Chelsea 2 Wolves 0: Blues stride clear, but Carlo Ancelotti's playing it cool

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By ROB DRAPER

Sealing the deal: Sub Salomon Kalou clinched victory over Wolves with a late effort


While Chelsea’s immediate rivals in Manchester have allowed themselves to be distracted by the Wayne Rooney saga, it may have escaped their notice that the Blues are quietly accumulating a significant lead in the title race.

Yesterday, though not without its troublesome moments, was eventually an entirely routine victory, even if its outcome remained in doubt until Salomon Kalou’s late strike finally put the game beyond Wolves.

While the result would have been expected, for now Chelsea’s defence of their Premier League title continues unabated. With a relatively benign run of fixtures to come for the Londoners — Liverpool away from home having lost its potency of late — Manchester United may find themselves some way adrift by the time they visit Stamford Bridge just before Christmas.

Carlo Ancelotti, however, is buying none of this at present. ‘The difficult moment will arrive,’ the Chelsea manager cautioned yesterday. ‘When it does, we have to be ready. We have a good advantage at the moment but Manchester City can be within two points if they win, so it’s too early to say we have enough points. We’ve started the season well, that is all.’

And, as Ancelotti went on to point out, there were times when this game threatened to diverge from the script. ‘It was a tough game and we didn’t play so well,’ he said.

Indeed, Wolves were something of a revelation yesterday. It is true that at times they fulfilled their villainous role as the league’s dirtiest team, notably when Richard Stearman produced an agricultural challenge on Didier Drogba which had neither the slightest intention nor hope of playing the ball. Yet for long periods, they also passed the ball crisply and caused Chelsea some discontent.

For manager Mick McCarthy, pitted against the team he believes will win the league, that remained a source of both pride and frustration.
‘I think Chelsea are the best team, no question,’ he said. ‘They have loads of ability, they are tough

physically and clever with the runs they make. They look one way and pass the other. They are a fantastic team ... and we should have scored against them!’


Goal machine: Florent Malouda got his seventh league goal of the season


Yes, they should have. Throughout they produced chances, from the 20th minute, when Dave Edwards headed a Kevin Foley cross goalwards only for Petr Cech to save smartly, to the 71st, when Chelsea’s goalkeeper was again alert, plucking Kevin Doyle’s glancing header from a David Jones corner.

‘It was a good performance but we probably needed a bit more devilment in front of goal,’ said McCarthy.

They did have a serial irritant in Stephen Hunt, still a bête noire to Chelsea fans for his challenge on Cech while at Reading four years ago. He came on at half-time to predictable rhyming obscenities.

‘He relishes that,’ said McCarthy. ‘I was glad anyway, because if they were going to give anyone abuse it was going to be him and not me.’


Punch drunk: Petr Cech clears his lines as David Edwards lurks


He was a thorn in his opponents’ side and had almost scored within three minutes, stooping low with a diving header that Michael Essien was forced to clear off the line.

Doyle then forced a smart save on 52 minutes before the Czech keeper collected well from a Nenad Milijas effort on 63 minutes.

Nevertheless, this was ultimately a day of general good news for Chelsea. Not only did they extend that lead at the top of the table to five points but Jose Bosingwa, who sustained a knee ligament injury against Aston Villa almost a year previous to the day, made his first start since then.

Incredibly, he looked as fresh and inventive as ever, his attacking intent complementing Ashley Cole on the opposite flank. And within 13 minutes, he had all but completed a heroic comeback when a delightful exchange of passes with Drogba saw him unleash a tremendous shot from range, which Marcus Hahnemann did well to tip wide.


Pleasing return: Jose Bosingwa made an impact after a year on the sidelines


‘He played really well,’ said Ancelotti. ‘I think he was one of our best players. To be out that long is very difficult and he was very excited before the game. He’s an important player for us.’

With Frank Lampard scheduled to resume training on Monday and possibly in contention to play at Blackburn next Saturday, Chelsea are strengthening by the week.

And good though Wolves were yesterday, they could not live with Chelsea in their finest moments, the opening goal ample demonstration of the champions’ attacking prowess.

Nicolas Anelka darted down the right, played a lovely inside ball for Yury Zhirkov, who, in turn, pulled it back first time for Florent Malouda.
From eight yards out, the Frenchman struck firmly home.

The decider was just as slick and impressive. Substitute Kalou found Drogba, who then fed Essien.He slipped the ball back to Kalou, who had continued his run and finished the move with a firm strike to seal the points.



source :dailymail
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 Everton 1: Rafael van der Vaart cancels out Leighton Baines' free-kick

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By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Level pegging: Rafael van der Vaart makes things all-square from close range


Rafael van der Vaart returned to rescue Tottenham from defeat once again but this time they were unable to complete the comeback as Everton held on for a point at White Hart Lane.

Suspended for Wednesday night's Champions League defeat at Inter Milan, Van der Vaart scored his fifth goal in as many games to send Spurs third in the Barclays Premier League.

The Holland midfielder's effort cancelled out Leighton Baines' brilliant free-kick - his first goal for almost 14 months - while Peter Crouch wasted more than one chance to seal what would have been Tottenham's fourth comeback win in five league matches.

Today's game kicked off barely 48 hours after Spurs got back from Milan and, once again, the words 'European hangover' lingered in the air in north London.

But with third place - and even second - up for grabs for 24 hours at least, there was no shortage of motivation for Redknapp's men.

It looked as if they were really going to have to work for it, though, as Everton, without Mikel Arteta, chased and harried all over the pitch.

Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios, starting his first league game for six weeks, was rightly booked for a foul on Ayegbeni Yakubu as the visitors looked to hit their opponents on the break.

But Tim Cahill's tame long-ranger and Luka Modric's low strike from the edge of the box - well saved by Tim Howard - were the only efforts on goal until Baines struck in the 17th minute.

The fit-again Younes Kaboul fouled Yakubu on the edge of the box and Baines stepped up to curl a delightful free-kick into the top corner.

But Tottenham were level inside three minutes after Howard flapped at Alan Hutton's cross and Crouch nodded the ball back across goal for who else but Van der Vaart to blast over the line.


Screamer: Leighton Baines' precise free-kick sailed into the top corner


Modric, captain for the day in the absence of Ledley King and Tom Huddlestone, fired wide from 20 yards and Crouch saw a penalty appeal turned down after getting sandwiched between Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville.

Baines curled over another free-kick from a near-identical position from where he had scored and Crouch sent a weak header straight at Howard from Hutton's cross in first-half stoppage-time.

Spurs withdrew Palacios for Sandro during the interval, with Crouch's scuffed shot the first effort of the second half.

Substitute Sandro almost laid on a 52nd-minute goal for man-of-the-moment Gareth Bale, whose flicked header was cleared behind by Jagielka despite being just off target.

That was moments after Seamus Coleman became the first Everton player booked for bringing down Aaron Lennon as Tottenham broke.


Doubling up: Phil Neville and Seamus Coleman attempt to thwart Gareth Bale


Crouch almost deflected a John Heitinga free-kick into his own net before the visitors were forced to bring off a hobbling Yakubu for Louis Saha just past the hour mark.

The fit-again Steven Pienaar sliced high a wide from 25 yards but it was not happening for either side and Spurs decided to introduce Roman Pavlyuchenko for Lennon in the 69th minute.

Bale switched to the right and he and Sandro immediately set up Crouch for a weak effort at Howard, with Cahill just off target with a snapshot at the other end.

Van der Vaart was booked after furiously protesting the award of a goal-kick when he looked to have won a corner.



Flying Dutchamn: Rafael van der Vaart feels the force of Phil Jagielka's challenge


Pavlyuchenko saw his finish blocked behind by Sylvain Distin following a Spurs break and Sando was yellow carded for felling Saha as he tried to do the same.

Tony Hibbert replaced Heitinga for the final 12 minutes, shortly before Coleman was withdrawn for Jermaine Beckford.

With two minutes remaining, Van der Vaart looked to have a chance to snatch all three points but his shot on the turn was blocked by Distin and Hibbert.




source: dailymail [endtext]

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Lewis Hamilton must get straight to the points at South Korea Grand Prix

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By JONATHAN MCEVOY

Face the music: Lewis Hamilton hopes the McLarens¿ straight-line top speed of 195mph will give them the edge in Korea


Lewis Hamilton comes to the three-quarters of a mile on which he must race back into world championship contention, having endured one of the toughest journeys of his life.

Tomorrow he will hurtle down the concrete-lined straight separating the second and third turns of the Yeongam circuit that will host the first Korean Grand Prix.

It is the space where Hamilton and his fellow British driver Jenson Button hope the aerodynamics of their McLarens will outpace the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

If they cannot do it here, they cannot do it anywhere. But for Hamilton the task is trivial compared to the trials he has faced over the past year: splitting with his pop star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, getting back together, fretting over his grandad Davidson's illness back in Grenada and, most potently, terminating his father Anthony's role as manager-cum-inspiration.

Opening up in the paddock on the outskirts of Mokpo, the 2008 world champion said: 'It's not been the greatest year for many, many reasons.

Not just in Formula One, but outside of it - family-wise. Some family members have not been well and the whole situation with my dad has been difficult.

'Things are better but it still took a massive toll on him and my mum and my team and myself. It's been different not having them at races - a real transition.


'When my dad was here and we had the fastest car and things were going awesomely well, in 2007 for example, that was a year when most things were all a positive.


'It's just there were some negatives this year but I've gradually turned them into positives.'

So will his father - Lewis's reference point for 24 of his 25 years - be back? 'No,' he said emphatically. 'I don't think the split has impacted on me on the track - just in my private time away from the circuit. It's just not as easy when you go around to the house.

'It wasn't as perfect as when he was working with me at the beginning. It's gradually getting better.'

Hamilton will be in the world he knows best on that long straight here. He and Button will hope to push past 195mph.

Their championship rivals, operating without McLaren's f-duct, which reduces drag and so increases straight-line speed, might nudge 190.


The question is whether the pair can garner enough advantage there - as well as on the final

straight and the one after the third turn - to sustain them through the creepycrawly middle part of the circuit that plays to Red Bull's strengths.

Button, who is fourth in the standings and 31 points off Webber, admitted: 'It's do or die.' To do, Hamilton needs to rediscover the error-free route through traffic that has eluded him in recent weeks.

His mistakes have led to the question: should he not rein in his gung-ho exuberance? That is an academic argument this weekend because, being 28 points off Webber with three races left, he must go on full attack and pray that the Red Bulls suffer misfortune.

That is the dream scenario for the McLaren boys, neither of whom is quite out of the reckoning, judging by the table.

In 2007, Kimi Raikkonen beat Hamilton to the title despite going into the last two grands prix trailing by 17 points - in the days when 10 points were awarded for a win, rather than 25 as they are now.

There are still 75 up for grabs. It is, therefore, more a matter of whether McLaren can capitalise on the one remaining track that suits them.

Can they then plunder points if Webber, Vettel and Alonso tighten up as the title beckons in Brazil and in the closing round in Abu Dhabi?

My suspicion is that Alonso might prove the toughest rival of them all. The Spaniard thrives on pressure, knowing how to absorb it and apply it.

Two world titles is testament to that. He feels comfortable at Ferrari. The Italians are not sharing their love around as Red Bull and McLaren have promised to do as long as both their drivers are in contention.

Felipe Massa is now Alonso's lickspittle. And, as with the British pair, Alonso can race with the freedom of the pursuer.

He did, however, provide a word of encouragement to Hamilton last night, saying: 'Lewis qualified third in Suzuka (at the last race) and I reckon he is one of the favourites to win this Grand Prix.'


source: dailymail
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Wayne Rooney is now pocketing

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By IAN LADYMAN Northern Football Correspondent

Forcing the issue: Rooney failed to apologise to fans but did say sorry to his team-mates, admitting he has a lot to prove


Wayne Rooney's decision to stay at Manchester United was followed by an emotional, face-to-face apology to his team-mates - on the orders of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Smirking Rooney, however, stopped short of saying sorry to fans in an interview on the club's TV channel, even though Ferguson had suggested in his own interview that he would.

The 24-year-old United striker signed a five-year, £200,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford only two days after suggesting his fellow players were not good enough to win major trophies.

In a subsequent interview, Rooney admitted it may take a while for him to regain the trust of the supporters.

He said: 'I'm sure the fans have been upset after everything they have heard. My message is that I care for the club. I just want it to continue to be successful. Some fans may not take to me again very quickly. It may take time.

'But I'll give everything. I will give 100 per cent and try to build that relationship back. I hope we can work together and try and win trophies. I can't wait to play. I am just gutted I'm injured. I just want to get back on to the pitch and back to form. I will be back to my best. There is no problem.'

It is also understood United and Rooney agreed the deal in the knowledge that the club's star asset is unlikely to stay if promises made in a phone conversation with owner Joel Glazer on Thursday are not met.

Rooney has the double-your-money pay rise he wanted and a commitment that the club will invest in top players.

And United know if he becomes unsettled, they will be able to command a proper market price.

Rooney, ruled out of Sunday's game at Stoke with an ankle problem, added: 'I am delighted. There has been a lot of controversy over the timing of this. It's been difficult for me and for the club as well. I felt I had to get my point across.

'We finally came to an agreement. It's the best for me and for the club. As a player I care for the club. I had some concerns.'

Rooney then apologised to the team-mates he had seemed to suggest were not good enough. He stood before them in the dressing-room at the club's training ground and retracted his comments after being ordered to do so by Ferguson.

'I made [chief executive] David Gill and the manager aware,' he said.

'It's been very complicated. It's about the club and my career. I had to think about it very hard. I'm delighted it's over and we can put it to the back of our minds.'

United revealed at 12.29pm on Friday that Rooney was staying. It brought to an end one of the most remarkable weeks in the club's history.


U-turn: Rooney ended a week of off-field drama and speculation by putting pen to paper on a lucrative new contract


Rooney's deal takes him ahead of United's other big earners such as Rio Ferdinand and also beyond England colleagues Frank Lampard and John Terry at Chelsea, but does stop short of the £220,000-a-week (including add-ons) Yaya Toure has written in to his contract at Manchester City.

Ferguson said: 'Sometimes when you're at a club you can't look outside. You seem to think that something's better elsewhere. But once all that publicity came out, particularly the impact and response from everyone about how big Manchester United is, I think that resonated with Wayne quite a lot, and he's had second thoughts and wants to stay.

'He has apologised to me and the players, and I think he'll do that with the fans, which is important, because we've all been hurt by the events of the past few days
.
'I always feel it's a quality in a person when they say they're sorry and realise they've made a mistake. That happens, particularly with young people, and I admire that. The job now is to put it behind us, get Wayne back on that pitch and get him playing the way we know he can.



Player power: Ferdinand was delighted by Rooney's decision to stay


'So it's a big day for United and a big message to all of our players and all of our fans that we're the biggest club in the world and we should never forget that.'

Rooney himself paid tribute to Ferguson, adding: 'With other players these contract things happen but they don't become public. Mine became public and that made it difficult.

'I'm glad its over but it's been difficult for the manager as well. He has looked after the club.

'He was trying to convince me to sign. He has been fantastic.

'He is one of the reasons I came to the club, to work under him and be successful. He is not the only reason I am staying, but he is one of the reasons.'

United team-mate Ferdinand, who endured his own contract difficultiea few years ago, said: 'I am delighted Wayne has signed. I've been there myself. Deep down Wazza knows he is a Manchester United player and this where he is best.'


source :dailymail [endtext]

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Napoli 0 Liverpool 0: Roy's gamble pays off as Reds escape unscathed from Naples

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By JOHN EDWARDS from Naples

Under pressure: Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic (centre) heads the ball away


He stood with his hands in his pockets for most of the 90 minutes, and Roy Hodgson was able to keep them there after seeing Liverpool extend their unbeaten start to this season's Europa League here last night.

The Liverpool manager had admitted he would 'hold my hands up and take the blame' if his bold gamble of resting skipper Steven Gerrard and £21million record signing Fernando Torres had backfired and led to their first defeat, after five wins and a draw.

Fourth in Serie A, Napoli were expected to present a formidable challenge, particularly given the hostility generated by a capacity Stadio San Paolo crowd, yet it never materialised.

With Christian Poulsen and Jay Spearing establishing a stranglehold in midfield, and Jonjo Shelvey growing in confidence on his first Liverpool start, Hodgson's side were good value for a point and could easily have made it three after finishing strongly.

Hodgson said: 'There were plenty of positives and, if it was a gamble with the team I selected, the players made it pay off. Not many people expected a performance like that, but the team I sent out proved a lot of people wrong.

'When you make use of your squad, the players who come in have to step up to the plate, and they did. Young Jonjo Shelvey was making his first start in a tough atmosphere, yet he handed it superbly.'

The pressure had been building relentlessly on Hodgson, and it showed no sign of easing, following a clear indication that former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was ready to step into his shoes at a moment's notice.


Mind the gap: Liverpool fans under heavy security after several were attacked by Italian rivals outside the ground


After the game, Hodgson responded to rumours that he was ready to quit his post at Anfield in the wake of the recent uncertainty surrounding the club. 'I have heard the ridiculous rumours and I can tell you there is not an iota of truth in any of them,' he said. 'The simple answer is I have never considered resigning and I never will.'

Rijkaard had only left Galatasaray 24 hours earlier, yet the signals were already making their way towards Anfield.

There had not been any direct contact from John Henry, or anyone else from New England Sports Ventures, according to his agent Perry Overeem, but they knew where he was.
'Frank will return into football, that is for sure,' said Overeem. 'The question is when and where, and that will not be answered now. It was only on Wednesday that the situation changed at Galatasaray, and we are working on making sure that everything is sorted out there.

'We haven't been approached by anybody official (at Liverpool) yet, and, to me, the current coach is still working with the support of Liverpool. Let us all wait and see what happens.'


Off target: Napoli's Marek Hamsik


Rijkaard may not have to wait much longer, if Liverpool fail to launch an overdue revival against Blackburn at Anfield on Sunday, despite the temporary respite provided by another encouraging venture to the continent.

While the noise from a partisan home support was constant and loud, Napoli's players looked tentative and strangely subdued. A marked lack of creativity limited their attacking threat to long-range efforts, Ezequiel Lavezzi firing harmlessly over from 25 yards in the 20th minute and striker Edinson Cavani clearing the bar from roughly twice as far after spotting Pepe Reina off his line eight minutes later.

It was all looking comfortable for Liverpool , particularly with Spearing making the most of a rare start alongside Poulsen, but the mood threatened to change in firsthalf injury time, when they failed to deal with a cross from Lavezzi, following a short corner on the right.


The ball was knocked down to Marek Hamsik, and his flick was on the point of crossing the line, when Paul Konchesky hacked it to safety. Little had been seen of Liverpool as an attacking force, though Ryan Babel should have done better after being picked out on the left of the area by Milan Jovanovic's crossfield pass. Babel's first touch let him down, and his second was scarcely any better, as he retrieved the ball from the goalline and succeeded only in running it out for a throw-in.

Jamie Carragher was withdrawn at half-time to save his legs for Sunday, though it hardly seemed necessary.

There was a brief scare on the hour, when Cavani planted a header narrowly wide with Reina rooted to the spot, but, increasingly, the game looked Liverpool's for the taking, if only they could muster a little more attacking intent.

Jovanovic had looked as likely as anyone to oblige, and he duly created an opportunity Babel should have despatched in the 70th minute. But Babel could only fire a shot against keeper Morgan De Sanctis.

A breakthrough beckoned again in the 82nd minute, when David Ngog turned past his marker, after chesting down a Jovanovic cross with his back to goal, and drilled a goalbound shot that was blocked.

It was a positive finish by Liverpool, but if only they had started in the same vein.


source: dailymail
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Manchester City 3 Lech Poznan 1: Hat-trick hero Adebayor feels Rooney factor

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By CHRIS WHEELER

Behind you: Emmanuel Adebayor was left unmarked to head home his second


The most controversial of transfers may still be some way off, but it would appear Wayne Rooney is already having a positive effect on Manchester City.

Because if talk of the Old Trafford talisman crossing the Manchester divide has got City's current crop of strikers worrying about what the future might hold, it certainly raised Emmanuel Adebayor from his slumber last night.

The Togo forward had done little to justify his �25million price tag and inflated wages since arriving from Arsenal last year. Indeed, he had not scored since May 1 and many thought that could have been his last goal in a City shirt after a summer spent agitating for a move.

But handed the striker's role in place of captain Carlos Tevez last night, and surrounded by speculation that Rooney could be set to join his former United team-mate at Eastlands, Adebayor responded with a hat-trick of real quality to cement top spot in Group A for Roberto Mancini's side.

Mancini said: 'It was an excellent performance from Manu. It was very important for us and for him because strikers need to score. It's important for Manu he finds a way to play well for the team, and he could play against Arsenal on Sunday now.

'He and Tevez can play together. Usually my teams play with two strikers. But this was a good day for Manu and for the squad.'

Adebayor's first goal brought a ribald, rhyming chant from the stands that began: 'If Rooney's right …' but that was about the only mention of the United man.


Hat-trick hero: Emmanuel Adebayor makes the game safe for City with his third


These are early days. It is too soon to taunt their rivals, too early to risk singing the name of a player who might, just might, perform a dramatic U-turn and sign a new contract with their reviled neighbours.

So by the Rooney rule of thumb, can City match the ambitions he claims United cannot? They certainly have the money. And surely they will soon be leaving the Europa League behind, given the players at Mancini's disposal.


Like Sir Alex Ferguson 24 hours earlier, he also made changes but this was by no means a weak City side. In came Adebayor and Patrick Vieira. Hardly B-team material. Maybe it was the prospect of a more important meeting with Arsenal - the fixture which last season saw Adebayor banned for raking his studs down Robin van Persie's face and running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Gunners fans - or a pre-match tribute to former manager Malcolm Allison, but the atmosphere inside Eastlands seemed subdued.

At times the 6,000 fans who turned out to offer Poznan noisy support made it feel like a home game for the Polish side, even though they were temporarily silenced by two goals from Adebayor inside 25 minutes.

The first followed a sublime piece of skill after 13 minutes. Vieira slid a pass towards the edge of the area and Adebayor left Bartosz Bosacki chasing shadows with an exquisite dragback before slipping the ball beyond keeper Jasmin Buric.

It was a wonderful moment from the striker and a glimpse of what he can do when he puts his mind to it.

His second after 25 minutes was equally clinical and also required hard work - a quality that has hardly been his hallmark at City.

Adebayor got a flick to Joe Hart's long kick downfield and then turned to race towards goal, anticipating a cross into the middle. Vieira again played a part, knocking the ball wide to David Silva on the right, and his pass picked out the big striker, who rose to guide a header into the bottom corner.

This was far from a procession for City, however. The Poles threatened throughout and were well worth the goal that came their way five minutes after half-time.


Noisy Backing: More than 8,000 Lech Poznan fans turned out

Adam Johnson gave away possession on the left flank and Joleon Lescott was slow to close down Slawomir Peszko as he latched on to the loose ball. Peszko went down under the defender's challenge but referee Alexandru Tudor waved away Poznan's penalty claims and, in the scramble that followed, Joel Tshibabma buried his shot past Hart from 12 yards.

But this was Adebayor's night, and he rounded off a fine hat-trick in the 73rd minute. Silva was involved again, taking a pass from Shaun Wright-Phillips and curling a wonderful ball into the path of his striker, who met it with a first-time finish with his right foot.
Maybe they don't need Rooney after all.



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Inter Milan 4 Tottenham 3: Bale's blitz is in vain as incredible hat-trick can't save Spurs

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By MARTIN SAMUEL Chief Sports Writer in Milan

Portent of doom: Javier Zanetti slots the ball past the despairing lunge of William Gallas and the outstretched arm of Heurelho Gomes in the second minute


First the good news. Cracking goals by Gareth Bale. Outstanding. Exactly what we had been hoping to see, in fact. Of all Tottenham's players, he was the one Harry Redknapp was looking to in the San Siro, and he did not disappoint.

A pity about the other 10, really. A pity that what Bale did was rendered largely irrelevant. The scoreline does not flatter Bale, but it flatters Tottenham.

This game was over after 13 minutes and seven seconds when Inter Milan's third goal went in and, when Samuel Eto'o added a fourth before half-time, Tottenham's second-half duty was to avoid becoming the first Premier League team to lose a Champions League match by a five-goal margin.

So, in that respect, mission accomplished. This was, in the circumstances, about as good as it could get considering that four goals down and reduced to 10 men, with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes sent off, Tottenham were facing abject humiliation.


Early bath: Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (L) sees red less than ten minutes into the game after giving away a penalty


The reality is, however, that Inter stopped scoring mainly because it was no longer necessary. Their lack of ambition produced startling results, not least because, in Bale, the London club have a player who possesses world class potential.

So, amid the celebrations, a sobering thought. Hat-tricks in the San Siro are not forgotten in a hurry. What if a leading European club makes it known to Bale this summer that the next time he scores one, they can ensure it is not wasted on mere face saving?

Bale has signed a five-year contract, but so had Cristiano Ronaldo when he developed an overpowering yearning for Real Madrid. And Tottenham do not have the best record for keeping players.



Net play: Samuel Eto'o drills his penalty past substitute 'keeper Carlo Cudicini for Inter's second


Put it like this: Inter Milan's left back is Cristian Chivu. After tonight, owner Massimo Moratti might see Bale as something of an upgrade. At least Bale's hat-trick left Spurs supporters happy.

They deserved to smile, at least. Some of the old stagers of the Champions League can become almost blase about visits to Milan, but not Tottenham.

This was the game that said the club had arrived, that they were no longer just knocking on the door of the elite. They turned out in force, loved every minute, and to see the banks of empty seats in the home end made one root for these underdogs even more.


Smiles better: Eto'o enjoys his goal as bemused Spurs boss Harry Redknapp looks for answers


What awaited, however, was a brutal reminder of how far Spurs still have to go. One could only sympathise with Redknapp for the injuries that have ravaged his side.

He has a lot invested in this as well, not least when he insists Tottenham are two players away from becoming title-winners. They need greater strength at the back.

This was a makeshift defence, undone spectacularly by Inter, but that is no excuse.
With Wilson Palacios on the bench, Tottenham's midfield looked fragile but, even so, the ease with which Inter carved them apart was shocking.


Three and easy: Dejan Stankovic celebrates with Maicon after putting Inter three goals to the good


Just a minute and eight seconds had elapsed when Coutinho played the ball inside to Eto'o, who delivered the killer pass to Javier Zanetti, pushing into a ridiculous amount of space on the left.

His finish was precise and Inter never looked back. This will be Gomes's last game in the Champions League for several weeks and his long-term Tottenham future may no longer be guaranteed, either, after the blunder that as good as ended Tottenham's hopes of recovery.

Jonathan Biabiany, a young French forward encouraged by Inter coach Rafael Benitez (right), got inside Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the right, and advanced on goal before being sent skywards by a rushed, rash challenge from Gomes.


Head case: Rafa Benitez congratulates Eto'o after his second put Inter 4-0 ahead before the break


Referee Damir Skomina consulted an additional official behind the goal and dismissed Gomes. That ended Luka Modric's night, too, sacrificed to make way for Carlo Cudicini, whose first job was to retrieve the ball from his net, having been bamboozled by Eto'o from the spot. What was the worst that could happen? Soon we found out.

Maicon fed Dejan Stankovic, who played a fabulous one-two with Eto'o and slapped a low shot past Cudicini from just inside the area. The agony continued.

In the 35th minute, Coutinho slipped the ball into Eto'o and William Gallas let the striker go. He needed no further invitation to make it 4-0. Be carefulwhat you wish for was the lesson at half-time.


First up: Brilliant Bale weaves his way through the Inter defence to strike his first of the evening


Tottenham supporters had spent so many years yearning for the platform of the Champions League, dreaming of a fixture in Milan's magnificent San Siro stadium, that what had unfolded represented heartbreak and humiliation on an epic scale.

By the end, the moral of the story was another cliche: you can't keep a good man down. Bale became the star of a truly remarkable second half and the scorer of the best hat-trick you are likely to see in European competition this year.

The first was quite stunning as he collected the ball inside his own half, ran 50 yards down the left, checked inside Zanetti, burst into the penalty area and, as Walter Samuel came across in a desperate attempt to cover, pow.


At the double: Bale's second was another marvellous finish to beat Julio Cesar


The second wasn't much different, Bale collecting the ball 15 yards inside the Inter half, resisting Zanetti and finishing sweetly across goalkeeper Julio Cesar once more.

And then there was the third, in injury time, set up by Aaron Lennon on the edge of the penalty area - to the left obviously - with finishing as smart as that of any striker, even the remarkable Eto'o.

For a brief moment, those perched high behind Inter's goal were dreaming the impossible dream, but time was against Tottenham.

Instead, they will have to content themselves that the Italians will come to White Hart Lane in two weeks' time, more than a little wary of the man on Tottenham's left, and with Rafael van der Vaart back and Modric allowed a full 90 minutes, who knows.



source: dailymail
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Manchester United 1 Bursaspor 0: Nani cracker gives Sir Alex Ferguson something to smile about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idFuZ2LxK7Mendofvid

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By MATT LAWTON

First blood: Nani curls one with his left foot to put United ahead


There was a Champions League football match at Old Trafford last night but even for those who paid the admission price to witness Manchester United secure three more points, the focus was elsewhere.

It was on Wayne Rooney, and on the team, and the squad, he now considers to be beneath him. On the players he seems to think are no longer good enough to keep him here at Old Trafford. What was that Sir Alex Ferguson said about a lack of respect?

One look at the team sheet and Rooney probably felt vindicated. What, he might argue, are individuals of the calibre of Chris Smalling, Tomasz Kuszczak and Federico Macheda doing representing his beloved 'MUFC' in a European fixture?

And how could someone of Bebe's limited experience, and in his opinion ability, be on the bench?


In fairness to the England striker, he might have a point. There has been a lack of investment in a team that only two years ago were the toast of Europe; a decline in quality now that Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left, Owen Hargreaves has spent two years on the treatment table and players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have edged ever closer to retirement.

Since United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid last year for a world record £80million, little more than half has been reinvested.

Rooney has exposed the flaws in the Glazer regime - the fact that, for all the success United have enjoyed in their five years at Old Trafford, they have burdened the club with debts that have tied Ferguson's hands. To some extent this situation might even suit the manager, in that it is now putting pressure on the Americans to free the club from their financial shackles.

But not even an all too predictable attack on the common enemy, on those who provoked the Green and Gold revolution, has succeeded in appeasing the fans and deflecting attention from Rooney's very obvious greed. Or the fact that, while there is a legitimate concern about the strength of the squad, this desire to leave is motivated more by money than anything else. United's fans aren't stupid and as much was demonstrated last night.


Where's your Rooney gone? United's bench contained big names, empty seats - and one rather notable absentee


The anti-Rooney songs that were being sung in nearby pubs before the game; the banner that revealed the sense of anger and disappointment. 'Who's the whore now Wayne? Coleen forgave you. We won't.'

Judging by what Ferguson said last night, it is difficult to see a way back now. Not after a statement that again challenged Ferguson's authority, that was released without the approval of the club, that accused them of a lack of ambition and then conveniently ignored one key fact - that while he might have met David Gill last week, Rooney told Ferguson in August that he wanted to leave.

'There is not a thing wrong with this club,' said Ferguson, having already pointed to the fact that he had 'won 30 trophies'.

Ferguson's point is that United deserve better than this, especially when you consider the success Rooney has enjoyed since moving from Everton to Old Trafford six years ago - a European Cup, three Premier League titles, a world club championship and three League Cups. Had he not got injured last season, he might have been part of a team that won a record fourth consecutive championship and possibly even reached a third consecutive Champions League final.

Ferguson is optimistic about the future, even if he may not remain the manager for much longer. And does Rooney not see that at 24 turning 25, he could be playing for a team being managed by someone of Jose Mourinho's stature by the time he is 26 without leaving Old Trafford?


Plenty to ponder: Sir Alex Ferguson braves a chilly October night at Old Trafford


Rooney has not given them a chance to respond or rebuild. He has had his head turned by the prospect of earning a vast amount of money and he knows, as do his advisers, that United will not satisfy those kind of demands.

The team? It needs investment but it actually didn't look too bad last night. After all, seven of the starting line-up played an important part in the season that remains the pinnacle of Rooney's career, the 2007-08 campaign when United won their European and domestic double.

In Nani, United also now have a player proving to be of the highest quality, which was something he underlined last night with a quite brilliant seventh-minute goal to settle a game that once again demonstrated the need for UEFA to scrap these mind-numbing firstround group games. After a super turn away from a Bursaspor defender came a wonderful left-foot strike that amounted to the one highlight of the match.

But what did Rooney do, from wherever he was when the statement dropped? He threw another grenade in the direction of the manager he then called a 'one-off and a genius'. And having challenged Ferguson's assertion that he has not shown the club sufficient respect, he then further displayed a lack of it in the way he said he was 'surprised by some' of his manager's remarks.

'I was seeking about the future squad,' he said. 'For me it's all about winning trophies.' And again, he should count the number he has acquired in his time here. Had he never won anything, he would no doubt leave with the club's blessing.
Had he joined United at a time when Ferguson and his team were in decline, we could probably see his point of view.

But Rooney is being disingenuous and that is probably what hurts Ferguson most. 'After the week I've had this feels like my 10,000th game,' said Ferguson after it was suggested to him that this was his 2,000th. When it came to the football last night, he probably wasn't that interested, either.


source : dailymail
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By MATT BARLOW

Net buster: Zhirkov's stunning strike opens the scoring for Chelsea


It was a night for the disposal of demons. Yuri Zhirkov, then Nicolas Anelka and finally John Terry. This time there would be no sob story.

Zhirkov returned to his native Russia to score a spectacular first goal as a Chelsea player and Anelka found the net in the arena where he fluffed the decisive penalty of the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United.

Terry, reduced to tears after also missing from the spot here two years ago, produced a brilliant display in the heart of the back four to defy a second-half fightback from Spartak.

Anelka and Terry embraced at the end before the bare-chested captain disappeared down the tunnel with a thumbs-up to the Russian fans who applauded him warmly.

It was a night when you believe Carlo Ancelotti's team can yet be European champions, simply by sheer force of character.


Saint Nic: Anelka slides the ball home to double the Blues' lead


On an artificial pitch, in sub-zero temperatures, before a large and hostile crowd, in the absence of injured senior players including Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, Chelsea seized control of Group F.

Ancelotti believes their ultimate revenge for Moscow 2008 will come one day in the form of the club's first European Cup win. Tougher tests lie ahead but perhaps it will be at Wembley in May.

'What happened two years ago doesn't matter anymore,' said Anelka. 'This shows we can go to tough places and win, even when we are not at full strength. Even with players missing, we have enough quality to play well and win.'

Despite Ancelotti's concerns about their fragile joints on the Luzhniki pitch, he started with Ashley Cole and Michael Essien, having seen his options limited by an injury to Ramires, picked up at Aston Villa on Saturday and aggravated on the eve of this game.

It meant Zhirkov came into midfield instead of the Brazilian, who flew home, and the manager was left with six outfield substitutes consisting of five teenagers and 20-year-old Patrick van Aanholt.


Yur the man: Zhirkov celebrates following his dramatic opening goal


The artificial surface played reasonably well, although it was clearly sticky underfoot at times and black clouds of rubber burst into the air when players planted their feet with any force.

Early in the game, Terry seemed to jar his knee in the pitch and spent a few minutes flexing his leg gingerly before soldiering on.

Accustomed to the pitch, Spartak enjoyed the better of the opening 20 minutes. Dmitri Kombarov sliced wildly off target when he ought to have tested Petr Cech, but the goalkeeper was alert to deny striker Welliton at his near post.

Slowly the visitors found their rhythm, Essien and Mikel took a stranglehold on midfield and Zhirkov made the breakthrough.

Nicolas Pareja's feeble clearance bounced conveniently towards the Russian, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from CSKA Moscow for £18million last year, and he lashed it back over Andriy Dykan from 25 yards.

Spartak boss Valeri Karpin had tried to sign Zhirkov in the summer, only to be flatly rejected.


Back home: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was attended the match at the Luzhniki Stadium

'This was an important moment for Yuri,' said Ancelotti. 'Coming back to play in Russia, he scored a fantastic goal and will be very happy. It was a very important goal. It opened up the game and, after that, it was easier for us to win.'
Anelka made it easier still two minutes before the break. The French striker had already been clean through only to be thwarted by Dykan but this time he curled a low shot into the bottom corner.


It was the opposite end of the stadium to his penalty miss in 2008 but he savoured his 50th goal for the club and his fourth in three European games this season in the absence of Drogba, who will be back from his fever to face Wolves on Saturday.

Karpin detected fear among his players when they came in 2-0 down at half-time, but former Celtic wideman Aiden McGeady lifted spirits briefly after the break. First he sped down the right to create a chance for Welliton to crash over, then the Irishman darted inside and unleashed a left-footer which took a deflection, spun above Cech and dropped narrowly over.

Cech unfurled himself twice to save confidently from Ibson and there were chances on the break for Chelsea as Spartak took risks.

Salomon Kalou, playing his first game after a month out injured, looked sluggish at first but was flying by the second half. He slid Anelka clear but Dykan saved again. Then he evaded three tackles on the right and crossed for Essien, who screwed his effort wide.

Ancelotti celebrated his 100th Champions League game as a manager with a win, but more satisfying than that will be the control this gives him in the group.

'We are not in the last 16 yet,' warned the Italian, but it is unfeasible to see the Premier League champions squandering this position. With nine points from three games, he can clinch qualification by beating Spartak again in a fortnight, then rest and rotate players as Chelsea coast through.


source :dailymail
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Arsenal 5 Shakhtar Donetsk 1: Cesc Fabregas's return inspires super display from the Gunners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbpwtXIbMkendofvid

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By LAURA WILLIAMSON at the Emirates Stadium

Jack's the lad: Wilshere got on the scoresheet with his first goal in the Champions League


If this was billed as a top of the table clash in Group H of the UEFA Champions League, nobody told magnificent Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger's side were ruthless in dispatching Shakhtar Donetsk, who had also come into this tie with an unblemished record in their two group games.

The win means Arsenal have all but qualified for the knock-out stages for the 11th year in a row. With 14 goals scored in three matches - including the best of the lot from cracker Jack Wilshere - they have barely broken sweat.

Last night's five goals were the first Shakhtar, the 2009 UEFA Cup winners, have conceded in the Champions League group stage.

This statistic is, however, rather more reflective of the prowess of Partizan Belgrade and SC Braga than the strength of the Ukrainian side's defence.

It seems Mircea Lucescu's team know only one way to defend - and that is to attack. Who does that remind you of?

Lucescu said he knew Wenger from when the Arsenal boss was in charge at Nancy in the mid-1980s. 'We have the same ideas,' said the Shakhtar coach and it shone through in their teams. Both used a lone striker but were set up to attack with pace, creating neat triangles and moving the ball accurately and intricately.


Look who's back: Cesc Fabregas capped his return from injury with a second half penalty


But if these teams tried to play with the same philosophy, Arsenal were the masters and Shakhtar the apprentices.

They missed central midfielder Fernandinho, the Brazilian playmaker who broke his right leg on September 10.

Douglas Costa, the 20-year-old Brazilian who has been linked with a host of English top-flight clubs, also looked short of match fitness when he came on.

In addition, Arsenal possessed something entirely different in Marouane Chamakh. Something rather un-Arsenal, in fact.

The 6ft 2in striker was a willing outlet and focal point for longer balls when Wenger's side tired of the trickery.


Top Guns: Chamakh is congratulated after scoring his sixth consecutive Champions League goal in Europe


Arsenal even came close to scoring a route one goal after 23 minutes, as Chamakh nodded down a 50-yard pass and Samir Nasri drove a shot on target, only to be denied by Andriy Pyatov.

If it was Chamakh providing the main threat, it was Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings. Arsenal's club captain had been absent since injuring a hamstring in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on September 18 and his impact was immediate, playing in the middle of an advanced midfield three behind Chamakh.


Theo Walcott also played 18 minutes for the first time since September 7. Praise, too, should go to Wilshere, playing his last game before a three-match ban for his red card against Birmingham.
In his programme notes, Fabregas said he had spoken to 18-year-old about his sending off, but Wilshere was lucky to escape a booking for a studs-up challenge on Tomas Hubschman.

'No more,' signalled Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen. Wilshere responded positively - and made an excellent ball-winning tackle on Razvan Rat just after the re-start.

The teenager was bound to be in the spotlight but was superb in anchoring the midfield alongside the excellent Alex Song

His ban will follow. 'A breather,' Wenger called it, but it is Arsenal who have given themselves plenty of breathing space in Europe and can have a real tilt at the Premier League in the coming months.

It is not unusual to see the odd goalkeeping blunder at the Emirates but, on this occasion, it was the opposition 'keeper who was culpable.

Pyatov failed to catch a routine cross, dropping the ball into the path of Song, who prodded it home with 18 minutes gone.

Pyatov and his back four did not exactly cover themselves in glory for Arsenal's second, either. A deflected cross from Song was allowed to find Nasri outside the six-yard box after 42 minutes.

The 23-year-old juggled the ball from right to left foot, effortlessly creating a yard of space before blasting a shot past Pyatov, who remained rooted to the centre of his goal.

Arsenal were denied a penalty when Razvan Rat barged Tomas Rosicky, but there was no turning down their second appeal on 60 minutes.


In tune: Song gets Arsenal off the mark with a first half tap-in


As players jostled in the box while anticipating a Nasri freekick, Luiz Adriano climbed all over Johan Djourou, bringing down the defender. Fabiano was booked and Fabregas converted from the spot.

A wonderful passing move resulted in the sweetest of one-twos between Rosicky and Wilshere, with the Englishman sublimely chipping the ball into the left-hand corner in the 66th minute.

There was a deserved goal for Chamakh, too, who latched on to a ball from Nasri to steer Arsenal's fifth past Pyatov.


Back in town: Eduardo marked his return to the Emirates with a consolation goal


It was an emotional return to the Emirates for Eduardo, the former Arsenal striker who spent three years in north London.

'Welcome home, Eduardo' read a banner. The Croatia star, whose Arsenal career will forever be haunted by the broken leg he suffered in 2008, had to wait 63 minutes to get onto the pitch, but scored Shakhtar's consolation goal with nine minutes left.

He had promised not to celebrate and he didn't, as the home fans warmly applauded his left-foot finish from a Jadson cross.


source: dailymail


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Blackpool 2 Manchester City 3: Carlos Tevez hits double and David Silva pearler puts big-spenders up to second

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TBN39fPctQendofvid

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By IAN LADYMAN

King Carlos: Tevez scores City's second with the help of a deflection


Roberto Mancini said that he hoped his recent dressing room spat with Carlos Tevez would serve as an alarm call for Manchester City’s season.

Tevez, it seems, can still hear the ringing in his ears. City manager Mancini continues to have a rather distant relationship with Tevez, despite giving the Argentina international the captaincy during the summer.

It would be right to say the two men have different ideas about some things.

Nevertheless, Tevez is a self-motivator. Not one to need cuddles, handshakes and reassurance, Tevez continues to prove himself City’s most important player.

Yesterday he scored the 27th and 28th Barclays Premier League goals of his last 31 games. It is a remarkable record and City have yesterday’s contribution to thank for the fact that they are second in the table this morning.

Certainly it is hard to know what to make of City at the moment. At times they can look deeply unimpressive. For a good part of this game at Bloomfield Road they were second best to a Blackpool team put together for the type of money City owner Sheikh Mansour uses to put fuel in his helicopter.


Flick of all right: Tevez gets in front of Craig Cathcart to score City's first with the outside of his right boot


Nevertheless, while Mancini is able to call upon a fit and functioning Tevez, his team will always have a chance. Mancini - and his predecessor Mark Hughes - have combined to pack this City squad with match winners and it is proving invaluable during a time when they are still searching for consistent fluency.

Afterwards Mancini said: ‘Carlos was fantastic today but he is not alone. I think that in the first half it was difficult for us as Blackpool played very well. ‘Sometimes it is important to win when you don’t play well.

'Strong teams do that. Certainly I have seen Chelsea do that.’
City were made to look rather laboured by some impressive home football for the first 20 minutes of the second period. Ian Holloway’s team needed to score during this spell and will surely regret that they didn’t.


Our hero: City fans come on to the pitch to celebrate with Tevez


Certainly Blackpool striker DJ Campbell should have given his team the lead when Luke Varney exposed some poor positioning from Joleon Lescott to play him clear in the 54th minute. Unfortunately for Blackpool, Campbell’s finish was not good enough.

Then, a minute later, Gary Taylor- Fletcher did have the ball in the net, only for the offside flag to go up. What appeared to be a dreadful decision at first glance actually turned out to be correct.

An attempt to lay a foot on the pass that eventually reached Taylor- Fletcher rendered Elliot Grandin ‘active’ in the build-up.

With the impressive Charlie Adam bringing a low save from Joe Hart with a shot from 20 yards and Taylor- Fletcher slicing a presentable chance wide from the resulting corner, the spell just before and after the hour mark belonged to Blackpool.


Lifeline: Harewood (left) celebrates after scoring Blackpool's first


However, City have so much attacking quality in their squad these days that teams need to score against them when they have the opportunity. Blackpool soon discovered this to their cost. Last time out against Newcastle, it was Adam Johnson who emerged as a substitute to have a decisive impact on the game.

This time it was David Silva. The Spaniard used only his second touch in the 68th minute to cross low for Tevez, the Argentinian spinning his marker with great body strength to divert the ball in to the goal. Replays showed that Tevez was a touch offside when Silva’s cross came in.

Predictably, Holloway was unhappy and said: ‘We are getting Bo Diddly squat (sic) this season. It is heartbreaking but such is life. The officials just have to get these decisions right.’

James Milner soon rattled the underside of the crossbar with a superb, right-footed shot and then Blackpool equalised in the 78th minute.



Silva bullet: City midfielder David Silva scores his side's sublime third


Wayne Bridge was foolish in giving away a free-kick with an unnecessary trip and then Blackpool substitute Marlon Harewood got ahead of Lescott to head the incoming delivery across goalkeeper Hart and into the far corner.

All of a sudden Bloomfield Road had come alive and brielfy one wondered if this could become Blackpool’s first major home scalp of the season. Sadly for the home team, it didn’t quite work out like that. Within a minute Tevez had scored his second, this time with the help of what appeared to be a foul on Ian Evatt and a deflection off Craig Carthcart.

Then Silva scored City’s third, shimmying past two players to curl his first Premier League goal in at the far post, before Taylor-Fletcher gave Blackpool brief hope of salvation with a goal of his own from a 94th-minute corner.

Holloway added: ‘For our ‘‘goal’’ Grandin was offside but it wasn’t him who scored. Then their first goal was offside and the second was a foul. It was blatant.’


source :dailymail
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