| Chelsea have had easy start to the season, says Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United manager claims Chelsea have had such an easy start to season, they should have won every game. telegraph.co.uk |
Mancini denies Tevez slap Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini dismisses suggestions he and Carlos Tevez came to blows during Newcastle United clash. foxsports.com.au |
Squad sheets: West Ham United v Newcastle United West Ham United are unbeaten in four Premier League games, their best since run April 2009 vindicating Avram Grant's early season assertion that once winter arrived so would his team's form. Newcastle United side last won on 18 September, and come to east London with a troubled Andy Carroll, whose week has so far featured an assault charge and the torching of his £150,000 Range Rover. Matthew Upson could face a late fitness test on a neck injury while Newcastle could be shorthanded in defence. Jamie JacksonVenue Upton Park, tomorrow 5.30pm Tickets 0871 222 2700 Last season N/A Referee C FoyThis season's matches 6 Y18, R0, 3.00 cards per gameOdds West Ham 7-5 Newcastle 9-4 Draw 12-5West HamSubs from Stech, Gabbidon, Spector, Tomkins, Cole, Boa Morte, Da Costa, Behrami, Kovac, Faubert, McCarthyDoubtful Upson (neck), Da Costa (unknown)Injured Collison (knee, 6 Nov), Hines (knee, 6 Nov), Hitzlsperger (thigh, Feb)Suspended NoneForm guide DDWDLLDisciplinary record Y16 R0Leading scorers Noble, Parker, Piquionne 2NewcastleSubs from Soderberg, Kadar, R Taylor, Simpson, Smith, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Ranger, CarrollDoubtful NoneInjured S Campbell (thigh, 30 Oct), Best (ankle, 6 Nov), S Taylor (shoulder, 13 Nov), Harper (shoulder, Jan), Gosling (knee, Jan), Ben Arfa (leg, Apr)Suspended NoneForm guide DLLWLDDisciplinary record Y19 R0Leading scorer Carroll 4Match pointers• There have been four goals scored in each of the last five league matches between West Ham and Newcastle• West Ham have scored only one league goal from open play this season• Newcastle have conceded the fewest shots on target of any team this season, 23• West Ham have been saved by their own woodwork more than any other side this season, nine times• Newcastle have conceded an average of only 3.63 corners per game this season, compared to 7.38 per game for West HamWest Ham UnitedNewcastle Unitedguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Wayne Rooney backtracks, will re-up with Manchester United Rooney reversed course and agreed to a five-year contract with United on Friday, keeping him at the Premier League club until June 2015. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
World Cup bids face possible legal threat • Defeated bids could take action against 2018 and 2022 hosts• Russia mirror England by pulling out of 2022 to focus on 2018There are fears that the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, already mired in controversy after the suspension of officials over alleged bribery, could descend into a flurry of damaging litigation if it proceeds as planned. More than one bidding nation is believed to be considering the possibility of legal action against rivals if the result does not go their way, in view of the chaos that now surrounds the process.With the Nigerian executive committee member, Amos Adamu, and the Oceania representative, Reynald Tamarii, provisionally suspended by Fifa while its ethics committee investigates allegations that they effectively offered to sell their vote, it is also examining separate rumours that two bids offered to trade blocs of votes.One of the two bids understood to be under investigation by the committee, chaired by Claudio Sulser, has hit back at the allegations. The joint Spain and Portugal bid – aiming to secure the 2018 tournament in the face of competition from England, Russia and Belgium/Holland – is alleged to have colluded with Qatar to swap votes under their influence. The votes of up to seven executive committee members could be involved.While he did not confirm the two countries involved Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa secretary general, said this week: "We got the information a few weeks ago and there have been rumours saying that it definitely took place."The Qatar bid today declined to comment, but the leaders of the Iberian bid reacted furiously. Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese federation, said: "We received with surprise and indignation the analysis that Fifa's ethics committee may conduct on a rumour ... circulated in September in the English media about an alleged deal between the Iberian and the Qatari bids for hosting the World Cup," said Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese federation."It is odd that there is an attempt to launch completely unfounded suspicions about the Iberian bid at a time when there are news reports about alleged vote-selling for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups involving other bids."It is understood that Fifa has been in touch with both the Qatar and the Spain/Portugal bids to seek further information in the wake of the claims.With further revelations expected in this weekend's Sunday Times, the ethics committee has already watched 90 minutes of footage collected by the newspaper.Adamu also again protested his innocence yesterday, telling the BBC he was a "credible person"."I'm very, very confident because what was pushed to the public is not a true reflection of what really transpired between me and the journalists," said Adamu, who is banned from all football-related activities while the case is investigated and admitted he was not supposed to comment on it."I believe in the credibility of Fifa and the Fifa president, I know that my reputation is intact and the investigation will prove it." Temarii has also said he is innocent of the allegations.The ethics committee has promised to deliver its verdict on the pair by the middle of next month, but the vote is supposed to take place just two weeks later.Next week, the Fifa executive committee will proceed with plans to meet to finalise the voting procedure, despite it being unclear how many of its members will be present for the decision on December 2.Meanwhile, Russia yesterday confirmed it was pulling out of the race for the 2022 World Cup to concentrate on the 2018 tournament. England last week did the same.World Cup 2018FifaFootball politicsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |