Steven Gerrard hopes Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Blackburn could signal the start of a surge up the table for the troubled club.
The Liverpool skipper said the end of the club’s takeover saga and Sunday’s victory had lifted confidence among Roy Hodgson’s previously beleaguered squad.
With games against Bolton, Wigan and Stoke coming up, Gerrard hopes Liverpool can now string together a run of victories.
“The three points will have done wonders for everyone,” he said.
“It is all about getting a sequence of results and we will find out now whether we are capable of doing it.”
Chainrai wants stability at Pompey
New Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai has promised to stabilise the club after concluding a takeover deal which has finally staved off the threat of closure.
Chainrai, together with fellow businessmen Levi Kushnir and Deepak Chainrai, on Sunday set the seal on a deal which has taken the club out of administration and seen a transfer embargo lifted.
Balram Chainrai has pledged to take the club forward on a more secure footing.
He said: “We’re not going to make any rash promises – first of all, we need to stabilise and I will be taking time to get a closer understanding of the business.’’
Redknapp not gunning for Young
Harry Redknapp has laughed off any suggestion Tottenham may have tapped up Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.
Friday saw Villa boss Gerrard Houllier refuse to rule out the possibility Young had been the subject of an illegal approach by a rival club following the England international’s U-turn over contract talks.
Redknapp is a confirmed ad-mirer of Young, having tried to sign the 25-year-old on more than one occasion. But he insists Tottenham have had no contact.
With tongue firmly in cheek, Redknapp said: “I’m tapping him up – I’ve been round his house a couple of times. We’ve done the deal.”
Puma writes off €115m from accounts
German sports equipment giant Puma said it was writing off €115 million from its accounts after financial “irregularities” uncovered at a joint venture in Greece.
“In total, the maximum extraordinary write-off effect should not exceed pre-tax €115 million and does not affect the cash position,” the firm said in a statement.
“Due to these irregularities and the general market situation in Greece, the company is further planning a restructuring in Greece,” the statement added.
This restructuring is expected to result in a one-off charge of €15 million in the fourth quarter of this year. Puma’s joint venture partner in Greece is suspected of “a series of criminal acts” and will have legal proceedings brought against it, Puma added.
Beckham goal seals title for Galaxy
David Beckham scored a key goal for Los Angeles Galaxy as they secured Major League Soccer’s Western Conference title with a 2-1 home win over FC Dallas.
Galaxy needed just a point to seal top spot in their final regular season game but fell behind to Atiba Harris’s goal.
However, Beckham levelled the scores before half-time when he latched on to good work from team-mate Landon Donovan.
Juninho then gave Galaxy the lead in the first minute of the second half to ensure they entered the play-offs as the top seeds. They will face Seattle in the semi-finals, with the win lifting them above MLS Cup holders Real Salt Lake in the classification.
Hleb in doubt for derby match
Birmingham are sweating over the fitness of on-loan Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb ahead of Sunday’s derby match at Aston Villa.
The former Arsenal player suffered a twisted knee during the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 home success over Blackpool.
Hleb had his best game for the club operating in the ‘hole’ in a new look 4-3-1-2 formation.
Blues boss Alex McLeish said: “At half-time I said to Alex ‘give me 15 minutes of magic and we will get you off’.
“It went a bit longer than that and all of a sudden he had a little twist in his knee which we are concerned about. We have to wait to see how it is but he is a brave guy. I just hope there is no serious damage.”
Bayern won’t panic buy – Hoeness
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has told coach Louis van Gaal money will be made available in the January transfer window although only one player, if any, should arrive.
Hoeness has ruled out any major transfers when the market reopens, and insists the Bavarians will not panic buy after a troubled start to the season, but has promised funds will be there if the right man in the right position becomes available.
“If a right or a left full-back who can really help Bayern is on the market, then we will certainly consider it,” he said.
“But you can be certain that Bayern will not be making any huge investment this winter.”