Andy Murray beats Grigor Dimitrov at Miami Masters

Posted on March 26, 2013 by adminsports

Murray survives early scare to see off 'Baby Fed' in straight sets and reach last eight

By
Mike Dickson

PUBLISHED:

21:41 GMT, 25 March 2013

UPDATED:

08:00 GMT, 26 March 2013

Andy Murray was given another look at the extravagant potential of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov but still managed to surpress him to reach the last eight of the Sony Open in Miami.

Seeking to go one better than his runner-up berth last year at the same tournament, Murray was pushed all the way by the player who rejoices in the nickname of Baby Fed or Primetime before winning out 7-6, 6-3 in an hour and 53 minutes.

The British No 1 needed to come back from 5-2 down in the first set and was constantly rocked by the fluent shotmaking of the 21 year-old world No 32, who has long been tipped as a future Grand Slam champion.

At full stretch: Andy Murray is through to the fourth round of the Miami Masters after winning 7-6, 6-3

Kim Sears

Andy Murray

In the shade: Kim Sears watches on as partner Murray sees off Dimitrov in straight sets

Afterwards Murray
told www.atptour.com: 'It was obviously way cooler [with] much slower conditions. The ball wasn't going as quick. I was leaving the
ball a bit short.

'Once I started to improve my depth a bit, I made it tough for him and he started to make more mistakes after that.'

Probably the most gifted of an
emerging group that also features the likes of Milos Raonic and Bernard
Tomic, Dimitrov showcased his full array of strokes before losing out to
the superior consistency and toughness of the US Open champion.

With a flowing backhand to die for
the younger player's talent has never been in question, but he remains
notoriously nervous when it comes to the crunch moments, and that
tendency was to return to haunt him when he had the first set in his
grasp.

Grigor Dimitrov

Andy Murray

Outclassed: Grigor Dimitrov (left) was not match for Murray in their third-round clash

Less than two weeks ago he had the
opportunity to serve out the first set against Novak Djokovic in Indian
Wells but managed to send down four double faults in the attempt.

This time he had Murray on the ropes
at 5-3, 30-30 and the contributed three of the same thing – and the 25
year-old Scot rarely spurns such charity.

Dimitrov had gone 3-1 up, then been broken back, and then broken again to take advantage of an edgy start from Murray.

Baby Fed: Dimitrov's style has been compared to Roger Federer and he is said to be dating Maria Sharapova

Grigor Dimitrov

Maria Sharapova

But when it came to the tiebreak the
world No 3 made him play one ball too many when it really counted and
he ran out a 7-3 loser.

There have been times when he has
capitulated in the second set against more experienced players but he
kept Murray on his toes, and the British No 1 often needed to be at his
best to cope.

Reunited this week with coach Ivan
Lendl, Murray requires a good performance in what is his second home in
the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to properly regain his
momentum post-Australian Open.

If he wins the event he is guaranteed to over take the former as world No 2. He next plays Italian number one Andreas Seppi.

Silver service: The British No 1 arrives in his new Aston Martin prior to today's third-round match

Edu, the former Arsenal player and director of football at Corinthians is ready to take on Chelsea

Posted on December 15, 2012 by adminsports

Arsenal old boy Edu-cated in the Corinthian spirit and ready to take on Chelsea

UPDATED:

23:12 GMT, 14 December 2012

Among the bustle of the Corinthians camp here is a familiar figure. Tall, lean and tanned with an easy smile and elegant style is a man who played more than a hundred times for Arsenal.

Edu Gaspar spent four years at Highbury, winning the Premier League title twice and the FA Cup three times. His final game for the Gunners came as they collected their last trophy in the 2005 FA Cup final.

Though still only 34, he is director of football at Corinthians, the South American champions who will contest the world title with Chelsea on Sunday. It is a powerful role at Brazil’s richest club with huge power and he is in charge of highly desirable footballers; his phone is alive with interest in Paulinho.

On the ball: Edu Gaspar is now director of football at Corinthians

Arsenal old boy Edu

BIG MATCH ESSENTIAL
Corinthians ended their long wait for a first South American title in July this year, beating Boca Juniors of Argentina 3-1 in the two-legged Copa Libertadores final. They were the first team since Boca in 1978 to win it without losing a game.

Managed by Tite, they are an industrious team who reflect their working-class heritage and rely upon mental toughness and organisation. Paulinho is the star attraction, but even he is renowned for his work ethic.

The Sao Paulo team — formed in 1910 and named after the English club Corinthians who travelled to Brazil that year — did win the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2000 when they qualified as Brazilian champions. They beat Vasco da Gama in the final.

Corinthians fans are known as the Fiel — the Faithful — and revel in a Crazy Gang reputation. Up to 20,000 have travelled and there are 200,000 Brazilians living in Japan. ‘They’re not here to put pressure on us, they’re here to rejoice,’ said Tite.

They may contest the title of most popular club in Brazil with Rio’s Flamengo, but Corinthians have overtaken Flamengo and Sao Paulo to boast football’s most valuable brand in Brazil, valued at 310million by Forbes this year.

Sunday’s referee is Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir, who was in charge when Chelsea lost 3-0 at Juventus — Roberto Di Matteo’s final game. He is also the ref who sent off John Terry in Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg and booked Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles, getting all four banned from the final in Munich.

‘When a player says he wants to join another club or have another experience, I have to respect that,’ said Edu. ‘But if I see they are happy, it is easy to keep them.

‘Paulinho is happy, his family is happy, he is enjoying it and he is one of the most important footballers in Brazil, along with Neymar.

‘Brazilian football is strong and the economy is getting better. Our club is one of the richest in Brazil. We can keep good players like Paulinho. We can buy good players. That makes it an exciting time to be in Corinthians.’

Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are among those linked with the 24-year-old Brazil star.

‘He is a modern midfielder,’ said Edu. ‘He scores a lot of goals, plays box-to-box and is never injured. He has a Brazilian way of playing but is also strong and plays hard, like you need in the Premier League.’

Edu is proud of the Corinthians fans, famed in Brazil football for their devotion. Some 20,000 have travelled to Japan, selling cars and quitting jobs to pay their way.

‘I was born in Corinthians,’ said Edu. ‘I started playing for Corinthians at five, I went to the first team, won important titles, was sold and then I came back and finished my career here and now I’m a director.

‘Corinthians is a club like no other in the world. Now, it is a rich club but it came from the poor people. Corinthians fans sell cars to come here, borrow money from the bank and lose jobs to take money from the government to come here.’

Once Edu was robbed at gunpoint at home in Sao Paulo and the intruders asked him to sign autographs. These days, he can smile about it as he mimes scribbling his name with a quaking hand. Recently, he stopped his car outside the club’s Pacaembu ground to pose with a supporter, who asked him for five Brazilian reals, worth about 1.50.

‘He was borrowing money from everybody and writing down exactly what he owed,’ said Edu.

‘He would write, “From Edu, I borrowed 10 reals; from another guy, I borrow five reals”. When he put the money all together, it was like that, a pile more than three centimetres high. He said, “This is not money for other things. This is money to go to Japan.”

‘I gave him some money, of course. I said, “You go there”. I haven’t seen him. That’s a shame. It would be fantastic to see this guy.’

Talent: Paulinho is highly-rated and sought after by teams including Sunday's opponents Chelsea

Another Corinthians fan suffered a motorbike accident and was confined to a wheelchair. None of his friends could afford to be his helper, so he went to the club president and help came his way.

Others were invited to lodge for free with Japan-based fans. ‘They have opened their houses and Corinthians fans are sleeping on the floors,’ said Edu. ‘They sleep like sardines, 10 to a room.

‘We have to give something to the fans. We like to have open training so they can be next to the stars. Our gift to them. And, most importantly, play a good match.’

Determined: Edu wants his team to play a good match against Chelsea's stars, for the sake of the fans

Kenny Dalglish hits out at Brendan Rodgers

Posted on November 4, 2012 by adminsports

Dalglish barb at Rodgers: People think they can reinvent the game. No chance

UPDATED:

22:18 GMT, 3 November 2012

Brendan Rodgers has revealed he avoided watching any of his much lampooned appearances on the club's reality TV show, Being: Liverpool.

The new Anfield manager was compared in some quarters to David Brent from The Office during the fly-on-the-wall documentary's recent run on Channel 5, and ridiculed for a scene in which he pulled out three envelopes in front of his players claiming they contained the names of players who would 'let us down this year'.

Thinly veiled dig: Dalglish

But the 39-year-old could not miss
criticism of his new-broom approach from his predecessor Kenny Dalglish,
who pointedly said in a radio interview last week: 'There is no need to
reinvent the game. People think they can reinvent it, no chance.'

Rodgers, who found filming had
already started when he arrived at the club, insists he has the mental
toughness to overcome the mickey-taking.

Liverpool face Newcastle on Sunday
in the bottom half of the Premier League table and still reeling from a
midweek Capital One Cup defeat by Swansea City which had fans of
Rodgers' old club mockingly singing to him: 'You're getting sacked in
the morning.'

'You have to be a certain breed to be a manager,' said Rodgers of his difficult start at Anfield.

'As long as my employers and my own supporters recognise the job I am doing, that is the most important thing for me.

Lampooned: Brendan Rodgers is struggling

Disco moves: Ricky Gervais as David Brent

'In terms of the television
programme, I never watched it. It was up and running when I came in so
it was something I had no choice in.'

The Liverpool manager is trying to
dampen expectations after breaking up the team that won the League Cup
under Dalglish and admits this could be a 'transition season'.

But Rodgers says a lot of work has
to be done after Dalglish's 70million spending on Andy Carroll, Jordan
Henderson and Stewart Downing – none of whom he sees as first-team
players now.

The club are also lumbered with Joe Cole's 100,000-a-week wages as they seek bargains in January.

'The investment as everyone knows
over a small period of time was very big for the club so this was always
going to be a season of assessment and bringing in players that fit the
model,' he said.

'I think it will be a great day when
Liverpool can compete for 20m players again because that is where the
club should be. But the reality is where we want to be and where we are
at is two different places.'

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina and full-back
Glen Johnson face late checks on hamstring injuries before Rodgers names
his side to face Newcastle.

LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE 4pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1

Alan Pardew has a plan for Manchester United

Posted on October 7, 2012 by adminsports

Pardew has a plan to counter United's dream strike force… score more than them!

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 6 October 2012

Alan Pardew has a plan for Sunday's visit of Manchester United that has nothing to do with any special attempt to curb the menace of the opposition's dream striking duo.

Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to start with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney for the first time in a Premier League match, with the Newcastle manager confessing his unequivocal admiration for England star Rooney.

'He's a fantastic player, one of my favourites,' he said. 'I love him in terms that he is passionate about the game and the way he plays it with a toughness.

What about us Demba Ba (right) and Papiss Cisse (left) will be hoping to outscore Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie on Sunday

'He's England's best player and I think he changes the game for Manchester United. He changes them from a top four team, to a top two team. That is how powerful he is.'

Rooney returns to Tyneside with an impressive record of 10 goals and five assists in 18 games against Newcastle. 'It doesn't surprise me and he's probably got that record against most teams!' added Pardew.

'We don't have any particular plans to stop him because I don't think you can do that against Manchester United. If you have a plan for Rooney, then what are you going to do about Van Persie You need a plan for the whole team.

'He could play Rooney in behind the front two, or in his normal role behind Van Persie. Alex has lovely options in that area.

'We have been unlucky in terms that this will be the first time they have started together in the Premier League but that's Manchester United for you. They have world class players.

'We think we know what they are going to do and hopefully we can cope with it.

'We want to win this game, as do they, because of what happened against Tottenham.

'What you do need against United is a positive attitude and you need audacity to take the game to them. If you sit back then they will find a way. They have been doing that for 20 years, finding a way through defences.

'So to beat them you need a game plan to score goals.'

Welcome to Tynside: Rooney (right) and Van Persie (left) are likely to start the game

Man with a plan: Alan Pardew is thinking positivel ahead of Sunday's match

Newcastle will be looking for their second league success over United in nine months, having trounced them 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last January.

And they could hardly be approaching the game in better shape after their 3-0 Europa League win over Bordeaux on Thursday night. Pardew believes his opposite number will be anxious about the trip to the north-east.

'I don't think he (Ferguson) is relishing coming to our place,' he said. 'We are going to make it as difficult as possible for them.'

'Our three subs are going to have to make a massive impact. We are definitely in a great position because my bench is very confident at the moment, no matter who is there.

'All my flair players are in good form. Hatem Ben Arfa is playing better than last season. We have massive assets in terms of scoring goals and I don't think we've shown that yet in the Premier League.'

Looking forward to it Pardew believes Sir Alex Ferguson (right) won't be relishing the trip further north

Anthony Ogogo considering boxing future

Posted on September 11, 2012 by adminsports

World title belts or gold in Rio Ogogo ponders future after Olympic bronze

UPDATED:

17:39 GMT, 10 September 2012

Anthony Ogogo is confident he has the skills to turn pro – if that’s the path he takes after winning bronze at London 2012.

The middleweight star reached the semi-finals last month but was outpointed by Brazilian Esquiva Falcao Florentino.

And although he insists he has yet to make a decision regarding his future, Ogogo is confident he could make the leap to the paid ranks.

Boxing stars: Anthony Ogogo (right) with fellow Brit Luke Campbell

‘I feel like I’ve got the mental and physical toughness to turn pro,’ he told Sportsmail. 'I train hard and I’m dedicated; I’ve got all the things you need to be a top fighter.

‘I’m willing to travel round the world to learn my trade and if I do decide to go down that avenue I think I’ll be successful.

‘I haven’t done anything for a month, I haven’t even thought about boxing. I’m back in Sheffield with the Team GB squad this week and I’ll talk to the hierarchy. I’m sure there will be a lot of interest from the professional side so I’ll need to sit down and decide what I want to do.

‘I’ve got a contract until the end of the year and obviously the coaches want Team GB to prosper but they also want us to do well because they care about us. Staying amateur may be best for me but I haven’t given it much thought yet.

‘I’m looking forward to either winning the gold medal in Rio or lots of belts as a pro.’

Good effort: Ogogo salutes the crowd after losing to Esquiva Falcao Florentino

Since standing on the podium, Ogogo has been thrust into the spotlight as the country basks in the athletes’ success.

The 23-year-old also enjoyed a special occasion with one of his heroes.

‘It’s been a massive whirlwind but it’s been really, really good,’ he admitted.

‘It’s been nice to have a break after all the hard work. I’ve pushed my body to the extreme over the last 18 months.

‘It’s been good to do normal things that I haven’t been able to do like spending time with my family and friends. I went to the Belgian Grand Prix which was absolutely brilliant as I’ve never experienced that before.

‘I’m so dedicated all the time so I need to be able to do fun things otherwise I would just associate boxing with sacrifice.

‘I was invited to have dinner with Sugar Ray Leonard and I sat on the top table. We were hanging out all night, it was really good. He’s a gentleman and he gave me his details in case he can help me out, whether I stay amateur or turn professional.

Got the skills: Ogogo (left) believes he could make it in the professional game

‘I’ve watched more of his fights than any other fighter in the world. He’s at my weight and he boxed in a way I’d like to box. I watched all of his Olympic fights because they were phenomenal. He was so fast and boxed so many different styles.’

Ogogo went into the Games determined to win gold after being put through the mill following a serious shoulder injury before his mum was taken to hospital after suffering a brain aneurism.

And although he retains a tinge of regret at not to be on the top step of the podium, Ogogo can now reflect positively on his achievement.

‘I’m happier now than I was a month ago,’ he added. ‘I’m still disappointed I didn’t win the gold medal because that’s been my dream since I was a little kid but I had a lot to contend with leading up the Games.

‘Three years ago I was working in a bar for 5 an hour and even 14 months ago I was in hospital after the operation on my arm. I couldn’t move it and I was in excruciating pain; I felt a million miles away from the podium at the Olympics.

‘Even when I got the Games, the draw I was handed was really tough so to get a medal was a big achievement.'

Strength to shine: Ogogo is aware of the importance of sports nutrition

Ogogo has been overwhelmed by the public reaction since winning his medal and hopes his success can inspire others.

‘I had a parade in my hometown and 2,000 people came in the middle of the day,’ he said. ‘It’s only a small town but I drove down the middle of the street and said a few words which was amazing.

‘The teachers from my old school who used to tell me off and send me out the class came to show their support. I hope I can help people realise they can do good things with their lives.

‘I’d say to young people just to be dedicated. If they love a sport, they’ve got to work hard and anything can happen if you put your mind to it and believe.

'Nutrition is also important. Maximuscle have helped me no end, particularly after the Ukrainian fight [Ievgen Khytrov in the second round]. I was so down and physically tired but when you’ve got sports nutrition behind you, it really can help.’

Olympic Bronze Medallist Anthony Ogogo is powered by Maximuscle, the UK’s leading sports nutrition brand. To find out more about the partnership visit www.maximuscle.com

John Terry can handle abuse, says Petr Cech

Posted on August 14, 2012 by adminsports

Terry tough enough to deal with abuse, says Chelsea pal Cech

UPDATED:

09:48 GMT, 14 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Petr Cech insists long-time team-mate John Terry will not let the boo-boys beat him.

Never one of the most popular players outside his Chelsea heartland, Terry's recent court case seems to have turned even more fans against him.

He was jeered by Manchester City supporters at Villa Park during Sunday's Community Shield and it is easy to imagine the reception being much worse at Old Trafford and Loftus Road later in the season.

Strong character: Keeper Peter Cech is not worried about John Terry (No 26)

However, Cech has shared a dressing room with Terry long enough to know the 31-year-old has a mental toughness few can match.

And he insists no amount of baiting from the stands will have any effect on his long-time team-mate.

'He is a strong player,' said Cech. 'He knows that this will go on every time he plays away from home. It won't affect him.'

Terry and Cech are a constant to Chelsea's past at a time when they are moving towards the future.

Didier Drogba's departure for China was a catalyst for that and there were encouraging signs at the weekend, at least until the dismissal of Branislav Ivanovic, which he has now discovered will not lead to him missing Chelsea's opening three games as first feared.

Not least of these was the goalscoring contribution of Fernando Torres.

Target: Opposition fans are likely to single Terry out for abuse

The Spain star appeared to be a player revived, producing a display as convincing as any since his eye-watering 50million switch from Liverpool in 2010.

With Eden Hazard settling into life at Stamford Bridge, one rather ludicrous attempted back-heel excepted, and Brazilian Olympic star Oscar soon to make his mark, a revolution is under way.

But Cech is adamant the approach that has served Chelsea so well should not be dismissed without a thought.

On target: Fernando Torres helped himself to a goal at Villas Park

'We will play a slightly different way but we still want to keep our way of playing which has been very successful over the last eight years,' he said.

'You know you have to change players because they are ageing and it is sad to see players leave the club, especially someone like Didier who was a legend here.

'But that's the way it is. We have one or two new players with a lot of hunger and they are about to show they want to win things with us as well.'

Warrington 33 Huddersfield 6: Wolves book final date

Posted on July 16, 2012 by adminsports

Warrington 33 Huddersfield 6: Hodgson too hot to handle as Wolves book final date

UPDATED:

00:40 GMT, 16 July 2012

Class told in the end. Brett Hodgson booked a third Wembley appearance in four years for Warrington and surely confirmed his place as one of the finest overseas imports British rugby league has seen.

At 34 years old, 5ft 9in and little more than 12 stone, the wiry Australian full back continues to boss the biggest stages with a combination of graceful running and granite toughness.

His personal haul of 17 points, from six goals, a drop goal and a try, set up a mouth-watering repeat of the 2010 Challenge Cup final between the Wolves and Super League champions Leeds.

Going through: Brett Hodgson celebrates scoring a try for Warrington

Warrington boss Tony Smith said: ‘He’s a wily old thing. He might not be the fastest or biggest, but he’s certainly one of the smartest. He’s a great general, he showed a lot of composure and he was mistake-free.’

For Giants boss Nathan Brown, things are looking far from rosy. He will join St Helens next year, but made a remarkable admission that he had been a victim of player power after last week’s demoralising defeat against Castleford.

Brown said: ‘The players didn’t want to play our attacking structure any more.

‘We had to try to change it in the week leading up to a Challenge Cup semi-final, which was never going to be easy. We went back to a traditional six and seven and the reward was great effort but poor attack.

‘We were far outplayed. They just strangled us out of it.’ Warrington consistently targetted Scott Grix with towering kicks after Lee Briers’ early bomb shattered his confidence.

Stop there: Chris Bridge is tackled by Eorl Crabtree of Huddersfield

They then directed their sharpest attacks to Huddersfield’s left side, which has been exposed over a number of weeks.

Three of their first four tries came on that flank as Kevin Brown, Lee Gilmour and Aaron Murphy struggled. Having lost seven of their last eight games, few Giants fans arrived with genuine hope, only to have their spirits lifted temporarily by a bright start that included Scott Moore’s opening try.

Leroy Cudjoe produced a thunderous tackle to deny Trent Waterhouse and Danny Brough booted a superb 40/20 kick before Moore struck.

It was to prove Huddersfield’s only success. Within minutes Warrington had found their groove, with Garreth Carvell crashing on to Briers’ inside ball to level proceedings, before Ryan Atkins surged over following Grix’s failure to deal with another difficult kick.

Wolves questioned the Giants’ rearguard with off-loads at every opportunity.

And then Briers mercilessly isolated Grix with another bomb allowing Joel Monaghan to touch down. There was no way back for the Giants.

Luke Robinson and Cudjoe went close early in the second half, but Warrington held firm before Hodgson glided clear from Briers’ pass. He then coolly added a drop goal and Stefan Ratchford completed an emphatic victory with a well-taken score three minutes from time.

Euro 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal have mental edge to beat Spain

Posted on June 27, 2012 by adminsports

Portugal have proved they have mental edge to beat Spain, roars tough-talking Ronaldo

UPDATED:

19:18 GMT, 26 June 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo insists Portugal's mental strength can give them the edge when they come up against reigning world and European champions Spain at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

The Real Madrid star has proved pivotal in his nation's recovery from an opening defeat to Germany, with two goals against Holland and the winner against the Czech Republic taking them to the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

Ronaldo is convinced coach Paulo Bento's men now have the toughness to go one better than their 2004 final loss to Greece, and is unfazed by the prospect of such daunting opponents standing in their way.

Warming up: Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and head coach Paulo Bento in Portugal training at the Donbass Arena

Training: Ronaldo

Ronaldo told UEFA.com: 'We lost our first match and then won all the others. I think that shows the great mental capacity of this team, and it didn't surprise me because I knew the goals would come.

Euro 2012 email button

Euro 2012

'[Paulo Bento] is doing a great job, not only now but also during qualification. I think he's done a phenomenal job. From the moment he took on the national team he has believed in the players and is getting results in the final stage.'

The former Manchester United star added: 'I am not feeling the pressure of playing Spain or any other team because it is part of my life. I will always have responsibility but pressure Not much.'

Bento will be forced to make changes to his team as they bid to upset the odds and avoid a third semi-final exit in a European Championship after last-four heartbreak in 1984 and 2000.

Preparations: Portugal's squad prepare for their semi-final in Donetsk on Tuesday

Donbass Arena: Portugal training in Donetsk

The Portugal coach must decide which striker will replace the injured Helder Postiga, with Hugo Almeida favoured to get the nod to try to crack a Spanish defence unbreached in their last eight major tournament knockout games.

Almeida said: 'I've worked hard to be called into the starting line-up and I'll take this opportunity. I was a little sad not to be included in the starting line-up but when the opportunity comes you have to be at your very best.'

Favourites: Spain in training ahead of their Euro 2012 semi-final with Portugal

Euro 2012: Roy Hodgson tells England to get ready for penalties against Italy

Posted on June 21, 2012 by adminsports

Roy is spot on: Hodgson tells his men to get ready if Italy showdown goes to penalties

UPDATED:

21:56 GMT, 20 June 2012

Roy Hodgson has called on his England players to cast off the burden of past failures and show the mental toughness to win at penalties.

The England manager has promised his team will be fully prepared should Sunday’s European Championship quarter-final against Italy in Kiev go down to spot-kicks.

‘We have practised already but we’ll take it even more seriously now,’ he said. ‘But it’s really your composure, your confidence, your ability to really block everything out and forget the occasion that means you score or you don’t score.

On the spot: England captain Steven Gerrard has been told he will be the chief penalty taker

Euro 2012

Euro 2012 email button

‘When you are working with the England team the past is always going to weigh heavily because everything we do today is being compared with something that happened in the past.’

Hodgson has to choose his first five penalty takers but he will turn to skipper Steven Gerrard to lead by example. Hodgson told him he would take the penalties before the opening group game against France.

Gerrard has scored 27 of 34 attempts in his career, although he did miss one in the quarter-final shootout against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

No stone unturned: Roy Hodgson is preparing his side for the prospect of a dreaded penalty shootout

The fitness of Ashley Young for the Italy match remained a slight concern for Hodgson, but the Manchester United winger is expected to recover from an ankle injury suffered in a foul challenge by Andriy Shevchenko.

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai has been sent home after the mistake which cost Ukraine a goal and helped England into the last eight as FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared goal-line technology ‘a necessity’.

Injury concern: England have worries over winger Ashley Young ahead of the quarter-final

Kassai and his assistants failed to spot a shot from Marko Devic had crossed the line before John Terry hooked it clear during England’s 1-0 win on Tuesday. Blatter, having opposed goal-line technology (GLT) for years, even after Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ against Germany in the 2010 World Cup was missed, confirmed he was now in favour.

‘GLT is no longer an alternative but a necessity,’ Blatter tweeted.

Not joining in, Mario Balotelli (left) looks bored as his Italy team-mates train in Krakow

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Younes Kaboul backs Spurs for title

Posted on January 4, 2012 by adminsports

New found toughness can steel Spurs for title challenge, insists Kaboul

Younes Kaboul believes Tottenham are showing grit and determination not previously seen at White Hart Lane in their pursuit to challenge for the title.

Thumbs up: Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul

The French defender played an important part in Tuesday night's 1-0 victory against West Brom, where Jermain Defoe helped close the gap on second-place Manchester United to three points.

The victory was Spurs' sixth in seven Barclays Premier League matches at White Hart Lane, where goals have been hard to come of late.

The north Londoners have only managed to score once in each of their past three games, which Kaboul believes heightens the need for defensive solidity.

'Last year we lost or drew these kind of games, which is why we finished fifth at the end of the season rather than fourth or third, so this season we don't want to make the same mistakes,' Kaboul said.

'I suppose we are a massive team in England now.

'We're playing against high-quality teams who can play football, but when they come here they just drop back, they just defend.

'We have to be patient and pass the ball properly and find solutions. I know it's very hard but that's the situation and the most important thing is to win.

'In these games you have to be patient and you have to score – that's it – and you cannot concede a goal, which is what happened to Manchester City at Sunderland.

Match winner: Jermain Defoe's strike sealed victory for Spurs over West BromMatch winner: Jermain Defoe's strike sealed victory for Spurs over West Brom

Match winner: Jermain Defoe's strike sealed victory for Spurs over West Brom

'When you attack you have to defend well too, and that's what we did against West Brom.

'It's a good result for us, we just have to keep this run going. It wasn't the best game ever but you have to win those matches, take three points and look forward to the next one.

'That's the only way we will achieve something at the end of the season.'

To do that Tottenham will be hoping injuries to William Gallas and Sandro are not as bad as first thought.

The pair went off with suspected calf tears and the club are awaiting news on the severity of the damage.

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