Ancelotti wages war to keep Casillas

He may no longer be the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti is determined to keep Iker Casillas.

The Spain international lost his place in the starting XI under previous boss Jose Mourinho during the 2012-13 season to Diego Lopez.

Lopez continues to be a regular fixture in the starting XI under Ancelotti, but the Italian is adamant that he does not want Casillas to leave.

"It was not an easy decision, I have two goalkeepers of high quality, the best two in the world," the Italian trainer told RNE.

"I started with Diego as my No.1, but then did not consider that Casillas would not play. Rotating goalkeepers is not the most desirable thing, it is not easy, but they have understood.

"I'll fight the same way I did for Xabi. This team have key players representing the club and I will wage war for Casillas to finish his career here, in Madrid."

Ancelotti has also suggested Casillas could be in the starting lineup to face Espanyol on Sunday as Lopez is struggling with a stomach bug.

Saturday, 11 January 2014 12:45

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Yaya Toure crowned King of Africa

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was named CAF African Footballer of the Year on Thursday.

The Ivory Coast international claimed the award for the third successive year, beating off competition from Jon Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba.

Only Samuel Eto'o has achieved the same feat, between 2003 and 2005, as Toure, who was also the only African player named on the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.

Toure is enjoying his most prolific season to date at the Etihad Stadium, having already netted 13 goals this season.

Friday, 10 January 2014 12:15

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Samurai Honda vs Thohir

Based on the Samurai Jack series

Samurai Keisuke Honda vs Erick Thohir

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When it rains it pours on struggling Sam Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was afforded no respite by Manchester City in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night.

The Hammers are struggling in the relegation zone having failed to win a Premier League game since beating Fulham on November 30.

And Allardyce was forced to face questions about his future at the club after a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday.

To make matters worse, City were in typically ruthless form in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg and put another six past the hapless Hammers at the Etihad Stadium.

"You can't keep losing football matches as a manager, that's for sure," Allardyce acknowledged after the game. "We know the reasons why but even those reasons will not save you in the end."

Thursday, 9 January 2014 11:30

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Peep! It's Manchester United v Referees!

David Moyes and Ryan Giggs were less than impressed following Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.

The Scottish boss said "it looks as though we are having to play them [officials] as well as the opposition at the moment" after the Black Cats were awarded a free kick and a penalty which both lead to goals.

And Giggs thinks "it's getting laughable now, the decisions just aren't quite going for us." Not an easy time to be a Manchester United player!

Wednesday, 8 January 2014 12:00

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