News sport

New signings on target for Liverpool

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in breàking news,criçket live,cricket s,crıcket lıve score,india cricket live,live,live cricket,lïve cricket score,news sport,Soccer Soccer Extended RSS,sportnews,sports

New signings James Milner and Danny Ings were on target as Liverpool beat Adelaide United.

|||

Adelaide - New signings James Milner and Danny Ings were on target as Liverpool beat Adelaide United 2-0 to make it three wins out of three on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.

For the second time in four days, the Premier League club attracted a big crowd to an Australian stadium and were given a good workout by A-League opposition.

And as in their 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday, Milner impressed in central midfield and got on the scoresheet, breaking the deadlock in the 68th minute by guiding Jordan Ibe's cross into the net from what looked like an offside position.

Ings scored the second goal three minutes from time after being put through on goal by England international Nathaniel Clyne.

Ibe put in an impressive display on the right wing in front of 53,008 fans at the Adelaide Oval and had been involved in two good chances around the hour mark.

First he cut inside the box and shot just wide of the post and a minute later provided a well-judged pass for Adam Lallana's shot, only for Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic to produce an outstanding save to keep the match goalless.

“Jordan Ibe, I think this could be a big season for him and he's only 19,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I thought it was an excellent performance. We pressed the game really well against a good side and we're really happy with the performance and the fitness.”

If Ibe was impressive, Divock Origi gave a reminder of why Liverpool are reported to be on the verge of spending 32.5 million pounds ($50.73 million) on another Belgian striker in Christian Benteke.

Origi was free in front of goal when he failed to get on the end of a Joe Gomez cross in the fifth minute and that was only the first of a string of missed opportunities.

Gomez, 18, impressed Rodgers with another assured display at right back, even if Spanish winger Sergio Cirio gave him some trouble in defence.

“Young Joe Gomez, looks like he could be a Liverpool player for a number of years,” Rodgers added. “I know it's pre-season but he shows all the qualities and temperament.”

Tarek Elrich, who scored the A-League goal of the season in the last campaign with a brilliant individual effort, created Adelaide's best chance in the 72nd minute when he did well to win the ball but fired his shot onto the outside of the post. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Jsf90H

Rooney will be the ‘main man’

Louis van Gaal has told Wayne Rooney that he will be Manchester United’s main centre forward this season.

|||

Louis van Gaal has told Wayne Rooney that he will be Manchester United’s main centre forward this season.

After years of being shunted around the pitch — including a spell as a holding midfield player last season — the United captain has been assured that his position will be right at the top of his team’s formation this season.

United may buy another striker having seen Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie go. But it is understood that Van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodward are relaxed and feel that the days of United having four frontline strikers are gone. They believe Rooney will flourish and return to his goalscoring best if he is used properly this season.

Certainly the 29-year-old will look to improve on last season when he was played in different positions and scored just 14 goals. Rooney played as central striker during United’s opening tour game — a 1-0 win against Club America in Seattle on Saturday — and will play there when United’s Premier League campaign begins at home against Tottenham.

United are following up their interest in Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The Argentine, who played for Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, is wanted to replace current No 2 keeper Victor Valdes who is on his way out of the club. Sources at Old Trafford have confirmed the club’s interest but have refused to comment on suggestions he is set to have a medical.

Meanwhile, Van Persie has spoken for the first time since he left United for Fenerbahce and has claimed his relationship with Van Gaal changed last season. ‘I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after that I was on the bench again,’ Van Persie said in The Sunday Times.

‘The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional.’

Defender Luke Shaw has revealed he and Adnan Januzaj paid for a United fitness coach to accompany them to on holiday to Dubai this summer. Van Gaal criticised Shaw’s fitness last season andShaw said last night: ‘I only had myself to blame. I didn’t arrive at the club in the correct shape. The manager told me his feelings and I totally accepted that.

‘Adnan and I decided to ask a member of the coaching staff to come with us and we paid his flights. He worked us in four sessions per day. The most important thing was to come back fitter.’ – Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eaZxWv

Sterling set to make City debut

Raheem Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, will play for his new club Manchester City against AS Roma.

|||

Raheem Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, will play for his new club Manchester City against AS Roma in Melbourne, manager Manuel Pellegrini said Monday.

The 20-year-old completed his move to the 2014 Premier League champions from Liverpool last week in a five-year deal worth an initial £44million that could rise to £49 million ($76 million).

Sterling will now be seen playing in Manchester City's sky blue shirt for the first time in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Pellegrini said it was important for his marquee signing, whom he rates as “one of the best attacking players in world football”, to get some playing time for his new club ahead of the new English Premier League season next month.

“I think that Raheem worked with Liverpool for three days in the same way as the other international players, so he will play some minutes,” Pellegrini told reporters.

“I know him because he played against us for the last two seasons but I think that it is important for him to try to have some minutes with our team as soon as he can.

“I know the way he has played at Liverpool. It's different, of course, when he's working with our squad, but he's a very young player with a lot of ambition and for me that's very important.”

The Jamaican-born Londoner assumes the most expensive English footballer mantle from Andy Carroll, who moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for £35 million but never lived up to the tag.

Pellegrini is also expected to give some game time to the club's other new signings, midfielder Fabian Delph, Turkish striker Enes Unal and former England youth international Patrick Roberts either on Tuesday or against Real Madrid in the Melbourne tournament on Friday.

Manchester City warmed up for the ICC tournament with a 1-0 win over Australian sister club Melbourne City with Frenchman Samir Nasri getting a late winner on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Roma beat Real Madrid 7-6 on penalties after the opening ICC game finished scoreless at the MCG on Saturday.

Pellegrini, echoed the concerns of Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez about the state of the MCG pitch which has been heavily used by the Australian Football League for their club matches this season.

“Yes, I am concerned ... we know it is not in the best shape,” he said.

“I hope that the pitch will be at least in normal conditions.”

The packed off-season schedule for City includes matches in Vietnam and Germany before they return to Manchester but goalkeeper Joe Hart allayed fears there was too much travel involved in their Premier League preparation.

“The manager's had a few pre-seasons in his life so he knows how to prepare a team,” he said. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HEgZgM

Mourinho backs Falcao to come good

Radamel Falcao will fly to meet his Chelsea team-mates in New York and he might want to thank a couple of them for his second chance in English football.

|||

Radamel Falcao will fly to meet his Chelsea team-mates in New York tomorrow and he might want to thank a couple of them for his second chance in English football.

Though there is a debate as to whether the Colombian striker can still cut it after his knee ligament surgery in 2014, having scored just four goals for Manchester United last season, it turns out Falcao had some powerful advocates in the Chelsea dressing room.

When Jose Mourinho was weighing up whether Falcao was a suitable replacement for Didier Drogba, he sought out his centre halves, John Terry and Gary Cahill. United lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in April but it seemed Falcao did enough that evening to convince the Chelsea defenders he is still a handful.

‘We think the bright movement is there, the movement to get freedom in the box to score goals is there,’ said Mourinho. ‘Our players had difficulty controlling him all the time and we feel the potential is there.’

Three years ago when Falcao, then 26, was at Atletico Madrid and looked like the most fearsome striker in Europe, Mourinho was manager of city rivals Real and had a close-up view.

Falcao was ahead of Diego Costa in the pecking order. But the Colombia striker, who is on loan at Chelsea from Monaco, is unhappy that he is perceived as a failure in England after his year at United and is apparently determined to put that right.

‘It’s his motivation,’ said Mourinho. ‘He did a lot of things to come to us. He lost money to come to us, he didn’t want to listen to other offers. He helped us a lot to do a deal with Monaco. So we think we can help him and he can help us.’

Falcao will be eased into this tour as a spectator against New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. A substitute appearance against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday is likely to be his first outing. But Mourinho expects him to be ready to face Swansea on Saturday August 8, the opening day of the Premier League season. And although Falcao may start behind Costa in the Chelsea pecking order, the Chelsea manager insists the centre forward spot is up for grabs.

‘He can be second, first or third,’ said Mourinho. ‘He knows that, Diego knows that and Loic Remy knows that. It is open competition between the three of them.’

Chelsea’s move for Augsburg left back Abdul Baba Rahman is being held up by Atletico’s Madrid’s failure to match Chelsea £15m valuation of Filipe Luis. Mourinho wants to bring in the 21-year-old Ghana international but cannot do so until Atletico agree terms with the club on Filipe Luis.

Similarly, Juan Cuadrado will only be allowed to leave Chelsea if they recoup the £23million they paid for him in January. That might open the way for Mourinho to compete with Van Gaal for Pedro — Chelsea would only consider a move for the Barcelona player if one of their wide players leaves.

Chelsea’s Nathan Ake is wanted on loan by Newcastle, Leicester and Watford. Ake’s future at Stamford Bridge has become uncertain since it became clear that Mourinho would like to offer transfer target John Stones the No 6 shirt, which belongs to Ake.– Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Lmn85i

Benteke set for Anfield medical

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is poised to undergo a medical with Liverpool’s club doctor in London.

|||

Brendan Rodgers is adamant that Liverpool have addressed the shortage of goals that wrecked last season as he prepares to welcome Christian Benteke.

The Belgian, 24, will have his medical with Liverpool’s club doctor in London today after chief executive Ian Ayre spent the weekend negotiating with his Aston Villa counterpart Tom Fox about how the £32.5million fee would be paid.

Liverpool are expected to pay an initial instalment of £16m for Benteke, a player whom Rodgers has tracked for more than a year, and his signing is a clear show of faith by Fenway Sports Group in their manager, who finished last season under intense criticism.

Rodgers would not talk about Benteke yesterday but he was more open when assessing how beneficial Liverpool’s activity in the transfer window would be.

Benteke’s arrival will take Liverpool’s spending past £60m, having earlier brought in Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings in a bid to get closer to the 102 goals they scored in 2013-14, rather than the return of 52 last season.

‘It was clear we needed to score more goals but I wouldn’t want that to be taken as [though] the other side isn’t important,’ said Rodgers, whose side today play their third friendly, against Adelaide United.

‘Our defensive organisation is critical to allow our talents to flourish. It always has been. You’ve seen on this tour already our pressing game, the intensity to get the ball back quickly and we can do that when we have all the tools in the squad to score goals and create them.

‘People can see the quality of the players coming in and importantly the ones we already have. Once we get that combination together we can go into each competition and put out a really strong team.’

Benteke will not be asked to fly out for the final leg of Liverpool’s tour in Malaysia, instead beginning training at Melwood with Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, who return from their summer break on Wednesday. – Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1gJEI6C

Walcott keen on new Arsenal deal

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is anxious that he is offered a new deal before his contract runs out in 11 months' time.

|||

Despite Arsène Wenger's refusal to give any public assurances about Theo Walcott's future, the Arsenal forward is anxious that a deal is done before his contract runs out in 11 months' time.

The Arsenal manager would not elaborate when pressed, after Saturday's Barclays Asia Trophy final, whether he was optimistic that Walcott would sign a new contract. The 26-year-old forward, however, appeared more confident.

Speaking after Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Everton in Singapore, in which he scored the opening goal, Walcott said: “My agent has talked to the club. I am just letting them crack on with things and I will continue playing football. If it happens, it happens. We will just play the waiting game and see what happens but I am sure it won't be long.”

If, as seems likely, there is no quick agreement, Walcott says he is happy to begin his 10th season at the Emirates Stadium, knowing that by the time Arsenal commence their defence of the FA Cup in January he will be able to speak to other clubs.

“I won't let that delay affect the way I am playing,” he said. “I can't let that affect me. The squad is one of the best I have been involved in. I want to be part of that. We've got to keep this group of players together. Successful teams stay together for a long time and this team can be very successful. We have won two FA Cups now. The next big step is to be challenging for the Premier League.”

The title, he claimed, would have been Arsenal's last season had they shown the same form in the first half of the campaign as they did in the latter half. “But,” he added, “that's the word you don't want to be using in sport: 'if'. We need to make sure we can do it from the start.

“We have obviously spent the money; the stadium is a fortress now, I believe. We are playing great football, winning games and not conceding as many as in the past, and we know we're going to score goals.”

Many at Arsenal said much the same a year ago only to make the kind of start that meant any hope of the title had disappeared by October. Walcott, however, argued this pre-season felt different. The 4-0 win over Aston Villa in this year's FA Cup final was a world away from last year's desperate 3-2 scramble against Hull. “We have learnt not to panic in games,” Walcott said. “That's the lesson the manager has put in our heads.” – The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Kfz88r

Calleri ‘Rabona’ sets up Boca win

Jonathan Calleri chipped a brilliant “rabona” as Boca marked Carlos Tevez’s homecoming with a 2-1 win.

|||

Buenos Aires – Striker Jonathan Calleri chipped a brilliant “rabona” as Boca Juniors marked Carlos Tevez’s homecoming with a 2-1 victory over Quilmes at La Bombonera to stay top of the Argentine championship.

Calleri, executing the rabona by wrapping his right leg round behind his left to chip over goalkeeper Walter Benitez, scored in the 53rd minute of Saturday’s match.

Fellow striker Sebastian Palacios had put Boca in front in the first half. Alexis Canelo pulled one back for Quilmes in the 58th minute.

“I don’t have a left (foot), so it was an option,” Calleri told reporters about his quick thinking when his initial effort came back to him off a defender.

“He missed the easier one and got the harder one. While he was doing the rabona I was cursing him,” coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said jokingly.

Calleri said he often found space playing alongside Tevez, who made his second debut for Boca after returning from a decade abroad.

“He draws markers and pressures (the defence), he’s Boca’s number 10,” Calleri said.

The sports daily Ole headlined Tevez’s winning return with the words “Very beautiful” in English, a play on “very difficult” which is a standing joke in Argentina at Tevez’s language learning difficulties during his seven years in the Premier League.

Boca recovered the lead with 37 points from 17 matches, one point more than San Lorenzo who had gone top for 24 hours with Friday’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal.

River Plate kept third place on 34 points despite fielding a second string side in their 5-1 rout at Atletico Rafaela with veteran striker Fernando Cavenaghi scoring four.

After walking off with the match ball, Cavenaghi said: “I don’t have many, I’m not (Lionel) Messi. It’s a nice souvenir. It’s the done thing and I wanted to take it with me.

“We have a great squad, we must fight for both tournaments,” added Cavenaghi, nicknamed Cavegol.

River are resting a majority of first choice players for Tuesday’s second leg of their Libertadores Cup semi-final away to Guarani of Paraguay. River lead 2-0 from the first leg.

Cavenaghi is the championship’s second best marksman with 10 goals, one less than Marco Ruben of Rosario Central, who can pull level with River on 34 points if they beat Velez Sarsfield at home on Sunday.

Diego Milito scored an early goal to lead fourth-placed title holders Racing Club to a 2-1 home win over Sarmiento, bouncing back from their 3-0 defeat at Newell’s Old Boys last weekend. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1I200C9

Reds clinch deal on Benteke

Liverpool have agreed a £32.5m deal with Villa for striker Christian Benteke.

|||

London – Liverpool have agreed a £32.5 million (R626m) deal with Aston Villa for striker Christian Benteke, British media reported on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Belgian international will undergo a medical by Tuesday and is unlikely to join his new team on their current tour of Australia, the BBC reported.

Liverpool club doctor will leave the tour of Australia and fly back to Britain to conduct his medical, the report said.

Since joining Aston Villa from Genk in 2012, Benteke has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances, helping the team avoid relegation last season.

Liverpool made the bid for Benteke after selling Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a record fee of 49 million pounds ($76.4 million). – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Sv9ADt

Nasri secures win for City

Samir Nasri scored a late winner as Manchester City beat their Australian sister club Melbourne City 1-0 in a football friendly.

|||

Samir Nasri scored a late winner as English giants Manchester City beat their Australian sister club Melbourne City 1-0 in a football friendly on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Frenchman struck with a superb late volley in the 86th minute to break the deadlock in the first meeting between the two clubs.

Nasri chested down Bruno Zuculini's cross before lashing home a well struck volley high into the net.

The glamour English outfit was in control for most of the game but could not make the dominance felt before Nasri's intervention.

Spanish midfield starlet Manu Garcia did well in midfield while Turkish striker Enes Unal came on as a late substitution.

Manchester City used the hit-out ahead of their first match in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne against Italy's AS Roma on Tuesday.

Roma beat Spanish giants Real Madrid 7-6 on penalties after their ICC opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday was scoreless after 90 minutes. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1TIWW6o

Frustrating start at Real for Benitez

Rafa Benitez kicked-off his tenure as Real Madrid boss with a frustrating penalty shootout loss to AS Roma in a pre-season friendly.

|||

Melbourne - Rafa Benitez kicked-off his tenure as Real Madrid boss with a frustrating 7-6 penalty shootout loss to AS Roma in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

With both teams goalless at full-time in front of a crowd of 80,746 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the International Champions Cup match was decided by penalty shootout and Seydou Keita slotted the winner after a miss by Lucas Vazquez.

Roma had the better chances in a goal-less first half and were denied an opener after three minutes when Daniele De Rossi hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Gareth Bale fired a shot over the bar three minutes later before Sergio Ramos, wearing the captain's armband after the recent departure of long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas, also chipped over from a corner kick in the ninth minute.

Casillas' replacement in goal, Keylor Navas, was forced to make a fine save in the 30th minute, leaping to his right to put a glove on a Salih Ucan volley after the shaggy-haired Turk latched onto a corner kick from Totti at the far post.

Searching in vain for a first goal as the half wound down, Bale tried an audacious bicycle kick in the area after Ramos lobbed the ball in but the Welshman succeeded only in fouling defender Ashley Cole.

Bale rose again for a header eight minutes after the break but his effort flashed just right of the near post from a Ramos corner and he came off soon after.

Karim Benzema, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo at the break, then squandered a gilt-edged chance from the centre of the box after the hour-mark when his wild left-footed shot soared high and wide after a pinpoint cross from Russian winger Denis Cheryshev.

The match ended in a flurry of shots, with Bale's replacement Lucas Vasquez stepping inside a defender before being denied by a fine save from keeper Bogdan Lobont . - Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Ia2umo

Chelsea confident in Stones pursuit

Chelsea are confident they will succeed in signing Everton defender John Stones, despite having a £20m offer turned down.

|||

Chelsea are confident they will succeed in signing Everton defender John Stones, despite having an opening £20m offer turned down.

Manager Jose Mourinho has identified 21-year-old Stones as the man he wants to strengthen his defensive options next season and also be the long-term successor to captain John Terry.

Chelsea are expected to come back with a higher offer worth £26m, even though Everton insist he is not for sale. However, it is believed Everton will change their stance if Chelsea are prepared to pay £35m and make Stones the most expensive defender in Premier League history. A compromise deal between those two figures is the likeliest outcome.

Eliaquim Mangala joined Manchester City from Porto for £32m last year, while Rio Ferdinand is still the costliest English centre-half, dating from his £30m switch from Leeds to Manchester United in 2002.

At this stage, Chelsea are believed to be unwilling to pay more than £26m, so reaching an agreement will not be easy. However, the champions remain hopeful they will be able to get their man before their opening Premier League game, against Swansea, on 8 August.

Stones has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Everton from Barnsley for £3m in January 2013. He was rewarded with a new five-year contract last August and given a pay rise to £30,000-week, but Chelsea can treble his salary.

Stones has already won four England caps and is tipped to become a mainstay of the national side.

As a ball-playing centre-half, Stones - who played only 25 times for Barnsley, his home-town club, before being becoming David Moyes' final signing for Everton - would be a natural fit for Chelsea.

Mourinho is a huge admirer and wants to add him to his squad now, even though Chelsea boasted the best defensive record on the way to winning the title last season.

Terry and Gary Cahill were his first-choice pairing, while youngster Kurt Zouma and right-back Branislav Ivanovic are back-up options.

But with Terry turning 35 in December, Chelsea are aware they need to have a successor in place for when his career eventually comes to an end.

Significantly, Terry spoke of his admiration for Stones in an interview earlier this summer.

While on tour with Everton in Singapore, Stones insisted he was not looking to leave Goodison Park. He said: “I am very happy at Everton. My aim right now is to try to nail down a regular spot in this Everton team and hopefully that will take care of playing for England. I have to keep learning from the likes of Phil Jagielka and keep progressing at this club.”

Chelsea believe that a big-money offer will change his mind. howeer.

Manchester United are also admirers of Stones, but Everton are puzzled by reports they are on the brink of signing United defender Jonny Evans, as a stand-alone deal or as part of a package for Stones. – The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fd0dvw

Gerrard off to a dream start in MSL

Steven Gerrard made a dream start to his Major League Soccer career, scoring as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes.

|||

Steven Gerrard made a dream start to his Major League Soccer career on Friday, scoring on his full debut as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-2 in the California Clasico.

Liverpool legend Gerrard, who had played 45 minutes of a friendly for the Galaxy last weekened and appeared as a substitute in a midweek cup match, helped trigger a remarkable fightback after San Jose raced into an early 2-0 lead.

Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane was the star, scoring a hat-trick as the Galaxy romped home.

But Gerrard left the pitch to a standing ovation after transforming the course of a match that San Jose looked set to win.

The midfielder won the penalty which Keane converted to make it 2-1 and then fired home a 37th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2.

Gerrard, watched by former England and Los Angeles star David Beckham in the stands, then provided the free-kick which Keane steered home to make it 3-2 on 64 minutes.

Gerrard also nearly claimed a second in the 70th minute, his freekick crashing back off the woodwork.

Keane and Gerrard combined again in the build-up which led to the second penalty 10 minutes from time, duly stroked home by Ireland striker Keane for 4-2.

Sebastian Lletget then grabbed a late fifth for the Galaxy.

The 35-year-old Gerrard joined the Galaxy earlier this year on an 18-month deal after spending his entire 17-year professional career with Liverpool.

Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena substituted Gerrard in the 88th minute and the newest Galaxy hero left the field to a standing ovation from the adoring crowd of 27,000 at the StubHub Center.

“I'm really pleased,” Gerrard told a post-match press conference. “I'm starting to feel a little bit sharper. I'm very close to full fitness.

“Performance wise you guys are the experts but I'm pleased how it went and I'm happy with the win.”

Gerrard admitted he was relieved to open his goalscoring account after missing two chances in his earlier appearances.

“I was quite disappointed in the previous two games not to get goals, I had two good chances,” Gerrard said.

“But I have belief in myself if I keep getting in the right positions I know the goals will come. I was very pleased to get off the mark and even more pleased for Robbie to get another hat-trick.

I'm pretty pleased with my contribution tonight.”

Gerrard said he was reveling in the resumption of his partnership with former Liverpool team-mate Keane.

“We had that chemistry at Liverpool,” Gerrard said. “When you're playing with good players its easy to connect.

“I know where he's going to be. Robbie's on the same wavelength, he's a very intelligent player.”

The former England captain also revealed he had ignored calls from Arena on the sideline about whether he needed to be substituted.

“Bruce was shouting 'How are you doing?' and I kept looking away pretending not to hear him,” Gerrard said.

“I felt like a kid again out there. I just want to play as many minutes as possible.”

Earlier, Quincy Amarikwa scored both goals for San Jose off some sloppy defence by the Galaxy to start the game.

Amarikwa scored off a counter attack in the 22nd minute and then again when he was unmarked near the goal to grab his second in the 25th minute.– AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1MbMl1s

Schneiderlin scores on United debut

Morgan Schneiderlin scored on his Manchester United debut in a 1-0 win over Mexico side Club America.

|||

Morgan Schneiderlin took less than five minutes to score on his Manchester United debut in a 1-0 win over Mexico side Club America on Friday.

The French midfielder, who signed a four-year contract and cost United a reported 25 million pounds ($38.9 million), got on the end of a cross from Juan Mata to score with a looping header in the International Champions Cup friendly in Seattle.

Schneiderlin, who joined United after seven seasons with Southampton, was one of four big summer signings to debut in the first match of the team's pre-season American tour.

Forward Memphis Depay and defender Matteo Darmian also played the first half, before manager Louis van Gaal substituted his entire team at half-time.

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger came into the game for the second half and the former Bayern Munich midfielder quickly established his presence.

United should have gone 2-0 up when Andreas Pereira sent a dangerous cross into the six-yard box in the 53rd minute that Adnan Januzaj somehow failed to make contact with from point-blank range.

Club America almost equalised in the 73rd minute when Alejandro Diaz hit the post at CenturyLink Field, home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

United, who will return to the Champions League this season after finishing fourth in the Premier League, will play their next game on their American tour against the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KcysxX

Delph in dramatic City U-turn

Manchester City signed England international Fabian Delph from Aston Villa, with the midfielder performing a dramatic U-turn.

|||

London - Manchester City signed England international Fabian Delph from Aston Villa on Friday, with the midfielder performing a dramatic U-turn a week after assuring fans he would be staying at Villa Park.

Delph has signed a five-year contract, the twice Premier League champions said in a statement.

The 25-year-old was thought to be close to moving to City last week when reports said the north west club had triggered a release clause in his contract, but he issued a statement stating his desire to remain at Villa.

Delph, however, has now changed his mind and arrives at the Etihad Stadium for a fee reported to be in the region of 8 million pounds ($12.5 million).

“Leaving Aston Villa is the hardest decision I've ever had to make,” he said in a statement.

“My decision to stay initially was purely based on the emotion and feelings that I hold for the club rather than looking at the football opportunity that had been placed in front of me.

“I am now excited for the future with Manchester City.”

Delph moved to Villa from Leeds United in 2009, making 128 appearances. He made his England debut against Norway last year and now has six caps.

“Fabian Delph is an excellent player and I am looking forward to working with him,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini told the club's website (www.mcfc.com).

“He has made a huge impact in recent seasons at Aston Villa, and is now one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.

“Fabian has tremendous skill and energy and the fact that he has become a regular member of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few seasons.

“At just 25 years old, he still has his best years ahead of him.”

With Premier League rules demanding clubs have eight home-grown players if they want to have a squad of 25, the clamour for top local talent has never been so intense.

City began the close season with only goalkeeper Joe Hart, full back Gael Clichy and back-up keeper Richard Wright meeting the criteria to count as home-grown, leaving five vacant spots.

They have since signed Raheem Sterling from Liverpool in a deal worth up to 49 million pounds.

The combative midfielder will travel to Australia over the weekend where he will join his new team mates on City's pre-season tour. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fSH2bi

Arsenal ready for title tilt - Wenger

Manager Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have a strong enough squad to challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004.

|||

Singapore - Manager Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have a strong enough squad to challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004 with back-to-back FA Cup victories in the last two seasons bringing a winning mentality to the side.

“Winning the title is our target and we feel we have a chance in a very competitive league,” Wenger told reporters in Singapore on Friday, a day ahead of Arsenal's Premier League Asia Trophy final against Everton.

“We finished third last year and we won the FA Cup, so that shows we are not far away. We have a good cohesive group that has the quality and ambition to do better, and that's our aim.

“But as I have said before, we are in a league in which it is very difficult to know how good our opponents will be at this stage but it is important to focus on making sure we are as strong as we can be, then we have a chance.”

Arsenal fielded many of their younger players in the 4-0 victory over a Singapore Select XI on Wednesday to advance to the final and Wenger will give his more recognisable squad members a chance to impress against Everton.

“We have no fringe players, we have only good players,” Wenger barked when asked if he had resisted the temptation to field his strongest team against the hosts.

One player due to make an eagerly awaited debut is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who completed a high-profile move from Chelsea earlier in the transfer window and could stand out as Wenger's only major signing of the off-season.

“I am happy with the squad that we have but if we find anyone with exceptional potential to strengthen the squad then will pursue them,” the Frenchman added.

“It depends on the market. It's not easy at the moment because there are many clubs out there buying and the number of players who can strengthen the really big teams are restricted.”

One thing that has impressed Wenger on this trip is the amount of support Arsenal have received both on and off the pitch, giving him a stark reminder of how popular the Premier League remains in Asia and beyond.

“I am surprised to see how big and important football has become in the world,” he added.

“Did this happen because of Arsenal? Maybe we had some involvement but there are plenty of other Premier League clubs that have lots of support all around the globe.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1SsmfqK