Primera Liga round-up

Real march on at the top, Barca maintain the pace

Real Madrid moved a step closer to wrestling the Liga title from Barcelona after crushing Osasuna while their rivals beat Athletic Bilbao.

Owen ready for recall as Fergie looks for edge in title race

Owen has been plagued by a succession of injuries during the Champions League win over Otelul Galati at the end of October when he went off with a thigh injury which has kept him out since. Now he is on the verge of a dramatic recall after impressing in recent training sessions and Ferguson, who takes his team to Blackburn on Monday night with the chance of going five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, will name him in the senior squad at the first opportunity.

Is this the moment news of City's slip up reached Sir Alex?

Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United players were in fits of laughter at training on the day Manchester City may have gifted them the Premier League title.

United have the chance to go five points clear of their ‘noisy neighbours’ with a victory against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Monday after City only scraped a 3-3 draw at home to Sunderland. 

What's so funny?: Sir Alex Ferguson is finding something rather amusing...

Falling to bits: Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones are in fits of laughter

They prepared for the game with a trip to Scotland, wandering around the St Andrews golf course after a light-hearted workout.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has given on-form striker Wayne Rooney the ultimate goal

Sir Alex Ferguson wants Wayne Rooney to score in all of Manchester United’s remaining games.The prize? For the club, the title; for Rooney, the player-of-the-year award.

So brilliant has Robin van Persie been for Arsenal this season that the only way Ferguson can see Rooney beating him to the individual award is if his phenomenal scoring run continues until the last game.

“He can only do that if he keeps scoring right up to the end,” Ferguson said.

Why United title would be worth £2m to Blackburn Rovers

If Manchester United are crowned Premier League champions at the end of the season, Blackburn Rovers, who host Sir Alex Ferguson's team on Monday, will cash in to the tune of £2million. 

That is the sum United would have to pay Rovers as part of the 'add-ons' involved in defender Phil Jones's move from Ewood Park to Old Trafford last summer.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Tottenham v Swansea - the action from White Hart Lane as it happens

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Tottenham host Swansea at White Hart Lane to conclude Sunday's action. Spurs haven't won in their last five league games and will be looking to defeat the Swans to try and boost their hopes of sealing a Champions League spot.

 

***Follow live coverage from 3.40pm***

Going for goal: Emmanuel Adebayor (right) will hope to help kick-start Tottenham's season

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Newcastle v Liverpool - the action from the Sports Direct Arena as it happens

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Newcastle host Liverpool at the Sports Direct Arena to open Sunday's action. The fixture marks Reds striker Andy Carroll's first return to Tyneside since leaving the Toon last year as Alan Pardew's side attempt to go 11 points clear of their rivals in the table.

 

***Follow live coverage from 1pm***

Back in Toon: Andy Carroll makes his first return to Newcastle since leaving for Liverpool in January 2011

Carroll - I won't celebrate

Former Newcastle striker heads back to St James' with Liverpool

Andy Carroll insists he will not celebrate if he scores for Liverpool against his former club Newcastle on his first return to St James' Park on Sunday.

The striker departed the North East in a contentious £35million move in January last year, with many Magpies fans unhappy at his departure.Carroll has struggled to replicate the form he showed for Newcastle during his time at Anfield and has netted just five Premier League goals for his new club.There have been hints in the past few weeks that he may be regaining a measure of form, and the 23-year-old has pledged to keep any joy under wraps should he find the net this weekend.

Hodgson expects deal talks

West Brom boss still keeping his options open

Roy Hodgson believes talks over a proposed new contract with West Bromwich Albion will 'hot up a bit' in the near future, but admits he is keeping his options open.

Manager Hodgson's current contract with the Baggies runs out this summer and several players have indicated his remaining at The Hawthorns will have a bearing on deciding their own futures.The former Inter Milan and Liverpool boss wants to continue managing at Premier League level and needs assurances Albion are thinking along the same lines with their plans for next season.

Mystery over Sergio Aguero's 'stupid' foot injury

There is growing mystery over the cause of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero's foot injury, which has delt a major blow to the clubs title hopes.

The striker, who has scored 24 goals for Manchester City this season, will miss the club's match against Sunderland this weekend and is also expected to miss next weekend's game against Arsenal.

Roberto Mancini, City's manager, described the injury as "stupid" but the club has refused to confirm the exact nature of the 23-year-old's injury last night.

It is believed that he may have suffered a reaction to a substance that has left his feet badly blistered.

No regrets for Dalglish

Reds boss also calls on side to be more ruthless

Dalglish, who is preparing to return to former club Newcastle this weekend, has no regrets about returning to the Anfield hotseat despite the criticism he has received and the calls from some quarters for a new manager to be appointed.

Stubbs - Stay positive Stan

Former team-mate beat cancer and hopes Petrov can do the same

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the Premier League club have announced.

The condition was diagnosed following tests after the Bulgaria international, 32, developed a fever following last Saturday's defeat to Arsenal.A statement from the club said: "We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.

EXCLUSIVE: Games threat to football: London sides will have to play away

The Metropolitan Police want football chiefs to ensure there will be no London fixtures during the Paralympics.There is due to be a full Premier and Football League programme on September 1-2, a weekend that clashes with the international multi-sports event which follows the 2012 Olympics. 

Clash: London Premier League teams including Chelsea and Tottenham will have to play away from the capital

Every London club could face an away game that weekend, causing a major fixture and travel headache. The Paralympics run from August 29 to September 9 and with police concentrating resources upon that event, they want the capital to be a  football-free zone. 

No home games: The Police do not want any London sides playing at home while the Paralympics are on

The same policing concerns mean London clubs are unlikely to be allowed to host  pre-season friendlies during the Olympics, which run from July 27 to August 12.

Chelsea fear FA Cup semi-final may harm their Champions League chances

Roberto Di Matteo feels playing Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final on a Sunday night will harm Chelsea's Champions League chances if they reach those semi-finals. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Chelsea have reacted furiously after the kick-off time for their FA Cupsemi-final against Tottenham Hotspur was confirmed for a Sunday evening only three days before a potential visit of Barcelona or Milan to Stamford Bridge in the last four of the Champions League.

The London derby will be televised by ITV on 15 April at 6pm and ESPN will broadcast the other semi-final, between Liverpool and Everton, at 12.30pm the previous day, with both games taking place at Wembley.

Fergie still believes in Macheda despite another disappointing loan spell

Sir Alex Ferguson still has faith in Manchester United striker Federico Macheda even though the youngster has had yet another loan deal cut shot.

Macheda left for QPR in January optimistic he would prove he could cut it in the Premier League.The 20-year-old had not made an appearance since coming on as a substitute at Aston Villa on February 1, although he did hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was fined £15,000 by the Football Association for a posting a homophobic Tweet.

Wenger handed three-match ban by UEFA for F-word rant at referee

Arsene Wenger has been handed a three-match ban by UEFA relating to his conduct after the Champions League round of 16 defeat against AC Milan earlier in the month.The Arsenal boss was fuming after the 3-0 home win, which almost wiped out a 4-0 loss from the first leg, and he has been fined £33,340 for his actions and will serve what is his third UEFA ban.

Setback: Arsene Wenger received the news as he took training on Friday

Wenger, who criticised referee Damir Skomina and UEFA at the post-match press conference, confronted the official in the Emirates Stadium tunnel and is alleged to have called him a ‘f****** disgrace’.

Aston Villa v CHELSEA: Raul Meireles only concern for Blues after mid-week knock

Midfielder Raul Meireles is Chelsea's only doubt for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Aston Villa.Meireles sustained a knee injury in Tuesday night's 1-0 victory over Benfica and could miss the trip to Villa Park.

Euro star: Raul Meireles (right) featured in Chelsea's 1-0 win at Benfica mid-week

Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires have been passed fit after overcoming minor knocks.

Provisional squad: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Romeu, Essien, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge, Kalou, Turnbull.

Chelsea hit out at late FA Cup semi-final kick-off before potential Barca clash

Chelsea have been handed a potential fixture headache after their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham was scheduled for 6pm on Sunday, April 15.The Blues could then have less than 72 hours to prepare for a Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on the Wednesday.

Caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo complained of a failure of common sense after the late kick-off was announced

City to take Luka at Modric as Mancini targets bid for Spurs playmaker

Roberto Mancini is ready to make Tottenham star Luka Modric one of  his top summer transfer targets.The Manchester City boss already has a wealth of talent in midfield with David Silva, Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure.But that won't stop him trying to prise Croatian Modric away from White Hart Lane.

Admirer: Roberto Mancini admitted he is a big fan of Luka Modric (left)

Chelsea tried and failed to sign Modric last summer as Spurs stuck to their guns and rejected a bid of £40million.And Mancini admits he will have a fight on his hands to bring the player to the Etihad Stadium.Mancini must prepare his side for the end-of-season run-in as he looks ton wrestle the Premier League title from rivals and neighbours Manchester United

Doing sweet FA is harming Euro hopes! Neville and Venables hit out over England job

Terry Venables has called on the FA to appoint the next England manager as quickly as possible.The former national coach has joined the voices questioning the FA’s wisdom in delaying making a move for Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. 

Venables said: ‘Everyone wants Harry to take the job. But it seems to have gone on too long for me. 

Concerns: Former manager Terry Venables has spoken about the England job

That view was shared by Gary Neville, who won 85 caps for England. He said the ‘vultures are circling’ over the FA because of the delay in naming Fabio Capello’s successor. 

Get a move on: Gary Neville, who won 85 England caps, has urged the FA to hurry up

Neville said: ‘There’s something brewing at the moment. There are player situations going into the tournament, there are manager situations, there’s the captain, there’s the court case. It’s going to come pretty quickly. Who is taking the team, what tactics are we going to play?’

Ferguson admits fury at nervy Fulham display but believes his older players will steady the ship

Sir Alex Ferguson has joked that some of his players might have thought about getting changed at the other end of Old Trafford to avoid the Manchester United manager's displeasure at their performance against Fulham.After failing to establish a comfortable position against a team with the joint worst Barclays Premier League away record this term, United endured a nervy finish which might well have cost them dearly had referee Michael Oliver awarded Fulham a last-minute penalty for Michael Carrick's foul on Danny Murphy.Ferguson was evidently unimpressed, taking an unaccustomed position by the touchline for the final few minutes, before starting up the infamous hairdryer after the final whistle.

 

Steady: Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Ryan Giggs and his other older players will play their part

FA issues brawl charges

FA charges both Bradford and Crawley following on-field brawl

The Football Association has charged both Bradford City and Crawley Town after the brawl which broke out following Tuesday night's clash at Valley Parade.

Promotion-chasing Crawley won the hard-fought game 2-1 before the brawl which saw three Bradford players - Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin - shown red cards by referee Ian Williamson, who dished out the same treatment to Crawley pair Pablo Mills and substitute Claude Davis.The FA confirmed on Thursday that both teams have been charged for failing to ensure that their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.The clubs have until 4pm on Tuesday 3rd April to respond to this charge.

A distinct lack of quality! Barnes claims Liverpool need at least three world-class players

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes the club need three 'world-class' attacking players at least if they are to put themselves in the title frame next season.The Reds' already disappointing Barclays Premier League campaign has run aground in the past two months with five defeats in the last six games.In that time the club have won the Carling Cup but league form is threatening to take the shine off that achievement for some fans.

Firing Line: Connor out to prove Wolves worth in pivotal clash against Bolton

If ever there was a time for Terry Connor to start turning round results at rock-bottom Wolves then this weekend is the perfect opportunity.The West Midlands club are on their joint worst run of the season having lost five of their last six games, but face a Bolton side on Saturday who hover just above the relegation zone in 17th.

Lend us a hand: Terry Connor is still searching for his first win at Wolves

Victory for Wolves at Molineux and they close the gap to the Trotters to just a point, but defeat will leave Connor’s side a huge six points adrift of safety. Now is the time to prove managerial credentials.

Sir Alex Ferguson denies Manchester United have profited from referees

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that smaller clubs "have a point" when they argue they do not get decisions against big teams while denying that Manchester United have benefited unduly from referees.Speaking in the wake of Michael Oliver's decision not to award Fulham what seemed a clear penalty at Old Trafford on Monday night, Ferguson argued that Manchester City had also benefited from refereeing decisions, not least when Gareth Barry appeared to bring down Glenn Whelan at Stoke on Saturday evening.

Milan hit back at Barca

Mascherano the latest to criticise the San Siro pitch

AC Milan have rejected criticism from Barcelona that the San Siro pitch was not up to standard for their UEFA Champions League encounter.

Barcelona have complained to UEFA regarding the condition of the surface during Wednesday night's 0-0 draw in the first leg of the quarter-final tie.However, the Serie A leaders have responded to Barca's comments and have insisted that the referee and UEFA delegates deemed the pitch to be fit for purpose.

 AC Milan wishes to communicate that:

"1) The watering of the pitch within an hour before kick-off, as agreed in the organisational meeting yesterday morning, was not done due to the already high levels of humidity of the pitch.

"2) The general state of the pitch, which the Barcelona team trained on the previous evening without any problems, was declared to be acceptable by the referees and the UEFA delegates."

APOEL suffer double injury blow

APOEL FC will be without Ivan Tričkovski and Marcelo Oliveira for their quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid CF, with the latter expected to be sidelined for six months.

APOEL FC's task against Real Madrid CF has become harder still with the news they will be without defender Marcelo Oliveira and striker Ivan Tričkovski for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Santos sets title target

Brazilian defender determined to bring success to the Emirates

Andre Santos is glad to be back in the Arsenal fold following a recent spell on the sidelines and says it is his desire to help the club 'make history'.

The Brazilian full-back made his first appearance in more than three months as the Gunners saw off Aston Villa 3-0 in their last Premier League outing.A broken foot has prevented him making the impact he would have liked during his debut season in English football, but he claims to feel fully settled in London.Santos, who arrived at Emirates Stadium from Fenerbahce last summer, is now looking to make up for lost time and play a leading role for Arsenal in their efforts to enjoy a trophy-laden future.

"The Premier League is something different - it's the best league in the world," he told Arsenal Player.