Manchester United’s title bid stutters as they are beaten 3-0 at Newcastle United

Manchester United’s title bid stutters as they are beaten 3-0 at Newcastle United
By Stewart Flaherty, January 5 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles, Manchester United, fell to a shocking, 3-0 loss, at the Sports Direct Arena, that leaves, them three points, behind league leading, Manchester City,

Manchester United fell to a shocking 3-0 loss at the Sports Direct Arena that leaves them three points behind league leading Manchester City.With City beating Liverpool 3-0 the previous day, the Red Devils traveled to Newcastle knowing only a win would be good enough to keep pace with the league leaders.

The game had a frantic opening, with both teams struggling to get to grips with the windy conditions.Manchester United had the first chance to take the lead when Dimitar Berbatov got on the end of an Antonio Valencia cross, but the Bulgarian striker’s header bounced back off the goalpost.

Newcastle began to gain the upper hand as the game wore on, with central midfielder Cheick Tiote exerting a lot of influence on the game. The Geordies took a deserved lead at the 33 minute mark when Shola Ameobi flicked on, and Demba Ba hooked the ball past Anders Lindegaard for his 15th Premier League goal of the season.

The teams went in at half-time with the Geordies in front 1-0, and it was not long after the restart that they doubled their lead. Two minutes into the second half Newcastle were awarded a free kick 30 yards out when Phil Jones hauled down Ba.

Newcastle took full advantage of the situation when Yohan Cabaye stepped up to fire a spectacular shot past Lindegaard.

United huffed and puffed to get back into the game without any joy, and their miserable evening was complete when a last minute own goal rounded off a 3-0 score line. Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul sent a long punt forward, and Jones calamitously directed the ball into his own net.

Errors to Basel, Palace, Blackburn & now the Toons: Where are Man United heading?

Errors to Basel, Palace, Blackburn & now the Toons: Where are Man United heading?
By Angela Asante, January 5 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Manchester United have had one too many setbacks this season. It’s interesting to know how they will end their 2011/12 campaign.

No more Champions League glory hopesAlready, their hunt for UEFA Champions League glory is dead. The Red Devils’ new generation of players couldn’t survive the existing pressure in the group phase of the tournament. Dropping points to Portuguese giants Benfica in the process seemed understandable, but losing to FC Basel in the Round of 16 decider was something too alarming to believe.

This defeat relegated Fergie’s team to the UEFA Europa League and provoked jeers among the Red Devils’ army of haters. But in typical fashion, battered Manchester United fans vowed to cheer their lads all the way to Europa League glory.

For them, this second-tier competition has now become important but they may have to review their priority list considering Alex Ferguson’s judgment of Manchester United’s continental fate. Quickly after the Red Devils’ exit from the Champions League at the expense of FC Basel, Fergie publicly avowed his lack of respect for UEFA Europa League football.

The Old Scott declared that “It does mean one thing. Thursdays all the way through. Thursday and Sundays. That’s got to be dealt with. It’s not the best, but that’s our penalty for not qualifying tonight.”

Many will agree that lack of interest in a project precedes failure while the combination of passion, faith and skill or luck is the recipe to success. Which of these two different things do Manchester United have most towards the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League competition?

We are yet to know how the 2008 UEFA Champions League winners will perform in Europe’s second-tier tournament. However, one bit of disinterest could cost them much. Manchester United will have to play Dutch giants Ajax in the Round of 16 and their high pedigree may not mean anything during the two-legged contest.

The likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and even Blackburn Rovers have proven that Ferguson’s young players have a lot to learn and achieve before bragging about past glories. There are many strong teams left in the UEFA Europa League that could punish Alex Ferguson for disregarding the brilliance of the competition.

A racist, a troublesome guy or a lively player – Who is Liverpool’s Luis Suarez?

A racist, a troublesome guy or a lively player – Who is Liverpool’s Luis Suarez?
By Angela Asante, January 5 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

There is only one Luis Suarez in England but football fans with different opinions have their own version of what the Uruguayan striker’s personality really is like.Sandra Diaz, Luis Suarez’s mother, claims to know the 24-year-old better than anyone in the world. The Montevideo inhabitant spoke to the press on Wednesday as she came in defense of her accused son, saying:

“I laugh when they call my son racist. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm afraid now when he comes up against a black person, especially because they're going to go looking for him.“I know my son. I know he has to calm down a bit with things like the salute he made to rival fans. But he's no racist.”Others believe that this race row, marked by the alleged use of the word “negro” or “negrito”, is the result of cultural misunderstanding.“I am very upset by the things said about me, all very far from the truth. In my country, 'negro' is a word which doesn't show any lack of respect and is even less so a form of racist abuse,” Luis Suarez reportedly told the press as the issue circulated rapidly in the media.

“I'll carry out the suspension with the resignation of someone who has done nothing wrong.”The accused player claims to have done nothing wrong, but the FA’s 115-page report reveals otherwise. According to the linguistic experts used by the FA, Suarez said “porque tu eres negro” in Spanish, which means “because you are black”, when Patrice Evra asked him why he had been fouled.In reply, the Manchester United defender allegedly threatened to punch Suarez if he reiterated the statement. The Uruguayan eventually responded by saying “no hablo con los negros”, which means “I don’t speak to blacks”.

Newcastle 3 - 0 Man Utd

Newcastle 3 - 0 Man Utd
By Saj Chowdhury Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Manchester United's, title challenge, suffers another blow, after they, are swept aside by, Newcastle, at Sports, Direct Arena,

Manchester United's title challenge suffered another blow after they were swept aside by Newcastle.The visitors, who lost to Blackburn on New Year's Eve, went behind before the break when striker Demba Ba hooked in his 15th goal of the season.

Yohan Cabaye doubled Newcastle's lead with a 30-yard free-kick before Phil Jones diverted in a late own goal.Wayne Rooney had a shot blocked on the line and Dimitar Berbatov's header hit the post for the champions.The Jones howler, which came deep in stoppage time, summed up Manchester United's night at the Sports Direct Arena.Visiting manager Sir Alex Ferguson said prior to the match that his side may be affected by the strong winds and they failed to cope in the difficult conditions while Alan Pardew's Newcastle thrived. But the away side were also slow to the loose ball and ineffective in attack.The defeat leaves the champions three points behind fierce local rivals Manchester City who beat Liverpool 3-0 on Tuesday.And with Tottenham breathing down their necks, Ferguson will need to call upon all his great managerial experience to lift his players again after two successive league defeats....

Scotland boss Craig Levein hopes for Darren Fletcher return

Scotland boss Craig Levein hopes for Darren Fletcher return
Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Scotland, manger Craig Levein, hopes to have, captain Darren Fletcher, available for the, 2014 World Cup, qualifying campaign, starting, in September,

Scotland boss Craig Levein has not given up hope of having captain Darren Fletcher available for the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying in September.The Manchester United midfielder is taking a break from football as he is suffering from the bowel condition ulcerative collitis.

"He's out for four months' complete rest, and then we can reassess things," Levein told BBC Scotland's Sportscene."I'd be desperately hoping [to have him for the qualifiers]. He's a huge loss."Scotland begin their campaign to reach the World Cup in Brazil with a double-header against Serbia and Macedonia in Glasgow.When Fletcher announced in December that he was facing an "extended" spell away from the game, there were immediate doubts over his ability to help his national team.The news also sparked fears for the player's career, but Levein has raised the possibility that, with proper rest, Fletcher could return to fitness in time to lead his country later in the year."He's had this for nearly four years now," Levein said. "He's been pushing himself and he's really suffering it this time.....

Real Madrid vs Málaga Report

Real Madrid vs Málaga Report
By Angela Asante, January 4 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Real Madrid, redefined, team work, and character. last night, in their, comeback victory, over ,Malaga,

Real Madrid redefined team work and character last night in their comeback victory over Malaga.Jose Mourinho picked up a strong starting XI as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain led the forward line with the assistance of Kaka and Callejon.

Lass and Xabi Alonso combined in the defensive midfield area as Real Madrid’s back four missed the services of Sergio Ramos. For Malaga, former Merengues Ruud van Nistelrooy started.The first goal in 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu went the visitors’ way. Sergio Sanchez was too strong to beat in the air and his header from a corner ended up crossing the line.Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Callejon tried to respond with efforts of their own, but the score line remained 1-0 until Martin Demichelis doubled the advantage for Malaga. Shockingly, Iker Casillas conceded his second header of the night as Pellegrini’s new-look men were in for an upset.At the hour mark, it really looked like defeat would be Real Madrid’s. Los Blancos, however, had other ideas. In dramatic fashion, they turned the tables around to make their opening of the year 2012 a memorable one.In fact, Jose Mourinho’s triple substitution at the start of the second half certainly paid off. The Portuguese manager sent in Sami Khedira, Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil in replacement of Arbeloa, Kaka and Callejon respectively.German international Khedira thought he had scored in the 57th minute but the referee rightfully disallowed the goal for offside. Still, Real Madrid kept pushing forward through the energy of Benzema, Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, Sami Khedira got his name on the scoring sheet after marvelously controlling the ball in the buildup.At 2-1, there was hope for Real Madrid. In a blink of an eye, Los Blancos went leveled. Gonzalo Higuain’s shot from a tight angle played the trick inside the 70th minute.French striker Karim Benzema sealed the comeback 12 minutes from normal time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 advantage ahead of the second leg of this tie.

Barcelona vs Osasuna: The game will not be easy, says Guardiola

Barcelona vs Osasuna: The game will not be easy, says Guardiola
By Isaac Asante, January 4 2012,

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Barcelona, play Osasuna, later in the day in the Copa del Rey, but Pep Guardiola, believes the match, will look nothing, like the meeting, they had earlier this season.

Barcelona destroyed Osasuna 8-0 in a league match on 17 September 2011 at the Camp Nou. The two clubs once again face each other in Cataluña, but Guardiola is not even eyeing an easy challenge.“That was a long time ago,” he said while referring to his side’s major triumph over Los Rojillos. “The situation has changed.”Preferring to look at his mission in its entirety, he added: “This is a 180-minute match and we have to try to get a good result.”Indeed, good results are just what Barcelona need if they are to get through their busy schedule this month with satisfaction. Using the team’s key players wisely is the central idea of Guardiola’s plan, but he has yet to decide whether Lionel Messi will perform tonight or not.He has however affirmed that “the sooner he returns the better.” Iniesta is also said to be making great improvements, and he is therefore expected to play a few minutes against Osasuna.

Chelsea’s Juan Mata backs Villas-Boas and Torres as Blues maintain hopes for glory

Chelsea’s Juan Mata backs Villas-Boas and Torres as Blues maintain hopes for glory
By Angela Asante, January 4 2012,

soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Although Andre Villas-Boas and Fernando Torres are under scrutiny at Chelsea, key player Juan Mata has found reasons to believe in the Blues’ chances for success this year.

The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder can look down at this individual performance at Chelsea with pride. The former Valencia play maker has already provided 9 assists and scored 5 goals in 23 appearances for the Blues. However, his good form has been overshadowed by the entire team’s flaws from a general point of view.“It's true we've had a little crisis of results,” Juan Mata admitted before reiterating his belief in Chelsea’s criticized manager.“But Villas-Boas is doing things very well and both the players and the club have a lot of confidence in him. He won everything with Porto last year.”

Andre Villas-Boas is not the only person targeted by the public’s criticism. Striker Fernando Torres is also constantly blamed for Chelsea’s failure to reach higher standards. Mata, however, is among the few people that haven’t lost hope in Torres.“Torres was very good in the last game [against Wolves which Chelsea won 2-1]. He wanted to play a full game, is training hard and wants to contribute to the team.“He can rest assured that the team and the coach all have confidence in him. I'm sure he will score many goals for the club,” Mata concluded.

With their victory over Wolves, Chelsea did just enough to remain in the top 4 zone. The Blues seat above Arsenal by a point, but they lack behind league leaders Manchester City by 11 points. Meanwhile, 5 points separate them from Tottenham Hotspur.The bad news for Chelsea fans is that Spurs have played a game less. This means that the gap between the third position and the fourth position could increase from 5 points to 8.This weekend, Chelsea will have the chance to kick-off their FA Cup campaign on a high. They will be at home to former Premier League team Portsmouth.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could be set to make a nostalgic return to north London

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could be set to make a nostalgic return to north London
By Stewart Flaherty, December 26 2011,

At the start, of this month, Arsenal fans, were delighted, that the ,club erected, a statue, legendary striker, Thierry Henry, outside, Emirates Stadium,soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles,

The statue of Henry was unveiled as part the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations, and now Gunners fans could be ready for an even better gift just after Christmas, the return to Arsenal of the man himself.

Arsene Wenger signed Henry for Arsenal in 1999, and the enigmatic striker spent eight successful years in England’s capital, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. The graceful French striker scored 226 goals during his time with the Gunners, before leaving to join FC Barcelona in the summer of 2007.Henry is currently employed by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, but has been training with Arsenal since the end of the American season.This shows the favorable relationship Henry still enjoys with Wenger and his former club, and reports have been surfacing about the Frenchman performing very well during these sessions. In fact, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told The Telegraph newspaper that Arsenal’s current players “can’t get the ball off him,” when defending against Henry.While it is unlikely Henry would scale the heights of his first spell with the club, when he was twice awarded the PFA Player of the Year award, and four times finished as the Premier League’s leading goal scorer, Henry would give a boost to the Arsenal squad.....

Alfio Basile to become the new coach of Racing Club for the fourth time

Alfio Basile to become the new coach of Racing Club for the fourth time
By Gregory Sica, December 26 2011,

The former, Argentina, boss, will be hoping, for a, successful, fourth stint, at La Academia, soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles

Alfio Basile has accepted to replace Diego Simeone as the new coach of Racing Club. The former Argentina boss is expected to sign a one-year deal with the popular Avellaneda club on Wednesday."I'm travelling to Buenos Aires to finish the final details, which are only minor and don't put the negotiations under any risks, so that we can say that Alfio will return to Racing, " Norberto Recassens, the agent of the coach, affirmed to Telam.Recassens left his vacations momentarily, so that he could travel to the Argentine capital to come to an agreement with Racing over the minor details left in the contract, in order to speed up the hiring process.

"There are a few minor clauses in the contract to adjust, which will be for one year. They are only minor details. 'Coco' told me: 'now we will become champions,'" added Recassens.Basile, 68, will sign a contract for the upcoming Clausura and the following Apertura 2012. It will be his fourth stint at the club, where he won silverware both as a player and as a coach.Simeone, who was given the door by Racing after failing to lead the club into the 2012 Copa Libertadores, is likely to be named the new coach of Atletico Madrid sometime this week. With Simeone Racing ended the 2011 Apertura championship in second place.For that reason last Friday Gaston Cogorno, the new president of Racing, reunited with a few of his directors, including General Coordinator Roberto Ayala, for discussions with a keen Basile.Basile led Racing to the Argentine championship in 1966, before leading them to both the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup the following year.While Boca Juniors was the last club Basile coached, he had coached the Argentine national team between 2006 and 2008, before being replaced by Diego Maradona after a 1-0 defeat to Chile in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match.