Archive for the ‘Soccer’ Category
February 22nd, 2012 | 
Author: Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 19:17:00
Manchester City produced a strong finish to power into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 victory (6-1 on aggregate) over 10-man holders Porto.
Sergio Aguero set up victory by extending City’s 2-1 first-leg lead after just 18 seconds at the rainswept Etihad Stadium before hitting the bar later in the first half.
Edin Dzeko came off the bench to add a second after 76 minutes before the sending off of Rolando preceded further goals from David Silva and David Pizarro in the closing minutes.
The 5pm kick-off may have been problematic for some fans but the players raced out of the blocks to make the perfect start. Aguero, who struck six minutes from time last week, started where he left off as he was played through by Yaya Toure and slipped the ball low past Helton with barely 18 seconds on the clock.
City looked comfortable for their lead and could have had a second when Silva beat the defence with a brilliant ball for Toure. Helton rushed out of goal to meet the Ivory Coast midfielder on the edge of the box and spread his body to block his shot.
Porto enjoyed some spells possession but struggled to create meaningful chances until first-leg goalscorer Silvestre Varela found space to test Joe Hart. Joao Moutinho curled a free-kick over as Porto continued to look for a way back into the tie.
The game remained open as the second half got under way with Aguero dribbling into the Porto box to tee up Silva but Maicon slid in to deny the Spaniard.
City again pressed for another with Silva winning a corner from Helton with a powerful drive, before play was held up after Nicolas Otamendi was accidentally kicked in the face by team-mate Maicon.
The hosts put the result beyond any doubt as substitute Dzeko was slipped in by a fine ball from Aguero and finished with confidence. It quickly became a double blow for Porto as Rolando, who had been booked early in the game, was shown a second yellow card as City celebrated – perhaps for protesting too much for offside – and left the field.
City then went on to wrap up the game in style as Silva added a third after 84 minutes after substitutes Pizarro and Dzeko combined to provide a tap-in. Another followed two minutes later as Pizarro again linked up with Dzeko and broke into the box to slam past Helton for his first goal for the club.
Related Manchester City News
Posted in 
- West Ham United News
- Fixtures
- Results
- News Archive
- Information
- League Table
- Statistics
- Squad
- Championship News
- Forum
Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 18:17:00
West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has been fined £7,000 by the Football Association in response to a homophobic remark made on Twitter.
Morrison, who completed an undisclosed switch to Upton Park from Manchester United at the end of January, is reported to have made the comment in response to another Twitter user. The 19-year-old admitted a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation.
An FA statement read: “West Ham United’s Ravel Morrison has been fined £7,000 and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation.”
It continued: “The charge was in relation to comments Morrison made on Twitter.”
Morrison was charged by the FA last Wednesday and quickly admitted his actions ahead of the punishment, for which he requested a non-personal hearing.
Morrison, who is yet to make his Hammers debut, has not enjoyed the smoothest of starts to his career with the npower Championship club having also been involved in various off-field controversies while at Old Trafford.
Manchester United allowed the teenager to leave despite him being rated as one of the finest prospects to come out of the club in recent years.
Related West Ham United News
- Arsenal News
- Fixtures
- Results
- News Archive
- Information
- League Table
- Statistics
- Squad
- Premier League News
- Forum
Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 18:17:00
Zenit St Petersburg claim they are in talks with Arsenal over a possible loan deal for Gunners forward Andrey Arshavin.
Arshavin has been a bit-part player at Arsenal following the arrival of Gervinho and the rise of new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Russian has made most of his 27 appearances this term as a substitute and has fallen out of favour with Arsenal’s fans, who booed when he came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain during the club’s home defeat to Manchester United.
Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov told Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport that he is hopeful of persuading the 30-year-old to return to the club where he spent 11 years before moving to London. He said: “We talked with them. Let’s see how they themselves continue to lead.”
He added: “Andrey still wants to play in England. (But) For Andrey it is very important to play in the Euros and being at a home club would be a good option in the current situation.
“Therefore, we are discussing the possibility to loan (Arshavin).”
Any deal would have to be concluded by Thursday night when the Russian transfer window closes.
Related Arsenal News
Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 18:17:00
Blackburn fans have launched a new share investment scheme in a bid to buy the club from owners Venky’s.
The Blackburn Rovers Supporters’ Investment Trust, which has been created with the aim to bring the club into community ownership, is being spearheaded by Wayne Wild, director of WEC Group, a commercial partner and sponsor of the Barclays Premier League side.
Fan groups have blamed Venky’s and manager Steve Kean for the club’s demise, and with Rovers currently one place above the relegation zone, Wild believes the newly-created trust is a viable option to bring the club under fans’ control. He said: “At some point, and maybe soon, we believe Blackburn Rovers will be put up for sale.”
He added: “We believe the best ownership model for Blackburn Rovers is to be entirely owned by the supporters through a trust.
“We are seeking to engage with the current owners to advise them of our plans and we ask that they consider our proposals seriously as a credible and respectful way to pass on ownership of the club.
“At this stage we are asking Blackburn Rovers supporters if they would be willing to buy a share in their club. The more fans who pledge to buy a share, the stronger and more credible our bid will be.
“We will raise funds to buy the club by issuing a sufficient number of shares to meet a realistic valuation at the time of purchase.
“It is clear that any fair and realistic valuation will be based on the position of the club within the league structure at the time of purchase together with a true assessment of the clubs assets and liabilities.
“It is not, therefore, possible at this stage to put an exact figure on the amount of capital we will need to raise to be successful.”
Related Blackburn Rovers News
Published: 22 Feb 2012 – 18:47:04
Cash-strapped Portsmouth have been forced to make “a number of redundancies” to help aid their battle for financial survival.
The identities of those made redundant has not been divulged, with no-one at the npower Championship club available to comment on speculation chief executive David Lampitt is one of those affected.
Pompey’s players and staff have not been paid since December and the cost-cutting measures also involve this continuing for some at the club, most likely high earners, on an “ongoing basis”, while a host of full-time staff are also being asked to go part-time.
The moves come after Portsmouth entered administration for a second time in two years last Friday, resulting in an immediate 10-point deduction which has subsequently plunged the south-coast outfit into the Championship’s bottom three.
In a statement on the club’s official website, joint administrator Trevor Birch said: “We have had no choice but to take the difficult decision to make a number of redundancies across all levels and departments within Portsmouth Football Club.
“Additionally, we are asking certain employees to defer wages on an ongoing basis and are asking several members of staff to move from a full-time to a part-time role. These measures are painful for everyone involved with the club, but they are essential for Portsmouth’s survival, which is our main objective.
“They are in no way a reflection of the performance of the club’s hard-working staff, who have remained loyal and supportive throughout this difficult time. Our initial analysis of the club’s financial position has revealed that the situation is more serious than many people had expected.”
The statement continued: “We have been brought in to try to rescue a business with significant financial problems. To put it bluntly, Portsmouth Football Club has a Premier League cost base but only Championship income. This is not a sustainable situation and one that needs to be addressed urgently if the club is to continue to exist.
“As things stand, there is a serious risk that the club could run out of cash within the next couple of months. I recognise that this is not the news that anyone wants to hear but burying our heads in the sand will not help anyone.
“Today’s redundancies will make a difference to the club’s financial position but there are sure to be further challenges ahead of us. Portsmouth’s survival depends on us being able to find a buyer for the club before the money runs out.”
Related Portsmouth News
Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 17:25:49
Didier Drogba says it is about time his Chelsea team mates start to take some responsibility.
‘I think we are all responsible for the results. Chelsea Football Club is responsible for the results, and I think we all have to play our game. The players have to play their game.’
The Ivory Coast striker added: “The good thing in football is that there’s always another game to change the bad moment, the difficult moment.”
Defender Gary Cahill could start tonight in place of the injured John Terry.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas will be relieved to have both Michael Essien and Ramires available for selection in midfield along with Frank Lampard.
Ashley Cole is also expected to miss out, while up front Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata could start behind Fernando Torres who is still desperately trying to find goals.
Napoli boss Walter Mazzari has a virtually full strength squad to choose from ahead of the clash in Naples.
Star talents Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi are all expected to start.
Uruguay international Cavani scored twice to send Manchester City out of the Champions League early, and the Italians will hope he can do the same again.
Napoli possible XI: De Sanctis; Aronica, Campagnaro, Cannavaro; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani
Napoli Champions League form: D, W, D, L, W, W
Played 6 Won 3 Drawn 2 Lost 1
Chelsea possible XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bosingwa; Essien, Meireles, Ramires; Mata, Sturridge, Torres
Chelsea Champions League form: W, D, W, D, L, W
Played 6 Won 3 Drawn 2 Lost 1
Napoli V Chelsea – view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Related Chelsea News
- Borussia Dortmund News
- Fixtures
- Results
- News Archive
- Information
- League Table
- Statistics
- Squad
- German Bundesliga News
Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 17:46:54
Japan wing Shinji Kagawa could be fit to face Hanover on Sunday in the Bundesliga after he returned to training on Tuesday with German league leaders Borussia Dortmund.
“Things look good,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp after Kagawa trained with the team again just six days after suffering an ankle injury.
“We will wait to see how the ankle reacts and we don’t want to put him under any pressure.”
The 22-year-old suffered torn ankle ligaments in training last Wednesday which kept him out of Dortmund’s 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
“The medical department has done a really good job for us,” said Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl.
“For Shinji, it looks really good. I hope he can play for us at the weekend.”
Kagawa has been in superb form for Dortmund this season and had scored four goals in four matches before his ankle injury.
Related Borussia Dortmund News
Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 18:16:52
Claudio Ranieri has backed his Inter Milan team to snap out of their dismal series of recent results when they face Marseille in the away leg of their Champions League last 16 tie here on Wednesday.
Ranieri’s arrival as a replacement for Gian Piero Gasperini in the autumn sparked a run of seven straight league wins that thrust Inter back into Champions League contention in Serie A, but things have since gone awry in spectacular fashion.
Inter have not won in six matches in all competitions and, after a 4-0 humbling at Roma, their last two games have seen them beaten, at home, by relegation-threatened Novara and Bologna to leave them seventh in the Italian standings.
They are competing in the last 16 of the Champions League for the eighth season running though, and Ranieri has called on his players to rediscover the hunger that took them to European football’s top prize as recently as 2010.
“Inter’s run in the championship has been a bit strange, with ups and downs,” said the former Chelsea coach.
“We had a very average start and then we got going. Now we’re in another negative period, but fortunately we have the Champions League to kick-start us. This team needs adrenaline and stimulation to produce good performances.
“Inter aren’t the only team in Europe going through a difficult period. We’re far from the top of the league but with two or three victories, we can get closer to the leading group.”
Speculation about Ranieri’s future has mounted after club president Massimo Moratti was seen storming away from his seat before the end of Friday’s 3-0 loss to Bologna, but Ranieri says he is only thinking about the job in hand.
“I don’t think about what will happen after the match,” he said.
“I never ask players to play for me but for the shirt they wear and for the club. I’m getting along well with the president at the moment and I feel calm.
“I’m not nervous; it’s not in my character.”
Ranieri has crossed paths with Marseille coach Didier Deschamps on several occasions, with the Frenchman’s Monaco side memorably upsetting Ranieri’s Chelsea in the semi-finals of the 2003-04 Champions League.
Ranieri went on to replace Deschamps when he stepped down as Juventus coach in the summer of 2007.
Deschamps has declared that Inter’s recent pedigree makes them the favourites to go through and Ranieri said it was time for his players to prove their worth.
“I’ll meeting Deschamps again with real pleasure — he’s someone who I respect a lot,” said the Italian.
“I heard Deschamps say that Inter are the favourites. That’s fair because two years ago, we won everything (Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League).
“Unlike Marseille, we’re going through a difficult period, but we’ll try to turn things around, starting tomorrow (Wednesday).
“The time is ripe for a reaction. It’s a direct double-header. I’m expecting a well contested encounter, so it’s a good time to react.”
Three-time European champions, Inter were upset by Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals of last season’s tournament.
Related Inter Milan News
- FC Porto News
- Fixtures
- Results
- News Archive
- Information
- League Table
- Statistics
- Squad
- Portuguese First Division News
Published: 21 Feb 2012 – 17:46:56
UEFA have responded to Manchester City’s claims that two of their players were racially abused during the Europa League match at Porto by opening disciplinary proceedings against the Portuguese club.
City lodged a written complaint with European football’s governing body after their 2-1 victory at the Estadio Dragao last week. There were suspected outbreaks of monkey chanting aimed at Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure during last Thursday’s match. It appeared most noticeable when Balotelli was substituted 12 minutes from the end.
UEFA announced in a statement: “Following a complaint lodged by Manchester City FC, UEFA has today opened disciplinary proceedings against FC Porto for the improper conduct of supporters (article 11 bis of the UEFA disciplinary degulations) during their UEFA Europa League round of 32 first-leg match against Manchester City FC last week.”
The statement continued: “The UEFA control and disciplinary body will deal with the case on 29 March.”
Related FC Porto News
Published: 20 Feb 2012 – 17:16:51
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri dismissed talk on Monday that his side are favourites against out-of-form Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.
The southern Italians host the west Londoners at the San Paolo stadium here on Tuesday in the first leg before a trip to Stamford Bridge in three weeks time.
And while Chelsea are in disarray, suffering a number of underwhelming performances and results, Napoli have just rediscovered their own form.
“We’re happy to be here and playing a two-legged tie against a Chelsea who have played more than 100 (Champions League) matches and that says a lot,” Mazzarri told reporters.
“But it seems strange to me to say that we are favourites. We have to try to do our best, as we have always done in these situations.”
Napoli have been inconsistent throughout the season and currently sit down in sixth in Serie A.
Impressive victories against AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City have been followed by defeats and indeed far too many draws against Serie A minnows.
But they beat Chievo (2-0) and Fiorentina (3-0) in their last two league games in which they started to look like the team that thrilled Italy last season with their unexpected title challenge.
Chelsea, on the other hand, come into the game having been held to a 1-1 draw at home by Championship side Birmingham City in the FA Cup.
And that after a 2-0 defeat at Everton and blowing a 3-0 lead in a draw with Manchester United.
They have also drawn with newly-promoted pair Norwich and Swansea in recent weeks leaving coach Andre Villas-Boas under pressure with his team outside the top four in the league.
“We hope they’re not at their best because they have many decisive (players),” said Mazzarri.
“But that doesn’t mean we change our logic or application, we need to defend well so we can counter.
“This match is like a derby, it escapes all logic and form-guide, and let’s not forget that they have great qualities.
“The devlopment of our players has been incredible over these last few years.
“Playing the perfect match means performing above ourselves and then we hope things will go our way.
“The important thing is not to concede. We don’t have much experience (of that) so it’s important that we start off well defensively.”
Chelsea represent England’s last realistic hope of having a team in the Champions League quarter finals with City and United falling at the group stage and Arsenal virtually out having been thumped 4-0 in their first leg against Milan.
But Mazzarri, whose side eliminated City in the group stages, believes the big difference is Italian sides are improving rather than the English getting worse.
“Arsenal are in a construction phase but it is Italian football that has changed rather than English football,” said Mazzarri.
“There won’t be much tactical difference between Chelsea and City.
“For me preparing for Chelsea is like preparing for Chievo. I’ve been used to preparing ever more important matches for many years because I started at the bottom.
“Tactically Cheslea have recently used 4-4-2 as well as 4-3-3, we’ve tried to study them well.”
Related Napoli News
