Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Bristol City plan to install rail seats at Ashton Gate

League One Bristol City plan to become the first club in the United Kingdom to install rail seats, which have been pioneered in the German Bundesliga.

The seats can either be unlocked or locked to create a standing or seated area inside a stadium.

Regulations currently prohibit their use in football, so they will initially be used for rugby games at Ashton Gate.

What are rail seats?
•Rail seats are used at some grounds in countries including Austria, Germany and Sweden
•They are used by a number of teams in Germany's Bundesliga, including Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg and Werder Bremen
•The seats can be unlocked or locked, to create either a standing or seated area. In Germany, the seats are put up for league games, but lowered for European matches

The Football League has agreed to lobby the Government in a bid to permit "safe standing" areas in the game.

All-seater stadiums have been compulsory in the Premier League and Championship since an inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.

Standing is currently allowed in Leagues One and Two, but Championship grounds must be all-seater after a club have played in the second tier for three seasons.

Some Football League clubs have backed calls for the introduction of standing areas and campaigners believe rail seats provide a safer alternative to 'old-style' terraces, which did little to stop the forward movement of fans.

Rail seating is used at some of Germany's biggest grounds, including at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, which has a capacity of more than 80,000. They are also approved for use as seats by Uefa and Fifa.

Bristol City intend to install the new seating in two stands as part of the redevelopment of Ashton Gate.

Should safe-standing areas return to football?

In their support of the concept, the club have have installed a demonstration block for spectators to see how it may look if it were made legal.

It is in an area of the ground not currently used, but will give fans an idea of what the proposed new areas would look like.

The demonstration block will be unveiled in front of dignitaries from the Football Association and Football League on Wednesday.

Bristol City's development of Ashton Gate starts in the summer, and Bristol Rugby will ground-share with them from the start of the 2014-15 season.

The all-seated Wedlock Stand will be replaced with a new stand and plans are in place to install 2,202 rail seats, if regulations permit it.

Further redevelopment in the Dolman Stand, to the side of the pitch, could see a further 1,568 rail seats incorporated in the stadium.

Maybe an idea for Betis?

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Arsenal missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League as they played out a grim goalless stalemate with Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners were attempting to recover from the 5-1 mauling at Liverpool, while United were desperate to bounce back from the 2-2 draw at home to bottom club Fulham.

And it showed in a game that was desperately disappointing in between a flurry of chances in the opening and closing minutes, ending in a result that did not serve the purposes of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger or United counterpart David Moyes, other than in avoiding defeat.

Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie came closest for the visitors but his early effort was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, who also turned the Dutchman's late header onto the bar.

Olivier Giroud missed Arsenal's best opportunity although Santi Cazorla brought two fine late saves out of United keeper David De Gea and Laurent Koscielny's header was cleared off the line by Antonio Valencia.

For too long, however, this was a poor game between two sides who seemed intent on avoiding defeat as their first priority - and a shadow of previous games between these two clubs in recent years.

Moyes is still waiting for his first win at Arsenal in his managerial career, while the home side could not land a morale-boosting blow in their pursuit of the title as they remained a point adrift of leaders Chelsea.

United, meanwhile, are still seventh, now 11 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

The excitement of the opening moments and an exchange of chances proved to be a false dawn ahead of a turgid first half.

Manchester United have only lost one of their past 14 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions

Van Persie should have punished his former club when he robbed Mikel Arteta 25 yards out to advance on Szczesny but his shot lacked power and the keeper was able to save low down.

Giroud then wasted an equally good opportunity when he muscled his way ahead of Nemanja Vidic only to head Cazorla's corner wide.

De Gea then needed to make a diving stop as Tomas Rosicky's shot deflected off Vidic - but otherwise this was stale fare from two teams who have produced so much better.

Moyes made an enforced change at the start of the second half as he sent on Rio Ferdinand for Rafael, who had taken a blow to the head in an aerial challenge with Giroud.

It was Arsenal who came closest again just after the hour when Koscielny rose to meet another Cazorla corner only to see his header swept off the line by Valencia.

As the game entered its final 20 minutes both Wenger and Moyes attempted to give their sides fresh impetus as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Rosicky and Adnan Januzaj replaced the subdued Juan Mata.

There had been little sign of any partnership between Rooney and Van Persie but the pair linked superbly as United almost went ahead with 11 minutes left. Rooney's cross found Van Persie at the far post but Szczesny reacted superbly to push his header on to the bar.

Arsenal responded as the game finally showed signs of life, De Gea doing well to save from Cazorla on two separate occasions in the closing minutes, but there was no breakthrough.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"Overall, we could have won it - it was a game of few chances. Our defensive focus was extreme as we conceded so many goals on Saturday.

"In the end, either side could have won 1-0. Manchester United are a good team, so when you go forward they can catch you.

"It is important to recover physically and prepare for the next game as we want to stay in the FA Cup. The title race is absolutely open for many teams."

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Richard Wee: Everton fan meets Roberto Martinez after call-off

A lifelong Everton supporter who travelled from Malaysia for his first game was left disappointed when the match was postponed just an hour before kick-off - only to end the night being introduced to Roberto Martinez and Leighton Baines.

Richard Wee, a supporter of 30 years, travelled over for Wednesday's game against Crystal Palace but, when damage to nearby buildings caused the match at Goodison Park to be called off, club officials stepped in.

After being tracked down on social media, Wee met manager Martinez and defender Baines.

Wee will return to the club on Thursday, when he will be given a stadium tour by former Everton striker Graeme Sharp and meet national and local media.

"I wish to thank Everton for the great hospitality," tweeted Wee. "Really appreciate it, also much obliged to the many Evertonians sending warm messages.

"Today Everton just proved again that it is the people's club, taking extra effort to connect with the fans. Salute to the people running the club."

The match between the sixth-placed Toffees and Palace, who are 15th, was postponed by police for safety reasons after buildings surrounding the stadium were damaged by the storms lashing the country .

Before the weather intervened, Wee had tweeted: "30 years since supporting Everton, will be watching EFC live for first time."

However, shortly afterwards he wrote: "Sadly Everton v Palace match called off due to bad weather. Dream to watch EFC play will continue to be on hold."

That prompted club officials to try and track him down, with Everton press officer Helen Mayo eventually writing: "We've found him and are making sure he doesn't leave too disappointed, taking him to meet some of his heroes right now."

My compliments for Everton! That's the way how you thread a fan.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Fulham have named former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath as manager after sacking Rene Meulensteen.

A club statement made no mention of Meulensteen, who replaced Martin Jol in December and won three league games.

"They have hit the panic button on emotion and fear - but hey ho, that's football," Meulensteen told BBC Sport.

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: "With 12 matches remaining, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required."

Magath, 60, has signed an 18-month contract at Fulham, who are bottom of the Premier League. He has won the Bundesliga three times as a manager, most recently with Wolfsburg in 2009, and is the first German to manage in the Premier League.

In a statement on his Facebook page, he said: "This amazing club, steeped in tradition, and its owner Shahid Khan have totally convinced me and given me the managerial responsibility.

"I would like to thank the club and the owner for this faith."

Meulensteen coached at Old Trafford for 12 years under former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and had 16 days in charge of Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala last August.

Who is Felix Magath?
Felix Magath
•Won the Bundesliga three times as a player with Hamburg between 1978 and 1983, playing alongside Kevin Keegan
•Won the 1983 European Cup, scoring the winner against Juventus (above, right)
•First managed Hamburg in 1995, and has only ever managed in Germany
•Won Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich in 2005 and 2006
•Won third league title with Wolfsburg in 2009

He guided Fulham to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday but the Cottagers were beaten by a last-minute penalty as they lost 3-2 to Liverpool in midweek.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Meulensteen said: "I knew the owners were freaking out a little bit that there was the possibility of the club going down.

"The way forward that we have discussed with the club was about longevity and in this case it is clearly an act of fear.

"I have not had a lot of time and people who came to the Manchester United and Liverpool games could see what I was trying to put in place.

"I couldn't care less what they put in the statement, to be honest."

Meulensteen won four of his 17 games in charge at Craven Cottage, losing 10 times. On transfer deadline day he signed five players, including Greece international striker Konstantinos Mitroglou from Olympiakos for about £11m and Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby on loan.

German Magath has been out of work since leaving Wolfsburg in 2012 but won the double twice with Bayern, adding a third Bundesliga title with Wolfsburg in 2009.

That Wolfsburg side featured Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and current Fulham pair Ashkan Dejagah and Sascha Riether.

Khan added: "Felix is an accomplished manager with multiple honours in the Bundesliga and a hunger to replicate his success with Fulham in the Premier League.

"I'm especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond.

"Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity.

"Our club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we have not won a league match since 1 January. Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn."

Fulham, whose next game is at 17th-placed West Brom on Saturday 22 February, said that an announcement on their backroom staff will be made in the near future.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Michael Laudrup: Ex-Swansea City manager 'sacked by email'

Ex-Swansea boss Michael Laudrup claims he was sacked by email, hours after being told his job was safe and shaking hands with chairman Huw Jenkins.

Laudrup, 49, led the club to League Cup victory last year, Swansea's only major trophy in their 102-year history.

However, he was dismissed this month after a poor run of form and amid arguments over his coaching staff.

"It happened just a few hours after we shook hands and, of course, I'm very, very confused," said Laudrup.

Michael Laudrup factfile

•Born: 15 June 1964 in Frederiksberg, Denmark
•International honours: 104 caps & 37 goals for Denmark
•Managerial career: Denmark (assistant manager), Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow, Real Mallorca, Swansea City
•Playing career: KB, Brondby, Juventus, Lazio (loan), Barcelona, Real Madrid, Vissel Kobe, Ajax
•Individual honours: Best foreign player in Spanish football the last 25 years (1999), Denmark's best player ever (2006)
•Did you know? Laudrup is the only player to win the Spanish league five times in a row playing for different clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Laudrup also won league titles with Juventus and Ajax

The Dane admitted he had disagreements with Jenkins and said he had to wait nine days before receiving an official letter explaining the decision.

Laudrup says he has still not been allowed to speak to his former players, but has written to them.

Swansea, who have placed club captain Garry Monk in charge, finished ninth in the Premier League last season, but had only won three of their past 13 matches in all competitions when Laudrup was sacked.

The former Real Mallorca manager claims he had discussions with Jenkins, who wanted Laudrup to sack his coaching staff. The former midfielder disagreed, and another meeting was called for Tuesday, 4 February - the day Laudrup was dismissed.

"At the meeting we ended up saying we have to stay together and we shook hands," said Laudrup. "[Jenkins] said 'thank you very much because you want to help the club'.

"Later that morning I received a mail that said 'due to a breach of your contract, with immediate effect, it's terminated'.

"I called the club and said 'what's going on'? I asked what 'breach' meant, but he couldn't explain it. While I was on the phone, my wife said she saw the story on the internet.

"I then spoke to someone from the club, who later brought me my things. I said 'could I speak to the staff and players?' He called me back and said 'the chairman thinks that's a bad idea'. I still have not said goodbye to anyone."

Laudrup, speaking at a news conference in London, said he had received messages of support from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-England striker Gary Lineker, like Laudrup a former Barcelona player.

"You get a lot of knocks to the head but I've been very happy for the help and support from people that have called me, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Gary Lineker," added Laudrup.

"The LMA (League Managers' Association) have been there for me from the start. They said unfortunately some clubs are using things [to sack people] but you are not a special case."

Swansea City have declined to comment.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Spanish youth international Bellerín back to Arsenal

Arsenal Hector Bellerín immediately brought back to London. The defender was on loan to Watford active, the current number twelve of the English first division. Since last November

Temporary stay of Bellerín at Vicarage Road last month would actually come to an end, but the parties agreed to extend the agreement. Till the end of the season However, since he hardly comes into action last week, close to the Spanish youth international yet again at Arsenal.

Bellerín carries since 2011 the shirt of the Londoners. In September last year, the former youth players of FC Barcelona debuted in the first team of Arsenal.

Re: PREMIER LEAGuE 2013/2014

Hull owner threatens : season tickets 50 percent more expensive


The owners of club Hull City have yet another new episode trim to the metamorphosis of their club . They threaten namely to increase the price of season tickets by fifty percent if it fails to convince them to change ' Hull Tigers . Club name, the English Football Association FA This says vice chairman Ehab Allam .

Assem and Ehab Allam would have signed with international companies , two major sponsorship deals but these agreements would depend on the word ' Tigers ' , as part of the club name . If the request is not honored by the club owners , that is , sponsor technically, a major setback for Hull .

There's too much on the performance of the Premier League team . Indeed, it is questionable whether the men of manager Steve Bruce manage to stay . At the highest level Hull is currently in thirteenth place , but is only three points above the relegation line , because the differences are very small .

There has already been discussed to raise the price. Of season tickets from 490 pounds to 750 pounds " It can be a way that we are forced to take ," said Allam at the Hull Daily Mail .

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Wayne Rooney: Man Utd striker signs new 360.000 euro a-week deal !

Manchester United have confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract.

The 28-year-old England international has extended his current contract by four years in a deal worth up to 360,000 euro a week.

Rooney told his website: "I'm happy everything is now finalised and I can carry on concentrating on my football."

"Manchester United's decision to award Wayne Rooney the most expensive long-term contract in the club's history is more than about just keeping one of their most influential players at Old Trafford.

"This is about a demonstration - some might even say desperation - to show that United under David Moyes can still keep their best players even at a time when their own status in the domestic and European game is reduced, no matter how temporarily."

Rooney moved from Everton in 2004 and is 42 goals shy of passing Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249 United goals.

He has scored 208 goals in 430 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, and will be 33 at the end of his new deal. He will become a club ambassador when he retires from the game.

Rooney said of potentially breaking Charlton's record: "This is definitely something I would like to achieve. If I managed to do it it'd be something I'd be very proud of. My aim is always to score and create as many goals as possible, so if I can continue to score regularly and break the record then I would be delighted."

Manchester United boss David Moyes added on United's website: "I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby as our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club.

"These opportunities only come to special players and I'm confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach."

Rooney, whose previous 260,000 euro-a-week deal would have expired next year, had looked set to leave Old Trafford last summer after former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had asked for a transfer - something the player denied.

Chelsea had more than one bid for him rejected but new boss Moyes insisted he wanted to keep his former Everton player at Old Trafford.

The new deal involves a basic wage of 2800,000 euro a week, but with commercial rights making it more lucrative for the player, up to 360,000 euro

Moyes told BBC Sport: "We always felt Wayne wanted to stay. He's a great player and hopefully we can keep him at a really high level which he has showed this season.

"We're all delighted. It's part of the rebuilding and part of it is also to make sure you keep the players you really want to keep.

"The record signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea in January was the first part of what Woodward and Moyes hope will be a three-step strategy back to the top.

"Rooney's new deal is part two while the summer is phase three. That's when we will really be able to judge how serious the owners are about rebuilding United's under-powered squad.

"Mata's arrival and Rooney's decision to stay - having been courted first by Manchester City and more recently Chelsea - will surely help the club attract top talent before the start of next season."

"Everybody would want him, you could see the clubs who did want him but there was never a chance he was going to leave Manchester United, certainly not on my watch."

It seems likely that next season will be Rooney's first out of the Champions League since his move from Goodison Park 10 years ago.
United are 11 points off the top four, although they could still qualify by winning this season's tournament.

But Rooney said he was not concerned, preferring to concentrate on the club's long-term future.

The Liverpudlian said: "I know that's what some of the press thought but it's not a massive concern for me. This is because I know the direction that this club is going in, and if we don't make it this season then we will come back stronger and claim a Champions League spot next season.

"Let's not forget we still have a chance this year, some of the other teams are playing well but we have a strong squad here and if we have a positive end to the season then who knows what can happen."

Rooney has won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in his time at Old Trafford.

The forward, who returned to first-team action at the end of January after nearly a month out with an injury, has made 28 club appearances this season and scored 11 goals.

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Fulham need three points not three managers

Felix Magath: the right man to save Fulham?

Fulham have always had the reputation as lovely, homely, friendly club that everyone likes to go to as opposing fans.

A lot of people have followed their rise through the divisions looking at them as Chelsea's less wealthy and smaller neighbours, but I just wonder whether the way they've acted over the last couple of months means they're losing the hearts and minds of people.

Martin Jol had a decent run at the club and people could see the end coming for him but I think we were all surprised with the way Rene Meulensteen was put in as his right-hand man and then immediately given the job when Jol was dismissed. It was as if they'd lined up his successor before he left and the same thing has happened to Meulensteen.

Felix Magath - who has not worked since October 2012 - was broadly tipped to be the new Hamburg manager but negotiations broke down last Thursday and by Friday night he was the Fulham boss.

They brought in Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins and in my view they've humiliated two outstanding individuals and given them no chance whatsoever to show they can do anything.

"The nearest example to compare it to is Paulo Di Canio going in at Sunderland at the end of last season; authoritarian rule, had an instant impact and kept them up but for the long term?"

Frankly, if you are going to get rid of Meulensteen you've got two really experienced men already there who know the Premier League inside out. In what I can only think is a knee jerk reaction, they've gone for Magath, who I'll be honest I don't know too much about. I only know what I've read and that is that he's a massive disciplinarian who has had success in Germany. But how much he knows about the Premier League I don't know. In the short term might work.

The nearest example to compare it to is Paulo Di Canio going in at Sunderland at the end of last season. His authoritarian rule had an instant impact and he kept them up. But what will happen in the long term? It certainly didn't work at Sunderland and that might be the fate that faces Fulham as well.

Their owner Shahid Khan said about three or four months ago that he didn't believe in short-term change, his priority was "to ensure the club and Craven Cottage each have a viable and sustainable Premier League future". He said that there would be no knee jerk reactions. But since then both Jol and Meulensteen have gone. It was pretty disingenuous to say they hadn't sacked Meulensteen and that he'd still have to work under the new manager - that was never going to be an option was it?

It's all been a horrible mess.

They have an ageing squad and they let Meulensteen use the transfer window. He brought in the £11m Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou and never got the chance to play him. The timing was just completely barmy to let him spend the money and bring in players and then not give it the chance to take effect.

Fulham managers this season
Martin Jol - Jun '11- Dec '13
Rene Meulensteen - Dec '13- Feb '14
Felix Magath - Feb '14

The players will react in different ways to Magath's ways, but one thing is for sure he's not going to come in and find a vibrant, athletic young squad. Although it's probably just as well that Dimitar Bebatov and Adel Taarabt aren't there anymore because I'm pretty sure both of them would find it hard work.

This weekend will be a fascinating game because there's West Brom, without a win under Pepe Mel, against Fulham, who are desperate to win with a brand new manager.

I don't want to be the little Englander once again but are West Brom going to regret the fact that they got rid of British coach in Steve Clarke, who was doing a really good job? And are Fulham going to regret the fact that haven't given someone who knew more about the Premier League the opportunity to get them out of trouble? They've got 12 games to save themselves.

Both these clubs were at the recent best under the tutelage of now England manager, Roy Hodgson, and to be fair to West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace, their track record of managerial appointments has been really great. Roberto Di Matteo did well there, Hodgson did really well and Clarke did better than anyone anticipated - and he might be right with Mel in the end but we shall see.

As far as Fulham are concerned they don't have anything like that good a track record of appointments. But three managers in a season generally only means one thing - you want three points not three managers and the bottom three looms because you can't chop and change the way they have done and expect to succeed.

I remember Fulham when they were down in the bottom level of English football playing against the likes of Hartlepool and with one of the smaller fan bases. You just fear if they were relegated from the Premier League that they would find it darn hard to clamber back.

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp emotional as statue is unveiled at Emirates

Dennis Bergkamp admitted feeling tearful and emotional after Arsenal unveiled a bronze statue of the Dutchman outside Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The statue has been erected outside the Clock End and pays tribute to a man who played more than 400 games for the Gunners.

Bergkamp joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in June 1995 and went on to score 120 goals.

The 44-year-old helped the club win seven major trophies, including three Premier League titles.

Bergkamp said: "I spoke to Thierry Henry last night and he warned me about this moment. He said 'you will be fine until you have to talk a little bit, and you will be emotional', that happens to me now.

"All this makes you realise how many good years we had here and how big this club has become over the last 20 years. I was just happy to play a role in that.

"You all see me as a team player, and there is only one statue of me, but I believe it is part of a whole team that I was involved in which made me shine.

"When you think of that team, it is not only the quality players around you, it is the fantastic manager, the staff around the club.

"I would like to thank my friends and family as well, they have been there from the beginning in my career.

"Thank you to Henrita, my wife. We made this adventure together and have four beautiful children who were all born in England.

"Last but not least, I had a very good relationship with the fans. You were very patient with me.

"In the first six or seven games of my career, a lot of people spoke about is he good or not? Can he do it?

"We had some comments from chairmen of other clubs in London, I won't mention the name!

"We proved them all wrong and are where we are now, and it is all down to the fans because you had belief in me, in the team, so this is how it ends with a beautiful statue."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Chelsea use every trick in the book, says Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said Chelsea's ability to "use every trick in the book" contributed to his side's 1-0 defeat by the league leaders.

Martinez felt the stoppage-time free-kick that led to John Terry's winner at Stamford Bridge was "very soft".

The Spaniard added: "If you watch the replay, it's not a free-kick at all. That happened with other incidents.

"I don't blame the referee at all. It's an incredible knowhow, using every trick in the book."

The Toffees had restricted their hosts to half-chances until Frank Lampard's excellent inswinging set-piece led to Terry's goal.

"Chelsea left it late but got there in the end to leave Everton frustrated after a good performance which deserved better. Another three points for Chelsea but this was a less than dominant display."

The win means Chelsea have not lost in 74 home league games under Jose Mourinho, while Everton are seventh, eight points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.

Martinez said: "We defended really well but John Terry was brave and they scored. Overall I thought we were the better side.

"It was a very unfair result not to get anything from the game after the performance that we had.

"We need to make sure that when we play well and when we deserve to get a positive result, we do that."

Despite the defeat, the former Wigan manager insisted he was "excited" about Everton's future.

He added: "Today was a big, big moment to understand where we are as a team.

"The scoreline is what matters in the short term, and we are hurt and we are not going to hide it. But the performance is exactly what we needed."

Martinez said his side had been "magnificent" in the first half and showed they could play "eye to eye with the league leaders".

He added: "The only disappointment was that we could not hit the back of the net when we had a couple of good moments of control in the game.

"In the second half, you would expect Chelsea to have a bit of momentum. Tim Howard had a spell where he had to be at his best. But from that point on I could not see Chelsea scoring from open play."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Jordan Henderson's second strike of the game ensured Liverpool saw off Swansea to stay clear in fourth place.

Daniel Sturridge finished a quick break after two minutes before Henderson bent in an impressive second for the hosts.

But Jonjo Shelvey pulled one back with a fine 20-yard shot and Wilfried Bony headed in off Martin Skrtel to level.

Sturridge headed in his second from Luis Suarez's cross but Bony pulled Swansea level from the penalty spot before Henderson stabbed in the winner.

The two sides of Liverpool

Liverpool's 70 goals make them top-scorers in the league, above Manchester City, but only four teams have kept fewer clean sheets in the Premier League this season. And only Newcastle in the top half of the table have conceded more than Liverpool's 35 goals.

The best and worst of Liverpool was once again on show as the Reds closed the gap to Premier League leaders Chelsea to four points

But manager Brendan Rodgers was once again relying on his team's attacking class to override its defensive deficiencies as they maintained their bid to end a five-season exile from the Champions League.

There were flashes of fine forward play as Sturridge became only the second player to score in eight consecutive Premier League matches, taking his tally to 18 league goals for the season in the process.

The Reds are now the Premier League's top scorers with 70 goals but looked ragged at the back far too often for Rodgers's comfort.

Suarez the creator

Suarez has not scored in five matches in all competitions but, with nine, he now has the joint highest number of goal assists in the Premier League - as well as being top scorer with 23.

Garry Monk's Swansea, who remain four points above the relegation zone, deserve credit for the way they fought back from Liverpool's early goals, and showed no little quality themselves after the exertions of Thursday's goalless draw with Napoli in the Europa League.

The hosts moved in front after just two minutes when Raheem Sterling played through Sturridge, who took the ball around visiting keeper Michel Vorm and clipped it into an empty net.

But the Reds were far from convincing, and Swansea had created two chances for Bony before Henderson doubled their advantage.

Sturridge chased down a long ball from Suarez and drifted in from the right before laying off for Henderson to bend a shot into the top corner.

But two minutes later the visitors made good on their early threat, Nathan Dyer cutting in from the right and feeding former Liverpool man Shelvey, who curled a first-time shot into the top corner off the underside of the bar.

And Monk's side were level four minutes later when Jonathan de Guzman's free-kick was headed in by Bony via a deflection off Skrtel

But Liverpool restored their advantage 10 minutes before the break when Philippe Coutinho found Suarez and the Uruguayan lifted a cross to the far post for Sturridge to head in.

Again the lead was destined not to last. Two minutes after the interval Skrtel was penalised for his grapple with Bony in the area and the Swansea striker found the corner with the resulting spot-kick.

As the hosts looked to go back in front, Vorm turned wide from Suarez and Skrtel headed over from the Steven Gerrard corner that followed.

De Guzman bent a free-kick just wide at the other end but with 15 minutes left Henderson stabbed the Reds ahead for the third time

Suarez's shot was blocked by Ashley Williams and after Vorm blocked Henderson's first shot the England midfielder prodded in the rebound from six yards.

Liverpool were not about to give up the lead again and Gerrard even had a late effort deflected on to the post by Chico Flores as they pressed for a fifth.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6) Liverpool

22 Mignolet
38 Flanagan
02 Johnson
08 Gerrard
37 Skrtel Booked
05 Agger (Kolo Touré - 63' )
14 Henderson
10 Coutinho
07 Suarez
15 Sturridge (Moses - 79' )
31 Sterling (Allen - 58' )
Substitutes
01 Jones
04 Kolo Touré
09 Iago Aspas
12 Moses
20 Cissokho
24 Allen
53 J. Teixeira

Swansea City

01 Vorm
22 Rangel
03 Taylor
07 Britton
04 Chico
06 Williams
12 Dyer (Ngog - 78' )
20 De Guzmán (Hernández - 73' )
10 Bony
08 Shelvey (Cañas - 45' )
15 Routledge
Substitutes
02 Amat
11 Hernández
19 Tiendalli
21 Cañas
25 Tremmel
54 Ngog
57 Emnes

Ref: Michael Jones
Att: 44,731

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Robert Snodgrass scored his fifth goal of the season as Norwich moved away from the relegation zone and dented Tottenham's top-four hopes.


Hughton 'immensely proud' of Norwich

Goalkeeper John Ruddy helped Norwich to victory, denying Emmaunel Adebayor and Nacer Chadli in the second half.

Norwich came close to doubling their advantage when Johnson thundered a free-kick off the underside of the bar.

It was Norwich's second victory in 12 league games and a significant boost for manager Chris Hughton, who was under growing pressure following comments made by chief executive David McNally earlier in February.

Hughton's side created the better chances and stood firm as Tottenham tried in vain to claw their way back into the match.

It was a lacklustre display from the visitors, who failed to score in the Premier League for the first time since Tim Sherwood took over in December.

They did not register a shot on target in the first half and Chadli's low cross, which was cleared by Sebastien Bassong in the six-yard box, was as close as they came.

It meant that Snodgrass's goal, which gave Norwich a deserved breakthrough in the early stages of the second half, was enough to earn the points.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel stole possession from Nabil Bentaleb just inside the Spurs half and found Johnson, whose through-ball released Snodgrass. The Scotland international held off Danny Rose and curled his low shot beyond Lloris from the edge of the area.

Spurs finally started to pose a threat but a combination of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping from Ruddy kept them at bay.

Adebayor stole possession from Bassong to go clear but a heavy touch allowed the goalkeeper to come out and save at his feet.

Sherwood introduced Roberto Soldado in place of Paulinho and the Spaniard missed two good chances within two minutes of coming on. First he lashed his shot wide from 10 yards after Adebayor's neat lay-off, before glancing a header wide from Aaron Lennon's right-wing cross.

After that, Norwich missed a succession of chances to double their lead.

Snodgrass whipped a free kick narrowly wide and Johnson came even closer, crashing his drive off the underside of the bar. Then Nathan Redmond was denied by Lloris in the follow-up before substitute Gary Hooper's cut back was just behind Alex Tettey, who was well placed six yards out.

Tottenham had one final chance to salvage a point when Chadli was picked out by Mousa Dembele, but Ruddy was there again to make a brave save.

The result moved Norwich four points clear of the bottom three, while Spurs are now six points off fourth-placed Liverpool.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5) Norwich City

01 Ruddy Booked
02 Martin
23 Olsson
27 Tettey
26 Yobo
05 Bassong Nguena
07 Snodgrass
04 Johnson
09 van Wolfswinkel (Hooper - 72' )
10 Fer
22 Redmond (Hoolahan - 86' )
Substitutes
03 Whittaker
08 Howson
11 Hooper
12 Pilkington
13 Bunn
14 Hoolahan
16 Elmander

Tottenham Hotspur
25 Lloris
16 Naughton
03 Rose (Townsend - 82' )
15 Capoue (Chadli - 14' )
20 Dawson Booked
05 Vertonghen Booked
19 Dembélé Booked
08 Paulinho (Soldado - 65' )
10 Adebayor
42 Bentaleb
07 Lennon
Substitutes
09 Soldado
17 Townsend
21 Chadli
23 Eriksen
24 Friedel
35 Fryers
37 Kane

Ref: Craig Pawson
Att: 26,834

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Louis van Gaal reiterates desire to manage in England

Louis van Gaal: Will step down as Holland coach after this summer's World Cup

Louis van Gaal has reiterated his desire to work in England and dropped a fresh hint that he could soon be on his way to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 62-year-old is currently in charge of his native Holland, and will lead their quest for global glory at this summer's World Cup finals.

He will, however, step down from that post once the Dutch challenge in Brazil comes to an end and will turn his attention to a 'new challenge'.

Having already worked in the Eredivisie, La Liga and the Bundesliga, Van Gaal is eager to test himself in the Premier League.

He was strongly linked with the Spurs post in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal, but saw the White Hart Lane reins handed to rookie coach Tim Sherwood on an 18-month deal.

"I have said before that a challenge should be a club in the Premier League. That's a challenge."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is ruling nothing out, though, and is leaving the door open to an approach from north London.

"I will definitely not be in charge for the Euro 2016 qualification campaign. I don't know where I will go next," van Gaal is quoted by the Guardian.

"Normally I go with my pension and go to live in Portugal, but maybe there will come a new challenge.

"I have said before that a challenge should be a club in the Premier League. That's a challenge.

"Maybe Tottenham are coming but, first, we have to go to Brazil."

Van Gaal has previously stressed that he will not limit his options solely to Tottenham as their dugout is currently filled.

He added to the Daily Mail: "I am mostly interested in England because I have been a coach in Spain, Germany, in the Netherlands, so I think England is the next step in my career.

"It could be another club (other than Spurs), it depends on the vacancies because Spurs were already in touch with me.

"I prefer to be focused on this World Cup and now there's another coach (Sherwood), so as a coach you cannot say 'I go to that club or that club', it depends on circumstances."

Re: 2 minutos ha tardado Cañas en ver la amarilla en su debut en la Premier

Jose Mourinho angry at secret recording about Chelsea strikers

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho say it is a "disgrace" that a private conversation in which he appeared to criticise his strikers was broadcast on French TV.

Mourinho said he was joking when he complained about Chelsea's lack of forwards and made an unflattering comment about Samuel Eto'o's age.

“The comment is not obviously a good one, not one I would do in a serious way, not something I would do in an official way”

"It was a funny conversation with somebody that doesn't belong to the football world," said Mourinho.

"It is a disgrace that someone is taping a private conversation."

Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray on Wednesday, Mourinho told the assembled media they should be "embarrassed" by the way French broadcaster Canal Plus published comments he had made about his players during a conversation eight days ago in Switzerland.

"I'm not defending what I'm saying. I'm attacking something that is, I think, fundamental in your professional area and that person showed exactly what he is or what he does not know about the job," continued Mourinho.

"From my perspective, the comment is not obviously a good one, not one I would do in a serious way, not something I would do in an official way in an interview."

In the Canal Plus video, Mourinho, who did not know he was being filmed, had said: "The problem with Chelsea is I lack a striker. I have Eto'o but he is 32 years old, maybe 35, I don't know."

But in Tuesday's news conference, Mourinho backed Eto'o, who is 32, and sought to limit any damage in the relationship between the two men by highlighting the fact that the Cameroon forward has played under him at two different clubs, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Chelsea's strikers in 2013-14

Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres
•Fernando Torres - 8 goals in 26 appearances
•Samuel Eto'o - 8 goals in 27 appearances
•Demba Ba - 3 goals in 18 appearances

"It was with Eto'o that I had the best ever season of my career," said Mourinho, referring to the 2009/10 campaign when Inter won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Champions League.

"He's one of the few players who is working with me in a second different club and a manager never does that when he doesn't like the player or doesn't like the person."

Mourinho added that Eto'o, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala last summer, had "no reason to be upset" with his comments given he had once said he would never play for the Portuguese.

"After a few years, he was playing with me at Inter and now he is playing for me [at Chelsea]," said Mourinho. "There is no story."

Eto'o has only scored eight goals in 27 appearances since he arrived at Stamford Bridge last August. Fellow strikers Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have only managed 11 goals between them in all competitions.

But despite the lack of goals from the strikers, Chelsea are a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with 11 games remaining