Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is an early injury doubt ahead of a massive Merseyside derby against Everton.
Torres limped out of Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Blackpool with a fresh adductor muscle problem.
The Spain striker was troubled by a similar injury during the World Cup finals and has already pulled out of the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.
He could now miss the trip to Goodison Park on October 17, although the Reds are remaining coy on the extent of his latest injury.
"Fernando was assessed earlier today at Melwood and underwent a scan this afternoon," head of sports medicine and sports science, Dr Peter Brukner, told the club's official website.
"He will have intensive treatment over the next couple of weeks but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the game against Everton."
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Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park in desperate need of three points following their worst start to a season since 1953-54.
They have picked up just six points from the first 21 on offer and find themselves in the relegation places after seven games.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Chris Smalling’s move from Fulham to Manchester United raised many an eye brow considering he had only played half a dozen times for Fulham. However, Chris Smalling is playing like a seasoned professional and looks now to have leapfrogged both Wes Brown and Jonny Evans in the defensive pecking order. Evans who played 35 times in the 08/09 season, looked to have established himself but a combination of Smalling’s form and his own dip in form has opend up the covering position once again.
What has happened to Jonny Evans though? Over the past two seasons, Evans has looked assured in defence and looked the man to replace Rio Ferdinand when he hangs up his boots. This season a catalogue of errors from the Northern Irishman has shown that theory up, and it seems Sir Alex Ferguson is looking elsewhere – Chris Smalling.
Jonny Evans does not seem the player to rest on his laurels, but could it be that he has found life at Old Trafford too comfortable. Over the past two seasons he has been the man to step in, expectations of course are high but not impossible to handle. As a covering centre half, much of the responsibility was with either Ferdinand or Vidic. This season, Evans is now a leader in his own right – something he hasn’t been able to handle too well.
So with Jonny Evans completely out of form and injured at the moment, this is the time for Chris Smalling to take aim at getting himself into the Manchester United side regularly. Smalling has settled into life at Old Trafford very quickly, and mirrors the rise that Evans himself had at Old Trafford. Smalling was assured in his play last night and seized his opportunity, something he will look to do over the coming weeks. Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson dropped Jonny Evans, Manchester United have kept five clean sheets in eight games, and Smalling can take a share of the accolades.
After the match last night, Chris Smalling spoke to Sky Sports and his confidence was evident.
“The likes of Rio and Vida have been brilliant,” said Smalling.
“They help guide you through games and I am learning from them all the time.
“They deserve credit too. They have really helped me to settle in and my confidence is sky high at the moment.”
As well as this, Manchester United have been lavishing praise on the young defender. Manchester United’s captain has been highly impressed with the young Englishman.
“Chris did very well but you are not just talking about one night, he has done well over the last few games,” said the United skipper.
“He has proved the boss was right to give him his chance.”
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Such glowing praise from his fellow professionals is what will inspire Chris Smalling at Old Trafford. Manchester United players will not heap praise on a player who does not deserve it, Smalling has definitely earned it. However, the hard work has only just begun for the young defender. At the expense of Jonny Evans, he looks to be the third choice centre half at Old Trafford now. Smalling is by no means a finished article and must continue to work hard, improve and most important not take his place for granted.
The situation with Jonny Evans shows the strength in depth a club like Manchester United has. Only a year ago Evans was destined for great things at Manchester United – and he still could. However if your form drops at a club like Manchester United, there is always somebody who can and will take your place. If Smalling can retain his place it will be extremely hard for Evans to get back into the Manchetser United squad. The challenge is clear for both players and that can only be a long term benefit for Manchester United.
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Liverpool owner John W Henry has leapt to the defence of under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson following last weekend's shocking 2-0 Premier League loss at Stoke City.
The Merseysiders appeared to be turning the corner after claiming ten points from a possible 12 prior to their aberration at the Britannia Stadium to help them into the top half of the table.
Many sceptics were calling for Hodgson to be removed in the Potteries, but the American supremo has now called for calm.
Henry, who fronts the New England Sports Ventures group that bought the Anfield giants from Tom Hicks George Gillett, has also hinted that a splurge in the January transfer market may not be the way to move forward.
"This club can be better and blaming the manager or any one particular player is simply wrong," Henry said.
"This club needs to play up to their potential every match. If they don't, they won't win.
"We have work to do and must invest in this club to improve it on the field. Can that be successfully done in January?
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"A number of people I've talked with doubt it. Most seem to think it will be the summer before we can really begin to improve. So all the players have to be on the same page and have to live up to the history and respect this club has engendered.
"The club has gone through a very difficult period and that period has not ended.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Hugo Rodallega is hoping to make amends as he returns from suspension this weekend.
The Colombian marksman was handed a three-match ban after picking up a straight red card in the defeat at Manchester United last month.
The Latics have struggled in the striker’s absence and have picked up just one point while Rodallega was out of the side, as well as being dumped out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal.
However, Rodallega is available for the trip to Everton this weekend and boss Roberto Martinez feels the striker is keen to make amends following his suspension.
“It’s a massive boost to have Hugo available again,” Martinez told the Observer.
“From a mental point of view you couldn’t get anyone with more of a desire to get out there.
“It’s been so frustrating for him, and in many ways a learning process for him.
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“I’m sure he’s learned his lesson from what happened and he’s desperate to make amends on Saturday.”
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According to our friends in Fleet Street, Liverpool are the latest in a string of clubs to be linked with signing ex world player of the year, Ronaldinho. The Brazilian, 30, has become a peripheral figure at the San Siro, with boss Massimiliano Allegri preferring Robinho. It is this lack of first team football this season that has driven speculation of a departure.
However, Liverpool would have to convince him to drop his £6.3m per annum wage demands for the man who has also been linked with moves to Los Angeles Galaxy and a host of Brazilian clubs.
There is no way that NESV would pay the Brazilian the wages that he is on at AC Milan but if he was willing to drop, there could be a deal to be done. Liverpool do need a player that can work with Fernando Torres and Ronaldinho fits the bill perfectly. A stumbling block would be whether Roy Hodgson is willing to move Steven Gerrard back into midfield to accommodate the Brazillian play maker.
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How likely do you think this deal is to happen – RATE THE RUMOUR
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Don’t call him a wheeler-dealer whatever you do, but once again, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, seems to have made another masterstroke of a move in the transfer market. This time though, we aren’t talking about the arrival of one of the worlds best, but the departure of a player who could still have plenty to offer at White Hart Lane.
I am of course talking about David Bentley who has recently finalised a six-month loan move to Birmingham City. Regarded by many as deadwood at Spurs, the 26-year-old moves to St. Andrews in an attempt at defining his career and proving he is more than just a ‘big time Charlie’.
For a player who promised so much as a youngster coming through at Arsenal, Bentley has never really delivered. He often showed little glimpses of real class but consistency was rarely a part of his game. His move to Blackburn seemed to be ideal. Bentley was the big fish in a relatively small pond and it was a role he seemed to relish. The hat-trick he scored against Man United at Ewood Park showed just how much talent he has. Tottenham recognised that, and although £15 million was incredibly excessive, his arrival at the Lane was intended to be an indication of Spurs signing the best up-and-coming English talent.
But it never really happened for Bentley. The once hailed ‘new David Beckham’ was hardly justifying such a nickname or price tag. In two-and-a-half years, he saw first team opportunities become more and more limited and now with the likes of Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart performing the way they are, Bentley himself recognised his time was up.
But should be completely turn his back on Harry Redknapp and Tottenham Hotspur? I’m sure Harry hasn’t given up and him. And why should he? Say what you will about David Bentley, but we all know the talent is there, if not the attitude. Even that seems to be a lot more football focused now he is reaching his peak years.
Six months of quality, consistent performances at Birmingham could prove to be the catalyst for his Spurs career. Alex McLeish has offered a chance for Bentley to be the star at a club again and really show his worth. Going straight into the squad to face Aston Villa on derby-day, who would bet against him scoring the winner on Sunday?
Even if after a successful six months, Redknapp decides it is time for the former Arsenal man to move on, then Bentley’s spell at St. Andrews would have been a shop-window process. I’m sure clubs involved at Europa League level would be interested. At the right price, of course.
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Will he turn into a player reborn? We shall have to wait and see, but Harry Redknapp has been in the business long enough to know not to give up on a real talent so quickly. Don’t be surprised if we see David Bentley back in a Tottenham shirt next season.
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Have you ever watched a more bizarre football match than Arsenal’s trip to Upton Park on Saturday evening? Not only did Wayne Bridge put in a very strong audition for a role as one of the ‘Chuckle Brothers’, but Avram Grant found himself giving his third stoical salute to home fans of clubs he has managed, waving goodbye in a manner that suggests he will not return but without any concrete proof to back his assertion up.
It was taken as read that the Israeli former Portsmouth manager was heading for the exit door in the hours before his Hammers side were comprehensively beaten by an ever-improving Arsenal at Upton Park. Rumours spread like wildfire in the run up to kick-off that former Aston Villa and Leicester City man, Martin O’Neill was in line to take up the reins at the end of the clash in Greater London.
48 hours on from the Grant funeral procession, however, and there appears no definite confirmation of a time of death – the manager seems, against all odds, to be living on, much to the bewilderment of the football community.
West Ham legend Julian Dicks has come out this week to publicly state what so many fans, not just those following the London club, have been thinking; what on earth are the board at West Ham playing at?
With remaining in the Premier League an absolute necessity for every single club in the top flight this season, were Grant to be relieved of his duties, the move would be accepted as a harsh but necessary step for a side that cannot afford relegation. However, the manner in which the Grant issue has been dealt with is another chapter of the soap opera that has become West Ham’s progress over the last five years.
The Hammers have had their fair share of controversy and turmoil in recent years. After a solid return to the top flight in 2005-06, the acquisition of Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascharano, ushered in a new era of English football, and ultimately one that very nearly cost West Ham their Premier League status. After a hastily arranged Premier League tribunal controversially chose not to dock points from the club over the illegal deals struck for both Tevez and Mascharano, the Hammers survived the drop only on the final day of the season.
The frustration directed at the West Ham board room is not new. Past chairmen have often felt the brunt of the fans’ anger. Terence Brown was on the end of a number of protests from Hammers fans, and whilst Eggert Magnusson brought much welcome funds to the table, helping stave off relegation in 2007, his non-communication with the Upton Park faithful and dwindling fortune alienated him from support.
It was thus with some confidence that West Ham fans will have looked upon last year’s takeover by former Birmingham City duo, Davids Gold and Sullivan, with a sense of optimism. I remember listening to Sullivan on the radio during the early weeks of the season as he outlined sensible aims for the Hammers over the next 18 months. Whilst his new side were short on quality across the squad, there was an acceptance that short-term survival would be the only way to secure growth over a longer period of time.
His assertions have been in contrast to the ultimatum atmosphere that has hung over the Upton Park this season. Whilst demands to improve the side’s fortunes have been met by the increasingly bemused Grant, a sense of chaos has engulfed proceedings, leading former skipper, Dicks, to brand the club a “laughing stock.”
The defender’s frustrations are understandable. West Ham fans have been through the ringer over recent years, and have found consistency impossible to come across. Surely they, more than anyone, deserve to know what is going on?
With two thirds of the transfer window already elapsed, the logic of sacking Grant at this stage would appear virtually non-existent. Would a newly appointed O’Neill be afforded significant funds to strengthen his charges, or would his brief be to simply jump up and down on the touchline in the hope his energy keeps the Hammers from falling?
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There will be fans out there that will feel that West Ham are feeling the full force of karma. Many Sheffield United fans feel that it was they, not the Hammers, that deserved to remain in the Premier League at the end of the 2006-07 season, when an almost certain relegation inducing point deduction was not imposed on Alan Curbishley’s men.
What the saga has proven, however it ends for O’Neill and Grant, is that the West Ham board have shown an alarming lack of regard for the fans. After the years of turmoil the club has endured, the supporters must be hoping that this is not a sign of things to come, whichever division they begin next season in.
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Manchester United’s long unbeaten run finally came to an end at the weekend. Wolves provided the type of performance which has seen them beat five out of the top seven already this season and also leads many failing to find an explanation for their ’false’ position at the bottom of the league. ‘False’ was the word United manager Sir Alex Ferguson used to describe the relegation threatened side, but he also then went on to praise his own team for their consistency so far this season. But what was Fergie really getting at? Is he secretly relieved that this streak is finally over?
It sounds stupid really, doesn’t it? Why would any team be happier now they’ve lost a game? By all means, in terms of their points tally in the hunt to regain the Premier League title, Ferguson and co would prefer three points to none, they would have taken one point after that second half performance. But now everyone has stopped debating whether United can go the whole season and emulate the ‘invincible’ Arsenal side, Ferguson will feel his side can get on with getting their form right to win games instead of grinding out results.
Considering their away form already this season, a defeat has been a long time coming. They let Blackpool walk all over them for 70 minutes. They were fortunate at West Brom and have drawn an incredible eight other games on their travels. That isn’t the form of a side looking to go the whole season unbeaten. Let us not forget how embarrassed they were in the Carling Cup away at West Ham as well. I take nothing away from Wolves though. As poor as United were in the second half, the home side were equally as impressive.
But Manchester United have bigger games coming up, without being disrespectful to Mick McCarthy’s men. Ask anyone connected with the team from Old Trafford who they would have rather of lost that record to, Wolves away or Manchester City at home? Bragging rights apart, what would that have done for United’s arch rivals attempts to win the title? Psychologically, it would have been huge. Similarly, now we are entering the business end of the season, if Chelsea ruined the run on March 1st at Stamford Bridge, that would have given them huge emphasis to go on closing the gap.
If Alex Ferguson’s men are to win this league, it will arguably be their best Premier League success out of the lot, considering their run in. As well as a trip to the champions coming up, they then go to Liverpool before trips to Upton Park, where they don’t have a great record, Arsenal, before Chelsea come to Old Trafford themselves. Mix in games against Everton, Newcastle and Champions League involvement, it is certainly going to be a tough 2011 for the Red Devils, so having the added pressure of continuing an unbeaten run would have been a distraction at best.
When Arsenal did it back in the 2003/04 season, nobody really expected them to do it, so the pressure wasn’t there. More than that, they actually had a squad which were equally as impressive away from home as they were at Highbury.
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Ferguson must have known that given how competitive the Premier League is now, seven years on from when Arsene Wenger‘s ‘invincibles, were born, coupled with the fact that the top sides have been consistently inconsistent, his side were highly unlikely to achieve such a feat. He even admitted so, so you could sense his relief. Manchester United don’t lose twice in a row too often, so you can guarantee some kind of reaction in the next match. That just happens to be at home to their cross city rivals from Eastlands. I suppose not a bad time to lose then, all things considered…
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Beaten 2010 quarter-finalists Libertad of Paraguay made a winning start to their Copa Libertadores campaign with a 2-1 win over San Luis.
Argentine Nicolas Pavlovich opened the scoring for visitors Libertad in the 18th minute at Estadio Alfonso Lastras Ramirez.
Mexican hosts San Luis equalised through Juan Manuel Cavallo five minutes before half-time, but midfielder Sergio Aquino restored the lead on 56 minutes.
San Luis finished with 10 men after Ignacio Torres received a second yellow card six minutes from time.
The win puts Libertad top of Group One, with Once Caldas and Universidad San Martin to meet on Wednesday.
Argentine club Velez Sarsfield made an impressive start with a 3-0 home win over Venezuela’s Caracas.
The visitors were a man short from the 12th minute after midfielder Angelo Puentes was sent off.
But it took Velez until just before half-time to take advantage, when Maximiliano Moralez broke the deadlock.
David Ospina Ramirez made it 2-0 on 59 minutes, before forward Juan Manuel Martinez completed the scoring from the penalty spot seven minutes from time.
Velez are the first team to put points on the board in Group Four ahead of Union Espanola’s meeting with Universidad Catolica on Wednesday.
Colombia’s Deportes Tolima opened with a 1-0 win at home to Paraguayan club Guarani.
Danny Otero scored the game’s only goal in the 83rd minute at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro.
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Tolima top Group Seven ahead of the heavyweight clash between Cruzeiro and Estudiantes de La Plata on Wednesday.
Two-time competition winners Santos of Brazil were held 0-0 away to Venezuelan side Deportivo Tachira.
Mexican team America defeated Uruguayan visitors Nacional 2-0 at Estadio Azteca.
Vicente Sanchez had America in front after just three minutes before Vicente Vuoso doubled the lead in the 48th minute.
On a chilly Saturday afternoon in October 2006, Manchester City put in their worst team performance that many fans had ever seen. And that’s quite a bold statement, because there have been some truly shocking displays down the years, but this one was a real stinker. Pummelled 4-0 away at Wigan and without even fashioning a chance, let alone a shot on target, it became clear that 2006/07 was going to be a very long season.
There was one little glimmering light in that game, though. One little beacon of hope, amidst a bunker of bleak darkness that sunk down like a bottomless abyss. A City academy product was given his debut by the then manager, Stuart Pearce. He played in the number 33 shirt, most recently associated with Vincent Kompany. And, in the limited touches he was able to get when City did keep the ball that afternoon, he showed himself to actually have been the best player for the visitors.
His name was Michael Johnson. A man now often forgotten about at City. A man forgotten about by the Premier League, who once saw him as a future City and England legend. A man forgotten about by football.
For a while it went well for him. Okay, so he was dropped straight after that Wigan game – probably to save him the embarrassment of more team performances like that one – but he worked his way back into the side later in that season.
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A turning point came for the Blues over Easter. After a series of dire performances for the first three months of 2007, it looked like City would be in great danger of finding their way out of the Premier League. But a battling display against Chelsea and a run of form of 11 points from five games (beating Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Fulham, and drawing with Charlton and Liverpool) saw City safe.
That coincided with the return to the team of Michael Johnson. It’s a bit brash to suggest that he alone saved City from the drop that season, but he had a big influence on that run of form. Dunne and Distin, with Barton and Mpenza too, were also hugely involved. And by the time City lost to Arsenal at the Emirates near the end of April, they were safe. We can say that for sure because they only went on to pick up one more point that season, drawing with Watford.
But when he was back in the team, Michael Johnson looked the part and fitted into the team like he had been playing Premier League football for a decade. Then, though, City sacked their manager. It didn’t really come as too much of a surprise, since they hadn’t scored a Premier League goal at home in five months. The club changed owners, too. The new manager quickly became a fans’ favourite and he brought with him a wealth of talent from around the world.
Sven’s City began the season well, losing out only to a fine goal at the Emirates after wins against West Ham, Derby and Manchester United. The goal that beat Derby was City’s first at home since Samaras’s eight months earlier and was scored by one Michael Johnson. A beautiful curler from the edge of the box with the outside of his foot. He scored the winner against Aston Villa that season, too, a graceful run from midfield ending with him slotting the ball beyond Scott Carson.
Sven was saying all good things about him. His team-mates likewise. The media more so. The City fans even more so; some were saying he reminded them of a former City hero, held in the highest esteem: Colin Bell. In truth, the praise was very premature. He had only been in the team for half a season, but he was definitely one to watch. In fact, he was a lynchpin in Sven’s successful City team and he was definitely missed when form took a turn for the worse after the New Year.
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The injury that caused him to miss many games that season seemed an innocuous abdominal one. But, while he was out, he had a double hernia operation and, when he did return towards the end of the campaign, he never truly seemed fit and like he had recovered. The season ended and a new manager came in and, this time through City’s lack of funds more than anything, he survived the upheaval once again.
Mark Hughes liked him and Johnson started well, linking up with Stephen Ireland and Elano in a distinctly average start to the season. City were taken over. Robinho arrived as a marquee signing. City lost to Chelsea and faced Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup. And that trip to the Withdean Stadium was more costly than a simple, embarrassing League Cup exit: There was a recurrence of Johnson’s abdominal injury and he didn’t play another game that season.
The following summer, City had the chance to truly flex their financial muscle – and they did. Once again, Johnson survived the cull, but this time he had spent over seven months injured and this could have been one of the biggest contributing factors. He was ready for pre-season, where he played (and picked up a minor injury) in a friendly with Orlando Pirates. He was ready for the end of September, where he came off the bench for two minutes in City’s 3-1 win over West Ham.
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City, though, were in the middle of their infamous run of draws and patchy form, and therefore weren’t in a position to be re-introducing players from long term injuries into the side. But, with the League Cup game at home to Scunthorpe being over at 4-1, Johnson got about 20 minutes at the end of the match. In that time, he showed moments of passing and vision that the City fans remembered him for, and he went on to score the best goal of the night – a long range effort on his weaker foot. It looked like he was back in the business, though he needed some game time and City’s form was still poor as they continued to draw games.
But, on 10 December 2009, it was announced that Johnson had broken down in training and suffered a serious knee injury. He was back to square one, after almost a year of hard work to get back to fitness and coming so close to achieving it. He’s not been named in another City squad, fourteen months on.
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This week, though, they travelled to Greece to play Aris Salonika in the Europa League. On the plane and available for selection was Michael Johnson. He didn’t make the squad, in the end, but he’s clearly in the manager’s thinking. He’s on his fourth City manager and each of them has seen something in him that is worth keeping: Roberto Mancini, it has been revealed this week, blocked loan moves to Leeds and Crystal Palace because he is on the fringes of the squad, at least.
After such a long time on the sidelines and such improvements made to City’s squad since he was last playing regularly for City, Johnson fights an uphill battle just to make it back into the team. City have moved on a long way and there’s a very real danger that Johnson has been left behind. Getting his place back won’t be easy; nevermind the fight he has on his hands to fulfil the potential he showed back in 2007. There are so many examples of players who have never been the same after long term injuries. It would be easy to think, in fact, that Johnson’s ship has sailed from the City port – which would be unfortunate given the time he’s had, but football is a cut-throat world.
Providing his injuries haven’t had too much of an effect on him, he can still provide City with an option that they have been lacking recently – some cutting edge through a packed defence. And I don’t think there’s a single City fan that wouldn’t like to see him back in the team, keeping fit and playing like we all used to see.