Real secure victory at Granada

Karim Benzema © Action Images

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Real Madrid made it two wins in two La Liga outings this season when Karim Benzema's scuffed 10th-minute strike secured an uninspiring 1-0 win at Granada on Monday.
Real still seem to be finding their feet under new coach Carlo Ancelotti and, although they dominated the first half, they lost control in a poor-quality second period at Granada's Los Carmenes stadium.
France forward Benzema, who also scored in the 2-1 opening day success at home to Real Betis last weekend, skewed the ball into the net to give Real the lead after an unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo lost control of an Angel Di Maria cross.
Roberto palmed an Isco effort on to a post in the 62nd minute and Ronaldo sent a low strike narrowly wide late on but Granada finished strongly and had several chances in the final minutes.
Italian Ancelotti, who told reporters it was crucial in the early part of the season not to drop points, has much to ponder before Athletic Bilbao visit the Bernabeu on Sunday on matchday three.
The victory puts Real on six points, the same as champions Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bilbao and Villarreal. Barca, 1-0 winners at Malaga on Sunday, top the standings on goal difference, with Real in fifth.

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"This sometimes happens in the early part of the league campaign and we are just happy with the three points," Real's Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa said in an interview with television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"We played a very good 45 minutes, we had control, we created chances," the former Liverpool player added.
"This is only the second matchday and obviously you have to be patient, we have just begun, with a new coach and new players.
"It takes time to get to your top level but I don't think we suffered all that much tonight."
FAN HERO
The buildup to the match was dominated by speculation about whether Ancelotti would restore Spain goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas to the starting line-up.
Casillas, a hero to Real fans, fell out with former Real coach Jose Mourinho last season and was replaced by Diego Lopez and Ancelotti has surprised many by sticking with the former Sevilla keeper for Real's opening two La Liga matches.
Supporters at the Bernabeu chanted Casillas's name during a friendly last week and even the Granada fans were shouting "Iker, Iker" at one point during Monday's match.
"It's a matter for the coach and we will back whatever he decides," Arbeloa said.
"I have absolute respect for both keepers and whoever plays I will support and I think my teammates feel the same.
"It would be better if the fans did the same and supported the keeper the coach selects"

Source; Supersport.com

Gareth Bale © Gallo Images

Moyes coy on Bale interest

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Manchester United manager David Moyes says his club have not made an offer for Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale, but he refused to deny an interest in the player.
Bale is poised to join Real Madrid for a world-record fee after several months of courtship by the Spanish giants, but reports emerged in the British media on Monday that a rival club had also shown an interest.
When asked if United had submitted a bid for Bale on Monday, Moyes told reporters: "No".
However, he added: "Manchester United are always interested in the best players and the board and myself would always be looking to sign who we think are the best players, wherever they are."
Moyes was speaking after a goalless draw with Chelsea in the Premier League in his first home game as United manager.
The contest was a drab affair, but Moyes was encouraged by a committed display from striker Wayne Rooney, who belied reports that he is unsettled at the club with a performance of effort and determination.
Rooney has been the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea during the close season and their coach Jose Mourinho was pessimistic about the prospects of signing him after the game, saying he would only wait "24 hours, 48 hours" for Rooney to make a decision on his future.
"I was very pleased with his performance and I was very pleased with the reaction from the crowd," said Moyes.
"I've got to say, I didn't think it was unexpected. I expected it. I don't know how many times I have to say it – he's been great in training.
"I think anybody who looked at him might have seen a slightly leaner-looking Wayne. I said to him, 'I might only play you for 60-70 minutes tonight, I'll see how you go.'
"But no, he worked back, he tackled, he chased when we needed it."
Moyes said Rooney had "a positive mind" and rejected the notion that the 27-year-old needs to make a public declaration of allegiance to United.
"I think his performance tonight said enough," he said. "I think his actions tonight showed what he thought."
Despite his failure to make progress in his attempts to sign the player, Mourinho also praised Rooney's display, branding him "fantastic" and describing his attitude as "very English".
Although he selected a team with no recognisable strikers, Mourinho could find no place in his starting XI for Juan Mata, but he said it was purely because the Spanish midfielder was short of fitness.
"He's very important for me, very important for Chelsea," said Mourinho, who added that any reports to the contrary were "nonsense stories" and that Mata was "going nowhere".
Mourinho also left Fernando Torres on the bench, but he dismissed suggestions that the Spain striker is still to repay the club following his £50 million ($78 million, 58 million euros) switch from Liverpool in January 2011.
"He scored a goal that won the Uefa Cup (Europa League), so that means some millions," Mourinho said.
"He scored the goal against Everton that put Chelsea in the Champions League (last season), that means also some millions.
"So he's not already (repaid) 50 – maybe he's 20 now. He's doing his job."
Chelsea this week agreed to sign attacking midfielder Willian for a reported fee of £30 million, but Mourinho refused to confirm reports he is interested in the Brazilian's Anzhi Makhachkala teammate Samuel Eto'o.
"We don't like to speak about players," he said with an ironic smile. "It's dangerous."
Moyes said he had been overwhelmed by the reception he received in his first home game as Alex Ferguson's successor.
"I'm extremely proud to be manager of Manchester United and my family would be as well," he said.
"But I want to earn the reception in the future. I want the claps to be because I've won things and I've got a good team here."

Source: Supersport.com

Wayne Rooney and Eden Hazard © Action Images

United and Chelsea in goalless draw

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Manchester United and Chelsea drew 0-0 in the Premier League on Monday as the action in the season's first big match failed to match the intrigue of the Wayne Rooney transfer saga that swirled throughout.
David Moyes began his first home match in charge of the champions by naming Chelsea target Rooney in his starting line-up, giving a clear message that his club's message of 'he is not for sale' still stood after two failed bids for the striker.
Chances for both sides were few and far between on a warm evening at Old Trafford as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's decision to play much of the match without a recognised striker had little attacking impact and his defence held firm.
Rooney, in the unusual position of being cheered by both sets of fans, had a decent chance in the second half when his right-footed drive forced Petr Cech to dive to his right but the two title hopefuls were left to share the points.
"It was a tight game," Moyes, who received a warm reception from the Old Trafford crowd before taking his seat in the dugout opposite the stand that bears the name in big letters of his illustrious predecessor Alex Ferguson, told a news conference.
"We just didn't quite have the final cross, the final pass tonight but I thought we played very well."
The result means United have started their campaign with four points from a possible six, while Chelsea have made it seven from nine as the clubs' new managers enjoy unbeaten starts to the season.
"I think it's a fair point," Mourinho said.
"Nobody deserved to lose...nobody was better than the opponents to deserve a clear victory. For us, after two home victories to come to the champions in their first match at home, to get a point I think it's fine, it's positive."

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SUB PLOT
Much of the pre-match buildup had focused on Chelsea's so far unsuccessful attempts to lure United striker Rooney to Stamford Bridge and it was this sub plot that dominated a match which was not the best advertisement for the English top flight.
Mourinho's decision to start without a recognised striker could have been a message to Rooney that the place was his for the taking and as the player listened to "Rooney, Rooney" chants from his own fans and "Wayne Rooney, we'll sign you next week" from Chelsea's, the match trundled along in the background.
The visitors' only real first-half chance fell to Oscar who shot straight at keeper David de Gea early on, while at the other end Robin van Persie slammed a shot into the side netting and Rooney sent a tame effort into the arms of Petr Cech.
The two teams are likely to be embroiled in the title fight later in the season. But they were meeting far too early in the fixtures list for the match to be decisive and it showed as both sides struggled to keep possession or muster meaningful shots.
Which side Rooney will be playing for by the time the two teams meet again remains to be seen after the England forward gave a reasonable account of himself, a neat touch here and there and some good distribution.
Mourinho had plumped for Oscar, Andre Schurrle, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard as his attacking force, and even without reading the frantic scribbling in the notebook he keeps in his top pocket it was clear the set-up was not working.
The Portuguese finally brought on a striker on the hour mark, sending on Fernando Torres for De Bruyne, but it did not make much difference with Rooney ultimately showing glimpses of why he might be a better prospect up front for the London team.
Rooney had a chance to snatch a winner midway through the second half when his right-footed shot from outside the box was put behind by Cech for a corner and he also attempted an acrobatic volley in stoppage time.

 

England - Premier League

 

Swansea City

1 vs 4

Manchester United

Played
August 17, 2013 5:30 PM WAT
Liberty Stadium — Swansea
Referee:‬ P. Dowd‎
Attendance:‬ 20733‎

 

82′ Wilfried Bony

Robin van Persie 34′

 

Danny Welbeck 36′

 

Robin van Persie 72′

 

Danny Welbeck 90+2′

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Swansea City 1-4 Manchester United: Van Persie & Welbeck doubles give champions perfect start

The Red Devils picked up all three points in David Moyes' first Premier League game in charge with a comfortable 4-1 win at the Liberty Stadium against Micheal Laudrup's side

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Manchester United began the defence of their Premier League under new manager David Moyes with a comfortable 4-1 against Swansea.

Two eye-catching goals from Robin van Persie, either side of an effort from Danny Welbeck, gave the Red Devils a commanding three-goal lead at the Liberty Stadium.

Micheal Laudrup's men pulled a goal back through league debutant Wilfried Bony but Welbeck rounded off the win for the visitors with a well-taken second goal scooped over Michel Vorm.

MATCH VIEW

By Ben Cullimore A new-look Manchester United left the Liberty Stadium with all three points after a 4-1 victory that was spearheaded by the ever-brilliant Robin Van Persie. Swansea dominated proceedings for the majority of the first half before a wonderful volley from Van Persie put the visitors 1-0 up after 34 minutes and Welbeck doubled the lead two minutes later. Van Persie then scored his second goal of the game and put United 3-1 up after 72 minutes, and Wayne Rooney announced his comeback with a lovely through-ball to Welbeck which he chipped excellently over a helpless Vorm in injury time.

Following his performance for England against Scotland on Wednesday, Moyes named Wayne Rooney on the bench, as speculation over his future at Old Trafford continued.
The United boss instead preferred to use Van Persie as a lone striker, with Ryan Giggs and Welbeck providing support.
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup gave a debut to Jose Canas, although Bony had to settle for a place on the bench.
The better of the early chances fell to the visitors - Phil Jones seeing an early volley tipped over the crossbar by Vorm while Giggs wasted two good opportunities with a rare lack of composure.
But United’s early dominance was turned into goals just after the half hour with two in as many minutes.
First, Van Persie broke the deadlock with a piece of excellent opportunism. The Dutchman controlled a ball from Giggs on his chest, swivelled and emphatically volleyed the ball past Vorm.
And a few moments later, Welbeck doubled their lead, the striker tapping home from a Valencia cross after the Swansea defence had failed to clear Patrice Evra’s dangerous cross.
With his side chasing the game, Laudrup introduced Ivory Coast striker Bony and Pablo Hernandez at the start of the second half, and slowly Swansea worked their way back into the game.
Their clearest sight of goal came just before the hour when a loose ball fell to Canas on the edge of the penalty area, but his long-range effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
United, having introduced Rooney, extended their lead with 18 minutes to play as Van Persie grabbed his second of the match.
The Swansea defence backed off as he bore down on goal, before the Dutchman jinked away from a Chico Flores tackle and fired the ball beyond Vorm's outstretched dive into the top corner.
Bony capped his Premier League debut with a goal, the Ivorian stroking the ball home first time from inside the penalty area after excellent work from Hernandez, but his strike with eight minutes to play ultimately mattered little.
Welbeck added his second in the final minute of injury time, the striker calmly lifting the ball over Vorm from a tight angle despite close attention from Chico, to seal the win for United.

Source; Goal.com

Robin van Persie © Action Images

United win Moyes's league opener

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English champions Manchester United gave new manager David Moyes a win on the first day of the Premier League season with a 4-1 victory away to Swansea on Saturday.
Two goals apiece from strikers Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck secured United's success at the Liberty Stadium.
The forwards scored within two minutes of each other in the first half and van Persie sealed victory 18 minutes from time with a stunning second goal from 20 yards.
Welbeck added his second goal and United's fourth in stoppage time after a Wilfried Bony consolation goal for south Wales side Swansea eight minutes from time.
Moyes left Wayne Rooney out of his starting XI, amidst ongoing speculation linking the England forward with a move to Chelsea, while Swansea counterpart Michael Laudrup did the same with his £12 million pre-season signing Bony.
Ladrup pushed Michu into an attacking role and played five across the midfield with Jose Canas playing behind Jonjo Shelvey.
United opted for a conventional 4-4-2 with Welbeck and van Persie playing in front of a four man midfield that included Michael Carrick, who missed England's 3-2 midweek win over Scotland.
Having survived one or two early scares, United should have taken the lead in the 15th minute.
Van Persie poked the ball into the path of Ryan Giggs but when the Welshman inched into the 18 yard box, he inexplicably chose to pass instead of shoot. Ben Davies stuck out a foot and the ball trickled harmlessly back to Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Minutes later Giggs fired wide of the far post after Vorm has saved smartly from Welbeck and Phil Jones had a far post volley saved by the Dutch keeper.
At the other end Michu, Swansea's leading scorer last season, did have the ball in the net after 20 minutes. However, referee Phil Dowd's whistle had long since gone for offside when the Spaniard beat David de Gea from close range.
The champions eventually went a goal in front 12 minutes before halftime.
Giggs looped a ball into van Persie who somehow managed to scoop his shot past the advancing Vorm.
Two minutes later it was 2-0. Van Persie headed Patrice Evra's cross to Antonio Valencia at the far post and the Ecuadorian crossed for Welbeck to score.
Carrick followed Valencia into the book for a late tackle on Wayne Routledge just before the break as did Evra for hauling down Angel Rangel.
Although Swansea dominated possession for long periods, they created precious little to worry Moyes.
Swansea made a double substitution at halftime with Bony replacing Routledge and Pablo Hernandez coming on for Leon Britton.
It enabled Michu to drop back into his more accustomed position at the head of the Swans' midfield. Bony latched onto a Davies cross in the 48th minute but his shot went high and wide.
The United fans certainly got behind Moyes, singing his name throughout the game.
Michu brought a decent far post save out of de Gea in the 53rd minute but the goalkeeper was injured in the process and required treatment.
Rooney's five-minute warm up near the United fans gave rise to a standing ovation from the visiting supporters and one or two boos from the home faithful who sensed a way back into the game for their side.
Swansea once again dominated possession and forced United into one or two hasty clearances. Laudrup had pushed Michu up alongside Bony with Nathan Dyer and Hernandez providing the width.
Rooney came on after an hour and immediately settled in just behind van Persie and Welbeck. With 20 minutes remaining Evra saw his header cleared off the line by Canas but two minutes later van Persie stepped inside Ashley Williams and gave Vorm no chance from 20 yards.
Bony bagged a consolation goal when he beat de Gea at his far post before Welbeck struck in stoppage time, chipping Vorm in cheeky fashion.

You’ve probably heard of them. You’ve definitely seen them. They are WWE Champion John Cena’s much-discussed “Five Moves of Doom,” the colloquial term for the sequence used by The Champ — name-dropped by Cena himself on Raw this past Monday — to typically administer soul-crushing defeat to his opponents.
The reputation of these five signature moves is somewhat mixed, as Cena has admitted. On the one hand, several of Cena’s detractors like to take The Champ to task for his persistence in using this move set to fell his foes. That said, there’s no disputing the results the sequence produces: 11 WWE Championships, a pair of World Heavyweight Titles, plus a U.S. Title reign and a few stints as WWE and World Tag Team Champion.
The debate will rage on regardless, but before Cena attempts to ply his notorious maneuvers against Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam, WWE.com presents an in-depth look at the Five Moves themselves.

Move 1: Flying shoulder block

As self-explanatory as it is punishing. Cena breaks into a full sprint and ricochets off the ropes, taking flight when he reaches top speed and using his body as a projectile weapon to knock the wind out of his opponent. You’ll believe a man can fly, though you’ll likely wish you didn’t get the up-close view.
Doom Level: Mild. No serious danger yet.

Move 2: Flying shoulder block

Déjà vu! But this trip down memory lane brings only PAIN AND SUFFERING as The Champ hurls his considerable frame into his opponent’s sternum for a second time, further taking the wind out of the poor guy’s sails. What’s that old saying? Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it.
Doom Level: Slightly increased. He’s heating up.

Move 3: Side slam

Here’s where the Cenation leader has actually gotten some unexpected help from the enemy he’s trying to beat. Upon rising from the second shoulder block, Cena’s opponents fail to find offense (a wild haymaker or similar) before disorientation sets in. Cena taps into his veteran instinct to elude any strikes and scoop the unfortunate soul up like an infant. Using his raw strength, The Champ hoists and then drops the rival Superstar on his posterior in a rather unpleasant fashion.
Doom Level: DANGER, WILL ROBINSON. DANGER. DANGER.

Move 4: Five Knuckle Shuffle

This is where the Five Moves reach their make-or-break phase, because here’s where Cena fits in a little mean-mugging. Pausing to administer his signature “You Can’t See Me” taunt to the prone opponent, Cena then bounces off the ropes, struts his way toward said foe, brushes some dirt off his shoulder and — pow, right in the kisser — drops a closed fist on his enemy’s face.
Doom Level: Like the Armageddon 2008 poster where Chris Jericho has his finger on the button. Calamity is pretty much a foregone conclusion at this point, and the margin for escape is very, very narrow.

Move 5: Attitude Adjustment

Suffice it to say that if a Superstar has already suffered moves one through four, this is the final nail in the proverbial coffin. Winded from shoulder blocks, back stunned from the side slam and face swelled up from the Five Knuckle Shuffle, all that’s left for most opponents to do is stagger up as a beaten shell of a human and stumble helplessly into The Champ’s waiting arms, where he heaves his foe into the lights and sends him crashing down for his signature, match-ending slam. Your time is up. Thanks for playing.

Doom Level: DOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!

And that’s pretty much the end of it. Critics will find ways to pick these maneuvers apart, and the Cenation will find ways to defend their hero, but the fact remains: These moves deliver results. The man wins matches, and he wins a lot of them. Maybe he’ll even do it again on Sunday.

John Obi Mikel © Shengolpix

Napoli set for £5m swoop for Mikel

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. Nigerian midfielder, John Obi Mikel, could be on his way to Italy’s Serie A as the top football leagues across Europe begin to stir from hibernation
The 26-year-old has attracted interest from Italian club, SC Napoli who have now tabled a £5 million (N1.3 billion) bid for his services.
Napoli are currently managed by the former Chelsea interim manager, Rafa Benitez who is a huge admirer of Mikel.
It is also widely believed that Mikel does not command the confidence of the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho to play in the heart of the side’s midfield.
Authoritative British newspaper, Metro, reports that Napoli are lining up a bid to prise the Nigerian away from Stamford Bridge.
Mikel, who was recently courted by Turkish giants, Galatasaray, has since declared that he is happy at Chelsea but the Naples club are still confident of doing business in their bid to land the Nigerian.
The Italian giants could offer regular first-team football – something that is in doubt at Chelsea – and that could prove to be the tipping point.
It is also believed that Chelsea are expected to try and bring in another holding player regardless of whether Mikel stays or goes with AS Roma’s Daniele De Rossi a key target.
Mourinho has also hinted through his selections in Chelsea’s pre-season games that Mikel may not be first-choice this season with the “the special one” showing his preference for the 20-year-old Dutch midfielder, Marco Van Ginkel.
With Chelsea expected to reject an initial bid for the Nigerian, Napoli are believed to be willing to spend up to £8 million (about N2.1 billion) to get their man.

© supersport.com

Osaze © Action Images

Clarke 'blameless' in Odemwingie saga

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West Bromwich Albion manager, Steve Clarke says he’s not involved in any discussion regarding striker, Peter Odemwingie over a possible transfer away from the club.
The 32-year-old Nigerian forward has been in limbo since unsuccessfully trying to force a move away from the club in January.
With a potential move to UAE club, Al Nasr falling through over perceived differences between Odemwingie and WBA, Clarke has now absolved himself of any blame on the situation.
"I've asked the club to deal with the situation. It’s between the club and Peter (Odemwingie). They have to resolve the issue not me," Clarke said to Sky Sports News Radio.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Barclays English Premier League club, Cardiff City have resurrected their interest in the Nigerian attacker.
Authoritative British newspaper, Daily Mail says Odemwingie's proposed move to Al Nasr is reportedly off, with the Dubai side pulling out of the deal after growing frustrated with Albion's reluctance to meet despite two bids being submitted for the striker.
Cardiff manager, Malky Mackay wants two wingers and has already lined up a £3 million (N756 million) deal for Ecuador winger, Jefferson Montero from Morelia in Mexico.

Source; Supersport.com

Manchester United © Action Images

Dawn breaks over all-new EPL

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When the sun rises on the 2013-14 Premier League campaign on Saturday, it will reveal a landscape that has changed immeasurably in the 91 days since last season.
Familiar faces like Alex Ferguson, Jamie Carragher, Paul Scholes and Michael Owen have moved on, with new managers and a raft of multi-million-pound signings hoping to plug the holes that they have left behind.
Heightening the sensation of new beginnings is the pioneering introduction of goal-line technology, with Hawk-Eye systems now in place at all 20 Premier League grounds.
The sense of unfamiliarity will be nowhere more apparent than at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium, where champions Manchester United will play a league game with a manager other than Ferguson in the dug-out for the first time since November 1, 1986.
Former Everton manager David Moyes is the man charged with the weighty task of stepping into Ferguson's shoes, and with games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to follow in quick succession, he cannot afford a slow start.
"I think it's the hardest start for 20 years that Manchester United have had," Moyes complained to BBC Sport.
"I hope it's not because Manchester United won the league quite comfortably last year that the fixtures have been made much more difficult."
The first few weeks of Moyes' Old Trafford tenure have been dogged by speculation about the future of striker Wayne Rooney, whose fitness will be assessed prior to the game after he made his return from injury in England's 3-2 friendly win over Scotland on Wednesday.
United's two closest rivals from last season are also under new management, with Manuel Pellegrini replacing the sacked Roberto Mancini at Manchester City and Jose Mourinho returning to Chelsea to succeed Rafael Benitez.
City, who have spent an estimated £90 million ($139 million, 105 million euros) on new players, do not begin their season until Monday, when they host Newcastle United, with Chelsea in action a day earlier when promoted Hull City are the visitors to Stamford Bridge.
Sunday will also witness another encounter between a promoted club and a budding title contender, with Tottenham Hotspur travelling from north to south London to take on Crystal Palace.
Like City, Spurs have also spent heavily in the close season, with Thursday's acquisition of France midfielder Etienne Capoue from Toulouse nudging their total outlay towards the £60 million mark.
It is Gareth Bale's mooted move to Real Madrid that has most occupied manager Andre Villas-Boas' thoughts this summer, however, although the Welshman will be absent at Selhurst Park with a foot injury.
Once again, Spurs begin the season with the aim of pipping north London rivals Arsenal to a Champions League spot, having narrowly failed to meet that objective last season.
Arsenal are yet to add any new players to their squad, to the consternation of their fans, and manager Arsene Wenger also has injury concerns in midfield ahead of Saturday's visit of Aston Villa.
Santi Cazorla may be short of fitness after turning out for Spain against Ecuador, while Mikel Arteta is a doubt with a thigh problem.
"Cazorla played almost a full game. He only lands in London tonight (Thursday), so we will see how he is tomorrow," Wenger said.
"Mikel has a slight thigh problem. We have to check that. I don't know if he will be out for the weekend."
The new season kicks off at Anfield, where Liverpool come up against a Stoke City side with a new manager in Mark Hughes.
With unsettled striker Luis Suarez absent as he completes his 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last season, Rodgers has been boosted by the news that Daniel Sturridge has overcome an ankle problem.
Former Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez takes his new club Everton to Norwich City on Saturday, while Cardiff City, promoted as winners of the second-tier Championship, visit West Ham United for their first top-level match since 1962.
Paolo Di Canio's Sunderland, and their 10 new signings, begin the campaign at home to Fulham, while Southampton will have club-record £12.5 million signing Victor Wanyama on board for their trip to West Bromwich Albion.
Opening Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Liverpool v Stoke City
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Norwich City v Everton
Sunderland v Fulham
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton
West Ham United v Cardiff City
Swansea City v Manchester United
Sunday:
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Hull City


Manchester City v Newcastle United

Source; Supersport.com

Bert Trautmann © Gallo Images

City plan Trautmann tributes

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Manchester City are planning several tributes to mark the life of former goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who died last month aged 89, the Premier League club announced Friday.
Trautmann, an outstanding goalkeeper, is best remembered for playing on with a broken neck during City's 1956 FA Cup final win over Birmingham at Wembley.
His career was remarkable in several respects, with City's decision to sign Trautmann highly controversial as he'd arrived in England as a Second World War prisoner, having been captured serving as a German paratrooper in Normandy shortly after the D-Day landings in France.
But his 545 appearances for City between 1949 to 1964, which included him being voted English football's player of the year following his Wembley heroics, were widely seen as doing much to improve Anglo-German relations.
City have now said Monday's Premier League match against Newcastle at Eastlands will be dedicated to Trautmann with a wreath laid before kick-off while the team will warm-up in goalkeeping shirts with 'Trautmann 1' written on the back.
Players will also wear black armbands and fans are set to participate in a minute's applause.
Trautmann was ambivalent about his Cup final heroics, which helped him be voted English football's player of the year in 1956.
"I played over 500 league games for City but that moment is still the one people refer to so it can be a little frustrating at times because no matter how well I played during that time, people will still say 'ah, you're the fellow who broke his neck playing at Wembley'," Trautmann said in an interview published two years ago.
"I'll admit it's not something I particularly like but it's something I've had to live with."
Some City supporters have called for a statue of Trautmann to be erected outside Eastlands or for one of the ground's stands to be named after him.
"An announcement about a permanent memorial will be made in due course," said a City statement.

Source; Supersport.com

Reneilwe Letsholonyana © Backpagepix

Nelson Mandela Sport Day live blog

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Welcome to our coverage of the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, focusing on Bafana’s match against Burkina Faso.
South Africa v Burkina Faso live scoring
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund discussed the role Bafana Bafana is playing in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day. He said, "We as a team feel very proud and we're very honoured that we are able to contribute.
"We're not only contributing by being there and supporting the event, we're actually playing a part. Mandela is the greatest statesman of all time. I don't think there will ever be a statesman like him again."
Enjoy this historic day, which promises to provide plenty of action, with us right here on supersport.com.
For all broadcast details, click here. To watch the matches via live streaming click here.
We will combine live updates, comments and your tweets in this blog around the matches.
Follow the action right here and use #SSUnite as well as #SSFootball to leave your comments on Twitter. We'll pull the best of them into our coverage below.

Source; Supersport.com

Xavi Hernandez © Gallo Images

Martino bringing back intensity - Xavi

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Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez believes his side will rekindle their intensity and pressing under the tutelage of new manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino.
The Argentine was appointed less than four weeks before Barca kick off the defence of their league title against Levante on Sunday, after Tito Vilanova had to resign due to on-going health problems.
However, Xavi believes the squad are adjusting well to Martino's methods and has backed the new coach to be a success despite his lack of managerial experience in Europe.
"He is a leader, capable, prepared and has experience," the 33-year-old told Barcelona sports daily Sport.
"He is transmitting a lot to us. We are recovering a little of the intensity and rhythm that perhaps we lost for various reasons towards the end of last season. We are pressing very well and working well physically.
"He is adding things that he is influencing a lot. For example, on set-pieces we are working differently. We are adjusting and he is a guy that is very clear about what he wants."
Martino's insistence on pressing high up the field was very evident in his only game at the Camp Nou so far as Barca destroyed Santos 8-0 in a friendly that formed part of the deal to bring Neymar to the Spanish champions.
The Brazilian international will also make his competitive Barcelona debut against Levante, but World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is a doubt as he continues to recover from the quadriceps injury that forced him to miss Argentina's friendly with Italy on Wednesday.
Captain Carles Puyol will definitely be absent for the Catalans after he underwent knee surgery to remove a cyst last month, but Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez should be fit to play despite missing Spain's friendly with Ecuador in midweek due to minor injuries.
Real Madrid also get their league campaign underway on Sunday with a new man in charge as Carlo Ancelotti makes his bow at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Betis are the visitors.
Los Blancos have enjoyed a superb pre-season that encompassed victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Inter Milan and Ancelotti will have a wealth of midfield options to choose from following the capture of Isco and Asier Illarramendi from Malaga and Real Sociedad respectively.
Arguably the most enticing fixture of the opening weekend though comes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan where a new-look Sevilla side host Atletico Madrid.
Atletico enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season as they finished third and won the Copa del Rey. As a result they will face Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup next week and have Champions League football to look forward to.
However, coach Diego Simeone has insisted it is important that his team maintain the consistency they showed in the league last season, starting on Sunday.
"We need to continue in the same way, looking for the consistency we had last season. Therefore, we can't look beyond the present and that is Sevilla," he told the club's website.
"We need to start again at zero and not get away from going game by game. We have had a good pre-season, especially physically, and we have been competitive."
New signings David Villa and Leo Baptistao are likely to be involved for Atleti as they try to compensate for the loss of Radamel Falcao, who joined Monaco back in June.
However, the transfer activity at Atleti hasn't compared to that at Sevilla and coach Unai Emery could hand debuts to as many as 10 new recruits as the Andalusians have rebuilt following the departures of Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Gary Medel.
Opening fixtures
Saturday
Real Sociedad v Getafe
Valladolid v Athletic Bilbao
Valencia v Malaga
Sunday
Barcelona v Levante
Real Madrid v Real Betis
Osasuna v Granada
Sevilla v Atletico Madrid
Monday
Rayo Vallecano v Elche
Celta Vigo v Espanyol
Almeria v Villarreal
 Source: Supersport

© Sapa - AFP