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[Rutashubanyuma]

Welsh FA refuse to budge on Bale competing in Olympics

Published 16:41 12/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Welsh football chiefs remain opposed to any of their country's players representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.
Tottenham and Wales star Gareth Bale, one of the hottest properties in the British game, has reportedly intimidated his interest in featuring at the tournament.
At present that is not possible as the Football Association of Wales, along with their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts, are refusing to take part.
Those associations fear their independent status within world governing body FIFA could be jeopardised if they participate.

The English Football Association have therefore agreed to represent the host nation at the Games.
The British Olympic Association insist, however, it would be discriminatory if the FA refuse to select players from any of the other home nations.
The impasse seems unlikely to be broken soon, with the FAW today insisting they will not make their players available.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "Our position on this has not changed - and is unlikely to change. There is no drive for us to change our position."
With Wales having not qualified for a major tournament since 1958, the attraction for a player such as 21-year-old Bale to the Olympic event is obvious.
Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey, 20, is another player that would probably come into consideration if selection for the Olympic tournament, which is an Under-23 competition, was open.
Ford says no player has come forward with a request to the FAW about the matter.
He added: "We haven't been in a situation where anybody has been approached.
"Let's take one step at a time and if we get to that we will have the discussion at that time."
New Wales manager Gary Speed understands why players might want to play in London but believes their future prospects of participating in major tournaments with the principality are strong anyway.
Speed's hopes of taking Wales to Euro 2012 look slim as he takes over a team that has so far lost all three of their qualifiers but he feels he has a good nucleus of young players.
Speed said: "That is my goal, to qualify for a major tournament, as it has been for many managers before me.
"If you look at the crop of players we have got, we have got as a good a chance now as we have had for many years.
"The fact he [Bale] has said that shows me how much drive and determination he has to achieve.
"He wants to play on the biggest stage and that is understandable.
"But it's a personal thing if that is what he said.
"I haven't discussed the details with Jonathan at all and will cross that bridge when we come to it."
Ford and Speed were speaking at a press conference to announce Vauxhall as the FAW's new main sponsor until the end of the 2014 World Cup campaign.
The car manufacturer have already agreed a deal with the FA and are expected to make further announcements in conjunction with Scotland and Northern Ireland in the coming days.
These new sponsorship deals have coincided with reports that the Home International tournament could be revived.
The FA have played down the suggestions by saying they are considering arranging a series of friendlies with the other home nations in 2013, the year of their 150th anniversary.
Ford has gone a step further by suggesting England could be included in that year's Carling Nations Cup.
That competition takes place for the first time this year with Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland playing in a round-robin event in Dublin.
Ford said: "I can confirm some provisional discussions have taken place but they are just discussions at the moment with regard to what the remit of the 2013 tournament could be.
"I can certainly suggest on behalf of the Football Association of Wales, that if England did come back into the fold for a competition we would delighted to take part ourselves.
"I don't know the exact details of how it would work but what we are talking about at this moment would be a one-off.
"It is the FA's 150th anniversary and it is very much a celebratory tournament in that respect.
"But I remember those matches as a kid. They are fantastic and take friendlies to a different level. They would be competitive matches, not friendlies.
"For the fans, what a great opportunity it would be to see those come back."
Vauxhall's managing director Duncan Aldred admits there would be a good commercial incentive for the Home Internationals to return.
Aldred said: "Any reigniting of Home Internationals would be very good for the teams, very good for the fans and, obviously, very good for Vauxhall now as lead sponsor.
"And to see it repeated on a regular basis is something we would be very supportive of."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool: DJ rocks Kenny

Published 21:52 12/01/11 By David Maddock

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Charlie Adam is challenged by Christian Poulsen as the game is level at the break




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As Kenny Dalglish said in response to his emotional return this week, romance never won a football match. Not for Liverpool, anyway.
Last night, the new Reds boss was forced to face up to the harsh reality he insisted his regime must be based on, when his team were outfought and ultimately outplayed by Blackpool, whose own fairytale continues thanks to DJ Campbell's deserved winner.
The romantic return of the King was killed off in one painful, fateful evening, and the grim reality that remains is the prospect of a relegation battle with a side ill-equipped for the task.
The groundswell of heartfelt opinion amongst the believing Anfield faithful, was that Kenny had assumed the reigns to ignite a revival and steer the club back towards the glories of the past and into the firmament of the big four once more.

But that dream died as soon as Gary Taylor-Fletcher, a Liverpool-born former Scouse barman served up a spirited equaliser to Fernando Torres' surprise early goal, to give the home side an initiative they never subsequently lost.
If anything, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will complain that his team should have been more ruthless in their dominance, and converted more of the chances their impressive display - orchestrated by the game's two best players Charlie Adam and David Vaughan - produced.
Campbell missed two further, glorious, opportunities, Taylor-Fletcher, Luke Varney and Vaughan another apiece, Pepe Reina made several impressive saves and the home side had countless other positions from which they should have done better in front of goal.
If 2-1 was a flattering scoreline, then it was to Liverpool, who suffered the ignominy of losing to the Seasiders twice in a season for the first time since the 1946-47 season.
In that sense, the Bloomfield Road story really is a fairytale. When Dalglish walked out of Liverpool 20 years ago, the Tangerines were playing Chesterfield in Division Four.
On his first league game back, the football legend was given a football lesson, by a side who were far more committed and confident than his own, and who seemed to possess a sheer delight in their work that was lacking from this miserably deflated Liverpool team.
And yet the Reds couldn't have had a better start. As Holloway said, it could have been a "horrible, horrible night" for his side, as they found themselves behind after just three minutes.
Torres escaped down the right flank after a clever ball from young Martin Kelly, and as he cut in on goal, unleashed a right foot shot that seemed to contain all the anger and frustration a miserable season has provoked.
It fair screamed into the roof of the net above the flailing grasp of Blackpool keeper Richard Kingson, and looked for all the world a message to those who have openly, some would say rightly, questioned the Reds forward this season.
Torres had previously scored just one goal away from home all season, and for a few fleeting moments it seemed as though his transformation was the announcement of a new dawn for Liverpool.
Within minutes, though, that thought was exploded. Under Roy Hodgson and even Rafa Benitez before him, the Anfield side were insipid away from home - as two league wins on their travels in 12 months so painfully illustrates - and that fragility was immediately exposed by a Blackpool side who clearly relish the opportunity to pit themselves against the big boys.
Such an away record is no blip. There has to be a soft underbelly to a side of internationals when they can't win away, and the arrival of an inspirational figure like Dalglish is not going to change that. Only signings will, and if this result proves anything, then it will prove costly to the new owners, who will have to open their chequebook now.
A lack of character is is not a trait to be taking to Bloomfield Road...as Blackpool proved. Within 10 minutes they were level, and the goal owed much to that sort of tenacity for which they have become renowned this season.
Raul Merieles looked comfortable enough in possession in midfield, but when hounded by the outstanding Adam he passed blindly to David Vaughan, whose pass sent Taylor-Fletcher scurrying away.
The striker hadn't scored since October, but you'd never have guessed it, as he coolly rolled the ball past Pepe Reina, and then unveiled an emotional celebration in memory of his former Lincoln team-mate Richard Butcher, who sadly died at the weekend.
With Vaughan's precision and Adam's range of passing, they controlled the midfield, and it seemed only a matter of time before a winner arrived, and it came on 69 minutes when Ian Evatt headed back a Neal Eardley cross for Campbell to fire home a close range header of his own.
Liverpool didn't lack effort, but they clearly lack confidence and character in the absence of their skipper Steven Gerrard. A penalty claim when Cathcart handled, but only after he was pushed, was their only real moment after the break, and that is worrying.
Worrying too, is the lack of belief in their technique as they were outplayed in the second half, and if there were any doubts, then it is now clear the romance of the return is dead, and they must now face up to their harsh reality of their situation at the wrong end of the table.
**
Blackpool: Kingson 6; Eardley 6, Cathcart 7, Evatt 6, Crainey 6; Vaughan 8, Adam 8; Taylor-Fletcher 7 (Baptiste 81, 6), Grandin 6 (Phillips 69,6), Varney 7 (Southern 81, 6) Campbell 6.
Liverpool: Reina 6; Kelly 6, Skrtel 7, Agger 6, Johnson 6; Poulsen 6 (Ngog, 82), Lucas 6; Kuyt 6, Meireles 5, Jovanovic 6; Torres 7.
Referee: Mike Oliver (Northumberland) 7.
Hero: Charlie Adam possessed the passing ability and confidence that Liverpool so sorely lacked in midfield.
Villain: Raul Meireles had a game he would rather forget, and a nightmare for Blackpool's equaliser when he gifted possession.
Match stat: Gary Taylor-Fletcher became the first player other than DJ Campbell to score for Blackpool since November 27.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Gutted Dalglish admits: This is a huge challenge

Published 23:09 12/01/11 By Alan Nixon

Kenny Dalglish admitted he was facing a huge challenge as his Liverpool team were put in a spin towards the relegation zone by DJ Campbell last night.
Veteran boss Dalglish found out the king-sized task of turning round his beloved club as Ian Holloway's heroes rocked him to pull off a memorable double over the fallen Kop giants.
Campbell headed home a glorious winner as Blackpool came from behind to leave Dalglish looking for his first win and facing a Merseyside derby on Sunday when his team could be plunged deeper into trouble.
Dalglish will meet owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner to discuss new players and funds later this week - and on this evidence he will need plenty of both.

The comeback is not going to plan and Dalglish said: "I'm obviously disappointed. It's obviously a big challenge. You seldom get a job where there are no challenges. The harder they work, the luckier they will become.
"It's all well and good being a decent side but any team that has been successful needs that bit of luck too. Maybe that's just going against us. But the longer we stick in the less sorry for ourselves we will feel and the better chance we will have.
"There are mitigating circumstances, many of them played with ten men against Manchester United on Sunday and it's a credit to them how well they lasted.
"We got off to a great start but I thought the equaliser was the turning point of the game. We were looking for a second goal and they got a break.
"Blackpool's winner came when we cleared a corner and it came back in and we didn't pick up. There are a couple of things for us that we can sort out.
"I was encouraged by the attitude and commitment of the players. If the problems lie within yourselves you have a chance of solving them. We will work hard in our own way."
The Reds were a desperate disappointment despite taking the lead through Fernando Torres' thumping early goal - a strike that had Dalglish dancing like a teenager.
Scouser and former Kopite Taylor-Fletcher, once a barman on Merseyside in his part-time days, turned the champagne start flat with a gutsy equaliser.
And Holloway's men, still holding their own in the top flight, were arguably the better side from then on with more confidence in their ability despite the financial mis-match.
Campbell should have put Blackpool ahead before Pepe Reina made two terrific saves from Charlie Adam and David Vaughan in the second half.
Liverpool struggled but claimed a penalty when Craig Cathcart handled in his own box only for Torres to be booked for a debatable foul on him.
Astonishingly the Seasiders have left Liverpool beached three points below them in 13th place - with Holloway's stunners up to ninth.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wenger raps Gunners as 'poor in every department'

Published 22:55 12/01/11 By John Cross

Arsene Wenger blasted his players after Ipswich inflicted a shock Carling Cup defeat on Arsenal last night.
Gunners boss Wenger admitted his team were below-par in every department as Ipswich's stirring victory leaves Arsenal needing a brave fight back in the second leg.
Wenger also hinted he will strengthen his squad in January and refused to comment when quizzed over a potential transfer merry-go-round which could see Arsenal sign their former defender Matt Upson from West Ham.
Hammers boss Avram Grant is lining up a move for out-of-favour Newcastle defender Sol Campbell as West Ham fear Upson could be set to leave to solve Arsenal's injury crisis.

Wenger said: "We were not sharp, not creative. We had an off night. Every single pass was a problem from the start. We rely a lot on our sharp and crisp passing, but that was always a problem tonight.
"As a team, we did not put in the performance we wanted. In every department we were below our usual level. It would be unfair to put the blame only on the defenders tonight. In every single department we were not at our level.
"I believe we'll turn it round, but we got a good warning tonight. We'll have to put in a better performance."
Wenger also spelt out that he feels he needs fresh legs with Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci out injured but refused to comment on Upson who has just six months left on his contract at West Ham.
"I do not want to speak about any particular name," said Wenger. "Let's not think tonight (on the central defenders).
"We lost the game because we didn't play as well as we can. That would be the main lesson. That we are short defensively, maybe, because we only have two central defenders.
"But, frankly, I'm just disappointed by our defeat. It's too early to say we'll definitely get someone. We play nine games in January so you can have one game where you're not sharp, but you have to show better in the next game."
Ipswich caretaker boss Ian McParland, who could lose his job as soon as Paul Jewell takes over, said: "I am absolutely delighted for the boys. It shows character to come back from the result against Chelsea on Sunday.
"We could have had three goals amd I am absolutely dead proud of them. I have done my bit tonight and my aim was to keep them in the tie and if they go to the Emirates and work hard they will be a tough prospect.
"I will probably be moving to pastures new and hopefully I will be managing a club again soon. I have had a great time here, there are good people and good fans and it won't take much to turn it around."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool: DJ rocks Kenny

Published 21:52 12/01/11 By David Maddock

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Liverpool's Fernando Torres celebrates scoring the opening goal




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As Kenny Dalglish said in response to his emotional return this week, romance never won a football match. Not for Liverpool, anyway.
Last night, the new Reds boss was forced to face up to the harsh reality he insisted his regime must be based on, when his team were outfought and ultimately outplayed by Blackpool, whose own fairytale continues thanks to DJ Campbell's deserved winner.
The romantic return of the King was killed off in one painful, fateful evening, and the grim reality that remains is the prospect of a relegation battle with a side ill-equipped for the task.
The groundswell of heartfelt opinion amongst the believing Anfield faithful, was that Kenny had assumed the reigns to ignite a revival and steer the club back towards the glories of the past and into the firmament of the big four once more.

But that dream died as soon as Gary Taylor-Fletcher, a Liverpool-born former Scouse barman served up a spirited equaliser to Fernando Torres' surprise early goal, to give the home side an initiative they never subsequently lost.
If anything, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will complain that his team should have been more ruthless in their dominance, and converted more of the chances their impressive display - orchestrated by the game's two best players Charlie Adam and David Vaughan - produced.
Campbell missed two further, glorious, opportunities, Taylor-Fletcher, Luke Varney and Vaughan another apiece, Pepe Reina made several impressive saves and the home side had countless other positions from which they should have done better in front of goal.
If 2-1 was a flattering scoreline, then it was to Liverpool, who suffered the ignominy of losing to the Seasiders twice in a season for the first time since the 1946-47 season.
In that sense, the Bloomfield Road story really is a fairytale. When Dalglish walked out of Liverpool 20 years ago, the Tangerines were playing Chesterfield in Division Four.
On his first league game back, the football legend was given a football lesson, by a side who were far more committed and confident than his own, and who seemed to possess a sheer delight in their work that was lacking from this miserably deflated Liverpool team.
And yet the Reds couldn't have had a better start. As Holloway said, it could have been a "horrible, horrible night" for his side, as they found themselves behind after just three minutes.
Torres escaped down the right flank after a clever ball from young Martin Kelly, and as he cut in on goal, unleashed a right foot shot that seemed to contain all the anger and frustration a miserable season has provoked.
It fair screamed into the roof of the net above the flailing grasp of Blackpool keeper Richard Kingson, and looked for all the world a message to those who have openly, some would say rightly, questioned the Reds forward this season.
Torres had previously scored just one goal away from home all season, and for a few fleeting moments it seemed as though his transformation was the announcement of a new dawn for Liverpool.
Within minutes, though, that thought was exploded. Under Roy Hodgson and even Rafa Benitez before him, the Anfield side were insipid away from home - as two league wins on their travels in 12 months so painfully illustrates - and that fragility was immediately exposed by a Blackpool side who clearly relish the opportunity to pit themselves against the big boys.
Such an away record is no blip. There has to be a soft underbelly to a side of internationals when they can't win away, and the arrival of an inspirational figure like Dalglish is not going to change that. Only signings will, and if this result proves anything, then it will prove costly to the new owners, who will have to open their chequebook now.
A lack of character is is not a trait to be taking to Bloomfield Road...as Blackpool proved. Within 10 minutes they were level, and the goal owed much to that sort of tenacity for which they have become renowned this season.
Raul Merieles looked comfortable enough in possession in midfield, but when hounded by the outstanding Adam he passed blindly to David Vaughan, whose pass sent Taylor-Fletcher scurrying away.
The striker hadn't scored since October, but you'd never have guessed it, as he coolly rolled the ball past Pepe Reina, and then unveiled an emotional celebration in memory of his former Lincoln team-mate Richard Butcher, who sadly died at the weekend.
With Vaughan's precision and Adam's range of passing, they controlled the midfield, and it seemed only a matter of time before a winner arrived, and it came on 69 minutes when Ian Evatt headed back a Neal Eardley cross for Campbell to fire home a close range header of his own.
Liverpool didn't lack effort, but they clearly lack confidence and character in the absence of their skipper Steven Gerrard. A penalty claim when Cathcart handled, but only after he was pushed, was their only real moment after the break, and that is worrying.
Worrying too, is the lack of belief in their technique as they were outplayed in the second half, and if there were any doubts, then it is now clear the romance of the return is dead, and they must now face up to their harsh reality of their situation at the wrong end of the table.
**
Blackpool: Kingson 6; Eardley 6, Cathcart 7, Evatt 6, Crainey 6; Vaughan 8, Adam 8; Taylor-Fletcher 7 (Baptiste 81, 6), Grandin 6 (Phillips 69,6), Varney 7 (Southern 81, 6) Campbell 6.
Liverpool: Reina 6; Kelly 6, Skrtel 7, Agger 6, Johnson 6; Poulsen 6 (Ngog, 82), Lucas 6; Kuyt 6, Meireles 5, Jovanovic 6; Torres 7.
Referee: Mike Oliver (Northumberland) 7.
Hero: Charlie Adam possessed the passing ability and confidence that Liverpool so sorely lacked in midfield.
Villain: Raul Meireles had a game he would rather forget, and a nightmare for Blackpool's equaliser when he gifted possession.
Match stat: Gary Taylor-Fletcher became the first player other than DJ Campbell to score for Blackpool since November 27.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mancini: Spurs would only be half as good without Bale

Published 12:56 12/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Gareth Bale would be "the strongest target" for the leading clubs in Europe this summer if his club Tottenham made him available amid reported interest from Juventus.
Reports in Italy claim the Serie A club are keen to sign the Wales winger, who has caught the eye with some sparkling performances for Spurs this season - including a Champions League hat-trick at the San Siro against Inter Milan.
And Mancini reckons Juve would take a leap in quality if they were to prise the 21-year-old from the north London club.
He said in an interview to Turin sports newspaper Tuttosport: "Last year Bale had already proved his value but his career had not yet taken off.

"Now you would need a lot of money (to sign him). He is a very expensive player.
"Certainly, Juve with Bale would gain a lot.
"Moreover, what is certain is that if Tottenham decides to put him on the market, Bale would be the strongest target in the summer.
"Perhaps he (Bale) is the only player who is not a striker that can make a difference.
"Without him, Tottenham loses 50 per cent of their potential."
Bale's contract at White Hart Lane runs to 2014 and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy last month assured fans the club had no intention of selling him.

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[Rutashubanyuma]

Mourinho wants to sign Adebayor

Published 23:01 12/01/11 By David Maddock

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Real Madrid are ready to end Emmanuel Adebayor's Manchester City nightmare.
The Spanish giants are suddenly desperate to sign a striker in the January transfer window after losing their top centre-forward Gonzalo Higuain for the rest of the season with a serious back injury.
Monaco and Fulham are also interested in the player, and the French club believe they are in with a shout because of the tax-free situation in the principality. But Real manager Jose Mourinho is an admirer of Togo international Adebayor from his days in charge at Chelsea, and crucially, isn't put off by the African's astronomical wages.
Several other clubs have already made firm enquiries about Adebayor, but have been warned that if they want to take him on loan, they must pay his salary in full - a staggering £160,000 a week.

Real are ready to do a loan deal until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer, and not only will they pick up the tab for his wages, they will also pay a loan fee of around £1million.
That is something of a result for City, who are desperate to get the out-of-favour forward out of the club, after his spectacular training ground bust-up with skipper Kolo Toure.
Adebayor has barely featured under manager Roberto Mancini, who sees the former Arsenal player as a troublemaker and a disruptive influence on the team spirit he is trying to create.
City are aware of Real's interest and are realistic enough to accept that once Argentina international Higuain is fit again a permanent deal will look less attractive to the Spanish giants.
But the mere fact that he will be playing games for Real in the Champions League will put Adebayor in the shop window, which is an attractive enough option for City.
"In two months, Higuain will be training, in two more, playing. But he won't reach 100 per cent before next season," Mourinho said. "It's what I expected. I wasn't counting on him for this season, so I can't be disappointed."
City want to get their wage bill down after receiving serious warning from UEFA in recent weeks that they must follow the upcoming fair play rules on debt.
After signing Bosnian international Edin Dzeko earlier this week, they have a surplus of top class strikers - and a salary structure to prove it.
Adebayor was in the news recently for a very different reason - a painting of him was seized at Coventry airport, and found to contain almost £3,000 of cannabis hidden behind the frame!

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Cup shock leaves Arsenal shopping for a defender

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By John Cross

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Arsene Wenger could be ready to take part in a transfer merry-go-round after Arsenal suffered a shock defeat at Ipswich last night.
Ipswich striker Tamas Priskin grabbed a sensational 78th minute goal to give them a 1-0 win on the night and real hope of causing a major Carling Cup upset.
Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal: Priskin stuns Gunners
This result leaves Wenger knowing his injury-hit squad needs major reinforcements because of a defensive injury crisis.

West Ham boss Avram Grant wants Newcastle's out-of-favour centre-back Sol Campbell, because he fears Arsenal are eyeing up a shock move for their former defender Matt Upson.
Wenger's options have been reduced to just two fit senior centre-halves - Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou.
He was forced to field both men at Portman Road and is concerned about the fixture list ahead after losing Sebastien Squillaci as well as long-term injury doubt Thomas Vermaelen.
Wenger signed Campbell, 36, at this time last year as emergency cover and now West Ham are looking to do the same as they face a dilemma over Upson.
The England defender is out of contract at the end of the season and West Ham must decide whether to cash in now or lose him on a Bosman-style free transfer in the summer.
Wenger signed Upson from Luton in 1997 before eventually selling him to Birmingham in 2003 and has already spoken about the need for a ready-made signing.
Arsenal looked as if they needed new blood last night as they suffered a major shock.
Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas came as close as anyone as he missed a sitter in the 76th minute, firing over the bar from inside the six yard box.
Ipswich punished Arsenal two minutes later as Hungarian striker Priskin broke free and fired into the far corner.
Jubilant Priskin said: "I think I deserved it, the team deserved our victory. Everyone was fantastic."
And caretaker Ian McParland added: "We worked hard, hit them on the counter attack and we
could have had three goals tonight.
"It will be a tough second leg but we've got a goal to go there with and that gives us a chance."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Fears over Houllier 'favouritism' at Villa dismissed

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By James Nursey

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Robert Pires is fighting to win over Aston Villa team-mates but insists his "special treatment" from boss Gerard Houllier is not to blame.
Villa's French manager Houllier, 63, raised eyebrows in November by signing 37-year-old Pires until the summer on a free after leaving Villarreal.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Pires has been allowed by Houllier to commute 100 miles from his old home in London daily in a Mercedes laid on by the club. He is chauffeured to and from Villa's training ground in the luxury vehicle that's fitted with a DVD-player and I-Pad.
It has not gone unnoticed given Houllier has asked other players, such as Stephen Warnock who is based a similar distance away in Ormskirk, Lancashire, to move nearer the club.

"It is special treatment, but the players know about it," said Pires. "What's good is that there's no jealousy with English people, a guy can do what he wants.
"There are 100 miles between London and Birmingham, to be precise. The idea came directly from Gerard Houllier to put a car at my disposal.
"Every morning I leave at 7.45 and travel for about one and three quarter or two hours.
"I do what I have to do at training, I eat lunch with the team and I go back. That's pretty much what I do every day.
"Seeing as I'd already moved from Spain to England, I didn't want to move again. Gerard understood that really well which is why he offered me this solution.
"The return journey is good. I love it because I can have a nap and when I get home I feel fresh.
"It's a great car, I can't complain, there are DVDs, an I-pad, a telephone."
As a result, Pires admits he knows next to nothing about the city of Birmingham.
And he says it was initially difficult to bond with his new Villa team-mates.
"At the start, it wasn't easy," said Pires. "It was already quite difficult and then I came along and I wasn't really welcome at the beginning.
"When you arrive in a team like that you always have guys who say: 'He's coming to take my place'.
"It's not easy and then it's a case of getting on. You have to be discreet at the start and above all talk to them. Honestly things are a lot better now."
Houllier said after last weekend's Villa's FA Cup win at Sheffield United that he threw Pires in too early when subbed at half-time against Arsenal on his full debut.
But the ex-Gunner, who won the title twice and FA Cup three times in North London, insists he is up to the demands of the modern game.
And the midfielder is ready to play his part to drag Villa away from their lowly position of 18th.
"I know my hour will come, you have to be patient and work hard," he said. "That's what I've done in every club I've played in.
"Gerard took me on to be a luxury wild card, let's say, and over the course of the games and in training it's up to me to earn his trust and play.
"I know it's a hard period because we're in the relegation zone but it doesn't scare me because I was in similar position with Villarreal last season."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mourinho not counting on Higuain this season

4 comments »

Updated Jan 12, 2011 7:12 PM ET
Coach Jose Mourinho isn't counting on striker Gonzalo Higuain recovering from back surgery in time to make a difference to Real Madrid's season.
Higuain underwent surgery on Tuesday and Mourinho said on Wednesday the experience of John Terry's recovery from a similar operation while at Chelsea meant he wasn't expecting any miracles.

EUROPEAN LEAGUES ​

Italian Serie A​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

Spanish La Liga​

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German Bundesliga​

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French Ligue One​

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Scottish Premier League​

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Dutch Eredivisie​

Scores | Fixtures | Table | Stats

"In two months Higuain will be training, in two more playing, but he won't reach 100 percent before next season," Mourinho said. "It's what I expected. I wasn't counting on him for this season, so I can't be disappointed."
Higuain, who has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances this season, was expected to be sidelined for about four months.
Mourinho didn't sound as if he was expecting any January transfer miracles, either, as he again hinted to management that reinforcements were necessary but insisted he was not "at war" with the club over the issue.
"The majority of great teams have a lot of strikers. Arsenal have up to five center forwards. Look at Milan, they have (Zlatan Ibrahimovic), Robinho, Pato but we have only (Karim) Benzema now," he said. "But that's the way it is. There's no perfect squad."
Mourinho also downplayed the scenes from Sunday's 4-2 win against Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu. Villarreal midfielder Cani was red-carded for throwing a water bottle at Mourinho, who celebrated the final goal in front of his opponent's bench.
Mourinho was pleased the card had been rescinded so the Spanish player avoided a ban.
"There's no problem, it wasn't an aggressive act. It was just another action by those who think that everything I do has a negative connotation," Mourinho said.
Mourinho, who was named world coach of the year on Monday for guiding Inter Milan to a treble last season, did not say whether Kaka would play in Thursday's Copa del Rey first-leg quarterfinal against city rival Atletico Madrid. But the Brazil playmaker has featured in three straight games since returning from injuries that sidelined him since the World Cup, and his coach said he had improved with each appearance off the substitutes' bench.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Spain lashes out at Blatter over Messi's win

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Updated Jan 11, 2011 1:52 PM ET
The Spanish media lashed out at FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday after Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or ahead of Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, who played for Spain when it won the World Cup.

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Spanish daily AS said "Spain is very angry," and Marca has "Two Giants and one Anti-Spaniard" splashed across its front page in reference to Messi, coach of the year Jose Mourinho and Blatter. ABC newspaper wrote: "FIFA scorns the world champions."
Messi won the FIFA award for a second straight year on Monday, the Argentina forward's standout performances for Barcelona outweighing a disappointing World Cup, where Iniesta and Xavi helped lead the European champions to their first world championship.
Iniesta scored the winning goal in July's 1-0 extra-time win against the Netherlands at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Xavi has been labeled the brains behind the team as he orchestrated much of the team's play.
Despite six Spanish players being included in FIFA's 2010 world all-star team, Marca said "without a doubt the biggest loser on this night was Spanish football."
"(Blatter) had the chance to once again show his ill-will toward everything Spanish," Marca wrote. "Only a few days ago he left us without the chance to organize the World Cup by instead opting for Russia and yesterday he left us without a prize that Spanish football deserved."
Russia beat bids from Spain-Portugal, Belgium-Netherlands and England for the right to host the 2018 finals in a vote last month.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

You're NOT fired, Avram

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By Darren Lewis

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Avram Grant's future hinges on the result of West Ham's Premier League clash at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
The Israeli avoided being told ‘You're Fired' by The Apprentice star Karren Brady after she joined West Ham's joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan and the rest of the Upton Park board for talks on Wednesday.
Brady, Sullivan and the normally talkative Gold emerged from the scheduled meeting late yesterday afternoon refusing to comment on Grant's job.
But it is believed that heavy defeat on Saturday will see the 55-year-old Israeli finally part company with the club.

Arsenal have lost just one of their last nine visits to Upton Park and are the second-highest scorers in this season's Premier League.
Hammers midfielder Scott Parker has insisted, however, that his team-mates will all be battling to keep the manager in his post.
Parker, by far West Ham's best player so far this season, maintained the squad are remaining ‘chilled' despite the continual drama surrounding the club.
"I think that's the manager's demeanour. He seems quite relaxed and chilled out and I think that filters down to the players," he said.
"I think the lads are fighting as much as the gaffer is fighting. We're all in the same corner. We're all trying to do our best for ourselves, for the manager, for the club.
"The manager's got tonnes and tonnes of experience so, yeah, he's doing a good job. We'll go into the Arsenal game confident. It's a London derby and, hopefully, we can pick up some more points.
"If you believed everything, you would be a rather stressed man. As players, we just keep our heads down and get on with our jobs."
Team-mate Mark Noble, who scored the first of two goals in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg win over Birmingham also backed Grant.
Midfielder Noble, who has attracted interest from Stoke , added: "So much has been said over the last couple of weeks and months, but you can see how the boys worked.
"If they didn't like the manager, I don't think you would have got that effort off them.
"That shows we're behind him and we're playing for the club and that's what we need to do."
The east Londoners are just 90 minutes away from their first trip to Wembley since 1981 after Tuesday's heroics.
But the Hammers' board are more concerned with the club's perilous League position while Grant appears convinced that a whispering campaign has begun behind the scenes to undermine his position.
The 55-year-old has won four games, drawn two and lost one since Grant was told by the board that results had to improve over the Christmas period in order for him to keep his job.
The defeat was a 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle. But that apart, the run of form has been West Ham's best of the season and has made it appear all the more unreasonable to sack Grant now.
But elements within the board are unhappy with Grant's low profile and downbeat demeanour and are concerned that not making a decision now could leave them stuck with the dour tactician should he take the club up the table.
Meanwhile, Parker has given his blessing to the "fantastic" capture of England left-back Wayne Bridge from Manchester City.
Parker said: "He's a great player and will enhance the squad."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Fergie Jnr completes Peterborough return

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By Lee Reynolds

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Darren Ferguson has made a third promotion with Peterborough his priority after completing a shock return to London Road.
The 38-year-old Scot took Posh from League Two to the Championship in successive years during his first spell as manager.
He left in acrimonious circumstances in November 2009 with the club bottom of the Championship.
Two months later, he took charge of Preston, where he was recently sacked.

While Fergie was at Deepdale, Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony worked his way through three managers – Mark Cooper, Jim Gannon and Gary Johnson.
After a 2-1 League One win over Brentford on Tuesday night lifted Posh up to fifth, Ferguson is confident of an immediate return to the Championship.
He said: "You'd have to say automatic promotion is still possible this season. Anyone who can go on a run has got a right chance.
"I know the saying is ‘never go back' but I don't believe in that. I've missed the place. I've had a hard 12 months at Preston but it's good to be back.
"We want to get into the Championship and stabilise there. That has always been the aim.
"It was an easy decision for me to return.
"Contrary to what some people may say, me and the chairman have always had a great relationship and this is a really good football club."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Houllier plots midfield overhaul

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By James Nursey

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Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has flown to France to snap up Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun, and also wants Toulouse starlet Moussa Sissoko.
Houllier, anxious to bolster his struggling side's midfield, hopes to tie up Cameroon enforcer Makoun, 27, for £6million and is also striving to sign Blackpool schemer Charlie Adam, 25, after tabling a second bid of £3.5m.
Mirrorsport can now reveal Houllier also fancies French international midfielder Sissoko, 21, who has three caps.
Sissoko is out of contract next summer and has shot up Villa's list of options after Le Havre's France Under-19 captain Gueida Fofana failed a medical.

Houllier, whose side sit in the Premier League relegation places, is unlikely to field any debutants in Sunday's derby at Birmingham.
But on Makoun, the former technical director at the French Football Federation said: "We are working on it. He could be a good asset for us, because he is experienced. He can play as a holding midfielder or as a box-to-box player."
Houllier also confirmed he rates Adam, saying: "It is true that he is a player we like - his passing is very good."
Villa are also believed to be keen on Wigan duo Maynor Figueroa and Hugo Rodallega and Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis, and Houllier has been told to ship out players such as John Carew, Habib Beye and Stephen Ireland to create funds for signings.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Dalglish lands Blackburn starlet

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By Alan Nixon - EXCLUSIVE

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New Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has gone back to old club Blackburn to make young striker Jason Banton the first signing of his second spell at Anfield.
Dalglish has snapped up the former England youth international after Rovers let him go because he was growing unsettled.
Banton joined Rovers from Arsenal - where he also became fed up at his lack of progress through the ranks - two years ago, and he had been pushing for a first-team squad slot at Ewood Park.
The 18-year-old is a tall, fast striker and was top scorer in Rovers' academy side in his first full season at the club but fell out with members of the coaching staff and was released.

However, the Londoner has now walked into Anfield, where he will get a deal until the end of the season - and the chance to impress Dalglish.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mourinho wins world's best coach award

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Updated Jan 10, 2011 8:30 PM ET
ZURICH (AP)

Jose Mourinho has been selected FIFA's 2010 men's soccer coach of the year after leading Inter Milan to the European Champions League title.
Mourinho, the self-dubbed "Special One," beat Vicente del Bosque of World Cup champion Spain and Pep Guardiola of Spanish champion Barcelona in the inaugural prize, announced during the FIFA player of the year ceremony.
The Portuguese coach also led Inter to the Italian league and cup double before leaving to join Real Madrid.
The award was voted on by national teams coaches and captains plus selected reporters.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Messi hat trick leads Barca in Copa

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Updated Jan 12, 2011 6:55 PM ET
MADRID (AP)

Lionel Messi celebrated his second straight Ballon d'Or award by scoring a hat trick Wednesday in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, the Spanish champions' 27th match unbeaten to equal a club record.
Messi, who took the prize ahead of teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez on Monday, was honored before the first-leg match at the Camp Nou stadium. The Argentina forward then showed why he was voted world player of the year.
Barcelona finally broke through against a composed Betis side in the 44th minute, Iniesta playing Messi through in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Casto Espinosa, who was caught off his line and beaten by a lifted shot.

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Espinosa and Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto stood out in the first half with a number of important stops, but the Betis 'keeper could do little in the 64th. After making a reaction save to deny Messi, the rebound fell for the forward to slide the ball under him into the goal.
Messi completed his hat trick in the 73rd, beating the offside trap to reach Xavi's pass before shooting past Espinosa for his 31st goal of the season in all competitions.
Espinosa was helpless in the 76th despite making a save from Daniel Alves, who tapped the loose ball back for Pedro Rodriguez to send into the top of the net for his 15th goal of the season.
Second-division leader Betis' strong first-half performance was all but a memory when substitute Seydou Keita jumped high to head home in the 83rd.
"They were especially strong in the first half, when they pressured us so well," Alves said. "But the goals came in the second half. I think today any debate over who deserved the Ballon d'Or was settled. (Messi) deserves it."
Barcelona went 27 straight games without defeat during the 1973-74 season. This season's team will be aiming to surpass that mark and notch its 13th straight league victory against Malaga this weekend.
Earlier, Alexis Ruano scored in the 88th minute as defending champion Sevilla rallied for a 3-3 draw at Villarreal in the first leg.

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While Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido was suspended for the match, Cani was available after having a red card revoked and the midfielder opened the scoring in the 24th minute of a high-tempo game.
Cani passed to an unmarked Giuseppe Rossi in the middle but Javi Varas saved. The loose ball eventually found Cani, who volleyed into the goal with Varas scrambling to get back into position.
Rossi made it 2-0 fove minutres later after the Italy striker hammered a shot from outside the area from a corner, the ball taking a deflection off Alexis to leave Varas with no chance. It was Rossi's 17th goal in all competitions this season.
Sevilla pulled one back when Alvaro Negredo controlled Ndri Romaric's long ball, held off Jose Manuel Catala and slid a low shot past goalkeeper Juan Carlos Sanchez.
Lopez replaced Sanchez just before the restart, and Marco Ruben capped a wonderful buildup started by Lopez, leaping high to head Joan Capdevila's cross past Varas in the 56th.
Lopez then stopped Negredo from point-blank soon after but was helpless when Romaric and Negredo combined again, Negredo heading his Ivory Coast teammate's cross home at the far post.
Both teams had legitimate-looking goals disallowed after that - Negredo for a foul and Ruben for offside - and both picked up a number of yellow cards as the game became more physical before Alexis buried Romaric's pass beyond the reach of Lopez off the post.
"The truth is we've made things complicated for ourselves," Villarreal forward Santi Cazorla said.
Real Madrid plays Atletico Madrid and Almeria faces Deportivo La Coruna in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The second legs are next week.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Leeds lead chase for City's Johnson

Published 23:00 12/01/11 By Alan Nixon

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Manchester City's forgotten man Michael Johnson is wanted on loan by promotion-chasing Championship side Leeds.
The talented but injury-jinxed midfielder was watched by the Yorkshire club when he made his latest comeback for City's reserves and could head to Elland Road shortly.
Johnson has had nightmarish fitness problems in the past couple of seasons, halting his meteoric progress for both club and country.
City will let Johnson go so he can get some first-team action and Simon Grayson hopes to convince them he can get it at Leeds, where his team have pushed to the top of the table.

 

[Pdidy]

SIMBA BINGWA MAPINDUZI

Simba jana ilitwaa Kombe la Mapinduzi baada ya kuwafunga Yanga 2-0 katika mechi ambayo wana Msimbazi waliwakimbiza mchakamchaka wana Jangwani kwa "usiku mzima" wa jana kwenye Uwanja wa Amaan, mjini Zanzibar.
Magoli kutoka kwa Mussa Hassan Mgosi na mchezaji aliyeingia akitokea benchi Shija Mkina, yalikinyamazisha kikosi cha kocha Mserbia Kostadin Papic, ambaye "shati lake la bahati" la bluu jana halikuwa na msaada kwa Wanajangwani.
Kwa ushindi huo katika uwanja uliojaa mashabiki, Simba walibeba Kombe na zawadi ya Sh. Milioni 5 wakati Yanga walipata Sh. Milioni 3.
Yanga, iliyoundwa na kikosi cha wachezaji wengi wa kikosi cha pili, ilianza vizuri zaidi na katika dakika ya 9 Idd Mbaga alikuwa na nafasi ya kumsabahi kipa wa wa Simba Ali Mustapha 'Barthez' lakini wachezaji wa Simba Jerry Santo na Meshack Abel walimbana na akashindwa kuufikia mpira uliodakwa na kipa.
Simba muda mfupi baadaye walianza kutawala mchezo na hatari kubwa ya kwanza ilikuja katika lango la Yanga katika dakika ya 12 wakati Patrick Ochan alipofumua shuti kali lililopanguliwa na kipa wa Yanga, Yaw Berko.
Mgosi alipiga shuti dhaifu lililodakwa na Berko katika dakika ya 20 na kupoteza jitihada za Mganda Ochan aliyewapangua mabeki watatu wa Yanga.
Yanga walizinduka baada ya kutawaliwa kwa muda mrefu na katika dakika ya 26 ambapo Juma Seif alipiga shuti safi lakini kipa wa Simba Barthez alikuwa makini na kudaka mpira huo.
Simba waliendelea kuwanyanyasa wapinzani wao na hodi zilizopozidi kwenye lango la Yanga, Mgosi ambaye mapema jana alikaririwa akisema kwamba atastaafu soka kama asingefunga magoli matano katika mechi hiyo, alicheka na nyavu.
Mgosi alifunga goli hilo katika dakika ya 33 akitumia pasi ya Ochan kabla ya kuwazunguka mabeki wawili na kuuweka mpira wavuni akiwa jirani na lango.
Yanga walizinduka katika mchakamchaka waliokuwa wakipelekwa na kukaribia kupata bao katika dakika ya 44 kupitia kwa 'fri-kiki' kali iliyopigwa kifundi na Omega Seme, lakini Barthez alikuwa makini na kudaka mpira huo.
Mkina aliyeingia akitokea benchi katika dakika ya 57, aliipatia Simba bao la pili lililoimaliza kabisa Yanga katika dakika ya 71 akiunganisha vyema krosi ya Ochan.
Vikosi vilikuwa; Simba: Ally Mustapha 'Barthez', Haruna Shamte, Amir Maftah, Meshack Abel, Jerry Santo, Abdulhalim Humoud, Mohammed Banka/ Mbwana Samatta (dk. 85), Hillary Echessa/ Shija Mkina (dk.57), Mussa Hassan 'Mgosi'/ Salim Gilla (dk.88), Patrick Ochan na Nico Nyagawa.
Yanga: Yaw Berko, Salum Telela, Zuberi Ubwa, Isack Boakye, Job Ibrahim, Ernest Boakye, Godfrey Bonny/Nsa Job (dk.60), Juma Seif/ Kigi Makasi (dk.85), Razak Khalfan/ Omega Seme (dk.24), Idd Mbaga na Davis Mwape

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Blackpool beat Liverpool to quell Kenny Dalglish euphoria

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Premier League

Blackpool 2

• Taylor-Fletcher 12,
• Campbell 69

Liverpool 1

• Torres 3

• Andy Hunter at Bloomfield Road
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 12 January 2011 21.55 GMT <li class="history">Article history
  
  Gary Taylor-Fletcher, centre, goes past Christian Poulsen, left, and Raul Meireles. Photograph: Tim Hales/AP No one ever said it was going to be easy. It was a 2-1 defeat against Blackpool three months ago that first demonstrated the depth of feeling against Roy Hodgson and Liverpool's longing for the return of Kenny Dalglish. Their saviour is back, but so too is the feeling of despondency against Ian Holloway's indefatigable side.
  Dalglish has brought unity to a previously fractured club, not a magic wand, and if he was under any illusions about the size of the task ahead they were dispelled here tonight. In terms of performance there was none of the woefulness or shame that accompanied Blackpool's victory statement at Anfield in October. That Liverpool could still not lay any legitimate claim of superiority over a club revelling in its debut Premier League season illustrates, once again, how far they have sunk and how mediocre they are.
  To put this into context, Blackpool last recorded a league double over Liverpool in 1946-47. Liverpool have now won only once in 10 league away matches this season and, when DJ Campbell stooped unmarked to head home Ian Evatt's centre in the 69th minute, they never looked likely to correct that dismal statistic.
  Dalglish's first Liverpool team sheet for almost 20 years &#8211; on the basis he went with the side Roy Hodgson had selected for Sunday's FA Cup defeat at Manchester United &#8211; contained a few surprises that, had his predecessor made them, would have opened an inquest before kick off. Christian Poulsen, whose previous contribution since his £5m arrival from Juventus was to act as a further nail in Hodgson's managerial coffin, was brought out of hibernation in central midfield. The forgotten Milan Jovanovic returned to the left of the Liverpool attack and while there was a recall for Glen Johnson, coming in the unaccustomed role of left-back as Martin Kelly retained his place following an encouraging display at Old Trafford.
  The inquest was immediately adjourned as Liverpool produced the kind of opening that encourages a Messianic complex. There was a vibrancy and balance to the visitors immediately and, with less than three minutes on the clock, Dalglish had also made good on a pre-match promise to rehabilitate Fernando Torres from his prolonged slumber. The Spain international laboured badly in the 77 minutes he was on the pitch against United but put Liverpool ahead with a superb finish in his first attack at Bloomfield Road.
  Kelly, advancing into acres of space from right-back, was effectively shown where to place the ball by Blackpool's disjointed defence and released Torres on the right of the box. Evatt was neither close enough to steer the Liverpool striker wide or sufficiently advanced for his offside claims, leaving Torres free to stroll forward and find the roof of Richard Kingson's net from the angle.
  Liverpool continued to attack with menace but were never going to monopolise the spirit of adventure against Ian Holloway's side, who showed 10 changes from the FA Cup defeat at Southampton on Saturday and levelled nine minutes later.
  A combination of Liverpool carelessness and Blackpool incisiveness quelled the initial Dalglish euphoria. Torres played Raul Meireles into trouble with what should have been a simple lay-off on the halfway line and the stretching Portugal international then turned his pass straight to David Vaughan, who wasted no time in striking at the heart of the Liverpool defence with a pass to Gary Taylor-Fletcher. The Blackpool forward cut inside Daniel Agger too easily, gave José Reina the eyes, and rolled a composed finish into the bottom corner.
  Entertainment is guaranteed at Blackpool. This was the Seasiders' eighth home game in the Premier League and the quick exchange of goals between Torres and Taylor-Fletcher took the total scored at Bloomfield Road to 27. They also ensured Blackpool are the first team in Premier League history to score and concede in each of their opening eight home games.
  Holloway's team almost took the lead moments later when Campbell completed a game of head tennis inside the Liverpool area with a glancing effort wide. He should have at least made Reina work, as his angst-ridden reaction testified. Liverpool, however, were the more dangerous side throughout the first half without seriously testing Kingson in the Blackpool goal. The visitors frequently worked themselves into promising situations down the flanks only for a poor final touch, usually from Jovanovic or Dirk Kuyt, to undermine the approach.
  Liverpool stuck to their plan of trying to work a way behind the Blackpool full-backs but the home side controlled far more of the game after the interval. In Vaughan, the £200,000 Wales international, Blackpool had the most composed central midfielder on the pitch while Luke Varney, so often key to his team's prospects, began to prosper down the left against Kelly. Reina saved a powerful drive from the sought-after Charlie Adam, and how Blackpool must resist all offers for their influential captain this month regardless of where they come from. He also tipped over Vaughan's shot from the edge of the area after Taylor-Fletcher nut-megged Johnson and crossed low from the left.
  Campbell converted the winner after Neal Eardley's deep cross from the right was headed back across goal by Evatt. Though Liverpool had a strong penalty appeal for handball dismissed by the referee Michael Oliver, they rarely threatened an equaliser.