Chelsea players, who usually have a clear indication of the team a day in advance of a match, were also left in the dark about the line-up until 2pm yesterday.

Grant did not take the players for training on Saturday because he was observing Yom Kippur and, to the dismay of senior players, he delayed revealing the team until he arrived at their hotel in Manchester.

Mourinho had been due to give the players their individual dossiers after they returned from a day off following the 1-1 draw with Rosenborg on Thursday morning.

That was until Mourinho left the club “by mutual consent” on Wednesday evening.

Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich gave consent for Mourinho to say goodbye and pick up his personal effects from the club’s training ground last Thursday, but probably didn’t realise the Portuguese had departed with his scouting reports and other statistical data.

Viduka had already notched his double, which had put Newcastle back in front after Dean Ashton equalised for the visitors, before Owen limped off with what appeared to be a recurrence of a groin problem that had made him a doubt prior to yesterday’s fixture.

It took just two minutes for Viduka to open the scoring, latching on to Charles N’Zogbia’s cross to head past Robert Green. Ashton equalised with a close-range volley after good interplay with Carlton Cole, but N’Zogbia was again the provider for Viduka’s second before tapping in Newcastle’s third to round off a man-of-the-match performance.

However, Owen’s injury dominated the thoughts of manager Sam Allardyce, who ruled the striker out of tomorrow night’s Carling Cup clash with Arsenal.

“We will know better tomorrow,” said the Newcastle manager. “It is still a groin problem which we will have to look into a little deeper because it has become persistent.

“We will make a decision from there. We will probably scan it again, have another specialist opinion and then see where we go from there. But he is definitely out for Tuesday.”

Aston Villa move above Everton and into eighth place after defeating David Moyes’ side 2-0 at Villa Park. John Carew scored his first goal of the season after 14 minutes to put the home side in front, but they were forced onto the back foot by Everton who again suffered a miserable day in front of goal following their frustrating 1-1 draw with Ukrainian side Metalist in the UEFA Cup last Thursday.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had a goal disallowed in the first half after Ashley Young’s cross had drifted out of play, finally got his name on the scoresheet when he beat the offside trap on the hour mark. However, there was some concern for the young England forward at half-time when he squared up to team-mate Marlon Harewood, with the two separated by Everton’s Phil Neville.

Bolton climbed off the foot of the table and above Derby on goal difference but both Sammy Lee’s side and Tottenham remain in the bottom three after their 1-1 draw at the Reebok stadium. Robbie Keane put Spurs in front after 34 minutes after Jussi Jaaskelainen had failed to hold Jermaine Jenas’ shot. But Ivan Campo equalised within five minutes with a header from El-Hadji Diouf’s free kick.

Portsmouth claimed their first away win in the Premier League since Boxing Day as Kanu’s goal was enough to defeat Blackburn at Ewood Park. The Nigerian striker held off Blackburn’s Christopher Samba to round Brad Friedel and fire into the net after 25 minutes, but Portsmouth remain behind Blackburn in 10th and 11th place in the table.

Gerrard is expected to play for Liverpool against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday with the aid of a pain-killing injection but manager Rafael Benitez says the midfield player may have to pull out of the England game.

“I think he will be available for the weekend, but if we push him for that he will have to rest afterwards,” Benitez told reporters today.

“It’s not serious but we have to be careful. It’s not a big risk but we can push him and then he needs rest. He will need an injection but then he can play without pain against Chelsea.

“I now have to talk to (England coach) Steve McClaren, but he has to understand (playing Steven for England) will be a big risk for his future.”

Gerrard was substituted after 61 minutes of the first leg match in France on Wednesday which Liverpool won 1-0. The injury is to his right foot.

The England midfielder was paraded in front of an audience of Galaxy season-ticket holders and sponsors’ guests at the Home Depot Center before being presented with his number 23 shirt.

Beckham, who arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday night with his pop star wife Victoria and their three sons, told the crowd he was ready to embrace one of the biggest challenges of his career.

“To move to a different country on the other side of the world is something I’m looking forward to,” the 32-year-old said after being introduced amidst a burst of gold, blue and white confetti.

“I think potentially in the States soccer could be as big as it is everywhere in the world and I’m very proud to be part of that for the next five years, and maybe after that.

SOMETHING EXCITING

“In my career I have played for two of the biggest club sides in the world, Manchester United and Real Madrid, and I’ve played for 11 years for my country and still am playing for my country.”

“I’ve always looked for challenges in my career and something exciting in my life.”

The former England captain, signed from Real Madrid on a five-year deal worth $1 million a week, spoke to the crowd from a stage set up just outside the penalty area at one end of the stadium.

Beckham was joined by his new head coach Frank Yallop, Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas, MLS commissioner Dan Garber and Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG, the entertainment conglomerate that owns the Galaxy.

“We have one of the world’s most recognized athletes and greatest players coming to our country, our league, our stadiums and to your team,” Garber said

REAL IMPACT

“The real impact of David coming here is about what will not be experienced today but will be experienced tomorrow as we continue to build the sport so that Major League Soccer one day will be one of the greatest soccer leagues around the world.”

One of the world’s most marketable sports figures, Beckham is expected to earn an estimated $250 million with the Galaxy, financed heavily by endorsements, and has set his sights on taking U.S. soccer to a new level.

Blessed with good looks, a celebrity wife and a talent for self-promotion, the native Londoner proved to be a marketing dream during his four years with Real Madrid who became the richest club in the world following Beckham’s arrival.

After he left Spain on a high midway through last month with Real celebrating their Primera Liga title success, the club’s director of marketing Jose Angel Sanchez said Beckham had been worth in excess of $600 million in marketing revenue.

But the midfielder faces an uphill task on the pitch. The Galaxy have won only three of their 12 MLS games this season and languish second bottom in the Western standings.

They also failed to reach the U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals after losing 1-0 at lowly Richmond Kickers on Tuesday.

Beckham is scheduled to report for training on Monday before making his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21.

The signing of Carlos Tevez could take Sir Alex Ferguson’s spending up to a whopping £70million.

He told The Sun: “United’s spending this summer has surprised everyone. The money they’ve spent and the way they’ve come out of the blocks so quickly has been a surprise.

“But that’s their business. I’m not worried at all about what they’ve spent.

“They can do what they want and we’re very happy with where we are.

“I spoke to Jose on Tuesday and he’s very confident and happy with the squad he’s got. This is very much Jose’s wish in terms of what he wanted.

“We don’t believe that spending a lot of money on any one player this year will add any benefit.

“But if the right players become available, the money to buy them is available.

“We are currently in dialogue with Lyon over Florent Malouda and it would be nice to conclude that deal before we go to the USA next week.

“I’m optimistic he’ll be joining us at some point out there.

“After that, I honestly don’t think we need anyone else.

“We’ve strengthened the squad and the last one we’re looking at is Malouda. And we’re sort of there with that one.”

Associated Press

GENEVA — The South American soccer federation is set to confront FIFA in a final effort to convince world soccer’s governing body to overturn a recent ban on international matches at high altitude.

CONMEBOL will present its position to the FIFA medical commission director, and FIFA’s executive committee will review the issue during a meeting Wednesday at its headquarters in Zurich.

CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz and the other South American voting members of FIFA’s executive committee — Julio Grondona of Argentina and Ricardo Teixeira of Brazil — are expected to present the “unanimous decision” of the South American confederation to oppose the ban.

“They will debate the matter once again. Beyond that nothing else can be said,” FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said. “A decision could be taken then, but so far there have been no decisions taken.”

Bolivia President Evo Morales, who is leading a popular campaign to overturn the ban, is also flying in to discuss the issue with FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Morales will be joined on the visit by the mayors of Cuzco, Peru and Bogota, Colombia, both excluded by the ruling along with other cities in Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Mexico.

Citing concern for the players and an unfair home advantage for highland teams, FIFA last month prohibited international tournaments and World Cup qualifying matches above 2,500 metres. The decision has caused a furor in several South American countries because it rules out matches in the capitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and the stadiums of leading teams in Peru, Chile and Mexico.

Herren denied recent reports that FIFA had given way to pressure and would revise the new prohibition to only cover matches played at altitudes above 3,000 metres — which would only affect stadiums in La Paz and Cuzco, Peru.

“There was an exchange of information between doctors but there was no official decision taken,” Herren said.

Some doctors said a player’s body needs a week to adapt to the thinner air, although playing schedules often don’t permit that.

But Andean doctors on CONMEBOL’s 15-member medical panel said there were “no major problems” with playing at altitude, while critics charged that oxygen-deprived elevations can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue and insomnia.

Leoz is requesting “more exhaustive scientific studies,” adding that playing in oxygen-thin mountain elevations requires more serious scrutiny before any final decision.

At the meeting, FIFA’s executive committee also plans to address the reorganization of its own administration.

Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt has set his sights on a “historic” Champions League final meeting with rivals Manchester United in Athens.

He told BBC Sport: “AC Milan and Manchester United are two great teams and clubs.

“But a meeting between two big clubs from the Premiership in the Champions League final would be historic.”

Liverpool won their semi-final second leg clash at Anfield 1-0 thanks to Daniel Agger’s first-half strike.

With the tie finishing 1-1 on aggregate after extra-time it went down to penalties.

Kuyt scored the decisive spot-kick to put Liverpool through to a second Champions League final in three years.

The forward added: “It is fantastic for us to reach the Champions League final. There is no bigger game in European club football and to do it in my first season here is an amazing feeling.

“We felt we deserved to win after the 90 minutes and extra time. We were very strong and to see that last penalty go in was a great feeling.

“It is just fantastic for us. We had chances. I hit the post and had a goal disallowed, but we got there in the end and Pepe Reina was sensational for us in the penalty shoot-out.

“You come to clubs like Liverpool for nights like this.

“We wanted to do it for our fans as well because they were fantastic in the way they supported us.

“We have beaten some very strong teams to get to the final, like Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and now Chelsea.

“It is not up to us who we play, Manchester United and AC Milan have to fight for their place, but certainly two English clubs playing each other would be history.

“Now we have to get ready for the final because we want to win it now. We have come this far so we want to win it and we think we can.

“We have shown we can win over two legs against the best sides, now it is down to one match.”

Chelsea lead 1-0 from the first leg but Benitez said: “They will know that Anfield is a difficult place for them.

“And they know full well what pressure they are under to win things.”

Mourinho suggested last week that Liverpool had been playing testimonials in the Premiership for weeks because they have only one trophy to play for.

And Benitez was quick to hit back after Chelsea rested players and were held 2-2 by Bolton at the weekend.

He declared: “Now they have more difficulties in the Premiership, it’s clear if they are going to win a major trophy, the Champions League is the one they want to win.

“They try to win everything - that is enough pressure without me saying anything.

“They know the pressures they are under, you only have to ask Mr Abramovich what he wants, the Champions League or the Premier League. They know.”

Benitez also suggested that the self-styled ‘Special One’, Mourinho, is no match for the Anfield crowd. Two years ago, Liverpool were roared on to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final second leg - and then they went on to lift the trophy in Istanbul.

And Benitez believes the supporters can be of assistance again.

“We have our special ones here, they are our fans, who always play with their hearts,” he stated.

“I remember before the game in 2005, the Chelsea players spoke a lot about being ready for the Anfield atmosphere but when the game was played they could not handle it.

“It’s very difficult for any opposing team to prepare to play against 12 men.

“Our fans cannot give red cards or award penalties but they can ’score goals’.

“I like this about our supporters because we know they will show they are in the best in the world again on Tuesday night.

“The players can also use these positive memories. I have confidence because playing with 12 men is a great advantage for us.

“It is no secret we will try to play with a high tempo from the beginning, something we didn’t do in the first leg. If we can keep a high tempo going for 90 minutes, that will be perfect.

“We did not play to our best level in the first leg, that is the key for me. If we play to our best, we will win.”

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The Scots are top with 12 points from five matches, while Italy have claimed just seven points in four games.

But Maldini was unimpressed by Scotland’s performance against Georgia at Hampden Park on Saturday, when Craig Beattie’s late goal secured a 2-1 win.

And the 38-year-old, who retired from international football in 2002 but still plays for AC Milan, does not expect Italy to struggle in Bari.

He said: “I saw Scotland play and Georgia didn’t deserve to lose.

“I don’t think that Italy will have any big problems.”

Maldini is a former team-mate of Italy coach Roberto Donadoni and of Carlo Ancelotti, the man many supporters would like to see installed in Donadoni’s place.

Ancelotti has said he would be keen to take the job after “a few more years” in charge at AC Milan.

And while Maldini recognises Italy cannot afford any more slip-ups, he believes Donadoni is the right man for the job and should be given more backing.

“Certainly, the round is now more complicated and it’s difficult to recover,” said Maldini.

“Other than that, there aren’t any other problems of rapport or otherwise.

“It is normal that a coach like Carlo Ancelotti could aspire to one day become the national coach, but this isn’t about Donadoni.

“Now, Donadoni is adapting to the high level of pressure that is put upon a national coach.”

Article Source: TEAMtalk