Weekly Football News, April 11 2013
City Cut Title Race to Twelve Points
Manchester City have cut the gap to Manchester United to 12 points following a win in the Manchester derby on Monday night. They remain the betting outsiders with Unibet to come back and win the title in the same way they overturned an eight point gap towards the back end of last season.
Goals from James Milner and Sergio Aguero off the bench, were enough to give City a 2-1 win, after Vincent Kompany put through his own net for the Manchester United equaliser.
"The championship is finished - we deserved to win because we played better, we played good football. We didn't take any risk. This is important for us because we can get second position," said City boss Roberto Mancini after the game.
City have seven games left this season and they need United to lose four games if they are to retain their title in dramatic fashion. However, that seems highly unlikely as United have only lost four games all season.
Ajax Defender Desires Liverpool Move
Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld has dropped a massive hint to Liverpool that he would be interested in a Premier League move.
Liverpool need to sign a defender in the summer, as Jamie Carragher has confirmed he will not go back on his decision to retire, which leaves a hole in the middle of the team's defence.
Alderweireld has also been linked with a possible move to Newcastle United, but has cast doubt over that move, with Liverpool being his preferred choice.
"I do not want to play in an English club in mid-table. Unlike Newcastle, Liverpool meets my criteria," he said as reported in the Liverpool Echo.
The defender has a year to run on his current contract, with reports suggesting that Liverpool will be urged to pay between £7 million and £10 million to make him one of their first summer signings.
He has started just six matches for Ajax in the Eredivisie this season, scoring two goals. He's also made six appearances for the club in the Champions League and has played for Belgium six times this year.
Rafa Hints at Liverpool Return
Rafael Benitez has said he will return to Liverpool one day as the club's manager.
Benitez has been going through a tough spell at Chelsea as interim coach, as fans at Stamford Bridge continue to protest about the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo and his appointment.
Benitez has revealed that his close family are still based in Merseyside and it's his desire to go back to the club, after he was sacked following the close of the 2009/2010 season.
"I will return, almost certainly. What I do not know is when. My daughters and wife still live there. My idea is to train a competitive team. Why not in England? We will have to wait and see. Everything will be worked out," Benitez told Spanish news source Marca.
2013 Soccer News
World Cup Qualifying - 27 March Soccer News - A round up of all the World Cup Qualifying matches in Europe and South America.
Champions League - 4 March Soccer News - Real and Manchester United in Champions League showdown.
FA Cup Shocks - 18 February Soccer News - FA Cup springs more surprises.
Liverpool and Spurs Lose in FA Cup - 28 January Soccer News - Liverpool and Spurs are knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition.
League Cup - 23 January Soccer News - Bradford City are through to the League Cup Final after beating Aston Villa over two legs.
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