UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2010/11 SEASON
MATCH PRESS KIT
Manchester United FC Valencia CF
Group C - Matchday 6
Old Trafford, Manchester
Tuesday 7 December 2010
20.45CET (19.45 local time)
EPL Today
Monday, December 6, 2010
Ancelotti losing sleep via Sky Sports
Carlo Ancelotti admits to finding it difficult to relax at the moment, but insists he does not fear for his job.
A four-match winless run in the league, and only one victory in six, has seen the Blues topple into third place, two points behind leaders Arsenal.
The alarming wobble has seen Ancelotti come under fire, with last season's Double heroics counting for little right now.
Kevin Davies slams Manchester City's conduct
Bolton striker Kevin Davies has branded Manchester City's conduct as "embarrassing'' and questioned the apparently fragile team spirit at Eastlands.
Kevin Davies believes Manchester City's players were going down to easily on Saturday
City moved just three points off top spot with their 1-0 weekend win over the Trotters at Eastlands. Carlos Tevez's early goal did the damage, although the Argentinian's petulant reaction to being substituted late in the game was an even bigger discussion point.
Davies is not convinced that gave off the correct signals and he was even less impressed at so many of the City players collapsing in mock agony during a keenly-fought duel.
Kevin Davies believes Manchester City's players were going down to easily on Saturday
City moved just three points off top spot with their 1-0 weekend win over the Trotters at Eastlands. Carlos Tevez's early goal did the damage, although the Argentinian's petulant reaction to being substituted late in the game was an even bigger discussion point.
Davies is not convinced that gave off the correct signals and he was even less impressed at so many of the City players collapsing in mock agony during a keenly-fought duel.
Newcastle United sack Chris Hughton
By ESPNsoccernet staff
Newcastle United have sensationally sacked manager Chris Hughton just over a year after he was appointed the club's boss on a permanent basis.
Newcastle United have sensationally sacked manager Chris Hughton just over a year after he was appointed the club's boss on a permanent basis.
PA Photos
Spurs and Liverpool eye Parker swoop
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have made Scott Parker their top January transfer target, but
West Ham United are refusing to sell their prized asset.
It would take a massive bid to persuade the Hammers to change their minds, but the club are expecting a renewed bid for their influential midfielder, who only recently signed a new record-breaking five-year contract.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have made Scott Parker their top January transfer target, but
West Ham United are refusing to sell their prized asset.
GettyImages
It would take a massive bid to persuade the Hammers to change their minds, but the club are expecting a renewed bid for their influential midfielder, who only recently signed a new record-breaking five-year contract.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunderland 1-0 West Ham
Jordan Henderson's first goal of the season sent West Ham back to the foot of the Premier League table as Sunderland ended their recent revival.
The 20-year-old England international struck 11 minutes before the break to give his side an advantage they refused to surrender despite second half pressure from the visitors.
Victor Obinna came closest to snatching a point with a 79th-minute effort which hit the outside of the post, but the Black Cats were good value for a victory which left them in seventh place.
Manager Steve Bruce has spent much of the season to date pleading with his midfielders to help out strikers Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan on the goals front, and Henderson's contribution will have been as welcome to him as it was to the bulk of a crowd of 36,940 on a bitterly cold Wearside afternoon.
The 20-year-old England international struck 11 minutes before the break to give his side an advantage they refused to surrender despite second half pressure from the visitors.
Victor Obinna came closest to snatching a point with a 79th-minute effort which hit the outside of the post, but the Black Cats were good value for a victory which left them in seventh place.
Manager Steve Bruce has spent much of the season to date pleading with his midfielders to help out strikers Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan on the goals front, and Henderson's contribution will have been as welcome to him as it was to the bulk of a crowd of 36,940 on a bitterly cold Wearside afternoon.
West Brom 3-1 Newcastle
West Brom climbed into the top half of the Premier League as two-goal Peter Odemwingie and Somen Tchoyi earned them a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
Tchoyi's first goal at the Hawthorns gave the Baggies a deserved half-time lead after they dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Then Odemwingie wrapped up the points with his fifth goal of the campaign and another in the closing seconds to take his side past the 20-point mark before Peter Lovenkrands' last-gasp reply.
It sealed back to back league wins for Roberto Di Matteo's side after a slump in fortunes in November and their first over the Geordies in 18 attempts.
Tchoyi's first goal at the Hawthorns gave the Baggies a deserved half-time lead after they dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Then Odemwingie wrapped up the points with his fifth goal of the campaign and another in the closing seconds to take his side past the 20-point mark before Peter Lovenkrands' last-gasp reply.
It sealed back to back league wins for Roberto Di Matteo's side after a slump in fortunes in November and their first over the Geordies in 18 attempts.
Onuoha could quit City
The 24-year-old is a product of the Blues' academy system and always hoped that he would be given an opportunity to make his mark with the club.
He has, however, been forced to look elsewhere for regular first-team football, with the riches at Eastlands increasing competition for places.
Onuoha took the decision to join Sunderland on a season-long loan over the summer in order to get games and has thoroughly enjoyed his time on Wearside.
He admits it was tough to turn his back on Eastlands, but accepts that he must do what is best for his career.
With that in mind, the former England U21 international has made it clear that he will look to leave City on a permanent basis next summer if he is not given the assurances he seeks.
He has, however, been forced to look elsewhere for regular first-team football, with the riches at Eastlands increasing competition for places.
Onuoha took the decision to join Sunderland on a season-long loan over the summer in order to get games and has thoroughly enjoyed his time on Wearside.
He admits it was tough to turn his back on Eastlands, but accepts that he must do what is best for his career.
With that in mind, the former England U21 international has made it clear that he will look to leave City on a permanent basis next summer if he is not given the assurances he seeks.
Bassong interested in PSG move
The centre-half is unhappy with a lack of first-team football at Tottenham and admits he may be forced to leave in the January transfer window.
With Younes Kaboul and William Gallas currently the favoured defensive pairing for Harry Redknapp, and with Michael Dawson also in contention, Bassong has found himself slipping down the pecking order.
The 24-year-old is not prepared to play second fiddle for much longer and is keeping his options open.
Speculation has already suggested that he could be a New Year target for Ligue 1 giants PSG and the French-born Cameroon international admits he would find it tough to turn down a switch to his boyhood heroes.
With Younes Kaboul and William Gallas currently the favoured defensive pairing for Harry Redknapp, and with Michael Dawson also in contention, Bassong has found himself slipping down the pecking order.
The 24-year-old is not prepared to play second fiddle for much longer and is keeping his options open.
Speculation has already suggested that he could be a New Year target for Ligue 1 giants PSG and the French-born Cameroon international admits he would find it tough to turn down a switch to his boyhood heroes.
Houllier interested in Michael Owen
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier says he would "love" to be reunited with Michael Owen once again should the Manchester United striker become available.
Houllier managed Owen during the most productive years of the striker's career, with the pinnacle coming in 2001 when Liverpool won the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup, with Owen going on to be named European Player of the Year.
Owen is only a fringe member of the United squad at present, starting just one Premier League game this season, and ahead of Villa's game against their former club Liverpool on Monday, Houllier has made no attempt to disguise his interest in the player.
"I would love to bring him here," Houllier told the Mail on Sunday. "He would be good for the group and has a joyful attitude to playing."
Houllier managed Owen during the most productive years of the striker's career, with the pinnacle coming in 2001 when Liverpool won the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup, with Owen going on to be named European Player of the Year.
Owen is only a fringe member of the United squad at present, starting just one Premier League game this season, and ahead of Villa's game against their former club Liverpool on Monday, Houllier has made no attempt to disguise his interest in the player.
"I would love to bring him here," Houllier told the Mail on Sunday. "He would be good for the group and has a joyful attitude to playing."
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