Neville under FA scanner over Tevez gesture

January 20, 2010

Gary Neville could face disciplinary action for directing a one-fingered gesture at former team-mate Carlos Tevez after the Football Association confirmed they were looking into an incident in Tuesday night’s League Cup semi-final.

Neville made the gesture from the touchline as Tevez celebrated the first of his two goals in Manchester City’s 2-1 first leg win over Manchester United at Eastlands.

The Argentina striker’s celebrations had included a ’stop talking’ gesture to Neville and appeared to be a response to the United defender’s pre-match comment that the club had made the right decision in allowing Tevez to leave the club at the end of last season rather than find the 25 million pounds it would have cost to sign him permanently.

Neville is effectively on probation with the FA having been warned about his conduct earlier in the season following provocative celebrations of Michael Owen’s late winner for United in the Manchester derby match at Old Trafford in September.

Tevez celebrated his second goal in similar fashion, running in front of the United dugout and cupping his hands behind his ears.

But he failed to get a reaction from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who has also expressed the opinion that the striker is not worth 25 million pounds.

“It is just the way these things happen,” Ferguson said. “Football can be like that. It can bite you. We have had a few players leave the club and score against us. There is no issue. I am happy with the players we have got.”

Tevez has now scored 17 goals for City this season and his team-mate Pablo Zabaleta believes he was fuelled by a desire to make a point to Ferguson and Neville.

“One Manchester United player talked about Carlos before the game so he showed he is top class, a top player,” Zabaleta said.

“He is amazing, everyone knows Carlos is a great player. Everyone loves him. This was a special game for him, one he has been dreaming about.

“I am aware of his qualities and think he can give a repeat performance against United next week.”

United took an early lead on Tuesday evening through Ryan Giggs, but Tevez equalised from the spot after Rafael pulled back Craig Bellamy and then headed in the winner.

Zabaleta added: “Our reaction was fantastic after we lost the goal. It was a good performance from the team, we played well and showed strong mentality.

“It is a great result for us and an important one for the next leg. It was unbelievable near the end. United kept coming and had many chances but we never stopped working.

“We want to please our supporters and get to the final. There was a lot of satisfaction after the game but we have to show this commitment again next week. You can see we have great players and a strong character.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Argentina, Carlos, carlos tevez, CITY, disciplinary action, dugout, Eastlands, football association, former team, gary neville, london, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united player, michael owen, Neville, nex, old trafford, Pablo Zabaleta, Rafael, repeat performance, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, special game, team mate, touchline

Toothless Real fail to pounce on Barca slip

January 4, 2010

Real Madrid spurned the chance to replace Barcelona at the top of the Spanish first division on Sunday firing blanks in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Osasuna in Pamplona.

Barcelona had dropped two points as they lost their 100-percent home record with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal on Saturday but Real could not capitalize and stay two points behind the champions in second.

It was only the second time Real had failed to score in the league this season – the other occasions being a 1-0 loss at Barcelona and a 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon – and it was a golden opportunity missed.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini was without Kaka as the Brazilian recovered from a groin injury so Rafael van der Vaart continued as the attacking midfielder behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.

With Pepe out injured for the season, Argentine Ezequiel Garay joined Raul Albiol in central defence although they were largely untroubled until the 41st minute when a Javad Nekounam header stirred goalkeeper Iker Casillas into action.

Higuain, with five goals in his last three matches, had Real’s best chance on 65 minutes but a strong hand from goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez denied the Argentine. Real replaced Higuain with captain Raul in a last throw of the dice but it was to no avail.

While Barcelona have a last 16 Kings Cup match against Sevilla on Tuesday, Real can rest up as they have already been eliminated by minnows Alcorcon.

Osasuna have now held champions Barcelona (1-1) and Real at their Reyno de Navarra stadium and beat them both last season in the final two games of the campaign.

Osasuna needed to beat Real on the final day of last season to stay in the league but this season they are comfortably in mid-table lying 12th.

Real Mallorca are Real’s next opponents and they moved above Sevilla into fourth place with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao as they maintained their perfect home record with an eighth successive home victory.

“We are fourth but we face Real Madrid on their patch in the next league game and it will be difficult to get points there,” said Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano.

Julio Alvarez scored the Mallorca opener on 49 minutes to open the scoring before Aritz Aduriz netted his eighth goal of the season against old club Bilbao after 67 minutes.

Mallorca are now in the final Champions League spot and turn their attention to the Kings Cup as they travel to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday for the first leg of the last 16 tie.

New Almeria coach Juanma Lillo enjoyed a winning start as his side clinched a crucial 1-0 win over relegation rivals Xerez.

Substitute Jose Ortiz Bernal netted an 89th minute winner just three minutes after coming on to gift Lillo a debut win after taking over from axed Mexican Hugo Sanchez.

“I am not bothered about the fact that it was my debut but more that we won the match. That was the most important thing,” said Lillo.

“The three points help us make a good leap in the table and see things a bit differently.”

Almeria move three points above the relegation zone while basement boys Xerez slide towards relegation lying eight points from safety with just one win all season.

Struggling Malaga were left frustrated as they twice surrendered the lead to be pegged back 2-2 at Sporting Gijon and stay third from bottom.

At the other end of the table Deportivo La Coruna missed the chance to move level on points with fourth-placed Sevilla, who lost 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday, with a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Argentine, athletic bilbao, Barcelona, Bernal, Bilbao, captain Raul, Casillas, central defence, Gonzalo, groin injury, home victory, Hugo Sanchez, javad nekounam, Jose, Julio Alvarez, kings cup, la coruna, MADRID, Malaga, manuel pellegrini, mid table, Navarra, osasuna, Rafael, rafael van der vaart, raul albiol, real madrid, real mallorca, reyno, ricardo lopez, ronaldo, SEVILLA, spanish first division, sporting gijon, throw of the dice, van der vaart, xerez, Zaragoza

Ferguson delighted with Man. United´s young stars

January 1, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson enters a new year and new decade as manager of Manchester United confident the future of the club is in safe hands.

A new generation of young stars have been given their opportunities in the first half of the current campaign and Ferguson has promised he will retain his policy of using a relatively inexperienced side for the first leg of United’s eagerly-anticipated League Cup semi-final with Manchester City next week.

Ferguson is confident the current crop of emerging talent is on a par with any in his 23 years in charge at Old Trafford, an impressive claim given the quality of young players associated with his club.

“I think the young players are doing well here,” Ferguson insisted.

“Their progress has been good and they are getting their opportunities,” said Ferguson, citing Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Wigan – a result that left the champions just two points behind English Premier League leaders Chelsea – as evidence.

“Danny Welbeck came on in our game against Wigan, Rafael was outstanding in that game and showed fantastic energy and desire to do well.

“(Federico) Macheda is unfortunately injured but we all know the qualities he has and (Gabriel) Obertan has joined the club and has fantastic potential, he is only 20 years of age.

“In the main, if they stay clear of injuries, they will be top players.

“It has always been that way here. We have always tried to bring on young players and I think we’re good at it,” added Ferguson ahead of United’s FA Cup third round tie at home to fallen giants Leeds.

The recent performances of young right-back Rafael have been particularly eye-catching and with his twin brother Fabio, Ferguson predicts a day in the near future when United have two Brazilians in the full-back positions.

“That’s a definite possibility, yes,” said Ferguson. “We’ve always thought highly of Rafael, and his brother.

“Fabio is just coming back from injury and he will come in for the games now. I think the two of them are equally good, you couldn’t separate the two of them. You couldn’t separate the two of them in terms of their looks – it’s impossible to tell the difference unless they’re wearing numbers!

“But they are Brazilians and I don’t think you need to give Brazilians any targets. They’re always shooting for the moon.”

As for Ferguson himself, the United manager – who turned 68 on the final day of 2009 – shows no signs of losing his own vitality or enthusiasm for one of the most high-profile jobs in sport.

And, in keeping with his policy since he announced his ‘retirement’ in 2002 only to change his mind, he is making no predictions about how long he will remain in charge.

“I hope my health is okay, that’s for sure,” said Ferguson when asked if he saw himself still at the helm in five or six years.

“Whether I’m managing (then), who can be sure? You never can be sure.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: 23 years, brazilians, CHELSEA, Danny Welbeck, definite possibility, emerging talent, England, English Premier League, FA Cup, Fabio, fallen giants, federico macheda, Ferguson, Gabriel, Gabriel Obertan, league leaders, LEEDS, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, new decade, new generation, Rafael, safe hands, sir alex ferguson, twin brother, welbeck, young stars

United defensive woes deepen as Vidic stays home

December 7, 2009

Manchester United have been left with just one regular defender for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Wolfsburg after Nemanja Vidic failed to recover from flu in time to travel to Germany.

The Serbian centreback was left at home along with Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both suffered injuries in Saturday’s 4-0 win at West Ham, longer-term absentees Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans, and Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael da Silva.

France left-back Patrice Evra is the last first-team defender standing and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is resigned to fielding a makeshift back four against the German champions.

Michael Carrick is expected to stand in in central defence, as he did after Neville went off on Saturday, and his fellow midfielder Darron Gibson is also able to operate at the back.

Alternatively, Ferguson could gamble on handing a debut to Oliver Gill, the 19-year-old son of United’s chief executive David, who is a specialist defender but has made only nine appearances for the reserves this season.

United, who need a point to ensure they finish top of their group, have also opted to travel without Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs while first-choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar remains sidelined by injury.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, central defence, da silva, darron gibson, David, defensive woes, dimitar berbatov, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, Fabio, France, gary neville, german champions, Germany, john o shea, John O'Shea, league tie, Manchester, Michael Carrick, Neville, patrice evra, Rafael, Rio, rio ferdinand, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, van der sar, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham

Brazil tops Costa Rica 1-0 in U-20 semifinals

October 14, 2009

Costa Rica allowed a second-half goal and was beaten by Brazil 1-0 in the Under-20 World Cup semifinals on Tuesday.

The result sends Costa Rica to Friday’s third-place game against Hungary, already having achieved its best performance at the biennial youth championship.

Costa Rica reached the second round in 2001 in Argentina, its furthest advancement in six previous trips to the U-20 finals.

Brazil will play Friday for the title against Ghana, which beat Hungary 3-2 in the other semifinal earlier Tuesday.

The match was a marked improvement for Costa Rica – which was the last team to qualify for the second round — from its first match against Brazil, when it was beaten 5-0 in its open game of the group stage.

Brazil finally converted a dominant possession game in the 67th minute when Bertucci’s curling left-footed cross just cleared the head of teammate Alex Teixeira but landed at the feet of Alan Kardec, who hit a powerful volley from near the byline between the near post and goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado.

The goal was reward for Brazil, which had more than twice the possession, shots on goal and corners as the CONCACAF champion, but created few dangerous chances.

Of Brazil’s nine shots on goal, most were directly at Alvarado, who had his best moment by extending his left hand to knock away Souza’s shot from 10 meters from in front of the goal.

Costa Rica had few chances but tested Brazilian keeper twice in the first half, a free kick by David Guzman that had to be tipped over the bar in the 16th minute and Marcos Urena’s right-footed shot on a counter that was pushed around the near post by Rafael in the 44th.

CAIRO, Egypt

Source

Tags: alan kardec, alex teixeira, Argentina, best performance, brazil, brazil 1, byline, Cairo, cairo egypt, Costa Rica, curling, david guzman, Egypt, Esteban Alvarado, free kick, ghana, group stage, Hungary, left hand, Marcos Urena, open game, place game, possession game, Rafael, souza, teammate, volley, world cup semifinals

United aim to show Burnley defeat was just a blip

August 22, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a response from his Manchester United side as they attempt to kick-start their title defence at Wigan on Saturday.

The Premier League champions opened the campaign with a less than convincing 1-0 win over Birmingham and then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss at Burnley in midweek.

Even though United’s under-whelming start has provoked plenty of questions about his options, Ferguson is set to keep faith with his players.

Ferguson has claimed time and again that he is satisfied with his squad despite limited spending in the transfer market.

Following the high-profile departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, the United boss has brought in Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and French youngster Gabriel Obertan.

Ferguson acknowledges that United traditionally do not find their rhythm until October.

But he will be desperate for his team to make a statement at the DW Stadium, where they have picked up vital victories in the past two seasons.

The Scot is still without Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar, Rafael da Silva and Owen Hargreaves for the short trip across Lancashire.

Despite Ronaldo and Tevez leaving Old Trafford during the close-season, midfielder Darren Fletcher feels United have plenty of youngsters that can step up and make an impression this season.

The likes of Rafael, Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda all made contributions last season. And Fletcher feels that talent coming through the ranks is as vital to the club as big-money signings.

“The club strives for young players to come through the ranks. It’s part of the United ethos,” he said.

“We have got a great crop of young players and some featured a lot last season. Those lads look very strong and are raring to go.

“Everyone, from the players to the coaches in the academy and our scouts feels proud when a player makes it through the system.

“The United fans want to see that as well. When the supporters see a local lad coming through and doing well it sometimes means a lot more than going out and spending big money on someone.

“We train with them every day and so we know what they’re capable of. The difficult part is taking that on to the pitch but a lot of them have already done that.

“After every chance you get in the first team you just want more. It’s a big squad with a lot of quality but these boys are a confident bunch. They want to play and deserve to be there.

“It’s up to them now to go and prove it to the manager – to show that they’re ready and that they’re good enough.

“I definitely believe they are good enough because they wouldn’t be at United if they weren’t.”

Following an opening day victory of their own – a 2-0 success at Aston Villa – Wigan were also brought down to earth with a bump against newly-promoted opposition when they went down 1-0 to Wolverhampton in midweek.

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is sure that Roberto Martinez’s side will rise to the occasion as they look to make up for that defeat.

“We have to pick ourselves up because we’ve got a massive game coming up against Manchester United,” he said.

“The important thing is not to get too despondent. There’s a lot of good about our team and we need to get that back.

“I’m sure they gaffer will be drilling that into us and have us ready for the Manchester United game.”

WIGAN, England (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, Birmingham, burnley, Carlos, carlos tevez, cristiano ronaldo, da silva, Danny Welbeck, darren fletcher, DW Stadium, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, Fletcher, Gabriel Obertan, Lancashire, league champions, Manchester, michael owen, midweek, old trafford, owen hargreaves, premier league, Rafael, Rio, rio ferdinand, ronaldo, Scot, short trip, sir alex ferguson, tevez, title defence, van der sar, welbeck, Wigan

United aim to show Burnley defeat was just a blip

August 22, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a response from his Manchester United side as they attempt to kick-start their title defence at Wigan on Saturday.