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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