Monday, 3 February 2014

Mourinho: Manchester City are underachievers

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has continued his criticism of Manchester City ahead of Monday's Premier League showdown by saying their opponents should have won more silverware.

Having already claimed that City have enjoyed the rub of the green from referees in recent weeks and taken aim at the financial backing received from the club's Abu Dhabi owners, the Portuguese said they have not won enough since Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008.
They won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League the following season, but the current Champions League campaign is the first they have progressed past the group stage.
"They won one title, won a couple of cups," Mourinho, in his second spell at the west London club, told reporters.
"Only in Europe they didn't do well, or close to doing well. Speaking objectively, they did very bad in the Champions League in previous seasons, also in the Europa League. But the team is fantastic, the squad is fantastic and normally they (should) win more titles."
City, currently second on 53 points, can move ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table with victory on Monday, while a win for the Blues will put the top three teams within two points of each other.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have scored 72 goals in 18 home matches this season, but Mourinho insisted they were capable of scoring regularly as well, despite being unable to break through some resolute West Ham United defending on Wednesday.
"The intention with which we are going there is to play our game, play a good game and remember they also have to stop us," he told the club's website.
"We will think more about us than about them.
"I want to attack them, I can tell you that. But maybe after 10 or 20 minutes you realise Jose isn't attacking. If I don't it's because I can't. I don't know if other teams refuse to attack or if they can't do it."
Mourinho also believes it will be "impossible" for clubs to compete with Manchester City if Financial Fair Play is not enforced.
City's vast spending in an era of Financial Fair Play has come in for repeated veiled criticism from Mourinho, who is keen to see how the economic regulations are explained and enforced by European football's governing body UEFA.
"If they (football's authorities) want to make it impossible (to compete with City), it's impossible," Mourinho said.
"(Chelsea) are not competing outside what is important for us, the 'fair' Financial Fair Play.
"We are working, thinking and believing that Financial Fair Play is going to be in practice.
"So there are things that are impossible for us (to do)."
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Sunday, 2 February 2014

Arsenal can win the league, but we must beat Crystal Palace

We only have one thing in mind at Arsenal, and it’s to be number one again. However, Manchester City have been quite amazing for the last nine, 10 matches, but we have 53 points from 23 games and we have to keep moving forward, focusing on our performances.
If we manage to maintain our stability in results, as we have done for some time, we will be on top again. So we must keep calm, focus on our performances, and move forward. And then, let’s hope that the others will stumble at some point.
Our success this year is down to our stability throughout the team, and also due to adding a big player in Mesut Ozil.
A team has a cycle of life. It goes up, and then goes down again. For the last few seasons, we were in the ascending phase, but then lost a great player every year – sometimes two players during one season. So we've had to start again.
This year, it’s the first time we have managed to keep all our players, and we were able to add Ozil. And at the end, voilà. It’s as simple as that.
The Premier League is like Formula 1, with some teams having far greater means than we do. And to beat them, let’s say winning one Grand Prix, two Grands Prix, a third, but that has very little bearing on the overall result at the end of the year.
There is a lot of scepticism aimed towards us, and I understand it. But it’s our job to contradict the doubters, and we can only do that with quality and consistency in our results.
We’re not concerned as to whether people believe in us, because among them are a lot of people who want us to win.
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Adam screamer sinks United

OOJ - Charlie Adam's free-kick was deflected for the first goal
Charlie Adam inspired Stoke to their first home victory over Manchester United in the Premier League after he scored twice in a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium.
Adam opened the scoring after 38 minutes when his free-kick from 30 yards was deflected off Michael Carrick, which left David de Gea stranded.
United's woes continued as Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were both substituted in the first half, with Jones being stretchered off after an accidental clash of heads, forcing Carrick to drop into one of the centre-back positions.
Robin van Persie grabbed the equaliser for United two minutes into the second half with a neat left-footed finish from Juan Mata's headed assist.
However, just five minutes later, Adam scored his second of the game with a wonder-strike that flew past De Gea from 25 yards.
United pushed for a second equaliser, with Ashley Young squandering an opportunity and Wayne Rooney's free-kick being tipped onto the post by Asmir Begovic, but Stoke held on to climb out of the relegation zone.
In a season of unwanted milestones, with West Brom, Everton and Newcastle all ending long runs without victories of some kind against United, this was another.
Given Stoke had taken just one point from their previous six games, it represented yet more pain for manager David Moyes, whose team could find themselves nine points off a Champions League place by the end of the weekend.
It also underlined that for all the feelgood atmosphere generated by Juan Mata's club record £37.1million arrival from Chelsea, it is going to take far more to turn United back into a top-flight force.
Although Moyes stated in the build-up that the fitness of his much-heralded attacking trio needed to be managed, he still decided to pick them for the most physical of tests.
Their task was not made any easier by a fierce wind, strong enough to hold the ball up when it was in the air.
If Moyes' idea had been to take one of the key men off before the end, it was scuppered by a couple of injuries in a first half that merely reinforced the feeling his time at United is being dogged by bad luck.
Evans was first to succumb, forced off with what appeared to be a calf injury before the contest had even begun to take shape.
The visitors did have cover for that eventuality. But when Jones had to be stretchered off following a nasty clash of heads with Jonathan Walters, with Nemanja Vidic suspended and Rio Ferdinand not making the squad, there was none.
It meant Michael Carrick was forced into central defence alongside Chris Smalling in just the game you would not choose to be weakened.
In between the substitutions came another piece of ill fortune for the visitors.
It was debatable whether Adam's long-range free-kick was even on target when it struck Carrick on the edge of the box. Once it had, David de Gea had no chance of keeping it out and the ball rocketed into the far corner, leaving the United keeper stranded.
At times like that, Moyes must feel cursed. Yet, it had to be said, his team were not exactly dominating their opponents, with Mata a largely peripheral figure and neither Wayne Rooney nor Van Persie threatening with any regularity.
Van Persie came close once, with a close-range header that rebounded over off Glenn Whelan.
Rooney had a couple of long-range efforts but with his team struggling to cope with the conditions, it was a surprise Welbeck was introduced for Jones given Antonio Valencia would have allowed Mata to move into a central position, or Darren Fletcher would have kept Rooney in an attacking one.
It took just two second-half minutes for Mata and Van Persie to show what they are capable of. Marc Wilson's poor clearance from inside his own box offered Mata the chance to turn a perfectly-weighted pass to Van Persie, who lifted a first-time effort over Asmir Begovic and into the corner.
It was the Dutchman's sixth goal in seven Premier League games, split by that thigh injury - and a period in which United's limitations were laid bare. And so they were again shortly afterwards. For barely had United time to reflect on parity than they were behind again, with Adam once again the scorer.
This time there was no fortune either as he let fly following a blocked Marko Arnautovic shot, sending his 25-yard strike arrowing into the corner. Arnautovic came close to adding another just after the hour mark as the contest heated up and Rooney's fuse shortened in response to a couple of debatable decisions from referee Neil Swarbrick.
United did their best to respond. But - after Ashley Young had wasted an excellent chance at the far post and Rooney's free-kick been pushed onto a post by Asmir Begovic - there was no redemption, not even in seven minutes of injury-time as Tom Cleverley wasted the final opportunity.

Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/279041.html#QADfWvrMXf8SFdoC.99
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Saturday, 1 February 2014

Valencia stun Barcelona at Camp Nou

Valencia snatched a shock 3-2 win at 10-man Barcelona, dealing a huge title blow to Tata Martino’s side.
Barcelona seemed to be cruising after Alexis Sanchez’s sublime 7th-minute chip, dominating possession until Dani Parejo exploited terrible defending to equalise just before half-time.
Pablo Piatti added a second early in the second half as Valencia again hit Barca on the counter, but the hosts were given a lifeline whenRicardo Costa was incorrectly penalised for handball in the box.
The ball clearly struck the Valencia captain’s shoulder, and with his arm by his side it was a dreadful decision. Lionel Messi equalised from the spot, his first Liga goal since September.
But Valencia would not be denied as Paco Alcacer converted the excellent Sofiane Feghouli’s low cross, with Jordi Alba’s dismissal for a second yellow card forcing Barca to play the final 13 minutes with 10 men.
The result means both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid can overtake Barcelona atop La Liga on Sunday.
Atletico just need a point at home to Real Sociedad, while Real would go top if they win at Athletic Bilbao and their city rivals fail to beat Sociedad.
It was a strange match played in emotional circumstances following the passing of former Spain boss Luis Aragones, who managed both clubs during his 35-year coaching career.
Several of the Barcelona team played under Aragones, and the team started well, dominating possession and taking the lead when Sanchez clipped an inventive effort over Diego Alves, from a very tight angle.
The hosts continued to pass rings around Valencia, who are stuck in mid-table after a disappointing campaign so far. Sergio Busquets went close from distance, while Messi stung the palms of Alves. Valencia, meanwhile, were limited to occasional counter-attacks, with their best chance a long shot from Feghouli that was well-saved by Victor Valdes.
But Barca paid for their failure to add a second when, not long after Ricardo Costa spurned a free header, two missed tackles from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas allowed Parejo to complete a one-two with Feghouli before finishing past the stranded Valdes just before half-time.
Barca seemed shell-shocked and went behind not long after the restart, as Barca failed to clear a straightforward cross from Antonio Barragan. The subsequent defending was atrocious, as little Piatti was allowed to head past Valdes, who was again stranded.
The officials gave Barca a route back into the match when Costa was adjudged to have handled in the box. It was a woeful call as the defender a. did not handle the ball, b. had his arm down by his side, thus rendering any contact accidental anyway and c. was barely two yards away from the deflection that took it into his midriff.
Messi converted with aplomb, ending a four-month league drought and a four-game dry spell in all competitions.
But Valencia seemed spurred on by the injustice and stepped up a gear. Having been second best, they started to match Barca in possession and deservedly went back ahead when Feghouli raced down the right, picking out Alcacer who finished crisply past Valdes.
There was still half an hour for Barca to come back but they toiled with and without the ball, lacking inspiration as Messi particularly disappointed, while looking very shaky defensively.
Messi did go on one of his trademark mazy dribbles, but he finished wide as Valencia ultimately held on quite comfortably.
It is Barca's second Liga defeat of the season and, with Atletico level on points and Real just one behind, it throws the title race wide open again.
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Friday, 31 January 2014

Sochi 2014: The ultimate sporting guide to the Winter Olympics

The 22nd Winter Olympics get under way in Russia on 7 February, and, in anticipation, we have put together an informative sport guide for perusal.
There are ten events in total (five for men and five for women) offering a total of 30 medals. Competitions take place from February 6 to February 21.
Eight nations split into two groups will compete for the gold medal in a tournament that runs from February 8-20.
Twelve nations split into three groups will compete for the gold medal in a tournament that runs from February 12-23.
Competitors will compete in halfpipe, slopestyle and parallel slalom and giant slalom at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.
There will be five titles up for grabs from February 6-20 with the team event making its Olympic debut.
The sport is divided between speed and technical disciplines. Five women's gold medals are awarded for downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and the super-combined event.
The sport is divided between speed and technical disciplines. There are five men's gold medals for downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and the super-combined event, with the downhill the highlight of the games.
There are 12 medals up for grabs in the speed skating discipline; six for men and six for women. Skaters race along the 400m oval in two lanes and switch on each lap with the competitor on the outside lane moving in holding the right of way. In the team pursuit race, two teams of three skaters start at opposite sides of the track with the race completed when the last of the skaters crosses the finish line.
Short track is an elimination event, where skaters race four to six at a time around an oval with no lanes. Unlike speed skating, racers compete against each other instead of a clock.
There are three events for men at the Olympics: the normal hill, the large hill and the team event. For the first time women will jump at the Olympics, but only on the normal hill. For the first time at an Olympics, new rules on compensating for wind conditions will apply, which mean athletes can be docked points for jumping in a wind the jury deems to be too favourable.
There are three events in Nordic Combined, which combines ski jumping and cross-country racing. It is the only Winter Olympic sport where women do not compete.
There will be 11 events at the Sochi Olympics, five for the men, five for the women and a mixed relay. The competitors race over a set distance and start at intervals of 30 seconds and have four shoots, the first and third in the prone position and the second and fourth standing. For every missed shot, a minute is added to the competitors' time.
There will be 12 gold medals up for grabs at the Sochi Olympics - six each for men and women in the individual, mass start, skiathlon, relay, sprint and sprint relay. Though there are different disciplines and different lengths of which the competitors compete on, essentially whoever finishes first wins.

Curling is played by two four-member teams, called rinks, on a sheet of ice 44.5 metres long and 4.75 metres wide. The aim is to deliver a polished stone, made of granite and with a handle on top, as close as possible to the centre of a series of concentric circles, known as the tee, and to knock away the stones of the opposing team at the same time.Team members sweep the ice in front of the stone as it glides, to keep the ice clean in the running path of the stone, speed it up or influence its direction.
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The Top 10 most memorable Super Bowl moments of all time

Sunday's Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks promises to be a classic encounter.
Denver has statistically the best offense in the league and Seattle the best defense so it's no surprise that the bookmakers are having a tough time separating the sides - they make Peyton Manning's Broncos favourites, but only marginally.
But will the match create the type of iconic moment that helps a Super Bowl linger long in the memory? Here are our favourite Super Bowl moments.
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10. The lights go out in New Orleans – 2013
Last year's Super Bowl was a fantastic match that the Baltimore Ravens edged 34-31, but the occasion will be remembered most for a 34 minute stoppage in the third quarter when the lights went out in New Orleans' Superdome.
UK fans can have a tough enough time staying up as it is without any extra delays, but those who stuck with it were rewarded with an exciting finish as San Francisco drove for a final touchdown that would have seen them win the game, only for quarterback Colin Kaepernick to overthrow wide receiver Michael Crabtree on a crucial 4th down play with less than two minutes remaining.
The match was notable as the two coaches, Jim (49ers) and John (Ravens), were brothers - but the match that was dubbed the 'Harbaugh Bowl' in the build-up will instead be forever known as the 'Blackout Bowl'
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9. Phil is Simm-ply the best - 1987
After trailing 10-9 to the Denver Broncos at half-time, the New York Giants ran away with Super Bowl XXI 39-20 thanks in large part to a classy performance from quarterback Phil Simms (yes the same guy with the southern-drawl you hear co-commentating on CBS games on Sky Sports every Sunday).
Simms finished the game with 22 of 25 passes completed for 268 yards and three touchdowns. His completion percentage remains a Super Bowl record.
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8. Dolphins complete perfect season - 1973
Every year when the final unbeaten team in the NFL loses a game, they start popping the champagne corks in Miami. That is because it ensures the city's 1972 Dolphins side remain the only unbeaten NFL outfit in history.
The '72 Dolphins (pictured last year with Barack Obama) completed their perfect season with a 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins, a game that sounds a lot closer than it actually was, with the Fins "no-name defence" dominating the contest.
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7. David Tyree uses helmet to catch ball and end Patriots perfect season - 2008
The closet anyone has ever come to emulating the 72' Dolphins were the 2007/08 New England Patriots, who lost their perfect record for the season in a huge 17-14 upset against the New York Giants in Glendale, Arizona.
The game's iconic play came when Giants quarterback Eli Manning wriggled away from three defenders before heaving a throw downfield. Unheralded wide receiver David Tyree then jumped up to claim the ball with one hand, press it against his helmet, and somehow maintaining control all the way down to the ground. The Giants went on to score the winning touchdown soon after.
It turned out to be the only catch of Tyree's otherwise uninspiring career, but it still assured him immortality amongst Giants fans.
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6. John Elway finally gets his Super Bowl ring - 1998
John Elway was regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks the game had ever seen even before he finally got a Super Bowl ring on his finger. However, at one stage it looked like he would never win the Big One.
The former number one draft pick had already been beaten in three previous finals and was 37-years-old when his Denver Broncos side finally beat the Green Bay Packers 31-24 to take the Vince Lombardi trophy.
No matter that Elway had the unremarkable stat-line of 12 out of 22 pass completions, for 123 yards and one interception - this was his night. He would then lead the Broncos to a second Super Bowl the following year (with an MVP performance) before finally retiring aged 38. Now in charge of personal decision at the Broncos, Elway is hoping to win a third Super Bowl on Sunday.
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5. Vinatieri shocks the Rams at the death - 2002
The only Super Bowl to be won on the very last play of the game, the New England Patriots caused one of the Super Bowl's biggest ever upsets in Super Bowl XXXVI, when Adam Vinatieri made a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired to shock the St. Louis Rams 20-17.
The Rams went into the match with the nickname "The Greatest Show on Turf" and were made 14 point favourites by the bookies in Vegas. However, the Patriots defence stifled the Rams throughout, and on offence the game winning drive - led by their previously unheralded second-year quarterbackTom Brady - suggested they may have unearthed a star for the future. What ever happened to him?
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4. Montana leads the 49ers on a classy late drive - 1989
A classic Super Bowl with a classic finish. With 3:10 left on the clock the San Francisco 49ers were down 16-13 to the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII when they took over on offense on their own eight yard line.
The 49ers offense huddled up and waited to hear what their influential quarterback would say to them. "Hey, did any of you guys see John Candy over there?" were Montana's first words to his players and the joke seemed to relax the team, because what followed was one of the most professionally executed drives you are ever likely to see.
Montana led his side 92 yards down the field with a 10-yard pass to John Taylor with just 34 seconds left in the game proving to be the match-winning score. In 2006 the game was voted the greatest Super Bowl of all time by NFL.com
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3. The Titans fall one yard short - 2000
A Super Bowl has never gone to overtime, but the Tennessee Titans came just "one-yard short" of extending Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. They lost to the St. Louis Rams 23-16, but on the very last play of the game Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson caught a slant pass deep in Rams territory but was then stopped just short of the end zone by Mike Jones.
The sight of Dyson's outstretched arm desperately trying to reach for the goal line has already become one of the sport's most iconic images. Jones late intervention is now known simply as "The Tackle."
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2. Nipplegate rocks America - 2004
The most famous "wardrobe malfunction" this side of Narnia, millions of Super Bowl viewers were aghast when Justin Timberlake removed a piece of Janet Jackson's top, exposing her right breast with a star-shaped ring around the nipple during the half-time show of Super Bowl XXXVIII.
While the male population around the world rejoiced, the Christian right in the States were appalled. Jackson and Timberlake insist it was an accident but fines were issued, regulations were put in place, and boring old Paul McCartney was booked for the following year's show.
The New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in the game itself but for once the football took a back seat.
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1. Norwood and the Bills miss chance at the death - 1991
Poor old Scott Norwood: the former Buffalo Bills kicker will have his most painful moment written in the first paragraph of his obituary. Norwood will always be remembered as the man who could have won Super Bowl XXV with the final kick of the game. However, he missed a 47-yard field goal with time expiring which allowed the New York Giants to secure a 20-19 victory.
In a perfect illustration as to how the line between success and failure can be so marginal, Adam Vinatieri is now seen as a hero while Norwood is known as a chocker. Such a label is harsh, however, as prior to Super Bowl XXV Norwood had never hit a field goal from that distance on a grass field, and that season he was just 1-for-5 from over 40 yards on grass.
However, his misery became possibly the most iconic of all Super Bowl images. The Bills would go on to become the Jimmy White of American football, losing again in each of the next three Super Bowls.
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Thursday, 30 January 2014

Copa del Rey - Racing Santander refuse to play in Copa clash

Copa del Rey - Racing Santander refuse to play in Copa clash

The players went on strike over the fact that they have not been paid their wages in several months.
Racing's players lined up around the centre-circle as the match was due to begin, refusing to move - and giving the referee no choice but to abandon the game.
The players then did a tour of the ground applauding fans who had turned out to support them.

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Schumacher coming out of coma as 'waking up process' begins

Doctors in France have begun the delicate process of waking seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher from an induced coma.

Schumacher, who turned 45 while in hospital in Grenoble, lost his footing while skiing off-piste in December and landed head-first on a rock.
He has been in a medically-induced coma for over four weeks while fighting for his life but doctors have begun to reduce his sedation.
His manager Sabine Kehm said in a statement: "Michael’s sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time."
Kehm explained the family had decided to brief the media on Schumacher's latest condition following a leak to French paper L'Equipe, which first revealed on Wednesday that doctors had started waking the star.
Her statement continued: "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work.
"At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy.
"For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated. Please note that no further updates will be given."
Reports had suggested last week that Schumacher’s chances of a full recovery were to diminish the longer he was held in the induced coma.
Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux, was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying: “Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving.”
French police have said Schumacher was not skiing recklessly when he crashed and hit his head on a rock.
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RAMIRES put six subjects into categories



Ramires is the latest player to put six subjects into the categories first, last, best, worst, easiest, hardest…
FIRST
Holiday. I lived in Barra do Piraí in the state of Rio, and my Mum was working in a nearby city called Mendes. When we had holiday from school I would go there with my siblings and sometimes my cousins and play a lot, sometimes playing football as well. We didn't really travel because my Mum was working there, but it was a holiday for us and it was very enjoyable.
LAST
Music. The last music I listened to was pagode , which is a special type of Brazilian samba. It focuses on the banjo and the tan-tan and a special type of Brazilian drum.

 BEST
Game. Every Chelsea supporter remembers this game. We were losing 2-0 and then I managed to score a beautiful goal, which won the Goal of the Season award at the end of the season. There was a lot of pressure in the Camp Nou and we needed to be very focused. Of course, the person who scores gets the plaudits, but the whole team worked together to get this victory. In the end, together we managed to reach the final and win the Champions League.

WORST
TV. It's hard to choose the worst TV show actually because usually I just turn on the television when I know what I want to watch!
EASIEST
Training. It's the day after we have played a game when we just have a recuperation session. We just run around a bit, do some stretching and then we leave. This a pretty relaxing one!
HARDEST
Opponent. I have played against many very good players, like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. I think I would have to say Messi was the hardest one. Everyone knows his talent.
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Paper Round: Draxler on verge of Arsenal move

Arsenal appear set to sign Julian Draxler; Chelsea are prepared to offload Romelu Lukaku to help fund a bid for Falcao or Diego Costa; and Manchester City have opened talks over Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando - here are the main stories making headlines in today's newspapers.

Arsenal on brink of Draxler deal: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on the brink of a deadline-beating £30 million move for Julian Draxler, according to several reports today. The Daily Mirror claims that Wenger is confident of landing the Schalke star before the transfer window shuts tomorrow night after lengthy negotiations throughout Wednesday. The paper adds that the Bundesliga club are willing to do business this month to ease their financial problems, with £35m expected for the player, almost all of it up front.
Paper Round's view: With The Guardian reporting that Dick Law, Arsenal's chief transfer negotiator, is in Germany, it does indeed appear that both parties want a deal done by Friday night - and that a move will be finalised in time. Arsenal are becoming relative masters at last-minute transfers and if they can work their late magic once more, Draxler could well prove to be just as good a signing as the last German the Gunners snared on deadline day: Mesut Ozil. Great business if they can get this one across the line.
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Chelsea ready to unload Lukaku to fund move for top striker: Chelsea are ready to sacrifice Romelu Lukaku to help fund a "mega-money summer move" for either Falcao or Diego Costa, according to the Daily Star. The Blues hope to bank around £20m by selling Lukaku, currently on loan at Everton, with Atletico Madrid keen, the report claims. That money would be used to buy either long-term £50m-plus target Falcao, whose move to Monaco has turned sour, or Costa, who has a £32m buyout clause.
Paper Round's view: Clearly Lukaku doesn't have a future at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho, given their falling out over the player's loan to Everton before this season, and a permanent sale is definitely on the cards. If Atletico - or whoever else - are willing to pay £20m for his services, that would represent good business for Chelsea, who would double their money on a player they bought for around £10m in 2011. And if that cash could be used to capture Falcao or Costa, either of whom would be good acquisitions, Chelsea can be pleased with their work.
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City open talks with Mangala and Fernando: Manchester City are set to "flex their muscles in the transfer market" after opening discussions to sign Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando from Porto, according to The Times. The paper claims that City are favourites to snare Mangala, amid other interest in the 22-year-old from Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, with a summer move most likely, although the new Premier League leaders are exploring the possibility of completing a deal before tomorrow. Fernando, meanwhile, is understood to also favour City, and if an agreement can be reached in the next 24 hours, Porto could be persuaded to release him for a free this month despite his current deal running until the summer.
Paper Round's view: Given the football Manuel Pellegrini's side are currently playing, it's understandable players such as Mangala and Fernando would prefer a move to Eastlands over places such as Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge. Forget their millions in the bank, City's form is doing them the world of good in the transfer market at the moment - a scary thought, given that that will only make them stronger.
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City confident of passing FFP test: The Independent's back page informs us that Manchester Cityseem set to pass UEFA's Financial Fair Play test, with one technical aspect of the rules proving vital in avoiding a ban from the Champions League next season. City again posted huge losses for the financial year 2012-13 leaving the club a full £112.5m over the allowed cut-off point for the past two years but they club will be given a borderline pass by being able to bring the figure down towards the allowable losses through the subtraction of wages of wages paid out for players signed before June 2010.
Paper Round's view: So, a bit of number crunching, liberal interpretation of the rules and looking between the lines should see City right. Fair play? You must be joking. At least the potentiallly embarrassing situation of this year's winners of the Champions League not being allowed to defend their title next year should be avoided.
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Newcastle line up replacement for Cabaye: Newcastle have moved quickly to replace the departed Yohan Cabaye by tabling a bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier. The Daily Mail reports that the North-East club have offered £11m for the 23-year-old although it remains to be seen whether the Ligue 1 club will sanction a move this month after their coach Remi Garde voiced his concern.
Paper Round's view: Newcastle may well have slipped up here - to sell one of their best players with just days before the transfer window shuts without a replacement already lined up seems rather cavalier. If Lyon refuse to sell Grenier, which is entirely plausible, their only remaining option appears to be Remy Cabella, who Montpellier do not want to sell and who was told by his current club president that he would be "bored sh*tless in Newcastle" anyway.

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Atletico to meet Real in Copa semis after win over Athletic

Copa Del Rey quarter-final second leg, San Mames - Athletic Bilbao 1 (42 Aduriz) Atletico Madrid 2 (Garcia 5, Costa 86)

The holders' 2-1 victory, which made it 3-1 on aggregate, was Bilbao's first reverse at their new San Mames arena, opened at the beginning of the season.
Atletico won last week's first leg in the Spanish capital 1-0 and Diego Costa came close to making it 2-0 on aggregate in the first minute at a sodden San Mames.
Koke sent the Brazil-born forward clear on goal but Bilbao goalkeeper Iago Herrerin saved well with his legs.
Roared on by the home faithful, Bilbao gradually seized the upper hand in an intense first half and were rewarded when Aritz Aduriz nodded into the corner from Mikel Balenziaga's cross in the 42nd minute.
Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois conjured three superb saves to deny Andoni Iraola, Aduriz andMikel Rico in the leadup to halftime before Raul Garcia clipped Emiliano Insua's centre into the corner 10 minutes into the second half to make it 1-1 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate to the visitors.
Needing two goals to turn the tie around, Bilbao mounted waves of attacks but Atletico held firm and struck again four minutes from time when Koke again sent Costa clear and he rounded Herrerin and tapped into an empty net.
Atletico beat Real 2-1 at Real's own Bernabeu stadium in last year's final and appear to have their number this season as well after earning a 1-0 win there in La Liga in August.
Real went through to the two-legged semi-finals, which are next week and the following week, when they beat Espanyol 1-0 in Madrid on Tuesday for a 2-0 aggregate success.
On the other side of the draw, record winners Barcelona have a 4-1 advantage when they host Levante later on Wednesday.
Barca would play Real Sociedad or third-tier Racing Santander in the last four, although the Santander players have threatened to boycott the match in protest over unpaid wages.
Sociedad lead 3-1 from last week's first let at their Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian.
The final is on April 19 at a yet-to-be-determined venue.
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