Tag Archives: leaps

Darren Bent dropped: Paul Lambert defends decision

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Lambert defends decision to leave Bent off the bench as Benteke earns him victory

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UPDATED:

23:54 GMT, 27 November 2012


Good work: Gabriel Agbonlahor congratulates Christian Benteke after his goal

Good work: Gabriel Agbonlahor congratulates Christian Benteke after his goal

Paul Lambert again defended his decision to exclude Aston Villa's record signing Darren Bent from his matchday plans as his side gained a crucial 1-0 home win over Reading.

A late header from Christian Benteke, who has replaced Bent as the number one striker, moved Villa out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

But there was no place again for 18million signing Bent even amongst the substitutes with rookie striker Jordan Bowery preferred.

Lambert denied there was any fallout with Bent or that the striker had left the stadium before kick-off after his exclusion from his plans.

Lambert said: 'Darren was in the squad, it was the same on Saturday. I just picked the same group. I do what think is best for Aston Villa.

'But honestly, I don't have a problem with Darren Bent and I do rate him as a player.

'I've no problem with his attitude in training, none whatsoever.

'Did he storm off No, not a thing. I would tell you. I thought he was fine. I read the team out. The most important thing is Aston Villa.

'Will I listen to offers in January Honestly my main concern is winning games for this club, nothing else.

'Can Bent play again for us Yes, never rule anything out. But I pick a team to win, I never pick one I think will lose.'

Lambert is aware of the significance of Villa's third win of the season.

Rise and fall: Benteke leaps above the defender to break the deadlock

Rise and fall: Benteke leaps above the defender to break the deadlock

He said: 'It was a big result because we knew the Arsenal game at the weekend would take a lot out of us.

'Reading had also played well against Wigan so knew it would be a tough game. But I don't know about it being a six-pointer. Never look at things now, look in May.'

Reading boss Brian McDermott was left to bemoan his side's defending when Benteke headed home an Ashley Westwood corner 10 minutes from time.

It was another late and crucial goal conceded by the Royals who lost 3-2 at Wigan.

He said: 'I thought we were going to get a point. I knew the first goal was going to be crucial.

'I thought the shape of the team was good but to lose the goal from a set piece was disappointing.

'I thought we had solved the late goal problem. But it's not a six-pointer. It's a game of football and we've got a game of football to look forward to against Manchester United at the weekend.'

Gabriel Agbonlahor is pleased to see strike partner Benteke becoming a hit with the Villa fans.

Agbonlahor, captain for the night, told Sky Sports 2: 'You can tell by the fans' reaction how much they've taken to him.

'He's still only 21 but he doing great for us. He's helped us with the goal tonight and all credit to him.'

Benteke's
header was a rare highlight in an uninspiring 90 minutes but Agbonlahor
said: 'It was a scrappy game but we'll take the three points and move
on.'

Kept in reserve: Darren Bent was not even on the subs bench

Kept in reserve: Darren Bent was not even on the subs bench

That feeling was
shared by midfielder Barry Bannan, who said: 'There's less expectation
against the big clubs and it was hard to come out tonight and win the
game but we dug in and got the three points.

'It's massive. We need to win games
and it's big relief for us. There's been a lot of people talking about
us being in the bottom three and it's hard to take.

'We've
got to keep doing what we're doing and hopefully it's good enough.
We've got a great team spirit here, we're all young lads and we're
learning every day.'

John Terry commission report did not call Chelsea secretary Dave Barnard – Charles Sale

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FA panel didn't call 'troubling' Barnard over Terry evidence

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UPDATED:

21:58 GMT, 8 October 2012

The John Terry commission report was so critical of ‘materially defective’ evidence from Chelsea secretary Dave Barnard that his FA Council future has since been the talk of ‘aghast’ councillors.

However, it has emerged the popular Barnard, regarded as one of football’s good guys during 35 years as an administrator, may have been unfairly portrayed in the FA’s written findings.

Certainly Chelsea, who are waiting until the appeal process is decided before commenting in detail, are fully supportive of Barnard, whose role was as a go-between for the FA and club rather than having direct influence on the case.

'Troubling': David Barnard (below right) was not called to by the commission report

'Troubling': David Barnard (below right) was not called by the commission report

'Troubling': David Barnard (right) was not called to by the commission report

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Strangely, he was castigated despite not having had the opportunity to defend the contents of his ‘troubling’ witness statement in person. He had returned early from a World Club Cup FIFA meeting in Zurich for the hearing but was not called to give oral evidence.

Commission chairman Craig Moore QC wrote that he had ‘very real concerns about the accuracy of Mr Barnard’s recollections’.

Yet it was Barnard’s witness statement from September 13 that informed the FA their official Adam Sanhaie had taken handwritten notes during Ashley Cole’s interview at Chelsea’s training ground on October 28 last year.

Sanhaie’s report was not included in the FA’s disclosure of relevant documents. His senior colleague Jenni Kennedy, FA’s head of off-field regulation, did not recall clearly whether Sanhaie had taken notes along with her of the Cole interview, which was not tape recorded.

The Sanhaie evidence ‘only came to light just before the hearing’ according to the commission. A Chelsea spokesman said: ‘David co-operated fully with the FA at all times, stands by his evidence and does not accept the criticism that has been made.’

FA prepare for Burton snub

The FA have invited all their 115 councillors to the official opening of St George’s Park on Tuesday by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But less than half are likely to turn up in Burton because they will have to pay their own travel expenses and will not receive an attendance allowance.

Pardew strikes it rich

Barry Nevill, one of the most understated of football agents, was responsible for negotiating the extraordinary contract with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley granting manager Alan Pardew and his backroom staff eight-year deals with no break clauses.

In the money: Pardew signed a new eight-year deal at Newcastle last month

In the money: Pardew signed a new eight-year deal at Newcastle last month

No wonder Charlton manager Chris Powell, who has never previously employed an agent throughout his career, has chosen to be represented by Nevill.

Meanwhile, in contrast to the stability Newcastle seek under Pardew, short-term loan company Wonga are expected to become their new shirt sponsors.

Top flight clubs owed

Software company Worldlink Sports, who are the subject of a winding-up petition, have betting partnership deals running with Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham but lack the finances to fund them.

Also owed money are Stephen Pearson, the former Premier League commercial director who set up the club agreements, and Rio Ferdinand’s publicists.

Football’s united front

The Premier League and Football League, who act independently on most issues, are working together over England Rugby 2015’s use of their grounds for the World Cup.

Shock contender: Leicester City's King Power Stadium is on a long list of 17 potential World Cup venues

Shock contender: Leicester City's King Power Stadium is on a long list of 17 potential World Cup venues

Both bodies are adamant that football will take priority in their match scheduling, which won’t be finalised until June 2015 – three months before the start of the Rugby World Cup.

However, recent meetings have included the leagues’ fixture organisers and World Cup officials are confident dates can be arranged next year, although there are ‘no guarantees’ from football.

Umbro in trouble

Umbro will still have some branding presence at St George’s Park for Tuesday’s royal opening despite being discarded by parent company Nike, who have taken over the England shirt deal and their sponsorship of the National Football Centre.

Once-proud Umbro look like being snapped up by Iconix Brands, who specialise in buying ailing businesses. Iconix are expected to lease the Umbro name to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct.

James McClean injury woe puts him behind Simon Cox for Ireland

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Injury woes for McClean mean Cox leaps ahead in Trap's plans

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UPDATED:

22:27 GMT, 4 September 2012

Simon Cox has jumped ahead of James McClean in the race to start the Republic of Ireland's Friday's World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan.

Giovanni Trapattoni earlier this week hinted that McClean could start his first competitive international game, but it appears that the Italian will now employ Nottingham Forest man Cox, who usually plays up front, out on the left flank previously occupied by Damien Duff instead.

Shame: James McClean is unlikely to start on Friday

Shame: James McClean is unlikely to start on Friday

Trapattoni was impressed with Cox's performance in the 0-0 draw against Serbia last month and also has doubts over McClean's fitness as he has not been able to train properly for the last two days due to a cold.

'Yes, Cox is ahead of McClean because he was good in our game against Serbia,' Trapattoni said.

'McClean came here with a sore throat. This morning he was better but now he has a little problem with it. I think he will be OK in one day. Then we will make a decision. That's all we can do.'

Nemanja Vidic leaps to Sir Alex Ferguson"s defence

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Never question Sir Alex! Vidic leaps to United boss's defence after Berbatov slur

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UPDATED:

07:58 GMT, 4 September 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Nemanja Vidic has leapt to the defence of 'inspirational' Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson following the withering parting shot from striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Berbatov claimed that he lost so much respect for Ferguson 'as a person' over the way he felt he was misled and mistreated that the 31-year-old could not bring himself to speak to the United manager when he left.

Sir Alex marked his 1,000th game in charge of the club with a stirring 3-2 win over Southampton and captain Vidic heaped praise on the the boss for his endless energy.

Don't mess with the best! United captain Vidic has backed Ferguson

Don't mess with the best! United captain Vidic has backed Ferguson

Vidic said: 'He is an inspiration for us. When you look at his 25 years here you see that every year he has that hunger to win games.

'His positive energy he has sent to us. He has set up that mentality in the dressing room. Not just in games but on the training ground. This is important.

'And if you look over the years, Manchester United have won so many games in the last minute. That’s not coincidence.

'This is what the manager is asking from the players. To always go for the win. You are never happy with the draw. You are always going to the end and you never stop.He is really a person who knows how to deal with people.

'I think this is a very important thing – how to deal with the players and what to expect from individuals.

'You cannot be the same with every player and he knows the way to get the best out of the players. This is the best part, I would say, of him.'

Dim view: Berbatov blasted Fergie after he had completed his move to Fulham

Dim view: Berbatov blasted Fergie after he had completed his move to Fulham

Everton team spirit to thank for victory over Manchester United, says Marouane Fellaini

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Everton team spirit to thank for victory over Man United, says Fellaini

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UPDATED:

11:38 GMT, 21 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Marouane Fellaini has heaped praise on his team-mates and the Everton fans after his man of the match performance in the victory over Manchester United.

Fellaini was a thorn in United's side all night, he out-muscled their defence as the Toffees took the aerial route against Sir Alex Ferguson's patched-up defence.

The Belgium international headed the winner in the second-half, but says it was the team ethic which helped them vanquish the visitors.

Main man: Fellaini put in a match-winning shift for Everton

Main man: Fellaini put in a match-winning shift for Everton

'It was a great performance from everyone,' said Fellaini.

'Everybody played well and it was a very good start. It's good for me, but most important is the three points. If everybody is happy in the dressing room, that's what counts.

'It's not important for me to be man of the match, what’s important is the three points. Now we need to keep going and work hard in training in order to win next week.'

And he spared special praise for the fans, weho created a cauldron-like atmosphere at Goodison Park.

'The supporters were very good and it’s important for the team,' he added. 'Every week, Everton supporters are the best. It’s a big game and when you score against a big team, you are happy and give everything for the supporters.

'It was a great performance from the team. Everybody played well and it was a very good start.'

Heads up: Fellaini leaps above Carrick to nod the winner at Goodison Park

Heads up: Fellaini leaps above Carrick to nod the winner at Goodison Park

England up to third in ICC ODI rankings

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England up to third in one-day rankings after thrashing Aussies in series

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UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 11 July 2012

England's rise to third in the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings has been confirmed.

A 4-0 NatWest Series win over Australia was sealed on Tuesday, extending the side's winning run to 10 matches in the format.

At 118 ranking points they are level with South Africa – whose current tour of England incorporates matches in all three formats – though the Proteas retain second place when points are calculated to decimal points.

Champagne moment: England thrashed Australia to finish the series 4-0

Champagne moment: England thrashed Australia to finish the series 4-0

England's recent good form has also seen leaps in the individual rankings, with in-form paceman Steven Finn up five places to fifth in the bowling list and Eoin Morgan jumping from 30th to 18th among batsman.

Opener Ian Bell – whose ODI career was restarted only because of Kevin Pietersen's retirement – is also on the move, rising 11 spots to No 37.

London 2012 Olympics: Phillips Idowu out of Birmingham trials

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Idowu fuels injury fears as triple jumper pulls out of Olympic trial

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

16:32 GMT, 22 June 2012

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UPDATED:

16:32 GMT, 22 June 2012

Former world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu is the latest athlete to pull out of this weekend's Olympic trials in Birmingham, sparking injury fears just weeks ahead of the London Games.

Idowu has competed just three times in 2012 and suffered an unspecified injury on his last appearance, which was in the Diamond League meeting in Oregon on June 2.

The 33-year-old struggled to hit top form with leaps of 16.43 metres and 17.05m, before injuring himself when he fouled with his third attempt. He took no further part in the competition.

Concerns: Phillips Idowu has pulled out of the Olympic trials in Birmingham

Concerns: Phillips Idowu has pulled out of the Olympic trials in Birmingham

Idowu, who subsequently withdrew from the Bislett Games in Oslo, had previously been unbeaten this year with winning leaps of 17.24m and 17.31m in Shanghai and Hengelo.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said Idowu and fellow absentees Yamile Aldama – the world indoor triple jump champion – and world 1,500m silver medallist Hannah England were aiming to compete at the London Grand Prix on July 13-14, but declined to clarify Idowu's situation due to issues of 'medical confidentiality'.

By not competing at the trials, Idowu will have to rely on a discretionary place on the team, but that will be a formality if he is fit, with Van Commenee adding: 'It's not a worry. He is selectable.'

Miracles do happen in Manchester: Kompany stunned after City"s incredible finish

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Miracles do happen in Manchester: Kompany stunned after City's incredible finish

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UPDATED:

19:56 GMT, 13 May 2012

Captain Vincent Kompany gloried in the fact 'miracles do happen' to Manchester City after a quite phenomenal end to the Premier League season.

Overwhelming favourites before kick-off, City looked to have blown their big chance when they threw away a first-half lead against 10-man QPR.

Perfect end: Vincent Kompany (right) lifts the trophy alongside manager Roberto Mancini

Perfect end: Vincent Kompany (right) lifts the trophy alongside manager Roberto Mancini

But with their own game in stoppage time and Manchester United's players at Sunderland watching on TV knowing anything other than a Blues win would give them the title, City dredged up the most memorable finish in the 20-year history of the Premier League.

Edin Dzeko headed the hosts level before Sergio Aguero completed the most amazing comeback imaginable when he latched onto Mario Balotelli's pass and drilled home the goal that earned City their first league title since 1968.

'This game was crazy,' Kompany said. 'There are no words to explain what happened today. I just remember them having two shots and it was bang, goal.

Keeping the miracle alive: Edin Dzeko rises to head past Paddy Kenny to make it 2-2

Keeping the miracle alive: Edin Dzeko rises to head past Paddy Kenny to make it 2-2

Jump for joy: Balotelli leaps on his teammates after City's dramatic winner

Jump for joy: Balotelli leaps on his teammates after City's dramatic winner

'We had so many chances. It just had to happen for us.

'Miracles do happen in Manchester. This time it is on this side of the road.'

What happened afterwards was a blur as Kompany dived into a melee of players with Aguero underneath, before the game restarted and referee Mike Dean finally blew his whistle to bring the curtain down on the best season in living memory.

'It is one big blur,' Kompany added. 'I remember jumping on top of Sergio when he scored the goal. He was crying on the floor.

'All the guys were pouring their eyes out. You don't see strong personalities like that showing their emotion so often.

'We expected to win the league today. The disappointment of being one goal down was incredible.

'For us to do it was one of the best moments of my life, together with my wedding and the birth of my child.'

When
Jamie Mackie added to Djibril Cisse's second-half equaliser, most City
fans were still desperately hoping for an unlikely win.

Manager Roberto Mancini's focus was on a draw and hoping Sunderland would do them a favour at the Stadium of Light.

'It
was a crazy finish to a crazy season,' Mancini said. 'I have never seen
a final like this. In the history of the club, a final like this does
not exist.

Sky Blue heaven: Mancini (left) runs onto the pitch after securing the title

Sky Blue heaven: Mancini (left) runs onto the pitch after securing the title

'I am very proud of my players though. They wanted to win this title until the last second of the last game.'

Mancini had no doubts City deserved their success having established superiority over Manchester United in every department apart from, until the final two minutes, their league position.

'We deserved it,' he said. 'We played the best football. We scored the most goals, we conceded the fewest. We beat United twice.'

Mancini was particularly pleased that Aguero and Balotelli should be the players who combined for the crucial goal.

'I am happy because Mario did the assist,' the Italian said. 'It is important for him to finish this season like this.

'It is also right that Sergio scored the last goal.'

Power Serg: Aguero (right) will go down in City folklore after his winner

Power Serg: Aguero (right) will go down in City folklore after his winner

Mancini also revealed that all that talk of United being favourites, which he maintained even after the seismic Manchester derby win less than a fortnight ago, was rubbish, as everyone suspected.

'I never believed it was finished,' he said. 'I said that because I wanted to take the pressure off us.

'After we dominated for 28 games, I was sure we would get another chance before the end of the season.

'It was important for us to get to the derby three points behind. We wanted this.'

Now though, with the club's trophy drought well and truly at an end, City must keep going and Mancini will demand that it happens.

'We are happy because we won this trophy after 44 years,' he said.

This is what it's all about: City fans celebrate their first title since 1967

This is what it's all about: City fans celebrate their first title since 1967

'We changed the history of this club by beating a strong team like United.

'I hope we can continue to win but now we need to improve.

'It is the second time on the trot we have conceded the fewest goals. This year we also scored the most.

'But we must also be prepared to play in the Champions League and that was not the case this year.'

Gareth Bale is no diver, insists Harry Redknapp

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Bale is no diver! Redknapp leaps to defence of Wales winger

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UPDATED:

23:53 GMT, 10 March 2012

Heated: Osman confronts Bale about his actions

Heated: Osman confronts Bale about his actions

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp
defended Gareth Bale against accusations of diving after the latest
incident in which the Welshman's honesty appeared to be questioned.

Leon Osman exchanged angry words with
Bale after the Spurs man took a tumble following a fair-looking
challenge in Everton's 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Goodison Park.

He was recently accused of winning
penalties against Arsenal and Stevenage but Redknapp said: 'He runs so
quickly and when you're running at the pace he does and you change
direction, you get clipped and you go over.

'When you're that quick, it can
happen so I don't think he goes over too easily. He gets chopped down an
awful lot but that's also part of the game and he has to accept it.'

Le Beau Bai wins Welsh National

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Le Beau Bai pips Giles Cross to Welsh National triumph at Chepstow

Le Beau Bai (10-1) showed stamina in abundance to collar Giles Cross in the long home straight and win the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

Giles Cross tried to make every post a winning one under Denis O’Regan in an attempt to go one better than 12 months previously.

The pair had it between them for the final mile and Giles Cross kicked clear turning in, but O’Regan was sending out distress signals at the second-last.

Delight: Charlie Poste guides Le Beau Bai home

Delight: Charlie Poste guides Le Beau Bai home

Charlie Poste kept urging Richard Lee’s charge along and he kept up his work to score by seven lengths.

Poste was keen not to let Giles Cross get too far in front, but O’Regan must have thought he had the race in the bag.

However, Le Beau Bai’s feather-weight proved a decisive factor in the very testing ground as he eventually ground down the long-time leader.

There was a further 15 lengths back to Cappa Bleu in third, with Bench Warrent fourth.

Neither Hennessy winner Carruthers nor 6-1 favourite Viking Blond travelled with any fluency.

Poste said: “He’s been a good servant to me. Beforehand I spoke to the owners and I picked out Giles Cross as the one I really thought was the one we had to beat.

“We rode him in similar style when he won here earlier this month. I never thought it was a foregone conclusion and he’s toughed it out really well.”

Lee said: “It”s a race I”ve always wanted to win. We didn”t run in it last year, but he was third two years ago and it all went to plan this time.

“I was worried the ground wasn”t going to be soft enough for him but Charlie got some great leaps out of him. We train on the Welsh borders to come here and win the Welsh National is fantastic. It”s a fairytale.”

Trainer Victor Dartnall said of Giles Cross: “He”s run his heart out, but he was on his own in front for a long way and I think that might have gone against him.”