Nicklas Bendtner was happy to take his first goal for Sunderland however it came after helping to ease the pressure on boss Steve Bruce.
The on-loan Arsenal striker’s effort sparked a comeback which eventually saw the Black Cats claim a 2-2 draw with West Brom. For Bendtner, the fact that his shot was deflected past keeper Ben Foster did not matter one bit after a four-game wait to open his account in a red and white shirt.
The Dane said: “I was very delighted. I was a bit unlucky against Norwich, but then again, it was always going to come at some point. If you keep putting yourself in the box and keep getting in among the chances, it will come for sure.”
Labbadia wants Leno back
Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia wants teenage goalkeeper Bernd Leno to return to the club when his loan deal with Bayer Leverkusen expires in January.
The 19-year-old moved between the two Bundesliga clubs in the summer to plug a gap caused by an injury to Leverkusen’s Rene Adler. His performances for Leverkusen may well have convinced them to try to sign him but Labbadia would not like to see that happen.
“At the moment, we have the agreement that Leno will stay in Leverkusen until the winter and then he will come back,” Labbadia said.
“I would definitely like to keep hold of him.”
Cahill blow for Socceroos
Tim Cahill has been ruled out of Australia’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Oman. The Everton midfielder had been due to fly home for the matches scheduled for Friday and next Tuesday in Canberra and Sydney.
However, club medical staff have insisted he needs more time to recover from the ankle injury he received after clashing with Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany in the Toffees’ 2-0 defeat nine days ago.
Cahill was only just passed fit enough to play in the weekend’s 216th Merseyside derby but now requires a period of rest.
De Boer demands better from Ajax
Ajax coach Frank de Boer challenged his players to take the initiative after they slipped to their first Eredivisie defeat since March. The champions lost 1-0 at Groningen after Gregory van der Wiel had been dismissed for handling in the box.
“We did better with 10 men than with 11 men,” De Boer said.
“I was surprised that we were playing more aggressively with 10 men, when we played with abandon. It was as if something had to happen first on the field and only then would we respond. That must change.”
The defeat left Ajax fourth in the table, six points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar.
Tevez set for Man. City talks
Carlos Tevez is due to meet with Manchester City officials as the club investigate his alleged refusal to play against Bayern Munich last week.
The Argentina striker has been suspended by City after manager Roberto Mancini claimed he would not come on as a substitute in the Champions League loss at the Allianz Arena.
Mancini said the 27-year-old was finished at City after the game but Tevez will be given the chance to formally state his version of events. The club are keeping the location and time of the meeting secret but it is expected to take place early this week.
City are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure their position is legally watertight.
Totti struggling to make derby
Roma captain Francesco Totti is a doubt for the city derby at Lazio on October 16 after the club confirmed he has strained a thigh muscle. The 35-year-old was substituted during Saturday’s 3-1 win against Atalanta.
A statement from Roma read: “Francesco Totti underwent a scan which revealed a muscular injury in his right thigh.
“The player’s condition will be evaluated in the next few days.”
Totti, who has yet to score for Roma this season, is expected to be sidelined for at least 15 days. Roma lie level on eight points with Lazio after five games played in Serie A.
Arnesen keen to appoint coach
Hamburg will have a new coach on their bench when they face Freiburg in a fortnight, according to director of sport Frank Arnesen.
League rules dictate caretaker coach Rodolfo Cardoso can only continue in the job until today, as the former Hamburg player does not have a coaching licence. Despite initially indicated that he would be seeking an exception from the DFB, Arnesen no longer appears keen on fighting Cardoso’s corner.
“Something has got to happen. We don’t have time until Christmas. For our next game in Freiburg, we will have a coach with a licence on the bench,” Arnesen said.