CIity Owner Backs Hughes

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has dismissed speculation over manager Mark Hughes' future by stressing he has an "absolute mandate" for the long-term development of the team.

Three successive Barclays Premier League defeats have seen City slip to 13th in the table and led to rumours of discontent within the squad.

However, the club's Abu Dhabi-based owner has underlined how important Hughes is to his vision for the future.

"Mark shared with me his plans for how the team should be developed," said Sheikh Mansour, who had a two-hour meeting with Hughes, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and executive chairman Garry Cook on Wednesday.

"His strategy is compelling and he has my absolute mandate to implement his plans to evolve this team in the right way over the short, medium and long terms."

The meeting in the Middle East covered all aspects of the club's operations, both on and off the field, and followed the club's first board meeting under the new ownership took place on Sunday.

"I find that both Mark and Garry share an ambition for success and the enthusiasm and capability to deliver on that ambition," added Sheikh Mansour.

"I'm delighted at the potential for both men to positively impact the evolution of Manchester City in its entirety.

"I fully endorse the plans approved by the Manchester City board that Khaldoon, Mark and Garry shared with me.

"They reflect our shared aim of seeing Manchester City evolve to become a significant force in the world of football.

"Importantly, we see that evolution being on every level and borne out of a sustainable approach that has its foundations in the club's academy; its fans and the relationship with the Manchester community."

Al Mubarak added that all parties found the meeting so useful they intend to get together every few months to maintain discussions.

Earlier Hughes had called for an end to talk of a crisis at City.

"At the moment, it is all a little bit hysterical, you have to say. People will have to calm down a bit," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"But we will get points on the board because of the quality we have in the squad.

"Everyone understands that it is a very exciting time for us. The chairman knows where we are and where we want to go.

"Ideally, of course, we would much prefer to have had positive results in the last couple of games but the quality of football that we have produced has been good and there have been few occasions when I have been disappointed at what we have produced.

"There will always be disappointment if you do not win but the chairman and everyone involved know that great sides are not built overnight.

"We will address things and get more quality into the club and the squad because that is what we need to do to move forward."

...Read More»»

Ronaldo Set For Contract Talks

Cristiano Ronaldo's agents have confirmed the player is set to have talks over a new deal at Manchester United.

Real Madrid's pursuit of Ronaldo was one of the sagas of last summer, but now he appears keen on pledging his future to United after Sir Alex Ferguson won the battle to keep him.

Ronaldo, who is odds on favourite to be named both World and European Footballer of the Year later this season, appears keen on securing a new deal.

Gestiftute - ran by Jorge Mendes - claim a new deal is in the offing, although talks are yet to take place.

"It is normal, that a footballer wants a deal to go with his status and one that matches his performances on the field," Gestifute told skysports.com.

"But nobody has prepared anything concrete.

"We want to avoid all these rumours in the press and will have contact with United."

It was confirmed that no set date for talks has been scheduled.

"We do predict a meeting with Manchester United to speak about the future of Ronaldo, but still there is not an exact date."

...Read More»»

Elano bemused by snub

Manchester City midfielder Elano cannot understand why he remains on the fringes of the first team fold under Mark Hughes.

The Brazilian quickly established cult hero status at Eastlands last season, with his South American flair endearing him to an expectant fan base.

However, with Sven Goran Eriksson having departed the Blues hot-seat over the summer, the playmaker has endured a difficult second season in England.

His failure to establish a regular role in the side under Hughes has seen him become increasingly frustrated, although he insists that he has no desire to secure a move elsewhere.

Capable
"When I am playing I know what he wants and when I come off there is nothing from him," Elano told Sky Sports News on his relationship with the Welsh coach.

"It's his right, he is the manager. I respect him and I will keep working, arriving on time and doing my duties at the club, but my sadness is not playing.

"I can't hide that from the fans or the president - who wants to make this a big club. I think I have the capabilities to be playing."

Money
With the Abu Dhabi United Group expected to usher in an exciting new era at City, Elano hopes he will be given an opportunity to play his part in any future success.

"City have a big project, they have something which not many clubs have at the moment - money," he added.

"I want to help by playing. I respect everyone here. I have many friends here and get on with the team 100 per cent.

"I respect the manager a lot but I cannot be happy if I don't play."

...Read More»»

Keane Fires Reds To The Summit

Robbie Keane netted twice as Liverpool returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League after comfortably brushing aside West Brom 3-0.

Keane had only previously scored twice in the Champions League prior to his 12th league appearance for the club since his £20million move in the summer.


But Keane scored in the 34th and 43rd minutes while to secure the points while Alvaro Arbeloa blasted home another in stoppage-time as the Reds extended their unbeaten home record this year.

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from turmoil to defeat Manchester United 2-1, with Samir Nasri scoring twice at the Emirates Stadium.

Gunners boss Wenger admitted dressing-room morale was low after their draw with rivals Tottenham and defeat to Stoke - but this win breathes life into their campaign and lifts them above United in the Premier League table.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended. But Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

Thomas Sorensen made a series of fine second-half saves to secure another valuable point for Stoke in a below-par goalless draw with Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

Sorensen pulled off a late double-save to deny both Amr Zaki and Antonio Valencia and also got down well to gather an effort from Emile Heskey.

Tony Pulis' men offered little in the attacking department besides a 55th-minute header from Ryan Shawcross which sailed into the arms of home goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.


Jermain Defoe handed Tony Adams his first win as Portsmouth boss as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland.

The England striker converted an injury-time penalty after Black Cats substitute El-Hadji Diouf had tripped Glen Johnson.

Algerian midfielder Nadir Belhadj had earlier cancelled out Djibril Cisse's fourth-minute opener six minutes after the break, but the home side wasted a series of opportunities to kill the game off.

Matthew Taylor inflicted a third successive defeat on Hull, but it was Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who emerged his side's real hero in the 1-0 triumph at the KC Stadium.

For the first time since mid-April Bolton manager Gary Megson can reflect on back-to-back victories after Taylor's 50th-minute half volley was all that separated the sides.

However, such a feat would not have come about but for Jaaskelainen who produced a virtual one-man show for the remainder of the half to frustrate all connected with the Tigers.

Three goals in five minutes capped a sensational Everton fightback as they claimed a 3-1 victory against West Ham at Upton Park.

West Ham looked to be cruising to all three points when substitute Jack Collison scored on his home debut in the 53rd minute.

But an equaliser from Joleon Lescott in the 83rd minute was followed by a superb brace from Louis Saha in the 85th and 87th minutes to crown an amazing comeback by the Toffees.

...Read More»»