Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: December 2013

31 December 2013

TENNIS: Abu Dhabi - Andy Murray easily beats Mousa Zayed on competitive return

Andy Murray returned to competitive action at the Qatar Open with a comfortable straight sets win over Qatari wildcard Mousa Zayed.

Murray featured in exhibition games in Abu Dhabi recently in his first action since back surgery in September.

But the 2013 Wimbledon champion made his competitive comeback against Zayed, ranked 2,129th in the world, and lost just seven points in the opening set.

He secured his place in the second round with a 6-0 6-0 win in 37 minutes. The Scot will play either Germany's Florian Mayer for a place in the quarter-finals as he continues his preparations for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 13 January.

TENNIS: Nadal wants more challenges with Djokovic in 2014

Rafael Nadal says he is looking forward to more battles against Novak Djokovic in 2014

Chelsea declares £49.4 million loss for 2013

Chelsea have announced losses totalling £49.4 million for the year ending June 30, 2013.

The group turnover of £255.8m is a club record, but becoming the first reigning champions to be eliminated at the Champions League group stage saw a drop in income.

However, including the £1.4m profit from 2012, Chelsea insist they are at no risk of falling prey to the Financial Fair Play regulations.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said: "From the very beginning of the current ownership of Chelsea, a long-term objective was financial sustainability, and the subsequent implementation of Financial Fair Play by Uefa and by the Premier League has brought that to the top of the agenda for football clubs.

Nigeria midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has been named among the final three shortlists for the 2013 African Footballer of the Year.

Caf announced on Tuesday that current African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure will be battled for the biggest individual football prize on the continent by his countryman, Didier Drogba and Chelsea star, Mikel.

"The Ivorian pair of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba make the final three for a second successive year and will be joined by John Obi Mikel of Nigeria. The winner will be announced on the 9th of January 2014 at the GLO-CAF Awards Gala to be held in Lagos Nigeria," Caf announced on its official website on the eve of New Year's Day.

However, Mikel is not the only Nigerian in the running for an individual honour as 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hero, Sunday Mba, is also in the race to bag the African Footballer of the Year for players based in Africa.

Chelsea are without Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz for the New Year’s Day trip to St. Mary’s stadium to face Southampton.

Lampard (undisclosed muscular injury) and Ivanovic (knee) were injured in Sunday’s win over Liverpool, when Luiz picked up his fifth booking of the season to incur a suspension.
Ivanovic’s injury means Ashley Cole is set to return at left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to the right, while midfielder Ramires is back from a one-game ban.

For Southampton, Dani Osvaldo suffered a knock in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle and, having recovered from that, was then struck down by illness, but could return for the match against the Blues.

Morgan Schneiderlin returns from suspension while Nathaniel Clyne will be hoping to start as he steps up his return from a hamstring complaint.

Arsenal could be without up to 10 stars when they welcome Cardiff City to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

Arsene Wenger admits he has no idea what team he will pick to face the Welsh side due to his lengthy injury list . Aaron Ramsey is out for three weeks with a thigh injury and Wenger is waiting for a specialists report before discovering how long Mesut Ozil will be sidelined with a shoulder problem.

Kieran Gibbs and Olivier Giroud are set to miss out after picking up calf and ankle knocks respectively in the 1-0 win at Newcastle.

Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen are still struggling with illness. Tomas Rosicky (calf), Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are also doubts and will be assessed today.

For the first time ever, ESPN FC is looking to recognize the most influential person in the sport and we’re looking for our readers to be a part of the process.

Here are the candidates for the award:

Gareth Bale: Can a player be underrated when he comes with a 100 million pound price tag? For some reason or another, the towering Welsh winger isn’t mentioned in the same circles as some of the players mentioned here despite putting up very strong stats. Prior to his move to Real Madrid, many wondered if Bale could excel in the very technical La Liga, but he’s thrived thus far with seven goals and six assists in eight league appearances. Pair that with his dominance in the Premier League (21 goals and 4 assists in the 2012-2013 season) and you have a world-class player.

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has dropped the strongest possible hint that Cardiff City striker, Peter Odemwingie will not make his final squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup just because he’s wanted by the majority of the fans.

Odemwnigie has not played for Nigeria since February 29, 2012 when the Super Eagles were held to an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Rawanda at the Stade Régional de Nyamirambo in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifying game.

The 32-year-old has since expressed his desire to return to the national team in time for the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.

“I was in the Nigeria squad for the last World Cup finals in South Africa and I would love the chance to go again,” Odemwingie told WalesOnline in November.

Tuesday’s latest update from the medical team of doctors at Grenoble University Hospital in France is that Michael Schumacher’s condition is “slightly improved,” but that his condition is still critical and his situation will still need to be monitored on an hourly basis.

A new CT scan was taken late Monday night and showed an improved status, so an option was presented to Schumacher’s family as to whether to do another operation to further reduce pressure on his brain. A two-hour procedure then began at 10 p.m. to evacuate a hematoma on the left side of his brain.

Schumacher is still in an artificial coma, but the operation went well. Further hematomas do still exist, but the one that was removed was large, easily accessible and could be removed without undue risk, according to doctors.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari has described the outgoing year (2013) as an unforgettable year for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles of Nigeria won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa while the Golden Eaglets won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirate.

The men’s senior national team also qualified for its 5th FIFA World Cup appearance to cap off a successful year. Speaking with brilafm.net, Maigari acknowledged that 2013 will be a year to always remember.

“2013 is a very good year for the football family, a year that will never go out of our memory and a year that we will continue to think off and rejoice.”

The NFF hopes to build on the successes of 2013 in the forthcoming year with an eye on the 2014 CHAN trophy in South Africa. The competition kicks off on the 11th of January as Nigeria battles South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Eto’o admits he should have been sent off for challenge on Jordan Henderson

Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool must have been the most incident packed game of the season so far.

A couple of days later, the back pages are still full of conjecture about the performance of Howard Webb although Liverpool fans will not appreciate the fact that Samuel Eto’o gave an “exclusive interview” to The Sun newspaper.

Eto’o said: “Maybe I should have been sent off. But I’m not the referee. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we must respect decisions from the officials. During the match in the first moments, the game was passionate on both sides, but people know I’m not violent. I was really sad to see Jordan on the floor – I want to take this opportunity to say sorry.”

The Cameroon striker continued: “There are days where I’m the one who gets kicked – it’s football and can happen unfortunately. But my only intention was to defend and prevent my team from conceding a goal, nothing else. It wasn’t to take out an opponent.”

The year, 2013 has been severally described by many as one of the best in Nigerian football history.

Against all expectations, the country’s senior national team, the Super Eagles began the year on a flyer by winning the Africa Cup of Nations Cup title in South Africa.

The team built on that momentum to qualify for the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil later in the year.

Successes were also recorded at junior level as the U20 team, the Flying Eagles qualified for the World Cup after finishing in third place at the African Youth Championships in Algeria.

The biggest winners were the U17s following their dominant displays at the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Astonishingly, the all-conquering Golden Eaglets did not win the African title as they came up short in the final against the Ivory Coast, a side they lost to via the lotteries of penalties.

Domestically, Kano Pillars and Enyimba continued to throw their weight about as supersport.com now rounds up the biggest stories of a dramatic year in Nigerian football.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud does not want Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to buy another striker during the January transfer window.

The France international’s comments follow reports that Wenger is looking to boost his firepower at the Emirates, as the Gunners chase a first Premier League title in 10 years.

Giroud has netted 11 goals in all competitions for the north London side this season, including the only goal in Sunday’s impressive win at Newcastle.

That victory lifted Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table heading into 2014 at the halfway stage of the season.

And the 27-year-old believes Arsenal have more than sufficient attacking options at their disposal for the remainder of the campaign.

He is quoted as saying by French TV station Canal+: “If the coach wants me to rest, he can do it without buying a new striker.

Seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was fighting for his life on Monday after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel, doctors said.

"We can say that his condition is life-threatening," Jean-Francois Payen, head anaesthetician at the CHU hospital in the eastern French city of Grenoble, told a news conference.

"For the moment we cannot say what Michael Schumacher's future is," he added. "We are working round the clock - we are trying to win time."

The retired motor racing great, 44, slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste on Sunday morning in the French Alpine resort where he has a vacation home.

"His helmet did of course protect him at least partly. Someone who had suffered a similar accident without a helmet would not have made it here (to the hospital)," Payen said.

Football has provided countless breathtaking and unforgettable moments over the course of 2013. Here, FIFA.com singles out 13 occasions that helped make this a year to remember in the beautiful game.

Messi eclipses icons
7 January
Having scored 91 goals in 69 appearances during 2012, Lionel Messi’s reward came at the start of this year with a record-breaking fourth successive FIFA Ballon d’Or. The little Argentinian duly superseded Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff and achieved a feat he described as “just too great for words”.

Mba sends Eagles soaring
10 February
It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and Sunday Mba’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning strike brought joy and relief to an entire nation. Nigeria had not won a major trophy in 17 years going into the continental showpiece, but despite the best efforts of debutant finalists Burkina Faso, Mba’s precise volley – after flicking the ball over his opponent’s head – proved sufficient to secure the African crown.

VIDEO: Top funny 2013 Football moments

Laughing time.....

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Ivanovic gets revenge on Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic were reunited on Sunday, following last season’s infamous biting incident.

Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners and it appeared there was no bad blood between the pair during the game.

However, a closer look at footage from the game shows Branislav Ivanovic (probably accidentally) kung-fu kicked the Uruguayan Liverpool striker in the face, in the melee involving Liverpool’s goal.

The GIF below doesn’t offer a clear angle on the attack but the pictures do.

Sweet Serbian revenge for Branislav. See pictures after the cut.....

FIFA includes Sunday Mba's goal as top defining moment in 2013

The world football governing body has included the midfielder's goal as one of the 13 moments that defined 2013

Sunday Mba’s lone strike against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final has been picked by Fifa as one of the 13 breathtaking and unforgettable moments over the course of 2013.

The world football governing body on their website rated the goal as one of the unforgettable and memorable moments of 2013.

“It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and Sunday Mba’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning strike brought joy and relief to an entire nation,” wrote Fifa.com.

LIVERPOOL FANS: Howard Webb now a Chelsea supporter

Its been a difficult couple of games for Liverpool, losing at two title rivals in Manchester City and Chelsea.

And, for both losses, it is easy for Liverpool fans to point the finger at the officials who have denied the Merseyside giants in both games.

At the Etihad, it was Lee Mason denying Raheem Sterling with an offside call early doors that had Liverpool supporters irate.

On Sunday, Howard Webb, a referee who has been harsh on Liverpool before, was the centre of attention for at least two decisions regarding Samuel Eto’o.

The Chelsea striker was lucky only to receive a yellow card for the foul that led to Martin Skrtel’s opener.

Super pundit Gary Neville was up at the crack of dawn on Monday and answered a number of questions on Twitter regarding Sunday’s big match between Chelsea and Liverpool as well as on the Premier League.

The money quote came with regards to Luis Suarez and his alleged dive for what Liverpool felt should have been a penalty late on against Chelsea for a foul by Samuel Eto’o.

Jose Mourinho was quite vociferous in suggesting Suarez dived whilst Liverpool fans were upset with referee Howard Webb.

Yet, Neville played down the “dive” claiming there were 20 others during the high octane Premier League match.

G Nev also discussed Juan Mata, Howard Webb, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and who he thinks is the best right back in the Premier League. Read all the Tweets below...

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday received Globe Soccer Award for the fans favorite player in 2013. The player was speaking at a Dubai International Sports Conference when he was awarded.

In his speech during the conference, Ronaldo said it won’t be easy for him to record 69 goals like he did in 2013.

“It won’t be easy to repeat what I’ve achieved. But I will certainly try to break more records because I won’t develop unless I try,” Ronaldo said

“I’ve been developing myself for (almost) six or seven years. I continuously improve and scoring goals is part of the development of my (skills),” the Real Madrid forward said.

The father of Nigeria under-17 star Kelechi Iheanacho is hopeful his son will reconsider his decision and still join Manchester City. Iheanacho was included in the Super Eagles’ provisional squad for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) but left after a week to conclude talks with Man City.

The deal with the English outfit was however not concluded with the youngster apparently changing his mind and choosing Portuguese giants FC Porto instead.

James Iheanacho told Brila FM that he was aware of the situation, but added that he will try and persuade his son to go to the Etihad Stadium when given the chance.

FENERBAHCE 5 KAYSERISPOR 1: Watch Emenike's super strike & jubilation

what a strike!!!

Emenike scores goal Number 8

Emmanuel Emenike ended 2013 with his eighth league goal as Fenerbahce spanked Kayserispor 5-1 in a Turkish league game on Sunday. Emenike scored Fenerbahce's fourth goal in the 70th minute.

Fenerbahce are top of the table with 41 points from 17 games, eight points clear of champions and closest rivals Galatasaray.

Turkey Super League will resume on January 25, 2014.

Former Nigeria youth international Nduka Ozokwo scored the opener as Mersin Idmuyurdu defeated Adanaspor 3-0 in the Turkish second division.

He broke the deadlock in the 58th minute.

Mersin Idmuryurdu are fifth on the league table with 33 points from 18 matches.

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Watch Mourinho interrupt Liuz & Hazard's interview

Jose Mourinho interrupted the post-match interview with David Luiz and Eden Hazard and thanked and congratulated his players on their performance.

Mourinho even joked that David Luiz had got his yellow card deliberately so that he could go home to Portugal for a few days and take some time off.

Mourinho then hugged his players and left leaving both players and the interviewer quite puzzled.

Maybe not a classic Jose moment but great trolling by the special one!

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Oscar sends Lucas apology on Instagram after clash

One of the most curious incidents at the end of Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday was the clash between two Brazilians: Oscar and Lucas. The Chelsea midfielder came in very late on the Liverpool enforcer and in fairness it was a dangerous challenge from Oscar.

Lucas, unsurprisingly, wasn’t happy, and shoved Oscar in the face, despite the fact the pair are international team mates.

On Monday morning, Oscar assured his fans on Instagram that all was ok with Lucas, posting the following message in English and Portuguese:

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said he did not start Mikel Obi in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Liverpool so as to rest the player who also had flu. The Nigeria midfielder was a second-half replacement for Frank Lampard as Chelsea consolidated their third spot on the EPL table against closest rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

“Mikel had started the last two games during the holiday period and he also had flu,” explained Mourinho after the hard-fought win over Liverpool.

Mourinho also said he expected Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o to adapt quicker to the fast pace of the EPL.

“The sooner he adapts, the better. I have told him so,” said the coach while defending some late tackles by the striker against Liverpool.

Chelsea reportedly want to bring former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso back to the Premier League after the Spain international snubbed new contract talks at Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho’s former player is understood to be keen on being re-united with the Chelsea boss after the 32-year-old’s contract negotiations stalled once more.
It is no secret that Mourinho is not happy with the midfield ranks at his disposal and the Chelsea boss would be delighted to pick up his former playmaker from Real Madrid. He does not fit the bill of the dynamic, powerful midfielder that he was previously believed to be targeting, but a player of his class would undoubtedly strengthen Chelsea. The best bet? Alonso is likely still hankering for an improved deal at the Spanish giants.

EVERTON 2 SOUTHAMPTON 1: Lukaku's goal moves Everton into top 4

Everton moved into the top four of the Premier League as Romelu Lukaku's first goal in six games sealed victory over Southampton. Seamus Coleman gave Everton the lead with a fine strike into the top corner.

Saints substitute Gaston Ramirez levelled with a shot from range that Toffees keeper Joel Robles misjudged.

But just three minutes later Everton were back in front, with Lukaku converting James McCarthy's incisive 74th minute pass to seal victory.

The result means the Merseyside outfit leapfrog neighbours Liverpool - who lost to Chelsea in Sunday's later kick-off.

Everton are five points behind leaders Arsenal while Southampton remain ninth after a disappointing end to 2013.

Keshi has explained that it is imperative for the centre-back to leave Stamford Bridge to secure regular playing time to boost his World Cup chance with Nigeria.

"I know he will leave Chelsea soon and it will be on loan. This is a World Cup year and I've told him that he needs to be playing regularly to have a chance of being part the team to the World Cup," said the Nigerian manager to supersport.com from Port Harcourt on Friday.

The 20-year-old defender last season spent 18 months on loan at Dutch club, ADO Den Haag and Keshi believes that the spell helped the young centre half's development.

"Kenneth is an important player for us and he showed that this year during the (Africa) Cup of Nations. It was good at the time that he spent his time on loan in The Netherlands (with ADO Den Haag after signing for Chelsea) and that helped his career well.

French footballer Nicolas Anelka on Sunday strongly defended a controversial gesture he made during a weekend match, saying “I am neither anti-Semite nor racist”, even as British football authorities mulled possible punishment.

The 34-year-old West Bromwich Albion striker and former member of France’s national team issued a series of tweets rejecting claims that the gesture he made Saturday was anti-Semitic or a thinly veiled Nazi-like salute, as many have interpreted.

His response came amid growing outrage online and internationally, and a risk that he could face match suspensions if England’s Football Association finds his act racially offensive.

Anelka argued in his tweets that the gesture — in which he thrust his straightened right arm downwards while tapping his bicep with the other hand — was merely “anti-establishment”.

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is in a “critical condition” in a coma after striking his head in a ski accident in the French Alps on Sunday, the hospital treating him said.

The 44-year-old German “was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival, which required an immediate neurosurgical operation,” the hospital in the southeast French city of Grenoble said in a statement.

The director of the Meribel resort, where the accident happened, had said the injury was “serious” but not life-threatening.

The director, Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte, said Schumacher was skiing off-piste late morning with companions when he fell and struck his head.

In initial comments to Radio Monte Carlo Sport, Gernigon-Lecomte had said Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was “conscious but a little agitated” after the accident.

Head coach of the Nigeria national team coach, Stephen Keshi is unhappy that the best player at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, Kelechi Iheanacho will not be part of the Super Eagles side that will compete at the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

Iheanacho was reportedly hurled off to Manchester City earlier this month to undergo trials with the Barclays English Premier League club.

However, nothing came out of the trip to Eastlands and the midfielder has now been left in limbo with Keshi declaring that the 17-year-old is no longer in his immediate plans.

Keshi, who is one of the first Nigerians to play professionally in Europe, believes Iheanacho’s budding career could be hampered by excessive “external influences.”

“External influences have started because he’s a young footballer who needs the right kind of guidance,”

The former Nigeria captain who played for Lokeren, Anderlecht and Strasbourg also questioned the rationale behind taking Iheanacho to Manchester inferring that the youngster would have struggled to break into the squad.

NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 1: Watch Wenger's post match interview

Wenger on top of the League....

Mourinho hails John Terry after 600 appearances for Chelsea

Chelsea captain John Terry is far from finished and playing as well as ever after 600 matches for his club, manager Jose Mourinho said on Sunday.

The 33-year-old former England skipper, whose form was said to be in decline last season, turned out for Chelsea for the 600th time in their 2-1 home victory over Liverpool in the Premier League.

The win lifted Chelsea into third place, two points behind leaders Arsenal and pushed Liverpool down to fifth, four points further back.

"More important than the accumulation of the 600 matches is that he played every minute of the 19 matches in the Premier League this season amazing for a player who last season lots of people said was going down," Mourinho told reporters.

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Watch Mourinho call Suarez cheat in after match interview

The happy one sure knows how to mock players...

Jose Mourinho was at his enigmatic/controversial best after Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool

After initially interupting David Luiz and Eden Hazard in their interview, Jose Mourinho started off by praising the Premier League and how all players are “monsters”. However, the comments turned ugly very quickly as he started dishing out the dirt.

After being asked if Samuel Eto’o was lucky to be on the pitch after his shocking challenge in the first few minutes of the match, Mourinho used a phrase straight out of Arsene Wenger’s book, saying that he didn’t see the incident.

When asked about if Liverpool should have had a penalty, after Luis Suarez was hacked down by Eto’o, Mourinho spoke about how Eden Hazard deserved a penalty after being fouled by Lucas Leiva. Completely ignoring the actual question.

The Spiritual Leader of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has predicted victory for Super Eagles at the forthcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He made this known to Daily Independent at his Spiritual Village, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while speaking on plans to mark his spiritual birthday on January 1, 2014. Maharaj Ji was determined speaking about it:

“I have said it and nothing will change it. If the Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi, shows more love to Maharaj Ji, the true name of the Almighty,He will lead the team to victory that will shock the world.

“I want him and top shots of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to visit Maharaj Ji Village and let us have a discussion. Let them come and put Maharaj Ji’s power to test. I cannot be here and Nigeria won’t be able to conquer the world.

Tottenham moved three points off the top four in the league with a comfortable victory over Stoke. Spurs went ahead when Roberto Soldado scored a penalty after Ryan Shawcross handled Emmanuel Adebayor's volley.
Soldado had a tame 10-yard shot saved before Mousa Dembele added a second when he rifled in a 20-yard shot.
Stoke rarely threatened and Aaron Lennon's angled strike across goal sealed Tottenham's first home league win in five outings.

The victory also provided Spurs head coach Tim Sherwood with his first win since taking over as permanent manager as his side rose to seventh in the top-flight and level on points with sixth-placed Manchester United, who they visit on New Year's Day.

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Watch all the goals & highlights

This is Liverpool's 2nd lost in 4 days

CHELSEA 2 LIVERPOOL 1: Eto scores winner for Chelsea

The travellers struck first on a crisp, cold afternoon in West London, Martin Skrtel latching onto a loose ball inside the Chelsea area from a set-piece to knock a straightforward effort home in the opening minutes.

But, as at Manchester City earlier in the week, a double response from the hosts in the first half completely overturned the scoreline - Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o providing the damage for Jose Mourinho's team.

Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, it was revealed that Daniel Agger had been reinstated to Brendan Rodgers' starting XI, replacing Frenchman Aly Cissokho in the only change, and the defender wore the captain's armband.

Academy talents Jordan Rossiter and Brad Smith were named among the substitutes and the latter was introduced for the final 30 minutes of the encounter to make his senior debut for the club.

Olivier Giroud's header earned a scrappy win over Newcastle as Arsenal overtook Manchester City to regain top spot in the Premier League.
The Gunners created several chances early on but Newcastle almost went ahead in first-half stoppage time when Moussa Sissoko's shot was saved and Mathieu Debuchy headed against the bar.
As the game became disjointed, Giroud nodded in Theo Walcott's free-kick.

Walcott had a lob cleared off the line before Arsenal withstood late pressure.
The hosts sent goalkeeper Tim Krul forward in search of a late equaliser, with Hatem Ben Arfa firing wide from a great position, but the Gunners will now be top of the league on New Year's Day for the first time since the 2007-08 season with a point advantage over Manchester City.

Chelsea will host Liverpool today at Stamford Bridge which will definitely bring to memory the infamous Luiz Suarez bite on Ivanovic that earned him a Ten match ban. Suarez has however become a better play since that time banging in goals and currently the best player in Europe in terms of form.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea midfielder Ramires received his fifth yellow card of the season against Swansea and will serve a one-match suspension. Manager Jose Mourinho will rotate his squad, meaning Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to return in place of Ashley Cole and Fernando Torres could start.

Liverpool's Jon Flanagan could again be absent with a hamstring problem.
Steven Gerrard, Jose Enrique and Daniel Sturridge remain out until the new year.

Substitute Danny Welbeck scored the winner as Manchester United beat a determined Norwich City to secure a fourth consecutive Premier League win.

The Canaries had shots from Russell Martin and Gary Hooper saved prior to the visitors, who were without the injured Wayne Rooney, taking the lead.

A series of ricochets put Welbeck through on goal and he rounded keeper John Ruddy before slotting in. Norwich struggled to respond and are now without a win in four league games.
United had Rooney sidelined because of a groin problem and, despite missing their inspirational striker, they overcame his absence to secure a hard-fought three points courtesy of Welbeck's fourth goal in five games.

The victory moves them up to sixth and two points off the top four, although that gap and placing could change with several of their rivals in action on Sunday.

CHRISTANO RONALDO: Watch is 2013 golden year video

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing second fiddle to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in recent years.

However, 2013 has witnessed Ronaldo catch up with the little Argentinian superstar. Ronaldo has scored a whopping 69 goals in 2013 and is poised to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2008.

Sky Sports produced a wonderful show containing all of Ronaldo’s goals in 2013, as well as some exclusive footage.

Nicolas Anelka lands in trouble after goal celebration, compares celebration with Obama & Jay-Z

Nicolas Anelka has today started a media storm which will no doubt cause many arguments and discussions.

Celebrating a goal for West Brom, he produced a French anti-semitic gesture made famous by controversial comedian Dieudonne.

The veteran Frenchman took to Twitter in an attempt to defend his actions but in truth, it hasn’t really gone to plan. He posted a picture of Barack Obama, Jay-Z and Beyonce producing a similar gesture.

However, their gesture was the ‘Dirt off the Shoulder’ gesture, which is completely inoffensive and completely unrelated to Anelka’s gesture. If he’s hinting the American president and high profile celebrities support holocaust denier Dieudonne, he’ll end up starting a secondary media storm. See the Obama / Jay -Z picture after the cut...

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table after Edin Dzeko's 50th goal for the club defeated Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium.
City dominated a first half which saw their England keeper Joe Hart play on after suffering a badly cut eye.
Palace threatened via Jason Puncheon and Mile Jedinak, but Dzeko turned in a Jesus Navas cross to put City ahead.
Joel Ward drew a fine save from Hart and missed the target with a header as City went two points clear of Arsenal.
Manuel Pellegrini's side extended their 100% home league record, with the Gunners facing a tough trip to seventh-placed Newcastle on Sunday.
But after averaging more than four goals a game at Etihad Stadium, City were frustrated by a fine defensive effort from Palace, who limited the hosts to their first 1-0 home victory this term.

The Sunday Express, a paper which is very hard to rely upon, claims that Chelsea defender Ashley Cole could move to Real Madrid this summer.

The backpage of the Sunday tabloid has the loud headline “Real Deal For Cole” along with a big photo of the England left-back with the strapline “Out in the cold: Cole has lost his starting place at Chelsea but could land a dream move to Real Madrid.”

Behind the headlines is the following story from John Richardson:

Ashley Cole could be heading for a stunning move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Chelsea veteran, 33, is wanted by Real manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is prepared to discuss a short-term deal with the player he knows well from his spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. A copy of the backpage of the Sunday Express can be seen below after the cut...

NFF: Semi Final target for Nigeria is real

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has insisted that the Super Eagles should try all their best to ensure they get to the semi final stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year.

With proper preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup set to start next March, the Nigeria Football Federation believes that the team is capable of achieving the feat as they have also promised to assist the technical crew led by Coach Stephen Keshi gets to the semi final.

Director of competitions at the NFF, Mohamed Sanusi added that negotiating the group stage shouldn’t be a problem for the Eagles.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos has said that the government’s investment in the monthly Hall of Fame Boxing Championship has not been in vain with the success the event has recorded since inception five years ago.
The governor, who was the Special Guest at the 5th edition of the Governor’s Belt on Boxing Day, said that he was delighted watching young pugilists doing their trade with high sense of fulfillment.
Fashola described the winner of the Governor’s Belt, Aishat Oriyomi, a female boxer who won the belt for the first time in five years, as a talented and gifted pugilist who used her prowess in the ring to entertain fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba, yesterday.

LIVERPOOL: Brendan Rodgers in FA trouble

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces FA action, and a possible disrepute charge, after complaining about referee Lee Mason in the wake of his team’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Mason, who did appear to make errors on a number of key decisions against Liverpool, is based in Bolton which is technically in the county of “Greater Manchester.”

Bolton is never considered to be part of the city of Manchester but that did not prevent Rodgers from implying that Mason is from “Manchester”.
Rodgers said: “We had no help whatsoever from the officials.

“I thought they were horrendous. We had nothing go our way at all. I was surprised we’re playing in Manchester with a referee from Greater Manchester. I didn’t think we got any decision go for us.

In the summer you would have said Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona would be impossible. Now it appears to be only unlikely. This morning French newspaper Le Parisien wrote an article explaining five reasons why Leo Messi could sign for PSG.

1. His relationship with the club is not as close as it was. Messi has had tax issues in recent months and has also been involved in a rant against one of the Barcelona directors.
On top of that, wonderkid Brazilian Neymar was signed and could be seen as a replacement for the Argentinian superstar.

Unbeaten five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. gave Manny Pacquiao an early Christmas gift on Twitter.
But it was clearly something that the Filipino boxing legend would not like.
Mayweather ripped Pacquiao on the social networking site with a post that wrote “Christmas card to the world” Tuesday.
And though two of boxing’s biggest draw would not likely meet in the ring, Mayweather just hit Pacquiao with a low blow.

TENNIS: Andy Murray back to winning ways in Abu Dhabi

Andy Murray chalked up his first win since returning to action after a three-month injury lay-off by defeating Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The 26-year-old Wimbledon champion had back surgery in September and did not play again until he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals of the Mudabala World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament on Thursday.
Wawrinka lost to David Ferrer on the same day and the match between him and Murray was to decide who would finish fifth in the unofficial three-day tournament that sees the world’s top two players – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic joining in at the semi-final stage.

Warri Wolves player Sunday Mba may not be available for Nigeria when the African Nations Championship (Chan) kicks off next month in South Africa , as he is set to make a move to Europe.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, revealed on Thursday that Mba is on the verge of sealing a move to modest French club, Bastia; who nearly signed the player earlier in the year.

Daniel Amokachi, assistant coach of the Super Eagles further revealed that Mba is expected to leave the Super Eagles camp in Abuja as early as Friday, as he is not one of the players listed for the friendly game in Port Harcourt on Saturday against a Rivers selected side.

See the picture after the cut....

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has blasted his players for failing to take their chances and score more goals during club’s narrow 1-0 win over Swansea on boxing day.

Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the match and the Blues will count themselves lucky not to concede an equalizer as the Swans put up a spirited fight to come back into the game during the second 45.
The match was an embodiment of the problems currently ailing the Chelsea striking department as their Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o wasted numerous chances having been put through a number of times.

Hot Neymar scores 5 goals

Barcelona striker Neymar played in an exhibition match in Brazil last night. The teams were Neymar and friends v Cantor Leonardo and friends.
After leaving Barcelona early because he was suspended for the final match before the winter break, Neymar seems to be enjoying his time back in his homeland and spending the holiday period with his family and friends.
The Barcelona wonderkid managed to score 5 of his teams 8 goals as the match finished Friends of Neymar 8 – Friends of Cantor Leonardo 6.
Neymar was clearly too good for his opponents in the exhibition match and delighted fans with 5 relatively simple goals.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Full striker statistics of Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea

Some interesting statistics of the strikers of the top 4 Premier League clubs have been produced. Their shot to goal conversion rate is the important statistic and Chelsea’s striker stick out like a sore thumb.

Suarez, Aguero and Negredo lead the line for chance conversion with all three of the Chelsea strikers lagging way behind.

Interestingly, Romelu Lukaku has a % rate to match the top strikers in the league, but he’s been sent on loan to Everton. The best statistic here? Nicklas Bendtner has the best shot to goal conversion rate, scoring one of his three attempts. See the full statistics after the cut....

As 2013 draws to a close, newspaper’s attempts to get out their pick for Team of the Year.
L’Equipe and Gazzetta dello Sport both published interesting sides.
Spanish newspaper Marca today published their XI and it contains zero players from the Premier League. The team was actually picked by readers with over 300,000 votes counted in the poll.
3 Bayern players, 3 Barcelona players, 3 Real Madrid players and 2 PSG stars feature in their 2013 XI. Xabi Alonso’s place in central midfield is certainly questionable.

31 December 2013

30 December 2013

29 December 2013

28 December 2013

27 December 2013