Latest Premier League News

[sky star 2]

SOL CAMPBELL HAPPY WITH A POINT

Newcastle defender Sol Campbell was delighted to mark his first Barclays Premier League start for Newcastle with a battling draw against champions Chelsea.

The Blues earned a point through Salomon Kalou after Andy Carroll's early opener, but Campbell was pleased with his day's work.

"We had to work hard and use the ball well. They're a great side, they came back to 1-1, but you can't beat it," he told Sky Sports 1.

On his own return, he added: "It's always nice to come back at home, whenever it comes you've got to take it and get on with it.

"I've been training hard, working hard, and it's great to be out there."

Carroll again captured the attention as he seized on farcical defending to open the scoring in the sixth minute and Campbell said: "They had to double up on him. Andy's going from strength to strength, winning headers and long may it continue."

Full-back Jose Enrique, who also played his part in a superb defensive effort, paid tribute to Campbell and Steven Taylor, who played in the absence of Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini.

"The two centre-backs played their first game and they played really well," the Spaniard said.

"Chelsea are a really good team, we played really well in defence. I think we deserved a draw today and we are really happy with that.

"We had to drop back, it's normal against this team. If not, we lose maybe 6-1."



:thum:

 

[sky star 2]

CHELSEA MISS OUT ON TOP SPOT

Salomon Kalou spared Chelsea's blushes as the champions had to come from behind at Newcastle - but the 1-1 draw at St James' Park wasn't enough for them to reclaim top spot in the Barclays Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international fired home the equaliser in first-half injury time to prevent his side slipping to a third successive league defeat for the first time in 11 years.

Andy Carroll had given the Magpies a sixth-minute lead when he capitalised on an error by Alex, and although the Londoners enjoyed the better of the game, they defended resolutely enough to deserve their point.

Chelsea climbed into second place as a result, but have now taken just four points from their last five games.




:thum:

 

[sarahmic]

MAN UTD GAME HEADS POSTPONEMENTS

MAN UTD GAME HEADS POSTPONEMENTS

Manchester United's clash with Blackpool on Saturday has been called off because of a frozen pitch.

The Seasiders hired a heated pitch cover to protect the Bloomfield Road surface because of the sub-zero temperatures around the country.

But the move failed to beat the adverse weather conditions which have swept the country.

In the Championship, the Hull v QPR clash at the KC Stadium was cancelled on safety grounds by the Tigers, meaning the match went the same way as Nottingham Forest v Bristol City.

The freezing conditions caused a multitude of problems at the City Ground, including burst pipes, and Forest chief executive Mark Arthur said: "It's not a decision that was taken lightly.

"The safety of supporters, as well as our staff, is of paramount importance."

Portsmouth v Burnley was also called off for safety reasons on Thursday. The South Yorkshire derby between Doncaster and Barnsley fell due to snow on Thursday, as did Reading's trip to Sheffield United.

The weather has hit hard in the lower divisions, with only three League One matches - those at Bristol Rovers, Exeter and Swindon - surviving.

The games at Northampton and Oxford remain in League Two.

In Scotland, after the Scottish Premier League pulled the plug on all matches on Wednesday, the only fixture still slated to go ahead was Alloa v Peterhead in the Second Division.

Postponed fixtures:

Premier League:

Blackpool v Manchester United

Championship:

Doncaster v Barnsley

Hull v QPR

Nottingham Forest v Bristol City

Portsmouth v Burnley

Sheff Utd v Reading

League One:

Brentford v Notts County

Brighton v Colchester

Dagenham & Redbridge v Huddersfield

Hartlepool v Southampton

Leyton Orient v Carlisle

Milton Keynes Dons v Plymouth

Rochdale v Charlton

Walsall v Oldham

Yeovil v Peterborough

League Two:

Accrington Stanley v Shrewsbury

Aldershot v Bradford

Bury v Chesterfield

Cheltenham v Lincoln City

Crewe v Wycombe

Gillingham v Rotherham

Hereford v Morecambe

Port Vale v Stevenage

Southend v Macclesfield

Torquay v Burton Albion

Blue Square Bet Premier:

Darlington v Kidderminster

Eastbourne Borough v Gateshead

Forest Green v Luton

Hayes & Yeading v Rushden & Diamonds

Histon v Fleetwood Town

Kettering v Bath City

Mansfield v Barrow

Southport v Grimsby

Wrexham v Crawley Town

York v AFC Wimbledon

Scottish Premier League:

Aberdeen v Celtic

Hibernian v St Mirren

Inverness CT v Dundee Utd

Motherwell v Kilmarnock

Rangers v Hearts

St Johnstone v Hamilton

Scottish Division One:

Dundee v Cowdenbeath

Dunfermline v Partick

Falkirk v Raith

Queen of South v Stirling

Ross County v Morton

Scottish Division Two:

Airdrie Utd v Forfar

Brechin v Dumbarton

East Fife v Livingston

Stenhousemuir v Ayr

Scottish Division Three:

Arbroath v Stranraer

Berwick v East Stirling

Clyde v Montrose

Elgin v Albion

Queens Park v Annan Athletic

 

[sarahmic]

Balotelli and Boateng involved in confrontation!!!!

Balotelli and Boateng involved in confrontation!!!!

Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng had to be pulled apart after a training ground clash on Friday.

The Manchester Evening News has released pictures of a confrontation between the duo, which allegedly came about after Balotelli reacted to a tackle from Boateng.

They had to be separated after a heated exchange but are also seen clearing the air with a hug later in the same session.

Both players moved to Eastlands over the summer, with Balotelli joining from Inter Milan and Boateng leaving Hamburg.

Roberto Mancini overhauled his squad during the transfer window with a number of other big-money signings and there have been several reports of disharmony in the camp this season.
Competition

Vincent Kompany and Emmanuel Adebayor became involved in an on-field row, while there was a similar incident between Yaya Toure and James Milner.

A number of City players have stressed that there are no divisions in the squad, just a high level of competition for places that has benefited the team.

Mancini will therefore not be happy that these fresh images of Balotelli and Boateng have come to light ahead of Saturday's home game against in-form Bolton.

The Italian manager has previously spoken to Balotelli about the importance of controlling his temper and staying focused on his performances.

 

[sarahmic]

AGGER REJECTS LIVERPOOL EXIT TALK

AGGER REJECTS LIVERPOOL EXIT TALK

By Kent Hedlundh

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has rejected talk that he could leave the club in January.

Reports have suggested Agger could be on his way out of Anfield in the next transfer window with German side Wolfsburg credited with an interest in the centre-half.

However, Agger, who is recovering from a calf injury, insists he has no plans to leave Liverpool and that he will not be forced out of the club.

"Liverpool can't force me out of the club even if they want to as I have got four years left on my contract," Agger told Jyllands-Posten.

"I find it strange that people who don't know anything shout everything possible.

"I expect Roy Hodgson to have the guts to tell me face to face if he doesn't want me and he hasn't said that."

 

[sarahmic]

BROUGHTON OPEN TO GROUNDSHARE

BROUGHTON OPEN TO GROUNDSHARE

Former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton believes a groundshare with near-neighbours Everton should be "seriously considered".

The British Airways chairman left his role at Anfield at the beginning of this month having completed his task of selling the club to New England Sports Ventures.

NESV are now looking at all options, from building a new stadium in Stanley Park to redeveloping Anfield, but Chelsea fan Broughton has raised the thorny issue of a groundshare.

"If (a new stadium) is not possible, then in my personal opinion, groundsharing should be seriously considered," he told an audience of business leaders.

"Fans are understandably emotional about this issue, but this has to be addressed.

"It's not the case of being red or blue. You can be red one week, and blue the next.

"It's up to people like Kenny Dalglish to communicate the business sense of all this.

"It would mean open minds on all sides."

 

[sarahmic]

FABREGAS DOUBT FOR MAN UNITED GAME

FABREGAS DOUBT FOR MAN UNITED GAME

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could miss the clash with Manchester United in two weeks' time.

The midfielder has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury against Braga in the Champions League on November 23.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had been hoping Fabregas would be fit for the clash with the Premier League leaders on Monday, December 13, but the Spain international may delay his comeback until the following Saturday when Arsenal meet Stoke at Emirates Stadium.

Fabregas wants to make sure he does not rush his comeback and said at the end of last month: "I don't want to put a date on my return yet, I will take my time.

"I will just try to get back whenever I can. My team-mates are helping me a lot and I am trying my best."

 

[sarahmic]

OWEN CLOSE TO MAN UNITED RETURN

OWEN CLOSE TO MAN UNITED RETURN

Manchester United striker Michael Owen could be back in time for the festive fixtures.

Owen has returned to full training following a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since October.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "He is doing very well. He took part in the football side of it yesterday.

"I would say he's two weeks away [from playing]. We need to make sure he does a good stint of football training before we bring him into the games."

However Owen Hargreaves is no nearer a return from his hamstring problem.

Ferguson added: "It's a bad blow for the lad and it's hard to take, given the length of time he's been out and the amount of football he's missed."

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY 25/05/11

THE TIMES: Sir Alex Ferguson moved to embargo all issues surrounding Ryan Giggs yesterday when he told an aide to ban a reporter who asked a question about the Manchester United player. Also: England's goalkeeping problems took a farcical turn last night when Robert Green was called back into the squad for the European Championship qualifying match against Switzerland in place of David Stockdale.

THE SUN: Roberto Mancini has flown to Abu Dhabi to speak to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak amid a breakdown in relations at Manchester City. Also: Manchester United have completed an £18.3million deal to sign keeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

THE INDEPENDENT: The Ryan Giggs injunction controversy threatened to undermine Manchester United's preparations for Saturday's Champions League final yesterday, as the player was withdrawn from training and a masked gang attacked photographers' cars outside his house. Also: Caution is rarely a factor on the pitch for Barcelona but off it the club are not prepared to leave anything to chance as they flew by private jet to Stansted last night two days ahead of schedule to avoid any potential disruption caused by the Icelandic ash cloud.

DAILY MAIL: Sir Alex Ferguson has attempted to impose his own gagging order on a journalist who dared to ask him about Ryan Giggs at Manchester United's Champions League press conference yesterday. Also: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini flew to Abu Dhabi last night for talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak as his relationship with Garry Cook and Brian Marwood continued to show signs of strain.

DAILY STAR: Nemanja Vidic has told Barcelona to forget about conning Manchester United out of Champions League glory. Also: Inter Milan are preparing a £15m bid for Arsenal's Alex Song.

DAILY MIRROR: Nemanja Vidic has told Barcelona that Manchester United are ready for their dirty tricks. Also: Manchester United's class of 1992 were reunited last night for Gary Neville's testimonial as beaming boss Sir Alex Ferguson posed with Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.

THE GUARDIAN: Michael Owen has revealed his frustration with the England manager, Fabio Capello, over the apparent end of his international career. Also: Lord Coe has defended the ticketing process for the 2012 Olympics, with organisers saying the majority of applicants will see money go out of their accounts by midnight tonight.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ryan Giggs made his first public appearance on Tuesday night since being revealed as the footballer covered by a privacy injunction when he played in Gary Neville's testimonial against Juventus at Old Trafford - hours after journalists' cars were attacked and vandalised outside his house. Also: Nemanja Vidic insists Manchester United are ready to cope with Barcelona's "different mentality'' amid fears the Spanish champions will turn to gamesmanship and 'dirty tricks' in Saturday's Champions League final.

DAILY EXPRESS: Nemanja Vidic last night warned Barcelona that Manchester United will not fall for any dirty tricks in the Champions League final on Saturday. Also: The scale of the rip-off of Manchester United and Barcelona fans at Wembley for Saturday's Champions League final is exposed today by a Daily Express investigation.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY 26/05/11

DAILY TELEGRAPH: FIFA presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam and controversial power broker Jack Warner will be accused of offering US$40,000 cash bribes to national football associations when they appear before a FIFA ethics committee hearing on Sunday, the Daily Telegraph can disclose. Also: Kolo Toure, the Manchester City defender, is set to discover today whether he faces a two-year worldwide ban from football after testing positive for a specified substance earlier this month.

GUARDIAN: World football's governing body, already reeling from a string of corruption claims, was thrown into fresh turmoil yesterday by serious bribery allegations concerning two of the most senior figures on FIFA's executive committee. Also: Andrew Strauss resumes the captaincy of an England Test side that after their Ashes success have now become, in the words of Sri Lanka's coach Stuart Law, "the toughest deal on the planet".

THE TIMES: Fabio Capello's problems deepened last night when Jermain Defoe became the latest England player to withdraw from the squad for next week's European Championship qualifying match against Switzerland. Also: The civil war that broke out within the power structures of FIFA yesterday looks to be another excruciating public embarrassment and a battle that will be fought to the finish.

THE INDEPENDENT: The power brokers in world football's controversial world governing body FIFA turned on one another yesterday in an unprecedented 24 hours of bribery allegations that could precipitate a meltdown in the secretive much-criticised organisation. Also: Fabio Capello's striker shortage for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland a week on Saturday became more acute yesterday when Jermain Defoe became the latest player to pull out of the squad.

DAILY EXPRESS: Darren Fletcher is bracing himself for Champions League final heartbreak for a third time. Also: Newcastle will not offer Joey Barton a new contract - and that means he looks certain to leave St James' Park this summer.

DAILY MAIL: FIFA were in meltdown last night, with allegations of top-level bribery and counterclaims of a dirty tricks campaign engulfing next week's presidential election. Also: Queens Park Rangers fans were furious yesterday after learning they will be charged up to £72 to watch their team in the Barclays Premier League next season - a 106 per cent rise on this term.

THE SUN: Jose Mourinho last night ruled out a return to Chelsea. Also: Alex Ferguson will pick his Schalke stunners for Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

DAILY STAR: Darren Fletcher was last night facing Champions League heartbreak for the third time. Also: Furious West Ham last night accused Sunderland of tapping-up Demba Ba.

DAILY MIRROR: Carlo Ancelotti is set to be offered an immediate Premier League return with QPR. Also: West Ham have made a string of explosive claims to the Premier League, insisting Sunderland have tapped up Demba Ba.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY


DAILY TELEGRAPH: FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam, who denies accusations of bribery, has called for the investigation to be extended to include rival Sepp Blatter. Also: Andy Murray moved into the third round of the French Open after taking nearly three hours to defeat Italian qualifier Simone Bolelli, but there was disappointment for Britain's two women hopefuls.


THE GUARDIAN: Mohamed Bin Hammam, the FIFA presidential challenger accused of giving cash bribes to voters, has accused his opponent Sepp Blatter of effectively approving the alleged payments and called for him to be investigated as well. Also: Organisers of the rowing events at the London Olympics have admitted that cross-winds may make the races so unfair that medals may have to be decided by time trials.


DAILY EXPRESS: Chelsea are on course for a huge row with former sporting director Frank Arnesen over the future of teenage prodigy Josh McEachran. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has already beaten Liverpool's record of domestic titles - now he wants to smash another slice of Anfield history.


DAILY MAIL: FIFA's corruption scandal escalated last night into a full-blown civil war between the candidates for the presidency, with Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam claiming rival Sepp Blatter should be investigation. Also: Carlos Tevez has rejected the chance of a lucrative transfer to Juventus - the biggest indication yet that he will stay at Manchester City.


THE SUN: Jack Wilshere has told Alex Ferguson the key to unlocking Barcelona: Get in their faces. Also: Lionel Messi and Co will earn £650,000 each if they win the Champions League for Barcelona - nearly double Manchester United's bonus.


DAILY STAR: Jack Wilshere last night warned Manchester United: Barcelona could con their way to Champions League glory. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson reckons it's time for him and Manchester United to become true European legends.


DAILY MIRROR: Edwin van der Sar will collect the European Cup on his farewell appearance if Manchester United beat Barcelona tomorrow. Also: Sam Allardyce is ready to take the West Ham job - as long as they meet his demands.


THE TIMES: Patrice Evra believes that cockiness cost Manchester United the European Cup against Barcelona two years ago and he has warned his team-mates that there will be "no excuses" if they fail to learn from those mistakes tomorrow.


THE INDEPENDENT: Football's embattled world governing body FIFA was pitched into further chaos last night when its president, Sepp Blatter, was himself accused of corruption by his election opponent, Mohamed Bin Hammam, who is already the subject of a FIFA investigation.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Sir Alex Ferguson is standing on the shoulders of giants and enjoying the view. Also: Pepe Guardiola has plunged Barcelona into uncertainty ahead of tonight's Champions League final by refusing to dismiss Johan Cruyff's claims that he could walk away from the Nou Camp following the Wembley clash against Manchester United.

THE TIMES: Sir Alex Ferguson is predicting one of the greatest European Cup finals when Manchester United face Barcelona at Wembley this evening. Also: Pep Guardiola has left the door open for a move to the Premier League by refusing to confirm that he will stay at Barcelona beyond the end of this season.

INDEPENDENT: It is 20 years and 13 days since Sir Alex Ferguson won his first European trophy against a Barcelona team in Rotterdam and although the Cup Winners' Cup was not quite the big time he dreamed of then, it precipitated a shift in both teams' fortunes. Also: Pep Guardiola has warned his players they will have to play better than they did in 2009 to win tonight's Champions League final.

GUARDIAN: Even a man as addicted to conflict as Sir Alex Ferguson knows there is no point in picking a pre-match quarrel with as civilised and courteous an opponent as Pep Guardiola ahead of tonight's European Cup final. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken confidently of his belief that Manchester United have prepared more adequately to face Barcelona than in the 2009 final and will not make the mistakes that led to one of the more galling defeats of their modern era.

DAILY MAIL: Sir Alex Ferguson last night predicted Manchester United and Barcelona are about to produce one of the best Champions League finals ever - and backed his players to win it. Also: Guus Hiddink last night dropped the biggest hint yet that he is ready to turn his back on Turkey and return to club football as Chelsea manager.

DAILY EXPRESS: Sir Alex Ferguson says his Manchester United team will triumph tonight in what he predicts will be one of the best Champions League finals of all time. Also: Sam Allardyce will be the new boss of relegated West Ham after agreeing last night to try to save them from an Olympic Stadium meltdown.

DAILY STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United to win a Champions League classic and become the ultimate kings of Europe. Also: Chelsea were last night placed on red alert that Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola could be available this summer.

THE SUN: Alex Ferguson last night roared 'This will be the final of the decade - and I trust my players to win it'. Also: Johan Cruyff has dropped a bombshell on Barcelona's final build-up by claiming Pep Guardiola may be ready to quit.

DAILY MIRROR: Wayne Rooney has been backed to lead Manchester United to Champions League glory tonight. Also: FIFA president Sepp Blatter was last night ordered to stand trial over the bribery claims rocking football's governing body.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY 29-05-11

NEWS OF THE WORLD: Manchester United's European Cup dream was destroyed by Lionel Messi at Wembley last night. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were ''given a hiding'' by Barcelona's brutal brilliance as his Champions League dream died at Wembley.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Lionel Messi proved why he's the best footballer on the planet as Barcelona outclassed England's finest to lift the European Cup last night. Also: Pep Guardiola inspired a football masterclass as Barcelona proved they are the best team in the world last night.

THE PEOPLE: Lionel Messi handed Manchester United a sound Champions League final beating - then kicked a TV microphone to celebrate. Also: Chelsea will have to pay a £15million 'transfer fee' to take Harry Redknapp away from Tottenham - as their bid for a new boss runs into major snags.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY: Manchester United's Champions League dream was destroyed by a Barcelona wonder show at Wembley last night. Also: Man United's unbeaten record in this season's Champions League came to an end in the one game they couldn't afford to lose.

THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: Leo Messi destroyed Manchester United's hopes of a third European Cup with a sensational goal that delivered the trophy to Barcelona at Wembley last night. Also: West Ham will appoint Sam Allardyce as their new manager tomorrow after changing the 56-year-old former Blackburn Rovers boss's mind about turning his back on English football management.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Barcelona were duly crowned champions of Europe last night - thanks to the best player in the world. Also: The carousel which is Barcelona's glittering football tossed Manchester United aside last night like discarded baggage to break English hearts.

THE OBSERVER: There was no repeat of the 1968 Wembley euphoria for Manchester United in their bid to lift a fourth European Cup, just an unwelcome reminder of how it felt to be outplayed in 2009 in Rome. Also: So Lionel Messi has finally scored for Barcelona on an English pitch. And how typical that it should have been conjured out of nothing.

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: Manchester United's squad went to watch Jersey Boys on Thursday, hoping to round off their Saturday with 'Oh, What A Night'. Instead the most appropriate theme for an entertaining Champions' League final was the old hit by the Manchester band The Hollies, ''On a Carousel''. Barcelona's passing carousel, as Sir Alex Ferguson once delineated it, designed to make opponents dizzy, did just that to achieve a victory as comprehensive as in the 2009 final.

THE SUNDAY TIMES: Barcelona confirmed their billing as the world's best club side by lifting the European Cup for the third time in five years after sweeping aside Manchester United in a thrilling final at Wembley. Also: For the fourth time, with their habitual ensemble brilliance, via verve and elegance, through a genius called Messi, Barcelona are European champions.

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Beneath the soaring Wembley arch, Barcelona ascended to new heights. Inspired by an exhilarating Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola's team swept past Manchester United in a thrilling performance and, with their third Champions League title in the last six seasons, they earned the right to be called one of the very greatest club sides in the history of the game. Also: Tomorrow night Rio Ferdinand and Fabio Capello will meet for the first time since the Manchester United defender lost the England captaincy to John Terry.

 

[sarahmic]

BREAKING GOSSIP

1003 BST: Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, who has spent two and a half of the past three seasons on loan to Wolves, is a £3m target for Bundesliga side Hamburg. Wolves and Stoke may yet submit offers to rival the German club's bid.
Full story: Inside Futbol

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to react to his side's defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League final by overhauling his squad. Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric could be part of a revamped line-up next season, with a £20m bid being prepared for the Croatia international.
Full story: Daily Mail

As many as 10 players could be on their way out of Old Trafford, with strikers Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and midfielder Nani among those who could depart. Meanwhile, United boss Ferguson will want to establish if Paul Scholes is going to end his playing career, with one idea being that the former England midfielder could take over the reserve team.
Full story: the Guardian

Scholes has already made his decision to end his playing career. The 37-year-old, who has made 676 appearances for the club, wanted to announce his retirement after the team clinched their 19th league title against Blackburn on the 14 May but was persuaded to delay until after the Champions League final.
Full story: Daily Express

Atletico Madrid goalkeper David de Gea is expected to arrive at Manchester United by the end of the week in a £17m deal, with midfielders Ashley Young of Aston Villa and Jack Rodwell of Everton next on Ferguson's shopping list.
Full story: the Independent

Barcelona are set to beat Tottenham to the signing of former Manchester United reserve forward Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal in a staggering £40m deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal could be tempted to make a summer move for Liverpool target Axel Witsel after it emerged that the Standard Liege midfielder's ambition is to play in the Premier League.
Full story: Metro

West Ham striker Demba Ba is being tracked by Everton , but his wage demands may scupper any move to Merseyside.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are set to announce the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel on a two-year deal to replace the error-prone Heurelho Gomes as the club's number one for next season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid is eyeing a move to former club Nottingham Forest following his release from Blackpool.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Pep Guardiola is set to become Europe's most wanted man after revealing he will spend only one more year as Barcelona manager.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony claims no other manager could have achieved what Darren Ferguson has at the club after he led them to a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield in Sunday's League One play-off final.
Full story: Talksport

AND FINALLY

Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi was once banned from playing in his native Argentina because he was too small.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu, a World Cup winner in 1998, has said he will make good on his promise to streak naked through the streets of Evian after his local side secured promotion to the top flight of French football.
Full story: the Independent

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was replicating a tradition from championship-winning basketball teams when he cut the net from the goalposts at Wembley to take home as a souvenir following the Champions League win over Manchester United. (the Independent)

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Brendan Rodgers and his Swansea play-off heroes have a date with Rod Stewart after sealing their £90million ticket to the Premier League. Also: Graeme Swann helped spin England to a stunning win over Sri Lanka in the First Test.

DAILY MIRROR: Brendan Rodgers and his Swansea heroes are sailing all the way to the Premier League. Also: Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann ripped through Sri Lanka for one of England's greatest-ever wins.

DAILY STAR: Manchester United have been told to cough up £16m to sign Aston Villa's Ashley Young. Also: Brendan Rodgers revealed Rod Stewart was Swansea's inspiration as they saw off Reading to land a £90m Premier League jackpot.

DAILY MAIL: FIFA president Sepp Blatter stormed out of a press conference in Zurich last night declaring: "Crisis, what crisis?" Also: Swansea, who 'couldn't pay the electricity bill' eight years ago, yesterday reached the promised land of the Barclays Premier League by beating Reading 4-2 in the £90million Championship play-off final at Wembley.

DAILY EXPRESS: Sepp Blatter issued a "back me or sack me" edict to his own football family last night as he vowed to cling on to power in the face of FIFA's worst bribery scandal. Also: Swansea are sailing back into the top flight for the first time in 28 years, with Rod Stewart providing inspiration for their thrilling 4-2 Championship play-off final victory over Reading at Wembley.

THE INDEPENDENT: While Swansea City were celebrating at Wembley after becoming the first Welsh side to reach the Premier League yesterday, England's cricket team were in Cardiff were in Cardiff completing one of the most remarkable Test victories of all time. Also: The Arsenal midfield prodigy Jack Wilshere, the club's fans' player of the season, has admitted that it would be a "disaster" if Arsenal were not to win a trophy next season.

THE TIMES: Andrew Strauss reflected on "a perfect start to the summer" last night after leading England to the most astonishing win in his time as captain. Also: Nine years after Swansea's rebirth began in the unlikely setting of a Port Talbot social club, the same fans who gathered that day to save the club could raise a glass to a return to the big time yesterday.

THE GUARDIAN: Brendan Rodgers may have been still husky-voiced from extended celebrations in the Swansea City dressing room, but even in the glow of a thrilling 4-2 play-off final defeat of Reading at Wembley Stadium he warmed almost instantly to what may become a familiar motivational theme next season. Also: Andrew Strauss hailed England's innings victory in the opening Test as one of the most extraordinary matches he had experienced as England's bowlers ran amok against Sri Lanka on the final day in Cardiff to go one up in the series.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Shorn of James Anderson, the leader of their pack, England's bowlers produced one of the most remarkable performances in modern times to win the first Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs with a daring smash and grab in Cardiff. Also: Sepp Blatter defied his critics, a barrage of corruption allegations and the combined efforts of the world media to insist that the organisation he has led into a deepening scandal was not in crisis, and that he is the man to lead FIFA to reform.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Sam Allardyce has landed the job of getting West Ham back into the Premier League. Also: Paul Scholes quit playing yesterday and the football world lined up to hail him.

THE INDEPENDENT: David Bernstein, chairman of the Football Association, last night described his body's decision to call for a postponement of today's FIFA presidential election as a "matter of principle", but acknowledged that it is almost certain not to bar Sepp Blatter from winning a fourth term in office.

DAILY MIRROR: Ashley Young has dropped the biggest hint yet he is ready to quit Aston Villa for either Manchester United or Liverpool. Also: Sam Allardyce last night signed a £3million deal with West Ham to complete his return to management.

DAILY STAR: Aston Villa are ready to launch a smash-and-grab raid on Fulham to get Mark Hughes as their new boss. Also: Wayne Rooney claims Barcelona star Lionel Messi would struggle if he played in the Premier League.

DAILY EXPRESS: Wayne Rooney expects Manchester United to make major signings this summer in a bid to reclaim the Champions League crown. Also: Dear FIFA Delegate, Today is D-Day for world football. Usually, it is the superstars on the pitch like Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney who command the attention of the billions who love the game. But this afternoon in Zurich, it is you, the decision-makers and power-brokers, who are in the global spotlight; you who have the ball at your feet.

DAILY MAIL: Football is being run as a fiefdom, by a dictator who today will be 'voted in' for four more years as president of the world governing body. Also: Football Association chairman Dave Bernstein was defiant last night about his isolated stance to stop sole candidate Sepp Blatter serving a fourth term as president of rotten-to-the-core FIFA.

THE TIMES: Manchester United are giving serious consideration to keeping Michael Owen for another season as they press ahead with their summer rebuilding plans. Also: David Bernstein admitted last night that the FA's proposal to postpone the FIFA presidential election was made as a matter of principle rather than in expectation of any success.

THE GUARDIAN: Andy Murray threw down his crutches and, as the clouds parted, did rise up and walk into the quarter-finals of the French Open. Also: Mark Hughes has emerged as the front-runner to take over as Aston Villa manager as the Midlands club step up their search for a successor to Gerard Houllier.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Football Association chairman David Bernstein will risk isolation to make a point of principle against Sepp Blatter's discredited leadership of FIFA by proposing a delay to the presidential election today. Also: Rio Ferdinand and Fabio Capello shook hands on Monday night and intend to move forward for the benefit of England.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Guus Hiddink is ready to quit Turkey for the Chelsea job. Also: David Sullivan dismissed Wednesday night's takeover bid for West Ham as 'ridiculous' and told new boss Sam Allardyce: You're safe.

DAILY STAR: AC Milan are preparing an £11m bid to snap up Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. Also: Sam Allardyce was on Wednesday unveiled as the new West Ham boss and walked straight into a boardroom minefield.

DAILY EXPRESS: Graham Taylor today reveals how corruption is second nature at the heart of FIFA. Also: Liverpool have opened talks with Sunderland after making the first move to lure midfielder Jordan Henderson to Anfield.

DAILY MIRROR: Gerard Houllier waved goodbye to Aston Villa on Wednesday night with a huge pay-off after just nine months in charge. Also: Sam Allardyce took over as manager at West Ham on Wednesday - and warned the club against getting involved in a buy-out battle.

DAILY MAIL: World football gave an extraordinary vote of confidence to a corrupt regime on Wednesday night as president Sepp Blatter was swept back into office despite FIFA's reputation being at rock bottom. Also: Mark Hughes' deal as Fulham manager expired last night, making him a free agent.

THE GUARDIAN: Fulham are confident they will be able to hold on to Mark Hughes as manager and remain convinced he will sign a two-year deal. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has provided further evidence that he believes Dimitar Berbatov's future lies away from Manchester United by handing a one-year contract extension to Michael Owen.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: England's diminished standing in world football was exposed at the Fifa congress on Wednesday. Also: Counties and the MCC will submit bids of up to £15million this month to win the right to host major England matches between 2013 and 2016, a period which includes two Ashes series.

THE INDEPENDENT: The Football Association was on the receiving end of a succession of brutal and very public attacks as its attempt to postpone Fifa's presidential election incurred the wrath of Sepp Blatter's football family. Also: Sunderland's Jordan Henderson has emerged as a leading target for Liverpool this summer.

THE TIMES: The Football Association's isolation in the world game was exposed on Wednesday night when Sepp Blatter rounded on England's representatives for "failing to set an example" after his re-election as Fifa president. Also: Danny Cipriani wants the Australian players union to mediate with Melbourne Rebels in his dispute over alleged breaches of club discipline.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE SUN: Mark Hughes was last night slammed for walking out on Fulham - 24 hours after verbally agreeing a new deal. Also: Arsenal have told Real Madrid the bidding for Cesc Fabregas starts at £54 million.

DAILY MIRROR: Robin van Persie has launched an astonishing attack on Chelsea, branding them whingers and said they should "shut the f*** up''. Also: Aston Villa last night told Mark Hughes he is out of the running for the job - just hours after he quit Fulham.

DAILY STAR: Mark Hughes last night sensationally quit as Fulham boss - leaving the way clear for Martin O'Neill to take charge at Craven Cottage. Also: Adam Johnson has pleaded with Carlos Tevez to stay at Manchester City.

DAILY EXPRESS: Michael Owen sparked a furious row with Newcastle after dismissing them as "a poor team'' on Twitter. Also: Aston Villa last night told Mark Hughes he is out of the running for their manager's job - just hours after he quit Fulham.

DAILY MAIL: Liverpool are closing in on a £30million swoop for two of England's hottest prospects - Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson. Also: Mark Hughes last night left his job as Fulham manager.

THE GUARDIAN: Mark Hughes will not be the new Aston Villa manager and has been left without a club after walking out on Fulham last night. Also: Formula One teams may be obliged to compete in a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix despite their overwhelming unwillingness to do so if, at a meeting today, the FIA World Motor Sport council decides the race should take place.

THE TIMES: Mark Hughes' future remained a mystery last night, when Aston Villa privately ruled out the possibility of him becoming their next manager after his resignation from Fulham. Also: The FA will focus on improving relationships with its counterparts in Europe as the first step towards rebuilding its international credibility in the light of the failed World Cup bid and a chastening two days at the FIFA Congress.

THE INDEPENDENT: Fabio Capello is expected to bring Theo Walcott back into the England team for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland tomorrow as he opts for a 4-3-3 formation with Darren Bent as the centre-forward. Also: Mark Hughes exercised the break clause in his two-year Fulham contract last night to leave the club and pave the way for a move to the vacant Aston Villa manager's job.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Fulham reacted with shock last night at the decision of Mark Hughes to tender his resignation and believe the former Manchester City manager has reneged on a verbal commitment to lead the club into Europe next season. Also: Guus Hiddink remains poised for a remarkable restoration as Chelsea manager, refusing to commit his future to the Turkish national team and describing the notion of holding both jobs as "impossible".

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS

THE SUN: Fabio Capello last night urged England to hammer Sepp Blatter's Switzerland today. Also: John Terry wants Guus Hiddink back as Chelsea boss.

DAILY MIRROR: Argentine FIFA attack dog Julio Grondona is at the centre of a match-fixing probe into their side's friendly defeat in Nigeria. Also: John Terry last night urged England to handle teenage sensation Jack Wilshere with care.

DAILY EXPRESS: John Terry has rolled out the welcome mat for Guus Hiddink to return as Chelsea manager. Also: Bookmakers will be dealt a £20 million hammering if Carlton House delivers the Queen her first victory in the Derby this afternoon.

DAILY STAR: John Terry wants England to swat the Swiss and Chelsea to go Dutch. Also: Arsene Wenger has targeted Jermaine Defoe as the man to fire a title challenge next season.

DAILY MAIL: Fabio Capello yesterday vowed to deliver his England players to next year's European Championship finals in perfect shape after admitting he made a big mistake in his World Cup preparations. Also: England bounced back from a nightmare start to the second npower Test against Sri Lanka but Kevin Pietersen's demons continued to haunt him at Lord's yesterday.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: The England manager Fabio Capello has said that his players have been training "like children" ahead of this afternoon's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley. Also: Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray 6-4 7-5 6-4 yesterday in their French Open semi-final.

INDEPENDENT: Liverpool have demonstrated their determination to invest heavily in young talent to take them back to the Champions League elite with an £8m offer for Ipswich Town's Connor Wickham, one of the brightest talents in the English game.

THE GUARDIAN: John Terry would welcome the reappointment of Guus Hiddink as Chelsea manager and believes the Dutchman's return to the club would provide some much-needed stability.

THE TIMES: John Terry called on Chelsea yesterday to appoint Guus Hiddink as the club's new manager.

 

[sarahmic]

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

NEWS OF THE WORLD: Joe Hart added his name to England's list of cock-up keepers in another Wembley shocker. Also: The Queen's bid to break her Derby duck was upstaged by a French kid riding in the Classic for the first time.

SUNDAY MIRROR: England's manager and captain couldn't agree on why their team were so poor against the unrated Swiss. Also: Wesley Sneijder has flown to California to decide on a £30million move to Manchester. French-trained Pour Moi spoiled the Royal party at Epsom yesterday as he nicked the Derby at 4-1.

THE PEOPLE: Fabio Capello dusted off a familiar old excuse as England came from behind to scrape a draw with Switzerland: The players were tired. Also: Manchester United and Barcelona are going head-to-head for Chilean wing wizard Alexis Sanchez; Blackburn Rovers are ready to spark a £15million auction for Phil Jones - and attempt to kill off interest in his central defensive partner Chris Samba.

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is putting together a managerial dream team of Guus Hiddink and Mark Hughes as the men he believes can guide Chelsea to the Champions League glory he craves. Also: Peter Crouch will not play for England under Fabio Capello after being axed from yesterday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland hours before kick-off at Wembley.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY: Fabio Capello last night blamed England's poor 2-2 draw against Switzerland on his players being knackered. Also: Chelsea and Inter Milan have joined Barcelona in the scramble to sign unhappy Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: As England ran out of steam yesterday, Fabio Capello showed all the signs of a manager who has run out of ideas. Also: French teenager Mickael Barzalona was a Royal party pooper at Epsom yesterday.

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Fabio Capello once again blamed fatigue for a poor England performance after the national side's chance of securing automatic qualification for the European Championships was dented by a 2-2 draw with Switzerland. Also: Carlton House, the colt widely expected to give the Queen her first Investec Derby 58 years after her first runner in the face finished second, could come home only third at Epsom yesterday, just under a length behind the French raider Pour Moi.

THE OBSERVER: England dropped two Group G points at home to unfancied Switzerland, though after starting the game with the wrong team and a much too cautious approach, rescuing a draw felt like a minor victory after going two goals down in the first half. Also: Guus Hiddink's agent insists the Dutchman will still be the Turkey coach in September despite an advisor to the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, claiming that the former caretaker will take charge of the London club next month when the squad report for pre-season training.

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: England's manager Fabio Capello struck a familiar note last night in complaining that his players looked tired as they dropped two valuable home points for the second time in their European Championship qualifying campaign. Also: Britain's long-standing special status with the FIFA hierarchy could be scrapped and replaced by a candidate from Europe, The Independent on Sunday has learned.

THE SUNDAY TIMES: Forget abstaining from the FIFA presidential vote, England should boycott international matches - at least in June. Also: Frank Rijkaard has emerged as an unexpected candidate for the vacant Aston Villa manager's job as Fulham close in on bringing Martin Jol back to English football; There must be something about the name. Eight days ago we left Wembley stadium in raptures about a football team called Barcelona and yesterday more than 120,000 people trooped away from the famed racecourse on the Epsom Downs, raving about a man called Barzalona.