Fulham manager Mark Hughes is hoping to have skipper Danny Murphy and star striker Bobby Zamora fit to face Bolton on Wednesday.The Cottagers will be aiming to claim a win that will guarantee them another season of Premier League football.
Captain Murphy is expected to recover from the dead leg that forced him to come off during the weekend draw at Wolves.
Zamora should also start after being named on the bench as a precaution at Molineux following a minor back and hip injury sustained in training at the end of last week.
Hughes said: “Bobby said he wanted to play but we protected him, especially as he is not long back from a long-term injury. But he made an impact coming on.”
Fulham look safe on 39 points with five games to play, but the players themselves fear there is much work to be done.
“I don’t think you can say you’re safe at any point,” said striker Andy Johnson.
“It’s so tight at the bottom of the table, and there’s still a lot to play for in these last five games.”
“Every year people talk about the 40-point mark, but it might be higher than that this year, because everyone keeps beating everyone else down at the bottom.”
“It’s the closest run-in I’ve ever been involved in come the back-end of a season, so we have to take every game as it comes and try and take what we can from each one.”
“But at the moment I don’t think anyone is safe from 10th downwards, so we’re looking forward to the game against Bolton on Wednesday and then the visit to Sunderland next weekend as chances to secure our safety.”
Real Madrid have looked to the future by signing Borussia Dortmund star Nuri Sahin on a six-year contract.Jose Mourinho’s men look likely to miss out on clinching the La Liga title this campaign – leaving them with the Copa del Rey as their only silverware in 2010/11 – but the signing of Bundesliga livewire Sahin will no doubt lift the mood at the Bernabeu as the season comes to a close.
The 22-year-old midfielder said he was not motivated by finances in his decision to leave the German top flight champions for the Spanish capital.
“Money wasn’t the reason for my move. When I stay healthy, I’d earn enough anyway,” Sahin told Dortmund’s official website.
“Real Madrid is the biggest club on earth. I’m proud to make this step. It’s the highest plateau you can reach as a football player and the chance for the world career I’ve hoped for. Only because of this I will leave Dortmund.”
While Sahin held Madrid in the highest echelon of world clubs, the German-born Turk said he would never forget his time spent at this home club.
“I’m a player who has the potential to break through at Real Madrid. I’ve signed there for six years. It was hard decision, because I’m a Borussian and love Dortmund and the club – and I always will be a Borussian,” he said.
“It made me very proud, that I was allowed to lead this team as captain into this stadium. I want to say thank you to all, who supported me on my way.”
“The hardest part for me was to announce my decision. I will miss Jurgen Klopp. I’ve invited the team, trainer, staff members, plus Mr Watze and Mr Rauball to the next Clasico.”
Sahin holds the record as the youngest player, at age 16, to play in the Bundesliga, as well as becoming the youngest to score in the German top flight.
Real Madrid have ensured Barcelona will wait at least another week to claim the La Liga title after romping to a 6-2 win at Sevilla.Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show, with four goals in a virtuoso performance that would have delighted his manager Jose Mourinho.
Brazilian playmaker Kaka also got on the scoresheet for Real, as did defender Sergio Ramos, who powered Madrid into the lead after 21 minutes with a header, while Alvaro Negredo scored both goals for Sevilla.
The result means Real trail Barca by five points and have three matches remaining, although Barca have four games to play and take on Espanyol at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao climbed into fifth place – which would guarantee them a place in next year’s Europa League – with a 3-2 win over Levante at home.
Goals from Gaizka Toquero, David Lopez and Fernando Llorente had Bilbao cruising at 3-0 just after the hour mark but late strikes from Christian Stuani and Victoriano Nano ensured some anxious moments for the hosts in the closing stages.
Atletico Madrid’s grip on sixth place looks tenuous after they were thrashed 3-0 at home by Malaga, who had goals from Rondon, Julio Baptista and Enzo Maresca to thank for their fourth successive league win.
On-loan Spurs midfielder Giovani dos Santos scored a brace to help Racing Santander take a big step towards La Liga survival with a 3-2 win at Hercules, who look certain to face the drop.
Almeria were not so fortunate, and their 2-0 loss at Getafe confirmed a relegation that has looked likely for much of the campaign.
Sporting Gijon had a late penalty from David Barral to earn them a 2-2 draw at home against Deportivo La Coruna, while Valencia moved six points clear of third-placed Villarreal – who play on Sunday – with a 3-0 home win over Real Sociedad.
Roberto Soldado scored twice for the hosts, and Brazilian striker Jonas scored the other.
Yet again the Premier League gave us footy fans a season with triumphs, heartbreak and entertainment. In amongst all the emotions and money, players became cult heroes, teams over achieved and managers came and went. Javier Hernandez was arguably the bargain of the season, but does this mean he will improve next season? Tottenham Hotspur missed out on Champions League qualification; will they regain a top four berth in the coming campaign? Already we all cannot wait for the next season to get up and running and we all have our predictions on who will achieve and who will fall through the Premier League’s trapdoor; here are mine.
Luis Suarez for player of the season- Harry Redknapp reportedly turned down the chance to sign the former Ajax man in the recent transfer window, how he must be cursing that decision now. Suarez has injected energy, desire and flair into Liverpool, and has been a major influence on the Merseyside club’s climb up the table. The Uruguayan has turned in numerous Man of the Match performances, most notably in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United, where he single-handedly terrorised the entire defence. It’s those sort of performances that make me think the Liverpool ace will collect Barclay’s Player of the Season for 2011/12.
QPR in dreamland- Every season needs a ‘fairytale’ and for me I think it will be that QPR will be in the Champion League places at Christmas. I don’t for a second think they will stay there, but West Brom were up there this season and Ipswich in the past nearly achieved the unthinkable. QPR’s return to the top flight of English football may well be ‘the stuff dreams are made of’.
Norwich will be relegated with five games still to play- This season’s relegation battle has gone right down to the wire, with the first confirmed relegation only happening on the penultimate fixture. It has been entertaining down the bottom of the league, with no team standing out as the ‘whipping boys’. However, for me, I think this will change, with Norwich City’s return to the top flight being short lived.
Torres will be the highest scorer in the league- There is only so much criticism a man can take before he bites back, and next season, I believe the former Liverpool man will take up the mantle of Chelsea’s main man.
Robert Huth will score 15 goals- His scoring ratio, for a defender, is amazing, with 9 goals in all competitions this season. It would be a brave man betting against the Stoke defender breaking into double figures next season.
Newcastle will sack Alan Pardew before Christmas- Mike Ashley doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to managers and Pardew, as of yet, hasn’t won over all the St James Park faithful. Newcastle will no doubt soon want to challenge for the European places again and I don’t think the former West Ham manager is the right guy to do it.
Everton to get caught in relegation scrap – Admittedly, the Toffees have turned their season around in the second half but at the beginning of the season it was looking bleak for David Moyes’ side. With reported debts of up to £45 million, Everton will have to look to sell the likes of Jack Rodwell and Leighton Baines. Unless Moyes can pull off another signing that has the impact of Tim Cahill, for minimum expenditure, I fear for Everton could get dragged down to the lower reaches of the table.
Owen Coyle will win manager of the season – I’m not quite sure what Coyle will achieve to warrant such an award, but this season I have been very impressed with the Bolton manager. The former Burnley man has transformed their style of play and Bolton even threatened to break into the Europa League places earlier in the season. Next season could really see Coyle take his management to the next level.
Arsenal will win something- Surely they have got to?
Manchester United will beat there 29 match unbeaten run- They play poorly, they get criticised and yet they still grind out results to win the Premier League title, and very convincingly in the end. Sir Alex Ferguson instils an incredible self belief into his side, and assuming the Premier League’s most successful manager is still around next season, then who knows what can be achieved.
Tottenham Hotspur will finish as the League’s highest scorers- Funny old game is football; with the constant criticism the Lilywhites strike force has received this season, with Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko failing to score 20 league goals between them. It is written in the script for Spurs to dominate the scoring charts next season.
Continued on Page TWO
Sunderland will finish in the top eight- Steve Bruce’s side had a superb start to this current season, and although injuries are expected in the game, Sunderland had more than their fair share, with eleven first players being out injured at one point. A couple of signings to replace the returning loanees’ Danny Welbeck and Sulley Muntari and Sunderland will be in and around the top half come the final whistle of next season.
Roy Hodgson will achieve some unimaginable feat- Hodgson has a knack for working miracles with the ‘lesser’ clubs, ignoring his disaster stint on Anfied, the Blackburn manager lead Fulham to a Europa League final last season and turned West Brom from relegation candidates to a comfortable mid table side. I’m not saying West Brom for the title but they will achieve something.
Wigan Athletic will get relegated- The only reason Wigan stayed in the Premier League was Birmingham’s inability to score (37 goals in 38 games). Wigan’s final two fixture victories was their first back to back wins since Roberto Martinez took over in 2009, and that is not the sort of ‘achievement’ a side in the world’s ‘greatest’ league, should be achieving.
Aston Villa will continue moving backwards if Houiller stays in charge- Despite being controversial, Martin O’Neill had the Villians dreaming of Champions League football. One season after his departure, Villa only secured their Premier League survival in the penultimate league fixture. Randy Lerner needs to hire a young visionary of a manager or Villa’s decline will continue.
Blackburn Rovers will sack Steve Kean- The new owners Venky’s showed there policy on managers for the inexplicable sacking of Sam Allardyce in December. Steve Kean still gets the odd chant of “Who?” and it wont be long before he heads for the exit door after failing to build on Allardyce’s top ten finish last season.
Karl Henry will recieve the most red cards- I love a committed, strong and passionate slide tackle as much as the next football fan, but a few times this season the tenacious Wolves centre midfielder has escaped punishment, but next next season he may not be so lucky.
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Fulham will be last in the fair play table- There are a few suggestions that the Cottagers will miss out on Europa league via the fair play league after Zoltan Gera’s sending off on the final day of the season, their first red of the season. Football loves irony, and although Fulham should be alright this season in securing their Europa cup spot, next season will probably result in a postponement of a game Fulham had five men sent off.
Manchester City will fail to finish in the top four- Yes this season looks impressive with an FA Cup final win and finishing third in the Premier League. However Manchester City have hardly looked a fluid unit this season; and if we are all honest the only reason they qualified automatically for the Champions League this season, was because of Arsenal and Tottenham’s massive dip in form. Furthermore with Carlos Tevez reportedly readying his suitcase and Edin Dzeko looking about as useful as Emile Heskey, will they really push the ‘big boys’ again?
Depending on who gets promoted:
Scott Sinclair will get a transfer to a ‘bigger’ club in January- If it wasn’t for Adel Taarabt’s performances the former Chelsea man would be getting more of the limelight. Sinclair has had a phenomenal season in front of goal and setting up goals, combined with his pace and flair, it won’t be long before the Premier League vultures straight circling around Liberty Stadium.
Shane Long will score ten goals in the League by Christmas but finish the season with only 11- So many times we have seen players fail to live up to the Premier League standard despite impressing in the Championship. Reading’s Shane long could very well be the next Dave Nugent.
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Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!
The summer months can be arduous times for football fans, as we have to endure June, July and most of August without our doses of domestic football action. However it does bring another exciting element of the beautiful game into play, the buzz of the transfer market. The window officially opens on the 1st of July, but that hasn’t stopped deals taking place already, with the big money moves for Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones grabbing the headlines. The rumour mill is in full swing and plenty of players are being linked with moves away from their clubs, in what promises to be another summer of big spending in the Premier League.
There are three high profile players rumoured to be linked with moves away from their clubs this summer and all three have emerged as potential targets for Premier League big boys Manchester United and Chelsea. Luka Modric, Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri have all refused to rule out moves away from their current employers this summer. This has led to suggestions the players could be tempted by the prospect of joining either the English Champions or runners up from last season. So I wonder if there is a chance of any of these transfers materialising.
Samir Nasri has one year remaining on his current contract with the Gunners and while he stalls over the signing of a new deal the rumours linking him to Man United and more recently Bayern Munich are intensifying. Arsene Wenger will be doing all he can to ensure he keeps hold of his creative playmaker for next season. It may take a hefty new contract and some words of wisdom for Mr Wenger to reassure Nasri that the Emirates is where he should be playing his football.
It was only last month that Patrice Evra went public with his plea to his fellow compatriot to join him at Old Trafford and since then there has been talk of United readying a £10 million pound bid for the former Marseille man. In a recent interview Nasri didn’t rule out the possibility of playing for another English club and with Man United in need of a player of Nasri’s ilk, could the Arsenal man be set for a move north? Personally I think Nasri will sign a new deal with Arsenal, but until he commits to the club the rumours will persist.
On the white side of North London Tottenham’s exquisite Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric, has all the attributes to be the perfect signing for Man United or Chelsea. With both clubs issuing their interest in the player Tottenham have moved quickly to reaffirm their stance that the midfielder is not for sale at any price. However, the guarantee of Champions League football and a huge jump in wages is likely to be a real temptation for Modric. Although he is happy at Spurs if the bids started to come in they could well unsettle the player and we all know Spurs have bowed down to the financial power of Man United in the past with Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov. I however think Tottenham will remain defiant in their bid to stave off the advances of Man United and Chelsea and would be surprised if Modric is not running out for Spurs in August.
The third big hitter linked to both United and Chelsea is Inter Milan’s Dutch master Wesley Sneijder. Out of the players in question I think Sneijder is the most likely to make a move to one of the big two this summer. He recently committed himself to Inter, but has since spoken out about the uncertainty of his future. Sneijder would represent an excellent signing for either of these big hitters, but a stumbling block could be his huge wages, reported to be in excess of £7.5 million a year. This may rule Man United out of the chase but I’m sure wouldn’t deter Chelsea should they look to sign the £30 million plus rated midfield man.
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Football being what it is means there is no way the potential transfers of either Nasri, Modric or Sneijder can be ruled out. No matter how adamant a manager may be his player isn’t leaving there is always likely to be a spanner in the works that can change the whole outlook. Although I think Nasri and Modric will remain in North London, when Chelsea and Manchester United are involved anything can happen. You can rest assured that the three players focused on in this article will get their fair share of column inches this summer. What do you think, will we see Nasri, Modric or Sneijder on the transfer merry-go-round this summer?
Mexico have been granted permission to replace five players omitted from their CONCACAF Gold Cup squad for failing doping tests.Mexico’s national team was thrown into disarray earlier this month when six players, including goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, were provisionally suspended for testing positive to the banned substance clenbuterol.
Defenders Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas and midfield duo Antonio Naelson and Christian Bermudez were also removed from the 23-man squad after positive tests.
A sixth player – Ricardo Osorio – had already been ruled out of the tournament due to a prior medical condition.
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) were adamant the players were innocent victims who had consumed the anabolic agent through contaminated meat, and requested permission from Gold Cup organisers to bolster their squad.
Organisers consulted with FIFA before granting that request on Monday.
“Based on the specific facts of this case, and on FIFA’s advice on the matter, the situation at hand is a case of force majeure as contemplated in the competition regulations,” a statement from CONCACAF read.
“Therefore the Mexican national team shall be permitted to replace the five separated players with up to five other players for the remainder of the competition.”
The FMF believes players inadvertently consumed meat containing clenbuterol during a training camp in Mexico in the lead-up to the Gold Cup.
Independent tests have cleared the five dropped players of doping, according to the federation.
“A laboratory at UCLA has informed us that (further) tests made on the five players were negative,” an FMF statement read.
The federation is awaiting test results on ‘B’ samples taken from the five players.
Mexico have gone undefeated through the Gold Cup thanks largely to the boot of Manchester United starlet Javier Hernandez, who has scored a tournament-best six goals in four games.
The reigning champions face Honduras in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Swansea made it to the Premiership, playing an array of beautiful one-touch passing, and glorious attacking football, but will sticking to this style prove a success for them in the top flight?
Stoke boss Tony Pulis recently said that the Swans should stick to their principles and their style of play, which is easy for him to say, when his Stoke team play in a totally different style and have managed to establish themselves in the top division.
On the one hand, it would be naive to think that Swansea could just change the way they play overnight. They have been very successful with their style of play in the last three years, and it is what has brought them to the top flight.
Swansea’s expansive style, and passing game left them with loads of time on the ball in the Championship, but pace is a priority in the Premier League and the players will find they dont have as much time on the ball at this level, something manager Brendan Rogers will have to tweak. Swansea’s one touch football is the same kind that saw West Bromwich Albion under Tony Mowbray, go straight back down to the Championship, and struggle last year under Roberto Di Matteo, before Roy Hodgson came in and focused on a more defensive style, which ultimately saw them stay up.
If Swansea play in a similar style to Blackpool and Hull before them, they could find themselves in a similar position: starting off well by surprising people, and winning over the neutrals, but ultimately heading straight back to the Championship. The Swan’s, will need to be careful not to be focused on style over substance. To stay up, they will need to be up for a battle, to grind out results when they most need it, something that Wolves have shown over the past few seasons.
Defence is a priority in the Premier League, and it was ultimately Blackpool’s downfall last season, so Swansea will need to focus in this area, particularly when they commit so many forward in attack. Most of all they need to address their dead ball play, where they concede many goals, something they will not be able to afford against the Stoke City’s and Bolton’s of the world.
There are also significant weaknesses in Swansea’s squad. They are well short on Premier league experience. Although we have seen before that this isn’t a necessity for survival; Reading managed to finish eighth in 2007 with an equally inexperienced squad.
Brendan Rogers has had a tight schedule to work on, being the last side to be promoted through the play-offs. To be fair to him he has tried to bring in some players with experience and a more combative edge like Marcos Senna, albeit unsuccessfully. He has made three signings, goalkeeper Jose Moreira, striker Danny Graham and defender Steven Caulker on loan from Tottenham.
It seems that rather than changing their style, and throwing cash around on expensive targets, Rogers has settled on buying players who fit into his current system. Latest target Wayne Routledge is an example of this, a player who would provide good competition alongside the pace and productivity of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer on the wings. It still seems as if they would benefit from one or two with Premier League or other top league experience in the side though. Strength in depth is absolutely vital, as is the ability to be flexible at this level.
Norwich another of the promoted sides, also have a squad significantly lacking in Premier League experience, and will be reliant upon many of the players who have taken them from League one to the top division. There is a huge step between Championship and Premiership level, and we will have to wait and see whether these players can cut it.
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Ultimately Swansea fans will want to see good football, but there is a price to pay in this league for sticking to your identity completely. It’s all right playing beautiful football that impresses the neutrals and gets you plaudits, but Premier League survival is what must come first.
Let me know your thoughts on what the Premier League new boys need to do to stay up, comment below or follow me @LaurenRutter on Twitter.
Hosts Bayern Munich will play Barcelona in Wednesday’s Audi Cup final after both clubs survived penalty shootouts.Barcelona were largely under strength against Brazilian side Internacional, but did include the likes of Victor Valdes, Seydou Keita, Maxwell and Andres Iniesta.
They took the lead after 15 minutes when Thiago Alcantara finished off a swift passing move.
Internacional, the 2010 Copa Libertadores winners, equalised 10 minutes after the break.
Nei finished well after Leandro Damiao’s effort was deflected into his path.
Barcelona were ahead again seven minutes later though, Jonathan Dos Santos took advantage of some poor defending.
Damiao, who has been linked with both Barcelona and Spurs, did find the net five minutes before full-time, heading in after poor goalkeeping from Jose Manuel Pinto.
The match went to penalties, Barcelona prevailing 4-2 after Damiao ballooned his effort.
Bayern welcomed back former captain Mark van Bommel against Serie A champions Milan.
The Dutch midfielder joined the Italian side in January after making more than 100 appearances for Bayern.
It was van Bommel’s new side who took the lead inside the opening five minutes.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the deadlock with a cool finish past new signing Manuel Neuer.
Neuer then did well to keep the score at 1-0, coming out well to deny Antonio Cassano.
Bayern’s Mario Gomez went close on 24 minutes, but he failed to hit the target.
The hosts drew level on 33 minutes through a fantastic strike from Toni Kroos.
A host of changes saw the pace of the game drop in the second half.
Luiz Gustavo came closest to grabbing a winner with nine minutes remaining. It finished 1-1 and headed into a penalty shootout.
Milan youngster Alberto Paloschi was to be the villain, sending his spot-kick high into the German crowd.
Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up to convert the winning penalty as Bayern took it 5-3 in the shootout.
Arsene Wenger has finally conceded defeat in his hope to keep Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates. Fabregas will finally complete his long awaited switch back to the Nou Camp, while Nasri will sign a reported £165k a week contract to join up with Roberto Mancini at Eastlands. Apparently Stan Kroenke gave the Nasri move the green light as he felt the club would be foolish to turn down that sort of money, given the Frenchman only has a year left on his contract.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include John Terry calling on people to give Villas-Boas time; Werner suggests Liverpool will continue to keep investing, while Viera believes that Manchester City can win the title.
*
Arsenal admit defeat in battle to keep Fábregas and Nasri – Guardian
Sneijder not joining us, say Man Utd – Guardian
Werner says Liverpool will keep investing – Guardian
Eriksson keen on Keane – Daily Telegraph
Villas-Boas IS Chelsea’s new Special One – Terry – Mirror
FIFA rock Caribbean football with new charges for 16 CONCACAF officials – Daily Mail
Aston Villa join the race to sign French striker Trezeguet on a free transfer – Daily Mail
Man City can win title – Vieira – BBC
Why Mario Balotelli hates life in Manchester – Sun
England job? Liverpool revolt was a lesson, admits Baggies boss Hodgson – Daily Mail
Robin will join the Arsenal exodus – Sun
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Odemwingie wants Baggies to double pay offer – Mirror
Arsenal snap up £12m Jadson as ‘new Fabregas’ – Independent
Pardew tries to get ‘chilled’ Barton onside – Independent
Republic of Ireland kept their chances of qualifying for Euro 2012 intact by recording a gutsy 0-0 draw against Russia in Moscow on Tuesday night.
In a heroic defensive display, Shay Given and Richard Dunne performed admirably to keep out a home side full of attacking talent. Both goalkeeper and defender put their bodies on the line, and were the subject of praise from manager Giovanni Trappatoni.
“Dunne was fantastic. I thank God that we had Richard in this game. He sacrificed himself because he went back on to the pitch with four stitches. He understood the need to stay on the pitch,” the Italian told reporters after the game.
“Shay Given also saved two or three goals. They were fantastic saves.”
Despite the result, Trapattoni was quick to admit that his side had ridden their luck, and on another day may well have been beaten.
“It is impossible not to recognise that we have been lucky in this 90 minutes.
“The determination and the application on the pitch of the team, particularly of the senior players like Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady was the pull for the younger players who gained confidence from them.
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“That balance allowed us to achieve what I call a golden point,” he concluded.
Ireland still have fixtures against Andorra and Armenia to play, and sit two points behind Russia in second place in Group B.