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Tottenham will be hoping to maintain the momentum that has propelled them into third with a fifth straight Premier League win when they face West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

They’ll face a tough game against Roy Hodgson’s Baggies who beat Bolton last week after losing their last two games against Arsenal and Liverpool. Albion’s form has rapidly fluctuated this season with supporters celebrating a clutch of wins which is then swiftly followed by a run of defeats. Hodgson’s men have put served up some insipid displays to the Hawthorns faithful this season and had scored only three goals before their win over the Trotters on Saturday. The return of Shane Long from injury was a major plus point with the Irish striker adding some extra pace and purpose in the final third. His winning goal capped a remarkable comeback for the Baggies record signing considering he chipped a bone in his knee at Aston Villa barely a month ago. His link up with another returnee and West Brom legend Zoltan Gera gave them something they’ve lacked all up front all season. Peter Odemwingie’s absence at times this season has hit Hodgson’s attacking options hard but the return of the stylish Bulgarian offered them some guile and industry up front. His intelligent ball through for Jerome Thomas’ opening goal was a mouthwatering and his sharp vision and passing range will compliment Long’s preference to run off the shoulder of defences. That win over Bolton was only their second win in six at home this season and they’ll need to be wary of a Spurs side who lost only once on their travels.

Harry Redknapps side saw off Albion’s Midland rivals Aston Villa with ease on Monday to leapfrog Newcastle into third with a game in hand on those in front of them. Since losing their opening two games at the hands of both Manchester clubs the North London side have excelled winning eight out of the nine subsequent fixtures putting themselves in contention for a title challenge. Redknapp’s summer signings have all settled in well with Brad Friedel providing a stable presence at the back whilst Scott Parker has added a smatter of grit in the heart of midfield. Up front Emmanuel Adebayor has performed superbly in the lone striker role and was the match winner on Monday scoring twice against Villa with his acrobatic first goal displaying his qualities in front of goal. The on loan Manchester City striker now has five goals for the club and was the recipient of two assists from Gareth Bale who once again dominated the left side of the field. The Welshman put in another breathless pounding Carlos Cuellar and Alan Hutton into submission. His direct running will be a key component of Tottenham’s attack along and will most certainly be a deciding factor as to whether Tottenham continue their excellent form in the Midlands.

West Brom – 10th

Last Five: Won 2-0 v Bolton (H), Lost 3-0 v Arsenal (A), Lost 2-0 v Liverpool (H), Won 2-1 v Aston Villa (A), Won 2-0 v Wolves (H)

Potential Starting X11: 1. B. Foster 12. S. Reid 3. J. Olsson 23. G. McCauley 20. N. Shorey 14. J. Thomas 21. Y. Mulumbu 7. J. Morrison 11. C. Brunt[C] 22. Z. Gera 9. S. Long*

Injury News: Peter Odemwingie remains sidelined with a troublesome knee injury but Austrian defender Paul Scharner could return after overcoming a similar affliction.

Key Player: Shane Long

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West Brom missed the striker during his short absence through injury losing the two games he missed after the injury he picked up against Aston Villa. His return coincided with Albion returning to winning ways on his return with the Irishman scoring the winner against Bolton. His energy and clever runs off the defence will give the Baggies an attacking option every time they’re in possession against Tottenham

Match Fact: The Baggies have only managed to beat Tottenham twice at the Hawthorns in five Premeir League meetings with Spur’s winning once and claiming a draw in the other two games.

The last time Sunderland beat Manchester City, the Blues were relegated later that year.The Black Cats’ most recent triumph over City at Eastlands was in the second tier of English football in 1998, meaning Steve Bruce’s side face a hard task if they are to knock over the now talent-laden side that is Manchester City when the two sides clash in the English Premier League on Sunday.

Sunderland are still in contention for a European spot, which says more for their earlier season form than it does for their last five games – as they have taken just one point from a possible 15 – yet are only two points behind the coveted seventh place (Bolton) which guarantees European football next season.

Bruce’s side is last on the Premier League’s ‘form guide’ table, but will take some solace from their late draw against City at the Stadium of Light in the reverse fixture in August.

City are pushing to sew up their spot in the league’s top four to earn their ticket to the Champions League next campaign.

With a fresh and revitalised Carlos Tevez a likely starter after a two-week hiatus from the field due to injury and the international break, City could romp to a commanding victory at home.

The City skipper has not scored in the Premier League since his hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in early February, but is just two goals behind Golden Boot leader Dimitar Berbatov, and expect the Argentine to be keen to arrest that deficit sooner rather than later.

Sunderland memorably scored three at Eastlands last season but took no points in a 4-3 loss, but it is hard seeing them repeat their scoring heroics, despite the exciting pairing of Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan up front.

City will be without injured goalkeeper Shay Given and suspended Kolo Toure, while Sunderland are missing Craig Gordon, David Meyler and Michael Turner, but John Mensah will be available after the red card he received against Liverpool was rescinded.

Arsenal have announced that long-serving manager Arsene Wenger has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the end of the 2013-14 season.

Wenger, who was appointed Gunners boss 14 years ago, is pleased that his long-term future is secure after signing a three-year extension to his current contract.

The Frenchman said after penning the deal:"My heart belongs to Arsenal and my desire is to see this team win silverware.

"My commitment and drive are as strong and fresh as ever. Signing a new deal means that I can see this talented group of players reach their potential. Trust me, they are ready to deliver.

"With my staff and players we are in front of an exciting challenge and we are looking forward to achieving much success."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood added:"We are thrilled that Arsene has signed an extension to his contract.

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"He has masterfully transformed this football club over the last 14 years and the exciting and compelling football we play under his stewardship is admired the world over.

"Arsene is a very talented man and we believe the young, exciting team he has nurtured over the past five years will reward his and the fans' patience with silverware."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

To Anfield first where we shall reassess,

Pick apart and analyse this weekend’s mess,

Liverpool held, they failed to perform,

The same can’t be said of Michel Vorm,

For all that Dalglish’s side ran and ran,

They were never going to beat the Flying Dutchman,

Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor scored a peach of a goal,

Had the precision of a quarter back in the Super Bowl,

Fergie celebrated 25 years at Manchester United,

Of cheating however they were indicted,

Persuading the referee into another decision,

Correct call made though, so no collision,

Bolton avenged their Wembley demon,

Perhaps this could herald the start of their season,

Tony Pulis’ Stoke had a tough day to endure,

Still no European hangover cure,

Enough with this procrastination,

It’s time to review without deliberation!

Performance of the Weekend

Liverpool may have not been at the best on Saturday but Swansea had to be to deny them at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers side looked well organised and resolute in their 0-0 draw in the North West. The stand out player yet again was Michel Vorm. His best save was an improbable one handed tip over the bar from Glen Johnson’s well hit volley.

The first Welsh side in the Premier League continue to prove they are a forced to be reckoned with. Judging by the way Manchester United have been playing of late, it’s not implausible that the Swans could take points off their illustrious visitors in two weeks time at the Liberty Stadium.

Player of the Weekend

Robin van Persie displayed yet more facets to his game in Arsenal’s 3-0 procession against West Brom. A goal poacher for the first, tapping in the rebound from Theo Walcott’s shot, he turned provider for the second and third goals, laying it on for Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta to lash past Ben Foster. Another world class performance from the Gunners captain and suddenly, Arsenal don’t look a bad shout for the top four.

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Honourable Mentions: Gareth Bale, Gabby Agbonlahor, Michel Vorm, Chris Eagles

Goal of the Weekend

Newcastle United defender Ryan Taylor is renowned for his precision when it comes to dead ball situations. He displayed against Everton how he can place it with equal accuracy when the ball is moving. His looping half volley left Tim Howard dazed as it soared over him, nicking the cross bar on its way into the far corner. Beautiful

[youtube vzsEZ08MQA4]

Miss of the Weekend

Poor old Fernando Torres must be wondering what he has to do to score. From nearly under the crossbar, the £50 million man managed to sky the ball into the fans. It’s actually reached the point where his profligacy in front of goal is quite incredible considering the player he was just two years ago. You wonder how much longer Chelsea will persist with their multimillion pound flop. Surely he’ll rediscover his confidence sooner or later or so André Villas Boas will be hoping.

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Sir Alex Ferguson was fined £30,000 and given a five match touchline ban for comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson. Ferguson called for a “fair referee” following the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on March 1.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a disciplinary advisor in the shape of Graham Bean; Mr Bean is a former FA compliance officer. The suggestion from Graham Bean is the FA has taken a tough line on Manchester United, because of their reputation as the most powerful club in England.

Bean also advises other Premier League football clubs including Liverpool. He suggests that Ferguson has been harshly punished, while other similar offences from Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and Wigan’s Roberto Martinez have been overlooked.

Bean told Telegraph Sport “Where it goes seriously wrong for the FA is that there have been cases of managers in the Premier League making comments which have been a clear implication of bias against the referee, or questioning the referee, yet virtually nothing has been done. The FA has serious questions to answer in terms of why they have not taken action against other individuals. There are two cases which we referred to in Ferguson’s defence against the Atkinson charge.

“Firstly, Roberto Martínez — three days before Ferguson made his comments at Chelsea — claimed after Wayne Rooney had clashed with James McCarthy that one of his players ‘would have been lucky to stay on the pitch’ had he committed the foul. That was a clear allegation of bias towards Manchester United, but the FA did nothing about it.

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“Harry Redknapp, making comments about the referee and assistant after Nani scored a controversial goal at Old Trafford against Spurs earlier this season, said, ‘They [officials] will go in and come up with a story that will make it all look right, that’s what happens’.

“That was clearly worse, one of the major comments of the season, yet the FA did absolutely nothing about it other than send him a letter. That comment in itself suggested collusion between the match officials. The FA says it treats each case on its merits, but in effect they have bottled it on many occasions in terms of dealing with post-match comments by managers. That’s because they move the goalposts to suit themselves.”

In response, an FA spokesman said: “Consideration is given to any comments reported to us and all comments are reviewed in their entirety, taking into account the full context in which they were delivered.”

Ferguson imposed a nine-day media blackout following the charge, but Bean insists the reason for this was the belief by Ferguson that the media are the driving force behind the FA’s disciplinary process.

Ferguson does have previous problems regarding referees after a charge in October 2009. In that case he labelled Alan Wiley as “unfit” to referee, he was suspended for two games, with a further two suspended (now activated due to the Atkinson charge). The FA warned Ferguson that his increased profile bought with it increased responsibility (a bit like that great Spiderman line on a similar vein).

Bean argues that Ferguson and United shouldn’t be judged based on their profile. “The FA reacts to media pressure and Alex believes that,”

Bean said. “In all of his disciplinary issues we have made a point of noting that the media coverage of Manchester United is out of comparison to every other club in the country — it’s twentyfold bigger and that causes problems in itself. They are being punished because of their profile and not because of what they have done. In the Atkinson case, the penalty did not fit the crime. While the FA might say that Sir Alex or the club should know better, that’s not the way it should be.”

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The Verdict

Does the aforementioned Mr Bean have a point? Rules are rules and no manager should break them – but surely when the rules are broken all managers/clubs should be treated in the same way. Bean may have a point but the FA is hardly likely to back down or admit they got it wrong, are they?

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Spain coach Vicente del Bosque does not know whether he will name Fernando Torres in his starting line-up for Sunday's World Cup final.

The Liverpool striker was dropped to the bench for Wednesday's 1-0 semi-final victory over Germany.

Barcelona youngster Pedro was preferred to the mis-firing Liverpool striker and del Bosque is undecided over whether to recalled Torres to face Netherlands in Johannesburg.

Torres has struggled to recapture his best form at the World Cup following knee surgery which forced him to miss the closing weeks of the domestic season.

The 26-year-old striker is yet to find the net in South Africa despite making six appearances during Spain's march to the final.

"I don't know if he will be in the line-up," said del Bosque when asked about Torres.

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"It was a difficult choice. Torres has been helping us all along. His work is important even if it is not noticed. He is good at occupying the centre-backs.

"I didn't talk to him before I announced the line-up (against Germany). But he is a very important part of the team. He is one of the key members of the squad and a lovely guy."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has remained in Argentina without permission from the club, despite the fact that the Etihad Stadium outfit requested the attacker return to England by Monday.

The South American forward decided to return to Argentina last week regardless of the fact that a request for leave was rejected twice, and has refused to return to the Premier League club.

A representative of Tevez’s camp has revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding the player’s future, and a potential return to training.

“Over the weekend there have been a series of meetings and conference calls,” a spokesman for Tevez stated.

“Carlos is still in Argentina. However, both sides are in agreement that they want a resolution as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

“Discussions will probably be ongoing for the foreseeable future,” he concluded.

Tevez’s behaviour has been damned by PFA chief Gordon Taylor, as the latest scandal looks sure to ensure a transfer for the wantaway forward come January.

City have as yet refused to comment on the latest event in the Tevez saga.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed his UEFA improper conduct charge following their 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.The Londoners were level 1-1 with the Catalan giants, and ahead 3-2 on aggregate at the Camp Nou on Wednesday when star Robin van Persie was given a second yellow card for time-wasting following an offside flag.The French boss was furious with the decision, approaching referee Massimo Busacca after Arsenal were eventually ousted from the competition courtesy of a 3-1 loss following van Persie’s sending off.Wenger has followed up his outburst by denying he was at fault to protest the decision.”I deny completely any charge. I do not understand where that comes from,” he said.”It is a shame for me that the referee took the decision to send Robin van Persie off. It was the wrong decision.””The first leg was a fantastic advert for football and the second game has been destroyed. People now will only remember the sending off.””It would be good for UEFA to show some humility, to apologise for what has happened, not charge people who have done nothing wrong.”Midfielder Samir Nasri has also been charged by the European football body for inappropriate behaviour at the final whistle, with punishments yet to be decided upon for the pair.

West Ham have now reached a crossroads in what direction they head in next season when it comes to signing players. Do they go for big names in the hope that it can lift the team and at the same raise the club’s profile? Or do they go for players who could potentially be big players in the future? Both methods have their ups and downs and it’s going to be difficult for them to decide what do.

The Hammers have recently been knocked back in their attempts to sign young Barcelona defender Andreu Fontas. The Spaniard has a release clause of just £2.5m in his contract, and with West Ham offering that amount Barcelona had to allow them to discuss terms with the player and they were set to conclude a deal for him. However it now appears that Barcelona have persuaded the 20-year-old to stay at the Nou Camp as he is set to sign a new deal in the coming days.

Although it may come as blow to West Ham fans it may not be the worst thing in the world that this deal didn’t happen, remember Savio Nsrenko? The German midfielder was signed by the East London club for a record fee of £9m from Brescia. However he failed to settle at the club and looked off the pace in the Premiership, just six months later he was sold to Fiorentina. You could argue that West Ham didn’t give him a fair chance as at the time he was just 19-years-old and had only just moved to London. He would have taken a lot of time to settle not just on the pitch but off it as well and even experienced players can take a year to settle, but whether West Ham made a mistake in getting rid of him or not will only be proven in years to come.

The other route for West Ham to go down is trying to make some marquee signings like David Beckham and Thierry Henry who the club have previously been linked with. Players like Beckham and Henry despite their advancing years still have a lot left in them, and because of their quality are still capable of producing moments of magic. Having players like them around would give a massive lift to the dressing room and could have a big effect on the whole team as well. From a commercial point of view marquee signings would also generate more income for the club due to shirt and ticket sales. But signing big name players doesn’t always work and West Ham know this all too well after they decided to sign Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal. The Swedish winger was a great player for Arsenal but couldn’t replicate the form at West Ham, after just one season at the club they paid him £6m to terminate his four-year contract early.

Whatever approach West Ham decide to take they will need to weigh it up carefully as both have positives and negatives, and the last thing they want to do is spend a fortune again on players who don’t make an impact like Savio and Ljungberg. David Gold and David Sullivan surely won’t let the same mistakes happen again; and they should be able to come up with an effective transfer strategy alongside new manager Avram Grant to take the club forward.

What type of signings do you think West Ham need to make?

Message me on Twitter with your thoughts

Get the latest West Ham news on Twitter

**

Click image below to see a gallery of the German babes at the World Cup:

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It must be difficult when your brother is a multi-millionaire footballer who all the fame and fortune in the world when you are a run-of-the-mill footballer just trying to get by in the lower leagues.

There are many brothers in football who have had equal amounts of success as each other and have made it to the top of their game but what about the players whose brother has dwarfed their own success. These footballers remain forever in the shadow of their famous brother and some struggle to make a career for themselves.

This is a list of players who had to take a back seat while their more famous brother developed into a household name. We’re sure that their parents love them just the same…

Click on Stephen Jagielka to unveil the top 10

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