Weekly Football News, January 23 2013
Bradford to Wembley, Pochettino to Southampton and Zaha to United
Bradford City into the League Cup Final
Bradford City will play either Chelsea or Swansea City in the League Cup final at Wembley next month.
The League Two side were beaten 2-1 away at Aston Villa in the second leg of their semi-final but their heroics in the first game saw them secure a 4-3 aggregate victory over the tie. Bradford will be huge football betting underdogs in the final.
"I think it'd take some doing for anyone to do this again. We had a really tough run. It wasn't just the Premier League teams, we had tough games with Notts County and Watford too," Bradford boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport.
It is the first time that a team from the fourth division of English football has made a League Cup final since 1962 and the first time Bradford have appeared in a major final since 1911.
Adkins Sacked by Southampton
Nigel Adkins was sensationally sacked as manager of Southampton at the end of last week. He has been replaced by the Argentine Mauricio Pochettino who comes to the club from La Liga where he was previously manager of Espanyol.
The Saints made no reference to Adkins in the match programme for Pochettino's first game in charge at home against Everton which ended in a 0-0 draw.
"I want to say thanks to the players and fans for the support they have given me - I have respect for the fans saying what they want to say. That is their expression of freedom, it is normal for them to sing his name after two years here," Pochettino told the BBC after his appointment.
United Closing on deal for Zaha
Manchester United are closing in on the permanent signing of talented winger Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. Reports are suggesting that United will offer a solid bid of around £12 million to land the England international, ending months of speculation over which Premier League side he might possibly join.
United have confirmed their interest in the player and Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that the Gunners tried to sign Zaha but he favoured a move to Old Trafford. United and Palace are expected to wrap up the deal by the end of this week with the player staying at Palace on loan until the end of the current season.
Benitez wants to stay at Chelsea
Temporary Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that he wants to stay at the club beyond this season.
The Spaniard was appointed interim coach after the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo and the decision of Pep Guardiola to go to Bayern Munich means the club could be open to offering Benitez an extended deal.
"A lot of doors can be opened but the main one is this one here - Staying in the Premier League is my priority but I am a professional - Chelsea is an ideal club," Benitez told The Times.
Manchester Title Race - 14 January Soccer News - the Manchester title race and Newcastle's new striker.
Theo Walcott - 10 January Soccer News - Theo Walcott edges closer to new contract at Arsenal.
Kevin-Prince Boateng - 7 January Soccer News - Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng walks off after racist abuse.
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