Tag Archives: clutch

Tottenham to recall Brad Friedel for Chelsea match

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AVB to risk upsetting Lloris by recalling Friedel for crunch Chelsea clash

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UPDATED:

23:31 GMT, 9 October 2012

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is set to cast more uncertainty on his goalkeeping quandary by recalling Brad Friedel for the League game with Chelsea a week on Saturday.

The American’s run of 310 consecutive Premier League games came to an end last Sunday when he was dropped in place of France international Hugo Lloris for the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Uncertainty: Brad Friedel is set to be recalled to the Tottenham side by AVB

Uncertainty: Brad Friedel is set to be recalled to the Tottenham side by AVB

However, Sportsmail understands Villas-Boas is planning to recall Friedel for his revenge mission against Chelsea, who sacked him last season.

Lloris pleaded with Villas-Boas to keep faith in him but looks set to be disappointed. Friedel was frustrated by the decision to axe him for the Villa game, while it is believed a clutch of Spurs players were also stunned by the choice.

Arsenal want Wilfried Zaha to replace Theo Walcott: EXCLUSIVE

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EXCLUSIVE: Gunners turn to Palace's Zaha as Walcott contract wrangle continues

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UPDATED:

21:45 GMT, 8 October 2012

Arsenal are lining up a swoop for Theo Walcott's potential replacement after joining the race to land Crystal Palace prospect Wilfried Zaha.

Former Gunners assistant manager Pat Rice – who still works for the club despite retiring in the summer – watched the 19-year-old forward score twice in the Eagles' 4-3 win over Burnley on Saturday.

Arsenal have sent scouts to a clutch of
Palace’s games primarily to watch Zaha and are now emerging as serious
contenders to land the youngster.

In and out: Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha could replace Theo Walcott at Arsenal

In and out: Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha could replace Theo Walcott at Arsenal

In and out: Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha could replace Theo Walcott at Arsenal

Zaha – rated at 12million – could be the latest player to join the Gunners from lower leagues, particularly if the club fail in their attempts to sign Walcott to a new contract.

The England forward's representatives will hold talks with the Arsenal hierarchy during the international break in a bid to thrash out a new agreement.

Walcott — who has less than 12 months left on his current deal — rejected a contract extension worth 75,000-per-week.

Aleksandar Kolarov rubs Chris Coleman"s nose in it

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Kolarov rubs Coleman's nose in crushing defeat before turning attentions to City clash with Stoke

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UPDATED:

22:19 GMT, 12 September 2012

Aleksandar Kolarov rubbed Wales' noses in it following the Red Dragons' six-goal defeat in Serbia – and then set his sights on making a real assault on the Champions League with Manchester City.

The defender opened his goalscoring account for his country with a delightful free-kick that sent Chris Coleman's charges hurtling towards their third heaviest defeat since 1930.

Kolarov had been urged to look after his own game by Coleman in the build-up.

Expected more: Aleksandar Kolarov says he was surprised at how poor Wales were

Expected more: Aleksandar Kolarov says he was surprised at how poor Wales were

But Manchester City's left-back undoubtedly had the last laugh, leaving Wales' head coach struggling to contain his emotions during the post-match interviews.

Although he wasn't able to prevent Gareth Bale claiming a goal with a magnificent 30-yard free-kick, the 17million man said his club side were eager to get on with a clutch of matches against Stoke City, Real Madrid and Arsenal.

And he said that as champions of England, his club should not be overawed by a visit to the Bernebeu.

He said: 'We were quite surprised at how easy it was against Wales.

'We knew they would try to get the ball out to Bale and counter attack but we expected them to be difficult to break down. As it was we scored six and could have scored more.

'We expected a bit more from Wales
definitely but the main thing was for us to win at home. I was really
happy with my free-kick but I had two more I could have done better
with.'

Kolarov did not want
to look further than the next game which is at the Britannia Stadium
against the Potters on Saturday. But admitted that the fixture against
Real Madrid has whetted the appetite.

'First
we have Stoke, of course,' he said, 'then we have Madrid and then
Arsenal so it’s a really big week for City. They will be three very
different games.

'We want
to do better in the Champions League and qualify but again we have been
given a really tough group. This time we need to start better than we
did last year.

Classy: The Serb scored a brilliant free-kick to put Serbia 1-0 up

Classy: The Serb scored a brilliant free-kick to put Serbia 1-0 up

Unacceptable: Chris Coleman, who had told Kolarov to mid his business before the game, was disappointed with Wales

Unacceptable: Chris Coleman, who had told Kolarov to mid his business before the game, was disappointed with Wales

'Of course, I hope Ronaldo is
playing. He is something different. Everyone knows about him, there’s
nothing much more that you can say about him.

'He’s
a special player – along with Lionel Messi he is the best player in the
world. So to play against someone like that will be a big test. He
played for Man United too so he will want to score against us.

'But I’m confident because we will go to Madrid with confidence. It should be a great night for the club.

'We
are the champions of England and they will know it will not be an easy
night for them as well. Everyone at Man City will look forward to going
there.'

Back to business: Roberto Mancini could select Kolarov to deputise at left-back as Manchester City face Stoke

Back to business: Roberto Mancini could select Kolarov to deputise at left-back as Manchester City face Stoke

US Open women"s final postponed because of storms

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It's a wash-out! US Open women's singles final postponed with more storms ahead

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UPDATED:

17:56 GMT, 8 September 2012

The threat of further bad weather in New York has prompted US Open officials to move the women's singles final from Saturday to Sunday.

Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams were due on Arthur Ashe in the evening, but the forecasted storms have brought about a rethink.

No go: The women's singles final has been postponed

No go: The women's singles final has been postponed

The weather has already played havoc with the schedule, with Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych`s semi-final delayed following heavy rainfall, although they did eventually start in sunlight.

Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer are due to play their semi-final later on Saturday, although no decision has been made on that game yet.

Unplayable: Horrible conditions at Arthur Ashe

Unplayable: Horrible conditions at Arthur Ashe

Protection: Fans clutch umbrellas in the rain

Protection: Fans clutch umbrellas in the rain

Arsenal have M"Baye Niang bid rejected

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No you Caen't! Arsenal see 5m bid for in-demand France striker Niang rejected

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UPDATED:

22:34 GMT, 18 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Arsenal remain in the hunt for teenage hot shot M'Baye Niang despite having bid rejected by French club Caen.

Premier League rivals Tottenham and Manchester City are among a clutch of clubs chasing the 17-year-old.

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang is set for a Premier League switch

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang is set for a Premier League switch

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was first to make his move after the striker enjoyed a successful trial at London Colney last
week.

Caen are resigned to losing Niang following their relegation from Ligue 1.

Wenger is expected to improve the offer in the coming days.

Arsenal seek to head off Spurs and Manchester City with bid for M"Baye Niang

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Arsenal seek to head off Spurs and Man City with bid for 5m-rated Niang

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UPDATED:

06:27 GMT, 18 July 2012

Arsenal are in pole position to sign teenage hot shot M'Baye Niang after agreeing a fee with French club Caen.

Premier League rivals Tottenham and Manchester City are among a clutch of clubs chasing the 17-year-old.

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger made
his move to sign 5m-rated Niang after the striker enjoyed a successful trial at London Colney last
week, according to Sky Sports.

Caen are resigned to losing Niang following their relegation from Ligue 1.

Tottenham and Manchester City have
asked if they can take him on trial.

San Antonio Spurs sweep LA Clippers

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Spurs sweep Clippers aside to advance to Western Conference finals

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UPDATED:

10:18 GMT, 21 May 2012

The San Antonio Spurs steamrolled into the NBA Western Conference finals after a 102-99 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday gave them a clean sweep of their seven-game series.

The West's top seeds rolled to their 18 consecutive victory going back to the regular season as the Clippers fell to the same fate as the Utah Jazz in the first round, exiting the play-offs after being swept 4-0.

Eye of the tiger: Tim Duncan scored 21 points for the Spurs

Eye of the tiger: Tim Duncan scored 21 points for the Spurs

Sunday's game was tight, and San Antonio trailed by one with two and half minutes remaining, but Tony Parker answered with a pair of clutch baskets and the visiting Spurs showed the nerve that has seen them dominate the NBA over the past month.

'We needed a game like that,' Parker told reporters. 'That was a great game for our young guys to get some experience. At the end of the game we executed our plays and made big baskets.'

Tim Duncan scored 21 and Parker finished with 17.

The Clippers' Chris Paul recorded 23 points and 11 assists, but he committed a turnover and missed a potential game-tying shot on two of his team's final possessions.

Hot streak: The Spurs have won 18 in a row

Hot streak: The Spurs have won 18 in a row

Mo Williams failed to get a final desperation shot off as the Staples Center crowd fell to hush and the Clippers saw their season come to a close.

San Antonio's postseason march is in contrast to last year when they were stunned in the first round as No 1 seeds.

It also has them positioned to make a run at their first NBA title since 2007.

'I know how good this team was last year, and we're healthier and deeper,' said guard Danny Green, who finished with 14 points. 'I know what we're capable of.'

San Antonio will play either Oklahoma City or the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference title.

Delighted: Tony Parker was happy with the result

Delighted: Tony Parker was happy with the result

The Clippers, playing in the second round of the play-offs for the first time since 2006, were outclassed in every department by the seasoned Spurs.

A day earlier, Los Angeles squandered a 22-point advantage to lose Game Three, but this time they fell behind by 12 in the second quarter but fought to make it a test.

Reserve guard Eric Bledsoe scored 10 consecutive Clippers' points in the fourth, he had 17 on the night, to help give the home team a five-point edge with five minutes left but the Spurs battled back.

With Paul and Blake Griffin, who had 21 points, the Clippers have every reason to be optimistic for the future.

'I told them “this should hurt,”' said Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro. 'More is expected, and that's a good thing.'

Jack Willshere to play friendlies to get fit

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Wilshere to play in friendlies before first-team comeback in two weeks

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 4 April 2012

Arsenal are lining up several behind-closed-doors friendlies with a view to getting Jack Wilshere playing competitive football within a fortnight.

The midfielder is edging back to fitness after having his season blighted by ankle and heel problems.

Arsenal have two scheduled reserve games remaining, which poses problems for Arsene Wenger in his bid to get Wilshere fit for his side’s Premier League run-in.

comeback trail: Jack Wilshere will play in friendlies in a bid to be fit for the run-in

comeback trail: Jack Wilshere will play in friendlies in a bid to be fit for the run-in

The player was pencilled in to play against Newcastle reserves on Tuesday but it remains to be seen whether second-string boss Neil Banfield includes him.

As it stands, the only other option would be a home clash against Everton on May 1 — the final reserve fixture of the season. Therefore, Arsenal are looking to set up a clutch of off-diary friendlies.

While Wilshere continues to make steady progress, it has emerged the England youngster’s recovery was hindered by a clutch of minor niggles.

The view of the Gunners’ medical team is that it is common for minor complaints to crop up in recovery from long-term injury.

Chelsea could have signed Eden Hazard for nothing

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Chelsea eye 35m Hazard… but they could have signed him for nothing!

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UPDATED:

06:49 GMT, 28 March 2012

Chelsea are one of a clutch of top European clubs lining up a big-money move for Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is desperate to inject pace and power into his ageing squad.

Hot property: Europe's top clubs are tracking Eden Hazard (right)

Hot property: Europe's top clubs are tracking Eden Hazard (right)

But the Roman tycoon will be bemused to hear that he could have saved a small fortune by signing Hazard four years ago.

The forward was recommended to the Blues when he was an unknown 17-year-old by scout Guy Hillion.

They did not act and Hazard has gone on to become one of the hottest properties in European football.

'I noticed him when he was 17,' Hillion told Sudpresse.

'I gave his name to Chelsea. If it had been up to me then he would be playing in a blue jersey right now.'

Giles Barnes wanted by Everton, West Ham and Swansea

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Swansea, Everton and West Ham enter race to sign Doncaster star Barnes

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UPDATED:

15:08 GMT, 26 March 2012

Former England Under-21 international Giles Barnes will spark a transfer scramble amongst a clutch of Premier League clubs in the summer.

Wanted: Doncaster midfielder Giles Barnes

Wanted: Doncaster midfielder Giles Barnes

A host of top-flight sides are keeping tabs on the Doncaster midfielder with a view to a move ahead of next season.

Swansea and Everton are among the clubs who have sent scouts to watch Barnes in recent weeks, while promotion chasers West Ham are also taking an interest.

Barnes’ displays for Dean Saunders’ side have also attracted interest from overseas with Sampdoria and Lorient also tracking the former West Bromwich and Derby man.

The promising midfielder’s career has stalled in recent seasons due to a cruciate ligament injury which kept him on the sidelines for 18 months.

Football League blog

But Barnes finally looks to be over his injury problems and has been a regular at the Keepmoat Stadium this season.

The 23-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer.