Victory claim derby win at the death

Updated December 23, 2012 09:16:26

Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson pinched a winner deep in injury-time to secure a pulsating 2-1 A-League derby triumph over crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Thompson netted via the crossbar two minutes into injury time to snatch all three points and sink the Heart, who had grabbed an equaliser just minutes earlier.

The win lifts the Victory to third place and leaves the Heart third from bottom.

The Victory took the lead with Marco Rojas' 67th-minute goal - a wonderfully-worked move sweeping through Thompson, Gui Finkler and Mark Milligan before the New Zealander finished sweetly.

But the Heart looked to have earned a share of the points when skipper Fred, who had missed his side's two best chances of the match earlier, leapt high to meet a superb Michael Marrone cross and finish.

Then the Heart lost possession in the middle of the park in injury time.

Rojas grabbed the ball and sent a slide-rule pass to Thompson, whose shot hit the crossbar and crept just inside before Heart defender Aziz Behich thumped it out in vain.

With more than 26,000 watching on, it was a first half of desperate defence - four shots blocked, cleared off the line or deflected to safety in a spirited opening 45 minutes.

Fred had the Heart's two best chances, squandering a first-half opportunity on 32 minutes when he shot dreadfully from Behich's superb run to the byline and cross.

But he went within a coat of paint of a spectacular goal six minutes after halftime, controlling then thumping a wonderful long-range volley just wide of the top corner.

Heart attacker David Williams, who had terrorised the Victory defence all night, then could have won the game for his side five minutes from time with a thundering volley.

But Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe made a superb diving save.

Williams then gave away possession for the move which led to Thompson's winner.

Heart coach John Aloisi lamented his side's lack of cutting edge having had the better chances in the match, but felt his team at least deserved a draw, if not all three points.

"We were the team that was trying to go for the win, and we lost the ball in a bad area and they caught us on the counter," Aloisi said.

"We felt we could go on and win the game. They showed really good character and spirit.

"They (the players) are distraught. But we've got a game in a few days against Wellington and we've got to pick ourselves up and get on with it."

The Heart will go into the match without central defenders Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt, who both picked up yellow cards to exceed their limit and earn automatic one-match bans.

Victory assistant coach Kevin Muscat - deputising post-match for coach Ange Postecoglou, who left immediately after the game because of a family bereavement - felt his side had done enough to deserve the points.

"I thought we showed great belief and we controlled the game for long periods," Muscat said.

Melbourne Victory: 2 (Rojas 66', Thompson 90+2')

Melbourne Heart: 1 (Fred (81')

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, melbourne-3000, australia

First posted December 22, 2012 22:32:32

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City late show closes gap on leaders United

Updated December 23, 2012 09:07:14

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United in dramatic fashion as Gareth Barry's stoppage-time winner clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over Reading on Sunday morning (AEDT).

With United not in action until Monday morning's trip to Swansea, Roberto Mancini's team desperately needed to put pressure on its bitter rival and it finally seized the opportunity in the closing minutes at Eastlands.

After labouring to break down struggling Reading for long periods, the champions broke the deadlock when England midfielder Barry headed home from a David Silva cross.

That was enough to move City within three points of United and keep its challenge alive heading into the busy Christmas programme, while Reading stays bottom after its 11th defeat of the season.

"We had lots of possession but if you don't score early it is very difficult," Mancini said.

"You need to score quickly in these games and sometimes you have to take a risk to score, but I think we deserved to win."

Reading boss Brian McDermott added: "That goal at the end is just wrong. He (Barry) is on Nicky Shorey's back and it is an absolutely certain foul."

Arsenal climbed to third place, nine points behind City, as Mikel Arteta's second-half penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The only goal of a scrappy encounter arrived in the 60th minute when Spanish midfielder Arteta fired home from the spot after referee Jonathan Moss gave a penalty for Jean Beausejour's clip on Theo Walcott.

For all the talk of a crisis enveloping Arsene Wenger's side after its humiliating League Cup defeat at League Two minnows Bradford, the Gunners have now won their last three league matches and are back in the race to secure a Champions League place.

"It was very important because we beat West Brom at home and now we have two away wins," Wenger said.

"It was a difficult game because they stopped us from playing. I believe they are in the wrong position in the table."

Everton surged into fourth place with a 2-1 win over West Ham at Upton Park.

The Hammers took a 14th minute lead through Carlton Cole, but Victor Anichebe levelled with a 64th minute header.

Cole was sent off midway through the second half for a clash with Leighton Baines and Everton took advantage of its numerical superiority to grab the winner through Steven Pienaar's deflected effort in the 73rd minute.

Everton had midfielder Darron Gibson sent off for a high challenge in the closing stages, but David Moyes' side held on.

That win for Everton meant Tottenham slipped down to fifth place after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Stoke at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing finally ended his Premier League goal drought as the Reds beat Fulham 4-0 at Anfield to record its biggest win of the season.

Downing had gone 44 league matches without a goal since joining from Aston Villa in a 20 million pound ($31.1 million) deal in 2011, but he netted in the 51st minute after first half strikes from Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard. Luis Suarez got the fourth in stoppage-time.

Newcastle ended a miserable run of six defeats from its last seven league games as Shola Ameobi clinched a 1-0 victory against QPR at St James' Park.

Ameobi came off the bench to hit the winner with a fine finish in the 81st minute, handing QPR boss Harry Redknapp his first defeat since officially taking charge last month.

West Bromwich Albion also remains in the hunt for a top-four finish after a 2-1 win against Norwich at The Hawthorns left it sixth and level on points with Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham.

Robert Snodgrass put the visitors ahead in the 23rd minute, but Albion equalised through Zoltan Gera in the 43rd minute and on-loan Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku headed the winner with eight minutes remaining.

Sunderland boosted its survival hopes as Steven Fletcher's 42nd minute goal sealed a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Southampton.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 23, 2012 08:01:58

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Sturridge set for Liverpool medical: report

Updated December 23, 2012 14:11:16

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is due to have a medical at Liverpool ahead of a 12 million pound transfer ($18.6 million), British media reported on Sunday.

Liverpool are ready to complete the deal with the European champions after a dispute with the striker's representatives was resolved, the Liverpool Echo newspaper claimed.

The 23-year-old former Manchester City striker has only made seven league appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring one league goal against Tottenham in October.

Sturridge, who has four England caps, has scored 24 goals in 49 starts and 47 substitute appearances since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2009.

The mid-season transfer window opens on January 1.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 23, 2012 14:05:10

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Glory take rare points from Brisbane

Updated December 21, 2012 23:33:09

Midfielder Steven McGarry's wonder-strike gave Perth Glory a 1-0 victory and heaped more misery on struggling A-League champions Brisbane Roar on Friday night.

McGarry's 35-yard stunner just before half-time was enough to secure the Glory their first back-to-back wins of the season and leave new Roar coach Mike Mulvey ruing what might have been after the hosts squandered numerous opportunities.

In front of 11,352 fans, the Roar spent most of the second half attacking the Glory's penalty area but the home team failed to convert with star striker Besart Berisha particularly guilty of fluffing chances he would normally bury.

The Albanian, who controversially won a penalty which he then converted to seal the Roar's grand final win over the Glory at Lang Park back in April, had at least three clear chances to score but endured a rare off-night in front of goal.

Brazilian Henrique hit the crossbar while midfielder Erik Paartalu and youngster Ben Halloran also came close but the Glory somehow held firm to deny the Roar an equalising goal in a lopsided second-half.

McGarry's classy strike, which came after he was given space from a clever flick-on from Smeltz, lifts the Glory to fourth place with 17 points, ahead of Melbourne Victory on goal difference.

The Roar, who replaced head coach Rado Vidosic with Mulvey during the week, remain ninth with just three wins from 12 matches.

The Roar also suffered a late blow with substitute Jack Hingert limping off in the dying minutes of the match.

Perth Glory: 1 (S McGarry 45')

Brisbane Roar: 0

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted December 21, 2012 22:59:47

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Victory growing under Ange: Muscat

Updated December 23, 2012 13:46:24

Melbourne Victory's long-time talisman Kevin Muscat says there is not enough time to list everything he has learned from new coach Ange Postecoglou in the months since he took charge.

But the Victory assistant coach knows one thing the A-League team's players have learned - their self-belief has returned thanks to Postecoglou's methods.

Muscat is convinced the Victory's last-gasp 2-1 Melbourne derby win over the Heart thanks to an Archie Thompson goal in the third minute of stoppage time was a product of a team who are hell bent on doing what Postecoglou asks of them.

Read the story: Victory claim derby win at the death

"There isn't enough time (to say what he's learned from Postecoglou). A hell of a lot. Ange has got that aura about him where he makes people believe," Muscat said.

"It refers back to the players. There was a belief there that we could get this ball down and our structures would support us to go on and score a goal, and that's what happened."

The Victory showed that in the 12 weeks since they last played the Heart - losing 2-1 in Postecoglou's first game in charge - they have found a way to win.

Despite the Heart having the better chances, the Victory pinched all three points to climb to third place on the A-League ladder.

Importantly they have closed in on leaders Central Coast and second-placed Adelaide, who drew and lost respectively in their weekend matches to allow the Victory to chip into their margin.

"I think we've all seen them grow from the last derby to this derby - and you can sum it up by that last goal," Muscat said.

"The belief that's going through the team that if we get our structure right and we pass the ball in the correct manner ... Archie Thompson makes a 70-yard run to get on the end of that ball from Marco Rojas.

"The fact that happens at the end tells me they do believe."

Victory defender Diogo Ferreira, who was taken off at half-time with a groin injury, will be assessed early this week ahead of Friday night's home clash with Newcastle Jets.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 23, 2012 13:45:24

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Del Piero hints at contract resolution

Updated December 26, 2012 14:05:29

Alessandro Del Piero has hinted that his contract situation with Sydney FC could be resolved soon but the superstar says his focus is solely on resurrecting the Sky Blues' ailing A-League campaign.

The club and Del Piero's management team including brother Stefano are believed to be negotiating terms for the optional second year of his two-year contract.

There has been speculation the 38-year-old Del Piero will leave the last-placed Sydney FC at the end of the A-League season.

"Everything is clear for me and the club ... we can do earlier than what we think about the contract," said Del Piero on Wednesday.

"It's not a stress here for me ... I want to put all my knowledge and my heart into (games) ... my brother (can) talk about that (contract) - it's his problem not mine.

"I've spent a really good time here ... at the moment I think the best thing for me and for the club and for team-mates and everyone here is to concentrate about the games.

"We have to put all of our energy, mentally and physically (into games) ... not about other things.

"I'm really enjoying it here ... now we have to win a couple of games for more enjoyment."

Sydney FC has just three wins this season and faces a tough three games over the holiday period starting with competition leader Central Coast at Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday.

The Sky Blues then face tough road trips against second-placed Adelaide on New Year's Eve and Perth on January 5.

"This is our moment. We have to jump over this moment with heart, with fight and pressure and a little luck for us," Del Piero said.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 26, 2012 14:05:29

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Ferguson rages as eight-goal Chelsea goes third

Updated December 24, 2012 07:34:39

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson fumed that Swansea City defender Ashley Williams could have killed Robin van Persie on Monday morning (AEDT), on a day that saw Chelsea crush Aston Villa 8-0 to climb to third.

Williams struck the prone van Persie in the back of the head with the ball during the second half of a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium, sparking a furious reaction from the Dutchman that culminated in bookings for both players.

Swansea top scorer Michu had earlier cancelled out Patrice Evra's opener for United to prevent Ferguson's men from restoring their six-point advantage over second-place Manchester City at the Premier League summit.

"Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive," said Ferguson.

"It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA (Football Association). Robin could have had a broken neck.

"It was one of the most dangerous things I've seen on a football pitch in many, many years. It was absolutely deliberate, and right in front of the referee."

Williams claimed it had been an accident, saying: "I just cleared the ball with frustration and unfortunately it hit him in the head and he got a bit angry about it."

Swansea threatened first in the match, Michu firing off-target after out-pacing the returning Nemanja Vidic, before Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young tested fit-again Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm at the other end.

United took the lead in the 16th minute, with Evra getting in front of his marker to dispatch van Persie's corner and claim his third goal - all headers - of the season.

Michu headed over from Nathan Dyer's cross, but it did not take long for the Spaniard to find the net.

In the 29th minute, Wayne Routledge's cute pass freed Jonathan de Guzman and when his shot was parried by David de Gea, Michu followed up from close range to claim his 13th league goal of the campaign.

Vorm saved from Rooney again before half-time, while at the interval, Ferguson harangued referee Michael Olivier for failing to penalise Chico Flores for a challenge on van Persie prior to Swansea's equaliser.

De Gea thwarted Kemy Agustien and Routledge early in the second period, before van Persie hooked a superb volley onto the top of the Swansea crossbar from a left-wing Rooney cross.

Michael Carrick then hit the bar from a corner, while both van Persie and Ashley Young were thwarted by some last-ditch defensive blocks, but Williams's clash with the former Arsenal striker was to prove the biggest talking point.

It was United's first draw of the season in all competitions and leaves it four points above City ahead of the home game with Newcastle United on Thursday morning.

Later in the day, Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start with a sweetly struck goal as Chelsea annihilated Villa 8-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres broke the deadlock with an emphatic third-minute header before David Luiz, deployed in central midfield, found the net with a glorious 25-yard free-kick.

Branislav Ivanovic made it 3-0 11 minutes before the break, following up after Brad Guzan saved from Gary Cahill, before Lampard marked his milestone achievement with a fine 25-yard strike just before the hour.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez sent on a trio of Brazilian substitutes in Ramires, Oscar and Luiz Piazon, and they ran riot in the last 15 minutes.

Premier League debutant Piazon released Ramires to score Chelsea's fifth in the 75th minute, with Oscar netting his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Eden Hazard made it seven shortly after, jinking past a pair of defenders before slamming home left-footed, as Villa was brought down to earth with a resounding thud after last weekend's 3-1 win at Liverpool.

Piazon saw a penalty saved before Ramires completed the rout in injury time as Chelsea equalled its most emphatic Premier League victory and condemned Villa to its heaviest ever defeat in the top flight.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 24, 2012 06:51:17

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Matildas unveil Dutch coach

Updated December 22, 2012 12:37:07

Former Dutch international Hesterine de Reus has been named coach of the Australian women's football team following the departure of Tom Sermanni to the United States.

De Reus, 51, will leave her current role as coach of PSV Eindhoven's women's team in the Netherlands to link with the Matildas in the new year.

FFA chief executive David Gallop said de Reus, who played 43 times for the Netherlands between 1983-1993, was the stand-out candidate from the international search for a successor to Sermanni, who has taken the job as coach of the US women's team.

"We put in place a very thorough search process and we had extremely high calibre coaches apply from Australia and overseas," Gallop said.

"Hesterine has 18 years of coaching experience, all the relevant technical qualifications and an impressive track record working with national women's youth teams and elite women's professional clubs.

"She has the right mix of experience and skills for this important position.

"We look forward to working with Hesterine for the next stage of the Matildas' campaign to defend the AFC Women's Asian Cup and qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup."

AAP

Tags: soccer, sport, australia

First posted December 22, 2012 12:37:07

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A-League fan outed over Ifill racist abuse

Updated December 24, 2012 09:18:05

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has acted on the Paul Ifill racial abuse incident, announcing an Adelaide man had been banned from attending any A-League match for two years.

The man was found to have breached the FFA Spectator Code of Behaviour during last Sunday's A-League match between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Adelaide United Football Club also cancelled membership held by the man.

Wellington Phoenix star Ifill said on Twitter at the time, a line had been crossed when he was racially abused.

@PaulIfill Bad times poor result and racist abuse from a very small minority of fans #nothappy.

Thanks for all your support as I said it was a small minority no problem with a bit of banter but a line was crossed today

Ifill, among the A-League's elite players, was understood to have been repeatedly called a racially derogatory term when substituted during Wellington's 3-1 loss.

SA Police and security staff at Hindmarsh Stadium were made aware of the racial abuse, which came as Ifill was substituted in the 61st minute.

The FFA's code of behaviour says spectators must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, race, colour, religion, language, politics, national or ethnic origin.

The FFA said compliance with the code is a condition of entry to all matches under its jurisdiction.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia, new-zealand

First posted December 23, 2012 15:13:58

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Wanderers hit Reds for six

Updated December 21, 2012 22:27:09

Western Sydney recorded the most impressive win of its short A-League existence on Friday night, breaking the shackles and handing Adelaide United a 6-1 shellacking at Parramatta Stadium.

After 11 weeks of looking like a side capable of grinding triumphs, low-scoring draws and little more, the Wanderers banged in three goals before half-time to seal their third victory on the trot.

Striker Mark Bridge, sidelined from the side's past two wins, slotted a hat-trick including a cracking effort in the second half that curled into the top right corner.

To put the rout into perspective, the expansion franchise had scored a total of eight goals prior to Friday night and it was the first time it tallied more than two goals in a game.

Rather than go into their shell and protect the lead after the break, the Wanderers proceeded to embarrass Adelaide, a side also renowned for its defence that trailed league-leading Central Coast by one point at the start of round 12.

Japanese star Shinji Ono, who helped create two of his side's first-half goals, found the back of the net from a sharp chance in the 52nd minute before Bridge completed his hat-trick four minutes later.

More goals looked on the cards for the next 10 minutes as Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic worked overtime to halt the red-and-black blitzkrieg.

The visitors struggled to complete basic passes in defence under the immense pressure of the Wanderers, who were dismissed as likely wooden spooners at the start of the season after their rushed entry to the league.

But Wanderers coach Tony Popovic ended the carnage soon after when he brought off Ono and Dino Kresinger in the space of five minutes.

Ono and Kresinger had combined beautifully for the Wanderers, typified by the latter's goal in first-half stoppage time after an Ono one-two put him through.

The pace of Dutchman Youssouf Hersi was also pivotal in the thumping, having released the pair and Bridge on countless occasions.

With Western Sydney minus its two most potent attackers, the spark went out of the game and Adelaide attacking midfielder Dario Vidosic slipped past the hosts' imperious defence and found the back of the net in the 68th minute.

As cheers of "we want six" rang out around the crowd of 9,056, substitute Joseph Gibbs brought them to their feet in the 90th minute when he fired truly.

The only sour point for Popovic, whose charges climbed to third on the ladder to trail the Reds by only six points, was a leg injury to defender Adam D'apuzzo who was taken off prematurely in the 35th minute.

Western Sydney: 6 (M Bridge 18', 45', 58', D Kresinger 45+3', S Ono 52', J Gibbs 90')

Adelaide United: 1 (D Vidosic 67')

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted December 21, 2012 21:00:16

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Toure again named African footballer of the year

Updated December 21, 2012 09:42:16

Manchester City's Yaya Toure has won the African Footballer of the Year award for a second successive time, holding off a strong challenge from compatriot and Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba.

The 29-year-old midfielder topped the annual poll of African national team coaches and technical directors to add to the award he won in 2011.

"I have a lot of emotion," he said after climbing the stage to accept the award.

"I think this night is so special for me."

Toure played a pivotal role for both club and country, helping Ivory Coast to the African Nations Cup final in February and then playing a big part in taking Manchester City to the Premier League title in a dramatic season finale.

"Toure's immense contribution in helping Manchester City win their first domestic championship in 44 years saw him pick up Africa's most prestigious individual award," said the citation from the Confederation of African Football, who did not release the tally of votes.

He was also a goal scorer in August's FA Community Shield against Chelsea, won 3-2 by City, and helped the Ivorians easily past a strong Senegal side in Nations Cup qualification in September and October.

Voters picked him ahead of sentimental favourite Drogba, whose dramatic celebrations after converting the decisive penalty for Chelsea against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final were among the abiding images of the footballing year.

Winning the Champions League completed a full sweep of trophy success at club level with Chelsea for Drogba but also heightened the drama of just three months earlier when he missed a penalty for the Ivory Coast in the Nations Cup final.

Drogba led his side on a seemingly unstoppable march to the final in Libreville, where they were runaway favourites, but he ballooned over the crossbar a second half penalty that would have won Ivory Coast a prize that has consistently eluded them.

Instead Zambia went on to win in post-match shootout although Drogba, who signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in June, won praise for bravely stepping up again to take a kick and scoring.

Drogba's other achievement of the year was to become the first player to score in four separate FA Cup finals when Chelsea beat Liverpool at Wembley.

Third in the voting was Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, whose elevation to the trio of finalists was unexpected after a year of turmoil for the national side and no success at club level with Arsenal before he moved to Barcelona.

The award was made at the annual CAF gala in Accra, a rambling affair filled with foibles including the incorrect announcing of a winner of one of the other minor awards.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: english-premier, champions-league, soccer, sport, ivory-coast

First posted December 21, 2012 09:41:04

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Roar looking for striker to challenge Berisha

Updated December 26, 2012 01:56:36

New Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey will target a quality striker in January's transfer window to apply pressure on misfiring A-League golden boot Besart Berisha.

Berisha has endured a rare goal drought as the defending champions have fallen to second last on the ladder.

The high-profile striker has also been criticised by former Socceroos and Roar skipper Craig Moore for failing to make an impact.

The Albania international fluffed two clear-cut chances in the 1-0 loss to Perth Glory on Friday night and Brisbane desperately needs him to rediscover the spark and touch of last season when he scored a record 21 goals from 32 A-League matches.

While Berisha's hunger and work-rate remains high, Mulvey admitted his controversial marksman was suffering due to a lack of pressure from within.

"We need two players in every position pushing each other for that position," he said.

"Besart doesn't have someone breathing down his neck saying 'I'm ready to take your place'."

"If we can get competition for places it will keep everyone on their toes and we haven't quite got that."

"If you've got someone on your coat-tails who can play in your position it naturally gives you a bit of an edge."

Mulvey on Monday revealed he was looking "far and wide" to turn around the Roar's fortunes during next month's transfer window, which opens on January 1.

While Brisbane continue to dominate possession and create a host of chances, its lack of clinical finishing has cost the defending champion side dearly.

"There's priorities across the board but we would like another striker," he said. "Someone who would come in and add that little bit of quality to the squad.

"One thing I promised the Brisbane fans is that we're not going to die wondering. We're going to look for players."

The Roar currently have room for one more player in their 23-man contracted squad but disgruntled defender Matt Jurman and midfielder Erik Paartalu are also reportedly keen for a transfer next month.

Brisbane will be without rising full-back Jack Hingert (hip) for four to six weeks, putting Jurman in line for a return to the bench away to second-placed Adelaide on Boxing Day.

The Reds are coming off a 6-1 thumping by Western Sydney.

"They'll be hurting a bit but you know what? We're hurting just as much," Mulvey said.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 24, 2012 20:24:53

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Roar make coaching changes

Updated December 18, 2012 21:32:32

Struggling A-League club Brisbane Roar have appointed Mike Mulvey as their new coach, moving Rado Vidosic into a technical director's role.

Vidosic had only been coaching the Roar since the departure of two-time championship winning coach Ange Postecoglou in April.

He endured a tough start to the current campaign, the Roar languishing in ninth on the 10-team ladder.

The team has won only three games out of 11, for a total of 11 points - 15 points behind the league leaders Central Coast Mariners, and ahead of only Melbourne Victory.

Vidosic's last match in charge was the Roar's 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday.

There has been tension at the Roar this season following the team's poor start.

In particular midfielder Eric Paartalu made headlines late last month when he responded to Vidosic's criticism of the Roar's "kindergarten" defending in a loss to the Mariners by saying that "the more positive comments coming out of the club, the better for the team".

In a statement late on Tuesday, the club announced that the changes have followed a scheduled review of operations.

Brisbane Roar General Manager Sean Dobson said the club was keen to make even better use of Vidosic's technical knowledge through his new position.

"Rado's contribution to the success of Brisbane Roar has been immeasurable," Dobson said.

"His technical analysis and knowledge is second-to-none and we believe with his new role he can be even more effective.

Vidosic was quoted saying he was excited about his new position.

"The role of Technical Director is one which, I believe, will have long term benefits not only for the club but football in Queensland," he said.

"The development of an academy providing a pathway for talented young footballers is something I have advocated for, for some time and to be a part of the process to establish the groundwork for a youth development program is something I am very excited about."

Mulvey, a former Gold Coast United coach, is currently the manager of Melbourne Victory's W-League side.

Mulvey coached Gold Coast's National Youth League team to successive titles, and won four national women's titles while at the Queensland Academy of Sport.

The statement said Mulvey's appointment was on an interim basis, but could become permanent at the end of the season.

"While we're confident in Mike's ability to make a positive impact on the Football Department, and club as a whole, the appointment needs to be the right fit for both parties," Dobson said.

"In this instance, Mike and the club will have the ability to sit down at the end of the season, assess the situation and make a rational decision whether the relationship meets everybody's expectations."

Mulvey will start immediately, with his first session with the playing squad on Thursday morning at Lang Park.

ABC / AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 18, 2012 21:32:32

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Cazorla treble guns down Reading

Updated December 18, 2012 10:19:13

Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla scored a hat-trick as Arsenal stylishly dismantled bottom club Reading 5-2 to move up to fifth in the Premier League on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

Reading's lowly league position was reflected in its school-yard defending as Arsenal cut through the home team at will to open up a four-goal lead before the hosts briefly threatened to make a game of it late on.

Germany forward Lukas Podolski put Arsenal ahead after 14 minutes while Cazorla scored twice in the first half and once after the break as the visitors ran riot.

Adam Le Fondre grabbed what looked like a consolation before Jimmy Kebe briefly stirred the home fans to believe in an unlikely comeback before Theo Walcott wrapped up the match.

"It was important to stay strong and play football. Success comes with playing football. And it was a very convincing win tonight," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said post-match.

Walcott, in protracted contract talks over signing a new deal, was handed the central striking role he craves and said he wanted more opportunities to lead the line.

"I showed what I can do. I was quite happy with the performance and running into space and creating space behind me," he said.

Arsenal now has 27 points from 17 games, two behind rivals Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and 15 behind leaders Manchester United. Reading stay bottom with nine points.

Arsenal was looking to rebound from its humiliating League Cup exit at the hands of fourth tier Bradford City last week and took the lead when Podolski took a touch and fired left-footed into the net for his fifth Premier League goal of the season.

The lead was almost doubled eight minutes later when Walcott sprung the offside trap but his low shot was parried by the feet of Reading keeper Adam Federici.

It was only a matter of time before Arsenal grabbed a second and on 32 minutes Podolski turned provider, darting down the left flank and curling in a cross that found Cazorla arriving in the centre unmarked to head past Federici.

Cazorla's second was another example of poor Reading defending.

Full-back Kieran Gibbs headed a Podolski cross back into the danger zone and Cazorla found space to swivel in the area and score with a volley that bounced up off the ground and into the net.

The Spaniard's hat-trick arrived 14 minutes after the break when midfielder Jack Wilshere fed Podolski who crossed from the left and Cazorla swept home from close range.

The last time these two teams met was the extraordinary League Cup tie in October when Arsenal recovered from a 4-0 deficit to win 7-5 in extra-time.

Memories of that improbable comeback were stirred as Reading briefly threatened.

Le Fondre grabbed a goal back on 66 when he rounded Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny and tapped in before Kebe latched onto a throughball and slotted home with 19 minutes still to play.

Walcott squashed any hopes of a home comeback, however, when he cut inside his marker to add a fifth 10 minutes from time.

Reuters

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 18, 2012 08:55:44

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McFlynn tips Del Piero to stay

Updated December 19, 2012 12:26:40

Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn is confident superstar Alessandro Del Piero will not abandon the Sky Blues next season amid interest from other clubs.

Del Piero's future beyond this A-League season has been the subject of speculation this week, with Sydney yet to offer him a contract extension.

The Sky Blues said on Tuesday they wanted to keep the Italian great at the club and talks would commence soon.

However league leader Central Coast has also signalled its interest in signing the 38-year-old.

McFlynn, though, believes Del Piero's first preference will be to finish the job he started with the Sky Blues, who are last after 11 rounds.

"He's won everything in the game ... every competition he's entered since he was a kid, he's won it," McFlynn said of the former Juventus star.

"This is no different. He wants to win it and he sees this as something unfinished for him."

McFlynn was not surprised by another A-League rival signalling its interest in Del Piero.

"He's a world-class footballer and I think any football club in the world would have him and we're just privileged and honoured to have him here," the midfielder said.

"He's a fantastic person and a great character and for everyone at this football club, from the management to the players, we learn something from him every day."

McFlynn will return from suspension in Saturday night's clash with Newcastle at Hunter Stadium as the Sky Blues look to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Western Sydney.

Del Piero came off the bench in the loss due to a hamstring complaint but trained fully with the side on Wednesday and looks likely to return to the starting team.

Saturday's match represents a huge opportunity for Sydney to return to form, with the Jets winless in five games and coming off three straight losses.

But McFlynn stressed Sydney had only been focusing on itself heading into a crucial run of matches.

"We have to get our own backyard in order first," he said.

"We're still within touching distance of the rest of the pack but we have to start winning games."

Centre-back Pascal Bosschaart missed part of Wednesday's training session with a calf complaint but is expected to be fit to face the Jets.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 19, 2012 12:24:12

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Offices of Perth Glory owner Tony Sage raided

Updated December 19, 2012 18:36:23

The Australian Federal Police has raided the offices of several companies associated with businessman and Perth Glory owner, Tony Sage.

Officers spent several hours in the building which houses the Perth Glory offices as well as offices for the mining company Cape Lambert Resources.

Mr Sage is the executive chairman of the mining company which was placed in a trading halt earlier this year as it negotiated a multi-million dollar tax debt with the tax office.

It is unclear whether the two matters are related.

An AFP spokesman says a number of search warrants were executed on commercial and residential premises in Perth and Sydney today.

He says it is part of an ongoing investigation in partnership with agencies including the Australian Tax Office and Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

A spokesman for Mr Sage declined to comment.

Tags: fraud-and-corporate-crime, a-league, perth-6000

First posted December 19, 2012 17:21:57

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Bin Hammam resigns after provisional ban extended

Updated December 18, 2012 09:56:55

Mohamed Bin Hammam has announced he has resigned from his roles on FIFA's executive committee and as president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Qatari said in an emailed statement that he had stepped down from the positions 10 days after the ethics committee of football's world governing body FIFA, launched a new probe into corruption claims against him.

FIFA responded to bin Hammam's statement by saying it had received his resignation letter but stressed its ethics committee remained competent to make and maintain a judgment "even if a person resigns".

On that basis, FIFA noted its own report showed "repeated violations of Article 19 (Conflict of Interest) of the FIFA Code of Ethics, edition 2012, of Mohamed Bin Hammam during his terms as AFC president and as member of the FIFA executive committee in the years 2008 to 2011, which justified a life-long ban from all football related activity."

The 63-year-old has been accused of trying to buy the result of a vote to the world governing body's top job in 2011 and was banned by FIFA from all footballing activities.

This ban was subsequently overturned by the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July due to what it called a lack of evidence over the corruption allegations.

Bin Hammam, who is still provisionally suspended from football, said he was fed up with what he said were "trumped up allegations".

"For me, the decision by CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), the highest independent authority in sports arbitration, that FIFA's ban was unjustified is enough," he said in the statement.

"This decision has been now confirmed by a new Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee who failed to introduce any evidence in spite of spending tens of millions of dollars for an investigation.

"I do not want to spend any more of my life fighting trumped up allegations and to focus instead on my family and businesses. However, if further allegations are made I will, of course, defend myself in the same way that I did in the past."

Last month, the AFC said it was looking to replace bin Hammam following a unanimous decision to hold presidential elections next year.

According to insiders, interim president Zhang Jilong of China is favourite to claim the post full-time and last month said he had "promised a new vision for AFC" in a "new era of transparency" after nine years of bin Hammam being at the helm.

AFP

Tags: soccer, sport, qatar

First posted December 18, 2012 09:56:55

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Phoenix's Ifill out for up to six weeks

Updated December 20, 2012 10:01:41

Wellington Phoenix's challenging season just got more difficult with news they will be missing star striker Paul Ifill for at least the next month.

Ifill will undergo an operation on Thursday to clean out his right ankle and club physiotherapist Wayne Roberts says he will be out of action for four to six weeks.

Coach Ricki Herbert says it is disappointing to lose such an influential player over a busy period, but it was in Ifill's best interests to have the operation immediately.

"The injury has obviously been affecting Paul's form and rather than wait till the end of the season, I felt it best to get it done now," Herbert said.

"It's in his best interest, and ours, to have him back to his best for the rest of the season."

The Phoenix are lying seventh on the A-League table, with just three wins from 11 matches. They lost their most recent match 3-1 to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, where Ifill was subjected to racial abuse in an incident now being investigated by police.

Ifill has had long-standing problems after badly injuring his ankle in December 2010, only returning for the Phoenix's elimination semi-final against Adelaide in February.

He has been off his goal-scoring best this season, struggling to put in a full 90 minutes after being hit with ankle and knee injuries in a mid-September pre-season match.

The Phoenix's all-time leading scorer since signing in 2009, Ifill has just two goals to his credit this season, both penalties.

The Phoenix play competition leaders Central Coast Mariners in Wellington on Saturday.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, new-zealand

First posted December 20, 2012 10:01:41

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Roar say Rado not sacked

Updated December 20, 2012 08:26:41

Brisbane Roar general manager Sean Dobson says Rado Vidosic was not sacked and even had a hand in his own demise as coach.

Former Gold Coast United coach Mike Mulvey was calling the shots at training on Wednesday morning as Vidosic moved into his new job as technical director.

Mulvey said the Roar were only "one or two degrees" off where they needed to be and their season was far from over despite being second-last on the A-League ladder with three wins from 11 games.

"They just need to rediscover the hunger, how to get the kill again, whatever it takes, we'll find a way," said Mulvey, as Dobson explained the reasons behind his mid-season appointment.

Vidosic, understood to have fallen out with at least one player during his brief tenure, fell on his sword late on Tuesday following a meeting between Dobson and the team's senior players headed by captain Matt Smith.

Vidosic played a major tactical role in Brisbane's back-to-back championship wins as Ange Postecoglou's assistant.

While credited for his skills work, he was unable to transfer his technical talents to coaching and motivating the club's marquee players, gleaning just a few wins.

The reality is Brisbane's gamble to go with Vidosic after Postecoglou walked out, has not worked.

"He wasn't sacked," insisted Dobson after Mulvey conducted his first training session at Ballymore on Wednesday.

"This club has an open communication process, people understand what is going on and why.

"Rado was part of this (restructure) process, the same way he was part of the process in the pre-season when we were considering our (coaching) options."

Dobson said Vidosic was better suited to the role he had been given as he had shown by the quality of international players he had attracted to the club.

"Rado is very passionate about education, very, very passionate about (player) development. For him that's where he is happiest," he said.

"Rado has been a big part of this club from day one. He knows it, it's inherent in his DNA."

Mulvey's immediate focus was Friday night's clash with last year's grand final opponents Perth Glory which he may have to win without gun striker Besart Berisha (shoulder) and young winger Dong-Hyun Do, who also went down at training with what appeared to be a potential serious knee injury.

The new coach immediately put a challenge to his players saying they had an opportunity to "light up the field" against Perth on Friday night.

"I've seen one training session but there's no doubt in my mind these boys are committed," he said.

"They're hurting because of the position they are on the ladder."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 19, 2012 17:37:55

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Real versus United the pick of Champions' draw

Updated December 21, 2012 00:12:03

Manchester United against Real Madrid and Barcelona against AC Milan were the pick of the ties in the Champions League last 16 draw on Thursday, as the knock-out phase of this year's competition took shape.

Perennial favourites Barcelona, champions in 2009 and 2011, are currently nine points clear in La Liga but received a hammer blow on Wednesday when it was revealed coach Tito Vilanova must undergo surgery after cancer returned to his salivary gland.

His assistant, Jordi Roura, has been placed in temporary charge.

Barcelona and Milan locked horns four times in last season's competition, with Barca finishing above Massimiliano Allegri's side in the group phase and then prevailing 3-1 on aggregate when they met again in the last eight.

United's tie with Madrid will see Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo face his former club for the first time since leaving Old Trafford for the Spanish capital in 2009.

The sides last met in 2003, when a famous hat-trick in Manchester by Ronaldo - Cristiano Ronaldo's Brazilian predecessor and namesake - gave Madrid a 6-5 aggregate quarter-final win.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has only lost two of his 14 previous encounters with Alex Ferguson's side, and United club secretary John Alexander admitted the club would have preferred a more gentle draw.

"Everyone wanted to keep this for later in the competition but, out of several stand-out ties, I think this is the one," he told British television channel Sky Sports News.

"If history has anything in our favour, our one victory against Real Madrid in this competition was in the season when we won the final at Wembley (in 1968)."

Former Madrid player and club director Emilio Butragueno said: "I'm sure it's going to be a special game for Ronaldo.

"He's a great professional so I'm sure he's going to do his best to help Real Madrid qualify for the next round, but going back there will be special for him."

Arsenal were drawn against last season's beaten finalists, Bayern Munich, who have constructed a nine-point lead in the Bundesliga after a storming start to the season.

"We know Arsenal well," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"That's fortunate and we can be happy about the draw. The game won't be a foregone conclusion and we should not under-estimate Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Celtic's reward for reaching the knockout phase for the first time since 2007-08 is a rendezvous with Italian champions Juventus.

"In terms of glamour, it is great," Celtic coach Neil Lennon told Sky Sports News.

"In terms of qualification it is going to be very tough. But we will take it as it comes and our supporters will be looking forward to this match."

Big-spending French club Paris Saint-Germain will take on Valencia, with German champions Borussia Dortmund slated to face their Ukrainian counterparts Shakhtar Donetsk.

In the remaining ties, competition debutants Malaga tackle Porto and Turkish outfit Galatasaray meet German side Schalke.

The first-leg matches will be played on dates between February 12-13 and February 19-20, and the return legs between March 5-6 and March 12-13.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, champions-league, spain, united-kingdom

First posted December 21, 2012 00:12:03

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New police inquiry into Hillsborough disaster

Updated December 20, 2012 06:30:31

Britain has ordered a new investigation into the deaths of 96 soccer fans in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, three months after an independent report suggested the police had tried to cover up their mishandling of the tragedy.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the report's "truly shocking" findings would be investigated in an inquiry led by Jon Stoddart, a former chief constable of Durham police, in north-east England.

The new inquiry is a victory for the victims' families, who never accepted the official version of events and have campaigned for more than 20 years for "Justice for the 96".

The Liverpool supporters died after a crush in an enclosed, overcrowded terrace at the stadium in the northern city of Sheffield on April 15, 1989 during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

The independent inquiry concluded in September that police tried to deflect the blame on to fans to cover up their own incompetence and suggested that 41 lives could have been saved if the emergency response had been quicker.

"The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were truly shocking, but while the families have now been given the truth, they have not yet received justice," May said in a statement.

"I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

The inquiry will focus specifically on the fans' deaths and will work closely with a separate police watchdog investigation into police conduct in the aftermath of the disaster, she added.

The watchdog will also receive new powers to investigate police misconduct, May said.

Stoddart, who stepped down from his top job in the Durham force this year, said his priority was to work with the victims' families.

"My role is to ensure that we determine exactly what happened in the lead up to and on the day of the disaster and establish where any culpability lies," he said.

Separately, Britain's High Court was considering a bid to overturn the "accidental death" verdicts reached at the original inquest.

The government's main legal advisor, Attorney General Dominic Grieve, applied to the court to quash those verdicts after the Hillsborough panel published its damning report.

Grieve made his application in a crowded London courtroom in front of more than 40 family members who lost loved ones in the disaster.

Other victims' relatives were watching the proceedings via video-link from a court in Liverpool.

The court was told that the application would not be opposed.

But Grieve said it was still necessary for him to explain the reasons behind the move because of the "intense public interest" in the case.

The fatal crush was caused by huge overcrowding in a terrace at the Leppings Lane End of Hillsborough Stadium and caused the match to be abandoned.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel report published in September said that 41 of the 96 people who died would have had the "potential to survive" if they had received medical treatment more quickly.

It also said that 164 police statements had been changed, 116 of them to remove or alter "unfavourable" accounts about the police's handling of the crisis.

Reuters / AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, disasters-and-accidents, united-kingdom, england

First posted December 19, 2012 23:03:15

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Chelsea hits back to thump Leeds in League Cup

Updated December 20, 2012 09:48:15

Chelsea brought a ray of light to a largely miserable December when it reached the League Cup semi-finals after a 5-1 triumph at second tier Leeds United on Thursday morning (AEDT).

The Londoners, dumped out of the Champions League as holders and beaten in the Club World Cup final already this month as players and dubious fans adjust to interim boss Rafa Benitez, went a goal down before storming back in heavy rain.

"The team was quite good in the first half and the reaction of the team in the second half was fantastic after coming back from Japan with jet lag and changing some players," Benitez said.

"The reaction was amazing. We were looking for character and we talked about it at half-time."

Leeds boss Neil Warnock added: "If Tom Lees's header had gone in when the score was 1-0 it would have been a different game.

"But if you concede so early in the second half, you will be in trouble. They took over and we could not cope. I have no complaints."

Leeds, big rivals of Chelsea after a series of fractious games between the sides since an infamous 1970 FA Cup final, went ahead on 37 minutes through Luciano Becchio after Chelsea defender David Luiz had charged up field and lost the ball.

Chelsea, who had numerous chances in the first half, hit back through Juan Mata just after the break when his shot from the edge of the box following a fine move foxed the goalkeeper.

Branislav Ivanovic headed in Frank Lampard's corner at the near post to make it 2-1 on 64 minutes and forward Victor Moses soon increased the lead when he fired in after a mazy run.

Eden Hazard then latched onto David Luiz's long pass before Fernando Torres completed the scoring for a strong Chelsea lineup, who hosts Villa in the Premier League on Sunday lying third.

Swansea City, Villa and fourth tier Bradford City, who stunned Arsenal, had already progressed to the last four last week as they chase a trophy which provides a Europa League berth.

Benitez will now set his sights on League Cup glory after Chelsea was handed a semi-final clash with Swansea.

"They (Swansea) are a team that likes to play football, likes to play on the floor and also try to keep the ball so I think it will be interesting," Benitez said.

"Every competition is important for us; a top side has to try to win every competition and now we are in the semi-finals so we are close to winning."

The other semi-final sees League Two minnow Bradford, making its first ever appearance in the last four after a stunning win against Arsenal, take on Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.

The first legs take place in the week commencing January 7, with the returns two weeks later.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: english-premier, english-lower, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 20, 2012 08:46:01

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Messi at Barca until 2018

Updated December 19, 2012 00:31:30

Barcelona's Argentinian three-time Ballon D'Or winner Lionel Messi has agreed to renew his contract at the Spanish giants until June 2018, the club said on Tuesday.

Barcelona said in a statement it had reached an agreement with Messi, 25, whose current contract expires in 2016, and he would sign his new deal "in the coming weeks".

The club also reached agreements with two of its other top players, veteran defender and captain Carles Puyol and midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who will each sign up to stay until 2016.

Puyol, 34, agreed to extend his contract when it expires next year and Xavi, 32, will do so when his expires in 2014.

"This news means that FC Barcelona has secured its ties with three of its most important players," the club said in its statement.

Barcelona are 13 points clear of their fierce rivals, title holders Real Madrid, at the top of the Spanish league, and nine points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who they beat 4-1 last weekend.

Messi - who has been at the club since 2004 - is the top scorer in the league with 25 goals so far this season and recently broke Gerd Mueller's 40-year record for the most goals in a calendar year.

Mueller scored 85 in 1972 and Messi has scored 90 so far this year, though there are claims that Godfrey Chitalu of Zambia and Zico of Brazil netted more.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, spain, argentina

First posted December 19, 2012 00:31:30

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Wilshere, four others pen long-term Arsenal deals

Updated December 20, 2012 08:34:27

England's Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are among five young British internationals to have pledged their long-term futures to Arsenal, the Premier League club said on Thursday morning.

Midfielders Wilshere, 20, and 19-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain, plus Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (21) and England defenders Kieran Gibbs (23) and Carl Jenkinson (20) have all committed themselves to Arsenal.

"Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group - but the other four players are exceptional footballers, and we're very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time," manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website.

"We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts."

No details on the lengths of the contracts were given though Wenger was keen to impress that the nurturing of home-grown talent was one of the club's main objectives.

"I'm a strong believer in stability and I believe when you have a core of British players, it's always easier to keep them together and that's what we'll try to achieve going forward."

Arsenal have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup and a host of big names have left the London club since, including Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas who moved to Barcelona and talismanic striker Robin van Persie who joined Manchester United.

Wenger, criticised this season with his side fifth in the Premier League 15 points behind leaders United and knocked out of the League Cup by fourth tier Bradford City, has often put his faith in young players since his tenure began in 1996.

"The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the club," said the 63-year-old.

Of the five players, Ramsey is the most-capped international with 25 appearances including several as Wales captain.

Wilshere has won six caps, though he missed 17 months through injury before returning to the team in October while Oxlade-Chamberlain has won nine England caps since his debut in May.

Defenders Gibbs (two caps) and Jenkinson (one) are the least experienced but Wenger said they were all of equal worth to Arsenal and the club's future.

"Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Wilshere represent a core of the squad and it's an extension for a long period for all of them," he said.

Reuters

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 20, 2012 07:52:41

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Del Piero a chance for derby

Updated December 13, 2012 12:21:22

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina says he is hopeful Italian star Alessandro Del Piero will be fit to play in Saturday's A-League derby with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Del Piero did not train with the bottom-placed Sky Blues on Thursday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury that sidelined him from last week's 2-1 win away to Wellington.

Farina said he would give Del Piero until just before the match at Sydney Football Stadium to prove his fitness.

"You'd like to be in a situation where there was no question about him playing, but there is still that little bit of doubt there," Farina said.

"But we've still got 48 hours."

After ending their five-game winless streak last week, the Sky Blues will be boosted by the return of Terry Antonis and Brett Emerton who missed the past two matches while on national team duty in Hong Kong where the Socceroos qualified for the East Asian Cup.

Farina indicated it would be tough to drop anyone involved in the win last weekend.

But he will be without defensive midfielder Terry McFlynn as he serves a one-match ban for being sent off last week, with Emerton, Antonis or Hagi Gligor the likely contenders as the replacement.

"No one really deserves to miss out from last weekend, but that decision will be made tomorrow after the final session," Farina said.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 13, 2012 12:21:22

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Socceroos run riot to qualify for East Asian Cup

Updated December 10, 2012 07:46:18

Australia needed just over half an hour to secure its East Asian Cup berth with an 8-0 demolition of lowly Taiwan at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday night.

The top-placed Socceroos will now join Japan, China and hosts South Korea in the showpiece next July.

Adam Taggart, Richard Garcia and Aziz Behich all scored their maiden international goals with Robert Cornthwaite and Aaron Mooy rounding out the scoring for the experimental Socceroos side.

Rookies Taggart and Behich both netted a brace each while Taiwan gifted Australia its eighth with an own goal.

With North Korea beating hosts Hong Kong 4-0 in Sunday's earlier match, Australia knew it needed at least five goals against world number 176 side Taiwan to better the Koreans goal difference of plus 14.

It did not take long for Australia to get off the mark with Melbourne Heart striker Garcia scoring in the 11th minute courtesy of superb lead-up work from Behich.

Scott Jamieson forced a save from Taiwan goal keeper Lu Kun Chi moments later with the rebound falling to Cornthwaite who made no mistake.

Newcastle's teen striker Taggart took advantage of the lacklustre defence to easily score in the 19th minute and put Australia up 3-0.

Taggart found the back of the net again soon after, getting on the end of a Jamieson ball for the 4-0 lead.

Behich secured Australia's East Asian Cup berth with a header in the 33rd minute as Australia went 5-0 up.

Mooy continued the assault right after the break, scoring with a superb free-kick - quickly becoming his specialty - for the 6-0 advantage.

The Taiwan side did their best to halt the humiliation with defenders scrambling at the goal mouth to block a tirade from Emerton, Taggart and Behich.

Behich scored his second in the 56th minute easily getting past Taiwan's hapless defence.

Archie Thompson, who replaced Garcia in the 57th minute, twice came heartbreakingly close to equalling Damian Mori's all-time highest goal scoring record for Australia, stinging the palms of 'keeper Lu and denied by the woodwork moments later.

Adding insult to injury Taiwan supplemented Australia's massive goal haul with an own goal from skipper Yang Cha Hsun 10 minutes before time.

AAP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, hong-kong, australia

First posted December 10, 2012 06:42:13

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Wanderers take bragging rights in Sydney derby

Updated December 16, 2012 09:54:08

Western Sydney turned the tables on cross-town rivals Sydney FC with a classy 2-0 win in their A-League derby at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

After losing 1-0 at home in the first clash between the sides in October, the Wanderers always looked in control as they sealed a sweet maiden derby triumph in front of 26,176 fans.

Goals in either half to Ethiopian-born midfielder Youssouf Hersi and captain Michael Beauchamp ensured the Wanderers climbed up to fourth spot and continued a superb debut season.

The Sky Blues remain last after failing to build on a valuable win away to Wellington last week.

They welcomed back Brett Emerton and Terry Antonis from Socceroos duty but marquee star Alessandro Del Piero started on the bench as he continues to battle a troublesome hamstring.

The Italian striker came on with 20 minutes to go but had little impact as the Sky Blues struggled to penetrate a well-organised Western Sydney defence.

The early stages were evenly contested but the Wanderers quickly began causing problems for Sydney's defence.

Mateo Poljak was allowed space to shoot in the eighth minute but his effort went just wide.

Lacopo La Rocca also wasted a good chance before Shinji Ono came close with an ambitious volley in the 17th minute.

Western Sydney continued to mount pressure and capitalised when Hersi struck his first A-League goal in the 24th minute.

Sydney defender Seb Ryall failed to clear a dangerous Jerome Polenz cross and Hersi showed great composure to turn and score from close range.

Ono almost doubled the advantage six minutes later with a curling, long-range effort floating just wide.

Sydney created little in attack with Adam Griffiths wasting their best chance of the half, hitting a header wide from Jason Culina's 33rd minute free kick.

Sky Blues coach Frank Farina injected Ali Abbas off the bench midway through the second half but the home fans got the substitution they wanted when Del Piero replaced Culina in the 70th minute.

However it failed to halt the Wanderers, who doubled their advantage seven minutes later.

Sydney were again punished for failing to clear, with Ono's cross finding its way to Beauchamp on the back post and the former Sky Blues defender smashed it into the roof of the net.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said the win against his former club ranked as one of the club's greatest moments yet.

"There've been a lot of milestones at this club from the first pre-season game, winning our first (A-League) game against Brisbane, now this one," Popovic said.

"This was sweet. This was special. I certainly enjoyed that."

Popovic said the performance illustrated how far his side had come since the derby loss at Parramatta Stadium, when the coach felt his side had been overawed.

"We matched them this time with intensity," Popovic said.

"... I think it just shows how much we've improved as a club, from round three to now. We're certainly on the right track."

Farina gave an honest assessment of the performance, and the job ahead for the club.

"I think the disappointing thing is we were outplayed tonight pretty much on all fronts," Farina said.

"You've got to be honest about it. They were more enthusiastic and it's disappointing coming off the back of a good win last week and not being able to back it up, at least performance-wise.

"We've got work to do. I knew that when I came here and we have to try and get that consistency."

Western Sydney Wanderers: 2 (Hersi 24', Beauchamp 77')

Sydney FC: 0

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 15, 2012 22:19:28

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Glory to bounce back: Ferguson

Updated December 09, 2012 17:19:46

Goals and wins have dried up for last season's A-League runners up Perth Glory, but coach Ian Ferguson believes his players will respond well to the pressure.

The Glory started the season strongly, with three wins in their first five games.

But their five matches since have yielded just two points and two goals, with their most recent result a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Sudanese-born refugee Golgol Mebrahtu came off the bench to deliver an 89th-minute winner for the Heart in his first appearance for the club after 26 goal-less matches with Gold Coast.

It took the Glory's away record this season to just one point from five games.

Ferguson admitted that while previous performances during Perth's winless streak had been better than results indicated, the loss to the Heart had few redeeming features.

"We probably got what we deserved," he said.

"We never played at all well, as well as I'd expect us to play."

Most galling was that Perth had earmarked the clash as a chance to jump-start their stalling season, given the Heart were missing numerous key players and entered the round second-bottom.

"I really thought it was a day we could have cemented again and tried to get a run going," Ferguson said.

"It never worked out that way. That's the biggest disappointment."

The Glory will fall to eighth by the end of the round.

But Ferguson backed his side to claw their way out of the slump.

"Of course we're confident we can," he said.

"We've got good players to come back in - (Michael) Thwaite and (Scott) Jamieson (from Socceroos duty) and Liam Miller (from injury).

"We're pretty confident we can get it back on track again.

"We've got to, it's as simple as that.

"We've been through this before.

"I just said to the boys, it's not unless there's real pressure on this club that we start to react.

"We should be doing a lot better than what we have done."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted December 09, 2012 17:18:18

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Ifill racially abused as Phoenix lose to Adelaide

Updated December 17, 2012 13:44:03

Adelaide United says it will support any sanction imposed on spectators found guilty of shouting racial slurs at Wellington Phoenix's Paul Ifill during Sunday's A-League clash in Adelaide.

Ifill said some fans had racially abused him while he was being substituted during Wellington's 2-0 loss to the Reds in an incident being investigated by Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Adelaide United.

The English-born Barbados international tweeted his frustrations, saying a line had been crossed at Hindmarsh Stadium.

@PaulIfill Bad times poor result and racist abuse from a very small minority of fans #nothappy.

Thanks for all your support as I said it was a small minority no problem with a bit of banter but a line was crossed today

Ifill, among the A-League's elite players, was understood to have been repeatedly called a racially derogatory term when substituted during Wellington's 3-1 loss to Adelaide.

Read the story: United scorches Phoenix in Adelaide

Adelaide FC has released a statement saying it does not condone the reported spectator behaviour.

"The club is assisting stadium management and Football Federation Australia with its investigation and will support any sanction imposed on the guilty party," the official statement read.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert refused to confirm the racial nature of the abuse.

"It's not for me to confirm or not," he told reporters post-match.

But an Adelaide United spokesman said the club was aware of the racial abuse.

"We will investigate the matter," the spokesman said.

An FFA spokesman said the governing body "will investigate any incidence of racial vilification".

SA Police and security staff at Hindmarsh Stadium were made aware of the racial abuse, which came as Ifill was substituted in the 61st minute.

After the Barbadian was taken off, Phoenix coach Herbert reacted instinctively by turning around and appearing to look for those abusing his star player.

But Herbert was reluctant to expand on the racial vilification.

"You may want to ask the club (Adelaide)," Herbert said.

"There was a few comments that we have shared with the (Adelaide) club officials ... with regards to a player.

"It would probably be best to talk to the club, Adelaide."

Herbert said it was not his position to confirm or deny the racial element of the abuse directed at the highly-respected Ifill.

The 33-year-Ifill was born in Brighton in England and played 238 games for English club Millwall, including the 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United.

Ifill also had stints at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace before joining the Phoenix.

ABC/AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, new-zealand, australia

First posted December 17, 2012 07:50:45

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United scorches Phoenix in Adelaide

Updated December 17, 2012 07:49:33

The battle for the A-League premiership is shaping up as a two-horse race after Adelaide's 3-1 win over Wellington on Sunday evening.

After the Mariners breezed past Melbourne Heart 2-0 on Friday night, the Reds returned serve by defeating the Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The win ensured Adelaide (25 points) kept on the heels of league leaders Central Coast Mariners (26) and the pair has now opened up a comfortable lead over third-placed Melbourne Victory (17) after 11 rounds.

With the half-way mark of the season approaching, the Mariners and Reds already appear hard to run down in the race for the premiers' plate but Adelaide coach John Kosmina was not caught up in the hype after the match.

"Don't worry about reading too much about what is said in the press because if you start believing the media too much, then you're going to get yourself in trouble," Reds coach John Kosmina said.

"You can't deny the table but if you pay too much attention to it, you lose focus.

"We have now got eight points on Melbourne and probably 13 goals, I would say, so that is great ... but if you want to rely on that, you're going to get yourself in trouble.

"We still need to be beat Western Sydney (on Friday)."

Argentinian midfielder Marcelo Carrusca was the prime architect of Adelaide's win, scoring two first-half goals as the Reds had the Phoenix defence at sixes and sevens.

Carrusca opened the scoring in the 19th minute, when he swung a free kick in from the right which eluded everyone in the box - including Phoenix keeper Mark Paston - to bounce untouched into the net.

United were good value for the goal, and they doubled their lead five minutes later, when Carrusca received the ball and cut inside before firing a left-foot shot into the right-hand corner.

A shell-shocked Wellington tried to get back in the match, and they had a goal to Steyn Huysegems ruled out for off-side, but Adelaide wrapped up the points just on half-time when Fabio Ferreira scored the home side's third.

The Phoenix fought hard in the second half, and they secured a consolation goal with nine minutes left when Dani Sanchez hit a low shot past Eugene Galekovic, but the Reds held on comfortably for the win.

Adelaide United: 3 (Carrusca 19', 24', Ferreira 45')

Wellington Phoenix: 1 (Sanchez 81')

ABC / AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, adelaide-5000, sa, australia, new-zealand

First posted December 16, 2012 19:52:49

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Osieck sees Socceroos future for rookies

Updated December 10, 2012 15:58:03

His Hong Kong mission accomplished, Socceroos coach Holger Osieck can turn his full attention to World Cup qualification and says there are players in his successful experimental squad who are certain to feature.

After a slow start, 17 unanswered goals against minnows Guam and Taiwan ensured an Australian team comprised mainly of A-League players easily bettered North Korea's goal difference on Sunday to book a place in next July's East Asian Cup.

There Australia will take on host nation South Korea, heavyweight Japan and defending champion China in a competition which falls outside FIFA's sanctioned international dates.

And while Osieck said he will use that tournament to look again at rising talent, he feels he has already unearthed some rising stars in Hong Kong.

Osieck will have the chance to test those who impressed him the most when Australia play an international friendly against a yet to be announced opponent in February before the next World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney in March.

"Absolutely I can see some of these players in the World Cup squad," Osieck said.

"I'm pretty sure that some of them will break through.

"I have another opportunity with an international in February which gives me another good look at some players.

"The game will probably be played in Europe so I'll have a different group there as well.

"So after that I will decide who will be ready for the Oman game."

Eight players earned their first international caps in Hong Kong with Aaron Mooy and Michael Marrone scoring on debut while the likes of Tomas Rogic, Aziz Behich and Eli Babalj also put their hand up for future selection.

"This really was a welcome opportunity to see the performance level of some players," Osieck said.

"But I never single out anybody, not publicly.

"We'll deal with it internally and they'll all get to know what my assessment is."

While Osieck would not play favourites, veteran Archie Thompson did.

The 34-year-old said Central Coast playmaker Rogic, despite only playing a total of 35 minutes in Hong Kong, was his pick of the bunch.

"They all impressed," said Thompson, whose lightning-fast hat-trick against Guam left him one away from Damian Mori's record 29 goals for the Socceroos.

"But I'm always going to say Tommy Rogic because he plays in my position and I just love watching him play.

"His touch is amazing for a big guy and he just seems to have so much time and gets out of tricky situations so easily.

"He's definitely got a bright future."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, socceroos, hong-kong, australia

First posted December 10, 2012 15:54:37

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Jets worried about goals, not finances

Updated December 15, 2012 14:24:38

Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond says he is more worried about guiding his players out of their form rut rather than the financial woes of the A-League club.

The Australian Tax Office has applied to have both the Jets and NRL side Newcastle Knights wound up due to unpaid debts.

The Nathan Tinkler-led Hunter Sports Group have assured concerned parties the unpaid debts will be resolved soon.

The off-field drama has been an unwanted distraction for the Jets, whose 3-0 loss to Perth Glory on Friday night was their fourth defeat from their past five games.

Van Egmond admits the barren run has robbed his team of confidence, but said he and the player group were not concerned with the off-field uncertainty.

"We had a conversation, very briefly, on Thursday (about it). It was just about the fact of we can't control anything outside of the football, regardless of what goes on," van Egmond said.

"We're very confident that everything will be fine."

The Jets have failed to score a goal in their past three games, and will need to regain their mojo in time for Saturday night's clash with Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium.

"We're finding it very difficult to win games from the fact we're conceding self-inflicted goals," van Egmond said.

"And on the flip-side, we're not putting the ball into the back of the net when we're creating chances.

"When one goes in, I think you'll find we'll score quite a few.

"But right at this moment, it's like they're very tentative. They're looking to score, but is it 100 per cent looking to score? That's just from a lack of confidence."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, perth-6000, wa, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia

First posted December 15, 2012 14:19:59

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Third party allowed in Coolen legal fight

By court reporter Loukas Founten

Updated December 13, 2012 08:56:54

A court has let Adelaide United bring a third party into its contract dispute with former soccer coach Rini Coolen.

Coolen is suing the club for unpaid salary and benefits after being demoted less than halfway through his four-year contract.

The Reds mounted a counterclaim against the Dutchman, his agent John Grimaud and Mr Grimaud's sports management business.

Mr Grimaud's lawyers were refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision.

The District Court heard a judge had now been appointed and it would proceed as planned next month.

Tags: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, a-league, soccer, sa, adelaide-5000

First posted December 13, 2012 08:56:54

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Griffiths signs with Sky Blues

Updated December 14, 2012 11:43:56

Sydney FC has signed former Australia international Joel Griffiths on a two-year deal.

Griffiths, 33, will link up with the Sky Blues once the A-League transfer window opens on January 14.

The striker's current contract with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua expires at the end of the month.

"I'm really happy to be joining Sydney FC and can't wait to get into training with the team and then start playing games," Griffiths said in a statement.

"Sydney is my home, Sydney FC is a great club and has tremendous training facilities and I'm looking forward to playing in the A-League again."

Griifths won both the Johnny Warren Medal and Golden Boot award in 2007/08 while playing for Newcastle Jets.

He has plied his trade in China since leaving the A-League in 2009 and has three Socceroos caps to his name.

Tags: a-league, soccer, sydney-2000

First posted December 14, 2012 11:38:54

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Lowly Bradford dumps Arsenal out of League Cup

Updated December 12, 2012 10:59:40

League Two outfit Bradford City has heaped more pressure on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger by knocking the Gunners out of the League Cup on penalties.

The Bantams fans will be celebrating long into the night after securing a famous 3-2 penalty shoot-out win after a 1-1 draw on Wednesday morning (AEDT) which sees Arsenal's season lurch from bad to worse.

The Gunners have endured a traumatic season that includes their worst start to a Premier League campaign in Wenger's 16-year reign, but this was a new low for a club now in the midst of a full-blown crisis.

Not even Arsenal's most ardent critic would have believed they could produce such a spineless display against a team from English football's fourth tier.

"They defended well and we all know what happened on the penalties. We had many, many chances and their keeper had a good game," Wenger said.

"Whenever you go out it's not a good result for Arsenal. We lost on penalties to a team who played very well. I cannot fault the effort of my team, we gave everything for the 120 minutes and you have to give credit to Bradford.

"It's not a lack of quality. We'll get over this, it's part of our job. We'll focus on the next game."

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson added: "The lads were terrific, the discipline was first class against such a talented team like Arsenal.

"The talk will be about the penalties but the overall performance was excellent. The way the lads stuck at the task was a credit to them."

Garry Thompson was on hand to steer home a finish from a Bradford corner on 17 minutes to put near-full strength Arsenal side under early pressure.

Despite having a wealth of top players on the pitch, Arsenal struggled throughout the clash before finally equalising on the 88th minute through captain Thomas Vermaelen.

Santi Cazorla's cross was met at the far post by the Belgian defender, who had looked to have rescued his side after a very disjointed showing.

Arsenal improved in extra time but could not find the breakthrough, before missing its first two penalties in the shoot-out.

Gunners keeper Wojcech Szczesny pulled off two saves to keep Arsenal in it, but Vermaelen's penalty to make it 3-3 hit the post after sending Matt Duke the wrong way.

It is the first time Bradford has ever made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

In the other quarter-final, Socceroos midfielder Brett Holman helped Aston Villa book its place in the League Cup semi-finals as the Villans came from behind to beat Norwich City 4-1.

The hosts went ahead when Steve Morison seized a knockdown from Matt Lawton in the 19th minute and smashed the ball home on the half-volley.

But Norwich's lead lasted only two minutes as Holman drew Villa level with a first-time shot from outside the penalty area.

Andreas Weimann then came on as a first-half substitute for Darren Bent to convert Eric Lichaj's cross to put Villa 2-1 ahead, before latching on to a Christian Benteke pass for his second goal.

Benteke scored Villa's fourth in injury time.

In the morning's only Premier League fixture, Sunderland moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Reading at the Stadium of Light to ease the pressure on manager Martin O'Neill.

First-half goals by James McClean and Steven Fletcher and a late strike by Stephane Sessegnon secured the points as the experienced O'Neill celebrated a year in charge of the club.

Sunderland has jumped to 15th with 16 points from 16 games while Reading is left languishing second from bottom on nine points and remains six points from the safety zone.

Sunderland has won only twice in 23 league matches going into the match - rearranged from August due to a waterlogged pitch - while Reading has suffered four straight defeats.

Sunderland got off to the perfect start with a goal after three minutes with McClean firing home on the turn after Reading's Australian keeper Adam Federici punched a corner to the edge of the area.

Fletcher added a second with a delightful back heel after full-back Danny Rose crossed low for the Scotland striker who had missed the last two matches with an ankle injury.

Sessegnon wrapped up the victory in added time when he rounded Federici and tapped the ball into the net after expertly controlling a long ball and outmuscling Adrian Mariappa.

ABC/wires

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 12, 2012 08:54:11

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