Tag Archives: key

David Moyes: I broke my rule to re-sign Steven Pienaar for Everton

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I broke my rule to re-sign Pienaar for Everton, says Moyes

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UPDATED:

22:59 GMT, 7 December 2012

David Moyes has urged Steven Pienaar to rekindle Everton's push for the top four after admitting re-signing the South African went against all his beliefs.

Pienaar's return to Goodison Park from Tottenham, initially on loan in January, provided the spark for the good form Everton have enjoyed this year and he will have a key role to play at Goodison Park on Sunday when the two sides meet.

Key man: Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar

Key man: Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar

While Moyes is thrilled that Pienaar is helping make Everton tick, he was less happy in the summer when it came to completing his 4.5million move from White Hart Lane. At the back of the Everton manager's mind was a small fear that Pienaar, 30, would not recapture the form of his first spell.

'I had a worry when it was first mooted about him coming back,' said Moyes. 'But he has been inspirational to how we have played. He has helped the team and he has helped the crowd as well. He has certainly improved us and made us better.

Everton boss David Moyes

Call: Everton boss David Moyes

'I was worried about it second time around. At Everton we have always tried to do good deals and tried to buy at the right age or certainly at the right price. We had to buy Steven back for more than we sold him and he was a year older.

'It's been a great deal for us and we've been delighted to have him and I've done many a worse deal. But at the time it just felt as if it wasn't lying well with me.'

El Hadji Diouf to sign new Leeds deal

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Diouf to pen new deal at Leeds after impressive start to life at Elland Road

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UPDATED:

22:28 GMT, 26 November 2012

Leeds are ready to reward El Hadji Diouf with a new contract that will put him among the top earners at the club.

The 31-year-old, who has impressed at Elland Road but is out of contract in January, met the club’s new owners on Saturday.

His agent Willie McKay said: ‘We have spoken to the chief executive Shaun Harvey and we hope to have something sorted soon.’

Key man: El Hadji Diouf looks to have earned an extended stay at Leeds

Key man: El Hadji Diouf looks to have earned an extended stay at Leeds

London 2012 Olympics: Yohan Blake sends Usain Bolt message

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Blake sends Bolt sprint message with 9.85sec run in Lucerne

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UPDATED:

22:34 GMT, 17 July 2012

Yohan Blake warmed up for London by winning the 100 metres in 9.85sec at a Lucerne meet on Monday in his first competitive race since beating Usain Bolt twice at the Jamaican Olympic trials.

Blake, 21, was far from the fastest out of the blocks but powered through the field with legal wind assistance of 1.6m per second.

Jamaica team-mate Michael Frater was second in 10.00sec.

Bolt of lightning: Blake is in fine form heading to London Games

Bolt of lightning: Blake is in fine form heading to London Games

'I am on the right path for the Olympics,' the world champion said. 'This is where I am supposed to be. I want to remain unbeaten and that's what I am doing.'

Blake chose the low-key Spitzen Leichtathletik meeting to make what is expected to be his only appearance between the trials and the London Games.

Liverpool want Luis Suarez to sign new contract

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Liverpool boss Rodgers urges Suarez to sign new deal

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UPDATED:

05:54 GMT, 11 July 2012

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on tying down Luis Suarez, whose deal runs to June 2016.

Liverpool want to extend his contract and increase his 80,000-a-week pay to be in line with the club’s highest earners.

Key man: Luis Suarez

Key man: Luis Suarez

When asked if the club were any closer to announcing Suarez’s new deal, Rodgers said: ‘We hope so.

'I have had a good conversation with him over the phone.

'We have exchanged lots of texts. He sent me a text on the first morning, wishing me good luck. He has really bought in to what we are trying to do.

'He was really excited about how we played at Swansea last year. He is really keen and looking forward to playing in a similar sort of model.

'We hope we’re getting closer to agreeing a new contract with him. There has been good dialogue. People always talk about the players coming, but what is important are the ones you already have. I look at this group and I see a really good group of players.'

Everton tracking Stoke defender Robert Huth

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Everton on alert as Stoke reach impasse with Huth on new deal

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UPDATED:

21:16 GMT, 19 May 2012

Everton are interested in Stoke defender Robert Huth, who will be sold this summer if he fails to agree a new contract.

Huth, 27, has been offered a three-year deal on the same terms he was offered when he left Middlesbrough in 2009, but the German is looking for a pay rise.

Key man: Stoke's Robert Huth

Key man: Stoke's Robert Huth

If the impasse cannot be broken, Stoke want to sell rather than risk losing him for nothing in 12 months' time.

Everton are short of central defensive competition for Phil Jagielka and Jonny Heitinga, with Sylvain Distin out of contract and not committing to a new deal.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis wants to keep Huth, saying: 'He's been an integral part of what we've done here and it's important to look after the players.

Paul Scharner to leave West Brom at end of season

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Scharner up for grabs as out-of-contract midfielder confirms he'll quit West Brom

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UPDATED:

10:38 GMT, 8 May 2012

Paul Scharner has confirmed he will be leaving West Brom at the end of the season when his current contract expires.

Over and out: Scharner will leave West Brom

Over and out: Scharner will leave West Brom

Scharner has failed to trigger a 12-month extension option after making less than the required 25 appearances this season and is resigned to moving from the Hawthorns.

The Austrian international has played a key role in the Baggies establishing themselves in the top flight.

Scharner said: 'I think I've concluded my mission at West Brom by helping them to stay in the Premier League. I've never been relegated and I'm very proud of this.

'I didn't take up the (contract) option because it was impossible as I have not played enough games. To do so (stay) would need new negotiations – and that won't be happening.

'I would like to stay because of the supporters, who are great, but the club has other plans, so it is time to move on.

'But I think I still have enough to offer someone and have set myself a new challenge somewhere else. It is time to finish off the season and then decide on my future.'

Baggies defender Jonas Olsson has been voted the club's player of the year.

Chelsea weigh up possible move for Danny Simpson

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Chelsea weigh up possible move for Newcastle defender Simpson

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UPDATED:

12:51 GMT, 6 May 2012

Chelsea are keeping an eye on Danny Simpson's situation at Newcastle, after it emerged he will be put up for sale.

The 25-year-old rejected the club's offer of a new contract in February, and Newcastle haven't made any advance on a 25,000 a week deal.

In the thick of it: Simpson (centre) in action for Newcastle against West Bromwich Albion in March

In the thick of it: Simpson (centre) in action for Newcastle against West Bromwich Albion in March

Chelsea believe Simpson can improve their defence, and could be ready to make their move.

The former Manchester United player has been with Newcastle for three years.

Simpson has played a key role in Newcastle's fine season, which has seen the club maintain a push for the top four and a place in next season's Champions League.

He last played in their 4-0 defeat at Wigan, but missed their games against Chelsea and Manchester City,.

Stoke fear losing Robert Huth

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Stoke manager Pulis issues Huth warning

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UPDATED:

05:58 GMT, 18 April 2012

Manager Tony Pulis fears Stoke could lose influential defender Robert Huth on the cheap.

The 27-year-old has
just over 12 months left on his current contract and talks stalled
earlier this year.

Key man: Stoke's Robert Huth

Key man: Stoke's Robert Huth

Pulis wants the Stoke board to agree a new deal or face losing the Germany international in the summer.

Pulis said: 'We are desperate to keep Robert at the club and hopefully we can reach an agreement with him soon.

'He's been an integral part of what we've done here and it's always important to look after the players.'

Huth joined Stoke from Middlesbrough in a 6million deal three years ago.

Hatem Ben Arfa keen to fire Newcastle towards Europe

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Let me play my part: Ben Arfa keen to fire Newcastle towards Europe

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UPDATED:

18:27 GMT, 13 March 2012

Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is determined to play a key role in the Magpies' bid for European football.

The 25-year-old Frenchman briefly gave Alan Pardew's side hope of a second successive victory at Arsenal with a 14th-minute opener, only to see Robin van Persie cancel out his strike within seconds to set the stage for Thomas Vermaelen's injury-time winner.

Ben Arfa, who had been handed a rare start at Emirates Stadium, was as devastated as the rest of his team-mates to see a hard-earned point snatched from their grasp.

Key man: Hatem Ben Arfa wants to play an important role in Newcastle's run-in

Key man: Hatem Ben Arfa wants to play an important role in Newcastle's run-in

However, he is now looking forward to another chance to prove his worth in Sunday's home clash with Norwich and the final nine Barclays Premier League games which will follow it.

Ben Arfa told the club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk: 'We are very disappointed because we thought we had the draw, but in the last minute they scored.

Early strike: Ben Arfa celebrates giving Newcastle the lead at Arsenal

Early strike: Ben Arfa celebrates giving Newcastle the lead at Arsenal

'Everyone in the dressing room was disappointed, and it is always worse to lose in the last minute like we did.

'It was a good goal from me, but we lost, so it doesn't mean anything. I am very disappointed and in the next game, we have to win.

'We have to keep our heads up and look at what is in front of us. This game has gone now and we have to learn from it and move on.

'We have 10 games left now and we have to be prepared to achieve something at the end of the season.'

Ben Arfa will hope he gets the opportunity to prove on a sustained basis that he is more than a luxury player after a fine second-half display as a substitute in the 1-1 derby draw with Sunderland and his early strike in north London.

He said: “I was very happy to start and I am very happy to be on the pitch.
'I hope to do much more for the team when I am on the pitch. I am doing everything I can.

'I want to start games – every player wants that. Now I start it is good, I hope I keep going to play more and more for the team between now and the end of the season.'

Steve Stricker leads Tournament of Champions

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Stricker fires late birdie blitz to lead by five at Tournament of Champions

Steve Stricker produced a strong finish to his third round to ensure he will take a five-shot lead into Monday's final round of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

The Wisconsin-born 44-year-old, who was 15 under par and five strokes clear of Webb Simpson at tournament's midway stage following a stunning 10-under-par 63 on Saturday, struggled to continue his momentum in the early part of his third round on Sunday and was level par through 14 holes.

That meant his advantage had dwindled to just one shot, but four birdies on his final four holes propelled him back ahead of the pack as he carded a four-under-par 69 to move to 19 under overall.

Out in front: Steve Stricker leads by five shots after three rounds in Hawaii

Out in front: Steve Stricker leads by five shots after three rounds in Hawaii

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Defending champion Jonathan /01/09/article-2084088-0F626D4600000578-598_468x298.jpg” width=”468″ height=”298″ alt=”Big finish: Stricker sends his drive down the 18th on his way to a 69″ class=”blkBorder” />

Big finish: Stricker sends his drive down the 18th on his way to a 69

'After that chip shot, I felt like I got a little momentum, even though there was a couple of holes to play. I got aggressive off the tee at 17 and hit a good iron approaching there, and hit two good shots at 18. So it was definitely a good finish.

'That [maintaining five-shot lead] was key – key to finish that way. Looking forward to tomorrow. It sets me up for some momentum going into tomorrow.'

Laird too was pleased with his day's work, and was not surprised by the quality of Stricker's finish.

Work to do: Martin Laird is five shots back

Work to do: Martin Laird is five shots back

The 28-year-old Glasgow-born player, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, said: 'I'm happy with my round. I got close to the lead before Strick went and birdied the last four holes, but after playing with him yesterday, that's no surprise.

'I played well today and, the same as the first two days, hit the ball great. I really played the same all three days. Yesterday just made one bad swing and cost me a double-bogey on 17. Apart from that, I finally putted better today.

'I didn't putt very good yesterday, to be honest. I missed three or four pretty straightforward five- or six-footers yesterday and worked on that after I finished and found something in my putting stroke and I putted a lot better today.'

Laird accepted it would be difficult to claw back five shots on Stricker.

He added: 'Everyone is pretty tough with a five-shot lead, but someone like Stricker, who has won a bunch and is obviously very experienced and just the way he plays, very steady, solid golf… it's going to be tough to catch him.'