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Replay success thrills O'Neill
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was pleased with the level of commitment his players showed in the FA Cup fifth-round replay success against Crystal Palace particularly as the game came only four days before the Carling Cup final against Manchester United.
Villa eventually beat their Championship opponents 3-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Reading on March 7.
O'Neill said: "We...
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Bridge drops England bombshell
Manchester City left-back has said he does not want to be considered for selection by England.
The news means that Fabio Capello will not be able to include the former Southampton and Chelsea defender in his squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
Bridge has made his decision after a relationship between his former partner Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea...
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Harry hopes for good news
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed that will see a specialist as the winger attempts to get to the bottom of his troublesome groin injury.
The 22-year-old England international has been sidelined since picking up the injury in the 2-0 win against West Ham United in December.
Lennon was thought to be close to a first-team return only to suffer a setback...
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Injury ends Anderson's season
Manchester United midfielder Anderson's season is over after it was confirmed that he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in Tuesday's 3-0 victory against West Ham United.
The Brazilian has been ruled out for six months after sustaining the problem in the first half against the Hammers although Sir Alex Ferguson believes the 21-year-old will have recovered in time for the...
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Captain Rio to miss Egypt clash
England captain will miss next week's friendly international against Egypt because of his troublesome back injury.
The Manchester United defender will miss Wednesday's game at Wembley after feeling a twinge in his back earlier this week.
He was forced to sit out Tuesday's 3-0 victory against West Ham United and had already been ruled out of this weekend's Carling Cup Final against...
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Mancini dismisses pressure talk
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he is not feeling the pressure even after his team's FA Cup hopes were ended by Stoke City on Wednesday.
The Citizens, who were beaten by Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup earlier this year, slumped to a 3-1 fifth-round replay defeat at the Britannia Stadium and had sent off.
Mancini's side have...
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Spot-kick despair for Ancelotti
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti thought his side were denied a clear penalty in Wednesday's narrow 2-1 Champions League last-16 first-leg defeat to Internazionale at the San Siro.
Salomon Kalou appeared to have his heels clipped by Walter Samuel as he was about to shoot but referee Mejuto Gonzalez waved away the protests.
The Ivory Coast international did get on the scoresheet in...
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Mourinho pleased to be ahead
Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho believes his side have the edge after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the San Siro.
In Mourinho's first game against the club he left in September 2007, striker Diego Milito gave Inter a third-minute lead before Salomon Kalou equalised for Chelsea just after half-time.
However, Inter take a narrow...
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Ancelotti plays down Cech injury
Fears that Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech's season is over have been allayed after it was revealed that he suffered only a calf injury during Wednesday's Champions League clash against Internazionale.
It had been thought that the Czech Republic international had sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury when he collapsed during the second half of the first-leg match at the San Siro...
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Chelsea link flatters Alves
Barcelona defender Dani Alves has ruled out a move to Chelsea but has admitted to being flattered with their reported interest in securing his services.
The Brazil international is under contract at the Camp Nou until 2012 and is likely to stay with the Catalan side until then at least.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have been linked with a move for the full-back...
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Dutch hopeful over van Persie
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is hoping that injured Arsenal striker can return to action at the start of April.
The 26-year-old frontman has been out of action since damaging ankle ligaments while on international duty back in November.
Van Persie has sat out 22 games for the Gunners but van Marwijk believes he could return in early April in what would...
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Benitez cautious with Torres
Liverpool's star striker will only feature as a substitute in the Europa League first knockout round second leg game against Unirea Urziceni.
The 25-year-old Spain international made a surprise return to action in the goalless draw with Manchester City at the weekend, having recently been sidelined by knee problems.
However, Reds boss Rafa Benitez is not about to take chances on Torres...
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Bent eager for World Cup spot
Sunderland striker remains hopeful that he can secure a place in England's squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa, despite his club's recent collapse in form.
The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals since joining the Black Cats from Tottenham Hotspur last summer and is currently the fourth highest scorer in the Premier League this season.
Bent told The Journal: "It...
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Terry's a man on a mission
Chelsea and former England captain is on a mission to help both his club and his country to glory in the coming months.
Allegations over Terry's private life have dominated the headlines on recent times, with the 30-year-old now eager to retain his focus on on-field matters ahead of a crucial few months.
He told The Sun: "I'm responding by doing what...
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O'Neill challenges Downing
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has urged winger to continue to find the net, following his double in the 5-2 weekend thrashing of Burnley.
The 25-year-old England international had previously netted just once 18 games since his summer move from Middlesbrough and O'Neill wants to see Downing build on his recent success.
He said: "His confidence has been boosted with his two...
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Jose confirms England offer
Internazionale head coach Jose Mourinho is happy that he made the right decision not to take up an offer to become England national team manager in 2007.
Mourinho was approached as the FA sought a successor to Steve McClaren, but he turned down the job which eventually went to Fabio Capello.
"I could have been England manager," Mourinho revealed.
"I was, at that...
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Jose talks up Blues impact
Internazionale head coach Jose Mourinho believes that some of Chelsea's established stars have him to thank for their status among the game's top players.
Mourinho left the Blues in September 2007 after guiding Chelsea to two league titles, with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba emerging as major stars under the Portuguese's guidance.
Mourinho told reporters: "Did I...
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Zola upset by Hammers show
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola was disappointed by his side's performance in their 3-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Hammers held their own for most of the first half, but once the Red Devils hit the front, Zola's side rarely looked like forcing their way back into the game.
Zola told his club's official website: "I'm not very...
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Rio to miss Wembley double
Manchester United defender will miss this weekend's Carling Cup final after suffering renewed problems with a back injury.
The 31-year-old is also highly unlikely to be fit for England's friendly with Egypt next week, in which he was expected to lead the national team following the recent axing of former skipper John Terry.
After seeing Ferdinand miss the 3-0 win over West...
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Ancelotti ready for Inter battle
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes his side will have to be at their very best if they are to beat Internazionale and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Blues face Inter, who are coached by their former boss Jose Mourinho, in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro on Wednesday.
Former AC boss Ancelotti said:...
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Cana: Black Cats will be okay
Captain insists free-falling Sunderland are good enough to retain their Premier League status.
The Wearsiders saw their winless Premier League run extended to 13 games after losing 2-0 at Arsenal on Saturday.
The Black Cats have plummeted from the top eight down to their current 14th place in the table, but Cana believes their fortunes will improve when manager Steve Bruce is...
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Lampard back for Inter clash
Chelsea have confirmed that will be available for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Internazionale after shrugging off the effects of a virus.
The England international was a doubt for the first leg of the last 16 tie in Italy after missing the weekend Premier League victory over Wolves.
However, the 13-goal midfielder has provided coach Carlo Ancelotti with a timely boost after...
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Tevez poised for City return
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini expects striker to return to England in time to feature in Saturday lunchtime's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old Argentinian has missed the Citizens' last three games after his wife gave birth to their second child prematurely, but is expected back in the country later this week.
Mancini told reporters: "I spoke with Carlos on...
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Spurs confirm Lennon setback
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that England winger has suffered a setback in his recovery from a groin injury.
The 22-year-old has not featured for Spurs since the turn of the year and has undergone an MRI scan to assess the latest damage.
Redknapp told reporters: "He was close to getting fit, but has had a bit of a setback.
"Hopefully...
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Mowbray blasts exit rumours
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has rubbished talk of him considering an early exit from Parkhead due to his side's stuttering form this season.
The Bhoys are currently seven points adrift of SPL leaders Rangers, but Mowbray insists that he is going nowhere just yet.
Responding to talk of him leaving the club, he barked: "Where's the foundation to that?
"I could give you...
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Rafa backs Torres treatment
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has rejected talk of a rift between himself and the Spain national team management over the treatment of striker .
Benitez has previously voiced his concern over injuries suffered by Torres while away on international duty, but insists that everyone is singing from the same hymnsheet.
He said: "Fernando is our player, working with our physios, but we...
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Anderson eyes United future
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder remains hopeful of securing a long-term future at Old Trafford, despite dropping out of the first-team picture in recent weeks.
The 21-year-old has not featured for the Red Devils for more than a month, amid rumours of a bust-up with manager Sir Alex Ferguson after Anderson returned home to South America.
"The conversations with Ferguson are private but...
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Faubert eyes France chance
West Ham United wing-back retains hope that he may be able to force his way into Raymond Domenech's France squad for the World Cup finals.
The 26-year-old former Bordeaux ace has become a key figure in the Hammers' plans under Gianfranco Zola, but has not featured for Les Bleus since 2006.
However, he retains of hope of impressing Domenech in the coming...
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Tevez backed to return
's advisor claims the absent striker is likely to be back in the Manchester City fold in time to play against Chelsea on Saturday.
Tevez has missed City's last three games after returning to Argentina following the premature birth of his second child.
Speaking after Sunday's goalless draw with Liverpool, manager Roberto Martinez admitted he had no idea when his club's 19-goal...
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FA fine for furious Bruce
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has been fined by the Football Association following his critical comments concerning the performance of referee Andre Marriner.
Bruce labelled the referee's decision to send off defender during his side's 4-3 defeat at Manchester City in mid-December as "a joke" and "an outrage".
Bruce also suggested that a previous complaint he had made about the performance of Marriner...
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