‘Do you even know me?!’ Balotelli hits back at critics in video

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has responded to criticism of his performance for the Reds in a video posted on social media site Instagram.

The 24-year-old joined Liverpool from AC Milan for £16 million last August but has only managed four goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, scoring just once in the Premier League.

He has struggled for game time in recent weeks following the return of first choice forward Daniel Sturridge from an injury lay off.

It has been suggested his attitude is the reason behind his omission from Brendan Rodgers’ team, but in a short clip uploaded on Tuesday evening Balotelli appears to attack those who have questioned his performances at Anfield.

Speaking directly into the camera, the Italian said: "Do you know me? Did you ever talk to me, personally? Do you know what I've been through in my life?

"You just saw me play football on the pitch so, man, shut up."

The bizarre video was posted with the caption: “For those with an easy judge without knowing s*** about others. Good night #idowhatiwant-remember!"

Monaco 0-2 Arsenal (3-3 agg): Gunners out of Champions League after falling short of comeback

Arsenal fell agonisingly short of producing a ‘miracle in Monaco’ as goals from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramseywere not enough to prevent the Gunners from crashing out of the Champions League.

Monaco were second best at the Stade Louis II but their 3-1 first leg victory at the Emirates Stadium was enough to see them through to the last eight on away goals.

Arsene Wenger’s men had a host of chances before Giroud eventually opened the scoring on 36 minutes with a precise angled strike to give his side hope.

They continued to pile forward after the break but were frustrated by the French side’s stubborn defence, and they had to wait until substitute Ramsey’s 79th minute thunderbolt for the Gunners to really dream.

Monaco had to dig in during a frantic finale and resulted to brute force to keep the north London side at bay, as the hosts managed to hold on to seal their progression.

The hosts started the brighter of the teams but couldn’t turn their possession into goalscoring chances, and after a dominant opening ten minutes it was all Arsenal as the Premier League side looked to spark a comeback.

Giroud, who was guilty of a number of misses in the first clash, could have had a hat-trick in the opening half, with the Frenchman glancing a free header just wide of the post with his side’s first chance on goal.

Laurent Koscielny, who has a knack of scoring in big games, then hit the crossbar with a close-range volley on the turn, and while the linesman’s flag was raised for offside for the defender’s effort, replays showed the flick on came from a Monaco player.

Arsenal were soon presented with their chance, however, and they gratefully took it with both hands as Giroud gave the Gunners hope with the breakthrough goal.

The usually razor-sharp Monaco back four were caught napping as Giroud broke free, and though the Frenchman’s first effort was well blocked by onrushing goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, the rebound fell kindly to the striker, who hammered high into the net at the second attempt.

The Gunners were inches away from a second goal moment later when Danny Welbeck found room on the edge of the box, but his low drive was deflected just wide of the post with the goalkeeper stranded.

There was a flurry of chances as the half-time break approached, with Giroud firing a point blank header straight at the keeper while Welbeck saw an angled drive well smothered, and Croatian shot-stopper Subasic was called into action again moments after the break to deny Mesut Ozil’s dipping free-kick.

Monaco were forced to sit back to withstand the bombardment on their box, but the hosts soon flustered Arsenal’s defensive line, who almost hit self-destruct again with three shanked attempted clearances, though they did eventually manage to get the ball away after two efforts from Joao Moutinho were blocked.

Wenger made his move with 20 minutes remaining with the introductions of Ramsey and Theo Walcott, and the substitutes combined for the Gunners’ second goal. Walcott’s low effort was denied by the post but Monaco’s clearance only found Ramsey on the edge of the area, with the Welshman thumping a strong drive into the bottom corner.

Arsenal then had a glorious chance to seal a dramatic fightback but Giroud and Alexis Sanchez got in each other’s way, knocking Giroud off balance as he rose for a header which Subasic managed to claw off his line.

Wenger’s men kept up their spirited display until the final whistle but their efforts proved to be in vain, with that late third goal conceded at the Emirates costing them a place in the next round.

Elsewhere, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid edged past Bayer Leverkusen to reach the last eight after their encounter went to penalties.

Mario Suarez's first half goal drew the scores level on aggregate after Leverkusen won the first leg 1-0 in Germany, and the La Liga holders prevailed 3-2 in the shootout after extra time.

Dick Advocaat appointed new Sunderland manager

Former Rangers and Holland boss Dick Advocaat has been appointed the Sunderland manager until the end of the season.

The Dutchman, who most recently took charge of the Serbian national side, takes over from Gus Poyet, who was sacked on Monday afternoon.

Speaking about the appointment, Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “Dick has an incredible CV and vast experience of managing at the very highest level. We have one aim only now - to climb the table and everyone is fully focused on the task ahead of us.”

Advocaat said: “Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can’t wait to get started.”

Major injury boost for Arsenal! Mathieu Debuchy resumes light training

Arsenal have received a major injury boost after defender Mathieu Debuchy resumed light training and could be ready for a first-team return by the start of April.

Debuchy has been sidelined since January with a shoulder injury after he was pushed into the advertising hoardings by Stoke forward Marko Arnautovic and needed surgery to clear up the problem.

The French full-back had only just returned from an ankle injury that kept him on the sidelines for three months and was expected to be ruled out until mid-April.

But Debuchy gave Arsene Wenger the perfect tonic ahead of the Champions League tie against Monaco as he joined in a light session with club captain Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby.

Arteta has also been ruled out since January after undergoing ankle surgery while Diaby has been plagued by injury problems over the last few years.

But all three players look to be finally on the road back to full fitness and could make their first-team comebacks in the next few weeks.

WWE: Roman Reigns unfazed by Brock Lesnar ‘contract drama’ ahead of Wrestlemania clash

WWE championship challenger Roman Reigns has his eyes on the Wrestlemania prize - and refuses to be distracted by the drama surrounding champ Brock Lesnar’s contract status.

Lesnar’s current deal is believed to run out shortly after the sport entertainment’s annual extravaganza later this month, with UFC and Bellator reported to be interested in taking The Beast back to MMA.

Roman, however, is confident Lesnar will be in California for their scheduled clash.

Asked about any developments with the champ on talkSPORT’s Gorilla Position podcast, he said: "The Brock Lesnar situation is that he’s got a date with this fist right here.

"That’s the only situation I know of. I would never prepare for a fight if the man wasn’t going to be there, I’m preparing for a fight.

"And I’m going to give Brock Lesnar the fight of his life."

To hear Roman talk to podcast host James Delow more about his days in American football, his rich family heritage and how Paul Heyman has helped develop his career, click here

I will prove I'm the best by blowing away Frampton, vows Quigg

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Scott Quigg insists he will blow away Carl Frampton if the pair set up a super-bantamweight showdown in the summer.

The Bury fighter, the WBA interim champion, is in talks for a highly-anticipated dust-up with Frampton after the Belfast man retained his IBF title in impressive style at the weekend.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast after being ringside at the Odyssey Arena for Frampton’s stoppage of Chris Avalos, Quigg said he is desperate for his promoter Eddie Hearn to get a date sorted – so he can put his domestic rival firmly in his place.

“I want to prove to people I am the best,” said the 26-year-old.

“It is a fight the fans want and it’s the perfect timing. This is the fight I want.

“100 million per cent I will beat him. I know what I have done since I was a kid, I know how hard I have trained, I know how good I am, and people haven’t seen the best of me yet.

“I rate him highly as a fighter, I would be daft not to, but I 100 per cent know I have got the tools to beat him.”

‘We want second place!’ In-form Liverpool gunning for Man City

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has targeted another top-two finish to the Premier League season after his Reds side extended their fine run of form with a 1-0 win at former club Swansea.

The Merseysiders’ win, clinched by a freak goal from stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson, saw them cut the gap to fourth-placed Manchester Unitd to two points ahead of the rivals’ highly-anticipated showdown at Anfield on Sunday.

But Rodgers revealed he is looking higher than just a Champions League qualification spot, believing Manchester City’s shock defeat to Burnley has opened up the battle for second.

Table-topping Chelsea look dead-on for the title at seven points clear, but only four points separate City, Arsenal, United and Liverpool with nine games remaining and Rodgers says it’s all to play for.

"We've put ourselves in a great position," the Reds boss said after his side stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games.

"We want to finish as high as we can and everyone talks about fourth, but it's the same every year.

"We'll do the best we can and Manchester City's result at the weekend gives us an opportunity to finish second.

"We've got to use the mentality, run and confidence we've got, take that into every game and see where it takes us."

Liverpool, who saw skipper Steven Gerrard return as a 64th minute substitute after missing seven games with a hamstring problem, had Simon Mignolet to thank for a series of superb saves to deny the Swans, who were the better team in the first-half.

The Belgian denied the likes of Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson to keep the hosts out but Liverpool took control after the break, even if Henderson's sixth goal of the season , his third in three games, fortunately flew over Lukasz Fabianski after Jordi Amat's clearance stuck him on the shin.

"It was a wonderful demonstration of character and resilience in the team, especially the way we played first half," Rodgers added.

"Any system you play doesn't work unless you have the ability to work.

"We just weren't anywhere near it first half but that character and resilience kept us in the game.

"We knew we were going to be better in the second half.

"We changed the structure of the team and I felt we dominated the game in the second half.

"In the second half we ran more without the ball and off it as well and shortened the game, and we are a lot better side when we do that and press the ball."

Read more at http://talksport.com/football/we-want-second-place-form-liverpool-gunning-man-city-insists-rodgers-150316139966#km25Y4pEo1cO6MCP.99

No desire' - Former Manchester City boss claims players not showing fight under Manuel Pellegrini

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Manchester City’s players appear to have lost their desire under manager Manuel Pellegrini, Peter Reid has told talkSPORT.

City’s Premier League title defence is in tatters after Saturday’s humiliating defeat at Burnley, while they are also staring down the barrel of a Champions League exit at the last 16 stage, with Barcelona holding a 2-1 lead ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Nou Camp.

Pellegrini’s position is reportedly under serious threat, and Reid admits the signs do not look good for the Chilean coach.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the former City boss said: “There's no desire when they lose the ball to get it back, to zip it around the park.

“We can all have off days in any walk of life, but that desire, fighting for the shirt, not wanting to get beat, I’m looking at City and I don’t see that.

“The players have got a big responsibility to show what they can do. At this moment in time, it doesn’t look as if they are doing that. They are real top, top players and they are not doing the business at the moment.

“To be fair to Pellegrini he did recently leave [Vincent] Kompany out and last year he left out the England goalkeeper [Joe Hart], so he has made hard decisions. But for, some reason, it looks as though they are not playing with that desire. And how you get it back, I don’t know.”

Gus Poyet sacked as manager of Premier League strugglers Sunderland

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Gus Poyet

Gus Poyet has been axed as manager of Sunderland after Saturday's humiliating defeat to Aston Villa.

The Uruguayan has been under intense pressure in recent months having seen his side dragged into relegation danger.

And the club's owner Ellis Short has now lost patience after the Black Cats crashed to a 4-0 loss to fellow strugglers Villa at the Stadium of Light.

The disastrous defeat has left Sunderland, with just one win in their last 12 matches, sitting a point above the drop zone with just nine games of the season remaining.

"Sunderland AFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet this afternoon," read a club statement.

"The club would like to place on record its’ thanks to Gus and wishes him well for the future."

Poyet had been approaching 18 months in charge of the club having taken over from Paolo di Canio in October 2013.

He took charge when Sunderland were bottom of the Premier League and led them to safety with a remarkable late run of form.

This term, however, has been a big struggle, and four wins in 29 games has left the Wearside outfit deep in relegation trouble.

Chairman Short said of Poyet's departure: “I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club, in particular last season’s ‘great escape’ and cup final appearance, which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan.

“Sadly, we have not made the progress that any of us had hoped for this season and we find ourselves battling, once again, at the wrong end of the table. We have therefore made the difficult decision that a change is needed.”

Cascarino backs Chelsea to clinch league title against Manchester United

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino believes the Blues could be crowned Premier League champions as early as the 18 April when they welcome Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United to Stamford Bridge.

Following Manchester City’s shock 1-0 defeat to Burnleyyesterday, Jose Mourinho’s outfit will move 11 points clear at the summit if they win their two games in hand.

Chelsea welcome Southampton on 15 March before games against Hull City, Stoke City and QPR, and Cascarino believes the nature of the fixture list gives the Blues a huge upper hand.

“For me they could secure the league against Manchester United on 18th April. They could have 12 points from their next four games,” said Cascarino.

Chelsea’s form has been patchy of late with only four wins in their last 11 games in all competitions, including dropped points against Burnley and embarrassing cup exits to Bradford City and PSG recently.

Cascarino underlined the PSG defeat, on away goals after a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, as particularly damaging to the harmony between officials at the club.

“The PSG game will not have gone unscathed upstairs,” said Cascarino.

“What happened on Wednesday night was pretty devastating – both before the game and the game itself. The Chelsea supporters will be really disappointed.”

The former Republic of Ireland international also urged Mourinho to alter his tactics in the wake of recent disappointments, particularly in attack where the goals have dried up of late.

Cascarino added: “I would love him [Mourinho] to say to Loic Remy to go and play up front with Diego Costa.

“Throw a spanner in the works and play someone alongside Costa because at the moment Chelsea are struggling to break down teams.”

‘Man City's title chase ISN’T over!’ Pellegrini refuses to accept defeat despite Burnley shock

Manuel Pellegrini refuses to accept Manchester City’s Premier League title race is over despite suffering a major dent to their hopes with a shock 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Saturday.

The Blues appeared to be a shadow of the side which lifted the top flight crown last season, as the relegation-battling Clarets secured a vital three points thanks to George Boyd’s second-half super strike.

City remain five points behind table toppers Chelsea, though they now have two games in hand and can increase their lead to eight points with victory over Southampton on Sunday.

Pellegrini’s side, whose Champions League hopes also hang by a thread ahead of this week’s last-16 clash with Barcelona, have fallen away alarmingly since pulling level with the London outfit on New Year's Day and have won just three of their last nine league games.

However, the Chilean coach insists his team will ‘continue fighting’.

"Every point we drop will be more difficult,” said Pellegrini.

"When you have mathematical chances you must try to continue fighting, but the most important thing is to trust in what we are doing, try to win the next game and we will see at the end of the season where you will finish."

With the title looking a long shot, City could now face a battle to hold on to second place - or even their spot in the top four - with Arsenal just one point behind.

Pellegrini brushed aside those concerns and instead turned focus to Wednesday's Champions League battle at Barcelona.

The Blues boss said: "We are worried just about our team. We continue in second place, so we are not doing so bad. We have 27 points more we must fight for to try to keep this position.

"From tomorrow we must trust in what we are doing and try to win on Wednesday in Barcelona."

City dominated possession and created 21 chances, but only managed to land five on target and generally lacked energy and a cutting edge.

Leading stars Yaya Toure – who reacted badly to being substituted – Sergio Aguero, David Silva and captain Vincent Kompany were all way below par, but Pellegrini - who is coming under increasing pressure - refused to criticise his side.

He said: "It was a normal performance. I don't think we played very bad. We had three or four chances. Burnley had just one shot on target and scored one goal, but we need to create more chances.

"I don't think we created the amount of chances we need to score goals."

Matic ‘fit and ready’ for Chelsea’s Champions League showdown, insists Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed Nemanja Matic is ready to come straight back into the Blues team for Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Serbian has sat out of the Premier League side’s last two games through suspension, and then suffered a slight injury to his ankle while celebrating the club’s League Cup final triumph.

Matic missed that game but changed from his club suit into full kit to join his team-mates on the pitch and celebrate the Blues’ win over London rivals Tottenham at Wembley Stadium.

But Mourinho has revealed the midfielder, who has been a key man for the top flight leaders this season, has recovered from the problem in time for their crucial last-16 tie.

"We're happy that he's back. He's fit to play,” said the boss.

“No problem with his injury, but no football for a couple of weeks and no training too because he was really injured.

"He's ready to play and he's going to play."

Mourinho joked with the Serbian, who sat next to his manager in Tuesday evening’s pre-match press conference, he would not be playing after wins versus Spurs and in the Premier Leagueagainst West Ham.

He added:"I told him that we won two very important matches without him. Maybe he's not so important. He was laughing.

"It's also the reality that he's very important for us.”

Mourinho also admitted PSG are the most aggressive side Chelsea have played this season, following their frustrating 1-1 first-leg draw in the French capital three weeks ago.

The manager believes the expensively-assembled Ligue One champions were more aggressive than League Two Shrewsbury, League One Bradford and all the other sides Chelsea have played this term.

"With players of such quality I was expecting more football and less aggression," he said.

"I thought an English team would never be surprised by aggression. In that game I was surprised, because a team with fantastic players was a team with the record of fouls, was the team that was making foul after foul, was the team that stopped [Eden] Hazard with fouls all the time."

Ramsey over injury problems as Arsenal ace returns for QPR clash

Arsene Wenger is convinced they have finally solved Aaron Ramsey's long-term injury problems and is thrilled to have back him for the Premier League game against QPR on Wednesday night.

Ramsey has been plagued by hamstring injuries this seasonwhich has forced him to spend three separate spells on the sidelines.

But the Arsenal manager is praying that the Wales international has finally put his injury torment behind him and hopes he can have a successful end to the season.

Wenger said: "Aaron Ramsey is back in the squad. (We have missed) his energy level, his transitional play from offense to defence and from defence to attack and his box-to-box qualities.

"When you have a repetition of muscular injuries, in can put the handbrake on your body a little bit. To get rid of that is a psychological problem.

"Certainly, you lose a bit of confidence in your body. I don't think he suffers from that looking at him in training."

When asked if Arsenal have found any reasons for his continued hamstring problems, Wenger replied: "We think yes."

Pellegrini is 'toast' unless Man City reach Champions League final, claims former Maine Road star

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Former Maine Road star Rodney Marsh insists Manuel Pellegrini will be sacked if Manchester City fail to reach the Champions League final.

The Chilean, who won the Premier League title last season at the Etihad, has come under increasing pressure following some below par performances both domestically and in Europe.

Defeats to Barcelona and Liverpool, in the club’s previous two fixtures, has led to reports the Blues are considering a managerial change, with Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola viewed as possible replacements in the summer.

Roberto Mancini won the FA Cup and Premier Leaguetitle during his three and a half years at the club but was still removed from his position because of City’s poor showing in the Champions League.

And former striker Marsh believes the ex-Real Madrid chief will suffer a similar fate unless he can inspire his steeds to an unlikely run in Europe’s top competition.  

“The only way Manuel Pellegrini can save his job is if Manchester City get through to the final of the Champions League,” he told the Sports Bar. “Over the last four years, City have won the league twice and have won the FA Cup.

“They sacked Roberto Mancini because of his performances in the Champions League though and I can see the same thing happening again. Unless Pellegrini does something remarkable in the Champions League, he’s toast.

“There comes a point as a player where you don’t believe you can win. Man City will go to Barcelona in the second leg, knowing they could have been out of the tie. They know, in their hearts, that it will take a miracle to get anything out of it.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims his side are 'nowhere near' the Premier League title race this season - but believes a run of good results can change that.

The Gunners currently sit third in the table and are nine points adrift of league-leaders Chelsea, with Manchester Cityfour points clear in second spot.

The chase for the top four has closed up in recent weeks with Arsenal likely to come under heavy pressure from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton in the hunt for Champions Leaguequalification.

Wenger takes his side across London to face struggling QPR on Wednesday night looking for a seventh win in eight league games but, even with such a strong run of form, Wenger feels a push for the title is not currently feasible.

"At the moment we are nowhere near to winning the Premier League, and nowhere near close to being in the race," he said.

"But what we want is to do as well as we can without speculating on the weakness of any team. The only thing you can say is that it's very tight.

"You look in front of you, Manchester City are four points ahead of us, and you look behind you, there's plenty of people chasing us.

"That will be very, very tight and it will be down to consistency in our results and mental strength. That will certainly be needed again on Wednesday night."

Whilst closing in on Capital One Cup winners Chelsea seems an outside bet for Wenger, he is hoping a drop in form form reigning champions Man City could open up the chance to pip Manuel Pellegrini's side to second spot.

"At the moment we are too far from Chelsea to say we are in the title race, but you never know what can happen," he added.

"I speak as well about Man City, why should they give up for the title? They have done it three years ago by being eight points behind.

"If you ask a team who is four points behind us, they will say it's realistic to try and catch us. Manchester City are four points in front of us so mathematically of course that is possible.

Wenger confirmed Aaron Ramsey is ahead of schedule in recovering from a hamstring injury and is back in the squad for the short hop to Loftus Road.

The Wales international has not featured since suffering another hamstring problem on February 10 but is now back in contention, although fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere remains sidelined.

The 23-year-old had been closing in on his own return but underwent surgery on his troublesome ankle and, despite Wenger claiming he would be absent for days rather than weeks, he confirmed Wilshere will not feature in neither the QPR contest or Monday's FA Cup sixth-round clash at Manchester United.

"He is doing well," Wenger said of the England international.

"It takes some time to heal the wound after the surgery - it will take his a few days. I don't set any dates, but what is for sure is that for Man United he will not be available."

As well as having Ramsey at his disposal, Wenger is hoping Francis Coquelin could also play despite fracturing his nose in Sunday's victory over Everton, with the midfielder set to sport a protective mask.