Showing posts with label BPL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BPL. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Friday, 16 May 2014
Manchester City fined €60m by Uefa for breaching FFP regulations
Manuel Pellegrini's squad for next season's Champions League has been restricted to 21 players, while the club have agreed to significantly reduce their transfer spend
Manchester City have been fined €60 million [£49m] by Uefa and will see their squad reduced to 21 players for next season’s Champions League for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
The club's €60m fine will be withheld from the Champions League revenue generated from this season and next term, while €40m [£32.5m] has been suspended and will be returned to City if they comply with the financial measures set by Uefa.
City, who have accepted the sanctions from Uefa, have also agreed to "significantly limit spending in the transfer market for seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016" and will restrict their net spend in this summer's window to €60m.
City insist the spending limit on new players "will have no material impact on the club’s planned transfer activity".
Despite posting figures outside the financial regulations, City maintain their wage bill will remain the same next season but claim there will be a “natural decline” after that period.
City revealed in a statement that they are now break even and will be profitable next season.
Uefa confirms that if the club meet their break-even target, the 21-man squad restriction will be lifted for the 2015/16 campaign.
As well as City, Paris Saint-Germain, Zenit St Petersburg, Rubin Kazan, Anzhi Makhachkala, Galatasaray, Bursaspor, Trabzonspor and Levski Sofia all failed to meet FFP regulations and have been sanctioned.
Monday, 12 May 2014
Liverpool: 2013-14 season in statistics
Liverpool seasonal stats
Game: 38
won: 26
Drawn: 6
Lost: 6
game win %: 68.4
position: 2
Goals conceded: 50 @ 1.3 per game
Clean sheets: 10
Penalties conceded: 4
tackles: 846, tackles won: 640
total shots: 521, 258 on target 101 goals scored 33.9 mnt per goals
penalties Scored: 10, 2 missed
13 goals outside box, 6 set pices, 82 inside box
54 yellow card 1 red card
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Goal Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United
Goals from Samir Nasri and captain Vincent Kompany either side of half-time saw Manuel Pellegrini's men secure a comprehensive victory that crowed them Premier League champions
MANCHESTER CITY ARE THE 2013/14 PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
Manchester City 2–0 West Ham: Nasri & Kompany secure Premier League title
Manuel Pellegrini's side dominated from the first minute as they conquered any lingering nerves to secure their second league title in three seasons with a fine attacking display
Nor 0 - 2 Ars
Hul 0 - 2 Eve
Sun 1 - 3 Swa
Tot 3 - 0 AST
Ful 2 - 2 CRY
Liv 2 - 1 New
Sot 1 - 1 MNU
Car 1 - 2 Che
WBA 1 - 2 Sto
Manchester City wrapped up their second Premier League title in three seasons thanks to an impressively calm victory against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
Knowing a point would likely be enough to win the title on goal difference and that defeat could spell disaster, Manuel Pellegrini's men set out to attack from the first whistle and were duly rewarded.
Samir Nasri opened the scoring with a fine low strike which evaded Hammers keeper Adrian and crashed in off the post, and Vincent Kompany made it 2-0 shortly after the break.
City dominated the opening half an hour, pegging their opponents back into their own penalty area for long periods, but could not find a way through until the 38th minute.
Martin Skrtel's own goal at Anfield put the home fans' nerves at ease somewhat but they would still have been hoping that David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero had done better with their half chances.
But Nasri's measured strike sent the Etihad into raptures and, with Liverpool still trailing 1-0 to Newcastle, dashed any lingering hopes at Anfield.
City did not rest of their laurels following their opener, with Aguero glancing Nasri's free kick wide of the far post and then Pablo Zabaleta failing to turn in his compatriot's low cross.
Silva then struck the crossbar seconds before the half-time whistle when Andy Carroll deflected his powerful shot.
And they took one more giant stride towards the league crown in the 49th minute when Vincent Kompany poked home from close range after Nasri's corner struck Dzeko near the penalty spot.
In a matter of moments Liverpool turned their match on its head, with Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge both turning in Steven Gerrard free kicks, but City carried on regardless - David Silva's goal-bound shot was deflected wide before Aguero miscued when presented with an open net.
Painted as a potential saviour for Liverpool before the match, Andy Carroll made way for Carlton Cole having failed to make an impact for the Hammers.
Pellegrini looked to shore things up by bringing on Fernandinho and James Milner for Edin Dzeko and David Silva, but City kept up the pressure and Nasri was denied by Adrian after being played in by Yaya Toure.
Yaya Toure was withdrawn late on with a hamstring injury while Aguero and Hammers midfielder Mark Noble were both booked for a late spat, but that did not dampen the hosts' celebrations.
The home fans whipped up a noisy atmosphere before flooding onto the pitch at the final whistle, which confirmed a second Premier League title in three years and City's second trophy of the season following their Capital One Cup final victory.
source: goal.com
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Edin for glory: Dzeko comes to Manchester City rescue
The Bosnian scored twice in his side's win over Aston Villa on Wednesday to leave Manuel Pellegrini's men on the verge of winning their second Premier League title
The bus was parked, the rain was teeming down and Manchester City supporters may have feared the worst as the game entered the final half-an-hour. After all, for all their recent success, most of these fans were brought up where ‘Cityitus’ - a proclivity for choking when it matters - is still ingrained in the psyche.
Then they showed the personality and character of champions, of a team that has done this before. Their goal difference now means they need just one point against West Ham on the final day of the season to clinch a second title in three seasons.
“We’ll fight ‘til the end” were the words sung in the stands and written on the huge flag unveiled in the stands before kick-off.
Edin Dzeko has personified that spirit in recent weeks and while the scoreline ended 4-0 over Aston Villa on Monday, it was the Bosnian who transformed the game from an edgy draw into a convincing victory.
In the 64th minute, Dzeko was too quick on his toes for the Villa defenders as he darted across the six-yard box to reach Pablo Zabaleta’s cross and slide the ball first-time through Brad Guzan’s legs.
Eight minutes later, he put the results beyond doubt with a typical striker’s finish, finding himself in the right place to tap the ball in after Samir Nasri’s initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure scored late on to seal and emphatic scoreline - but it was Dzeko who got City out of trouble. source: goal.com
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Video - Manchester United vs Hull City 3-1
The 18-year-old striker, given his first start as well as Tom Lawrence, netted in either half, while Matty Fryatt's fine long-ranger was made irrelevant by Robin van Persie
Manchester United 3-1 Hull City: Wilson scores twice on dream debut as Vidic bids farewell to Old Trafford
The 18-year-old striker, given his first start as well as Tom Lawrence, netted in either half, while Matty Fryatt's fine long-ranger was made irrelevant by Robin van Persie
The youngster, along with Welsh winger Tom Lawrence, was fielded by Ryan Giggs for his maiden first-team game and made it a memorable one half an hour in when he fired home with a left-footed volley.
The Red Devils extended their lead through Wilson just after the 60-minute mark when he tapped in on the rebound, though the Tigers got a consolation in fine style with Matty Fryatt's long-range stunner only two minutes later.
Old Trafford also had a chance to say goodbye to captain Nemanja Vidic, who came on for one last home game before joining Inter in the summer, while 40-year-old Giggs brought himself on in the second half for what is expected to be his final playing appearance at the ground.
The Welshman had time to supply Robin van Persie with the ammunition for the hosts' third goal, too, the Dutchman's initial effort blocked by Curtis Davies before he buried the rebound. Giggs nearly even buried a fantastic late free kick, though it was well saved by Eldin Jakupovic.
Victory means that United could still overhaul Tottenham and steal sixth spot on the final day of the season, while defeat for Hull extends Steve Bruce's winless run against his old club as a manager to 20 games.
Giggs made eight alterations to the side beaten by Sunderland on Saturday, including blooding the two youngsters, while his former United team-mate, Bruce, also made changes with the upcoming FA Cup final in mind.
Bruce's men were lucky to avoid conceding a penalty when Adnan Januzaj was tackled by Maynor Figueroa and the Honduran defender was in the thick of the action again when Lawrence's 16th-minute shot struck him on its way over the crossbar.
The deadlock was finally broken after 30 minutes without a shot on target by Wilson following a Januzaj free kick. The young striker latched onto a knockdown from Fellaini, the Belgian's first assist of the season, and instinctively volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.
Hull's lacklustre first-half display continued into the second period as United went close to doubling their lead. The effervescent Januzaj found space 25 yards from goal before firing a low shot towards goal that Jakupovic had no problems pushing away for a corner.
United did get a second goal after 61 minutes and again it was Wilson who was on hand to score. After more excellent work from Januzaj and Fellaini seeing an effort saved, the teenager pounced on the loose ball to double his tally.
Substitute Fryatt found the bottom corner two minutes later with a superb curling effort from 25 yards to give Hull hope.
Wilson was then replaced by Van Persie and Giggs also came off the bench, the Welshman making an immediate impact and producing some dazzling wing play that turned back time to the days when he so frequently terrorised defences.
David Meyler had a late chance to snatch a point for the visitors but David de Gea was equal to the task.
And Van Persie punished Meyler's miss late on, the Dutch striker receiving a pass from Giggs before firing past Jakupovic at the second attempt to wrap up a comfortable victory.
source: goal.com
Monday, 5 May 2014
Noel Gallagher taunts Suarez over tears as Liverpool collapse gifts Manchester City title advantage
The Reds left Crystal Palace with just one point and saw their Premier League championship ambitions take a huge dent, much to the delight of the famous City fan
Manchester City fan and former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was quick to taunt Liverpool after their 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace gave his side a huge boost in the title race.
The Reds led by three goals at Selhurst Park but relinquished their lead in a frantic final 15 minutes, leaving Manuel Pellegrini's side trailing the Merseyside club by a point but with two games in hand.
Gallagher voiced his disapproval of Luis Suarez, who was in tears after the dramatic cdraw shortly after the game.
"It was nice to see Suarez in tears at the end because he is a blatant cheat," Gallagher said to talkSPORT. "It was an endearing image, Gerrard too.
"I can't believe he [Suarez] won the Football Writers' Award. They went 3-0 and got caught up in the emotion.
"Nobody wins by six or seven in the Premier League - unless you're playing Tottenham or Arsenal."
source: goal.com
Liverpool's dream is almost over & it's time for Suarez to join Real Madrid
Correspondent Column: The Merseysiders' star man has been in sensational form this season but he should leave Anfield if he gets the chance to the Liga giants this summer
Luis Suarez faces Crystal Palace tonight needing two more goals in Liverpool’s remaining two fixtures to break the Premier League scoring record over a 38-game season.
It would be the perfect way for the Uruguayan to finish a sensational individual campaign before moving on to bigger and better things.
Suarez has been the outstanding player in the division this season with a stunning record of 30 goals in 31 league matches, a strike rate that propelled Liverpool up the table into an unlikely title race.
The Reds can still win their first league title in 24 years if Manchester City slip up - but whatever happens, Suarez should be seriously considering a summer move to Real Madrid.
Source: goal.com
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Arsenal vs West Brom 1 0 ~ All Goals & Highlights
Arsene Wenger's men have already guaranteed a fourth-placed finish, while Pepe Mel's side are four points clear of the relegation zone heading into the clash at the Emirates
Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: Giroud header enough for Gunners
The Frenchman met Santi Cazorla's left-wing corner with a powerful downward header in the 14th minute, ensuring Arsene Wenger's men picked up their fourth league win in a row.
Everton's 3-2 reverse to Manchester City on Saturday meant Arsenal were already assured of a Champions League berth for a 17th successive campaign, with the FA Cup final against Hull City on May 17 now their main focus.
West Brom, meanwhile, went into the game knowing they had likely done enough to secure safety, with 18th-placed Norwich City facing two difficult fixtures, and there was little intensity on show in a low-key affair.
Lukas Podolski did strike the post for Arsenal in the second half, but one goal proved enough as West Brom struggled to carve out opportunities.
Arsenal went in front just before the quarter-hour mark thanks to Giroud's firm header.
After Cazorla had seen his shot deflected over the bar by Youssouf Mulumbu, the Spaniard curled the resulting corner in from the left and Giroud got the better of Craig Dawson to plant a well-directed header into the net from six yards.
Graham Dorrans stung the palms of Wojciech Szczesny with a rasping drive in the 32nd minute, while Saido Berahino blasted a shot narrowly over a minute later.
The hosts' response was immediate, Cazorla bringing a smart save out of Ben Foster after running onto Podolski's cut-back.
Mathieu Flamini, back in the side in place of the rested Aaron Ramsey, hit a tame effort straight at Foster from the edge of the box as Arsenal ended the first period in the ascendancy.
In a quiet second half, Dawson headed over the bar from a corner in the 72nd minute before dragging a speculative effort well wide of goal from 30 yards shortly afterwards.
Mesut Ozil, quiet for much of the match, stabbed narrowly wide of goal after getting on the end of Giroud's flick as Arsenal looked to put the game to bed.
Podolski's mis-hit shot then rebounded back off the post and into the arms of a grateful Foster, but it mattered little.
While Arsenal's title hopes faded some time ago, the club can at least take some consolation from reaching their highest Premier League points tally since the 2007-08 season.
source: goal.com
Video - Goal Everton 2 - Man City 3
Manuel Pellegrini's men are now firm favourites to win a second league title in three seasons after they returned to the summit following a tense 3-2 win over Everton
Everton 2-3 Manchester City: Dzeko double sends Pellegrini's men top
Roberto Martinez's men saw their Champions League dream ended by the new Premier League leaders, who leapfrog Liverpool on goal difference with two games left to play
Roberto Martinez's men saw their Champions League dream ended by the new Premier League leaders, who leapfrog Liverpool on goal difference with two games left to play
The league leaders looked in for a difficult afternoon and fell behind early to a stunning curling effort from England World Cup hopeful Ross Barkley.
But Sergio Aguero equalised before limping off with an injury, and Edin Dzeko scored either side of half time to put the visitors in control.
Romelu Lukaku responded with a header from a Leighton Baines cross to set up a nervy finish and despite the best efforts of Gerard Deulofeu, who forced a save from Joe Hart with a fine individual run, Roberto Martinez's side could not find an equaliser and saw their Champions League hopes ended.
City made an enterprising start, with Aguero often the architect, but Everton took a 10th-minute lead in sensational fashion.
Barkley, who impressed throughout, brought Goodison Park to its feet by whipping Steven Naismith's lay-off into the top corner from 25 yards.
Yaya Toure brushed Leon Osman aside to blast over after 16 minutes, while Barkley jinked past Javi Garcia and Martin Demichelis at the other end to prompt a magnificent last-ditch tackle from Vincent Kompany.
Perhaps inspired by their captain's heroics, City drew level in the 21st minute.
Centre-back Antolin Alcaraz was drawn towards Toure, who slipped a pass though for Aguero to blast beyond Tim Howard at his near post.
However, in the act of scoring, Aguero appeared to sustain another leg problem in an injury-plagued season and the striker was replaced by Fernandinho.
As half time approached Howard thwarted Dzeko from an acute angle but when the ball was worked out to James Milner the big Bosnian was on hand to head home from a pinpoint cross.
Everton had a glorious chance to draw level within a minute of the restart as Barkley stormed forward and Naismith shrugged off Pablo Zabaleta, but Joe Hart made a stunning low save to deny the Scotland international.
In a similar response to the one following Kompany's earlier brilliance, City streamed up field to give themselves breathing space.
Fernandinho sublimely controlled the attack and found Samir Nasri, whose low centre was turned in by Dzeko for City's 150th goal in all competitions this term.
Faced with the seemingly routine prospect of closing out a decisive win, City then faded badly and Lukaku reduced the arrears when he stooped to convert Leighton Baines' arching cross.
Bizarrely, City's defenders were then of greater use at the other end of the field, as Zabaleta and Demichelis went close to adding a fourth.
Lively Everton substitute Gerard Deulofeu rippled the side netting after cutting through the visitors with a brilliant jinking run.
A lengthy period of treatment for a shoulder injury to Dzeko brought about six minutes of stoppage time, but Manuel Pellegrini's side held on and are likely to guarantee a second league crown in three seasons by winning their remaining matches, at home to Aston Villa and West Ham.
source: goal.com
Pellegrini: The worst thing we can do is think we’ve won the title
The Chilean says he is already focusing on Wednesday night's clash against Aston Villa but was pleased to see his side end their dismal recent record at Goodison Park
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has warned his side the worst thing they can do is think they have won the Premier League after beating Everton 3-2.
The victory moves City top of the table, above Liverpool on goal difference, with just two games of the season left to play.
The Chilean’s side should clinch the league if they win both of their remaining games, against Aston Villa and West Ham, but Pellegrini says the title race is not over yet.
“I think that the worst thing we can do is to think we’ve finished the Premier League now,” he told reporters.
“We have to play games against teams who play with no pressure so it’s important that from tomorrow, we start to think about the game against Aston Villa – we take each game as it comes.
“I think it’s very important to continue in the way we are doing so far – today was the last game away from home and we started this season with four points from the first six away games so I think this team is doing much better in this respect.”
Goals from Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko saw City gain all three points against Everton, ending a dismal record at Goodison Park, and Pellegrini admitted it had been a difficult game for his side.
“We’ve won twice in our last ten times here and Everton played really good today – you could clearly see that they wanted to win from the beginning and it was a very tough game for us,” he added.
“We won and that’s the important thing in this moment – the pressure is too high to play our best football but we played well and coped with it.”
“Maybe the team was nervous at 3-2 but we defended well. We started one goal down so it wasn’t easy to recover from that beautiful goal.
“After that we managed the game very well, we scored three and had other chances to score. All of the players played well and all of the team deserve their merits.”
source: goal.com
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Luis Suarez named PFA Player of the Year
Eden Hazard, who won the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, was named as runner-up, while Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure secured third place
Liverpool striker and Premier League top scorer Luis Suarez has been named the PFA Player of the Year.
Suarez finished ahead of second-placed Eden Hazard, who won the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, while Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure ended in third spot after the voting process.
The Uruguay international has netted 30 league goals this season to lead the division's scoring charts and fire Liverpool towards what could be a first league title in 24 years.
With two games remaining this term, Suarez still has the chance to equal, or even better, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer's joint record of 31 goals in a 38-game season.
In addition to his monumental goal haul, the former Ajax frontman has registered 12 assists – the most in the Premier League.
Suarez's award cements an incredible turnaround in affection for the 27-year-old, who was booed on two occasions during last year's PFA ceremony.
He began the campaign by serving the remainder of a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, which followed a race row involving Manchester United's Patrice Evra that also produced a lengthy ban.
But Suarez has put past controversies firmly behind him to light up English football and become only the second Liverpool player to be crowned Player of the Year in the Premier League era.
source: goal.com
Giggs hails Mata 'masterclass' in Manchester United win
The Red Devils' stand-in manager admits that he lost sleep over his team selection but praises the Spaniard, who started on the bench against Norwich City, for his mentality
Ryan Giggs says that Juan Mata delivered a "masterclass" during his 30-minute display in Manchester United's 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
The Spaniard started as a substitute during Giggs's debut as United's stand-in manager but came off the bench to score twice after Wayne Rooney had put last season's title winners two goals in front.
The interim boss admits that he lost sleep over his decision to leave out several high-profile players, including Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini, who both failed to make the matchday squad.
"That was a tough one, as it was leaving so many players out," Giggs told reporters.
"[Mata] was disappointed [not to start] and I'd expect that. It would be strange if he wasn't but he just showed the class that he's got both as a player and as a professional.
"He put on a half-hour masterclass, he was brilliant and I was really happy for him because it's not easy because he's got a big price tag.
"To not start the game was disappointing for him and I'm really pleased that he came on and made such an impact."
Ladbrokes
Source: goal.com
