PSV Eindhoven took the lead in the Dutch Eredivisie with a 4-1 win over NAC Breda on Sunday after Twente could only draw.PSV and defending champions Twente were level on 50 points ahead of their respective matches, but Fred Rutten’s PSV side are now out in front with 53 points.Visitors Breda got off to a bad start at the Philips Stadion when Nemanja Gudelj saw a straight red card after just 15 minutes.Balazs Dzsudzsak gave PSV the lead in the 25th minute. Anthony Lurling levelled for Breda on 64 minutes, but goals from Jeremain Lens, Ola Toivonen and Francisco Rodriguez wrapped up a comprehensive win for the hosts.Twente meanwhile were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to NEC Nijmegen.Niki Zimling had NEC ahead after 17 minutes at De Grolsch Veste, but Emir Bajrami equalised. A point each leaves Twente second, two points behind PSV, while NEC are 10th.Mounir El Hamdaoui’s goal in the 11th minute at the Amsterdam Arena gave Ajax a 1-0 win over visitors VVV Venlo.Ajax are third, three points behind Twente and five behind PSV. Venlo, who finished with 10 men following the sending off of Ken Leemans in the 74th minute, are second from bottom, five points above last-placed Willem II. Two late goals saw ADO Den Haag snatch a point at home to Feyenoord.Visitors Feyenoord led through a first-half double from Luc Castaignos at the Het Zuiderpark and the strugglers looked on course to collect three valuable points, before Charlton Vicento pulled one back for the hosts in the 81st minute.Dmitry Bulykin then struck with five minutes remaining to ensure a share of the spoils for ADO.The draw leaves ADO fifth and Feyenoord 15th, just three points outside the relegation zone. Vitesse Arnhem climbed above Feyenoord and into 14th place following a 2-0 win at home to De Graafschap.Bonno Wilfried broke the deadlock for the home side 72 minutes in at the Gelredome and Serbian Nemanja Matic – on loan from English Premier League club Chelsea – doubled the lead with six minutes to go.The defeat leaves De Graafschap 12th, just a point better off than Vitesse and only four clear of the drop zone.
Rafael Benitez has agreed to become the new coach of Internazionale.
The former Liverpool boss, whose six-year reign at Anfield was ended by mutual consent last week, will replace Jose Mourinho at the helm of the Italian and European champions after holding talks with president Massimo Moratti.
Benitez, 50, won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and the FA Cup the following year during his six-year stint and, prior to his move to England, led La Liga side Valencia to the Spanish title in 2002 and 2004 with the UEFA Cup arriving at the Mestalla in the same year.
Inter, who won the Serie A title as well as the Coppa Italia and the Champions League last season, have been searching for a successor to Mourinho after the Portuguese coach teamed up with Real Madrid recently and it looks like the Nerazzuri look to have found their new man.
Speaking to the club's official website, Moratti said:"We've got an agreement, we finalised the last details that in any case weren't important.
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Manchester United have responded to claims from Owen Hargreaves that they mismanaged his knee injury during his time at Old Trafford, stating their disappointment at their former player’s comments.
The England midfielder had an injury plagued time at the Premier League champions, and following his free transfer move to Manchester City has blamed United for his time on the sidelines.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team had initially declined to comment, but have defended themselves against the player’s criticism.
“Manchester Unitedis disappointed with Owen’s remarks after the game on Wednesday. The club gave him the best possible care for three years and is as disappointed as anyone he was not able to play a part in the team’s success at that time,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“It has shared all the medical records with Manchester City and is comfortable with the actions taken by its medical staff at each step of his many attempts at rehabilitation.
“United does not acknowledge any validity in the comments Owen is alleged to have made. Manchester United has some of the best sports medical staff in world sport, who have made a significant contribution to United’s on-pitch success in recent seasons,” it concluded.
Hargreaves returned to first team football for City in the Carling Cup in midweek, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham in a man of the match performance.
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By all accounts, we had a fairly successful January window. We moved on a few players who, for a number of reasons, needed to be moved out of the club and brought in a substantial amount in return (moving Paul Konchesky on alone feels like we gained an extra £50 million). In return, we got our money’s worth and what – I believe – will be a great strike partnership to last us for many years. In many ways though, the summer window could prove to be pivotal for both the club and for the Kenny (let’s be honest, it’s the worst kept secret). In the summer, the club needs to show it is ready to take the next step and invest again in the squad. But given our activity in January, the indications are positive, so let’s look at areas that need to be looked at when the time comes.
Starting with the area touted as Liverpool’s weakest by so-called football experts this season: defence. Many have claimed that the Red’s back 3/4/5 has been poor because of the personnel; that the likes of Agger, Kyrgiakos, Johnson and Skrtel are simply not good enough and that Carragher is a fading force. And while the latter is true, to a certain extent, Jamie is not finished just yet; nor are our defenders individually lacking. For proof of this, you only have to look at the last four games: 4 clean sheets. Kenny has played about with our back line (stop sniggering at the back), given the likes of Agger and Kelly another chance and we haven’t let a goal in for 360 minutes or 6 hours. By anyone’s margins, that’s an impressive feat. The facts are simple: we have good defensive players, they showed on Sunday that they’re capable of shackling a frontline that included Anelka, Drogba and Torres – three of the best there is and not only that, they made it look easy. So you may be wondering why, if I’m so impressed with our defenders, have I even mentioned it. Well, we still need cover. We have good young central defenders waiting in the wings, in Wilson and Kelly but given that Kelly appears to have made right back his own now (and the sad reality that Carragher is a fading force)means we need at least one new CB. We also need a first choice left back. Aurelio is a top-quality footballer but his fitness cannot be guaranteed. Once Konchesky moves on permanently, there will be a hole that needs filling and that must be a top priority.
Into midfield, and you have to say that there’s a handful of players that need to be moved on, either for our sake or their own. Namely: Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen and Jay Spearing. Poulsen was unlucky in that he joined the club too late in his career; when a change in pace was too much for him. He is not a bad player, despite what some will have you believe.
As for Cole and Spearing, sadly, they’re just not as good as we hoped they were. Cole mixes the odd moment of brilliance with total mediocrity. As for Spearing, he has effort and willingness to spare but that alone is not enough. Moving these three on could see us recoup about 10 million, potentially. Which we can put toward an area we are most lacking in going forward: out wide. We need cover for Lucas and probably another squad player that can fill in in midfield – adequately – when needed but if we only strengthen one position in midfield over the summer months then it has to be a wide player. We have enough creativity going forward to cope during this ‘transitional’ period and Suarez can fill in as an attacking midfielder if we were to get totally desperate but we must see the acquisition of a winger as being high on our list of priorities. If for no other reason than to give us something different in attack; to give us an alternative to plan A. Whoever the player is he doesn’t need to cost 30 million. As long as he can beat a man, can cross a decent ball in and is quite fond of the touchline, then our radar should be picking him up.
As for the other two key areas – goalkeeper and up front – we’re not exactly lacking. The January window saw one great striker replaced by two very good (albeit potentially great) strikers. We also have David Ngog who, despite barely playing at all lately, is still one of our top scorers and has oodles of potential. I believe that promoting Dani Pacheco to the first team squad permanently next season would see us quite adequately covered going forward. As for goalkeepers, it is hard to see past Pepe Reina. Should he – God help us – succumb to injury then we’ll need cover. Peter Gulacsi looks a top prospect and I’d be more than happy for him to be number two. The fact that Kenny prefers him as such to Brad Jones speaks highly of the regard the Hungarian youngster is held in. However, two backup keepers are usually required so we might need to bring in a decent, experienced third choice.
We’re in a period of what can only be referred to as ‘transition’, at the moment so sweeping and all-encompassing changes aren’t going to happen overnight. Should we bring in a left back, a wide player and some stronger cover in goal before next season though, that will have marked a successful second step, as far as I’m concerned.
Article courtesy of the excellent Live4Liverpool
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Liverpool recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over FC Gomel in the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday night.
First-half goals from Fabio Borini, Steven Gerrard and a second-half Glen Johnson strike made it an easy night at Anfield in Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive home fixture.
The Northern Irish manager picked Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini for specific praise after the victory.
“Luis is an incredible player. He has come back to us and looked great in training,” Rodgers confessed to Sky Sports.
“He is so creative in the box but he also presses very well when he doesn’t have the ball.
“He is the type of player I love. He is in love with football. He has such passion for the game.
“His combination work with Steven Gerrard and Fabio Borini was excellent.
“It is important for any striker to score because they are judged on their goals. But I brought Fabio here because I know he can score.
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“He is only 21 and has a lot of improvement left in him. But with his work-rate and his ability on the ball I think he will fit in very well to our team,” he concluded.
Manchester City laid down their title credentials smashing five goals past Tottenham at White Hart Lane with Edin Dzeko scoring four to maintain their 100% start to the new campaign.
The Citizens stormed back to the top of the Premier League after another rampant performance and have now scored 17 goals in their first three games.
£27 million striker Dzeko was the stand out performer as he put the Spurs defence to the sword scoring four and proving to be a nuisance throughout. Samir Nasri, making his City debut, was also bang in form whilst David Silva and Sergio Aguero kept up their fine starts to the new campaign.
Despite the scoreline the first 25 minutes was rather close with the home side having several good opportunities to break he deadlock. Rafael Van der Vaart had a free kick saved by Joe Hart before Gareth Bale should have at least hit the target only to blaze a volley over from 10 yards.
Those scares kicked the visitors into gear and Dzeko opened the scoring in the 34th minute tapping in Nasri’s cross from the left before the same two players combined again six minutes later with the Bosnian looping a header across goal and into the bottom corner leaving Brad Friedel motionless.
The second half saw City continue in the same vein scoring two goals in quick succession. Dzeko completed his hat trick in the 54th minute tapping in from Yaya Toure’s ball before Aguero smashed home from inside the box after a mazy run through the Spurs defence.
Younes Kaboul pulled a goal back with 23 minutes to go but Dzeko wasn’t going to let the hosts have the last laugh curling in a sublime effort from the edge of the area two minutes into added on time.
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Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise onto striker Dimitar Berbatov, whose hat-trick against Birmingham took his season tally to 17 for the season.
Ferguson’s men ran rampant at Old Trafford to post a 5-0 win, with Ryan Giggs and Nani adding to Berbatov’s treble.
And Ferguson said the Bulgarian’s game had been outstanding.
“It was marvellous,” Ferguson said. “He could have scored more and we were a bit wasteful at times with our finishing, but you can’t complain at that performance.”
“I think it helps when you score an early goal. When we scored they had to open up and I think we capitalised on that.”
The Scot also had kind words for Wayne Rooney who, despite not getting on the scoresheet, linked up well with Berbatov to turn supplier.
“The third goal was very, very exciting with the interchange between Berba and Rooney. It was right at half-time and it killed the match,” Ferguson said.
“Wayne showed fantastic control in the fourth goal to bring the ball from Edwin (van der Sar) out of the clouds.”
“The control of Rooney and setting up Ryan to square the ball for Berba – it was a fantastic goal.”
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish bemoaned some of his side’s defending in the encounter, and said his senior players were determined to make amends.
“You can’t come here and lose an early goal like we did. To lose a goal like that in the first minute was criminal,” McLeish said.
“I thought there was bit of apprehension. Coming to places like this is a lot about belief as much as anything and I thought we lacked that a little bit.”
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“It was a gift the second goal as well and was verging on the amateur.”
“You have to say we shot ourselves in the foot.”
“The feedback I’ve got from some of the senior players in the dressing room is that they are more angry than anything else. We have got to get the team right and the tactics right for the coming games.”
Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is potentially set to miss the start of the 2012-13 Premier League season, with an operation in the offing according to The Daily Mail.
The veteran battler played in all four of England’s Euro 2012 games in Ukraine and Poland, but has been carrying an Achilles knock that has taken its toll over the summer.
Parker may well opt to go under the knife in the off-season to sort out the problem once and for all, and as such would miss the start of Spurs’ campaign.
Tottenham start next term against Newcastle, and will look to get off the mark with a positive result.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail also indicate that Andre Villas Boas may well be winning the race to become Spurs boss.
The Portuguese trainer is supposedly in direct competition with Laurent Blanc for the vacant White Hart Lane hotseat, but is said to have impressed Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board in recent talks.
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Arsenal are set to increase their interest in Birmingham defender Scott Dann the Daily Mail understands.
The Gunners are pondering a £10 million move for the 24-year-old centre back and are sending chief scout Steve Rowley to run the rule over him this weekend.
Birmingham start their Championship campaign against Derby County on Saturday and Rowley will be in attendance to judge whether he’s the man to put an end to Arsenal’s defensive frailty.
Manager Arsene Wenger wanted to see Dann in action last weekend in a friendly against Everton but he missed the game due to a sever hamstring tear.
However he has now recovered from that and Rowley will make one final check before reporting his findings back to Wenger.
The Frenchman is desperate to bring a centre half to the Emirates before the transfer window closes with moves for Bolton’s Gary Cahil and Everton’s Phil Jagielka going cold.
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Wenger considers both to be overpriced by their clubs and has grown frustrated at the Toffee’s in particular over their valuation of Jagielka.
Arsenal know they will have to move swiftly if they want to capture one of the most sought defenders in England with interest from Chelsea and Liverpool also strong.
As Darren Bent’s move brings some life to the January window, the deal has certainly sparked plenty of debate. Steve Bruce feels bitterly disappointed at the conduct of the player, while Bent himself has defended his corner claiming that he is no mercenary. Clearly looking at forums it is hardly a signing that has Aston Villa fans overly convinced, therefore Bent really needs to hit the ground running to win them over.
In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories including more from the Bent deal; Mancini warns City defence to tighten up, while Cantona takes on a role at the New York Cosmos.
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Court papers reveal mystery £1m payment in Ronaldo deal – Guardian
Grant eyes Bendtner to ease turmoil – Daily Telegraph
Wenger hunt going nowhere – Sky Sports
Leeds hate mob ready for Theo – Sun
Mancini warns City’s defence to tighten up – Daily Telegraph
Bruce “Massively let down” by Bent – Mirror
Cantona takes role at New York Cosmos – Guardian
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Spurs to use public cash for Palace solution – Daily Telegraph
Babel desperate for Ajax despite Liverpool agreeing fee with Hoffenheim – Daily Mail