what a great player he is!!

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe says that he is committed to the club, despite failing to nail down a regular place in the side this season.

GettyImagesJermain Defoe has been on the bench a lot this season

Defoe, 29, has been forced onto the bench as manager Harry Redknapp has opted for the duo of Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart up front. However, with QPR reportedly interested in securing his signature, Defoe maintains that he is happy where he is.

"Fans who have probably read things come up to me every day and say, 'Don't leave the club'. I was at a charity dinner the other night when a fan came up and said it to me," he told the Daily Mirror.

"I've done it before - when I went to Portsmouth and scored my goals to remind people what I can do - but I am committed to Tottenham. I love the club and I love the fans. It's a really important time for the club. Everyone wants to play their part and I'm no different."

Still, without playing regularly he has missed out on the last few England squads and concedes that his lack of first-team football could cost him a place at Euro 2012.

"I won't lie, I am worried about not going to the European Championship. I want to give myself every chance," he said. "It feels already a little bit like the 2005-06 season, when I scored a lot of goals but didn't start a lot of matches. I ended up not going to the World Cup and I don't want that to happen again.

"I believe that if I am playing, I have got a real chance of going to the Euros. But I'm going to bide my time. I'm 29. I know that the reason I have been left out of the last few England squads is that I have not been starting for my club.

"Darren Bent has been playing regularly for Aston Villa and Danny Welbeck has been playing for Manchester United. So they are getting picked ahead of me."

Indeed, manager Harry Redknapp admits there is no way he would sell him in the January transfer window.

''I wouldn't sell him. He is a fantastic player,'' he said. ''In midweek he scored five goals against Charlton. They were incredible finishes.

''He is a top player. He has just been unlucky. Adebayor came in and has done great up front and Rafa has been in fantastic form.

''I had a chat with Jermain in the week. Rafa is struggling with a hamstring and Jermain has a tight groin this weekend, but he will get his opportunities when he is fit and I am sure he will take them.''

the blog is back to life

Our special part in the blog every week:best shoot

Our choice this week was: man utd Vs wigan in English premier league

English premier league

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Portsmouth
1 - 4
Arsenal

Fratton Park (20,404)

Manchester United
5 - 0
Wigan Athletic

Old Trafford (74,560)

English premier league

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Aston Villa
0 - 1
Liverpool

Villa Park (42,788)

Bolton Wanderers
2 - 2
Hull City

Reebok Stadium (20,696)

English premier league

Monday, December 28, 2009

Tottenham Hotspur
2 - 0
West Ham United

White Hart Lane (35,994)

Blackburn Rovers
2 - 2
Sunderland

Ewood Park (25,656)

Chelsea
2 - 1
Fulham

Stamford Bridge (41,805)

Everton
2 - 0
Burnley

Goodison Park (39,419)

Stoke City
0 - 1
Birmingham

Britannia Stadium (27,211)

Wolverhampton Wanderers
0 - 3
Manchester City

Molineux Stadium (28,957)

italian league

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Final	Cagliari	0 - 1	Genoa	Stadio San Elia (16,000)
Final	Juventus	4 - 1	Bologna	Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino (20,000)

spanish la liga

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Final	Valencia	1 - 1	Recreativo Huelva	Estadio Mestalla (28,000)
Final	Athletic Bilbao	2 - 5	Real Madrid	Estadio San Mamés (36,000

english premier league

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Final	Arsenal	4 - 0	Blackburn Rovers	Emirates Stadium (60,091)
Final	Bolton Wanderers	1 - 3	Fulham	Reebok Stadium (22,117)
Final	Everton	3 - 1	Stoke City	Goodison Park (36,396)
Final	Hull City	1 - 1	Newcastle United	Kingston Communications Stadium (24,914)
Final	Middlesbrough	1 - 1	Portsmouth	The Riverside Stadium (24,281)
Final	Sunderland	1 - 2	Wigan Athletic	Stadium of Light (39,266)
Final	Manchester United	1 - 4	Liverpool	Old Trafford (75,569)

Final	Real Madrid	1 - 1	Atlético Madrid	Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (80,000)
Final	Barcelona	2 - 0	Athletic Bilbao	Estadio Camp Nou (75,000)
Final	Villarreal	1 - 0	Espanyol	Estadio El Madrigal (17,500)

Sunday, March 8, 2009
Final	Deportivo La Coruña	5 - 3	Racing Santander	Estadio Riazor (15,000)
Final	Mallorca	3 - 3	Real Betis	Estadio Son Moix (16,000)
Final	Recreativo Huelva	2 - 3	Valladolid	Estadio Nuevo Colombino (18,000)
Final	Osasuna	1 - 2	Sporting Gijon	Estadio Reyno de Navarra (19,000)
Final	Numancia	2 - 1	Valencia	Estadio Nuevo Los Pajaritos (8,500)
Final	Sevilla FC	2 - 1	Almeria	Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (38,000)
Final	Getafe	1 - 2	Málaga	Coliseum Alfonso Perez (9,000)

italian league

Saturday, March 7, 2009
Final	AS Roma	1 - 1	Udinese	Olimpico (37,172)
Final	Genoa	0 - 2	Internazionale	Comunale Luigi Ferraris (32,332)
Final	Torino	0 - 1	Juventus	Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino (22,000)

Sunday, March 8, 2009
Status	Home	Score	Away	VENUE (ATT.)
Final	AC Milan	3 - 0	Atalanta	Giuseppe Meazza (54,645)
Final	Chievo Verona	1 - 1	Cagliari	Stadio Marc`Antonio Bentegodi (19,500)
Final	Napoli	0 - 2	Lazio	San Paolo (15,500)
Final	Fiorentina	0 - 2	Palermo	Artemio Franchi (29,179)
Final	Lecce	0 - 0	Reggina	Stadio Via del Mare (9,832)
Final	Bologna	3 - 0	Sampdoria	Renato Dall'Ara (20,000)
Final	Catania	0 - 3	Siena	Stadio Angelo Massimino (17,000)

english premier league

Saturday, January 10, 2009
Final	Aston Villa	2 - 1	West Bromwich Albion	Villa Park (41,757)
Final	Everton	2 - 0	Hull City	Goodison Park (37,527)
Final	Middlesbrough	1 - 1	Sunderland	The Riverside Stadium (29,310)
Final	Newcastle United	2 - 2	West Ham United	St James` Park (47,571)
Final	Arsenal	1 - 0	Bolton Wanderers	Emirates Stadium (60,068)
Final	Stoke City	0 - 0	Liverpool	Britannia Stadium (27,500)

italian league

Saturday, January 10, 2009
Final	Genoa	3 - 0	Torino	Comunale Luigi Ferraris (24,000)
Final	Internazionale	1 - 1	Cagliari	Giuseppe Meazza (45,971)

spanish la liga (round 18)

Saturday, January 10, 2009
Final	Deportivo La Coruña	1 - 3	Sevilla FC	Estadio Riazor (22,000)
Final	Valencia	3 - 3	Villarreal	Estadio Mestalla (45,000)

spanish la liga

Sunday, January 4, 2009
Final	Málaga	1 - 0	Sporting Gijon	Estadio La Rosaleda (12,000)
Final	Almeria	1 - 0	Real Betis	Estadio Mediterraneo (15,000)
Final	Recreativo Huelva	3 - 1	Numancia	Estadio Nuevo Colombino (15,000)
Final	Real Madrid	1 - 0	Villarreal	Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (80,000)
Final	Athletic Bilbao	1 - 1	Espanyol	Estadio San Mamés (36,000)
Final	Valladolid	0 - 1	Racing Santander	Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla (16,700)
Final	Sevilla FC	1 - 1	Osasuna	Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (35,000)
Final	Getafe	1 - 2	Deportivo La Coruña	Coliseum Alfonso Perez (11,000)

scottish premier league

Saturday, January 3, 2009
Final	Heart of Midlothian	0 - 0	Hibernian	Tynecastle Stadium (17,244)
Final	St Mirren	0 - 0	Motherwell	St Mirren Park (10,189)
Final	Celtic	2 - 2	Dundee United	Celtic Park (59,558)
Final	Falkirk	1 - 1	Kilmarnock	Falkirk Stadium (5,375)
Final	Hamilton Academical	2 - 0	Aberdeen	New Douglas Park (4,334)

spanish la liga

Saturday, January 3, 2009
Final	Barcelona	3 - 1	Mallorca	Estadio Camp Nou (70,000)
Final	Valencia	3 - 1	Atlético Madrid	Estadio Mestalla (35,000)

Tigers keen on Pennant deal

Hull City have joined the chase to sign Liverpool's out-of-favour winger Jermaine Pennant, who reportedly missed out on a move to Real Madrid last week because of his high wage demands.

The Spanish champions are now looking elsewhere but other clubs have been alerted to the former Arsenal player's potential availability during the January transfer window.

Hull manager Phil Brown confirmed his club's interest and said: "I would be very interested in Jermaine Pennant if he was available at the right price. We will be making enquiries."

Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City have all been linked to the 25-year-old, who has failed to impress in two-and-a-half years at Anfield.

A move for Pennant this month would come 10 years after Arsenal made headlines by paying Notts County £2million for the then 15-year-old.

He failed to fulfil his potential with the Gunners and later joined Birmingham before his £6.7million switch to Liverpool.

Hull are looking to strengthen during the transfer window to consolidate their position in the top half of the Premier League.

The Tigers have also been linked with Wigan midfielder Michael Brown but Phil Brown has denied making an approach.

He said: "We have got a number of irons in the fire, but just because the transfer window opens, doesn't mean to say everyone jumps into business straight away.

"A lot of these windows start with the big boys, and once they start to do their dealings everyone else follows suit. We have got certain targets earmarked."

One piece of business that looks certain to go through is the signing of defender Kamil Zayatte on a permanent deal from Swiss side Young Boys.

The Guinea international, 23, has made a big impression since joining the club on loan in August.

"We are very close," said Brown. "We are sitting down with his advisors and people at Young Boys of Berne. Hopefully we will have something to announce very soon."

Ronaldo rejects talk of Real agreement

Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo insists continued speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid is not true, after further reports that he has already signed for the Spanish champions.

Ronaldo dazzled for United last season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions as the Red Devils won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League and Real director Pedro Trapote was quoted in December claiming that his club have a deal in place to sign the Ballon D'Or winner at the end of this season.

Ronaldo, though, has reiterated that the claim is false, telling United's official website: "There's always speculation, not just about me, but about the future of players all around the world.

"People were speaking about me this summer but that was normal because of what I did during the season.

"What people are saying now (the recent speculation about an agreement with Real Madrid) is not true.

"Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here."

Meanwhile, Ronaldo admits he felt under pressure to impress after a summer of rumours, but was not worried that fans would turn against him.

"I think the people don't forget quickly what you do for the club," he added. "When I arrived at the stadium, to play (my first game of this season) against Villarreal, I felt a little bit of pressure.

"But the fans were very good and this is why I feel the Manchester United supporters are amazing.

"I love the fans because they have been brilliant with me, not just this season but every season. Like I said before, I feel at home in Manchester."

Spanish star Senna plays down City reports

Villarreal star Marcos Senna has rubbished reports which claimed he is eager to join Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The Spain midfielder is thought to be one of the names on City boss Mark Hughes' New Year shopping list as the Premier League side plot big-money signings with the backing of their new owners Abu Dhabi United Group.

Senna, who impressed as his country secured glory at Euro 2008, was recently quoted as saying he is 'interested in the challenge' of the English top flight.

However, the 32-year-old insists he is only focused on life at El Madrigal and knows nothing of any interest from City.

"I know nothing about everything that is being said and I have not spoken to anyone at Manchester City," Senna said in Marca.

"I have read the same things as everyone else and I do not know where it has come from. I only want to think about Villarreal and helping the team to do well.

"I have read about huge sums of money, but the only thing I want to focus on is playing for my team.

"It has all surprised me. I have never said anything to anyone about this and I am calm."

Toure set to leave Arsenal in January?

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure will demand a move in the January transfer window after a furious bust-up with team-mate William Gallas, according to reports in the English media.

The Ivory Coast international has reportedly handed in a transfer request after falling out of favour at the club in recent games, although it has been turned down by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

"I know about it (the transfer request)," Hill-Wood said. "But we are not going to accept it.

"We are not looking to let any of our players go and he is under contract - and we expect him to honour it."

The defender got into a row with former captain Gallas following the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Boxing Day and has now told the Emirates club that he wants to quit in January, news which will alert Manchester City who are keen on bringing the £10million-rated defender to Eastlands.

A source told the Daily Star: "Kolo doesn't want to stay - he cannot stand Gallas and Gallas cannot stand him.

"Gallas is showing him complete disrespect and Kolo believes he's been mouthing off to Wenger about them not being able to play together and Wenger is listening to him."

Toure was dropped for the unconvincing 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday after playing alongside Gallas in the heartbreaking draw at Villa Park.

Despite the 27-year-old's desire to quit north London, Wenger could still reject his transfer request - but could be forced to part with the versatile defender to boost funds.

Wenger hopes to bolster his midfield ranks, with Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta and Switzerland international Gokhan Inler on the Frenchman's radar.

And with Toure contracted to the club until August 2010, Wenger could be tempted into parting with the defender to release his £3.5m-per-year salary.

Premier League dismiss Hull penalty claims

The Premier League have dismissed any suggestion television replays could have influenced referee Steve Bennett's decision to overturn a penalty decision at Hull this week.

Hull thought they had earned a late lifeline in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa at the KC Stadium when Bennett pointed to the spot in injury time for an apparent handball by Ashley Young.

Bennett, however, changed his mind following protests by Villa and consultation with his assistant Andy Halliday, the pair correctly agreeing the ball had struck the crossbar and not Young's raised arm.

There have since been claims a third party could have used video replays and then advised the officials of the correct decision via their earpieces.

This would contravene Premier League rules which forbid third-party influence or the use of replays and competition officials are adamant this did not occur.

A Premier League spokesman said: "(Referees chief) Keith Hackett has spoken to Steve Bennett and the other match officials and what is absolutely clear is the decision was made between the assistant referee and the referee."

Additionally, the Premier League have also pointed out that video screens have now been removed from technical areas as part of the 'Get on with the Game' initiative and replays cannot be seen.

Hull chairman Paul Duffen has called for the matter to be investigated.

Duffen has no qualms over Bennett's final decision but has raised questions about the way at which it was reached.

"All we are saying is that the events bring into question who exactly did influence the referee," Duffen said in the Daily Mail.

"I would like a report from the match officials and confirmation of who was talking in the earpiece. There is a concern that somebody (else) was using video evidence.

"We are most concerned about the integrity of the competition and that some form of video evidence isn't being introduced by officials on a discretionary basis.

"Once Steve Bennett had awarded the penalty - and he is not known as a referee who is easily swayed - he didn't have any doubt about the decision.

"We don't see any way the linesman could have had a view of it and he did not attract the referee's attention at all.

"But at the point Bennett went across to talk to (Halliday), the linesman was obviously listening to someone in his earpiece while Bennett was standing next to him.

"It did look to all who were there as if the linesman was relaying information he was getting in his earpiece from somewhere else in the ground."

Rafa backing Gerrard as he returns to training

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has given his support to Steven Gerrard after the midfielder returned to training after being charged with assault and affray following an incident in a bar in Southport earlier this week.

The 28-year-old faces a maximum five-year jail term if convicted after being accused of assaulting businessman and part-time DJ Marcus McGee, 34, who was injured during a fight at the Lounge Inn.

Reds skipper Gerrard will attend North Sefton Magistrates' Court in Southport on January 23 but he has been given the full backing of the Anfield hierarchy, with Benitez the latest to give the club captain his support.

The Spaniard, who returned to Melwood yesterday for the first time since undergoing surgery on a kidney stone problem a fortnight ago, told the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: ''Steven is our captain and a key player for us, but more than this, I know him as a nice person.

''I sat down with him yesterday morning and had a very good talk with him about the situation and I was also able to speak at length with our club lawyer.

''Steven explained to me what had happened and I told him he has my full support and backing, along with everyone else at the football club.

''He's trained with the other lads after a couple of days off for the squad and is keen now to focus solely on his football.

''We've worked very hard to get into the position we're in going through to the new year and all of us are determined to keep that progress going.

''We'll do whatever we can to support Steven in the weeks ahead, but we're now concentrating on our preparation for the FA Cup game at Preston this weekend.''

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have also offered their help to the England midfielder.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told PA Sport: ''We have a watching brief on this and have offered any help we can.

''I was concerned when I heard about the case as I have known Steven Gerrard a long time.

''I don't know the full details but as the players' union we would want to be supportive of him.''

Gerrard returned to training yesterday with little fanfare at the Melwood training ground.

The England international arrived at the ground in the suburb of West Derby in his black Range Rover Sport to be greeted by a few fans who turned out despite the freezing temperatures.

Gerrard was charged with two other men following a fight at the Merseyside bar in the early hours of Monday.

Mr McGee, of Southport, allegedly lost a tooth and needed stitches to a face cut.

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, will go before magistrates with John Doran, 29, and Ian Gerard Smith, 19, both of Huyton.

They are also facing counts of assault and affray.