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Flamini hoping for Arsenal revival

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Mathieu Flamini hopes his memorable contribution to Arsenal's triumph at Tottenham will spark a revival from the Gunners as they head to Leicester.

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Mathieu Flamini hopes his memorable contribution to Arsenal's triumph at Tottenham will spark an individual and collective revival from the Gunners as they head to Leicester on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side slipped to fifth place in the Premier League following their controversial 2-0 defeat against champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

That disappointment came on the back of a surprise Champions League loss against Dinamo Zagreb, but Arsenal responded well to those setbacks by beating Tottenham 2-1 in the League Cup third round at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

The win against their fierce local rivals will undoubtedly strengthen belief ahead of the trip to face Claudio Ranieri's side, who unexpectedly find themselves in fourth spot with the last unbeaten record in the top tier.

Crucially for Arsenal, the performance of French midfielder Flamini on his first start of the season provided a major bonus in the absence of Francis Coquelin.

Coquelin picked up a knee injury against Chelsea and while Wenger has not given up hope of the 24-year-old making the trip to the King Power stadium, he was relieved to see Flamini step in so convincingly with his first goals since March.

If Flamini does feature against Leicester, it will be the 31-year-old's first Premier League start since the turn of the year.

“I have heard many people have been talking about me, but what is important is on the field,” Flamini said.

“I proved everyone wrong, I am still here, I've been working hard and I was ready for this game.

“I hadn't played for a while. But you could see here I'm working hard. And today it was my game. But my team-mates did a great job.”

Flamini had been sidelined since Wenger cut short Coquelin's loan spell at Charlton last December and installed the player in the holding midfield role.

Wenger's failure to bring in back-up for Coquelin during the last transfer window was widely criticised, but Flamini is now hoping for the chance to prove the role can be filled from within the ranks.

“When you get the opportunity to come back in you've got to prove yourself and give a good performance to show why you're in the starting line-up,” Flamini said

“That's what I try to do every time that I get an opportunity.”

Gabriel's red card against Chelsea was this week rescinded, but the centre back now faces a wait to see if he will be punished after being charged with improper conduct because of the way he protested his sending off at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger will lock horns with Leicester boss Ranieri for the first time since 2004, when Arsenal's unbeaten 'Invincibles' claimed the Premier League title, but were dumped out of the Champions League by a Chelsea team managed by Ranieri.

Ranieri is unbeaten himself in eight league and cup games since returning to England with Leicester.

However, he admits the Gunners are the only serious title contenders on show in Saturday's clash.

“Now they are ready,” said Ranieri. “But of course, to win a title you also need to be a little lucky.

“For us it is important to try to stay there and maintain the start - not to think about what we can do.

“Our fans can dream but we have to stay very calm and work very hard because a defeat is around the corner.” – AFP

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Desperate times for Rodgers, McClaren

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Newcastle boss Steve McClaren are facing increasingly desperate battles to avoid the sack.

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Newcastle boss Steve McClaren face another nerve-wracking weekend on the touchline as they fight increasingly desperate battles to avoid the sack.

Rodgers has come under fire from Liverpool's usually loyal fans after a woeful run of form which has left his side languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.

The Reds have gone four league games without a win, a dispiriting sequence that included heavy defeats against Manchester United and West Ham, and on Wednesday they suffered the indignity of being taken to a penalty shoot-out by fourth tier minnows Carlisle.

Although they eventually won that League Cup tie, the lacklustre display did little to ease the growing scrutiny on Rodgers, with Liverpool forced to deny reports which claimed they had approached former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti about taking over at Anfield.

Most damningly, Liverpool have not scored more than once in a match so far this season and that failure to adhere to the club's attacking principles is in danger of costing Rodgers the support of the Kop.

Without a trophy in his three-year reign, Rodgers badly needs a series of dynamic displays to silence the critics, starting when Aston Villa visit Merseyside on Saturday.

“I understand the frustration (of fans). We want to win and we're trying everything possible to win and to win in style,” Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan said.

“We all know the Villa game is massive. The final touch is missing for us at the moment but it will come. I really hope it comes on Saturday.”

Rodgers' plight is mirrored on Tyneside, where McClaren is already losing the support of the locals just eight games into his reign.

The former England manager, hired from Derby in the close-season, has watched his side slump to second bottom of the table after failing to win any of their first six matches.

Then to make matters worse, Newcastle suffered their fourth successive defeat in all competitions as they crashed out of the League Cup against an under-strength Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

With Chelsea arriving at St James' on Saturday, the chorus of disapproval could yet grow in volume, but McClaren is adamant a victory over Jose Mourinho's men would dramatically improve the febrile atmosphere threatening to engulf the club.

“Do we fear it? Do we say we don't want to play in that? We have got to. We have got to get people ready for Saturday, ready to fight, and one result turns it around,” McClaren said.

“You have got to say and you have got to believe -- which I do -- that could be Saturday.”

McClaren's cause will be helped by the absence of Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who is serving a suspension following his retrospective punishment for tangling with Laurent Koscielny in the win over Arsenal last weekend.

And after taking just seven points from their opening six games, Chelsea can ill-afford to let Newcastle get back on track.

Elsewhere on Saturday, leaders Manchester City travel to Tottenham looking to extend their impressive recent record of three wins from their last four visits to White Hart Lane.

Consecutive defeats against Juventus and West Ham had pierced City's confidence, but they got back on track by crushing Sunderland in the League Cup.

“It was important to win. Maybe we didn't deserve to lose the two games that we lost, but we did, so it was important not to continue in that way,” City boss Manuel Pellegrini said.

Second placed Manchester United, two points behind their local rivals, host Sunderland with boss Louis van Gaal trying to play down expectations surrounding Anthony Martial after the young French striker scored his fourth goal in as many matches.

Martial's strike against Ipswich in United's League Cup stroll maintained his blistering start since his move from Monaco.

But van Gaal said: “He is a player who is very modest and he knows he can score because of his fellow players.

“We are happy with him but still we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

Leicester face a stern test of the league's last unbeaten record when they face Arsenal at the King Power Stadium.

Fixtures:

Saturday

Leicester v Arsenal, Liverpool v Aston Villa, Manchester United v Sunderland, Newcastle v Chelsea, Southampton v Swansea, Stoke v Bournemouth, Tottenham v Manchester City, West Ham v Norwich

Sunday

Watford v Crystal Palace

Monday

West Brom v Everton - AFP

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Injuries hampering City

Yaya Toure hopes Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has found a recipe for attacking success ahead of Saturday's visit to Tottenham.

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Yaya Toure hopes Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has found a recipe for attacking success ahead of Saturday's visit to Tottenham.

Manuel Pellegrini's side saw a 100 per cent start to the season ruined by successive home defeats against Juventus in the Champions League and West Ham in the Premier League.

However, an emphatic 4-1 victory at Sunderland in the League Cup in midweek suggested that a semblance of order had been restored.

City have averaged two goals per game in the Premier League so far this season, but Ivory Coast midfielder Toure has suggested that the early leaders will score even more once new signings Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have settled in.

“In Africa we say it is like mayonnaise - you all blend together,” Toure said.

“It is difficult at the moment because we have just bought players such as De Bruyne and Sterling.

“We need to make sure they feel part of the team.”

Pellegrini picked a strong side at Sunderland, making only three changes - one of which was enforced as centre-back Eliaquim Mangala picked up a muscle injury during last Saturday's game.

Mangala's fitness will be assessed before the trip to White Hart Lane, as will that of fellow centre-back Vincent Kompany, who has missed two games since suffering a calf problem against Juventus.

“We will see from now to Saturday which players can recover,” Pellegrini said.

“We have a lot of injured players - at least eight. I hope we can recover at least some of them.”

Martin Demichelis, who played at Sunderland in place of Mangala, and Nicolas Otamendi are Pellegrini's other main options in central defence if Mangala or Kompany fail to recover in time.

Playmaker David Silva is also in contention to return, having been forced to withdraw minutes before kick-off against West Ham after complaining of tightness in his calf.

Defenders Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy, midfielders Fabian Delph and Samir Nasri, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Bony are the other players on Pellegrini's casualty list.

Pellegrini will feel, though, that his squad should be more than strong enough to cope.

They remain two points clear of Manchester United going into the weekend's fixtures, and have the psychological boost of having claimed victory on three of their last four visits to White Hart Lane, winning two of those games 5-1.

Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino believes his Tottenham players are finding their feet despite a 2-1 League Cup defeat against north London rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.

Spurs' progress to the final of the competition last season provided a high point during the campaign, but their priority now is to build on the successive Premier League victories over Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Focus has been trained on Harry Kane's problems in front of goal and the England striker suffered another frustrating evening against Arsenal as he failed to score his first club goal of the campaign.

Pochettino strengthened his forward options during the transfer window with the arrival of Clinton N'Jie from Lyon and Son Heung-Min from Bayer Leverkusen.

While South Korea's Son has made an impressive start, it is clear the manager needs Kane to rediscover his scoring form soon.

Son, who scored twice on his debut against Qarabag in the Europa League before marking his first Premier League appearance with the winner against Palace, will return to the side after starting on the bench against Arsenal.

That will be one of a number of changes after Pochettino opted to use his fringe players midweek and the manager hopes his reap the benefit of that decision this weekend.

“Now we need to prepare for City. We have one day less because they played on Tuesday and we have to be strong,” he said. - AFP

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Firmino to miss Brazil’s WC qualifiers

Brazil striker Roberto Firmino has withdrawn from the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

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Sao Paulo - Brazil striker Roberto Firmino has withdrawn from the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers and been replaced by 35-year old former AC Milan forward Ricardo Oliveira, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday.

Firmino was substituted after landing awkwardly in Liverpool's 3-2 League Cup penalty shootout win over fourth-tier Carlisle United at Anfield on Wednesday.

“Ricardo Oliveira, the top goalscorer in the Brazilian league with 17 goals, was called up by Brazil coach Dunga,” the CBF said in a statement.

“The Santos striker will take the place of Liverpool striker Firmino, who was released because of injury.”

Brazil, who have never failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, face Chile in Santiago on Oct. 8 and then return home to play Venezuela five days later.

Oliveira has six caps and last played for Brazil in 2006. – Reuters

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Pato claims United interest

Manchester United made a late attempt to sign Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato just before the January transfer window shut, according to the Sao Paulo player.

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Sao Paulo - Manchester United made a late attempt to sign Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato just before the January transfer window shut, according to the Sao Paulo player.

“Two hours before (the window closed) I had a very good offer from Manchester United,” Pato told Sportv on Thursday withouut giving any other details of the proposed deal.

The 25-year-old is on loan at Sao Paulo until the end of the year from rivals Corinthians who want to sell him.

He does not want to go back to the club where he spent an unhappy year after returning from AC Milan.

United needed forwards after offloading Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and Radamel Falcao in the window.

They signed Monaco's France international teenager Anthony Martial on the final day of the window for a fee put at 36 million pounds ($54.89 million) by British media.

Pato has scored nine times in 27 games for Sao Paulo in this season's Paulista state championship. – Reuters

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Celtic add to Cosmos’ woes

Bloemfontein Celtic heaped more misery on Jomo Cosmos after they beat the promoted side 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match.

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Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic heaped more misery on Jomo Cosmos after they beat the promoted side 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Free State Stadium on Thursday.

Celtic moved up to fourth in the league after recording their third win of the campaign following a first-half strike by Geoffrey Massa. Cosmos, however, are still winless this season and occupy 15th spot.

The home side had a few inviting free kicks on the edge of the Cosmos penalty area in the first quarter, but the visitors smartly dealt with Keagan Buchanan's deliveries.

Cosmos, who have only scored one goal in their first four matches this season, came close to opening the scoring when left back Cheslin Jampies' free kick was flicked wide by Tebogo Makobela.

Two minutes later Celtic's Musa Nyatama tried his luck with a shot from about 30 yards out, but the midfielder couldn't keep it down to trouble Cosmos goalkeeper Sherwyn Naicker.

But Celtic took the lead a minute later when the Cosmos defenders were caught napping by a long ball from Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.

The shot-stopper's 50 metre kick evaded the Cosmos defence and dropped kindly for Massa, who slotted the ball past Naicker with a powerful strike.

Cosmos had a grand opportunity to hit back, and double their goal tally this season, when the referee adjudged that Celtic's Wandisile Letlabika handled the ball inside of the penalty area.

However, Charlton Mashuba's penalty was poor and was easily dealt with by Tignyemb. Cosmos stepped up the intensity at the start of the second half, and Wiseman Maluleke went close in the 47th minute with a fierce drive.

But Celtic were unlucky not to double their lead in the 54th minute after some great interplay between Nyatama and Lerato Lamola. Lamola's shot, though, hit the upright and rebounded safely into Naicker's hands.

Cosmos showed some enterprise towards the end of the match, and Tebogo Makobela came close to equalising in the 86th minute. However, he couldn't keep his header down with only Tignyemb to beat. - ANA

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Berahino forgiven by West Brom fans

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis said club supporters have forgiven “naughty child” Saido Berahino for threatening never to play for them again.

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West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis said club supporters have forgiven “naughty child” Saido Berahino for threatening never to play for them again after a thwarted move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Subject of four failed bids from the North London club, including two on deadline day, the 22-year-old vowed never to play for West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace again after his transfer request was rejected.

The England under-21 international went some way towards winning back the fans when he netted the winner in the Baggies' 1-0 win over local rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.

“They've embraced him and brought him back into the fold - that naughty child,” Pulis told reporters.

“Saido was concerned there might be a little turning of the tide, but they were absolutely wonderful when he came on against Southampton and last Saturday against Villa.

“The reaction of the supporters and players shows there's good unity in the group.

“What we need to do now is for him to concentrate on playing football, which is what he's good at,” the former Stoke City manager added. – Reuters

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Newcastle told to show they ‘real men’

Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has urged his team mates to stand up and show they were “real men”.

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Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has urged his team mates to stand up and show they were “real men” after their woeful start to the season continued on Wednesday with the League Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Magpies find themselves only above Sunderland in the Premier League table and are still searching for their first league win of the season, after picking up just two points from six league games.

The club reportedly spent over 50 million pounds ($76.36 million) to bring in five new players to the squad, four of them to strengthen the attack, but they are the lowest scoring club in the league having scored just three goals so far.

“Everybody has to look at themselves in the mirror and ask if they gave everything,” Krul told the club's website (www.nufc.co.uk) after the 1-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

“If not, they have to start straight away, because what we are doing at the moment is really not good enough.”

The keeper blamed lack of confidence for Newcastle's sorry performance and said the team's attack needed to do more.

“You have to be honest enough to say that we are getting up there and playing some good stuff to get there, but it's all about the final quality in the final third, which just isn't happening,” the 27-year-old said.

“I'm not just blaming the forward though because we need to look at the whole team. Defensively we haven't been on top form yet - nobody has been.

“Everybody needs to grow now. We need to come out and show we are real men.”

Manager Steve McClaren has called the start to the season a “bit like a car crash” and conceded the club are “close to a crisis”.

The fans will hope to avoid a repeat of last season, where they failed to record a win in their first eight games and needed a victory over West Ham on the final day to ensure their Premier League survival.

The club, who will be without key defender Steven Taylor after he was ruled out for eight weeks, welcome champions Chelsea on Saturday and travel to face current leaders Manchester City the following weekend.

Newcastle have, however, won their last three home league matches against Chelsea while their manager Jose Mourinho has never won a league match at St James' Park in his five visits.

Krul has called on the supporters to be their 12th man on Saturday.

“Chelsea and Manchester City are two massive games and we have to show that we've got the fight for it,” Krul said.

“We have to try and turn it around on Saturday against Chelsea, with 50,000 Geordies being that extra man that we really need right now.” – Reuters

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Reds owners ready to replace Brendan?

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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