Andy Caroll to West ham as loan

 

 England forward signs for Hammers on season-long loan from Liverpool

England forward Andy Carroll has joined West Ham United on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool.

The 23-year-old, who on Thursday was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine, agreed a move to Upton Park after holding talks with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

Carroll said: "It's great to be here at West Ham and all signed up - I just can't wait to get started now.

"I want to be playing games and obviously hoping to score some goals.

“I know the manager well and some of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know people.

"I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and create a few chances. I know Sam from Newcastle and he was a massive reason for me coming.

“When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great so it was a no-brainer really."

Allardyce added: "I think for all parties this is a great signing. Andy is an all-round footballer, but because he is 6ft 3in and one of his strengths is his aerial power, everybody dismisses the ability he possesses on the floor.

"Hopefully he can score goals for us and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the Premier League."

Carroll joined Liverpool in a club record £35million deadline day deal in January 2011. He scored nine goals for the Reds last season but did not command a regular starting place.

However, he began to impress towards the end of the campaign and shone at Euro 2012 with the Three Lions, scoring a header in the 3-2 win over Sweden.

Tickets are still on sale for England's match against Ukraine at Wembley on 11 September, so make sure you're here for the first competitive home match of Hodgson's era.

Iniesta The Best player in Europe for 2011-2012

Iniesta wins the best player award in Europe in the season 2011/2012 and beaten Cristiano Ronaldo who came the second after iniesta

USA bites Mexico at the last minutes

Michael Orozco scored a late winner as the United States upset Mexico 1-0 in a stirring friendly to register their first win away to their arch-rivals.

Orozco's 80th-minute goal was complemented by a pair of fine saves by US goalkeeper Tim Howard in the last 10 minutes to secure victory at Mexico City's intimidating Azteca stadium.

US coaches hugged on the sideline on the final whistle while American players dropped to their knees in celebration.

"It was a fantastic team performance," US manager Jurgen Klinsmann said.

"Getting that win here, it's quite enjoyable. I think it's huge for all American fans and for the team. We were well aware we'd never won at Azteca stadium."

Facing a dangerous attack led by striker Javier Hernandez, the US surrendered possession for most of the match and appeared content to escape with a draw.

But the game turned when Brek Shea made a surprise run on the left wing and played a ball that was back-heeled by Terrance Boyd and knocked in goal by Orozco.

Mexico entered the match with a 23-0-1 home record against the Americans whose previous best result on Mexican soil was 0-0 in 1998.

The US's triumph was built on a watertight defence that nullified the hosts' relentless attacking.

Mexico finished with 19 shots on goal to the visitors' seven, and enjoyed the lion's share of possession.

Hernandez came close to breaking US hearts in the 88th minute with a spectacular header, but Howard saved it to bring the Mexicans back to earth after their Olympic team's gold medal triumph at the London Games last week.

Brazil beat Sweden

Two goals from substitute Alexandre Pato helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Sweden in the final international game at Stockholm's Rasunda stadium on Wednesday.

After losing the Olympic final to Mexico last Saturday, Brazil returned to the stadium where a 17-year-old Pele had inspired them to their first World Cup in 1958 and were dominant against the Swedes.

"We needed to give a strong answer and I think we did that," Brazil coach Mano Menezes told a news conference. "We created a lot of chances and scored three goals. It was a fair result."

Pele, watching from the stands, was welcomed back to Stockholm with open arms but Santos forward Neymar was given a harder time of it as the Swedes sought to get to grips with his incisive dribbling and passing.

The 20-year-old had already had a goal disallowed for offside by the time he drifted in and launched a deft cross for fellow forward Leandro Damiao to head home to open the scoring.

He continued to torment the Swedish defenders until he was substituted late in the second half but there was to be no respite as Pato netted two goals in three minutes.

Pato doubled the lead in the 85th minute when he headed home from close range after good work by Dani Alves.

The AC Milan striker then converted a penalty two minutes later after being brought down in the area.

Without injured captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden gave away possession too easily and wasted the few chances they did manage to create.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren was left to rue his side's rush to clear their lines, saying "it (the ball) was a little hot out there today."

Deschamps lead France draw with Uruguay

 France drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first international under new coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday.

Deschamps, captain of the team that won the 1998 World Cup, took over from Laurent Blanc after France lost to eventual champions Spain in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

None of the four France players - Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann M'vila - accused of misbehaviour at Euro 2012 were included in Deschamps' squad for the friendly in Le Havre.

But Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who will have to face a judge to answer claims that they paid for sex with a minor, played and Benzema had an encouraging game before being substituted after an hour.

France began fluently with Benzema playing with Olivier Giroud up front.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, making his debut in central defence, had a fine effort following a corner saved by Fernando Muslera, and the Uruguay goalkeeper was soon in action again to turn away a Benzema header.

Uruguay, without Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, struggled to get out of their half for long periods with France enjoying the lion's share of possession, but the defence of the Copa America champions kept its shape.

France were more incisive after half-time and Muslera kept out a shot from Mathieu Valbuena before Benzema crashed a volley against Uruguay's left-hand post with the keeper beaten.

A rare Uruguay attack sparked by Diego Forlan forced Hugo Lloris, France's captain, to save from Sebastian Abreu with his feet before Muslera denied Bafetimbi Gomis with a flying save after the French substitute shot from outside the area.

Van Gaal takes painful start with Belgium

 Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal started his second spell in charge with a painful 4-2 defeat by neighbours Belgium in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Van Gaal chose Klaas Jan Huntelaar as his first-choice striker and kept Robin van Persie on the bench, while right back Ricardo van Rhijn was the only new name from the team that lost all three group stage matches at Euro 2012.

"Despite a poor first half performance in ball possession we created six chances," Van Gaal told SBS6-TV.

"Second half we started well with a well-executed building game.

"The personal foul (of Nigel de Jong) was crucial as we were in control and not only conceded the equaliser but also allowed Belgium back in the match."

With a 4-3-3 starting formation and one holding midfielder in Nigel de Jong, the Dutch made a stuttering start and fell behind after 20 minutes when Kevin Mirallas set up Belgium striker Christian Benteke to open the scoring.

Despite creating several chances before the break, the Dutch had to wait till nine minutes into the second half for the equaliser when 20-year-old left back Bruno Martins Indi launched Arjen Robben who set up Luciano Narsingh to score.

A minute later Martin Indi connected with Robben again and the winger found Huntelaar who put the Dutch ahead.

But between the 75th and 80th minutes the young Dutch defence collapsed under the pressure of the passionate Belgian attack.

First De Jong failed to control the ball and lost it to Dries Mertens who equalised and he set up Romelu Lukaku a minute later.

Central defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the Dutch side's fourth straight defeat, their first four-match losing streak since 1954, from a pass by Mertens.

The Netherlands start their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign on September 7 at home against Turkey, while Belgium travel Wales.

Messi punished 10-man Germany

Lionel Messi made up for missing a first-half penalty by inspiring Argentina to a comfortable 3-1 victory over 10-man Germany in Frankfurt.

Messi scored, hit the post and terrorised Germany’s defence in a way that only he can as his side made full use of their numerical advantage during the final hour to end up winners of a match that threatened to go the other way early on.

Angel Di Maria, whose cross had led to Sami Khedira’s own goal in first-half stoppage time, added the third, while Benedikt Hoewedes pulled one pack for Germany late on.

It was only once former Manchester United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler saw red for a foul on Jose Sosa after half an hour that the game began to develop a pattern.

Zieler’s dismissal meant a second cap for Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the unenviable task of facing a Messi penalty within seconds of coming on for Thomas Mueller.

Ter Stegen did the unthinkable by falling low to his left and smothering the ball after what had been a very weak strike by Messi’s standards, the World Player of the Year even managing to stutter during his run-up.

It was just the confidence-booster that the youngster needed as he saw far more of the ball within five minutes than Zieler had in his half-hour on the pitch. The tide was turning in Argentina’s favour though, with Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano dictating most of the play from midfield as his side’s extra man began to count.

Germany still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with veteran striker Miroslav Klose failing to get his right boot to a beautifully-weighted cross from Marcel Schmelzer with goalkeeper Sergio Romero easily beaten. The German captain had earlier set-up Mesut Ozil with a near-post chance after some fabulous interplay with Marco Reus on the left wing.

Despite having the greater amount of possession in the final 15 minutes of the first half, there was more than a touch of good fortune about Argentina’s opener as Di Maria’s near-post cross cruelly deflected past Ter Stegen off the knee of Khedira.

Had Gonzalo Higuain, who ended the game with a bandaged head and strapped knee, volleyed in an early far-post chance, then the scoreline might have looked more impressive by the break. As it was, Argentina saved their best until the second half.

First Messi doubled his side’s advantage, calmly slotting home from the edge of the box after receiving Higuain’s low cross, and then he set about pestering the German defence relentlessly, with a series of jinking runs forcing Ter Stegen to stay alert for the rest of the match.

A wonderful back-heeled pass to Higuain should have resulted in a third goal, but the latter’s chipped shot beat not only Ter Stegen, but the far post as well. There was to be another goal from the feet of a Real Madrid player though when Di Maria’s first-time shot from 30 yards rocketed into the net.

Germany’s consolation came in the shape of a lively performance from substitute Andre Schuerrle, and the Chelsea target supplied the cross for Hoewedes to head home his first international goal.

It could have been even closer though had Khedira not strayed offside three minutes after the break before setting-up Ozil for a near-post finish. Had Ozil’s finish, which came shortly after Reus’s shot had cannoned off the post, evened up the scoreline, the outcome could have been different.

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella will have learnt little from the victory, but the result itself will have instilled a confidence in his side, that did not appear evident at kick-off, ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay.

There should be no panic from Joachim Loew either: the performances of Schuerrle, Reus and Schmelzer, in particular, giving him reason to have high expectations for his young squad.

Defoe takes England away of Italy

 Jermain Defoe's sumptuous late winner handed England a 2-1 international friendly victory over Italy in Berne on Wednesday and a modicum of revenge for their Euro 2012 quarter-final penalty shootout loss to the Azzurri.

Substitute Defoe, netting for the 16th time in 49 internationals, capped a rapid counter-attack 11 minutes from time when he curled in from just outside the penalty area.

It was England's first victory over Italy since 1997 and came little over seven weeks since Cesare Prandelli's side beat England 4-2 on spot kicks in Kiev after a goalless 120 minutes.

Both sides were unrecognisable from that June 24 meeting, fielding young and experimental sides before the serious business of 2014 World Cup qualifying starts next month.

Captain Daniele De Rossi headed Italy in front after 15 minutes when he met an inswinging corner from Alessandro Diamanti and powerfully headed past debutant goalkeeper Jack Butland into the roof of the net.

Butland, 19, became the youngest keeper to play for England despite never having played in the country's top two divisions.

England hit back 12 minutes later from another set piece, defender Phil Jagielka ignoring the attentions of Federico Balzaretti to stoop to head in Frank Lampard's corner for his first international goal.

"It was great to be able to give some of the senior players a rest and to be able to blood some new players, some fresh talent and they answered the challenge in the best possible way with a great victory," England manager Roy Hodgson told ITV.

"I don't think there was a great difference between what we did in the Euros and what we did tonight. Perhaps we just played with that little bit more composure."

As well as Butland, Hodgson blooded midfielder Tom Cleverley and handed debuts after the break to keeper John Ruddy, defender Ryan Bertrand and midfielder Jake Livermore. Midfielder Michael Carrick also made his first international start since 2010.

Italy, beaten by Spain in the final of Euro 2012, handed debuts to strikers Stephan El Shaarawy and Mattia Destro, the latter wasting his own good control from a long ball midway through the first half when he blasted wastefully wide from a good position.

Ruddy, who replaced Butland at halftime, saved well at his near post from Destro and then substitute and fellow debutant Federico Peluso spurned a good chance by shooting wide.

Peluso was almost left red-faced at the other end from James Milner's dangerous cross but flailing keeper Salvatore Sirigu prevented an own goal.

Bertrand had an immediate impact when he was in the right place on the goalline to clear and from the breakaway England struck.

James Milner led the counter-attack and his swift pass found Defoe on the edge of the box. With his back to Ignazio Abate, the striker swivelled and rifled in a fierce shot that thundered past Sirigu.

Messi got Germany in his pocket

 Lionel Messi made light of a first-half penalty miss as he began the season with a typically exuberant display to help Argentina outclass Germany 3-1 in a friendly where everything went wrong for the hosts.

Messi, out of the limelight during Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games, clearly relished being back on centre stage against as Argentina came close to avenging their 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat two years ago.

He scored Argentina's second and was twice within centimetres of adding more goals, causing mayhem in the German defence every time he was given the ball.

Messi, until recently accused by some Argentine critics of saving his best for Barcelona, has scored in his last five internationals, including hat-tricks against Switzerland and Brazil.

Argentina themselves have lost only once in 12 outings since Alejandro Sabella replaced Sergio Batista as coach one year ago.

Germany, on the other hand, will face more questions as the defeat came less than two months after their shock semi-final loss to Italy in Euro 2012.

Germany had begun brightly and could have taken the lead before the game turned in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler upended Jose Sand, conceded a penalty and was sent off.

His replacement Marc-Andre ter Stegen, playing his second international, saved Messi's weakly struck spot-kick, but it was only the beginning of Germany's troubles.

The Germans, who had already lost Mats Hummels in a clash of heads with Gonzalo Higuain, then conceded an own goal in first-half injury time when Sami Khedira turned Angel Di Maria's corner into his own goal.

Playing with a man down against an attack feature Di Maria, Messi and Higuain was clearly a hopeless task and Argentina compounded their misery by bringing on Sergio Aguero at halftime.

To prove it was not their evening, Germany forward Marco Reus shot against the post early in the second half and, although Khedira had the ball in the net from the rebound, his effort was disallowed for offside.

MAJESTIC STRIKE

After Messi swept home Higuain's cutback with a majestic left-foot strike in the 51st minute, it became a case of how many Argentina would score.

Sabella recognised that the penalty was the turning point.

"Germany had played better than us up to that point and that completely turned the match in our favour," he said.

"In the second half, Messi combined well with Aguero and that gave us more options against a team in a numerical disadvantage."

Germany coach Joachim Loew added: "When you're down to 10 men for an hour and give away an own goal against some technically very good players, it's very, very difficult to get back into the game again."

The last half hour was purgatory for Germany as Argentina's diminutive forwards pulled them inside out and Germany's only salvation was that Messi missed two chances he would normally have put away.

Messi failed to take advantage of his favourite situation when he was sent clean through on goal but sent his characteristic dink wide of the goal, then slipped between two defenders but poked the ball wide again.

In between, Di Maria added the third with a 35-metre drive which left Ter Stegen wrong-footed before Benedikt Hoewedes headed a consolation to make the score more respectable

Spain hits Puerto Rico with Two and wins

World and European champions Spain missed a glut of scoring chances but still completed a 2-1 victory over lowly Puerto Rico in an international friendly at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas both struck in the opening half as Spain applied continual pressure on the home team's defence and the visitors could have been up by at least five goals instead of just two at half-time.

Cazorla opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, blasting home from long range, and Fabregas followed suit in the 45th minute after a pinpoint cross from the right by Jesus Navas.

However, Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette kept his team in the game with a string of fine saves and they eventually scored their only goal, against the run of play, in the 65th minute.

Marc Cintron latched on to a long goal kick by Gaudette and, on the break, buried his shot into the net.

Spain, despite playing a team 137 places below them in the FIFA rankings and whose only four previous matches this year have all been against Nicaragua, failed to come really close to adding to the score.

A notable absentee for Spain was Barcelona playmaker Xavi, who suffered from a niggling calf injury last season and was not selected by coach Vicente del Bosque to allow him more time to prepare for the La Liga season.

Juanfran also limped off with an injury.

Spain begin their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil away to Georgia on September 11 and are in a Group I which also features France, Belarus and Finland.

PSG compelled to beat Ajaccio

A scrappy draw in their home opener has left massive French title favourites Paris St Germain already feeling the pressure and a trip to AC Ajaccio on Sunday is hardly the match they would have picked to ease the tension.

The Qatari-backed club have spent millions for a second successive close season but this time have brought in truly top names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva as they try to run away with Ligue 1.

Their resources dwarf even their biggest rivals Marseille and Lyon but their supremacy was not apparent last weekend when they went 2-0 behind at home to modest Lorient only for an Ibrahimovic brace to spare their blushes.

In contrast Ajaccio, backed by their fervent Corsican fans, are on a high after winning 1-0 at Nice in their season opener having clambered to safety last term when relegation seemed almost a certainty.

PSG playmaker Javier Pastore, suspended against Lorient, is likely to return to the line-up on Sunday and is fully aware of what the huge investment at the club means in an otherwise lower profile European league.

"Nowadays we are obliged to win all our matches," the Argentine told the official club website.

"We didn't manage that in our first match but the start of a season is always the most difficult. We need to be calmer, play our game and go to Ajaccio to fight for the title from the start."

Centre--back Thiago Silva, bought from AC Milan along with Ibrahimovic, is set for his debut having turned out for Brazil's Olympic side last weekend.

Other standout games include 2009 champions Bordeaux, who won 3-2 at Evian in their first game, entertaining perennial European hopefuls Rennes on Sunday when Marseille take on Sochaux in Elie Baup's first home game in charge.

The 2010 champions, who endured a dreadful season last term which led to Didier Deschamps quitting for the France job, beat promoted Reims 1-0 on the first weekend.

Lyon are also at home to new boys Troyes on Saturday while champions Montpellier, who stunned PSG and most of European football by taking the title last term, visit Lorient.

Lille, champions two seasons ago and still getting used to life without new Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, welcome Nancy on Friday.

Bayern Munich will support Ribery in under-age sex case

Bayern Munich will support Franck Ribery after he and fellow French international Karim Benzema were sent for trial for allegedly soliciting an under-age prostitute.

Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer apparently told German sports news agency SID that "we will tell him that we stand by him and that he will get our best support".

Ribery, Benzema and seven others have been informed by an investigating magistrate that they will need to stand trial over the allegations which surfaced before the 2010 World Cup finals.

It is alleged that Ribery and Benzema paid a 16-year-old girl for sex after meeting in a Paris bar. The girl said the players were unaware that she was not 18.

Soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute is punishable by up to three years in prison in France with a maximum fine of £35,000.

Ribery's lawyer is astonished by the magistrate's decision after another judge said that the two players had no case to answer.

"This decision is as surprising as it is unfair with regard to the contents of the dossier and the requests of the prosecutor's office. But I remain confident about the outcome of the process," said his lawyer Sophie Botta.

Luka Modric ready to fly to Madrid

Luka Modric is set to fly to Spain on Thursday to finalise his move from Tottenham to Real Madrid, according to media reports.

The Croatia international was linked with a move to Chelsea last summer, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy kept him at the club despite the player's apparent discontent. After four years at White Hart Lane, Modric now looks to be on his way to the Spanish champions, who have pursued the deal with some vigour this summer.

"Daniel Levy promised a year ago that if an offer from Madrid arrived he would let him go," said the Croatian coach Igor Stimac to Spanish newspaper AS.

"And when the offer arrived he changed his opinion. I think that this guy tries to make himself famous in the world of football, but this isn't the way to do it.

"When you promise something you always need to fulfil it. It was the same with (Dimitar) Berbatov before he signed for Manchester United. He went there on August 31."

A figure of £23.6 million has been touted with add ons bringing the total transfer up to around £27.5m.

Modric has never hidden his desire to join Jose Mourinho's side with various media outlets now claiming a deal could be completed before the La Liga season begins this weekend.

New Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas criticised Modric after he did not travel to the United States for the club's pre-season summer tour. The 26-year-old has continued to train away from the rest of the squad, He could now be involved when Real Madrid open their Spanish league campaign against Valencia at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Villas-Boas has strengthened his midfield with the signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson since replacing Harry Redknapp as Tottenham coach. He will have money to spend on new faces before the end of August if Modric moves on with attacking midfielder Joao Moutinho touted with a move to rejoin his former Porto manager in London.

Ajaccio keen to pull off Adrian Mutu deals

French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio are hoping to conclude a deal to sign former Chelsea, Inter and Juventus forward Adrian Mutu.

The Romanian forward is seeking a new club after Cesena were relegated from Serie A last term.

"We have an agreement with Mutu and with his agents,” said Ajaccio president Alain Orsoni.

"Now the player needs to agree terms with Cesena. Mutu, 33, is an excellent attacker and I hope he can wear our colours as soon as possible."

Mutu signed a two-year deal with Cesena last summer after being released by Fiorentina, but must hope his old club agree to a similar agreement as he bids to relaunch his career in France.

Jean Makoun ready for Rennes loan move

Aston Villa have confirmed they are in "advanced talks" with Rennes about midfielder Jean Makoun joining the Ligue 1 side on a season-long loan.

The Cameroon international joined Villa from Lyon during the January 2011 transfer window in a £6 million deal.

However, the 29-year-old struggled to make an impact in the Premier League under then Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

He was loaned out to Greek side Olympiacos last season and now looks set for another temporary switch away from Villa Park.

Villa said in a statement: "Talks are at an advanced stage between Villa and Rennes with a view to Jean Makoun returning to France on a season-long loan."

Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea

Frank Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea but is still waiting for talks to open over his future as he enters the final year of his current contract.

 Midfielder Lampard is delighted to be back in the England set-up after missing the Euro 2012 finals through injury and will skipper the side in Wednesday's friendly international with Italy in Berne.

But at club level the 34-year-old is uncertain of what lies ahead, and said: "We spoke once last season and it was a case of coming back - and it hasn't come back from their end. I don't know (what will happen). At the minute I'm just playing. I'd like to sit down and speak with them. But at the minute I'm playing and it's up to the club to do that."

He went on: "I would like to end my career there. I feel I can play at the top level for a good few more years, but it's whether the club feels the same.

"I know there are a lot of changes at Chelsea. I'd love to be involved, and the youth coming into the squad this year has really freshened up our team.

"I'd love to carry on but it's a club decision to come and sit down with me.

"They used to sit down with me three years before the end of my contract! Now I'm waiting."

Lampard admitted: "People do look at you differently when you get the other side of 30. That's natural. I don't mind that at all.

"I want to keep myself as fit as possible, to live right, and keep my edge so I know I can keep competing at the top.

"That's what drives me on. If I don't feel I can do it, I wouldn't be happy playing football anyway."

Capello starts with Russia draw

Fabio Capello was denied a victory in his first game as Russia coach when a second-half equaliser by midfielder Max Gradel earned Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw in a friendly on Wednesday.

Russia playmaker Alan Dzagoyev put the hosts ahead with a nicely-taken freekick from the edge of the box 10 minutes into the second half.

Italian Capello, who replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as Russia boss last month, gave defender Georgy Shchennikov and midfielder Viktor Faizulin their national team debuts while leaving under-fire captain Andrei Arshavin on the sidelines in the first half.

Capello's strategy paid off as the home team dominated before Dzagoyev, Euro 2012 joint top scorer with three goals, gave the Russians a deserved lead on 55 minutes.

The Ivorians, missing six players through injury, were content to play safe in the first half.

They also missed Arsenal striker Gervinho and West Ham United defender Guy Demel because they did not get permission from their English clubs to travel to Russia.

The visitors increased the tempo after falling behind and midfielder Abdul Razack wasted a good chance midway through the second half when he struck the post from close range after a nice feed by Didier Drogba.

Soon after, Gradel headed against the crossbar but followed his own rebound to fire into an empty goal 13 minutes from time with keeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev unable to get off the ground after reacting to the initial shot.

Capello, who was seen grimacing on the bench as the ball trickled into Russia's goal, was nevertheless satisfied with the final outcome.

"It was a tough game but I'm pleased the way we played," the former England manager told reporters. "It was a good test for several young players, making their national team debuts."

Capello brought Arshavin into the game midway through the second half but the forward, who was greeted by a chorus of whistles and boos from the home crowd, looked out of pace.

"I was unpleasantly surprised to see fans whistling Arshavin. I just don't understand that," Capello said. "We lost concentration because of that and soon conceded a goal."

Arshavin, seen by fans and local media as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop, added: "Of course I was disappointed by the fans' reaction but I tried to ignore it the best I could."

The Russians also lost Alexander Anyukov to injury in the first half, the right back suffering a concussion after colliding with two opponents in mid-air.

The game was Capello's only test before Russia host Northern Ireland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Sept. 7, while Ivory Coast resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against Gambia next March.

Fabrice Muamba retires from Football

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from professional football, five months after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.

Muamba, 24, collapsed on the pitch during a televised encounter between Bolton and Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March and the game was abandoned as medics fought to save his life.

The midfielder's heart stopped for 78 minutes before finally starting up again after prolonged resuscitation and following his arrival at the London Chest Hospital.

His plight shocked football but Muamba was discharged from hospital on April 16 after what was described as an "incredible" recovery.

He said he hoped to return to professional football, but following further surgery in Belgium last week doctors have informed the former England Under-21 international that he should not play again.

Muamba said: “Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again.

“As part of my on-going recovery, last week I travelled to Belgium to seek further medical advice from a leading cardiologist. But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.

“Football has been my life since I was a teenage boy and it has given me so many opportunities. Above all else, I love the game and count myself very lucky to have been able to play at the highest level.

“While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for. I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and the Bolton fans who have been incredible. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends at this time.”

Muamba arrived in England as a refugee from DR Congo at the age of 11 and joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002. He made two appearances for the Gunners before joining Birmingham, initially on loan, in the summer of 2006.

A permanent move followed the next year when Muamba joined the Blues for £4 million but Bolton moved in the summer of 2008 and brought him to the Reebok Stadium for a fee of £5m.

Muamba made 148 appearances for Bolton, scoring four times.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “We have spoken with Fab and he knows we will always support him in whatever he wants to do and that we will always be here for him.

“He is obviously massively disappointed that he won’t be able to carry on his career, but everyone has seen what a fighter and strong person he is in mind and body.

“We know that he will go on to achieve great things and within all this disappointment, the most important thing is that he is here, alive, today.”

Muamba represented England at several different youth levels, and earned 33 caps for the under-21 side.

FA chairman David Bermstein said: "On behalf of everybody at The FA I'd like to say how sorry we are to learn that Fabrice Muamba has had to end his professional football career.

"His recovery has been miraculous and a great tribute to all who have been involved.

"I would like to wish him the very best for the future and I know that the thoughts of the entire football family will be with him."

Finally Van Persie to Manchester United

Arsenal have agreed terms to sell their captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United, the two Premier League rivals have announced.

The Dutch striker, voted the league's player of the year last season, will travel to Manchester on Thursday to discuss personal terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed move to Old Trafford.

No financial details were immediately available from the clubs. Media reports said United would pay £24 million for Van Persie, who is poised to sign a four-year contract with them.

The 29-year-old, who had also attracted interest from the Premier League champions Manchester City and Juventus, said last month he would not extend his contract at Arsenal. He had one year left on his deal after eight years with the club.

Van Persie scored 37 goals last season as Arsenal finished third in the league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. But the club have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup final defeat of United.

At Old Trafford Van Persie would link up with England striker Wayne Rooney as Alex Ferguson's team try to take the title back from their city rivals. United have made only one major signing since the end of last season, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa joining from German champions Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was keen to avoid a repeat of the tumultuous start to last season when protracted transfer speculation swirled around their then captain Cesc Fabregas and his fellow midfielder Samir Nasri.

Fabregas moved to Barcelona in mid-August and Nasri was sold to Manchester City nine days later. Before the end of the month Arsenal had suffered an 8-2 hammering by United at Old Trafford.

IBRAHIMOVIC 1st IN SCORERS CHART

After Week 1 and his two goals against Lorient (2-2), PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimović is top of the Ligue 1 scorers' chart.

Finally La Liga to start in time

The 2012-13 La Liga season will begin on schedule this weekend following an emergency meeting between disgruntled clubs and the professional soccer league (LFP) to discuss a TV rights dispute.

Officials from a group of 13 clubs said on Tuesday the issues had not been resolved at the LFP assembly in Madrid. But progress was made and the presence of secretary of state for sport Miguel Cardenal had helped calm the situation.

"We discussed issues to do with the league, with governance and with television broadcasts," LFP president Jose Luis Astiazaran told reporters. "There will be games this weekend that will start at the scheduled time."

The 13 first division sides are angry that broadcasters Canal+ and Mediapro have failed to settle a dispute over TV rights ownership.

The clubs say this has created "a situation of serious legal insecurity" and had threatened to postpone the season's start.

"There will have to be a solution but it won't be ready tomorrow," Miguel Guillen, president of Real Betis, told the club's radio station after the LFP meeting.

"It was an extremely important step forward that the secretary of state is perfectly aware of the issues to be addressed."

The 13 - Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Betis, Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Getafe, Granada, Real Mallorca, Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Real Zaragoza - have urged the broadcasters to settle outstanding debts to the clubs and to drop any legal action against them.

They also want the LFP to institute a "transparent and regulated" system for fixing kickoff times. They have accused officials of offering some clubs favourable kickoff times that disadvantage others.

"We are 13 united teams and we have to carry on until we achieve our goals and try to win the battle for the good of our own interests and those of La Liga," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told reporters.

Many La Liga clubs are also unhappy that Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate revenue from audiovisual rights due to the lack of a system of collective bargaining and income-sharing like those in rival European leagues.

Betis's Guillen said the German model was one La Liga would do well to learn from.

"We fully agree that the way football is organised in Germany would be an ideal formula to apply in Spain, both in the equitable distribution of (cash from) audiovisual rights and treating the fans with maximum respect," he said.

The aim was to "try to make the event last much more than the 90 minutes of the match and provide a range of services to fans that we cannot today because we don't have the basic requirements to get it going." (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Robert Woodward)

Valdez to Valencia as Loan transfer

Valencia have reached an agreement with Russian side Rubin Kazan to take 28-year-old Paraguay international Nelson Valdez on loan with an option to buy the striker, the La Liga club said on Tuesday.

"The deal is subject to the footballer passing the relevant medical tests," Valencia said in a statement on their website (www.valenciacf.com).

"It was a tough job sealing the accord because Nelson is a highly valued player at Rubin," sporting director Braulio Vazquez added.

"He is a very important player for us because he is a forward who fits very well with the players we have," he said.

"Nelson Valdez has strength, commitment, speed and gets forward very well. He will also give us goals. We have a lot of confidence in him."

Valencia finished third in La Liga last season, earning a place in the Champions League.

They begin the 2012-13 La Liga campaign on Sunday at champions Real Madrid. (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Matt Barker)

Lampard hopes to end his career in Chelsea

Frank Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea but is still waiting for talks to open over his future as he enters the final year of his current contract.

Midfielder Lampard is delighted to be back in the England set-up after missing the Euro 2012 finals through injury and will skipper the side in Wednesday's friendly international with Italy in Berne.

But at club level the 34-year-old is uncertain of what lies ahead, and said: "We spoke once last season and it was a case of coming back - and it hasn't come back from their end. I don't know (what will happen). At the minute I'm just playing. I'd like to sit down and speak with them. But at the minute I'm playing and it's up to the club to do that."

He went on: "I would like to end my career there. I feel I can play at the top level for a good few more years, but it's whether the club feels the same.

"I know there are a lot of changes at Chelsea. I'd love to be involved, and the youth coming into the squad this year has really freshened up our team.

"I'd love to carry on but it's a club decision to come and sit down with me.

"They used to sit down with me three years before the end of my contract! Now I'm waiting."

Lampard admitted: "People do look at you differently when you get the other side of 30. That's natural. I don't mind that at all.

"I want to keep myself as fit as possible, to live right, and keep my edge so I know I can keep competing at the top.

"That's what drives me on. If I don't feel I can do it, I wouldn't be happy playing football anyway."

The Americans rating for the London Games is !!

+++

Great Britain doesn't like to be made fun of, and heading into these Olympic Games one of the primary concerns for the locals was not being embarrassed.

Following the extraordinary and lavish display of national pride that was Beijing, 2008 was going to be a difficult act to follow, and Londoners feared a calamity-ridden Games that would give the city and the country a black eye in front of the world.

Throw in the administrative hurdle of a global economic downturn, and London had plenty of factors stacked against it, but has managed to get to the finish line without any major issues.

As ever at the end of an Olympics, thoughts turn to how it stacks up against those that came before it. So how did London fare?

Crowds: B+

The ones that got in were terrific. Eighty thousand per night at track and field, swimming and boxing packed, basketball overloaded, even nearly 30,000 for dressage. The locals were into it, and London was accessible to so many nations. Plus, this is one of the most, if not the most, diverse city in the world, so many who live here now could root on the nation they left behind. The energy was incredible.

The only downside was the traditional plague of empty seats courtesy of sponsor and IOC sections. London was slow to react with a plan to fill them with people who couldn't get a ticket in the first place.

Venues: A

Perhaps no city in the world could produce such a combination of traditional landmarks, historic sporting grounds and modern construction.

The marathon finished by Buckingham Palace, beach volleyball was at the Horse Guard Parade, equestrian in a park founded in 1427, archery at the two-century-old Lord's Cricket Grounds, tennis was at Wimbledon, soccer was played Wembley and Old Trafford in Manchester and so on.

London is about history and the Games showcased it brilliantly. The city then added a terrific Olympic Stadium for athletics, including a fast track, a spectator-friendly set up for rowing, and a number of perfect smaller spots such as badminton, combat sports and BMX. There wasn't a bad set up out there.

Transportation: A

Blessed with an extensive subway system and a country that long ago invested in rail services, London was a in a great spot. They then upped the number of trains to avoid congestion and, to the luck of visitors, a lot of locals took off and left the streets free of major congestion. Everything worked. And we minded the gap.

Closing times: D

Apparently the Brits like to get to bed early. Many kitchens close at 10 p.m., many bars by 1 a.m.. Much of the rest of the world likes to hang out a bit later — in many countries, particularly around the Mediterranean, you don't even go out until midnight. This was a culture war. We're on the side of keeping things open late.

Tomato soup: A

British restaurants aren't much for vegetables but across the board they made a mean bowl of tomato soup.

Air conditioning: F

Unless you like a soft push of lukewarm air to cool you off.

Newspapers: A

This may be an internet site, but it was a throwback to be in a city where reading the paper, or six or seven papers, was a regular part of the day. Tabloids ran from entertainingly trashy to respectable. Broadsheets were serious and well written. Everyone liked running big pics of Princess Kate, Jessica Ennis and women's beach volleyball.

Beer: C+

Zero consistency on temperature, pour or taste, although it was always readily available.

Mascot: F

That thing (Wenlock) is creepy. Bring back Bei Bei and Jing Jing.

Royal family: C

The Queen acted in an opening ceremony video. The rest of them mugged it up for every camera available in a shameless bit of look-at-us-we're-normal-fans. What exactly do they do again? If they didn't have Kate this would be one sorry lot. And where the heck was Pippa?

++

United Lose to Barca on pens

Gerard Pique scored the winning spot-kick as Barcelona beat Manchester United on penalties after the sides played out a goalless draw in Gothenburg.

Nani and Ashley Young failed to convert United’s two penalties as the sides needed a three-penalty shootout to decide a match that Barcelona had dominated.

But it could have been different for United had Victor Valdes not denied Wayne Rooney from the spot in first half stoppage time – with Rooney slashing the rebound wide.

Manchester United had the better of their friendly against Barcelona at FedEx Field in Washington DC this time last year, with Michael Owen scoring the winner on that occasion.

But despite Paul Scholes looking in inspired form Barcelona dominated from early on this time around, and the Catalan giants should have led when Lionel Messi drove at the United defence before feeding Cristian Tello, who took too long to shoot – and could only find the side-netting.

Barca came even closer moments later when Messi jinked his way beyond Antonio Valencia and drilled a low shot towards the bottom corner, but David De Gea pulled off a superb fingertip save low to his left - the first of many excellent saves by the former Atletico Madrid keeper.

Barca opened United up at will and they spurned another big chance when Messi again found Tello in space on the left, but Rio Ferdinand made up enough ground to deflect the shot over the bar.

The game’s big moment came in first half injury time when Tello clumsily brought down Nani in the box, but Rooney’s powerful penalty was at a comfortable height for Valdes to palm away.

Rooney was first to the rebound, but snatched at it and the ball flew wide.

Andres Iniesta, Messi and Rooney were among the big names rested for the second half, but United’s new signing Shinji Kagawa came off the bench and almost made an instant impact.

Collecting Danny Welbeck’s cushioned pass, Kagawa tried to coax the ball into the bottom corner – but Jose Manuel Pinto, another player introduced at the break, made an accomplished save low to his right.

But it was mostly one-way traffic in the second half as Barca threatened to get their noses in front, but they were unable to breach De Gea, who was in inspired form.

The Spaniard, playing his first game for United this summer having represented Spain at the European Championships and the London Olympics, made two crucial saves – one with his legs from Alexis Sanchez, and the second an acrobatic flying save from Pedro’s goalbound header.

Chances came and went as the game limped towards an inevitable conclusion, with Xavi and Pique each scoring from the spot to ensure victory for the Catalan club.

Angelo henriquez Officially to Manchester united

The teenager was believed to have undergone a medical in Manchester on Tuesday, although it has been claimed in Chile that he will be immediately loaned back to his current club, Universidad de Chile.

United are yet to make any announcement on the subject.

However, Henriquez is regarded as one of his country's brightest prospects.

He impressed at the recent Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland, when Chile finished third in the six-team elite competition.

Fletcher backs to action

Former Aberdeen manager Sir Alex Ferguson included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand in a star-studded side as he returned to the Granite City for the match in honour of his former player, who is currently the head of the Pittodrie youth academy.

Fletcher, who is on the road to recovery from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, featured for United for the first time since a Champions League match against Benfica last November, coming on a second-half substitute.

Former Old Trafford favourites Dwight Yorke, Clayton Blackmore and Quinton Fortune all made cameo appearances, while the home support were also treated to a trip down memory lane with Brian Irvine, Dougie Bell, Doug Rougvie and Steve Tosh all donning an Aberdeen top once again.

The hosts took an unexpected lead after 38 minutes when Jonny Hayes pounced on a rare lapse by Scholes when he dispossessed the midfielder and coolly slotted the ball past David De Gea.

Fletcher was introduced just before the half-hour mark to a warm reception from the Pittodrie crowd before Aberdeen doubled their lead when Joe Shaughnessy turned the ball home from an Andrew Considine pass after United failed to deal with a Rob Milsom corner. Yorke had a strike ruled out for offside before Anderson pulled a goal back for United after 81 minutes with a neat finish. But Aberdeen held on for a surprise victory against the English Premier League giants.

Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta on award finalist

Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named on the three-man shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award.

The prize, awarded for the first time last year to Barcelona forward Messi, is determined by votes from sports journalists from across Europe and was introduced as a replacement for the Ballon d'Or when the prestigious honour was absorbed into FIFA's World Player of the Year award in 2010.

Messi - who also won the final Ballon d'Or in 2009 and FIFA's awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011 - is a leading contender once again having scored a remarkable 73 goals in 60 games for Barcelona last season as he broke the club's all-time scoring record.

However, he only won the Copa del Rey, while his great rival Ronaldo, winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award, helped Real Madrid to the Liga title while scoring 60 goals in all competitions.

Though he possesses a lower profile than La Liga's two most prolific players, Barcelona midfielder Iniesta makes the three-man shortlist having helped Spain record a third successive victory in major international tournaments when triumphing at Euro 2012.

Iniesta was named Player of the Tournament following the finals in Poland and Ukraine and UEFA has disclosed that Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, beaten in the final in Kiev, came fourth in the vote to determine the Best Player in Europe award.

Spain's Xavi and Iker Casillas, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, Atletico Madrid striker Falcao and Germany and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil completed the top 10.

Bangor City's Les Davies, a shock inclusion on the long list announced on July 16, did not make the shorter version.

The prize will be awarded in Monaco on August 30 when the Champions League group stage draw is made. The 53 journalists will conduct a live vote and decide between the three Liga stars.

Kakuta wants to return in France

Gael Kakuta wants to end his nightmare spell at Chelsea and return to France.

Kakuta has made just one Premier League start for the Blues since his controversial move from Lens in 2007. The 21-year-old has spent much of his time out on loan and has now decided that he wants to return to his homeland where he thinks he will have a better chance of playing regular first-team football.

He told L'Equipe: "It's better for me to leave the club and find one where I could play matches. This is an important moment of my career. I need to play."

Chelsea were banned from signing players for two transfer windows in 2009 after FIFA found the Blues guilty of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later cleared the London club of any wrongdoing, however.

Marseille are thought to be among a number of French clubs interested in Kakuta, and the forward admits he would be interested in moving to the Ligue 1 side despite the fact that they finished 10th last term.

He added: "Marseille is a club that I like. In France, Marseille, Lyon and Lille are the three clubs I like the most.

"Nothing is certain yet. First Marseille must first sell and then negotiate a reasonable salary."

Mourinho: I'm the "Only One".

 
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists he is now the "Only One" rather than the "Special One" because of his astonishing haul of trophies in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

Mourinho titled himself a "Special One" when he left Porto to take over at Chelsea in 2004 after winning two Portuguese titles, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup during his tenure in Oporto.

He has lived up to the billing by progressing two Premier League titles at Chelsea, two Serie A titles and the Champions League with Inter Milan and the Spanish La Liga with Real Madrid.

He has never failed to pick up a trophy in a calendar year during his time as a manager.

"In England, I was presented as the 'Special One'," said Mourinho.

"Thanks to God, things have gone well and, whether you like it or not, I am the only one who has won the English, Italian and Spanish championships. So, more than the 'Special One', they must begin to call me the 'Only One'."

"After having won practically everything, as time has passed I have become less self-centred and egocentric," he said. "I have always liked more the joy of other people, those around me. For this, winning with Inter gave me a special pleasure. These are challenges, not personal goals. I also think I could have been a good human resources executive."

Mourinho also claimed that no other side in the world could compete with Real Madrid or Barcelona over a season.

"It is a consequence of the footballing power of the two clubs," he said. "The best team from England, or Germany, Holland, or from any other country, the most they could do in Spain would be third place.

"This duel of titans forces the clubs and the players to become better. It is a healthy duel and I enjoy it. The two clubs are fighting for world football hegemony."

Injury will not let Walcott play England-Italy friendly

Theo Walcott has withdrawn from the England squad to face Italy on Wednesday evening after suffering a bruised thigh.

The injury restricted Walcott in training and he has now been sent back to Arsenal to continue his recovery.

Manager Roy Hodgson has opted against naming a replacement player for the fixture in Berne. England fly out to Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon.

An FA statement read: "Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will not travel to Switzerland with the England squad today [Tuesday 14 August].

"Walcott reported with a slightly bruised thigh and was unable to train fully, so has returned to his club as a precaution."

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain withdrew from the England squad on Monday, complaining of an ankle injury.

He was replaced by Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott as England prepare to face the team that knocked them out of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on penalties.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge have also withdrawn due to injury.

Kompany wants Van Persie

Vincent Kompany has described Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as a "great player" and believes he would improve Manchester City, or any other squad.

Roberto Mancini's side have been heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old although reports now suggest Manchester United are in pole position to sign the Dutch striker.

"It's very easy to say you want to play next to Robin van Persie," Kompany told Sky Sports News. "He's a great player. He's proved it so many times last season and any team he would play for he'd make it stronger."

The Dutchman, whose contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season, announced earlier this summer that he would not renew his deal and was booed by some Arsenal fans during their friendly against Cologne on Sunday.

Team-mate Thomas Vermaelen does not believe the speculation or reception from the Gunners' supporters have had a negative effect on the striker, who scored 37 goals last season.

"To me he looks fit and sharp in training," said Vermaelen.

"He's working hard. He's working on his fitness. I don't see anything (different) and I hope he stays the next four years as well.

"I don't know what happens behind the scenes but at the moment I can only say he's a player for Arsenal.

"I feel really positive for the new season. If we all stay fit, the squad is strong enough to compete for the title."

Capello solidarity with Arshavin

New Russia coach Fabio Capello kept faith with Andrei Arshavin by naming the underfire forward as his captain for Wednesday's friendly against Ivory Coast.

Local media had called on Capello to take away the armband after Arshavin was heavily criticised for his performances during Euro 2012.

The Italian, who replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as coach last month, said on Tuesday he was ready to give the 31-year-old another go.

"Everyone deserves a second chance," former England manager Capello told reporters at the team's training base near Moscow.

"This is his chance to prove to everyone that he still plays an important role in this team. I want to see Arshavin showing his best quality on the pitch and again becoming the player everyone loved to watch."

In February, Arshavin rejoined former club Zenit St Petersburg on loan from Arsenal following a turbulent year at the London club but failed to rediscover his best form.

He was also seen as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop, with the slightly-built striker forced to issue an apology to fans after the team failed to advance past the group stages in Poland and Ukraine.

"Arshavin doesn't deserve to be Russia captain, he just doesn't have the proper qualities and the ability to lead the team," former Soviet international Yevgeny Lovchev, now a leading columnist, wrote in the daily Sovietsky Sport last month.

The player's club future has also been in limbo, with media reports saying he is likely to leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Carroll scores for Liverpool win

It took just three minutes for the home side to break the deadlock at Anfield through youngster Raheem Sterling. The 17-year-old latched on to an incisive ball from Jose Enrique down the left before cutting inside to curl a shot into the bottom corner past Bernd Leno in the Leverkusen goal.

Liverpool's second of the match came on the 29th minute from a free-kick won by Luis Suarez who was brought down by Daniel Schwaab on the edge of the area.

The cleverly worked set piece found Suarez unmarked in the area, who got the ball stuck under his feet before it was deflected into the path of Lucas who side-footed home into an open goal from six yards out.

A goalkeeping blunder allowed Liverpool to get their third of the match on 65 minutes when Carroll turned nicely on the ball before firing a routine shot from outside the area goalwards that Leno fumbled into the back of the net.

The visitors snatched a consolation through Gonzalo Castro on 75 minutes when he shrugged off Jamie Carragher and unleashed a fierce left-footed shot that sailed past Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.

Sturridge, Hart,Ox out from the friendly

Joleon Lescott has been called up by manager Roy Hodgson following three departures from his squad for the only friendly before England's World Cup qualifying campaign begins away to Moldova next month.

Hart has a back problem that forced him to miss Manchester City's 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield season curtain-raiser at Villa Park on Sunday which means John Ruddy or teenager Butland will make their England bow.

Prior to this summer, Butland's only previous experience at senior level was League Two for Cheltenham last season. Then, when Ruddy was forced to pull out of England's Euro 2012 squad, Butland was elevated into the senior ranks for the first time as third-choice goalkeeper.

Although Butland did not make an appearance in Poland and Ukraine, he made a big impression on the England coaching staff and was also allowed to play for Great Britain during their Olympic campaign. Butland again did well in front of massive crowds at Old Trafford, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium.

So, with England Under-21s not in action this week, Hodgson named Butland as his third choice again for the trip to Berne.

However, with Hart ruled out due to a back injury, Hodgson has shown incredible belief in Butland by opting not to call up a replacement.

As the only other keeper in the squad is the uncapped Ruddy, someone will make their debut this week.

The question Hodgson is mulling over is whether Butland should be the man, even though the youngster himself insisted less than a fortnight ago that he was still some way off challenging Hart for his England place.

"I am still only 19 and I need to play games before I can ever think about testing Joe because he is one of the best keepers in the world at present," he told Press Association Sport.

One of Butland's Olympic team-mates, Sturridge, will not be involved either after picking up a toe injury during Chelsea's Community Shield defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been ruled out of the Wembley friendly with an ankle injury. The winger, who turns 19 on Wednesday, reported for duty on Monday morning but, after sustaining an ankle injury in Arsenal's friendly with Cologne on Sunday, has immediately been released back to his club.