Manchester City draw 0-0 with QPR

Manchester City draw 0-0 with QPR

Carlos Tevez (R) of Manchester City vies with Clint Hill of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Sergio Aguero (R) of Manchester City vies with Shaun Derry of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Joe Hart, goalie of Manchester City, thanks supporters after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Joe Hart (R), goalie of Manchester City, greets Julio Cesar (C), goalie of Queens Park Rangers after the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



James Milner (Front) of Manchester City vies with Esteban Granero of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



David Silva (L) of Manchester City breaks through the defence from Armond Traore (C) and Esteban Granero of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Gareth Barry (L) of Manchester City vies with Fabio da Silva of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Harry Redknapp (L), manager of the Queens Park Rangers gives instructions as Roberto Mancini (R), manager of Manchester City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Roberto Mancini, manager of Manchester City look on before the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Adel Taarabt of Queens Park Rangers reacts after missing a goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Adel Taarabt of Queens Park Rangers reacts after missing a goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Ryan Nelsen (R) of Queens Park Rangers greets goalie Julio Cesar after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.



Ryan Nelsen (1st, R) of Queens Park Rangers receives greetings from his teammates after the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on January 29, 2013. The match ended with a 0-0 draw.

(Xinhua)

Read More

Drogba eyes more Champions League glory at Galatasaray

Drogba eyes more Champions League glory at Galatasaray

ISTANBUL - Istanbul club Galatasaray have agreed with Shanghai Shenhua to sign striker Didier Drogba, the club said in a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on Monday.

The deal is for 18 months starting in the second half of the current season, Galatasaray Sportif, the Istanbul's club merchandising unit, said.



Cote d'Ivoire's Didier Drogba (L) challenges Tunisia's Aymen Abdennour during their African Nations Cup Group D soccer match in Rustenburg, Jan 26, 2013.

"The opportunity to play for this great club was an offer that I could not turn down," Drogba was quoted as saying on Twitter.

"I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League again, against the best clubs in Europe," added the Cote d'Ivoire captain, who won Europe's leading club competition with Chelsea last year when he scored the decisive penalty in a shootout.

The Galatasaray deal includes transfer fees totalling 6 million euros ($8 million) and payments of 15,000 euros per match, plus signing fees of 4 million euros.

The 34-year-old Drogba, on African Nations Cup duty in South Africa with his country, moved to China after Chelsea's Champions League triumph last year.

Drogba applied for permission to leave on loan before the January transfer window but world soccer's ruling body FIFA refused the request.



Didier Drogba, right, of Shanghai Shenhua goes past a Shandong Luneng player during their Chinese Super League game in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, Aug 25 file photo.

The striker returned to Chelsea to train at his former club in a bid to stay sharp for the Nations Cup, fuelling media speculation of a return to Europe.

Drogba's transfer comes less than a week after Netherlands midfielder and 2010 Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder joined Galatasaray from Inter Milan.

Galatasaray have been drawn to meet German club Schalke 04 in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.



Cote d'Ivoire's Didier Drogba reacts after scoring a goal during the international friendly soccer match against Austria in Linz, Nov 14, 2012.

(Agencies)

Read More

Juventus crashes Udinese 4-0

Juventus crashes Udinese 4-0

(130120) -- TURIN , Jan. 20, 2013 (Xinhua) - Emanuele Giaccherini (L) of Juventus vies the ball with Giampiero Pinzi of Udinese during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



(130120) -- TURIN , Jan. 20, 2013 (Xinhua) - Emanuele Giaccherini (L) of Juventus vies the ball with Giampiero Pinzi of Udinese during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



Alessandro Marti of Juventus celebrates after scoring during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



Antonio Conte, Coach of Juventus, reacts during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



Paul Pogba (L) of Juventus celebrates with his teammates after scoring during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



Paul Pogba (L) of Juventus breaks through during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.



Paul Pogba (C) of Juventus celebrates with his teammates after scoring during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Jan. 19, 2013. Juventus won 4-0.

(NEWS)

Read More

Man. United enters 4th round of FA Cup

Man. United enters 4th round of FA Cup

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal against West Ham United with teammates Antonio Valencia (L) and Javier Hernandez (R) during their FA Cup third round replay soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England January 16, 2013. Man. United won 1-0. Manchester United and Arsenal are both through to the fourth round of the FA Cup following victories against West Ham and Swansea.



Manchester United's Wayne Rooney misses a penalty during their FA Cup third round replay soccer match against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England January 16, 2013. Man. United won 1-0. Manchester United and Arsenal are both through to the fourth round of the FA Cup following victories against West Ham and Swansea.



Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal against West Ham United during their FA Cup third round replay soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England January 16, 2013. Man. United won 1-0. Manchester United and Arsenal are both through to the fourth round of the FA Cup following victories against West Ham and Swansea.



Manchester United's Javier Hernandez jumps over West Ham United's Jussi Jaaskelainen during their FA Cup third round replay soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England January 16, 2013. Man. United won 1-0. Manchester United and Arsenal are both through to the fourth round of the FA Cup following victories against West Ham and Swansea.

(Reuters )

Read More

Everton beat West Ham United 2-1 at Barclays Premier League

Everton beat West Ham United 2-1 at Barclays Premier League

Victor Anichebe (1st L) of Everton celebrates scoring with teammates during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Kevin Nolan (3rd R), Jussi Jaaskelainen(2nd R) and Matt Jarvis (1st R) of West Ham United look dejected as players of Everton celebrate their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Carlton Cole (2nd L) of West Ham argues with referee Anthony Taylor after he is shown red card during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Victor Anichebe (L) of Everton celebrates scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Carlton Cole (L) of West Ham United vies with Leon Osman of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



West Ham manager Sam Allardyce signs for fans before the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Everton manager David Moyes directs during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.



Match referee Anthony Taylor (C) walks off flanked by his assistants Gary Beswick and Simon Long after the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the Boleyn Ground in London, Britain on Dec. 22, 2012. Everton won 2-1.

(NEWS.CN)

Read More

Syria beats Bahrain in 7th WAFF Championship semifinal

Syria beats Bahrain in 7th WAFF Championship semifinal

Rashed Alhooti (L) of Bahrain vies with Mahoud Almawas of Syria during the 7th WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship 2012 Semifinal Football match between Bahrain and Syria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2012. Syria won by penalty kicks 3-2.



Mohammed Hassan (R) of Bahrain vies with Ahmad Aldouni of Syria during the 7th WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship 2012 Semifinal Football match between Bahrain and Syria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2012. Syria won by penalty kicks 3-2.



Omair Kharbin of Syria reacts during the 7th WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship 2012 Semifinal Football match between Bahrain and Syria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2012. Syria won by penalty kicks 3-2.



Syria's players celebrate after winning the match against Bahrain during the 7th WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship 2012 Semifinal Football match in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2012. Syria won by penalty kicks 3-2.



Abdulwahab Alsafi (R) of Bahrain vies with Omar Alsoma of Syria during the 7th WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship 2012 Semifinal Football match between Bahrain and Syria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2012. Syria won by penalty kicks 3-2.

(NEWS.CN)

Read More

Tottenham Hotspur beats Swansea City at Barclays Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur beats Swansea City at Barclays Premier League

Jan Vertonghen (1st L) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Jermain Defoe (L) of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Michu (Front) of Swansea City heads with Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Sandro (R) of Tottenham Hotspur vies with Ki Sung-Yueng of Swansea City during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur vies with Chico Flores (L) of Swansea City during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Michael Laudrup, manager of Swansea City, looks on before the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Andre Villas Boas, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on before the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Emmanuel Adebayor (R) of Tottenham Hotspur vies with Leon Britton of Swansea City during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Clint Dempsey of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



William Eric Gallas (1st R) of Tottenham Hotspur argues with Chico Flores (1st L) of Swansea City during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.



Andre Villas Boas (R), manager of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Michael Laudrup, manager of Swansea City, before the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City at White Hart Lane in London, Britain on Dec. 16, 2012. Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0.

(NEWS.CN)

Read More