Terry dropped as England captain

February 6, 2010


John Terry was Friday stripped of the England captaincy following reports of an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge, the Football Association (FA) confirmed.

The move followed a meeting between Terry and England’s head coach, Fabio Capello, at FA headquarters at Wembley.

In a statement, Capello said: “After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

“As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

“What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.” Profile: John Terry

LONDON (AFP)

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Man Utd´s Rio Ferdinand gets four-match ban

January 29, 2010


Rio Ferdinand was banned for four matches on Thursday after failing in an appeal against a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The charge related to an incident in United’s 4-0 win over Hull on Saturday in which Ferdinand, returning from three months out injured, appeared to catch Hull’s Craig Fagan in the face with a swinging arm.

The offence would normally result in a three-match ban but Ferdinand’s appeal was deemed “frivolous” by the FA disciplinary panel which examined the appeal and an extra match suspension was added.

The ban takes effect immediately, ruling Ferdinand out of United’s Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

The 31-year-old will also sit out matches against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton next month but he will be available for the League Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley on February 28.

By appealing against the charge, Ferdinand delayed the FA’s announcement of his punishment until Thursday, ensuring he was able to play in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which United won.

Nemanja Vidic was on the bench for that match following his own recovery from injury and the Serbian centreback is expected to partner Jonny Evans against Arsenal.

LONDON (AFP)

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Mourning Mancini: ‘We were unlucky’

January 29, 2010


On Wednesday night, Manchester City had a brilliant opportunity to book a first Wembley cup final appearance since 1981 but the mission of the Citizens failed dramatically.

A 2-1 lead on aggregrate out of the first match wasn’t enough for City who have now set their sights on the FA Cup. “I am very sorry because I thought we played very well,” said Roberto Mancini.

Again, the Italian manager saw Carlos Tevez netting a goal against his former club but this time without the desired result.

“We were under pressure for only 10 minutes,”stated Mancini. “We played well. We were unlucky.”

“For the rest of the game we played very, very well. I am very sorry for the players because tonight they played very well.”

Manchester United’s victory booked them a place in a record seventh final in this competition for Sir Alex Ferguson who praised United’s fans. “Our support was unbelievable. I’m very proud and I’m delighted for the fans.

“When they are like that you never want to let them down.”

Ferguson was also positive about the events on the pitch. “We missed a lot of chances,” he said. “Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards’ shot) after half-time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second half.

“We could have scored six or seven.”

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United beat City to reach League Cup final

January 28, 2010

Wayne Rooney scored a decisive stoppage-time goal as Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-1 to reach the League Cup final here on Wednesday.

The holders will play Aston Villa in the final after overturning a 2-1 deficit from last week’s semi-final first leg.

Goals from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had put United in charge but the tie appeared destined for extra-time after Carlos Tevez pulled one back for City.

Rooney however had the final word with the England striker scoring his 21st goal of the season to send Sir Alex Ferguson’s side back to Wembley.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

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Mancini: ‘I don’t feel pressure’

January 27, 2010


Tonight, Manchester City battles for a place in the League Cup final. The Citizens have to avoid defeat against Manchester United on Old Trafford, after their 2-1 home win, last week.

Manager Roberto Mancini is confident his team can reach Wembley. “We want to win at Old Trafford and it’s possible; we have a chance,” he told ESPN.

City can book a first Wembley cup final appearance since 1981. Mancini stays calm ahead of what promises to be a nervy clash. “I don’t feel pressure,” he said. “I played football for 20 years and I managed at other clubs.

“I hope it is possible that in the next year we can be among the best five or six clubs in the world. But to achieve this we must work.”

The Italian manager has a clear mind about the match against city rivals United. “We must change the history of this club. We want to change the history. The players are passionate about it.

“We have two opportunities. After this one we have another in the FA Cup. But this one is big chance to get to Wembley because it is a semi-final.”

Mancini will keep his eyes trained on United, but has appealed for calmness after the frenzy of the first leg, which involved a spat between Carlos Tevez and Gary Neville.

“It’s important that we play calmly,” said Mancini. “It’s an important game but it’s only a football match.

“we must play quiet and we must concentrate because if you do that you play better. We must defend well but we must also attack.”

Mancini also had his thoughts on the Tevez and Neville incident, claiming: “I think they are good friends. They played together for two years. After a game sometimes these things can happen.”

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In-form Birmingham end Everton´s hopes of Wembley return

January 23, 2010


Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson fired in-form Birmingham into the FA Cup fifth round as the Blues defeated Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Alex McLeish’s side are now unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions after their first away victory over Everton since 1957.

Everton, who were last season’s FA Cup runners-up against Chelsea, were well below their best and never recovered from Benitez’s early goal.

Ferguson added a second for Birmingham before half-time and Leon Osman’s second half strike for Everton wasn’t enough to keep their Wembley dreams alive.

It was Ecuador striker Benitez who set the tempo in the seventh minute.

After a free-kick broke down for the home side, Ferguson ran clear and superbly switched play to the right wing with a fine ball to Keith Fahey.

Fahey then delivered a wonderful cross into the box and Benitez headed past Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Everton were unbeaten in six matches going into this encounter, including a draw against Arsenal and a fine win last weekend against Manchester City.

However, for most of the first half, they played like a team devoid of ideas and inspiration.

Birmingham’s discipline and work ethic has seen them rise to eighth in the Premier League and McLeish’s team again demonstrated their capacity for hard work as they crammed into midfield and starved Everton of space.

The likes of Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of attacking opportunities and the home side’s day got worse after 40 minutes when Birmingham scored a contender for goal of the season.

Fahey brought Sebastian Larsson into play on the right wing and although his cross looked poor, Ferguson created something from nothing when he dummied and stepped over the ball in a move which completely threw the Everton defence.

James McFadden beautifully clipped the ball back to Ferguson who then curled past Howard as the Everton defence stood and watched.

Everton announced before the match that they had signed Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos on-loan until the end of the season and he may be getting his chance sooner rather than later after their failings here.

Mikel Arteta had been named in Everton’s squad for the first time since he ruptured his cruciate ligament playing against Newcastle last February, yet Moyes resisted the crowd urgings to bring him on at half-time to try and improve Everton’s attacking composure.

But it became clear after the break that Everton were not going to exit this season’s FA Cup without some resistance and they dragged themselves back into the contest with a superbly worked finish from Osman after 56 minutes.

Leighton Baines brilliantly beat Stephen Carr’s lunge and laid off to Pienaar and after his simple pass along the edge of the box found Osman, the midfielder placed past Hart to make it 2-1.

It ignited the Goodison Park crowd and Everton side poured forward. Saha missed two close opportunities as he firstly steered a shot over the bar before hitting the post shortly afterwards.

As City counted down the minutes until the end, Fellaini shot straight at Joe Hart when he should have scored and an injury time effort from the Belgian somehow shaded wide when it had looked certain to sneak in.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

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Ten-goal thriller gets Villa to Wembley

January 21, 2010


Aston Villa booked their first Wembley final appearance in a decade after a 6-4 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final here on Wednesday.

Victory at Villa Park saw Martin O’Neill’s men win the tie 7-4 on aggregate and they will now face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the final.

But his pre-match claim that this was the best Villa team their supporters had seen in 20 years looked hollow as a double from Nikola Kalinic put fellow Premier League side Rovers 2-0 up.

But the way in which Villa fought back and then just about held their nerve at the end of this extraordinary match left O’Neill proud of the character his youthful side had shown.

“I’m just really pleased for the team, which I know is a cliched old phrase, but I’m really delighted for them,” O’Neill said.

“They’ve had to fight back, whilst the crowd were obviously getting very anxious and frustrated, and they grew up tonight.”

Meanwhile Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned what he said was referee Martin Atkinson’s failure to spot a shove from Gabriel Agbonlahor on captain Ryan Nelsen that allowed Rovers old boy Stephen Warnock to make it 2-1.

“It’s a bit difficult to take, scoring four goals and not getting through to the final,” Allardyce said.

“We were in complete control of the game, and if anybody is going to score to make it 3-0 it’s us.

“But then the referee allows a blatant foul on Ryan Nelsen to go unpunished, and at this level you have to make sure the referee gets those decisions right.

“We are out of a cup final because of that decision perhaps.”

Villa endured a dreadful opening 25 minutes as they squandered the first leg advantage James Milner had given them in a 1-0 win at Ewood Park before the tie swung in their favour with the sending off of Rovers’ Christopher Samba five minutes before half-time.

Milner converted the penalty, which resulted from Samba’s foul in bringing down Agbonlahor, who later diverted in his team-mate’s shot for Villa’s fourth goal of the game.

But Blackburn continued to push Villa all the way, even a man down.

After Kalinic’s double, Stephen Warnock converted at the far post, following Ashley Young’s cross, to put Villa back into the tie and make amends for his earlier error that gave Rovers such an emphatic start.

Warnock was at fault at the far post, failing to challenge Croatia’s Kalinic for David Dunn’s corner under the crossbar and the Rovers striker’s header struck Warnock on the head before beating American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were two down before the half hour mark when Kalinic started the move, which resulted in him tapping home the rebound after Martin Olsson’s header from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross had been half saved by Guzan.

Villa simply could not get to grips with Rovers’ five-man midfield, but that all changed when Samba was shown a straight red card for his trip on Agbonlahor as the pair chased Emile Heskey’s through ball.

Milner beat Paul Robinson from the spot before an own goal from Steven Nzonzi and further goals from Agbonlahor and Heskey left Villa with a seemingly comfortable lead.

At that point they could be forgiven for turning their thoughts to whether they played Manchester United or Manchester City, but at least Rovers demonstrated some character of their own to push Villa close.

Olsson produced a stunning volley from Gael Givet’s cross to reduce the deficit and when Brett Emerton’s volley from the edge of the area forced its way through a crowded penalty area, there were some nervous moments for Villa to endure.

But Ashley Young rounded off the evening with a wonderful solo effort, running from half way to beat Robinson with a curling shot.

BIRMINGHAM (AFP)

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Benjani told to stay as Mancini eyes United

January 3, 2010


Benjani Mwaruwari has been told he still has a future at Manchester City after scoring for the first time in more than a year during the 1-0 FA Cup third round win away to Middlesbrough.

Victory extended new manager Roberto Mancini’s 100 percent unbeaten record since the Italian replaced the sacked Mark Hughes as City geared up for next week’s eagerly-awaited League Cup semi-final against Manchester United in impressive style at the Riverside here on Saturday.

Zimbabwe international Benjani made the most of a rare start with the only goal to see-off Championship side Middlesbrough as Mancini displayed the strength in depth at his disposal by making five changes and leaving more than 30 million pounds of talent on the bench to keep his side fresh for Wednesday’s first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

Asked immediately after the game if he was close to signing Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba, Mancini replied: “No, not for now.

“At the moment, what is important is this game and Manchester United.”

Benjani has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands, especiallly as Mancini is expected to bolster his squad with at least two new signings this month.

But the 31-year-old provided a timely reminder of his predatory goal-scoring instincts with a first strike since he appeared on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League in December 2008.

The goal, carved out by midfielder Martin Petrov in first-half stoppage time, settled a contest fought-out in near blizzard conditions.

Mancini insisted the African could play a significant role in the second half of the season, with City aiming to make it to Wembley on two fronts.

The former Inter boss, whose job prospects beyond this season may hinge on ending the club’s 34-year wait for a major trophy, said: “Benjani came in and took his goal really well.

“He looked good throughout the game and I was pleased with his display. He’s shown me what he can do and that can only be good for the club and log may it continue.”

Mancini intends to watch Manchester United when City’s local rivals face Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Sunday.

City’s latest manager has won his three games in charge without conceding a goal, but knows he faces by far the sternest test of his short reign in the first-leg at Eastlands as injuries begin to hurt even a squad with his club’s strength in depth City.

After introducing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy from the bench in the second-half against Middlesbrough, Mancini said: “We’ve got a big problem at the moment because we have a lot of players injured so I made changes today because I can’t play my players all the time.

“We’re pleased to get through this test because the FA Cup is an important competition for us and it’s something we want to pay our full attention to.”

Mancini hopes to have England midfielder Shaun-Wright Phillips in contention to face United after a four-game injury absence, but defender Micah Richards is unlikely to figure because of a thigh problem.

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AFP)

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England to play Egypt at Wembley

December 21, 2009


England will begin their countdown to next year’s World Cup with a friendly international against Egypt at London’s Wembley Stadium on March 3, the Football Association (FA) announced Monday.

After this month’s draw in Cape Town, England manager Fabio Capello said he wanted the side to play against African opponents – something they’ve yet to do under the Italian – as Algeria will be one of their Group C rivals at next year’s finals in South Africa.

“I think we will play March 3 at Wembley, against Egypt, then we have to find the date to play against Mexico,” Capello said following the draw.

“All the friendly games we played were against European teams and we know the style of these teams. We have to play against South Americans and African teams with a different style.”

However, Monday’s statement from the FA said no other England fixture details had been confirmed at this time.

Group C also features the United States and Slovenia.

Capello would like England to play Mexico in May as he believes they will provide his team with a useful warm-up ahead of their World Cup opener against the United States on June 12 in Rustenburg.

England are planning to play one more friendly ahead of the World Cup, with Japan the likely opponents, following a pre-tournament training camp in Austria.

Egypt, who’ve yet to play at Wembley, only missed out on a place in the 2010 World Cup finals after losing a tense play-off to Algeria last month.

England have played Egypt just twice previously, most recently at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Then a goal from England centre-back Mark Wright was all that separated the teams as the late Sir Bobby Robson’s side advanced to the second round.

Four years earlier, again under Robson, England won a friendly in Cairo 4-0.

A home win at Wembley in March would give England their 500th victory.

England have won the World Cup just once in their history, when they beat the then West Germany 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley in the 1966 final.

LONDON (AFP)

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Capello in awe as he unveils Ramsey bust

November 7, 2009


England manager Fabio Capello was awe-struck as he unveiled a bust at Wembley of Sir Alf Ramsey, the man whose World Cup winning achievement he hopes to emulate in South Africa next year.

Ramsey became the first and so far only England manager to lead the side to World Cup glory when in 1966 he guided the hosts to a triumph that culminated with a 4-2 extra-time Wembley final win over West Germany.

Several members of the late Ipswich manager’s victorious England side, including final hat-trick star Sir Geoff Hurst, as well as Sir Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters and George Cohen, were at Wembley on Friday for the unveiling of a bust that will be displayed in the tunnel area of the stadium.

“It is not easy for me to talk in front of world champions, it’s very emotional,” said Capello.

“I saw the England final on TV and remember everything, and now I am England manager.

“I remember my history in football and the first time I met Sir Bobby Charlton, it’s magical for me and incredible to be here among these players.”

Capello also unveiled a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy, the prize awarded to World Cup final winning teams before Brazil were allowed to keep it permanently after being crowned world champions for a third time in 1970.

“I think all the fans hope that the new (World) Cup will be here (at Wembley),” Capello added.

Next week sees England continue their build-up to the World Cup with a friendly against Brazil in Doha.

Several players are set to miss the match because of injury, including Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.

However, United striker Wayne Rooney is expected to be fit and Old Trafford great Charlton said he would be delighted if the ex-Everton forward, who has so far netted 25 times in 56 internationals, broke his England record of 49 goals.

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” Charlton said. “I would be happy if that happened.

“I think he is a terrific player, inspirational, and people like him. As long as he doesn’t get suspended for arguing with referees or doing something daft on the pitch – he is learning rapidly and doing less and less of that.”

Charlton added Capello’s emphasis on discipline was reminiscent of Ramsey’s approach to the England job.

“He reminds me of Alf Ramsey, no question. His history has always been as a tough character but he gets teams to listen and perform to their best.

“Not just in finals but in friendly matches, they are expected to play just as hard.

“That was the same with Alf Ramsey. You knew what was expected of you and you did it.”

Looking ahead to next year, Charlton said: “I think England have a great chance of winning. I’m not getting carried away because it’s a tough game and you are playing against the best in the world.

“It would be sensational if we could win but I don’t want to put any more pressure on them.”

LONDON (AFP)

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