Football news

Two moments of magic from South China FC left English side Tottenham Hotspur reeling from a 2-0 loss in Hong Kong yesterday.

A 25-yard half-volley from Chan Siu Ki and a penalty from skipper Li Haiqiang shocked Spurs.

But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had no complaints.

"Full credit to the home side, they played well on the day," he said. "They worked hard and turned in a really good performance.

"We're not used to this heat, in England it's raining as usual but the home side can take the credit today. We had opportunities to score but we didn't take them."

Man. United deny stealing French teen

Manchester United have dismissed claims they stole 16-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.

United have been accused of offering very large sums to the parents of the teenager, who has captained the national team at under-16 level, to induce him to end a contract he has until the end of this season.

In an angry statement Le Havre said: "This act is even more unacceptable as it comes from a club with such stature."

But a United spokesman told BBC Sport: "It is complete nonsense. Everything has been done within UEFA guidelines."

Van der Vaart set for Real exit

Rafael van der Vaart is set to leave Real Madrid as he doesn't figure in coach Manuel Pellegrini's plans.

The Dutch international only joined Real from Hamburg last summer but has been deemed surplus to requirements following the big-money signings by the Primera Liga giants.

Chelsea have previously been linked with a bid for the midfielder, while former clubs Ajax and Hamburg are also said to be interested.

"The coach told me I won't get much chance to play, so it's not an option to stay here," Van der Vaart told De Telegraaf. "Real want to get my transfer fee (€16m) back. I completely understand that clubs want to wait."

City to rival Everton, Fulham for Elm

Manchester City have joined the race to sign highly-rated Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm, who has also attracted interest from Everton and Fulham.

Elm is one of the brightest prospects to come out of Sweden in recent years and is expected to leave Kalmar FF before the close of the transfer window.

Elm visited Everton's training ground recently and David Moyes's side were previously seen as favourites to agree a deal for the youngster but their hopes may be scuppered by Manchester City.

"It is correct that Man. City will be here," Kalmar FF chairman Jonny Pettersson said.

"The more clubs who are interested, the better for us. What is important is to find a solution which is good for both Rasmus and us."

Grafite voted best of Bundesliga

Wolfsburg's Brazilian striker Grafite has been voted Germany's footballer of the year by the country's football writers and sports magazine Kicker.

The Brazilian earned 331 votes cast thanks to his 28 goals in 25 Bundesliga matches last season which contributed to his team winning the league title.

German international Mario Gomez, who moved to Bayern Munich from Stuttgart this summer, came second with 171 votes, with Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, voted player of the year by his peers in June, coming third with 169.

Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath earned the coach of the year award for the third time in his career.

Tiago rejuvenated under Ferrara

Juventus midfielder Tiago Mendes is rediscovering his best form under Ciro Ferrara.

The former Chelsea and Lyon midfielder was seen as a flop in his first two seasons, but seems to be finding his feet since Claudio Ranieri's sacking.

"My rebirth is down to feeling the trust that the coach has in me and the new system that allows me to perform to my best," he told Tuttosport.

"In France I had always played in a three-man midfield, so my difficulties in the past at Juve were always down to the tactics, certainly not to problems I had settling into Italian football.

"Before, with Ranieri, I was forced to work in a mainly defensive manner, whereas now I am free to start attacking moves."

Lotito turns heat on Lazio 'rebels'

Claudio Lotito is "sick of talking about" the Lazio 'rebels' and threatened to take legal action against Goran Pandev, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Cristian Ledesma.

The wantaway trio have been dropped from Lazio's squad for the Italian Super Cup trip to Beijing. Pandev's lawyer, Mattia Grassani, said that if the exclusion was "not a tactical choice," then he could take the matter to court.

"I couldn't care less about Grassani. He is an employee and therefore not on my level. We'll see in a few months who is right," Lazio president Lotito said.

"They are ready to take legal action? Well, so are we. I am sick of talking about this now. I keep my word and if someone does not keep theirs, they have finished with me."