud.” Mark in a congratulatory message to the players and officials in Dubai after they defeated Sweden said, “The Nigerian lads gave a good account of themselves and made the nation the beautiful bride.” Mark reminded them that the nation was solidly behind them in prayers and assured them that the government will do the needful in terms of their welfare and upkeep. He added that the National Assembly on its part “would continue to make adequate budgetary allocation for sports to flourish in Nigeria.” He asked the Eaglets and their officials to go all out to win the championship. The Minister of Sports Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has also congratulated the team for qualifying for the final. The Minister who was at the stadium in the UAE to personally support the team said he was impressed by the performance put up by the boys. He said, “I was really impressed by the performance of the boys. It was a delight to watch them beat Sweden; this is certainly Nigeria’s senior team of the future.” “One amazing quality these boys have is that they can raise their game when the situation demands it. This is no ordinary Nigerian side. The team is exceptional and their expected victory would be a good end-of-the-year gift to President Jonathan for his support and abiding commitment to the sports sector.” Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke also hailed them. Imoke is particularly thrilled that the boys of coach Manu Garba fulfilled the first part of their promise to him during the qualifiers for the championships.

Wow...!!! Pregnant at 18, best graduating student at 25...... Impressive...!!! When Aishat Farooq gained admission into the University of Ilorin at 15, to study Zoology, little did she know that she was not going to be an alumnus of the institution. That was in 2003. Despite the fact that she was a high flyer in her first two years in UNILORIN, the now 25-year-old indigene of Ilorin West-Local Government Area of Kwara State got distracted along the line. She played the campus love game and got a shocking result: she got pregnant. It was in 2006 and in her third year. She was pregnant for a fellow student whom she had been dating. She was disappointed in herself and thought the whole world was crashing on her. Yet, she vowed not to terminate the pregnancy. Although she wanted to continue her studies in the university, she became disillusioned and dropped out at 18. She sought consolation in trading. But her father, Mr. Shehu Farooq, who believed that his daughter’s academic prowess should not be wasted, was determined to get her back on the academic track. Today, Aishat has a different story to tell. On Saturday, she stood tall among her peers at the 5th convocation ceremony of Bells University, Ota, Ogun State, where she emerged the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.93. “The rebel in me won,” she declared while giving the valedictory address on behalf of the 208 graduating students of the university. Quote “ I hope my story will inspire at least one person to change his or her circumstance. I was pregnant at 18 and by 19 I was already a mother. I had disappointed my father who believed so much in me. He had such big dreams for me and feared the dreams would become unfulfilled.” “I’m a goal getter. I push myself hard. Even here (BELLSTECH) in spite of being a mother, I was pushing for the best despite the challenges. I wanted to make my dad proud again. Once you are determined, nothing is impossible. Nothing can stop you.” Asked if she was involved in any relationship at the Bells, she explained that she was a popular “ snob ” on campus because the majority of male students were younger than her. Besides, she did not want to get distracted or disappoint her parents and herself again. She said she has no plans for marriage for now. She wants to pursue a master’s degree programme in Human Resources in the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. She added that she also plans to work in a corporate environment to garner experience and afterwards go back to the university to teach “as a way of giving back.” The second child in a family of eight children, Aishat brought her six-year-old son, Damilola, to the convocation. It was, however, learnt that the Edo State-born father of the boy has since got married to another woman .

We should have won – Moyes Manchester United manager David Moyes admits his side missed an opportunity to take control of their Champions League group when they played to a goalless draw at Real Sociedad last night. Robin van Persie struck the post from the penalty spot, having rattled the frame of the goal moments earlier after stepping off the bench, while Javier Hernandez somehow put the ball over the bar from six yards out early in the second half. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini was dismissed in the closing moments after a second yellow card following a series of petty challenges, with United remaining top of their section, a point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen who also drew 0-0 with Shakhtar Donetsk. Moyes' men travel to Germany for their next European fixture before ending the group phase at home to Shakhtar, and although they remain in control of their destiny, the Scot accepts they should be two points better off. He told Sky Sports: "It shouldn't have been a draw, it should have been a victory, we played well enough to win the game, made a lot of chances, and we missed a penalty as well. "When you get opportunities you want to take them. Those opportunities tonight would have made sure we were well clear at the top of the group, but we're still in a good position. "It's a good position, it's where we want to be, but we should have had three points tonight and made it a lot easier. "We go to Leverkusen next and then we play Shakhtar Donetsk at home, so hopefully in those two games we'll make sure we qualify." Moyes would not be drawn on the dismissal of Fellaini, but felt his side were not always favoured by referee Nicola Rizzoli. He said: "I thought it was a difficult night all night for all the Manchester United players. They didn't get many decisions, but the referee has to do what he sees." Having selected Hernandez ahead of Van Persie - possibly with Sunday's clash with Arsenal in mind - Moyes was keen to defend the Mexico international following his shocking miss. He added: "I think it bobbles a little bit and he just gets underneath it a little bit."

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Mexico will be tougher warns Manu The U17 World Cup final between three-time champions Nigeria and Mexico on Friday will be a game of wits, warned coach Manu Garba. In Tuesday’s semi-final goals by Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Okon and Chidera Ezeh were enough to break the resolve of a resilient Swedish side that earlier played a 3-3 draw with Nigeria in their Group F match. It will be another rematch in the final as Nigeria trounced defending champions Mexico 6-1 in their opening game of the competition. But Eaglets coach Manu said it will be a different and tougher clash on Friday. “I still maintained that the Mexican team are a very technical team and we can see their resilience by coming from a 6-1 loss to us (Nigeria) and still be in the final," Manu said at the post-match media conference. Manu said the Golden Eaglets are now turbo-charged after a commanding performance throughout the tournament where they have won all their previous matches bar the 3-3 draw with Sweden. “We showed today (Tuesday) that we are a very strong side," maintained Manu, a World Cup winner as an assistant coach in 2007. "We are not going to be on any pressure against Mexico in the final because we would prepare mentally, physically and psychologically for the final. "The Mexican team I maintained are at very technical team and I believe the final is going to be a great one but by the grace of God, we shall win this trophy for Nigeria and Africa,” he noted.

Adnan Januzaj will be Man Utd's next No. 10 - David Moyes David Moyes believes Adnan Januzaj will become Manchester United's next No.10. 18-year-old Januzaj has made the headlines in recent weeks after impressing in Moyes' side and recently committed his future to the Red Devils by signing a new five-year contract. The teenager has featured this season as a winger, but the United boss believes the Belgium-born starlet will eventually move to a central role at Old Trafford. "In time, Adnan’s best position will be No.10," Moyes told reporters. "But while he’s so young, it is better to introduce him on the left or right. "He’s a terrific centre-forward as well and so talented that he can play in several positions. The boy’s working really well and, whatever job we give him, he’s so talented that he can handle it." Moyes has insisted that Januzaj will not be a regular starter this season, and has likened his managerial situation to when he was bringing Wayne Rooney through the ranks at Everton. "I don’t want to put too much expectation on the boy, which is why I’ll take him out so he doesn’t tire," Moyes continued. "But he’s got something which I haven’t seen for a long time. "I’m trying to keep the reins on him. It is a bit like I had with Wayne when he was a young player. I remember I used to get a bit of criticism because we played Wayne on the left a couple of times. "You can’t always get the young players right in and when you do, you try to find the right slots for them. It didn’t do Rooney any harm!"

Five things we learnt in the Premier League last week-end Here are five things we learnt from the latest round of games in the Premier League... 1. Arsenal are real title contenders Admit it, you’ve been doubting it haven’t you? We all have. But having dispatched on-form Liverpool with ease, football fans are starting to sit up and take notice of Arsenal FC. With record signing Mesut Özil pulling the strings, and Welsh wonderkid Aaron Ramsey finally reaching his potential, The Gunners look a force to be reckoned with, and currently sit five points clear of the rest of the pack. Liverpool, on the other hand, showed their limitations – they have a lot of work to do if they want to stay in the mix at the right end of the table. 2. Chelsea have their flaws Last week, I posted an article on this outlining how Chelsea have what it takes to win the Premier League. However, in Saturday’s early kick off at St.James Park, home of Newcastle United, they fell to a 2-0 defeat. Some of the Chelsea old guard began to look tired and out of touch, whilst the performance on a whole was a flat one. Every team at the top of the table appears to be unable to string together a run of really positive results without an unexpected loss, and Chelsea have suffered for this weekend’s loss. 3. Norwich need a change After two good seasons under Paul Lambert and Chris Hughton, Norwich were looking settled in the Premier League and made some very impressive additions to their squad this summer in the shape of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Leroy Fer to name but two. However, things just haven’t gone right so far for Hughton and The Canaries, and the humiliating 7-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday may give the board reason to force Hughton out of the club. The new signings haven’t performed as expected, but Norwich have a squad that is capable of much more than they are doing currently – but maybe it’s time for a fresh set of plans and some fresh ideas from the dugout. 4. You can’t rule out Manchester United just yet The ‘Moyes Out’ brigade has started to pipe down. Manchester United may not be in the best position they’ve ever been in after 10 games of a league seasons, sitting in 8th place. But the two victories in the last two games have been more like the United of old, one a comfortable victory showing class and composure, the other a dramatic win snatched from the jaws of defeat, having twice fallen behind at home to Stoke. They may sit in 8th position, but such is the nature of the Premier League so far this season, they are just three points away from second place. They are far from out of this title race yet. 5. Tottenham lack creativity Tottenham sides of the past have rarely lacked creativity or attacking verve – until now. Tottenham have built a competitive side on a strong defence, and despite spending almost all of the Gareth Bale world record transfer fee on attacking talent, they seem unable to get them to gel together. There’s still time for the likes of Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Christian Eriksen to connect and combine to devastating effect, but at the minute, Tottenham’s lack of creativity and clinicality in front of goal is costing them points.

Why Sergio Aguero can be the Premier League's top scorer Sergio Aguero holds the record as Manchester City’s record transfer fee paid. For a fee believed to be approximately £38m, he arrived on these shores from Atletico Madrid in summer of 2011 with a reputation for skill, speed, and goals galore. He has not disappointed. On Saturday, Aguero played in his 100th competitive game for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium against Norwich. He marked the occasion, in typical fashion, with a goal. His 58th goal in those 100 appearances, a phenomenal return made even better when you consider he doesn’t take free-kicks and only 5 of those goals have come from the penalty spot. In the Argentinian international, Manchester City have, in my opinion, the most consistently lethal striker in the Premier League. He has unbelievable pace, and incredible power for a man of his stature, and can score goals from all angles with his powerful shot, best demonstrated by his blistering strike at Stamford Bridge in City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea recently, which left Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal totally shell-shocked. He has the players to lay on the assists for him too. Alvaro Negredo is more than just a goalscorer, and will provide ‘flick ons’ for onrushing strikers like Aguero, who prefer to play off the last man. Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko is in a similar mould, whilst players like Stefan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and David Silva are the types of creative players than any striker would thrive upon. Between them, they possess the ability to create enough chances for any striker to be in the hunt for the golden boot, never mind one with the quality that ‘Kun’ Aguero possesses. There will be other players pushing the former Atletico man all the way of course. On the other side of the city of Manchester, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney will have their eyes on the prize. However, much has been made of their partnership and whether it really works, whilst Moyes has struggled to get his team firing on a regular basis so far this season. Of course, Van Persie and Rooney are still two of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League and should not be ignored in any discussion of who could be the Premier League’s top scorer – but will United be as clinical in front of goal as The Citizenss this season? Judging from Manchester City’s rampant 7-0 weekend win against Norwich, and the fact that they have already scored 11 goals more than the Red Devils, you’d have to suggest not. Elsewhere, Liverpool’s troublesome twosome of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge will also be mentioned in the hunt for the trophy. They’ve been two of the pace-setters in the race for the golden boot, but will they get in the way each other? Towards the end of Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at Arsenal last week, we started to see the first signs of cracks in the relationship. They both have a tendency to be a little greedy in front of goal, and this could hinder them over the course of the season. There will be others. Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku have outside chances, whilst Roberto Soldado, despite not hitting form yet, has got himself a few goals from the penalty spot. However for me, Aguero has all the attributes required to go forth and be the Premier League’s leading goalscorer this season.

Man Utd need Javier Hernandez insists David Moyes Manchester United manager David Moyes insists Javier Hernandez remains part of his plans following renewed speculation about the striker's future at the club. Hernandez recently claimed that he needs more playing time, either at United or elsewhere, and has been linked with a January move to Tottenham. Moyes recently said he had no plans to let the Mexico international leave Old Trafford when the transfer window reopens, but 'Chicharito' had appeared to endorse comments on Twitter made by his international strike partner Carlos Vela, who suggested he should quit the Red Devils for more regular first-team football. "We need Javier Hernandez; he's very good for us," Moyes said prior to Real Sociedad vs. Man Utdin the Champions League on Tuesday night. "He's scored a lot of goals over the last few years and continues to do so, so we'll continue to use him." At the weekend, Vela had been quoted as saying that Hernandez may have to consider leaving the reigning Premier League champions. "He is one of the best finishers in England and deserves chances under the new coach," Vela had said. "If he plays regularly he will score, so I don't totally understand why a player of his quality has not played more games. "If he doesn't play regularly he will need to think about leaving. "You always want to succeed at the biggest clubs - but if he is not given the chance there will be big teams in England and Europe wanting him."

Liverpool FC are title contenders - Luis Suarez Liverpool striker Luis Suarez believes his side are one of a number of teams capable of winning the Premier League title this season. With reigning champions Manchester United sat in eighth place in the table, their rivals have taken advantage of the slow start from the Red Devils, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool enjoying decent starts. It is the Gunners who set the early pace having beaten the Reds in their last outing in the Premier League, but at present the Merseyside outfit are batting at the top end of the table. Suarez has been pleased with Liverpool's start and feels the race for the English crown this season is wide open. He toldRMC: "This season we started well, with the desire and hope. We do not have to compete in the European Cup which allows us to concentrate 100 per cent on the championship. "The Premier League is very tight this season and anything can happen against anyone." Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge is hoping that Suarez will remain at Anfield as he looks to build on a prolific start to the season alongside the Uruguay international. The Reds duo have established themselves as a potent combination since Suarez's return from suspension, and the former Ajax forward recently likened his partnership with Sturridge to the one he enjoyed with Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar during his time in Amsterdam. Suarez was the subject of two failed bids from Arsenal during the summer, and Sturridge admits he is concerned by the ongoing speculation about his strike partner's future on Merseyside. "It’s great to play with him, we give defenders problems and we both play differently, so it’s good to have a strike partner you can bounce off," the England international toldtalkSPORT. "It’s going to great for him and everybody wants him to stay and it’s up to Luis to decide what he wants to do. "We as a club, the fans and the players, everybody wants him to stay, but if Luis wants to decide it’s best for him to move on then that’s the way it’s got to be. But I think everybody wants Luis to stay and I’m sure that he will." Of their partnership, Sturridge added: "We get on well and that’s the most important thing really. There’s no rivalry there or any hidden agendas, we just go out there and work hard. "That’s the most important thing, we’re not individuals, we’re a part of Liverpool football club and the team is more important than the SAS strike force or anything else. It’s about the club and the fans."

Arsenal News: Jack Wilshere's Absence and More Ahead of Dortmund Arsenal's treatment room has been running at full capacity in the last few months and Jack Wilshere is the latest addition according to Arsene Wenger. The midfielder will be unavailable for the Borussia Dortmund match, which is much more important to Arsenal after the 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at the Emirates stadium. Wilshere has missed the last two matches due to injury and he now looks set to miss this important match as well. Wenger has confirmed toSky Sports that he has not travelled to Germany, while there is also a chance that he will miss Sunday's match against Manchester United. "Jack Wilshere has not travelled. He has another test on Thursday. If he does not pass that he is out for Sunday and for England." Not all is bad news for Arsenal since Theo Walcott appears to be in frame to return on Sunday. Walcott and Podolski have been the major absentees for Arsenal in this brilliant run over the last two months. They have gone five points clear in the league, while the chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League still remain healthy. Kieran Gibbs would have been a major injury doubt for the Dortmund match, but he has recovered sufficiently to be part of the squad. The defender had to be taken off after 76 minutes in the 2-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday. Dortmund may not have kept a clean sheet in the last three matches, but they are on a four match winning streak. Per Mertesacker acknowledged the strength of the Germans, but he feels that Arsenal have enough quality of their own. "It is difficult to play Dortmund, especially away from home, but we have to keep our confidence. We are on a high level. We are top of the (Premier) League." Dortmund are incredibly strong at the Westfalenstadion and they have got lost an European home match since 2011.

Dos Santos surgery successful Barcelona have confirmed midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos has undergone successful surgery on his right knee. The Mexico star sustained a serious cruciate knee ligament injury in training in October and, despite going under the knife, now faces six months out as he looks to return to full fitness by the end of the 2013/14 campaign. A statement on Barca’s website confirmed: "Jonathan dos Santos was successfully operated on this morning, following the injury to his right knee suffered in training last month. "Doctors Joan Carles Monllau and Ricard Pruna carried out the operation with the assistance of Egarsat. "Dos Santos was injured in training on October 23 and is expected to be out for about six months."

No Drogba-Beckenbauer war of words Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer hit out at the Ivorian for gathering his team-mates in a circle before their Champions League clash with Copenhagen on 23 October and suggested the star undermined boss Roberto Mancini with his actions. The Turkish club went on to win the game 3-1- perhaps proving Drogba did nothing wrong- but the star has now refused to retaliate. Instead he has hailed the 68-year-old, and told new Turkish television show‘Big Legend’: "I don’t need to respond to Beckenbauer’s statements about me. Our coach Roberto Mancini has said all that has to be said. "He is a person I respect fully and look up to. I’m not a kind of person that polemicizes." Galatasaray are currently fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, having taken 19 points from their opening 10 games in 2013/14. They have endured a patchy start to their Champions League campaign, however, and sit second in Group B- six points behind leaders Real Madrid. Drogba has played a key role in Gala’s season so far- having scored nine goals in all competitions- and is widely regarded as the Super Lig’s top star.

Nigeria cruise to U17 WC Final Nigeria beat Sweden 3-0 in Dubai this evening to reach Friday’s final of the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE. Nigeria took a 1-0 lead into the break through Taiwo Awoniyi before a late second half blitz put the result beyond doubt. However, this time there would be no dramatic rally from Nigeria against Sweden after coming back twice in their earlier Group F meeting that ended 3-3 on October 22. Sweden tried to intimidate Nigeria in the opening 15 minutes but the three-time champions kept shape. The Swedes also tested Dele Alampasu in the 2nd minute when Valmar Berisha's shot came off the side netting. Awoniyi asserted Nigeria's command of the game with the opening goal in the 21st minute after a great through ball from the outstanding Kelechi Iheanacho. Sweden also had a difficult time trying to contain captain Musa Muhammed's rampaging runs on the right wing through the opening half. Just after the restart, Chidera Ezeh could not believe his misfortune when his header came off the upright after some good work from Samuel Okon. Sweden then produced pockets of resistance but Nigeria remained composed socking everything the Scandinavians’ threw at them. Nigeria then turned on the style in a two-minute spell of the final 10 minutes of the match. Okon found space after a sweet layoff from Iheanacho blasts in Nigeria’s second goal in the 80th minute. A minute later, Ezeh volleyed in from close range to make it 3-0. Iheanacho almost added a brace in the 83rd minute but his effort hit the side netting.Nigeria face defending champions Mexico in Fridays final in Abu Dhabi. The match will be a repeat of the opening Group F match on October 19 that saw Nigeria obliterate Mexico 6-1. Meanwhile, Sweden will face Argentina for Bronze in the curtain-raiser on Friday.

Sweden crown Nigeria champions again Sweden coach Roland Larsson has said Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will be world champions again after they lost 3-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final. Nigeria battle defending champions Mexico, who spanked nine-man Argentina in the other semi-final, in Friday’s final in their quest for a record fourth World Cup. “We lost to the champions,” Larsson told the media at the end of a match in which his team were thoroughly outplayed and now face Argentina for third place. Meanwhile, the Eaglets earned double their match bonus on Tuesday after they reached the final of the FIFA U17 World Cup. Sports minister Bolaji Abdulahi made a pledge to double the team’s bonus for both the semi-final and final matches. He also predicted a bright future for the Nigerian football, describing the Eaglets as a project dear to his heart. Speaking with the team, the Minister said the players have shown in the course of time that they would go places if they remained disciplined. "I took so much pride in this team since the first day you started assembling the players last year and I'm so happy about what you have collectively achieved," he said. "Everybody has been saying it that you are the future of Nigerian football and you have proved it with your performance here."

Jose unhappy with forgetful Blues Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea "forgot" the reasons for their six-match winning streak at Newcastle and is demanding they bounce back. The Blues will bid to bounce back from the surprise defeat at St James' Park, which followed six wins in October, including against tonight's Champions League Group E opponents Schalke. Mourinho is now hoping the defeat against Newcastle was a lesson to his palyers that you cannot afford to switch off and still expect to win games week in week out. "When you win a lot, you cannot forget why you win," Mourinho said. "You cannot think that you win just because you have a nice shirt or you are on a good run or you are in a lucky moment. "When you think that, you are in trouble. You never can forget why you are winning matches and maybe we forgot. "I hope now they don't forget why they won a lot of matches and why they lost against Newcastle. If they have that clear in their minds we are fine."

Torres ruled out Jose Mourinho has confirmed striker Fernando Torres will miss tonight's Champions League meeting with Schalke with a muscular injury. Torres made a premature exit from training on Monday and was absent as 25 members of the first-team squad took to the field at Chelsea's Cobham training base to finalise preparations for the clash at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea host Schalke, who they beat 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen last month with two goals from Torres, bidding to enhance their position at the top of Group E. "Fernando we know has a muscular (leg) injury," Mourinho said. "We don't know the dimension. Scan tomorrow. Out for tomorrow and the weekend (against West Brom). "After that it's the international break and we will see how he recovers." Elsewhere, Left-back Ryan Bertrand is also out of the Schalke contest after picking up an unspecified injury in training on Tuesday.

We're not cursed! Mourinho vows to lift Chelsea's November jinx ahead of crucial Schalke clash Jose Mourinho was still damp from the drizzle as he dismissed the theory that the November rain might have some kind of debilitating effect on Chelsea’s players. ‘I won’t go for that, it makes no difference,’ said Mourinho, shaking his head, but aware that Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle has set a few nerves jangling ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League home match with Schalke. ‘If the game at Newcastle was on October 30 rather than November 2, there is no difference,’ he went on. And he’s right, it makes no sense, but this is a month when problems steeple at Stamford Bridge. Last year they won one of seven in this month; the year before they lost three times, as they did the year before that. Three years ago, assistant manager Ray Wilkins was fired in November. Last year, it was manager Roberto Di Matteo heading for the exit and John Terry injured. It might be when fixtures start to take their toll. Ryan Bertrand yesterday became the second player to pick up a knock in training this week when he injured his knee and will miss Wednesday night’s game, as will Fernando Torres, who damaged a thigh on Monday. Mourinho may not be superstitious but he has been in firm mood since Chelsea’s positive run of form came to a halt on Tyneside. He tore into his players at half-time, criticised them afterwards and yesterday was still bemoaning their ‘attitude’ and ‘complacency’. ‘When you win a lot, you cannot forget why you win,’ he said. ‘Maybe the worst thing that happened was the easy start. You go there and see lots of space and they don’t press you. They were a bit scared. We hit the post twice. The game was easy to win, we had lots of space to play in the first half, but we were just playing as if the goal would arrive.’ Defeat at Newcastle followed away victories at Schalke and Arsenal and a late win at home over Manchester City. October saw six straight wins and a solid recovery in the Champions League after losing to Basle. Mourinho added: ‘It was a good reaction to the pressure, to play a difficult match against City and go to Arsenal without many players who normally play. ‘So maybe I was caught by surprise. The only difference is, during the first half, it looked like they were not feeling it. And I was feeling it.’ Afterwards, Mourinho claimed he had made 11 selection mistakes. It hinted at major changes. ‘I was exaggerating,’ he said. ‘It’s not about changing 11 and I don’t want changes I make to be seen as somebody paying for the defeat. We just want to win.’ What he wants is a reaction, something to help him crush this November madness.

FG Offers ASUU N220bn over Five Years to End Strike President Goodluck Jonathan •Union insists on N350bn in 2014, N400bn over four years •Govt, NLC optimistic about reopening of varsities Jaiyeola Andrews and Damilola Oyedele The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun consultations with its members on whether or not to accept the new offer of a yearly payment of N220 billion over the next five years made by the federal government, in furtherance of the implementation of the 2009 Agreement aimed at ending the four-month strike by the university teachers. THISDAY gathered that the federal government at a marathon meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan that ended Tuesday, had made the offer of the annual payment of N220 billion for five years after the union had insisted on getting paid N350 billion in 2014 and N400 billion annually over the next four years. But the federal government had pleaded with the union to be reasonable in its demands so that the universities could be reopened. It also appealed to ASUU’s representatives at the meeting to take its offer to its members and gave them one week to thrash it out. If the federal government’s offer is accepted, the amount will be used for the universities’ infrastructure needs and lecturers’ earned allowances as stipulated under the 2009 Agreement. Following the N200 billion annual offer made by the federal government, the union, after the 13-hour meeting, said it could not take a decision yet on the proposal until its members had examined the offer and decided whether to accept or reject it. Although none of the parties to the negotiations, which began on Monday at 2.40 pm and ended at about 3.30 am yesterday, was willing to divulge details to reporters who had kept vigil throughout the meeting, it was gathered that the concrete annual lump sum of N220 billion offered by government, raised hopes of an imminent end to the protracted labour dispute. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) were upbeat yesterday that students who had been kept home by the strike would soon return to schools. Briefing State House reporters yesterday morning after the marathon meeting, ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, said the union would take the message from Jonathan to its members. On what the message was all about, he said the union got a message from the president and would take it to the members. He however declined to say what had transpired at the meeting and whether a truce was reached or not. “Well we had a lengthy meeting with Mr. President, rubbing minds on how best to address the problem of university education in this country. And we now have a message from Mr. President which we are going to take to our members. And we are expecting that our members will respond appropriately to the message of Mr. President,” he explained. When asked for details of the message, Fagge said: “I can’t tell you (reporters). It is not for you. It is for our members.” He also declined to say if he was satisfied with the president’s offer, adding: “Don’t put words into my mouth. Our members will determine that.” On whether the union was ready to call off the strike to allow the resumption of academic activities in universities, he stressed: “That is up to our members.” Wogu, also in his interaction with reporters, expressed optimism that the outcome of the negotiations with ASUU would lead to the suspension of the strike. He said: “We made progress. The president of ASUU told you (reporters) that they are going back with a message from the federal government to their members. And the message is full of high expectations and hope.” On whether the message was good enough to make ASUU call off the strike, he said: “That is why the message is full of high expectations and hope. So our prayer is that they come back with a positive outcome. “They might not even come back to meet us, they might take decisions there that will meet your expectations. “Nigerians should be patient for ASUU to finish their meetings and come out with a message to Nigerians.” On whether the government made any fresh offer to the union, Wogu said: “Well, the offers we made are the offers they are talking about in line with the 2009 agreement. The issues that led to the strike are issues contained in the 2009 Agreement and we did not go beyond the agreement.” The minister, who also spoke to THISDAY on the issue yesterday, reiterated his statement that the marathon meeting focused on the 2009 agreement with the union. “We believe the presidential intervention has resolved the logjam. The ball is now in the court of the union leaders to meet with their members to convey the outcome of the meeting to their members. “We are very optimistic that this will bring about a positive outcome. Even the ASUU team was very happy with the deliberations,” he said.

Arsenal rely on Ozil flair as Wilshere woes pile up ahead of crucial Dortmund game In a world where Jack Wilshere never got injured, he would be alongside Mesut Ozil in Arsenal’s midfield this evening and facing him at Wembley in 13 days. Sadly for Wilshere, he is out of this tantalising Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund with an ankle injury and may yet be forced out of England’s prestige friendly against Germany. There will be another assessment on Wilshere’s susceptible left ankle on Thursday, but discussions between Roy Hodgson’s medical department have already taken place with Arsenal’s physios. It doesn’t sound promising. Wenger said: ‘I will know more on Thursday when he will have another test. If that is not successful he will definitely be out for Sunday against Manchester United. If he is out for Sunday, then he will definitely be out for England as well.’ It left Wenger to talk about those who were fit to travel to Dortmund for this challenging Group F clash against last season’s beaten finalists. Ozil is one of them and Wenger believes he can break into the Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo cartel to battle for the right to be regarded as the best player on the planet. The Germany midfielder, who has scored three times since his £42.5m move from Real Madrid in September, is one of 23 nominees for FIFA’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Wenger added: ‘Ozil is not one of the favourites this year, but in the future he can win it. ‘What he has brought to the team is exceptional technical quality. His vision and his desire to play collectively with other players is very strong. He is a player who has only one master and that is the football. 'He does what the game demands and that is something that all the great players have.’ It’s an ambitious target to set a player, but Ozil’s unique skills can turn tight situations in their favour. They will need him to perform against Jurgen Klopp’s team. Arsenal will run out in front of the Sudtribune, home of the legendary Yellow Wall where 25,000 Dortmund fanatics are stationed, to meet German football’s form team. They have a 100 per cent record at home this season and tuned up for Arsenal’s visit with a 6-1 victory over Stuttgart on Friday evening. As usual Robert Lewandowski, who scored the winner for Dortmund at the Emirates two weeks ago, was in on the action. He scored a hat-trick, the fourth of his career with Die Borussen. Wenger said: ‘Usually at home Lewandowski is dangerous, but it’s down to us to have the ball. That is the best way to keep them quiet. If we leave the ball to Dortmund, a player like Lewandowski will be dangerous.’ So, too, are Arsenal. They were lifted by the manner of their victory over Liverpool on Saturday, putting away one of their title rivals with an assured performance at the Emirates. They are also unbeaten in 14 away games since that epic night in Munich when they stunned the eventual winners last March by winning 2-0 in the Allianz-Arena. ‘Maybe we didn’t have the same belief at home because we failed to win a few big home games and there was a bit of scepticism,’ added Wenger. They are bursting with belief now, convinced they can put a spike in a record of wins at this 81,000-capacity stadium this season that reads: 2-1, 1-0, 6-2, 5-0, 3-0, 1-0, 6-1. Klopp was measured on Tuesday, slipping on the game face after his entertaining analogies that compared his side with a heavy metal band and Arsenal with an orchestra. This is the serious stuff and he has already shown his players a video of Arsenal’s remarkable victory against last season’s champions. ‘This will be a great fight and there will be a lot of man-on-man tackles,’ said Klopp. ‘It will be tough for Lewandowski against Mertesacker and Koscielny. He will have to impose his game.’ Beyond that, it is shaping up to be a classic.

Blackburn and Blackpool fined £5,000 each after 21-man brawl Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers have each been fined £5,000 by the FA after their players were involved in a 21-man brawl last month. Rovers forward DJ Campbell and Tangerines' defender Jack Robinson were both sent off after the incident, which occurred late on in the 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road. A statement from the FA read: 'Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers have each been fined the standard penalty of £5,000 after admitting a breach of FA Rule E20(a) in relation to their game on 26 October 2013. 'Both clubs were charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 85th minute of this fixture.'

Pellegrini says rampant City can beat anyone Manchester City's Fernandinho (L) chases down CSKA Moscow's Seydou Doumbia during their UEFA Champions League group D match in Manchester, November 5, 2013, which City won 5-2 Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes that his side should fear no team in Europe after they crushed CSKA Moscow 5-2 to reach the Champions League last 16. Having demolished Norwich City 7-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, City have now scored 12 goals in their last two matches. Alvaro Negredo led the charge against CSKA on Tuesday with a hat-trick, while Sergio Aguero claimed a brace as City qualified for the knockout rounds after successive group-stage exits in 2011 and 2012. Asked if City could beat any team in the competition, Pellegrini replied: "I think so. But at this level, every team can beat us also. "There are the most important teams in Europe, the most important teams in Spain, in Italy, in France. I think we have a strong squad and we will see where we can go in this Champions League." After hosting Group D's bottom side Viktoria Pilsen on November 27, City will conclude the group phase away to defending champions and pool leaders Bayern Munich. Bayern currently lead City by three points, but Pellegrini believes that regardless of the final standings, no team will relish a trip to the Etihad Stadium in the round of 16. "The minimum target was to qualify for the next round, but it wasn't our only target," he said. "We must continue in Europe. We will see the draw, because we don't know with whom we are going to play in February, but I am sure that the team we play against will not be very happy to play against us." CSKA will play host to Bayern in their next game with part of their stadium closed as a punishment for the racist chanting to which City midfielder Yaya Toure was subjected when he played there two weeks ago. Tuesday's reverse fixture passed off without off-field incident and afterwards, Toure made a pointed reference to the conduct of his side's supporters. "We must say thank you to the fans today," said the Ivorian. "They showed the fans of CSKA how to support a team." When CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky was asked in his post-game press conference whether anyone from his club had spoken to Toure about the incidents in Moscow, he replied: "I don't know." Pellegrini urged CSKA's supporters to learn their lessons from the affair. "I think maybe if the fans of CSKA will have another way to support their team, I think that's the better way," he said. "They have to have another way to support their team. UEFA made the thing (punishment) that they had to do and it's better to finish with that thing." While Negredo and Aguero took most of the plaudits with their goals, Pellegrini was also eager to underline the contributions of attacking midfielders Samir Nasri and David Silva, who tormented CSKA throughout. "Both of them, Silva and Nasri, are two very important creative midfielders and they play really well," said the Chilean. "I think also that the way we are playing, giving both of them the freedom to play where they want, with all the movement, is also important for both of them. "For the two strikers, with the way we play, trying to always be in the opposite side (half), it allows both of them to play very well with the ball at their feet. It's a mix of all." Slutsky, whose side can no longer qualify for the last 16, attributed Tuesday's result to his own players' mistakes and said he had been more impressed by Bayern, who beat CSKA 3-0 in their opening group game. "Obviously we were playing against players of a high level, but the mistakes were our own," said Slutsky, whose side scored twice through Seydou Doumbia. "We lost because of ourselves, whereas in Bavaria (against Bayern Munich) it was mostly down to the level of the other side."

Mourinho wants Champions League backlash against Schalke Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has called for an immediate response from his players against Schalke in the Champions League on Wednesday following their unscheduled defeat at Newcastle United. The Europa League champions appeared to be gathering momentum after winning all six of their matches in all competitions in October, only to slump to a 2-0 loss at St James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday. On Wednesday they will be bidding to repair their home record in European competition, having seen a 29-game unbeaten run in the Champions League group phase ended by Basel in their opening Group E fixture. Their subsequent victories away to Steaua Bucharest (4-0) and Schalke (3-0) took them to the top of the pool, but another setback at Stamford Bridge would compromise their chances of reaching the last 16. "We are in a stable position to qualify in the Champions League, but if we lose again we are in a difficult position," Mourinho told the Chelsea website. "So Wednesday is an important game for us." Mourinho has vowed to shake up his starting XI, having been critical of his players' application after the defeat at Newcastle. Andre Schurrle, Willian and Samuel Eto'o will all hope to start after coming on from the bench against Alan Pardew's side, while Juan Mata's place once again looks at risk after he was hooked in the 62nd minute. "I will make changes. Not 11 changes because that would be too much, but changes for sure," said Mourinho. "I don't know my best team because we have this kind of performance (against Newcastle). "I know basically which is my best team, but it depends on the way we perform because performances and results push you for decisions." Mourinho can at least console himself that, with the exception of long-term knee injury victim Marco van Ginkel, he has a full complement of players to choose from. The same cannot be said of his Schalke counterpart Jens Keller, whose injury-ravaged squad have been unable to keep pace in the Bundesliga this season. Schalke won 2-0 away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday, but they are languishing in sixth place -- 12 points behind leaders Bayern Munich -- after losing four of their opening 11 games. The Gelsenkirchen club have been hit by injuries to Marco Hoger, Jefferson Farfan, Chinedu Obasi and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, although Greek centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos is close to a return from a knee problem after playing for Schalke's reserves last weekend. One positive by-product of the injury blight has been the emergence of youngsters such as 18-year-old attacking midfielder Max Meyer, who last month became the youngest player to score in three consecutive Bundesliga games. However, captain Benedikt Howedes has admitted: "We cannot compete against top teams like Chelsea at the moment." Schalke's last visit to England came almost exactly a year ago, when they won 2-0 against current Premier League leaders Arsenal en route to topping their group. Chelsea have not lost at home to a German team in six previous encounters, but Schalke may take heart from the London club's curious habit of struggling for form in November. Chelsea have won just six out of 21 games that they have played in the last three Novembers, and former manager Roberto Di Matteo paid with his job this time last year after the defending champions fell in the group phase. Goalkeeper Petr Cech says that his side are aware of the quirk and determined not to succumb to their November hoodoo again. "We always say, 'Be careful, because November was not the greatest month,' and we said it again two years ago and again last year," said the Czech Republic international. "The last three seasons it didn't really work out and that is very hard to explain. "But we are now in a good position in the league and a good position in the Champions League group, and we have to carry on like that because it's a long campaign."

Premier League title challengers, how are they doing after 10 games? Ten games in, we have a look at the back that is bunched up in the title chase, whilst the leaders have a little bit of early breathing space. It may be early days in the season but several managers past and present have said that looking at the table after ten games in a league season is a good barometer to see how they’re progressing. Here we have a look at the title fight and see rate their season so far. Arsenal- 1st, 25 points A lot of people will probably have seenthe Gunners as the main casualty if the make-up of the Champions League places were going to change, but their start suggests otherwise. After a shock defeat on the opening day of the season,Arsenal have bounced back well and have only dropped two points in their other 9 games. They have also managed to beat tricky opposition in Tottenham andLiverpool at home whilst some don’t think they have played enough tough opposition early on and the coming months will be a truer test of their title credentials. If they keep up the same rate they are projected to finish on 95 points this season- which you’d think would be enough for them to win the title, though a few pundits are queuing up to talk down their chances of lifting the title come May. Rating 9.5/10 Chelsea- 2nd, 20 points Jose Mourinho will be a bit concerned aboutChelsea’ away from out of anything in the league having only won on the road so far against a struggling Norwich City side. However, their home form has been excellent and they lead the chasing pack. They have playedManchester United, Tottenham,Everton andManchester City early on so it wouldn’t be a surprise if their season starts to gather pace. They were expected to challenge for the title early on in the season but are in a fairly strong position. Projected points 76- Rating 7/10 Liverpool- 3rd, 20 points Liverpool will have set themselves the aim of getting into the top four this season and therefore will have needed a good start- something which they have got. Like Arsenal they have received the same criticism of not playing the stronger teams in the division but have a tricky looking period coming up when they face their rivals for European places before the turn of the year. They overcameManchester United at home as well beating sides they ought to in struggling Sunderland and Crystal Palace, along with avoiding defeat at tricky away fixtures in Swansea and Newcastle. The home defeat toSouthampton was one of their poorer performances of the season, but overall they should be relatively happy with the start they’ve made. Projected points 76- Rating 8/10 Tottenham- 4th, 20 points They may not have scored many goals but they have had a solid looking start- even with that shock home defeat to West Ham. Tough games against Arsenal and Chelsea are out of the way and they seem to be picking up wins by the odd goal to help them keep ticking along. Given that they haven’t got into full flow yet they will be happy with where they are so far. At the start of the season we predicted they could be a major threat to the top four places, and so far that’s looking true. Projected points 76- Rating 7.5/10 Manchester City- 5th, 19 points New manager but were heavily tipped to win the league title. They have been scintillating at home, indifferent away from home as they have only managed to win the one game, but some individual errors have cost them points and left Manuel Pellegrini with some big decisions to make. Still very much in the hunt having playedMan United and Chelsea as you would expect, but have some difficult fixtures coming up soon, like a lot of the top sides. Lots of goals but the defence may need tightening. Projected points 72 Rating 6/10 Southampton- 6th, 19 points The surprise package of the season so far, so hands up who expected them to be battling it out with those who harbour ambitions of a title challenge or Champions League place at the start of August. Anyone? People wouldn't have expected them to be mentioned in amongst the title contenders but they are above the current champions so it would be rude not to. A foundation built on solid defence, they’ve defeated Liverpool at Anfield and taken a point off Manchester United at Old Trafford. They will have perhaps liked to have taken all three points against West Ham and Sunderland early on. One could argue the fixture list has been relatively favourable forthe Saints, but have picked up points where they were least expected to. Some, however, are waiting for their bubble to burst. Everton- 7th, 19 points A difficult job for Roberto Martinez following in the footsteps of David Moyes and so far he has impressed. Having beaten Chelsea at Goodison Park, given Manchester City a scare, and heldSpurs to a draw, Everton look a match for anybody. Shrewd signings have also settled into the side well as they look comfortable on the ball and very good going forward, as expected.

Premier League title challengers, how are they doing after 10 games? Ten games in, we have a look at the back that is bunched up in the title chase, whilst the leaders have a little bit of early breathing space. It may be early days in the season but several managers past and present have said that looking at the table after ten games in a league season is a good barometer to see how they’re progressing. Here we have a look at the title fight and see rate their season so far. Arsenal- 1st, 25 points Chelsea- 2nd, 20 points Liverpool- 3rd, 20 points Tottenham- 4th, 20 points Manchester City- 5th, 19 points Southampton- 6th, 19 points Everton- 7th, 19 points Manchester United- 8th, 17 points

Manchester United latest: Including Van Persie rested, and Januzaj protection call News, views and rumours relating toManchester United in the past 24 hours. United have announced their starting line-up for the game away toReal Sociedad: Starting Team: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Buttner, Anderson, Nani, Young, Van Persie The English champions can knock the Spaniards out of the competition butthe Red Devils cannot qualify for the knockout stages just yet. David Moyes has called for‘greater protection’ from referees for Adnan Januzaj following Fulham’s Sacha Riether’s charge with violent conduct retroactively by the FA for his stamp onthe Red Devils’ youngster. “I do think Adnan is going to need a little bit of protection or we are going to find he is getting kicked up and down,”he said. “I do think he deserves a little bit more than he is getting at this time.” Sacha Riether has apologized to Adnan Januzaj for his conduct via Twitter. "I want to say I am sorry to Adnan Januzai," he said. "It was very unlike me and I can only say that frustration got the better of me. I also want to apologise to my teammates, fans and everyone at the Club, for the ban incurred following Saturday's match. "I will accept the consequences of my actions, and hope to put it behind me when I return,” he added. However,Sacha Riether could‘get off’ the FA’s charge of violent conduct by way of the same loophole that allowed Chelsea’s Fernando Torres to escape punishment by the authority for‘clawing’ Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen in the face. Riether face a three-match ban for his stamp on Januzaj on Saturday after referee Lee Probert failed to spot the incident leading the FA to review the footage from the game but Fulham could appeal the charge on the basis that the match officials did in fact see the incident and chose not to punish the Fulham player during the game. In transfer news,David Moyes insists Javier Hernandez is‘needed’at United, following speculation over the Mexican striker’s future at Old Trafford this week and in recent months. "We need Javier Hernandez; he's very good for us," Moyes said. "He's scored a lot of goals over the last few years and continues to do so, so we'll continue to use him." This comes as his Mexico teammate Carlos Vela spoke out calling for him to gain more regular playing time- something which Chicharito retweeted on Twitter yesterday. In other news,Manchester United’s first FA Cup final programme has sold for16,000 at auction at Sotheby’s in London. Finally, former United captainRoy Keane is in talks to sign a management deal with the Republic of Irelandalong with Martin O’Neill.

Liverpool selling summer signing would seem incredibly hasty A report this morning indicated thatIago Aspas could be on his way out of Anfield in the next window. Liverpool forwardIago Aspas has been linked with a move away from Anfield having only signed for the club in the summer transfer window. By his own admission, Aspas would’ve liked to have been more prominent in front of goal during his time on Merseyside so far this season, but if reports from theDaily Star turn out to be true, it would look like an incredibly rash decision. The forward has so far made only six appearances in aLiverpool shirt since making a7m move from Celta Vigo, and has since suffered an injury setback by tearing a thigh muscle. But without really seeing what the Spaniard is capable of, it seems a little unfair if Liverpool were to ship him out almost immediately. Admittedly he is not going to be the first choice striker at Liverpool, especially given the form of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez at the moment. From what Aspas demonstrated during the pre-season and in the competitive matches so far, he has shown he moves well to create space and can get himself into goal scoring positions- though he is perhaps not regarded as clinical. He isn’t afraid to make the run in the six yard box and get on the end of the ball- which if you watch some of Liverpool’s missed opportunities so far this season, it has lacked someone being around the six yard area to stab the ball home. Spending7m on a striker and sell him on after not having a good look at him would be a bit hasty, would it not?

Tata Martino: “The match against Milan is of vital importance” The manager is wary of Milan's potential ahead of tomorrow's match:"We have to play a good game to win the three points" Before the press conference got underway, Tata Martino sent a message of encouragement to Jonathan dos Santos, who underwent surgery this Tuesday: “I want to send him my regards and all of our support. I hope he has a speedy recovery.” Tata Martino reminded the journalists gathered in the Ricard Maxenchs press room of the importance of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with AC Milan.“It’s of vital importance to us seeing that we’re on the verge of qualifying [for the next round].” A victory over the Italian team would give FC Barcelona passage to the Round of 16, which would “give us a certain tranquility” ahead of of the last two matches of the group stage. The match is of vital importance to us seeing that we’re on the verge of qualifying for the next round of the competition In addition, the manager isn’t paying too much attention to Milan’s recent streak of poor results (one draw and two defeats) since the two teams faced off at the San Siro two weeks ago. “I have a lot of respect for the club and players of Milan. If you don’t play well, they can hurt you.We need to have a very good game to win the three points.” He added with a touch of irony: “We’re also in a crisis and I don’t think there’s too much of a difference in how both AC Milan and FC Barcelona are coming into the match. In these circumstances we’re the same.” Martino then defended how Barça play, even though he admitted that there’s room for improvement.“There’s room to improve and I don’t have any doubt that we can do it, both collectively and individually. I believe that our collective form influences the individual form of the players,” he explained. He added: “We insist and try to follow the same path, the path that makes Xavi and Iniesta important.” But he added that there are players “that give you alternatives during different periods of a game.” There’s room to improve and I don’t have any doubt that we can do it When asked aboutLeo Messi, Tata Martino said, “I’m very content to have him on the team. I expect him to contribute what he usually contributes to the team, he’s very decisive for us.”

Robben’s Right? The Story Behind The Flying Dutchman’s Ballon d’Or Nomination Arjen Robben has been one of the biggest names in European football for a number of years, playing forChelsea,Real Madrid andBayern Munich. Last season, Robben was part of one of the great European sides. Jupp Heynckes built an unstoppable machine that rolled on throughout the season, destroying everything in its way. Initially, the flying Dutchman Robben was struggling for a place in Heynckes’ side but developed his game in order to fit into the system. Robben has never been known for grafting on the pitch, or tracking back to help win possession back; he has always been an individual who will do what he does best when in possession and that’s it. However, last season, he turned that all around. In Munich’s run to Champions League glory, Robben was arguably one of the best players in the squad. He scored two goals against Barcelona in the semi-final and scored the winner in the final againstBorussia Dortmund. Major honours this year Robben won everything he could with Bayern last season. This includes the Champions League, the German Cup and the Bundesliga. He also won the UEFA Super Cup in a penalty shoot out win over Chelsea earlier this season. The Dutchman didn’t play many Bundesliga games, but he featured heavily in the club’s European run. He also featured nine times for Holland in 2013, scoring four times. Who is Arjen Robben? Born in Bedum, Holland in January 1984, Robben first made his name at Groningen in the Eredivisie. He was the club’s Player of the Year in 2001 and soon moved to PSV two year later where he became Netherlands’ Young Player of the Year and won the league title. After impressing for PSV, Chelsea swooped in and signed the Dutchman for £12 million. After winning the Premier League twice with Chelsea, he moved to Real Madrid for £24m where he won the La Liga in 2008. When he left the Spanish capital, he claimed he was forced out against his will. He has since played for Munich, winning two Bundesligas, two German Cups, two German Super Cups, a UEFA Super Cup and the Champions League. Key Stats Robben has a fantastic left-foot and is dangerous whenever he cuts-in from the right-hand side. He either unleashes a shot on goal or plays a pass to a team-mate. This season, only Franck Ribery has created more chances than him, with 32 to his 21. His shooting is also impressive as he holds a shot accuracy of 64%.

Monday 4 November 2013

Semi-final will be different, Sweden warn Nigeria Sweden coach Roland Larsson insists his side’s semi-final clash with Nigeria at Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday will be “a completely different game” to the 3-3 result when the teams met in the group stages. World Cup debutantes Sweden twice went ahead against three-time champions Nigeria to lead 2-0 and 3-2 before the Golden Eaglets fought back for a draw in Group F last month. It was the only occasion so far in the tournament that Nigeria have looked beatable. However, Larsson is by no means stepping into this fixture on an overconfident note, having watched Nigeria rack up 20 goals so far. “It’s another game,” said Larsson of the semi-final. “We had a good first game against them but that’s history. Now we are at the end of the tournament and there are a lot of new aspects to the game like tired players. The best team will be the one that has recovered the best.” Asked what his side had learned from their first match against Nigeria, Larsson said: “We learned that if you don’t stay focused against Nigeria for the full 90 minutes, you will make a mistake and they will punish you. “You have to follow a plan — run, fight and cover — especially to take care of defence. But defence alone doesn’t win games, so we also have to score and we scored three times against Nigeria, so we are satisfied about that. Nigeria have high quality individual skills and very good players. They play very fast passing football and have many tools to score from — the centre, wings, crosses and counters. It’s a complete team for attacking. We respect Nigeria but we still feel we can beat them.”

Eaglets battle Sweden for final ticket Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba said he was confident that his team would deliver in Tuesday’s semi-final match against Sweden at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai. “All my life, I have never entertained any fear and I don’t even know what fear means,” Manu said at the pre-match conference. “Of course, I know that whatever happens is ordained by God, so I have no fear about Sweden.” When the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup kicked off in the UAE on October 17, the Nigerian team were undoubtedly among the competition’s favourites because of the country’s rich football history, especially at this level. They had won the competition in 1985, 1993 and 2007 and emerged runners-up in 1987, 2001 and 2009. But now, the Golden Eaglets’ fourth title aspiration seems tied to how strong they can be against Sweden — their second meeting since the competition began. They had met in a Group F encounter which ended 3-3 on October 22, a match the Nigerian side described as their most testing group match. They had to draw level after going two goals down by the 20th minute, and they still had to come from behind to pick a point from the match with nine minutes to go. Today, however, the Eaglets have to do better as they have more at stake. In this their seventh semi-final appearance, the Eaglets have a handful to prove against a Swedish team making their debut in the competition. So far, the Nigerians have proven their strength with 20 goals while conceding five in four wins and one draw so far. The Swedes have scored 11 goals and conceded 7, from three wins, one draw and one loss. However, one player the Nigerian team should be wary of is Valmir Berisha who got a brace in their Group F meeting. Berisha, a lofty Swedish striker, has been instrumental in his side’s progress at the competition. But in Success Isaac and Musa Yahaya, scorers against Sweden earlier, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Mohammed, the Eaglets seem to be up to the task. As it is, both teams would have to do without one player each — Sweden’s Viktor Nordin and Nigeria’s Akinjide Idowu — due to suspension. Looking ahead to the match, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Dele Alampasu who has conceded five goals, with three of them against Sweden, said he has learnt his lessons. He told theNews Agency of Nigeria, “I wasn’t myself then. I messed up coming off my line for the first goal and that weighed on me afterwards. I was a bit lost after the first goal and before I could get myself back in the game, I was called on again and everything went wrong. “But, I thank God I got over it against Iraq when we won 5-0 and I won’t make the same mistakes against Sweden. I’ve learnt my lesson.” Nigerians are hoping to see the Eaglets play the final match on Friday.

Glo justifies BlackBerry tariff slash Telecommunications operator, Globacom, has said the rationale behind the slashing of its BlackBerry tariff by half is to encourage Nigerians to use data more frequently. In a statement, the firm said the unprecedented move was aimed at liberalising access to the modern tool for social and business networking. In addition to the tariff drop, it said there was a considerable increase in the data allowance for both BlackBerry 10 plans and the generic BlackBerry plans. The statement signed by Globacom’s Coordinator, Marketing, Mr. Adeniyi Olukoya, explained that the Absolute Month platform, which hitherto was N2,800 with 3GB data, now goes for N1,000 with 3GB data. The Absolute Week plan goes for N500 with 700MB and the co-month and co-week plans go for N899 and N400 with data allowance of 3GB and 700MB respectively. According to the company, the new BlackBerry subscription tariffs are for both old and new customers. The statement said, “Globacom is the first network to introduce BlackBerry service in Nigeria and we have continued to maintain the lead by offering subscribers the best and most pocket-friendly BlackBerry rates. Glo always has exciting offers for both existing and potential customers. “We are offering these new tariffs to encourage Nigerians to use data more frequently. This will make life more abundant for our subscribers.”

Bayern without Robben Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will have to make do without the services of Arjen Robben for this week’s Champions League game against Viktoria Plzen as the Dutchman remains sidelined due to injury. Robben picked up a hamstring problem against Hertha Berlin last week and consequently missed the 2-1 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim on Saturday. The 29-year-old was initially expected to be match fit again in time for Tuesday’s Group D clash against Plzen, but Bayern has now announced on its website that Robben will remain in Munich to continue working on an individual training program. The winger has been a key figure for Bayern so far this season, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances in all competitions. Bayern currently sits atop its Champions League group with nine points from three games and will qualify for the knockout stage with a win over Plzen.

Adebayor must be patient, says Villas-Boas Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says striker Emmanuel Adebayor will have to remain patient in his bid for first-team football. The 29-year-old admitted he was despondent after failing to break into the starting XI at White Hart Lane this season. Roberto Soldado has been Villas-Boas’ preferred choice as a lone striker in Premier League matches this term, with Jermain Defoe being utilised for the club’s UEFA Europa League campaign. Despite seeing Tottenham draw a blank in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Everton, the Portuguese says Adebayor will have to prove his worth on the training ground. “Obviously every player counts for us,” he said. “We have Defoe on eight goals, Soldado on six. Sometimes we start with a 4-4-2 (formation), then that can change to a 4-2-3-1 with one striker up front, so there is competition for places and you have to try and break your way into the team. “No matter how hard you try the others are trying just as hard as you. So you have to be patient and wait for your opportunity whenever it arises. I think that is the nature of any top club in the country.”

Manchester United doubling their offer on failed summer target? Manchester United manager David Moyes in alleged link with 29-year-old playmaker. The one glaring flaw inManchester United's performances to date is, despite their recent undefeated run in thePremier League, how their collective chance creation pales in comparison to the teams around them in the division such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. While those four clubs can call upon Mesut Ozil, Eden Hazard, David Silva or Philippe Coutinho/Steven Gerrard, United still operate without an elite-level recognised playmaker and, of all their midfielders, it is the deeper-lying midfielder Michael Carrick who has contributed the most key passes - 12, which is still four shy of the further afield Wayne Rooney, on 16. Their statistics also fall some way short of the top end teams who do possess a high-end maker of plays such as Ozil (22), who only joined the Arsenal in September and missed threePremier League match-days, Hazard (19) and Silva (27). Even though the transfer window does not re-open for activity for another two months, that has not stopped the speculation, as United are linked with a return for a summer target whom they attempted to sign for6m only this time,The People last week claimed they will double the offer in January to12m. That player isGalatasaray's 'no 10';Wesley Sneijder, who was once a fundamental part in Internazionale's all-conquering side of 2009-10 but who left at the turn of the current calender year for a measly7m to join the Turkish Super Lig kings. Sneijder remains an attacking threat. In his first five months as a Gala player he returned four goals and one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions while there are five goals and one assist to his name from 12 appearances thus far this season. In Champions League competition alone, he has featured thrice, scored once, hit the target with 67% of his shots, completed 84% of his passes (with an average distance of 18 metres), won 50% of his duels and created five chances. Sneijder has competed and been effective in four top tiers: the Eredivisie, La Liga, Serie A and Super Lig, so there should be no question marks over his ability to adapt to another division and, with a transfermarkt.co.uk value of15m, the Dutchman surely represents value for money. The question is… will United bid that much for a player they attempted to sign for6m in the summer?

Luis Suarez interviewed in France on Evra, PSG link, and what would drive him crazy Liverpool'sLuis Suarez has given an interview in France where he discusses everything from his clash with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Never out of the news,Luis Suarez is in a good place right now, appearing fully committed toLiverpool after a tumultuous summer. He has given an interview with French radio station RMC this week on a variety of topics, and here is the pick of what he has had to say: On Liverpool: "The expectation is huge. This season, we started well, with the desire and hope. There was no Europa Cup to compete allowing us to be 100% focused on the championship. This season in thePremier League , the level is very tight. It can all happen against anyone, it's important for us to take advantage of this." PSG and Edinson Cavani: "We often talk together, especially our family. But we also talk about football. The last time we talked about his transfer to PSG . He wanted to change clubs and play in a team that aspires to win the Champions League." (Asked if Cavani had asked him to join him at PSG) "No. He said he is happy in Paris, he is happy with the big club he discovered, its partners and the way we look at football in France. He asked me a lot about it because it is like what I know in England." On Real Madrid: "There are always rumoirs. Sometimes too many. If I had to play in all the clubs in which the press has sent me, I would have gone crazy. I stay away from all that." On Patrice Evra: "It's part of the past. This controversy has hurt me because I had to justify myself without any proof on me. I was punished without the evidence that put me in question. Today, I do not think that far."

Arsenal Linked With Unstoppable Forward Who Is Outscoring Lionel Messi Arsenal are considering a move forAtletico Madrid star and formerLiverpool targetDiego Costa in January as they look to reinforce their striking options, according to theDaily Star. Costa, 25, turned down a move to Anfield in the summer in favour of signing a new contract at Atletico, but remained loyal to the team that gave him his chance of success in La Liga. Costa said:“I was close to leaving, Liverpool are a great team, but after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave? “I thought that it was very important for me to continue growing in this club and to play here for many years.” The Brazilian has been in sensational form for Los Rojiblancos with 13 goals in 12 La Liga games so far this season, and has recently announced his intention to play for Spain over his native Brazil. Costa has been in lethal form this season, converting an incredible 39.1% of his chances

First choice Manchester United ace 'doubtful' for Arsenal clash What does Manchester United potentially missing Rafael mean for their weekend clash withArsenal? Rafael da Silva is a major doubt forManchester United's match withArsenal at the weekend, but dothe Gunners have the personnel to exploit his absence? Last season was a coming of age one forRafael da Silva, the right-back was superb on a consistent basis on United's way to winning the league, with memorable goals against QPR and Liverpool. This campaign has been a frustrating one so far for the Brazilian. After a hamstring injury delayed his start to the season, he returned to the first team, and was then taken off at half-time against Fulham with another suspected knock. Manager David Moyes has confirmed the defender has been left at home for their Champions League match with Real Sociedad, suffering ankle ligament damage. The Telegraph report that Rafael faces a 'battle to be fit' for Sunday's 4.10pm kick-off against Arsenal, and is officially 'doubtful.' They add: "United's medical staff have yet to rule Rafael out of the Arsenal game, but he is understood to be 'touch and go' for the clash with Arsene Wenger's team." Potentially it is a very big boost for Arsenal in the pivotalPremier League match, with United lacking a proven specialist back-up. Phil Jones covered for Michael Carrick in midfield at the weekend, and could be needed there again, with Chris Smalling more likely to deputise - as he ably did for England at Wembley against Poland last month. It is however no simple injury boost for Arsenal, with their own left-back Kieran Gibbs, who would have clashed with Rafael on the flank, also battling his own fitness issues with a calf strain. Arsenal also do not possess a top class left-winger who could cause United problems. There certainly won't be a repeat of the mismatch which saw Antonio Valencia bamboozle Andre Santos at Old Trafford last season. Arsene Wenger played Santi Cazorla out on the left against Liverpool, and likely will again, but the Spaniard is not a traditional winger, and is most dangerous when he cuts inside, as evidenced by his goal against Liverpool. His best hope of success is to pull Smalling out of position and inside, and hope Arsenal's left-back, whether it be Gibbs or Monreal can take advantage of the space by double teaming the defender. Manchester United fans will surely be crossing their fingers Rafael is fit to return, but if not the onus will switch tothe Gunners to see if they can expose the fact the champions are without their first choice right-back

David Moyes taking nothing for granted against Real Sociedad Manchester United boss David Moyes is wary of the threat posed by Real Sociedad despite the Spanish side failing to win a point in the Champions League this season. United flew out to Spain on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Group A encounter in the knowledge that a win would take them to 10 points with two games remaining and secure their passage into the knock-out stages. Sociedad lost to an injury-time goal to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the competition, while an early own goal was their undoing at Old Trafford two weeks ago, but Moyes is focused on extending his side's seven-match unbeaten run. "I certainly won't take anything for granted," he said. "I have a lot of respect for Sociedad, and we will have to play well on Tuesday if we are going to get those 10 points which will get us over the line. "But we have got ourselves in a good position in the group and we have to try to maintain that." United's Champions League progress has been in marked contrast to their early-season Premier League struggles. "There is nothing which we have done differently," Moyes said. "Everything we're doing in this Champions League we're doing in the Premier League as well. "The players are used to it. They are experienced at this level and that helps. I hope that continues."

Palmeiras rubbish links to Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk Brazilian outfit Palmeiras admit to being admirers of Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk, but have no plans to bring him home. Palmeiras will be toasting their centenary in 2014, and a marquee signing has been mooted to tie in with the celebrations. Plenty of speculation has suggested that Hulk is the man in their sights, with the burly frontman known to be a supporter of the club. Any deal would, however, come at a price, with Zenit having spent big to secure Hulk's services in September 2012. The Russian outfit have not entirely ruled out the prospect of a loan switch being sanctioned, but interested parties have been quoted eye-watering fees. With that situation unlikely to change any time soon, Palmeiras accept that a deal for the 27-year-old is out of their reach. Executive director Jose Carlos Brunoro told Globo Esporte on the Hulk rumours: "We are always interested, but that is a lie. "There is no chance that happens. We haven't even thought about it."

joelikan: Arsenal Star Looks Forward to Difficult Match Agai...

Arsenal Step Up Interest In Striker After Andrade Admission Arsenal are set to step up their efforts to sign Alexandre Pato after Corinthians director Roberto de Andrade admitted the club are willing to sell the striker this January. Newspaper reports in recent days have linked both us and rivals Tottenham with the former AC Milan forward, who moved to Corinthians just 11 months ago after ending a six-year stay at the San Siro. Pato revealed just last week that he turned down the chance to join Spurs in the summer while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the market for a new front man when the transfer window re-opens this winter and Pato is on his radar. Andrade feels it would difficult for the 24-year-old to move to another Brazilian side but admitted he could be sold if Arsenal or Spurs come in with a substantial offer. “Given his value, I think it is difficult for him to move to another Brazilian club,” “If the two clubs [Arsenal and Tottenham] are interested in Pato we do not exclude to sell him during the winter transfer market.” Andrade is quoted as saying in theStar The Star claim that we will now step up our interest in the Brazilian international following this admission and hope to beat Tottenham to his signature. A new striker is a must in January and Pato would be a decent addition to the squad. He’s a huge talent and would certainly be an asset, so hopefully we could do a deal with Corinthians and bring him in this January.

Tomas Rosicky Talks Arsenal and Dortmund Ahead of Champions League Clash Arsenal's veteran midfielder Tomas Rosicky may be one of the oldest players in Arsenal's team now, but he still knows how to have fun. The crafty midfielder may not be the same player he was five years ago, but his current contributions to the Gunners and his ability to deputize when needed have made him reliable and a fan favorite. Rosicky put in another admirable shift against Liverpool this weekend, only being replaced by Nacho Monreal in the second when Arsene Wenger looked to give the Gunners a bit more defensive shape and cover down the left hand side. Speaking toArsenal's website about the Gunners' current crop of midfielders, Rosicky expressed the fun he has when he he's on the pitch. “It's fun to play with players like Ozil and Cazorla,” he said. “They can pass the ball so quickly and creatively. I think you can see we have fun on the pitch - if you have that it's great. “We needed this result to react positively after the negative result [against Chelsea]. It was a great game, an intense game from both sides and obviously we are happy to win so it's very pleasant. “It's great to be [five points clear], no doubt about it, but for me it's too soon, the season is very long. Of course we would like to stay there on top of the league, it's a good feeling to be there but it's too soon, it doesn't mean a lot at this time. But it's not a bad feeling I have to admit and I would like to stay there.” Arsenal take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, and for Rosicky, the midweek match represents a very special day. The Czech Republic midfielder made 126 league appearances for the Bundesliga side during his stint in Germany and will know what to expect when his side visit Signal Iduna Park. “It will definitely be [special] because I spent five and a half years there and in the 14 years I've played professional football, I’ve played for just three teams,” he said. “I spent five years there, won the league there and played in the Uefa Cup final there so obviously I have a lot of attachments and it will be a special game for me.” Rosicky has made 10 appearances this year for Arsenal, with three appearances in the Champions League. With Arsenal, Napoli, and Borussia Dortmund all even on six points in Group F, Wednesday's games will play a massive role in determining who advances from the group stage.

Arsenal Star Looks Forward to Difficult Match Against Borussia Dortmund The positivity and confidence appears to be back in Arsenal's game once again after a great performance against Liverpool on Sunday. The 2-0 win over Liverpool not only earned them a five-point advantage in the table, but it also gave them a much needed win ahead of the trip to Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund's late winner at the Emirates stadium coupled with the loss to Chelsea a few days later appeared to have taken the early season confidence out of the team. However, Arsenal seemed to be back at their best even without players like Mathieu Flamini. The 2-1 loss to Dortmund a couple of weeks ago has also put Arsenal's Champions League group in delicate balance. Arsenal, Dortmund, and Napoli are all level on points after the first three rounds. Speaking ahead of the away trip, Mikel Arteta said toSky Sports that this game will be huge. "The Dortmund game is huge. We knew this week was going to be tough and this is a good way to start it. Dortmund will be a very different game to Liverpool, with the way they play, so we will have to get ready for it. "I didn't think Dortmund were the better team when they won at the Emirates last time. We don't want to go to Napoli needing a win." Napoli have a home match against Marseille, who are struggling in the group. The Italians are expected to take three points. This would leave Arsenal with a mountain to climb if they lose on Wednesday night. Arsenal prepared for this match with a win over Liverpool, while Dortmund helped themselves to six goals and three points against Stuttgart. This was their fourth consecutive win in all competitions, and it seems that they are getting their swagger back. It appeared that Arsenal were simply not prepared for the level of pressing from the Germans, but they should have learnt from their mistakes. This will be third of the four difficult matches in a row for Arsenal. A trip to Old Trafford awaits the Gunners on Sunday and it could affect the team selection since Wenger may not want some of his stars to play three tough matches in a row.

Julio Cesar: Interested in a January move but Sao Paulo have ruled out a deal Sao Paulo have denied holding an interest in Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar after the Brazilian admitted he could be ready to move in January. Cesar is currently recovering from a finger operation but he has not played for QPR this season and is keen to get some regular football under his belt leading up to the World Cup. He has admitted that he is willing to listen to offers but Sao Paulo have now followed Internacional in ruling out a swoop for Cesar, while they have no plans to bring in Vagner Love or Fred either. "We will do our planning as we identify our needs," vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes told the Brazilian press. "But for many reasons it's silliness to say we will sign Julio Cesar. I ask myself if it's a political attempt to unsettle [current goalkeeper] Rogerio Ceni or our board as we have a big affection for Rogerio." He added: "There is no chance we bring in Julio Cesar, just like there is no chance we bring other problems. When I say problems, I am referring to Fred and Vagner Love, who are not our targets." Cesar has also received the backing of fellow Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who played under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham. Gomes says he had problems with Redknapp and has suggested that the manager's treatment of Cesar at QPR shows that he finds it hard to work with Brazilians. Gomes is quoted as telling ESPN Brasil: "Julio Cesar has a manager whose ideas are almost impossible to change. "He was my manager at Tottenham and I had a lot of difficulties. He doesn't like South Americans much, especially Brazilians." Gomes believes Cesar has to consider leaving Loftus Road if he continues to remain on the sidelines. He said: "As for being a starter at the national team, they don't think much about that. Julio Cesar will have a lot of trouble if he stays at QPR. If he has the chance to leave, he has to leave so he can play. "I know him very well and I know how good he can be. "The goalkeeper is a position of manager's trust and if Scolari thinks Julio Cesar can play the World Cup and surely can, then he has to play at least from January onwards so he will be good and match fit for the World Cup. "But it would be interesting if he started playing so the manager feels more confident."

QPR keeper Julio Cesar not a target for Sao Paulo as Heurelho Gomes slams Harry Redknapp Sao Paulo have denied holding an interest in Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar after the Brazilian admitted he could be ready to move in January. Cesar is currently recovering from a finger operation but he has not played for QPR this season and is keen to get some regular football under his belt leading up to the World Cup. He has admitted that he is willing to listen to offers but Sao Paulo have now followed Internacional in ruling out a swoop for Cesar, while they have no plans to bring in Vagner Love or Fred either. "We will do our planning as we identify our needs," vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes told the Brazilian press. "But for many reasons it's silliness to say we will sign Julio Cesar. I ask myself if it's a political attempt to unsettle [current goalkeeper] Rogerio Ceni or our board as we have a big affection for Rogerio." He added: "There is no chance we bring in Julio Cesar, just like there is no chance we bring other problems. When I say problems, I am referring to Fred and Vagner Love, who are not our targets." Cesar has also received the backing of fellow Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who played under Harry Redknapp at Tottenham. Gomes says he had problems with Redknapp and has suggested that the manager's treatment of Cesar at QPR shows that he finds it hard to work with Brazilians. Gomes is quoted as telling ESPN Brasil: "Julio Cesar has a manager whose ideas are almost impossible to change. "He was my manager at Tottenham and I had a lot of difficulties. He doesn't like South Americans much, especially Brazilians." Gomes believes Cesar has to consider leaving Loftus Road if he continues to remain on the sidelines. He said: "As for being a starter at the national team, they don't think much about that. Julio Cesar will have a lot of trouble if he stays at QPR. If he has the chance to leave, he has to leave so he can play. "I know him very well and I know how good he can be. "The goalkeeper is a position of manager's trust and if Scolari thinks Julio Cesar can play the World Cup and surely can, then he has to play at least from January onwards so he will be good and match fit for the World Cup. "But it would be interesting if he started playing so the manager feels more confident."

Ozil blames Ancelotti for Madrid exit Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, has hinted that Carlo Ancelotti is to blame, for his decision to quit Real Madrid and move to the Emirates during the summer transfer window. After the arrivals of Isco and Gareth Bale, the German felt as if he was no longer valued at the Santiago Bernabeu and suggested that he might have stayed if the Italian coach showed more faith in him. “It is very important for me that the coach shows faith in me and believes in me,” Ozil told TF1. “I had no doubt that I would stay at Real Madrid when last season came to an end. “But then something happened and I no longer had the coach’s trust. “At Arsenal on the other hand, I feel the exact opposite.” Ozil, 25, has seven Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far, scoring twice in the process.

Liverpool given a 'fighting chance' by manager Brendan Rodgers, despite defeat to Arsenal Liverpool are already “playing catch-up” on Barclays Premier League pace-setters Arsenal according to Reds manager Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman refused to criticise his players despite a subdued showing in 2-0 league defeat at Arsenal on Saturday night. Arsenal put five points between the two sides thanks to goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, with Rodgers admitting Arsene Wenger's men overran Liverpool in midfield. "They are winning the race," Rodgers said. "These 10 games we've all played, people talk about it being early, but you don't get them back. "You don't get to play them again so you've got to claim the points. "At the moment we're on 20 points and they're on 25. "The great thing is there's lots of time left to gain those points back, but at this moment in time they are high in confidence, playing well and they will be pleased with the win. "There's always disappointment when you lose a big game. We were happy when we beat Manchester United earlier in the season. "After 10 games there's always a good assessment of where you can go. "Look at Chelsea's squad, at Arsenal's squad even with the players who are out, and look at Manchester City's. "So for us to be where we are, that's where we want to be, we've shown that we're going to have a fighting chance." Rodgers admitted it will take time to build up a squad to match Liverpool's rivals, but is more than satisfied following their strong start to the league campaign. "We want to stay there. We know we're trying to build something here in the depth of our squad, and the nature of our game," he said. "Without a major investment that just takes a bit of time. "But listen, they're a team here, I watched them (Arsenal) against Napoli and they were brilliant, and that's top-end Champions League. "They are a very good side with very good players, and for us we're playing catch-up. "I think we've had a terrific start, but when you lose a game there will always be an analysis that will maybe be negative. "I can only be positive with what I've got, because they've given me everything." The Liverpool boss also hailed 21-year-old Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho's second-half impact at Arsenal in his first outing since undergoing shoulder surgery in mid-September. Rodgers said: "He's a wonderful player. He's a big talent for just under £8million. "He's remarkable: his feet, his talent, his ability on the ball. "He was great when he came on and of course we'd have loved to have started him. "But he's only really come back into the fold and got the clearance medically in the last few days." Rodgers confirmed right back Glen Johnson had been admitted to hospital suffering a 'freak illness' just before kick-off at Arsenal - but expects a quick recovery for the England defender. Despite an uncharacteristic off-the-boil showing from Steven Gerrard, Rodgers backed the Liverpool captain to shrug off a minor hip complaint and handle the fixture load with England's friendlies against Chile and Germany later this month. Rodgers added: "He took a knock towards the end, with his hip. "I'm not sure the complete diagnosis on it. "Stevie's been brilliant for me, it was a tough game for him, but we'll assess his injury and see where he's at. "Roy (Hodgson) has always handled Stevie really well, both when he was Liverpool manager and now the player is England captain, so I'm sure that will be fine."

Celebrating David Luiz, the Most Technically Gifted Defender in World Football Even after two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge,DavidLuiz is still an ongoing conundrum forChelsea. Signed by CarloAncelotti on deadline day in January 2011 for21 million,Luiz has established himself as a key member of the Champions League and Europa League-winning squads and has improved greatly as he continues to rise to the top of European football. Rarely has there ever been a defender so forward-thinking than DavidLuiz in the Premier League. The norm is for ahardline, 6'4" brute to win several aerial challenges in the game, while also flying into crunching challenges. Luiz is very much the opposite and represents a softer approach to the game, making him more suited for a foreign league such as La Liga orSerie A. It could explain why a club who pride themselves on their technical ability, Barcelona, wanted to signLuiz in the summer. The Catalan club made the former Vitoria defender their top target last summer and failed with a bid, believed to be around25 million,per BBC Sport, to signLuiz, who confirmed he had rejected a move to theNou Camp,per ESPN. One week the Brazilian will put in a magnificent performance, closing down the opposition with his gusto, no-nonsense approach, helping his side claim a clean sheet in the process. The next he'll nonchalantly dummy a pass back to the goalkeeper, putting his side in real danger of dropping points, just as he did in the 4-1 win over Cardiff two weeks back. It's this flailing inconsistency which has hinderedLuiz for the majority of his career to date, and perhaps prevents him from being mentioned in the same breath amongst the world's best footballers. But with his risky style of play comes a unique entertainment which is rarely sourced from defenders, rather more so midfielders and attackers. It's his confidence on the ball, the tendency to dribble it out from the back, or even skip past his opponent with a sublime piece of skill, which makes him a joy to watch. And equally, so frustrating. There's times where you want DavidLuiz to go on one of his amazing runs, which leads to a 35-yardpiledriver. However, withLuiz blocked in his own corner flag, it's arguably not one of the times to do so. Perhaps it's best just to embrace his spontaneous approach to football, even if as a footballer earning several millions of pounds a year, one of his mistakes alone could cost his club millions of pounds in revenue. Those who have closely followed the Brazilian from his days atBenfica will know that he is not your typical old-fashioned defender. He prefers not to stick to his position, and as a result, you may find a gaping hole in the back four as he attempts to win the ball high up the pitch. In truth, he is one of the best defenders at doing just that. Especially along the touchline, if there is a 50-50 tackle to be made, be rest assured that the 26-year-old will make a decent tackle to halt the attack. But if there is one attribute which separates him from the rest, it's his passing ability. There are two boxes to tick in terms of separating a good passer from an average one, with the first being vision. Many players can see a pass, but more often than not, the accuracy of their pass is below par. WithLuiz, he'll simply see a pass and play it. Calculating the risk involved simply doesn't cross his mind, and while sometimes this can be a risky tactic, the sheer perfection behind the pass enables his teammates to trust him on the ball. The technique he hits the ball with is quite refreshing, too. With a pass, he tends to take a quickly before launching the ball forward to his intended recipient. Regardless of whether it's on his right or left foot, he has the confidence to play the pass. Some might argue that he is suited better in the midfield, and there's nothing wrong in mentioning that, having seen the Brazil international perform admirably in the role in the past. But the argument against deploying the madcap centre-half in midfield is simple.

Arteta: Confidence is growing Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are now striking fear into the hearts of their opponents after moving clear at the top of the Premier League. Well-taken goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, the Wales midfielder's 10th of the season, provided the perfect response from Arsene Wenger's side to questions about their character in the wake of the midweek Capital One Cup exit at home to a second-string Chelsea side. The Gunners now head out to Germany for a crunch Champions League Group F showdown with Borussia Dortmund, who ran out 2-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago. Spain midfielder Arteta, who captained the side again on Saturday, reckons people are now starting to sit up and take notice about what this Arsenal squad are capable of. "When you are at the top, compared to where we were last season, it is different," Arteta said. "We have more belief and are starting to create a bit of fear into the opposition. That is giving us a better chance to win the game. "When you are on a good run and the confidence level is high, it makes everything a bit easier." Despite beating second-placed Liverpool to record an eighth Premier League win from the opening 10 matches, the pundits continue to doubt whether Arsenal have what it takes to last the distance. Arteta said: "There are always different opinions. Some people have an unbelievable opinion about us, some others don't trust us. "But that is normal and we have to prove every week that we are good enough to be where we are." Arsenal face another stern examination of just what they can achieve in 2014 when they head to the Westfalenstadion for Wednesday night's clash with Jurgen Klopp's well-drilled outfit. A late goal from Poland forward Robert Lewandowski gave the German outfit victory in north London just when it seemed Arsenal had done enough to fight back and earn a draw. Arsenal are determined to get a positive result this time around, according to Arteta. "Dortmund will be a very different game, with the way they play, so we will have to get ready for it," the 31-year-old said. "We conceded a goal when we were on top in the game, and were likely to score a second to kill the game. "But we know in the Champions League against those teams you are limited to small chances, and it was our fault." Three sides are all locked on six points after Napoli beat pool whipping boys Marseille. The Italian side, coached by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, are set to travel to Dortmund on matchday five before hosting the Gunners in the final round of Group F fixtures on December 11. Arteta feels the battle for qualification could well go down to the wire. "When you look at the fixtures at the start of the group, it would have been strange if by the last game you are already qualified given the quality of the teams," he said. "So I would not be surprised if we need to go there (Naples) and get something."

Moyes: Rooney's a big leader Manchester United manager David Moyes has spoken of his pride at the way Wayne Rooney has transformed into a leader at Old Trafford. Few could have foreseen the 28-year-old playing such an important role for the Red Devils after a summer in which his future had looked in doubt. However, after Chelsea's overtures were rebuffed, the England forward has knuckled down and on Saturday helped United to a 3-1 Premier League victory at Fulham - their fourth straight win in all competitions. Rooney played a key part in the success at Craven Cottage, providing an assist, a goal and energy that allowed him to take hold of the match when the hosts threatened. The striker appears to be blossoming under Moyes' tutelage - a far cry from their well-documented fractious relationship at Goodison Park. "He is a big leader in the team and desperate for the team to be successful," the Scot said. "Obviously, having a successful team helps him as well. "He has got leadership qualities. He is a man when he is on the pitch. "On Saturday, we felt young Adnan (Januzaj) needed to drop in so I had to pull him out for the last 15 minutes to make sure we didn't do anything stupid. "He understands that and I think he is at an age now where he sees that as well." Rooney's assist and goal at Craven Cottage bookended a whirlwind 13 minutes in the first half. Antonio Valencia opened the scoring from the forward's pull back, with Robin van Persie netting before Rooney struck - a ruthlessness often lacking at United this season. "We have had spells like that but we haven't scored the goals," Moyes said. "I can think of two or three games very similar, where we have had that sort of play but not got the goals at the end of it. "I think it has been coming in a way, and thankfully on Saturday we got them quite early on." United are now slowly but surely quietening the naysayers, having gone unbeaten since losing at home to West Brom on September 28. Meanwhile, United Javier Hernandez sparked speculation over his future at the club on Sunday by apparently retweeting a link to a story in which he was encouraged to leave Old Trafford. Hernandez's verified Twitter account, @CH14-, posted a link to a story on the Sky Sports website in which his fellow Mexican Carlos Vela said he should look to leave United if he does not start playing more regularly. The 25-year-old striker came off the bench to score the winner in a 3-2 victory over Stoke a week ago but was an unused substitute for the win at Fulham. Hernandez has been in and out of the United side since signing from Guadalajara in 2010 and this season has struggled to earn a start in the league ahead of Van Persie and Rooney. In the article retweeted by Hernandez, Real Sociedad forward Vela said: "If he plays regularly he will score, so I don't totally understand why a player of his quality has not played more games. "If he doesn't play regularly he will need to think about leaving."

Sunday 3 November 2013

Fernando Torres' Resurgence Can Only Be Good News for Chelsea It might be a little too early to remark thatFernando Torres has returned to his "old self," but the intention is there, and the results are too. In literal terms, the phrase is incorrect because the "Torres of old" is a thing of the past. The player himself has aged as well as changing teams, and therefore, he will not ever be the same as he used to. Figuratively speaking, it's an exciting prospect. Not just forChelsea fans, but for English football in general. The media used to adore Torres, the way he ran at defenders such as Nemanja Vidic and made a complete fool of them. Sure, he was a little selfish at times, but that was accepted because he produced goals like they were running out of fashion. The Spaniard endured a tough start to his career at Chelsea, though, and he has never fully recovered. Just 16 Premier League goals in 89 games have followed since his50 million move fromLiverpool in January 2011. Torres himself accepts that his return is not good enough, per Goal.com: "The people are looking at me thinking I should do much better, and it's true. The reason you pay that money for someone is that he has shown in the past he is worth that." "Now, what you have to show is you can have the same value or even more value for things you have done at Chelsea." The key statistic here is that in only 79 games for Liverpool, he had already scored 56 times in the Premier League. Comparing the two records, one would feel slightly depressed if you were a Chelsea supporter. But in the summer, something changed. JoseMourinho arrived for a second stint at the club, six years after leaving by mutual consent. Many said that the Portuguese would get rid of Torres and bring in his own striker. ButMourinho clearly had other plans. The three pillars of his management are directly related to Torres: superb man management, whereby instilling confidence is essential, hard work and grit shown in the whole 90 minutes and having a winning mentality. What Torres needed was a confidence boost, andMourinho certainly gave him that chance. In the European Super Cup final againstBayern Munich, the Spaniard repaid the faith shown byMourinho to start him with a magnificent strike, curling a first-time effort past ManuelNeuer. The confidence he gained from starting the game, having that sense of backing fromMourinho, was crucial to his performance in that game. And perhaps, it was the starting point of where Torres changed his fortunes at Chelsea. Inevitably, the calls were too extreme on either side, either far too presumptuous or just outright critical. Was Torres back? Or was this just another glimpse in an otherwise fading career? The majority's view was that it was more the latter, and there was still much to be done. Since then, he's made 10 appearances in all competitions and has scored four times. Hardly prolific, for sure, but the statistics do not always tell the whole story. Against Tottenham, he was superb. Chasing every ball, running at players with a fire in his belly. This was what the old Torres was like, and he did everything apart from put the ball in the net. His sending off marred what could have been a memorable game for the 29-year-old, but he's come back stronger since then. Two goals againstSchalke, with a hat-trick certainly on the cards with Torres hitting the bar, showed that, perhaps, Chelsea could rely on the Spaniard as an actual threat in goal. And this was only reinforced when he impressed once more againstManchester City, using his attacking instinct to capitalise on Joe Hart's error and secure a vital three points for the Blues. The only problem for Chelsea is when to pick Torres and when to use the back-up options in SamuelEto'o andDemba Ba. Arguably, the latter would have been a better choice in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle, considering the physicality Alan Pardew's side played with, but other than that, his resurgence seems to be having a positive effect on the whole team, as well as the Spaniard. If he can continue his recent fine form, there's no reason to suggest why he can't challenge for the Golden Boot once more and help Chelsea to their first Premier League title in four years.

Premier League Team of the Week Welcome to the latest edition of our Premier League Team of the Week. There were about 30 incredible performances this weekend as a remarkable eight teams kept clean sheets. The defence was incredibly hard to choose, the midfield was also difficult, and some forwards left out will feel hard-done by. GK: Asmir Begovic, Stoke City RB: Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle United CB: Steven Caulker, Cardiff City CB: Vlad Chiriches, Tottenham Hotspur LB: Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham Hotspur DM: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal CM: Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal CM: Yaya Toure, Manchester City AMC: David Silva, Manchester City ST: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United ST: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City

We have no excuses - Cech Petr Cech said there are no excuses after Chelsea lost 2-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime. The Blues lost to Newcastle after winning seven games on the bounce previously and Chelsea stopper Cech said his team had no excuses Cech told Chelsea TV: "Apart from the wind, we can't blame anything. The pitch was very good, very fast, and actually it was good to pass the ball, so this was not the reason why we didn't win. "There are no excuses, no pitch, no early kick-off, whatever. We didn't play well enough to win the game and that's why we lost. To be fair, they sat back because they were a bit afraid, so it was their plan. "You could see from the start they wanted to congest the pitch and that's why you don't have many chances to make the tempo and the game really running. But to be fair, we had enough possession, we had enough comfort on the ball, but we didn't find a pass.” It is the second season in a row that the Blues have lost at St James’ Park after losing 3-2 last year. Cech said: "It was exactly the same type of game as last year. We looked comfortable with the ball, we had more possession, but apart from the close thing we had at the beginning, we didn't find a pass to put them under pressure and to make more chances. "As the game went on at 0-0, they had more belief and the game became more difficult."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2486843/Jack-Wilshere-wins-Match-Day-Goal-Month-award-October.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

ASUU warns FG against forced re-opening of varsities AS the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities enters the fourth month, the union has flayed alleged plans by the Federal Government to forcefully order the re-opening of the universities today, saying this will only complicate the situation. Chairperson of the Uniport chapter of ASUU, Professor Anthonia Okerengwo, urged the Federal Government to toe the path of honour in its effort towards resolving the lingering strike. His University of Benin counterpart, Dr Anthony Money-Emina, described as laughable, reports that President Goodluck Jonathan will order the union members to go back to work today. Similarly, ASUU, University of Ibadan chapter, through its Secretary, Dr Ayodeji Omole, said such a report would further dent the image of the government as anti-democratic, cautioning President Jonathan to allow a sleeping dog lie by implementing the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement which the Federal Government had already signed. ASUU vowed that it would not be intimidated into going back to the classroom, “unless our demands are met by the Federal Government.” ASUU Uniben said that the solution to the current industrial action embarked upon by members was for the Federal Government to come up with a clear agenda on how to implement the 2009 agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, entered with the union in 2012. Describing as laughable, reports that government will order the union members to go back to work, ASUU urged government to shun “authoritarian approaches to resolving issues in dispute with the union.” Money-Emina said, “The attention of our union has been drawn to news report in the media, alleging that the President will direct the re-opening of Nigerian universities with or without ASUU from Monday.” Professor Okerengwo in a statement said: “Arm twisting has never worked as a dispute resolution strategy. It is unacceptable to the union that while the President has invited the union leadership for a dialogue, some overzealous assistants to the president are clandestinely working to jeopardise the process. The surest and shortest route to industrial harmony in the university system and the fastest approach to revitalising university education is the implementation of 2009 agreement and the 2012 MOU,” the union said. UI-ASUU, while welcoming an invitation to ASUU for a meeting today, warned that it would be unacceptable to its members if government failed to come out with a clear agenda for implementing the 2009 agreement. It said “The attention of our union is drawn to news reports in the media alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan will direct the re-opening of all Nigerian universities with or without ASUU. “We wish to state that while the President had issued an invitation to the leaders of our union for dialogue, it will be unacceptable to our members if government fails to come out with a clear agenda for implementing the 2009 agreement. “Authoritarian posturing has never solved and will not solve the impasse. We are calling on Mr President to tow the path of honour and respect the 2009 Agreement.” It sounded a note of warning that “Any proposal not based on a clear acceptance of a framework for implementing the 2009 agreement will, instead, seek to impose a solution regarding the impasse, and will not be a solution to the present crisis.” Omole said it was laughable that a government which had earlier claimed to have released N100billion has not, in actual fact released even a kobo. He said ASUU as a body of intellectuals, which is ready to pursue the revatilisation of public education in Nigeria will purse same to its logical conclusion even with the stoppage of salaries.

Andre Villas-Boas slated for allowing stricken Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to play Andre Villas-Boas admitted that it was purely his decision to keep Hugo Lloris on the pitch after he was knocked out during the goalless draw at Everton. The Tottenham goalkeeper accidentally felt the full force of Romelu Lukaku's knee as the pair clashed when chasing a ball into the away box. Spurs' medical staff, along with captain Michael Dawson, urged Villas-Boas to take his man off. Both Lloris and Villas-Boas were advised that he should be substituted after being knocked out cold, but the manager insisted that his No 1 was capable of continuing - going against expert advice. Lloris had lay motionless for a number of seconds and Villas-Boas told Sky Sports: 'The medical department was giving me signs that the player couldn't carry on because he couldn't remember where he was. 'That is the situation right now. Hugo still doesn't remember the impact but he was quite focused and quite determined to continue. 'When you see this kind of assertiveness from the player it means that he is able to carry on. 'It was my call to delay the substitution, you have to make a decision in situations like this. 'From my knowledge of football he seemed OK to continue.' But Villas-Boas was accused of risking his goalkeeper's safety by overruling medical staff, who recommended that Lloris should be substituted. Leading football medic Mark Leather said: 'The guidelines are that players shouldn't be allowed to carry on and instead be monitored. It's a risk for managers to take medical decisions on that matter and the more serious the injury the bigger the risk. 'The consequences can be drastic, fatal even. You don't really know about internal bleeding for a period of time.' Villas-Boas countered: 'I made the call to keep him on the pitch because of the signs he was giving. 'When you see this kind of assertiveness from the player it means that he is able to carry on. He was determined to continue and looked concentrated, driven and focused enough for me not to make the call to replace him. The saves he made after the incident proved that right.' Lloris was knocked out in the 78th minute and after lengthy treatment appeared to be heading off, with Brad Friedel ready to replace him. Referee Kevin Friend also appeared to suggest a substitution would be the best thing to do. However, the France international began to struggle with members of the medical team guiding him to the touchline and indicated he was fit enough to stay on, leading to Villas-Boas giving the signal to let him have his way. 'Hugo still doesn't recall everything about the incident,' said Villas-Boas. 'The medical department were giving me signs that the player couldn't carry on because he couldn't remember where he was. 'It was a very difficult moment for us and I am happy he is well.' But Mark Leather, Bolton Wanderers' head of sport development and a former head physio at Liverpool, said the full effects of concussion often only come to light in the hours following an incident, and can prove extremely serious. He said 'I recall an incident in amateur football when a 16-year-old suffered a clash of heads and went home feeling unwell. 'Later he had a brain haemorrhage that resulted in a long stay in hospital. 'It seemed innocuous but there was a slow bleed in his brain and he had symptoms similar to a stroke. These kinds of occurrence are not common but equally not rare enough to be disregarded. 'Sometimes you get away with it. If you have an insistent player it is very difficult but I would do my damnedest to get them off and into dressing room to be assessed by a neuro specialist - you can't do that on the pitch.'

Lille's Nolan Roux scores twice to beat Monaco and move up to second Nolan Roux scored twice as Lille beat Monaco 2-0 on Sunday night to leapfrog their opponents into second place in the French league. Roux scored from close range in the 27th minute before finishing off a counter attack with 18 minutes remaining. Lille kept a seventh straight clean sheet in Ligue 1 and are two points behind Paris Saint-Germain, while Monaco lost their second successive match, following their 1-0 defeat at Reims in the third round of the League Cup. "It's a great result," the Lille captain Rio Mavuba said. "After two rounds we were not even thinking about being placed between Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco." The Monaco playmaker João Moutinho created the first chance after five minutes with a drive from the edge of the penalty area that was punched away by the Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama. The hosts then capitalised on a corner to open the scoring when the Lille centre-back Marko Basa outjumped the Monaco defence to win a header that Roux flicked home. The Lille defender Simon Kjaer nearly put his team in trouble with a weak back pass in the 36th minute but Enyeama came off his line to beat the Monaco winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco to the ball and clear the danger. Radamel Falcao pounced on the loose ball but the Monaco striker could only shoot over the bar despite a gaping net. Roux nearly added a second goal on the stroke of half-time but the Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic palmed away the Lille striker's cross-shot. The Monaco coach, Claudio Ranieri, added more firepower to his ranks, replacing Carrasco with the forward Emmanuel Rivière at half-time, as they went in search of an equaliser. "We had a poor first half," Rivière said. "Then we had chances to rally. Unfortunately their keeper made great saves." Rivière collected a pass from James Rodríguez and was through on goal in the 67th minute, only to be denied by Enyeama. The Lille goalkeeper was again called into action in the 71st minute, stopping a powerful strike from Falcao. A few seconds later Salomon Kalou punished Monaco. Kalou released Mavuba down the left wing and the Lille captain's low cross was turned in by Roux from close range. Enyeama showed his pedigree in stoppage time with a double save, first parrying an angled strike from Falcao and then reacting quickly to prevent Rivière from converting the rebound.

Javier Hernández re-tweets story querying future at Manchester United Javier Hernández has placed a question mark against his future at Manchester United after re-tweeting a story suggesting he should look to leave the club because of limited first-team opportunities. The striker, via his Twitter account, re-tweeted a Sky Sports article to his 2.5m followers but later removed it. It contained quotes from his Mexico team-mate Carlos Vela who said "there will be big teams in England and Europe wanting him" should Hernández leave Old Trafford. "Javier is my good friend and I hope he gets lots of chances this season at Manchester United," said the former Arsenal forward who is now with Real Sociedad and preparing to face United in the Champions League on Tuesday. "He is one of the best finishers in England and deserves chances under the new coach. If he plays regularly he will score, so I don't totally understand why a player of his quality has not played more games. "If he doesn't play regularly, he will need to think about leaving. You always want to succeed at the biggest clubs but, if he is not given the chance, there will be big teams in England and Europe wanting him." Hernández was an unused substitute in United's 3-1 win at Fulham on Saturday and has played second fiddle this season to Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

Arsenal fans should start to believe... the Gunners really can end trophy drought 'We are top of the league,' chanted the buoyant Arsenal fans as they disappeared down the turnstiles after extending their lead at the summit of the Premier League table to five points after 10 games. For an audience weened on a diet of false dawns in recent times, there is a wariness about excessive optimism among those on the terraces. There were no ditties predicting 'We're going to win the league.' Not yet. They know better in these parts. Nine years of trophy famine has that kind of effect, even on the supporters of a club of Arsenal's illustrious past. But should Arsenal continue to produce performances like this, the rank and file will truly start to believe that their side can reclaim the title for the first time since 2004. Against Liverpool, Arsenal were at their brilliant best, bursting with fluid counter-attacking and electric movement. The tempo to Arsenal's game was blistering, blurs of red hunting in packs and forcing errors from a Liverpool side usually so well-oiled in receiving the ball under pressure. Aaron Ramsey was terrific again, powering into tackles to win the ball from Steven Gerrard and dispossessing Lucas Leiva with the sheer force of his upper body strength on two occasions in the first half. This is a determined, gifted player at the peak of his game, totally confident in his abilities and driving Arsenal forward on every occasion. His tenth goal of the season was no fluke, dipping unerringly over Mignolet and into the top corner to double Arsenal's lead and finish the game as a serious contest. If the end of season awards were handed out at Christmas, Ramsey would be the leading contender for the individual prize. He has been that good. Perhaps only playing due to the enforced absence of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla was the star turn, stationed on the left-wing but roaming here, there and everywhere demanding the ball, committing opponents and making things happen. One sharp turn on the half-way line left Steven Gerrard on his backside, chasing back in bewilderment. The Spaniard's half-volley to open the scoring after nineteen minutes was so sweetly struck and perfectly executed. Alongside him, Ozil delivered another performance glistening with star quality, the ball seemingly adhered to his left foot, as he gave the slip to Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson time after time. The German was so sleek, so composed, always keeping a cool head in a frenetic midfield battle. Addressing the Manchester Lowry audience earlier this week, Sir Alex Ferguson reminisced about Eric Cantona, noting that the Frenchman 'made a simple pass look great'. The same can be said of the majestic Ozil, who appears effortless yet mesmerisingly precise in his distribution. Luis Suarez Confidence flooded through the Arsenal ranks and their development into serious contenders is embodied as much by Olivier Giroud, all sparky attacking and selfless endeavour, as the headline acts of Cazorla and Ozil. Up against three centre backs, the Frenchman embraced the challenge and was influential once again on Saturday. His intelligent movement and robust hold-up play stretched the Liverpool defence, pulling Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho out to the wide areas and freeing up space for the supporting cast to exploit. Liverpool's experimental 3-5-2 formation didn't work, with Brendan Rodgers' players looking uncomfortable from back to front. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet sliced two clearances and dropped a cross. Aly Cissokho, as the left wing-back was completely out of his depth, exposed as a liability defensively and equally unconvincing in his attacking forays, running into cul-de-sacs and squandering possession. He was subbed at the break by Rodgers, who introduced Coutinho and restored a more familiar 4-4-2 formation. They immediately looked more assured, as Liverpool briefly rallied at the beginning of the second half. Suarez twice sprinted in behind the home defence and only the timely intervention of Laurent Koscielny and a miscued volley by Jordan Henderson spared Arsenal's errant offside trap. Often hailed as a tactical innovator, Rodgers got it wrong here. Gerrard was unusally off-the-pace, Leiva was overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of Arsenal's pressing. Still, that potent striking partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez remained menacing, always on the move and worrying defenders. But the two never really clicked as a duo on this occasion. Even the best have off nights and attention should be focused on Arsenal's formidable centre-back pairing, with the organisational qualities of Per Mertesacker perfectly complementing Laurent Koscielny's more impulsive tendencies. Arsenal didn't need a Suarez figure here and the home fans teased the Uruguayan, singing 'You should have signed for a big club'. Given Liverpool's heritage, it was a little disingenuous but it was that kind of night for Arsenal fans, when everything made sense.

Hugo is my No 1 Hugo Lloris is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. He thinks and plays like an outfield player, anticipates danger and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He allows Tottenham’s defence to play a high line because they trust him to be on his toes and covering behind as their sweeper keeper and because he reads the game like an extra defender. He may be caught out off his line at some stage (watch out for a brilliantly executed chip this season) but he is the reason for Tottenham’s impressive defensive record.

Caulker is my Star man of the weekend Steven Caulker is the king of Wales, but how long will he stay at Cardiff? He’s so good he could play for Manchester United in the Champions League. Tottenham didn’t want to sell him but he forced their hand because he wanted first-team football. On Sunday he showed what he can offer. His goal will bring greater attention but his performances all season have been first-class. No disrespect to Cardiff, but this move is just a stepping stone for Steven. He’s ahead of Phil Jones as a centre back right now and he could gatecrash the England World Cup squad.

why Cattermole deserves sympathy. Lay off Lee Lee Cattermole won’t receive much sympathy, but he gets some from me. He was sent off at Hull (for the seventh time in his career) because of his reputation. If it had been another midfielder sliding in like that on a rolling Ahmed Elmohamady, it would have been yellow. Cattermole plays with fire in his belly and Gus Poyet will need plenty of that, but Lee may have to change his ways and stay on his feet. He’s a good tackler and it’s unfair but he may never be allowed to slide in again because referees are out to get him. He was guilty of making it too easy for Andre Marriner to do just that.

Ramsey has to aim to double his goal tally. Golden Boy Aaron Aaron Ramsey had scored 11 goals in all competitions in his Arsenal career up to this summer. This season he has scored 10 already, adding another screamer against Liverpool. Now he needs to go for 20, like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have done in the past. Cesc Fabregas scored 15 league goals in 2009-10, the best return from an Arsenal midfielder in the Premier League era. Ramsey has six so far, but he is talented, confident and capable of more. Goalscoring midfielders are like gold dust. P.S.It’s Manchester United v Arsenal next Sunday... the champions against the league leaders. United have been slow starters this season and the gap is eight points, but they are showing signs of finding their rhythm and in six days we will find out if they have.

Sven: I signed to manage United. Sven-Goran Eriksson says he signed to manage Manchester United while Alex Ferguson was still boss. FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has claimed that he signed a contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2002. The Swede, who coached England between 2001 and 2006, made the claim in his new autobiography, in which he also revealed that he clashed with Ferguson over Wayne Rooney's participation at the 2006 World Cup. Start of sidebar.Skip to end of sidebar. End of sidebar.Return to start of sidebar. Ferguson announced that he would step down as United manager in 2002 and although he later reversed his decision, Eriksson says he struck a deal with the club to replace the Scot. In an extract from his book published in British newspaper the Mail on Sunday, Eriksson wrote:"I knew it would be tricky. I had a contract with England until the 2006 World Cup and I would be severely criticised if I broke that contract. "But this was an opportunity to manage Manchester United. A contract was signed - I was United's new manager." Eriksson included Rooney in his squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany despite the striker having broken a bone in his foot shortly before the squad was announced. Eriksson claims that Ferguson did not want to release Rooney for the tournament, prompting a clash between him and England doctor Leif Sward. "Leif and I met Ferguson and United's doctor at the United training ground," Eriksson wrote. "'He cannot play in the World Cup', Ferguson said flatly. The doctor brought out some X-rays that he said showed Rooney's broken bone would not heal in time. "When the doctor finished, Leif looked him in the eye. 'Why do you sit here and lie to me?' Leif asked. "He was one of Europe's foremost specialists on this kind of injury. I just wish I could have filmed Ferguson's face when Leif explained that Wayne's break would heal in time for the World Cup. "When Leif had finished, I turned to Ferguson. 'Sorry, Alex,' I said. 'I will pick Rooney.'" Rooney went to the tournament but underperformed and was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho during England's quarter-final against Portugal, who beat them on penalties.

Cabaye's free-kick was a thing of beauty. That free-kick from Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye against Chelsea was a beauty. The delivery looked like it came attached with an invite to say ‘Go on then, head it’. And Yoan Gouffran did exactly that. Some players try to strike the ball with too much power, as if firing a cannonball. Not everyone can be like Cristiano Ronaldo. Cabaye took something off the ball, but still arrowed it into the box. The flight of the deadball possessed dare and menace, dipping and moving on its way in. There is a 10-yard optimum area to aim for. Too short and the defenders will head it clear, too long and the goalkeeper will claim it. I was pleased for Alan Pardew, but he did make me smile. He summoned Cabaye all the way to the touchline from centre field to give him instructions, but I played against Alan... he wouldn’t know how to take a free-kick like that! It was a bold move by him to omit Hatem Ben Arfa, who can be their magician but can also be their passenger. This was a big win to follow their lacklustre performance in the derby against Sunderland the weekend before. His team must have Pardew tearing his hair out as they drift from useless to brilliant.

Boateng could be denied World Cup. Kevin-Prince Boateng risk missing out of the World CupKevin-Prince Boateng could miss out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals if he fails to play in this month's playoff return leg against Egypt in Cairo, according to a Ghana FA official. There is growing suspicion that the former Germany youth international is choosing and picking international matches after missing the last two matches. Boateng, who rescinded his decision to quit international football in August, reported to camp for the final Group D qualifier against Zambia at home but sat out due to injury. Last month he suffered an ankle problem for his Bundesliga side Schalke and was unavailable for the 6-1 drubbing of Egypt in Kumasi in the playoff first leg. Black Stars management committee member Yaw Boateng Gyan, who played key role in persuading the former AC Milan star to return to the Black Stars, has suggested time could be running out for the talented midfielder. "There is no such player only cut for qualification and others only for tournaments," Boateng Gyan, relative of Kevin, is reported to have told Kumasi-based Metro FM. "It is a collective effort and therefore if he [Boateng] keeps turning down invites to play with the other players during the qualification series including this last match then I think that will be it. "We have done our best and yes, he is my relative but the truth of the matter is that if he keeps up with this attitude of not turning up for games then he better count himself out of the World Cup." It will be recalled that Boateng gained global recognition after playing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after a nationality switch. Ghana will face Egypt on 19 November in Cairo and must prevent a five-nil defeat to qualify to the World Cup finals for the third straight time.

Eaglets vow Sweden will fall now! Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba has said he hopes to go past group rivals Sweden in Tuesday’s U17 World Cup semi-final. The Eaglets had to draw on their rich experience to draw 3-3 with Sweden in a Group F match in Al Ain penultimate week, but Manu said it would be a different ball game when the two teams meet again in the semi-final at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai. With a total of 20 goals in five matches, the Eaglets remain the best attacking team at the 2013 U17 World Cup and Manu said his team will be ready to see off the Swedes. “I want to congratulate the boys for a job well done against Uruguay and Sweden should be ready for our fireworks in the semi-final on Tuesday," he said. "We have learned so much playing against Sweden the last time, but we shall be ready for them this time around.” With African champions Cote d'Ivoire bundled out by Argentina 2-1 in an earlier quarterfinal played at the same Stadium, Manu noted the onus is now on the Golden Eaglets to carry the banner of the continent. "It is unfortunate that our African brothers Cote d’Ivoire are out of the tournament, but we are going to fly the flag of the continent since so much would be expected of us now," he noted.

Emenike scores again! Emenike has now scored four goals for FenerbacheEmmanuel Emenike scored his fourth goal for Fenerbache as they won 3-2 at Bursaspor on Saturday. The Nigeria international striker has come off a barren run in front of goal since his arrival in the summer from Russian club Spartak Moscow. Such form bodes very well for Nigeria ahead of a return leg 2014 World Cup playoff against Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar after Emenike scored twice in Addis Ababa last month. The win means Fenerbahce remain on top of the league table with 25 points from 10 games. The former Spartak Moscow forward was on song in the 83rd minute to give Fenerbahce a 2-1 lead. Compatriot Taye Taiwo was on from start to finish for Bursaspor.

Villas-Boas warns Spurs to avoid more Everton woe. Andre Villas-Boas has warned Tottenham cannot afford further setbacks if they want to feature in the Premier League title race. Spurs have already suffered two defeats this season and head to Everton on Sunday looking to avoid a repeat of last season's loss at Goodison Park. And, having seen his team narrowly fail to claim a place in the Champions League last season, Tottenham manager Villas-Boas knows his team cannot afford to throw points away again this time around. "We've spoken about (last year's) result as the deciding factor for us not making it into the Champions League because everything changed quite dramatically," Villas-Boas said. "It serves us as a lesson to be kept aware of and it's not something we want to see again." Villas-Boas' side will have to keep Romelu Lukaku quiet if they are to come away with something from Goodison Park this time around. Lukaku has scored five goals in seven games since joining on loan from Chelsea, where he used to work under Villas-Boas. The pair enjoyed a rocky relationship as the Belgian was angered at being left on the sidelines during Villas-Boas' shortlived reign during the 2011-12 season. Villas-Boas insists there is no longer any animosity and is impressed with how his old player has progressed. "The player did extremely well last season at West Brom and has continued to do well for Everton," Villas-Boas added. "The potential is there. We all recognise he can become an influential striker in the future. "Chelsea's standards are very, very high so the jump will be very difficult for him. "But he has shown he can cope with the Premier League and it's another step up for him at Everton." Despite warning his side to remain in the hunt, Villas-Boas claims the table has yet to take shape. "From eighth to first place it is very, very tight and we will see teams going up and down," added Villas-Boas. "It has broken a little from seventh place up to first now. But Manchester United have played all of the most difficult fixtures and can look at the calendar with a little more positivity than others." Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Leon Osman admits Tottenham deserve credit for the way they have performed without Gareth Bale following his departure to Real Madrid just before the transfer deadline. Spurs made a string of signings to replace the Wales forward and Osman has been impressed with how quickly the club have moved on after selling their star player. "To lose your talisman and the man who's been regarded as the one to stop for the last few seasons and to still be winning games the way they are definitely deserves credit," Osman said. "They've spread their goals and assists out throughout their team and that's all credit to the manager and their squad. "They've strengthened in a few areas and they look like a very good team." Everton were pipped to a Europa League place by Tottenham last season and Osman believes if they can finish above Spurs in this campaign they will bring continental football back to Goodison Park. "I think if you do finish above them this year, you'll certainly qualify for Europe," Osman added. "They'll be pushing for a minimum of the top four, so if you finish above Tottenham you'll have had quite a good season." Everton manager Roberto Martinez is set to be without striker Arouna Kone as he nurses a knee injury, while centre-back Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring) is still on the sidelines.

ASUU strike: Hope beams as Jonathan, union meets Monday in final peace effort Nigerian students in public universities may resume lectures in a matter of days, as the four months old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may end soon. This indication came to light yesterday as information from the presidency says President Goodluck Jonathan will on Monday meet with the leadership of ASUU at the Aso Rock Villa. The meeting is the outcome of the resolutions reached last week at the meeting between Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and ASUU. The two were said to have briefed the president on their several discussions with the Union, that now requires his involvement since talks are now in the most crucial stage. ASUU had also requested that Jonathan should personally endorse agreements reached at the last Tuesday’s meeting, with an assurance to fulfil the part of the federal government. Already, the presidency is considering a back-up plan, should the Union fail to call off the action. The Federal Government may forcibly open the universities, using the instrumentality of the governing councils and school managements. Most governing councils of the universities have started meeting to work out modalities for the compulsory re-opening, after last Monday’s meeting between Wike and the Vice Chancellors.

Eriksson reveals arguments with Sir Alex Ferguson. Sven-Goran Eriksson: Argued with Sir Alex Ferguson over Wayne Rooney. Sven-Goran Eriksson has lifted the lid on his World Cup row with Sir Alex Ferguson after missing out on the chance to take over as Manchester United's manager. Eriksson confirms in his new autobiography he was approached to take over from Ferguson as far back as 2002, four years before a bitter row ensued over Wayne Rooney's inclusion in England's World Cup squad. Rooney was eventually passed fit for the tournament after recovering from a broken metatarsal, but he failed to score a goal and was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final clash with Portugal which England lost on penalties. Eriksson wrote: "Leif (Sward, England doctor) and I met Ferguson and United's doctor at the United training ground. 'He cannot play in the World Cup', Ferguson said flatly. The doctor brought out some X-rays that he said showed Rooney's broken bone would not heal in time. "When the doctor finished, Leif looked him in the eye. 'Why do you sit here and lie to me?' Leif asked. "He was one of Europe's foremost specialists on this kind of injury. I just wish I could have filmed Ferguson's face when Leif explained that Wayne's break would heal in time for the World Cup. "When Leif had finished, I turned to Ferguson. 'Sorry, Alex,' I said. 'I will pick Rooney'." Ferguson, who eventually retired at the end of the 2012-13 season, previously announced his intention to stand down in 2002, only 12 months after Eriksson took over the England job. "I knew it would be tricky. I had a contract with England until the 2006 World Cup and I would be severely criticised if I broke that contract," Eriksson wrote. "But this was an opportunity to manage Manchester United, probably the biggest club in the world. A contract was signed - I was United's new manager. "I would be able to stay with England through the World Cup. My appointment would not be made official until after the tournament. "A couple of weeks passed and Pini (Zahavi, Eriksson's agent) called again. He wanted another meeting. When I got there, I knew something was wrong. (Peter) Kenyon explained Ferguson had changed his mind. "He did not want to leave the club after all but had agreed to stay in the job for another three years."

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