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Brooks Peck

Brooks Peck is a Soccer blogger for Yahoo! Sports.

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/dtotd-samsunspor-bus-hit-train-161324887.html

Brooks Peck

Brooks Peck is a Soccer blogger for Yahoo! Sports.

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/artur-boruc-friday-rage-list-053258483.html

Patrice Evra shakes the arm of an unwilling Luis Suarez. (Getty)

In their first meeting since Liverpool’s Luis Suarez returned from his eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, Suarez continued the already tedious matter and proved he’s not above lying to his own manager all during the nonsensical pre-match handshakes.

As the Liverpool players shook hands with their counterparts, Suarez tried to skip over Evra and shake David De Gea’s hand, but Evra tried to force a gesture of peace by grabbing Suarez’s arm. Suarez then yanked his appendage out of Evra’s grasp and continued down the line. Rio Ferdinand, however, then refused to shake Suarez’s hand in response to his petulance, thus ensuring that we are all still talking about something as pointless as handshakes (see the whole thing here).

Three days before the match, Kenny Dalglish told Liverpool’s official website:

“People are already speculating on the pre-match ceremony, but from Luis’s point of view we have spoken to him and I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra and the other Manchester United players before the game.”

Oops.

So, even before Suarez’s second match back from his ban, he’s already kicked Scott Parker in the stomach and refused to shake hands with the man he was found guilty of racially abusing. What a guy.

[Slideshow: The handshake snub that rocked soccer]

UPDATE: After the final whistle, Patrice Evra proved that he is not exactly the model of maturity either by exaggeratedly celebrating Man United’s 2-1. And he just so happened to do it right next to Luis Suarez.

The referee and stewards quickly surrounded Evra and warned him not to make the situation worse than it already was. They then held him on the pitch until everyone else went down the tunnel.

Patrice Evra not so coincidentally celebrates in front of Suarez. (Getty)

Suarez’s teammates take exception. (Getty)

Kenny Dalglish, meanwhile, took up the Arsene Wenger defense and said, “I never knew Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand. I wasn’t there, I never saw it. It’s contrary to what I’ve been told.”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson then stated, “Suarez is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club. He should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. He could have caused a riot.” Apparently forgetting the time that Eric Cantona nearly incited a riot by kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan, yet still returning to play for Man United after his lengthy ban.

Despite what the score said, there were no true winners here. Just a whole lot of anger and resentment.

UPDATE II: Sanity prevails! After taking the night to consider the non-handshake situation between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra before Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday, Liverpool released three separate statements on their official website Sunday. While some Liverpool fans were still vehemently trying to argue that it was actually Evra who refused to shake Suarez’s hand, Suarez has not only accepted blame, but apologized for it as well. He said:

“I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.

“I’ve not only let him down, but also the Club and what it stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

“I should have shaken Patrice Evra’s hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

“I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football.”

In another statement, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre made a firm declaration on the club’s position regarding what happened the day before:

“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his teammates and the Club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

“Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club.”

And finally, Kenny Dalglish also apologized for his post-match remarks. He said:

“Ian Ayre has made the Club’s position absolutely clear and it is right that Luis Suarez has now apologised for what happened at Old Trafford,” said Dalglish.

“To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

“But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

In short, these statements were a much needed touch of class from Liverpool that will hopefully go a long way in helping to defuse this ugly situation. Where Suarez’s last apology was only for those who took offense to something he thought they shouldn’t take offense to, this one is “for my actions” full stop. And this more reasoned, calming tone is a stark contrast to Liverpool’s official statements, as well as Dalglish’s attack-mode when in front of the press and discussing the Suarez-Evra debacle. Which was both surprising and unnerving. But this is a return to the high standard a club like Liverpool is held and will hopefully mean we can all stop talking about handshakes and 115-page reports for a while. Hooray!

Manchester United put out their own statement accepting the apology, and so that should be that.

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/luis-suarez-refuses-shake-patrice-evra-hand-proves-140527695.html

Brooks Peck

Brooks Peck is a Soccer blogger for Yahoo! Sports.

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/cristiano-ronaldo-tremendous-third-goal-against-levante-224322489.html

 
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed goalkeeper David de Gea as a great prospect ahead of a stern test at Bolton on Saturday.

An £18million summer signing from Atletico Madrid, 20-year-old De Gea has endured a difficult start to life at Manchester United.

Ferguson had to defend the Spain Under-21 star for his performance in the Community Shield at Wembley.

But while an argument on De Gea’s behalf could be made over Manchester City’s two goals, there was nothing anyone could say to lessen the impact of an error that gifted West Brom an equaliser in the opening game of the season.

Since then, things have got better for De Gea.

He kept a clean sheet against Tottenham on his competitive Old Trafford bow, then contributed an excellent penalty save to the astonishing 8-2 win over Arsenal, even if Theo Walcott’s goal did fly through his legs.

Next up are Bolton, who may no longer be quite as abrasive as before under the stewardship of Owen Coyle but, with Kevin Davies leading their attack, are well capable of making life very difficult for De Gea.

“David made a couple of mistakes in his first games, which we didn’t expect and nor did he,” Ferguson told Inside United.

“It was unusual because his form at Atletico Madrid as an 18-year-old was sensational.

“There is no doubt we have a player of great potential. Our job at this club is to realise that potential and make sure he becomes a top goalkeeper.

“He’ll do that once he gains experience and adapts to the physical nature of the league.

“It is a different game here compared to Spain – there are more crosses to deal with and there is more contact. Bit by bit, we will get there with him.”

Ferguson’s comments could have been made with Bolton in mind.

However the same things might have been said about Javier Hernandez 12 months ago and the little Mexican did not do too badly in his debut season.

Hernandez was among those who did not find the target during that Gunners’ destruction.

However, with Danny Welbeck ruled out by a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old seems set to make his first start of the season at the Reebok Stadium. And strike partner Wayne Rooney is among those expecting big things.

“I’m looking forward to him doing the same, if not scoring more goals for us, this season,” Rooney told MUTV.

“Of course people know about him now but, if you look at all the top players around the world, people know how they play and it’s still difficult to stop them.

“His movement is so good it’s difficult to defend against. It won’t be easy for players to defend against him whether they know about him or not.

“It’s great to have a lad who has just come into the team, who speaks good English and is always smiling.”

With a Champions League bow against Benfica looming in Lisbon next week, United changes are inevitable.

Little wonder Ferguson is delighted fellow countryman Darren Fletcher was able to get a couple of appearances under his belt for Scotland – missing a penalty in the win over Lithuania last night – after spending nearly six months recovering from a virus that saw him lose a huge amount of weight.

“It was important for him to get a game,” Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

“He was back training with us but the team had started so well so opportunities hadn’t arisen for him before he went to play for Scotland.

“The fact that he has gone there and done so well is a major boost for his recovery.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7155983/Fergie-backs-goalkeeper-De-Gea

 
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Everton striker Victor Anichebe has returned to the club after suffering a groin injury on international duty with Nigeria.

Anichebe picked up the problem in the closing stages of Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Madagascar on Saturday and reports suggest he could be sidelined for around three weeks.

While Anichebe’s Nigerian team-mates travelled to Bangladesh for a friendly with Argentina, the 23-year-old headed back to Britain.

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia criticised the poor pitch in Antananarivo and said it was fortunate that more players were not injured in the African Nations Cup qualifier.

Anichebe missed the opening four months of the Premier League campaign last season because of an ankle injury.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7152649/Anichebe-scare-for-Toffees

 
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Roy Hodgson has revealed he had to fight hard to lure Zoltan Gera back to West Brom – but admits it was “never close to not happening”.

The Hungary international is due to make his second debut for the Baggies having returned to The Hawthorns from Fulham during the transfer window.

The 32-year-old previously worked with Hodgson for two years when he was the Cottagers manager – and he believes the midfielder will bring “big things” to his new club after fighting hard to clinch his signature.

“The change of management at Fulham almost spoiled things for us in the sense that they made it very clear when the new manager (Martin Jol) came in, and Ray Lewington got promoted once again to first-team coach, that they really wanted to keep him,” Hodgson told the club’s official website.

“Luckily, he still wanted to come and join us, so it was a big signing.

“Zoltan is one of the big signings of this transfer window for me and I expect big things from him.

“It was never close to not happening because he’d made up his mind he wanted to come here and work with me again.

“But he had to listen to plenty of overtures to try to get him to change his mind.”

Hodgson, who was heavily linked with a move for free agent Owen Hargreaves, said Gera’s arrival will increase the competition for places in their hotly-contested midfield at The Hawthorns.

“It will be a great advantage having him available,” he said. “I suppose the Owen Hargreaves publicity, and the suggestion that he may have joined us, to some extent pushed the thoughts of Zoltan out of the window.

“So it’s quite nice that we are starting to discuss Zoltan because he’s a player for the central or wide midfield areas who will be very, very useful for us.

“He did ever so well at Fulham. He became every bit as much a favourite with the fans there as he was during his first spell here.

“Zoltan will produce extra competition in an area that I must say is already very, very strong because we also in effect have a new player in Graham Dorrans this year.

“He played very little part in my time at the club last season because he was injured.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7148162/Hodgson-worked-hard-to-get-Gera

 
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Liverpool’s director of football Damien Comolli has praised Fenway Sports Group for their “brave” approach to the transfer window.

Liverpool’s American owners provided significant cash for the signings of Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni early in the summer.

They supplemented those additions by bringing in Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates over the last fortnight before Craig Bellamy arrived on a deadline day which saw four players moved on.

In the two transfer windows since taking over the club last October FSG have sanctioned about £120million-worth of signings, although they have recouped well over half that from the sales of Fernando Torres, David Ngog, Ryan Babel and – late on Thursday night – Raul Meireles to Chelsea.

Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen, both drains on the wage bill, were offloaded to Lille (on loan) and Evian (permanently) respectively.

And Comolli believes the way they operated in the window worked out almost perfectly, thanks to the backing he and manager Kenny Dalglish received from principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

“It’s difficult for me to put into words what they gave us throughout the summer,” said the Frenchman.

“Their support was absolutely tremendous, in the down times and in the up times.

“When they needed to invest money we didn’t think they’d have to, John and Tom were unbelievably helpful.

“I think we are very lucky to have these owners because people need to realise a lot of owners would have said the squad is too big so you need to reduce it, and then when you’ve done that bring some players in.

“But that was never the approach they had. They were happy to take risks, for us to spend the money, to support us and to trust us as well.

“I told them in the summer we need to buy players first and towards the end of the window there would be a lot of movement with players going out.

“They were very brave to accept that, having had no experience of a similar transfer window.

“From the outside it might be difficult to understand, but from my side their support was absolutely tremendous.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7142819/Comolli-hails-Fenway-backing

 
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Joleon Lescott has set his sights on helping Manchester City to Premier League glory and believes Edin Dzeko can provide the goal-power.

Lescott is currently preparing for England’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday but the pre-match focus was inevitably on City – and Dzeko – after their flying start.

Roberto Mancini’s side have won their opening three league games and Dzeko has weighed in with six goals after a disappointing introduction following his £27million January move from Wolfsburg.

Lescott, who helped City demolish Tottenham 5-1 on Sunday, said: “To win the league, that has to be the aim. We feel we can win every game that we play.

“That’s not going to happen but we feel, if we can win the majority of games, then we’ll do well come the end of the season.

“It’s only the early part of the season. We know we’ve still got a long way to go. There will be games we don’t play as well, and we will lose games, but we’ve got a fantastic squad.”

Dzeko initially struggled to make an impact at City after joining in January but this season already he has justified Mancini’s faith in him.

Lescott said: “What Edin is doing now is probably no surprise to Roberto, as it isn’t to us.

“Edin wasn’t playing as much as he would have liked last season and the focus was on Carlos Tevez, and rightly so.

“But he’s come back this pre-season and he just believes in his ability now. He can be one of the best strikers and top scorers in England this season.”

Lescott would welcome the arrival of midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who is understood to have undergone a medical with City.

He is backing the former Manchester United player to regain his England spot if he proves his fitness and form.

Lescott said: “I’m not surprised if we’re signing Owen because he’s a great player.

“I’m surprised that we’re signing anyone because we’ve got such a lot of talent in the squad – but to add to it is healthy.

“Owen can also definitely come back for England. I don’t think anyone is ruling him out of any competition.

“The manager has seen something, we all know he’s got the quality to play Champions League football as well. That can only bode well for the club.”

 
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Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick as Manchester United went goal crazy with a thumping 8-2 victory over beleaguered Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The home side’s delirious fans mocked Arsene Wenger with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” as Rooney walked off with the matchball, having scored his 150th Red Devils goal, then adding two more after half-time to complete his hat-trick.

Yet Rooney’s efforts did not even account for half of United’s staggering tally as they scored eight for the first time since 1999.

Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young, Nani and Park Ji-sung also found the net before Young completed the rout with his second.

It was Arsenal’s worst ever defeat against United and the first time they have conceded eight in a league game since 1896.

The result leaves Wenger staring at the biggest crisis of his 15 years at the helm.

For Sir Alex Ferguson, so strident in his defence of the Frenchman pre-match, this is of little concern.

His side are yet to drop a point, as are their noisy neighbours across the city.

And while there are plenty at Stamford Bridge and Anfield who will strongly disagree this season already seems to be turning into an eight-month shoot-out between the red and blue halves of Manchester.

That United suffered a series of setbacks during the first-half just made the 3-1 interval scorline even more remarkable.

Jonny Evans conceded a penalty, Welbeck limped off with a hamstring injury and Theo Walcott scored.

None of this prevented Ferguson’s side jogging off to a rapturous reception after a mesmeric display, in which their youngsters again showed their class, and even David De Gea joined the party.

Derided for his performances since an £18million summer move from Atletico Madrid, De Gea needed a lift. Turning Robin van Persie’s penalty round the post provided it.

It was the central component of a pivotal five-minute spell, during which United established their clear superiority.

The hosts had already threatened to dismantle an Arsenal side shorn of Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen, in addition to the suspensions of Alex Song and Gervinho.

But when Anderson lifted the ball over Arsenal’s static defence, Welbeck had too much strength for Johan Djourou and headed over Wojciech Szczesny.

In their present fragile state, Van Persie’s failure to punish Jonny Evans’ penalty box foul on Walcott was a shattering blow.

That United immediately headed up to the other end and doubled their advantage through Young’s magnificent curling strike only made matters worse.

Even Welbeck’s injury, which will surely deprive England of his services in Bulgaria next week, was only a minor inconvenience, especially as his replacement was last season’s star man Javier Hernandez.

Rooney added his name to the scoresheet with a perfect free-kick, which beat Szczesny’s despairing grasp to find the top corner.

Walcott pulled one back in stoppage time for the visitors but when Young forced Szczesny into an excellent save by his near post straight after the restart, Arsenal’s fans could sense what was unfolding and launched into long and passionate backing of their team.

It wasn’t that Arsenal were incapable.

Had Van Persie’s first-time volley found the net instead of being superbly repelled by De Gea or Andrey Arshavin’s close-range effort not flicked wide off Evans, they would have been back in with a chance.

They were incapable of preventing United from swarming all over them though.

The heroic Szczesny denied Young. Nani contrived to miss from four yards. It was all rather embarrassing for the visitors, who simply could not hold out.

When Johan Djourou pulled Rooney down on the edge of the area, he was merely creating the opportunity for England’s number one striker to replicate his landmark United goal with his 151st.

Rooney then sent Nani through, the Portugal winger calmly chipping Szczesny before making way for Park Ji-sung, who promptly grabbed one himself.

Van Persie pulled one back amid the carnage, which also saw Carl Jenkinson sent off for hauling down Hernandez, having already been booked.

At that stage, Arsenal would happily have accepted the final whistle.

But their agony was far from being over.

After Van Persie has scored, Walcott pulled one back, which merely seemed to annoy their hosts.

Evra was brought down by Walcott, allowing Rooney to complete his hat-trick from the spot and then, in stoppage time, Young added an eighth.

The scoreboard told its own story at the final whistle.

United will march on to face the threat posed by Roberto Mancini and his men.

For Wenger, there are far more searching and deep-rooted questions that, in the wake of the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, may not be easy to answer.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7135528/Eight-star-United-destroy-Gunners