Toure issues warning to United

Yaya Toure is back from the African Cup of Nations and Manchester City couldn’t have found a better time to welcome their talismanic midfielder back. As the English champions find themselves 9 points off league leaders Manchester United, Toure has warned rivals United that the title race is far from over. The Sun quotes the Ivory Coast international saying, “United have a strong squad and on paper they have an easier run-in than us but the title race is a long way from finished. It only takes a couple of results to go our way and we’re right back in it.”

Hodgson wants Lampard to stay in Europe

Set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, Frank Lampard has been advised by his national coach Roy Hodgson to stay in Europe to further his international career. Lampard scored the winner for England against Brazil at Wembley in a friendly to mark the FA’s 150-year celebrations and Hodgson told ESPN after the match, “I hope we'll keep Frank in England. It's not for me to discuss his future with his current club, that's for him and his club. I know he'll have a lot of offers if Chelsea do decide they're prepared to let him go. I'm rather hoping we'll still see him, if not in England then Europe which will make my task easier. If he goes further afield and follows David (Beckham to MLS), it complicates matters but it doesn't mean your career is over with England.”

Neymar taunts England as one-man team

One of the highest-rated young talents in world football, Brazil star Neymar has rated England’s chances at next year’s World Cup as bleak due to their over-reliance on Wayne Rooney. Set to play England at Wembley to celebrate the FA’s 150h anniversary, Neymar said, “England are a good team with some very good players — but I don’t look at them as one of our main rivals for the World Cup. Maybe they rely too much on Rooney — once you look past him you don’t see an obvious player who can win them a match. But Brazil have got many players who can.”

The Sun also quotes the forward talking about his move to Europe, “I’m happy at Santos now and I’m not even thinking about leaving.”

Anfield in ‘fix’ over Match Fixing claims

Liverpool have been shocked by claims of match fixing in a Champions League game at Anfield. The Daily Mail understands that the club’s victory over Hungarian side Debrecen is being investigated by Europol after reports claimed that Debrecen goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic was allegedly paid to ensure there were more than 2 goals in the game. Interestingly, Liverpool only won the game 1-0. The game is part of the 380 matches that were targeted by a betting ring in Asia.

Manchester United missed on signing me, claims Ronaldinho

Former FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho has claimed that Manchester United missed out on signing him in 2003 when he left PSG. ESPN quotes the former Barcelona star saying, “If Manchester United had signed me they would have won more European Cups.” United were linked with a move for the Brazil international in 2003 but he ended up at Barcelona where he won the Champions League in 2006.

Mancini defiant about the title race

Manchester United’s gaping nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings hasn’t hampered Roberto Mancini’s confidence as the Man City boss continues to believe that his side can catch their arch-rivals. Speaking to the press after City stole a 2-2 draw against Liverpool, Mancini said: “The title isn’t over, no. Absolutely no way - I believe we can still win it because of last season, and also for the way we have played this season. Two games and the Championship is open again. I don’t see why this can’t happen again this year. Last year we caught up eight points in six games, this year we still have 12 games.”

City cannot afford to keep dropping points, especially when Man United have been relentlessly marching towards the title. The defending Champions will have to cut the deficit before the derby in April, else they could be mere spectators in Sir Alex Ferguson’s championship celebrations.

Manchester City have a mountain to climb in the title race after managing to only reduce the gap at the top to nine points after an exhilarating 2-2 draw against Liverpool at the Etihad.  The defending Champions were lucky to walk away with a point in fact as Liverpool were the much better side throughout the encounter. Sergio Aguero’s 78^th minute screamer drew City level after Steven Gerrard’s exquisite finish five minutes earlier had given Liverpool the lead.

The roles were reversed in the first-half as Edin Dzeko gave the home side the lead 23 minutes in only to see Daniel Sturridge cancel it out six minutes later. All in all it was Premier League football at it's best, a feast for the neutrals but both managers left the stadium with regret as City are now significantly behind leaders Manchester United while Liverpool are yet to beat a top-half team.

It's Carroll time!

Manchester City got rid of Mario Balotelli. Now it's the turn of Liverpool to clear some deadwood. Sky Sports report that West Ham have agreed a deal with Liverpool to buy striker Andy Carroll at the end of the season. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan said, “West Ham have an agreement with Liverpool to sign him at the end of the season, but we have no agreement with the player.” Carroll is currently on a season-long loan at Upton Park and will need to decide whether he wants to commit to the Hammers.

‘Nacho’ time at the Emirates

Something must be really special about Nacho Monreal for Arsene Wenger to do business in January. While early reports had suggested that Nacho was signed from Malaga because Kieran Gibbs was ruled out for 3 weeks and was considered a cover for the young Englishman, the Daily Mail reports that Monreal has been brought in to replace Gibbs in the starting line-up and could make his debut today against Stoke.

In a time of economic recession the footballing giants of the western world are finally showing some restraint in what has been the quietest transfer window in recent memory. Deals so far this January have been few and far between and no one in particular has splashed any kind of big money.

Are clubs finally showing a sense of fiscal responsibility? or are owners simply biding their time when they hope to make some major moves in the summer - possibly under new management!