Lee Dixon's analysis of Arsenal's win at Liverpool

In the six years I played under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger I only once saw him lose his rag in the dressing room.

Just like Sunday's game we were 1-0 down to Liverpool at half-time. Wenger came in, threw a cup on the floor and started ranting and raving.

The players were all wondering what was going on but the funny thing was he threw the cup and got a reaction, but then, being the nice bloke he is, bent down and picked it up because he had missed the bin.

In tidying up after himself he lost a bit of the effect but as players we went out there and got a result.

Wenger does not do telling off very well, it is just not a natural thing for him - so when he does, it has more of an effect.

The Frenchman expects players to know what is going wrong when they are not performing to the required level and to take responsibility to sort it out themselves.

He talks about intelligence, knowing the game, understanding when things are going right or wrong and being able to fix it on the pitch.
When that does not happen he will let rip and it is not a pretty sight.

He admits he is a sore loser but even when we got beaten he would very rarely lose his temper with us after the game, preferring to leave it until the Monday morning and come in with a clear head after he had watched the video a few times on Sunday.

In fact, his assistant Pat Rice would more often than not come in after the game and he was a much more vocal character. But even then Wenger would tell Pat to be quiet and not lose his rag.

That was difficult for Pat but it is the way Wenger runs his dressing room. Players are angry after losing games as well and that is why you get flare-ups like we have seen at Stoke and QPR recently.

I cannot ever imagine seeing that in a Wenger dressing room. You can voice your opinion to him but I never saw anyone have a go at Wenger - players have too much respect for him for it to get to that stage.

Game of two Arsenals

After Arsenal had come from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday, some of Wenger's players said it was very unlike him to lay into them, but their performance warranted it.

He would have asked where their hunger and drive was and called for them to get further up the pitch when they got ball.

When you play with two up front then one attacker often comes short to look for the ball and the other forward will offer something else.

With Andrey Arshavin on his own up front it put more emphasis on the two wingers to provide those options.

Arsenal play that short passing game that can be extremely effective, but sometimes away from home you have to have the option to hit the long ball when teams are closing you down in
midfield.On Sunday their wingers failed to use the space behind the opposition defence; every time they came short Liverpool went with them and it led to a congested midfield.

Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri did not try to spin into more dangerous areas and look to stretch Liverpool's defence in the corners of the pitch.

It played into Liverpool's hands as it meant their defenders could mark the visitors' forwards tightly. Then when Arsenal's passing game broke down they lost the ball too easily.

This also increased the pressure on Arsenal's defence as they were constantly on the back foot and chasing back as Liverpool counter-attacked.

Someone should have said something on the pitch because it was pretty obvious when they kept losing the ball.

But it was not until the third minute of first-half injury time that Walcott managed to get the ball deep down Liverpool's right-hand side.

In the second half Arsenal got men forward and put Liverpool under pressure on the edge of their own box.

They challenged on the edge of Liverpool's box, and gave some support to Arshavin.

Straight away they were a different side, Nasri set up the equaliser and Walcott was more of a factor and involved in both goals.

Arsenal's title chances

The thing with Arsenal is they generally have to play well to win. Sometimes they play well and lose, like at Manchester United, but when they play badly they invariably come unstuck.

Against Liverpool they showed they can grind out a result like Chelsea and Manchester United do.

Arsenal lack a Fernando Torres or Didier Drogba so Arshavin has proven he is invaluable to a side without that focal point up front.

The Gunners can score from anywhere and are brilliant at times, but sometimes when things are not going well they need someone like Arshavin to produce something out of nothing.

This little guy has that bit of genius in him where he can score from anywhere at any time.

At the other end of the field Alex Song showed what a key player he is in the second half, sweeping up in front of the back four and stifling Liverpool's attacks.
I was not that big a fan of Song at first but he has grown on me and there is definitely more to come.

I am not totally convinced they have everything in the mix to win the league, but we have seen at the weekend that Chelsea and Manchester are dropping points.

Arsenal can win the title but I am far from 100% certain that they will.

I love Eduardo but all of their strikers play the same way and they are such a small side. Wenger definitely needs to bring in a more physical forward in January but there are not many Drogbas around.

But Sunday's game was a must win for both sides and Arsenal have given themselves a chance of a title challenge.

Wenger wins in madcap weekend

Arsene Wenger's decoration of Arsenal's Anfield dressing room with verbal invective was long forgotten as he celebrated edging out Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill as the big winner of the Premier League's madcap, coupon-busting weekend.

In two remarkable days, Wenger shouting "you're not fit to wear the shirt" at the Arsenal players he usually defends with such fervour, and occasionally against all logic, was perhaps the most remarkable incident of them all.

Wenger delighted in an ability to still surprise his Arsenal charges after 13 years with a blast of vocal caustic soda in response to a miserable first 45 minutes at Liverpool - but not as much as he revelled in an eventual win that he declared puts them back in this maverick Premier League title race, both "mathematically and mentally."

For Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez this was meant to be another fresh start after the conclusion of a wretched Champions League campaign. Instead, to misquote The Who's Pete Townshend, this was a case of "meet the new season - same as the old season."
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Wenger wins in madcap weekend

Post categories: Premier League

Phil McNulty | 08:20 UK time, Monday, 14 December 2009

Arsene Wenger's decoration of Arsenal's Anfield dressing room with verbal invective was long forgotten as he celebrated edging out Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill as the big winner of the Premier League's madcap, coupon-busting weekend.

In two remarkable days, Wenger shouting "you're not fit to wear the shirt" at the Arsenal players he usually defends with such fervour, and occasionally against all logic, was perhaps the most remarkable incident of them all.

Wenger delighted in an ability to still surprise his Arsenal charges after 13 years with a blast of vocal caustic soda in response to a miserable first 45 minutes at Liverpool - but not as much as he revelled in an eventual win that he declared puts them back in this maverick Premier League title race, both "mathematically and mentally."

For Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez this was meant to be another fresh start after the conclusion of a wretched Champions League campaign. Instead, to misquote The Who's Pete Townshend, this was a case of "meet the new season - same as the old season."

Liverpool manager Rafa BenitezLiverpool boss Benitez has plenty to think about ahead of the festive programme

For those who fancied a little spice with their Premier League season after growing accustomed to the same old taste in recent campaigns, this weekend provided enough ingredients to whet the appetite for the months ahead.

Aston Villa went to Manchester United and won for the first time in 26 years, confirming that the champions are giving renewed hope to opponents and missing, understandably, the magic Cristiano Ronaldo used to provide with regularity.

Chelsea, who looked like the title was theirs for the losing after sweeping Arsenal aside at the Emirates last month, saw sudden defensive vulnerability, in particular the flaws of fading keeper Petr Cech, further exposed at Stamford Bridge in a draw against a wonderfully gallant Everton decimated by serious injuries.

Wolves went to White Hart Lane and scratched some of the sheen off Spurs' top four pretensions with the sort of victory that could keep the great old club in the Premier League.

And Bolton, almost holed below the waterline recently and with manager Gary Megson's popularity dipping even further, played out a six-goal extravaganza with Manchester City, who saw flowing attack undermined by a leaking defence.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal think they can win the title. Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City believe they can get that fourth spot - and Liverpool hope they will.

So that is at least the top seven places up for grabs even before we get to the relegation struggle. Interesting enough for you?

Liverpool and Arsenal concluded events - with Benitez hoping his side would back his bold public claim that they would definitely finish in the top four and Wenger wanting proof that his insistence that the Gunners are right in the title race would not end up resembling a desperate exercise in straw-clutching.

For Benitez, all that was left at the end was a grim finale to a game that started with promise and brought a deserved half-time lead courtesy of Dirk Kuyt.

In the end his cast-iron guarantee of Champions League football sounded as convincing as the assertion from Anfield's tannoy announcer that Frankie Goes To Hollywood's witless savaging of one of popular music's most majestic moments, Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run", was indeed "the best version." It sounds like the pressure is affecting everyone's judgement at Anfield.

Arsenal did not leave the stamp of potential champions behind them at Anfield, despite the win. For 45 minutes they were, to put it at its most charitable, abysmal - poor in possession, lacking in conviction and a perfectly suitable case for the half-time mauling Wenger delivered.

Wenger's words of fury were given flesh and bones by Glen Johnson's own goal and what is becoming a regular piece of Anfield artistry from Andrey Arshavin. The Russian swooped on a moment of miscontrol from Johnson before lashing a finish high past the startled Pepe Reina.

At that precise second, Arshavin had the perfect strike rate of five shots and five goals at Anfield following on from his quartet in the 4-4 draw last season. It should be reported as a matter of fact that it all went downhill from there - one shot saved by Reina and another off target hitting his previously perfect average. Get your act together Andrey!enger's clenched fist salute at the final whistle, and his jaunty demeanour later, illustrated the importance of this victory, especially after the opportunity presented to Arsenal by the failure of their close rivals.

It must not blind Wenger to the fact that Arsenal were unremarkable for large portions of a low-quality game, especially when Javier Mascherano was dogging Cesc Fabregas' every move.

To come to Anfield and win, even with Liverpool in their current parlous state, is not to be sniffed at, but this current Anfield model is prone to implosion when the slightest pressure is applied and this proved their undoing once more.

Arsenal would do well not to get carried away. The need for a powerful additional midfield presence remains and Arsenal's striking resources look wafer-thin, but this was three priceless points.

The result enabled Wenger to remind those who questioned Arsenal after their sobering brush with Chelsea that he had forecast, to a measure of mockery, that Carlo Ancelotti's side would drop points.

He did. And they have. Arsenal, however, will need to show more than they did here if Wenger is to have the last word.

For Liverpool, this season of unremitting misery continues - and it was all watched, with cruel irony, by the player whose absence has been touted as a major factor in their demise.

Xabi Alonso, who was spotted stifling yawns during the first half, was watching from the stands as Liverpool cried out for some of his class and creativity in central midfield. Alonso's stature has grown with every game he hasn't played for Liverpool - sometimes out of proportion with what he actually achieved at Anfield.

As he left one young fan pleaded for him to return, a ploy as hopeless and misguided as the succession of long, aimless balls Liverpool banged towards a tiring Fernando Torres in the closing stages - a failing Alonso would have at least tried to remedy.

When questioned on Liverpool's continuing slide, Benitez - who must be running out of brave faces now - said: "It is a question of confidence not quality." If only this was true, because Liverpool's response to going behind lacked both confidence and quality.

Even The Kop looked and sounded like it had given up long before the end. No late Liverpool surge, no glimmer of hope, not even in another brief run-out for Alberto Aquilani.

Liverpool can point, with some justifcation, to Howard Webb's mystifying refusal to award a penalty when Steven Gerrard was fouled by William Gallas, but there has been enough papering over of the cracks recently and this would have been another example.

The next new start comes against Wigan at Anfield on Wednesday, but there have been so many at Liverpool this season that Benitez should keep a pair of jump leads handy in the dug-out.

So Wenger was in sprightly form as he leaped aboard the Arsenal coach for the journey back to the capital after a weekend in which almost all the cards fell nicely in his favour.

Arsenal were unconvincing, even in victory, but the joy for Wenger comes in the knowledge his team still had enough about them to get three points - which is more than can be said for Chelsea and Manchester United.

Wenger insisted on Friday that the bar had been lowered on what will be needed to win the title. This weekend proved him right.

Germany's Michael Ballack plays down World Cup chances

Germany captain Michael Ballack says his side are not among the favourites to win next year's World Cup.

Their group also includes Australia, Serbia and Ghana and the 33-year-old Chelsea star believes getting through that will be a challenge in itself.

"We do not have the consistency or strength in depth in the squad," Ballack told Kicker magazine.

"We have been too weak, particularly in friendlies, to be able to say that we have the class to beat everybody else."

That said, Germany have a well-deserved reputation as high achievers at the World Cup, whether they have the best players or not.


West Germany won the trophy in 1954, 1974 and 1990, while the unified country were runners-up in 2002 and third on home soil in 2006 when many pointed to a lack of high-quality players.

They have qualified for every one of the 16 World Cups they have entered and reached the last eight or better every time since 1938.
But Ballack added: "You can forget about us having had the luck of the draw - we have a tough group and all three opponents are uncomfortable and physically very strong.

"We are going to have to put our foot down from the very beginning. Focusing on big games has always been one of the strengths of German teams."

Germany, coached by Joachim Low, are likely to rely heavily on Ballack, along with the likes of fellow midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and strikers Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose.

Germany's next game before the World Cup is a friendly against Argentina in Munich on 3 March.

Liverpool triumph relieves pressure on Benitez

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool bounced back from their premature Champions League exit to beat neighbours Everton 2-0 on Sunday, a result which relieved some of the pressure that has been building on manager Rafa Benitez.

Javier Mascherano's long range 12th minute effort, which took a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Yobo, set Liverpool on their way before Dirk Kuyt sealed victory 11 minutes from time.

It was enough to put a smile back on the face of Benitez, who has come under pressure since the five-times European champions were eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League in midweek.

The win lifted Liverpool into the top five while problems continue to mount for Everton, who were the better side for long periods.

Having won just once in 11 games, David Moyes's strugglers are three points above the relegation zone.

Benitez had demanded an aggressive, high-tempo start from his players and he got one as his side took control inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour - thanks to a huge slice of fortune.

Liverpool have found themselves out of luck on the injury front this term while they were undone at Sunderland last month by a beachball, Darren Bent's effort deceiving keeper Jose Reina after hitting an inflatable object as Benitez's side lost 1-0 on Wearside.

But this time Liverpool profited from a stroke of good fortune in the 12th minute as Mascherano, one goal in his previous 71 Premier League outings for the club, attempted to find the target from 25-yards.

The south American is not renowned for his accuracy from distance and his shot was drifting well wide before taking a heavy deflection off Yobo and finding the net with Tim Howard rooted to his line.

Mascherano celebrated as though he had scored the winning goal for Argentina in the World Cup final yet the Premier League's dubious goals panel is almost certain to award to as an own goal.

It was just the start Everton, their confidence fragile following a run of one win in 10 outings, did not want.

History was against Moyes, who had tasted success just twice over Benitez on the Premier League stage in five years.

Yet despite missing key players Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta due to long-term injuries, and Louis Saha, scorer of 10 goals this season, unable to start because he is not fully fit, Everton refused to feel sorry for themselves.

They went on to carve out a string of chances without managing to hurt Liverpool before half time.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, playing in his first Merseyside derby, spurned the best chance, the Russian screwing a shot horribly wide from the edge of the six-yard area after the Liverpool defence fell asleep.

Jo, spearheading the attack on his own in place of Saha, twice had the ball in the back of the net but both efforts were ruled out for offside.

Liverpool, again missing the razor sharp reactions of Fernando Torres in attack, seemed content to soak up spells of Everton pressure in an error-strewn match which summed up why both teams are not firing on all cylinders.

Yet it required a superbly saved by Howard to ensure Liverpool did not double their lead in the closing moments of the half.

Johnson was once again as impressive going forward as he was in defence, and it was the England full-back's pinpoint cross into the area which allowed Emiliano Insua to power a header towards goal which Howard did well to claw away.

The second half saw Everton continue to press, the impressive Steven Pienaar coming close to embarrassing Jose Reina with a long range effort which the Liverpool keeper failed to hold in the driving rain.

But Reina quickly redeemed himself with a double save to deny Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini 20 minutes from time.

Having kept out Cahill's close range header, the Spanish international quickly picked himself up to block Fellaini's effort from point-blank range.

But Liverpool sealed victory in the 79th minute through Kuyt, the Holland international scoring from close range after Howard had pushed an effort by substitute Albert Riera into his path.

Watford first up for FA Cup holders Chelsea

LONDON (AFP) - Holders Chelsea set out on the first steps towards a defence of their FA Cup crown with a home tie against Championship side Watford, finalists in 1984, in the third round draw made on Sunday.

West Ham will host London rivals Arsenal, who last lifted the trophy in 2005 and have not picked up any silverware since, in one of three all Premier League fixtures.

The other two top-flight affairs see Aston Villa host Blackburn and Hull travel to Wigan.

Everton, the side Chelsea beat under then interim coach Guus Hiddink in last season's final, welcome League One side Carlisle to Goodison Park.

The Toffees' Merseyside rivals, seven-time winners Liverpool, were drawn against second-tier Reading.

Non-league Kettering could be set for a dream trip to Old Trafford to face 11 time winners Manchester United should they manage to negotiate their second round replay with Leeds.

Either Oxford or Barrow will definitely get the chance to claim a Premier League scalp, with the winner of their replay set for a trip to Sunderland's Stadium of Light, while York, from the semi-professional ranks of the Blue Square Premier league (the fifth division) travel to Stoke.

Another non-league side, Staines Town, who forced a replay with 2004 finalists Millwall at Wheatsheaf Park, have the incentive of a home tie with Derby.

The 2008 winners Portsmouth have been drawn at home against Coventry.

Of the remaining Premier League clubs Manchester City will return to Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, Tottenham host Peterborough, Bolton are at home to Lincoln, Fulham face Swindon, Wolves will meet either Tranmere or Aldershot and Birmingham are away to Nottingham Forest.

Blatter breaks silence to reveal Henry support

PARIS (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that he telephoned France captain Thierry Henry to offer him support over his controversial handball in the World Cup play-off win over Ireland.

"I called Thierry, because he tried to get in touch with me," Blatter said, as reported in Sunday's edition of the L'Equipe sport newspaper.

"He was honest by admitting that he did use his hand, but it wasn't his responsibility to tell the referee.

"When I was a centre forward in my junior team, I definitely gained an advantage by pulling a defender's jersey in order to score a goal. And I didn't go and see the referee to tell him about it."

The FIFA chief had previously refused to comment on the incident, prompting criticism from Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney.

Blatter added: "In the specific case of the Henry handball, the referee (Martin Hansson) should have taken the time to reflect rather than immediately awarding the goal."

France's play-off with Ireland was poised at 1-1 on aggregate in the second leg in Paris when Henry controlled the ball with his hand before teeing up William Gallas for the decisive goal, sparking furious protests from the Irish players that were taken up by the Irish government.

Henry's international colleague Karim Benzema also spoke out in defence of his under-fire team-mate.

"I don't think he's a cheat. We mustn't forget everything that he's done for the France team," Benzema said on the TF1 football programme Telefoot broadcast on Sunday morning.

Asked if he realised that Henry had handled the ball in the build-up to Gallas's goal, the Real Madrid striker replied: "No, I didn't know."

"You know, you don't know (how you would react in that situation), it happens quickly," he added.

Henry and Benzema will be on opposing sides in the first 'El Clasico' of the Spanish season on Sunday evening, when Benzema travels to face Barcelona with Real Madrid.

PSG blow as Coupet ruled out for three months

PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper Gregory Coupet will be out of action for at least three months after undergoing surgery late Saturday on his broken left ankle, the French first division club said Sunday.

The 36-year-old picked up the injury during Saturday's 1-0 win over tabletoppers Auxerre and club doctor Eric Rolland noted that Coupet was lucky not to have done worse damage to his leg.

Coupet's leg buckled underneath him after he caught his studs in the turf while making an 82nd-minute clearance.

The goalie arrived this summer for two seasons and is expected to be replaced by Armenian-Cameroonian Edel who stepped in on Saturday.

The injury is another blow for the former Lyon stalwart and France intern

Bordeaux back on top of French pile

PARIS (AFP) - Bordeaux marched two points clear of the chasing pack in the French league on Sunday with a 3-0 win at modest Nancy to end a sticky run of two straight domestic losses.

Although Laurent Blanc's Girondins have dominated their Champions League group at the expense of Juventus and Bayern Munich they had slipped up in their last league outings at Lille and against Valenciennes to leave the field clear to Auxerre.

But Auxerre's 1-0 loss Saturday at Paris Saint Germain gave the southwesterners the chance to move back to the summit and they did not let the chance slip, with Brazilian pair Fernando and Wendel and Gouffran all hitting the target at the Stade Marcel Picot.

Blanc was well satisfied after his side took their points tally to 28 from 14 games with Auxerre on 26, surprise package Lorient on 25 and Lyon - in action in the late match at home to Rennes on 25.

"I think my players realised their performances in the past four matches were not those of a side seeking to place in the top three but rather the bottom three," said the former France defender.

"We realised this could not continue, rediscovered our motivation, and our mobility to put our rivals under pressure. We produced a lot of dangerous situations, created a lot and were solid at the back.

"We have realised we must now put the Champions League to bed until February-March and concentrate on the important thing, which is being able to play in it next season."

Coming off a midweek win over Juventus and already through to the knockout phase in Europe, Bordeaux were further cheered by Lorient dropping two points in a 2-2 draw with winless tailenders Grenoble.

Bordeaux had not scored a win over Nancy since the latter's return to the top flight two seasons ago but after losing three of their last four encounters against the northerners they turned the tables and left their hosts hovering dangerously close to the drop zone.

Even more satisfying for Blanc would have been a win achieved at cruise control in the absence of French international playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, still getting over a groin strain.

Blanc, a disciple of rotation most weeks, thus kept faith with the side which proved too strong for Juve.

"That's the only thing we hadn't tried," said Blanc in allusion to picking the same side for consecutive matches.

"So we did!"

Gouffran set up Fernando to bag the opener on 24 minutes and on the hour Wendel slalomed through the home defensive lines to make it 2-0.

Gouffran sealed the issue with a shot on the turn 15 minutes from the whistle.

Also Sunday, Le Mans and St Etienne parted 1-1 to leave Les Verts just outside the drop zone with a five-point cushion over their opponents.

On Saturday, an injury-time goal by Brazilian striker Eduardo earned Lens a 1-0 victory at home to Marseille on Saturday that prevented Didier Deschamps' inconsistent side from moving to within a point of top spot.

Auxerre's loss at PSG following Jeremy Clement's fine second-half header - but the win was marred after the Parisians' goalkeeper Gregory Coupet sustained a serious leg injury whiuch could keep him out for most of the rest of the season.

Former Lyon keeper Coupet's left leg buckled underneath him after he caught his studs in the turf while making an 82nd-minute clearance and the former France international was stretchered off.

Coach Antoine Kombouare said he was unlikely to play again this season.

"It's definitely a fracture of the left leg," Kombouare said.

"He went straight to hospital and we'll know more about how serious it is on Sunday. He'll be unavailable for a long time and it will be very complicated (to get him back before the end of the season)."

The end of Auxerre's seven-game winning streak irked coach Jean Fernandez.

"We're disappointed that our run has come to an end," said Fernandez. "We weren't up to speed in the first half and Paris put us under a lot of pressure in the second."

Barca edge past Real in 'El Clasico'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division's first 'El Clasico' of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves' cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo - in his first ever 'Clasico' - shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed late on.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet.

Barca looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break.

Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry's cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi.

Barca were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save.

Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian's shot with a perfectly-timed block.

At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta's low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry's cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half.

And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block.

Madrid were certainly having their chances, but Manuel Pellegrini's side soon found themselves behind when Ibrahimovic smashed home Alves' looping cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Casillas no chance.

Barca's joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets - who had already been booked - was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo's cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level.

But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that.

His replacement, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

The France striker saw one effort blocked by the impressive Puyol and then flashed another wide moments later as Madrid looked for a way back into the game.

Raul also came on as Pellegrini rolled the dice once more in an attempt to make the most of his side's numerical advantage.

But Barca still looked dangerous on the break and Abidal drilled an angled drive just wide of Casillas' far post with 14 minutes left.

And Guardiola's side should have made sure of the points with two minutes left, but Messi shot straight at Casillas from point-blank range.

Diarra was then dismissed a minute later for scything down Xavi as frustration got to Madrid, who are now two points behind leaders Barca.

Early bird Bowyer deepens Wolves woe

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP) - Alex McLeish paid tribute to veteran Premier League midfielder Lee Bowyer for his match-winning role in an important victory over local rivals Wolves that keeps Birmingham City on course for top flight survival.

Bowyer, a free signing from West Ham in the summer after he spent the second half of last season helping City win promotion from the Championship, claimed the game's only goal with a superb finish after just three minutes.

McLeish paid tribute to the role played by the club's former owner David Sullivan in the signing and clearly feels that after the 32-year-old's career appeared to be in terminal decline due to injuries and controversies on and off the field, Bowyer still has an important role to play in keeping his club in the top division.

"Bowyer's goal was amazing," said McLeish. "There were a few people who criticised signing him last season.

"A lot of people were suggesting that his legs had gone. But he is answering that. He has five goals already and he is like the Bowyer of old. He has matured and he controls himself much better these days. His goals are a bonus.

"(Former owner) David Sullivan was always obsessed with midfield players scoring goals. Whenever I mentioned anyone to him he would always ask about the number of goals they score. Bowyer gets goals. We thought he would be good for us in the Championship, but he is getting back to his days when he was at Leeds.

"Five goals is an unbelievable return at this stage. But I never had any doubt about him like others did. I did my due diligence and knew that he is the right type. The biggest concern about players when they get older is do they still have the legs and he still has the legs.

"David Sullivan trusted me and we got it right. To get him on a free transfer was a great bit of business."

Bowyer's goal means that Birmingham have won three of their last five games, a run which also includes draws against Manchester City and Liverpool, and the victory, against a dishevelled Wolves side, was far easier than the scoreline suggested.

"It was not painless for me watching, it even looked painless for the players out there," claimed McLeish. "But I thought it was a terrific performance. It was a fantastic performance from all the players. We were awesome from start to finish. We passed it well. We showed great composure and our defending was magnificent.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, has now seen his team play eight Premier League games without a victory but, after four-goal defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal in successive games, this was a far more worrying result for the former Ireland manager.

"It is a hugely disappointing experience. It was certainly not the way I was intending it," he said. "I never expected us to play as poorly as that in the first half. We did not compete like we normally do.

"Today is worrying. I am not worried about losing to Arsenal and Chelsea. That was expected. But we were playing Birmingham at home and we were expecting to win and we did not.

"Birmingham deserved their win. They were better than us. We did not start the game very well and it was hard after that. It was about character after that and it was hard.

"I can't lay the defeat at the door of losing to Chelsea. Getting beaten by Chelsea is not the issue. We are at home against Birmingham and we needed a performance and we did not get one.

"Losing 1-0 at home to Birmingham is always hard to take and bound to give me some discomfort - whether we have been brilliant or not."

Wolves now face a home game with fellow strugglers Bolton on Saturday that could define both clubs' seasons.

Reina "one of the best in the world" says Benitez

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez labelled Jose Reina "one of the best keepers in the world" after the Spain international inspired his side to victory in the Merseyside derby.

With Liverpool leading 1-0, Reina produced a stunning stop to claw away Tim Cahill's header before denying Marouane Fellaini with the follow up.

It was a key moment in the game, Kuyt going on to double his side's lead soon afterwards, as Liverpool bounced back from their premature exit from the Champions League.

"We have seen that he is a top class keeper," said Benitez, after his side climbed into fifth spot in the table.

"When we signed him we knew that we were getting a very good keeper. For me he is one of the best in the world."

Dirk Kuyt also praised Reina as Liverpool recorded their first clean sheet victory away from home in the Premier League since last season.

"He is one of the best in the world," said the Holland international. "He really helped us out today."

When Liverpool beat Manchester United last month, Liverpool followed it up with a double defeat in London. After crashing out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal, Benitez's side then lost at Fulham.

Benitez is now urging his players to learn from that and use their latest victory as a springboard to kick on.

"It's always important win games in a row," added Benitez.

"We have some days to go before we go to Blackburn so we will prepare like we always do.

"This was a really important win for us because this was always going to be a difficult game.

"We are higher in the table now, everyone is happier and we'll see if we can go on from here."

Everton manager David Moyes thought his side deserved more from the game.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov spurned a glorious chance to make it 1-1 in the first half before Reina's heroics in the second half.

Everton are just three points above the relegation zone after their third straight Premier League defeat.

"My players worked extremely hard and deserved more than they got," said Moyes, whose side visit Greece to face AEK Athens in the Europa League on Wednesday.

"Liverpool had one chance in the first half and in the main we kept them quiet."

Liverpool triumph relieves pressure on Benitez

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool bounced back from their premature Champions League exit to beat neighbours Everton 2-0 on Sunday, a result which relieved some of the pressure that has been building on manager Rafa Benitez.

Javier Mascherano's long range 12th minute effort, which took a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Yobo, set Liverpool on their way before Dirk Kuyt sealed victory 11 minutes from time.

It was enough to put a smile back on the face of Benitez, who has come under pressure since the five-times European champions were eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League in midweek.

The win lifted Liverpool into the top five while problems continue to mount for Everton, who were the better side for long periods.

Having won just once in 11 games, David Moyes's strugglers are three points above the relegation zone.

Benitez had demanded an aggressive, high-tempo start from his players and he got one as his side took control inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour - thanks to a huge slice of fortune.

Liverpool have found themselves out of luck on the injury front this term while they were undone at Sunderland last month by a beachball, Darren Bent's effort deceiving keeper Jose Reina after hitting an inflatable object as Benitez's side lost 1-0 on Wearside.

But this time Liverpool profited from a stroke of good fortune in the 12th minute as Mascherano, one goal in his previous 71 Premier League outings for the club, attempted to find the target from 25-yards.

The south American is not renowned for his accuracy from distance and his shot was drifting well wide before taking a heavy deflection off Yobo and finding the net with Tim Howard rooted to his line.

Mascherano celebrated as though he had scored the winning goal for Argentina in the World Cup final yet the Premier League's dubious goals panel is almost certain to award to as an own goal.

It was just the start Everton, their confidence fragile following a run of one win in 10 outings, did not want.

History was against Moyes, who had tasted success just twice over Benitez on the Premier League stage in five years.

Yet despite missing key players Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta due to long-term injuries, and Louis Saha, scorer of 10 goals this season, unable to start because he is not fully fit, Everton refused to feel sorry for themselves.

They went on to carve out a string of chances without managing to hurt Liverpool before half time.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, playing in his first Merseyside derby, spurned the best chance, the Russian screwing a shot horribly wide from the edge of the six-yard area after the Liverpool defence fell asleep.

Jo, spearheading the attack on his own in place of Saha, twice had the ball in the back of the net but both efforts were ruled out for offside.

Liverpool, again missing the razor sharp reactions of Fernando Torres in attack, seemed content to soak up spells of Everton pressure in an error-strewn match which summed up why both teams are not firing on all cylinders.

Yet it required a superbly saved by Howard to ensure Liverpool did not double their lead in the closing moments of the half.

Johnson was once again as impressive going forward as he was in defence, and it was the England full-back's pinpoint cross into the area which allowed Emiliano Insua to power a header towards goal which Howard did well to claw away.

The second half saw Everton continue to press, the impressive Steven Pienaar coming close to embarrassing Jose Reina with a long range effort which the Liverpool keeper failed to hold in the driving rain.

But Reina quickly redeemed himself with a double save to deny Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini 20 minutes from time.

Having kept out Cahill's close range header, the Spanish international quickly picked himself up to block Fellaini's effort from point-blank range.

But Liverpool sealed victory in the 79th minute through Kuyt, the Holland international scoring from close range after Howard had pushed an effort by substitute Albert Riera into his path.

Blackburn home run grinds to a halt

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) - A typically gritty display from Stoke denied Blackburn a fifth straight home win as an uninspiring encounter ended goalless.

With Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce absent following minor heart surgery, his players failed to deliver the kind of tonic he would have desired. Stoke enjoyed the better of the chances although it was the home side who went closest to scoring with Steven Nzonzi striking the woodwork.

Australian midfielder Brett Emerton and French duo Gael Givet and Nzonzi returned to the Blackburn line-up after missing the midweek defeat at Fulham.

Stoke made two changes to the side that beat Portsmouth on their last outing, with Liam Lawrence and Mamady Sidibe replacing Rory Delap and James Beattie.

Blackburn started confidently, with on-loan Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo testing Thomas Sorensen early on with a shot the Danish goalkeeper did well to save.

But Stoke should have claimed the lead midway through the opening period after Ricardo Fuller sent Dean Whitehead clear.

The striker's shot was under-powered and Paul Robinson was able to turn it away relatively comfortably.

Blackburn suffered a blow in the 32nd minute when David Dunn, who has scored six goals for Blackburn this season, had to go off, prompting a tactical reshuffle which saw Jason Roberts come on as a second striker alongside Di Santo.

Stoke were happy to play on the counter-attack and that approach generated a great chance to take the lead six minutes before the break, when Robinson pulled off a fine save to deny Lawrence at close range as the midfielder attempted to finish off Sidibe's inviting cross from the right.

Eight minutes into the second half, Andy Wilkinson struck the side netting after getting past Givet.

That seemed to provoke a reaction from the home side and Sorensen had to be alert to keep out an overhead kick from Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen before Nzonzi beat the goalkeeper with a drive that came back off the post.

Chris Samba had the chance to snatch all three points in injury time but the Blackburn centreback headed substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross wide.

Mertesacker late show sends Werder top

BERLIN (AFP) - A last-gasp equaliser from Germany international Per Mertesacker just preserved Werder Bremen's leadership of the Bundesliga in securing a 2-2 home draw Saturday against reigning champions Wolfsburg.

Bosnian sharpshooter Edin Dzeko had opened the scoring three minutes before the break to end a five-game personal barren run in front of goal for Wolsfburg, who began the game five points adrift of their rivals just outside the top five.

Portuguese star Hugo Almeida levelled on the hour but Dzeko's second five minutes from time looked to have settled it for the visitors until Mertesacker struck in injury time with a header from a corner to presevre their 20-match unbeaten sequence.

Bayer Leverkusen will still go to the summit if they avoid defeat Sunday against Stuttgart as they and Werder both have 27 points.

But so tight is the situation at the top that Schalke, with 25 points, could muscle in if they beat Borussia Moenchengladbach later Saturday.

On Sunday, struggling Bayern Munich, currently just eighth in the table after only five wins in 13 league games, travel to midtable Hanover badly needing a win which would take them towards the top five - though they will have to achievce it without injured pair Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

Hamburg stayed fourth but only just a point ahead of Hoffenheim after a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Mainz.

Already missing star man Ze Roberto, Hamburg then also saw Dutchman Eljiro Elia pick up an injury.

Hoffenheim were unable to take advantage of Hamburg as they fell 2-1 at home to Dortmund.

At the other end of the table Hertha Berlin look a solid bet for the drop after a 3-1 home loss to Eintracht Frankfurt brought their 11th defeat of the campaign to leave the capital club seven points from safety.

Late Valero penalty frustrates Valencia

MADRID (AFP) - Valencia failed to put pressure on Barcelona and Real Madrid at the summit of the Spanish first division falling victim to a late penalty equaliser in a 1-1 home draw with Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Spanish international striker David Villa went into double figures for the season scoring for the third successive game on 48 minutes but Borja Valero equalised five minutes from time with a penalty to prevent a fifth successive win for Valencia.

If they had won Valencia would have been a point behind Real, who face Barcelona in 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou on Sunday, but Bruno Grau's unnecessary foul gave away the penalty and Valencia stay fourth level on points with Sevilla.

Another blow for Valencia was an injury to key Spanish international midfielder David Silva, who hobbled off in the 27th minute with a problem in his right knee.

It was a good late point for Mallorca, who stay sixth despite not managing to win a single away match this season.

Later on Saturday, Sevilla have the chance to move level on points with Real if they can secure three points at home to bottom side Malaga.

Malaga have not won in their last ten league matches but hold the Indian sign over Sevilla, who have not beaten them at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since 2005/2006.

Real lead champions Barca by a single point at the summit but lost both Clasicos last season including a 6-2 mauling at home as Barca marched to the title.

"Those players who are ambitious must always believe they are favorites to win," said Real's Cristiano Ronaldo. "We have great respect for our opponent but we shouldn't be afraid of them."

Ronaldo is back from injury after two months out to boost Real while Barca sweat on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi, who both have thigh strains and missed the 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday.

"We will see how they (Messi and Ibrahimovic) are on Sunday. I will talk with the doctors and make a decision," revealed Barca coach Pep Guardiola. "It is not a coincidence that Real Madrid are leaders but we can beat them with or without Messi."

In other matches, goalkeeper Diego Lopez was left a frustrated figure with his two penalty saves still not enough to help 10-man Villarreal end their away blues as they lost 1-0 at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Substitute Mate Bilic struck the winning goal on 75 minutes after Spanish international Lopez had parried Alberto Rivera's initial spot-kick and Lopez saved another penalty from Bilic on 88 minutes, but it was to no avail.

Villarreal have yet to win on their travels this season and lie in mid-table far away from their goal of Champions League football while Sporting are a respectable seventh.

"We are disappointed but we have to forget this quickly because we have a very important game against Levski Sofia (in the Europa League on Thursday) and have to go into it in the best frame of mind possible," explained Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde.

Wigan recover pride

WIGAN, England (AFP) - Wigan bounced back from their 9-1 hammering by Tottenham with a 1-0 win over former manager Steve Bruce's Sunderland.

A 75th-minute strike by Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega was enough to secure the points against opponents who had beaten Arsenal on their last outing but were distinctly lacklustre here.

Bruce's men rarely looked like scoring and it fell to Rodallega, a player signed by Bruce during his time in Lancashire, to settle the contest after Jason Scotland had seen a first-half effort strike the woodwork.

The winner owed much to some poor defending by Paulo da Silva, who slithered to the turf as Rodallega went past him before beating Marton Fulop with a left-footed shot from an acute angle.

The Colombian should have made the points safe eight minutes later but fired straight at Fulop when he had only the Sunderland goalkeeper to beat.

Wigan held out, however, to record their first clean sheet since September 12 and there was no disputing that Roberto Martinez's side deserved the points.

Rodallega, who diverted a Charles N'Zogbia's cross into the side-netting, and Paul Scharner, who tested Fulop with a low drive, both had early chances as Wigan started in spirited fashion.

And the home side were unlucky not to go ahead when N'Zogbia dispossessed da Silva on the right of the penalty area and crossed for Scotland to hit a first-time shot which beat Fulop but rebounded back off the post.

Fulop then produced a fine finger-tip save to keep the game goalless after defender Chris Turner had deflected Rodallega's inswinging free-kick towards his own goal.

Sunderland were brighter immediately after the interval with Andy Reid going close with a shot tht dipped just over and Bent heading wide from a good position at the back post.

But Wigan reasserted themselves and Titus Bramble should have put them ahead from a cross by substitute Jordi Gomez, the centreback heading straight at Fulop.

Rodallega forced Fulop into another save and fired wide from N'Zogbia's lay-off before the Colombian finally claimed the winner the Wigan fans craved.

Rooney ruins Grant´s big day

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP) - Wayne Rooney's first Manchester United hat-trick in three years inspired the champions to a 4-1 win over Portsmouth and reduced Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Rooney, whose last treble in a red shirt was during a 4-0 win at Bolton in October 2006, converted two penalties either side of a fine finish from a Ryan Giggs pass as United ensured Avram Grant's first match in charge of Pompey ended in defeat.

Giggs, in yet another masterful display a day shy of his 36th birthday, completed the punishment with a late free-kick for his 100th Premier League goal.

Ferguson made eight changes from the side which suffered a shock midweek Champions League defeat to Besiktas, among which, was the forced inclusion of Tomasz Kuszczak for his first Premier League start of the season as Edwin Van der Sar was unable to travel.

An early Rooney foray down the left-hand side caught Younes Kaboul off-balance but the French defender did enough to put him off his stride as he progressed toward the by-line.

United continued to stretch the home defence and a corner by Giggs was rolled into Paul Scholes on the edge of the penalty area but the midfielder's first-time drive was placed a yard over Asmir Begovic?s crossbar.

Moments later, Portsmouth nearly stole the lead as Jamie O?Hara and Boateng combined to feed Aruna Dindane but the Ivorian's scrambled effort was kept away by the outstretched frame of Kuszczak.

Portsmouth continued to flourish and a long ball floated forward on 15 minutes was controlled by O'Hara before the on-loan Tottenham midfielder forced Kuszczak into an acrobatic save.

With both sides pressing forward in an entertaining opening it was United who grabbed the lead. Rooney played a one-two with Antonio Valencia and as the United striker moved away from goal found his heel clipped by Michael Brown.

There was a degree of protest from the Portsmouth players on the legitimacy of Mike Dean's decision but Rooney converted the penalty high above Asmir Begovic's right-hand.

If there was some debate about United's penalty, the whole of Fratton Park stood in bemusement as the home side were awarded their own spot-kick eight minutes later, assistant Simon Beck having apparently caught Nemanja Vidic tugging Frederic Piquionne?s shirt as he challenged Kuszczak.

The decision looked harsh but Kevin-Prince Boateng, who missed from 12 yards last week against Stoke, drove the penalty under Kuszczak?s right arm and the contest was all square.

Portsmouth could even have found themselves in-front going in at half-time, Dindane having connected with Boateng's cross only to place his header wide.

Such wastefulness tends not to go unpunished by United and just two minutes into the second half Valencia's measured pass found Giggs in behind Marc Wilson. The Welsh winger in turn picked out Rooney, who converted from eight yards out.

The three points were secured six minutes later as Giggs and Piquionne battled on the by-line. The Frenchman looked in control but allowed Giggs to steal the ball and then compounded his initial error by tripping the United player.

Rooney made sure driving low to Begovic's left and soon the Premier League champions were threatening a rout. Valencia?s pace took him through a gaping hole in the Portsmouth defence and the Ecuadorian was inches wide with his shot.

Begovic was then forced to dive low to his near post to keep out a Giggs drive but the veteran was not to be denied and there was little Pompey's Bosnian goalkeeper could do about the 20-yard free-kick he swung into the corner with three minutes left.

OM consider appealing ban

Ligue 1 giants Olympique Marseille are considering an after being hit with a one-match stadium ban by the Ligue de Football Professionnel Disciplinary Commission.

The LFP has handed down the ban after reviewing Marseille's game with Monaco on October 4, when fans used flares and threw missiles.

The commission cited previous offences by Marseille fans when choosing to impose a ban rather than another fine.

But that brought an angry response from OM director Antoine Veyrat.

"We are disappointed and bitter," he said.

"We're now waiting for notification of the exact nature of the sanction.

"Of course, the club will use all legal means at our disposal to show what action we have taken and our good faith in this affair."

Marseille could also be facing further action with the behaviour of their fans in the match against Paris Saint Germaine last weekend also now under review.

Painful memories drive Real on for Barca showdown

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid have the formidable attacking threat of Cristiano Ronaldo back in their armory at the perfect time as they travel to Camp Nou on Sunday for the eagerly-anticipated 'El Clasico' against champions Barcelona.

Real hold a one-point lead over Barcelona at the top but need no reminder of the quality of their opponents after losing the last Clasico 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu back in May when Lionel Messi tore them to shreds.

Messi is a doubt for this game with a thigh strain picked up last Saturday and did not play in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan although he was on the substitutes' bench along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic who also has a thigh problem.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he is optimistic over Messi but must decide whether to risk the star from the start or leave him on the bench while his opposite number Manuel Pellegrini has a similar dilemma over Ronaldo who played for the first time in two months with a 20-minute outing in the 1-0 Champions League win over FC Zurich.

Ronaldo had missed ten games with ankle trouble but declared himself fit for his first Clasico against the team who left him in tears at the end of last season by beating his then Manchester United side in the Champions League final.

"I want to play in El Clasico if I feel good, although that is the responsibility of the coach," said Ronaldo. "I didn't score (against Zurich) but I hope to do so in the next game (against Barcelona). It doesn't bother me if it's 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, the important thing is to win."

Real lost both games against their foes last season falling 12 points behind Barcelona after the first Clasico in mid-December before the disastrous 6-2 loss which all but wrapped up the title for Barca.

"If I had lost 6-2 in the last match against a big rival I would be going out for revenge but Madrid aren't like that," said Barcelona defender Dani Alves. "I think they will come full of respect. They know it is difficult to play here even more so having lost that way last time."

Real have not thrilled their fans too much this season but have amassed 28 points out of a possible 33 to make their best start in 17 years.

"Of course they are the leaders why wouldn't they be after spending 270 million euros?" said Guardiola.

Money has bought Real the talent of Brazilian Kaka, Spain playmaker Xabi Alonso and Ronaldo who will all be ready for their first Clasico experience, while Barcelona have a host of homegrown players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique who have grown up with Real as the enemy.

While the Clasico takes centre stage in Spain this weekend the teams below the top two concentrate on trying to prove they are genuine title alternatives.

Valencia are one such team, lying four points behind leaders Real, and host Real Mallorca on Saturday targeting a fifth straight league win.

"For us the best thing in the Clasico would be a draw so both teams drop two points," said Valencia forward David Villa. "It does not make sense for us to talk about being title contenders in November."

Villa has scored nine goals already this season to top the goal-scoring charts and could have been playing in the Real-Barcelona game had Valencia not stood so firm in the summer when both teams wanted his services.

Sevilla lie three points behind Real in third and should get the three points at home to bottom side Malaga on Saturday and then see which of the top two, if not both, drops points.

"If we want to be competing for the league we can't slip up at home," said defender Manuel Lolo. "At least one of the big two (Barcelona and Real) will drop points and we need to make it count."

Atletico began the season with hopes of a title charge but have had their worst since 1954 with seven points from the first 11 matches leaving them third from bottom.

New coach Quique Sanchez Flores seeks his first league win in charge at home to Espanyol on Sunday to try and ease fears the club could suffer a shock relegation like in 2000.

Ben Arfa not going anywhere

Olympique Marseille's sporting director Jose Anigo insists that playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa still has a future at the club, following his falling out with L'OM manager Didier Deschamps at the Stade Velodrome.

And that's not all as 22-year-old has been involved in a number of training ground bust-ups since his move from Lyon last year.

But Anigo revealed that despite ongoing speculation regarding a move away, the Frenchman could continue at the club beyond the end of the season.

"He got a big slap with our talk after the incident with coach Deschamps," he told radio station RMC.

"Now he is working better during training sessions. He is far from leaving yet.

"But on the other hand, he has to show development."

L'OM officials had a meeting with Ben Arfa on Monday to discuss the player's future and many still expect the left-sided player to move in January.

But Ben Arfa's agent Michel Ouazine said that no decision had been made.

"We agreed to meet again in January and take stock," he told L'Equipe.

"We talked a lot about Hatem the football player, but also about the man. He needs emotional stability to blossom.

"We are on the same wavelength with sport director Jose Anigo."