Villas-Boas shrugs off Chelsea ‘revolt’

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that he does not enjoy the full support of his Chelsea squad ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Birmingham City on Saturday. The manager has endured a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge since succeeding Carlo Ancelotti last summer and last weekend’s defeat at Everton sparked reports he had lost the dressing room. Club owner Roman Abramovich has become a regular visitor at the Blues’ Cobham training ground, fuelling speculation the Russian billionaire is once again growing impatient in his quest for more success. Defeat to Championship outfit Birmingham would do nothing to strengthen Villas-Boas’ position and could only undermine confidence ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16 first-leg meeting with Napoli. But the coach, who has already accepted Chelsea are bystanders in this season’s Premier League title race, insists he retains the full support of Abramovich even if not all the players share his vision of change for the club. “They don’t have to back my project. It’s the owner who backs my project,” he said. “I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have. “In the end, that is the objective of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies which we are fighting for. “It will be extremely good for us if we win against Birmingham to put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. “But we need strong progression in the league and to show our strength. Third place is already 10 points ahead of us. We have to get Champions League qualification.” Didier Drogba is back at the club from the Africa Cup of Nations but will not be considered for selection, although Villas-Boas hopes the striker’s presence will help motivate Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku. “Drogba gives us another solution up front. We’ve used Torres in all the games since he went away,” Villas-Boas said. “For the Birmingham game it will be between Torres and Lukaku and from then on with Drogba as well. For the type of player he is, he’s as strong as anybody.” John Terry and Ashley Cole will again be missing with injuries but midfielder Ramires should return. Chelsea’s cause will be helped by the fact that Birmingham are focused more on securing promotion back into the Premier League than the cup. Manager Chris Hughton, however, insists his side’s experience in handling the demands of competing in the Europa League this season demonstrates his squad can cope when changes are made to the line-up. “We are in the same situation here as when we had to marry up the league fixtures with the Europa League,” he said. “But this is what we have and, one thing I can guarantee you, is that there will be genuine excitement in that Chelsea dressing room to go out and get a win. “Even with the fixture problems it could cause us, there isn’t anyone in the club – players and fans – that won’t want us to try and win a game on Saturday against one of the top clubs. “If we are able to do that, we will be delighted. This will be a massive test but whichever way it goes, it is certainly one we will enjoy.”

Football: Drogba warns of Champions League disaster

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba believes it would be a "disaster" if the club fails to qualify for next season s Champions League but insists he backs under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas. The 33-year-old Ivory Coast forward said Chelsea were currently battling through the most difficult period of the striker s career since signing from Marseille in 2004. "If we don t make the top four it would be a disaster," Drogba was quoted as saying Friday in several media reports. "Every time we ve started a season since I ve been with Chelsea we never even finished as low as fourth. "It is the hardest season I ve known since I ve been here." Chelsea are currently just outside the top four following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Everton last week which has raised questions about the position of the club s young manager Villas-Boas. The Portuguese coach reportedly faced an open revolt from several senior Chelsea players earlier this week after a training ground bust-up. However Drogba rallied to Villas-Boas  defence. "It s hard for everyone at the moment, for the players and for the manager," Drogba said. "I think he s a big man and he s also learning. There s no age where you can say you don t learn any more. "He came with his philosophy which is playing a bit more football than the other managers. That s how he succeeded in Porto so he wanted to do the same at Chelsea. "You know how it is when you come with a lot of ambition and it doesn t go the way you want, it s difficult. It s not easy for him but he s not the only one who is responsible, we all are. "In football everyone blames the manager first which is difficult for him because he is on the sidelines when we are playing but I guess that s football."

Danish Kaneria named as ‘corrupter’ in Westfield trial

Pakistan international spinner Danish Kaneria was named in court on Friday as being involved in a spot-fixing scam that led to the trial of a former English county cricketer. Prosecutors in the case of former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield, who has pleaded guilty to spot-fixing and faces sentencing on Friday, said the player had been lured into the fix after an approach by Kaneria. The Old Bailey heard that Kaneria told Westfield he would be paid to concede a certain number of runs in a particular over. Prosecutor Nigel Peters QC said the deal emerged after another Essex player, Tony Palladino, showed Westfield “the most money he had ever seen”. Kaneria was arrested in connection with the case in 2010 but later released without charge. Westfield admits receiving 6,000 pounds ($9,200) to bowl so that 12 runs would be scored in the first over of a 40-over match between Durham and Essex in September 2009, although in fact only 10 were scored. This case took place against the backdrop of Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer being jailed in Britain last year for their role in a separate spot-fixing scandal in a Test match against England. Kaneria’s lawyer Farogh Naseem brushed aside Westfield’s claims. “I think we can only take any step once the inquiry is finished,” Naseem told AFP in Karachi. “It is Westfield’s words against Kaneria and a lot will depend on what evidences he puts before the court against my client.”Naseem reiterated Kaneria was cleared by the police. “At the time of the police inquiry Kaneria was not charged and cleared. The ICC (International Cricket Council) cleared him so we feel that Kaneria was discharged in the case,” he said. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) withdrew Kaneria after he was selected for the series against South Africa in October 2010 and has since not cleared him for selection, apparently waiting for the Westfield inquiry to complete.Kaneria’s petition against the PCB to revive his career was dismissed by the Sindh High court in November last year and despite vowing to take the case to higher courts Kaneria has not made any progress. Kaneria was allowed to play domestic cricket and was representing Sindh in the ongoing Pentangular Cup in Pakistan.

Ibrahimovic inspires Milan to big win over Arsenal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired AC Milan to a 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, although the sorry performance of the visitors had as much to do with the scoreline as the volatile Swede’s brilliance. Ibrahimovic set up two goals for Robinho and won and converted a penalty for the fourth to leave Milan almost certain of ending their dismal recent record against English opposition. Kevin-Prince Boateng had fired Milan ahead with a typically emphatic effort in the 15th minute. Arsenal, who had not previously lost by more than three goals in the Champions League, never got to grips with the nimble footwork of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Boateng, who pulled their defence all over the place. The visitors were also at a loss as to how to penetrate the Milan defence where Thiago ilva had an outstanding game. Antonio Nocerino and Luca Antonini were also impressive for the Serie A leaders. “We were never in the game, we were very poor offensively and defensively, and it as shocking to see how were beaten everywhere,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters. “It was our worst performance in Europe by far, there was not one moment we were really in the game. “We had to chase the game, open up our game. It was always the same for us, balls over the top, it’s difficult to analyse. It’s better not to talk too much and to analyse with a cool head.” AC Milan’s last three participations in the Champions League have ended in the round of 16 with defeats against English clubs, including Arsenal, but Wenger saw no change of that run continuing. “We don’t play in dream world….realistically we are out of this competition,” he said. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri praised his team’s defence and criticised the attack for not scoring more goals. “We played well as a team, we did not give them any scoring chances, we were very good in defence and especially good when Arsenal had possession,” he said. “We could have scored more which is a pity in the Champions League where you have two legs.” The match was played on a shocking pitch at San Siro where both flanks resembled a ploughed field. Around one dozen officials in green uniform spent the halftime interval trying to replace divots and flatten the turf with hoes. The Serie A champions began with a flourish as Boateng back-heeled the ball to Clarence Seedorf and he shot into the side-netting. Seedorf limped off after 12 minutes and was replaced by Urby Emanuelson but it made little difference and three minutes later they were ahead. Nocerino chipped the ball over the Arsenal defence and into the path of Boateng, who chested the ball down and hammered a dipping shot in off the underside of the crossbar. Nocerino fired over the bar before Ibrahimovic broke down the left, reached the byline and dinked the ball back for Robinho to head the second. Milan could easily have a third goal before halftime as Boateng broke clear but shot into the side-netting and Antonini poked the ball wide after Ibrahimovic sent him clear. But it only took four minutes of the second half for them to score again as Ibrahimovic passed the ball behind Robinho but he reacted quickly, got in position and shot into corner. Arsenal had to wait until the 66th minute for a real chance when Robin van Persie’s shot on the turn was superbly turned around the post by Christian Abbiati. Milan were still dominant although their fourth goal came from a highly dubious penalty as Ibrahimovic tumbled over, beginning his fall before any contact had been made by Johan Djourou. The Swede fired home the resulting penalty to complete the rout.

Misbah, Mohsin avoid media briefing after second defeat

Captain Alastair Cook’s simple recipe of playing hard has exposed cracks in the Pakistan team, leaving England with an invincible 2-0 lead after their 20-run win in the second day-night match. Pakistan, who blanked England 3-0 in the preceding Test series, looked disjointed in the first two matches and now need to win the remaining two on Saturday and Tuesday, both in Dubai. Pakistan failed to chase a target of 261 in the first match and 251 in the second —defeats which saw captain Misbah-ul Haq and coach Mohsin Khan avoid the mandatory post-match news conferences. Asked why the captain and coach did not attend, opener Mohammad Hafeez said: “When you do well and even when you don’t do well, you have to face the media. It is not that nobody wants to face the media.” England rode on a second successive hundred by Cook —the first England captain to hit back-to-back centuries in one-day cricket —to post a challenging 250-4 on Wednesday before Steven Finn (4-34) restricted Pakistan to 230 in 49 overs. Cook had scored his best one-day score of 137 while Finn had identical figures in England’s big 130-run win in the first match in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Hafeez gave credit to England. “The ball was seaming more and was spinning a bit more later. England bowled really well. It became a bit difficult batting second under lights,” said Hafeez, accepting Pakistan could not carry the Test win momentum. “Definitely, we were thinking at coming harder in the one-dayers as well. Credit goes to the England team. They really played good cricket. And Cook played a solid knock in the last two ODIs. “We can still come back very hard because we believe in our team. We have too many match winners in our side and anybody can come in and win the game for Pakistan,” said Hafeez who scored only five and 26 in two defeats. Cook said England were not going get complacent despite their wins. “You train like it’s still 0-0. Complacency has never been an issue with this England side, whether we win or lose games of cricket. “It will never be easy, but it’s a great situation to be in —2-0 up with two to go,” said Cook, adding he had transformed after being written off as one-day player. “When I’d played those first 20-odd games, I knew if I wanted to play one-day cricket for England I’d have to improve. I’ve changed the way I play one-day cricket,” said Cook, who was made one-day captain in May last year. Wednesday’s hundred was his third as captain following a 119 against Sri Lanka at Lord’s last year. Cook was full of praised for Finn. “He was our outstanding performer in India, and never really got the wickets he deserved,” said Cook of England’s 5-0 one-day defeat in India last year. “He’s got two ‘four-fors’ —and that opening spell of five overs for six was quality, running in and bowling 90mph and landing it on a sixpence.” Both teams play three Twenty20 internationals in Dubai (February 23 and 25) and in Abu Dhabi (February 27).

Aisam, Roger in 2nd round of Rotterdam Open

Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his partner Jean-Julien Rojer have reached the second round of ATP Rotterdam Open. Aisam and Roger pair defeated Richard Gasquet of France and Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia in straight sets. The score was 7-6, 6-1.

Sagan wins Tour of Oman second stage

Slovakian Peter Sagan of the Liquigas team won Wednesday s second stage of the Tour of Oman, beating home Australian Baden Cooke and Dutchman Tom Jelte Slagter in a final sprint. Sagan took the race leader s red jersey from overnight lead rider Andre Greipel, the German finishing 10th on the 140km stage from Sur to Wadi Dayqah Dam and now stands 4sec down on the Slovakian in the overall standings. "Oman is my second race of the season after the Tour of Qatar," said the 22-year-old Sagan. "I was already on good form in Qatar but up against pure sprinters there, none of the finishes really suited me." The stage finish here on Wednesday was slightly uphill, Sagan saying: "I knew that this second stage would be the first chance I d have to impose myself. "I m very, very happy. I hope to carry on improving my form in the lead up to the Milan-San Remo, my first big goal."

AC Milan 4 Arsenal 0

THERE is no way to gloss over that one, Arsene.

This Arsenal fiasco will never be forgotten, as they said arrivederci to the Champions League.

It would be even sadder if this proves to be the last European match for boss Arsene Wenger.

His gutless flops collapsed without a fight on a night of abject humiliation.

This shambles has brought shame to the Arsenal shirt — and boss Wenger was brave enough to acknowledge it.

Time and again we have heard Wenger speak of the 'spirit', the 'character', the 'guts' and the 'talent' at the Emirates. But there was no evidence of any of that last night for the Gunners.

At least Wenger did not dare tell heartbroken fans the Londoners can still turn this around. They cannot.

Arsenal's weaknesses were laid bare in the most excruciating manner. And now the taboo question regarding the future of Wenger has reared its ugly head just when the issue is least welcome.

Make no mistake, Wenger is to blame. But so is Stan Kroenke, the invisible owner who needs to tell supporters how it has come to this.

This was no fairytale farewell for Thierry Henry. This was a nightmare end to a glorious career for the French hitman.

It could well prove pivotal for the career of the club's legendary manager, too.

A sensational opener from AC Milan's Tottenham reject Kevin-Prince Boateng and a double strike from former Manchester City misfit Robinho buried the visitors.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made both of Robinho's goals and he added a penalty late on.

The 5,000 visiting fans were the only English heroes when they started singing 'We love you Arsenal, we do' after 57 minutes with their team 3-0 down and showing no signs of revival.

Worse still, this morning Spurs fans will be gloating thanks to Boateng.

Wojciech Szczesny's horrible kick after 15 minutes fell into the path of Antonio Nocerino, who spotted the Prince's run into the box.

Boateng chested the ball down and thumped a jaw-dropping opener in off the underside of the bar.

Home boss Massimiliano Allegri wanted to ensure that Milan did not lose a goal, or the game, yet again against English opposition.

And he insisted on the eve of the match that the Italian giants, who had not beaten an English club in almost five years, did NOT have an inferiority complex.

This was certainly some way for Milan to regain some pride against the English.

Before the game Allegri had tried to muddy the waters by saying Boateng would not start as he had been injured for a month.

But Boateng did indeed start and gave Bacary Sagna one of the worst nights of his life.

After his goal, the Gunners were under incessant pressure.

Ibrahimovic almost stole in as he snatched the ball from Thomas Vermaelen and only Szczesny's heroism spared Arsenal a certain second goal as he dived at the Swede's feet and earned himself a painful foul.

Robinho then stole the ball from Vermaelen and tried to release Ibrahimovic. Mercifully, Laurent Koscielny ran back to intercept. After 38 minutes, though, the stadium erupted.

Urby Emanuelson released Ibrahimovic on the left behind Sagna and he ran 40 yards unhindered into the Arsenal box before crossing for Robinho to nod home.

Szczesny was looking accusingly at Koscielny, who was looking at Sagna. Sixes and sevens indeed.

Incredibly, Arsenal had 55 per cent possession at that stage, even if Milan were the ones getting the chances.

Things went from bad to worse for Wenger as Koscielny then limped off just before the interval and Johan Djourou came on.

When Ibrahimovic turned Djourou and released Boateng with the outside of his right foot, it seemed the match had gone from the Gunners right there. But the Milan man fired just wide.

The Italians finished the first half with nine attempts to Arsenal's two. Thierry Henry came on for the ineffective Theo Walcott after the interval. But it was Milan who extended their lead just four minutes after the restart.

Robinho latched on to Ibrahimovic's simple pass and, as Vermaelen fell over, beat Szczesny just inside his right post.

After 59 minutes, Luca Antonini wasted a sitter as he shot wide with only Szczesny to beat.On 66 minutes, Henry flicked Alex Song's pass into Robin van Persie's path and the Dutchman struck a left-foot beauty that Christian Abbiati turned round for a corner.

The Milan keeper then held on to Van Persie's close-range effort before the killer blow arrived.

With 13 minutes left, Ibrahimovic turned Djourou and was brought down by the Swiss player. Ref Viktor Kassai rightly gave the penalty.

Szczesny went the right way but could not stop the spot-kick from Ibrahimovic going in.

Abbiati next blocked Van Persie's far-post header as Arsenal desperately looked for a consolation and a glimmer of hope — in vain.

For Milan now it is a quarter-final spot.

For Arsenal a long period of recrimination has barely begun.

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

STAR MAN - ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (AC MILAN)

MILAN: Abbiati 7, Abate 7, Mexes 7, Silva 7, Antonini 7, Nocerino 7, Boateng 9, Seedorf 5, Robinho 9, Ibrahimovic 9. Subs: Emanuelson (Seedorf 12) 6, Ambrosini (Boateng 69) 5, Pato (Robinho 84) 5. Not used: Amelia, Nesta, Bonera, El Shaarawy. Booked: Antonini, Mexes, Ambrosini.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 4, Sagna 3, Vermaelen 4, Koscielny 4, Gibbs 4, Walcott 4, Ramsey 5, Song 5, Arteta 5, Rosicky 5, Van Persie 6. Subs: Djourou (Koscielny 44) 3, Henry (Walcott 46) 6, Oxlade-C'lain (Gibbs 66) 5. Not used: Fabianski, Arshavin, Benayoun, Coquelin. Booked: Song, Djourou.

REF: V Kassai 7