Tag Archives: unbelievable

Mousa Dembele doesn"t fear for his place when Scott Parker is fit again

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Great Scot's return is super for Spurs! Dembele doesn't fear for his place when Parker is fit again

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UPDATED:

00:02 GMT, 18 December 2012

GREAT SCOTT! PARKER MAKES GOALSCORING RETURN

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Mousa Dembele does not feel threatened by Scott Parker's return from injury.

And the Tottenham midfielder believes tough competition for places in central midfield will benefit the team.

Parker came on in injury time against Swansea on Sunday, his first action since representing England against Italy at the Euros in June.

Dembele doesn't feel threatened by Parker's return from injury

Dembele doesn't feel threatened by Parker's return from injury

Following that match he had achilles surgery and was out for seven months.

Since then Andre Villas-Boas brought in Dembele who has struck up a partnership with Sandro in the middle.

And with the emergence of youngster Tom Carroll to the first team and Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore also available has meant competition is fierce.

But Dembele said: '(Parker's return is) very important. If you see him in training you can see he can be very important, he’s a very organised guy, very professional.

'He knows what he can do and I think he is an unbelievable player as well so it’s good for the team that there are a lot of rivals (in midfield) because it makes everybody sharp.

'I know if I play one bad game then Jake Livermore, Scott Parker, Tom Huddlestone, Tom Carroll, there are a lot of good players who are behind me to come in and who can do well.

'So we have to keep playing and that keeps the level high in this team.'

John Terry retirement is massive blow for England – Andre Villas-Boas

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Terry retirement is a massive blow for England, claims AVB

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UPDATED:

16:07 GMT, 27 September 2012

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists John Terry will be sorely missed by England following his international retirement.

Terry has ben banned from domestic club football for four matches and fined 220,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand by a Football Association independent regulatory commission.

Retired: Terry has played his last game for England

Retired: Terry has played his last game for England

The 31-year-old Chelsea captain, who can lodge an appeal, had already announced earlier this week that his England career is over.

'It's a massive, massive loss for England,' said Villas-Boas, Terry's former manager at Chelsea.

'John Terry is a player with unbelievable talent and helped this country so much, and the same for Chelsea too.

Blow: Andre Villas-Boas reckons England will miss Terry

Blow: Andre Villas-Boas reckons England will miss Terry

'In the end they are his decisions, personal decisions.

'It's difficult for a player to take a position like this but on the perspective of England and qualification it leaves (England manager) Roy Hodgson in a difficult position bearing in mind the centre-backs he has at his disposal.

'I'm not putting into question the quality of the other players, but he is certainly missing one player of great, great talent.'

Aaron Lennon relishing Tottenham clash with Lazio

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Lennon relishing Lazio test and evoking memories of Gascoigne

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UPDATED:

10:36 GMT, 19 September 2012

Aaron Lennon has hailed the arrival of Lazio in Tottenham's opening Europa League clash which will evoke memories of midfield superstar Paul Gascoigne who famously played for both clubs.

Spurs begin their assault on Europe's second competition knowing they could have been playing Champions League football had it not been for Chelsea's stunning success in last year's competition.

But the Italian side are a huge draw for fans and arrive with a flawless record in Serie A after winning their opening three games.

Italian job! Lennon is relishing the prospect of playing Lazio

Italian job! Lennon is relishing the prospect of playing Lazio

And with the likes of Miroslav Klose and Brazilian international Hernanes among their ranks, Lennon knows Spurs will have their work cut out to make a winning start in the competition.

He said: 'It's a big game against a massive club. It will be hard but we're looking forward to it.

'I think the Europa League has improved as a competition over the last few years and playing in these big games improves you as a player.'

'Gazza was an unbelievable player, one of the greatest players ever to play for Spurs and of course England,' added Lennon. 'I remember him playing for England, every time he pulled on that shirt he shone.

'He had amazing quality, such confidence on the ball and he was a matchwinner, as well as being a great personality.'

Tottenham legend: Gascoigne will always have a special place in Spurs folklore

Tottenham legend: Gascoigne will always have a special place in Spurs folklore

Mark Wotte urges Scotland fans to get off Craig Levein"s back

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Give him time: Wotte urges Scotland fans to get off Levein's back ahead of double-header

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UPDATED:

22:53 GMT, 6 September 2012

Mark Wotte urged Scotland to get off Craig Levein’s back and give the manager time to get things right.

Under pressure to take full points from the forthcoming qualifiers with Serbia and Macedonia, Levein has been accused of tactical caution and of adopting an inflexible approach to 14million outcast Steven Fletcher.

Speaking to Sportsmail, however, SFA performance director Wotte strongly defends his close colleague’s record, urging the Tartan Army to be realistic in their expectations.

Of the view that people expecting full points from the home double-header know nothing about Serbia or Macedonia, straight-talking Wotte says: ‘The criticism of Craig comes purely from the fact that, at the beginning of the last campaign, there were some poor results.

Under pressure: Craig Levein

Under pressure: Craig Levein

‘But any team travelling to the Czech Republic has a tough and difficult evening.

‘Maybe the style of the football was the reason for criticism, while in Lithuania we know we should have won there.

‘But a national team coach needs some time to get it right. And here we always want instant success.

‘When a national team doesn’t win, people instantly say, “ah, the manager is rubbish”. When we win, he is doing all right. People who expect six points out of six in these games do not know what they are talking about because they don’t know the quality of Serbia or Macedonia.

‘I’ve seen Macedonia play against Holland in the last campaign and they were really tough to beat and break down. Holland only won 1-0 away.

‘There is no easy opponent now — and don’t forget we are 47th in the FIFA rankings. We are not in the top 20, so we have to be realistic. If we get six points out of these two games, it’s an unbelievable success.

‘If we get four points, we should be very pleased.’

Realistic: Mark Wotte (right) has told Scotland fans to lay off Levein

Realistic: Mark Wotte (right) has told Scotland fans to lay off Levein

Assistant manager Peter Houston has already branded a haul of four points from six an acceptable result. Anything less would, however, place further pressure on Levein’s shoulders.

‘Clearly, we can’t be happy if we lose one of the two,’ added Wotte.

‘But it’s so easy to comment from the outside when people don’t know anything about Serbia and they don’t know anything about Macedonia.

‘It’s just because Scotland are playing at home that they think it has to be six points.’

Levein is expected to go with a 4-1-4-1 formation against the Serbs, with Kenny Miller playing the sole striker role. Responding to suggestions that the manager has been over-cautious in home games, however, Wotte believes he has little alternative.

Tough ask: Scotland prepare for Serbia and Macedonia

Tough ask: Scotland prepare for Serbia and Macedonia

‘Craig is so happy when he comes to see the 15-year-olds and sees us playing 4-3-3 with quick wingers and a passing game.

‘But the crux of the matter is that you pick the style of players who suit the system. If you don’t have the players available then you can’t do it.

‘Craig is a very realistic coach, not a traditional Scottish coach who wants to play 4-4-2 with two strong bodies up front. It’s not a Stoke City philosophy we employ at Scotland.’

Levein, meanwhile, called Bristol City’s Ricky Foster into the squad following the expected withdrawal of Charlie Mulgrew.

Mikel Arteta hails Santi Cazorla ahead of Arsenal move

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Arteta hails 'unbelievable talent' Cazorla as fellow Spaniard prepares to join Arsenal

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UPDATED:

10:38 GMT, 26 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Mikel Arteta is relishing the chance to play with Santi Cazorla at Arsenal.

The Gunners have agreed personal terms with 27-year-old winger Cazorla after Malaga accepted a fee of 16million.

Midfielder Arteta said: 'I cannot talk about the actual situation but I can say that I know him as a player really well. He's a top, top player. He has got unbelievable quality and talent and that is all I can say.'

Welcome committee: Mikel Arteta (cebtre) wants Santi Cazorla at Arsenal

Welcome committee: Mikel Arteta (cebtre) wants Santi Cazorla at Arsenal

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has already signed Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, is looking forward to Cazorla's arrival and insists he is far from finished in the summer transfer market.

'I share the opinion of Mikel Arteta. Cazorla is a great player,' said Wenger.

'We bought Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski but we are not at the end of the transfers. We will still bring players in.'

Wenger is determined to keep captain Robin van Persie at the Emirates Stadium but the Holland striker is wanted by Manchester rivals United and City as well as Italian giants Juventus.

Theo Walcott, who is in the final year of his contract, has also been linked with a move away from north London.

Winging his way to London: Santi Cazorla is close to joining the Gunners

Winging his way to London: Santi Cazorla is close to joining the Gunners

LONDON OLYMPICS 2012: Zara Phillips greeted by huge crowds at Cheltenham

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Anyone still think the Olympics won't catch on… Huge crowds turn out to watch Zara Phillips clutching flame at Cheltenham

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UPDATED:

23:26 GMT, 23 May 2012

She is better known as a former world equestrian champion but Zara Phillips rode past one of Britain's most famous national hunt racing finishing posts on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old royal rode the entire length of the finishing straight at Cheltenham.

Miss Phillips was reunited with Toytown – the horse she retired last year after winning the 2006 Eventing World Championships – marking the end of day five of the Olympic torch relay.

Olympic honour: Wearing the white and grey torchbearers' uniform, the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips took part in the fifth day of the torch relay on her beloved horse Toytown

Olympic honour: Wearing the white and grey torchbearers' uniform, the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips took part in the fifth day of the torch relay on her beloved horse Toytown

What a sight: Huge crowds greeted Zara Phillips at Cheltenham

What a sight: Huge crowds greeted Zara Phillips at Cheltenham

More than 16,500 people, including her mother the Princess Royal, were at the racecourse to see Miss Phillips trot past the finishing post to the theme from Chariots of Fire carrying the Olympic flame.

After dismounting from Toytown she stepped on to the stage and performed the duty reserved for the last torchbearer of each day – lighting the Olympic cauldron.

From the stage, Miss Phillips, who is married to former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, told the screaming audience: 'It was unbelievable actually, I'm shaking. It was an unbelievable experience and I am massively honoured for doing it.'

Good reason to be smiling: Phillips on Toytown

Good reason to be smiling: Phillips on Toytown

Phillips praised Toytown but said he was a little nervous at first of the noise of the gas-fired torch.

'He's awesome, he done us proud,' she said. 'He loves crowds, he was just a little bit… it makes a noise, so he was worried about that.

'It's unreal the amount of people that are here. Such a massive honour.'

She said that the torch was quite heavy and her biceps were aching at the end. 'It's not too heavy when you pick it up but if you're carrying it for a little while you can feel a little burn,' she said.

Royal footsteps: Her mother, Princess Royal,received the Olympic flame in Athens last week and then carried it off the plane when it arrived in Cornwall

Another day to remember: The torch relay is already proving to be very popular

Another day to remember: The torch relay is already proving to be very popular

The Queen's granddaughter, whose mother received the Olympic flame in Greece last week, is a regular attendee at the four-day Cheltenham Festival, which has long received royal patronage.

Unusually the public were allowed on to the famous Cheltenham turf to watch the evening celebration.

The event marked the end of day five in which 129 people – including footballer Didier Drogba – were torchbearers. Thousands of screaming fans mobbed the 34-year-old striker, who has announced he is quitting Chelsea, as he carried the Olympic Flame through Swindon.

The town's bustling shopping district was turned into a sea of blue, red and white from the hundreds of Union flags, balloons and football shirts.

Man of the moment: Didier Drogba carrying the Olympic Flame on Wednesday

Man of the moment: Didier Drogba carrying the Olympic Flame on Wednesday

Also taking part in the relay was Drogba's midfield team mate Josh McEachran, 19, who ran in Calne, and two Olympic gold medallists from the 1968 Mexico City Games.

David Hemery, 67, who broke a world record when he won gold in the 400 metre hurdles, carried the torch through Royal Wootton Bassett.

Jane Holderness Roddam, 64, from Chippenham in Wiltshire, joined the relay in Shurdington, near Cheltenham. The event rider won team gold for Great Britain in Mexico City.

The 2010 World's Toughest Firefighter, Suzanne Enghed, 33, who serves with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue, ran her leg in Cheltenham.

The oldest torchbearer of the day was Mary Wixey, 91, a former games mistress who took part in Cheltenham.

David Hemery

Ben Fox

Proud: Former Olympic champion David Hemery (left) and 16-year-old wheelchair basketball player Ben Fox (right) carry the torch on a hot day in the south west of England

All those with their moment in the spotlight had to brave the sweltering temperatures as the mercury reached 25C across Bristol, west Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

The fifth day started with a mishap when the Olympic torch convoy missed a turning in north Somerset – causing a 10-minute delay to the relay.

Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge was lit up with an impressive display of fireworks as Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Rebecca Pantaney stepped on to the Grade I-listed structure.

A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 27.

Yaya Toure: Manchester City can rule the world

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We can rule the world! Yaya goes gaga over Manchester City's potential

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UPDATED:

00:23 GMT, 11 May 2012

Yaya Toure has told his Manchester City team-mates that the club can become ‘bigger than any club in the world’ if they beat rivals United to the title on Sunday.

The midfielder also said the players must fight until the 'final ball' against QPR, adding: 'This Sunday coming, we must deliver.'

The 28-year-old also paid tribute to his team’s never-say-die attitude in hauling in their rivals.

We can be heroes: Yaya Toure has backed his team to achieve greatness

We can be heroes: Yaya Toure has backed his team to achieve greatness

He said: ‘In front of us we had an experienced team, a strong team and one of the best in the Premier League and to make up eight points on them is very hard.’

In the interview with CNN, he added: 'We always believed in ourselves because we’ve got quality players, fantastic players.

'I think the key was when Mancini started making a speech in the dressing room, like he said, “Guys we don’t have to give up because the Premier League is like that and maybe United can drop some points and we can come back. We have to believe to the end because we’re in the most competitive competition in the world”.

'I think Mancini was totally right. He's an unbelievable guy who always fights to help his players to get them in good form and I think everything he’s done now he’s done fantastically well.'

Sam Allardyce hopes Coventry beat Southampton

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Allardyce relying on Crazy Gang spirit from Coventry to win promotion

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UPDATED:

23:36 GMT, 27 April 2012

Sam Allardyce hopes Coventry can recreate the Crazy Gang spirit to help save their automatic promotion dream.

West Ham are reliant on the Sky Blues – whose relegation into League One has already been confirmed – causing a shock at second-placed Southampton.

And Allardyce hopes Coventry manager Andy Thorn, who played for Wimbledon, can instil some of the old Plough Lane character to aid their quest for an instant Premier League return.

Lord of the dance: Sam Allardyce, then Coventry City footballer, now West Ham manager

Lord of the dance: Sam Allardyce, then Coventry City footballer, now West Ham manager

'I think Andy Thorn will tell his players that this is a game they can go out on a high with,' said the Hammers boss.

'There's going to be 32,000 people at St Mary's and they are going to create an unbelievable atmosphere. And I think you can imagine what Andy Thorn will be like, with his Wimbledon background.

Fighting chance: West Ham kept alive their hopes of promotion with a win at Leicester in midweek

Fighting chance: West Ham kept alive their hopes of promotion with a win at Leicester in midweek

Almost there: Southampton are still in pole position to be promoted ahead of West Ham

Almost there: Southampton are still in pole position to be promoted ahead of West Ham

'You could almost envisage him wanting to be out there himself because they knew how to spoil someone's celebrations during the Wimbledon days.

'I hope he can pass some of that onto his players and they can deliver that type of performance.'

Down and out: Coventry have already been relegated from the Championship

Down and out: Coventry have already been relegated from the Championship

He added: 'I will have someone with a direct feed who will tell me what's happening in the Southampton game. But with today's technology the crowd will tell us what's happening anyway.

'It will be an interesting game and we want one of those final day twists to go in our favour.'

Yaya Toure can"t believe Manchester City have been given a chance

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I can't believe United have given us hope in title race, admits City's midfield star Yaya Toure

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UPDATED:

17:01 GMT, 23 April 2012

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted he can't believe his side have been given another chance to win the title.

Two poor results for Manchester United, a defeat at Wigan two weeks ago and draw at home to Everton on Sunday, has seen their lead cut from eight to three points.

And next Monday's Manchester derby is a virtual title decider.

Right back in the race: City won at Wolves on Sunday to close the gap on United

Right back in the race: City won at Wolves on Sunday to close the gap on United

Toure said: 'United’s result was amazing. It was an unbelievable day for us with United dropping points at home. For me, it was strange.

'We found out about it on the bus on the way to Wolves. It was quite unbelievable and we now have to try and take advantage.

'We did the first part by beating Wolves but we have to settle down and continue to work hard because United still have three points more than us.

'We have to play them at home and, if you look at the record of United, they are very strong away and it will be a very difficult test for us.

'I think this year the club need to win the cup (title) and it will be difficult.

'But we need to win this derby because it will be one of the most important games the club have had.'

City didn't cope with the pressure
very well when they were leading in the title race early in March,
dropping a number of points and letting United steal a march.

Toure is sure City's big players will ensure they cope better now.

'People say we looked nervous at stages of the game and we have a lot of young players and not so many experienced ones.

What's going on Manchester United's title hopes suffered a blow on Sunday

What's going on Manchester United's title hopes suffered a blow on Sunday

'When your big rivals drop points at home, and you have to win your game, it is quite difficult.

'But with the players we have, it can make the difference all of the time with the likes of Aguero, Tevez and Nasri, and we did the job.'

Toure also reminded fans of both clubs that the eventual destiny of the title doesn't only depend on events at the Etihad.

Manchester City travel Newcastle and host QPR after the derby, while Manchester United play Swansea at home, and then Sunderland away on the final day of the season.

'They are very difficult games to come,' Toure added on Sky. 'We have United, then Newcastle who are playing well at home.

'These games will be very tough until the end of the season, and QPR are playing well as well.

'But, with the team we have, if we win something this year it will be fantastic for us.'

Andre Marriner to referee Manchester City v Manchester United

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Marriner in the middle! Referee Andre to take charge of Manchester derby

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UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 23 April 2012

Andre Marriner will referee next week's Manchester derby as Premier League title rivals United and City battle it out at the Etihad stadium.

Marriner has been handed the biggest game of the season and one which is likely to determine where the trophy ends up.

United lead City by three points ahead of Monday night's clash.

Man in the middle: Andre Marriner will referee Manchester City against United

Man in the middle: Andre Marriner will referee Manchester City against United

Marriner, from Sheldon in the West Midlands, was the man in the middle
during the match between United and Liverpool in October when the race row between
Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra blew up.

Meanwhile, Yaya Toure has urged City to seize the initiative and capitalise on being handed an unexpected title lifeline by United.

Toure has described the eagerly awaited clash as one of the most important games in the club's history.

The midfielder and other City players found out about United's shock 4-4 home draw with Everton while on the coach to Molineux for Sunday's clash with Wolves.

Tough task: Marriner tried to calm down Patrice Evra (left) and Luis Suarez

Tough task: Marriner tried to calm down Patrice Evra (left) and Luis Suarez

A 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri, means City are only three points behind United and with a superior goal difference.

Toure said: 'United's result was amazing. It was an unbelievable day for us with United dropping points at home. For me, it was strange.

'We found out about it on the bus on the way to Wolves. It was quite unbelievable and we now have to try and take advantage.

Pegged back: United blew a two-goal lead against Everton on Sunday

Pegged back: United blew a two-goal lead against Everton on Sunday

'We did the first part by beating Wolves but we have to settle down and continue to work hard because United still have three points more than us.

'We have to play them at home and, if you look at the record of United, they are very strong away and it will be a very difficult test for us.

'I think this year the club need to win the cup (title) and it will be difficult. But we need to win this derby because it will be one of the most important games the club have had.'

Turning up the heat: Manchester City beat Wolves to close the gap at the top

Turning up the heat: Manchester City beat Wolves to close the gap at the top