Daily Post

Distin has Justified His Fee Says Boss

DAVID MOYES believes Sylvain Distin has vindicated Everton's multi-million pound outlay by emerging as vital to their aspirations. The Goodison Park manager shelled out pounds 5.3m for the experienced central defender in August last year, prising Distin away from Portsmouth, and has finally been rewarded with a string of fine displays from the Frenchman.

If You Thought This Winter Was Bad, Try the 62/63 Big Freeze ; 'Distin has Been Great Value' - Moyes

WITH neither of Liverpool nor Everton in action yesterday because of the weather, DAVE PRENTICE looks back to the Big Freeze of 1962/ 3, when Britain didn't thaw until March and the Merseyside clubs went nearly two months without a single league game IF Blackpool's ice-bound pitch or Goodison frozen pipes meant you were sat at home on Boxing Day, twiddling your thumbs and forced to watch West Ham win at Fulham, just take time out to think about what your dad or your granddad went through. Thi...

Bellamy Gives Up Armband

CRAIG BELLAMY has decided to give up the captaincy of Wales as he cannot guarantee playing in every game. The Cardiff striker revealed his decision after scoring in his side's 2-0 win over Coventry yesterday.

Signs Are That Roy has Steadied Ship ; Continued Here' - Xxxxx Everything Is Possible - Roy Hodgson

IT says much about Roy Hodgson's fortunes since arriving at Anfield that the latest unenviable landmark of a difficult season was reached without his team even playing. The inevitable postponement of yesterday's Boxing Day visit to Blackpool consigned Liverpool to having won only two away league games in the calendar year.

Stevie's a Real Leader - Hodgson

ROY HODGSON has welcomed the return of Liverpool leader Steven Gerrard - then urged more of his players to follow the skipper's example. Hodgson's men were frustrated yesterday when, as expected, the Premier League visit to Blackpool failed to beat the big freeze.

Jones Delight As His Bluebirds Hit Top Form Again

CHAMPIONSHIP CARDIFF CITY 2 Olofinjana (21), Bellamy (83) COVENTRY CITY 0 DAVE JONES spread plenty of Christmas cheer after watching his Cardiff City side regain their swagger as they brushed aside promotion rivals Coventry City 2-0. The Bluebirds went into the Boxing Day clash having dropped out of the Championship's automatic promotion places with just one win in their previous seven games. But they found their confidence during a first half in which they blew the Sky Blues away with their ...

Rodgers Hopes for Immediate Swans Response ; Championship

QPR 4 Mackie (16), Helguson (62 pen), Taarabt (70,80) SWANSEA CITY 0 BRENDAN RODGERS will demand an urgent response from his players come tomorrow's clash with Barnsley after conceding his bitter disappointment at Loftus Road. Swansea City boss Rodgers, speaking after the 4-0 reverse to league leaders QPR, claimed he is in no mood to start pressing panic buttons.

City Clash Falls Foul ; Local Football

BANGOR'S scheduled home Welsh Premier clash with Prestatyn today has been postponed, writes Dave Jones. The frozen Farrar Road pitch failed an inspection at 4pm yesterday. The game has now be rearranged for this Wednesday, kick- off 7.30pm.

Challinor Is Hoping to Bolster Bay Ranks ; Evo-Stik Premier

WITH Colwyn Bay's game at Nantwich today called off due to snow and ice on the Weaver Stadium pitch, player-manager Dave Challinor is set to bolster his squad ahead of the New Year weekend games against Ashton United and Halifax. Agreement has been reached with Chester to take striker Rob Hopley for a five-week loan period starting from Friday.

I May Need to Look Elsewhere ; Dragons Striker Marc Considering His Future

STRIKER Marc Williams is ready to call time on his Wrexham career for an opportunity to play regular first-team football elsewhere, despite conceding it would be a huge wrench to leave the Blue Square Bet Premier club. The former Wales under-21 international is mulling over the offer from manager Dean Saunders of a fresh six-month contract until the end of the current season, but would prefer the security of a longer deal, even if that leads to his departure from the Racecourse.

Chelsea Skipper Terry Calling for Repeat of Goal-Feast at the Emirates ; Arsenal V Chelsea Premier Lge, 8pm

JOHN TERRY has warned that Chelsea are ready to inflict another home humiliation on Arsenal in tonight's crunch London derby. The Premier League champions crushed the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last season and 4-1 in the previous campaign.

Dimitar Is the Star ; Bulgarian Striker Hits a Double to Keep Red Devils at the Top of the Premier League

PREMIER LEAGUE MANCHESTER UNITED 2 Berbatov 5, 57 SUNDERLAND 0 ADIMITAR BERBATOV double extended Manchester United's unbeaten run to 17 games and consolidated their position at the Premier League summit as Sunderland were brushed aside at Old Trafford. Victory provided United with a healthy advantage over Arsenal and Chelsea, who meet at the Emirates Stadium tonight, and nearest challengers Manchester City, who have played two games more.

Dutch Ace Returns to Fire Spurs to Victory

PREMIER LEAGUE ASTON VILLA 1 Albrighton 82 TOTTENHAM 2 Van der Vaart 23, 67 TOTTENHAM striker Rafael van der Vaart hailed the spirit of his side after his two goals helped them claim a 2-1 win at Aston Villa despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men. Van der Vaart was making his return from a hamstring injury and scored after 23 minutes before Jermain Defoe was, perhaps harshly, shown a red card four minutes later.

Rooney Drought Is Not a Concern for United Boss

SIR ALEX FERGUSON insists he is not concerned at Wayne Rooney's continuing goal drought. The Manchester United striker has still not scored for his club in open play since March and the barren run continued in the 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Tevez Lifts the Blues ; Argentine Ace Puts Troubles Behind Him with Perfect Antidote to Everton Defeat

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 Carroll (72) MANCHESTER CITY 3 Barry (2), Tevez (5, 81) CARLOS TEVEZ fired Manchester City back into the Premier League title race as his side killed off a spirited Newcastle fightback. The Argentine, whose differences with the club have been resolved, put the Magpies to the sword in a blistering opening to the game, setting up Gareth Barry's opener with just 72 seconds gone and then helping himself to a second in the fifth minute.

Boos for Kean As Rovers Surrender

BLACKBURN 0 STOKE CITY 2 Huth (51), Wilson (90+3) NEW Blackburn boss Steve Kean revealed he has stripped Christopher Samba of the club captaincy after the defender expressed his desire to leave Ewood Park. Samba missed yesterday's 2-0 home defeat to Stoke with an ankle injury and Kean said while he would have played if he had not failed a late test, he would not have worn the armband.

Below-Par Bolton Happy for Win

BOLTON 2 Taylor (40), Elmander (86) WEST BROM 0 BOLTON boss Owen Coyle admitted his side were below their best as they battled to a 2- 0 victory over West Brom at the Reebok Stadium. Matt Taylor's first goal of the season in the 40th minute and Johan Elmander's ninth four minutes from time earned the Trotters a fifth home victory of the campaign.

Mancini Still Not Satisfied

ROBERTO MANCINI celebrated 12 months in charge at Manchester City with a hard-fought victory at Newcastle. The delighted Italian saw his side surge into a 2-0 lead at St James' Park with barely five minutes on the clock, but then have to survive a concerted fightback as Andy Carroll led an onslaught.

Hughes Sympathises with Fulham Fans

FULHAM 1 Hughes (11) WEST HAM 3 Cole (37, 73), Piquionne (45+1) MARK HUGHES admitted Fulham's fans were within their rights to call for his head after the 3-1 home defeat to West Ham dragged the club into the Premier League drop zone. The Cottagers boss left the field yesterday afternoon to chants of "Hughes out", having earlier been subjected to taunts of "You don't know what you're doing" as he watched his side throw away a one-goal lead against the rock-bottom Hammers.

Martinez Hails His 'Young' Battlers

WOLVES 1 Fletcher (87) WIGAN 2 Rodallega (9), Cleverley (20) WIGAN boss Roberto Martinez praised the way his players coped with the pressure of yesterday's relegation battle with Wolves as they came away from Molineux with a precious 2-1 victory. The Latics moved out of the Premier League drop zone and up to 16th thanks to first-half strikes from Hugo Rodallega and Tom Cleverley, substitute Steven Fletcher prodding in a late reply for Wanderers that proved nothing more than a consolation.