TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Ronaldinho targets World Cup Ronaldinho has already made his New Year's resolution: the AC Milan star wants to play for Brazil at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. cbc.ca |
Steven Gerrard hails Fernando Torres as 'the best striker in the world' • Spaniard is fastest Liverpool player to 50 league goals• Rafael BenÃtez confident of top-four finishSteven Gerrard hailed Fernando Torres as "the best striker in the world" after the Spaniard became the fastest player in Liverpool's history to score 50 top-flight league goals when he struck an injury-time winner to break Aston Villa hearts.A largely uninspiring match was heading for stalemate when mistakes and misfortune in the Villa defence conspired to give Torres a free run on goal in the 93rd minute. His finish was ruthless, the forward sweeping the ball across Brad Friedel to revive Liverpool's hopes of securing a top-four place and etch his name in the Anfield record books.The 24-year-old has reached a half-century of top-flight goals in 72 appearances, six matches quicker than Roger Hunt. He also leaves an illustrious list of Liverpool forwards trailing in his wake, with Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen requiring 84, 88 and 98 games respectively to hit the same landmark."You have to keep going to the end," said Gerrard. "And when you have players like this [Torres] on the team you know there's always a chance to snatch it. Everyone knows when he's on form he's the best in the world. We want him for many more years. We need his goals to drive us into the top four."Rafael BenÃtez, reported to be negotiating to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid on a six-month loan deal, also praised the striker for his latest goalscoring feat. "For me, you can never ever say 'This is the best player in the world'," said the Liverpool manager. "He's one of the best because there are many good players in Europe. But I am a very lucky manager because I have had very good strikers in my time and Fernando is one of these. I think [breaking the record] means we were signing a very good player, with good mentality and quality." BenÃtez revealed that Torres had been suffering with his ankle before kick-off. "You could see tonight it was one chance and he scores."Victory allowed Liverpool to close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to four points, with this match the first time BenÃtez has seen his side put together back-to-back Premier League wins since 26 September. "We are hoping it gives us a big boost," added Gerrard. "We now have to treat the next game as we did this one. It's important to build on this. I am sure we'll gain a lot of confidence like we did after Wolves. We know Villa, Spurs and Manchester City will keep fighting all the time. We need to do the same. It's going to be difficult; there are a lot of fantastic teams about and I am sure they will spend in January. But everyone is fit now so there are no excuses."The one sour note for Liverpool on a freezing evening was the sight of Glen Johnson leaving Villa Park on crutches after he appeared to injure a knee in the closing minutes. The England full-back was replaced by Martin Skrtel and will be assessed tomorrow morning.Otherwise, this was a night for Liverpool to savour. Villa created the better chances, with Stewart Downing denied by Pepe Reina's point-black save, Gabriel Agbonlahor squandering a one-on-one and John Carew sending a glancing header inches wide. But Liverpool had what appeared to be a certain penalty turned down in the first half when Richard Dunne clattered into Dirk Kuyt."We knew that we had to win if we wanted to reduce the gap," reflected BenÃtez, who reaffirmed his "100% belief" that Liverpool will finish in the top four. "You could see everyone was together. Sometimes we have had really tough luck but today we scored a late goal. I am really pleased for Fernando and really pleased for the team."Martin O'Neill, by contrast, was devastated. This was Villa's second defeat in three days, following the defeat at Arsenal, and the Northern Irishman looked crestfallen afterwards. "I think it's a natural reaction," said O'Neill. "We should have won the game. I thought we restricted Liverpool to not too much. It's a real blow to lose, no doubt about it."The Villa manager refused to apportion any blame for the goal, which came after Dunne had lost his footing trying to accept Stephen Warnock's pass. "Richard Dunne slipped and then Gabriel Agbonlahor comes in and wins the tackle and the ball falls kindly to Torres," said O'Neill. "It was a collection of circumstances, not a loss of concentration. It's hard to take. But we will come again."Steven GerrardFernando TorresLiverpoolAston VillaStuart Jamesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Premier League: Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers – live! | John Ashdown Turn our snazzy autorefresh gizmo on for the latest updates and be sure to email john.ashdown@guardian.co.uk with your thoughtsJohn Ashdown will be here from 7.30pm, ready for the 8pm kick-off as football finally gets back to normal following the Big (if a little slow) Thaw.Roberto Mancini has had a winning effect on the club since his arrival, with six goals scored and none conceded. He's now also got Patrick Vieira to shore up the line in front of the defence, although the Frenchman will miss out tonight with a calf niggle.The form of Martin Petrov has been key to City's recent good form. Here he tells Paul Wilson why he's got a smile on his face again.The ever-reliable Mark Lawrenson has gone for a 3-0 win but Blackburn may prove to be Mancini's most stubborn opponents so far.Premier LeagueManchester CityBlackburn RoversJohn Ashdownguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Weekend fixture postponement latest • Stockport v Oldham off due to frozen pitch• Tranmere v Yeovil off due to waterloggingTwo League One games have been postponed so far ahead of this weekend's games: Stockport v Oldham, due to a frozen pitch, and Tranmere v Yeovil, due to a waterlogged pitch.In League Two Hereford v Morecambe is also off.Full list of postponed fixtures in BritainCoca-Cola League OneTranmere v YeovilStockport v OldhamCoca-Cola League TwoHereford v MorecambeBlue Square PremierBarrow v HistonWrexham v StevenageScottish First DivisionRoss County v Queen of the SouthScottish Third DivisionAlbion v LivingstonElgin v Annan AthleticForfar v East StirlingLeague OneLeague TwoBlue Square PremierScottish Division OneScottish Division Threeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Crystal Palace facing 10-point Football League penalty after going into administration Championship club facing 10-point penalty over financial problems. telegraph.co.uk |