Wednesday football round-up
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was today launching a search for a new manager after reluctantly relieving Gareth Southgate of his duties.
Gibson wielded the axe just hours after the Teessiders had ended a run of three successive home defeats with a 2-0 victory over Derby which left them a point off the top of the Coca-Cola Championship table.
In a statement released through the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk, he said: "This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make in all the time I have been in football.
"Gareth has given Middlesbrough Football Club magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager. I appointed Gareth in a situation that was greatly unfavourable to him."
REDS' WOES CONTINUE
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is facing up to the worst injury crisis of his five years at the Reds' helm ahead of Sunday's visit of champions Manchester United.
Benitez will today oversee a succession of scans and medical examinations on a host of his top stars following last night's 2-1 Champions League defeat at home to Lyon.
Liverpool have lost four successive matches for the first time since 1987, and are now in danger of dropping out of the title race and failing to advance from their Champions League group.
Benitez said: "We have just too many problems, I cannot remember an injury situation like this."
Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson both missed last night's game with groin injuries, while Steven Gerrard limped out of the match in the first half with a recurrence of the problem he picked up while playing for England last week.
Winger Albert Riera is also in need of a scan on his hamstring while teenager Martin Kelly's impressive full debut was ruined by an ankle injury.
MILLER: WE WEREN'T GOOD ENOUGH
Kenny Miller admits Rangers' humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat by Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox last night was a result "waiting to happen".
Despite being top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the Light Blues have been criticised for most of the season due to the poor standard of their football which was punished by the little-known Romanian side.
Rangers find themselves bottom of Group G, which also includes Sevilla - who also won 4-1 at Ibrox last month - and Stuttgart, with one point from three games.
Scotland striker Miller said: "It wasn't a lack of concentration, we weren't good enough - as simple as that. We have not been playing well as a team in the domestic campaign and that showed."
WENGER UPBEAT DESPITE DRAW
Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal are still in a "strong position" to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League despite throwing away victory as AZ Alkmaar snatched a stoppage-time equaliser in Holland last night.
Cesc Fabregas' 35th-minute strike appeared to have set the Gunners on their way to a third straight European win, which would have seen them take control of Group H.
However, the Dutch side, managed by Ronald Koeman, refused to give up and nicked a point at the death through David Mendes Da Silva.
"We are still in a strong position," said Wenger. "We have three games left, two at home, and I believe to win one game will qualify us."
WE'LL COPE WITH PLASTIC PITCH - FERGUSON
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has no concerns about the artificial surface for tonight's Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow.
United last night trained on the plastic pitch to be used for the Group B encounter at Luzhniki Stadium.
Ferguson admits CSKA do have a considerable home advantage but, after doing thorough homework on the opposition, is confident that can be overcome.
The Scot said: "We have analysed CSKA Moscow quite a lot in the last couple of weeks. It is quite an interesting combination they have - mostly experienced players in the back four and younger players in the front line.
"They are a good football team. They love to keep the ball down all the time and that has a lot to do with the pitch. It is a true pitch and the ball will stay on the ground as long as you want to pass it there."
ANCELOTTI DOES NOT UNDERESTIMATE OPPONENTS
Carlo Ancelotti admits Chelsea have not been at their best in the Champions League despite a 100% record in the competition so far.
Chelsea are top of Group D having won both their opening games against Porto and Apoel Nicosia.
Nicolas Anelka scored the decisive goal in both 1-0 victories but the performances were far from convincing.
Now the Italian coach is looking for a distinct improvement against Atletico Madrid tonight.
"We have had difficult games in the Champions League," said Ancelotti. "Porto, in the first game, was not an easy match because they have very good organisation."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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