United braced for FA call

Manchester United can expect a call from the FA on Monday after seven players were booked in the draw at Chelsea.

* Watch the post-match reactions from Chelsea vs Man United game here!
Despite Sir Alex Ferguson claiming there was not a dirty tackle in the game, the Red Devils still ended up with the names of exactly half the playing members of their squad going into the notebook of referee Mike Riley.
That will be enough to trigger the involvement of Soho Square, who automatically act when the number reaches six.
And they might also end up looking at the clash between Rio Ferdinand and Didier Drogba right on the final whistle which left the Chelsea man needing treatment.
"It was a competitive game but I did not think there was one bad tackle in it," said Ferguson.
"The game is being screened worldwide. Everyone is watching it and something like that happens.
"People are saying what is going on here but it is difficult to say anything about the referee.
"I do not want to get involved."
Ferguson was clearly unhappy with Riley's performance, as were a number of his senior players.
And United's afternoon did not get much less stormy after they had left Stamford Bridge as their team coach was attacked on the short trip to Euston station.
A bottle was hurled from the pavement, cracking the windscreen, although no-one was injured, with United officials eager to play down the incident afterwards.
"Yes. There was an incident but the matter is now in the hands of the police," said a club spokesman.
At least Riley received the backing of Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who noted the FA's recent 'Respect' initiative aimed at greater co-operation between players and officials.
"I am not surprised," said Scolari. "That is what the referee is there for.
"If players do not respect him, it should be yellow and red cards. It doesn't matter who you are - Liverpool or Manchester United, whoever."
However, the Chelsea coach said he was puzzled at the bizarre ending, with Riley blowing for time as Drogba was about to receive treatment.
"It was strange that he finished the game at that time but we need to accept his decision."

by espnstar.com

Manchester United

Kaka: Milan squad now united

Kaka believes that AC Milan's 4-1 whipping of Lazio has proved that the team are stating to play as a unit again.
The Rossoneri, bottom of the table after two straight Serie A losses, responded in the best way possible by trouncing their rivals from the capital with Kaka in particular showing signs of coming back to form with some delightful play.
"We discussed this week that we are not a bunch of individuals, but a united team and that is what we proved tonight," revealed Kaka.
"There is a long way to go yet, but you can already see the improvements and this will be a good example for the future."
Milan now have the Brazilian trio of Kaka, Pato, and Ronaldinho in their ranks but the Milan number 22 insisted that players deserved the credit for their scintillating performance.
"It's wonderful to play with my compatriots Pato and Ronadinho, but also because I play in a squad with such champions as (Paolo) Maldini, (Massimo) Ambrosini, and (Clarence) Seedorf," he confessed.
Milan's next test is at the Stadio Granillo, where they will take on Reggina in the midweek round of Serie A this Wednesday.
by espnstar.com

Tags: AC Milan, Lazio, Kaka, Serie A, football

Red Devils' bus attacked

Manchester United's team bus was attacked as it left Stamford Bridge on Sunday night after their 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side were making their way to Euston for their return journey to the north west after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea when a bottle was hurled at the windscreen. No-one was injured, although the windscreen was cracked.
"Yes. There was an incident but the matter is now in the hands of the police," said a club spokesman.
Nevertheless, the team continued on their short trip across London without further incident.
Last time United visited the stadium Patrice Evra became involved in a heated post-match exchange with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell which is still the subject of an FA investigation, while Rio Ferdinand was forced to apologise to a female steward after kicking a ball at her in anger.
Sunday's encounter was not much less contentious, with United picking up seven yellow cards from referee Mike Riley which will now see them fined by the FA.
A Chelsea statement read: "We are aware of reports of an altercation with the Manchester United bus as it left the Stamford Bridge area.
"It appears to be an isolated incident but we have launched a full investigation in conjunction with local authorities.
"We do not condone violence in any shape or form. If, as a result of our investigations, we find that any Chelsea supporters were involved we will take appropriate action against those individuals."
by espnstar.com

Tags: Red Devils, Manchester+United, Chelsea, Premier League, football

Man City dismantle Pompey

Man City's players downed Portsmouth 6-0 with a display that was timed perfectly to impress their new chairman.
With Khaldoon Al Mubarak in attendance, City - inspired by their superstar Brazilian Robinho - ripped Portsmouth apart with a six-goal salvo.
Jo, Richard Dunne, Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips - plus substitutes Ched Evans and Gelson Fernandes - each scored in a stunning all-round display.
It was humiliation for Portsmouth, and in particular a match to forget for goalkeeper David James - who was partly culpable for several of the home side's goals.
Mark Hughes, the City manager, has been promised time to break into the top four by the club's new owners from Abu Dhabi. But after this, expectations will be sky-high.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp started off with an unfashionable 3-5-2 line-up and must have regretted it as City pulled the defence apart from the start.
James had already made two good saves, from Robinho and Wright-Phillips, when City went ahead in the 13th minute.
Jo, a handful for the centre-backs all afternoon, was the man to get it - as Al Mubarak applauded from the directors' box.
Robinho slid a pass that caught Younes Kaboul flat-footed to find his fellow Brazilian. As James came racing out, Jo rounded him easily and side-footed the ball into the empty net.
Peter Crouch glanced a header over the bar from a corner as Portsmouth tried to hit back quickly, but almost immediately were 2-0 down.
James had to shoulder some of the blame for this one. Elano's clever corner towards the near post nearly caught him out, and he could only parry the ball for Dunne to bundle home from close range.
Portsmouth then had a spell where they managed to match City and create several chances, but wasted their opportunities to claw their way back.
Crouch came within inches, slamming Glen Johnson's low centre just the wrong side of the post; then Kaboul spooned a shot over from 12 yards, after Sol Campbell had headed down Nadir Belhadj's free-kick.
Campbell saw his goal-bound header blocked on the line by Pablo Zabaleta, before Lassana Diarra's shot was diverted over his own bar by Dunne.
But Robinho could scent his second goal in as many games and the 24-year-old nearly scored with some outrageous skill, only to be denied by a block.
Within seconds of the re-start, Jermain Defoe burst through on goal ahead of Micah Richards but finished woefully - poking his shot wide ... and that was that for Portsmouth.
City's third goal arrived in the 57th minute - and to general delight in the stadium, the scorer was that man Robinho. It was made by the irrepressible Stephen Ireland, who robbed Armand Traore and floated a ball over the top for Jo to knock into his compatriot's path - and Robinho finished expertly with a low strike into the corner.
The fourth was if anything even more popular with the City fans, as Wright-Phillips made it on to the scoresheet. Ireland was the provider again, delivering a perfect pass for Wright-Phillips to run on to and hammer a shot from a narrow angle past James at his near post.
Evans made it five after Robinho's step-overs flummoxed Campbell; Wright-Phillips executed a Brazilian-style back-heel, and the 19-year-old Welshman completed the job neatly from eight yards out.
Portsmouth were so shell-shocked it was no surprise when the sixth arrived. Robinho's cross from the left was dangerous; James just managed to stop Wright-Phillips from getting to it, but Fernandes followed up to slam the loose ball home.
Robinho was given a thunderous standing ovation when he was substituted with a few minutes remaining, before Evans crashed a volley a couple of yards too high.
Only the final whistle brought relief for Portsmouth.
by espnstar.com

Tags: Robinho, Man City, Portsmouth, Manchester+City, Premier League, football

BPL Super Sunday Review

Salomon Kalou came off the bench to rescue a point for Chelsea against Man United in their BPL clash at Stamford Bridge.
Ji-Sung Park had given Sir Alex Ferguson's side a deserved lead in the 18th minute when he tapped in from close range after Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had fumbled Dimitar Berbatov's shot.
Nicolas Anelka missed a great chance to level the scores in the 72nd minute but he could not make contact with Joe Cole's superb ball into the six-yard box.
Luiz Felipe Scolari replaced Michael Ballack with Kalou and the Ivory Coast forward repaid the Brazilian with an equaliser in the 80th minute.
Wayne Rooney was booked for a crude lunge at Ashley Cole, and the punishment was doubled when Kalou headed Jon Mikel Obi's free-kick beyond a static Tomasz Kuszczak.
In the day's lunchtime kick-off Aston Villa continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
John Carew headed home Ashley Young's free-kick in the 27th minute and two minutes later Gabriel Agbonlahor capitalised on Leon Barnett's failure to clear Young's long ball and smashed the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net.
Tony Mowbray's side pulled a goal back in the 34th minute when Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel spilled Robert Koren's 25-yard shot and James Morrison slotted home but the Baggies were unable to equalise.
Manchester City responded to the news that the formal takeover of the club by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan will be completed on Tuesday with a 6-0 thrashing of Portsmouth at Eastlands.
Brazilian striker Jo put City ahead in the 13th minute when he rounded David James before slotting home after he was put through by compatriot Robinho.
Skipper Richard Dunne doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a close-range finish and this time Jo set up Robinho who latched on to his knockdown and finished expertly with a low strike to make it 3-0 in the 57th minute
City were not done though and Shaun Wright-Phillips (68), Ched Evans (78) and Gelson Fernandes (83) all got on the scoresheet to complete the rout.
Everton came back from a two-goal deficit to claim a point against Hull at the KC Stadium.
Michael Turner gave the Tigers the lead in the 18th minute when he turned home Dean Marney's corner and Phil Neville put through his own net two minutes after half-time to put Hull 2-0 up.
But David Moyes' side refused to give in and Tim Cahil pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute when his shot rebounded off the crossbar and was adjudged to have crossed the line.
Five minutes later Leon Osman steered home Ayegbeni Yakubu's cross from inside the penalty area to level and despite a frantic final 12 minutes neither side could find a winner.
Juande Ramos' problems continued as his Tottenham side remained at the bottom of the table after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Wigan at White Hart Lane.
by espnstar.com

Tags: Chelsea, Man United, Ji Sung Park, Manchester+City, Premier League, football

Schuster: That's more like it

Real Madrid chief Bernd Schuster could not mask his joy at his outfit's excellent 2-0 away triumph over Racing Santander.
Two strikes from Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruben De La Red after the interval ensured the Spanish champions came away with all three points from a potential banana skin tie.
"Today we have been much better," Schuster said.
"We played better than the other day when we didn't have the ball, especially considering where we played tonight.""We also knew that one of the keys to the game was in the first goal, which we managed to score.""This has been a very good victory in light of the upcoming matches we face. "
"Now we return to Madrid with this major victory and await the visit of Sporting on Wednesday.""We are going to improve things now by working every day. Above all else we have attitude, duty, and a work ethic in the pitch. You can't ask more of the players."The former Getafe coach also reflected on the injury sustained by Guti and hoped that the midfield schemer would soon be up and running."It's a disgrace for us, because in that position we already have two injured players - Gago and Sneijder," he sighed."I hope it's not serious and he can return soon.""Raúl did his job well - it's clear that I'd like to see him even closer to form, but away from home, with Van Nistelrooy and Higuaín playing, one must help the team."At home it would be different, but we weren't at home. "
"At a rival ground you need to work differently."
by espnstar.com

Tags: Real Madrid, Spain, Bernd Schuster, Nistelrooy, Primera Liga, football

Argentina on track for first Davis Cup

Juan Martin Del Potro was overjoyed after leading Argentina into the Davis Cup final by winning the deciding contest.
The 19-year-old defeated Igor Andreev 6-4 6-2 6-1 as Argentina recovered from David Nalbandian's loss to Nikolay Davydenko to triumph 3-2 in the overall match.
Argentina finished runners-up in 1981 and 2006 and will bid for their first Davis Cup title in Buenos Aires in November against Spain, who defeated the United States 4-1 in Madrid.
"Happiness is the only word I can use to describe how I feel," said Del Potro.
"The match was difficult to begin with because I was a bit nervous and was anxiously looking forward to finishing the tie.
"Then, it was easier. I felt better. I played great tennis and I thank my captain and my team-mates who supported me."
Del Potro thought team-mate Nalbandian would finish the contest, but he fell 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/2) 6-0 to Davydenko.
"I was not expecting to finish the tie myself," added Del Potro. "I thought we could do it earlier, but anyway I am very happy because we celebrated at the end."
Captain Alberto Mancini was thrilled Argentina won after seeing his leading player slip up.
"We knew it was not going to be easy. We took a big lead on Friday and tried to secure it on Saturday as we usually do as hosts, but we couldn't," he said.
"David was quite tired after playing the doubles match so he had less possibilities to win, but we trusted in Juan and he played great tennis."
Mancini turned his attentions to the final and, despite Argentina only ever hosting Davis Cup tennis on clay, hopes they can play Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and company indoors.
"We want an indoor carpet, no matter where," added Mancini. "We'll start discussing that with the Association to see where we can play, but we want an indoor carpet."
Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev was magnanimous in defeat and tipped Argentina to lift the trophy later this year.
He said: "I want to congratulate the Argentinian team for the victory. I am sure they will win the trophy because of their attitude, their temperament and professionalism."
Igor Andreev anticipated Del Potro would be a difficult opponent after the Argentinian's win over Davydenko on Friday.
"I saw the first rubber on Friday and I was expecting this," said Andreev.
"We played him four months ago in Munich and we already saw there his potential and play.
"He won four ATP tournaments in two months so he has gained confidence to play this tie.
"I was looking forward to do quite more today, but he (Del Potro) played great tennis."
David Nalbandian, meanwhile, backed Mancini's decision to include him in the doubles on Saturday despite fatigue playing a part in his loss to Davydenko.
"If we had won the doubles match on Saturday, nobody would have said anything about whether I shouldn't play that match," said Nalbandian, the world number seven.
"Most of the times we managed to define the tie on Saturday. This time, we kept the suspense going until Sunday."

by espnstar.com

Tags: Deln Potro, Spain, Argentina, Davis Cup, final, tennis

Roddick praises Nadal after Spanish win

Andy Roddick hailed Rafael Nadal as the best clay-court player of all time after he swept Spain into the Davis Cup final.
Nadal produced another masterclass on his favourite surface at Madrid's Las Ventas bullring to defeat Roddick 6-4 6-0 6-4 and seal an unassailable 3-1 semi-final lead for Spain in the opening match on the final day.
Feliciano Lopez then completed a 4-1 victory for the hosts after defeating Sam Querrey 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) in the subsequent dead rubber, but it was Nadal who drew all the plaudits following his magnificent display.
The 22-year-old Mallorcan has now won 123 of his last 126 matches on clay, and Roddick admits it was always going to be a big ask for him to defeat Nadal in circumstances tailor-made for the Spanish superstar.
"I don't know if you can draw up a tougher scenario than playing Nadal on clay, away, in front of his fans. Even Roger (Federer) on grass you can serve and the points are a bit quicker. This is probably the toughest scenario there is," said Roddick.
"I felt like I hit the ball okay. In my opinion he is the greatest clay-courter of all time, and I'm not a great clay-courter, and it's tough especially when he comes out and hits it like he did today."
Somewhat remarkably considering Nadal's performance, there was actually some doubt on Saturday about whether he would be able to play the potentially crucial rubber against Roddick due to a buttock muscle injury.
Nadal said: "Yesterday I had a bit of a problem, I just had a test but everything was fine. I felt well this morning.
"We have a very good team and if one player is not 100% then someone else can come in. We decided everything today."
He added: "Today I played an almost perfect match and it is very, very exciting."
Nadal's success this weekend follows on from an incredible year for the left-hander, who has won eight singles titles - including Wimbledon, the French Open and Olympic gold - and also replaced Federer as the world number one.
"Fortunately I've played great games in the last few months. To play at home in a Davis Cup tie is something that doesn't happen too often in your life and you have to appreciate it," Nadal said.
"It has been a fair tie for both teams, as much for the fans as for the opposing players."
The Nadal-Roddick match was almost two hours late in starting due to heavy rain in the Spanish capital, and Roddick admitted that had left him with some concerns prior to the match.
When asked if the conditions such as the high altitude and clay had affected his game, a relaxed and candid Roddick said in an entertaining post-match press conference: "I think the six hours of rain didn't help!
"I saw them carting out the wheelbarrows and putting more clay on the court and I thought 'oh no', and then they said we were on and I thought 'oh no'."
Roddick at least had a partisan Spanish crowd on his side for part of Sunday's game - something that was not the case during his five-set defeat to David Ferrer on Friday.
However, Roddick admits the home supporters were unlikely to have been chanting his name if he had been winning.
"It was cool. There is a lot of recent history between the two teams, this is the fourth time I have played them in eight years. But I have to say they aren't going to be doing that unless you're getting your butt kicked!" he said.
Spain will now meet either Argentina or Russia in the final as they seek their third Davis Cup title, having last won it in 2004 when they defeated the US.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Rafael Nadal, Spain, Andy Roddick, Davis Cup, final, US, tennis

Nadal fires Spain into final

Spain booked their place in the Davis Cup final at the expense of the US after another Rafael Nadal clay-court masterclass.
The world number one was in merciless form against Andy Roddick and his 6-4 6-0 6-4 victory in Madrid's Las Ventas bullring means the Spanish moved into an unassailable 3-1 lead.
The start of play was delayed by almost two hours due to rain in the Spanish capital and Nadal, who had won 122 of his last 125 matches on clay, looked keen to make up for lost time once his clash with Roddick finally got under way.
He broke in the seventh game of the first set and then stormed through the next without allowing Roddick a look-in.
Roddick had three break points in Nadal's first service game of the third set but the Spaniard reeled off five successive points, and the home favourite compounded the 26-year-old's misery by immediately breaking him in the next game.
Although he was unable to make the most of five match points in the ninth game, Nadal wrapped up victory in the next on his own serve, sealing the triumph with a brilliant cross-court backhand.
Spain will meet Argentina or Russia in the final as they seek their third Davis Cup title.

by espnstar.com

Tags: Rafael Nadal, Spain, Andy Roddick, Davis Cup, final, tennis

Mourinho demanding for a win

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourino wants nothing less than three points from his players when they face Torino.
The Nerazzurri will travel away to the Stadio Olimpico and are looking to continue their bright start to the season.
The inform Nerazzurri travel to the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow and they will be looking to continue their good start to the season. "I want six points before we play Milan and to do that, we need a great performance against Torino," said Mourinho."It will be a special game worth three points but we must not talk about the Scudetto just yet with only two games gone."It's important for the players to show the same will and attitude as in previous games. Torino will be a difficult team and they will cause us problems."They play well, have a good formation and structure and I believe they will change strategies in order to try and beat us."

by espnstar.com

Tags: Jose Mourino, manager, Nerazzurri, Inter Milan

Newcastle rejected by eight managers

It has emerged that at least eight managers have rejected the chance to become Newcastle United's new gaffer.
Newcastle have had no luck finding a new owner after Mike Ashley went to the Middle East to search for one.
And now finding a new manager is proving just as difficult.The bosses – from home and abroad – believe succeeding Kevin Keegan is mission impossible. They will be tainted in the eyes of Geordie fans as Ashley’s stooge appointment.And it was another humiliating day for struggling Newcastle as they were thrashed 3-1 by West Ham at Upton Park.Newcastle ended a nightmare week with a sorry defeat that left them in the bottom three of the Premier League.Put up for sale by controversial owner Mike Ashley, the Toon subsided meekly to a West Ham side led into action for the first time by Gianfranco Zola.And the travelling Toon Army had to endure home fans’ chants of: “There’s only one Mike Ashley.”Caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton could only hope for better in the midweek Carling Cup tie against Tottenham at St James’ Park.Hughton said: “It was always a massive game because it is important for a big club like ours to stay in the cup competitions for as long as ispossible. A win is the best way to lift morale.”Hughton insists the players prepare as they always do and that he has not considered the prospect of taking the job at the crisis-ridden club on a permanent basis.“All my thoughts are getting the team ready and preparing them for the next game. All I think about after the game is whether there is anything I could have done better as a coach.”Hughton admitted that the sooner the uncertainty at Newcastle is resolved, the better. The furore surrounding the departure of Kevin Keegan and the decision by owner Ashley to sell up has clearly had an affect.“The sooner it all gets sorted out the better,” said Hughton. “That has been the case from day one. All we can do in the meantime is our best.”Hughton was at least heartened by the response of his team to going three goals down against a West Ham team rejuvenated by the arrival of Zola.“We were unlucky with the first goal because there were two deflections,” he said. “The last thing you want to happen is to concede an early goal against what we knew would be an offensive side.“Then we let in a second and the third early in the second half. But we showed spirit to come back and now all we can do is prepare the players for the next game.”

by espnstar.com

Tags: Mike Ashley, Premier League, Kevin Keegan, Newcastle

Fabregas not for sale even at US$183m

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has announced that Cesc Fabregas is not for sale even at US$183million (£100m).
The Gunners recently announced an increase in turnover and pre-tax profits but their overall debt has risen by US$91.5m in the past year. BUt Hill-Wood is adament that, despite a rise in his club’s debt to US$582m, they are under no pressure to sell Fabregas or any key player even if they received an offer of US$183million. “I don’t think for us to sell our best players for almost any figure makes any commercial sense for us,” Hill-Wood said. “We don’t have to. If someone gave us US$183m we’d have to pay 40 per cent tax on the damn thing and what the hell are we going to do with the extra £60m? I’d rather have a couple of good players. We will resist any overtures that are made for any of our star players.” Arsenal announced an increase in turnover and pre-tax profits last week but their overall debt has risen by £50m in the past year. Yet Hill-Wood is confident that the club’s business plan is working and that they do not need to follow the path of Manchester City – or Chelsea and Manchester United who meet today at Stamford Bridge – in seeking foreign billions. Alisher Usmanov, the Russian billionaire and a major shareholder in the club, has made no secret of his desire to buy Arsenal outright. “If we looked for an outside benefactor then that would lead us to become a business that’s unsustainable,” he said. “If you’re expecting some sort of sugar daddy to top up the coffers every time you overspend then I don’t think that would be our way of doing things. “A rich benefactor can easily get bored and decide to buy another yacht or go into horse racing. It makes you very slack in the way you run the business.”

by espnstar.com

Tags: Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea, Manchester City