England manager Fabio Capello has placed Michael Dawson on standby after captain Rio Ferdinand was seen leaving hospital on crutches after picking up a training ground injury on Friday.
The England players had been taking part in their first training session since arriving in South Africa when the Manchester United star sustained a knee injury at their Rustenburg training base.
Ferdinand has endured an injury-plagued campaign with United, largely because of a troublesome back problem.
However, there was some good news for Capello as Gareth Barry was able to return to training, having been sidelined with an ankle injury since 5 May.
Capello said:"Barry has started training with the team today and he is improving every day. He is getting better and better and will train again this afternoon. We know we have to be careful with him.
"Other bad news is that Rio hurt his knee in the last moment of training in a tackle. He has gone to the hospital for a scan and we hope he will be ok.
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"We hope it will not be so bad but we have Michael Dawson on call."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Wolves captain Jody Craddock has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract.
The 34-year-old defender made 33 Premier League appearances and scored five goals last season and has now signed up for another campaign at Molineux.
Craddock joined Wolves in a £1.75million deal from Sunderland back in 2003 and is delighted to be continuing his career with Mick McCarthy's side.
"It's brilliant to get the contract sorted and signed. It's another year for me at Wolves, which is fantastic," he told the club's official website.
"A couple of years ago, I thought I might have been dropping down the leagues, but I'm still at Wolves, we are still in the Premier League and I couldn't have asked for anything better for my career.
"I was at Sunderland for six years and now I'm going into my eighth season at Wolves, so I have not moved around all that much.
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"I love being at this club and it's nice not to keep moving from club to club.
"I'm proud of what I've achieved at Wolverhampton Wanderers in my career here and hopefully there is more to come."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Howard Webb's hopes of refereeing the World Cup final have taken a knock after he was overlooked for quarter-final duty.
The South Yorkshire referee was rumoured to be on the short-list to officiate the final in Johannesburg on July 11 after an impressive series of performances while in South Africa.
England's last-16 exit had also increased the chances of Webb being involved in the latter stages of the tournament.
However, FIFA have revealed the identity of the four men who will be in the middle for the quarter-final games on Friday and Saturday and Webb's name was not among them.
Only one European referee – Olegario Benquerenca of Portugal – has been awarded a quarter-final game, which is the fixture between Uruguay and Ghana in Johannesburg on Friday evening.
Webb and his assistants, Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey, have taken charge of three games in the World Cup so far.
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They officiated in Spain's opening group game against Switzerland, Italy's Group B defeat to Slovakia and Brazil's 3-0 win over Chile in the round of 16 on Monday night.
No English official since Jack Taylor in 1974 has refereed a World Cup final.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Albert Riera has ended his disappointing stint at Liverpool by completing his transfer to Greek side Olympiacos.
The 28-year-old Spanish winger criticised former Reds manager Rafael Benitez last season and has been linked with a move away from Anfield ever since.
Reports claim the deal is worth £3.3million and that former Espanyol star Riera has signed a four-year contract.
He said after completing the switch:"I am eager for titles and honours. I am comfortable with my decision and I will be playing with a group hunting for trophies.
"I came to win titles, which are missing from my career.
"I was told the fans were coming but what I saw was much more than I expected. I did not expect so many people, honestly. It was a surprise for me.
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"Such enthusiasm is good for the club. I understand how important the support of the people is, it's priceless."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The 2010/11 Premier League season couldn’t start with a more exciting match. Cue Saturday lunch time and Tottenham and Manchester City will go head to head at White Hart Lane and hopefully start the season with a bang. All eyes will be on City to see what effect Roberto Mancini’s big spending has on the pitch, while Harry Redknapp will be hoping that Spurs can continue their hoodoo over the blue half of Manchester. Here are some classic matches from years past:
Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City (2004): Not a Premier League match but a classic nonetheless and goes down as one of the greatest comebacks in FA Cup history. Spurs raced into a three goal lead in the first half at White Hart Lane, but City (minus Joey Barton) weren’t about to render the second half as academic as Martin Tyler suggested. Andy Gray’s “I’ve seen it, but I still don’t believe it” says it all…
[youtube e58rdYk1rPE]
Tottenham 3-2 Manchester City (1981): Another FA Cup encounter, this time a Final Replay no less. The 100th cup final is the last time City contested a major final, something Mancini will look to rectify. But the day belonged to Tottenham – step forward Ricky Villa, who ensured that Spurs had plenty to cheer at Wembley that day…
[youtube jTMESszIVZc]
Manchester City 2-4 Tottenham (1993): More FA Cup action, it’s a shame that this match is remembered more for the pitch invasion than the Nayim hat-trick. Cue a slightly younger looking Des Lynam, Alan Hansen and Jimmy Hill…
[youtube MxO8IJ9D8BA]
Manchester City 0-1 Tottenham (2010): Not a classic by any means, but will go in Tottenham’s history as the victory that secured them Champions League football for the first time. This clip possibly makes the game seem more exciting that it actually was, but I’m sure Spurs fans weren’t complaining…
[youtube cFcNwSEK0Co]
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It also means we can show Harry Redknapp getting soaked!
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has distanced himself from reports suggesting he will make a move for Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia before the transfer window closes.
N’Zogbia, 24, has been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium throughout the summer.
The new France cap remains at Wigan player and featured in Saturday’s 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea.
But despite fresh reports of interest from the Black Cats, Bruce has denied making an offer for the former Newcastle United youngster.
“I like Charles, but I think it would be unwise of me to get involved with that one,” he said.
“We haven’t had any contact or made contact with Wigan as such. It’s certainly media fiction in a lot of respects.”
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Bruce is believed to have £8million to spend on new players following his departure of striker Kenwyne Jones to Stoke City earlier in the month.
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If there is one player in the Championship capable of stealing the limelight away from Craig Bellamy and Cardiff City, it is Queens Park Rangers’ Adel Taarabt. Rangers boss Neil Warnock signed the Moroccan international on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur this summer and believes he found one of the summer’s best buys. Despite being hailed as the new Zinedine Zidane, Taarabt failed to impress at White Hart Lane since his move from Lens in 2007. Will Spurs miss this supremely gifted player and purveyor of fine goals whose skills were once described by Harry Redknapp as “frightening?”
The 21-year old playmaker netted seven times during a season long loan for the Loftus Road outfit last season and the club were delighted to sign him on a permanent deal for an initial fee of £600,000. Tottenham paid £3 million for the youngster three years earlier after recommendations by Damien Comolli. On arrival the player’s agent Rudy Raba had this to say, “He is exceptional, he is one of the most talented young players in France, perhaps the most.” However it proved difficult for Taarabt to live up to his illustrious billing. In a handful of substitute appearances for Spurs he showed an abundance of skill and flair but no end product in the fast paced and physical Premier League. Yet successive managers from Martin Jol to Harry Redknapp noted his breathtaking ability.
The mercurial Taarabt developed a reputation for being rather temperamental. Despite impressing during two loan spells at Rangers his playing chances were restricted under Paul Hart, whose tactics were resentfully received by the Moroccan. But a player who is confident of his own dribbling, passing and creative abilities but by his own admission dislikes defending is unsuitable for a relegation scrap. His standing at White Hart Lane was not enhanced by comments he made on departure. He told the Evening Standard, “The biggest mistake was to sign for Tottenham and not to go to another club when I first came over,” his first choice being Arsenal.
Spurs fans could be forgiven for thinking they had managed to offload a fanciful midfielder whose elaborate playing style merely matched his inflated ego. Taarabt, however, has excelled so far this season, inspiring Rangers to three wins and a draw. He has done so without compromising his artisan playing style featuring countless Cruyff turns, mazy runs, crossovers, flicks and speculative long distance shots. He has been in scintillating form, adopting the role of the side’s main creator. On the opening day of the season he scored a penalty in their 4-0 victory over Barnsley. He won and converted a spot kick in their away rout over Sheffield United. Installed as captain due to the injured Fitz Hall, Taarabt sparkled in Rangers’ home win against Scunthorpe, assisting both goals. Thankfully there is now a tangible output for those remarkable flicks and tricks.
His critics would assert that the player has now found his level, outwitting the Championship’s slower defences. Moreover the histrionics from his game have not been eradicated, having been already cautioned for diving this season. A player who is eager to receive the ball, take on players and show flair is a luxury that many Championship sides cannot afford. Even stranger is the notion that Warnock who envisages a key role for Taarabt in their bid for promotion is tasked with harnessing his talent. At this early stage the fear for QPR fans is not whether he is good enough but whether he will be subject to interest from top flight clubs during the next transfer window. Tottenham fans may reconsider their views of Taarabt if he can force the west Londoners into the PL, unleashing their considerable spending potential.
[youtube JQPHGgdNJEA]
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As a Liverpool fan growing up in the nineties, I suppose I’ve become accustomed to the perpetual cycle of false hope and subsequent disappointment. As an ‘out-of-towner’ I suppose I’m sort of responsible for the resulting heartache that has constantly been inflicted upon me. But the current doom and gloom surrounding all things Anfield trumps anything I’ve seen before.
Let me give you a bit of history. As any self-respecting football fan knows, that magical moment in boyhood when one pledges their allegiance to their chosen shirt is a life-defining act, a decision that simply cannot be reversed regardless of future fortunes. A sort of, “you’ve made your bed now lie in it”-type moment, if you will. Despite growing up in leafy London suburbia, with a plethora of ‘local’ clubs to choose from, I opted to support the mighty Liverpool Football Club.
Why? “You don’t live anywhere near Liverpool, doooo ya?” Well, the seven-year old me was convinced this was the correct decision via a combination of peer pressure, a very loose family tie (my mother hails from St. Helens, a mere stone’s throw from Liverpool) and ‘God’ (he goes by the name of Robbie Fowler). I’m sure Liverpool fans of a similar age will appreciate the impact that Robbie Fowler had on a young Liverpool fan’s childhood, evoking the sort of excitement and idolism in a player that has only recently resurfaced at Anfield in the shape of a certain Mr. Torres (for those thinking “what about Michael Owen?”, you just don’t get it, do you?).
Taking my first baby steps towards becoming a football fan was wonderful in 1995/96. 3-5-2 was the order of the day. Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ enthralled and oozed with exotic elegance (see: Ginola, Asprilla and errrr…Phillippe Albert). And best of all… Manchester City and Chelsea’s frontlines were spearheaded by Uwe Rösler and Mark Stein respectively (cue the sound of hordes of Chelsea ‘fans’ simultaneously sighing ‘who?).
But being a Liverpool fan was particularly fun. Despite poor Roy Evans’ inability to keep his Spice Boys (aside from WAG, has there ever been a more detestable coinage than this?) from going out on the piss, as a young Red I marvelled at the telepathic relationship between Fowler and Stan “The Man”, the delectable dribbling of Steve McManaman and the frequent defensive master classes exhibited by Phil Babb (well, maybe not that last bit). I mean, compared to the Red Scum and Keggy’s Entertainers, we were never really in it, but it was damn enjoyable to watch. I suppose the naivety of being a child shielded me from the realisation that we weren’t going to win the league, but who cares when God was notching 36 goals and on his way to a second consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year?
Disappointment. “Defeated of expectation or hope; let down.” This feeling should be familiar to every football fan. Some will be more familiar with this feeling than others. It’s a sentiment I’ve currently been holding for the last…five and half months or so. A feeling that has been felt with particular vigour in the last three months. Just as one never forgets the moment when football first makes you smile, one never forgets the moment that football first tugs upon your heart-strings. This is the symbolic moment when you realise your attachment to your club has gone further than simply wearing the replica shirt. The 11th of May 1996 was the day when I first experienced the heartache of being a football fan.
Arriving in THOSE awful crème suits, Fowler & co strolled across the Wembley turf. It was the FA Cup final. Against the auld enemy. Following my father’s quick “FA Cup for Beginners” speech, I sat down in front of t’telly (presumably Capri-Sun and Tommy Tomatoes in-tow) to watch my new-found heroes win some silverware. Or so I thought. After fidgeting through 84 minutes of unbelievably uninteresting ‘football’ (to this day, this match is still the most boring game I’ve ever seen), United had a corner kick. Given the dearth of opportunities thus far, I merely assumed the corner would be cleared and resumption of the tactical midfield battle would occur. However, ‘Calamity’ James performed his soon-to-be-trademark ‘flapping-at-a-corner’ routine and BANG! Through a seemingly impermeable flock of flailing limbs, Eric Cantona executed a perfect half-volley that flew into the right hand corner of the goal. Nine months worth of hope and expectation flushed down the toilet with one swift movement of a Frenchman’s foot. Determined to avoid the ignominy of watching my aforementioned heroes collecting their losers’ medals, I switched off and reflected upon my first “football tragedy”.
Read more of Zarif’s work at the excellent ‘This is Futbol’ website:
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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with an interest in Juventus and Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta.
The 30-year-old has been with Juve since the summer of 2007, having previously made his name with Udinese and has featured for the Azzurri at the last two World Cup finals, helping Italy to glory four years ago.
Iaquinta's agent, Andrea D'Amico, told Itasport:"I don't like to comment on rumours.
"I do know that Vincenzo is tracked by several clubs, including Tottenham, who have been interested in the player for a long time.
"Having said that, nobody has called me directly."
Meanwhile, Juve legend Alessandro Del Piero has played down rumours that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season when his current contract runs out.
Del Piero told his followers on Facebook:"In all honesty I am relaxed about the whole issue of my contract and my future.
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"I have no intention of running away from this issue, but really at this moment my future is only the next game. I want to win.
"As for the rest, we need to leave time for things to mature, without rushing them."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Oh dear, that wasn’t supposed to happen was it? It was meant to be the game of the season so far. It had all the makings to be a classic, but sadly it wasn’t. The two managers were too conservative for the game ever to open up – and a point was a decent result for both sides. The game itself lacked imagination and a sparkle that these two so often produce against each other. Was Roberto Mancini too concerned about loosing and was Ferguson brave enough in the second half. Manchester didn’t provide the fireworks, maybe they are being saved for Saturday. In the regional battle, London was the clear winner last night with Arsenal and Chelsea winning.
Below are five things that we can take away from the Manchester derby.
Manchester United need Wayne Rooney
His 34 goals last season seem a distant memory after his slump in form dating back to his injury against Bayern Munich in March. However, Manchester United need to see a fit and healthy Wayne Rooney return to Old Trafford as soon as possible. The early season form of Dimitar Berbatov sidelined the Rooney issue, but the Bulgarian hasn’t scored since his hat trick against Liverpool. Berbatov’s recent slump must be a worry for United fans as Javier Hernandez is not ready to lead the line for United. A fully fit Rooney is one of the top strikers in the world and United need him back as soon as possible.
Carlos Tevez needs support
The little Argentinian looked lost last night. To be fair, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic marshalled him well and didn’t give him a kick for the most part. If Mario Balotelli wasn’t Mario Balotelli, Tevez may have had this support at some stage last night. Manchester City have to address the problem of goals in their team. Last night, it was as if his team mates were waiting for him to conjure up a piece of magic. The wide men needed to be more creative for Tevez to come alive. The next two games could be interesting if Tevez can’t shake off his thigh injury. His goalscoring record is phenomenal but a more expressive City might ease the burden on the striker.
Big games sometimes flatter to deceive
Big match hype. Sky bring out the big guns. Sharp dressing Ruud Gullit and blind dresser Graeme Souness. Seriously, who can’t match a suit jacket to a pair of trousers? Unbelievable. There was the usual inflammatory langauge before the game and a typically hostile Manchester City crowd under the lights. It should have been a classic, but it was dire. Big games sometimes go like that, but after the games the two Manchester clubs produced last season, can we really complain that one didn’t live up to the billing. Its easy to say that as the home team Manchester City should have attacked United more and bossed the game. However, Roberto Mancini is answerable to his bosses and fans, not Richard Keys. Were City defensive or were they stifled by a very experienced United side. Either way when two top teams play the same formation, games tend to turn into chess battles, waiting to see who blinks first. To credit both sides, neither did. If Tevez had elected to shoot in the first five minutes, it may have been a different game.
Sir Alex still has a trick or two up his sleeve
Virus? What virus. We were all led to believe that Manchester United were going to be depleted to the extreme by Sir Alex Ferguson. United had their strongest eleven available on the pitch with decent cover on the bench. Bringing on Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Javier Hernandez. Was this another mind game by Ferguson to test Mancini’s nerve. When the two clubs train opposite each other, it would be difficult to fool City. However, the media took the bait as usual and we all expected United to be without Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov. After Berbatov’s performance, many United fans may have wished he had come down with something.
Were City there for the taking in the second half?
Did Manchester United miss an opportunity in the second half last night. United were on top for most of the half and looked the most likely throughout the game. City were forced into a defensive approach by a strong United midfield, but could Ferguson have taken advantage of this. Should the change have been to bring young Javier Hernandez on to partner Dimitar Berbatov rather than replace the Bulgarian. Sure, this would have been a risk considering the strength of the Manchester City midfield but, they Werner threatening United. It may have been a change that won United the game. Of course, having to replace two full backs forced Ferguson’s hand to a degree. After a controlled second half performance, and with Arsenal and Chelsea winning, United may see last night’s game as an opportunity missed.
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