Saturday, 25 January 2014

Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

07:35

By: TBMU Admin On: 07:35   In:   No comments

Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

Barcelona paid €86.2m for Neymar

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 03:15 PM PST

• Confidentiality agreement is revoked by Neymar's father
• Barcelona initially said deal was worth €57.1m

The deal to sign Neymar cost Barcelona €86.2m (£71.4m), including payments to the forward and his family, the club said on Friday after the player's father revoked a confidentiality agreement.

The Brazil international's close-season move from Santos, which the Spanish club initially said was worth €57.1m, is being investigated by a court for possible misappropriation of funds after a complaint from a Barça member.

Sandro Rosell, who was named in the lawsuit but denies wrongdoing, stepped down as president on Thursday. He said he wanted to protect the club's image and alleged he and his family had been threatened.

Barça had been reluctant to reveal all the details of the deal, citing the confidentiality agreement, but after a board meeting on Friday Rosell's successor, Josep Bartomeu, told a news conference that Neymar's father had given them permission to go public.

The Barça director Raul Sanllehi reiterated the transfer on its own had cost €57.1m, comprising €17.1m to Santos and €40m as a "compensation fee" paid to a company owned by Neymar's parents.

He also detailed other payments around the transfer such as a signing bonus of €10m and various other fees paid to the family that took the total cost to €86.2m.

Barça are paying Neymar €8.8m in wages per season for his five-year contract, said Sanllehi. "Neymar's father waived the confidentiality agreement because he considers what has happened [to Rosell] to be unjust," Bartomeu said.

The player had received more lucrative offers from some of Barça's rivals but decided to move to the Catalan capital because he believed in the club's project and wanted to play alongside the Argentina forward Lionel Messi, he added.

Bartomeu said he and the rest of the board, which has remained virtually unchanged after Rosell's exit, intended to see out their mandate until 2016 even if he or the vice-president Javier Faus is implicated in the lawsuit.


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

Chelsea's José Mourinho will press for new contract for John Terry

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST

• Manager says Terry is best centre-half in England
• Final decision will be made by Roman Abramovich

José Mourinho will state the case for John Terry to be awarded a new one-year contract at Chelsea when he meets the club's hierarchy next month, claiming the veteran has been the most consistent performer at centre-half in the Premier League this season.

Terry, like his club-mates Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, has entered the final six months of his deal at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea having made clear they will offer only one-year extensions to players who are over 30. Both Terry and Cole are expected to be offered terms to extend their stays at the club, though both may prefer to explore their options elsewhere. Lampard's future will also be discussed at length, though given he will be 36 in June and is the oldest of the trio, he may wish to assess his own options in the summer.

While Cole has largely been usurped by César Azpilicueta in Mourinho's team since November, Terry has played every minute of the club's league campaign to date and, having steered clear of injury, has excelled. The 33-year-old is attracted by the prospect of bowing out at Chelsea at the top, in the manner that Didier Drogba's glittering spell at the club culminated in the European Cup triumph of 2012, and instinctively would not favour a move to a rival Premier League club. Galatasaray have expressed interest in the centre-half in the past and AS Monaco, currently under Claudio Ranieri, might offer an attractive and lucrative destination if the Chelsea captain wins something this season and decides the time has come to move on.

Yet Mourinho still aspires to sign him for a further campaign, even if the club's 12-month extension rule will not be waived for a stalwart of over 600 appearances. "I agree [with the policy] if you live in a climate of trust," said Mourinho. "If you don't live in that climate, it's a situation that can leave the player and the club in a doubtful situation: is it my last year, is it not my last year? Is the player running away to join another club? When the climate is comfortable, I think it's fine. But I trust John and I think he trusts me."

He confirmed he would be keen to extend the player's stay given his form this season and, when asked if Terry was the best centre-half in the country, said: "I think so. But the [lub] rule is the rule. The owner is the owner. He's the boss. I give my opinions to him and the board and I justify my opinions. We are working very well together. We are respecting everybody's opinion and decisions will be made by everybody. I know where I want to arrive in relation to John and the others.

"There's no time to think about such things up to 31 January. Until the deadline we have to deal with things we are not expecting – like Juan [Mata] and [Mohamed] Salah – or making good decisions for loans. So, until the deadline, we have lots to think about and do. After that, in a calm way, we are going to analyse. The players know what we feel. There's no problem."

Dominic Fifield

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

Rochdale's Ian Henderson earns overdue plaudits in FA Cup charge

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST

After an unsettled few years, the 29-year-old believes his dreams can still become a reality after settling at Spotland

Ian Henderson was already having an impressive game against Leeds United in the FA Cup third round when he scored the goal that sealed Rochdale's victory with a deft volley, at which point the Radio 5 Live commentator declared him to be one of the best kept secrets in the lower leagues.

The well-travelled 29-year-old will take all the compliments coming his way, though he actually wouldn't object to being a bit more of a household name at this stage. That was what was on the cards at the start of his career, after signing for Norwich at the age of eight and growing up to make over 60 first team appearances in the company of players such as Dean Ashton and Darren Huckerby. With selection for England at under-18 and under-20 level also coming his way a top end football career seemed mapped out, then Nigel Worthington lost his job as Norwich manager and Henderson quickly found out that nothing in the professional game can be taken for granted.

"I wasn't part of the new manager's plans, and I had had a few injuries," he explains. "I was only 22 and I wanted to stay in football, so I had to take what came along. I spent 18 months at Northampton and hardly got a game. So I went searching again and ended up at Luton, the year they were relegated from the league after being deducted 30 points at the start of the season. That was when I decided I might have to look further afield, as my opportunities in this country had become limited. I took myself off to Turkey and joined a club called Ankaragucu, where I was with Darius Vassell and enjoying my football again, until the club was taken over by the president of a rival club, Ankaraspor. He brought his international players with him, there are rules about how many you can have at one club, and suddenly I was out in the cold again."

Back in England, a call from his old youth team coach Aidy Boothroyd led to three years at Colchester, where he top scored in the 2010-11 season and began to attract the interest of bigger clubs. When another managerial change left him on the sidelines again he had his contract cancelled, though at least when he fetched up at Rochdale he knew he would be working for someone who shared his footballing outlook. "One of the reasons I signed here was because I had an incredible belief in Keith Hill and his philosophy about how he wants to play the game," Henderson says. "I didn't really know him but every time I played against his teams they were always well set up. He's very good tactically and he's good at spotting a player.

"Jamie Allen and Scotty Hogan, to name just a couple, are setting the pitch on fire at the moment. These guys are young now but they will progress to a higher level."

Henderson says that with no trace of bitterness, no resentment that his own career has not turned out quite that way. He is not the type to get disheartened, or it would have happened by now. "I'm a positive person and the way I look at it is that a footballer is basically self-employed," he says. "I've got to keep my career going in any way I can, because the minute I stop believing there will be no career. My father taught me one of the most simple principles in life – you never give up – and it has held me in good stead. I don't want an easy life, I'm a massive believer in taking on personal challenges. I don't want to be someone who just plods along in his own comfort zone, and what my career has taught me is that you learn more through defeat, disappointment and adversity than you do if you are always at the top. I never stop believing, and you only have to look at the likes of Rickie Lambert and Adam le Fondre to see that you should never give up hope. They both played for Rochdale, so it shows you what's possible. The dream can still become a reality."

The dream at the moment is to beat another Championship side in Sheffield Wednesday and reach the fifth round, a place where even Henderson's travels have never taken him before. That might earn him some more useful exposure, though the overriding priority is promotion from League Two. Rochdale are going well at the moment, have their eye on an automatic promotion spot, and Henderson feels they have the right balance and energy in the squad to achieve it.

"That would be great for the team and the club," he says. "It's not about me, or any other single player, it's about the team. Players win games but teams win championships, and that's what I'm about. I want to be able to put some medals on the table."

Paul Wilson

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

Arsène Wenger's Juan Mata complaint was 'normal', says José Mourinho

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 03:00 PM PST

• 'It is in Wenger's nature to have an opinion,' Mourinho says
• Chelsea are now 'a big club in every aspect'

José Mourinho has dismissed Arsène Wenger's suggestion that Chelsea are manipulating the transfer market and title race by selling Juan Mata to Manchester United. He even claimed he would have permitted the Spain international to join Arsenal had they lodged their own £40m offer for the player.

Wenger, while conceding Chelsea are operating within the rules, had complained over the timing of the sale, given that Mourinho's team have already played United twice this season and Mata, the champions' record signing, will be eligible to feature against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool before the end of the campaign. The Spaniard's transfer was signed off on Friday night and Chelsea are keen to reinvest some of the fee to sign Mohamed Salah from Basel for an initial £12m.

Mourinho claimed Wenger's complaint was "normal". "This is the market," he said. "We don't make the market, we don't make the rules. We just act according to the rules. If Wenger sells [Mesut] Özil to Man United in this moment, I would be very happy because he's selling a very important player. So, normally, he should be very happy that Chelsea sold a player like Juan Mata. But I think it's also a bit of his nature. We have to accept the way he is. He's a very intelligent man, someone who always has an opinion and who likes to show his opinion.

"This is football. I think it's unfair I play twice against Southampton but now [Dejan] Lovren is injured and won't play against Arsenal. Is that fair? That's life. Should I call [Mauricio] Pochettino and say: 'Don't play against Arsenal. You must wait for Lovren to be ready. I want you to play Lovren and [José] Fonte because, against me, you played Fonte and Lovren. Now I want you to play Arsenal, against City with Fonte and Lovren.'"

Mourinho, who has also sanctioned Michael Essien's departure to Milan on a free transfer, admitted the size of United's bid for Mata simply could not be ignored. "If it had been Arsenal or City or Liverpool instead of Man United, we would have done the same," said Mourinho. "If the offer was the same and Juan had desired to go, it would have been the same. A team can only play with 11 players, not 12. City, Arsenal and United are full of top players, so if Juan plays for them it means somebody else is not playing. So why not? Other clubs contacted us, but only United made an offer that reflected the potential of the player, and what the player means to Chelsea."

There has been dismay in some quarters at the sale of the London club's two-times player of the year, even with his role in the first-team having been reduced to 11 league starts this term. Yet Mourinho argued selling a player of this calibre to a rival actually showed Chelsea had progressed. "We are becoming a big club in every aspect. In the beginning we needed cups, silverware to make us and help us become a big club. Now we are a big, mature club. This decision was made by a group of people all with different perspectives but with one common interest: what is best for Chelsea?

"There were those who were looking at the economics, and it was a fantastic offer. Chelsea sold a player for almost double what we paid. As a purely football decision, I'd have preferred to keep Juan because he's a player who can help us achieve important objectives, but our scouting department had quickly identified two or three players who could replace him – not a direct replacement because Juan is a champion – and those factors, coupled with the fact Juan desired to go, made our decision. We did two deals, Juan and Kevin De Bruyne [for £18m to Wolfsburg], and put ourselves in a very good position in relation to financial fair play."

Mourinho, who confirmed Mata had requested the chance to join United in face to face talks with the manager, does not expect the 25-year-old's sale to aid his own pursuit of Wayne Rooney. He confirmed Mata's move should be completed once Salah has finalised his transfer from Basel; the Egypt international will have a medical in Switzerland over the next 24 hours. The player has indicated he wishes to move to Stamford Bridge but does not have a visa to undertake those tests in the United Kingdom. Neither he nor Nemanja Matic will be eligible for the Champions League this season.

Dominic Fifield

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

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Preston | FA Cup fourth-round match report

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST

There was plenty of effort and endeavour but no moment of magic. Nottingham Forest and Preston face a replay after a goalless FA Cup fourth-round tie at the City Ground.

Billy Davies's side found it difficult to break down a well-organised Preston team as the visitors defended in numbers and asked questions of the Reds' invention and creativity.

North End tried to catch Forest on the break and almost did soon a handful of occasions in the second half as Karl Darlow was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

That Forest did not muster a shot on goal in the second half until six minutes from the end underlines Preston's discipline and work rate.

It earned the League One side another chance of an upset at Deepdale at the beginning of next month.

Forest made two changes. One was enforced with Henri Lansbury suspended and Radoslaw Majewski recalled in midfield. The fit again Eric Lichaj replaced Dan Harding at left-back.

For Preston Josh Brownhill and Chris Humphrey returned for the former Derby trainee Lee Holmes and Kevin Davies. The former Forest striker Joe Garner started against his old club.

The only time Declan Rudd was seriously called into action was after nine minutes when he produced a solid block at his near post to palm behind a stinging shot on the turn from Simon Cox.

Preston stood up manfully to a handful of corners as Forest cranked up the pressure. But it was not until the 38th minute that the Championship quality of the hosts really showed.

Good build-up play just outside the box eventually enabled Gonzalo Jara to get behind the Preston defence but his low cross was prodded wide by Jamie Mackie.

Preston maintained their defensive discipline in the second half, looking to exploit on the counterattack. Garner almost did so in the 55th minute with a shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards Darlow, being watched by Premier League clubs, spilled a long-range effort from Paul Gallagher but he gathered the ball at the second attempt.

The home goalkeeper was more assured midway through the second half with substitute Holmes' 25-yard shot, pushing it away to safety.

Andy Reid had Forest's only real effort of the second half, curling his shot comfortably wide. The Preston substitutes Iain Hume and Jack King went close late on, the latter forcing Darlow into a good save.

Forest sub Darius Henderson headed harmlessly wide stretching for the ball in injury time.


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

Manchester City can join Europe's elite, says Manuel Pellegrini

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 02:30 PM PST

• 'We beat Bayern … we are not so far from the big teams'
• Silva and Negredo out of FA Cup tie against Watford

Manuel Pellegrini believes that as soon as Manchester City win titles they will join Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona as one of Europe's elite clubs, with the manager stating that everything is in place for this to happen.

City are the only team who can claim an unprecedented quadruple and have been unbeaten since 10 November, a run that has featured 20 wins and only two draws.

They meet Barcelona in the Champions League first knockout stage after already winning away at Bayern during the group stage. Asked if everything is in place to become another of the continent's heavyweights, Pellegrini said: "I think so. We are working every day more. We beat Bayern Munich already in Germany so I repeat this team has a lot of things to improve but I think we are not so far from the big teams.

"The only way to continue improving is to win titles. If you win titles it's because you do the right things. All the big teams have good players also. The way we are working, maybe given time we are going to be a very strong team in Europe. I repeat for the first time we qualified for the round of 16. We have a tough game against Barcelona but I am sure it will be very difficult for the team that continues because they have to play a good game."

City have scored 106 goals in all competitions. The only criticism aimed at Pellegrini's side is that they can be susceptible to the high ball, as when Fraizer Campbell scored for Cardiff City towards the end of last weekend's 4-2 win.

Pellegrini is not concerned. "One of the best things we do is the way we defend. That is why we can be an attacking team. If we don't know how to defend well, it is very difficult for the team to play. We are just finishing the Capital One Cup and we have just one goal conceded. In the league I think we are the fourth best defence but we have 20 goals more than the best attackers. Of course, if you had 10 players defending the whole match it would be difficult for the other team to score against us but I don't think that we don't defend well. I think we defend very well."

He also believes that Fernandinho, the £30m summer signing, should be called up by Brazil. "Really surprised that [he] is not in Brazilian team so far. I am sure he will be because he is a top player," said Pellegrini.

"I suppose that Luiz Felipe Scolari sees all the games of Manchester City and Fernandinho is one of the best players this season."

David Silva, who has a hamstring problem, and Álvaro Negredo, who has an injured shoulder, will not feature in Saturday's FA Cup home tie against Watford, though neither injury is serious.

Beppe Sannino heads into the lion's den wanting his players to have a good time. "This game should be a gift for my players. I know we played there last season but I still believe it is a gift," the Watford manager said.

"We don't want a game where we watch them and don't do anything – we want to create some problems even though they are where they are in the league. If we keep our composure and our shape, we should have a good time. We have to use our intelligence."

Jamie Jackson

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

Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-2 Bayern Munich | Bundesliga match report

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 02:21 PM PST

Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller set up one goal and netted a penalty to help the Bundesliga leaders beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0 and go 10 points clear as the league resumed on Friday after the winter break.

Despite the absence of key players, including the injured Franck Ribéry and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern picked up where they left off in December to stretch their unbeaten run to 42 consecutive league games.

After a nervous opening spell in which third-placed Gladbach's Max Kruse squandered a golden chance, Bayern, who have now won their last nine league games, settled and came close when Mario Götze's shot scraped the post.

Midfielder Götze started in a lone striker role after Mario Mandzukic was dropped from the squad for not having trained well, according to sports director Matthias Sammer.

He soon had better luck when Müller raced down the right wing and cut the ball back for his Germany team-mate to drill into the net for the lead after seven minutes.

Gladbach were constantly on the backfoot against a Bayern side who never hit top speed but controlled possession, using defender Philipp Lahm as a holding midfielder while Spaniard Thiago orchestrated the game.

The hosts did come close twice on the stroke of half-time with the Bayern goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, palming a Kruse shot on to the post and denying Juan Arango from close range.

Müller got on the scoresheet eight minutes after the restart, converting a penalty to condemn Gladbach to their first home defeat of the campaign before the hosts hit the woodwork again through Patrick Herrmann.


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

Month delay before Anelka hearing

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 02:04 PM PST

• West Brom striker charged with aggravated offence
• A 34-page document outlines the charge details

Nicolas Anelka's disciplinary hearing over his apparently antisemitic gesture is unlikely to take place until the end of February.

The West Brom striker has been charged by the FA with an aggravated offence following his quenelle goal celebration against West Ham on 28 December.

The 34-year-old has denied the charge and requested a personal hearing but that is not likely to be held for a month, according to sources close to the case.

The length of time the case has taken has already prompted criticism from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, which has expressed its "frustration".

The Anelka case is comparable with the racist abuse charges that were brought against Liverpool's Luis Suárez and Chelsea's John Terry, and in both of those cases there was a space of several weeks between the players denying the charge and the hearing taking place.

That is expected to be a similar scenario with Anelka, who was presented with a 34-page document outlining the details of the charge this week.

The FA will appoint a three-person independent regulatory commission to hear the case and, as it has taken more than three weeks to bring the charge, Anelka's legal team will be allowed a similar length of time to construct his defence.

A further week to allow for administrative details to be organised, plus legal arguments between both sides' barristers, means that the end of February looks likely for the hearing.

On Wednesday, Anelka asked the FA to drop the charge, stating he was "neither antisemitic nor racist".

The former Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Liverpool forward faces a minimum five-match ban if the charge is proved, and probably longer. West Brom have asked Anelka not to repeat the celebration but will continue to select him for the team.

Anelka made the gesture, described by some as an inverted Nazi salute, after scoring in the 3-3 draw at Upton Park. The player has insisted it was purely as a show of support for the creator of the quenelle, his friend the controversial French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala who has been prosecuted for antisemitism.

Anelka has said the salute was "anti-establishment", rather than antisemitic.


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

Manchester United confirm Mata transfer for record fee

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:59 PM PST

• Deal of around £40m dwarfs £30.75m paid for Dimitar Berbatov
• 25-year-old could make his first appearance on Tuesday

Manchester United have signed a transfer agreement with Chelsea to buy Juan Mata for a club record fee of around £40m, surpassing the £30.75m paid for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. The playmaker's impending arrival hands a massive boost to David Moyes in what is proving a difficult first season in charge of United.

Mata will have a medical in Manchester and then discuss personal terms. Both are expected to be a formality and the 25-year-old could be unveiled as a United player as early as Saturday evening and be available to make his debut against Cardiff City at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Any new addition has to be registered by noon on Monday.

A statement from the champions said: "Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Juan Mata for a club record fee. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course."

The purchase of Mata represents something of a coup for United given that he is Chelsea's player of the year for the past two seasons and acquiring top class players in the January window is particularly difficult.

The signing of the transfer agreement – the key piece of paperwork in terms of Mata's destiny – had been delayed as Chelsea wanted to secure the signing of Mohamed Salah from Basel.

José Mourinho said: "He's a non-EC player so he cannot come to England for his medical, so we have to meet him for the medical, probably in Switzerland. After that we can meet the paperwork for him to come.

The Chelsea manager did indicate that Mata would soon become a United player. "Things are going in a good direction. We have allowed Juan to travel and have the medical. The player deserves respect and to play and because the offer is right, we allowed him to negotiate. It's what he wants. It's what he asked us to accept."

He added: "Chelsea is proud to act this way, in an open way, in a human way. It's good for Juan, it's good for the Premier League and the offer in financial terms, is the right offer.

"The offer, compared with what the club paid two years ago [when Mata signed from Valencia], was fantastic. If Man United pays their record for a player it's because they know exactly what they want. They are convinced he's going to be important for them and we hope that he does very well for them. No fears at all. We are convinced he's going to do well at United."

It has seemed just a matter of time before Friday night's announcement was made. Although Moyes refused to discuss the 25-year-old following Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final shootout defeat to Sunderland, sources involved in the deal had confirmed it was close to being agreed.

Moyes will now hope to field Mata in a front four for United alongside Adnan Januzaj, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, once the latter two return from fitness.

Jamie Jackson

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 4-0 Coventry City

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:57 PM PST

Victory was Arsenal's but in some way the night belonged to Coventry. In front of a visiting crowd that voiced their hopes for a brighter future, Steven Pressley's team demonstrated enough attacking vigour and ambition to prove they are worthy of a proper home from which to build. Coventry's spirit graced the evening, but Arsenal's moments of class ensured safe passage to the FA Cup fifth round. Two first half goals from Lukas Podolski more or less settled the matter, and a pair of late strikes from the substitutes Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla added gloss. In between, though, Coventry were eye catching.

Arsenal were keen to avoid any repeat of the shambolic FA Cup exit against Blackburn Rovers last season. Coventry are 54 places beneath the Premier League leaders in the English game's pyramid, and Arsène Wenger selected a line-up that was powerful enough, and motivated enough, to exert control.

The main points of interest were the return of three players who had been dogged by injury in the first half of the campaign, and need to make up for lost time by imposing themselves on this season of opportunity. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his first start since the opening day of the season – in the central midfield position Wenger thinks is his best. Further forward, Nicklas Bendtner was handed a chance to give Wenger an excuse to lament the difficulties of the January transfer window, and Podolski served up a reminder of his own ruthless finishing.

Having reached the 15 minute mark scoreless, the Coventry contingent in the Clock End began to olé as their defenders cooly passed the ball among themselves, briefly the picture of composure.

Arsenal responded to this apparent impudence with a deadly break. Mesut Özil clipped a disguised pass to the galloping Podolski. The German attacker glided past Coventry's goalkeeper, Joe Murphy, to steer in the opening goal from a narrow angle.

That in turn inspired Coventry to show their worth. With a virtuoso moment the excellent Carl Baker crowned a delicate dance into the danger zone with a rasping shot. Lukas Fabianski tipped over.

A goal made in Germany in the 27th minute squashed faint hopes of a surprise. Serge Gnabry's inviting corner was glanced onwards by Per Mertesacker, and Podolski nudged in his second. The opportunity for a first half hat-trick came his way towards the end of the half but his right foot proved less efficient as he lifted a shot over the bar.

Challenging as it is for the FA Cup to cling to old fashioned romantic ideals, a moment to stir the soul came off the pitch rather than on it. A televised game gave the visitors from Coventry the opportunity to publicise their plight. They came with armfuls of printed protest notes about their ordeal, exiled from the Ricoh Arena in their heartland. "Keep Cov in Cov" is the slogan, and fans held aloft their banners in the 35th minute – symbolic of the 35 miles they have to travel out of the city to play home games in Northampton – and again in the 61st minute, to mark the year that Jimmy Hill became manager. In a show of solidarity, the Coventry faithful were given a standing ovation by the Arsenal support.

The crowd also made their presence felt when a section of the floodlights failed – thousands of camera phones, flashes flaring, were helpfully pointed at the pitch.

Early in the second half the spotlight homed in on Leon Clarke, freed by a delightful threaded pass from Baker. He zoomed goalwards, only to see his angled shot deflected by Fabianski's legs.

Clarke went closer still with a venomous effort which beat Fabiaski but rattled against a post. Suddenly Coventry found drive and ambition to cause the Premier League pace-setters genuine concern. They tore into attacking positions. Billy Daniels also found himself on the end of a promising move, but an attack of the yips took hold and he slashed at the chance.

Arsenal realised they would be foolish to be too casual, and built up a presentable chance for the enigmatic Bendtner. But this was one of those days when he inspired more guffaws than applause.

His reliability as the main back-up to Arsenal's centre-forward position remains a key issue, and Giroud came on as a late substitute to crack in the third goal of the night when he latched on to Kieran Gibbs's cut back.

Cazorla got in on the act with a volley to turn the scoreline into a harsh one for Pressley to stomach. Two days short of his 17th birthday, Gedion Zelalem, a prospect whose name is uttered with considerable excitement around the club, made his Arsenal debut. He is the first player to come into the first team who was born after Wenger became the club's manager.

Amy Lawrence

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

Swansea City in £3m bid for Norwich City's Anthony Pilkington

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:53 PM PST

• Pilkington was back in action for Norwich's win over Hull City
• Republic of Ireland international suffered hamstring problems

Swansea City have made a bid of £3m for the Norwich City winger Anthony Pilkington. The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract in the summer and Norwich have already brought in a wide player this month in the form of Jonás Gutiérrez, on loan from Newcastle United.

The Swansea chairman, Huw Jenkins, had denied an interest in Pilkington as the 25-year-old was injured, having been sidelined since November owing to a hamstring problem.

He returned to action as a substitute in Norwich's win over Hull City last weekend and Swansea appear keen to bring him to the Liberty Stadium now he is fit.

Swansea have also been linked with Blackpool's Tom Ince and Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha.


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 v Coventry City – as it happened | Sachin Nakrani

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:44 PM PST

Arsenal were in command as they avoided a Cup upset against Coventry

Sachin Nakrani

Wigan Athletic v Crystal Palace: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:16 PM PST

Wigan's new loan signing Josh McEachran is not Cup-tied and could figure in Uwe Rösler's squad for the visit of Crystal Palace, now out of the Premier League's bottom three. Although bearing in mind what happened to their opponents last season, not necessarily free to devote all their resources to a bid for Wembley glory. Tony Pulis has steadied Palace impressively since taking over from Ian Holloway, while Rösler has performed a similar job since taking over from the unpopular Owen Coyle, though the Latics' unbeaten run came to an end last week with defeat at Doncaster. Paul Wilson

Venue DW Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Referee M Jones

Odds Wigan 11-10 Crystal Palace 14-5 Draw 13-5

Head to head Wigan 1 Crystal Palace 1 Draws 1

Wigan Athletic

Subs from Carson, Rogne, McEachran, Watson, Powell, Beausejour, Fortuné, Redmond, Maynard

Injured Caldwell, Maloney, Ramis

Cup-tied Browning, Kiernan

Crystal Palace

Subs from Price, Alexander, Dobbie, McCarthy, Moxey, Campaña, Williams, O'Keefe, Chamakh, Guedioura, Gayle

Injured Dikgacoi, Hunt, Murray, Thomas

Match pointers

• Wigan have failed to beat opposition from a higher division in their past 10 attempts

• Palace ended a run of four consecutive FA Cup defeats away from home in the last round


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 v Kidderminster Harriers: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:12 PM PST

Almost 5,000 away fans will travel to Wearside to watch non-league Kidderminster's biggest game for 20 years. Still recovering from the shock of reaching the League Cup final, Sunderland will use the tie as a chance to rest senior players and offer reserves a start. Gus Poyet will give debuts to their new goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and centre-half Santiago Vergini but should be wary of his Kidderminister counterpart. As an FA Cup winner with Wimbledon in 1988, Andy Thorn knows all about giant-killing. Louise Taylor

Venue Stadium of Light, Saturday 3pm

Referee R East

Odds Sunderland 3-10 Kidderminster 11-1 Draw 5-1

Head to head n/a

Sunderland

Subs from Mannone, Bardsley, Ki, Brown, Alonso, Larsson, Fletcher, Johnson, Colback, O'Shea, Diakité, Cattermole, Roberge, Borini

Injured Cuéllar, Westwood

Kidderminster

Subs from N Vaughan, Malbon, Dunkley, Johnson, Angus, Dance, Riis, Rowe, Ladapo, Dyer

Injured Gittings

Cup-tied Cieslewicz

Match pointers

• Sunderland have lost four of their past five games at this stage

• Kidderminster's only previous appearance in the FA Cup fourth round (in 1993-94) saw them beat Preston 1-0


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

Stevenage v Everton: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:07 PM PST

Roberto Martínez is fooling no one with his attempt to take the pressure off his side. "The home team is always the favourite in these rounds," said the Everton manager. "People forget divisional status counts for little." With Stevenage rooted to the foot of League One, and Everton challenging for a Champions League place an upset seems unlikely – even if Stevenage can "bewilder" the visitors as their manager, Graham Westley, promises: "It's a bizarre environment." Toby Moses

Venue Broadhall Way, Saturday 5.30pm

Referee A Taylor

Odds Stevenage 11-1 Everton 3-10 Draw 19-4

Head to head Stevenage 0 Everton 1 Draws 0

Stevenage

Subs from A Smith, Wedgbury, Hills, Dunne, Akins, Charles, Tounkara, Doughty, Hartley, Shroot

Doubtful Morais, Parrett, Zoko

Injured Arnold

Everton

Subs from Robles, Hibbert, Oviedo, McAleny, Naismith, Gueye, Vellios, Garbutt

Injured Alcaraz, Barkley, Coleman, Deulofeu, Gibson, Koné, Pienaar

Match pointers

• François Zoko has scored four goals in three FA Cup appearances so far this season

• Everton have not been knocked out of the FA Cup away from home since 2005-06


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

Southend United v Hull City: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:01 PM PST

Southend United, unbeaten in their past seven games, welcome Hull City, who have not won away in eight matches, to Roots Hall. The Premier League side are the natural favourites, having won their past three meetings with Southend, the most recent of which was in the League Cup in 2009. This will be Phil Brown's first encounter with his former employers and the Southend manager will be eager to remind Hull of his ability to motivate a side. Steve Bruce will be aware of this and will hope to avoid an upset. Mikkel Mousten

Venue Roots Hall, Saturday 3pm

Referee L Mason

Odds Southend 4-1 Hull 4-5 Draw 11-4

Head to head Southend 10 Hull 14 Draws 13

Southend United

Subs from Smith, Laird, Reid, Phillips, Hurst, Bennett, Thompson, Barnard, Payne

Doubtful Corr, Leonard

Injured O'Neill, White

Hull City

Subs from Harper, Faye, Rosenior, Boyd, Henderson, Quinn, Fletcher, Graham, Jahraldo-Martin

Injured Aluko, Brady, Chester, Dudgeon

Suspended Huddlestone

Cup-tied Jelavic, Long

Match pointers

• Southend have not reached the fifth round of the FA Cup since the 1992-93 season

• Hull are unbeaten in their past five competitive meetings with Southend, winning four times


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

Southampton v Yeovil Town: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:56 PM PST

Dani Osvaldo's suspension means that Rickie Lambert is likely to continue in attack for Southampton, although Mauricio Pochettino will have to decide who out of Jos Hooiveld and Maya Yoshida will replace the injured Dejan Lovren at centre-back. For the visitors, injuries to Liam Davis and Zoumana Bakayogo should see Jamie McAllister return at left-back, while Ishmael Miller could feature at some point after being given permission to play by his parent club, Nottingham Forest. Rich Flower

Venue St Mary's Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Referee P Dowd

Odds Southampton 3-10 Yeovil 12-1 Draw 11-2

Head to head Southampton 4 Yeovil 0 Draws 1

Southampton

Subs from K Davis, Gazzaniga, Clyne, Hooiveld, Isgrove, Do Prado, Reed, Ward-Prowse, Gallagher, Fox

Injured Lovren, Ramírez, Wanyama

Suspended Osvaldo

Yeovil Town

Subs from Dunn, Stewart, Dawson, Hoskins, Morgan, Ofori-Twumasi, Ralph, Jones, Miller, Morgan, Foley, Upson

Injured Davis

Cup-tied Lanzoni

Match pointers

• Southampton have lost just one of their past 17 FA Cup meetings with sides from a lower division

• Yeovil have made the fifth round only once before in their history – back in 1948-49


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

Sheffield United v Fulham: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:49 PM PST

Forty-seven league places separate these sides but there is decent shock potential at Bramall Lane, the Blades having already knocked Aston Villa out of the competition. Fulham face Swansea on Tuesday in the Premier League, so changes are expected. "There is not one country in the world that would let someone play in a fourth round of the cup on a Sunday and then play an important league game on Tuesday," said a disgruntled Fulham manager, René Meulensteen. John Ashdown

Venue Bramall Lane, Sunday 1pm

Referee A Marriner

Odds Sheffield Utd 7-4 Fulham 9-5 Draw 5-2

Head to head Sheffield Utd 29 Fulham 19 Draws 14

Sheffield Utd

Subs from Howard, Scougall, Miller, Coady, Barry, Calvert-Lewin, Kennedy, Johns, Eyre, De Girolamo

Cup-tied McFadzean, Paynter, Whitehouse

Fulham

Subs from Stockdale, Riise, Senderos, Riether, Hangeland, Parker, Dempsey, Berbatov, Taarabt, Rodallega, Boateng, Amorebieta, Duff, Dembélé, Tankovic, Plumain, David, Vigen Christensen

Doubtful Amorebieta

Injured Briggs

Match pointers

• United have won their past four FA Cup meetings with Fulham, only once needing a replay to get through

• Clint Dempsey has scored six goals in his past five FA Cup appearances


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

Rochdale v Sheffield Wednesday: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:45 PM PST

Rochdale have been staging their own War of the Roses this winter, and so far it's gone pretty well, victories over Rotherham and Leeds taking them into the fourth round for only the fourth time in their history, and the first in 11 years. But Wednesday's form since Stuart Gray was put in caretaker charge, following the dismissal of Dave Jones last month, suggests they will present the toughest Tyke challenge yet – Leeds were hit for six at Hillsborough the week after their shock at Spotland. Having drawn 0-0 on their last visit to Rochdale in Jones's first game in charge in March 2012, they are aiming to reach the last 32 for only the second time since they last played in the Premier League in 1999-2000. They will again have to do without their loan signing Connor Wickham, who does not have permission from Sunderland to play. Andy Wilson

Venue Spotland, Saturday 3pm

Referee S Hooper

Odds Rochdale 11-5 Sheffield Weds 6-5 Draw 12-5

Head to head Rochdale 1 Sheffield Weds 4 Draws 1

Rochdale

Subs from Collis, Thomson, Rafferty, Bennett, Eastham, Done, Héry, Donnelly, Gray, Lund, Rose, Vidal, Barry-Murphy

Doubtful Lancashire

Cup-tied Kennedy

Sheffield Weds

Subs from Kirkland, Antonio, J Johnson, Prutton, Mattock, Coke, McPhail, Llera, McCabe, Hélan

Doubtful Coke

Injured Buxton, Gardner, Taylor, Zayatte

Cup-tied Wickham

Match pointers

• Rochdale have failed to score in five of their past six meetings with Wednesday

• The visitors have lost only one of their past 12 FA Cup games against sides from a lower division


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

Port Vale v Brighton & Hove Albion: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:39 PM PST

The Port Vale manager, Micky Adams, will be relishing the prospect of facing Brighton – a club he has managed twice before – who are challenging for a Championship play-off position. He will be delighted to welcome back Chris Lines, who is available following a one-match ban, and Gavin Tomlin, who is likely to make the bench after injury. Will Buckley is expected to begin as a substitute for Brighton after a month out with hamstring trouble. The two sides have not met since 2008, in a game that Vale edged 3-2. Ryan Baxter

Venue Vale Park, Saturday 3pm

Referee P Tierney

Odds Port Vale 18-5 Brighton 10-11 Draw 5-2

Head to head Port Vale 17 Brighton 18 Draws 16

Port Vale

Subs from Neal, Yates, Loft, Dodds, Tomlin, Taylor, Shuker, Mohamed

Doubtful Tomlin

Injured Cuvelier

Suspended Dickinson

Cup-tied Davis

Brighton

Subs from Dunk, Ankergren, Ince, Calderón, Buckley, Chicksen, Obika, March, Monakana

Doubtful Buckley

Injured Crofts, Hoskins, LuaLua, Mackail-Smith

Match pointers

• This is the first FA Cup meeting of these sides since Port Vale won at Brighton in January 1932

• Brighton are unbeaten in their past eight FA Cup games against sides from a lower division


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

Manchester City v Watford: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:31 PM PST

The Etihad Stadium has become English football's temple of doom for visiting sides so Watford, 15th in the Championship, will hardly harbour hopes of beating Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City. In answer to questions of whether the club can claim an unprecedented quadruple, the sober Chilean never answers in the negative so he will want his team to take apart Giuseppe Sannino's team in the manner City have dismantled some of the elite Premier League sides on their home patch. Jamie Jackson

Venue Etihad Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Referee K Friend

Odds Manchester City 1-9 Watford 33-1 Draw 11-1

Head to head Manchester City 7 Watford 6 Draws 5

Manchester City

Subs from Hart, García, Boyata, Nastasic, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Demichelis, Lopes, Touré, Huws, Rodwell

Injured Negredo, Nasri, Silva

Watford

Subs from Bond, Cassetti, Ranegie, Abdi, Forestieri, Brown, Nosworthy, Hoban, Belkalem

Injured Iriney, McGugan

Suspended Hall, Merkel

Cup-tied Bellerin

Match pointers

• City have never lost at home to Watford in any competition, winning five of their six meetings

• Watford have lost their past six FA Cup games against sides from a higher division


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

Monaco pay €50m to France to stay in Ligue 1, exempted from French tax

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:27 PM PST

• Resentment of team's tax advantage grew with new owner
• Russian billionaire bought players when French clubs' tax hiked

Monaco can continue to play in France's Ligue 1 after agreeing to pay €50m for the right to remain exempt from the country's tax laws.

The club had been threatened with expulsion from the league after the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) voted last year to restrict admission, as of next season, to clubs whose head-offices are located in France. This decision was intended to strip Monaco of the privileges it enjoys by being based in a tax haven.

Monaco, the seven-times champions of France, have been affiliated to the French league for nearly a century but resentment of the club's tax advantages has intensified since the club was bought by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and began splurging on stars such as Radamel Falcao and João Moutinho, all at a time when the rest of the clubs in the league faced tax hikes.

Monaco had reacted angrily to the LFP's ultimatum and demanded that their "unique identity" be respected, launching legal proceedings to get the LFP's decision overturned. The impasse was resolved with Friday's announcement that the club will make a "one-off, voluntary" payment of €50m in instalments. In return Monaco have dropped their legal campaign.

"Monaco announces that it has reached an agreement with the LFP that safeguards the club's continued participation in the French championships while retaining our actual and effective head office in the Principality," read a statement from the club.

"By making a voluntary, one-off, all-in contribution of €50m, which shall be payable in several instalments, Monaco demonstrates its attachment to French football and can pursue its project for the benefit of all stakeholders.

"The shared history between French football and one of its most faithful representatives enabled common ground to be found, allowing the dispute to be resolved in a way that ensures it will not arise again."

Paul Doyle

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

Huddersfield Town v Charlton Athletic: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:23 PM PST

Nakhi Wells, who has scored in both of his Huddersfield appearances since joining from Bradford, is Cup-tied but fortunately for Mark Robins, leading scorer James Vaughan is fully fit after a knee injury and is expected to take Wells' place. Joel Lynch could also return for the home side after a groin problem but Martin Paterson is very doubtful with a thigh complaint. Charlton's squad could potentially include three loanees from Standard Liège – Astrit Ajdarevic, Anil Koc and Yohann Thuram-Ulien. Rich Flower

Venue John Smith's Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Referee S Attwell

Odds Huddersfield 10-11 Charlton 3-1 Draw 12-5

Head to head Huddersfield 32 Charlton 35 Draws 17

Huddersfield Town

Subs from Bennett, Woods, Scannell, Gobern, Paterson, Stead, Wallace, Southern, Holmes

Doubtful Lynch, Paterson

Injured Clarke

Unavailable Lolley, Wells

Charlton Athletic

Subs from Thuram-Ulien, Ajdarevic, Hughes, Green, Pritchard, Harriott, Koc, Cook, Hollands, Gower

Injured Cort, Hamer, Solly, Sordell

Suspended Wiggins

Match pointers

• Huddersfield have scored at least once in each of their past 10 FA Cup matches

• Joel Lynch has scored in both of Charlton's previous meetings with Huddersfield 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

Chelsea v Stoke City: Squad sheets

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:14 PM PST

Away from the fallout from Juan Mata's departure for the north – the Spaniard's name will surely ring out at Stamford Bridge – Chelsea must make amends of sort for their league defeat in the Potteries in early December, their last setback, with momentum having since been restored to their campaign. Nemanja Matic could make his first Chelsea start since returning from Benfica. Stoke have lost their last six trips to Stamford Bridge and are saddled with a wretched away record. This feels daunting. Dominic Fifield

Venue Stamford Bridge, Sunday 3.30pm

Referee C Foy

Odds Chelsea 1-4 Stoke 14-1 Draw 6-1

Head to head Chelsea 41 Stoke 28 Draw 21

Chelsea

Subs from Cech, Blackman, Hilário, Kalas, Azpilicueta, Hutchinson, Terry, Essien, Mikel, Ake, Ramires, Hazard, Eto'o

Injured Torres, Van Ginkel

Stoke City

Subs from Begovic, Sorensen, Shotton, Muniesa, Nzonzi, Adam, Arnautovic, Walters, Guidetti, Jones

Doubtful Begovic, Guidetti

Injured Etherington, Huth, Wilkinson

Match pointers

• Excluding penalty shootouts, Chelsea are unbeaten in 25 FA Cup games at Stamford Bridge

• In December, Stoke beat Chelsea for the first time in 12 league and cup meetings


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

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings Norway striker Jo Inge Berget to Cardiff

Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:14 PM PST

• Berget a 'very strong and intelligent footballer', says Solskjaer
• Cardiff still hope for Wilfried Zaha loan from Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made his third Norwegian signing after the Molde striker Jo Inge Berget completed his move to Cardiff for an undisclosed fee.

Solskjaer has already brought in the midfielders Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Mats Moller Daehli from Heerenveen and Molde respectively.

Berget, 23, who like Eikrem and Daehli shares an agent with Solskjaer, was out of contract with Molde in the summer and has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Solskjaer said: "I'm delighted to welcome Jo to the club. He went through his medical last night and signed his contract this morning. He's a forward and a full Norwegian international and arrives on a very good deal for us. He knows the way I want to play, he's a secondary front man and is a very strong and intelligent footballer. He'll do well for us."

The trio of Eikrem, Daehli and Berget may not be the big-name signings Cardiff fans would like to see, but Solskjaer has backed the triumvirate to shine in English football.

"We are talking about three full internationals I have brought in for a very cheap price compared to what they give us," he said. "They are long-term value for money. They haven't played in the Premier League but they are all full internationals and I know them because I have had them before. I know their personalities."

Another man expected to complete a move to Cardiff is the Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha. The 21-year-old has made only four appearances this season, one of which came in the Community Shield win over Wigan. Cardiff are also close to completing a deal for the Wigan defender Ivan Ramis after having a bid accepted by the Championship club.

Cardiff are bottom of the Premier League and Saturday's trip to Bolton in the FA Cup may be a fixture Cardiff could do without but Solskjaer wants his side to use the fourth-round tie as a means of generating momentum and urged his players to believe they belong at the elite level. "Sometimes they need to get told they are better players than they think they are," he said. "You cannot outperform your ego. So, they have got to start believing that they belong in the Premier League and that they should be playing against the Manchester Citys and the Manchester Uniteds."


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

Written by TBMU Admin

We are Manchester United Fan located around the World which provides user friendly, effective and easy to browse info regarding our Team. Each support/info is free. Support us by clicking the ads located in this site. Thanks

0 comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Click Picture Below for More Info

Popular Posts

Share

 





© 2013 TBMU . All rights resevered. Published by The Best Manchester United Admin Blogger

Back To Top