Saturday football

FULL-TIME STOKE 2-3 QPR  "QPR were lucky to take all three points at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke threw everything including the kitchen sink at their defence and were denied a late penalty, leaving manager Tony Pulis seething."

FULL-TIME SWANSEA 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED  "Hardly a vintage Manchester United performance, but the champions had little difficulty in holding on to Javier Hernandez's 11th-minute goal to claim their first win in Swansea. Scott Sinclair's miss from six yards will haunt the Swansea winger as his side lose their unbeaten home record this season."

FULL-TIME WIGAN 3-3 BLACKBURN  "Wigan will protest about Blackburn's controversial second goal - and rightly so. But until they learn to see out games, they'll remain in big trouble. Mistakes galore from both teams but what a terrific game."

FULL-TIME WEST BROM 2-1 BOLTON  "West Brom outplayed Bolton in the second half and fully deserve their fourth Premier League victory of the season, which came courtesy of goals from Jerome Thomas and Shane Long. Bolton did not force a single save once the Baggies went back into the lead in the 56th minute."

FULL-TIME SUNDERLAND 0-0 FULHAM  "A promising start in which Sunderland looked lively and dangerous and twice hit the woodwork soon faded, and then drifted aimlessly along in a pretty tedious second period. Both sides spurned excellent late chances but neither really did enough to deserve the win."

FULL-TIME EVERTON 2-1 WOLVES
"Everton deserved the victory but they were helped by referee Jon Moss's controversial penalty decision."

FULL-TIME MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 NEWCASTLE  ""We score when we want," sang the Manchester City fans after their third goal and with the league's meanest defence unable to stop them it is hard to argue otherwise. Individual errors cost Newcastle badly."

FULL-TIME NORWICH 1-2 ARSENAL "Robin van Persie takes his 2011 Premier League goals tally to 31 with yet another match-winning performance to ensure a dominant Arsenal display does not go unrewarded."

Tottenham assistant confident they can keep Gareth Bale

 

Interest in Bale follows a protracted saga over the future of Luka Modric 

 

Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Joe Jordan says the club are confident they will not sell Wales winger Gareth Bale despite interest from Barcelona.

"I believe we can keep Bale," Harry Redknapp's assistant said.
"It's great when the best team in the world is talking about one of our players. I don't see why it would cause us a problem," he added.
"The stance with [Luka] Modric was that we would not be forced into selling him and that was proved."

We've shown that we can retain players and bring players in, both of which are important

Joe Jordan Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach

 

Jordan believes Spurs' refusal to sell Modric in the summer despite protracted interest from Chelsea indicates their determination to keep players.
"We've shown that we can retain players and bring players in, both of which are important," he said.
And he added that the Champions League winners' interest in the 22-year-old Bale was not necessarily a bad thing.
However, Jordan, who has been in charge of the first team during Harry Redknapp's recovery from a cardiac procedure, admitted that it had been hard for Modric to remain focused when he was the subject of transfer speculation.
He said: "It was something that even for Luka went on for too long. It just seemed to continue and continue and it had a draining effect on the player.
"I'm glad it's over with and you can see how Luka is performing now. It is a bonus for us all."
Barcelona have suggested they would not be prepared to break the bank for Bale.
Jordan continued: "Everyone's got a valuation, but it's important that your players are spoken about.
"To mention figures? I wouldn't start mentioning figures."

Man Utd's Tom Cleverley out injured until Christmas

 

Cleverley has made seven appearances for United this season 

 

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has been ruled out until Christmas with the ankle injury he picked up in October's win at Everton.

The injury was originally not thought to be too severe and the 22-year-old was substituted as a precaution.
But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "It's more serious than we thought. We've done further scans and he's had a recurrence of an injury.

CLEVERLEY'S CLUBS

• 2003-present - Manchester United
• 2009 - Leicester (loan)
• 2009-10 - Watford (loan)
• 2010-11 - Wigan (loan)

"We're going to have to give him a break until Christmas."
Striker Danny Welbeck will also miss United's trip to Swansea on Saturday after he strained a muscle while on international duty with England.
Ferguson also said that the game at the Liberty Stadium would come too soon for defender Chris Smalling who is recovering from a broken toe.
"Chris is not far away but I don't think he will be back, I think he'll be ready for Tuesday," said Ferguson referring to United's Champions League match at home to Benfica.
Winger Ashley Young has shaken off his toe injury and is in the squad.

Luis Suarez charged with racially abusing Patrice Evra

 

Evra (right) was shown a yellow card after clashing with Suarez 

 

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been charged by the Football Association with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The pair clashed during the teams' 1-1 draw at Anfield on 15 October.
Uruguayan Suarez, 24, has denied Evra's claim that he used racist language to the France international.
Following the FA charge, Liverpool said they would remain supportive of Suarez and that he would plead not guilty on his return from international duty.
The club also said they would expect him to request a hearing.

Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra. The club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter

Liverpool club statement

 

An FA statement said: "It is alleged that Suarez used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules.
"It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra."
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has previously said that he does not think racism is prevalent at the club.
And in his Thursday press conference the 60-year-old refused to comment further on the club's stance.
He said: "I think the statement says everything and our position has not changed. That is all we've got to say."
A Liverpool statement issued after the FA charge was announced read: "The club this afternoon received notification from the Football Association of their decision to charge Luis Suarez and will take time to properly review the documentation which has been sent to us.

"We will discuss the matter fully with him when he returns from international duty, but he will plead not guilty to the charge and we expect him to request a personal hearing.
"Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra.
"The club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter."
Speaking in an interview before the FA charge was announced, Fifa president Sepp Blatter denied that there was a problem with on-field racism in football.
But Dalglish declined to comment on Blatter's comments.
He said: "I never saw it [Blatter's interview].
"I'll read it before I comment - and I've not read it."
Evra made his claims immediately after the match and was quoted as telling French TV station Canal Plus: "There are cameras, you can see [Suarez] say a certain word to me at least 10 times."
Suarez told Uruguayan media earlier this month: "There is no evidence I said anything racist to him. I said nothing of the sort.

Race chief backs FA on Suarez

"There were two parts of the discussion, one in Spanish, one in English. I did not insult him. It was just a way of expressing myself. I called him something his team-mates at Manchester call him, and even they were surprised by his reaction."
Evra reported his complaint after the game to match referee Andre Marriner who included it in his report.
Piara Powar, executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, said: "Everyone knows from talking to ex-players that this is the sort of problem [racism] that went on.
"And now we see in 2011, going on 2012, it's still an issue. And we see the FA charging someone. I think that's right.
"Suarez, whatever his perspective on what was said or what wasn't said, and Evra should both have their day in court, so to speak, and bring any evidence to an FA tribunal."
Elsewhere, the Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations that Chelsea and England captain John Terry racially abused QPR's Anton Ferdinand during a recent match at Loftus Road.
Terry has denied the allegation.

Rio Ferdinand 'astonished' by Sepp Blatter comments on racism

Blatter denies racism in football

England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he is stunned by Sepp Blatter's claim that football does not have on-field problems with racism.

The Fifa president said incidents on the pitch could be settled by a handshake, although he later claimed he had been misunderstood.
"Tell me I have just read Blatter's comments wrong... if not then I am astonished," said Ferdinand on Twitter.
Ferdinand later sent a direct tweet to the 75-year-old head of world football.
In it, he said: "Your comments on racism are so condescending it's almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that OK?"
The former England captain later added: "I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism - it seems it was just on mute for a while."

It's ironic that Sepp Blatter should come out and talk like that because we've worked hard to get Fifa to have anti-racism on the agenda

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor 

 

Blatter's comments come at a time when Chelsea captain John Terry is being investigated by the police and the Football Association over alleged racist remarks made to Ferdinand's brother, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, in a recent game between the two sides.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez has also been charged by the FA for alleged racist comments towards Ferdinand's Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra.
Asked whether he thought racism on the pitch was a problem in modern-day football, Blatter told CNN World Sport: "I would deny it. There is no racism.
"There is maybe one of the players towards another - he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one.
"But the one who is affected by that, he should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination."

Sepp Blatter has to go - Robbie Savage

Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts felt that Blatter's comments were incredibly ill-judged.
"I'm truly shocked by his comments," said Roberts. "For him to say this in public is either very honest or very foolish.
"I am absolutely disgusted, lost for words, I cannot believe he has said something like that with all the issues that have gone on. I am absolutely fuming."
Several former Premier League players, including Stan Collymore, Mark Bright and Robbie Savage, have subsequently called for Blatter to resign.
Former Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday striker Bright said: "To say I was staggered would be an understatement.
"This is the head of world football, whose slogan is 'For the Good of the Game'. What message does this send out after two or three decades of hard work fighting racism in football?
"He should resign his position because his views are archaic and out of touch."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said it was incorrect to suggest that racism is no longer a problem in football.
"Racism exists in the world, racism certainly still exists in football, albeit reduced," Scudamore told CNN.
"There are still issues, of course there are and we're not complacent about that, but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say it doesn't exist because it does."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks said: "Clearly Sepp Blatter is a man who's never suffered from racism. I'm shocked and somewhat dismayed.
"Football has to be very careful. It's the one industry that somehow sees itself as above the law. It is not.

This is one of Sepp Blatter's worst gaffes, without a doubt. On the day that Blatter says there is no racism in football, the FA has charged Luis Suarez with just that. The FA is taking a tough stance on racism and this could lead to a lengthy ban, potentially. If someone is found guilty of racial abuse the FA will, I'm sure, throw the book at them.

"Players, however glorified, are employees and have to abide by the law. Sepp is a man out of time and out of touch."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor added: "It's ironic that Sepp Blatter should come out and talk like that because we've worked hard to get Fifa to have anti-racism on the agenda.
"As the president of Fifa, he's got to be shouting from the top of the hills that it's unacceptable on the pitch. We want players to set an example to the rest of the world and particularly the supporters."
Blatter later sought to clarify his comments in a statement on Fifa's website.
"My comments have been misunderstood. What I wanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have 'battles' with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong.
"But, normally, at the end of the match, you apologise to your opponent if you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over."
Anti-racism group Kick It Out said the initial comments revealed a worrying failure of leadership from Blatter.
"Shaking hands to compensate for a racial slur is not what the game has signed up to, and trivialises the work of campaigns like Kick It Out," it said in a statement.
"But leadership is needed to make headway. And comments like this don't help in the ultimate goal of kicking racism out football and making it a discrimination-free zone."

Ref guessed penalty call - Sunderland boss Steve Bruce

Bruce laments Old Trafford return

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce insisted referee Lee Mason "guessed" when he decided not to award his side a penalty in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Assistant referee Jake Collin indicated a spot-kick for handball as United's Nemanja Vidic rose to challenge Ji-Dong Won, but the decision was reversed to give a free-kick to the hosts.
"You can't be guessing on penalties," said Bruce.
"It took me three or four looks on the video to see who handled it."
Even though the right decision was made, Bruce was still left in disbelief at Mason's perceived gamble to overturn the penalty award.
"Eventually he gets it right so we can't argue, but if you watch the referee's reaction he's got information that it's a penalty and goes towards the spot," he said.
"Then he is surrounded by United players and eventually changes his decision."

 

Emotional Ferguson relieved to get winSir Alex Ferguson, who celebrated his 25th anniversary at Old Trafford with a victory, believes justice was done when Mason reversed the decision."I couldn't believe it because I clearly felt it was the Korean boy who handled it," he said."The fact he (Collin) has put his arm across his shoulder, it's a penalty kick."I don't think Lee Mason had any idea why, and you saw how the players reacted, and he's given the correct decision."Meanwhile, Bruce's disappointment deepened as he revealed striker Connor Wickham may face a lengthy lay-off with a knee ligament injury."That's the big disappointment as we think it's a serious knee injury," said the Black Cats boss.

"This means we have had seven serious knee injuries in the last 12 months. It's an early diagnosis but we think it's ligaments. We hope the scans aren't bad but I'm afraid it doesn't look good."

QPR owner Tony Fernandes says John Terry should lead England

Terry not a racist - Fernandes

QPR owner Tony Fernandes believes John Terry should remain England captain while allegations he racially abused Anton Ferdinand are investigated.

The Metropolitan Police is formally looking into claims Chelsea's Terry abused QPR's Ferdinand in October.
However, Fernandes told BBC Sport: "I think innocent until proven guilty.
"There's been no hard evidence either way of John's alleged statements. If he's the right man for the job then he should be selected as captain."
BBC Sport understands that Terry, 30, has been included in Fabio Capello's preliminary England squad for November's friendlies against Spain and Sweden.
Fernandes went on to say that he agreed with former England player Paul Ince's comments that if the allegations against Terry are proven, it does not necessarily make him a racist.
"Lots of things can be said in the spur of the moment which don't make you really believe what you've said," added Fernandes.
"I don't think you can write someone off as a racist because of one statement.
"But having said that it is in the public eye and people like John have to be gooder than good. If he said it, it is wrong because of who he is but I don't say he's a racist because of that one statement."
The Football Association (FA) is also looking into the alleged incident and defender Ferdinand, 26, has given a statement to them saying he has "very strong" feelings on the matter.
Ferdinand declined to elaborate further until a "thorough" FA inquiry has been concluded.
Blues captain Terry has denied the allegations, which relate to Chelsea's 1-0 loss at Loftus Road on 23 October.
The FA announced its investigation after it was claimed Terry shouted racial abuse during the west London derby.
Some viewers claimed video replays from the match between the sides showed Terry using racist language, while the FA said it had received a complaint.
Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February 2010 after allegations that he had had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of Wayne Bridge, an international team-mate.
He was reinstated by coach Fabio Capello in March after the Italian deemed a year without the armband to have been sufficient "punishment".