Thursday's World Cup round-up

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas faced an awkward post-match inquisition from his girlfriend Sara Carbonera, a sideline reporter for the Telecinco channel, following the defeat by Switzerland. During a post-match interview, the journalist asked Casillas: "How did you manage to muck it up?"
And a shocked Casillas replied: "I don't know what to say. I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed up."

Switzerland's Gelson Fernandes was as surprised as everyone else after scoring the winning goal in his team's historic World Cup triumph over Spain.
The St Etienne midfielder's strike seven minutes into the second half of Wednesday's Group H match proved enough for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side to beat the European champions - and left Fernandes stunned. 
"I don't think I realise what is happening right now," said the 23-year-old. "I'm a bit surprised. It's a very special moment for our country and I'm very happy. We were definitely very good against Spain and we played very well as a team." 

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has again called on referees to protect flair players such as Lionel Messi in the World Cup, urging officials to be even stricter with offending opponents.
Maradona said Messi is twice as good as any other player at the World Cup
"If we are going to see a match when the star players are not going to be mistreated then I think the referees need to be a lot stricter, and if Korea's players do something to Messi or Carlos Tevez then they need to get out the yellow cards, and if it happens a second time, then that's it," said Maradona.

Greece striker Theofanis Gekas is the latest player to call for World Cup organisers to ban vuvuzelas. Gekas was irritated by the noise in their opening game against South Korea, which his side lost 2-0.
"I do think the trumpets should be stopped. They are affecting the players as we cannot communicate properly," he stated. 

Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou has called on his team take inspiration from North Korea's resilient defensive display against Brazil where they lost 2-1.
Ivory Coast play Brazil on Sunday and the 24-year-old said: "I saw the first half of their match and North Korea defended really well and annoyed Brazil, they serve as a good example. We have the players who can make a difference, our strength will always be in attack but we must focus on defence."

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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal midfielder and captain Cesc Fabregas is set to rejoin Barcelona in the summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard is contracted to the Gunners until the end of the 2013/2014 campaign but is unhappy with the team's lack of ambition. (Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo)
Paris St Germain's bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Anderson fell through because the French club were reluctant to pay the Brazilian's wages.(Daily Mail)
Sunderland missed out on landing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after his club ENPPI rejected the Black Cats' bid of £2m.(Daily Mail) 
One of the most unusual deals on deadline day was Mido's move to West Ham - where he will be on the lowest wages for a player in the Premier League. The Egypt striker signed on a six-month loan from Middlesbrough for £1,000 a week and Hammers owner David Sullivan called the deal "one of the most amazing of all time".(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Beleaguered Chelsea defender John Terry will tell England manager Fabio Capello that he will not relinquish the captain's armband for the national team.(Daily Mirror) 
However, others report the Chelsea centre-half is considering resigning as skipper of England ahead of talks with Capello on Friday. It follows newspaper allegations of an affair with the former girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.(The Independent)
Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge could be on the verge of quitting international football following the fall-out of Terry's alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend.(The Times) 
David Beckham has revealed his thoughts on returning to Old Trafford in an AC Milan shirt ahead of this month's Champions League clash. The England midfielder, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, said: "The thought of playing United always gives me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much."(Daily Express) 
Midfielder Park Ji-Sung has warned Chelsea that Manchester United will not capitulate as the Premier League title race heats up.(The Sun) 
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor thanked his Manchester City "family" for providing support following the deadly gun attacks on Togo's football team in Angola in January.(Daily Mirror) 
Fiorentina and ex-Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine last week, has been labelled a "child" by the Italian club's sporting director Pantaleo Corvino.(The Sun) 
Striker Wayne Rooney is confident that Manchester United can set a new Premier League record and win four successive titles.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea missed Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, on Africa Cup of Nations duty, throughout January but still won all five games. The strikers are set to feature for the Blues in Tuesday's game at Hull and Frank Lampard said: 'When they were away people spoke about us struggling. We've done well and now we will be even stronger."(Daily Mail) 
Portuguese winger Nani says he is back to his best after a stunning performance in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Arsenal. The £17.3m signing in 2007 said: "The manager has shown confidence in me, I have been given more time on the pitch and that has given me belief in myself."(Daily Mirror)
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been busy reflecting on the defeat at the hands of Manchester United. The Spaniard said: "I felt very well but when you find yourself 2-0 or 3-0 down, it's difficult. Even Lionel Messi would struggle to do anything."(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

It wasn't the most dramatic of transfer deadline days, with less than £20m being splashed out in the final 24 hours of the window.(Daily Mirror)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are closing in on the £40m signing of Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero. (Daily Telegraph) 
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is hoping to secure a January transfer move to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City are interested in Tottenham winger David Bentley and could bid £8m for the 25-year-old.(Daily Mirror) 
City could tempt Tottenham with a swap deal involving Martin Petrov and cash, in a bid to land former Blackburn winger Bentley. (Daily Star) 
Tottenham are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of Plymouth's young defender Jamie Richards. (Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona will ask to take Manchester City forward Robinho on loan first before deciding whether to sign the Brazilian permanently.(Daily Mirror) 
However, Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has claimed that the Brazilian is not needed at the Nou Camp. (The Sun) 
Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham could have their plans to sign Mahamadou Diarra in January scuppered by the African Cup of Nations. (Daily Star) 
Brighton are hopeful of keeping Arsenal right-back Gavin Hoyte on loan until January.(The Sun) 
Liverpool could be forced to sell as many as four players in the January transfer window in an attempt trim the wage bill at Anfield. (Daily Mirror) 
Everton have renewed their interest in Standard Liege's Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic.(Daily Mirror) 
Wigan are lining up a move for Olimpia's Honduran defender Johnny Palacios, who is the younger brother of Tottenham midfielder Wilson. (Daily Mirror) 
Swansea City are set to move for Sheffield United winger David Cotterill. (Daily Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Birmingham City owner David Sullivan has demanded a free 50% stake in West Ham - in return for saving the club. (The Sun) 
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou and West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite were kicked out of the Ivory Coast squad after coming to blows in training. (Daily Star) 
Crystal Palace will be forced to sell their top stars in a bid to avoid administration with Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and Nathaniel Clyne among the players set to leave. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

At least five other Premier League players have tried the same controversial placenta cure treatment in Belgrade that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is undergoing. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan has revealed he was made to water hanging baskets, prune rose bushes and wash staff cars at the club's Carrington training ground when he first arrived at the Premier League club. (The Sun) 

Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez is finally learning English, by watching television drama Coronation Street. (Daily Star)

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Sunderland 2-3 Chelsea

Sunderland were beaten by Chelsea but avoided relegation only for their manager Ricky Sbragia to resign.
Nicolas Anelka put Chelsea in front with a 22-yard shot but keeper Petr Cech missed a cross and Kieran Richardson lashed in an equaliser. 
Salomon Kalou drove in a shot to put Chelsea ahead again before Ashley Cole slotted in the visitors' third. 
Kenwyne Jones headed in late on for the Black Cats, who stayed up after rivals Newcastle lost 1-0 at Aston Villa. 
The Magpies' result came through after the final whistle and will have provided extra satisfaction for the Stadium of Light faithful as, along with Hull losing to Manchester United, it made sure they stayed in the top-flight.
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia's future was as uncertain as the club's Premier League status before the game and, although the Black Cats survived, he stood down after the match. 
He achieved his primary goal of keeping the club in the top flight but would have achieved that aim a lot easier if Sunderland had shown the same sort of endeavour, energy and enthusiasm as they did for the most part against Chelsea. 
The visitors put out a strong line-up with only Frank Lampard and Alex missing but any thoughts they would be distracted by having one eye on next Saturday's FA Cup final proved ill-founded.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink:

"We finished off with a good win and especially with a world class goal from Nicolas Anelka. 
"My time here has been amazing. Every minute there was good work. The boys responded to what we wanted. 
"I challenged them and they responded very well. They are big names and were very good in their attitude." 

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Davenport, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque (Healy 78), Whitehead, Tainio (Reid 65), Leadbitter, Richardson (Murphy 87), Jones.
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Edwards, Cisse, McShane. 
Booked: Bardsley. 
Goals: Richardson 53, Jones 90. 

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien (Kalou 65), Mikel (Mancienne 78), Belletti (Ballack 27), Malouda, Drogba, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Di Santo, Sinclair, Stoch. 
Booked: Ashley Cole. 
Goals: Anelka 47, Kalou 74, Ashley Cole 86. 

Att: 42,468 
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
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