Man United BowedTo Zenit In Uefa Super Cup

Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 Manchester United

A game of two halves in every sense of the phrase as Zenit controlled the first 45 minutes and United looked to creep back in for the second. The showpiece was marred by a cheating Paul Scholes who was sent off the pitch for punching the ball into the net in an attempt to bring the game back level...The Uefa Super Cup is a meeting of two winners looking to start their season by topping up their respective trophy cabinets. It has been billed as the European equivalent of the Community Shield: they are both admittedly curtain-raising showpieces, but tonight’s match carried a weightier reputation for the victor.

There was no room on Zenit’s starting eleven for Andrei Arshavin. For Manchester United; Darren Fletcher - who has scored in successive Premier League games, began on the right, with Nani on the left.

Just before kick-off Sir Alex Ferguson told ITV Sport: "It’s a good tie, there is prestige for sure. There has been a considerable development in Russian football… they have huge salaries, but hopefully we will win it." He was right about Russian football, but his hope was in vein.

As the referee’s whistle signaled the start of the tie there was considerable noise from the Russian sectors who slightly outnumbered the traveling Mancs.

The venue of Monaco was fitting for two teams that can afford to indulge in high-profile transfers. Last summer United spent around £70million on recruitments including Owen Hargreaves; Anderson; and Nani, whereas Zenit have just signed Danny Alves for £25million who, coincidentally, plays the same role as Arshavin but it is Danny who started today.

The better chances fell to Zenit in the opening five minutes, and they could have been ahead had it not been for shoddy shooting. Nemanja Vidic, who used to play for Spartak Moscow, made a crunching challenge as if to let his opponents know he was there early on.

There was a considerable lack of early long balls. Both teams intent on passing out of defence though it was Zenit who made more use of the ball and were keeping hold of possession for longer.

The Russian Premier League is half way through it’s season, they began their campaign in March, and are clearly the sharper side.

The English Premier League is only coming to its third weekend, it is evident from the offset that freshness will have a bearing in how this game pans out.

Tymoschuck broke up play well in the first fifteen minutes. He patrolled in front of his defence with discipline and led by example. He took the ball away from Wayne Rooney with such ease in one well-timed sliding tackle that it noticeably lifted the Zenit support.

Zenit found a lot of space on their right hand side. Their one-two play caught Patrice Evra out time and again and there were numerous opportunities to punish United on that flank.

On the cusp of the half-way mark in the first 45, Dominguez struck a free kick that had Edwin Van Der Sar scrambling. The ball went wide, rebounded off a pole off the pitch and struck the wrong side of the net.

United began to find more fluidity with their passing as the first half grew on, and were able to locate space in the wide areas for in-swinging crosses, but to no avail.

Both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdiand paired-up well to block out Pogrebnyak who was in a golden goal-scoring position.

Passes from both Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher grew increasingly accurate with the latter finding Tevez with plenty of space on the right flank.

Zenit and United controlled play and looked most lethal when attacking the right hand side. On the 35th minute Tevez was again fed through the right flank, cut the ball back to Rooney, but the Scouse striker could not pluck the ball from under his own boots and ended up getting tangled in possession.

Van der Sar made a goal-saving block from Krizanoc who ran in from a 40-yard Zenit free-kick. Three minutes later Rio Ferdinand slipped from around the same distance and Danny Alves ran in to exploit his mistake. As United managed to scramble back to their box, the ball was passed around the 'D' by Zenit, Pogrebnyak took control, looked like he turned the wrong way but managed to still sneak a small lobbed-cross into the 6-yard box but United were awarded a free-kick for alleged pushing.

Pogrebnyak, joint top goal-scorer with Luca Toni in last season’s Uefa Cup, sneaked in a header from a Zenit corner and, on the run of play, the Russian side took a one-nil lead into the break. The ball looked like it was swinging into the goal-mouth anyway, and probably would have crossed the line, but Pogrebnyak did not take any chances and powered through.

At half-time Sir Alex remained upbeat, telling ITV Sport: “They had a few chances but we had the most possession. It’s a bad goal to concede so we need to recover. They [United players] know that.”

The only change as the play restarted was the replacement of Dominguez with Andrei Arshavin. The playmaker will be keen to impress the various European eyes glancing on the game, and will have been keen to flaunt his flair.

As the game re-found its flow Rooney tracked back to link-up play with the midfield. Sixty seconds later he was back in the forward’s zone, had a shooting opportunity, but fired wide.

Ten minutes in and Tymoschuk thumped a 30-yarder goal-ward, Van der Sar – wary of Danny running into the box, cleverly parried the ball into safety.

Further misery was inflicted on the Manchester side as the expensive Portuguese acquisition thumped in a powerful effort. Ferguson would have been fuming as his defence was poor in handling Danny. Ferdinand was wrong-footed and Vidic was late to the ball, by the time his slide-tackle slowed to a stop, the ball was in the back of the net.

On the hour mark, John O’Shea replaced Anderson, and Darren Fletcher is also brought off. Puygrenier made way for Shirokov for Zenit.

Carlos Tevez’s work-rate was something to be proud of. He was one of the few Red Devils in the opening hour that played with intent. One example of his obsession to be on the ball was when he was tackled, fell to the ground, but was back on his feet and regained possession before you could say ‘Trojan’. Five minutes later Tevez again created opportunites; O’Shea ran onto a ball and struck with his first touch but was blocked by a stubborn Zenit defence.

United clawed a goal back when Nani won a corner kick that was poorly swung into Rooney who passed to Tevez at the far post. Carlos knocked it onto Vidic’s path who drilled a low shot into goal. The many Zenit bodies on the line simply ball-watched.

With ten minutes remaining Denisov embarked on a solo run taking on three United defenders and beating two, he eventually played the ball back as a triplet of Red shirts tried to triangle him and he temporarily injured himself in the process.

Malafeev kept the Russians in the game as Tevez fed in a perfect cross into the box that met the forehead of John O’Shea. The Russian glovesman punched the ball over and looked around nonchalantly.

Paul Scholes was deservedly sent off with one minute remaining on the clock as Brown fed in a high cross and Scholes punched the ball into the net a la Maradona. His team-mates rushed to congratulate him but the officiator wanted none of it and gave the midfielder a second yellow for attempting to cheat in order to claim the draw. He will now miss Champions League games.

A fine spectacle ended dour due to Scholes' gamesmanship, but Zenit were thrilled to lift the silverware aloft. The Russian side showed they were no pushover tonight, and will be a contender in Group H of the Champions League. Real Madrid take heed.

Rijkaard Decision To Play Affects My Performance-Henry

Thierry Henry has revealed that Frank Rijkaard made him play for Barcelona even when he was not fit, but is now ready to show what he is really capable of of.he French international was criticised in his first term at Camp Nou for failing to reproduce the form and flair that made him a star with Arsenal, but now he has explained why.

After spending a campaign struggling with injuries the year before, Henry joined Barça last summer and was not completely fit although Rijkaard still wanted him to play.

"It was a mistake to play last season without being fit, but the coach asked me to," he told El Periodico.

"What am I going to say to him, that I would not do it? Now I can start to run and I have the strength to face defenders. Before it was very tough and I could not do it."

There were glimpses of Henry's form last term when Barça played to his strengths, but he took time to adapt to playing out wide and fitting in to Rijkaard's system of patient build-up.

This season, new coach Pep Guardiola has already told the former Monaco and Juventus player that he is one of his key players and that the team will try to use his pace and finishing.

Obinna officially signed for Inter

Inter have officially signed Chievo striker Victor Obinna and immediately loaned him out to Premiership side Everton.The 21-year-old Obinna is one of the most highly rated youngsters plying his trade in Italy, and the lightning paced striker last season played a key role in Chievo’s promotion to Serie A.

Reports emerged last night that Obinna had signed a contract with Inter, and had immediately been loaned out to Premiership side Everton, who have the option to make the move permanent next summer for a set fee. This has now been officially confirmed.

Inter already had first refusal on the Nigerian, as when he joined Chievo from Enyimba in 2005, the Italian champions actually helped finance the move, and in fact they already partly owned a percentage of the player's contract.

Obinna has been linked to a host of Italian clubs, including Roma and Napoli, but it seems as Inter have snapped him up, only to let him go immediately.

Earlier this week Obinna, who starred at the recent Olympics with Nigeria, admitted that Chievo had promised him that he could leave this summer.

"I'm looking forward to a brighter future - to go and play for an important club, maybe in the European Champions League," Obinna told BBC Sport.

"I wanted to leave them last season, they begged me, they said that I should stay so that I will come back to Serie A and then I can leave.

"They gave me their word, so they have to fulfil their promise."

Everton beat off competition from West Ham to grab Obinna on-loan, and when confirmed this will come as some consolation to manager David Moyes who has been left disappointed by the club's summer transfer campaign up to now.

David Villa Extend Aagreeing Valencia New contract

After agreeing to a new contract with Valencia that will see him tied down at the Mestalla until 2014, hotshot striker David Villa has explained his decision to remain with Los Ché.Villa, along with club president, Vicente Soriano, appeared in the Mestalla VIP box to give a press conference after both parties had agreed to a massive new and improved contract extension.

Soriano spoke first, admitting that despite receiving “an offer from Real Madrid that was over €40 million”, he simply could not let his star striker leave the club. Soriano also added that he rejected the bid from the capital because he was “not too happy with they way they approached us for the player”.

Villa then took over the floor and immediately revelled at the club’s decision to grant him a new contract.

“I have to thank the club for their gesture and for everything they have given me since I arrived here three years ago,” he started off.

“I am honoured that other clubs were looking to sign me but I never had any intentions of leaving.

“There is a €150 million buy-out clause and if they wanted to buy me, they would have to negotiate with Valencia because I am happy to stay here.

“There have a been a lot of offers that involve a lot of money but Valencia did not accept any of them. And for me, this fills me with great pride,” he elaborated.

“My development as a player here can be just as good as if I were at Real Madrid. Otherwise, I would not have agreed to the contract renewal,” reasoned Villa.

“Now I hope to give back the affection that the fans have showed me in every training session and at every game,” he concluded.

Man City Turn To Brazilian Ronaldo

Brazilian legend Ronaldo could be on the verge of a move to Manchester City, with the Daily Telegraph claiming that the former Milan man has held talks with the Premiership club over a possible transfer.The 31-year-old free agent is currently recovering from injury after he severed a tendon in his knee playing for Milan against Livorno in February.

After a successful operation in Paris, it was revealed that he would be out of action for at least nine months. Ronaldo’s rehabilitation is said to be going well, and well ahead of schedule, but after his contract at Milan expired at the end of June, the Italian club refused to offer him a new deal.

Now a free agent, Ronaldo has been linked to a number of clubs, including Flamengo, but the Daily Telegraph claims that El Fenomeno could be set for a sensational move to Man City.

The Blues are looking for a big international name, for commercial reasons, and there are few bigger in the game than Ronaldo, who is a three time FIFA World Player of the Year, and the top scorer in the history of the World Cup.

The Telegraph claims that Ronaldo has held informal talks over a possible move before the end of this week, but first the Brazilian must prove his fitness, as there are concerns over his weight.

City's executive chairman Garry Cook appeared to admit an imminent move for Ronaldo when he told the Telegraph: “I've got to change the culture here. Today you can grow quicker than it took Manchester United. We just need a superstar.

“China and India are gagging for football content to watch and we're going to tell them that City is their great content.

“We are a global franchise entity. We told [manager] Mark Hughes not to come here if he thought we didn't need a superstar.”

Man City failed earlier this summer in their bid for one superstar – Ronaldinho. Now they could succeed in a move for his compatriot and former namesake Ronaldo.

Kaka linked with a move to Chelsea next summer

Brazilian superstar Kaka is again being linked with a move to Chelsea, with the Daily Star claiming that he could move to Stamford Bridge next summer for €90m.

The English giants are long-term admirers of Kaka, and have been linked with a move for him almost all summer.

Last month it was reported in the press that Chelsea had made a €100m offer for the European and World Footballer of the Year and, although this wasn’t confirmed, Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani did note that the club had rejected a “conspicuous” offer from Chelsea.

Since then, there have been numerous figures thrown about by the press, with the Italian media even stating that Chelsea were prepared to fork out a whopping €150m for the midfielder.

The Daily Star, following on from a similar report in the Italian press at the weekend, is now claiming that Kaka has a good chance of making the move to Stamford Bridge next summer for €90m.

The groundwork was done during the deal which saw Andriy Shevchenko return to San Siro on Saturday afternoon. Relations between the two clubs are excellent now, and there have even been rumours that Milan have handed Chelsea a transfer option on Kaka. The option would mean that Chelsea would have first refusal on Kaka should he become available to buy, and according to the Star this is a very real scenario.

Robinho close on his move to Chelsea

The Robinho transfer soap opera could finally come to a close as his move to Chelsea could be completed within the next few hours.

Spanish daily Marca have speculated that the Brazilian winger could be on his way out of the Spanish capital headed for the English capital in a matter of hours.

According to the reports from the Madrid-based newspaper, Robinho last week rejected club president Ramón Calderón’s latest contract offer, which is believed to be roughly the same amount as what Chelsea were prepared to offer him. This has convinced Calderón to concede that no amount of money will be able to tempt the 24 year old to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite coach Bernd Schuster’s optimism that the playmaker will stay on with the blancos squad, his exit has been made all the more imminent after events at the weekend.

Firstly, Robinho was heckled and jeered by a group of fans before the squad left for the game against Valencia. And just before the start of the match, he was whistled at when his name was read out on the stadium’s PA system. The most obvious sign, ofcourse, was his muted celebrations with the rest of the team in the background, away from the spotlight when Madrid eventually beat Los Ché for the Supercopa.

The question of how he will leave and for how much is a different matter altogether.

Senderos on a one year loan deal to Milan

Milan have completed the signing of Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos on a one year loan deal, with the option to make the move permanent next summer. The Rossoneri have been desperately searching for a centre back in recent weeks following the injury to key man Alessandro Nesta.

With Dario Simic and Digao both being offloaded, things started to become desperate for the Rossoneri when primary target Branislav Ivanovic, who had seemed certain to join from Chelsea, saw his transfer fall through at the last moment.

It was reported last week that Milan had turned their attentions to another Premiership based player, in the form of Arsenal centre back Philippe Senderos, and the deal has now been officially completed.

The Swiss centre back arrives on a one year loan deal, and Milan have the option to make the move permanent for a set fee next summer.

Senderos had been well down the pecking order at Arsenal following an error-prone season last term, and Arsene Wenger signalled his intention to let him leave after signing Manchester United’s Mickael Silvestre last week.

The 23-year-old Senderos made 74 Premiership appearances, scoring four goals, since signing for Arsenal from Servette in December 2002.

He has won 31 caps for Switzerland, playing at World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008.

Olympic :Nigeria thrashed minnows Belgium 4-1

A goal in the first half and three in the second put African powerhouse Nigeria into the Olympic football final on Tuesday as they thrashed minnows Belgium 4-1.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic champions will meet either Brazil or Argentina in the gold medal match in Beijing on Saturday.
Olubayo Adefemi opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi netted a brace before Chibuzor Okonkwo hammered the final nail in Belgium's coffin.
Substitute Laurent Ciman pulled one back in the dying minutes but it was too little too late.
"It was unbelievable, unbelievable. You just have to look at the scoreboard," said Nigeria's ecstatic coach Samson Siasia.
"We are going for gold."
In contrast, Belgium coach Jean Francois De Sart was dejected.
"They had extreme speed and power and were very strong, but in the first 15 minutes of the second half we were better. When they went 2-0 up it was the end of the game."
Nigeria came out firing on all cylinders with Belgian goalkeeper Logan Bailly called into action twice in the opening minute, parrying a tricky cross then getting down low to save a shot from captain Victor Obinna.
Belgium, who had never been this far at an Olympics before, had their first chance on five minutes when Lille striker Kevin Mirallas whipped off a left foot strike that slid well wide.
The Nigerians, with the inherited experience of six Olympics and one gold medal, pressed the attack and a sustained period of pressure resulted in the opener.
The Belgian defence was at fault, failing to clear the ball and it fell to Adefemi inside the box and he slotted it underneath the diving Bailly.
Chances came thick and fast with Belgium's Sevilla frontman Tom De Bul going close just minutes later as the action went from end to end.
Hertha Berlin forward Solomon Okoronkwo almost made it 2-0 ten minutes before the break when his pace took him past a defender but his drive whistled past the post.
Belgium were almost made to pay the price again soon after the restart when a misunderstanding between two defenders saw a pass go astry, but Peter Odemwingie wasn't able to capitalise.
At the other end, Ajax midfielder Jan Vertonghen struck a beautiful volley after connecting perfectly with a lofted corner kick, only to see Nigerian keeper Ambruse Vanzekin somehow keep it out.
The Africans got the all-important second goal after 59 minutes, but they were fortunate as Ogbuke Obasi looked to be offside when Everton's Victor Anichebe fed him the ball.
He put it in the net with the outside of his left boot and Chilean referee Pablo Pozo allowed it to stand.
Anichebe was playing well, causing the defence problems, but Toffees boss David Moyes will have been unimpressed when he missed an open goal from three yards out.
The match was put beyond doubt with 18 minutes remaining when Obinna laid off the ball to a rampaging Ogbuke Obasi who hit a powerful strike from 25 yards that gave Bailly no chance.
A long-range effort from Okonkwo in the 78th minute added to Belgium's misery.
"We deserved it," said Odemwingie. "We have the confidence to win a gold medal for Africa."

Agbonlahor On Bright Start With Three Goals

Aston Villa kicked off the new Barclays Premier League season in style as they hammered c. The attention on the transfer saga involving Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was temporarily cast aside, with winger Gabriel Agbonlahor scoring a hat-trick to help his side clinch an opening day victory over Manchester City.
Agbonlahor, who signed a new four-year deal with Villa two days ago, repaid the faith Villa manager Martin O’Neill showed in him with three well-struck goals in the second half.
Norwegian striker John Carew also clinched a goal in West Midlands.
City clinched consolation goals through a penalty conversion by Elano on 64 minutes and a late goal from Vedran Corluka in the 89th minute. Citizens manager Mark Hughes endured a miserable afternoon at Villa Park, as the home side turned on the style to clinch all three points.
Hughes, who recently insisted that he is in control of matters at City, had little charge over the lackluster display by his players.
The former Blackburn boss is currently facing a shortage of strikers, and the situation was made worse when Valeri Bojinov injured himself during the warm-up. The Bulgarian was replaced by youngster Ched Evans.
The first half saw Villa and City creating several scoring opportunities. But both sides failed to make a breakthrough.
Barry, who angered the Villa faithful with his desire to leave the club, could have redeemed himself on 26 minutes. Nigel Reo-Coker danced past Jose Garrido on the right flank to deliver a cross into the City box.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart could only palm the ball away, as Barry followed up with a weak volley from 10 yards landed at the side netting.
City missed a golden opportunity to take the lead before the stroke of half-time, when Elano played Kevin Etuhu into space on the right. Etuhu unleashed a cross which swerved towards goal, as Villa custodian Brad Friedel was alert to tip the shot over the bar.
The goal-less first 45 minutes was certainly not a clear indicator of things to come in the second half, as Villa came out firing on all cylinders.
A minute after the restart, Carew connected with Barry’s cross from the left to head the ball into the net and give Villa the lead. Seven minutes later, the Norwegian international had another chance to do the same again. However, his effort off a corner was well wide.
City were handed a controversial lifeline in the 64th minute, when the referee awarded a penalty.
Villa player Ashley Young was adjudged to have tripped Michael Johnson in the box. Elano restored parity by making no mistakes from the spot.
Agbonlahor however, had plans of his own as he fired Villa ahead again just five minutes later. The England Under-21 international blasted his volley past a helpless Hart from close range following a well-taken corner by Young.
Villa secured their win in the 74th minute as Barry continued his runs on the left, and crossed for the unmarked Agbonlahor to send in a powerful header into the net off the bar.
And Agbonlahor continued his rampage in quick session, picking up a good pass from Barry, rounding the City keeper and let fly his shot into the right-hand side of the net to clinch his hat-trick on 76 minutes.
City netted a late goal in the 89th minute when Corluka side-footed his effort into goal off a corner.
The goal however, was scant consolation for Hughes as he has to return back to the drawing board in what it appears to be a long season ahead.
Villa, on the other hand, kicked off their campaign with a morale-boosting victory for manager Martin O’Neill.

Diarra Tips To become a leader of men

France legend Lilian Thuram believes that midfielder Lassana Diarra can only get better and has tipped the Portsmouth man to become a leader of men...
Lilian Thuram has announced his retirement from football after learning that he has a heart problem.

Many would call the big stopper the heart of Les Bleus over the past few years and certainly the gap left by the 142-times-capped 36-year-old will take some filling.

Thuram himself, though, has tipped 23-year-old Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra to emerge as a leader in the years to come.

Recent Barcelona man Thuram said: "I believe a lot in Lassana Diarra - he is someone who can bring something else to France.

"He is a midfielder, a role that requires character. He can help other players around him."

With just 13 caps and a stop-start career, former Chelsea and Arsenal fringe-man Diarra is perhaps a surprise tip for greatness.
However, France have an ageing squad and Diarra at least has time on his side.

Difficult

It was unfortunate that loyal servant Thuram signed off on such a low note as Raymond Domenech's men failed to make an impact on Euro 2008.

Thuram, though, has no regrets. "I was right to go. When you are part of a squad, the decision isn't just up to you.

"I think I could have played one match a week, but playing several matches in that period was difficult. That was shown in the competition."