Messi surpasses Pele’s mark for goals scored in a year

Brazil football Legend Pele’s milestones for goals scored in one calendar year was beaten yeaterday Argentine forward and Barcelona player; Lionel Messi after scoring his 75th and 76th time in 2012 to move within nine of Gerd Mueller’s all-time record as Barcelona won 4-2 at Mallorca in a la liga clash.
Xavi Hernandez was the key to Barcelona’s victory as he unlocked Mallorca’s defence with a free kick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello added a third goal a minute later at Iberostar stadium.
Their opponent were bent on not giving up the game like that as Mallorca came back to level early in the second half but Messi stepped up to score again the 70th to ensure victory.
It would be recalled that the Spanish giants lost surprisingly to Celtic in the Champions League clash during the week and the Mallorca game can be tagged to be a comeback of the sleeping giant.
This is the latest scoring feat for the Argentina forward, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D’Or.
Messi scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73. He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez’s 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer.
Joaquin Caparros’ Mallorca tried to follow Celtic’s defensive blueprint from Wednesday’s upset in Glasgow, but the strategy didn’t last even half an hour.
Xavi Hernandez took full advantage of a foul earned by Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spain midfielder bent a beautiful free kick over the defensive barrier that turned goalkeeper Dudu Aouate into yet another spectator as it fell into his net.
Also, second-place Atletico Madrid stayed three points behind the pacesetters by easing past visiting Getafe 2-0 thanks to goals by Adrian Lopez and Arda Turan.
Messi converted Barcelona’s 75 per cent of possession into a deserved second goal when the Argentina forward dribbled by several defenders and unleashed a left footed-shot that Aouate let slip through his hands.
Tello then quickly made it 3-0 by curving a strike from outside the area into the far side of the goal.
When it appeared Barcelona would cruise to the comfortable victory, two errors allowed Mallorca to get back into the game.
Mallorca’s Michael Pereira pulled one back in the 55th after Javier Mascherano lost the ball. Two minutes later, Victor Casadesus made it 3-2 from the penalty spot following Sergio Busquets’ handball in the box.

But Messi received a chested pass from Alexis Sanchez and smashed the ball into the top corner to restore Barcelona’s two-goal advantage and crush Mallorca’s hopes.
Messi’s seventh double of the season increased his league-leading tally to 15 goals. He has 20 in all competitions this season.
Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.
With strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema injured, Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Madrid in the 21st after receiving a gash above his left eye in a collision with an opposing player.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said that Ronaldo was having trouble with his vision by halftime and had to be substituted. Mourinho sent on an extra defender looking to protect his slim lead with the water-logged pitch encumbering almost every attack.
Madrid, even without its three top scorers, almost scored twice more as Pepe and Sergio Ramos both hit the crossbar.
But Mourinho’s tactic backfired when Levante substitute Angel Rodriguez held off Pepe to control Obafemi Martins’ pass and slot the ball beyond goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 62nd.
Madrid had another golden opportunity when Jose Callejon was fouled by David Navarro on the edge of the area, only for goalkeeper Gustavo Munua to block Xabi Alonso’s resulting spot kick in the 73rd.
As time ticked down, Mourinho sent on Morata in the 83rd and one minute later the forward met Alonso’s free kick to head it by Munua.
“I was very happy to help the team,” said the 20-year-old Morata. “Two years ago Munua saved a clear goal for me. I have had more chances and I knew that one day the goal would arrive and today was the day.”

Chelsea on the verge of losing Neymar to Barca

London club Chelsea may have to do without Brazilian playmaker; Neymar (possibly to replace Ivorien Didier Drogba) if nothing extra is done to lure the player to England, as his Brazilian team-mate Dani Alves urged him to join Barcelona.
Neymar a long-term target of Chelsea may move to Spain instead of the Premier League after Barcelona right back Alves said he would be a success at the Nou Camp.
Chelsea also has Brazilian stars such as Oscar who could sway Neymar to join Stamford Bridge, if the need arises.
Alves said “Obviously anybody would want to play for Barcelona,” Alves said.
“If Barcelona is interested in Neymar and if next month, next year or in two years he comes, I don’t know.
“I hope he does come here because, as I’ve already said, he would get better as a player and he would also improve the team.”
20-year-old Brazil striker would have been signed by the Blues last summer but according to report, the deal didn’t go well.

If I could bring one player back to Anfield it would be Xabi, Gerrard tells fans on Twitter

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard revealed the one former team-mate he would bring back to the club, given the chance, would be Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The England skipper also believes Luis Suarez is the best striker he has played alongside.

Gerrard, in a Twitter question and answer session for sponsors adidas, picked Suarez ahead of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Fernando Torres - all great goalscorers at Anfield - and England team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Tweet success: Gerrard thanks supporters after answering their questions on social networking site Twitter

Asked who is the greatest striker he had played with Gerrard opted for Suarez, who has scored seven of Liverpool's 13 Barclays Premier League goals this season and produced a wonder strike against Newcastle on Sunday.

Top track: Gerrard revealed his favourite pre-match anthem is Dakota, by the Stereophonics

Gerrard also singled out the Uruguay international as the player who messes about most in training - 'He's a nuisance!' wrote the 32-year-old.
The Reds captain also revealed, given the opportunity, he would jump at the chance to bring Alonso back to the club.
'Xabi Alonso - best midfielder I've played with, I miss playing with him,' he wrote.
The feeling appears to be mutual with the Madrid midfielder confident Gerrard, who marked his 600th match for Liverpool at the weekend, would slot seamlessly into Spain's World Cup and European Championship-winning side.
'Absolutely, there's no doubt,' said Alonso.
'He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities.
'He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well.
'He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere - not just any national team but any club in the world.
'But he has been a one-club man and that's something I really admire.'
Alonso believe Gerrard had a significant impact on his career, having moved to Merseyside from Real Sociedad in 2004.

Get him back: Gerrard revealed he would love Liverpool to re-sign Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso

'He was a great influence to me,' he told Real Madrid TV in an interview on behalf of Liverpool's official website.
'When I arrived at Liverpool I was 22 and he was the captain, he was the main man at the club.

'For me he was a reference, the way he behaved with his team-mates and with the supporters as well.
'I learned a lot from him. We are great friends and we still keep in touch.
'He is so inspirational. In the key moments he has that different thing, that spark that is difficult to define.

Simply the best: Gerrard rates Luis Suarez as the finest striker he has played alongside

'He'll absolutely be remembered as one of the greats. For me he is already one of the greats.'
Gerrard and Suarez seem unlikely to make this week's Europa League trip to face big-spending Anzi Makhachkala in Moscow.
Although victory in the Russian capital would strengthen the Reds' position at the top of Group A manager Brendan Rodgers has one eye on Sunday's trip to Chelsea and with Suarez as his only fit senior striker he does not want to risk him.
It means he is likely to field a much-changed side from the one which drew with Newcastle.

Chelsea jitters! Players fearing a ref backlash over Mikel race case as Clattenburg stood down

Chelsea stars fear a backlash from referees over their race abuse claims against Mark Clattenburg, who was on Monday removed from the match list for a second week.
Players fear the case could result in unwelcome tension between themselves and officials as they battle for the Barclays Premier League title.
John Mikel Obi’s agent John Shittu flew into London on Monday as the FA’s governance team began taking recorded statements from players.

Out of action: Mark Clattenburg has been stood down from duty again

 

Chelsea’s external legal team were also present after Mikel was asked whether he wanted them to pursue a case against Clattenburg with the FA, as the club prepare for another lengthy spell in the spotlight.

The European champions face Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and have picked up only one point from their last two Premier League matches.

Shittu confirmed he was at Stamford Bridge for the specially-arranged meeting with the FA and Chelsea over the allegations against Clattenburg.

The FA’s head of compliance Jenni Kennedy took statements, but Chelsea are taking no chances after her role in the John Terry affair.

She recorded Terry’s statement in October 2011, but bizarrely only took handwritten notes of Ashley Cole’s evidence, a fact that was criticised by the FA’s independent regulatory commission.

Mikel, who was on Monday nominated for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award, appears determined to press ahead with the case.

Some Chelsea players fear another year-long investigation into an allegation of racist abuse just weeks after the conclusion of the case involving Terry.

The Chelsea skipper was found not guilty by magistrates in July, but last month he was fined £220,000 by the FA and banned for four games. He returns against Liverpool on Sunday.

Claims: An investigation continues into Clattenburg's dealings with John Mikel Obi

Referees’ chief Mike Riley revealed on Monday that Clattenburg - accused by Chelsea of calling Mikel a ‘monkey’, which the official strenuously denies - is to be interviewed by police investigating the incident at Stamford Bridge.

Riley, who appoints match officials in his role as general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said: ‘PGMOL was fully prepared to appoint Mark to matches this weekend.

‘However, having discussed this with him, we both consider it is in Mark’s best interests that he has this week away from officiating duties while he prepares to help the FA and the police with their enquiries.’

There is unease in the game that the FIFA official is being judged before all the evidence has been gathered.

Linger: Chelsea want to avoid another long saga, like the John Terry row

Terry continued to play for Chelsea after he was charged by police and the FA with racially insulting Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road on October 23 last year.

Clattenburg’s future in the game is more uncertain and he will be interviewed, under caution, by police.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires claims he heard the alleged ‘monkey’ abuse, which led to the club’s claims two hours after their defeat by Manchester United nine days ago.

The club say they have provided the FA with an ‘information pack’ about the alleged incident, but the game’s governing body are refusing to confirm receipt.

Meanwhile, police have arrested Gavin Kirkham, 28, over racist taunts directed at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday.

West Brom 2 Southampton 0: Odemwingie double piles pressure on Saints boss Adkins

Peter Odemwingie increased the pressure on Southampton boss Nigel Adkins as his two goals propelled West Brom into fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
Adkins' side remain rooted to the foot of the table after a fifth successive away defeat and they have now conceded 28 goals in 10 league matches.
But these are halcyon days for the Baggies and they bounced back from heartbreaking injury time defeats against Manchester City and Newcastle thanks to a goal in each half from Odemwingie.

Peter the Great: Odemwingie was the man of the hour for West Brom

MATCH FACTS

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Odemwingie (Fortune 83), Gera, Dorrans (Brunt 65), Long (Lukaku 71).
Subs not used: Myhill, Popov, Rosenberg, Tamas.
Booked: Jones.
Goals: Odemwingie 36, 60.
Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Fox (Shaw 82), Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Ramirez (Mayuka 76), Lallana, Rodriguez (Do Prado 76), Lambert.
Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Hooiveld, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

It was their fifth victory in six home matches and, although not at their best, they still contained too much firepower for the Saints.

Odemwingie and the tireless Shane Long posed plenty of problems up front while Youssouf Mulumbu bossed the midfield department.

Albion fans taunted Adkins, who has led Southampton to successive promotions, with chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning'.

And, although the visitors showed plenty of promise in spells, their leaky defence is undermining their attacking threat.

Southampton axed keeper Artur Boruc who has been the subject of a club investigation after allegedly throwing a water bottle into the crowd during the home league game with Tottenham.

Albion began positively and a fine pass from Odemwingie picked out the run of Long into the Saints box.

But the Baggies leading scorer opted to cut the ball back across the danger area rather than shoot.

Billy Jones became the first player to be yellow carded after 10 minutes for a high challenge which caught the back of Southampton skipper Adam Lallana.

High hopes: Southampton keeper Gazzaniga rises to clear a cross

Rickie Lambert had the first attempt on goal and his low drive from a narrow angle contained plenty of power but was held onto by West Brom keeper Ben Foster.
Albion retaliated and a low shot from Odemwingie took a deflection off Zoltan Gera and flew over the Saints crossbar.
The home side started to look more threatening and it needed a last ditch tackle from Morgan Schneiderlin to deny Long after Jonas Olsson had headed a Graham Dorrans free-kick back across goal.

Eyes on the ball: Jay Rodriguez (left) competes with Youssuf Mulumbu

Odemwingie flashed a low 25 yard shot inches wide in a swift Albion counter-attack after Foster had gathered Lambert's header from a Gaston Ramirez centre.
But the Nigeria international broke the deadlock in controversial fashion in the 36th minute.
The impressive Mulumbu released Odemwingie whose left-footed shot contained plenty of power but took a deflection off Maya Yoshida as it flew past Saints keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Swooping to pounce: Odemwingie heads home the second

But TV replays also showed that Odemwingie had appeared to handle the ball in the build-up.
Gazzaniga did well to block a close range effort from Long and Albion appealed in vain for a penalty for handball when Schneiderlin blocked the follow-up attempt from Odemwingie.
Southampton started the second half on the offensive and a shot on the turn from Lambert struck the bar with Foster well beaten.

Under pressure: Adkins could be heading for the exit door at St Mary's

Foster cut out a dangerous cross from Daniel Fox as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
But after 60 minutes Odemwingie doubled Albion's lead with a clinical finish.
Left-back Liam Ridgewell's long pass found Long who held the ball up, cut inside and floated over an inviting centre which Odemwingie headed home from close range.

Midfield tussle: Morgan Schneiderlin (left) is closed down by West Brom's Argentine midfielder Claudio Yacob

The Baggies could have increased their lead with skipper Chris Brunt volleying just wide at close range from a cross by fellow substitute Romelu Lukaku.
Yoshida headed just wide in a late Southampton rally but Albion held on for a comfortable win.

Boing, boing: The Baggies are up to fifth

 

Di Matteo hits back at Ferguson and Wenger for commenting on Clattenburg race case

Named and shamed: Chelsea yob who allegedly made 'monkey' gesture at United ace Welbeck

The racist yob who abused Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck with a monkey gesture has been named as Gavin Kirkham. 

Roberto Di Matteo has said criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger over the Mark Clattenburg case will be taken on board to by his Chelsea players but only used as a 'motivational tool'.
The Blues boss refused to be drawn on the issue in any depth, citing the matter was in the hands of the police and FA.
But responding to the Manchester United manager's comments questioning the credibility of the claims he said: 'He likes to talk about other clubs. We tend not to. I'll leave it up to him.
'It's a free country where everybody has the freedom of speech. We'll take into consideration what other people say and use it as a motivational tool for ourselves.'

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Not impressed: Roberto Di Matteo plans to use comments as a motivational tool

Di Matteo added of Ferguson's scepticism: 'The investigation will qualify this. We don't want to prejudice any trial.'
Asked if he feared referees might treat the club differently after making the accusations against Clattenburg, the Italian said: 'I really hope not. I believe that they won't. We have faith in the referees. They are people that are under a lot of pressure.

Centre of the storm: John Obi Mikel (right) training, with Fernando Torres (left)

'They are human beings like everyone else. You have to try your best and sometimes mistakes can happen.'
Di Matteo maintained his stance of silence when asked about the Chelsea fan caught making a 'monkey' gesture during Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie but did suggest the manner in which racist incidents have been highlighted proved there was still work to be done.

Mikel in the middle: Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill either side of the Nigerian anchor man

'I always said that we are against any form of discrimination,' he said. 'We will support anyone who is fighting that. That's our position and my personal belief as well.
'The fact that these incidents are happening give a lot of media exposure and makes people aware that we have to fight maybe a little more strongly than perhaps we thought. Everyone has to be involved in this process to eradicate it from the sport and life in general.'

Larking around: Darren Fletcher (left) and Robin van Persie appear in relaxed mood ahead of tomorrow's cruch clash at Old Trafford

Best bib and tucker: Rio Ferdinand chucks a training vest away (left) as some United prankster throws a bit of turf and left-back Patrice Evra (right) ahead of tomorrow's match against Arsenal

Earlier on Friday, Ferguson hit out at Chelsea for accusing Clattenburg of allegedly abusing Mikel.
The Metropolitan Police and the FA are investigating an allegation that Clattenburg used 'inappropriate language' towards Mikel during the game in which he sent off two Blues players as they went down 3-2 to Ferguson's side.

Support: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, taking training at Carrington, has pledged his support to referee Mark Clattenburg

'I don’t believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comment like that,' said Ferguson.
'I think it’s unthinkable. It’s unthinkable in the modern climate. I just don’t believe it.
'There’s no way a referee would stoop that low. I’m convinced of that.
'If you look at the modern game compared to 25 years ago it’s completely changed. I know the banter between players and referees 25 years ago is completely different.
'I have never heard a player come to me in the last 15 years and say a referee has sworn at them during a game, ever.
'This is where I stand on this issue with Mark Clattenburg. I just don’t believe it.'
Ferguson joins Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in standing by Clattenburg.
On Thursday, Wenger said: 'I didn’t follow the whole (Chelsea) story completely (but) my opinion is just when I didn’t behave well I have an explanation with the referee at the end of the game or another day, rather than going public with little proof. I’m not in favour of making these things public.'

VIDEO: Di Matteo says we all need to fight racism

 

EXCLUSIVE: Nani set for Old Trafford exit after Fergie blasts 'amateurish' winger

Manchester United winger Nani looks set to leave Old Trafford next summer after manager Sir Alex Ferguson took him to task for throwing away his team's Carling Cup tie at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Nani's future at United has been in some doubt since talks over a new contract collapsed during the summer.
And now the Portuguese winger has told friends that he feels there is little chance of a reconciliation after Ferguson blamed him for conceding possession in the run up to Chelsea’s equaliser in the last minute of normal time on Wednesday.

On the way out: Nani in training at Carrington on Friday morning with the Manchester United squad

Ferguson was publicly critical of Nani for his error after the game, saying he should have run the ball to the corner flag. United – 3-2 up at the time – went on to lose 5-4 in extra-time.
Now a source close to Nani revealed: 'There was an argument between Ferguson and Nani after the game.
'Ferguson told him that losing the ball like that was an amateurish thing to do and that a really great player would never have done that.

Final warning: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson takes training on Friday morning

'Nani was already told that if he ever did it again then he would be on his way.'
It is understood that Nani has felt for some time that his place in Ferguson’s plans is under threat and has told friends that he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The official line from United is that the door is still open for the 25-year-old in terms of a new contract but not at the £130,000-a-week level he has been hoping for.

Bust-up at the Bridge: Fergie blamed Nani for the defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night