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- Brentford extend winning run to eight at Port Vale's expense | Jeremy Alexander
- Serie A round-up: Sassuolo's 4-3 Milan win is their biggest yet in top flight
- Arsenal's Olivier Giroud back but Arsène Wenger still on striker hunt
- West Brom's Matej Vydra: Pepe Mel needs great start against Everton
- Tottenham Hotspur win over Crystal Palace puts Tony Pulis on back foot
- Everton increase options and Mirallas provides response against Norwich
- Sunderland's Adam Johnson targets World Cup after feast at Fulham
- José Mourinho says Chelsea have room for improvement after win at Hull
- Serge Gnabry can fill Theo Walcott's boots and grab a World Cup ticket
- West Ham and Cardiff reverse roles and swap places in relegation zone
- David Moyes has no fears for Manchester United after win over Swansea
- Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid | La Liga match report
- Ashley Cole faces life in the slow lane as demands of the job intensify | Sean Ingle
- Sergio Agüero set to return with possible midweek role for Man City
- A-League: what we learned this weekend
- Rodgers: Liverpool are challengers
- Espanyol v Real Madrid – as it happened | Niall McVeigh
- Pardew sorry for foul-mouthed touchline rant at Pellegrini
- Sunday's Premier League action - in pictures
- Newcastle marry defensive organisation with attacking pressure, even in defeat | Michael Cox
- Stoke City 3-5 Liverpool | Premier League match report
- Stoke City v Liverpool – as it happened! | Ian McCourt
- Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City | Premier League match report
- Newcastle v Manchester City – as it happened! | Niall McVeigh
- Should Cheick Tioté's 'goal' have stood?
| Brentford extend winning run to eight at Port Vale's expense | Jeremy Alexander Posted: 12 Jan 2014 03:03 PM PST Mark Warburton, enjoying his first job as a manager at 51, is proving a safe pair of hands as his side stay top of League One Bears and bluebells are reported to have come out in Scandinavia, as if winter is over, but the Bees in Middlesex never stopped for it. Brentford, having risen to the top of League One on 29 December, extended the run of wins that took them there to eight with a 2-0 defeat of Port Vale, lying eighth, at Griffin Park. They have not lost in 14 league games since 12 October. In the middle of it all, early last month, they changed manager, though Soccerbase still has Uwe Rösler in charge. Mark Warburton, formerly director of football, stepped in when the German was coaxed to Wigan and, "with a few tweaks here and there", has supervised the last six wins. It is his first job as manager, aged 51. He got no closer to playing league football than a Leicester City apprentice, though he has generally been involved in the game and was behind the NextGen under-19 club cup competition, established in 2011. The quiet transition, noted also in the loss of their chairman, Greg Dyke, to the Football Association last year, is in keeping with a club who can barely make themselves heard against the traffic of the M4 and the presence of three senior clubs within eight miles, especially Chelsea's daily headline-seeking habit, though Fulham and QPR are more serious rivals. QPR almost took over Griffin Park in the 1960s and would have put them out of business. Now Brentford, after a spell in the saving hands of a supporters' trust, then the ownership of a rich fan, Matthew Benham, proclaim the virtues of structure and stability and are a rubber stamp (from Boris Johnson and the Secretary of State) away from moving to a 20,000-seat stadium even nearer the M4. Saturday's 8,327 crowd pushed the average over 7,000, just over half capacity, and was urged at half-time to be ready for campaign action. Meanwhile in the programme Mark Devlin, chief executive, hailed Griffin Park's "wonderful atmosphere". For all this they seem to know where they want to go and to have the means and mood to get there. The squad were almost all brought in by Warbs, as he signs himself, and on Saturday they overcame the absence to injury of three mainstays in their 4-1-4-1. Kevin O'Connor fell easily into central defence beside Tony Craig while Alan McCormack, stand-in defensive one, was outstandingly everywhere. After a sloppy opening they ran fast and threatening in attack, especially favouring the pass slipped one side of a defender as a parallel runner went the other. The middle four was lopsided, with Clayton Donaldson wide and well up on the right while Alan Judge on the left, a shrewd new loan from Blackburn, interchanged with Sam Saunders, the division's December player of the month alongside Warburton, who got the manager's award. Saunders is 30 and, after five years as a night electrician on the Underground playing non-league, is a livewire making up for lost time. Warburton, welcoming extension to the loans of George Saville (Chelsea midfielder) and Marcello Trotta (Fulham striker), saw it as testament to the "level of care and attention being afforded them". The striker Trotta struck first after half an hour and Will Grigg eased nerves with the second late on – a breakaway launched by McCormack near his own line, enjoying good "advantage" when Donaldson was fouled, and converted from Jake Bidwell's cross. Trotta owes Brentford a bit, having in the final match last April hit the bar with an added-time penalty that would have given them automatic promotion. Warburton senses "the balance and consistency" to achieve it this time and, even if the bears have no berries in autumn, the Bees may need that new home after all for possible derbies with QPR and Fulham. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Serie A round-up: Sassuolo's 4-3 Milan win is their biggest yet in top flight Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:54 PM PST • 19-year-old Domenico Berardi scores all four goals Domenico Berardi scored four goals as Sassuolo stunned Milan 4-3 on Sunday evening. Goals from Robinho and Mario Balotelli had given Milan a 2-0 lead after only 13 minutes before Berardi stole the show at the Città del Tricolore stadium. The 19-year-old, who is on loan from Juventus, scored a hat-trick before the break and added his fourth two minutes into the second half. Riccardo Montolivo gave Milan a lifeline four minutes from time but Sassuolo held on for their biggest win so far in their maiden campaign in Italy's top flight. The defeat was Milan's seventh of the campaign and dropped them to 11th place, 30 points behind the Serie A leaders Juventus at the halfway stage. Juve came from behind at Cagliari to claim their 11th consecutive league triumph. Mauricio Pinilla put Cagliari ahead in the 21st minute before Fernando Llorente equalised on the half-hour mark. Claudio Marchisio gave Juve their first lead in the 73rd minute before Spanish international Llorente scored his second three minutes later. Stephan Lichtsteiner notched the Turin club's fourth goal in the 80th minute. Juve are eight points clear of Roma at the top of the standings. Roma, coming off their first defeat in Serie A – a 3-0 defeat at Juve – romped to a 4-0 triumph over Genoa. Goals from Alessandro Florenzi, Francesco Totti and Maicon handed Roma a 3-0 half-time lead. Mehdi Benatia wrapped up all three points for the Romans in the 52nd minute. Genoa finished the game with 10 men after Francesco Matuzalem was shown a red card on the hour mark. Dries Mertens was again on target as Napoli won 3-0 at Hellas Verona. The Belgian winger, who struck twice against Sampdoria last weekend, put the Naples outfit on its way in the 27th minute. Napoli put the game beyond Hellas's reach with Lorenzo Insigne and Blerim Dzemaili getting on the scoresheet midway through the second half. Fiorentina lost ground on Napoli and the last Champions League qualifying spot as they were held to a goalless draw at Torino. The absence of injured Giuseppe Rossi hurt Fiorentina, who failed to threaten the home side. Rossi, Serie A's top scorer with 14 goals, is out of action with a right knee injury. The outcome dropped the Viola five points behind Napoli. Atalanta claimed all three points for the first time in two months with a 2-1 triumph over Catania. The outcome lifted the Bergamaschi to 12th place and kept bottom-side Catania winless on the road this season. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Arsenal's Olivier Giroud back but Arsène Wenger still on striker hunt Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • Giroud returns after layoff to face Aston Villa Arsène Wenger has welcomed the return of Olivier Giroud after a two-week enforced winter break. "He was a bit tired recently but now he is refreshed, he is back, and I am sure he will have a major impact on the second part of the season," said the Arsenal manager. With Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner, who covered for Arsenal's target man, both injured, and Lukas Podolski short of the sharpness to be at his best, Wenger is thrilled to have Giroud back in business in time for their Premier League game at Villa Park on Monday night. He praised Giroud's toughness, after the striker played most of his last outing at Newcastle with a badly gashed ankle after a tackle from Mike Williamson split his boot. "He played the whole game at Newcastle with an open ankle and without complaining. And when I took him off, he didn't want to come off. He needed five stitches." Wenger suggests this absence came at a good time, allowing Giroud to recharge when he was beginning to show the effects of being Arsenal's main striker. "I was always there thinking: 'I have to rest him.' Then on Friday night, I always changed my mind. He's a tough boy. Even when the medical people say he should rest, he says: 'I'm all right'. He's always ready for a fight even when he's tired. "He has qualities that the rest of the squad has not got. He always gives us that strength. We have small players who combine quickly, so to find someone who can hold it, keep the ball, make some room for other players, he does that very well. He gives us a very good balance." Arsenal are conscious that it is a gamble to bank on a high level of performance, and an injury-free run, for the second half of the season. "That is why we are out there," said Wenger, reflecting the desire to strengthen the squad in January. As was the case last summer, he is not hunting to replace Giroud but to enhance options. "Last summer I looked for a striker that could play with Giroud and without Giroud. In my mind it was not absolutely to replace Giroud, it was to play with or without him." Arsenal travel to face a Villa side on a poor run of form: they have won one and lost five of their last seven games in all competitions. Paul Lambert has once again emphasised he does not feel unsackable, insisting he "never stops worrying" about it. "I'm not immune from it," the manager said. "The relationship between me and Randy [Lerner] is what it is. You just keep going – there is no secret formula to it." Lambert has also been keen to stress how bad a week he had after the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United. "I don't sleep great, I don't eat great. The usual stuff. It is just the life of a football manager. It is a great job, but you don't feel great [after defeats]," he said The fitness of the defenders Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker, suffering calf and hamstring problems respectively, needs to be assessed. Gabriel Agbonlahor, who missed the Cup tie, and the goalkeeper Brad Guzan are fit despite having had niggles but the Arsenal game has come too soon for the midfielder Chris Herd and the defender Joe Bennett to make their comebacks. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| West Brom's Matej Vydra: Pepe Mel needs great start against Everton Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • 'He is a good manager and plays with a European style' Pepe Mel will take control of West Bromwich Albion for the first time against high-flying Everton on 20 January – a match Matej Vydra has highlighted as vital to their survival hopes. After 26 days of dilly-dallying, the man who led Real Betis to seventh in La Liga last season was on Thursday belatedly named Steve Clarke's successor. That meant the Spaniard watched from the stands at Southampton, when Adam Lallana's strike ended a four-match unbeaten league streak under the caretaker manager, Keith Downing. Mel will have been impressed by the organisation, if not the creative flair, Albion displayed at St Mary's but will be aware of the importance of beating Everton in his first match. Albion lie only three points off the relegation zone and Vydra highlighted the importance of a good start for Mel. The striker said: "We need to win the next game against Everton. "I have not spoken to the new manager as he comes on Tuesday for the first training. He was at Real Betis and the last year I think he got them into the Europa League, so he is a good manager. He is Spanish and plays with a European style, so I am looking forward to playing under him. "We don't have a lot of time to prepare and we need to win the next game. It is most important." Vydra came on as a late substitute against Southampton – his ninth league appearance from the bench this term. The 21-year-old Czech international has made only one Premier League start since joining on loan from Udinese, who last season sent him to second-tier Watford. Vydra's fine performances led to him being named Championship Player of the Year and, while not getting as many chances to shine this term, he insists he remains happy at West Brom. "I feel good," he said. "Two months ago I got injured and now I am fit so I want to help this team go up the table. Last year I played all the time but this year is difficult because it is the Premier League rather than the Championship. I need to wait and take the chances." One man whose patience is paying off is the Southampton midfielder Jack Cork, who has re-established himself in the starting lineup after a spell on the bench. The 24-year-old was pleased to help Saints secure only their second victory in 10 league outings and their first home clean sheet since October. Mauricio Pochettino's side conceded 11 goals in that five-match period, marking quite a drop off by what had been the sternest back line in the Premier League. "We've had a tough month against some big teams and it's great to get out of that bad run and start moving forward again," Cork said. "We looked at a few clips from our play at the start of the season to see what we could do differently from the bad patch we had at Christmas time. "We just tried to go back to how we were at the start of season, we tried to get the pressing back, to have the energy and the aggression, and I think we did that, so big congratulations to the lads for getting back into it." theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Tottenham Hotspur win over Crystal Palace puts Tony Pulis on back foot Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • 'Not to come in winning was harsh on the players' It was actually Tim Sherwood who mentioned "character", seizing upon positives from his own charges' reaction to initial sloppiness, though it is Crystal Palace who must demonstrate it from here on in. This should have been a performance to inject conviction and momentum into their campaign but, once a commanding first half had passed with no advantage gleaned, familiar shortcomings undermined them yet again. Life may be congested in the scrap against relegation, but Palace peer up at the rest from the foot. The next 18 days will determine this club's progress. Tony Pulis has "irons in the fire", his sporting director, Iain Moody, attempting to smooth incoming and outgoing transfers, but the window must yield reinforcements if this season is not to go the same way as Palace's four previous brushes with the revamped Premier League. The current side is capable of competing for periods, as they demonstrated by dominating an unsuspecting Tottenham Hotspur through the first period on Saturday, but they lack the bite and resilience to capitalise on opportunities. Jason Puncheon's horrible penalty miss was freakish. Equally frustrating was the erratic delivery from the flanks when Spurs were there for the taking. The painful reality here was that the hosts needed to find their rhythm for only 20 minutes to win comfortably, Christian Eriksen and Jermain Defoe demonstrating the ruthlessness Palace so lack. Aside from their initial flurry, the visitors created four fine opportunities even in the last five minutes, only to miss them all. Pulis may have been publicly encouraged that his side competed well, as his team did at Manchester City and Chelsea, but the pressure already feels onerous to secure victories at home to Stoke and Hull in their next two league fixtures. "The most important thing is we're still in contact," said the manager. "But the way we played here first half, not to come in winning was really harsh on the players." The hope will be that new quality will have been recruited before he takes on his former club at Selhurst Park on Saturday though, even with a relatively hefty budget to spend, strengthening is a balancing act. The three players Palace are hoping to recruit, from the Championship or the periphery of top-flight clubs, are on combined wages in excess of £150,000-a-week, effectively well above the salary structure. One is understood to be the Blackburn defender Scott Dann, who earns around £30,000-a-week. "There is money to spend, but the most important thing is trying to keep the wage bill at the level we can afford and that is sustainable," said Pulis. "That's the big problem. We don't want to kill the club in terms of wages, so we work within the finances." A striker is a priority, though strengthening midfield to allow Joel Ward, their player of the season to date, to revert to right-back also feels a necessity. Puncheon's permanent £1.2m arrival from Southampton would free up a slot for a loanee from another Premier League side. Asked if he was close to securing anyone, Pulis added: "Loads and loads, but I'm not going to tell you." Spurs, it appears, would only enter the market reluctantly given the depth of squad at Sherwood's disposal. This victory left the head coach with 13 points from a possible 15 since taking charge, a tally to ease concern at domestic cup elimination, even if it also provided a reminder of what they will be missing once Defoe departs for FC Toronto next month. The striker is precisely what Palace lack: a pilferer and guaranteed source of goals. His 143rd for the club was snaffled superbly as the visiting defence dithered. "He's one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen," said Sherwood. "We've got to give a little more credit to Major League Soccer. I don't think it's a crap league. Jermain needs to play regular football and that's where he is going to get it and he's going to have a lifestyle change and spend his last footballing days over there. And wherever he plays, he will score." Mousa Dembélé, who had conceded the penalty to Marouane Chamakh, added that Defoe would "be missed" once he departs at the end of February. What Palace would give for six weeks with the 31-year-old leading their line. Man of the match: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur). theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Everton increase options and Mirallas provides response against Norwich Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • Aiden McGeady checks in at Goodison for nominal fee There are more obvious links than Kevin Mirallas in the chain of events that advanced Aiden McGeady's Everton transfer but few can have a greater impact on keeping Roberto Martínez's team in Champions League contention as resources start to stretch at Goodison Park. McGeady signed from Spartak Moscow for a nominal fee on Saturday after Everton had accepted a £5m offer from Hull City for Nikica Jelavic and their creative options suffered the potential blow of losing Ross Barkley to a fractured toe. The extent of Barkley's injury was not confirmed before he accompanied Everton on a warm-weather training trip to Tenerife , although Martínez, who has a physiotherapy degree, put the midfielder's absence at anything from three to six weeks following a routine defeat of a Norwich City team without a win in six league matches. "We prepared with Ross this week and were hoping he could play with an injection," said the Everton manager. "That's why it was a big blow that the reaction wasn't right. But I don't expect him to be out that long or to miss the next England game [Denmark on 5 March]. With Ross being such a young man and taking him away to the warm weather, I think it will heal a lot quicker – maybe three weeks." All Martínez could say for sure is that Everton will be without their homegrown impetus for the derby at Anfield in just over a fortnight. "He will miss that," he added, "but we have got Aiden McGeady so you lose one and you get one." There is, however, a flawin Martínez's optimism on that score. The 27-year-old, scheduled to arrive on a free in the summer prior to the Jelavic bid and Barkley blow, has not played a full competitive game for Spartak Moscow since mid-November. Having been suspended from training after falling out with the coach, Valeri Karpin, the Republic of Ireland winger spent the last month kicking his heels at home in Glasgow – fine for a quick medical on Merseyside on a Saturday morning; not ideal preparation for replacing Barkley's creative spark. That responsibility now increases on Mirallas. The Belgium international is a rarity this season – an offensive talent who has not flourished under Martínez – but, as with this time last year, he is starting to come into form at a critical juncture. Whether in response to increased competition from McGeady or not, the 26-year-old was instrumental in Everton's dominance over Norwich for 70 minutes, creating several openings, composed inside the area and receiving his reward with a delightful 25-yard free-kick inside John Ruddy's right-hand post. Martínez said: "Remember that Kevin has played a lot of football and you are going to get some ups and downs depending on what stage of the campaign you are at. I thought he was bright and had all the energy. Kevin can play in different positions and we have opportunities now for those three places behind Rom [Lukaku]. I still think a couple of players could play in that forward position so that's why it was important for us to do Aiden McGeady now rather than at the end of the season. I've seen Aiden play on the left and he probably played more on the right for Spartak. Probably his best games for Celtic were rotating between the two positions. His understanding of the space is what's important." Mirallas' third goal of the season made the contest safe for Everton but his effort and influence was eclipsed by Gareth Barry. The 32-year-old beat Ruddy with a magnificent shot in the first half, with the England manager, Roy Hodgson, watching on, before Norwich rallied dangerously in the final 20 minutes. They carried genuine menace after the introduction of Nathan Redmond but it was simply too late by then. The on-going struggles of Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper in attack remain a serious impediment to Norwich's recovery. Man of the match Gareth Barry (Everton) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Sunderland's Adam Johnson targets World Cup after feast at Fulham Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • Crushing of Fulham boosts hopes of beating relegation This was bad news for all the struggling clubs who had assumed Sunderland were certain to remain in the relegation spots – that assumption no longer looks safe. Gus Poyet is resurrecting a team that for most of the season has looked dead and buried. Fittingly Sunderland's revival was confirmed by a freak occurrence – not another absurd blunder or ridiculous decision, two phenomena that have hampered Sunderland too often already in this campaign, but an Adam Johnson hat-trick of all things. If teams are to clamber out of danger, they need their major players to find form and Johnson did that against Fulham to spectacular effect. He had scored only one league goal this season before this showdown at Craven Cottage, where he scored three fine goals and created Sunderland's other one for Ki Sung-yueng. "It was one of those days where you look back and think everything went for you," said Johnson. "I think everyone was writing us off but now there are going to be a few teams looking over their shoulders." This was the sort of performance that Sunderland were hoping to see regularly when they splashed out £10m to take the then England international from Manchester City in 2012. But the player failed to find consistency under Martin O'Neill and Paolo Di Canio and initially fared little better under Poyet, who eventually dropped him. Johnson had started only one of six league matches before his heroics at Fulham, although his displays when he did appear in recent weeks had suggested he was beginning to rediscover his best. "Every player will tell you there are times when things just don't go for you," says Johnson. "You are still trying the same things I was trying [against Fulham] but they just don't come off for you. You take one extra touch. But just because players lose form, you don't turn into a bad player overnight. It's just one of those things and hopefully now it's a new year, new start. I just said to myself: 'Let's get back to my old ways.' Self-consciously I said: 'This is a new year, everything else has gone.'" It is no coincidence that Johnson is coming good as he and his team-mates become more comfortable with the possession-based style Poyet has fostered since he replaced Di Canio three months ago. That is proving especially effective away from home, where Sunderland have won two and drawn three of their last five matches, counterattacking well in each. "Johno has characteristics that mean he needs to be playing for a team that keeps the ball, passes it and gives him the ball at the right time," says Poyet, who explains that maximising the return from Johnson has been one of his aims since being appointed. "We were trying but it wasn't easy. We put him on the right in the beginning but we were not passing the ball well. Then we put him on the left to try to deliver and we were passing it better. In the last two or three weeks it was working better, the team was more solid and that gave Johno the freedom to go and perform." Johnson's task now is to keep repeating such performances, especially at home, where Sunderland are without a league win since early November. If he manages to do so, not only could he help Sunderland avoid relegation but he may also achieve something that seemed equally improbable only a few weeks ago: earn selection for England's World Cup squad. He won the last of his 12 caps in August 2012 but he dreams of going to Brazil and knows that his improvement, and Theo Walcott's unfortunate injury, make that possible. "In the last few weeks and months I felt like the door was almost closed on me but now I think if I keep playing like this you never know, I might make a late shout for the plane," he says. "Theo is a good friend of mine. I have come through the under-19s and under-21s with him. You never want to see that [injury], I was gutted for him, but if you can gain off someone else's misfortune, you have got to try and take it. But I won't be the only one who is thinking about that. There are probably four or five good wingers who won't make the plane." As for Fulham, too many of their major players were bypassed against Sunderland. Dimitar Berbatov and the returning Clint Dempsey offered little. And whatever positive things their veterans produced, such as Steve Sidwell's headed goal from a Damien Duff corner, were more than negated by bad defending. That is a recurring theme for them this season and the reason why they cannot pull away from the danger zone. Their manager Rene Meulensteen is counting on Brede Hangeland regaining his best form immediately when the Norwegian returns from a three-month injury lay-off in Tuesday's FA Cup replay against Norwich. Man of the match Adam Johnson (Sunderland) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| José Mourinho says Chelsea have room for improvement after win at Hull Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • 'We are not a five and not a 10 … maybe a seven or eight' Invited to submit a half-term report on his side's performances this season, José Mourinho suggested there was room for improvement. "We are not a five and not a 10," the Chelsea manager said. "Maybe a seven or an eight. We can do better but it could be worse. I feel the team is improving." Visiting top spot for the first time as a result of a slickly professional win at Hull confirms as much, as does the sequence of 16 points from a possible 18 gained since defeat at Stoke. This is the time of year when Manchester United traditionally find their best form in readiness for a spring surge, and if they are not going to be around to do that Chelsea look as good a bet as any to fill the void. Admitting that his team had been outpassed and out-thought for much of the game, Steve Bruce consoled himself with the thought that Hull's season would not be defined by results against Chelsea, 2–0 defeats home and away. Chelsea's season will not be defined by results against Hull either, but with both Manchester sides to play in the coming weeks there is a sense that they are preparing themselves for a run of games that could prove decisive. Mourinho, typically, is not talking in those terms but claiming the fruition of his plans will take a while to be fully achieved, maybe a season or two. "We are stable at the moment but the players know where we want to go, they know we will be even better next year," he said. That, presumably is when Chelsea have brought in a striker who can link with the midfield more effectively than the isolated Fernando Torres. He did grab a solo goal late but rarely saw enough of the ball to pose a consistent threat. Mourinho's admiration for Wayne Rooney suggests he would like a more direct, dynamic attacking spearhead; at the moment he is too reliant on goals from midfield. Apart from Eden Hazard, whose strike looked to have settled this lukewarm encounter as soon as it hit the back of the net, Chelsea's next biggest threat came in the form of David Luiz, with two prodigious shots from free-kicks. "Our strikers may not be Premier League top scorers but they give us important things," Mourinho said. "They all work for the team." It is debatable whether Bruce can even say that at the moment, hence his pursuit of Everton's Nikica Jelavic. When a great chance to put Hull in the lead fell to Yannick Sagbo midway through the first half, following a mistake by John Terry near his own line, the striker failed to do the important thing for his team and find the net. Or even hit the target. A rushed shot flew wastefully wide, and Hull's shoulders seemed to collectively slump from that point onwards. They spent the rest of the game attempting to contain Chelsea without presenting any threat of their own, and were undone when Hazard elegantly carried the ball along the edge of their area and dummied to make space before shooting low past Allan McGregor. "A wonder goal," Bruce called it. Perhaps it was not quite that but Hazard was the afternoon's outstanding performer, and might have helped put the game to bed earlier had Oscar finished more convincingly when picked out by his first-half cross from the left. Mourinho appeared to be more concerned about the inability to pick up a player of the month award than reports linking Hazard to Paris Saint-Germain. "Eden is not just a talented kid any more, he is a team player who accepts responsibility," he said. "He has fantastic ability, and some of those who are being voted player of the month are not doing half of what he is doing." Man of the match Eden Hazard (Chelsea) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Serge Gnabry can fill Theo Walcott's boots and grab a World Cup ticket Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST Arsène Wenger has backed the German, who is in Joachim Löw's sights, to shine for Arsenal and go to the World Cup As one World Cup door closes abruptly, the handle twitches on another. Theo Walcott may be absorbing the blow of a tournament lost, but for Serge Gnabry the opportunity to force an unexpected route to Brazil has widened. A relative newcomer to the Arsenal scene, who is enjoying a breakthrough season which promises more action in the weeks ahead, the 18-year-old German has been tipped by Arsène Wenger to make his nation's World Cup squad. "There is more than a small chance. There's a big chance," notes his club manager. Such an idea might resonate uneasily for those who never felt comfortable with Walcott's inclusion in the party for the 2006 World Cup as a 17-year-old, with no Premier League experience. As it happens, Joachim Löw has been monitoring Gnabry, and likes what he sees sufficiently to say he remains "open" to considering him for a promotion to the national team's elite squad. There is some suggestion that the Ivory Coast are keen to cap him in time for Brazil (he has an Ivorian father and German mother), which adds a potential twist to the situation. Surely it would still require a Gnabry-shaped explosion in north London during the rest of the season for the boy Bild dubbed a "miracle bubi" to force his way into Löw's World Cup plans? Wenger believes it is entirely possible. The chance to shine more frequently than was perhaps the plan has opened up with Walcott's cruciate injury. Gnabry, a gifted sprinter who says he never lost a race in his youth, is the player best equipped to replace Walcott's pace for Arsenal. Wenger was keen for restraint when discussing the boy's talent after he excelled with a blend of speed and composure in Arsenal's victory over Tottenham in the FA Cup. "Let's not make superstars with one game," he cautioned. But a few days down the line, he felt able to expand on what Gnabry is capable of. "He has a lot in the locker," says Wenger. "We are looking at a guy who has great pace, good individual talent, can pass people, is a good finisher who can finish right and left as he is two-footed, and he has a very good football brain, with good vision." The list is so exhaustive it is hard to figure out areas of weakness. Inconsistency comes with the territory for young players finding their way in the game. Wenger hopes that he can find the right balance between giving Gnabry the game-time to flourish while reducing pressure by using him carefully. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey are all options for the right-hand side of the attack vacated by Walcott, so Gnabry need not be over-burdened by responsibilities. Nevertheless, he will have chances and is eager to seize them. "I'm hoping to get some game-time," Gnabry told Arsenal Player. "I'm patient, and I will keep trying to show the manager what I am capable of. I am enjoying every minute on the pitch. The players are nice to me. They help me out. That helps you to improve." His progress has accelerated fast since he arrived at Arsenal in 2011. Gnabry, who had been with VfB Stuttgart since boyhood, was spotted by Arsenal's scout in the region and was invited to a trial at London Colney at the age of 15. He blossomed, and at the end of the week played in an under-16s match at Charlton where his display confirmed the hunches that Arsenal were on to something. Then came the difficult part of dealing with his hometown club, who were not exactly enthusiastic to see him go. As a free agent, Gnabry was allowed to make what is always a momentous decision, to uproot and relocate overseas. It helped that he spoke excellent English even before he packed his bags, and that his family accompanied him to London, where they set up a new home. He is not the first young German to be tempted by a Premier League move. Moritz Volz had made the same journey to Arsenal aged 16. Sebastian Kneissl joined Chelsea's youth system in 2000, though never played for the first team. The business of prising teenage footballers away from their home nations remains a contentious one. Whatever the compensation, no club is content to hand over an asset they have been polishing. Wenger always considers any disagreements are generally worth having. When it works – as it did to memorable effect with Nicolas Anelka and Cesc Fábregas despite Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona expressing their frustrations – Wenger is only too ready to play talent he regards as brilliant beyond its years. He feels that way about Gnabry. "I am not afraid with him. Until now when I played him he has always had an impact on the game," Wenger adds. Gnabry has the benefit of a large German community at his club to give him extra back-up. Training alongside Mesut Özil, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker ensures that he has plenty of experienced players on hand to guide him during a critical moment of his career. Gnabry is at the delicate stage where he is trying to leap from fringe to establishment. Wenger thinks he is ready. Löw, and his assistant Hansi Flick, are watching on with interest. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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| West Ham and Cardiff reverse roles and swap places in relegation zone Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST • Hammers win gives Sam Allardyce much-needed lift The wheel of fortune turns, making nonsense of the rush to judgment that sees so many managers sacked with indecent haste in an era when they are lucky to last two years. A week ago Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was Cardiff's messiah and Sam Allardyce a prat after the novice Norwegian's first game in charge was a 2-1 "triumph" at Newcastle in the FA Cup, where "Big Sam" turned into "Effing Allardyce" with West Ham's 5-0 drubbing by Nottingham Forest. A few days later Cardiff are in the Premier League's bottom three for the first time this season and the Hammers are out of it after a well-merited 2-0 win against Solskjaer's new charges. As the more sagacious judges tell us, managers are rarely as good as they are cracked up to be when they are winning, and not as bad in adversity. West Ham's performance at Cardiff rubbished all those phone-in cliches about Allardyce "losing the dressing room" and being "tactically naive". The players' spirit, individual and collective, was immense, overcoming the loss of their right-back Guy Demel with concussion after seven minutes and the dismissal of James Tomkins after 71. Such was the team's strength of character and purpose that they scored their second goal with 10 men. For those of goodwill it was pleasing to see Allardyce gain respite from media-intensified pressure. He has had to deal with a spate of casualties that would test your local A&E, and always maintained that results would improve when his best players were fit. That was the way of it on Saturday, when Tomkins was back after injury to bolster the defence and Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll were available to share the centre-forward's duties. To their credit the two Davids who own West Ham, Gold and Sullivan, have been staunch in Allardyce's support, and why not? This is a man who has been interviewed for the England job and whose record is a warning to those who want him out to be careful what they wish for. When he left Bolton they were fifth in the Premier League and when Newcastle sacked him they had five managers in the next three years. Most telling of all, when Blackburn got rid of him they were mid-table in the Premier. He got West Ham promoted at the first time of asking and established them in a comfortable 10th place last season. Cut him some slack, he deserves it. For Cardiff, the result was a hammer blow. Down in the relegation places, their next two league fixtures are against Manchester City and Manchester United, both away. Solskjaer talks a good game but had to admit he was "surprised" by his team's no-show in the first half. The plan was to go hard at West Ham from the start in the belief that they might fold again if they conceded the first goal. It didn't happen and the new manager said: "We didn't have any energy or enthusiasm, we never got going. The second half was the way we want to play. Craig Bellamy came on and put everyone on the front foot." By that stage Matt Taylor's ball over the top and a right-wing centre from Matt Jarvis had enabled Carlton Cole to sidefoot West Ham ahead with his third goal in his last five league appearances. Cardiff huffed and puffed in response but a top-notch save by Adrián at Fraizer Campbell's expense denied them equality and Mark Noble, the personification of dreadnought spirit, doubled the margin with a smart finish in added time. On a day when the latest accounts revealed that the Welsh club were £118m in debt, having somehow lost another £30m in their promotion season, the chairman, Mehmet Dalman, was keen to offset the bad news and brought forward their latest signing. After saying that there would be an announcement on Monday, Solskjaer suddenly reappeared and produced Mats Moller Daehli, an 18-year-old Norwegian wunderkind from the manager's old club, Molde. Daehli had three years at the Manchester United academy and was their young player of the year in 2012, ahead of Adnan Januzaj. He had the chance to go back to Old Trafford but opted to join Cardiff, in the knowledge that they offer greater opportunity for a first-team breakthrough. Solskjaer said: "Mats is an outstanding talent and good business for us. He won't be 19 until March but he has just made his debut for Norway, playing against Denmark and Scotland in November. He's an inside midfielder who really likes to get in between the lines and take people on. You look at [Samir] Nasri and [David] Silva and he's that type of player." Solskjaer is also interested in signing Wilfried Zaha and Fábio da Silva on loan but said: "They are Manchester United players and I can't comment on other teams' players." Man of the match Mark Noble (West Ham United) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| David Moyes has no fears for Manchester United after win over Swansea Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:29 PM PST • Manager says Adnan Januzaj 'is in Rooney category' The emotion released at the end was as if Manchester United had sealed a 21st title, not beaten a Swansea City side without a league win since 4 December. These are changing times at the champions under David Moyes, who had overseen three consecutive losses yet whose relief at this result allowed him to reject any doubts about taking United to Chelsea on Sunday. "What? With the players I have got here at this football club?" he said. "I have no fears whatsoever with the players I have got. I wouldn't really care who plays in my team because I believe in them all. I believe in what this club stands for and they will go and take whatever challenge … and throw it forward. "We will try and push on and try and continue to make progress. I don't think we played that badly in the last three games but we didn't win. "Today we played OK and got the points and hopefully we can continue that." Two of the defeats were in the League Cup and FA Cup, meaning that this win was a fifth in six league outings for United. "There you go," said Moyes. "It is amazing how you can turn things around. Five in six. If you had said that maybe six weeks ago you'd win five out of six, I think most people in the public and the media would say that is not bad. Six out of six [would be better] but five is not bad." Last week the Guardian reported that some of the senior players were unsure of Moyes's method. Yet Rafael da Silva is clear that it is down to the squad and not the manager to do the convincing. Asked about the atmosphere in the dressing room, the right-back referred to the departed Sir Alex Ferguson, who was not at this game, and said: "We are together. We knew there would be a change. The manager had just left after 27 years. It was always going to be hard. We have to take the mentality David Moyes has given us and use it on the pitch." Da Silva accepts there has been upheaval. "It is quite a big difference. David Moyes has a strong mentality. He is doing his own job. We have to use that in a positive way," he said, before saying that the focus should be on the players. "I agree 100%. We are the ones who have to take the responsibility. We have to show, like we did in the second half. I don't know why everyone is looking at the manager. It is the players who have to do the job on the pitch." Darren Fletcher expressed dismay at the view that Ferguson's presence at matches is affecting results. "It gets us angry because we know it is not true," the midfielder said. There had been four home losses in four weeks to make a total of five this season at United's home ground and nerves were evident during an insipid first half. At the break Moyes swapped Adnan Januzaj from his No10 berth with Shinji Kagawa on the left and the youngster and Japanese each prospered. It was Januzaj's cross that came to Kagawa and, after his shot was repelled by Gerhard Tremmel, Antonio Valencia scored. Danny Welbeck's ninth goal of the season came when Januzaj intercepted a Tremmel throw and, from the ensuing play, the striker flicked home. The injuries to Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have handed an opportunity to Januzaj, at the age of 18, to lead the side. He took corners and free-kicks and Moyes is impressed enough to bracket him with a teenage Rooney, whom he managed at Everton. "He is in Wayne's category. He is in that territory definitely because of the ability he has as a footballer," said the Scot. "He is slightly different. He is a real calm boy. He looks after himself in a great way. His father has really helped him a lot. He practises every day and he has that little bit of arrogance that all the top players have." Rooney is in Egypt with his family, recuperating from an abductor injury. Whether he can return to face Chelsea remains unclear. "A chance," was all Moyes said, though he rates the forward's prospects better than those of Van Persie, who has a thigh problem. "Less of a chance," said the Dutchman's manager. "We are hoping it can change. I cannot tell you exactly how long it is going to be. I don't want to say yes if it is not and I don't want to say no if it could be. I don't know who wrote [he would be out] six weeks, but it is nonsense." Man of the match: Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid | La Liga match report Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:16 PM PST Real Madrid closed to within three points of the La Liga leaders, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, when a Pepe header secured a laboured 1-0 win at mid-table Espanyol on Sunday. Barça and Atlético drew 0-0 in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at the Calderón and Real took full advantage to end the first half of the season on 47 points from 19 matches, with the leaders on 50 and Barça top on goal difference. It was hardly a vintage performance from Real at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium in Barcelona, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema out of sorts. It was left to Ronaldo's Portugal team-mate Pepe to secure the win when the centre-back was left unmarked in the 55th minute and headed home a Luka Modric free-kick. Espanyol barely troubled Diego López and Real should have doubled their lead late on when Ronaldo sliced a shot wide with the goal at his mercy. The woes of the bottom side, Real Betis, deepened when they were beaten 2-1 at home to Osasuna as both sides had a player sent off and the Betis forward Ruben Castro missed a penalty. Rayo Vallecano, one place above Betis in 19th, pulled five points clear of the struggling Seville-based side, level on 16 with Real Valladolid, thanks to a 1-0 win at Getafe. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Ashley Cole faces life in the slow lane as demands of the job intensify | Sean Ingle Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:06 PM PST Chelsea's defender, once described as the best left-back in the world, has fallen from grace because of increased expectations of the full-back role and his own, inevitable, physical decline Remember when Ashley Cole was lauded as the best left-back in the world? Of course you do. It was last year, around the time of his 100th England cap. And the year before that. And that. Say what you like about Cole's cock of the walk demeanour – opposition fans certainly have – few have ever questioned his talent. And with good reason. For nearly a decade, from Cole's first international swap-meet with Cristiano Ronaldo, whose shuffling feet briefly forgot how to dance when Portugal faced England at Euro 2004, he has hung an invisible "thou shalt not pass" sign around his neck. He also speed-reads the game adroitly, covers vast tranches of turf, and smothers the best, time and again, like a lumpy but effective footballing memory pillow. There is a lot to like, at least on the pitch. Yet, in recent months, what seemed so deep-rooted has been ripped up. Leighton Baines has slipped past him in the England pecking order. José Mourinho says he is no longer an automatic choice at Chelsea. And just like that, without much comment or ceremony, Cole made the transition from standing at the pinnacle to slipping down the side. He is entitled to ask, as the Smiths did on The Queen is Dead, has the world changed or I have I changed? – although he might not like the answer. So what happened? One reason is that during the past decade the full-back role broadened, and not always to Cole's advantage. The widespread bandwagoning to the formation de jour, 4–2–3–1, has led to greater overcrowding in central areas, freeing space on the flanks and placing added demands on full-backs – who are expected not only to bust lungs more frequently but to create more too. The additional physical demands are clear from Prozone's data. In 2003-04 Premier League full-backs made an average of 29.5 sprints – any movement greater than seven metres a second – over a game. This season that figure is exactly 50. A decade ago the average recovery time for a full-back between high-intensity activities – any movement greater than 5.5m/s, or a three-quarters speed run – was 56.4sec. Now it is 40.4sec. As Prozone's Omar Chaudhuri points out, no other position in the last 10 years can match full-backs' percentage increase in high-intensity activities or sprints. "The increase in their physical demands has been above and beyond the increased demands of the Premier League as a whole," he adds. "And full‑backs continue to cover more ground than any other position except wide midfielders." In the past Cole has revelled in the physical demands of the job. He has always been more athlete than artist. But in the past two seasons the box-to-box shuttle service has run with less frequency and dynamism. That is understandable. He is 33 now. Injuries don't just niggle any more, they linger too. This has had a knock-on effect. During his peak, from 2008-11, Cole created around a chance a game, according to Opta's data – a smidgeon higher than Patrice Evra, whose attacking prowess has perhaps masked defensive lapses. Indeed in 2010-11, Cole's best attacking year, he created 44 chances in 38 games. But in the past 18 months that figure has sunk to just over one in every two matches. Baines, by contrast, averaged more than two chances a game between 2009‑10 and 2011-12, and in his break-out season last year created 116 chances from 38 Premier League matches – as well as scoring five times, just 11 fewer than Cole's total goal tally in his 14-year career. Certainly Cole's declining attacking contribution goes against the grain. In 2006-07 full-backs made 27.2% of their teams' crosses in the Premier League. This season it is 34.2%. Over the same period, the percentage of passes played by full-backs in their opponents' half has gone up from 42.1% to 48.1%. Unsurprisingly, full-backs are also scoring more goals. There were 52 from them in the Premier League last season compared to 35 in 2006-07 and 34 in 2009-10; this season another half century is in sight. Creation has never been Cole's strength. But elsewhere he continues to do a large amount right. His pass completion – an underrated strength – has, astonishingly, ranged between 87-89% in every season since 2007-08, despite numerous changes in managers and tactics. This season his figure of 88% is equal or better than any full-back in the Premier League. True he was poor against Newcastle last month. But there is no vast video library of bloopers ready to be scrutinised on Match of the Day – and nor has there been a reputation‑shredding evisceration of the kind Maicon underwent at the feet of Gareth Bale. It's just that the demands of the position, along with an inevitable decline in his vast physical abilities, means that Cole is not quite as good as he once was. Other things, however, stubbornly resist change. Full‑backs remain as unappreciated as ever, with only one, Philipp Lahm, making the 23-man longlist for Monday night's 2013 Fifa Ballon D'Or awards. No full-back has ever won the trophy in its 58-year history either. Perhaps attacking players will always get the glory; but it is about time the full-backs' vital role got more recognition. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Sergio Agüero set to return with possible midweek role for Man City Posted: 12 Jan 2014 01:02 PM PST • Striker scored 19 times in 20 games before calf injury Sergio Agüero could make his return from injury in Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay with Blackburn Rovers, the Manchester City striker has announced. Agüero, 25, returned to training this week after recovering from a calf injury that has ruled him out since the 6-3 Barclays Premier League win over Arsenal on December 14. The prolific forward, who scored 19 times in 20 appearances before his lay-off, is targeting a return in midweek, with his manager, Manuel Pellegrini, having hinted that Agüero could make a return against Cardiff on Saturday. "I'll be ready for action this week," Agüero told his official website. "My injury is improving slowly. Recovery's going very well. I'm back to sprinting on the field and moving the ball around. "I'll be fully recovered by the Cardiff game and, depending on how the week's training goes, I may be able to show up for a few minutes on the second leg against Blackburn for the FA Cup." Agüero is keen to make a return to action with City top of the Premier League standings, and still in the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. "We are putting up a challenge in every competition this year," the striker said. "Then the World Cup is coming up and I hope to keep my form and the level of my game when it arrives. "Manuel wants us to have possession, he wants the defence to keep the pressure up. Since he arrived, he's been working on improvement and I think the team is shaping up already. "I'm happy with my tally and my performance. Goals I especially like because they win games and most of them decided a match, so that's what makes me happy." theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| A-League: what we learned this weekend Posted: 12 Jan 2014 12:49 PM PST Pete Smith: The frenemies' derby; not all yellow cards are equal; a note on Oceania; and Adelaide's best win so far  |
| Rodgers: Liverpool are challengers Posted: 12 Jan 2014 12:47 PM PST • 5-3 win at Stoke City takes Reds back into top four Brendan Rodgers said Liverpool were legitimate title challengers after an extraordinary 5-3 win against Stoke City lifted his team into the top four and within five points of Manchester City, the Premier League leaders. Luis Suárez scored twice, taking his tally for the season to 22, and Daniel Sturridge marked his return from injury with a goal to help Liverpool record their first league win at the Britannia Stadium, at the sixth attempt. Rodgers believes that Liverpool are "improving all the time" and, citing a favourable fixture list in the second half of the season, said his side were "in the conversation" when it comes to the title race. Asked whether anything was possible this season, Rodgers replied. "Yeah, absolutely. We entered into the game today, 18 games to go, nine at home, nine away, knowing seven of those nine away were against teams in the bottom half. That doesn't mean they are gimmes by any means – it is a very tough league – but certainly we have shown enough that we are going to be challenging and that is all we ever wanted to be. We never stated we are going to win the league, to jump from where we have been at, we just needed to be in the conversation." Mark Hughes, Stoke's manager, felt that the turning point in a remarkable game was when Anthony Taylor, the referee, awarded Liverpool a penalty six minutes into the second half, when Marc Wilson was adjudged to have brought down Raheem Sterling. "Soft, easy, any adjective you like, really," Hughes said, when asked about the penalty that Steven Gerrard converted to put Liverpool 3-2 up. "The reaction of the player himself – he immediately looks towards the referee, that's always a give-away, in my opinion. There was about 3,000 Liverpool fans behind that goal as well and they reacted to it. Unfortunately the referee has bought it. I thought it was a poor decision." Rodgers had some sympathy with Hughes but said that he has no concerns that Sterling will pick up a reputation for diving. "I would call that a Spanish penalty, which means that if you get it you are happy. Probably Mark would be aggrieved with that, to be honest," the Liverpool manager said. "I think we see lots of them on the continent, where the player is going into the box, the defender doesn't make contact with the ball but he does with the man, and Raheem is obviously running at such a speed that that slight contact knocks him over." theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Espanyol v Real Madrid – as it happened | Niall McVeigh Posted: 12 Jan 2014 11:53 AM PST MBM report: Niall McVeigh watched Real Madrid earn a 1-0 away win to move within three points of the league leaders  |
| Pardew sorry for foul-mouthed touchline rant at Pellegrini Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:43 AM PST • Pardew claims provocation during City's 2-0 win Alan Pardew was forced to apologise to Manuel Pellegrini for calling Manchester City's manager "a fucking old cunt" during City's 2-0 win on a bad-tempered, highly contentious afternoon on Tyneside. The victory took City to the top of the Premier League while Newcastle suffered a somewhat harsh fourth successive defeat, but Pellegrini's pleasure was dampened by a serious knee injury sustained by Samir Nasri following a nasty tackle from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. The Newcastle United manager claimed he swore at his counterpart after being provoked by the Chilean. But Pardew's mood was already blackened by Cheik Tioté's stunning "equaliser", following Edin Dzeko's opener, being disallowed for an offside against Yoan Gouffran. Although Gouffran could, technically, have been deemed to be interfering with play, namely blocking Joe Hart's vision, Pardew felt this was a pedantic application of a technicality that was made irrelevant by the ferocity of a tremendous shot from outside the area that Hart would never have saved. "Cheik's scored a goal that Joe Hart's not going to reach," Pardew claimed. "It was such a clean hit it was going in the top corner. Hart's vision was not impaired by Yoan. He [Mike Jones] got that wrong and it's a massive call. He's gone on a real tiny technicality here and I think he's wrong. To make a call like that, a player has to be clearly interfering. "When I spoke to the referee he actually thought it had got deflected, which it hadn't – it was a clean strike. It's hard, it all happened so quickly, but a call like that is going to affect the game. It was all getting a little bit heated. It affected the players." Pellegrini saw things rather differently. "The referee was correct," he said, referring to Tioté's disallowed goal before expressing dismay that Yanga-Mbiwa had merely been booked for his challenge on Nasri. "There should have been a red card for the foul, Nasri has a serious injury in the knee," he said. "I can't understand how he wasn't sent off. We didn't have any help off the ref today. It was a very tough game with a lot of pushing and grabbing." It was left to James Milner, a second-half substitute, to express Hart's viewpoint while acknowledging the unsatisfactory nature of aspects of the offside law with commendable honesty. "It was an amazing strike but what Harty says was that although the lad [Gouffran] wasn't blocking his view of the ball he was standing where he was going to dive, so Harty couldn't really make a dive. "Harty also said he wasn't sure if he would have got it anyway, but Gouffran was in his way. If someone is in your way you are not going to dive on them. Maybe he wasn't interfering, but it is such a hard one to get right. I can see both sides. It was an amazing strike and it was unfortunate for them, but it's the grey area of the offside rule." When television cameras clearly picked up Pardew's foul-mouthed rebuke to Pellegrini after the pair became embroiled in a technical-area altercation, there seemed no shades of grey. "I hear my comments were picked up and I apologise for them 100%," said Pardew. "In the heat of the moment we had words as we managers always have." When questioned if such rudeness really is that commonplace on the touchline, Newcastle's manager changed tack. "Not it isn't," he conceded. "But I have apologised to him. And fortunately he's accepted." Pellegrini, who saw Alvaro Negredo score his side's second goal in stoppage time, was magnanimous. "Nothing's broken," he said. "It was nothing important. It's not a problem. I was surprised he was complaining at every decision of the referee but it's a very big result for us at a very difficult stadium. Chelsea and Manchester United know how difficult it is to play against Newcastle. They are very strong, very physical and powerful." He felt Yanga-Mbiwa was too physical and Pardew agreed. "Mapou was a bit rash in the challenge," he said. "He's not like that, though; I hope Nasri is OK." theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Sunday's Premier League action - in pictures Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:42 AM PST The best pics from Newcastle United's controversial defeat to Manchester City and Liverpool's victory in a eight-goal thriller at Stoke  |
| Newcastle marry defensive organisation with attacking pressure, even in defeat | Michael Cox Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:25 AM PST Alan Pardew's system closed down Manchester City's central midfielders but Aleksandar Kolarov added crucial width The major reason for Newcastle's impressive recent run, and in particular their fine performances against the top clubs, has been their defensive organisation. Alan Pardew has consistently selected players who enable Newcastle to get back quickly into a good defensive shape, which has meant Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cissé, both talented but undisciplined attacking weapons, have become accustomed to a substitute's role. In Pardew's system, the work-rate of the front two is exceptional. Whether Pardew has played Shola Ameobi alongside Loïc Rémy, or supported the Frenchman with Yohan Cabaye, as he did on Sunday, Newcastle's two most attacking weapons always drop deep without possession, sitting on the opposition's two central midfielders. Against a Manchester City side playing a 4-4-2, denying Fernandinho and Yaya Touré easy passes was always likely to harm City's rhythm, and this was a rare match where Manuel Pellegrini's side did not dominate possession. Furthermore, without either the darting runs of Sergio Agüero or the natural width provided by Jesús Navas, City seemed slow and predictable. In the 6-0 thrashing of West Ham in midweek, Álvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko combined wonderfully by taking it in turns to drop short but against a more compact side they struggled to find space. The lack of width meant they were not readily supplied with crosses. The exception came when Aleksandar Kolarov overlapped and, while the left-back can be a frustrating player defensively, few defenders are capable of such pinpoint, driven deliveries. He provided the opener for Dzeko with a perfect low cross and soon after whipped in another fine ball that Negredo could not quite reach. He continually worried Moussa Sissoko, on a booking for the majority of the game, with his forward runs and produced another driven pull-back midway through the second half for a Samir Nasri chance. Kolarov's relationship with David Silva was the game's key combination. The way Silva drifted inside for the opener, before producing a brilliantly measured ball into the path of the overlapping left-back, demonstrated his ability to dictate the flow of the game, to drag opponents out of position, and to encourage his team-mates forward. Silva created four chances, twice as many as any other player on the pitch and in keeping with his average for the season, by far the best rate in the Premier League. He was the only City player among the game's nine most prolific passers – completing more than double as many as any of his team‑mates. Silva has always been celebrated because of his contributions in the final third, particularly his delicate through-balls, but he is playing a more frequent part in City's buildup play. This was particularly important considering Touré and Fernandinho were nullified by Newcastle's pressure. Despite losing 2-0, Newcastle created as many presentable chances as City – many of them from set pieces but also via Rémy's runs in behind the defence. His movement is excellent and against centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Martín Demichelis, the Frenchman consistently caused problems. Better decision-making and finishing, and the striker could have given this contest an entirely different tilt. The sides switched formations as the contest continued, with Pellegrini introducing Navas for Dzeko, moving Silva central behind Negredo and moving to a 4-2-3-1. He understood City were struggling to win the midfield battle and needed extra numbers. Later, Pardew replaced Vurnon Anita with Cissé, and moved to a 4-4-2 to provide extra firepower, as Newcastle played more direct football in the closing stages. This was not the most fascinating tactical battle but Pardew will be pleased with his side's performance, in spite of the defeat. In combining defensive organisation with various attacking options, he has found a balance lacking among many sides. theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Stoke City 3-5 Liverpool | Premier League match report Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:23 AM PST So much for the theory that the Britannia Stadium is a difficult place to come. On a cold and wet afternoon in the Potteries, and at the end of a helter-skelter game, Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool celebrated their first Premier League victory here and a hugely significant three points that lifts them back into the top four. Stoke City, however, could not have been more obliging opponents. As ruthless as Liverpool were with their finishing, in particular the irrepressible Luis Suárez, who scored twice to take his tally for the season to 22, Stoke were guilty of some calamitous defending and contributed largely to their own downfall. Marc Wilson and Ryan Shawcross, Stoke's central defenders, will have nightmares about this game. Shawcross may have been unfortunate with the own goal that gave Liverpool an early lead but it was impossible to have any sympathy with the manner in which the home team conceded a second, when the Stoke captain and Wilson got in a terrible mess. Stoke, to their credit, hauled themselves back into the match with two goals in the space of six minutes at the end of the first half, when Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam each scored against their former club. At that point the momentum was with Stoke but the complexion of the game changed again when Anthony Taylor, the referee, adjudged that Wilson had brought Raheem Sterling down. There was definitely contact and arguably no need for Wilson to attempt to make the challenge but, at the same time, Sterling seemed to go to ground fairly easily. Rodgers described it as a "Spanish penalty" and admitted that Mark Hughes, the Stoke manager, was entitled to be aggrieved. When the dust settled, Steven Gerrard converted from the spot and Stoke were once again chasing the game – an unenviable position to be in against a team that counterattack as well as Liverpool. The visitors' threat was augmented by the addition of Daniel Sturridge and the England international, who was making his first appearance in seven weeks after being sidelined with an ankle problem, had an instant impact when he set up Suárez's second. Although Stoke pulled one back through Jonathan Walters, whose weak shot should never have beaten Simon Mignolet, Sturridge restored Liverpool's two-goal lead two minutes later. Incredibly, there was still time for Crouch to hit the upright and Gerrard to be spared an own goal by a superb Mignolet save. It was that sort of day. A pulsating game was full of goals and mistakes at both ends of the pitch. Rodgers was full of praise for his players, including Gerrard, who pulled the strings in a deeper role just in front of the back four, but if there is a concern for the Liverpool manager it is that his team looked vulnerable defensively. This was the seventh time in eight away games that they have conceded two goals or more. Liverpool could hardly have wished for a better start. With only five minutes gone Aly Cissokho hit a left-footed shot from 25 yards that was veering closer to the corner flag than the goal until it took a huge deflection off Shawcross, to leave Jack Butland completely stranded. Things went from bad to worse for Stoke when Martin Skrtel thumped a long ball from back to front that Wilson tried to head back to Butland. Shawcross, seeking to recover the situation, succeeded only in toe-poking the ball into the path of Suárez, who had the simple task of sliding it home. Stoke had forced plenty of corners – six inside the opening 26 minutes – without ever really looking too threatening but they pulled a goal back when Peter Crouch got away from Kolo Touré and confidently headed home Marko Arnautovic's centre. Seemingly coasting, Liverpool began to look anxious and Stoke capitalised when Gerrard lost his footing deep inside his own half. Adam seized possession and took a couple of touches before cracking a sublime 25-yard drive that arrowed into Mignolet's right corner. Then came the key moment in the game when Wilson, having squandered possession to Sterling, tried to atone but succeeded only in tangling with the winger and giving away a penalty. Gerrard sent Butland – who picked a bad day to make his first Premier League start – the wrong way from the spot. Liverpool's fourth arrived when Sturridge carried the ball from inside his own half before choosing just the right moment to flick a neat pass into the path of Suárez, who curled a right-footed shot into the bottom corner. Walters, set up by Arnautovic, then saw his shot slip through Mignolet's arms. He quickly retrieved the ball but it was Liverpool who struck again. This time Suárez turned creator, his cross picking out Sturridge, who scored at the far post at the second attempt. Man of the match Luis Suárez (Liverpool) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Stoke City v Liverpool – as it happened! | Ian McCourt Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:04 AM PST Minute-by-minute report: Luis Suárez got two and Daniel Sturridge scored on his return in a thriller of a game at the Britannia Stadium  |
| Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City | Premier League match report Posted: 12 Jan 2014 08:22 AM PST • Pictures: the best of Sunday's Premier League action An afternoon punctuated by refereeing controversy, rising tempers and Samir Nasri's removal on a stretcher nursing serious knee ligament damage ended with Manchester City back on top of the Premier League and Newcastle United suffering a fourth straight defeat. Along the way came the unedifying sight of Alan Pardew calling Manuel Pellegrini "a fucking old cunt", plus numerous reminders that City's defenders are mortals after all while Newcastle, who probably deserved a point, are much, much better than their recent run suggests. There were also mysteries. Why, for instance, did Pardew leave it so late before liberating Hatem Ben Arfa from the bench? And how on earth was Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa not sent off for a dreadful challenge on Nasri? It did not take long before Pardew was muttering to himself. Newcastle had gone a goal down at the conclusion of a move which began with David Silva's hoodwinking of Vurnon Anita and involved Aleksandar Kolarov dodging Yanga-Mbiwa and crossing low. Connecting with that delivery Edin Dzeko - whose place could be under threat after Sergio Agüero said he could make his return from injury in Wednesday's FA Cup replay with Blackburn - seamlessly swept the ball beyond Tim Krul on the half volley before Steven Taylor could intercept. The game had barely kicked off when Kolarov turned Yanga-Mbiwa - deputising at right back for the suspended Mathieu Debuchy - inside out and, suitably encouraged, Pellegrini's players launched a series of increasingly menacing attacks down that flank. With Silva and the seemingly irrepresible Kolarov invariably at the heart of such manoeuvres it clearly made uncomfortable viewing for Pardew whose defence was not merely missing Debuchy's presence but that of the injured Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle's best centre half. It hardly helped that normally reliable home performers such as Cheick Tioté initially gave the ball away far too easily, provoking fast counter-attacks on City's part. If Newcastle's fortunes appeared to be improving when Taylor volleyed fractionally wide following a corner and Pablo Zabaleta's failure to deal with a high ball prefaced the impressive Joe Hart saving brilliantly from Yohan Cabaye, fortune was about to frown on Pardew. When Tioté lashed the ball into the top corner quite brilliantly from just outside the area after City could only semi clear a corner Newcastle's players ran towards their manager in celebration unaware that referee, Mike Jones, had disallowed the "goal" for offside. Prolonged, booing proved testament to the crowd's anger but three Newcastle players were in offside positions when Tioté "scored". If a couple could not be said to be interfering with play, Yoan Gouffran, hovering in front of Hart and arguably blocking his view, did not, technically at least, possess such a strong case. The latest refinement to the law clarifies the obstruction rule by re-defining it as "clearly obstructing the line of vision or movement or challenging an opponent for the ball." Hart argued that Gouffran's position prevented him from diving but Pardew felt that this was a pedantic application of a rule rendered irrelevant by the quality and ferocity of Tioté's effort which Hart was never going to save. So furious was Pardew, that as half time beckoned, he initiated a less than amicable nose to nose technical area debate with Pellegrini. In the end it took the intervention of John Carver, Newcastle's normally cumbustible assistant manager, to restore an uneasy peace. The mood remained anything but harmonious. From Newcastle's viewpoint this was probably no bad thing. With righteous indignation upping their adrenalin levels they delighted in demonstrating that, inexorable as City can be going forward, defending is not always their forte. With Tioté and Anita beginning to make much more of an impact in central midfield, it took a superb save from Hart to divert Cabaye's swerving shot from 25 yards at the start of the second half. While Hart subsequently did very well to deny Loïc Rémy a goal, Cabaye was slightly fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a foolish tackle on Jesús Navas - on for Dzeko. By now the increasingly febrile atmosphere had already produced five yellow cards - with Cabaye, Tioté, Moussa Sissoko, Zabaleta and Fernandinho all going into Jones's book. Perhaps thinking about the perils of his drive out of St James' Park, the referee refrained from dismissing Cabaye following another yellow card worthy challenge on Kolarov, settling for a final warning. Jones almost certainly should have shown Yanga-Mbiwa a straight red card for that wild hack at Nasri which left the City midfielder writhing in agony and requiring prolonged treatment before being carried off with his left leg in a brace protecting torn medial ligaments. As tears rolled down Nasri's face, Yanga-Mbiwa was merely booked but almost immediately found himself replaced by Massaido Haïdara in one of Pardew's more sensible moves of the afternoon. By now Newcastle's manager had finally introduced Ben Arfa who threatened to produce an equaliser. Pardew's only problem was that his side had no option but to leave themselves open to visiting counter-attacks. Although Taylor thwarted one such advance by clearing off the line from Negredo, the same striker doubled City's advantage at the end of a break initiated by James Milner deep in stoppage time. It left the scoreline looking deceptively, and flatteringly, comfortable but, much as Newcastle could feel hard done by, their manager had hardly covered himself in glory. Man of the match: Akeksandar Kolarov (Manchester City) theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds  |
| Newcastle v Manchester City – as it happened! | Niall McVeigh Posted: 12 Jan 2014 08:08 AM PST MBM report: Niall McVeigh watched Man City escape from St. James' Park with victory, as a disallowed Tiote goal proved the main talking point  |
| Should Cheick Tioté's 'goal' have stood? Posted: 12 Jan 2014 07:00 AM PST Newcastle thought they had equalised against Manchester City, but Cheick Tioté's thunderous effort was chalked off for offside. But should the goal have counted?  |
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