Premier League: Newcastle 1 Swansea 2

Frustrations at St James’ Park continue to grow after Newcastle United fell to another home defeat on Saturday, this time to Swansea.

The Magpies failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities on goal, with second-half goals from Michu and Jonathan de Guzman enough to seal all three points for the Welsh outfit, who leapfrog Alan Pardew’s side in the table.

Pablo Hernandez carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes.

The former Valencia man’s through ball split the Newcastle centre-backs to play Dyer in on goal, yet the 24-year-old dragged his effort wide of Tim Krul’s goalmouth.

The Dutchman was then on hand to thwart the midfielder’s own attempt from distance.

The lively Hatem Ben Arfa had an effort that crashed against the side netting following a mazy run, yet the visitors continued to look the more threatening and only a brilliant save from Krul prevented Michu from opening the scoring.

The Frenchman was then on hand to tee up Demba Ba with a driven cross from distance. Yet the Senegalese striker, limited to long-ball service for much of the half, was unable to direct his header on goal.

Up popped Ben Arfa again to force a superb save from Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal before Itay Shechter failed to guide the ball beyond Krul as the half ended goalless.

The introduction of Shola Ameobi after the break in place of Shane Ferguson gave Newcastle added impetus, with the striker teeing up Vurnon Anita to drive at goal from distance.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Ba gifted two opportunities in quick succession, but the striker failed to threaten on both occasions.

However, a poor Krul clearance gifted Laudrup’s men an opportunity on the break, and the Dutchman was made to pay.

Hernandez picked up the ball on the halfway line, and drove down the flank before teeing up Michu to head Swansea into a deserved lead.

The home crowd’s frustrations were increased as Newcastle continued to prove wasteful in the final third – Sammy Ameobi a major culprit – while Swansea looked increasingly likely to score a second.

The visitors soon wrapped up the points with de Guzman the first to pounce on a rebound from a Krul save and drive the ball home from a tight angle.

Newcastle may have hoped to have salvaged a point after Ba’s late header, but their stuttering start to the season continues.

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Milan by but Allegri wants more

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his side were unfortunate to lose to Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday.

Portuguese star Danny scored the only goal after 35 minutes, however, Malaga's positive record against Milan meant that the Italians would finish second in Group C regardless of the result.

And it means Milan have still to win at home in Europe's premier competition this term but Allegri is adamant that record must be last Tuesday.

"We created many chances and played with a good pace but unfortunately we indulged in what was their only chance in the game," Allegri told Milan's official website.

"At this moment the objective is Torino (in the Serie A on Sunday), third place is still far away. We will think of each game as it comes, in the Italian cup also.

"Acerbi and Zapata played well and very little to Zenit admitted. We were not missing to bet, the team played well from a technical point of view, although the motivation may not have been the highest.

"We didn't deserve to lose all, I am disappointed for the players but we have to start not to concede goals. Twenty goals in 21 matches is too much, we must do better in certain situations.

"I am pleased with the individual performances including Mesbah and Ambrosini, who came back from injuries.

"We will see about Montolivo in the next few days, if there is no risk, he won't be on the field against Torino."

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Rogic continues to rise to fame

Central Coast young gun Tom Rogic is announced as the second candidate for the 2012/13 NAB young footballer of the year Award.

Rogic is a striking for the Mariners on a number of occasions this season have been of the A-League, with its peak comes in round five against Sydney FC where he netted a double in the team 7-2 victory.

His year, capped off with a debut for AZ against South Korea. last month, and he made much use of his chance by impressive coach Holger Osieck, who since the 19-year-old has selected in Australia's squad for the qualifiers for East Asian Cup.

Despite his rapid rise to fame, Rogic still wants to build his game and the Mariners as one of his highest priorities.

"The past month is not only been great for myself but for the club, the Mariners sit at the top of the table and we have so hopefully we can keep building on that a few good results," said Rogic.

"For myself, my first call-up for the national team was a great honor, and I feel very privileged and very grateful for the opportunity.

"It was great to my debut against South Korea and to be here for the East Asian World Cup qualifiers is even better."

Rogic joins Newcastle Jets midfielder Craig Goodwin as a candidate for the price. Four more players will be nominated during the rest of the season of the A-League.

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Pedro tips Messi for Ballon d´Or

Pedro Rodriguez says he wants Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

The Argentina international has lifted the trophy in each of the past three seasons and is once again on course to battle it out for the award.

Messi is one of 23 nominees in with a chance of landing the prize, with fellow Barca stars Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez also in the running.

But Pedro says he feels Messi is the most deserving.

“My vote would go to Messi,” he told Marca.com.

“If not then I am also hoping for a Spanish win for Xavi, Andres, Iker (Casillas) or Sergio (Ramos). My vote would be Leo, Xavi and Andres.”

Messi won the European Golden Boot award in October, after scoring a remarkable 50 Liga goals last season.

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Inter tracking Jung, Quintero

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio says they are interested in signing Sebastian Jung and Pescara midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero.

Ausilio revealed on Thursday how the club had failed in their bid to acquire the services of former Pescara midfielder Marco Verratti during the summer transfer window, with the 20-year-old eventually moving to Paris Saint-Germain.

But Ausilio admitted Inter remain keen to bolster their squad, with two players under close scrutiny as the January window approaches.

“He (Eintracht Frankfurth right-back Jung) is a young lad. I can’t deny that we’re following him. But just because we’re observing him doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve taken steps to sign him,” he told the club’s official website.

“We tried (to sign Quintero) but we would have had to structure the move in collaboration with other clubs, and in the end we had to give up.

“We’re still following him however, and I’m glad he came to Italy because he’s a young, talented kid who’s doing well.”

Andrea Stramaccioni’s side have made a fine start to the Serie A season, sitting in second place and just four points behind leaders Juventus.

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Flores geared for Adelaide return

Melbourne Victory stars Marcos Flores is to anticipate a heated reception of Adelaide United fans in his first appearance against his old side.

The Argentine midfielder claimed the Johnny Warren Medal play in a shirt Adelaide in the season of the A-League 2010-11 scoring nine goals in the process.

Flores, 27, says he has great respect for his former club and the fans on him on Friday evening, however, Hindmarsh stadium react.

"I expect the people to express freedom, they can express what they want," Flores said on Wednesday.

"I sleep quietly every day in my bed every night, because I gave them (Adelaide) everything ... 110 percent to them.

"I am peaceful myself, my heart is with many of the peace, but they can express what they want and I am glad to receive."

Ange Postecoglou victory have their season turned on its head in recent times, winning five of their last seven since a 5-0 drubbing hands of Champions Brisbane Roar.

Despite playing for the club with the biggest fanbase in the A-League, Flores said that he feels no more pressure to churn out positive results.

"It's beautiful, pressure," he said.

"If that (winning for the fans) how we press mention is my life, I would like the pressure. Pressure lives in Argentina, and (you) not good salary to feed your family – that is pressure.

"But I live a good life, and I do what I love, and every teammate is doing what we love, and we are in a major club, and we want to do our best."

That heavy losses to the ROAR winger/attacker Andrew Nabbout debut was, but if this a baptism with fire was meant to scare the teenager from professional football, failed the heavy.

Since then, Nabbout scored a memorable match-winning brace to help repel victory bitter rivals Sydney FC 3-2 away, before they also on target in the 2-2 tie with the club Central Coast Mariners.

But said that he knows that he has much Nabbout of hard work for him to build his fitness runs a full 90 minutes – something that he is still to do in the A-League.

"I just get too slowly to the guys as soon as I can. I hope in the next couple of games to get this fitness levels up because I want to be at the level of the other guys to keep during the game, "said Nabbout.

"In the last game I found myself puffing in the first 20 minutes, so that can't happen throughout the season. I just have to continue working hard, and listen to the coaches, and I get there very soon. "

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Hersi plans quick clash with Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers winger Youssouf Hersi has vowed to help end of their mini-form left slump against Brisbane Roar champions.

The Ethiopian born flyer has missed the last two games after he was sent for lashing out at Scott Jamieson in the club 1-0 win over Perth last month.

Hersi said it was hard watching as the club to back-to-back defeats Melbourne Victory and Wellington over the last two weeks struggled and he was ready to make amends.

The 30-year-old, who two injury-riddled seasons abroad for his coming to the A-League newcomers endure, was in sensational form before his forced lay-off and he is desperate to resume where he left off.

' I feel good on the field and I'm glad the coach put me in and have confidence in me and I want him to pay back, "Hersi said on Wednesday.

"The last two games that I couldn't help the coach and my team but I will against Brisbane.

"We need to get back on the rails. We play at home, we have a lot of support, good fans and hopefully I will try anything to help the team.

"I'm ready, can't wait. I have so much energy and excited about it. It is the first game of the season for me. "

The return of an enormous boost for Western Sydney will Hersi, who will benefit from the additional option and the pace in the front third.

It is no secret that the wanderers goals, netting just five times in nine games this season.

But believes the team scoring woes understandable Hersi and he wants the club to get critics from their backs.

"We have just together for four months ... we just started the club," stressed the former Ajax striker.

"If you see the other teams that they have been together for many years and some players play a long time together.

"Why make problems if nothing?

"Everyone is busy us now that we not goals, but it doesn't matter, the goals will come.

"We just need to have confidence, play well and we'll see what happens at the end of the season."

But for now is their only emphasis to overcoming the ROAR in Parramatta Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite only one of their last four games to win, said Popovic that his side had enough faith after defeating the ROAR 1-0 Suncorp Stadium earlier this season.

"That came after our first three games, we had not scored, had not won a game and the players put in a very good performance on that day and we definitely take confidence from that," said Popovic.

"So we go into game with a certain State of mind.

"We're playing at home and we are convinced that we can need the result."

The wanderers are still without midfielder Aaron Mooy that road with the AZ. on the East Asian World Cup qualifiers.

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Metzelder enjoy Real Madrid prospect

Schalke Defender Christoph Metzelder was happy after his side qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of Group B.

The Bundesliga outfit came away from their trip to Montpellier with a 1-1 tie on Tuesday which left them top of the standings.

Benedikt Howedes headed by Schalke in the foreground after 56 minutes, and although Emanuel Herrera equalised three minutes later for Montpellier, a point was enough if Arsenal can't be beat Olympiakos in Greece.

"Of course we are happy to have finished the group for Arsenal, as they are one of the great teams in the Champions League," said Metzelder.

The 32-year-old also spoke about the possibility of facing former employers Real Madrid in the first round of the knock-out phase.

"Real Madrid would be fantastic opponents in the next phase," he added.

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Premier League: West Brom 2 Chelsea 1

Shane Long was the star as West Brom dealt Chelsea’s title hopes a blow with a hard-fought win at the Hawthorns.

Long scored the first and set up the second on Saturday to give the Baggies a victory which cements their best start to a league season in 35 years and extends the Blues’ winless Premier League run to four matches.

The result gave West Brom boss Steve Clarke a famous triumph over his former club, while Roberto Di Matteo tasted defeat at the same ground where Andre Villas-Boas’ Blues reign ended last term.

Chelsea started brightly and, on seven minutes, Victor Moses’ pull-back found Ryan Bertrand, whose shot was cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell, with Jonas Olsson blocking Eden Hazard’s rebound.

But against the run of play it was the hosts who took the lead three minutes later with their first meaningful attack.

Zoltan Gera pulled the ball back to James Morrison, whose pinpoint cross found Long and, having evaded a statuesque David Luiz, the Irishman nodded in from close range.

The Baggies continued to look dangerous going forward, and on 35 minutes Long shrugged off Cahill before curling a low effort just wide of Cech’s post.

It was a miss they rued four minutes later when Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging cross was met by Hazard, and his back-post header deflected off Billy Jones and past Myhill.

Sturridge and Moses both threatened as Chelsea finished the half strongly, but wayward finishing ensured both sides went in level at the break.

The visitors began the second half as they had ended the first, and on 47 minutes Moses’ driving run and cross found Sturridge, who tested Myhill with a fierce strike on the turn.

But three minutes later West Brom edged ahead again, with Long the provider this time.

After a sweeping counterattack, the Irishman curled a superb ball in from the right for Peter Odemwingie, who nodded in his fourth league goal of the season at the near post.

Chelsea pushed on again, and a minute later only a sliding block from Olsson denied Sturridge a simple tap-in from another dangerous Azpilicueta delivery.

Di Matteo introduced Mata and Oscar for Oriol Romeu and the ineffective Fernando Torres just after the hour, with Sturridge assuming his preferred role as central striker.

The changes almost had the desired effect when, with 12 minutes left, the Spaniard sent Sturridge clear, but the youngster’s firm strike was well saved by Myhill from close range.

Four minutes from time Sturridge missed another guilt-edged chance, but West Brom held on.

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Burns vows to continue aggressive

Perth Glory Captain Jacob Burns says that he will maintain his robust approach if he focuses on a return to competitive action on Saturday.

The 34-year-old missed last weekend's defeat at the Melbourne Victory as a result have suffered five yellow cards suspension in so many games are tally to 32 in take 81 A-League matches.

But he has no intention of weakening of the physicality and will stick to his style in this weekend collision with Melbourne Heart.

"To be fair, that I'm tired of even talking about it," he said. "There is more to my game than that.

"I said that often enough, that I play the game in a manner that has served me well during my entire career.

"If I went into games thinking about cards hanging over my head, I would have the same player, so I don't have a thing about my game doesn't change.

"People who play in my position make more rigs than anyone else and you're on that fine line if you're in there and under it.

"I am also the captain and the leader of the club and I feel a responsibility to the questions and sometimes referees do not believe that, but I'm still to go about my business."

Burns was equally bullish when defending his side run of four matches without victory, insisting that there are no major changes are needed to last season's beaten grand finalists to get back to winning ways.

"To be honest, that the Group is disappointed from the back of the maximum points are not getting a few home games," he said. "But we're not disappointed in the way that we play.

"People who understand football will agree that we have dominated just about every game we have played and created numerous chances, so it's just a matter of time before the start hitting the back of the net.

"I don't think much needs to change, really.

"It would be different if we weren't creating opportunities and teams were getting and scoring loads of goals against us, but that is not the case.

"We are confident, but we have set the bar high for ourselves on the back of last season.

"We want there and under it and the middle of the table is not where we want to be, but we are convinced that the business end of the season, we will be right up there."

The former Leeds United and Barnsley man looks certain to come back in the glory of eleven directly for the heart, but revealed that he not start collision may be accompanied by regular central midfielder partner Liam Miller.

Irishman Miller is still struggling to overcome the back problem that his late withdrawal from the team for last Friday meeting with Melbourne Victory forced.

"Liam not train today," said Burns. "But if he is fit, that is fantastic, because he's been in fantastic form, if he didn't, we got guys who can come in and do more than a good job.

"Liam poked itself would not there under-done, he would like to the right and if it is for this week, so be it and if not, I am sure we will see him in the near future."

And endorsed by club chief executive Paul Burns tribute to Kelly, who announced his intention to quit his post earlier in the day.

"The admin and the way the club is run is for the guys at the top and on the Board of Directors," said Burns. "But how he goes, we wish him well and thank him for the support he has given us during his time here.

"It's never an easy role in every club and he has done a fantastic job."

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Reappointed Berger rues slow progress

Han Berger says that he is not satisfied with his progress after being reappointed as Football Federation Australia's national technical director.

Berger is set to remain as technical director until July 2014 after FFA CEO David Gallop announced the extension of his contract on Wedesday.

The 62-year-old Dutchman got the FFA main technical role in January 2009 and its national football curriculum four months later, but remains convinced that Australia has a long way to go in the football-development introduced.

"I welcome the opportunity to continue my work with FFA that me great satisfaction and pleasure in the past four years," said Berger.

"I'm not satisfied that we have gone as far as we can go in the lifting of the quality of our football, our players and our coaches and getting the message that in Australia and I am glad that an extended deadline to do this.

"I would particularly like to see the advantage of enhanced coaching education programs and programs for talented players come to fruition with better results for our national youth teams, and eventually with the Qantas Socceroos and Westfield Matildas."

Berger hit Australia's youth development in July, claiming that some coaches do not understand his curriculum, while others have ignored his recommendations.

But despite the frustration, Berger looks forward to ' next steps ' in his project, while Gallop claimed that the Dutchman work is clearly improved Australian footballer.

"It is clear that the technical side of football development has advanced significantly during the four years that Han has been on board with FFA," Gallop said.

"Han produced the first ever national curriculum and is responsible for its implementation that has seen great progress in coach and player education.

"He has an impressive network established throughout Australia to do this, with great effect.

"Han is currently working on a second, expanded version of the Curriculum that will be launched early next year.

"It will be the implementation of the technical improvements that he has introduced to consolidate."

Berger's position is for only eight months per year because he the other four with his family in Netherlands during periods of limited football activity in Australia will spend.

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Premier League: Reading 2 Everton 1

Reading claimed their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Everton 2-1 in controversial circumstances.

Everton dominated proceedings throughout the first half at Madejski Stadium, opening the scoring after 10 minutes through Steven Naismith, but they failed to increase their lead and had two penalty shouts turned down.

Adam le Fondre pulled one back just after the break, however, and with the visitors going all out for the win the game became very open. With about 10 minutes remaining, Reading were awarded a penalty, after a foul on Le Fondre, and the striker tucked it away to hand his side their first victory of the season.

Moyes’ men did not have to wait long for the breakthrough, and they did not have to work that hard for it either – the Royals’ defence absolutely gifting them the opening goal.

Chris Gunter failed to rid the danger when his sliced clearance went up high and into his own box, then a mix-up between Kaspars Gorkss and Sean Morrison firstly allowed Marouane Fellaini to win the ball.

The hosts then half-cleared the danger, only for Nikica Jelavic to win it back and cross for the arriving Naismith – finding Gorkss and his defensive colleagues asleep once more.

Although Reading had a brilliant chance to level straight away, Le Fondre beating Tim Howard to a loose ball but lifting it over the bar as he tried to evade the men on the line, the rest of the first-half pressure all came from the visiting side.

Steven Pienaar nearly doubled the score, but dragged his right-footed shot wide, before Everton saw the first of two penalty appeals turned away. Gorkss slid in recklessly from behind on Naismith, getting none of the ball, but the referee waved play on.

The visitors continued to create openings, Leon Osman seeing a one-on-one saved by Adam Federici and Phil Jagielka having a glancing header cleared off the line, while they could have had another penalty when Jelavic’s drive struck Morrison’s hand, but for all their dominance the half ended 1-0.

After the break, however, Reading got themselves back into the game though Le Fondre. The forward rose the highest and got his head on the end of Nicky Shorey’s dangerous free-kick, beating Tim Howard with a thumping effort.

The game then become incredibly open. Thomas Hitzlsperger wasted a clear opening by allowing Sean Morrison to get back and block his effort, before the Everton man was then exposed at the other end by Roberts, who played in Le Fondre only for the Royals’ goalscorer to scuff it into Howard’s arms.

As the clash became more stretched, Le Fondre looked to be in on goal after a quick counter-attack but Seamus Coleman came out of nowhere to disposess him with a fantastic, goal-saving tackle.

The defender soon turned from hero to zero, though, as he conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge from behind on Le Fondre, bundling the forward to the ground.

Reading’s number nine took it himself, sending Howard the wrong way and giving his side the lead and their first three points of the campaign.

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