Saturday, 22 February 2014

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Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

Arsenal to recall Giroud, rest Özil

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:06 PM PST

• Giroud likely to replace Yaya Sanogo for Sunderland match
• Özil to be left out after penalty miss against Bayern

Arsène Wenger is adamant that Olivier Giroud has not been affected by recent problems in his private life and that the striker is in the right frame of mind to return for Arsenal against Sunderland. However, the Arsenal manager has decided to take Mesut Özil, who was criticised for his performance in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich after having an early penalty saved, out of the firing line and omit him from the squad.

There has been speculation over Giroud following a story in the Sun newspaper that he had sneaked a woman into the team hotel on the night before the Crystal Palace game on 2 February, and the Frenchman was named as a substitute in Arsenal's last two matches. With Giroud's marriage crisis dominating headlines, the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo was surprisingly preferred up front in Sunday's FA Cup win over Liverpool and then in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie against Bayern.

But Wenger has maintained all along that Giroud was omitted for footballing reasons, citing a string of tired performances, rather than for breaking club rules. He confirmed that Sanogo will return to the bench against Sunderland and insisted that it will not be a problem for Giroud to start.

"I am not worried for Giroud," Wenger said. "His head is in the right place. He will be focused. He's a great player. He is a great fighter as well. He has been successful until now; during this season he's played a big part in it. The same people who asked me why didn't he play are now asking me now why I rested Giroud. It's part of the job to decide who plays, it's debatable every time. I have to live with that and I have to make my decisions with my conscience and I just make my decision based on who can help us win the next game."

Giroud, Arsenal's leading scorer with 14 goals, had not registered for three games before being dropped, which Wenger put down to fatigue. "Recently he's been a bit less fresh and it's shown a little bit in his game," he said. "Mentally he's always focused. He always wants to play. I just felt physically he was a bit less sharp.

"He is a strong man. We all have our weaknesses and strengths. Some of us when we have problems outside the field use the pitch or the work to forget about our problems. Some of us are different but he is one of them who will focus completely on the pitch."

While Giroud prepares to return against Gus Poyet's side, the situation was less clear regarding Özil. Wenger admitted on Wednesday that the German failed to overcome the disappointment of missing from the spot in the seventh minute against Bayern – his feeble effort was easily saved by Manuel Neuer – and at £42.5m the club's record signing has been underwhelming recently. Wenger said that Özil was still hurting.

"I think what's important is always the team and you never want to hurt any player but you don't want to give him any favour," he said. "You have to pick the team who can win the next game. It's our job and the players' job to adapt to that and not to think too much about individual cases. What is important is the team and to win the next game.

"You have to rotate until the end of the season when you look at the challenges we have in front of us, it's vital. We have played at Liverpool, against Manchester United, against Liverpool, against Bayern Munich. They are only human beings."

However, Wenger stressed that a missed penalty is not the end of the world. He pointed out that Bayern also missed theirs and that a statue of Dennis Bergkamp is being unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium on Saturday morning, even though the Dutchman had a crucial penalty saved in the last minute of Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester United in 1999.

Wenger plans to discipline Wojciech Szczesny for the obscene gesture the goalkeeper made as he left the pitch after being sent off against Bayern, although he is unlikely to face a further charge from Uefa. "We'll deal with that," Wenger said. "We don't agree with that. It was frustration but we are professionals, me included, and we have always to master reactions. Wojciech is part of that as well."

Jacob Steinberg

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Wellington Phoenix give Central Coast a hiding to bounce back into top six

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:01 PM PST

Phoenix back on track leaving Mariners in danger of sliding out of top six









Rooney signs new £85m Manchester United contract

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:49 PM PST

• Rooney to become captain and earn £300,000 a week
• David Moyes says Rooney would 'never' be sold

Wayne Rooney has signed a new contract with Manchester United worth around £85m over the next five and a half years that will keep him at the club until he is 33. He is set to become captain next season, with Nemanja Vidic having announced he will leave United this summer.

The news provides a major boost to David Moyes during what is proving a difficult first season as manager following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, with United 11 points from a Champions League berth.

After so much talk about Rooney leaving Old Trafford Moyes was ecstatic to keep hold of the striker. "I am thrilled that we have got Wayne Rooney to stay," the United manager said. "He has been fantastic. Everyone would want him in their team. There were clubs who did want him. There were clubs who would have wanted him [had he not signed a new deal] but there was never going to be a chance he was going to leave Manchester United, certainly not on my watch."

Although Rooney had been determined to leave last summer for Chelsea after falling out with Ferguson, the forward is once again enjoying his football under the former Everton manager.

"I am made up to be staying at United. In August I will have been at the club for 10 years and during that time I have played with some fantastic players and won everything that I hoped I would when I first signed," Rooney told United's website. "I now have the chance as one of the club's senior players to help the younger players coming through and to be a part of another great United team."

Despite the prospect of the club not being in next season's European Cup, Moyes said that persuading the 28-year-old to re-sign was not a difficult sell.

"He knows by the way I train, by the way I work, by my determination to succeed, that I won't allow this to go the way it is. I'll make changes if it doesn't improve," the Scot said about Manchester United's performances.

After Juan Mata's arrival in January for a club record £37.1m Rooney's renewed commitment will give further impetus to Moyes' rebuilding process in the summer. "Part of the rebuilding [process] is making sure that you keep the players you really want to keep.

We are looking to bring the best players in the world to the club. I think Wayne Rooney is one of them. I will be looking to make more signings in the summer.

"All the top players want to play for Manchester United," he said. "I can't tell you the amount of phone calls I've had from top players around the world who want to play for Manchester United," said Moyes.

With talks having begun after Christmas it is understood the football part of the terms were agreed some time ago, – extending Rooney's contract, which had 18 months left to run by an additional four years – with image rights the last hold up decided this week.

Moyes said: "As you know, football deals don't get done quickly now. Very few deals get done. It's been ongoing for a while. I've probably known for three or four months that this would probably happen. In fact I've probably known, felt it, since August. I've known this would have a good chance. We had to wait for things to settle down with the transfer window in the summer."

As for Rooney feeling in the close season that he should leave for Chelsea, Moyes said: "Was it [him staying] in doubt? As far as I was concerned it was never in doubt. The way I looked at this football club was never selling Wayne Rooney. Never."

Rooney has registered 208 goals in 430 appearances for United, so if he stays injury free should become the club's all-time leading scorer, passing Sir Bobby Charlton's mark of 247 goals in 754 games.

Jamie Jackson

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David Moyes told Wayne Rooney he had 'gone a bit soft' to secure signing

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST

• Manchester United manager used straight-talking tactic
• Moyes believes striker will overtake Bobby Charlton record

Wayne Rooney was told he had "gone a bit soft" by David Moyes as the Scot revealed how last summer he managed to persuade the disillusioned striker his future remained at Manchester United.

Rooney's renewed commitment to the club, putting pen-to-paper on an £85m, 5½-year deal, is a major coup for the United manager. His relationship with the striker, as the man who handed the 16-year-old prodigy his Premier League debut at Everton, permitted a searing honesty with England's finest footballer.

At two meetings with Rooney, before officially taking charge of United on 1 July, Moyes hardly minced his words. The Liverpudlian had lost his way under Sir Alex Ferguson and was determined to leave in the summer transfer window for Chelsea.

Moyes said: "I remember when he came to see me. He came up to my house. I said to him: 'If you ask me what's missing – I think you've gone a bit soft.' I thought he hadn't been the hard-working, aggressive player he was. But now in games people are saying: 'Look at the effort he's putting in.' It's his work-rate, not just for himself but for the team. He's become an all-round team player who is also a technically gifted footballer.

"I said to Wayne that I wanted him to stay. Before I'd actually come in here, I'd met Wayne privately a couple of times, to talk about his situation, to try to understand. So when I got in [on 1 July] I knew where Wayne was. The most important thing for Wayne was to show everyone what he really was and I think deep down he knows he didn't play as well as he could have done at times. I needed to try to get him back to that level. But in the end I just said to him: 'Wayne, go and get on with it.' His training was first-class, he came back in great shape, you could really see the hunger back in his eyes again."

Moyes fell out with Rooney previously due to comments the player made after departing Everton in 2004. After Moyes won a 2008 court case for libel and later received an apology from Rooney, the striker further underlined his respect by accepting that he may, indeed, have gone soft.

"I said: 'I've watched you, I've not been your manager, I just think you had better get back to the old aggressive Wayne Rooney,'" Moyes said. "And I think he thought: 'Yes, maybe that.' But what he had to get to was a level of fitness where he was able to produce again. He was brilliant in the way he trained and wasn't a minute's problem."

Rooney has 208 goals for United in 430 appearances, so the new deal means he should comfortably surpass Bobby Charlton's club record 247 in 754 games.

This formed part of his decision to stay. "I think that was behind it," Moyes said. "To be a legend at Manchester United it is something where you are associated with this club for the rest of your life. The one thing I've noticed since I've been here is no one wants to leave Manchester United very quickly.

"For Wayne, he's recognised [how] people like Bobby Charlton, George Best – the way those big stars are seen here. Wayne's next thing is that we have to keep challenging him to get those goals, make those big targets."

Moyes believes Rooney can improve. "All we've done is say to Wayne you need to get back to where we think you were," said the Scot. "There is more to come as an all-round team player, leader, person."

While Moyes would not formally confirm Rooney will replace Nemanja Vidic as captain, there will be a major surprise if he is not wearing the armband during United's pre-season tour of the US. "Yes, it's possible but I wouldn't want to say until the summer time," the manager said.

It is some transformation. A year ago Rooney was dropped by Ferguson for the Champions League meeting with Real Madrid, the club's biggest match of the season. Now, he is the man Moyes's new United will be built around.

In what is proving a trying inaugural season, Moyes has rarely looked as happy as he did , talking about Rooney's decision. "I'm thrilled, delighted, really pleased. He's a wonderful player," said the manager. "When he came into the team I felt as though he nearly had to reinvent himself again. Go back to being the old Wayne Rooney, aggressive, fighting for everything that's there, but with the level of technical ability of a top player which he's got. He's done that. He's back, he's showing leadership qualities. He's shown exactly what it is to play for Manchester United."

Jamie Jackson

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Everton's Mirallas sets aside friendship with Chelsea's Hazard for a day

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST

Everton must contain 'best young player in the world' if they are to beat Chelsea, according to 'surrogate brother' Mirallas

There are only two player of the year candidates in Kevin Mirallas' eyes, Luis Suárez and Eden Hazard, and fewer names on his voting slip. "I would not vote for a Liverpool player, would I?" the Everton midfielder protests, although there is more to the bias than Merseyside rivalry. Mirallas has been a close friend of Hazard for almost a decade and appreciates better than most the threat to Everton's lingering Champions League hopes at Stamford Bridge.

It was in the youth ranks at Lille where Mirallas befriended a talent José Mourinho labelled "the best young player in the world" following a hat-trick in Chelsea's recent defeat of Newcastle United. The eulogy came as no surprise to the elder of the two Belgians, who has tutored Hazard since they started on the path to international and Premier League recognition in north-eastern France.

"He was 14 and I was 17 when we first met at Lille," recalls the 26-year-old, who confronts his compatriot in the Premier League on Saturday. "I was playing with the professionals and the coaches of the junior sides were telling me: 'You have to speak to this young Belgian guy who's joined us, he's really good.' I used to spend quite a bit of time with him, at the training ground and away from football. He was quite shy at the time and I helped him integrate. Then I helped him settle in with the first team when he moved up to the seniors.

"There was really no doubt, even at 16, when he first started training with us, that he was going to become the player he has. Obviously a lot can change from that age but we were all convinced he would become really good. Alongside Luis Suárez, who has had a great season too, he's been the form player in the Premier League. We're going to Chelsea with him right on top of his game."

Mirallas describes himself as the "older-brother figure" in the relationship with Hazard. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Everton's creative outlet insists it is a misconception the Chelsea player is carefree and relaxed about his duties in a Mourinho team. "He's got his head screwed on," Mirallas states. "He's quite a serious guy, he listens if you tell him something and he understands."

Even during the 'hamburger incident' – when Hazard was introduced as a substitute against Turkey in 2011, withdrawn shortly afterwards and promptly walked out of the stadium to dine at a nearby fast-food joint? "Well they've taken the hamburger stand away so that shouldn't be a problem!" replies Mirallas. "That's tough for me to answer because at that time there were one or two issues in the team and with the former coach [Georges Leekens], but I know it is something he wouldn't do now.

"He's a laid-back guy and very professional, he's always been that way but you can make mistakes when you're a kid. He's been in England 18 months now and you've never really heard anything about him off the field. He's a grounded lad and a good guy."

Hazard remained at Lille before completing a £32m move to Chelsea in 2012, the same year Mirallas arrived at Everton for £6m via the circuitous route of Lille, St Etienne and Olympiakos. Like Hazard, Mirallas has accepted greater responsibility during his second season in English football and developed from a mercurial talent that struggled to finish games under David Moyes into a consistent asset for Roberto Martínez. A change in mentality is the cause.

"At the start of the season I had a lot of ambition to do well but maybe didn't realise how much my team-mates, manager, coaches and fans were counting on me to be more consistent rather than performing in one or two games," he says. "I realised if I wanted to achieve my targets – which this season are getting a trophy or at least qualifying for one of the European competitions – I'd have to be good all the time.

"My dad [José] came over in December and we had a long, frank talk. I have never doubted my ability but something I realised throughout my career was that I had a problem reproducing that quality match by match. So my dad sat me down and we had a good chat.

"We decided I had to be more consistent, doing everything I possibly could to show my quality in every game. Sometimes I would start a game trying really, really hard but would leave a little more in my shell. I think over the last two months I have been performing in every match and helping my team-mates more in that respect."

Increased responsibility was reflected in Mirallas' late, match-winning free kick against Aston Villa this month, a win Martínez described as "the defining moment of the season" following the earlier drubbing at Liverpool. Defeats at Anfield and White Hart Lane, however, have left Everton eight points adrift of fourth place and Mirallas admits victory at Stamford Bridge is imperative for Champions League qualification. "A few weeks ago I might have said a point would be enough going to Chelsea," he says, "whereas now, and without wanting to put too much pressure on ourselves against a good team that has not lost at home in the league this season, we have to try and get three points given where we are in the league."

Stopping Hazard, however, will not be easy. "I think Seamus [Coleman] is the best right back in the league at the moment along with [Chelsea's] Branislav Ivanovic," Mirallas adds. "Hopefully Seamus can put him in his pocket.

Andy Hunter

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Terry return to lift Chelsea

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST

• José Mourinho recalls captain after three-match absence
• Hopes high that Oscar will emerge from flat period at Goodison

José Mourinho believes that Oscar is suffering from a blip in form related to the dreadful weather and the physicality of English football but he has backed him to recover in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea manager will recall the captain, John Terry, after a three-match absence and there is a timeliness about his return from a muscle pull, particularly as David Luiz has a minor groin problem and will not play. After beating Newcastle United in Terry's absence the team drew at West Bromwich Albion before losing at Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Mourinho suggested that David Luiz will be fit for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Galatasaray, for which the January signings Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible.

Oscar was a late substitute at City last Saturday and, since his fine performance in the FA Cup win over Stoke City on 26 January, when he scored the game's only goal, he has been a little flat. Mourinho did not start him in the Premier League fixture at City on 3 February, which Chelsea won. But he said Oscar would play against Everton and hopes he can return to form against a team that will not just park the bus.

"Maybe in the last couple of matches Oscar was not the same because in the beginning of the season he was the best player of the team," Mourinho said. "In this moment he is not being a match-winner, he is not scoring goals but he is not playing bad, so no real problems.

"To play at West Brom in the difficult conditions and in the way that the opponent also played, it was not the best game for Oscar to be in the top of his game. But he's a fantastic player, with all our trust and he plays [against Everton.] And hopefully he plays well because if the weather is like this [good] ... Stamford Bridge, a good team like Everton, a team that likes to play football like we do ... I believe he is fine. He's not naturally a physically strong man. He suffers with the accumulation of matches. He suffers with the difficult weather we had. And he's a kid. The talent is there all the time but the physical, top condition to express the quality he has is not always there. So we have to take care of him."

Mourinho sought to make a point about what he feels has been the unfair portrayal of him as the bad guy during the war of words with Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, by saying nothing about anything that was not related to Chelsea.

He refused to comment on the problems of Arsenal and City in the Champions League; Wayne Rooney's contract at Manchester United; Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea's loanee at Goodison Park; or even the Everton manager, Roberto Martínez. He was happier to talk about Terry's return. "It means a voice on the pitch... that can transmit what I need," he said. "He gives stability to the team."

David Hytner

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Pellegrini backtracks over criticism

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:30 PM PST

• Manager apologises and blames post-match frustration
• Club points to language misunderstanding by Chilean

Manuel Pellegrini has apologised for claiming that referee Jonas Eriksson was "not impartial" during Manchester City's Champions League defeat to Barcelona, and for saying that a Swedish official should not have taken charge of such a high-profile game.

However, the manager did maintain that Eriksson had a "different criteria" for refereeing City and Barcelona, although the club moved later in the day to claim that this was a language misunderstanding by the Chilean.

After Tuesday's defeat at the Etihad Stadium, Pellegrini also stated that Eriksson was compensating for perceived mistakes when refereeing a previous Champions League game involving Barça.

Pellegrini said: "When you lose a game the way we lost, you are frustrated, angry. Maybe I say some things I didn't mean in that way so I apologise. I want to clarify what I said, I didn't make any serious accusations, not to the referee, to Uefa. I say the referee decided the match because he didn't give us a foul against [Jesús] Navas and after came the penalty against Martín Demichelis and we had one player sent off.

"I said a couple of weeks ago refereeing is a very difficult profession because they have only have a fraction of a second. The second thing that is also not the way, I think, is to say because he was always refereeing in the Swedish league that maybe it was better for so important a game to have another kind of referee. It is not an offence to Sweden or the Swedish people or referees. I didn't say any serious accusation about Sweden, just that it was not the most important league in Europe and that is not an offence, I think.

"The third thing I said was that it was not a good idea that a referee that damaged Barcelona against Milan [at San Siro in 2012] referee the game. Because if the same thing happens in the Barcelona box and Barcelona lose the game 1-0 with that penalty and one player sent off, all around Barcelona they will say the same referee who made that mistake against Milan did it again against Barcelona. It is my idea. I am not in charge of referees. I think it is important managers do what they have to do, the referees do what they have to do and the staff in charge of deciding the referees do what they have to do. "

Asked about the "not impartial" comment, Pellegrini said: "I felt from the beginning his criteria was not the same for both teams. But I didn't say that intentionally he didn't give fouls for us or did give fouls for Barcelona. I said from the beginning it was not the same criteria. I repeat, a bad day, not dishonest."

Pellegrini was challenged that stating Eriksson had a different criteria for each side sounded the same as saying he had failed to be impartial. "Maybe it was what I felt," the manager said. "Maybe I am wrong but I do not have a doubt about the honesty of the referee. I don't think that is the same thing. For me it is different."

He denied he would prefer a referee from a nation that has a stronger league for the second leg against Barcelona on 12 March. "I repeat, all the referees who are on the Uefa staff, it is because they are very good referees."

Demichelis drew criticism for his display, but Pellegrini backed him. "He is a very important player," he said. "I don't talk about those things first of all because the game is over and we have to try to qualify by beating Barcelona over there, we know its difficult but we are going to try.

"After the game everyone analyses, because they have an opinion but I have opinion and I'm not going into an explanation for every player."

Jamie Jackson

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Pardew aware he needs win

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 02:01 PM PST

• Manager says he would be 'foolish' not to worry about the sack
• Return of Loïc Rémy should help Newcastle's cause

Alan Pardew acknowledges he has cause for concern about his future at Newcastle United. After one win in nine games, no home victory since Boxing Day and having conceded 10 goals but scored none in their last three fixtures, Pardew's team could do with beating Aston Villa at St James' Park on Sunday.

"I think I'd be foolish not to worry," said Newcastle's manager. "You worry about the next game, you worry about what lies ahead." Although club sources have played down suggestions Pardew could be sacked should Villa triumph, he has not spoken to the owner, Mike Ashley, since the 4-0 home loss to Spurs 10 days ago. "I'm hurt by the Tottenham performance," said Pardew, who hopes Fabricio Coloccini and Cheik Tioté pass fitness tests in time to return. "In this city, it's difficult when you're not winning home games. If you lose four or five home games at Newcastle you're under pressure and I don't hide from that. Winning here means everything to our fans and we need to understand that and play under that pressure."

If Pardew is reasonably unperturbed about his lack of contact with Ashley – "I wouldn't say it's normal [that we haven't spoken], but we do not have too much communication," he said – he is angry that Paul Lambert, Villa's manager, has suggested the crowd could turn against Newcastle.

"I'm surprised at that," said Pardew. "That's underestimating our fan base because regardless of how they feel about me or any individual player or the owner or anything else, they come for the team and they will come for the team on Sunday. All we have to do is nudge the performance the right way and the place will be roaring. I know that. I have been here before when it has done that after a tricky run. I'm surprised Paul Lambert has said that and I hope our fans prove him wrong."

While Newcastle are still struggling to adjust to life without Yohan Cabaye, their key midfielder who was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £20m last month, Pardew is relieved to welcome Loïc Rémy back from a three-game suspension.

Rémy's 11 goals have helped lift Newcastle into a deceptively comfortable looking ninth position, and Pardew is delighted that no further action will be taken over a rape allegation against the France striker. "That's been a big relief to Loïc and his family," said Newcastle's manager. "Loïc's done remarkably well considering he's had that hanging over him all season. With its removal I see a real new lease of life in him."

Louise Taylor

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West Bromwich Albion v Fulham: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:52 AM PST

Felix Magath has always been known as a tough taskmaster and his first act after being handed the Fulham job last week was to order the players in for extra training. We will see this afternoon whether that worked but with only one point from the last six games, they need an instant response. West Bromwich, however, have the next worst recent run of form with three points from 18. Alan Smith

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue The Hawthorns

Last season West Brom 1 Fulham 2

Referee M Dean

This season G17, Y61, R3, 3.9 cards per game

Odds H 3-4 A 4-1 D 11-4

West Bromwich Albion

Subs from Myhill, Popov, Olsson, Lugano, Jones, Sinclair, Dorrans, Gera, Mulumbu, Sessègnon, Anichebe, Vydra

Doubtful Olsson (hamstring)Sessègnon (groin), Jones (knee)

Injured Anelka (shin, unknown), Yacob (hamstring, Mar),

Suspended None

Form DLDLDL

Discipline Y52 R0

Leading scorer Berahino 4

Fulham

Subs from Stockdale, Kacaniklic, Cole, Parker, Duff, Kasami, Hangeland, Mitroglou, Amorebieta

Doubtful Stekelenburg (eye), Mitroglou (knee), Amorebieta (knee)

Injured Briggs (hernia, unknown), Etheridge (hip, unknown)

Form LDLLLL

Discipline Y37 R0

Leading scorer Sidwell 6


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After MLS takes over Chivas USA, what next for the second team in LA? | Graham Parker

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:50 AM PST

MLS: League buys out team's owner prior to rebranding of long-troubled "LA 2" franchise — what next for Los Angeles soccer?

Graham Parker

Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:43 AM PST

After a disappointing loss to West Ham United in their last outing, the Norwich manager, Chris Hughton, will be hoping to ease the pressure and he may have midfielder Jonny Howson returning from a back injury to help him. Tim Sherwood will welcome back Emmanuel Adebayor and Hugo Lloris after they were rested against Dnipro on Thursday as Spurs look to maintain their top-four push. Conor Davies

Kick-off Sunday 4pm

Venue Carrow Road

Last season Norwich 1 Tottenham 1

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee C Pawson

This season G7, Y20, R0, 2.9 cards per game

Odds H 3-1 A 10-11 D 5-2

Norwich City

Subs from Bunn, Johnson, Pilkington, Elmander, Van Wolfswinkel, Garrido, Whittaker, Hoolahan, Murphy

Doubtful Howson (back)

Injured Gutiérrez (calf, Mar), R Bennett (hip, Mar), Turner (back, unknown) E Bennett (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form LDLDWL

Discipline Y40 R2

Leading scorer Hooper 5

Tottenham Hotspur

Subs from Friedel, Rose, Soldado, Townsend, Dawson, Chadli, Sigurdsson, Eriksen, Fryers, Kane

Doubtful Dembélé (ankle), Sigurdsson (hip), Ranieri (shin)

Injured Lamela (back, Mar), Sandro (calf, Mar),Chiriches (back, unknown)

Suspended None

Form WWDLWW

Discipline Y42 R2

Leading scorer Adebayor 8


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Newcastle United v Aston Villa: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:40 AM PST

Villa have just returned from a warm weather training break in Portugal. Paul Lambert can only trust it has done them more good than last month's trip to Abu Dhabi did Newcastle. Since returning, Alan Pardew's team have failed to score a goal while conceding 10 in their last three games. With only one win in nine matches and lacking a home victory since Boxing Day, Pardew is under pressure. "Newcastle's crowd can become edgy," said Lambert. "We've got to try to get their crowd against them." Louise Taylor

Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm

Venue St James' Park

Last season Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season G17, Y52, R3, 3.4 cards per game

Odds H 11-10 A 5-2 D 9-4

Newcastle United

Subs from Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, S Taylor, Dummett, Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi, Gosling, De Jong, Armstrong, Cissé, Marveaux

Doubtful Tioté (hamstring), Coloccini (knee)

Injured Obertan (knee, unknown), R Taylor (knee, season)

Suspended None

Form LLLDWL Discipline Y37 R4

Leading scorer Rémy 11

Aston Villa

Subs from Bennett, Clark, El Ahmadi, Helenius, Weimann, Luna, Sylla, Bowery, Tonev, Holt, Lowton, Herd

Doubtful Herd (hamstring, unknown)Injured Kozak (leg, unknown), Okore (knee, Mar), N'Zogbia (leg, unknown)

Suspended None

Form DLLWDL

Discipline Y53 R0

Leading scorer Benteke 7


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Crystal Palace v Manchester United: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:37 AM PST

This promises to be an awkward test for Manchester United, who cannot afford another defeat if they are to keep alive their diminishing hopes of finishing in the top four. Crystal Palace have been excellent at Selhurst Park since Tony Pulis's arrival, winning five of their seven home matches under the former Stoke City manager. Although Palace remain two points above the bottom three, they will fancy their chances of giving David Moyes another headache. United have found it difficult at this ground in the past. Jacob Steinberg

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Selhurst Park

Last season n/a

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee M Oliver

This season G18, Y69, R2, 4.1 cards per game

Odds H 11-2 A 4-7 D 3-1

Crystal Palace

Subs from Hennessey, Gabbidon, Moxey, Mariappa, McCarthy, Parr, Murray, Thomas, O'Keefe, Bannan, Williams, Gayle, Jerome, Wilbraham

Doubtful Thomas (back)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form WLWWLD

Discipline Y31 R2

Leading scorer Chamakh 5

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Giggs, Hernández, Büttner, Fellaini, Ferdinand, Welbeck, Valencia, Kagawa, Cleverley, Jones, Evans

Doubtful Fellaini (groin), Jones (calf), Evans (calf)

Injured Nani (hamstring, Mar)

Suspended None

Form DDLWLW

Discipline Y48 R2

Leading scorer Van Persie 10


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Chelsea v Everton: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:35 AM PST

Before a reunion with Didier Drogba in midweek, José Mourinho must focus on overcoming a spirited Everton side who defeated them at Goodison back in September. John Terry is back after a muscle injury and Gary Cahill is in contention despite a thigh problem. For Everton, Romelu Lukaku is ineligible against his parent club, while Steven Naismith will play some part after a head injury. Conor Davies

Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm

Venue Stamford Bridge

Last season Chelsea 2 Everton 1

Live BT Sport 1

Referee L Probert

This season G11, Y13, R2, 1.5 cards per game

Odds H 4-7 A 6-1 D 3-1

Chelsea

Subs from Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Torres, Mikel, Schürrle, Salah, Ba, Blackman, Kalas.

Doubtful Terry (muscle), Cahill (thigh)

Injured David Luiz (muscle, Feb), Van Ginkel (knee, Apr)

Suspended None

Form DWWDWW

Discipline Y41 R1

Leading scorer Hazard 12

Everton

Subs from Robles, Naismith, McGeady, Osman, Deulofeu, Stones, Hibbert, Garbutt, Gueye, Vellios

Doubtful None

Injured Koné (knee, Apr), Gibson (knee, Apr), Oviedo (leg, season)

Suspended None Ineligible Lukaku

Form LWLDWD

Discipline Y39 R1

Leading scorer Lukaku 9


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Cardiff City v Hull City: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:33 AM PST

Cardiff's home form has kept them alive, with 16 of their 22 points coming at their own stadium. And with four of their remaining six home fixtures, starting today, against teams residing in the bottom half, a result is needed here if they are to climb to safety. Hull are in a precarious position: win and they could be 10th but defeat would draw them towards the bottom three. Alan Smith

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Cardiff City Stadium

Last season (Championship) Cardiff 2 Hull 1

Referee H Webb

This season G21, Y60, R2, 3.0 cards per game

Odds H 7-4 A 2-1 D 9-4

Cardiff City

Subs from Taylor, Whittingham, Kim, Smith, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Da Silva, Cala, McNaughton, Daehli, Lewis, Berget

Doubtful Mutch (hamstring)

Injured Medel (thigh, unknown), Hudson (hamstring, season)

Suspended Bellamy (last of three)

Form DLWLLL

Discipline Y30 R0

Leading scorer Campbell 5

Hull City

Subs from Harper, Rosenior, Faye, Quinn, Boyd, Fryatt, Sagbo, Aluko

Doubtful Chester (hamstring) Rosenior (thigh)

Injured Dudgeon (knee, Mar), Brady (groin, unknown), McShane (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Form LWDLLL

Discipline Y39 R3

Leading scorer Brady 3


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Arsenal v Sunderland: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:31 AM PST

Gus Poyet says the excitement at Sunderland has been reflected in the best week of training under his charge. The Capital One Cup final against Manchester City looms next weekend – Sunderland's first major final for 22 years – and there is also an FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton or Hull. Yet nothing matters more than Premier League survival and, with his team in the relegation zone, Poyet is desperate for a tonic. Arsenal want a response to the Champions League loss against Bayern Munich. David Hytner

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Emirates Stadium

Last season Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Referee A Marriner

This season G19, Y61, R5, 3.7 cards per game

Odds H 1-3 A 11-1 D 9-2

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Viviano, Rosicky, Jenkinson, Zelalem, Gnabry, Miyaichi, Podolski, Bendtner, Sanogo

Doubtful None

Injured Diaby (knee, Mar), Ramsey (thigh, Mar), Walcott (knee, season), Kallstrom (back Mar), Vermaelen (calf, Mar), Gibbs (hamstring, Mar)

Suspended None

Form DLWDWW Discipline Y37 R3

Leading scorer Giroud 10

Sunderland

Subs from Ustari, Roberge, Cuéllar, Cattermole, Gardner, Dossena, Celustka, Larsson, Giaccherini, Scocco, Wickham, Fletcher

Doubtful Fletcher (achilles)

Injured Westwood (shoulder, unknown)

Suspended Brown (last of two)

Form DDWLLL

Discipline Y38 R6

Leading scorer Johnson 7


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Liverpool v Swansea City: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:29 AM PST

Garry Monk's first visit to Anfield as a player ended in a 7-1 defeat with Southampton in January 1999 but, even with Liverpool prolific at home, he will be confident of an improvement on his first outing here as manager. Last weekend's FA Cup defeat to Everton was Swansea's first defeat in four matches under Monk. They have rediscovered their cohesion and energy in recent weeks but will need to be on peak form to withstand a Liverpool team smarting from their cup exit at Arsenal and sensing a title challenge under the former Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers. Andy Hunter

Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm

Venue Anfield

Last season Liverpool 5 Swansea 0

Referee M Jones

This season G14, Y44, R2, 3.4 cards per game

Odds H 3-10 A 9-1 D 4-1

Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Henderson, Johnson, Kelly, Aspas, Moses, Alberto, Ibe, Smith

Doubtful Johnson (ankle), Henderson (wrist)

Injured Lucas (knee, Mar), Sakho (hamstring, Mar), Enrique (knee, Mar), Coates (knee, Mar)

Form WWDWDW

Discipline Y37 R0

Leading scorer Suárez 23

Swansea City

Subs from Tremmel, Amat, Taylor, Ngog, De Guzmán, Emnes, Hernández, Tiendalli, Vázquez

Doubtful Michu (ankle), Pozuelo (hip)

Injured Bartley (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Form DWLWLL

Discipline Y44 R1

Leading scorer Bony 8


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West Ham United v Southampton: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 11:27 AM PST

West Ham come into this fixture having won their last three games 2-0 but they have struggled in recent meetings with Southampton, having won just one of the last eight. Mauricio Pochettino's team, meanwhile, are unbeaten in six league games and will be looking to win a third consecutive away game for the first time in the top flight – after victories at Fulham and Hull. Alan Smith

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Upton Park

Last season West Ham 4 Southampton 1

Referee M Clattenburg

This season G18, Y62, R1, 3.6 cards per game

Odds H 2-1 A 7-5 D 9-4

West Ham United

Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Reid, Armero, Johnson, Chambers, Razak, Diarra, Collison, Nocerino, J Cole, Lee

Doubtful C Cole (back)

Injured O'Brien (shoulder, Apr), Borriello (hamstring, Mar), Vaz Te (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended Carroll (last of three)

Form WWWDLW

Discipline Y44 R5

Leading scorer Nolan 6

Southampton

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

Doubtful Hooiveld (eye)

Injured Lovren (ankle, Mar), Ramirez (ankle, Mar)

Suspended None

Form WDWDDW

Discipline Y44 R0

Leading scorer Rodriguez 10


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Our favourite things online this week: from Sochi drawings to schadenfreude

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:53 AM PST

Featuring Torvill and Dean, Manchester United's misfortune, Winter Olympics sketches and Peter Schmeichel on boxing

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions on our last blog.

1) Everyone's equal in the eyes of the law – apart from football fans

The headline on this New Statesman article by Martin Cloake and Darren White looks a tad extreme at first glance, but they go on to make a convincing case over the next 4,000 words. White is a solicitor who defends fans that feel they have been discriminated against and he is worried by the way authorities treat supporters: "There is still plenty of evidence of football fans being treated primarily as a problem. This matters. It matters because singling out and demonising a particular set of people – prejudice in everyday parlance – is just plain wrong."

2) Desert Island Discs with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have always been popular with the Great British public and this 45-minute chat with Kirsty Young on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs shows why our love for them has endured for so long. The pair won Olympic gold in Sarajevo 30 years ago, but they remain Britain's most famous Winter Olympians by some distance. Here they talk about their early days in Nottingham, how they met on the ice, what made their style unique and why the current crop of skaters have not captured the public's imagination.

What shines through more than anything is their love and dedication to their sport. Becoming an Olympian in any discipline must require huge sacrifices, but Dean talks about how they pursued excellence in every single little detail. He tells the story of how some staff at the BBC record library in Nottingham thought he and Torvill worked there as they spent day after day rifling through records looking for that elusive song to soundtrack their next routine. In the end, all those hours listening to records paid off. They will always be synonymous with Maurice Ravel's Boléro.

3) An Irishman Abroad: Jarlath Regan interviews Jerry Flannery

On the subject of dedication, here's Jarlath Regan's interview with Jerry Flannery, the former Ireland rugby union player and current Arsenal strength and conditioning coach. There is just no bullshit with this man. At the end of the interview Flannery is asked what single piece of advice he would offer young listeners. Here's his reply: "If you find something you are passionate about, you already have an advantage because over other people as it will never be work for you. It's something you love and that you could spend all day doing. If other people are better than you at the start, don't worry. Keep going and look at the long run. In the long game you will beat them. If you can find that thing you are passionate about, work hard, be confident and absolutely back yourself." Quite frankly, every single young person reading this should go download this podcast and listen to it every week for the rest of time.

4) Laughing at Manchester United is one of football's best things

This says it all, really: "Being a football fan has always been as much about hate as it is about love. Specifically, it is about schadenfreude, that only-in-German word that means taking joy from the suffering of others. Football can be a terrible outlet for the darkest thoughts and instincts of human beings, but it can also be about a sincere and profound hope that big clubs and your team's rivals will fuck up endlessly. If you think that watching Dortmund-Bayern on your widescreen while sipping an expensive continental lager out of a glass is the height of football, then good for you – you're probably right in terms of technique, but you're not really a fan. If you think it's a profound cultural experience, I suggest you read more or go see a band or a play. It's football, not chamber music. The best things about being a football fan are watching your team win and watching a team you hate lose." Oscar Rickett of Vice has summed up a hefty portion of football fans in one paragraph.

5) Do curlers make good housekeepers? Don't ask

Everyone is asked inane questions about their job. But curlers – these Olympic athletes who represent their counties at the very highest level – get it worst that most, writes Sarah Lyall in the New York Times. Remember: sweeping the ice is not the same as sweeping the floor.

6) Peter Schmeichel on his love of boxing

The Body Shot podcast attracts some of the biggest names in boxing, but in this episode Ronald McIntosh has stepped away from his usual subject matter to interview former footballer Peter Schmeichel. The big goalkeeper had the perfect physique for heavyweight boxing, but says he could never have faced an opponent in the ring. Schmeichel was introduced to boxing by his father and has used his media work to interview some of his heroes. He is good friends with fellow Dane Mikkel Kessler and is a big fan of Chris Eubank. Schmeichel is a decent football pundit, but he is probably more interesting when talking about boxing.

7) Drawing the Olympics

Live-blogging is old news. These days it's all about live-drawing. Liza Donnelly of the New Yorker is leading the media revolution. You heard it here first.

8) Flashback to Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick in 1995

It's funny how a single moment can change our perception of a sporting occasion forever. Take Manchester United's match against Crystal Palace on 25 January 1995. The 18,244 fans who squeezed into Selhurst Park on that cold night endured an unmemorable dirge of a match for the first 56 minutes. But then Eric Cantona was sent off for flicking a kick at the Palace defender Richard Shaw. Commentators don't like to admit it, but a red card can liven up a game. In this case, it lit up Cantona's short fuse and set in motion a chain of events that he is still asked about today.

Jim White has devoted a chapter of his new book A history of the Premier League in 10 matches to the game and has added some context to the madness. Apparently this wasn't the first time a Manchester United player had attacked a member of the crowd; back in 1960 Harry Gregg hit a fan so hard he knocked him out. Gregg played the days before Sky TV, but Cantona's kick has lived on in the memory for nearly 20 years. When Shia LaBeouf walked out of a press conference earlier this month, he quoted Cantona's line about trawlers, sardines and the sea. That kung-fu kick has endured, but the match itself has largely drifted into the ether. For the record, it finished 1-1 with Gareth Southgate and David May scoring the goals. Not that anyone cares.

9) The beautiful language

There is so much to admire about Roads and Kingdoms. Their articles look gorgeous, they tell fascinating stories from around the world and they encourage talented writers to express themselves over as many words as it takes. This article by Jack Lang about the language of Brazilian football is their lastest in a series of hits.

10) Blind man shoots a three-point shot

Paul Campbell

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Manchester City v Stoke City: match preview

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:58 AM PST

This visit of Stoke City is the last league game for Manchester City until 15 March due to the League Cup final, an FA Cup sixth-round and the international break so Manuel Pellegrini is keen for his side to sign off with a win. Despite the midweek loss to Barcelona in the Champions League, Pellegrini is confident his players will not be affected so Stoke may be in for a torrid time at the Etihad, where only Chelsea have taken any points from the home side. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Etihad Stadium

Last season Man City 3 Stoke 0

Referee C Foy

This season G16, Y39, R3, 2.8 cards per game

Odds H 1-5 A 18-1 D 7-1

Manchester City

Subs from Pantilimon, Clichy, Richards, Jovetic, Lescott, Rodwell,

Boyata, Milner, Navas, Garcîa

Doubtful None

Injured Agüero (hamstring, Mar), Nastasic (knee, Mar)

Suspended None

Form DLWWWW

Discipline Y46 R0

Leading scorer Agüero 15

Stoke City

Subs from Sorensen, Muniesa, Shotton, Palacios, Ireland, Nzonzi, Etherington, Wilkinson

Doubtful Etherington (calf), Wilkinson (ankle)

Injured Assaidi (knee, unknown), Huth (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form DDWLLL

Discipline Y57 R3

Leading scorers Adam, Crouch 6


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Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger on Mesut Özil: ‘He’s still disappointed’ – video

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:19 AM PST

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says Mesut Özil is still kicking himself over missing a penalty in the Gunners' Champions League first leg match with Bayern Munich.

Hull City v Cardiff City: Steve Bruce looking to avoid relegation - video

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST

Hull City manager Steve Bruce says his team is focused on defeating Cardiff City on Saturday to remain in the Premier League. Hull City are currently 13th with 27 points, but Bruce insists his club wishes to have a comfortable distance from the relegation zone. Cardiff City are currently second from bottom in the league

The Fiver | Idle, egotistical artists

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:29 AM PST

Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arriving

FELIX THE COTTAGER

Poor old patronised, nondescript Fulham, yah. Knocked sick by years of head-patting and cheek-tweaking – "aah, quaint ground, ooh, lovely view, eee, great surrounding hostelries" – they've gone all zany and daring, disguising the void of their personality with beard, haircut, glasses and nickname equivalents. First, Tony Soprano – brain eternally scrambled after being offered out by Arsène Wenger – bought as many idle, egotistical artists as he could. Very very, but not very helpful for succeeding at football. Get that world! It's only cute, ole Fulham, yah, deliberately doing the opposite of what you're meant to do!

Next came intrigue. Rather than simply wait to be sacked, Soprano not only tore up the rulebook, but stitched it back together upside down, recruiting his own successor while still in office. And not any old successor, but one with a double identity: Dr Verheijen and Mr Meulensteen. Who saw that coming? No one, that's who!

As you'd expect, the Fulham, yah owner wanted an immediate part of shenanigans such as these, inspired into inventing the most counterintuitive move imaginable; in came not only Curbs, but Ray Wilkins too. Enthusiasm was duly restricted and feet utterly forsaken – an influence that extended to Premier League points, as the players paid homage to this avant-garde arrangement.

But their capricious new identity had still not been appreciated to sufficient satisfaction, so owner Shahid Khan first invested in a sleeve tattoo, before pogoing and pointing at himself to seek further attention. By now, though, the world was wise to the ruse, leaving him with no option but to find yet another manager. And because such a move had become somewhat passé, he sought the most confrontational tyrant that he could possibly find – one with nicknames like "Saddam", as in Hussein, and "Quälix", as in a portmanteau of his name and the German for "to torture". On the face of it, this is a curious appointment, given the new policy – until you spot the clever bit. Felix Magath will deliver the most un-Fulham, yah thing of all: hard work.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"First half: for the Olympique de Paris soccer team, this friendly match scheduled against Caplongue was merely supposed to be one last chore before the end of the professional season. Yet no one could ever have imagined that an unknown rabies-like infection was going to spread like wildfire, turning this small town's inhabitants into ultra-violent and highly contagious creatures. For Samuel, the former golden boy who is nearing retirement, Idriss, the arrogant wunderkind, Coubert, the team's depressed coach and Solène, the young ambitious journalist, this will turn into the most important confrontation of their lives … Second half: while the rabid supporters prowl about Caplongue, which is in a state of ruin, another nightmare begins for Sam. Barricaded in the police station with other survivors, he has to face the young Cléo, his grumpy father, and Solène, who hasn't forgotten him this time. Meanwhile, Idriss and Marco, hidden in the stadium and looking for a way to escape, are also settling a few scores along the way" – the synopsis of upcoming French film release, Goal of the Dead, the splattery trailer of which you can view here.

FIVER LETTERS

"While reading yesterday's Fiver I was somewhat taken aback to see from the featured ad in the guardianjobs sidebar that Manchester United are looking for a manager. Either this was a generic link to the Fiver – in which case I daresay you'll be hearing a lot more about this – or the guardianjobs algorithm decided I was that holy grail of the targeted internet ad: the perfect man for the job. I can only assume that my not having been contacted directly by the club means that they intend to continue their recent policy of negotiating through an intermediary to save themselves from embarrassment if I turn them down" – Dermot McDermott.

"May I be the 1,057th pedant to inform Michael Dawson (yesterday's Bits and Bobs) that apparently there are no fewer than 11 McDonald's branches within a six-mile radius of Spurs' old training ground? Spoilt for choice. Although, being a Wensleydale lad, perhaps he is more partial to a spot of cheese and crackers than Ronald's finest" – Mark Knowles.

"Alice Cooper did tell us that 'your lips are venomous poison' (Fiver letters passim), so now I don't know what to think" – David Hopkins.

• Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And if you've nothing better to do you can also tweet the Fiver. Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is: Dermot McDermott.

JOIN GUARDIAN SOULMATES

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BITS AND BOBS

Wayne Rooney's agent will have five and a half years to work out how to squeeze yet more money out of Manchester United after the striker agreed a new deal worth £85m … that will run until he is 33!

Diego Maradona, 53 [yes, really this time – Fiver Ed], is poised for a return to football with Deportivo Riestra, the Argentinian fifth-tier club at which he was briefly made 'spiritual coach' last year. "I'll wear whatever," shrugged the club's current No10 Victor More upon hearing the news.

Manuel Pellegrini has knocked his José Mourinho impression on the head by apologising for that pop at the Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson. "Maybe I said some things I didn't mean so I apologise for what I said," he sobbed.

In a sign of quite how badly things are going for David Moyes, Tony Pulis has offered him his backing before comparing Crystal Palace's Premier League clash with Manchester United to a Division Two game 16 years ago. "When I was manager at Gillingham Moyesy was at Preston and we locked horns there. He'll know what we're about," cheered Pulis.

Following his holid ... sorry, fact-finding tour to Brazil, Mr Roy's bucket and spade will be in action in Nice on Sunday when he attends the European Championship draw.

Fans of Shrewsbury Town are in for a thriller for the rest of the season, and hope new full-time manager Michael Jackson can make history after being appointed manager in a bid to rescue their dangerous league position. Ow! Shamone!

And, after covering 1,633 consecutive competitive games, Dave Tavener – the St Albans and Harpenden Review's football reporter – missed his first St Albans City match in 29 years when his van broke down on the M4. "It is disappointing not to complete 30 years but it had to happen sometime," he sighed.

STILL WANT MORE?

Ewan Murray gets his chat on with Charlie Adam, who says he's enjoying fitba more than ever under Stoke boss Ailsa from Home and Away.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend.

You want pictures of ciggie packets folded up into footy kits? Here you go then.

Mr Roy's attempts to make peace in Manaus were so successful that his most offensive gesture was his stiff, and rather sweaty, upper lip, writes Barry Glendenning.

Our roll-up smoking, real-ale-drinking, willow-wielding cousin, the Spin, told us to tell you that by inserting a link to Rob Smyth's Joy of Six on Kevin Pietersen, this Fiver might have been worth reading. He's probably right.

Oh, and if it's your thing, you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace.

SIGN UP TO THE FIVER (AND O FIVERÃO)

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PUB! PUB! PUB! PUB!

Daniel Harris

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Statistics show sackings rarely save teams from 'fate worse than death' | James Riach

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:13 AM PST

There have been 100 managerial dismissals in the past year, yet the fact is it rarely halts a club's decline in the short term

The pattern is a familiar one. A Premier League club struggles for form at the beginning of the season, becomes stuck in a relegation quagmire and the manager is sacked by Christmas. Eight managers who began the campaign at the helm of top-flight clubs have already departed, in an industry where longevity is the rarest of commodities.

The bottom four sides have disposed of at least one manager, with owners acting without hesitation in an attempt to avoid, what the Norwich City chief executive describes as, a fate "worse than death".

Norwich are the only club in the bottom five who have retained their manager. Fulham have employed three, while Sunderland, Cardiff, West Bromwich and Crystal Palace have all opted for change. Call it panic, short-sightedness or desperation – multiple Premier League sackings are as certain as death and taxes.

However, while there are examples of a club's fortunes improving in the aftermath of a departure, history reflects a different picture. In the last five seasons 11 clubs engulfed in a relegation scrap have sacked their manager – only four of those improved their league position by the end of the season.

The League Managers' Association says that while a new appointment at a Premier League club brings in an average 2.5 points for the following match, a honeymoon period fades after 12 games and a team's form usually deteriorates further.

In each of the past five seasons, at least one club that has changed manager midway through the campaign has been relegated. Last year of the six clubs to change managers two were powerless to avoid the drop, while in 2009-10 all three teams that went down changed their manager.

There are notable exceptions where a change has proved successful. In November 2011 Steve Bruce's departure from Sunderland resulted in a rise of three places by the end of the season, while Roberto Di Matteo's sacking at West Bromwich in February 2011 saw Albion climb to 11th from one place above the bottom three.

Tony Pulis's fine work at Palace this season, taking the club from bottom to 15th, indicates that it can be a gamble that pays off. However, in the majority of cases the effect is detrimental.

Last year, Sunderland maintained their Premier League status but dropped one place after Martin O'Neill's departure and Reading remained in 19th following the sacking of Brian McDermott.

Harry Redknapp could not save QPR after Mark Hughes left and in February 2012 Wolves slid two places and finished bottom of the league after the sacking of Mick McCarthy.

Richard Bevan, the chief executive at the LMA, has urged clubs to take a more "pragmatic" approach.

He said: "Verifiable data has shown that the gains from changing football managers are marginal, if indeed there are any at all, and without doubt the sacking of managers is a costly business to football clubs, not to mention the other effects that the upheaval brings.

"Evidence from other sports shows that this honeymoon boost in performance often happens after a downturn, even when a club does not change manager. For the good of the game, I believe it is necessary for all stakeholders to take a more pragmatic approach by looking to the medium term.

"The LMA believes that, in order to give the coach education and development programmes a chance to prove their worth, the owners have to examine their recruitment process, set realistic targets for the manager and coaches and then take responsibility to manage expectations both within the club and among the supporters.

"Millions of pounds have been lost to the game resolving contractual and employment law disputes and payments to agents. Sacking football managers can therefore be an expensive and reputationally damaging business for both clubs and managers."

This is not an issue solely related to the Premier League. In total, only 3% of managers have been in post for more than five years at the 92 professional clubs in the English game. In the last 12 months there have been more than 100 managerial and coaching dismissals.

With increased TV revenue available to top-flight clubs, owners are more desperate than ever to stay in the Premier League. For managers, that is set to only mean one thing.

James Riach

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

Wayne Rooney signs five-and-a-half-year Manchester United contract

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 06:58 AM PST

• Striker signs £300,000-a-week contract until 2019
• England forward may take over captaincy from Nemanja Vidic

Wayne Rooney has signed a new contract with Manchester United worth around £85m over the next five-and a-half years that will keep him at the club until he is 33. He is set to become captain next season, with Nemanja Vidic, the current incumbent, having announced he will leave United this summer.

The news provides a major boost to David Moyes during in what is proving a difficult first season as manager, following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

"I am made up to be staying at United," Rooney told the club website. "In August I will have been at the club for 10 years and during that time I have played with some fantastic players and won everything that I hoped I would when I first signed. I now have the chance as one of the club's senior players to help the younger players coming through and to be a part of another great United team.

"The fans have always been a huge part of this club and the support they have given me since my debut against Fenerbahce has been amazing. I am very grateful to all United fans around the world for their continued support.

"I am really excited to be a part of the club's future and want to thank David Moyes and Ed Woodward for their belief and support in me. I am convinced that this is the start of another successful chapter in Manchester United's history."

Moyes said: "Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003. Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent. With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge.

"I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club. These opportunities only come to special players and I'm confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach."

With talks having begun after Christmas it is understood that the football part of the terms were agreed some time ago – extending his contract, which had 18 months left to run by an additional four years –with image rights the last hold-up decided this week.

Rooney has registered 208 goals in 430 appearances for United, so if he stays injury free should become the club's all-time leading scorer, passing Sir Bobby Charlton's mark of 247 goals in 754 games.

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

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