WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 SPORTS Welbeck eager to stay on winning track

LONDON: Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck hopes to City last weekend will help defuse the anger of games, everybody’s going to be giving 100 percent,” for Wednesday,” said Koeman. “He’s now having a maintain the momentum generated by his match- those fans frustrated at Arsenal’s failure to keep he said. Southampton remain third despite the scan on his right leg, we have to wait and see the winning header at West Bromwich Albion when pace with leaders Chelsea. Welbeck is convinced the defeat at the hands of City and Wenger knows they results of the scan. Southampton visit the Emirates Stadium today. confidence generated by his much-needed goal will will pose a testing challenge. The Gunners boss has “We know exactly what Morgan means for our Welbeck’s header at The Hawthorns was his first help turn things around. been left with yet another injury headache ahead of team, he’s one of our key players and without key goal in seven games for Arsenal and secured a The striker, signed from Manchester United for the visit of ’s team. players it’s always difficult for the rest of the team.” priceless victory for the Gunners as they attempt to £16 million ($26.6 million, 20.2 million euros) at the Defenders Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal are Southampton have already tasted victory at the force their way back into the Champions League end of the last transfer window, said: “I’ve had a cou- both doubtful after suffering injuries at West Brom, Emirates Stadium this season when they knocked spots. Successive league defeats had seen the ple blocked off the line [in recent games] and it just forcing Wenger to consider using Calum Chambers Arsenal out of the League Cup. north London club drop away from the leading wasn’t going my way, but I’ve got the goal and I’m or as a makeshift left-back. “The previous result gives the confidence that we group, but after following up the Champions just looking forward to scoring more and helping Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is again can beat them, but Arsenal in the last two games League win over Borussia Dortmund with victory at the team to win games.” likely to miss out because of a hip problem but Alex have had two good results,” said Koeman. West Brom, Arsene Wenger’s side moved up to sixth, Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to recover from a “I think they are a little bit back with the spirit two points behind Manchester United in fourth. SCHNEIDERLIN SETBACK minor knock. Koeman criticised his side for the indi- about these two results. “It will be difficult, but you That wasn’t enough to satisfy some of the travel- Welbeck’s goal was timely as he attempts to vidual errors he believes were responsible for the always get space against Arsenal. They like to play, ling Arsenal supporters at the weekend who retain his position as Arsenal’s main striker following loss to a City side reduced to 10 men for the last 16 they like to play offensive. “I think it will be an open unfurled a banner demanding the veteran manager the return to fitness of . minutes. The Saints’ hopes of returning to winning game and, with our possibilities, we believe we will quit. Victory against a Southampton side still smart- “It gives the manager a good headache and he’s ways have not been helped by the loss of midfielder have chances for a good result,” added the former ing from a painful 3-0 home defeat by Manchester got a lot of options going forward. Going into the Morgan Schneiderlin due to injury. “He’s not ready Dutch international. — AFP Fernandinho forecasts City revival in title race

SUNDERLAND: Fernandinho is in no doubt but does not yet know the severity of the Manchester City are brimming with confi- problem. The absence of Mangala, the £32 dence and determined to record a fourth million ($51 million) pre-season signing successive victory to keep the pressure on from Porto, and Kompany would leave City Chelsea at the top of the . short on options at the heart of their The reigning champions have moved to defence. within six points of Jose Mourinho’s leaders Martin Demichelis is almost certain to as they begin to discover a consistency come into the starting line-up in front of they struggled to find in the early stages of another 40,000-plus attendance at the season. Sunderland’s Wearside home. City went second in the table with a 3-0 victory over Southampton, who were pre- OFF GUARD viously unbeaten at home, last weekend The Argentinian would be partnered by and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho either -whose natural position believes that result can serve as a state- is right-back-or Dedryck Boyata, a 24-year- ment of intent from Manuel Pellegrini’s old Belgian who has made just seven team. Premier League starts in five years for City. “This is a new time for us, and from now Fernandinho was confident City would until the end of the season I think you will cope with the changes in defence. see a different Manchester City,” said “We have two important players out but Fernandinho ahead of Wednesday’s trip to I am sure the boss will find another player Sunderland. to cover that position. “The most impor- “We didn’t start very well this season tant thing will be playing as a team, even but now we’re playing much better. Now without two important players.” we need to keep at this quality for the Meanwhile Sunderland will hope to whole year.“This win was also a very impor- remain unbeaten for a fifth straight game. tant victory because this week has been The Black Cats, beaten by City in last sea- quite tough for us, and this title fight is son’s League Cup final, earned plaudits for massive. When you win against a team that their defensive display in holding Chelsea is above you, it is much better,” he added, to a 0-0 draw at the weekend. with City having leapfrogged But Sunderland’s former City midfielder Southampton into second place. “We go Adam Johnson said they would look to into the next game at Sunderland with attack Pellegrini’s side at every opportuni- more confidence, and we are looking to ty.Sunderland have beaten Manchester win again.” City could be without both of City 1-0 at home in each of the last four LONDON: Manchester City’s Yaya Toure (right) celebrates scoring his side’s first goal of the game with his teammates in this file photo. — AP their first-choice central defenders for the seasons, and haven’t lost to them in front trip to the Stadium of Light. of their own fans for more than six years. is suspended after “You only have to look at the players Celtic looking to cement top spot being sent off during the victory against they have in their squad to see it will be a the Saints, and captain Vincent Kompany is difficult game,” Johnson said. “But we’re up GLASGOW: Celtic will look to cement their interest from a number of top European clubs. quarter-final visit last month when they were a major doubt, having left the field injured for the challenge against them just like we position at the top of the Scottish Premiership However, Norwegian manager Deila is hopeful reduced to 10 men early on. Ryan Stevenson, on Sunday. Pellegrini revealed the Belgian were last season, and maybe we can catch when they welcome Glasgow rivals Partick of keeping hold of Van Dijk to spearhead his who grabbed a double as Thistle knocked defender had suffered a hamstring injury them off guard once again.” — AFP Thistle to Parkhead today. four-pronged trophy assault. Hamilton out of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, Ronny Deila’s side return to league action “I will not be surprised if there is more inter- hopes his teammates give a better account of after a comfortable 4-0 defeat of Hearts saw est in Virgil. He is a fantastic footballer and is themselves this time out. “It’s a big game for us the Hoops progress to the fifth round of the improving all the time,” Deila said. on Wednesday. We went down to Celtic a cou- Scottish Cup on Sunday. The Glasgow giants “Virgil works hard in training and is more ple of weeks ago and didn’t do ourselves any now top the Premiership table on goal differ- focused. He’s going to be expensive but he justice,” the midfielder said. ence from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and loves to be here.”I really hope that we can keep “Winning breeds confidence and hopefully will move three points clear if they win him. That is the priority. If he is going I hope it we can take the confidence from Saturday into Wednesday’s game, which was delayed from is to the biggest clubs and not an average Wednesday. “It will be a difficult night for us, the start of the season. After a stuttering start Premier League team. but hopefully we can give a good account of to the current campaign, Celtic have won their “He has everything you need to do it at that ourselves and, if we can play as well as we can, past seven domestic matches in a row and are level. But I hope we can keep him to challenge you never know what can happen. still in with a chance of claiming four trophies. for four competitions. “That would be good for “It is hard enough with 11 men at Parkhead One of the players who has been crucial to him too. He is our player and we have him on a so when you go down to 10 it is extra difficult. Celtic’s progress this campaign is Virgil van long contract.” Partick will be hoping for an “We will learn from that. We can go there with a Dijk. The Dutch defender bagged a double improvement in fortunes when they visit Celtic bit of confidence and hopefully we can get a against Hearts on Sunday and has attracted Park. The Jags lost 6-0 on their League Cup result.” — AFP Pele out of intensive care

SAO PAULO: Five days after his condition was described as “clinically unstable,” Brazilian soccer legend Pele was out of intensive care Tuesday and walking around Chelsea as he recovers from a kidney problem. “The patient ... is doing well without med- ical complications. He is able to walk around his room,” the Albert Einstein clinic in Sao take on Paolo said, in a statement. “Following clinical analyses, resuming renal assistance was not necessary,” it added. Media reports said Pele requested a guitar to strum as he continues Spurs his convalescence. The clinic said 74-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known worldwide as Pele, is now receiving “semi-intensive” care but remains in the same bed as previously. The hospital said further kidney tests will be conducted tomorrow. Pele was “lucid and eating well” without breathing difficulties LONDON: Chelsea’s captain John Terry stands dejected in this file photo. while receiving antibiotics intravenously, the hospital said. LONDON: Chelsea will look to stretch but one is better than no points,” The clinic suspended renal assistance on one of the longest unbeaten sequences Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Sunday, six days after the three-time world in the top flight when the runaway lead- told the club website champion was admitted. Initial tests showed ers entertain arch-rivals Tottenham (www.chelseafc.com) on Monday. that Pele, widely regarded as the greatest Hotspur today. “If you score early then you know the player of all time, was suffering from a uri- There has been little love lost opposition have to come at you and nary infection requiring antibiotics. BRAZIL: In this June 15, 2014 file photo, soccer great Pele poses for photos during the inaugu- between the fans of both sides since there will be more space but we couldn’t Last Thursday, the hospital said the man ration of the Pele Museum. — AP Spurs beat Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley in do that and it was a difficult match.” nicknamed ‘O Rei’ (the king) had been STRUMMING BACK TO HEALTH He made his name with Santos and the first all-London FA Cup final in 1967. Chelsea are six points ahead of sec- placed in intensive care after his condition A hospital spokesman told AFP that Pele helped Brazil to World Cup titles in 1958, The Stamford Bridge club, however, ond-placed Manchester City after 13 became “clinically unstable,” alarming his had received a flood of get-well-soon mes- 1962 and 197. can boast a proud 24-year unbeaten Premier League games and Courtois is fans. Some Brazilian media reported that sages from well-wishers via social media. Pele achieved the first of his World Cup home streak against the team from hungry to keep churning out victories. Pele had septicemia, a blood infection, after And the Globo Esporte website said the for- triumphs at the age of 17, scoring twice in White Hart Lane, stretching back to 1990 “We don’t have to focus on clean sheets, he failed to respond to treatment. But on mer star was not just up and about but had the final win over hosts Sweden. But he was when Gary Lineker scored one of the the most important thing is to win Friday the clinic said he was responding to asked for a guitar to be brought to his room. instrumental in Brazil winning a third crown goals as the visitors triumphed 2-1 in the games,” he said. antibiotics while the star insisted via social Pele underwent kidney stone surgery in in Mexico in 1970, scoring in a 4-1 final romp old First Division. “Obviously it’s nice to keep a clean media he had simply been moved to anoth- the same clinic on November 13 and was over Italy. Chelsea have yet to taste defeat in 20 sheet but I’d rather win a match 2-1. It’s er room for more privacy. discharged two days later, joking to Pele ended his career with a spell in the matches in all competitions this season good that we haven’t lost a match but Pele has only one kidney after the other reporters that “I’m ready to play tomorrow” then embryonic US league with the New and, after dropping two points in a 0-0 we want to win rather than draw.” Spurs was removed following complications from and winding down his car window to greet York Cosmos alongside German legend draw at lowly Sunderland on Saturday, are in seventh place, 13 points adrift of a rib injury he suffered while playing for the fans. Named athlete of the 20th century by Franz Beckenbauer, who last week sent on Jose Mourinho’s men will be keen to Chelsea, and will go to Stamford Bridge New York Cosmos in the 1970s, his agent the International Olympic Committee in his best wishes for a speedy recovery. Pele instantly get back to winning ways. “I buoyed by their 2-1 comeback victory at Jose “Pepito” Fornos told AFP over the 1999, Pele was born in October, 1940 in the scored 77 goals in 91 games for Brazil and wouldn’t say we are happy with a point home to Everton on Sunday. —Reuters weekend. southeastern state of Minas Gerais. 1,281 in his career. — AFP