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

Pepe Mel: West Brom hold talks over Premier League plight

West Brom have held "constructive" talks over the club's poor form and say under-pressure manager Pepe Mel will work to help them avoid relegation.

Mel, 50, has not won in six games since taking charge, prompting speculation his job could be under threat.

The statement from West Brom doesn't really address any key issues, other than confirm indirectly that Pepe Mel will be in charge for the home match against Manchester United a week on Saturday.

We're told that Mel and the football department are doing "everything in their power" to stay in the Premier League. It would be a major news story if that wasn't the case.

No assurances are given about Mel's future, but the admission there has been "a lot of soul searching" only hints that reservations senior players have had about Mel's style of play have been accurately represented in the media.

Have the players been told just to get on with it and do what Mel wants? We don't know.

It just feels like a chairman/owner keeping his options open for a while longer - and Jeremy Peace wasn't even quoted in the statement.

These are surprising times at a club until recently lauded for its stability and good governance.

Senior players have raised concerns over his style of play as the Baggies fight to stay in the Premier League.

Sporting director Richard Garlick said Mel and players would "do everything in their power to achieve this goal".

He described the West Midlands club's current situation as "a period of transition, which is natural following the appointment of a new head coach" and acknowledged there was "a lot of frustration at our league position and run of form".

West Brom have drawn four games and lost two under Mel, a run that has left them one point above the relegation zone.

That said, three of those home draws came against Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea - teams either fighting for the title or a place in the Champions League next season.

And in all three games, the Baggies were trailing before fighting back to earn a point.

While Mel is reportedly popular with senior players, it is understood their preference is to adopt West Brom's usual counter-attacking style, which helped them finish eighth last season and 10th the previous term.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Garlick said: "Various meetings have been held within the football department over the past few days to discuss our current situation and what needs to be done to improve results in our final 11 games.

"The discussions have proved constructive. There has been a lot of soul searching and it is clear everyone has a real hunger and desire to keep the club in the Premier League.

"Pepe, the coaching staff and players will now do everything in their power to achieve this common goal."

Former Real Betis coach Mel succeeded Steve Clarke in December, signing an 18-month contract.

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

Vincent Tan: Cardiff City owner insists he is not a 'villain'

Cardiff City's controversial owner Vincent Tan has insisted he is not the "villain" he is sometimes portrayed as.

In an exclusive BBC Sport interview, the 62-year-old Malaysian businessman has even accused the British media of being "a little bit racist".

Tan, who upset Cardiff fans by changing the club's colours and sacking manager Malky Mackay, said the "vocal minority" who oppose him should "apologise".

Vincent Tan and Malky Mackay celebrate Vincent Tan and Malky Mackay celebrate promotion to the Premier League

And he is adamant he will not quit unless supporters drive him out.

"One day we are a hero, another day we are a zero," Tan, who bought the Welsh club in May 2010, told BBC Sport. "Without me, Cardiff would have gone bust. Because of my investment, we got promoted."

In a rare interview, and speaking for the first time since sacking Mackay in December, Tan also said:

•He has the backing of 90% of Cardiff fans
•He will never change the club's colours back to blue from red
•Mackay "got lucky" when he landed the job as manager
•He is "convinced" manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will save Cardiff from relegation
•Foreign owners are good for British football
•Plans to list Cardiff on the Singapore stock exchange have been abandoned

Much of the goodwill Tan gained after arriving in the Welsh capital has been lost because of the controversial decisions he has made.

But he expressed a firm belief that Cardiff, who sit one place off the foot of the Premier League table with only 11 games remaining, are in capable hands.

"I am now more involved and under my leadership the club will be in good shape," said Tan.

"Some of my family members really want me to leave. They think it's not worth it. They think no-one is grateful. But you have to be patient, accept the criticism and sometimes the insults."

Tan hopes to be able to tell fans the "truth" about the sacking of Mackay once a legal case between Cardiff and the Scot has concluded and stressed he wants to "unite" with them.

Vincent Tan "I wear sunglasses because of the glare of the spotlights. I wear gloves because it is very cold in the UK"

But he added: "No matter how much good you do, there will always be a few per cent of people who don't support you."

And he has little time for those who portray him as some kind of Bond villain because he often wears dark glasses and gloves when watching Cardiff's home games.

"I wear sunglasses because of the glare of the spotlights," he said. "I wear gloves because it is very cold in the UK. Frankly, sometimes I think they are nuts making all these comments."

He added: "The British press is unfair... maybe because we didn't tell our side of the story that well. When the time is right, I will tell my story. Sometimes the British press is maybe a little bit racist."

After initially taking a 35% share in Cardiff, Tan now owns about 90% and has paid off all creditors.

Who is Vincent Tan?
Age: 62

Nationality: Malaysian

Marital status: Married

Children: 11

Net worth: $1.6bn (making him the 10th richest man in Malaysia)

Source: Forbes

According to Tan, the club's only outstanding debt is about £70m-£80m owed to him, and he will decide in due course whether or not to convert that into equity.

Mackay was appointed in June 2011 by then chairman TG Chan and former director Alan Whiteley, a decision that might not have been made had Tan been more involved.

"He didn't do very well at Watford, but somehow our CEO and our chairman hired him and replaced Dave Jones," Tan said. "Dave Jones actually did much better.

"So I think Malky got lucky when he came to Cardiff. I invested a lot of money and then we went up. Do you think that Malky would have got us promoted without my investment?"

After reaching the Premier League, Tan alleges Mackay and ex-head of recruitment Iain Moody exceeded a £35m transfer budget by £15m - an accusation they deny.

Mackay and Moody also claim every deal was signed off by Cardiff chief executive Simon Lim.

"It went wrong when I found out that we overspent on transfers," said Tan. "I sent Simon Lim from Malaysia. He doesn't really know a lot about football, so he depends on the football expert.

"We have this expert always telling us 'leave the football to me, I'm the expert', so if the expert says 'do this, do this' and asks you to buy A, B and C, what can Simon Lim say? What can I say?"

Moody was replaced by Alisher Apsalyamov, a 23-year-old Kazakh who is a friend of Tan's son and was on work experience at Cardiff before leaving the UK after his visa application was rejected.

Tan praised Apsalyamov's "incredible football knowledge" and says his view that Cardiff overpaid on transfers "has been proved right".

Speaking at an event in Kuala Lumpur to honour his business and charity work, and celebrate his birthday, Tan joked about his Cardiff takeover, saying: "Sometimes I wonder why I did it."

But when asked in our interview later if that was true, Tan said his only regret was he did not take more control.

"Earlier on I was generous enough to give our football management too much authority and they went berserk," he said. "They went and did bad business. That was a mistake.

"But now I'm involved, I know the value and I study. Every business I don't know, if I spend enough time - a couple of months - I will know a lot. I know quite a lot about football now. I know the value of players and we won't do stupid things.

Vincent Tan There were widespread protests at Cardiff City Stadium when Tan sacked Malky Mackay as manager

"In the January transfer window, I was very involved. We spent about £6m for seven players. In the summer, we signed seven players and committed almost £50m. I want to make sure we spend correctly. If I'm involved, I make better business decisions, getting better value for my money.

"Next summer I'm sure we will do better transfers because I will be personally involved. We're not going to let our manager run wild."

Tan is quick to take responsibility for securing a pre-contract agreement to sign 31-year-old Spanish striker Javi Guerra on a free transfer from Real Valladolid next summer.

And he put Cardiff's poor form under Solskjaer, appointed as Mackay's replacement in January, down to "the bad transfers we did in the summer" - singling out Andreas Cornelius and John Brayford.

He also identified Southampton and Hull City as clubs who prove "you can avoid overspending and have good football management".

Tan, who believes British clubs are "very blessed" to have foreign owners, denied he would walk away if Cardiff were relegated ("unless the fans really p*** me off so much, then I may leave") and pledged to donate £1m to local charities if they stay up.

But he has shelved plans to list Cardiff on the Singapore stock exchange until "we can make this club stable and sustainable in the Premier League".

Building bridges with disgruntled supporters is on the Malaysian's agenda, but he will not budge on the shirt colour after he opted last year to change the home kit from blue to red.

He claimed the move was to drum up interest in the Far East where red is seen as a strong colour which brings good luck.

"No way I will change it back to blue under my ownership," he said. "Perhaps they can find an owner who likes blue, pay up and buy me out. Sure they can go and change it to blue after that. I go somewhere and build another red club.

"Of course it helps that, in Asia, red is a colour of success, festivity, joy. After we changed it, that same season we got promoted. I think that was a good omen, a good sign."

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

Alan Pardew headbutt: Newcastle boss apologises for Meyler clash

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has apologised for headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

The Football Association said it will "investigate" after Pardew was dismissed during the second half of the Magpies' 4-1 victory at the KC Stadium.

The 52-year-old said: "I did not mean any damage to the guy but I have moved my head forward. I tried to push him away with my head.

"I apologise to everyone. I should not have got involved in it."

With the Magpies 3-1 up, Pardew was angered when Meyler shoved past him in an attempt to retrieve the ball to take a throw-in.

The pair came together, with the former Reading and Southampton boss pushing his head into the face of the Hull player.

A fracas involving players and staff from both sides followed and, when the crowd was dispersed, Meyler was booked and Pardew sent from the touchline.

Pardew said: "I don't think it was a headbutt. It wasn't a motion that was quick.

Aggro for Alan
13 Mar 2006: The then West Ham boss denies Arsene Wenger's claim he is a racist or xenophobe.

5 Nov 2006: Still at Upton Park, Pardew apologises to Wenger after excessively celebrating a winner against the Gunners.

3 Sep 2012: Now Newcastle manager, Pardew is fined £20,000 and given a two-match touchline ban for pushing assistant referee Peter Kirkup in a 2-1 win over Tottenham.

13 Jan 2014: The Magpies boss apologises after cameras capture him verbally abusing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

"Of course, I'm not stupid enough to accept there's going to be no punishment. I'll have to accept whatever comes my way."

FA chairman Greg Dyke told BBC Sport: "Clearly it looks serious and we will investigate it but I can't really say anything else at this stage."

Newcastle boss Pardew, who in 2012 was given a two-game ban for pushing an assistant referee, added: "It was a situation where I should not have been there.

"I will sit down from now on and send [assistant manager] John Carver out there."

Pardew admitted his behaviour had "taken the gloss off a magnificent performance from my team".

He added: "The players were terrific; it was only myself who had a poor performance all-round. I am very, very pleased with the team but very upset with myself."

Shortly after full-time, but before Pardew apologised, a leading bookmaker suspended betting on the next Premier League manager to be sacked.

Hull boss Steve Bruce sympathised with his Newcastle counterpart because of the "pressure" managers are under, and also praised Meyler for staying on his feet.

Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live: "I'm sure Alan's absolutely regretting it and questioning himself, asking 'how the hell have I done that?'.

Alan Pardew headbutts David Meyler
"The pressure on all Premier League managers is enormous. It's not like Alan, he's an established Premier League manager.

"I'm delighted with the reaction of David Meyler because other people would've been rolling round the floor. We've all done silly things in the heat of the moment."

BBC pundits Gary Lineker and Robbie Savage condemned Pardew's actions on Twitter.

Former England striker Lineker described the incident as "inexcusable", while former Wales midfielder Savage said: "Couldn't believe my eyes when I seen [sic] Pardew throw his head into Meyler, absolutely disgraceful behaviour from a manager."

This is not the first time Pardew has apologised for his behaviour this season.

In January, television cameras caught him verbally abusing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini during the Magpies' 2-0 defeat at St James' Park.

In November 2006, Pardew said sorry to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for his celebrations following a winning goal against the Gunners, some eight months after he denied Wenger's claims he was a racist or xenophobe.

Alan Pardew confronts David Meyler David Meyler and Alan Pardew Alan Pardew and David Meyler David Meyler confronts Alan Pardew

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

Arsenal lose 1-0 at Stoke and slip four points behind leaders Chelsea

Arsenal lost ground in the Premier League title race as Jon Walters' 76th-minute penalty gave hosts Stoke a 1-0 win on Saturday.

With Chelsea winning 3-1 at Fulham, the Gunners are now four points behind their London rivals at the top of the table with 10 rounds remaining this season.

Man of the match: Stoke's Jon Walters worked tirelessly down the right all afternoon and forced the breakthrough in a tight encounter before putting away the penalty himself.
Goal of the match: Laurent Koscielny can have no real complaints about the spot-kick award from referee Mike Jones, and Walters - not the most reliable from 12 yards - sent Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way with ease.
Chance of the match: Mesut Ozil went close but it was another substitute Yaya Sanogo who had the best chance to level up - only to blast his shot over the bar in stoppage time.
Save of the match: Szczesny got down to his left superbly to keep out Glenn Whelan's piledriver at the end of the first half.
Talking point: Are Arsenal going to peter out yet again? They have won just two of their last six Premier League games, while Chelsea have taken six points more in the same period.

The Potters' victory, only their second in 11 league games, saw Mark Hughes' men hit the 30-point mark and they are now 12th, six points above the drop zone. They have also beaten Chelsea and Manchester United on home turf in the space of the last three months

Glenn Whelan forced a fine save from Wojciech Szczesny at the end of what was otherwise a dull first half. The second period was hardly full of incident either, until Walters toed the ball skywards on the edge of the area and Laurent Koscielny handled. Referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot and Walters sent Szczesny the wrong way.

Arsene Wenger had introduced Mesut Ozil shortly before the penalty, and the club's record signing went close with a shot across the face of goal. Another substitute, Yaya Sanogo, then wasted a gilt-edged chance to equalise in the closing stages as the Gunners went down to their fifth league defeat of the campaign.

Arsenal had fit-again Kieran Gibbs back in their first XI, replacing the injured Nacho Monreal in defence in the only change to the starting line-up from last Saturday's 4-1 win against Sunderland. Thomas Vermaelen, back involved after an extended spell on the sidelines, was among the substitutes, along with Ozil.

There was only one adjustment to the Potters team as well a week on from the 1-0 loss at Manchester City, with the injured Peter Odemwingie dropping out and Steven Nzonzi coming in.

After an uneventful opening quarter of an hour, Stoke were unfortunate to see the offside flag raised against them. Marko Arnautovic delivered a deep cross from the right and Walters headed the ball down towards goal, although it bounced just wide of the post. Replays showed Walters was just about level, however.

Peter Crouch hit a shot into the side-netting from a tight angle shortly after the half-hour mark, after Nzonzi had looped a short cross in from the right.

Wenger: Penalty decision wrong

Arsenal responded with Mikel Arteta finding Lukas Podolski running down the left channel, the Germany international then blasting a left-footed shot after getting into the area - but he failed to hit the target.

The best chance of the first half came with three minutes left before the interval. A beautiful pass from Ryan Shawcross out wide to the left began the build-up, then Arnautovic spotted Whelan's run. The Republic of Ireland midfielder let fly with a shot from long range and Szczesny had to dive to his left to make the save.

The second period began with Nzonzi's tame header going wide and Szczesny making a hash of dealing with a Geoff Cameron cross, leading to a goalmouth scramble that Arsenal survived.

Hughes delighted with win

Crouch diverted the ball wide with a miscued acrobatic attempt and then stretched to get a harmless boot to a Charlie Adam free-kick that it seemed he would have been better attacking with a header.

Stoke continued to press and, after Szczesny dived to turn a glanced Crouch header behind, the corner led to the ball dropping nicely for Cameron, but he could only poke wide.

The Potters were rewarded around 10 minutes later when Koscielny was adjudged to have handled the ball and Walters, putting past penalty misses behind him, made no mistake from the spot, prompting chants of "1-0 to the rugby team" from the Stoke faithful.

Ozil flashed a shot across Asmir Begovic's goal and his fellow sub Sanogo then struck over the bar as the Gunners failed to find an equaliser.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did impress from the bench as Wenger's side looked for a route back to parity, but it was Stoke who held on for the three points.

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

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini won his first trophy in England as his side saw off spirited Sunderland in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.

Fabio Borini had given Sunderland a dream start when he opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game.

But City fought back in the second half and equalised with a stunning 30-yard strike from midfielder Yaya Toure.

And 105 seconds later Samir Nasri put City ahead before Jesus Navas added a third in injury time.

City were overwhelming favourites to make amends for last season's shock FA Cup final defeat by Wigan but were given a fright after they fell behind to a goal from Borini.

The Italy striker, on loan from Liverpool, chased down a ball over the top and shrugged off City captain Vincent Kompany before he poked a low shot into the corner of the net with the outside of his boot.

City equalised 10 minutes after the interval when Ivory Coast midfielder Toure nonchalantly curled a stunning shot into the top-left corner from long range.

France international Nasri put City ahead moments later with a sublime finish from the edge of the box as Sunderland were punished on the counter-attack.

And Spain winger Navas, who came on for Sergio Aguero in the 58th minute, rounded off the win late on when he was picked out by Toure and fired in at the neat post.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6) Manchester City
30 Pantilimon
05 Zabaleta
13 Kolarov
42 Yaya Touré
04 Kompany
26 Demichelis
08 Nasri
25 Fernandinho
16 Agüero (Jesús Navas - 58' )
10 Dzeko (Negredo - 88' Booked )
21 Silva (Javi García - 77' )
Substitutes
01 Hart
06 Lescott
07 Milner
09 Negredo
14 Javi García
15 Jesús Navas
22 Clichy

Sunderland
25 Mannone
02 Bardsley
28 Alonso Booked
33 Cattermole (Giaccherini - 77' )
16 O'Shea
05 Brown
11 Johnson (Gardner - 60' )
07 Larsson (Fletcher - 60' )
31 Borini
04 Ki
14 Colback
Substitutes
08 Gardner
09 Fletcher
12 Celustka
23 Giaccherini
27 Vergini
30 Scocco
32 Ustari

Ref: Martin Atkinson
Att: 84,697

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

Alan Pardew headbutt: Newcastle boss fined £100,000 by Magpies

Newcastle United have fined manager Alan Pardew £100,000 and given him a formal warning for headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

Pardew, 52, was sent to the stand for the incident during the second half of the Magpies' 4-1 win at the KC Stadium.

"We have held discussions with Alan, who has offered his sincere apologies," said a club statement. "It is clear he deeply regrets his actions."

The Football Association has said it will investigate the incident.

Former FA executive director David Davies said it was difficult to forecast the length of any potential suspension but told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme on Sunday: "I think it will be a serious punishment."

Asked if he thought a 10-game ban until the end of the season was a possibility, he said: "That's conceivable".

With the Magpies 3-1 up, Pardew was angered when Meyler shoved past him in an attempt to retrieve the ball to take a throw-in.

The pair came together, with the former Reading and Southampton boss pushing his head into the face of the Hull player.

A fracas involving players and staff from both sides followed and, when the crowd was dispersed, Meyler was booked and Pardew sent from the touchline.

Speaking after the match, Pardew said: "I did not mean any damage to the guy but I have moved my head forward. I tried to push him away with my head.

"I apologise to everyone. I should not have got involved in it.

Aggro for Alan
13 Mar 2006: The then West Ham boss denies Arsene Wenger's claim he is a racist or xenophobe.

5 Nov 2006: Still at Upton Park, Pardew apologises to Wenger after excessively celebrating a winner against the Gunners.

3 Sep 2012: Now Newcastle manager, Pardew is fined £20,000 and given a two-match touchline ban for pushing assistant referee Peter Kirkup in a 2-1 win over Tottenham.

13 Jan 2014: The Magpies boss apologises after cameras capture him verbally abusing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

"I don't think it was a headbutt. It wasn't a motion that was quick."

In their statement, released six hours after Saturday's game ended, Newcastle said Pardew's actions were "unacceptable" and "not the behaviour we expect from the manager".

The club added: "It is most disappointing that this incident has taken the focus away from what was a fantastic performance by the team and an excellent result away from home which leaves the club in eighth place in the Premier League."

BBC pundits Alan Hansen and Robbie Savage condemned Pardew's actions.

"The pictures are very, very bad," said former Liverpool defender Hansen on Match of the Day.

"There was outrage and understandably so. There was not a lot of provocation, Newcastle were 3-1 up and absolutely cruising.

"The only ones who can sack him are Newcastle and they've taken the view to give him a massive fine and warn him.

"He's a lucky, lucky man. I don't know what he was doing getting involved in the first place."

Savage, also speaking on Match of the Day, described Pardew's actions as "disgusting".

The former Wales international had earlier told BBC Radio 5 live Pardew should be given a 10-game stadium ban.

The Newcastle boss, who in 2012 was given a two-game ban for pushing an assistant referee, admitted his behaviour had "taken the gloss off a magnificent performance from my team" and said he was "very upset" with himself.

FA chairman Greg Dyke told BBC Sport: "Clearly it looks serious and we will investigate it but I can't really say anything else at this stage."

Hull boss Steve Bruce sympathised with his Newcastle counterpart because of the "pressure" managers are under, and also praised Meyler for staying on his feet.

Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live: "I'm sure Alan's absolutely regretting it and questioning himself, asking 'how the hell have I done that?'."The pressure on all Premier League managers is enormous. It's not like Alan, he's an established Premier League manager.

"I'm delighted with the reaction of David Meyler because other people would've been rolling round the floor. We've all done silly things in the heat of the moment."

In January, Pardew said sorry after television cameras caught him verbally abusing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini during the Magpies' 2-0 defeat at St James' Park.

In November 2006, he apologised to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for his celebrations following a winning goal against the Gunners, some eight months after he denied Wenger's claims he was a racist or xenophobe

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

Manuel Pellegrini secured his first trophy as Manchester City manager as they staged a second-half revival to beat Sunderland and win the Capital One Cup at Wembley.

Sunderland - seeking their first major trophy since the famous 1973 FA Cup win against Leeds United - deservedly led at half-time through Fabio Borini's fine angled strike after 10 minutes.

This entertaining final turned inside two minutes just after half-time as City struck twice to finally exert their authority over Sunderland, who had dominated until that point and gave a fine performance throughout.

Yaya Toure equalised with a brilliant instant finish from 25 yards in the 55th minute, before Samir Nasri's spectacular strike changed the entire course of the game and set City on the way to some sort of consolation for last May's shock FA Cup final defeat by Wigan Athletic.

Substitute Jesus Navas added a third in the final minute to give the scoreline a harsh appearance given the manner in which the Black Cats had matched City for so long.

The Capital One Cup may not be at the top of Pellegrini's list of priorities, but this first trophy will be welcomed by the Chilean, who was appointed last summer.

City's focus now turns to the Premier League title, the arduous task of overturning a two-goal deficit in their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona and an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Wigan Athletic.

As for Sunderland, this will be a bitter disappointment for manager Gus Poyet, his players and the magnificent support who splashed their famous red and white stripes around Wembley - but they can take great confidence from a Cup run that claimed the scalps of Chelsea and Manchester United, as they attempt to stay in the top flight.

City's League Cup final success
Manchester City have now won the League Cup three times. They beat West Bromwich Albion in the 1970 final and Newcastle United in 1976. City were also losing finalists against Wolves in 1974

Pellegrini preferred Costel Pantilimon to Joe Hart in goal but the big lift came as he was able to recall striker Sergio Aguero after a month out with a hamstring injury.

City's confident start was no indication of what was to come as Sunderland's sheer passion - and plenty of quality, it should be stressed - reduced the favourites to a shambles on occasions during the first half.

Poyet plumped for the speed and mobility of Borini, ahead of the physical power of Steven Fletcher and Jozy Altidore, to put pressure on City's central-defensive pairing of Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis.

And it produced the perfect reward after only 10 minutes when Italy striker Borini got the better of Kompany in the chase for Adam Johnson's pass, shrugging him aside before showing great composure to sweep a finish past Pantilimon with the outside of his right foot.

The goal shook City and Sunderland threatened to take further advantage, Borini's shot from the edge of the area deflecting just over off the back of Edin Dzeko and Wes Brown heading off target from a corner.

Yaya Toure scored a spectacular equaliser for Manchester City. Yaya Toure scored a spectacular long-range equaliser for Manchester City.

Borini, on loan from Liverpool, stretched City again and threatened to add a second as he raced clear but this time Kompany made amends by making a crucial tackle as he recovered his ground on the Italian.

City's response was muted, and sometimes not even as good as that, with Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone's only worry coming when he had to deal with Aguero's low 20-yard shot.

It was inevitable that Pellegrini would shake up his sleeping side at half-time - making the opening phase of the second half even more crucial to the outcome of the game.

City's cup-winning coach
Manuel Pellegrini
•A defender, Manuel Pellegrini spent his entire playing career at Universidad Chile, making more than 450 appearances
•Retired in 1986 and took his first managerial role the following year at Palestino
•Has taken charge of 10 teams in total including Villarreal (2004-09), Real Madrid (2009-10) and Malaga
•Won league titles in Ecuador and Argentina and the Intertoto Cup with Villarreal in 2004

And so it proved as City showed their quality with two goals of the highest calibre inside two minutes to change the mood inside Wembley and the match itself.

Toure had been a peripheral figure until he collected Pablo Zabaleta's pass 25 yards out after 55 minutes and the Ivory Coast midfielder, almost nonchalantly, lifted a spectacular finish over Mannone into the top corner.

The element of surprise caught the goalkeeper just too far off his line but it would be harsh in the extreme to attach any blame to the Italian.

He was powerless again as France international Nasri struck almost immediately to put City in front, taking Aleksandar Kolarov's cross in his stride to score with the outside of his foot with Mannone motionless.

Pellegrini immediately sent on Navas for Aguero and it was not long before Poyet made a double substitution, bringing on Fletcher and Craig Gardner for Johnson and Seb Larsson.

Just as stoppage time was about to start, substitute Fletcher wasted a chance with poor control. It was to prove the final moment of hope for Sunderland.

As they pressed for the equaliser, City caught Sunderland on the break and Toure swept forward to set up Spain winger Navas for the goal that finally decided the destination of the trophy.

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

Jornada 28

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

Liverpool Football Club makes £50m annual loss

Liverpool Football Club lost almost £50m in 2012-13, but believes it is heading in the correct commercial direction.

Last season, debts at the Premier League club decreased by 29% to £45.1m as revenue increased by 9% to £206.1m.

A cash injection of £46.8m by Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports Group allowed the club to repay a stadium loan.

The Reds, currently second in the table behind Chelsea, hope to be playing in the Uefa Champions League next season.

They have not taken part in Europe's premier club competition since 2009-10, but qualification would bring lucrative revenues.

With 10 league games to play, Liverpool are in with a chance of winning their first English championship since 1990.

Club managing director Ian Ayre said: "These results demonstrate that the financial health of the club continues to make good progress as we continue our journey to transform the club on and off the pitch.

"Over the past four or five years, revenue has been consistently increasing from around £170m in 2009 to over £200m today, and external debt has decreased significantly to less than £50m.

"With a hugely supportive ownership group, we have taken a measured approach to bring back financial stability to this great club by ensuring it is properly structured on and off the pitch."

For trading until 31 May 2013, the club made a loss after tax of £49.8m.

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

Hull City try to explain name change to Hull Tigers

Hull City vice-chairman Ehab Allam has written an open letter to the club's fans trying to explain the reasons for a proposed name change to Hull Tigers.

The club have formally applied to the Football Association to change their name from next season, a move that has upset some supporters.

Allam said the name change would give an "edge" in sponsorship negotiations.

He added that if the hierarchy could not run Hull "in a way we feel fit" they would "offer the club for sale".

Hull history

Formed in 1904, Hull first wore black and amber shirts for their maiden Football League campaign the following year. The 'Tigers' nickname is thought to have been coined by a Hull Daily Mail reporter in 1905. Hull moved to their KC Stadium home, which they share with Super League side Hull FC, in 2002, after 56 years at Boothferry Park.

Hull owner, and Ehab Allam's father, Assem Allam - who moved to the city in 1968 - took charge of the club in December 2010 and last season oversaw promotion to the top flight for only the second time in the club's 109-year history.

The 74-year-old is credited with rescuing Hull from administration but has been at odds with supporters over his plans to change the club's name.

He announced in August that the business that runs the club had already been renamed Hull City Tigers.

However, unhappy Hull supporters have set up the "City Till We Die" protest group to oppose a similar name change for the football team.

Assem Allam has maintained that the move will benefit the club commercially, because he considers the word City to be "lousy" and "common".

The letter from his son published in the Hull Daily Mail reiterates this stance, while also stating that the owner has invested £74m in the club.

"We have nothing left to give, and this is the reason why the club has to become financially self-sustainable," the letter states.

"Currently there are six teams in the Premier League with 'City' in their name, and with the exception of Manchester City, all of those clubs are in a similar league position to us, and playing to similar-sized crowds.

"We need something that makes us stand out from the pool of teams we find ourselves in when it comes to attracting potential international sponsors, who are simply hoping to use the Premier League, and its global audience, to advertise."

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

Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado admits had he been younger, he would have returned to Spain by now.

The 28-year-old joined Spurs in the summer for a then club-record fee of £28million.

However, he has struggled for form with just six league goals to his name and his winner against Cardiff at the weekend was his first from open play at White Hart Lane.

And Soldado has revealed that had his struggles occurred earlier in his career, it could have forced him to quit the Premier League.

"If all this had happened to me when I was 22, I would have probably returned home after a month, but I believe it is a positive experience for me, my family and for the education of my children," he told Radio Onda Cero.

"I am the only one responsible for my poor form, but I will get better.

"We have a great team and I am convinced we can have a good season."

He admits his winner against Cardiff was important for him, adding: "It was a much-needed goal for me and especially for my team-mates and the fans.

"Despite all the time I have gone without scoring a goal, the support they have given me has been incredible.

"Every time I touch the ball I feel there is great expectation and people are hoping for the best for me - I feel wanted here even though I haven't given them anything at the moment."

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

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that his former charge Raphael Varane is the best young defender in the world.

Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid when they landed Varane from French side Lens in 2011, beating Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United to his signature.

"I think he is the best young central defender in the world. Already I think he's the best."

Mourinho used Varane from the moment the Frenchman arrived in the Spanish capital and the Blues boss feels that the 20-year-old is the best young defender in world football.

"I think he is the best young central defender in the world. Already I think he's the best," he told Yahoo.

"A young player must be somebody who plays in the World Cup for the first time.

"These are players like Hazard, Neymar and Rafa Varane. Maybe I forget some others."

Some reports have claimed Mourinho could be preparing a summer bid for Varane, but Chelsea do already have St Etienne defensive starlet Kurt Zouma arriving in the summer having struck a deal for him in January.

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

David Moyes thanks Man Utd fans for support in 'difficult' season

Manchester United manager David Moyes has thanked the club's fans for their loyalty in what he admits has been a "difficult" first season.

Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson, who ended his 26 years as United boss by winning a 13th league title, on 1 July.

United lie seventh after only 13 wins from 27 Premier League games.

“I have absolutely no doubt we will see great winning sides here again”

In a magazine sent to United season ticket holders, Moyes wrote: "The difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged."

Moyes, 50, replaced fellow Glaswegian Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford, which also included two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

United lost only five league games in their title-winning season of 2012-13, but have already lost eight times in the current campaign, including home defeats by West Brom, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham.

They were also beaten 2-1 at home by Swansea in the FA Cup third round and are trailing 2-0 after the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie with Olympiakos.

"You are accustomed to seeing a successful Manchester United and the backing you have given the players and me throughout the season has been incredible," Moyes continued in his letter.

"Away from home the travelling fans have remained the best in the country, while at Old Trafford your unwavering faith has been noticeable and hugely welcomed.

"Supporting your team when they are winning is easy, but much harder when things are not going as well, and the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.

"I have absolutely no doubt we will see great winning sides here again."

Moyes, who began his managerial career at Preston before spending 11 years with Everton, added: "Everything we have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future."

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

Arsenal stayed on course to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2005 as they secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley with victory over Everton at Emirates Stadium.

In a quarter-final that was closer than the emphatic final scoreline suggests, Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal an early lead but Romelu Lukaku tapped in from almost on the goalline to equalise for Everton before half-time.

As well as scoring one goal and providing an assist for another, Mesut Ozil created five chances in the win - three more than any other Arsenal or Everton player.

Arsenal finally exerted their superiority through Mikel Arteta's twice-taken penalty after 67 minutes following Gareth Barry's injudicious challenge on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Substitute Olivier Giroud then struck twice in the last 10 minutes to give the hosts a winning margin that was harsh on Everton, who were in the game for so long - but there can be no question Arsenal deserved to win.

It was a vital win, too, as the FA Cup emerges as the Gunners' best hope of claiming their first silverware since winning this tournament in 2005.

The manner of the victory also provides the perfect platform for the arduous Champions League task awaiting them on Tuesday as they try to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.

For Everton manager Roberto Martinez, there is to be no place in history as the first manager to retain the FA Cup at different clubs and he must now concentrate on claiming a place in Europe via the Premier League.

"Will manager Arsene Wenger now look at the FA Cup games and say these are the most important - to try to finally win a trophy?

"I suspect that after this result that is what he will be thinking."

Martinez maintained his FA Cup policy of playing second-choice goalkeeper Joel Robles - who won this trophy with him at Wigan last season - ahead of the established Tim Howard.

And the young Spaniard had a desperately uncertain first half, mixing good stops from Yaya Sanogo, Thomas Vermaelen and Oxlade-Chamberlain with a stubborn - not to mention very hazardous -determination to punch everything, including one anxious moment when he turned Bacary Sagna's cross on to the bar.

But Robles was blameless as Arsenal took the lead after only seven minutes. James McCarthy was unlucky to slip in pursuit of Santi Cazorla, whose pass was steered home from the angle in composed fashion by Ozil.

Arsene Wenger's men had gained control of the game but the strong running of Ross Barkley was emerging as the biggest danger to them - a threat realised when Everton drew level as half-time approached.

The England youngster surged deep into home territory and when Kevin Mirallas turned his cross into the six-yard area Lukaku was left with the simplest of touches into an empty net.

The Belgium international had been on the margins of the action but his sheer physical presence forced Vermaelen into a slip that almost saw Everton take the lead just after the break.

Everton have won none of their past 20 away games against Arsenal in all competitions (D4 L16).

The Toffees' giant striker left his countryman grounded before setting up Barkley, who should have hit the target from 12 yards.

Robles was certainly a mixed bag and he produced a fine save from Cazorla, diving low to his left to turn his shot around the post.

Arsenal were back in front when Barry somewhat needlessly upended Oxlade-Chamberlain in the area. Arteta beat Robles from the spot with his first attempt, only for referee Mark Clattenburg to order a retake as Giroud had encroached. But there was no reprieve for Everton as Arteta kept his cool to beat Robles expertly again.

Barkley was again the threat for Everton with 15 minutes left when he swept an effort inches wide of the far post with Lukasz Fabianski beaten.

Arsenal gave the scoreline a comprehensive look as Giroud struck twice in the closing minutes, almost stooping to his knees to turn in Sagna's cross after 83 minutes then adding his second two minutes later after being played in by Ozil.

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

Cardiff City boosted their hopes of Premier League survival with a victory that plunged bottom club Fulham deeper into trouble.

At the end of a nervy opening half, defender Steven Caulker fired Cardiff in front from close range.

Lewis Holtby levelled just before the hour, blasting home following a corner.

But Caulker's header and Sascha Riether's own goal within four second-half minutes moved the Bluebirds up to 18th, four points ahead of Fulham.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are level on points with 17th-placed West Brom and now only in the relegation zone on goal difference.

With so much riding on the game, there was a nervous tension in the air throughout the game at the Cardiff City Stadium.

And the relief was tangible at full-time, with the home side leaving the field to rapturous applause, before controversial owner Vincent Tan was booed when he walked onto the pitch to celebrate a vital victory.

Cardiff boss Solskjaer employed a 4-5-1 formation more akin to Malky Mackay's reign than his own for a match he described as "must win" for both sides.

The Bluebirds pressed high up the pitch when Fulham were in possession and were full of attacking intent, but failed to carve out any clear-cut opportunities early on.

And it was the visitors who had the first chance, Johnny Heitinga's quickly-taken free-kick finding Ashkan Dejagah in space inside the area, but his shot hit the side-netting.

Cardiff's first opportunity fell to Fraizer Campbell, who was full of running throughout despite spending the night with his wife after she went into labour, but the striker was unable to find a way past Maarten Stekelenburg.

With Fulham attempting to deny Cardiff any space down the flanks, winger Craig Noone was forced to cut inside more than usual, and after one such run he shot narrowly wide from just outside the box.

Cardiff continued to press, and Kenwyne Jones had a powerful shot from Jordon Mutch's low cross turned behind before Caulker broke the deadlock.

The England defender finished powerfully from inside the six-yard box after Noone's cross was deflected into his path.

Fulham were more positive after the break, but Cardiff should have extended their lead when Jones headed wide from point-blank range at the far post.

And just two minutes later, the Cottagers were level as Heitinga headed a corner into the path of Holtby, who slid the ball into the empty net.

But they were level for just eight minutes, with Caulker heading home his second from another Noone cross, the ball bouncing into the net over Stekelenburg.

And when Riether diverted the ball into his own net after Stekelenburg had saved Campbell's header, Cardiff's first top-flight double since 1961 was complete.