Wenger signs new contract-Fifa.com


Arsene Wenger has signed a contract extension with Arsenal, committing himself to the north London club until June 2014.

The Frenchman, who is the north London club's longest-serving manager, joined the Gunners in 1996 and has led them to three Premier League titles and two FA Cup wins.

He said: "My heart belongs to Arsenal and my desire is to see this team win silverware. My commitment and drive are as strong and fresh as ever. Signing a new deal means that I can see this talented group of players reach their potential. Trust me, they are ready to deliver."

The deal indicates Wenger intends to see out his career at the Emirates. He told last week's Observer newspaper: "I am at the stage where if I extend my contract, it means I will finish my career at club level at Arsenal. If I go for a different challenge - I have been offered many challenges you know - it has to be now. That's a decision I have to make. But basically, I have no desire to change from here. I have one more year, and we are maybe thinking about extending it."

Having managed Monaco and Nancy in his native France and Nagoya Grampus in Japan, Wenger was seen as a surprised choice when he was appointed back in 1996, but he quickly won the fans over. He led the club to third place in his first season, before guiding them to a league and cup double the following year.

Wenger's side claimed a second double in the 2001-02 campaign, and two seasons later he led his team to a third league title without losing a game. The Gunners have not won a title since 2005, though.

He told Arsenal's official website: "I feel that we have not won for a few years now and it's important to get back to winning trophies because we have gone for a certain policy. We maintained the club at the top level, but we want to get to the next step, to win trophies and to win the title and the Champions League of course.

"I believe there are decisive years in front of us, but as well, very exciting years in front of us because the team has matured a lot, there is a lot of potential and that is what I want to show, that we have made the right decisions and that we can win."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood added: "We are thrilled that Arsene has signed an extension to his contract. He has masterfully transformed this football club over the last 14 years and the exciting and compelling football we play under his stewardship is admired the world over. Arsene is a very talented man and we believe the young, exciting team he has nurtured over the past five years will reward his and the fans' patience with silverware."

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Hart modest after fine display-Fifa.com


Joe Hart was modest about his performance after Manchester City started their Premier League season with a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Hart pulled off a series of world-class saves from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the first half as City survived an onslaught.

The 23-year-old got the nod in goal ahead of Shay Given but he refused to dwell on his own display. "It was just an enjoyable day, I love playing football," he said. "It was just another game I was looking forward to."

Of whether he believes he is City's number one goalkeeper, Hart added: "No. Shay Given is the other goalkeeper and I'm sure he'll get chances. We'll be pushing each other, he's a great goalkeeper."

While City struggled before half-time, they improved in the second 45 minutes with Shaun Wright-Phillips having the best of his side's chances.

Hart said: "We needed to get a result today as a big team. There's been so much speculation about us. We had to dig in in the first half. But we had a few chances and maybe we could have taken them."
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Mancini hopes to retain Given-Fifa.com


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will fight to keep Shay Given at the club, admitting that Joe Hart will remain his first-choice goalkeeper "for now".

Hart fully justified his selection at White Hart Lane as big-spending City somehow survived a first-half onslaught to head back to Eastlands with a goalless draw. But that will be no consolation to Republic of Ireland star Given, who revealed last week he would consider quitting the club if he lost his place in goal.

The Italian refused to reveal what he would do were a rival club to bid for Given before the transfer window closes. "I hope it doesn't arrive. I hope that Shay can stay here with us," said the Italian, who confirmed Hart would be his number one "for now".

"We have time, another 20 days, until the end of the market. I respect every decision but I hope that Shay stays here." He added: "At this moment, Joe plays. Because we have four competitions, we need Shay.


"I'm sorry for one goalkeeper but today I chose Joe and I'm very happy to have Shay Given. I spoke to him. He's a big name, he's a big goalkeeper, he respects my decision."

Hart produced a string of wonder-saves from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto to keep Spurs at bay. City, who handed debuts to three of their summer signings, improved immeasurably after the break, allowing Mancini to shrug off their first-half malaise.

"I think that this point here, after the first half, is a good signal for us," he said. "I think that we must improve but we're missing four, five players. I think that we need three or four weeks together."

He added: "Tottenham played with the same team they played last year. For us, it's different, and Tottenham is a good team. I think in the second half we improved our play."

Harry Redknapp was left to rue Hart's inspired display. "I couldn't have asked any more from the players," said the Spurs boss, before aiming another dig at the timing of this week's friendly internationals.

"We came out, did everything we worked on yesterday morning - in the hour that we had with the players this week. We were determined to press all over the park and that's what we did.

"When we won possession, I thought we moved the ball about with great style and created lots of chances. Their keeper was fantastic and some days it goes like that."

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Blackpool rout Wigan on top-flight return-Fifa.com


Blackpool made a sensational return to the top flight by beating hapless Wigan Athletic 4-0 on their travels. The team Ian Holloway has constructed on half a shoe-string proved to be too well organised, too determined and, frankly, too good for their hosts.

In their first appearance among the elite since 1971, Blackpool struck three times before the break to effectively wrap up the points in quite staggering fashion. New signing Marlon Harewood scored twice after Gary Taylor-Fletcher had put the visitors in front. Alex Baptiste profited from more poor goalkeeping by Chris Kirkland to ensure Wigan were well and truly squashed and draw ironic chants of 'Bring on the Arsenal' from the Tangerines' supporters, who head for the Emirates next week.

If Blackpool had taken any notice of the words that were said and written about them this week, they would not even have bothered to make the short journey south from their seaside base. The Premier League has a relatively short history but since the competition was formed in 1992, no side has been written off quite so mercilessly.

Nothing can be read into a single performance. Last season's results include a Burnley triumph over Manchester United from August 2009.

Days like this, however, will never be forgotten. It might not be in the class of the 1952/53 FA Cup final, but those who were there will never forget the thrashing at the DW Stadium.

Blackpool's performance was made all the more remarkable by the knowledge Harewood, along with Elliot Grandin and the sturdy Craig Cathcart, were not even at Bloomfield Road at the start of the week. Once the champagne corks have stopped popping and a breath can be taken, Holloway will be pointing out that in Blackpool's remaining 37 games, they will probably not be meeting a team quite as woeful as Wigan.

Gaping holes were evident from the second minute, when Brett Ormerod twice failed to turn home relatively simple chances from the centre of the six-yard box. Harewood also put a header wide and the sense of foreboding among the home support began to grow.

Those worries turned out to be completely justified. When the excellent Charlie Adam found Harewood, Ormerod made his way across the box, dragging a couple of defenders with him before allowing the ball to run on to Taylor-Fletcher at the far-post. For a play-off scorer at Wembley, tapping home unmarked was easy.

A second should have followed when Harewood was sent clean through, only for Kirkland to make an excellent save. It was a brief reprieve. The next time Harewood got hold of the ball, he tried his luck from the edge of the area. Kirkland appeared to have the effort covered but somehow allowed the ball to slip through his gasp.

Audible boos from the home support turned into full-scale dissension two minutes before the break, when Kirkland failed to hold a Grandin effort and Harewood tapped home the rebound. Yet the cat-calls were drowned out by the celebrations amongst the visiting fans, who could not have imagined in their wildest dreams that their top flight return would turn out quite like this.

That Wigan improved after the break was not saying much. Steve Gohouri had a goal disallowed at the start of the second period that might have made a difference, and Mauro Boselli saw his angled header clip the bar.

But that sea of orange will gorge on this incredible day for a long time and when Baptiste caught Kirkland out with a shot from the touchline that crept in at the near-post, it left them looking down on Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and the rest. Those big boys had not played of course. But no-one really cared about that.

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Howard blunder gives Blackburn victory-Fifa.com

Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic grabbed the winner as Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park. The industrious front man took advantage of a blunder from goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 14th minute and that was enough to give his side victory.
Blackburn remained solid throughout with Morten Gamst Pedersen and Phil Jones taking control of a crowded midfield. They almost opened the scoring after two minutes against an Everton side dressed in pink - Pedersen's clever chip released Martin Olsson but with only goalkeeper Howard to beat he hoisted his shot over the top.
Howard was again called into action four minutes later and dealt comfortably with a header from El-Hadji Diouf following a long ball from Gael Givet.
Sam Allardyce's side then took the lead in the 14th minute when the USA international 'keeper raced out his goal to try and clear his lines but instead spilled the ball and Kalinic was on hand to sweep it home.
Everton responded and Blackburn found themselves on the back foot after 29 minutes when Cahill made space in the area only to scuff a shot into goalkeeper Robinson's arms.
Louis Saha got away from Christopher Samba five minutes later but his effort was blocked. Then Mikel Arteta's free-kick was deflected before Steven Pienaar tested the goalkeeper, who saved at the second attempt after the ball bobbled up in front of him. Phil Jagielka tried his luck from distance after 57 minutes but his effort went wide of the post.
Mame Biram Diouf was looking lively after coming on in place of Kalinic on the hour and saw his shot cleared by Howard, only to be ruled offside. Then Phil Jones raced forward and skipped into the area but his effort was blocked by Distin.
Play switched down the other end and Saha got into a good position but sent his shot high and wide. Blackburn nearly extended their lead in the 78th minute when Nzonzi got on the end of a cross from El-Hadji Diouf but headed marginally over the bar.
Everton kept pushing forward and substitute Jack Rodwell made space to get in a header two minutes from time but it went wide of the post. Jagielka thumped in a shot in stoppage time but Robinson was equal to it and Everton were left to reflect on a disappointing defeat.

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Bolton and Fulham make goalless start

Fulham made a low-key start to life under Mark Hughes after holding on for a point at Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the 2010/11 Premier League season. The Trotters dominated the contest and were unlucky not to secure all three points when Stuart Holden struck the post in the 78th minute.

Johan Elmander was also denied on several occasions by Cottagers goalkeeper David Stockdale, who had been selected by Hughes ahead of Arsenal target Mark Schwarzer. The Australian was facing a late fitness test ahead of the match due to a back problem, but his absence from the squad may also have been explained by the fact that he had recently handed in a transfer request with a view to joining the Gunners.

It was the hosts who carved out the first opportunity on ten minutes as Elmander attempted a flick, collected the rebound and then dragged a shot wide to Stockdale's right. A minute later at the other end, Fulham skipper Danny Murphy went closer with a low strike from outside the box.

Wanderers debutant Martin Petrov, regarded by many as one of the most astute purchases of the summer after joining on a free from Manchester City, began to make his mark on the game and cut into the box incisively after being fed by Kevin Davies, only to be halted by a wonderfully-timed challenge by John Pantsil. Gary Cahill connected with the corner which followed, but his downward header was comfortably collected by Stockdale and the centre-back leapt again in the box soon after but was unable to meet Petrov's inswinging free-kick.

Moments later, Petrov drove in a fierce effort which Stockdale had to dive to catch, before Bobby Zamora, looking confident after making his England debut in midweek, attempted an audacious lob that drifted just over Jussi Jaaskelainen's crossbar. Having struggled to impose themselves, Fulham then enjoyed a spell of possession with Gretar Steinsson clearing a bouncing shot from Simon Davies and Zat Knight heading behind Damien Duff's free-kick.

But it was Bolton who continued to make the more legitimate chances, as Elmander dispossessed Dickson Etuhu and sent a powerful strike into the arms of Stockdale. Jaaskelainen then got in a mix-up with Paul Robinson and fumbled his header, but the Finnish stopper dived on the ball before Zamora could capitalise.

Bolton were again the brighter side as the second half got underway, with Holden firing in an ambitious effort that rose off-target before Elmander collected Steinsson's cross in the box, swivelled and unleashed a snap-shot which Stockdale tipped over for a corner.

Lee Chung-Yong made a tame effort on goal thereafter, but Elmander was unlucky not to score once more after working his way into a shooting position, with Stockdale on hand to avert the danger. Fulham were looking frustrated in general and Holden went closest to breaking the deadlock with just over ten minutes to go, firing in a shot that bounced back off the post.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle made a treble substitution in the final minutes, bringing on Matthew Taylor, Mark Davies and Ivan Klasnic for Petrov, Muamba and Elmander, but the visitors stood firm to earn their manager his first point.

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Black Cats clawed back by Birmingham-Fifa.com

Birmingham scored two goals in the final 12 minutes to secure a draw against 10-man Sunderland in their Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light.

Darren Bent gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Stephen Carr fouled Fraizer Campbell, and the veteran full-back headed the ball over his own keeper 11 minutes after half-time to put Sunderland two up.

By that point the hosts were already a man down following two yellow cards for new captain Lee Cattermole in the first half and the visitors eventually took full advantage, with Scott Dann heading in a soft first and Liam Ridgewell grabbing the equaliser two minutes from time.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce gave full debuts to keeper Simon Mignolet, defenders Nedum Onuoha and Titus Bramble and winger Ahmed El Mohamady while John Mensah also started after returning to the Stadium of Light on loan from Lyon for a second successive season.

Birmingham's side had a more familiar look about it, although there was a debut in goal for Ben Foster after he overcame a back problem that forced him out of England duty.

The home side had much the better of the opening quarter of an hour without troubling Foster, who was able to watch a Steed Malbranque shot sail past his near post from the best chance.

Chances were few and far between but suddenly a break from Bent set Sunderland away. Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on when Dann looked to have fouled the striker and, as Campbell surged into the area, he was felled by Carr.

Taylor immediately pointed to the spot and, after he had shown Carr a yellow card, Bent stepped up to power the penalty into the bottom corner with 24 minutes gone.

Bent and Campbell were linking up superbly and last season's leading scorer for the Black Cats should have grabbed his second five minutes later after a neat backheel from his strike-partner sent him into the area but he mis-hit his shot well wide from 10 yards.

Birmingham had yet to muster any kind of effort on goal and they nearly put themselves in even more trouble with 35 minutes on the clock. El Mohamady beat his man but his cross looked set to be dealt with by Bowyer only for the midfielder to slice his clearance at Foster, who did well to keep it out at point-blank range.

Sunderland's day had been going exactly to plan but they found themselves reduced to 10 men two minutes before half-time when new captain Cattermole, who had earlier been booked for a foul on Cameron Jerome, clattered Bowyer from behind and was sent off.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish would have expected much more from his team and he responded by bringing on James McFadden for Keith Fahey. The visitors looked much brighter at the start of the second half and it needed a great tackle from Mensah to stop Jerome as he headed towards goal.

Sunderland's threat was now sporadic but in the 56th minute they went two up thanks to another nightmare moment for Carr.

Having conceded the penalty in the first half, the veteran right-back stretched to get a head to Jordan Henderson's free-kick under pressure from Campbell only to direct it over his own keeper and into the net.

McLeish made his second change immediately, bringing on 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigic for his debut in place of O'Connor. And the Serbian almost grabbed a goal moments later but his 25-yard drive was well tipped over by Mignolet.

Cristian Riveros then came on for his Sunderland debut but, with 12 minutes to go, Birmingham were back in it thanks to another act of charity. The visitors worked a short corner and Sebastian Larsson swung in a cross from the left that was headed down by Scott Dann and right through Mignolet.

The centre-back should then have levelled matters but he somehow failed to connect with Larsson's free-kick from six yards out with the goal gaping. Danny Welbeck became the sixth Sunderland debutant in place of Bent but the pressure on the hosts was growing and inevitably it was another Larsson set-piece that provided the equaliser two minutes from time. The Swede swung in a ball from the right that evaded everyone before finding Liam Ridgewell at the far post.

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Wanderers beat Stoke in derby clash-Fifa.com



A moment of brilliance from David Jones and a debut goal for Steven Fletcher handed Wolverhampton Wanderers a deserved season-opening victory over Stoke City this afternoon.

The pair struck in quick succession just before half-time in a fierce Premier League derby at Molineux, with Jones brilliantly flicking and volleying in a free-kick and Fletcher turning in from close range. Stoke replied with a powerful Abdoulaye Faye header but missed record signing Kenwyne Jones, who hit the bar early on but limped off after 13 minutes.

The Potters made life tough for Wolves in a full-blooded second half but the hosts created, and squandered, the better chances. In the end victory was just reward for manager Mick McCarthy, whose side attacked with verve despite missing last season's top scorer Kevin Doyle through injury.

Kenwyne Jones went straight into the Stoke side despite the doubts expressed by manager Tony Pulis about his match-fitness after his £8m move from Sunderland this week, and the forward wasted no time in making his presence felt as broke down the right and burst into the area to fire a shot against the crossbar with just three minutes gone.

In a ferocious opening that matched the intense atmosphere, Rory Delap needed to leave the field to have his head bandaged. David Jones put the ball in the net for Wolves before Delap returned to the field but the strike was ruled out for a foul on Sorensen.

Confusingly, Delap came back wearing a different number but, more worryingly, Kenwyne Jones took his place on the sidelines after falling awkwardly in a challenge from Jody Craddock. He received treatment but was unable to return and, just 14 minutes into his second debut for Stoke, was replaced by Mamady Sidibe.

Wolves began to take control and created a good chance when another impressive debutant Jelle van Damme, operating as midfielder, crossed into the box but former Burnley star Fletcher fired over. The hosts appealed for a penalty when the ball took an awkward bounce and caught Faye at the top of the arm but referee Lee Probert deemed it accidental.

Wolves continued to bombard the box and they again called for a penalty when Fletcher had a shot blocked. Probert waved play on and, amid panic in the Stoke defence, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake shot at Sorensen, Fletcher had another effort blocked at Jones scuffed a shot.

They finally claimed a deserved lead on 37 minutes after Kevin Foley was fouled on the edge of the area by Dean Whitehead. Karl Henry rolled the ball to Jones and he brilliantly flicked it up to volley into the top corner.

Wolves followed up with a second just two minutes later as Christophe Berra's cross took a deflection and looped over Sorensen for Fletcher to bundle in for a debut goal at the far post. Matt Jarvis went close to a third in first-half injury time but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Fletcher had another attempt early in the second half but it flew well over and he was replaced by Andy Keogh moments later. Pulis also decided to make a change and took off Kenwyne Jones' ineffective replacement Sidibe to send on Tuncay.

The Potters hauled themselves back into the game after 55 minutes when Matthew Etherington, one of their more impressive players, picked out Faye from a corner. The Senegal defender made no mistake as he powered a header past Marcus Hahnemann. Ricardo Fuller then got a header to a typically long Delap throw but Hahnemann dealt with it comfortably.

Wolves responded with another good spell of their own and Jarvis narrowly missed with a powerful shot from outside the area. Stoke were fortunate to survive after David Jones forced Sorensen to palm onto the bar with a flying volley. Wolves felt Danny Higginbotham then handled the rebound but the ball worked its way out to Stephen Ward, who somehow sidefooted wide.

Keogh became the second substitute to be substituted when he was replaced by Greg Halford in the closing moments. David Jones had another chance to make victory certain with a shot that dipped wide in the last minute. Delap wound up for one last throw in a bid to snatch a draw in injury time but the ball slipped from his grasp and a foul throw was awarded.

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Drogba treble helps Chelsea cruise top-Fifa.com



Double winners Chelsea fired an early warning to their Premier League title rivals as Didier Drogba smashed a hat-trick in their 6-0 thrashing of new boys West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge.

Florent Malouda set the Blues on their way after only six minutes, with Drogba's free-kick extending the lead on the stroke of half-time. It was more one-way traffic after the restart, as the Côte d'Ivoire striker netted from close range with Frank Lampard making it 4-0 just after the hour.

Drogba's deflected effort and a last-minute strike from Malouda sealed an emphatic win for the champions, who put last week's 3-1 defeat by Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley firmly behind them.

Despite being outplayed, West Brom and their manager Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea midfielder, deserve credit for continuing to display some good passing football, but they, tellingly, lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Chelsea had got off to a flying start when they took the lead after only six minutes. Malouda was tripped by Pablo Ibanez on the edge of the West Brom box. Keeper Scott Carson spilled Drogba's free-kick straight to John Obi Mikel, whose follow-up effort was blocked. The ball then dropped straight to Malouda, who could not miss.

The champions were in full flow, with Ashley Cole whipping a low ball across the six-yard box after another surge down the left. However, the conditions worsened, and fit again Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had to be at full stretch to touch away Graham Dorrans' deflected effort.

The visitors, who finished second behind Newcastle in the Championship last season, continued to try to take the game to Chelsea, putting together some promising passing moves. Czech striker Roman Bednar smashed a fine finish into the roof of the Chelsea net on 18 minutes, but the offside flag had already gone up for what looked a marginal decision.

After a drop in tempo, Chelsea slowly started to find their rhythm again. Gabriel Tamas fouled Drogba, giving Chelsea another chance to deliver a ball into the West Brom box. Lampard struck his 20-yard shot well and Carson parried, but this time Malouda could not keep his follow-up on target as he sent a looping header over.

The home side went into the break 2-0 up when Youssouf Mulumbu tripped Michael Essien and Drogba smashed his free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner.

The conditions improved for the second half, allowing both teams to pass the ball quickly. On 53 minutes, Scotland midfielder Dorrans chipped a free-kick over the wall, but the ball dropped onto the top of the net. Chelsea then moved 3-0 ahead when Drogba bundled in his second. John Terry flicked Malouda's inswinging corner goalwards and Mulumbu hacked it off the line, but the ball was not cleared and Drogba, who won the Golden Boot with 29 goals last season, was alert to smash it in from close range.

Lampard walked in a fourth on 63 minutes after a clever exchange between Nicolas Anelka and Cole down the left. The England midfielder, who had been carrying a slight ankle problem, was then replaced by Yossi Benayoun, as the Israeli made is debut following a summer move from Liverpool. On 68 minutes, Drogba completed his hat-trick with a 20-yard effort which cannoned off Tamas and flew into the bottom corner past a wrong-footed Carson.

Malouda completed the scoring in the last minute, collecting a pass from Anelka before eluding Carson and shooting into the net off the post. The visitors were denied a late consolation when Alex flicked a rising shot from Chris Brunt over the bar.

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Malouda: We want to better last year-Fifa.com


Florent Malouda says Chelsea's rampant display against West Bromwich Albion today shows how determined they are to step things up a gear, despite enjoying huge domestic success last season.

The 2009-10 double winners endured a tough pre-season but kicked off the defence of their Premier League campaign by hammering the newly-promoted Baggies 6-0 courtesy of a Didier Drogba hat-trick, a brace from Malouda and one from Frank Lampard.

The French midfielder said: "We are champions and we have to improve what we did last season. We had a great record and scored a lot of goals but it's a new season and we have to work harder and be even better than last year.

We are champions and we have to improve what we did last season.
Florent Malouda, Chelsea midfielder

"It was not easy at the beginning because we had a difficult pre-season, to score early in the game was most difficult thing to do and after that we had to carry on to score more goals."

Drogba, who claims he is feeling fitter than ever after a hernia operation in the summer, said: "I'm really happy with the way we played, we had a difficult pre-season. We all came back at different times but we are winning and it is a good start."

"I am very happy because we played a good game, we showed good football," added Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. "We were not happy about the four defeats in pre-season, but we started well and that is the most important thing."

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Benayoun wishes Reds well


Yossi Benayoun has wished his former Liverpool team-mates well under Roy Hodgson.

Benayoun swapped Anfield for Stamford Bridge in a £6m move earlier this summer.

"I had a great time there and it was a privilege to play at such a big club," he said.

"Everyone knows all the problems at the club but hopefully they have started anew with the new manager and I hope things change.

"I wish them all the best."

For his own part, Benayoun is working his way back to sharpness after a brief injury hiccup in training.

"I trained with the (Chelsea) first team for the first few days then I injured my groin and rested for a week," he added. "I came back only a few days ago and I'm sure I'll be fit in a few days.

"I'm enjoying every day and getting closer to everyone. Hopefully I'll be here a long time and be successful.

"I can only say I will work hard as I did at Liverpool and do my best to prove I deserve to be here."

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Ferreira wants first team role


Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira is looking forward to getting more matches under his belt ahead of the new season.

The Blues launch the defence of their Barclays Premier League title on 14th August but first face arch rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Ferreira has been on extended leave following his involvement in the World Cup finals for Portugal and Wednesday's friendly against Hamburg represents only his second outing of pre-season.

And despite the first competitive match of the season on the horizon, Ferreira says he would rather be on the pitch in an attempt to regain full fitness.

"It is important that we get to play against Hamburg, we want to start the season well," Ferreira explained to the club's official website. "And after this game we still have a few days to work really well for Manchester United on Sunday.

"It is another important game and we want to be in good shape. The group is like it always is, everybody is happy and we are doing a good pre-season so far.

"I am feeling much better, us players who came from the World Cup started after the others but we have worked hard to catch up and after one week of work you begin to feel much better."

The 31-year-old's involvement in the World Cup means time off has been scarce for the right-back, who helped the Blues to the Barclays Premier League title last season.

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Nzonzi signs new Rovers deal


Midfielder Steven Nzonzi has committed his future to Blackburn Rovers by signing a new five-year deal.

The deal will see Nzonzi, who made 33 Barclays Premier League appearances last term, stay at Ewood Park until June 2015.

The 21-year-old Frenchman was named the club's Player of the Year in his first season after he arrived from Amiens and turned in a string of impressive performances for Rovers.

Blackburn chairman John Williams said: "We are delighted to secure Steven for the long term.

"He was outstanding last year - his first in this country - and the new deal is richly deserved. We hope he makes further progress and continues the fantastic form that impressed so many people last season.

"Along with the new contracts also agreed with the likes of Phil Jones, Martin Olsson and Grant Hanley, and the important re-contracting of Morten Gamst Pedersen, this represents further good progress for the club this summer.

"However, there is still business to be done. We remain determined to secure a new striker and I can assure all our supporters that our search continues in earnest in that regard."

Nzonzi, who scored two goals in his debut top flight season, while want to get the new campaign off to a great start when Rovers host Everton on 14th August.

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Friendly round-up - Weds 4th Aug


A review of Wednesday's pre-season friendly action involving Barclays Premier League sides.

Frank Lampard's goal could not prevent an almost full-strength Chelsea from slipping to a 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat away to Hamburg.

The England midfielder put the Blues ahead in the 24th minute, tapping Michael Essien's unselfish square pass into an empty net, but Mladen Petric capitalised on a mistake by Yury Zhirkov, on at left-back for Ashley Cole, to beat Ross Turnbull with 18 minutes to go.

Worse was to come for the Barclays Premier League champions as Heung Min Son won it for Hamburg with three minutes to go, inflicting Chelsea's third successive loss of the summer following defeats to Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Carlo Ancelotti named a strong side for the match in Germany, with John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda all also featuring from the start, while Didier Drogba played the second half, his first pre-season outing following hernia surgery.

WENT DOWN

Manchester City went down 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund in their latest pre-season friendly at the Westfalenstadion.

Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios put Dortmund ahead with a ninth-minute penalty only for Jo, who spent time on loan at Everton and Galatasaray last season, to level two minutes later.

Joe Hart ensured City went into half-time on level terms by diving to his right to keep out a casual Barrios penalty.

But the Germans restored their lead five minutes after the break through Shinji Kagawa and Robert Lewandowski then wrapped up the win in the 81st minute.

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Chamakh shines as Arsenal draw Milan


Arsenal new-boy Marouane Chamakh showed why Arsene Wenger spent nearly a year trying to sign him with a clinical finish in Saturday's 1-1 draw against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup.

Gunners boss Wenger landed Chamakh on a free transfer from Bordeaux in May after a lengthy courtship and the early signs suggest the Morocco striker will prove to have been worth the wait. Chamakh marked his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium with a man of the match display capped by a predatory first half strike.

The Gunners were denied a winning start to their four-team pre-season tournament however as Alexandre Pato headed a late equaliser for Milan. Wenger has spent most of the close-season attempting to stop Barcelona taking Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp. But, with Fabregas on holiday until next week, the focus switched to Chamakh and fellow new signing Laurent Koscielny.

Chamakh was the star turn as he led the Arsenal attack in the targetman role normally occupied by Robin van Persie, who is still resting after his efforts with Holland at the World Cup. His goal was richly deserved and Wenger now has to decide whether to play him alongside van Persie or alternate the pair.

Koscielny, a French centre-back who cost 10 million pounds from Lorient, is ear-marked to replace William Gallas at the heart of Arsenal's defence and was steady enough alongside Thomas Vermaelen. Arsenal fans will also have been intrigued that Wenger selected Lukasz Fabianski in goal ahead of Manuel Alumnia, suggesting the Spaniard's days as the Gunners' first-choice keeper may be over.

Vermaelen, wearing the captain's armband in Fabregas's absence, almost put Arsenal in front early on with a glancing header that Christian Abbiati clawed to safety. Koscielny was close to scoring an unfortunate own goal when his attempted block of a shot from former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini sent the ball cannoning onto the crossbar.

But Arsenal always looked lively going forward and Chamakh put the Gunners ahead in the 36th minute. Andrey Arshavin surged forward from midfield and held off Gennaro Gattuso before slipping a pass towards Chamakh, who timed his run perfectly to guide a low shot past Abbiati.

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Cahill hat-trick powers Everton-FIFA.com



Australian international midfielder Tim Cahill scored a hat-trick as Premier League Everton defeated second-tier Championship newcomers Norwich City 4-2 on Saturday in a pre-season friendly.

Former Everton goalkeeper John Ruddy gifted Cahill a sixth minute opener before the Australian added his second seven minutes before half-time. But Norwich levelled through Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman in the second half. South African star Steven Pienaar set-up Russian Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for Everton's third before Cahill completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes.

"It's pre-season and it wouldn't have made a great deal of difference if we had won or lost, accept I want us to get in the habit (of winning)," said Everton manager David Moyes. "I'm probably more disappointed with our overall performance than in other games but I've worked the players quite hard this week and I knew that there was always the chance that this would be the game where we would dip a little."

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes watched from the stands as his new side lost 1-0 to Championship team Portsmouth at Fratton Park with Marc Wilson heading in the only goal in the 31st minute. "I think he is probably not too impressed," said Fulham central defender Brede Hangeland of the watching Hughes. "We would like to have won but it matters more in a couple of weeks. Fitness is the most important thing - and preparing for when the Premier League starts."

Newcastle, promoted to the Premier League, drew 2-2 draw with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park. Ola Toivanen and Balazs Dzsudzsak gave PSV a 2-0 lead by half-time before Ryan Taylor and Leon Best ensured the match ended on level terms.

There was a minute's applause before the game to mark the first anniversary since the death of Sir Bobby Robson, who managed both clubs. Carlton Cole scored the only goal as West Ham claimed a 1-0 victory over second-tier Ipswich.

Leeds, also of the Championship, beat top-flight Wolves 3-1. Max Gradel gave Leeds the lead at Elland Road with Matt Jarvis equalising for Wolves. Lloyd Sam and Bradley Johnson then secured victory in the second half. Fraizer Campbell and Jordan Henderson found the target as Sunderland edged Leicester 2-1 while Stoke saw off Burnley, relegated from the Premier League last season, by the same scoreline.

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Ferguson hails Hernandez-FIFA.com


Sir Alex Ferguson described new signing Javier Hernandez as "first class" after the striker scored against Manchester United as they went down to a 3-2 defeat by Chivas Guadalajara on the final game of their Americas tour.

Hernandez played the first half for his old club and the second for his new side and made an immediate impact as he netted after just eight minutes. United drew level two minutes later through another new recruit, Chris Smalling, another United new boy, but goals from Adolfo Bautista and Hector Reynoso made it 3-1 just before the hour mark. Nani pulled one back for the Premier League side in the 79th minute.

Ferguson praised the striker, known as Chicharito, saying: "Chicharito was first class. His goal for Chivas was a marvellous strike. He showed his real qualities. Chivas played very well and they were very quick. They pressed the ball well and made things difficult for us. They deserved to win. As for us, we've been away for three weeks. We've done lots of travelling and I think the players need to go home and rest now."


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