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Wits ready to school Ajax

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Ajax host Wits in a MTN8 semi-final, first leg tie at Coetzenburg Stadium on Saturday night.

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It’s become an all too familiar theme for Ajax Cape Town. It doesn’t really matter who they face, invariably the opposing team has a few players who have come through the ranks of the Cape club.

The quality of the footballers that emerge from Ajax’s successful youth development programme is of such high quality that they are always in demand from other Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs. But after promotion to senior level, not every player goes on to make it at Ajax, while others leave the Cape club because of better financial packages up north. Ajax host Wits in a MTN8 semi-final, first leg tie at Coetzenburg Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 8.15pm) – and the same scenario applies, in that the Clever Boys will be bringing a number of ex-Ajax players back to the Mother City.

They include goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Nazeer Allie and utility man Dillon Sheppard.

Josephs rose to prominence at Ajax before going on to star for Orlando Pirates, while Allie signed for Wits last month after turning down a new contract offer from Ajax.

The Cape club was as disappointed to lose Hlatshwayo to Wits last season. The defender had always been the rock they could depend upon. But the footballer nicknamed “Tyson” was keen on a new challenge and Ajax didn’t stand in his way – and the defender has since moved on to become a regular for Bafana Bafana as well. A solid and reliable footballer, who always gives his best, Hlatshwayo is looking forward to his return to the Cape. Wits come off a 2-1 PSL win over Ajax in Joburg, and the 25-year-old believes his team can repeat the feat. “We know what type of team Ajax are,” he said. “I’ve played for them, I’ve come through their structures and I know what their style of play is all about. I certainly know their strengths and weaknesses, so we’ll see how it goes.”

And you can throw another Capetonian into the mix, in the form of Wits coach Gavin Hunt. Earlier this season, Hunt brought Wits down to the Mother City for a pre-season training camp, which is why the conditions, even though it’s in Stellenbosch, doesn’t really affect the Joburg club’s confidence ahead of the clash.

“Our pre-season was spent in the Cape, so we know about the weather and hard fields,” said Hlatshwayo.

Having come through the Ajax youth programme, he knows the quality of the team, the ability of the players, and he knows Wits can expect a tough encounter on Saturday.

“The current Ajax coach (Roger de Sa) is a former Wits man, so he will know a bit about our team,” he said. “I think both teams are very good, and both are motivated to get to the final. It won’t be easy, but I’m confident we can do it.” - Cape Times

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Liverpool won’t mind winning ugly

Liverpool would not mind playing ugly as long as it meant victories for the Merseyside club, according to Adam Lallana.

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Liverpool would not mind playing ugly as long as it meant victories for the Merseyside club, according to midfielder Adam Lallana.

Philippe Coutinho's stunning strike in the 86th minute gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Stoke City, who had humiliated them 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season.

“It was a fantastic result for us. It wasn't the prettiest of football matches - but it was a lot prettier than the last game of last season for us,” Lallana, 27, told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“Maybe that's a side of our game that hopefully you'll see a bit more of this season and if it results in victories, then who is going to ask questions about it? Certainly not us.

“We were delighted with the result and the grittiness of the performance was very satisfying - and we got a clean sheet. It was a great start to the season.”

Lallana, who joined the club from Southampton in the 2014 summer, had his preparations for last season cut short by injury and made his Liverpool debut two months after he joined.

He said he was fully fit this time around.

“Physically I am in great shape at the moment - and I've not missed a training session or a game to date,” Lallana said.

“So I'm massively feeling the benefits of that and I'm looking forward to the season and to really get going.

“I want to have a good season, do well and add more goals to my game. I feel if I stay fit and out on the pitch, that's what I'll do.”

Jordan Henderson recently spoke about his high expectations from Lallana this season and the England international was confident he would not let down his captain.

“I've not spoken to him about what he's said. Jordan is a good mate of mine and I've read a few things he's said (about me) - and he's right,” Lallana said.– Reuters

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Chelsea’s Zouma relishing City clash

The clash against Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for Chelsea to signal the seriousness of their Premier League title defence, defender Kurt Zouma has said.

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Sunday's clash against Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for Chelsea to signal the seriousness of their Premier League title defence, defender Kurt Zouma has said.

Zouma made only his second start in the Premier League against runners-up City last January in the game at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The France international, who joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, has happy memories from that match and was confident of a similar strong show against City at the Etihad Stadium.

“We know we are playing against a good team on Sunday and it will be difficult, but we have a chance to win. I think it will be a very interesting game,” Zouma told Chelsea's website (www.chelseafc.com).

“It's a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title.

“The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.”

The 20-year-old Zouma, who grew up as a central defender, has shown his versatility having played several games in midfield and more recently was deployed as a left-back in the Community Shield.

“Because I'm right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it,” Zouma added.

“It's really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team.

“They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself. I'm feeling very well.” – Reuters

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Saints sign Romeu from Chelsea

Southampton have signed Oriol Romeu from Chelsea for a fee which is understood to be £5m.

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Southampton have signed Oriol Romeu from Chelsea for a fee which is understood to be £5m.

The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder underwent a medical yesterday after a fee was agreed between the two clubs for a permanent transfer.

Romeu began his career at Barcelona but was signed by Chelsea for £5m as a promising 19-year-old in 2011. He quickly broke into the first team under the then head coach Andre Villas-Boas but suffered a knee ligament injury which ruled him out for eight months. Romeu has spent the last two seasons on loan, in 2013-14 at Valencia and last season at Stuttgart.

While Romeu's last competitive game in English football was in 2012, when Rafael Benitez was in charge at Stamford Bridge, Southampton are still buying a talented young holding midfielder which an exceptional football education.

Having lost Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United, Southampton need reinforcements in central midfield to cope with their Europa League schedule. They have already signed Jordi Clasie from Feyenoord, who suffered a slight hamstring tweak on his debut against Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa League. – The Independent

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Jose slammed after demoting doctor

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho came under fire from medics for his public admonishment of team doctor Eva Carneiro.

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London – Jose Mourinho, manager of Premier League champions Chelsea, came under fire from medics on Wednesday for his public admonishment of team doctor Eva Carneiro.

Amid media reports that Carneiro's responsibilities at Chelsea would be scaled back after she rushed on to the pitch to treat an injury in a league match last weekend, the doctor received support from fellow professionals.

She is still the first-team doctor and will continue working with the squad but, according to the reports, is set to lose her place on the bench for Sunday's trip to Manchester City following criticism by Mourinho who suggested she did not understand the game.

Mourinho's behaviour towards the Gibraltar-born Carneiro was “absolutely appalling”, Liverpool's former head of sports science Peter Brukner told Talksport radio.

The Premier League Doctors Group also issued a statement to the Daily Telegraph, saying that removing the doctor from the team bench would be “unjust in the extreme” because she was doing her job properly.

While Chelsea did not comment, reports said Carneiro would no longer attend training sessions, matches or enter the team hotel.

The controversy centred on Mourinho's annoyance with Carneiro and her assistant Jon Fearn when they came on to the pitch to treat winger Eden Hazard in stoppage time during the 2-2 draw with Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

With goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois already having been sent off, Chelsea were down to nine men with the game still in the balance while Hazard was off the field after being treated.

An irate Mourinho, suggesting Hazard did not have a serious problem, said his staff were “impulsive and naive”, unnecessarily putting the team in trouble with just eight outfield players.

Support for Carneiro came from different quarters after footage showed referee Michael Oliver had beckoned the Chelsea medics on to the pitch to treat the Belgium winger.

The Football Medical Association's chief executive Eamonn Salmon said: “The FMA fully supports the actions of our members and colleagues in this incident who acted with integrity and professionalism at all times, fully cognisant of the rules of the game and in full accordance with that duty of care to their patient”.

The Premier League Doctors Group expressed “great concern” Mourinho had put out a message that results were more important than player well-being.

“Dr Carneiro has universal and total support from her medical colleagues at the Premier League Doctors Group,” their statement read.

Brukner, now doctor for the Australian cricket team, said: “The medical staff deserve a public apology and I'm very disappointed the club hasn't come out and done something to support them”. – Reuters

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I’ll always be a City fan - Dzeko

Edin Dzeko has bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City fans after joining Roma on a season-long loan.

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Edin Dzeko has bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City fans after joining Roma on a season-long loan and said he will always keep the Premier League club close to his heart.

The Bosnian striker, who joined City in January 2011, has been loaned with a view to a permanent transfer to the Serie A club “if certain conditions are met”.

“After four-and-a-half years, filled with your chants for me and my love for you, the time has come to say goodbye,” the 29-year-old said in a letter, posted on his official Twitter handle.

“I have spent some of the best moments of my career at Manchester City, moments that I will never forget.

“Thank you for everything.”

A crowd favourite at City, Dzeko, scored 72 goals in 117 starts and won five trophies for the club but struggled to break into the starting line-up last season.

“I will continue to be a big fan of Manchester City, to whom I wish all the best and many more trophies and happiness in the future.” he added. – Reuters

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Enrique vows to stay at Liverpool

Liverpool's forgotten left-back Jose Enrique has vowed to stay at the club and fight for a starting place.

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Liverpool's forgotten left-back Jose Enrique has vowed to stay at the club and fight for a starting place despite being “alienated” by manager Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool Echo reported.

The 29-year-old Spaniard, who is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield, was left out of the club's pre-season preparations along with Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini.

Enrique, who lost his place in the matchday squad to teenager Joe Gomez for Liverpool's win against Stoke City in their season opener, has been linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion.

But the Spaniard says Liverpool's lack of experienced options at left-back could see him return to first-team action in the coming months.

“I'm in a difficult position,” Enrique said. “The club have alienated Balotelli, Borini and me.”

“I have a year left on my contract and I imagine the club will want to sell, but I still want to stay and fight as I always have,” he added.

“I will not give up. I know from experience that football changes from day to night.”

Enrique underwent surgery for a serious knee injury in 2013 and has failed to recapture his best form for the club ever since. He has made 66 Premier League appearances for Liverpool since joining from Newcastle United in 2011.

“I feel fine after two years with knee discomfort. Plus in the squad here we only have one pure left-back (Alberto Moreno) and I know that if I stay I'll play. I want to prove that some are wrong.”

Enrique said moving away from Anfield would be a step down in his career.

“What I think is that I will not play in a team better than this,” he said. “Liverpool are a match for Manchester United.

“I had a very good option to return to Spain, but is complicated because the economy is very different from what exists here.

“The only teams that can deal with what is paid in England are Real Madrid and Barcelona, so I would love to stay here until my legs stop me.” – Reuters

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SuperSport battle past Pirates

SuperSport United held out for a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their interrupted Premiership match.

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Johannesburg – SuperSport United held out for a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in their interrupted Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane, on Wednesday afternoon.

The match originally began on Tuesday evening, but play was suspended due to a floodlight failure. One of the floodlights went out at 8.50pm during the 62nd minute which caused play to be halted. SuperSport had led 1-0 after debutant Michael Boxall scored the opener in the 23rd minute of the match.

With the match still delayed at 10.25pm, Premier Soccer League officials suspended the contest. It was later decided the remaining time in the match would be resumed at noon on Wednesday.

Kermit Erasmus pounced on a loose ball in the 74th minute, but his effort was straight at Ronwem Williams in the SuperSport goal.

In added time, Erasmus had another chance from close range but scuffed his attempt across the face of goal. Yet another chance followed less than a minute later, with Erasmus reeling off a powerful strike but Williams again made the block.

On Tuesday, In the fifth minute Pirates threatened for the first time. Thabo Rakhale made the run down the right flank losing SuperSport defender Bongani Khumalo, crossed for Menzi Masuku who in turn laid the ball off for Tendai Ndoro, but the final shot was lofted over the crossbar.

SuperSport worked their way into the game, and had two chances in the 19th minute. With a dangerous ball sent into the area, Issa Sarr did well to head the ball out. From the resultant corner, Boxall met the cross and unleashed a powerful header which Brighton Mhlongo in the Pirates goal did well to punch away.

Ndoro had another chance in the 21st minute, but was off-balance when he met the ball sent into the area and his headed effort did not trouble Williams.

Boxall scored the opener for the visitors in the 23rd minute. David Mathebula launched a cross into the area from a setpiece, and Boxall showing good vision met the ball in an unmarked position and deflected the ball into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead for his side. - ANA

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Van Gaal ‘destroys’ players - Stoichkov

Hristo Stoichkov has warned Barcelona's Pedro he must not join Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is a "mediocre" manager.

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Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has warned Barcelona forward Pedro he must not join Manchester United because Louis van Gaal is a “mediocre” manager who will “destroy” him.

United are understood to want to sign Pedro as a replacement for Angel Di Maria. The 28-year-old, who came off the bench to score Barcelona's extra-time winner in last night's Uefa Super Cup game against Sevilla in Tbilisi, is regarded as one of the best attackers in Spain but has become frustrated at his lack of first-team football.

But Stoichkov thinks the Canary Islander would be making a huge mistake if he moved to Old Trafford, because he believes his former manager Van Gaal is a poor coach. The Bulgarian, who clashed with Van Gaal during the Dutchman's first spell in charge of Barcelona, said: “I would never be under the orders of this Dutchman. I would never leave if I was Pedro because if he goes there he would no longer be a footballer. I hope Pedro listens to me and he tells them [United] 'I am staying at Barcelona'.”

The Bulgarian, who was sold by Van Gaal to CSKA Sofia 17 years ago and branded Van Gaal “scum” in March, added yesterday: “He makes players suffer. He is destroying all the players because he is so mediocre, players have left because of him. He destroys clubs, he did it with Barcelona, and after they take years to build.

“He has spent £200m [at United] and the other day I saw his first game of the season: disastrous.”

Speaking on the eve of the match in Georgia, the Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, said: “Pedro's future will be resolved shortly”. Last night there were reports that the player has formally asked Barça to leave, with Manchester City also interested.

Another report said that United were chasing the £21m-rated Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan. – The Independent

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Chelsea doc demoted after Jose moans

Eva Carneiro, the highest-profile woman doctor in the Premier League, could be on her way out of Chelsea after Jose Mourinho radically downgraded her duties.

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Eva Carneiro, the highest-profile woman doctor in the Premier League, could be on her way out of Chelsea after Jose Mourinho radically downgraded her duties, including her removal from the bench for matches, just three days after his trenchant criticism of her and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn.

Carneiro, 41, of Spanish and British parentage, will continue to be the first-team doctor but now will only work from the club's Cobham training base. She will not travel with the team to games, home or away, nor will she attend training sessions outside on the first-team pitch at Cobham.

Chelsea refused to comment on her specific situation yesterday. A spokesman for the club said: “We don't comment on internal staffing matters.”

Whether Carneiro continues in her new, more limited role is debatable, especially given the high regard in which she is held in her profession and the very public nature of her demotion.

Mourinho criticised his on-field medical team of Carneiro and Fearn for being overzealous in treating Eden Hazard in the closing moments of Saturday's draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge. It is understood that there will be some minor changes to the role that Fearn plays in his position as head physiotherapist, and it is not clear whether he will continue as one of the on-field team. He was the first of the two medical staff who ran on to the pitch to treat Hazard on Saturday, provoking a furious reaction from Mourinho.

The decision on Carneiro asks serious questions of just how Mourinho reacted to her subsequent response to his public criticism of her. Having been lambasted by Mourinho for her and Fearn's lack of understanding of the game in ruling Hazard out of the next phase of play, Carneiro posted on Facebook on Sunday evening thanking people for having sent supportive messages over the weekend in light of the incident. She wrote: “I would like to thank the general public for their overwhelming support. Really very much appreciated.”

Chelsea keep a tight rein on any public statements from their backroom staff and they have previously refused any interview requests for Carneiro. She has never spoken to a British newspaper since she was appointed by Andre Villas-Boas to take responsibility for first-team duties in 2011.

Her only major public speaking engagement, at a seminar for the Swedish football federation last year, was approved by the club first.

The club's medical director, Paco Biosca, who joined from Shakhtar Donestk in 2011, will continue to run the whole medical department. Carneiro's role was to monitor treatment of injuries and administer medicines. The club was not able to say who will be their pitchside doctor when they play Manchester City on Sunday.

The changes are equally surprising given that they come just days after Mourinho praised his medical department's work on Friday when he was discussing Diego Costa's ongoing injury problems. Then Mourinho said: “There is nobody to blame [for Costa's problems] and that is very important. I can't blame the player, because the player works hard, and the medical department, I completely trust in them.”

On Saturday Mourinho was angry that Fearn and Carneiro's entry on to the pitch had ruled Hazard out of the subsequent phase of play as Chelsea were already down to 10 players. Mourinho said his staff had to be sure that players who went down “had a serious problem” before they treated them and necessitated the player's removal from the pitch until permitted to come back on by the referee.

“I wasn't happy with my medical staff because even if you are a medical doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game,” Mourinho said. – The Independent

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United get Pedro boost

Manchester United have been cleared to make a bid for Pedro after Barcelona confirmed that he has asked for a transfer.

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Manchester United have been cleared to make a bid for Pedro after Barcelona confirmed last night that he has asked for a transfer.

United are yet to make a formal offer but are ready to meet the £22million release clause in Pedro’s contract following confirmation from Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez that the 28-year-old may have played his last game for the club.

Pedro started on the bench for Barca’s Uefa Super Cup thriller against Sevilla in Tbilisi last night, even though manager Luis Enrique had insisted that the speculation would not influence his selection.

Fernandez told Spanish television: ‘Pedro has told me that he wants to leave. Right now there is nothing (no offers). Pedro’s clause is not negotiable, but this could be his last game.’

Manchester City have also been linked with the Spain forward, but Louis van Gaal is understood to want Pedro as a replacement for Angel di Maria.

Earlier, ex-Barca favourite Hristo Stoitchkov urged Pedro to stay at the Nou Camp instead of moving to play under Van Gaal.

Stoitchkov, who blames the Dutchman for driving him out of Barcelona in 1998, pointed to Van Gaal’s treatment of former Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes at United as an example of his poor management style.

The Bulgarian said: ‘I would never be under the orders of Louis van Gaal. He’s mediocre. The first time at Barca he destroyed them and he is destroying Manchester United. It turns out he needs £130m to spend and the other day I saw his first Premier League game. It was a disaster.

‘With what he has done to Valdes he has shown he is a bad person. Hopefully Pedro listens to me and doesn’t leave.’

Meanwhile, United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel has called on the club to grant David de Gea’s wish to join Real Madrid and sign Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris as his replacement.

The Dane criticised the way the issue has dragged on, but believes United should not stand in De Gea’s way if his heart is set on a return to Spain.

‘I’d really like De Gea to stay,’ said Schmeichel. ‘Two years running he’s been player of the year, but if he wants to go, let him go and let United move on.

‘It’s sad that it has dragged into the season. If the player is not happy, his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago.’

Schmeichel believes Van Gaal should sign France keeper Lloris from Spurs instead of pursuing a £25m deal with Ajax for Holland No 1 Jasper Cillessen.

He added: ‘If De Gea goes I would love Lloris to come to United. He has exactly the style of play and he is proven in the Premier League.

‘Cillessen is a good goalkeeper, but Van Gaal took him off for the penalty shoot-out (against Costa Rica) at the World Cup and I think he doesn’t trust him 100 per cent. I wouldn’t like a goalkeeper like that at Manchester United.’ Schmeichel’s former team-mate Bryan Robson believes De Gea could still stay at Old Trafford for another year, just as Cristiano Ronaldo was made to wait for his move to Real Madrid.

Robson said: ‘He’s a professional and he will have to get on with the job whichever way it goes.

‘Ronaldo had to get his head around it. The club weren’t prepared to release him for a year but Ronaldo went about it in a professional way, had a great season, then got his dream move.’ – Daily Mail

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Chelsea lose Courtois red card appeal

Chelsea’s appeal against goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’s red card against Swansea has been rejected by the Football Association.

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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the champions' visit to Manchester City on Sunday after an appeal against a red card for the Belgian international was rejected by the Football Association.

Courtois was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute of Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

An independent regulatory commission rejected Chelsea's appeal against the red card and upheld a one-match suspension, the FA said.

The ruling will give back-up keeper Asmir Begovic, signed from Stoke City earlier this summer as a replacement for Petr Cech, the chance to make his first Premier League start for Chelsea. – Reuters

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I’ve never been gone - Yaya

The Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré said that his form never went away despite a relatively low-key season last season.

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Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré said that his form never went away despite a relatively low-key season last time around when his club surrendered the Premier League title to Chelsea and the Ivorian was beset with off-field problems.

Touré scored once in City's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday and had a major role in the first goal, an impressive performance that augurs well for the season. The death of his brother Ibrahim last year, as well as the furore over his relationship with the club and infamous birthday cake saga the previous May cast a shadow over the performance of one of the most influential players in the league.

Touré said: “I think last season people are talking all the time [about his performances]. For me, I'm quite surprised. Last season was not the best season for us, but second in the table I think is not bad at all. There's been a lot of criticism of me but it's not been a bad season. Twelve goals, and I won the Copa [African Nations Cup] for my country, it's not bad at all. I know what I want, I know what I have to do, I don't care what people are saying about me.”

Asked whether he was back in form, Touré said; “I'm not 'back', I'm always there. People have to understand football is not talking about one player, it's about the team. The team did a massive job [against West Brom], we played very well, against a difficult side. West Brom have a good manager, good players and experience in the Premier League and the team played brilliantly. Full credit to the team.”

He added: “Sometimes people [have to] understand we are human beings. Things can go wrong when you're fully focused in your job, when you love your job and want to win all the time. My job is to make people happy and myself happy as well.”

Touré said he would try to claim the first goal that went in via David Silva and Craig Dawson. His goalscoring dropped by half last season and his lacklustre performances, especially in the Champions League, drew criticism from pundits. Nevertheless, his manager Manuel Pellegrini said after the game that he had full faith in the player, who has one year left on his contract after this season.

The former City defender Joleon Lescott, now at West Brom, conceded that his team gave their opponents too much space on Monday night in the first half. Their manager Tony Pulis said afterwards that he had got his tactics wrong with a 4-4-2 formation that allowed City, and Silva in particular, too much space.

Lescott said: “Their movement and technical ability is a very high standard. We knew it would be tough but we were disappointed with the way we went about it.” – The Independent

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Barca, Sevilla in nine-goal thriller

Barcelona substitute Pedro scored deep into extra time to secure the European Super Cup with a 5-4 win over Sevilla.

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Barcelona substitute Pedro scored deep into extra time to secure the European Super Cup with a 5-4 win over Sevilla in a thriller on Tuesday after they surrendered a three-goal lead in Tbilisi.

Barca said before the game that Pedro wanted to leave the club but the 28-year-old came on to win the trophy, just as he did in 2009, pouncing on a rebound from a Lionel Messi shot.

Messi had himself scored a double with two stunning early free kicks while Rafinha and Luis Suarez also netted for the Catalans, who led 4-1 with just over half an hour left.

Barca's fifth triumph in the competition, which means they have now won four trophies this year, moved them level with AC Milan on the all-time Uefa Super Cup winners list.

“I got the goal but it was down to the work of the team and I am happy with the win,” said Pedro. “When you know you may leave it is difficult. I was angry about not starting the game but as always I tried to be professional and go out and help.”

Ever Banega had given Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a free-kick after three minutes but Messi stamped his mark on the game with stunning free-kicks after seven and 16 minutes.

The Argentine's double for the Champions League holders means he is again joint record scorer in European competition with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on 80 goals.

Rafinha slotted home a Luis Suarez pass just before the break and the Uruguayan scored himself after the restart having been found by Sergio Busquets to put Barca firmly in command.

Sevilla, though, fought back with goals from Jose Antonio Reyes, after 57 minutes, and Kevin Gameiro, with a penalty in the 72nd, before Yevhen Konoplyanka equalised with 10 minutes left to force the game into extra time.

“We went out looking to be creative and to cause danger,” Sevilla coach Unai Emery told a news conference

“To get to European finals you need to earn respect and so attack the opposition which is what we did.

“I don't think that we got the reward we deserved from the game. We had clear chances at the end and Barca were looking worried.”

With Neymar out due to mumps, Barca coach Luis Enrique chose Rafinha ahead of Pedro in attack but three minutes into extra time the Canary Islander got his chance and made the most of it.

Pedro fired the winner into the roof of the net from close range with five minutes left as Barca stayed on track to win six trophies this calendar year on the back of last season's treble.

Pedro also came off the bench in the 2009 Super Cup final against Shakhtar Donetsk to score in the 115th minute and secure a 1-0 victory for Barca after they had won their first treble.

“We knew that this would be a difficult game and this really showed the merit of the team. It is difficult to win trophies and games,” the Barca coach said.

I am very happy with the way that we won and showed the hard work that is necessary.

“We didn't know what to expect and it shows what you have to do to win a trophy.

“It was great for the fans and after 50 minutes it looked as though the game was over but against a rival like that you never know.” – Reuters

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Lawyer to lead Fifa’s reform push

Fifa has named Swiss lawyer Francois Carrard to lead the soccer body’s Reform Committee.

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Zurich - Fifa on Tuesday appointed Swiss lawyer Francois Carrard, who helped restore the Olympic movement's credibility after the Salt Lake City scandal, to lead the world football governing body's Reform Committee.

Carrard, 77, previously guided the International Olympic Committee through its own governance reforms in the wake of the bribery scandal-hit Winter Olympics of 2002.

Fifa is currently reeling from its own corruption turmoil after seven football officials were arrested in a raid on a Zurich hotel on the eve of a Fifa congress in May.

“It is vital for the future of global football to restore the integrity and reputation of its governing body,” said Carrard.

“It's a very significant crisis, on a par with what I came across at the IOC between 1998 to 2000,” he told a tele-conference call.

“Once again we have accusations of corruption, structural reforms to put in place, interference from the political world and sponsors.

“There are similarities (with the Olympics), even if the situations are different and that the world has changed in the past 15 years.”

He said he had accepted Fifa's call to help as he considered it “important to find reforms which are acceptable to all to restore Fifa's credibility”.

“I've got this experience of already having sporting crises to manage,” he added.

Carrard was appointed following consultation with the six football confederations and he will be assisted by representatives from two of each.

“As the independent chairman, I am committed to delivering the necessary package of credible reforms, working with representatives from within football and wider society.

“To that end, I will establish an independent advisory board, made up of representatives from outside football, to support the work of the committee and provide an additional layer of independent expertise.”

The Reform Committee will provide a preliminary update to the Fifa Executive Committee at its regular quarterly meeting on September 24-25, Fifa said in a statement.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter, who is due to stand down in February next year when a new election will be held, said Carrard was the “right man” with a “proven track record”.

He added: “We are confident that he can help Fifa to strengthen its governance structures in a credible and meaningful way.”

The corruption scandal hit Blatter hard, with the Swiss chief, 79, subsequently vowing to step down despite winning a fifth term in May's elections in Zurich.

The vote came two days after the arrests of the seven Fifa officials, who are among 14 people facing charges in the United States over more than $150 million of bribes for marketing and broadcasting contracts.

In parallel, Swiss investigators are looking into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The scandal led high-profile Fifa sponsors McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Visa to back calls for an independent reform commission.

Blatter said: “Fifa's commercial partners will also play a key role in the reforms, and we will be discussing with them the most productive way to include their views.”

Those commercial partners will also appoint two representatives to the commission.

AFP

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