The Soccer Blog

O'Hara makes £5m move to Wolves

2011-06-21T14:05:00.000+01:00

Wolves have signed Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara in a £5m deal.

The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract after enjoying a successful loan spell at Molineux during the second half of last season.

O'Hara scored three goals in 13 games, including one against Blackburn on the final day of the campaign that helped keep Wolves in the Premier League.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "There was a dip in form at one juncture but he came strong again at the end."

An agreement had already been put in place for O'Hara to make his stay at Molineux permanent should the player and McCarthy wish to make that happen.

The former Portsmouth midfielder joined Wolves on loan in January and has played just behind the main striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

"I am delighted the deal has been done which will see Jamie become a permanent Wolves player," added McCarthy.

"It may have taken a bit of time to finalise all the details but it was always going to happen because we wanted to sign him and he wanted to come.

"He showed some real quality when he was on loan with us last season, and that was having come back from not playing for eight months after a back operation.

"Despite that absence, he made a key contribution over the second half of the campaign, and with a full pre-season behind him he has the potential to get even better next season.

"He is a midfielder who is good on the ball, not afraid to put his foot in and also has an eye for goal.

"On top of that he is also a good character around the place who has a positive influence in the dressing room."

Wolves are also interested in Reading defender Matt Mills and Liverpool left-back Paul Konchesky, who spent the second half of last season on loan to Nottingham Forest.

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Man Utd target Jones 'is bargain'

2011-06-09T19:04:00.000+01:00

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer Phil Jones will be competing in the U21 Championships for England in Denmark Manchester United are set to land a bargain as they near a £16m deal for Blackburn's Phil Jones, according to former Rovers star Kevin Gallacher.

Jones joined England's Under-21 squad for the European Championship after a medical at United, having rejected moves to Arsenal and Liverpool.

And Gallacher believes Sir Alex Ferguson has landed the 19-year-old defender at a knock-down price.

"I think he's underpriced to be honest," Gallacher told BBC Sport.

"He is already top quality and will only get better with the players that will be around him at Manchester United."

Continue reading the main story

Wayne Rooney, Jones's new team-mate, is the world's most expensive teenager after his £27m move from Everton in 2004 aged 18.

There has been talk of a so-called "English premium" on transfers with Liverpool set to splash out a similar sum on Sunderland youngster Jordan Henderson.

And Gallacher added: "My own view is that Blackburn would have been looking for £20m minimum for Phil.

"But there was a clause in his contract that enabled him to go for less and United have got a very good deal in my opinion."

Gallacher, who made 146 appearances for Rovers and won 53 Scotland caps, is also convinced United have captured a future England regular - and potential international captain - in the shape of the powerful Jones, who can also play in midfield.

He said: "Manchester United have got themselves an outstanding young player.

"He has been talked about as a future England captain and he has so much potential as well as character and leadership qualities that I can certainly see that.

"If he carries on as he has been doing I don't think it will be long before he is a regular in Fabio Capello's squad.

"And when you look at leaders he has got all the attributes to be a captain at the highest level.

"For one so young, he leads by example and he is not scared of handing out a rollocking to the older players around him as well when the need arises."

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Warner will not attend Fifa probe

2011-06-09T18:37:00.000+01:00

Suspended Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is refusing to meet with the organisations investigators tasked with probing bribery allegations.

Warner and fellow Fifa member Mohamed Bin Hammam are alleged to have paid bribes totalling $1m (£600,000) to Caribbean associations.

Warner said: "I have not received any summons asking me to speak with them [the investigators] nor do I plan to."

Both Warner and Bin Hammam have denied any wrongdoing.

A total of 25 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) associations are alleged to have been paid or offered bribes of $40,000 (£25,000) each - and up to 18 of these have refused Fifa's call to go to Miami to provide evidence.

Fifa agreed to move the venue for the interviews with those CFU members who refused to travel to Miami, but Warner will not be among those due to be quizzed.

However, a CFU source said that its associations were prepared to co-operate with any "independent and unbiased" investigation.

The CFU suggested Barbados and Trinidad as options for a different venue to Miami but it is believed Fifa will choose an island elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Warner and Bin Hammam are currently suspended pending the investigation into allegations they offered cash in exchange for votes for the latter in the Fifa presidential elections at a meeting on 10-11 May.

Bin Hammam later withdraw his candidacy ahead of the contest but has maintained his innocence.

"If there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind," said Bin Hamman when the allegations were made against him.

The president of the Barbados Football Association, Ronald Jones, has insisted that neither he nor his officials were offered any bribes by Bin Hamman or Warner.

"None of our delegates were offered any inducements or gifts to support any of the candidates during the meeting on 10 May," said Jones in a statement.

"The Barbados Football Association was made aware that the trip and accommodation were sponsored by Mohamed Bin Hamman under the auspices of the CFU.

"The BFA did not and does not see this as akin to bribery or any inducements as in the past trips by Caribbean delegates to meetings have been sponsored by the organisation and agency that wanted to put on the programme."

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Redknapp keen for Crouch to stay

2011-06-09T18:02:00.000+01:00

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he wants to keep striker Peter Crouch at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp is hoping to sign a new striker, but the 30-year-old Crouch remains part of his plans.

When asked whether Crouch would leave Tottenham this summer, Redknapp told the BBC: "I doubt it - Crouchy is a good player. I like him.

"We are looking to bring a striker in but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."

Tottenham's strikers Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe all had inconsistent campaigns during the past season, scoring a combined total of 32 goals.

Fellow forward Robbie Keane, who struck just once in Spurs colours in the 2010-11 season, went out on loan to West Ham in search of more first-team football.

Crouch scored 11 goals for Spurs last season, a total only surpassed by Pavlyuchenko.

Sunderland have been linked with Crouch, with Black Cats manager Steve Bruce having tried to sign the England international from Portsmouth before Spurs won the race for the towering striker's signature two years ago.

Redknapp said: "He is a great lad and I love him as a fella. He is not one I'm looking to shift."

Crouch has scored 24 goals for Spurs in 92 appearances since joining from Porsmouth in 2009.

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Martinez set for Villa decision

2011-06-09T17:29:00.000+01:00

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan expects manager Roberto Martinez to make a swift decision on his future after an approach by Aston Villa.

Martinez, 37, is favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier, who left Villa this month following heart problems.

Whelan told BBC 5 live: "It's in Roberto's hands and I will support him whatever way he wants to go.

"I think he will make a decision in the next 24 hours, and my gut feeling is that he will stay at Wigan."

Whelan praised the way in which Villa have conducted themselves after giving his permission for talks, and insisted Martinez is destined to manage at the highest level.

"I would say to Aston Villa fans that your club have been superb and so honest," said the 74-year-old.

"Roberto has done a superb job at Wigan. He's a fine manager and will [eventually] go to one of the top six clubs in Europe.

"I've offered him an extension and a better contract as he only has 12 months left on his current one.

"Together, we're a great partnership. My advice to him is that he should stay at least another season, but I've got to be realistic about it."

Meanwhile, Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner released a statement on the club's website on Thursday in which he said the selection process was still ongoing.

It read: "The club is conscious of the keen interest in developments over the appointment of our new manager.

"When the process has reached an appropriate point we can assure our fans that we will be clear and forthright.

"We are focused right now on trying to secure the best candidate who will complement the club's commitment to being true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base. We will update fans again when the process is more advanced."

With former England boss Steve McClaren, ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes, who resigned as Fulham manager last week, all seemingly out of the running, Martinez now seems to be Villa's preferred choice.

The Wigan manager has been targeted by Villa after Houllier left in early June. The 63-year-old Frenchman, who was in charge for only nine months, had missed the final month of the season because of heart problems.

Martinez, 37, joined Wigan from Swansea in 2009 - his first competitive game in charge being a 2-0 away victory over Aston Villa.

He has managed to keep Wigan in the Premier League in his two seasons in charge, with the club surviving in 2010/11 thanks to a four-game unbeaten run at the end of the campaign.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, who brought Martinez to the Welsh club in 2007, believes the Spaniard would be a good appointment for Villa.

Martinez proud of Wigan achievement

"Roberto was a fantastic player and manager for our club and I have got no doubts that whatever club he may move to, he is a great manager and a great choice for anybody," Jenkins told BBC Radio 5 live.

Welshman Hughes resigned after less than a year at Craven Cottage and has subsequently been linked with the vacant positions at Villa and Chelsea.

Benitez has been out of work since he was dismissed by Italian side Inter Milan in December after six months in charge.

McClaren, 50, was sacked by German side Wolfsburg in February and is thought to be keen on a return to managing in England.

BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy added: "I understand that it was the hostility of some Villa supporters against Steve McClaren that turned [Villa owner] Randy Lerner off the prospect of even giving an interview to an experienced manager with a fine club track record, excellent contacts and a commitment to bringing on young players.

"So McClaren's failings with England four years ago are deemed decisive when assessing his pedigree at club level.

"I understand Rafa Benitez wanted £30m minimum to spend on new players, Lerner knocked that one back."

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Newcastle want �6m price for West Ham target Kevin Nolan

2011-06-08T17:32:00.000+01:00

West Ham have had a £3million offer for Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan rejected.

Manager Sam Allardyce is eager to be re-united with his former Bolton captain, who has turned down the offer of a new contract at St James' Park.

Newcastle want £6m for the 28-year-old, who scored 12 League goals last season - one more than Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

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Alan Smith can leave Newcastle on free

2011-06-07T17:32:00.000+01:00

Newcastle are ready to offload Alan Smith for nothing but manager Alan Pardew faces a fight to keep hold of captain Kevin Nolan after the midfielder rejected the club's latest contract offer.

Pardew had hoped to tie up the futures of skipper Kevin Nolan, fellow midfielder Joey Barton and left-back Jose Enrique this summer ahead of a foray into the transfer market.

However, 28-year-old Nolan is understood to have rejected the contract offer currently on the table just weeks after Barton was told he will not be offered a new deal.

Former Bolton player Nolan, who scored 12 Barclays Premier League goals last season, has two years remaining on his current contract, but the breakdown of talks will cause further concern amongst fans still coming to terms with Barton's situation.

Like Nolan, Barton was one of the club's most consistent performers last season as he enjoyed his best campaign to date in a Newcastle shirt, and his retention beyond the final year of his current deal was one of Pardew's priorities.

But agent Willie McKay has revealed that the offer on which the two parties failed to agree in January is no longer on the table, and that unless something changes radically in the next 12 months, Barton will leave St James' Park on a free transfer next summer.

With Spanish full-back Enrique looking the least likely of the trio to remain on Tyneside amid repeated speculation that Liverpool are ready to tempt him away, the first few weeks of Pardew's summer have unfolded in far from encouraging fashion.

The club finished in a creditable 12th place in their first season back in the top flight, and the manager has had his scouting team cast far and wide in the search for reinforcements.

After submitting an undisclosed bid for Swansea's Neil Taylor, at least one striker and a wide midfielder are at the top of Pardew's list with Lorient's Kevin Gameiro, Lille's Gervinho, Reading's Shane Long and former Magpie Charles N'Zogbia, currently at Wigan, among his targets.

However, his shopping list could yet increase in length if the club decides to cash in on the men they are struggling to retain.

Injury-plagued midfielder Smith, meanwhile, has been told he can leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract.

Smith was signed for £6million from Manchester United by then manager Sam Allardyce during the summer of 2007, and although he was a key figure as the Magpies fought their way back into the Premier League, his chances last season were severely limited by a nasty ankle injury.

Allarydce could attempt to bring the former Leeds star to Upton Park in his bid to help guide relegated West ham back into the Premier League next year.

Smith is among the biggest earners at St James' and with owner Mike Ashley seeking to control expenditure on wages, his departure has become almost inevitable.

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Spurs target Scott Parker wants holiday before West Ham talks

2011-06-06T17:32:00.000+01:00

England midfielder Scott Parker will not sort out his future at relegated West Ham until returning from a family holiday later this month.

Tottenham target Parker is poised to leave West Ham following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

He is expected to hold talks with new Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, but is likely to leave Upton Park and remain in the top flight.

Parker, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, said: 'I've not really any idea where I might be playing next season.

'My main focus now is going away with my family on holiday and just relaxing.

'It's been a tough season and my main focus is getting away and just relaxing.

'I haven't set myself a deadline. Whether you believe it or not, my main focus is just going away and relaxing and what's to be is going to be.

'It's out of my hands, out of my control, really, isn't it? We will see what happens.'

When asked about talks with Allardyce, Parker added: 'I would have thought maybe after my break that might be the case. We will see what happens.'

Parker was part of the England side held to a disappointing 2-2 home draw by Switzerland in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.

But he is confident Fabio Capello's men can still top their qualifying group.

He said: 'We are a nation who expect to top the group and we have the players and the quality to top the group.The last thing you want is a play-off.

'It was a disappointing result against Switzerland but, as quick as this result passes, we look forward to the next.

'Everyone could see the last 15 minutes was a bit tiring. It was a bit flat and a bit leggy for all of us.

'But that is no excuse. We have had a hard season but our job is to go out there and produce a performance.'

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Hiddink rules out dual role

2011-06-03T12:43:00.000+01:00

Guus Hiddink has admitted that it would be 'impossible' to combine his role as Turkey manager with working as Chelsea boss.

The Dutchman remains the favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge after the Italian was axed just 12 months after securing a first-ever double for the Blues.

Hiddink enjoyed a previous three-month spell as interim manager for the West London outfit in 2009, guiding the club to FA Cup glory, when he was also at the helm of Russia.

And having undertaken a similar dual role with Australia and PSV Eindhoven, there have been suggestions the 64-year-old could begin working as Chelsea manager this summer while still guiding Turkey towards Euro 2012.

But the experienced manager, who maintains he has not been approached by the Blues and is keen to focus on his current post, insists that would not be possible.

"What I did in the past was a double function, but that was exceptional. It is impossible. I need to focus on one job."
Guus Hiddink Quotes of the week

Hiddink said: "I talk with the president a lot about our futures and when I give an answer about this, then I'm answering already as if something is going on. But it's not going on.

"What I did in the past was a double function, but that was exceptional. It is impossible. I need to focus on one job.

"I made a contract with the federation president. There are no conditions that someone could do two jobs. I did it in the past because there was, let's say, a strong connection between myself and my employers at the time.

"It's not useful to talk about my future, because this team are in transition. They must go on. My future is more in the past.

"There is no single other approach. I can spend one or two hours reacting to the speculation, but that's not worth it. If you ask the Turkey players, we don't talk about it."

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Aquilani decision close

2011-06-03T12:16:00.000+01:00

Alberto Aquilani's agent believes the Liverpool midfielder's future could be decided in the next 24 hours.

The Italian midfielder has spent this season on loan at Juventus, but the Turin giants failed to exercise their first buy-out option to sign the player on a permanent basis, which expired last month.

Juventus have been looking to reduce the fee agreed between the clubs at the beginning of the loan deal, putting into doubt a permanent switch to Turin.

Aquilani's representative, Franco Zavaglia, expects Juventus to make a decision on the former Roma man in the next 24 hours with AC Milan waiting in the wings for the 26-year-old.

"If Juventus can't do a deal for Alberto and he has to return to Liverpool, then Milan would certainly be a destination that he would accept."
Alberto Aquilani's agent on his future Quotes of the week

"All season Juventus have always given me the necessary guarantees that they want to keep Alberto," Zavaglia told Tutto Juve.

"The next 24 hours will be decisive. Any eventual economic agreements will follow after Juventus make their decision."

Zavaglia admits Aquilani would be interested in a possible move to Serie A champions Milan if the Juve deals falls through.

"Who wouldn't like to play for Milan? Milan are a model club," added Zavaglia.

"If Juventus can't do a deal for Alberto and he has to return to Liverpool, then Milan would certainly be a destination that he would accept."

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King to sign new Sky Blues deal

2011-06-03T11:49:00.000+01:00

Coventry City striker Marlon King has verbally agreed to sign a new two-year deal with the club.

King joined City last September following his release from prison, and finished the campaign as top scorer with 13 goals in 29 appearances.

The 31-year-old will sign the contract when he returns from a break.

Chief executive Paul Clouting told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire: "We are delighted that Marlon has shown loyalty to the club."

He added: "Scoring goals is the way to get out of the Championship and it's great news for the club that a player of Marlon's calibre has committed to the club.

"He is the player that the supporters have wanted to hear about.

"It shows the ambition that we have."

King, who won the supporters' player of the season award, had been linked with a move to Championship rivals Leicester City.

Sky Blues chairman Ken Dulieu believes the news is a great start to the close season.

He said: "We promised supporters that we would do everything we could to keep the best players here at Coventry City and this is great step towards that.

"Marlon proved in the second half of the season that he is a fantastic striker and that he is capable of scoring goals.

"We had always hoped that we could convince Marlon to stay and have worked tirelessly with Andy Thorn to make this happen.

"We regard Marlon as pivotal to our objective of building a team capable of competing effectively in the Championship and hope this also sends a strong signal to the other players that we are talking to about our ambition for the club."

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Friedel agrees to join Tottenham

2011-06-03T11:14:00.000+01:00

United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has agreed to join Tottenham.

It is understood that the 40-year-old, whose contract with Aston Villa was due to expire at the end of this month, has signed a two-year contract.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said: "It is good to have three such experienced top goalkeepers at the club in [Heurelho] Gomes, Carlo [Cudicini] and now Brad.

"It means we have competition for places, particularly with the number of games we'll hopefully face next year."

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Hughes resigns as Fulham manager

2011-06-03T10:41:00.001+01:00

Mark Hughes has resigned after less than a year in charge at Craven Cottage.

Hughes has been linked with the vacant job at Aston Villa, but it looks increasingly unlikely the Midlands club will move to appoint the Welshman.

The 47-year-old Hughes also denied that he had been approached by another club before he chose to quit at Fulham.

"As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences," he said.

"I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.

"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."

Hughes was strongly linked with Villa once they confirmed the departure of former manager Gerard Houllier on Wednesday.

But Friday's newspapers suggest Villa will not be making contact with Hughes, while BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy says Villa have been put off by the manner of Hughes' exit from Fulham.

"I don't believe Mark Hughes will be the new Villa manager, no," said Murphy. "The events of the last couple of days haven't done much for Hughes and Villa chairman Randy Lerner likes things to be done a certain way.

"Chief executives talk to chief executives in this game and it's possible Fulham have marked Aston Villa's card.

"Hughes clearly feels he has bigger fish to fry, he's used to dealing on the big stage and his exit at Man City still rankles, but I don't believe he is eyeing up Villa as his next job.

"Villa have got a number one target, but they won't tell me who that is. I think Steve McClaren would be a good shout and Carlo Ancelotti would be a very good signing."

Fulham had been in talks with Hughes to extend the two-year deal he signed in July, but the club admitted defeat in their attempts to prevent him walking away after he offered his resignation.

The Cottagers hope to have a manager in place in the next three weeks, in time for the start of their Europa League campaign, with the likes of former Spurs boss Martin Jol, ex-Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley and former Villa boss Martin O'Neill linked with the vacancy.

Hughes will serve a month's notice and be available to another club from the end of June - but BBC Sport understands that Premier League rules mean neither he nor his agent can be contacted by other clubs until after 30 June.

The former Manchester City manager, whose final game in charge of the club was a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, had brought stability to Fulham in the wake of predecessor Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool last summer.

Deprived of the services of striker Bobby Zamora for much of the season, Hughes steered the club to an eighth-place finish with 49 points - four places and three points better than they achieved in their previous campaign.

Fulham also qualified for Europe after topping the Premier League's fairplay standings.

Hughes' first foray into management was with Wales who he took to within one game of qualifying for Euro 2004.

He subsequently took over at Blackburn and, after avoiding relegation in his first season, managed three successive top-10 finishes to attract the attention of Manchester City in June 2008.

After the Abu Dhabi Group's takeover of the Eastlands club three months later, Hughes oversaw a spending spree that included the recruitment of Brazilian playmaker Robinho for £32.4m, a British record at the time.

The likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott and Carlos Tevez followed, but Hughes' results failed to match the owners' expectations and he was fired in December 2009 with City sixth in the Premier League.

He had been out of work until being appointed at Fulham, but has since been linked with Bayern Munich, a club he played for in 1987-88 when on loan from Barcelona.

Reports that the German side were interested in him replacing Louis van Gaal emerged in March.

At the time Hughes denied he was interested in moving on, describing Fulham as "a great club... going in the right direction".

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Gold baffled by West Ham 'bid'

2011-06-01T17:59:00.000+01:00

West Ham co-owner David Gold says he is baffled by reports F1 Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes wants to buy the club - but is interested in talking to him.

Fernandes, a rival bidder when Gold and David Sullivan bought the club, used his Twitter feed to reveal his offer.

"For all you West Ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept," he tweeted.

"It's absolute news to me, I certainly haven't heard any information regarding this - it's interesting," said Gold.

Co-owner David Sullivan was, however, more dismissive, telling Sky Sports News: "We've received no offer from Tony Fernandes. We think any serious bidder would make it in private."

Gold said that he echoed Sullivan's comments and that it was "inconceivable someone would start negotiations this way", but he was open to the idea of the Malaysian airline millionaire joining the club as an investor.

Meanwhile, newly appointed West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, hopes that any change of ownership does not impact on him, as it has done in the past.

"My information, having spoken to David Sullivan, was that he did not want to sell West Ham football club, because it is his club," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "It is the club he has always supported.

"That was one of the reasons why I took the job, because I didn't want any fractions in terms of change of ownership.

"My reputation has already suffered wrongly by new ownerships at Newcastle and Blackburn dispensing of my services when there was no real credibility in that other than the fact that they were new owners and didn't want me.

"It wasn't down to results, it wasn't down to the way I have performed as a manager, so, if that's the case and that materialises then obviously I am surprised at that."

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Sam Allardyce confirmed as West Ham boss

2011-06-01T17:52:00.000+01:00

Sam Allardyce has set his sights on a quick return to the Premier League after being confirmed as the new manager of West Ham.
The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss has agreed a two-year contract at Upton Park.
Allardyce said: 'It is an honour to be the new manager of West Ham United. It is a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters who deserve to be in the Premier League.

'I can't wait to begin pre-season training as I am determined to get this club back where it belongs.
'I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League. More than that, I wouldn't have contemplated the job if I didn't think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham.'
Sportsmail exclusively revealed Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan's move for Allardyce on Saturday morning.
His advisors spent Tuesday thrashing out terms over the move to Upton Park, which includes a substantial bonus for promotion.
Allardyce added: ''There is a core of very talented young players at the club who've come up through the youth system, have West Ham in their blood and who I know I can build a successful team around.
'That's what I'm looking forward to, managing a club that wins more games than it loses and competing at the top of the table. We need to create a winning mentality and give the fans a team they can be proud to watch.
'I know there will be West Ham fans asking whether I'm going to abandon the style of play that's been the club's heritage over the years. All I'll say is it will be a tale of home and away.

'At Upton Park we'll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we'll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient.'
Allardyce's appointment brings to an end the club's two-week search for a new manager after Avram Grant was sacked following relegation to the Championship.

Martin O'Neill, Alex McLeish, Neil Warnock and Dave Jones were all serious contenders for the role.
Allardyce has been out of work since his shock sacking by Blackburn last December.

The Hammers' new boss is expected to bring his former Ewood Park No 2 Neil McDonald with him to East London.
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Reina - I've never wanted to go

2011-06-01T17:45:00.000+01:00

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina insists he has never contemplated leaving the club.
Reina's future at Liverpool was the subject of speculation earlier in the season following their poor form under Roy Hodgson.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the talented shot-stopper.
However, the 28-year-old has been encouraged by the progress made under Kenny Dalglish and he has committed his future to the Merseyside outfit.
"I am happy at Liverpool," Reina told Marca. "It is true we have had a great end to the year, but we have to keep growing.
"I am very happy and so is my family. I've never wanted to go."
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Knee injury sidelines Balotelli

2011-06-01T17:30:00.000+01:00

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has suffered a recurrence of his right-knee problem during a practice match at the Italy training camp.
The 20-year-old had to be helped off the pitch after feeling discomfort in a match against Italy's under-18s.
He is set to miss Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Estonia and Tuesday's friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
"I'm worried and will get in contact with the medical staff at City," said Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci.
Balotelli, who joined City from Inter Milan for £24m in the summer of 2010, had surgery on his right knee last September after being injured in a Europa League match and suffered a similar injury in January.
The striker scored 10 goals in his first season at Eastlands.
Castellacci, the doctor who assessed him in Italy, said that Balotelli "would not recover in time" for Friday's game against Estonia and to play against Ireland would be "an unnecessary risk".
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Carrick out of England qualifier

2011-06-01T17:21:00.000+01:00

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has pulled out of the England squad to face Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday.
The 29-year-old suffered a knock during his club's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona at Wembley.
Carrick reported to the England squad with what is believed to be a hip injury but was unable to train and has now been sent back to United.
David Stockdale and Jermain Defoe had already been ruled out.
The news will come as a blow to Carrick, who was recalled to the squad for the first time since the 2010 World Cup by manager Fabio Capello.
Carrick was in fine form in the Premier League as United earned their 19th English league title, although he was overshadowed on Saturday as his side were comfortably beaten by a superb Barca.
Carrick's withdrawal leaves Capello with 24 players at his disposal for the game against Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss outfit.
England are top of Group G, with 10 points from four games, while Switzerland lie a distant third, having gained only four points from the same number of matches.
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Blatter set for Fifa re-election

2011-06-01T16:59:00.001+01:00

Sepp Blatter is on the brink of a fourth term in charge of Fifa after attempts to delay Wednesday's presidential election failed.
The English and Scottish Football Associations wanted the election postponed amid allegations of corruption within Fifa.
English FA chairman David Bernstein put the proposal to Fifa's congress but 172 of 206 voters opted against a delay.
The vote to formally re-elect Blatter will take place later on Wednesday.
The English and Scottish FAs needed three-quarters of Fifa's congress to support their proposal but received little support. Only 17 votes were registered in their favour, with 17 abstentions.
Wales and Northern Ireland both chose not to support the proposal, with only the Scots going public with their support.
In his address, Bernstein said: "It gives me no pleasure to make this speech. A lot of people have warned me I shouldn't be making this speech but Fifa is a democratic organisation.
"We are faced with an unsatisfactory situation. We are subject to universal criticism from governments, sponsors, media and the wider world. With this background the election has turned into one-horse race.
"In the view of the Football Association this should be avoided both for the sake of Fifa and the president itself. A coronation without an opponent provides a flawed mandate.
"I ask for a postponement to allow time for an additional candidate or candidates to stand and compete in an open and fair election.
"Only by so doing will the winner have proper credibility over the next four years."
The conclusion to his speech received a noticeably cool reception from the Fifa members in Zurich, with one or two applauding but the rest sitting in silence.
The lack of support became even clearer when several Fifa members who followed Bernstein to the podium voiced strong criticism of the FA's stance.
"We are ill at ease with people who wield unfounded accusations - he who accuses must provide evidence," said Selemani Omari, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's football federation.
"Fifa belongs to 208 national associations and not to one association, we must not seek solutions through the media or a Parliament in any third country."
Representatives of Haiti, Benin, Fiji and Cyprus also expressed their disapproval to more enthusiastic applause.
Fifa senior vice-president Julio Grondona also delivered a stinging riposte to the English FA.
"We always have attacks from England which are mostly lies with the support of journalism which is more busy lying than telling the truth," said the Argentine. "This upsets and disturbs the Fifa family.
"It looks like England is always complaining so please I say will you leave the Fifa family alone, and when you speak, speak with truth."
But Bernstein later released a statement which defended the FA's stance and said they were encouraged by the support they received from other member associations as well as Blatter's speech in which he promised to implement changes if re-elected.
"After hearing the speech from Sepp Blatter, we believe the calls we have made for greater transparency and better governance have been worthwhile," said Bernstein.
"While we did not succeed in deferring the presidential election, it was positive to be joined by 16 other nations in supporting our democratic request for the vote to be delayed, while a further 17 nations abstaining clearly shows that we are not alone or isolated in our views in relation to the current situation Fifa finds itself in. "
The FA had announced before the congress that it would be abstaining from the presidential vote and, even though their actions unsettled many Fifa members, they did receive the backing of the UK government.
"We agree with the FA that FIFA should have suspended the presidential election until the investigations had been completed," said a spokesman for Downing Street.
"The most important thing is for the public to have confidence in Fifa and for that to happen we need to have Fifa reform."
Blatter, who has held his post since 1998, has promised, if re-elected, to implement changes at Fifa in the wake of the allegations of corruption as he told the congress he was the determined to guide the organisation out of its current troubles.
"We have been hit and I personally have been slapped," said the 75-year-old Swiss, who continues to receive plenty of support despite the controversy which has surrounded Fifa.
"We have made mistakes and we will learn from this. I can say to a certain extent that this is a good warning, not just to look into our problems and I am willing to face the public anger in order to serve football.
"I am the captain weathering the storm, this is a difficult period for Fifa and I admit that readily. Not only is the pyramid shaking but our ship has drawn some water.
"We need someone who will accept this responsibility. I'm willing to do this. And reforms will be made not just touch-ups but radical decisions, the necessary reforms.
"We must do something because I do not want ever again that we face this undignified situation."
Blatter emerged as the only candidate for the Fifa presidency after his rival Mohamed Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Federation, pulled out.
Bin Hammam, along with Concacaf president Jack Warner, were provisionally suspended by Fifa's ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives were offered to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Bin Hammam has appealed against his ban but was denied entry into the Fifa congress meeting on Wednesday.
The controversy over his withdrawal resulted in the English and Scottish FA's action, with allegations of bribery concerning the World Cup bidding process also undermining Fifa.
Major sponsors expressed their concern over the damage being done by these allegations, while the president of the German Football Federation, Theo Zwanziger, has called upon the organisation to re-examine the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
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Owen signs new Man Utd contract

2011-06-01T16:56:00.003+01:00

Michael Owen has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Manchester United.
The 31-year-old striker, whose deal was set to expire, had expressed his desire to prolong his career at Old Trafford.
"Delighted to be staying for another year. Thanks for all your messages," said the former Liverpool star on social networking site Twitter.
Owen spent much of the season on the sidelines at United, behind Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov in the pecking order.
He was given a place on the bench for Saturday's Champions League final defeat against Barcelona at Wembley but only made 17 appearances during the 2010/2011 campaign, scoring five goals.
Owen, who has made 89 appearances for England, joined United on a free transfer after spells at Real Madrid and Newcastle following his exit from Anfield in 2004.
"Michael has proved to be a top footballer," stated United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It is unfortunate that he did not get more opportunities but the form of Hernandez put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable.
"I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season."
The news casts doubt over the future of Bulgarian Berbatov, who, despite scoring 20 goals in the league this season, was not even on the bench against Barca.
But Owen added: "I am delighted to have agreed a one-year extension and I cannot wait for next season to start.
"To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager and in front of so many passionate supporters is a real inspiration."
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Newcastle boss Alan Pardew eyes Dimitar Berbatov and Demba Ba

2011-05-31T17:12:00.000+01:00

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has lined up a double summer swoop for out of favour Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov and West Ham's Demba Ba.

Pardew wants to bolster his attacking options after the club flirted briefly with relegation towards the end of the season and believes Berbatov and Ba can improve their fortunes next term, according to The Sun.

The Bulgarian international is still smarting after being left out of the Champions League final squad, and Ba is hopeful of a return to the Premier League following relegation with the Hammers.

Newcastle could meet United’s ?7.5million valuation of the Bulgarian forward, 30, and Ba is available on a free after the East End club dropped into the Championship.

Owner Mike Ashley would also be able to meet Berbatov's wage demands due to the ?35m windfall the club received in January following the departure of Andy Carroll.

Berbatov grew up supporting Newcastle and won the golden boot this season along with Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez after hitting 21 league goals. But he did not even make the bench for Saturday’s clash with Barcelona.

However, his United team-mate Nani has urged him to remain at Old Trafford, despite missing out on the showpiece final at Wembley.

'When I wasn't playing, maybe 18 months ago, I was in a different position to him because I was still young,' said the Portugal international.

'I was 21 and I knew I had a lot of time to learn, to improve and get my place back in the team. For him, I don't know what he has in mind but everyone knows he's a fantastic player.

'He has scored a lot of goals, and I would like him to play for Manchester United again next season.'

Sunderland and Everton have also joined the race to sign wantaway West Ham striker Ba, but Pardew is in a position to beat any offer either club could make.

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Huddersfield Town 0 Peterborough United 3: match report

2011-05-29T21:05:00.000+01:00

Peterborough struck three goals in seven second-half minutes to bounce straight back to the npower Championship at the first attempt.

Posh defender Tommy Rowe, striker Craig Mackail-Smith and skipper Grant McCann scored the killer goals in the 78th, 80th and 85th minutes to inflict on a stunned Huddersfield their first defeat in 28 league matches.

Rowe headed home McCann's free-kick, Mackail-Smith fired his 35th goal of the season two minutes later and McCann delivered the knockout blow with a fine free-kick five minutes from the end of normal time.

Victory marked a triumphant return to Peterborough for manager Darren Ferguson, who was sacked by Preston in December after leaving London Road in November 2009, and he has now led Posh to a third promotion in four seasons.

More than 35,000 Huddersfield fans looked on in disbelief as their season was shattered in seven devastating minutes, Lee Clark's side denied promotion in the cruellest of fashions by a first league defeat since December to leave the Yorkshiremen with nothing.

Huddersfield made one change from the side that kicked off the second leg of their penalty shoot-out win over Bournemouth in the semi-final, with midfielder Scott Arfield replacing leading goalscorer Jordan Rhodes.

Peterborough were unchanged following their 4-3 aggregate win over MK Dons in their semi-final.

Posh fans were on their feet in the fifth minute when Mackail-Smith scampered clear, but his low shot was deflected on to Huddersfield goalkeeper Ian Bennett's left-hand post.

Peterborough had Clark's side on the back foot in the opening exchanges before Town skipper Peter Clarke's header, comfortably held by Posh goalkeeper Paul Jones, signalled a better spell for Huddersfield.

Posh striker Lee Tomlin and Town midfielder Lee Peltier were both booked for rash tackles during a feisty six-minute spell towards the end of the first half.

And although chances were at a premium, Peterborough's three-pronged attack of Mackail-Smith, George Boyd and Tomlin carried by far the greater threat than Huddersfield's isolated striker Benik Afobe.

But Town rallied and winger Gary Roberts' curling free-kick was saved at full stretch by Jones just before the break, while Afobe's shot on the turn flashed just wide.

Mackail-Smith then spurned another golden chance in first-half injury time following good work from Tomlin and Boyd, firing wide from 12 yards again with only Bennett to beat.

McCann curled a left-footed free-kick just over the crossbar five minutes into the second half.

But Huddersfield began to get on top and went close to taking a 59th-minute lead when winger Danny Ward cut inside and crashed an angled shot against the top of the crossbar.

Town defender Antony Kay was lucky to receive only a yellow card after cutting down Mackail-Smith in the 75th minute and Tomlin wasted the free-kick.

But three minutes later Town defender Gary Naysmith tripped Boyd on the edge of the penalty area and from McCann's free-kick, Rowe flicked his header beyond Bennett.

Posh fans had had no time to catch breath when Boyd stole clear down the left and his cut back into the area found Mackail-Smith, whose low shot took a slight deflection off Kay and spun away from Bennett inside the far post.

Town were then dealt a knockout blow after Clarke felled Mackail-Smith, with McCann clipping home an exquisite free-kick to seal a stunning finale.

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Tony Pulis set to lure £3.5m Carlton Cole from West Ham with a ticket to Europe

2011-05-29T20:27:00.001+01:00

Stoke City are to test West Ham’s resolve to keep Carlton Cole with a £3.5million move to take him from the Championship into Europe.

Manager Tony Pulis has been a long-time admirer of Cole and has not been put off by the 27-year-old’s disappointing form during West Ham’s relegation season.

The England striker scored only five Premier League goals and failed to find the net after February but Pulis, who has helped turn around the careers of players like Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington, believes he can do the same for Cole, whose pace and power would be a huge asset at the Britannia Stadium.

West Ham are looking to cut costs after dropping out of the Premier League with Rob Green and Scott Parker set to leave with Cole.

Two more of their England internationals, Matthew Upson and Kieron Dyer, have been released.

Pulis will look to boost his squad this summer with the club’s run to the FA Cup final earning them a Europa League place.

A striker is top of his priority following his decision not to sign John Carew on a permanent basis following his loan spell from Aston Villa.

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Pound backs breakaway from Fifa

2011-05-29T19:49:00.000+01:00

Dick Pound has told the BBC that countries could form a breakaway association from Fifa if the current problems are not solved.

President Sepp Blatter will appear before an ethics committee of world football's governing body on Sunday.

Also due to appear are senior officials Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner.

"If Fifa is not going to do the game any good, the game may have to do something to Fifa," Pound told the BBC.

"You could withdraw from Fifa, for example, and say we're not satisfied that the organisation is not being properly run and it isn't a credit to the sport we know and love, so let's have an alternative.

"That's one possibility. It has been done in other sports."

Canadian lawyer Pound, who is a former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, was at the forefront of uncovering scandals involving Salt Lake City.

The IOC was forced to change the way bids for Olympic Games were assessed and voted upon after it emerged officials were bribed to choose the American city as the venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

But he told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme that he believes the perception of Fifa is in danger of being damaged, with its presidential election due to be held on Wednesday if three-quarters of voters approve.

Executive committee member Bin Hammam, who was due to oppose Blatter in the forthcoming election until he withdrew in the early hours of Sunday morning, and vice-president Warner will be at Sunday's hearing in Zurich to answer charges of bribery over allegations from executive committee member Chuck Blazer that they offered bribes at a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) on 10 and 11 May.

A file of evidence claims bundles of cash of up to $40,000 (£24,200) were handed over to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad.

In turn, Bin Hammam is effectively claiming Blatter was aware of some wrongdoing but did not report it, in itself a breach of Fifa's ethics code.

"There are so many allegations of corruption and foul play and so forth around the activities of Fifa itself and in some of its recent selections for its events," said Pound.

"I should have thought it's not good for Fifa's reputation nor for the reputations of anyone involved for these things to be flying around without someone taking action.

"When something like this happened to the IOC, we took it extremely seriously. It was a difficult and painful process and when we emerged people understood we had done our best to try to get at the facts and deal firmly with those who had transgressed.

"The perception of the IOC today is quite different from what it was in 1998 or 1999.

"If the perceptions of an organisation is that the organisation is rife with corruption then it is up to the organisation either to demonstrate that it's not or, if it finds that it is, to take whatever remedial measures are appropriate.

"Either they have got to find someone internally whose reputation is above reproach who can't be diverted from doing the right thing or they have to find someone from outside and make sure that person will be provided with all of the necessary information and access to what has gone on."

Last year, FA general secretary Alex Horne told BBC Sport in the wake of the failed 2018 World Cup bid that to form a breakaway organisation was "impractical" and "too reactionary".

But Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has expressed his interest in reform.

"As you know I don't have have any power [to change Fifa]," he said. "But I will be speaking to our FA and through the European sports ministers meeting and the commission in Europe I will make strong representations. There is a real political drive to reform sports institutions that are in Europe. I will be using all the international levers at my disposal to push for reform."

Former German great Franz Beckenbauer described the current situation as a disaster for football but he still believes Blatter is a credible leader.

"It's not easy. Fifa is like the United Nations with so many different nations and it is not easy to handle but I think Blatter and his staff are doing a wonderful job," he told Sportsweek.

Former FA chief executive Mark Palios said: "The image problem is still there, perhaps more so, as it could be seen as a sort of stitch-up."

He told the BBC that the current developments may give the FA some scope to "gather behind more like-minded individuals" who might seek to reform the world governing body.

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Championship victory 'worth £90m'

2011-05-29T19:16:00.000+01:00

Swansea are hoping to become the first Welsh club in the Premier League The Football League Championship play-off final on Monday will again be worth about £90m to the winner, accountancy group Deloitte has calculated.

That is how much money either Reading or Swansea City will pocket if they are promoted to the Premier League - the biggest prize in domestic football.

The £90m includes more than £40m of higher broadcast income, gate receipts and commercial income next season.

The club would also get payments of up to £48m if immediately relegated.

Paul Rawnsley, director of the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "In financial terms, the Championship play-off final offers the winning club the most substantial prize in world football.

"Promotion offers an unparalleled, and potentially one-off, opportunity to strengthen the foundations of a club for years to come, through sound investment in long-term infrastructure, in addition to the expected player acquisitions in the short term."

Reading are hoping to return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.

Swansea were last in the top flight in 1983, but victory on Monday would make them the first Welsh team to enter the Premier League since it was established in 1992.

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Fifa suspends Bin Hammam & Warner

2011-05-29T18:38:00.000+01:00

Fifa has provisionally suspended executive committee members Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner after a meeting of its ethics committee on Sunday.

Football's governing body will now open a full investigation into allegations that financial incentives were offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

CFU officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester have also been suspended.

However, no action will be taken against Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

Executive committee members Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi were cleared by the ethics panel of any wrongdoing, following allegations of bribery made by former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman in relation to England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

Petrus Damaseb, deputy chairman of the ethics committee, said of Bin Hammam and Warner: "We are satisfied that there is a case to be answered."

However, Fifa insists that they are innocent until proven guilty.

If found guilty, they could be expelled from the organisation and banned from all football activity.

Bin Hammam was the only candidate due to oppose Blatter in the forthcoming election for the Fifa presidency - which will go ahead as planned on Wednesday - but he withdrew in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Qatari and his colleague, Fifa vice-president Warner, were forced to answer charges of bribery over allegations from executive committee member Chuck Blazer in Zurich on Sunday.

It was alleged that they offered bribes at a meeting of the CFU on 10 and 11 May.

A file of evidence claimed bundles of cash of up to $40,000 (£24,200) were handed over to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad.

The payments were allegedly made to secure votes for Bin Hammam in his campaign to challenge Blatter for the presidency.

In turn, Bin Hammam effectively claimed Blatter was aware of some wrongdoing but did not report it, in itself a breach of Fifa's ethics code.

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Pep - I'm staying put

2011-05-29T03:37:00.000+01:00

Pep Guardiola said he intends to honour his contract at Barcelona after the Catalans beat Manchester United.

The Spanish giants saw off the Red Devils in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley thanks to goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa, while Wayne Rooney scored for United.

There had been speculation before the game that Guardiola could step down from the Barcelona post but he indicated he will stay on.

When asked if he would still be their boss next term, he told Sky Sports News: "I have one year of the contract, yes."

The Barcelona boss believed his side had put in one of their best performances to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.

"It is one of the best performances because sometimes you make for performances in important games but not important games like this one," he said.

The Barcelona boss also praised the way his side stuck to their footballing philosophies to achieve the victory.

"So we are so happy to win, of course, but we are so, so happy to show to the world our way to play, to keep the ball, to try to attack in front of absolutely one of the best teams of the world," he said.

Sam Allardyce set for West Ham job as bookmakers suspend market

2011-05-29T03:02:00.000+01:00

Bookmakers Victor Chandler suspended betting the new West Ham manager market after seeing a glut of money for Sam Allardyce on Friday.

The Hammers, relegated from the Barclays Premier League two weeks ago, are expected to name Avram Grant's successor this weekend.

But if money talks, then the name being shouted is that of the former Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers boss.

At 4pm on Friday, Chandler's PR chief Charlie McCann admitted: 'We cut Allardyce from 9-4 to 8-11 and then to 4-7 before we cried enough.

'Allardyce has long been touted as a potential West Ham manager. The rush on Allardyce in the last half an hour has been spectacular and it would appear informed.'

On Thursday night, West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan revealed that TWO candidates had been offered the vacant position.

Sullivan, speaking at the inaugural Supporters' Advisory Board meeting at the Boleyn Ground, is understood to have told the audience that one manager had rejected the chance to succeed sacked Grant, whilst another was set to give his answer within the next 24 hours.

And it seems that Allardyce may have indeed accepted to take over at Upton Park.

Sullivan was also said to have admitted that he expected the offer – a reported ?50,000 per week contract plus a ?1million-plus bonus for achieving promotion to the Barclays Premier League – to be refused once again.

Despite speculation that unsettled Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has been approached, Chandler made him 6-1 fourth favourite on Friday morning, with ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce the 9-4 favourite. But his price continued to tumble throughout the day.

Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton and Martin O'Neill, who reached a settlement with Aston Villa earlier this week, were also to the fore in the betting.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones was another candidate in consideration with his future at Cardiff in limbo and he was as short as 4-6 last week, but both he and former West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo were on the drift on Friday afternoon.

Sullivan, assisted at the meeting by vice-chair Karren Brady, admitted he and co-owner David Gold offered the job to an applicant earlier this week and expected an answer from them on Friday morning. No names were revealed, but Sullivan intimated that both candidates were British, and both possessed experience of managing in the Premier League or in the Championship.

Sullivan said: 'The selection of the manager is of critical importance. We are spending a lot of time on it but we have a little bit of time to make a decision.

'As you go down the list there are pros and cons with a lot of people and we are looking for someone with a proven track record in the Championship or higher or in the Premier League who wants to come to us.'

According to one insider, on Thursday night the Hammers were pessimistic about the chances of the individual accepting the job and Sullivan's 'gut feeling' was that they would 'turn down the job because of a particular issue' that was 'unrelated to West Ham'.

Caretaker boss Kevin Keen, who took charge of West Ham's final game of the season – a 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland – has at least one player's backing to keep the job.

Defender James Tomkins said: 'Kevin has been excellent for us. He is one person that you can say has been positive throughout the year. All the lads respect him and I have worked with him for a long time now.

'I personally think he would be brilliant for the job. Who knows who will get it, but he is a good manager and we all respect him.'

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Darren Ferguson delighted to be taking Peterborough to his former Old Trafford stomping ground

2011-05-29T02:29:00.000+01:00

The sheer magnitude of a play-off final, the weight of the occasion, tries all players, but this time Peterborough have a subtle advantage over their opponents Huddersfield Town. The loan of Wembley to Uefa for the last two weeks means that the League One play-off final will be played in Manchester, at a ground where Ferguson played for four years under his father.

“It’ll be a lot more comfortable for me than it is at Wembley, so I’ve got to make sure I use that on the players,” he says. “It’s a totally different ball game. When you walk down that tunnel it seems like the stadium never stops, it’s so big.”

The 39 year-old admits he has not visited Old Trafford for “about 12 months”, but his surname ensures that he is always afforded a warm welcome.

“Once you’re a part of that club, no matter how long or short a spell it is, it never leaves you. It’s got a sort of connection with you, which has been extended by my father being there for so long, but you never lose it.” The comparisons to his father are clearly inevitable, and while Ferguson has clearly been keen to forge his own path, he is also aware that it is a shadow he will probably never escape.

“He does have attributes of his dad,” says striker and top scorer Craig Mackail-Smith. “He’s driven, and he has great confidence in his own ability, and the way he sets up his teams. I think in the future, you will see more and more of that. He’s got a great role model to speak to, and take advice from.”

This is Ferguson’s second spell at London Road, having been sacked in 2009 despite gaining consecutive promotions to the Championship. In December he was sacked as Preston manager with the club staring relegation to League One in the face, and he agrees that it is only by returning to Peterborough that he has been able to enjoy management again.

“The first time round, I perhaps didn’t enjoy the promotions as much as I should have,” he says. “I was so much in a hurry to get on to the next thing that I didn’t actually enjoy it that much. Definitely, I’m a lot more composed and relaxed now.”

With maturity has come perspective. “The plan last time was totally unreachable,” he says. “Getting into the Premier League in five years or whatever just wasn’t going to happen. Not with crowds of 6,000-7,000. The goal now is to establish ourselves as a Championship club.

Mackail-Smith’s goals have brought Peterborough closer to that goal, but he is unlikely to see the project through. With moves to QPR or Norwich in the offing, today’s final will probably be his last game at the club, even if they are promoted.

“It definitely is going to be difficult if it is to be my last game for Peterborough,” he says. “But to win the play-off final and get back into the Championship will be a great way to finish off my career here.”

Huddersfield, meanwhile, put together a run of 27 unbeaten games to finish third, and conquered Bournemouth in the semi-final. “It’s the biggest game of my career,” said midfielder Gary Roberts. “Getting back into the Championship is what this club needs.”

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Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1: match report

2011-05-29T01:51:00.001+01:00

Beneath the soaring Wembley arch, Barcelona ascended to new heights. Inspired by an exhilarating Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola’s team swept past Manchester United in a thrilling performance and, with their third Champions League title in the last six seasons, they earned the right to be called one of the very greatest club sides in the history of the game.
United had their moments of sporadic resistance and Wayne Rooney, who fought defiantly, scored a superb equaliser in the first half but ultimately Barcelona were simply too good. There might have been parity in the half-time scoreline but, as Messi and David Villa scored in the second half, the gap in class was impossible to deny.
This 90 minutes of excellence was the consummation of the Dutch philosophy imported to the club by Johan Cruyff two decades ago, refined by Frank Rijkaard and now perfected by Guardiola. The Barcelona manager was on this pitch when his club won their first European Cup back in 1992 but not even Cruyff’s Dream Team are a match for this gifted group.
The statistics cannot convey the style in which Barcelona played but they can give you an indication of their dominance. They had 19 attempts on goal to United’s four, had 67 per cent of the possession and completed 667 passes to United’s 301. They imposed themselves with near total authority.
Sir Alex Ferguson was gracious in defeat, quick to congratulate Barcelona. He had spent the last fortnight on the training ground trying to concoct a way of disrupting the mesmeric passing of this team, trying to find a way to stop this being a repeat of the 2009 defeat.
Where he had tried to contain them in Rome, this time he decided to be bold, sending out a team with two strikers and two wingers.
For the first 10 minutes it looked like it was working. United started with intensity and aggression, giving Barcelona a taste of their own full-court press. Ji-sung Park made three superb tackles in the first five minutes alone, including one on Messi. Without the leadership of Carles Puyol, not fit enough to start, the Barcelona defence looked rattled. Victor Valdes had to come racing off his line to punch the ball away from Rooney and then Gerard Pique almost passed the ball beyond the Barcelona goalkeeper under pressure from Javier Hernández.
Once that initial burst of energy waned, Barcelona found their composure. Xavi took control and Messi made his first darting run of the game, finishing it with a pass to Pedro - Nemanja Vidic had to be alert to close him down.
Villa hit one crisp shot wide and had another saved by Edwin Van der Sar and first Vidic and then Rio Ferdinand tackled Messi brilliantly but, having started with a high defensive line, United were being pushed deeper and deeper. They were struggling to hold on to the ball when they won it back, and there was an edge of desperation about their passing. Hernández, nervous, struggled and was repeatedly offside.
It was little surprise when Barcelona took the lead. Andres Iniesta exchanged passes with Sergio Busquets before poking the ball through to Xavi. Ryan Giggs was not close enough and the Barcelona captain, head up, eyes darting, closed on the United box, flicking an exquisite pass with the outside of his boot to Pedro. The Barcelona forward had discreetly evaded Patrice Evra and Vidic could not get across in time to prevent him from passing the ball past Van der Sar at the near post.
Ferguson was becoming animated on the touchline, clearly frustrated at the way his team were surrendering possession. Yet United were not going to roll over, equalising with a goal in the style of their opponents.
Rooney picked up a loose ball on the right and played a quick one-two with Michael Carrick before surging towards the Barcelona box. He then flicked the ball to Giggs with the outside of his boot and the Welshman, who replays showed was just offside, cushioned it with his thigh before teeing up Rooney again. The England striker crashed his powerful shot past Valdes.
Not that Barcelona appeared shaken. A brilliant free-kick routine between Xavi and Busquets almost found Pedro and then Messi set off on one of his incredible runs, skipping clear of Vidic, sprinting away from Carrick before finding Villa on the right with a perfect pass. Villa’s return cross was just ahead of the Argentina forward.
United could not keep Barcelona out for long, though, not sitting that deep and with that little of the ball. Iniesta and Xavi were almost at walking pace in the last third when they worked the ball to Messi, who drove to the ‘D’ and shot low and into the net. He should have been closed down more effectively but the shot was almost in the middle of the goal and it was a concession way below Van der Sar’s usual standards.
The Dutchman did his best to make up for it, saving first from Messi with his legs and then brilliantly from Xavi’s curving shot from range. There was, though, nothing he could do to stop Barcelona’s third.
Messi again went shimmying into the United area and the ball broke to Busquets. He rolled it to the edge of the area where Villa had taken up position, rolling his studs over the ball before striking an accurate, dipping shot into the top corner.
There were sporadic efforts on United’s part to get back into the game. Rooney hit a shot on to the roof of the net from outside the area and Giggs was convinced his team should have had a late penalty. It showed the mental strength of those two players that they refused to give up — even against all the evidence of Barcelona’s superiority.
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New Web Site

2011-05-27T11:02:00.001+01:00

Just a wee post to let you know I've got a new site Learn Guitar 365.

Cesc too expensive for Milan

2011-05-26T23:45:00.000+01:00

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to be a target of AC Milan this summer because the Italian club believe he is too expensive.

The Rossoneri are looking to reinforce their midfield line this summer with the departure of Andrea Pirlo to Juventus and the uncertainty surrounding Gennaro Gattuso's future at the club.

Fabregas, 24, is considered among the reported targets of Serie A champions Milan, who also want to make an improved challenge for the UEFA Champions League.

"From here until 31st August, Milan will buy a player that will be a left midfielder," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"(Napoli winger Marek) Hamsik and Fabregas can play in that role.

"We have never asked for Hamsik although we don't rule him out and as for Fabregas, he is too expensive."

Arsenal are understood to value Fabregas at £60million, with the Spain international under contract with the London outfit until June 2014.

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Wilson to become Sheff Utd boss

2011-05-26T23:18:00.000+01:00

Danny Wilson is understood to be named the new manager of Sheffield United, reports BBC Radio Sheffield.

The 51-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday boss is expected to be officially unveiled on Friday.

Wilson, who has also managed Barnsley, Bristol City, MK Dons and Hartlepool United, left his last post at Swindon Town in March.

Wilson succeeds Micky Adams, who was sacked in May following the Blades' relegation to League One.

The former Owls midfielder won 24 caps for Northern Ireland in a much-travelled playing career that took in Wigan Athletic, Bury, Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest, Scunthorpe United, Brighton, Luton Town, Wednesday and Barnsley, where he began as player-manager.

He has now been in management since taking that first job in 1994 at Oakwell, where his achievement in leading Barnsley to the Premier League in 1997 remains his finest.

Relegation followed a year later, but Wilson remained in the Premiership by switching to Barnsley's neighbours Wednesday.

After leading the Owls to 12th the following season, he was sacked in March 2000, by which time the Owls were on their way to relegation.

He then spent four seasons at Bristol City, who he twice led to the Division Two play-offs.

After losing his job following two seasons at MK Dons in May 2006, following relegation to League Two, Wilson then moved on to Hartlepool, with whom he won promotion in 2007.

After getting the Swindon job on Boxing Day 2008, Wilson saved the Robins from relegation, then led them to the League One play-offs the following season.

But, after a 1-0 Wembley defeat by Millwall, Swindon suffered a poor 2010/11 campaign - and Wilson quit after seeing the Robins drop into the bottom four in March.

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Levein praises Scotland recovery

2011-05-26T22:43:00.000+01:00

Craig Levein praised his players for recovering from a first-half setback to beat Wales 3-1 in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin.

A defensive error by Stephen Crainey was seized upon by Wales captain Robert Earnshaw, who raced clear and slipped the ball past Allan McGregor.

"The important thing is to know that if we make a mistake we can recover from it," Levein told BBC Scotland.

"Stephen made great strides to recover. In football mistakes happen."

Scotland fielded a strong starting 11, while Wales were depleted through injury and players' involvement in the Championship play-off final between Swansea and Reading on Monday.

Having beaten Northern Ireland 3-0 in their first match in the tournament in February, Levein's aim of going in to the final game against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday with six points was dealt a blow by Earnshaw's 36th minute opener.

But, according to the Scotland manager, there was no sense of panic in the dressing room at the interval.

He said: "I was happy at half-time. We hadn't done an awful lot wrong. We had made one mistake and we were punished for it. We were totally dominant.

"The midfield weren't quite acting together when we were pressing the ball.

"They played round us a few times and pushed us back towards the edge of our box when we could have won the ball far higher up the park if we had played in unison.

The Scots raced out of the traps in the second half and drew level when James Morrison collected Charlie Adam's incisive pass and fired home in the 55th minute, much to the delight of the Tartan Army in the 6,036 crowd.

"In the second half we started on the front foot in midfield," added Levein.

"I must make special mention of the players in there - Morrison, Charlie and Scotty Brown were fabulous.

"They passed the ball really well and broke the play up at every opportunity. But I was pleased with them all.

"The first goal was fantastic. The pass Charlie played and the composure that James showed when he picked the ball up was first class."

Levein is now relishing the prospect of facing Giovanni Trapatonni's Republic side at the Aviva Stadium at the weekend.

"The great thing for me tonight is that we did our best to please our supporters who have had all sorts of trials and tribulations to get here," said the manager.

"I thought they were wonderful tonight, they were behind us from the first whistle.

"They will be looking forward to the game on Sunday just as much as we are."

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E-mail adds to pressure on Warner

2011-05-26T22:10:00.000+01:00

New evidence obtained by the BBC appears to back up claims by former FA chairman Lord Triesman of wrongdoing by Fifa vice-president Jack Warner.

Fifa's ethics committee could now be asked to open another investigation.

An e-mail from Warner to Triesman in February 2010 is expected to form a crucial part of an FA report.

In it, Warner urges the FA to contribute towards the cost of purchasing the rights to show World Cup matches on giant screens.

Lord Triesman, speaking to a parliamentary select committee earlier in May, claimed four members of the Fifa executive committee made what he described as "unethical requests" during the bidding race for the 2018 World Cup.

Among those claims were allegations that Warner asked the FA for money to build an education centre in Trinidad and for the FA to buy TV rights to the 2010 World Cup on behalf of Haiti.

In the e-mail, he writes: "If you can assist them in any way by contributing in part or in whole to the purchase of these rights I am sure all of Haiti will be eternally grateful."

He mentions that a company had bought the rights for $1.6m (£980,000) but that he would be able to "get this figure reduced substantially".

JACK WARNER'S E-MAIL TO LORD TRIESMAN

Dear David

My apologies for this belated response to your wonderful offer of assistance to Haiti for which I am really pleased. The people need all the help that we can give. I made a visit to Haiti last weekend to meet with the President of the Haiti FF to ascertain first hand the needs of our football family. A report has since been done which outlined their needs and proposals to meet these needs in the short, medium and long term. The report is included for your information. Based on this, I will leave it up to you to determine the best options of the FA as to how you all can assist.The FIFA, besides financial assistance, is providing them with large TV screens placed at two football stadia (at which stadia football can no longer be played in the immediate future) so that all Haitians can see the 2010 World Cup. However before the earthquake owner of the rights had charged them $1.6million USD for the rights, a fee which they had agreed to pay. I have since spoken to the owners and can get this figure reduced substantially. If you believe that you can assist them in any way by contributing in part or in whole to the purchase of these rights I am sure all of Haiti will be eternally grateful.

Thanks again for any assistance you can give and I do look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards

Jack

------------------------------------------------------------

Fifa, the ultimate owner of outdoor broadcast rights to the 2010 World Cup, has told the BBC that no public viewing licence was ever granted for Haiti.

It says it had no discussions anywhere in the world for an amount as big as $1.6m, but its response poses serious questions over the deal Warner was trying to arrange with the FA.

On Wednesday Fifa announced its ethics committee would charge Warner and fellow executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam with bribery.

And although it is not clear whether Fifa's ethics committee will add this latest allegation to the charge sheet faced by Warner, it places yet more doubts over the probity of world football's governing body.

Warner has not responded to the BBC's attempts to contact him regarding this story, though he did deny Triesman's previous allegations.

Meanwhile, Fifa president Sepp Blatter, writing for the Inside World Football website, stated: "I take absolutely no joy in seeing my friends and colleagues of many years dragged before the ethics committee.

"I take no joy to see men who stood by my side for some two decades, suffer through public humiliation without having been convicted of any wrongdoing.

"Nobody is guilty until a judge has found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt."

The FA has launched its own inquiry, calling in QC James Dingemans to compile a report for Fifa.

Watch the BBC Panorama documentary Fifa: Football's shame? on iPlayer (UK only)

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Kolo Toure banned for six months

2011-05-26T21:32:00.000+01:00

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure will miss the start of next season after being handed a six-month ban from all football for failing a drugs test.

The ban is back-dated to 2 March, when Toure's provisional suspension began.

He is free to play from 2 September, but will also be target-tested for a period of two years from 26 May.

"This has been a difficult period, and I am sad to have missed the team's triumph of securing Champions League football and the FA Cup," Toure said.

"But I am relieved that I will be able to return to football in September and thank the FA's commission for their understanding."

An independent regulatory commission, which could have issued anything from a warning to a two-year ban by way of punishment, reached the verdict after a hearing on Thursday.

Toure admitted the offence - his first - contrary to Regulation 3 of the FA Doping Regulations 2010-11. But the panel took into consideration the circumstances behind his use of water tablets belonging to his wife.

Headed up by Christopher Quinlan QC, the commission were satisfied Toure did not intend to enhance sporting performance or to mask the use of a performance-enhancing substance.

But the ruling means he cannot participate in any football match or any other football-related activity other than anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes, until his ban expires.

The decision completes a nightmare season for Toure, which began with him losing the Manchester City captaincy to Carlos Tevez on 18 August.

Toure was tested at the Manchester derby in February, when he was an unused substitute. The Ivory Coast defender was suspended on 3 March after his A-sample tested positive for "a specified substance".

Toure is under contract with City until the summer of 2013. He was one of several high-profile arrivals in the summer of 2009 as then-manager Mark Hughes spent more than £100m on new players.

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Dave Jones is West Ham's No 1 choice to lead them out of the Championship

2011-05-25T00:12:00.000+01:00

Cardiff manager Dave Jones is West Ham’s top target to replace sacked Avram Grant.

Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold intend to find a new boss by the end of the month, while Jones’s future in Wales is uncertain after he again failed to lead the Bluebirds to top-flight promotion this season.

The 54-year-old was due to hold talks with chief executive Gethin Jenkins and Cardiff’s Malaysian ownerson Monday to discuss his future. West Ham would give him an immediate route back into management should he leave.

Sullivan and Gold were monitoring Alex McLeish, but after relegated Birmingham decided to stick with the Scot, they decided Jones was the man to lead them back to the top flight next season.

The club will have to sell several stars this summer to stay afloat after dropping into the Championship.

But midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger will be allowed to leave the Hammers for nothing thanks to a relegation release clause.

Demba Ba reportedly had a similar clause put in his contract when he joined from Hoffenheim in January. Sunderland are keen on the Senegal striker.

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Champions League final 2011: Manchester United are better without Cristiano Ronaldo, say Barcelona players

2011-05-24T23:34:00.000+01:00

Barcelona players believe the current Old Trafford crop are a better unit without Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo played his last game for United in the Champions League final in Rome - which Barcelona won 2-0 - before sealing an £80 million switch to the Bernabeu.

United ended up with only the Carling Cup in their first campaign following the Portugal forward's exit, but this season has seen Sir Alex Ferguson's side reclaim the Premier League title and progress to the final of the Champions League to face Barça on Saturday at Wembley.

"Their team isn't as direct as before; they like to have the ball," Barca midfielder Xavi said. "I don't know if that's because of Cristiano Ronaldo or not, but they move around as a unit now."

Striker David Villa added: "Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has liberated them. Many great players come and go and that has allowed them to remain at the top for so long."

Meanwhile, wing-back Davi Alves reckoned United's threat is harder to nullify in the absence of the Portuguese.

"This Manchester United team is much more unpredictable without Cristiano Ronaldo," he said. "They have formed a more balanced group and they are stronger than they were two years ago."

Andres Iniesta also believes United have improved and "grown as a team".

"They are dominating in England and now they are fighting for the Champions League," the midfielder said. "Cristiano Ronaldo has left, but apart from that I don't think they have made big changes and they are always competitive."

And coach Pep Guardiola sees little difference to the side Barcelona beat in Rome.

"It's the same team. Only one player is missing from the team that started in Rome," he said.

"Only Cristiano Ronaldo has left from that team. (Carlos) Tevez isn't there any more either, but he didn't start in Rome."

The Barcelona team will travel to London on Tuesday evening - two days ahead of schedule - due to fears of volcanic ash from Iceland drifting towards England.

A Barca statement read: "To avoid possible disruption due to ash from the volcano Grimsvotn, the Barca first team will travel to London today at 2200hrs [2100 BST]."

The eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano has already led to airlines cancelling a number of flights to and from Irish and Scottish airports.

Barcelona were forced to travel by bus to Milan to face Inter in the semi-final of last year's competition after flights were cancelled due to the ash cloud which covered much of western Europe. Jose Mourinho's Inter won 3-1 at the San Siro and went through 3-2 on aggregate.

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Manchester United top £60 million in Premier League earnings

2011-05-24T22:56:00.000+01:00

United earned £60.4million as the new record overseas TV deals saw top-flight clubs bring in up to £7million more than last season.

Blackpool were the lowest earners of the Premier League but still saw £39.1million go into their coffers, while Chelsea earned £57.7m, Manchester City £55.5m and Arsenal £56.2m.

The figures released by the Premier League also show that it has the smallest difference in earnings between the champions and the bottom club in terms of ratio of any major league in Europe.

England's top club earned 1.54 times as much as the bottom in TV money - down from 1.66 last season. In Spain, where TV rights are negotiated on a club-by-club basis, Real Madrid and Barcelona earn 12.5 times more than the smallest clubs in La Liga.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "We believe that our income distribution mechanism, the most equitable of Europe's major football leagues, rewards sporting success while also guaranteeing a significant amount to each club in order that they can plan from one season to the next.

"Many have commented on the competitive nature of this season's Barclays Premier League.

"The clubs deserve huge credit for putting on a fantastic competition. We believe the way we distribute broadcast income plays a part in allowing each club to compete at the highest level."

The Premier League distributes TV rights money based partly on performance, partly via equal shares of TV income, and partly on the number of times a club's matches are screened live on domestic television.

This season, each club received £13.8million as the equal share of domestic TV rights and £17.9million as the equal share of overseas TV rights.

On top of that, every place in the Premier League table is worth £756,000 - West Ham received that amount and Manchester United £15.1million.

Facility fees of £582,000 are paid to a club every time they play in a live TV match - with a minimum income of £5.82million even if a club has been involved in fewer than 10 live games.

The Premier League also pay out £15million each in parachute payments to previously relegated clubs Hull, Burnley, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough. The three relegated clubs this season will receive the same amount.

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Giggs misses training for Man Utd

2011-05-24T22:23:00.000+01:00

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs missed Tuesday morning's open training session ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

Giggs has been identified in Parliament as the married footballer named on Twitter as having an injunction over an alleged affair with a reality TV star.

The 37-year-old Welshman is not thought to be injured.

When asked about Giggs's importance to United, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "All the players are important to us."

Defender Rafael, midfielder Paul Scholes, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and striker Dimitar Berbatov also sat out the training session, which was watched by around 200 reporters.

United were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona the last time the sides met in European football's top club competition - the 2009 Champions League final - but Ferguson preferred to reflect on their two-legged semi-final from 2008, when his side kept clean sheets in both matches on their way to a 1-0 aggregate win.

"We showed fantastic concentration in those two ties," said Ferguson, whose side went on to beat Chelsea on penalties in the final.

"That is the key for us. It is an important issue in terms of Saturday."

Ferguson also acknowledged the threat of Barcelona's diminutive striker Lionel Messi, who has scored 52 goals this season and netted Barca's second in the 2009 final.

"We have played against Barcelona three times with Messi in the team," the Scot continued.

"But there is always a solution to every good player. Hopefully we can find one on Saturday.

"They have other good players though, and so do we. That is why it is such an appealing game."

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Ancelotti sacking 'bad for game'

2011-05-24T21:45:00.000+01:00

Chelsea's sacking of manager Carlo Ancelotti was "damaging to the game", according to the head of the League Managers' Association Richard Bevan.

Ancelotti was dismissed after the 1-0 loss at Everton on Sunday, as Chelsea finished second in the Premier League.

"What Chelsea did was disrespectful to the manager, the fans, the club and the Premier League," Bevan told the BBC.

Bevan added that Blues owner Roman Abramovich "needs some new advisors" if he wants to win the Champions League.

"Mr Abramovich needs to look at the experience my members have got - something like 100,000 matches of experience," Bevan added on BBC Radio 5 live.

"If you want to win you have to look at building cultures, look at [Manchester United manager] Sir Alex Ferguson - he's managed 2,000 matches.

"It will be very interesting to see what the Chelsea fans think about it."

Ancelotti, who led AC Milan to Champions League glory in 2003 and 2007, was dismissed at Goodison Park after failing to win a trophy in his second season.

The 51-year-old Italian took over at Stamford Bridge in 2009, signing a three-year contract as he succeded interim boss Guus Hiddink.

He guided Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup Double in his first season but speculation about his future began to mount as Manchester United knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League and beat them to the Premier League title this time around.

And Ancelotti was given support by Ferguson on Monday night when the Scot collected the LMA manager of the year award.

"Carlo you are a fantastic man and you have showed great courage in coming to the dinner tonight, well done," said Ferguson.

Hiddink has been linked with a return to Chelsea but the Dutchman's agent says the 64-year-old is committed to his role as Turkey boss until at least October.

Dutchman Marco van Basten and Andre Villas-Boas, who led Porto to the Europa League title this season, are also possible contenders.

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FA urged to vote in Fifa election

2011-05-24T21:10:00.000+01:00

Candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam wants the Football Association to reconsider its decision to abstain from the Fifa presidential vote.

The FA chose not to participate on 1 June because of recent allegations of corruption against Fifa.

But Bin Hammam, who is up against incumbent president Sepp Blatter, said he was surprised by the decision.

"It's disappointing when an association decides not to try to affect change from the inside," he stated.

"The FA, with its status as the oldest association in the world and England's position as the birthplace of the modern game, is one of the most important institutions in world football.

"As a result, they should be working with Fifa and the rest of the global game to improve and enhance football. By choosing to abstain, the FA is, sadly, forfeiting that right.

"I realise they have their reasons for making their decision but I hope in the days leading up to the election that they will reconsider their position and make moves to engage fully with the global football family, both on 1 June and beyond."

The FA's decision to abstain was provoked by the failure of their 2018 World Cup bid, which drew only two votes, with Russia winning the hosting rights.

Bid officials complained that the voting system was flawed and that Fifa executive committee members had misled them.

The FA has launched an inquiry into the corruption allegations.

In addition, Qatar 2022 World Cup officials have rejected claims they paid money in return for votes.

Qatar officials criticised the Sunday Times for failing to provide details of the alleged bribes it claims were offered to Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma.

World football's governing body Fifa, who suspended two executive committee members from voting on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups following earlier allegations that they had offered to sell their votes, has said it will investigate.

Qatar released a statement on Monday denying all the allegations against them.

Bin Hammam, from Qatar, who has been touring the world canvassing support to become Fifa's first Asian president, previously said the governing body's reputation had been sullied by the allegations, but denied it was corrupt.

The 62-year-old has pledged to make Fifa a more transparent organisation.

"There is a growing appreciation, too, that Fifa needs to be more inclusive," he added.

"We have to set our sights on working not only with the various associations and confederations but with all those who have the love of our great game at heart.

"Many within these groups feel as if they have been pushed to the margins but, should my candidacy prove successful, then that is a trend I will work hard to reverse."

Meanwhile, Fifa president Sepp Blatter has declined an invitation to give evidence regarding allegations of corruption during the World Cup bidding process to a Parliamentary committee.

Blatter has informed MPs on the culture, media and sport committee that football's governing body is focusing on their own investigation into the claims.

"Fifa has immediately asked both the Football Association and the Sunday Times for a report on this matter," said a Fifa spokesman.

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Mascherano wary of Man Utd threat

2011-05-24T20:37:00.000+01:00

Javier Mascherano says there is nothing to choose between Barcelona and Manchester United ahead of Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley.

"In a final, there are no favourites," the Barcelona midfielder told Football Focus. "It is one game so it depends how the teams are on the day.

"We will try to do everything we can to win, in the 90 minutes, or 120 minutes.

"We don't know how long it will take but we have confidence in ourselves."

Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona won their domestic league titles this season and are both looking to capture Europe's top club prize for the fourth time.

United are also seeking revenge for their 2-0 defeat by a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona in the 2009 final in Rome.

Mascherano, who did battle with United on several occasions during his career with Liverpool, expects another tough encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

"They are a very good team, very strong," said the 26-year-old midfielder, who joined Barca in a £22m deal in August 2010.

"They have a fantastic manager. He has a lot of experience in Europe and in the Premier League.

"They are one of the biggest teams in the world. We have to be careful because they know how to play finals. It will be really, really difficult."

Mascherano, who was part of the Liverpool side that lost 2-1 to AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League final, is particularly wary of United forwards Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, who have scored 35 goals between them this season.

"Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world," said Mascherano. "He is a key player for them.

"Hernandez is a very, very good player. I knew him when he was in Mexico but it was a big surprise when he came to England.

Continue reading the main story The midfielder helped his country win gold medals at both the 2004 and 2008 OlympicsHe is the only Argentine footballer to achieve the featLionel Messi was also part of the victorious 2008 team.

"He is having a fantastic season. We have to be careful with both of them because they are really good players and really dangerous."

Mascherano played in both legs of Barcelona's Champions League semi-final victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid. But he was used as a makeshift centre-back and now that French defender Eric Abidal is available again, the midfielder is likely to start Saturday's showpiece as a substitute.

"I don't know if I will play but it doesn't matter," said Mascherano, who began his career in England with West Ham. "The main thing is the team will be in the final and will do everything to try to win."

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Reds moving forward - Carragher

2011-05-24T00:13:00.002+01:00

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says there is plenty to look forward to next season at Anfield after a strong second half of the campaign.
Liverpool finished outside the European places, but Carragher believes the club is going places under Kenny Dalglish.
He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I think we've got stuff to be positive about - although we're slightly disappointed with the last couple of results.
"When Kenny came in we'd have bitten someone's hand off to finish 6th."
Carragher is now hoping the squad can be further strengthened in the summer, after the January signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.
"We're the same as any Liverpool fans," added the 33-year-old. "We'd love to see ourselves going for top players and getting top players but that's down to the manager and who he decides is good enough to come in.
"I'm sure there'll be a few changes in the summer, as there is every year no matter how well you're doing. Hopefully we can do a lot better next season."
The former England man says he has been pleased with his own form this season and also paid tribute to Brazilian midfielder Lucas for his consistent performances over the course of the campaign.
"I think Lucas was rightly our player of the year - he's had a great season. I've been pleased with the way I've played this season coming back after the shoulder injury.
"But things like that don't matter - we finished sixth and we haven't done well in the cups so we can't look back on a great season."
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Di Canio wants Swindon-Milan link

2011-05-23T22:44:00.001+01:00

Swindon Town manager Paolo di Canio has said he is hoping to bring in players from Italian giants AC Milan.
The 42-year-old former West Ham striker was unveiled as the new permanent boss at the County Ground on Monday.
"I spoke with Adriano Galliani, the chairman of AC Milan, I asked him jokingly to give me some players," he told BBC Wiltshire.
"He said 'seriously come to meet me for young talented players', so hopefully we can start a collaboration with him."
Di Canio also revealed that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp would "help" the Robins with signings.
It is the Italian's first managerial role, having spent time working as a television pundit in his home country since hanging up his boots in 2008.
"I'm not nervous, I'm happy. I have to thank Swindon Town because they are giving me a first chance.
"For me, I'm starting a new career. I'm a manager, not a footballer anymore. I'm sure about my knowledge, I'm sure about my understanding of football but of course you start thinking about how you're going to start, because you have to start well.
"It's important to choose the right place. I want to have success, I want to win and this is the best place."
Swindon finished bottom of League One this season, and had three different managers throughout the campaign.
Paul Hart was drafted in to replace Danny Wilson in March, but after leading the side to only one win in 11 games, Hart was axed and replaced by reserve and youth team coach Paul Bodin for the final two games of the season.
Di Canio says promotion is his key objective for next term: "Unfortunately the club was relegated, but I think around this club the people want revenge, they want to come back into League One.
"It's not important that we are in League Two because as soon as we can we want to come back.
"When I got to the stadium, I thought one day maybe we would celebrate with the people inside. It would be fantastic.
"I feel excited because I like the responsibility. I like to compete and I like to have a chance because when I used to play I used to like to help the players achieve their limits and their ambition.
"If we win, we win together. For the club, for me, for the players and especially for the fans. I don't want to forget that the fans are the most important part of any club in the world.
"They're the heart, we have to work together for all the people that love Swindon. We have to organise everything now for wins in the future."
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MP names footballer as Ryan Giggs

2011-05-23T22:11:00.001+01:00

A married footballer named on Twitter as having an injunction over an alleged affair with a reality TV star has been identified in Parliament as Ryan Giggs.
Lib Dem MP John Hemming named the player during an urgent Commons question on privacy orders.
Using parliamentary privilege to break the court order, he said it would not be practical to imprison the 75,000 Twitter users who had named the player.
The High Court has again ruled that the injunction should not be lifted.
It rejected two attempts on Monday to overturn the ban, the first after a Scottish paper named the footballer on Sunday, and the second after Mr Hemming's action.
The player obtained the order against ex-Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas, who is a former Miss Wales, and the Sun newspaper.
The footballer's lawyers have also obtained a High Court order asking Twitter to reveal details of users who had revealed his identity after thousands named him.
Parliamentary privilege protects MPs and peers from prosecution for statements made in the House of Commons or House of Lords.
Addressing MPs, Mr Hemming said: "Mr Speaker, with about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs it is obviously impracticable to imprison them all."
Lib Dem MP John Hemming was fully protected by parliamentary privilege. Media organisations have only qualified privilege which means they do not have an absolute right to report what an MP says in Parliament.
In reality though once an MP says something in Parliament it is very difficult to stop that becoming widely known.
News organisations were torn between their duty to observe a court order and their obligation to viewers, listeners and readers.
Once some news organisations started publishing Ryan Giggs's name, other news organisations agreed that it would be unrealistic to pretend that the injunction had any purpose or would be maintained beyond the afternoon.
House of Commons speaker John Bercow interrupted the MP saying: "Let me just say to the honourable gentleman, I know he's already done it, but occasions such as this are occasions for raising the issues of principle involved, not seeking to flout for whatever purpose."
John Hemming later told the BBC why he had named Mr Giggs.
"Basically when he... showed that he was going to go after relatively normal people and try and prosecute them, for gossiping about him on a matter of trivia, I think he has to be held to account for that," he said.
John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons culture committee, said he "regretted" Mr Hemming's use of parliamentary privilege to name Mr Giggs.
"Firstly because I think, if MPs think the law is wrong then we should change the law rather then flout the law," he said.
"And secondly because the result of that is that the only thing being reported is the name of Ryan Giggs and we're rather losing sight of the bigger issue, which is how the law of privacy is operating in the UK."
Labour MP Tom Harris said it was "incredibly irresponsible" of Mr Hemming to name the footballer.
"We leave these decisions up to judges who are very careful to look at both sides of the argument, and then suddenly you have a self-publicist like John Hemming," he said.
"There's no justification for it whatever," he added.
"I genuinely believe that people in this country, even multi-millionaires, have got a right to privacy."
'Unfair'
Mr Justice Eady said when rejecting a second application - the first of Monday's attempts - by Sun publisher News Group Newspapers to discharge the privacy injunction, that the court's duty "remains to try and protect the claimant, and particularly his family, from intrusion and harassment so long as it can".
The Attorney General Dominic Grieve told the Commons the prime minister had asked for a joint committee of peers and MPs to investigate the use of privacy orders.
David Cameron has written a letter to Mr Whittingdale, recommending the setting up of a new body.
Earlier the prime minister told ITV1's Daybreak that banning newspapers from naming such stars while the information was widely available on the internet was both "unsustainable" and "unfair".
In another case brought by a separate footballer, known to the court as TSE, a High Court judge ruled on Monday that comments on Twitter about the private life of a famous person did not mean there should be no injunction preventing newspapers from publishing stories about him.
Midfielder Ryan Giggs, 37, is Manchester United's most senior player, having appeared in 613 games.
He celebrated with the team at Old Trafford on Sunday as they lifted the Premier League trophy for a record 19th time, and is expected to be in the squad to face Barcelona in Saturday's European Champions League final at Wembley.
The player, who made 64 appearances for Wales before retiring from international football in 2007, was awarded an OBE that year.
He was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009.
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Ancelotti sacked as Chelsea boss

2011-05-22T23:46:00.000+01:00

Chelsea have sacked manager Carlo Ancelotti after he ended his second season at the club without a trophy.
He was dismissed following the 1-0 loss to Everton, as the west Londoners finished second in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old had one more year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
A club statement read: "This season's performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season's preparations."
Speculation had been mounting that Ancelotti would be sacked following Chelsea's first season without a trophy in three years.
They missed out in the Premier League as Manchester United clinched their 19th top-flight title last week, further compounded by exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup during the season.
The Blues, who were Premier League and FA Cup holders at the start of the campaign, finished nine points behind United and only ahead of third-placed Manchester City on goal difference.
Former manager Avram Grant suffered similar treatment when Chelsea finished second in the domestic table and lost the Champions League final in 2008 on penalties.
And ambitious owner Roman Abramovich, who bankrolled an audacious £50m move for striker Fernando Torres during the January transfer window, will now start the search for a successor capable of recapturing the Premier League from Manchester United, while also guiding the club to the much-coveted Champions League trophy.
"Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager," read the club statement.
Ancelotti had reiterated his ambition to remain at Chelsea, but insisted the decision was entirely down to the club's demanding hierarchy.
"I am now on holiday - but I am not sure how long my holiday will be," he said in his post-match media conference shortly before he was sacked.
"We haven't arranged any meeting but I think in the next week, now the season is finished, the club can address my job and they will take a decision.
"I have to wait and see what happens. I don't have to say anything to the club - they can judge me on my job for two years."
Ancelotti had been coveted by Abramovich after spending eight years in charge at AC Milan, guiding the Italian giants to two Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007.
He signed a three-year contract in June 2009, taking over from interim boss Guus Hiddink, who had guided Chelsea to the FA Cup before returning to take charge of the Russia national team.
Ancelotti's first season in English football began in spectacular fashion, winning the Premier League and FA Cup - sealing the former with a thumping 8-0 victory against Wigan on the final day of the 2010 calendar.
But his second year in west London proved significantly more challenging as he was twice thwarted by Manchester United domestically and in the Champions League, where Chelsea suffered a quarter-final exit to Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
Ancelotti's progress was hindered when assistant manager Ray Wilkins left the club in November after they decided not to renew his contract.
The Blues had been top of the table but the former England midfielder's departure coincided with a poor run of form, losing 3-0 to Sunderland before a 1-0 reverse against Birmingham during a six-match winless league run.
Defeats by Wolves and Liverpool followed at the start of the year before a late-season renaissance revived their title hopes.
However, a 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 8 May effectively sealed Sir Alex Ferguson's 12th Premier League title.
"Last year was really good, this year was not so good," added Ancelotti.
Chelsea's attentions will now turn to finding Ancelotti's successor, their seventh manager in the eight years since Abramovich took control of the club in 2003.
Porto's highly rated Andre Villas-Boas, Hiddink and former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard are all in the frame.
MOTD pundits on Ancelotti sacking
Dutchman Hiddink, who has a close relationship with Abramovich, revealed he still has an advisory role at Stamford Bridge.
"Since I left two years ago I've been advising the club on things concerning the squad," he wrote in De Telegraaf on Saturday.
"Sometimes I become a sounding board. It costs me very little time and I can combine it well with my position with Turkey. There is no conflict at all."
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Birmingham to keep boss McLeish

2011-05-22T23:19:00.001+01:00

Birmingham have told boss Alex McLeish he will keep his job after the club's relegation from the Premier League.
But McLeish is under pressure to secure an immediate return to the top flight.
"The club can confirm that manager Alex McLeish's job is safe but the board expect him to lead the side back to the Premier League in the 2011-12 season," said acting Blues chairman Peter Pannu.
Striker Kevin Phillips told BBC Radio 5 live that the club could lose up to 11 players during the summer.
"I'm pretty sure there will be players leaving and there are quite a few players out of contract," he said.
"Part of me fears for Birmingham over the summer because if we lose 10 or 11 players, it's extremely hard to replace them with the same quality."
Birmingham won the Carling Cup by beating Arsenal in February but ended the season with a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, which meant they dropped into the bottom three on a dramatic final day in the Premier League on Sunday.
Pannu added: "The board will take stock of what went wrong this season despite Carson Yeung's promised injection of £40m in funds - not £80m as the media wrongly assumed - and will closely discuss and implement appropriate procedures to ensure a speedy return to the top flight.
"Finally, a word for our terrific supporters, who are no doubt feeling the pain like everyone else connected with the club.
"We thank you for your tremendous backing - something we are confident we will still have moving forward as we embark on looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League."
McLeish admitted he was "devastated" by Birmingham's relegation but spoke about having to move on to "another challenge" of regaining their top-flight status and meet a target he has previously achieved.
The Scot took over at St Andrews in November 2007 and narrowly failed to save the club from the drop as the endured another final day of heartache as they missed out on survival by a point.
But he led Blues straight back up the following season and, after their spell in the Premier League ended after two seasons, that is the task McLeish faces once again.
Phillips is one of the Birmingham players out of contract this summer and the 37-year-old expects he will be leaving St Andrews before the start of next season.
"I spoke to the manager today and nothing was mentioned about a new contract so I'm taking it that I will have to look for another club," said the former Sunderland player.
"There are a couple of offers on the table from clubs, but I'm not in a rush into anything, if something takes my fancy then I will take a look at it."
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Wolverhampton Wanderers 'had lap of the gods on our side', says Stephen Hunt, after Premier League survival

2011-05-22T22:13:00.000+01:00

"Birmingham had shut up shop, and then they had to go for it and, in the end, got beaten and we got over the line."
Wolves looked to be heading out of the top flight after trailing 3-0 at the interval to goals from Jason Roberts, Brett Emerton and Junior Hoilett.
Hunt said: "At half-time I couldn't look the manager in the eye. I don't think anyone could. We didn't know what to say.
"We were down in the dumps. But Mick (McCarthy) got us going again with his team talk."
McCarthy said: "We were in it, then we were out of it. We were up and then we were down.
"I was getting messages every couple of minutes on bits of paper. Some had swear words on, others said happy days.
"I said all along that it would come down to May 22 and it might even be goal difference or goals scored.
"I do not even know the exact outcome now. All I knew at the end of the game was that we had stayed up."
"I am thrilled and I am very proud of the players. But I am shattered physically and emotionally."
Rovers' victory also made sure of their top-flight status and they earned applause from manager Steve Keane for their end-of-season form.
He said: "We have produced seven positive results from our last nine games.
"The team have come together as a group really well. We will be a better team and a better club for it.
"The first half was the best 45 minutes of our season. It is just a shame that we left it until the last game.
"We had someone on the subs' bench with a lap top keeping us in touch with the other scores. Every five minutes we were getting updates.
"I was fully in touch with things and a few minutes from the end, Mick McCarthy gave me a look to say 'that is it, we are both safe."'
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez says Premier League survival sweet after being written off 'many times'

2011-05-22T21:52:00.000+01:00

Wigan looked like they could be heading out of the top-flight with 15 minutes remaining before Rodallega rose highest to nod home a cross from Mohamed Diame.
It capped a remarkable comeback from Wigan, who had looked down and out at half-time the previous week when they trailed 2-0 at home to West Ham.
Martinez said: "We haven't chosen the easy route but it's a great feeling because we've been written off many times and we knew the talent we had.
"We were 2-0 down against West Ham and we needed a reaction and people with real responsibility.
"At the end of the season I feel we deserved to stay in the Premier League. We played some fantastic football and the players got their reward for that."
Survival looked a slim prospect for the Latics after a dismal first half display with Martinez's men looking nervy from the first moment onwards.
Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi looked threatened by Stoke's set-plays but he was also on his best form to deny both Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant.
The home side had the ball in the net in the 11th minute when Jones' header from a Rory Delap long throw was helped in by Jonathan Walters, who was well offside.
The visitors looked a different side at the start of the second half with Rodallega almost fashioning a chance and Conor Sammon firing straight at Asmir Begovic.
Substitute Tom Cleverley came close with his first touch when he shot straight at Begovic, before Rodallega pounced with his sweet finish to seal Wigan's survival.
Martinez added: "Sometimes you have to work on your concepts and ideas and it doesn't happen overnight.
"I have got a group of players who are receptive and prepared to work hard. After five months of hard work the team clicked and we were ready to compete."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis insisted Martinez's men "rode their luck" to claim the points they needed as his own side's season ended on a disappointing note.
Pulis said: "We took the first half and it was really disappointing that we didn't come in winning the game.
"In the first 20 minutes of the second half we were poor. We started as if the game had already been won and it was all over.
"Wigan were fighting for their lives and although we got some balls in the box we never look scoring in the second half.
"It's gone Wigan's way - they rode their luck and good luck to them."
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Blackpool manager Ian Holloway: 'fat lady has sung and I don't like the tune' after Premier League relegation

2011-05-22T19:53:00.000+01:00

Although they led at Manchester United yesterday, in the end, they were unable to resist Sir Alex Ferguson's men, slipping to a 4-2 defeat that ensured they finished second bottom on their top flight return.
"You are famous for two seconds in football, then you are gone," said Holloway. "If you aim for the stars, you might hit the moon.
"I have nothing but pride for my players and the way they have performed. I am ready for the fight to get us back."
Holloway is now braced for an assault on his squad from hungry predators, with his Old Trafford goalscorers Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher among those likely to be picked off.
If starting the season on June 30 is such a thing, a silver lining may come through a place in the Europa League if Blackpool have managed to finish highest out of the non-European qualifiers in the Fair Play Table.
However, for now, Holloway is only interested in righting a few wrongs.
"The fat lady has finished singing and I do not like the tune," he declared.
"The Premier League have rung me up and said 'we really love you Ian Holloway'. But they have never helped me.
"It is a great league. But the people who run it shouldn't. There should be people above them telling them what to do.
"Nobody has to hear from me for another 12 months but hopefully I will get the chance to tell them about how they do things."
Holloway's anger stems from being told he had to tell players by the third Saturday in May whether options on their contracts were being taken up.
In the instances of Richard Kingson, Marlon Harewood and Brett Ormerod, all of whom were on the bench this afternoon, the answer was no.
Others - Ian Evatt and Keith Southern - are being retained but are now condemned to vastly reduced terms due to Blackpool's relegation.
"Ask yourself how you would have felt to be me on Monday morning," said Holloway.
"The Football League give you five days after your last game. The Premier League told us we had to stick to the exact wording of the contracts.
"This was before the biggest game of my life. Surely common sense should have applied and I could have told them afterwards."
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Scholes set to carry on

2011-05-20T19:21:00.001+01:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is ready to extend his playing career for one more season. Scholes is approaching the end of his glittering career and there had been claims that the former England international was ready to retire in the summer.
United chief executive David Gill revealed last week that there was a chance the 36-year-old would opt to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign.
However, ahead of the newly-crowned Premier League champions' game against Blackpool on Sunday, Ferguson hinted that Scholes will delay his retirement.

A new 12-month contract has yet to be agreed with the tigerish schemer, but Ferguson is optimistic he has encouraged Scholes to carry on.
"I don't think this will be his last game," said the United boss ahead of Blackpool's visit.
"We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year.
"We'll talk at the end of the season."
Scholes has spent his entire career at Old Trafford and has scored 150 goals in 674 appearances for the Red Devils.
He has been part of 10 title-winning teams and, after missing the 1999 UEFA Champions League final success over Bayern Munich, was part of the side which overcame domestic rivals Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow in 2008.
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Bassong can't stay at Spurs

2011-05-20T18:43:00.001+01:00

Sebastien Bassong admits he will probably need to leave Tottenham in order to get the games he craves. The Cameroon international has made just seven Premier League starts for Spurs this season, with William Gallas, Michael Dawson and Ledley King ahead of him in the White Hart Lane pecking order.
He has been an unused substitute on 30 occasions in all competitions, leaving him to cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines.
Bassong, who started 25 games in 2009/10, concedes that he has gone 'from heaven to hell' in the space of 12 months.
"I feel that I have gone backwards, like I have gone from heaven to hell."
Sebastien Bassong Quotes of the week
He believes he may now have to look for a move elsewhere if he is to hold down regular first-team football and fulfil his career ambitions.
Bassong told the Guardian: "For a bit I felt lost because I haven't faced this situation before in my career.
"I feel that I have gone backwards, like I have gone from heaven to hell.
"I am a guy who simply has to play. I would never just sit there and take the money.
"I am reaching an age where, if I don't play week in, week out, and if I don't feel real trust in me, then I can't stay, no matter which club it is."
Bassong's admission follows on from Jermain Defoe hinting at a move away from White Hart Lane if he continues to play a limited role up front for the North London club.

Van der Sar set for PL farewell

2011-05-20T18:02:00.001+01:00

Edwin van der Sar will make his final Premier League appearance for Manchester United against Blackpool after Sir Alex Ferguson reiterated he will pick a strong team.
Dutch goalkeeper Van der Sar was rested for last week's 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers which secured United a record-breaking 19th top-flight title.
Van der Sar is retiring at the end of the season and will be drafted back into the team for Sunday's game against relegation-threatened Blackpool at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old's last appearance is set to be the following weekend's UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona and Ferguson is planning to freshen up his team to face Blackpool.
However, Ferguson has moved to reassure the Seasiders' relegation rivals by insisting he will not pick an under-strength team after outlining the players he expects to be involved.
"I have players who need a game," said Ferguson.
"Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar will play."
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has already been scathing about the threat of a fine being dangled over Ferguson should he field a weakened team on Sunday.
The United manager is not bothered about that and he only has a problem if his team loses, which he does not intend to happen.
"You should be criticised if you lose a game that affects other teams," said Ferguson.
"I remember we played Hull a couple of years ago and played a lot of young players but we won the game 1-0.
"For some reason the previous year, Neil Warnock found it easy to criticise us for losing to West Ham. But if he had seen the game we battered them, so it was a bit unfair."
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Denilson to quit Gunners

2011-05-20T17:23:00.002+01:00

Brazilian midfielder Denilson has stunned Arsenal by announcing that he wishes to leave the club.
The 23-year-old has been on the Gunners' books since 2006 and has made over 150 appearances for the club.
He has, however, grown disillusioned with life at the Emirates and believes the time has come to move on.
The Samba star claims a lack of silverware is to blame for his transfer request, with Arsenal having gone six years since they last picked up a trophy.
"I am a winner and I came here to win trophies but I've been here for five years and won nothing. A footballer's career is over very quickly so it is time for me to move on."
Denilson Quotes of the week
Denilson feels he needs to make a fresh start if he is to make the most of his career and sees himself playing in the Primera Liga or Serie A in the near future.
"This has been the worst season of my life and I am so upset, so frustrated," he told The Sun.
"I am a winner and I came here to win trophies but I've been here for five years and won nothing.
"A footballer's career is over very quickly so it is time for me to move on.
"This is not a sudden decision. I made up my mind eight months ago.
"I was fed up of coming home and feeling down.
"But I haven't said anything until now because I did not want to disrupt the team during the season. And I haven't caused a big scene.
"I've simply been to see Arsene Wenger and told him how I felt and he's agreed to let me go.
"I know some people will think I am crazy. They are right. It is a great club with a great organisation, a great manager and so many talented players.
"Yes, I make a good living at Arsenal but other things in life are important.
"I need a fresh challenge and although I know I'm taking a big gamble I am ready to take that risk."
Denilson added: "I can't see myself returning in a Chelsea shirt or Liverpool or Manchester City, and definitely not Tottenham. I think my future will be in Spain or Italy."

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says he must calm down if he goes into management after playing career

2011-05-20T17:03:00.001+01:00

The 33 year-old still has more than a year left on his current deal at Anfield but has long been linked with a move into coaching.
Carragher, the club's second highest appearance-maker with 667, is playing under his fifth Liverpool manager in Kenny Dalglish and accepts he has learned much from all of them.
He does not know what sort of manager he would make should he decide to take the plunge when he eventually does retire from playing, only that he will have to be a lot calmer.
"I probably wouldn't be able to lose my temper as much as I do on the pitch," said the centre-back.
"Managers these days don't really lose their temper too much, it's the way the modern manager is.
"I'd imagine if Kenny wasn't happy about something he just wouldn't pick you, I suppose that's the best way because sometimes it doesn't matter how much you shout.
"He is very easy going, which is maybe different to other managers I've worked under.
"They had their own styles, which again I've learned from in different ways.
"Every manager does it his own way and Kenny is an individual - he has a sense of humour and he wants that to rub off on his players.
"What it boils down to is success. If you win, it's the right way and if you don't it's looked at as being the wrong way.
"There is no set pattern to being a manager and any player will tell you that they take little things from every manager or coach you play for.
"But when you get into a job like that you only learn from your mistakes - the more experience you get, the better you get in dealing with situations.
"However, until it happens it is not something I'm really thinking about."
Recently Carragher has been focused more on helping teenage defenders John Flanagan and Jack Robinson settle into the first team after injuries forced them to be fast-tracked from the reserves.
It has been an easier job than he could have expected as both, particularly Flanagan who has featured in the past six matches, have not looked out of place.
That points to a healthier future not only for the first team but the academy, from where Carragher himself graduated.
"What Flanno has done is to give everyone at the academy and club generally a lot of hope," he added.
"Supporters want to see local lads progress but more importantly for the lads hoping to progress they now think 'Well, Flanno's done it, so can I'.
"He's in the team on merit now and has shown he is capable of playing out of his comfort zone [at left-back against Newcastle and Fulham]."
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Former West Ham striker Paulo di Canio to be named Swindon Town manager

2011-05-20T16:23:00.001+01:00

The 42-year-old Italian, whose brilliance during his playing days walked hand in hand with controversy, takes the reins from Paul Bodin, who was only briefly placed in caretaker charge after the club parted ways with Paul Hart three weeks ago.
Di Canio will make his managerial bow in League Two after Hart, who only took over himself from Danny Wilson in early March, failed to save the Wiltshire club from relegation this season.
The appointment marks a sensational return to England for Di Canio in what is the bottom tier of the Football League, having also been linked with the vacancy at former club West Ham on more than one occasion.
His official unveiling will take place on Monday after the paperwork is completed, at which point the length of contract will be announced.
A statement on the club's official website read: "The board of STFC is committed to returning to League One at the earliest opportunity and is confident that Paolo will build a team with a new level of passion, pride and professionalism to ensure this goal is achieved."
Di Canio, who holds a coaching licence, was one of eight prospective managers shortlisted and subsequently interviewed last week by interim chairman Jeremy Wray for the Town vacancy, with others believed to include George Burley and Dietmar Hamann.
But the lure of the passionate Rome-born former striker has proved too strong and it is understood he accepted the position yesterday.
Di Canio, who will wrap up his work as a pundit in his native Italy this weekend, has been keen to move into the dugout for some time although many anticipated his managerial bow to possibly be made higher up the football pyramid.
He started his career in his homeland with Lazio, Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan - during which time he won the Serie A title and European Super Cup and claimed runners-up medals in both the Uefa Cup and European Cup among other achivements.
Di Canio completed a move to Celtic in 1996, where he spent a single season before a two-year spell at Sheffield Wednesday followed.
It was at Hillsborough where he famously pushed referee Paul Alcock to the ground after being sent off and was banned for 11 matches.
He switched to West Ham in 1999 where he enjoyed huge success and lit up the Premier League with his flair and skill, remaining idolised by the Upton Park faithful to this day.
He swapped the Hammers for a brief spell with Charlton in 2003 before returning to Rome and spells with Lazio - where off-field troubles continued to follow him, most notably after his fascist salutes to a section of the club's fans - and Cisco Roma.
His retirement from professional football finally came in 2008.
Di Canio will now take the reins at Swindon and attempt to guide the club back into England's third tier at the first attempt.
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Carlos Tevez: I want to leave Manchester City

2011-05-20T15:56:00.001+01:00

Tevez, who lifted the FA Cup for City on Saturday, told Radio Del Plata: "I want to leave Manchester City. Football has changed a lot for me and I don't know if I will even make it to the next World Cup. And that has nothing to do with whether I'm selected or not.
"I've been treated very well here and I'm grateful. I also gave my everything for the club to receive the results it has had. But I need a change of scene."
Tevez handed in a transfer request in January, but boss Roberto Mancini had hoped the striker would stay following City's qualification for the Champions League.
However, it seems Tevez remains unhappy with life at Eastlands.
"To go back to Boca Juniors would be beautiful but it is very difficult," he added.
"I spoke to their midfielder Roman Riquelme and, messing around, we agreed I would go back one day. But if we're speaking seriously, financial issues would make my return difficult."
After lifting the FA Cup at Wembley Tevez said the catch to dethrone Manchester United at the top of English football could persuade him to stay at the club.
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Man Utd players face Twitter ban

2011-05-20T15:29:00.001+01:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested his players could be banned from using Twitter.
The micro-blogging website is used by United players including Wayne Rooney, who was involved in an incident with a follower on Tuesday.
While Ferguson, 69, said he did not understand Twitter, he said the club are looking at the possible "issues attached" to using the website.
"I don't know why anybody can be bothered with that stuff," he said.
"How do you find the time to do that? There are a million things you can do in your life without that.
"Get yourself down to the library and read a book. Seriously. It is a waste of time.
"It seems to have a certain momentum at the moment. Everyone seems to want to do it."
Defender Rio Ferdinand is a prolific Tweeter, Michael Owen and Nani are regular users while Rooney recently joined the growing number of footballers with a large following after signing up last month.
The striker told one user "I'll put u asleep within 10 seconds" when he replied to an abusive tweet before dismissing his words as "banter".
However, a trio of footballers have been reprimanded by the Football Association for inappropriate comments made on their profiles.
West Ham players Carlton Cole and Danny Gabbidon have both fined and warned about their future conduct, along with former Liverpool striker Ryan Babel.
And Ferguson said his players must take greater responsibility, especially when conducting themselves off the pitch.
"They are responsible for their actions," he said of his players.
"We as a club are looking at it [Twitter] because there can be issues attached to it. And we don't want that."
And the Scot dismissed the suggestion that Twitter brings the players closer to the supporters.
"It would be better if they did it on the pitch," added Ferguson.
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Coyle resigned to losing Elmander

2011-05-20T14:54:00.002+01:00

Bolton boss Owen Coyle expects Johan Elmander to leave this summer, with Galatasaray favourites to sign him.
The 29-year-old striker, who has scored 12 goals so far this season, is out of contract at the end of next month.
Coyle said: "Galatasaray have announced on their website they have agreed something with Johan. Do I expect him to leave? In my heart of hearts, yes."
Turkish giants Galatasaray say they have an "understanding in principle" with the Swedish international.
Coyle added: "I have spoken to Johan and certainly nothing has been signed. That is not to say it won't be signed, maybe in the next couple of weeks.
"These are the things you have to deal with as a manager. I am very comfortable with that.
"I wish Johan well if and when that [a move] comes about because he has worked ever so hard for me in training each and every day.
"When he has worn that shirt he has given me everything he has got in a number of positions and worked his socks off for the team. He is someone I have a very good relationship with."
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Peterboro' 2-0 MK Dons (agg 4-3)

2011-05-20T14:21:00.001+01:00

Craig Mackail-Smith grabbed his 34th goal of the season to take Peterborough into the League One play-off final.
With Milton Keynes Dons leading 3-2 from the first leg, Posh captain Grant McCann levelled the aggregate score when he curled in a free-kick.
Mackail-Smith tapped in the decider at the second attempt from close range after Dons keeper David Martin palmed George Boyd's shot into his path.
Peterborough will now play Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford on Sunday, 29 May.
No fewer than 109 goals had been scored at London Road this season before kick-off, at an average of 4.07 per game.
So it was no surprise that Peterborough, who made three enforced changes to the side who were beaten in the first leg at Stadium MK on Sunday, raced out of the traps looking for the goal they needed to level the aggregate scores.
Mackail-Smith saw a low shot pushed round his near post by Martin before the hosts found the breakthrough they wanted.
Gary MacKenzie fouled Lee Tomlin on the angle of the penalty area and McCann bent his free-kick over the wall and in at the near post, despite Martin's best efforts.
Grant Basey whipped over a low cross which Mackail-Smith and James Wesolowski just failed to convert, while Martin produced another smart save at his near post from Mackail-Smith as Peterborough, who were playing at a high tempo both with and without the ball, continued to have the better of proceedings.
But it was certainly not one-way traffic, and MK Dons served notice of their threat when Sam Baldock caused havoc in the home defence as he competed for MacKenzie's cross, and Daniel Powell stole in to smack a shot from 10 yards against the bar.
After surviving that scare, Peterborough threatened once more when George Boyd turned McCann's miscued shot goalwards but Martin was again equal to the effort.
They finally got their nose in front in the tie for the first time since Mackail-Smith's early opener at Stadium MK in the 54th minute.
MacKenzie and Sean O'Hanlon got in a terrible mess as they attempted to clear Tomlin's cross, presenting Boyd with a clear shot on goal.
Martin did superbly to save Boyd's drive, but could only divert the ball into the path of Mackail-Smith who, after seeing his initial effort blocked by the covering Luke Chadwick, slotted home at the second attempt.
Tomlin thought he had wrapped things up for Posh when he beat Martin with an angled drive, but referee Colin Webster inexplicably pulled play back for a foul on Boyd in the build-up.
And Peterborough almost paid a higher price when play swung to the other end as Baldock picked out the unmarked Angelo Balanta, who was denied a certain goal by an impeccably timed sliding challenge by Wesolowski.
The hosts reacted well to that let-off by going close again when MacKenzie deflected Tommy Rowe's goalbound shot for a corner, while Mackail-Smith was only denied a late second by the post.
MK Dons threw on Keanu Marsh-Brown and Lewis Guy in search of an equaliser but goalkeeper Paul Jones, starting only his second game for Posh because of first-choice Joe Lewis's knee injury, was relatively untroubled.
In fact, the Dons ended up fighting amongst themselves as Marsh-Brown and Stephen Gleeson, who was able to play after having his red card from the first leg overturned, exchanged words and pushed and shoved each other as their frustrations boiled over.
Peterborough hearts were briefly in mouths when Marsh-Brown fizzed in a low cross to Balanta, who should have done better then blast his shot over the bar before having his blushes spared by an offside flag.
Victory means Posh boss Darren Ferguson will return to Old Trafford to lead his side out against Huddersfield at the ground where he started his playing career, and where his father Sir Alex's Manchester United side will receive the Premier League trophy on Sunday.
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Premier League wants us relegated says Blackpool manager Ian Holloway

2011-05-19T00:37:00.001+01:00

Holloway is furious at claims United could get fined if Sir Alex Ferguson fields an understrength team and Blackpool secure top flight survival by becoming the first team this season to win at Old Trafford.
Not only does Holloway feel it undermines his own team, he is also indignant at the suggestion Ferguson is not bothered about finishing the Premier League season on a high note.
And he is coming to the view that the game's authorities do not want him around.
''They will be relieved if we lose and get relegated,'' said Holloway. ''Then I am not badgering them.
''I am so annoyed. Sir Alex Ferguson is a winner. He would never dream of not being interested in winning any match.
''That man deserves to pick whatever team he wants to pick. No one should question it.
''Look at his record. Those people running the game, what planet are they on? They must have beamed down from planet Zarf. They are not in the right world.
''They think we can only beat Manchester United if they are weak. What a load of baloney. Unfortunately, that is what we are dealing with.''
Holloway added: ''Already, they are saying Blackpool can't beat them. I am glad I don't go to work thinking that, otherwise I would never have got promoted last year.
''I would have been relegated from the Championship because that is what everyone said was going to happen.
''That attitude offends me. It upsets me on a personal note about my club and definitely on a Manchester United note. How dare they talk about Sir Alex like that? Haven't they seen his hairdryer? Haven't they seen how successful he is.
''Ask Schalke if they think Manchester United have a weak team.
''On Sunday, we have to try and do the impossible. It's got to be perfect. No one else has beaten them. And if we do, they might get fined because we are rubbish.''
If Holloway has not had enough to contend with this week trying to get his head round a situation where Blackpool could win and go down on Sunday, or lose and stay up, there have also been contracts to sort out.
Due to the nature of the deals Blackpool got their players to sign last summer, most required formal notification by this weekend about whether they were staying at Bloomfield Road or not.
Ian Evatt and Keith Southern have already been given new contracts, Brett Ormerod is still negotiating his, whilst Stephen Crainey, Matthew Gilks and David Vaughan have rejected the initial offers
''There has been no leeway,'' said Holloway.
''My chairman has done the bare minimum at this moment. If we stay up they will have a chance to negotiate better terms.
''It is slightly demotivating. I guess this weekend will see if I am any good as a motivator.''
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Manchester United will not be intimidated by Barcelona in the Champions League final, says Rio Ferdinand

2011-05-19T00:04:00.001+01:00

They have been talked up as the best team in the world so often, it must be true.
Indeed, earlier this season, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp suggested Barcelona were the best club side ever.
However, after securing a record 19th league title and reaching the Champions League final for the third time in four years, something Barça cannot match, Ferdinand does not see why United should be the ones with an inferiority complex.
''You do see the aura a little bit,'' said Ferdinand.
''We had it here. There would be times when we felt in the tunnel we had a game won. But I can guarantee that won't happen with us.
''We have experienced players who have played against a lot of great teams throughout their careers.
''When I look around my own changing room, it instils me with confidence.''
Not that Ferdinand is downplaying the abilities of Barcelona's 'Holy Trinity'.
As Messi is widely acknowledged to be the best player in the world at present, and Xavi and Iniesta were the inspirations behind Spain's World Cup triumph last summer, he could hardly do that.
But the 32-year-old does feel it is pointless getting hung up on three players, when there are another eight who could cause damage as well.
''You watch the games and see Barcelona on TV and they obviously have fantastic players,'' he said.
''They have got three of the best in the world if you go by the various awards. But it is not just down to them.
''If you try to mark one player out of their team, you still have another 10 to contend with.
''They are experienced and they know how to win. They have consistently collected trophies over the last two or three years.
''But I am sure they will be thinking exactly the same about us.''
And, though the defeat to Barca in the 2009 Champions League final conjures up largely negative thoughts in Ferdinand's mind, in the context of the rematch, there are some positive ones.
For a start, as badly as United performed, they still created opportunities, so who would argue they will fail to muster any if they actually produce a display to match their ability?
''We had opportunities that day without playing to anywhere near our maximum,'' said Ferdinand.
''It makes us think we will have chances again. We know we are capable of causing them problems.
''I am not bothered about it being a good match. I wouldn't mind it being the best Manchester United against the worst Barcelona.
''We will try and do whatever it takes to win. The biggest thing in football is to never come off the pitch with any regrets.
''There were regrets that night and I don't want to experience that again.''
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West Ham's Demba Ba unsure of future at club after claiming he was racially abused by a supporter

2011-05-18T23:26:00.001+01:00

Demba Ba will take a break in the summer and consider his West Ham future after he claimed a supporter racially abused him.
The player is unwilling to make a snap decision following the events of Monday night, insisting he will take some time away in the close season and be “thinking about my future later on.”
Police were called to the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane on Monday night following disturbances at the £275-a-head event, which was attended by players and executives from the club who on Sunday were relegated from the Premier League after defeat at Wigan, and sacked manager Avram Grant.
It was initially suggested the problems had started because Ba refused to sign an autograph, but the Senegal striker maintains he did not turn down the request and that he and team-mate Danny Gabbidon were the victims of racism.
Despite the unsavoury end to the season, both on and off the pitch, the 25-year-old – who has scored seven goals since his January loan move from Hoffenheim – indicated he would take some time before deciding on where he would play next season.
“I will be thinking about my future later on. I just want to finish the season properly, then relax and have some time off with my family, then come back with some new resolutions.
“It is a sad moment, but we tried our best until the end and unfortunately we were relegated.”
The Senegal international, however, admitted the incident on Monday evening had left him shocked.
“This guy came and asked for an autograph so I gave him his autograph,” Ba said.
“Then he asked me nicely how I was feeling so I just said I was tired from the game yesterday and that it was a tough game. And then he just replied ‘Oh, we’re tired watching you play every weekend’.
“I was surprised and told [Manuel] Da Costa what the guy had said. Then the guy all of a sudden started screaming at me like crazy. I tried to calm him down but he didn’t want to.
“He kept on screaming, then some players came and pushed me out of there. They just told me to walk away and tried to calm this guy down, but he didn’t want to calm down and started smashing some tables and glasses.
“(West Ham fullback) Herita Ilunga was sitting on the table next to me. He is a calm guy, so I just said ‘come and try to calm this guy’ but (the supporter) started insulting me. So I got up to show I’m not impressed at all by him, but this guy was a bit drunk.
“When my team-mates saw me they came between us. Danny Gabbidon came and said ‘sit down’, so I sat down and they tried to talk to him, but he didn’t want to talk to anybody.
“When he (the supporter) talked to me I didn’t understand everything that he said, but the people next to me said he was saying racist things and stuff.
“When Gabbidon heard these words he came and tried to talk to him, but this guy didn’t want to listen and started insulting Gabbidon as well.”
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insisted the incident had been “blown out of all proportion”.
He said: “A player was racially abused by the same drunken supporter, which is not acceptable. Sadly one drunken supporter let the club down.”
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Wolves owner backs boss McCarthy

2011-05-18T22:59:00.001+01:00

Wolves owner Steve Morgan says he wants Mick McCarthy to stay on as the club's manager even if they are relegated.
Wolves host Blackburn at Molineux on Sunday knowing a win would be enough to keep them in the Premier League.
"You never give the dreaded vote of confidence but Mick has been here for five years and I don't believe you get any progress at all by chopping and changing," said Morgan.
"Chopping and changing happens at other clubs and what good has it done them?"
Wolves looked like they were struggling to survive after a 3-0 defeat at Stoke in April, but a draw at Birmingham followed by wins against West Brom and Sunderland have boosted their hopes.
They are 16th, a point above the drop zone going into Sunday's decisive final round of fixtures, with opponents Blackburn also in danger of relegation.
But Morgan, who took over at Wolves in 2007, has paid tribute to the job McCarthy has done in the west Midlands.
"I know Mick has made progress every year since I've been here," he added. "There are times in life when things don't go right but you've got to get back up and stand together and make sure you get it right next time.
"The fans have seen that, they've got behind the club and everyone benefits from it.
"In the first year I was here with Mick we missed the play-offs by one goal, the second year we were champions and the third year we established ourselves in the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.
"This year we are already two points ahead of last year despite still being in a relegation fight."
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Neville urges Scholes to play on

2011-05-18T22:24:00.001+01:00

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has urged Paul Scholes not to retire at the end of the season.
Neville, 36, retired in February but said ex-England midfielder Scholes, also 36, still has plenty to offer.
He told BBC Radio Manchester: "It's a difficult one as if you watch him play, and watched me play in the last few months, there is a complete difference.
"If I was playing at the ability level he's got and the contribution that he still makes in games, I'd carry on."
Neville added: "I look at him as a Man United fan now, and a friend as well, and I want to see him play."
Scholes made his United debut in 1994 and has scored 150 goals in 675 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit.
"Paul's his own man, he won't be influenced by what I say or by others," Neville continued.
"Obviously the manager will be speaking to him and he'll come to the right decision for himself and his family."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded Scholes to sign a new one-year contract last summer, after the player had expressed doubts as to whether he should continue playing.
He retired from international after Euro 2004, at the age of 29, to focus on playing for his club and rejected an offer to come out of retirement from England manager Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Neville also said that he did not regret his own decision to retire , after the Red Devils clinched a record 19th league title at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
"Obviously you'd love to be out there for the rest of your life, but I'm content with the decisions I've made," Neville reflected.
"I had no choice. My level of performance wasn't to the level and the standard these lads have achieved.
"You see the way in which Fabio and Rafael have developed and I was clogging things up.
"These lads are good enough to go and play and they're playing at a fantastic level now and are getting great experience.
"They're going to play in European Cup finals and that serves the club for the next 10 years.
"If I'd had been at that level I would have carried on believe me, I wouldn't have given it in for the world, but I wasn't at that level that they were at."
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Tevez wants to stay, says Mancini

2011-05-18T21:51:00.001+01:00

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said captain Carlos Tevez wants to stay at Eastlands after the 3-0 Premier League win over Stoke.
Argentine Tevez's future has been in doubt since the 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January.
"He has a five-year contract and has told us he wants to stay," said Mancini after seeing Tevez score twice to help lift City to third in the table.
The Italian added: "He said it before. He never had any problem."
Mancini's comments seem to be at odds with those coming from Tevez himself.
Immediately after Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Stoke on Saturday, the South American stated that "there is an issue we need to sort out and that's the long distance between me and my family".
And it has been widely thought that Tevez will choose to move to Spain or Italy at the end of this season.
But not according to Mancini, who continued after his side's final home Premier League game of the campaign: "I think he will stay here next year. He doesn't have a problem.
"I spoke with him many times in the last 20 days. It is my opinion that Carlos stays here next season.
"In December he had a problem. But everyone can change his opinion.
"Carlos is an important player here. Carlos has scored 20 goals this season. Every time we say Carlos is an important player. Carlos is Carlos. He is a fantastic striker and a fantastic player for us. The feeling for him is good. Nowhere else can he find behaviour that all people have for him."
Mancini also thinks that Tevez, who moved level with Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov in the race for the Golden Boot with a brace that took him to 20 goals for the season, will want to be part of a new era at City.
"When we play in the Champions League, probably we will have a better squad," Mancini stated.

"We can buy other good players. Why should Tevez change [teams]? I don't think this will happen."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis conceded that his side were well beaten at Eastlands and tipped City to "become a force".
"It was always going to be difficult, the after-effects of the Cup meant the lads were still feeling down," Pulis reflected.
"Tevez scored two great goals. The free-kick - how far did he start the ball outside the post? It was fantastic technique.
"City are a good side - they are going to be a force, they have the right balance of pace, power and strength. They will join Chelsea and United in being one of the powers in this country."
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Shearer backs Rovers survival bid

2011-05-18T21:13:00.001+01:00

Former Blackburn striker Alan Shearer thinks his former side are capable of avoiding relegation from the Premier League on Sunday.
Blackburn face fellow strugglers Wolves in the final round of games with both sides just a point above the drop zone.
"I think they will be ok," Shearer told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"I think there are three worse teams than Blackburn, but it will be a tough day for all the teams. It's hard but fingers crossed they'll have enough."
The Match of the Day pundit added: "I've been down there myself both as a player with Southampton and when I managed Newcastle for the last eight games."
Shearer, who won the Premiership title with Blackburn in 1995, said he still says he still keeps an eye out for the team he scored 112 league goals for: "It's always a result I look for and it's hard to see them down at the wrong end of the table.
"I had four magnificent years there so obviously I've got got affinity with the club.
"They're still not out of the mire and have a very tough game on Sunday and I hope they get out of it for the fans.
The former England captain acknowledged that Rovers have only themselves to blame for their poor league standing: "Whoever's down there at this time of the season, they're not down there by bad luck. They're down there because they deserve to be down there.
"Teams can say they've been unlucky with injuries, but every team has the same problems throughout the season."
Defeats for Blackpool, Wigan and Birmingham on the final day would guarantee Blackburn's top-flight survival, irrespective of their result at Molineux.
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Zenden confirms Sunderland exit

2011-05-18T20:46:00.000+01:00

Sunderland midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has confirmed he will leave the club when his current one-year deal expires this summer.

The 34-year-old is likely to make his final appearance in Sunday's Premier League trip to West Ham - his 50th game for the Black Cats.

"It's something that you deal with," Zenden told BBC Newcastle.

"I've really enjoyed my time here in the north east, and there is loads to look back on in a positive way."

Zenden continued: "For example, leading the team out at Old Trafford as the captain, the way the derbies went and then the fans sticking with us, and at the weekend seeing 42,000 people in the stadium.

"Those are the sort of things that will stick with me, I've always been well received by the fans and I appreciate that."

The former Netherlands international has been used sparingly by boss Steve Bruce during his time at the Stadium of Light, making only 10 league starts in one and a half seasons.

He has also previously expressed his frustrations at the number of games played in the first-team, particularly amid injuries to midfielders such as Lee Cattermole, Kieran Richardson and David Meyler.

"I'm hard to say it's a regret [that I haven't had chance to prove myself], but if you're only on the field for 10 minutes it's difficult to score an important goal," Zenden added.

"At other times I wished I had the opportunity to put more of a marker on the team, but that's the way it is."

The former PSV, Barcelona and Liverpool winger arrived at Sunderland in October 2009, following his departure from French side Marseille earlier that year.

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Birmingham's Ben Foster and Colin Doyle in party allegations

2011-05-18T20:11:00.000+01:00

Birmingham City players Ben Foster and Colin Doyle have risked the wrath of Blues fans by allegedly staying out partying until 4am just days before their battle against relegation comes to a climax in the final game of the season.

It was claimed that the Carling Cup-winners' player of the year Foster and his fellow goalkeeper stayed out after the club's end of season dinner in the City Centre.

And the allegations are all the more embarrassing as they were made by Doyle's wife on Twitter. Clearly unimpressed with her husband's behaviour, she accused the pair of lacking 'respect' for the club and its fans.

The controversy comes just a day after West Ham's own end-of-season ceremony descended into chaos with police called after ugly confrontations between fans and players just a day after the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League was confirmed.

Becky Doyle wrote on her Twitter feed: '------ off with my husband getting in at 4am with fossy [Foster] and waking me up. celebrate next week when your safe. Have some respect.'

Then, seemingly after being persuaded to remove her previous comment, Mrs Doyle said: 'so angry, what's the point of Twitter if your not allowed to write what you want on it'.

Clearly still upset, she later added: 'Golf bag and clubs still for sale. comes with one hung-over husband.'

Birmingham face a daunting trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday to save their season. Despite beating Arsenal at Wembley in February to claim one of the season's three major prizes, Blues are on the brink of relegation to the Championship.

After a dismal 2-0 home defeat to Fulham on Sunday the club sit 17th in the league table, level on 39 points with both Wigan and Blackpool, who occupy the two remaining places to be decided in the drop zone.

Even with a win at Tottenham, Birmingham cannot be sure of their survival, should Blackpool and Wigan both win heavily in their own final matches.

The episode is particularly embarrassing for boss Alex McLeish, who could be facing the sack if Blues go down, but had backed his players' attitudes earlier in the evening when speaking at the awards ceremony.

He said: 'It is a test of character and these players have shown the character time and time again.'

According to the Telegraph, Foster, 28, and Doyle, 25, were among several players who had stayed out after attending the event at the National Indoor Arena, which featured a performance by Ocean Colour Scene.

Blues fans are sure to react with fury at the players' behaviour, particularly after the dismal defeat by Fulham last week.

But the club insisted that the players are 'fully focused' on the crucial battle on what has been dubbed 'Survival Sunday'.

A Birmingham spokesman said: 'The Big City Event was a chance for everybody associated with the football club to reflect on a historic season.

'However, the importance of this weekend's final fixture of the Barclays Premier League was stressed throughout the evening.

'Both the players and the management staff are fully focused on Sunday's hugely-important fixture at White Hart Lane.'

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Paolo Di Canio wants West Ham job

2011-05-18T19:38:00.001+01:00

Former West Ham forward Paolo Di Canio believes he is on the brink of securing a coaching position in England next season - and said he would 'give everything' if he ended up at Upton Park.
The 42-year-old has a coaching license and has been linked with a return to the Hammers following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League under Avram Grant, who was swiftly relieved of his duties.
'I believe my future will be in England,' Di Canio said. 'In the next few days something will happen, perhaps in an inferior division.

'English football is loyal, full of pride and I believe I'm close to returning to England.

'It is the country that I most love from a football standpoint.'
The former Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic striker spent a total of seven years in the Premiership, four of which were at West Ham.

'I am very saddened by West Ham's relegation,' he said. 'This team has always been in my heart.

'They have unique supporters. I would give everything for West Ham.

'I even have a Hammers tattoo.'
Despite his clear love for the club, Di Canio may have his work cut out convicing the West Ham hierarchy to hand him the reins at the relegated club.

Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan has appeared to rule out appointing fans' favourite Di Canio despite mounting speculation linking the Italian with the vacant hotseat.

He said: 'The problem with Paolo is, although the fans would love it, I'm being realistic and he has no experience whatsoever being a manager.

'If you look at first-season managers the failure rate is enormous. If he'd done a season anywhere and was, say, top of Serie B in Italy with a team, I'd take the chance.

'My heart would say Paolo and the fans would say Paolo. But with someone who's a complete novice as a manager, with no experience, you just can't go with it.'

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Martin O'Neill to turn down West Ham

2011-05-18T05:55:00.000+01:00

Martin O'Neill is expected to reject West Ham’s advances for the second time this year if the Upton Park board offer him the job that no leading manager seems to want.

The Ulsterman is top of the club’s short list after their dismissal of Avram Grant on Sunday and they will try to persuade him to accept the task of guiding them back to the Barclays Premier League.

But Sportsmail understands that O’Neill has the same concerns about West Ham as he had when he declined the invitation to succeed Grant in January and sources close to the former Aston Villa and Celtic manager expect him to turn down any new offer.

O’Neill is more focused on settling his dispute with Villa over his departure last August. A Premier League managers’ arbitration panel is due to hear the case this week.

Sources close to O’Neill point out that if he was not keen on West Ham when they were a Premier League club, he will be even less so now.

However, Cardiff manager Dave Jones may enter the picture at Upton Park now he has failed to gain promotion in six seasons with the Welsh club.

Cardiff fans chanted, ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’, after Reading’s third goal in the Championship play-off defeat.

Jones said: ‘I will take stock of my position and decide whether I want to continue. It’s about what the owners want, what I want and what is best for this football club.’

The problem facing West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold is that other leading candidates have publicly declared a lack of interest in taking the job.

Former England manager Steve McClaren has said he has no desire to succeed Grant and Gus Poyet said he would be remaining with the Brighton side he has just guided to promotion.

‘No chance,’ said Poyet, his response apparently motivated by the way West Ham treated his close friend Gianfranco Zola.

The West Ham hierarchy are still expected to make an approach to O’Neill in the hope that they can persuade him to accept the challenge. Sullivan conceded that it had been a mistake to appoint Grant, who is now considering whether to return to Chelsea in some capacity.

But Grant’s agent, Pini Zahavi, claimed that the board did not make enough money available for transfers, particularly to bring in defensive reinforcements.

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Cardiff City 0 Reading 3; agg 0-3: match report

2011-05-18T04:36:00.000+01:00

Two goals from leading scorer Shane Long took Reading to Wembley and left Cardiff City to lament another night of missed opportunities.

Long, whose 21 goals in the regular season had guided the Royals into the top six, struck twice before half time to set up a final showdown against Swansea City and their former manager, Brendan Rogers.

Jobi McAnuff bit the hand that once fed him, with a third goal, six minutes from time, but by then, manager Brian McDermott was already planning his side's trip to home of English football.

McDermott, who played more than 50 games for the Bluebirds in the late eighties, said; "It's a wonderful achievement for a wonderful group of players. This is a tough place to come, but I thought we defended well, from front to back, and took our opportunities well when they came our way.

"We've got another tough game ahead of us, but I think we deserve to be there and I know the boys are looking forward to what should be another great occasion."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones said; "We were dominating the first half, but made a silly mistake and then conceded a penalty. You can't legislate for that. After that, we couldn't get the breakthrough and Reading earned their reward of a day out at Wembley.

"It's disappointing and at this moment, I feel lower than a snake's belly. However, I love my job and my CV tells you that I can bounce back.Â I need time to get over the disappointment and the anger, butÂ I certainly don't want to give up what I enjoy doing."

For the Bluebirds, the 11th hour news that Craig Bellamy would play no part in the game due to the hamstring injury he suffered at the Madejski Stadium on Friday, was a significant blow to their hopes of a second successive final appearance.

However, early chances for Peter Whittingham and Bellamy's replacement Michael Chopra, suggested that his absence was of little concern to those on parade.

Unfortunately,Â as those opportunitiesÂ came and went, so Reading grew in confidence and eventually, after a calamitous error by Stephen Bywater, the visitors took the lead, after 27 minutes.

Bywater failed to deal with a deflected back pass from Dekel Keinan and after the ball inadvertently struck Long, on the edge of the box, the Irishman hit the target with the most audacious lob.

A minute before the interval, Long struck his 23rd of the season when referee Howard Webb caught Keinan pulling Matt Mills'shirt. Long made no mistake from a dozen yards and Reading had one foot in the final.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas spurned a golden opportunity to halve the deficit, five minutes into the second half, before Noel Hunt, at the opposite end, struck an upright from no more than three yards.

As the steady drizzle began to further dampen Cardiff's forlorn hopes of a comeback, so Jones introduced Jason Koumas and Jon Parkin. The switch provided the Bluebirds with greater urgency and almost paid dividends, in the 66th minute, when a Kevin McNaughton free kick gifted Seyi Olofinjana with City's best chance of the night.

The influential midfielder fluffed his chance and then watched in disbelief as McAnuff hammered home the conclusive nail. Picking up the ball, 30 yards from goal, he drove into the City box and beat Bywater with consummate ease. That was that.

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Real Madrid's Kaka rules out summer switch to join Chelsea in the Premier League

2011-05-18T03:57:00.000+01:00

The Real Madrid forward, who rejected a move to Manchester City in January 2009, has been a target for Carlo Ancelotti, his coach at AC Milan, but wants to remain in Spain next season.

With Real signing Borussia Dortmund’s Turkish international Nuri Sahin and pursuing another German-based Turk, Bayern Munich’s Hamit Altintop, Kaka’s opportunities at the Bernabeu next season could be limited.

That has not dented Kaka’s loyalty, despite growing interest from the Premier League while news that his mother, Simone Leite, was coming to London later this year hinted at a possible move.

She announced on Twitter recently that she was arriving in the capital, saying: “We are going to be in London next season where we will be preaching the word of God. We will be there from August.”

Kaka, who was in London to help launch Adidas’s new adiPower Predator football boot, was quick to point out that she was coming here to preach.

The 29 year-old said: “My mother said she is coming to London in September to preach. She is coming to a congress here in London to speak about God. The truth is I want to stay at Real Madrid, and play for Real Madrid next season.”

Kaka has not ruled out a move to England eventually, however. “I want to stay and play there next season. I have a challenge in Madrid. I have an agreement with Real Madrid. I don’t want to think now about playing in the Premier League or going back to Brazil or going back to Italy,” he added. “At this moment, in my mind I want to stay and play at Real Madrid.”

Mark Hughes, the former Manchester City manager, wanted Kaka as part of the new revolution at Eastlands, but the Brazilian said: “I went to Madrid because, if I was going to leave Milan I wanted to play for Real Madrid and nobody else. I have had a bad two years personally because of the injuries.”

Kaka spent six years with Ancelotti at Milan and added: “I have a good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, but not just him, everybody I have played with at Madrid and Sao Paulo, and I am very proud of that.”

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Manchester City 3 Stoke City 0: match report

2011-05-18T03:37:00.000+01:00

Manchester City are finishing the season in style. In the space of a week, Roberto Mancini’s momentum men have qualified for the Champions League, lifted the FA Cup and now moved above Arsenal into third place in the Premier League. If Carlsberg did weeks….

Carlos Tevez and company played so well last night that even the Stoke City fans, who must be sick of the sight of them, sportingly joined in the Poznan. Tevez’s two goals were majestic, the second a free-kick that defied geometry, combining pace and bend, and finding the net as Thomas Sorensen found only thin air. Such a performance underlined Tevez’s importance to City, why all the fans hope he stays.

City have timed their run brilliantly, sending dark clouds scurrying across north London, first seeing off Tottenham Hotspur, and now seizing third from Arsenal. Back in February, Arsenal were dueling with United for the title; somehow they have contrived to come fourth in a two-horse race.

There could be a further twist in the tale but this result, although anticipated, shimmers with significance. City head to Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, knowing they need only match whatever Arsenal do at Fulham to qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League. Daniel Sturridge, who has a point to prove to erstwhile employers, lies in wait at the Reebok. He’s scored four in his last four but City are on a mission.

City are desperate to avoid fourth which brings a qualifying round. Because their co-efficient is modest, City would not be seeded, meaning they could be pitted against substantial opponents as Everton were against Villarreal in 2005. Third place brings a passport to the group stage, a ticket to the glamourous draw in Monaco, a summer of smiles.

Whether Tevez is in the light blue of City or black-and-blue of Inter Milan remains to be seen. He has made positive noises about staying to Mancini.

Removed by Mancini with a couple of minutes remaining, Tevez waved to the fans, seemingly a routine thanks but inevitably analysed for any valedictory feel.

Ten minutes after the final whistle, Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips emerged with a banner saying “thank you for your support”.

The rest of the football staff followed. Mancini and Tevez walked side by side, serenaded by the fans.

Even before his first goal after 14 minutes, Tevez’s imprint was on this match. When Yaya Toure found him with a lofted pass on the edge of Stoke’s box, the Argentine chested the ball down, swivelled and placed a right-foot over. He was merely setting his sights.

Fluttering to Tevez’s left was a series of banners, including a new one that read “35 years; take it down”, a reference to the ticker taunt on the Stretford End. Emboldened by ending all those years of hurt on Saturday, City clearly relished taking on Stoke again. They offered them some solace by playing “Delilah” before kick-off, and showed them respect by not parading the Cup last night, but the welcome ended there.

Tevez dominated the first half, soon hooking a pass down the inside-right channel for James Milner, who sliced his shot wide. City’s captain was constantly involved, dragging the ball delicately away from Andy Wilkinson one moment, the next minute testing Thomas Sorensen with a shot bent in with the outside of the right foot. But the real celebration of Tevez’s talent arrived just before the quarter-hour mark. Milner’s pass sent him darting into the box, and a feint of the shoulders sent Wilkinson and Ryan Shawcross the wrong way.

The space brilliantly opened, Tevez swept the ball superbly past Sorensen, who stood no chance. The ball was past him before he could blink, let alone move a glove in vainful resistance. It was an exceptional strike, a goal expertly conceived by Tevez, who instantly saw the porous possibilities in Stoke’s defence. Shawcross, for all his feting, still has a lot to learn.

Stoke’s captain was soon booked for baulking the onrushing Yaya Toure as blue waves continued to roll across visitors further weakened by the ravages of a long season. The injuries that inhibited Stoke at Wembley were fully seen here with Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Etherington and Robert Huth all failing to make even the bench. Rory Delap was amongst the substitutes. And to think City’s award-winning groundstaff had gone to all that trouble of moving the advertising hoardings in to restrict Delap’s run-up.

Stoke created little before the break. Their best chance came when John Carew let fly and the ball almost knocked out Micah Richards.

Barring that painful encounter, the England right-back mainly enjoyed the ball’s company.

Richards’ buccaneering runs drew reward shortly after the re-start. Danny Collins gifted City a free-kick with an ill-judged, although hardly malicious challenge on the galloping Richards. Adam Johnson lifted in the dead-ball and there was Joleon Lescott, amazingly left unattended, to head City further clear.

The game was ended as a meaningful contest just after the hour-mark. Again Tevez’s brilliance took the breath away. Presented with a free-kick opportunity right of centre, almost 30 yards, Tevez sent the ball spinning at speed past the Stoke wall.

Tevez missed the chance of a hat-trick, and moving ahead of 20-goal Dimitar Berbatov in the goalscoring ranks, with a wayward free-kick late on. No matter. City were third. Roll on Sunday.

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West Ham seek British manager with knowledge of London's East End

2011-05-18T02:57:00.000+01:00

Gianfranco Zola and Grant, the two most recent appointments, are the only non-British managers in the club’s 116-year history, but co-owner David Sullivan will now target candidates with specific knowledge and experience of English football.

That means ruling out Paolo di Canio, the club’s Italian former striker, and focusing on potential options that will include Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton, Dave Jones and Neil Warnock. Sullivan believes that it is necessary for the new manager to have a “fear factor”.

Allardyce, the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager, is likely to be at the top of the shortlist if he expressed interest in the position, although he may wish to bide his time in the hope of a Premier League job becoming available.

“We will wait to see who applies, we will wait to see what happens generally,” Sullivan said. “It will be resolved within I would think two weeks.

"I think we will definitely get a British manager, whether he is English, Scottish or Welsh makes no difference. We will get a home-grown manager.

"I think we do need someone who understands the culture and I think if we get someone with a knowledge of the East End that is so much better.”

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England Women win Sweden friendly

2011-05-18T02:30:00.000+01:00

Scott headed the hosts in front after 46 minutes and Carney sealed the win with her 70th-minute penalty.

England coach Hope Powell said: "We were very edgy in the first 15 minutes and Sweden were unlucky not to be in front at half-time.

"But we put things right, tightened up and might have got more goals."

Six weeks after impressively winning 2-1 against the United States, the world's top-ranked team, Powell's side beat Sweden for only the second time in 21 attempts. It was the first time since 1984, when Powell herself was in midfield.

Hesitancy in defence had almost cost England in the early stages, most notably when right back Alex Scott's poor clearing header fell for left winger Therese Sjogran to shoot against the near post.

England recovered to have a good spell in which left back Rachel Unitt had a 17th minute shot cleared off the line by full back Sara Thunebro.

The Swedes re-gained the upper hand and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley had to make good saves from Thunebro and striker Linda Forsberg before half-time.

England then made a great start to the second half, Scott rising at the far post to head in winger Rachel Yankey's corner.

Substitute Eni Aluko should have increased the lead in the 68th minute, racing clear of the defence but shooting against Hedvig Lindahl as the goalkeeper dashed off her line.

England's advantage was doubled though, when Carney drilled home from the spot after Alex Scott had been fouled by central defender Charlotte Rohlin.

Aluko missed another good chance after bursting clear in the 79th minute, but England were comfortable throughout the closing stages to complete a deserved victory over a Sweden team ranked fifth in the world, five places higher than them.

Powell said: "You want to go into important tournaments on a high and knowing you're capable of beating the world's leading nations.

"We've shown we can do that in our last two matches, but the important thing is to get results when the games matter and when points are at stake. That's what we have to do when we get to the World Cup."

England (4-2-3-1): Bardsley (New Jersey) (Chamberlain (Bristol Academy) 78); A. Scott (Boston Breakers), Bradley (Lincoln), Stoney (Lincoln) (Whelan (Everton) 87), Unitt (Everton) (Rafferty (Chelsea) 46); Asante (New Jersey Sky Blue) (Houghton (Arsenal) 46); J. Scott (Everton); Clarke (Lincoln), K. Smith (Boston Breakers) (Carney (Birmingham City) 46), Yankey (Arsenal); E. White (Arsenal) (Aluko (New Jersey Sky Blue) 46).

Sweden (4-4-2): Lindahl; Svensson, Sembrant, Rholin, Thunebro; Schelin, Seger, Hammarstrom (Ekblom Bak 65), Sjogran (Almgren 81); Landstrom, Forsberg (Jakobsson 62).

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Kroenke keeps Arsenal offer open

2011-05-18T00:55:00.001+01:00

Stan Kroenke's unconditional offer to Arsenal shareholders will remain open despite the American not completing a full takeover of the club.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE) bought additional shares last month to acquire a near 63% controlling interest in Arsenal's parent holding company.

As obliged, Kroenke made a formal offer for the remaining stock at £11,750 a share but has had no takers.

A statement confirmed the unconditional offer will stay open.

"KSE is pleased to announce that the Acceptance Condition has now been satisfied and the Offer is therefore unconditional in all respects," it read.

"The Offer, which remains subject to the terms set out in the Offer Document, will remain open for acceptances until further notice."

However, with Uzbek oil magnate Alisher Usmanov not selling his 27% stock through Red & White Holdings and the Arsenal Supporters Trust also urging all minority shareholders not to cash in, the Gunners will remain outside private ownership for now.

Kroenke, who accepted an invitation to join the board in September 2008, will still retain overall control.

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Martin Samuel: Avram Grant was hopeless but buck has to stop with Gold and Sullivan

2011-05-17T22:28:00.000+01:00

At least they did not go down fighting (well, not until last night's gala dinner, anyway).

At least they did not mount one of those heroic rearguard actions to take the battle to the final day of the season, all bitten nails and hoping against hope. That would have been the real travesty.

Instead, West Ham United were relegated in a manner that told the story of their season: spineless, hopeless, hapless, clueless, with players incapable of locating even the basic tools required for survival and a manager, unable and ineffective on the sidelines.
Without him, the club may still win a redundant final game against a Sunderland team that have also lost their way of late, to give the Barclays Premier League table a smattering of respectability, but it will be a false reading. The way it is now, after 37 games, is the truest reflection of West Ham's noxious season.

There are five teams, Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic, all within one point of each other, scrapping toe to toe, and another six points adrift, cut loose with a match to spare. That is how it should be.

Few tears will be shed for Blackburn, after the dismal way Sam Allardyce was treated by the new owners, but a case can be made for every other club in its struggle to maintain Premier League status.

Blackpool have provided tremendous entertainment value, Wigan and Wolves play good football and have managers that are rightly respected for their integrity, Birmingham delivered an afternoon of great drama by beating Arsenal to the Carling Cup and it would be a pity to now march on Europe from the Championship.

Even Blackburn, much maligned, have in recent weeks shown great resolve, away at West Ham and on Saturday against Manchester United, and may just have done enough if results are in their favour. West Ham, however, deserved to go down.

The manager deserved to go down, the players - most of them - deserved to go down, and the board? They have only themselves to blame.

Not for undermining Avram Grant, but for employing him in the first place and sticking with him when it was perfectly obvious he was not up to the job. The fact David Gold, co-owner, now wishes he had done things differently is scant consolation. He could not have been given more opportunity to reach the conclusion that Grant's record merited dismissal.

Most observers point to January and the failed attempt to recruit Martin O'Neill as the moment when Gold and David Sullivan should have acted decisively. Yet, as recently as this month, when a series of straight wins against Blackburn, Wigan and Sunderland might have propelled the club towards safety, there were those inside the club counselling that West Ham would have more chance without the manager.

Who would replace him? That was the telling observation. It was not a case of getting a man in, but of getting Grant out. He was seen as hindering any hope of recovery. At Wigan on Sunday, Jack Collison, starting his first game since March 3, 2010, looked exhausted after putting in a very good first-half display.

Early in the second half, with West Ham 2-0 up, Grant's assistants were agitating for him to be replaced by Scott Parker to shore up midfield. Grant procrastinated. Wigan had now changed to a 4-4-1-1 formation with Charles N'Zogbia behind Hugo Rodallega.

Perfect for the diligent Parker. Still no change. N'Zogbia scored after 57 minutes, Parker arrived after 61 - in a like-for-like exchange with Jonathan Spector - but by now the dynamic of the match had altered and the pressure was on.

West Ham's season is littered with moments like that, not least Grant's decision to go with Matthew Upson at Bolton Wanderers, once more against the advice of his assistants.

Upson was substituted at half-time with West Ham 2-0 down.The buck stops with Sullivan and Gold as the football decision-makers and Grant' s initial employers. Vice-chairman Karren Brady is considered part of the triumvirate, but she was not part of Grant's appointment and her responsibilities have been to deliver a successful bid for the Olympic stadium and reduce the debt.

With West Ham reporting a trading profit, that side of the business has been successful. If only football were as simple as that, though. In any other field, profit and potential expansion would be considered enough. In football, there is also a league table to contemplate, and West Ham will be bottom of it, whatever happens on Sunday.

Grant will shuffle off now, perhaps into the arms of his friend Roman Abramovich, while the senior players, including Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole, will begin searching for new careers in the Premier League. Others who hope to follow may get a surprise.

What price, for instance, Upson, whose performances this season have been nearer to 10 bob than the ?10million once quoted for his services?

Sullivan and Gold will need thick skins to see them through the next few days, starting with last night's 1,000-seat end-of-season dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Yet, the rightful criticism of them should also acknowledge two things: that they took over a diseased football club, close to extinction, and that their instincts in replacing Grant with O'Neill mid-season were correct.

Had those negotiations been successful it is very unlikely a plane would have flown over the scene of West Ham's relegation, trailing the banner, 'Martin O'Neill: Millwall legend', as happened to the forlornly impotent Grant on Sunday. The moment when he aimed his notes in frustration towards the bench at Manchester City, only to see them blown on to the pitch by a sudden gust of wind, summed up the ineffectuality of Grant's style.

The board correctly realised O'Neill was a galvanising force, the total opposite of the man they had appointed. Yet, the wooing process took too long, then became public knowledge, and O'Neill withdrew in embarrassment.

The mistake at that point was in not admitting that the presence of Grant was equally as damaging as the absence of O'Neill and pushing ahead with a second choice, such as Allardyce.

Towards the end, the board appeared to concede that having made their bed they would have to lie in it, the club seeming almost resigned to their fate, with directors absent for significant matches and Grant revising the points total required to survive as each match slipped wastefully away.

Meanwhile, Sullivan would sporadically surface to berate the players or paint a picture of an apocalyptic future in the Championship. Why, if life beyond the Premier League was so bad, did he take such a gamble by persevering with Grant, when all indications were that relegation would be the result?

Grant's final moments as West Ham manager, taken into a small room off the tunnel at Wigan's DW Stadium minutes after Sunday's game to be told of his fate, have also been condemned, but it would have been more spiteful to let him see out his tenure.

That date at the Grosvenor followed by the final home match of the season could have been harrowing for Grant and at least he will be spared the prospect of standing on the touchline for 90 minutes, battered by the fury of the fans.

That fixture over, next is a phenomenon West Ham loyalists have known before: the fire sale. Loan players will be returned, out-of-contract players jettisoned and the stars of the team, such as they are, sold to the highest bidder.

There is a desperate need to cut the wage bill when a reserve such as Julien Faubert earns ?47,000 per week. Upson is on ?60,000, while Cole receives a bonus of ?10,000 per goal, so may need to be sold before West Ham hit the level where he might score more than five in one season (Cole has scored more goals in cup competitions, six, than in the league this season, just as Grant won more cup games, eight, than Premier League matches, seven).

Left will be the young players, plus the odd freshly acquired loan and a few leading lights of the Championship, who know their way around West Ham's new surroundings.

The drawback is obvious in that the club would need to strengthen greatly were they to return to the Premier League or risk becoming a yo-yo club, much like Birmingham City, the previous project of Sullivan and Gold.
A managerial short-list is already being compiled to include O'Neill, Allardyce, Paul Lambert of Norwich City, Steve McClaren - although he tried to distance himself from the job last night - and Dave Jones of Cardiff City.

O'Neill remains a contender, but has unfinished business with Aston Villa due to be heard at a tribunal this week, while Allardyce may still be smarting at being overlooked in January, particularly as the job has just been made so much harder by relegation.
Indeed, West Ham may get a rude awakening to accompany their diminished status. Better Premier League jobs might come up this summer, perhaps at Everton, Fulham or Aston Villa, catching the eye of their preferred candidates.

Lambert may rather a Premier League future with Norwich, or Jones with Cardiff, play-offs permitting.

Having made such a fuss about his return to the top division, it is hard to see Neil Warnock leaving Queens Park Rangers, or the West Ham board being rash in appointing him, considering that few managers would have as little immediate rapport with the supporters, given Warnock's background with Sheffield United.

The selling point, of course, is potential. A 60,000- capacity stadium in 2014 could transform the fortunes of the club. Yet, the imperative is a swift return to the Premier League and this is not as easy as it sounds.

Since the Football League play-offs were introduced, 22 of 30 relegated Premier League teams have found no way back at the first attempt. For this reason, Sullivan and Gold's next appointment needs to be a considerable improvement on their last.
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Stop unacceptable chants - Lennon

2011-05-17T21:28:00.000+01:00

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has urged supporters to stop offensive chanting.
Distasteful songs were heard at Tynecastle last week when some Celtic fans clashed with stewards after a fan was arrested for assaulting Lennon.
"We must ensure that we do all we can to uphold the club's reputation," said Lennon in a club statement.
"In recent times, there has been a re-emergence, from a small minority, of some of the singing and chanting which is simply not acceptable."
Scottish football has come under intense scrutiny this season with the behaviour of playing staff, management and fans receiving public criticism from senior politicians and police.
And Lennon said he wants the chanting of "unacceptable" songs at Celtic's matches to stop.
In a statement on the club website, Lennon said: "Celtic is rightly proud of its unique history and also of its open, inclusive and welcoming spirit. It is this which we hold dear.
"While we are delighted with the support we have received throughout the season, it is very important that we ensure that Celtic is always a positive club for all.
"We all know it has been a very difficult season for Celtic and we all know what has gone on.
"This has no place at Celtic Park or at any of our matches and it must be tackled - all this does is tarnish the great name of Celtic and embarrasses the club.
"As we move towards next season it is vitally important that we ensure we do so positively.
"However small the minority of people involved, this behaviour has no place at Celtic and I am sure as we move towards a new season and new beginning, everyone associated with the club will recognise this."
Lennon, whose team face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, added: "We move to next season with confidence, we will try again to bring fast, attacking, entertaining and positive football - and ultimately, football that brings you the supporters the success which your backing deserves."
Celtic have also announced a three-match pre-season tour of Australia following their trip to Brisbane last year.
They'll play matches against Central Coast Mariners on 2 July, Perth Glory a week later and then Melbourne Victory on July 13.
Celtic captain Scott Brown told the club's website: "Brisbane was a fantastic experience for all the players and it really emphasised the difference between Celtic and other football clubs.
"Celtic is a global club and I am really looking forward to leading the team down under as club captain."
Manager Lennon added: "The players who went to Brisbane raved about the backing they received from the fans.
"I'm really excited as the cities we are visiting are full of Celtic fans.
"The supporters this season have been magnificent and I know our fans all over the world have been tuning in and watching.
"A tour like this gives us the opportunity to go and meet those fans and thank them for their support."
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Keen wants West Ham job full-time

2011-05-17T02:03:00.000+01:00

West Ham first-team coach and temporary boss Kevin Keen has declared his interest in taking the West Ham manager's job on a permanent basis.
Keen, 41, will led the relegated Hammers against Sunderland on Sunday after Avram Grant's dismissal.
"I would love the opportunity to speak to the owners and [chief executive] Karren Brady and give my views about the future," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Maybe in the future I will be given a opportunity to turn it around."
Keen progressed through the club's academy to play for West Ham for 10 years between 1983 and 1993 and believes combining the club's young players with their traditional values is the best route out of the Championship.
"This is my club. People say claret and blue runs through your veins and that is very much me," he said.
"I think we have got a superb young bunch of footballers coming through in he likes of James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines, Freddie Sears, Jack Collison and Jordan Spence.
"There is a real opportunity to go back to the days of pass and move and make sure people tackle like [former player and manager] Billy Bonds and want to run through brick walls for this football club."
It has been estimated that West Ham's relegation will involve a loss of income for the club of up to £50m.
And West Ham, who were £110m in debt according to owner David Sullivan when he took control in January 2010, are likely to sell their more established stars to compensate for reduced revenues in the second tier.
Gold has admitted that it will be "very difficult" to keep England internationals such as Scott Parker, Rob Green and Carlton Cole at the club.
The contracts of Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Lars Jacobsen all expire this season.
Striker Demba Ba may also attract bids from Premier League clubs with a record of seven goals in 12 top-flight games since signing from Hoffenheim in January.
Keen defended the Senegalese international and denied reports that he had refused to sign autographs at the club's end-of-season dinner, provoking an altercation with fans.
"Demba Ba has been so unfairly criticised. It is unbelievable," said Keen.
"He signed the gentleman's autograph who then unfortunately made some sort of comment about his race and then it was all over and done with in 20 seconds."
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Dundee United 2-1 Hearts

2011-05-16T05:17:00.000+01:00

United's David Goodwillie opened with an opportunist strike from close-range in the 22nd minute.
Hearts replied as Gary Glen had to squat low to head the ball goalwards from a David Templeton free-kick.
The home side regained the lead after 71 minutes with a strike from Jon Daly, who made the most of a slack clearance from Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid.
Third-place Hearts and Dundee United in fourth had already clinched their final positions in the Scottish Premier League but United's win means the closing gap between the clubs stands at two points.
Hearts pressed from the start with Eggert Jonsson making an early attempt on goal but the defender hit it straight at United keeper Dusan Pernis for an easy save.
At the other end, Marian Kello made a magnificent block from a Goodwillie shot from inside the box.
Andy Driver tweaked his groin and left the field early, with the Hearts winger due for an operation in the close season and being replaced by Jason Thomson.
A real chance for Hearts was missed when Glen could not convert Craig Thomson's delivery.
And, moments later, United took the lead out of nothing.
A cross directed into the Hearts box was missed by Johnny Russell but Goodwillie made no mistake as he prodded the ball into the net.
Nine minutes later Hearts equalised as Templeton's free-kick was met by the Glen, who stooped low to head home.
Templeton, from 30 yards out, then thundered a shot goalwards but Pernis touched over.
There was another terrific long distance effort moments later as United's Craig Conway cut in from the left and powered the ball a yard over the Hearts bar.
After the restart Goodwillie, on the right-hand side of the box, laid off to Mihael Kovacevic and the defender forced a good save from Kello.
A Kello throw-out was then intercepted and played to Goodwillie, who took the ball in his stride only to shoot half a yard wide of the post
Prince Buaben, after some good crisp play, turned the ball onto his weaker side and unleashed a shot from 20 yards that rose over the visitors' bar.
Templeton could have given Hearts the lead had it not been for the quick reactions of United keeper Pernis. The Hearts midfielder drove through one-on-one with the Slovakian, who wasted no time in coming out to clear the danger.
United's second came from a long cross-field ball from right to left by Sean Dillon that was headed on by Jon Daly and Hearts defender Bouzid tried to clear.
But Daly pounced on the defender's weak attempt and struck the ball past Kello.
Hearts had a chance to equalise right at the end as Templeton fizzed a ball across goal but his team-mates could not get on the end of it.
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Enrique rebuffs Reds link

2011-05-15T19:14:00.000+01:00

Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique has denied claims he has been negotiating over a potential move to Liverpool.

The uncapped Spaniard, a 2007 signing from Villarreal, is reportedly stalling on an extension offer to his contract, which expires in the summer of 2012.

Liverpool are believed to be keen on his services with the Reds in the market for more width to provide service for towering centre-forward Andy Carroll.

Carroll and Enrique combined to good effect when together at the Magpies, but the left-back has denied holding talks over a prospective move to Anfield.

"Liverpool is a big club but I am not negotiating with them at the moment."
Jose Enrique Quotes of the week

"Liverpool is a big club but I am not negotiating with them at the moment, I am calm at Newcastle," he told Radio Marca.

"My dream is to play for the Spain national side and I think that I have a chance.

"I have improved as a footballer since my arrival to England. The Premier League is more competitive than La Liga and I have not received offers to return to Spain.

"The referees in England are not so strict on the field because they permit more action."

Having received a £35million cash injection from the sale of Carroll to Liverpool in January, Enrique believes the Magpies must reinvest the money into the squad.

He added: "Newcastle now needs to buy many players if the club want to be among the best in the Premier League."

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FA Cup just the start - Kompany

2011-05-15T18:35:00.000+01:00

Manchester City midfielder Vincent Kompany is confident his side can go on to greater things after winning the FA Cup to end their trophy drought.

City beat Stoke 1-0 in Saturday's final at Wembley to secure their first piece of major silverware since 1976.

Kompany said: "This is a feeling we want again. In the dressing room afterwards, some of the guys whispering 'we want more of these'.

"We have laid down the foundations, now we want to build a house on it."

The 25-year-old Belgium international also helped City qualify for the Champions League but says winning the Cup is just as important.

"This club obviously has ambition but we have something to show for it now and we can move forward from this," he explained. "We want to do it again. I was looking at Patrick Vieria and he's got five Cup winners' medals, so I think that has to be the ambition of everyone here… why stop now?"

But Kompany, who moved to Eastlands in August 2008, just days before the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group, admits winning the Premier League remains a tough task for City, despite the oil-rich club's huge resources.

"Can we win the title next year? We'll see. To win the title you have to be first. At the moment there are still three teams in front of us, but we have always taken a step forward in each of the three seasons I have been here.

"So we are just thinking of achieving something better than this year - if we do that, we will be very close to our target which is to someday win the league."

There has already been much speculation over who City boss Roberto Mancini might bring to the club in the summer, with Barcelona midfielder Xavi among the players being linked.

A host of players are also set to leave Eastlands, but the future of Carlos Tevez, which has been in doubt since he handed in a transfer request in December, remains uncertain.

City's football administrator Brian Marwood told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme the 27-year-old Argentine international would not be kept against his will.

Marwood said: "Roberto says if players don't want to be there then they can leave. It is no secret that Carlos wanted to leave earlier in the season, but we are working hard to keep him.

"But he is a massive player for us, he gives us everything and showed great leadership qualities. I hope Carlos reflects on the season and what we've achieved and feels he wants to be part of it next season. It is up to him to think through in the summer.

"You'd like to think Manchester City is going to be an interesting place to be over the coming few years. We've spent a lot of money and there has been a lot of change, I don't think there will be major changes. It will be about finessing the squad."

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Man Utd close to signing keeper

2011-05-15T18:15:00.000+01:00

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has said the club are close to signing a new keeper to replace the retiring Edwin van der Sar.

The 40-year-old Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2005.

Ajax's Maarten Stekelenburg, Atletico Madrid's David de Gea and Schalke's Manuel Neuer have all been linked.

"We know the keeper we want and are in a good position and I'm sure we can get the deal done," Gill told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

Former Netherlands international Van der Sar has made 262 appearances for the Red Devils and helped them win four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, producing the decisive save from Nicolas Anelka in the penalty shootout to triumph in the final.

He also won a hat-trick of back-to-back Premier League crowns with the club between 2007 and 2009, the 2006 Carling Cup and the 2008 Fifa Club World Cup.

During the 2009-10 season, he set a new Premier League record by going 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal.

He has twice been named Europe's best goalkeeper by Uefa, has made the Premier League team of the year on two occasions and was named in the team of the tournament for Euro 2008.

"We've made the decision of who we want, we've been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe over the past six months, but we've known who we wanted for many months and we aim to achieve that," added Gill.

It looks as if United will miss out on Neuer after Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness announced on Sunday that an agreement has been reached for the signing of the German international.

Neuer will reportedly move to the Allianz Arena for a fee of £13m.

Gill also stated that there would be further signings at United in the close season as they look to strengthen the squad.

"We've got some major decision to make over the summer," admitted Gill.

"We've go to replace Edwin, Gary Neville has also retired, we don't know what Paul Scholes is going to do. He may well want to retire at the end of the season - though we are very much prepared and happy to offer him a further year.

"So without doubt there is going to be some activity in some key areas of the club and we have been preparing for that.

"It is not like we are going to start now - we've been preparing for that for the past 12 months and we will see what we can achieve in the summer."

Gill paid tribute to Scholes' contribution to the club and expects the midfielder to discuss his future with manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the coming weeks.

"It wouldn't surprise us if Paul retired," said Gill.

"We are enjoying the success we are having, so at the end of the season, he will have a conversation with Sir Alex about that.

"I am sure he will let us know his decision and we will respect it.

"He has been a brilliant player for many years. It is interesting that while Ryan [Giggs] got his 12th title yesterday, that was Paul's 10th.

"It shows what he has achieved for us and what an absolutely fantastic player he has been."

As well as Van der Sar, Neville and possibly Scholes, long-serving defender Wes Brown seems likely to leave, as does striker Michael Owen, whose two-year deal expires this summer.

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves is another who appeared destined for the Old Trafford exit door, although it is thought he is considering a one-year pay-as-you-play deal to remain with United.

But striker Danny Welbeck and midfielder Tom Cleverley are both expected to return from impressive loan spells at Sunderland and Wigan respectively.

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Ferguson delight at record title

2011-05-15T17:35:00.000+01:00

Sir Alex Ferguson revelled in his Manchester United side becoming the most successful English club in domestic competition.

United drew at Blackburn on Saturday to clinch a 19th league title as they overtook Liverpool's tally of 18.

"It's not so much passing Liverpool," said Ferguson.

"It's more important that United are the best team in the country in terms of winning titles."

He added: "That thing about knocking Liverpool off their perch, I don't think I actually said it.

"It's the same with the FA Cup. We have won it more times than everyone and now we have won the Premier League more times than anyone."

Ferguson, 69, took over the Old Trafford club in 1986 when Liverpool were the dominant force in the English game.

The Merseysiders won the title in 1989/1990 to open up an 18-7 lead over United but since then the Reds have failed to add to their titles, while Ferguson has masterminded a trophy-laden rise for their bitter rivals.

The Scot ended a 26-year wait for the league title at Old Trafford when he led his side to the first top-flight crown under his regime in 1993 and the Red Devils have won it 12 times in all in his tenure.

"Had he been manager of any of the other top four sides, they would be Champions. He epitomises team work and team spirit, he proves it time and time again. They aren't lucky they are really good under pressure."

Ryan Giggs, 37, has played a major part in each of United's 12 successes and was keen to emphasise the importance of the latest triumph.

"It means a lot, especially for the older supporters who through the 1970s and 1980s watching Liverpool win everything," said the winger.

"Now, obviously, the tables are turned. We've done so well over the last 20 years so to overturn that sort of deficit, to get to 19, is special and the fans know that."

The latest United team to have won the title have been criticised for not being as good as former side's Ferguson has produced as, despite winning 17 of 18 home games, they have only won five away during the current campaign.

"It is not fair to say it's a bad Manchester United team or a bad league," said Ferguson, whose side have also reached this season's Champions League final on 28 May. "It is a tighter league, a harder league to win.

"Any campaign has got blips for anyone. You have got to look at the league in general."

We deserve to win title - Giggs

At one point this season, United were on course to match the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup side of 1999.

But they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Manchester City and, although they came close, Ferguson played down comparing his current crop with that of his Treble winners.

"Let's not get carried away," he said. "The treble season was something special. I don't think anyone will ever do it again.

"We made a go at it, as a manager of the club, you have to try that.

"But I didn't think it would happen. I thought we would get knocked out somewhere along the line. Fortunately it was the one you would want to win least of all because the Premier League and the Champions League are paramount."

Ferguson's side play their final home game of the season against relegation-battling Blackpool next Sunday ahead of the Champions League final six days later.

The United boss could rest players for the game but, with relegation issues depending on the result of the game, Ferguson insists his side will try to win.

"It gives us a real opportunity to look at how we can rest players and who needs to keep going," he said.

"We have a responsibility to make sure we are fair to all clubs in the country who are struggling relegation.

"Manchester United will try to win next Sunday, there is no doubt about that."

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FA wants talks on Cup date clash

2011-05-15T17:08:00.000+01:00

Football Association chairman David Bernstein will hold talks with the Premier League about games being staged on the same day as the FA Cup final.

Saturday's Wembley showpiece kicked off less than half an hour after a round of top-flight matches finished.

"I think the Premier League was diminished somewhat by the Cup final, not the other way round," Bernstein told Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 live.

"I will have a constructive conversation with them about it."

The FA has been holding a review of the FA Cup, which has been struggling to maintain its historic status as one of the most highly regarded competitions in the world.

Talking to Sportsweek on Sunday, Bernstein confirmed that next year's Cup final is likely to kick off at 1715 BST.

But he ruled out "major reform" to the tournament, dismissing introducing seeding as a "mickey mouse" idea and expressing his opposition to the abolition of replays.

"We've done a review of the FA Cup because there have been certain pressures on it," said Bernstein. "We are not going to make a huge number of changes because we think it is much more robust than it is given credit for.

"We've done a lot of surveying about what fans would like and what TV would like and for once they coincide in that 5.15pm is a very good time in terms of people being at home. It breaks up the day in a different sort of way.

"I feel very strongly that a competition of this quality should have replays."

Bernstein said he was keen to see a more flexible ticket pricing structure for the Cup final that would allow clubs to charge as little as £10 for a ticket.

Bernstein was pressed on why Saturday's final between Manchester City and Stoke City was allowed to be staged on the same day as Premier League matches for the first time.

The schedule meant Manchester United sealed a record 19th league title hours before Man City ended their 35-year wait for a major trophy.

He said the fact that this year's Champions League final is being held at Wembley on Saturday, 28 May had been a factor in the scheduling but pledged to work hard to ensure that clashes were the exception and not the norm.

"We will do everything we can to get one day to ourselves and try to get back to the last day of the season but times have changed and there is a lot of pressure on the calendar," he said.

"But we are fairly comfortable with the competition and yesterday was a great boost."

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MK Dons 3-2 Peterborough

2011-05-15T16:41:00.000+01:00

MK Dons will take a slender lead into the second leg of their League One play-off semi-final after beating Peterborough in a five-goal thriller.

Craig Mackail-Smith tapped Posh in front but the Dons turned it around as Daniel Powell prodded in before Sam Baldock fired home a 30-yard free-kick.

Angelo Balanta slotted the third before Charlie Lee saw red for two bookings.

Stephen Gleeson was then sent off for bringing down Mark Little, and Grant McCann converted the resulting penalty.

McCann's strike left the tie finely poised going into Thursday's second leg.

But defeat for Posh meant it was not a weekend of double celebration for the Ferguson family, with Sir Alex, fresh from Manchester United's Premier League title triumph on Saturday, at Stadium MK to watch son Darren's Peterborough side.

Yet it was the visitors who enjoyed a dream start when they took the lead after only eight minutes.

Right-back Little did the spadework, bursting down the flank and pulling the ball back to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, whose shot was parried by Dons keeper David Martin straight into the path of Mackail-Smith who could not miss.

It was the striker's 33rd goal of the season, and he soon went close to number 34 as he fired an angled drive over the bar after taking a Mendez-Laing pass in his stride.

Lee Tomlin also forced a smart save from Martin before the Dons finally came into the game in the run-up to half-time.

It was the unlikely figure of defender Mathias Doumbe who went close to an equaliser three times, first forcing a fine reaction save out of Joe Lewis with a header before seeing a low drive deflected over the bar by Kelvin Langmead and a third effort turned on to the outside of a post by a defender.

Posh were forced into a half-time reshuffle, with Paul Jones coming on in goal in place of Lewis, who had needed treatment early in the first half following a collision with Lee.

But Jones endured a first 10 minutes to forget as he picked the ball out of his net three times.

First he failed to deal with Tommy Rowe's mis-directed defensive header, allowing Powell to stab in the equaliser from close range.

He was helpless to prevent the second when Baldock's speculative low free-kick flew through the Posh wall and into the net, and the third when Balanta seized on Luke Chadwick's pass, slipped inside a challenge and drove past Jones at his near post.

Peterborough were even more up against it when left-back Lee was shown his second yellow card for a foul on Powell, and could have been out of the tie had Baldock not dragged a shot wide.

But they were handed a lifeline when Gleeson was harshly dismissed for tripping the marauding Little, and McCann made no mistake from the spot.

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Celtic finish second despite win

2011-05-15T16:06:00.000+01:00

Celtic cruised to victory over Motherwell but their efforts were in vain as Rangers took the league title with a win at Kilmarnock.

First-half goals from Gary Hooper and Georgios Samaras put the home side in firm control.

Lee Hollis made his debut in the Motherwell goal and produced some fine saves to keep the score down.

Shaun Maloney and Paddy McCourt added strikes to put Celtic's Scottish Cup final opponents to the sword.

Stuart McCall's side put any suggestions that they may have one eye on Hampden to bed less than a minute into the match. They almost caught Celtic cold when the ball broke to Steve Jones in the penalty area but the winger dragged his shot wide.

Celtic registered their first effort on seven minutes, with Samaras going through on goal but Hollis did well to turn his powerful drive wide.

James Forrest then tried his luck from 20 yards but his effort sailed over the bar.

Hollis was called into action again in the 10th minute. Gary Hooper collected a pass from Emilio Izaguire, turned and cracked a fierce strike from 20 yards, but again Hollis was equal to it.

Shaun Hutchison wasted a wonderful chance for the visitors 10 minutes later, heading a Tom Hateley corner over from five yards out having beaten Daniel Majstorovic in the air.

Gary Hooper then went close for Celtic, driving at the Motherwell defence and turning inside Gavin Gunning but Hollis raced out and spread himself to block the shot. Brown could only put the rebound wide of the post.

Hutchison then went close to putting through his own net twice in three minutes.

He first headed a Ki Sung-Yeung corner just inches wide of his own goal under pressure from Majstorovic. The defender then cut out a Samaras cross aimed for Hooper, but diverted the ball just over Hollis' crossbar.

The home side took the lead on the half hour, and it was no surprise that the lively Hooper was the man to break the stalemate.

The ex-Scunthorpe striker turned smartly in the box and saw his initial attempt on goal blocked, but he reacted sharply to stab a finish which Hollis could not keep out despite getting a hand to the ball.

Ki was denied twice by the 'Well goalkeeper in as many minutes as the debutant continued to keep his side in the match.

The second goal did come for Celtic five minutes from half-time however.

Samaras fed Charlie Mulgrew on the left-flank and continued his run into the penalty area. Mulgrew played in the Greek striker with a lovely return pass, and Samaras made no mistake with a side-foot finish from eight yards.

Samaras went close again on the stroke of half-time, racing onto a Ki pass over the top of the defence and attempting a lob over Hollis, but the keeper magnificently tipped the ball over.

Maloney came on at half-time and almost scored within a minute of entering the fray, but he curled his shot just wide of the post.

The winger had only to wait another six minutes to get on the score sheet.

Maloney picked the ball up and drove into the Motherwell penalty area. He shaped to shoot with his right, but dropped a shoulder to leave two defenders bamboozled and coolly despatched a left-foot finish.

With 20 minutes remaining, Celtic added a fourth, and again Maloney was at the heart of it.

The former Aston Villa man put a dangerous cross into the penalty area which found Samaras. The Greece international was dispossessed but the ball broke to substitute McCourt who lashed home from eight yards.

The remainder of the second-half was reminiscent of a training match with the vistors well beaten and Neil Lennon's team fully aware that events at Rugby Park meant that the title would not be coming to Parkhead.

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Rampant Rangers romp to SPL title

2011-05-15T15:33:00.001+01:00

Rangers gave departing manager Walter Smith the perfect send-off as they wrapped up a third consecutive Scottish Premier League title in style.

A blistering opening saw Kyle Lafferty net twice inside seven minutes, either side of a Steven Naismith strike.

Early in the second half, Nikica Jelavic smashed in a free kick and Lafferty completed his hat-trick with a composed finish.

A deflected shot from James Dayton pegged one back for stunned Kilmarnock.

Rangers went into the final game of the league campaign just one point ahead of rivals Celtic, ensuring a nervous morning for all Old Firm fans.

However, any jitters in the Rangers' ranks were rapidly dispelled following an astonishing opening sequence.

Visiting supporters had taken over Rugby Park and the party was in full swing after three quick strikes.

With 47 seconds on the clock, Steven Davis released Lafferty and the Northern Ireland international lofted a sweet strike over goalkeeper Cammy Bell and into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Rangers were further ahead when Gregg Wylde galloped down the left before finding Naismith, who turned smartly before lashing home from 18 yards.

Jelavic then rolled in an inviting pass for Lafferty to coolly side-foot past the exposed Bell.

The normally impassive Smith, who leaves Ibrox with 21 trophies to his name, joined in the jubilation, waving his arms aloft like a giddy schoolboy from his position in the stand.

Rangers threatened again when Steven Whittaker raced down the right flank to pick out Naismith and he touched on for Jelavic but his flick was deflected narrowly wide.

The pace of the match dropped markedly before Kilmarnock finally managed an attack of note on 33 minutes.

Dayton let fly with a powerful shot that Allan McGregor did well to block.

Rangers upped the pace in response and were denied by the woodwork when Davis cleverly cut inside a defender and thumped a shot against the post.

The first half drew to a close with McGregor making an impressive diving save to keep out a fizzing long-range drive from Killie skipper Craig Bryson.

Lafferty, who is becoming something of an end-of-season specialist, drilled a shot wide soon after the restart.

But the volume inside the ground reached deafening levels again when Jelavic curled in a ferocious free kick from 20 yards.

And Lafferty was soon celebrating his third goal as he stroked home to finish off a surging run from Naismith on 53 minutes.

Kilmarnock gamely plugged away and were rewarded when a Dayton free kick from distance took a deflection to leave McGregor flat-footed as the ball zipped into the net, via the base of a post.

McGregor and Bell traded smart saves to thwart Garry Hay and Sasa Papac, respectively, before Naismith crashed an angled strike against the crossbar after running on to a neat headed pass from Jelavic. Lafferty blazed the rebound high into the crowd.

With a minute remaining, hat-trick hero Lafferty went off to a rousing ovation. His replacement, David Healy, did not get a touch before the final whistle sounded and the champions began their on-field celebrations.

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Thai chief acts on Triesman claim

2011-05-15T05:18:00.000+01:00

Thailand's football chief is set to take legal action against Lord Triesman after the former Football Association chairman implicated him in an alleged World Cup bribery scandal.

Triesman stated that Worawi Makudi had demanded the TV rights for a proposed friendly between England and Thailand in return for his 2018 World Cup vote.

Makudi said he had a "very strong case" and that the claims were "groundless".

"I will present evidence to prove these allegations are not true," he added.

"I don't know why they were made."

Makudi was one of four men accused by former FA chairman Lord Triesman of seeking bribes in return for backing England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

The FA has appointed a leading lawyer to review the allegations, while Triesman says he now plans to take his evidence to world governing body Fifa.

Meanwhile, Makudi also insisted he is still president of the Football Association of Thailand, despite reports on Friday saying the Sports Authority of Thailand had removed him from the post for failing to hold an election for the presidency in time.

"I am still holder of the position and we will reschedule the election," he added.

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Rice stays as Arsenal number two

2011-05-15T04:40:00.000+01:00

Arsene Wenger says Pat Rice has told him he wants to continue as the Arsenal manager's number two next season.

The 62-year-old Rice's current deal expires in the summer.

"I think Pat Rice will continue for one more year - he has told me," said Wenger. "The day he stops will be a massive loss for the club.

"It is important for me because he knows how I work. We have a good understanding. I am happy that he goes on for one more year."

Former Northern Ireland international Rice played more than 500 games for Arsenal and had a spell as caretaker manager in 1996 before Wenger's arrival.

"We will see, after one more year maybe he will say one more year again," added the Arsenal boss. "We will have to prepare."

Wenger, whose side face Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday, also revealed that he is "thinking" about adding to his backroom staff as he reflects on a sixth successive season without a trophy.

Academy coach Steve Bould and Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp, currently working for Ajax, as well as former Colchester, Hull and Charlton manager Phil Parkinson have been touted as possible new additions to Wenger's coaching team.

Parkinson has been doing some scouting for the club.

With two games remaining in the season and just two points ahead of Manchester City, Arsenal are not yet certain of securing third place in the Premier League.

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Bournemouth 1-1 Huddersfield

2011-05-15T04:13:00.000+01:00

Huddersfield extended their unbeaten league run to 26 games but were held at Bournemouth in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

Kevin Kilbane headed the Terriers ahead before Town keeper Ian Bennett brought down Rhoys Wiggins, but redeemed himself by saving Danny Ings's penalty.

Cherries' Donal McDermott levelled with a 25-yard shot on the hour mark.

Both sides had chances to win it, but will begin Wednesday's second leg at the Galpharm Stadium on level terms.

The two teams were unsurprisingly committed from the first whistle at a sun-drenched Dean Court, as speedy Bournemouth winger Liam Feeney caused the visitors problems on the counter-attack.

It was his long throw that created the first chance of the match after a frenetic first 10 minutes as captain Jason Pearce headed over the bar.

McDermott, whose parent club Manchester City are at Wembley for the FA Cup final, then burst through as his temporary employers continued to push for the opening goal, but the Irish youngster was denied by a good block by Antony Kay.

Lee Clark satisfied with Huddersfield first leg draw

But the visitors drew first blood, after winning the first corner of the game in the 22nd minute.

Gary Roberts whipped it in with his left foot and Kilbane's powerful header shifted the balance of power as the visiting fans - buoyed by their 25-match unbeaten league run - sang "We are unbeatable".

But when Welsh left-back Wiggins was sent tumbling by Bennett moments later as he advanced on goal, referee Mick Russell immediately pointed to the spot - though with the home fans baying for a red card, the presence of a covering defender may have influenced Russell's decision to show the veteran stopper only a yellow card.

Teenage striker Ings was entrusted with the spot-kick, although he had to wait for Russell to deal with Huddersfield's protests - but Bennett dived well to his right to push the ball to safety.

Galvanised by their keeper's heroics, Huddersfield pushed for a second before the interval as the orange boots of Roberts swung in some dangerous corners, with Kay heading wide, seconds before Bournemouth broke but Feeney dragged his shot wide.

Huddersfield kept their composure after the break, and nearly grabbed a second when Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe looked offside but the flag stayed down as his powerful shot was beaten away by Shwan Jalal.

Cherries character impresses Bradbury

But just when Bournemouth's lack of invention threatened to dampen their enthusiasm, the ball broke to the impressive McDermott outside the box, and he rifled home the equaliser.

Suddenly, Huddersfield's defence - marshalled superbly until then by skipper Peter Clarke - looked rattled as Ings was tripped just outside the box, although McDermott's shot from the resulting free-kick crashed into the defensive wall.

Roberts remained a danger from set pieces, but Huddersfield's frustration showed as Scott Arfield was cautioned for tugging back Anton Robinson by his shirt.

Joey Gudjonsson had another good chance to add a second for the visitors, but blasted his free-kick over the bar, while substitute Marc Pugh's trickery down the left forced Bennett into action on a couple of occasions.

Bournemouth threatened a grandstand finish - but honours remained even and both sides can be relatively satisfield with their afternoon's work.

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Blackpool 4-3 Bolton

2011-05-15T03:46:00.000+01:00

Blackpool boosted their survival hopes with victory in a truly superb, see-saw match with North West rivals Bolton.

Kevin Davies fired the visitors ahead but this was quickly overturned by DJ Campbell's neat finish and Jason Puncheon's curling 18-yard shot.

Matt Taylor's angled drive levelled the scores again only for Campbell to side-foot his team ahead before half time.

Daniel Sturridge headed Bolton's second equaliser of the game but Charlie Adam's lashed finish proved decisive.

As a result of Wolves' 3-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday, Blackpool remain in the bottom three with 39 points, but with four teams above them theoretically catchable they remain in the fight heading into their final fixture away at Manchester United next weekend.

If Blackpool do ultimately drop out of the top flight, they can leave with their heads held high. This match encapsulated all of the reasons why.

Ian Holloway's side have modelled their approach on attacking football, regardless of the opponent. It is a philosophy that makes them a major threat at one end but vulnerable at the other.

This game - one of the finest of this, or indeed any Premier League season - was a testimony to Holloway's style, for better and worse, and the victory a reward for his players' dedication to it.

We will fight to the end - Holloway

This is not to discount the contribution of Owen Coyle's men, who crafted three superb goals themselves and competed throughout despite having relatively little to play for at the end of what has already been a successful season for them.

From the very first whistle, the home side were on the front foot. However, after charging forward for the first five minutes, they were behind in the sixth.

Paul Robinson lofted a free-kick into the box from the left touchline and when Alex Baptiste slipped in attempting to clear, Davies was on hand to fire the ball past Matt Gilks from 10 yards.

The setback did not knock the home side out of their stride though and almost immediately they were level. Gary Taylor-Fletcher's head-on found Campbell and the striker muscled himself goalside of Gretar Steinsson before expertly side-footing the ball while unbalanced past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

With Bloomfield Road erupting around him, the Blackpool boss pointed to his temple and called for calm. It was a vain plea.

Passions were spilling over, most noticeably in a shoving match between the majority of the players on the pitch after a coming together between Taylor-Fletcher and Bolton's Zat Knight, which saw both booked.

Holloway's side continued to pile forward, perhaps recklessly, but more often than not it was effective.

The visitors were given a let off when their defender Robinson's header from an Adam corner struck the underside of his own bar and bounced clear.

But the home side would not be denied and after Taylor-Fletcher was initially denied a shooting chance, the ball fell to Puncheon, who curled a superb shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Calm was again the order of the day for the home side but once more they failed to deliver as Bolton struck back five minutes later through Taylor's long-range angled shot into the bottom corner.

Coyle deflated by defensive display

Bolton had two subsequent chances to take the lead but a mixture of Gilks and the woodwork denied them.

Firstly, Taylor unleashed Sturridge on goal but Gilks was quick off his line to close space and block the striker's shot and then, moments later, Davies attempted a superb curling shot with the outside of his boot that beat the keeper but came back off the crossbar.

It was then Blackpool who held a half-time lead when Adam's cross from the left found Campbell in space in the box to side-foot past Jaaskelainen.

It was perhaps greedy to expect the second 45 minutes to match the first, and while it failed to do so, it came close.

Again chances were plentiful but only two of them were taken.

The first saw the visitors pull themselves level once again when Davies fed in Chung-Yong Lee, who skipped past Gilks before crossing for Sturridge to head in from point-blank range.

The second resulted in Blackpool grasping the mantel once more, this time decisively.

Adam poured forward and found Taylor-Fletcher, who held the ball up on the edge of the area before returning the ball to his captain to lash into the roof of the net from 15 yards, sending the home fans into raptures.

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Sunderland 1-3 Wolves

2011-05-15T03:11:00.000+01:00

Boudewijn Zenden hit the post from 25 yards for the home side before Jody Craddock volleyed Wolves ahead from 10 yards against his former club.

Stephane Sessegnon levelled before half-time, acrobatically volleying in Zenden's corner from four yards.

But Steven Fletcher nodded Wolves back in front after the break and George Elokobi's bullet header made it safe.

The win was Mick McCarthy's first at the Stadium of Light as a Premier League manager.

The Wolves boss spent three years as Sunderland manager from March 2003 but he failed to record a home win in the Premier League, drawing four and losing 15 of his 19 games in charge.

McCarthy relieved with emotional win

But that unwanted record was consigned to the history books as McCarthy's side ensured they will go into the last day of the season with their fate in their own hands.

Sunderland, who were missing 10 first-team players, started the game with more gusto; Zenden crashing an effort on to the right-hand post, while Sessegnon stinged Hennessey's palms with a sharp 25-yard volley and Phil Bardsley dragged a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.

But, somewhat against the run of play, Craddock fired the visitors ahead, volleying a low effort beyond Simon Mignolet after Sunderland twice failed to clear attempted crosses from Stephen Hunt.

Boosted by their reward, Wolves continued to push forward and Jamie O'Hara came within a whisker of doubling the lead, smashing a 25-yard effort on to the bar.

However, Wolves porous defence opened up again to gift Sunderland a foothold in the game - Sessegnon sweeping in a Zenden corner that was inexplicably allowed to bounce in the six-yard box.

Wolves went in to the break aggrieved that referee Mike Jones waved away a penalty appeal after the ball clearly struck John Mensah's hand from Stephen Ward's cross.

Bruce blames injuries for Sunderland slide

They almost fell behind moments after the interval but Hennessey tipped Steed Malbranque's deflected 20-yard effort over the bar to keep the scores level - and moments later Wolves were in front.

Matt Jarvis, on as a second-half substitute for Adlene Guedioura, set off down the right wing and delivered a hanging cross to the back post that Fletcher gleefully headed home for his fifth goal in as many matches.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce brought on two of the five youngsters he had named on the bench, Ryan Noble and Craig Lynch, while Kevin Doyle made his long-awaited return for Wolves after two months out with knee ligament damage.

None of the trio had much of a chance to make an impact on the game before Elokobi ensured Wolves would win back-to-back games for the first time this season with a powerful header from O'Hara's inswinging free-kick.

Sessegnon tested Hennessey at his near post late on, but by then many of the Sunderland fans had already headed for the exit gates, perhaps hopeful of getting home in time to see the start of the FA Cup final.

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West Bromwich Albion 1 Everton 0: Match report

2011-05-15T02:38:00.000+01:00

The game was an open affair with both sides free from the threat of relegation and opposing strikers Peter Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe were a constant threat.

It was surprising only one goal was scored given the chances created by both sides.

Albion midfielder Paul Scharner was a distinctive figure with his new dyed blue and white haircut in Albion colours, while Baggies leading scorer Odemwingie received his Barclays player of the month award before kick-off.

The first threat came from Odemwingie after he raced onto a long pass from Mulumbu but he drilled his shot into the side netting.

But after 10 minutes Mulumbu broke the deadlock.

Chris Brunt chipped the ball forward and Odemwingie held off the challenge of Sylvain Distin before squaring the ball across the area to Mulumbu who had a simple tap-in.

Everton had the chance to equalise four minutes later when Anichebe spun past Jonas Olsson inside the box but Scott Carson made a fine save to deflect his shot past the post.

Everton keeper Tim Howard then tipped a Brunt free-kick over the bar after Leighton Baines had brought down Odemwingie.

There were plenty of chances at both ends and John Heitinga headed wide from close range when unmarked from a Seamus Coleman cross.

Jerome Thomas then skipped past Tim Howard inside the Everton box but saw his shot cleared off the line by Tony Hibbert.

Howard made a fine save to keep out Odemwingie's header at point blank range after Olsson had flicked on a long throw from Mulumbu.

Carson made another fine save to turn aside Anichebe's downward header low to his left from a Hibbert cross

Everton skipper Phil Neville became the first player to be yellow carded in the 49th minute for a challenge on Mulumbu.

Everton were on top early in the second period and a deep corner from Arteta found Leon Osman completely unmarked but he sliced his shot wide.

In an Albion counter-attack Cox just failed to connect at full stretch with a low centre from Odemwingie.

Neville appealed in vain for a penalty for handball after his volley struck Scharner. Then Tamas made a great block to keep out a fierce drive from Arteta.

Thomas was booked for bringing down Hibbert before Jermaine Beckford replaced Coleman after 62 minutes.

Scharner could have doubled Albion's lead but headed wide from Odemwingie's ball into the danger area.

Phil Jagielka climbed above the Baggies defence to head an Arteta corner over the bar.

Albion were sitting too deep and Bilyaletdinov shot over from 10 yards out after racing onto Hibbert's cross.

Bilyaletdinov was sent off after 77 minutes for a high challenge on Morrison.

Howard denied Odemwingie who went for goal with Brunt unmarked in the centre before Tamas was booked in the final minute for time wasting.

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United claim title 19

2011-05-15T02:00:00.000+01:00

Manchester United clinched the Premier League title as they came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Blackburn.

Their 19th league triumph was almost assured before kick-off at Ewood Park but the point means they are now seven above Chelsea who have just two games left to play.

Brett Emerton opened the scoring for relegation-threatened Rovers, capitalising on nervous goalkeeping from Tomasz Kuszczak by turning home Martin Olsson's cross in the 20th minute.

Rovers had a chance to go two up but Olsson's header came back off the post after the break, before Javier Hernandez was brought down by Paul Robinson inside the area.

Wayne Rooney stepped up to take the 73rd minute penalty, and he slammed the ball into the back of the net, sending Robinson the wrong way to cue wild celebrations at the final whistle.

United being behind at half-time simply was not in the script. The visitors had played with the confidence of a team who felt they were about to become champions, stroking the ball around efficiently and creating plenty of space around the Rovers box. But that killer ball was missing.

After Nani had thudded a close-range header against the bar with only three minutes on the clock, United just could not find their range.

Nani cut a shot past the near-post, Ryan Giggs brought an excellent save out of Robinson and Rooney's chip sailed narrowly over.

United actually looked less likely to score as that opening period went on.

This would not have been too bad if Blackburn were scoreless too.

However, a combination of their perilous league position and being piqued at having their own position completely overlooked in the scramble to acclaim the men from Old Trafford, they approached their task with a fierce sense of determination.

Christopher Samba had already been slightly unlucky that Phil Dowd had ruled his excellent effort out for a foul on Nemanja Vidic when Emerton drifted a cross-shot to the far-post.

Kuszczak tried to push the ball away from danger but succeeded only in keeping it in play, which allowed Olsson to retrieve it.

After exchanging passes with Junior Hoilett, Olsson crossed to the far post where Emerton finished with an excellent first-time effort.

It nearly got even worse for United when Michel Salgado's cross from the other side of the pitch dropped nicely for Olsson, whose shot was disappointingly off-target.

However, Ferguson must have been questioning the wisdom of his only concession to United's position, offering 40-year-old Edwin van der Sar a rare break, as Kuszczak had twice almost been caught in possession, having dwelt on routine back passes for far too long.

Quite apart from putting United's celebrations on hold, it also highlighted just what a tough job Ferguson faces in making sure the veteran Dutchman's replacement is a worthy successor.

Hernandez has already proved his value to the Red Devils cause. The Mexican was not having one of his better days though, failing to collect a Ryan Giggs' through ball that would have sent him clear of the Blackburn defence.

More weak goalkeeping from Kuszczak forced Rio Ferdinand into a rushed clearance before Olsson nodded an Emerton cross against the post with the United keeper nowhere.

Another Emerton cross led to Ferdinand getting rather too close to heading into his own net for the central defender's liking.

The hesitancy Kuszczak created had spread through the United defence. Normally the strongest of partnerships, Vidic and Ferdinand crashed into each other as they tried to complete a routine interception on halfway.

Something needed to go United's way. Robinson's rashness provided it. The former England keeper complained bitterly at the outcome but it is hard to imagine any striker not going down in such circumstances.

Blackburn were angry. Not angry enough to warrant caution being thrown to the wind in an attempt to win though.

Their top-flight survival fight will go down to the last day, when United will receive the Premier League trophy as the most successful team in English league history.

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City scoop FA Cup prize

2011-05-15T01:27:00.001+01:00

Manchester City's 35-year wait for silverware is over, with Yaya Toure's solitary strike seeing them to 1-0 victory over Stoke in the FA Cup final.

The big-spending Blues were pushed all the way by the plucky Potters, but have started to repay owner Sheikh Mansour for the considerable investment he has pumped into the club over recent years.

Carlos Tevez was handed a starting role by Roberto Mancini, while Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington passed late fitness tests for Tony Pulis' Potters.

Tevez helped City to make the brighter opening as he and Mario Balotelli forced smart stops from Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke were struggling to find their feet and were fortunate to see David Silva bundle the ball over the crossbar from close range after it fell invitingly for him six yards out.

The Potters improved as the first half wore on, but City keeper Joe Hart entered the interval untested.

Pulis' side continued to be forced backwards after the break but could have edged ahead when Kenwyne Jones was sent clear, only for Hart to smother his tame shot.

Having survived that scare, City's big moment arrived on 74 minutes as the ball ricocheted around the Stoke box before falling for Toure to lash home from 10 yards.

Stoke were unable to offer a response and Mancini's men saw their way comfortably through to the final whistle in professional fashion.

Almost three years after Sheikh Mansour's takeover transformed City into one of the richest clubs in the world, his £300million investment has now produced UEFA Champions League qualification and an FA Cup triumph in the space of a week.

It was somehow fitting that semi-final hero Yaya Toure - reportedly the highest paid player in the Premier League - was the match-winner again against Stoke, whose 148-year wait for FA Cup glory goes on.

City had not won the cup themselves since 1969 but the Potters had not even been to a final and were the only surviving founder members of the Football League never to lift the trophy.

The 1-0 defeat was also a double-whammy for manager Tony Pulis, whose last Wembley final saw his Gillingham side lose the 1999 Second Division play-offs to City.

The build-up to cup final day had been dominated by talk of the competition being further devalued by the scheduling of Saturday's game.

Manchester United clinching the Premier League title minutes before kick-off did not help matters, and neither therefore did a rather unfortunate pre-match rendition of 'We are the Champions'.

But try telling that to the tens of thousands of City and Stoke fans crammed into Wembley for what was the first cup final for both clubs for more than a generation.

And try telling it to the managers, who each gambled on the fitness of key players as Tevez, Etherington and Huth all started.

City captain Tevez soon set about proving manager Mancini right, forcing a fine parry from Sorensen from 25 yards.

It was a sign of things to come as Mancini's men belied their reputation for caution in an utterly dominant first-half display.

Ryan Shawcross almost put into his own net and Toure drilled just wide from long range.

And City would have been ahead midway through the half but for a world-class save from Sorensen, who somehow clawed behind Balotelli's top-corner-bound curler.

It was looking like Sorensen's lucky day after he kept his place as Stoke's FA Cup goalkeeper ahead of Asmir Begovic.

He survived being beaten to a long ball by Tevez and got away with spilling Vincent Kompany's tame long-ranger.

His luck continued when Tevez brilliantly played in Balotelli and Sorensen beat the ball down straight to Silva, who rifled a shot into the ground and over the crossbar.

Stoke had gone some way to shattering their own reputation in their free-flowing semi-final demolition of Bolton.

But when Huth's forearm connected with Balotelli's jaw, it was an early indication they had reverted to type.

Long throws and set-pieces were once again the order of the day, although they did fashion a chance in open play when Kompany threw his body at Jones' close-range shot.

Emerging from what can only have been harsh words at half-time, Stoke tore into City early in the second half, Jermaine Pennant playing through the pain of a first-half ankle injury to lead the charge.

But they were unable to produce the finishing touch and were almost caught on the break when Tevez squared for Silva, who hesitated just long enough for Shawcross to nick the ball away.

Hart had been a spectator all afternoon but he came to City's rescue just past the hour mark when Jones beat Joleon Lescott to a long ball before poking his finish too close to the keeper.

Etherington, who had looked less than fully fit, was immediately withdrawn for Dean Whitehead.

Mancini responded to City's second-half slump by throwing on Adam Johnson for Gareth Barry and it immediately paid off.

City won the ball on the edge of the area and Balotelli saw a shot blocked by Marc Wilson straight to Toure to blast home.

Desperate defending and a fine save twice prevented Silva wrapping up victory, with Stoke throwing on John Carew in a bid to keep their dream alive.

Mancini finally went defensive when he withdrew Tevez for Pablo Zabaleta but despite late Stoke pressure, City deservedly hung on.

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Ancelotti brushes off exit rumour

2011-05-13T18:44:00.001+01:00

Carlo Ancelotti is refusing to contemplate the possibility that Saturday's game against Newcastle will be his last home match as Chelsea boss.

Speculation is rife that the Italian will be sacked in the summer after leading Chelsea to their first trophyless season in three years.

But he said: "I don't want to think about it being my last [home] game.

"I don't know what is going to happen about my future but I'm not nervous. I'm quiet. I'm calm."

Despite a late surge in the league, the Blues are all but certain to have fallen short of Premier League success behind Manchester United, while early exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup have ensured they will end the season empty-handed for the first since Avram Grant led the team to second in the table and the Champions League final in 2008.

And that has led to widespread reports that Ancelotti will depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the season - with the likes of Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes and Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas suggested as his successor.

Still, Ancelotti insists his focus will solely be on leading his team to victory against the Magpies on Saturday.

"I am focused to put the best team out, to win, to say thanks to our fans," he said.

"They gave us fantastic support and it's not been an easy season for them.

"It doesn't matter if it's my last or not [home match as Chelsea boss]. We have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.

"Our aim is to reach second place. This is the motivation for the players - to play a good game, have a reaction after the bad game we had against United [when they lost 2-1 at Old Trafford].

"Second place is important. We have to do our best to reach this position in the table.

"[This summer] I hope to stay - I've said a lot of times - but if something's changed, I will find another solution without problem."

The Italian's sacking would mean the club would be looking for their seventh manager in eight years.

But even though this looks odds-on to be only the third trophyless season of the Roman Abramovich era, Ancelotti still appears to enjoy the backing of the supporters - something for which he is grateful.

"For me, it's fantastic," he said. "To think they appreciate my job and are close to me, continue to say this, it's a good step and aim that I was able to reach in this year."

He added: "I think that I have a very good relationship with the players too.

"But I don't think it would be a problem for next season if I'm not here. I hope, obviously, to stay here. But there may be another coach and they'll have the same relationship.

"We're speaking about very professional players, players with a lot of experience.

"Every coach who was here in the past had a good relationship with the players. They gave, all the time, their best."

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Uefa charges Busquets over racism

2011-05-12T19:37:00.001+01:00

Uefa has launched a disciplinary case against Barcelona's Sergio Busquets over alleged racism in the Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
Real posted a video on their website before the second leg showing Busquets allegedly calling full-back Marcelo "mono" (monkey) in the first leg.
The case will be heard on Sunday with a decision due the next day.
The incident was one of several in a heated tie between the Spanish rivals, which Barca won 3-1 on aggregate.
Both clubs lodged complaints to European football's governing body after an ill-tempered first leg at the Bernabeu, which was won 2-0 by Barcelona.
Madrid were unhappy with the behaviour of the opposing players and the red card shown to midfielder Pepe (one of three dismissals during the game, along with Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto and Real coach Jose Mourinho).
Barca protested over Mourinho's post-match comments alluding to favours from Uefa in big Champions League games and questioning the Catalan club's relationship with the European governing body.
The complaints were dismissed by Uefa, with Mourinho later handed a five-game European ban for his remarks.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss chose not to speak to the media ahead of the second leg of the semi-final at the Nou Camp, which finished 1-1, thus booking Barca's place in the Champions League final at Wembley, where they will play Manchester United.
Instead, it was left to Mourinho's assistant Aitor Karanka to bemoan Uefa's decision not to act on Real's claims of gamesmanship by Barcelona's players.
He said: "The match has been overshadowed by Uefa's resolution - it's on another plane now.
"We have been punished [with the suspensions for Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Mourinho], but there are [Barcelona] players who didn't respect the principles of fair play or who made racist insults, covering their mouths, who will be on the pitch.
"We say over and over there are double standards."
However, Barca coach Pep Guardiola countered by defending his players.
"My players are an example of professionalism and honesty," he said.
"Real might think we are unsporting but I think exactly the opposite. Fourteen of 20 players in the squad have grown up in this house and they all respect the values of the house.
"Mourinho was at Barcelona for five years and he knows our values: to win, fight and earn respect by respecting your rival."
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