Football Unlimited: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Gerrard receives Benitez backing

Gerrard has been key to Liverpool's success this season

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says Steven Gerrard has his "full support and backing" following his captain's arrest after an alleged brawl.

Gerrard was charged with assault and affray after an incident at a bar in Southport in the early hours of Monday.

Benitez said: "I sat down with him and had a very good talk about the situation. We'll do whatever we can to support Steven in the weeks ahead."

Benitez also confirmed that Gerrard, 28, took part in training on Wednesday.

Gerrard was arrested with five other men - two of whom face the same charges as the footballer - near the Lounge Inn bar and nightclub in the seaside resort.

Benitez added: "Steven explained to me what had happened and I told him he has my full support and backing, along with everyone else at the football club.

"He's trained with the other lads after a couple of days off for the squad and is keen now to focus solely on his football. He is our captain and a key player for us.

"We've worked very hard to get into the position we're in going through to the new year and all of us are determined to keep that progress going. We're now concentrating on our preparation for the FA Cup game at Preston this weekend."

Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time

Liverpool FC statement

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "We have a watching brief on this and have offered any help we can. I was concerned when I heard about the case as I have known Steven Gerrard a long time.

"I don't know the full details but as the players' union we would want to be supportive of him."

The England midfielder arrived at Liverpool's training ground in the suburb of West Derby at 1005 GMT and was greeted by a few fans, despite the freezing temperatures.

He has so far remained silent about the controversy and on Tuesday his wife Alex Curran, 26, said they would not be commenting.

Gerrard's visit to the bar on Sunday followed Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle at St James' Park, a game in which the England international scored twice, as the Reds moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after the alleged incident. Gerrard is due to appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court with the other two men on 23 January.

The Football Association said it would not be making any comment on the Gerrard case other than to stress that his position with England was not in question.

It added that players would continue to be considered for England while police investigations were on-going, with their situation looked at on a case-by-case basis were they to be convicted of a serious criminal offence.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish believes Gerrard will cope with the scrutiny, saying: "Liverpool will support him and the Liverpool fans will support him tremendously well. He's a really strong character and I'm sure it won't affect his performance.

A Liverpool statement, released on Tuesday, read: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country four times. He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Happy New Year 2009!

Asian42 wishes its viewers a very Happy New Year 2009!
2008 has been the starting year of my blog which has been a successful one.
I wish that 2009 will prove to be a very good year for Asian42.
So, I will do my best in this new year to provide you the best from the world of Football.

Thanks,
Abhi Raj

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Charged Gerrard offered support

The footballer was driven home after spending 21 hours in police custody

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard has been charged with assault and affray following a disturbance at a Merseyside nightclub.

Liverpool Football Club has issued a statement saying it would offer Gerrard "all the support he needs".

The 28-year-old was arrested along with five other men near the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of Monday.

A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after the alleged incident.

The football club said: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."

The Football Assocation said it would not be making any comment on the Steven Gerrard case other than to stress that his position with England was not under question.

Steven Gerrard's car outside the Lounge Inn

The footballer was arrested with five other men near the Lounge Inn

John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, Liverpool, have also been charged and bailed over the incident.

All three will appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on 23 January, accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

Three other men have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29."

After the game on Sunday the Liverpool FC captain, who scored twice, hailed his side as the best he has played in.

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country four times.

He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Hull 0-1 Aston Villa

Anguish for Hull, but delight for the Villa

Aston Villa regained fourth place in the table after a late own goal by Kamil Zayatte gave them victory.

Nicky Barmby had the ball in the net in the first half after Brad Friedel dropped a cross but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Villa sneaked the win when Zayatte turned Ashley Young's cross into his own net with two minutes left.

Hull thought they had won a penalty for a handball by Ashley Young in injury time but the decision was reversed.

Referee Steve Bennett initially looked to have given a spot-kick but changed his mind after consulting with his assistant.

It might have been a cruel blow for Hull, but replays showed the ball hit only the bar and not the player's hand after it had looped goalwards off Luke Young.

Yet Hull will feel devastated to have been beaten in a game that neither side looked like they wanted to win.

Early on, Barmby briefly thought he had scored when he tucked the ball into an empty net but the goal was ruled out for his challenge on keeper Friedel, who had dropped the ball.

Hull, who had conceded nine goals in their last two matches and won only once in their last 10 games, were understandably cautious.

They sat deep, allowing Villa to stroke the ball around at the back, and neither side attempted to lift the pace.

It made for a dismal first half, with most of the play compressed into the middle third of the pitch and consequently there was a dearth of scoring opportunities.

In rare moment of goalmouth action Curtis Davies cut out a cross and narrowly missed his own goal with his header.

Little changed after the break as the tempo remained pedestrian and quality continued to be in short supply.

Neither goalkeeper had much to do and their biggest challenge must have been how to stay warm on a bitterly cold night.

Barmby should have at least made Friedel work when he got on the end of Bernard Mendy's cross but he headed the ball straight at Nigel Reo-Coker.

But there was harsh twist of fate to come, when two minutes from time Zayatte poked the ball home at the near post as he tried to clear Ashley Young's cross.

If that was not tough enough on Hull, they will feel even more frustrated after it seemed they had been awarded a penalty shortly after only to have it taken away.

The result leaves Villa level on points with third-placed Manchester United - and three points ahead of Arsenal, who they leapfrogged.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill on the late penalty drama:
"It wasn't a penalty.

"I'm delighted the right decision has been made and pleased we've won.

"We didn't play well, we struggled to create things but we just keep putting pressure on the sides around us."

Hull boss Phil Brown on the same incident:
"It's a tough one. The referee got it wrong because he gave it originally.

"The linesman took up a position that he was giving the penalty but for some reason they've changed their mind between them.

"The referee is 15 yards away but he consults a linesman who was 40 yards away from the incident."

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Mendy, Garcia (Fagan 89), Ashbee, Halmosi, Barmby (Hughes 85), Cousin (King 69).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Doyle, Geovanni, Giannakopoulos.

Booked: Zayatte.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell (Gardner 86), Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Osbourne.

Booked: Barry, Petrov.

Goals: Zayatte 88 og.

Att: 24,727

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Monday, December 29, 2008

Gerrard arrested in assault probe

Gerrard scored twice in his team's 5-1 win on Sunday

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard has been arrested following an alleged assault.

Police were called at about 0230 GMT following a disturbance at a restaurant in Southport, Merseyside. Six men were detained later in a nearby street.

The men, four from Huyton, one from Formby and one from Litherland, remain in police custody.

A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries, not thought to be life-threatening.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at the Lounge Inn, on Bold Street, a restaurant and late night music venue.

Four men aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, all from Huyton, a 28-year-old from Formby and an 18-year-old from Litherland were arrested a short time later on nearby Lord Street.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at the Lounge Inn

Midfielder Gerrard, 28, is Liverpool captain and scored twice in his team's 5-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport.

"At around 2.30am this morning officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street.

"Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault, on Lord Street."

The spokesman added all six currently remained in custody. It is believed no other Liverpool footballers are among those being held.

Gerrard was born and grew up on Huyton's Bluebell Estate.

Last month the Premier League star was given the freedom of his home borough of Knowsley in recognition of his contribution to football.

Liverpool FC said it would not be commenting.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

England striker's £10 million move to Spurs now appears nailed on

Jermain Defoe's possible £10 million move to Tottenham now appears nailed on after the player was dropped to the bench for Portsmouth's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal this afternoon. The England international has been strongly linked with a move to White Hart Lane in recent days after it was revealed Pompey boss Tony Adams will have to sell in January.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to bring Defoe back to North London once the transfer window opens next month as he bids to strengthen his attacking options. The 26-year old only left Spurs last January when then Pompey boss Redknapp signed him for a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million - £9 million.

When asked why he left Defoe on the bench for today's Premier League encounter with Arsenal, Adams claimed it was for tactical reasons. He went on to say : "Jermain was was annoyed and angry - he's had the hump with me ever since and I wouldn't want it any other way to be honest."

I would be very surprised to see Defoe still at Fratton Park when the transfer window closes on February 2nd. I have always been a massive fan of Defoe's and I think, when he is fit, you should start him. Obviously Adams doesn't feel the same way and I feel he will look to cash in on the former West Ham man when the window opens on Thursday.