Big John Gone To Potters Fee: Loan

WorldwideFootball understand Norway striker John Carew has joined fellow Premier League side Stoke City on loan until the end of the season.

The former Lyon striker's  place at Villa Park has been under threat since the arrival of manager Gerard Houllier in September and has fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park since the arrival of Darren Bent from Sunderland this week.

Carew, 31, fell out with the manager when he played under the Frenchman at Lyon and even this year the two clashed when Houllier branded Carew as "stupid" during a press conference about a contract dispute between the pair.  This season Carew has played 11 games for Villa but has yet to score a goal but he will be hoping for more chance under Tony Pulis and score the goals that could turn the loan into a permanent deal.

Signed in time for this weekends clash against Fulham Carew is likely to find himself on the bench but will want to put the pressure on the current forwards at The Britannia Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walter and Tuncay.

What do you Stoke fans think of the signing and could this mean the end to Tuncays career at Stoke.  Let me know your feelings by emailing jaymoe26@gmail.com

Villa fans, are you sorry to see the big man go or now you have Darren Bent do you feel he is now surplus to requirements, again email me and let me know.

John Carews career:

1998-1999 - Valerenga - 43 apps (19 goals)
1999-2000 - Rosenborg - 18 apps (18 goals)
2000-2004 - Valencia - 84 apps (20 goals)
2003-2004 - Roma (loan) - 20 apps (6 goals)
2004-2005 - Besiktas - 24 apps (13 goals)
2005-2007 - Lyon - 35 apps (10 goals)
2007- Aston Villa - 113 apps (37 goals)

Hamill Thrown To The Wolves Fee:Undisclosed

WorldwideFootball understand Barnsley winger Adam Hamill has joined Wolves signing a three and a half year deal.

The future of the 22 year old has been uncertain for a while with a host of Premier League clubs looking to sign the midfielder but Mick McCarthy has made sure he got his man.

Wolves haven't made huge strides in the transfer market this month and currently find themselves in the relegation zone so Big Mick see's Hamill as the man to see his team climb out of the bottom three and ensure Premier League football is played at Molineux next season.

Hamill is a product of the Liverpool youth academy but couldn't break into the first team there and after loan spells at Dunfermline, Southampton and Blackpool Barnsley decided to sign the player on a permanent basis and Hamill went on to make 60 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2011 scoring 12 goals.

Adam Hamills career:

2006-2009 - Liverpool - 0 apps

2007 - Dunfermline Athletic - 13 apps (1 goal)

2007-2008 - Southampton (loan) - 25 apps

2008 - Blackpool (loan) - 22 apps (1 goal)

2009 - Barnsley (loan) - 14 apps (1 goal)

2009 - 2011 - Barnsley - 60 apps (12 goals)

Wheater Joins Trotters Fee:Undisclosed (believed £2.3m)

WorldwideFootball understand Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of Middlesbrough defender David Wheater for an undiscloed fee with Wheater signing a three and a half year deal.

Wheater, 23, is Owen Coyle's first signing of the transfer window and could make his debut at the Reebok on Monday when Bolton host Premier League champions Chelsea.

The central defender has made 138 appearances for Boro scoring 9 goals and although he was a memeber of the team that was relegated in 2009 he stayed hoping to get his boyhood team back into the top flight.

Signing for Bolton Wheater will hope the move will bring him to the attention of Fabio Capello and maybe get that elusive England cap to add to the 11 under 21 caps he has already recieved.

David Wheaters career:

2004-2011 - Middlesbrough - 138 apps (9 goals)

2006 - Doncaster Rovers (loan) - 7 apps (1 goal)

2006 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) - 1 app

2007 - Darlington (loan) - 15 apps (2 goals)

Pennant Misplaces Porsche

News reports coming out today say Stoke City midfielder Jermaine Pennant received a call from Real Zaragoza to tell him he his Porsche was parked in a Zaragoza train station car park and has been there for the last 5 months

The 28 year old who played in Spain for Real Zaragoza was surprised to receive the call as he forgot he even owned the vehicle.  The car which has the number plate P33NNT was broken into by Zaragoza staff after it had been there since August and they discovered the keys on the car seat and have spent the time trying to tracking him down and reunite him with his car.

Premier League footballers are often criticised for losing touch with reality and earning to much money, this incident isn't going to disprove that stereotype.

Be interesting to hear you thoughts on this so email me and all views will be printed (as long as there clean!!) so email jaymoe26@gmail.com

Champions Everton Still Without TimAustralia 1 (Jedinak 37) Bahrain 0

The Everton faithful will have to make do without their top scorer, Tim Cahill, for a little longer after Australia cemented their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bahrain at Al Sadd Stadium on Tuesday. 

The victory means Australia will be playing the Group D Runner-Up (likely to be Iraq) while Cahill's club and current Unofficial Premier League Champions Everton will be trying to retain their title by defeating bottom of the table West Ham at Goodison Park.

Mile Jedinak scored the game’s only goal – his second in as many games – to hand his side their second win of the tournament and ensure they finish top of Group C ahead of Korea Republic.

Both sides were clearly eager to get their noses in front early on as Brett Emerton swept a low shot just wide of the post after three minutes while Bahrain first threatened two minutes later when Hamad Rakea’s shot flew over the crossbar.

But the rain that had been falling consistently throughout the day clearly had its effect on playing conditions and both sides struggled to create chances in the following minutes with Australia having to wait until the 18th minute to create their second chance when Tim Cahill’s shot was wide of the left upright.

Bahrain went close in the 27th minute when Abdulla Fatadi’s effort went over the crossbar just three minutes before Jedinak fired over in similar fashion at the other end.

Mark Schwarzer was first called into action just after the half hour mark as Abdulla Fatadi made his way into the area before passing to Ismaeel Abdulatif, whose close-range shot was denied by the Fulham keeper.

Harry Kewell brought out a save from Bahrain keeper Mahmood Mansoor soon after but Australia took the lead in the 37th minute when Jedinak embarked on a good run before sending a powerful shot from distance into the back of the net.

Jedinak nearly doubled his side’s advantage two minutes later but this time Mansoor was equal to his rasping drive.

Seeing their qualification chances slipping away, Bahrain went on the attack in the second half and they should have levelled the scores five minutes after the break but Abdulatif’s shot from point blank range was blocked by Schwarzer.

The Soccerroos could have had a second seven minutes into the second period when Kewell broke the offside trap before rounding Mansour but his cross was headed wide by Cahill despite the Everton marksman having the goal at his mercy.

Schwarzer made another crucial intervention from a well-hit Abdulatif shot midway through the half, which proved to be the last real chance for the Bahrainis as Australia successfully closed out the remainder of the match to seal the victory.

Australia: 01-Schwarzer, 02-Neill, 04-Cahill, 06-Ognenovski, 07-Emerton, 10-Kewell, 13-North, 14-Holman, 15-Jedinak, 16-Valeri, 17-McKay SUBS USED: 09-McDonald, 22-Kilkenny, 23-Kruse

Bahrain: 01-Mansoor, 03-Al Marzooqi, 04-Fatadi, 07-Rakea Al Anezi, 08-John, 11-Abdulatif, 13-Abdulrahman, 14-Isa, 15-Omar, 18-Ali, 23-Al Meshkhas SUBS USED: 02-Al Hooti, 09-Al Malood, 20-Al Dakeel

Pienaars Hart Is With TottenhamFee: £2.5m - £3m

WorldwideFootball understands Steven Pienaar has completed his move to Tottenham after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the London club.

The 28-year-old midfielder passed a medical at Spurs' Chigwell training ground before putting the finishing touches to his transfer from Everton for a fee believed to be between £2.5million and £3million.

Pienaar could make his debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Newcastle providing his work permit comes through in time.

Tottenham beat Chelsea to land Pienaar, who failed to agree personal terms with the champions.

That does not appear to be a problem with Spurs, who nevertheless risked missing out on the South Africa star by refusing to meet Everton's asking price.

But the clubs came to an agreement last night, with some reports claiming Tottenham had matched Chelsea's £3million bid for the player and others suggesting a compromise figure of around £2.5million had been reached.

Once all the paperwork is complete, Pienaar will officially become the north Londoners' second January signing, with international team-mate Bongani Kumalo having already penned a pre-contract agreement.

Everton decided to sell the influential playmaker, rather than lose him on a free transfer when his contract expired in the summer.

Spurs are thought to have been interested for some time and were considering offering a pre-contract deal for the end of the campaign, but Chelsea's intervention forced them to enter the market.

Manager Harry Redknapp said over the weekend he was unsure whether Spurs could match the Blues' offer.

Everton have disclosed no details of the bids but confirmed last night Pienaar had been given permission to discuss terms with Spurs as well as Chelsea.

Pienaar made his name at Ajax after joining them from their club partners Ajax Cape Town in January 2001.

The versatile midfielder enjoyed great success during his time in Amsterdam, helping Ajax to the Eredivisie championship in 2002 and 2004 and playing in the Champions League before making the move to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2006.

He joined Everton on loan from Dortmund in 2007 and the move was made permanent the following year for £2million.

He became one of the club's most influential figures and was named Player of the Year after an outstanding 2009-10 season.

It became apparent then, however, that problems were arising over a new contract.

Pienaar failed to give firm assurances that he wanted to stay beyond the end of his deal and his name was conspicuous by its absence as a succession of players signed new contracts last year.

Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Mikel Arteta all committed themselves to Goodison Park but an offer to Pienaar remained unsigned.

His departure might at least give manager David Moyes some leverage to pursue a striker in the current transfer window, having repeatedly said he lacks funds and must look for value loans.

Spurs actually have an embarrassment of riches in central midfield but Pienaar's all-action approach might give them something different.

It could mean that Niko Kranjcar moves on having fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and previously expressed a desire for first-team football.

Steven Pienaars career:

1999-2001 - Ajax Cape Town - 24 apps (6 goals)

2001-2006 - Ajax - 94 apps (15 goals)

2006-2008 - Borussia Dortmund - 25 apps

2007-2008 - Everton (loan) - 28 apps (2 goals)

2008-2011 - Everton - 76 apps (7 goals)

Darren Bent Becomes A VillianFee: £18m-£24m

Its been the talk of football over the last 24 hours and now it is confirmed.  Darren Bent is an Aston Villa player and could make his debut at home against Manchester City at the weekend.


The former Spurs and Ipswich man has been in scintilating form this season bagging 11 goals but manager Steve Bruce obviously thinks the money being spent was an offer to good to turn down.


Aston Villa find themselves fighting a relagation battle and are in need of a striker that will score them the goals to ensure Premier League Football next season and Bent is the man.


The fee is rumoured to be £18m rising to £24m based on clauses and becomes Aston Villa's record signing beating the £12m they paid Middlesbrough for Stewart Downing in 2009.


There has been a lot of reports stating the fee is inflated but if he can guarantee the Villians Premier League football next season then it will be money well spent.


Darren Bents career:


2001-2005 - Ipswich Town - 122 apps (47 goals)
2005-2007 - Charlton Athletic - 68 apps (31 goals)
2007-2009 - Tottenham Hotspur - 60 apps (18 goals)
2009-2011 - Sunderland - 58 apps (32 goals)

Jermaine Jones In Rovers SwitchFee:Loan

Blackburn have signed Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones on a six-month loan deal.

The 29-year-old USA international becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City.

Before Jones can make his Rovers debut he will have to wait for international clearance and due to him being born in Germany, a work permit isn't necessary.

Jones, who was born in Frankfurt, made three friendly appearances for Germany before being cleared by FIFA to switch his allegiance to the United States in 2009.

He is eligible to play for the USA because his father is American. He made his debut for the USA in October 2010 when they played Poland in Chicago and has so far made 2 appearances for the Stars And Stripes.

The midfielder has been at Schalke since 2007, but has fallen out of favour with coach Felix Magath and will look to his stint at Ewood Park as a way of kick starting his career.  Should everyone go well he should make his debut on Saturday when Blackburn host Sunderland (KO 3pm)

Jermaine Jones career:

2001-2003 - Eintracht Frankfurt - 46 apps (7 goals)

2004-2005 - Bayer Leverkusen - 5 apps

2005 - Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) - 14 apps (3 goals)

2005-2007 - Eintracht Frankfurt - 24 apps (2 goals)

2007-2010 - Schalke 04 - 70 apps (5 goals)

Merseyside Derby Ends In A DrawLiverpool 2 (Meireles 29, Kuyt (pen) 68) Everton 2 (Distin 46, Beckford 52)

Dirk Kuyt's penalty earned Liverpool a draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton, leaving both sides only four points above the relegation zone.

Raul Meireles opened the scoring with an 18-yard drive after Tim Howard made a double save from Kuyt.

The visitors equalised when Sylvain Distin headed in at the back post before Jermaine Beckford lashed them ahead from close range minutes later.

But when Howard tripped Maxi Rodriguez in the box, Kuyt fired in to level.

With Kenny Dalglish returning to the Anfield dug-out as Liverpool manager for the first time in 20 years, there was an air of expectation ahead of the derby clash, heightened by a rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone before kick-off.

However, having replaced Roy Hodgson, Dalglish's return has not exactly gone according to plan so far, with an FA Cup defeat by Manchester United and a humbling at the hands of Blackpool in the week.

Everton, meanwhile, have struggled at Anfield in the past, winning only twice in 18 Premier League visits. But the Toffees' form of late suggested this could change, having beaten Manchester City and Tottenham in their last six games.

Without local boys Steven Gerrard (suspended) and Jamie Carragher (injured) for the 215th Merseyside derby, Dalglish sprung a surprise by including Wirral-born Jay Spearing for his second league start in a Liverpool shirt.

And the 22-year-old injected energy into Liverpool, playing in a combative central midfield trio along with Leiva Lucas and Meireles, which allowed the latter to maraud forward and assist Fernando Torres.

Torres, making his 100th league appearance for Liverpool, almost gave the home side a dream start but he fired his angled drive into the arms of Howard after only nine seconds.

The Spaniard was evidently in the mood and after 16 minutes only the width of the post stopped him opening the scoring following a fine solo effort where he rolled Distin, burst into the area and cut on to his left foot but his curling effort struck the post and Kuyt blazed the rebound over.

With little between the sides, Liverpool took the lead after 28 minutes when Glen Johnson's cross from the left was headed towards goal by Kuyt.

The Dutchman's header was saved low by Howard, who followed that by blocking Kuyt's follow-up shot with his legs but he could do little as Meireles smashed his first goal for Liverpool from 18 yards out.

Seconds later, with Everton reeling, Torres almost doubled the lead when he lashed in an effort but Howard again palmed away and Maxi headed his follow-up over the bar.

However, it only took Everton 43 seconds of the second half to equalise when Mikel Arteta's corner was met by Distin at the back post and the Frenchman out-jumped Martin Skrtel to power his header past Pepe Reina.

Dalglish had talked about Liverpool lacking belief prior to the game and that fragile confidence was again on show as Everton's equaliser immediately knocked the stuffing out of the Reds.

After 51 minutes the turnaround was complete when Leon Osman latched on to Victor Anichebe's flick on and slipped his pass through to Beckford, who was goal-side of Meireles and did not hesitate as he slammed his close-range effort past Reina.

With 20 minutes to play and his side in control, David Moyes might have been forgiven for entertaining the idea of presiding over a first win at Anfield but the derby was to throw up another twist.

Howard, the hero having already made several key saves, turned villain when he clipped the legs of Maxi as he touched the ball away from goal to concede a penalty.

Kuyt showed his composure to step up and drive his penalty into the right corner and set up a tense finale as both sides threw men forward.

Despite plenty of endeavour, quality and clear-cut chances were in short supply and the two sides, inseparable in terms of league points, ended the game with a point that would have done little to ease either side's fears of being dragged into a relegation tussle.

Everton's fans do have a reason to cheer, they may have drawn against their main rivals but they hold on to their Unofficial Premier League title and will feel confident of keeping hold of it next weekend when they take on the team propping up the table, West Ham United.

Next title match: Saturday 22 January (h) West Ham United (KO 3pm)

Liverpool: 25-Reina, 02-G.Johnson, 04-Meireles, 05-Agger, 09-Torres, 17-Maxi Rodrigues, 18-Kuyt, 21-Lucas, 26-Spearing, 34-Kelly, 37_Skrtel SUBS USED: 16-Kyrgiakos, 33-Shelvey

Everton: 24-Howard, 03-Baines, 05-Heitinga, 10-Arteta, 15-Distin, 16-Beckford, 18-Neville, 21-Osman, 23-Coleman, 25-Fellaini, 28-Anichebe, SUBS USED: 07-Bilyaletdinov, 14-Vaughan, 26-Rodwell

Aston Villa Finally Sign MakounFee: £6m

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Cameroon international Jean Makoun from Lyon in a £6million deal.

Makoun has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park after agreeing terms and passing a medical.

The 27-year-old is waiting to secure a work permit before he finalises his move so he will not be available for this weekend's Second City derby with Birmingham but could make his debut next Saturday when Villa entertain table toppers Manchester City.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier has been chasing Makoun for some time as he looks to bolster his midfield options having sold Steve Sidwell to Fulham.

Makoun will prove a valuable addition to the squad as they battle to secure survival in the Premier League.

Villa currently find themselves 19th in the Premier League and have struggled to find any form since Gerard Houllier replaced Martin O'Neill in the hotseat but this signing shows owner Randy Lerner still has faith and believes the Frenchman is the man to lead his side out of trouble.

Jean Makouns career:

2001-2008 - Lille - 165 apps (9 goals)

2008-2011 - Lyon - 76 apps (8 goals)

Cahill's Socceroos held by South KoreaAustralia 1 (Jedinak 62) South Korea 1 (Ja Cheol 24)

Mile Jedinak's second-half goal saw Australia salvage a 1-1 draw with Korea Republic in their Asian Cup encounter at Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday. 

Koo Ja-cheol opened the scoring in the 24th minute to give the Koreans the lead in the clash of the Group C heavyweights but Jedinak pounced just after the hour mark to ensure honours ended even in an entertaining encounter.

Korea Republic will be the more aggrieved to only take a point though, having created enough clear-cut chances to win the game.

The first chance fell Harry Kewell's way after seven minutes when the ball broke to the midfielder in the box but he spooned his effort over the bar from close range.

Luke Wilkshire then shot straight at the Korean keeper Jung Sung-ryong from 20 yards in the 23rd minute after Jedinak's free-kick was blocked, before Korea took the lead shortly afterwards.

A long ball over the top was held up by Ji Dong-won in the box and he squared for Koo to rifle his third goal of the tournament past Mark Schwarzer and into the far corner.

Ji then forced Schwarzer into a reflex save after being fed by Lee Young-pyo before Kewell smashed a well-worked free-kick just over the bar.

Korea Republic came close to doubling their lead eight minutes before the break when Park Ji-sung's cross flicked off the head of Ji before hitting David Carney, who knew nothing about it, and the ball flew just wide.

Kewell pulled a low left-foot shot beyond the far post from the edge of the box before the South Koreans were indebted to some excellent defending from Cha Du-ri to preserve their lead.

Wilkshire's cross was dummied by Kewell and an unmarked Cahill looked certain to score only for Cha to get back and nick the ball away from the Everton striker with a perfectly-timed tackle.

Korea began the second period on the front foot and Koo shot straight at Schwarzer before Lee Jung-soo glanced Koo's cross narrowly over the bar.

The Australian keeper was called into action again on the hour mark as he turned away Park's angled drive after some neat skill from the Manchester United man.

The Socceroos drew level two minutes later, however. The Korean defence failed to deal with Wilkshire's corner from the right and after Lucas Neill dumped the ball back into the six-yard box, Jedinak out-jumped Jung to nod home the equaliser.

Ji drilled wide from the edge of the box and Schwarzer did well to get down and push away Ki Seung-yeung's close-range effort four minutes from time after Yeom Ki-hyun had nodded Lee Chung-yong's cross into the midfielder's path.


Australia's last group match will be January 15 when they play Bahrain.  With South Korea playing 24 hours earlier Australia will know what they need to do to top the group and go through to the knock out stages.


Line Ups:


Austalia: 01-Schwarzer, 02-Neill, 03-Carney, 04-Cahill, 05-Culina, 06-Ognenovski, 07-Emerton, 08-Wilkshire, 10-Kewell, 14-Holman, 15-Jedinak SUBS USED: 13-North, 16-Valeri, 17-McKay
South Korea: 01-Sung Ryong, 03-Jae Won, 06-Yong Rae, 07-Ji Sung, 10-Dong Won, 12-Young Pyo, 13-Ja Cheol, 14-Jung Soo, 16-Sung Yueng, 17-Chung Yong, 22-Du Ri SUBS USED: 08-Bit Ga Ram, 09-Byung Soo, 19-Ki Hun

Santa Cruz Back At EwoodFee: Loan

WorldwideFootall understand Blackburn have signed their former striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.

The Paraguay international has struggled to make an impact at Eastlands since leaving Rovers in a £17.5million deal in summer 2009.

The 29-year-old, who scored 29 goals in two seasons at Ewood Park, is the club's first signing since their takeover by Indian firm Venky's in November.

Rovers confirmed the deal after the player completed a medical at the club's training ground on Friday morning.

City have hardened their stance on the issue of wages for loan players since agreeing to subsidise Craig Bellamy's move to Cardiff earlier this season and Blackburn will pay the majority of Santa Cruz's salary.

Kean believes that shows how serious Venky's are to bring top players to the club.

The company, who are yet to win over the fans, were ridiculed earlier this month for making over-ambitious attempts to sign Brazil star Ronaldinho.

The agreement with City contains no provision for a potential permanent deal but Kean plans to continue negotiating in the hope of securing Santa Cruz's services long term.

Santa Cruz has made just two appearances this season at City, where he has been behind Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Emmanuel Adebayor in the pecking order.

His move has been hastened by City's signing of Edin Dzeko this month.


Since Steve Kean has taken over Blackburn now find themselves in 10th place in the Premier League table, what can this signing do for Blackburn.  Is this a signing that could see Blackburn challenge for a Europa League slot or does mid-table sound about right?  Email jaymoe26@gmail.com to air your views

Roque Santa Cruz's career:

1997-1999 - Olimpia - 23 apps (13 goals)

1999-2007 - Bayern Munich - 155 apps (31 goals)

2007-2009 - Blackburn Rovers - 57 apps (23 goals)

2009 - Manchester City - 20 apps (3 goals)

Yak Joins The FoxesFee: Loan

WorldwideFootball understand Leicester City have signed Nigerian and Everton striker Yakubu on loan until the end of the season.

The npower Championship club have confirmed they had reached an agreement with the Toffees which could lead to a permanent deal in the summer.

The 28-year-old Nigeria international has passed a medical and will be eligible to play for the Foxes as soon as he receives Football League clearance.

Yakubu, who will hope to play at Preston this weekend, is Leicester's third signing of the January transfer window after Ben Mee and Sol Bamba.

The former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough forward will hope the move can rejuvenate a career which has stagnated since he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury in November 2008.

Yakubu scored 21 goals in his first season at Goodison Park after an £11.25million move from Boro four years ago but has found the net just once this term.

Everton manager David Moyes left him out at the start of the season as he felt he lacked match fitness after a late return from the World Cup and the distraction of an approach from West Ham.

Yakubu's departure could provide Everton with the flexibility to bring in a replacement on loan.

Manager David Moyes has bemoaned his side's lack of goals from strikers all season but has no funds available to buy this month.

The Toffees have been linked with a loan move for Monaco's Dieumerci Mbokani, who has reportedly also attracted interest from Aston Villa and West Brom.

Yakubu's career:

1998 - Gil Vicente - 0 apps

1999-2003 - Maccabi Haifa - 50 apps (24 goals)

1999-2000 - Hapoel Kfar Saba (loan) - 23 apps (6 goals)

2003 - Portsmouth (loan) - 14 apps (7 goals)

2003-2005 - Portsmouth - 66 apps (29 goals)

2005-2007 - Middlesbrough - 73 apps (25 goals)

2007 - Everton - 80 apps (25 goals)

Wayne Bride In Hammers SwitchFee: Loan

WorldwideFootball understands Wayne Bridge has joined Premier League strugglers West Ham on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season

The 30-year-old England international has found himself out of first team reckoning at City following the pre-season arrival of both Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng.

Although he has had limited game time this season it is expected Bridge will make his debut at home to Arsenal on Saturday.

Bridge, capped 36 times by England, found himself making headlines last year when he refused to make himself available for Fabio Capello's World Cup squad following former Chelsea team-mate John Terry's alleged affair with the full-back's former girlfriend Vanesssa Perroncel.

Capello stripped centre-half Terry of the England captaincy following newspaper revelations about his relationship with Perroncel but that wasn't enough to appease Bridge, who said he no longer wanted to be considered for international duty because of his former friend's presence in the squad.

Although the Hammers lack the funds to make the move permanent it is rumouyred the club will be picking up the whole of Bridge's £90k wages making him the highest earner at the club.  The clubs supporters will be hoping Bridge puts in the performance to ensure they will be seeing Premier League football next season.

Bridge was among the crowd at Upton Park on Tuesday when Hammers manager Avram Grant had to switch Matthew Upson to left-back in a 2-1 win over Birmingham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

Do you think this is a good signing for West Ham?  Let us know your views at jaymoe26@gmail.com, all clean comments will be published.

Wayne Bridge's career:

1998-2003 - Southampton - 151 apps (2 goals)

2003-2009 - Chelsea - 87 apps (1 goal)

2006 - Fulham (loan) - 12 apps

2009 - Manchester City - 42 apps

David Bentley In Birmingham SwitchFee: Loan

WorldwideFootball understand Birmingham City have signed David Bentley on loan from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.
The former Blackburn and Arsenal midfielder joined Spurs in July 2008 for a fee of £15m but has since failed to nail down a regular place with the London high-flyers.
Bentley, 26, underwent a medical at Birmingham earlier this week and has now completed his move to the Midlands club.
Provided his registration is accepted by both the Premier League and the Football Association, Bentley will be available for the league derby match against Aston Villa at Birmingham's St Andrew's ground on Sunday.
Bentley will be hoping the move will bring him to the attention of the England manager Fabio Capello and get himself back in the England squad and add to the seven caps he has already won since making his debut against Israel in 2007.


Birmingham fans do you think Bentley is the kind of signing to move you up the table? And Spurs fans, will you be sorry to see him go for the season or glad he's gone ... for now.
Give us your views, email jaymoe26@gmail.com, all comments will be posted.


David Bentley's career:


2002-2006 - Arsenal - 1 app
2004-2005 - Norwich City (loan) - 26 apps (2 goals)
2005-2006 - Blackburn Rovers (loan) - 14 apps
2006-2008 - Blackburn Rovers - 88 apps (13 goals)
2008 - Tottenham Hotspur - 42 apps (3 goals)

Cahill Gets Australia Off To A Flyer In Asian CupIndia 0 Australia 4 (Cahill 11,64 Kewell 24, Holman 45)

Two goals from Tim Cahill saw Australia make a winning start to their 2011 AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ campaign with a 4-0 victory over India at Al Sadd Stadium on Monday. 

Harry Kewell and Brett Holman also got on the score-sheet in a Group C encounter that Holger Osieck's side dominated throughout in stark contrast to their Asian Cup debut four years ago, when Cahill's stoppage-time equaliser scraped a 1-1 draw with Oman.

It took Australia just 11 minutes to break the deadlock. Brett Emerton collected the ball in acres of space down the right and advanced into the box unchallenged before his low cross picked out the onrushing Cahill and the Everton forward side-footed home with ease inside the six-yard box.

India looked to reply and NP Pradeep saw a long-range effort easily held by Mark Schwarzer before Climax Lawrence shoot horribly wide when he had time and space on the edge of the box.

Cahill had a header ruled out for offside and Kewell fired straight at keeper Subrata Paul from Holman's lay-off before the Galatasaray midfielder doubled Australia's advantage in the 25th minute with a fine effort.

Picking up Luke Wilkshire's short pass, he turned and took a couple of steps before unleashing a swerving low drive with his left foot form 25 yards that found the far bottom corner beyond a diving Paul.

Cahill then somehow contrived to waste a golden opportunity for his second goal on the half-hour mark when a deflected shot fell into his path three yards out but with just the keeper to beat, his weak poke hit Paul and spun wide.

The India custodian then did well to tip Cahill's dipping 25-yard snap effort over the bar after he had brought down a long diagonal ball on his chest with aplomb before Australia extended their lead in first-half stoppage time when Holman met Emerton's cross ahead of Paul to nod in the third.

A slick Australia move ended with Cahill scuffing a shot wide of the far post nine minutes into the second period and Emerton was also off target as Australia continued to dominate.

Cahill eventually claimed his second and Australia's fourth when he rose highest to meet a free-kick from the right and planted a header into the far corner. Kewell then almost grabbed his second but a curling shot was just the wrong side of the post.

The game petered out after that although Sunil Chettri threatened a late consolation for India but was unable to control a long ball over the top and Schwarzer came out to smother as Bob Houghton's side were soundly beaten


Line Ups:


India: 01-Paul, 05-Anwar, 07-Pradeep, 11-Chhetri, 12-Mandal, 17-S.Singh, 18-Rafi, 19-G.Singh, 20-Lawrence, 22-Nabi, 23-Dias Subs Used: 08-R.Singh, 09-Yadav, 16-Wadoo
Australia: 01-Schwarzer, 02-Neill, 03-Carney, 04-Cahill, 05-Culina, 06-Ognenovski, 07-Emerton, 08-Wilkshire, 10-Kewell, 14-Holman, 15-Jedinak Subs Used: 09-McDonald, 11-Burns, 17-McKay

Unofficial Champions In FA Cup actionScunthorpe 1 (Collins 46) Everton 5 (Saha 4, Beckford 33, Coleman 58, Fellaini 73, Baines 83)

Everton stated their determination to win the FA Cup by powering into the fourth round with an emphatic 5-1 win over Championship strugglers Scunthorpe.

Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford got the Merseysiders off to a flying start at Glanford Park before Seamus Coleman, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines made sure of victory.

Scunthorpe were completely outplayed aside from a brief spell at the start of the second half when Michael Collins threatened to spark a comeback with a superb strike.

There was a large media presence at the match but Everton were in no mood to surrender to the potential upset that may have been anticipated.

Scunthorpe went into the game on the back of seven defeats in eight games and having lost their last six at home.

Defeat would have been a huge embarrassment for David Moyes and his side but he showed in his selection of a strong team that he had no intention of letting that happen.

Everton displayed no sign of nerves and took control early on.

Coleman went straight onto the attack and sent over a cross in the first minute which Joe Murphy had to push over the bar.

The visitors maintained the pressure and claimed the lead after just four minutes through the resurgent Saha.

The Frenchman, who scored his first Premier League goal in 11 months against Tottenham on Wednesday, found space on the edge of the box and hit a low left-foot shot past Murphy.

Former Scunthorpe striker Beckford had a chance to add a second when he broke through moments later but Rob Jones managed to get a foot in as he prepared to shoot.

Beckford was similarly denied another opportunity by Andrew Wright and Fellaini blazed over as the Toffees dictated the pace.

Scunthorpe did get an opening as Chris Dagnall headed wide and Martyn Woolford then shot straight at Tim Howard from distance.

They were rare opportunities and Beckford looked certain to add a second for Everton after being played through by Coleman but Murphy produced a fine save.

Leon Osman also had a glorious chance as Baines picked him out in front of goal but the midfielder's close-range effort was deflected wide.

It came as no surprise when Everton doubled their lead after 33 minutes.

Osman was the provider from out wide, the stand-in captain whipping in a cross for Beckford to glance in at the near post.

It was a sweet moment for the striker, who helped the Iron to the League One title during a loan spell four years ago.

Saha almost claimed a third on the stroke of half-time as Murphy tipped over a firm header from a Baines cross.

It seemed a case of how many Everton could score but the Iron returned for the second period a side transformed.

Within seconds of the restart the underdogs had pulled themselves back into the game with a stunning goal from Collins.

The midfielder outpaced Sylvain Distin as he raced onto a long ball from Josh Collins and unleashed a ferocious strike from the edge of the area which flew past Howard.

Everton were caught cold and Scunthorpe poured forward in search of another opening.

Dagnall fired wide from distance and Distin cut out a dangerous cross from Eddie Nolan with a firm header.

Yet just as the hosts were threatening one of the great cup fightbacks, Everton snuffed out the revival with a third goal.

Beckford beat Wright on the left and sent over a cross for Coleman to powerfully head home his fifth of the season.

That appeared to take the sting out of the contest and Coleman volleyed over as Everton reasserted their superiority.

Fellaini made certain of Everton's presence in the fourth round with the fourth goal after 73 minutes.

The Belgian was given time on the edge of the box and took a couple of touches before firing a left-foot shot across goal and beyond the reach of Murphy.

Baines put the gloss on the victory late on as he eased past tiring defenders and clipped a fine shot into the top corner from the corner of the area.

Line Ups:

Scunthorpe United: 01-Murphy, 02-Wright, 05-Jones, 07-Woolford, 08-O'Connor, 09-Dagnall, 14-Forte, 15-Mirfin, 16-Wright, 18-Collins, 21-Nolan SUBS USED: 04-Togwell, 12-Raynes, 24-Godden

Everton: 24-Howard, 02-Hibbert, 03-Baines, 05-Heitinga, 07-Bilyaletdinov, 08-Saha, 15-Distin, 16-Beckford, 21-Osman, 23-Coleman, 25-Fellaini SUBS USED: 19-Magaye Gueye, 26-Rodwell, 28-Anichebe