Liverpool's Enrique is out for 10 weeks

Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique will be out of action for around 10 weeks after undergoing knee surgery, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, who signed from Newcastle United in August 2011, has not started a game for his club since their 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on October 5.

"Liverpool Football Club can confirm that Jose Enrique has successfully undergone arthroscopic surgery to resolve an issue with his right knee," read a statement on the Liverpool website.

"Enrique is expected to return to full training at Melwood in around 10 weeks' time."

Jon Flanagan deputised for Enrique in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday, while manager Brendan Rodgers can also call upon Frenchman Aly Cissokho at left-back.

Wenger backs Ozil ahead of Marseille clash

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed record signing Mesut Ozil to rediscover his best form after some subdued performances in recent weeks.

Ozil hit the ground running after his £42.4 million ($66 million, 50 million euros) transfer from Real Madrid in September, but he has failed to hit the heights in his last few outings.

The 25-year-old playmaker put in a disappointing performance in Arsenal's 1-0 loss at Manchester United prior to the international break and then sat out Germany's friendly against England after contracting a virus.

However, with Arsenal on the verge of a place in the Champions League last 16 ahead of Tuesday's home game with Marseille, Wenger has backed the former Werder Bremen man to improve.

"First of all, Ozil is a hugely talented player," Wenger said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

"He has just arrived here three months ago and overall did not have the best of preparations for the league. Ozil is a young player, 25 years old, so of course there is a lot of room for improvement for him."

Wenger also dismissed suggestions that Arsenal were over-reliant on Ozil's creative talents.

"We have plenty of players who can take the ball and play, but because he plays in the central part of the pitch, the ball goes through him," the Frenchman said.

"However, we don't put any special responsibility on him. Maybe he feels a bit more pressure to do that.

"But we just want the game to be played like we see it and do not put any special responsibility on him because everybody in our team can deliver great balls."

Former Marseille midfielder Mathieu Flamini is available to play against his former club after serving a domestic suspension, while Theo Walcott could feature, after making his return during Saturday's 2-0 home win over Southampton, following a stomach problem.

However, Yaya Sanogo (back) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (knee) remain unavailable, and Lukas Podolski is not yet ready to return despite resuming training following a hamstring injury.

Arsenal will qualify if they beat Marseille -- who can no longer qualify -- and the other Group F game between Borussia Dortmund and Napoli ends in a draw, while a Napoli win will also send Arsenal through if they avoid defeat.

Wenger, though, says his side cannot afford to worry about the different permutations.

"We know that tomorrow is a very big game in that final stage of the qualifiers. We have an opportunity to do it at home," he said.

"You say 12 points may not be enough, it is true, but it might as well be enough and maybe already (to qualify) tomorrow, so let's get the 12 points."

thw/gnf


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Manchester City trash Tottenham 6-0

Manchester City delivered a devastating attacking display to humble Tottenham 6-0 on Sunday, sending a warning to its title rivals by condemning Spurs to their joint heaviest Premier League defeat in 17 years.

Jesus Navas bookended yet another huge home win for City by scoring after 14 seconds and again in second-half stoppage time, with Sergio Aguero also netting in each half to add to an own goal by Sandro and a brilliant strike by Alvaro Negredo.

''We have to be ashamed of a result like this,'' Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said. ''To lose 6-0 is extremely embarrassing.''

City, which stayed six points behind leader Arsenal after 12 games, was 5-0 ahead after 56 minutes and has now scored 18 goals in its last three home games in all competitions.

If Manuel Pellegrini's side can sort out its dreadful away form, it will surely be favorite to land a second league title in three years.

''It is impossible to play better than we did today,'' Pellegrini said.

Tottenham is languishing in ninth place despite spending more than 100 million pounds (now $160 million) on mostly attacking talent in the summer. And with Manchester United up next weekend, they could yet find themselves even further out of the title picture in a season that had initially promised so much.

With just nine goals in 12 league games, scoring has become a serious problem since the summer departure to Real Madrid of Gareth Bale, who saved them so often last season. Not since a 7-1 loss to Newcastle in December 1996 have they been beaten by a six-goal margin - and it could have been a lot worse.

City, meanwhile, remains the enigma of the season. Flawless in six matches at the Etihad, they have picked up just four points so far from a possible 18 on their travels.

As so often at home, City exploded out of the traps - Spurs midfielder Sandro was sick on the pitch, such was the intensity of the opening minutes - and had the game sewn up at halftime. And the hosts were given a helping hand by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Spurs' approach is to play the ball out from the back through the France goalkeeper but the tactic backfired here before many fans had settled in their seats.

Lloris' weak clearance went straight to Aguero and although Lloris saved the Argentine's curling shot, the ball fell to Navas, who curled a clever shot over the keeper into the top corner for City's fastest ever goal in 21 seasons of the Premier League and the second quickest this campaign.

''It was a difficult start for us,'' Villas-Boas said. ''After that, everything you had in mind goes down the drain.''

Spurs enjoyed some early possession, with Erik Lamela having a shot cleared off the line by Martin Demichelis, but they always looked vulnerable at the back and Lloris was at his best to deny Aguero chipping in for the second after seven minutes.

Lloris was his own worst enemy for the second goal too, making another tame kick to spark a City attack that saw Samir Nasri feed the ball to Aguero, whose effort was parried away to Negredo. The Spain striker's volley from eight yards deflected off Younes Kaboul onto the leg of Sandro and into the back of net.

Aguero wrapped up a perfect first half for the hosts by steering in a textbook cross from Navas and Spurs were on their knees. It was to get much, much worse.

Yaya Toure had cantered through the first 45 minutes but he burst into life in the 50th by exchanging passes with Negredo and storming into the box, where he crossed unselfishly for Aguero to sidefoot home for his 15th goal in 13 games.

''For me, Kun (Aguero) is just after (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo as one of the best three players in the world,'' Pellegrini said.

Nasri toe-poked against the bar before Negredo span his marker from Fernandinho's through-ball and fired a brilliant finish into the top corner. 5-0 and still more than half an hour left.

Mercifully for Tottenham, Aguero and Nasri were taken off soon after the hour mark but the introduction of forgotten man Emmanuel Adebayor for his first appearance of the season failed to spark Spurs.

And after starting the rout, Navas finished it after more dreadful defending by Spurs. A raking pass by James Milner failed to be cut out by Jan Vertonghen and Navas ran through to slip a finish past Lloris.




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United drop points again as they draw 2-2 with Cardiff city

Kim Bo-kyung headed in a stoppage-time equalizer to give Cardiff a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday and deny David Moyes' team a chance to move into the top four.

Kim met a free kick at the near post to rescue a point for the Welsh club and Wayne Rooney then wasted a great chance to net a winner moments later.

Rooney had put United ahead in the 15th minute with a shot from inside the area that deflected off a defender and into the net. The striker had been lucky to remain on the pitch earlier when he kicked out at Jordon Mutch but escaped with just a booking.

Former United player Fraizer Campbell equalized for Cardiff in the 33rd, but Patrice Evra restored the visitors lead when he headed in a corner just before halftime.

Campbell hit the crossbar with a delightful chip over David de Gea as the hosts searched for the equalizer, while Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall dived quickly to push out a goalbound header by Marouane Fellaini to keep them in the game.

After a shaky start to the season, United is unbeaten in 10 games, but Kim's late header slowed its revival and left the team sixth in the standings.

Cardiff, which beat Manchester City at home earlier this season, is in 15th with 13 points from 12 games.

Rooney had a chance to steal the win for United just after Kim's equalizer when he suddenly found himself alone with Marshall, but opted not to shoot and tried to pull the ball back for Danny Welbeck instead. However, the pass was much too weak and Marshall dove down to scoop it up.




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Arsenal beat Southampton 2-0 to move 4 points clear at the top of EPL

Olivier Giroud took advantage of a huge goalkeeping blunder to score a brace as Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Southampton.

The Gunners bounced back from their defeat against Manchester United and took advantage of second-place Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Everton to increase their lead.

Arsene Wenger's team had a cautious start but gradually stamped its authority on the match and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc gifted a bizarre goal, losing the ball to Giroud in his box.

The former Montpellier striker then doubled the hosts' lead from the penalty spot, sending Boruc the wrong way after Per Mertesacker had his jersey pulled in the box.

The match was delayed by 15 minutes following problems on the London metro to allow supporters sufficient time to gather at the Emirates stadium gates.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere started alongside Germany defender Mertesacker, who scored the winning goal against England in a friendly at Wembley midweek.

The Gunners came to life after 15 minutes to camp in their opponent's half. Wilshere almost broke the deadlock with a chipped ball over Boruc that came off the post before Aaron Ramsey hit the same post with a backheeled flick.

But Boruc's lucky day was soon to end as the Saints goalkeeper lost the ball after trying to clumsily dribble past France striker Giroud in his box. Giroud pressured him and easily won the ball before scoring from close range.

''We were a bit lucky on the first goal, but I think that really helped us for the rest of the game,'' Giroud said. ''I didn't give up on my duel with the keeper. Usually I used to go too quickly ... but this time I stand on my legs and was a bit lucky, took ball and scored. It's nice for the team.''

Starting the match in 3rd place, Southampton showed a more attacking side to its play after the interval but Adam Lallana saw his powerful attempt at goal stopped by Wojciech Szczesny just before the England midfielder was replaced by Dani Osvaldo.

The Saints enjoyed good spells of possession as Arsenal struggled to win the ball before Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla spread confusion in Southampton's box as the match opened up.

Arsenal finally sealed its win four minutes from time after Jose Fonte pulled Mertesacker's shirt.


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Tottenham Hotspur-Manchester City Preview

Manchester City will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League this season when they play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

City (6-1-4) have won all five league matches played at the Etihad Stadium this term, scoring 20 goals and conceding just two in that spell.

However, their dismal away form - just one win and a total of four points from six matches - has left Manuel Pellegrini's side down in eighth position with 19 points and struggling to keep up with the Premier League's leaders Arsenal.

City thumped Norwich 7-0 in their last home league match on Nov. 2 but then lost 1-0 at lowly Sunderland before the international break.

Pellegrini is likely to keep Joe Hart on the City substitutes' bench against Tottenham. The England goalkeeper was dropped by City three weeks ago after a series of high-profile errors and replaced by Romania international Costel Pantilimon.

Despite the fact that Hart played in England's 1-0 defeat by Germany at Wembley on Tuesday, Pellegrini has hinted Pantilimon will start again on Sunday.

"I think at this moment that maybe Joe needs a rest but we still have a lot of trust in Joe and he's still a very important player in our squad," said Pellegrini. "I am absolutely sure that this will be an important thing for him to come back to his performances of the last two years."

Tottenham (6-2-3) are one place and one point above City in the standings but have lacked consistency since starting the 2013/2014 campaign with five wins in their first six league matches. Spurs lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle before the international break and although they have the second best defensive record (just six goals conceded) the north Londoners have found it difficult to score goals themselves, managing just nine in 11 league outings.

Spurs midfielder Lewis Holtby is expecting a closely-fought contest on Sunday.

"We need a result after the disappointment against Newcastle and it's important to win this game," said the 23-year-old German international. "It's going to be a tough game. It's a match between two opponents that like to play attacking football and I think it's going to be a great game to watch.

"It's going to be the details that decide the game. We need a result after the disappointment against Newcastle and it's important to win this game. Everyone will be trying their best to win a top game like this."

City skipper Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with a thigh problem, while striker Stevan Jovetic (foot) and midfielder David Silva (calf) also miss out.

Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen injured his ankle on international duty for Denmark, although the damage is not as bad as first thought. Defender Danny Rose is nearing a return from an ankle complaint, while midfielders Nacer Chadli and Etienne Capoue are available again after injury lay-offs.

Both sides claimed victories at home last season. Man City won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in November with Edin Dzeko scoring the winner two minutes from time. Steven Caulker had put Spurs ahead after 21 minutes, before his goal was cancelled out by Sergio Aguero midway through the second half.

Spurs won 3-1 at White Hart Lane in April with three goals in a seven-minute span in the second half. Samir Nasri put City ahead five minutes into the game and they would hold that lead until the 75th minute when Gareth Bale equalised. Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead four minutes later and Bale locked up the points with a goal eight minutes from time.


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Mourinho questions referee chief's apology

 Jose Mourinho has criticised the decision of referees' chief Mike Riley to apologise to Steve Clarke for the decision that denied West Bromwich Albion victory at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom manager Clarke and his players were left incensed when referee Andre Marriner awarded an added-time penalty for Mourinho's Chelsea side when the Blues were trailing 2-1 in their recent Premier League clash.

Controversy surrounded the decision with Chelsea midfielder Ramires accused of going to ground under an innocuous challenge from West Brom's Steven Reid although Mourinho maintains Marriner got it right.

Clarke confirmed this week he had received a call from Riley to apologise for the decision, prompting Mourinho to question whether the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited had now set a precedent.

"I'm very curious to know if it was just an isolated phone call," Chelsea manager Mourinho said Friday.

"I'm curious to know if people see that as a normal situation.

"I'm interested to know if that was the start and, from now on, it'll be the same for everybody. I'm very curious to know, and to know the consequences of it."

The Portuguese added: "At least the referees now know one thing: if in a controversial decision -- I'm not saying a mistake -- that hypothetically, hypothetically, favours Chelsea, they know they will be publicly exposed by their boss.

"They can make hypothetical mistakes favouring other teams and nothing happens.

"If, hypothetically, they make a mistake they are publicly exposed by their own boss."

And referring to other managers who have been on the receiving end of debatable decisions this season, he added: "I'm curious to know if Steve Bruce (Sunderland) got a phonecall. I'm interested to know if Chris Hughton (Norwich) got a phonecall. I'm interested to know if (Swansea's Michael) Laudrup got a phonecall.

"Nobody called me to apologise about the fact that it was not a free-kick against West Bromwich ahead of their second goal, or the penalty at Everton that would have been 1-1 for us.

"I don't know if (Aston Villa manager) Paul Lambert got a phonecall. I don't know."

Mourinho also condemned comments from West Brom centre-back Jonas Olsson, who claimed the manager called him a "Mickey Mouse player" in the tunnel after the game.

"I think giant players, giant coaches and giant clubs don't speak about what happens in the tunnel. The game is the game. The game finished.

"In the tunnel, sometimes, a couple of things happen. A couple of words. Not aggressions. Nothing. But giant clubs, giant players and giant managers close their mouth. The next day is another day."

Mourinho revealed left-back Ashley Cole is in contention for the visit to West Ham United after a rib injury but striker Fernando Torres will miss the trip across London.

"Fernando is not ready. Not yet. Almost, but not yet. And Ashley Cole is selected. He still feels it a little bit, but we know it's a situation that he'll have pain for quite a long time. But he's selected."

Mourinho admitted to concerns about his side's away form following the recent defeat at Newcastle United.

"We have to do better, I agree. We had very difficult matches away. Our fixtures, until now, were not the easiest, especially when we speak about matches away.

"We played already against two title contenders. We played against Everton and Newcastle, always difficult stadiums. Not teams who fight for the table, but fight for the second block of teams," said Mourinho, whose team are four points behind leaders Arsenal.

"But we want to do better and we need to get more points from the next five matches away than we did in the first five matches."

str/jdg/as




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