TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| David Beckham's real LA story leads a fine year for football books An account of David Beckham's bid to conquer America leads a fine year for football books. telegraph.co.uk |
Arsenal fear worst over Fábregas injury • Arsenal captain could be out until late January• DenĂlson to miss Portsmouth match but Alex Song availableCesc Fábregas will undergo a scan on his troublesome hamstring tomorrow with Arsenal fearing they could be denied their influential captain for more than three weeks.The Spain midfielder made his first appearance since damaging the muscle in the draw at Burnley in mid-December when he was summoned from the bench against Aston Villa on Sunday. That 27-minute cameo yielded two decisive goals before he retreated feeling discomfort in the limb once again.Arsenal opted to give the injury a further 24 hours to settle but will scan the leg today hoping their worst fears – that Fábregas could be absent until the FA Cup fourth-round weekend on 23 January – will not be confirmed. The Spaniard will certainly miss trip to Portsmouth and Sunday's FA Cup tie at West Ham, though he may now also have to sit out the league games against Bolton Wanderers, home and away, and Everton as the Londoners seek to maintain their revitalised title challenge.Arsène Wenger will be without DenĂlson at Fratton Park as well, the Brazilian having suffered a back injury against Villa that is not thought to be as serious as the one which kept him out for more than two months earlier in the campaign.But Arsenal have been boosted by Alex Song's availability after Cameroon confirmed they do not expect the midfielder to report for international duty at the African Cup of Nations until next Monday, 4 January. That will allow Song to feature against Pompey and, most likely, at Upton Park on Sunday. Regardless, Fábregas's absence represents an untimely blow with his influence all too evident in an inspirational display against Villa."He was great and is a fantastic player," said Thomas Vermaelen. "He had an injury and he did everything to make this game. We weren't creating as many chances and, when he came on, he gave us more opportunities to score. I have never seen a player come on before and have such an immediate impact."Cesc is really dangerous. He has a great vision on the pitch. He is the best midfield player I have played with. He is really smart. In training it is really difficult to defend against him. You'd think he has eyes in the back of his head because he sees everything. If he is injured again, we will just have to do without him."Cesc FábregasArsenalPremier LeagueDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Angola v Mali - live! Press refresh for the latest updates, or click the button below for a more automatic vibe. Once that's out of the way, email tom.lutz@guardian.co.uk with your thoguhts for the dayYour teams, sir (or madame)Angola: Fernandes, Mabina, Kali, Rui Marques, Stelvio, Xara, Dede, Zuela, Gilberto, Flavio, Manucho.Mali: Sidibe, Diamountene, Berthe, Tamboura, Soumare, Diarra, Traore, Traore, Bagayoko, Maiga, Kanoute. "The action gets underway in 12 minutes!" says the man on Eurosport, with commendable accuracy. Keita is out for Mali with a thigh injury."Really excited by your min by min Tom. I think Mali will win, and ifthey don't then Angola could. Or it may be a draw," says Sachmo Nakro from Delaware, who might be my colleague Sachin Nakrani giggling to himself across the office. He's a lonely may in many ways. In every way.Mali are many people's choices for dark horse for the tournament. Although, I'm not sure if a team boasting players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla can really be described as dark horses.Well, a few days ago the focus on this game would have been on the hosts' attempts to take on one of the most talented teams in the tournament. Now, the debate is whether Togo should stay in the tournament. At the moment, it seems they will return return home after Friday's attack. Let me know what you think.Ridiculously some people have chosen this as an opportunity to question South Africa's ability to host the World Cup. It's very odd logic: did the unrest in Paris in 2005 cast doubt on the 2006 World Cup in Germany?Africa Cup of NationsAngolaMaliMacclesfieldNorthamptonTom Lutzguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Tottenham Manager Redknapp Charged in Tax Offenses LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been charged with offenses involving illegal tax avoidance while at Premier League club Portsmouth. feeds.nytimes.com |
Wolves sign Adlene Guedioura on loan Wolves have confirmed the signing of French midfielder Adlene Guedioura on loan for the rest of the season. telegraph.co.uk |