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Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona has confirmed Alejandro Sabella will take over as the country’s national team coach.AFA general secretary Jose Luis Meiszner last week revealed former Estudiantes boss Sabella was the organisation’s first choice to succeed Sergio Batista, who was sacked after Argentina’s dismal Copa America showing last month.

Grondona has validated his colleague’s comments, but said there would no formal unveiling, with Sabella’s appointment now common knowledge.

“The details are being finalised but Sabella has already been presented (in the media) and will be coach from here … until the World Cup in Brazil, contingent on Argentina qualifying for the tournament,” Grondona said, referring to the FIFA showcase in 2014.

Sabella, 56, had been expected to take over United Arab Emirates team Al-Jazira, having signed an agreement to coach the United Arab Emirates Pro-League club back on June 11.

But he failed to arrive in the country on schedule, opting instead to take up the opportunity to lead his national team.

After a playing career that included spells at River Plate, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Estudiantes, Sabella served regularly as an assistant coach to Daniel Passarella, head coach of Argentina between 1994 and 1998.

Passarella and Sabella also worked together with Uruguay, Parma, Corinthians of Brazil and Mexican side Monterrey.

Sabella then led Estudiantes to Copa Libertadores glory in 2009 and the Argentine Apertura title a year later, before resigning in February 2011.

He made four appearances as a player for the Argentina national team.

Swansea City have booked their place in the Championship play-off final with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.The Welsh outfit held Forest to a 0-0 draw in their semi-final first leg at The City Ground, but Swansea took the upper hand in the space of five first-half minutes on Monday at Liberty Stadium, when Leon Britton and Stephen Dobbie both scored.

Robert Earnshaw hit back for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining, but after Forest shot-stopper Lee Camp came up for a late corner, Swansea sealed the win through Darren Pratley’s effort into an empty net from the halfway line.

After Swansea monopolised possession in the opening exchanges, it was the visitors who almost went ahead after five minutes courtesy of a brilliant counter attack.

Attacker Nathan Tyson was freed down the right hand side and his cut-back pass found a surging David McGoldrick, but his left-footed shot skimmed the crossbar with City goalkeeper Dorus de Vries beaten.

The home side responded with their own chance, going within inches of an 18th-minute lead when attacker Fabio Borini also struck the crossbar.

The Italian attacker produced a fine turn before his right-foot shot was deflected onto the bar after a desperate block from Forest defender Wes Morgan.

But Swansea did open the scoring 10 minutes later thanks to a fine individual effort from Britton.

The midfielder received a short corner before being given too much space by the Forest defence, curling a left-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the area with Camp unmoved.

The tie was all but over when they got a second through Dobbie five minutes later.

He played a one-two with Nathan Dyer before beating two markers and placing across Camp and into the bottom corner.

Nottingham should have been back in the game early in the second half when Tyson again carved out an opportunity, cutting back for Marcus Tudgay, who inexplicably fired over the bar from close range.

Forest did pull a goal back when Earnshaw got in behind the Welsh club’s defence to fire home a right-footed shot in the 80th minute, making for a tense finale.

Earnshaw almost single-handedly forced extra time when he hit the woodwork in injury time, making it the third time Forest found a goal post in the match.

But with Camp desperately trying to help his side score an injury-time equaliser from a corner, Pratley took full advantage on the rebound by striking a swinging ball straight into the heart of an empty net, moving Swansea one step closer to the Premier League.

Newcastle made their best start to a season for 17 years with first half goals from Demba Ba and Jonas Gutierrez giving them a 2-1 win against Wolves at Molineux.

Alan Pardew’s men have yet to taste defeat in the current campaign and are now sitting pretty in third place after their hard fought victory in the Midlands. Ba carried on where he left off last week against Blackburn scoring the opener before a superb solo strike from Gutierrez gave the Magpies some breathing space. A late charge from the home side saw Steven Fletcher pull one back before a penalty shout was tuned down and Kevin Doyle had a legitimate goal disallowed in stoppage time. Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy had some harsh words for referee Mark Halsey at the final whistle whilst those in away dugout breathed a huge sigh of relief after the late drama. A side built on a relatively small budget is oozing confidence at the moment and it was unthinkable eight weeks ago to think they’d be just four points off the Premier League summit. Credit must fall at the feet of Pardew who has made his team hard to break down and also breathed new life into a clutch of strikers written off before a ball had even been kicked.

Tim Krul has also seen his stock rise after a series of commanding displays in goal and he showed why he is so highly rated making a series of superb saves in the opening exchanges. Firstly he dived low to keep out Jamie O’Hara’s free kick before twice denying Doyle. He then pulled off a miraculous double save from Fletcher and Adam Hammill as the home side dominated early on. Those saves proved crucial as the visitors finally got into their groove and took the lead through Ba. He and Leon Best are clearly benefiting from the faith shown in them by Pardew and the Senegalese striker was again on target after hitting a hat trick at St James’ Park last week. he took just 17 minutes to find the net heading in Yohan Cabaye’s corner from the left. With a mix of deadly pace and power in attack it was no surprise when they doubled their lead through Gutierrez seven minutes before half time. The Argentine isn’t renowned for scoring goals and he’ll remember this one for a while surging past four challenges before slotting past Wayne Hennessey to celebrate the new contract he signed just days prior in style.

Wolves were then denied a penalty just minutes later with Steven Taylor’s foul on O’Hara deemed to have taken place just outside the area with McCarthy furious on the touchline. The second half didn’t contain much excitement until Fletcher nodded in the hosts consolation before Doyle had his effort chalked off in controversial circumstances. Hammill’s deep cross was headed back across by Matt Jarvis into the path of Doyle who planted the ball past Krul. The Wolves players spun away to celebrate only to see their joy turn to despair with the assistant referee raised his flag after judging that Hammill’s cross had incorrectly gone out of play. It proved to be decisive as the Magpies held on to keep their impressive run going and leave the home side staring at a fourth consecutive defeat.

Get over to Goaldash and check your numbers to see what you might have won!

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Arsenal have been the busiest team on transfer deadline day, signing Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun before the window closed.

Arsene Wenger had spoken of his desire to strengthen his squad, especially following the 8-2 humbling by Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, and has spent big to bring new faces to the Emirates.

Spaniard Arteta has joined from Everton in a £10 million deal, and will go some way to plugging the hole left by countryman Cesc Fabregas. The Telegraph has stated that the former Rangers midfielder has taken a dramatic wage cut, from £75,000-a-week to £55,000-a-week, to secure a move to The Gunners, and David Moyes could not stand in his way.

“Mikel indicated to me he wished to join Arsenal. I am very disappointed to lose him but the prospect of Champions League football was something I was not able to offer him,” the Goodison Park boss admitted.

As expected, defensive duo Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos have moved to North London to steady the side’s backline, with the Germany international costing £9 million and the Brazilian £6.2 million; both completed medicals on Tuesday and officially signed on Wednesday.

Finally, Benayoun has joined Wenger’s men on a one-year loan deal from rivals Chelsea. The Israel international has had an injury plagued time at Stamford Bridge and was forced down the pecking order by The Blues’ signature of Juan Mata; he will hope to get more first team action in North London.

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Manchester United moved back to the top of Group C of the Champions League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Otelul Galati on Wednesday night.

An early goal from Antonio Valencia had the Old Trafford faithful hoping that the floodgates would open, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for a second, when Wayne Rooney’s shot took a deflection off Cristian Sarghi to seal the victory.

After the game Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of the importance of getting three points against the Romanians.

“Winning was important. The opposition were very aggressive, they defended well, pressed us everywhere and made it difficult for us,” he told Sky Sports.

“The win makes it more comfortable for us at the top of the group and if we beat Benfica we win the group, it’s as simple as that. It should be a very good night.”

Ferguson started Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen in attack, but the English striker had to be replaced in the early exchanges with a new injury.

“It’s a blow for the lad. He’s done a thigh muscle and it’s a complete freak. I feel for him. It’s difficult to say how long-term it is,” the Scottish coach continued.

With the two fringe attackers starting up front, Rooney started in a central midfield role, and his manager was happy with the performance put in by the England star.

“I thought he was fantastic in central midfield. His awareness of people around him and choice of passing was really good. He did very well for us tonight.

“I think it’s a short-term thing at the moment. It’s difficult to say. The opposition played really well against us tonight but I’d be confident of playing him there (against bigger teams),” Ferguson concluded.

United received a boost in the other game in the pool, as Benfica dropped points by drawing 1-1 with Basel at the Estadio da Luz.

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Rodrigo Moreno put the Portuguese side into the lead after less than five minutes, but the Swiss visitors fought back and a goal from Benjamin Huggel in the second half meant the spoils were shared.

United host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, and will look to make up ground on cross-town rivals and current league leaders Manchester City.

By Gareth McKnight

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Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the top four hang in the balance after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Norwich on Monday.

Anthony Pilkington gave the courageous visitors the lead after 13 minutes, before Jermain Defoe equalised with a deft chip over John Ruddy just after the half hour mark.

However, an Elliott Bennett strike in the second half gave the Canaries victory at White Hart Lane, meaning that Spurs stay two points behind Arsenal in the standings.

Harry Redknapp admitted that it was a poor result for his team, and prioritised finishing in the top four rather than winning back third place.

“We have not been in bad form the last few weeks, but today was a setback. We had a bad day,” he confessed to Sky Sports.

“It is all still to play for though.

“It is going to be close, but there are still five games to go. It is the team who wants it most.

“We would settle for finishing fourth, Champions League football is the key.

“It would be lovely to finish above Arsenal, but that is going to be tough now.

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“It is still all to play for – Chelsea have to play Arsenal, Newcastle have to play Chelsea, Chelsea have to play Liverpool away, so who knows?” he stated.

By Gareth McKnight

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As the noisy neighbours begin to establish themselves in the blue half of Manchester, Sir Alex Ferguson will surely need to look over a number of incredibly disappointing results so far this season and re-establish his side as the dominant club in Manchester when the summer transfer window kicks in.

When Manchester City became the richest club in football, marking their intention with the signing of Robinho and then vowing to purchase every major superstar in Europe, Alex Ferguson simply seemed to dismiss them as an annoying younger brother trying to make himself heard—and rightfully so. The Manchester United boss has managed to overcome every challenge he’s had to face: from Keegan’s Newcastle, Arsenal’s Invincibles to, most recently, Abramovich’s millions, Ferguson continues to swat away those who attempt to dethrone him from the summit of the Premier League. But as the second half of the season begins to gather momentum, the reigning champions still find themselves in second place to their city rivals and off the back of a number of disappointing results over the festive period. With all the resources at Manchester City, and despite where the title ends up this season, could this summer be one of the most important during Ferguson’s time at United?

There is absolutely no reason to suggest that Manchester City will out-do United for the next five consecutive years; history dictates that there has never and might never be a situation like that where Sir Alex is involved. However, the shortcomings in this United side are plain for all to see; there could even be a suggestion that the purchases made by the club in recent transfer windows are not of the quality to combat the current threats in the league and in Europe. As Wayne Rooney has expressed in the past, he does not feel the club are showing enough ambition with the type of player they are bringing in.

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Now, far be it from me to suggest where Alex Ferguson is going wrong in his transfer policy, but there are supporters who can see that a creative outlet in the centre of the pitch is perhaps the area of the squad that needs addressing first. There is a great core of young players, especially in the possible future centre-back pairing in Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, but the squad do need taking to the next level. But if the unthinkable happens—from a United fan’s perspective at least—and City win the league title and continue to attract star players who will further their club’s reputation, should there be cause for concern for at least the short-term future of Manchester United, considering as well that Ferguson could be calling it a day within the next few years.

Surely the last thing the Manchester United manager wants to do is retire with the club as second best in the city. It would be a tremendous shame considering what he has done to overhaul Liverpool’s 18 league titles and continue to place the club in the top three or four in Europe. But much like the case at other clubs in the Premier League and around Europe, there is a necessary cause for action amongst managers who need to keep up with ever-changing landscape of football.

At the same time, I also believe Alex Ferguson has enough respect for every new challenge that comes up against the dynasty he has created. A manager who lives for the challenges that people such as Jose Mourinho present; there is very little reason to believe he won’t take action when it’s needed. But that time must come in the summer. As City look to impress the world and strike fear into the Premier League with a huge spending spree, Sir Alex needs to bite back with an equally impressive move. It allows the club to keep face in what will be another intense battle next season.

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Manchester City have fined striker Carlos Tevez four weeks wages and given him a written warning after investigating Roberto Mancini’s claims that the attacker refused to come off the bench against Bayern Munich back in September.

The South American maintains his innocence, but the Etihad Stadium outfit have sided with their Italian coach and believe the forward to be guilty of improper conduct and breach of contract.

The club have also handed down a two-week suspension to the ex-Boca Juniors goalscorer, which has already been served in the wake of the controversy.

“Manchester City football club can confirm that a disciplinary hearing has been concluded in relation to a charge of misconduct by Carlos Tevez,” a statement on the official website reads.

“The charge relates to events during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich on 27th September 2011.

“Following a detailed investigation and associated hearing, a disciplinary panel has upheld the charge of misconduct. Five separate breaches of contract formed the basis of the decision by the panel.

“As a result Carlos Tevez has been fined four weeks’ wages and has been suspended for a period of two weeks (deemed to have already been served). He has received a written warning as to his future conduct.

“Carlos Tevez has been informed in writing of the decision of the disciplinary panel, and the Club has written to the Professional Footballers Association for ratification of the fine,” it concluded.

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The news is not unexpected, and will be another motivation for the player to leave the current Premier League leaders come the January transfer window.

By Gareth McKnight

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Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he is ‘90% certain’ that he will not leave Inter Milan for Manchester United during the January transfer window.

The Netherlands international was linked with a move to Old Trafford during the summer, but in the end the Serie A side kept hold of their star playmaker.

Sir Alex Ferguson has not replaced Paul Scholes, who retired in the summer, and is thought to covet a new attacking midfielder to give the side a creative boost.

Despite reports in the press that United have made another bid for the 27-year-old, Sneijder is not expecting to leave Claudio Ranieri’s men in the next month.

“If I must give a percentage for it, I think I am 90 per cent certain I will stay,” he told Voetbal International.

“I enjoy myself here at the moment and at this point I don’t have anything to choose from.

“I don’t say that I am 100% certain, because something unexpected can always happen,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Sir Alex Ferguson has called upon Manchester United to show their title rivals who’s boss and take a step closer to a record 19th title. You do sense that victory at the Emirates will be enough to see them home and secure their first leg towards a Domestic and Euro double.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include West Ham at risk of financial oblivion; Ancelotti believes it is Europe or bust for Tottenham, while McAllister believes it is time for Aston Villa to live up to their status.

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Fábregas has struggled, says Wenger – Guardian

Fergie tells United: Now let’s show them who’s boss – Mirror

West Ham at risk of financial oblivion – Guardian

It’s Europe or bust for Tottenham warns Ancelotti – Mirror

Dalglish: Too soon to judge transfers – Guardian

McAllister tells Villa, it’s time to live up to our status – Independent

Redknapp targets Osvaldo as Spurs manager seeks more firepower – Daily Mail

Bruce: Black Cats must sign eight – Sun

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Swedish wonderkid Guidetti snubs new deal at Man City – Daily Mail

Liverpool delay signing of injured Rennes midfielder Marveaux – Daily Mail

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Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!