Top 10 transfer near misses

10) Michael Laudrup (Juventus to Liverpool) 

What Happened: Arguably the finest export to come out of Denmark - Carlsberg aside - the Dane looked set for a switch to Anfield in the early 1980s having caused a stir in his homeland with KB. But the deal collapsed when Laudrup refused to commit to the Merseysiders for more than three years.  Soon after he joined Juventus for $1m - a then Danish transfer record.

Consequences: Arguably the finest Liverpool side ever seen, Laudrup passed up on the opportunity of figuring in Bob Paisley's team that dominated both at home and abroad. While the Reds were being crowned Kings of Europe in 1981 and again in 1984, Laudrup would have to wait until 1992 before claiming the European crown with Barcelona.

Top 10 bizarre football injuries

10. Ever Banega - Car (2012)

On the eve of Valencia's second leg, semi-final Copa del Rey clash at Barcelona in early February, Banega was showered with praise by Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Ahead of Los Che's La Liga trip to the Camp Nou on Sunday, however, the Argentine was screaming in pain.

While filling up his car at a petrol station, Ever forgot to apply the handbrake when he got out, and the vehicle rolled backwards and trapped the player's ankle against the curb, causing a fractured tibia and fibula in his left foot. He has gone under the knife and is expected to be sidelined for up to six months.

Review: MU vs Ajax Amsterdam - UEFA Europa League

Keputusan perlawanan:

Manchester United 2
Ashley Young 59'
Chicharito 85'

Ajax Amsterdam 0

Keputusan Perlawanan Round of 32 UEL - 1st leg

Perlawanan Round of 32 UEL - 1st leg

Preview: MU vs Ajax Amsterdam - UEFA Europa League

MU telah membawa skuad 20 pemain untuk berkunjung ke Amsterdam Arena bagi bertemu Ajax Amsterdam (Ajax) dalam perlawanan UEFA Europa League (EEL) 'round of 32'. Sepertimana yang telah dinyatakan dalam berita, SAF menggugurkan Giggs dan Berbatov akibat mengalami sedikit kecederaan manakala Evra direhatkan selepas beraksi ketika MU bertemu Liverpool baru-baru ini.

SAF telah mengesahkan bahawa MU akan menurunkan kesebelasan terkuat bagi menebuskan kekecewaan gagal bersaing dalam UCL musim ini selepas tersingkir. Selain itu, MU juga tidak mempunyai sebarang perlawanan hujung minggu ini memandangkan MU telah disingkir dari saingan Piala FA. Jadi, seharusnya MU boleh beraksi dengan kesebelasan terbaik bagi bertemu Ajax dalam dua perlawanan berturut-turut.

MU menarik nafas lega apabila kembali menerima kehadiran Smalling, Jones, Nani dan Cleverly yang sebelum ini masing-masing mengalami kecederaan dan berehat panjang. Namun, aku menjangkakan SAF tidak akan menurunkan mereka berempat dalam kesebelasan utama dan meletakkan mereka di bangku simpanan.

Oleh kerana Lindegaard masih belum boleh beraksi, DDG pasti diberikan tugas menjaga gawang gol MU. Evans dan Ferdinand akan meneruskan persembahan mereka di pertahanan tengah. Pasangan kemba Da Silva iaitu Rafael dan Fabio akan mengisi slot di posisi rightback dan leftback. Mungkin Ferdinand akan menggalas tugas selaku kapten pasukan bagi perlawanan awal pagi esok.

Carrick akan bergandingan dengan Scholes di bahagian tengah MU kerana setakat ini, mereka berdua nampak begitu serasi selain mampu membolehkan MU menguasai bahagian tengah padang. Kedudukan Valencia di sayap kanan langsung tidak tergugat manakala PJS akan menjadi pilihan SAF untuk sayap kiri. Walaubagaimanapun, SAF juga mungkin akan meletakkan Young di sayap kiri selepas tidak beraksi baru-baru ini.

SAF pastinya akan mengekalkan pasangan Rooney dan Welbeck untuk mengetuai serangan MU. Pada musim ini, menyaksikan Rooney tampak lebih berbisa apabila bergandingan dengan Welbeck. Ini terbukti dengan Rooney telah menjaringkan lebih dari 15 gol. Tetapi, Chicharito juga boleh diturunkan sekiranya SAF ingin MU beraksi secara through ball dengan mengeksploitasikan larian pantas Chicharito. 

MU tidak seharusnya memandang mudah cabaran yang bakal diberikan oleh Ajax walaupun ketika ini prestasi Ajax dalam liga Belanda agak hambar. Tambahan pula, Ajax turut mengalami masalah kecederaan di kalangan pemain utama. Namun, Ajax masih lagi boleh menurunkan pemain berbahayanya iaitu Christian Eriksen yang merupakan Pemain Terbaik Denmark pada tahun lepas.

Aku menjangkakan MU mampu untuk menewaskan Ajax di halaman lawan dengan keputusan selesa 3-1. Rooney dan Welbeck akan menyumbangkan gol buat MU dan seterusnya membolehkan MU membawa pulang tiga away gol ke OT.

Latest team news / transfer gossips: Manchester United

1. Scholes diberitakan bersedia untuk kembali menyarung jersi England bagi menghadapi kejohanan Euro 2012 yang akan berlangsung pada musim panas ini. Kesediaan Scholes itu bakal menyaksikan Scholes beraksi semula untuk England selepas menyatakan persaraan daripada persada antarabangsa lapan tahun yang lalu.

2. Scholes juga turut memberikan 'hint' bahawa beliau berminat untuk bermain dengan MU untuk satu musim lagi. Setakat ini, SAF berpuas hati dengan prestasi Scholes memandangkan persembahannya masih lagi bagus.

3. Jika diturunkan pada awal pagi Jumaat ini, Giggs bakal menempah sejarah apabila mencatatkan rekod membuat 900 penampilan buat MU. Walaupun di usia tua, Giggs masih lagi mampu beraksi selain mempunyai keinginan untuk mengumpul medal pemenang apabila berharap MU boleh menjuarai Liga Eropah musim ini.

4. Pertahanan tengah Udinese, Mehdi Benatia menyatakan hasrat untuk menyertai MU jika diberikan peluang. Benatia yang baru berumur 24 tahun sebelum ini pernah dikaitkan dengan perpindahan ke Chelsea.

5. Nani dikatakan berada dalam senarai pemain yang dikehendaki oleh Juventus pada musim panas ini. Juventus yang telah menunjukkan peningkatan yang memberangsangkan dalam Serie A musim ini ingin mendapatkan beberapa pemain yang bagus seperti Nani dan Gonzalo Higuain dari Real Madrid.

6. Pogba diberitakan gembira apabila diberikan peluang oleh SAF untuk menjalani latihan bersama skuad utama MU. Sehubungan itu, Pogba turut berharap SAF akan memberikan peluang untuk beraksi dalam perlawanan sepertimana yang telah diberikan kepadanya sewaktu MU bertemu Stoke City.

Five of football's greatest ever partnerships

Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta

They may have been rivals for Serie A titles at club level for several years, but for country, Cannavaro and Nesta were consistently central defensive partners.

The pair played together for the first time against Moldova in 1997 and played alongside each other in several major international competitions, right up until the 2006 World Cup in Germany, for which both defenders had been solid in qualification.

Unfortunately an injury in the group stages cut Nesta’s tournament short, but Cannavaro would go on to star for Italy as they lifted the World Cup, and he would later win the Ballon d’Or. What more romantic way for this proud nation to put the Calciopoli match fixing scandal behind them.

Cannavaro is Italy’s highest capped player with a massive 136 appearances, while Nesta has played 78 times for his country. The Milan man would surely have featured many more times had he not struggled with injuries and subsequently rejected approaches to come out of international retirement from both Roberto Donadoni and Marcello Lippi in 2006 and 2010 respectively.

Nesta has largely recovered from injuries and continues to feature for Milan, though he is due to retire later this year, while Cannavaro hung up his boots following a stint with Al Ahly in 2011.

Teenage wonderkids to watch out for in the Champions League last 16

DAVID ALABA | Bayern Munich

PROFILE Age 19 Position Midfielder Nationality Austrian 2011-12 STATS Appearances 28 Goals 3

With Toni Kroos now seen as a strictly attacking midfielder, David Alaba will be entrusted with the task of filling in for the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger in defensive midfield. Still just 19 years of age, the Austria international made his full debut two years ago, and has become a key substitute for Jupp Heynckes this term. Capable of playing as a full-back, winger, or in central midfield, Alaba is a complete footballer.

Kebangkitan skuad KENARI

Kedah kini menampakkan peningkatan dalam dua perlawanan yang disertai oleh pemain import yang baru. Kehadiran Safi Abdelfatah dan Mohamed Hamidan dilihat mampu untuk mengembalikan reputasi Kedah yang sebelum ini tercalar kerana berada di kelompok bawah LSM 2012.

Sebaik sahaja diberikan lampu hijau oleh FAM, Safi diturunkan buat kali pertama ketika Kedah bertemu Sabah di Stadium Darul Aman baru-baru ini. Ternyata, Safi beraksi dengan baik apabila menjadi penggerak dan perancang kepada corak permainan Kedah. Safi bijak membuka permainan Kedah dengan hantaran-hantaran yang kemas. Selain itu, Safi juga kelihatan mempunyai semangat juang yang tinggi apabila berada hampir serata ceruk padang.

Dengan adanya Safi, Kedah sekurang-kurangnya dapat menarik nafas lega kerana mempunyai tenaga kreativiti selain daripada kapten pasukan, Baddrol Bakhtiar. Kedah sebelum ini begitu menagih kudrat Baddrol sehingga gagal beraksi dengan baik apabila Baddrol tidak dapat beraksi.

Perlawanan malam tadi di Kuala Terengganu menyaksikan Kedah menurunkan seorang lagi pemain import baru, Hamidan. Dengan memiliki susuk tubuh yang tegap, Hamidan diharapkan dapat mengulangi prestasi bekas pemain import kedah, Marlon Alex James yang meledakkan banyak gol buat Kedah terutamanya pada musim Double Treble.

Hamidan mungkin memerlukan sedikit masa lagi untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan corak permainan Kedah memandangkan bukan sahaja baru menyarung jersi hijau kuning, malah jurulatih Kedah iaitu Wan Jamak turut kembali mengendalikan Kedah selepas digantung tujuh perlawanan.

Dengan dua pemain import baru serta kembalinya Wan Jamak, Kedah kini mempunyai ramuan yang secukupnya untuk memperkemaskan aksi seterusnya memberikan persembahan yang lebih konsisten. Jika Kedah mampu bermain dengan baik dan mungkin berjaya mencatatkan beberapa siri kemenangan, tidak mustahil para penyokong hijau kuning akan kembali membanjiri Stadium Darul Aman dan memberikan sokongan padu kepada skuad Kenari.

PULUN KEDAH PULUN!!!!

p/s: Gambar: kredit to GSN.

Review: MU vs Liverpool - BPL

Keputusan perlawanan:

Manchester United 2
Wayne Rooney 47', 50'

Liverpool 1
Luis Suarez 80'

Top six Manchester United comebacks

Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday - Premier League, April 10, 1993
The fightback that launched Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League domination. United trailed until two late goals from Steve Bruce - the second in seven minutes of injury time - produced wild celebrations on the home bench.

Who should partner Wayne Rooney in crucial MU clash with Liverpool?

ROONEY THE LONE STRIKER

When Rooney came on as a substitute in Manchester United's last Premier League game against Liverpool, the 1-1 draw in October, the striker entered the pitch subdued and never looked like making an impact. Hit by the blow of his three-match Euro 2012 ban only days earlier, he sullenly watched the game pass him by from midfield.

Played in a similarly deep position in matches against the likes of Otelul Galati and Everton in November, Sir Alex reacted to his side's 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City by reeling his most dangerous player in and hoping for goals to come from elsewhere.

TWO GOALS IN 15 GAMES
ROONEY'S UNITED RECORD VS LIVERPOOL
GAMES PLAYED GOALS SCORED WINS DEFEATS DRAWS	15 2 8 5 2

That Rooney is expected to be so versatile pays testament to his skill as a footballer, but evidence suggests that it is alone where he proves himself most effective in front of goal. The 2009-10 season, with Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo having left the club and Javier Hernandez yet to arrive, saw the forward tasked with playing a lone frontman role. With 34 goals in all competitions, it remains his most successful campaign by a distance.

It simply betrays the striker's natural instincts to play second fiddle to others on his team. Indeed, Rooney's willingness to work for his colleagues is refreshing as it is highly-lauded, but it is in front of goal where his predatory nature is most suited.

The timing is ideal for the former Everton man to be given the freedom of the forward line, with Ashley Young and Nani both returning from injury battling for a place on the left flank, and Antonio Valencia, in his finest form for the club since breaking his ankle against Rangers in September 2010 and so often Rooney's ideal foil, controlling the right.

United may be at home on Saturday but have arguably found Liverpool a more challenging attacking threat than any other side save for Barcelona and Manchester City in the last 12 months. With Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy and Stewart Downing all providing devastating pace down the flanks, the hosts will need the likes of Valencia to negate their influence by dropping into a midfield five on occasion.

And grabbing the goals? Rooney has already proven time and again that he's more than up to the task.

Key battles ahead of MU vs Liverpool

Rio Ferdinand v Luis Suarez

"Luis Suarez came back to great acclaim from the Kop against Tottenham on Monday and he looked very lively. He was a real catalyst and got involved in everything and gave them his team much-needed invention.

"They have done well in his absence but now he has a game under his belt I am sure he will start in what will be a massive game. The tension will be there because of the fall-out from the Anfield game. Suarez has to remain focused and do what he does well to remind everyone what a quality player he is.

"Rio Ferdinand has struggled at times with the sort of movement that makes Suarez such a dangerous player and if he is able to pull Ferdinand out of position then Liverpool could be onto something.

"Liverpool will go into the game thinking that this Manchester United team are vulnerable and it will be down to Suarez to exploit that and to link up with his team-mates. United will have plenty of possession and will push forward and that will suit Liverpool and their ability to counter-attack, especially if Craig Bellamy is around.

"Suarez could have changed the game for Liverpool against Spurs but the big question remains over his ability to link up with Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy as well as Steven Gerrard."

The five steps Arsenal must take to reignite their top-four ambitions

WRAP VAN PERSIE IN COTTON WOOL

In case you hadn't noticed, Robin van Persie is pretty important to Arsenal.

VAN THE MAN
VAN PERSIE'S LAST FIVE GAMES
OPPONENTS BLACKBURN BOLTON ASTON VILLA MANCHESTER UNITED SWANSEA	GOALS 3 0 2 1 1

That's said with more than a hint of jest, of course, as Van Persie is actually, some might argue, the difference between Arsenal still being in with a shout of securing Champions League qualification and having to settle for mid-table mediocrity.

Okay so one player doesn't make a team, is the cry, but the statistics really are quite startling when looking at just how imperative the Dutchman has been to the Gunners - especially in helping hold things together following the quite momentous departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Like an excitable teenage girl taking cover behind the sofa at the notoriously jumpy parts of a horror film, Arsene Wenger could have been forgiven for covering his eyes when Blackburn's Gael Givet came crashing into his star striker last weekend - the Frenchman's 'challenge' one of the clumsy and ugly variety that was rightly rewarded with a red card.

Needless to say, keeping Van Persie fit and firing for the rest of the season could be the difference between another 'nearly' season for the Gunners and one that finally, once and for all, ends that six-and-a-half-year wait for silverware.

The top 20 clubs in football's money league

1st

REAL MADRID Last year: 1st

£433m (£359.1m)

9.3%

 


Real Madrid dominate the Money League for a seventh consecutive year, as improved performance on the pitch combined with continued commercial growth sees the Primera Division leaders record a combined revenue increase of 9.6% on their 2009-10 total. The most startling statistic of all, however, is how Madrid have exponentially enhanced their income in the past five years; from 2007, their total revenue has risen by almost €200m (£166m), and the club are projected to be the first to break the €500m (£417m) barrier in next year's edition. Further on-field successes will only solidify Madrid's standing as European football's true financial superpower.

Calon untuk menjadi pengurus England selain daripada Redknapp

Jose Mourinho

PROS: Has been a success wherever he has been. Set to become first manager to win titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain. Could do the same in international football.
CONS: Loves an argument — so could be a pain in the backside for the FA. Most people in football also want to see an Englishman in charge.

Sebab mengapa Capello tidak lagi menjadi pengurus England

Akhbar TheSun telah menyenaraikan beberapa sebab mengapa Capello melepaskan jawatannya sebagai pengurus England. Antaranya:

England dan Capello telah berpisah

Fabio Capello secara rasminya telah melepaskan jawatannya selaku pengurus England selepas mengadakan perjumpaan tergempar dengan pihak pengurusan FA. Capello dikatakan tidak dapat menghadapi tekanan bertubi-tubi yang diberikan bukan sahaja daripada para peminat fanatik England, malah daripada media massa serta pihak FA sendiri. 

Pulun KEDAH Pulun!!!!

Selepas melalui enam perlawanan Liga Super musim ini, akhirnya Kedah berjaya juga untuk mengecapi kemenangan pertama malam tadi. Kemenangan tersebut diperoleh apabila Kedah menumpaskan pasukan di tangga terbawah liga iaitu Kuala Lumpur dengan keputusan 1-0. Gol kemenangan Kedah telah disumbangkan oleh Kyril Muhymeen pada minit ke8 di mana perlawanan tersebut telah berlangsung di Stadium Hang Jebat, Melaka iaitu halaman sendiri buat Kuala Lumpur.

Kaki report

Dalam arena bola sepak, terdapat pemain yang suka mengadu kekasaran yang kononnya dilakukan oleh pihak lawan. Aduan tersebut sama ada diberikan kepada pengadil perlawanan ataupun penjaga garisan dengan tujuan melihat pihak lawan dikenakan tindakan atau hukuman. Goal.com telah menyenaraikan sepuluh insiden yang melibatkan para pemain yang cuba atau telah mempengaruhi keputusan pengadil.

Lima kesimpulan daripada perlawanan MU - Chelsea

UNITED WILL FIGHT CITY ALL THE WAY

The resilience and desire of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team is not in doubt. It never has been. It’s the all-round quality that is the problem.

For all the question marks around the goalkeeper position, the constant chopping and changing in defence and the absence of an A-list midfield firefighter, United are the only realistic barrier to their neighbours marching to the league title.

Although City ended the weekend re-opening a two-point lead at the summit, the manner of United’s fightback from three goals down in the backyard of one of their main rivals has given their own challenge the kind of psychological impetus that should not be ignored.

With 40 minutes left, it could have ended as humiliatingly as it did in the 6-1 mauling against City. Instead, United left London with what felt like a bonus point.

Review: MU vs Chelsea

Keputusan perlawanan:

Manchester United 3

Wayne Rooney 58' (pen), 69' (pen)

Chicharito 84'

Chelsea 3

Jonny Evans 36'

Juan Mata 46'

Rio Ferdinand 50'

Ulasan perlawanan:

Chelsea melepaskan peluang berharga untuk menewaskan MU apabila kelebihan 3-0 yang dimiliki berjaya disamakan kedudukan oleh MU dalam masa 30 minit sebelum wisel penamat ditiupkan. MU juga perlu menyalahkan diri sendiri kerana melepaskan tiga gol yang dilihat agak mudah selain gagal mencari gol kemenangan walaupun menguasai permainan pada babak 10 - 15 minit terakhir perlawanan.

Sebelum berlangsungnya sepak mula, MU jelas sedikit tertekan kerana bukan sahaja Man City berjaya mencatatkan kemenangan dan menjarakkan diri dengan kelebihan tiga mata, MU juga mempunyai rekod yang tidak begitu baik setiap kali beraksi di Stamford Bridge. SAF juga mengakui bahawa bukan sahaja persembahan buruk daripada pemain MU sendiri malah keputusan pengadil turut mempengaruhi keputusan perlawanan MU ketika menentang Chelsea.

SAF menaruuhkan kepercayaan kepada DDG untuk menjaga gawang MU selepas terpaksa mengetepikan Lindegaard yang mengalami kecederaan. Secara keseluruhannya, DDG masih gugup beraksi dalam perlawanan bertekanan tinggi walaupun mampu untuk menyelamatkan beberapa percubaan merbahaya Chelsea terutamanya sepakan percuma daripada Mata.

DDG juga tidak dibantu oleh barisan pertahanan MU yang kelihatan rapuh dan sedikit kelam kabut. Evra amat mengecewakan apabila tiga gol Chelsea berpunca daripada hantaran ldari sebelah kiri yang sepatutnya boleh dihalang oleh Evra. Tetapi Ferdinand nampak tenang dan memberikan persembahan yang baik dengan bijak mengawal pergerakan Torres. 

Carrick dan Giggs berjaya mengimbangi bahagian tengah Chelsea yang diperkuatkan dengan kehadiran semula Essien. Valencia tidak dapat memberikan sumbangan yang berkesan sepertimana sebelum ini kerana dikawal dengan ketat. Young juga tidak begitu membanggakan apabila larian atau pergerakkannya gagal meloloskan diri daripada kekangan Ivanovic. 

SAF yang mengambil keputusan untuk mengeluarkan Young dan Rafael dengan memasukkan Scholes dan Chicharito memberikan hasil yang positif. Walaupun ketinggalan 0-3, MU berjaya bangkit dan memperoleh dua gol menerusi sepakan penalti Rooney. Gol penyamaan MU diperoleh melalui tandukan Chicharito yang menerima hantaran Giggs.

MU perlu memperkemaskan lagi permainan terutamanya bagi aksi hujung minggu ini apabila melayan kunjungan Liverpool. Segala kelemahan terutamanya di bahagian pertahanan harus diperbaiki jika ingin meneruskan rentak cemerlang yang telah ditunjukkan di Stamford Brigde.

Pemain terbaik perlawanan:

Wayne Rooney

Gambar perlawanan:

Siapa pemain import baru KEDAH?

Selepas menampilkan aksi hambar sepanjang beraksi buat Kedah, dua pemain import dari Brazil iaitu Danilo dan Baroni bakal disingkirkan oleh Kedah. Ini adalah kerana kedua-dua mereka gagal menunjukkan kemampuan masing-masing selaku pemain import yang diharapkan mampu untuk memacu cabaran Kedah dalam Liga Super musim ini.

MirrorFootball's 2012 January transfer window awards

The Best Signings Award: Djibril Cisse (Lazio to QPR) and Bobby Zamora (Fulham to QPR)
After last year's Carroll/Torres disaster movie, you'd have to be a brave man to sign a high-profile striker on deadline day. Clearly, Mark Hughes is braver than most: he bought two. One of them labours under the title Lord of the Manor of Frodsham; the other is a Londoner who seemingly refuses to labour anywhere outside of his manor. QPR are Bobby Zamora's fourth consecutive capital club, and Rs fans will be hoping he can do as good a job of keeping them in the Premier League as he did Fulham. With strike partner Djibril Cisse scoring on his debut against Villa last night, and the likes of Nedum Onuoha and Taye Taiwo also moving to Loftus Road, the smart money says he will.
Runners-up: Papiss Demba Cisse (Freiburg to Newcastle), Nikica Jelavic (Rangers to Everton)

Prestasi 'big six' di halaman lawan

Jika sebelum ini, saingan BPL lebih dimonopoli oleh empat kelab sahaja yang dikenali sebagai 'top four'. Namun, sejak kebelakangan ini, saingan BPL telah menjadi semakin terbuka dan menyebabkan 'top four' berubah menjadi 'big six'. Buat masa ini, kejuaraan BPL bagi musim 2011/2012 lebih terarah kepada perebutan dua kelab dari kota Manchester. 

Five players who have played for both Manchester City and United

BRIAN

KIDD

In more recent times Kidd has, of course, occupied the bench as assistant to both Roberto Mancini and previously Sir Alex Ferguson, although the Collyhurst-born former forward had traces of blue and red coursing through his veins well before he took up a role on the backroom staff at Old Trafford in 1988.

Kidd started his career at United and, just a year after his debut and at just 19 years of age he found himself scoring in extra-time in the 1968 European Cup final against Benfica as the Red Devils came out on top to lift the title for the first time in their history. After moving on to Arsenal in 1974, Kidd would return to Manchester with City just two years later where he would chalk up 128 appearances, scoring over 50 goals.

After finishing his playing career in America in 1984, the now 62-year-old would eventually serve as Sir Alex's right-hand man during an unprecedented period of success in the 90s before, some 10 years later, returning to assist Mancini at the Etihad Stadium.

Premier League Hundred Club

SHEARER

260

Leading the way, and by some distance, at the top of the Premier League's '100 club' (and the sole current member of the '200 club') chart is Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer who, from 1992 until his retirement in 2006, hit the back of the net a staggering 260 times in England's top flight.

The former England striker cut his teeth at Southampton, prior to the re-branding of the Premier League in 1992, before landing a £3.3 million move to Blackburn where he scored 112 league goals for the club, during which time he played a pivotal part as, under Kenny Dalglish's management, Rovers won the title in 1995.

Shearer would then be the subject of another British record transfer as he swapped Ewood Park for St James' Park for £15m and, during a 10-year spell on Tyneside, he would go on to cement his place in Geordie folklore as he finished his career as Newcastle's all-time leading scorer with 206, surpassing the great Jackie Milburn's record by six goals.

Five conclusions on Andy Carroll's performance one year after joining Liverpool

PLAY TO HIS STRENGTHS WITH DIRECT STYLE

Andy Carroll stands at over 6' 3" tall, making him a towering forward and although it is important not to dismiss his touch and hammer of a left-foot, his obvious strengths lie with his head.

Liverpool boast an embarrassment of talent in midfield with Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Steven Gerrard all possessing the ability to find a pin-point cross, yet Carroll has cut a forlorn figure as the delivery of quality service has often evaded him.

Carroll was instrumental in the 3-0 win over Wolves as he used his bulking frame to take down long balls with his chest and win countless headers to help launch attacks, and was picked out expertly by Charlie Adam to open the scoring, which suggests his strengths are now being recognised by his team-mates. He also excelled against Manchester United as a target man in the FA Cup, controlling and holding up the ball with his strength and winning important flick-ons - most notably for Dirk Kuyt's winning goal.

Carroll, during his time with Newcastle, appeared simply unplayable in the air which is clearly a template Liverpool must follow if there are to get the best out of the striker.

Goal.com's Top 10 Transfers of January 2012

1  Thiago MOTTA

From: Inter To: Paris Saint-Germain Fee: £8.4m Inter stressed only three days before the window slammed shut that Motta would not leave the club this winter, but the Italy international completed his move to Ligue 1 after all on deadline day. One of the Nerazzurri's star performers in a troublesome 2011-12 campaign, Motta will be looking to keep up his good form at his new club and lead PSG to silverware.

GROUP A

Review of BPL's team in January transfer window

Arsenal

A month that began in jubilation ended in frustration. For the fans, anyway, if not Arsene Wenger, who, as is his wont, opted not to spend his sizeable budget. Thierry Henry's emotional homecoming initially deflected attention but the inability to add a world-class player near the peak of his powers may prove costly. So, too, was Wenger's reluctance to add a specialist full-back, even on loan, which may have contributed to a hat-trick of league defeats. The promising German Thomas Eisfeld is a typical Wenger buy, an emerging midfielder. In the long term, he may prove an excellent addition. In the short term, he was not what Arsenal needed.

Review: MU vs Stoke City

Keputusan perlawanan:

Manchester United 2
Chicharito 38'
Dimitar Berbatov 53'


Stoke City 0

Punca perlawanan tertangguh

Perlawanan antara Everton dan Man City terpaksa ditangguhkan hampir lima minit apabila seorang peminat Everton telah menggarikan dirinya sendiri pada tiang gol yang ketika itu diawasi oleh Joe Hart. Pihak polis akhirnya berjaya melepaskan penyokong fanatik tersebut dan mengiringinya keluar dari stadium. Insiden tersebut menyebabkan separuh masa pertama mempunyai tambahan masa selama lima minit.

The big moves that could happen before the transfer window closes

LUCAS BARRIOS | Borussia Dortmund to Fulham

PROFILE Age 27 Position Striker Nationality Paraguayan TRANSFER FILE Transfer fee €10m Other interested clubs Arsenal, Man City, Malaga, Marseille Chance of leaving 75%

After much talk early in the month regarding interest from Malaga and Marseille - who saw the Paraguayan as a replacement for Loic Remy had Tottenham followed through their interest - Barrios has more recently been linked with several Premier League clubs.

Following reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland, it is now Martin Jol's Fulham who appear to be leading the race for his signature. With Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora having had various tribulations at Craven Cottage this season, the Dutch manager may be keen to push through a deal for the former Colo-Colo star.