Fenerbahce limit damage against Diyarbakirspor

February 8, 2010

Fenerbahce were close to defeat in their home match with Diyarbakirspor on Sunday, but scored a late goal to limit the damage.

After Galarasaray were held to a goalless draw at Kayserispor on Saturday, Fenerbahce had a perfect opportunity to extend their one-point lead to three points.

But it was not meant to be at Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu stadium where Diyarbakirspor even took the lead through Ayman Abdelaziz in the 83rd minute.

Fenerbahce, who had Mehmet Topuz sent off in the dying minutes, did avoid defeat as Andre Santos netted for 1-1 in minute 90.

Although Diyarbakirspor missed out on achieving a major upset, the draw does allow them to leave the relegation zone at the expense of Manisaspor.

Tags: abdelaziz, diyarbakirspor, fenerbahce, home match, Istanbul, kayserispor, relegation zone, sukru saracoglu stadium

Hull apply the brakes to Chelsea title charge

February 3, 2010

Didier Drogba celebrated his return to Premier League duty with a first half equaliser at the KC Stadium to cancel out Stephen Mouyokolo’s earlier effort on a frustrating night for Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea.

Drogba struck his 20th goal of the season on 43 minutes to haul the Premier League leaders level after Hull defender Mouyokolo had headed Phil Brown’s Hull City side into a surprise lead with his first ever goal for the top flight strugglers.

But despite Drogba coming to the rescue it wasn’t enough to help Chelsea secure the win they so badly needed to restore their four point advantage over Manchester United at the top of the table.

The London club now have a lead of just two points and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be thankful to Hull for holding his great rivals to a draw to blow the title race wide open.

Ancelotti had the luxury of recalling Drogba for the first time since he departed for the African Cup of Nations over four weeks ago, while England internationals Joe Cole and Ashley Cole had to be content with a place on the bench.

John Terry also maintained his place in the side despite the on-going pressure on him to resign as England captain following his off-field problems while Deco was recalled to the starting line-up.

Brown, meanwhile, made just one change to the side which was held to a disappointing draw with Wolves last weekend, recalling Craig Fagan on the right wing in place of Bernard Mendy. The Hull manager resisted the temptation to hand a full debut to new loan signing Amr Zaki.

Hull had gone nine games without a victory and found themselves entrenched in the relegation zone. Considering Manchester City were the next visitors to the KC Stadium then the immediate future looked bleak.

But Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm from the start and seemed to make Hull’s evening easier than expected.

Frank Lampard worried Boaz Myhill with a swerving drive inside nine minutes which the Hull goalkeeper could only palm straight to Nicolas Anelka but the French striker stubbed his shot badly wide with the goal at his mercy.

It wasn’t until the 24th minute that Chelsea threatened again when Branislav Ivanovic sent over an inch-perfect cross for the waiting Michael Ballack but all the German midfielder could do was power his diving header straight at Myhill from close range.

The longer the game went on the more Hull seemed to grow in confidence but it still came a surprise when they took the lead with their first real attack of the game.

Terry was nowhere to be seen as Stephen Hunt swung over a corner and Mouyokolo rose the highest to head past the helpless Petr Cech.

But Hull’s lead always looked fragile and it lasted just 13 minutes before Drogba levelled the scores with a powerful free kick into the bottom corner of Myhill’s goal.

Hull could have restored their lead on the stroke of half time when Tom Cairney’s free kick found the head of the unmarked Anthony Gardner, but the defender could only direct his effort over the crossbar.

Yet Chelsea always carried a threat and Myhill had to be at his best to keep the scores level with a fine double save just before the hour mark.

First he got down sharply to tip wide a skidding drive from Florent Malouda before producing an even better stop to keep out Drogba’s downward header from Malouda’s cross as Brown’s men hung on for a point that is of much more use to them than Chelsea.

HULL, England (AFP)

Tags: african cup of nations, alex ferguson, Anthony Gardner, ashley cole, bernard mendy, Boaz Myhill, Brown, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, Cole, Craig Fagan, didier drogba, England, england internationals, frank lampard, frustrating night, HULL, hull city, Joe Cole, john terry, kc stadium, london, london club, Manchester, manchester city, Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka, Petr Cech, phil brown, point advantage, premier league, relegation zone, sir alex ferguson, Stephen Hunt, Stephen Mouyokolo, Terry, Tom Cairney, Zaki

South Africa´s McCarthy moves to West Ham

February 1, 2010

South Africa’s Benni McCarthy completed his long anticipated move to West Ham United from Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers on Monday’s transfer deadline day.

McCarthy joined for an an undisclosed fee on a contract that will keep the 32-year-old at Upton Park until 2012.

“West Ham United are pleased to confirming the signing of South Africa striker Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee,” said a West Ham statement.

McCarthy, who could make his debut for the London side in Saturday’s league match against Burnley, said he had wanted West Ham to be his first club in English football when he left Portuguese side Porto.

“I am very pleased and extremely happy,” McCarthy, South Africa’s record goalscorer, with 32 goals in 77 internationals, told West Ham’s website.

“This is a great club. The reason why I am happy that it has finally happened is because about five years ago I had a disappointing experience when I thought I was going to be a West Ham player until Porto pulled out and I had to go back.

“I would have loved this to be my first Premier League club. I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept pursuing me and eventually I am here,” added McCarthy, who scored 37 goals in 109 league matches for Rovers after arriving at Ewood Park in July 2006.

McCarthy had grown disillusioned with his lack of first-team starts under Rovers manager Sam Allardyce and wanted a move to ensure regular football in the run-up to the World Cup finals in his home country in June and July.

West Ham are 15th in the table but just a point above the relegation zone.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: benni mccarthy, debut, english football, Ewood Park, first premier, internationals, league rivals, london, PORTO, portuguese side porto, premier league, relegation zone, South AfricaÂ, striker, transfer deadline, undisclosed fee, upton park, west ham, west ham united, world cup finals

Valladolid sack Mendilibar, promote Sanchez

February 1, 2010

Real Valladolid have sacked coach Jose Luis Mendilibar following a string of poor results and replaced him with reserve team coach Onesimo Sanchez, the Spanish club said Monday.

Valladolid drew 1-1 against Almeria on Sunday, leaving it 17th in the standings and just one point above the relegation zone, and they have won only three times in their last 31 league games.

“The club have decided to look for a drastic solution to a negative run of results that has gone on too long,” it said in a statement.

Mendilibar, 49, led Valladolid back to the top flight in 2007 during his first season with the club.

He is the seventh La Liga coach to lose his job this season following coaching changes at Atletico Madrid, Almeria, Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza, Xerez and Villarreal.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: almeria, atletico madrid, coaching changes, drastic solution, job, Jose Luis, league games, MADRID, real valladolid, real zaragoza, relegation zone, santander, spanish club, team coach, three times, top flight, valladolid, Villarreal, xerez, Zaragoza

Wolves rob Hull of precious points

January 30, 2010

Hull City remained in the Premier League relegation zone after twice squandering the lead in a 2-2 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave Hull, who remained second bottom, an early lead only for Wolves, now a point above the bottom three, to draw level through Anthony Gardner’s farcical own-goal at the KC Stadium.

Stephen Hunt restored the Tigers’ lead from the penalty spot but there was still time for Matthew Jarvis to rescue a point for Wolves.

Former Celtic striker Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a 20-yard shot after the Dutchman had been played in by American forward Jozy Altodore, who had held off two defenders.

It was a lead that lasted until four minutes after half-time when Wolves drew level in comical fashion.

Hunt allowed Wolves’ Ronald Zubar to chase down a ball the Republic of Ireland midfielder felt was going out of play.

Zubar’s hopeful cross appeared easy enough for Gardner to clear but his sliced kick spiralled over Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and into the net.

Minutes later, however, Zubar returned the favour when he clattered into Altidore and Hunt scored from the penalty spot.

But Hull were pegged back again when Matthew Jarvis’s right-footed shot beat Myhill in the 67th minute.

The visitors then had a chance to win it late on but Myhill saved well from new Wolves on-loan signing Geoffrey Mujangi Bia after a free-kick caused problems in the Tigers’ box.

HULL, England (AFP)

Tags: bia, Boaz Myhill, dutchman, England, four minutes, free kick, Geoffrey Mujangi, Goalkeeper, HULL, hull city, hull england, Jan Vennegoor, jan vennegoor of hesselink, kc stadium, matthew jarvis, midfielder, precious points, premier league, relegation zone, republic of ireland, ronald zubar, Stephen Hunt, Wanderers, wolves

Blackburn frustrate West Ham

January 30, 2010

Blackburn earned a gritty 0-0 draw against struggling West Ham on Saturday to frustrate the east London club’s hopes of kick-starting the new era at Upton Park.

Gianfranco Zola’s side were playing at home for the first time since co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold finally completed their takeover of the Hammers, but there was precious little for the watching duo to get excited about.

Blackburn, who have scored just eight times in 12 away league matches, would have won with better finishing and West Ham – in 15th place – remain precariously close to the relegation zone.

Sullivan and Gold are well aware of West Ham’s troubles and have been attempting to sign several new players before Monday’s transfer deadline.

A deal for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy is still in the pipeline but Zola may need more than that to save his side from the drop.

Rovers started well and appealed for a penalty when Nikola Kalinic went down under pressure from Jonathan Spector, but referee Peter Walton waved away their protests.

After 35 minutes, an inswinging corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen forced West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green to tip over the crossbar at full-stretch.

Rovers came agonisingly close to taking the lead just before half-time when Pedersen’s free-kick flashed past Green and cannoned back off the bar.

Zola sent on England forward Carlton Cole, in action for the first time since November following a knee injury, with 30 minutes to play but even he couldn’t spark West Ham into life.

Green was called into action again to push Pedersen’s goal-bound drive away, then Cole cleared Gael Givet’s shot off the line after it appeared to hit Mark Noble on the arm.

Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson had barely been troubled all game but he was finally forced to save in the final minutes as he pushed Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick over to preserve the draw.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, benni mccarthy, Carlton, Cole, crossbar, david gold, david sullivan, diamanti, east london, England, free kick, gael givet, gianfranco zola, jonathan spector, knee injury, london, london club, Mark Noble, Morten Gamst, morten gamst pedersen, Nikola Kalinic, paul robinson, Peter Walton, playing at home, relegation zone, robert green, transfer deadline, upton park, west ham, Zola

Stuttgart and Dortmund ready for ‘in-form’ test

January 30, 2010

Sunday’s Bundesliga clash of VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund appears to be a test of preserving form when the in-form duo meet at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The Swabians have won their last three games and are unbeaten since Christian Gross took over from Markus Babbel in December.

Meanwhile, the Westphalians have not lost since September, winning nine and drawing three of their last 12 matches.

But their coach Jurgen Klopp has lost every time he has visited Stuttgart, be it with Dortmund or his former club Mainz. Nevertheless, he says that negative record is there to be broken.

“The probability of a streak ending increases the longer it goes on,” he said.

“We want to play a really good game there.”

A win for Dortmund could take them as high as second in the table, should results elsewhere go their way, while Stuttgart could break into the top half of the table with victory.

But Gross, who took over the Stuttgart reins with the team stuck in the relegation zone, has not forgotten his prime objective for the season.

“Dortmund are the clear favourites in my eyes,” he said.

“They want to qualify for Europe while we are still concentrating on avoiding relegation.”

Gross will welcome Jens Lehmann back into his goal this weekend after his three-game suspension came to an end following last weekend’s win over Freiburg. He replaces Sven Ulreich.

Klopp has to do without Sven Bender, who has played in the last 11 unbeaten matches, due to a knee infection. Tamas Hajnal is a candidate to replace him in the centre of midfield.

Tags: bender, Borussia, borussia dortmund, Bundesliga, christian gross, clash, dortmund, Europe, favourites, game suspension, good game, hajnal, jens lehmann, jurgen klopp, markus babbel, mercedes benz, prime objective, probability, reins, relegation zone, stuttgart, Sven Bender, Sven Ulreich, swabians, three games, vfb stuttgart

Juve´s ´dead coach walking´ looks doomed

January 30, 2010

Ciro Ferrara’s troubled reign as Juventus coach could end this weekend, even before Sunday’s Serie A home clash against Lazio.

Ferrara’s position has looked increasingly untenable in recent weeks as his side have slipped to sixth in the standings after losing five of their last six league games.

They have also been knocked out of the Champions League and exited the Italian Cup.

Some commentators even used the term “dead coach walking” to describe his situation ahead of Thursday’s Italian Cup quarter-final at league leaders Inter Milan, which they lost 2-1.

The former Italy and Juventus defender, who was handed the job despite his lack of experience just before the end of last season when Claudio Ranieri was fired, has accepted his time in charge may be up.

“This experience will be useful for me in the future,” he told a press conference.

“Six months at Juve are worth 10 years elsewhere. When, and if, someone says something (about my position) I’ll accept it serenely. Even if the club bring in another coach, I’ll always be grateful to them.”

Former Italy Under 21 coach Claudio Gentile is the favourite to take over until the end of the season, when the Turin giants reportedly hope to lure Rafael Benitez from Liverpool.

Whoever is in charge on Sunday will have to cope without a long list of injured players, including forward David Trezeguet and Italy winger Mauro Camoranesi, while keeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Fabio Grosso are suspended.

Lazio are also in the doldrums after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chievo left the Roman club just two points above the relegation zone in 15th.

It is a big change from the build-up to the early-season fixture between the sides after two league games, when they both had perfect records before a match that Juve won 2-0.

Second-placed AC Milan are looking for a response against Livorno on Sunday after their title ambitions suffered a massive blow with last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Inter.

They also went out of the Italian Cup with a 1-0 loss to Udinese on Wednesday.

Brazil forward Pato is still unavailable with a thigh problem while influential centre back Alessandro Nesta, badly missed against Inter, is fighting to shake off a leg muscle strain.

Struggling Livorno will visit the San Siro under Serse Cosmi, who made peace with club president Aldo Spinelli on Tuesday having resigned as coach after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Napoli.

But they cannot count on first-choice goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia and Brazilian midfielder Mozart because of suspensions.

Inter, who are nine points clear after having played one game more than their city rivals, will be without Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio at Parma on Sunday after their red cards in the derby.

But coach Jose Mourinho may be able to field Samuel Eto’o, who has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, if an ankle knock is not too bad.

AS Roma, who are two points behind Milan in third, face Siena at home on Sunday.

Fourth-placed Napoli, who, like Roma, are in excellent form, entertain Genoa on Saturday with fifth-placed Palermo visiting Bari earlier that day.

Fiorentina, who have slipped down to ninth after some poor recent performances, are unlikely to be able to field Adrian Mutu at Cagliari after it was announced on Thursday that the Romania striker had failed a drugs test.

Saturday

Bari v Palermo, Napoli v Genoa

Sunday

AC Milan v Livorno, Cagliari v Fiorentina, Catania v Udinese, Chievo v Bologna, Juventus v Lazio, Parma v Inter Milan, Roma v Siena, Sampdoria v Atalanta

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, adrian mutu, Africa, Aldo Spinelli, Alessandro, Bari, Bologna, cameroon, catania, ciro ferrara, claudio gentile, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, commentators, David, david trezeguet, doldrums, Fabio Grosso, genoa, gianluigi buffon, inter milan, italian cup, Italy, jose mourinho, juve, juventus, league games, Liverpool, livorno, massive blow, mauro camoranesi, Milan, napoli, Palermo, relegation zone, Romania, ROME, San, season fixture, trezeguet, winger

Chelsea told to put foot down as Drogba returns

January 30, 2010

Chelsea will welcome Didier Drogba back from African Nations Cup duty this weekend and club captain John Terry believes the Londoners are ready to put their foot down in the Premier League title race.

Recent weeks have seen Carlo Ancelotti’s squad regain the momentum that deserted them as they stumbled their way through December.

An ominously efficient 3-0 win over Birmingham in midweek lifted Chelsea back to the the top of the Premier League table and Terry sees this weekend as an opportunity to apply an additional bit of pressure on rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.

With Arsenal hosting champions United at The Emirates on Sunday it is inevitable that one or both clubs will drop points, making it imperative that Chelsea emerge unscathed from Saturday’s trip to Burnley, who slipped into the relegation zone after losing to Bolton in midweek.

“Manchester United lost at Burnley there and Arsenal could only draw, so we have to win there,” Terry said.

“When we play Arsenal at home in February wins against Burnley and Hull (next Wednesday), if we can achieve them, would have opened a healthy gap for us. But to achieve that, it’s got to be champion form.”

Chelsea’s status as favourites to deny United an unprecedented fourth consecutive title has been bolstered by the way in which they have thrived in the absence of their African stars for the last month, and England midfielder Frank Lampard believes that underlines the strength of their squad.

“We didn’t say we’d struggle this month, everyone else did,” Lampard said. “We have a lot of belief. I just think the loss of Didier was talked about too much.

“Didier is a big loss but the way Nicolas Anelka plays, he’s one of the best out there as well. We’ve got the players who can come in. Maybe some needed to step up and everyone has done.

“We have gone up another gear this month. We had a bad run in December, dropped some points and we’ve worked hard to get that back.”

Arsenal will also be boosted by the return of their African stars with Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue both available for the United clash, although Belgium centreback Thomas Vermaelen is doubtful with a leg injury.

United will be without the suspended Rio Ferdinand but the loss of the England centreback is offset by the return to fitness of Nemanja Vidic, who will partner Jonny Evans in a match manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits could be crucial to the club’s chances of retaining their title.

“That is a big game for us,” the Scot said. “We need to win.”

The title tussle now looks set to remain a three-club affair with Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa involved in the fight for fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying place.

Tottenham currently occupy the coveted slot but City, who entertain bottom side Portsmouth on Sunday, are arguably better-placed courtesy of their two games in hand over Spurs and Liverpool.

Spurs are hoping to have tied up Eidur Gudjohnsen’s loan signing from Monaco in time for their Saturday’s trip to Birmingham, who had gone 15 games unbeaten prior to their defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday.

Liverpool entertain Bolton with captain Steven Gerrard insisting that the club is close to turning the corner after a disastrous first half of the season.

“Confidence is slowly coming back and once confidence is back, results will follow,” said Gerrard, who returned from injury in the goalless draw at Wolves in midweek.

Villa travel to Fulham on Saturday, which also sees Hull entertain Wolves, in an important encounter for both clubs’ survival prospects, and West Ham take on Blackburn.

Saturday

Birmingham v Tottenham, Burnley v Chelsea (1730 GMT), Fulham v Aston Villa, Hull v Wolves, Liverpool v Bolton, West Ham v Blackburn, Wigan v Everton

Sunday

Manchester City v Portsmouth (1330 GMT), Arsenal v Manchester Utd (1600 GMT)

Monday

Sunderland v Stoke (2000 GMT)

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: african nations cup, captain john, carlo ancelotti, club captain, consecutive title, Drogba, favourites, frank lampard, gap, john terry, londoners, manchester united, midfielder, midweek, momentum, Nicolas Anelka, premier league, relegation zone, rivals

Kalinic helps Blackburn sink Wigan

January 28, 2010

Blackburn pulled clear of the English Premier League relegation zone as Nikola Kalinic’s late goal clinched a 2-1 win over Wigan on Wednesday.

Sam Allardyce’s side had slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone in recent weeks but this victory, which followed a league success against Fulham, has rocketed Rovers up to 11th place.

They took the lead through Morten Gamst Pedersen’s first half strike and although Gary Caldwell equalised after the break, Croatia striker Kalinic popped up with his first league goal for Rovers with 14 minutes to play at Ewood Park.

With Chris Kirkland ruled out with a collarbone injury, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez handed a league debut to Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

Rovers should have taken the lead in the opening moments when David Hoilett crossed to the far post and Steven Nzonzi headed back into the path of Kalinic, but the Croatian’s close-range shot hit a post and rebounded to safety.

That only delayed the inevitable as Blackburn dominated the early stages and took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 20th minute.

Former Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Stojkovic sprinted off his line through a crowd of players to punch clear Brett Emerton’s free-kick.

But he made a weak conection and the ball dropped perfectly for Pedersen to smash a long-range strike back past the out-of-position keeper and into the top corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Charles N’Zogbia came close to equalising after half an hour when he whipped in a dipping shot that Paul Robinson tipped over at full-stretch.

Wigan were beginning to get control in midfield and they threatened again when James McCarthy touched on Hugo Rodallega’s free-kick towards Paul Scharner.

It seemed certain Scharner would dive to head home but he opted not to throw himself at the ball and the danger passed.

The momentum remained with Wigan at the start of the second half and the visitors drew level in the 58th minute.

McCarthy’s corner wasn’t cleared by the Rovers defence and Caldwell rose above Pascal Chimbonda to head home from three yards for his first goal since his recent move from Celtic.

Rovers almost regained the lead instantly when Emerton’s cross found Pedersen, who rose above Mario Melchiot and headed past Stojkovic, only to see his effort cannon off the crossbar.

Allardyce’s side didn’t have to wait long to get the winner. In the 76th minute, Kalinic stooped to reach Pedersen’s corner and the former Hajduk Split star headed home to seal the points.

BLACKBURN (AFP)