Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has accused Liverpool’s Luis Suarez of racially abusing him during the 1-1 draw between the teams at Anfield on Sunday.
With pair had running battles in the tense stalemate on Merseyside, with Javier Hernandez equalising after Steven Gerrard had given the home side the lead.
The France international was visibly upset with Suarez in the second half after something the South American had said to him, which he claims was racist.
“There are cameras, you can see him say a certain word to me at least 10 times. There is no place for that in 2011,” Evra told French media sources.
With the seriousness of the claims, the FA is set to look into the incident further.
“Referee Andre Marriner was made aware of an allegation at the end of the fixture and subsequently reported this to the FA,” an official statement reads.
“The FA will now begin making enquiries into the matter.”
The Uruguay international has rebuffed Evra’s claims however, and maintains his innocence.
“I’m upset by the accusations of racism. I can only say that I have always respected and respect everybody,” he told The Daily Mail.
“We are all the same. I go to the field with the maximum illusion of a little child who enjoys what he does, not to create conflicts.”
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It will be a difficult task for the FA to get to the bottom of what really happened, and determine whether Suarez has a case to answer or if it can just be put down to the built up nature of an important Premier League fixture.
Hannover and Mainz kept the pressure on the Bundesliga leaders on Saturday as both sides recorded hard-fought away wins.Hannover had an 89th minute header from defender Christian Schulz to thank for their 1-0 victory over St Pauli, a result that temporarily lifts them into third place on the table ahead of Bayern Munich’s clash with league leaders Borussia Dortmund later on Saturday.A 2-1 win over Hoffenheim ensures Mainz remain in fifth spot on the table.Mainz took the lead through Andreas Ivanschitz at Rhein-Neckar-Arena, but the hosts looked to have salvaged a share of the spoils when David Alaba equalised seven minutes from time.Enter Elkin Soto, and the Colombian midfielder secured all three points for Mainz just two minutes later when he found himself on the end of a Marcel Risse cross to fire home the winner.Elsewhere on Saturday, Cologne moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a surprise 1-0 win over Freiburg thanks to a Lukas Podolski goal.Relegation battlers Kaiserslautern claimed a valuable point at home with a 1-1 draw against Hamburg, while Schalke and Nuremberg also drew 1-1 when Raul cancelled out Jens Hegeler’s opener for the visitors.
England goalkeeper Robert Green insists he has the mental strength to recover from his calamitous World Cup mistake.
Fabio Capello's side had taken an early lead thanks to Steven Gerrard's well-taken goal and were in control of the match until Green inexplicably allowed Clint Dempsey's weak shot to slip out of his grasp and trundle over the line in a 1-1 Group C opener in Rustenburg.
The West Ham keeper could be dropped for Friday's second game against Algeria with David James and Joe Hart pushing for the number one jersey.
But despite his high-profile mistake, Green believes he can cope with the scrutiny he will be under should Capello keep faith with him.
"It was a mistake," he said."The important thing is not to let it affect you for however long is left in the game.
"That is what you prepare for mentally. You don't prepare mentally for making great saves and playing the perfect game. You prepare for trauma.
"It is regrettable and not what you want to happen but that's life and you move on, you hold your head up high and get to work in training.
"It won't affect me psychologically. I'm 30, I'm a man and you have hardships in life and prepare for them.
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"I'm strong enough to move on. At a younger point in my life it would have affected me more.
"But you hold your hand up and say 'that's gone, move on and don't let it affect you'."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The Premier League season is edging ever nearer with just a couple of days till the big kickoff, ensuring the excitement of football fans across the country is reaching almost breaking point. There’s nothing better than success on the field, but what can be even more satisfying is achieving that success using young, homegrown players.
Alan Hansen once said ‘You win nothing with kids’ but that Manchester United class of 1996 went on to prove him dramatically wrong. Those players, the likes of Giggs, Beckham and Scholes made up a vast proportion of the first team for many of the Premier League seasons and United will still rely on Giggs and Scholes this season for experience in the midfield. Hopefully other teams will start to promote talented youngsters into their first teams this season and give the youngsters a chance to show what they can do. We’ve picked out 15 talented young Premier League starlets who are ready to make their breakthroughs this season.
Click on Raheem Sterling to unveil the list
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One of the most important days of the footballing calendar is nearly upon us – the first Merseyside Derby of the season. As the 216th recorded Merseyside Derby takes place at Goodison Park this Saturday, let’s remind ourselves about all that makes a Derby day special with a look back on the Top 10 Merseyside Derbies of all-time. There’s blood, sweat and with it, the obligatory tears to boot. Let’s take a look.
1. Liverpool 4 Everton 4 (Anfield) – FA Cup Fifth-Round, 1991 – Quite rightly regarded as the best Merseyside Derby of all-time and memorable for the fact that it was Kenny Dalglish’s final game in charge of his first spell at the club with the Scot resigning the next day. Peter Beardsley drew first blood after Ian Rush dispossessed Kevin Ratcliffe and had his shot saved by Neville Southall, with Beardsley banging in the rebound. Graeme Sharp equalised right after the break before Beardsley bagged a spectacular left-footed effort from 25 yards into the top left-hand corner. A mix-up between Steve Nicol and Bruce Grobelaar saw Sharp equalise once more with a tap in from two yards before Ian Rush saw Liverpool take the lead for the third time in the 77th minute with a deft header from a Jan Molby cross. A hopeful punt up field led to Tony Cottee, on as a sub, bagging Everton’s third to make it 3-3. John Barnes handed Liverpool the lead in extra-time until Cottee once again pegged Liverpool back with a 114th minute equaliser. Everton went onto win the replay 1-0. Simply put, one of the best FA Cup ties of all time and a great advert for the Merseyside derby.
2. Liverpool 3, Everton 2 (Wembley) – FA Cup Final, 1989 – Held just five weeks after the shocking, traumatic and deeply upsetting events of the Hillsborough disaster where 96 fans lost their lives, this game went some way to cathartically healing the wounds for many across Merseyside. On the footballing front, the final didn’t disappoint. John Aldridge gave Liverpool a crucial early lead before Stuart McCall struck back in the 90th minute. In extra-time Liverpool sub Ian Rush put his side ahead once more. Stuart McCall, the unlikeliest of scorers, then struck a sensational second before Rush once again, the scourge of Everton fans everywhere, bagged his second and Liverpool’s third and with it the FA Cup on a very moving day for all connected with either club and the city.
3. Everton 2, Liverpool 3 (Goodison Park) – Premier League, 2001 – Both clubs approached the tie with very different priorities in mind. Liverpool were on the cusp of an infamous treble, Everton under Walter Smith, were trying to stave off relegation for a further season. This has to go down as the finest Derby of the Premier League era, notable for the final kick of the game, a 40-yard free-kick by Gary McAllister that crept into Paul Gerrard’s net – a truly astounding goal. This game had everything. Liverpool surged into a two-goal lead courtesy of Emile Heskey and Markus Babbel before terrace favourites Duncan Ferguson and Dave ‘Rhino’ Unsworth reduced the deficit and levelled the tie. Igor Biscan was sent off, there were 12 cards in total and even an uncharacteristic Robbie Fowler penalty miss to throw into the mix until McAllister stepped up with an unlikely and breathtaking winner. Pulsating.
4. Liverpool 0, Everton 1 (Anfield) – First Division, 1984 – The turning of the tide? Everton announced themselves as the new dominant force in English football with an era defining victory over Liverpool at home. Liverpool were the reigning European Cup champions, but on this display, it was to be Everton that were to go onto bigger things that season. Graeme Sharp’s thunderous volley that later went onto be named Goal of the Season was the difference in the score lines, but the difference in performance was startling. Everton went onto claim the league title, European Cup Winners Cup and narrowly lost out on a momentous treble with a defeat to Man Utd in the FA Cup.
5. Liverpool 3, Everton 1 (Wembley), FA Cup Final, 1986 – The first ever all-Merseyside FA Cup final. A close-run league campaign eventually saw Liverpool edge out their close rivals. At Wembley, Gary Linekar continued his only ever campaign in an Everton shirt in predictably prolific fashion giving Everton the lead. However, perennial thorn in the side Ian Rush struck twice and Craig Johnston added the icing on the cake.
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6. Liverpool 2, Everton 2 (Maine Road), FA Cup Semi-Final, 1977 – What is is about the FA Cup that brings the best out of these Merseyside Derby encounters. Perhaps the most controversial on the list, Liverpool fans the world over will still be left wondering quite how they came away from this game with a draw and a replay. Bryan Hamilton had a goal unfathomably disallowed by referee Clive Thomas in the dying moments with the scores level after Jimmy Case and Terry McDermott had scored for Liverpool and Bruce Rioch and Duncan McKenzie had done the same for the Toffees. Liverpool went onto win the replay 3-0 to further add insult to injury.
7. Everton 0, Liverpool 5 (Goodison Park), First Division, 1982 – Ian Rush completely destroyed his boyhood heroes with a four-goal salvo. Everton weren’t helped by having debutant Glen Keeley sent off early on, though. Mark Lawrensen added the other with a tap in from a Kenny Dalglish cross. This game is memorable most for the true finishing masterclass put on by Rush.
8. Everton 3, Liverpool 0 (Goodison Park), Premier League, 2006 – A game personally memorably for me for so many reasons. Could it be the tortuous four-hour long journey home in a car with three Everton fans? Could it be the one-word riposte of Phil Neal in the stands when asked what he thought of the performance…’disgusting’? Or could it be the now infamous chant of ‘Reina drops keep falling on my head’ that was sung in the crowded streets after the game in reference to the third goal of the game? Everton recorded their biggest victory over Liverpool in 42 years with a display of clinical finishing. Tim Cahill notched the first before an Andy Johnson double ended the contest.
9. Liverpool 3, Everton 2 (Anfield), Premier League, 1999 – Liverpool went into this game seeking their first victory over their nearest rivals since 1994 in a run that stretched to 9 games. Olivier Dacourt put Everton ahead inside the first minute with an excellent strike from 30 yards. Marco Materazzi then gave away a penalty after clumsily lunging for the ball and bringing down skipper Paul Ince in the process. Robbie Fowler dispatched the penalty before then celebrating with the now infamous ‘snorting the line’ celebration which manager Gerard Houllier bafflingly laughed off stating that Fowler was “eating the grass”. Fowler added a second with a header before Patrick Berger added a third with a fine volley from the edge of the area. Francis Jeffers got Everton’s second late on with a neat turn and finish. There was still time for more drama, though, as an 18 year-old sub by the name of Steven Gerrard managed to clear off the line from Danny Cadamarteri in the dying embers of the game.
10. Liverpool 0, Everton 1 (Anfield), Premier League, 1999 – A typically feisty Derby day encounter saw Kevin Campbell’s 12th goal in 19 games since arriving back from Turkey prove the difference in the fourth minute. Francis Jeffers and Sander Westerveld were both shown a red card for what can only be described as handbags at dawn and Steven Gerrard was also given his marching orders for a scything (not the first time that could be said of his challenges in a Derby game) challenge on Campbell late on.
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You can follow me on Twitter @James McManus1
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Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has been named in Mexico’s squad for next week’s friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Atlanta.
It will be coach Jose Manuel de la Torre’s first game in charge of the national team after he took over from World Cup coach Javier Aguirre.
De la Torre also named former Spurs midfielder Giovanni dos Santos, who recently joined La Liga’s Racing Santander on loan, and Fulham defender Carlos Salcido in the 22-man squad for Thursday’s match.
Dutch-based defenders Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven) and Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar) were also selected for the match at the Georgia Dome.
The friendly is the first of three on Mexico’s US tour as De La Torre prepares for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the US in June and the Copa America in Argentina in July.
Mexico will also face Paraguay in Oakland on March 26, and Venezuela in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium on March 29.
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca). Defenders: Carlos Salcido (Fulham), Héctor Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (PSV Eindhoven), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Iván Estrada (Santos Laguna), Edgar Dueñas (Toluca), Jonny Magallon (CD Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres).
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Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (UNAM), Jesus Zavala (Monterrey), Antonio Naelson Sinha (Toluca), Luis Perez (Monterrey).
Forwards: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovanni dos Santos (Racing de Santander), Pablo Barrera (West Ham United), Edgar Pacheco (Atlas), Nestor Calderón (Toluca), Jose María Cárdenas (Santos Laguna), Aldo de Nigris (Monterrey).
Manchester United and Tottenham will face of at Wembley in the semi-finals of this season’s FA Cup, knowing that the famous old trophy represents their final chance of clinching any silverware this season.
2017/18 has seen both sides make progress. United look set for their highest league finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, although their Champions League departure – and its manner – against Sevilla was deeply disappointing.
Spurs exited Europe at the same stage as United – although it was against undoubtedly stronger opponents in the shape of Juventus – but should have guaranteed that they will be in the Champions League for a third straight season going into their new stadium.
That’s why we asked you – who’s had the better season? The response was overwhelming and it was not good news for Jose Mourinho or United. 76 per cent of you thought that Spurs and Pochettino had enjoyed the more impressive campaign. Check out the full results of the poll below…
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‘We are United – An Evening with Norman Whiteside and friends,” is taking place this Friday at 7.30pm at the Loop Bar, 19 Dering Street, Mayfair, London, W1.
Norman will talk about his career, United today and a Q&A, with a preview of the semi-final against Spurs. We’ve billed it as Norman and friends as we have a number of celebrities attending including Alex Best, Gary Webster and Ron Brand who has intimated that Russell may possibly come with him. All the celebs will be available for selfies and autographs and mingling with the audience. After we have finished the show , there will be music and a bar which will stay open until 3.00am. Thank goodness the game on Saturday doesn’t kick-off until 5:30!!
The following link will take you to the ticketing page where there is further details of the night.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e
/we-are-united-with-norman-whi
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Nothing is official as of yet, but there are massive rumours that Jurgen Klopp will be managing a Premier League side next season. Twelve months ago the British media had Klopp lined up to replace Arsene Wenger. That rumour never came to fruition, but a year on Klopp has now announced he will be parting ways with his Borussia Dortmund side. With the German standing down, will this result in a Premier League raid of Dortmund?
Klopp has made it clear that when he does leave Borussia Dortmund on July 1, he will not be taking a year out from football. Klopp’s departure has gotten everyone in football talking, and it is massively rumoured that he could replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City. Should Klopp go to City, just who would he take to the Premier League with him? It would be no surprise if Klopp signed one of his current Dortmund squad to his new club – I mean, how many time did Harry Redknapp sign and re-sign Niko Kranjcar?
One Dortmund player Klopp could bring with him, and it would be no surprise if he did, is Marco Reus. Reus has stuck by his manager and his team, even when his team-mates Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski moved on to bigger things. Yet, on the other hand, Reus may be adamant to commit his loyalty to the club.
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He already has experience in the Premier League, so Shinji Kagawa could make a return with Klopp. Kagawa’s time in England may not have been perfect, but under this manager, he is sure to have plenty of playing time. Playing for a direct rival of his former club could be an issue, but it is not unheard of.
Klopp leaving Dortmund could be perfect for Manchester United. They have been linked with Mats Hummels heavily, and this could be the time for them to finally seal the deal. Hummels would be a great fit for Louis Van Gaal’s side – a world class defender is exactly what they need.
Ilkay Gundogan is thought to be on the radar of both Manchester United and Arsenal. With Klopp out of the picture, it’s thought Manchester United have upped their interest in the midfielder.
But could Dortmund really lose so many players? It would absolutely cripple the Bundesliga side. But, no doubt, quite a few will depart, particularly to England. Hummels to United is one rumour that refuses to go away, and Klopp’s departure has the rumour mill on overload.
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Wigan’s eight-season stay in the Premier League came to end on Monday night as a second half gifted Arsenal victory as they climbed back into the top-four.
Just 72 hours after beating Manchester City at Wembley to win the FA Cup the Latics are facing up to the sobering reality of life in the Championship next season after defeat at the Emirates Stadium sealed their fate.
At the opposite end of the table Arsene Wenger’s side leapfrogged north London rivals Tottenham back into fourth ahead of the final round of fixtures and are now in pole position to qualify for the Champions League.
A breathtaking start from the Gunners forged the opening goal in the 11th minute as Lukas Podolski profited from negligent Wigan marking to head in Santi Cazorla’s corner. The visitors were looking susceptible at the back and were almost undone again from a corner but were spared by Laurent Koscielny, who stabbed wide.
With the half time whistle imminent Wigan picked the appropriate moment to draw level. Shaun Maloney went down under minimal contact from Mikel Arteta and left Arsenal incensed by curling a sublime free kick past the despairing glove of Wojciech Szczesny’s from 20-yards.
Wigan carried that momentum into the second period and were only prevented from taking the lead when Szczesny got down to thwart Arouna Kone from close range after Arsenal were sliced open by a near one-two with James McCarthy. It proved a crucial save as Theo Walcott put the hosts back in front just after the hour, converting Cazorla’s cross from inside the six-yard box.
And there was no coming back for Roberto Martinez’s side five minutes later. Paul Scharner played Podolski onside as he raced on to Cazorla’s headed and the German international showed great poise to lift the ball beyond Joel Robles. Aaron Ramsey applied the gloss with 19 minutes remaining as he charged into the penalty area from the left and fizzed the ball past Joel to consign Wigan to the second tier of English football.
Arsene Wenger post-match…”First of all I’m happy we won the game, after 20 minutes we became too conservative and let Wigan back into the game. We had problems keeping the ball. But when they got tired after the Cup final, we got a good win as it was becoming difficult for them.”
Roberto Martinez post-match…”I never expected this. I know we were in a difficult position, but the players are an incredible bunch and they don’t deserve this. It’s a tough day for the football club. We had an incredible eight years in the Premier League and we need to build for the future.
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Man of the Match…Lukas Podolski: Got Arsenal up and running with the first goal after 11 minutes and bagged the crucial third mid-way through the second half to
Everton fans have found yet another reason to love Jordan Pickford, after their new number one shared his desire to never stop improving.
It’s no secret that Everton’s transfer window last summer was a bit of a disaster. Gylfi Sigurdsson showed flashes of brilliance before his injury, but other than that only really Jordan Pickford could be considered a success so far.
Pickford is expected to get the nod to start for England at the World Cup this summer, and his form for the Toffees has improved practically every week.
The 23 year-old made two fantastic saves in the Merseyside derby to deny Dominic Solanke and James Milner, but says he has no plans to rest on his laurels.
“All I want to do is improve,” Pickford told evertontv.
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“It’s not just on the training pitch, it’s in the gym, too. I’m working hard to be the best I can be.
“I always give 100 per cent each game. As a lad growing up, you’ve got to enjoy playing football. As long as you give your best, that’s all you can do.
“I like to interact with the fans, too, and that’s how – hopefully – I’ve got a good relationship with them.”
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The young stopper’s relationship with the fans is growing week on week, and his performance in the derby has certainly endeared him to any who still had their doubts.
Fans are absolutely loving Pickford’s comments, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…