Arsenal roughed up by Stoke goal hero Fuller

January 25, 2010


Ricardo Fuller was the scourge of Arsenal as Stoke finally ended their long wait for an FA Cup triumph over the Gunners with a 3-1 win in the fourth round on Sunday.

Fuller scored twice to punish Wenger’s decision to field an inexperienced side at the Britannia Stadium and hand the Potters their first victory over Arsenal in this competition in eight attempts, stretching back to 1928.

Jamaican forward Fuller took only 70 seconds to stun the visitors and although Denilson levelled, the Stoke star nodded in a 78th minute goal to guide Tony Pulis’s men through to the fifth round, with Dean Whitehead’s late third completing a memorable day.

The last meeting of these side at the Britannia a little over a year ago was something of a shock to Arsenal as Stoke bloodied their noses with a 2-1 defeat.

While last season’s bruising encounter created controversy, Stoke supporters of an older persuasion are probably still harbouring the painful memories of 1971 and 1972 when Arsenal beat them in successive FA Cup semi-finals.

Wenger has made no secret of his need to lift some silverware, after five years without a trophy, but his team selection was very similar to a youth team, with out captain Cesc Fabregas and Denilson surviving from the side that beat Bolton on Wednesday.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas made his debut, while Francis Coquelin, Carlos Vela and Craig Eastmond were among the youngsters thrown into the starting line-up.

And hardly a minute had elapsed before the home side stunned an Arsenal defence including Sol Campbell, making his second debut for the club.

While Rory Delap’s gargantuan throws are no longer a surprise to anyone, Arsenal could not handle the first exocet. Lukasz Fabianski flapped and Fuller stole ahead of the Polish goalkeeper to find the net with a header.

That early setback clearly unruffled Arsenal and their first half performance was littered with stray passes and errors of judgement.

Stoke could have been awarded a penalty ten minutes before half-time when Fuller appeared to collapse under a desperate lunge from Mikael Silvestre.

But Arsenal finally levelled in the 42nd minute through Denilson. Fabregas played a free kick outside the box across to the Brazilian midfielder and he arrowed a low drive past Thomas Sorensen, with the aid of two deflections off Stoke defenders.

The second half saw Stoke dominant, with Fabianski under siege for most of the 45 minutes from an aerial bombardment.

Fabregas tested Sorensen with a long-range drive but Stoke pressed for a winner, with Coquelin almost turning Mamady Sidibe’s cross into his own net.

Wenger simply had to make changes and with 22 minutes remaining introduced Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey in a desperate bid to avoid a replay.

He did avoid one, though not in the way he wanted. Sidibe’s excellent work down the right ended in an inch perfect cross for Fuller to nod past a stranded Fabianski.

Visibily stunned, Arsenal’s exit from the FA Cup was confirmed when the excellent Etherington crossed for Whitehead to put the icing on the cake with his first goal for the club in the 86th minute.

STOKE, England (AFP)

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Chelsea stroll past Preston in FA Cup

January 23, 2010


Chelsea remain on course for their third FA Cup triumph in four seasons after a 2-0 victory at Preston on Saturday secured their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Nicolas Anelka’s 11th goal of the season set Carlo Ancelotti’s team on their way before Daniel Sturridge added the second, the 20-year-old’s third goal in his last two games.

It was the perfect response after Carlo Ancelotti’s side had lost their place at the top of the Premier League table in midweek.

Yet the outcome might have been different had Preston midfielder Darren Carter not spurned a glorious chance from three-yards when the score was 1-0.

Chelsea are looking to become the first team to defend the FA Cup since Arsenal mounted a successful defence of the competition in 2003.

Ancelotti took the unusual step of revealing his starting line-up on the eve of the tie, the Italian opting to make six changes to the side which hammered Sunderland 7-2 last Saturday.

Portuguese keeper Hilario and Sturridge were among those handed a rare start although key players Frank Lampard, John Terry and Nicolas Anelka were also on duty against the Championship club.

Preston are languishing in the bottom half of the second tier after losing their last three league games.

Yet the hosts gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges, Chris Brown causing panic inside the Chelsea defence after getting on the end of Chris Sedgwick’s eighth minute cross.

Chelsea, who thrashed Preston’s league rivals Watford 5-0 in the previous round, took a while to get into their stride.

Keeper Andy Lonergan did well to deny Russian midfielder Yury Zhirkov in the 16th minute before Chelsea had a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances.

Moments after Lampard had been fouled on the edge of the area, substitute Florent Malouda had the ball in the back of the net only for referee Mike Dean to rule it out and award Chelsea a free kick for the illegal challenge on their midfielder.

Chelsea were beginning to build some momentum, Lonergan beating away a fiercely struck free-kick by Alex before Anelka found the vital breakthrough in the 36th minute.

The former Manchester City and Arsenal forward made it five goals in four games following an excellent low finish from an angle after getting the better of Youl Mawene, defender Sean St Ledger blocking the view of his keeper and deflecting the ball into the net.

Yet despair doubled four minutes later when they spurned a glorious chance to equalise, Carter slicing the loose ball over the bar after Hilario parried Brown’s strong header.

It was a stunning miss and one that ultimately proved Preston’s downfall as Chelsea doubled their advantage within three minutes of the restart.

A corner by Malouda was met by Terry whose header was kept out by Lonergan. However, the rebound fell to Sturridge who made no mistake from close range.

To their credit, Preston continued to battle but Chelsea should have won by a more handsome margin.

Michael Ballack was denied by a fine Lonergan save while Lampard also went close before the England midfielder was replaced by Joe Cole.

Deco, who has appeared on an infrequent basis under Ancelotti, bossed the midfield well as Chelsea produced a professional performance.

Sturridge was unfortunate not to add his second goal when his fierce 20-yard effort whistled narrowly wide in the 72nd minute.

PRESTON, England (AFP)

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Defiant Benitez vows to continue despite Cup shock

January 14, 2010


Rafael Benitez on Thursday shrugged off the increasing pressure surrounding his position as Liverpool manager in the wake of the club’s embarrassing exit from the FA Cup.

Benitez, in charge at Anfield since 2004, was booed along with his players as they were knocked out of the competition after suffering a 2-1 extra-time home defeat at the hands of Championship strugglers Reading on Wednesday.

The result is a serious blow to Benitez’s hopes of ending Liverpool’s four-year wait for a trophy and means the Spaniard must win the second tier European club competition Europa League if he is to secure the club’s first piece of major silverware since the 2006 FA Cup triumph against West Ham United.

“It is really bad. Everyone wanted to progress but we can’t so we are disappointed,” said 49-year-old Benitez after the third round replay defeat.

“Reading worked very hard, but there were a lot of things I did not like. We had chances, they had chances. They were doing well but we might have won too. The chances they created worried me but we had some too.

“In the second half we had more control but after we made a lot of mistakes.

“We know the FA Cup is a massive competition and we wanted to progress. At this moment we are really disappointed, for the fans who came to support the team. We tried to win from the beginning.”

Benitez was already under pressure before this game after the team’s Champions League exit and their faltering Premier League campaign which sees them 12 points behind leaders Chelsea in the title race.

But losing to Reading has again put his position back in the spotlight ahead of Saturday’s tricky away game at Stoke City.

However, Benitez insists he can handle the criticism.

“For three months everyone was talking about me. At the end, as a manager you have to be disappointed but then move forward and think about Stoke on Saturday,” he added.

“We are frustrated but you have to carry on. Everyone is disappointed. We have to prepare for Saturday’s game because it will be difficult.”

As if Benitez did not have enough problems, his two best players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both major doubts for the weekend.

Torres limped off in the first half with a twisted knee while Gerrard has a hamstring problem. Both will undergo scans on Thursday.

“We’ll see what the doctors say,” said Benitez, who completed the signing of Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid earlier Wednesday.

Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott insisted his side deserved the victory.

“We played some really good stuff,” he said. “We did the right thing, played in the right way.

“Liverpool’s goal could have hurt us but we responded well. I’m chuffed for everybody. To come here and win is terrific.”

On Wednesday, Liverpool were ahead after an own goal by Ryan Bertrand but were stunned by a stoppage time penalty leveller by Gylfi Sigurdsson which sent the tie into extra time.

Substitute Shane Long then headed a 100th minute winner for Reading.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

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Man Utd hand Gibson 3-year contract extension

July 16, 2009


Manchester United have handed promising Republic of Ireland international Darron Gibson a three-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2012.

“I am very happy to commit my future to United,” the 21-year-old told the club website, ahead of their arrival in Malaysia for a pre-season tour of Asia that also includes matches in Indonesia, South Korea and China.

“Last season I enjoyed every opportunity and when I got my chance I wanted to prove what I could do. I hope to continue that this season.”

Gibson, highly regarded by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, made 14 appearances last season, playing an integral part in United’s Carling Cup triumph.

He also scored three goals and Ferguson expects even more this season from the central midfielder, who will be pushing for a regular first team place.

“Darron was one of the young players who emerged last season as a United first team player,” Ferguson said.

“His appearance ratio did not really reflect the high regard in which we hold him, as he has constantly worked hard to challenge for a first team spot.”

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)

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Benfica call on Jesus to replace Flores

June 17, 2009


LISBON (AFP) – Top Portuguese side Benfica have appointed Jorge Jesus as their new coach on a two-year deal following their third place finish in the 2009 league campaign.

Benfica said Tuesday they had “agreed terms with the coach Jorge Jesus on a two-year contract”. Jesus arrives from Sporting Braga, who on Monday agreed to accept 700,000 euros in compensation from Benfica.

Jesus replaces Spaniard Quique Flores, who coached Benfica to League Cup triumph but paid the price for a mediocre finish in the league by being sacked last week.

Benfica, European champions in 1961 and 1962, have won a record 31 league titles but last did so in 2004.

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Terry wants Ancelotti in Chelsea title win

June 2, 2009


LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea captain John Terry admits Carlo Ancelotti’s first job at Stamford Bridge is to ensure the Blues are serious challengers for the Premier League title.

Ancelotti signed a three-year contract worth 6.5 million pounds a year on Monday to succeed Guus Hiddink as manager of the west London club.

The Italian was targeted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich because of his impressive pedigree in the Champions League. Ancelotti reached the final three times with AC Milan, winning twice, and also won the competition twice as a Milan player.

But England defender Terry is more concerned with Chelsea’s league form after his side finished outside the top two for the first time since Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

After Guus Hiddink left Chelsea with an FA Cup triumph to celebrate on Saturday, Ancelotti will take over a squad confident they can end Manchester United’s three-year reign as champions.

Terry, who believes Chelsea should settle for nothing less than a sustained run at the title, hopes Ancelotti is the man to bring the title back to the Bridge.

In an open letter to Chelsea fans, Terry wrote: “He (Hiddink) came at a difficult time when things looked like they were slipping away from us, so to lead us to an FA Cup final 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 Mr 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 and of course looking forward to achieving great things with the new manager Carlo Ancelotti.”

With spells at Milan and Juventus on his CV, Ancelotti has experience of the pressure to deliver success at the highest level.

But, although he survived in the San Siro for eight years, Ancelotti only won the Serie A title once with Milan.

He will also take over an ageing squad that Hiddink claimed needed an infusion of fresh blood to keep pace with United.

Inevitably Ancelotti has already been linked with a host of big-money transfers.

Valencia’s David Villa, Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Milan’s Andrea Pirlo could all feature on his wanted list as Abramovich loosens the purse strings for the first time in two years.

But the 49-year-old wants to focus on building the kind of team-spirit that Hiddink fostered during his four months in charge.

“I like to be close to the players. I like to be close to the company. I like to speak with the people,” he said.

“I believe in team work: this is the most important thing, to create a group that work together to build a dream.

“The players and the company need to have strong organisation, strong discipline and the right motivation. I hope to do this together because this is the right way to arrive at success.”

Ancelotti will be managing outside Italy for the first time. But the former Italy midfielder insists he will have no problem adapting to life in the Premier League because he is already a big fan of the English game.

“I see the matches always on television. I like the Premier League because there are great teams who play good football. It is very speedy. I like English football,” he said.

“In Italy, now and before, the matches are more tactical, the team thinks to defend well and only after to attack.

“I watch Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and I know English football very well. Chelsea have a great team, great players and a strong team. I’d like to stay here.”

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No Diego but UEFA Cup final will have strong Brazilian influence

May 20, 2009


There will be a heavy Brazilian influence in Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final between Shakhtar Donetsk and Werder Bremen in Istanbul — despite the absence of Werder’s influential playmaker Diego through suspension.

Brazilian players have made a major impact in recent finals and with Ukraine’s Shakhtar boasting five in their ranks, and Naldo lining up for their German rivals, expect the boys from South America to take centre stage.

A quick look back at previous finals this decade shows the influence Brazilians have made.

In 2003, Porto became the first team to win the trophy on the now-defunct ’silver goal’ rule thanks to Brazilian Derlei’s strike in extra time against Celtic.

Two years later Brazilian playmaker Daniel Carvalho played a starring role for CSKA Moscow, setting up all three of the Russian side’s goals, including one for compatriot Vagner Love, in the 3-1 victory over Sporting in the Lisbon final.

In 2006, Sevilla cantered to their first UEFA Cup triumph as a goal from Brazilian Luis Fabiano set the Spaniards on their way to a one-sided 4-0 demolition of Middlesbrough in Eindhoven.

Sevilla did it again the following year in Glasgow, Adriano scoring their opening goal before fellow Brazilian Jonatas got Espanyol’s equaliser in extra time in the 2-2 draw.

Shakhtar’s policy of signing promising Brazilians in recent years has also paid off with the Ukraine team, owned by Russian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, one game away from their first European silverware.

Ilsinho scored a superb late winner in the semi-final second leg against Dynamo Kiev after compatriot Jadson had netted Shakhtar’s first. Fernandinho scored Shakhtar’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw in the first leg while Willian and Luiz Adriano have also played their part.

PHOTO: Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho controls the ball during a practice session at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, May 19, 2009. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

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Premier winners Man United ready to bash Barca

May 17, 2009


MANCHESTER (AFP) – Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Barcelona that Manchester United are “bouncing” into the Champions League final after wrapping up the Premier League title.

A goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday was enough for Ferguson’s side to secure the league for a record equalling 18th time.

Having sealed a third successive title, as well as the League Cup and Club World Cup this season, Ferguson has now set his sights on bringing the curtain down on a hugely successful campaign with a second consecutive European Cup triumph when United face Barca in Rome on May 27.

Before then United face relegation-threatened Hull in their final league game of the season next weekend, but Ferguson admitted his players were already looking forward to facing the Spanish league leaders.

“Now we’ve won the league we’re bouncing into the final in Rome,” said Ferguson as he savoured his 11th English title since taking charge of United in 1986.

“It’s a game everyone at this club is looking forward to and rightly so. But we will enjoy this moment for now.

“This is a terrific achievement and I have to praise the character and spirit of my players. They have been terrific.”

Several players who featured against Arsenal are likely to be rested for United’s final league game ahead of the showpiece European final.

Edwin van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez are set to sit out the match at Hull.

Ferguson, who sent his brother Martin to scout Barca against Mallorca on Sunday, is 68 in December and there have been suggestions that he is ready to call time on his managerial career.

But the Scot insisted that was not the case and he is already determined to steer United to a record 19th title, one more than bitter rivals Liverpool.

“I am not contemplating it (retirement),” Ferguson said. “I am definitely not contemplating it. I am going to carry on and my health will tell me when to quit.”

Ferguson admitted Liverpool had been formidable opponents who had put his side under severe pressure after winning 4-1 at Old Trafford in March.

“They have done well,” Ferguson said. “They had a period when they won 4-1 here. That was a travesty of a result, because it was never a 4-1 result.

“But they gained great impetus from that and we didn’t recover, we lost the next game (at Fulham).

“That gave Liverpool the scent and, credit to them, they took it and they battled away.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger paid tribute to Ferguson and his side on winning the title before promising United that the Gunners will provide his champions with a sterner test next season.

United were forced to endure some nervous moments against Wenger’s side before getting their hands on the title.

“What he (Ferguson) has done is exceptional and I congratulate him,” said Wenger.

“It’s fantastic what they have done this season. They have won the League Cup, made the semi-finals of the FA Cup and have the Champions League final to look forward to. Their overall achievement is remarkable.”

Although there is one game of the season remaining, Arsenal will finish outside the top three for the third time in four seasons.

But Wenger still insists Arsenal’s youthful squad is heading in the right direction.

“We have been remarkably consistent after November and I don’t think we’ve got the credit we deserved,” added the Frenchman. “But we’ll be back challenging next season.”

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Ferguson in new blast at Benitez

April 18, 2009

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MANCHESTER (AFP) – Alex Ferguson continued his on-going feud with Premier League title rival Rafa Benitez on Friday after calling the Liverpool manager “arrogant”.

The long-serving Manchester United manager made the comment as he made his final preparations ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Everton at Wembley.

Benitez once enraged Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton after labelling them a “small club”.

But Ferguson could not resist bringing up the comment in having another dig at Benitez at his press conference at United’s Carrington training ground.

“They are a big club and David Moyes, the manager, is doing a great job,” said Ferguson.

“He (Benitez) called them a small club, which points to his arrogance.

Ferguson then lambasted Benitez again in the same press conference, accusing the Spaniard of showing contempt to Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce during Liverpool’s 4-0 victory at Anfield last Saturday.

Sir Alex claimed Benitez made a signal indicating the game was over after Fernando Torres had scored his, and Liverpool’s, second goal in the 33rd minute.

“I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would have done that,” said Ferguson.

“That kind of contempt. . . it’s beyond the pale. I don’t think Sam Allardyce deserved that.”

Ferguson has been involved in a three-month war of words with Benitez since the Liverpool manager accused the long-serving Old Trafford manager of being a whinger in January.

The United manager immediately hit back by accusing Benitez of allowing the pressure of the title race to get to him.

United are one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as the season reaches an exciting climax, although Ferguson’s side have the edge as they have one game in hand.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has warned his players not to underestimate the challenge they face against Everton as he bids to guide United to a sixth FA Cup triumph in 23 years in charge at United.

Everton are without a major trophy for 14 years while United are chasing a possible quintuple this season.

Having already secured the League Cup and Fifa Club World Championship, the Premier League leaders face a Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

But Ferguson believes Everton are “hungry” for success and will present his side with a formidable challenge.

“My problem on Sunday is that we are facing a hungry team,” added Ferguson.

“They want to win a trophy but we have got to make sure we are on top of our game.”

England defender Wes Brown returned to training on Friday after a lengthy knee injury, although the tie comes too soon for the player.

However, Ferguson intends to make changes to the team which defeated Porto in midweek and advanced to the last four stage of the Champions League.

“Wednesday was a very high tempo game,” said Ferguson.

“There’s a loss of energy in parts of the team and I have to recognise that. I will be making changes.”

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Holders Portsmouth crash out to Swansea

January 25, 2009

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP) – FA Cup holders Portsmouth were condemned to an embarrassing fourth round exit as Championship club Swansea won 2-0 at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Last May’s final victory over Cardiff secured Portsmouth’s first FA Cup triumph since 1939 but there will be no repeat this season after a woeful display from Tony Adams’ side.

They were out-fought and out-thought for long periods by Swansea, currently ninth in English football’s second tier, and fell behind when on-loan Southampton winger Nathan Dyer struck in the first half.

Jason Scotland’s penalty on the stroke of half-time left Portsmouth deep in trouble and there was no way back for the Premier League strugglers.

Pompey debutant Jermaine Pennant, newly signed on loan from Liverpool, had a chance to impress with an early long-range effort but he failed to hit the target.

Keeping the ball on the deck at all times, Swansea were having little problem picking the hosts apart and they fully deserved to take the lead in the 26th minute.

To rub salt into Portsmouth’s wounds, it was Dyer, on loan from local rivals Southampton, who delivered the finished touch.

Collecting Scotland’s cute floated pass on the edge of the area, Dyer chested the ball down and drilled it past James into the bottom right corner.

Peter Crouch was denied by Hartlepool keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos and then centre back Alan Tate produced a timely block on an attempt by Pennant.

Adams’ team were too careless at the back though and they were caught on the counter in first-half injury time.

Jordi Gomez dashed into the box and was sent crashing to the turf by defender Nadir Belhadj, who protested his innocence as referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot.

Trinidad striker Scotland converted the spot-kick to leave Roberto Martinez’s men on the verge of a major shock.

Adams sent on Kanu and Hermann Hreidarsson for the second half in an effort to change his side’s fortunes.

Crouch tumbled beneath a challenge but Marriner was not interested in the shouts for a penalty and moments later Konstantopoulos had to dive to keep out a header from the towering forward.

Swansea almost made it three with another quick break from Dyer but his shot at David James was well held by the England keeper.

A fingertip save from James kept out Gomez and before Konstantopoulos produced a sublime save to deny Kanu.

Crouch struck the woodwork in the final moments as Portsmouth tried to stage a late fightback but it was too little too late.

Written by: AFP

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