Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 17 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Kinnear offered extended contract
Joe Kinnear has revealed he has been offered the chance to become Newcastle's permanent manager.

Kinnear is currently contracted until the end of the season having arrived as interim manager following Kevin Keegan's departure last September.

However, Kinnear's performance appears to have persuaded the board to offer him a long-term deal.

"I'm just mulling over things in my head at the moment. I have been offered a very lucrative contract," he said.

"I know what my own future is," the 62-year-old added on talkSPORT.

The former Wimbledon and Nottingham Forest manager has led Newcastle out of the bottom three since owner Mike Ashley brought him to the club, winning four and drawing eight of his 17 games in charge.

"Mike Ashley, (managing director) Derek Llambias and I, we've sat down and talked about taking the club forward and about reinvesting in the club in the summer," said Kinnear.

"But I said to them that first and foremost, we have to work hard and establish ourselves as a Premier League side and get away from the relegation fight.

"I really don't need any more distractions than that.

"What I suggested to the club was that we all sit down in the summer and look at each other and say what direction do we want to take the club in, refinancing it, letting players go and bringing in my own players.

"I'll also see what my wife and family have to say about the situation of moving up here permanently."

Kinnear's spell at Newcastle has not been without controversy.

In October Kinnear launched a furious attack on the media in a news conference swearing 52 times.

And in November Kinnear was charged with improper conduct after his criticism of referee Martin Atkinson following his side's defeat by Fulham.

Earlier this month he was sent to the stands after a bust up with Hull boss Phil Brown during his side's 1-0 FA Cup defeat.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 16 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Benitez turns down contract offer
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed the Anfield club last contract offer, BBC Sport understands.

Benitez, 48, said he will accept that if the operation has more control over the gains in football instead of having to meet the chief executive Rick Parry.

"The owners feel (my) decisions must be submitted to the CEO," said Benitez Liverpool Echo.

"But I know I am the subject of results and our fans and they are the best judges I ever will."

Benitez, who accepted the financial terms and duration of the proposed contract, informed the American club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for his stand.

The Spaniard insists he has a strong relationship with the co-owners, but states that the proposed transaction would not allow him to manage the Liverpool football to the best of its abilities.

"My relationship with the owners is better than people think," he said. "I have regular contacts with them and especially with Tom Hicks, who has always been very favorable.

"The discussions between my agent and counsel of the owners have been very positive and friendly and our differences are my responsibilities.

"I have lots of experience at various football clubs, and if you do not have a technical director and you're the manager, you must have control of football decisions.

But always within a budget which is controlled by the owners and the club.

"In this scenario, the manager knows the amount he has money at his disposal and can decide how much to spend on each player based on the needs of the team.

"The only person who can decide the value of a player of his team because he is the manager knows what elements are needed to improve the team."

Hicks moved quickly to reassure supporters that Benitez will continue for the next five years, insisting he has no concerns about the contract rejection.

"I will work with Rafa to get this resolved - and I'm not worried at all," Hicks told Sky Sports News.

"Rafa will be the coach of Liverpool for the next five years, and we will work through this."

Benitez, whose current four-year expires in 2010, expressed their frustration at not having the level of control, I wish more of the club Kirkby-based academy.

"I think the academy is a very important part of the future of the club. The duration of the contract was accepted and it shows my long-term commitment to the club, "he said.

"I know that academies Ajax, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Valencia, the players and they regularly produce.

"The way the system works, it means the manager has a contribution in the development and I think this could be the way forward and we hope this will help us make better use of local talent."

Benitez led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, still looking for their first championship title 19 years.

"I think this club has the potential to improve, and I just want to be able to help do this," he added.

"I will continue to do my job as manager and concentrate on the thing I want our fans to focus on - winning trophies for them.

"From the first day I came to the club that I have always given 100% and I will continue to do so.

"We have a very important match to face Everton on Monday evening and now I just want to be able to focus only on this point."
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 16 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Man City offer '£13m' for De Jong
Manchester City have made an official bid to sign Hamburg midfielder Nigel de Jong, according to the German club.

De Jong's contract contains a clause that would allow him to leave in the summer for £1.8m, but City have reportedly bid £13.3m to buy him now.

"City contacted us, signalled their interest in him and made an offer," said a Hamburg spokesman.

The Dutch international, 24, has played 66 Bundesliga games for Hamburg since joining from Ajax for £1.2m in 2006.

"We now have to sit down and decide if it is worth considering. If we feel it is, then we will get back to them," added the Hamburg spokesman. "We have agreed not to discuss figures."

And De Jong, who is out of contract with Hamburg in 2010, has himself hinted that he would like the opportunity to join the Eastlands outfit, saying: "Everybody knows that I would like to play for a big club eventually.

"I count Manchester City in that category. I will take my time and listen to everything and then I will make the right decision for me.

"But I am a Hamburg player and it could be that I remain so."

However, Hamburg director of sport Dietmar Beiersdofer has said City face competition from a host of other clubs - including Spanish giants Real Madrid.

"I have spoken with him about Real Madrid and other clubs in that category, but not about City," he told German newspaper Die Welt.

"I will now speak with his agent and see what happens."

De Jong is the latest in a long line of players to have been linked with big-money moves to City since the January transfer window opened.

As well as their £107m bid to sign AC Milan midfielder Kaka, the Eastlands club are already known to have made offers for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and West Ham duo Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.

Left-back Wayne Bridge, who signed from Chelsea for around £10m, remains the club's only signing of the January transfer window to date.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 16 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Portsmouth agree fee for Pennant
Liverpool have accepted an offer from Portsmouth for winger Jermaine Pennant.

The 26 years is set to discuss with staff Fratton Park club in the coming days, "according the website of Pompey.

Pennant has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and AC Milan since the transfer window, with Spurs, Wigan, Hull and Stoke also interested.

Pennant started his career at Notts County before moving to Arsenal and he also played for Birmingham.

Pennant has made 81 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Birmingham for £ 6.7m in July 2006.

But it has struggled to force his way to The Reckoning this season and has only played four times for the side Rafael Benitez.

Pennant Pompey boss Tony Adams knows their time together at Arsenal.
by bbcnews.

English Premiership football News

Hull snap up Manucho from Man Utd
Hull City have signed Manchester United striker Manucho on loan for the rest of the season, and he can face Arsenal on Saturday after earning a work permit.

The Angolan frontman, who was on loan at Panathinaikos last season, has made one Fa Barclaycard Premiership outing for United.

"The lad is a proven goalscorer at certain levels, though not yet in the Premier League," said boss Phil Brown.

"He is about 6ft 3in, great stature, he has a good eye for goal, and is certainly good aerially."

The Tigers also remain hopeful of signing former Liverpool right-back Steve Finnan from Espanyol.

It has been reported that the club's deal for 32-year-old Finnan fell through because of a long-standing thigh injury but Brown says he is still pursuing the player - although he would have to be convinced of Finnan's fitness before concluding any deal.

"It is a long way from being complete," said Brown of the move. "Steve has been injured and I think he has only played four games for Espanyol, which is a concern of ours, hence the reason he has undergone a medical to the extent he has.

"We are pulling out all the stops. We are making sure we are doing this one properly."

Brown has already completed the signing of Kevin Kilbane from Wigan this month.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 16 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Spurs 'on brink' of Palacios deal
Tottenham are on the brink of signing midfielder Wilson Palacios from Wigan after Latics boss Steve Bruce said a deal had been "virtually agreed".

The 24-year-old has been with Wigan for just over a year after he joined from Deportivo Olimpia on a three-and-a-half year deal for £1m in January 2008.

But the club have opted to cash in on the Honduran, with a deal of around £14m thought to have been agreed.

"The clubs have virtually agreed a fee. It's how it will be paid," said Bruce.

"It is up to us as a selling club to demand what we want in terms of how we should be paid and how we should be structured. We will see what happens.

"Wilson is still with us and I'm preparing him to play against Manchester City tomorrow. That's the situation at the moment but we will see what happens in the next few hours."

Tottenham had a bid of £10m rejected on Wednesday but Bruce conceded at the time that the club would not stand in Palacios's way if a bigger offer came in.

And he said on Friday: "You look at what we bought him for and what we might sell him for and it is quite remarkable.

"As a manager you don't want to lose one of your best players. The last thing I want to do is dismantle my team. Wilson has come from nowhere to being one of the best midfield players in the country.

"But of course we have to be realistic, which I am. We are Wigan Athletic and if it is the wish of the player (to leave) all these things have to be taken into consideration.

"Spurs can offer bigger contracts than us. They can blow us out of the water but it would be like losing my right arm."

Winger Antonio Valencia and striker Emile Heskey have also been linked with moves away from the JJB.

Valencia is a reported target of Real Madrid, while Aston Villa and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in signing Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer.
by bbcnews.


English Premiership football News

Bellamy 'wants to join Tottenham'
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claims striker Craig Bellamy wants to leave West Ham, despite the Hammers declining bids from Spurs and Manchester City.

"We can confirm that Craig Bellamy has been offered a new contract," said a West Ham spokesman on Friday.

"We can also confirm that he has no permission to talk to other clubs including Spurs and Manchester City."

But Redknapp said: "Someone has told me he wants to come here and play. If we can do a deal, good."

City have had three bids for the 29-year-old Wales captain rejected, and Spurs have also had offers turned down.

On Monday, City offered £9m before making an improved bid two days later, while Tottenham are reported to have bid £12m as West Ham maintain that Bellamy is not for sale.

However, Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has admitted it is pointless keeping players if they do not want to play for the club.

"What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned, I want to keep him - and the club want to keep him. But if a player wants to go it is difficult," said Zola.

"At the moment, he is a West Ham player and he will stay a West Ham player. However, I do not know if he will play on Sunday. We will see what happens.

"It is difficult to keep players who are unhappy at the club, but we will see what happens."

West Ham, whose owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson may sell the club, insist they do not want to offload players and are under no pressure to do so.

Manchester City have also so far failed to prise midfielder Scott Parker away from Upton Park

And the Hammers have reacted angrily to Newcastle's interest in captain Lucas Neill, saying they have not received any approach for the player despite Magpies boss Joe Kinnear claiming to have spoken to Neill's agent.

"We are astonished by reports that a Premier League manager has claimed contact with one of our contracted players," said the London club.

"Talks over a new contract with Lucas Neill - who remains committed to West Ham United - are due to be held in due course when appropriate for all parties."

Bellamy played under City manager Mark Hughes and assistant Mark Bowen with both Wales and Blackburn.

And Bowen told BBC Sport on Thursday: "Of course we're interested in Craig Bellamy, he is a player we very much admire and we are hopeful we can bring him to Manchester City.

"We've known Craig for many years, and had him at Blackburn Rovers, and we know what he brings to any team he plays for.

"It does make me smile as I think he is one of those players who you either love or hate. But fans of teams that he has played for love him and know what he gave for their team."

Redknapp is especially keen to bolster his squad's forward strength during the transfer window as he only has Darren Bent, Manchester United loanee Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is cup-tied in Europe.

Bellamy, a former Liverpool, Blackburn, Newcastle, Coventry and Norwich forward, has made 54 appearances for his country, scoring 16 goals.

Often a controversial figure, Bellamy has helped lead 10th-placed West Ham back up the Premier League table in recent weeks after they had initially struggled as Zola settled in at the club after joining as its new manager in September.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership Result Update

English Premiership Result.

14 January 2009

Manchester United. 1 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 14 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Kaka plays down link to Man City
Brazil star Kaka says he wants to stay at AC Milan despite talk of a transfer to Manchester City.

A delegation of the city was in Milan and allegedly made an offer in the region of £ 100m, with a weekly salary of £ 500,000 for the midfielder.

However, 26 years, said the website owned by TV Mediaset Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi: "I want to grow old in Milan.

"My goal is to become at some point in the future, the captain of this team."

With AC Milan Paolo Maldini is currently the captain armband, Kaka added: "I know there is a hierarchy and Maldini and (Massimo) Ambrosini is before me, but then ..."

After the first reports of the offer tabled on Wednesday, the City has refused to officially comment on the story.

A city spokesman told the BBC Radio Manchester: "We have been linked with more than 70 names that could come in this transfer window.
"We will not be drawn into any speculation on the names of any kind."

AC Milan has confirmed that its Executive Director Adriano Galliani met with the City on Tuesday to discuss the future of Kaka.

In a statement, the Serie A club said: "Galliani received a delegation from Manchester City yesterday in Milan as a gesture of courtesy, as always in these cases. There are no discussions yet. "

The current record for a player to the signing of £ 46m when France Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.

Kaka joined Milan Serie A giants Sao Paulo in 2003 and has since won the title in the league, Champions League and World Club Cup

The midfielder has also chosen to attack the Ballon d'Or and the Fifa World Player of the Year in 2007.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, estimated to be worth £ 15bn, the city has taken as the owner in September 2008 and funds were made available to manager Mark Hughes.

However, he only retained the services of Wayne Bridge in the January transfer window, with bids rejected for West Ham forward Craig Bellamy and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The delegation of four men who traveled to Italy for talks with officials in Milan have included executive chairman Garry Cook, and two representatives of the Sheikh.

BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football journalist Ian Dennis said Sheikh Mansour stressed the move "desire to transform Manchester City", but added: "By taking advantage of what would be an incredible coup, is another matter .

With the club struggling in 15th position in the Premier League, it gives a tremendous impetus City if they were to seal the agreement of one of the best players in the world.

However, it is estimated that the move to target Kaka is led by club officials rather than Hughes himself.

Having started his career at Sao Paulo where he scored 58 goals, Kaka moved to Milan for € 5 million and has scored 86 goals in 244 appearances.

He also picked up 62 caps for Brazil and scored 23 goals after making his debut against Bolivia in January 2002 and presented in the 2002 World Cup winning team.

Kaka is under contract at San Siro until 2013, and last February he said he wanted to stay in Milan for the rest of his career, he alluded to a desire to play in League - which he described as the "best in the world championship."

After the surprise £ 32.5 Robinho's move to Eastlands and not in September, as planned, in Chelsea, the spokesman Diogo Kotscho City Kaka has warned it would need more than one control to convince the player to travel.

"Kaka would not do anything based on money," said Kotscho Corriere dello Sport. "I would never something like Robinho, who, for better, the content itself a solution that is not a success."

Italian football expert Gabrielle Marcotti told BBC Radio 5 Live, he said that the delegation of the city has started conversations with representatives spoke signing Milan keeper Nelson Dida.

"If I understand correctly, they are supposed to go to Milan as part of Ruse to talk about another player and during the conversation made Kaka and they said they would be willing to spend as much," said Marcotti .
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 14 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Baggies reveal Luyindula interest
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has confirmed interest in Paris St Germain striker Péguy Luyindula.

The 29-year French international is one of a number of objectives for the Premier League bottom club in January.

"I think Luyindula is a player who was raised with a few different clubs," said Mowbray BBC WM.

"I think it is probably more from Paris, seeking to spend perhaps on him, but he is a player we have spoken and watched."

The former Strasbourg, Lyon and Marseille striker has scored over 100 goals in Ligue 1 in France, enjoyed a brief stint in the Spanish League Levante, and has won four caps for his country, scoring once.

"I played against Manchester City this year in the group stages of the Uefa Cup," noted Mowbray.

"I have to make this event as another player, another to end the speculation."
by bbcnews.

English Premiership football News

Boro's Walker faces six weeks out
Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker will be out for up to six weeks after tests showed torn lateral ligaments from Saturday's derby with Sunderland.

Walker, 19, made his full debut in the game after loan spells with Bournemouth and Aberdeen and manager Gareth Southgate is disappointed by the news.

"The injury is a real blow to him," Southgate told BBC Tees after the game.

"He went over on his ankle and he was naturally upset when he had to come off because he had taken his chance well."

The Newcastle-born teenager has captained England at under-16, under-17, under-18 and represented the side at under-19 level.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 13 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Man Utd are favourites - Torres
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes Manchester United are favourites to win the Fa Barclaycard Premiership title after their 3-0 win over Chelsea.

The Anfield outfit head the table but United, who are five points behind in third place, have two games in hand.

"They are the favourites and the champions right now and have shown over the years they are a very powerful team," said the 24-year-old Spaniard.

"They have two more games to play. If they catch up they will be top."

Torres, who was one of the nominees for the Fifa Player of the Year award, which was won by United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, believes Liverpool's match at Old Trafford on 14 March could decide the destination of the title.

"We know we have Old Trafford waiting for us and Arsenal and Chelsea at home - we have to fight until the very end," added the forward.

"The match at Old Trafford could turn out to be the decider and we hope we can be on an equal footing when we go there and try to win the match at a place that has not been advantageous for us in the past."

United play host to Wigan on Wednesday before visiting Bolton on Saturday.

Wins would result in Sir Alex Ferguson's side gaining the advantage in the title race, with Liverpool not playing their next Premier League match until Monday - when they face Everton in a Merseyside derby at Anfield.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 13 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Benitez 'close' to Liverpool deal
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed he is close to signing a new agreement to Anfield after accepting salary and length of a new contract.

Benitez, 48, revealed there are still some points that need to discuss before he puts pen on paper.

"We decided the length of the contract and we agreed to compensation.

"Now we have to discuss my role and my responsibilities as manager of the club," the Spaniard told the Liverpool Echo paper.

It was reported that a potential Stalling for any new operation was that Benitez wanted complete control over transfers.

But the Liverpool manager, denied there was any problem between him and the American club co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett on the remaining terms of the agreement.

"I have no problems at all with the American owners. My agent has received the draft of my contract (Monday) evening," he said.

"My surprise is that some journalists may speak there are problems even before I read and discussed."

Details of the contract and the salary offered to the manager of Liverpool have not been announced.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 13 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Injured Evra faces four weeks out
Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra could be out for four weeks with a foot injury.

The 27-year return of a four-match ban for the 3-0 victory for Chelsea on Sunday, was injured, but he set up as Wayne Rooney for United's second.

"Evra will be for three weeks, maybe four. It should not be that," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fellow defense Rio Ferdinand was ruled out for weeks with a back injury.

Ferdinand shot in the warm-up before United won the day after Christmas to Stoke and has not played since the tournament of the FIFA Club World in Japan last month.

England, the defense should have played against Chelsea, but has a new spasm before the match and the league 30 years, United has also failed last five games.
In the absence of Ferdinand, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has used 20 years, Jonny Evans to replace.

Ferguson said there was no damage to long-term injury to Ferdinand, but he needed a long rest, both directions and Evra, he missed the game Wednesday Wigan on Saturday and also meet far in Bolton.

"Rio has been a professional and there are no major problems with his back, but it will not be involved against Wigan," added the Scot.

"We are giving him a series of exercises, but it must be good and we hope it will be back for the Spurs game."

French Evra is also likely to miss the second leg of Carling Cup against Derby later this month, the FA Cup fourth round in conflict with Tottenham and Premier League matches against Everton and West Brom.

Both players have helped keep the Premier League the best defense this season, with only 10 goals conceded in 19 league matches.

by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 13 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Hull target Boa Morte and Kilbane
Hull City manager Phil Brown said he was hopeful of completing the signing of Luis Boa Morte and Kevin Kilbane before the end of the week.

A fee was agreed with West Ham for Boa Morte, while the Tigers are close to agreeing on the terms of the Kilbane Wigan.

"We have made progress, things are underway," said Brown.

"The clubs have agreed terms on Luis Boa Morte, and we are trying to agree on the terms Kevin Kilbane, on a personal front as well."

After a good start to their debut season in the Premier League, whose victory at Arsenal, Hull are currently in a race with one victory in 12 games.

With his side currently eighth in the table, and only seven points above the relegation zone, Brown is anxious to strengthen his team during the transfer window to ensure that they consolidate their place in the elite .

It is hoping to block transactions for 31 years and Boa Morte Kilbane, also 31, Saturday, before the return clash with Arsenal and has not ruled out new signatures in January.

Speaking before the shell of an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday in Newcastle, Brown added: "They can not play a part in Newcastle on Thursday but hopefully by Thursday or Friday, they will fruit.

"We said at the beginning of the season, we wanted to flood the place of Premier League and the quality of these two players have in abundance. For the quality of Hull City player would be great for the football club.

"I would like, in an ideal world perhaps three or four players and three or four - but this is not an ideal world.

"If there are players out there, you can get and will strengthen the situation, it is always good to go and get them.

"To refresh the place would not be a bad thing. We're looking to bring in a striker and we are trying to do in another defense."

Boa Morte has struggled to maintain a first team place at West Ham since his move from Fulham £ 5m in 2007 and has managed only one goal in 66 appearances at Upton Park.

Republic of Ireland international Kilbane joins Wigan after spending three years at Everton, but has slipped down the hierarchy to the JJB Stadium, Wigan with 11 in 20 Premier League games this season.

Both players Brown offers more options on the left side of midfield, with Peter Halmos, the club of the left acknowledge that the midfielder on foot.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 13 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Hamann sidelined with toe problem
Veteran midfielder from Manchester City Dietmar Hamann was ruled out for up to three months by a toe injury.

The former Germany international, 35, suffered the injury in training on Monday and is set to visit a specialist in Switzerland for an accurate diagnosis.

City boss Mark Hughes told his club's website: "The best scenario is that it is nine weeks, but it could be 12."

Hamann, who joined the city of Liverpool in July 2006, is out of contract at Eastlands at the end of the season.

Hughes is already in the long term, without prejudice to the absent Michael Johnson, and another center environments Stephen Ireland is suspended for Saturday Premier League match against Wigan.

"Didi kicked a ball in training yesterday, the end of a toe, and unfortunately it seems that May I have tendon rupture," added Hughes.

"I'm going to Zurich today to see a surgeon he saw with a similar injury before. The feeling is that this is the same as what happened before.

"Obviously, this is a stroke of Didi, but we're a bit in the areas of light that we could have done without it."

Hamann played 18 games for City this season, with his last appearance coming in their 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on 3 January .
by bbcnews.

English Premiership football News

Beattie delighted to be a Potter
James Beattie is pleased to have completed its move from £ 2.5 million from Sheffield United to Fa Barclaycard Premiership side Stoke.

The 30-year-old former Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Everton striker has signed a three and half year deal at Britannia Stadium on Monday.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I am very happy. I can not wait to start playing and join the fight.

"I am disappointed to leave Sheffield United, but the chance to play in the Premier League, which takes him.

Beattie, who joined the Blades from Everton in August 2007, said he was surprised to have had the opportunity to leave Bramall Lane.

"I do not think it was a decision Footballing let me go," Beattie said, "One more financial actions taken by the people."

And although shocked to be allowed to speak to the Pottery, Beattie said that the meeting manager Tony Pulis was enough to convince him to move to the Potteries.

"What I had heard many good things about the gaffer of people who know a lot about football," said Beattie. "He is a fighter, who wants to keep the club in the Premier League."

Beattie also said he was impressed by the performance of the city on Saturday evening in the goalless draw with league leaders Liverpool.

"The guys all seemed to be pulling in the right direction," said Beattie. "They were ready to fight and it is a big part of my game, then maybe that is why the gaffer wanted me put here. "

There are now more than five years since Beattie, who made the England fold alongside his colleagues Wayne Rooney starting in February 2003, won the last of his five England caps.

Beattie and the Fa Barclaycard Premiership has not played football since his last match for Everton in May 2007 ended a lean time in front of the lens, in which he scored two goals all season.

But after his goal, to reach Rediscovering a notch with the Blades (34 goals in 57 shots starts), he now feels better equipped to cope with the demands of top flight.

"I think I am a better player now than I was when I left," said Beattie. "I hope I can show the fans and my new team-mates.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 12 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Ferguson hits back in Benitez row
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Rafael Benitez's recent comments as "ridiculous".

Liverpool boss Ferguson said of impunity is to criticize the referees and even suggested United are "a little scared" of the Fa Barclaycard Premiership leaders.

"There was a lot of venom in what he said," Ferguson said. "I do not understand where it came.

"When he reflects on what he must understand what he says is ridiculous. It is clearly disturbed by something."

Ferguson Benitez refused to discuss his comments in too much detail, preferring to bask in his side the 3-0 win over Chelsea.

After the impressive victory Sunday at Old Trafford, the third United closed the gap on Liverpool to five points, two games in hand.

Benitez has launched his attack on Ferguson during a four-minute monologue at a press conference on Friday and also said he believed the Scot was nervous because Liverpool are at the top of the league.

"We had a meeting about the campaign and I said forget it because Mr. Ferguson is" killing "the referees," said the Spaniard.

He added that Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished for verbally attacking referees and also argued that Ferguson and United's support staff of intimidating match officials.

An unrepentant Benitez has launched a new attack on follow Ferguson Liverpool 0-0 draw at Stoke on Saturday, suggesting the skipper May be "a little scared" of the Merseyside club to the title challenge.

"In 20 years, nobody can say these things, but perhaps they think the same thing as me," said Benitez. "I do not regret it."

Its shares, apparently caused by the claim that Ferguson NERVE May affect Liverpool's title challenge has caused great debate, while the Football Association Benitez is set to review the committee before deciding to take action against him.

But the Liverpool manager says he has received plenty of support.

"I can guarantee that many people have sent many messages, not for me but for our staff and a large number of people in Liverpool," he revealed.

"He is a person to say what everyone wants to say, but I did not think that people think, I was thinking about my club and Mr. Ferguson's comments on Liverpool this season. You can understand why. "

When asked if he thought Ferguson was nervous, Benitez replied: "Obviously. Perhaps it is a little scary.

"He talks too much Liverpool. It is to think about his own team, the problems they have and what they do."
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 12 January 2009 )

English Premiership football News

Man City bid for Bellamy rejected
West Ham have rejected an improved offer from Manchester City for striker Craig Bellamy, BBC Sport understands.

City boss Mark Hughes said last week that a joint bid for Bellamy and Scott Parker had been turned down, but City have gone back for the Wales striker.

The latest bid for Bellamy, 29, is believed to be about £9m.

West Ham, whose owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson may sell the club, insist they do not want to offload players and are under no pressure to do so.

More to follow
by bbcnews.


English Premiership football News

Lovenkrands earns Magpies trial
Danish international winger Peter Lovenkrands has joined Newcastle United on a week's trial.

Lovenkrands, 28, who spent six years with Scottish side Rangers from 2000 to 2006, was recently released by German outfit Schalke.

"He's out of contract but he is coming in for us to have a look," Magpies assistant manager Chris Hughton told the Northern Echo.

"He is an experienced player, a player with pace," added Hughton.
by bbcnews.

Fa Barclaycard Premiership Result Update

English Premiership Result.

11 January 2009

Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Tottenham H.

Manchester United. 3 - 0 Chelsea

English Premiership Result.

10 January 2009

Aston Villa 2 - 1 West Bromwich A.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Bolton W.

Everton 2 - 0 Hull C.

Fulham ? - ? Blackburn R. Postp.

Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Sunderland

Newcastle U. 2 - 2 West Ham U.

Portsmouth ? - ? Manchester C. Postp.

Stoke C. 0 - 0 Liverpool
by livescore