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Cuellar happy at Villa despite Real rumors

Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar has rejected the rumors that have linked him with a transfer to Real Madrid. Cuellar insists he is happy at Villa Park and wants to remain in England.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Real are targeting a move for Cuellar after losing Pepe through injury. Pepe is out with a long-term injury.

Cuellar, who is enjoying a very good season with Villa, is flattered to be linked with the Madrid giants. However, he says he is happy to remain a faithful player for Martin O’Neil’s team.

“It’s a great honour to be linked with teams of that stature,” Cuellar told the Birmingham Mail.

“Although it’s not true, that they mention you is important. I’m staying at Aston Villa. Nothing could happen. This is the path that I have chosen. I was not forced to do anything.

“My dream was to play in a foreign league. Where better to do that than the Premier League?”

28-year-old Cuellar is Spanish and began his career in Madrid before having his big break at Rangers, after which he was transferred to Aston Villa.

Tags: aston villa, Birmingham, Carlos Cuellar, England, giants, honour, MADRID, Mail, Martin O'Neil, o neil, pepe, premier league, rangers, real madrid, Spain, stature, term injury, villa park

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Costa Rica downs 10-man Jamaica 1-0

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Celso Borges scored in the 64th minute against short-handed Jamaica for a 1-0 victory in the second match of Group A play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday.

Costa Rica improved to three points while Jamaica lost its second straight with one match remaining.

Borges got the goal off a service from Pablo Herrera, who entered the match 11 minutes earlier. Herrera’s cross from the right flank found an open Borges for a volley from 6 yards. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts got a hand on the shot but could not stop it.

With Jamaica pushing for the equalizer, Costa Rica had several chances to ice the match but Warren Granados could not get on the end of a Herrera pass in the 81st and Ricketts saved a shot from Walter Centeno the following minute.

Those misses nearly cost Costa Rican in the 90th minute but Jamaica’s Demar Phillips failed on a volley deep in the penalty area after a service from Omar Cummings.

The match was scoreless at the half but there was plenty of activity with each side getting three shots on goal and a straight red to Jamaica’s Rudolph Austin in the 35th minute. He was sent off by referee Jair Marrufo after his challenge on Borges near midfield. Austin appeared to kick Borges as he was on the ground.

Costa Rica looked for cracks with the extra man and found one in the 43rd minute when Froylan Ledezma’s side volley near the penalty spot was on target only to be saved by Rickets. He also snuck behind the defense on the left side for a near-side shot that Ricketts denied in stoppage time.

The Jamaicans made two changes to start the second half with forward Ricardo Fuller coming off for midfielder Jason Morrison and midfielder O’Neil Thompson replacing Nicholas Addlery.

Costa Rica countered in the 53rd minute when Granados came on for Ledezma and Herrera spelled midfielder Armando Alonso in a swap of midfielders. Cummings squandered a glorious opportunity for the game’s first goal in the 51st when he had a solo attack on Gonzalez. Cummings waited for support then tried to dribble and shoot around the keeper but Gonzalez was able to smother the attempt.

Jamaica had control early and produced four corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes. Ricardo Gardner had a shot deflected over the crossbar in the 13th and the ensuing corner resulted in a shot by Cummings. A minute later Cummings’ strike from 22 yards was saved by Gonzalez.

Costa Rica found its form in the 19th minute and Armando Alonso found himself open on the right side of the box for a low drive that Ricketts knocked aside for a corner. Costa Rica kept pressuring and Centeno followed with a header that skimmed the crossbar.

Costa Rica, the leader in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying was beaten 2-1 by El Salvador on Friday in Los Angeles, while Canada downed Jamaica 1-0.

Group play ends July 10 in Miami at FIU Stadium with Costa Rica facing Canada and El Salvador playing Jamaica.

By Craig Merz

Go to Source

Tags: armando alonso, Canada, COLUMBUS, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, Craig Merz, demar, donovan ricketts, El Salvador, extra man, FIU Stadium, froylan ledezma, glorious opportunity, Gonzalez, half, Jamaica, jamaicans, jason morrison, Los Angeles, marrufo, Miami, midfielders, Neil Thompson, nicholas addlery, o neil, O'Neil Thompson, Ohio, Omar Cummings, pablo herrera, ricardo fuller, Ricardo Gardner, Rudolph Austin, solo attack, stoppage time, target, Walter Centeno, Warren Granados

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Quick Report: Newcastle United, Middlesbrough relegated

Newcastle United and Middlesbrough both lost their last game of the season and are relegated from the Premiership along with West Bromwich Albion. Sunderland and Hull City survive despite losing themselves.

Newcastle United needed to avoid defeat against Aston Villa but things didn’t work out for them at Villa Park where an own goal from Damien Duff in the 38th minute meant a 1-0 result and the end of an era in the Premier League. To add to the misery, the Magpies had David Edgar sent off in added time.

Middlesbrough lost 2-1 at West Ham United, who took the lead through Carlton Cole in the 33rd minute. Gary O’Neil equalised on 50 minutes but Junior Stanislas soon restored the home lead.

West Bromwich Albion were already certain of relegation and finished their Premiership stay with a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers.

As all of the bottom teams lost, Sunderland’s defeat by Chelsea had no other negative effects. Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole scored for the Blues, Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones did so for the home side.

Hull City hosted champions Manchester United, where Darron Gibson scored the only goal in United’s advantage after 24 minutes. After the final whistle, Hull fans needed to wait another team for the Newcastle result to be confirmed but as no more goals were scored at that game, Hull remain in the top flight.

Tags: ashley cole, Carlton Cole, CHELSEA, Damien Duff, darron gibson, david edgar, English Premier League, Gary O'Neil, HULL, hull city, Jones, kenwyne jones, kieran richardson, last game, magpies, Manchester, middlesbrough, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, Nicolas Anelka, o neil, relegation, Salomon Kalou, stanislas, Sunderland, top flight, villa park, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion, west ham united

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Stoke take the spoils in relegation showdown

STOKE, England (AFP) – Stoke climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone thanks to a vital 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Tony Pulis’s side began the day in the final relegation place but they are now three points clear of the bottom three thanks to a late goal from Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium.

It was Stoke’s second win in three games and continued their impressive form in front of their vociferous home fans – City have taken 28 of their 32 points this season at the Britannia.

In contrast, Middlesbrough’s recent win over Liverpool is looking more and more like a blip in a woeful season for Gareth Southgate’s team, who remain second bottom and are now four points adrift of safety.

When Rory Delap decided not to unleash his famous long throw in the early stages, Pulis was quick to berate his midfielder.

Delap heeded his manager’s advice and launched a cannon throw into the Middlesbrough penalty area with his next opportunity. Predictably it caused havoc and James Beattie forced a reaction one-handed save out from Australian keeper Brad Jones after Salif Diao headed goalwards.

Middlesbrough pressed forward in response and defender McMahon headed straight at Thomas Sorensen from Andrew Taylor’s cross.

A no-holds-barred encounter turned nasty when Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller was booked for catching Robert Huth in the face with an arm. Diao and Glenn Whelan were also booked as Stoke tried to over-power their opponents.

Tuncay Sanli almost snatched the lead for Middlesbrough before half-time but his shot dipped over.

Middlesbrough found it hard to generate much attacking momentum and Southgate sent on Afonso Alves for Marlon King in the 55th minute.

The Brazilian made an immediate impact. He combined with Stewart Downing and Tuncay to set up Gary O’Neil, whose shot was pushed away by Sorensen.

O’Neil’s low free-kick then somehow found its way to Tuncay at the far post but faced with a narrow angle the Turkish striker drilled into the side-netting.

Delap’s throw-ins continued to cause problems for Middlesbrough and from one Fuller headed on for Beattie to volley over the angle of post and crossbar.

In the 72nd minute, Beattie headed over the best chance he had seen all afternoon when Liam Lawrence weaved his way into the penalty area and crossed to the far post.

Stoke’s pressure finally told in the 84th minute from a familiar source. Delap hurled a right-wing throw into the penalty area and Shawcross escaped his marker to nudge home from close range.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Andrew Taylor, blip, britannia stadium, CITY, England, English Premier League, far post, gareth southgate, Gary O'Neil, home fans, James Beattie, Liam Lawrence, Marlon King, middlesbrough, narrow angle, o neil, relegation zone, ricardo fuller, robert huth, rory delap, Ryan Shawcross, salif diao, Sanli, shawcross, stewart downing, thomas sorensen, tony pulis

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Ilunga keeps Hammers happy

LONDON (AFP) – Herita Ilunga headed home with eight minutes remaining to earn West Ham a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough and keep the London club’s FA Cup run alive.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international stooped at the far post to send the fifth round tie to a replay.

The left-back, who is on a season-long loan deal from French side Toulouse, connected with Savio Nsereko?s free-kick to cancel out Stewart Downing’s first-half header for Boro.

The relegation-threatened visitors’ bright start belied their lowly league position and they might have gone ahead after only two minutes, when Adam Johnson dragged his shot wide after Matt Upson had only half-cleared Stewart Downing’s cross.

Downing then had a chance himself to break the deadlock on 11 minutes, but his shot from distance, which sent Robert Green sprawling, was also off target.

West Ham have been in excellent form of late and most notably, their striker Carlton Cole, who was called up to the England team for their 2-0 defeat in Spain this week.

Cole had the Hammers? first shot at goal in the 16th minute but saw his effort blocked by David Wheater.

Jack Collison then skipped past two Boro defenders before teeing up Mark Noble, but his blistering strike was parried by Australian goalkeeper, Brad Jones.

West Ham looked almost certain to open the scoring as a good ten minute spell of pressure drew more efforts from Cole and James Collins.

But it was Boro, goal-shy in their last three matches, who struck first-blood against the run of play in the 22nd minute.

Gary O?Neil whipped in a cross from the right wing which evaded Upson and Collins, allowing an unmarked Downing to head home at the far post.

West Ham should have been two down soon afterwards but Robert Huth?s header from 10 yards lacked the necessary power to beat Green.

And things took a further turn for the worst for the Londoners when they lost Cole to a suspected ankle injury after only 34 minutes.

Jones then pulled off a fine full-stretch save to thwart Noble while Collison blazed the follow-up high over the bar.

Substitute Diego Tristan then followed suit. He was fed by Italian David Di Michele only to lash over Jones’s bar.

Four minutes after the break, Gianfranco Zola was forced to make another change to his team. This time Portuguese winger Luis Boa Morte was substituted for Freddie Sears after receiving a knock.

Middlesbrough?s Brazilian striker Afonso Alves squandered three glorious chances to double Boro?s lead.

First, he burst through the West Ham defence before selfishly trying a shot at goal which ballooned over when Downing and O?Neil were better placed to shoot.

The club?s record signing from Dutch side Heerenveen then dragged another effort wide of the post from close range.

Finally, he mustered a third opportunity in a five-minute spell and this time managed to hit the target, forcing Green to save.

Boro almost instantly paid the price for their missed chances but Di Michele was equally wasteful and hung his head in shame after he missed from five yards.

The introduction of Savio took the West Ham striker count to four, but it was the unlikely figure of Ilunga who proved to be the Hammers’ saviour.

Savio’s dead-ball was not dealt with by Boro and Ilunga was on hand to head in his second goal for the club.

written by: AFP

Tags: adam johnson, ankle injury, Brad Jones, Carlton Cole, Congo, David Di Michele, David Wheater, Democratic Republic, democratic republic of congo, Diego Tristan, England, england team, English Premier League, FA Cup, Freddie Sears, french side, Gary, herita, jack collison, James, Jones, league position, loan deal, london, london club, Luis Boa, Mark Noble, Matt Upson, necessary power, Neil, o neil, republic of congo, robert green, robert huth, savio nsereko, Spain, stewart downing, Toulouse, west ham, wheater, Zola

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Pennant opts for Portsmouth loan move

LONDON (AFP) – Jermaine Pennant has agreed to join Portsmouth on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season after turning down the chance to make a permanent move.

The two clubs had agreed a transfer fee for the winger, currently out of favour at Anfield, but the 26-year-old retains hope that he can rebuild his Liverpool career.

Pompey boss Tony Adams said he had admired Pennant – who saw a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid collapse after he asked for too much money – since he was coming through the ranks at Arsenal and believes he will provide plenty of ammunition for his leading forward Peter Crouch, another former Liverpool player.

"I saw him play with Peter Crouch for Liverpool at Fulham last year – and he was constantly getting past their left-back and getting crosses in for Crouchie," Adams said. "That’s a good combination that I wanted to put back together."

Portsmouth’s executive chairman Peter Storrie meanwhile revealed that a potential move for former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has been scuppered by an injury to the Inter Milan midfielder.

Moves to sign Middlesbrough’s Gary O’Neil and Edu from Valencia have also been abandoned.

"Patrick is someone we would be very keen to bring here," said Storrie.

"Obviously, he is very well known to Tony, but my understanding is that he’s got an injury and that won’t be possible in this window.

"With Gary O’Neil and Edu, the clubs changed their mind – there wasn’t much we could do about that. As far as I understand, both of those deals are now dead."

Danish international Christian Poulsen could however be heading to Fratton Park on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ammunition, anfield, christian poulsen, crosses, English Premier League, executive chairman, favour, Fratton Park, fulham, good combination, inter milan, jermaine pennant, juventus, Liverpool, liverpool player, london, MADRID, midfielder, Milan, o neil, opts, Patrick, patrick vieira, Peter, peter crouch, Peter Storrie, pompey, Portsmouth, Tony, Tony Adams, Valencia, winger

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Koren boosts Baggies survival hopes

BIRMINGHAM (AFP) – Slovenia midfielder Robert Koren sparkled as West Brom gave their survival chances a huge shot in the arm with a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

The win lifted the Baggies off the bottom of the Premier League table and although they could find themselves back there if Tottenham beat Portsmouth at home on Sunday a third consecutive home win will have greatly bolstered morale in their camp.

Chris Brunt got West Brom off to the perfect start with an early strike and Koren saw one shot deflected in off Marc-Antoine Fortune before claiming his side’s third with a strike that could not be claimed by anyone else.

Boro might have come away with something from the match but for the wayward finishing of Brazilian forward Afonso Alves, who passed up several good scoring chances.

Brunt’s opener came after only four minutes, collecting a mistimed clearance from Carl Hoefkens’s cross to fire the ball past Ross Turnbull.

Boro would have equalised minutes later but for the woodwork.

Scott Carson palmed away a deep centre from Stewart Downing and the ball broke to Alves who headed against the crossbar.

Alves then missed another good chance midway through the opening period, volleying wide after David Wheater had flicked on a free-kick.

On-loan forward Jay Simpson had an equally good chance for Albion after a Ryan Donk pass sent him clear of the back four. But the Arsenal forward’s touch was poor and Turnbull was able to close him down sufficiently to block the shot.

Albion finally doubled their lead nine minutes after the break with a goal that was finally attributed to Fortune, a loan signing from French club Nancy.

Koren played the ball into Fortune, collected a return pass and fired in a shot that beat Turnbull with the help of a deflection off the Frenchman.

Gareth Southgate promptly took off Gary O’Neil and his replacement Mido quickly set up Alves, who headed wide from six yards out.

Boro’s chances of a fightback disappeared when Didier Digard was given a straight red card for a challenge on Spanish midfielder Borja Valero.

Koren took full advantage and capped a superb all-round display by running to a pass from Brunt before placing a shot beyond Turnbull.

Written by: AFP

Tags: afonso alves, baggies, Birmingham, carl hoefkens, chris brunt, crossbar, David Wheater, deflection, English Premier League, fightback, french club, gareth southgate, Gary O'Neil, hawthorns, Jay, Jay Simpson, marc antoine fortune, Nancy, o neil, Portsmouth, robert koren, Ross Turnbull, Ryan Donk, Scott Carson, shot in the arm, Simpson, stewart downing, survival chances, west brom, wheater

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