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UEFA Cup: Udinese, Galatasaray, Twente into next round
[Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | Comments ]

Fabio Quagliarella celebrates his goal with Udinese team-mate Gokhan Inler
Fabio Quagliarella celebrates his goal with Udinese team-mate Gökhan Inler
Photo credit: AP Photo/Paolo Giovannini via Yahoo!News


Udinese secured progression into the UEFA Cup knock-out round alongside Galatasaray, Standard Liège, FC Twente and Metalist Kharkiv on Wednesday.

Udinese became the first Group D team to qualify thanks to a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in a match that was temporarily suspended when visiting Croatian fans launched flares onto the pitch.

The hosts took the lead after just five minutes when Fabio Quagliarella bundled home from close range after being fed by fellow Italy international Antonio Di Natale.

Nigerian midfielder Christian Obodo increased the lead in the 78th minute as he turned home a cross from Simone Pepe, seconds after play resumed following the crowd disruption.

Referee Alon Yefet had halted play for five minutes after the visiting supporters started firing multiple flares, covering the field in smoke.

Former Liverpool man Igor Bišćan pulled one back in stoppage time, but couldn't inspire an equaliser.

In Liège, Belgian side Standard Liège progressed into the next round after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Serie A outfit Sampdoria.

In Enschede, goals from Robbie Wielaert and Kenneth Perez clinched Twente's passage with a 2-1 victory over Schalke.

Elsewhere, Galatasaray and Metalist sealed their qualification from Group B after 1-0 wins over Hertha Berlin and Olympiakos respectively.

Others scorline in UEFA Cup on Wednesday:
Manchester City0-0PSG
Spartak1-2NEC Nijmegen
Metalist1-0Olympiakos
Sevilla3-0Partizan Belgrade


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Carling Cup: Tevez on fire
[Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | Comments ]

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez holds the match ball
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez holds the match ball
Photo credit: The Sun


Carlos Tévez claimed his first hat-trick in English football as Manchester United reached the Carling Cup semi-finals after a 5-3 win over Blackburn at Old Trafford.

Paul Ince's men were totally outplayed last night with two of their goals coming in the last six minutes when the match was already up.

United opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Ryan Giggs' free-kick to the far post appeared to be headed past his own keeper by Aaron Mokoena under pressure from Tévez.

The hosts doubled the lead four minutes later when Nani played a quick one-two with Tévez before steering a low shot past Paul Robinson.

Ince introduced Benni McCarthy at half-time and, within three minutes, the South African striker made an impact as he shrugged aside Gary Neville and struck a shot inside the near post after Roque Santa Cruz had flicked on Robinson's goal-kick.

Blackburn's joy was shortlived, though, as three minutes later Tévez scored from the penalty spot after being tripped by André Ooijer.

United's fourth in the 54th minute is a result of their classic pass-and-move football.

Giggs found Anderson with a supreme back-heel, triggering a series of one-twos, then Anderson found Tévez who played it back before burying the return.

With the game seemingly in the bag, Sir Alex Ferguson introduced Paul Scholes for his first appearance since damaging knee ligaments in September.

Blackburn threatened a late comeback when Matt Derbyshire pulled one back and then McCarthy slotted home a second in the second minute of injury time.

But it was Tévez, who has started just six league matches so far since the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov, who have the final word as he completed his hat-trick with virtually the final kick to send United through.

Elsewhere, holders Tottenham maintained their Carling Cup defense as they came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

United and Spurs will join Championship sides Burnley and Derby in Saturday's draw for the two-legged semifinals.

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Casillas rejects City mega bid
[Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | Comments ]

Iker Casillas turns down an massive offer to join Manchester City
Iker Casillas turns down an massive offer to join Manchester City
Photo credit: AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano via Yahoo!News


Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed through his agent that Manchester City were ready to pay him up to €13 million a year - which would make him the highest paid footballer in the world.

His agent, Luis Garcia Abad, has disclosed to radio station Cadena SER that the Abu Dhabi Investment Group which owns City were prepared to pay out Casillas’ buy-out clause worth €120 million while offering the player a €12 million net per season contract, reportedly double what he is currently earning with Los Merengues.

The Spain international promptly rejected the offer, but ten days later his Middle-Eastern suitors returned with an improved offer of €150 million and €13 million net per year for the player himself.

There was also believed to be an extra condition to sweeten the deal: Casillas would get to decide how long he wanted the contract to run for at City.

The offer was presented in writing to Abad, but he is yet to pass it onto Real as his client has refused to consider a move away from the Bernabéu, saying he wants to finish his career at Real.

Despite the failure, it is a clear sign the Abu Dhabu United Group are intent on taking the club to a new level.

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