Robin van Persie hit a brace as Arsenal came from behind to beat Norwich 2-1 at Carrow Road and record a fifth straight Premier League win. The in-form Dutchman made it 30 goals for 2011, the second a sublime finish, after the Canaries had snatched a shock early lead when Wales striker Steve Morison capitalised on an horrendous blunder by German international Per Mertesacker.
Fired by Van Persie's goals, Arsene Wenger's side are now transformed from the shambles of the start of the campaign as they closed to within striking distance of the top four. Wenger had named a strong starting XI, resisting the temptation to rest some of his key men after the international break.
The Gunners signalled their early intent as Theo Walcott, who played twice for England at Wembley, got away down the right and cut the ball back for van Persie, but for once he failed to connect properly and dragged the shot wide. After Norwich ventured forwards, the visitors were soon back on the offensive, Van Persie driving a low shot across the face of John Ruddy's goal after latching onto Andre Santos' pass.
After 12 minutes, it took an acrobatic clearance by Russell Martin to deflect Walcott's curling left-foot effort wide just when the ball was destined for the bottom corner following a quick counter-attack by Gervinho. The Gunners continued to pour forwards as Norwich were stretched down both flanks.
Morison out-muscles Mertesacker
However, yet again Arsenal were undone by a mistake at the back. Mertesacker failed to shield what should have been a routine ball through to the keeper, which allowed Morison to outmuscle the 6ft 4in German before slipping a shot past Wojciech Szczesny to give the Canaries the lead on 16 minutes against the run of play.
After such a period of dominance, Arsenal were shell-shocked, but soon went back on the offensive. Martin was again in the right place to knock Van Persie's looping header clear. Norwich keeper Ruddy and the Scotlish international defender then combined to hack away Gervinho's angled drive after the Côte d'Ivoire wideman had cut in from the left.
The equaliser eventually arrived on 26 minutes when Walcott skipped past Marc Tierney to cut the ball back through the six-yard box, where Gervinho failed to connect with a reverse flick, which fortunately presented Van Persie with a tap-in for his ninth goal in five Premier League games. To their credit, Norwich were not overrun, and continued to make progress in the Arsenal final third, with Morison battling well supported by Anthony Pilkington. However, more often than not, the home side opted for the wrong choice of pass with men over.
Walcott switched to the left and continued to torment the Norwich backline, but Arsenal could not find a way through ahead of the interval. Norwich replaced David Fox with winger Elliott Bennett, a £1m summer signing from Brighton, for the second half. The change almost paid dividend when Bennett's ball from the right flew across the Arsenal area.
Thomas Vermaelen then scampered forwards and his cut-back was glanced goalwards by Gervinho, but without any real power to trouble Ruddy. Walcott was sent clear away down the right, and his near post cut-back was slotted into the side-netting by the on-rushing Aaron Ramsey. Norwich were cut open again when a sweeping Arsenal counter saw Van Persie slip Gervinho through the centre, but Ruddy was out quickly to block before the loose ball was then hacked away.
Dutch delight
On the hour, the Dutchman showed him how it should be done when referee Phil Dowd played a fine advantage after Ramsey had been tripped, which allowed Alex Song to send Van Persie away in the right channel. The Gunners skipper took one touch before clipping a superb, angled finish over Ruddy.
Norwich quickly tried to get themselves back into the game, with Bennett's low cross only needing a touch from Pilkington at the near post. Paul Lambert's men have shown great deal of character this season, earning a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, and refused to accept defeat, with substitute Grant Holt giving Mertesacker a real test.
However, the Norwich club captain was booked for taking a tumble in the box as Arsenal kept possession well during the closing stages to close out a fifth straight Premier League win as their resurgence continued.
Senin, 21 November 2011
Mancini: We will lose this season
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists his Premier League leaders will not go through the entire season undefeated despite their 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Newcastle at Eastlands. Mancini's team are the only remaining undefeated side in the top-flight and their impressive run of 11 wins and one draw from the opening 12 games is a Premier League record.
The commanding start has prompted many observers to debate whether City can match the great Arsenal 'Invincibles' side of 2003/04 that went through the whole 38-game league campaign without a single defeat. However, the cautious Italian manager will not entertain such talk. "I hope we continue like this," he said.
"But I think in the 26 games we have left, we will reach a time when we lose a game, I'm sure of it. I'm happy for the players, we've been playing well because of them and, at the moment, we have improved a lot. As players, as a team, we are very strong now but the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead. For this reason, it's important we know we can score goals and win games in a row."
Mancini, who now turns his attention to Tuesday's vital UEFA Champions League group game in his homeland against Napoli, also picked out fellow Italian Mario Balotelli for special praise. The controversial forward scored the opening goal with a nonchalant penalty before Micah Richards and Sergio Aguero, again from the spot, put City 3-0 ahead. Dan Gosling scored a last-minute consolation for Alan Pardew's side.
"It was fabulous!" said Mancini of the Balotelli penalty. "It's impossible that Mario will ever miss a penalty. Don't ask me why! Mario is a very important player because he's a great player, like all the players at Manchester City. He's become better and better and I'm trying to help him. But he deserves all the praise because he's doing all the work, I'm not doing it. I'm just trying to help him not waste his talent and become the player he can become."
Mancini would not be drawn on whether Balotelli can expect to start in the hostile atmosphere in Naples, although the manager is not underestimating the importance of the game. "I don't know whether he will start," Mancini said. "There are three days and now it is important we recover our strength. It is possible.
"My feeling is good about the Napoli game because I think our team has improved a lot in the Champions League. But I know what we will find in Naples and Napoli this season are playing very, very well at home. If we want to win in Naples we will have to play better than this."
Newcastle manager Pardew believed his team could have gained more from their visit to Eastlands, although he was pleased with the performance of Hatem Ben Arfa, the Frenchman who broke his leg in a horrific collision with City's Nigel de Jong in the corresponding fixture last season.
"I was impressed with him," said Pardew. "The ideas some of the City players present you with, their flair, makes it very difficult for your defenders and I thought Hatem was at that level. He created one or two things, burst away from players, kept possession. To think it is only a year ago that he had that terrible injury, it was a really good performance, he should be proud of that.
"City are the best side we have played by some distance, they are very powerful. We're a good side and how we are going to evolve, how we are going to deal with the disappointment of this, is still unknown."
The commanding start has prompted many observers to debate whether City can match the great Arsenal 'Invincibles' side of 2003/04 that went through the whole 38-game league campaign without a single defeat. However, the cautious Italian manager will not entertain such talk. "I hope we continue like this," he said.
"But I think in the 26 games we have left, we will reach a time when we lose a game, I'm sure of it. I'm happy for the players, we've been playing well because of them and, at the moment, we have improved a lot. As players, as a team, we are very strong now but the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead. For this reason, it's important we know we can score goals and win games in a row."
Mancini, who now turns his attention to Tuesday's vital UEFA Champions League group game in his homeland against Napoli, also picked out fellow Italian Mario Balotelli for special praise. The controversial forward scored the opening goal with a nonchalant penalty before Micah Richards and Sergio Aguero, again from the spot, put City 3-0 ahead. Dan Gosling scored a last-minute consolation for Alan Pardew's side.
"It was fabulous!" said Mancini of the Balotelli penalty. "It's impossible that Mario will ever miss a penalty. Don't ask me why! Mario is a very important player because he's a great player, like all the players at Manchester City. He's become better and better and I'm trying to help him. But he deserves all the praise because he's doing all the work, I'm not doing it. I'm just trying to help him not waste his talent and become the player he can become."
Mancini would not be drawn on whether Balotelli can expect to start in the hostile atmosphere in Naples, although the manager is not underestimating the importance of the game. "I don't know whether he will start," Mancini said. "There are three days and now it is important we recover our strength. It is possible.
"My feeling is good about the Napoli game because I think our team has improved a lot in the Champions League. But I know what we will find in Naples and Napoli this season are playing very, very well at home. If we want to win in Naples we will have to play better than this."
Newcastle manager Pardew believed his team could have gained more from their visit to Eastlands, although he was pleased with the performance of Hatem Ben Arfa, the Frenchman who broke his leg in a horrific collision with City's Nigel de Jong in the corresponding fixture last season.
"I was impressed with him," said Pardew. "The ideas some of the City players present you with, their flair, makes it very difficult for your defenders and I thought Hatem was at that level. He created one or two things, burst away from players, kept possession. To think it is only a year ago that he had that terrible injury, it was a really good performance, he should be proud of that.
"City are the best side we have played by some distance, they are very powerful. We're a good side and how we are going to evolve, how we are going to deal with the disappointment of this, is still unknown."
Ferguson: City defeat was wake-up call
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's six-goal humiliation at the hands of Manchester City was the wake-up call that his side so badly needed. A first half goal from Javier Hernandez earned United a valuable away victory at Swansea City yesterday as the newly promoted Welsh club suffered their first home defeat of the season.
The Swans had their chances, but Scott Sinclair’s miss from barely half a dozen yards summed up a frustrating assignment for last season’s Championship play-off winners. No such frustration for United with Ferguson happy with a victory that keeps his side on the coat-tails of runaway leaders City.
"The game against Manchester City was a wake-up call for us," said Ferguson. "Over the years our defence has been an integral part of our success and I thought we did well in that area. Swansea are a good footballing side and they keep the ball well. Against a side like that, you have to be concentrating all the time and we need to get that concentration back in the team.
"A couple of weeks ago, there was a genuine criticism about our defending and the chances the opponents were getting. We had to make sure that we defended well and we did that apart from the miss when Michael Carrick slipped up. Having said that, I thought Michael was magnificent. Other than that slip, we were comfortable with our defending and for me, it’s a good result in the context of how Swansea have been doing this season."
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers said: "I was very proud of the players. I thought our second half showing against a team of that quality was outstanding. We were a little bit stand-offish in the first half and didn’t quite press the ball how we wanted to press it.
"That meant Manchester United were too comfortable, although we had the chance to equalise. We said at half time that we needed to slightly reorganise and show a slightly different mentality. We did that and began to how we have played all season. I thought the crowd were incredible and there is no doubt the players felt the occasion. I understand that. But the way they are playing at this level is absolutely fantastic. I thought in the end we deserved something."
Rodgers was in no way blaming Angel Rangel’s slip and mis-cued pass for his side’s defeat. Although Rangel gave away the ball to Giggs who found Hernandez at Michel Vorm’s near post, Rodgers said: "The blame is on me because I ask them to play, I want them to play from the back. Maybe he was off balance a bit but we will learn from that and that’s the important thing. I thought Ryan Giggs was outstanding although he is nearly as old as me. He put in a great cross and that was that. But no blame for Angel Rangel because he has been fantastic for me."
Sinclair’s miss in the 22nd minute was Swansea’s golden chance to pinch at least a point against a side that had previously never won in Swansea. However, faced with an empty net, after a run and cross from Wayne Routledge, the former Chelsea winger fluffed his lines.
"Scott is disappointed that he didn’t take the chance but I was delighted that he made up so much ground to get there," said Rodgers. "He is upset by it because he would expect to have scored. But if he keeps getting in there he will score. I have told him that and I’m sure if he gets an opportunity like that again, he will score."
The Swans had their chances, but Scott Sinclair’s miss from barely half a dozen yards summed up a frustrating assignment for last season’s Championship play-off winners. No such frustration for United with Ferguson happy with a victory that keeps his side on the coat-tails of runaway leaders City.
"The game against Manchester City was a wake-up call for us," said Ferguson. "Over the years our defence has been an integral part of our success and I thought we did well in that area. Swansea are a good footballing side and they keep the ball well. Against a side like that, you have to be concentrating all the time and we need to get that concentration back in the team.
"A couple of weeks ago, there was a genuine criticism about our defending and the chances the opponents were getting. We had to make sure that we defended well and we did that apart from the miss when Michael Carrick slipped up. Having said that, I thought Michael was magnificent. Other than that slip, we were comfortable with our defending and for me, it’s a good result in the context of how Swansea have been doing this season."
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers said: "I was very proud of the players. I thought our second half showing against a team of that quality was outstanding. We were a little bit stand-offish in the first half and didn’t quite press the ball how we wanted to press it.
"That meant Manchester United were too comfortable, although we had the chance to equalise. We said at half time that we needed to slightly reorganise and show a slightly different mentality. We did that and began to how we have played all season. I thought the crowd were incredible and there is no doubt the players felt the occasion. I understand that. But the way they are playing at this level is absolutely fantastic. I thought in the end we deserved something."
Rodgers was in no way blaming Angel Rangel’s slip and mis-cued pass for his side’s defeat. Although Rangel gave away the ball to Giggs who found Hernandez at Michel Vorm’s near post, Rodgers said: "The blame is on me because I ask them to play, I want them to play from the back. Maybe he was off balance a bit but we will learn from that and that’s the important thing. I thought Ryan Giggs was outstanding although he is nearly as old as me. He put in a great cross and that was that. But no blame for Angel Rangel because he has been fantastic for me."
Sinclair’s miss in the 22nd minute was Swansea’s golden chance to pinch at least a point against a side that had previously never won in Swansea. However, faced with an empty net, after a run and cross from Wayne Routledge, the former Chelsea winger fluffed his lines.
"Scott is disappointed that he didn’t take the chance but I was delighted that he made up so much ground to get there," said Rodgers. "He is upset by it because he would expect to have scored. But if he keeps getting in there he will score. I have told him that and I’m sure if he gets an opportunity like that again, he will score."
Late Johnson stunner lifts Reds
Glen Johnson scored a sensational late winner to earn Liverpool a 2-1 win over his old club Chelsea and three vital points in the Premier League.
Former Blues full-back Johnson netted a brilliant solo effort to inflict his old club's third defeat in four league matches and leave both teams 12 points behind Manchester City at the summit.
Each side committed bad defensive errors to concede earlier goals, with Maxi Rodriguez giving Liverpool a half-time lead on his first league start of the season and substitute Daniel Sturridge equalising shortly after the break.
A draw was arguably a fair result, but that had also been the case in Chelsea's games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season when they also ended up on the losing side. Today's loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas' Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four.
Fernando Torres was left on the bench this afternoon, while Liverpool's Andy Carroll also failed to start. Both John Terry and Luis Suarez, meanwhile, were both spared the kind of hostile reception from rival fans they might expect against other opponents.
Liverpool made the more impressive start, almost exploiting Chelsea's now notoriously high defensive line by twice Rodriguez getting beyond Suarez and Bellamy. It took ten minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda's cross dangerously back across goal.
At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy's cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.
Liverpool, wearing black armbands in memory of the son of goalkeeper Brad Jones, who died of leukaemia on Friday, were looking more than comfortable, although Drogba hit the stanchion with a free-kick some supporters thought had gone in.
Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt, but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack. Lucas was then booked for clattering into the defender, but the visitors' pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.
John Obi Mikel dwelt on Petr Cech's pass and Charlie Adam robbed him, fed Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Suarez before feeding Rodriguez to clip over the goalkeeper. An angry exchange between Terry and Bellamy, who have had more than one run in down the years, ensued, but was calmed by the referee.
With Chelsea's title bid threatening to unravel entirely, Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Daniel Sturridge at half-time. It almost paid off four minutes in when Frank Lampard and Mata combined to find Drogba, who curled over from a good position.
The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some poor defending from the visitors. Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by Sturridge.
A wonder-save from Jose Reina stopped Ivanovic glancing home Drogba's free-kick two minutes later as Chelsea continued to dominate. Ramires was booked for a late tackle on Martin Skrtel, with Kuyt following suit after hauling back Malouda.
Liverpool threw on Jordan Henderson for Bellamy in a bid to stem the tide, although Malouda went close with an audacious overhead kick. The winger then sent a half-volley from Ivanovic's cross back across the face of goal and over the heads of waiting team-mates as Torres and Carroll both warmed up on the touchline.
They were made to wait even longer as the next change saw Stewart Downing replace Rodriguez before Ivanovic was cautioned for a nasty tackle on Suarez. With just six minutes remaining, Torres finally arrived - along with fellow Liverpool old boy Raul Meireles - with Drogba and Ramires making way.
The visitors missed a great chance when Kuyt dragged wide after great work down the right from Henderson before Johnson produced one of the goals of the season to win it three minutes from time. The full-back brought down Adam's pinpoint crossfield ball superbly, nutmegged Ashley Cole, and drove goalward before slotting into the corner.
Former Blues full-back Johnson netted a brilliant solo effort to inflict his old club's third defeat in four league matches and leave both teams 12 points behind Manchester City at the summit.
Each side committed bad defensive errors to concede earlier goals, with Maxi Rodriguez giving Liverpool a half-time lead on his first league start of the season and substitute Daniel Sturridge equalising shortly after the break.
A draw was arguably a fair result, but that had also been the case in Chelsea's games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season when they also ended up on the losing side. Today's loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas' Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four.
Fernando Torres was left on the bench this afternoon, while Liverpool's Andy Carroll also failed to start. Both John Terry and Luis Suarez, meanwhile, were both spared the kind of hostile reception from rival fans they might expect against other opponents.
Liverpool made the more impressive start, almost exploiting Chelsea's now notoriously high defensive line by twice Rodriguez getting beyond Suarez and Bellamy. It took ten minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda's cross dangerously back across goal.
At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy's cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.
Liverpool, wearing black armbands in memory of the son of goalkeeper Brad Jones, who died of leukaemia on Friday, were looking more than comfortable, although Drogba hit the stanchion with a free-kick some supporters thought had gone in.
Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt, but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack. Lucas was then booked for clattering into the defender, but the visitors' pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.
John Obi Mikel dwelt on Petr Cech's pass and Charlie Adam robbed him, fed Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Suarez before feeding Rodriguez to clip over the goalkeeper. An angry exchange between Terry and Bellamy, who have had more than one run in down the years, ensued, but was calmed by the referee.
With Chelsea's title bid threatening to unravel entirely, Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Daniel Sturridge at half-time. It almost paid off four minutes in when Frank Lampard and Mata combined to find Drogba, who curled over from a good position.
The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some poor defending from the visitors. Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by Sturridge.
A wonder-save from Jose Reina stopped Ivanovic glancing home Drogba's free-kick two minutes later as Chelsea continued to dominate. Ramires was booked for a late tackle on Martin Skrtel, with Kuyt following suit after hauling back Malouda.
Liverpool threw on Jordan Henderson for Bellamy in a bid to stem the tide, although Malouda went close with an audacious overhead kick. The winger then sent a half-volley from Ivanovic's cross back across the face of goal and over the heads of waiting team-mates as Torres and Carroll both warmed up on the touchline.
They were made to wait even longer as the next change saw Stewart Downing replace Rodriguez before Ivanovic was cautioned for a nasty tackle on Suarez. With just six minutes remaining, Torres finally arrived - along with fellow Liverpool old boy Raul Meireles - with Drogba and Ramires making way.
The visitors missed a great chance when Kuyt dragged wide after great work down the right from Henderson before Johnson produced one of the goals of the season to win it three minutes from time. The full-back brought down Adam's pinpoint crossfield ball superbly, nutmegged Ashley Cole, and drove goalward before slotting into the corner.
Villas-Boas defiant after Liverpool defeat
Andre Villas-Boas has rejected suggestions his position as Chelsea manager is under threat and insisted he has the full backing of owner Roman Abramovich despite Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.
The loss was Chelsea's second in as many Premier League matches at their Stamford Bridge home. It left the London club fourth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, and already facing a daunting challenge if they are to force their way back into the title race.
Chelsea's disappointing start to the campaign has prompted reports Abramovich is starting to question his decision to appoint the 33-year-old Villas-Boas as Carlo Ancelotti's successor before the start of the season.
But Villas-Boas was adamant the Russian billionaire is fully committed to the manager's long term plans for the club. "I think it's not a question of the owner having patience," said Villas-Boas. "We have set out to build something new at this club and the club is committed to taking what we're building to the future.
"The owner didn't pay €15 million to get me out of Porto to pay me another fortune to get out. Our commitment is towards the club and what we are doing in the future," he added. "We have enough talent to compete in all competitions, and that's the perspective we take at the moment."
But despite acknowledging he is building for the future, the Portuguese refused to label the current campaign as a season of transition and was determined to maintain a challenge on all fronts. "With the dimension of our club, you cannot forget that your fans expect you to win titles," he said. "We have to respond to the confidence of the fans. There's no running away from responsibilities.
"There's no calling this a transitional period. We're not calling for time to work. Our responsibility is to win trophies. We're in four still, and we still have the possibility to win them," he added ahead of Chelsea's midweek UEFA Champions League clash against German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Maxi Rodriguez gave Liverpool a first half lead but Chelsea appeared to have done enough to claim a point through Daniel Sturrdge's 55th minute equaliser before Blues old boy Glen Johnson clinched the points three minutes from time.
Last season, Villas-Boas led Porto to the domestic double and the UEFA Europa League title before being brought in by Chelsea after they sacked Carlo Ancelotti. And Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said talk of Villas-Boas's impending exit from Stamford Bridge was absurd.
"No-one in the football profession will be questioning him," Dalglish said. "I don't know the lad, but he had a fantastic CV at Porto. I don't know what the criticism will be, but there's huge respect for him in the football profession."
Meanwhile Dalglish, whose Liverpool team are now unbeaten in nine games, was delighted by his side's character. "We wanted to win the game and Glen Johnson's gone up into their box after 87 minutes. A right full-back. That shows the commitment. We're happy with how we played and delighted with the three points."
Liverpool's preparations had been overshadowed by the death from leukaemia of Luca Jones, the five-year-old son of Australian reserve keeper Brad Jones. "That's when football becomes irrelevant really when a five-year-old kid dies," Dalglish said.
"We all dread to think what the boy's gone through. He knows everyone at the club is thinking of him and are sympathetic with him."
The loss was Chelsea's second in as many Premier League matches at their Stamford Bridge home. It left the London club fourth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, and already facing a daunting challenge if they are to force their way back into the title race.
Chelsea's disappointing start to the campaign has prompted reports Abramovich is starting to question his decision to appoint the 33-year-old Villas-Boas as Carlo Ancelotti's successor before the start of the season.
But Villas-Boas was adamant the Russian billionaire is fully committed to the manager's long term plans for the club. "I think it's not a question of the owner having patience," said Villas-Boas. "We have set out to build something new at this club and the club is committed to taking what we're building to the future.
"The owner didn't pay €15 million to get me out of Porto to pay me another fortune to get out. Our commitment is towards the club and what we are doing in the future," he added. "We have enough talent to compete in all competitions, and that's the perspective we take at the moment."
But despite acknowledging he is building for the future, the Portuguese refused to label the current campaign as a season of transition and was determined to maintain a challenge on all fronts. "With the dimension of our club, you cannot forget that your fans expect you to win titles," he said. "We have to respond to the confidence of the fans. There's no running away from responsibilities.
"There's no calling this a transitional period. We're not calling for time to work. Our responsibility is to win trophies. We're in four still, and we still have the possibility to win them," he added ahead of Chelsea's midweek UEFA Champions League clash against German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Maxi Rodriguez gave Liverpool a first half lead but Chelsea appeared to have done enough to claim a point through Daniel Sturrdge's 55th minute equaliser before Blues old boy Glen Johnson clinched the points three minutes from time.
Last season, Villas-Boas led Porto to the domestic double and the UEFA Europa League title before being brought in by Chelsea after they sacked Carlo Ancelotti. And Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said talk of Villas-Boas's impending exit from Stamford Bridge was absurd.
"No-one in the football profession will be questioning him," Dalglish said. "I don't know the lad, but he had a fantastic CV at Porto. I don't know what the criticism will be, but there's huge respect for him in the football profession."
Meanwhile Dalglish, whose Liverpool team are now unbeaten in nine games, was delighted by his side's character. "We wanted to win the game and Glen Johnson's gone up into their box after 87 minutes. A right full-back. That shows the commitment. We're happy with how we played and delighted with the three points."
Liverpool's preparations had been overshadowed by the death from leukaemia of Luca Jones, the five-year-old son of Australian reserve keeper Brad Jones. "That's when football becomes irrelevant really when a five-year-old kid dies," Dalglish said.
"We all dread to think what the boy's gone through. He knows everyone at the club is thinking of him and are sympathetic with him."
Jumat, 30 September 2011
Gerrard: I'm ready for return
Steven Gerrard has declared himself ready for a return to Premier League action after ending his six-month injury lay-off in Liverpool's 2-1 League Cup third round victory over Brighton on Wednesday.
Gerrard had been sidelined with a groin problem since facing Manchester United in March, but the England midfielder returned on Wednesday with a 17 minute appearance at the Amex Stadium as the Reds secured a place in the fourth round draw.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insisted after the game that Gerrard would not be rushed back into action, but the Anfield captain made it clear he is desperate to be involved in his side's next league clash against Wolves. "It is down to the manager now," he said. "I have been out for six months so it is about getting training sessions under my belt and match time. Hopefully I will be selected against Wolves."
Dalglish is anxious to manage Gerrard's return carefully but the Scot admitted that the Englandmidfielder's return strengthens his squad significantly. "It was fantastic for everyone connected to the club to see Steven back, but we're more pleased for Steven than anything else," he said. "He's had a few disappointments along the way to coming back, so just to get 20 minutes will have given him a lift.
"We'll manage the situation as diligently as we have done so far. We need to be careful and we won't be carried away. It makes our squad an awful lot stronger. Getting Steven back will be a like a new signing for us. To get your talisman back on the right road to fitness is selfishly great for us, but is fantastic for Steven as well."
Craig Bellamy set Liverpool on course for victory with his first goal for the club since his return, from Manchester City, and the win was confirmed by Dirk Kuyt's 81st minute strike before Ashley Barnes' late penalty for Brighton ensured a nervy finish. Wales international Bellamy was paired up front with Luis Suarez and repeatedly caused Brighton problems throughout the game, pressing his claims for another start.
"Craig was fantastic," Dalglish added. "When he came in we said he'd make a contribution and it's not taken him long. He just loves playing football. He's really enthusiastic and fit. He is a supporter of the club, that sometimes sounds a bit sickly but he is. And he wants to do the best for them.
"They all linked up well, the four of them, Suarez, Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk and Craig. They are good footballers and intelligent ones, so you'd expect that."
Spanish flavour at Brighton
Brighton manager Gus Poyet was able to introduce Vicente as a second half substitute for the former Spain midfielder's first appearance since his move to the Amex Stadium. The former Valencia man, 30, arrived as a free agent but boasts considerable UEFA Champions League experience and has been capped 38 times by his country.
And Poyet expects him to have a major impact on the Championship. "It will be fantastic to get him fit for English football and we will have on of the best players in the division, no doubt," Poyet said. "We won't make the mistake of forcing him too quickly and I will ask him how he is and whether he is fit to face Leeds on Friday.
"He will operate as a playmaker. He has the quality, mentality and understanding of the game and while I don't want to compare him to anyone, he plays like a lot of players in Spain do in that position. But he has to get used to the pace of the English game and the craziness of games away from home."
Dalglish coy on Gerrard return for derby
Kenny Dalglish has hinted that Steven Gerrard may have to wait until after the international break to make his first Liverpool start following a six-month injury lay-off.
Gerrard is desperate to play a key role in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park after two brief substitute appearances since recovering from a groin problem. But Liverpool manager Dalglish indicated that his influential captain could again start on the bench after insisting that he will not rush Gerrard into action for one of his team's most eagerly-awaited fixtures of the season.
"The game's not the important thing. Steven Gerrard's more important and as I have said before, we'll manage Steven as well as we possibly can," said Dalglish when asked if he was tempted to hand Gerrard his first start since 6 March.
The last time Dalglish stood in the Goodison Park dugout as Liverpool manager, he watched his side throw away the lead four times to draw an FA Cup fifth round replay in February 1991. Two days later Dalglish confirmed his departure in an announcement which shook the footballing world.
Now refreshed and rejuvenated, Dalglish returns to Goodison reluctant to discuss the events of 20 years ago. "We've been through all that many times before and there's no point in revisiting it," said Dalglish, who returned as Liverpool manager in January. "But if we get four goals on Saturday then we'll be delighted."
Dalglish is an admirer of the work fellow Scot David Moyes has done at Everton. "Moyesy's done a fantastic job," added Dalglish. "We have a great deal of respect for him and also for Everton. He's a good lad and we know him well.
"But come Saturday the two of us will be rivals and that's the way it should be. Afterwards we'll have a drink and move on. We know Everton are going to stand up and be competitive. We've got to match it."
Daniel Agger could make a surprise return to defence after returning to training on Thursday. The Denmark international was expected to be out for four weeks with two cracked ribs he suffered during a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham earlier this month. But Agger may feature as Liverpool seek only their second clean sheet of the season.
For those 90 minutes the whole of Liverpool stops and you have countries around the world watching.
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill
Everton's Tim Cahill is relishing the opportunity of adding to his impressive goal tally against Liverpool. The Australian international has scored five times in 13 Merseyside derbies since joining from Millwall seven years ago.
"I think it is one of the biggest (matches) other than playing for your country in a World Cup," said Cahill. "The derby is magical. It is not only the day of the game, it is after, it is before, it is the grudges, the banter. For those 90 minutes the whole of Liverpool stops and you have countries around the world watching.
"Going into the game, whether you are injured or you have little problems whatever, it is forgotten. Everything is left on the pitch and for me, coming from Australia, I feel the same sort of attitude.
"I found it hard to get here, I have this opportunity so I just don't want to miss a second on the pitch - I want to try to affect it, hence why I've had so much joy in the derbies. For the fans and for me it means everything because it is part of my life now."
Cahill is winning his fitness battle after suffering a shin injury during Everton's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City last week.
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