Football news

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has praised Mark Hughes's qualities as a manager.

The two met last weekend before City's 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham to discuss the way forward.

Manchester City have won only one of their last seven league games and are only one point above the relegation zone. But Al Mubarak dismissed as nonsense suggestions that the former Blackburn manager's job is in jeopardy.

"We are calm and under control and we on the board have the highest regard for Mark," he told mcfc.co.uk.

"This is a winning team that is going through a learning curve."

Kinnear hits out at Atkinson

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has issued a scathing attack on referee Martin Atkinson, accusing him of costing his side at least a point following their 2-1 defeat away to Fulham on Sunday.

Danny Murphy converted a 66th-minute penalty won by Andy Johnson when he was felled by Fabricio Coloccini. But Kinnear was incensed by Atkinson's failure to spot what he viewed as a blatant push by Johnson on Claudio Cacapa in the build-up to the penalty.

"Cacapa was on the ball and Johnson pushes him out of the way and gets the penalty," Kinnear said.

"We've got the Mickey Mouse referee doing nothing. He's made an error that cost us."

'Handcuff' gesture

The English FA have written to Ipswich midfielder David Norris to ask for his explanation on a controversial goal celebration.

Norris appeared to make a 'handcuff' gesture in support or his former Plymouth team-mate Luke McCormick after scoring away to Blackpool on Saturday.

McCormick has been jailed for seven years and four months for causing the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, in a car accident when he was under the influence of alcohol earlier this summer on his way home from Norris's wedding.

Norris said: "It wasn't a handcuff sign, it was a private message. I apologise if anyone was offended by it."

Mancini comparisons incense Mourinho

Jose Mourinho walked out of post-match interviews on Sunday when asked about the comparison with Roberto Mancini's Inter.

Mourinho had pointed out in his press conference that when compared to Mancini's first season in charge of Inter, his side was actually doing better in terms of points.

However, when faced with a similar question put by Sky Italia analyst Mario Sconcerti, Mourinho lost his temper. "I know that you, Mr Sconcerti, are friends with Mancini and this is why you ask me these questions," he snapped.

The angry Inter coach then took off his earpiece and stormed out halfway through the discussion as he was being interviewed about the same issue by RAI.

Credit to Wenger, says Fabregas

Arsenal players owed their victory over Manchester United on Saturday to manager Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas has said.

"We did it for the boss because he has believed in us. We owe him a lot and we have to show that on the pitch," Fabregas said after Arsenal edged United 2-1 thanks to a well-taken brace from Samir Nasri.

"Sometimes we lose and everyone says we are not good. Then we play the same way against United and everyone says we are good.

"The good thing about this team is that we have never put our heads down and felt sorry for ourselves. We want to get better, to play better, and we did that here."

Bad refereeing irks Lehmann

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has claimed he is considering hanging up his gloves because the level of refereeing in the Bundesliga is so poor.

The 39-year-old Stuttgart shotstopper was cautioned by referee Babak Rafati for dissent in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. Rafati also allowed two controversial goals, one for either side, to stand.

"We all have reason to be not too happy with the performance of the referee," he said.

"I kept asking myself what on earth he was blowing for."

Lehmann was furious at the yellow card he received.

"That was so bad that I may as well not bother playing in future. I did not even say anything nasty to the referee," he lamented.

Fiorentina linked with Burdisso

Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso is a January transfer target for Fiorentina, Italian media reported.

Burdisso had a successful pre-season for Inter and had expected to play regularly, but first-team opportunities have been rare so far this term. With Jose Mourinho welcoming back Walter Samuel from injury, Burdisso's chances of breaking into the team appear more remote and he may look for a fresh start.

According to La Nazione, Viola boss Cesare Prandelli is ready to swoop for Burdisso in the New Year when the transfer window opens.

Inter may be reluctant to let the Argentine leave after their defensive crisis earlier in the season, but Fiorentina may be willing to sell Manuel Da Costa in order to free up some cash for a deal.