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Kuwaona Wabrazil leo 5,000/-


na Dina Ismail


 WAKATI timu inayoshiriki Ligi Kuu ya soka nchini Brazil, Atletico Paranaense, leo inashuka katika dimba la Uwanja wa Taifa kukipiga na Yanga, kiingilio cha juu katika mechi hiyo kimepangwa kuwa sh 200,000 kwa watakaokaa jukwaa la VIP A huku cha chini kikiwa sh 5,000 kwa watakaokaa jukwaa la kijani.
Atletico iko nchini kwa ziara maalumu ya kimichezo chini ya uratibu wa kampuni ya RBP Oil &Industrial Technology inayomiliki timu ya African Lyon inayoshiriki Ligi Kuu Bara, ambako ujio huo ni mahsusi kwa uzinduzi wa timu hiyo.
Pamoja na kucheza na Yanga leo, timu hiyo Alhamis itacheza na mabingwa wa Ligi Kuu Bara Simba ambako pamoja na viingilio hivyo vya juu na vya chini, watakaokaa VIP B watalipa sh 100,000, VIP C sh 50,000 na wayakaokaa viti vya rangi ya chungwa watalipa sh 10,000.
Wakizungumzia mechi zao mbele ya waandishi wa habari, makocha wa Yanga Kostadin Papic na Patrick Phiri wa Simba, wamesema zina manufaa sana kwao na hasa ikizingatiwa wako katika maandalizi ya michuano ya kimataifa.
Papic alisema, pamoja na umuhimu wa mechi hiyo, lakini hawezi kupata picha halisi ya kikosi chake na hasa ikizingatiwa kuwa baadhi ya wachezaji wake wanaandamwa na majeruhi, huku wengine wakiwa katika timu ya Taifa iliyokuwa nchini Misri kushiriki michuano ya Nile Basin.
Naye Phiri alisema, mechi hiyo itawapa mafunzo tosha wachezaji wake katika kuelekea kwenye michuano ya kimataifa, pia kufahamu hatua waliyofikia wachezaji wake kabla ya kushiriki michuano hiyo.
 
Zogo ZFA lakimbiza neema


na Makuburi Ally


 KAMPUNI ya Vannedrick ya jijini Dar es Salaam imejitoa kudhamini Ligi Kuu Zanzibar msimu huu kutokana na mikanganyiko mbalimbali inayokitawala Chama cha Soka Zanzibar (ZFA).
Kwa mujibu wa mkurugenzi wa kampuni hiyo, Frederick Mwakalebela, awali ZFA walikuwa waingie kwa kushirikiana na kampuni ya Future Century, lakini wametoa taarifa kwa wenzao kujitoa kwao kudhamini ligi hiyo.
Mwakalebela alisema, sababu nyingine iliyosababisha kujitoa ni kwamba hadi leo hawajapata mawasiliano kutoka ZFA waliowataka kuandaa bajeti yao wakati ligi inatarajia kuanza hivi karibuni.
"Kutokana na mipangilio hiyo mibovu ya ZFA tumeona tukae pembeni, kwa sababu inaonekana tutapata matatizo baadaye wakati dhamira yetu ni kukuza na kuendeleza soka," alisema Mwakalebela.
Alisema, hivi sasa Vannedrick wamejipanga kusaidia timu za ligi daraja la kwanza, ikiwamo Moro United.
 
Waamuzi wanane waula CAF


na Makuburi Ally


 SHIRIKISHO la soka barani Afrika (CAF) limeteua waamuzi nane wa Tanzania kuchezesha mechi za michuano yake katika ngazi ya klabu.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jana, Ofisa Habari wa Shirikisho la soka Tanzania (TFF), Boniface Wambura, aliwataja waamuzi hao kuwa ni Waziri Sheha, Kombo Ali na Samuel Mpenzu watakaochezesha mechi ya Kombe la Shirikisho kati ya Sofapaka ya Kenya na AS Aviacao ya Angola kati ya Februari 11 na 13 nchini Kenya.
Wengine ni Oden Mbaga, Hamis Chang'walu na John Kanyenye watakaochezesha mechi ya Ligi ya Mabingwa kati ya Young Buffaloes ya Swaziland na St. Michael United ya Shelisheli itakayochezwa kati ya Januria 28 na 30 nchini Swaziland.
Aidha Wambura alisema, Hafidh Ali ameteuliwa kuwa kamishina wa mechi ya ligi ya mabingwa Afrika kati ya ZESCO United na Despotiva Muculmana ya Msumbiji, itakayochezwa Zambia kati ya Januari 28 na 30.
Ramadhani Kibo na Israel Mujuni wameteuliwa kuwa waamuzi wa akiba kwenye mechi za kombe la Shirikisho kati ya KMKM na DC Motema Pembe ya DRC na mchezo mwingine kati ya Yanga na Dedebit ya Ethiopia zitakazochezwa kati ya Februari 11 na 13.
Wakati huo huo, mkutano mkuu wa TFF, unatarajiwa kufanyika Machi 26 na 27 jijini Dar es Salaam ukiwa na lengo la kuzungumzia maendeleo mbalimbali ya mchezo huo.
 
Matawi Yanga kumjadili Nchunga, Mosha


na Makuburi Ally


 WENYEVITI na makatibu wa matawi ya Klabu ya Yanga Tanzania wanatarajiwa kukutana keshokutwa kwa ajili ya kuzungumzia maendeleo mbalimbali yanayoihusu klabu hiyo.
Mkutano huo utashirikisha pia wazee wa Yanga, ambao watakuwa chachu ya kujadili maendeleo ya klabu hiyo.
Kwa mujibu wa Mwenyekiti wa matawi ya Yanga, Mohamed Msumi, mkutano huo utajadili maendeleo ya Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara iliyoanza Januari 15 na mashindano ya kuwania Kombe la Shirikisho yanayotarajiwa kuanza kampeni zake na Dedebit ya Ethiopia kati ya Februari 11 na 13.
Msumi alisema, mkutano huo utajadili mgogoro kati ya Mwenyekiti, Lloyd Nchunga na Makamu wake, Davis Mosha, ambao utaiweka katika hali mbaya timu hiyo kama ukizidi kuendelea.
 
Dar es Salaam Gymkhana braces for Captain Trophy

By MBONILE BURTON, 17th January 2011 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 45

DAR ES SALAAM Gymkhana Club is all set for the Captain Trophy tournament scheduled to tee off on 12th February at the Club’s course.

It is the club event, organised by golf section under the outgoing captain’s Joseph Tango. The Club’s Golf section captain, Tango told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam on Monday that preparations are on top gear ahead of the event billed to be exciting. Tango said the one day 18 holes event will be played as stroke play basis.

“We’re organising the Captain Trophy next month, it is my last event in the office, but I’am determined that it will be a successful one,” he said.

He named categories lined up for the competition as men’s A, B, C, senior, ladies and junior categories. Tango appealed for golfers to come forward to compete in the tournament and make it a success.

His leadership term will come to an end next month, after a year in the office. In his first year in the office, Tango had done good job to the club, including improving greens in the course and also sponsoring youths to compete in various local and international events.

He saw his hard work paying dividends as the club was recently awarded the TGU Most improved course, during the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) Awards Ceremony held at Moshi Club.

The DGC also hosted most TGU organised events in 2010. He still has a chance to be re-elect.

But Tango said he has no intention to re-contest for the second term, due to what he described as his busy schedule at work.
 
Berbatov aims for golden double




2 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 1:05 PM ET
Dimitar Berbatov is keen to secure the Premier League's prestigious Golden Boot this season - if only because it will give Manchester United a better chance of reclaiming their title.


Although United have won 11 championships since the new league was formed in 1992, they can only boast three top scorers.
Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo all claimed the accolade and now Berbatov is aiming to join them.
The Bulgarian stands on 14 for the season - the same number as Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez - and he admits remaining top of the pile is a personal target.
"I hope I can stay on the top until the end of the season," he told MUTV.
"Obviously the goals I score help the team to win points, which is the most important thing.
"For now everything is going according to plan but there are other players doing well, and not just Carlos Tevez.
"It is a good competition but when you are at the top, you always look back to see who is coming behind you."
Staggeringly, Wayne Rooney can presently do no better than sixth in United's own list of Premier League scorers.

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Those in front include new arrival Javier Hernandez, who has scored six times in league combat, one of the reasons why the Mexican has earned so many rave reviews since his arrival from Guadalajara, which Berbatov is happy to add to.
"Every time when he goes onto the pitch, the only thing in Javier's mind is to score goals," said the Bulgarian.
"He is trouble for defenders. Everybody knows he is very quick. If you give him space and time he is very dangerous.
"He has done really well and the future is ahead of him because he is still young.
"I have seen the way he works in practice and after that in the gym. If he keeps going like that he has a great future."

 
Balotelli: City strikers are the best






Updated Jan 18, 2011 12:01 PM ET
Mario Balotelli has proclaimed Manchester City's strikeforce to be the best in the world - and at the same time dismissed Wayne Rooney as the number one forward in the city.
Currently sidelined by a knee injury that may require an operation, Balotelli cannot wait to team up with new signing Edin Dzeko.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

Manager Roberto Mancini has already declared his intention to unite the pair with Carlos Tevez in a star-studded Blues attack.
And Balotelli feels such a formation would offer greater power than any comparable forward line on the planet.
"Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world," Balotelli told Extra Time.
"We are the strongest. Better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid."
Certainly better than current Premier League leaders Manchester United, whose main striker has scored just three times this season.
"He [Rooney] is a very good player but not the best in Manchester," added Balotelli, the controversial star who also feels United fans admire him.
"Do United fans insult me? No, they stop me in the street and say: 'Mario, come to us',
"But I dream of beating them because I know how much the City fans care, they are wonderful with me."
Balotelli has been ordered to rest for a couple of weeks after which his present injury will be assessed.
It is one of the reasons why Mancini is reluctant to sanction the release of Emmanuel Adebayor, although reports in Spain have emerged claiming a loan deal will be completed with Real Madrid later this week.

 
Balotelli: City strikers are the best






Updated Jan 18, 2011 12:01 PM ET
Mario Balotelli has proclaimed Manchester City's strikeforce to be the best in the world - and at the same time dismissed Wayne Rooney as the number one forward in the city.
Currently sidelined by a knee injury that may require an operation, Balotelli cannot wait to team up with new signing Edin Dzeko.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

Manager Roberto Mancini has already declared his intention to unite the pair with Carlos Tevez in a star-studded Blues attack.
And Balotelli feels such a formation would offer greater power than any comparable forward line on the planet.
"Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world," Balotelli told Extra Time.
"We are the strongest. Better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid."
Certainly better than current Premier League leaders Manchester United, whose main striker has scored just three times this season.
"He [Rooney] is a very good player but not the best in Manchester," added Balotelli, the controversial star who also feels United fans admire him.
"Do United fans insult me? No, they stop me in the street and say: 'Mario, come to us',
"But I dream of beating them because I know how much the City fans care, they are wonderful with me."
Balotelli has been ordered to rest for a couple of weeks after which his present injury will be assessed.
It is one of the reasons why Mancini is reluctant to sanction the release of Emmanuel Adebayor, although reports in Spain have emerged claiming a loan deal will be completed with Real Madrid later this week.

 
Gerrard wants Dalglish to stay






Updated Jan 18, 2011 8:53 AM ET
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has pledged to do everything in his power to keep Kenny Dalglish as manager beyond this season.
Dalglish has yet to oversee a victory during his three games in charge, the derby draw with Everton on Sunday coming after defeats by Blackpool in the Premier League and Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

The fans' favourite has been put in temporary charge until the end of the campaign following the departure of Roy Hodgson.
And Liverpool skipper Gerrard is convinced Dalglish is the man to turn the club's fortunes around.
"I want to do everything in my power to ensure that he stays here for a long time, beyond the initial six months," Gerrard told LFC Weekly.
"I'd love nothing better when the end of the season comes than for us to be on the back of a good run of results that ensures he gets the job full-time. That's my short-term plan, to give everything I've got and all my energy to try to make that happen.
"I won't lie. When Kenny rang to say he was coming back it was a big lift. I love Kenny as a person and I've certainly enjoyed the first few days we've had working with him. I can see a positive future for Kenny at the club."
Liverpool are only four points above the relegation zone and face a crucial match at Wolves on Saturday when they will again be without influential midfielder Gerrard, who completes a three-match suspension.
He said: "I think Kenny is the perfect person to get everyone moving in the right direction again. He's the talisman at this club.
"His nickname, the King, says it all really. He's the perfect manager and also the person to bring it all together.
"It's time to re-group and for us all to be pulling in the right direction because this season certainly hasn't been good enough."
 
Toffees' Pienaar making Spurs switch






4 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 1:10 PM ET
LONDON (AP)

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar announced on Twitter on Tuesday he will be joining Tottenham from Premier League rival Everton.
Pienaar had also been in talks with English champion Chelsea after refusing to sign a new contract at Everton.

 TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

''To end speculation I am going to Spurs,'' the 28-year-old Pienaar posted on his Twitter account.
Everton said Monday that the club had agreed to a fee with Tottenham for the winger, who moved to Goodison Park on loan from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 before signing a permanent deal the following year.
''I've had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart,'' Pienaar added in his Twitter post.
British media reported that Spurs has offered 2.5 million pounds ($4 million) for the 28-year-old Pienaar, who was out of contract after this season. The London club is yet to confirm his signing.
Chelsea was widely reported to have offered three million pounds ($4.8 million) for Pienaar, who played in the World Cup last year.
Pienaar can play anywhere across the midfield but may struggle to break into Tottenham's first team, given the good form of left-winger Gareth Bale and playmakers Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric this season. England winger Aaron Lennon has been a fixture on the right midfield for Spurs.


Pienaar, whose stint in Europe began at Dutch side Ajax before signing for Dortmund, was named Everton's player of the year last season but gave no assurances he wanted to stay beyond the end of this campaign.
Everton, who sent Nigeria striker Ayegbeni Yakubu on loan to Leicester last week, decided to sell Pienaar in the January transfer window rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
Tim Cahill, currently playing for Australia at the Asian Cup, said Pienaar would be a ''massive loss'' to Everton.
''It's sad to see him go,'' Cahill said in an interview with The Associated Press. ''He's an exceptional player and he's going on to, in his mind, bigger and better things.
''Over the years he's brought qualities to the team we've needed, so not keeping him is disappointing. But when a player wants to go, there's nothing you can do.''
 
Modric: Spurs still in title race




23 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 10:07 AM ET
Midfielder Luka Modric insists that Tottenham is still very much in the race for the Premier League title.
Spurs failed to break-down current league leaders Manchester United on Sunday as they drew 0-0 at White Hart Lane.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

United managed to claim a draw even though they finished with just ten-men as Rafael was red-carded with 16-minutes left.
Despite their failure to break down United, Modric insists they that can still overhaul their current eight margin between themselves o the top.
"Tottenham still have a chance. We are definitely not out of the title race, even though we didn't close the gap on United," he told The Sun.
"In our last 14 games we've only had one defeat in all competitions.
"That's excellent for us and we need to keep going.
"Anything is possible. More than anything we have demonstrated Tottenham can compete with the very best teams.
"Spurs are on the same level as United. And even though we haven't beaten them for 10 years, we showed on Sunday that they are not better than us, we can play with them.
"The shame is we didn't win - but even a draw is a good result as it's not only a battle for the title but also a battle to get into the top four.
"Some teams are going to miss out. It's a big competition to reach the Champions League next season. It's not only four teams, it's five or six teams fighting for this fourth place.
"I hope we can achieve that top-four spot again but we need to keep playing like we did against United and we'll see where it takes us."
 
Liverpool accepts Babel bid








Updated Jan 18, 2011 12:29 PM ET
Liverpool has accepted a bid for winger Ryan Babel from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.
The Premier League club says the Netherlands international now has permission to discuss personal terms, having already traveled to Germany.
German newspaper Bild bas quoted Hoffenheim's main financial backer, software billionaire Dietmar Hopp, as saying that Hoffenheim was in an ''emergency situation.'' Hoffenheim is set to lose Senegal striker Demba Ba while Nigeria forward Chinedu Obasi has a long-term injury.
Hopp says ''Babel was one of the preferred candidates who our manager, Ernst Tanner, was most convinced by.''
Babel was fined 10,000 pounds ($16,000) Monday by England's Football Association over Twitter postings that criticized a referee.
 
Villa signs Bent in record deal




1 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 12:55 PM ET
Aston Villa have smashed their transfer record in signing Sunderland striker Darren Bent in a deal which could eventually be worth £24million.
Villa are splashing out an initial £18million for Bent but additional add-ons mean the final figure could rise by another £6million.

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Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The England player is in line to make his debut in Saturday evening's home Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The four-and-a-half year deal was completed on Tuesday after Bent agreed personal terms and passed a medical.
Bent's capture surpasses Villa's previous transfer record of £12million which was paid for James Milner (Newcastle) and Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) respectively.
The 26-year-old moved from Tottenham to the Stadium Of Light 18 months ago and scored 25 goals in his first season for the Black Cats.
Bent has been less prolific during the current campaign but has scored 81 Premier League goals in the last five seasons - a figure only bettered by Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney on 82 apiece.
Bent began his career with Ipswich a decade ago and also had a spell with Charlton before a £16.5million switch to Tottenham in 2007.
He spent two years at White Hart Lane before moving to Sunderland during the summer of 2009.
In total he has scored 128 league goals in 308 appearances.
Bent has won seven senior England caps and scored his first goal for his country during the Euro qualifier with Switzerland in Basle in September.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

His signing will take Villa's potential spending in this transfer window close to the £30million mark after already signing Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun for £6million.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier is also still interested in Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and is looking to bring in a new left-back.

Bent said: "Aston Villa is a massive football club and as soon as I knew they were interested in signing me I wanted to join.
"The size of the football club and the history of the club are major reasons for me coming here.
"There are some top, top players here too, real quality, and I've been able to speak to the manager and the owner about their ambitions for the club.
"I'm very excited about being a part of what we hope to achieve."
However, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was not happy to be losing the England striker.
He said: "It's hugely disappointing that Darren has decided that his future lies away from Sunderland and the players, our supporters and the club as a whole have every right to feel massively let down.
"The timing is especially hard to take, given that we are progressing positively and are in a great position to push on.
"Everyone has been nothing but supportive of Darren in his time at Sunderland but it's obvious he's not been himself in training and we've certainly not seen the best of him in games in recent weeks - and we now understand why.
"I've always stated that my aim is to build a talented, young squad for the long-term to help the club achieve sustained success and I want Sunderland fans to know that our ambitions haven't changed on that front."
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn added: "Darren has now left the club and it's important we move on quickly.
"We've worked hard in the last 36 hours to get what we feel is a fair price for him. Of course it presents us with significant challenges from a football perspective which we didn't envisage, but we'll deal with it and are working hard to find a solution both in the short-term and more importantly the longer term."

 
Rovers clinch Jones loan deal






Updated Jan 18, 2011 4:29 AM ET
Blackburn have signed Schalke's tough tackling midfielder Jermaine Jones on a six-month loan deal.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The 29-year-old USA international becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.
Manager Steve Kean told the club's official website: "He's a fantastic signing for us.
"Anybody who knows him as a player, he's a natural ball winner, he's a very good passer as well."
Kean added: "He's got a fantastic engine, he can go box-to-box, he's a genuine all round midfielder player."
Rovers will now await international clearance.
Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, made three friendly appearances for Germany before being cleared by FIFA to switch his allegiance to the United States in 2009.
Jones is eligible to play for the USA because his father is American. He made his debut for the country in October 2010.
The midfielder has been at Schalke since 2007, but has fallen out of favour with coach Felix Magath.
 
McCarthy expects rivalry to grow


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1 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 3:38 AM ET
Mick McCarthy expects the intensity of the rivalry between Wolves and the other midlands clubs to increase in the battle for Barclays Premier League survival.
Wolves will take a break from their relegation fight on Tuesday night when they take on Doncaster in an FA Cup third-round replay at Molineux.
Wed., Jan. 12​
Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Sat., Jan. 15​
Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap
Sun., Jan. 16​
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

But the scrap to stay up is top of the agenda with Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham and Aston Villa all striving to cling onto their top-flight status.
McCarthy said: "I'm not so sure the rivalry needs fuelling anymore. The intensity is going to increase because of the importance of staying in the Premier League.
"There are four of us from this area all threatened and might not be in the Premier League next season if we are not careful.
"It is going to make it a little more intense come the end of the season."
McCarthy remains confident that Wolves have the know-how and attitude to ensure they stay up for the second season running.
He said: "I am confident because of the group of players I have and the way they conduct themselves and play.
"We had an ordinary first part of the season. We have had good results recently and played very well.
"That is what gives me confidence we will stay up and being in the bottom three is not fazing me.
"I'd knew we'd go back into the bottom three at some stage. But we will be out of it by May 22, I'm sure of that."
McCarthy will be boosted by the return of team skipper Karl Henry and club captain Jody Craddock to the starting line-up for Tuesday's clash.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The duo have had lengthy injury lay-offs with knee and hip problems respectively although Henry impressed as a substitute in Saturday's 4-3 loss at Manchester City.
McCarthy said: "There will be some changes to the team. Henry and Craddock will play and there are one or two feeling the strain after the recent games.
"We have to play at full tilt so one or two need a breather before we face Liverpool on Saturday.
"It is vital for us that Karl and Jody are back. They are two vastly-experienced players and two captains.
"I don't know how many teams would have both captains out of the side and expect to continue as if nothing happened.
"We were pleased with Karl on Saturday and it is great to see Jody back."
 
Balotelli: Rooney not even the best striker in Manchester

Published 10:34 18/01/11 By David McDonnell



Mario Balotelli has taken an extraordinary swipe at Wayne Rooney, claiming the England star is not the best striker in Manchester.
With a little over three weeks to go to the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, City striker Balotelli offered a withering assessment of his opposite number at United.
And outspoken Balotelli - never afraid to court controversy - said City's front three of himself, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko was superior to that of United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"He [Rooney] is a very good player but not the best in Manchester," said Balotelli.



"Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world - better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid. We are the strongest and we can win things now - we just lack conviction."
Balotelli, currently sidelined with a knee problem, also claimed United fans stop him in the street in Manchester and plead with him to move to Old Trafford.
"Do United fans insult me?" said Balotelli. "No, they stop me in the street and say 'Mario, come to us'.
"But I dream of beating them because I know how much the City fans care.
"They are wonderful with me. When they sang my name after the hat-trick I scored, I had chills."
Balotelli also attacked Jose Mourinho, his former boss at Inter Milan, claiming City manager Roberto Mancini was superior to him in every respect.
"Mancini is the most important coach I've had," said Balotelli. "Soon he'll be the best in the world.
"As a man he is miles ahead of Mourinho."
 
Leeds boss: The pressure is all on Arsenal

Published 17:24 18/01/11 By MirrorFootball




Leeds manager Simon Grayson will send his players out for tomorrow night's FA Cup third-round replay against Arsenal at Elland Road with big smiles on their faces.
Grayson's npower Championship promotion-chasers came within a whisker of pulling off another big Cup upset at the Emirates Stadium 10 days ago and the 41-year-old believes the pressure is all on the Londoners.
Arsene Wenger is reminded more than ever this season that it has been almost six years since his side last landed a major trophy, hence his palpable relief after Cesc Fabregas's last-minute penalty had cancelled out Robert Snodgrass's spot kick to salvage an unlikely replay.
Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in 2005, last won the Premier League in 2004 and the League Cup in 1993. There is a growing angst among the Gunners' faithful and Grayson hopes this could work in Leeds' favour.

 Grayson, embarking on his third year in charge at Elland Road, said: "This is definitely a competition Arsenal want to win.
"They'll be focused on what they have to do and after being 1-0 down with a minute to go they'll be delighted to still be in it.
"But there's no pressure on us at all. We'll still go out and play with a carefree attitude and enjoy the occasion.
"Just because we got a result at the Emirates doesn't make us favourites by any stretch of the imagination.
"But it's a great opportunity to test ourselves against fantastic individuals and a fantastic team again and apply ourselves in front of the national media."
Leeds upset Manchester United at the same stage of the competition last season before falling to Tottenham in a replay and worked tirelessly again to restrict the Londoners to limited chances at the Emirates.
After Snodgrass had kept his cool to convert a 54th-minute penalty, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Leeds a second goal from Luciano Becchio's point-blank header.
Grayson said: "We've earned the right to do that after the result at the Emirates, where we played very well.
"We showed a lot of good qualities and a determination not to get beat so we've earned a night at Elland Road in front of 40,000 fans.
"My players will go in as underdogs again as they should do against a top Arsenal team, but it's a game where we can just go and enjoy ourselves and hopefully have no regrets.
"The crowd will be hugely important. I'm not sure if many of the Arsenal players will be aware of the atmosphere at Elland Road tomorrow night, but I'm sure when they come out five or six minutes before kick-off they'll realise what it's all about."
Arsenal proved fallible against Championship side Ipswich last week in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final and must overturn a 1-0 deficit in next week's return.
Grayson, whose chances of recruiting the two extra players he feels his squad needs will be boosted by the replay receipts, added: "We won't take anything from that. The one thing it does show us is that they can lose football matches as can any other team in the world.
"But they've had a result at the weekend. They've chopped and changed their side over the last few weeks so we don't know what to expect in terms of who's going to be playing.
"But whatever team they put out, they'll have some great players. That's why we'll rise to the occasion and we'll see where it gets us come 10 o'clock tomorrow night."


​
 
Wenger's defender search going nowhere




86 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 6:23 PM ET
Arsene Wenger admits his search for a new center back is going nowhere - but only because it is tough to match the quality he already has in the Arsenal defense.
The Gunners are short of cover at the heart of their backline, with both Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci sidelined.
Spanish youngster Ignasi Miquel, 18, has been promoted from the reserves to the first-team squad, and is likely to be included again for Wednesday night's FA Cup third-round replay at Leeds.

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However, Wenger continues to look for experience, and has been linked with moves for the likes of Bolton's Gary Cahill, Werder Bremen stopper Per Mertesacker and also veteran Aston Villa centre-half Richard Dunne.
The Arsenal boss, though, maintains he is no closer to delivering a top-quality target.
"It is still nowhere. We get many offers but at the moment, nothing concrete," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"If you look at the centre-backs we have, they are quality; [Johan] Djourou, Squillaci, [Laurent] Koscielny, Vermaelen.
"The quality of the player coming in, what will it be? It is a compliment of the players we have already? It is very difficult to predict."
Wenger openly admits he will make "a few changes" to rotate his starting XI for what will be Arsenal's sixth fixture of a congested January after needing a last-minute penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas to deny the npower Championship side a famous win at Emirates Stadium 10 days ago.

< FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh were both unused substitutes for the 3-0 win at West Ham on Saturday, which kept up Arsenal's Barclays Premier League title challenge.
Czech winger Tomas Rosicky is expected to be involved tomorrow having recovered from a virus, while there could also be a first start for midfielder Aaron Ramsey after his return to action from a broken leg.
After watching his team return to winning ways with a convincing display at Upton Park having been well below par in the shock 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat away to Ipswich, Wenger knows Arsenal must continue that improvement tomorrow.
"The speed of our display, the speed of thought, the sharpness of our game has to improve," he said.
"We want to be sharper and more positive, we started the game a little bit off our usual level. That means first, mentally, of all you want to switch on much quicker."
Arsenal have a fine away record this season, and can certainly expect a testing atmosphere at Elland Road, a venue which not so long ago hosted such showdowns on a regular basis.
Wenger, though, feels his squad will not suffer from stage fight.
"No matter what they do, the fans will be behind the team at Leeds. On the other hand, we are used to that and that would not be any excuse for us," he said.
"We have played all over the world, everywhere, in vociferous stadiums. I don't think that will be any excuse for us, it's natural and normal.
"What's important is that you show your quality no matter in what kind of environment you play."
 
Keane: Brum bid a publicity stunt




4 comments »

Updated Jan 18, 2011 2:36 PM ET
Robbie Keane has branded Birmingham's failed bid to buy him as a publicity stunt.
The midlands club pulled out of a move to sign Keane after failing to agree personal terms with the 30-year-old striker, having had a £6million bid accepted by Tottenham.

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"It was never going to happen," said Keane, who also insisted he knew nothing about reports linking him to West Ham.
"I haven't heard anything at the moment but we will just see what happens.
"But like I said, that Birmingham stuff yesterday was a bit bizarre with a statement coming out from them, which I found very strange.
"A deal was never really on the table, so I just think that Birmingham was looking for a bit of publicity really."
Keane, who joined Celtic on loan this time last year, admitted he did not know whether he would still be be at Spurs by the end of the transfer window.
He told Sky Sports News: "I'm not too sure - we will have to see what happens.
"There are still a couple of weeks left, so I'm sure we'll find out by then."
 


Updated Jan 18, 2011 10:06 AM ET
Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel's agent claims Liverpool have made an inquiry about the player.
The Dutch midfielder is out of contract in the summer and unlikely to sign a new deal with the reigning German champions.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

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Van Bommel could leave this month should the right offer come in, and his agent Mino Raiola revealed there is competition for his signature.
"I know about Liverpool's interest, but other offers are currently more interesting," Raiola told Germany's Bild newspaper.
Bayern's Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg and Serie A leaders AC Milan are understood to be keen on the 33-year-old, and Raiola says he is working on placing his client with a new club.
"I cannot guarantee 100% that he will stay (with Bayern), but there is no rush with negotiations - I just have to do a good job.
"I have got to find Mark the perfect club and we still have enough time for that."
Van Bommel joined Bayern Munich four years ago and became their captain when Oliver Kahn retired in 2008.
However, following the arrival of Luiz Gustavo from Hoffenheim earlier this month, there is more competition for his place at the heart of the midfield and he has hinted that he could be on his way out.
"You never know what the future brings," Van Bommel said.
"I am concentrating on Bayern while my agent takes care of all the rest."
 
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