RYAN GIGGS HAS MADE ME PROUD!

Ryan Giggs' solo effort earned a point for Manchester United in a difficult Champions League opener against Benfica in Lisbon. Nicolas Gaitan's delightful long pass had picked out Oscar Cardozo, who controlled on his chest then finished from 16 yards in the 24 th minute. But Giggs cut inside from the right and fired a 20 -yard strike to level three minutes before half-time. United keeper Anders Lindegaard saved from Nolito and Gaitan late on. Live text and stats   Wednesday, 14 September 2011 Champions League Benfica 1-1 Man Utd FT (HT 1-1) Cardozo 24 Giggs 42 Jonny Evans (right) and the rest of the United defence were tested by Oscar Cardozo

Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge thanks family for support after backheel goal against Sunderland

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Daniel Sturridge has thanked his family after his backheel goal for Chelsea against Sunderland on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who played alongside Nicolas Anelka and Juan Mata in attack, put in a strong showing away at the Stadium of Light in a 2-1 victory.

The striker told the club’s official website: “My brother, my uncle, my cousin and his wife travelled to the game and for them to travel all this way and show their support was a great moment, as well as the huge support we had from the Chelsea fans."

Sturridge faces strong competition for a place in the Blues’ first team under Andre Villas-Boas, with Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda all out of the starting line-up against Sunderland.

He continued: “The competition for places is very tough in the squad and the manager has shown huge faith in me to put me in the team after a three-game ban, because I have just been training for the last five weeks, including the international period.

“It was a huge result for the boys to come away from Sunderland with the three points. It is a great stadium and their fans sing very loud but our fans were excellent and it was a big result for the team. Now we need to keep winning and put pressure on the Manchester clubs.”

Sturridge went on to describe his well-taken finish, which came after 50 minutes to put the Blues 2-0 ahead.

He said: “It was a great ball from Raul Meireles, great vision from him, and I got across the centre-half and saw the keeper coming out, so I just went for a little cheeky one. The only way I could have scored was to do that, and it paid off.

“I have done it in training a few times but training is completely different to a game and for it to happen in a game is special for me.

“I was hoping that he [Wes Brown] wouldn't get it before it crossed the line but I was thinking, 'Oh God, he has got it,' and it was a huge moment to see it hit the net because I thought he was going to clear it, so I am very happy.”

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson hits out at FA in four-letter rant

The Scot blasts the Football Association for treating the Red Devils unfairly despite the fact that they provide several players to the England international set-up

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the FA, claiming that harsher punishments are dealt out to Manchester United even though the club provides many players to the England national team.

The United boss was handed a five-match touchline ban last season for criticizing referee Martin Atkinson, while striker Wayne Rooney was given a two-match suspension for swearing at a television camera when celebrating a goal.

"The FA may realize who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world," Sir Alex said. "Maybe they will realise how important we are to England instead of treating us like s***."

The Scot's comments come ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales in September, with Fabio Capello set to name his squad for the matches on Sunday evening.

"It's not a problem, it's fantastic," he said. "Maybe they will realize how important we are to England. I am pleased for the players. They are outstanding."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defends bid for Gary Cahill

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be set for a war of words with Bolton and its chairman Phil Gartside regarding the transfer of Trotters defender Gary Cahill.
It was confirmed that the Gunners bid for the England international and the fee involved was reported to be 6 million pounds, an offer that Bolton boss Owen Coyle described being so low that "derisory doesn't even cover it."
However, Wenger reacted bluntly to these reports, stating that the rumored fee was wrong, before confirming the two sides were in negotiations.
“That number is wrong, it is completely wrong. I believe every negotiation is between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price," Wenger said.
"In this case the information is below what has been spoken about."
Gartside reacted angrily to this supposed 6 million pounds bid by re-tweeting a fan on twitter that told Wenger to "f*** right off".
However, Wenger could not understand the anger shown by Bolton, pointing out that if the club doesn’t wish to sell its player then it doesn’t have to and it is as simple as that. But he doesn’t know why the bid – regardless of how small – is “insulting”.
"You only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price. It is not true. You can believe Gartside or you can believe me. It's not right. It's not the truth," Wenger said. "If Gartside can say I am lying I am ready to confront him. The truth is that we never speak about our negotiations.
"They do not need to sell the player, they can keep him. If you ask do I want to buy your house and you are not happy with the price you say no, that's it.

Barcelona 2-0 Porto: Lionel Messi does it again and Cesc Fabregas hits debut goal as Catalans claim UEFA Super Cup

The Argentine gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead late in the first half and the club's most recent signing opened his account to secure victory close to the end.

Lionel Messi's goal late in the first half and Cesc Fabregas' first for his new side gave Barcelona a 12th title under Pep Guardiola and a second already in 2011-12 with a 2-0 victory over Porto in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco on Friday evening.

Messi, named European Player of the Year at UEFA's Champions League draw on Thursday, scored in the only competition in which he had failed to net after he was left all alone by Fredy Guarin's shocking pass-back six minutes before the interval.

Europa League holders Porto started brightly against the Champions League winners, with Hulk a lively presence up front for the Portuguese outfit. Aided by the busy Guarin, Porto rattled their illustrious opponents in the opening exchanges.

Porto was playing the Catalans at their own game, and every time Pep Guardiola's men ventured forward, they were caught out by their rivals' offside trap.

But it doesn't take long for Barca to figure out Porto.

Barca took the lead as Guarin inexplicably played a back-pass into his area where Messi, who would have been offside had the ball been sent through by a teammate, was waiting all alone to pounce, leaving Helton grounded with a glorious feint and slotting into the empty net.

Flashback to 2003, Messi had missed a similar opportunity in his Barcelona debut, but this time he left the Portuguese team with an uphill task.

Barca was the better side and continued to attack in the second half and that pressure brought a rash challenge from Rolando, already booked, who then saw red after a cynical foul on Messi.

And the Catalans took quick advantage as Mess turned provider for Fabregas, who chested down Messi's pinpoint cross and volleyed past Helton to register his first goal in some style.

It could have been three after that, but Barca was comfortable in the end as they lifted a 12th title under Guardiola - and two in two games for Fabregas.