Jags thanks team-mates for support Everton defender Phil Jagielka has thanked his team-mates at Goodison Park for making his full return to action so comfortable. The England international played his first 90 minutes since returning from a 10-month lay-off for a serious knee injury in Sunday's 5-1 Premier League thrashing of Hull. "It is fantastic to get back playing at Goodison," the 27-year-old told the club's website. "It's nice to get that buzz back, from going out for the warm-up. It's something I had been looking forwa... Read More

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Benitez wants to see 'real' Liverpool Rafael Benitez has told Liverpool to tackle Thursday's Europa League tie against Lille as if it was their "most important game of the season". Considering the state of the current campaign, the Spaniard's comments have more than a ring of truth to them. After Monday's diabolical performance in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan - described by Benitez as "a blip" - the Reds' hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League have diminished considerably. As a result the Europa League - a consola... Read More

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Mancini aims to maintain momentum Roberto Mancini has called on his Manchester City players to maintain their recent high standards if they want to claim a top-four place. Although over two weeks will have passed since City's amazing 4-2 win at Chelsea when they tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, memories of that triumph in the Blue camp are still fresh. With Liverpool losing at Wigan on Monday, suddenly the Blues are favourites to leapfrog Tottenham and clinch the fourth Champions League berth. But, havin... Read More

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Vermaelen: Gunners can laugh last Thomas Vermaelen hopes to have the last laugh this season after seeing Arsenal written off in the Champions League and domestic title race. The battle at the top of the Premier League was previously seen as a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester United until Arsene Wenger's men put together four-successive wins to get within two points of the summit, then they were tipped to crash out of Europe this week but overturned a first-leg deficit with a 5-0 win against Porto. "We're been w... Read More

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Nugent header denies Potters win David Nugent's header earned Burnley a 1-1 Premier League draw against Stoke at Turf Moor after Tuncay had given the Potters a first-half lead. Stoke went ahead on 23 minutes from a trademark Rory Delap long throw, which Mamade Sidebe flicked on for Tuncay to head in from eight yards out. Burnley hit back and Chris Eagles delivered a deep cross to Paterson at the back post in the 39th minute but the Northern Ireland striker didn't connect well and his shot went into the side-netting. But th... Read More

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Rooney helps United destroy Milan The Football Association have confirmed the kick-off times and dates for next month's FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. The games had already been set for the weekend of April 10/11, but the FA have now revealed when the ties will be played. Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa is the first semi and will take place on Saturday, April 10 at 5pm. The weekend's other tie sees Portsmouth face Tottenham or Fulham - who will replay their quarter-final on March 24 following their goalless draw at Craven ... Read More

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Benayoun ruled out of Lille clash Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been ruled out of the Europa League trip to Lille on Thursday (6pm) after sustaining an ankle injury.... Read More

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FA Cup semi-final dates confirmed The Football Association have confirmed the kick-off times and dates for next month's FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. The games had already been set for the weekend of April 10/11, but the FA have now revealed when the ties will be played. Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa is the first semi and will take place on Saturday, April 10 at 5pm. The weekend's other tie sees Portsmouth face Tottenham or Fulham - who will replay their quarter-final on March 24 following their goalless draw at Craven ... Read More

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Wenger hails confident Bendtner Arsene Wenger hailed the confidence of Nicklas Bendtner after the striker got back on the goal trail with a hat-trick as Arsenal crushed Porto. The Gunners were trailing 2-1 from the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie and had to do without injured captain Cesc Fabregas. However, Wenger's young team rose to the challenge as a first-half brace from Bendtner - who missed a string of chances against Burnley here three days ago - set them on their way towards the last eight in a 5-0... Read More

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Benayoun a doubt for Lille clash Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for the Europa League trip to Lille on Thursday (6pm) after sustaining an ankle injury.... Read More

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Palacios reveals Real ambition Tottenham midfield general Wilson Palacios has stunned the White Hart Lane club by admitting that he hopes to join Real Madrid in the future. The combative midfielder has been a revelation in the England since arriving in the Premier League back in 2007. Spells at Birmingham and Wigan allowed him to forge a reputation as one the finest exponents of the holding role in European football. Such progress earned him a £12million switch to Spurs in January 2009, and he has continued to shine... Read More

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SAF: Protest won't harm atmosphere Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United's 'anti-Glazer' faction will set aside their grievances to cheer his side against AC Milan. It has been a notable few days in the battle for United ownership, with Ferguson furiously denying he had expressed a willingness to join the 'Red Knights' if they were to wrest control of the club out of the hands of the current American owners, who they feel have burdened Old Trafford with far too much debt. The Manchester United Supporters Trust hav... Read More

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No European place for Pompey Portsmouth could miss out on a Europa League place if they win the FA Cup after it emerged they have not applied for a UEFA club licence. Avram Grant's men face Fulham or Tottenham in the semi-finals of the competition and reaching the final would, in normal circumstances, guarantee a Europa League place if the winners qualify for the Champions League. However, all the paperwork for a UEFA licence needs to be submitted to enter European competitions and it is understood that Pompey, who are... Read More

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Report: Blues reopen Anelka talks Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is understood to have resumed contract talks with the Blues withover a two-year extension at Stamford Bridge. Negotiations were reported to have stalled in January as both parties were struggling to agree a deal. Anelka has just over a year to run on his contract and the Frenchman has previously implied he would be happy to pledge his long-term future to the West London club. It was feared that with discussion hitting an impasse at the start of the year the no... Read More

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Gunners pummel Porto to progress Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is understood to have resumed contract talks with the Blues withover a two-year extension at Stamford Bridge. Negotiations were reported to have stalled in January as both parties were struggling to agree a deal. Anelka has just over a year to run on his contract and the Frenchman has previously implied he would be happy to pledge his long-term future to the West London club. It was feared that with discussion hitting an impasse at the start of the year the no... Read More

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Black Cats tonk Trotters, Blues win Darren Bent scored a hat-trick as Sunderland leapfrogged Bolton in the Premier League with a 4-0 win, while Birmingham beat Portmouth 2-1. The £10million strker lifted the pressure on the Black Cats and manager Steve Bruce with a well-taken treble which helped lift the club six points clear of the relegation zone and into 13th place in the Premier League. Bolton were the fall guys on a night when the home side ended their wait for a league win at the 15th attempt, a run which dated bac... Read More

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