Thursday 20 February 2014
Tuesday 18 February 2014
A late strike from Yannick Sagbo averted an upset as Premier League Hull snatched a draw and a replay away to Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round.
Sagbo had hit the bar for the visitors before Brighton took the lead, Leonardo Ulloa galloping clear to stroke home.
Hull rallied as Curtis Davies went close, but were spared when Ulloa wasted a fine chance on half-time.
It looked like the Argentine's goal would be decisive, but Sagbo fired in to cap a spell of late Hull pressure.
For much of the second half it seemed that Brighton were destined for a reunion with former manager Gus Poyet, whose Sunderland side await the tie's winners in the last eight.
Oscar Garcia, Poyet's replacement at the Amex Stadium, has guided the Seagulls to the fringes of the play-offs in the Championship and, after he appeared to prioritise promotion with seven changes to his starting line-up, his team turned in a performance of quality and tenacity to take Hull to the brink.
World Cup 2014: Roy Hodgson confident of successful tournament
England manager Roy Hodgson says he is confident Brazil will host a successful World Cup despite potential problems with stadiums and protests.
Hodgson is on a visit to Manaus, where England face Italy in their opening game at the Arena Amazonia, but there are fears an unfinished stadium in Curitiba could be pulled.
"Fifa and the Brazilian government has put in a lot of work," Hodgson said.
"So I don't see any reasons for us technicians to doubt them."
A potential repeat of the violent protests that dogged the Confederations Cup is a concern for organisers, but Hodgson said he had faith in the local organising committee.
The Arena Amazonia, like five other World Cup venues, was not ready by the Fifa deadline of 31 December 2013.
But Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke declared he was happy with the stadium in a visit over the weekend, and officials say it is 97% complete.
Man City face worst Barcelona team for years says Jose Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims Manchester City will face the "the worst Barcelona of many, many years" in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Spanish side won the competition in 2009 and 2011 but have failed to make it past the semi-finals since.
Former Real Madrid coach Mourinho said: "City have a chance."
Meanwhile Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says his team may have lost their fear factor ahead of the first leg at Etihad Stadium.
Mourinho, who worked at Barcelona under the late Sir Bobby Robson, has had a tense relationship with his former club and appears to have stirred the tensions ahead of the game.
"Of course by history Barcelona is the favourite, but this Barcelona, this season, is showing that it is not the same in previous years," he told ITV.
"Of course, they have [Lionel] Messi - he is special - and they have more than him. But I think this is the worst Barcelona of many, many years."
Mourinho's comments came after former Manchester United centre-back Pique admitted his side may not be as highly regarded as they once were.
He said: "Maybe they don't fear us as before because in the last two years we didn't win the Champions League.
"We can still be the best, but we have to show to the world we can do it."
Barca's most recent Champions League successes came under former coach Pep Guardiola, but Tito Vilanova's side were thumped 7-0 in a two-legged semi-final by eventual winners Bayern Munich last season.
The club - with Gerardo Martino now in charge - have had to contend with off-the-field problems this term, with the transfer of Brazilian forwardNeymar under investigation by a Spanish court and Sandro Rosell resigning as club president as a consequence.
Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has guided City to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time, their free-scoring football including a 3-2 win over Bayern at the Allianz Arena.
Such an approach has drawn comparisons with Barcelona, and Martino said City, who are chasing a quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League titles, were one of the best teams in the world.
The Argentine, whose side are top of La Liga, said: "They do play a similar style to us, but they are not a mini-Barcelona or a mini-anyone else.
"I think they are one of the greatest teams in the world.
"They have great Spanish players such as Jesus Navas and David Silva, but it is not only Spanish players.
"They have great players from all over the world such as Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho."
City will be without top scorer Aguero, who has a hamstring injury, but Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho could return after injury.
Martino said: "For the last six seasons Barcelona have made it to the semi-finals and the fans are used to that.
"It will be difficult to understand if we don't go through but it is the tightest tie of all."
Pique, 27, added: "The only way we have to speak is on the pitch. We know that in the club in the last six months there were some things that we cannot control as players.
"All we can do is play on the pitch and show the world that we can still be the best and try and play a great game against a great team like Manchester City."
Still United with Reds
- Pique, who played for Manchester United between 2004 and 2008, said he would still prefer to play for his former team over Manchester City despite his old club's woes this season. "What do you think?" he asked. "If I had to choose one, it would be United."
- Pique also revealed his taste in Manchester music. "I didn't know any of them when I came but I like Happy Mondays, New Order, the Charlatans," he said.
Monday 17 February 2014
Arsene Wenger: Jose Mourinho has embarrassed Chelsea
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Jose Mourinho has embarrassed Chelsea by calling him a "specialist in failure".
Blues boss Mourinho made the remark after Wenger said other Premier League managers were playing down their title chances because they "fear to fail".
But, after Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool, Wenger said Mourinho's words were "silly and disrespectful".
"I never spoke about him in my press conference and I will not start.
"The only thing I know is it's more embarrassing for Chelsea than for me. I'm embarrassed for him, honestly. I'm not interested in the subject at all. That is really genuine.
"I love football - and I'm sorry to disappoint you - what's interesting for me is what happens on the pitch."
Mourinho has previously criticised Wenger, the Blues boss having described him as a "voyeur" in 2005 after his rival questioned Chelsea's transfer policy.
On Monday he was quoted by several newspapers as saying: "The only thing I feel is that I was very quiet in my place and somebody spoke not in a nice way about us.
"After that, I don't accept that one is always 'Monsieur polite' and the other one is always the bad guy. I don't accept, I'm sorry."
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson told BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday that the Portuguese is a "bully" engaging in "boring" mind games.
Wenger's side moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals with victory in an enthralling fifth-round tie on Sunday.
Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski put Arsenal, who have not won any silverware since their 2005 FA Cup triumph, into the last eight.
It helped avenge last weekend's 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in the Premier League, while also providing a timely confidence boost ahead of Wednesday's visit of Champions League last-16 opponents Bayern Munich.
But after Steven Gerrard gave the visitors hope with a 59th-minute penalty, the Gunners were fortunate not to concede a second spot-kick for a clumsy Oxlade-Chamberlain tackle on Suarez.
"The intensity of the performance pleased me, I am very proud of the way we responded to the huge defeat that we had last week," said Wenger.
Mourinho's side were eliminated from the FA Cup by a 2-0 defeat at fellow title chasers Manchester City on Saturday.
Blues boss Mourinho made the remark after Wenger said other Premier League managers were playing down their title chances because they "fear to fail".
But, after Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool, Wenger said Mourinho's words were "silly and disrespectful".
Chelsea top the Premier League by a point from the Gunners, with Manchester City another two points back in third.
"I do not want to go into that silly, disrespectful remark," Wenger told BT Sport.
"I never spoke about him in my press conference and I will not start.
"The only thing I know is it's more embarrassing for Chelsea than for me. I'm embarrassed for him, honestly. I'm not interested in the subject at all. That is really genuine.
"I love football - and I'm sorry to disappoint you - what's interesting for me is what happens on the pitch."
Mourinho has previously criticised Wenger, the Blues boss having described him as a "voyeur" in 2005 after his rival questioned Chelsea's transfer policy.
On Monday he was quoted by several newspapers as saying: "The only thing I feel is that I was very quiet in my place and somebody spoke not in a nice way about us.
"After that, I don't accept that one is always 'Monsieur polite' and the other one is always the bad guy. I don't accept, I'm sorry."
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson told BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday that the Portuguese is a "bully" engaging in "boring" mind games.
Wenger's side moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals with victory in an enthralling fifth-round tie on Sunday.
Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski put Arsenal, who have not won any silverware since their 2005 FA Cup triumph, into the last eight.
It helped avenge last weekend's 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in the Premier League, while also providing a timely confidence boost ahead of Wednesday's visit of Champions League last-16 opponents Bayern Munich.
But after Steven Gerrard gave the visitors hope with a 59th-minute penalty, the Gunners were fortunate not to concede a second spot-kick for a clumsy Oxlade-Chamberlain tackle on Suarez.
"The intensity of the performance pleased me, I am very proud of the way we responded to the huge defeat that we had last week," said Wenger.
Mourinho's side were eliminated from the FA Cup by a 2-0 defeat at fellow title chasers Manchester City on Saturday.
Pellegrini unfazed by Barcelona
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is adopting a 'no fear'
approach as his side prepare to face Barcelona in the Champions League.
The Chilean coach welcomes the Spanish champions to the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of an eagerly-anticipated last 16 showdown on Tuesday night.
It will be the first time the sides have locked horns since 2009, when City - under the tutelage of Mark Hughes - claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory against the reigning European champions thanks to a Martin Petrov strike.
City warmed up with a 2-0 disposal of Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday and while acknowledge the breadth of talent on offer in the Barcelona ranks, Pellegrini insists the Sky Blues are able to match their opponents.
"It's a good chance to show how good we are," he told the Daily Mail.
"They have a lot of experience, they have a great team, they have the best player in the world but I think also we are a good team with good players.
"I don't have any fear about playing Barcelona because this team has got to continue to develop the mentality to play against important teams, whether that's in the last 16, the quarter-final. I hope we can win at home."
Pellegrini heads into the clash without the free-scoring Sergio Aguero or defender Matija Nastasic but will have been encouraged by the performances of Javi Garcia, Stevan Jovetic, Joleon Lescott and James Milner at the weekend.
Barcelona meanwhile, have former Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi at their disposal, as well as Spain internationals Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta but Pellegrini claims City are equal to the threat.
"Barcelona have some players of advantage but it is small," he added.
"Barcelona have been the best team in the world for the past three or four years and have so many great players. But in our team we have so many good players. It is going to be a spectacular game.
"We need to be aggressive and the result, hopefully, will come. We believe we can win."
The Chilean coach welcomes the Spanish champions to the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of an eagerly-anticipated last 16 showdown on Tuesday night.
It will be the first time the sides have locked horns since 2009, when City - under the tutelage of Mark Hughes - claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory against the reigning European champions thanks to a Martin Petrov strike.
City warmed up with a 2-0 disposal of Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday and while acknowledge the breadth of talent on offer in the Barcelona ranks, Pellegrini insists the Sky Blues are able to match their opponents.
"It's a good chance to show how good we are," he told the Daily Mail.
"They have a lot of experience, they have a great team, they have the best player in the world but I think also we are a good team with good players.
"I don't have any fear about playing Barcelona because this team has got to continue to develop the mentality to play against important teams, whether that's in the last 16, the quarter-final. I hope we can win at home."
Pellegrini heads into the clash without the free-scoring Sergio Aguero or defender Matija Nastasic but will have been encouraged by the performances of Javi Garcia, Stevan Jovetic, Joleon Lescott and James Milner at the weekend.
Barcelona meanwhile, have former Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi at their disposal, as well as Spain internationals Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta but Pellegrini claims City are equal to the threat.
"Barcelona have some players of advantage but it is small," he added.
"Barcelona have been the best team in the world for the past three or four years and have so many great players. But in our team we have so many good players. It is going to be a spectacular game.
"We need to be aggressive and the result, hopefully, will come. We believe we can win."
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool: Penalty decision strange - Rodgers
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says it was a "strange decision" by
Howard Webb not to award his team a second penalty in their 2-1 FA Cup
defeat at Arsenal.
The Reds, who had already scored through Steven Gerrard's spot-kick, felt Luis Suarez was fouled by Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Referee Webb, who was well positioned, ruled it was fair as Arsenal went on to reach the last eight.
"It was probably more clear and blatant than the first penalty," said Rodgers.
"I thought it was quite an easy decision for the ref. Luis has a touch, gets around him and it looks a blatant penalty. It was a strange decision."
Goals from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski put the home side in command at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, before Gerrard's calm finish set up a dramatic finale.
Webb awarded the spot-kick after Suarez was clipped by Gunners forward Podolski in the 59th minute.
But the Sheffield official, who will go to this summer's World Cup as England's top official, was unmoved when the Uruguayan tumbled again eight minutes later.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was unsure whether the foul should have been given. "I have seen the incident and will have to look again - maybe, maybe not," said the Frenchman.
The Reds, who had already scored through Steven Gerrard's spot-kick, felt Luis Suarez was fouled by Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Referee Webb, who was well positioned, ruled it was fair as Arsenal went on to reach the last eight.
"It was probably more clear and blatant than the first penalty," said Rodgers.
"I thought it was quite an easy decision for the ref. Luis has a touch, gets around him and it looks a blatant penalty. It was a strange decision."
Goals from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski put the home side in command at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, before Gerrard's calm finish set up a dramatic finale.
Webb awarded the spot-kick after Suarez was clipped by Gunners forward Podolski in the 59th minute.
But the Sheffield official, who will go to this summer's World Cup as England's top official, was unmoved when the Uruguayan tumbled again eight minutes later.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was unsure whether the foul should have been given. "I have seen the incident and will have to look again - maybe, maybe not," said the Frenchman.
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