Archive for May 13th, 2007
Steve McLaren gave a huge hint about whether he intends to use Michael Owen in England’s next Euro 2008 qualifier, away to Estonia on June 6th, by naming him in the squad for an England ‘B’ international against Albania at Turfmoor on Friday May 25th. There is a double helping of Euro 2008 action in June with a full fixture list on the 2nd as well as the 6th.
Owen To Pull England Shirt Back On
The England ‘B’ team is a curious arrangement, playing sporadically as a convenient way of nursing full-blooded senior international players back to full fitness, as well as giving those on the periphery of the full team a chance to shine. The game against Albania’s second string provides a perfect chance to ease Owen back into the international fold, after sitting out almost the entire Premiership season recovering from an injury sustained in the 2006 World Cup.
Ledley King will also get a useful run out. The Spurs defender has had an injury blighted season following a decent run in the national side up to and including the World Cup in Germany. McClaren will be keeping tabs on plenty of other players that he may call on to help him out of a difficult qualification corner. England are fourth in Group E, but have played a game more than Russia (3rd) and Croatia (1st). To add to Macca’s problems Wayne Rooney is suspended for the game in Tallinn, while Andy Johnson is ruled out through injury. McClaren will also be praying that none of the England internationals involved in either the FA Cup or Champions League final suffer serious injury.
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May 13th, 2007
Michael Owen was given the all clear after being carried off on a stretcher during Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw away to Watford on the final day of the Premiership season here Sunday.
The England striker collided with the shoulder of team-mate Matthew Pattison and was taken off in the 67th minute at Vicarage Road. However, caretaker United boss Nigel Pearson said of Owen: “I saw him in the medical room after the game. He was chatting, and there is no problem at all. “He has mild concussion, but it is nothing too serious and he is fine.”
The 27-year-old injury-plagued forward, a 17 million pounds signing, was playing just his 14th senior game for Newcastle since his 2005 transfer from Real Madrid. The score was level at 1-1 at the time of the incident, with Marlon King’s 52nd minute penalty providing Watford’s equaliser after Kieron Dyer had given Newcastle a 29th minute lead. Watford’s point was not enough to prevent the already relegated side finishing bottom of the table, the Hornets six points adrift of Charlton who also went down along with Sheffield United.
With nothing riding on the game for either side Newcastle, who completed the season in 13th place, went ahead just before the half-hour mark with the first shot of the match. England midfielder Dyer was the grateful recipient of Nolberto Solano’s precise through ball and slotted home despite Watford keeper Ben Foster, playing his last match for the Hornets after impressing during a spell on loan from champions Manchester United, getting a touch. Watford fought back and it needed defender Steven Taylor’s brave block to deny Will Hoskins following Douglas Rinaldi’s cross.
But they did equalise early in the second half when former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt was ruled to have handled after Adrian Mariappa’s cross struck his arm at close range. Following Butt’s protests, King held his nerve to beat Shay Given from the penalty spot. Then came Owen’s unlucky injury. The striker, returning from a long lay-off with a knee problem, accidentally careered into Pattison’s shoulder and had to leave the field.
Watford’s Lee Williams almost ensured the Hornets signed off with a win in front of their own fams when his spectacular volley late on went inches wide with Given beaten. Sam Allardyce, the former Bolton boss, has been widely tipped to succeed Glenn Roeder as Newcastle manager.
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May 13th, 2007
Neil Warnock launched a furious attack on Sir Alex Ferguson after Sheffield United crashed out of the Premiership on Sunday.
Warnock’s side were relegated on goal difference after losing 2-1 against Wigan, while West Ham took advantage of Ferguson’s decision to play a weakened team by winning 1-0 at Manchester United. Blades manager Warnock was bitterly disappointed to hear Ferguson had left out Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
“I’m disappointed with selections,” he said. “I must admit I thought Sir Alex would play a stronger team than that but it was not to be. “To see them celebrating on the pitch leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. “What goes around comes around. I’m looking forward to the Cup Final.”
The Yorkshire club were consigned to the bottom three by their former defender David Unsworth, who stroked home a second half penalty after United striker Jon Stead had cancelled out Paul Scharner’s goal. The Blades spent just a season in the top-flight and Warnock admitted he was devastated.
“It’s a horrible time, you feel sick to your stomach,” he said. “To go down on goal difference is very cruel. “You think about Rafa Benitez and all them playing teams like they have. Some of the decisions, the commission. You feel very bitter. “It is easier for Sheffield United to be relegated than West Ham or anybody else. By Tuesday it will be fish and chip paper.”
Wigan’s first win in nine games was enough for Paul Jewell’s side to retain their top-flight status. Jewell said:
“I thought we played well in the first half but it was backs to the wall after that and we defended manfully. It’s something we haven’t done enough of this season. “I always thought there would be twists and turns on the final day and it’s proved to be our day. “It’s an amazing achievement. Everybody at the football club has been written off by so-called experts.”
It is still possible United and several other clubs will challenge the decision by an independent commission not to deduct points from West Ham for their failure to properly register Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano following their August transfers. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has been leading the calls for action and, despite his club’s survival, he said:
“I’m happy for us, but for Sheffield United to go down is not fair. “I wanted us to win, but for West Ham to stay up is not justice.” It was inevitable that Tevez would score West Ham’s winner at Old Trafford as the east London club completed their great escape. Hammers manager Alan Curbishley said: “Let’s be fair about it, whatever the circumstances to come to Manchester United and win is fantastic. “I hope I never have to go through it again and I hope West Ham never have to go through it again. “We’ve been saying ever since I’ve been here, there was ability in the team.”
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May 13th, 2007