Federation cup semi-finals hold today

Ilorin and Calabar will be the centre of attraction as the semi-finals of the 2012 Nigerian Federation Cup take centre stage today.
Cup holders, Heartland of Owerri will face a stiff challenge from giant killers, Prime of Oshogbo at the Ilorin township stadium.
Nigerian league title chasers, Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars of Makurdi will in Calabar, slug it out for a place in the final.
Despite their struggles in the league, ‘the Naze millionaires’, winners in 1998 and 2011, have soldiered on and they are again just a game away from another final.

Keshi to release list of foriegn based Eagles on Thursday

Super Eagle’s chief coach Stephen Keshi has revealed that the list of the foreign-based players for the 2013 African Cup of nation’s qualifier against Liberia will be released on Thursday.
Keshi confirmed that the names of the players have already been forwarded to the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and they have made their input on the list.
The coach noted that only players who play regularly for their clubs will be called upon for the September 8th match in Monrovia. It is expected that West Bromwich Albion striker, Osaze Odemwingie and Brown Ideye will both be recalled to join the national team
The invited foreign-based players are expected to complement their home-based counterparts who have been in camp for two weeks.

Defender David Luiz ruled out of Chelsea-Reading clash

David Luiz Chelsea defender revealed today that he will not be kitting up for Chelsea against Reading in a Premier League clash taking place on tonight as he has picked up a knee injury.
The 25-year-old who partnered John Terry in the centre of the west London outfit’s defence at the DW Stadium during their 2-0 win over Wigan on Sunday passed this information via the social media network Twitter explaining why he had to pull out of Chelsea’s second league game of the season.
David Luiz said in his message that he is a bit sad today, because he will not be playing tonight, revealing that he has a pain in his knee and there is every possibility that Gary Cahill will take up his position in his absence.
He moved to Benfica at the age of 19, remaining with the club five seasons (three complete). He joined Chelsea in January 2011, winning the Champions League and the FA Cup in the following season.
On 31 January 2011, Luiz completed a move to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, which Benfica confirmed to be €25 million [£20m], on a five-and-a-half-year contract, with Nemanja Matić joining Benfica at the end of the season after his transfer spell away at Vitesse in the Netherlands.
He made his official Premier League debut on 6 February, replacing José Bosingwa in a 1–0 home loss against Liverpool. He made his first start for Chelsea, in a 0–0 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage, eight days later.
Instantly becoming a cult hero amongst the Chelsea fans, David Luiz was awarded the Barclays Man of the Match award for his performance, despite giving away a penalty in the 93rd minute of the game, which was saved by Petr Čech.
On 1 March, David Luiz scored his first goal for Chelsea, firing in a half volley to help the Blues come from behind to win 2–1 against Manchester United, at Stamford Bridge, with Frank Lampard scoring a late penalty winner.
On 20 March, he scored his second goal for the Blues, heading in from a free kick against Manchester City (2–0 home win), and again receiving the Man of the match award, as well as the Player of the Month for March.

Chelsea 4 Reading 2: Torres breaks Royals resistance but visitors rage over offside call

This was supposed to be a serene homecoming for Chelsea, back at Stamford Bridge for the first time as European champions, parading their expensive new recruits.
In the end it was a desperate scramble, featuring some awful goalkeeping mistakes and a late goal from Fernando Torres, which ought to have been ruled offside.
But the effect was the same. Ninety-five days after glory in Munich and the Blues reached the summit of the Barclays Premier League for the first time in 21 months.

Match-winner: Fernando Torres pops up to score the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge

That scoring feeling: Torres (left) celebrates his strike with Frank Lampard (second right) and Ashley Cole (right)

MATCH FACTS

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel (Sturridge 68), Lampard; Ramires (Oscar 57), Hazard, Mata (Meireles 84); Torres.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Essien, Romeu, Bertrand.
Goals: Lampard (pen) 18, Cahill 70, Torres 81, Ivanovic 90
Reading: Federici; Gunter, Harte, Gorkss, Pearce; Leigertwood, Guthrie, Karacan (Le Fondre 72), McAnuff, McCleary (Robson-Kanu 86); Pogrebnyak (Hunt 77)
Subs not used: McCarthy, Mariappa, Tabb, Cummings.
Goals: Pogrebniak 25, Guthrie 29
Booked: Karacan, Pogrebnyak
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 41,733

Guthrie's And the new boys looked terrific.
Frank Lampard fired Chelsea ahead with an early penalty, won by the irrepressible Eden Hazard, before Pavel Pogrebnyak levelled and Petr Cech threw one into his own goal to put the visitors ahead.
Gary Cahill equalised with the help of another goalkeeping blunder before Torres pounced, nine minutes from time, and Branislav Ivanovic scored on the break in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
If Roberto Di Matteo is under orders to add a flourish to his winning formula and set Russian pulses racing, then he is making stunning progress. No buses were parked on Wednesday night.
From the very first minute, Chelsea careered forward, sometimes with reckless disregard for defensive duties and Hazard continued his explosive start to life in England.
The game was barely under way when the £32million winger burst clear and dragged a shot wide and then won a penalty by tempting Chris Gunter into a challenge he would soon regret.
He dashed outside the full back, then twisted back, looking for an outstretched leg. Gunter supplied it and over Hazard went. Lampard smashed in his second penalty of the season, goal No 189 for Chelsea.
Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 is firmly in view, particularly if the team play with such adventure and Hazard proves so adept at  winning penalties.

We're back in it: Gary Cahill is congratulated by John Terry after equalising for Chelsea

Good hit: Cahill (centre) blasts home Chelsea's equaliser thanks to a mistake from Reading keeper Adam Federici

Stamford Bridge settled back and waited for more but Di Matteo’s defence failed its first real test when Pogrebnyak wriggled clear of Cahill to head Garath McCleary’s cross past Cech.
Reading took heart and took control before half-time. John Terry fouled Jobi McAnuff, 25 yards from goal and Cech made a complete hash of the free-kick.
It was taken by Danny Guthrie, an inswinger from the left which bounced a yard in front of the keeper, who, diving to his left, somehow contrived to push the ball into his own net.

In front: Ian Harte congratulates Danny Guthrie (right) on scoring Reading's second goal at Stamford Bridge

Howler: Chelsea keeper Petr Cech fails to stop Guthrie's free-kick in the first half

That night in Munich could not have seemed more distant. Cech cursed as he climbed to his feet.
Trust the Royals to turn up with plans to spoil the party. No-one was cavorting naked in the pool, Prince Harry style, but Reading made it an uncomfortable night for their hosts.
Brian McDermott’s team are well-balanced and organised, they worked tirelessly and pressed high.
They were confident, too, and Pogrebnyak will score some goals if McCleary’s delivery from the right is going to be this good. Reading’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich did not attempt to keep the smile from his face as he looked down from the posh seats.
Alex Pearce escaped his marker before half-time and was only inches away from connecting with a vicious inswinging free-kick from Ian Harte.

Feed the Pog: Pavel Pogrebnyak heads in Reading's first goal of the night after beating Cahill to the ball

Opener: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard (third right) scores from the penalty spot

It was all slightly chaotic and made for a breathless spectacle. Hazard lashed a 25-yarder high and wide and Torres nodded a header wide after climbing high to reach a cross from the right.
Ivanovic tried his luck from distance, early in the second half but this effort sailed into the Matthew Harding Stand.
Reading repelled a flurry of Chelsea attacks in the second half before Di Matteo turned to another new signing, sending on Oscar to replace Ramires, and then a few more before Daniel Sturridge came off the bench.
It was a central defender, however, who came to the rescue, just as McDermott was beginning to think his team had ridden the storm.

Man in the middle: Referee Lee Mason gestures to Chelsea captain John Terry after a foul on a Reading player

Cahill accepted a short pass from Hazard, strode out of defence and tried his luck from 30 yards with a low drive which slithered across the greasy surface.
Adam Federici should have saved it but could only push it into the net. It was his second blatant mistake in as many games, having been responsible for a goal by Michael Kightly against Stoke on Saturday.
From this point, Chelsea had the momentum. Sturridge and Mata went close before a slick move led to a first of the season for Torres, who was clearly a yard offside on the television replays as he tapped Ashley Cole’s low cross into the net. There was no flag.

That's yer lot: Branislav Ivanovic scores Chelsea's fourth goal and the sixth of the night

Reading threw men forward and in the fifth minute of added time Federici trotted forward to attack a corner. Hazard broke with the ball at his feet, sprinted nearly the full length of the pitch and pulled a pass square to Ivanovic, who tucked his second of the season into an open goal.
In his last 20 league games, Hazard has conjured 13 goals, 13 assists and won seven penalties. And, with six points and six goals in two Premier League games, Chelsea are on top.
Here was a Super Cup with a difference: the champions of Europe against the champions of the Football League. And what a super game. Maybe it will catch on.

At last! Wolves and Sunderland strike a deal over Fletcher fee

Steven Fletcher will be heading back to the Barclays Premier League as Sunderland and Wolves have finally agreed a fee for the striker.
The Scottish frontman has been targeted by Martin O'Neill all summer and the two sides have been haggling over the transfer value of Fletcher.
Fletcher's fee is expected to be greater than the £12m Sunderland were willing to pay - potentially around the £15m Wolves were demanding.

Dangerman: Steven Fletcher will soon be back in the Premier League

O'Neill admitted after his side's 0-0 draw with Arsenal: 'We have a lot of spirit about us, but lack quality in some positions. We need some better attacking options.'
The 25-year-old will travel to Wearside to agree personal terms.

City relief over Aguero as Mancini confirms striker is set to return within a month

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is expected back in action in less than a month following his knee injury suffered against Southampton on Sunday.

There had been fears the Argentinian had suffered major ligament damage when he fell awkwardly early in the 3-2 season-opening win.
But a scan has found no major damage, and City are now optimistic the 24-year-old will be back in contention for the trip to Stoke on September 15.

Fearing the worst: Sergio Aguero was taken off injured against Southampton

 

'I don't think Sergio will be out for long and we are hoping he will be back after the international break which is obviously fantastic news for him and for us,' manager Roberto Mancini told the club's website.

'We were very worried a couple of days ago because we feared he could be out for six months or maybe even more which would have been very bad news.'
Aguero, who scored 23 Barclays Premier League goals for City last season including the dramatic injury-time winner against QPR to snatch the title away from rivals United on the closing day, was carried off 14 minutes into Sunday's match after falling under a fair challenge from Nathanial Clyne.
Later that night, Aguero sought to ease fears by saying the injury was not as bad as it had appeared, although no further announcement had been made by the club regarding his condition until now.

No major damage: Aguero has not suffered a serious knee ligament injury

'It looked like a very strange injury at the time and because it was his knee, we were obviously very concerned so this news is a relief for everybody,' Mancini added.
There was further good news for City on the injury front today, with both Gareth Barry and Micah Richards also ahead of schedule.
Barry suffered an abdominal injury that ruled him out of Euro 2012, but is now back in training and working to catch up after missing the pre-season, while Richards is making progress after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Team GB at the Olympics.
'Gareth will also be ready after the international break,' Mancini said. 'He hasn't played any games for almost four months and he needs to build his fitness up, but he is training again and I don't see him being out for any longer than one month and hopefully, maybe just a couple of weeks.
'Micah's injury is more serious and he could be out a little longer, but having said that, with rest and the right treatment, we are hopeful he could be ready in about one month, which again would be great news.'

Arsenal defender Santos arrested and bailed by police after 130mph car chase

Arrested: Santos was stopped by police on Friday morning

Arsenal footballer Andre Santos was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving just a couple of miles from the club's training ground on Friday morning, it has emerged.
The 29-year-old defender, from Sao Paulo in Brazil, was apprehended by officers who noticed a car - believed to be a £110,000 Maserati GranTurismo - being driven erratically by a driver who failed to stop.
The incident happened the day before the north London team's first game of the season.
He was picked up by officers close to Arsenal's training ground in London Colney in Hertfordshire, just inside the M25 motorway.
The Sun newspaper reported a car being driven at up to 130mph 'weaved in and out of rush-hour traffic' in a high-speed chase.

 

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Shortly after 9.30am on Friday August 17, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police on the A1, near to Junction 22 of the M25.

'Officers' attention was drawn to the vehicle due to the manner of its driving.
'The man has been bailed to return at a date in mid-September to a north London police station.'

Super car: Santos is believed to have been driving a Maserati GranTurismo (below)

Santos remained on the bench throughout Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Saturday - the day after he was arrested.

According to The Sun, Santos has several 'super cars', as well as a Smart Car for doing his shopping in.
The Brazil international, who joined Arsenal from Turkish side Fenerbahce last summer, was not breathalysed, police added.

First Bosingwa, now Carvalho? QPR line up deal with Madrid for former Chelsea star

High profile: Ricardo Carvalho would be a coup if QPR can sign him

Mark Hughes has a deal in place with Real Madrid over bringing defender Ricardo Carvalho to Loftus Road on loan as he aims to tighten up at the back.
His team shipped five at home against Swansea on the opening day of the season and the manager is determined it will not happen again.
As well as working on the purchase of Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, Hughes has reached an agreement with Madrid over Carvalho but the clubs are yet to discuss the finer details of the move.
Carvalho won the Champions League at Porto but made his name with QPR's west London rivals Chelsea and, alongside new signing Jose Bosingwa, will leave Blues fans looking at a familiar defence when they play the R's on September 15, if the deal goes through.
He played alongside John Terry and was a vital part of the defence in Chelsea's 2004-05 and 2005-06 title winning seasons.
Carvalho was hailed for his speed - both mentally and physically - as he was quick to snuff out danger.
However he also practised the game's darker arts when he thought he could get away with it, including shirt-pulling and holding back attackers.

Rivalries: Carvalho was a key component in both of Chelsea's title wins between 2004 and 2006

 

The defender linked up again with former Porto and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid in the summer of 2010 and was a key part of the side during his first season there.

However last season injury limited his appearances and he only played eight times in La Liga.
The 34-year-old has found it tough to break into the side ahead of Sergio Ramos and Pepe, who have formed a partnership at the heart of the Madrid backline, and he was not included in the squad for their season opener against Valencia.

Early bath: Carvalho walks off after being shown the red card against Real Zaragoza

 

Hughes saw his QPR team demolished 0-5 at home by Swansea on the first day of the season and has instantly taken steps to fix the leak. 

As well as making a move for Dawson, he has approached former Celtic and Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc to challenge Rob Green for the No 1 spot.
Green was culpable for a handling error which allowed Spanish midfielder Miguel Michu to open the scoring on Saturday, before then shipping four more goals. 
If he can acquire both Dawson and Carvalho it will give Rangers a far sturdier central-pairing than the duo that took to the field against Swansea, Anton Ferdinand and Clint Hill.

Ferguson delight after Welbeck pens new four-year deal at Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted a bright future for Danny Welbeck after the youngster penned a new four-year contract with Manchester United.

The 21-year-old striker has scored 17 goals since making his debut four years ago and established himself as a first-team regular last season.
And his Old Trafford boss expects more of the same over the coming months.

New deal: Danny Welbeck signs his contract with Manchester United chief executive David Gill

 

'Danny has been with the club since he was eight years old and has made fantastic progress in the last couple of years – first out on loan and last year as a regular in the first team,' Ferguson told United's official website.

'He has become an important player at international level as well, as the maturity of his performances at the European Championships showed. This year is another important one for him. He has a bright future ahead of him.'
Welbeck added: 'Playing for United is all I’ve ever wanted to do – it’s the club I’ve supported all my life. I can’t wait for the challenge of the new season to play my part in helping the team compete for trophies.
'I’m learning all the time from the best manager in the game and I’m keen for that to continue alongside the world class players in the squad.'

Under threat: Welbeck faces competition for a starting place from new signing Robin van Persie

Welbeck made 30 appearances in the Barclays Premier League last season after forcing his way ahead of his rival forwards at Old Trafford— Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and the departed Michael Owen.
He scored nine league goals for United before he was taken to Euro 2012 by new England chief Roy Hodgson. This season, Ferguson has set a minimum target of 20 goals for Welbeck, who now has nine England caps.

Established: Welbeck was a first a first team regular with United last season after a loan spell with Sunderland

He will have to be on his best form after Robin van Persie's £24million arrival from Arsenal threatened to push him down the pecking order.
His new contract, reported to be worth £75,000-a-week, is packed with incentives based on future performance.

Rodgers says he's not taking Hearts lightly despite leaving stars behind

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he is not taking victory over Hearts for granted despite his decision to rest key players for the clash at Tynecastle.

Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson have all been left on Merseyside ahead of Thursday night's Europa League play-off first leg.
That means some fringe players will be involved against the Jambos, with one eye on Sunday's Barclays Premier League visit of champions Manchester City.

Not taking it lightly: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he is going out to win the game despite leaving a number of players behind

Asked if his squad selection means he sees the match with Hearts as being a straightforward one, Rodgers said: 'Not at all. We had a tough game away in Gomel (in the previous round).

 

'It was a very difficult game and thankfully we won the game 1-0.

'Hearts will be a very, very difficult game for us. I've still taken a squad here that is a strong group.
'It's a chance to see some young players but I've got some strong, experienced players.
'There are international captains and Champions League winners so it's still a strong enough squad.
'It will be a difficult game. Tynecastle is a wonderful, tight little ground and supporters will be behind their team and there are some good players.'
He added: "We've got a very small squad to be fair so I've got to try to protect some of the players.

Watching on: Brendan Rodgers stands and observes training

'We played for over half an hour with 10 men on Saturday as well and we've got a massive game at the weekend.
'I trust my players, I trust the group, and whatever team we put out will always be to win the game.
'We want to do well in the competition but it's a great opportunity for me to see the young players mixed in along with some of the experienced players.'
For Rodgers, the league may be the priority but he also wants Liverpool to progress on the European stage.
He said: 'Our main objective is the league - there is no question about that.

Not complacent: Rodgers is not taking Hearts lightly

'When you work at Liverpool - whether as a player or manager - every game is important.
'It's a very important game for us, we want to do well.
'The objective over the two games is to get through to the group stages.
'It's certainly a game we want to win and we want to qualify over the course of the two games. We will pick strong teams that we think can do that.'

Putting the practice in: Liverpool squad during training at Tynecastle

Hearts suffered an emphatic 5-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at Tynecastle in the Europa League last season.
But Rodgers believes there is no chance of complacency within his ranks, despite the Edinburgh club's recent record against English opposition.
He said: 'It's certainly something that I've noticed in my short time here, that they are allergic to complacency.
'There is no question about that. They focus every day and their concentration is good.
'They'll understand the size of the task in terms of coming here and having to play well.

Alert: Joe Allen in action during a Liverpool training session

'I think Hearts will be better for that experience. They might have some regrets from last year.
'The game was over early on and it left them with an uphill task going forward. I'm sure they will be right up for this game.'
Liverpool endured a disappointing start to the season with a 3-0 defeat at West Brom, which saw Daniel Agger sent-off.
The Anfield boss said: 'We were obviously disappointed at the time.
'Like I said to them after the game, on reflection on the Monday, we could live that day 1,000 times over and it probably would never be worse than it was on the day. Everything went against us.
'They are a very honest group and they don't need telling that in terms of result it wasn't so good.
'But in terms of going forward, I learned things from the game, which is important, and there were some real good moments that, going forward, will be good for us.'

Arsenal move right for Sahin, says Real Madrid boss Mourinho

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho expects midfielder Nuri Sahin to thrive in the Barclays Premier League.

Sahin is close to securing a season-long loan with Arsenal after Liverpool and Tottenham also tried to land the 23-year-old Turkey international.

Real deal: Nuri Sahin is swapping Madrid for a loan spell with Arsenal

 

He has had little game time since making his move to the Bernabeu 12 months ago and Mourinho was eager to farm him out to continue his development.

And the former Chelsea boss believes the English top flight is the best place for his young midfielder, regardless of the club.
'The Premier League is a good place for players to pick up certain characteristics which he does not have,' Mourinho said.

Experience talking: Jose Mourinho knows the benefits of the Premier League

While interest in Sahin was high, Mourinho revealed the club were yet to field an offer for Brazilian Kaka.
There had been reports Manchester United were interested in tabling a bid for the 30-year-old, but Mourinho denied that was the case.
'Kaka's situation is completely different,' the Portuguese said. 'We have no official request for Kaka.'

Chelsea plotting £12m bid for Brazilian forward Taison if Hulk deal fails

Chelsea could make a shock move for Metalist Kharkiv’s Brazilian forward Taison.

The 24-year-old is seen as a £12million alternative to Hulk and Edinson Cavani if they prove to be beyond the Londoners’ reach.
The creative force behind Metalist’s rise in Ukraine can play just behind the main striker or on the flank and had been compared to Shakhtar Donetsk forward Willian by scouts.

Wanted: Taison has emerged as a target for big-spending Chelsea

 

Taison was surprisingly left out of his club’s match at the weekend, with sources claiming he was given leave to return to Brazil to explore visa and passport options ahead of a possible move to Stamford Bridge.  The former Internacional player finds himself caught up in a chain of deals.

Coincidentally, Porto are interested in him in case they lose their Brazil striker Hulk to Chelsea.
And Shakhtar have him top of their list to replace Willian if he completes a move to Tottenham, having seen his own transfer to Chelsea fall through.

Options: Porto striker Hulk (right) remains on Chelsea's radar

Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo is keen to further add to the forward line before the transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Cesar Azpilicueta is on the verge of clinching his move to Chelsea. The 22-year-old Spain right back has not been included in Marseille’s squad to face Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday.