Just when I thought there was a chance that Uli Hoeness was taking my advice, the Bayern boss pulled a 180 and announced the capture of 22-year-old Gladbach midfielder Alexander Baumjohann.  I suppose Hoeness decided he was playing too much of a late Santa (or early Valentine?) role by selling Lukas Podolski to Koeln and surprising Bruno Labbadia with an 18-month loan of Toni Kroos, and needed to balance it out with a bit of Grinch.  Or perhaps Hoeness simply wanted to give Jose Sosa and Breno a friend with whom they could practice their German while on the bench 

Speaking of Podolskis move to Koeln, am I the only one excited about the Poldi-pixel project?  For those who are unfamiliar, its basically Koelns equivalent of a bake sale, the funds from which will go towards paying Podolskis estimated 10m transfer fee.  It is also the cutest thing Ive seen from the transfer market since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan professed his love for Kaka with a proposed transfer fee and salary that put J. Howard Marshall to shame.  For Koelns sake, lets hope that Podolskis reunion with his youth club is more of a Return of the King story than that of this, or worse yet this.

In other news, Mesut Oezil recently earned his first call-up to the Joachim Loews senior Germany squad.  Schalke are probably kicking themselves for letting him go to Bremen, especially because it was on a free transfer and only occurred because Schalke refused to give Oezil a moderate raise in wages.  Then again, its not like Oezil would have a place in Fred Ruttens broken systemwhich brings me to my next item: 

Rutten has got to have the most defensive-minded 4-3-3-based system in the history of football.  He regularly plays three defensive midfielders who provide no support for the strikers, but do protect the back line and occasionally blast the ball 20 yards over the goal.  After starting Ivan Rakitic in midfield in his teams 4-1 DfB Pokal pounding of Carl-Zeiss Jena as well as this past weekend, perhaps Rutten is prepared to change his tactical approach.  My solution: put the Croatian playmaker in the centre, just behind the strikers.  Schalke have scored 9 goals in the 5 matches that featured Rakitic as the #10, but just 16 goals in the remaining 14 matches.  This is not a coincidence.  Especially with four struggling strikers, it is necessary to have a good link between the midfield and forwards.  Rakitic (not Engelaar, Jones, and/or Ernst) is of the right mould. 

Match of the Week (but certainly not surprise of the week): Karlsruhe 3-2 Hamburg 

There were two come-from-behind victories this week, but KSCs triumph takes centre stage for three reasons: 1) it was the more evenly-waged match; 2) a team in the relegation zone beat the team that, with a victory, would have gone first in the Bundesliga; and 3) last week, I predicted that Hamburg would drop points. 

After Hamburg went up 2-0 it looked as though theyd have an easy time closing out the rest of the match.  Then Sebastian Freis and Giovanni Frederico evened the score within four minutes.  In the closing minutes, each side had a player sent off (check out Mladen Petric doing his best Tony Jaa impression here) before Freis scored the winner at the death.  Brilliant stuff! 

Top/Flop of the Week: 

Top: Milivoje Novakovic 

Hes scored 12 of his teams 22 league goals, and may be the only reason why Koeln avoid the drop this year.  This weekends match was a great example of just how much Koeln rely on Novakovics form: Frankfurt took the lead twice, and both times he scored the equalizer.  Lukas Podolski will have the Slovenian ace to thank when he rejoins Koeln this summer.  Speaking of which, who else cant wait to see Poldakovic (Novolski?) tear apart opposing defenses next year? 

Flop: Luca Toni 

He took six shots, most of which were set up with five-star service, but was off-target every time.  Whats the difference between Toni and David Villa?  When Toni is unable to hit the target, hes useless.  Toni was so out of form on Saturday that even Miro Klose, the Mother Teresa of strikers, took the ball off his feet in the 66^th minute to prevent yet another wasted opportunity.

England and Spain have met 21 times in official FIFA matches over the course of history, the very first encounter ending 4-3 to the hosts in Madrid. That said, the English didn't have to wait long for revenge: two years later, in London, the Three Lions put seven past Spain with just one in reply.

Since then the English have enjoyed the bulk of the joy, managing eleven wins to Spain's seven, with two other matches ending in draws. (If we want to get technical, one of the eleven victories was a draw as well, with England prevailing 4-2 on penalties in the 1996 European Championships.)

In recent times, though, Spain have had the best of it, winning the last two friendlies between the sides. In 2004 an Asier del Horno goal gave Spain a 1-0 win in Madrid, albeit with the English contingent upset by the racist abuse from the stands; three years later Andres Iniesta silenced the 58,000 fans at Old Trafford with a second-half winner.

Can the Spaniards make it three in a row in Seville? I think that they can, and here are five reasons why:

1) England lack the attack: I argued prior to Euro 2008 that Spain's weak link was the central defence, and in this regard little has changed. Actually, there is one development: Carles Puyol, probably the best of the bunch, is set to miss Wednesday's match, and thus it'll be two of Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Juanito, Carlos Marchena, or even Sergio Ramos. In other words, it's unlikely to be a first choice pairing.

But here's what they could be up against: Peter Crouch and Gabriel Agbonlahor; a mid-table target man and a forward that, while pacey and exciting, is virtually untried at this level. Crouch has an excellent goalscoring record at international level, but when one looks at the kind of sides he nets against, a pattern emerges: Uruguay, Hungary, Jamaica (3), Trinidad and Tobago, Greece (2), Andorra (2), FYR Macedonia, Estonia, Austria... suddenly his one strike against Croatia during European qualifying looks a bit less impressive. Wayne Rooney is out; Emile Heskey is injured; Carlton Cole is unlikely to start. It's hardly the stuff of nightmares, is it?

2) Lack of midfield width is not a problem: It's certainly true that Spain have some wide talents. Albert Riera isn't doing too badly; Santi Cazorla, while off form, still has some pedigree. But the player whose place out on the wing seems to be the most solid - David Silva - is ironically probably the least 'wide' of the lot. His is a style of play that sees him drift inside more often than not and, if Spain lose possession, this can see his area of the pitch susceptible to the counter-attack. However, Joan Capdevila generally plays a very reserved role for La Furia against the stronger sides, and that will be the same here; out on the right, Ashley Young's pace could be a problem, but as mentioned above, the chances of the England attackers being able to take regular, incisive advantage of this weakness is slim.

Above all, though, is the fact that the central mode of attack is a tried and tested one for Spain. Silva will cut in, Cazorla can cross the entire pitch, Riera offers something different: all told, it is a style of football that England does not share, and could be all the more successful for it. And don't forget about Sergio Ramos...

3) Spain do not lack the attack: It is a crude comparison, but one that speaks absolute volumes. David Villa and Fernando Torres versus the aforementioned Crouch-Agbonlahor duo. Now, it is possible that only one will play, and  that Spain will line up 4-1-4-1 with Marcos Senna in the anchor role and Villa on his own. But having a world-class forward on the bench, not on the pitch, is a form of ammunition in itself, and whatever happens there will always be plenty of invention from midfield in the form of, say, Andres Iniesta.

4) Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are injured: If there is one Englishman who would give Senna a sleepless night on Tuesday, it's Gerrard. However, the Liverpool captain is going to miss out on this one, and just in time, too: with him recently playing as something resembling a 'second striker', the weak English striking line would be augmented by his presence several-fold. As it stands, Frank Lampard saves his best form for club level, and Iker Casillas is surely the equal of his long range shots. As for Rooney, one need only think back to the 'metatarsal fever' that so engulfed the nation of England during his last severe bout of injury to know just how key he is to this side. Without him they suffer.

5) Most key players are on form: Well, they are. Take Xavi and Iniesta. The Barcelona pair are both key cogs in the Blaugrana machine that is churning its way through the Liga, and if they can bring even 80% of that form with them to Seville then England had better be prepared. Iker Casillas is putting his gaffe-ridden start to the season well and truly behind him; Raul Albiol is really growing into his role... the list continues.

It is true that Sergio Ramos and Marcos Senna - both completely key to Spain's Euro 2008 challenge - have had better form in their lives, but in the latter's case in particular there is always a deputy in the form of Xabi Alonso. In short, those key players that are not on form have plenty of support, and those that are have plenty of talent. They're not the kings of Europe for nothing...

agree or dis agree?

For a large period of last weekend's game against Borussia Dortmund, Miroslav Klose looked unlikely to add to his team-leading tally, but it was precisely his fearless perseverance that enabled him to go from chump to champ with two late goals.

I tried to forget all the missed chances as quickly as possible. One of my attributes is that I never stop believing in myself. At some point, you earn your reward, Klose explained on the club's official website.

There are games, days, weeks, seasons even, where the ball just wont go in. Thankfully, thats not happening to me, he added, before admitting that he was worried about being substituted due to  

According to fcbayern.de, Klose confessed to looking across to the substitution board, and fortunately it wasnt the number 18. I have to thank the coach for that. It was important to complete the 90 minutes, to fight my way into the match. I was certain Id get my reward.

he future of Franck Ribery has been an interesting story over the past twelve months, and despite everything that has happened and all that has been said, he has remained loyal to his current club, Bayern Munich.

The French international has been linked to a number of clubs over time, with the most recent being Real Madrid. These rumours were confirmed by Franz Beckenbauer, who stated that it would be an option if the player himself really wanted to make the move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

In response to these comments, the midfielder has declared that the speculations are untrue, and that he has no intentions of joining the Spanish giants anytime soon.

I have never thought about leaving Bayern Munich, Ribery assured in an interview reported by Tuttomercatoweb.

I am very happy in Munich, and my family is very comfortable in the city too.

The fans love me and that is certainly an important factor for me, he added.

I have a contract with the club until 2011 and I want to respect it.

Real Madrid? These are only rumors and nothing more, he concluded.

In addition to these latest claims, Juventus may also be lining up a move for the Frenchman, as they see him as an ideal replacement for Pavel Nedved who is set to hang up the boots at the conclusion of the season.

Michael Ballack wants everyone of his Germany teammates to play as if World Cup qualification was on the line on Wednesday even though their clash with Norway is essentially just a glorified practice match.

"We have done lots of preparation work as we want to qualify for South Africa," Ballack told local reporters ahead of the test match in Dusseldorf.

"So far we have achieved nothing. Therefore the meeting with Norway is particularly important as there is no major tournament in the diary for this year," he stressed.

"So every player must focus on the friendly games and give 100 per cent."

In comparison to the previous friendly international with England back in November, Joachim Loew has Torsten Frings, Philipp Lahm and Ballack back in the squad.

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was yesterday dealt a three-match ban for a retaliatory kick on Rory Delap, the Stoke City midfielder, late last month.

Delap was dismissed instantly for recklessly hack at the former Chelsea man, whose reaction was not spotted by referee Martin Atkinson during the clash at the Britannia Stadium.

However, upon watching video replays of the incident, Atkinson told the FA (Football Association) disciplinary panel that he would have shown Wright-Phillips a red card had he seen it then and there.

Thus, the 27-year-old will miss City's next three Premier League games, but Delap shares Sky Blues boss Mark Hughes' belief that the player's outburst was completely understandable.

"It would probably be harsh for him to get banned from any games. After what I did, his reaction towards me was to be expected really," the Irishman told BBC Radio Stoke.

Delap had few complaints over his own suspension, as in hindsight he has come to accept that his challenge on Wright-Phillips was a poor one.

"I didn't see any red mist or anything like that. I went to play the ball again and I shouldn't have done," said the Potters' throw-in king.

"I thought a red card was a bit harsh but it's one of those things. Seeing it on television, it does look a lot worse than when I was doing it."

The Italian national team arrived in London on Monday, as they prepare for their prestigious friendly against Brazil at the Emirates in London.

The match is between the two most successful football teams in the world, as Brazil have five World Cups while Italy have four and Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi is eagerly anticipating the upcoming clash.

"There will be 65,000 spectators at the stadium to motivate the players; it will be a real football match," said the former Juventus coach at press conference.

"I won't compare this to the friendly against Holland [in my first tenure as Italy coach], because we were already achieved qualification for the World Cup and it was a year-and-a-half into our project. This time, it has only been six months and to play a great game and get a good result could give us a huge injection of confidence.

"It is the derby of the world? I like that definition," he claimed.

Both coaches have come under some scrutiny since taking over as many performances from their squads have been below par.

"Countries always maintain their traditions and will always have a certain mentality. However, we can take the example of Brazil that is different from the 1982 side who played completely in attack, perhaps because more players are from Europe now," explained the 2006 World Cup winner.

"Italy, by contrast, is no longer that of years ago, they play a little more organized and unscrupulous, while still maintaining their traditions and characteristics."

Lippi is attempting to gain the all-time record by going 32 matches unbeaten with Italy, when they play Brazil on Tuesday at 20:30 CET.

According to The Sun, Chelsea have earmarked Carlo Ancelotti, the AC Milan coach, to take over as manager after they sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday.

And the British tabloid also claims that the high-ups at San Siro have set their sights on the currently out-of-work Frank Rijkaard to take the Rossonero reins.

Scolari was ejected from the Stamford Bridge hot-seat on Monday afternoon, after the weekend's frustrating 0-0 draw with Hull City saw the Blues slip down to fourth in the Premier League table.

A host of names have already been linked with the position, including Guus Hiddink, Roberto Mancini, Gianfranco Zola and, remarkably, Avram Grant.

But these latest reports suggest that the London club's owner, Roman Abramovich, wants Ancelotti - who was offered the job last summer before Scolari's appointment - to resurrect his drowsing giants.

The 49-year-old's footing at Milan is less than secure at the minute, as his still lag in the Scudetto race after failing to capitalise on Juventus and Inter's slip-ups in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, it is thought that the Italian giants won't consider swinging the axe until the end of the season, at which point they are expected to make a move for Rijkaard.

The Dutchman has been tracked by a number of clubs since quitting Barcelona last year; Chelsea, curiously enough, are understood to be his biggest admirers.

However, the former Diavolo favourite supposedly rejected Atletico Madrid's advances after they booted Javier Aguirre last week, which has led to two separate lines of speculation: either he is not ready to return to coaching, after a tumultuous end to his Barca career; or he has already lined up another gig.

It remains to be seen whether either appointment eventuates, especially as the Pensioners are expected to give caretaker boss Ray Wilkins an opportunity to stake his claim.

Pedja Mijatovic could be in his final few hours as Real Madrid sports director, according to various reports in Spain.

Marca in particular believes that the former striker will be sacked this evening and that the board are trying to decide how best to remove him.

"For Mijatovic perhaps there are days left, or maybe just hours. The Real Madrid meeting will discuss the cheapest way to get rid of the sports director," reported the popular daily.

The price for his dismissal is likely to be costly, with his current contract earning him around 1 million annually, and the termination believed to be about the same amount.

However, some Real Madrid fans have become disgruntled with Mijatovic, who has often been outspoken in his time at the club, and is seen as an integral part of the Ramon Calderon era.

Indeed, he was reported to have said in the past that he would leave if Calderon did, but just a few weeks ago declared that he would not resign.

Mijatovic has held the job for two-and-a-half years, since Calderon was appointed president at the club, and has been criticised for not making enough good signings, and paying too much for other players.

In particular, last summer was a frustrating time for Madrid fans, when the club ended up signing just Rafael van der Vaart as they pursued Cristiano Ronaldo relentlessly.

As well as the player problems, the role of coach has hardly been a permanent one at Real Madrid with Mijatovic and Calderon in charge, with Fabio Capello, Bernd Schuster and Juande Ramos all hired - and the first two of those three fired.

 Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the failure to sign Robinho last summer was key to his failure to rejuvenate Chelsea's "old" squad.Robinho joined Manchester City instead as Scolari was only able to sign Deco in the summer and after just seven months in the job has been axed as Chelsea slipped to fourth place in the Premier League. Scolari's spokesman Acaz Fellegger believes it was owner Roman Abramovich's decision to get rid of the Brazilian coach.

 

Fellegger insists Scolari had the backing of Chelsea's players and the club's chief-executive Peter Kenyon and told Lance!newspaper's website: "It seems that Abramovich made the decision."

"He (Scolari) was not in a comfortable situation despite having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon.

"The Chelsea squad are old. Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully. He asked (the board) to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco."

Fellegger added that the the language barrier had not been an issue during his time at Stamford Bridge.

"The English language has never been an issue for him as he has given many interviews in English," he said.

Scolari himself issued a short statement on Fellegger's website, saying: "I wish luck to Chelsea in the three competitions they are involved in.

"I also take this opportunity to confirm that I will keep living in London and I will respond to the media soon."

 Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sensationally sacked by Chelsea.

 

 

The Brazilian, who joined the Premier League club last summer, was expected to reinvigorate the club's fortunes and lead them to titles at home and in Europe, but after a poor run of form the axe has fallen.

Avram Grant, the man Scolari replaced, has emerged as one of the candidates on Chelsea's shortlist to replace the World Cup-winning manager. The other name thought to be on Chelsea's list is Russia's national team coach, Guus Hiddink though the bookmakers' favourites are a dream team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke.

Much of the talk among Chelsea fans already revolves around the c****ination of club legend Zola and former Blues player and coach Clarke, who left the Bridge to join up with his former team-mate at West Ham. Messages on banners unfurled at Stamford Bridge on Saturday demanded the end of Scolari's reign and the appointment of Zola and Clarke.

Ray Wilkins replaces Scolari on a temporary basis until a full-time replacement can be appointed.

A statement on the Chelsea website read: "Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect. The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.

"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon. Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now. The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."

 

One name to be discounted is Roberto Mancini, according to his agent. Mancini, who is unemployed since being sacked by Inter Milan last summer, has been linked with a move to the London club in recent months.

However, his agent Giorgio De Giorgis has had no contact with Chelsea.

De Giorgis said to the Italian media: "No-one has contacted us, hence, I exclude the possibility that Mancini will go to Chelsea. We are aware of Scolari's sacking but they would have contacted us in the case they had though about him (Mancini). Instead, they have contacted others."

Franz Beckenbauer has announced that Franck Ribery could leave Bayern Munich and join Real Madrid in the summer if the player himself really wants to make the move to the Bernabeu.

The Bavarian giants' president is realistic about his club's ability to hold on to the highly sought-after winger and admits that it could be difficult to keep him.

Madrid have been linked with Ribery with Florentino Perez rumoured to be considering asking Zinedine Zidane to try and persuade him to move to the club should he win the presidency.

"Ribery can go to Madrid if he wants.," Beckenbauer told German radio station, Premiere

"Bayern will do everything to retain his services, but while he has a contract until 2011, he can go before.

"Clubs cannot keep players against their will because the players are the ones that always end up winning that battle.

"So, if he really wants to go to Madrid, why not?"

Two Greatest Teams In The World

It may only be a friendly, but all eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday night, as the two most illustrious and successful names in international football meet in what promises to be an enthralling encounter.

With nine World Cups between them, these two powerhouses have served up a whole host of classic matches over the years, including Brazils 4-1 World Cup final triumph in 1970, and Italys gripping 3-2 victory at Espana 82.

Historically this clash has always been painted as the kings of attack, Brazil, against the kings of defence, Italy. The Selecao have produced many of the games legendary forwards, such as Pele, Zico and Ronaldo, while the Azzurri have supplied many of the great stoppers, Gaetano Scirea, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, to name just a few.

In recent years though, the tables have turned somewhat. After Marcello Lippis first spell began in 2004, Italy have been noticeably more offensive and open, as was shown during their success in Germany. Meanwhile, since Dunga took the reigns of Brazil in 2006, the Samba Boys have certainly been less free-flowing, and indeed they have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games.

Dunga Still Not Popular

It is partly for this extra-emphasis on defence that Dunga is still yet to win over the Brazilian public. The 6-2 thrashing of Cristiano Ronaldos Portugal in the last friendly in November was a huge boost, but there are still many who believe that, with Dunga in charge, Brazil will not win the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

There are others who say that if the Selecao lift the trophy playing typical Dunga-style football, i.e. efficient and defensive, then they will not embrace the accomplishment. The 45-year-old was captain of Brazil when they beat Italy on penalties in the final of the 1994 World Cup, but this triumph was not particularly well-received in the South American country, due to the fact Carlos Alberto Parreiras men played un-Brazilian futebol on their way to the title.

Brazil have to be Braziiiiil, and this is something that Dunga has to rectify. The friendly against Italy, a country he knows well, having spent six years of his playing career there, will give him the perfect chance to silence his doubters.

However, Dunga has been criticised for his squad selection and refusal once again to call-up Juventus star Amauri, who has been an absolute revelation in Serie A, and is considered by many to be one of Europes best hitmen. The coachs attempt to then replace the injured Luis Fabiano with Amauri, late in the day, backfired when Juventus snubbed the post-deadline call. This dallying could cost Brazil a genuine top-class striker, as there is still a good chance Amauri could opt to play for Italy once he is issued with an Italian passport.

Despite all these talking points, Brazil are not in the worst form in the world. They are unbeaten since June of last year and, until conceding two against Portugal, had kept seven clean sheets in succession. But with goalless draws against Bolivia and Col****ia, mixed in with the four goal victories over the Selecção das Quinas and Venezuela, this form has still been patchy.

Lippi Going For World Record

Italy coach Marcello Lippi stands on the cusp of yet more history-making on Tuesday night. If his side wins or draws, Lippi will break the all-time record of successive international games without defeat.

The Viareggio-born tactician, who surpassed Vittorio Pozzos Italy record of 30 games following the friendly draw against Greece in November, now has the chance to make his own stretch run to 32, more than any other national coach in the history of the game. This sequence spans both of Lippis spells in charge, and the last time that a Lippi-led Italy team tasted defeat was way back on October 9, 2004 when Slovenia won 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Celje.

Despite this incredible run, Lippis return to the Italy bench has not been completely smooth. Having famously led La Nazionale to World Cup glory in 2006 and, after a disappointing Euro 2008 under Roberto Donadoni, he was brought back to the helm to lead the defence of their trophy in South Africa.

It has not been all plain-sailing so far. In his first game, Italy had to recover from two goals down to earn a 2-2 friendly draw against Austria. The Azzurri then kicked off the 2010 qualifying campaign with an inauspicious 2-1 win over Cyprus last month in Larnaca, before improving slightly to beat Georgia 2-0, draw 0-0 in Bulgaria and overcome Montenegro 2-1.

The Azzurri are top of Group 8, with 10 points from four games, but their most recent game, the 1-1 comeback friendly draw in Greece, proved that this is a Lippi team way off the standards they set in Germany in 2006. Many have criticised the man from Viareggio for not *lo**ing more youth in his squad.

Lippi has never faced a Brazilian team during his whole career as a coach, and indeed Brazil and Italy have not faced-off for 12 years. The last time they met was in the pre France '98 Le Tournoi warm-up competition back in June 1997. This game ended in a 3-3 draw, with Alessandro Del Piero scoring twice for Cesare Maldinis men, and late goals from Ronaldo and Romario earning the Selecao a share of the spoils.

FORM GUIDE

Brazil

19/11 (Friendly): Brazil-Portugal 6-2
15/10 (World Cup Qualifying): Brazil-Col****ia 0-0
12/10 (World Cup Qualifying): Venezuela-Brazil 0-4
10/09 (World Cup Qualifying): Brazil-Bolivia 0-0
07/09 (World Cup Qualifying): Chile-Brazil 0-3

Italy

19/11 (Friendly): Greece-Italy 1-1
15/10 (World Cup Qualifying): Italy-Montenegro 2-1
11/10 (World Cup Qualifying): Bulgaria-Italy 0-0
10/09 (World Cup Qualifying): Italy-Georgia 2-0
06/09 (World Cup Qualifying): Cyprus-Italy 1-2
 
TEAM NEWS

Brazil

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga recalled Ronaldinho for the trip to London, despite the playmakers recent troubles at Milan. Adriano was also given the nod, and was part of a large Italian-based contingent. Luis Fabiano, Anderson and, most recently, Kaka were forced to pull out of the original squad due to injury. Dunga attempted to draft in Amauri as a late replacement for Fabiano, but his club side Juventus rejected the call, claiming it arrived too late.

Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter), Alexandre Doni (Roma); Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (Milan), Maicon (Inter), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Sevilla), Marcelo (Real Madrid); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Elano (Manchester City), Josue (Wolfsburg), Ronaldinho (Milan), Julio Baptista (Roma), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina); Robinho (Manchester City), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Adriano (Inter).

Possible formation: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Adriano, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Pato.

Italy

Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo both returned to the Italy squad following long-term injury. Roma's Alberto Aquilani, Udinese's Antonio Di Natale and Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta also made their way back after missing the last friendly against Greece. There was no place for Antonio Cassano, Alessandro Del Piero, or Giorgio Chiellini, the defender missing out due to injury. Paolo Maldini was not called up, despite Goal.coms campaign, but he will almost certainly be granted a farewell match for the Azzurri before he retires from football.

Squad: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (Palermo), Morgan De Sanctis (Galatasaray); Daniele Bonera (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan); Alberto Aquilani (Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan); Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich).

Possible formation: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Grosso; De Rossi, Pirlo, Perrotta; Di Natale; Toni, Camoranesi.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexandre Pato (Brazil)

One of the most in-form players in Serie A at the moment, Pato exploded into life around December time, and has not looked back since, tearing up defences right, left and centre. His pace, skill and trickery could cause the Italian defence all kinds of problems if they dont close down the space and shut off the supply.

Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

Has been back to something close to his best in recent weeks, and a match against Brazil should suit his style of play down to the ground. Pirlo is the instigator of most Italy attacks, controlling the tempo and dictating the play. If he can run the show in London, then the Azzurri will have a fine chance of taking home the bragging rights.

PREDICTION

There will be a lot of pressure on both coaches to make a spectacle out of this prestigious match, and with so much money at stake, particularly from sponsors and the like, expect an interesting battle.

Brazil 2-2 Italy

Fernando Torres has said today that he is prepared to play for Spain again and that every Spanish player wants to feature for the national team at the moment.

Torres has struggled with injury this year and Rafael Benitez has expressed his frustration at his call-up so soon after his tentative return to club duty.

However, 'El Nino' is raring to go under Vicente Del Bosque as they meet England in Seville this Wednesday evening.

"I am already prepared and available to play whenever Vicente wants me. When the national team comes, everyone wants to play, and more so now, after the European Championships win, because of the good form that we are in," he told AS.

Indeed, Spain have been hugely impressive in the last couple of years, as they have won the European Championships, and shot to the top of the both the European and world rankings.

Torres admits that he has not been in the best of form himself after the win in Austria and Switzerland, but is not worried about playing for Spain.

"It is clear that since the season began, up until January, I have not had the regularity I would have liked because of injury, that is what worries me at this time," he mused.

"Many of the players that played the European Championships are suffering this season, not just me, but there will not be any fear when we play with the national team."

Torres will no doubt be looking forward to taking on England this Wednesday and he praised the work of Fabio Capello, before admitting it will be a tough match.

"They arrive unbeaten, the same as us, and he [Capello] has a lot to do with that, his presence has changed things a lot and it will be a difficult game for both sides," he concluded.

The club's website revealed the dramatic move had been made "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".

World Cup winner Scolari had only been in the job since June 2008, when he became Chelsea's third boss in a year.

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League but remain in the Champions League and FA Cup, with Ray Wilkins in charge until a successor is appointed.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect," read the statement.

"The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager."

Scolari signed a lucrative three-year deal when he joined Chelsea and the London club could face a hefty compensation pay-out to their former manager.

Scolari's spokesman Acaz Felleger said it was Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who had run out of patience with the Brazilian coach.

"It seems that Abramovich made the decision," Felleger told Lance newspaper's website.

"Scolari was not in a comfortable situation despite having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon."

Felleger added that Scolari had paid the price for not being given the backing to refresh the aging Chelsea squad.

"The Chelsea squad are old. Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully. He asked (the board) to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco."

Scolari indicated he would give his version of events in the near future.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football," Scolari said.

"It was a very valuable experience. I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions they are participating in.

"I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London. I will respond to the media soon."

Scolari's former team travel to Watford in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

The tie at Vicarage Road is the start of a vital 11 days for Chelsea, with a crucial Premier League clash with third-placed Aston Villa on 21 February, followed by the visit of Juventus to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League four days later.

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has been suspended for three league games after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Footballn Association, the club have announced.
 

The 27-year-old was charged after an incident that saw Stoke City's Rory Delapsent off during City's 1-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium on January 31.

Referee Martin Atkinson did not see all of the altercation but, after watching video footage, informed the FA he would have shown Wright-Phillips a red card for violent conduct had he spotted the incident.

Wright-Phillips will therefore miss City's next three Premier League matches - all away from home - at Portsmouth on Saturday, against Liverpool on February 22 and at West Ham on March 1.

He will, however, be available for the two-legged UEFA Cup last-32 encounter with FC Copenhagen later this month.

 Unsettled Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has admitted that the club are finding things ''a little difficult at the moment'' but has cooled talk of a potential move away from Stamford Bridge and vowed to help the Blues get back on track.

 

 

It has been a season to forget so far for Drogba with injury, poor form and suspension seeing him fall out of favour with Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, a fact which many Blues fans feel has contributed to the club's recent string of disappointing results.

Scolari left Drogba out of the starting line-up for Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Hull City and when the Brazilian coach decided to introduce the Ivory Coast striker in place of Ricardo Quaresma sections of an increasingly disillusioned Stamford Bridge taunted Scolari with calls of 'You don't know what you're doing'.

Being held to a goalless draw at home by Hull - a team in terrible form (only Portsmouth and Middlesbrough are on worse runs) - coupled with other results over the weekend has seen Chelsea slip to fourth in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United who have game in hand all-but ending the club's title ambitions.

However, despite their current form and the current standings Drogba is confident both he and the west London outfit will overcome their current troubles.

''It's a little difficult at the moment, but we will find ways to return,'' the 30-year-old toldL'Equipe. ''I hope in the Champions League we will do well. You can't have a 10-year career where everything is great. I am in a period like that - a little less good.

''Is this difficult to experience? If I say no, people will say I am not ambitious. If I say yes, people will think I am demoralised when it is really not the case.

''It is not easy but it is not the end of the world. The main thing is that I am in good health physically.''

The striker, who stopped off in France en route to linking-up with his Ivory Coast team-mates ahead of Wednesday's friendly international away to Turkey, played down talk he could be interested in a return to Olympique Marseille, the club he left to join Chelsea in 2004.

''Nino (Sylvain Wiltord) is there and Brandao has just arrived. Let's trust these people rather than talk about Drogba,'' he said after watching his former team beat Bordeaux 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday night.

David Beckham will get the chance to win a record-equalling 108th cap for England - while Carlton Cole and Phil Jagielka could get their first after being named in the squad to face Spain in Seville next week.

 Beckham needs one more appearance for the Three Lions to match Bobby Moore's best mark for an outfield player and coach Fabio Capello has decided the 33-year-old's form on loan at AC Milan warrants an instant recall after he was omitted for the win over Germany in Berlin last November.

The inclusion of Cole and Jagielka comes on the back of excellent performances at club level.

Milner is rewarded for his excellent performances in Aston Villa's rise to third spot in the Premier League table.

The former Leeds star has been capped an amazing 40 times for the under-21s but Capello recently hinted that Milner might be ready for the step up in standard.

And, even though Milner was selected last week for the side Stuart Pearce will take to Malaga for Tuesday's friendly with Ecuador, the midfielder will now move into the senior squad for the first time.

England squad to play Spain in a friendly international in Seville on Wednesday, February 11:

Goalkeepers: Green (West Ham), Hart (Man City), James (Portsmouth).

Defenders: Bridge (Man City), A Cole (Chelsea), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), L Young (Villa).

Midfielders: Beckham (AC MILIAN), Barry (Villa), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man City), A Young (Villa).

Forwards: Agbonlahor (Villa), C Cole (West Ham), Crouch (Portsmouth), Heskey (Villa).

 AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani admits the Rossoneri's offer for David Beckham is currently a long way off what the Los Angeles Galaxy are demanding.

 

 

The Serie A club and Beckham have made no secret about the fact that they want to make the England midfielder's short-term loan move permanent.

Milan and the Galaxy are currently in negotiations and Galliani is hopeful the two parties will arrive at an agreement before Beckham is due back in America on March 9.

"We have made an offer to Galaxy and they didn't accept it,'' he told Sky Italia. "However, there's a willingness to talk between a party who's making an offer, which is Milan, and another who's evaluating it.

"At the moment we're very far apart but there is still a month left.

"(Galaxy president) Tim Leiweke decides for them. I write to him and he responds.''

Beckham has been a revelation since arriving at Milan, where he has scored two goals.

The 33-year-old's form has been so crucial that coach Carlo Ancelotti has included him in Milan's UEFA Cup list despite the possibility that the midfielder may only feature in two matches, while Beckham has also made England coach Fabio Capello's squad for next week's friendly against Spain.

"He is doing really well,'' continued Galliani. "And he has an incredible strength of will.

"Last Wednesday we played in Glasgow, he had a cough and a really bad cold but he didn't want to be substituted.

"Beckham is polite, he packs his own bags, cleans his shoes on his own, opens and closes the bottle of water and returns it, without throwing it away.

"He's one of the old-school players, the kind I like.''

While Barcelona are running away with the 2008-09 Primera Division title, their star striker, Samuel Etoo is waltzing away with the Pichichi trophy.

His double strike last night in the 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon saw him extend his La Liga tally to 21 goals, four clear of Valencias David Villa and five ahead of team-mate Lionel Messi. But the Cameroonian has his eyes set on a bigger prize: a La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey treble.

The 27-year-old striker said he would not rule out the possibility of the team achieving that elusive target, but he also warned not to get too excited by the prospect.

One less round to play, and three more points added, he began, during the post-match conference after the win over Sporting.

Hopefully, we can continue our good streak because we cannot lower our guard. If we lose our focus, any team will be able to beat us.

We must take it one game at a time, although it makes it much easier to continually move forward when you set yourself a dream. You do not feel the exhaustion.

Meanwhile, midfielder Andres Iniesta, who set up Etoos opening goal from a quick break, urged his team to make use of their new-found secret weapon.

We must take advantage of the counterattacks. A lot of teams will come here and close up at the back and it is up to us to open up the game, he stressed.

Right-back Dani Alves, who netted the third goal, was pleased with his strike and with the teams victory.

The Brazilian said, I am happy with the three points won. We have to continue with this mentality and from here on out, the only thing we must think about is to add three more points every time.

As for my goal, it was a good effort. When you hit the ball right, you know that its a good shot straight away. The ball entered the net where the goalkeeper least expected it.

Barcelona maintained their 12-point gap over rivals and direct title pursuers Real Madrid. The Blaugrana will take on Real Betis next week in Andalucia following a midweek break.

Arsenal slipped five points behind the Champions League places after their 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, and with 13 matchdays remaining their European future seems far from certain.

Chelsea currently occupy that coveted fourth slot, with surprise package Aston Villa sitting third with 51 points so far.

Martin O'Neill's side, if they were not before, are now genuine contenders for a European place, but Arsenal fans will not give up so easily.

Unable to find a solution to Chelsea's slide to fourth place and seven points behind Manchester United in the title race, the man who stood at the peak of the game when he led to Brazil to its fifth World Cup title in 2002 was out of a job only seven months after he took over at Stamford Bridge.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football. It was a very valuable experience," he said. "I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions it is participating. I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London."

While that may suggest Scolari is looking for another job in English football, his time at Chelsea has come to an end.

"Unfortunately, the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season," Chelsea, owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich, said in a statement on its Web site.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now."

 

But Abramovich saw Alex Ferguson's team win back the league title two seasons in a row and then beat his team in a penalty shootout in last season's Champions League final. The fact that the game was in Moscow made it even more painful.

With Mourinho and Avram Grant gone, Scolari was the man with the track record to turn that slide around. After an impressive 10 victories in the first 13 league games, however, the team went into an alarming slump, especially in front of its fans at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea lost its proud streak of 86 league games unbeaten at home when it lost 1-0 to Liverpool and soon afterwards also tumbled 2-1 to Arsenal. After Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hull, the Blues have dropped 16 points at home this season.

Although Scolari's players had an amazing streak of 11 away league wins, they lost 3-0 at Manchester United and 2-0 at Liverpool which meant no points from those four games against their biggest rivals in the title race.

Chelsea said it has already started a search for a new manager and hopes to announce a permanent appointment "as soon as possible."

There were reports Monday that Russia coach Guus Hiddink might move to Stamford Bridge as director of football, with Grant returning as coach. Former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola, now manager of West Ham, was also considered a potential candidate.

The pressure had been mounting on Scolari before the Blues were held at home by Hull on Saturday. During that game, some fans chanted "You don't know what you're doing" when Scolari made substitutions, and the team was booed off the field at the end.

A banner in the crowd called for Zola and former player Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of Milton Keynes Dons, to replace Scolari.

Former Chelsea midfielder and manager John Hollins said Scolari, despite his success on the international stage, failed to master club football management in England.

"You can't knock him for what he's done internationally but club football is a different ball game," said Hollins, who managed the club from 1985-88. "I feel he couldn't adapt to the every day thing (of club management). Internationally he's had time to look at a game and pick a team but (Chelsea) is instant."

Hollins said the team lost its way under Scolari after the promising start.

"I've seen five games where things didn't change a great deal, and they couldn't beat the lesser sides," he said. "They were winning home games and had that fabulous unbeaten home record but suddenly they looked an ordinary team."

West Indies captain Chris-topher Gayle expressed delight in scoring his first test century on his home ground Sabina Park yesterday. Gayle, who chalked up the ninth Test century of his career, scored a patient 104 runs from 194 balls, which included five-fours and five-sixes. Gayle shared in a crucial third-wicket partnership of 202 with Ramnaresh Sarwan, who struck 107. lot of pressure "When I went out to bat a lot of things were going through my mind. I remember the last test match I played here I got a pair and a lot of pressure was out there," Gayle said at the post-game press conference yesterday. "To get a 100 on my home ground is very pleasing as well. Hopefully, things can carry on and get better from here on," "At the start of the innings I was a bit nervous, which doesn't happen to me that often, but I knew I had to go out there and get the job done," Gayle said. The West Indies will resume today on 352 for seven, with Brendan Nash on 47 and Sulieman Benn on 10. They are 34 runs ahead after restricting England to a first-innings total of 318. Stuart Broad has so far taken 3-61 off 24, while his constantly pressing counterpart, Andrew Flintoff, has so far snared 2-57 of 29 overs. keep wickets in hand "It would have been nice for us to get a few more runs but our objective was basically to keep wickets in hand," he said. "At the end of the day we have three wickets in hand, so, hopefully, the guys can capitalise on this 34 run lead and build on it for the team," Gayle said. "Hopefully, Nash can go on and make a big one as well." "This first Test is very important to us and we didn't want to actually let England back into the game that easily. We knew we had to go out there and hold our heads down and bat as long as possible," Gayle reasoned. It was a well-played century innings from Gayle, who, on 85, was given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior off the bowling of Flintoff by New Zealand umpire, Anthony Hill, but was later ruled not out by the third umpire, on referral, as television replays showed that the ball glanced off the thigh guard and not his bat.

 Substitute Christian Poulsen finally found favour with Juventus fans when he scored in injury time to seal a remarkable 2-1 win at Catania on Sunday.

Juve, reduced to 10 men after just 12 minutes, climbed back above AC Milan into second after the Dane took advantage of a defensive error to net his first goal of the season.

Poulsen has struggled to gain a place in the hearts of Juve fans following some average displays and a run of injuries since a move from Sevilla last July.

He made up for it in style in Sicily, and also spared Vincenzo Iaquinta's blushes after the striker was dismissed only moments after heading the opener.

Iaquinta was booked for removing his shirt in celebration but received a second yellow moments later for a foul.

Japanese forward Takayuki Morimoto brought the inconsistent hosts level early in the second half before Poulsen struck.

"It was a very hard match, especially as I've been injured for three months," Poulsen told Rai television. "But we have played as a team."

Injury-hit Juve, who left Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet on the bench, are seven points behind leaders Inter Milan after the champions won 3-0 at Lecce on Saturday. AC Milan are third on 45 after drawing 1-1 with bottom side Reggina.

Fiorentina moved up into fourth on Sunday after Alberto Gilardino scored on the rebound with a minute to go to secure a 1-0 victory over 10-man Lazio.

Lazio coach Delio Rossi is under pressure after a poor run and fan protests but his side did well to manage with a player short for over 70 minutes following Lorenzo De Silvestri's dismissal for two bookings.

In-form AS Roma are joint-fifth with Genoa, a point behind Fiorentina, after beating their rivals 3-0 at home thanks to goals from Cicinho, Mirko Vucinic and Julio Baptista.

 AC Milan playmaker Kaka will miss next weekend's derby against Inter Milan after tests confirmed a foot injury.

 

 

Kaka, who scored Milan's goal from the spot in a 1-1 draw against Reggina on Saturday night, was forced to come off 12 minutes from time.

The club confirmed on Sunday that the Brazil international will be sidelined for at least a fortnight.

"AC Milan communicates that the footballer Kaka underwent medical tests today which confirmed a sprain to his left foot, ruling out a more serious injury," read a club statement.

"The prognosis is that he will be out for at least a fortnight."

As well as next weekend's derby, Kaka will miss Tuesday's friendly international against Italy and in all likelihood the match against Cagliari on February 22.

 Ten-man Arsenal battled to earn a point as the north London derby against Tottenham ended goalless at White Hart Lane.

Winger Emmanuel Eboue saw red after picking up two needless yellow cards in the first half, while the Gunners also had to cope with the loss of striker Emmanuel Adebayor who pulled up with what looked like a serious hamstring problem.

 

Robbie Keane had led the Spurs attack on his return from Liverpool, and went close with a header.

Alex Song fired wide from a corner to miss the best chance for Arsenal, who had new signing Andrei Arshavin on the bench.

Spurs have enjoyed bragging rights over their rivals since the Carling Cup semi-final victory here last season was followed up with a dramatic 4-4 draw at Emirates Stadium in late October.

Arsenal needed all three points to close the gap on the top four, and went into the encounter on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

It was the home side who started brightly, forcing a couple of early corners.

Keane went down under the challenge of William Gallas on the right side of the penalty area, but referee Mike Dean was having none of it and waved play on.

Robin van Persie and Eboue c****ined down the Arsenal right to release the Ivory Coast winger, but his centre across goal from a tight angle was just too far ahead of Adebayor. Eboue was in again after 13 minutes when he scampered into the left side of the Spurs box, but was crowded out.

However, he then tripped Jonathan Woodgate before regaining the loose ball and stabbing it into the net, with celebrations cut swiftly short by the referee's whistle.

Bacary Sagna got clear on the overlap down the right, but his cross was not deep enough and easily cut out at the near post with red shirts waiting in the middle.

Eboue picked up a needless caution, but one which would later prove so costly, for complaining at the award of a free-kick against Sagna on Luka Modric after 17 minutes.

On the half-hour, Croatian Modric created space for a shot from the edge of the penalty area, and Almunia had to make a smart save low to his right.

Gael Clichy chased what looked like a lost cause down the left with Vedran Corluka. Samir Nasri nicked the ball from on the goalline before the full-back sent a low pass across the face of goal, which just eluded Adebayor.

That proved to be the last action for the African, who pulled up mid-run and was eventually carried off on a stretcher around the perimeter.

Before Arsenal could make a change, they were down to 10 men. Modric and Eboue clashed on the near touchline.

The referee had seen enough to caution both men - showing Eboue, who kicked out to trip the Spurs man, a second yellow card followed by a red.

Once calm had been restored, Nicklas Bendtner replaced Adebayor in the 38th minute.

Spurs looked to make their advantage count before the break and in stoppage time Almunia tipped over a fierce 20-yard effort from £14million-man Wilson Palacios, who once had a trial with Arsenal.

At the start of the second half, Roman Pavlyuchenko capitalised on an error by Kolo Toure to get clear into the left side of the Arsenal penalty area, but then made a complete hash of his shot which skewed wide.

After 56 minutes, Spurs came within inches of taking the lead when Keane got up to meet Lennon's cross from the right, but his close-range header skimmed the top of the crossbar.

With 20 minutes left, Arsenal had a great chance to snatch the lead when Van Persie's corner fell to Song in the six-yard box - but the midfielder could only hook the ball wide.

There was a hold up when Clichy received treatment for a cut following a clash of heads with Bent and was replaced by Kieran Gibbs.

Both sides pressed during four minutes of stoppage time, with Carlo Cudicini tipping over from Bendtner and Almunia denying Modric.

 A rare right-footed goal from Ryan Giggs and a rather more predictable 13th consecutive Premier League clean sheet were enough for Manchester United to reclaim top spot with a 1-0 win over West Ham at Upton Park.

In a lacklustre game of huff and puff, with not much else in between, Edwin van der Sar never looked in serious danger of being denied a British record for not conceding a goal that now extends to 1,212 minutes

 

But United looked equally unlikely to score either until Giggs stepped inside Carlton Cole, burst into the box and thrashed home a shot that was enough to end West Ham's impressive eight-match unbeaten run at Upton Park and edge closer to the championship triumph that will see the Old Trafford outfit match Liverpool's impressive tally.

Hammers old boys Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick were given warm ovations but Carlos Tevez received an even louder burst of applause in recognition of his efforts in the Eastenders' survival fight two years ago, which continues to cause the Premier League so much grief.

The hosts reserved their usual white-hot atmosphere for a United visit on `Bobby Moore day', in recognition of a man who will shortly have to share top billing with David Beckham on 108 caps for England.

That appreciation continued once the match started too, as Matthew Upson slid in on Giggs to execute a perfect tackle of which Moore himself would have been proud.

By that point, Giggs had already sliced a volley wide in an encouraging start for the champions that also involved a couple of trademark piledrivers from Paul Scholes, one of which Cristiano Ronaldo turned goalwards, forcing Robert Green to make an impressive save.

A brilliant passage of close control involving Giggs, Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov ended with the Bulgarian lashing a volley goalwards that James Collins found himself accidentally in the way of.

Another move of similar quality brought a Nemanja Vidic shot into the body of the same man and it seemed just a matter of time before United eventually made the breakthrough.

Instead, with Upson outstanding and Scott Parker snapping into a series of tackles in midfield, the Hammers slowly got themselves a foothold in the contest.

If ever there was a man needing to impress watching England coach Fabio Capello, it was Carlton Cole.

Unfortunately, Cole turned like a giant barge as he collected Jack Collison's short pass with his back to goal.

What seemed like a clear shooting chance quickly disappeared as Vidic and Ferdinand converged on the former Chelsea man, who seems set to win his first cap in Seville on Wednesday.

Cole had earlier managed to gain half a yard on Ferdinand to reach David Di Michele's through ball but he is not the first striker in recent times to find van der Sar too big a wall to knock over.

When the 33rd minute ticked by, van der Sar eclipsed the record of old Aberdeen stalwart Bobby Clark, who went 1,155 minutes of league action without conceding a goal during the 1970-71 campaign to claim that British record.

The veteran Dutchman's goal was still intact when Di Michele was crowded out on the edge of United's penalty area and the loose ball fell to a marauding Lucas Neill, whose curling shot probably did not stretch van der Sar enough.

It was a similar story for United, with Ronaldo in particular getting increasingly agitated with his team-mates, John O'Shea receiving one mouthful and even Sir Alex Ferguson getting a passionate response as the Scot made a point to Ronaldo on the touchline.

Yet if the bad temper was taken as a sign United's focus was not fully wired in, West Ham got it horribly wrong.

After Giggs had his corner half-cleared, Scholes swiftly spread the ball back to his long-time colleague.

Cole flew in to make a tackle by the touchline. He failed, as did his Hammers team-mates, who expected Giggs to eventually transfer the ball to his generally lethal left foot. Instead Giggs struck it with his right, beyond a startled Green, and into the net.

Ronaldo, his mind back on the job, watched his thunderbolt effort curl just wide after taking a deflection before Neill's next, wayward, shot allowed van der Sar to edge past Chris Woods and seal a rather complicated British record for minutes without conceding a goal in domestic c****at.

As Gamba Osaka scored three times against him in Japan recently and Derby, twice, and Tottenham have found the net in cup c****at against the Red Devils recently when van der Sar has not been in goal, it is all rather confusing.

A rather more straightforward statistic is United are back on top again, two points clear of Liverpool, with a game in hand, as they close in on a record that really does matter; 18 league titles.

 

 

Van Der Sar: It's a team game Following the final whistle Edwin van der Sar paid tribute to his Manchester United team-mates after he claimed the British record for not conceding a goal. "It's down to hard work from everybody," Van der Sar said on Sky Sports. "Of course you make a couple of saves but the defenders are incredible. Everybody tracks back and it's a team effort. "It's fantastic and I'm very happy with it, but the main thing is we're back on top - let's hope we can stay there." Man of the match Giggs struck his first league goal of the campaign but was quick to praise his defenders. He said: "We're not giving much away at the back and we know we've got players to create chances - Edwin and the lads at the back have been brilliant - but I'm glad to score the winning goal." Sir Alex Ferguson believed the Upton Park cauldron required his most experienced side and he was thrilled as United returned to the top of the table. "We felt today, knowing the history at West Ham - it's always been a difficult ground for us - we should have the most experienced players on the pitch," Ferguson told Sky Sports 1. "Ryan and Paul Scholes have been here so many times and know exactly what it is you need. Michael Carrick, Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand are former players here, that also helps to handle the atmosphere. "We've beaten a very good team today." Ferguson maintains his side's attacking endeavour remains, despite their scrooge-like defensive qualities. "Clean sheets is going to be a topic but it doesn't change the emphasis on our game," he added. "Today we've played some fantastic possession football. "What the back four are doing is focusing and concentrating on their jobs. They've got pace, they're quick and, of course, we've got a goalkeeper like Edwin van der Sar who is just a fantastic goalkeeper. "I'm proud for Edwin. At his age he has achieved everything, but you can see the way he is motivated by the challenge of the clean sheets and it's an extra edge."

Kobe Bryant scored 34 points in the first half and another 27 in the second for a record-breaking performance at Madison Square Garden and the Knicks. With 61 points, he broke Bernard King's record of 60 points for most points scored at MSG.

He was 19-37 from the floor and 20-20 from the line in just 36 minutes of play on Monday night.

Bryant's previous career high at Madison Square Garden is 46 points, which he put up in February of 2003. He also scored 40 points in January of 2006, 39 points in December of 2007 and 33 in 2001.

Bryant made his MSG debut in November of 1996 when he scored just one point in three minutes.

Tony Parker had the previous single game high for points during the 2008-09 season when he scored 55 against Minnesota. Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford have also scored at least 50 points in a game this season.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor and left-arm spinner Suliemann Benn produced career-best performances yesterday to lead the West Indies to a resounding innings and 23 runs win over England in the first Test of the 2009 Digicel Home Series at Sabina Park.

The 24-year-old Taylor, who in England's first innings of 318 took 3-74, deceived the tourists with his swinging pace and accuracy yesterday to bag 5-11 for match figures of eight for 85. He was later named man of the match.

Benn, 27, who in the first innings led the way with 4-77, grabbed an equally impressive 4-31, as pre-series favourites, England, trailing by 76 runs on first innings, were bowled out for 51, their second lowest total on Caribbean soil, and third lowest, all time.

Final scores: West Indies 392. England 318 and 51.

First win since 2000

For West Indies, it was their first win over England since 2000, having lost 13 of their past 16 matches against the tourists.

"It was a wonderful performance by all - bowlers and batsmen," said West Indies captain Chris Gayle, whose team was returning a similar treatment dished out by the English-men on their last tour of the Carib-bean in 2003/2004 when, led by fast bowler Steve Harmison they skittled out the West Indies for a second innings total of 47, and took a 1-0 lead. England went on to win the series 3-0.

Gayle added: "The game brought back memories, and it feels good to be on the other side today. From day one we were on the ball, as our bowlers gave us a good start and our batsmen consolidated on that lead. Here today, both Jerome and Sulieman came out again, and bowled with real purpose, and at the end of the day were able to come out of top. The hope now is that we can carry the momentum over into the next matches, and really try to win the series."

Dramatic

In the West Indies' only innings Ramaresh Sarwan top scored with 107, Gayle got 104 while Brendan Nash, in his third Test, added an important 55, his third half century in as many matches.

The dramatic victory took place at approximately 2:30 p.m., 10 minutes before the tea time break.

A number of fans were still filing in through the turnstiles for what was expected to be an enthralling second half of the day's play.

England, who would have been eyeing an early overall lead in the hope of posting a challenging total for the West Indies to chase late on what would have been today's fifth and final day were cut down, one by one, by the swinging pace of Taylor, and the steep bounce and turn of Benn.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff with 24 was the only batsman to reach double figures for the Englishmen with the rest of the scores reading: 9, 0, 4, 1, 1, 6, 0, 0 and 2 and looking more like a telephone number than a cricket scorecard.

"It was a good Test match performance by the West Indies. Credit to them. They put us under pressure, especially in the second innings and we didn't cope well. We just have to pick ourselves up, look at where we went wrong and try to correct things. We've still got three matches to go in the series," said England skipper, Andrew Strauss.

The West Indies had earlier resumed the day on 352-7 with Nash on 47 and Benn (23) on 10, and, together with Darren Powell (9) and Fidel Edwards (10), they pushed to eight runs shy of the 400 mark.

England pacer, Stuart Broad, playing in his 11th Test, and bowling a good line and length, claimed career-best figures of 5-85, his first five-wicket haul in Tests

Flintoff took two for 72 and Steve Harmison, who failed to repeat his 2003/4 Sabina Park heroics, which netted him career-best figures, 7-12, bagged two for 49.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st Innings 318

WEST INDIES 1st Innings

(overnight 352 for seven)

B. Nash c wk Prior b Broad 55S. Benn c Cook b Broad 23D. Powell c wk Prior b Harmison 9F. Edwards not out 10Extras: (b6, lb8, w1) 15

TOTAL: (all out, 157.4 overs) 392

Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Smith), 2-220 (Gayle), 3-220 (Marshall), 4-235 (Sarwan), 5-254 (Chanderpaul), 6-320 (Ramdin), 7-341 (Taylor), 8-371 (Benn), 9-376 (Nash), 10-392 (Powell).

Bowling: Sidebottom 24-5-35-0, Flintoff 22-11-72-2, Harmison 20.4-4-49-2 (w1), Broad 29-7-85-5, Panesar 47-14-122-1, Pietersen 4-1-15-0.

ENGLAND 2nd Innings

A Strauss c wk Ramdin b Taylor 9A. Cook c Smith b Taylor 0I. Bell c wk Ramdin b Benn 4K. Pietersen b Taylor 1P. Collingwood b Taylor 1A. Flintoff b Edwards 24+M. Prior b Taylor 0S. Broad c Marshall b Benn 0R. Sidebottom lbw b Benn 6S. Harmison b Benn 0M. Panesar not out 0Extras: (b2, nb4) 6TOTAL: (all out, 33.2 overs) 51

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Cook), 2-11 (Bell), 3-12 (Pietersen), 4-20 (Strauss), 5-23 (Collingwood), 6-23 (Prior), 7-26 (Broad), 8-50 (Sidebottom), 9-51 (Flintoff), 10-51 (Harmison).

Bowling: Taylor 9-4-11-5 (nb2), Powell 7-3-5-0, Benn 14.2-2-31-4, Gayle 2-1-1-0, Edwards 1-0-1-1 (nb1)

Result: West Indies won by an innings and 23 runs.

Man-of-the-Match: Jerome Taylor.

Toss: England.

Umpires: Tony Hill, Rudi Koertzen

TV umpire: Daryl Harper.

LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has once again shown his devotion for FC Barcelona. The Pennsylvanian has appeared on the cover of ESPN wearing the teams colours.

This is not the first time his name has been connected with FCB. One example, of course, was the game Regal FC Barcelona played against his side last October, when it was revealed that Kobe Bryant has a signed photo of Leo Messi in his locker. Barça also toured the USA and the player himself once visited the Mini Estadi and met the Barça squad.

First contact

Kobe and FC Barcelona first came into contact when Barcelona toured the States from August 1 to 13 in 2006. In a Nike event in Los Angeles the player chatted with several of the soccer stars. A natural bond developed between them, although it was with Ronaldinho that Bryant seemed to connect especially well.

From the US to Barcelona

In the summer of 2007 Kobe Bryant came to Barcelona on holiday, and while he was here decided to go along to the Mini Estadi on June 14. Barça were training at the time and the appearance of arguably the worlds finest basketball player was a delightful surprise for everybody.

He watched the training session from the bench, and Ronaldinho went straight over to welcome his old friend. Both players have always admitted that they are huge fans of each other. The Lakers guard also had a long chat with Frank Rijkaard, manager of FC Barcelona at the time.

Face to face on court

Last October, Regal Barça were in Los Angeles on an American tour. Xavi Pascuals side actually played the great LA Lakers, including both Kobe Bryant and former Barcelona man Pau Gasol (108-104). Once again the American spoke about his passion for FC Barcelona, and revealed that he had a signed photo of Messi in his locker. After the game he met Barça president, Joan Laporta, the manager of the basketball section, Josep Cubells, the general director of non-football teams Francesc Solanellas and technical secretary, Joan Creus.

The day before the game in the Staples Center, players from both sides had enjoyed a gala supper together in a top Los Angeles hotel.

 

SCHOOLBOY SHOWDOWN - 'Blues' promise all-out attack for Manning Cup


Jamaica College (JC) and St George's will renew a rivalry which very nearly spans 100 years - with some 40 titles between them - when they take the field for the final of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup, at the National Stadium at 3p.m. this afternoon.

Having lifted the title after a 33-year hiatus last season, the 'Dark Blues' of JC, who have the most titles with 21, are starved for more success.

However, St George's, the 'Light Blues' who are second with 18, their last coming exactly 18 years ago, will hardly be satisfied with leaving the stadium without taking the coveted title back to North Street.

Favourites

Not many would have listed St George's among the favourites at the start of the season. However, now just one win away from securing their own place in history, Neville Bell, the man who stood at the helm when the team last won in 1992, believes his young charges are ready to deliver the goods.

"It is a big occasion, a big game. I would be surprised if the players weren't a bit nervous, but we are confident and I know we will be ready," Bell, told The Gleaner following a training session at Winchester Park on Thursday.

"We will play the way that we have all season, a style which suits us best and that is attacking football," Bell added.

With 52 goals to their credit St George's, spurred by the high powered offence of league-leading scorer Kemal Malcolm, tricky forward Shammar Shelton and Kemar Cummings, the 'Light Blues' have at times been a textbook study in schoolboy attacking football. However, it is a defensive unit that has conceded some 22 goals where most of their issues lie.

"There is no question that we have let in more than our fair share of goals, but I think to put all of those down to defensive errors is unfair, just like I don't agree with us being branded a second half team," Bell said.

St George's, who have won 10 games this season, are likely to have received that branding after holding a 2-0 first half lead over St Andrew Technical High School, before having to pull off a late extra-time 3-2 rescue effort.

Another slip-up

However, perhaps even more significant was another slip-up, which saw them lose their only game of the season to JC 3-2 after another 2-0 half-time lead.

The defending champions had almost seen their season end after a 2-0 quarter-final round loss to Waterford, and the title-holders had to battle tooth and nail to stay alive, knocking off Eltham 4-2 before winning the crucial St George's game.

However, they could face more setbacks today with crucial players out on cards and influential midfielder Ashani Walker having just come back into the team after suffering a fractured shoulder, perhaps not yet at 100 per cent. Thus, Saeed Robinson and and George Smart are expected to step up.

"The team has over-achieved a lot to date, no one was expecting us to reach this far and as such we don't know what will happen in the final. We just have to take it as another game," was the conservative estimate of JC's coach, Alfred Henry.

"Everybody's guess is as good as mine. As a realist, I deal with it as it comes and on Saturday we will see what will happen," he added.

"Manning Cup for me is not about winning the Cup, it is about winning individuals. There is more to accomplish than the Cup and that has been the overall philosophy guiding the programme since 2005, and it is what is driving us," he said.

With 48 goals so far this season JC are no slouches when it come to finding the back of the net and have promised not to abandon that philosophy in the final, accordin g to manager Ian Forbes.

"We've played attacking football all season and we will play that way in the final," he said.

 Frank Lampard's appeal against the red card he received in Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool has been successful.

 

 

Lampard was sent off by referee Mike Riley for his challenge on Xabi Alonso in the 59th minute of Sunday's match.

An independent regulatory commission hearing today upheld his claim, resulting in the withdrawal of his three-match suspension.

The third dismissal of Lampard's career was shrouded in controversy, after replays showed the England midfielder made contact with the ball first.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari leapt to Lampard's defence, insisting the challenge was legitimate - and the club lodged their appeal with the Football Association on Monday.

Had the claim failed, Lampard would have missed Premier League matches against Hull and Aston Villa and an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Watford.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech has vowed to keep the pressure on Manchester United and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

"Eight points in football, especially in the Premier League, means everything can happen," he told the club's official website.

"You can see that from last year. Arsenal were eight points clear and ended up third, so we will keep playing, we will try to keep winning and we will put the pressure on the others.

"We are behind and we need to keep winning so if Man United or Liverpool drop points we can close the gap.

"This is the only way now for us to get back into it. We need to keep winning because we don't have the control in our hands."

 Michael Carrick has received glowing praise from Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Sunday's return to West Ham, the club where he learned his trade.

Ferguson described the midfielder as a "terrific footballer" and pointed to the development of Carrick's defensive game as as a catalyst in his becoming a key player for United.

What Michael always had, even in his younger days at West Ham, was that vision to hit a pass of good range, either short or long," said Sir Alex, in his pre-match press conference.

He could open up defences, he has always done that. What he's acquired coming here is that he has developed physically and has improved tremendously on defensive play.

He holds positions and nips off threats towards our back four really well. That part of his game has improved to a really top level. People maybe don't recognise that.

In terms of recognition, or rather the lack of it, Sir Alex compared Carrick to ex-player Denis Irwin. 

The quieter types sometimes get overlooked by fans and by the press," he said. 

"Denis Irwin used to give you 8 or 9 out of 10 every week, but he never had the celebrity status of others around him like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes.

Denis was a quiet lad, went about his business, was a great professional, and gave you a performance every week. Michael Carrick would come into that category."

Recent displays have brought Carrick to the fore, however, not least his man of the match performance against Everton last weekend and his contribution to the 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham.

In the cup tie, Carrick freed Berbatov to score the winner with a sublime through ball against their mutual former club. No doubt Michael, who spent six years at Upton Park, will be gunning for a similar performance on Sunday

 

 
Twenty-four today, Cristiano Ronaldo has his work cut out if he's to equal or top everything he achieved at 23. But as he told MUTV's Stewart Gardner recently, for all his glories so far, his ambition still burns brightly...You won everything in 2008 how do you follow that in 2009?Ive spoken to some experienced players who have a great history in the game and theyve said, its not what you do in one season, its staying at the top level, that is the challenge. I have to carry on like that. If I dont perform, I know people will start to criticise me and I dont want that. Im an ambitious player and I want to win many, many more things.

How did you go from scoring a few goals in your first few seasons, to 42?
When I arrived at 18 I was a good player, but not in decision-making, like whether I have to pass the ball or dribble. Winning trophies and being at this club, it gives you maturity, and I have learnt a lot. When youre playing around great players you learn many things. So Ive improved every season, and the last season was the best of them all. But I want more this season I want to score the same amount of goals, or more if its possible. I know it will be hard, but I have it in my head that its possible.

Whats your favourite goal from last season? 
Its hard, but I have a few! The header in Rome, the free-kick against Portsmouth, and the flick against Aston Villa. Ill choose those!

Then there was your first hat-trick for United, against Newcastle
That was very special. I had scored two many times, but never got the third, and my mum had started to say, Cristiano, why do you never score three goals?!

 Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez had his £140,000 Bentley seized after it was found he did not have a full UK driving licence, Greater Manchester Police said on Saturday.

 

 

The Argentina international was stopped by traffic officers on the hard shoulder of the M60 near Stretford in Manchester and they impounded his white Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Police said they asked him to pull over, suspecting the car's windows were too dark. Tests at the roadside showed the tint was illegal, police said.

Tevez, 25, is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Police for driving without a valid licence and could face prosecution, a police source said.

The maximum penalty for driving without a valid licence carries a £1,000 fine and six points.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Shortly after 9.20am on Friday 6 February 2009, traffic officers pulled over a Bentley close to junction 7 of the M60.

"The officers were concerned certain windows were illegally tinted.

"They were tested and found to be too dark so a prohibition notice was issued to the driver.

"When asked to provide his documentation, it was discovered the driver did not have a full UK driving licence and was advised to arrange removal of the car.

"As he could not arrange this, the car was removed under Section 165 of Road Traffic Act 1988."

In 2007, fellow United star Cristiano Ronaldo was stopped by police and fined for having blacked-out windows on his £140,000 Bentley convertible.

Ronaldo was stopped by police again on Thursday and given "advice" by police who thought he was speeding but did not manage to register his actual speed, said Greater Manchester Police.

A police source said that, by the time the officers had prepared their monitoring equipment, the Portuguese ace had slowed down from about 55mph in the 50mph zone.

A police spokesman said: "On Thursday 5 February 2009, around 3pm, traffic officers on A34 Kingsway stopped a car they believed was being driven at speed.

"The car slowed as officers approached it so no official speed check could be made.

"However the driver was pulled over, had his documents checked and was advised on his driving.

 Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca has not ruled out a summer move for Didier Drogba and has insisted the club's transfer targets have yet to be identified.Inter loaned Ricardo Quaresma to the Blues after he endured an unhappy time in Italy since his £20million move from Porto last year.

 

If Quaresma is a success at Stamford Bridge there is every chance coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would want to make the switch a permanent one next summer.

"Chelsea strongly wanted Quaresma, there was no hidden agenda, we only wanted to give him a chance to play more and grow, then next year we will decide what to do with him," said Branca.

Drogba has struggled to find his best form during a season hampered by injury and suspension.

The Ivorian was recently axed from the first-team squad by Scolari after a number of sub-standard performances.

He has been consistently liked with a move to rejoin former Blues boss Jose Mourinho in Serie A but Branca added: "Drogba? At the moment we don't have clear objectives, we know that most probably we will need to buy one or two new players next season, but only of the highest quality."

Quaresma himself is looking forward to his new challenge after such a torrid time at San Siro: "I don't regret going to Milan as sometimes things happen that you can't really control. These things happen in football.

"Players can't really prove anything, if they don't have the opportunity to show what they can do.

"Mr Scolari gives you lots of confidence so I am confident I will give my best for Chelsea. I want to show Chelsea my appreciation and joy on the pitch.

"Each coach has their own ideas and we have to respect that. I don't think I have to prove anything to anybody.

"You get criticism everywhere, some people like you, some don't - that is natural in football and life.

"I don't care about that. What I care about is working hard and helping Chelsea achieve their goals and that's it.

"I heard from Mr Mourinho that Inter were thinking of loaning me to a club and when I heard about Chelsea, I didn't think twice."

Quaresma will remain with Chelsea until the end of the season but the winger is unsure as to whether his spell could lead to a permanent deal in the summer.

"At the moment I am a Chelsea player," said Quaresma. "I signed a very short contract and I am going to show my best qualities. After that I don't know."

Striker Keane brought to an end a disappointingly brief spell at Anfield when he signed for former club Tottenham this week having scored seven goals in 28 appearances for the club he supported as a child.

With Liverpool second in the league they have their best chance in years of claiming the title, but Keane would take little pleasure from being given a medal.

"It would mean nothing at all to me now," he said. "My brother is a Liverpool fan so I'd probably give it to him.

"The way I look at it is that a medal means something when you are a part of the squad and involved in winning a trophy.

"When you are in and out of the squad and not involved in games, there are times when you don't feel part of it.

"Next month's Carling Cup final means more to me because I'm a Tottenham player now, even though I can't play.

"Liverpool is gone. It's the past. What happens there now is not my problem."

Nicolas Zigic scored a penalty in the 56th minute to give Santander the lead at the El Sardinero stadium, but the Argentina winger scored from his first touch in the 65th, slotting in a loose ball at the near post.

Messi then chested a looping ball forward into the right side of the area before volleying a right-footed shot across goal and beyond goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez for an 81st-minute winner that stretched Barcelona's unbeaten run in the league to 20 games.

Barcelona leads with 56 points from 21 games, Real Madrid is second with 44 and Sevilla has 38.

Raul Gonzalez joined Alfredo di Stefano as Madrid's all-time leading scorer when he struck the winner for the Spanish champion in a 2-0 victory at Numancia on Saturday.

Coach Javier Aguirre's job could be on the line after Atletico remained winless in 2009 after a 2-1 loss to Valladolid.

In Sunday's other games, it was: Espanyol 1, Recreativo Huelva 1; Real Betis 2, Getafe 2; Deportivo La Coruna 3, Villarreal 0; and Osasuna 1, Mallorca 0.

Sevilla played at Sporting Gijon and fourth place Valencia faced Almeria in Sunday's late games.

Barcelona's midfield controlled the game but failed to turn its possession into opportunities within the goal area, as Messi watched on from the bench.

Center back Rafael Marquez returned from injury to replace Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, who is out with a muscle strain.

Racing's physical play kept Barcelona at bay with Sergio Busquets manhandled at the edge of the area in the 45th to deny a Barcelona break.

Santander broke through first from the penalty spot after Marquez was booked for taking down Jonathan Pereiro inside the area. Zigic scoring the penalty for his fourth goal in as many games since joining from Valencia.

Messi entered for Busquets in the 60th just after the Catalans were lucky not to lose Daniel Alves, who forced Toni Moral from the game with an ankle-high challenge. The Brazil back wasn't booked.

Xavi Hernandez headed Thierry Henry's cross off the bar and Messi was there to slot in the rebound with his first touch.

Messi then sealed Barcelona's ninth straight win with his 16th goal of the season - second highest in the league behind teammate Samuel Eto'o.

Barcelona finished with nine after Marquez picked up a second booking in the 88th, while Gerard Pique was sent off in injury-time for a second yellow.

Athletic Bilbao twice rallied from one-goal deficits to beat Malaga 3-2 on Saturday.

"I'd like to stay here my whole career. I hope I can," the 21-year-old Argentina winger said after Barcelona's 5-0 romp of Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Brazil playmaker Kaka is pondering whether to make a move to City, which has reportedly tabled a record-breaking bid of more than 100 million pounds (110 million; $147 million) for the player and promises to make him the best-paid footballer in the world.

Messi scored the opening goal on Saturday - his 12th of the season in the league - as the Catalan club maintained its 12-point lead and became the first La Liga club to reach 50 points at the halfway point of the season.

"Records are great incentive to keep winning and building up points," Messi said as Barcelona picked up its 16th win from 19 games. "I'm happy because things are working out for us. We have the points to go with the results."

 Robbie Keane has sealed a dramatic return to Tottenham Hotspur after the White Hart Lane club agreed a fee for the player, believed to be in the region of £15m.

The 28-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Spurs in the summer, was granted permission earlier today to talk to his former employers - and the two clubs have agreed a fee with little more than an hour of the transfer window remaining.

A Liverpool spokesman told the club's website: ''Liverpool Football Club have reached agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the sale of Robbie Keane.''

 

 

LONDON (AP) - English clubs spent a record 160 million pounds ($227.2 million; 177.6 million) during the midseason transfer window which ended Monday, with the biggest spenders being Manchester City.

The total at the close of business beat last year's previous record by 10 million pounds ($14.2 million; 11.1 million), according to figures released on Tuesday by business advisory company Deloitte.

Manchester City, which hired Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy, Nigel de Jong and Shay Given but failed to get AC Milan's Kaka in a world record bid, paid out more than 50 million pounds ($71 million; 55.5 million).

City is bankrolled by the oil-rich Abu Dhabi United Group, which took control of the Premier League club in September.

Tottenham, which bought a group of players including strikers Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, spent 45 million ($63.9 million; 50 million).

Keane came back on Monday after only six months at Liverpool. The Irish forward has also played for Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, and his transfers have totaled 73 million pounds ($103.6 million; 81 million).

 The Premier League have confirmed Andrei Arshavin is an Arsenal player after approving his move from Zenit St Petersburg.

 

 

Both the Gunners and the player himself had faced an anxious wait after a race to get a deal agreed, signed and sealed on deadline day.

The 27-year-old moves to the Gunners for an "undisclosed fee on a long term contract" as is now the statutory transfer statement at the Emirates.

Earlier on Tuesday Zenit reported the fee to be a total of £16.9m including future incentives.

The playmaker shot to prominence at Euro 2008 after being a hugely important figure in Russia's qualifying campaign as well as being instrumental in Zenit winning the Russian title in 2007.

Arshavin played 232 games for Zenit, scoring 51 goals and was the 2006 Russian Footballer of the Year.

 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he will have no issue with Wayne Rooney linking up with the England squad despite the fact he has not played since January 14.

 

 

The striker is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and in pencilled in to feature against West Ham this Sunday. But his recovery has been hampered by the poor weather in England this week which has restricted training.

Even if Rooney does not feature at Upton Park the United boss will not try to block England coach Fabio Capello from taking him to Seville for next Wednesday's friendly with Spain.

Capello will name his squad for the match on Saturday evening and with United not playing until the following day he will have question marks over a number of his star names, hopeful they will come through club duty unscathed.

"I have not spoken to Fabio but I hope to do so in order to explain the situation,'' said Ferguson. "He can then decide after dialogue with the physios whether it is worth taking Wayne to Seville.

"I have no strong issue with that. It is a question of whether he would play or be a substitute, which is the same position as I am in. It is up to Fabio. I really have no strong objection to that.''

Ferguson also confirmed Gary Neville will miss the West Ham trip with a virus that forced him to come off against Everton last Saturday.

His automatic replacement, Wes Brown, does have a bruised foot, but is expected to play.

Harry Redknapp has confirmed Robbie Keane will captain Tottenham after completing his move back to White Hart Lane. 

Although defender Ledley King will retain the club captaincy, manager Redknapp will entrust Keane with the responsibility for leading the team in matches.

Keane was unable to win a regular place in the Liverpool team and was picked up by Tottenham yesterday, six months after leaving to join the club he supported as a boy.

There have been suggestions Keane will have to win over the Tottenham support at the start of his second stint in north London, however Redknapp is certain the Republic of Ireland captain will prove a reliable team leader.

"He is such a terrific character and I am glad to have him here because he will be important to us both on and off the field,'' Redknapp said on the club's website.

"He is just the type of player we need here and gives his all every time he plays.

"He is a leader with great presence in the dressing room and I am sure his enthusiasm will rub off on others.

"Ledley is our club captain but because of his injury he accepts he can't be involved every week, so Robbie will be my team captain.''

-- Edited by shamar at 01:30, 2009-02-03

 Chelsea have appealed against the red card shown to midfielder Frank Lampard in Sunday's 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

England international Lampard faces a three-match ban after being sent off on the hour mark by referee Mike Riley for a tackle on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso with the score at 0-0.

The FA confirmed on its website (www.thefa.com) that a regulatory commission would hear the appeal on Tuesday.

"I only ask that the referee and the men from the FA look at the video," Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari told the club's website.

Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa may also face an FA inquiry after the Portuguese international stamped on Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun in the dying minutes of Sunday's defeat, an act which went unpunished by Riley.

"Bosingwa was not correct. He made a mistake and maybe he has punishment (to come)," Scolari added.

"But if Bosingwa has a punishment ... maybe they change Lampard's red card and maybe he plays the next games."