Tottenham’s entertaining run in the 2010/11 Champions League came to a disappointing end last night, as Spurs didn’t manage to put on a show for the White Hart Lane crowd and fell to a 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid, losing out 5-0 on aggregate to the La Liga giants.
The damage was obviously done at the Bernabeu, but Harry Redknapp would have been hoping that his side would have been able to bring some respectability to the tie. However, Tottenham were unable to find the back of the net and had a number of decent penalty shouts turned down. Just to rub salt into the wounds, Heurelho Gomes made a terrible mistake to allow Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot to squirm past him – the second time in a week that’s happened.
Spurs, though, will be able to look back on their debut Champions League campaign with plenty of pride, and now attention turns to the Premier League and ensuring they qualify for the competition next season.
So what FIVE things did we learn about Tottenham last night?
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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was pleased his players showed spirit as their 4-2 win over Wigan came at a cost on Saturday.All six goals were scored in the second half at the Stadium of Light and Wigan went back into the relegation zone on the back of the defeat.
Mohamed Diame had given the visitors the lead but it lasted barely three minutes as a Jordan Henderson brace and goals from Asamoah Gyan and Stephane Sessegnon gave Sunderland a 4-1 lead.
Substitute Franco di Santo pulled a goal back for Wigan late on.
Bruce paid a price for the win, however, as both Phil Bardsley and Gyan were stretchered off and Danny Welbeck also had to be substituted.
“Unbelievable. We go a goal behind and we’ve lost two or three players. We’ve lost every striker at the club but we managed to score four,” Bruce told Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t really make sense but thankfully they’ve shown a bit or resilience and they needed to.”
“It was a bit anxious and a bit nervy at times but we’ve dug deep and got the result we need which catapults us back into the top 10.”
“But we can’t mask over exactly what’s happened to us with the injuries and it nearly wrecked today as well which is the disappointing thing.”
The win broke a nine-game winless run for Sunderland but Bruce will be forced to finish the season with barely a striker left in the squad.
Bruce said there was a problem his club needed to address.
“It’s caused us a huge problem over the last three months,” he said.
“Thankfully today we’ve got away with it and the ones who have really played well, the young ones today especially, have stood up to the task.”
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez says it was ‘impossible’ for his side to get a result with big calls going Sunderland’s way in the loss.
Martinez rued referee Lee Probert’s decision to award Sunderland a 73rd-minute penalty that Sessegnon converted.
“I’m disappointed because it was a very different performance until the first goal. I felt we were well in control, we were growing into the game but we stopped Sunderland completely and then the hardest thing is to score that away goal,” Martinez told Sky Sports.
“From then on we just got a little bit anxious and then we got punished. The penalty is just a ridiculous decision. It is a shoulder-to-shoulder action that should never have been given.”
“And then all of a sudden they get a two-goal lead and then you are chasing the game and the scoreline does not reflect the performance.”
“Overall it was two completely different games. Unfortunately the big calls didn’t go our way and it was impossible to get a result.”
Martinez still feels his team are competitive enough to avoid relegation and that the battle to avoid the drop will come down to the last day of the season.
The Daily Mail is reporting that Real Madrid has joined Manchester United and Liverpool is the race to sign Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. Young is valued at around £15m and Aston Villa will be prepared to sell in the summer because he will only have one year left on his contract.
Young has been in decent form this season in the Premier League scoring 6 goals and providing assists for a further 10 goals. Young is believed to have told his Aston Villa teammates that his preferred destination is Old Trafford but Liverpool also hold out strong hopes.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has indentified Young as a player that who can not only succeed in Spain but also make the La Liga outfit a profit. Manchester City is also believed to be monitoring the situation.
Ashley Young is also beginning to establish himself as a regular in England squads and has now won 14 caps for his country. If Young was to move for £15m in the summer that would represent a decent profit for Villa – who paid an initial fee of £8m when they signed the wide player from Watford in January 2007.
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Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri was ecstatic after his side sealed a Champions League berth next season with a 1-1 draw at home against Inter Milan.The point was enough for Napoli to clinch third place on the Serie A table, and they are now set to tackle European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the Champions League next season.
It will be the first time for 21 years that Napoli will play in Europe’s premier competition and Mazzarri was understandably a happy man.
“It has been an extraordinary night and I have to thank everyone who works around the team, creating a sense of harmony to help the players give their best,” he said.
“This journey has been going for two years now and after talking to the club I will go into the press room and say what needs to be said.”
“Quite aside from personal rapport, we are professionals and have to be clear at the end of every season on where we are going in future.”
While Napoli know what they will be doing next season, the same cannot be said for Mazzarri.
The 49-year-old said last week he may leave the club at the end of this season, but the experienced manager would not expand on his statement when quizzed after the Inter Milan game.
“I really cannot answer this question until I have spoken to the club. I could lie, but I am always clear and I say that we must talk things over with the club before making any decision,” said Mazzarri, who is under contract with the club until June 2014.
“My honesty is often inopportune for this football world and admittedly I lack something in diplomacy. Please be patient, as after the meeting with the President we will be able to make everything clear.”
“I don’t know when the meeting will be, as I am an employee and have to wait for the President to call me in. Once we discuss everything in a 360 degree analysis, we’ll inform the media of our conclusions.”
“The first time I said that I’d have to talk things over with the President was before the Parma game, when we had four consecutive victories. It is nothing new, as I do this every summer. I just wanted to talk about this celebration and the wonderful atmosphere.”
Monaco were relegated from Ligue 1 after losing 2-0 at home to Lyon on Sunday, with the visitors securing a route into the Champions League.Second-half goals from centre-back Pape Diakhate and centre-forward Lisandro Lopez settled the match at the Stade Louis II in Lyon’s favour.
Monaco, Champions League finalists as recently as 2004, will be in Ligue 2 next season after suffering their first relegation since 1976.
Lyon meanwhile are in the Champions League qualifying rounds after finishing third, four points ahead of PSG, who could only draw 1-1 away to Saint-Etienne.
PSG never looked likely to take all three points from their visit to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard and they needed Mathieu Bodmer’s 90th-minute equaliser to escape with a draw.
Elsewhere on the final day, champions Lille came from behind to beat Rennes 3-2 at home.
Arles, who finished bottom, went down 3-1 at home to Sochaux.
The other relegated side, Lens, also finished with defeat, losing 4-0 at Nancy.
Nice finished 17th, just two points clear of the drop, and had to rely on Monaco’s defeat to secure their survival after they lost 2-1 away to Valenciennes.
Marseille, already assured of second place and Champions League qualification, drew 2-2 away to Caen.
Bordeaux defeated Montpellier 2-0, while Toulouse accounted for Brest by the same scoreline.
Finally, Auxerre finished the season in ninth place after beating Lorient 2-1.
The season may have recently drawn to a close leaving football fans around the nation with a two month wait before competitive club matches begin again. However all is not lost. Now June is here so too is the Under 21 European Championship Finals, beginning on the 11th and running through to the 25th.
After finishing runners up in the previous competition, England have a real chance to win it this time round however they won’t have it easy. The tournament is sure to be bursting with talented youngsters who have potential to develop into stars of the future. Below are some ones to watch when the competition kicks off next week.
David De Gea – The Atletico Madrid number 1 may well be on his way to the Premier League next season, if rumours emanating from Old Trafford turn out to be true, and it’s easy to see why when his past achievements are examined. At only 20 years old De Gea has already won the European Championship and a runners up medal at the World Cup at Under 17’s level. He has also helped his club to Europa League and Super Cup glory in his first two seasons as the first team goalkeeper. With all the speculation linking him with the new Premier League Champions, as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, all eyes should be on De Gea during this tournament.
Phil Jones – Blackburn have had a tough campaign this season, only narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, however things could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for their assured 19 year old centre back. Jones seems to be able to read the game like an experienced footballer way beyond his years, accompanied with his strength, pace and tackling ability he has been recognised as having huge potential, with many of Europe’s elite said to be watching the Preston born teenager. Versatility is also a part of his game, with his ability to occupy a holding midfield role when necessary, making him a huge asset to Stuart Pearce ’s squad.
Christian Eriksen – Winner of both the Danish Under 17 Talent of the Year in 2008 and Danish Talent of the Year in 2010 this 19 year old Ajax star is sure to take the spotlight on his home soil in Denmark. Eriksen has had the honour of being touted as the next Michael Laudrup , playing with finesse and great technique and occupying a similar play-maker, attacking midfield position of the legendary Dane. Eriksen also appeared as the youngest player to feature in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and must certainly be noted as one to watch in the coming tournament.
Xherdan Shaqiri – This 19 year old attacking midfielder is considered by many in his home country of Switzerland as the future of Swiss football. He too was called up to the World Cup finals last summer and scored his first international goal for his country against England in a European Championships qualifying match, receiving praise from both Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard in the process. Having come out of FC Basel’s youth academy, Shaqiri won player of the tournament at the Under 15’s Nike Cup. Despite interests from Europe’s elite clubs he stayed in Switzerland and now holds down a first team squad position at Basel, featuring for them in the Champions League competition this close season.
Tom Cleverley – The 21 year old Manchester United midfielder has made a strong impression at Wigan Athletic this season with his skilful and determined performances, demonstrated by his 25 appearances whilst on loan at the club. He has been loaned out by United in three successive seasons, heading to Watford in 2009 scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances and Leicester City the year before scoring twice with 15 appearances. The youngster has shown a lot of promise gaining healthy first team action over the past seasons and, with the announcement of Paul Scholes’ retirement on Sunday, perhaps this tournament is a stage set for Cleverley to show Ferguson exactly why he should be given a chance at United next season.
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Read more of Oliver Jones’ articles at This is Futbol
Dwayne de Rosario returned to haunt New York Red Bulls, while reigning MLS champions Colorado bounced back to form by toppling Vancouver.De Rosario struck the crucial goal in DC United’s 1-0 win over the Red Bulls, keeping the Washington club’s playoff hopes intact.
Billed as the missing piece for the Red Bulls upon his signing from Toronto in April, the Canada international’s stay in New York was to include just 13 games and two goals before he was sent to DC United in exchange for Dax McCarty on June 27.
The veteran midfielder appeared a man on a mission on his first time back in New York on Saturday, and got the goal his performance deserved at Red Bull Arena in the 61st minute.
De Rosario’s dummy from Andy Najar’s pass enabled Josh Wolff to take possession with his back to goal.
The forward turned on the spot and fed a pass to De Rosario, who made no mistake in finishing past Greg Sutton in New York’s goal.
The Red Bulls had four more shots than their opponents and won the possession battle 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent, but could not find a way through United’s defence and now sit top of the Eastern Conference by virtue of goal difference alone.
Philadelphia Union drew level on points with New York after a 0-0 stalemate with the San Jose Earthquakes, while Houston Dynamo are now within two points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
The Colorado Rapids were facing a fifth game without a win when the Vancouver Whitecaps visited Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but Connor Casey settled his side’s nerves with a 24th-minute strike after Jamie Smith’s cross.
Scott Palguta tapped home in the 68th minute to seemingly make the points safe for the Rapids, though Camilo Sanvezzo scored for the Whitecaps to create a few nervous moments for the home side.
But Colorado hung on to claim a 2-1 win – their first victory since June 11 – to put their title defence back on track.
The Los Angeles Galaxy increased their lead on top of the Western Conference to five points after their big names charged them to a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.
Landon Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 58th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes when Fire forward Cristian Nazarit equalised.
But David Beckham handed his side all three points when his corner kick somehow evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area to cross the line.
Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City needed a 90th-minute goal from Mexican forward Omar Bravo to claim a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA, while Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas 2-0.
The Reds have continued their best of British transfer policy after Stewart Downing made his long awaited move to Anfield last week. His arrival takes Kenny Dalglish’s spending to close to the £50m mark as the Liverpool Legend plots the club’s return to the top.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include Liverpool deny £9.5m deal; Luis Suarez will suffer in the long run, while Kenny’s great dilemma over Conor Coady.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
*
For Liverpool fans it must be a waiting game…for now!
Should Kenny gamble on Liverpool starlet?
Will Luis Suarez suffer in the long run?
Style or Substance? Dalglish’s headache
Getting tired of the negativity this Liverpool youngster gets
The ‘Greatest Liverpool XI’ Of All Time?
Liverpool deny talk of £9.5m deal
Time for Liverpool’s ‘Little Prince’ to take his bow
Who is set to have the biggest impact at Liverpool?
Do comments suggest that Liverpool’s transfer business is done?
*Best of Web*
What a difference a year makes on the ownership front – Live4Liverpool
Does Joe Cole have a future at Liverpool? – This is Anfield
LFC’s Transfer Policy Explained (Hopefully) – Tomkins Times
Is the pressure off Steven Gerrard now? – Our Kop
Alberto Aquilani – Rejuvenated or Redundant? – This is Anfield
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So who is this “Mexican Torres” set to trial at Liverpool? – Live4Liverpool
Brazil legend Pele believes Santos forward Neymar has the potential to reach the heights of some of the game’s greatest names.Neymar is regarded as one of the hottest commodities on the transfer market after an impressive season for both club and country.
His exploits have drawn the attention of several clubs in Europe, with Real Madrid understood to be pursuing a 45-million-euro deal for the 19-year-old.
Pele, who played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, admits the Brazilian Serie A club will struggle to keep Neymar given the widespread interest in the starlet.
“I think it will be very difficult to keep him in Brazil, Santos are my team and he started there with us. I hope he stays there until more or less the 2014 World Cup, but it will be a little difficult to keep him here,” Pele told fifa.com.
“He is a good player, there is no doubt. He will be like a Kaka, a (Lionel) Messi – of that there is no doubt. Or a Ronaldo, a Zico, a Pele. He is an excellent player. I hope that he does (reach his potential).”
Neymar turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea last summer, and Pele thinks that his compatriot made the right choice as the Premier League does not suit the forward’s playing style.
Pele explained: “I think it was good for him, because to play in England I think it would have been a little complicated for him. The style of Neymar in England, Germany and Italy is a little complicated because the marking is very tight.”
A second-half brace from Huang Fengtao has given Shenzhen Ruby a surprise 2-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League.The striker opened the scoring on 79 minutes before sealing the win at the Huizhou Olympic Stadium with his second in the fifth minute of additional time.
Despite the win on Sunday, Philippe Troussier’s team remain in the relegation zone, while Shanghai Shenhua are seventh.
In another upset, a goal from Brazilian striker Leandro Netto helped Henan Jianye to a 1-0 win over the sixth-placed Shaanxi Chanba.
An 81st-minute penalty from Xu Wen gave Nanchang Bayi a 1-0 win over Dalian Shide to ensure they would remain just outside the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Jiangsu Shuntian struck four times in the first half on their way to a 4-2 win over Liaoning Hongyun.
Serbian forward Aleksandar Jevtic hit a brace with goals from Komoliddin Tadjiev and Sun Ke giving Jiangsu a 4-0 lead.
China international Zhao Junzhe pulled a goal back just before the break and midfielder Yu Hanchao struck on 77 minutes, but it proved to be too late for Liaoning.
Qingdao Jonoon recorded a strong 3-1 win over Hangzhou Lucheng.
Liu Jian had given Qingdao an early lead before Uruguayan striker Paulo Pezzolano equalised nine minutes into the second half.
But goals from Zheng Long and forward Zhu Jianrong were enough to give them an important win and help them into ninth.
In other games, Changchun Yatai came from behind to gain a 2-2 draw against Chengdu Blades.
Colombian Javier Estupinan and Australian midfielder John Hutchinson had put the Blades two goals to the good before Zhang Wenzhao and Wang Wanpeng secured the visitors a draw.
Meanwhile, Argentine Luciano Olguin and Roda Antar exchanged goals as Tianjin Teda and Shandong Luneng played out a 1-1 draw.