EPL Today
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bent to Villa
In what may be the most shocking of all transfers, Darren Bent is negotiating with Aston Villa to leave Sunderlands and become the point man at Villa.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that Darren Bent is holding transfer negotiations with Aston Villa after the relegation strugglers had a bid, believed to be £18million, accepted. Bruce said: "I'm disappointed but that's the way it is."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that Darren Bent is holding transfer negotiations with Aston Villa after the relegation strugglers had a bid, believed to be £18million, accepted. Bruce said: "I'm disappointed but that's the way it is."
Monday, January 17, 2011
Villa may get Jamacian injection on loan
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings could join Premier League club Aston Villa on a short loan from Major League Soccer.
The 28-year-old Jamaican has been on a tryout at Villa, and manager Gerard Houllier says he is "getting better and better with every training session."
Houllier says he will "will make a decision about him soon. It will be a loan deal and we would need a work permit."
Cummings' MLS season is scheduled to start March 19 at home against the Portland Timbers.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
The 28-year-old Jamaican has been on a tryout at Villa, and manager Gerard Houllier says he is "getting better and better with every training session."
Houllier says he will "will make a decision about him soon. It will be a loan deal and we would need a work permit."
Cummings' MLS season is scheduled to start March 19 at home against the Portland Timbers.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Van Bommel to the Spurs?
Rafael van der Vaart believes Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel would be a fine addition to the Tottenham team.
Van Bommel, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a number of clubs around Europe including Spurs, AC Milan and Aston Villa, and Van der Vaart feels his Netherlands team-mate would be a strong signing.
"He is a super player with lots of experience, who would help any team," he told Sport Bild. "Tottenham want to take the next step to get to the same level as our local rivals Arsenal.
"I think that is possible. Therefore we can use good players."
Van der Vaart, 27, also reiterated his desire to remain at White Hart Lane long-term after ending a miserable two-year spell with Real Madrid in the summer.
GettyImagesRafael van der Vaart believes Mark van Bommel would be a good addition to the Tottenham squad
Van Bommel, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a number of clubs around Europe including Spurs, AC Milan and Aston Villa, and Van der Vaart feels his Netherlands team-mate would be a strong signing.
"He is a super player with lots of experience, who would help any team," he told Sport Bild. "Tottenham want to take the next step to get to the same level as our local rivals Arsenal.
"I think that is possible. Therefore we can use good players."
Van der Vaart, 27, also reiterated his desire to remain at White Hart Lane long-term after ending a miserable two-year spell with Real Madrid in the summer.
Dalglish to rebuild duo of Konchesky and Poulsen
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says he has some bridges to rebuild in restoring the damaged confidence and reputations of some of the experienced members of his squad.
He specifically named Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen - both much-maligned signings of his predecessor Roy Hodgson - as those who have suffered the most.
Konchesky has not played once in Dalglish's three matches in charge since taking over a little more than a week ago and was an unused substitute for Sunday's 2-2 draw in the 215th Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.
The 29-year-old was signed from Fulham on transfer deadline day in August but has failed to win over fans who believe he is not up to the quality required.
He specifically named Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen - both much-maligned signings of his predecessor Roy Hodgson - as those who have suffered the most.
Konchesky has not played once in Dalglish's three matches in charge since taking over a little more than a week ago and was an unused substitute for Sunday's 2-2 draw in the 215th Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.
The 29-year-old was signed from Fulham on transfer deadline day in August but has failed to win over fans who believe he is not up to the quality required.
Suarez linked with Liverpool
Liverpool are reported to have made a move for Ajax striker Luis Suarez.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer has confirmed Suarez, 23, has indicated that he wants to move on if an offer comes in and said that plans for his replacement are already in place.
"I've had a showdown with Luis," De Boer said. "I wanted to know what his plans are and what the future will bring. Luis is training hard. He told me that if a big club comes in for him now he is ready to talk to them.
"I've a back-up scenario ready."
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Monday that Liverpool made contact with Ajax on Saturday night and negotiations continued on Sunday.
GettyImagesLuis Suarez appears to be ready to take the next step in his career
Ajax boss Frank de Boer has confirmed Suarez, 23, has indicated that he wants to move on if an offer comes in and said that plans for his replacement are already in place.
"I've had a showdown with Luis," De Boer said. "I wanted to know what his plans are and what the future will bring. Luis is training hard. He told me that if a big club comes in for him now he is ready to talk to them.
"I've a back-up scenario ready."
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Monday that Liverpool made contact with Ajax on Saturday night and negotiations continued on Sunday.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tottenham 0-0 Manchester United
Brazilian full-back Rafael was sent off but 10-man Manchester United still kept their unbeaten record as they went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League on goal difference after a frantic encounter at White Hart Lane.
Wayne Rooney brought a couple of smart saves from Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and Rafael van der Vaart also went close on two occasions for Tottenham.
But in the end the two sides cancelled each other out in a game which proved the title race is going to be tight right until the end.
The draw sees Tottenham, who have not beaten United since May 2001 in a run which now stretches 24 matches, stay fifth a point behind Chelsea and outside the Champions League places after a game which was long on effort and passion but short on quality.
Wayne Rooney brought a couple of smart saves from Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and Rafael van der Vaart also went close on two occasions for Tottenham.
But in the end the two sides cancelled each other out in a game which proved the title race is going to be tight right until the end.
The draw sees Tottenham, who have not beaten United since May 2001 in a run which now stretches 24 matches, stay fifth a point behind Chelsea and outside the Champions League places after a game which was long on effort and passion but short on quality.
Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa
James Collins rescued a precious point for Aston Villa in a pulsating relegation clash with locals rivals Birmingham at St. Andrew's.
Blues defender Roger Johnson put Alex McLeish's side in front early in the second period. But Collins made no mistake from close range to salvage a share of the spoils for Villa.
Villa dominated the opening phase and final part of the game and hit the woodwork on three occasions. However, Birmingham also squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
Blues had defeated Villa in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month but Collins' point-saver means they have not beaten their rivals in a league game for nearly six years.
Villa made a positive start, with Stewart Downing playing just behind John Carew in a 4-1-4-1 formation, and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Downing put Blues keeper Ben Foster under pressure and his clearance went straight to Gabriel Agbonlahor. He cut into the box unopposed but from 12 yards out fired over the bar.
Blues defender Roger Johnson put Alex McLeish's side in front early in the second period. But Collins made no mistake from close range to salvage a share of the spoils for Villa.
Villa dominated the opening phase and final part of the game and hit the woodwork on three occasions. However, Birmingham also squandered several clear-cut opportunities.
Blues had defeated Villa in the Carling Cup quarter-final last month but Collins' point-saver means they have not beaten their rivals in a league game for nearly six years.
Villa made a positive start, with Stewart Downing playing just behind John Carew in a 4-1-4-1 formation, and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Downing put Blues keeper Ben Foster under pressure and his clearance went straight to Gabriel Agbonlahor. He cut into the box unopposed but from 12 yards out fired over the bar.
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Record signing Asamoah Gyan got Sunderland out of jail with a last-gasp equaliser to deny Newcastle a derby double.
Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan looked to have won the game with his audacious 52nd-minute strike, but with the clock having ticked into the fourth minute of injury time, Gyan almost involuntarily nudged the ball over the line after keeper Steve Harper could only parry Phil Bardsley's shot to snatch a point his side barely deserved.
Newcastle left the Stadium of Light bemoaning the loss of two points which were firmly within their grasp for all but a few seconds of a tense encounter despite the absence of Andy Carroll, Cheik Tiote and Steven Taylor, three of the club's most impressive performers this season.
They dominated the game after Nolan's strike, his 10th of the season - the first time he has reached double figures in the Premier League - and headed off on the short trip back to Tyneside kicking themselves.
Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan looked to have won the game with his audacious 52nd-minute strike, but with the clock having ticked into the fourth minute of injury time, Gyan almost involuntarily nudged the ball over the line after keeper Steve Harper could only parry Phil Bardsley's shot to snatch a point his side barely deserved.
Newcastle left the Stadium of Light bemoaning the loss of two points which were firmly within their grasp for all but a few seconds of a tense encounter despite the absence of Andy Carroll, Cheik Tiote and Steven Taylor, three of the club's most impressive performers this season.
They dominated the game after Nolan's strike, his 10th of the season - the first time he has reached double figures in the Premier League - and headed off on the short trip back to Tyneside kicking themselves.
Liverpool 2-2 Everton
It was not an entirely happy homecoming for Kenny Dalglish on his first match at Anfield since becoming Liverpool manager for the second time but a draw in an entertaining 215th Merseyside derby represented some progress.
The club's legendary former player went into the game on the back of successive defeats to Manchester United and Blackpool but the result against their closest rivals at least ensured his first point.
However, there are still many issues to address as Liverpool's defensive frailties let an early advantage slip in a frenetic six minutes after half-time and their pride was only salvaged by a penalty in the final quarter.
Raul Meireles picked the perfect time to score his first goal to give the club he joined in the summer an interval lead but Sylvain Distin and Jermaine Beckford soon turned that around after the break.
The club's legendary former player went into the game on the back of successive defeats to Manchester United and Blackpool but the result against their closest rivals at least ensured his first point.
However, there are still many issues to address as Liverpool's defensive frailties let an early advantage slip in a frenetic six minutes after half-time and their pride was only salvaged by a penalty in the final quarter.
Raul Meireles picked the perfect time to score his first goal to give the club he joined in the summer an interval lead but Sylvain Distin and Jermaine Beckford soon turned that around after the break.
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