Super Van Persie rescues Manchester United in the nick of time

 

Robin van Persie scores when he wants. What started as a defiant chant by Arsenal fans last season has now been adopted by gleeful Manchester United supporters but, no matter who is doing the singing, they appear to be right.

The Dutchman has continued the blistering form which enabled him to light up north London last season, and on Saturday he notched his 20th goal of the season for United with a last-minute equaliser against West Ham.

Sam Allardyce's men thought they had booked their passage into the FA Cup fourth round courtesy of two James Collins headers but, at the death, substitute Van Persie sensationally took a brilliant lofted pass from Ryan Giggs in his stride before rifling the ball low into the net with his supposedly weaker right foot.

The two sides will now have to do battle again to see whose FA Cup dream will stay alive, and only a fool would bet against Van Persie making the difference again.
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A helping hand

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Pato back to Brazil

 

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Sam Allardyce picks up Raggedy-Ann dolls Joe Cole & Marouane Chamakh

 

Limp and hung out to dry, Joe Cole and Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh had become two of the footballing wilderness' most high-profile members in the last six months.

Fortunately, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has always been a man to appreciate the quality of vintage goods, and was quick to sign the duo on Friday in the early days of the January transfer window.

Snapped off the shelf and handed a second chance at Upton Park, 31-year-old Cole will be hoping for a happy return to east London, while the Moroccan's six-month loan spell is a perfect chance to show his worth to his parent club in the north of the capital...
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Mancini finally explodes after reaching Balotelli boiling point

 

Roberto Mancini has stood by Mario Balotelli through all the fireworks in the bathroom, red cards, camouflaged Bentleys and grass allergies.

But tensions finally seemed to come to a head at Manchester City's training ground on Thursday, when Mancini took exception to a tackle by the striker on Scott Sinclair, leading to a physical altercation.

However, despite the fireworks at Carrington, Mancini does not appear to have severed ties entirely with the striker.

“Will Mario have more chances? I will give him 100 chances as long as I can see him trying to improve and working hard for this football club,” he told reporters on Friday morning.
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