Premier League: David Moyes is confident Manchester United can keep improving

 

David Moyes admits Manchester United have made a slow start to the season but never felt they were out of the race to retain their title.

United have had a mixed start to their first season under Moyes and slumped to 12th in September their crushing 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
But they are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and defeated league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in their last fixture before the international break.
Moyes says his faith in the side was never broken and he is confident they can continue improving as the season progresses.
"I never thought we were out of it (the title race)," said Moyes, who takes United to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.
"We just go about our job and try and win each game. Everybody knew at the start what it was going to be like.
"We knew we had a change of manager and there were always going to be problems, no matter what - whether it be winning games or different personnel in the team.
"I have said many times that Manchester United have proved over the years they improve as they go on.
"My history at Everton was as a slow-starter as well. Hopefully we're beginning to find our feet and we'll continue to improve."

Premier League: Chelsea boss Mourinho intrigued by Riley's apology to West Brom

 Jose Mourinho says he is curious to know whether Mike Riley¿s apology to West Brom will be the beginning of a new attitude from match officials.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants to know the full implications of referees' chief Mike Riley's apology to West Brom following the controversial award of a penalty in the teams' game at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

The Baggies looked set for a famous away win before referee Andre Marriner awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time when Ramires went down after colliding with Steven Reid.
Eden Hazard converted the penalty but West Brom boss Steve Clarke was furious and Riley has now issued an apology, an act which Mourinho feels equates to a "public exposing" of Marriner.
And the Blues boss is interested to know if a precedent has been set and that apologies for controversial decisions will soon be issued as a matter of course.
"I'm very curious to know the consequences of it," said Mourinho, speaking prior to Saturday's match at West Ham.
"At least now the referees know, they know one thing. If in a controversial - I'm not saying a mistake - decision that hypothetically - and, I repeat, hypothetically - favours Chelsea, they know they are going to be publicly exposed by their boss. That they know.
"They can make, hypothetically, mistakes, favouring other teams, nothing happens.
"If hypothetically - and, I repeat, hypothetically - they make a mistake, they are publicly exposed by their own boss.
"I'm very curious to know if it was just an isolated phone call. I'm curious to know if people see that as a normal situation.
"I'm interested to know if this is the start, that from now on it's going to be the same for everybody."
Mourinho is eager to know if Hull, Norwich, Swansea and Aston Villa received phone calls for perceived mistakes made by officials against them.
"I'm curious to know if Steve Bruce got a phone call," Mourinho said. "I'm interested to know if Chris Hughton got a phone call. I'm interested to know if (Michael) Laudrup got a phone call."
Mourinho would not comment when questioned over West Brom defender Jonas Olsson's claims he was called a "Mickey Mouse player" by the Chelsea boss.
"Giant players, giant coaches and giant clubs, they don't speak about what happens in the tunnel," Mourinho said.
"The game is a game, the game finished, in the tunnel sometimes a couple of things happen, a couple of words, not aggressions, nothing.
"But giant clubs, giant players and giant managers, they close their mouths. And the next day is another day."

World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo happy to help Portugal through

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Portugal were worthy of their place in the World Cup finals after beating Sweden.

Ronaldo scored all four goals for his country over the two legs as they won 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-2 victory in Solna on Tuesday, courtesy of the Real Madrid star's hat-trick.
"We were better in the first and the second game, I'm happy to once again have helped the team to win," said Ronaldo.
"I think we deserved it 100 percent."
Ronaldo insisted his celebrations were not aimed at FIFA president Sepp Blatter following recent comments he made about the Real ace.
"I don't have to respond to anyone, my answers are given on the pitch," he said.
Reports have claimed that the Ballon d'Or voting - which was due to end last week - has now been extended to the end of November, meaning Ronaldo's performance on Tuesday could help him to the world title.
But he insists that is not something he is thinking about, adding: "I do not live my life obsessed with titles and do not have to show anything to anyone, because I have shown my worth, I've done 40/50 goals every season and it is not within the reach of anyone. I know what I am."
On the game in Solna, Ronaldo admits there were some nerves when Sweden took the lead on the night thanks to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We let Sweden grow in confidence and we retreated and suffered but that's part of the spectacle of football. We reacted well and we ended up winning," he admitted.
"I do not compete against Zlatan, he is a fantastic player and biggest star in Sweden, but I do not compete against him. I play for my team."
Ronaldo is now on target to become Portugal's top scorer of all time after levelling Pauleta's 47-mark.
"I always said that the records are to be beaten, but I was not thinking about it, I was just focused on winning this game.
"We are now equal and we will see what happens in the future."

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Portugal were worthy of their place in the World Cup finals after beating Sweden.

Ronaldo scored all four goals for his country over the two legs as they won 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-2 victory in Solna on Tuesday, courtesy of the Real Madrid star's hat-trick.
"We were better in the first and the second game, I'm happy to once again have helped the team to win," said Ronaldo.
"I think we deserved it 100 percent."
Ronaldo insisted his celebrations were not aimed at FIFA president Sepp Blatter following recent comments he made about the Real ace.
"I don't have to respond to anyone, my answers are given on the pitch," he said.
Reports have claimed that the Ballon d'Or voting - which was due to end last week - has now been extended to the end of November, meaning Ronaldo's performance on Tuesday could help him to the world title.
But he insists that is not something he is thinking about, adding: "I do not live my life obsessed with titles and do not have to show anything to anyone, because I have shown my worth, I've done 40/50 goals every season and it is not within the reach of anyone. I know what I am."
On the game in Solna, Ronaldo admits there were some nerves when Sweden took the lead on the night thanks to a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We let Sweden grow in confidence and we retreated and suffered but that's part of the spectacle of football. We reacted well and we ended up winning," he admitted.
"I do not compete against Zlatan, he is a fantastic player and biggest star in Sweden, but I do not compete against him. I play for my team."
Ronaldo is now on target to become Portugal's top scorer of all time after levelling Pauleta's 47-mark.
"I always said that the records are to be beaten, but I was not thinking about it, I was just focused on winning this game.
"We are now equal and we will see what happens in the future."

Transfer news: Swansea planning further talks regarding Tom Ince

 

Swansea City are planning further negotiations regarding Blackpool's Tom Ince, but have no interest in Wilfried Zaha.

The Swans were among a host of clubs trailing England U21 international Ince over the summer, but were left 'staggered' by an asking price believed to be in the region of £8million.
That valuation is likely to have dropped slightly, with Ince set to be out of contract at the end of the season.
Blackpool may be tempted to cash-in during the January transfer window, rather than risk losing their star turn for nothing.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says he will be exploring 'all the options', despite seeing South Wales rivals Cardiff City snubbed by Ince in July.
He told the Daily Mail: "He is a very good young player and one we looked at in the summer.
"I would say it is likely that we will be talking to Blackpool again. I know their chairman, Karl Oyston, and when the time is right we will make contact and see what can be done."
A move for Ince suggests that Swansea are in the market for creativity, but Jenkins claims they are not one of those looking at taking Zaha on loan from Manchester United - with the highly-rated winger having struggled to gain recognition at Old Trafford.
He added: "Nothing is happening there."
Jenkins is, however, prepared to admit that Michael Laudrup will be looking to make at least one more addition on top of his search for a new wide man.
He said: "It would be most likely to act as cover for defence or midfield."

England's players praised Joe Hart after he returned to action in 1-0 friendly defeat by Germany

 

Goalkeeper Joe Hart was backed by his England team-mates after his impressive return to action in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Germany.

Hart was handed his first start in over three weeks by England boss Roy Hodgson after being dropped by Manchester City and was one of the bright spots in a disappointing display at Wembley.
A string of high profile blunders prompted City boss Manuel Pellegrini to leave out Hart, but England defender Phil Jagielka felt he responded well to recent negative headlines.
"I've backed Joe all the time, all the players have backed Joe all the time," said the Everton player.
"He's been in for some criticism, some of it a little bit harsh.
"But Joe's a big boy and that's the only way he can prove his critics wrong by making some fantastic saves.
"He won't be getting that many pats on the back from the lads because we expect him to do it."
Hart made a double save from Per Mertesacker and Max Kruse before the Arsenal defender headed in the solitary goal from a first-half corner.
Jagielka's defensive partner Chris Smalling said: "I think he did very well tonight.
"He produced a couple of really good saves and bailed me out at one of the corners as well. I think he was terrific tonight."
Winger Andros Townsend echoed his team-mates' praise and expects Hart to rediscover his best form.
"He made a great save from the corner before the one they scored," he said.
"He's been fantastic and hopefully he continues that form."

CRISTIANO RONALDO HATRICK SINK SWEDEN

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant hat-trick to give Portugal a 3-2 win in Sweden and send them to the World Cup finals.

Portugal brought a 1-0 lead into their second leg in Solna and after a forgettable opening 45 minutes the game came to life in spectacular fashion with Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking centre stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational hat-trick to send Portugal to the World Cup Finals.

Ronaldo opened the scoring on 50 minutes before Ibrahimovic then claimed a quick-fire brace to give the home side real hope with Portugal only leading on away goals.
But then Ronaldo took over as he claimed two more wonderful goals in two-minutes to kill off the tie and send Portugal to the World Cup finals next summer.
sweden had started the match well but struggled to grind out any real chances and it was Portugal who threatened with Ronaldo flashing a couple of efforts wide whilst Andreas Isaksson got down well to another chance from the Real Madrid superstar.
The best chance of the opening half came for Hugo Almeida just before the break as Ronaldo found him at the back post but the Besiktas man headed into the side-netting.
Sweden brought on veteran Anders Svensson at half-time as they looked to push on, knowing they needed a goal and they almost got it on 49 minutes.
Ibrahimovic held of Veloso before sliding the ball into the path of Seb Larsson, who toe-poked an effort at goal which Rui Patricio had to parry away.
Then within 60 seconds - Portugal were ahead as Joao Moutinho played a sublime pass into the path of Ronaldo, who took the ball to the edge of the area before firing left-footed past Isaksson.
Portugal were looking comfortable, but then Ibrahimovic gave Sweden some real hope with two-goals in four-minutes not long after the hour mark.
He levelled the scores on the night as he headed home Kim Kallstrom's corner before then smashing home a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Suddenly Portugal were rocking and Sweden thought they should have had a penalty as Kallstrom went down in the box under Joao Pereira's challenge - but instead the Swedish midfielder was booked by English referee Howard Webb and replays showed the Premier League official was spot on.
Then Ronaldo took charge and lead his side to the World Cup finals with two more pieces of brilliance.
With Sweden pressing and just 13 minutes left, Portugal broke at speed and Almeida played a great ball through to Ronaldo who again fired home with great aplomb.
Then just two minutes later, and the tie was put well and truly beyond Sweden as Ronaldo latched onto another excellent ball from Moutinho and he took it past Isaksson before firing into the roof of the net.
Ronaldo even had time to poke the ball wide for his own fourth, but that was of no consequence as he had already done the hard work as his brilliance saw Portugal to the World Cup finals next summer.

'Ancelotti will have more success than Mourinho'

 

Former Monaco coach Marco Simone believes the Italian's man-management skills will see him perform better than his more confrontational predecessor at Santiago Bernabeu

Former Italy international Marco Simone has backed Carlo Ancelotti to enjoy more success at Real Madrid than Jose Mourinho during his time at the Liga giants.

Ancelotti replaced Mourinho at the helm prior to the start of the 2013-14 campaign after the Portuguese had left Madrid for Chelsea following a turbulent few months during which he reportedly fell out with a number of first-team players within the squad.

Simone believes that his compatriot's ability to deal with conflicts will prove to be vital in the Spanish capital and has backed him to perform better than Mourinho as a result.

"Ancelotti will definitely be a success at Madrid. Coaching Real Madrid is easy in one sense and difficult in another," Simone was quoted as saying by Marca.

"It's easy because you have players like Cristiano who, even if the system isn't working, can win you matches on their own.

"It's difficult because you've got to have what it takes to deal with a very tricky group. He knows how to handle the big egos you get at a club like Real Madrid.

"Ancelotti will have more success than Mourinho. I have a lot of time for Mourinho and I'm a big fan of his personality, but he finds it hard to back down once a conflict breaks out."

Mourinho guided Madrid to three domestic trophies during his three-year spell, although he was unable to steer them beyond the semi-finals of the Champions League.