Football

Gerard Houllier set for Aston Villa job

Jamie Casey — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:29:15 +0000

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is set for a surprise return to the Premier League as new boss of Aston Villa.

Villa have been searching for a new manager since the dramatic departure of Martin O’Neill a week before the beginning of the Premier League season.

The former Celtic boss questioned the club’s ambition and walked away after being overruled in the sale of the club’s star player James Milner to Man City this summer.

Sven Goran Eriksson, Alan Curbishley and even Diego Maradonna had all been linked with the vacancy, but 62-year-old Houllier’s experience appears to have won him the race.

The Frenchman, who currently operates a role as a technical director within the French Football association, feels the time is right for a return to club management after leaving Lyon in 2007.

Houllier is known to be in England at the minute and was spotted at Jamie Carragher’s testimonial at Anfield on Saturday, adding fuel to the speculation of his return to the British game.

It was originally thought Houllier would take up a director of football role at Villa Park, but his vast credentials launched him to the front of the queue, such was his enthusiasm for the task at hand.

Villa last week announced their intention to appoint a boss with experience of working in England’s top flight, which ruled out USA coach Bob Bradley and the unemployed Ronald Koeman, who had each expressed their desire for the role.

Houllier’s appointment is expected to be announced before the club season resumes this weekend and the Frenchman will have until Monday to prepare his first side when Villa travel to Stoke.

Sunderland snap up World Cup star

Jamie Casey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:41:20 +0000

Sunderland broke their transfer record on deadline day of the summer transfer window with a £13million swoop for World Cup star Asamoah Gyan.

Gyan, who missed penalty in extra time before Ghana’s quarter-final exit to Uruguay, had mixed fortunes in South Africa but ultimately came away with his head held high and his market value even higher.

Rennes decided to cash in on the 24-year-old, who has signed a four year deal at the Stadium of Light and is expected to feature in the club’s upcoming league fixture against Wigan following the international break.

Gyan cited Sunderland’s never-say-die attitude as one of his reasons for joining the club and can expect to play a significant role, particularly after Fraizer Campbell was ruled out for up to six months with ligament damage earlier in the week.

Gyan said: “I follow English football and I know Sunderland have incredible fans. I know about the derby against Newcastle. That is something incredible. I have witnessed that myself.

“The Sunderland fans never say die. They keep cheering on for 90 minutes. That gives me confidence to play maximum football.”

The striker attempted an average of over five shots per game at the World Cup, more than any other player which shows his eager personality and he will no doubt become a fan’s favourite with the Mackams.

However, Gyan also missed the target with more shots and hit the woodwork more often than any other player in South Africa, but fans will take optimism from his fearless efforts.

The former Modena striker has a fine one-in-two international scoring record of 22 goals in 44 games and had enjoyed success in Serie A with Udinese before his move to the French Ligue One in 2008.

Sigurðsson destined for FC Hollywood

Jamie Casey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:26:55 +0000

As the uncertainty surrounding Rafael Van der Vaart’s eventual move to Tottenham rambled on, somewhere in the midst of another hectic transfer deadline day, a significant move in English football went somewhat unnoticed by the mass media on Tuesday.

Unnoticed by many, in fact, unless of course you’re a Royal. Gylfi Sigurðsson became an 1899 Hoffenheim player on deadline day to the dismay of fans of Reading FC and many an English football fan that have been lucky enough to witness his talent on these shores.

Although the club received a record £6.5million transfer fee for the Icelandic midfielder, the Championship side’s chances of a return to the Premier League in the near future have been significantly reduced by the departure of a player chairman Sir John Madejski described as “one of the finest players to wear a Reading shirt” in his 20 years at the club.

Indeed the 20-year-old had the potential to be the greatest Royals player since Robin Friday. Yet for such a nominal fee, judging by today’s transfer market, you have to wonder why on earth no Premier League team matched the offer made by the Bundesliga outfit, who finished 11th in the German top flight last term.

Sigurðsson may well have struggled to make an instant impact in the Premier League but there is no doubting the boy’s potential and he can fully expect to play a big part in Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga campaign, where he is more than adequate enough to take to from the off.

However, why did Liverpool, for example, splash £4.5million on the aging Christian Poulson – the combative midfielder who looks half the player Lucas Leiva does, and that’s not saying a lot – when they could have invested just £2million more in a creative playmaker in Sigurðsson who could have been eased into the side over the coming years before becoming a big player for the club.

The Reds are not the only side guilty of passing up a missed opportunity, any steady Premier League club who finished outside the top five would have benefited from his capture, as would the Iceland international himself, who only signed a new deal at the Madejski Stadium earlier this year.

Instead, though, the English game has lost one of its brightest talents to the German game, where Bayern Munich eventually get their hands on the Bundesliga’s biggest talents, and it’s no doubt only a matter of time before Sigurðsson ends up at FC Hollywood, where he would truly be able to announce his ability on the world stage.

With a knack for successfully dispatching penalties, Sigurðsson will fit right in at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena and his haul of 20 goals in all competitions last season, in which he was instrumental in Reading’s impressive FA Cup run, will go someway to convincing the tiny town of Hoffenheim, which holds a population a tenth the size of the club’s stadium, that they have a new star in their ranks.

Rovers Chase Swedish Youngster

Jamie Casey — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:52:46 +0000

Blackburn are believed to be leading the race to sign Sweden Under-21 striking sensation Denni Avdic.

The 21-year-old Elfsborg striker hit 17 goals in 20 games for his club last season, sparking interest from bigger European clubs.

Serie A side Bologna are also keen on the Bosnian-born youngster, who is yet to commit his long-term allegiance at senior international level, but Blackburn confirmed their interest on Thursday.

Avdic would command a fee in the region of £1.5million and Elfsborg club director Stefan Andreasson admits they may let their prized asset go.

“We are in discussions with some clubs at the moment,” he told newspaper Boras Tidning regarding Avdic.

Jonas Svensson, the player’s agent, is reluctant to scupper any possible big move for his client, but could not deny the interest surrounding the 6ft 3 target man.

“There are bids and there are discussions, but I am not going to go into clubs or how things are progressing,” said Svensson.”But there is of course a big chance, there are many interested in him.”

Liverpool chase Man United

Premier League weekend review

Jamie Casey — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:52:32 +0000

It was goals galore again this weekend as Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle each hit their opponents for six on the second weekend of the Premier League 2010-11 season.

Defending champions Chelsea became the first side in top-flight history to record a goal difference of +12 in the opening two games as they thrashed woeful Wigan 6-0 at the DW Stadium, equalling their impressive scoreline from last week.

There was no room for Didier Drogba on the scoresheet this week, but he played his part nonetheless, setting up three of the goals as Nicholas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda and new signing Yossi Benayoun completed the rout.

Blackpool, who opened their Premier League debut campaign with a 4-0 drubbing of basement club Wigan, were brought back down to earth as the Gunners took advantage of Ian Evatt’s first half dismissal.

Theo Walcott was the star of the show as he netted his first Premier League hat-trick with a trio of ice-cool finishes. Andrey Arshavin scored from the park, with Abou Daby and Marouane Chamakh also getting off the mark for the season.

Elsewhere, Tottenham came away with a hard-earned win at the Britannia Stadium, where two sublime efforts from Gareth Bale earned a 2-1 away win for Harry Redknapp’s men.

West Ham’s poor start to the campaign worsened as they lost 3-1 at home to an impressive Bolton side. A Matthew Upson own goal kicked matters off before Johan Elmander’s brace secured an away win. Mark Noble’s penalty on 79 minutes was too little too late, with Carlton Cole guilty of missing from the spot in the first half.

Meanwhile, West Brom gave their chances of survival a boost with a deserved 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Hawthornes while last season’s surprise package Birmingham came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1 at St Andrews.

Everton are yet to win as they drew for the second week running after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake cancelled out Tim Cahill’s opener as Wolves earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

On Sunday, goals continued to fly in as Newcastle confirmed 6-0 as the scoreline of the moment, thrashing Aston Villa who looked well short of quality. Andy Carroll was the star man, rounding off his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Earlier in the game, Joey Barton had handed The Toon an early lead before Carroll kick-started his exploits. Kevin Nolan also chipped in with a brace.

Fulham ensured Chelsea are the only team to win two from two games as they twice fought from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United. Paul Scholes handed the Red Devils an early lead but Simon Davies cancelled it out in the second half.

The game looked destined for a 1-1 draw until a series of events kicked the game into life. Firstly, Brede Hangeland bundled the ball into his own net to hand United an 84th minute lead, and two minutes later the visitors had a penalty.

Damien Duff was adjudged to have intentionally handled inside the area and up stepped Nani, who saw his spot-kick saved by rookie ‘keeper David Stockdale. The save proved vital and it spurred on Hangeland, who atoned for his earlier error by powering in a header in the right end in the final minute, snatching a deserved point for the Cottagers.

City Too Slick For Reds

Jamie Casey — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:11:03 +0000

Manchester City put their title credentials on show as they dominated Liverpool in a comfortable 3-0 win at Eastlands on Monday night.

City survived a bright Liverpool start and took the lead against the run of play as Gareth Barry finished off James Milner’s cross on 12 minutes.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the second half as Micah Richards nodded in Milner’s corner, with Carlos Tevez trying to claim the last touch.

Tevez didn’t have long to wait to officially have his name on the scoresheet, though, as he converted a 68th minute penalty to seal an impressive victory for Roberto Mancini’s men.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson opted to start David Ngog and Fernando Torres up front together, the first time in the Premier League but the Spaniard looked well short of match fitness early on.

Martin Skrtel made his presence felt in only the fourth minute with a cynical foul on Adam Johnson, who had beaten the Slovakian for pace on the wing, and went into the book for his trouble.

Adam Johnson fired an early warning to the Reds as he lashed a 30 yard left foot strike inches wide of Pepe Reina’s right post, narrowing missing out on handing City a 9th minute lead.

City were rewarded for their pressure in the 13th minute, though, and debutant James Milner was instrumental as he fended off a challenge from Steven Gerrard and teed up Barry, who calmly slotted home the pull-back.

Tevez almost made it two in two minutes as he shrugged off Jamie Carragher and drilled a powerful shot towards goal, finding the side netting from a difficult angle.

By the half-hour mark, City had dominated possession with 60% of the play as the Merseysiders looked rattled by the big spending Mancunians.

Liverpool began to come into the play more as the half wore on, but a distinct lack of match practice was evident as Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Glenn Johnson were all guilty of poor touches on numerous occasions.

Torres, though, presented Gerrard with a chance to equalised on the stroke of half-time as he spotted the captain’s run and picked him out with a delightfully weighted past.

Approaching the pass at high speed, the England international failed to connect as he knows he can, slicing his shot well wide of Joe Hart’s goal.

Second half

Liverpool came out after the break with greater urgency and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening stages of the restart.

However, City soon found themselves two goals to the good against the run of play as Micah Richards rose highest from a Milner corner and directed his header downwards and into the net, beating Reina who appeared to be obstructed by the eager Tevez.

The Reds responded well and were almost back in the game as first Ngog forced Hart into a save before Torres saw his point-blank range rebound brilliantly closed down by the England goalkeeper.

Goalscorer Richards picked up a yellow card soon after, as his persistent fouling on Torres was too much for referee Phil Dowd to let slide.

With 67 minutes on the clock, City had a third. Tevez netted the goal from the penalty spot after Skrtel had brought down Adam Johnson in the area. The Slovakian was lucky to escape a second booking.

Torres finally showed a touch of class on 72 minutes as he turned Richards inside the box and unleashed a left foot drive across the face of goal, narrowly evading the far post with Hart beaten.

The goal meant City had scored three goals against Liverpool in a league fixture for the first time since 1981 and was the first time the Reds had conceded three in a Premier League match in 29 games.

The game began to peter out thereafter, with City opting to keep possession with little urgency as Liverpool desperately tried in vein to retrieve the ball.

City held out with ease to signal their very real intentions of competing in this league. Liverpool, meanwhile, have a lot of work to do if they’re to keep with their rivals.

Milner City Saga Comes to an End

Jamie Casey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:21:11 +0000

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes new signing James Milner will become an even better player at Eastlands.

The England international finally completed his £26 million move from Aston Villa on Wednesday, with Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction, putting to bed the longest transfer saga of the summer.

Martin O’Neill’s reluctance to sell Milner when in charge stalled the deal, while the Northern Irishman’s shock departure complicated matters in terms of Ireland agreeing to move to Villa Park .

Nonetheless, the deal went ahead and Milner becomes another expensive recruit in the project Manchester City are piecing together, and his new Italian boss is eager to get to work with his new midfielder.

“I am very happy to have James with us,” revealed Mancini. “Everybody knows we have admired him for some time. He is an excellent midfielder, who can play in a number of positions.

“This is important for the team, and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us. We have a very strong squad, and this signing is a very important one for us.

“James he is already a very good player, who has proved he can play at the very top level. But he is also young and a good character, I think he can also improve and be a great player for a long time.”

Milner, 24, put pen to paper on a lucrative five-year deal and could go straight into the City squad to face Liverpool on Monday along with fellow multi-million pound signing Mario Balotelli. However, neither have been registered in time for Thursday’s Europa League game at FC Timisoara.

New Villa player Ireland , 23, signed a four-year contract with the mangerless club but the Irishman, who is retired from international football, is relieved to have left Eastlands after falling out of favour last season.

“I have plenty of personal ambitions,” he told the club’s official website. “I want to get back to playing the way I can – I haven’t played 90 minutes in nearly eight or nine months, which isn’t normal really for me.

“I’ve kind of forgotten the feeling what it is like to come off after a game feeling tired, winning or losing. I’m not used to sitting out for so long.

“So for me, I want to get back to playing at the top of my game and I want to work hard for my team-mates. I want to see if my team-mates and myself can push on and achieve something massive this season.”

Ireland was named City player of the season in 2008-09 after scoring 13 goals and earned a five-year deal with the club as a reward, but the club has transformed dramatically since then.

The Cork-born youngster has earned a reputation as somewhat of a troublemaker in his short career but has vowed to make the most of a new lease of life and earn the trust of his teammates and the Villa support.

He added: “For me, my number one target is to work hard for my team-mates, show them what I can bring to the table, show them they can rely on me and that I am going to work hard for them week in, week out.

“I am looking forward to building up a relationship with the fans and my new team-mates. It is exciting for me to have a new challenge, move here and get settled.”

Beckham to Blackburn?

Jamie Casey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:06:06 +0000

The businessman at the heart of a proposed takeover of Blackburn admits he will attempt to lure David Beckham back to the Premier League, should he gain control of the club.

Indian tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed is in talks with Blackburn over buying the club out and has reportedly guaranteed team boss Sam Allardyce a £100million transfer kitty if the deal can go ahead before the 1 September transfer deadline.

The talks are exciting times for fans of the club, who have saw Blackburn fade away from the limelight since their sole Premier League title success in 1994-95 under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish and former owner Jack Walker.

Beckham, who has been linked with West Ham in recent weeks, has shown no sign of a desire to return to English football, despite being held in high regard by many bosses in the Premier League.

Although that would not stop potential owner Ali Syed attempting to lure him to Ewood Park if his bid to gain control is accepted, as expected.

He said: “I was 26 when I started following the Premier League. I used to like Blackburn back then and also used to follow Manchester United’s fortunes because of David Beckham,” he explained.

“If my finances allow and his intentions are positive then I would love to take Beckham. If the resources are given to Big Sam, he can do wonders,” he added.

The 36-year-old law graduate would be the youngest club owner in the division and has vowed not to get ahead of himself amid exciting times for Blackburn: “Let’s be positive. Surely the day will come when everybody will smile with some titles,” he added.

Blackburn finished a steady 10th last season and will be looking upwards towards European football, with the Europa League qualification a realistic target if Allardyce gets the promised funds.

Premier League weekend round-up

Jamie Casey — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:11:50 +0000

Champions Chelsea began their Premier League campaign as they ended it last season by topping the table after the opening weekend of the 2010/11 league season.

With Manchester United not scheduled to open their assault on a record 19th top-tier title until they host Newcastle on Monday night, The Blues were free from pressure to pick up where they left off.

And they did so in style, battering newly-promoted West Brom 6-0, with last season’s top scorer Didier Drogba also picking up where he left off with an emphatic hat-trick.

Frenchman Florent Malouda grabbed a brace while Frank Lampard helped himself to one in a start which will have done little for the Baggies’ confidence in staying up this time around.

Following last season’s 8-0 demolition of Wigan on the final day, Drogba became only the fourth player in Premier League history to net consecutive hat-tricks and The Blues because the first team in 101 years to register a goal difference of +14 over two top-flight games.

Elsewhere, fellow newcomers Blackpool created the weekend’s biggest shock as they thumped woeful Wigan 4-0 at the DW Stadium on their Premier League debut.

The Tangerines were three goals to the good by the break, with Marlon Harewood grabbing a brace after setting up Gary-Fletcher Taylor for the opener.

Latics keeper Chris Kirkland had a nightmare start to the campaign, arguably at fault for two of the first three goals and certainly at fault for Blackpool’s fourth as Alex Baptiste’s weak cross somehow evaded him at his near post.

Incredibly, the result from the 3pm kick-off meant Blackpool topped the table briefly before Chelsea overtook them that evening.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa showed there is life after Martin O’Neill as they strolled to a 3-0 win over West Ham at Villa Park. Stewart Downing and Stilian Petrov provided Villa a comfortable half-time lead before want-away midfielder James Milner added a third in the second half.

Earlier on Saturday, Tottenham and Man City played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane, with keeper Joe Hart putting in a man-of-the-match display after being chosen to play ahead of Shay Given.

At Ewood Park, an uncharacteristic howler from Tim Howard helped Blackburn earn a 1-0 win over Everton with Nikola Kalinic taking full advantage to score the only goal of the game.

Elsewhere, Sunderland let a two-goal lead slip at home to Birmingham who had defenders Liam Ridgewell and Scott Dann to thank for earning a point with late strikes at the Stadium of Light.

Wolves continued their progress from last season with a creditable 2-1 win over Stoke City, who had new record signing Kenwyne Jones stretchered off. Most opening weekends tend to produce a candidate for goal of the season and David Jones’ provided it with his retro donkey kick free-kick in the first half.

Steven Fletcher marked his debut with a goal before Abdoulaye Faye pulled one back for the Potters late on.

Perhaps the biggest game of the weekend took place on Sunday as Arsenal travelled to Anfield to take on Roy Hodgson’s new look Liverpool side.

Joe Cole’s Premier League debt turned sour just before half-time as he hacked down new Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny and saw red. The ten men of Liverpool came out and produced a battling second-half show, taking the lead early on though David Ngog.

The home side were cruelly denied a deserved three points, however, as Pepe Reina spilled into his own net after failing to react to a rebound off the post. Reina had earlier denied Thomas Rosicky with a world-class save, but ended up the villain of the piece as Arsenal secured a valuable point.

Veterans combine in Man United stroll

Jamie Casey — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:28:10 +0000

Manchester United got their Premier League campaign up and running with ease with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Veteran Paul Scholes was inspirational, playing a key role in the Man Utd’s dominance from start to finish. Dimitar Berbatov grabbed the opener on 33 minutes, settling the nerves after an uncertain opening from the hosts.

The breakthrough allowed The Red Devils to relax before Daniel Fletcher added to their lead shortly before half-time. Alex Ferguson’s men continued to dominate after the break, but had to wait until five minutes from time before their third goal.

The wait was worthwhile, though, as two veterans combined in Scholes and Ryan Giggs, the latter of which volleying in from a difficult angle. The win ensured Man United lie fourth in the Premier League table after the opening weekend.

Just ten minutes into the game and Newcastle could have and should have taken a shock lead. The Toon earned a corner which Joey Barton delivered right onto the head of the unmarked Andy Carroll who could only steer wide.

United regained their composure but struggled to created a clear-cut chance amid a series of offsides. Newcastle remained a threat at the other end and Carroll tested Edwin Van Der Sar with a snapshot on 18 minutes.

Rooney tried his luck from distance soon after, but a deflection took the sting out of his shot making Steve Harper’s task all the more easier in the Newcastle goal.

James Perch, a summer signing from Nottingham Forest, was the first player in the book on 21 minutes as he tripped up Nani, who was aiming to burst through on goal. From the resulting free-kick, Rooney blasted into the wall.

United began to up the pace of their game around the half hour mark and Rooney perhaps should have done better with a left-foot half-volley after Dimitar Berbatov teed up the England striker with a cushioned header.

Rooney’s effort sailed over the bar and moments later Paul Scholes played a delightful through ball but Rooney lost possession when trying to cut inside onto his left foot.

However, the home side didn’t have long to wait for their inevitable opener. Scholes was the provider as he slipped an angled through ball towards Berbatov. Toon defender Jose Enrique got a toe on the pass but inadvertently teed up the Bulgarian, who buried the ball low into the bottom left corner.

United has a 33rd minute lead, but switched off in the aftermath of the goal with Carroll dispossessing John O’Shea on the flank, only to scuff his cross with two teammates eagerly waiting.

Seven minutes before the break, Joey Barton, sporting a moustache he has vowed not to shave until the Magpies earn their first Premier League win of the season, opted to shoot when better placed to cross, much to the annoyance of his team-mates.

United ensured the game was all but won soon after, as Fletcher shot low and hard on the turn after collecting a miss-kick from Rooney. The goal deflated the away side, who at that stage were crying out for the half-time whistle.

Second Half

Both sides upped the physicality of their play early in the second half and both Scholes and Fletcher found themselves in the book within ten minutes of the restart.

Rooney continued to look out of sorts but his strike partner Berbatov was a constant menace and almost grabbed his second when put through one-on-one with Harper.

The Bulgarian kept his composure but Harper was sharp off his line as Berbatov was forced into rushing his shot, consequently slipping the ball wide of the far post.

Rooney’s night came to an end after 63 minutes when he was replaced by Mexican prodigy Javier Hernandez. The youngster was eager to make an impression and looked sharp, narrowly missing out on making it three ten minutes into his Premiership debut after a late flag for offside.

Shola Ameobi’s introduction on 72 minutes injected new life into the Magpies, with Carroll finding a partner alongside him more beneficial, but still they struggled to cope with the dominance of Man Utd.

A masterful second half performance from Scholes allowed United to continue to dominate and it was him who pulled the strings again as he set up a fellow Old Trafford legend – Ryan Giggs.

Giggs, a 71st minute sub for Nani, drifted into the box unnoticed. Unnoticed by all except Scholes, his long-time teammate and lover, who picked him out with a pinpoint pass which the Welshman volleyed across the face of goal and into the far bottom corner.

If anything, the score was generous on Newcastle, who barely strung together a move in the second period. United’s dominance was only lacking in a killer final instinct, of which is unexpected during the first game of the season.

Giggs’ goal in the 85th minute was the final nail in the coffin for the Toon as the home side kept possession from the closing stages for a comfortable three points.