Wolves earn crucial win in relegation battle

December 5, 2009


Wolverhampton climbed off the bottom of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Bolton at Molineux on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s side had slipped into 20th place after Portsmouth’s victory against Burnley in Saturday’s early game, but goals from Jody Craddock and Nenad Milijas ensured they didn’t stay there for long.

Craddock opened the scoring early in the first half and Milijas put Wolves in complete control soon after the hour mark.

Johan Elmander got one back for Bolton but the hosts held on for their first win in 10 matches in all competitions, while the visitors suffered their fifth defeat in six games.

McCarthy had made two changes to his side, recalling Milijas and Stephen Ward as he tried to end a winless run that threatened to send Wolves back to the Championship.

South Korea midfielder Chung-Yong Lee was back in the Bolton line-up in place of the suspended Kevin Davies.

McCarthy’s men made the perfect start in the third minute. Milijas curled over a free-kick, Christophe Berra flicked on and Craddock, who looked to be in an offside position, drove home from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

Wolves almost added a second in the 18th minute when Richard Stearman headed goalwards following a corner from Matt Jarvis, but Ricardo Gardner cleared off the line.

After struggling to find any momentum in the early stages, Bolton began to threaten. Ivan Klasnic tested Marcus Hahnemann from distance and Gretar Steinsson headed wide from Lee’s corner.

Klasnic had Bolton’s best chance of the first half but shot wastefully over after Lee’s pass split the Wolves defence.

Wolves were back on top in the second half and increased their lead in the 63rd minute through Serbian midfielder Milijas. He latched on to a loose ball and smashed his shot beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Hahnemann reacted superbly to parry Matt Taylor’s close-range effort moments later before Elmander gave Gary Megson’s strugglers a glimmer of hope in the 79th minute.

Elmander was set up by Klasnic following a corner from Taylor and the Swedish striker beat the goalkeeper from close range.

Klasnic should have earned Bolton a point in a frantic finish but he shot straight at Hahnemann.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

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Italy reserves down Sweden in friendly

November 19, 2009


Centre-back Giorgio Chiellini scored the only goal of the game as an Italy second string beat Sweden 1-0 in Cesena in an international friendly on Wednesday.

The world champions struggled to impose themselves on their well-organised opponents, who were missing their star player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But if Sweden had something to prove having missed out on World Cup qualification, they did little in this match to suggest they might soon bounce back to past glories from the 1990s.

True to his word, Italy coach Marcello Lippi rang the changes from the near full-strength side that drew 0-0 with the Netherlands on Saturday.

The result was an almost unrecognisable Italy with only Juventus centre-back Chiellini a regular first-team fixture.

But with the other players eager to impress their coach to try to book a ticket to South Africa next year, and with Sweden’s players hoping to make their mark on new boss Erik Hamren, it promised an entertaining game.

And there was but a short wait for the action to begin as former Sunderland forward Tobias Hysen beat the Italian offside trap on 3 minutes only to be denied by Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, who made a reaction one-handed save from the Swede’s hurried effort.

Italy were soon in the ascendancy and PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, formerly of Manchester City, tipped Chiellini’s close range flicked-header over the bar from Antonio Di Natale’s lob forwards.

Isaksson was there again on 20 minutes to parry Di Natale’s shot before Cagliari midfielder Davide Biondini blasted the follow-up wide.

Two minutes later Bolton’s striker Johan Elmander dragged wide his snap-shot from 17 yards as Sweden made a rare foray forwards.

Italy had the lead on 28 minutes when Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini got above his marker to head on Marco Marchionni’s corner and Chiellini arrived unmarked at the back post to score with a diving header — his second goal for Italy.

The second half saw a raft of substitutions which disrupted the flow of play and ensured that chances were hard to come by.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi created a yard of space behind the Swedish backline but sent his chip high and wide.

Sweden goalkeeper Isaksson came closest to snatching an equaliser with the last touch of the game when he came up for a corner in a last desperate throw of the dice but his header was off target.

ROME (AFP)

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Rampant Chelsea thrash Bolton to reach quarter-finals

October 29, 2009


Carlo Ancelotti remains on course for his first Wembley appearance after Chelsea reached the League Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 demolition of Bolton on Wednesday.

Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda scored to give Chelsea a comfortable half-time lead before Deco’s strike and a last minute header from Didier Drogba took Ancelotti’s side’s tally to 13 goals from their last three games.

And the comprehensive nature of this win will undoubtedly give Chelsea a decisive edge when the two teams meet again at the Reebok Stadium this weekend.

That will provide a more testing challenge for the Blues, who have lost twice away from home this season. But at Stamford Bridge their record is almost flawless and they have recorded nine victories in nine games, conceding just one goal.

Ancelotti made seven changes from the side that beat Blackburn last weekend, preserving the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and for bigger tests ahead while Bolton’s Gary Megson adopted a similar approach, resting keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and striker Kevin Davies.

But even without their two most experienced players, the visitors began convincingly with Gretar Steinsson unsettling Branislav Ivanovic after just three minutes, forcing a free-kick that was squandered when Matthew Taylor tried unsuccessfully to catch Chelsea keeper Hilario off guard.

The early chance offered Bolton only false hope and Chelsea quickly took control of the game, picking up where they had left off in Saturday?s 5-0 humbling of Blackburn.

Ancelotti had opted for a three-man forward-line made up of Joe Cole, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Strurridge – the youngster making his first start following a move from Manchester City.

Deco fired in Chelsea’s first meaningful shot, forcing a save out of Al Al Habsi with a dipping ninth minute drive.

And the opening goal came just six minutes later when the visitors were carved open far too easily on the left where Paulo Ferreira found space to cross and Kalou rose between two defenders to head home at the far post.

To their credit Wanderers responded immediately and Taylor was denied by Hilario’s speed in advancing off his line and closing down the midfielder?s close range shot.

Unfortunately the Portugese banged his head in the incident and after struggling on for six more minutes, eventually left the field apparently suffering from concussion.

That paved the way for former Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull to make his debut for the Blues, but the upheaval had no effect on Ancelotti’s side who where quickly two up, this time from Malouda.

The Frenchman linked well with Kalou in the 26th minute, finding space to meet the Ivorian’s cross before receiving a large slice of luck when the ball bounced back to him off Zat Knight and the midfielder finished from close range.

Kalou was replaced by Michael Essien to protect a back problem and while Chelsea continued to create chances, Sturridge was unable to match the finishing of his team-mate and the youngster missed successive openings after being played through by Joe Cole.

The introduction of Johan Elmander at half-time gave Bolton more presence up front but they were unable to apply meaningful pressure on Turnbull’s goal and Mark Davies shot straight at the keeper when they eventually found a way through.

But Chelsea were always looked comfortable and confirmed their superiority with a 67th minute third goal when Deco met Cole’s left wing cross and drilled the ball past Al Habsi from the edge of the box.

And Drogba completed the win when he met Cole’s deep cross with a far post header.

LONDON (AFP)

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Bolton rally too late to avoid boos in draw with Stoke

September 19, 2009


Matt Taylor’s late penalty salvaged a point for Bolton but a 1-1 draw with Stoke was secured too late for Gary Megson’s side to be spared the jeers of their own supporters.

Dave Kitson’s fine strike looked set to give Stoke all three points before Danny Collins was penalised for a challenge on Sam Ricketts.

With less than two minutes left, Taylor coolly slotted home the penalty to claim a point that lifts Bolton above Hull on goal difference and out of the relegation zone.

Megson recalled midfield anchor man Gavin McCann at the expense of Mark Davies and left strikers Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic on the bench initially.

James Beattie was also confined to the bench at the outset because of fitness concerns while Ricardo Fuller and Matthew Etherington were both given starting roles for Stoke.

Fuller generated the first chance of the match, breaking clear on the right to deliver a dangerous cross that was cut out by Fabrice Muamba, before getting himself booked for what the referee, Mark Clattenburg, judged to be a dive following a challenge from McCann.

Stoke went closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval with Glenn Whelan’s 32nd-minute free-kick testing Jussi Jaaskelainen and Rory Delap’s long throw-ins unsettling the Bolton defence.

The home side was woefully short of invention and the frustration of the home fans was reflected in some angry jeers and slow handclapping.

Stoke had a reasonable appeal for a penalty waved away by Clattenburg four minutes into the second period, when a goalbound shot from Delap was blocked by Zat Knight’s arm.

Taylor then went close for Bolton before Kitson gathered Fuller’s through ball and got away from Ricketts before finding the bottom corner with a fine finish.

Klasnic’s entrance pepped up Bolton’s attacking play and the Croatian striker came close to equalising when Thomas Sorensen turned over his close-range effort with just over 20 minutes left.

An even better chance fell to Knight but the centreback somehow contrived to clear the bar with his volley.

Bolton had done just about enough to merit an equaliser and a clumsy challenge by Collins ensured they got one, although Stoke might easily have snatched a winner in stoppage time but for Jaaskelainen’s brave block from substitute Liam Lawrence.

BOLTON (AFP)

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Elmander given warning from Megson

August 26, 2009


Gary Megson has told record signing Johan Elmander that he must toughen up both mentally and physically if he is to succeed in the Premier League.

The Trotters boss had previously called for the striker to score more goals but the former West Brom boss admitted that some home truths were said after the front man produced another ineffective first-half display at Tranmere, in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

The Sweden international, who was signed for £10million last summer, has failed to find the net in his last 21 games for the club, with his last strike coming against Aston Villa on 13th December.

Elmander’s barren run in front of goal has caused some supporters to turn their backs on the 28-year-old but Megson is confident the player has the ability to win them over.

“Johan and myself are intrinsically linked and I’ve told him that,” he said.

“At half-time last night there were a few strong words and he has to step up to the plate but he looked much more like it yesterday.

“He got hold of it and must have had three or four opportunities at goal – although I must say he is not the luckiest player in the world.

“His header from six yards, the goalkeeper just threw his arm up in the air and it went over and his shot went around the post but he has to keep plugging away.

“He gets criticism because of the amount of money he costs and the way he plays when he sometimes looks a bit mardy but he has got to get over that.

“He works his socks off, he has a great deal of pace and ability but he has got to get stronger. He has to be strong enough mentally and physically to get through this run that he is in.

“We have played three games so far and Mark Davies is the only player to score. But I know Johan has got a decent goalscoring record and a fantastic amount of ability.

“He’s decent in the air without being Kevin Davies, has pace and he’s 6ft 2in and built really strongly so I think he has all the pre-requisites to do it in England.

“He has to accept there is a physical contact in this country and he has got to deal with it.”

Meanwhile Sweden assistant manager Roland Andersson insists Elmander does not suffer a crisis of confidence when he joins up for international duty.

“He scores for us,” he told Fotbollskanalen. “Of course it affects him. It is a tough situation for him, and it was tough last year when he went for a long time without scoring.

“Of course you feel it, when you’ve been bought for a lot of money. It’s just to hope that things loosen for him.

“We all know how hard he works and that he scored for us last game.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

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Revitalised Chelsea bid to put pressure on United

April 11, 2009

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LONDON (AFP) – If confidence guaranteed results then Guus Hiddink and his Chelsea players would only have to turn up to beat Bolton on Saturday as the Blues bid to boost their Premier League title hopes.

Hiddink’s impact at the west London club since he took temporary charge in February has been remarkable.

His side’s stunning 3-1 demolition of Liverpool in this week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Anfield confirmed that under the Dutchman, Chelsea are back to their intimidating best heading into the final weeks of the season.

The result means they are clear favourites to claim a place in the last four of European football’s premier competition while next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal could see them progress to a domestic final.

With leaders Manchester United stumbling awkwardly in recent weeks, Hiddink’s re-energised side are by no means out of the running in the title race heading into the final seven games of the campaign.

Chelsea face a Bolton side who have all but secured their top-flight status four points behind United who have a game in hand.

But victory over Gary Megson’s side will maintain the pressure and if there was any doubt that expectation amongst Hiddink’s players is currently sky high, it was surely removed by full-back Ashley Cole’s reaction to the unexpected score-line against Liverpool.

“We were a little disappointed we didn’t score four or five,” said the England defender. “When we came in everybody was saying we could have finished it there and then. But we are happy.

“It’s going to be tough for them to come to Stamford Bridge and score three goals. We have scored in every game since the new manager came in but we are confident we can go through.”

Hiddink’s main challenge this weekend will probably be to bring his players back down to earth, but with Didier Drogba returning to his very best form this week and Michael Essien completely nullifying Steven Gerrard, it’s hard to envisage them being denied by a solid, but unspectacular Bolton side who have not won in eight away games.

Chelsea have won eight of their ten games since Hiddink succeeded Luiz Felipe Scolari and while the manager remains adamant he will return full time to his job with the Russia national team in May, there is a growing belief his brief reign will be marked by at least one piece of silverware.

And the margin of victory over Liverpool means he may feel under less pressure to rest key players ahead of next week’s return meeting with Rafael Benitez’s side.

For Bolton, the target for the remainder of the season is to break into the top half of the table which would be a considerable achievement after a campaign spent on the fringes of the relegation zone.

Megson – who insists his side are not yet safe despite sitting eight points clear of the bottom three – praised the efforts of Swedish striker Johan Elmander, who has come in for criticism after failing to live up to the 10 million pounds price-tag he carried with him when he switched from Toulouse.

“The stats show that no forward in the Premier League works harder than Johan,” said Megson.

“He’s put in a lot of effort and he is extremely unselfish. Being a centre-forward people will look at his goals and both Johan and myself are disappointed with five goals.

“But that’s not the be all and end all for the coaching staff and the people that work with him. In every other aspect he has settled well and his hard work has helped people like Kevin Davies and Matthew Taylor score the goals that they have.”

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Low-key top-gun Gignac looks for French Cup boost

January 3, 2009

PARIS (AFP) – French league top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac has hit 12 goals this season but not the headlines.

Now he hopes that his hot form will continue when he leads the Toulouse attack into action against fellow first division outfit Valenciennes in the last 64 of the French Cup on Saturday.

Gignac, a bit-part player from the bench last season, is also hopeful that the new year will bring him international recognition from Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech with a host of crucial World Cup qualifiers on the horizon.

"I have been putting in a lot of work," said the man bought from Lorient to replace giant Swede Johan Elmander, twice the clubs top scorer with 11 goals, who was transferred to English side Bolton.

His coach Alain Casanova has no doubts that Gignac, who has struck a brace on four occasions this season, can make it at the international level.

"If (Caen striker Steve) Savidan has had his chance with the French team, I cant see why Dede cant do it," said Casanova.

League champions and French Cup holders Lyon travel to fifth division Concarneau while last seasons finalists Paris Germain go to fourth division Montlucon.

In all-first division ties, Bordeaux face Saint Etienne, Sochaux host Rennes and Nantes, who defeated fourth division Calais in the 2000 final, meet Caen.

At this stage numerous lower league sides are still alive, including seventh-level outfit Schirrhein from the northeastern region of Alsace, who will try to get past second division Clermont.

Blagnac of the fifth division will bid to hog the headlines by dumping first division Monaco while fourth division sides Besancon and Yzeure go up against Marseille – who were shocked in last seasons round of 16 by little Carquefou – and fellow top flight club Le Mans.

Marseille have a record ten Cups to their name ahead of seven for PSG and six for Saint Etienne.

Fixtures:

Friday

Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois v Lille

Saturday

Jeanne d3Arc le Port v Tours

Yzeure v Le Mans

Alfortville v Le Havre

Schirrhein v Clermont

Andrézieux Bouthéon v Sedan

Raon-lEtape v Grenoble

Port La Nouvelle v Rodez

Vannes v Châteauroux

Bayonne v Vitré

Montpellier v Dunkirk

Saint-Omer v Guingamp

Alençon v Lorient

Grande Synthe v Calais

Louhans-Cuiseaux v Troyes

Brest v Croix-de-Savoie

Niort v Boulogne-sur-Mer

Romorantin v Nancy

Concarneau v Lyon

Toulouse v Valenciennes

Sochaux v Rennes

Ajaccio v Auxerre

Arras v Nice

Bordeaux v Saint-Etienne

Nantes v Caen

Sunday

Pont de Roide Vermondans v GFCO Ajaccio

Evry v Créteil

Villefranche v Orly

Eclaron Valcourt v Dijon

Blagnac v Monaco

Montluçon v Paris Saint-Germain

Besançon RC v Marseille

Written by: AFP

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