Eaglets get plaudits from Keshi

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has praised the Golden Eaglets for emerging champions at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Keshi told supersport.com that the Nigeria under-17s deserve commendation for the manner with which they emerged world champions.

"I'm very impressed with the boys. It is a big achievement in their careers winning the Under-17 World Cup. They showed every ingredient to become champions and that's why they deserve commendation," said the Nigerian trainer.

The former Mali and Togo manager, however refused to single out any particular player for individual praise.

Keshi rather believes Manu Garba's team played as a unit.

"At this level of football you don't want to single out one player over another. Yes if we say the midfielders or strikers did so well, we need to also remember that there are the goalkeeper and defenders who also kept their discipline to make sure the team didn't concede during delicate periods in some of their matches.

"So you'll now understand that football is a team sport. I agree that a number of players distinguished themselves ahead of the others but we really cannot overlook the contribution of the others in the team," said Keshi to supersport.com.

After being prodded further on Kelechi Iheanacho, the tournament's most valuable player, Keshi believes the Taye Football Academy attacking midfielder has the potentials to become a top player in future if properly managed.

"He (Iheanacho) is a very talented player and we saw that during the games he played. But he must be properly managed as he grows through the ranks. His development should be the key factor in his career as well as that of others in the team," said the Nigerian coach.

Asked if he will consider any of the Golden Eaglets players for the Super Eagles in future, Keshi told supersport.com he will rather keep tabs on the development of the players.

"We will see how that unfolds. But like I said my concern is to see the boys develop into top players as they have the potentials. I will be monitoring them as much as I can to know how they develop though I have learnt that one of them has signed for a club in Europe. But let's see what happens," said Keshi.

Nigeria emerged champions of the Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time after defeating Mexico 3-0 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The Nigerian contingent returned back to the country on Saturday.

Goodluck Jonathan rewards Eaglets

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has announced cash gifts to the Nigerian U-17 team, the Golden eaglets following their triumph at the Fifa U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Jonathan, who hosted the team to a grand reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja gave each Player two million Naira each(N2m) and the Head Coach, Manu Garba received three million Naira(N3m).

The assistant Coaches, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nduka Ugbade and Emeka Amadi received two million, five hundred thousand Naira each(N2.5m).

Other members of the backroom staff received between three hundred to five hundred thousand Naira each.

Nigeria defeated Mexico 3-0 in the finals decided last Friday.

This is Nigeria’s 4th World title and incidentally, all four have been won on Asian soil. China 1985, Japan 1993, South Korea 2007 and now UAE 2013.

Poyet tells Ki to have faith

Ki Sung Yueng has been told he can be the complete midfield player if he shows a little more belief in himself.

The on-loan South Korea international stood out as Sunderland earned a shock 1-0 Premier League victory over title-chasing Manchester City at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet singled out the 24-year-old, who played a central role as the relegation-threatened Wearside club secured the win thanks to a goal from Scotland's Phil Bardsley.

Ki has taken his chance after stepping-in for suspended skipper Lee Cattermole during a season-long loan from Swansea City and he put in a faultless display in front of the back-four as Sunderland moved to within three points of safety at the bottom.

"Ki plays the type of football I really admire," Poyet said. "He's a player who gets it and gives it, he can change play, he can run with the ball and shoot with either his left or right foot.

"He's a player with all the attributes, and if he believes in himself a bit more, then he'll be a player who has the lot."

Poyet added: "He's shown his patience, because Lee Cattermole's been in there. But he's stepped in after Lee's sending-off and he's made it difficult for me to put Lee back in there now. He's shown he wants to make the shirt his own.

AVB expects Lloris to be fit for France

Andre Villas-Boas expects Hugo Lloris to play for France in this week's World Cup play-off despite being told by medics not to play for Tottenham Hotspur on the eve of the international break.

Lloris failed an impact test, which assesses reaction speed and memory, and missed the 1-0 Premier League defeat by Newcastle at White Hart Lane on Sunday, one week after he was knocked unconscious against Everton.

Villas-Boas insists he was right to allow Lloris to continue playing at Goodison Park despite the goalkeeper being unfit for selection seven days later.

"The medical department felt it was a bit too soon probably," said the Tottenham manager.

"If the game was one day later he would've played and I expect Hugo to play for France this week," Villas-Boas added.

"They've made different tests. In my opinion and obviously the club agree, it would be welcome if the medical department speak up about this situation.

"The only comment I can make is that the medical department advised us not to use the player, we followed rules and that's it.

"In the incident we did everything according to the book," the Portuguese insisted.

Villas-Boas was heavily criticised for not immediately taking Lloris off against Everton, but he is adamant he made the right choice.

The Spurs boss then declared Lloris fit for the Newcastle game when he spoke after the Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol.

Villas-Boas added: "Clinically and medically all the signs were that the player was ready to play.

"It was down to a test that they do, that they value a lot, called the Impact test.

"I had to stick to what they said. They decided the player wasn't good enough."

Brad Friedel took Lloris's place in goal against Newcastle and was beaten in the 13th minute by Loic Remy, who was played through on goal after Yoan Gouffran won the ball in midfield from Paulinho.

The rest of the game saw Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul make 14 outstanding saves to deny Spurs.

His first superb effort saw him flick away Roberto Soldado's header at full stretch.

The Dutchman also pulled off a double save to keep out Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick and Younes Kaboul's follow-up, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa then clearing off the line.

"This is the highlight of my career," Krul said. "It was nice to celebrate with the back four. These kind of games don't happen very often. It was great result."

"The first save was the best, Soldado's header. The sun was low and it kick-started from there.

"Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa put his life on the line to clear one and it shows the commitment, from the back five to the strikers. We have a great squad."

Krul's heroics meant back-to-back wins for Newcastle after they beat Chelsea the previous weekend.

"I think we have played better, against Sunderland we played well and lost," Krul said. "As long as we keep grafting, Remy up front and he keeps scoring.

"If we keep a clean sheet we can win games.

"We know the Premier League is unforgiving. Two home games to go and we can look ahead with great confidence."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hailed his goalkeeper, adding: "It's one of the best goalkeeping performances I've witnessed.

"His performance level needed to be high and it was.

"We've not come under pressure often this season but we did in the second half and he answered everything. It was an unbelievable performance.

Away day blues worry Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini has said Manchester City must improve their faltering away form if they are to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

Sunday's shock 1-0 loss at relegation-threatened Sunderland saw City miss a chance to climb into the top three as their wretched run away from their Eastlands fortress continued.

Pellegrini's side have a 100 percent record from five home games in the league so far this season, but away from the Etihad Stadium it's a different story.

Despite posting recent wins on the road in the Champions League and League Cup, City have now taken just four points from a possible 18 in the Premier League after suffering a fourth successive single-goal defeat at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

"I'm concerned with the away form," City manager Pellegrini said. "We're losing too many points away, and if you don't win away from home, that makes it difficult to fight for the Premier League."

After seeing his side plunder 12 goals in their previous two home games, the Chilean refused to paint a totally bleak picture regarding the club's chances of repeating the 2012 title success under his Italian predecessor Roberto Mancini.

"I have to repeat that despite losing against Sunderland, we're not playing badly as a team," Pellegrini added.

"We had lots of possession and created plenty of chances. I think Sunderland created one chance and scored from it.

"I really can't believe we lost, but that's football. We were a little bit rushed at times, but what would I change? Nothing, I think we're playing really well at present."

Resurgent Sunderland pulled to within three points of safety after a third win in four games under new manager Gus Poyet, thanks to a goal scored by former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley.

"My first win here as head coach came against Newcastle, and I know what that meant to the fans," said Poyet of a victory over Sunderland's arch north-east rivals.

"But in terms of the quality of opposition we were up against and the world-class players available to Manchester City, this has to go down as the biggest win of my coaching career," the Uruguayan added.

"I'm so glad for the players, because this type of result helps them to believe in what we're trying to do here. It's easy to talk, but at the end of the day they need to go out there and perform. That's just what they've done against some top opposition.

"We put our bodies on the line and showed great concentration and belief. As a manager you need things to happen in a game to show that your methods work. As a result of this win, the feeling now when we play at home is going to be totally different.

"We've got that strength of belief now and it's something we need to carry forward with us.

"Before the game, the league table wasn't looking good at all, but that win makes it look a whole lot better going into the international break," Poyet insisted.

Moyes urges caution as race tightens

Manchester United manager David Moyes warned that his side still had progress to make after they breathed life into their Premier League title defence by defeating leaders Arsenal.

Moyes has seen his team beaten by Liverpool, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion since the start of the season, but Sunday's 1-0 win at Old Trafford took United to within five points of top spot.

Defeats for City and Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, coupled with Chelsea's draw against West Brom, have helped United place themselves squarely among the title contenders, but Moyes says there remains work to be done.

"I think it's another step in the right direction for us," he said.

"But we've got a lot of big steps to take here. It's going to take a while for me to get it all the way I'd like it to be."

He added: "We know we'll get a few bloody noses along the way. I think the Premier League has shown that it's not just Manchester United who are getting a few of them."

Going into the international break, just six points separate Arsenal and eighth-placed City, and Moyes says the campaign is living up to expectations following a close season of widespread upheaval.

"At the start of the season, we all said (this would happen) because of the changes in managers' jobs," he said.

"More likely, the reason Arsenal have started the season so well is because they've had continuity. They've had a manager who's been there for a lengthy period."

Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored the game's only goal, heading in a 27th-minute corner from strike partner Wayne Rooney, and Moyes praised both players.

"Great players score great goals in big games," said the Scot.

"He's a great player. And I've got to say, his sidekick played great as well today, Wayne. I thought the two of them were both fantastic, the way they played."

The only troubling aspect of the game for United involved captain Nemanja Vidic, who had to go off at halftime after having his head jerked back in an awkward mid-air collision with goalkeeper David de Gea.

He was taken to hospital after the game, but Moyes played down the extent of his injury.

"I've had a chance to see it (the incident) and it's quite a horrific-looking one," he said.

"As far as I know, he's OK, he's conscious. He'll get a scan, but as far as we know, we hope he's going to be OK."

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny played on despite apparently being left dazed following a similar collision with United's Phil Jones earlier in the game.

Tottenham Hotspur were criticised for not withdrawing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after he was momentarily knocked out at Everton last weekend, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his medical staff had not raised any concerns about Szczesny.

"I listen to the doctor," he said. "If he says to me he has to come off, he comes off. No matter if we are only seven men on the pitch, I'll do it."

Wenger attributed his side's defeat – their first in the league since the season's opening day – to a "nervous" first-half display and the "mistake" of allowing United to score from a set-piece.

Arsenal do not play again until November 23 and Wenger, whose side lead Liverpool by two points, said the international fixture window had fallen at an inconvenient time.

"The international break is not welcome because when you lose a game like that, you want to play straight away again," he said.

"We have some players who go to play massive games under massive pressure and (who) will not come back after the break refreshed. They will come back maybe exhausted."

Wenger claimed that referee Michael Oliver had got "a few" decisions wrong during the game, but he was reluctant to elaborate.

"I don't want to talk too much about that," he said. "I need to buy some Christmas presents and all these statements cost money.

Man United join title party

By reining in Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester United made it clear that they are determined to have a say in this season's title race.

Amid the cut and thrust of the season's formative weeks, the reigning champions had been conspicuous by their absence from the table's upper reaches.

Defeats by Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City – the latter a crushing 4-1 loss – left David Moyes's side unable to join in with the jostling for position at the summit.

Arsenal have been the season's stand-out team, with Liverpool and Southampton close behind, but United's sluggish start obliged them to toil in relative obscurity while plaudits were sprinkled on the sides above them.

They have found renewed resolve in recent weeks, avoiding defeat since that stunning reverse at home to West Brom on September 28, but they needed to beat a fellow title contender to prove that reports of their demise had been exaggerated.

Sunday's victory over Arsenal provided exactly that and although Arsene Wenger's side never truly threatened David de Gea's goal at Old Trafford, United were on a tightrope throughout.

Defeat would have left them 11 points off the pace. Instead, victory cut Arsenal's lead over them to just five points, and catapulted Moyes's side back into the top five for the first time since a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in mid-September.

"We knew we could not afford to lose," said Wayne Rooney. "We couldn't let Arsenal get 11 points away from us."

Moyes claimed that United did not need to make a statement, but after Chelsea's 2-2 draw with West Brom and defeats for both City and Tottenham Hotspur, failure to make ground would have been a huge missed opportunity.

Aside from a trip to Spurs on December 1, United will not face one of their title rivals before the end of the year.

The challenge they now face is to assemble the kind of long winning sequences that are the hallmark of title-winning teams.

They will draw great encouragement from the performances of Rooney and Robin van Persie against Arsenal, which suggested that United have no reason to envy any other strike partnership in the league.

Van Persie's sureness of touch gave United an attacking launchpad throughout the match and Rooney capped a display of breathless endeavour by teeing up the Dutchman for the game's only goal.

The pair now have 17 goals between them in all competitions, while Shinji Kagawa is beginning to demonstrate that he can summon the necessary levels of industry to make an impact in the Premier League.

The emergence of 18-year-old winger Adnan Januzaj has been another plus in attack, even if United have scored 10 fewer league goals than Manuel Pellegrini's entertainers at City.

There is room for improvement at the other end of the pitch, however, despite a disciplined counter-attacking display against Arsenal.

United have only kept three clean sheets in the league, with Moyes's attempts to build the sort of settled defensive unit from which he benefited at Everton hampered by successive injuries to stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Phil Jones's commanding display against Arsenal suggested that he may represent a long-term solution at centre-back, but the inauguration of a new back four will involve a degree of trial and error.

Moyes was keen to underline that his side still have "a few big steps to take" and the season's tumultuous early weeks suggest he is right to exercise caution.

It will be a while before United's fans fully recover from the shock of the hiding at City or the abject loss to West Brom, but victory over a buoyant Arsenal – coupled with the ongoing state of flux at the top of the table – gives them hope that a title challenge is taking shape.