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Reds owners ready to replace Brendan?

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Brendan Rodgers is fighting to save his job at Liverpool after owners FSG sounded out Carlo Ancelotti about replacing him.

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Brendan Rodgers is fighting to save his job at Liverpool after owners FSG sounded out Carlo Ancelotti about replacing him as manager.

Rodgers, who still retains some support from the decision-makers at Anfield, is now under massive pressure following the club’s poor start to the Barclays Premier League season.

Ancelotti was fired by Real Madrid at the end of last season and has always maintained that he wanted to take a year-long sabbatical before making his return to management.

Although Ancelotti privately stated that he wanted to manage in London again following his dismissal from Real Madrid, Liverpool are a club with history and pedigree.

FSG began considering their managerial options again following the 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham on August 29 and the 3-1 loss at Manchester United the following weekend.

Ancelotti has one of the best managerial CVs in the game after two decades of success with Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

The 56-year-old Italian coach, who took Milan to Champions League glory in 2007 against Liverpool and landed the historic 10th European Cup title for Real in 2014, will take some convincing to take the job. He has been convalescing from a minor operation since leaving Real, splitting his time between Vancouver and London as he considers his next move. He has a habit of inheriting teams in peak condition and ready to challenge for trophies, but Liverpool appears to be yet another rebuilding job after their poor league start.

On Sunday they were held by Norwich at Anfield and have not won in the Premier League since they squeezed past Bournemouth at home on August 17.

Rodgers is convinced that he can change Liverpool’s fortunes, but an increasing number of fans at the club are demanding change after a sluggish start. Ancelotti, who was also coach of Milan when Liverpool famously beat them in the 2005 Champions League final, is a huge admirer of the Merseyside club.

Last year Ancelotti said: ‘I’ve followed Liverpool since 1984 after facing them with Roma in the European Cup final, when we lost on penalties.

‘It’s always been a club that excites me. The You’ll Never Walk Alone they sing is incredible. Nobody sings an anthem like Liverpool fans.’

Ancelotti’s success story as a coach began when he won two European Cups (2003 and 2007) and landed the Serie A title with Milan in 2004. When he moved to Chelsea he won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010 before he was sacked by the club’s owner Roman Abramovich the following season.

After moving to France to coach Paris Saint-Germain, he led them to the Ligue 1 title in 2013 before fulfilling a dream when he was appointed coach of Real Madrid.

There was more success when he won the Champions League against Atletico Madrid in 2014, as well as the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and Club World Cup.– Daily Mail

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Tinkler: It’s all about believing in each other

Orlando Pirates have gone four games without a win and are taking on Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

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How does a team that has not won a match in a month figure out a way to beat opposition generally regarded to be the continent’s best?

By rediscovering their confidence, that’s how.

“It’s about working on it (the confidence) everyday and hope it turns. And I know it will.”

Eric Tinkler, the Orlando Pirates coach is holding fort with the media corps in the bowels of the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. His team have just played to a goalless Absa Premiership draw with Polokwane City, the result stretching the Buccaneers’ winless run to four matches dating back to August 22.

Back then Pirates beat AC Leopards to seal their spot in the Confederation Cup semi-final where they take on Africa’s most successful club – Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The first leg of that tie is at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (6pm) and Tinkler knows only too well that anything less than a win will make reaching the final near impossible – Ahly renowned as a tough side to beat in their own backyard.

While disappointed at the failure to get wins, Tinkler remains confident Pirates can get the better of the Red Devils. He admits that because they’ve not won in a while, his team are low on confidence.

“You can see it (the lack of confidence) out on the park. The (poor) decision-making comes due to panic, sometimes; it’s hesitation, sometimes; it’s lack of confidence sometimes. Because we know we are better than that. I know that our decision-making is better than that. I know that our passing, which wasn’t that great today in that final third, is far better than what it was. And a lot of that comes from probably that lack of confidence.”

Whether he will get the team believing in themselves enough to get a positive result against Ahly is a question that will only be answered at the weekend.

And on the strength – or rather weakness – of the showing in Polokwane, there can be no denying Tinkler has a tough task on his hands.

To beat Ahly, Pirates will have to be much more clinical than they have been in recent matches.

“Overall, the performance wasn’t the best going forward. Today, with all the possession, there wasn’t enough penetration. Our decision-making was poor. We made the wrong pass or a bad pass. All the basics didn’t go right today. That was the disappointing part for me.”

One pleasing aspect for Tinkler though was the fact his team did not let in a goal, with Filipe Ovono pulling off some good saves – one of those splendidly made right before the final minute when he denied Puleng Tlolane what would have been the winner.

“Defensively we dealt with them very well. We kept a clean sheet and that is a positive,” reflected Tinkler. “We have been leaking goals and this (a clean sheet) is important going into this very, very important match (against Ahly).” - The Star

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Barkley can emulate Gerrard, Lampard

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley can reach the level of former England stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, according to team mate Gareth Barry.

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With a bit more consistency, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley can reach the level of former England stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, according to team mate Gareth Barry.

Barkley scored the equaliser in his 100th appearance for the Toffees in their 2-1 win over Championship side Reading on Tuesday in the League Cup and has won 15 England caps.

Barry was convinced the 21-year-old has what it takes to reach the level of former England captain Gerrard and another Champions League winner Lampard.

“Ross has got all the potential to become as good as them,” Barry told the British media.

“He's got everything that they had to match their ability, but the one thing he's going to need is consistency - performing, scoring goals, assisting on a regular basis, and those two players did that for 10, 12 years in the Premier League, so that's the target for Ross.

“He has got all the ability to go on and be a really top player. He's obviously still young so he's still learning certain parts of the game,” the former Manchester City midfielder added.

Barkley had scored only two goals in 36 appearances last season, but has been in fine form this campaign scoring four times in eight appearances for the club.

“Last season was a bit up and down, a massive learning curve for him, so I'm not surprised this year he's really kicked off again,” Barry said.

Manager Roberto Martinez has also heaped praise on the Everton academy graduate and his growing maturity.

“Ross has gone to a different level. For someone so young to have 100 games for the club is an immense landmark, but he's a completely different player to what we saw last season,” Martinez told the club website (www.evertonfc.com).

“His maturity and the fact he is always controlling the big moments. We're extremely pleased and excited to see him develop into a very special player.” the former Wigan Athletic manager added. – Reuters

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Gabriel repreive sets bad example - Jose

The Football Association's decision to rescind Arsenal defender Gabriel's red card has set a precedent allowing retaliation on the pitch, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said.

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The Football Association's decision to rescind Arsenal defender Gabriel's red card has set a precedent allowing retaliation on the pitch, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said.

Gabriel was sent off for kicking out at Diego Costa during the Gunners' 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at the weekend.

Arsenal ended the match at Stamford Bridge with nine men, but the turning point came when Costa clashed with first Laurent Koscielny and then Gabriel with the score still 0-0, eventually provoking the latter into kicking out, resulting in him being show a straight red.

The FA overturned referee Mike Dean's decision to dismiss Gabriel and handed Costa a three-match ban for violent conduct for striking Koscielny in the face before the sending off.

“Now we know that retaliation is allowed. No problem, you can do it,” Mourinho told the British media.

His Arsenal counterpart and bitter rival Arsene Wenger said the FA's decision to rescind Gabriel's red card repaired just five per cent of the damage his team suffered during the defeat.

“That just shows that they (the FA) decided after the game what should have been decided during the game and they repair five percent of the damage that has been done to us.

“Instead of us playing 11 against 10, we played 10 against 11,” the Frenchman said, quoted by the club website (www.arsenal.com).

“It is better I don't talk too much as I'm still angry about it,” he added.

Mourinho refused to comment on Costa's retrospective ban, saying he feared he too would be suspended if he did.

“I don't comment. If I comment, bring examples, go deep and bring feelings into the discussion, a big suspension will be waiting for me. I don't want that, the team doesn't need that.

“The team lost an important player for three matches and they don't need to lose their manager, so I prefer to keep calm and quiet,” the Portuguese said.

The FA has also charged Gabriel with improper conduct for not leaving the pitch immediately after the sending off and both teams for failing to control their players.

All three must reply to the charges by 1700 GMT on Thursday. – Reuters

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Pressure mounting on Rodgers

After a dismal run by Liverpool, the odds on Brendan Rodgers becoming the season's first managerial casualty are shortening.

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London - Pressure is something that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says comes with the territory, but after a dismal run, the odds on him becoming the season's first managerial casualty are swiftly shortening.

Rodgers's side face Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday (1400 GMT) with the voices of dissenting fans starting to make themselves heard following a four-game winless Premier League streak that has left them seven points behind leaders Manchester City after six games.

The Liverpool boss is a now second favourite with bookmakers to be the first managerial sacking of the new campaign with only rock-bottom Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat keeping him off top spot.

Last Sunday's home draw with Norwich City came on the back of a Europa League draw with Girondins Bordeaux, consecutive defeats to Manchester United and West Ham and a goalless stalemate at Arsenal.

They seemed to hit a new low, however, on Wednesday when they were taken to penalties after a dismal home draw with fourth tier Carlisle United in the League Cup, before scraping into the fourth round.

Rodgers will also not need reminding that Villa have become something of a bogey team to Liverpool in recent seasons with the Merseysiders failing to beat Saturday's opponents at Anfield since 2010.

They were also beaten in last season's FA Cup semi-final by Tim Sherwood's side, one of a series of below-par performances with which Liverpool ended the campaign.

Should Liverpool fail to beat Villa, the clarion call from disgruntled supporters for Rodgers to be replaced will increase in volume with Juergen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti among the names being touted as potential successors.

Rodgers's hopes of victory have not been helped by a hamstring injury to Belgian Christian Benteke, who they signed from Sherwood's side in the close season, after he was brought off at halftime against Norwich.

All of last season's top four are in action on Saturday, with leaders Manchester City visiting Tottenham Hotspur in the early kickoff (1145) looking to rebound after loosing their 100 percent record at home to West Ham last weekend.

Having thumped Sunderland 4-1 in the League Cup on Tuesday, Manuel Pellegrini's side could be further boosted by the return from injury of captain Vincent Kompany and playmaker David Silva.

City's local rivals Manchester United are currently second, two points behind the leaders, and host beleaguered Sunderland (1400), who have not won all season and have two points from their six games.

Champions Chelsea returned to winning ways by beating Arsenal last weekend, but they will be without Diego Costa for their visit to Newcastle United (1630) after the striker was handed a retrospective three-game ban for tangling with Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal visit the only unbeaten side left in the Premier League, Leicester City (1400), and they will be able to field defender Gabriel, after his red card against Chelsea was overturned on appeal. – Reuters

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Flamini double sinks Spurs

Mathieu Flamini was Arsenal's unlikely hero scoring twice to seal a 2-1 win over Tottenham in the League Cup third round.

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Mathieu Flamini was Arsenal's unlikely hero as the French midfielder's double strike sealed a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Tottenham in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.

Flamini was making his first appearance of the season after coming close to leaving the club in the last transfer window and he seized a rare opportunity to remind Gunners boss Arsene Wenger of his quality with a brilliant second half winner at White Hart Lane.

The 31-year-old, so often the butt of Arsenal fans' criticism in the past, had already celebrated his return by putting Wenger's side ahead in the first half before a Calum Chambers own goal after the break drew Tottenham level.

But it was Flamini's second goal that stole the show as he lashed a sumptuous volley into the bottom corner from 20 yards to settle the first north London derby of the season.

Flamini's heroics provided a much-needed morale boost for Arsenal, ensuring they avoided losing three consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2010.

“It was a very intense game. We responded very well physically and mentally and when we stay with 11 players we can win games,” Wenger said.

“I had hope when Flamini lined up his second goal because he watched the ball well, decided what he wanted to do and he did it with belief.”

Flamini added: “I don't have any problems with anyone at the club.

“But it is never easy when you don't play every game. I had a point to prove.”

After a slow start, Arsenal gradually seized the initiative with some incisive breaks, culminating in the opening goal in the 26th minute.

With Tottenham's defenders backing off as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took possession, the Arsenal midfielder was able to unleash a powerful low strike that Michel Vorm could only parry weakly out to Flamini, who gratefully accepted the gift as he lashed into the roof of the net.

Not content with inflicting that wound on his club's arch rivals, Flamini rubbed it in by standing in front of the Tottenham fans and thumping the Arsenal badge on his shirt to a predictably furious chorus of disapproval.

Danny Rose led Tottenham's attempt to wipe the smile off Flamini's face and the left-back appealed in vain for a penalty after Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina sent him flying when he raced off his line.

Yet Mauricio Pochettino's side lacked a cutting edge as Harry Kane, who hasn't scored in eight club appearances this term, laboured to recapture last season's form.

Kane's lack of confidence was clear to see when he dragged a shot well wide at the end of a rapid Tottenham counter just before half-time.

Even when Kane did get the ball in the net early in the second half, converting from close-range after Christen Eriksen's shot hit a post, the England striker was standing in an offside position and saw his effort ruled out.

Despite Kane's struggles, Spurs were the dominant force after the interval and their incessant pressure was rewarded with a 56th minute equaliser that contained a dose of good fortune and a slice of typically careless Arsenal defending.

Nacer Chadli was left in yards of space by Mathieu Debuchy in the penalty area and the winger whipped over a low cross that Chambers diverted into his own net as he attempted to block inside the six-yard box.

Kane almost ended his goal drought with a spectacular scissor kick that Gibbs headed off the line.

Son Heung-Min came on for the final 24 minutes as Spurs chased a winner, while Wenger responded by introducing Alexis Sanchez.

It was Wenger's switch that had the crucial impact as Sanchez helped Arsenal snatch the win in the 78th minute.

The Chilean got on the ball on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area and his attempted pass was deflected high into the air towards Flamini, who arrived unchecked to lash a sublime volley past Vorm. – AFP

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Liverpool scrape past Carlisle United

Liverpool were taken to penalties by fourth tier Carlisle United, but came through to reach the League Cup fourth round.

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London - Liverpool flirted with what would have been a embarrassing low in their poor start to the season as they were taken to penalties by fourth tier Carlisle United, but came through to reach the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

Newcastle United were less fortunate as their woeful start to the campaign continued with a 1-0 defeat to second division Sheffield Wednesday, while the night's showpiece fixture ended with Arsenal beating north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 with two goals from Mathieu Flamini.

It was an easier evening for holders Chelsea, who cruised into the fourth round with a 4-1 win over third tier Walsall, while Southampton thrashed Championship side Milton Keynes Dons 6-0 and Manchester United made light work of Ipswich Town, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Record League Cup winners Liverpool would have expected an equally comfortable evening at home to lowly Carlisle.

Brendan Rodgers's side, however, came into the game without a win in five games in all competitions, with confidence at a low ebb.

They eventually secured a 3-2 shootout win when Bastien Hery's tame effort for Carlisle was easily saved by Adam Bogdan, but the performance will have done nothing to alleviate the mounting pressure on the Liverpool boss.

The Merseysiders had taken an early lead in the game through Danny Ings but were pegged back by a goal from Derek Asamoah after 34 minutes then could not find a breakthrough despite battering at the door and missing a series of chances.

Tottenham could also feel aggrieved after dominating swathes of their clash with Arsenal but had nothing to show for their efforts after Flamini proved a surprise hero.

The holding midfielder poached the first from close range in the first half and then hit a superb volley on the run after the restart after an own goal from Calum Chambers had levelled the tie at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had fumed after their Premier League defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, was in a far happier mood.

“Overall it was a convincing performance because we were unlucky to score an own goal and we found the resources to score a second,” he told reporters. “He is a fighter Mathieu and a winner as well.”

Chelsea moved seamlessly forward after making light work of third tier Walsall, with midfielder Ramires putting them ahead after 10 minutes with a header, before Loic Remy doubled their advantage with a sidefoot finish.

Walsall pulled one back on the stroke of halftime through James O'Connor but a sharp finish from Brazilian Kenedy through the keeper's legs and a drive from distance from Pedro completed a comfortable win.

All the goals in Southampton's 6-0 victory over MK Dons were spread evenly between Jay Rodriguez, Sadio Mane and Shane Long, who each bagged a double.

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren, who has failed to win any of his first six Premier League games, will be under increasing pressure after they were beaten at home by Sheffield Wednesday.

Lewis McGugan scored the only goal of the match after 76 minutes with a drilled effort from outside the area.

Manchester United fans were treated to another goal from French teenager Anthony Martial, his fourth in four games for the club, after efforts from Wayne Rooney and midfielder Andreas Pereira had set them up for a straightforward win over Ipswich.

Crystal Palace won 4-1 at home to Charlton and Norwich City won an all-Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion 3-0. – Reuters

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Barca thrashed by Celta

Celta Vigo sent Barcelona crashing to defeat to go top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Athletic Bilbao.

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Barcelona - Iago Aspas scored twice as Celta Vigo sent Barcelona crashing to a 4-1 defeat to go top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Athletic Bilbao later on Wednesday.

After disappointing spells at Liverpool and Sevilla, Aspas is back to his best this season having returned to Celta and struck clinical finishes in either half against a Barca side who were far from their normal dominant selves.

Nolito, a former Barca youth player, fired his fifth goal in as many games to put Celta ahead after 25 minutes with a pinpoint curling drive from the left of the area.

Aspas then chipped the ball over keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen for the second minutes later.

It was clear that it was not going to be Barca's day when Lionel Messi struck the woodwork after 52 minutes with only keeper Sergio Alvarez to beat and then Aspas raced clear and slotted home on 55 minutes.

Barcelona's Neymar scored from a tight angle after 80 minutes but Celta substitute John Guidetti volleyed in their fourth minutes later.

Celta lead La Liga with 13 points, one more than Barca after five games, while Real are on 10 points having played one match fewer.

The players in the blue of Celta could have been mistaken for Barca the way they pressed the visitors back with their quick movement and link-up play.

Ter Stegen could only get his fingertips to Nolito's strike into the top corner and then Gerard Pique hesitated in possession on the halfway line with the ball finding its way to Aspas who ran through and lifted the ball over the keeper.

After the break Barca pressed forward but left themselves wide open at the back. Messi hit the woodwork and then shortly after Aspas latched onto a long punt forward, evaded a challenge from Dani Alves, and found the corner with his shot.

Messi set up Neymar for a consolation while Guidetti was then given space in the area and cracked the ball home. – Reuters

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Goals aplenty in Sundowns, Ajax clash

Anthony Laffor helped Mamelodi Sundowns record a win over Ajax Cape Town in a thrilling Absa Premiership encounter.

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Pretoria - A stoppage-time strike by Anthony Laffor helped Mamelodi Sundowns record a 3-2 win over Ajax Cape Town in a thrilling Absa Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday night.

The home side went into the break 2-1 up after a Teko Modise strike and an own goal by Ajax defender Cecil Lolo. Bantu Mzwakali scored for Ajax in the first half.

Ajax struck back with a Nathan Paulse penalty just after the break to make it 2-2, but Laffor would have the last say in the match. Despite the win, Sundowns fans hurtled objects towards coach Pitso Mosimane amid chanting of “Pitso must go!” as he left the field after the match.

The fixture was delayed by about five minutes after Ajax striker Prince Nxumalo suffered an epileptic seizure before kickoff.

Paulse, the hero for Ajax in their MTN8 final triumph over the weekend, took his place in the starting line-up.

Sundowns made the better start when former Urban Warriors winger Keagan Dolly came close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute.

Dolly dispossessed Ajax defender Abel Mabaso before pulling the trigger with his left foot. His shot beat Ajax goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, but was expertly cleared off the line by defender Abbubaker Mobara.

Sundowns, though, did take the lead in the 21st minute when midfielder Modise slotted home a free kick after the Ajax wall disintegrated.

However, Ajax bounced back in the 38th minute when midfielder Mzwakali pounced on a Paulse flick-on from a throw-in.

The Cape side started to get a little bit of rhythm towards the end of the first half, and veteran winger Franklin Cale went close in the 40th minute.

However, Sundowns would go into the break 2-1 up after a freakish own goal by Lolo, who inexplicably headed the ball into his own net with no Sundowns players in his vicinity.

But Ajax would hit back shortly after the interval when Franklin Cale was brought down in the penalty area. Paulse then calmly stepped up and slotted home his second penalty in less than a week.

Former Santos defender Wayne Arendse then had a great chance to Sundowns in the 67th minute, but he could only manage to hit the post from point-blank range.

However, substitute Laffor came up with the winner for Sundowns in stoppage time after a terrible clearance by the Ajax defenders in their penalty area. - ANA

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Chiefs held by Tuks

Losing MTN8 finalist Kaizer Chiefs were held by the Pretoria of University in the Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium.

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Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs tried to bounce back from their demoralising loss in the MTN8 final but were ultimately not good enough as they drew 1-1 with a battling University of Pretoria in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB stadium on Wednesday night. Goals from Bernard Parker for Chiefs and Tebogo Monyai for Tuks saw the points shared as the home team, who led at half-time, seemed to slacken off and allowed their opponents back into the match.

After a cagey start Chiefs had a good chance to take the lead but Reneilwe Letsholonyane sliced his shot wide of the goal after getting a great pass from Willard Katsande.

Camaldene Abraw also had a chance minutes later but in a replica of the earlier chance, blasted wide.

But the pressure told in the 26th minute when a costly mistake from Khaya Gwala in the Tuks defence who was forced into a misplaced header, saw the ball go to Siphiwe Tshabalala.

He drove down the right flank, weaved his way inside and his pass across goal was met by Parker who rifled a shot into a gaping net with Tuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi stranded.

With Chiefs with a one goal advantage at half-time they seemed to relax in the early stages after the interval, content to allow Tuks to try and put their passes together.

Tuks had their best chance in the 65th minute when Getaneh Gibeto was set loose but his shot was well saved by Chiefs keeper Reyaad Pieterse who dived forward to thwart the threat.

But Tuks got the equaliser in the 71st minute when after a corner which was cleared, the ball was played back into the penalty area and after bobbing around captain Monyai pounced with a shot that went into the goal via the left hand goalpost.

This seem to spur Tuks who found new confidence as they searched for the winning goal. Chances fell to both sides but eventually they both had to settle for a point each. - ANA

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Pogba agent hits back at Fergie

Paul Pogba's colourful agent has hit back at Sir Alex Ferguson after being blamed for the French international's controversial departure from Manchester United.

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Paul Pogba's colourful agent has hit back at Sir Alex Ferguson after being blamed for the French international's controversial departure from Manchester United.

In his newly-published book, 'Leading', legendary former United manager Ferguson writes he distrusted Mino Raiola “from the moment I met him” and infers the Dutchman was to blame for orchestrating Pogba's departure for Juventus when United “were eager to sign” a one-year renewal.

Pogba quit United in the summer of 2012 after becoming frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities, shocking the club by joining the Turin giants on a free transfer.

He has since become one of the most highly sought-after players in Europe.

Raiola, considered one of football's 'super-agents', claimed Ferguson still does not know or understand players like Pogba and hinted that Pogba was not given his chance at Old Trafford because Ferguson did not like his agent.

“Although I am not a Sir, I will behave like one when I'm talking about him (Ferguson),” Raiola was reported as saying on a Gazzetta dello Sport website report.

“As an agent, I try to look after my players' interests. I'm happy for people to criticise me but he still doesn't understand who Pogba really is and that maybe he quit (United) at the right time.

“I understood how he chose his players, and it was nothing to do with their qualities. It was down to how much he liked their agents.”

An excerpt from Ferguson's book describes how he disliked Raiola. The 73-year-old Scot also said Raiola “ingratiated” himself with the player in a bid to force his departure.

“There are one or two football agents I simply do not like. And Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba's agent, is one of them,” said Ferguson.

“We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign.

“But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.

“He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus.”

Raiola, who also represents on-loan AC Milan star Mario Balotelli and Paris Saint Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahmivoc, said Ferguson's claims were wide of the mark.

“His ex-players will tell the truth one day. The facts as he tells them are not true,” he said. – AFP

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Chiefs are on the right track - Komphela

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is happy with the response of his charges following loss to Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is happy with the response of his charges following loss to Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final over the past weekend.

“You can see for yourself, the mood has changed,” says the Kaizer Chiefs coach, while pointing to his players who are doing a stretching session after pre-match training at the FNB Stadium.

Amakhosi welcome the University of Pretoria in a match that is expected to produce fireworks. The game will take place at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening, 23 with kick-off is at 7.30pm.

“We have moved on,” Komphela said. “We have put the past behind us and we look forward to the future. We are unbeaten in the league and within the target we've set for this block of fixtures.”

Chiefs have won two and drawn two after four league matches played so far.

“We will go into this match with a similar squad but with a different approach. We will make sure that we impose ourselves on them, because this is our home match.”

The matches come thick and fast after the cup final. Therefore it's also good to know the progress to full fitness of the injured players. Daniel Cardoso, Philani Cele, Simphiwe Mtsweni and David Zulu are still out of contention to be part of the match-day team. When it comes to facing the University of Pretoria - Amakhosi have won four compared to one for AmaTuks. One match has been drawn out of the four outings between the two teams. - ANA

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Pochettino aware of derby significance

Tottenham Hotspur will be without Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Mousa Dembele against Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup.

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Tottenham Hotspur will be without Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Mousa Dembele against Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup later on Wednesday and the significance of the contest is not lost on manager Mauricio Pochettino.

“Mason, Bentaleb and Mousa are out but they are close to being back in the team,” the former Southampton manager said of the injured trio ahead of the North London derby, one of the fiercest in English football.

In their 12 League Cup meetings, the Gunners prevailed six times and Tottenham won on three occasions, while the rest ended in a draw.

Pochettino, however, has never lost to Arsenal since his arrival last season, registering a draw and a win in their last two league meetings.

The last time Spurs won a trophy, they beat Arsenal 5-1 in the second leg of the 2007-08 League Cup semi-final, and ran out 6-2 winners on aggregate.

“When you play against Arsenal it's always an important game - a special game - whether you are playing in the FA Cup, League Cup or the Premier League,” Pochettino told reporters.

“It's a derby for us and the supporters and for that we want to win,” he said.

His counterpart Arsene Wenger is keen to build momentum after suffering successive losses at the hands of Chelsea in the league and Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

“Every single game that you play you want to win but especially this one,” Wenger said.

“It is a bit more special because it's always a big meaning. We want to get back into winning habits and that's why the momentum is even more important for us,” the Frenchman added. – Reuters

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Defensive worries for Van Gaal

Manchester United defenders Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair suffered injuries against Southampton and will miss Wednesday's third-round League Cup clash against Ipswich Town.

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Manchester United defenders Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair suffered injuries against Southampton and will miss Wednesday's third-round League Cup clash against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed.

The duo's unavailability comes at a bad time for the Dutchman with left back Luke Shaw also ruled out for six months after a horrific leg break in the 2-1 Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week.

“Rojo has a hamstring injury and Paddy McNair has a minor injury,” the manager told the club's website (www.manutd.com).

The injuries to two more defenders mean that Phil Jones could make his first appearance of the season for United, despite not being fully fit.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined with mild thrombosis - a blood clot - but has been included in the squad and will be on the bench for the tie against the Championship side.

“I have to admit that because of the injury of three defenders (including Luke Shaw), I shall have Jones on the bench but he is not fit,” Van Gaal said. – Reuters

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New twist in Chelsea, Dr Carneiro saga

Chelsea and Dr Eva Carneiro have parted company, with the club braced for what could prove an expensive legal battle.

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Chelsea and Dr Eva Carneiro have parted company, with the club braced for what could prove an expensive legal battle.

The news has invited criticism from within the FA board room, with board member Heather Rabbatts expressing her ‘sadness and anger’ at Dr Carneiro’s departure.

The now former Chelsea first-team doctor was ordered to return to work last Friday for what would have been her first appearance at the club’s Cobham training ground since a bust-up with manager Jose Mourinho during the Premier League match against Swansea City on August 8.

But Carneiro did not show, and according to club insiders yesterday she has still not been seen there. It is now clear that she has departed the club — as revealed by MailOnline yesterday.

Defending the doctor’s actions against Swansea, Rabbatts said last night: ‘Any other response would have been a dereliction of her duty and a breach of General Medical Council guidelines.

‘In acting properly she was then subject to verbal abuse and public criticism and in effect demoted by her removal from the bench.

‘Eva was one of the few very senior women in the game, a highly respected doctor who has acted with professional integrity in difficult circumstances and whose skills have been highly praised by her colleagues, the club and governing bodies.’

Chelsea may argue that her failure to turn up for work could weaken her case for constructive dismissal, even though arriving at Cobham could have amounted to accepting new terms of employment after she was publicly stripped of first-team duties.

Chelsea are aware that the Gibraltar-born medic is consulting top employment lawyers.

Carneiro was banned from the bench and team hotel after Mourinho publicly accused her of making a mistake when she and team physiotherapist Jon Fearn rushed on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, having twice been waved on by referee Michael Oliver.

Mourinho’s explosive reaction at the time is the subject of an FA inquiry — as Sportsmail revealed last week — after a member of the public made a complaint, claiming that the Portuguese manager had shouted ‘filha da puta’; something that means ‘daughter of a wh*re’ and, if proven, could lead to Mourinho being banned for five matches.

Yesterday FA officials said the video evidence submitted as part of the complaint was still being reviewed.

Mourinho’s accusation that his medical staff did not understand the game was met with widespread disapproval by Carneiro’s peers.

Fifa’s chief medical officer was among those to remind Mourinho that the welfare of players is the responsibility of medical staff and not the manager.

Indeed, a joint statement from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the 500-strong Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine has been sent to the League Managers’ Association.

The FA’s position remains unclear. While it seems unlikely, Mourinho could yet be charged under the FA rule E3, which states that players and coaches can be punished for using ‘offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures’.

With an aggravated breach, in this case possibly with reference to gender, a five-match ban is the minimum sanction. – Daily Mail

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