Serie A’s runaway leaders Inter Milan permitted experienced Brazilian striker Mancini, seen here in 2009, to move on loan to bitter city rivals AC Milan on Monday with an option to buy him outright.

Serie A’s runaway leaders Inter Milan permitted experienced Brazilian striker Mancini to move on loan to bitter city rivals AC Milan on Monday with an option to buy him outright.

The 29-year-old has failed to break into the Inter first team since arriving from AS Roma in the summer of 2008 and has appeared only seven times for the Italian champions this season all as a substitute at the end of the matches.

Mancini, who was also strongly courted by French giants Marseille, came to Inter on the back of several impressive seasons at Roma where they had twice finished runners-up behind Inter in the title race and reached the last eight of the Champions League on two occasions.

Mancini will join several compatriots at AC – who are second in the league table eight points behind Inter – such as goalkeeper Dida, central defender Thiago Silva, strikers Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato, as well as coach Leonardo.

England manager Fabio Capello alone will make a decision on the future of John Terry, seen here in January 2010, as England captain, the Football Association (FA) said on Monday.

England manager Fabio Capello alone will make a decision on John Terry’s future as England captain, the Football Association (FA) said on Monday.

The 29-year-old Chelsea defender’s position has been called into question following reports the married father of twins had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

There are now concerns the issue could have a damaging effect on England’s bid to win the World Cup in South Africa later this year but the FA were adamant they would leave the matter to Capello.

“Fabio Capello alone will make the decision about John Terry’s position,” said an FA spokesman.

“Fabio is fully up to speed with developments regarding John Terry.

“He spoke with our chairman Lord (David) Triesman and chief executive Ian Watmore today (Monday), who both backed him to make the best decision for England on footballing grounds.

“Fabio is dealing with the matter in his own way using his extensive experience as a football manager.”

Capello is due to return to England later this week and will travel to Warsaw for the Euro 2012 qualifying competition draw this weekend.

Manchester United’s Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher (L) vies with Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas (R) during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at the Emirates in London. United won 3-1.

Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title hopes but the Manchester United manager believes Arsene Wenger’s side can do his team a favour at Chelsea next weekend.

Ferguson was rewarded for an inspired team selection as England forward Wayne Rooney and Portugal winger Nani took advantage of the United manager’s tactics to inspire a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The champions’ impressive victory moved them to within one point of Premier League leaders Chelsea, although Carlo Ancelotti’s men can re-establish a four-point advantage on Wednesday if they win their game in hand at Hull.

Ferguson is confident United have the experience and desire to overhaul the Blues, but he has no qualms about admitting he would love to see Arsenal win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“The run-in is always a difficult period. We have handled it over the years and I am trusting them to handle it again,” Ferguson said.

Manchester United’s South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung celebrates scoring the third goal during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at the Emirates in London. United won 3-1.

“We hope Chelsea drop points obviously and they will be saying the same about ourselves.

“Arsenal are not out of it and I hope they go to Stamford Bridge next Sunday and batter them. I hope they can get some points off them.”

Judging by Arsenal’s tame surrender against United – a lacklustre performance which echoed the Gunners’ 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea in November – Ferguson shouldn’t invest too much hope in Arsenal tripping up their London rivals.

Wenger’s team showed their mental fragility by crumbling as soon as goalkeeper Manuel Almunia pushed Nani’s cross into his own net in the 33rd minute.

With Arsenal’s morale in tatters, Rooney capped a breathtaking counter-attack that covered the length of the pitch with a perfect finish to claim his 100th Premier League goal four minutes later.

South Korea winger Park Ji-Sung took advantage of woeful Arsenal defending to slot home United’s third goal early in the second half and Thomas Vermaelen’s volleyed goal in the 80th minute was scant consolation for the hosts. (more…)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, pictured on January 26, on Sunday denied that he has struck a deal with struggling Italian giants Juventus to take over at the end of the season.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday denied that he has struck a deal with struggling Italian giants Juventus to take over at the end of the season.

“Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club,” Benitez said in a statement.

“I have a long-term contract with Liverpool and I’ll repeat what I said on Friday. I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton.”

Juventus sacked coach Ciro Ferrara earlier in the week after a run of five defeats in six league games and have replaced him with Alberto Zaccheroni whose reign in Turin began with a 1-1 draw with Lazio on Sunday.

On Friday, Benitez had said he was proud of Juventus’s reported interest in him.

“I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus,” said the Spaniard.

“When you are a manager and you have clubs asking (for you), you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe, but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.”

Benitez remains a highly respected coach around Europe, despite Liverpool’s problems this season which have seen them knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Benitez is under contract at Anfield until 2013.

Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney (R) celebrates scoring the second goal with teammate Portuguese midfielder Nani (L) during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at the Emirates in London. United won 3-1.

Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea as the champions swept to an impressive 3-1 win against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side stunned the Gunners with two goals in four minutes in the first half at the Emirates Stadium and were never in danger of surrendering their lead.

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia pushed Nani’s cross into his own net before Wayne Rooney put the champions in complete control with his 100th Premier League goal.

South Korea winger Park Ji-Sung added United’s third goal in the second half to ensure Ferguson’s men moved within one point of Chelsea thanks to their most emphatic performance of the season.

England star Rooney demonstrated the predatory instincts that make him, on current form, the most lethal forward in the world, but it was Portugal winger Nani, revitalised in recent weeks, who stole the show with a superb display.

Manchester United’s South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung celebrates scoring the third goal during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at the Emirates in London. United won 3-1.

Arsenal, beaten for the first time in 11 league games, had no answer to either player and, although Thomas Vermaelen got one back late on, Arsene Wenger’s team looked short of the resilience and cutting edge needed to win the title.

Ferguson, who was without defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, selected Nani ahead of in-form Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs and it proved an inspired decision.

With Chelsea’s victory at Burnley on Saturday moving the leaders four points clear of United and five ahead of Arsenal, both teams knew a defeat could be disastrous to their title hopes.

Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin was a thorn in United’s side in the early stages and the Russian twice threatened to open the scoring.

He curled a shot wide of Edwin van der Sar’s far post, then went closer when he teased Wes Brown before tricking his way past the United defender and shooting narrowly wide. (more…)

Ahmed Hasan (centre), captin of Egypt, celebrates with his teamates victory over Algeria after their semi-final match in the African Cup of Nations, at the Ombaka stadium in Benguela, on January 28. Egypt won 4-0 and play Ghana in Sunday’s final.

Defending champions Egypt have steamrollered their way into Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final where they must now overcome a youthful Ghana side to claim a third consecutive continental crown.

Beset by injuries Ghana have excelled themselves, the eight youngsters from the Under-20 World Cup winning side belying their inexperience to manfully step into the shoes of the likes of injury-hit stars Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, John Pantsil and John Mensah.

Ghana started out with an opening loss to Ivory Coast, but then rattled off wins against Burkina Faso, Angola and Nigeria to make it to their first final in 18 years.

Egypt for their part have have looked invincible, brushing aside Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin, Cameroon and old foes Algeria to set themselves up for a third straight title and seventh in all.

The smart money must be with Hassan Shehata’s Pharaohs pulling off an amazing treble to offer them handsome compensation for missing out on the World Cup.

But Ghana won’t prove easy pickings, as they have shown scant regard for reputation here in Angola, witness the way they dug deep and defended after Asamoah Gyan’s decisive first half goal in the semi-final against Nigeria.

For Gyan, 2010 has proved a far more enjoyable experience than the 2008 edition on home turf.

In Ghana the in-form Rennes striker was psychologically and mentally knocked for six by the attacks directed by fans and media who slated him for his lack of form.

“I felt bad two years ago in Ghana,” he said. “But I’m a strong man – mentally strong – and as a strong man I have to keep on going.

“I believe in my qualities – I’m scoring for my club – I’m also scoring for my country – I know they are happy back home.

Ghana’s players celebrate their qualification for the final on January 28, at the November 11 stadium in Luanda, after their semi-final match against Nigeria of the Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana won 1-0 and play Egypt in Sunday’s final.

“I’m not angry, I’m confident because I’m scoring goals – that’s what everyone is expecting of me.” (more…)

Barcelona’s forward Pedro Rodriguez shoots to score against Sporting Gijon during a Spanish league football match at Molinon stadium in Gijon. Barcelona opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the Spanish first division after Rodriguez scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon.

Barcelona opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the Spanish first division after Pedro Rodriguez scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

It was by no means a vintage performance by the champions, although they had the satisfaction of hitting their 50th goal of the La Liga season.

Mate Bilic went close with a header for the home side before Pedro put the visitors ahead with a clinical finish from a defence-breaking through ball by Andres Iniesta on the 30-minute mark.

It was the quality in attack which was the real difference between the sides and especially in the second half where Barca had a number of chances to extend their lead.

However, both Lionel Messi and Pedro were guilty of glaring misses.

Later Saturday, Real Madrid travel to Deportivo La Coruna looking to close the gap on Barcelona.

The Riazor stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Real who have not won there for almost 20 years and they now travel without their most influential player Cristiano Ronaldo, who is suspended.

Barcelona’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) kicks the ball next to Sporting Gijon’s goalkeeper Juan Pablo (L) and midfielder Alberto Lora (R) during a Spanish league football match at Molinon stadium in Gijon. Barcelona won 1-0.

Real are also without Rafael van der Vaart and Gonzalo Higuain but it is the Portuguese who will be badly missed.

A rejuvenated Deportivo side are missing Felipe Luis who suffered a horrendous broken ankle last weekend against Athletic Bilbao and will miss the rest of the season.

“There is still half the season to go and so we cannot talk about this game being crucial. We are up against a strong side but I hope to see the same Madrid as always,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini.

A Luis Garcia strike saw Espanyol overcome Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in a scrappy match to give them breathing space at the bottom of La Liga earlier Saturday.

The home side dominated from the start a match in which injury-hit Athletic were never able to get into their stride. (more…)

Chelsea will welcome Didier Drogba (pictured in December) back from African Nations Cup duty this weekend and club captain John Terry believes the Londoners are ready to put their foot down in the Premier League title race. Recent weeks have seen Carlo Ancelotti’s squad regain the momentum that deserted them as they stumbled their way through December.

Chelsea will welcome Didier Drogba back from African Nations Cup duty this weekend and club captain John Terry believes the Londoners are ready to put their foot down in the Premier League title race.

Recent weeks have seen Carlo Ancelotti’s squad regain the momentum that deserted them as they stumbled their way through December.

An ominously efficient 3-0 win over Birmingham in midweek lifted Chelsea back to the the top of the Premier League table and Terry sees this weekend as an opportunity to apply an additional bit of pressure on rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.

With Arsenal hosting champions United at The Emirates on Sunday it is inevitable that one or both clubs will drop points, making it imperative that Chelsea emerge unscathed from Saturday’s trip to Burnley, who slipped into the relegation zone after losing to Bolton in midweek.

“Manchester United lost at Burnley there and Arsenal could only draw, so we have to win there,” Terry said.

“When we play Arsenal at home in February wins against Burnley and Hull (next Wednesday), if we can achieve them, would have opened a healthy gap for us. But to achieve that, it’s got to be champion form.”

Chelsea’s status as favourites to deny United an unprecedented fourth consecutive title has been bolstered by the way in which they have thrived in the absence of their African stars for the last month, and England midfielder Frank Lampard believes that underlines the strength of their squad.

Tottenham Hotspurs players celebrate a goal against Fulham during their Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London, on Janauary 26. Tottenham play Birmingham on Saturday.

“We didn’t say we’d struggle this month, everyone else did,” Lampard said. “We have a lot of belief. I just think the loss of Didier was talked about too much.

“Didier is a big loss but the way Nicolas Anelka plays, he’s one of the best out there as well. We’ve got the players who can come in. Maybe some needed to step up and everyone has done. (more…)

Obinna Nsofor of Nigeria shoots but is stopped by goalkeeper Richard Kingson of Ghana during their semifinal match, during African Cup of Nations at November 11 stadium in Luanda, on January 28. Nigeria were stopped from reaching the final proper by a youthful Ghana team courtesy of a first-half winner from Asamoah Gyan after the Super Eagles failed to convert a hatful of chances.

World Cup-bound Nigeria and Algeria will have to dig deep to motivate themselves for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations losers’ final.

Nigeria were stopped from reaching the final proper by a youthful Ghana team courtesy of a first-half winner from Asamoah Gyan after the Super Eagles failed to convert a hatful of chances in their semi-final in Luanda on Thursday.

Algeria, on the other hand, held out against their bitter rivals Egypt until just before half time in Benguela when they went behind through a penalty and also lost a defender.

Then in the second half they capitulated to let in three more goals and get two other players sent off.

This is the second time that Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has failed to reach the Nations Cup final after his team also lost to Senegal in 2002.

Amodu may have met the semi-final target set for him in Angola by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but the signs are ominous that, as in 2002, he may not be the man in charge when the Eagles feature at the World Cup in South Africa in June.

Osaze Odemwingie, captain on the day against Ghana, did not help the coach’s situation when he questioned the team’s tactics after the loss to perennial rivals Ghana.

He also said it would be difficult for the team to motivate themselves in the third-place playoff against Algeria at the weekend.

“It will be difficult. We will have to travel again for the last game and have only one day to train. We will be tired. Maybe those who have not had a chance will play,” said the Lokomotiv Moscow striker.

Algeria National football team poses for a team picture before their semi final match vs Egypt at the African Cup of Nations, at the Ombaka stadium in Benguela, Angola, on January 28. Algeria was defeated 4-0.

The Eagles will have their top players available with Everton defender Joseph Yobo pressing for a starting line-up place after he claimed he has had a “miracle” healing on a hamstring injury that had earlier ruled him of the competition. (more…)

Manchester United on Thursday completed the signing of highly-rated Fulham defender Chris Smalling, seen here in 2009, on a four-year deal, the English champions announced..

Manchester United on Thursday completed the signing of highly-rated Fulham defender Chris Smalling on a four-year deal, the English champions announced.

The 20-year-old, who only two years ago was playing non-league football, completed his medical and will move to Old Trafford in July.

“Chris is an extremely talented young defender, who we have been monitoring for some months,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He is very quick and reads the game well. He will be a great asset to the club, playing alongside some of the best defenders around and we are delighted to have secured his signature.”

Smalling said: “Joining Manchester United is an unbelievable opportunity for me.

“My time at Fulham has been great and I have learned a lot about the game from Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff.

“But the chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn’t turn down.”