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 Boateng, who rescinded his decision to quit international football in August, reported to camp for the final Group D qualifier against Zambia at home but sat out due to injury.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."