World Soccer News

Chelsea goalscorers Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack celebrate the former's equaliser Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack were on target as Chelsea FC completed their festive programme with a 2-1 comeback ... via Uefa.com

“I do not have any worries or concerns as far as they (Mort and Ashley) are concerned. "The pressure that has been put on them as well as me, they understand it is outside influences trying to exert pressure on them. It is all part of the game.”

Under-pressure Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has shrugged off speculation he is set to be replaced by Alan Shearer. via Sporting Life

“Everything was fine ... he was in normal condition. It could've happened to anyone.”

Sao Paulo striker Adriano was unharmed after losing control of his car and crashing into three other vehicles on a Rio de Janeiro street early Monday, authorities said. via Fox Sports

“Fans must understand Dimitar is 27 next month and time is running out for him to play for a club that can match his ambition.”

Premier League clubs are waiting for Tuesday's opening of the monthlong January transfer window, some seeking to tweak their squad as they press for the title and others hoping to add players in the fight to ... via TSN.ca

“These are never easy decisions. But we recognise that as a former player, Phil was part of Celtic's extended football family. After consultation with Rangers we agreed to postpone the Old Firm fixture on the second of January.”

The Scottish Premier League have postponed Wednesday's Old Firm derby as a mark of respect following the death of Motherwell skipper Phil O'Donnell. Celtic on Monday made a formal request to the SPL for the ... via Daily Express

“We've got no intention of selling any of our players in the January transfer window.”

Reading have rejected a reported 2.5 million bid for winger Stephen Hunt, according to Skysports.com. Hunt has attracted interest from Sunderland and Everton in recent weeks, but despite Reading denying they ... via Vital Football

“The interest is mutual. I have already talked with Ronaldo and he has admitted his desire to join Flamengo”

Facebook Brazilian giants Flamengo have confirmed that they will make an offer to sign Ronaldo in the next fortnight. via Sporting Life

Kenneth Perez and Danny Koevermans celebrate PSV's victory Champions PSV Eindhoven ended 2007 on top of the Eredivisie as a 2-0 win against NAC Breda allowed them to move above Feyenoord on goal difference ... via Uefa.com

Liverpool's 100% record over the festive period was ruined by Manchester City as Rafael Benitez's men failed to make their pressure tell at Eastlands. via Channel 4

Kenwyne Jones headed home his first goal in nine games as Sunderland eased their relegation fears with a priceless 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Bolton.

The Trinidad and Tobago international converted a 32nd-minute Kieran Richardson corner after the former Manchester United midfielder had given the home side a 12th-minute lead with his first goal for the club.

El-Hadji Diouf's strike four minutes before the break meant the result was in the melting pot throughout the second half, with the visitors looking the more likely scorers until substitute Daryl Murphy's injury-time clincher. Read more

Salomon Kalou rescued Chelsea with a late winner in a 2-1 win against Newcastle after manager Avram Grant found himself the target of abuse from unhappy home fans.

Chelsea went ahead in the first half through Michael Essien but Nicky Butt levelled in the 59th minute.

The Blues squandered numerous chances to make the game safe and Grant's substitutions in the second half left the home fans chanting 'You don't know what you're doing' before Kalou struck in the 87th minute. Read more

“I don't want to say anything more than how devastated everyone at the club is for his wife and his young children. That's what we are all feeling tonight, nothing else matters”

Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell died on Saturday after collapsing during a Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United. via Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dimitar Berbatov scored four times in a crazy Barclays Premier League clash at White Hart Lane where Tottenham edged Reading 6-4. The visitors held the lead three times in the second half after goals from ... via Louth Today

Manchester United's title hopes suffered a dent at West Ham after the home side came back from behind to win 2-1. Sir Alex Ferguson's side had been on course to go four points clear of Arsenal, whose game at ... via Irish Independent

“He was excellent again (against Manchester City)”

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has revealed Roque Santa Cruz has embarked on his recent goal spree despite not being fully fit. via Falkirk Herald

“They made a song just for me with the words of Volare by Domenico Modugno and it's good to hear that rising to the heavens in Italian”

Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi admits he wants to return to Italy - and has taken a swipe at referees as well as English food and drinking culture.

Bianchi, signed from Reggina in the summer, has struggled to make an impact at Eastlands and admits he is finding it hard to settle.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: 'I am learning the language but I have raised the white flag with English food. I don't like it.'

Asked about the perceived drinking culture in English football, Bianchi said: 'I think I am the only teetotaller in the whole Premier League. My teammates were surprised when I refused a mouthful of beer. They looked at me as if I was an extraterrestrial. Tastes are tastes, and I have chosen for some time - no beer, no wine, no alcopops.' Read more

“All I have heard about over the last day or two is about the ball and how Cristiano shapes up.

'Not only are the balls not the same ones we use in matches, I have never once seen him pay any attention to where the valve is.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has ridiculed the theories over Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick technique and claimed the Manchester United star's success at set pieces proves the old adage: 'practice makes perfect'.

Ronaldo's free-kick during United's 4-0 win against Sunderland on Boxing Day led to a number of suggestions regarding how Ronaldo manages to get such swerve and dip on the ball.

One theory is that he tries to make contact with the valve on the ball, which then moves around violently making it almost impossible for a goalkeeper to stop, but Ferguson said: 'It is rubbish. He takes about 30 free-kicks after training every day. The most important thing is practice. Practice makes perfect.' Read more

According to reports in Germany, representatives of Borussia Dortmund have flown to London in a bid to bring Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann back home with them.

With Borussia goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller facing three months out with a shoulder injury, his predecessor in the Dortmund goal has emerged as their number one target this winter.

'I cannot rule anything out,' said Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc. 'It is logical that the name Lehmann is linked to us.'

Furthermore, Friday's Bild newspaper shows pictures of Lehmann in Dortmund before Christmas, where he bought a new car from a local showroom. Read more

“All three remain in custody for interview and processing”

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was arrested in his hometown of Liverpool on Thursday after an alleged assault. via Slam Sports