Lampard rescues win at Wolves

Monday, January 2, 2012

Frank Lampard's dramatic 89th-minute goal eased the pressure on Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea ended a four-game winless streak in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brazilian midfielder Ramires struck in the 54th minute at Molineux to hand the Blues the lead, but Stephen Ward looked to have rescued a point for the home team with an 84th-minute equaliser. However, Lampard, whose first-half tackle on Adam Hammill earned him a booking, fired in from close range late on.

Having gained just three points from their previous four league matches, this victory was a significant boost to the Chelsea's UEFA Champions League hopes.

Daniel Sturridge and Didier Drogba were both notable absentees for Chelsea, who recalled Lampard, Fernando Torres and Jose Bosingwa following their weekend defeat by Aston Villa. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made five changes from Saturday's team which drew with Bolton Wanderers and handed a debut to Emmanuel Frimpong, the January loan signing from Arsenal.

Chelsea began purposefully and had a chance to take the lead in the ninth minute when a defensive mix-up between Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra saw possession gifted to Torres, who slotted in Juan Mata only for his clipped effort to be cleared to safety by Richard Stearman.

More good defending by right-back Stearman saw him make a fine interception to deny Lampard after another threaded through-ball from Torres, while Ramires lashed into the side netting from a narrow angle in the 13th minute.

Lampard then received a caution for a lunge on Hammill, who himself soon earned a booking for a bodycheck on Ashley Cole.Karl Henry, Kevin Doyle and Oriol Romeu all quickly followed with yellow cards of their own as the contest descended into a scrappy affair.

It coincided with Wolves's best period of the first half and they were unfortunate when Roger Johnson headed a Hammill delivery against the post. Their best chance of the half came shortly afterwards when Ward rose unmarked to meet another Hammill set-piece only to head wide.

Both sides had opportunities before half-time with Bosingwa's shot acrobatically pushed away by Wayne Hennessey for a corner, which was headed over by John Terry, while Doyle dragged a shot past the post.

McCarthy responded by introducing English international Matt Jarvis in place of Anthony Forde after the break. The winger almost made an instant impact when his cross picked out the advancing Hammill, whose vicious strike was blocked by Terry.

Hammill threatened again when he curled over the crossbar from the edge of the area and it proved a costly miss as Chelsea took the lead. Juan Mata's corner fell to Ramires ten yards out and he spun Ward before firing a rising shot into the top-left corner. Chelsea's players headed straight for the visiting dug-out to celebrate with their under-pressure manager.

Mata twice threatened before he was substituted for Josh McEachran in the 83rd minute and within a minute Wolves were level with a goal out of nothing. Substitute Steven Fletcher attempted to strike Jarvis's lofted ball towards goal, yet instead, it skewed into the path of Ward who drove a low shot beyond Cech.

However, Lampard had the final say when he slid in to convert Cole's cross from close range with just a minute of normal time remaining.

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Wenger : Robin can do the same in 2012

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Robin van Persie to maintain his sparkling form in 2012. The Dutch striker was the Gunners' hero yet again yesterday as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates Stadium, meaning he fell just one goal short of Alan Shearer's record of 36 goals in a calendar year.

His remarkable prolificacy has been one of the few bright spots in a frustrating year for Arsenal. And Wenger expects his captain to carry on scoring, providing he avoids the injury problems that has forced him to miss periods of previous campaigns.

"He can continue because he is the right age," Wenger said. "Touch wood, he can repeat the same amount of games, and nothing is impossible. I don't know why it changes at midnight at the end of the year."

QPR frustrated Wenger's team for an hour, but the winner came when Shaun Wright-Phillips lost the ball and Andrey Arshavin slipped it through for Van Persie to drill home.

"Robin scored the goal again that got us the points against a good QPR side," Wenger added. "They are one of the good sides we have seen this year."

Nothing is impossible. I don't know why it changes at midnight at the end of the year.

Arsene Wenger on the chances of Robin van Persie scoring as many goals in 2011

After a disappointing start to the season, Arsenal's defeat of QPR, coupled with Chelsea's loss at home to Aston Villa, enabled them to finish 2011 in the top four. And they were given more reason to celebrate as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, second and third respectively, dropped points on the same day.

Wenger said: "I give credit to these players, they have been 17th and 18th in the league and no-one talked, they just focused and there is formidable spirit. We have still room for improvement but it is a good basis."

Wenger eyes left-back, Frimpong set for Wolves loan

Wenger will be looking for short-term cover at left-back after a calf injury for Thomas Vermaelen. "It is serious enough not to play [against Fulham] on Monday or at Leeds," revealed the Frenchman.

"We have three left-backs out. Francis Coquelin did well but he is a central midfielder. Kieran Gibbs is not too far, three weeks, but it is stupid to drop points because we don’t have a left-back."

Wenger also confirmed that Emmanuel Frimpong will be loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "He needs practice because he needs the rhythm of games," he said. "Mick McCarthy told me he has a good chance to play.

"I have as well Coquelin who can play in this position. One of the two had to go and Frimpong had a good opportunity at Wolves."

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Messi: I will win the World Cup

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is convinced he can lift the FIFA World Cup™ with Argentina, the forward said in an interview with the Argentina Football Association.

Messi has won a host of top honours with Barça but has yet to taste major success with theAlbiceleste, who are without a top title since 1993 and flopped at the Copa America on home soil in July, with many observers puzzled as to why his club form rarely appears at international level.

"I still have this dream and that is to be a world champion and lift the Copa America with the national side. And I know I'll do it, I am convinced I shall," insisted Messi.

"I don't have to demonstrate anything to anybody. I would love to win a title with the national team but I am just another one in the group who wants to do the best for Argentine football, nothing more," he added.

Under new coach Alejandro Sabella, Argentina got off to a mediocre start in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with an embarrassing loss to Venezuela, but their recent win over Colombia put them on a more even keel and they are now level on points with regional group leaders Uruguay, albeit having played a game more, and Venezuela.

"The group are doing fine. But we needed a win like that to strengthen ourselves. It has revitalised us," Messi said, recognising that "sometimes we don't quite get up to the mark either in terms of performance or the result. We are aware of that."

On the difference between playing for his country and Barça, with whom he has just won the FIFA Club World Cup, Messi said: "They are two different things. Barcelona are the best team in the world, even non-fans admit as much. That is the result of years of hard work with the same team-mates.

"It's more difficult with the national side and we've been through a lot of chopping and changing of coaches in recent years," he said pointedly. "But we are growing and I know we are going to achieve a lot."

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Neymar : I want to make history

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Whichever way you look at it, Neymar da Silva Santos Junior’s ascent to footballing stardom has been one of dizzying proportions. Not only is the Santos sensation fulfilling the potential he showed as an up-and-coming teenager, a task beyond many a gifted prospect, he has already kicked on to become a genuine phenomenon of world football.

Widely admired for his breathtaking performances for club and country, the 19-year-old has also attracted an ever-increasing army of loyal fans. Pursued by posses of photographers wherever he goes, from Santos to London and New York, Neymar has become as much of a hero to the boys who copy his distinctive hairstyle as the girls who scream his name.

A child not so very long ago, the smiling star can barely remember the last time he popped out for ice-cream without being stopped by well-wishers along the way. The price of success, some might say, but the question is: is it one Brazil’s latest footballing icon is willing to pay?

“It’s the life I’ve chosen,” said the prodigy himself, in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. “And I didn’t just choose it - I begged God for it. All I’ve ever wanted was to play football, have a successful career, do my bit and earn recognition along the way. I’ve got everything I ever wanted, and it would be crazy of me to complain about anything now.

“I can’t sit there thinking that I can’t pop out to get an ice-cream,” he continued. “I just go out and live my life, and that means signing autographs, posing for photo after photo and taking abuse from people, because that’s part of it too. At the end of the day though, I’m just a human being, not an idol.”

Though he has learned to live with fame and expectation from a young age and has grown accustomed to life in the media spotlight, the fact remains that Neymar is still just a teenager, a shy young man as yet unaware of the significance of what he has achieved.

“To be honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he explained, almost apologetically. “It’s still very new to me, having all these people chanting my name and asking me just to say ‘Hi” or flash them a smile. I’m getting used to it, though. I’ve been a fan myself, and I’ve stood there frozen with fear whenever players came by. Now it’s me on the other side and I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans.”

Adapting to changeAdored by his fans, known in Brazil as Neymarzetes, the Santos man has proved a good deal less popular with the country’s centre-halves and full-backs, who have been doing whatever they can to stop the fleet-footed ace.

“It can get on your nerves a bit,” he said in response to the rough treatment he sometimes gets on the pitch. “You beat one man and you get brought down. You beat another and you get brought down again. And what makes it even harder is that there’s more man-to-man marking here.”

His rapid promotion to the national team has given him exposure to defenders from other parts of the world, an education for which he is grateful: “Coming up against other players based in Europe has helped me a lot. The marking’s still tight but it’s different, more zonal.”

Messi’s a guy who’s already made history and will achieve a lot more yet. I’m just starting out and I’ve a lot to do to get to his level.

Neymar on Japan 2011 rival Lionel Messi

Having recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at Santos until 2014, Neymar has opted to continue honing his skills against Brazilian defences, although the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011, arguably the biggest test he has faced to date, will provide him with more valuable international exposure.

O Peixe’s opening game at the tournament will be a semi-final against Auckland City, Monterrey or the Japanese champions. Their reward for winning that game will be a potential final against a side thatNeymar has no shortage of admiration for.

“Who doesn’t admire Barcelona?” asked the 2011 Copa Libertadores winner. “They sowed the seeds a long time back and now they’re reaping the reward. They deserve all the praise they get for the joy they’ve given to the fans and to all the people who like to see good football, which includes me.”

Future goalsThat potential decider in Yokohama could produce a tantalising duel between Neymar and Lionel Messi, a player who the Brazilian marvelled at on TV not so long ago but who now features alongside him on the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

The only South America-based player to appear on that list, Neymar has nothing but praise for the Argentinian entertainer, referring to him in the same glowing terms as a fan would: “I’ve always said that I still have a lot to learn. Messi’s a guy who’s already made history and will achieve a lot more yet. I’m just starting out and I’ve a lot to do to get to his level.”

A key component of the Santos team that will take on the world in Japan, the tyro also has important objectives ahead with A Seleção, the biggest of those being the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Though his feet are on the ground, the 19-year-old recognises the need to keep on chalking up landmarks and is ready to shoulder his responsibilities for club and country.

“I’m working to stay on top of my game and perform for my country,” he said before targeting the biggest prize of all. “I want to make history with Brazil in 2014 and make my name in world football.”

Given the goals he has already achieved in his meteoric ascension, few would bet against Neymarmaking those objectives a reality.

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Van Persie sends Arsenal through

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Robin van Persie continued his brilliant scoring form as Arsenal beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Emirates Stadium to reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League again.

The Dutchman, who passed the 30-goal mark for 2011 with a double at Norwich on Saturday, repeated the feat tonight. He headed home following an excellent run and cross from Alex Song five minutes into the second half, and then swept home after a flick-on from a corner as the Gunners clinched top spot in Group F.

Arsenal were, though, made to work hard by an industrious German side, who lost playmaker Mario Goetze to injury after less than half an hour, and grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through Japan forward Shinji Kagawa. Jurgen Klopp's team were well organised, having come into the European tie on the back of a 1-0 league win at Bayern Munich, which cut the deficit at the top of the Bundesliga to just two points.

Cheered on by a vocal travelling support of some 8,000, Dortmund - unbeaten in six games, winning five - settled quickly. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski - a reported target for Liverpool - stretched the Arsenal backline, with Kagawa forcing a low save from Wojciech Szczesny.

It was nearly 20 minutes before the home side mounted a serious attack, with Aaron Ramsey's pass sending Theo Walcott away down the right. Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller was out quickly to make the block.

There was then a delay after Thomas Vermaelen and Sven Bender collided when they challenged for a 50-50 ball, with the Dortmund midfielder falling awkwardly and eventually needing to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Moritz Leitner.

Dortmund were forced into another unplanned change when much-hyped 19-year-old Goetze, who scored the goal that saw off Bayern and who has been linked with a £30million move to Arsenal, limped off and Croatian Ivan Perisic came on.

Walcott continued to be the main outlet down the right for Arsenal, and he was correctly flagged just offside from Van Persie's pass as he ran through to tap the ball into the net. The Englandman turned provider when he drilled in a low ball across the six-yard box, which Weidenfeller palmed away just as Van Persie looked set to pounce.

Dortmund continued where they had left off at the start of the second half, as Per Mertesacker hacked the ball behind for a corner. However, the Gunners had the lead after 49 minutes. Song charged down the left, before barging his way through three defenders with no little skill and chipping the ball towards the far post. Van Persie arrived on cue to send in a downwards header, which Weidenfeller got a hand to, but could not keep out as the frontman made it 16 goals for his season.

After Dortmund rallied, Arsenal had a great chance to double their lead as Ramsey's toe-poke put Gervinho clear. Although the Ivorian forward rounded the goalkeeper, he had allowed covering defender Mats Hummels enough time to knock the ball behind.

As the match entered the final 20 minutes, Gervinho was replaced by on-loan Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun as Wenger looked to protect his side's lead. Walcott was also withdrawn in the latter stages, giving Abou Diaby the chance to make a welcome return from another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

Van Persie made sure of victory after 87 minutes when he swept home unmarked at the far post following Vermaelen's flick from a corner. Dortmund then gave their excellent supporters a consolation goal when Kagawa shot home from close range in stoppage time.

With Olympiacos winning in Marseille, the Germans mathematically still have something to play for in their final group match, but they most likely face the prospect of Europa League football at best. Arsenal, though, can head to Athens next month safe in the knowledge that qualification and crucially top seeding for the last 16 is assured - which means there will, for now at least, be no chance of another clash with the likes of Barcelona.

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