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Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez accused his players of lacking courage and commitment following their season-opening defeat to Blackpool.

The Latics lost 4-0 at the hands of newly-promoted opposition and afterwards Martinez pulled no punches.

"The first half was unacceptable," he said."When you play against a team that is newly promoted you know they are going to be ready for the battle and we were a yard off.

"We were very slack and sloppy and Blackpool took advantage of that. Then after that everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

"At the start of the Premier League you need to be ready. That's nothing to do with any football issue.

"You need to be ready to earn the right to be on the ball and we didn't do that.

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"We allowed Blackpool too much space and we thought having the ball would be enough to win a football game and that's what cost us."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Grant Holt scored a stoppage time penalty to rescue a point for Norwich who fought back from 3-1 down against Blackburn who looked on course to win their first away game of the season.

The Norwich skipper climbed off the bench for a second consecutive week to save the Canaries again after heading the equaliser against Liverpool seven days prior. The result was incredibly on Blackburn and their boss Steve Kean who must have thought his side had picked up their first victory away from Ewood Park only to be pegged back at the death. However the boo boys who have been hounding the club to sack Kean over the course of the season will have been silenced after Rovers produced an enterprising performance in what as a fast paced and absorbing encounter. The point lifts the away side off the bottom and into 18th although a win would have seen them rise out of the bottom three for the first time in over a month. They’ll be deeply unhappy with referee Anthony Taylor after his decision to punish Steven N’Zonzi for handling in the area with the decision seeming a tad harsh.

Going into the game the consensus was that Kean needed a win and a performance to stave off the sack for another week and his side looked intent on prolonging their manages stay in the dugout. The away side, boosted by an extra time win against Newcastle in the Carling Cup, carved out numerous opportunities to take the lead with Mauro Formica setting the tone with rasping 25-yard drive early on. Thats not to say Norwich weren’t involved as they created chances of their own and but they were only woken up from their slumber after Yakubu sliced an effort wide. David Fox brought the best out of Paul Robinson from range before Elliott Bennett fired into the side netting. That proved to be a costly miss from the former Brighton man as Junior Hoillet deservedly put Rovers in front during first half stoppage time. The Canadian evaded a few challenges before lashing a super striker past John Ruddy from 20-yards.

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Improvement was needed from the Canaries and they came out for the second period looking revitalised and they equalised through Steve Morison. The Welshman has been a key figure in recent weeks at Carrow Road and he finished with aplomb from the edge of the area after being set up by Leon Barnett. Once they concede Blackburn usually crumble but they looked to have secured their first win on the road with two quick fire goals. Firstly Yakubu saw his tame shot creep underneath Ruddy’s body before Christopher Samba established a two goal cushion flicking Morten Gamst-Pedersen’s free kick into the net. However it wasn’t to be as Rovers came under siege from a home side determined not to concede defeat in what was a frantic final few minutes. Midfielder Bradley Johnson reduced the arrears with seven minutes remaining with a crisp finish from the edge of the area before referee Taylor pointed to the spot in stoppage time after he adjudged N’Zonzi to have deliberately handled. Despite strong appeals from the visitors the decision stood and Holt kept his cool to slot the ball past Robinson from 12-yards to conclude a frenzied afternoon in Norfolk.

Roberto Mancini has stressed the importance of resting players to ensure Manchester City secure fourth spot in the English Premier League.City host relegation battlers Wigan on Saturday – their second game in three days – and Mancini gladly took the opportunity to rest players in the FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday.”For me it is important I must try to rest some players, (Edin) Dzeko, and Carlos (Tevez) for 60 minutes. I need to try to rest some players because it is impossible to play every three days,” he said.Villa boss Gerard Houllier has been criticised for making a large number of changes to his side but Mancini said he would have taken the same approach.”I don’t have seven or eight players to change at the moment but if I did I would do the same,” he said.”But now we should recall our strength for Saturday. The FA Cup (quarter-final against Reading) we play next week but before this we have important games and for us it is very important to focus on Wigan.””I think (Wigan boss Roberto) Martinez is a good manager. His team plays very well. Every time that we meet him we have difficulties. For this I think that it is important to have three or four fresh players because I think it will be a difficult game, but we should win.”Chelsea and Tottenham are breathing down City’s neck and Mancini’s men cannot afford to slip up against teams lingering at the foot of the table if they are to secure Champions League qualification. “I think we deserve to get fourth position because we have stayed there for 28 games between the first and third positions,” he said.”But now is a key moment because we play important games and I think that if we recall all the players – if we recall also Adam Johnson – after Chelsea (in two week’s time) and after the international break and if we have all our players I think we can take the Champions League, but now we don’t have all of this.”Mancini is hopeful Nigel De Jong can make a comeback after recovering from a ankle injury. Vincent Kompany is also expected to return from a hip complaint to bolster City’s defence.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney will mature into "the complete footballer" in the coming years.

Rooney followed up a career-best 34-goal last season for the Red Devils with a disappointing World Cup campaign for England.

The 24-year-old failed to find the net in South Africa as the Three Lions bowed out at the last 16 stage.

But despite his international disappointment, Ferguson fully expects to see a greater return from an improving Rooney when the new Premier League seasons kicks off next month.

Speaking from the club's US tour, he said:"He had an improvement in terms of his timing and movement in the penalty box. His positioning also improved from the previous season.

"He got us over 30 goals and if he does that again and adds a little bit to his game then that is what we expect.

"The boy has got an incredible armoury of talent and what we have to do is to wait for that maturity.

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"We also do nurture it and try to advise and coach in a fashion which will improve his game.

"But the most important thing I think he needs now is maturity and, when he gets that, I think you will see the complete footballer."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Arsenal attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bagged a hat-trick for England under-21’s, as they overcame a tricky test against their Iceland equivalents on Thursday night, winning 3-0.

The 18-year-old scored two goals in the first half, and completed his treble, and the visitor’s comprehensive victory, with another early in the second period.

The win continues Stuart Pearce’s side’s 100 per cent record in their qualifying campaign for the under-21 European Championships in Israel, set to be played in 2013.

The Gunners winger put in an impressive performance in his debut season in Premier League football, and is starting to justify the £12 million price tag that Arsene Wenger paid to Southampton for his services in the summer.

Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly returned to the team after being sidelined through injury, but Nathan Delfouneso and Martyn Waghorn both had to be replaced during the fixture in Rejkavik, with the duo picking up hamstring knocks.

England now travel to take on Norway on Monday night, who are also unbeaten in Group 8.

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By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

The Los Angeles Galaxy got their Major League Soccer campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 win on the road over Seattle on Tuesday.The winners of last season’s MLS Supporters’ Shield looked out of sorts for most of the first-half, but the Galaxy took the lead 12 minutes after the interval through a goal from Brazilian midfielder Juninho.Seattle midfielder Erik Friberg’s slack pass was picked up by the Galaxy’s Todd Dunivant, who laid the ball off for Juninho, whose swerving shot was too strong for Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller to keep out.Seattle could have levelled in on the 72-minute mark when striker O’Brian White found himself on the end of a cross from Steve Zakuani, but his shot came off the woodwork meaning Los Angeles claimed all three points from the season curtain-raiser.England star David Beckham played all 90 minutes for the Galaxy in what is expected to be his last season with the club, but exerted little influence on the match and was booked for a robust challenge in second-half stoppage time.

Blackburn Rovers duo Ryan Nelsen and Brett Emerton have spoken of their delight ahead of the club's trip to Australia later this month.

The Ewood Park-based outfit will take part in the inaugural Sydney Festival of Football where they will take on Rangers, AEK Athens and their Aussie hosts as they get their preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign started.

Speaking to reporters, New Zealander Nelsen said:"The World Cup was an incredible experience, something I will remember forever, but now it's back to business with Blackburn Rovers.

"I'm really looking forward to heading across to Sydney for the Festival of Football and I know the lads back in the UK are too.

"It's an exciting concept and there are certain to be no easy games with Rangers and AEK Athens amongst the strongest clubs in Europe."

Meanwhile, Emerton, an Australia international added:"Events like these are vital if Australia is to host the 2022 World Cup.

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"Everybody knows Sydney is a beautiful city, but there are football purists out there that would rather the game's showpiece event go elsewhere.

"This is an opportunity for Sydney to stand up and show the world we are a footballing country worthy of hosting the World Cup."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It has been confirmed that the FA will investigate claims that John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand in QPR’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, after the Loftus Road side made an official complaint.

The England international defender is alleged to have made racist comments to the former Sunderland centre half, but maintains his innocence.

After the incident between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra just the week before, the game’s ruling body is keen to kick this nasty trait out of the game in England, and has confirmed that they will investigate Ferdinand’s claims further.

“The FA can confirm it has received a complaint relating to an alleged incident of racist abuse in the QPR versus Chelsea fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October 2011,” an official statement reads.

“The FA will now begin to make enquiries into this matter. The FA takes seriously any allegations of discrimination and abuse of this type.”

Terry immediately issued a retort, claiming that Ferdinand’s accusations are untrue.

“I welcome the FA enquiry and look forward to clearing my name as soon as possible. Until then I have no further comment,” Terry stated.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been charged by the FA over the game with QPR, with the governing body finding the London club guilty of failing to control it’s players, after both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were dismissed during the defeat.

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Andre Villas Boas is also in hot water, and has been asked to explain his negative comments in regards to referee Chris Foy; both charges have a deadline of Friday to be answered.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

The FA’s failure to punish Wayne Rooney has brought out roar in some quarters with many slamming the double standards within the game. Dave Whelan has been particularly vocal this morning at the decision, but you have to ask the question as to what they are supposed to do given the laws that FIFA have in place with regards to retrospective punishments. They are only following the letter of the law here much to the annoyance of many.

In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories that includes Ancelotti sticking up for Ashley Cole; Keegan warns Pardew over Carroll cash, while Aston Villa turn to the academy in order to balance the club’s books.

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Whelan fumes at authorities – Sky Sports

Ancelotti angry but Cole keeps his place in Chelsea team – Guardian

Jav: I’ll let Roo have my place – Sun

Toon can forget about splashing Carroll cash – warns Keegan – Mirror

Spurs set to relaunch move for £15m Manchester City defender Richards – Daily Mail

Villa turn to academy to balance books – Guardian

Hammers get FA snub over Ashton – Sun

Saha to face Reading in Everton’s FA Cup clash just 48 hours after car smash escape –Daily Mail

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Arsenal reaffirm faith in Wenger’s vision – Daily Telegraph

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Wolves are in talks with Burnley over the possible transfer of striker Steven Fletcher to Molineux.

Fletcher, 23, scored 13 goals for the relegated Clarets last season following his £3million arrival from Hibernian and was named his new club’s player of the year.

The Scotland international has been linked with several other Premier League clubs since Burnley’s fate was sealed but Wolves are believed to be leading the chase to sign him.

Earlier in the week, the Molineux club sanctioned the departure of striker Chris Iwelumo to the Clarets.

However, Burnley boss Brian Laws is refusing to accept defeat in his bid to persuade Fletcher to remain at Turf Moor.

“We don’t want Steven to go, but if he decides to leave we will replace him,” he told his club’s official website.

“People may read into the fact that Chris Iwelumo is a possible replacement for Fletcher, which is not the case.

“We need power and strength because the Championship is a very physical league, hence Chris’s arrival.

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“But I’m still looking for a goalscorer to complement my squad.”

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