Andy Goode: Ex-England fly-half compelled to resign by wounds

Previous England fly-half Andy Goode is to resign subsequent to neglecting to recoup from steady wounds.

Goode, 35, played 17 Tests for his nation and joined London Irish in the late spring in the wake of leaving Wasps.

The previous Leicester, Saracens and Worcester back is the second most elevated focuses scorer in Premiership history.

"I can genuinely say I've adored playing for each group and I feel hugely pleased to have accomplished what I have at every club," he said.

Goode joined Irish with the goal of playing one more season in the Premiership and Europe.

Be that as it may, taking after interviews with the club's restorative staff and his own particular doctor, he will call time on his playing vocation and leave the Exiles.

"I'm truly baffled I can't proceed with my vocation at London Irish and I've truly made the most of my brief time with them," Goode said.

Amid his first spell with Leicester, he was a piece of the side which won four progressive Premiership titles and the European Cup twice.

He likewise invested energy playing for South African Super Rugby side the Sharks and with Brive in France's Top 14.

Rugby World Cup 2015: What's the condition of the home countries?

Rugby World Cup

Host: England Dates: 18 September-31 October

Scope: Live critique on BBC Radio 5 live and games additional, in addition to live content analysis on each match on the BBC Sport site.



The 2015 Rugby World Cup begins in under two weeks, when has England play Fiji at Twickenham on 18 September.

Ruling champions New Zealand will go into the competition well clear at the highest point of the global rankings and top choices to hold their title.

Be that as it may, England head mentor Stuart Lancaster says a modest bunch of different groups - including both Wales and Ireland, and in addition his own charges - are not kidding contenders to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

With all the home countries having played their last warm-up matches, we evaluate their certifications heading into the greatest occasion on the rugby schedule.

Britain unobtrusively sure



The competition hosts will be charmed to be heading into the World Cup with a 21-13 win over Ireland, despite the fact that there must in any case be a couple questions drifting around the camp.

After a jolting begin against Ireland in which they played with pace and width, England lost control of the amusement toward the begin of the second half as Ireland scored 10 unanswered focuses.

Coming after their weak indicating in the initial 70 minutes of the past match against France it proposes a stressing level of irregularity.

On a more positive note the first-decision midfield of Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph have at last played together, Tom Wood and Ben Morgan appear to have nailed down beginning compartments in the back column and the front line out wide looks sufficiently sharp to panic anybody, given the open door.

Britain have some force heading into the competition and with home favorable position there must without a doubt be more to originate from Lancaster's men.

Previous England and Lions scrum-half Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 live: "Britain are learning. Playing at home will be a colossal favorable position yet they have a few changes to make. In the event that they are restrained, and guard as they did against Ireland on Saturday they must better than average chance come World Cup time."

Britain's Pool An installations: Fri 18 Sep v Fiji, Sat 26 Sep v Wales, Sat 3 Oct v Australia, Sat 10 Oct v Uruguay

Wales reeling after late blows

Halfpenny realistic

Wins in their last two warm-up recreations - one against a close full-quality Ireland in Dublin - would have been adequate for Wales a month prior.

In any case, the wounds to Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb, with the previous unquestionably out of the competition with a knee damage and the last holding up to find the degree of a genuine looking lower leg harm, unified to the unconvincing way of the 23-19 triumph over Italy, mean mentor Warren Gatland has a ton to contemplate.

He will require officially harmed Liam Williams and Samson Lee to pull through and trust Alun Wyn Jones' forces of recuperation match his aptitudes as a second column.

With England and Australia lying in hold up, Gatland needs his best players fit and terminating. That may not be an extravagance he can appreciate.

Previous Wales and Lions flanker Martyn Williams on BBC Two Wales: "You can't over-accentuate how essential Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny are to Wales. The chances will be against Wales and it puts a considerable measure of onus on the players coming into fill some really enormous shirts."

Wales' Pool An installations: Sun 20 Sep v Uruguay, Sat 26 Sep v England, Thu 1 Oct v Fiji, Sat 10 Oct v Australia.

Euro 2016: What has turned out badly with Netherlands?

By Elko Born Dutch football writer



Having secured capability for Euro 2016, England, Iceland and Czech Republic had motivation to celebrate throughout the weekend. For Netherlands, it was an alternate story.

In the wake of losing 1-0 to Iceland on Thursday, the Dutch were beaten 3-0 by Turkey on Sunday, sliding down to fourth in their gathering.

With just the initial two positions ensuring direct capability for the competition, Netherlands now appear in a bad position.

Hypothetically they could in any case wind up third and meet all requirements for the play-off stage, however just if Turkey lose one of their next two matches.

With their rivals noticing blood, capability is no more in Netherlands' grasp. It appears Euro 2016 may need to proceed without the Dutch.

How has it result in these present circumstances?


Danny Blind assumed control as head mentor in July after the takeoff of Guus Hiddink

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Netherlands figured out how to awe companion and adversary alike by completing third, beating the powerhouses of Spain and Brazil along the way.

From that point forward, on the other hand, one noteworthy thing has changed for the Dutch. Louis van Gaal, who was seen by numerous as the driving force behind Netherlands' fruitful crusade, has left to wind up Manchester United supervisor, constraining the men in orange to essentially begin once again.

From multiple points of view, Van Gaal's style of administration and strategies characterized the way the group of 2014 played and carried on.

Take the arrangement, for instance. Typically, the Dutch pride themselves on playing assaulting football in a 4-3-3 development. Van Gaal got rid of this. Settling on a 5-3-2 development, he liked to avoid ownership and play on the counter.

Dutch fans and media reluctantly permitted Van Gaal to execute his irregular strategies, yet just consequently for stone icy results. After the World Cup, the group was relied upon to come back to ordinariness. Guus Hiddink, who succeeded Van Gaal, appeared to understand this, rapidly changing the group back to the old methods for assaulting 4-3-3 football.

Attributable to their 'Aggregate Football' roots, the Dutch say they like to "control" matches. Playing to their qualities, their point is to have the most ownership and sit tight for chances to over-burden rivals in their own particular half with dazzling, assaulting football.

A smart thought in principle, yet something that has demonstrated difficult to execute. Hiddink paid the cost for a keep running of awful results when he was sacked and supplanted by Danny Blind in July.

What's diverse in the squad?


Manchester United winger Memphis Depay had a splendid amusement against Turkey

At first sight, Netherlands' squad appears to be generally the same. Demonstrated veterans, for example, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben still lead from the front, while more youthful players, for example, Daley Blind, Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay are making up the supporting spine.

A more critical look, nonetheless, uncovers a few splits in the squad's make-up.

The protection, for instance, needs encounter. The prime sample is Porto focus back Bruno Martins Indi, who was sent off in Netherlands' match against Iceland after stupidly fouling Kolbeinn Sigthorsson in an one-on-one duel. The 23-year-old's conduct, fans and media concurred, was amateurish, maybe as a result of his generally youthful age.

At that point there is the brutal truth that their veteran cutting edge may very well be past their prime.

Van Persie, the Premier League's top scorer in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, has left Manchester United to join Fenerbahce in Turkey. Sneijder has never entirely coordinated the statures of the 2010 World Cup, when he motivated the Dutch to the last, while Robben appears to be tormented by harm issues.

David Nugent set to join Middlesbrough from Leicester

Leicester have acknowledged an offered of around £4m from Middlesbrough for striker David Nugent, as per Sky sources.

Nugent headed out toward the North East on Thursday evening to experience a therapeutic with the Championship side.

The 30-year-old, who moved to Leicester four years back, played 32 amusements last season, yet did not include in Saturday's 4-2 triumph over Sunderland.

Nugent came to conspicuousness at Preston before he did a £6m switch to Portsmouth in 2007 preceding making two advance moves to Burnley.

Boro lost last season's play-off last to Norwich at Wembley and have been adding to their squad in an offer to pick up advancement this time around.

Midfielder Stewart Downing has come back to the club after spells with Liverpool and West Ham.

Alex Baptiste has additionally been marked from Championship partners Bolton, while kindred shield Tomas Kalas has touched base on credit from Chelse

Everton complete marking of Mason Holgate

Everton have finished the marking of safeguard Mason Holgate from Barnsley on a five-year bargain.

Holgate passed his restorative and concurred individual terms on Wednesday and he has marked an agreement which binds him to Goodison Park until 2020.

Sky sources comprehend the charge for the 18-year-old – who was likewise an objective for Bournemouth - was in the area of £2m.

The last time Everton marked a player from Barnsley, they caught the now completely fledged England worldwide John Stones in a £3m bargain in January 2013 and Roberto Martinez has denied that Stones will be sold this window regardless of solid enthusiasm from Chelsea.

Martinez is deliighted with the catch of the adolescent Holgate and said: "With Mason, an open door came up and we would not like to miss out. He is a young fellow with an extremely great future.

"His advancement will be imperative and it will be intriguing to perceive how rapidly he can have an effect on the first-group. In any case, he is not a player who I would hope to perform straightaway in the Premier League - that would be extremely uncalled for.

"Bricklayer, as of now at 18, has played 20 recreations in League One, which demonstrates his fantastic potential.

Manchester United 'not intrigued' in Nicolas Otamendi

Manchester United won't be marking Valencia focus back Nicolas Otamendi, Sky Sports News HQ gets it.

A Spanish TV station gave an account of Thursday that it has seen authoritative records affirming that the exchange speaks the truth to occur.

Be that as it may, SSN HQ comprehends United are not intrigued - and never have been intrigued - in marking the Argentina worldwide.

In the interim, United additionally have no expectation of permitting Javier Hernandez to leave the club. West Ham United are occupied with the Mexico forward, who spent keep going season on advance at Real Madrid.

On the other hand, the takeoffs of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie mean United's striking choices are slender and in this manner Hernandez won't be permitted to leave.

Atmosphere Activities are living fixtures: Large Premier Category derbies included

Atmosphere Activities offers included a few of the most significant derbies within Language basketball, together with Everton sixth is v Liverpool, Person Utd sixth is v Person Metropolis as well as Collection sixth is v Tottenham portion of it's are living Premier Category program this specific fall.

Twenty-two additional fixtures happen to be included within April as well as Nov, taking the total to help 46 Premier Category fits that will be found specifically continue to exist Atmosphere Activities within the opening several weeks of the season.

Each golf club are going to be found no less than double as well as last season’s prime several factors 6 or maybe more periods each prior to conclusion regarding Nov.

Inside April Atmosphere Activities will certainly present the actual Merseyside, Tyne-Wear as well as Manchester derbies specifically are living, as well as an additional enormous competition coming from Premier Category record since Collection handle Manchester U . s ..

Inside Nov, Southampton number Bournemouth into their primary actually south shoreline derby within the prime airfare regarding Language basketball, before Collection handle Tottenham Hotspur within the primary north London derby of the season. Nov also views Manchester Metropolis experience Liverpool.

The are living fits include the first of 116 Barclays Premier Category fixtures for being found specifically continue to exist Atmosphere Activities together with unrivalled research coming from Thierry Henry, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp as well as Graeme Souness.

Atmosphere Activities audiences can delight in an additional enormous season regarding are living basketball flinging away from within June, which include 127 fits coming from Footballing Category - more than ever before, Investment capital A single Cup, the actual ejaculate regarding UEFA European 2016 certification, steps coming from Scotland within the SPFL as well as Scottish Cup, as well as YOUR LOCAL MLS as well as Eredivisie.

Atmosphere Activities Managing Representative Barney Francis mentioned: “As Atmosphere Activities provides much more are living fits towards the program this solely forms the actual enthusiasm before a fresh basketball season. Competition increases any showing off tournament sufficient reason for several derby fits within April as well as Nov there is a whole lot to help enjoy.

“In the 1st several weeks of the season followers will be able to view each and every workforce are living no less than double, and also the prime several regarding Chelsea, Person Metropolis, Collection as well as Person Utd are going to be about the displays no less than 6 periods each. ”.

Copa America 2015 Final: Date, Time, Prediction, Preview For Argentina versus Chile

It's the last thought undoubtedly in front of the opposition and the one most neutrals will have craved: has Chile, looking for a first ever global title, will tackle the pre-competition top picks, Argentina, for the Copa America trophy in Santiago on Saturday. What's more, the weight for both to convey the flatware will be sensationally extreme.

For Chile, it doubtlessly speaks to their best ever opportunity to end their long sit tight for grandness. Not just are they playing before an enthusiastic home backing, yet they have an extraordinary era of ability available to them. Included among that is a spine of the group exceeding expectations at some of Europe's greatest clubs - Barcelona's Claudio Bravo, Juventus' Arturo Vidal and Arsenal's Alexis Sánchez. Yet, while that trio has been persuasive, Chile's prosperity, and specifically its raced to the Copa America last, has been helped greatly by players of lesser notorieties delivering their best in the shades of their nation.

Two of those players ventured up huge in the knockout rounds. In the first place, Mauricio Isla, who has included little for Juventus since going along with them in 2012 and spent last season being consigned from the Premier League while on advance at Queens Park Rangers, scored the main objective in a strained quarterfinal with Uruguay. And afterward his colleague last season, having been lent out over and again by Napoli, Eduardo Vargas, safeguarded a cheeky Chile with two objectives in a 2-1 elimination round win over Peru.

It is a group where the aggregate and the framework is the star. Humorously, Chile's high-squeezing, exciting brand of play, was introduced in them by an Argentinian, in Marcelo Bielsa, and is presently being proceeded by his follower and countryman Jorge Sampaoli

Interestingly, the Argentina group is one swarming with star force, with the assignment for mentor Gerardo Martino basically to attempt and augment their impact. Through a lot of this Copa America that aspiration has attempted to happen as expected. Notwithstanding including a group containing Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Ángel di María and Javier Pastore, and with Gonzalo Higuaín, Carlos Tevez and Éver Banega among those accessible from the sidelines, Argentina scored only four objectives through its initial four matches.

Still there was a sense, particularly in a quarterfinal with Colombia that some way or another completed goalless following an hour and a half in spite of Argentina laying attack to the resistance objective, that the dam was going to break. Of course enough, it did as such fantastically in the elimination rounds. Messi put on a playmaking masterclass, helping three objectives and having influence in the other three, Pastore moved down a fine season at Paris Saint-Germain while Di Maria put a pitiful first season at Manchester United behind him with two objectives right now Paraguay 6-1.

The errand now is to rehash that level and maybe even enhance it when the title is at stake against Chile. Having lost a year ago's World Cup last to Germany after additional time, this could be the last incredible chance for a splendid era to at last convey some senior flatware and end Argentina's own dry spell, which, unrealistically, goes back to 1993.

Since that time, Argentina has won the Under-20 World Cup a unimaginable five times, with the 2005 era leaving the best stamp. Without a doubt five of Argentina's first-decision beginning lineup in this competition - Messi, Aguero, Lucas Biglia, Pablo Zabaleta and Ezequiel Garay - played in the win over Nigeria in the last 10 years back.

Messi has been among the Argentinean unforeseen expressing that he would offer everything to win this Copa America. In any case, for Chile, as well, the opportunity to conquer a past filled with close misses, including four Copa America last thrashings, is in question. At the Estadio Nacional on Saturday, something will need to give.

Expectation: So quite a bit of this last relies on upon the how both sides handle the event and the weight. Will Chile be propelled by the home backing and the chance for national everlasting life, or will they keep on showwing the tenseness in plain view in their elimination round? On the inverse side, will Argentina now play with opportunity after at long last getting among the objectives, or will the trepidation of losing another real last smother their assault?

From a physical outlook, both groups have the assaulting weapons to hurt protections that have hinted at helplessness. Furthermore, if Argentina are getting it done then they could truly pick gaps in a Chile backline that is regularly left uncovered. Yet, Chile have played with a feeling of fate and a capable will all through this rival and, consolidated with their commitment to their mentor's framework, that could see them edge what can possibly be an exciting

Women' World Cup: U.S., Helped by Red Card, Ejects Colombia

EDMONTON, Alberta — It started as an entrancing match of the foundation against the guerilla, a transformative pull of war in ladies' soccer, with the United States attempting to keep up its hold as a customary force and Colombia attempting to leap forward to another period of equality.

Furthermore, for a half on Monday, yearning Colombia held the Americans scoreless in their round-of-16 amusement at the Women's World Cup with a dauntless youthful goalkeeper named Catalina Perez, a redshirt sophomore at the University of Miami who is however 20.

At that point carelessness and inability bested affirmation for Perez, who was given a red card in the 47th moment for clearing out the legs of Alex Morgan at the edge of the punishment zone.

Playing a lady down, Colombia got to be helpless, and the United States won, 2-0, preceding a meager group declared at 19,412 with objectives by Morgan and Carli Lloyd and, all the more dependably, with a safeguard that has not let the ball into the net for 333 minutes.

Morgan seems resuscitated after an extensive nonattendance due to a bone wound in her cleared out knee. Over all, however, the American assault stays unpredictable and unconvincing. Abby Wambach missed an extra shot on Monday, and triumph accompanied a tremendous potential expense to the midfield.

The starters Megan Rapinoe, a winger and the Americans' most inventive player, and Lauren Holiday, a holding midfielder, both drew their second yellow cards of the competition Monday, bringing about programmed one-amusement suspensions. Morgan Brian and Christen Press will be their probable substitutions against China, which will likewise have had two additional days of rest.

"We're simply going to need to continue pushing ahead," Lloyd said. "They will certainly be missed, yet doubtlessly we've got a profound squad."

With Brazil wiped out, Colombia was the last group from South America staying in this World Cup. Monday's match was connecting with on various levels, not the slightest of which was social.

The Americans are the recipients of four many years of Title IX, a government law precluding segregation in view of sexual orientation that has broadly expanded ladies' chances to play sports. Colombia's players, by difference, experienced childhood in a Latin American culture in which ladies were viewed as unfeminine just for kicking a soccer ball.

"Folks, men, not needing you to play — 'this isn't a lady's diversion; you're masculine,' " Perez said before the match. "Be that as it may, I feel like we're opening another way for all of soccer to develop in Colomb

Officers: Mark Warburton will bring achievement - Alan Kernaghan

By Phil Goodlad BBC Scotland


Alan Kernaghan saw Mark Warburton very close at Brentford and accepts the Englishman will lead Rangers to advancement next season.

Previous Clyde and Dundee chief Kernaghan had a spell as overseer at Brentford and left the club after Warburton assumed control as administrator.

"I believe its an incredible arrangement for Rangers," said Kernaghan when solicited in regards to his chances from accomplishment at Ibrox.

"He's an exceptionally constructive individual in all parts of how he goes about his occupation."

Previous Middlesbrough and Manchester City guard Kernaghan knows the Scottish amusement well after spells as a player with St Johnstone, Brechin City, Clyde, Livingston, Falkirk and Dundee.

What's more, he accepts that Warburton, who has concurred a three-year contract with Rangers, will bring a freshness the Glasgow club require subsequent to completing third in the Scottish Championship and losing in the Premiership play-off last against Motherwell.

"It is somebody coming to Scottish football with new eyes and isn't dug in what has gone ahead in Scotland before," Kernaghan told BBC Scotland.

"It will be useful for Rangers - another begin thusly, a clean breadth of the board and new thoughts will come and that is required at Rangers right now."

Stuart McCall had been given the Rangers work until the end of the season in the wake of succeeding Kenny McDowall in March, yet the club's new board has chosen not to give the previous Motherwell administrator the position on a lasting premise.



Warburton is ready to be acquainted with the media at Ibrox Stadium at 14.00 BST, with the 52-year-old carrying with him his right hand, David Weir, the previous Rangers safeguard.

"He is all that much hands-on," Kernaghan said in regards to Warburton's administration style. "He'll need to know everything that is going ahead at the club.

"He is extremely conclusive and he's great to work for. He is great fun additionally knows his stuff."

Warburton never made it to senior football at a player, playing for Enfield and Boreham Wood in England's lower groups, started his training profession at Watford's childhood institute and moved to Brentford in 2011.

He got to be supervisor two years after the fact and drove Brentford to advancement to the Championship, however it was reported in February that he would be leaving toward the end of the season regardless of his side again trying for title.

"It is more to do with the proprietor at Brentford, Matthew Benham, who is an exceptionally effective individual in his business and needed to bring an alternate kind of system," clarified Kernaghan.

"We've all seen the film Moneyball with Brad Pitt in it about how somebody brought an exceptionally vital and extremely scientific method for picking players and set up them together and won a title in American baseball.

"That is the sort of Moneyball circumstance Matthew does with his details. He has an organization that arrangements with a ton of wagering and that was the vital way he needed to go and Mark had issues with that."

Officers: Mark Warburton - 'no fleeting fixes' for new director

New Rangers director Mark Warburton has cautioned fans not to expect "fleeting fixes" subsequent to turning into the first Englishman to assume responsibility of the club.

The 52-year-old previous Brentford manager has marked a three-year contract, as has previous Gers commander David Weir, who turns into his collaborator.

"Our point is to win the division," said Warburton, who guaranteed to play a brand of football that "energizes the fans".

Notwithstanding, he additionally said his occupation was to construct "firm establishments" for the club.

Warburton succeeds Stuart McCall, who was named in March and sought the part on a perpetual premise.

Officers director Mark Warburton at a media gathering

McCall guided the club to the Scottish Premiership play-off last, however they were beaten by Motherwell and will stay in the Championship for a brief moment season.

One of Warburton's first undertakings will be to remake a squad drained by the arrival of 11 senior players.

"I understand it is truly incline," he said. "Our employment is to convey recommendations to the table that include quality to the club and off the pitch."

He included that he had utilized "a tight squad of 24 players" at Brentford, directing them to the Championship play-offs, where they inevitably lost in the semi-finals to Middlesbrough.

In spite of hypothesis there is no part for previous Valencia mentor Ian Cathro under Warburton.

Officers chief Paul Murray, some piece of a consortium that assumed control in March, said the arrangements were "the initial phase in remaking the club".

Hull relegated to the Championship after two years in top flight

HULL City's two-year stay in the Premier League reached an end as they drew with 10-man Manchester United at the KC Stadium.

Steve Bruce's men needed to win to give themselves any trust of survival.

In any case, Newcastle's triumph against West Ham took the issue out of their hands, sentencing Hull to transfer regardless of what their own outcome.

Body did make chances, driving Manchester United attendant Victor Valdes to make brilliant recoveries to deny Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic.

David Meyler squandered the hosts clearest risk on objective however they couldn't discover a route through, even after Marouane Fellaini was sent off for an unrefined test on Paul McShane 13 minutes from time.

Midfielder Robbie Brady attempted to keep down tears at the last shriek as the Hull fans remained focused demonstrate their backing for the group.

Structure's season began with positive thinking when they went to Slovakia to face Odu Trencin in the Europa League on 31 July.



Yet the excitedly anticipated first European experience was over before the end of August, having endured only four matches.

Their European crusade contributed two of just 10 triumphs since Hull's FA Cup last appearance against Arsenal 12 months prior, when they drove by two objectives however were in the end beaten in additional time.

Today's clear implied they neglected to score in precisely a large portion of their 38 group amusements.

Might we get this over with?

Frame have never won a Premier League amusement in the month of May, drawing four and losing nine.

Such a situation can't have been conceived by Tigers proprietor Assem Allam, who endorsed spending of £40m to get 11 new players through the span of the season.

The spending obviously has not demonstrated quality for cash.

Of the newcomers, just Michael Dawson and Dame N'Doye began the last endeavor to rescue Hull's Premier League status.

Abel Hernandez, a club record £10m buy from Palermo, scored only once in 21 appearances since beginning his Hull profession with three in fiv

Liverpool wipe out Raheem Sterling contract talks

Liverpool have wiped out contract chats with Raheem Sterling and his agents which had been because of occur on Friday.

Prior Sterling's operators Aidy Ward had told Sky Sports News HQ that he denied quotes credited to him in the Evening Standard over the Liverpool forward's future and would be looking for lawful guidance over the article.

Ward was because of meet Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre on Friday to talk about Sterling's future and was relied upon to tell the club Sterling would not be marking an expansion to his current arrangement, which still has two years to run.

The 20-year-old was booed by some Liverpool fans as he acknowledged the Young Player of the Year recompense at Tuesday night's end of season honors function.

Sterling - and his operators have additionally been completely scrutinized by numerous included in football with Sky Sports intellectual Thierry Henry cautioning Sterling he dangers "obliterating his life and profession" by listening to "terrible guidance".

Previous Liverpool protector and kindred Sky Sports intellectual Jamie Carragher has additionally pummeled the way Sterling - and his agents - have acted.

"For a 20-year-old child to be tackling Liverpool Football Club more than an agreement, to the pit of my stomach that just winds me up, it maddens me," Carragher told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. "You keep your mouth close - get on with playing football."

Manchester United are accounted for to have made an enquiry about Sterling yet senior sources at Old Trafford have said he is not on their rundown of targets.

Furthermore, talking at a news meeting to report the most recent England squad Roy Hodgson declined to answer addresses on Sterling's future saying essentially: "I won't be staying my nose into that business by any means."

Louis van Gaal: Man Utd supervisor takes show at grants night

"Hi, hi, pay consideration on the chief!"

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal created what was portrayed as the "best discourse ever" to take the show at the club's player of the year recompenses evening.

After Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea won both the Players' Player and Fans' Player of the Year honors for a brief moment year running, Van Gaal made that big appearance live on MUTV.

Reviewing a group meeting at which chief Wayne Rooney said United could push for second in the Premier League, the Dutchman cried "yes" and punched the air.

Over and again referencing the reality United had won 13 focuses from the initial 10 diversions of the season, the 63-year-old portrayed the club's fans as the "best on the planet".

In the wake of adulating the players' soul various times amid a seven-moment monolog, Van Gaal said his group "could have been the champions" and were "close", in spite of a 15-point shortfall to title-victors Chelsea.

At that point, with moderator Jim Rosenthal wrapping up procedures in Old Trafford's Manchester Suite, there was a Van Gaal reprise.

Coming back to the stage and getting the mouthpiece, he yelled: "Hi, hi, pay consideration on the chief!"

He then rebuked those present for not extolling the female saxophonist, who he said had played "incredibly".

At the point when Van Gaal came back to his seat, MUTV moderator Mandy Henry said: "How would you take after that?"

Midfielder Juan Mata, who won objective of the season for his aerobatic strike in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, said Van Gaal's discourse was "entertaining".

The Spaniard included: "I think he appreciated it. Clearly we have a ton of gatherings amid the season. We know how he can carry on."

Previous United safeguard Gary Neville tweeted:  "LVG is makes me laughing to tears here. Extraordinary stimulation! One of the best/most entertaining 20 mins I've ever had!"

Ex-England cricket commander Michael Vaughan portrayed it as the "best discourse ever".

Prior, Van Gaal cheerfully cut associate administrator Ryan Giggs round the head after the Welshman outbid him in a bartering for a round of golf with previous United striker Dwight Yorke.

Cesc Fabregas: Chelsea player's restrict slice from three amusements to one

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas will just miss one match after the Football Association diminished his boycott taking after his red card against West Brom.

The Spaniard was sent off for fierce direct in the wake of kicking the ball at Chris Brunt's head from 20 yards away in the Premier League champions' 3-0 misfortune.

The offense ordinarily conveys a three-match boycott however Chelsea effectively contended that would be "inordinate".

Fabregas, 28, will now just miss Sunday's home diversion with Sunderland.

With his side 1-0 down at The Hawthorns, Fabregas hit Brunt on the head with the ball as Mike Jones attempted to restore request after a tussle between Diego Costa and Gareth McAuley.

Chelsea supervisor Jose Mourinho depicted the sending off as "strange" and "unforgiving".

An announcement from the Football Association read: "A case via Chelsea that the three-match suspension for Cesc Fabregas is over the top has been maintained by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing."

Mourinho mostly censured Monday's annihilation on the shortcoming of their Premier League rivals, who "let us win the title so early".

Pep Guardiola failed at looking to conquer Barcelona at his or her online game

Bayern Munich go guru Pep Guardiola admits this 3-0 scoreline at Barcelona inside initial leg in their UEFA Champs Category semi-final disappointed them.

Barcelona's 3-0 success above Bayern Munich about Saturday ended up being one of the most thrilling football suits you'll witness in this particular -- or even any other -- time of year. It turned out a terrific spectacle: some sort of complement performed at breakneck pace between 2 clubs determined to mass media high, in addition to move via heavy, in which the unremitting rate just underlined this pure techie excellent with the footballers about present.

The reason ended up being rather obvious: Pep Guardiola, about his initial return to this Camping Nou, ended up being determined to enjoy this "Barcelona way" with Bayern Munich.

His or her predecessor, Jupp Heynckes, thrashed Barcelona couple of years ago while using opposite strategy, through unleashing some sort of remarkably anti-Barcelona, "underdog" strategy structured close to physicality, counterattacks in addition to arranged parts. 

That wasn't very much not the same as this strategy utilized by many bottom-half Are generally Liga clubs up against the Catalan giants. The particular distinction, of course, ended up being in which Bayern accomplished this strategy ruthlessly with world-class footballers.

Neuer really does his better to maintain Bayern inside

Messi, Luis Suarez and also Neymar came into the experience along with 108 targets in between these people this season, but for prolonged periods. Barca's web easy push arrived up against your immovable Neuer.

This Bayern goalkeeper had been surely maintained chaotic over the opening amount of the experience. Bayern's bold (or foolish) decision to start the experience important proper up the frequency, planning to man-mark everywhere in the subject, quit Barca's unsafe opponents along with a lot of living space in order to bust in to.

Suarez had been clear via double in the opening quarter-hour. The two situations, Neuer sprang through his series to save brilliantly, initial having a traveling header to get to a new ball outside the container and then by simply staying big in order to obstruct your picture together with his entire body when Suarez received time and energy to capture through more detailed inside. This Uruguayan likely should have carried out better while using minute possibility however he's hardly the very first attacker in order to repent assembly Neuer on this kind.

Neuer had been superb however may carry out minor regarding the 3 Barcelona targets in the minute 1 / 2.

Just before half-time, Neuer also ended brilliantly through Dani Alves after the raiding right-back were being selected by simply Andres Iniesta's superb via ball. Alves' shut handle and also speedy picture ended up wonderful, although not ample in order to surprise your In german.

Your second 1 / 2 found a lot more Messi wizard in order to mail Neymar scarpering apparent, however Bayern's "sweeper keeper" competed available to completely clean up the danger. It looked like for some time of which Barca wouldn't normally have the capacity to find a method previous perhaps your globe's ideal goalkeeper... till Messi got around.

Neymar additional your third aim when this individual again nipped inside at the rear of your browsing protection, now capable of defeat your developing Neuer. That has been particularly harsh about the browsing goalkeeper, who with regard to so long were being your agreement pick for the nights legend person.

Lionel Messi beauty leads Barcelona for you to large first-leg win over Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich mind guru Pep Guardiola admits the actual 3-0 scoreline at Barcelona inside the very first leg of the UEFA Winners Little league semi-final frustrated them.

BARCELONA, Italy -- 2 outstanding objectives through Lionel Messi inside the ultimate 20 units lifted Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich with the Camping Nou. Listed here are three fast observations from other Winners Little league semifinal very first leg.

1. Wonderful activity completed by simply Messi miracle

Regarding 77 units upon Saturday evening, this became among the wonderful emotive problems as well as tactical challenges throughout Western european basketball history because the two factors pressed as well as probed as well as searched to discover a benefit. However, within 4 units, Lionel Messi exhibited precisely how person pro can just trump anything else.

Bayern Munich guru Pep Guardiola, which did a great deal to turn Messi to the earth's very best player during his 4 some unforgettable decades with the Camping Nou, experienced mentioned prior to a activity of which simply no defense or maybe method may stop the actual Argentine while he's at his very best. Guardiola's patched-up Bayern facet (missing Arjen Robben as well as Franck Ribery, involving others) nearly reached full-time devoid of conceding, however may complete nothing at all regarding possibly from the amazing person objectives that however determined this specific tie.

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer experienced appeared unbeatable though the Belgium global had been caught away for your opener. Messi needed his chance first through just beyond your container; his goal had been deadly exact since it blazed just within the near article. 90 1, 000 Blaugrana comments had been chorusing "Messi, Messi" nearly after the actual ball hit the web.

Messi's late masterclass demonstrated major because Barcelona gained a warranted 2-0 win over Bayern Munich.

Nevertheless Messi didn't stop take into consideration just what he previously just done. With Barca's extremely following episode he absolutely bamboozled Jerome Boateng which has a fast dribble, causing the actual Bayern defense upon his back again within the area, ahead of with ease lifting the actual ball above Neuer together with his suitable base. It was a phenomenal person aim and people which discovered that, regardless of whether inside the stadium or maybe seeing upon TELLY, experienced witnessed among the wonderful person match-winning spells.

With his 100th Western european activity, Messi even moved for you to 77 Winners Little league objectives, yet again proceeding ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo of their personal battle for your all-time file. Barca's celebrity furthermore approved Ronaldo for getting on 10 objectives in this particular year's levels of competition and turn into it's major scorer.

Nevertheless this became regarding over the actual statistics. The following had been a player which came back on the extremely maximum connected with his power, stepped through to the largest event as well as determined the overall game on his own. Inside the very first half he exhibited signals from the feelings he is at during Stansted City's stop by inside the round connected with 16, applying quickness connected with base to flee three prints near halfway. Messi's miracle was not and so major of which evening; in this article, in opposition to his previous administrator, his very best perform gained Barca a tremendous winning prize.

The 27-year-old mentioned at yesterday's pregame information convention which he had not relished recent years considering that Pep remaining the actual Camping Nou which his past mentor's return wouldn't definitely have an effect on them psychologically if the activity began. However it had been tough to think in this article that this has not been a display by simply Messi, featuring everyone (especially his previous boss) just how very good he can end up being.

Manchester United v/s Manchester City: United hit four, maintain top 3 spot

That's it from here, hope you enjoyed, have a nice day.

That's it from this superb Manchester Derby. United sealing the day with a 4-2 victory. Goals from Young, Mata, Fellaini and Smalling for United and a Brace for Aguero ended a 6 goal spectacle.

CLATTENBURG BLOWS FOR THE FINAL WHISTLE AT OLD TRAFFORD. An emphatic win for the home side. They continue their brilliant form winning all of their previous four. As for City, they are shellshocked. Title contenders entering 2015, are now fighting for a Champions League qualification spot. Some joy for Aguero on having scored his 100th City goal. But all overshadowed by the 4-2 win for United. Pellegrini's men leave the Old Trafford with lot of worries. As for United, they will be a happy side.

90' The assistant referee signs for three minutes of additional time.

89' AGUERO GETS HIS BRACE. Not much celebration from the Argentine considering the scoreline and th etime left. He gets his 100th City goal. No mood of celebration from him.

85' Falcao and Di Maria, star players of their respective sides, haven't got off to a good start under van Gaal. Both enter play with only ten minutes remaining.

83' SUBSTITUTION. van Gaal too makes his final sub, Colombian forward Falcao comes for Fellaini.

81' SUBSTITUTION. Juan mata is done for the day, former Real Madrid man Di Maria replaces him.

75' SUBSTITUTION. Meanwhile United make their first change. Rojo comes in for Jones.

74' SUBSTITUTION STRAIGHT AWAY. Pellegrini makes his final sub of the game. Former Chelsea legend, Lampard comes into play replacing Navas.

73' NOW SMALLING COMES ON THE SCORE SHEET. It's turning into a nightmare for City. A free kick into the box is well headed by Smalling to give them their fourth. 4-1 United.

70' United playing with much more content now, making good attacks into the half. They will be looking to take revenge of their humiliating 6-1 defeat to the hands of their city rivals.

67' UNITED HAVE ONE MORE. The City defence looks in tatters there. Juan Mata makes a good run into the box to meet Rooney's through ball. The former Chelsea man runs through the penalty area before slotting the ball through a hopeless Hart's legs. 3-1 to Manchester United.

63' SUBSTITUION. James Milner too follows his captain as he is taken of the field due to injury. Former Arsenal man , Samir Nasri comes to replace him.

63' This maybe another blow for the visitors as Milner seems to be injured following a challenge. The City midfielder doen't look good and is expected to be substituted.

57' Brilliant play from United. Mata wonderfully plays an inswinging cross for the three ManU players inside the box, The cross is headed poorly by Young. But anyways the off-side flag was up.

52' HOW DID THAT STAY OUT?? SUPERB DEFENDING BY CITY. Rooney's curling free kick is kept out by Hart. But the following counter attack is well defended by City as Mata, Harerra and Young have shots from inside the box.

51' Free kick for united in a good position. Navas fouls Mata just outside the box. Roonaey to step up. He will fancy his chances of scoring from a free kick.

46' SUBSTITUTION. City captain is forced of the field with an injury, Mangala to replace him.

45' The Manchester Derby is underway once more after the halftime. United lead 2-1.

There's the halftime whistle. A scintallating first half at the Old Trafford. City opened the scoring through Aguero. But United got back into it straight away, courtesy of goals from Young and Fellaini. At halftime, its Manchester United 2- 1 Manchester City.

45'  YELLOW CARD FOR KOMPANY. That actually should have been a sending off. Kompany makes a terrible challenge on Dutchman Blind, completely missing the ball and hitting his shin. Mark Clatenburg maybe gets it wrong this time.

41' City buildup the play well, before the ball falls for Milner. However his attempted curling effort from outside the box goes horribly wrong and is well above and wide off the post.

35' YELLOW CARD FOR SILVA. Second booking for the visitors as Silva challenges the goal scorer Young.

    Now this is what you call a derby! #MUNMCI

    — Charlie Gibbs (@ManLikeMata) April 12, 2015

30' United are using their flanks well. Especially Young who is tirelessly making the runs on the left flank. Again an attack ensues from the left side. But the City defence copes well with it.

27' UNITED HAVE TURNED IT BACK. Brilliant play from Blind and Young in the penalty area before the the goal scorer finds the Belgian, who heads the ball cooly into the near post, beating Hart. 2-1 to Manchester United.

24' YELLOW CARD FOR MILNER. The Englishman is booked by the refree for a challenge on Ander Harerra.

20' The game loses it's tempo after the equaliser, but City still continue to attack with more content. They are using the flanks very much. Another goal to their fancy maybe?

16' What a stunning fifteen minutes of play we've had. City getting the early start they wanted, United getting the early equaliser they wanted.

14' YOUNG HAS THE EQUALISER. And United are right back into it. Ander Harerra pics out Ashley Young in the box who tries to put it in. However the ball rebounds of a slide from Clichy only to fall for Young again who scores this time around. 1-1 at the Old Trafford.

11' City win a free kick just outside the United box, which they are able to clear. A following counter attack by Young is tackled by Clichy dangerously. Once more, the City defender avoids a booking.

8' David Silva with the assist.

8' AGUEROOOOOOOOO!!!! that's the the start city wanted. Milner and Silva play brilliantly before the Spaniard squares up Aguero, who taps into an empty net. 1-0 City.

5' THAT COULD HAVE BEEN 1-0. And City attack straight away, Navas is on side from a through ball to him, but his shot on target is kept out by De Gea.

3' And just minutes into the play, Clichy makes a heavy challenge on Mata. But the defender just somehow avoids a yelow card.

1'  We're under way at the Old Trafford. What an exceptional atmosphere it is.

Confirmed Lineups for EPL Fixture: Manchester United v/s Manchester City

Manchester United XI(4-1-4-1): DE Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Carrick, Mata, Harrera, Fellani, Young, Rooney
Manchester United subs: Valdes, Rafael, Rojo, Di Maria, Falcao, Januzaj, McNair

Manchester City XI(4-4-1-1): Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, Milner, Silva, Aguero
Manchester City subs: Caballero, Fernando, Nasri, Dzeko, Kolarov, Lampard, Mangala

Manchester City come to the Old Trafford today in hope of maintaining thier spot in top four. United stand just one point above the former champions in the league table. City travel to their neighbours following a turbulent form. They have lost three of their previous five encounters. Meanwhile their neighbours are in terrific form, winning three consecutive matches and four of previous five.

Both teams will look to take maximum points from this fixture to maintain their spot in top four for a champions league place next season.

The reverse fixture this season saw City clinch a 1-0 victory at the Etihad when Sergio Aguero's only goal was the decider.

Ronaldo reaches 300 mark for Real

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal against Rayo Vallecano during a Spanish League BBVA. - AP
Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo turned 300 goal for Real Madrid in a 2-0 La Liga win worked neighbors Rayo Vallecano on a medium that supports the gap with leaders Barcelona to four points.

Fresh from Granada 9-1 thrashing when Ronaldo struck out five European champions need a victory in Rayo Vallecas stadium after Barca cruised to a 4-0 victory at home to Almeria to open a seven-point lead on their rivals.

In the form of Luis Suarez scored twice and Lionel Messi ended a drought of goals in three games, with Marc Bartra also get in the record at the Camp Nou. Property hardly exercise any control over Rayo humble and many opportunities were lost to Ronaldo scored his 37th league goal of the season with a header after a cross from Dani Carvajal.

The prolific striker Messi Luso five clear at the top of scoring charts, is the third player after Raul (323) and Alfredo Di Stefano (307) to reach 300 goals for real, but only 288 needed hand, compared with Raul Di Stefano 741 and 396 .

Ronaldo had previously been reserved for diving in the penalty area, and will be suspended for the league match at home to Eibar on Saturday. James Rodriguez made it 2-0 with a strong finish to raise the dismissal Ronaldo Real 70 points, five more than in the third place champions Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at home against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

"We try to get them to a higher field strength, but in the first half we were not conclusive" real coach Carlo Ancelotti at the press conference. "Secondly, we were better, we played well and we deserved to win," said the Italian.

After edging a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday, Barca dominated Almeria at the Nou Camp to record their 20th victory in 22 games this season in all competitions.

Messi, who has not scored since his double against Eibar three weeks ago, made it 1-0 in the 33rd minute when he jumped from the right side and took a left foot effort into the far corner.

Almeria, which is the third from the bottom, defended stubbornly but admitted again when Suarez scored almost identical in 10 minutes after the break.

Central Bartra added the third when he nodded in a corner Xavi with 15 minutes to go and Pedro Suarez set 4-0 in stoppage time.

"We know that if we stay focused in the league is not going to get three points," said Suarez in an interview with Spanish television.

With eight games they are gone, the club has the opportunity to repeat the historic treble in 2009, Pep Guardiola, the only time the Spanish team won the national championship and Cup and the Champions League in the same season.

Chelsea will aim to turn on the style against Stoke, says Jamie Redknapp

Hazard: Can help Chelsea re-discover the fluid football they played earlier this season, says Redknapp

A six-point lead. A game in hand. Nine to play. For me, Chelsea will go on to win the title with the great advantage they've built up on their rivals.

However, Jose Mourinho will want to get the team back to the form they were displaying earlier this season, when they were playing with a real swagger. That freedom and fluidity has dropped a little in recent weeks.

That perhaps stems from the fact they haven't rotated as much as their rivals this season - only 13 Chelsea players have started more than five games in the Premier League. In contrast, Man City have started 19 players for more than five matches and Arsenal 18.

Hughes was rewarded with a new contract this week and I'm really pleased for him. He got a lot of blame for what happened when he was at QPR but he's a good manager and he's seized this chance to show what he can do. He's done a really good job.

Stoke are now playing well, scoring good goals and Hughes deserves a lot of credit for what he's done there.

Their passes are shorter this season, although they do still have Peter Crouch up front if they want to go long. They're not afraid to play percentage football and I've got no problem with that. It's about winning games and playing to the strengths you have - and in Crouch and Jonathan Walters, Stoke have got a powerful front two if they want to mix it up and use them.

Hard work

Chelsea had to work really hard up at Stoke to come away with a 2-0 win earlier this season and they'll have to do the same on Saturday Night Football. The hosts have to win their individual battles and then their quality players can make the difference.

Deadline day of transfer window lacks drama

 


LONDON: The last-minute shopping spree often associated with the closing of the January transfer window failed to materialise as Europe's top clubs largely kept their powder dry.

Even in England, where the 20 Premier League can usually be relied upon to splash some of the cash they earn from a mega TV deal, trading was unusually light, leaving presenters of Sky Sports News' much-hyped deadline day coverage desperately searching for something to talk about.

Leaders Chelsea spent 35 million euros (US$39.7 million) to bring Colombian Juan Cuadrado to Stamford Bridge, recouping most of that by selling Andre Schuerrle to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, but Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal did no significant late business.

English champions City signed Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony from Swansea City last month for 25 million pounds (US$37.6 million) while United's only arrival of note was former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer.

While a few late deals could push the total January spend in the Premier League past the 100 million pounds mark, the head-spinning transfer frenzy, for now at least, appears to have been replaced by a calmer, more measured approach.

UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules have made it less likely that clubs sign players without first off-loading some of their squad, stalling the usual merry-go-round.

Transfers of players from the Premier League to other European leagues is also hindered by the huge salaries.

The reluctance of club managers to part with players at such a delicate phase of the season has also become an increasing factor in the mid-season window.

While Premier League spending this season is running at around 900 million pounds, the vast majority of that dates back to pre-season when squads were being assembled.

Liverpool, chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League, failed to add to their squad in January, while Arsenal limited their activity to Legia Warsaw youngster Krystian Bielik and Gabriel from Villarreal.

Loan deals such as former England winger Aaron Lennon joining Everton from Tottenham Hotspur and high-flying Southampton taking Serbia's Filip Djuricic from Benfica and Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen caught the eye.

However, managers of the clubs battling against relegation were left frustrated in their attempts to strengthen.

None more so than Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp, one of England's most adept deadline day dealers.

Apart from Mauro Zarate from West Ham United, Redknapp failed to bolster QPR's squad, having tried and failed with a late attempt to sign striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Tottenham.

Speaking to the BBC, former Hull City chairman Paul Duffen explained the lack of January activity.

"Getting players out in the market, there are problems such as liquidity. Clubs don't have it, apart from Chelsea today," he said. "There is the danger in January for a player that if it goes wrong, it could harm their career.

"They could find they go on-loan at a club who get relegated and end up in a worse situation than they were."--REUTERS

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen ends Jerez pre-season test on top

Kimi Raikkonen completed a successful first pre-season test for Ferrari by setting the pace on the final day at Spain's Jerez track.

It is the third time in four days a Ferrari has been fastest, as the teams reached one-third distance in their preparations for the 2015 season.

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson was second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes team completed by far the most mileage.

McLaren had another tough day, still struggling with their new Honda engine.

Jenson Button did only 35 laps and was 6.8 seconds off the pace as he was hit initially by a problem with oil levels and then was forced to abandon the day's running following a fuel-pump failure.

McLaren posted 79 laps over four days - compared to more than 500 by Mercedes. But director of engineering Matt Morris insisted the team had had a positive test as they bedded in their relationship with Honda.


"We have had a number of problems," Morris said. "We have had some operational issues - all of us working together as a team for the first time - things you take for granted when you have been with an engine supplier for many years.

 "You drop the ball sometimes, like saying getting oil levels wrong and all these sorts of things. We have had a few issues like that.

"We have also had some minor electrical issues, which resulted in a lot of downtime but have actually been relatively easy to fix.

"The main thing is that we have not been burning bodywork or blowing up engines.

"I am pretty happy that we are going to come out of this test with no major issues to resolve."

Hamilton had a harmless spin at the chicane in the morning but still managed 117 laps as Mercedes completed an impressive overall distance of 1,419 miles in four days.

Hamilton told his team over the car radio: "Well done, guys. Great first week back."

On his spin he said: "It was a bit damp, I was the first on slicks, so I just had a spin.

"But reliability has been pretty special this week. It's one of our highest weeks of mileage.

"The car feels very similar to last year. It's very difficult to pick out any differences, really."

Lotus also had an encouraging final day as they completed their first test with a Mercedes engine, after switching from Renault last year.