Bayern reject Podolski offer, Altintop hopes to face Lyon
December 7, 2008
MUNICH, Germany (AFP) – Bayern Munich have rejected a multi-million euro offer for their want away Germany striker Lukas Podolski from his former club Cologne, team manager Uli Hoeness revealed on Sunday.
"An offer was received, but I would prefer not to say how much it was," Hoeness told German television channel DSF.
But Hoeness did say the offer was lower than the ten million euros (12.7 million US dollars) Bayern paid for Podolski in 2006.
Despite scoring 31 goals in 60 appearances for Germany, Podolski has failed to make an impact at Bayern and is third-choice striker at the German giants behind Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni.
Even the arrival of former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann in Munich last summer has failed to help his cause and Podolski has told Bayern bosses he wants a transfer during January’s winter break.
But Hoeness said the 23-year-old will only leave Munich next summer – with Premier League clubs Tottenham and Manchester City also keen to sign him – providing Bayern find a replacement striker.
Meanwhile Bayern’s Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop has played his first 90 minutes for more than three months and is hoping to face Lyon in Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
Altintop, who turns 26 on Monday, suffered a reaction to a broken metatarsal in August, a setback which required a second round of surgery, but he finally made his comeback for Bayern reserves at the weekend.
And after a lively performance, Altintop wants to play in Wednesday’s Group F decider in Lyon which will decide who goes through as group winners with both sides locked on 11 points.
"I resumed the squad training programme two weeks ago, and I worked hard with the rehab coach," said the Turkey star.
"I’d definitely like to play against Lyon, because I’m fit and training with the squad.
"If I make the trip, I’d like to get on the field."
Bayern now have two big games before the winter break – Wednesday night’s Lyon clash will decide their Champions League group and they face Stuttgart on Saturday having gone second in the Bundesliga by beating leaders Hoffenheim last Friday.
Ahead of the final round of group matches in Europe’s elite club competition, Klinsmann has an almost full-strength squad with only long-term casualty Willy Sagnol missing.
But a minor question-mark remains over Podolski, who has shaken off back problems only to be struck down with gastroenteritis.
"It’s a case of wait and see," commented Klinsmann, hinting that both Altintop and Podolski could still see playing time prior to the winter break.
Written by: AFP
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Pompey up for sale
December 7, 2008
Alexandre Gaydamak said that his increasingly busy work schedule forbade him from paying enough attention to the Premiership club.
"I have come to realise over a period of time that I can no longer invest the time required to oversee the running of the club," the 32-year-old told the newspaper.
However, Gaydamak said he will not sell to anyone without a guarantee they will commit to funding a new stadium and training ground for the club.
Recent reports have hinted a South African consortium has been in discussions over an acquisition of the club, but Portsmouth have issued a categorical denial.
Portsmouth insist that while the consortium expressed an interest a number of weeks ago, no offer has been received and there has been no further contact.
Gaydamak, who became co-owner of Portsmouth in January 2006 and invested 20million pounds into the club, revealed that he has rejected two offers for the club.
"I didn’t feel the buyers’ motives were in the best interests of the club’s long-term future," he said.
"Making money from the sale of the club does not interest me. Finding the right buyer is far more important."
Gaydamak denied that the club was in a dire financial state, though, they were knocked out of the UEFA Cup last week.
"We are not in financial meltdown and it is nonsense to suggest we have to start selling players," said Gaydamak.
"The credit crunch is having an adverse affect on everyone but we are addressing the key issues.
"I have a very fit and able board that have worked tirelessly to evaluate the current financial problems impacting in everyone and deal with them accordingly."
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Bring back Scotland v England games: Ferguson
December 7, 2008
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has added his voice to the growing clamour for a revival of the annual games between England and Scotland.
The oldest internatiional rivals in football last contested the traditional annual fixture in 1989, although they have met at Euro 96 and in a Euro 2000 qualification play-off since then.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith is set to hold further talks with the FA next year and Ferguson said it was the right time to get the fixture back on the cards.
"I’d welcome the return of the game," he said.
"It would be great to bring it back. There’s something special about this fixture and I’m sure it would bring the best out in the players.
"There are promising young lads in the Scotland team who would benefit from playing in this game and there would be such a determination to win.
"It couldn’t be looked upon as a ‘friendly’. It would be great for the players to sample the atmosphere and occasion.
"I know I’m not alone in thinking this way. Many would love to see it on the calendar again.
"For example, Sir Bobby Charlton often talks to me about it and he’d love to see the Scotland v England game brought back.
"There would be a packed stadium, whether it’s Wembley or Hampden.
"Perhaps the match would also give the country a lift and be an occasion everyone looks forward to."
Written by: AFP
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Ribery miffed at vote snub
December 7, 2008
The coveted trophy went to Manchester United’s winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Ribery said he had no argument with that choice.
"But to be honest, I am disappointed with my own placing," he told L’Equipe newspaper.
"I deserved better than that. But that’s the way it is. You just have to live with it. It won’t stop me working just as hard as before to be even better."
Ribery on Sunday was named by the France Football magazine as French footballer of the year for the second straight year.
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Liverpool stay top of Premier League
December 7, 2008
LONDON (AFP) – Liverpool remained in pole position in the English Premier League as the top four in the table all won.
The Reds’ 3-1 victory away to struggling Blackburn Rovers kept them a point ahead of Chelsea after the Londoners beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
Chelsea’s win saw them surpass Tottenham Hotspur’s English record of 10 successive top-flight away victories set in 1960.
Reigning champions Manchester United remained six points behind Liverpool in third place although it needed Nemanja Vidic’s stoppage-time goal to secure a 1-0 win over managerless Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Arsenal stayed in the top four with a 1-0 win at home to Wigan secured by a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed his Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue whose mistake-ridden performance caused Arsenal fans to subject him to vicious and sustained abuse.
After playing yet another misplaced pass, his nadir came when he bizarrely tackled his own player, Kolo Toure, on the half-way line and then gifted possession to Wigan.
Eboue, who had come on as a 33rd-minute substitute, was replaced moments later, to wildly sarcastic cheers from the stands.
But the French manager instead focussed his criticism on the supporters who contributed to Eboue’s abject loss of confidence and insisted the player, who stormed straight down the tunnel after being withdrawn, would return stronger.
Elsewhere, Newcastle, on course for victory after Michael Owen scored twice, were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke while Hull came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1.
Earlier, Fulham and Manchester City shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was pleased by his side’s return to winning ways after their goalless draw on Monday against lowly West Ham.
"Clearly it was an important three points for us," the Spaniard said. "We are in a very good position and we want to stay there."
Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins, a former Blues captain, praised his team’s attitude as well as their skill.
"I thought the spirit and commitment the guys showed was absolutely first-class, coupled with some extremely good passing of the ball as well."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw Vidic shoot into an unguarded net after after Michael Carrick’s deflected strike hit the post, said: "We deserved to win simply because we were the team that wanted to win and Sunderland, understandably, to survive."
Ferguson refused to criticise the relegation-threatened visitors’ defensive approach in what was their first match since former United captain Roy Keane resigned as their manager.
"There have been better teams that have come here and played just the same with one-up and five across the middle of the park," said the Scot. "When you are down the bottom, you can understand the desperation to get a point."
Sunderland caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia said: "The players are disappointed but they gave us everything."
Spain international Xabi Alonso broke the deadlock at Ewood Park in the 69th minute when he sidefooted in Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s cross.
Then, 10 minutes later, Yossi Benayoun went past Stephen Warnock before shooting beyond Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal.
Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back four minutes from time before Gerrard wrapped up the three points with an injury-time effort.
The defeat increased the pressure on Blackburn boss Paul Ince, the former Liverpool midfielder, with Rovers still rooted in the relegation zone after a fifth successive defeat.
Former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka headed Chelsea into a ninth-minute at the Reebok Stadium.
The Blues made it 2-0 in spectacular fashion through Portugal midfielder Deco’s acrobatic ‘bicycle-kick’ in the 21st minute.
All the goals at Hull’s KC Stadium came in a frantic final 11 minutes.
Boro went ahead through Turkey international Tuncay Sanli only for Hull to equalise three minutes later when Bernard Mendy’s shot eventually went in off goalkeeper Ross Turnbull for an own-goal.
Hull, fifth in the table, then went ahead through Marlon King’s 85th minute penalty, with Boro’s David Wheater sent-off for the foul on Geovanni that led to the spot-kick.
At St James’ Park, Owen gave Newcastle the lead when he turned in an eighth-minute cross from Jonas Gutierrez before making it 2-0 in the 24th minute after good work by Obafemi Martins.
Stoke though pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Mamady Sidibe scored from close range.
And they were level in the dying seconds when Abdoulaye Faye scored against his former club, although the draw still left promoted Stoke searching for their first away league win this season.
Aston Villa will have a chance to go fifth when they face Everton on Sunday while Portsmouth will look to recover from the disappointment of their UEFA Cup exit away to bottom-of-the-table West Brom.
Tottenham travel to London rivals West Ham on Monday, a match that sees Spurs’ former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp returning to Upton Park.
Written by: AFP
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Benitez vows Liverpool will cope with title pressure
December 7, 2008
BLACKBURN, England (AFP) – Rafael Benitez insists his Liverpool team can stay at the summit of the Premier League despite their stuttering form and bring the English title back to Anfield for the first time since 1990.
Liverpool’s 3-1 victory away to Blackburn Rovers was harsh on the hosts, and even though they remain top of the table, the Reds look far from convincing.
Having been held to goalless draws against Fulham and West Ham in their previous two outings, Liverpool had to wait until the 69th minute to break the deadlock through Xabi Alonso at Ewood Park.
Even though they have hardly hit top form, Benitez believes Liverpool, currently a point ahead of second-placed Chelsea, have what it takes to stay one step ahead of the chasing pack.
"We have to play with confidence because we’re in a very good position," said Liverpool’s manager.
"If we can move and pass the ball like we did against Blackburn and be more clinical in front of goal, that will be really important through Christmas time.
"We saw again that we can manage the pressure and play well if it’s necessary. Sometimes in some games when a team is working so hard you know that sometimes you will have problems but we had the control and created some chances and were more clinical."
With Fernando Torres likely to be out for another three weeks, Benitez, who claimed he is not looking to recruit a striker in January, left Robbie Keane on the bench and used Dirk Kuyt as a lone forward.
Even when Ryan Babel went off with a knock, Benitez decided to bring on Nabil El Zhar rather than Keane, a 20.3 million pounds signing from Tottenham in July.
Kuyt never really looked like scoring but with Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard all on target, Benitez maintains he is not bothered who scores Liverpool’s goals.
"You like to see the strikers scoring goals but if the midfielders are scoring goals then I’m pleased and it doesn’t matter to me."
Morten Gamst Pedersen had a long-range strike pushed on to the bar by Pepe Reina in the opening period as Blackburn put on a defiant display.
But Alonso gave Liverpool the lead after Kuyt mis-hit a shot from Gerrard’s cross and, 10 minutes afterwards, Benayoun skipped past Stephen Warnock and beat Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson to double the lead.
Roque Santa Cruz halved the deficit with a header with five minutes remaining but Gerrard made the game safe by clipping the ball into an empty net in added time.
Second-from-bottom Blackburn have now gone 10 games without a win in the Premier League but under-pressure manager Paul Ince is confident his side will pull away from trouble.
They now face a vital period of matches against Wigan, Stoke, Sunderland, Manchester City and Fulham and Ince believes that repeats of the performance against Liverpool will be enough to pull them to safety.
"We’ve got to believe that we can get up into mid-table but it’s just getting that win," said the former Reds and England midfielder.
"It was going to be hard against Liverpool because they’re going for the Premiership but we matched them for 70 minutes.
"We’ve got five cup finals coming up and if we play like that we’ve got to believe that it will turn around.
"I was very encouraged. It’s been a bit of a low over the last five or six games and it’s been hard for everyone at the club but we put in an exceptional performance against Liverpool."
Written by: AFP
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Smith frustrated with seven-goal Rangers
December 7, 2008
GLASGOW (AFP) – Rangers manager Walter Smith admitted he is frustrated at his side’s inconsistencies despite seeing his team thrash ten-man Hamilton 7-1 on Saturday.
The Ibrox side bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Hearts, which saw Rangers slip seven points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, to put on a magnificent display against Hamilton.
With Celtic not playing Hibernian until Sunday, the Ibrox club reduced the gap at the top to four points.
But the Ibrox boss said his side need to start matching the level of consistency shown by their Old Firm rivals, who have won their last 12 league matches in a row, if they are cut back their lead further.
"There is a frustration inside of me about our team at the moment," admitted Smith.
"I think we are playing very well footballing-wise over the season and we have had these couple of games of real inconsistency at Tynecastle and Love Street.
"We had the majority of the possession of the ball and territorial advantage in both the games and yet we didn’t manage to get the win. We have been playing well enough over the season but we’ve just not been consistent enough.
"That is where Celtic have the advantage at the moment as they are showing a level of consistency that we’ve not been able to match. It’s not just about our performances in away games.
"Even in the game against St Mirren at home we were 2-0 up and should have been out of sight and we were put under pressure in the final ten minutes because of that."
On Saturday, a Kris Boyd hat-trick helped Rangers to come from behind to record the biggest win of the season.
Hamilton had taken the lead in the second minute when James McArthur scored but they held it for only eight minutes when Kenny Miller, on his return from injury, equalised.
Boyd’s hat-trick and goals from Kyle Lafferty, Nacho Novo and Steven Davis made it a magnificent seven with Hamilton’s Martin Canning seeing red.
Written by: AFP
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Eboue abuse riles Wenger
December 7, 2008
LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has backed Emmanuel Eboue to win over the Arsenal fans who barracked him mercilessly in their nervy 1-0 victory over Wigan.
The Ivory Coast international was subjected to vicious and sustained abuse from the majority of a capacity Emirates stadium crowd after making a string of mistakes against the Latics on Saturday.
After playing yet another misplaced pass, his nadir came when he bizarrely tackled his own player, Kolo Toure, on the half-way line and then gifted possession to Wigan as Arsenal frantically tried to defend the lead given them by Emmanuel Adebayor’s 16th-minute goal.
Eboue, who had come on as a 33rd-minute substitute, was replaced moments later, to wildly sarcastic cheers from the stands, with Wenger admitting that he feared the player – who was fielded out of position on the left side of midfield – was about to cost his team two precious points.
But the French manager instead focussed his criticism on the supporters who contributed to Eboue’s abject loss of confidence and insisted the player, who stormed straight down the tunnel after being withdrawn, would return stronger.
"It was a difficult decision but he had completely lost his confidence," he said. "He couldn’t keep the ball any more and had become a danger. It was very sad but the important thing was that we won the game.
"I wanted to keep him on but you have to think about the team in these situations.
"I can understand him going straight down the tunnel because the crowd were very hard on him. When you’re a fan, you’re behind the players and that’s what you want them to do.
"But I think he will come back and show how good a player he is. He’s a sensitive boy who wants to do well and he cares about the club. I believe the same fans will applaud him when he does well."
The plight of Eboue overshadowed a precious, but hardly emphatic, victory for Arsenal, which sustained their faint hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title.
Arsenal may have recorded famous wins against Manchester United and Chelsea this term, but they have struggled to swat aside the lesser lights and this win at least showed that Wenger’s side can scrap their way to victory when necessary.
"It was a nervy game because we didn’t finish things off," Wenger added. "We played with the handbrake on because of our recent history but there have been times when we have played well and didn’t win.
"We beat Chelsea last week and we knew this was as big a game because we had to show we could win back to back."
Victory was assured when Adebayor swept in from close range early on, although the lead could have been extended had Robin van Persie not twice fired wide of the post, or Adebayor and Denilson not struck it either side of half-time.
Wigan manager Steve Bruce still bore a frustrated look in the aftermath, having seen Mario Melchiot waste a good chance to equalise late on, and his mood was hardly helped by more speculation about the future of Emile Heskey.
The Latics striker is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Aston Villa as he seeks to a move to a Champions League contender.
Bruce, however, is adamant that Heskey will only leave the JJB stadium if he receives a "mind-blowing offer", with Wigan believed to value their talismanic centre-forward at around eight million pounds.
"We’ve got an England centre-forward and we play around him – where can I find another one like him?" Bruce asked.
"Unless it’s a mind-blowing offer, we don’t want to sell. A two or three million pounds offer, and it’s no way. We’ll just have to see what happens.
"I know what can happen if you decide to sell. When I was at Huddersfield, we cashed in on Marcus Stewart for three million pounds and the club folded. They were relegated and haven’t recovered since.
"We’ve got the makings of a great side here and now the question is whether we can keep hold of them all. But I want to stress that the chairman has made it very clear that I’ll be under no pressure to cash in on anyone."
Written by: AFP
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Ankaraspor win top clash with Besiktas
December 7, 2008
ISTANBUL (SW) – BB Ankaraspor have moved into third place in Turkey after a surprising 1-3 win over Besiktas, who in turn drop to fifth place.
Neca put Ankaraspor ahead in the 20th minute but had his goal cancelled out by Zapotocny in the 41st.
But the away side were then given some help as Sivok scored an own goal in the 52nd minute and conceded a red card to complete an extremely painful night in the 72nd. Ankaraspor eventually got a third through Kisa in added time, 1-3.
Ankaraspor share the second place with Fenerbahce, but the Istanbul outfit scored more goals.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
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Easy win for Porto at Vitoria Setubal
December 7, 2008
SETUBAL (SW) – FC Porto remain close to the top of the Portuguese Liga Sagres after a 0-3 win at Vitoria Setubal on Saturday.
It did take Porto until the 65th minute to break the deadlock through Alves, from things were then soon decided as Freddy Guarin doubled the advantage three minutes later.
The third and final goal came from Argentinian Lucho Gonzalez on 79 minutes.
Porto are fourth in the league but played one match less than third-placed Sporting Lisbon. Leaders Leixoes play on Monday, when they travel to face Vitoria Guimaraes.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
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