|
Wednesday,
28th February
|
|
Robbie Fowler is in talks with former
Liverpool team-mate, Steve Nicol, over a move that will take the Liverpool
favourite to the United States.
The 31-year-old striker is out of contract
at Anfield at the end of the season and his future is uncertain. New
England Revolution coach Nicol said: "At the moment the first thing is the
financial side. We've spoken, but as of yet there's nothing been settled. He's
really just dipping his foot in the water here. It's something he's thinking
about." |
|
Sunday, 25th
February
|
|
John Terry was
checked over but then discharged from hospital after receiving a sickening blow
to the head. Terry was accidentally kicked in the face by Arsenal's Abou
Diaby during the Carling Cup final. He lost consciousness and was carried
from the field by stretcher, then taken to the University Hospital of Wales.
But by six o'clock he was back at the stadium and able to celebrate the win.
"John risked himself and the Arsenal player was trying to protect
his goal," said Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. "I have no criticism about that."
|
|
Carling Cup Final Theo
Walcott scored his first ever senior goal for Arsenal, but still ended on the
losing side. Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners, despite losing John Terry in a
freak accident. A mass brawl towards the end see three sent off, and
included Frank Lampard receiving a yellow card. |
|
Premiership Stephen
Warnock scored for Blackburn Rovers, as his side beat Portsmouth 3-0.
Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon were both on the scoresheet as Tottenham Hotspur
beat Bolton Wanderers 4-1. |
|
Peter Crouch broke his
nose yesterday in Liverpool's Premiership match against Sheffield United.
The England striker was carried out after being accidentally kicked in the face
by Blades striker Rob Hulse. Benitez said: "Crouch has a broken nose and
needed stitches but it's not serious, he's OK and I spoke to him after the
game." |
|
Saturday, 24th
February
|
|
Premiership Darren Bent
opened the scoring as Charlton Athletic thrashed West Ham United 4-0.
Robbie Fowler scored two penalties against Sheffield United, Steve Gerrard also
scored as Peter Crouch was taken off with a broken nose, Liverpool beat
Sheffield United 4-0. Andrew Johnson scored a penalty for Everton in their
3-0 victory over Watford. |
|
John Terry
has recovered from his ankle injury in time to
play in the Carling Cup final against Arsenal tomorrow. The 26-year-old
was expected to miss the game after damaging ankle ligaments. But a club
statement said: "The speed of Terry's recovery has surprised the club's medical
department." |
|
Thursday, 22nd
February
|
|
John Terry will miss Sunday's Carling Cup
final against Arsenal after he limped out of the Champions League draw at Porto
last night. The defender was stretchered off after just seven minutes of
the Champions League tie in Portugal, and Mourinho said: "All we know now is it
is bad. He has injured his ankle ligaments and was not happy when he came
off." |
|
Ashley Cole
made a successful return to action from injury
for Chelsea reserves last night. Cole, who had not played since damaging
his knee ligaments against Blackburn last month, managed 60 minutes in a
second-string fixture against Reading. The 26-year-old England star has an
outside chance of playing in Sunday's Carling Cup final against Arsenal.
|
|
Wednesday,
21st February
|
|
Premiership Jermaine
Jenas scored the winning goal as Tottenham Hotspur beat Everton 2-1. |
|
Steve McClaren has
admitted David Beckham's return to form for Real Madrid has given him a
selection "problem". Beckham has impressed on his return in their last two
games. "It gives me a problem, one of the problems you welcome. He's
being professional and performing well for his club - obviously that's a problem
I would rather have than not have. It's interesting." Beckham was named
man-of-the-match in Real's Champions League win over Bayern Munich last night,
and McClaren is full of admiration for the way he has battled back into the
side. |
|
David Beckham insists
his move to Los Angeles will not prompt his international retirement and he
still has hopes of an England recall. Beckham has not featured for England
under Steve McClaren, but turned in another eye-catching performance for Real
Madrid against Bayern Munich. The 31-year-old said: "My ambition has never
changed since the age of 13, I always wanted to play for my country. I'll
always be available whether I'm in Spain or whether I'm in LA."
Beckham has won over Real coach Fabio Capello, who vowed
never to pick him again when the England skipper opted to join LA Galaxy at the
end of the season. He will now be hoping he can do the same with McClaren,
who has snubbed Beckham since his appointment as England coach after last
summer's World Cup. The Football Association issued a denial to reports
that McClaren had consulted senior England players on a possible recall for
Beckham. McClaren said he had no plans to speak to Beckham ahead of the
Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel, but the England coach has said in the past that
he would never close the door on any player. |
|
Thursday, 15th
February
|
|
Steve McClaren may scrap some friendlies in
favour of longer training camps with his players. "I want the flexibility
to be able to control when we have friendlies. The key thing for me is
getting more time with the players. If more time means get-togethers with
no end result and we achieve something, yes, I would like that." A
television deal means England have to play 18 friendlies in the four years from
Euro 2008. The FA insists there is enough flexibility within the deal to
enable McClaren not to have to fill every available date with a friendly.
The FA's director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "Every international
date we look at we clearly will discuss with Steve and his coaching staff to
take into account what they are looking to achieve. We have got fixtures
that are almost in place for various dates at Wembley because that's part of the
discussion and contracts that have been in the pipeline for some time. There are
several dates that have been filed but certain ones that haven't."
|
|
Monday, 12th
February
|
|
An English bid to host the 2018 football
World Cup would be backed by the government, ministers have pledged.
An official study into the
project has concluded that England is well-placed to stage the competition.
Chancellor Gordon Brown said the tournament should return to "the nation which
gave football to the world". The final decision on tabling a bid lies with
the Football Association, which spent millions on an unsuccessful attempt to
host the 2006 competition. FA chief executive Brian Barwick said in a
statement: "Government backing is a central part of any successful World Cup bid
and this study underlines this government's commitment to bringing the world's
biggest sports events to these shores." Mr Brown said: "By 2018, it will
be more than 50 years since England first hosted the World Cup. "With the
Olympics in London in 2012, hosting the World Cup in 2018 would make the next
decade the greatest in Britain's sporting history." |
|
Chris Sutton shows no
signs of improvement to the blurred vision problem that has sidelined him since
23 December. Villa boss Martin O'Neill hoped Sutton, 33, would be cleared
to resume training following a visit to a specialist. O'Neill said: "Chris
saw the specialist but the eye hasn't improved. We want to be optimistic but
it's a slow process. He hasn't been given the all-clear but Chris will do
some non-contact training to get his fitness levels up."
|
|
Colin Todd has left as
manager of Bradford City. Former Bolton, Derby and Middlesbrough boss
Todd, 58, took over the reins at Valley Parade in June 2004, succeeding former
England captain Bryan Robson. A statement on the club website said:
"Unfortunately, results over the last 20 league games have been poor and so it
is time for a change." |
|
Michael Owen has
stepped up his recovery from his cruciate ligament injury by jogging for the
first time in training. The 27-year-old was put through his paces at the
Magpies' Darsley Park training ground today. He is hoping to make his
first-team comeback in April but he admitted earlier this month that he may not
return before the end of the season. |
|
Sunday, 11th
February
|
|
Premiership Zat Knight
headed a consolation goal as Fulham lost 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers. |
|
Saturday, 10th
February
|
|
David Beckham scored on
his return to Real Madrid's starting line-up in the 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
The 31-year-old equalised with a 25-yard free-kick in the 37th-minute of his
first start since 20 December. It eased the pressure on Capello after two
consecutive defeats. "I am happy that Beckham scored. All the team
is happy for him. I have spoken
with him twice in the course of the last two weeks and what we said will remain
just between us." |
|
Premiership Andrew
Johnson scored on his 26th birthday to give Everton a 1-0 victory over Blackburn
Rovers. Jermaine Jenas had scored an early goal for Tottenham Hotspur, but
eventually lost 2-1 at Sheffield United. |
|
Everton have accused England of blundering
over Andrew Johnson's ankle injury ahead of the international with Spain on
Wednesday. The striker was tipped to start the friendly at Old Trafford in
a 4-3-3 formation, but was sent home after being assessed by physio Gary Lewin.
However, Toffees assistant manager Alan Irvine insists Johnson was fit to play.
"Andy reported for duty feeling an ankle problem, but he didn't rule himself out
and is fit now. Although he could not train at the start of the week, he
told them he would be all right for the game. But the reply was that he
might as well return to his club for treatment. He is fine for the game
against Blackburn on Saturday and all I can say is we were glad to have him
back." The decision left manager Steve McClaren with only two fit strikers
in his squad in Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, and meant Shaun Wright-Phillips
was drafted into the starting line-up. However, the absence of Johnson -
who has scored nine goals for Everton this season - was all the more surprising
given that England's Manchester United and Tottenham players all missed training
on Monday after playing on Sunday. |
|
Friday, 9th
February
|
|
Fabio Capello paid tribute to David
Beckham's professionalism as he recalled the former England skipper to the Real
Madrid squad. Capello has relented on his decision never to pick Beckham,
31, after he agreed a move to LA Galaxy next season. Real's coach denied he had
bowed to pressure from senior players or reacted to recent results by recalling
Beckham. "We doubted he could train with the same enthusiasm, but he has behaved
like a great professional." |
|
Thursday, 8th
February
|
|
Steve McClaren
remains confident his team will qualify for the
Euro 2008 finals despite their run of poor form. England are third in
Group E and face two crucial qualifiers away to Israel and Andorra in March.
"I believe in these players and I believe in my ability to do the job and get us
qualified. I have never been in any doubt about it. I know there is a
great determination within the squad. They are as disappointed as
everybody that we have not won the last four games - but it is the Israel game
where they will be judged. This is a big year for us. But it is where we
are at the end that counts, not what happens in the beginning." |
|
Steve McClaren
has vowed to reprimand his under-performing stars
after their 1-0 defeat to Spain. The team produced another uninspiring
display under McClaren as they lost at Old Trafford and were booed off by
unhappy fans. "There were a few performances which weren't up to their usual
standards. That is the disappointing aspect of this performance. The
players know that and it will be made clear." |
|
Wednesday, 7th
February
|
|
England 0 Spain 1
England woefully underperformed to slip to their first home defeat under
coach Steve McClaren in an international friendly against Spain at Old Trafford.
Spain were on the back foot at the start of each half, but the visitors survived
to take control of the match. Fernando Morientes blazed over the bar in the
first-half, while David Villa's shot was well saved by England debutant Ben
Foster just before the hour. Soon afterwards substitute Andres Iniesta
arrowed a shot past Foster. |
|
Tuesday, 6th
February
|
|
Stuart Pearce saw his
England Under-21 side fight back from two goals down to earn a draw against
Spain in his first game in charge at Pride Park. Spain took the lead when
Roberto Solano capitalised on mistakes by Scott Carson and Curtis Davies to slot
in. Jose Jurado made it 2-0 after good work from Antonio Barragan, with
David Nugent pulling one back after a corner. Substitute Leroy Lita
continued his fine scoring form by heading in the equaliser late on from six
yards. |
|
Ben Foster has been handed an England debut
in the friendly against Spain.
The Watford goalkeeper will start behind a defence
featuring Jonathan Woodgate and Phil Neville at left-back. Wayne Rooney
was not considered fit for selection and Aaron Lennon has been sent home with a
stomach bug, so Shaun Wright-Phillips starts on the right. Liverpool's
Peter Crouch will lead the line, with support from Kieron Dyer and an
attack-minded midfield that includes Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Michael Carrick will anchor the midfield and is one of just
four survivors from the team that drew against Netherlands in November, along
with Gerrard, Lampard and Rio Ferdinand. Foster, who is on loan at the
Hornets from Manchester United, has been given his chance as boss Steve McClaren
wants Paul Robinson's understudies to gain exposure to international football.
The 23-year-old has jumped ahead of Scott Carson in the queue to challenge Spurs
stopper Robinson and was also helped by Chris Kirkland pulling out of the squad
with a shoulder injury.
|
|
Monday, 5th
February
|
|
Andrew Johnson has withdrawn from the
England squad because of an ankle injury. Johnson returned to action in
Everton's draw at Liverpool on Saturday but does not feel the problem has healed
enough to be able to play for England. However, Manchester United have
cleared Wayne Rooney to join up with the squad.
Wayne Bridge
has also withdrawn from the squad because he is suffering from a thigh injury.
Chris Kirkland became the third
withdrawal of the day, his shoulder injury means that England have only two fit
goalkeepers.
Owen Hargreaves has revealed he will sit out the friendly.
Hargreaves, 25, only returned to action from a broken leg last Friday - when he
played the full 90 minutes of Bayern Munich's defeat against Nuremberg.
Steven Gerrard admits it will be a massive honour to
captain England. The 26-year-old will skipper the side for the first time
in three years, with John Terry unable to play the full 90 minutes following a
back injury. Gerrard said: "It means an awful lot to me. To walk out at
the front and lead the boys into battle is extra-special."
|
|
Jonathan Woodgate is now a Middlesbrough player.
Real Madrid announced they have reached an
agreement with the Riverside club over the transfer of the England defender.
Woodgate, 27, joined Boro on a
year-long loan from Madrid in summer 2006 and the two clubs have now agreed to
make the switch permanent. In a statement, Madrid said it had reached an
agreement for the transfer. "Real Madrid wants to wish Jonathan the best
personal and professional success."
|
|
Sunday, 4th
February
|
Wayne Rooney is a doubt for England's
friendly against Spain at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The striker limped
off after 64 minutes during Manchester United's crushing 4-0 win over Tottenham
at White Hart Lane today. "We will assess him on Monday morning but he may
be doubtful for the England game on Wednesday," said Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jermaine Jenas missed the defeat with an ankle injury and
has had to pull out of the England squad. |
|
Premiership Paul
Scholes scored the third goal as Manchester United and beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0,
Wayne Rooney limped off in the second half. |
|
Tentative talks have taken place designed to
revive the Home Internationals - but with the Republic of Ireland likely to
replace England. Scotland,
Northern Ireland and the Republic are said to be keen - with England and Wales
less so. But Scotland manager Alex McLeish wants to play England in a
friendly at the new Wembley at the very least. "I would relish the thought
of it. I'm not one for meaningless friendlies, but this is different."
The English Football Association are compiling a list of
friendlies for the new stadium. "If the English FA are thinking about
opposition for the new Wembley, I hope we're in their thoughts. It would
be fantastic to go there." |
|
Saturday, 3rd
February
|
|
Premiership Frank
Lampard scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea beat Charlton Athletic 1-0
to close the gap at the top of the Premiership table to three points,
Manchgester United play tomorrow. |
|
Friday, 2nd
February
|
|
Joey Barton has won his
first England squad call-up for the friendly against Spain. Real Madrid's
on-loan Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate is recalled for the first time
since 2004. Newcastle United's Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry, of Aston
Villa, also return for Wednesday's game after long absences. Owen
Hargreaves is also included for the first time since breaking his leg while
playing for Bayern Munich in September. |
|
Ledley King has been
ruled out for eight weeks after it was revealed he has suffered a stress
fracture to his foot. England defender King, 26, has injured the fourth
metatarsal of his left foot. He has not played since Tottenham Hotspurs'
last Premiership win, against Aston Villa on Boxing Day at White Hart Lane.
A statement read: "The medical staff are fully confident that, given the new
timeframe, Ledley will make a complete recovery. Ledley first bruised the
bone in his foot four weeks ago. He progressed quickly with his rehabilitation,
getting back to a moderate-to-high level of intensity. However, he
recently suffered a setback when the injury recurred to the extent that the club
medical staff are having to treat the injury like a stress fracture, even though
he has not broken his metatarsal." |
|
Michael Owen
has said he might not play again this season
as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury. The
27-year-old, injured playing for England at last year's World Cup, had been set
for a comeback in April. "I haven't had any setbacks. Hopefully I can
return this season, but it could be next season." |
|
Thursday,
1st February
|
|
Stuart Pearce has been
appointed manager of the England under-21 side. Pearce will take the hem
ahead of next weeks friendly against Spain U21 side. FA officials reached
a compromise with City to install Pearce in the job. To allay City's fears
that their boss would be distracted at a key stage of the Premiership campaign,
he will miss an under-21 friendly in March. |
|
John Terry is fit and
will play against Charlton Athletic on Saturday. Terry has been out since
December and the Blues' form has dipped as a result - and with Ashley Cole
thought to be badly injured, his return is crucial. Mourinho said: "Terry
is an important player for us. We've missed him and it's important he's back,
especially in a period when we keep losing players." Meanwhile, Mourinho
is waiting news for on scans to Cole's knee injury. |
England Football Online