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Metzelder unlikely to extend Real stay

La Liga: Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder does not expect his contract to be extended next season

The year of... cheating: Jaw-dropping acts tinged with comedy | Barney Ronay

From rugby union's Bloodgate scandal to the Queen's doped horse, this has been a vintage year for cheatingIn many ways 2009 has been the year of the cheat. You might call it a vintage year for cheating, a year when cheating seemed to be not just more widespread, but also more richly textured. From...

Steven Gerrard hails Fernando Torres as 'the best striker in the world'

• Spaniard is red-hot on a freezing night • Rafael Benítez confident of top-four finishSteven Gerrard hailed Fernando Torres as "the best striker in the world" after the Spaniard became the fastest player in Liverpool's history to score 50 top-flight league goals when he struck an...

O'Neill sees Villa bouncing back

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists his side's last-gasp loss to Liverpool will derail their bid to break into the Premier League's top four.

Asmir Begovic urges Portsmouth not to feel sorry for themselves

• Stand-in keeper tells team-mates to seize their destiny• Bosnian may be a transfer target for TottenhamDespite propping up the Premier League table going into tonight's visit of Arsenal, Asmir Begovic has urged his Portsmouth team-mates not to feel sorry for themselves. David James's...

Guillermo Franco blames fixture congestion for West Ham injury worries

• Scott Parker and Hérita Ilunga likely to miss FA Cup tie• 'We have had two games in 48 hours and it is crazy'West Ham United's Mexican striker Guillermo Franco has criticised the English tradition of playing matches in quick succession over the Christmas and new year period after...

Pompey expect end to transfer embargo

• Grant waits for go ahead to bolster threadbare squad• Director claims all wages will be paid tomorrowPortsmouth's season from hell is about to take a turn for the better, according to the executive director Mark Jacob. Last night he said he expects the Premier League transfer embargo...

McLeish backs Hart's World Cup claims

• Manager praise for keeper's contribution to unbeaten run• Form has made him a candidate for the World CupAlex McLeish has praised the contribution of Joe Hart to Birmingham City's record unbeaten run and tipped the goalkeeper to be part of Fabio Capello's England squad at next year's...