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NICKLAS BENDTNER has been told there is no chance to Lazio

NICKLAS BENDTNER has been told there is no chance of him leaving Arsenal following a cheeky loan request from Lazio.

The Italians were looking to borrow the unsettled Danish ace for the rest of the season with the promise of a £9million bid in the summer.
But Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear that none of his senior squad will be going while the club are still challenging for honours on all four fronts.
Bendtner, 22, has become increasingly frustrated with life at the Emirates in recent months and angered Wenger with his demands for more first-team action.
The self-assured striker - who arrived in London in 2004 - has not started a single Premier League game since returning to duty in October following a summer groin operation.
But he has still managed three goals in 10 appearances in all competitions.
Bendtner was always behind Robin van Persie in the pecking order and his opportunites have been limited by the Dutchman's long-awaited return from injury.
Marouane Chamakh has also taken over as the club's first-choice target man since his arrival from Bordeaux in May.
Birmingham, Fulham and Everton are all eager to give Bendtner the games he wants by striking a loan deal during next month's transfer window.
But Bendtner is resigned to staying at the Emirates after Wenger ordered him to shut up and fight for his place.
The Frenchman has already announced he does not plan to make any new signings in January.
And he is not prepared to weaken his squad and limit his options by allowing any of his players to leave.

BENITEZ'S reign at Inter Milan is over

RAFA BENITEZ'S reign at Inter Milan is over — and all that remains is the arrangement of his pay-off.

The Italian giants have all but sacked the former Liverpool boss but they are trying to get rid of him without paying a penny in compensation.
The Spaniard is entitled to a year's salary — around £3.3million — which would be doubled once Inter pay tax.
President Massimo Moratti has sought legal advice to see whether Benitez's full-blasted attack on the club following their win in the World Club Championship final over Mazembe last Saturday would give Inter "just cause" to sack him.
It explains why Inter put out a statement tonight insisting Benitez was still the manager of the European champions.
Moratti was in Madrid at the start of the week sparking rumours of a meeting with Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quillon or even Jose Mourinho about a possible return, but the club insisted the president was on a business trip.
Former AC Milan chief Leonardo is hot favourite to be given the nod until the end of the season with an option of an extra season in charge.
Benitez attacked Moratti claiming he'd been promised three signings in the summer that never came and insisted Inter's poor results so far this season were down to the "lack of a project".
The Spaniard's 'back me or sack me' rant soured the celebrations for the World Club Championship and all but ended Benitez's association with the Italian giants.
Players are on holiday until December 29 but well-placed sources last night told SunSport that Benitez will not be the man to take training once the squad return.
Despite taking charge of an all-conquering side that achieved an historic Treble under Jose Mourinho last season, Benitez has completely failed to inspire the team to more success.
They are currently languishing seventh in Serie A — 13 points behind leaders AC Milan.

Mancini pressured!!

ROBERTO MANCINI has been told Manchester City must maintain their title push in the new year.

And the City boss is clear fourth place and a Champions League spot is the minimum required this season.
Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak believes that the squad is strong enough to achieve both targets even without any further investment this January.
Khaldoon was in Manchester this week to talk over his plans after overseeing a complete overhaul of the City squad and management structure over the last 12 months.
He believes City have possibly the strongest squad in the country.
All Khaldoon's future planning is based on getting into the Champions League, and all the extra revenue and exposure to new commercial opportunities that will bring.
He believes that as long as they stay outside that elite group of clubs in Europe, City will struggle to establish the foothold he wants in the game.
Khaldoon fully supports Mancini and believes he has the right boss to achieve those aims a year after he sacked Mark Hughes and gave the Italian the job.
But the pressure is clearly on Mancini to meet the targets that have been set.
Mancini was handed £127million to spend last summer, taking owner Sheikh Mansour's total spending on players to around £350m.
Khaldoon was at Eastlands on Monday when City lost 2-1 to Everton - blowing the chance to go top at Christmas for the first time in 81 years.
They currently lie third, two points behind leaders Manchester United but five ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.
Khaldoon also wants to see an improvement in City's successful academy.
Since 1998 it has produced 30 players who have gone on to play first-team football for the club - including England stars Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Yet Khaldoon believes they should be producing players like Barcelona have worth £30m or more, or even a Lionel Messi.
Meanwhile, striker Mario Balotelli who limped out of Monday night's match with an ankle injury, will be fit for City's tie at Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Samba will quit if Allardyce quit

BLACKBURN skipper Chris Samba has vowed to quit the club over the axing of Sam Allardyce.

Big Sam was sacked as boss last week by the club's new Indian owners, the Venky's food group.
But Samba, 26, raged: "If this is the way the club's going to be run from now on, I don't want to be part of it and I want to leave.
"As captain it's very difficult to say this but I've thought long and hard about it. Nobody in football understands the decision to sack Sam."
Samba reckons Rovers chairman John Williams was used as a stooge in the whole affair.
The Congo defender said: "I'm sure Mr Williams would not have made this decision. He's a football man and respects what a great job Sam has done.
"We could have been relegated last year and Sam saved the club, so how can he be treated like this now?"
Samba also cannot understand why the new owners acted without knowing who Allardyce's replacement would be.
Caretaker Steve Kean - one of Allardyce's former coaches - is being tipped to get the job.
But Samba added: "The players and fans need answers about the club's future. Unless we commit to who the manager is, how can we attract big players in January?"

Babel: Roy Hodgson better than Rafa

RYAN BABEL eased some of the pressure on Roy Hodgson by insisting: He's a far better boss than the last one.

The Dutchman is adamant life is a lot more enjoyable under new Liverpool chief Hodgson than it was when Rafa Benitez was in charge.
Babel was one of the few first-team regulars who got a game in the mind-numbing 0-0 draw against Utrecht on Wednesday.
That probably means he will not start against Fulham tomorrow.
But the frontman is happy to stay and fight for his place, rather than look for a move in the January transfer window.
Babel, 24 on Sunday, is used to constant speculation over whether he will quit Anfield after failing to make the expected impact in the 3½ years since his £11.5million move from Ajax.
He said: "It doesn't annoy me that I always get asked about my future. It is not up to me whether I see my future here, it is up to Liverpool.
"This is my fourth season, so it is up to them what they do. I have one more year on my contract at the end of the season and I would like to stay.
"It has been frustrating here as a player but it has not changed my loyalty to the club.
"It is more about the manager. The club is fantastic but if a manager does not like you, it is between you and him.
"The club is amazing and there are still a lot of fans who believe in me, so that gives me a goal.
"And things are different under Roy Hodgson. He does things differently. Maybe that suits me better.
"When he arrived, he was closer with the team - talking to players.
"Maybe that gives the players a boost to respond better.
"He is more involved day to day with the players.
"Under Rafa, the assistant managers took a lot of responsibility but that is different now. "And it helps that I am playing in a more central role.
"That position suits me a bit better because you can use most of your energy up front. On the wing, you have to defend a bit more - and maybe that suits me less.
"The striker role, together with someone else, is pretty good for me. It is how I made my name.
"Maybe the fans have been judging me on a position that is not my best.
"I hope this country has not seen the best of me yet.
"The maximum games I have played in a row is four and it is difficult for every player to find that consistency if you are not playing every week."
Babel is keen to 'ride tandem' with Fernando Torres after being denied the chance to form a strike partnership with him when Hodgson controversially backtracked on his decision to play the Spaniard against Utrecht.
Babel added: "I only found out Fernando wasn't playing an hour before kick-off.
"We were working together before the game.
"I've never played up front with Fernando and I was looking forward to it. Hopefully, it will happen soon."

MANCINI insists he will resolve Carlos Tevez's future in 2 days

ROBERTO MANCINI insists he will resolve Carlos Tevez's future in the next 48 hours.

The Manchester City boss has told his skipper he will face Everton on Monday.
Mancini heads into crunch talks with the wantaway striker today and said: "I will speak with Carlos when I arrive at the training ground.

"It is important I speak to him because I want to understand what he wants to do. I think this can all finish in the next two days.
"Will he play on Monday? Yes, why not?
"He recovered and rested on Thursday, so he will play on Monday.
"He has trained well since Tuesday and he doesn't have a problem.
"On Monday, we have a very difficult game at home against Everton and I want all of my players to be there, 100 per cent.
"I haven't had this situation before but it can happen at any club, in England or Italy."
Brazilian striker Jo filled the gap left by Tevez and it was his late equaliser against Juventus which earned Mancini's men the draw they needed to top Group A.
The City boss added: "I have known of Jo for five years. He played against Inter in the Champions League and scored two goals.
"He was young, but he was a good player and he still is a good player.
"He played in our last two games and didn't score but he has done very well, so I am pleased he scored tonight."
City should now get a more favourable draw in the last 32 when the teams are pulled out of the hat today.
But Mancini is looking beyond that.
He said: "I'm very happy as we wanted this and it was very important to finish top of the group.
"We have a chance to go all the way but it is important to have a good draw for the next round. After that, we will see."

Capello dismissed report that he will resign England and become City or Inter manager

FABIO CAPELLO has dismissed reports he is about to ditch England for Manchester City or Inter Milan.

Speculation has mounted that the England chief has a secret £8million-a-year deal in place to succeed City boss Roberto Mancini at Eastlands.
Reports in Italy also suggest he has held talks about replacing Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan.
But Capello's son and manager Pierfilippo said: "I honestly don't believe he would sign an agreement with anyone without asking me about it.
"I will be really honest and open with you. I know nothing about my father joining a club in Italy, in England or anywhere else and I speak with Fabio every day.
"And I do not believe he has agreed any secret deal with any club.
"He is not the kind of man who would make a secret agreement like that. If anything was happening, I would know.
"But I have not had a single call or any contact whatsoever from anyone.
"And if someone had contacted my father then he would call me.
"If he was interested he would ask me to make contact with the FA and find out if he could leave right away, at the end of the season, in the next six months or in a year.
"That's the first thing he would do - and he has not done that.
"He would call me and say 'I have been called by say the New York Red Bulls and they are offering me £50million a year, how can I make this happen?
"Can you call the FA and see if I can terminate my contract, see if they will agree to that?' But that's just fantasy.
"The truth is he has a contract with the FA until 2012.
"That contract actually says 'Until the last match of the 2012 European Championships'.
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"And that's a long time away, a long, long time.
"I don't know what my father will do then. If the FA don't want to keep him - or if he doesn't want to continue with England.
"Maybe he will want to go back to club football or maybe work behind a desk somewhere.
"That's a question I can't answer, that's a question for the future, that's a question for 2012.
"We know there is a lot of speculation and maybe if the speculation becomes so big then maybe the Football Association will then make a statement about my father and his future.
"But I am telling you the smart money is on my father going nowhere."

TEVEZ wants to quit because club broke his promises

CARLOS TEVEZ wants to quit Manchester City because the club broke specific promises made to him.

Star striker Tevez rocked Eastlands to its foundations when he handed in a written transfer request last week.
But SunSport can reveal that rather than a wrangle over cash, the breaker was particular verbal agreements which City reneged on when they came to putting a record-busting contract offer in writing.
Speaking for the first time since skipper Tevez vowed to quit, his advisor Kia Joorabchian said: "At the end of last season Carlos was very disappointed and upset after City didn't qualify for the Champions League.
"He'd seen things which had gone on in the season and he made his feelings known. He felt maybe the time had come for him to move on, but City wanted him to stay.
"Carlos believes that he had certain promises and personal assurances made to him, which had nothing to do with money and he was let down.
"The chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke to Carlos in August and made it clear they didn't want to lose him.
"There were issues Carlos raised and it was requested that if he stayed calm until after the transfer window, and City concentrated on their transfer targets, then in September his concerns would be addressed.
"They made him some promises, he made them some promises. In his view they didn't keep theirs and he kept his.
"The specific details can't be revealed because we are bound by confidentiality. But City know those issues weren't about money.
"Their offer would have made Carlos easily the highest-paid Premier League player."
Joorabchian insisted, however, Tevez would NOT go on strike. He added: "Carlos will continue to play and give 100 percent as he always has."
Defender Micah Richards admits he would be "gutted" if Tevez, who reported for training yesterday following a four-day break in Tenerife, left.
Richards posted on his Twitter page: "Seen so many players come and go but Carlos would b a big loss if he left.
"Id b gutted same sort of feeling as when dunney and superman left."
Tevez is due to miss tomorrow's Europa League match against Juventus — and so could Mario Balotelli.
Boss Roberto Mancini has apparently had a change of heart, according to reports in Italy, after initially saying the ex-Inter Milan strike ace would travel.
Balotelli, 20, suffered racist abuse at the hands of some Juve fans last season. He was also targeted by hardcore Italy supporters during a friendly against Romania in Austria.

CHELSEA players fear Ancelotti to quit

CHELSEA players fear Carlo Ancelotti has decided to quit the club.

First-team stars are worried the manager will walk out at the end of the season - disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge.
They believe he is still unhappy about the dismissal of No 2 Ray Wilkins and is worried by splits in the camp.
They also suspect he despairs of the Blues' internal politics and power structure. One insider revealed: "The atmosphere isn't good at the moment.
"Everyone is convinced Carlo has had enough, though absolutely everyone is desperate for him to stay.
"He's very, very popular with the players, who believe that he is an excellent manager.
"But there's no doubt the squad itself is unsettled and cliques are starting to form."
I understand resentment is starting to surround the French-speaking players, who are allegedly blaming other team-mates for the club's indifferent Premier League form.
Ancelotti, appointed 18 months ago, won the Prem and FA Cup last season and claimed he wanted to stay another 10 years. Few would bet on that now.
Chelsea have taken six points from the last 21.
When approached last night, Chelsea chose not to respond to our story.

Maradona will not be Blackburn Manager

DIEGO MARADONA will NOT be considered for the Blackburn manager's job.

Rovers' new owners The Venky's Group are searching for a replacement for sacked boss Sam Allardyce.
But chairwoman Anuradha Desai insists ex-Argentina boss Maradona will not take over at Ewood Park.
She said: "This is something that because we have offices everywhere somebody spoke about, but it is not true. There is no connection.
"This is something from before we got into the Premier League — he knows one of our friends, but nothing beyond that.
"He is not being considered, not now and forever for the future. I can assure you there is nothing we are having to do with Maradona."
Coach Steve Kean has been put in temporary charge of Blackburn but Desai claims he will not get the job on a full-time basis.
She added: "We are looking for a manager in the future but that is going to take time. We don't want to make a hurried decision.
"We want to understand, meet a lot of people, take opinions and study the scenario.
"For the time being we have given Steve Kean the job.
"I can assure you he is the guy who is hands-on, he knows the strengths and the weaknesses of the players.
"He has been working hard with the players and I am pretty sure he will do an excellent job."

January top transfer!!

With the January transfer window opening in just over three weeks time, TEAMtalk's James Marshment presents his top 10 transfer possibilities.
Rod Fanni to Liverpool The Rennes full-back has long been linked with a move to the Premier League - with his name often the source of much amusement among our headline writers in the Towers.
Fanni, a powerful (and all-too-rare-these-days) defensive-minded right-back would bring both strength and discipline to a Reds rearguard, which has too often been caught out this season.
The potential £7million capture of Fanni - the regular back-up to Bacary Sagna in the France national team - would free up Glen Johnson to play on the right of midfield, with Roy Hodgson hoping he can do for Liverpool what Gareth Bale has done so impressively for Spurs.
David Luiz to Chelsea Carlo Ancelotti's need for more cover and competition at centre-half has become increasingly urgent in recent weeks with both John Terry and Alex struggling, and eventually succumbing, to injury. The sale of Ricardo Carvalho in the summer left the Blues badly short of options in the heart of defence so the capture of the Brazilian centre-half would make perfect sense.
The one drawback could be his fee, with reports suggesting Benfica would want up to £14million for the 23-year-old.
But with his best years ahead of him, Ancelotti could be persuaded to blow his entire budget on Luiz. Besides, he's got a wicked barnet and you can already hear the 'Sideshow Bob' chants ringing out from the terraces.
Shay Given to Arsenal Arsenal's need for a goalkeeper is so painfully obvious that it has long since gone beyond a joke. Arsene Wenger has hinted that he's unlikely to add to his squad in January, but even he would not pass up the chance to move for Given, who has cut an increasingly frustrated figure on the Manchester City bench this season.
A fee of £5million would land him - but it could be amongst the shrewdest pieces of business that Wenger has ever conducted if he lands his man.
Matt Gilks to Man City Shay Given's exit from Eastlands is one of the more obvious moves to call, but his departure would leave City in urgent need of experienced back-up to Joe Hart.
Gilks, out of contract in the summer, looks certain to leave Blackpool sooner rather than later and the short move to Eastlands would make perfect sense for all parties concerned.
Robbie Keane to Newcastle Harry Redknapp has already confirmed that the much-travelled forward will be sold to the highest bidder this winter, but there are not too many moves left open for the Irishman.
A move to Newcastle, however, would make perfect sense, where his intelligence and creativity would not only make him the perfect foil for Andy Carroll, but also make him an instant Toon idol.
And if Newcastle, as expected, move for Martin Jol as a replacement for the dismissed Chris Hughton, a move to St James' looks even more likely for Keane, who would revel in linking up once again with his former White Hart Lane mentor.
Emmanuel Adebayor to Tottenham Redknapp may already have denied the link, but you can often take what the crafty Cockney says with a pinch of salt.
And with Keane moving on to pastures new, expect Redknapp to fill the void at Tottenham with the purchase of unsettled Manchester City frontman Adebayor.
Redknapp, who has form for signing former Arsenal stars after the capture of William Gallas in the summer, would relish the chance of landing the former Gunners frontman and simultaneously give his striking options a much-needed alternative option.
Just be careful not to call Redknapp a 'wheeler-dealer' in the meantime.
Keisuke Honda to Man City The exit of Adebayor would leave City a striker light and Honda could be the man to fill the void. The Japanese talisman looks destined for a move to the Premier League and a switch to Eastlands from CSKA Moscow would make perfect sense - especially given City's attempts to crack into the Far East market and commercial way of thinking.
The only downside is that he could be too 'samey' to Carlos Tevez, though 'square pegs, round holes' has never seemed to bother City in the past.
Stephen Ireland to Sunderland 'The King of Bling' has only been at Aston Villa since the summer but if ever a move was destined for failure it was this one.
Signed as a makeweight in the mega-bucks transfer that took James Milner in the opposite direction, Ireland made his debut in the 6-0 embarrassment at Newcastle towards the back end of August.
His run in the team lasted just under a month, during which time Villa had appointed Gerard Houllier. But the Frenchman soon had Ireland's cards marked, labelling his work-rate and fitness not up to standard and also prefering to play some untried kids in Ireland's prefered central midfield position.
Wearside could be his next stop, though a loan move rather than a permanent residency looking like the most obvious temporary solution.
David Wheater to Newcastle The towering Middlesbrough academy graduate has probably stayed on at The Riverside for a season too long as Boro have lurched from one crisis to another of late.
In that time, Wheater's stock has probably taken a tumble, but he still possesses good timing in the tackle, good aerial ability and a commanding presence in the heart of defence.
The right move could propel Wheater onto bigger and better things and the short move up the A19 could well suit all parties, where he could develop his game under the expert tutelage of Sol Campbell.
Scott Dann to Liverpool Dann's form for Birmingham over the past 18 months has been nothing short of magnificent, and but for the solid central defensive options at Fabio Capello's disposal, he can consider himself unlucky not to have been called into the England squad.
The Liverpool-born defender has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the game, given that he was plying his trade for non-league Redditch United just five years ago.
But he poses all the style and grace of an Alan Hansen in the making and looks a natural long-term successor to Jamie Carragher, who has seen injuries and poor form catch up with him in recent campaigns.

Mike Ashley is hoping to be Newcastle manager

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is hoping to appoint a replacement for sacked manager Chris Hughton by the weekend.
The Magpies hierarchy are talking to potential candidates in the wake of Hughton's departure on Monday, and the names of Martin Jol, Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley are firmly in the frame.
Tyneside legend and reserve team manager Peter Beardsley has been given temporary charge of team affairs ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with former club Liverpool.
However, it is understood that he could do so with a new manager already in place if Ashley gets his way.
Hughton's departure on Monday afternoon sent the rumour mill into overdrive, but while some of wilder speculation was little short of fanciful - Joe Kinnear is not among those being considered - an unofficial shortlist quickly emerged.
Jol, who stepped down form his post at Ajax on Monday evening, swiftly replaced Pardew, sacked by Southampton in August, at the top of the betting.
Curbishley has now settled his acrimonious dispute with West Ham, the club he left in September 2008 in protest at boardroom interference.
But the man who eventually succeeds Hughton will have to persuade Ashley that he can work within a very definite framework.
The sportswear magnate has taken his own, highly individual approach to running the club he bought back in 2007 and it has been one which has more often sparked fury rather than praise.
A hugely successful businessman in his own right, he has attempted to introduce a greater degree of financial realism into an enterprise which, like many of its counterparts, has lived beyond its means for many years.
Relegation from the Premier League prompted swingeing budget cuts, and the club which emerged from the Championship at the first attempt this summer was a much leaner entity.
Hughton rebuilt for life in the top flight on a shoestring - he had no plans to invest in the team in January - and the man who replaces him should not expect to have cash thrown at him.
For that reason, former Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is an outsider, although a man whose talent, experience and availability mean he is a favourite with the supporters.
Ashley's blueprint was drawn up with the long-term in mind and predicated on the club's continued presence in the Premier League and the financial stability that would provide, and his doubts over Hughton's ability to deliver that this season, rightly or wrongly, were ultimately responsible for his demise.
In the meantime, Beardsley was on Tuesday getting down to work with the players, who were training at St James' Park, in preparation for Saturday evening's game and the task of attempting to improve upon a return of just two points from the past five league games.

Nasri will get new deal for his qualities

Arsene Wenger feels Samir Nasri has all the qualities to become Footballer of the Year - and will try to organise a new contract for him.
Nasri took his tally into double figures with a superb brace in the 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday, which sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League.
The French international can play on either flank or in the middle, and is currently enjoying more creative freedom given the absence of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas which he will again look to exploit in Wednesday night's final Champions League Group H game against Partizan Belgrade at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger has once again helped develop a world-class talent from the promising midfielder signed from Marseille during July 2008.
However, the Arsenal manager feels Nasri's first target must be collective achievement.
"We are in the middle of the season now and I will be happy for him if he becomes Player of the Year - but what is the most important for me is that the club wins," said Wenger.
"The consequence if the club wins is that the players have a chance to win.
"I believe the priority is not to win individual awards - the most important thing is that the players focus on making their club win."
Wenger continued: "Samir Nasri is an intelligent player and understands he plays where he can help the team the most. He has become more efficient and is maturing.
"Nasri is only 23 years old and at that age you develop. When Thierry Henry came here he was 23 already and still developed a lot so that means there is a lot more to come from Nasri, Fabregas and all these players, so they are not players who are at the end of their improvement."
Arsenal have been proactive in tieing up their young talent on long-term deals, with a lucrative extension until 2015 likely to be on offer for Nasri.
"We try for a new deal," Wenger confirmed. "I believe 90% of the players their career depends on the club where they go.
"It looks to me he has made the right decision when he decided to join us, so it would be the right decision for him to stay with us."
Arsenal will have Laurent Koscielny available on Wednesday night after the centre-half was given the all-clear following a nasty clash of heads with Sebastien Squillaci in the build-up to Fulham's goal on Saturday, but his replacement Johan Djourou, who is carrying a thigh problem, will not be risked.
Holland forward Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, who both came off the bench against the Cottagers, are in contention to start a match which Arsenal must win to make sure they secure qualification through to the last 16.
The Gunners looked to be cruising after a 100% record from their opening Group H games, scoring 14 goals, only to then lose successive away games at Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga.
Partizan Belgrade have failed to live up to their 'Steamroller' nickname on a first appearance in Europe's top competition losing all five matches so far, and scoring just once, at home in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Wenger, though, is taking nothing for granted.
"We have put ourselves a little bit in a tricky position with our last two games, but it is still all in our hands and that's what we want to do - qualify," he said.
"The Arsenal fans are entitled to think that [it will be easy], but what is important is that the team focuses to have a good game and that we produce the expected result."
Arsenal have been criticised for an apparent soft centre this season, and will be without injured Thomas Vermaelen until the New Year.
Wenger said: "At the moment people focus on our defensive problems, but I believe they forget as well that we have the best away record in the Premier League, that means we are defensively quite solid.
"Certainly we want to be a bit more focused on our defensive duties at home, I think it is more down to that than any defensive deficiencies.
"That is what we want to show in our home games because nobody has a better away record than us."

Tevez told Mancini: Don't sub me!!!!!!!

CARLOS TEVEZ is fuming with Roberto Mancini for subbing him so often.

Manchester City boss Mancini took off his skipper for the 11th time this season against Bolton.
It is why the Argentine star exploded at the Italian in the 90th minute of City's 1-0 victory.
A club insider said: "Carlos isn't happy he keeps getting taken off.
"He wasn't tired against Bolton and was playing well, so didn't see why he should be replaced.
"It has been happening all season and he cannot understand why Mancini keeps doing it to him."
Tevez's frustration boiled over because he has scored in seven Premier League games for City this season and they have won them all.
They have won only one when he has not scored.
He feels he is more than doing his bit for his manager but is not being given the same respect in return.
In contrast to Tevez, Spanish winger David Silva is the second most subbed City player - taken off just five times.
Mancini has a stormy relationship with Tevez and claims that he is not bothered by his striker's touchline reaction.
He said yesterday: "It is not a big thing.
"I am happy when one player doesn't want to leave the pitch.
"Tevez is very important for the team but I took the decision and I think it was the right decision."
Only Bolton's Swedish forward Johan Elmander has been subbed more than Tevez this season.
Boss Owen Coyle has withdrawn him 12 times.

REDKNAPP is officially on England's wanted list

HARRY REDKNAPP is officially on England's wanted list.

The Football Association confirmed publicly for the first time yesterday that they fancy the Tottenham boss as Fabio Capello's successor.
Chief executive Alex Horne said: "Harry Redknapp is a great manager.
"Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify well for the Champions League knockout stage from a position of being fourth-favourites in their group is huge testimony to that.
"I'd expect Harry to make a long list for the England job. It may not be a very long long list."
Capello's contract expires after the 2012 European Championships, though Horne did warn the FA could go foreign again if they cannot get the right Englishman.
Horne also revealed no process has yet been discussed for appointing the successor to Capello.
Redknapp admitted yesterday he did not want to look too far ahead and was just concentrating on his job at Spurs.
He said: "You never know. Honestly, I don't go home and think I want to be manager of England. All I've said is if an English guy gets offered it, it would be hard to turn it down.
"I'm very happy managing Tottenham. In two years, who knows? I may be struggling. Somebody else is going to come and do well.
"It can all change. Two years is a long time in life and certainly it's an awful long time in football."
Ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein is favourite to be the new FA chairman.
Dein impressed as international president of England's doomed 2018 World Cup bid.
Acting FA chairman Roger Burden, who withdrew his candidacy claiming he could no longer trust FIFA, will remain in post until the FA's board meeting on December 22.

Man Utd lose 4-0 to West Ham in Carling Cup!!

Jonathan Spector and Carlton Cole scored two goals apiece as West Ham shocked Carling Cup holders Manchester United 4-0 in their quarter-final.
Spector had never scored during his six seasons in the Premier League but the USA star struck twice to begin a rout that sent Hammers fans delirious.
Further damage was done by Cole after the interval with the England marksman pouncing twice to bring feeble United crashing back down to earth after their 7-1 drubbing of Blackburn.
The defeat also ended the Red Devils' 29-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Spector and Cole were brilliantly supported by Victor Obinna with the Nigerian forward, on loan from Inter Milan, having a hand in each goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes to the side that hammered Blackburn last weekend with only Anderson remaining, but the manner of this defeat will still prove difficult to stomach.
Experience was supplied by the likes of Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea but they also wilted in the face of West Ham's onslaught.
Those who had braved the arctic conditions at a near-sold out Upton Park enjoyed a night of high drama, the benefit of which could be felt in the Hammers' Premier League survival bid.
Manager Avram Grant has proved something of a cup specialist but while he will be delighted to see his side through to the semi-finals, he will be just as pleased at having strung together successive victories that could inspire a climb up the table
Wigan were dispatched 3-1 last weekend but Grant made six changes with captain Scott Parker on the bench despite suffering from a chest infection.
There was little sign of the carnage to come early on when the holders were denied the lead by the woodwork, with Robert Green showing lightning reflexes to push Gabriel Obertan's shot on to the post.
Anderson expertly picked out Giggs but the Welsh winger's delivery into the box was poor and the ball looped away harmlessly.
Controversy reigned in the 16th minute when West Ham scored through Obinna - only to have the goal ruled out for offside.
Obinna's shot deflected off Spector and the linesman had made the correct decision, but the Hammers were incensed.
Players queued up to demonstrate with referee Mark Clattenburg, who then warned Grant after the Israeli hurled the ball away in disgust after it had gone out of bounds.
Any sense of injustice was soon remedied, however, when Spector nodded West Ham ahead.
Obinna supplied an exquisite chip that Spector, having crept inside Fletcher, headed into the net.
Emboldened by their goal, West Ham attacked with greater conviction but were almost caught by a United counter that ended with a tame header from Obertan.
Cole almost got the better of Fabio before James Tomkins angled a corner wide and in the 37th minute the home side's ascendancy was rewarded once more.
The hapless Fabio was involved as his attempted block of Obinna's shot instead fell into the path of Spector who blasted home from close range.
A header from Bebe was easily saved by Green but most of the action continued to take place at the other end.
A dreadful blunder from Green, who until now had looked rock-solid, almost let United in with his clearance hitting the back of Federico Macheda.
The ball deflected into the path of Javier Hernandez but reinforcements arrived for the Hammers to clear the danger in the nick of time.
United were pouring forward as the expected fightback began in earnest, only to be halted in their tracks in the 55th minute when they were caught on the break.
The superb Obinna was the supplier with his inch-perfect cross met by Cole, who headed the ball home.
There was still more to come from West Ham, however, as little over 10 minutes later Cole slammed home his second after being set up by Obinna.
Zavon Hines had a strong penalty shout rejected by Clattenburg after being shoved in the back by O'Shea, but West Ham had the result wrapped up long ago

Jose Mourinho banned one-match Champions League!

REAL MADRID boss Jose Mourinho has been hit with a one-match Champions League ban and a fine following his side's red card fiasco against Ajax last week.

The club have been fined £100,000 after Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos seemed to deliberately incur second bookings, therefore wiping out previous cautions ahead of the tournament's knockout stage.

Mourinho has been fined to the tune of £33,400 and received a two-match touchline ban, one of which has been suspended for a three year probation period.
Alonso and Ramos — who both received second yellow cards for time wasting — must pay £16,700 each.
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his reserve Jerzy Dudek, who seemed to pass on messages, must pay £8,300 and £4,100 respectively.
The one-match bans automatically handed to Alonso and Ramos for the dismissals will stand.

JAMIE CARRAGHER injured 3 months!!

JAMIE CARRAGHER faces three months on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

The Liverpool defender, 32, suffered the injury in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Carragher underwent tests at the club's training ground yesterday but medical staff were unable to make a full assessment until this morning.
He said: "I'll be having surgery at the end of the week. The average is about 12 weeks.
"I'd like to come back before that but I've got to make sure it's right.
"It will probably be late February or early March when I'm looking to come back.
"It's difficult for me when I'm injured. It hasn't happened very often and I'm very lucky with that I suppose but maybe it's caught up with me a little bit now.
"I've been here before with a broken leg which put me out this length of time.
"It's not easy but you've got to get on with it, and it makes you more determined to get back.
"I'm sure towards the end of the season when people are maybe feeling a little bit tired I'll be raring to go."

Five-star Barcelona destroy Real Madrid

David Villa scored a brace as Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 5-0 with an astonishing display of attacking football at the Nou Camp on Monday.
Villa's second-half double led Barca to an incredible rout of Real in El Clasico and saw the Catalans leapfrog their fierce rivals - who lost for the first time under Jose Mourinho - at the top of the Primera Division.
Mourinho had gone unbeaten in his first 19 games in all competitions since joining Madrid in the summer, but the Portuguese was unable to avoid defeat in the biggest one of all as Pep Guardiola maintained his perfect record as Barca coach in the Clasico with a fifth straight victory over Real.
Xavi and Pedro put Barca two up within 17 minutes, while Villa made it a night to remember at a packed Nou Camp with two goals early in the second half and substitute Jeffren Suarez added a fifth right at the end.
To add insult to injury for Madrid, they finished the match with 10 men after Sergio Ramos pushed Carles Puyol in the face late on.
It was some revenge for Barca - and Guardiola - after Mourinho, then coach of Inter Milan, knocked the Catalan side out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage last season here.
Mourinho handed a rare start to France striker Karim Benzema, out of favour for most of this season, after Gonzalo Higuain failed a late fitness test.
Guardiola, though, was able to field his strongest XI, which of course included Lionel Messi.
And the Argentina winger, yet to score against a side coached by Mourinho, almost did so after five minutes, when he beat Madrid keeper Iker Casillas with an exquisite chip from a tight angle, only to see his effort rebound off the post.
But four minutes later, Barca did go ahead.
Andres Iniesta's perfectly-weighted through-ball found Xavi and the midfielder took one touch to control, albeit with some fortune, before clipping the ball past Casillas on the volley from close range.
Angel di Maria tested Victor Valdes with a stinging effort at the other end two minutes later, but Barca made it 2-0 in their very next attack.
It came after 17 minutes and was scored by Barca's number 17 - Pedro.
The Spain forward was left with a simple tap-in from close range after Casillas failed to deal with Villa's low cross from the left.
That followed a long passing move from the home side and the Catalans looked good for their lead.
An unseemly brawl followed after half an hour, when Cristiano Ronaldo pushed Guardiola in the chest, with the Barca coach having refused to hand the ball to the Portugal winger on the touchline.
Ronaldo was shown the yellow card and received huge jeers every time he touched the ball after that.
The former Manchester United forward came close with a free-kick later in the half and also saw a decent penalty appeal turned down after he went to ground following a challenge with Valdes.
Messi was booked for simulation a minute before the interval for exaggerating a foul by Ricardo Carvalho.
Barca began the second half brightly and after Xavi and Villa missed good chances early on, the latter made it 3-0 with only 54 minutes on the clock.
The Spain striker latched onto Messi's pass and beat Casillas with a clinical finish in the area, although he looked to be marginally offside when the ball was played.
The same combination made it 4-0 three minutes later as Messi set up Villa once more and the former Valencia forward slid the ball through Casillas' legs as the keeper came out to narrow the angle.
The Nou Camp was rocking after that and Barca dominated right until the end.
Substitute Bojan Krkic saw his fierce effort saved by Casillas and was unable to stay on his feet as he raced clear moments earlier.
But Jeffren, who replaced Pedro with three minutes left, did make it five in added time when he clipped the ball past Casillas from close range after a low cross from the right.
Madrid's misery was compounded right at the end as the visitors finished the game with 10 men after Ramos hit out at Puyol and was shown the red card.

KONCHESKY : I'm not good enough

PAUL KONCHESKY admits his performances have not been good enough for Liverpool.

The left-back has accepted full responsibility for his side's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham at White Hart Lane yesterday.
Konchesky was given a tough time by Aaron Lennon and was caught out of position and found lacking for pace as the winger raced through to score the winner in added time.
Despite an encouraging performance at White Hart Lane — where the Reds dominated the first half and should have led by more at the interval — Konchesky was the one player who came in for criticism.
And the 29-year-old conceded: "I've got to up my game.
"Where I've played before has not been as high a standard as Liverpool, but this is a good pressure.
"The fans want you to be in the top four because that's where Liverpool belong.
"Straight after Aaron's winner I knew that I'd have to hold my hands up, but we also had chances to win the game.
"That's part of football and we've got to try to take the positives out of the game.
"I was gutted, being the last minute as well it didn't give us any time to get back into the game.
"But that's life, we've got to put it behind us, and I've got to put it behind myself for the next game."

Grant: Man United can't stay unbeaten

West Ham boss Avram Grant does not believe Manchester United can make it all the way through the season without defeat.
However, he has warned Sir Alex Ferguson's men have a habit of coming good in the end.
By his own admission, Ferguson believes the Red Devils have yet to play to their full potential, but nevertheless returned to the top of the Premier League following Saturday's 7-1 demolition of Blackburn at Old Trafford.
United are unbeaten so far, with seven draws and eight wins from 15 league games, and have yet to concede a goal in Europe.
Ferguson is set to make several changes for Tuesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final at Upton Park, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling, Wes Brown and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak all keen for a chance to impress.
Grant went head to head with Ferguson in the 2008 Champions League final, when his Chelsea side were beaten on penalties in Moscow as United added European glory to their domestic title.
The Israeli feels while the Red Devils are a class act, to extend the current unbeaten record through to May is perhaps too big an ask.
"It has happened before with Arsenal, but I don't think it will [again]," said Grant.
"What happened with Arsenal was exceptional. I don't believe there is a team which can last all the season without losing."
The former Portsmouth boss, however, is in no doubt United will be leading the chase for honours again in 2011.
"When I was at Chelsea, Alex [Ferguson] described that season as the best season ever - but even then they did not start so well," Grant said.
"You don't need to be at your best in the first few months, but at the end of the season.
"Alex is very clever. He does it every year. I can't remember one season when United started with full power."
West Ham have worries at the other end of the table, as they remain bottom despite Saturday's morale-lifting home win over Wigan.
Grant is set to utilise all of his squad on Tuesday night, aiming to protect key men like Scott Parker, who has been troubled by a chest infection, against burnout.
Defender Lars Jacobsen is cup-tied after playing for Blackburn in their second-round win over Norwich before his August move to the Hammers, but midfielder Kieron Dyer could return from a hamstring injury.
However, the Irons boss also knows the importance of the fixture, having reached the last eight with hard-fought victories at Sunderland and against Stoke.
"Many of the players we have in the squad this season have had long-term injuries, so we have to manage them differently," Grant said.
"We are doing all we can so they can play, sometimes we succeed, sometimes not.
"It is not very often that West Ham comes to a quarter-final of any competition, so we will try to win this game."
Academy product James Tomkins impressed alongside Matthew Upson at the centre of West Ham's defence against Wigan, having spent a few days working with new coach Wally Downes.
The 21-year-old is hoping the Irons can take momentum into the clash against United.
"The game is massive for the fans. It doesn't get much bigger than the cup quarter-final," Tomkins said.
"The mood is good in the dressing room. It is nice to get the win, to see the lads buzzing.
"After a game when you win there is no better feeling and hopefully we can just carry this on against United."
Saturday's match against Wigan had been labelled the 'save our season' game by the Upton Park board, who reduced ticket prices to help obtain a bumper crowd of just over 34,000.
Grant feels the demanding Boleyn Ground faithful can play their part against United.
"The fans are great. They saw us give a poor performance last week at Liverpool after going a long way on a cold day," said the West Ham manager.
"I am sure they will continue like this on Tuesday and will do everything to support us."

Rooney: My future is at United

Wayne Rooney insists his future remains at Manchester United, but admits he was nervous about the reaction of the fans to his comeback.
Rooney is set to make his first start for nearly two months in Wednesday night's Champions League tie with Rangers at Ibrox.
It will also be the first time he has started since that stunning week in October which began with claims that he wanted to leave Old Trafford and ended with him signing a five-year contract.
There have been claims in the meantime that Rooney has fallen out with a number of his team-mates and, after he was pictured smoking on holiday with wife Coleen in Dubai, it has been suggested the new contract is only a way for United to maximise their return on the 25-year-old should they decide to sell at the end of the season.
It is an assertion Rooney refutes entirely.
"I read that I have agreed a new deal so that the club can agree a higher price with a different team somewhere down the line," the England forward said in an exclusive interview with MUTV.
"It is a load of rubbish. I signed a new deal to stay here for the long-term future with Manchester United."
Rooney received a mixed reception at Old Trafford on Saturday when he made his comeback from an ankle injury as a second-half substitute against Wigan.
Whether perceptions amongst the doubters will change if Rooney starts scoring again remains to be seen.
It does however seem his reputation has been damaged, even if he claims it was not his fault.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the reaction from the fans," he said. "I can understand their frustrations with the contract negotiations.
"It happened in the public eye, which made it difficult, and I did make the club aware of my concerns.
"The media also made a big thing of it (Dubai) but it's happened in the past, it was just the time it came out.
"But I always made it aware I wanted to be at this club and I am delighted my future is at United."
There was no apology, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated was Rooney's intention when he signed his new contract, just a desire to start scoring goals again, which he has not done in open play for United since March.
It was quite extraordinary that Rooney should suffer a debilitating ankle injury at the exact point that Ferguson was giving his emotional speech about the player not receiving the best advice immediately before a Champions League clash with Bursaspor.
The Dubai trip was part of the recovery plan, followed by an intensive week of conditioning work in Oregon, which Jonny Evans insists was not an effort to get Rooney away from his irate team-mates.
"You read that he has fallen out with team-mates but there has been none of that whatsoever," said the Northern Ireland star.
"It has just carried on as normal. He is a big character in the changing room and he is always bubbly.
"He has always had that desire to win and is a fantastic player. That is not just going to go away.
"Last year his form was outstanding with the amount of goals he got. Hopefully he can bring that back to the team."
Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson is counting this as a fresh start after a disappointing early season that also included allegations about Rooney's private life.
"Absolutely," Ferguson said. "There is no question about that.
"His fitness is good. He needs that football training which he has not had a lot of, but he is getting there and this is an ideal opportunity for him in the sense of getting back to the level we know he is capable of.
"Maybe it will take two or three games, but they will help to get him back as quick as we can.
"This is a high-profile match, on a terrific pitch, in a great stadium with a terrific atmosphere.
"All the signs are plus ones, particularly for a player of Wayne's ability."

De Gea staying and not to join Man United

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea insists he is happy at the Rojiblancos and has no intention of joining Manchester United.
The highly-rated youngster has attracted widespread plaudits since establishing himself as Atletico's number one over the last year, and in recent weeks he has been closely linked with a move to Old Trafford.
However, the Madrid-born 20-year-old is adamant his immediate future is at the Vicente Calderon.
He was quoted as saying on his club's website: "The supporters can relax, I'm staying here. I'm very relaxed and there's no reason to move.
"I'm very happy here, I've spent my whole life here and this is a great club that deserves everything.
"Atletico Madrid have given me everything. It's a compliment that a club as great as Manchester United are interested in you, but Atletico are close to my heart and I want to stay here."

Milan progress, Roma & Real win

AC Milan reached the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Auxerre, while Real Madrid thrashed Ajax and Roma beat Bayern Munich.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's wonderful 64th-minute opener for Milan came out of the blue and he was later replaced by Ronaldinho, who netted the second late on.
That left Milan on eight points in Group G, and Ajax's 4-0 thumping at home to Real Madrid ensured the Rossoneri would qualify as runners-up to the Spaniards.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brace as Madrid guaranteed themselves a first-place finish in the group after convincingly seeing off the hosts at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa put Madrid in control and Ronaldo struck twice after the break, the second from the penalty spot.
Madrid finished the match with only nine men after Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were sent off in the closing stages after picking second yellow cards for time-wasting.
Marseille cruised into the last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Spartak Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Mathieu Valbuena got Didier Deschamps' men off to the perfect start with a fine opener inside 20 minutes, and further strikes by Loic Remy and Brandao after the break ensured OM the margin of victory they required to progress.
In the night's other Group F encounter, Chelsea ensured they would progress as winners with a 2-1 win over MSK Zilina at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti's men fell behind to Babatounde Bello's 19th-minute opener for the group minnows, but second-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda ensured the three points for the home side.
Roma captain Francesco Totti capped a magnificent comeback with a late penalty as the Italians stunned Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in Group E.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time after Mario Gomez's two goals, Marco Borriello hit the back of the net four minutes after the re-start before Daniele De Rossi equalised.
Totti then scored the winner from the penalty spot six minutes from the end after Borriello had been brought down by Bayern goalkeeper Thomas Kraft.
The result puts Roma within touching distance of the next round as they sit three points clear of third-placed Basle. Bayern have already qualified as group winners.
Frederico Almerares scored the only goal to keep Basle's hopes of qualification from Group E alive. Almerares netted after 14 minutes against bottom side Cluj, who rarely threatened the home goal at St Jakob Park.
In Group H, Arsenal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Braga at Estadio Municipal.
The Gunners were denied a cast-iron penalty by referee Viktor Kassai before Braga scored two late breakaway goals from Brazil striker Matheus, leaving Arsene Wenger's men not yet assured of their place in the last 16.
Shakhtar Donetsk scored three second-half goals to brush aside Partizan Belgrade and virtually assure progression from Group H
Goals from Taras Stepanenko, Jadson and Eduardo put Shakhtar in charge of the group as news came through of Arsenal's setback.

Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire to return to England

REAL MADRID boss Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire to one day return to the 'incredible' Premier League.

Mourinho, 47, led Chelsea to back-to-back championship successes in 2005 and 2006.
He also steered the Blues to two League Cup triumphs and an FA Cup win before leaving Stamford Bridge three years ago.
But despite moving to the Bernabeu following his historic Treble success with Italian side Inter Milan last season, the Portuguese tactician is already plotting his return to England.

He said: "The time I spent in England was the best time of my career so far and that's despite winning the Champions League in Portugal and Italy.
"In the Premier League we did great things and created history for Chelsea with a great contribution to some great moments in this incredible football country.
"I still have a home in London and me and my family are still in love and will always be in love with this country."
The Special One added: "The Premier League is an incredible competition. I feel very fortunate as a coach and as a manager because I have now worked in four countries — Spain, Italy, England and Portugal.
"The good thing is to have the chance to compare the different emotions and the experiences of different competitions.
"We can always discuss the qualities of the football in the different countries but not about the emotions of the game or the atmosphere as in England.
"The atmosphere, the intensity and the emotion in England is something you cannot compare with other countries and for somebody that is really in love with the game, as I am, this is the place where you enjoy it the most."
Mourinho, speaking at the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame Dinner last night, then went on to praise his old nemesis Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United supremo recently cooled talk he was planning to bring the curtain down on his glittering 23-year career at Old Trafford.
But Mourinho — tipped by many as a future successor to Fergie — added: "When I heard Sir Alex say this I was laughing because I was not surprised.
"He has an incredible humour but at the same time brightness and common sense. For me he is amazing as he is the same person I met in 2004.
"I have more white hair and more wrinkles but he is exactly the same. I hope he continues for years and I get to face him a few more times.
"When I am in my 50s or 60s, I also see myself still in football with the same ambitions and desires.
"So I understand why Sir Alex wants to continue. It was the same with Bobby Robson and I see myself continuing for many years."

Sunderland unhappy with draw

Sunderland duo Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck were frustrated not to take all three points after Everton hit back to earn a 2-2 draw.
Welbeck scored twice to overhaul Tim Cahill's opener but Mikel Arteta's deflected late goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for the visitors.
And the on-loan Manchester United striker told Sky Sports 1: "We were disappointed not to get the three points but we played really well and did well to keep it at 2-2.
"It's a team game and we're always looking to get three points but we'll take it as a positive and move on."
And captain Cattermole added: "We felt we could win at home, we've got a good record. To go in front and concede in the 80th minute is a bit disappointing but it's a point."
The result nonetheless extends Sunderland's impressive run of form to just one defeat in 12 games - leaving them seventh in the table and raising hopes of a push for European football.
"We've got to have the belief," Cattermole continued. "To go that long, one defeat in 12, shows we're a good team. We're pulling together well."
Manager Steve Bruce, though, was satisfied with the result and told Sky Sports 1: "We started slowly against one of the better teams in the Premier League. That put us on the back foot but we responded and overall I have to say I would have taken a 2-2 - we're a little bit aggrieved we've conceded too late but I think a draw was a fair result."
Either team could have won the game in the closing stages, with Welbeck denied a hat-trick by a deflection off Sylvain Distin which the officials did not pick up and Everton substitute Jermaine Beckford missing an even better opportunity.
Visiting boss David Moyes said: "It was a great chance in the last seconds, through on goal, and he normally finishes them. It could have been three points.
"We had the ball a lot in and around the edge of the box, we got into good positions but didn't make them pay. It was disappointing we couldn't finish off our good play.
"But we're pleased - it's a hard place to come, especially after the result last week for Sunderland."
Kieran Richardson was clearly in an offside decision - just yards from the referee's assistant - when the ball was returned to him to cross for Welbeck's second goal and Moyes quipped: "Obviously it was an offside goal - but it was a difficult one for the linesman to see, wasn't it?"
Welbeck, for his part, simply commented: "I was just bothered about getting my head on the ball and luckily it went in."

Carlo Ancelotti: Resignation rumours untrue

Carlo Ancelotti insists he remains in charge of Chelsea and has denied he ever considered his position as coach over the weekend.
The Italian was rumoured to have spoken to the League Managers Association on Sunday night and consulted them about his position within the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
But despite Chelsea crashing to their third defeat in four games with a 1-0 reverse at Birmingham on Saturday, Ancelotti made it plain today that he was here to stay ahead of their Champions League game against Group F whipping boys MSK Zilina tomorrow night.
"I don't know if it's enough to clarify my position today to close these rumours and speculation," said Ancelotti.
"These rumours are totally untrue. I don't know why they came out. I didn't speak with the LMA.
"They called me last night when I was at home, quiet, to find out what was happening.
"These rumours are totally untrue. I have my contract until 2012, here, in this club. I've said a lot of times that I'd like to stay here.
"I love not just this club, but these players. I have a lot of confidence in these players, in this squad, so there's no reason to change my ideas.
"I don't know if this is enough to speak about all this. I think that when the team don't reach the right results, obviously the coach is under pressure.
"Obviously I am under pressure because I'd like Chelsea to win every game. I am focused on my job to make us play better than we are at this moment.
"There was, last night, an LMA dinner with the coaches and they wanted to know about these rumours. I said to them that they were totally untrue. I read in the papers today that I called them. That's untrue. I didn't call anybody."
He underlined that at no stage over the weekend had he ever considered his position at Chelsea.
"There is no reason to think about this, my position. My position in the club is very clear," he declared.
"I am the coach and I have to train my players to maintain the team, the club, at the best level. Now, this moment is not so good on the pitch and we have to do better there.
"Obviously I understand very well because I have had a lot of occasions like this in my career. The coach is in trouble when the team doesn't produce results, but this is my life. I like my life.
"I'm not disappointed about this. I'm disappointed because Chelsea have lost three in four games, and this is not good - for me, the players, the club, for my job. We want to do better."
Ancelotti also stamped on suggestions that he was unhappy with the recent removal of former assistant coach Ray Wilkins and the appointment of Michael Emenalo as his successor.
"I'm sad because the team doesn't win," added Ancelotti.
"I maintain the same relationship with Ray, even if we can't work together.
"Nothing has changed in my personal behaviour with Ray. The club decided to change and I have to stay focused on my job with another assistant. This is not a problem for me. That's not the reason why the team are losing at this moment.
"We have to clarify the position of Emenalo. Emenalo is doing the same job that he did when I came here. He was on the training ground on the first day.
"He is on the training ground again. He's not 'involved' because he has no licences. He was involved in the tactical meetings and decisions when I arrived here. That position was the same when Ray was here. Nothing has changed.
"I'm not able to speak about financial things, administrative things, or contracts. I can just speak about my contract, not others. I prefer to stay in my position and control technical matters.
"I said also, before, that my aim is to stay here at this club, this country, in this atmosphere, for a long time. It depends on me.
"I did a good job last year and I'd like to do the same this year. My aim is to stay here. I don't want to stay like Sir Alex Ferguson because I think that's impossible, but my aim is to stay here."

Man Utd discuss with Denmark goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard!!

Manchester United appear to have opened talks with Aalesund over Denmark goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, but are not in for David de Gea.
The Norwegian club's chairman Bjarne Haagensen has revealed he is currently in England with Lindegaard's agent, Henrik Hoff, to talk with United.
Haagensen admitted that a deal to take the 26-year-old to Old Trafford could be just hours away.
"Henrik and I are in place in Manchester," Haagensen told TV2.
Asked if a deal was close, he responded: "It is. We are in the middle of it. I can't say more right now. We will send a press release in three or four hours."
Lindegaard himself is returning to his club after keeping a clean sheet against Czech Republic - but he would not comment on the rumours of an imminent switch.
"I have only heard the rumours about United, I have absolutely no comment," he told VG.
It had been reported earlier on Thursday that United were close to agreeing a £15million swoop for Atletico Madrid stopper De Gea, but the Spanish club have denied it.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said: "Nobody has spoken with us. Nor do I have any idea (about this matter)," Cerezo was quoted as saying today by Spanish newspaper AS.
"We hope that he will be a Rojiblanco player for a long time."

Gerrard will be out for three to four weeks!!

Steven Gerrard will be out for three to four weeks with the hamstring problem sustained on England duty, according to Liverpool's medical team.
The Reds' anger with England coach Fabio Capello has gone up a notch after learning captain Gerrard will be out for up to a month as his exertions for country will now impact on his club.
The 30-year-old sustained a grade two hamstring tear in the 2-1 Wembley friendly defeat to France on Wednesday night after playing 25 minutes longer than the hour initially intended.
Liverpool are understandably upset as they feel Gerrard was unnecessarily over-played, having being led to believe he would be protected, but accept they are powerless to do anything about it.
It was the midfielder's seventh injury on international duty in three years and all the hard work manager Roy Hodgson has done to ease the burden on a key player - like resting him for the Europa League - has been undone by Capello.
His treatment by England appears to contrast with that of strikers Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt who, although they went into their respective internationals with slight ankle injuries, were handled differently.
"We have a good relationship with the Spanish medical staff," said head of sports medicine and sports science Peter Brukner.
"They assessed Fernando and he had a good day or two of treatment over there and didn't train.
"They felt he was okay to play 45 minutes (in the 4-0 defeat to Portugal) and he came through that okay and we fully expect him to be fine for the weekend.
"Dirk is coming back after a pretty severe ankle injury and after playing three games in a week he was a little bit sore.
"We discussed it with Dirk and the Dutch team and agreed it would probably not be a good idea for him to play, so he sat out the Netherlands game (against Turkey)."
Gerrard's unavailability could not have come at a worse time with the Reds having struggled in their last two Premier League games, which saw a six-match unbeaten run come to an end at Stoke at the weekend.
The fixture list is relatively kind to Liverpool in the run up to new year, with games against West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Fulham, Blackpool and Wolves.
However, Gerrard could miss more than half of those fixtures and with Lucas Leiva suspended for Saturday's visit of the Hammers, currently bottom of the table, central midfield has been significantly weakened.
Liverpool's head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess last night appeared to sum up the feeling on Merseyside with an angry outburst on social networking site Twitter.
"Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to Steven Gerrard's injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history," he wrote
"Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful."
No action has been taken against Burgess, although staff have been reminded of their responsibilities regarding social media.
The Australian has contacted the Football Association to express regret for the strength of his feelings - but there has been no apology from him or the club.
Brukner has taken a more diplomatic view, after describing the injury as "significant".
"He's going to be out for a little while, I'm afraid. I'd imagine it could be three to four weeks," he said.
"But if you put your hand up to play for your country, you've got to accept how long they want you to play for.
"There were obviously circumstances last night which came together to result in Steven playing for a bit longer than we'd hoped, which is disappointing but there's nothing we can do about that now.
"We'll move on and work as hard as we can to get him back playing for Liverpool as soon as possible."
Although Gerrard's absence is a significant blow there was some good news on the injury front with Torres, Kuyt, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson all been declared fit to face West Ham.
Skrtel (knee and ankle) sat out Slovakia's international while Johnson is back in full training after missing the last three matches.
"Martin got a knock against Stoke which wasn't too bad but we thought it wasn't a good idea for him to travel and play an international. But all three of these players will be fine for West Ham on Saturday.
"Glen is also available for selection. He's been training all week at Melwood and he's ready to play."
Joe Cole (hamstring) and Daniel Agger (calf) remain on the sidelines.

Michael Emenalo become new Chelsea's assistant first-team coach

Michael Emenalo has been appointed Chelsea's assistant first-team coach following the departure of Ray Wilkins last week.
Emenalo had been working as head opposition scout for the club since October 2007 but will now make the transition to coaching.
Chelsea confirmed the move in a statement on their official website: "Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Emenalo to the position of Assistant First Team Coach. He moves up from his previous position of Head Opposition Scout.
"Michael has been an important part of the first team management structure since his arrival in October 2007, and his promotion to Assistant First Team Coach is recognition of his efforts to date.
"Michael will continue to oversee the first team scouting operation as he makes the transition to coaching. He will split the initial period between assisting First Team Coach Carlo Ancelotti and updating his coaching qualifications as he takes on this bigger and more influential role."
Emenalo was brought to the club by former boss Avram Grant and along with first-team coach Paul Clement, he was favourite as a replacement for Wilkins as Chelsea looked to appoint from within the club.
"Michael Emenalo is doing a fantastic job as head opposition scout and he is already working very close to me," said Ancelotti.
Emenalo, 42, was a defender during his playing days and became known to Grant during their time at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
He moved to the United States in 1986 where he graduated from Boston University three years later with a degree in international relations with political sciences, having also played college soccer.
He also played in Belgium and Germany before winning the Anglo-Italian Cup with Notts County.
He won 14 caps for Nigeria in total and played in the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of captain John Terry who is understood to have seen a chiropractor in Italy on Wednesday in a bid to solve a troublesome nerve problem in his right leg.
Terry has been left in agony by the injury which has been managed during the season with a series of injections. The club are hoping that Terry might be fit for the clash with Newcastle on November 28.
The Blues are also relatively unconcerned by Alex's selection as a substitute for Brazil against Argentina on Wednesday night.
The defender, who is likely to be out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, was named as a sub but not used.
The defender missed Chelsea's games against Fulham and Sunderland due to his injury but joined up with his national side for the game in Qatar.
Alex was due to return to the club's training ground at Cobham on Thursday for more treatment. It is likely he will undergo further investigation via arthroscopic surgery.