Fergie wants Rio retirement

Sir Alex Ferguson wants Rio Ferdinand to forget about an England return and concentrate on Manchester United.

John Terry's decision to quit international football has raised the prospect of a recall for the Red Devils centre-half, who missed out on Euro 2012.

Ferdinand has continued to make himself available despite that snub, which Roy Hodgson maintains was for "football reasons" and nothing to do with the court case involving Terry and his brother Anton Ferdinand.

But Ferguson reckons international retirement would help prolong the 33-year-old's Old Trafford career.

He said: "Rio could do the job for England, there's no doubt about that, but I don't see why he should.



"He should concentrate on his career here, that's what I'd prefer. If he looks after himself there is no reason why he can't play on."

Gerrard: Miracle to win title

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has admitted it would be a 'miracle' if the Anfield outfit can claim the Premier League title before he hangs up his boots.

The 32-year-old England international feels that the Merseyside giants, who won the last of their 18 English titles back in 1990, have fallen behind the leading lights in the top flight in recent years, a point illustrated by their eighth-place finish last season.

New manager Brendan Rodgers was brought in over the summer to replace Kenny Dalglish and finally picked up his first league win of the new season at the sixth time of asking with a 5-2 romp against Norwich.

With the club in a transitional phase, Gerrard believes that finishing in the top four this term amid the ever-increasing competition in the Premier League and securing a return to the UEFA Champions League should be their main target.

He told the Sunday Times: "There's not just (Manchester) United and Arsenal now but City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Newcastle coming as well. The Premier League has become a lot more difficult to win for everyone.

"We were eighth last year. If this season goes well, we get a bit of luck, improve, we have an outside, no, a 50-50 chance of being in the top four. That's being realistic. It's achievable.



"But even if we do sneak into the top four I'll be 33 at the end of the season, so that's why it'll be a miracle if we win the title before I finish.

"But I'll keep fighting. I'll keep trying and see what happens."

The top stories from papers and websites - 30 September 2012

• Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Rio Ferdinand to turn his back on England and focus on his club career with Manchester United.


• Mark Hughes insists axed keeper Robert Green still has a future at QPR.


• Roy Keane is set to return to management with Turkish side Kasimpasa.


• Stephen Warnock accepts his Aston Villa career is over.


• Wayne Routledge is keen to sign a new deal to stay with Swansea.


• Fulham are lining up moves for Dutch teenagers Chris David and Adil Tihouna.


• Montpellier have told Chelsea and Arsenal that target Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is not for sale.


• Arsenal are on the trail of Guingamp midfielder Gianelli Imbula, 20.


• Sven-Goran Eriksson has blasted the FA over their handling of John Terry's racism hearing.


• Jose Enrique insists he has no plans to quit sunbeds despite being the victim of teasing by his Liverpool team-mates.


• Nigel Reo-Coker has pinned the blame on agents after beig left in the football wilderness.


• Simon Cox reckons Nottingham Forest already have a side capable of competing in the Premier League.

• Darren Fletcher insists he is fit and ready to play for Scotland in next month's World Cup qualifiers.


• Kilmarnock defender Michael Nelson has revealed Paul Lambert played a big role in his decision to move to Rugby Park.


• Pat Fenlon fears his Hibs side lack the belief required to push for the top of the SPL.


• Andres Lindegaard insists Scott Wooton won't freeze should Sir Alex Ferguson throw him in at the deep end against Cluj on Tuesday.


• Neil Lennon has warned Celtic they face arguably the toughest game of their Champions League campaign this week when they travel to face old boy Aidan McGeady's Spartak Moscow.


• Hibs new boy Tom Taiwo has revealed Claude Makelele was his inspiration during his formative years at Chelsea.

• Roman Abramovich has told Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole that Chelsea will not offer anything more than 12-month deals to any player over 30 seeking a new contract.


• Blackburn will offer Tim Sherwood a bumper contract - including a £1million promotio bonus - to take over as Ewood Park boss.


• West Brom are ready to break the bank in a bid to keep Jonas Olsson at The Hawthorns.


• Matt Taylor says he doesn't understand why Sam Allardyce sides have reputations for being 'long-ball merchants'.


• Jose Enrique claims Brendan Rodgers is the best manager he has ever played under.


• Wolves want to sign Fraizer Campbell on a season-long loan from Sunderland


• Scott Carson is being flouted around for a possible free-transfer Premier League return after his contract with Turkish club Bursaspor came to an end.


• Blackpool are set beat Ipswich to the loan signing of QPR's out-of-favour striker DJ Campbell this week.


• Ipswich have paid £4,000 to Brentford for 14-year-old striker Daniel Muamba - the younger brother of former Bolton midfielder Fabrice.


• Brighton are ready to sign Thomas Hitzlesperger on a free transfer - if Everton decide against offering the former Germany midfielder a deal.


• James McFadden is set to re-join Motherwell after hopes of a move to Sunderland faded.


• Crystal Palace are set to sign former Malaga defender Manu Torres, who is available on a free transfer.

• Sir Alex Ferguson has told Rio Ferdinand to call time on his England career.


• Harry Redknapp is being lined up for a return to management with Leicester City as the club's wealthy Thai owner ponders the axing of Nigel Pearson.


• Cristiano Ronaldo has put Chelsea, PSG & Manchester City on alert after Real Madrid refused to make him the highest-paid player in the world.

• Newcastle will sell Demba Ba in January after his failure to agree a new deal.


• Manchester United are close to agreeing a £6million deal for Thomas Ince - with the Blackpool playmaker set to follow in his father Paul's footsteps by signing for Sir Alex Ferguson.


• Spurs are ready to reappoint Damien Comolli as technical director - four years after they sacked him from the role.

• Newcastle are considering a £35million January swap deal with Liverpool involving Demba Ba and Andy Carroll.


• Consortiums from Saudi Arabia and the United States are hoping to rival GFH in the £52million buy-out of Leeds United.


• Ben Foster insists West Brom can become a permanent fixture in the top half of the Premier League.


• Harry Redknapp is being lined up to replace Mark Hughes as QPR boss.


• John Brayford insists Derby are more than capable of sinking Nottingham Forest in Sunday's East Midlands derby.


• Swansea boss Michael Laudrup is backing his son Andreas to help his side FC Nordsjaelland to beat Chelsea in their Champions League clash this week.


• Ryan Giggs reckons Manchester United can win the Champions League again this season.


• Roberto Mancini is ready to deploy Carlos Tevez as a lone frontman again in this week's Champions League tussle with Borussia Dortmund.

• Ashley Cole will be offered a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain in January.


• Liverpool and Manchester City are back in for Theo Walcott in January.


• Manchester United have joined arch-rivals City and Liverpool, as well as Tottenham, in the race to sign Birmingham whizzkid Nathan Redmond, 18.


• Rob Green has been told he can leave QPR for free - just three months after signing on a free transfer from West Ham.


• Rio Ferdinand is set to be offered a new deal by Manchester United.

• The agent of Getafe midfielder Abdel Barrada has said that Manchester City are following his client.

Tottenham hold on in thriller

Tottenham survived a stirring second-half fightback from Manchester United to claim a 3-2 victory that was their first at Old Trafford for 23 years.

The hosts needed the half-time introduction of Wayne Rooney to spark into life but of three goals in three frantic second-half minutes, it was Clint Dempsey's (53) that proved decisive.

Spurs set out to attack a side depleted in central defence and it swiftly paid off, Jan Vertonghen surging into ample space and finding the corner with a shot that hit Johnny Evans to wrongfoot Anders Lindegaard (2).

Slick and incisive while United laboured, it was no surprise that Andre Villas-Boas's side doubled their lead, Gareth Bale this time the man to drive through red shirts towards goal, before finishing inside the far post (32).

United should have had a penalty when Vertonghen grabbed a fistful of Nani's shirt shortly before the break but Tottenham were good value for their lead and Sir Alex Ferguson knew it, to go by his grimace.

Home fans called for Rooney and how they were rewarded; the cross he delivered into a prime position just six minutes after coming on met expertly by Nani (51).

Old Trafford roared its approval, only for Dempsey to deliver an immediate riposte, but then Shinji Kagawa converted coolly a further minute later and both sets of fans could hardly catch their breath.



A Rooney free-kick hit the upright (61), Robin van Persie, whose through-ball had set up Kagawa, skewed a shot wide and Carrick's flick-on clipped the bar but Tottenham got away with it and United's escape act for once deserted them.

Suarez destroys Norwich

Luis Suarez enjoyed another trip to Carrow Road as the Uruguayan bagged a hat-trick in Liverpool's 5-2 win over Norwich.

The Reds striker scored three on his last visit to City last season and he was on song again as the visitors secured a first win of the current Premier League campaign.

Liverpool made the perfect start when Norwich failed to clear a Glen Johnson centre and Suarez took a touch before firing through a defender's legs and past John Ruddy.

Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard went close to adding a second while Simeon Jackson was denied an equaliser by Pepe Reina before the City striker missed with a wild volley.

Suarez then fluffed his lines when one-on-one with Ruddy but he made amends moments later when he curled in with the outside of his boot (38) after a clever touch to lose his marker.

Robert Snodgrass should have halved the deficit two minutes after the restart when he blazed over from point-blank range and Liverpool netted a third on the counter.

Nuri Sahin side-footed home (47) from a Suarez cross and the latter completed his hat-trick on 56 with another curled effort as the City defence backed off.



Steve Morison (60) pulled one back for the Canaries after Reina failed to hold a Russell Martin shot while Gerrard's (67) deflected effort restored the four-goal cushion before Grant Holt fired in a late consolation.

Juventus destroy Roma

Juventus have destroyed Roma 4-1 after jumping out to a three-goal lead in the first 19 minutes to move clear at the top of Serie A.



Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco scored for the reigning champions in a dominant performance on Saturday.



With Roma head coach Zdenek Zeman, a notorious critic of Juventus, in Turin for the first time since taking over the capital club, Juventus seemed inspired to punish the visitors.



Zeman, who infamously claimed in the 1990s while coach of Roma that Juventus used blood doping, watched his team fall apart under an early onslaught from the home side.



Pirlo gave Juventus the lead in the 11th minute when his free-kick curled into the bottom corner and five minutes later Vidal slotted home a penalty after Roma defender Leandro Castan handled the ball in the box.



In the 19th minute, Matri completed Juventus' early blitz when he controlled Vidal's aerial pass on his chest and then finished expertly to give his team a 3-0 lead.



Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo's penalty in the 69th minute, conceded by Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci for a blatant foul on Mattia Destro, gave Zeman's team a glimmer of hope but in the final minute Giovinco finished off a counter-attack with a goal from a tight angle to secure a big win.



Juventus had 20 shots and eight on target, while Roma only forced three saves from Gianluigi Buffon from 12 attempts.



The win puts Juventus on 16 points after six matches with Napoli second on 13 points, although they are still to play this weekend.



In the other Serie A match, Parma stole a 1-1 draw at home despite visitors Milan dominating the match.



Milan had 60 percent possession and nine shots on target to two but could only manage one goal for the match, with Stephan El Shaarawy putting Massimo Allegri's side in front in the 50th minute.



Parma claimed a draw after Daniele Galloppa equalised 16 minutes later.

Spurs win at Man Utd for first time in 23 years

Tottenham ended 23 years of hurt with a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the English Premier League on Saturday for the north London side’s first win at Old Trafford since 1989.



Spurs had not beaten United since 2001 but wasted little time in showing their intent on this occasion with defender Jan Vertonghen giving Tottenham the early lead when he stuck a Gareth Bale pass into the bottom left corner of the goal in the 2nd minute.



Bale doubled the advantage in the 32nd with his first goal of the season. The Welsh midfielder took a pass from Mousa Dembele near the center circle and made a diagonal run through the United half to his right before shooting across goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard into the bottom left corner.



Nani pulled one back from a Wayne Rooney cross early in the second half to start a flurry of three goals in three minutes.



Clint Dempsey restored Spurs’ two-goal lead a minute later in the 52nd when he tucked in the rebound from a Lindegaard save of a Bale strike, but Shinji Kagawa immediately cut the visitors’ lead to 3-2.



Tottenham endured a torrid half-hour to end the match as goalkeeper Brad Friedel made a string of saves to preserve the win.



Meanwhile, unbeaten Chelsea came through its sternest test of the season to stay top of the English Premier League, beating Arsenal 2-1 on Saturday as Luis Suarez discovered his scoring touch to finally earn Liverpool a first league win under manager Brendan Rodgers.



Defending champion Manchester City needed a late goal from substitute Edin Dzeko to see off Fulham 2-1 and keep the pressure on Chelsea along with in-form Everton, which beat Southampton 3-1.



Juan Mata scored one and set up Spain teammate Fernando Torres’ opener as a Chelsea side featuring John Terry — two days after he received a four-match ban for racial abuse — condemned Arsenal to a first loss this season.



“It was a big challenge to play against a quality side like Arsenal,” Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo said. “We were excellent. We didn’t just come and sit back, we took the initiative.”



Suarez grabbed a hat trick for Liverpool in a 5-2 thrashing of Norwich at the other end of the table, ending a five-match winless run for the fallen English giants.



It was a relieving win for Rodgers, who had presided over the club’s worst start to a season in more than a century.



“I’m not surprised because in a lot of our games we have played very well and created a host of chances. It’s just our conversion rate has not been as good,” Rodgers said. “But today we were fantastic.”



After two straight draws and having seen Chelsea win at Emirates Stadium in the early kickoff, the pressure was on City to get back to winning ways and revive its title charge.



However, Mladen Petric put Fulham ahead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot and it needed a first goal of the season from Sergio Aguero — playing up front with Argentina teammate Carlos Tevez — to haul City back level in the 43rd.



Dzeko was thrown on in the 85th as City poured forward in search of a winner and he grabbed it within 70 seconds, slamming home a cross from Gael Clichy.



“I was worried because we continued to play well and continued to create chances, but didn’t score (the winner) for 87 minutes,” City manager Roberto Mancini said.



City remained four points behind Chelsea, whose fifth win in six matches was secured with the help of some defiant defending by Terry.



The center back was available while he contemplates whether to appeal the suspension for making a racial slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a league match last year, and he was a composed presence at the heart of the European champions’ stubborn backline.



Terry lost Gervinho for Arsenal’s equalizer in the 42nd but hardly put a foot wrong otherwise, before heading over to the jubilant travelling support and handing his boots to some young fans.



“It was the right choice to pick him today,” Di Matteo said. “John showed his leadership qualities and what a good defender he is for the team.”



The loss ended Arsenal’s unbeaten start and saw the team’s defensive vulnerability resurface, with center back Laurent Koscielny at fault for both goals from Mata’s set pieces.



Torres got the better of Koscielny to volley in Mata’s cross at the far post while the France defender glanced Mata’s curling free kick into his own net for what proved to be the 53rd-minute winner.



“Defensively, we were just not at the level you have to be in a game like that, which is where we were punished today,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.



Nikica Jelavic netted twice as Everton handed Southampton a fifth loss in six matches to stay three points behind Chelsea.



Peter Crouch also scored a brace in Stoke’s 2-0 win at home to Swansea while Sunderland beat 10-man Wigan 1-0 for a first win of the campaign, Steven Fletcher grabbing the winner.



Demba Ba equalized twice for Newcastle in a 2-2 draw at Reading where all the goals came in an entertaining second half.

Top footy jokes of the week

Top footy jokes of the week reveal hope you enjoy it: 

Kick Racist Out of Football 

The difference between FIFA13 & PES13.

R.I.P FIFA 12 :'(

Queen Park Rangers

Gerrard confident win will come

Steven Gerrard admits the pressure is growing in the Liverpool dressing room as they go in search of their first win of the Premier League season against Norwich.

The Reds have taken just two points from their opening five league matches, which have included home games against champions Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Their next three fixtures - against Norwich, Stoke and Reading - are definitely winnable on paper and Gerrard knows they must start converting their encouraging recent performances into victories.



"We have a run of games coming up now where there are points we should be taking but the longer it (not winning) goes on the more difficult it is going to get so it is important against Norwich we take maximum points," said the 32-year-old.



"If you look at the performances against City and United we should have six [more] points so it is not a case of 'they're out the way now, let's go beat the sides we should beat'.



"I think what we need to do is keep playing like we have done and hopefully we'll get the rub of the green, get referee's decisions in our favour and we will go on and take maximum points.



"Of course it puts more pressure on us. If we had won against United and beaten City everyone would be saying about how good a result it was at Sunderland (a 1-1 draw).



"But because that win hasn't come it seems as if we dropped points at Sunderland, so it is no good getting a point from these tough away games any more, we need to win them."

Ferguson: Vidic was never fit for United

Nemanja Vidic was never fit after seemingly recovering from cruciate ligament damage, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United captain returned this season from the injury he suffered in December of last year but now faces another two months on the sidelines following further surgery.



And Ferguson admits he was not entirely surprised by the chain of events.



"I don't think he was ever 100 per cent," said the United boss.



"I noticed a couple of times in training that he was limping a little bit. Then he started feeling tightness in his knee.



"He wanted to carry on and in that situation that is what tough guys can do.



"Obviously the main operation was to correct the cruciate but when you do cruciates there is always the danger that the cartilage or meniscus is damaged also and that was the case."



He added: "The difficulty is for our medical staff to make a decision as to when players are ready to come back.



"The worst that can happen is if you try and rush them back they get a training injury.



"That is unthinkable nowadays and that is what we are trying to avoid."

Beckham back on action forLa Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy star midfielder David Beckham is back in training for the Major League Soccer club after a sprained left ankle and hopes to play in Sunday's game at Colorado.



The English midfielder has not played for the defending MLS champions since injuring his ankle in a 2-0 victory over Vancouver on 1 September. The Galaxy have already clinched a berth in November's MLS championship play-offs.

"It's better," Beckham said of his injury. "Still a little bit of discomfort but it's good to be back on the field. Trying to get my fitness back. Hopefully I can get out on the field and stay fit this week and be involved."

Beckham, 37, has scored seven goals, the best total of his MLS career, and has set up nine others in 21 games this season for the Galaxy, 15 wins and 11 losses, with four draws.



"This injury came at a tough time for me," Beckham said. "I was enjoying playing, scoring goals, and that was a disappointing moment. But I'm back and hopefully I can get my fitness back and be back out there."

The Galaxy, with five wins and a draw in the past six starts, must now adjust to having Beckham back in the lineup. "It's good to see him back on the field," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.

Fergie praying for no more injuries

Sir Alex Ferguson is crossing his fingers Manchester United can limp through the next week before finally seeing their defensive woes start to ease.



With Chris Smalling and Phil Jones already sidelined, Ferguson last week expressed the hope his remaining centre-halves would remain fit.



That desire was dashed on Tuesday, when it was confirmed skipper Nemanja Vidic had undergone knee surgery that will keep him out for another two months.



It leaves Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans as United's only fit central defenders for tomorrow evening's encounter with Tottenham.



And as his side also have a Champions League trip to Cluj, and a Premier League match with Newcastle before the next international break, Ferguson must feel like wrapping Ferdinand and Evans in cotton wool.



"Everyone knows the situation with our defenders," said Ferguson.



"We are having a hard time with that.



"Nemanja Vidic being out is a blow to us and we simply cannot take a risk with defenders.



"We just hope if we can get through the next two league games it will give us a little breather and we can start to get one or two of them back."



As Jones is out for a similar length of time to Vidic after undergoing the same operation, Smalling's recovery from a broken metatarsal is what Ferguson is pinning his hopes on.



The former Fulham man will not be back this weekend though, so, with Wayne Rooney recovered from his gashed thigh and Tom Cleverley finally opening his United scoring account, Ferguson may decide attack is the best form of defence against Spurs.



Cleverley could not have picked a better time to score either as England coach Gary Neville was in the stands for the 2-1 Capital One Cup win over Newcastle on Wednesday, with Roy Hodgson a week away from announcing his England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.



"It (not having scored for United) has been playing on my mind a little bit," said Cleverley.



"I have always scored goals when I have gone on loan, so it was bugging me that I had not been doing it for my club or my country.



"I have got the first one out of the way now. Hopefully they will all come at once."

Argentina squad to play Uruguay

Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta have been called up by Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella for next month's World Cup qualifiers - but there was no place for Manchester City team-mate Carlos Tevez.

Aguero, who did not face Paraguay or Peru in the last round of matches because of a knee injury, is named to play Uruguay at home on October 12 and Chile away four days later.



Tevez misses out though, with Palmeiras striker Hernan Barcos preferred by Sabella.



Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini, Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia and Inter Milan forward Rodrigo Palacio drop out of the squad.



Next week, the former Estudiantes coach will add to the list with a number of players that are involved in the Argentinian Torneo Inicial.



Argentina squad to play Uruguay at home on October 12 and Chile on October 16:



Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero (Sampdoria); Hugo Campagnaro (Napoli), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon); Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Fernando Gago (Valencia), Enzo Perez (Benfica), Jose Sosa (Metalist Kharkiv), Pablo Guinazu (Internacional); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain), Hernan Barcos (Palmeiras).

Villas Boas says Terry a massive loss for England

John Terry's decision to quit the England team is a massive loss, said Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas before adding he supports the defender despite the FA finding him guilty of racial abuse on Thursday.

Villas-Boas was in the early days of his short reign at Chelsea when his skipper Terry clashed with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October.

The incident at Loftus Road eventually led to Fabio Capello stepping down as England coach, Terry losing the captaincy of his country and then quitting the national team last Sunday.

News of Terry's FA punishment, a four-match ban, filtered through as Villas-Boas spoke to reporters at the Spurs training ground.

"It's a massive loss for England," Villas-Boas said as he prepared for his team's Premier League game at Manchester United on Saturday. "John Terry is a player of unbelievable talent and he has helped his country so much and is also a stalwart for Chelsea.

"It's difficult for a player like him to take a decision like this. But from the perspective of the England squad ... it leaves manager Roy Hodgson in a difficult position.

"I'm not taking anything away from the other England centre backs but John Terry is a player of great talent," added Villas-Boas.

Asked to comment on the FA's decision to find Terry guilty of racial abuse, Villas-Boas said: "I understand the frustrations of both parties involved.

"I supported the player at the time and I continue to back the player 100 percent. I think it was a sad and difficult situation.

"I understand Anton Ferdinand's frustration too and the episode that we are facing," added Villas-Boas.



"As managers and media we have a task, we all know we must protect the game in a situation like this and to promote good values. But this has been so strange, so different, through various legal situations, that I've lost the understanding of it."

Kaka recalled by Brazil after two-year absence

Former World Player of the Year Kaka is set to play his first match for Brazil in more than two years after being recalled on Thursday for next month's friendlies.

The Real Madrid player, plagued by injuries over the last few seasons, was included in the squad for games against Iraq in Sweden on Oct. 11 and Japan in Poland five days later.

He has not played for his country since the 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.

It is the second time Kaka has been called up by coach Mano Menezes, who replaced Dunga after the World Cup in South Africa, but last year he had to drop out through injury and missed the matches against Gabon and Egypt.

The 30-year-old, who made his debut for Brazil in 2002, has 82 caps and played at the last three World Cups.

"We have been following his progress," Menezes told reporters. "In terms of training, of dedication, the standard which he has reached gives us hope that he will play well when he is picked for Brazil."

"It's important to have players with this type of career and experience... I think he is going to confirm what we have been hearing, that he is getting better."

Menezes did not see a problem combining Kaka with Oscar in midfield.

"Kaka has been working in a more advanced position on the pitch," he said. "It's not exactly the same role which Oscar plays in the national team. We will field the two together in at least one of the two games."

There was still no place in the squad for Lazio midfielder Hernanes, one of the most creative midfielders in Serie A.

Menezes is rebuilding the team for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil will host, and is trying to move away from the counter-attacking style developed under Dunga.

He is still under pressure after the under-23 side, which he also coaches, missed out on the Olympic gold medal in London after losing to Mexico in the final, but said his team would be ready for the 2014 tournament.

The coach was jeered in recent friendlies at home to South Africa in Sao Paulo and Argentina in Goiania, even though Brazil won both games.

"The team is consolidating itself with results, although they have been accompanied by great performances because it's not possible to have them," he said. "We are still not ready for great conquests but we will be."



Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Diego Alves (Valencia) Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Adriano, Daniel Alves (both Barcelona), Alexsandro (Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dede (Vasco da Gama), Leandro Castan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain)



Midfielders: Fernando (Gremio), Paulinho (Corinthians), Giuliano (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Ramires, Oscar (both Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Kaka (Real Madrid), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Thiago Neves (Fluminense)



Forwards: Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos) (Additional reporting by Tatiana Ramil in Sao Paulo; Writing by Brian Homewood; editing by Ed Osmond and Ken Ferris)

Falcao: I'm not targetting Messi, Ronaldo

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has said that he is more concerned with helping his team do well this season than fighting Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Pichichi award as the leading scorer in La Liga.

Falcao struck twice in last night's 4-2 win over Real Betis to take his tally to seven in five league games this season, leaving him one clear of Barcelona ace Messi at the top of the scoring charts. Last season Messi won the Pichichi with an astonishing 50 goals, four ahead of 2011 winner Ronaldo, with Falcao third on 24 goals in his first year in Spain following his big-money move from Porto.



Falcao's superb start to the season - he also netted a hat-trick in the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea and got goals in both of Colombia's FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers earlier this month - suggests he could challenge Messi and Ronaldo to finish as top scorer, but the 26-year-old insists that is not his driving force.

He said: "I didn't say I wanted to compete with Cristiano and Messi. I simply want to score goals to help my team, nothing more. At the end we'll see where I am. The most important thing is that the team fulfils their objectives. We are competing with 19 other teams, not only against Madrid and Barça."

Atletico's win over Betis saw them move into second place in La Liga on 13 points, two behind leaders Barça. Falcao limped out of the clash in the 53rd minute with an injury, and Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be keeping his fingers crossed that his star striker will be fit for this weekend's trip to Espanyol.



Falcao said in AS: "I hope to be able to face Espanyol even though I have some pain and I had to retire early."

Four-game ban and fine for Terry

The Football Association have confirmed that Chelsea captain John Terry has been banned for four games following his disciplinary hearing.



The FA confirmed the result in a statement: "An Independent Regulatory Commission has today [Thursday 27 September 2012] found a charge of misconduct against John Terry proven and has issued a suspension for a period of four matches and a fine of £220,000, pending appeal.



"The Football Association charged Mr Terry on Friday 27 July 2012 with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and which included a reference to colour and/or race contrary to FA Rule E3[2] in relation to the Queens Park Rangers FC versus Chelsea FC fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October 2011.



"The charge was the result of The FA's long-standing investigation into this matter, which was placed on hold at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Terry's representatives pending the outcome of the criminal trial.



"A hearing took place from 24-27 September 2012 before an Independent Regulatory Commission of The FA to consider the charge.



"The decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission is as follows: Mr Terry be suspended from all domestic club football until such time as Chelsea's First Team have completed four competitive matches Fined the sum of £220,000.



"The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course. Mr Terry has the right to appeal the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission to an Appeal Board. An appeal must be lodged within 14 days from receipt of the written reasons for the decision.



"The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or should Mr Terry decide not to appeal. The reason for this is to ensure that the penalty does not take effect before any appeal so that Mr Terry has an effective right of appeal."

The top stories from papers and websites - 27 September 2012

• Nuri Sahin's double helped holders Liverpool into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup - and a tie against Brendan Rodgers' old club Swansea.


• Arsenal are set to stage the Premier League's richest game on Saturday as they prepare to reveal impressive profits today.


• John Terry is expected to discover his FA fate today after his racial abuse "trial" went into a fourth day.


• Wayne Rooney made his long-awaited comeback last night as Manchester United edged their way into the last 16 of the Capital One Cup.


• Blackburn boss Steve Kean has been summoned to India to sort out his future with owners Venky's.


• Manchester City midfielder Abdi Ibrahim has a host of Premier League clubs battling to take him on loan in January.


• Spurs are watching Partizan Belgrade's exciting midfielder Nikola Ninkovic, 17.

• Arsene Wenger hailed Theo Walcott's lethal finishing after Arsenal beat Coventry 6-1 - then told him to remain patient in his quest to be a striker.


• Wayne Rooney was Manchester United's 'scar man' last night as he helped set up an explosive Capital One clash at Chelsea.


• John Terry will return for the fourth day of his FA disciplinary hearing into using alleged racist language against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.


• Blackburn want 1995 title-winning skipper Tim Sherwood to lead them out of crisis.


• El-Hadji Diouf has promised Neil Warnock he will not quit Leeds to grab some Middle East millions.


• West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will look to loan out some youngsters found lacking in the Capital One Cup.


• Norwich, Wigan and Southampton want Manchester City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim.


• Garry Monk will quit Swansea if he does not get a regular starting spot.


• Shaun Derry is willing to become a loan Ranger to get first-team action.


• Galatasaray are planning a shock raid for Real Madrid superstar Kaka.

• John Terry's defence team have accused the FA of unfair treatment of their client during his time as England captain.


• Wayne Rooney made a surprise return to Manchester United's starting line-up as they beat Newcastle 2-1 - with the scar clearly visible from his horror injury a month ago.


• Blackburn will make a formal approach to Tottenham this week in the hope of persuading Tim Sherwood to become their new manager.


• Chelsea have given a trial to Sweden youth international Ihab Naser.


• Manchester City are watching Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang.


• Garry Monk will leave Swansea in the January transfer window if he is unable to regain favour under manager Michael Laudrup.

• Wayne Rooney was forced to take a back seat despite making a shock return for Manchester United.


• John Terry is set to find out his fate today at the FA disciplinary hearing into his alleged racist abuse of Anton Ferdinand.

• Darren Fletcher made his first start for Manchester United in 10 months last night following a chronic bowel complaint as he skippered his side to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Capital One Cup.


• John Terry will learn his fate today as he returns to Wembley to hear the verdict from the Independent Regulatory FA Commission into charges that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

• Chelsea and Everton look like they will miss out on target Oscar Cardozo who is reportedly set to extend his contract at Benfica - and will have an astonishing £47.7m buy-out clause.

• The agent of Arsenal target Aron Johannsson has insisted the Gunners have not been in touch regarding a possible move for the AGF forward.

Falcao at the double against Real Betis

Atletico Madrid's winning streak continued as star striker Radamel Falcao inspired a comeback victory over nine-man Real Betis tonight.



Falcao cancelled out Salvador Agra's bizarre opener before Juan Carlos nudged Betis ahead before half-time.



But the free-scoring Colombian made it 10 goals from six games with a penalty following Damien Perquis' professional foul just after half-time to make it 2-2 before Diego Costa put the visitors ahead in the 55th minute.



Raul Garcia then sealed a fourth straight win in the 90th minute after Joel Campbell's late dismissal.



Atletico midfielder Gabi whipped a speculative strike over the crossbar as both teams sized each other up, and then Arda Turan tested Betis goalkeeper Casto with a drive from distance.



But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 26th minute.



Agra's misleading cross evaded all his team-mates and crucially, Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo, as the ball somehow ended up in the net.



The lasted just two minutes though as Falcao swept in Garcia's cross from six yards to make it 1-1 and Atletico might have edged ahead if Cristian Rodriguez had kept a snapshot on target.



Casto repelled efforts from Garcia and Falcao and it seemed Betis would settle for parity at the break.



But Juan Carlos thought differently, taking aim and beating Asenjo from just outside the box before the half-time whistle sounded.



Atletico were level again three minutes after the interval, though, Falcao placing his spot-kick out of reach after Perquis had been dismissed for hauling him down in the area.



There was concern for the visiting fans as Falcao went down injured in the 52nd minute, Costa his replacement, but their fears was allayed somewhat as the new man made an instant impact.



Joao Miranda wriggled free down the right wing to tee up the Brazilian, who clipped underneath Casto to give Atletico the lead for the first time.



Betis boss Pepe Mel threw Arsenal loanee Campbell into the fray, but the Jamaican striker picked up a booking for a foul on Juanfran just four minutes after his arrival.



And Campbell received a second yellow and his marching orders in the 78th minute when the referee called deliberate handball.



There was no way back for Betis from that point and Garcia duly added gloss to the comeback by putting Turan's cute pass away deep into stoppage time.

Santos have not received bid from Barca for Neymar

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has rubbished fresh reports in Spain that Neymar has agreed a deal to join Barcelona.

Neymar is constantly linked with a move to Spain with both Barcelona and Real Madrid manoeuvring for his signature.



The 20-year-old is widely regarded as the best young player in the world, but he has committed his future to Santos with a new long-term deal he signed last year.



Neymar has long stated he will not move until after the World Cup finals which are hosted in Brazil in 2014 - but this has not stopped speculation, with the most recent reports claiming he had already agreed a deal with Barca.



But Ribeiro insists not such deal is done and he told Radio Estadao ESPN: "Neymar is happy, he is playing well and more importantly, he is paid very well. Let's see if he stays [after 2014].



When asked about having kept contacts with both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Ribeiro said: "That means nothing, there is nothing denied yet and we will fight to keep Neymar.



"People have to convince themselves that Neymar will stay and that will happen for an obvious reason: if he stays until the end of his contract, any money involved in an eventual negotiation will be Neymar's. If Santos sell him before that, Santos will get that money.



"Santos don't need to sell players. Our cash flow doesn't include money from selling players. Santos are a club and as such have the objective of winning titles. And Neymar is the player that gives us more chances of achieving that."



Ribeiro insists his club are as well off as any club in Europe.



"This is another aspect that isn't being taken into account.



"The economic situation of the European clubs is bad, they don't have money.



"If it wasn't for the Russians and Arabs, their situation would be even worse. Only the German clubs have a stable situation."

Sahin fired his first goals for Reds

Nuri Sahin fired his first goals for Liverpool as they scored a morale-boosting 2-1 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns.

A blunder from Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones gifted Gabriel Tamas a third-minute opener, but the Capital One Cup holders were level at the break after Ben Foster failed to stop Sahin's 30-yard strike.

Turkish international Sahin impressed around the middle of the park and he popped up for the winner eight minutes from time, converting Oussama Assaidi's low cross to grab a deserved victory.

West Brom were 3-0 winners when the teams met on the opening day of the season and they were gifted a dream start after a clanger from Jones.

The Reds goalkeeper spilled a Liam Ridgewell free-kick into the path of the grateful Tamas, who poked home his third goal for the club.

Sahin levelled matters on 17 minutes when his ambitious effort squeezed past Foster and into the net.

Liverpool grew in confidence after levelling, but they were forced to withstand a late West Brom barrage, with Graham Dorrans and Romelu Lukaku both going close.

Foster was fortunate to see Samed Yesil's fierce shot come off his leg and bounce over the bar, while Dani Pacheco and Jordan Henderson both hit the woodwork.

Jerome Sinclair became Liverpool's youngest ever player at 16 years and six days when he was introduced as an 81st minute substitute.

Then a minute later Sahin won it for the visitors when he found space at the far post to convert Assaidi's cross.

Highlights: West Brom Vs. Liverpool

Croatian side gets female touch

A former Croatia Miss Sport finalist and footballer Tihana Nemcic became the first woman to be appointed coach of a men’s club on Tuesday, local media reported.



The 24-year-old Nemcic will coach Croatian fifth division side NK Viktorija Vojakovac.



“I am the head coach and I have full liberty to create and plan the team’s tactics,” she told daily 24 sata (24 hours).



“The guys know the game, but there is a lot more to do,” added Nemcic, who has played for ten years for Dinamo Zagreb’s women’s team and the national squad.



Nemcic said that there was no reason why eyebrows should be raised in her getting the job.

“If a woman and a man have the same professional qualifications for a coaching job, I see no reason why I should not get into male football,” she said.



In 2008, Nemcic, a long-haired blonde, was among 15 finalists for Croatia’s Miss Sport. She said her players “listen to me and make no problems.”



“We are a great team and we all want to improve and reach the top of our league,” she said.

Carling cup - squad sheets

Man Utd v Newcastle 19:45



Manchester United: De Gea, Lindegaard, Johnstone, Rafael, Evans, Keane, Vidic, Buttner, Valencia, Anderson, Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Fletcher, Powell, Cole, Lingard, Vermijl, Tunnicliffe, Hernandez, Welbeck, Macheda, King.



Newcastle: Harper, Elliot, Tavernier, Ferguson, Perch, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Anita, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Vuckic, Abeid, Amalfitano, Sammy Ameobi, Ba, Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Campbell.



Arsenal v Coventry 19:45



Arsenal: Shea, Giroud, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santos, Arshavin, Djourou, Coquelin, Bellerin, Olsson, Gnabry, Yennaris, Eastmond, Mannone, Sanchez Watt, Eisfeld, Jenkinson, Frimpong.



QPR v Reading 19:45



QPR: Green, Cesar, Onuoha, Hill, Nelsen, Mbia, Diakite, Derry, Park, Granero, Dyer, Taarabt, Hoilett, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Ephraim, Mackie, Zamora, Cisse.



Reading: McCarthy, Taylor, Gunter, Cummings, Gorkss, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey, Harte, McAnuff, Guthrie, Leigertwood, Tabb, McCleary, Kebe, Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre, Hunt, Robson-Kanu, Church.



Carlisle v Tottenham 19:45



Tottenham: Lloris, Friedel, Gomes, Cudicini, Smith, Gallas, Dawson, Walker, Vertonghen, Caulker, Falque, Huddlestone, Mason, Bale, Lennon, Sandro, Jenas, Dembele, Dempsey, Sigurdsson, Carroll, Townsend, Defoe, Obika.



Norwich v Doncaster 19:45



Norwich: Bunn, Rudd, Tettey, Butterfield, Kane, E Bennett, Murphy, Ward, Turner, Tierney, R Bennett, Francomb, C Martin, Lappin, Fox, Jackson, Holt, Johnson.



West Brom v Liverpool 20:00



West Brom: Foster, Myhill, Jones, Jara-Reyes, Dawson, Tamas, Hurst, Olsson, McAuley, Ridgewell, Thorne, El Ghanassy, Allan, Dorrans, Yacob, Mulumbu, Morrison, Brunt, Gera, Fortune, Long, Rosenberg, Lukaku, Berahino.



Liverpool : Jones, Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Wilson, Enrique, Shelvey, Sahin, Henderson, Downing, Yesil, Morgan, Gulacsi, Robinson, Coady, Suso, Sterling, Pacheco, Assaidi, Johnson, Skrtel, Allen, Gerrard, Suarez, Sterling.

Song couldn't resist Barca chance

For Alex Song the chance to join Barcelona was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he could not afford to turn down.

The Cameroon international moved to the Nou Camp from Arsenal last month in a £15million deal after seven years with the north London club.



The 25-year-old followed a well-trodden path with Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas all having made the switch to Barca during Arsene Wenger's tenure.



Song admitted Wenger had been a source of great help to him when he arrived at Arsenal as a teenager but there was no way he could spurn such an opportunity.



He told El Mundo Deportivo: "It was in July. Barca spoke with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger came to tell me. It was hard to convince him and also say goodbye because he really helped me and my family when I arrived at Arsenal at 17 years old.



"When a club like Barcelona want you you can't say no. A chance like this only happens once in life and you must take it."



Failing to win any trophies in England has served to increase his appetite for success.



He said: "I'm hungry. I've never won anything and I have come here to play many games and win it all."



In little over a week, and if selected, Song will face Cristiano Ronaldo when Barca meet Real Madrid on October 7.



Tito Vilanova's side will be without Carles Puyol, out with a knee injury, while Gerard Pique has a sprained ankle.



Such a prospect does not in any way concern Song.



"Clearly, with Puyol and Pique we are stronger but I am ready and I've played against Cristiano in the Premier League.



"I have not just started playing today. I've played over 200 games at Arsenal and I have nothing to be worried about.



"I am not just thinking about stopping Cristiano. What is important is to play and do the job. That is why I have come."

Terry case enters a third day

John Terry's disciplinary hearing entered a third day on Wednesday as the Chelsea captain contested allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.



Terry returned to the Football Association's Wembley headquarters after leading Chelsea to a 6-0 hammering of Wolves in the Capital One Cup third round.



He was facing the charge of using racist language to Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game at Loftus Road last October.



The 31-year-old arrived early in the morning to hear evidence in his defence with the case likely to last all week.



A similar hearing involving Liverpool's Luis Suarez last December took four days - and Terry could face a lengthy ban if found guilty of the charge of using racist language, a charge he categorically denies.



The former England captain, who announced his international retirement on the eve of the hearing, is being represented by George Carter-Stephenson QC, who defended him against a similar charge in court two months ago.



Terry was found not guilty in July when he insisted he had only been repeating words he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

The top stories from papers and websites - 26 September 2012

• Chelsea are plotting a £45million swoop for Colombian superstar Falcao.


• Thomas Hitzlsperger is training with Everton with a view to earning a Premier League return.


• Barcelona are set to reward Xavi with a new deal.


• Roberto Mancini last night launched a blisetring attack on Paul Lambert, blasting: "I'm tired of this manager."


• Ashley Cole is ready to share an England dressing room with Rio Ferdinand.


• Blackburn have refused to assure Steve Kean about his future - despite appearing to hand him a stay of execution.


• Ipswich are standing by under-fire boss Paul Jewell.


• Sammy Lee is on Bury's radar for their vacant manager's job.


• Huddersfield want to make James Vaughan's loan deal permanent.

• Steve Kean is losing his power battle with Shebby Singh at Blackburn.


• Mark Noble has signed a new three-year contract at West Ham.


• Former Portuguese international Ricardo Rocha is having trials with Ipswich.


• Crazy gang legend Dave Bassett is helping AFC Wimbledon search for a new manager after Terry Brown's sacking.


• Brendan Rodgers wants Jamie Carragher to help bring through the next generation of Liverpool stars.

• Blackburn boss Steve Kean has just three games to save his job.


• Roy Hodgson has admitted England must change the way they play to have any chance of winning a major trophy.


• Steven Caulker has been tipped to take over from John Terry as the rock of the England back four.


• Birmingham have signed former West Brom left-back Paul Robinson on a month-long contract.


• Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg has backed under-fire boss Paul Jewell and dismissed speculation linking Harry Redknapp with the job.

• Roy Hodgson remains reluctant to recall Rio Ferdinand to the England squad despite John Terry's international retirement.


• Arsenal plan to give Jack Wilshere his first taste of competitive football in more than a year on Monday.


• Colchester have signed Arsenal's Craig Eastmond on loan.


• Injury-hit Birmingham City have signed former West Brom defender Paul Robinson. The 33-year-old defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-month deal after a successful trial.

• Roy Hodgson has called on England to be more ruthless in pursuit of success.

• Manchester United were plunged into a deepening defensive crisis yesterday when Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for two months after undergoing a knee operation.

• John Terry made what could be his final appearance for some time as he captained Chelsea in their comprehensive Capital One Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

• Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal could be set to fight it out for Russia captain Igor Denisov after he was slung into Zenit St Petersburg's youth team for criticising the club's transfer policy.


• Manchester City will have no chance of signing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos after he patched up his row with Jose Mourinho.

• Arsenal midfielder Craig Eastmond is set to join Colchester on loan.