SPORTS NEWS

Jambazi 'Obama' Atiwa Mbaroni

2011-04-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

	Polisi wa nchini Austria wamemtia mbaroni mwanaume mmoja wa nchini humo ambaye alikuwa akifanya matukio ya uporaji pesa kwenye mabenki akiwa amevaa kinyago chenye sura ya rais wa Marekani, Barack Obama.
Taarifa ya polisi wa Vienna, Austria imesema kuwa mwanaume huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 45 raia wa Ujerumani anatuhumiwa kupora pesa kwenye benki zipatazo 7 za nchini humo ambapo wakati wote alikuwa akivaa kinyago chenye sura ya Barack Obama. Polisi walisema kuwa tangu mwaka 2008, mwanaume huyo alifanya matukio 7 ya uporaji pesa kwenye mabenki na tukio lake la mwisho la uhalifu alilifanya mchana wa siku ya alhamisi katika kijiji cha Fornach. Msako wa polisi ulianza na alitiwa mbaroni muda mfupi baadae baada ya mbwa wa polisi kufanikiwa kukiona kinyago na silaha alizokuwa akizitumia jambazi huyo. Jambazi huyo alikiri kufanya matukio ya ujambazi na polisi walitangaza kuwa wana furaha wamemtia mbaroni jambazi waliyekuwa wakimtafuta kwa muda mrefu.

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Benitez ahamia inter..........

2010-06-10T09:25:00.001-07:00

baada ya kutemwa liverpool sasa atapa dau kwa inter ameshafanya mkataba wa miaka 2.

Liverpool Yamtema Benitez

2010-06-04T01:55:00.000-07:00

Baada ya Liverpool kuvurunda msimu uliopita na kumaliza ligi ikiwa imeshika nafasi ya saba, kocha wa Liverpool Rafa Benitez amepoteza kazi yake baada ya miaka sita ya kuiongoza Liverpool.
Rafa Benitez ametemwa na Liverpool baada ya miaka sita kufuatia kufanya vibaya kwa Liverpool katika msimu uliopita.

Liverpool ilimaliza ligi ikishika nafasi ya saba, ilitolewa mapema kwenye makombe ya Carling na kombe la FA, haikufika kokote kwenye kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya kabla ya kutolewa nusu fainali kwenye kombe la UEFA.

Liverpool imemlazimisha Benitez achukue mikoba yake kwa kukatisha mkataba wake na kumlipa fidia ambayo inakadiriwa kufikia paundi milioni sita.

Benitez mwenye umri wa miaka 50 alisema baada ya kujulishwa kuwa kibarua chake kimeota mbawa: "Nina huzuni sana kutangaza kuwa sitaendelea kuwa kocha wa Liverpool FC. Napenda kuwashukuru wafanyakazi wote na wachezaji kwa juhudi zao".

Mwenyekiti wa Liverpool, Martin Broughton aliongeza: "Rafa ataendelea kukumbukwa na Liverpool kwa kutuletea kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya katika fainali dhidi ya AC Milan mjini Istanbul".

Broughton aliongeza kuwa baada ya msimu ambao haukuwa na matokeo mazuri, Liverpool imeona ni bora ijijenge tena upya.

Mchakato wa kutafuta kocha mpya wa Liverpool umeanza.

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Eto'o Atishia Kuitosa Cameroon Baada ya Kukosolewa na Roger Milla

2010-05-31T00:15:00.000-07:00

Nyota wa timu ya taifa ya Cameroon, Samuel Eto'o ametishia kujitoa kwenye timu ya Cameroon itakayoshiriki kombe la dunia baada ya kukosolewa na mkongwe wa soka Afrika, Roger Milla.
Mshambuliaji wa Inter Milan Samuel Eto'o ametishia kususia kuichezea Cameroon baada ya kukosolewa na nyota wa Cameroon wa kombe la dunia la 1990, Roger Milla kuwa hajitumi anapoichezea timu ya taifa.

Akiongea hivi karibuni na vyombo vya habari, Roger Milla alimkosoa Eto'o akisema kuwa Eto'o hujituma zaidi anapoichezea yake ya Inter Milan kuliko anapoichezea timu yake ya taifa.

Akiongea na televisheni ya Canal Plus Sport ya Ufaransa, Eto'o alielezea kukasirishwa na maoni ya Roger Milla na kuongeza kuwa huenda akajitoa kwenye kikosi cha timu ya taifa ya Cameroon kitakachoshiriki fainali za kombe la dunia nchini Afrika Kusini.

"Kwani kombe la dunia ndio la muhimu sana kwangu?", alisema Eto'o.

"Bado nina siku chache za kufikiria nichukue uamuzi gani kwakuwa huwa sipendi mambo kama haya", aliongeza Eto'o.

"Roger Milla amefanya nini cha maana? amewahi kuchukua kombe la dunia? timu yake ya mwaka 1990 iliishia robo fainali", alisema Eto'o kwa hasira.

Hata hivyo pamoja na Eto'o kutishia kuitosa Cameroon, kocha wa Cameroon, Paul Le Guen alimtaja Eto'o kwenye kikosi chake cha wachezaji 23 kitakachoenda Afrika Kusini kwenye fainali za kombe la dunia.

Kikosi kamili cha Cameroon ni kama ifuatavyo:

Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes); Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Geremi (Ankaragucu), Stephane Mbia (Marseille), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor); Eyong Enoh (Ajax), Jean II Makoun (Lyon), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke), , Landry Nguemo (Celtic), Alexandre Song (Arsenal); Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Moting (Nuremberg), Achille Emana (Betis), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg), Achille Webo (Mallorca).

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Jose Mourinho Atua Real Madrid

2010-05-28T22:33:00.001-07:00

Wababe wa Hispania Real Madrid, wamefanikiwa kumnyakua kocha wa mabingwa wa ulaya Inter Milan ya Italia, Jose Mourinho.
Baada ya kutwaa makombe matatu msimu huu, kocha wa Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho ameitosa timu hiyo na kuhamia kwa timu tajiri duniani ya Real Madrid ya Hispania.

Tovuti ya Real Madrid ilitoa taarifa leo kuwa makubaliano yamefikiwa kati ya Inter Milan na Real Madrid hivyo Mourinho ndiye atakayekuwa kocha mpya wa Real Madrid.

Awali kabla ya makubaliano hayo kufikiwa, Inter Milan iligoma kumuachia Mourinho ikitaka ilipwe fidia ya euro milioni 16 kwa Mourinho kukatisha mkataba wake ambao umebakiza miaka miwili.

Rais wa Real Madrid Florentino Perez alienda Milan kukutana na mwenyekiti wa Inter Milan Massimo Moratti ili kufikia muafaka juu ya suala hilo la Mourinho. hata hivyo maafikiano yaliyofikiwa na klabu hizo hayakuwekwa wazi.

Jose Mourinho atatambulishwa kwa wapenzi wa Real Madrid siku ya jumatatu saa saba mchana kwa saa za Tz kwenye uwanja wa Real Madrid wa Santiago Bernabeu.

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Inter Milan Ndio Mabingwa wa Ulaya, Yaibanjua Bayern 2-0

2010-05-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

Kocha wa Inter Milan ya Italia Jose Mourinho akiingiza uwanjani kikosi ambacho hakikuwa na Muitaliano hata mmoja, amedhihirisha makali yake mbele ya bosi wake wa zamani kocha wa Bayern Munich, Louis van Gaal kwa kuigaragaza Bayern kwa mabao 2-0.
Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) imekuwa mabingwa wapya wa ulaya baada ya kuwatungua Bayern Munich kwa magoli 2-0 katika mchezo wa fainali ya mabingwa wa ulaya iliyochezwa kwenye uwanja wa Santiago Bernabeu.

Inter Milan imechukua kombe leo ikiwa ni miaka 45 tangia ilipochukua mara ya mwisho kombe barani ulaya. Wakati huo kocha wake Jose Mourinho alikuwa na umri wa miaka miwili. Leo Mourinho akiwa na umri wa miaka 47 ameiwezesha Inter Milan kurudi katika anga la soka la ulaya na kuwa mabingwa wapya wa ulaya.

Ingawa Inter Milan ni timu ya Italia lakini kocha wa Inter Milan Jose Mourinho hakumuingiza mchezaji hata mmoja toka Italia katika kikosi chake cha kwanza. Muitaliano pekee aliyecheza mechi ya leo alikuwa ni Marco Materazzi ambaye aliingia uwanjani dakika mbili kabla ya mechi kuisha.

Bayern Munich ingawa ilitawala mechi yote na kumiliki mpira muda mrefu walishindwa kuivunja ngome ya Inter Milan ambayo ilicheza kwa kujilinda zaidi staili ambayo Mourinho hupenda kuitumia anapokuwa katika wakati mgumu.

Magoli mawili ya Muargentina Diego Milito katika dakika ya 35 na 70 yaliiwezesha Inter Milan kuwa mabingwa wapya wa ulaya kwa msimu wa mwaka 2009-2010.

Jose Mourinho ambaye kuna uwezekano mkubwa akaikimbia Inter Milan msimu ujao kwenda kuifundisha Real Madrid, amemaliza msimu huu kwa kuiwezesha Inter Milan kutwaa jumla ya makombe matatu.

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Chelsea Yaibanjua Portsmouth na Kutwaa Kombe la FA

2010-05-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

Mabingwa wa ligi ya Uingereza, Chelsea wameongeza kombe jingine kwenye hazina yake mwaka huu baada ya kuwabanjua Portsmouth kwa goli 1-0 kwenye fainali ya kombe la FA.
Goli lililofungwa na nyota wa mchezo Didier Drogba kwa mkwaju wa adhabu ndogo, liliiwezesha Chelsea kutwaa makombe mawili katika msimu mmoja kwa mara ya kwanza katika historia yake.

Kocha wa Chelsea ambaye alianza kuifundisha Chelsea mwanzoni mwa msimu ulioisha amemaliza msimu wake wa kwanza Uingereza akiwa amejikusanyia makombe matatu, kombe la ngao, kombe la ligi ya Uingereza na kombe la FA.

Katika mechi ya leo, Chelsea haikupata ushindi kirahisi kwani Portsmouth mbali ya kushuka daraja ilitandaza soka safi na kumweka kipa wa Chelsea, Petr Cech kwenye heka heka mara kwa mara.

Cech aliwanyima Portsmouth goli ambalo lingebadilisha muelekeo wa mchezo kwenye dakika ya 56, alipoipangua penalti iliyopigwa na nyota wa Portsmouth, Kevin Prince Boateng.

Kipa wa Portsmouth, David James ndiye aliyekuwa kwenye patashika muda wote kutokana na mashambulizi makali ya Chelsea yaliyoongozwa na Drogba.

Katika kipindi cha kwanza pekee, Chelsea waliwakosakosa Portsmouth ambapo mara tano mpira uligonga mwamba na kugoma kuingia nyavuni.

Kombe la leo limekuwa kombe la nane la nahodha wa Chelsea, John Terry tangu alipoanza kuichezea timu hiyo.

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Nigeria Yatangaza Kikosi cha Kombe la Dunia

2010-05-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

Kocha wa timu ya taifa ya Nigeria, Super Eagles ametangaza kikosi cha wachezaji watakaoiwakilisha Nigeria kwenye kombe la dunia mwezi ujao nchini Afrika Kusini bila ya kumsahau mtu mzima Nwanko Kanu.
Kocha wa timu ya taifa ya Nigeria Lars Lagerback ambaye alikabidhiwa mikoba ya ukocha wa Nigeria baada ya kocha Shaibu Amodu kuvurunda kwenye fainali za kombe la mataifa ya Afrika zilizofanyika nchini Angola, ametangaza kikosi cha awali cha wachezaji 30 ambacho baadae kitachujwa na kubaki na wachezaji 23 watakoiwakilisha Nigeria kwenye fainali za kombe la dunia zinazoanza mwezi ujao.

Katika kikosi hicho Lars amemuita nyota wa Portsmouth ya Uingereza iliyoshuka daraja, mkongwe Nwanko Kanu.

Magolikipa watatu kati ya wanne walioitwa na kocha wa Nigeria wanacheza soka nchini Israel.

Kikosi kamili cha Nigeria ni kama ifuatavyo:

Magolikipa: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United, Nigeria)

Mabeki: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (OG Nice, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars, Nigeria)

Viungo: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), John Utaka (Portsmouth, England), Brown Ideye (FC Sochaux, France), Peter Utaka (Odense Boldklub, Denmark), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Washambuliaji: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain)

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Chelsea Ndio Mabingwa wa Uingereza

2010-05-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Wazee wa darajani Chelsea wamekatisha matumaini ya Manchester United kutwaa ubingwa wa Uingereza kwa mara ya nne mfululizo baada ya kuunyakua ubingwa wa Uingereza kwa kutoa kipigo cha nguvu kwa Wigan kwa kuiburuza magoli 8-0.
Magoli manane waliyobugizwa Wigan Athletic leo kwenye uwanja wa Stamford Bridge yameiwezesha timu ya Chelsea kutwaa tena kombe la ubingwa wa ligi ya Uingereza kwa mara ya nne katika historia ya timu hiyo.

Ushindi wa magoli 4-0 ilioupata Manchester United dhidi ya Stoke City haukuweza kuwasaidia kunyakua taji la ligi ya Uingereza kwa mara ya 19.

Magoli matatu ya Didier Drogba kwenye kipindi cha pili yalimwezesha kuwa mfungaji bora wa ligi ya Uingereza kwa msimu wa mwaka 2009/2010.

Magoli mengine ya Chelsea katika ushindi wa leo yalifungwa na Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, Ashley Cole na Frank Lampard.

Kocha wa Chelsea amekuwa miongoni mwa makocha wachache sana katika ligi ya Uingereza ambao walifanikiwa kutwaa ubingwa katika mwaka wao wa kwanza wa kuanza kazi.

Chelsea sasa ina mpango wa kuongeza kombe jingine kwenye hazina yake mwaka huu wakati itakapopimana ubavu na Portsmouth kwenye mechi ya fainali ya kombe la FA itakayochezwa jumamosi ijayo kwenye uwanja wa Wembley.

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Messi Kuvunja rekodi Ya Dunia Usajili Msimu Ujao

2010-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Nyota wa Argentina na timu ya Barcelona ya Hispania, Lionel Messi anatabiriwa kuvunja rekodi ya dunia ya usajili msimu ujao kwa jinsi timu tajiri za barani ulaya zinavyojiandaa kutoa donge nene kwa Barcelona ili kuwashawishi wamuuze nyota wao huyo.
Vyanzo mbalimbali vya habari vimeanza kumtabiria nyota wa klabu ya Barcelona Lionel Messi kuvunja rekodi ya dunia ya usajili pindi dirisha la usajili litakapofunguliwa katika msimu ujao.

Habari zinasema tayari klabu mbalimbali za ulaya zimeanza mikakati ya kuitafuta saini ya messi huku nyingine zikianza kupiga hodi Barca zikiishawiwishi klabu hiyo kumuachia messi kwa gharama kubwa.

Miongoni mwa klabu ambazo zimeonyesha nia ya kutaka kuvunja akaunti yao benki ni Real Madrid matajiri wa hispania ambapo tayari wameshatangaza dau la kitita cha paundi miloni 120 kumng’oa nyota huyo Barcelona na kumuingiza Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid ambayo msimu uliopita ilivunja rekodi ya dunia katika usajili wa mchezaji wa Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo ikilipa paundi milioni 80 sasa imedhamiria kuvunja rekodi nyingine kwa mchezaji huyo wa kimataifa Lionel Messi.

Mpango halisi wa Madrid ni kumngo’oa Messi kwa mkataba wa paundi milioni 120 ambapo unaonekana kuanza kufanyiwa kazi na maafisa wa klabu hiyo.

Lakini mpango huo umekuwa ukichukuliwa kwa hisia tofauti na klabu hiyo ya Barcelona ambapo inasemekana bado uongozi unajadili kuchukua fedha na kuuvunja mwamba au kuacha fedha na kuboresha ngome yao katika msimu ujao.

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Inter Milan Yaipasua Kichwa Barcelona

2010-04-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

Vijana wa Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan wamewashindilia mabao 3-1 mabingwa watetezi Barcelona katika mechi ya kwanza ya nusu fainali ya kombe la mabingwa ulaya iliyochezwa usiku huu.
Mabingwa watetezi Barcelona ya Hispania ambayo iliigaragaza timu ya Arsenal ya Uingereza kwa jumla ya mabao 6-3 na kuitupa nje ya mashindano ya mabingwa wa ulaya, imeshindwa kutamba nchini Italia na kukubali kipigo cha mabao 3-1.

Barcelona ndiyo iliyokuwa ya kwanza kuliona lango la Inter Milan dakika 18 tu baada ya kipyenga cha kuanza kwa mechi mfungaji akiwa ni Pedro.

Goli hilo liliwafanya vijana wa Mourinho waje juu na kujipatia goli la kusawazisha kupitia kwa Wesley Sneijder kwenye dakika ya 29.

Hadi wakati kipyenga cha mapumziko kinapulizwa, Barcelona na Inter walikuwa sare ya mabao 1-1.

Kipindi cha pili kilianza kwa kasi zaidi na walikuwa ni Inter Milan waliofanikiwa kujipatia magoli mawili ya haraka haraka kupitia kwa Maicon and Diego Milito.

Macho yote leo yalikuwa kwa mchawi wa chenga mwenye umbile dogo, Lionel Messi ambaye alifunga magoli manne peke yake katika mechi ya robo fainali dhidi ya Arsenal.

Lakini mabeki wa Inter Milan walifanikiwa kumbana Messi asifanye makeke yake yaliyompatia jina duniani.

Jose Mourinho hivi sasa ana kazi ngumu zaidi ya kuhakikisha anaiongoza vyema Inter Milan kulinda ushindi wake kwenye mechi ya marudiano itakayofanyika wiki ijayo kwenye uwanja wa Nou Camp nchini Hispania

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Skendo la Ngono Laikumba Timu ya Taifa ya Ufaransa

2010-04-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Skendo kubwa la ngono limeikumba timu ya taifa ya soka ya Ufaransa ambapo baadhi ya nyota wa timu hiyo ya taifa wanadaiwa kufanya mapenzi na machangudoa wenye umri mdogo.
Baadhi ya wachezaji wa timu ya taifa ya soka ya Ufaransa wamehusishwa kwenye skendo la kufanya mapenzi na makahaba wenye umri chini ya miaka 18.

Mchezaji nyota wa Ufaransa, Franck Riberry na Sidney Govou ni wachezaji wawili waliotajwa ambao tayari wameishahojiwa na polisi kuhusiana na skendo hilo.

Riberry anayeichezea Bayern Munich ya Ujerumani ana mke lakini naye amenaswa katika skendo hilo akidaiwa kufanya mapenzi na msichana kahaba mwenye umri chini ya miaka 18.

Taarifa zilisema kuwa wachezaji wa timu ya taifa ya Ufaransa "Les Bleus" walikuwa wakienda sana kwenye klabu moja ya starehe ya jijini Paris ambapo walikuwa wakiandaliwa makahaba wenye umri chini ya miaka 18. Mmoja wa makahaba hao inadaiwa alikuwa na umri wa miaka 14.

Wachezaji wengine nyota wa Ufaransa nao wamehusishwa na skendo hilo lakini majina yao yamewekwa kapuni.

Mmoja wa wachezaji hao alikiri kufanya mapenzi na msichana mwenye umri mdogo lakini alijitetea kuwa wakati huo alikuwa akiamini kuwa mwanamke aliyeletewa ni mtu mzima.

Kuwadi "Pimp" anayedaiwa kuwaandalia wachezaji machangudoa hao ametiwa mbaroni na baadhi ya wasichana hao wanaendelea kuhojiwa na polisi.

Skendo hilo limekuja ikiwa ni miezi miwili tu kabla ya Ufaransa kuja barani Afrika kwaajili ya fainali za kombe la dunia.

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Tottenham Yaharibu Sherehe za Chelsea

2010-04-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Tottenham Hostspur ya jijini London imevuruga mahesabu ya wazee wa darajani Chelsea kutwaa ubingwa wa ligi ya Uingereza kwa kuizamisha kwa mabao 2-1 huku Manchester United ikiwazamisha watani wake wa jadi Manchester City kwa bao 1-0.
Vinara wa ligi ya Uingereza Chelsea leo wamepigwa mwereka na Tottenham Hotspur na kuzamishwa mabao 2-1 na hivyo kuyafanya matumaini ya Chelsea kutwaa ubingwa wa Uingereza mapema kuyeyuka.

Kabla ya mechi Chelsea ilikuwa ikiongoza ligi ya Uingereza kwa tofautiya pointi nne na Manchester United lakini kipigo cha Chelsea na kushinda kwa Manchester United dhidi ya watani wao wa jadi Manchester City kumelifanya pengo la pointi kati ya Chelsea na Manchester United kupungua hadi pointi moja.

Chelsea imebakiza mechi tatu dhidi ya Stoke City, Liverpool na Wigan na italazimika kushinda mechi zote ili kujihakikishia ubingwa.

Kwa upande wake, Manchester United imebakiza mechi tatu dhidi ya Tottenham, Sunderland na Stoke City.

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Arsenal Chupu Chupu Kuzamishwa na Barcelona

2010-03-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

Arsenal imenusurika chupu chupu kupokea kichapo toka kwa Barcelona na kuzalimisha sare ya bao 2-2 kwenye uwanja wake wa Emirates. Katika mechi nyingine ya robo fainali ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya, Inter Barcelona ikitandaza soka ambalo liliwafanya wenyeji Arsenal waonekane kama wageni kwenye uwanja wao wa Emirates, ilishindwa kuyalinda magoli yake mawili na kukubali kutoka sare ya bao 2-2 na vijana wa Arsene Wenger.

Hata hivyo Barcelona bado inapewa nafasi kubwa ya kusonga mbele katika mechi ya marudiano jumanne ijayo kutokana na faida ya magoli mawili ya ugenini na kuumia kwa wachezaji watatu tegemezi wa Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas na Andrey Arshavin.

Barcelona ilianza kwa kasi kubwa sana mechi hiyo na kuifanya Arsenal itumie muda mwingi ndani ya nusu ya uwanja wake kulilinda lango lake.

Kipa wa Arsenal, Manuel Almunia alikuwa mkombozi wa Arsenal kwenye kipindi cha kwanza kutokana na jinsi alivyookoa mashambulizi makali ya Barcelona.

Hadi mapumziko timu hizo zilikuwa sare ya bila kufungana.

Kipindi cha pili kilianza kwa Zlatan Ibrahimovic kuiandikia Barcelona goli la kwanza sekunde chache baada ya kuanza kwa kipindi cha pili. Ibrahimovic aliongeza goli la pili kwenye dakika ya 59.

Kuingia kwa Theo Walcott kwenye dakika 65 ya kuliongeza kasi ya mashambulizi ya Arsenal na alikuwa ni Walcott aliyeipatia Arsenal goli la kwanza dakika 69.

Kwenye dakika ya 85, nahodha wa Barcelona, Puyol alimkwatua Fabregas ndani ya 18 na kupelekea penalti ambayo iliwekwa kimiani na Fabregas mwenyewe kabla hajatoka nje ya uwanja akichechemea.

Arsenal sasa italazimika kuifunga Barcelona au kutoka sare ya mabao zaidi ya mawili ili kuweza kusonga mbele.

Katika mechi nyingine ya robo fainali ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya, Inter Milan iliibanjua CSKA Moscow 1-0 kwenye uwanja wa San Siro.
iliifunga CSKA Moscow 1-0.

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Maradona Aharibiwa Sura Yake na Mbwa Wake

2010-03-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

Diego Maradona aliwahishwa hospitali na kufanyiwa operesheni ya dharura kurekebisha sura yake baada ya kung'atwa vibaya na mbwa wake alipojaribu kumbusu.
Madaktari nchini Argentina walilazimika kumfanyia operesheni ya dharura gwiji wa soka duniani, Diego Maradona ambaye alijeruhiwa vibaya na mmoja wa mbwa wake.

Maradona alishonwa nyuzi 10 kwenye mdomo wake wa juu baada ya kung'atwa na mbwa wake mwenye sura ya kutisha anayeitwa Bela ambaye ni jamii ya mbwa wa kichina wanaoitwa Shar-Pei.

Inadaiwa kuwa Maradona alijaribu kumbusu ili kumliwaza mbwa wake huyo aliyekuwa akisumbuliwa na maumivu ya tumbo ndipo mbwa huyo kwa hasira alipomshambulia mdomoni.

Maradona alipata majeraha makubwa kwenye mdomo wake wa juu na alikimbizwa hospitali huku akivuja damu nyingi.

Kwa mujibu wa vyombo vya habari, Maradona atalazimika kupumzika kwa siku tatu baada ya kutumia masaa 15 hospitalini.

Maradona hakuzungumza na waandishi wa habari lakini Fernando Molina, mpenzi wa dada yake Maradona, Dalma, aliliambia shirika la habari la Reuters kuwa Maradona anaendelea vizuri na amepumzika nyumbani kwake.

Maradona aliwahi kulazwa kwenye hospitali hiyo hiyo mwaka 2007 kutokana na maradhi aliyopata kutokana na unywaji pombe uliokithiri.

Maradona mwenye umri wa miaka 49 ndiye anayetarajiwa na Waargentina kuiongoza timu ya taifa ya Argentina kulinyakua kombe la dunia nchini Afrika Kusini.

Maradona alichaguliwa kuwa kocha wa Argentina mwaka 2008 baada ya kujiuzulu kwa kocha Alfio Basile.

Pamoja na Argentina kutoonyesha uwezo mkubwa katika mechi za hatua ya awali ya kufuzu fainali ya kombe hilo, hatimaye ilifanikiwa kupata tiketi ya kuja Afrika baadae mwaka huu.

Argentina ipo kundi moja na Nigeria pamoja Ugiriki na Korea Kusini.

source nifahamishe

Messi Amuovateki Beckham Kwa Kuchukua Mshiko Mkubwa

2010-03-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

David Beckham sio tena mcheza soka anayelipwa pesa nyingi kuliko wote kwani hivi sasa nyota wa Barcelona, Lionel Messi ndiye yupo kwenye chati anaingiza mshiko mkubwa zaidi kwa mwaka kuliko wachezaji wote duniani.
Lionel Messi nyota wa Barcelona na timu ya taifa ya Argentina ndiye mchezaji anayekamata mshiko mkubwa zaidi kwa mwaka kuliko wachezaji wote duniani.

Kwa mwaka, Messi anajiingizia kiasi paundi milioni 29.6 ambazo ni milioni 2.3 zaidi ya anazoingiza David Beckham.

Kwa mwaka Messi anapokea mshahara wa paundi milioni 9, analipwa bonasi ya paundi milioni 3.6 na anaingiza paundi milioni 17.1 kutokana na matangazo ya makamapuni mbali mbali kama vile adidas, Pepsi na Gillette.

Katika listi ya wachezaji 10 wanaojiingizia kipato kikubwa kwa mwaka, nyota wa Cameroon, Samuel Et'oo anashika nafasi ya 10 kwa kiasi chake cha paundi milioni 12.4.

Hata hivyo wachezaji wa soka bado hawajafanikiwa kuwaovateki kwa kipato wachezaji wa mpira wa kikapu na gofu.

Tiger Woods ndiye mwanamichezo anayeingiza mshiko mkubwa kuliko wanamichezo wote duniani, anayemfuatia ni mchezaji mwenzake wa gofu Phil Mickelson huku nyota wa mpira wa kikapu, LeBron James akishika nafasi ya tatu.

Orodha kamili ya wanasoka 10 wenye kipato kikubwa kwa mwaka ni kama ifuatavyo:
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) £29.6m

2. David Beckham (LA Galaxy) £27.3m

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) £26.9m

4. Kaka (Real Madrid) £16.9m

5. Thierry Henry (Barcelona) £16.2m

6. Ronaldinho (AC Milan) £15.4m

7. Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) £13.8m

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona) £13m

9. Frank Lampard (Chelsea) £12.7m

10. Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan) £12.4m

source nifahamishe

Manchester United Yaikong'oli Liverpool 2-1

2010-03-22T00:57:00.001-07:00

Manchester United imerudi tena kileleni mwa ligi ya Uingereza baada ya kufuta uteja wake kwa Liverpool kwa kuipa kichapo cha mabao 2-1 kwenye uwanja wa Old Trafford jijini
VIDEO - Manchester United Yaikong'oli Liverpool 2-1

Wachezaji wa Manchester United wakipongezana Sunday, March 21, 2010 7:55 PM
Manchester United imerudi tena kileleni mwa ligi ya Uingereza baada ya kufuta uteja wake kwa Liverpool kwa kuipa kichapo cha mabao 2-1 kwenye uwanja wa Old Trafford jijini Manchester. VIDEO za magoli yote katika mechi hii mwisho wa habari hii.
Matumaini ya Liverpool kutwaa nafasi ya nne katika msimamo wa ligi ya Uingereza ili kuweza kucheza kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya msimu ujao yamezidi kufifia baada ya kupoteza pointi zingine muhimu kwa Manchester United.

Liverpool iliingia uwanjani ikiwa na nia ya kuiharibia Manchester United kampeni yake ya kutwaa ubingwa wa Uingereza kwa mara 19 na hivyo kuivuka rekodi ya Liverpool ya mataji 18.

Iliwachukua dakika tano tu Liverpool kuweza kupata goli la kuongoza kupitia kwa Fernando Torres ambaye aliunganisha vyema krosi ya Dirk Kuyt na kumwacha kipa wa Manchester United, Edwin van der Sar aking'ang'aa macho.

Manchester United ilipewa penalti dakika tano baadae baada ya Javier Mascherano kumuangusha Antonio Valencia kwenye mstari wa 18. Wayne Rooney alipiga penalti hiyo ambayo iliokolewa na kipa wa Liverpool, Pepe Reina lakini mpira ulipomrudia tena Rooney hakufanya ajizi kuuzamisha nyavuni.

Jahazi la Liverpool lilizama kwenye dakika ya 15 ya kipindi cha pili wakati Park Ji-sung alipopiga mbizi na kuunganisha kwa kichwa krosi ya Gary Neville.

Goli hilo lilidumu hadi wakati refa wa mechi hiyo alipopuliza kipyenga cha kumaliza mpambano huo
source nifahamishe

Arsenal Kukumbana na Barcelona, Manchester na Bayern Munich

2010-03-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

Heka heka za robo fainali ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya zitaendelea tena wiki mbili zijazo kwa mabingwa watetezi Barcelona kupimana ubavu na Arsenal huku Manchester United ikitimua vumbi na Bayern Munich.
Ratiba ya robo fainali ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya imetangazwa leo kwa timu ya Arsenal ya Uingereza kupangiwa mabingwa watetezi Barcelona ambao hivi sasa wanatisha kwa boli wanalolitandaza.

Manchester United itajaribu kukumbukia maajabu yake ya mwaka 1999 kwa kupimana ubavu na wababe wa bundesliga Bayern Munich.

Vijana wa Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan watatoana jasho na CSKA Moscow kuwania nafasi ya nusu fainali huku Lyon ya Ufaransa iliyoitupa nje ya mashindano Real Madrid, itakutana na ndugu zao Bordeaux.

Mechi za kwanza za robo fainali zitachezwa wiki mbili zijazo machi 30 na machi 31 huku mechi za marudiano zikipangwa kufanyika aprili 6 na 7.

Ratiba ya robo fainali inamfanya nyota wa Barcelona, Thierry Henry arudi uwanja wa Emirates kwa mara ya kwanza tangia alipouzwa kwa Barcelona mwaka 2007 kwa dau la paundi milioni 16.

Arsenal ambayo itacheza mechi ya kwanza nyumbani, itajaribu kulipa kisasi cha kichapo ilichopewa na Barcelona miaka minne iliyopita wakati ilipolazwa 2-1 na Barcelona kwenye mechi ya fainali wakati huo Thiery Henry akiichezea Arsenal.

Akizungumzia uwezo wa Barcelona kwa timu za Uingereza, Thiery Henry alisema kuwa Barcelona ipo kwenye chati ya juu sana hivi sasa na nyota wa Barcelona,Muargentina, Lionel Messi ndiye mtu atakayeharibu ndoto za timu za Uingereza kunyakua kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya.

source nifahamishe

Didier Drogba ndio mwanasoka bora Afrika

2010-03-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

Mchezaji matata wa Ivory Coast Didier Droga ameshinda tuzo la mwanasoka bora zaidi barani Afrika mwaka 2009.
Drogba alifunga mabao matano wakati Ivory Coast ilipofuzu kwa kombe la dunia na vile vile kuifungiaa klabu yake bao katika Mwenzake wa klabu hiyo Michael Essien na mchezaji wa Cameroon Samuel Eto'o waliteuliwa kuwania tuzo hiyo.

Drogba, aliyefikisha umri wa miaka 32, hapo jana, amewahi kushinda tuzo hiyo mwaka wa 2006.

Timu ya taifa ya Algeria ilitajwa kuwa timu bora zaidi mwaka huu katika sherehe iliyofanyika mjini Accra, Ghana. ya kombe la FA...

source gblp

Inter Milan Yaibanjua Chelsea 2-1

2010-02-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

Jose Mourinho ameiongoza vyema timu yake ya Inter Milan kuibanjua timu yake ya zamani Chelsea ya Uingereza kwa mabao 2-1 katika mechi ya kwanza ya mtoano ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya.
Timu ya Chelsea ya Uingereza imekumbana na kichapo kwenye uwanja wa San Siro jijini Milan kwenye mechi ya kwanza ya mtoano dhidi ya Inter Milan ya Italia ambayo hivi sasa inafundishwa na Jose Mourinho ambaye zamani aliwahi kuwa kocha wa Chelsea.

Inter walifanikiwa kuliona lango la Chelsea mapema kwenye dakika ya tatu ya mchezo kupitia kwa Diego Milito.

Chelsea walijipanga vyema baada ya bao hilo na kuanza kulisakama lango la Inter lakini juhudi zao zilizaa matunda kwenye kipindi cha pili pale Solomon Kalou alipoipatia Chelsea goli la kusawazisha.

Hata hivyo furaha za wapenzi wa Chelsea hazikudumu dakika nyingi kwani Esteban Cambiasso alifanikiwa kuipatia Inter goli la pili na la ushindi kwenye mechi hiyo.

Timu hizo zitarudiana tena kwenye uwanja wa Stamford Bridge jijini London baada ya wiki tatu.

source nifahamishe

Ronaldo Kustaafu Soka Mwakani

2010-02-24T00:09:00.000-08:00

Nyota wa Brazili, Ronaldo de Lima ametangaza mpango wake wa kustaafu kucheza soka na kutundika daluga zake mwakani.
Ronaldo ambaye kwa sasa anaichezea timu ya Corinthians ya jijini Sao Paulo nchini Brazili, ametangaza kustaafu kucheza soka la kulipwa ifikapo mwishoni mwa mwaka ujao.

Ronaldo ambaye aliwahi kuchaguliwa mara tatu kuwa mchezaji bora wa dunia hivi sasa ana umri wa miaka 33.

Ronaldo alisema kuwa atastaafu kucheza soka lakini ataendelea kuiwakilisha Corinthians baada ya kustaafu kama balozi wake.

"Nimeongeza mkataba wangu kwa miaka miwili natarajia ndio miaka miwili ya mwisho katika soka", alisema Ronaldo.

Ronaldo ambaye aliibeba Brazili kutwaa kombe la dunia mwaka 1994 na 2002 hakuweza kuyaficha matumaini yake ya kuitwa kwenye kikosi cha Brazili kitakachoshiriki kombe la dunia baadae mwaka huu nchini Afrika Kusini.

"Tutaona itakavyokuwa, bado nina nifasi ya kuitwa timu ya taifa" alisema Ronaldo na kuongeza "Kwa kombe la dunia mwaka 2014 nchini Brazili itakuwa vigumu sana kwangu kushiriki kwani umri wangu utakuwa umesogea sana".

source nifahamishe

Kikosi cha Timu ya Taifa ya Wanawake Chatangazwa

2010-02-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

Kikosi cha timu ya taifa ya wanawake ya Twiga Stars kitakachoshiriki michuano ya awali ya kufuzu kushiriki fainali za Afrika kwa upande wa wanawake nchini Afrika Kusini kimetangazwa.
Adolf Rishard, Kocha msaidizi wa timu ya taifa ya wanawake ya Twiga Stars itakayoshiriki katika michuano ya awali ya kufuzu kushiriki fainali za Afrika za wanawake nchini Afrika Kusini, ametangaza kikosi cha wachezaji 27 kitakachopambana na timu ya taifa Ethiopia.

Mechi hiyo itachezwa Machi 6 mjini Addis Ababa nchini Ethiopia.

Adolf alitangaza majina hayo kwa niaba ya kocha mkuu Charles Boniface ambaye yupo nje ya jiji la Dar es Salaam.

Wachezaji hao tayari wameingia kambini jana katika Hosteli ya Lamada iliyopo Ilala jiji Dar es Salaam.

Adolf akiongea na waandishi wa habari katika ofisi za Chama cha Mpira wa miguu nchini TFF alisema kuwa yeye kwa uhakika haifahamu timu ya Ethiopia lakini anacho jua ni timu nzuri na watahakikisha yeye na kocha wake mkuu wanafanya kila liwezekanalo katika kuwaandaa vijana wao Twiga stars wanaoendelea na mazoezi katika Uwanja wa Karume uliopo katika ofisi za TFF.

Aliwataja wachezaji watakaoiwakilisha Tanzania kuwa ni Fatma Omari ,Pulkeria Chalaji, Sofia Mwasikila, Mary Masatu, Estar Chabuluma, Fatuma Mstafa, Zena Juma na Fatuma Bushiri.

Wengine ni pamoja na Neema Kuga, Hindu Muharami, Aisha Rashidi, Fadhila Kilele, Mwanahamisi Omary, Fatuma Hatibu, Mwanaidi Temba, Zena Hamisi na Hellen Peter.

Katika orodha hiyo pia wamo Pridian Daud Ettoo Mlezi, Fadhia Hamadi, Maimuna Said, Nasiria Ashri Abdallah, Mwajuma Abdalaah, Hakima Mwasilimu Hamis ,Warda Khalid Abdallah, Musimu Suluhu Hussan na Anita Elias.

source nifahamishe

Manchester Yaizamisha AC Milan 3-2, Real Madrid Hoi Ufaransa

2010-02-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Wayne Rooney ameendeleza wimbi lake la kuifungia mabao muhimu Manchester United kwa kuifungia Manchester United magoli mawili yaliyoisaidia kuibanjua AC Milan 3-2 kwenye uwanja wake wa San Siro. Real Madrid nayo imeshindwa kutamba na kupokea kichapo toka kwa Lyon ya UfaransaManchester United imejiweka katika nafasi nzuri ya kusonga mbele kwa kujipatia ushindi mnono wa mabao 3-2 dhidi ya AC Milan kwenye uwanja wa San Siro.

Ronaldinho aliitanguliza AC MIlan mbele kwa goli safi kwenye dakika ya tatu tu ya mchezo huo lakini Paul Scholes aliisawazishia Manchester kwenye dakika ya 36.

Wayne Rooney alibadilisha upepo wa mechi kwenye kipindi cha pili kwa kuifungia Manchester magoli mawili na kuwafanya wenyeji AC Milan wawe nyuma kwa mbao 3-1.

Clarence Seedorf aliyeingia uwanjani kuchukua nafasi ya David Beckham aliipatia AC Milan goli la pili dakika tano kabla ya mechi kuisha.

Hadi kipyenga cha mwisho kinapulizwa, Manchester United iliondoka uwanjani ikiwa na ushindi wa mabao 3-2 na faida ya magoli ya ugenini ikiwasubiri AC Milan kwenye mechi ya marudiano kwenye uwanja wa Old Traford.

Katika mechi nyingine ya kombe la mabingwa wa ulaya, Real Madrid ya Hispania ikiingiza uwanjani kikosi chake cha wachezaji ghali duniani, ilishindwa kutamba nchini Ufaransa na kubugizwa 1-0 na timu ya Lyon.

Goli lililoizamisha Real Madrid lilifungwa na Jean Makoun kwenye dakika ya 47.

source nifahamishe

Mido Asajiliwa West Ham, Kulipwa Sawa na Fundi Bomba

2010-02-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Mchezaji nyota wa Misri MIDO amesajiliwa kwa mkopo na timu ya West Ham inayoshiriki ligi kuu ya Uingereza na kuweka historia ya kuwa mchezaji wa ligi kuu anayelipwa kiasi kidogo sana cha pesa sawa na mshahara wa fundi bomba.
Mchezaji nyota wa Misri, Ahmed Hossam Hussein Abdelhamid au maarufu kama "Mido", ambaye amebatizwa jina la "galasa" kutokana na uwezo mdogo aliouonyesha katika timu zake za awali za Middlesbrough, Tottenham na Wigan, amesajiliwa kwa mkopo na West Ham ya jijini London na atakuwa akilipwa mshahara wa paundi 1,000 ( Tsh. Milioni 2.3) tu kwa wiki mshahara ambao ni sawa anaoupata kwa wiki fundi bomba nchini Uingereza.

West Ham imemsajili Mido kwa paundi 1,000 kwa wiki wakati huo huo ikimsajili nyota wa Afrika Kusini Benni McCarthy kwa paundi 38,000 kwa wiki.

Mido amekuwa mchezaji anayelipwa kiasi kidogo sana cha pesa kuliko wachezaji wote wanaoshiriki ligi kuu ya Uingereza.

Mido amesajiliwa kuichezea West Ham kwa kipindi cha kwa miezi sita tu toka timu yake ya Middlesbrough ambayo imeshuka daraja. Kwa maana hiyo kwa miezi sita atakayoichezea West Ham, Mido atajiingizia kiasi cha paundi 26,000 wakati kwa kipindi kama hicho Wayne Rooney wa Manchester United huingiza paundi Milioni 6.75

"Hana shida ya pesa, anataka kuthibitisha uwezo wake katika ligi kuu ya Uingereza, amekubali kulipwa paundi 1,000 kwa wiki", alisema David Sullivan mmiliki wa West Ham wakati wa kumkaribisha Mido West Ham.

source nifahamishe

Mkenya Alikosa Dili la Manchester City Kutokana na Gundu la Nchi Yake

2010-02-02T03:42:00.000-08:00

Mchezaji chipukizi wa Kenya ambaye alikuwa na matumaini ya kuwa mchezaji wa kwanza toka Afrika Mashariki kucheza ligi ya Uingereza, amelikosa dili la paundi milioni 7 la kuhamia Manchester City ya Uingereza baada ya kunyimwa kibali cha kufanya kazi kwakuwa anatoka Kenya nchi ambayo inashika nafasi ya 98 kwenye rank ya FIFA.
Ndoto ya McDonald Mariga, mchezaji chipukizi wa Kenya mwenye umri wa miaka 22 kuwa mchezaji wa kwanza toka Afrika Mashariki kucheza ligi kuu ya Uingereza imeyeyuka leo baada ya kuwekewa ngumu kwenye kibali cha kufanya kazi.

Mariga alikuwa akamalishe leo usajili wa paundi milioni 7 kuichezea timu tajiri ya Manchester City ya Uingereza lakini dili hilo liliingia uchachu baada ya maafisa wa uhamiaji wa Uingereza kumnyima Mariga kibali cha kufanya kazi kwakuwa anatoka nchini Kenya nchi ambayo inashika nafasi ya 98 katika viwango vya ubora wa soka vya Fifa.

Mariga alitakiwa awe anatoka katika nchi zinazoshika nafasi 70 za mwanzo katika viwango vya ubora wa FIFA ili aweze kusajiliwa kucheza ligi kuu ya Uingereza.

Mariga ambaye kwasasa anaichezea Parma ya Italia, alikamilisha masharti yote ya kumwezesha kucheza ligi kuu ya Uingereza lakini aliangushwa na nafasi ya Kenya katika ubora wa soka duniani.

Mariga ameishaichezea Kenya mechi 24 hivyo alilikamilisha sharti la kuichezea timu yake ya taifa kwa asilimia 75 ya mechi zake za miaka miwili.

Maafisa wa Man City walikata rufaa uamuzi huo wa Mariga kunyimwa kibali cha kufanya kazi lakini rufaa yao pia ilitupiliwa mbali na maafisa wanaoshugulikia vibali hivyo.

Mariga alisajiliwa rasmi na Parma ya Italia mwaka 2008 baada ya awali kusajiliwa kwa mkopo na timu hiyo kutoka timu ya Helsingborgs ya Sweden.

Mariga ana mkataba wa kuichezea Parma kwenye Serie A hadi mwaka 2012.

source nifahamishe

Misri Yaibanjua Ghana na Kutwaa Kombe la Mataifa ya Afrika

2010-01-31T19:29:00.001-08:00

Timu ya taifa ya Misri imefanikiwa kulitwaa kombe la mataifa ya Afrika kwa mara ya tatu mfululizo baada ya kuwabanjua vijana wa Ghana kwa bao 1-0 katika mechi ya fainali jijini Luanda, Angola.
Ghana imeshindwa kwa mara nyingine kumaliza kiu ya miaka 28 ya kombe la mataifa ya Afrika baada ya kukubali kichapo cha bao 1-0 toka kwa mabingwa watetezi Misri.

Alikuwa ni mchezaji wa akiba wa Misri Mohamed Gedo aliyeingia uwanjani dakika ya 70 na kufanikiwa kulifumania lango la Ghana kwenye dakika ya 85.

Gedo aliachia shuti ndani ya 18 lililojaa nyavuni na kuifanya Misri iweke historia ya kulitwaa kombe la Mataifa ya Afrika kwa mara ya saba.

Misri pia imeweka rekodi ya kulitwaa kombe hilo mara tatu mfululizo. Hakuna timu nyingine iliyowahi kufanya hivyo.

Wawakilishi wa Afrika kwenye kombe la dunia nchini Afrika Kusini, Ghana waliitawala mechi ya leo lakini washambuliaji wake walishindwa kuzifumania nyavu za Misri.

Ikiingiza uwanjani wachezaji wanne wa timu ya taifa ya vijana ya Ghana ya chini ya miaka 20 ambayo ilitwaa kombe la dunia mwaka jana, Ghana ilifanikiwa kuliandama lango la Misri kwenye kipindi cha kwanza lakini viungo wake walishindwa kuwachezesha vizuri washambuliaji wake.

Asamoah Gyan, mshambuliaji wa Ghana aliyeipatia Ghana magoli ya ushindi katika mechi dhidi ya Angola na Nigeria alikaribia kuifumania nyavu ya Misri kwenye dakika ya 52 lakini shuti lake lilipanguliwa na golikipa wa Misri, El Hadary.

Hatimaye Gebo ambaye amekuwa mfungaji bora wa mashindano haya kwa kufunga magoli matano, aliwasononesha Ghana kwenye dakika ya 85 kwa kuachia shuti lililojaa kwenye nyavu za kushoto za kipa wa Ghana, Richard Kingson.

Katika mechi ya kutafuta mshindi wa tatu iliyochezwa kabla ya mechi ya fainali, Nigeria ilifanikiwa kuwalaza Algeria 1-0 na kunyakua ushindi wa tatu.

source nifahamishe

Manchester Yaizamisha Arsenal 3-1

2010-01-31T19:24:00.000-08:00

nchester United imetamba kwenye uwanja wa Emirates jijini London na kuwabugiza wenyeji Arsenal magoli 3-1.Manchester United imepunguza pengo la pointi kati yake na vinara wa ligi ya Uingereza, Chelsea kwa kuibanjua Arsenal magoli 3-1 kwenye uwanja wake wa Emirates.

Winga wa Manchester United toka Ureno, NANI ndiye aliyekuwa mwiba mkali kwa mabeki wa Arsenal katika mechi ya leo.

Katika dakika ya 35, Nani baada ya kuwaramba chenga wachezaji watatu wa Arsenal alimimina majaro kati lakini kipa wa Arsenal, Manuel Almunia, aliusindika mpira huo kwenye nyavu zake katika harakati za kuuokoa.

Dakika nne baadae Nani tena alimpa pasi nzuri sana Wayne Rooney ambaye hakufanya ajizi kuiandikia Manchester goli la pili ambalo lilikuwa ni goli lake la 100 katika ligi ya Uingereza.

Mkorea Park Ji-Sung alipigilia msumari wa mwisho kwenye jeneza la Arsenal kwenye dakika ya 52 baada ya kuambaa na mpira karibia nusu ya uwanja na kuachia shuti lililojaa kwenye ubavu wa kulia wa nyavu za Arsenal.

Wakati washabiki wa Arsenal wakianza kutoka uwanjani dakika 15 kabla ya mechi kuisha, Thomas Vermaelen aliipatia Arsenal goli la kufutia machozi kwenye dakika ya 80.

Akiongea baada ya kichapo hicho, kocha wa Arsenal, Arsene Wenger aliwataka wachezaji wake kukusanya nguvu zao tena na kulipa kisasi kwa kuilaza Chelsea watakapokutana siku ya jumapili.

source nifahamishe

Reds reject new Babel bid

2010-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

The Blues have been tracking the Reds winger since the opening of the January transfer window but saw a reported £9 million bid rebuffed by the Merseyside giants at the start of the month.

Liverpool chief Rafael Benitez claimed Babel still had an integral to play at Anfield, but the 23-year-old has made just one substitute appearance since City's offer.

Babel, who announced his displeasure at being left out of a recent Liverpool squad on Twitter before apologising personally to Benitez, was originally not keen on a move to St Andrews.

But the player's agent has since revealed the Dutch international had a change of heart, with the World Cup on the horizon, but it appears Alex McLeish's latest bid to lure the former Ajax star to the West Midlands has been shunned.

Blues could still bring Aruna Dindane to the Second City, however, despite reports that the deal has fallen through.

Dindane was in Birmingham on Friday after the Blues agreed a £4 million deal for the Ivory Coast marksman but the move was believed to have broken down due to the player's demands.

But skysports.com understands a deal for the Lens striker - on loan at Portsmouth - is not completely dead in the water and talks are still ongoing.

City also remain confident on signing Roman Pavlyuchenko despite seeing a substantial offer turned down by Tottenham on Friday

The Russian striker appears to be McLeish's number one target before Monday's deadline

source skysport

Chama cha riadha Zanzibar chataka kuandaa riadha taifa

2010-01-29T19:08:00.000-08:00

CHAMA cha Riadha Zanzibar (ZAAA) kimeomba kuandaa mashindano ya Taifa ya mchezo huo kwa mwaka huu yanayotarajia kufanyika mwezi Mei.

Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Riadha Tanzania, RT, Suleimani Nyambui alisema tayari wamepokea mwaliko kutoka ZAAA kuhusiana na maombi hayo.

Alisema maombi ya ZAAA yatajadiliwa katika kikao cha Kamati ya Ufundi ya RT kabla ya kutolewa uamuzi.

"ZAAA wametuletea barua hapa kuomba kuandaa mashindano ya Taifa bila shaka wameshawishika kufanya hivyo baada ya kuufanyia ukarabati Uwanja wa Amani hususani ile sehemu ya kukimbilia pamoja na ile saa ya kurekodi muda wa kukimbia," alisema Nyambui.

Mara ya mwisho Zanzibar iliandaa mashindano ya riadha ya Taifa mwaka 1971.

source mwananchi

Kenya, Tanzania kuandaa fainali za Afrika 2014

2010-01-29T19:07:00.000-08:00

SHIRIKISHO la Soka Kenya, KFF limeomba Shirikisho la Soka Afrika uenyeji wa Fainali za Afrika 2016 na kuiteua Tanzania na Uganda kuunganisha nguvu kuandaa kwa pamoja.

Taarifa ya KFF ambayo Mwananchi imeipata, ilisema kuwa kwa muda mrefu shirikisho hilo limepeleka maombi CAF kutaka uenyeji huo huku likijinadi kujitosheleza kwa miundombinu.

"Baada ya mkutano wetu kwa pamoja, Job Omino (mwenyekiti wa taifa), Sam Obingo (katibu) na James Tirop kwa mara ya kwanza tuliomba haya kwa Fainali za 1996. Hata hivyo, Afrika Kusini ndiyo ilikuwa mwenyeji.

Hata hivyo, serikali kupitia kwa Waziri wa Michezo, James Njiru alipinga hatua hiyo ya KFF lakini baada ya ujio wa wawakilishi kutoka shirikisho la soka Afrika CAF na kuishauri Serikali umuhimu wa kuandaa michuano hiyo wengi walikubaliana na kauli hiyo ingawa wengine walipinga lakini shirikisho hilo likasimama na kutetea nafasi hiyo.

KFF haikukata tamaa na ilibidi kuwasilisha michoro ya viwanja ikiwemo wa Mombasa, Moi Kasarani na City na CAF iliridhishwa na hatua hiyo na kuitaka Kenya kuendelea kujipanga.

Baadaye CAF ilimtuma mjumbe wake, Farah Addo kwenda kikagua viwanja pamoja na kuwa na mazungumza na Waziri wa sasa wa Michezo, Maalim Mohamed na katika mazungumzo yao, walizungumzia jinsi gani wanaweza kuufanyia ukarabati Uwanja wa Mombasa ambao nao ungeweza kutumika kwa fainali hizo.

Sasa, pamoja na kwamba Afrika Kusini inataka kuwa mwenyeji wa Fainali za 2016, lakini tangu kuingia kwa Job Omono katika Chama cha FORDKENYA mpango wake ni kuunganisha kupitia soka ambao morari ya soka imepotea.

"Tunataka kuandaa Fainali za 2016 na endapo inashindikana, mpango wetu ni kuandaa kwa pamoja na Tanzania, Uganda na Zanzibar," ilisema taarifa ya KFF.

CAF wasiwe na wasiwasi na Kenya kama tukishinda,

lazima Bunge liidhinishe fedha ili vijengwe viwanja vitatu vya kisasa na pia lazima itolewe barua ya idhini ya Rais kuruhusu fainali hizo bila kujali yeyote atakayeshinda urais katika uchaguzi wa 2012.

Hata Kenya ikikosa kama Kenya lazima ujumbe wa Afrika Mashariki kupitia Rais wa TFF na CECAFA, Leodegar Tenga lazima kuipenyeza na kuipigia debe hoja ya Afrika Mashariki kuwa mwenyeji wa Fainali za 2016.

CAF inaweza kuangalia wazo la kuandaa kwa pamoja nchi za Afrika Mashariki kwa kuwa kila nchi tajwa kuna viwanja vya kisasa katika miji ya Nairobi, Dar es Salaam na Kampala. Zanzibar inaweza kutumika pia.

Timu 16 zitagawanywa katika mataifa manne ya Afrika Mashariki na mechi tisa zitachezwa kila nchi hatua ya makundi, pamoja na mechi za robo fainali zitachezwa katika miji ya Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam na Zanzibar.

Mechi za mshindi wa tatu, nusu fainali na fainali zitafanyika katika nchi ambazo waandaaji watakubaliana kati ya Nairobi, Dar es Salaam na Kampala.

Mawasiliano ni mazuri Afrika Mashariki, viwanja bora vinavyohitaji ukarabati mdogo, vivutio vya utalii, hoteli za kisasa, mashabiki wanaweza kusafiri kwa barabara kwenda kwenye mechi bila vikwazo.

Wakati huo huo, CAF imesema kuwa mechi za ufunguzi kwa Fainali za Afrika 2012 zitakazoandaliwa kwa pamoja kati ya Gabon na Guinea ya Ikweta itachezwa Guinea ya Ikweta wakati fainali itachezwa Gabon.

source nifahamishe

Ghana hiyoo fainali, Yaichapa NIgeria 1-0

2010-01-29T19:06:00.001-08:00

GHANA 'Black Stars' imeingia fainali ya Fainali za Afrika baada ya miaka 28 baada ya Asamoah Gyan kupachika bao pekee la kichwa lililoizamisha Nigeria.

Gyanalifunga bao hilo katika dakika ya 21 na kuipeleka fainali Black Stars ikiwa ni mara ya kwanza tangu 1992.

Timu hiyo yenye tiketi ya Kombe la Dunia itakuwa ikisubiri Algeria au Misri zilizokuwa zikicheza jana usiku kwenye mji wa Benguela.

Hadi tunakwenda mitamboni mpambano huo ulikuwa unaendelea.

Nigeria sasa inasubiri mwenzake atakayeshindwa katika mchezo huo ambao watakutana kesho kutafuta mshindi wa tatu na nne. Fainali itachezwa hapa keshokutwa.

Katika mchezo Obinna Nwaneri alifanya kazi ya ziada kuzuia mpira wa dhabu wa Asamoah Gyan uliotoka na kuwa iliyozaa bao.

Kona hiyo ilipigwa na Kwadwo Asamoah na kumkuta ndugu yake, Asamoah Gyan aliyejitwika kichwa kuandika bao hilo pekee la Black Stars.

Bao hilo liliwapa nguvu Waghana na kuendelea kulishambulia kwa nguvu lango la wapinzani wao wakiongozwa na Gyan na Opoku Agyemang.

Hata hivyo, Danny Shittu na Elderson Echiejile walifanya kazi ya kumzuia.

Katika dakika ya 25, Gyan alikosa bao la wazi akiwa na kipa wa Nigeria, Vincent Enyeama ambaye alimuwahi kabla ya kuupiga mpira huo.

Kipindi cha pili, Nigeria ilianza kwa kufanya mashambulizi ya mfululizo, katika dakika za 75, 76 na 77.

Washambuliaji wa timu hiyo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni aliyeingia kuchukua nafasi ya Peter Odemwingie na Obafemi Martins walikuwa mwiba, lakini mashambulizi yao yaliishia kwenye ukuta wa Ghana.

Kuona hali inazidi kuwa nzito, ilimtoa Yusuf Ayila na nafasi yake kuchukuliwa na Obinna Nsofor wakati Ghana ilimtoa, Hans Sarpei aliyeumia na nafasi yake kujazwa na Rahim Ayew.

Wakati huo huo, mbali na kufungwa, wachezaji wa Nigeria wamepatiwa bonasi zao zilizotokana na harambee ya Rais wa nchi hiyo, PTF.

Habari zilizopatikana jana zilisema kuwa Shirikisho la Soka (NFF) liliwalipa asilimia 50 wachezaji hao wakati kamati ya hamasa ya Rais iliwapa asilimia nyingine 50.

Kabla ya kucheza nusu fainali, kila mchezaji wa Nigeria alikuwa na dola30,000 kwa kuingia robo fainali na dola 12,500 kwa kuichapa Zambia 5-4.

Kabla ya PTF kuwapa fedha hizo, maofisa wa NFF waliwaambia wachezaji kutuliza akili zao na kuhakikisha wanafika mbali katika fainali hizo kabla ya kupigwa bao 1-0 na Ghana.

Kocha wa Ghana, Milovan Rajevac alisema kuwa vijana wake wameonyesha kiwango cha hali ya juu hapa Angola.

Alisema kuwa kila mechi wamekuwa wakiimarika na kinachoangaliwa kwa sasa ni kutwaa ubingwa wa Afrika

"Nilichukua wachezaji wanane wa U-20 waliotwaa Kombe la Dunia na wameonyesha kweli wanaweza," Rajevac alisema.

source mwananchi

Nahodha wa Uingereza Ajivinjari na Mpenzi wa Mchezaji Mwenzake

2010-01-29T19:03:00.000-08:00

Nahodha wa timu ya taifa ya Uingereza na timu ya Chelsea ya jijini London, John Terry ambaye ana mke na watoto wawili alijivinjari na mpenzi wa mchezaji mwenzake wa Chelsea na alipogundua siri imefichuka alikimbilia mahakamani kuchukua kibali cha kuwazuia waandishi wa habari kufichua siri hiyo.
John Terry nahodha wa timu ya taifa ya Uingereza na timu ya Chelsea, mume na baba wa watoto wawili, aliisaliti ndoa yake na kutembea na mpenzi wa mchezaji mwenzake Wayne Bridge aliyekuwa akiichezea Chelsea kabla ya kuhamia Manchester City.

John Terry aliposhtukia waandishi wa habari wamelinyaka soo hilo, alikimbilia mahakamani kuchukua kibali cha kuwazuia waandishi wa habari kuandika habari hiyo kwenye magazeti.

Kibali hicho kilitolewa kwa muda lakini leo pingamizi la mahakama liliondolewa na hivyo magazeti kuwa huru kumuandika John Terry alivyoisaliti ndoa yake na kumla uroda mpenzi wa rafiki yake.

Taarifa zinasema kwamba Terry alianza kujivinjari na mpenzi wa Wayne Bridge mrembo wa Ufaransa, Vanessa Perroncel, baada ya Wayne Bridge kuhama Chelsea na kuhamia Manchester City mwezi januari mwaka jana.

Vannessa ambaye ni mama wa mtoto mmoja wa kiume wa Wayne Bridge mwenye umri wa miaka mitatu, alibakia jijini London wakati Wayne Bridge alihamia mjini Manchester.

Wayne Bridge na Vannesa waliachana mwezi uliopita.

Hili ni skendo la pili kumkumba John Terry, mwaka 2003 alitiwa mbaroni kwa kupigana kwenye ukumbi wa starehe lakini baadae aliachiwa huru.

Wazazi wake nao ni maarufu magazetini kwa maskendo yaliyozua maswali mengi na kumtia aibu milionea John Terry.

Wakati mama yake alikamatwa akiiba nguo kwenye supermarket, baba yake alinaswa akiuza madawa ya kulevya.

source nifahamishe

Tevez slams 'idiot' Neville

2010-01-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has branded Gary Neville an 'idiot' and admits his goal celebration in the Carling Cup was directed at his former team-mate.

The Argentina international scored twice against Manchester United in a fiery semi-final first leg at Eastlands on Tuesday, putting City in the driving seat going into next week's game at Old Trafford as they claimed a 2-1 win.

Tevez netted City's equaliser from the penalty spot three minutes before half-time, and he ran to the touchline to exchange gestures with United fans' favourite Neville during his celebration.

Tevez made a gesture for Neville to keep his mouth shut before cupping his hands behind his ears, in response to comments from Neville that he was not worth the money City spent on him, and the defender then hit back with a rude gesture.

The 25-year-old, who moved from United to City for £25.5million last summer, admits he had to contain himself in his celebration, but revealed he was directing his actions towards Neville.

"In all the press here, Gary Neville came out and stood by (Sir Alex) Ferguson's comments, saying that I wasn't worth 25million," he told Argentinean radio.

"I thought he was in the wrong because we were team-mates and I never disrespected him, I always respected him.

"I feel he was a boot-licker when he stood by Ferguson's comments that I wasn't worth that money.

"From a former team-mate it hurts, from a coach it doesn't surprise me.

"I would never do that gesture towards the fans, I would never show a lack of respect towards people. It was directed at Gary Neville.

"Just as I was running off to celebrate the penalty I had scored, I came across Gary and I said to myself, 'shut your trap, keep quiet'.
Overboard

"I didn't go overboard in my celebration and it was directed at Gary, not at Ferguson and not at the fans. I didn't even look at Ferguson.

"You have to do your talking on the pitch. I know that Ferguson loves me, that's why he always talks about me."

The former Boca Juniors, Corinthians and West Ham striker admits he was upset when he first heard of Neville's newspaper comments.

"I was the first to sit down to have lunch in the team hotel and all the papers were laid out," he added.

"I looked at them as, although I couldn't read them, there were (photos) of Gary Neville and they were talking about me.

"Then I asked my team-mates what it said.

"I thought to myself, 'what's this idiot talking about me for when I never said anything about him, when there was never any (problems) with us?'

"It was a lack of respect for a (former) team-mate, aside from the fact that we had won a lot of things together.

"Thank God I had the chance to get revenge with City, although there is still the second leg to come."

source skysports

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2009-12-22T21:57:00.000-08:00

wadau tembeleeni blog mpyaaaaaaaa

www.reyishak.blogspot.com

tupo pamoja kupeana habari

Berba - Price tag is difficult

2009-12-15T03:02:00.000-08:00

The Bulgarian striker joined United in a £30million deal from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 and won the Premier League in his debut season.

However, the 28-year-old's languid style failed to win over a large section of United fans and he has scored just four goals so far this term.

Berbatov accepts the supporters have only seen 'glimpses' of his best form, but remains determined to justify his hefty price tag at Old Trafford.
Pressure

"Every person is different in coping with the pressure of the price tag," said Berbatov. "Every person thinks differently. For me, sometimes it is difficult because people expect so much of me.

"The fans have probably seen glimpses of my best goals, passes and games. I know you need to show that all the time and that's my main goal - in every game to show my best game.

"But that's the way it should be because the people here have paid so much money for you.

"I try to give my best for the team to win things. I think I did that in my first season. We won the championship and I think everybody was happy about that.

"I'm happy. I love it here. The club are bigger than you think.

"United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and you are playing with some of the best players in the world."

Berbatov also praised Sir Alex Ferguson, revealing he has learned plenty from the United manager during his time at the club.

He added: "The manager is so many years in charge of this great club that of course you are going to learn things.

"If you want to develop, this is the place to be. He is the type of manager who always protects his players."

source skysports.co.uk

Kili Stars Yawasili Na Mfungaji Bora Wa Chalenji

2009-12-15T03:00:00.001-08:00

BAADA ya kushindwa kutwaa ushindi wa tatu wa michuano ya Kombe la Chalenji, timu ya taifa ya Tanzania Bara ‘Kili Stars’ inatarajiwa kuwasili nchini mchana huu ikitokea Kenya.
Kwa mujibu wa habari kutoka kwa Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF), Frederick Mwakalebela, alisema timu hiyo itawasili mchana huu katika Uwanbja wa ndege wa Julius Nyerere.

“Tunaomba wadau wajitokeze kuja kuipokea timu yetu ya taifa, lengo ni kuwapa hamasa wachezaji wetu kwa maendeleo ya zoka letu,” alisema Mwakalebela.

source.nifahamishe

Kili Stars inawasili na mfungaji bora wa Kombe la Chalenji Mrisho Ngassa aliyefunga mabao matano.

Yakubu backing Owen

2009-07-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni is backing Michael Owen to be a successful signing for Manchester United.
The free agent surprisingly joined the Red Devils on a two-year contract on Friday after previously being linked with the likes of Hull City and Stoke.
Newcastle shelled out an estimated £17million on the striker four years ago, but despite a series of injuries blighting his time at St James' Park Yakubu believes his reputation remains intact.
Yakubu was not surprised by Owen's Old Trafford switch and believes the 29-year-old will regain his form for the champions.
"It's not a big shock. He's a great player. He's a great striker. He can score goals there," he told Sky Sports News.
"I wish him the best and I still believe he can score goals."
Meanwhile, Yakubu insists manager David Moyes will have the final say on transfers at Everton this summer, although he does not mind who comes and who goes after recovering from a long-term injury.
"It's important [to keep the squad together], but it's down to the manager to decide who he wants to keep and who can leave," he continued. "I'm just so happy to be back and start training again.

source:skysport.co.uk

Mourinho arrives in Nigeria

2009-07-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Mourinho will help local coaches on a three-day visit in Nigeria
The Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho caused a major frenzy among Nigerian fans as he arrived in the country for a three-day visit.
Mourinho arrived in Lagos on Friday as a guest of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).
Mourinho will be in the West African country from 3 - 5 July, as he seeks to encourage coaches and officials of the project run by the Kwara state government.
The fans turned up to greet the former Chelsea boss and the rest of the delegation despite the fact that he arrived two hours later than announced.
"It is a great landmark in the history of Nigerian football as well as the KFA," Nkechi Obi, CEO of Premium Sports Marketing Services told BBC Sport.
"He is here with other coaches and trainers to conduct seminars and coaching clinics for indigenous coaches.
"We are positive that his presence will benefit the talented players in the academy and hopefully attract interest from international clubs throughout the world.
"Football fans, media and everyone involved with football will enjoy photograph and autograph sessions with the 'Special One' on this trip."
The trip facilitated by DanJan Sports is widely seen as an opportunity to expose the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) to the rest of the world.
"The KFA epitomises what a perfect football academy truly is and Gestafute are happy to be associated with them," David Omigie of DanJan Sports explained.
"We have seen what the visit of Manchester United and Portsmouth gave to Nigeria as a country in the past.
"The coming of Mourinho and KFA will bring a lot of positive attention to football in the country once again.
Former Nigeria coach Clemence Westerhof is the director of the Kwara Football Academy which is in Ilorin, the capital of Nigeria's Kwara State.

source:skysports.co.uk

Torres recommends Che trio

2009-06-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

Torres: Recommends trio
I hope Liverpool will bring people like Silva, Mata or Villa.
Fernando Torres has told Rafa Benitez that any of Valencia's David Silva, Juan Mata or David Villa would be excellent signings for Liverpool.
Los Che are expected to sell some of their stars this summer due to crippling debts and Spain international Villa has already been linked with a Premier League switch.
The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with the deadly striker, although it is thought he would rather stay in Spain ahead of a move to England.
While Silva leads the line for Valencia he is supported by the likes of Mata and Silva. Mata is primarily a left winger while Silva can play on either wing or as a supporting striker.
Torres knows Benitez has a star-studded squad and thinks that with just one or two astute signings they will be well-placed to finish top of the table come the end of next season.
Other players
"We have some very good players but maybe we need other players," admitted Torres. "I hope Liverpool will bring people like Silva, Mata or Villa.
"These are small players with quality like United had with Carlos Tevez and also with Paul Scholes.
"They are clever players and maybe they can make the difference. Yossi Benayoun plays like these players and I hope we can bring more like that.
"I have recommended the names to Benitez and I hope we have the money."
Meanwhile, Torres believes Liverpool need to improve their results against the weaker teams if they are to win the Premier League next season.
Dropped points
The Reds had an impressive record against the 'big four' last time around, but all too often dropped points when it was least expected of them.
Liverpool were held at home by the likes of Stoke, Fulham and West Ham, while they were surprised by Middlesbrough away from Anfield.
"It was frustrating, but football is difficult against the smaller teams," he continued. "We need players with quality to try to win these matches and I want Liverpool to sign players like this.
"We have a fantastic team to play against the big teams and we are competitive. But maybe against those teams lower down we are not good enough. We have to improve that and I think we can.
"We finished four points behind United but we are improving. We are getting more points every season. I know that every year we can finish with more points."

source:skysports.co.uk

Drogba backing 2010 finals

2009-06-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

Didier Drogba believes the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa are going to be a spectacle to behold.
Drogba is currently on holiday in the country, which is currently staging the 2009 Confederations Cup.
It had been thought South Africa was going to struggle to host the tournament and that another country could even be on stand-by as part of a plan 'B'.
However, Drogba feels that with the whole continent behind South Africa next year's tournament will be something special.
Support
"I think it'll be like the other World Cups, but a little bit more because we're going to get the support of the entire continent," he said on Sky Sports News. "Even more so than before.
"You can see it's not like what some media were saying. People are really fantastic here and they want to give you guys the best World Cup. So we're ready."
Meanwhile, Drogba is not thinking about next season with Chelsea, where he has one year remaining on his deal, as he is enjoying his break from the club.
"I'm on holiday now," he continued. "So I'm just spending my time with the kids. I'm not even thinking about Chelsea."

source:skysports.co.uk

Eto'o has City offer

2009-06-28T04:32:00.003-07:00

Eto'o: Wanted by City
Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed Manchester City have made a "stratospheric offer" to striker Samuel Eto'o.
The 28-year-old Cameroon international superstar has just one-year left on his contract with the European champions and is being tipped to leave Camp Nou.
Big-spending City have been linked with virtually ever player going this summer, although they recently recruited Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.
However, manager Mark Hughes is far from finished his summer spending and it appears he is determined as ever to add Eto'o to his talented squad.
Highest paid
Laporta claims City's offer would make Eto'o the highest paid player in world football, a deal which may even eclipse the staggering six-year deal Cristiano Ronaldo recently penned with Real Madrid.
The Barca supremo claims Eto'o wants to stay, but concedes the offer may be too good to reject. He also confirmed the Catalan giants would seek a replacement if the striker departed.
"Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world," he told Catalan radio station iCat FM.
"It's starting to become clear that he has this monster offer. He wants to stay but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse.
"If Eto'o accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone."

source;skysports.co.uk

2009-06-28T04:32:00.001-07:00

Michael Jackos is no more

2009-06-27T00:33:00.001-07:00

Tevez - Berba was the end

2009-06-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

Carlos Tevez remains uncertain where he will be playing next season, but claims he knew his days were numbered at Manchester United when Dimitar Berbatov arrived.

The Argentina international will join a new club ahead of the next season after rejecting a five-year contract with United, having spent the past two seasons on loan at Old Trafford.

Manchester City and Chelsea are understood to be admirers of the 25-year-old, but it remains unclear where he will start the new campaign.

Tevez, though, insists he was certain he would not stay with United following the signing of former Tottenham star Berbatov last summer.

"I am not sure where I am going to play, but I know for sure that it will not be at Manchester (United)," Tevez told TyC Sports.

"I did not feel supported after they signed Berbatov, because I was the man for the job he was bought to do.

"Ferguson told me not to be worried about Berbatov's arrival, but I did not like it when he started to put me on the bench often. I gave my life for the Manchester United shirt."

source;skysports.co.uk

Carlos Tevez set to sign for Man City in £47.5m deal

2009-06-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Tevez factfile

2009-06-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Tevez: Turns down United

Skysports.com breaks down Carlos Tevez's career following his decision to turn down Manchester United.

1984:

Born February 5 in Buenos Aires.

2001:

November - Makes first-team debut for Boca Juniors. Wins two Argentinian titles, two Copa Libertadores titles and the World Club Championship with Boca in 2003.

2004:

March - Makes senior debut for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. December - Joins Brazilian side Corinthians in an 18 million US dollars (£8.9million) deal, a record between South American clubs. The deal is financed by Media Sports Investments, a group of investors headed by Kia Joorabchian who also own a controlling stake in Corinthians.

2005:

Helps Corinthians to the Brazilian title and named the competition's best player.

2006:

June 16 - Scores as Argentina thrash Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in their opening World Cup match in Gelsenkirchen.

August 31 - Makes shock move to England, joining West Ham along with Corinthians colleague and international team-mate Javier Mascherano.

September 4: Hammers deny they are contractually obliged to play Tevez and Mascherano in every game.

September 10: Draw 1-1 with Aston Villa, Tevez making his debut off the bench.

2007:

March 2 - West Ham are charged by the Premier League for breaching their rules in relation to the signings of Tevez and Mascherano in August.

March 4: Tevez scores first goal for West Ham in 4-3 defeat to Tottenham.

April 27: West Ham are fined £5.5million but spared a points deduction after pleading guilty. The verdict also rules "the registration of Carlos Tevez can be terminated by the FA Premier League" but Tevez is later cleared to play on for the Hammers.

May 13: Tevez scores the winning goal in 1-0 defeat to Manchester United which ensures West Ham avoid relegation.

July 9: Sir Alex Ferguson confirms he expects a deal for Tevez to be completed when the Argentinian returns from Cope America duty, despite fears the Premier League might delay the transfer.

July 24: Fifa recommend the Tevez case be referred to Court of Arbitration for Sport after deciding not to become involved. However, Joorabchian opts to issue High Court proceedings against West Ham.

August 3: West Ham confirm they have reached a £2million settlement with Tevez's representatives which allows the Argentinian to leave the club for Manchester United.

September 23: Scores first goal for the Red Devils in a 2-0 win over title rivals Chelsea.

2008:

Wins Barclays Premier League title in first season with United.

May 21 - Starts Champions League final against Chelsea and scores in penalty shoot-out as United lift the trophy in Moscow.

2009:

United retain Premier League title though Tevez admits he is frustrated by a lack of regular starts.

May 27 - Appears as half-time substitute in the Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in Rome.

June 20 - United confirm Tevez will leave Old Trafford after his two-year deal despite being offered a five-year contract.

source:skysports.co.uk

Owen reveals big interest

2009-06-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Owen: Interest mounts

It remains to be seen where I am going to go, there are plenty of clubs that would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether it is at home or abroad.

Michael Owen has confirmed to Sky Sports News there is plenty of interest in his signature from both home and abroad.

The Newcastle striker has confirmed that he will not be remaining at St James' Park following their relegation to The Championship.

Owen admits that his preference would be to remain in England this summer when his contract at Newcastle expires, but he refused to rule out a fresh move to the continent.

The England international has already experienced life playing in Europe after spending a season with Real Madrid in 2004.

"It remains to be seen where I am going to go, there are plenty of clubs that would interest me, but we will see where that is, whether it is at home or abroad," he told Sky Sports News.

"There has been a lot of interest from abroad and quite a bit from home as well, but obviously the Premier League is where I feel I belong.

"I played a year out in Spain and enjoyed it at Real Madrid but that confirmed to me that I definitely prefer the Premier League, so if it was to be a good English club, that would be my preference, but I have had a lot of interest from abroad so I wouldn't rule that out.

"I am still contracted to Newcastle for a few weeks, so that is where I am at the minute. I don't think I am going to be re-signing at Newcastle, as one I don't think I am going to be offered a new contract and I want to play in the Premier League or a top division somewhere else."

Hull City are the latest side said to be ready to offer him a contract, but Owen admits he is not aware of the interest from The Tigers at this stage.

"I haven't been made aware of that, it is a new one - but I have been linked with virtually every team in last few weeks," he continued.

"I will sit down but I don't think it is fair to Newcastle at the moment. I had four enjoyable years there, and I am very sorry to leave them when they are going to be in the Championship so I wouldn't like to talk about specific clubs who I am going to join."

Owen admits it has been hard reading a lot of negative press about him over the past 12 months.

"There is a lot said and written about me in last few weeks and not many nice things, but that is life!" he said.

"I have got skin thicker than 99.9 per cent of the population. I get used to it - people write you off but when I scored a goal in the World Cup at 18, people were writing me off six months later. Then I was scoring a hat-trick in Germany and winning trophies with Liverpool and then they write you off again.

"Somebody will always criticise you no matter what, so if you let that affect you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"Yes I prefer people to say nice things about me as it is not as if I have murdered someone, but you get more criticism as a footballer and you have to be thick skinned."

source:skysports.co.uk

Blues agree £17.5million for Glen

2009-06-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

RAFA BENITEZ'S pursuit of England full-back Glen Johnson has stalled - after Portsmouth accepted a rival £17.5million bid from Chelsea.

Liverpool boss Benitez had an offer accepted for Johnson, 24, on Monday.

He was hoping to tie up the transfer this week only for Chelsea to have now matched the Reds' approach.

Johnson has told friends he favours a move to Merseyside after a miserable time at Stamford Bridge between 2003 and 2007, where he made just 35 league starts.

Yet Chelsea are hoping to tempt him back to the capital with a more lucrative wage package.

Johnson's departure from Fratton Park remains inevitable though.

Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie said: "The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen.

"The deals are almost identical so it really is down to him and what club he prefers, which one is going to pay him more money.

"Glen wants to play regularly in the Champions League, he has got himself back in the England side so I understand that. Sometimes you have to be fair to players."

Johnson's performances for Pompey last season elevated him into the position of Fabio Capello's No 1 right-back.

And with the World Cup in South Africa less than 12 months away, he is conscious that unless he is playing Champions League football he could miss out.

Storrie added: "It's a big year for him with the World Cup coming up.

"Playing Champions League football will make him an even better player than he is today."

Also on his way is Pompey defender Djimi Traore, who is joining French outfit Monaco on a free.

The ex-Liverpool full-back was on loan last season at Birmingham and has failed to land a new deal at Fratton Park. He had a Monaco medical yesterday and is set to pen a three-year deal.

source;skysports.co.uk

Vermaelen arrives at Arsenal

2009-06-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Vermaelen: Gunners move

Defender Thomas Vermaelen has completed his move to Arsenal from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.

The Belgium international has penned a long-term contract with the North London outfit and will be hoping to add some much-needed steel to the heart of the Gunners defence.

The 23-year-old, who captained Ajax throughout last season, will primarily be utilised as a centre-half, but can operate at full-back if required.

His capture has delighted Arsene Wenger, with the Frenchman tipping Vermaelen to be a big hit in England.

"Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us," Wenger told the club's official website.

"Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and Uefa Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team.

"Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he's multi-functional and can also play at left back.

"He is strong technically with a positive winner's attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal."

Vermaelen has immediately set his sights on securing silverware having arrived in the Premier League.

He said: "Firstly, I have to say that I'm sad to be leaving Ajax and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and friendship towards me over the past eight years.

"I'm just so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium.

"Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.

"I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal.

"I'm also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which for me, is the best league in the world. Also, I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season."

source:skysports.co.uk

Blues fight Drogba ban

2009-06-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

CHELSEA will appeal against Didier Drogba's SIX-MATCH Euro ban.

The Blues striker was rapped for his abuse of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following last month's Champions League semi-final KO by Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

Even so, a Chelsea insider said: "The club accepts that Didier's actions were inappropriate but, given the circumstances, we feel that the punishment meted out was excessive."

The decision comes even though the final two games are suspended and the Ivory Coast star feared he might be kicked out of Euro action for a YEAR.

Drogba will now miss most of Chelsea's early Champions League group stage games next season, though a new £16m, three-year Chelsea deal is set to ease the pain.

He is close to agreeing an improved contract worth £110,000 a week.

Team-mate Jose Bosingwa was given a four-game Euro ban, with one suspended, for comments he made about Ovrebo.

Chelsea were fined £85,000 for failing to control their players. But they could have been given a stadium ban too, after angry fans threw missiles on the pitch.

source;skysports.co.uk

Barca £17m Reina chase

2009-06-18T00:31:00.001-07:00

BARCELONA will offer £17million for Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

The European Champions are targeting Spanish international Reina after calling a halt to contract negotiations with current No 1 Victor Valdes.

They are confident they can lure back the Anfield stopper, who began his career at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has personally recommended Reina, whose father played for Barca, to his board after losing patience with Valdes.

Valdes, who only has a year of his deal to run, wants £150,000 a week.

But Barcelona will sell Valdes now rather than give in to his demands — or allow him to leave as a free agent next summer.

Reina cost Liverpool £6m when he was signed by Rafa Benitez from Villarreal in 2005.

But his value has rocketed after four impressive seasons at Liverpool, where he has become a firm fans’ favourite.

Reina, 26, spent the first two years of his career at Barcelona and played 30 games for the club before moving to Villarreal in 2002.

He still has strong ties with the club through his father, Miguel, who lives in the city.

Benitez is sure to resist any move for Reina but knows the club’s precarious financial position means he has to sell before he can launch another major spending spree this summer.

source;skysports.co.uk

Cook expects Robinho stay

2009-06-18T00:13:00.000-07:00

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has dashed rumours suggesting Robinho is poised to leave the club.

Reports on Wednesday had suggested that the Brazilian playmaker was a summer transfer target for Barcelona.

The Catalan giants were said to be keen on taking the South American superstar on loan with the view to a permanent deal being struck at a later date.

Robinho, who joined City from Real Madrid in a record-breaking move last summer, had also been quoted as expressing an interest in a return to Spain.

However, Cook insists there is no substance to any such reports and claims the 25-year-old will be staying at Eastlands.

"Robinho has always been a highly valued member of our team and that continues to be the case," he told the club's official website.

"Reports suggesting he will leave the club, either on loan or on a permanent deal, are absolutely untrue

source:skysports.co.uk

Drogba handed Euro ban

2009-06-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been suspended from European competition for six matches following his antics against Barcelona.

The last two games in the ban will be deferred for a probationary period of two years, dependent on future behaviour.

Uefa have taken action against the Ivorian frontman following his furious reaction to the Blues' UEFA Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona on 6th May.

Drogba confronted match referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of the second leg of that contest, accusing the Norwegian official of bias towards the Spanish outfit.

He has subsequently been charged with breaching the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee and making offensive comments.

His ban will apply to the next four Uefa club competition events for which Chelsea are eligible.

Meanwhile, Drogba's Stamford Bridge team-mate Jose Bosingwa has also been suspended for four matches for offences in the same game- the last of which has been deferred for two years.

Chelsea have been fined €100,000 (£85,000) for improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters.

Both the club and the players involved have three days in which to lodge an appeal against Uefa's ruling.

source:skysports.co.uk

Championship fixture list

2009-06-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

Newcastle begin life in the Coca-Cola Championship with a trip to West Brom when the Football League kicks off on August 8.

The Magpies then take on Reading in their first match at St James' Park a week later. They have to wait until December 19 for a home derby date with Middlesbrough with the return at the Riverside Stadium on March 13. A trip to QPR awaits Newcastle on the final day on May 2.

Middlesbrough have been handed a tricky opener as they entertain Sheffield United, who were beaten in the Championship play-off final by Burnley.

A trip to Swansea follows for Gareth Southgate's side before they take on promoted Scunthorpe at Glanford Park. Boro also finish the campaign on the road with a trip to League One champions Leicester.

Having been given a home clash with Newcastle to kick off their return to the Championship, West Brom then head to Nottingham Forest, which is followed by a trip to Peterborough.

With Wolves and Birmingham back in the Barclays Premier League, their closest rivals are now Coventry. They first meet at the Ricoh Arena on October 24 before the return on March 23. Albion end their season with a visit from Barnsley.

Leicester mark their return to the Championship at the first attempt with a home clash against Swansea which is followed by tricky games at Ipswich and Sheffield United. They face East Midlands rivals Derby at the Walkers Stadium on October 17 with the return at Pride Park on March 27, while a trip to Nottingham Forest is the highlight on December 5 before they meet again on February 27. A home clash with Middlesbrough will bring the curtain down on their campaign.

Peterborough have been handed a tricky start to life in the Championship as they head to Derby before home games against Sheffield Wednesday and relegated West Brom.

Posh will take on East Anglia rivals Ipswich in the league for the first time at Portman Road on December 8 before a home derby atmosphere at London Road on February 16.

Scunthorpe, who beat Millwall in the play-off final, head to Cardiff on the

opening day before home games against Derby and relegated Middlesbrough, who they head to on Boxing Day.

The Toon Army arrive at Glanford Park on October 20 before a trip to St James' Park on March 17.

Opening Championship fixtures

Saturday, 8 August 2009

Cardiff v Scunthorpe

Coventry v Ipswich

Crystal Palace v Plymouth

Derby v Peterborough

Leicester v Swansea

Middlesbrough v Sheff Utd

Preston v Bristol City

QPR v Blackpool

Reading v Nottm Forest

Sheff Wed v Barnsley

Watford v Doncaster

West Brom v Newcastle

Saturday, 15 August 2009

Barnsley v Coventry

Blackpool v Cardiff

Bristol City v Crystal Palace

Doncaster v Preston

Ipswich v Leicester

Newcastle v Reading

Nottm Forest v West Brom

Peterborough v Sheff Wed

Plymouth v QPR

Scunthorpe v Derby

Sheff Utd v Watford

Swansea v Middlesbrough

2009-06-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

Martinez: Priority list

We have already made a bid for one player, which I think has been accepted, so we are on the case.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan admits the club have already moved for one of new manager Roberto Martinez's transfer targets.

The Spaniard was confirmed as Latics boss on Monday after a protracted saga involving compensation owed to former employers Swansea.

Martinez has now taken the reins at the DW Stadium and is looking forward to testing himself in the Premier League.

In order to ensure that Wigan remain competitive in the top flight, new recruits will be essential.

With that in mind, Martinez has already informed the club of those players he would like to bring in this summer.

Whelan has agreed to back his manager to the hilt and has revealed that an approach has already been made for a Spanish-based player - rumoured to be Espanyol's Jordi Gomez, who spent last season on loan at Swansea.

"I asked him (Martinez) on Saturday for a priority list of players and he gave us four priorities," Whelan told Sky Sports News.

"We have already made a bid for one, which I think has been accepted, so we are on the case. It's a player from the Spanish league.

"I have promised Roberto that we will back him right down the line, so we have got an exciting season coming up that's for sure."

Whelan has also identified the areas Wigan will be looking to strengthen over the course of the next few months.

"When you look at Wigan, we need another striker, that's for sure, we need a couple in midfielder and then it depends on whether Antonio Valencia goes," he added.

"We don't want to sell him, it's the big clubs that are chasing him that are offering fantastic money for the lad and I don't want to stop a player with his ability from playing with one of the top six clubs in the world.

"I don't want to sell him, but if Antonio Valencia goes, which he could do in the next fortnight, it creates a problem on the right for us because he's going to be so difficult to replace."

Valencia is known to be attracting interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, but Whelan has revealed that an anonymous third club have entered the race for the Ecuadorian winger.

"We have got three clubs vying to buy him," he said. "We are just going to sit on the fence because, whatever we think, it depends on where the player wants to go.

"There is no use us thinking we will sell him to Real Madrid or Manchester United, because it depends on the player and the advice his agent gives him.

"If he wants to stay, though, I'm delighted. If nothing happens and he stays I will be over the moon, and the supporters will be."

Gerrard could quit in 2013

2009-06-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

Steven Gerrard has admitted that he could retire at the end of his current contract, which runs until 2013.

The Liverpool skipper will be 33-years-old by then and accepts that he may decide to hang up his boots.

The England international claims he will take great pride from the fact that, should he call time on his illustrious career at that juncture, he will have spent his entire career at Anfield.

Gerrard was a boyhood Liverpool fan and has become the heartbeat of the Merseyside outfit over the years.

He has revealed that he came close to leaving the club when Chelsea came calling in 2005, but is delighted to have remained loyal to his roots.

"I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don't know if I will go any further," Gerrard told France Football.

"If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don't want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.

"I was close to leaving in the past, maybe twice, most notably in 2005. That year we (Liverpool) were a long way off the Premier League title and Chelsea's interest turned my head.

"It was a difficult moment for me. However, now when I look back I am very happy that I chose to stay here. It has given me real pride."

Liverpool fell narrowly short in their efforts to land the Premier League crown last term and were pipped at the post by North West rivals Manchester United.

However, Gerrard believes the club are heading in the right direction and is backing the Reds to be a stronger force in the 2009/10 campaign.

"I believe the experience of defeat that we felt last season will be useful to us next term," he added.

"The team has greatly improved over the last year or so. Today we are much closer to winning the title than we have been in the past.

"Manchester United's squad is deeper than ours, we know that, and we have to be realistic.

"But if we can add two or three quality players to what we already have, we will be at their level. The summer reinforcements will be essential."

Torres tells Rafa to get Villa

2009-06-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Torres & Villa: Dead

Fernando Torres believes Liverpool should do all they can this summer to land Valencia frontman David Villa.

The Spanish star feels his international team-mate would be an ideal acquisition for the ambitious Reds.

The financial troubles which have hit the headlines of late could make a move impossible, with uncertainty surrounding how much funding will be made available to Rafa Benitez during the transfer window.

With Primera Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona also believed to be in the market for Villa, Liverpool would face a tough task to bring the highly-rated striker to England.

However, Torres refuses to accept that a deal would be impossible and has urged Benitez to snap up Villa should the opportunity present itself.

"Rafa Benitez makes the signings and I'm sure those who come will improve us," Torres said in the Daily Star.

"If it was me I would bring David Villa. But that may not be possible."

Torres has struck up an almost telepathic understanding with Villa at international level, with the duo now considered by many to be the world's most lethal strike force.

That tag may be slightly exaggerated, but Torres admits the pair are among the best in the business.

"We play well together and link up so well," he added.

"It's a pleasure to play with him.

"I don't know if we are the best partnership in the world but we are European champions and that is almost the same."

Who can replace Ron?

2009-06-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Benzema (left) and Ribery could be on Fergie's shopping

The expected departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid will swell Manchester United's coffers by some £80million.

It is anticipated Sir Alex Ferguson will receive much of that money to bolster his squad but just who should he sign to replace the Portuguese?

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is one name being mentioned. With Bayern reportedly demanding around £60million for the winger's services, would he represent value for money?

Reportedly a long-standing target of Ferguson, French youngster Karim Benzema is another who could be on the shopping list. Would he fit the bill at Old Trafford?

Valencia's David Silva has long been coveted by many of Europe's top clubs. Is he the man to fill Ronaldo's boots?

Which areas of the United team do you think need strengthening? Does Ferguson need to bring in a number of new players to try and recapture the UEFA Champions League crown?

Ronaldo proud of Real bid

2009-06-12T07:35:00.001-07:00

Ronaldo: Confident

The deal is historic - £80m is quite a sum of money.

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his delight after Real Madrid agreed a world record deal of £80million with Manchester United for his services.

The Red Devils confirmed they had accepted the fee for the Portugal international, who is currently on holiday in the United States, on Thursday.

Ronaldo is flattered that two of the world's biggest clubs want him to play for them and says the £80million Real are willing to splash out on his signature is an 'historic' deal.

The 24-year-old 2008 World Player of the Year is yet to agree personal terms with Real and insists that his minor hernia injury will not require surgery or delay a deal.

"It's flattering when two of the top teams in the world want you to play for them," he told Fox Sports.

"The deal is historic - £80m is quite a sum of money.

"I learned about the deal here in LA and have heard from my people that Manchester United have accepted.

"However, I have also been told that Madrid want to have a medical team look at me as expected.

"I do not require surgery. The hernia is nothing to worry about.

"I am on vacation and will remain in LA a bit more."

United fans have demanded all the £80million received from Real for Ronaldo is reinvested in the team - with Carlos Tevez top of their wish-list.

United have been trying to broker a deal with Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian, who had a meeting with chief executive David Gill last week aimed at resolving the matter.

However, with a world-record fee at their disposal if, as expected, Ronaldo moves to the Bernabeu later this month, United supporters see no reason to stall any longer, while Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Antonio Valencia of Wigan remain major targets.

Most United supporters will be happy to accept Ferguson's judgement on a player who nearly left Old Trafford last summer, since when his elaborate posturing and ego have only increased.

But, as compensation for losing the world player of the year, they want an assurance the massive fee will not be used to pay off part of the Glazer family's £650million debt.

"There is no information that it is anything other than the manager's decision but obviously there is huge pressure on the owners and it is a temptation when you are offered that much money," said Duncan Drasdo, chairman of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.

"That is exactly why we want to see a commitment from the owners that the money is going to remain within the club and available to strengthen the squad.

"We have sold the best player in the world. That is a big disappointment. If the money is reinvested into the club at least it will soften the blow."

Ronaldo v Kaka - Most La Liga Goals 09/10 Win Specials: Ronaldo 2/7

Wigan confirm Valencia bids

2009-06-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Valencia: Subject of bids

We are not desperate to sell Antonio, I'm telling you. If I can keep that lad, I'm going to keep him.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has told Sky Sports News that Manchester United have made cash offers for Antonio Valencia.

It was reported at the weekend that Premier League champions United and Primera Liga giants Real Madrid had bid in excess of £16million for the Ecuadorian.

Real - who have had a world-record £80m bid for United's Cristiano Ronaldo accepted - have since stated that they have not shown an interest in Valencia since January.

However, Whelan has declared that United have been in contact with JJB Stadium officials for the past two to three months and that they have also submitted initial offers.

He told Sky Sports News when asked about Valencia: "They (United) have been in touch with us and we will be starting negotiations very shortly, I would imagine.

"United have been in touch with us over Antonio for the last two or three months, expressing an interest and actually putting cash offers on the table.

"Those things have got to be picked up now. I think they were waiting to see if Ronaldo actually went to Real, which has happened."

He added: "Things will develop over the next seven to 14 days.

"The master, which is Sir Alex [Ferguson], he makes his moves when he is ready. He has strong interest in Antonio, there is no question in that.

"He had him watched practically every, single match last year. He has got a very strong interest in him. We are just sat on the fence now."

Whelan, though, is adamant that Wigan - who are currently without a manager following a backroom-staff compensation hitch in their attempts to appoint Roberto Martinez - are not eager to cash in on Valencia.

"We are not desperate to sell Antonio, I'm telling you. If I can keep that lad, I'm going to keep him. He is one brilliant player," added Whelan.

"So there is no pressure on me, or our football club to sell him. If Man United don't want to make a (written) offer, I'll be delighted and we will have him in our team next season."

But Whelan admits that he will not stand in the 23-year-old's way if he expresses a desire to move to Old Trafford and an asking price is met.

He said: "What is difficult is to stop a lad like Antonio Valencia, who has got ambition. It is difficult to stop a footballer, who wants to get to the very, very top of the ladder.

"I would never stand in the way of a footballer who can go to bigger and better clubs, and you can't get bigger and better than Man United.

"If Antonio Valencia says to me, 'chairman, I want to go to Manchester United' and we get the right fee, the deal will be done."

Berbatov staying with United

2009-06-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Berbatov: Staying with United

Dimitar Berbatov's agent has stated that his client will remain with Manchester United next season.

There had been some suggestions that the Bulgaria international could leave Old Trafford this summer following an indifferent debut season with The Red Devils.

The £30.75m capture mustered just nine Premier League goals for the champions despite making 29 league starts, prompting talk in some quarters the club may part with the former Spurs ace.

However, Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev has poured cold water on the speculation, stating the club's management is happy for the talented hit-man to stay."Despite speculation that he may leave, I want to declare that Dimitar will play next season in Manchester United," Dantchev told Dnevnik.

"There is no desire from the management for any separation.

"He will stay and we hope that he will win what he missed out on this year."

Milan confirm Kaka Real deal

2009-06-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

AC Milan have confirmed the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid in what is expected to be a world-record transfer.

The Brazil superstar was due to reveal the move at a press conference on Tuesday after undergoing a medical in his homeland.

However, the Serie A side have moved first to confirm the departure of the 27-year-old for the Bernabeu who has signed a six-year contract.

A statement on the Milan website read: "From next season, Kaka will play at Real Madrid.

"AC Milan thanked the man and the great champion Kaka for his decisive contribution to the many victories achieved in the six years of his commitment

"The loss of technique, while serious, can be remedied.

"It will be very difficult to fill the void that will be left by Kak, a shining example of professionalism, commitment and professionalism.

"AC Milan, (according to) the wishes of the managers, players and supporters of the Rossoneri, offer him the most cordial and affectionate wishes for the continuation of his sporting career."

Madrid also confirmed the deal on their website. "Kaka is a player of Real Madrid after an agreement with AC Milan," a statement read.

"The Brazilian footballer has now successfully passed all medical tests. Kaka has signed a contract for the next six seasons with Real Madrid."

The 27-year-old is currently with the Brazilian side on international duty.

Brazil face Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday after beating Uruguay 4-0 over the weekend.

Liverpool facing ruin

2009-06-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

LIVERPOOL were facing financial meltdown last night.

The club's accountants issued a chilling statement admitting there is 'significant doubt' whether the company which runs the Merseysiders can 'continue as a going concern'.

Liverpool's parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd, run by American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks, made a £42.6million loss last year.

Around £36.5m of that is interest payments on the whopping £350m loan they took out to refinance the club.

A top City analyst said: "Unless the owners find more money, the club is facing financial meltdown. Not only are the figures bleak, the future is gloomy too.

"The more you read through the accounts, the more transparent it is that the owners don't have the resources to meet the targets they've set for next year either.

"Everyone associated with Liverpool should be deeply concerned by this set of figures."

The devastating news will intensify calls from fans for the US pair to sell up.

As things stand, any profits being made on the pitch are being swallowed up by the crippling repayments on the loan.

The disastrous figures not only place the club's future in jeopardy, they also have serious side-effects for boss Rafa Benitez. The scale of the financial woes casts a huge question-mark over whether Benitez will have any significant money to spend this summer.

He has already been 'blown out of the water' by Manchester City in the race for long-term target Gareth Barry this week.

Other big-money targets, like David Silva, Glen Johnson and even Carlos Tevez, look unlikely to materialise this summer.

The club's accountants, KPMG, outlined their concerns by saying: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350m, which expire on 24 July 2009.

"The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.

"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."

Sources close to Gillett and Hicks last night said they re- mained confident of securing the refinancing deal and are also still in talks with possible investors.

But only in April the Hicks Sports Group defaulted on repaying loans totalling £354m for his other sports ventures in the States.

Before the Americans' £219m takeover in 2007, Liverpool were close to a deal with Arab investors Dubai International Capital.

Then, in January this year, Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi offered £425m for overall control.

But the Americans only want to sell 50 per cent and hopes of a deal collapsed

Arshavin - I didn't expect such a good start

2009-06-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Andrey Arshavin only joined the Club in February but the Russian has already provided a tantalising taste of what's to come.

His impact after joining the Club from Zenit st Petersburg in February was instant and awesome. Who could forget that four-goal haul at Liverpool in April?

Immediately after the season's final game, Andrey spoke exclusively to Arsenal TV Online about his first few months as a Gunner.

He discussed:

improving next season
shaking off the squad's 'young' tag
bursting from the blocks in August
being loved by the fans
continuing to settle
moving from St Petersburg for the first time
aiming for a 'double' next season

Song - We must qualify for South Africa 2010

2009-06-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

June is a massive month for Alex Song and Cameroon.

After losing to Emmanuel Adebayor's Togo in March, the Indomitable Lions will look to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track when they take on Morocco and Gabon during the month.

Before he departed for international duty, Alex sat down with Arsenal TV Online to discuss his international career.

He discussed:

the importance of these two fixtures
getting some stick from Emmanuel Adebayor for the Togo defeat
being quietly confident of qualification
the need to qualify for an African World Cup
the chances of an African team winning it
giving everything against Morocco
uncle Rigobert's last World Cup
playing alongside his idol

Cole hoping to rule the world

2009-06-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

Cole: In confident mood

Ashley Cole claims there will be no excuses if England fail to land World Cup glory in South Africa.

Fabio Capello's side are virtually guaranteed to be gracing football's showpiece event next year, having made impressive progress through qualifying.

Maximum points from their five games so far has led them to the top of Group 6, while victories over Kazakhstan and Andorra in their next two fixtures will leave them on the brink of confirming their progress.

With confidence restored to a squad which suffered the indignity of failing to reach Euro 2008, England will now be among the favourites to taste global glory in 2010.

Chelsea full-back Cole feels that tag would be justified and believes the Three Lions are capable of conquering the world.

"The ambition has to be to win," he said.

"Before so many World Cups and Championships you do interviews and you say, 'oh, we have a good chance'. But it's always the same - we lose in the quarter-final."

England have crashed out at the last-eight stage in each of their last three appearances at major championships, 2002 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 2004, but Cole is confident they can rectify that problem next summer.

"We'll go there with 100 per cent focus on winning. And if we don't win, then we've let everyone down," he added.

"We have the squad and the players to do it but you need a little bit of luck as well sometimes. And hopefully, if we get that on our side, we can make the whole country proud of us."

Speaking to Sky Sports' FIFA Futbol Mundial programme, Cole also praised Capello for the impact he has made on a rejuvenated England side.

"Mr Capello has come in and straight away has got the respect of everyone," he said.

"He has won a lot in his career and he is someone you don't want to mess with.

"He has changed a lot - the way we eat and the way we train - which is always going to benefit players."

Terry - No pressure on England

2009-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

John Terry says all the hype surrounding Spain for next year's World Cup takes the pressure off England.

Fabio Capello's men can take a step closer to the tournament in South Africa should they beat Kazakhstan in Almaty on Saturday.

Victory over Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday would then see England maintain their 100 per cent record in Group 6, leaving them on the brink of qualification.

Spain will no doubt remain among the favourites to follow up their Euro 2008 success with World Cup glory.

Terry, though, feels England can benefit from staying out of the limelight and says he is glad the focus is on the European champions.

Benefit

"Build them (Spain) right up in the World Cup and put the pressure on them," said the England skipper.

"They've got great players. Look at what they did in the Euros and in the Champions League.

"We've said too many times that England have got a real chance, but we'll stay well away from that this summer."

Capello's attempt to stamp his mark on English football has meant a number of tactical changes which the players have welcomed.

"The manager has encouraged us, from day one, to play right from the back," said Terry.

"This manager hates it when we play long ball. He screams at the lads, 'no long ball, no long ball'.

"We've got the players to get the ball down and play. We're not on the level of Spain, but we're not too far behind."

Double

Terry admits he has high hopes for both England and Chelsea next year, with a World Cup and UEFA Champions league double firmly in his sights.

"It could be the greatest year of my career," he said. "I'm dreaming about it.

"Winning the Champions League is a massive thing for me. It has become an obsession.

"That is my target next season before going to the World Cup."

How much more will Rafa take?

2009-06-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

IT WAS supposed to be the summer when Liverpool laid the final bricks in the quest to bring the Holy Grail of the Premier League crown to Anfield.

Instead, it could turn into the one which sees Rafa Benitez's carefully-constructed platform come crashing down around his ears.

The stunning announcement from club auditors KPMG that there were severe doubts about Liverpool's ability to continue as a going concern has caused panic amongst Kop fans the world over.

And it has driven a juggernaut right through manager Benitez's plans to bring in the superstar names he believes will have them celebrating a first league championship since 1990.

Ultimately, the repercussions of having the rug pulled so dramatically from under his feet could see the Liverpool manager turn his back on Anfield.

Benitez had a shopping list that included Valencia's crack duo of David Silva and David Villa, as well as Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and Napoli's brilliant Argie hitman Ezequiel Lavezzi.

This morning everyone of those names has a red line through it and if the Kop boss had a full head of hair, you would wager every penny he would be tearing it out right now.

Now make no mistake, while the Spaniard got within touching distance of the title this season - they finished just four points behind Manchester United - he remains in the slipstream of both Manchester clubs and Chelsea when it comes to financial clout.

KOP OUT ... David Villa has no chance of joining Liverpool

Suddenly, Benitez is staring at the prospect of players like Middlesbrough striker Tuncay and Pompey centre-back Sylvain Distin - men supposedly wanted to fill around the edges - being THE major summer arrivals.

Barcelona are making increasingly interested noises about taking Javier Mascherano to the Nou Camp while Xabi Alonso is also likely to kick off next season in La Liga with Real Madrid.

And the question Koppites around the planet are asking themselves today is this: How much more will Benitez take?

The Anfield chief has enjoyed - or maybe that should be endured - a stormy relationship with his American employers, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Remember, these are the men who infamously sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about replacing Benitez 18 months ago when the Spaniard was being linked with a move to Real Madrid.

They are the men who have been constantly outraged at the manager's thinly-veiled digs about dragging their heels in the transfer market and missing out on targets.

When Rafa finally ended months of speculation about his own future and committed to Liverpool on a long-term basis last term, he was at pains to stress his relationship with the Yank duo was fine and dandy.

Yet in reality it has remained no more than an uneasy truce and the accepted feeling is that he is only ever one outburst away from the whole thing exploding again.

If Benitez is one thing it is single-minded, often to the point of stubbornness.

Yes, he will discuss matters with his backroom team but, in the end, only one man's opinion counts - his.

And if he feels his position - or ability to do the job his way - is being undermined by others who don't have a fraction of his footballing knowledge, then thank you and good night.

This is a man, don't forget, who has never suffered what he deems to be fools gladly. Just ask anyone at Valencia five years ago should any doubts remain.

When he felt he was being usurped by those above him there - remember his memorable "I wanted a table and they offered me a lamp" outburst - he had no hesitation in calling time on his tenure at the Mestalla.

And if people feel Rafa is immovable at Anfield, they should not ignore the fact that when he quit Valencia, he did so in floods of tears at leaving the club where he was feted as a Messiah.

Yes, he holds similar affections for Liverpool and is held in equally - if not even higher - regard by the supporters.

But the point here is that by upping sticks from a club AFTER turning them into Spanish champions and UEFA Cup winners, there is absolutely no reason why he wouldn't do so again.

The noises from across the Pond insist Hicks and Gillett are hugely confident of getting a six-month stay of execution on the July 24 deadline for refinancing their £350million loan.

But while all that is well and good for maintaining their own position, it won't exactly have Benitez jumping for joy.

The Americans, for all their lack of football nous, know any chance of making money is entirely reliant on success on the field.

But those hopes of overhauling United and knocking them off the perch they so enjoyed shoving Liverpool off will remain out of reach if the transfer kitty is empty.

Should the manager's chair end up likewise, it's going to be one hell of a long road back.

Liverpool could ease some of their financial worries by sending £7m-rated defender Andrea Dossena back to Italy.

Left-back Dossena joined the Reds from Udinese in July but started just 12 Premier League matches last season.

He is desperate to return to his homeland and is gagging for the chance to join Juventus.

The Turin giants are ready to make a move and Anfield boss Benitez has assured Dossena he will be allowed to go if they receive a suitable offer.

Italy international Dossena, 27, said: "I have spoken with Rafa Benitez. He is a wonderful person and has understood my problem.

"He told me if they receive an offer that satisfies both the club and me, he will facilitate my transfer. I would run to Juve.

"They showed an interest in me last year but then Liverpool stepped in and wrapped things up in less than an hour."

Dossena believes training methods in England have not suited him so Kop fans have not seen the best of him, despite memorable late goals against Manchester United and Real Madrid.

He added: "In England they play continuously and the hardest training session does not last more than 40 minutes - but I need to train longer than that. Now I truly hope to join Juve and start a new life."

Barca pile on Rafa misery

2009-06-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

BARCELONA plan to cash in on Liverpool's money meltdown with a £20million swoop for Javier Mascherano.

The Champions League winners have already sounded out the Argentina captain's advisors after SunSport revealed yesterday how the Kop club's accountants had reported a crippling loss of £42m and fears the company running the club "could not continue as a going concern".

Mascherano, 25, still has three years left on his current contract after moving to Anfield in January 2007.

It leaves Benitez facing a nightmare scenario of losing two of his key players this summer as Xabi Alonso is on the verge of a £24m switch to Real Madrid.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola will be without midfielders Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita for almost two months because of the African Nations Cup next winter. And he has always rated Mascherano very highly.

Star names excite Lampard

2009-06-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

Lampard: Praise for new boss

Frank Lampard has admitted he is excited by talk of new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti making big-name signings this summer.

Ancelotti's arrival from AC Milan at Stamford Bridge was confirmed on Monday and the Italian will officially take over on 1st July.

Already, a number of players have been mooted as potential targets for Ancelotti during the transfer window, with Milan star Kaka said to be the subject of a record-breaking offer.

Lampard, who is currently on international duty, has been buoyed by the rumours and is hopeful Ancelotti will add to the squad to ensure they fight for honours on all fronts next season.

He told Sky Sports News: "All us Chelsea lads here (at the England training camp) are excited about the future. It [talk of signings] is very exciting, that is what we want.

"The last two years we have been close to winning things, but not quite winning them.

"I think we have a very strong group at Chelsea anyway, but to see us linked with names of that quality - I don't want to go into individuals - the intention seems there from Chelsea.

"If we can add one or two of those kind of names then we will look forward to next season. Especially with the new manager and the fact that we are looking at that calibre of player."

The England midfielder also reserved praise for Ancelotti, adding: "None of us really know Ancelotti that well. But as a player, as soon as those things happen, you speak to people who do know him and have worked with him.

"Everything that has come back has been completely positive about him as a man and as a manager. You can see that from afar, but it is nice to hear that from everyone."

AC declare Ronaldo interest

2009-06-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

Ronaldo: Possible AC target?

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has declared that Cristiano Ronaldo would consider a move to his club.

The Manchester United superstar has been constantly linked with a move away from Old Trafford in recent years.

Claim after counterclaim has come, but Real Madrid have thus far been unable to prise him away after two summers of trying.

A third summer battle has already begun, but now another interested party could emerge in the shape of Milan.

And if Kaka's proposed world record sale to Real goes through - they would be well equipped to match any offer the Spanish giants may make to United.

Berlusconi was talking to his own Mediaset organisation and revealed he could be ready to battle for Ronaldo.

'I told Cristiano Ronaldo that I would like to see him as a Rossonero," he said.

"He looked at me, and said 'Who doesn't like Milan? All players would like to come to Milan'."

Like with all of Real's comments, Berlusconi's declarations are sure to be met with disdain by the English champions.

Start winning or you'll end up like Scolari

2009-06-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

BIG PHIL SCOLARI is an internationally renowned manager, revered and respected around the world ... just like Carlo Ancelotti.

Big Phil signed a three-year contract to become Chelsea's new boss, despite struggling to speak English ... just like Ancelotti.

And Big Phil did not last a season before he was booted out and replaced by Guus Hiddink.

Just like ... er, we will have to wait and see.

I wish Ancelotti well and genuinely hope he succeeds at Chelsea. But given the revolving door that appears to have been fitted to the manager's office at Stamford Bridge, I reckon he might be better off renting a house in London instead of buying one.

The Italian will be the FIFTH Chelsea boss in under TWO YEARS. He will arrive with the same impressive CV and glowing reputation as Scolari did - and look what happened to him.

The Brazilian was shown the door in February, just seven months into the job after failing to improve results and - so we are led to believe - relationships with his players.

Hiddink came in, revitalised the squad and took them to the FA Cup - their only trophy of the last two seasons. The players clearly warmed to the Dutchman and wanted him to stay. But he stayed true to his word and will continue in charge of Russia until after the World Cup.

That's good news for Russia - bad news for Ancelotti.

Not only does he have Roman Abramovich breathing down his neck but lurking in the background is Hiddink - who Chelsea's owner and fans would have back in a heartbeat.

I am sure I am not the only one who can see the possibility of Hiddink returning next year.

It means Ancelotti has to work twice as hard to win over the fans and Abramovich.

The Italian must emulate Scolari by getting off to a blistering start next season.

He must freshen up a squad accused of being too old and too stale - and I would not be surprised if Ancelotti managed to persuade Brazilian superstar Kaka to join him at the Bridge.

The Italian needs to make an even more important signing - a top-notch English teacher.

It is no good shrugging off his lack of English, saying it does not matter because Chelsea have a cosmopolitan squad. The players and the rest of us will expect him to speak English.

Yes, he did well to speak to the Chelsea website in English. It shows he is on the right track - but he still needs to improve.

It's just a shame for every Brit that no manager from these shores is deemed good enough.

Martin O'Neill and David Moyes have both been linked with replacing Alex Ferguson - but I'm not even sure that will happen. Surely Pep Guardiola has shown his credentials for the job by guiding Barcelona to the Champions League last week.

Guardiola showed he has the character to handle big-name players - and do so at a big club.

Ancelotti must now do the same to avoid becoming the latest managerial casualty at the Bridge.

Terry wants more glory days

2009-06-05T00:34:00.000-07:00

JOHN TERRY has underlined Chelsea's determination to reclaim the Premier League title under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Skipper Terry lifted the FA Cup on Saturday as the Blues brought the curtain down on a turbulent season with their first silverware since 2007.

In a letter sent to all Chelsea season ticket holders and members, the 28-year-old was quick to thank Guus Hiddink for transforming the team's fortunes.

But he also made it clear that finishing third in the league was simply not good enough.

Terry said: "I would like to say a special thank you to Guus, who has been just brilliant since he arrived here in February.

"He came at a difficult time when things looked like they were slipping away from us.

"To lead us to an FA Cup success and within a whisker of the Champions League final is a great achievement.

"That said, third place in the league isn't good enough for Chelsea anymore.

"It's our worst finish since Roman Abramovich bought the club and we all know we need to do better.

"It is fantastic to win the FA Cup but we want more and that's the way it needs to be for us these days.

"We will all enjoy the time we have off now and come back for pre-season as determined as ever.

"Of course, we are looking forward to achieving great things with the new manager."

Kaka £62m Real deal hits Blues

2009-06-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

CHELSEA failed with a spectacular bid to land Kaka last night, as the Brazilian joined Real Madrid for a world record £62million.

New Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti tried desperately to bring Kaka with him from AC Milan to Stamford Bridge.

But he was powerless to stop new Real president Florentino Perez sealing the deal.

As SunSport exclusively revealed, Chelsea will now go all out for Milan striker Alexandre Pato - though an initial £30m offer has been rejected.

Perez staged his Kaka coup after intense talks with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

A Chelsea source confirmed: "Mr Ancelotti tried very, very hard to get Kaka to begin the new era at the club.

"But in the end Real Madrid had more money to spend. Now Chelsea are even more determined to get Pato."

Kaka's dad Bosco Leite helped the player thrash out personal terms.

The negotiations took place a day after Perez was confirmed as Real president after all rival candidates quit the race.

Kaka, 27, had tried to deny a deal was on, insisting he wanted to stay at the San Siro.

The Samba superstar was on his way back to Brazil to join up with the national team while his dad was negotiating a deal believed to be worth £160,000 a week with the Spaniards.

Kaka's £62m move will eclipse the £47m Perez paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

Milan are still open to offers for striker Pato - as long as Chelsea now increase their £30m opening

Real: We still want Cristiano

2009-06-05T00:22:00.000-07:00

CRISTIANO RONALDO is still a Real Madrid target - despite their world-record splash for Kaka.

Real president Florentino Perez is on the verge of spending £62m on Brazilian superstar Kaka.

But he insists the £75m it could take to capture Ronaldo from Manchester United remains good value for money.

Perez denied there is an agreement in place with United to sign the World Player of the Year.

But he said: "What I am sure of is that which seems expensive is often the cheapest.

"Without knowing who we can get, there will be a massive effort for the great players of the world, because that is the Real Madrid model.

"We will lay the foundations to create a magnificent team."

Perez is also determined to grab Bayern Munich's French winger Franck Ribery from the clutches of Chelsea.

But he is willing to offload Arjen Robben.

Ron joins us at end of June!

2009-06-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

REAL MADRID last night vowed to prise Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United by the end of the month.

President Florentino Perez claimed that Ronaldo has a get-out clause — believed to be around £75million — that allows him to quit United.

Perez all but confirmed that AC Milan star Kaka will join Real in a world record £62m deal.

He said: “The best players in the world, the ones that have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award are Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. They’re the players Real fans demand.

“We have the will to complete the transfer of Kaka, we’re not nervous and I hope in a few days we will happily announce the deal.

“I have said Ronaldo does interest us. We have to resolve this and the other big signings in the month of June.

“In Spain there are get-out clauses. In many cases that eliminates negotiations.

“It seems in the case of Ronaldo he does have a get-out clause and it means if the player brings the money stipulated in the clause he can go.

“It’s what I’ve been told, I’ve not seen it.”

Real Madrid sources claim Ronaldo forced United to insert a get-out clause in his contract last summer after agreeing to boss Alex Ferguson’s wishes to stay at United.

Perez is also targeting Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and faces another battle with Chelsea for the Frenchman.

He added: “I am going to work to bring Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

“If Chelsea are no longer competing for Kaka, it’s good news.”

Reds owners make heavy loss

2009-06-05T00:16:00.000-07:00

Hicks & Gillett: Heavy loss

Liverpool's accountants have fired a word of warning after the parent company owned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett suffered a £42.6million loss last year.

The figure is mainly due to interest payments on the debts the Americans took on to buy the club.

In the annual accounts released on Thursday night, Liverpool's accountants have also warned that remaining uncertainty over refinancing the £350million debt before the 24th July deadline 'may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern'.

Although Hicks and Gillett say they are confident of securing a refinancing deal, the figures reveal that the financial success of the football club is being swallowed up by the cost of servicing the parent company's loans.

The accounts for the year ending July 2008 showed Liverpool made a £10.2million profit but the parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd made a substantial loss of £42.6million, mainly due to interest payments totalling £36.5million.

The clubs accountants KPMG LLP also expressed a warning in their notes in the filed accounts.

The accountants said: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350million which expire on 24 July 2009. The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.

"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."

The club's turnover was a record £159.1million compared to £133.9million the year before, with a profit of £10.2million.

That was reflected by a similar turnover for Kop Football (Holdings) of £164million - most coming from the football club - but the overall loss of £42.6million.

ALONSO PROUD OF .TV POLL

2009-06-02T09:24:00.001-07:00

Xabi Alonso has spoken of his pride after fans on Liverpoolfc.tv voted him man of the match seven times this season - second only to Steven Gerrard. The Spanish playmaker may have missed out when annual gongs were dished out by the football writers and PFA, but Liverpool supporters recognise how good he has been.

"That's a nice tribute from the fans," said Alonso. "In most of our games, we often have a lot of contenders for man of the match.

"Normally it is the more spectacular attacking or goalscoring players who get the awards and so it is nice for me to be recognised and receive that treatment from the fans as well.

"This means it has been a complete season for me. I have felt good and feel I have been playing well too."

2009-06-02T09:21:00.000-07:00


	Five Liverpool players have been included in the Spain squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa later this month.
Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera and Fernando Torres have been named in Vicente del Bosque's 23-man selection. The Confederations Cup begins on June 14, with Spain taking on New Zealand in Rustenburg. The European Champions will also face Iraq and hosts South Africa in Group A of the tournament. The final is scheduled to take place on June 28 in Johannesburg.

GERRARD CLOSING IN ON TITLE TRIUMPH

2009-06-02T09:18:00.000-07:00


	Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have made great strides towards winning the Barclays Premier League title – despite finishing the season empty-handed.
The Reds skipper admits he is still hurting after missing out on title number 19 but feels the club are now just two or three signings away from ending their wait. He said: "Has the season been a success or failure at club level? I think failure is a bit strong but you've got to be realistic and look at the big picture. "We've finished the season without a trophy which hurts. But from a Liverpool point of view, a lot of progress has been made. "We are getting really close to becoming champions. Our next two or three signings as far as we are concerned are crucial to push on and try and go one better than this year. "I am certainly not sitting here proud of not winning a trophy."

STEVIE TARGETS MAXIMUM POINTS

2009-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00


	Steven Gerrard is hoping England can collect maximum points from their next two fixtures to put themselves within touching distance of the 2010 World Cup finals.
The Three Lions currently sit at the top of Group Six with a 100 per cent record from their opening five qualifiers. Gerrard believes picking up six points from the forthcoming clashes with Kazakhstan and Andorra will put England in pole position to qualify for next year's tournament in South Africa with games to spare. "It’s a chance to get seven wins out of seven and put ourselves in a fantastic position to qualify," said Gerrard. "The most important thing is to pick up the six points, and if I can score a couple of goals that would be the perfect way to round off the season. "We want the job done as soon as possible. With all due respect to Kazakhstan and Andorra these are games we should win. We need to approach them with the right attitude, be professional and try and get the job done. "We believe if we win these two games we’ll be three points away from qualification with three games to play. That’s basically in the driving seat." England's fortunes have been transformed since Fabio Capello took charge and Gerrard is confident they will continue to improve under the guidance of the Italian. "I believe this England team in progressing well, and becoming a better team. I feel as if we’re professional enough to take six points out of the next six," added the 29-year-old. "The manager’s installed a winning mentality, we’re getting a better team and we’re getting stronger. Hopefully we can get qualification as soon as possible and then we can keep trying to improve and then go into the World Cup with a good team."

Rooney - Iniesta's the best

2009-05-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

as the 'best player in the world' after Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final.

Iniesta, who had been doubtful for the game, pulled the strings in midfield as Barca outplayed the 2008 winners in the Rome showpiece.

Much of the build-up before the game centred on the battle between United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and his Barca rival Lionel Messi to prove who is the game's leading light.

However, United forward Rooney believes the talents of Iniesta should lead to the Spanish midfielder being labelled the world's best footballer.

"Barcelona are a brilliant team and in my opinion Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world, he's incredible," said Rooney.

"They're a great team, pass the ball well and if you don't take your chances, they will punish you. That is what happened.

"We're still a young team and we can come back I hope.

"It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting. But we have to forget it and look forward to next season."

Samuel Eto'o and Messi scored Barca's goals and Rooney had no complaints with the outcome as United failed to secure a Quadruple.

He added: "It is a big disappointment, but Barcelona were the better team.

"They deserved to win. I've never played against a better team than this Barcelona. They're a brilliant team.

"Barcelona scored two good goals and unfortunately for us, they came at good times. That made it very difficult for us."

Beautiful Barca

2009-05-28T03:44:00.000-07:00

"I want the players to realise they are playing in front of the whole world. I want them to feel good, be daring and play beautiful football. I want them to show that we deserve to be European champions."

Above are the words of UEFA Champions League-winning manager Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona captain, now 38-years-old and manager of the Spanish giants, delivered. His players delivered for him. The onlooking football lover was satisfied, spoilt.

All the makings of a fairytale - the backdrop, the characters, the romance - the game between two footballing leviathans was a rare occurrence whereby the customary pre-match hyperbole was justified. A supporter need not be briefed of its grandeur.

There were no eyebrows raised upon the submitting of the team-sheets, the starting XIs as predicted: Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta passed fit for Barca, Ryan Giggs replacing the suspended Darren Fletcher for United.

First, the question of dictator, the pursuer. Initially, it was United, and those who were quick to rudely point at Barca's backline reshuffle appeared justified. But them fingers would prove better arrowed at adeptness further forward. Guardiola knew he had enough attacking armoury to shelter potential weak spots. La Blaugrana are what Arsenal aspire to be.

The main point for consideration in the lead up to the encounter was Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, with television pundits and journalists scouring their thesauruses for a fresh superlative for the pair, who finished first and second in the Fifa World Player of the Year vote for 2008.

Indeed, Ronaldo's bullish, yet dainty, approach was apparent, the Portuguese swinging tree-trunk muscle through the ball on several occasions in the early stages. But it was a false start. Messi, meanwhile, floated - the ability to interchange vital in the modern game - threatening to pull his left trigger.

With an intake of breath drawn when said duo were in possession, one risked overlooking other masters. There were many on show. At half-time, Xavi, a player often taken for granted, had lost the ball just three times out of 37 passes while covering 5.74km. By full-time his pass completion stood at 93 per cent.

Iniesta, too, stood tall, despite cutting a diminutive figure, at 5ft 6.5in, at Stadio Olimpico. Like a puppet that can harrowingly spring to life, the Spaniard has ability to not only smell the blood of an opportunity, but to seize it. It was Iniesta's probing run that assisted Samuel Eto'o. And it was Xavi's tantalising cross that met Messi's forehead.

Of the Argentine, much has been made, particularly from the English media, of his failure to score versus English opposition. At his 11th attempt, that statistic, which seemed to reek of Primera Division jealousy, went up in smoke. He lit up the grandest of stages.

It is true, the Premier League champions had an off day, but at this level mistakes are rightly punished. Barca's performance was professional with decoration. It even highlighted Guus Hiddink's impressive work over two semi-final legs in charge of Chelsea. Even then, Guardiola's XI was stronger on paper. Yet on 27th May, Barca's display, not needing last-minute drama, was whole.

It was worthy of such a coveted crown.

Evra: I'm ready to fight Cesc

2009-05-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

PATRICE EVRA has threatened to fight Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

The Manchester United defender believes the Gunners skipper attempted to injure him so he would miss tonight's Champions League final.

Fabregas was booked for a tackle near the end of Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on May 16.

Evra rapped: "If it amuses you to hit people, you do boxing, you do taekwondo, whatever you want. But you don't play football.

" We will see each other again off the pitch and there will not be a referee to give me a red card.

"I was really disappointed. Everyone understood that he wanted to hurt me.

"It was because of what I said after the Champions League semi-final: 11 boys against 11 men.

"I said it and I thought it. But in this world, as soon as you say what you think then you are seen as arrogant."

Evra also revealed he has been sending constant texts to fellow Frenchman and Barcelona star Thierry Henry, who has been battling to be fit for the showdown in Rome.

He added: "He told me he was working like crazy to get fit. At the start, he was pessimistic. I told him 'Don't talk nonsense, you have to be there'. It is important for France."

Bizarrely, Evra also claims he has 24 brothers and sisters.

He declared: "They are not from the same mother, I assure you!

"My father, he didn't watch the television..."

Tyson’s girl, 4, dies after hanging

2009-05-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

BOXER Mike Tyson’s four-year-old daughter has lost her fight for life after hanging herself in a freak accident on his treadmill.

The ex-world heavyweight champion, 42, kept a heartbreaking vigil by the side of Exodus on a life-support machine.

She had stopped breathing when her seven-year-old brother Miguel found her with her neck caught in the cord of an exercise machine at the family’s home in Phoenix, Arizona.

The girl’s mother performed the kiss of life and CPR to bring Exodus back to life.

Then paramedics continued to try and revive her as she was rushed to hospital.

But last night Phoenix police said the little girl was pronounced dead in hospital.

Police said it had been a “tragic accident”.

Spokesman Sgt Andy Hill added: “Somehow Exodus was playing on this treadmill, and there’s a cord that hangs under the console — it’s kind of a loop.

“Either she slipped or put her head in the loop, but it acted like a noose and she was obviously unable to get herself off of it.”

It is believed the mum had been cleaning in another part of the house when the accident happened.

Tyson — who has six kids by several women — was in Las Vegas and flew to his daughter’s bedside.

Last night the family issued a statement to reporters saying: “The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time.”

Celebrating failure

2009-05-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Brown: Sing when you're losing

Picture the scene: supporters celebrating in the stands, players swigging champagne while doing a lap of honour on the pitch, wives, girlfriends and children joining in the party atmosphere and, most surreal of all, the manager belting out an impromptu Beach Boys-inspired karaoke session.

So what was the occasion to spark such jubilation? A title triumph or a cup success? No, neither of those. Perhaps a place in Europe had been achieved, or maybe a promotion spot had been secured? Negatives again. How about a play-off berth, or a trip to Wembley? Nope.

The real reason for the unconfined joy was that Hull City had just lost their final home game of the season to a reserve Manchester United side to achieve the hugely notable distinction of being the fourth worst team in the Premier League. Congratulations.

Before the East Yorkshire hordes use up all of Kingston Communications' broadband bandwidth as they email indignant responses, let me qualify those comments.

I have no axe to grind with Hull City. The Tigers deserved to stay up. They gained more points over the 38-game season than the three teams who finished below them. Phil Brown's men were also a real breath of fresh air in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Brown should also be applauded for guiding Hull from the Championship relegation zone to the top-flight for the first time ever in the club's history. I might even have forgiven him for singing after achieving that. Then again, perhaps not.

But what irks me is the giddy response to beating the drop. Hull's defeat to effectively the Red Devils' second string was their 11th home reverse of the season, the worst record in the entire Premier League.

It is not even as though the Tigers saved themselves with a dramatic and passionate final day performance, triumphing in the face of adversity with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill charging up front to score with the last kick of the game, mirroring Jimmy Glass' memorable effort for Carlisle a decade ago.

Instead they seemed happy to settle for a 1-0 defeat, preferring to rely on the fact that Newcastle were even more inept as they slipped to defeat at Aston Villa, despite the fact that a single goal for the Magpies would have seen the two clubs switch places in the table.

The Tigers, for all their impressive early season form, have been simply appalling for the second half of the campaign. 15 defeats were sustained during their last 22 games, during which time they won just once.

After the start they made, a mid-table finish should have been the least of their ambitions, yet they appeared utterly delighted to settle for slumping down the rankings to eventually scrape into 17th. Why not aim higher?

Hull have an impressive stadium, substantial support and are hardly operating on a shoe-string budget. Geovanni and George Boateng weren't only encouraged to move to the club by the bracing North Sea air and the opportunity to visit 'The Deep'.

The desire to finish fourth from bottom is an affliction which spreads far beyond Hull. Too many Premier League clubs are happy simply to be at the party, with no real intention of making any meaningful contribution.

Four teams have realistic title ambitions, another quartet would like to finish in the top four, and the rest, seemingly, would be happy not to be in the bottom three. Even Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, who skilfully guided the Cottagers into Europe via a seventh-placed finish, admitted as much towards the end of the campaign.

It is clear the riches which come with regular UEFA Champions League action give a select few a distinct advantage, but the rest should show more ambition than simply keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that there will be three worse teams than them come May.

Only one side in the history of the Premier League has survived with fewer points than Hull garnered this year. West Brom tallied a pitiful 34 in the 2004/05 campaign and were duly relegated the following season. Brown will need to spend the summer rallying his troops to avoid following suit.

I'll leave the final word to a Tigers supporter who was interviewed outside the KC Stadium following 'Survival Sunday'. When asked how he felt, he replied, without a trace of irony: "Fantastic. We were rubbish."

Ronaldo focused on glory

2009-05-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Cristiano Ronaldo is desperate to help Manchester United become the first team to successfully defend the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday

The Red Devils are the reigning champions following their penalty shoot-out success over Chelsea last year and find themselves back in the final after seeing off Arsenal in the semis.

Much has been made of Ronaldo's long-term future at Old Trafford, but nothing will take the Portugal international's focus away from helping United retain their crown in Rome.

The 24-year-old capped a fine 2008 by claiming the European Footballer of the Year award, although it is the Champions League trophy that the former Sporting ace has set his eyes on.

"It's normal that people speak about me but I am 100 per cent focused on this game," explained Ronaldo.

"I try to help my team 100 per cent, score a goal and win the game. That's it.

"I don't care about the Ballon d'Or. What I want more is to win the Champions League.

"I just want to be the first team in history to win it twice."

Ronaldo has long been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid and the fans' favourite has conceded he has a soft spot for La Liga.

The Portugal international has acknowledged Barca will be a tough nut to crack in Rome, although he believes United are better and will emerge triumphant.

"I like the Spanish league," explained Ronaldo. "I feel well in England in the Premier League, it is the strongest league.

"Barcelona have a great team which deserves respect but I believe we are better than them and we will show it.

"I respect Barcelona profoundly. Messi is playing marvellously well. I want to be sincere. I have to play well for the team and the supporters. I look forward to it and I think it will be really special."

Awards double for United

2009-05-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ferguson and Vidic: Honoured

Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic have been named Barclays Premier League Manager and Player of the Season.

The Manchester United pair have been recognised after helping the club claim a third successive league title.

The Red Devils made a slow start to their campaign with just one win in their opening four games before surging to the summit of the table in January.

They embarked on an unbeaten run of 16 games following a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and set a new record of consecutive clean sheets.

Liverpool and Chelsea continued to challenge for top spot but United could not be dislodged and they clinched an 11th title under Ferguson with a goalless draw against the Gunners on the penultimate weekend of the season.

It is the ninth time Ferguson has received the honour while Vidic collects his for the first time in his career.

The Serbian was consistently impressive at the heart of a United defence that conceded just 24 goals in 38 games.

An awards panel including representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans made the decision to honour Ferguson and Vidic.

Confusion over Pfister future

2009-05-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

There is confusion over the future of Otto Pfister as Cameroon coach

The future of Otto Pfister as Cameroon coach has been thrown into doubt after he left the squad rather than join them at a training camp in Belgium.

The Indomitable Lions are preparing for next month's 2010 World Cup qualifiers at home to Morocco and then in Gabon.

The BBC has learnt that as the squad arrived in Belgium, Pfister decided to continue his journey elsewhere.

The German coach did not explain his decision and has left the squad in a state of confusion.

Cameroon lost their opening game in the final round of World Cup qualifying suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Pfister's former team Togo.

Barca's Toure ready for 'decider'

2009-05-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Midfielder Toure may be asked to play at centre-back in Wednesday's final

Barcelona star Yaya Toure believes Wednesday's Champions League final against Manchester United will decide who is the best team in the world.

Barca have already won the Spanish double this season and United have just clinched an 11th Premier League title.

"Everyone is excited about this game because we are the two best teams in the world," Toure, 26, told BBC Sport.

"It will be a great game in Rome as there will be 22 great players taking part - and it could go either way."

Barcelona have enjoyed a stellar season, scoring 156 goals in all competitions and producing some outstanding football in the process.

But Toure, whose brother Kolo plays for Arsenal, is under no illusions as to the size of the task that faces them at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It will be very difficult because Manchester United are a fantastic team, you have to be to win what they have won," added Toure.

"They are physically very strong, they have a truly great footballer in Cristiano Ronaldo and they won the Champions League last year, so we know it will be very difficult.

"It will be a great game and it's important that we play at 100% because anything less and you cannot beat this team.

"But we have plenty of confidence ourselves because we won the double and we believe we can win the trophy."

Ivory Coast international Toure, who has spent his career as a central midfielder, may be asked to play at centre-back by Barca because of injury and suspension problems.

He played there against Chelsea in the semi-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge and is happy to play anywhere for the benefit of the team.

"I am lucky because I get to play in midfield all the time, I like it there and feel I'm playing some very good football," stated Toure.

"But if Barcelona need me to play at the back, I will do it - I will try my best anywhere for the team.

"I can play in the defence too and the only thing that matters on a night like Wednesday is what is best for Barcelona, not me."

Kanu backs Hart for Pompey boss

2009-05-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Kanu says the Portsmouth players want Hart to stay

Portsmouth striker Kanu believes caretaker manager Paul Hart should be given the job permanently.

The Nigerian, 32, who has yet to decide whether to stay at Pompey, says he and his team-mates want to play for Hart.

"He has kept us in the Premier League and the players want him to stay", Kanu told The News.

Midfielder Hayden Mullins had also backed Hart, who has been in temporary charge of Portsmouth since February following the departure of Tony Adams.

Hart, helped by assistant boss Brian Kidd, guided the club to Premier League safety with 17 points from 14 games.

Kanu, who joined Portsmouth from West Brom in 2006, has the option of another year on his contract but has not yet decided whether to take it.

The forward said he would be tempted to stay at at Fratton Park if Hart was made permanent manager.

"I have offers from France, Italy, Germany, Qatar, the United States and Japan but it's likely I'm going to be at Portsmouth next season," said Kanu.

"Portsmouth appreciate what I have done for them and I would like to stay.

"I want to play for Paul Hart as well. He has done a great job. Every player wants to play for him. He has got the experience and the players want him to stay."

Mullins, 30, also backed Hart to become permanent boss. "He has done brilliantly and I think he deserves it," the midfielder said.

the Professional Footballers' Association

2009-05-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

joyi

With the Professional Footballers' Association having dished out their annual awards, skysports.com wants to hear your views on who you feel have been the stand-out performers in the 2008/09 campaign.

In a series of features we will be looking to compile a team made up of players voted for by you - the fans.

Logic dictates that every good team needs a skilful man on the right of midfield so we will be continuing our search for the Premier League's best XI in that slot.

The PFA voted Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo as their top choice, but do you agree with that verdict?

We have selected eight candidates we feel are worthy of gracing any side and all you have to do is choose your favourite.

THIERRY HENRY and Andres Iniesta are back in training for Barcelona - as they bid to be fit for the Rome showdown.

2009-05-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

The duo are racing against the clock to face Manchester United in the Champions League final.

But coach Pepe Guardiola was given a big boost as both players completed their first full training session.

Ex-Arsenal striker Henry - who has scored 25 goals in all competitions this season - has been sidelined with a knee injury since Barca's 6-2 win at Real Madrid at the beginning of the month.

Influential midfielder Iniesta has been out with a thigh problem picked up a week later in the 3-3 draw against Villarreal.

DIMITAR BERBATOV will snub a Champions League final penalty after his FA Cup miss.

2009-05-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Manchester United striker Berba was slaughtered after his limp kick was saved against Everton in the Cup semi-final shootout defeat.

He said: "That hurt. I'm not sure I'd step up now."

Manchester United's route to the UEFA Champions League final

2009-05-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

DJAXPOO

Rome time: United celebrate victory at the Emirates

There have been one or two blips on the road to Rome but Manchester United are safely there. We look at the Red Devils' route to this year's UEFA Champions League final.

GROUP E

Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0 (September 17)

United kicked off their defence of their Champions League crown with a stalemate at Old Trafford notable mainly for Cristiano Ronaldo's first appearance since last season's final. Both teams can count themselves unlucky not to have snatched a victory as Guille Franco saw his effort rebound off the inside of the post while Jonny Evans' point-blank header also rattled the woodwork.

AAB Aalborg 0 Man Utd 3 (September 30)

United strolled to victory in Denmark courtesy of Wayne Rooney's strike and a Dimitar Berbatov double. The Bulgarian got off the mark for his new club 10 minutes into the second half and lashed home an acrobatic second 11 minutes from time, while the Red Devils also had a Carlos Tevez effort ruled out for offside.

Man Utd 3 Celtic 0 (October 21)

Another Berbatov brace saw United secure a second consecutive 3-0 victory. He pounced either side of half-time before Rooney added another in the 76th minute to see United earn a comfortable victory in the Battle of Britain.

Celtic 1 Man Utd 1 (November 5)

Celtic thought they had secured their first win of their campaign courtesy of Scott McDonald's brilliant lob in the 13th minute. However, with six minutes remaining, goalkeeper Artur Boruc could only parry Ronaldo's drive and Ryan Giggs headed home to break Scottish hearts.

REDS END THE SEASON IN STYLE

2009-05-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have ended their Premier League season with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Goals from Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun along with an own goal by Alan Hutton ensured the Reds ended the 2008-2009 campaign unbeaten at home and finish the term as runner-up to Manchester United. The Anfield faithful were also treated to a late cameo from stalwart Sami Hyypia who sets sail for German football next year after decade's service with the Merseysiders. Spurs, who needed to win to enter next seasons Europa League, did find the net when Robbie Keane returned to score against the team he left in January but it wasn't enough.

28 REASONS WHY REDS SHOULD BE PROUD

2009-05-25T08:37:00.000-07:00


	We all know first place is everything at Anfield, but despite missing out on the Barclays Premier League by the slenderest of margins there are still plenty of reasons why we can look back with pride on our 2008-09 campaign.
Whether it be amassing a record points total, leading the goalscoring charts, enjoying our best away form for over one hundred years or completing memorable league doubles over both Manchester United and Chelsea, the past nine months have provided numerous reasons why we can look forward to the new campaign with hopes and expectations high. We may not have ended the season as champions of England this time - but here are 28 reasons why we should feel positive when reflecting on the latest season in our glorious history. The Reds amassed their highest points total ever in the Premier League (86) beating the 82 set in 2005-06. It is our highest in the league since 1987-88. The total of 86 points is more than we needed to clinch 12 of our 18 league titles (all seasons based on three points for a win). We won 14 points against the other members of the ‘Big Four’. It was as many points as we had won against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the previous three seasons put together. Liverpool scored 77 league goals this season – our best since 1990-91 when we also scored 77, and finished second in the title race to Arsenal. 16 players scored in the league this season – one fewer than the club record set in 1911-12. We finished the campaign with a goal difference of +50 - our best for 21 years when we amassed +63 in 1987-88. The Reds went through a league campaign at Anfield undefeated for the 10th time in their history and for the first time since 1987-88. We extended our unbeaten run of league games at home to 30 – the best run for 28 years and equalled the fourth best sequence in our history. We amassed seven more points than when we last won the title in 1989-90 (then it was 79). We equalled the club record set in 1904-05 by winning 13 away league games. Liverpool amassed 43 away points this season - the most in our history. We finished the season averaging 2.26 points per game – the second best ever average in our 94 seasons in the top-flight. The best is 2.33 points in 1978-79 (98 points from 42 games based on 3 pts for a win). We scored at least three goals in five successive league games for the first time since 1987. And we netted at least three goals in six successive games in all competitions for the first time in the club’s history. We only lost two league games this season - our best record since 1987-88 when we also lost twice. That season we drew 12 games but still won the title by nine points from Manchester United. We became the first team ever to lose only two games in a season and not go on to win the league. Chelsea in 2007-08, 2006-07 and Nottingham Forest 1978-79 were all runners-up having lost three games. Liverpool ended Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home record with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. We recorded the club's first league ‘double’ over Chelsea for 19 years. A Yossi Benayoun goal ensured we became only the second English team to win in the Bernabeu. And at Anfield we inflicted upon Real Madrid their biggest ever Champions League defeat as we went goal crazy with a 4-0 win. Overall we sent Madrid crashing to their heaviest two-legged European defeat in the knockout stages for 20 years. We recorded our biggest win at Old Trafford for 72 years. It was also the first time four Liverpool players had scored at United in the same game. Rafael Benitez broke Bill Shankly’s record of 65 European matches as Liverpool manager. The boss also broke Bob Paisley’s record of 40 European wins. Rafa recorded his 100th league win as manager in his 181st game. It was the 3rd quickest ever by a Liverpool manager and 50 games faster than Alex Ferguson. Liverpool have lost only six league games in total in the last two seasons. Manchester United have lost nine. Arsenal have also lost nine and Chelsea eight. Liverpool finished the season as leading scorers in the Premier League. They scored 77 compared to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who all scored 68. The Reds boast the highest goals per game average of any team in all four divisions in England (1.93 goals per game) and will finish the season as such unless one of the following happens – Manchester United score nine in the Champions League Final or Chelsea score six in the F.A. Cup Final.

Newcastle's season of misery

2009-05-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

RELEGATION TRIGGERS HEARTBREAK

After a desperate battle which they never truly looked like winning, sorry Newcastle slipped out of the Premier League after 16 entertaining years in the top flight on the last day of the 2008-2009 season.

Hope usually spring eternal for football fans on Tyneside - but not now. Rarely did the Magpies look like a team of genuine quality and with a series of dramas on and off the pitch, many of them connected with managerial chances, staying afloat proved too much.

Here BBC Sport takes a look at how their tumultuous season played out…

Duff pledges future to Newcastle

2009-05-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Duff spent seven years at Blackburn and three with Chelsea

Newcastle winger Damien Duff has vowed to remain at St James' Park and hopes Alan Shearer will remain as manager.

Duff's own goal at Aston Villa sealed Newcastle's relegation and the 30-year-old said: "I'm devastated. I don't know what words can describe the way I feel.

"I'm as loyal as they come and, whether the gaffer stays or goes, I'd love to try to get Newcastle back up.

"If there's one man to get us back up it's Alan Shearer. I've loved working with him and it's been a proper club."

It is the second time Duff has experienced relegation, having been part of the Blackburn squad that went down in the 1998-99 season.

"When it happened at Blackburn, I wasn't planning on seeing it again in my career. It's not a nice feeling," said the Republic of Ireland international, who joined Newcastle from Chelsea in 2006.

"No disrespect to the Championship but Newcastle are too big a club to be down there. I plan on being straight back up after next season."

To compound the misery, it was Duff's own goal that confirmed the Magpies' exit from the top flight and he admitted: "You think, 'why me?'.

"But I'm a big man and I've been around for a while now, so I'm going to have to get over it.

"I'll be thinking about it for a long, long time but what can you do? That's football. You can't dwell on disappointments in your career. You have to move on."

Shearer took temporary charge at Newcastle in April but the club won only four points from his eight matches at the helm.

"I think he's been brilliant even though we haven't got the results to keep us up," stated Duff.

"It's the first time in a long while that this place has felt like a proper football club. Things are done right and it's been a breath of fresh air. It's just disappointing we couldn't stay up for him and the fans."

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor, who came through the academy system at the club, said: "The dressing room was like a funeral afterwards. Everybody was devastated.

"It's the worst feeling I've had as a professional footballer. It's the worst day in our careers.

"I've got the European Championships with England Under-21s to focus on now. That's all I can do but this is something I'll never, ever forget.

"The 3,000 Newcastle fans who came down to Villa Park are the reason you play.

"It's got to be an honour to play for Newcastle United Football Club. I know there will be changes but I don't know what's going to happen. As players, we haven't got a clue but I'd just ask the fans to stick with us next year."

Nadal sets French Open record with 29th straight victory

2009-05-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

PARIS (AP) — The modern day King of Clay eclipsed another mark Monday, this time breaking the French Open men's record for consecutive wins.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal looked his usual dominant self in the first round, beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 for his 29th straight win on the red clay at Roland Garros.

The win bettered the mark held by Bjorn Borg, who won 28 straight from 1978-81. Nadal also equaled the overall tournament record, matching the 29 straight that Chris Evert won between 1974-75 and 1979-81. Evert did not play at the French Open from 1976-78.

Nadal was broken three times by Daniel, but the top-seeded Spaniard remained perfect on the French Open's red clay as he tries to become the first player to win five straight titles at Roland Garros.

"You always start with some nerves," Nadal said before walking off center court. "I'm very happy with the win and to advance to the second round."

Dinara Safina, the top-seeded player in the women's draw, and No. 3 Venus Williams also advanced. Safina routed Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0 by spraying shots to all parts of the court.

"I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this," said Safina, half of the only brother-sister combination alongside Marat Safin to have served as the No. 1-ranked player in the world.

On the men's side, 10th-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, No. 23 Robin Soderling of Sweden and No. 30 Victor Hanescu of Romania advanced.

Later Monday, three-time French Open finalist Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova were scheduled to play.

Keothavong had a couple of chances against Safina on center court, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set, and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn't hold on.

"When that's happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn't able to do that," Keothavong said. "It just kept getting harder and harder."

During the changeover for the final game, Keothavong sat in her chair with a French Open towel draped over her head. She emerged from the short break and quickly trailed 0-40, giving Safina three match points.

But Keothavong saved them all, on unforced errors from Safina, and even held two game points.

Safina wasted a fourth match point by hitting long and converted the fifth with a forehand winner down the line.

"After I (shook) her hand, she said: 'At least you could give me one game,"' Safina said. "I could imagine it's not nice to feel (like that) on the court, but I was just so into myself."

Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic won 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open last year, and Serena Williams did it in 2003.

Safina took over as the top-ranked women's player in April, but she has yet to win a Grand Slam title. She lost in last year's French Open final, and also came within a match of winning the Australian Open this season.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, survived a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. She won the match's first five games, while Mattek asked for a medical time-out during the first set so a trainer could look at her right wrist.

Williams has never won the French Open, but she did reach the final in 2002 when she lost to little sister Serena. Overall, Williams holds a 36-12 record at Roland Garros, giving her the most wins of any player in the women's draw at the tournament.

Williams was upset in the third round in three of the last four years. In 2006, she reached the quarterfinals.

No. 15 Zheng Jie of China, No. 22 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary also advanced to the second round of the women's tournament, but No. 23 Alisa Kleybanova of Russia was upset by Polona Hercoq of Slovenia 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.