Sunday, 15 December 2013

Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

Championship roundup: Blackburn survive Millwall's late fightback

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 03:15 PM PST

Gary Bowyer's team won by the odd goal in five, Brighton edged out Middlesbrough and Derby made it six wins on the bounce

Blackburn 3-2 Millwall

Gary Bowyer praised Ben Marshall's influence after his first Rovers goal helped secure an important win. "Ben's performance against QPR gave him loads of confidence, and today's goal should fill him with confidence even more. We know he has real talent, and he wants to succeed." Steve Lomas, meanwhile, questioned the desire of his Millwall defenders after a poor performance undid their good attacking work. "We were the masters of our own downfall. The three goals we conceded were, I wouldn't even say schoolboy - probably under-12s. Cheap, cheap goals."

Middlesbrough 0-1 Brighton

Aitor Karanka (right) was left furious after watching his side leak a last-gasp goal for the third game running – an 86th-minute Matthew Upson header leaving Boro three points above the relegation zone. "I am angry. We are giving gifts to our opponents in every game. I can't believe it. It is not normal that this happens … it cannot go on." Brighton assistant Nathan Jones said the smash-and-grab win was a huge boost. "Every win is a big win in this division – but to come to Middlesbrough and win is a very good result. They're a good side, in a false position."

Watford 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Wednesday caretaker Stuart Gray (right) praised his side for earning their first away win of the season – a fifth consecutive home defeat for Watford. "We deserved it. The pleasing thing is obviously getting the clean sheet with a great away win. We've now got to go into Wednesday's game against Wigan and make sure all the hard work and effort and commitment we've put in, we do it again." Gianfranco Zola said: "What is the problem? I don't know. We are not going through a good moment in terms of confidence because we produce chances but it's difficult for us to score."

And the rest...

■ Barnsley stay bottom after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Yeovil. ■ Birmingham secured a third away win in a row, 2-0 at Bournemouth. ■ Derby are on a six-game winning run after a 2-0 victory at Charlton. ■ Leeds dominated at strugglers Doncaster to secure a 3-0 victory. ■ Reading won 1-0 at Huddersfield. ■ And Nottingham Forest were held to a goalless draw by Ipswich. They have not won at home since 28 September.


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Wigan offer Uwe Rösler a warm welcome as manager looks to future

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 03:00 PM PST

After a playing at Manchester City and managing at Brentford, Wigan's new boss is happy to be back in the north-west

Wigan Athletic's European adventure came to an ignominious end in Slovenia four days ago, though the tone of supporters' tweets and text messages on Thursday evening was surprisingly upbeat. That was partly due to the underwhelming effect of the Europa League, it has become a competition most teams are keen to avoid or escape, and in part it was due to renewed optimism after a managerial change. Owen Coyle, it is fair to say, was not a great success with the Wigan players or fans – even Dave Whelan, the club chairman, admitted he did not get on with him in the week he pulled the trigger – and it is perhaps as well that the Scot will not be present for Sunday's meeting of two of his three Lancashire clubs to see it turn into a boo-fest.

Instead, the Wigan-Bolton derby will form Uwe Rösler's introduction to his new home crowd, as well as managing in the Championship. The former Manchester City striker was in charge in Maribor to witness a Wigan display compromised by some questionable refereeing, yet even in defeat the feeling was that he was trying to return to the passing game preferred by Roberto Martínez and not the aerial launchball introduced by Coyle. "Hooray," tweeted one of the players wives. "WAFC got their control back."

Many would point out that Rösler's own managerial record is not all that sparkling, either in Norway, where he never won anything, or in this country, where he was undoubtedly good for Brentford without securing the promotion that was so clearly within their grasp. But he already appears to be pushing the right buttons at the home of the FA Cup holders. "I like a high-pressing game, I like to play with the ball on the ground, and when we win possession we have to keep it," he said. "I'm looking for high-tempo football. I want to move the ball around quickly and play with a lot of energy."

Rösler enjoys living in the north-west, and stationed his family in the area before looking for a job in England when others might have done it the other way round. He appears to have been on Whelan's radar from the start, certainly the Wigan chairman seemed to know exactly where to look for a new manager. "It only took me five minutes to think: 'I like this lad' and give him a go," Whelan said. "I've watched his progress, you've got to look across the leagues and see who is doing well, and I knew that Brentford had been really unlucky not to get promoted. When I met him I was convinced. He said the right things, he was very positive and I liked his attitude."

The German has packed a lot into his 45 years, and if he has always been known for his positive attitude it is because it has served him in good stead in times of adversity. Germans are common enough in the Premier League now but 19 years ago, when an unheralded FC Nürnberg striker came to Manchester for a trial with City, he was the first, pioneering a new trail.

Despite a nonexistent goal record in 28 games for Nürnberg he was an instant success at City and a popular inductee to the club's Hall of Fame in 2009, even though the then chairman, Garry Cook, rather spoiled that occasion by managing to suggest he had played for Manchester United.

Rösler was an East German too, leaned on by the Stasi in his early days at Lokomotive Leipzig and one of the few characters in football management in this country with memories of ideology lessons at school. "A trip outside the walls was the highlight of the year," he says in his autobiography, of the time when he first began to see something of the free West with youth football teams. "All the houses in East Germany were grey, but in Sweden there were white houses, blue houses, red houses with gardens and flowers."

Rösler recalls Sweden so vividly because during his time in the country he did a little exploration on a motorbike and managed to get lost, embarrassing club officials who were worried he might have absconded.

After his four years at City – where he scored 50 goals in 152 appearances, inevitably fell out with Alan Ball and grew out the glorious mullet he used to sport in his DDR days – brief stints at Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Lillestrom were ended by his next major challenge. The discovery of a large tumour in his chest in 2003 effectively called time on his playing career, though undeterred he successfully underwent chemotherapy treatment and used the time off for recovery to obtain his coaching badges.

"The illness did not change my character or my ambitions," he said. "When you have a 13-year-old son and a 16-year-old son and they are living in an area were they don't have many relatives then of course it was a challenging time for the family, but my wife and kids have always been absolutely supportive of what I'm doing, even when I was at Brentford and I slept on average one night a week in my own bed. They love me being involved in football."

Rösler not only looks forward to spending a little more time at home now he is back in the north-west, he can start his Championship campaign against Bolton with one advantage Coyle never had – no more distractions and arduous trips in Europe. "We lost in Maribor but we did not leave with our heads down," he said. "I heard the fans chanting my name and that was a big lift."

Paul Wilson

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Moyes insists Man Utd will spend

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 03:00 PM PST

• Manager claims cash is there for signings
• Admits Champions League spot is vital for hopes

David Moyes insists the money is in place to strengthen Manchester United with a major signing that would demonstrate the club's ambition, and while he may not be able to do a deal to bring in such a player in January he is confident the backing will be there to secure important targets whether or not United finish in a Champions League position.

"We can definitely find the money for a big deal, 100%," the United manager said. "I know that because the money was available this summer. We were very close to a major, major signing, and if it had gone through it would have definitely shown what the club is worth. We didn't do it in the end, we didn't quite get there because players had chosen other clubs or made different decisions, but we were close to a couple of major signings and we didn't miss out because of money, that's for sure."

Moyes is understandably reluctant to name names of players now contracted to other clubs, though United's pursuit of Cesc Fábregas over the summer was scarcely a secret and the even more audacious deal Ed Woodward was trying to pull off was thought to concern Gareth Bale. United were willing to put up just as much money as Real Madrid, but it is believed the Tottenham player had his heart set on linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabéu. Ronaldo himself was a possible target, and a return to Old Trafford would certainly have been popular, but it is understood that Bale was the coup United were seeking to show intent and get Moyes's tenure off to a positive start. "I don't see the particular deal we were looking at being resurrected in January," Moyes said. "And I would be surprised if it crops up again next summer."

Things did not turn out in quite the way United might have been hoping, but Moyes is not discouraged, despite a sluggish start to the league season that has raised the possibility of missing out on the top four for the first time since top fours were invented. With four games against teams in the lower half of the table between now and the end of the year, United have the chance of making up ground against the leading quartet who all play each other twice in the same period, even if the loss of Robin van Persie until the New Year is a considerable setback. "There's been an inconsistency about us in the league," Moyes said. "You can hardly tell what looks like a winnable game any more. We beat Arsenal when they were top of the league, then we slipped up in games that looked easier. We need to win the next game and take it from there. Maybe if we can get a run of two or three wins I can talk differently, but we need to get the first one done."

First up is Aston Villa, where United have a decent record even if they have survived a couple of scares in recent seasons, mainly due to the home side getting pumped up for what they clearly regard as the biggest game of the season. Moyes scarcely needs that as he looks to avoid a third successive league defeat, though if United's aura of invincibility has been punctured he can expect every team encountered from here on in to scent blood and fancy their chances. Until United put together the sequence of wins Moyes is aiming for, missing the Champions League cut is not out of the question.

"If that happens it could affect our ability to sign players but most people will recognise Manchester United as a club where most years you can almost guarantee Champions League football," Moyes said. "The name still carries weight, but if you are talking of major signings they have to be available, they have to be gettable and they have to want to come here. At times a lot of those things don't always fit in. The real elite players probably have a choice of maybe three or four clubs. Manchester United will always be one of them but in addition to Real Madrid and Barcelona you now have other clubs with a lot of money, Paris St-Germain for example, so the top players have more choices."

At least United managed to finish top of their Champions League Group this time round, something that Manchester City could not organise and a source of considerable satisfaction to Moyes as he took in the Atlético Madrid v Porto game a day after beating Shakhtar Donetsk. "I was being texted the other results and thinking 'thank God we didn't finish second'," he said.

"There are some really tough opponents out there. Finishing first gives us a great opportunity, but I actually felt we played better against Everton and Newcastle than we did against Shakhtar. The Bayer performance [5-0 in Leverkusen] is what we are capable of but we haven't shown that consistency and we need to do better. We need a win, so at the moment it's one game at a time."

Paul Wilson

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Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho hopes to catch Luiz Felipe Scolari's eye | Paul Wilson

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 02:59 PM PST

Liverpool's young Brazilian midfielder admits he is living the dream and thrives off playing alongside Luis Suárez

If Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho is Brazilian, which he is, and he has always idolised Ronaldinho, which he has, a certain free-kick taken in Shizuoka in 2002 comes in handy as a conversational icebreaker as another World Cup year approaches. "Of course he meant to score," Coutinho says, eyes widening in surprise at the suggestion that David Seaman might have been beaten from 40 yards by some sort of fluke. "I remember the goal well and I have seen it many times since. I am sure he was trying to score. I take a few free-kicks myself but I would never try something like that because it would be too far out for me to score from there."

The 21-year-old future Internazionale midfielder had just turned 10 at the time, though he had already identified Ronaldinho as a player whose style he admired and whose career he would keep a close eye on. "I like to smile when I am playing because I try to show people that I am enjoying myself and I think Ronaldinho did the same," he says. "I want to show that I have the same attitude to the game and personality that my hero had. I only ever met Ronaldinho once, at a charity event in Rio. Once every year he stages a game and invites different players and personalities to play and raise money for his charity. So I was thrilled to accept an invite but I have to admit I was really nervous. It was difficult to think straight when I got to meet the man who had been my idol but it was a great occasion and something I will always remember."

Tottenham's Sandro, one of four Brazilians who could be involved in Sunday's encounter at White Hart Lane, recently went further than the Liverpool player would ever dare and suggested Coutinho could be as good as Ronaldinho – a compliment Coutinho politely receives and just as politely rejects. "I would like to thank Sandro for what he said but I am a long way from Ronaldinho's level," he admits. "I really like Ronaldinho. He is the player I have watched the most and tried to copy the most but I am still learning."

That appears to be reflected in Coutinho's somewhat peripheral connection to the Brazil national team, with only one senior cap to his name and that from a friendly against Iran three years ago. He does not feature prominently in Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans for next summer. Indeed it could be argued that the 33-year-old Ronaldinho has more chance of a call-up and, when asked if he has been set any targets or offered any encouragement by the Brazil manager, he answers rather glumly in the negative.

He has not given up hope, however, believing there is still time, and in order to spur himself on on a daily basis he had his footballing philosophy inked on to his arm a couple of months ago. "Never stop dreaming," the tattoo reads. "That's what I believe," he says. "I also know you have to work hard to make the dream come true. I see football as a bit like a stairway and you have to climb it bit by bit. First you have to play good football so that you get to play for a good team. Then hopefully you achieve such a level that you are invited to play for your national side, in time for a World Cup, if possible. Then, obviously, play a good World Cup. That's my dream."

Should Brazil 2014 prove a tournament too early for Coutinho, the prospect of returning to the Champions League might be slightly more realistic. He played alongside Samuel Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder in one memorable Inter victory against Bayern Munich, though could not hold down a regular place and was eventually loaned out to Espanyol.

"Just because I have World Cup dreams does not mean I won't be concentrating on Liverpool – just the opposite," he says. "My main aim is to play well for Liverpool and only by doing that will I get the chance to play for Brazil. I feel I have improved already in terms of understanding the European game. Rafa Benítez helped me quite a lot with that, when I was at Inter. In Brazil, if you play where I do, you are not expected to track back or defend in any way. You are an attacker and that's it. Only technically are you part of a team. When I worked with Rafa he changed that mentality straight away. I became more of a team player rather than an individual, saw the game in a different way and was encouraged to move the ball a bit quicker and look for different passes. I have to say I think I prefer the European style now. You move faster, think more quickly and are involved in the game more. I felt comfortable at Liverpool straight away, the team has been playing with a great amount of freedom in attack and perhaps that is why I was able to adapt to English football quite quickly."

Coutinho will have to adapt to the hectic Christmas period in English football just as quickly, for Liverpool have lost Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge to injury, leaving them temporarily even more reliant on his attacking instincts. Though when you have Luis Suárez in the side, almost anything is still possible. "It is our dream to win the title. That is what we are working towards but the competition is still at an early stage yet," he says. "There are a few more games to play before we can make such a statement. Playing alongside Luis is an honour because he is such a fantastic player. He makes life for someone in my position easier because of how good he is."

The Uruguayan also specialises in making his team-mates' lives a misery, as Coutinho well knows. "He is always trying to nutmeg you in training. He hasn't succeeded on me yet. I try my best not to let it happen because he talks about it a lot afterwards."

Paul Wilson

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Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini may regret his Munich moment | Daniel Taylor

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST

Beating the Champions League holders on their own ground was impressive but the manager's bad maths could haunt his side in Monday's draw for the knock-out stages

Maybe when the story comes to be written about this season's Champions League that strange finish to Manchester City's game at Bayern Munich and the awkward moment when it dawned on everyone that Manuel Pellegrini had got his sums wrong will be consigned to the small print. Nobody can be certain everything would have worked out anyway and allegations of amateurishness have to be placed in the context that City have just beaten a Bayern team that accumulated every trophy going last season. They have qualified for the knockout stages for the first time and it is easy to understand why their supporters might be reluctant to feel too aggrieved if they remember it was 15 years almost to the day since Bayern were playing Manchester United and City's opposition was Mansfield Town in the Auto Windscreens Shield, in front of their lowest-ever crowd – 3,007 – at Maine Road.

Yet that does not change the fact that what happened in Munich was a throwback to those days at City when every silver lining came attached with its own cloud, albeit with David Silva and Jesús Navas now in midfield rather than Jamie Pollock and Ged Brannan. Most troublingly, it smacked of a lack of planning and intelligence and, though we will never know what the result might have been in different circumstances, it is tempting to wonder if there is even a flicker of embarrassment on Pellegrini's part considering a fourth goal in the Allianz Arena would have meant winning their qualifying group and a last-16 tie against Olympiakos, Galatasaray, Zenit St Petersburg, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen or a Milan side that have won only four of their first 15 fixtures in Serie A.

City, as runners-up, will now get one of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund when the draw takes place in Nyon . Nobody will want to be paired with Pellegrini's often exhilarating side but the bottom line is that everything could have been so much more straightforward if it were not for the manager's blurred thinking, calculating his team needed to score twice more in Munich, then deciding it was probably beyond them, removing a striker for a midfielder and opting not to bring on Sergio Agüero, the player he says is next in line to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sir Alex Ferguson used to call these "senior moments" and he spoke from experience bearing in mind he once spent an infamous briefing, the day before United played Maccabi Haifa in 2002, talking about Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Gordon Strachan was responsible for another one, after Celtic beat United in 2006, not realising that it was good enough to take them through the Champions League group stages until he went in for the television interviews. "I think it was Gabriel [Clarke] who came up to me and said: 'Well done, well qualified'… 'Pardon?'"

Danny Higginbotham also tells a wonderful story about Southampton's first-round tie in the 2003-04 Uefa Cup against Steaua Bucharest, when they drew the first leg 1-1 before losing 1-0 to a late goal in Romania. Strachan was the manager on that occasion, too, and lost his temper afterwards asking his players why, at 0-0, they had been throwing everything forward in the second half, leaving themselves so exposed at the back.

"I was the first person he turned to in the dressing room," Higginbotham recalls. "He said: 'I have to know from you all, did you not realise nil-nil would have taken us to extra-time?' I had to be honest. 'No, I didn't think it was enough, I thought we were out on away goals.' Claus Lundekvam was next and he said exactly the same. He went round everyone and everyone said the same apart from Jo Tessem. 'I understood, gaffer,' he said. 'Nil-nil, extra time, I understood.' Strachan went bananas at the rest of us. He walked out and we felt terrible, all thinking we had got it wrong and let him down."

It was later, once everyone was showered, Strachan came back in with a sheepish look on his face. "Strachan, first and foremost, is the best manager I ever worked with," Higginbotham says. "He just said: 'Listen, something to tell you, it turns out you were right and I was wrong.'" That, of course, is the moment everyone in the dressing room looked at Tessem. The difference is that was Southampton's first time in Europe for 19 years whereas City are supposed to be a serious club these days, dining at the top table and well past the stage where their manager has to put up with cheap shots about having an Alan Ball moment.

Interestingly the German newspapers have been much harder on him than their English counterparts. "Europas Rechenkünstler" – "Europe's Maths Wizards" - was the headline in Süddeutsche Zeitung. The Stuttgarter Zeitung says Pellegrini "embarrassed himself" and Die Welt concludes "the world of football is laughing at Manchester's coach … these mistakes have a tradition at the club." Thomas Müller is widely quoted saying: "I'm not sure everyone knew what was at stake here."

Certainly nobody in the City dugout – and it is some entourage – seemed to cotton on. Up in the press box the member of staff operating the club's Twitter account kept its followers up to speed. Down on the pitch the players were never properly briefed. "We knew roughly," James Milner said. "We didn't know if 4-2 would be enough or if we would need 5-2. We thought it needed to be 5-2, to be honest." My colleagues interviewing Milner report that he still seemed uncertain an hour or so after the final whistle.

Looking at it optimistically, perhaps City will make it immaterial and overhaul whichever of the group winners they are drawn against. They would have to face them at some point anyway, if they actually have serious aspirations about winning the competition, and Pellegrini's insistence that he will not lose any sleep over his mistake is probably based on the fact it is strange a manager can win at Bayern and be held to account for it.

Equally Dietmar Hamann is not one of football's rent-a-quote mob and it is worth listening to him when he describes it as a "ridiculous" and "scandalous" lack of professionalism. Hamann's view is that someone from Pellegrini's backroom staff should have informed him because it is hardly the position of a player to tap the manager on the shoulder and point out he is getting it wrong.

Rafael Benítez, another man who knows a thing or two about winning European trophies, says much the same. It is not an anti-City agenda, before any of their supporters reach for the old default setting. It is just plain common sense. "It mattered – because there's a big difference between winning the group and coming second in the group," Benítez said, accurately. "Just look at the list of teams on those two lists and you will see why."

Hamann overlooks City's record in Europe over the past few years when he says they have cost themselves "a bye to the quarter-finals," but you understand the point. "Cityitis," Joe Royle used to call it, back in the day. At least Pellegrini has a team capable of sparing their blushes.

Keane did not resent Clough's criticism – with Ferguson it is quite different

Roy Keane did not even blink. The interviewer had just asked him to name the best manager he ever played for and Keane was straight to the point. "Without a doubt Brian Clough." Not Sir Alex Ferguson? "You asked the question, I answered you." And he had done so with great emphasis on those first three words: Without a doubt.

He has said it a few times now and, if you were to speak to the three other players who have worked under both managers – Neil Webb, Viv Anderson and Peter Davenport – it is probably fair to say there would be a clear verdict in favour of Clough. And, indeed, that he would have demanded it. "For all his horses, knighthoods and championships, he hasn't got two of what I've got," Clough, the double European Cup winner, used to say of Ferguson. "And I don't mean balls."

Equally we all know Keane's motives when, in the same documentary, he refers to Ferguson as "that man" and breaks into a sheepish smile, almost trying to hide his face, when the interviewer points out the great coincidence that so many of the players he has chosen for his best Manchester United XI happen to be the ones who ended up falling out with the manager.

Brilliant as Clough was, there is also the fact that Keane's time at Nottingham Forest, signing from Cobh Ramblers for the wonderfully unorthodox fee of £47,000, actually coincided with that period – and it had never happened on the Trent before – when Clough sometimes got his plimsolls wet when he tried to walk on water.

Even reaching the FA Cup final in 1991, Clough had already showed signs that he had lost a little of the old magic, never demonstrated better than when he stayed in his seat rather than speak to his players before extra time.

They finished eighth the next season but the following year is when everything unravelled and one of the directors sold a story to the Sunday People that the board had started to think Clough's drinking was out of control.

Keane found him sitting in complete darkness in his office one evening, pretending he was not there because Graham Taylor was outside and wanted to speak to him. "The scene was comical in one way, sad in another," Keane writes in his autobiography. "As I left Brian Clough cowering in his office, I reflected on the toll football could take on one of its most combative characters."

The difference, strangely, is that Clough also used to pan Keane in the media but without any comeback. He punched him in the stomach after an FA Cup tie for costing the team a goal with a careless back-pass.

On another occasion he told the newspapers Keane was a "greedy child" for wanting a pay rise. But Keane just took it. "I didn't resent Brian Clough's criticism of me," he writes. "I never forgot what he'd done for me."

With Ferguson, it is different – nastier, spiteful, as if both of them have blocked out the good times. Neither is probably finished yet either.

London calling in stadium boom

QPR have just announced plans for a 40,000-capacity stadium that will be more than twice the size of Loftus Road and bigger than both the current Tottenham and West Ham grounds. Spurs are planning to upgrade to a new 56,000-seat home and West Ham will be swapping Upton Park's 36,000 seats for 54,000 at the Olympic stadium the year after next. AFC Wimbledon want to move back to Plough Lane in a stadium that would start with 11,000 seats, but rising to 20,000, and Brentford, with an average attendance of 6,700, have plans of their own for somewhere three times the size of Griffin Park. Sorry to be a killjoy but where in London are all these new fans supposed to be coming from?

Daniel Taylor

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Said & Done - the week in football: Cartoons, Barca and love

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 01:57 PM PST

The week in football: Cartoons, Ronaldo and Barca; Hull in the pink; how not to keep warm; plus Miss Botinera 2013

Team of the week

Sepp Blatter's lawyers: winning an injunction in Zurich to ban a cartoon book about his life at Fifa. Olé Andersen's satirical book – starring a Sepp doppelgänger in a "Fair Play" T-shirt – has "no aesthetic value" and threatens their client's "good reputation … If published, he could never repair the damage."

Quote of the week

Last week's best defence of Qatar 2022: "Any other nation that has hosted a major tournament has faced the same kind of criticism, the same kind of doubts and scepticism, including London 2012" – Qatar's tournament head Hassan al-Thawadi, recalling the London 2012 slave scandal.

Meanwhile

Among the happy consequences of Fifa giving Qatar the World Cup: the formation of a new Qatari/Swiss sports marketing firm to "enhance the commercial value" of such events in the region. President of the new firm's parent company, Sepp's nephew Philippe Blatter, says: "We will meet this emerging demand."

Still more than a club

New last week for Barcelona president Sandro Rosell: unveiling a new €15m shirt deal with Intel; and denying club member Jordi Cases's claim that he "misappropriated" €40m from their deal to sign Neymar. "It's a reckless allegation. I'm relaxed."

Defence of the week

Steve Bruce, backing owner Assem Allam's right to rebrand Hull. "The chairman has put something like £70m into this club. For me, he should be held in higher esteem." 5%: Interest charged on Allam's £72m loans – with £2.8m payable to Allamhouse Ltd in 2012-13.

• Bruce's developing view on the rebrand itself: 4 Oct: "It's his prerogative. As long as we're not going to be playing in pink next week." 2 Dec: "If he wants us to play in pink fairy dresses he's entitled." 13 Dec: "If he asked us to play in frilly dresses, we would."

Humility latest

2007: Cristiano Ronaldo reveals in his book: "Humility is one of the values I most cherish. On the day I have a child , these are the principles I will pass on." 2013: Launches a Ronaldo museum in Madeira, a line of official Ronaldo underpants and a new official Ronaldo social network, Viva Ronaldo – "where my true fans belong".

Marching on together

Manager news: Brazil, 9 Dec: Criciúma coach Argel Fucks dedicates his side's escape from relegation to "a great man": president Antenor Angeloni. "We're so tight, so together. The president gave me this mission, and it's mission accomplished. Now we look forward to next season." 10 Dec: Angeloni sacks him.

• Angeloni's message to curious fans: "I'm in charge, I'm the dictator here. The fans must stay cool and quiet and understand this fact: I know what I'm doing."

• Also moving on: 10 Dec, Weymouth chairman Nigel Biddlecombe: "Brendon King is the manager of Weymouth FC." 12 Dec: He isn't.

Force of the week

Romania: Constanta owner Gheorghe Hagi, offering a community-service job to Gigi Becali when the Steaua owner moves to a nearby open prison. "He's wholeheartedly welcome. Apart from a big mouth, Gigi's a true force for good."

Turnout of the week

Yeovil: blaming negative publicity after only 16 women turned up to audition for the club's new girl band. Organisers denied the project was an "embarrassment". Judge and club manager Gary Johnson: "They all look the part and are very capable."

Spreading good cheer

Romania: Ex-West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas: "In Romania players play like they have a carrot up the arse. We should relax more like in England. I remember once at West Brom we lost 6-0 to Chelsea. Afterwards I was upset, dead inside, like I was at a funeral – but on the bus the boys were happy, laughing, joking, making a huge noise. We can learn from this mentality."

Plan of the week

Romania: Dinamo striker Kévin Zougoula – looking to counter icy conditions by putting his feet and boots in to containers of hot water pre-match. Local press: "By the time he was introduced as an 80th minute sub, he had feet of ice."

Model news

Paraguay: Andrea Aranda on contesting the Miss Botinera 2013 title, an award honouring "the queen of football groupies". "It's a title that suits: I'm a magnet for footballers. I had a wonderful relationship with one, and now I eye another."

Plus love latest

Argentina: Model Wanda Nara, moving on from last month's denial that she left Maxi López due to an affair with his former team-mate Mauro Icardi, by having an Icardi tattoo and posing for a photoshoot on a yacht. "Mauro amazes me. This is a man like no other."

David Hills

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West Bromwich Albion sack Clarke after defeat at Cardiff

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 01:57 PM PST

• Defeat at Cardiff was the Baggies' fourth loss in a row
• 1-0 reverse left West Brom 16th in the league

West Brom sacked their head coach, Steve Clarke, on Saturday night after a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff that was the Premier League club's fourth loss in a row and left them in 16th place.

Clarke's side had won only one of their last 10 games. They are just two points above the relegation zone.

A statement on the West Brom website said the club had "this evening relieved head coach Steve Clarke of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect". It continued: "This was the unanimous decision of the club's board of directors following a disappointing performance throughout 2013.

"Albion have won only seven of their 34 Premier League games during the calendar year – a 20% win rate yielding a total of only 31 points – despite a substantial investment in the first-team squad."

If Clarke had an inkling he was about to be sacked, he did not let on in the immediate aftermath of the match in Cardiff. "We created some chances as we normally do," said Clarke. "At the moment things aren't quite going for us.

"We have to work harder and hope we get a lucky break or that somebody does something fantastic. There is no magic formula or wand."

It will be a new manager in charge for West Brom's game against Hull next weekend, however, with joint-assistant head coach Keith Downing installed to lead the team on a caretaker basis. The club said that Downing will assume control of first-team affairs while the club "considers all available options for a new head coach".

The sporting and technical director, Richard Garlick, said: "We have reluctantly come to the decision to relieve Steve of his duties after very careful consideration.

"It has been well documented that we have not had the rub of the green in certain games this season but that does not cloud the generally disappointing points return during this calendar year, culminating in today's fourth successive defeat at Cardiff.

"This club's track record proves we do not take such decisions lightly, having only enforced a change in this position three times in approximately 14 years.

"But with key games coming thick and fast, we felt it was important we acted now to give the club the best possible chance of a successful outcome this season. Our player wage bill is the highest in the club's history and we feel we have built a squad capable of being very competitive in the Premier League."


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Newcastle Jets 0-1 Western Sydney Wanderers | A-League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 01:40 PM PST

Western Sydney halted their winless streak with victory over Newcastle, courtesy of a Mark Bridge goal

Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal | La Liga match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 01:39 PM PST

Neymar scored twice to help Barcelona beat Villarreal 2-1 and take advantage of Real Madrid's slip at Osasuna as they opened up a five-point lead over their fierce rivals at the top of La Liga.

Third-placed Madrid fell behind and settled for a 2-2 draw earlier in a match both sides finished with 10 men, and Barcelona did not let the chance to extend their advantage escape.

Barça, still without the injured Lionel Messi, again turned to Neymar after his hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday to convert a penalty on the half-hour mark and restore the lead in the 68th after Villarreal levelled through Mateo Musacchio three minutes after the interval.

Barcelona's eighth win in as many league games at the Camp Nou provisionally lifted them three points clear of Atlético Madrid before they host Valencia on Sunday.

Other than Alex Song's shot off the upright from a corner six minutes in, the first half was a rather monotonous display.

But all of Villarreal's discipline in defence was undone when right-back Mario Pérez used his arm to block Jordi Alba's pass, letting Neymar step up and stroke in the spot-kick.

Villarreal did not muster a shot on goal until defender Musacchio outmanoeuvred Marc Bartra to thump in following a corner-kick three minutes after half-time to unexpectedly level the score.

The pace picked up with Giovani dos Santos going close for the visitors before Neymar put Barcelona back in charge when he tapped in Alexis Sánchez's short pass following his control of Cesc Fábregas's lobbed through-ball.

Neymar will miss next Sunday's game at Getafe after he received his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he must serve a one-game suspension.


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Bayern Munich 3-1 Hamburg | Bundesliga match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 11:44 AM PST

Bayern Munich stretched their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to a staggering 41 games following a 3-1 win over Hamburg which ensured they would go into the winter break as league leaders.

Bayern, who are not in action next week, have gone the whole year without a league defeat, with their last loss in the Bundesliga dating back to October 2012. They clinched their 19th unofficial "autumn championship" at the season's halfway mark.

Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, in action on Sunday, can cut Bayern's lead back to four points with one game left in the Bundesliga before a break until January.

With Franck Ribéry and David Alaba on the bench and Arjen Robben injured, Bayern were initially made to work hard against battling Hamburg, eager to redeem themselves for last season's 9-2 demolition by Bayern.

Mario Mandzukic struck at the right time when he nodded in after 42 minutes. Mario Götze's superb control and volley seven minutes after the restart gave them a two-goal cushion before Xherdan Shaqiri killed off the game in stoppage time.

Hamburg had briefly cut the deficit in the 87th minute through Pierre-Michel Lasogga.


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Hull City 0-0 Stoke City | Premier League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 11:40 AM PST

The one thing that refused to change here was the scoreline. This match was the first since Hull's chairman, Assem Allam, lodged an official request to the Football Association to ditch the City part of the club's name and replace it with Tigers. It triggered another emotional response from the fanbase: a banner in the East Stand simply read "Our History, Our Future, Our Club, Hull City AFC", while several hundred members of the protest group City Till We Die had been scheming their response to the latest turn of events in a local drinking establishment during the afternoon.

Given their encouraging return to the Premier League, the Hull manager, Steve Bruce, must be sick of talking about the club's name-change plan rather than their football. However, official word on the ailment that prevented him carrying out media interviews pre-kick off was that he had suffered an overnight stomach bug.

Hull began the match with the attractive style of play that has earned so many plaudits since finishing as the Championship runners-up in May and, but for Stoke's goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, they might have had a fifth home victory wrapped up before the interval.

Spectacular stops redirected efforts from Ahmed Elmohamady and Yannick Sagbo inside the first 20 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, Stoke opted to use Stephen Ireland and Oussama Assaidi from the start this week, following their goal-scoring appearances from the bench in victory over Chelsea. However, Assaidi wasted an opportunity after cutting in from the left flank midway through the opening period. Instead of arrowing towards the top corner, this effort lamely peeled towards a corner flag.

Their own willingness to get the ball down and play promoted a watchable contest yet their threat increased considerably as the wind picked up. The inconsistent trajectory of Stoke's deliveries into the home area caused havoc, most notably when a rebound from Peter Crouch's 70th-minute downward header, repelled by Allan McGregor, was tucked in by Ireland – only to be ruled out for offside. Moments later a headed effort from Ryan Shawcross crashed against the crossbar.

Richard Gibson

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TSG Hoffenheim 2-2 Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 11:35 AM PST

Borussia Dortmund battled back from two goals down to draw against Hoffenheim but dropped further points, and have now won only one of their last five games. They remain in third place.

Goals from Sven Schipplock and Kevin Volland put the hosts in command in the first half but a goalkeeper fumble before the break enabled Dortmund to cut the lead though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Lukasz Piszczek levelled from close range in the 67th minute, but Dortmund could not find a winner.

Despite frantic attacking by Dortmund, who hit the woodwork, the visitors could not get a third goal to complete their comeback, meaning they are now five points behind Leverkusen and 12 behind Bayern Munich, the leaders.

Borussia Mönchengladbach failed to take advantage of Dortmund's slip-up when they drew 0-0 at Mainz 05 to see their six-game winning streak snap and stay on 32 points along with Dortmund.


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Football league: your thoughts | Dan Lucas

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 11:32 AM PST

QPR moved to the top of the Championship as they capitalised on Burnley's failure to take the spoils at Leicester and Leyton Orient couldn't take full advantage of a shock defeat for Wolves

Championship

QPR's 2-0 win away to Blackpool saw Harry Redknapp's side leapfrog Burnley, who could only draw 1-1 with third-placed Leicester, and go top of the table. The former Seasiders striker Matt Phillips was the outstanding performer for QPR, as he scored with a long-range shot in the first half and crossed for Charlie Austin to head home in the second. Meanwhile at the King Power Stadium, Danny Ings took advantage of some poor Leicester defending to equalise shortly after half time, after David Nugent's penalty in the first half had put the home side in front.

At the other end of the table, Barnsley and Yeovil were only able to draw, again 1-1, in their bottom-of-the-league clash. In a dull game at Oakwell, Marcus Tudgay's 34th-minute penalty cancelled out Joel Grant's goal after 10 minutes. Sheffield Wednesday's surprise win 1-0 away to Watford, for which they had Connor Wickham and his free kick midway through the first half to thank, therefore sees the managerless Yorkshiremen move above their two relegation rivals and within one point of Charlton, with a game in hand.

Leeds moved into the play-off places after easing to a 3-0 win away to struggling Doncaster. They got the ball rolling after 19 minutes when Matt Smith nodded in Alex Mowatt's free-kick, and showed their set-piece proficiency once again 15 minutes from the end when Ross McCormack tapped in from six yards after a corner. In the dying minutes of the game, Rodolph Austin put a low shot past Ross Turnbull to complete the rout. The win enables Leeds to replace Nottingham Forest in the final play-off place, after Billy Davies's team struggled to a 0-0 in a poor game with Ipswich.

Elsewhere Blackburn just about managed to resist a late Millwall fightback to win 3-2 at Ewood Park. That meant they went above both Watford and Huddersfield into 11th, after the latter went down 1-0 at home to Reading. In the mid-table meeting at Bournemouth, the home side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City, and Middlesbrough's poor season continued with a 1-0 home loss against play-off chasers Brighton.

League One

The tussle at the top of the table this week swung slightly in favour of Leyton Orient, as they earned a point at high-flying Bradford. Lloyd James' goal on the stroke of half-time looked to have given the O's the full three points but Nakhi Wells curled in a stoppage time free-kick to scrape a draw for the home side. That meant that Orient failed to capitalise fully on a weak performance from title rivals Wolves, who slipped to a shock 2-0 defeat at home to MK Dons.

This was only a second home league defeat of the season for Wolves, but it was a first win since the beginning of November for Karl Robinson's Dons. The visitors took the lead through a Patrick Bamford goal after half an hour, before Ben Reeves sealed the win with a brilliant strike from range after 50 minutes. Wolves found chances few and far between and were easily outplayed, leaving Leyton Orient to regret their late ill-discipline.

Rotherham took advantage of Bradford only getting a point with a 2-1 against bottom placed Bristol City. Nouha Dicko and Ben Pringle scored early goals for the visitors before Bobby Reid's fluke goal from a cross gave struggling Bristol a late consolation. The result enables Rotherham to consolidate their play-off slot four points ahead of Bradford, while Bristol are still five points from safety after Tranmere's heavy 4-1 defeat away to Carlisle.

Meanwhile Brentford kept up the pressure on the top two with a 1-0 win at home to Oldham and neither Preston nor Peterborough could gain an advantage over the other as they both drew 2-2 at Crawley and Gillingham respectively. Notts County remain in the relegation zone, although they have now registered back-to-back wins for the first time under their new manager, Shaun Derry, following the 4-0 thrashing of Colchester United.

League Two

Defeat for Bristol Rovers, 2-1 away to ninth-placed Morecambe, means they are now just a point clear of Northampton following the Cobblers' 1-1 draw at Bury in an increasingly congested relegation battle. However, Aidy Boothroyd's side's failure to secure a win means that they are now only above Torquay, who beat Southend 1-0 courtesy of a 50th minute goal from loanee John Marquis. That result ends Southend's seven-match unbeaten run and leaves the Shrimpers level on points with Rochdale, who also lost, 2-1 away to Fleetwood.

At the top of the table there was no change as all three teams in the automatic promotion places won. Oxford United followed Fleetwood's example in winning 2-1, this time at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, whilst Chesterfield beat Plymouth 2-0 at the Proact Stadium, despite Matt Brown's red card for a foul in the area on Caolan Lavery; Reuben Reid's resulting spot-kick drew an excellent save from Thomas Lee.

Dan Lucas

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Ryan Gauld scores as free-scoring Dundee United beat Kilmarnock

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 11:15 AM PST

• Billy McKay takes his tally to 15 goals for the season
• Partick v St Johnstone abandoned at half-time

Dundee United made heavy weather of reaching five consecutive wins, a run in which they have scored an incredible 21 goals. However, second-half goals from Keith Watson, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld and David Goodwillie enabled the visitors to finally overcome 10-man Kilmarnock 4-1. A late consolation goal from Kris Boyd allowed the former Rangers striker to claim his 175th top-flight goal and overtake Henrik Larsson's haul.

Billy McKay took his goal tally for the season to 15 as Inverness beat Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle. A scrappy contest, played in poor conditions in Edinburgh, was decided when McKay showed composure to score the opening goal after an hour. With Inverness buoyed by the opener, McKay and Graeme Shinnie could have put the visitors further ahead, while goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald denied Aaron Doran with a superb save. Caley did eventually score a second goal when Marley Watkins broke from the halfway line before finding McKay, who slotted in his second of the game seven minutes from time.

Two goals from John Sutton got Motherwell back to winning ways as they beat Ross County 2-1 at Victoria Park. Sutton struck twice in the first half-hour of the match as the visitors dominated possession. A better second-half showing from County allowed them to pull a goal back through Melvin De Leeuw and although County pushed hard for a leveller, the Steelmen – beaten 5-0 by Celtic in their previous league match – held on for the victory.

The midfielder Barry Robson scored directly from a corner as Aberdeen continued their good form with a comfortable 2-0 win over St Mirren at Pittodrie to stay in touch with Inverness and Dundee United in the race for second place in the Scottish Premiership. Robson's second-half strike came after Scott Vernon had given the Dons the lead after 20 minutes, taking full advantage of a mistake from Marc McAusland.

The contest between Partick Thistle and St Johnstone was abandoned at half-time due to heavy rain and high winds with the score at 0-0. In the First Division, Stehousemuir's match against Rangers at Ochilview was called off due to structural damage to a temporary stand caused by winds of 60mph.

Nial Briggs

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Add to basket: Our guide to sporting Christmas Gifts, part 1

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 10:23 AM PST

From a circuit of the Olympic velodrome to a 1966 World Cup onesie, we guide you through the sublime and ridiculous sporting Christmas gifts on offer

AWAYDAYS AND TREATS

What better time for a spot of wish fulfillment? Cyclists will love the chance to ride on the velodrome at the Olympic Park, from visitleevalley.org.uk, which also offers canoeists the prospect of riding the waves on the Olympic course. Elsewhere, petrolheads will enjoy the virtual F1 sims at letsrace.co.uk or having their names on the Silverstone Wall of Fame (silverstone.co.uk), while golfers can spend a day with a PGA pro from redletterdays.co.uk. Also undoubtedly well-received will be the tours of football stadiums on offer at buyagift.co.uk, or the top-end present: a trip to the World Cup. Thomsonsport.com has the package and will refund the cost if you fail to obtain tickets to England's three group games.

For something unusual, how about the first four editions of cricket quarterly The Nightwatchman (thenightwatchman.net)? While Notonthehighstreet.com has coasters adorned by retro football programmes or motor racing posters, and a lovely wooden mock-up of the 1966 World Cup scoreboard, for gazing at and daydreaming. Best by a mile for pedallers is Johnny Joannou's beautiful print of Tour de France winners represented as the periodic table, a true work of art – there's even one with Lance Armstrong excised (onasixpence.bigcartel.com).

CLOBBER

Away from the usual replica shirts the unique football T-shirts designed by Marcus Marritt make a welcome change, his stylistic images of Gareth Bale, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo are striking and unusual (footytees.com), alternatively choose your own fave player at cultzeros.co.uk and they will put it on a T in a wonderful mono-print 70s style, a unique gift that can be wonderfully personalised. Equally, Notonthehighstreet.com does a nice line in rugby T-shirts, depicting the scrum, lineout, and also cricket fielding positions and a literal representation of birdie, eagle and albatross all in pleasingly retro two-colour silouhette. From sublime to ridiculous with England 1966 World Cup onesie (menkind.co.uk) and how about emulating the man who made spectacles cool with the Oakley Junkyard IIs as modelled by Jürgen Klopp (misterspex.co.uk) or the simply spectacular range of eye-catchingly lively golf gear on offer at the brilliantly named royalandawesome.co.uk?

For wearing while doing, runners might like to look into the increasingly popular barefoot running style with the Merrell Road Glove 2 trainers while for serious hikers and even a good walk the Chameleon 5 boots are lightweight, genuinely comfortable from the off and Gore-Tex waterproofed (both merrell.co.uk). Finally, skiers will dig the toasty and beautifully-made Bergans's Krekling range of merino wool base layers (srcunningham.co.uk), which will also be perfect for anyone heading out for a wintry afternoon game.

GADGETS AND GEAR

Everyone loves Subbuteo and everyone loves eating, combine the two with Subbuteo salt and pepper grinders (thefowndry.com) and then work off the poundage with a good swim – measured using the Poolmate watch (swimovate.com) that counts laps, strokes and heart rate, a great idea. Kids will enjoy the Firevision Football, an NFL-style ball that lights up when thrown (cotswoldoutdoor.com). Equally innovative is the Iphone bike mount from RokForm, a nicely made piece of kit that holds the phone on the handlebars, perfect for training apps or google maps (rokform.eu). For sounds while on the bike or indeed any activity the Yurbuds Inspire Pro sport earphones are great – cleverly designed so they will not fall out of the ear (yurbuds.co.uk ), while, slightly larger, the Monster iSport Freedom headphones are excellent for exercise. Wireless, water-resistant and sweatproof they also have a clever on-ear controller (monsterproducts.com). If the listening is more sedentary and you've been banished from the living room to listen to the match, Creative's Airwave wireless portable speaker is a nice option (uk.creative.com). Finally for kids who want to get gnarly and inevitably fling the results at the internet the SunnyCam HD Video Recording Glasses (cotswoldoutdoor.com) fit the bill and for the grown-ups what better than customising your golf ball with the Marking Stencil kit (tin-cup.co.uk) – choose from pre-made logos or design your own.

Giles Richards

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Celtic 1-0 Hibernian | Scottish Premiership match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST

On this evidence, Celtic's hangover from a 6-1 drubbing in Barcelona may take some time to clear. The Scottish Premiership leaders were sluggish in the defeat of Hibernian, with the only source of cheer for Neil Lennon the match-winning goal from Teemu Pukki, which should at least boost the struggling striker's fragile confidence.

That aside, Celtic had little cause for cheer with Hibs' lack of potency in front of goal a strong contributing factor in the result. Unlike previous matches against Motherwell and Hearts, there was no Celtic bombardment on the opposition goal this time around. The defending champions were loose in possession and similarly unimpressive in defence.

This was no polite welcome back to domestic football for Lennon and his team. Torrential rain and gale force winds battered Glasgow and duly turned this into the kind of spectacle which proved the routine madness of football fans. Celtic Park was half-full for Hibernian's visit, in itself actually a credit to the hardy souls who opted against an afternoon in the comfort of their own homes.

Georgios Samaras, who proved a massive disappointment throughout Celtic's European campaign could have no complaints about being named as a substitute. Anthony Stokes was deployed alongside Pukki in attack until the 58th minute, when the latter made way for Georgios Samaras. Pukki looked to have picked up an injury during the first half.

The ovation which Pukki was afforded upon his departure from the field owed plenty to a clever goal. Scott Brown had fed Joe Ledley on the left flank, with the Welshman's low cross turned home at the near post by Pukki for his first goal since 21 September. The striker's smart run was as notable as the subsequent finish.

That intervention proved the clear highlight of a drab opening half. Four minutes after Pukki's goal, Stokes stung the palms of Ben Williams with a long‑range drive. The Hibs response came from Scott Robertson, who tested Fraser Forster with a curling, right-foot attempt.

Hibs' bluntness was summed up by a record of just one goal in seven outings before their arrival in Glasgow. In his recently assumed role as their manager, Terry Butcher must improve upon such shortcomings. The visitors duly passed up fine chances to equalise within 15 minutes of the restart. Danny Handling blazed over the bar from 20 yards when he had scope to close in on Forster, before Liam Craig struck a post from inside the penalty area. Paul Cairney had an opportunity to score from the rebound of Craig's attempt, with the ball instead rather trapped under the winger's feet.

Thereafter, Stokes was extremely fortunate to remain on the field after a touchline clash with Jordan Forster. The young Hibs defender was fierce himself with his needless challenge on the Republic of Ireland international, with Stokes retaliating in a red-mist kick through the back of Forster that should have earned him a red card.

Instead, and astonishingly, the referee Bobby Madden did not issue so much as a booking to either player. Madden's leniency was rendered even more bizarre by the fact his fourth official was standing yards away from the incident. Forster had, in fact, been guilty of persistent fouling throughout the game which also seemed to escape Madden's attention.

The referee was more unforgiving in the case of Emilio Izaguirre. Celtic's left-back was booked for a dive, after seeking to win a penalty from a Michael Nelson challenge.

Hibs pressed forward in the dying moments in search of parity which they could argue was deserved. To Celtic's relief, it proved a fruitless pursuit.

Ewan Murray

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West Ham United 0-0 Sunderland | Premier League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:24 AM PST

To punters it was the most predictable result of the season. To the participants it was supposed to be a turning point, the match where they would reverse an ominous series of results and begin the crawl to safety. The punters got paid. The clubs got a point each. Viewers got nothing to get excited about. No one will bet on either side surging up the table any time soon.

Sunderland remain bottom, five points off West Ham in 17th, but their manager, Gus Poyet, took satisfaction from the fact that they were the better team here, even if the number of enforced absentees from the hosts made this an opportunity spurned. "We didn't look like we were bottom but somehow that is not enough," he said. "To come here when they were without [Andy] Carroll, [Kevin] Nolan, [Winston] Reid and [Stewart] Downing, you need to win. To be out of this situation you need to score and take three points. We need to be perfect."

They were far from that. But West Ham were ever more so. In the summer West Ham invested all their hope and a lot of their money in Carroll, but a persistent foot injury has prevented their £15m striker from playing any part in the campaign so far and, in his absence, they have scored just 13 goals in 16 matches. Sam Allardyce has been assured his job is not in imminent danger and he will be given funds to buy more firepower in January. That cannot come soon enough.

The opening minutes of this match were misleading. There was a flurry of early goalmouth action. Ki Sung‑yueng forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a save in the third minute. West Ham reacted through Mohamed Diamé, who bounded down the left before crossing to Modibo Maïga, who sliced wide. One minute later the same pair combined again and this time Maïga met the Senegalese's cross with a weak header from six yards.

Sunderland's strikers were not much sharper but did create a clear chance in the 28th minute, Jozy Altidore feeding Fabio Borini, who shot tamely at Jaaskelainen from the edge of the area. The visitors formed the more fluid unit and came closest to scoring, albeit through a speculative shot from distance rather than any cutting collective move, Bardsley rattling the crossbar from 30 yards midway through the first half. A similar shot by Lee Cattermole brought a diving save from Jaaskelainen just before the break.

In the second half defences tightened up and attacks dried up. In the 79th minute substitute Steven Fletcher colluded with Emanuel Giaccherini to tee up Ki, whose 10-yard shot was beaten away by Jaaskelainen. Vito Mannone had to scramble to tip a mis-hit George McCartney cross over the bar in stoppage time. Many in the home crowd had already left. Those that stayed until the end booed.

Paul Doyle

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Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:20 AM PST

Chelsea did little to quicken the pulses and when they reflect upon a victory that was chiselled from Crystal Palace, their only real source of assurance will come from a glance at the Premier League table. It shows them sitting prettily in second place, two points off Arsenal's pace. Their next league fixture is at the Emirates on 23 December.

This was anything but pretty. Chelsea got what they needed yet it was not the antidote to their recent toils. So many of their big-name players were curiously off-key. It is rather stating the obvious but title-winning teams surely have to be better than this.

José Mourinho's players are stuttering and the manager was reduced to calling for the whistle at the end. Palace called the tune in the second half and only John Terry's remarkable intervention from in front of the line after the substitute Stuart O'Keefe had shot past Petr Cech prevented the visitors from restoring parity for a second time. Branislav Ivanovic blocked O'Keefe's second attempt.

Chelsea ought to have fashioned a little gloss to the scoreline at the very end but Ramires's fluffed square pass when clean through, and with the substitutes Oscar and Demba Ba free in front of goal, summed things up. Julián Speroni also made a marvellous double save to deny André Schürrle, another substitute, and Ba. For much of what had gone before in the second half, it was the visitors who looked the likelier scorers. Cameron Jerome fired high after an Ivanovic error; Jason Puncheon drew a save from Cech on the break and Damien Delaney headed at the goalkeeper from Puncheon's free-kick.

Tony Pulis covered every inch of the technical area and he went through agonies as his team went close to a reward. The substitute Yannick Bolasie, who made an impact, headed over when unmarked and, after the O'Keefe drama, Delaney flashed another header wide.

It was somehow disconcerting to see a Mourinho team allowing their opponents so much space. Palace have not won here for 31 years but they deserved something, as much for their spirit as anything else. They refused to play the role of stooges, despite falling behind twice. Mourinho lamented his team's inability to go 2-0 or 3-1 up, and they did have the chances in the first half. "It could have been 5-1 or 2-2," he said. It was the latter, though, that felt more likely as the game wore on.

Chelsea had shown moments of looseness in the early running. Never mind that David Luiz was nutmegged by Jerome – the Brazil defender also lost a dribble with a heavy touch. He had a strangely uncomfortable afternoon but he was not alone. Ramires and Juan Mata made errors on the ball.

Chelsea went ahead with their first attack of note and although Willian's 25-yard shot that created the goal was well struck, it was disappointing from Palace's point of view that Speroni got nothing more to it than fingertips to divert the ball on to the post. The rebound fell to Fernando Torres in a way that has not always happened during his Chelsea career and he gratefully accepted the good fortune, sweeping home his second league goal of the season.

The home team sparked briefly. Torres drove at Joel Ward, turning him inside and out; Mata's wonderful flick released Ivanovic, who shot narrowly wide, and Michael Essien tried his luck from distance. But Palace fashioned a foothold with their best moment of the afternoon. Marouane Chamakh moved the ball to Puncheon and headed for the penalty area and when Ward crossed, the striker volleyed low and left-footed into the corner of the net. It was Chamakh's third goal in three matches. He scores when he wants, according to the travelling Palace fans.

Chelsea responded. Pulis wanted a foul on Jerome at the other end but when Eden Hazard cut back to Ramires and Palace stood off him, the midfielder took full advantage. His right-footed shot from the edge of the box fizzed high past Speroni. Willian might have had another for Chelsea before the interval but he shot weakly when well-placed. Mourinho booted a kit-bag in frustration.

It was that kind of an afternoon for him. When the whistle did go and he had felt that surge of relief, he made for the Palace supporters to applaud them. They had been loud throughout to make the atmosphere in what was an entertaining derby. Chelsea squeaked home.

David Hytner

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Osasuna 2-2 Real Madrid

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:20 AM PST

•Sergio Ramos and his 18 career red cards: a retrospective

Ten-man Real Madrid fought back to draw 2-2 at Osasuna, who also finished with 10 players, in La Liga on Saturday but still left their title rivals the chance to widen the gap at the top of the table.

Osasuna's Oriol Riera headed in goals in the 16th and 39th minute before Madrid's woes deepened when Sergio Ramos received his second yellow card in the 44th.

With Cristiano Ronaldo unable to extend his eight-game scoring run for club and country, the midfielder Isco pulled one back before half-time and passed for Pepe to head home an 80th-minute equaliser seconds after Osasuna's Francisco Silva also earned his second booking.

"The team demonstrated it has a good attitude, but a draw is like a loss for us," the Real defender Marcelo said. "We knew that the result wasn't good enough but we reacted too late."

Madrid's five-game winning run in the league ended at a ground where they traditionally have trouble getting wins. Real have now won only one in six at the Reyno de Navarra stadium. Osasuna, who sit just two points above the relegation zone, have held both Barcelona and Madrid to draws there this season.

Madrid started strongly and Ronaldo had two chances to put his team in front. But Osasuna struck first when right back Marc Bertran dribbled past his marker before swinging a cross to the far post where Riera was left unmarked to direct the ball into the net.

Madrid momentarily lost both their verve in attack and composure in defence, and both centre-halves, Pepe and Sergio Ramos, received yellow cards.

Riera was left free to double the hosts' lead by nodding in the follow-up to Damià Abella's header from a corner-kick that goalkeeper Diego López sprung to palm off his line.

And Ramos soon received his second yellow card in questionable circumstances when Osasuna's Roberto Torres fell after colliding with his arm.

But just when Madrid were at their lowest, Ronaldo dribbled into the Osasuna defence and laid off for Isco to place a right-footed strike just inside the post and pull one back before the break.

Osasuna still appeared set to claim the victory after a placid second half until Silva earned himself two yellow cards in a four-minute spell. Isco found the hole left in the defence which Pepe exploited to score Madrid's second.


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Newcastle United 1-1 Southampton | Premier League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:15 AM PST

Alan Pardew still maintains his sacking by Southampton in 2010 was "an injustice" and Newcastle United's manager looked suitably frustrated by this failure to exert a measure of revenge.

No matter; it was an intriguing tactical duel spiced up by a couple of smart half-time substitutions on Mauricio Pochettino's part. "A great game," said Pardew, who would have wished Andy Woodman, Newcastle's goalkeeping coach, had not decided to initiate his own form of redress after Morgan Schneiderlin's heavy tackle, deemed worthy of only a booking, on Massadio Haïdara during the closing stages.

A mass bout of push and shove involving backroom staff from both benches – although not Pardew or the equally astonished-seeming Pochettino – ensued with Woodman eventually being banished to the stands along with his Southampton counterpart, Toni Jiménez. Striving to play things down, Pardew rubbished suggestions Woodman had been spat at and stressed: "It was not a brawl."

After five wins in their previous six league games his initially dominant side began in confident mode and very nearly took the lead when Luke Chambers cleared off the line from Loïc Rémy. It represented quite a let-off for a rejigged Southampton side featuring the recalled Rickie Lambert in an attacking midfield role behind Pablo Osvaldo.

Pochettino's team eventually fell behind when, capitalising on Jos Hooiveld's defensive error, Yoan Gouffran met Mike Williamson's downward header and rounded Paulo Gazzaniga before extending his left foot and tapping the ball into the unguarded net.

Pardew restricted himself to a restrained celebratory first-pump. His decision to once again leave Hatem Ben Arfa, by some distance Newcastle's most gifted individual and a man desperate for inclusion in France's World Cup squad, on the bench had been vindicated. Gouffran may not be as talented but he is a highly effective, uber-industrious near-identikit of that creature known as the "modern wide attacking player". Much more of this and he might make France's flight to Brazil next summer himself.

Although Vurnon Anita, the suspended Yohan Cabaye's fluid passing replacement in Pardew's central midfield, is pleasingly strong on vision and technique, Newcastle were missing Cabaye's customarily stellar set piece execution.

Southampton though struggled to test Tim Krul during a first half when they seemed to be lacking the midfield assurance so often offered by Adam Lallana. Along with Schneiderlin, Lallana was liberated from the bench for the second period in a revamp that led to Jay Rodriguez advancing to the lone striking role.

Southampton improved radically and, with Newcastle struggling to break them down, appeared imbued with new-found resolve. It increased after a Steven Davis volley rebounded off a post, with the mounting foreboding evident in Pardew's body language justified when Rodriguez equalised. Catching Newcastle cold on the counterattack, Rodriguez played a one-two with Davis before slipping a shot beyond Krul.

On came Ben Arfa but even he huffed and puffed. Rémy spurned a decent late opening – "You wouldn't expect Loïc to miss the two chances he had today," reflected Pardew – and Krul saved superbly from Rodriguez. St James' Park turned anxious as six minutes of stoppage time – mostly due to Mike Jones, the referee, requiring treatment after being accidentally felled by Moussa Sissoko's outstretched arm – threatened to play into Southampton's counterattacking hands.

In the event all the late drama took place in the technical area. "I didn't see who started it but I think that was not a good example," Pochettino said. "It's not good for football. Football is about high tensions and emotions but it was avoidable. We don't want it to happen again to us." An FA inquiry surely beckons.

Louise Taylor

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Blackpool 0-2 QPR | Championship match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:12 AM PST

QPR returned to the top of the Championship with former Blackpool winger Matt Phillips among the scorers in their 2-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.

Phillips, who moved to Rangers in the summer for a reported £5million, paid some of his fee back with a second-half strike before Charlie Austin sealed the points on 73 minutes.

The hosts dominated the first 45 minutes, though, and ought to have taken the lead before the break after creating four good goalscoring opportunities.

In the 16th minute Jack Robinson's left-wing cross found the head of Steven Davies and his effort was well saved by Rob Green in the QPR goal.

Barry Ferguson's inswinging free-kick moments later caused havoc in the visitors' 18-yard box and after Kirk Broadfoot's header was half cleared by Richard Dunne, a follow-up header from Craig Cathcart was tipped over the crossbar by Green.

From the resulting corner another high, lofted delivery worked its way through to Cathcart at the back post - but he could only find the fans behind the goal rather than the back of the net.

It was one-way traffic, with the visitors pinned back in their own half for long periods and with the opening period drawing to a close, Dan Gosling fired narrowly wide of the left hand post from the edge of the box, as the Seasiders failed to find the goal their efforts deserved.

An injury to QPR defender Clint Hill saw boss Harry Redknapp forced into making a change at half-time, with Nedum Onuoha on in his place.

In an entertaining start to the second half, Phillips tested Matt Gilks with a 35-yard shot, before Tom Ince's half-volley from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Green at the other end.

The home side then went close again on 51 minutes, with Ince again involved, as his dinked cross from the right side of the area was wastefully headed over by Gosling at the back post.

There was a sense that a goal was in the offing and the deadlock was eventually broken just past the hour mark as Phillips' 25-yard shot, on his weaker left foot, sent Gilks the wrong way before nestling in back of the net.

Buoyed by his strike, the 22-year-old then went close to doubling his tally afternoon minutes later, as he surged into the area and fired goalwards, with Gilks doing brilliantly to tip the ball wide, one-on-one.

Redknapp's side were looking increasingly dangerous and more good play from Phillips down the right saw the Scotland international find the head of Austin, six yards out, and the striker made no mistake with his header to secure top spot for his side.


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Sergio Ramos and his 18 career red cards: a retrospective

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:09 AM PST

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos may have won multiple honours but he is in danger of being remembered more for his ill discipline

Sergio Ramos may have won three La Liga titles, the World Cup and two European Championships but he is in danger of becoming more renowned for his ill-discipline rather than his football. On Saturday afternoon against Osasuna, the 27-year-old was sent-off for the 18th time in his Real Madrid career. Here is a comprehensive guide to Ramos's red cards …

1) Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid, La Liga, 18 September 2005

Two yellow cards in the 61st and 87th minutes was an appropriate beginning to Ramos's red card journey when he was sent off at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. It began a habit of obtaining double yellows rather than straight reds and his consequent suspension paved the way for a notable debut: step forward Jonathan Woodgate.

2) Real Madrid 2-1 Olympiakos, Champions League, 29 September 2005

Just 10 days later, Ramos received the second red of his Madrid career when he was dismissed for a clash with the Olympiakos substitute Giannakis Okkas, reacting angrily to a late challenge by the Cypriot in the 91st minute. The sending-off came only minutes after a young Roberto Soldado had spared Madrid's blushes with a late winner.

3) Real Sociedad 2-2 Real Madrid, La Liga, 27 November 2005

Madrid needed two goals within the last five minutes to salvage a draw at the Anoeta after Ramos had earlier been sent off in a game where both sides were reduced to 10 men.

4) Real Madrid 3-3 Villarreal, La Liga, 7 May 2006

Zinedine Zidane's final game was marred by a straight red card for Ramos after a handball in his own box. Diego Forlán duly converted the penally before Julio Baptista scored a late equaliser for Madrid.

5) Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid, La Liga, 1 October 2006

Ramos was sent off for the first time in a Madrid derby as two customary fouls earned him his two customary bookings. It seemed the experience of his fellow defenders Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro was having little impact on the young Spaniard.

6) Sevilla 2-0 Real Madrid, La Liga, 3 November 2007

Two silly tackles resulted in two yellow cards for Ramos five minutes either side of half-time. The loss relegated Madrid to third in the table, with Sevilla overtaking them.

7) Recreativo 2-3 Real Madrid, La Liga, 1 March 2008

In a hugely ill-tempered match that saw three red cards, Ramos was sent off in the 55th-minute after an elbow on the former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle. He had been booked following a rash double-footed challenge just five minutes earlier.

8) Mallorca 1-1 Real Madrid, La Liga, 5 April 2008

The Spaniard earned his second red card in little over two months as he was booked twice once again before receiving his marching orders. A 46th-minute handball was followed 20 minutes later by a deliberate trip. Despite dropping two points, Madrid remained top and would go on to win La Liga that season.

9) Real Madrid 4-3 Málaga, La Liga, 9 November 2008

Ramos received a straight red for a blatant step on the chest of Eliseu while the Portuguese defender was on the ground.

10) Atlético Madrid 2-3 Real Madrid, La Liga, 7 November 2009

The Spaniard was sent off for the second time in the Madrid derby, this time earning an instant dismissal following a last-man challenge on Sergio Agüero.

11) Ajax 0-4 Real Madrid, Champions League, 23 November 2010

After receiving a booking for throwing the ball away in the first half, he was shown a second yellow for the same time-wasting tactics in second-half injury-time. With the group won, sceptics believed Ramos' dismissal to have been deliberately earned, in order that he could serve a suspension in the dead-rubber final group game.

12) Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, La Liga, 29 November 2010

A scything tackle on David Villa was met with a yellow card 20 minutes from time before Ramos then hacked down Lionel Messi in injury time. Additional handbags with Carles Puyol and Xavi ensured his first red card in el clásico.

13) Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid, Copa del Rey, 25 January 2012

An initial yellow card for protesting a free-kick was followed by another for an elbow on his international team-mate Sergio Busquets. Ramos had earlier had a headed goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up on the night Madrid crashed out of the Copa at the semi-final stage.

14) Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid, La Liga, 21 March 2012

On Ramos's 300th appearance for Madrid, he set a new record for the club as his two yellow cards meant he had been sent off in La Liga more times than any other Madrid player in history. He received his marching orders following an elbow on Nilmar, on a night the manager José Mourinho and Mesut Özil also saw red for Madrid.

15) Real Madrid 4-0 Celta Vigo, Copa del Rey, 2 January 2013

After gaining an unneeded booking during a mild altercation with the Celta players, Ramos secured a very deserved second yellow for a challenge which possibly warranted a straight red. As they grappled for the ball, Ramos kicked out as Augusto Fernández, catching him in the chest.

16) Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano, La Liga, 17 February 2013

Ramos received two yellow cards, was sent off and scored inside the opening 20 minutes. After doubling Madrid's lead in the 12th minute, he was booked twice in a 42-second period five minutes later. First he tugged the shirt of Robert Trashorras before committing a deliberate handball.

17) Real Madrid 4-1 Galatasaray, Champions League, 27 November 2013

The Spaniard earned a 26th-minute straight red as the last line of defence following a foul on Umut Bulut. His dismissal meant Ramos has now averaged a red card every 20 games for Madrid.

18) Osasuna 2-2 Real Madrid, La Liga, 14 December 2013

The first of Ramos' two yellows, shown for a dissent after he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Álvaro Cejudo, could be considered unlucky. He could arguably have been shown a straight red card though for his second offence: a forearm swing at the face of his marker. Madrid were 2-0 down at the time of his dismissal but managed to equalise thanks to a late goal from Pepe.


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Everton 4-1 Fulham | Premier League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:07 AM PST

The question was how Everton would react after what Roberto Martínez described as "a glamorous week" on the road. The answer was a performance beneath the eye-catching standard of those against Manchester United and Arsenal, yet still richly rewarding for the Everton manager as his side overcame a fright against Fulham to rise into the Champions League places.

Fulham did what Fulham do at Goodison Park and lost. It is now 13 successive defeats here in the Premier League for the Cottagers, who last collected a point at this ground in September 1959. Their problems as a defensively weak outfit also continue but, as both René Meulensteen and Martínez stated, the margin of victory flattered the home side. "The scoreline looks as though we are down on our knees," said the new Fulham manager. "But that is not the case."

The visitors were as awkward as the Everton manager had forewarned in his attempt to guard against complacency after the four-point return from Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium. But it demonstrated the quality and belief flowing through the home ranks that, once Dimitar Berbatov equalised Leon Osman's opener, they stepped up a gear and sauntered to another three points. Seamus Coleman, Gareth Barry and the substitute Kevin Mirallas provided the gloss.

Two more Goodison games without defeat, and Everton will go the entire calendar year without losing at home in the league. The one negative was significant for Martínez, a hamstring injury to Gerard Deulofeu that threatens to sideline the emerging Spaniard for several months.

"I was fearful before the game because of mental fatigue after two very demanding away games," Martínez said. "Credit to Fulham in the second half, they pressed us high up and once they drew level we could have panicked and collapsed. I've seen many home teams do that but our mind-set changed and we were brave, courageous and adventurous in the final third. I always measure a side by how they react to adversity."

Fulham showed far more spirit, steel and adventure compared to the weak performance served up on their last visit to Merseyside under Martin Jol, the 4-0 defeat at Anfield last month when even their work-rate could be called into question. Again, however, they allowed the home team to take immediate control and it was not until Scott Parker moved into a more advanced role in the second half that they troubled Everton.

Everton took the lead with a well-worked move out of defence. Sylvain Distin released Bryan Oviedo down the left, he found the excellent Steven Pienaar inside who in turn squared for Osman on the edge of the Fulham area. The invaluable midfielder, making his 300th Premier League appearance for Everton, sold two defenders a dummy and arched a delightful finish inside Maarten Stekelenburg's right-hand post.

The only irritation for Martínez before the break was Everton's failure to take one of several presentable chances to double their lead. Fulham duly accepted the initiative at the start of the second half. Tim Howard demonstrated the hallmark of a quality goalkeeper when, having been unemployed for 48 minutes, he saved expertly from Parker. He was forced into another fine stop within 60 seconds, this time from Steve Sidwell's drivehe unmarked Alexander Kacaniklic skied the rebound.

The significance of the miss reduced when Barry tripped Kacaniklic to concede a soft penalty. Berbatov ambled forward and sent Howard the wrong way from 12 yards, capping a damaging few minutes for Everton that included the departure of Deulofeu on a stretcher. "We don't know the extent of the injury," Martínez said, before adding ominously: "Gerard will have to get himself ready for the final third of the season."

Martínez's men immediately woke from their slumbers and retook the lead when Pienaar and Lukaku prised open the Fulham defence down the left. The South African's low centre was only diverted across goal by Stekelenburg and Coleman converted gleefully at the back post. Barry then headed in from close range after a Mirallas corner had caused havoc in the area before the Belgium international's 20-yard shot flew through the goalkeeper's grasp for a flattering fourth.

Andy Hunter

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Cardiff City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion | Premier League match report

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:01 AM PST

Peter Whittingham does not score many goals with his head – in fact, the playmaker does not score many in any fashion these days – but his second in 16 Premier League appearances was sufficient to earn Cardiff only their second win in 10 games and condemn West Brom to their fourth defeat in succession.

Craig Bellamy said in midweek that 15th place would do nicely for his home town club's first season at elite level. They are now up to 14th, four points above the bottom three.

Albion, down to 16th, have won only once in 10 attempts, and informed sources in the Midlands suggest Steve Clarke, their manager, could not survive another setback when Hull visit the Hawthorns next weekend. Since going third in the table in November last year, they have accumulated a meagre 35 points in 13 months.

Clarke was left to reflect on the fact that his charges would have had a point but for the outstanding save by David Marshall, diving to his left, that kept out Shane Long's 86th-minute header from close range. "Things aren't happening for us at the moment," he said. "There's no magic formula, all we can do is try to break this run as soon as possible – against Hull.".

Cardiff were the better team and deserved what was a much-needed, restorative result. For his winner, Whittingham got up like a latter-day John Toshack, above Billy Jones, to steer Craig Noone's right-wing cross into the far corner from seven yards.

It was a match neither manager could afford to lose. Both had not won in their previous five games and are suffering for the lack of a prolific striker, their respective leading scorers having contributed just three apiece.

Cardiff's board met before the match, which led to rumours that Malky Mackay was about to be sacked, but the club's owner, Vincent Tan, was not in attendance, and it transpired that the meeting was to discuss the way in which his loans to the club were to be translated into shares.

Of the pressure all managers come under, Mackay said: "Pressure was piled on Arsène Wenger in week one this season and that looks laughable now, doesn't it? The pressure was on Alan Pardew four weeks ago and Newcastle are now in the top six. That is the way of it, and it's the reason why you don't get too high or too low about results. For me, it's about knowing my job and knowing my team and their performance levels. Anything other than that I can't control."

Mackay reacted to last week's defeat at Crystal Palace by dropping Declan John, Kim Bo-kyung and Don Cowie, whose places went to Andrew Taylor, Peter Odemwingie, who was playing against his old club, and Noone. The latter, on the right-wing, made the most of his first start in the Premier League.

Boaz Myhill made the only save of the first half, from Odemwingie's 25-yard free-kick. Albion's first chance was delayed until the 56th minute, when Claudio Yacob's shot from six yards was blocked by Marshall with Gary Medel's assistance.

Whittingham finally broke the stalemate after 65 minutes, with only his second headed goal in six years as a Cardiff player.

Albion flurried, appealing in vain for a penalty when Long went to ground under Ben Turner's challenge. Clarke grumped: "Shane said in the dressing room that it was a penalty, but what else can I do but accept the referee's decision? Ranting and raving won't do any good now."

His team would still have avoided defeat but for Marshall's late heroics. "I knew my goalie would save it", Mackay said, grinning. "He has been immense for me. He didn't have a lot to do today but that was a top save."

Joe Lovejoy

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Premier League clockwatch – as it happened | Nick Miller

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 09:01 AM PST

Chelsea eased past Crystal Palace, Everton spanked Fulham while two relegation candidates in West Ham and Sunderland drew 0-0
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