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Fulham manager Mark Hughes apologised for his spat with Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini after the sides’ 1-1 Premier League draw.

Hughes angrily withdrew his handshake after Mancini failed to meet his glance when they came together at full-time.

“I apologise if I offended anyone,” said Hughes, who was sacked at City and replaced by Mancini in December 2009.

“Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I didn’t think he offered his hand with any sincerity today.”

Hughes, who also sent some stern words in Mancini’s direction, added: “I was well beaten 4-1 by City and Roberto in the reverse fixture at our place and I offered him my hand and admitted they were the better side.”

Mancini, who saw his side’s already slim title hopes suffer another major setback, said he did not know what the problem was.

“I don’t know, I don’t know what he said,” the Italian revealed. “I shook hands with him, but I don’t understand what he was saying. There’s no problem as far as I’m concerned.”

City took the lead in the first half at Eastlands through Mario Balotelli’s fine right-foot strike, only for Fulham to level soon after the restart when Damien Duff met Andrew Johnson’s right-wing cross to equalise.

Hughes lavished praise on his side but admitted he was frustrated to be leaving his former club with only a point after an impressive performance. (continue reading…)

Ac Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he turned down a lucrative move to Manchester City.
The 29-year-old instead moved to Italian giants Ac Milan from Barcelona on-loan last summer and does not regret the decision at all.
He claims to have rejected a big money offer from the Manchester club as he wanted to win trophies and he feels City are still a few years away from winning trophies.
Ibrahimovic, the Serie A leaders’ top scorer with 17, said: “I had a couple of talks with City and they had a fantastic project going on but I’m not one of those players who plays for money.
“For me it’s important to see what kind of future there is and what kind of possibilities there are. For me, the project of City is not for now.
“I think in a couple of years City will come top but Milan are at the top now and I want to be playing at the top when I’m 29 rather than 32.
“City have made some good investments and are playing well.
“But it was not about money. If you are a great player, there is money everywhere.

Carlos Tevez made his peace with Manchester City but failed to guide them to top spot in the Premier League as they lost 2-1 at home to Everton on Monday.

Argentine striker Tevez, who withdrew his transfer request shortly before the match, failed to shine and Everton took control through goals by Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines in the opening 19 minutes at Eastlands.

Everton were reduced to 10 men when Victor Anichebe was dismissed after 60 minutes following two quick bookings before City pulled a goal back when Yaya Toure’s shot was deflected in off Phil Jagielka in the 72nd minute.

City, unbeaten in their last seven league games, also finished with 10 men when defender Kolo Toure was sent off in stoppage-time, also for two rapid yellow cards.

City would have moved a point clear of Manchester United at the top with a win to lead the table at Christmas for the first time since 1929. (continue reading…)

Manchester United have been approached with a sensational offer to buy Carlos Tevez back from their neighbours City.

Contact was made this week by a party closely connected with striker Tevez, who quit Old Trafford in May 2009, with a view to finding out whether United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would be interested in re-signing him.

Ferguson was made aware of the approach, which was neither at City’s behest nor with their knowledge, but sources close to Old Trafford indicate there is absolutely no chance of the player returning, even if City did decide to sell.

With Tevez ready to return to play against Everton in a game which could take City to the top of the table, the club show no signs of buckling under the pressure of the player’s publicly-stated desire to leave. And they continue to point the finger of blame for the turmoil at the player’s advisor Kia Joorabchian.

Victory over Everton on Monday would mean Mancini’s men would be top on Christmas Day for the first time in 81 years.

City announced last week that they had rejected a written transfer request and are adamant that the player will be staying until at least the end of the season. (continue reading…)

Roberto Mancini says he hopes Carlos Tevez will stay at the club, despite the Argentine striker handing in a transfer request.

Tevez, 26, handed in a formal request last weekend, claiming his relationship with “certain executives” at the club had broken down “beyond repair”.

However, Tevez is prepared to play if picked, his adviser said on Wednesday.

“I want to speak to him. He is our player and I hope he continues to play and score for us,” said Mancini.

“I am disappointed because we are in a good moment and in a good position in the table and our focus must be on this. Carlos has three-and-a-half years left on his contract.”
Asked whether he thought he could change Tevez’s mind, Mancini, who is set to hold talks with the player on Friday, said: “I don’t know, I don’t know. Carlos is our player and will stay with us.

“It is important we speak. We have important games coming up against Juventus on Thursday and against Everton on Monday, lots of important games this month.” (continue reading…)

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has submitted a written transfer request, which the club has rejected.

The 26-year-old Argentina striker is said to be homesick after four years in England.

“The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos’ representative,” said a Manchester City statement.

Tevez was suspended on Saturday as City won at West Ham to move level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

He had an angry exchange with manager Roberto Mancini when substituted in the closing moments of his last match against Bolton on 4 December.
City say that Tevez and his agent, Kia Joorabchian, have been pushing to renegotiate the player’s five-year contract in recent months.
(continue reading…)

by. Ctuiser

Both sides will be eager to get maximum points for different reasons. West Ham are bottom of the standings and need the three points to get to safety while Manchester City will draw level with Arsenal if they can win here.

West Ham are coming into this match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland. Before that defeat they did beat Wigan and also knocked out Manchester United of of the Carling Cup.

West Ham are unbeaten at home for the past five games but they will come up against a City side that have not lost in their last seven games.

Manchester City beat Bolton in their last match thanks to Carlos Tevez who scored his tenth goal of the season. He will not feature today as he sis suspended. City will hope to end a three match winless streak at Upton Park and they have to do it without him though. (continue reading…)

There used to be a character on Steve Wright’s Radio 1 show called Mr Mad. Every day he would come on, address Wright repeatedly as ‘pal’, and tell him where he was currently living (inside a bottle of paint stripper/inside Paul McCartney’s guitar/inside Black Rod’s mace in the Houses of Parliament).

The next sentence would start, ‘I’ll tell you who’s mad, pal…’ Over the years, it became quite a list.

Random celebrities would find their way on to Mr Mad’s surreal litany of the insane, as well as those engaging in activities considered bizarre.

‘He needs a check-up from the neck up,’ Mr Mad would decree. ‘Ravin’ mad, pal.’ And every now and then, when reading the sports pages, I am reminded of that show and of Mr Mad.

Because I’ll tell you who’s mad, pal; anyone who thinks Wayne Rooney should sign for Manchester City. They’re mad, pal.

They’ve definitely got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock. Not because there is anything wrong with Manchester City, oh no.

On the contrary, City are a fine club. Definitely going places. Could even be champions this season if Chelsea run out of steam in the new year. (continue reading…)

David Silva scored his first goal for Manchester City to help them to victory over Red Bull Salzburg in their opening Europa League group match.

The Spanish World Cup winner sidefooted in the opener from eight yards following striker Jo’s lay-off.

City doubled their lead after the break when Jo followed up Gerhard Tremmel’s save from Carlos Tevez’s 20-yarder.

Salzburg created few clear-cut chances, with their best falling to Ibrahim Sekagya, whose shot struck the bar.

But although City keeper Joe Hart was left to enjoy the Salzburg skyline for much of the match, the Austrian side, who won all their group games last season, looked far more threatening than City’s previous opponents Timosoara. (continue reading…)