Carlos Tevez To Be Switched To Manchester City

Carlos Tevez appears to be edging closer to making a shock switch to Manchester City.

The Manchester United star, who is at the end of his two-year loan at Old Trafford, is seriously considering joining their city rivals, according to The Guardian.

Carlos Tevez has turned to Diego Maradona for advice as he decides which side of Manchester his future lies on.

The Argentine striker will decide this week whether to stay with United or move across town to City after both clubs agreed to match the price set by Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian.

And the input of Argentina coach Maradona could now hold the key. Tevez has been back in his homeland preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Ecuador.

And he is torn between remaining a squad player under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford or becoming an Eastlands cult hero in the blue revolution being led by Mark Hughes.

United want to keep the Argentina striker but they have yet to agree a deal with the player's adviser Kia Joorabchian, who is demanding £25.5million when the current deal expires at the end of the month.

Reports last night suggested Tevez had already completed his switch to Eastlands and although they were premature, the chances of that happening are increasing by the day.

Pele Slammed Robinho of Rape Allegations

Edson Aranate do Nascimento, better known as Pele, openly criticized the recent behavior of the international soccer star Robinho on Wednesday.

Speaking from Rio De Janeiro, whilst sitting with FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Robinho's former mentor is quoted as saying by several worldwide news outlets, "It's bad news because, as Brazilians, we fight to create a good image abroad. What happened with Robinho, as well as other players like Adriano and Ronaldo have ruined the image of Brazilian soccer players around the world."

Pele made the remarks next to Jose Serra, the mayor of the city Sao Paulo and the FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

Robinho is currently being investigated for allegedly raping a girl in a nightclub in England on Jan. 14.

Brazilian Soccer Star Robinho Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Brazilian soccer star Robinho denied wrongdoing after English police questioned him about allegations of a sexual assault, his spokesman said Wednesday. Robinho, British soccer’s most expensive signing, denied wrongdoing after reports that he was arrested and questioned over an alleged sex assault.

The 25-year-old soccer forward was released on bail by police after being questioned late Tuesday in Leeds, England, where the crime was alleged to have taken place at a nightclub early on Jan. 14. Robinho then played in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday night.

“We can confirm that Robinho met the police, as pre- arranged and as part of a criminal investigation,” Robinho’s spokesman Chris Nathaniel was quoted as saying on the player’s personal Web site. “He strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to cooperate with the police if required further.”

Manchester City star Robinho claimed in a telephone call to Brazil coach Dunga that the 18-year-old woman accusing him of sexual assault is an opportunist.

Last week Robinho left a club training camp in Tenerife without authorization to go to Brazil on what he said was a family matter. He’s now returned to City and faces a club fine of two weeks’ wages, or about 300,000 pounds, according to U.K. press reports.

Brazil Head Coach Dunga Voiced his Support for Robinho

Brazil head coach Dunga has voiced his support for Manchester City forward Robinho after he was questioned following allegations of a serious sexual assault in Leeds.

The British record signing was questioned by police on Tuesday and issued a statement on his website denying any "wrongdoing or criminality".

And, ahead of Brazil's friendly with Italy at Emirates Stadium on 10th February, Dunga has backed the former Real Madrid player.

"I have no reason to doubt the word of Robinho," said Dunga.

"He is a player on whom I have been able to count every time I have needed him and who has shown exemplary professional behaviour when he has been in the national squad."

Dunga assured Robinho that there was no threat to his place on Brazil’s roster for an exhibition game against Italy on Feb. 10 in London. “Robinho told Dunga that he’s a victim of an opportunist and that he has done everything necessary in the legal sense to clarify the matter, in which he had no participation,” the Brazilian Football Federation said on its Web site.

Manchester City 1-0 Wigan Athletic

Manchester City claimed all three points thanks to a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the Barclays Premier League.

Pablo Zabaleta steered 10-man Manchester City to victory against Wigan with his first goal for the club.

The Argentinian showed good skill to rattle home a shot from 20 yards in the 51st minute after Daniel Sturridge's cross had only been half-cleared.

A minute later City were reduced to 10 men when skipper Richard Dunne was sent off and Wigan should have equalised only for Amr Zaki to head over from close range.

Manchester City 5-1 Hull City

Manchester City 5-1 Hull City

Manchester City produced a sensational performance to lift the pressure on manager Mark Hughes.

Inspirational record signing Robinho and striker Felipe Caicedo both struck twice as Hughes' men tore into stunned Hull City with four first-half goals at Eastlands.

Hull City salvaged some pride with a Craig Fagan consolation goal after embarrassed manager Phil Brown delivered his half-time talk on the pitch.

But the visitors remained distinctly second best and Stephen Ireland grabbed a fifth to lift his side out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Robinho's Hat-Trick Tore Stoke City Apart

Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City

British record signing Robinho completed his first Manchester City hat-trick to take Stoke City apart.

The £32.5m Brazilian opened his account after just 14 minutes, then added another from Daniel Sturridge's excellent pass just after the re-start.

But he saved the best until last, finishing off a flowing four-pass move 17 minutes from the end with a clinical finish past Thomas Sorensen.

"The Language of Football is Universal," - Robinho

Robinho is looking to impress with his language as well as his football skills by the end of the current campaign.

Although he wants to learn English as quickly as possible, so he can fully communicate with his Manchester City team-mates, the native Portuguese speaker does not think it has restricted him on the pitch so far.

"The language of football is universal," said Robinho. "You don't need to speak the lingo in order to be able to communicate with a football.

"Myself and the other players already have a good understanding. Sometimes in training when I shout something they think it's funny but they understand me."

He has flown his wife and baby son over from Brazil and is currently house-hunting in the North West but has been struck by Manchester which he describes as 'beautiful'.

"I am enjoying Manchester, Elano took me for a city tour and I loved it," he continued.

"I haven't started language lessons yet but as soon as I find my own place I will. In six months' time my English will be 10 out of 10."

Of his positive first impressions of Manchester, Robinho added: "There are fine restaurants and recreational facilities, and the city is beautiful. In fact there is a great Brazilian restaurant in the city centre, I'm sure to be a regular."

The Brazilian has also been struck by the friendliness of Mancunians, adding: "Since I've been in Manchester people recognise me all the time in the city, and have been very kind to me.

"They are saying really nice things and that is always a motivation for a player. My aim is to repay their kindness by playing well and winning matches."

Liverpool Defeated Manchester City 3 - 2

Dirk Kuyt scored his first Barclays Premier League goal since November to secure a dramatic victory for Liverpool.

The Holland striker rattled the ball home in stoppage time to stun 10-man Manchester City.

The home side had raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido.

Fernando Torres pulled a goal back before City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off.

The momentum was then with Liverpool with Torres adding a second before Kuyt had the final word.

“I’m really pleased with the result, though I’m disappointed for Martin with his injury,” Benítez said afterwards. “The positive thing was the reaction of the players after a bad first half. We made two mistakes for both goals, but the reaction and character we showed in the second half was key to winning the game. It is better for me if we don’t concede those goals, but if you can win, it shows that the players are ready to win every game. Physically we are in good condition, so credit to our fitness coach. We also have great belief and mentality.”

“We had spoken at half-time about the likely response of Liverpool,” Hughes said. “We needed to be ready for it and we weren’t.”

Manchester City Dismantled Portsmouth 6 - 0

Swaggering Manchester City turned on the style with a devastating display of attacking football to crush Portsmouth at a buoyant Eastlands. Robinho produced another captivating display to inspire Manchester City to a thumping 6-0 win over Portsmouth here Sunday.

With Khaldoon Al Mubarak watching, City ran in six goals as Portsmouth were unable to cope with a hugely impressive attacking display from Mark Hughes's side. Jo, Richard Dunne, Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ched Evans and Gelson Fernandes each scored while David James, the Portsmouth goalkeeper, suffered a bad day at the office.

Robinho, making his second league appearance since joining from Real Madrid for a British record 32.5 million pounds, teed-up fellow Brazilian Jo to score his first goal in England's top-flight before finding the net himself.

City captain and Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne also got his name on the scoresheet before Shaun Wright-Phillips claimed his first goal since returning to the club for a second spell.

Substitute Ched Evans added to Portsmouth's embarrassment in the closing stages, the 19-year-old grabbing his first senior goal for the club. And there was still time for Gelson Fernandes, another substitute, to score.

Portsmouth, FA Cup winners in May, were expected to give Mark Hughes's side a stern test yet the south coast club were fortunate to escape a heavier defeat as City turned on the style with a display which suggests they could be top four contenders this season.

But it was Robinho's efforts which captivated the home fans at Eastlands.

As early as the third minute he forced former City keeper David James into a fine save before teeing-up Wright-Phillips to test the England international.

Portsmouth's nervous defence held out until the 13th minute when Robinho set Jo on his way, the former CSKA Moscow striker skipping past the advancing James before rolling the ball into the net with his left foot.

City doubled their advantage seven minutes later, Dunne tapping home his first Premier League goal since October 2006 after Elano's corner hit the bottom of the post.

Portsmouth created few chances yet former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch spurned a 28th minute opportunity to reduce the deficit after stabbing wide Glen Johnson's cross.

Sol Campbell thought he'd scored for the visitors in the closing stages of the first half but his header was hooked off the line by Pablo Zabaleta.

However, the second half belonged to the home side as Portsmouth conceded four more goals.

Robinho made it two league goals in as many appearances as he rounded off a delightful move involving the impressive Stephen Ireland and Jo by finding the net in the 56th minute.

Then Wright-Phillips sparked joyous scenes among City fans as he found the net for the first time since re-signing from Chelsea, the player beating James at the near post after a defence-splitting 68th minute pass by Ireland.

Pompey were shell-shocked yet their troubles were far from over. Evans, who had replaced Jo eight minutes earlier, made it 5-0 as he took advantage of more chaotic defending by the visitors in the 78th minute.

And five minutes later an error by James allowed Fernandes to wrap up a stunning victory for City.

Chelsea Defeated Manchester City 3 - 1

Manchester City slipped to defeat against Chelsea despite a debut-day opener from record signing Robinho. Chelsea ensured it was not the dream start that Manchester City's new mega-rich owners from Abu Dhabi yearned for in their first match in charge of the Eastlands club.

The £32.5m man paid off the first instalment of his British record price-tag by putting Mark Hughes' men ahead with a superb 13th-minute free-kick.

But Chelsea scored three times without reply, with Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka scoring one each, to register a seventh straight win over City even though England captain John Terry was sent off for a professional foul.

A Mixed Reaction on Robinho's Move to City

Miguel Torres

The 22-year-old defender, Miguel Torres has revealed, he is still a fan of the Brazilian's talent but was not impressed with his actions since the end of last season and thinks that he was badly advised. He would never let an agent make him behave like Robinho did during the summer in order to force a move out of Real Madrid.

"I would never accept something like that. My dad and my uncle take care of my affairs -the latter is a lawyer-. That says it all," he told AS. "I do not like commissions and the club knows my family will never treat this as business. I play for Real Madrid; what more could I ask for? Robinho is a great player, but we all have to row in the same direction."


Micah Richards

Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes he is very much excited and cant wait any longer to play alongside the Brazilian in the Champions League.

Richards said: "To be honest, I am still trying to get my head around what's happened in the last few days - City have gone from a club that was supposed to be in crisis to apparently being one of the richest in the world.

"Like everyone else, I was glued to the TV last Monday listening to all these bids we were making for world-class players. In the end I fell asleep and just after midnight my best mate rang me and said, 'We've signed Robinho.' I thought I was still dreaming and said, 'Yeah, whatever.' But then I turned the TV back on and there it was: 'Robinho signs for Man City'."I mean, he's the kind of player you would usually only pick for City if you were playing a computer game."


Steve McManaman

"I think Robinho is a wonderful player," McManaman said. "He will give City something different. He can go past players, which the fans adore. And he will do more stepovers than Cristiano Ronaldo! But it's important that people don't expect miracles. When Chelsea tried to sign Robinho, they saw him as the final piece in their jigsaw, whereas he will be the star at City."

McManaman believes that, once Robinho has adjusted to life in England, he will find the Premier League to his liking. He said: "I hope he won't find the weather too hard to adjust to! It is a different football culture in Spain. Over there, you always play at 8pm or 9pm, and you just lie in bed all day waiting for the game. So there will be changes to get used to, but I wouldn't have thought that would bother him."

McManaman can sympathise with Robinho's desire to leave Madrid, having made his after falling out of favour at the Bernabeu.

The former Liverpool winger said: "At Real, the president and the directors run the club, rather than the manager. They are the ones who pick the players and get rid of them. I felt it was time for me to go."


Luiz Felipe Scolari

"I have many great players and I am happy with my team. I am receiving new players from injuries as Drogba will be back soon. Mikel recovers well. Ballack and Essien played with injuries but both are getting better... They are an example of the fantastic characters I have in my squad," the charasmatic head coach told the club's official website.

Regarding the loss of Robinho to new fiscal rivals Manchester City, he said: "I don't think the people around Robinho were serious about him coming to Chelsea... They were more interested in the best business deal. But what I've said before about Robinho I say again now: He's a very good player. I only wish him the best."

"I have seen the newspapers and that they say I am unhappy or angry with the club. These statements are not true at all," he explained. "I have not said this and I do not think this. I am very happy with this situation."

"I talk to only a few people about my team, all inside the club. Other people have been quoted in newspapers saying they know what I think or feel, but they do not know. Only my close team knows," the 59-year old added.

"I have a press office at Chelsea and I hold a press conference every week. I do interviews for Chelsea TV and say things for the Chelsea website and my own website. If it does not come from one of these places, it will not be true, and will not be what I think."

"I Have My Doubt" - Deco Frowns On Robinho's City Move

Chelsea's Deco admits he was gobsmacked when Robinho made his shock move from Real Madrid to Manchester City in the final hours of transfer deadline day.

"To leave Madrid to go to Chelsea is okay, but I have my doubts with respect to City. I don't know, we will have to ask Robinho what happened. It's not normal either to change Real for City only for the money. Robinho has the standing to play in a team who aspire to titles."

"I've started off on the right foot, I've great team-mates at Chelsea. We've only drawn against Juande Ramos' Tottenham, who made life difficult for us," he said.

"How is it different from the Primera here? It basically differs that in the Premier League there are no small opponents, everyone fights to the death. When we play at home we still have a bit of space, but away you are under constant pressure from your opponent. In every area of play there is a battle. It's fun."

In closing Deco stated once again that he was enjoying his time in London and as such he didn't rue passing up the chance to join José Mourinho at Inter.

"Chelsea's offer was more interesting in all aspects than that of Internazionale, I liked more the plans of Felipe Scolari and I cannot complain, to play next to Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Terry and Co is a pleasure," he said.

"We are going to make life difficult for Inter and for everyone, we aspire to win the Champions League that the club were so close to last year, losing on penalties."

"Manchester City Simply Outbid Chelsea for Robinho" - admits his Agent, Wagner Ribeiro

Manchester City simply outbid Chelsea for Robinho, admits his agent, Wagner Ribeiro. The agent of Manchester City's new £32.5m signing Robinho yesterday revealed for the first time the extraordinary circumstances that led to the forward choosing City over Chelsea.

Robinho's move to City was made possible after the club accepted a takeover bid by Abu Dhabi United Group on transfer deadline day.

Ribeiro revealed that the deal hung in the balance until just 75 minutes before the window closed at midnight.

"I was just about to catch a flight to London [on the final day of the transfer window] when I got a call to tell me to come to the Bernabéu," Wagner Ribeiro said. "I told Robinho then that he was a Chelsea player. We even celebrated the fact. When I got to the stadium the press asked me about City and I said no. It was 10.45 at night when [Real's director general José Angel Sánchez] asked me: 'Would Robinho play for Man City?' I told him Robinho would play anywhere but Madrid.

"Chelsea kept on pushing until the very end," the agent added. "[The Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon rang me desperately to ask what was going on. But I was certain that Madrid and Chelsea wouldn't agree €40m [£32.5m] so I said yes to City. Their interest was a wonderful surprise."

"It was said that Robinho was a Chelsea player, we were celebrating that," Ribeiro continued. "When we arrived the press asked about Manchester City, I told them no.

"At quarter to 11 at night they asked me, 'Will Robinho play at Manchester City?'.

"I responded that he would play anywhere but Real Madrid."

Ribeiro also claimed: "Meanwhile, [Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon was calling me desperately trying to know what was happening. But I was already certain that Chelsea and Real Madrid would never reach an agreement of more than 40million euros.

"And it was then that I gave the okay to City."

Foreign Ownership of Premier League Clubs

ASTON VILLA - American billionaire Randy Lerner completed his takeover of Aston Villa last September for 62.6 million pounds ($122.5 million) after securing the required 90 percent of the Birmingham club's shares. The Cleveland Browns owner installed himself as chairman of Villa, taking the place of Doug Ellis who stepped down after 38 years at the Midlands side.

CHELSEA - In July 2003 Russian businessman Roman Abramovich agreed to buy the company that owned Chelsea in a deal which valued it at nearly 60 million pounds ($99.50 million). Under the cash offer, Abramovich, through his English offer vehicle Chelsea Ltd, agreed to purchase 84.9 million Chelsea Village shares at 35 pence each, just over half of its entire issued share capital. Abramovich has spent millions on the club since 2003 and has been rewarded with Chelsea winning successive Premier League titles and domestic cups.

FULHAM - In 1997 Egyptian-born businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of top London department store Harrods, invested 30 million pounds ($49 million) in Fulham and took over as chairman after agreeing to acquire a controlling stake. With his financial backing Fulham repurchased the freehold to their Craven Cottage stadium on the banks of the river Thames in west London for an estimated 7.5 million pounds, while on the pitch they were promoted to the top-flight in 2001.

LIVERPOOL - The 2005 European champions, seeking an injection of cash for two years to help challenge for top honours and fund a new stadium, agreed in 2006 to be taken over by U.S. sports tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks for 174 million pounds ($340 million). The 18-times English league champions had been in talks with Dubai International Capital (DIC), but DIC dropped its bid plans when Liverpool asked for more time to consider a rival offer from Gillett. In March 2008 takeover talks involving Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC) were terminated in March amid disagreement over who should be running the club. DIC, which made a 400 million pounds ($807.6 million) bid for the Merseyside club, said it was "in advanced discussions" with Liverpool's co-owners although no agreement had been reached on price or shareholding percentage.

MANCHESTER CITY - In July 2007 former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was hailed as an unlikely saviour when he bought the club for 81 million pounds ($146.3 million). New managers Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson, both tried to restore the clubs fortunes, but failed. Eriksson joined the City scrapheap in June 2008 after just a season in charge. Mark Hughes was named new manager on June 4. Prospective new owners, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, said on Monday they wanted to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League.

MANCHESTER UNITED - In August 2005, supporters were unhappy with the American tycoon, Malcolm Glazer's 790 million pounds ($1.41 billion) takeover and used the first home game where his sons Joel, Avi and Bryan, all board members, were in attendance, to make their voices heard. U.S. financier Malcolm Glazer said he had raised his stake in Manchester United to over 75 percent, finally gaining full control in May 2005 of the club he had battled to acquire for more than two years.

PORTSMOUTH - Alexandre Gaydamak acquired full control of Portsmouth in July 2006 after he bought the remaining stake from chairman Milan Mandaric. Media reports suggested that Mandaric had sold his remaining shares to Gaydamak, a Russian-born French national, for about 32 million pounds ($58.46 million). Gaydamak's initial investment for a 50 percent stake in the club had been reported at 15 million pounds. Mandaric injected new life into Portsmouth after taking over the club in 1998, winning promotion from the second division in 2003. He has stayed on as a non-executive chairman.

WEST HAM - In November 2006 West Ham United agreed an 85 million pounds ($161.3 million) takeover from a consortium led by Iceland Football Association president and UEFA member Eggert Magnusson. Magnusson replaced Terry Brown as West Ham chairman and shortly after sacked coach Alan Pardew, replacing him with Alan Curbishley.

Manchester City Bags Robinho for £32.5 Million from Real Madrid

Manchester City Bags Robinho for £32.5 Million from Real Madrid
City trumped Chelsea's pursuit by completing a four-year deal worth 32.5 million pounds (C$62.2 million) to eclipse the 31 million pounds (C$59.3 million) Andriy Shevchenko cost the Blues' Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich in 2006. Manchester City were successful and set a new British transfer record in the process.

Having completed his astonishing £210 million takeover of Manchester City, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan delivered a swift challenge to Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea — and the rest of football’s elite — with audacious bids for some of the world’s best players.

"It's been one hell of a day," said Hughes. "It's a huge statement of intent. A lot of credit has got to go to Dr Thaksin (Shinawatra, the club's current chairman and owner) for being able to bring the Abu Dhabi company to the table and this huge investment that is going to go forward. They wanted to present something to the people of Manchester and they have been able to do that. It's a fantastic signing for us. If we're going to get to the places we want to get to we are going to have to compete against outstanding teams. We have to attract world-class players and that is what we have done. He is an exceptional talent and opposition teams are going to fear him," he added.

Chelsea was so sure of signing the player that it had angered Madrid last week by briefly offering for sale shirts bearing his name. Madrid rejected Chelsea's initial 32-million-euro (C$49.8-million) bid.

The 24-year-old Brazil forward had long looked set to join Chelsea and his former international manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, but City seems to have done fierce rival United a favour by stopping Robinho from joining the Blues.

City's improved financial status also suggests that it will compete from now on with the likes of super-rich Chelsea, which enjoyed a huge edge in recent years because of the backing of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

Manchester City will get to unveil their Brazilian superstar on Sept. 13 by playing with Chelsea. Add that to the fact that City just added Shaun Wright-Phillips, who debuted this past weekend with two goals and will get his own shot at his former team when the two clubs square off.

Dhabi United Group (ADUG) Buys Manchester City

Manchester City became the second Arab-owned football club in the English Premier League `EPL` Monday following its takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development `ADUG`. The new owners are expect Premier League clearance so they can buy the club outright, within hours.

ADUG claimed it completed the takeover of the north-west English club from controversial Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra who is fleeing an arrest warrant while on bail over corruption charges in his home country.

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim the 31-year-old behind the adventure has to wait for the due diligence test, otherwise known as the 'fit and proper person' check before the final piece of the jigsaw can be rubber-stamped. Other than that, City fans waking up this morning can think of their beloved club not just as a rich club but as the wealthiest club in the world.

Talking to the reputable and leading newspaper, Arabian Business, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim explained that the consortium had dotted the 'I's' and crossed the 'T's', however it was up the EPL's governing body to sanction the takeover.

'It is really about formalities. It is more about securing approval from the authorities in England, such as the Premier League. I don't foresee any problems with the club itself. I need to check my diary and come over to England as soon as possible so I can meet people from the Premier League. We are very happy to become the new owners of Manchester City, one of the oldest clubs in England.'

The deal gave it "all management rights" over Manchester City, while the former Thai prime minister would become honorary president of the club "without any administrative responsibilities," it said.

The takeover comes after Egyptian businessman Mohammed al-Fayed became the first Arab owner of an EPL, when he bought London's oldest professional club, Fulham back in 1997.

The EPL has no restrictions on club ownership, with eight of the 20 clubs in foreign hands, although any director can be automatically disqualified if they are convicted of a listed offense.

Currently, three clubs are under American control, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa, followed by two under Russian ownership, Chelsea and Portsmouth.

Apart from Manchester City and Fulham, the other club in foreign hands is West Ham, owned by an Icelandic consortium headed by Eggert Magnusson.

Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United

Two goals from Elano crowned a marvellous 3-0 win for Manchester City against West Ham United.

Micah Richards was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary as Manchester City chalked up a comfortable victory at Eastlands against 10-man West Ham.

The England defender was hurt in a collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim and needed treatment on the pitch for eight minutes before regaining consciousness in the dressing room.

City went on to seal the points thanks to a brace from Elano after Daniel Sturridge had opened the scoring following the dismissal of West Ham midfielder Mark Noble.

Manchester City Secured £30 Million Loan

Manchester City have secured a £30 million loan against future television revenue to support Mark Hughes in the transfer market, amid continuing uncertainty over the future of their owner, Thaksin Shinawatra. City’s financial position is in doubt while Thaksin’s assets remain frozen in Thailand.

The former Prime Minister of Thailand has had his assets frozen after refusing to face corruption charges in his homeland, meaning his £800million are of little use at present. The club have played down the significance of a loan that is designed to ease cashflow difficulties and allow Mark Hughes to strengthen his depleted squad.

The manager is desperate to sign a left back, a midfield player and a striker before the transfer window closes on September 1, having failed with a £12 million bid for Roque Santa Cruz, the Blackburn Rovers forward, last week. Diego Milito, of Real Zaragoza, remains a target after Hughes’s urgency for a striker increased on Sunday when Valeri Bojinov ruptured his Achilles tendon during the warm-up before the 4-2 defeat away to Aston Villa, meaning that five of the club’s forwards are injured while a sixth, Jô, is on Olympic duty with Brazil.

Good news has been in short supply at City lately, with defeat at Villa Park preceded by an embarrassing 1-0 loss at home to FC Midtjylland in a Uefa Cup qualifying match, but the club hope to dispel some of their supporters’ anxiety in the coming days by signing at least two new playes and securing the long-term future of Michael Johnson, the England Under-21 midfield player, who is looking for an improved contract, having attracted interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton this summer.

Ashley Timms Admitted Blackmailing the Players

A former Manchester City youth team goalkeeper has admitted blackmailing a top Premier League footballer over sexual images. Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, of Middleton, Greater Manchester, admitted a charge of making unwarranted demands with menaces. He admitted blackmailing the player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between March 1 and April 3 this year.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC warned Timms that a prison sentence was inevitable. He had previously pleaded not guilty to demanding £15,000 from the player.

Judge Gilbart said: "This case carries inevitably a prison sentence, no doubt about it. I am going to grant him bail but it must be on the clear understanding what the sentence will be."

Manchester Crown Court heard how the blackmail victim, known only as Witness A, received a number of threats over the sexual images.

David Friesner, prosecuting, said: "There was a long protracted series of text messages that culminated in the offence. It is a series of messages followed by a series of threats."

The Manchester-born goalkeeper, who is currently without a club was bailed until 5 September for sentencing. He played with Manchester City's under-19 side and had spells at Shrewsbury Town and Accrington Stanley as well as a number of non-league clubs. He has also had trials at Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Oldham and Macclesfield. He joined Cambridge City in January on non-contract terms but has since left.