Ancelotti backs Terry as Chelsea held by Hull

February 3, 2010

Carlo Ancelotti has backed John Terry to come through his personal crisis and lead Chelsea to the title despite his side’s disappointing failure to overcome Hull City in a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Terry’s week of woe showed no signs of improving as he was subjected to abuse on Humberside on Tuesday evening.

And just to make matters worse he was booked before having to watch his side drop two crucial points against Phil Brown’s struggling team, blowing their chance to open up a four-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table.

Terry had to run a gauntlet of hate from the home supporters that promises to become a regular event for the defender, but Ancelotti insists his captain can handle the flak and will carry on playing.

Terry will meet England manager Fabio Capello later this week to discuss his future as his country’s captain following reports of his affair with the former girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But he has the backing of Ancelotti, even if the Italian admits he might give the centreback a family holiday later this month when Chelsea face Cardiff City in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: “Nothing can distract our concentration in this competition. In every game the Chelsea team has good focus and we can play good football.

“Concentration is always on top. This is an issue for me and John Terry. I think it’s not a problem. You can see the line-up against Cardiff.

“If he needs a holiday he will have one and if not, he will play against Cardiff.

“I don’t like to speak about this. It’s not a question I want to speak about.

“For him (Terry) nothing has changed. He continues to play a very good game and every game he’s living a good moment.

“He’s doing his best. The atmosphere in the team is the same. There has been no change.

“We are in a good position now. We are top. We know Manchester United are very good and it will be a long race until the end of the season.

“We are happy to have a two-point lead. This was an opportunity, but it’s impossible to win every game.”

Chelsea had to rely on Didier Drogba’s clinical free kick to salvage a point for the league leaders. It was his 20th goal of the season and cancelled out Stephen Mouyokolo’s opening goal for Hull, his first for the club.

Ancelotti praised the impact Drogba had on his return to the side following international duty at the African Cup of Nations and believes his form and fitness will be key as the season enters its final third.

Ancelotti added: “It’s an important moment for us, but we need to have all the players in good condition between now and the end of the season.”

Hull rode their luck at times with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill once again impressive but Brown is convinced this result can provide his side with the belief that they have what it takes to go on and avoid relegation for the second season in succession.

“Against the quality of the opposition, that performance is right up there. I’m just disappointed we can’t perform like this on a more regular basis,” said Brown.

HULL (AFP)

Tags: Boaz Myhill, cardiff, cardiff city, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, England, england manager, FA Cup, fabio capello, family holiday, flak, former girlfriend, gauntlet, good game, home supporters, HULL, hull city, humberside, john terry, kc stadium, Manchester, personal crisis, phil brown, stamford bridge, Stephen Mouyokolo, team mate, wayne bridge

Ancelotti may give Terry a break

February 3, 2010

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti may give skipper John Terry a holiday. The Blues boss might resort to giving Terry a break in order to deal with the much-publicized issues in his private life.

Terry’s affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge has been put forth for the public eye, something which has led many to question Terry’s position as Chelsea and England captain.

England manager Fabio Capello is set to meet Terry on Thursday evening or Friday morning to address the situation. Meanwhile Ancelotti will allow his captain to miss the game against Cardiff on February 13 to spend Valentine’s Day with his wife.

Ancelotti said after Chelsea’s draw at Hull, “If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn’t need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff.

“It is an issue for me and John Terry, it is not your problem I think.”

The Italian claims he has not spoken with Terry about the issue.

He said, “No. I have never had a discussion. I like to speak to my players (but) I don’t like to speak about this. It is not a question I want to speak about here.

“For him nothing has changed. He has played a very good game and every game he is leading very well. He is doing his best every game.

And Ancelotti has firmly denied that the saga had a negative effect on the morale of his squad.

“The atmosphere in the team is the same. No change.”

Ancelotti also vowed that the interest in Terry would not derail the Blues’ Premier League title bid, despite failing to take advantage of the game in hand at Hull.

“Nothing can disturb our concentration in this competition,” he said.

“I think that Chelsea are focused for every game.

“Sometimes we play good football and sometimes we have more difficulty but the concentration is always on top.”

Tags: captain England, cardiff, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, concentration, England, england captain, england manager, england team, fabio capello, friday morning, good game, HULL, john terry, premier league, private life, public eye, saga, skipper, Terry, valentine s day, wayne bridge

Crunch time looms in EPL title race

January 27, 2010

The English Premier League title battle enters a potentially decisive phase on Wednesday as Arsenal and Chelsea go into tough fixtures aiming to replace Manchester United at the top of the table.

United claimed top spot at the weekend with a Wayne Rooney-inspired 4-0 demolition of Hull, but Arsenal will move back above them and into pole position if they can take all three points from their trip to Aston Villa, a side chasing a top four finish themselves.

Chelsea, who are level on points with the Gunners but have played a game less, entertain Birmingham, who have put together an impressive 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Wednesday’s programme also sees Blackburn entertain Lancashire neighbours Wigan with both clubs uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, while Everton will seek to bounce back from the disappointment of their weekend FA Cup exit at the hands of Birmingham when they take on Steve Bruce’s Sunderland.

With Manchester United due at the Emirates on Sunday, it is arguably Arsenal who have most to lose on Wednesday with Arsene Wenger’s men starting a run of matches which also includes clashes with Chelsea and Liverpool.

The importance Wenger attaches to that sequence of fixtures was reflected in his making nine changes from the side that beat Bolton last Wednesday for the FA Cup tie at Stoke at the weekend.

The likes of William Gallas were sorely missed as the Gunners went out of the Cup but Wenger will regard that as a bearable setback if his squad are still in contention for their first league title since 2004 in a month’s time.

“Our selection at Stoke was simple,” the Frenchman said. “Take a look at our schedule and you must see we cannot play the same 11 every time. That is for sure.”

Birmingham defender Roger Johnson will realise a lifelong dream when he plays at Chelsea for the first time.

The former Cardiff player was brought up a Chelsea fan and while he will be trying his hardest to put a dent in their campaign, he expects Carlo Ancelotti’s men to go on and lift the title.

“I still get to watch as many Chelsea games as I can, mainly mid-week when Birmingham are not playing, and John Terry is a player I look up to,” Johnson said.

“I think they’ll win the league. They have been better than most sides this season. Manchester United haven’t been quite as good as in previous seasons. Arsenal have come up on the rails in recent weeks but Chelsea have that strength to grind results out.

“They’ve done that for most of the season and, if they have a good second half, they should easily win the title.”

Wednesday’s fixtures

Aston Villa v Arsenal (1945 GMT), Blackburn v Wigan (2000 GMT), Chelsea v Birmingham (1945 GMT), Everton v Sunderland (2000 GMT)

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsene wenger, Birmingham, cardiff, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, chelsea fan, clashes, contention, decisive phase, disappointment, emirates, English Premier League, fa cup tie, frenchman, gunners, HULL, john terry, Lancashire, lifelong dream, london, Manchester, manchester united, pole position, premier league, relegation zone, Roger Johnson, setback, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, wayne rooney, Wayne Rooney-inspired, William Gallas

Solano makes Premiership return

January 23, 2010

Former Newcastle United forward Nolberto Solano has completed a move to Championship side Leicester City.

The Peruvian 35-year-old had been on trial with Leicester, and managed to sufficiently impress the Foxes to force a more permanent deal.

Solano, who started his career at Sporting Cristal in 1992, moved to Europe to join Newcastle United six years later. Since then, the player also wore the shirts of Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Since 2009, Solano was active at Lima’s Universitatio de Deportes.

It is inclear whether the veteran gets to play in the FA Cup at Cardiff on the weekend due to clearance issues. If this is not the case, Solano is likely to make his debut against former club Newcastle on January 30.

Tags: aston villa, cardiff, clearance issues, debut, Europe, FA Cup, foxes, leicester city, Lima, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, six years, sporting cristal, Villa, west ham, west ham united

Mokoena gives Pompey FA Cup relief

January 13, 2010

South Africa’s Aaron Mokoena scored in the final minute of extra-time as crisis club Portsmouth came from behind to beat Coventry City 2-1 in an FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.

Victory gave Portsmouth, bottom of the Premier League and beset by financial problems, a fourth round tie at home to top-flight rivals Sunderland.

Both of Pompey’s goals were heartbreaking for second-tier Coventry, coming in the last minute of normal time and in time added on at the end of the second half of extra-time.

The 2008 FA Cup winners were behind for most of the match after Coventry striker Leon Best fired the home side, who play in the second division Championship, into a 22nd minute lead.

And it seemed cash-strapped Portsmouth, whose officials met earlier Tuesday with Premier League chiefs in a bid to lift the club’s transfer embargo, were about to exit the FA Cup until Coventry’s Stephen Wright headed into his own net shortly before the end of normal time at the Ricoh Arena.

The tie was heading for a penalty shoot-out until defender Mokoena headed in the winner with virtually the last act of the game.

Earlier, Barry Ferguson’s first goal for Birmingham saw them beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in a third round replay at St Andrews on to set-up a fourth round tie away to Premier League rivals Everton.

Scotland midfielder Ferguson struck from 15 yards shortly after the hour mark as Birmingham saw off their in-form Championship high-flyers Forest and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 matches.

In other third round replays second division Derby beat third tier Millwall 5-3 on penalties after the match at Pride Park finished extra-time at 1-1.

The deadlock was eventually broken when Steve Morison gave visitors Millwall a 108th minute lead with a close range finish before Derby equalised soon afterwards through Steve Davies’s lob.

Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater saved from Danny Schofield in the shoot-out before Dean Moxey sealed the Rams’ place in the fourth round.

Sheffield United almost blew a 3-0 lead away to Championship rivals QPR but held on for a 3-2 win at Loftus Road.

Lee Williamson had opened the scoring in the 19th minute and then two goals in three second-half minutes from Jamie Ward and Richard Cresswell left the Blades 3-0 up with 20 minutes left.

But Akos Buzsaky’s penalty gave Rangers hope before Damion Stewart’s goal two minutes from time set up a frantic finish.

In Tuesday’s only third round match Bristol City’s late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Championship rivals Cardiff.

Substitute Gavin Williams scored in the second minute of stoppage-time in blizzard conditions at Ashton Gate.

Cardiff looked to be going through when Michael Chopra shot into an empty net from the right touchline in the 76th minute after a mishit clearance by City goalkeeper Dean Gerken, who had raced out of his goal.

Wednesday’s third round replays see Premier League Liverpool, looking to salvage a so-far disappointing season, at home to second-tier Reading while Championship leaders Newcastle face divisional strugglers Plymouth.

LONDON (AFP)

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Giggs promises Manchester United revival

January 7, 2010

Ryan Giggs has insisted it won’t be long before he and his Manchester United team-mates bounce back from their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of third-tier Leeds.

Manchester United’s 1-0 loss at their Old Trafford home last weekend was one of the most stunning Cup upsets of recent seasons.

But with United second in the Premier League, in the semi-finals of the League Cup and through to the knockout phase of Europe’s Champions League, there is every chance of Giggs, English football’s most decorated player, adding to his 11 league, two European Cups and two League Cup winners’ medals.

“It has always been the same here, one defeat and it is a disaster,” Giggs said Thursday ahead of United’s league match against Birmingham on Saturday.

“That is never going to change,” the Welshman added.

“But we don’t get carried away with that, just the same as we wouldn’t get carried away if we had won 10 on the bounce.

“It is up to us to work hard and get back to winning ways.

“We are still in a strong position in the league and we are still in the Champions League.

“The turn of the year is when we are notoriously at our best.

“We have a great team at the moment and I still believe there is more for me to win.”

Giggs, 36, was speaking after receiving the freedom of Salford, which adjoins to the west the larger city of Manchester.

Although born and initially brought up in Cardiff, Giggs moved north aged seven when his father signed to play for the Swinton rugby league club.

“I played for Salford Boys at both rugby and football. The United training ground was at Broughton, my kids were born in Hope Hospital,” Giggs recalled.

“Everything big that has happened in my life has happened in Salford.”

Giggs, a one club-man throughout his professional career, said he was close to following in his father’s footsteps and opting for rugby rather than football until, as a teenager, he met United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time.

“I moved to the area originally because my dad was a rugby player and I played rugby from being 10 or 11,” Giggs said. “I was certainly undecided.

“But at 13 I met the manager – and that was the end of that.”

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, Birmingham, cardiff, champions league, city of manchester, english football, Europe, footsteps, hope hospital, knockout, LEEDS, Manchester, premier league, professional career, rugby player, ryan giggs, salford, semi finals, sir alex ferguson, swinton, team mates, welshman, winning ways

Scots sack Burley

November 17, 2009

George Burley’s 22-month reign as Scotland manager came to an end Monday when the Scottish Football Association (SFA) terminated his contract with immediate effect.

Burley’s assistants, Terry Butcher and Paul Hegarty, were also released, 48 hours after Scotland succumbed to a 3-0 friendly defeat by Wales.

The SFA had decided against dismissing Burley last month following a review of the national squad’s failure to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

But Saturday’s humiliation in Cardiff proved to be the last straw for SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.

“It is with regret that we announce George Burley?s departure,” Smith said. “We now have four months until our next scheduled match, against Czech Republic, and will therefore utilise the intervening period to ensure we attract the best possible replacement to take Scotland forward.”

Smith said the decision had been taken unanimously by the SFA’s board.

“It should be stressed that the decision was not a direct consequence of Saturday?s unacceptable 3-0 defeat to Wales but, rather, a realisation that the expectations of the supporters, the Scottish FA and George, himself, were not being met.

“I should point out that the Scottish FA stands by its decision to give the national coach our full support despite failure to qualify for the World Cup play-offs. It would have been negligent not to have given George every opportunity to rebuild and revitalise the squad in light of the improved performances in the last two qualifiers against Macedonia and Holland.

“Unfortunately, the adverse results in the two subsequent friendly matches against Japan and Wales provided confirmation that the improvement could not be sustained.”

Burley’s fate was effectively sealed when the ‘Tartan Army’ of travelling fans — who had largely remained loyal to the manager — reacted furiously to an abject display against the Welsh.

Burley succeeded Alex McLeish as manager of the national team in January 2008. Under his leadership, Scotland won three out of 14 matches and scored in only three of their last 12 matches.

His supporters will claim that the results simply reflect the limited quality of the players at his disposal.

“You could have Arsene Wenger or Alex Ferguson managing that group of players, but the outcome wouldn’t be much different,” said Graeme Souness, who had indicated interest in the job when Burley got it but has ruled himself out the running to succeed him.

His critics however can argue that essentially the same group of players did significantly better under McLeish and his predecessor, Walter Smith, running France and Italy close in qualifying for Euro 2008.

The SFA could now attempt to persuade Rangers boss Smith — whose current contract at Ibrox expires in January — to return to the role.

Dundee United’s Craig Levein is also seen as a potential candidate to take over from Burley before the start of Euro 2012 qualifiers in August or September.

Souness, the former Newcastle, Blackburn and Liverpool manager, said Monday he was not interested in managing his country.

“I wouldn’t want the job,” Souness said. “It’s not for me at this time, my life is going in a different direction.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: alex mcleish, cardiff, chief executive, czech republic, four months, george burley, gordon smith, humiliation, last straw, national coach, paul hegarty, play offs, s board, scottish fa, scottish football association, sfa, tartan army, terry butcher, welsh, World Cup

FA to investigate racist claims

October 18, 2009

The Football Association will examine allegations that Cardiff striker Michael Chopra suffered racist abuse following the Coca-Cola Championship match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The FA will receive referee Steve Tanner’s report from the match early next week, however that is not expected to contain details of the alleged incident.

Cardiff have told Press Association Sport that the referee advised he had not been aware of any racism.

Jay Bothroyd claimed his fellow Bluebirds striker Chopra was the subject of a slur from a Palace player after the match at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Players from both sides had to be separated following the final whistle of the 1-1 draw, and trouble reportedly continued in the tunnel.

Bothroyd claimed the problems started after Chopra – who is of Indian descent – was targeted.

The FA would need evidence before taking action, and an FA spokesman said: “We are reliant on being provided with witness statements.”

A Cardiff spokesman said: “As a club we utterly condemn any racist comments from anyone but in this particular case the referee tells us he didn’t see or hear anything.”

Bothroyd has said he was told of the alleged abuse by Chopra.

Bothroyd said: “I wasn’t there but I spoke to Chops and he said one of their boys made a racist comment to him.

“That is obviously not acceptable in this game and it’s something I think the referee might have to deal with.

“We were wearing T-shirts that said ‘Kick Racism Out Of Football’ and then something like that happens.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: allegations, bluebirds, cardiff, cardiff city, coca cola, coca cola championship, crystal palace, football association, indian descent, jay bothroyd, kick racism, michael chopra, racist abuse, racist comments, referee, spokesman, steve tanner, striker, witness statements

Southgate demands Boro response after Albion rout

September 20, 2009

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate warned his players to use the embarrassment of their 5-0 thrashing by West Bromwich Albion as a wake-up call for the rest of the Championship campaign.

Southgate was stunned by the size of Saturday’s defeat to their promotion rivals at the Riverside Stadium but he is determined to make sure his players learn the lessons of the humiliation.

Middlesbrough are still third in the table but the gap between them and leaders Albion looked vast as Roberto Di Matteo’s team ran riot.

“We’ve had an embarrassing defeat,” Southgate said. “I’ve learnt a lot about some people and it is better to know that now than later.

“We got exactly what we deserved. Credit to West Brom because they are a good side and they deserved to win the game. They have hit us with a sledgehammer.

“It has been a wake-up call. We have to make sure we use it to our advantage. We have to make sure it hurts and we have to make sure we respond properly next week against Coventry.”

Di Matteo believes the result will send a message to Albion’s promotion rivals: “We have put a statement out for the rest of the league.

“It was certainly one of our best performances so far and obviously we will take confidence from the performance. We have a very good group of players.”

Chris Brunt’s deflected free-kick put the Baggies in front after 17 minutes and the midfielder then pounced on a poor clearance to score his second goal from long-range in the 31st minute.

Youssouf Mulumbu’s header made it 3-0 before half-time and late strikes from Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas compounded the misery for Gareth Southgate’s third placed team.

Newcastle, relegated from the top-flight last season, stayed second after a 3-1 victory over struggling Plymouth but boss Chris Hughton wasn’t completely convinced by the display.

Steven Taylor opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Karl Duguid’s 50th minute equaliser gave Plymouth hope.

Kevin Nolan had converted substitute Danny Guthrie’s 61st minute cross to restore Newcastle’s lead and Argyle, who made a 818-mile round-trip to Tyneside, were beaten when Andy Carroll struck in the 84th minute.

“There were periods of the game where we made hard work of it,” Hughton said. “For whatever reason, we weren’t able to sustain it and of course the longer the game goes without getting that second one, they Plymouth are lifted by the occasion and feel they can get something.”

Ipswich boss Roy Keane admitted he is in for a long season after South African midfielder Quinton Fortune stepped off the bench to earn Doncaster a 3-3 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Keane’s side remain winless and in the bottom three after their worst start to a season for 45 years.

“I think we gave bad goals away,” Keane said. “It’s certainly going to be one of those seasons where it’s going to be a long, tough battle for us and we’re going to have to give some players the benefit of the doubt as they settle into the football club both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve got one or two injuries and we’re lacking a bit of confidence as you would expect, but no one is going to hand us a victory. We’ve got to keep battling away and do it for ourselves.”

Elsewhere, Preston defeated Coventry 3-2 to keep up their promotion push, while QPR won 2-0 at Cardiff and Peterborough came from two goals down to beat Reading 3-2.

Crystal Palace ended their poor run with a 1-0 win over Derby and Blackpool won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Bristol City drew 1-1 with Scunthorpe, Barnsley shared a goalless draw with Swansea and Leicester drew 3-3 at Watford.

LONDON (AFP)

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Bellamy back in Wales squad for Russia clash

September 4, 2009

Craig Bellamy has been recalled to the Wales squad for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Russia.

The Manchester City striker missed Wales’s 2-1 defeat in Montenegro last month in circumstances which caused controversy because of his club’s failure to inform the Football Association of Wales (FAW) of his non-availability.

Bellamy, who captains his country, has since reiterated his commitment to the national cause however and manager John Toshack has drawn a line under the incident.

Two other senior players, Jason Koumas and goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, are also back in the fold after missing the Montenegro defeat, while uncapped Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock is included for the first time in almost a year.

Skipper Bellamy, Koumas and Myhill were all out of the squad that lost 2-1 in Montenegro last month.

Wales have little chance of reaching next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa but could boost Finland’s chances of a play-off spot if they can beat the Russians, who currently occupy second spot in the group, behind leaders Germany.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull), Lewis Price (Brentford)

Defenders: James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Craig Morgan (Peterborough), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), Sam Ricketts (Bolton), Ashley Williams (Swansea)

Midfielders: Jack Collison (West Ham), David Cotterill (Sheffield Utd), David Edwards (Wolves), Jason Koumas (Wigan), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Brian Stock (Doncaster)

Forwards: Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield Utd), Robbie Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Sam Vokes (Wolves)

CARDIFF (AFP)