Football news

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has declared his surprise after his side were booed off by some fans following their 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday.

With Manchester United later losing against Aston Villa the result actually saw the Blues extend their Premier League lead to three points, but a section of the club's support were clearly unhappy.

Cech said: "I was surprised because this was our first draw at home this season. Look at the games we have played here in the cups, in the Premier League, all with clean sheets.

"We have beaten Liverpool, United, Tottenham when they were second - we beat them all. I was really surprised to hear that - which means I didn't understand it."

Camoranesi blow for Juventus

Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi is facing a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a right thigh problem during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Bari.

The 33-year-old underwent tests which showed a muscular lesion, prompting fears he could be out of action for up to three months.

A statement from the club read: "In the next few days Camoranesi will undergo further tests to confirm the extent of the injury."

Camoranesi joins Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Mohamed Sissoko in Juve's injury list.

Lehmann entangles in controversy

Stuttgart keeper Jens Lehmann was again entangled in controversy on Sunday when he was red-carded three minutes from time in the Bundesliga match against Mainz and had a minor scuffle with a fan afterwards.

Stuttgart were leading 1-0 until Lehmann, 40, pushed striker Aristide Bance for no apparent reason and was sent off. Mainz converted the penalty and equalised.

Lehmann has had a career which has been marred by his temperamental behaviour.

"The scene with Jens was unnecessary," Stuttgart coach Christian Gross said.

"I will intensively analyse the situation with him. The success of the team is above everything."

Gattuso signs new Milan deal

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has signed a new deal with Milan until June 2012, the Serie A club said yesterday.

Media reports had said Manchester City were interested in Gattuso after the 31-year-old said last month he was unhappy with the amount of playing time he was getting under coach Leonardo.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani acknowledged Gattuso could leave but the player has now committed to the Rossoneri.

Gattuso has suffered a series of injuries since the 2006 World Cup and his place in Milan's three-man midfield will come under further pressure in January when David Beckham joins again on a six-month loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Klinsmann to return to USA

Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has ruled out an imminent return to the game by announcing he is to head back to the United States with his family.

The 45-year-old had settled in Huntington Beach in California at the end of his playing career, but was tempted back to Europe - first to coach Germany to third place at the 2006 World Cup and then, two years later, to take charge of Bayern Munich.

He lasted less than a year at the Bavarians' helm before being sacked and, having recently announced that he will not be returning to coach in the Bundesliga, he has now ruled himself out of any other job in Europe.

"We are going back to America as a family after 18 months in Munich," he said.

"We are taking the children back to where they grew up. That is our family plan, which has priority."

Aulas defends struggling Puel

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists manager Claude Puel has his full support despite the team slumping to ninth place in Ligue 1.

Puel's side were beaten 1-0 at home by leaders Bordeaux on Sunday and have won just once in their last eight league matches. They have three games remaining before the Christmas break, beginning with tomorrow's clash against Boulogne.

Aulas said: "The players need confidence, the club needs calm. Claude is an excellent coach. Obviously, there will be no changes to the organisation.

"We will close ranks behind Claude Puel. This defeat is not the end of the world."

Fiorentina join race for Morimoto

Fiorentina have joined Manchester United in expressing interest in signing Catania's Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto, a report said.

"Fiorentina highly rate Morimoto's ability," the Sports Nippon daily reported.

Morimoto moved to Sicilian side Catania in August 2006 after two years with J-League team Tokyo Verdy. He has scored 12 goals in 56 Serie A games.

Morimoto said earlier this month he was flattered by the reported interest from United, but told reporters there had been no contact between the English giants and his agent.

"Nevertheless, the transfer market does not interest me now but only Catania staying up," he said.