TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Ancelotti: slump will not derail challenge • Ancelotti: 'It's not our best moment'• One win in seven is 'not a big problem'Carlo Ancelotti believes Chelsea are still on track to win the Premier League title despite a run of disappointing results.The Blues have won one of their last five league games, and one in seven in all competitions, following yesterday's goalless draw at Birmingham. Ancelotti's side face a west London derby against Fulham tomorrow before the departure of three key players to the African Cup of Nations, but the Italian coach insists his team's current form is not "a big problem"."It's not our best moment; one victory in seven is not good for us," said Ancelotti. "I don't see a big problem, though. I think we have some problems, because we have two players out who are very good in Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien and we don't always play well. But not against Birmingham – in this match I think we played good football."Our aim is to win the title and we are at the top of the table at the moment. This was the halfway point in the season and we're top so that's good for us. We hope to be [at the top of the table in May]. If we do a good job and work hard like we have until now, then I think we can win it."In our mind it is impossible to win the title in December. You have to win the title in May and you have to be ready in May because I think it will be a long race right until the end of the season."A difficult afternoon for Chelsea at Birmingham – during which the hosts could have snatched a win had Christian BenÃtez's first-half effort not been disallowed for a questionable offside – was compounded by the late dismissal of Florent Malouda for a second booking.Ancelotti remains unconcerned about the subsequent suspension, however, despite being without another attacker in Anelka."We will put other players in on Monday against Fulham, it's not a problem," he said. "There's no Malouda but there are other players. Birmingham and Fulham, at this moment, are in very good condition and I expect a tough game on Monday for sure, just like today," he continued. "Anelka and Essien are important players for us because they have a lot of quality but they are out and we have to find other solutions. I think we have a very good squad and we will find a different solution.""It is not easy to prepare for a game every two or three days but it is not only our problem, it is a problem for every team. So we are all in the same situation."Chelsea also dismissed a report suggesting they are looking to replace goalkeeper Petr Cech and have drawn up a list of possible signings.A spokesman for the Premier League leaders said: "It is absolute rubbish."ChelseaCarlo AncelottiPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Fulham's John Pantsil to miss African Nations Cup • Defender injured knee against Chelsea• Derek Boateng called up as replacementFulham defender John Pantsil has been forced to withdraw from Ghana's squad for the African Nations Cup finals after picking up a knee injury, the Ghana Football Association has confirmed.He will miss the tournament in Angola after twisting a knee in Fulham's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. Ghana have named Derek Boateng of Getafe as replacement.Ghana are grouped with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo at the tournament. They play their first game against Togo on 11 January.Ghana squad for the African Nations CupGoalkeepers: Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak)Defenders: Eric Addo (Roda JC), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Harrison Afful (Esperance), Samuel Inkoom (FC Basle), John Mensah (Sunderland), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim)Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Dede Ayew (Arles-Avignon), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Derek Boateng (Getfae), Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Moussa Narry (Auxerre)Forwards: Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Asamoah Gyan (Stade Rennes)GhanaFulhamAfrican Nations Cupguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Racing dismiss English move for Canales • President rules out sale to Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City• Reports have 'as much relation to truth as an egg to a chestnut'The Racing Santander president Francisco PernÃa has dismissed reports that the club's teenage star Sergio Canales is destined for England as having "as much relation to the truth as an egg to a chestnut".Canales, who turns 19 next month, has been linked with a number of clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, and Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.He has made just 13 appearances in his two professional seasons at Racing, but has attracted attention from across Europe, with four goals in his last three starts.However, there is a clause in place which means the player's contract is automatically extended for another year should he play 450 minutes this season, and PernÃa is confident of keeping him at El Sardinero."We have a commitment obtained with his father who is the person who represents the player's interests and I am fully confident in this," said PernÃa."These stories have as much relation to the truth as an egg to a chestnut. I have never lost my calm nor am I going to. Nothing's happening here. Everyone's calm and no one's getting nervous."There are always people who talk about matters and get in contact with other people to ask them about it."Transfer windowRacing SantanderLiverpoolArsenalManchester CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
U.S. to play friendly against El Salvador The United States will play El Salvador on Feb. 24 at Tampa, Fla., in the Americans' second World Cup warmup match of year. cbc.ca |
Australia press on with World Cup bid • Fifa president discouraged Australia's 2018 bid in favour of Europe• Australia 'not surprised' by comments, pledge to continue bidAustralia will press ahead with their bid to host a World Cup despite Fifa president Sepp Blatter's comments indicating only European nations will be considered for 2018.Speaking in Madrid recently, Blatter revealed he had discussed the European-only deal with the Uefa head Michel Platini."There is a movement at the moment among the various candidates that in the end it would be a good solution if the candidates for 2018 would only be those from Europe," he said. "It's not been finally decided, but it's the idea, also to make the work of Fifa easier, and especially that of the executive committee."The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have openly stated their desire to host a World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 and a statement released today admitted they have been aware for some time of the possibility of Europe being favoured for the former."In response to recent comments by Fifa President Sepp Blatter, FFA confirms it has been aware for some time that there is a push for the 2018 World Cup to be awarded to one of the European bidders," read the statement. "Hence FFA is not surprised by the President's comments as they are reflective that those discussions have occurred in some quarters."FFA chairman Frank Lowy stressed Australia would continue with their bids to host either edition unless advised to do otherwise by Fifa."If we come to the view that we have a better chance for 2022, than 2018, we will act accordingly," he said.Fifa's executive committee will announce their decision on the host for both years in December.World Cup 2018Sepp BlatterFifaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |