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Amri, Mexime kunoa Moro Stars Send to a friend Thursday, 21 April 2011 08:59

Calvin Kiwia
UONGOZI wa Chama cha soka Mkoa wa Morogoro, MRFA umemteua Amri Ibrahim na Mecky Mexime kukinoa kikosi cha timu ya Mkoa huo 'Moro Stars' kwenye michuano ya Kili Taifa Cup inayotarajia kuanza kutimua vumbi mwezi ujao.

Katibu wa Chama hicho, Hamis Semkwa aliliambia Mwananchi kuwa hawana wasiwasi na uteuzi huo wa makocha hao watakao kiongoza kikosi cha Moro Stars kwenye michuano hiyo kwani wanaamini uwezo wao ni mkubwa hivyo matarajio yao ni kutwaa ubingwa wa michuano hiyo.

"Tuna imani kubwa kabisa na uwezo wa makocha tuliowateua Amri Ibrahim na Mecky Mexime kusimamia jahazi letu la timu yetu ya Moro Stars na kutwaa ubingwa wa michuano hiyo na kuuletea sifa mkoa wetu," alisema Semkwa.

Amri Ibrahim aliyewahi kuzichezea timu za Reli ya Morogoro, Simba na Taifa Stars kwa kipindi cha nyuma aliwashukuru viongozi wa MRFA kuona umuhimu wake na kumpa jukumu hilo la kukiongoza kikosi cha Moro Stars kwenye michuano hiyo.

"Nawashukuru MRFA kwa kuona umuhimu wangu na kunikabidhi jukumu la kukiongoza kikosi cha mkoa wetu, naahidi kushirikiana na benchi langu la ufundi na kuhakikisha tunafanya vema kwenye michuano hiyo na kutwaa ubingwa," alisema Ibrahim.

Alisema benchi hilo la ufundi la Moro Stars linaundwa na Amri Ibrahim, Mecky Mexime na John Tamba.

Wakati huo huo leo makocha hao wa Moro Stars watafanya mchujo wa wachezaji kutoka 43 ili kupata wachezaji 20 watakaoiwakilisha Moro Stars, ambapo zoezi hilo litafanyika leo kwenye Chuo cha Ualimu, Kigurunyembe kilichopo mjini humo.o.

Baadhi ya wachezaji wanaounda kikosi hicho ni Obadia Mungusa, Salum Mpakala kutoka Mtibwa Sugar, Ezekiel Kitula na Ally Mohamed 'Gaucho'.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Florent Malouda keeps Chelsea's title hopes alive against Birmingham

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• Guardian report
• Match facts
• Ratings

Premier League

Chelsea 3

• Malouda 3,
• Kalou 26,
• Malouda 62

Birmingham City 1

• Sebastian Larsson 77

• Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 22.04 BST
  
  Salomon Kalou scores Chelsea's second goal against Birmingham City with a right-foot strike from outside the area. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images
  
  Manchester United will not be quaking in their boots just yet but Chelsea, largely unnoticed and utterly devoid of fanfare, are creeping back into contention. The defending champions strolled to victory here, the ease with which they brushed Birmingham City aside even reflected in passages of sloppiness after the interval that had Carlo Ancelotti pacing his technical area in frustration. Complacency will not be tolerated but, privately, the Italian will be buoyed. He might even allow himself some optimism.
  This win, and Arsenal's inability to retain a two-goal lead at Tottenham Hotspur, meant the champions rose to second place for the first time since November having claimed 19 points from the last 21 available. The implications of that sequence had rather been lost amid the gloomy deflation of their elimination from Europe and the repercussions that could still have on the manager's long-term future. Yet confidence has been seeping back into this side's league form; momentum may be with them.
  "If we'd thought that, one month ago, we'd have a little chance to come back to fight for the title, everyone would have said we were crazy," admitted Ancelotti. "Now we are second and I've learned that anything can happen in this game until the referee blows his final whistle. You can win the title in the last minute. You can lose the title in the last minute. Obviously I would like to be in United's position, six points ahead with five games to play. But everything is still open."
  There is good reason for cautious confidence, and the possibility remains that the top three could end the campaign on 79 points. United must play an in-form Everton on Saturday before potentially critical collisions with Arsenal and, a week later on 8 May, Chelsea at Old Trafford. Their Champions League tie against Schalke sandwiches that contest at the Emirates. For those in pursuit, and Chelsea in particular, there is little clutter and plenty of clarity. They can curse the mid-season slump that left them playing catch-up but a chance of redemption remains. What is most encouraging is that the management appears to have reinvigorated this side, albeit by returning to the system and, largely, the personnel that produced such a scintillating run-in last season.
  Fernando Torres was granted only a substitute's appearance, extending his goal drought to 725 minutes in the process. Didier Drogba, in contrast, was a throwback to the rampaging forward who plundered 37 goals last season and left defenders as blubbering wrecks and their reputations battered and bruised.
  His return to form is timely if only because his contract will have 12 months to run at the end of the season. When he plays like this, softening up centre-halves and delivering dead balls with venom, the prospect of losing him seems unthinkable. "He has a strong personality," said Ancelotti of the 33-year-old. "He knew that, when he had malaria [over the winter], he didn't play at his best. Now he's fit and he's showing fantastic quality."
  The Ivorian played a part in all three goals, just as he had at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The first had been pilfered early while Birmingham wheezed to keep up with the hosts' blistering start. John Terry's raking pass to the right had found Paulo Ferreira unmarked and granted so much time that he could recover from stepping on the ball to reposition his body and fling over a centre that prompted panic. Drogba leapt to flick on at the near post with Florent Malouda bursting ahead of Stephen Carr to convert with relish. "A shocking start," moaned Alex McLeish.
  The French midfielder would add his 13th goal of the season before the end, nodding in the substitute Ryan Bertrand's cross five minutes into the 21-year-old's first-team debut for Chelsea. Salomon Kalou's rasping shot, the Ivorian veering away from Roger Johnson and Stuart Parnaby, was squeezed in between with Chelsea's dominance threatened only by carelessness.
  David Luiz's needless challenge on Matt Derbyshire – reminiscent of his last-minute error at Fulham in February – allowed Sebastian Larsson his consolation from the penalty spot but Birmingham will have to wait for the victory their manager believes will be enough to keep them up. City's run-in is daunting, with trips to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle to come. They will be encouraged they did not suffer a rout here, with the damage sustained on their goal difference far from critical.
  Yet Chelsea will feel they have thrashings still to inflict. The manager will want Torres to find his feet – he suggested Drogba could be rested on Saturday, which would offer the £50m Spaniard a route back in – and will be wary that any slip could ruin their chances for good. But where they had despaired now they might just dare to dream again.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Florent Malouda keeps Chelsea's title hopes alive against Birmingham

• Comments (…)

• Guardian report
• Match facts
• Ratings

Premier League

Chelsea 3

• Malouda 3,
• Kalou 26,
• Malouda 62

Birmingham City 1

• Sebastian Larsson 77

• Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 22.04 BST
  
  Salomon Kalou scores Chelsea's second goal against Birmingham City with a right-foot strike from outside the area. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images
  
  Manchester United will not be quaking in their boots just yet but Chelsea, largely unnoticed and utterly devoid of fanfare, are creeping back into contention. The defending champions strolled to victory here, the ease with which they brushed Birmingham City aside even reflected in passages of sloppiness after the interval that had Carlo Ancelotti pacing his technical area in frustration. Complacency will not be tolerated but, privately, the Italian will be buoyed. He might even allow himself some optimism.
  This win, and Arsenal's inability to retain a two-goal lead at Tottenham Hotspur, meant the champions rose to second place for the first time since November having claimed 19 points from the last 21 available. The implications of that sequence had rather been lost amid the gloomy deflation of their elimination from Europe and the repercussions that could still have on the manager's long-term future. Yet confidence has been seeping back into this side's league form; momentum may be with them.
  "If we'd thought that, one month ago, we'd have a little chance to come back to fight for the title, everyone would have said we were crazy," admitted Ancelotti. "Now we are second and I've learned that anything can happen in this game until the referee blows his final whistle. You can win the title in the last minute. You can lose the title in the last minute. Obviously I would like to be in United's position, six points ahead with five games to play. But everything is still open."
  There is good reason for cautious confidence, and the possibility remains that the top three could end the campaign on 79 points. United must play an in-form Everton on Saturday before potentially critical collisions with Arsenal and, a week later on 8 May, Chelsea at Old Trafford. Their Champions League tie against Schalke sandwiches that contest at the Emirates. For those in pursuit, and Chelsea in particular, there is little clutter and plenty of clarity. They can curse the mid-season slump that left them playing catch-up but a chance of redemption remains. What is most encouraging is that the management appears to have reinvigorated this side, albeit by returning to the system and, largely, the personnel that produced such a scintillating run-in last season.
  Fernando Torres was granted only a substitute's appearance, extending his goal drought to 725 minutes in the process. Didier Drogba, in contrast, was a throwback to the rampaging forward who plundered 37 goals last season and left defenders as blubbering wrecks and their reputations battered and bruised.
  His return to form is timely if only because his contract will have 12 months to run at the end of the season. When he plays like this, softening up centre-halves and delivering dead balls with venom, the prospect of losing him seems unthinkable. "He has a strong personality," said Ancelotti of the 33-year-old. "He knew that, when he had malaria [over the winter], he didn't play at his best. Now he's fit and he's showing fantastic quality."
  The Ivorian played a part in all three goals, just as he had at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The first had been pilfered early while Birmingham wheezed to keep up with the hosts' blistering start. John Terry's raking pass to the right had found Paulo Ferreira unmarked and granted so much time that he could recover from stepping on the ball to reposition his body and fling over a centre that prompted panic. Drogba leapt to flick on at the near post with Florent Malouda bursting ahead of Stephen Carr to convert with relish. "A shocking start," moaned Alex McLeish.
  The French midfielder would add his 13th goal of the season before the end, nodding in the substitute Ryan Bertrand's cross five minutes into the 21-year-old's first-team debut for Chelsea. Salomon Kalou's rasping shot, the Ivorian veering away from Roger Johnson and Stuart Parnaby, was squeezed in between with Chelsea's dominance threatened only by carelessness.
  David Luiz's needless challenge on Matt Derbyshire – reminiscent of his last-minute error at Fulham in February – allowed Sebastian Larsson his consolation from the penalty spot but Birmingham will have to wait for the victory their manager believes will be enough to keep them up. City's run-in is daunting, with trips to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle to come. They will be encouraged they did not suffer a rout here, with the damage sustained on their goal difference far from critical.
  Yet Chelsea will feel they have thrashings still to inflict. The manager will want Torres to find his feet – he suggested Drogba could be rested on Saturday, which would offer the £50m Spaniard a route back in – and will be wary that any slip could ruin their chances for good. But where they had despaired now they might just dare to dream again.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Yanga, Simba kuwaacha sawa, lakini walipwe haki zao Send to a friend Sunday, 17 April 2011 21:11

Patrick Phiri

BAADA ya kutwaa ubingwa wa Tanzania Bara kwa tofauti na magoli, kikosi cha Yanga kitafumuliwa na wachezaji kadhaa wametajwa kutemwa ikiwa ni hatua ya kuiboresha timu hiyo kwa ajili ya msimu ujao wa ligi na mechi za kimataifa.

Nayo Simba iliyopoteza ubingwa inadaiwa kulitimua benchi lote la ufundi kuanzia kocha wake Patrick Phiri, meneja Innocent Njovu na kocha msaidizi Amri Said kutokana na timu hiyo kushindwa kutetea ubinga wao na kuonyesha kiwango cha chini mwishoni mwa msimu uliopita.

Pia, klabu hizo kongwe zimezamilia kufanya mabadiliko makubwa ya vikosi vyake kwa kuwaondoa baadhi ya nyota wake ili kutengeneza timu bora kwa ajili ya michezo ya kimataifa pamoja na Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara msimu ujao.

Wachezaji wanaotajwa kuwa huenda wasirudi Yanga ni Ernest Boakye na Isaack Boakye, kipa Ivan Knezevic pamoja na Athumani Idd 'Chuji', Nelson Kimath, Nsa Job, Job Ibrahim na Yahaya Tumbo.

Kwa upande wa Simba daadhi ya wachezaji ambao wamekuwa wakitajwa kuwa wataachwa ni pamoja na Mussa Hassan Mgosi, Mohamed Banka, Meshack Abel, Salum Kanoni,Azizi Gilla, Nico Nyagawa, Ally Ahmed Shiboli na kipa Juma Kaseja.

Ni uamuzi wa klabu hizi kubadilisha vikosi vyao pamoja na benchi la ni jambo la kawaida kwenye ulimwengu wa soka, lakini jambo ambalo viongozi wa klabu hizi mbili wanapaswa kujua ni kutumia haki wakati wa kuchukua maamuzi haya.

Tumezoea kusikia klabu hizo mbili mara kadhaa zikiwatupa virago wachezaji wake au makocha lakini wamekuwa ni wagumu kwenye kulipa haki zao kwa makusudi au kutokujua.

Tunaamini viongozi wa sasa wa Yanga na Simba, Llyod Nchunga na mwenzake Ismail Aden Rage watakuwa waugwana kwenye kusimamia kulipa haki zote za wachezaji hao ili kutegeneza sifa nzuri kwa klabu hizo pamoja na soka ya nchini yetu.

Kitendo walichofanyiwa Ally Msigwa, Wisdom Ndhlovu, Steven Marashi na John Njoroge, pamoja na kocha Dustan Kondic, havipaswi kutokea tena kwa sasa.

Tunaamini Yanga na Simba ni kati ya klabu kubwa barani Afrika ambayo inatakiwa kujiendesha kibiashara zaidi na kujenga heshima zao hivyo kudaiwa madeni madogo lakini inazungusha kulipa ni aibu.

Tunatarajia uongozi wa Simba na Yanga utahakikisha unalipa madeni yote wanayodaiwa ili waweze kuendelea vizuri na utaratibu wao mzuri wa kutaka kuiboresha klabu zao.

Tunasema hivyo kwa kuamini Yanga na Simba zina mtandao mkubwa wa wanachama, mashabiki, udhamini na vyanzo mbalimbali vya mapato pamoja na rasilimali ilizonazo ambazo zinatosha kuhakikisha wanapata fedha na kulipa madeni yao.

Pia, tunapenda kuwambusha wachezaji wote wa Tanzania, katika kipindi hiki cha usajili kuwatumia mawakala pamoja na wanasheria kwenye kuingia makubaliano na klabu ili kuepuka matatizo.

Tunadhani ni jambo sahihi zaidi kama majadiliano ya uhamisho ya mchezaji yakifanywa baina ya wakala na klabu itamsaidia mchezaji kupata maslahi mazuri zaidi kuliko mchezaji mwenyewe kujipeleka kwa timu bila ya kujua au kusoma kwa umakini mkataba anaokwenda kusaini na timu.

Sasa wakati umefika kwa TFF, kutegeneza mfumo wa kupata mawakala wa ndani wanaotambuli na shirikisho hilo tu, ili kutoa nafasi ya kuwepo kwa mawakala wengi wa wachezaji kuliko ilivyokuwa sasa, hii itasaidia kufanikisha zoezi zina la usajili na kuwepo kwa haki sawa baina ya pande zote

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Stars kupaa kesho Msumbiji


*Mrope achukua nafasi ya Ngassa
Na Addolph Bruno

TIMU ya soka ya taifa 'Taifa Stars', inaondoka nchini kesho alfajiri kwenda Msumbiji huku ikimkosa mshambuliaji wake Mrisho Ngassa, kutokana
na kuwa na maaumivu ya mguu na nafasi yake kuchukuliwa na Julius Mrope.

Stars itamenyana na Msumbiji, Jumamosi katika mchezo maalumu wa kufungua Uwanja mpya wa kisasa wa nchi humo.

Katika mechi hiyo Stars pia itaitumia kujiandaa na mechi ya marudiano dhidi ya Afrika ya Kati ya kutafuta tiketi ya kufuzu kucheza fainali za Mataifa ya Afrika mwakani.

Akizungumza Dar es Salaam jana, Meneja wa timu hiyo, Leopard Tasso alisema Ngassa hatakuwemo katika kikosi hicho kutokana na kuumia juzi wakati akiichezea timu ya vijana chini ya umri wa miaka 23 'Vijana Stars' ilipocheza na Uganda katika mechi ya kutafuta tiketi ya kufuzu kucheza fainali za mataifa ya Afrika kwa vijana.

Alisema nafasi yake imechukuliwa kiungo wa Mtibwa Sugar Julius Mrope, ambaye tayari ameanza mazoezi na Stars baada ya Ngassa kuumia na kwamba hali ya wachezaji wengine walioitwa zimeendelea kuwa salama.

"Tunaondoka alfajiri ya Aprili 22 (kesho) na wachezaji 20, pamoja na benchi la ufundi la watu 10 na hadi kufikia leo (jana) maandalizi yanaendelea vizuri na tunatarajia hali itaendelea kuwa hivi," alisema Tasso.

Alisema timu hiyo inaondoka ikiwa na lengo moja la kushindana kuibuka na ushindi, ili kujiwekea mazingira mazuri kushinda katika mechi ya marudiano dhidi ya Afrika Kati itakayochezwa kati ya Mei na Juni mwaka huu nchini ugenini, baada ya awali kuibuka na ushindi wa mabao 2-1.

Ofisa habari wa Shirikisho la Mpira wa Miguu Tanzania (TFF), Boniface Wambura alisema jana kuwa Stars itamaliza mazoezi leo jioni, kabla ya kuondoka kesho ambapo msafara huo utaongozwa na Makamu wa Kwanza Rais wa TFF, Athumani Nyamlani.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

TFF yazima ndoto za African Lyon


Na Elizabeth Mayemba

KAMATI ya Mashindano ya Shiriksho la Mpira wa Miguu Tanzania (TFF), imeikata maini klabu ya African Lyon inayodai kwamba mchezaji Mbwana Samatta aliyeingia
mkataba wa kuichezea Klabu ya TP Mazembe ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasi ya Congo (DRC)kwamba ni mali yao.

Uongozi wa klabu ya African Lyon, jana ulikakariwa na vyombo vya habari kwamba Samatta ni mali yao na alikwenda kuichezea Simba kwa makubaliano ya msimu mmoja, hivyo fedha watakakazolipwa Simba na TP Mazembe zote ni za kwao.

Akizungumza Dar es Salaam jana, Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Mashindano ya TFF, Sad Kawemba alisema wao wanatambua kuwa Samatta ni mchezaji halali wa Simba kwa kuwa wana mkataba halali, unaoonesha mchezaji huyo ni wa Simba.

"Sasa kama Samatta ni mchezaji wa African Lyon ataichezeaje timu ya Simba, sisi tuna mkataba wa Samatta, ambao unaonesha kuwa ni mchezaji halali wa Simba, hayo mambo mengine hatuyajui," alisema Kawemba.

Alisema kama mchezaji huyo alikuwa amekwenda Simba kwa mkopo, kanuni zipo wazi na ingeonesha kwamba mchezaji huyo ni mali ya African Lyon, lakini hakwenda Simba kwa mkopo.

Aliongeza kwamba na kama kweli, Samatta si mchezaji wa Simba basi klabu hiyo ingefutiwa matokeo ya mechi zote alizocheza mchezaji huyo katika Ligi Kuu Bara.

Kawemba ameishauri African Lyon, kutafuta wachezaji wazuri zaidi ya Samatta ili waweze kuwauza na si kuanzisha malumbano ambayo hayana msingi wowote katika maendeleo ya soka.

Kwa upnde wake Katibu Mkuu wa African Lyon, Brown Ernest alisema kulikuwa na makubaliano maalumu kwa mchezaji huyo, lakini Simba walikuwa wanawakwepa kukaa meza moja kumalizana.

'Kila tulipokuwa tunawatafuta wenzetu wa Simba walikuwa wakituchenga kwa kuwa Samatta, ana mkataba na African Lyon unaomalizika Juni mwaka huu, hivyo sisi tunatambua kuwa ni mali yetu, na wala hatukumntoa kwa mkopo Simba," alisema Brown.

Kwa upende wake Simba, wamesema kwamba Samatta ni mali yao na kwamba walifuata taratibu zote za usajili pamoja na kuzungumza nao wakiwepo TFF.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Chelsea are Manchester United's main title rivals now, says Petr Cech

• Goalkeeper says Arsenal have thrown away their chances
• Believes Chelsea could benefit from United's busy run-in

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 15.44 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Petr Cech says Chelsea will push Manchester United all the way in the title race. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
  
  Petr Cech believes Chelsea are now Manchester United's main Premier League title rivals because Arsenal have thrown away too many chances to catch them.
  Cech played as Chelsea beat Birmingham 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, while Arsenal squandered another two-goal lead to draw the north London derby 3-3 at White Hart Lane. The results left Chelsea above Arsenal in second on goal difference, within six points of United.
  Carlo Ancelotti's side have now won five and drawn one of their last six games, while Arsenal have drawn five and won just once in the same period.
  "Arsenal had a big game against Tottenham," said Cech. "They were 3-1 up and threw it away. Now they are third for the first time in a long time so let's see how they cope with this new situation. They had plenty of chances this season to close the gap and haven't taken them yet."
  Cech believes Chelsea's are well placed to take advantage if United falter during the final month of the season.
  "We've been saying for a long time we want to keep winning and maintain the pressure on everybody. Arsenal have difficult games and United have to play us and Arsenal so there could possibly be six points [dropped by them].
  "We have two games at home against West Ham and Spurs to come and, if we win both, the situation could change again. Chelsea were one of the worst [teams in the form guide] a few months ago and now we're getting back to normal."
  Chelsea's season looked to be over after they were knocked out of the Champions League by United last week, a result which seemed to seal Ancelotti's fate as manager. But retaining the title could change that.
  Cech believes Chelsea's European exit to United could even give them the edge during the run-in.
  "They have to play a semi-final, so let's see how they cope. We have one competition to focus on which is to our advantage because we can prepare all week and get more rest.
  "Everything is close and it is important to score goals. We could end up with the same number of points, so goal difference will play a big part now."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Chelsea are Manchester United's main title rivals now, says Petr Cech

• Goalkeeper says Arsenal have thrown away their chances
• Believes Chelsea could benefit from United's busy run-in

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 15.44 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Petr Cech says Chelsea will push Manchester United all the way in the title race. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
  
  Petr Cech believes Chelsea are now Manchester United's main Premier League title rivals because Arsenal have thrown away too many chances to catch them.
  Cech played as Chelsea beat Birmingham 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, while Arsenal squandered another two-goal lead to draw the north London derby 3-3 at White Hart Lane. The results left Chelsea above Arsenal in second on goal difference, within six points of United.
  Carlo Ancelotti's side have now won five and drawn one of their last six games, while Arsenal have drawn five and won just once in the same period.
  "Arsenal had a big game against Tottenham," said Cech. "They were 3-1 up and threw it away. Now they are third for the first time in a long time so let's see how they cope with this new situation. They had plenty of chances this season to close the gap and haven't taken them yet."
  Cech believes Chelsea's are well placed to take advantage if United falter during the final month of the season.
  "We've been saying for a long time we want to keep winning and maintain the pressure on everybody. Arsenal have difficult games and United have to play us and Arsenal so there could possibly be six points [dropped by them].
  "We have two games at home against West Ham and Spurs to come and, if we win both, the situation could change again. Chelsea were one of the worst [teams in the form guide] a few months ago and now we're getting back to normal."
  Chelsea's season looked to be over after they were knocked out of the Champions League by United last week, a result which seemed to seal Ancelotti's fate as manager. But retaining the title could change that.
  Cech believes Chelsea's European exit to United could even give them the edge during the run-in.
  "They have to play a semi-final, so let's see how they cope. We have one competition to focus on which is to our advantage because we can prepare all week and get more rest.
  "Everything is close and it is important to score goals. We could end up with the same number of points, so goal difference will play a big part now."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Spurs and Cesc Fábregas ask questions Arsène Wenger cannot answer

An alleged questioning of tactics by his captain and a draw against local rivals have unsettled the Frenchman

• Comments (361)

• 
• • Richard Williams at White Hart Lane
  • The Guardian, Thursday 21 April 2011 <li class="history">Article history
  
  Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, claims comments allegedly made by Cesc Fábregas have been twisted and distorted. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images
  
  Seconds after Tottenham Hotspur had clawed their way back to parity from a two-goal deficit midway through the second half, there was a glimpse of how Arsène Wenger's opponents really see him. Clive Allen, one of Harry Redknapp's battery of assistants, brushed past the Arsenal manager on the touchline with a transparently disrespectful brusqueness, ostensibly to get the ball back into play. Try to imagine such a thing happening to Sir Alex Ferguson.
  Redknapp himself would not stoop to commit such a breach of etiquette. Just as Joe Jordan was on hand to square up to Gennaro Gattuso at San Siro in February, so Allen was available to add irritation to Wenger's frustration. The Frenchman responded by haranguing the fourth official but at such moments he can look very lonely indeed and, even after 15 seasons and much success in the Premier League, peculiarly vulnerable. The contrast with the Spurs manager, surrounded by his consiglieri, was marked.
  Was it the imagination or did Wenger really look leaner and more gaunt than usual &#8211; more haunted even &#8211; as he stood in the technical area, waiting for the match to start? After the events of the past few weeks, starting with a shattering defeat in the Carling Cup final and culminating in what felt like a highly symbolic meltdown in front of his home crowd on Sunday, the Frenchman's true thoughts could only be imagined.
  All Premier League managers must feel they are constantly on trial but against Spurs Wenger seemed to have been put in the dock by one of his own players. Even more unusually, as Arsenal raced to a 2-1 lead on their local rivals' turf within the breathless first quarter of an hour of this high-stakes match, his accuser turned out to be one of the principal witnesses for the defence.
  There was nothing irresponsible about the measured dissection of Arsenal's season attributed to Cesc Fábregas by a Spanish football magazine this week. In a better world such honesty would be the norm. Nor were Fábregas's alleged comments remarkable for their originality. Wenger claimed afterwards that his captain's words had been twisted by the interviewer and further distorted in translation but, when Fábregas appeared to be so explicitly questioning the club's philosophy, he was merely echoing the thoughts of dozens of commentators and tens of thousands of supporters.
  What Arsenal did at White Hart Lane as they scored three first-half goals was to show that they are capable of playing, albeit in the special conditions of a local derby spiced with an extra incentive for both sides, without the tendency to over-elaboration that has been their undoing over recent seasons. Theo Walcott's opener, in the fifth minute, could hardly have been more economical as the Englishman elegantly put a lethal finishing touch to Fábregas's crisp through-ball.
  When Samir Nasri restored the lead eight minutes later, it was with a similar combination of decisiveness and precision. So impressive before Christmas, so disappointing when the going got tough in recent weeks, Nasri did not pause to reflect on his options when collecting Abou Diaby's pass but fired a 20-yard shot through Michael Dawson's legs and inside the left-hand post. Another important virtue, that of persistence, was behind Robin van Persie's goal after fine work by Bacary Sagna and Walcott.
  And yet once again they conceded a clear lead. Not as traumatically, certainly, as in the collapse from 4-0 up to 4-4 at St James' Park in February, when their mental fragility was exposed with a thoroughness that pulled the rug from under their entire season but nevertheless further evidence of a systemic weakness.
  Like Arsenal's three strikes Tottenham's two first-half goals, coming via marvellously accurate shots from Rafael van der Vaart and Tom Huddlestone, were moments of lucidity and self-possession in the midst of a hectically entertaining encounter.
  In response Arsenal tried to show that they are not a soft touch, via rough treatment of Gareth Bale, the newly installed players' player of the year, and bookings for Gaël Clichy, Alex Song and Johan Djourou for fouls on Van der Vaart and Luka Modric, but they had lost their coherence and rhythm by the time Spurs were awarded the penalty that sealed the result. Stung by the equaliser, Arsenal responded by reviving their earlier inclination to shoot on sight but to no avail.
  Once again Wenger was doing his dance of exasperation in the technical area. In most years a 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane would represent a satisfactory outcome. On this night, however, it was the home side who drew pleasure from the stalemate, despite the knowledge that a single point was not the return they had been looking for in the chase for fourth place. For Wenger, however, the ordeal continues.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Spurs and Cesc Fábregas ask questions Arsène Wenger cannot answer

An alleged questioning of tactics by his captain and a draw against local rivals have unsettled the Frenchman

• Comments (361)

• 
• • Richard Williams at White Hart Lane
  • The Guardian, Thursday 21 April 2011 <li class="history">Article history
  
  Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, claims comments allegedly made by Cesc Fábregas have been twisted and distorted. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images
  
  Seconds after Tottenham Hotspur had clawed their way back to parity from a two-goal deficit midway through the second half, there was a glimpse of how Arsène Wenger's opponents really see him. Clive Allen, one of Harry Redknapp's battery of assistants, brushed past the Arsenal manager on the touchline with a transparently disrespectful brusqueness, ostensibly to get the ball back into play. Try to imagine such a thing happening to Sir Alex Ferguson.
  Redknapp himself would not stoop to commit such a breach of etiquette. Just as Joe Jordan was on hand to square up to Gennaro Gattuso at San Siro in February, so Allen was available to add irritation to Wenger's frustration. The Frenchman responded by haranguing the fourth official but at such moments he can look very lonely indeed and, even after 15 seasons and much success in the Premier League, peculiarly vulnerable. The contrast with the Spurs manager, surrounded by his consiglieri, was marked.
  Was it the imagination or did Wenger really look leaner and more gaunt than usual – more haunted even – as he stood in the technical area, waiting for the match to start? After the events of the past few weeks, starting with a shattering defeat in the Carling Cup final and culminating in what felt like a highly symbolic meltdown in front of his home crowd on Sunday, the Frenchman's true thoughts could only be imagined.
  All Premier League managers must feel they are constantly on trial but against Spurs Wenger seemed to have been put in the dock by one of his own players. Even more unusually, as Arsenal raced to a 2-1 lead on their local rivals' turf within the breathless first quarter of an hour of this high-stakes match, his accuser turned out to be one of the principal witnesses for the defence.
  There was nothing irresponsible about the measured dissection of Arsenal's season attributed to Cesc Fábregas by a Spanish football magazine this week. In a better world such honesty would be the norm. Nor were Fábregas's alleged comments remarkable for their originality. Wenger claimed afterwards that his captain's words had been twisted by the interviewer and further distorted in translation but, when Fábregas appeared to be so explicitly questioning the club's philosophy, he was merely echoing the thoughts of dozens of commentators and tens of thousands of supporters.
  What Arsenal did at White Hart Lane as they scored three first-half goals was to show that they are capable of playing, albeit in the special conditions of a local derby spiced with an extra incentive for both sides, without the tendency to over-elaboration that has been their undoing over recent seasons. Theo Walcott's opener, in the fifth minute, could hardly have been more economical as the Englishman elegantly put a lethal finishing touch to Fábregas's crisp through-ball.
  When Samir Nasri restored the lead eight minutes later, it was with a similar combination of decisiveness and precision. So impressive before Christmas, so disappointing when the going got tough in recent weeks, Nasri did not pause to reflect on his options when collecting Abou Diaby's pass but fired a 20-yard shot through Michael Dawson's legs and inside the left-hand post. Another important virtue, that of persistence, was behind Robin van Persie's goal after fine work by Bacary Sagna and Walcott.
  And yet once again they conceded a clear lead. Not as traumatically, certainly, as in the collapse from 4-0 up to 4-4 at St James' Park in February, when their mental fragility was exposed with a thoroughness that pulled the rug from under their entire season but nevertheless further evidence of a systemic weakness.
  Like Arsenal's three strikes Tottenham's two first-half goals, coming via marvellously accurate shots from Rafael van der Vaart and Tom Huddlestone, were moments of lucidity and self-possession in the midst of a hectically entertaining encounter.
  In response Arsenal tried to show that they are not a soft touch, via rough treatment of Gareth Bale, the newly installed players' player of the year, and bookings for Gaël Clichy, Alex Song and Johan Djourou for fouls on Van der Vaart and Luka Modric, but they had lost their coherence and rhythm by the time Spurs were awarded the penalty that sealed the result. Stung by the equaliser, Arsenal responded by reviving their earlier inclination to shoot on sight but to no avail.
  Once again Wenger was doing his dance of exasperation in the technical area. In most years a 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane would represent a satisfactory outcome. On this night, however, it was the home side who drew pleasure from the stalemate, despite the knowledge that a single point was not the return they had been looking for in the chase for fourth place. For Wenger, however, the ordeal continues.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal in pictures

Our photographer was at White Hart Lane for another red-blooded north London derby

• Tom Jenkins
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 13.48 BST

• 
• 1 / 29
• 
• Exit gallery and go to previous page

After the 102nd-minute equaliser for Liverpool on Saturday, it's no wonder Arsène Wenger is a bit tense before the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian


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  Chelsea are Manchester Utd's title rivals now, says Cech
  Petr Cech says Chelsea are now Manchester United's main title rivals because Arsenal have blown too many chances
• Wenger refuses to concede title challenge is over
• Match report: Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal
• Richard Williams: Questions Wenger can't answer
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[Rutashubanyuma]

Mourinho confident of Euro win


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 6:56 AM ET
Jose Mourinho is confident Real Madrid can beat Barcelona in the Champions League after seeing them off in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday.
Mourinho picked up his first trophy as Real Madrid boss following a hard-fought 1-0 win courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's header in extra-time.
Angel di Maria, who set up the goal for the Portuguese, was later sent off but Madrid held on to give Mourinho a first trophy in Spain.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ​

Tue, Apr. 12​

Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea | Recap
Shakhtar 0-1 Barcelona | Recap

Wed, Apr. 13​

Schalke 2-1 Inter Milan | Recap
Tottenham 0-1 R. Madrid | Recap
CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

"I am thrilled to win the Copa del Rey - it is something special," Mourinho said after the game.
"It's a fantastic triumph against a great team like Barcelona - and we deserved it."
Mourinho's men were humbled by Barca in his first Clasico, a 5-0 drubbing at the Nou Camp in late December.
But a 1-1 draw at home to the Catalans in the Primera Division renewed optimism and Mourinho believes this triumph shows his team can match the Spanish champions.
"We can take them on over two games; we have just done that," he said.
"There is no reason we can't beat them in the Champions League because we have just drawn once against them and then beaten them."
And the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach says the Copa del Rey is just the beginning for this Madrid side.
"I came here to do a job and change the mentality of the club," he said.
"We have started to do that and it's satisfying - but it's just the start."
Zinedine Zidane, the last man to score a winning goal for Madrid in a cup final - during the 2002 Champions League final - echoed those sentiments.
"This is an important trophy because it's the first trophy in a long time and the club needed it," the Frenchman, now a special advisor at Madrid, told reporters after the game.
"Now it will give us confidence for the games against Barcelona."
Ronaldo, the matchwinner said he knew the first goal would prove crucial.
"We knew that whoever scored first would win it - and so it proved," he said.
"Mourinho has given us a winning spirit and this is a really important trophy for us - it was an objective we had for this season and we have achieved it."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was philosophical in defeat after losing his first final as coach of the Catalan club.
"It's always better to win than to lose," Guardiola said after the game.
"But life is like that - you can't always win."
Despite failing to beat Madrid in their two meetings in the last few days Guardiola is adamant his side can bounce back.
"We will pick ourselves up - of course we will," he said.
"We are more sad than if we had won, but that's part of the game.
"These players have been playing together for a long time and we'll bounce back."
Midfielder Xavi added: "We still have the best two titles to play for."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

No UEFA suspension for Iniesta


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 5:52 AM ET
Barcelona ace Andres Iniesta is free to play in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid after escaping UEFA punishment.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ​

Tue, Apr. 12​

Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea | Recap
Shakhtar 0-1 Barcelona | Recap

Wed, Apr. 13​

Schalke 2-1 Inter Milan | Recap
Tottenham 0-1 R. Madrid | Recap
CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

Iniesta was cautioned in the first leg of Barca's quarter-final against Shakhtar Donetsk and that meant he was suspended for the return meeting in Ukraine.
A further ban for allegedly getting deliberately booked would have seen the Spain star miss the Bernabeu encounter between the teams next Wednesday.
However, Barca revealed on their official website: "UEFA has announced that it will not be suspending the midfielder.
"FC Barcelona appealed to the governing body of European football against the proposal to ban the player for an additional match as a result of the yellow card shown in the quarter-final of the Champions League against Shakhtar on April 6.
"Iniesta will therefore be able to play in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
UEFA have also announced that he will not face any financial penalty."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ronaldo urges Real to believe


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Updated Apr 15, 2011 6:07 AM ET
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has urged his team-mates to believe they can overcome Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
Jose Mourinho's men set up a semi-final clash against their Primera Liga rivals with a 5-0 aggregate win over Tottenham in the last eight.
Madrid built on their 4-0 lead from the opening leg, with Ronaldo scoring the only goal at White Hart Lane on Wednesday to set up what is expected to be an enthralling battle with Barca.


But the Portuguese winger is under no illusions about the task ahead as his side aim to reach their first Champions League final in nine years.
"We are happy for qualifying for the next round," Ronaldo told Real's official website. "Tottenham Hotspur are a great team, but we did a great job in both games.
"We've taken an important step because we're now closer to the final.
"We will face the strongest opponent of all in the semi-finals, and we must be ready. Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, but so are we.
"We have to believe it is possible for us to beat them. We are having a good run and feel confident.
"The team that makes the least mistakes will reach the final. I hope it's Real Madrid."
Barca and Madrid will have plenty of game time against each other ahead of the semi-finals as they meet this weekend in La Liga before clashing again in the Copa del Rey final next Wednesday.
Madrid have eight points to make up on Barca at the top of the league table, and goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists that must be their immediate priority.
"We must now focus on our league clash against them because it is the nearest of them all," he said.
"It will be completely different to our fixtures in the semi-finals.
"I am Real Madrid's captain, and I would be disrespecting Madridistas if I said Saturday's Clasico didn't matter.
"We want to defeat Barcelona on Saturday to earn more points because the league title is still attainable. It isn't all lost."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

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• Report Abuse grad0n
  
  • 4/15/2011 12:44:06 AM
  audio(keyboard sucks)
  
• Report Abuse grad0n
  
  • 4/15/2011 12:43:49 AM
  faze, ha(I'm an sudio engineer🙂
  
• Report Abuse grad0n
  
  • 4/15/2011 12:42:15 AM
  I agree that Ronaldo is entertaining to watch, but will say that Messi is amazing to watch. I've only been watching La Liga the past 4 years(was always a doer of sports and not a spectator, but since I can't play soccer anymore. . .), so don't know too much about CR in the EPL. I do know that he doesn't dive as much now compared to the beginning of this season and attribute that to being under Mourinho's watch(then again Di Maria. . .) and has improved as a team player. Being a built 6' person, I do feel it appalling that someone a foot shorter and 50# less can touch you and make you do 3 somesaults--it should be a matter of pride that they can't phase you(but I guess you gotta create chances from the free kicks. . .).
  
• Report Abuse AC_CR7
  
  • 4/14/2011 11:28:49 PM
  ronaldos hair is great! ha
  ...his play is pretty good too....!!!!
  
• Report Abuse Tabletopper
  
  • 4/14/2011 10:06:54 PM
  Hala judging from your name i think you are quite young. When CR7 moves to ac milan, will you change your name?
  
• Report Abuse HALAMADRID_CR7
  
  • 4/14/2011 9:36:08 PM
  they wont be around anymore. the kind of fans that like barca only like them because they have dominated the world the last couple of seasons. See that were we madrid fans are different, it dosent matter if madrid got beat 10-0 these next four games because although i would be very upset and going nuts i would never and i mena never leave my teams side.....
  
• Report Abuse HALAMADRID_CR7
  
  • 4/14/2011 9:34:28 PM
  You know something i find funny, i watch all madrid ands barca games evey singl week and one team will fall down and get evey call for themselves while the other has to get kicked in the knee cap.....i beat you guys can figure which goes where. Anyways, the reason people dont like ronaldo is because not only will he bake your **** in futbol but he will screw your mom sisters and girlfriends/wifes in the same day. haha by the way real madrid do have a stronger squad overall, in fact i think they have a much stronger squad but nothing beats a team that gells as nice as barca...those guys dont miss a beat while madrid are just starting to leanr each others names. and to all you madrid fans, dont worry about what these barca bandwagon jumpers are saying because whenever madrid get back on top
  
• Report Abuse bbisstillmyhero
  
  • 4/14/2011 8:29:58 PM
  @TableTopper: But in Ronaldo's defense, his hair is fantastic.
  
• Report Abuse MyBlues3
  
  • 4/14/2011 8:05:12 PM
  Hmm...Do either of these teams have to win......
  
• Report Abuse stier4
  
  • 4/14/2011 7:34:15 PM
  CR7 is much more multifaceted than Messi. If I had to choose one player, I would go with CR7!
  
  Pud,
  
  You couldn't put it better with regard to Rooney!
  
  CR7 is much more multifaceted than Messi. Their finishing is comparable, both are weak defensively (Rooney is better than both combined), but no comparism on personality albeit CR7 being very good since making the move to Madrid! I would like to see both on one team, like Mallorca (not even Valencia, Villareal or Atlectico Madrid), and they could win the La Liga title! They could actually complement eachother (lefty and righty a la Robben and Ribbery)!
  

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[Rutashubanyuma]

Aston Villa manager Gérard Houllier hospitalised after being taken ill

&#8226; Houllier in 'comfortable' condition after suffering chest pains
&#8226; Gary McAllister will take charge of Villa for Stoke match

• Press Association
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 12.12 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Gérard Houllier is in hospital after suffering chest pains. Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA
  
  Gérard Houllier is in a comfortable condition in hospital after suffering chest pains on Wednesday night. The Aston Villa manager will spend several days in hospital, meaning his assistant, Gary McAllister, will be in charge for Saturday's home game against Stoke City.
  Houllier, who admitted himself to hospital, spoke to the club's chief executive, Paul Faulkner, on Thursday morning to reassure him about his condition.
  Faulkner said: "He sounded very positive. I've received a lot of good wishes from fans and I would like to thank them for their kind thoughts in wishing Gérard a speedy recovery."
  The 63-year-old had open heart surgery in October 2001 after suffering chest pains during Liverpool's match against Leeds when he was manager of the Anfield club. He returned to full-time management with Liverpool five months later but parted company with the club in 2004.
  He had a spell with Lyon before returning to full-time management with Villa in September as Martin O'Neill's successor.
  When he took the position at Villa, Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job. He said he had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed his 11-hour operation, and was given a clean bill of health.
  "When you go into a job you know there will be pressure, that it will be hard work and you won't sleep every night," said Houllier at the time. "You need to make sure your body is ready. I have checked that. I am much healthier and fitter now than I was before."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mancini: It's in our hands


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 10:54 AM ET
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is refusing to worry about their rivals for a top-four Premier League finish.
The Italian says it important his side focus on their remaining six games and are not distracted.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Apr. 19​

Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd | Recap

Wed., Apr. 20​

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23​

Man Utd vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Blackpool vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Birmingham
Sunderland vs. Wigan
Tottenham vs. West Brom
Wolves vs. Fulham
Chelsea vs. West Ham

Sun., Apr. 24​

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Tottenham are now two points behind City following the thrilling 3-3 draw against Arsenal.
The clubs are due to meet at Eastlands on May 10 and the result could prove decisive for the second successive year. Tottenham won last year's encounter thanks to Peter Crouch's late headed winner to progress into the Champions League for the first time.
Mancini is relaxed about the situation.
"It was a good game between Tottenham and Arsenal, " he said. "But everything is in our hands.
"We do not depend on Tottenham or other teams. If we win our games we will go in the Champions League."
Mancini is puzzled that Tottenham want City's league fixture with Stoke switched from May 17 as it falls three days after the teams meet in the FA Cup final.
If Stoke were to lose the final, they could still qualify for next season's Europa League if City were to finish in the top four in the league.
That would see City go into the Champions League and mean they would not need the FA Cup's Europa League place, which would go to the Potters.
Mancini said: "I have respect for every opinion but I have never seen in the Premier League one team that did not play 100%. It is impossible."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

José Mourinho: I like being a coach who wins titles

&#8226; Real Madrid coach revels in team's Copa del Rey triumph
&#8226; 'He is the captain of the ship,' says Sergio Ramos

• Agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 09.21 BST <li class="history">Article history
  
  Mourinho celebrates with his players after their extra-time win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Photograph: Pool/Reuters
  
  José Mourinho is happy to endure more criticism if it means more trophies after Real Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 on Wednesday to win their first Copa del Rey trophy in 18 years.
  Mourinho was criticised for his defensive tactics in Saturday's 1-1 league draw against Barcelona. The Madrid honorary president, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Johan Cruyff hit out at the Portuguese coach, with Cruyff saying Mourinho worked only for titles and was not a "football coach".
  "Winning titles is always good. Only a few days ago someone called me a coach who wins titles and not football," Mourinho said. "Thank you. I like being a coach who wins titles."
  Mourinho said on Tuesday that Di Stefano's remarks were respected but that he was the coach and he would decide how the team would play. He did and it worked. Mourinho's plan to play without a natural striker with Cristiano Ronaldo filling the role and to use constant upfield pressure forced Barcelona off their usual short passing game. The Spanish champions uncharacteristically gave away possession and even resorted to sending long balls forward in attack.
  "They played similar to Saturday's draw," said the Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "They changed players but the concept was pretty much the same as the Bernabéu."
  Madrid were unlucky not to be ahead before Ronaldo headed Angel Di María's 103rd-minute cross into the goal to secure Madrid's 18th domestic cup and the Portuguese coach's fourth in four different leagues. "This is such an important goal for Madrid," the Portugal forward said. "It's one to remember."
  Mourinho delivered again, ending a three-year silverware drought for the Spanish giants. "The title isn't just mine, it's everyone's. After so long without the Copa del Rey, it's nice," Mourinho said. "This has nothing to do with titles, this has to do with changing the structure of how the club works, the mentality of people."
  Thousands of ecstatic fans gathered at the Cibeles fountain in Madrid to celebrate and the captain, Iker Casillas, draped a club flag and scarf around the goddess's neck at around 4.15am local time after the victorious team arrived back in the Spanish capital.
  Casillas and Sergio Ramos &#8211; who managed to drop the trophy from the team's open-top bus parade &#8211; were effusive in their praise for Mourinho, who joined Real after leading Inter to an unprecedented treble of Italian league and cup, and Champions League last season.
  "He is a phenomenon," Casillas said in the depths of Valencia's Mestalla stadium as the Real fans continued their celebrations in the streets outside. "He is the captain of the ship and with his philosophy he tries to instil values in us that have served us extremely well," added Ramos.
  Real still have a slim chance of matching Inter's treble, although Barça's eight-point lead in La Liga with six games left looks to have put the title beyond Madrid's reach. Wednesday's Cup triumph, their first since 1993, will nonetheless lift the players for the two-legged Champions League semi-final against Barça at the Bernabéu on 27 April and Camp Nou on 3 May.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Kenny hints at Aquilani return


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 9:48 AM ET
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish insists it is far from "cast in stone" that Alberto Aquilani will join Juventus on a permanent basis this summer.
Aquilani is currently on a season-long loan at Juventus and has made over 30 appearances for the Bianconeri this term.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Apr. 19​

Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd | Recap

Wed., Apr. 20​

Chelsea 3-1 Birmingham
Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sat., Apr. 23​

Man Utd vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Blackpool vs. Newcastle
Liverpool vs. Birmingham
Sunderland vs. Wigan
Tottenham vs. West Brom
Wolves vs. Fulham
Chelsea vs. West Ham

Sun., Apr. 24​

Bolton vs. Arsenal

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Aquilani was signed by Rafa Benitez in July 2009 for almost £20million from Roma as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who went to Real Madrid.
However, injuries blighted his season at Anfield and, despite showing signs of promise towards the end of last term, Roy Hodgson allowed the player to return to Italy.
Although Juventus are still looking at bringing Aquilani in on a permanent basis - with an appropriate fee believed to have been settled upon his loan - Dalglish insists the Italy midfielder could yet return to Merseyside.
"When people talk about next season, I'm surprised they don't give Alberto a mention," the Scot told the club's official website..
"Everyone seems to have forgotten about him.
"I know he has done really well at Juventus this season. When the loan finishes at the end of the season, he reverts back to being a Liverpool player.
"Nothing is cast in stone and he could be coming back to play for Liverpool. He could be a valuable asset here next season. He's still our player.
"He certainly didn't have the best of luck last season.
"At times he did really well and at other times he didn't do quite so well but you can say that about most players. What I do know is that he's had a fantastic season at Juventus."
Talks are still continuing over Dalglish earning a permanent contract, but all indications are that a new contract will be forthcoming.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are also keen to retain the services of coach Steve Clarke, who arrived two days after Dalglish's appointment to bolster the backroom staff, and the club have been talking to the former Chelsea assistant for some time about extending his deal.
The players have spoken in support of the work Clarke has done on the training ground and Dalglish admits his fellow Scot had played a big role in the club's revival.
"We both came in at the same time and he has been really influential in what has gone on," said Dalglish.
"But it is not a one-man band, everyone chips in to make a huge contribution to results."
Regarding his contract, Dalglish simply said: "We've said before, when there's something to tell you we'll tell you - there's nothing to be said."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

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• Report Abuse Foritsagrandoldteamtoplayfor
  
  • 4/21/2011 10:18:20 AM
  AA is a good Italian player. But, I don't think he ever fit in at LFC. Let him stay in Italy. Where he gets plenty of time on the ball. Kenny won't sell him for a discounted rate. If Juventus want him, let them pay a fair price for him.
  
• Report Abuse dutchboy88
  
  • 4/21/2011 9:33:45 AM
  on a brighter note ,, Raul got some props as he was today named the PFA Fans' Player of the Year for 2010-11.
  
• Report Abuse dutchboy88
  
  • 4/21/2011 9:23:39 AM
  I dont think Aqua man is coming back,,, He wants to stay in Itay and its the clubs policy to not keep players who dont want to be there. Juventus has been playing the " lets work all angles to get the price down" IMO this is just Pool starting to do the same as up to this point they have remained silent about Aqua. I would love to see him back, but I just dont see it happening.
  

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