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, wolvesRelated posts
Liverpool defender Skrtel demands winning run
January 26, 2010
Martin Skrtel has urged Liverpool to go on a long winning run as Rafa Benitez’s side look to strengthen their Champions League claims with a victory at struggling Wolves on Tuesday.
Uncertainty continues to surround the future of Reds manager Benitez as a result of Liverpool’s failings, with his team already eliminated from the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
After being humiliated by Reading in the FA Cup, Liverpool earned a battling draw at Stoke before beating Tottenham and Skrtel believes his side’s lack of domestic cup games will mean they are fresher than their closest rivals in the race for a top four finish.
Skrtel said: “I firmly believe that better times are ahead of us as up to present we have been far behind the pre-season objectives.
“The last two games against Stoke and Tottenham showed us that we are ready to do our best for the club. We would like to start a long winning run.
“In the Premier League we want to finish fourth in the worst case. Unlike our rivals, though, we will be playing fewer games, so we should be more relaxed and have more energy.
“I believe we will reach our objective of finishing within the top four. Also, we are still in the Europa League and will be trying to get as far as possible.”
One player hoping to be an integral part of Liverpool’s expected charge is Alberto Aquilani, who admits the pressure is still on him to justify his substantial price tag following a difficult start to his Anfield career after joining from AS Roma.
The Italian midfielder is expected to make another start at Wolves, despite the expected return of Steven Gerrard from a hamstring problem, although Benitez will still be without injured star striker Fernando Torres.
Aquilani said: “I know a lot has been said and written about me so far without me being able to prove my ability in matches. But soon, I believe that I will.
“I understand that people are still wondering whether I will be a good signing for Liverpool, but I need to be judged after I have played in a run of games. I feel a lot better about my fitness now, although it could still be higher.
“I am relaxed because I know I can do a lot better, and with time I know that will happen.”
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy rested several key players for the weekend’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Crystal Palace and has no regrets despite the poor result.
McCarthy said: “I had no hesitation in making the changes. Of course I was thinking of the Liverpool game.
“With the team we played, any club in the Championship would be thrilled with that side.
“But I have to manage the squad for games and will do it again. We’ve got a draw in the FA Cup and it’s better than being out of the competition.”
Ronald Zubar was handed a rare start and is now hoping to retain his place against Liverpool.
He said: “Hopefully it will be enough to keep me in the team. Liverpool is a massive game, I’m working hard to try and be picked for it. The gaffer makes the decision and you have to respect it, but I’m happy with the way I played against Palace.
“It’s a good time to play Liverpool. They are not having a brilliant season and it’s important to play them at this moment in time.”
WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)
Tags: alberto aquilani, champions league, crystal palace, cup games, England, FA Cup, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, martin skrtel, mick mccarthy, midfielder, premier league, price tag, rafa benitez, reds manager, rivals, Roma, ronald zubar, star striker, Steven Gerrard, substantial price, tottenham, two games, wolves, worst caseRelated posts
United too strong for weakened Wolves
December 16, 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson’s 900th league game as Manchester United manager ended the same way as so many of those that had gone before, in victory, this one a routine 3-0 affair over Wolves.
But it was the selection policy of Wolves manager Mick McCarthy that will provide the lasting memory from Tuesday’s encounter at Old Trafford.
McCarthy changed all ten outfield players from his team which had won so impressively at Tottenham on Saturday, the prospect of Sunday’s league game against fellow relegation candidates Burnley clearly prompting him into resting all but American keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
First half goals from Wayne Rooney, his 13th of the season via a penalty, and United captain Nemanja Vidic, ensured that McCarthy was on the receiving end of a wholly predictable outcome as United drew level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.
Antonio Valencia’s well-struck third after the interval merely added to the misery of the visiting supporters, who saw their team drop into the bottom three on the back of this result.
What remains to be seen, however, is whether or not the League decides to take punitive action for Wolves’ patent failure to field their strongest line-up at Old Trafford.
Premier League regulations state, in Section E, paragraph 20: “In every League match, each participating club shall field a full strength team.”
The visiting fans also added their collective voice to the debate early in the second half chanting “We want our money back” and “Where is our first team?” as their side faced a period of damage limitation.
Naturally, squad rotation has become the norm among the league’s elite in recent seasons and Ferguson himself was widely criticised at the end of last term for selecting a number of reserve players at Hull when the Yorkshire club was embroiled in a relegation contest.
However, given the relative merits of the players in question, the League may feel compelled to act in this instance.
In the circumstances, Wolves needed a strong start to try and unnerve a United side shaken by the home weekend defeat by Aston Villa.
Instead, United charged at them menacingly when, after just three minutes, Rooney was clean though after a Darron Gibson shot was deflected into his path only for lone survivor Hahnemann to race out and block.
Soon after, a Gibson cross flew off Stefan Maierhofer, who knew little about it as the ball flew over his head and behind for corner.
That set-piece resulted in a cross from Patrice Evra and Rooney stabbing at a shot, from only six yards, which the American keeper did well to block.
The opening goal was coming, and duly arrived, with Rooney’s 30th minute penalty settling any lingering United nerves.
It came from as Gibson corner and a needless handball from Ronald Zubar who flailed at the ball in a crowd of players. That hardly mattered to Rooney who calmly strode up and blasted home.
The contest was over before the interval when Gibson’s 43rd minute right-wing corner was placed neatly onto the head of Vidic, who powered the ball past a woeful attempted save by Hahneman.
Gabriel Obertan came close either side of the interval and United’s target practice produced another goal after 65 minutes.
Paul Scholes chipped a well-weighted ball into the Wolves penalty area for the fast-arriving Valencia who struck an unstoppable shot past the stationary Hahnemann. Even had the American decided to move, it is doubtful he could have done anything about the attempt.
MANCHESTER (AFP)
Tags: Antonio Valencia, CHELSEA, collective voice, full strength, Gabriel Obertan, HULL, league game, Manchester, manchester united, Marcus Hahnemann, mick mccarthy, nemanja vidic, old trafford, outfield, paragraph 20, patrice evra, paul scholes, predictable outcome, premier league, punitive action, relative merits, ronald zubar, selection policy, sir alex ferguson, stefan maierhofer, tottenham, Valencia, wayne rooney, wolves, yorkshireRelated posts
Mbia snubs Everton for Marseille
July 7, 2009
MARSEILLE, France (AFP) – Rennes’ Cameroon defender Stephane Mbia has snubbed a move to English side Everton for French club Marseille, a source close to the deal revealed on Monday.
The move by the 23-year-old, who had also been an Everton target, had looked in doubt after Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier insisted at the weekend that the transfer fee of 12 million euros was “a little expensive”.
Meanwhile Marseille midfielder Karim Ziani is on the way to German champions VfL Wolfsburg in a deal believed to be worth in the region of seven million euros, according to the same source.
The club officially announced the departure of defender Ronald Zubar to promoted English Premier League side Wolves.
Tags: cameroon, doubt, English Premier League, everton, France, french club, german champions, jean claude dassier, Jean-Claude, karim ziani, Ligue 1, Marseille, marseille france, mbia, region, Rennes, ronald zubar, stephane mbia, target, VfL, Wolfsburg, wolvesRelated posts
Grandel, three others out of Guadeloupe with injuries
July 6, 2009
OAKLAND – If Guadeloupe is going to repeat its semifinal outing in the 2007 Gold Cup, it will have to do it without four key players.
Goalkeepers Franck Grandel (shoulder) and Fabrice Mercury (hamstring), midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre (ankle), and defender Ronald Zubar (knee) are out with injuries.
All four are expected to miss Guadeloupe’s match against Panama Sunday.
Grandel, who was chosen the 2007 Gold Cup’s top goalkeeper and earned all-tournament team honors, has left Oakland for France where he is expected to rehabilitate with his new club Dijon.
Guadeloupe team officials said Grandel would have stayed had his shoulder been in better condition and would have waited to sign with Dijon.
Grandel didn’t have a club prior to being named to the Gold Cup roster. He’s considered one of the nation’s top players.
It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.
“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”
What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.
Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.
After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.
“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.
It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.
“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”
What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.
Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.
After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.
“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.
By Ivan Orozco
Go to Source
Tags: 2007 gold cup, Alex Parnasse, assistant coach, clavier, coach alex, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, dijon, fabien, Fabrice Mercury, fausta, France, franck grandel, game time, Goalkeeper, guadeloupe, handful, interpreter, Ivan Orozco, Jerome, Larry Clavier, Ludovic Sylvestre, Marius Fausta, mercury, Mexico, Oakland, Panama, parnasse, replacements, ronald zubar, team officials, time decisionRelated posts
Wolves land Zubar
July 4, 2009
Premier League newbies Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have made their five signings of the summer, have signed defender Ronald Zubar from Marseille for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old defender, who has spent three seasons with Marseille, has penned a four-year deal with the Molineux outfit.
Wolves claim to have beaten off ‘fierce competition’ for the defender’s signature who is their sixth signing this summer and fourth this week, further underlining their intent of meaning serious footballing business for the coming season.
Manager Mick McCarthy, who is delighted to have Zubar, had received positive reports from the club’s scouting network in France.
“I’m delighted we’ve managed to get him,” he told the club’s official website.
“We’ve had some very good reports from those watching him out in France.”
“He will prove a valuable addition to the squad and I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”
By:
Tags: English Premier League, France, Ligue 1, Manager Mick McCarthy, Marseille, mick mccarthy, newbies, premier league, ronald zubar, signature, spent three, three seasons, undisclosed fee, Wanderers, wolverhampton, wolverhampton wanderers, wolvesRelated posts
Ten-man Lyon hold nerve to sink Marseille in Cup
January 28, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Lyon took another step towards a successful defence of their French Cup crown with a narrow 1-0 home victory over rivals Marseille on Wednesday that took them into the round of 16.
The reigning French champions will face fellow top-flight side Lille in the next round, with the tie set to take place on the weekend of March 3-4.
Claude Puel’s side enjoyed a perfect start to the tie at their Stade Gerland home thanks to some calamitous play from visiting defender Ronald Zubar.
With less than two minutes on the clock the Marseille centre-half’s attempted pass was cut out on the edge of the penalty area by Lyon’s Argentine midfielder Cesar Delgado, who squared for top-scorer Karim Benzema to tuck home unchallenged from close range.
Zubar almost made amends minutes later when he met Karim Ziani’s corner with a firm header that drifted narrowly over Hugo Lloris’s crossbar.
Marseille were then dealt a further blow when their Ivory Coast striker Bakary Kone had to be stretchered off after being kneed in the head in an accidental collision with Lloris.
Benzema came inches away from extending Lyon’s lead in the opening exchanges of the second period when his sweet left-footed effort struck the outside of Steve Mandana’s right-hand post before bouncing to safety.
Marseille were toiling, but the momentum swung in their favour shortly after the hour mark when Lyon’s Kader Keita was shown a second yellow card for flinging a hand in the face of Marseille’s Brazilian forward Brandao.
Lyon captain Juninho almost made the game safe when he crashed a free-kick against Mandana’s crossbar with 10 minutes to play, as the hosts continued to threaten on the counter-attack.
But Marseille finally began to make their man advantage count in the game’s final stages, with Nigerian full-back Taye Taiwo twice testing Lloris with trademark strikes from distance.
The visitors then spurned a superb chance to equalise deep into injury time when Lloris sprang from his line alertly to deny substitute Sylvain Wiltord after he had been teed up by Brandao.
Written by: AFP
Tags: Argentine, bakary kone, brandao, captain Juninho, Cesar Delgado, claude puel, close range, crossbar, free kick, french cup, home thanks, home victory, Hugo Lloris, injury time, Ivory Coast, juninho, kader keita, Karim Benzema, karim ziani, Ligue 1, Lille, Lyon, man advantage, mandana, Marseille, PARIS, ronald zubar, stade gerland, Steve Mandana, Taiwo, top scorer, yellow cardRelated posts
Horeau on the spot as PSG stay in French mix
January 19, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Goals from starlet Guillaume Horeau and much-travelled striker Peguy Luyindula hauled Paris St Germain into the race for a Champions League spot next season with a 2-1 home win over Sochaux on Sunday which took the capital club into the top six.
PSG moved onto 36 points from 21 matches – just two points off third-placed Marseille and six behind leaders Lyon, who saw off near neighbours Grenoble on Saturday to help the serial champions reassert themselves after a run of just one win in six matches.
Bordeaux stayed close to Lyon, a solitary point behind, after another majestic showing from international midfielder Yoann Gourcuff helped Laurent Blanc’s men edge Nantes 2-1 away for a fifth consecutive victory, which included last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing of PSG.
Gourcuff bagged the first goal and Marouane Chamakh sealed the points prior to Filip Djordjevic’s consolation.
Gourcuff is on loan from AC Milan, who would like him back given his current hot streak of form, despite having the temporary services of David Beckham and also – despite the best efforts of Manchester City to procure him on a bed of money – Brazilian Kaka.
The French star’s father said in midweek that Yoann would return to Italy if Milan show they have "confidence" in his abilities.
"In Bordeaux, he has the confidence of the coach. That is the essential thing," said Christian Gourcuff, who coaches modest top flight side Lorient.
"At Milan he turned in some good showings but gave the impression of not having found his rhythm.
Marseille stand third after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Le Havre, Mathieu Valbuena and Ronald Zubar on target.
Horeau scored his 12th goal of the season for PSG – only Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse has more with 13 to date – from the penalty spot in first-half injury time before Czech Vaclav Sverkos volleyed Sochaux level six minutes after the restart.
Luyindula poached a close-range winner in the 63rd minute following a Jerome Rothen corner to purloin a welcome three points which cheered coach Paul Le Guen.
"We have ground to make up but we are in touch," Le Guen said.
"It was great to get the win as we had a tough time of it for ten minutes or so" following Sochaux’s equaliser.
On the debit side at PSG, officials were meeting later Sunday at the Parc des Princes at the request of main shareholder Sebastien Bazin to discuss the position of under-pressure chairman Charles Villeneuve amid media reports he wants more power to run the outfit.
Toulouse hammered Nancy 3-0 on Saturday to stay a point ahead of PSG, as are Rennes, who were out to leapfrog Marseille later Sunday with a win at Lille.
In Sunday’s other action, Caen and Monaco parted 2-2, a result leaving both clubs in the soft underbelly of mid-table.
Written by: AFP
Tags: ac milan, AFP, Bordeaux, Caen, Charles Villeneuve, Christian Gourcuff, consecutive victory, czech vaclav, David Beckham, Filip Djordjevic, french star, Germain, gignac, Grenoble, Guillaume Horeau, hot streak, injury time, Italy, jerome rothen, laurent blanc, Le Havre, Ligue 1, Lille, Lorient, Lyon, manchester city, Marseille, Mathieu Valbuena, Milan, Monaco, Nancy, Nantes, PARIS, paris st germain, Paul Le, Pierre, psg, Rennes, ronald zubar, Sebastien Bazin, sochaux, solitary point, target, temporary services, Toulouse, vaclav sverkos, valbuena, yoann gourcuffRelated posts
Lyon beat Grenoble to retain top spot in France
January 18, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Lyon’s 2-0 victory over neighbours Grenoble on Saturday assured Claude Puel’s men of the French league top spot this weekend and helped them reassert themselves after a run of just one win in six matches.
Ederson’s 15th-minute opener and then Cesar Delgado’s strike towards the end of the match will have helped the seven-times reigning champions in their self-belief.
Lyon star Karim Benzema fed Ederson who shot firmly past keeper Gregory Wimbe for the first goal and then Delgado hit the second in the 77th minute after finding the net at the far post following a cross from the left by Kim Kallstrom.
Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux however have won their last four matches, including a Yoann Gourcuff-led, 4-0 thrashing of PSG last weekend which gave notice to Lyon that a team capable of high quality both in defence and going forward was not far behind.
A win at Nantes later on Saturday would propel Bordeaux to just one point behind Lyon, who have Sidney Govou, John Mensah, Anthony Reveillere and Francois Clerc on the injured list.
Marseille meanwhile moved up a place to third following a 2-0 win over Le Havre following the midweek fall-out between major shareholder Robert Louis-Dreyfus and club president Pape Diouf who played out a media tiff in reference to the club’s trophyless spell since Diouf’s arrival in February 2005.
Mathieu Valbuena hit Marseille’s first goal in the 25th minute after receiving the ball from Benoit Cheyrou and, running into the box, fired right-footed across goal into the net.
Ronald Zubar then headed home the second on the hour at the far post following a freekick on the left from Karim Ziani.
Written by: AFP
Tags: benoit cheyrou, Bordeaux, claude puel, clerc, club president, far post, Francois Clerc, freekick, french league, Gregory Wimbe, Grenoble, john mensah, Karim Benzema, kim kallstrom, laurent blanc, Le Havre, Ligue 1, Lyon, Marseille, Mathieu Valbuena, neighbours, pape diouf, robert louis dreyfus, ronald zubar, self belief, seven times, sidney govou, valbuena, yoann gourcuffRelated posts
Le Guen takes Cup revenge, Marseille squeeze through
January 5, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Paris Saint Germain coach Paul Le Guen finally took revenge on his French Cup jinx club in their 1-0 victory at Montlucon on Sunday.
Le Guen, who played for PSG during their golden days of the 1990s, was twice beaten at amateur club Montlucon, in 1997 with PSG as a player and then in 2005 with Lyon as coach.
Meanwhile, Marseille, a record 10-time French Cup champions, survived a major scare to go through at the expense of fourth division Besancon who had been just eight minutes from a famous victory.
But Marseille, who lost to minnows Carquefou in the round of 16 last season, levelled from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute before squeezing into the next round on a penalty shootout and a possible clash with league leaders Lyon.
Le Guen savoured the moment of finally settling the scores.
"It did me a lot of good to win here after defeats with PSG in 1997, then with Lyon in 2005, both times on penalties," Le Guen said. "It was very painful."
Stephane Sessegnon’s second-half goal propelled PSG into the last 32 to the satisfaction of coach Le Guen.
"It was a good victory," added the coach.
"We did what we needed to do. Even though we only won 1-0, I feel we played a good match. I hope we can continue in the same vein and we are still on course in four competitions."
Sessegnon’s goal came in the 52nd minute after PSG had upped the pressure following the break. He was unmarked when he fired home at the far post with his right foot following a Jerome Rothen corner.
Eric Gerets’ Marseille went behind in the 67th minute through an own goal by Ronald Zubar as he attempted to clear the ball from danger as Besancon striker Yohann Rangdet closed in.
Romain Hamouma might have got a second for Besancon as he only had Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda to beat, but defender Taye Taiwo managed to clear.
Taiwo then converted an 82nd minute penalty to send the tie into extra-time before Marseille clinched the shootout 5-4 and a last 32 tie against either defending champions Lyon or Concarneau.
Saint Etienne ended their three-year losing French Cup record on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Bordeaux to reach the last 32 and keep coach Alain Perrin on course for an unprecedented Cup treble.
Bafetimbi Gomis grabbed the winner in the 76th minute on a treacherous and slippy surface at Bordeaux’s Jacques-Chaban-Delmas stadium.
Perrin coached Sochaux to the 2007 French Cup title and repeated the success with Lyon last season.
Two first division clubs exited the competition this weekend — Nancy losing to fourth division Romorantin on penalties and Auxerre falling to Ajaccio also after a shootout.
Written by:
Tags: AFP, Ajaccio, Alain Perrin, amateur club, Besancon, Bordeaux, carquefou, coach, coach paul, concarneau, cup champions, defending champ, eric gerets, far post, French, french cup, Germain, Jacques-Chaban-, jerome rothen, league leaders, Ligue 1, Lyon, Marseille, montlucon, Nancy, PARIS, paris saint germain, Paul Le, paul le guen, penalty shootout, player, psg, Romain Hamouma, ronald zubar, stephane sessegnon, Steve Mandanda, Taiwo, taye, YohannRelated posts
Calendar
Related Sites
- AFP
- e-soccertips
- Free Themes All - Blogger, Wordpress, Joomla themes
- Soccer Results
- soccerway
- WAGS
- WAGS Blog
Categories
- 1 League
- A PFG
- A-League
- African
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Brasil
- Bundesliga
- CAF Champions League
- Club Friendlies
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Cup
- English Championship
- English Premier League
- Eredivisie
- European Championships
- FA Cup
- FIFA
- Franch
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Jupiler League
- LA Liga
- LigaBwin
- Ligue 1
- MLS
- netherlands
- Olympics
- Olympics Women
- Photo
- portugal
- premier league
- Primera Division
- Rusia Premier League
- scotland
- Scottish Premier League
- Serie A
- Super Copa
- Super League
- Sweden
- Turkcell Süper Lig
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup
- Umaglesi Liga
- Uncategorized
- United States
- Video
- Vietnam
- Wag Watch
- WAGS
- WC Qualifying Asia
- WC Qualifying Concacaf
- WC Qualifying Europe
- WC Qualifying South-Africa
- WC Qualifying South-America
- World Cup
