TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Molinaro blog: Manchester City trades up from Hughes to Mancini It's regrettable that Mark Hughes was let go, but Manchester City made the right move because the Welshman was not the man to lead them to glory. cbc.cacbc.ca |
Premier League: Aston Villa v Liverpool - live! Hit F5 or turn on the auto-refresh button below for latest updates, why not keep Paolo company by emailing any thoughts to paolo.bandini@guardian.co.uk and follow Bolton v Hull herePaolo will be here from around 7.15pm as he embarks on the final stint of his Christmas minute-by-minute marathon.In the meantime, read why Martin O'Neill thinks Rafa BenÃtez's prediction that Liverpool will finish in the top four may not be so daft after all.You can also relive Villa's 3-1 victory at Anfield back in August.Or on a completely unrelated note, watch David James' man v machine efforts here.Premier LeagueAston VillaLiverpoolPaolo Bandiniguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Said & Done: Today with added Piers Morgan Italy beating racism; Piers Morgan on self-inflated edifices; plus some in-flight molesting in IndiaIrony: no hint Man of the week: Fifa ethics icon Jack Warner, veteran of years of clean, transparent Fifa elections. New from Jack last week, in his capacity as a Trinidad & Tobago MP and deputy leader of the country's UNC party: writes open letter to the chairman of the UNC's elections committee to protest about "disrespect of the rules for the party's internal elections". Jack explained: "Open democracy, transparency and respect for regulations must be the hallmark of all elections. No one must be allowed to flout or disrespect rules. It is all about openness, justice and integrity!"Italy: needle Latest from Italy's war on racism: Verona's mayor Flavio Tosi says Inter striker Mario Balotelli has "no class" after the player said racist abuse aimed at him by Chievo Verona fans was "disgusting". "Balotelli is an immature and arrogant child," says Tosi. "He will never be a champion. Champions show humility but Balotelli has no class." Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo says: "Balotelli should change his attitude. It is normal for fans to needle an opponent."Journalists: idiots• 31 Dec, Owen Coyle: "Bolton will be a fantastic job for someone but my focus is on Burnley. I've had speculation time and time again but I love being at this wonderful football club: I just feel very privileged to be manager here. I enjoy my work, enjoy coming through the door every morning. I think the players enjoy working for me and the fans like coming. I'm building something here." • 6 Jan: Joins Bolton.(Previous best – last summer, rejecting Celtic. "What kind of man would I be if I jumped ship as soon as a better offer came along?")Meanwhile at Bolton ...• 12 Dec, Phil Gartside, Bolton chairman: "When I appointed Gary Megson, I got a bloke who can battle in situations when his back is against the wall, when he's getting muck and bullets thrown at him from here, there and everywhere. I didn't want a man who'd crumble when people criticised him, I wanted someone with bottle and spirit, and that's exactly what I've got in Gary."• 30 Dec: Sacks him.And one to watch ...Ian Holloway: "I'm not going to Burnley. I'm absolutely delighted, privileged to be here at Blackpool. I want to be here a long time."• 20 Nov 2007, Ian Holloway, Plymouth: "I'm not going to Leicester. It's total poppycock, if I'm allowed to use that word. It's absolutely pathetic. The media is a very powerful thing and, unfortunately, they can make a rumour into a bigger rumour. But ask anybody who knows me how I feel about Plymouth and they will tell you the truth. And if you need me to say it again, I will. I'm in love with the place. It's absolutely magnificent." • 22 Nov 2007: Joins Leicester.Coming here soonBest new naming-rights deal this year: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese "thrilled" to buy official naming rights to the controlled demolition of the old Texas Stadium this spring. Kraft have paid $75,000 in cash plus $75,000 of cheese products for local schools.Contract: honour, obey• October: Patrick Vieira attacks reports he'll leave Inter in January. "I want to play more football, but I also want to respect and honour my contract. If I leave this club I will leave in June. In January nothing will happen."• January: Something happens.Read my lips: self-inflated edifice • Piers Morgan, January 2009, on why Dubai won't just survive the credit crunch, but "will thrive": "I came to Dubai to find out if it really is all it's cracked up to be, and the answer is a resounding 'yes'." • Piers Morgan, December 2009, on why Mark Hughes deserved the sack. "I call him 'Dubai': he promised us the greatest show on earth, splashed millions ... then discovered that the whole self-inflated edifice was built on sand, had no real substance or soul. I wish I could feel sorry for Sparky, but I can't. He sold out to oil. Now, having made his slick, he must lie in it." Very crampedIndian side Musli Power Churchill Brothers say an in-flight "molesting" incident involving three players and a stewardess was the fault of the plane's layout. "It was very cramped. We have written to the Civil Aviation Minister to call for more space. It is not sensible otherwise." Club sponsors, aphrodisiac brand Musli Power Xtra, are "considering their position".Italy equality newsNapoli's Jesus Dátolo has been fined by president Aurelio De Laurentiis for stripping to his pants for a photoshoot with an Italian gay magazine. De Laurentiis said he was "disgusted" by the player. "Napoli own his image. Seriously, this is not OK."A fine romanceIn Peru, Sporting Cristal's Amilton Prado says he has "distressed" himself with his infidelity. "I am thoroughly awful – I really distress myself." Prado was caught dating "exuberant" dancer Cindy Merino, who says she is now fed up with media attention. "Stop calling. I'm changing my number. Think what you like about our dalliance: it was a fine romance."Premier LeagueDavid Hillsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Sports of The Times: Waiting for Word From Haiti Following the earthquake in Haiti, Seth Stammler of the New York Red Bulls is waiting to hear from friends in the country, where he helped set up a foundation to provide wells and scholarships. feeds.nytimes.com |
Alan Hansen: Fabio Capello must fear Wayne Rooney's World Cup burnout for England Wayne Rooney's form is great news for Manchester United but it increases the danger he will go to World Cup at risk of burnout. telegraph.co.uk |