2009 December | England Premier League Media

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool

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Fernando Torres scored in the 93rd minute to give Liverpool a dramatic late victory over Aston Villa.

The Reds’ season of frustration looked set to continue as Villa produced a spirited display in snowy conditions.

Steven Gerrard went close, Pepe Reina denied Stewart Downing and Gabriel Agbonlahor, and John Carew headed wide.

A draw beckoned but Torres raced on to a ricochet and slotted in, setting a record for reaching 50 league goals for Liverpool in the fewest appearances.

The Spaniard strike provided a pulsating end to a disappointing encounter and Liverpool’s joy at snatching a morale-boosting three points was clear for all to see.

Torres will dominate the headlines having notched 50 goals in 72 Premier League matches, but much of the credit should go to Pepe Reina, who kept his team in contention with a couple of magnificent saves.

He helped Liverpool to only their sixth win from 19 matches in all competitions, which lifts them above Birmingham into seventh, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and two adrift of Villa.

Martin O’Neill’s men drop down to sixth having scored fewer goals than Manchester City and they are entitled to feel totally deflated by their last-gasp defeat.

The sense of importance surrounding the match was heightened by the knowledge that a win for either side would boost their top-four aspirations.

And there was little to choose between them during a cautious opening period that saw both teams zip the ball around with confidence and work hard for an early breakthrough.

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Alberto Aquilani was handed his second start in four days at the heart of Liverpool’s 4-4-1-1 formation and the Italian midfielder linked well with Gerrard and Torres.

Gerrard came close to opening the scoring when he collected a Torres pass and curled a dipping first-time strike towards goal, only for a back-tracking Brad Friedel to tip it over the bar.

For all their effort, Villa’s desire to prise open the Liverpool defence was undermined by a lack of creativity in midfield.

With Ashley Young suspended, the recently impressive James Milner was deployed on the left of a 4-4-2 system and the Englishman struggled to assert his authority on proceedings.

The hosts had to wait 24 minutes for their first shot on target – Milner drove tamely at Reina – but they were gifted an opening on the half-hour.

Milner hoisted a corner to the back post where a completely unmarked Downing saw a smashed volley expertly saved from point-blank range by the arm of Reina.

At the other end, Liverpool felt they should have been awarded a penalty for a mis-timed tackle by Richard Dunne on Dirk Kuyt, but referee Lee Probert waved away their appeals.

Amid bitterly cold conditions and heavy snowfall, the players deserved credit for the general quality of the first half – but the same could not be said about much of the second.

Despite Liverpool having lost four of their previous six away league games, Villa strikers Agbonlahor and Carew posed little threat to the visitors’ back four.

That said, the hosts’ midfield became sloppy as the match wore on, starving their front men of service and allowing Liverpool to push forward at every opportunity.

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But the Anfield club could not translate their dominance into goalscoring chances and Torres looked particularly off-form.

The game was in desperate need of a goal and the breakthrough might have arrived when Agbonlahor capitalised on Jamie Carragher’s slip to race clear, but his low effort was turned behind by Reina.

Moments later, Carew glanced a header just wide of the far post from Milner’s corner and Villa had a penalty shout rejected when Emiliano Insua appeared to head the ball on to his arm.

When the fourth official indicated four minutes of injury time it was Villa who seemed most likely to go on and snatch a last-gasp winner.

But the hosts carelessly relinquished possession and after a ricochet put Torres clean though on goal, the 25-year-old made no mistake with a crisp finish into the bottom corner.

Live text and stats

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Premier League

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+5:36 The referee ends the match.
90:00+5:09 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Milner by Dirk Kuyt. Indirect free kick taken by James Milner.
90:00+3:56 Substitution (Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Fabio Aurelio coming on for Yossi Benayoun.
90:00+3:56 Short corner worked by Martin Skrtel.
90:00+2:11 GOAL – Fernando Torres:Aston Villa 0 – 1 Liverpool Goal scored by Fernando Torres from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool.
90:00+1:42 Centre by Marc Albrighton, save by Jose Reina.
90:00+1:12 James Milner delivers the ball, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.
90:00+0:59 A cross is delivered by Gabriel Agbonlahor, clearance made by Jamie Carragher.
90:00+0:35 Corner taken by Marc Albrighton from the right by-line played to the near post, Leiva Lucas manages to make a clearance.
90:00+0:26 Marc Albrighton produces a cross, clearance by Daniel Agger.
90:00+0:03 Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Skrtel on James Milner. James Milner takes the indirect free kick.
89:02 Emiliano Insua has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target.
88:22 Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.
88:22 Substitution Glen Johnson goes off and Martin Skrtel comes on.
88:22 Steven Gerrard takes the outswinging corner,
87:55 Shot by Gabriel Agbonlahor. Save made by Jose Reina.
87:03 Effort from the edge of the area by Gabriel Agbonlahor goes wide of the right-hand upright.
83:38 Glen Johnson delivers the ball, Richard Dunne makes a clearance.
81:45 A cross is delivered by Steven Gerrard.
80:44 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Luke Young results in a free kick. Steven Gerrard takes the free kick.
80:36 Emiliano Insua produces a cross.
80:14 Yossi Benayoun takes a short corner.
79:54 Emiliano Insua takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Marc Albrighton gets a block in.
78:53 Substitution Steve Sidwell replaces Stewart Downing.
77:47 Centre by Emiliano Insua, save made by Brad Friedel.
76:38 Substitution Ryan Babel replaces Alberto Aquilani.
76:38 Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne.
75:21 Unfair challenge on Jamie Carragher by John Carew results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Glen Johnson.
73:25 The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing.
72:38 The ball is crossed by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
72:25 The ball is crossed by James Milner, Emiliano Insua makes a clearance.
71:18 Substitution Marc Albrighton comes on in place of Nigel Reo-Coker.
Correction – 69:39 James Milner takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Close range headed effort by John Carew misses
to the right of the target.
69:39 Corner taken right-footed by James Milner to the near post.
69:18 Gabriel Agbonlahor has a drilled shot. Save made by Jose Reina.
68:48 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Leiva Lucas. Leiva Lucas takes the free kick.
67:55 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Stewart Downing, Jose Reina makes a save.
67:43 James Milner produces a cross, blocked by Emiliano Insua.
66:55 Gabriel Agbonlahor sends in a cross, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
61:34 Carlos Cuellar concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Gerrard. Alberto Aquilani produces a strike on goal direct from
the free kick.
61:12 John Carew challenges Daniel Agger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
60:56 The ball is sent over by James Milner, clearance by Daniel Agger.
60:42 Daniel Agger gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. Gabriel Agbonlahor takes the free kick.
59:25 Foul by Leiva Lucas on Gabriel Agbonlahor, free kick awarded. Stephen Warnock restarts play with the free kick.
59:03 Shot by Glen Johnson. Richard Dunne gets a block in.
58:57 A cross is delivered by Fernando Torres, clearance made by Richard Dunne.
58:03 Unfair challenge on Nigel Reo-Coker by Dirk Kuyt results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stiliyan Petrov.
56:15 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard.
54:38 Gabriel Agbonlahor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas. Daniel Agger restarts play with the free
kick.
50:00 The ball is sent over by John Carew.
48:38 Luke Young delivers the ball.
47:44 Corner taken by Stewart Downing played to the near post, Fernando Torres manages to make a clearance.
45:19 John Carew challenges Jamie Carragher unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jose Reina.
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time
45:00+1:26 The half-time whistle blows.
45:00+0:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Nigel Reo-Coker on Alberto Aquilani. Free kick taken by Fernando Torres.
42:27 Stiliyan Petrov takes the free kick.
42:27 Booking Leiva Lucas receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
42:12 Leiva Lucas concedes a free kick for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.
41:27 The ball is delivered by Luke Young, save made by Jose Reina.
40:29 Jamie Carragher takes the free kick.
40:29 Booking Richard Dunne goes into the referee’s book for unsporting behaviour.
40:22 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Richard Dunne.
38:51 James Milner crosses the ball, John Carew takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.
36:58 Unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor by Leiva Lucas results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.
36:40 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, Stephen Warnock makes a clearance.
35:36 Foul by Stewart Downing on Alberto Aquilani, free kick awarded. Alberto Aquilani takes the free kick.
35:14 Centre by Glen Johnson, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
34:34 Dirk Kuyt fouled by James Milner, the ref awards a free kick. Leiva Lucas takes the direct free kick.
31:29 Effort from the edge of the penalty box by John Carew goes wide of the right-hand upright.
30:29 James Milner takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Glen Johnson makes a clearance.
29:35 Corner from the left by-line taken by James Milner, Stewart Downing takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a save.
29:04 The assistant referee signals for offside against Fernando Torres. Free kick taken by Richard Dunne.
28:14 Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.
27:17 Corner taken by Steven Gerrard.
27:02 Steven Gerrard takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Stiliyan Petrov manages to make a clearance.
Correction – 26:45 Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Carlos Cuellar gets a block in.
26:45 Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Blocked by Carlos Cuellar.
25:46 Free kick awarded for a foul by Luke Young on Yossi Benayoun. Free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.
24:34 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel Reo-Coker by Dirk Kuyt. Stiliyan Petrov takes the direct free kick.
23:50 James Milner has an effort at goal from 25 yards. Save by Jose Reina.
17:25 Yossi Benayoun has a drilled shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
17:17 Centre by Steven Gerrard, Richard Dunne makes a clearance.
16:51 Steven Gerrard takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by James Milner.
16:36 Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
15:25 Steven Gerrard takes the outswinging corner, John Carew manages to make a clearance.
14:40 Nigel Reo-Coker concedes a free kick for a foul on Alberto Aquilani. Steven Gerrard has an effort direct from the free kick,
blocked by Nigel Reo-Coker.
13:10 Inswinging corner taken by Stewart Downing, Richard Dunne takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.
13:00 John Carew sends in a cross, blocked by Daniel Agger.
12:30 Leiva Lucas takes a shot from 25 yards. Blocked by Luke Young.
12:08 Corner from the right by-line taken by Steven Gerrard, clearance by Richard Dunne.
12:00 Centre by Dirk Kuyt, blocked by Richard Dunne.
10:01 A cross is delivered by James Milner, clearance by Jamie Carragher.
7:37 Free kick awarded for a foul by Emiliano Insua on James Milner. Indirect free kick taken by James Milner.
5:59 Unfair challenge on James Milner by Leiva Lucas results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Richard Dunne.
5:46 Emiliano Insua produces a cross, clearance by Luke Young.
5:14 Corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line played to the near post, Carlos Cuellar makes a clearance.
2:36 Stewart Downing takes a shot. Blocked by Alberto Aquilani.
2:10 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor by Emiliano Insua. Stiliyan Petrov takes the free kick.
1:39 Stewart Downing crosses the ball, Dirk Kuyt manages to make a clearance.
1:12 Corner taken by Stewart Downing from the right by-line, Emiliano Insua manages to make a clearance.
1:04 Stiliyan Petrov crosses the ball, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Filed under: Liverpool by: admin

Liverpool’s players handed boss Rafael Benitez a welcome Christmas tonic with a battling win against 10-man Wolves.

The hosts were poor throughout but forced their way into the game after Wolves controversially had Stephen Ward sent off for two yellow cards.

The numerical advantage allowed Steven Gerrard to powerfully head home an Emiliano Insua cross after the break.

Yossi Benayoun doubled the lead with a deflected effort from close range to hand the hosts an unconvincing victory.

Liverpool went into the match having won just two of their previous eight league games and in the unusual position of being mid-table at the mid-way point of the season.

And while fans will not be convinced they have turned the corner after another stuttering display, the cheers around at Anfield at the final whistle will at least offer Benitez some festive cheer.

Wolves were the better side at times and manager Mick McCarthy will surely point to the dismissal of Ward as the turning point.

Referee Andre Marriner showed the defender a second yellow card – but only after being surrounded by Liverpool players for incorrectly cautioning Christophe Berra.

McCarthy had clearly fancied his side’s chances of causing an upset by fielding a full-strength team – a very different approach to Wolves’ recent outing against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

But the decision to field an attacking 4-4-2 formation allowed Liverpool to take control of the game in the early stages.

Rafael Benitez

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Aquilani will improve – Benitez

The visitors were fortunate Glen Johnson scooped a shot wide after finding space down the right while Fernando Torres, showing no sign of his long-standing groin injury, then tested Marcus Hahnemann after wriggling free in the inside left channel.

Alberto Aquilani, finally making his first Premier League start, looked comfortable in possession but some ill-advised flicks in and around the box tested the patience of an increasingly nervous Anfield crowd.

And Wolves, inspired by their fine recent form in the league, pushed forward and began to create chances of their own.

Nenad Milijas forced Pepe Reina into action from a free-kick before Kevin Doyle put a sharp header wide from only three yards out.

And the hosts’ promising start had well and truly faded by the time Kevin Foley failed to control in the box after being left completely unmarked as the tension and frustration around a freezing Anfield increased still further.

But Wolves’ hopes were dealt a blow when Ward was sent off early in the second half in chaotic circumstances.

The left-back, already cautioned for a tug on Benayoun, was eventually shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lucas – but not before referee Marriner incorrectly penalised Berra for the offence.

Liverpool’s players crowded round the official to highlight his error and after consultation with his assistant, Marriner altered his decision and sent Ward off.

Mick McCarthy

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Sending-off was harsh – McCarthy

The incident appeared to galvanise the Reds and they soon took the lead when Insua’s teasing cross was met in dominant fashion by home captain Gerrard, leaving Hahnemann with no chance.

Any result still seemed possible as gaps appeared all over the field, however, until Benayoun made it 2-0 midway through the second half.

Another fine cross, this time from Fabio Aurelio, found its way to the Israeli and his shot took a cruel deflection off Karl Henry and looped into the net.

From that point on there was no way back for Wolves but McCarthy can take a raft of positives from another impressive display.

Liverpool fans will be thankful of the points but their side are still a shadow of the team that sat top of the Premier League on Boxing Day last season.

Live text and stats

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Premier League

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+4:12 The match has reached full-time.
90:00+3:45 The assistant referee signals for offside against Daniel Pacheco. Marcus Hahnemann restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+3:39 Steven Gerrard sends in a cross, George Elokobi makes a clearance.
90:00+0:28 Corner taken by Leiva Lucas from the right by-line, Richard Stearman manages to make a clearance.
89:07 Dirk Kuyt sends in a cross, Marcus Hahnemann makes a comfortable save.
87:43 Substitution Jay Spearing on for Yossi Benayoun.
86:53 Dirk Kuyt concedes a free kick for a foul on Karl Henry. Marcus Hahnemann takes the free kick.
83:51 Substitution Alberto Aquilani leaves the field to be replaced by Daniel Pacheco.
81:58 The ball is crossed by Steven Gerrard, save made by Marcus Hahnemann.
81:21 Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Mancienne on Yossi Benayoun. Jamie Carragher restarts play with the free kick.
77:16 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, Yossi Benayoun produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
76:06 George Elokobi fouled by Yossi Benayoun, the ref awards a free kick. Marcus Hahnemann restarts play with the free kick.
75:11 Substitution (Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Dirk Kuyt coming on for Fabio Aurelio.
75:04 Matthew Jarvis crosses the ball.
72:44 Fernando Torres takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Marcus Hahnemann.
69:21 GOAL – Yossi Benayoun:Liverpool 2 – 0 Wolverhampton Yossi Benayoun finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool
2-0 Wolverhampton.
68:44 Fabio Aurelio sends in a cross, Jody Craddock makes a clearance.
67:35 Alberto Aquilani challenges Chris Iwelumo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Mancienne.
65:50 Substitution (Wolverhampton) makes a substitution, with Chris Iwelumo coming on for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
64:42 The ball is sent over by Emiliano Insua, George Elokobi makes a clearance.
62:57 Steven Gerrard takes a short corner.
61:12 Substitution Michael Mancienne comes on in place of Nenad Milijas.
61:12 Assist on the goal came from Emiliano Insua.
61:12 GOAL – Steven Gerrard:Liverpool 1 – 0 Wolverhampton Steven Gerrard scores a headed goal from close range. Liverpool 1-0 Wolverhampton.
59:47 Corner from the right by-line taken by Fabio Aurelio, save by Marcus Hahnemann.
59:42 Yossi Benayoun delivers the ball, blocked by George Elokobi.
57:28 Substitution George Elokobi comes on in place of Kevin Doyle.
55:30 Steven Gerrard produces a drilled right-footed shot from 18 yards. Christophe Berra gets a block in.
54:45 Glen Johnson delivers the ball, clearance made by Christophe Berra.
52:25 Free kick crossed right-footed by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Karl Henry.
52:25 Sent off The referee shows Stephen Ward a red card.
51:20 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Stephen Ward.
50:21 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard, free kick awarded for a foul by Yossi Benayoun on Karl Henry. Marcus
Hahnemann restarts play with the free kick.
50:03 Steven Gerrard has an effort at goal. Save made by Marcus Hahnemann.
48:18 The ball is delivered by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Nenad Milijas misses to the left
of the goal.
47:24 The free kick is delivered left-footed by Fabio Aurelio from right wing, save by Marcus Hahnemann.
47:24 Booking Stephen Ward goes into the referee’s book.
47:10 Stephen Ward concedes a free kick for a foul on Yossi Benayoun.
45:36 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christophe Berra by Steven Gerrard. Marcus Hahnemann takes the direct free kick.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
Half Time
45:00+1:12 The match has reached half-time.
45:00+0:40 Leiva Lucas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nenad Milijas. Direct free kick taken by Nenad Milijas.
44:10 Glen Johnson takes a shot from 18 yards. Marcus Hahnemann makes a fantastic save.
40:43 Corner from right by-line taken by Steven Gerrard.
40:32 Drilled left-footed shot by Leiva Lucas. Blocked by Christophe Berra.
38:50 Leiva Lucas takes a long range shot harmlessly clearing the crossbar.
38:19 Centre by Karl Henry.
36:45 Free kick awarded for a foul by Nenad Milijas on Alberto Aquilani. Alberto Aquilani takes the direct free kick.
35:08 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Christophe Berra results in a free kick. Fabio Aurelio crosses the ball in from the
free kick, Marcus Hahnemann makes a comfortable save.
31:48 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Agger by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
30:42 Steven Gerrard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew Jarvis. Direct free kick taken by Marcus Hahnemann.
30:34 The ball is delivered by Glen Johnson, Stephen Ward manages to make a clearance.
30:01 Foul by Kevin Foley on Alberto Aquilani, free kick awarded. Emiliano Insua takes the free kick.
29:15 Fernando Torres is ruled offside. Marcus Hahnemann restarts play with the free kick.
28:19 Foul by Jody Craddock on Fabio Aurelio, free kick awarded. Emiliano Insua takes the direct free kick.
27:34 Leiva Lucas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Ward. Direct free kick taken by Nenad Milijas.
26:43 Effort from the edge of the area by Fernando Torres goes wide of the left-hand post.
25:20 Nenad Milijas has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
23:22 Nenad Milijas takes the inswinging corner, Kevin Doyle produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide
of the right-hand upright.
22:16 Daniel Agger concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Doyle. Shot on goal comes in from Nenad Milijas from the free kick,
save made by Jose Reina.
21:40 The assistant referee flags for offside against Fernando Torres. Jody Craddock restarts play with the free kick.
21:23 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake takes a shot from 12 yards. Jose Reina makes a comfortable save.
19:34 The ball is sent over by Yossi Benayoun, Christophe Berra makes a clearance.
18:08 Centre by Fernando Torres, comfortable save by Marcus Hahnemann.
17:42 A cross is delivered by Emiliano Insua, clearance made by Christophe Berra.
17:32 Fernando Torres sends in a cross, clearance made by Jody Craddock.
16:57 Richard Stearman crosses the ball, Nenad Milijas produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide
left of the target.
15:51 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Fabio Aurelio.
15:43 The ball is swung over by Emiliano Insua, clearance made by Stephen Ward.
13:40 Fabio Aurelio crosses the ball, clearance made by Christophe Berra.
10:34 Kevin Doyle concedes a free kick for a foul on Alberto Aquilani. A cross is delivered by Fabio Aurelio, Headed effort on
goal by Fernando Torres from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
8:23 Steven Gerrard sends in a cross.
7:17 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Stephen Ward.
Correction – 7:06 Fernando Torres has an effort at goal. Marcus Hahnemann makes a save.
7:06 Shot from 12 yards by Fabio Aurelio. Marcus Hahnemann makes a save.
5:29 Steven Gerrard has a drilled shot. Marcus Hahnemann makes a comfortable save.
4:30 Centre by Glen Johnson.
2:16 The ball is delivered by Kevin Doyle, clearance made by Jamie Carragher.
0:12 Nenad Milijas challenges Fernando Torres unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fabio Aurelio produces a shot on goal direct
from the free kick, comfortable save by Marcus Hahnemann.
0:00 The referee gets the match started.

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Sir Bobby ‘lived for his charity’

Filed under: Fulham by: admin

The son of Sir Bobby Robson has thanked everyone who made donations to the cancer charity set up by his father.

Andrew Robson said the foundation, which has so far raised 2.1m, had given his father a new lease of life.

The County Durham-born football legend died on 31 July, aged 76, after a long battle against the disease.

The Sir Bobby Robson Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital focuses on early detection and treatment, as well as clinical trials of new drugs.

As well as funding equipment, the foundation has paid for the salary of a full-time nurse and doctor over the next three years.

Andrew Robson said: “Cancer seems to claim so many lives and causes so much misery.”

He said the foundation was going from strength to strength, and its work would continue, he said.

Mr Robson also said setting up the charity helped Sir Bobby, who managed England for eight years and also had spells at Ipswich Town, Barcelona and Newcastle United.

“Its setting up gave him a second life, a new burst of energy,” he said.

“He was always very determined in all that he tackled and nothing more so than with the foundation.

“It really gave him something to live for.”

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Mancini eyes Man City title glory

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Roberto Mancini

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Mancini sets targets for City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has his sights set on a top-four finish this season before going all out to win the Premier League title next term.

Former Inter Milan boss Mancini was unveiled as City’s new boss on Monday, replacing the sacked Mark Hughes.

“At this moment my target is the top four,” said Mancini. “Next season we want to win the Premier League.

“I hope to stay here for many years and win many trophies. City has great fans. I hope we do a good job for them.”

Mancini was appointed manager of City on Saturday, signing a three-and-a-half year contract at the club.

Hughes lasted only 18 months in the job and was axed with the club lying in sixth place in the top flight and having been beaten only twice in the league this season.

They are also through to the Carling Cup semi-finals, where they will face neighbours Manchester United.

Yet City’s owners felt that the side were not making enough progress under Hughes following a heavy spending spree on players such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry and were unlikely to meet a pre-agreed 70-point target.

But Mancini is confident he can achieve this target and turn City into a side capable of securing Champions League football this season.

And the 45-year-old wants unsettled forward Robinho to be part of City’s push for success over the next two years.

Robinho had a fractious relationship with Hughes and has been frequently linked with a move to Barcelona.

Barca club president Joan Laporta has tried to play down the link but the rumours have persisted.

“Robinho is a fantastic player but, for a big player like him, it is important to make the history of a club,” Mancini said.

“I played at Sampdoria for 15 years. I wrote the history. It is important. Robinho can do that here.”

Manchester City have not won a League title since 1968, their second such triumph, but Mancini has a good track record of delivering success.

Mancini’s title with Inter in 2006 was the club’s first Scudetto since 1989 and ended more than a decade of sitting in the shadow of city rivals AC Milan.

The Italian, like Hughes, will be given huge financial backing by the club’s owners but while he did not say if he would add to the squad in January, he did reveal that the choice of transfers would not solely be his decision.

“In Italy, it is not just the manager who decides on players, it is also director of football,” he added.

“I will speak with Garry [Cook, chief executive] and Brian [Kidd, assistant manager]. Together we will decide who we need. It is no problem. The most important thing is for City to win, now and in the future.”

Mancini had a brief spell as a player at Leicester City in 2001 and his former Foxes team-mate, Robbie Savage, who is now at Derby, has no doubt he will be a success at Eastlands.

“Roberto has been given a fantastic opportunity at a fantastic football club,” Savage told BBC Sport.

“I think he will be a success. He has a great manner about him, is a very astute man and I’m sure he knows the Premier League well.

“With Brian Kidd working alongside him, he has a great team.”

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Comment on Arsenal Inferno: Massive arms stock blast in Russia by 4EL0BEK

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FA charge is scandalous – Brown

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FA charge is scandalous – Brown is a post from: England Premier League Media

Phil Brown

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Brown outraged by FA charge

Hull boss Phil Brown has described the Football Association charge facing his club as “scandalous”.

Arsenal and Hull have been accused of failing to control their players after a mass confrontation during the Gunners’ 3-0 win on Saturday.

It was sparked when Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri appeared to deliberately tread on Richard Garcia.

“For us to come under criticism is absolutely scandalous and we’ll be defending it,” said Brown.

“We conducted ourselves in the right manner right the way through the game.

“There was an incident where for some reason – and I can’t answer the accusations against Nasri – he decided to light the touchpaper.

“We had no say in that matter whatsoever.”

Nasri, along with Hull’s Stephen Hunt and Nicky Barmby, were booked for their part in the melee.

The Gunners midfielder escaped any retrospective punishment for the initial foul after referee Steve Bennett reviewed video evidence.

Brown believes Arsenal were responsible for the ugly scenes that followed.

“We were playing competitive football in the first half and defending valiantly for our lives and catching Arsenal every so often on the counter attack,” added Brown.

“We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that’s the reason they decided to light the touchpaper, I’ve got no idea.”

It is not the first time the two teams have fallen out.

Last season, Brown claimed Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas spat at his assistant Brian Horton after the Gunners had scored two late goals to knock Hull out of the FA Cup.

The Spaniard strongly denied Brown’s accusation, and was later cleared by the FA because of a lack of evidence.

Brown, meanwhile, was found guilty of improper conduct for criticising the referee after the game, calling Mike Riley’s performance “disgraceful”.

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‘Superhuman’ Blues thrill McLeish

Filed under: Portsmouth by: admin

‘Superhuman’ Blues thrill McLeish is a post from: England Premier League Media

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has paid tribute to the “almost superhuman” efforts of his team in their recent successful run.

McLeish has named the same starting eleven for six games in a row, from which Blues have taken 16 points.

McLeish told BBC WM: “They have almost been superhuman. The consistency of selection has helped us, the spirit that they’ve got is fantastic.

“We are having to make sure that we don’t over-train them in this period.”

McLeish has said throughout the season that his present squad lacks the necessary depth to sustain top for and is mindful of overworking the players, especially at this time of year.

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“[We are making sure] that they get plenty of rest, mentally as well as physically. We have taken steps to try to help them this week to prepare for the Chelsea game.

“The biggest challenge now is keeping the players fresh. You could see in the Everton game, Everton were a bit sharper than us.

“They didn’t have a midweek game and they had fresher legs. That was our third game in eight days.

“For me, I thought our concentration levels were down at the start. But again, they got the energy and power from somewhere.

“I’ve got to take my hat off to these players, whenever they’ve had to find a bit of resilience, they’ve got it in their lockers. I was proud of that.

“That was a magnificent point when I look at it from the point of view of their sharpness and fitness.”

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Wigan v Blackburn

Filed under: Wigan Athletic by: admin

Live text and stats

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Premier League

Barclays Premier League
Venue: DW Stadium Date: Saturday, 26 December 2009 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match against Blackburn on Boxing Day.

He will again be without midfielder Mohamed Diame, who is sidelined for a month because of a knee injury.

Blackburn will be without injured midfield pair David Dunn (calf) and Vince Grella (thigh).

Chris Samba is back after being out with a stomach bug and Brett Emerton could also return to the line-up following a groin strain.

Wigan

Suspended: None

Injured: Diame (knee)

Blackburn

Suspended: None Doubtful: Emerton (groin)

Injured: Dunn (calf), Grella (thigh)

Wigan have hired a JCB snow plough to ensure this local derby does not go the way of Monday’s postponed match against Bolton. Struggling for form and hovering above the relegation zone, the Latics will hope their efforts are rewarded.

Blackburn’s form is also worrying. They may have a Carling Cup semi-final coming up but they have found the net just once in their last six league games, failing to win any of them. Manager Sam Allardyce, who celebrated his first anniversary at the club last week, admits that defeat on Saturday would put “a massive amount of pressure” on the team.

Whereas Blackburn have problems scoring goals, Wigan are struggling at the other end. They have conceded more goals than any other team this season, which makes the meeting with goal-shy Rovers an intriguing one.

Perhaps we’ll be treated to a repeat of the 5-3 thriller these sides served up in December 2007. Wigan were the victors that day, and a similar goal-fest would make the snow plough a brilliant signing.

Head-to-head

These sides have met eight times in the league. Blackburn lead by five wins to two, with one draw.

The home side has come out on top on the last four occasions.

Wigan

Wigan have scored in all but one of their last 11 league games.

The Latics have won every game Hugo Rodallega has scored in this season.

Wigan have the top flight’s worst defensive record, leaking 38 goals in 17 games. They only let in 45 goals in total last season.

Blackburn

Blackburn are pressing for a first win in seven league games.

Blackburn players have been caught offside 59 times this season – more than any other team in the Premier League.

Blackburn are unbeaten on Boxing Day in seven years, since losing to Sunderland in 2001.

Wigan

Rodallega: 6 goals (6 league)

Blackburn

Dunn: 6 goals (5 league)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Assistant referees: Jeremy Simpson & Dave Bryan

Fourth official: Alan Wiley

Wigan (L1-2 v Liverpool, a): Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Scharner, Gomez (Koumas 82), Diame (Scotland 58), Thomas, N’Zogbia, Rodallega. Subs not used: Kingson, Amaya, Cho, Sinclair, De Ridder.

Blackburn (L0-2 v Tottenham, h): Robinson, Jacobsen, Nelsen, Givet, Chimbonda, Salgado (Pedersen 64), Nzonzi, Grella, Hoilett (Roberts 81), McCarthy, Di Santo (Kalinic 72). Subs not used: Brown, Andrews, Diouf, Jones.

Blackburn scorers: McCarthy 45, Nelsen 60

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Liverpool v Wolves

Filed under: Wolverhampton Wanderer by: admin

Live text and stats

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Premier League

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Anfield Date: Saturday, 26 December 2009 Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano begins a four-match suspension so Alberto Aquilani could make his first Premier League start.

Fernando Torres should be passed fit as Liverpool continue to assess his groin problem on a game-by-game basis.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has no fresh injury concerns and is poised to name an unchanged side.

Kevin Foley is set to continue in midfield with Dave Edwards sidelined by an ankle injury.

Liverpool

Suspended: Mascherano (four matches) Doubtful: None

Injured: El Zhar (ankle), Riera (hamstring)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Suspended: None Doubtful: None

Injured: Edwards, Keogh & Kightly (all ankle), Murray (knee)

Last Christmas was a merry one for Liverpool fans; their side was top of the Premier League and a 3-0 win over Bolton on Boxing Day strengthened their belief that the title would be heading to Anfield.

Twelve months on and the picture is a lot more bleak, with no league title and no prospect of one in 2010. Last week’s defeat at bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth has left the Reds 14 points behind leaders Chelsea and eight points shy of a Champions League place.

Beleaguered manager Rafa Benitez received some public backing from Fernando Torres this week, with the Liverpool striker insisting that the players should shoulder most of the blame. “Sacking the manager is not a solution,” the Reds’ top scorer said.

Liverpool will need to find some solutions against in-form Wolves, who have won three of their last four games – including a 1-0 victory at Tottenham – to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

Their one loss this month came at Manchester United, where Mick McCarthy controversially fielded a reserve team. McCarthy admitted that having his honesty and integrity questioned afterwards was tough to take, but he finds himself under a lot less pressure than the manager in the opposing dugout.

Head-to-head

This is the 95th meeting between these sides. Liverpool have won 45, Wolves 33 and there have been 16 draws.

It is nearly 26 years since Wolves last beat Liverpool, although they have only met twice in that time.

Liverpool

Liverpool have already dropped 27 points this season, compared to 28 in the whole of last season.

The Reds have won two of their last eight league games.

Javier Mascherano’s red card last week was Liverpool’s fourth of the season – the most in the Premier League along with Sunderland.

Fernando Torres has scored 49 goals in 70 Premier League games and will become the fastest player ever to reach 50 league goals for Liverpool if he scores.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have won three of their last four matches, climbing from 18th to 12th.

Wolves have won five top-flight fixtures by Christmas for the first time since 1981.

Only Stoke (15) have scored fewer goals than Wolves (17) this season.

Liverpool

Torres: 11 goals (11 league)

Wolverhampton

Doyle: 5 goals (5 league)

Referee: Andre Marriner

Assistant referees: Mo Matadar & Scott Ledger

Fourth official: Phil Dowd

Liverpool (L0-2 v Portsmouth, a): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua (Aurelio 68), Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas (Spearing 88), Dossena (Benayoun 53), Gerrard, Torres. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Babel, Ngog, Skrtel.

Wolves (W2-0 v Burnley, h): Hahnemann; Stearman, Craddock, Berra, Ward, Foley, Henry, Milijas (Mancienne 68), Jarvis (Iwelumo 87), Ebanks-Blake, Doyle (Elokobi 90). Subs not used: Hennessey, Surman, Maierhofer, Castillo.

Liverpool scorer: Hyypia 90

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FA charge is scandalous – Brown

Filed under: Arsenal by: admin

Phil Brown

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Brown outraged by FA charge

Hull boss Phil Brown has described the Football Association charge facing his club as “scandalous”.

Arsenal and Hull have been accused of failing to control their players after a mass confrontation during the Gunners’ 3-0 win on Saturday.

It was sparked when Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri appeared to deliberately tread on Richard Garcia.

“For us to come under criticism is absolutely scandalous and we’ll be defending it,” said Brown.

“We conducted ourselves in the right manner right the way through the game.

“There was an incident where for some reason – and I can’t answer the accusations against Nasri – he decided to light the touchpaper.

“We had no say in that matter whatsoever.”

Nasri, along with Hull’s Stephen Hunt and Nicky Barmby, were booked for their part in the melee.

The Gunners midfielder escaped any retrospective punishment for the initial foul after referee Steve Bennett reviewed video evidence.

Brown believes Arsenal were responsible for the ugly scenes that followed.

“We were playing competitive football in the first half and defending valiantly for our lives and catching Arsenal every so often on the counter attack,” added Brown.

“We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that’s the reason they decided to light the touchpaper, I’ve got no idea.”

It is not the first time the two teams have fallen out.

Last season, Brown claimed Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas spat at his assistant Brian Horton after the Gunners had scored two late goals to knock Hull out of the FA Cup.

The Spaniard strongly denied Brown’s accusation, and was later cleared by the FA because of a lack of evidence.

Brown, meanwhile, was found guilty of improper conduct for criticising the referee after the game, calling Mike Riley’s performance “disgraceful”.

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