England need Harry Redknapp more than we do but he must stay at Tottenham until the end of the season

Emmanuel Adebayor: England need Harry Redknapp more than we do but he must stay at Tottenham until the end of the season

The north London outfit ran riot at White Hart Lane with the Togolese striker assisting four times before grabbing his own goal to finish off a truly disappointing Magpies side

The game represented Redknapp’s first match back at the helm after his court case for tax evasion concluded earlier this week.
Adebayor was directly involved in all five goals at White Hart Lane, assisting in the first four before volleying in from close range to add a fourth, while Louis Saha also scored twice on his full debut for the club.
Redknapp is the favourite for the England manager’s position left vacant by Fabio Capello, and Adebayor believes he would be an ideal candidate for the job, but insists he must stay with his club until the season is over.
The striker told ESPN: “We think he has to stay until the end of the season and from there we’ll see. He’s a fantastic manager, he gives us confidence and at the end of the day he has to stay until the end, but I think England need him more than Tottenham.”
Adebayor, who had failed to score in his previous seven games in the league, knew that he would need to work hard against a side such as Newcastle to make up for his goal drought.
He said: “I haven’t scored in seven games, I was not scoring, but I have been working hard in training, the players all know what I can do. Today I knew it was going to be a difficult one because we’re playing against a top team and we wanted to score early and after that the game was very easy for us.”
Asked if the result keeps Spurs in the title hunt, he added: “That’s why I joined this club. Before I came here I knew it was going to be very difficult, but we have got a lot of talented players and the manager has brought in Louis [Saha] and we all know how good he is.
“We just have to keep going and enjoying our football and I don’t know whether we can win the title or not, but what is important is to play our game and see where we end up.”
Saha himself was happy to get off the mark in the match, which sees Spurs move just five points behind leaders Manchester United, and he was delighted with Adebayor’s contributions to set him up on both occasions.
"It is an amazing day,” he said. "To play my first game in such an amazing team was great. I got a lot of help from Adebayor - four assists - not enough!
"It was a joy to play today. We made a great, fast start to the game. There was some great passing and when you score early confidence rises. This has been a brilliant game to be involved in."
On the subject of new manager Redknapp, the Frenchman is thankful that the Spurs boss brought him over from Everton after allowing the opportunity to play with what he believes to be a great team.
Saha added: “He brings confidence to the squad and the players, so we enjoy that. It’s only been a couple of weeks but I already find myself rising in confidence and feel like I’ve already improved, so it’s good to get those goals today. I owe him a lot because it’s a pleasure to be involved with this team.”

Arsenal must score an away goal in Champions League tie with AC Milan says Wenger

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal must score an away goal in Champions League tie with AC Milan

The 62-year-old is hoping that an attacking style will help them gain an advantage in Italy, while Mikel Arteta is happy with his deeper role in midfield as well as his goal tally

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stressed the necessity of his side scoring an away goal ahead of their
The Premier League outfit finished top of their group in the competition, only losing once, but were drawn against arguably the strongest runners-up in the shape of the Italian giants, who finished second to Barcelona.

The Gunners will travel to San Siro in the first of the two clashes, and their boss has insisted that they need to score an away goal to have the best chance of progressing, adding that they will stick to their usual attacking style.

The Frenchman told reporters: "The European system is organised to reward audacious action away from home.

"When you go away in the Champions League, you have to score.

"The best way to score is play in an offensive way and we will try to do that."

Wenger's squad has been boosted by the return to match fitness of Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs, giving some much-needed strength to the defence, and the 62-year-old is content with his options.

"I have plenty of options and I am happy with the way the defence works," Wenger added.

Summer signing Mikel Arteta is likely to be a key player in breaking down their opponent's attacks, and the midfielder is looking forward sitting deep and adding balance for his team.

He told Arsenal Player: "I watch the game from behind [the attackers] and I know that when we become too open we leave many spaces and concede goals.

"I just try to balance the team a little bit.

"Sometimes I would like to go forward more, but I've still had chances and the goal [against Blackburn] was my sixth this year, which isn't bad.

"I don't want to be the main man; we all know who the main man is and that's Robin. He is the leader, he is the one who makes a real difference.

"The most important thing is the team, and once the team is doing well the highlights will come for the rest [of the players] because we are playing well.

"Everyone is part of a machine and we are all just trying to make the machine work as well as we can."

The Gunners won 2-0 against AC Milan on their last trip to San Siro in 2008, while they also recorded a famous 5-1 victory over Inter at the same stadium in 2003.

Harry Redknapp plays down links to England job

'I owe Tottenham and I owe the chairman' - Harry Redknapp plays down links to England job

The Spurs manager spoke of his delight at the way he has been treated by the club's owners and fans following his side's 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United at White Hart Lane

The Spurs manager is the favourite to replace Fabio Capello after the Italian resigned following a disagreement with the FA over their decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

But Redknapp insists there has been no contact over the Three Lions vacancy and has praised Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy again for their help during his court case.

He said: “Nothing has happened with that [England]. No-one's spoken to me or Daniel about the job so I've just got to focus on what I'm doing here. It wouldn't be fair to Tottenham, the players, the crowd, the people that own the club.

“Daniel gave me the job, he brought me here while that court case was hanging over me. He looked at the case and had great faith that there shouldn't be a case. I owe him, I owe the club.

“We've been good for each other, I've been good for them as well. At the moment I can't take my focus off of Tottenham – it wouldn't be fair to them.”

When asked if it would be hard to leave a club he has spent three happy years at, Redknapp added: “I've loved my time, it couldn't have gone better for me. From the time I've walked in here, I can't honestly say I've had any downside.

“I've loved every minute of it. I've been lucky to have good players.

“I love the way we play, the crowd have been great to me, the chairman has been as good as gold. It couldn't be better for me.

“They've [the fans] been brilliant with me. They were great at the Wigan game, the last home game and they were great again today. I appreciate their support, I really do.”

Louis Saha scored twice on his full debut in Tottenham's win over Newcastle, while Emmanuel Adebayor played a part in all five of his side's goals.

“We felt it would be a tough game tonight but we started well, so bright,” Redknapp said.

“Adebayor and Saha were unplayable in that early period and it set us up, really. We got the early goals and there was no danger after that.

“Saha in his first game - I took the chance of playing him today. I always thought he was a top player, he has fantastic ability. If he can stay fit, you've got a real player on your hands for nothing.

“It's just a case of keeping him fit because he's a fantastic talent in my opinion.”

Speaking more generally about his squad, Redknapp added: “They're good lads to work with, I look forward to working with them every day.

“I've been at clubs when you come to work and you don't really want to see a few of them.

“But there's not too many here now – in fact there's none that I don't look forward to seeing. They're a great group of lads.”

The win pushed Spurs 10 points clear of Arsenal in fourth place and leaves them five points off the top spot, albeit with Manchester City still to play.

Redknapp said: “I just keep looking at the gap between us and Arsenal and Chelsea.

“I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I look at the top as well but we really want Champions League football – that's the key.

“Arsenal closed the gap before the game to seven points but we've put it back to 10 again. We've got another three on Chelsea today which is important to us, three on Liverpool.

“If we can close on the front two, that will be fantastic but I really want to make sure we get a Champions League place. If we can do that it'll be fantastic for us.

In light of the FA's decision to take the England captaincy away from Terry, when asked what he would do if his chairman removed his captain from his position, Redknapp added: “If they did it to me at this football club, I wouldn't accept it, no.

“Unless it was through gross misconduct and we agreed on the decision it's not a problem, is it?

“If it was gross misconduct and Daniel felt it was the right thing. He would discuss it with me anyway.”

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says players should shake hands before matches if told to by the Football Association.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney questions Suarez's decision to snub Evra handshake

The striker refused to get drawn into the row between the players at Old Trafford, insisting "that's between the two individuals" after the incident-packed game

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says players should shake hands before matches if told to by the Football Association.

Luis Suarez snubbed Patrice Evra’s pre-match handshake ahead of United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney told BBC Sport: "I haven't seen it, obviously a few of the lads were talking about it, but we just had to focus on the game today.

"That's between the two of them and nothing to do with us, let them sort it out. We had to just focus 100 per cent on the game and make sure we got three points and thankfully we did that."

Rooney did, however, make a passing judgement about Suarez's refusal, insisting that if the FA want players to do something then they should, while he would not be bothered if pre-match handshakes were abandoned altogether.

When asked if he would mind if the rule was taken away, he replied: "It doesn't bother me.

"If the FA and the Premier League want us to shake hands then I think that's what we should do.

"But if it's there or not it doesn't bother me. I think it obviously shows the fair play and sportsmanship but you can always do that at the end of the game, but either way it's not really of much concern to me."

The 26-year-old bagged a brace in the first five minutes of the second half and he was delighted with his goals in a deserved victory at Old Trafford.

He said: "The first one I just had a little bit of movement which was key to the half a yard I needed and for the second one Antonio played a great pass to me and I've finished it off."

Suarez grabbed a goal with 10 minutes remaining, which set up a nail-biting finish to the match, but the Red Devils forward thought the team handled the pressure well.

He added: "They got the goal and the last five or 10 minutes they put a few long balls into the box and we had to deal with them.

"I thought we coped with it well and we deserved the three points, although the last five minutes were a bit nervy."
On the field the game was played fairly compared to previous meetings, and Rooney applauded both sets of supporters for their part.

He said: "I don't think there were many bad tackles and not many bookings. I think the game was played quite fairly.
"With everything surrounding the game and what happened the game was played in good spirit, I think both sets of fans did well."

After the game Evra appeared to celebrate in front of Suarez, and Rooney wanted to leave the players involved to sort that incident out.

He added: "These things happen, the same with people talking about Patrice shouldn't have done this, or Luis Suarez shouldn't have done that.
"It's not for us to comment on. It's for them to sort out and we just have to concentrate on the job we had to do today."
The win leaves United top of the table, with Manchester City facing Aston Villa on Sunday.

"[There's] still a long way to go, as I've said before there are many twists and turns to go," Rooney said.
"We're glad we're there, it's nice to be there. We have to keep playing our games and keep winning and hopefully we're top by the end of the season."
The former Everton forward believed both United and Toffees fans will be as thrilled as he is with the win.
He added: “It's always great to score against Liverpool and I'm sure Evertonians will be celebrating tonight.”

Henry ignites Arsenal's top-four hopes »

Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal: Thierry Henry grabs dramatic late winner as Gunners fight back to go joint fourth

Thierry Henry says farewell to the Gunners in true Hollywood style by scoring late on to complete the comeback and seal all three points for the visitors

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry bade farewell to the Premier League in fairytale fashion with a 90th-minute winner as the Gunners came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1. Substitute Henry, playing in what could be his last ever Premier League game as he prepares to return to Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls, scored from close range to complete an impressive Arsenal fightback.
Arsenal had seemed to be heading for defeat when James McClean put Sunderland ahead but fellow substitute Aaron Ramsey equalised before Henry struck a dramatic winner.
The Gunners had been quickly into their stride and skipper Robin van Persie wasted a decent early opening following a slip by Michael Turner but he went for precision over power and Simon Mignolet saved comfortably.
The Gunners, who showed one change from the side that crushed Blackburn 7-1 with Bacary Sagna coming in for Francis Coquelin, remained on the front foot as Alex Song and Mikel Arteta dominated the midfield exchanges
Kieran Richardson had to resort to illegal means to halt Arsenal when Alex Song sent Sagna off down the wing and was booked for a poorly timed challenge as the full-back sped goalwards.
Theo Walcott came close to putting his side ahead midway through the first half when he was teed up by Van Persie but his angled shot went skidding past Mignolet’s far post.
Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill tried to halt Arsenal in their tracks by ordering his team to defend more deeply and the negative tactics worked because the visitors were unable to find the space necessary to get to Mignolet.
It was clear that Sunderland were ready to rely on counter-attacks and the ploy nearly worked. Indeed Arsenal hearts were in mouths when Black Cats fans called for a penalty after Per Mertesacker slipped and the ball bounced up on to his arm but referee Neil Swarbrick ignored their appeals.
Sunderland continued to invite Arsenal pressure but Wenger’s team lacked the creativity to unpick the defence and they almost paid the price at the other end when John O’Shea set his sights on goal following Craig Gardner’s deflected free-kick but he skied his shot over. That seemed to invigorate Sunderland and Gardner went close to breaking the deadlock but his raking 25-yarder was pawed away by Wojciech Szczesny.
Thierry Henry was sent on to regain the initiative but the move was to no avail as Sunderland went ahead in bizarre circumstances in the 70th minute.
There seemed little danger when Per Mertesacker picked up possession just outside the box but then he crumpled to the ground and McClean showed no mercy, picking up the loose ball beyond slamming a low shot beyond Szczesny.
Mertesacker was taken off on a stretcher and Arsenal looked doomed but then his replacement, Ramsey, popped up on the edge of the box to equalise five minutes later.
This time Lady Luck smiled on Arsenal as the ball ricocheted off Gardner and fell kindly to the Wales captain who beat Mignolet with a shot from just outside the box that went in off a post.
Henry, who will make the final appearance of his loan spell for Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, had the final say when he nipped in ahead of Michael Turner to turn in Andrey Arshavin’s cross for his 229th goal in Arsenal colours.

Sir Alex Ferguson furious after Patrice Evra handshake snub

'Disgraceful Luis Suarez should never play for Liverpool again' - Sir Alex Ferguson furious after Patrice Evra handshake snub

The Manchester United manager slammed the Uruguayan's behaviour before kick-off, insisting that he 'could have caused a riot' given the tensions between the two clubs

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Luis Suarez's refusal to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, insisting that the striker should never play for Liverpool again.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, before a late consolation from Suarez, handed United a 2-1 victory in a match that was overshadowed by the tension between Suarez and Evra.

"I couldn't believe it," Sir Alex told Sky Sports following the match. "I just could not believe it.

"I had a chat with Patrice this morning, and he said 'I'm going to shake his hand. I've got nothing to be ashamed of and I want to keep my dignity.' And then he [Suarez] refuses - he's a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club.

"That certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. With the history that club has got, and he does that in this city today - he could have caused a riot.

"I was really disappointed in that guy. It was terrible, what he did.

"It created a tension - you've seen the referee, he didn't know what to do about it. It caught him off-guard, and it was a terrible start to the game. There was a terrible atmosphere created."

Sir Alex added that the debate over the wisdom of pre-match handshakes should not be allowed to hide the issue of racism in the game that has arisen this season.

"That's a different issue altogether. That started when the Premier League started, of course, and it's never been a problem really until this season, with regards to racism. It's never been a problem," he added.

"So really we better get our house in order in terms of fighting racism - it's an issue, it's absolutely an important issue in this country. Football's come a long way from the days of John Barnes and throwing bananas to where we are today - we can't go back.

"We have to go forward, in a positive way, and ban it altogether."

Moments after the half-time whistle, Suarez appeared to provocatively kick the ball away towards the dugouts, when questioned over the incident Ferguson replied: "Maybe that's the kind of character he is."

The United boss did admit, however, that Evra shouldn't have celebrated in front of Suarez at the end of the match, adding: "He shouldn't have done that."

Barcelona's title hopes in tatters

Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona: Pep Guardiola's experimental side lose in Pamplona as La Liga starts to slip away

Despite a valiant effort at a comeback, the Blaugrana suffered their second league defeat in 47 matches and a blow to their title hopes after a first-half flurry from the hosts

By Micah Eradiri

Lionel Messi seems to be staring down the tunnel

 

A questionable first-team, a frozen pitch, and an inspired opposition contributed to Barcelona's 3-2 defeat at Osasuna at the Estadio Reyna de Navarra on Saturday evening as the Catalans now risk falling 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid by the end of the weekend.

A first-half brace by Dejan Lekic gave Osasuna a magical start. The second period saw a flurry of goals as Alexis Sanchez reduced the deficit, only for Raul Garcia to restore a two-goal cushion. Cristian Tello made it 3-2, but Barcelona could not complete the comeback.

The Catalan side began the match with a modified starting XI as Sergi Roberto, Pedro and Thiago Alcantara started in place of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.

The changes hurt the Liga champions early on as Osasuna got off to a dream start.  In the fourth minute, Raul Garcia received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and it flicked on to find a sprinting Lekic, who buried his strike past Victor Valdes to open scoring.

Pep Guardiola's men attempted to fight back but struggled to establish their quick, one-touch game on the frozen pitch.

The hosts did not sit back and settle for a solitary goal as they were soon two up. After being picked out by Raul Garcia on the right flank, Alvaro Cejudo looped in a cross which found a surging Lekic, who tapped past Valdes for his second of the night to send the home crowd into raptures. 

The first half ended with the Blaugrana establishing dominance in possession but not being able to create any goal-mouth opportunities with it.

Guardiola made a few changes at the start of the second half but instead of bringing on Iniesta, Xavi, or Fabregas into the game, he introduced Isaac Cuenca and Tello as Carles Puyol and Pedro made way.

Although the changes may have bemused a few fans, they worked. Cuenca centred the his cross from the right and found an unmarked Alexis, who slid the ball past Fernandez to bring the Catalans back into the game.

But the goal did not faze Los Rojillos and instead, they marched towards their opposition's goal, once again to be rewarded. After a pass from Valdes was intercepted, Nino was picked out on the left. The experienced forward sent in a cross and Raul Garcia managed to beat Valdes to the ball at the near post, punishing the keeper for straying too far off his line.

The match continued to see-saw back and forth as the Blaugrana reduced the deficit once more. After being picked out on the right, Tello checked past his marker and blasted past Fernandez from close range into the top corner to make it 3-2. 

Barcelona looked to have equalised when Alexis found the back of the net after Lionel Messi clipped in a cross, but the Chilean was adjudged to be offside by the linesman when the ball took a slight touch off Sergi Roberto. The away side continued to pressure their opponents until the final whistle, but they could not find an equaliser as they stumble to their second defeat of the season.

With the loss, Barcelona could find themselves 10 points adrift of top spot if Madrid beat Levante at home on Sunday. Osasuna's fantastic upset victory sees them temporarily move up to seventh place.