Chelsea v Middlesbrough Highlights Video

Chelsea captain John Terry is fit again after his back injury and is in the squad to face Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Terry missed two games with a back spasm but, while he returns, co-defender Ricardo Carvalho is out for 10 days with a hamstring problem.

Striker Didier Drogba continues in the squad but is likely to start on the substitutes' bench again.

Assistant first-team coach Ray Wilkins insists Chelsea are in good shape to face a month that could potentially define their season.

The Blues have three home games in the Barclays Premier League, beginning with the Boro clash, plus Hull and Wigan.

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West Bromwich Albion 0 - 5 Manchester United Highlights Video

West Bromwich Albion 0 - 5 Manchester United

	Dimitar Berbatov (22)
	Carlos Tevez (44)
	Nemanja Vidic (60)
	Cristiano Ronaldo (65)
	Cristiano Ronaldo (73)

West Brom 0 - Manchester United 5 (Premier League, January 27, 2009) At the Hawthorns, Dimitar Berbatov had the first shot on target, drilling a shot straight at Carson. And it was Berbatov who broke the deadlock, combining beautifully with Michael Carrick to slot in the opener for United. West Brom were fortunate not to fall further behind when Carlos Tevez steered a shot just wide from a Ronaldo cross. The Baggies were then served a crippling blow when captain Paul Robinson picked up a straight red for a challenge on Park Ji-Sung. And the Baggies were put to the sword when a horrendous fumble from butterfingers Carson allowed Tevez the simple job for scoring the second. (First half highlights here.) West Brom came within inches of pulling a goal back when Ryan Donk pierced a hole through the United defence only to see his effort crash against the post. And the miss proved costly, Nemanja Vidic met Giggs’ corner in full force to head in the third before Giggs (who had another great game) teed up Cristiano Ronaldo for the fourth. Ronaldo, back in the goals, chalked up the fifth from Berbatov’s lay-off.


West Bromwich Albion 0 - 5 Manchester United Video

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Sunderland v Fulham Highlights Video

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia is expected to turn to his big guns once again for Fulham's Barclays Premier League trip to the Stadium of Light.

The Scot rested strikers Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse, as well as midfielders Dean Whitehead and El-Hadji Diouf, from the starting line-up for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Blackburn, but all four could return.

Teemu Tainio is available after serving a one-match ban, while George McCartney could feature once again after returning from his long-term foot injury as a substitute at the weekend, and Paul McShane can play after being cup-tied.

Sbragia is determined to build his Sunderland team around Kenwyne Jones after rebuffing Tottenham's latest approach.

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Bologna 1 - 4 AC Milan Highlights Video

Bologna 1 - 4 AC Milan

Marco Di Vaio (pen 9)	Clarence Seedorf (13)
	Kaká (pen 17)
	Kaká (43)
	David Beckham (59)

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini insists the Rossoneri will not be travelling to Bologna with the aim of taking revenge for their shock 2-1 home defeat to the Rossoblu on the opening weekend of the season.

Milan notched up their first win of 2009 with a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina at the San Siro last weekend and will be keen to decrease the six-point gap to leaders Inter Milan with a win tomorrow.

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Real Madrid 1-0 Deportivo La Coruña Highlights Video

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Deportivo La Coruña

Raúl (40)

Real Madrid trimmed Barcelona's lead at the summit back to 12 points after seeing off Deportivo La Coruna with a 1-0 win, but the entertainment that has become commonplace at the Nou Camp this season was sorely lacking at the Bernabeu.

Raul struck the only goal of a largely drab encounter just before the break as Madrid gained revenge for their 2-1 defeat in La Coruna on the opening day of the season.

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Deportivo La Coruña Video

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Cardiff City 0-0 Arsenal Highlights Video

Cardiff City 0 - 0 Arsenal

Cardiff 0 - Arsenal 0 (FA Cup, January 25, 2009) Cardiff took the cup tie to Arsenal in the first half creating a host of goal-scoring opportunities including seeing Ross McCormack miss with a header from Joe Ledley’s fine left-wing cross. In the second half Robin van Persie steered a free-kick just wide of the post. Minutes before time Ross McCormack forced a fine save from Fabianski with a curling free-kick.

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Liverpool 1-1 Everton Highlights Video

Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton

Steven Gerrard (54)Joleon Lescott (27)

Liverpool 1 - Everton 1 (FA Cup, January 25, 2009) Everton travelled to neighbours Liverpool for the second time in week in the final FA Cup tie of the round, and the blue half of Merseyside went mental when Tim Cahill (watch his sneaky run into the box from behind the goalline) headed a corner into Joleon Lescott who in turn steered home the opener. Early in the second half the Reds levelled, Torres skillfully played in Steven Gerrard and his shot beat Tim Howard embarrassingly at his near post.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton

FA CUP- Liverpool 1:1 Everton

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Manchester United 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur Highlights Video

Manchester United 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Paul Scholes (35)	Roman Pavlyuchenko (5)
Dimitar Berbatov (36)

Manchester United 2 - Tottenham 1 (FA Cup, January 24, 2009) Against the odds, Spurs scored the opener at Old Trafford inside five minutes as Roman Pavlyuchenko glanced in Huddlestone’s cross past Foster. United’s best attacking moments were coming from Carlos Tevez, who rattled the bar from 20-yards out before forcing Ben Alnwick into a fine one-handed save to keep Spurs’ lead intact. The pressure eventually paid dividends, Paul Scholes opened his account for the season with a scruffy shot from the edge of the box before Dimitar Berbatov completed the turnaround with a textbook striker’s goal, controlling superbly and firing into the bottom corner.


FA CUP-ManU 2:1 Tottenham

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Derby County v Nottingham Forest: Preview

Defender Andy Todd and striker Steve Davies are likely to miss Derby's FA Cup fourth round clash against East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.

Both players had to be substituted due to injury in the Rams' Carling Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday night - Todd with a hamstring strain and Davies due to a groin problem.

Kris Commons required stitches in a gashed shin at Old Trafford but the midfielder is expected to be available to face his former club.

The tie throws together two teams with new managers - each with strong links with their opponents.

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Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur: Preview

Tottenham skipper Ledley King has a hamstring strain and will miss Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is back from suspension but Vedran Corluka (both thigh), Jermaine Jenas (calf) and Aaron Lennon are out.

Full-back Alan Hutton is out with a foot injury.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will give Ben Alnwick the chance to solve one of the problem areas of his squad.

Protecting a 4-1 lead from the first leg of the semi-final, first-choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is among a host of injuries Redknapp has to deal with, meaning Alnwick will make his Spurs debut.

Redknapp wants cover for Gomes, who has a thigh strain, but Alnwick has the chance to stake his claim as the Brazilian stopper's deputy while the search for a back-up goalkeeper continues.

Another concern for Redknapp is a lack of tenacity in his squad, which is why he wants Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios, with chairman Daniel Levy discussing personal terms with the 24-year-old after agreeing a fee with Wigan.

"We've agreed a deal and the chairman is talking to his people,'' Redknapp said. "Hopefully it will happen.''

Adding bite to his squad is also why he targeted Craig Bellamy, before Manchester City came in for the striker.

"I wanted Craig and would have loved him here,'' Redknapp said. "He's a fighter and wants to win, he also has terrific ability but once City come in it's difficult to compete because they are working on another level. We couldn't get anywhere near him.''

With his squad still being shaped, Redknapp will send out his strongest side possible against Burnley.

Darren Bent will be in the squad, three days after his glaring miss against Portsmouth - an opportunity Redknapp later suggested his wife could have scored.

Despite facing criticism for his comment, Redknapp said: "I don't regret saying it. If I had the hump every time somebody said something about me I wouldn't go out every morning. It's frightening really.

"Sometimes you say what you think and people take offence. I've spoken to him and there is no problem.

"You keep pussyfooting around with people - what am I supposed to say? Really good try? Really unlucky? He's really done his best with that?''

Redknapp is hoping for a different reaction from Spurs players to last season, when they won the Carling Cup then struggled to get results in the league.

"It didn't help league form last year as we only won three games after that until I arrived,'' Redknapp added. "I hope it has the reverse effect.

"The key is getting into the final and winning some league games - these are the two competitions that matter. We have to get to Wembley and stay in the Premier League. The FA Cup and UEFA are very secondary.''

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will be without skipper Steven Caldwell and striker Steve Thompson.

Defender Caldwell, who missed the first leg at White Hart Lane due to suspension, is banned again after being booked in last week's FA Cup win over QPR.

Thompson is cup-tied having played for Cardiff in an earlier round of the competition so Robbie Blake will return to the starting line-up.

Winger Wade Elliott is available again after missing Saturday's 2-1 defeat at neighbours Preston due to a one-match ban and should also claim a starting berth.

Coyle will also check on a couple of minor knocks as his side seek to defy the odds following a run of five defeats from seven games in all competitions.

The Clarets boss has urged his players to enjoy tomorrow`s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham and is confident they can win the match, even if the tie appears beyond them.

"You don't have to be Einstein to recognise that Tottenham Hotspur, with all their quality and a three-goal lead, are clear favourites,'' said Coyle.

"There's no doubt we're trying to climb Everest and beyond but I believe that if we play to our capabilities then we can win the match on the night.

"That's we'll look to do.

"For a Championship club to get to a semi-final shows you the extent of the journey we've had,'' added the former Bolton striker.

"We're there on merit and have had some terrific results which have got us here.

"I want the players to enjoy themselves and give the fans a victory for the terrific support they've given us this season.

"We have raised the bar for everybody in terms of expectation and we know we have the ingredients to make this club talked about.

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Manchester United v Derby County: Preview

Manchester United new boy Zoran Tosic could make his debut in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final against Derby.

Tosic was unveiled last week following his £8million move from Partizan Belgrade and Sir Alex Ferguson suggested it would be the end of February before the 21-year-old was ready to meet the physical demands of life in England.

But Ferguson appears to have had a change of heart and is considering naming Tosic in his squad to face the Rams, who hold a one-goal advantage from the first leg.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick has confirmed Ryan Giggs remains the shining example for Manchester United's entire squad to follow.

The veteran midfielder has been little more than a bit-part player this season, but has shown his class with a fine performance against Chelsea followed by a big role in the winning goal at Bolton on Saturday.

"Ryan is as motivated as anyone in the dressing room,'' said Carrick. "That is why he has been here for so long and achieved so much.

"If you win a league title, a lot of players might think 'that is not bad, I will settle for that'. But you can't get away with that here and Ryan is the obvious example of that.

"As players coming in you look at Ryan, see how motivated and determined he is and realise that is the way to be.

"He commands the respect of everyone in the dressing room. People look up to him. It is not so much asking his advice, it is to see what it takes to be a success in the game.''

Derby boss Nigel Clough is boosted by the return of defenders Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart for the tie.

Connolly missed the weekend defeat to QPR due to a one-match ban, while Stewart served the final game of his three-match suspension but both are set to return to bolster the Rams' defence.

However, Clough will be without on-loan striker Luke Varney who is cup-tied after playing for parent club Charlton earlier in the competition.

Defender Martin Albrechtsen returned from a knee injury to play 90 minutes against QPR and he is set to keep his place at the back after suffering no ill-effects.

Fellow defender Claude Davis is fit again after a hamstring injury and is pushing for a place among the substitutes, but striker Nathan Ellington has picked up a groin injury in training and misses out.

Clough remains optimistic his side can do the unthinkable and knock Manchester United out of the competition.

The Rams travel to Old Trafford for their semi-final second leg with a 1-0 lead after Kris Commons' strike gave them a surprise victory at Pride Park.

United are now firmly installed as Premier League favourites and are expected to put Clough's men back in their place, even if Sir Alex Ferguson fields a weakened side.

Clough remains optimistic, however, and said: "We are not sure what side they will put out but we are certainly capable of getting a result there, whether it be a draw to hang onto the lead or whatever.

"It is a long, long time since Derby have been to Wembley. That is the incentive and it should spur everyone on in training. We have got to look after the lead - so we won't be playing three up front - but you can't defend for 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

"When we get the opportunity to go forward we have to. We must have an element of a threat going forward in order to try to get us a goal. If we could get a goal at any point that would make their job that much more difficult.''

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Liverpool v Everton : Preview

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is not worried that Manchester United have taken his team's top spot in the Premier League and maintains their title bid is still on track.

United's 1-0 victory over Bolton on Saturday lifted them a point clear of Liverpool, who play Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield on Monday night.

Xabi Alonso (foot) and Fernando Torres (hamstring) have declared themselves fit to start for the Reds.

Fellow Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa is also set to return after a hamstring problem, although centre-back Daniel Agger (calf) may miss the game.

Benitez's rant at United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the row over his contract extension have raised questions over whether the Reds can handle the pressure of a title challenge.

However, the Liverpool boss insists their approach has not altered and they are unconcerned by the rise of United.

"The situation does not change, no matter what they do,'' said the Spaniard.

"We have to get three points in every single game and especially in the derby.

"I think it is important to understand when people talk about the title and your position in the table that I didn't expect in August to win the title in January.

"No-one can expect this. If you keep calm and analyse the situation you will know if you want to win the title it has to be maybe in May and to have Chelsea, Arsenal, now Aston Villa, and United in the title race is normal.

"We will try to stay there and if we cannot be (top) one week then the next week we have to think about getting three points and getting ahead again.

"I have a lot of confidence in my team.''

Benitez insists the club being in contention - having not won the championship since 1990 - has given his players an extra lift as the matches begin to get more important.

"There is a little bit of anxiety because we are in a fantastic position, but we have to be calm and take one game at a time,'' he added.

Everton manager David Moyes believes Mikel Arteta is in the form of his life going into the derby against the Reds.

The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder has become an increasingly influential figure at Goodison Park after arriving initially on loan four years ago.

Since reverting to a central midfield role, he has added goals to his game and scored his fifth of the season in the win over Hull last weekend.

If there were any doubts he would struggle to get over an operation in the summer to correct a stomach injury they have been firmly put to bed, according to Moyes.

The Everton manager will be without suspended midfielder Marouane Fellaini, as well as long-term injury victims James Vaughan (knee), Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles) and Louis Saha (hamstring).

Nuno Valente (knee) is missing too but Joseph Yobo could come into contention after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last four matches.

But there are no doubts over Arteta's fitness and contribution, and Moyes said: "Mikel is always looking to score goals and it was a terrific one last week.

"Hopefully he will get a few more - he is always practising. He has found another dimension to his game.

"We needed someone to put his foot on the ball and control the play for us in the middle of the park. That has given Mikel confidence and the team confidence.

"It has taken him a while to get over the injury but his form has been very good and he has been playing very well.

"We are pleased as he has been an influence on the side for several years.

"Maybe he slipped off it a little bit at the start of the season because of his injury but since he has come back, he has got himself into condition.''

Moyes admitted that Arteta - who had a spell at Rangers - found it difficult to adjust to the English game in 2005.

The Scot said: "We brought him in as a central midfield player and he looked a little bit lightweight for the Premier League.

"He has played on the right and the left as well as the middle. He is versatile and we will continue to use him that way.

"Mikkel is now competing and handling the pace of the game much better in the middle.''

Dead-ball specialist Arteta has yet to be recognised by Spain and Moyes added: "We have always been trying to get Mikel nearer the squad but the competition is incredible.

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Real Madrid v Osasuna: Preview

The newspaper allegations of a vote-rigging scandal that led to the resignation of Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon have overshadowed the club's preparations for the visit of Osasuna.

Calderon threw in the towel to be replaced by interim president Vicente Boluda after a torrid week of lurid headlines, but still professed his innocence from any wrong-doing at a news conference.

The champions are showing definite signs of improvement under Juande Ramos having registered their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win at Real Mallorca last weekend.

They have edged up to second in the standings but still trail leaders Barcelona by 12 points.

The feelgood factor generated by the turnaround in results, however, has now been overtaken by a sense of uncertainty at the prospect of a new presidential election and the newspaper headlines that will generate.

Madrid's experienced defender Michel Salgado has seen it all before at the nine-time European champions, and called for the players to keep their attentions trained on the pitch.

"We are on the up and need to isolate ourselves from everything that is going on,'' Salgado told sports daily AS.

"It's an institutional problem... and the players can do nothing about it. What we have to do is support the club, the current president, and focus on sporting matters.''

The match at the Bernabeu is shaping up to be a turbulent affair with fans expected to give their verdict on the week's events, and could offer up an uncomfortable atmosphere for the home side.

Incoming president Boluda asked for calm from everyone connected with the club.

He said: "The teams still have important objectives to achieve, and they deserve to have all of us behind them.''

Ramos will have to do without injured playmaker Guti and reserve goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, but that should not affect his starting 11.

He will also have the added advantage of a full week's rest in comparison to Osasuna, who were knocked out of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Madrid went out of the competition in the previous round.

Bottom club Osasuna have enjoyed a slight upturn in fortunes of late and had gone three matches unbeaten in all competitions before the visit of Barcelona last weekend.

They put up a spirited display to overturn a one-goal deficit to lead 2-1 with 10 minutes to go before Xavi and Lionel Messi snatched victory away from them.

But their best performances have all come at home, and they have yet to win on their travels in the league.

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Chelsea v Stoke City Highlights

Didier Drogba is back in the Chelsea squad for the Barclays Premier League match at home to Stoke.

The Ivory Coast striker was axed for the midweek FA Cup third-round replay against Southend.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is boosted by the return of Florent Malouda after a hamstring injury but looks set to lose Joe Cole to a knee problem. Midfielder Deco misses out with a calf strain, but Ricardo Carvalho is fit after a calf problem.

Scolari has denied Drogba was victimised for their defeat against Manchester United.

The Brazilian coach refused to say whether Nicolas Anelka or Drogba would start as the main striker but insisted that the Ivory Coast international, who did not even travel with the squad for the cup tie, was not being made a scapegoat for the United debacle.

Instead, Scolari claimed that he had been the biggest victim of their Old Trafford mauling, not his players.

"Didier is not being made a scapegoat,'' declared Scolari. "The reason he was left out was because it was an option for me. I put this player or that player in the team.

His reaction was normal. When you sign a contract at a club, you are first or second choice, the coach chooses.

"My job here is to choose 11 players and the job for the players is to play. Finish.''

Chelsea have again been concentrating on set-pieces after conceding another simple goal against Southend.

Their defensive lapses have been criticised by Scolari in recent weeks and the side will return to a combination of zonal and man-to-man marking against City.

Stoke possess a unique threat in long-throws from Rory Delap and such was Scolari's concern that he described relegation-haunted Stoke, in his customary Brazilian humour, as 'the most dangerous side in the world'.

"Stoke are more dangerous than all the teams in England and the world.

"If you look at their statistics, they've scored 18 goals and 11 have been from corners, free-kicks or throw-ins. It will be a very good test for us.

"We have been thinking about our problems and we have some solutions.''

Striker James Beattie is expected to make his debut for Stoke.

Beattie was drafted in from Sheffield United in midweek, after scoring 12 goals this season for the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Midfielder Salif Diao could be available, after suffering a back spasm, but Ricardo Fuller remains suspended.

Midfielder Liam Lawrence is desperate to restart his top-flight career.

Lawrence, 27, has been on the bench for the last four matches after recovering from an ankle injury.

He spent three months on the sidelines after falling over his dog and down a flight of stairs.

Now he is keen to show his pedigree, starting at Chelsea, after helping Stoke win promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

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