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League news

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Premier League giants look for FA Cup salvation

Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will look to draw a line under a week to forget by booking their places in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Arsenal crashed to their heaviest ever European defeat in mid-week, a 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan that has all but extinguished the club's chances of progressing to the last eight of the Champions League.

The Gunners must now pick themselves up from that traumatic trouncing as they prepare for a tricky trip to Sunderland, exactly one week after scrambling a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Black Cats in the league.

The celebratory mood that accompanied last weekend's league win -- clinched by a farewell goal from Thierry Henry -- evaporated during the course of Wednesday's mauling at San Siro.

A downcast Arsene Wenger described the result as a "disaster", and voiced concern that it could send Arsenal's season into an irretrievable nosedive unless his players responded swiftly.

"We have a big game on Saturday and it's an opportunity to show that we have character and mental strength, and that we can respond after such a shocking defeat," Wenger said.

"A big disappointment like that has consequences on your belief. We have a lot of work to regroup and not a lot of time to prepare for Saturday's game. We need to show something completely different on Saturday."

Chelsea, meanwhile, face a potentially awkward home tie against Birmingham City on Saturday, with manager Andre Villas-Boas struggling to maintain control of his squad after last weekend's 2-0 league reverse at Everton.

Villas-Boas reportedly faced an open revolt during a training ground bust-up last Sunday, when Chelsea's players were ordered to report for work on their day off as punishment for the performance at Goodison Park.

With billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich looking on, several senior Chelsea players are reported to have challenged Villas-Boas over his team selections, tactics and inability to respond to pressure.

Villas-Boas admitted this week that there had been a difference of opinion but denied "strong words" had been exchanged.

"That is normal," Villas-Boas said. "They don't have to back my project. It's the owner who backs my project."

The Portuguese manager also played down suggestions that he had lost the confidence of Abramovich.

"I don't think so, but it's a question that you will have to ask the owner," Villas-Boas said. "I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have."

Liverpool will aim to move on from last weekend's Luis Suarez controversy when they entertain Championship (second tier) side Brighton at Anfield on Sunday.

The Merseysiders issued a flurry of apologies after Suarez defied club orders by declining to shake the hand of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra before last week's league battle, the first meeting of the clubs since Suarez returned from an eight-game ban for racially abusing Evra.

Suarez's handshake snub was widely condemned across football, with critics taking aim at the tawdry nadir of a saga that has tarnished Liverpool's reputation and raised questions about Kenny Dalglish's handling of the affair.

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher said the Reds were determined not to suffer an upset against the Seagulls, who famously beat Liverpool at Anfield during their run to the 1983 final.

"It's a massive game for us," Carragher said. "If we win, we'll be into the quarter-finals. And if you do well there, you're at Wembley again (for the semi-finals). It certainly keeps the season going."

In other ties this weekend, Stevenage Borough will aim to pull off the shock of the round when they entertain high-flying Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

"We're going to need some fortune," said Stevenage manager Gary Smith. "But we are capable of causing an upset at home. I do believe that.

"A victory would be unbelievable. There would be a tremendous amount of excitement around the place."

Fixtures (1500GMT unless otherwise stated):

Saturday

Chelsea v Birmingham City (1230), Everton v Blackpool, Millwall v Bolton Wanderers, Norwich City v Leicester City, Sunderland v Arsenal (1715)

Sunday

Crawley Town v Stoke City (1200), Stevenage Borough v Tottenham Hotspur (1400), Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion (1630)

League News

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Chelsea V Birmingham at Stamford Bridge : Match Preview

AVB demands full focus
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas wants to see his side produce a much-improved display in the FA Cup against Birmingham following the lacklustre defeat to Everton.

The 2-0 loss extended their winless streak in the Barclays Premier League to four matches as the pressure continued to build on the Portuguese.

However, his position appeared to strengthen on Friday after Guus Hiddink reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Anzhi Makhachkala.

The spectre of Hiddink has been hanging over Villas-Boas for three months after the Dutchman left the Turkey post following their failure to qualify for this summer's European Championship.

Speculation intensified this week that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was considering sending another SOS to Hiddink amid reports senior players at Stamford Bridge wanted their former caretaker boss to be brought in to replace the Portuguese.

But if Abramovich had planned to do that, he appears to have waited too long, following claims Hiddink had agreed £12.5million, 18-month deal to take charge of mega-rich Russian club Anzhi.

Defeat in Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Birmingham is unthinkable for Villas-Boas, who will be demanding a response from Saturday's "worst performance of the season" at Goodison Park.

He said: "Full focus will be needed and full determination, which will be the exact opposite of what happened against Everton."

Chelsea's squad should be strong enough to see off npower Championship Birmingham without talismanic duo John Terry and Didier Drogba, who are set to be held back for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Napoli.

Drogba has been missed in the past eight weeks while on African Nations Cup duty, with Fernando Torres still failing to score despite starting every game.

"Didier back in contention will give further competition for Fernando and (Romelu) Lukaku,"

Villas-Boas said. "For the player that he is, he is as strong as anybody." With Drogba in fine form at the African Nations Cup, the match could be Torres' last chance to keep his place for Tuesday's game.

Villas-Boas said: "It hasn't been happening for him but, as he continues to try to help the team, there will be a goal from him."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Lille midfielder Eden Hazard. The Blues had been strongly linked with a January move for the Belgian star, who was this week tipped to make a summer switch to Tottenham.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton has lent his backing to Villas-Boas. He believes the former Porto manager has the pedigree and quality to overcome the current difficult transitional period he was confronted with when taking charge last summer.

Hughton said: "It was always going to be a tough job, and it will always continue to be a tough job, because the pressures of managing at the top end are certainly different to anywhere else.

"The expectations are higher, Chelsea are expected to win the majority of their games and that comes with the territory.

"What you don't do is become manager of Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, the two Manchester clubs etc, without being a quality manager.

"Villa-Boas has got the job because of his CV. It is a transitional period when he has come in and there have been some difficulties for him with that.

"But I'm quite sure that given time he will put his own stamp on the club and the team. I certainly feel he will turn their fortunes around."

Hughton also believes that Villa-Boas will rise above reports that some of the current Chelsea squad are constantly texting former manager Jose Mourinho.

He said: "You can see and read anything. You can only work off what you know are facts and the facts are he is the manager of Chelsea and it is his responsibility to do the best job that he can.

"It is part and parcel of the game, whether texts, Facebook or Twitter. The modern communications are very much part of the game.

"What I see in the present day Chelsea manager, is a manager who is very focused on his team."

Hughton has guided Birmingham to a 13 game unbeaten run and into the Championship play-off positions and insists the pressure will all be on Chelsea.

He said: "This will be a massive test but, whichever way it goes, it is certainly one we will enjoy. "It will be great experience for the younger players, going to a Premier League team, a team with the quality they have had, certainly in recent years.

"The plus for us is no-one expects us to win. They are the class Premier League side and we are a team doing very well in the Championship.

"It is important we go there and give a good account of ourselves but the pressure is certainly on Chelsea to win the game."

Blues will be without injured strikers Nikola Zigic and Marlon King with Adam Rooney set to lead the attack.

But they are giving a trial to former Hull striker Caleb Folan who left Major Soccer League side Colorado Rapids at the start of this month. 

League news

Sunderland V Arsenal at Stadium of Light : Match Preview

Mertesacker lay-off is latest gunners setback

Arsenal's torrid week continued on Friday when Arsene Wenger revealed that Per Mertesacker has been ruled out 'long term'.

Adding to Wenger's defensive problems is that Laurent Koscielny is also missing for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sunderland because of a knee problem.

But while Koscielny should recover in a week from the injury sustained during Wednesday night's painful 4-0 drubbing by AC Milan, Mertesacker may have played his last game this season.

The German international suffered ankle ligament damage during Saturday's Barclays Premier League victory against Sunderland that requited ankle surgery.

"Unfortunately he has had surgery and we have lost him for a while," Wenger told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.

"How long I don't know. He had reconstruction of his ligaments, so it will be long term."

Koscielny limped off shortly before half time at the San Siro, but the prognosis on his injury is far more encouraging.

"He had a scan yesterday and the news is quite good," said Wenger. "He will be out for hopefully around a week.

He will miss the Sunderland game, but he should be back for next week." Wenger is facing a headache at centre-back with Mertesacker and Koscielny unavailable for the trip to the Stadium of Light.

Thomas Vermaelen's lack of match sharpness was exposed during Arsenal's heaviest European defeat, while Johan Djourou was far from impressive.

Sebastien Squillaci has been frozen out of the first team picture, but Alex Song can play centre-back if required.

Gervinho has finished international duty at the African Nations Cup and is included in the squad and defender Carl Jenkinson will soon return to training following his back problem.

Wenger also revealed that Kieran Gibbs suffered no setback at the San Siro after being out since October with a groin problem.

"Kieran played his first game in four months in Milan so of course it was a shock to go back to that level. But physically he's all right," said Wenger.

"Carl's back in full training on Monday. That's good news for us."

Djourou has urged Arsenal to atone for last season's Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham by winning the last piece of silverware available to them this season.

"This is a big opportunity for us. The FA Cup is one of the main targets and we have to go for it," he told Arsenal Player.

"Last season's League Cup final defeat is very motivating because we were very disappointed about what happened last time at Wembley and we want to put that right.

"I think it is something still in our heads, and it is difficult to swallow. We know if we can get to the final we can lift the trophy."

Martin O'Neill is hoping his Sunderland side can intensify Arsenal's pain - but has warned unhappy Gunners fans that under-pressure Wenger is the greatest manager the club has ever had.

The Sunderland boss, who has crossed swords with Wenger on the touchline in the past, insists his opposite number should not be condemned for the midweek 4-0 pasting by AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie

 The FA Cup now looks Arsenal's only chance of ending their seven-year trophy drought his season, but O'Neill believes his players can reverse the result of last weekend when the two sides met at the Stadium of Light and the visitors won 2-1.

O'Neill said: "The Milan defeat has been heavy for them and I think they would admit that and that it was something they didn't expect.

"AC Milan played very, very well indeed and Arsenal on the night didn't do so. Regardless of that I think their concentration will be on the FA Cup tie as it's a competition they have won reasonably recently and believe they can win.

"AC Milan are a top-quality team and, let's face it, we are not as good as AC Milan. They are playing in the last 16 of the Champions League and that's where every single football club worth its salt is aspiring to get to and we are a long way off that.

"That doesn't mean we are not capable of winning the match, and that we don't have one or two players who can definitely cause them problems.

I am just hoping that the advantages we might take into the game, such as having had an extra rest this week and playing at home, will help us."

Midfielder Lee Cattermole could be back in the Sunderland squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Nicklas Bendtner is back in training but, as the Denmark striker is on loan from the Gunners, he is ineligible for the fifth-round clash at the Stadium of Light. David Vaughan (ankle) is still out as are Wes Brown (knee) and Titus Bramble (Achilles/calf).
 

League News

Guardiola 'hasn't decided yet' over future

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said on Saturday that he is still to decide whether or not to renew his contract with the European champions when it expires at the end of the season.

"I don't know yet," he said during a press conference ahead of Barca's league game at home to Valencia on Sunday.

"If the club needs a response straight away, I'd have to decide because the club is the most important thing. But they haven't given me a deadline for the time being."

At the Barca helm since 2008, Guardiola signed a one-year contract extension in February 2011 that extended his commitment to the club until the end of the current campaign.

Asked why it was taking him so long to decide, Guardiola replied: "I have to feel it. It's as simple as that."

Despite having fallen 10 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, the Catalan giants remain on course to defend their Champions League title and will face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Spanish Cup at the end of May.

Guardiola has led Barca to 13 major honours during his time in charge at Camp Nou, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

Barca announced on Saturday that midfielders Xavi and Sergio Busquets and left-sided player Adriano have all returned to training after injury.

"This Saturday, Xavi, Busquets and Adriano all started the training session with their team-mates," read a statement on the club website.

Xavi had missed Barca's last two games due to a problem with a muscle in his right leg, while Busquets injured his knee against Real Sociedad at the start of the month and Adriano had been afflicted by muscle problems in his left leg.

For Sunday's visit of third-placed Valencia, Barca will therefore only be missing long-term injury victims David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay, as well as suspended duo Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves.

Daniel Sturridge puts Arsenal and Tottenham on alert

Daniel Sturridge has put a host of big European suitors on alert as the Chelsea striker considers his future away from the club. The England striker has one year left on his contract from the summer and would be free to discuss a move with rival clubs at the beginning of 2013. According to a report in The Sun, Sturridge - a former Manchester City academy product - is said to be seriously concerned by Chelsea's alarming free-fall under current boss Andre Villas-Boas. Quick exit: Daniel Sturridge, who was spotted getting out of his new Porsche on Tuesday, is reportedly pondering his future at Chelsea   Chelsea's title hopes were left in tatters long ago and now face a fight to finish in the top four of the Premier League after they slipped to fifth place following last Saturday's defeat to Everton, stretching their recent dismal run which has seen them take just 12 points from a possible 30. And Sturridge, who is admired by the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona, is understood to be fed up at a lack of opportunities in his favoured central striking position, a role that ?50million Fernando Torres continues in despite his lack of goals.

Rooney: I loved to be captain of England

Wayne Rooney Vector Portrait (Photo credit: Vectorportal)

Wayne Rooney insisted he would relish being England captain - but acknowledged the matter is out of his hands.

John Terry has been stripped of the honour after the Chelsea defender's racism trial was put back until July 9, while Rio Ferdinand has said he is not interested in the position. However, Rooney would not reject the chance, and also believes Steven Gerrard would be a good choice to lead England into this summer's European Championships.

The Manchester United striker, who scored two goals in Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat of Liverpool, tweeted: "For everyone asking i would love to be england captain. But thats upto new manager to decide. Gerrard is perfect choice for me."

Taevez back in the fold

Carlos Tevez must begin the task of winning back Manchester City's trust after ending his self-imposed exile to return to the club.

The Argentinian arrived back in Manchester on Tuesday after spending more than three months back in South America without City's permission. The 28-year-old was greeted by a huge media gathering at Manchester Airport and was ushered through the arrivals hall by police before travelling to City's training ground for a medical assessment.

It now remains to be seen when manager Roberto Mancini reintegrates his former captain back into his first-team squad. Mancini said Tevez was "finished" at the club after the player refused to warm up during their infamous Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich in September.

The Italian, however, has recently appeared open to the possibilty of Tevez playing again, although he has long maintained he must first apologise to be considered for selection.

Midfielder James Milner said at the weekend Tevez, the club's top scorer in the past two seasons, would be welcomed back and defender Joleon Lescott last night echoed those sentiments.

Lescott tweeted: "All I can say... is that all the players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo and Yaya [Toure, who have returned from the African Nations Cup] back to help achieve our goal."

Tevez did not meet Mancini on Tuesday and is unlikely to be involved this morning as the first team train ahead of Thursday's Europa League game against Porto in Portugal. The squad are due to fly out this afternoon and Tevez is not registered for the competition.

Tevez, who told Argentinian TV on Monday he could be match-fit in two weeks, met with medical staff on Tuesday and was given a fitness plan, as is standard for any player who has missed training.

City are not in action at the weekend and then face Porto in the return next week, meaning the earliest Tevez could feature would be the leaders' Barclays Premier League game against Blackburn on February 25.

Tevez has decided to resume his City career after failing to secure a move during last month's transfer window.

Football fan in race chant arrest

British Transport Police are still looking for other people involved in the alleged inciden

Football fan in race chant arrest

A man has been arrested in connection with alleged racist chanting by a group of Chelsea football fans on a train back from the club's 0-0 draw against Norwich City.

A spokesman said officers were still looking for other people involved in the alleged incident after the club's Premier League match on Saturday                                                                                                  

In a statement before the arrest, BTP said: "We were made aware of the incident on board the 1600 Norwich to London Liverpool Street service. It is alleged that some individuals were involved in racist chanting. British Transport Police has contacted the individual concerned who made the allegations and an investigation is ongoing."

Chelsea has vowed to take action against any fans proved to be involved in racist chanting.

A statement on the club's website said: "Chelsea Football Club is concerned to hear that a small number of fans travelling back by train from Norwich were alleged to be involved in racist chants and comment. We are working to help the relevant authorities identify those responsible and will take the strongest possible action should these allegations prove to be true. The club, like the overwhelming majority of our fans, strongly believe that all forms of discrimination are abhorrent and have absolutely no place in society."

The alleged incident comes just a week before Chelsea face QPR in a potentially explosive FA Cup tie at Loftus Road.

Captain John Terry has been charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during the Barclays Premier League game between the two clubs on October 23.

Terry, who denies the allegations, is due to appear at West London Magistrates' Court on February 1.

Chelsea were forced to condemn supporters who were clearly heard chanting "Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are" in their 1-1 Champions League Group E draw at Genk's Cristal Arena on November 1.

U.S. vs. Venezuela player grades

After a late Rico Clark goal to break the deadlock, how did the players rate?

• 9
• 9
• 293
• EMAIL
• PRINT

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesClark's goal was just his third goal in 33 games for the U.S. national team.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In the barren lands surrounding Phoenix, the U.S. endured a drought of goals against Venezuela on Saturday night.

In a dreadfully dull first half, the U.S. roamed freely as Venezuela showed little interest in closing down its ball-hogging opponents -- until they got into the final third. Consequently, the Yanks dominated completely, but in addition to the deep-sitting, parked-bus Venezuelan defense, which left precious little room for striker Teal Bunbury and playmaker Benny Feilhaber to maneuver, the U.S. was frustrated by both the vast pockets of space it had to cover on the huge field and its sloppy, imprecise final balls.

Nevertheless, there were many positives in the opening act. The opposition -- a Venezuelan team playing mostly domestically based second-stringers, just like the U.S. -- may have been meek, but many of the facets Jurgen Klinsmann has been hammering home since taking the head coaching job in July were adequately executed.

Deployed in a 4-2-3-1 with a triangle midfield -- Jermaine Jones and Jeff Larentowicz playing behind Feilhaber, plus wingers in Graham Zusi and Brek Shea -- the U.S. pressed high, controlled the ball, and was that favorite of Klinsmann's buzzwords: "proactive." This approach yielded three major chances. In the 19th minute, Bunbury was played the ball by the box, cut back and curled a handsome shot just over with his left foot. A minute later, Feilhaber threaded a pinpoint through-ball to Shea, who unleashed his superior physique to lose his marker but dragged his shot wide. Then, in the 23rd, one of the laser-guided free kicks that have vaulted Zusi from an unheralded MLS rookie to a U.S. national teamer, found Shea's blond mop before being parried wide by goalkeeper Jose Morales.

From there, the second half looked much like the first, with the U.S. eager to break the deadlock and Venezuela just as keen to maintain the status quo. The game grew increasingly physical as both sides pursued their respective goals. But it wasn't until the 62nd minute, when Feilhaber came out and the U.S. inserted a second forward in Chris Wondolowski, that the game opened up and the Americans started creating more scoring chances (though few were worthwhile). Zusi found room from a close, tight angle but skied his effort in the 73rd. Barely 10 minutes later, Morales saved well on a long, swerving shot from Jones. In the 88th, Wondolowski nodded goal-wards from close range, requiring another strong save from the masterful Morales. Adding to the drought was referee Roberto Garcia's disinterest in several credible American claims for a penalty.

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In the end, the U.S.'s efforts against an opponent more interested in preserving a hypothetical, fictional point were nearly for naught -- two of them. It wasn't until the 97th minute, well past the minimum of four minutes of added time, that a Jones corner found a wide-open Ricardo Clark, who nodded the ball into the low, far corner for the liberating winner.

For a band of recently assembled backups, it wasn't a bad showing, with a satisfying last-gasp winner as reward.

Grades: 1-10 (1 is lowest; 10 highest)

GK - Bill Hamid, 6: Solid when called upon, which wasn't often. Although he was almost caught out by very, very long shot.

D - A.J. DeLaGarza, 6.5: A nice debut for the young Galaxy defender, although he got a little over-excited heading forward on occasion.

D - Heath Pearce, 5: An unremarkable 73 minutes for the left back, who didn't connect well at all with Shea up the wing.

D - Michael Parkhurst, 7.5: Well positioned and strong in the air. Rock solid.

D - Geoff Cameron, 7.5: Like Parkhurst, Cameron made a strong case for a more involved role with the first string. His long balls and runs were a weapon.

M - Jeff Larentowicz, 6.5: Filling in for the injured Kyle Beckerman, Larentowicz put in a solid 62-minute shift tidying up loose balls in front of the defense. Not all his passes connected, though.

M - Jermaine Jones, 8: A schizoid performance by far and away the best player on the field. Absolutely dominant on defense, Jones distributed possession well, save for the occasional horrendous turnover, one of which nearly turned into a scoring chance for Venezuela until Jones got back and chopped down his man, incurring a yellow card. His was the corner that allowed Clark to score the winner.

M - Benny Feilhaber, 7: He didn't have much room to operate in, but for the 62 minutes that he was on the field, almost all the danger the Americans managed to pose started with him, whether it was his hold-up play in the corners or deft through balls.

F - Graham Zusi, 5: On his 74-minute U.S. debut, Zusi wasn't hugely impactful on the right wing except for a nice free kick deposited on Shea's head. When switched off to the left wing, he brought even less.

F - Teal Bunbury, 6: His athleticism was on display early and he created a nice chance for himself early, but as the second half wore on, his influence receded considerably.

F - Brek Shea, 6: A mixed bag. But for a few flashes of offensive genius, resulting in two of the biggest U.S. chances, Shea was lethargic.

Substitutes:

M - Ricardo Clark, 7.5: After coming on in the 62nd, Clark distributed well, won balls and was useful on offense. And then he got a winner.

F - Chris Wondolowski, 6.5: Wondolowski gave the U.S. a much-needed second body in the box and was able to carve some decent half-chances in a half hour of work.

D - Zach Loyd, 7: Coming on in the 73rd, Loyd looked comfortable and capable in the back, showing also that he can contribute going forward.

F - C.J. Sapong, 6: Didn't get involved very much but helped out in the aerial battles.

M - Brad Evans, Incomplete: An eight-minute cameo for the hometown boy left scant opportunities for him to make an impact.