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England women warm up for World Cup with victory over USA
England 2-1 USA
England 2-1 USA
- Tony Leighton at Brisbane Road
- guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 22.53 BST <li class="history">Article history
Jess Clarke scores England's first goal in their 2-1 win over USA. Photograph: Ian Walton/The FA via Getty Images England confirmed their women's World Cup credentials with a 2-1 win against the USA, the world's top-ranked women's nation, at Leyton Orient.
In their penultimate warm-up game for the tournament in Germany this summer, early goals by the wingers Jess Clarke and Rachel Yankey set up England's first win against the Americans in nine attempts since 1988. The previous meeting ended in a 3-0 defeat at the 2007 World Cup finals in China.
In front of a 5,801 crowd England made an assured start and went ahead through a well-worked eighth-minute move, finished by Clarke with a low 10-yard drive.
Their confidence visibly lifted, the home side pressed for a second goal and it arrived in the 26th minute, Yankey collecting a Kelly Smith pass to send an angled 15 yard shot into the top corner of the net.
The Americans had posed no threat but got back in the game six minutes before the interval when the left winger Megan Rapinoe was allowed to run at the defence without a challenge and scored from 20 yards.
The visitors then controlled the second half but were unable to force an equaliser, although the right winger Heather O'Reilly and the substitute Alex Morgan both missed fine chances.
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Rooney: Subs won it for us
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 5:09 PM ET
Wayne Rooney praised Manchester United's substitutes after his hat-trick helped Manchester United come from 2-0 down to beat West Ham 4-2.
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City vs. Sunderland
United appeared certain to open the door for Arsenal and Chelsea when their defence went into meltdown to gift the Hammers two penalties which Mark Noble despatched with aplomb.
But the leaders were rewarded for going for broke in the second half, Rooney starting the fightback with just 25 minutes remaining and completing his 14-minute treble from the spot before substitute Javier Hernandez sealed the points.
"(Dimitar) Berbatov was fantastic for us holding up the ball and making things happen," Rooney told Sky Sports 2.
"The substitutions were good substitutions and they won us the game."
The comeback not only opened up a bigger lead at the top of the table for Sir Alex Ferguson's men but also dropped the Hammers into the bottom three on goal difference.
Ryan Giggs found himself in the unfamiliar position on left-back for the second half, but he was certain the game was not beyond the team.
"In the first half we played some good stuff and gave silly goals away," he said.
"We felt that if we kept going and got a goal we knew we could do it. We dont give up, no matter what the score.
"We were brilliant all over the park but even when he haven't been playing well we have been grinding out results."
With Ferguson banned from the touchline the first chance he got to talk to his players came at half-time, but even at 2-0 Giggs insisted the United boss was not angry with the team.
"He was calm because we were playing well," said Giggs. "We just got into some good areas and the final ball wasn't good enough, we knew the goals would come."
Rooney acknowledged that visiting Upton Park always leads to a hard game and knew how vital his free-kick was in the victory.
"It is a difficult place to come, the next goal [at 2-0] was the most important one and we managed to control the game after that," he said.
The United forward also scored his 100th Premier League goal for United as he curled in an effort from just inside the area, before scoring his third from the penalty spot.
Ferguson claimed his side "played like champions" after refusing to panic and turning the match around.
He told Sky Sports 2: "We played like champions today, we kept our heads up and didn't lose faith in our ability.
"It's never easy coming here. They are fighting relegation but we had to do our thing.
"We dominated that second half and it was a real championship performance."
He added: "It was eventful. Being two goals down was a travesty in terms of possession and chances created.
"We were under the cosh so I felt we had to go for it.
"We needed to get something from it."
Victory put United eight points ahead of Arsenal before the Gunners' evening kick-off against Blackburn but Ferguson added: "Arsenal have a game in hand.
"It could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.
The Old Trafford manager insisted Nemanja Vidic's tackle on Carlton Cole which resulted in West Ham's second penalty was outside the box although he conceded the Serb could have been sent off later when he fouled Demba Ba.
"He could have been sent off for the free-kick outside the box and maybe got a lucky break," he said.
"It would have been harsh but he could have been sent off."
West Ham boss Avram Grant was clearly deflated after the game, although he insisted his side could bounce back.
On what effect the nature of the defeat will have on morale, Grant told Sky Sports 2: "It will not damage it.
"We are a strong team and we have showed we can recover well.
"We are disappointed. It was 2-0, we played well and then they scored."
The result saw the Hammers slide back into the relegation zone, although Grant would not read too much into the loss.
"We had a big job before. We can get over this," he added.
"We came strong, we were very good in the first half and it is more disappointing."
The Israeli refused to be drawn on whether Vidic should have been sent off or whether the foul which led to the Hammers' second penalty was outside the area.
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 5:09 PM ET
Wayne Rooney praised Manchester United's substitutes after his hat-trick helped Manchester United come from 2-0 down to beat West Ham 4-2.
Sat., Apr. 2
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | RecapBirmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3
Fulham vs. BlackpoolMan City vs. Sunderland
United appeared certain to open the door for Arsenal and Chelsea when their defence went into meltdown to gift the Hammers two penalties which Mark Noble despatched with aplomb.
But the leaders were rewarded for going for broke in the second half, Rooney starting the fightback with just 25 minutes remaining and completing his 14-minute treble from the spot before substitute Javier Hernandez sealed the points.
"(Dimitar) Berbatov was fantastic for us holding up the ball and making things happen," Rooney told Sky Sports 2.
"The substitutions were good substitutions and they won us the game."
The comeback not only opened up a bigger lead at the top of the table for Sir Alex Ferguson's men but also dropped the Hammers into the bottom three on goal difference.
Ryan Giggs found himself in the unfamiliar position on left-back for the second half, but he was certain the game was not beyond the team.
"In the first half we played some good stuff and gave silly goals away," he said.
"We felt that if we kept going and got a goal we knew we could do it. We dont give up, no matter what the score.
"We were brilliant all over the park but even when he haven't been playing well we have been grinding out results."
With Ferguson banned from the touchline the first chance he got to talk to his players came at half-time, but even at 2-0 Giggs insisted the United boss was not angry with the team.
"He was calm because we were playing well," said Giggs. "We just got into some good areas and the final ball wasn't good enough, we knew the goals would come."
Rooney acknowledged that visiting Upton Park always leads to a hard game and knew how vital his free-kick was in the victory.
"It is a difficult place to come, the next goal [at 2-0] was the most important one and we managed to control the game after that," he said.
The United forward also scored his 100th Premier League goal for United as he curled in an effort from just inside the area, before scoring his third from the penalty spot.
Ferguson claimed his side "played like champions" after refusing to panic and turning the match around.
He told Sky Sports 2: "We played like champions today, we kept our heads up and didn't lose faith in our ability.
"It's never easy coming here. They are fighting relegation but we had to do our thing.
"We dominated that second half and it was a real championship performance."
He added: "It was eventful. Being two goals down was a travesty in terms of possession and chances created.
"We were under the cosh so I felt we had to go for it.
"We needed to get something from it."
Victory put United eight points ahead of Arsenal before the Gunners' evening kick-off against Blackburn but Ferguson added: "Arsenal have a game in hand.
"It could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.The Old Trafford manager insisted Nemanja Vidic's tackle on Carlton Cole which resulted in West Ham's second penalty was outside the box although he conceded the Serb could have been sent off later when he fouled Demba Ba.
"He could have been sent off for the free-kick outside the box and maybe got a lucky break," he said.
"It would have been harsh but he could have been sent off."
West Ham boss Avram Grant was clearly deflated after the game, although he insisted his side could bounce back.
On what effect the nature of the defeat will have on morale, Grant told Sky Sports 2: "It will not damage it.
"We are a strong team and we have showed we can recover well.
"We are disappointed. It was 2-0, we played well and then they scored."
The result saw the Hammers slide back into the relegation zone, although Grant would not read too much into the loss.
"We had a big job before. We can get over this," he added.
"We came strong, we were very good in the first half and it is more disappointing."
The Israeli refused to be drawn on whether Vidic should have been sent off or whether the foul which led to the Hammers' second penalty was outside the area.
Rutashubanyuma
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Fabio Capello hopes to be remembered for launching England's success
• 'My job was to find new players not just use the older players'
• Manager 'concerned' about Euro qualifier against Switzerland
• 'My job was to find new players not just use the older players'
• Manager 'concerned' about Euro qualifier against Switzerland
- Press Association
- The Observer, Sunday 3 April 2011 <li class="history">Article history Fabio Capello says he wants to be remembered for blooding some of England's young emerging talent. Photograph: Tom Jenkins Fabio Capello hopes England fans remember him when the team end their long wait for a major trophy.
Brought in to try to bring footballing glory to the country that is host to the self-proclaimed "best league in the world", but which has endured a near half-century wait for international silverware, Capello knows the odds are stacked against him breaking that cycle at Euro 2012.
However, in assessing a squad who contain Jack Wilshere, Andy Carroll, Joe Hart and Danny Welbeck, the England manager is convinced the good times are not too far away. "I will be really happy when I have gone to know that I have helped when these players have started winning," he said.
"They are going to be really important and when they win the World Cup or another big title I hope everyone remembers that I was a really professional manager and that my job was to find new players not just use the older players."
For all the turmoil that has gone on around him since the launch of that ill-fated Capello Index last May, it now seems certain the Italian will see out the remainder of his contract, or at least remain in post to the end of England's involvement in Euro 2012.
He remains committed to the job and it seems he will be on the plane to Brazil for the World Cup draw on 31 July, even though he will play no role in the qualification matches themselves. "I will decide but I hope to go," he said.
That should not be interpreted as the first sign Capello might be persuaded to stay. He has always believed four years to be the life span of any coach.
"We only play 12 games a year so it is impossible to get bored," he said. "But after four years it is difficult as a club manager because even though you study everything and change the training, it is always the same faces. It's the same coaches, the same tactics.
"It is boring for the players and it is difficult to find something to stimulate them. Only Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Arsène [Wenger] are different. For everyone else it is impossible not to be bored after four years."
Capello knows the 4 June qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley is loaded with problems. "I am concerned," he said. "I know what is going to happen and I know the next two months will be dangerous because there will be a lot of important games for some players and those players will finish up tired.
"That is why I left some of the players out against Ghana. Maybe some others need to have a week's holiday once the season is over."
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Ferguson: We played like champions
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 2:32 PM ET
Sir Alex Ferguson declared Manchester United had "played like champions" after watching them add another entry to their pantheon of great comebacks by beating West Ham to edge closer to the Barclays Premier League title.
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City vs. Sunderland
For the umpteenth time during Ferguson's legendary reign, United looked dead and buried with time running out of a game they could ill afford to lose.
But in a sensational 19 minutes that included a 14-minute Wayne Rooney hat-trick, the leaders turned a 2-0 defeat into a 4-2 victory, propelling them eight points clear at the top of the table and piling the pressure back on Arsenal and Chelsea behind them.
"We played like champions," said a delighted Ferguson.
"It was a real championship performance as far as I'm concerned.
"I said to them at half-time, 'Look, goal difference doesn't matter now - you're getting something from this game'.
"'The next goal wins the game'.
"That's why I put Ryan (Giggs) back to left-back to have a go and just attack.
"It paid dividends and I'm pleased with that."
So often have United produced such remarkable fightbacks, it is no longer a surprise when they pull one off.
Ferguson added: "They've got the ability to turn it around - that's the first thing.
"But they've got great faith in themselves, faith in the team, faith in their team-mates.
"It doesn't always work but you can rest assured, they keep trying to create and play their football, and in the second half we dominated."
In truth, United dominated almost from start to finish and only found themselves 2-0 behind after Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic inexplicably conceded penalties.
Returning captain Vidic was also lucky not to see red, something acknowledged by Ferguson, who had spent the build-up to the game bemoaning decisions he felt had gone against his side this season.
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.
The Scot could not resist questioning West Ham's second penalty today, with the offence arguably taking place outside the box.
"Bit fortunate," said Ferguson, who insisted his side fully merited their win.
He was also delighted with Rooney's first hat-trick of what has been a turbulent season for the England striker.
"Marvellous," he said.
"I hope there's another couple."
Ferguson, who confirmed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was not risked due to a groin injury ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea, felt today's win would hit United's title rivals hard.
He added: "It makes an impact on us.
"Seven games left.
"You can count the games down one by one.
"It ends up you run out of games and hopefully we're there.
"Arsenal have games in hand and it could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 2:32 PM ET
Sir Alex Ferguson declared Manchester United had "played like champions" after watching them add another entry to their pantheon of great comebacks by beating West Ham to edge closer to the Barclays Premier League title.
Sat., Apr. 2
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | RecapBirmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3
Fulham vs. BlackpoolMan City vs. Sunderland
For the umpteenth time during Ferguson's legendary reign, United looked dead and buried with time running out of a game they could ill afford to lose.
But in a sensational 19 minutes that included a 14-minute Wayne Rooney hat-trick, the leaders turned a 2-0 defeat into a 4-2 victory, propelling them eight points clear at the top of the table and piling the pressure back on Arsenal and Chelsea behind them.
"We played like champions," said a delighted Ferguson.
"It was a real championship performance as far as I'm concerned.
"I said to them at half-time, 'Look, goal difference doesn't matter now - you're getting something from this game'.
"'The next goal wins the game'.
"That's why I put Ryan (Giggs) back to left-back to have a go and just attack.
"It paid dividends and I'm pleased with that."
So often have United produced such remarkable fightbacks, it is no longer a surprise when they pull one off.
Ferguson added: "They've got the ability to turn it around - that's the first thing.
"But they've got great faith in themselves, faith in the team, faith in their team-mates.
"It doesn't always work but you can rest assured, they keep trying to create and play their football, and in the second half we dominated."
In truth, United dominated almost from start to finish and only found themselves 2-0 behind after Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic inexplicably conceded penalties.
Returning captain Vidic was also lucky not to see red, something acknowledged by Ferguson, who had spent the build-up to the game bemoaning decisions he felt had gone against his side this season.
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.The Scot could not resist questioning West Ham's second penalty today, with the offence arguably taking place outside the box.
"Bit fortunate," said Ferguson, who insisted his side fully merited their win.
He was also delighted with Rooney's first hat-trick of what has been a turbulent season for the England striker.
"Marvellous," he said.
"I hope there's another couple."
Ferguson, who confirmed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was not risked due to a groin injury ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea, felt today's win would hit United's title rivals hard.
He added: "It makes an impact on us.
"Seven games left.
"You can count the games down one by one.
"It ends up you run out of games and hopefully we're there.
"Arsenal have games in hand and it could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."
Rutashubanyuma
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FA to study Rooney TV blast
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 3:15 PM ET
Wayne Rooney could be in hot water with the Football Association after millions of viewers heard the Manchester United swearing directly into a television camera during their match at West Ham.
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City vs. Sunderland
Rooney uttered an audible expletive following the completion of his hat-trick at Upton Park, which helped United come from 2-0 down to win 4-2.
The lunchtime Barclays Premier League game was beamed around the world by Sky Sports and Rooney's outburst prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters.
The FA confirmed they would examine footage of the incident but it was unclear what action, if any, they would take.
"We will look at it," a spokesman said.
"We obviously don't condone foul and abusive language."
It is understood taking action over a player swearing at a camera during a game may be unprecedented.
But there does appear to be provision for sanction in the FA's own rules about behaviour, which state: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour."
Rooney upset England fans during last summer's World Cup when he turned to a television camera and verbally attacked them at the end of the dismal goalless draw with Algeria.
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Wayne Rooney could be in hot water with the Football Association after millions of viewers heard the Manchester United swearing directly into a television camera during their match at West Ham.
Sat., Apr. 2
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | RecapBirmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3
Fulham vs. BlackpoolMan City vs. Sunderland
Rooney uttered an audible expletive following the completion of his hat-trick at Upton Park, which helped United come from 2-0 down to win 4-2.
The lunchtime Barclays Premier League game was beamed around the world by Sky Sports and Rooney's outburst prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters.
The FA confirmed they would examine footage of the incident but it was unclear what action, if any, they would take.
"We will look at it," a spokesman said.
"We obviously don't condone foul and abusive language."
It is understood taking action over a player swearing at a camera during a game may be unprecedented.
But there does appear to be provision for sanction in the FA's own rules about behaviour, which state: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour."
Rooney upset England fans during last summer's World Cup when he turned to a television camera and verbally attacked them at the end of the dismal goalless draw with Algeria.
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Ancelotti not dwelling on past
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 7:06 AM ET
Carlo Ancelotti says it is impossible to say if Chelsea would be closer to Manchester United in the title race had he spent big last summer.
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City vs. Sunderland
The record-breaking £75million splashed out on Fernando Torres and David Luiz in January has reinvigorated the champions' floundering season, arguably suggesting their transfer policy at the start of the campaign had been flawed.
Several big-name players were offloaded, with the club placing more emphasis on blooding youth.
That tactic appeared to backfire when injury struck and, while not panic buys, the signings of Torres and Luiz were in one sense an admission the squad had been cut too fast, too soon.
But manager Ancelotti yesterday refused to dwell on what might have been had more experience been available to him at the end of 2010, when the Blues went on their worst run in the league for almost 15 years.
"We can't say," the Italian said.
"We have more power and ability with Torres and Luiz in the squad.
"They came here at the right moment, Luiz and Torres."
Although Torres' well-documented failure to score may indicate his impact has been negligible, his mere presence has guarded against the threat of fatigue and injury.
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.
Luiz, meanwhile, has been a revelation, and is arguably the catalyst for the run that has seen Chelsea cut United's lead over them from 15 points to nine - with a game in hand and a trip to Old Trafford to come.
The sequence emboldened Ancelotti to declare his side were back in the kind of groove that saw them threaten to run away with the championship back in October.
"The team, at this moment, is showing the same ability, the same skill that we were able to use at the start of the season," he said.
"People started to think everything was wrong here, but this is football. When a team or players have ability, skills, it can happen that at some moments in your career you can't show it."
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 7:06 AM ET
Carlo Ancelotti says it is impossible to say if Chelsea would be closer to Manchester United in the title race had he spent big last summer.
Sat., Apr. 2
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | RecapBirmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3
Fulham vs. BlackpoolMan City vs. Sunderland
The record-breaking £75million splashed out on Fernando Torres and David Luiz in January has reinvigorated the champions' floundering season, arguably suggesting their transfer policy at the start of the campaign had been flawed.
Several big-name players were offloaded, with the club placing more emphasis on blooding youth.
That tactic appeared to backfire when injury struck and, while not panic buys, the signings of Torres and Luiz were in one sense an admission the squad had been cut too fast, too soon.
But manager Ancelotti yesterday refused to dwell on what might have been had more experience been available to him at the end of 2010, when the Blues went on their worst run in the league for almost 15 years.
"We can't say," the Italian said.
"We have more power and ability with Torres and Luiz in the squad.
"They came here at the right moment, Luiz and Torres."
Although Torres' well-documented failure to score may indicate his impact has been negligible, his mere presence has guarded against the threat of fatigue and injury.
The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.Luiz, meanwhile, has been a revelation, and is arguably the catalyst for the run that has seen Chelsea cut United's lead over them from 15 points to nine - with a game in hand and a trip to Old Trafford to come.
The sequence emboldened Ancelotti to declare his side were back in the kind of groove that saw them threaten to run away with the championship back in October.
"The team, at this moment, is showing the same ability, the same skill that we were able to use at the start of the season," he said.
"People started to think everything was wrong here, but this is football. When a team or players have ability, skills, it can happen that at some moments in your career you can't show it."
Rutashubanyuma
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Walcott: No more excuses
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 9:27 AM ET
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott knows that the Gunners do not have any more excuses for their six-year trophy drought.
Despite vast potential, the England international has not won a piece of silverware since moving to Emirates Stadium in 2006 from Southampton in search of glory.
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City vs. Sunderland
Walcott is expected to return from the ankle injury which has ruled him out since the end of February when Arsenal host Blackburn on Saturday evening in a crucial match in the pursuit of Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Ahead of the game, the 22-year-old is well aware that defeated Carling Cup finalists Arsenal, who were knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup in March, can no longer hide behind suggestions of a lack of experience.
Walcott said in The Sun: "We've been competing hard in four competitions but three have gone and we need to go on and win the Premier League now especially with the position we are in, with a game in hand and Manchester United to come.
"We are not asking other teams to do us favours against Man United or Chelsea, we don't expect that. We have to go out and win our games then there is no problem.
"Being at a top-four club you want to be winning things. I want to look back on my career and look at how many trophies I've won.
"This year is the greatest opportunity for us to win something. It's going to be very tight but there is confidence in the camp.
"I've been around the boss for five years and he has experience of winning trophies.
"He has so much belief in us and we want to do it for him. He's always there for us and always blames himself instead of the players - and we want to repay him.
"We do have meetings and what is said stays in house. But it's fair to say the boss expects us to start winning things."
RivalsDM
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Updated Apr 2, 2011 9:27 AM ET
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott knows that the Gunners do not have any more excuses for their six-year trophy drought.
Despite vast potential, the England international has not won a piece of silverware since moving to Emirates Stadium in 2006 from Southampton in search of glory.
Sat., Apr. 2
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | RecapBirmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3
Fulham vs. BlackpoolMan City vs. Sunderland
Walcott is expected to return from the ankle injury which has ruled him out since the end of February when Arsenal host Blackburn on Saturday evening in a crucial match in the pursuit of Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Ahead of the game, the 22-year-old is well aware that defeated Carling Cup finalists Arsenal, who were knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup in March, can no longer hide behind suggestions of a lack of experience.
Walcott said in The Sun: "We've been competing hard in four competitions but three have gone and we need to go on and win the Premier League now especially with the position we are in, with a game in hand and Manchester United to come.
"We are not asking other teams to do us favours against Man United or Chelsea, we don't expect that. We have to go out and win our games then there is no problem.
"Being at a top-four club you want to be winning things. I want to look back on my career and look at how many trophies I've won.
"This year is the greatest opportunity for us to win something. It's going to be very tight but there is confidence in the camp.
"I've been around the boss for five years and he has experience of winning trophies.
"He has so much belief in us and we want to do it for him. He's always there for us and always blames himself instead of the players - and we want to repay him.
"We do have meetings and what is said stays in house. But it's fair to say the boss expects us to start winning things."
Rutashubanyuma
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 24, 2010
- 219,501
- 911,251
- Thread starter
- #14,779
Leicester lay in wait to take down Harlequins
Harlequins 13-17 Leicester
Harlequins 13-17 Leicester
- Paul Rees at The Stoop
- guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 20.35 BST <li class="history">Article history Toby Flood of Leicester Tigers passes the ball during the match against Harlequins at The Stoop. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images Supporters at The Stoop used to be known for their gentility, but they are now as fiercely tribal as even the Leicester faithful. A bruising encounter that saw four cards, two red and two yellow, a penalty try that was awarded and one that was not, and Harlequins blow a real opportunity of recording their first victory over Leicester for eight years ended with the referee, Wayne Barnes, being loudly booed from the field and the visiting prop Martin Castrogiovanni react to abuse from the crowd by giving a lesson in semaphore.
Quins had had two tries ruled out by the video referee, but crowd's grievance, fuelled by replays shown on a big screen, was with the yellow card shown to the flanker Will Skinner 10 minutes into the second half, when the home side were leading 10-7, and the red card shown to Joe Marler, who had not lived up to the sound of his surname by being composed when the Leicester prop Marcos Ayerza head-butted him.
The game had simmered from the first whistle and the front rows were at the centre of the dissension. Ayerza and Marler started grappling before the Argentine dropped his head on Marler's, receiving two punches in reply before lowering his head again. Both players were sent off, and although Quins were awarded the penalty as Ayerza had been the aggressor, which Nick Evans kicked to trim Leicester's lead to a point, they had just finished an eight-minute period when they were down to 13 men.
Skinner had been sent to the sin-bin for kicking the ball out of a scrum, although it looked to have emerged and been there to play before Jordan Crane tapped it back in, and he was quickly followed by the prop John Andress, who struggled against Ayerza. The cards came during a sequence of scrums in a six-minute spell five metres from the home line after a mistake by George Lowe in the Leicester 25 should have resulted in a try for Scott Hamilton, but he was tackled by Mike Brown just short of the line.
Leicester were awarded a penalty at the first scrum, which Craig Newby opted not to kick even though three points would have tied the score. Then a second penalty for collapsing, and a third and a fourth. Then a free-kick. Finally a fifth penalty saw Barnes march under the posts and Leicester took a lead they were not to lose.
They had failed to score in a first half in which Nick Easter, who had spent the week being told that the Leicester No8 Thomas Waldrom, who had discovered he had a grandmother who was born in the Potteries, was going to take his place in the England back row, was intent on making a point. Stoked up, Easter charged through Jordan Crane in the opening minute, had a try ruled out for putting a foot in touch, put in a weighted chip for Ugo Monye that Toby Flood reached first and made things happen.
Leicester were ragged at times, their half-backs flustered and their breakdown play lacking. Quins had an edge, but Danny Care's 36th-minute try and a Nick Evans penalty were scant reward for their early dominance. The Tigers were galvanised after the break, Alesana Tuilagi scoring a try two minutes after the restart after a Newby charge.
At 14-10, it looked over for Quins. It would have been not that long ago, but they have lost only one home league match in 19 months and, after Evans and Flood had exchanged penalties for scrum offences, they finished on top. Tom Williams was denied a try by the video referee as he chased Easter's chip for not touching the ball down, but he appeared to have been tackled early by Ben Youngs.
Then Tomas Vallejos marked his appearance as a second-row replacement by dropping the ball with the line beckoning. He ended the match, knocking-on in the Leicester 22 at the end of a passage of play that had lasted three minutes.
It was a cue for the boos and the abuse but it may turn out to be a significant day for Quins, who matched the Tigers for intensity. Leicester turn to the Heineken Cup at the weekend, on top in England but needing to tighten up for Leinster.
Rutashubanyuma
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 24, 2010
- 219,501
- 911,251
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- #14,780
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