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Benitez plays down Hicks Liverpool talks

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insisted he had no definite plans to meet with co-owner Tom Hicks after his side beat Bolton to stay on course for a Champions League spot.

Hicks made a rare 5,000-mile visit to Anfield to watch Liverpool maintain their chase for a top four finish thanks to goals from Dirk Kuyt and an own goal from Bolton forward Kevin Davies here on Saturday.

The Texan’s presence came one day after Benitez talked openly about interest in his services from Italian club Juventus, a development that has cast yet more doubt about the Spanish manager’s future on Merseyside.

Yet Benitez claimed no meetings with Hicks had been arranged, although the manager added he would be open to such talks.

“Maybe I will see him. I knew he was here but I was just concerned with what was happening on the pitch,” said Benitez. “If he is around, I will see him, no problem.”

Hicks’s attendance could also have been related to the transfer window, which closes on Monday, although Benitez insisted he was unlikely to launch a last-minute foray into the market.

“It is not easy to find better players than the players we have at the moment. We are watching players, we are trying to find someone who can be good for the team,” he said.

Instead, Benitez looks like attempting to steer this current squad to the promised land of Champions League football and is sticking to his “guarantee” of a top four finish.

“I think we are improving, you can see the team is working very hard and, hopefully, we can keep the momentum,” said the Reds boss, whose side are now just a point behind Tottenham, who currently occupy the fourth and final place on offer to English clubs for next season’s Champions League.

“I have to say we can finish in the top four because I am the manager and I have to have confidence.

“If I say ‘no’, the players will say the same. So, I have to say ‘yes, we will finish in the top four’ and I believe it.”

Benitez could also take heart from the form of Steven Gerrard.

The England midfielder was clearly unfit for the disappointing midweek draw at Wolves but looked close to his usual form against Bolton.

“He was better and he is trying very hard, that is the main thing,” Benitez said.

“Especially when we scored the second goal, the team was playing with more confidence and you could see that he is one of the players who could make a difference for us.”

Owen Coyle felt there had been a foul in the build-up to the second Liverpool goal although the new Bolton manager was optimistic that, with talent such as South Korea’s Lee Chung-yong, his team could avoid relegation.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Liverpool but I was disappointed in both goals we gave away,” said Coyle, whose side are a point above the bottom three.

“There was a foul by Lucas, who dragged one of our players back at the far post and wherever that shot was going, it certainly wasn’t going into the net until it was deflected.

“In the first half we had some good opportunities. Chung-yong made a terrific run which shows what a talent he is and why I am looking forward to working with him.

“But I’m delighted with how the players have gone about their work since I’ve been here. We’ve played Arsenal twice, Liverpool away and beat Burnley in the week.

“We have moved up from where we were in the table and there is a lot to look forward to. I’ve got real belief we can stay in the Premier League.”

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: attendance, champions league football, chase, Chung, club juventus, co owner, definite plans, dirk kuyt, England, english clubs, italian club, Kevin Davies, Lee Chung-yong, Liverpool, liverpool england, liverpool manager rafael benitez, Lucas, Merseyside, momentum, Owen Coyle, owner tom hicks, premier league, rafael benitez, reds, south korea, Steven Gerrard, tom hicks, tottenham

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Liverpool double beats Bolton

Liverpool maintained their quest for Champions League football with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield here on Saturday.

Dirk Kuyt’s 37th minute goal and Kevin Davies’s second-half own goal left Liverpool just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League.

The game, which had been overshadowed by Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s revelation he was being courted by Italian giants Juventus, ultimately brought the Merseysiders their second win of 2010 although there were still some anxious moments for a team clearly low in confidence at present.

Bolton made a bright start with Tamir Cohen – son of former Liverpool favourite Avi – chasing onto Matthew Taylor’s early flick as Bolton looked for their first Anfield win in 56 years.

However, the game soon settled down into a pattern of Liverpool dominating possession without producing the necessary quality in and around the Bolton penalty area.

But it was the visitors who had the first real chance when South Korean international Lee Chung-yong collected a loose ball on the halfway line and set off on a mesmeric run, past Emiliano Insua, Martin Skrtel and eventually keeper Pep Reina before his shot was cleared off the line by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

It would prove a vital clearance by the Greek defender as Liverpool’s pressure intensified.

Kuyt’s 20-yard strike flew well over before Alberto Aquilani had a shot blocked from Jamie Carragher’s 34th minute ball into the area.

Bolton then finally succumbed to Liverpool’s next meaningful attack.

Albert Riera’s cross-field pass found Insua, whose far post cross looked to be floating out of play until Aquilani leaped impressively and headed back across goal to leave Kuyt with the simple task of scoring from close range.

Liverpool showed great urgency, if not great finishing, at the start of the second half.

Javier Mascherano’s perfect cross-field ball set Steven Gerrard clear but the ball hung just long enough in the air for Mark Davies to get back and make a covering tackle.

The next Liverpool attack really should have brought results as Riera sped down the left and picked out Gerrard with a low, accurate cross into the Bolton area.

The England midfielder’s fierce, first-time shot was well saved by the diving Jaaskelainen but, with the goal at his mercy, David Ngog followed up and succeeded only in striking the top of the Bolton crossbar.

Aquilani almost set up a second goal, for team mate Gerrard, when he robbed Mark Davies of the ball in midfield with Gerrard’s venomous 20-yard strike forcing Jaaskelainen into another diving stop.

But the second goal Liverpool so desperately needed duly arrived, in fortunate fashion, in the 70th minute.

Lucas did well to keep a corner in play with a header back into the area and Ngog laid the ball back to the edge where Insua was lurking.

His 20-yard shot would have passed well wide of the mark but took a wicked deflection off Bolton forward Kevin Davies, wrong-footing Jaaskaleinen on its way into the net.

There were further half-chances for Kuyt and substitutes Lucas and Maxi Rodriguez but, against such mediocre opposition, the two goals Liverpool had already scored were enough to secure victory.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: albert riera, alberto aquilani, anfield, anxious moments, Avi, bolton wanderers, champions league football, cross field, David Ngog, dirk kuyt, emiliano insua, England, far post, jamie carragher, Javier Mascherano, Kevin Davies, Lee Chung-yong, Liverpool, loose ball, mark davies, martin skrtel, mascherano, Matthew Taylor, minute goal, necessary quality, premier league, Reina, Steven Gerrard

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Wenger targets title after Bolton win

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted his side were now genuine title contenders after goals from Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida helped them beat Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

Sunday’s success left the third-placed Gunners just three points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and they will go top, on goal difference, if they beat Bolton again at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in a fixture re-arranged following the recent cold snap in Britain.

After losing 3-0 at home to Chelsea on November 29, Wenger?s men were written off as potential champions but have since gone eight matches unbeaten to transform their season.

However, having seen Fabregas mark his return to the Arsenal side in style to help ruin Owen Coyle’s first match in charge of Bolton, Wenger said: “We are now in a quite interesting position that nobody expected us to be in.

“When the season started we were not all convinced maybe in our squad that we could be where we are today,” the Frenchman added.

“But now we are where we are, we want to have a go. We are a big club and when you are a big club, the most difficult thing is like last season in October and November, when you know you don’t fight for the title.

“But now we have a chance to fight for the championship, so let’s have a go.”

Fabregas had missed Arsenal’s three previous matches with a hamstring problem but the break did not appear to have done him any harm as he ran the show for the visitors on Sunday, including playing a part in setting-up fellow Spaniard Merida for the Gunners’ second goal 12 minutes from time.

Turning to Fabregas, Wenger said: “What is very interesting for us is Cesc gets stronger and stronger and has more personality on the pitch, like the whole team.

“He grows. He will be 23 this year – he is just starting.”

Coyle almost had the dream start as Bolton boss when after just 45 seconds Kevin Davies dribbled into the box but he could not control the ball when unmarked and the chance went begging.

Arsenal showed Bolton how it should be done in the 28th minute.

After some impressive build-up play, Abou Diaby was tackled by Gretar Steinsson on the edge of the box but the Icelandic defender tripped and gifted the ball to Fabregas and after a collecting a wonderful return pass from Eduardo, the Spain midfielder calmly slotted into the bottom corner .

Bolton were a much improved team after half-time with South Korea’s Lee Chung-Yong causing Arsenal problems down the right wing while Matt Taylor missed several good chances to level the match at 1-1.

“I thought the level of performance was terrific and on another day would have got us points, whether one or three,” Coyle said.

“If we play at that level we will pick up points in this league and we can make a game of it on Wednesday.”

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: arsenal, Bolton, boss, Britain, cesc fabregas, CHELSEA, cold snap, Eduardo, emirates, Emirates Stadium, England, fran merida, frenchman, goal difference, gunners, Kevin Davies, league leaders, Lee Chung-yong, match, matt taylor, Merida, personality, pitch, premier league, reebok stadium, south korea, title contenders

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Green error helps Bolton to valuable win

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green’s extraordinary error helped Bolton Wanderers to a 3-1 victory over their relegation rivals at the Reebok Stadium here on Tuesday.

Bolton, who climbed out of the bottom three on the back of this win, went ahead through Lee Chung-Yong’s second half goal before Alessandro Diamanti equalised minutes later.

But the decisive moment of the game came in the 77th minute when England international Green spilled a Gary Cahill shot in front of his face and Bolton’s Ivan Klasnic pounced to make it 2-1.

Cahill himself secured all three points for the home team with a header two minutes from time.

After a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, the game improved after the break.

Bolton’s pressure told in the 64th minute when Lee, after a neat one-two with Klasnic, shot over the advancing Green.

But, five minutes later, the Hammers were level when Diamanti scored from 12 yards after being played in Jack Collison from a Guillermo Franco cross.

Then came Green’s mistake, Klasnic scoring from point-blank range before Cahill ensured a tension-free finish for the home fans.

BOLTON (AFP)

Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, bolton wanderers, decisive moment, England, england international, five minutes, Gary Cahill, Goalkeeper, Guillermo Franco, hammers, home fans, ivan klasnic, jack collison, Lee Chung-yong, mistake, point blank range, reebok stadium, rivals, two minutes, west ham

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Injuries leave United with European worries

Manchester United have injury concerns over Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs ahead of the Champions League game at CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, who missed Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers here at Old Trafford with an ankle injury, will be fit enough to return in mid-week.

But he admits he has concerns over both Evra and Giggs after they sustained knocks against Bolton.

It was not a convincing performance from United but they returned to the top of the table thanks to Chelsea’s loss to Aston Villa.

And although Ferguson is calling for improvements at the back – his defence have kept just three clean sheets in nine Premier League matches – he was happy to move back to the top of the table despite suffering further injuries.

United’s defence was the key to last season’s title win and although Ferguson reckons the league is tougher this season, he believes his players can do better.

“Giggs is doubtful for Moscow with a knock,” said Ferguson as he surveyed his casualty list.

“Evra we will look at tomorrow (Sunday) and he may be doubtful. Vidic should be okay and definitely will be fit for Liverpool (a week on Sunday).

“I think (Dimitar) Berbatov will be okay and we will try and get Wayne Rooney ready but he will be okay for Liverpool.”

Ferguson added: “In the past few years we have had runs of games when we haven’t lost goals and that’s been important in winning the championship and we have to get back to that.

“We were in a comfort zone at 2-0 and maybe we were relaxed in terms of our play and we should have finished the game off but we didn’t.

“Sometimes you can leave yourself regretting that but we got through and with the other results it’s been a good day for us.

“All the top teams have to accept it’s a tough league.”

Veteran Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar played for the first time since suffering a hand injury in pre-season and Ferguson feels that the former Ajax player will make a big difference to his defence.

“Edwin was fantastic. He has the composure and the experience and steadiness at the back that’s what his career is about.”

United overcame Bolton thanks to an early Zat Knight own goal and Antonio Valencia’s stunning finish.

But Matt Taylor’s late goal set up a tense finale at Old Trafford.

Bolton manager Gary Megson felt his side could have been even better if they had started at a decent tempo.

However, he admitted the international break had a considerable effect on players like South Korea’s Lee Chung-Yong and Israel’s Tamir Cohen.

“These international breaks for small clubs like ourselves are a disaster,” Megson said.

“Tamir Cohen looked nothing like the player he was before he went away and Chung-Yong looked a shadow of himself. Next time we will have to look at changing the team regardless of form.”

Megson also feels his side, who went into the United game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, are moving in the right direction and shedding their old reputation for being direct and negative.

He added: “It makes us smirk a little bit because managers talk about set pieces and things like that and we’ve been bitterly disappointed in our defending of set pieces.

“Other managers have called us a big, physical team but in that you’ve got Lee Chung-Yong, Matt Taylor, Ricardo Gardner. We’re not that kind of team anymore.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, ankle injury, Antonio Valencia, berbatov, bolton wanderers, casualty list, CHELSEA, Chung-Yong, clean sheets, comfort zone, convincing performance, cska moscow, differen, Edwin, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, gary megson, injury concerns, israel, league game, league veteran, Lee Chung-yong, Liverpool, Manchester, matt taylor, Moscow, old trafford, patrice evra, premier league, Ricardo Gardner, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, south korea, van der sar, vidic, wayne rooney

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Lee´s late strike lifts the pressure on Bolton boss Megson

South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-Yong eased the pressure on under-fire Bolton manager Gary Megson as his late goal secured a 2-1 win at Birmingham on Saturday.

Lee came on as a second-half substitute for his fifth Bolton appearance since his move from FC Seoul in August and made a dramatic impact.

Tamir Cohen’s first-half strike had given Bolton the lead but Birmingham looked to have rescued a draw through Kevin Phillips’ 84th minute goal.

However, Lee, 21, had the last word as his first Premier League strike stole the points and gave Megson just his second league win of the season.

The beleaguered Wanderers manager saw his team get off to the perfect start with the type of goal which established Bolton reputation as a Premier League nuisance.

Full-back Sam Ricketts launched a throw into the danger area which veteran striker Kevin Davies flicked into the path of Israel midfielder Cohen, who headed past Joe Hart to register his third goal in four league games.

City nearly found a way back into the match after French winger Gregory Vignal whipped in a dangerous cross but the on-rushing midfielder Teemu Tainio lashed a fierce effort inches wide of the post.

The visitors received a huge let-off five minutes before half-time when City’s clever free-kick caught the defence cold, leaving Irish midfielder Keith Fahey in space.

The former Arsenal trainee took a touch before unleashing a fierce shot but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and away to safety.

Referee Steve Bennett infuriated the home fans moments before the break when he waved away appeals for a penalty after Lee Bowyer went down under pressure in the area.

Wanderers were finally breached six minutes from time when former England forward Phillips played a slick one-two with Christian Benitez before planting an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner.

Home cheers were soon silenced though as Lee kept his cool to claim all three points for the visitors.

Matt Taylor whipped in a free-kick which bounced off a post and fell at the feet of the South Korean.

Birmingham defenders desperately launched themselves towards the ball, but the midfielder dummied back inside before walking the ball into the net.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

Tags: Birmingham, bottom corner, christian benitez, crossbar, danger area, dramatic impact, England, first premier, gary megson, gregory vignal, home fans, israel, Joe Hart, Keith Fahey, Kevin Davies, kevin phillips, league games, Lee, Lee Bowyer, Lee Chung-yong, matt taylor, minute goal, premier league, seoul, slick one, steve bennett, veteran striker

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Bent´s debut strike gives Sunderland winning start

Sunderland striker Darren Bent enjoyed a debut to remember as he scored the goal that gave his new side a 1-0 win against Bolton on Saturday.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce paid a club record 10 million pounds to sign Bent from Tottenham earlier this month and the England international began to repay that fee with an impressive display at the Reebok Stadium.

He dispatched Steed Malbranque’s cross with a far-post header in the fifth minute to ensure Bruce made a winning start to his reign.

Bent, 25, recently made the headlines for the wrong reasons after he used the Twitter website to publicly criticise Tottenham and express his desire to join Sunderland.

The former Charlton star eventually got his wish and, along with fellow new recruits Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana, gave Sunderland a more dynamic look than the drab outfit that just avoided relegation last season.

Bolton had plenty of new faces as well as Sam Ricketts, Paul Robinson, Zat Knight and Sean Davis all made their debuts.

But Sunderland were soon celebrating as they opened the scoring inside the fifth minute with a classic header from Bent.

George McCartney found Malbranque in the left channel and he flighted in a wicked cross to the far post, where Bent rose above Robinson to plant a firm header past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The visiting fans celebrated wildly but they were almost silenced moments later when Fabrice Muamba sliced a fierce 20-yard shot wide of Marton Fulop’s goal.

Cattermole seemed to cover every blade of grass for the visitors and twice within the space of as many minutes Sunderland could have scored.

In the 20th minute, Bent and Malbranque combined to send Kieran Richardson clear through on goal but Jaaskelainen raced off his line to parry the midfielder’s left-foot shot from 14 yards.

Sunderland pressed again moments later when a vicious low cross from Richardson found Bent at the far post and he swivelled before driving a low left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Jaaskelainen beaten.

Bolton handed a debut to South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-Yong a debut in the 67th minute when he replaced former Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann.

The home side pressed more as the match wore on and Fulop emerged the hero in injury-time when Sean Davis drove goalwards from 14 but saw the keeper deny him with a brilliant save.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: black cats, blade of grass, Bruce, charlton, Darren Bent, england international, fabrice muamba, Gavin McCann, George McCartney, impressive display, jussi jaaskelainen, kieran richardson, Lee Cattermole, Lee Chung-yong, left foot, lorik cana, Malbranque, Marton Fulop, midfielder, new faces, new recruits, paul robinson, reebok stadium, Richardson, ricketts, Sam, Sean Davis, south korea, steed malbranque, Sunderland, zat knight

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S. Korea´s Lee joins Bolton

South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-yong completed his move to Premier League club Bolton from FC Seoul on Friday.

Lee, who has made 15 appearances for South Korea, signed a three-year contract with Gary Megson’s team after being granted a work permit and receiving international clearance.

The details of the agreement have not been disclosed but it is understood that Lee cost Bolton around 2.2 million pounds (3.6 million dollars).

The 21-year-old could go straight into the squad for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Sunderland.

“Lee is another good addition to our squad,” Megson told Bolton’s official website.

“He has got pace and ability, and it is great that we have finally been able to get him.

“It is going to be a big challenge for him because he is coming to a new country and a new culture and he will be facing the demands of the Premier League.

“It will take time for him to settle but we will be making sure that he is fully supported as he makes that transition.”

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: 6 million, bolton england, England, gary megson, international clearance, Lee, Lee Chung-yong, midfielder, million dollars, pace, premier league, S. Korea, seoul, south korea, Sunderland, transition, work permit

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Bolton sign defensive pair

Premier League side Bolton on Saturday completed the signings of Aston Villa defender Zat Knight and Hull full-back Sam Ricketts on three-year deals.

Centre-back Knight, who has won two England caps, has struggled for regular first-team football since joining Villa in 2007 from Fulham, starting just 13 Premier League games last season.

Wales international Ricketts, who can play on the left or the right of a back four, started 27 Premier League games in their first top flight season.

They are Wanderers boss Gary Megson’s third and fourth signings of the summer, with the club having brought in Sean Davis after his contract at Portsmouth expired and also defender Paul Robinson from West Brom.

Bolton are also close to bringing in South Korea international midfielder Lee Chung-Yong from FC Seoul.

The 21-year-old has spent the past week in the north of England, where according to the K-League side Lee reached a verbal agreement on a three-year deal for a transfer fee of about 2.1 million pounds (three million dollars).

Should the deal go through Lee, who has already made 15 appearances for the national team, would become the seventh Korean to play in England.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: bolton england, england caps, flight season, fulham, gary megson, HULL, k league, korea international, Lee, Lee Chung-yong, million dollars, paul robinson, Portsmouth, premier league, premier league games, ricketts, Sam, Sean Davis, seoul, south korea, team football, top flight, verbal agreement, west brom

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FC Seoul agree Lee move to Bolton

Star South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-Yong is heading to English Premier League club Bolton for about three million dollars, his team said Friday.

The 21-year-old has reached a verbal agreement with the northern English side to sign a three-year contract for a transfer fee of about two million pounds (three million dollars), FC Seoul said.

“The contract will be signed officially after a work permit is issued,” the K-League side said in a statement.

The winger is expected to earn about 1.5 billion won (1.2 million dollars) annually, Seoul said.

A successful deal would make Lee the seventh Korean to play in England, following the trailblazing example set by Park Ji-Sung of Manchester United.

Lee, who has spent this week in England for talks with Bolton officials, was due back in South Korea on Friday.

He played a major role in propelling South Korea to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa with four qualifying wins and four draws.

SEOUL (AFP)

Tags: Bolton, England, English Premier League, k league, Lee Chung-yong, Manchester, manchester united, midfielder, million dollars, northern English, park ji sung, seoul, South Africa, south korea, south korean, Sung, two million, verbal agreement, winger, work permit, world cup finals

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