SHOCK: Michael Schumacher 'in a coma' after being hurt in skiing accident

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FORMER Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is in a critical condition after a fall while skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel on Sunday, an official said.

Michael Schumacher, Formula 1, Ralf Schumacher, France, Skiing,

Schumacher was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital where he is receiving neurosurgical.

Reports in France claim the accident occurred while the 44-year-old German was skiing alone in the resort of Meribel.

A statement from the University Hospital of Grenoble, distributed by Schumacher's management company on Sunday night, said the 44-year-old was in a coma.

"Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40pm, following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning," the statement said.

"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."

Schumacher's wife Corinna and his two children are reportedly at his bedside.

The former racing driver's spokeswomen Sabine Kehm said in a statement: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.

"He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.

"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health.

"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."

Meribel's resort director, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, said: "He has been taken to a hospital in Grenoble.

"I can't tell how serious his injury is.

"Help responded quickly, at 1115. He was airlifted and taken to hospital in Moutiers. He was shocked, a little shaken but conscious."

Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was conscious during the transport to hospital, he added.

The seven-time world champion holds the record for winning the most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions and races in a single season, before officially retiring at the end of the 2012 season, having returned from a four-year F1 break.

BOXING

I'll knock out Amir Khan once Floyd Mayweather is done with him - Frankie Gavin

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GISTS

Woodsy's verdict: Chelsea has a top player in Eden Hazard

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FOR the second time in three days, Stamford Bridge became the Garden of Eden.

There were no Christmas lights at the home of Chelsea, but Eden Hazard still illuminated SW6 again.

With half the season up, it seemed the verdict had already been reached on who will be Player of the Year, with Liverpool's Luis Suarez a red-hot favourite after scoring 19 league goals in 13 appearances.

But Belgium star Hazard, 22, could mount a late run if he continues on the upward curve he is on at the Blues.

On Boxing Day, Hazard scored the only goal of the match as Chelsea struggled to overcome Swansea.

Yesterday, the intensity was far higher in this thrilling showdown between two teams in the title race.

Hazard delivered again with another manof-the-match performance and the first Blues strike in the 18th minute.

Suarez, just like he did at Arsenal and Manchester City, drew a blank.

In contrast there was a Hazard warning every time the Chelsea No.17 was on the ball, whether it was wide right or left.

He was always ready, willing and able to take on Liverpool defenders, and more often than not beat them, To be fair to Suarez, he did produce the knock-on for Martin Skrtel to bundle home in the fourth minute.

FAVOURITE: Liverpool star Luis Suarez is tipped to win the Player of the Year title [GETTY]

But, overall it was a rather toothless display from the controversial Uruguayan, typified by his tame volley straight at Petr Cech in the 57th minute.

John Terry, making his 600th appearance in a Chelsea shirt, and Gary Cahill marshalled him superbly through fair or foul means, the latter including a Cahill slide tackle in the 79th minute which was so late it almost had a 2014 date on it!

Samuel Eto'o also barged him over in the box off the ball in stoppage-time and was lucky not to be punished with a penalty.

Liverpool fans sang the name of Rafa Benitez, who managed both clubs. And Jose Mourinho took a leaf out of the Spaniard's book by playing David Luiz in central mid-field, despite the Portuguese coach stating previously he would never pick him there.

It worked though, with the Brazilian's flair, added to his defensive qualities, making them a far more threatening proposition.

For Brendan Rodgers and his team it must be very tough going into the two Christmas fixtures top of the table, and coming out of them in fifth.

Like he has been saying, they seem to be a work in progress.

Mourinho's been making similar utterances about Chelsea.

But they have now beaten Manchester City and Liverpool at home, by the same scoreline.

Even a striker scored yesterday, with Eto'o bagging the 34th-minute winner.

While Rodgers remained remarkably calm on the touchline, his managerial mentor Mourinho was hyper-active.

In the first half he constantly made notes, gesticulated and showed his emotion.

The anger on his face when Luiz blasted wide in the 25th minute was almost comical.

And there was finger-pointing galore after Chelsea allowed Mamado Sakho to head against the bar in the 52nd minute.

Football coach or orchestra leader, it was hard to tell at times, particularly in stoppage time when he spent 20 seconds waving both arms in the air to get the crowd going.

But this Chelsea team are playing to his tune and in Hazard have they have a maestro.

As for Liverpool, you can expect Suarez to make life hell for Hull at Anfield on New Year's Day.

But Rodgers would surely like to see the striker's goals coming against their rivals at the top.

GISTS

Juventus Prepare £18 Million Move For Manchester United Midfielder Nani

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Soccer

PSG Prepared to Meet Lionel Messi's Release Clause

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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi walks during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on September 1, 2013

Multiple reports, including from French news source Le Parisien, have implied that French giants Paris Saint-Germain want to test Barcelona's resolve by triggering Lionel Messi's €250m release clause.

This would smash the current world transfer record of £86m, which was set in the summer by Real Madrid for Welshman Gareth Bale.

The Argentinian hasn't had the easiest of years this year. In 2013, he experienced injury problems with a recent hamstring problem, Barcelona's disappointing Champions League defeat and his own tax fraud allegations. These events have dampened his so far outstanding career. This has lead to more speculation over his possible move away from Spain.

PSG are one of the only clubs that are able to afford, arguably, the best player in world and with their long term project in full swing, it's no surprise that the French side would be interested in Messi. Financial Fair Play rules should stop PSG's endless spending. However, with many loopholes including sponsorship deals and TV rights, there are ways for the club to get around it.

Messi's bond with Barcelona has looked weaker than it has been in the past, especially with recent criticism of Barcelona director Javier Faus regarding the 26-year-old's contract renewal. The signing of Neymar in the summer has increased speculation over whether Messi is still happy at the club and if he should be threatened by his arrival. Without Messi this season, Barcelona have still performed well and are top of La Liga going into the winter break. Although, Neymar has stepped up in Messi's absence which could be a sign of what's to come.

If the sensational move does happen, PSG would have a formidable strike force. With Messi joining his former Barcelona team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who wouldn't have a problem playing with Messi again, his international team mate Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edison Cavani. That would make PSG a real dominant force in European football.

PSG seem to be the only realistic team out there to secure Messi's services. Fellow Argentinians and former team-mates of Messi, have urged the striker to join them in the Premier League at Manchester City.

Of course, it is a highly unlikely situation, even at this stage, but stranger things have happened in football, or have they?

GISTS

Why Watford's Brand of Football is Attracting New Fans

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Watford Football Club haven’t always been the most appealing team to go and watch. Since the FA cup final squad of 1984, there hasn't been many reasons why a young lad would choose to support Watford. However, that’s all changed now and here’s some reasons why:

Their style of play:

After the Pozzo family - who also own Italian Giants Udinese and Spanish club Granada - took over the club in June 2012, Watford have opted to adopt a more possession based way of playing. They have seen a significant change in their identity due to the high quality signings and big name loanees, most notably from Udinese, coming into the football club.

Players like Gabriele Angella, experienced Swiss midfielder Almen Abdi and Italian youngster Fernando Forestieri have helped transform Watford into a free flowing attacking side. This is clearly shown by the fact that the club finished top scorers in the second tier of English football last season with a total of 88 goals, 12 goals clear of second placed Crystal Palace (76). This attacking style of play is very much the way football is heading and in this case, Watford are going the right way about it.

The younger generation do not want to see teams using the outdated long ball system. This was clearly emphasised by the sacking of Tony Pulis from Stoke earlier this year. They want to see their clubs play with the passing style of Barcelona and the clinical ways of Real Madrid. This is obviously very hard to produce when you’re stuck in the Championship,. but Watford were the closest to doing that last season.

Their location:

For those who know their way around England, the town of Watford is located in the southern county of Hertfordshire and for those who know their football, there aren’t many great teams in that county. Stevenage are the second highest placed team from Herts, which doesnt provide much competition locally. Stevenage currently play their football in league 1.

This is a supreme advantage for the Hornets as they find it easier than the other Hertfordshire based clubs to attract the new generation of local fans. The fact that they are the highest ranked team in the county and play beautiful football makes Watford the favourable choice for a young lad from Herts, unless of course he goes for the bigger club sides situated in the nearby city of London.

They’re going places:

As unfortunate as it may seem, children are more likely to dedicate themselves to a club that’s consistently winning football matches and Watford could definitely do themselves justice by winning a high percentage of their games this season. Watford boasted the best away record in the 2012-13 Championship season with big wins against Leeds, Birmingham and Leicester the pick of the bunch.

Watford are in a very promising position this season with the club’s star loanees of the previous season recently signing permanent contracts. Therefore, there is an increased chance of the team improving as the players know each other so much better than they did at the start of the 2012-13 season. So surely it’s only a matter of time before their form at Vicarage Road improves and they land themselves the richest prize of all time, promotion to the Barclays Premier League. Watford were actually one of the favourites to win the league at the start of the season with SkyBet pricing the Hornets at a very reasonable 11/1.

Ticket Prices:

At a time where money seems to dominate the world of football, ticket prices are appallingly high with research from British newspaper ‘The Guardian’ showing that the Premier League charge an average of almost £30 for their cheapest matchday ticket and an average of £467.95 for the lowest costing adult season ticket. Watford achieved something quite brilliant last year by introducing ‘Promotion proof’ season ticket prices where they released the prices of the season tickets before the season ended, even though Watford was in a prime position to make the leap to England’s most prestigious league. This offer meant that it was possible for an adult to see 19 premier league games for just £340 (cheapest price), that’s £127.95 below the current average. Last year I went to six home games with individual matchday tickets, these were priced at just £10 each for a child under the age of 16 and season ticket prices for 8-15 year olds will be just £30 next year (cheapest price and they have to be accompanied by a full paying adult). There is a real state of intent to bring in the new breed of fans to Vicarage Road by offering top quality football to children at pocket money prices.

Based on the four points above, I think it well and truly shows that in a few years time Watford Football Club will have an even bigger fan base than they do right now because the club is being ran correctly. It offers fans the chance to see a top quality, up and coming team in Hertfordshire for realistic prices. All they need to do now is sort the East stand out and the sky's the limit!

Soccer

The 3 Biggest Winners and Losers From the Premier League Matchday 19

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Hull City's English midfielder Tom Huddlestone (R) celebrates scoring their fourth goal and has his hair cut after pledging not to cut it until he scored, during the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Fulham at the KC Stadium in Hull, north-east England on December 28, 2013. Hull won the game 6-0. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABY

We are now half way through what has been an incredible season in the Premier League. On the opening day of the season, Arsenal lost at home to Aston Villa. However, a sensational change of form and the signing of Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini meant that the Gunners go into the new year top of the league.

Manchester City go into the new year one point behind Arsenal, but have done so winning ten home games out of a possible ten. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea sit in third, one point behind City, whereas Everton amazingly go into 2014 in fourth. They sit just one point above rivals Liverpool, who were top of the league going into Christmas.

At the bottom of the league, it is Sunderland, West Ham and Fulham who fill the relegation spots, with the two newly promoted teams, Crystal Palace and Cardiff, sitting just above them in 17th and 16th. Hull have been a surprise this season and go into the new year sitting in tenth after their remarkable 6-0 thrashing over Fulham, a game which marked the end for Tom Huddlestone's afro.

It has been an amazing first half of the season and matchday 19 did not disappoint. With so many winners and losers, it is almost hard to narrow them down to three for each. Nevertheless, here are who I believe are the top three biggest winners and losers from matchday 19 in the Premier League.

Winners

Hull City

At the start of the season, many predicted Hull to be relegated. However, they have proved those people wrong and they are sitting happily in tenth, seven points above the relegation zone.

On Saturday, Hull shocked football with the 6-0 demolition over struggling Fulham, their highest ever victory in the Premier League. The Tigers struggled to break down a solid Fulham defence in the first half, however, within four minutes of the second half, Elmohamady opened the flood gates for Hull.

This was followed by two goals from Robert Koren, a goal each for Boyd and Fryatt and finally a goal for Tom Huddlestone who celebrated his first goal since 2011 by cutting some of his hair off. It will be a tough second half of the season for Hull, especially given their previous poor form in the Premier League. But if they continue to impress and win at least another six games, they should be playing Premier League football again next season.

Seamus Coleman

The Irish international has been incredible for Everton this season and is developing into one of the best right-backs in the league. During Everton's 2-1 victory over Southampton, Coleman opened the scoring within nine minutes with a rocket strike. With his recent form, he has sparked interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

His goal against Southampton was his fifth goal of the season, which is fantastic for any defender, especially for a full-back. Expect big things from Seamus Coleman. It wouldn't be a surprise if he isn't playing for Everton next season.

Arsenal

The Gunners ended 2013 by taking the most points out of any of the Premier League teams as they were, without a doubt, the most consistent side during the year. At the start of the season, fans would have been happy with another top four finish. However, a 3-1 defeat at the start of the season put serious doubt on whether they would even achieve that.

Win after win meant the Gunners climbed back up the table and have now spent the majority of the season on top. On Sunday, Arsenal faced up against an inform Newcastle side. After a difficult match, they came out 1-0 winners thanks to a header from Olivier Giroud. This was the Gunners seventh away victory in the league.

Arsenal Back On Top

Arsenal have the best away record in the league this season. They boast a record with the most points (42), the joint most wins (13), the joint best defensive record (18 goals against) and their goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, has the joint top most clean-sheets (8). Finally people are admitting that Arsenal are title contenders and how could they not be? If you're top of the league and have a squad as good as Arsenal's, they are without a doubt title contenders.

Losers

Fulham

It's a long distant memory for Fulham fans when Roy Hodgson guided them to a Europa League final and I am sure they would love to go back there as their Fulham side now find themselves 18th in the table.

The Cottagers have the worst defensive record in the league (41) this season and the 6-0 crushing at the hands of Hull did not help. Fulham do have a nice handful of five wins under their belt this season, but their problem has been too many defeats. Like Crystal Palace, Fulham have lost 13 games in the league this season, tied for the most out of any team. They also have the lowest amount of draws (1) in the league, the joint lowest with, again, Crystal Palace.

More is expected from Fulham given the fact they actually have a good, strong squad. However, there is no creativity and the players are struggling to play together. Rene Muelensteen has had a busy 2013, going from reigning champions Manchester United to Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala and then to Fulham. Maybe the depth of the challenge of keeping Fulham in the Premier League is harder than expected for Muelensteen.

Stoke City

Stoke suffered another heavy defeat on Sunday. This time their defeat came at the hands of Tottenahm who defeated by a final scoreline of 3-0. It was their second defeat in three days and they have conceded eight goals in their past three games.

It was a much needed victory for Spurs, but it was a defeat Stoke could have easily avoided. A dodgy penalty decision gave Tottenham the lead, but the Potters held on for another 30 minutes until Dembele scored a stunner from outside the box. Then Aaron Lennon followed shortly after to put the game out of reach as he scored a lovely volley just four minutes later.

One of Stoke's problems this season has been goals and they proved why against Tottenham. In January, Mark Hughes needs to splash some cash on a striker that can score goals at the highest level. If not, they might find themselves in a relegation battle come May.

Liverpool

It all seemed perfect for Liverpool on Christmas day as they were sitting on top of the Premier League. However, two defeats later, they have fallen down the table and will go into the new year in fifth, sitting six points behind league leaders Arsenal.

On Sunday, a controversial match against Chelsea saw Liverpool lose 2-1. It was yet another big game where star striker Luis Suarez has failed to score. Suarez has been incredible for Liverpool this season and is the league's top goal scorer with 19 goals in 14 games, but closer inspections show that the Uruguayan has failed to score against any of last season's top four teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. However, he was banned for the game against United.

Mourinho claims that Liverpool are title contenders, however, it would be more realistic claiming they are top four contenders, which would be incredible for Liverpool to be playing Champions League football again.

Soccer

Coach Stephen Keshi has decamped three more players as battle for Eagles shirt ahead of Chan 2014 gets tougher

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Soccer

The NPFL winners have bolstered their team with intelligent and experienced players with the league season just around the corner

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GISTS

Premier League mid-term grades: How does YOUR team rate so far this season?

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We're almost at the halfway point of the 2013-14 season so Martin Lipton has donned his headmaster cap to gives us his verdict on every team's campaign so far

It has been a remarkable, chaotic, incredible, season and we're now at the mid-way point.
Five managerial changes, four different leaders, two points covering the top five.
Sensational goals, horrendous misses, moments of high drama and sheer comedy.
There's still a long way to go buy Mirror Sport's Martin Lipton runs his eye over the Premier League academy scholars.

Arsenal

2013 Getty Images

Working towards: That elusive first trophy since 2005. Achieving that would end the doubts.
Overall effort: Brilliant response to opening day setback but last few weeks have exposed the fault-lines. Now is the real test.
Head boy: Aaron Ramsey.
Bottom of the class: Nicklas Bendtner.
Manager: Wenger’s faith in his principles have been justified. Ozil signing altered mindset.
Must do better: Gunners have been outstanding against mid-table sides and Boxing Day turnaround at Upton Park showed desire.
Grade: A-

Aston Villa

Working towards: Survival, again. Villa started season well but seem to be losing their way and four straight defeats are a worry.
Overall effort: Learning to meet Paul Lambert’s expectations but home form a growing concern. Must score more goals.
Head boy: Brad Guzan.
Bottom of the class: Christian Benteke.
Manager: Paul Lambert believed his players would benefit from last season. Recent weeks pose questions over that view.
Must do better: Forwards have to deliver more. Villa fans are wondering what has gone wrong with Benteke.
Grade: C

Cardiff City

Tom Dulat
Working towards: Another season in the top flight but in danger of being destroyed from within by the machinations of the owner.
Overall effort: Malky Mackay could hardly have done more organisationally yet it is not enough for the money men. No, me neither.
Head boy: Gary Medel.
Bottom of the class: Vincent Tan.
Manager: Sacking and treatment of Mackay has been nothing short of scandalous. Good luck to the next man. You’ll need it.
Must do better: An understanding of what is possible would help. That, though, appears to be beyond the collective thoughts of those in charge.
Grade: B- (for Mackay); E (for the owner).

Chelsea

Working towards: The title, of course. Well, that’s what Roman Abramovich expects. Jose Mourinho knows it, too.
Overall effort: The return of the Special One has not been the panacea for recent ills envisaged by the majority of the fans but well-placed.
Head boy: John Terry.
Bottom of the class: Ashley Cole.

Action Images

Manager: Mourinho is aware of the fate that awaits any “failed” Chelsea manager. But coping well so far and enjoying the challenge.
Must do better: It would help if the strikers could contribute properly. Chelsea need midfield quality, a clinical edge and to stop conceding silly goals. Don’t write them off.
Grade: B+

Crystal Palace

Working towards: What looked like a miracle a month but now just seems unlikely. Four wins in seven represents momentum.
Overall effort: It’s the lack of quality, rather than endeavour, that has cost Palace. But quality counts at this level.
Head boy: Joel Ward.
Bottom of the class: Jose Campagna.
Manager: Tony Pulis knew the job he was inheriting from best mate Ian Holloway. Has given Eagles hope.
Must do better: In every department. Expectation is that Pulis will seek to tighten things up but he needs a reliable source of goals.
Grade: C-

Everton

Working towards: A top four place. Still odds against but plenty in blue half of Merseyside are starting to believe despite Boxing Day.
Overall effort: Outstanding. Changed the way they have played and brought a real buzz to Goodison. Loan signings have worked superbly.
Head boy: Ross Barkley.

Richard Heathcote

Bottom of the class: Nikola Jelavic.
Manager: Roberto Martinez has answered the doubters in terrific style. Now has to prove it’s long-term and that Sunderland was a blip.
Must do better: Could do with more defensive back-up but basically looking to continue what they have done so well and keep Lukaku fit.
Grade: A-

Fulham

Working towards: Seventeenth place. That will do. But it’s going to be a hard old slog. Need Clint Dempsey loan to work.
Overall effort: Poor. Too many sloppy displays, too many defensive mistakes, too few goals. Martin Jol paid the price but responsibility wider than that.
Head boy: Sascha Riether.
Bottom of the class: Bryan Ruiz.
Manager: Jol needed to be put out of his misery. Form improved under Rene Meulensteen but results hadn’t until Norwich win.
Must do better: Stop the basic errors. Get Brede Hangeland fit. And find a way of turning performances into points. Quickly.
Grade: D-

Hull City

Working towards: The chance to do it all over again next season, whatever the club is then named. Not easy amid growing acrimony.
Overall effort: If you’d asked Bruce in August and offered this position he’d have taken it. But it always gets harder for promoted sides after Christmas.
Head boy: Tom Huddlestone.

Matthew Lewis

Bottom of the class: Danny Graham.
Manager: Bruce has kept the tensions from damaging his squad. He knows the tough part starts now.
Must do better: Only one away win shows where Hull need to improve. But commitment and organisation is total.
Grade: B

Liverpool

Working towards : In an ideal world, that first title since 1990. Maybe more realistically a top four finish. Christmas is for dreaming, though.
Overall effort: Terrific from the start of the season. Coped without Suarez for opening month, coping without Gerrard and Sturridge now.
Head boy: Luis Suarez.
Bottom of the class: Jose Enrique.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers may feel he has exceeded reasonable expectations already. But the genie is out of the bottle now.
Must do better: Still prone to odd shockers, like Southampton and Hull. Every Kopite will have asked Santa to keep Suarez fit for the next five months.
Grade: A

Manchester City

Working towards: Being champions, pure and simple. Rivals are trying to turn up the heat but they are right - this is City’s title to lose.
Overall effort: Holistically, okay. Too many poor away days but that seems to have been fixed. At the Etihad, they are an unstoppable force.
Head boy: Sergio Aguero.

Clive Brunskill

Bottom of the class: Stevan Jovetic.
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini has delivered the attacking football Roberto Mancini could not. Now is the real examination.
Must do better: Just 11 points out of 27 on their travels tells its own story and could have slipped up at Fulham. Sort away form and it’s a cakewalk.
Grade: B+

Manchester United

Working towards: Officially, the title. Realistically, this season, the top four. Anything else would be a bitter blow, transition season or not.
Overall effort: The Fear Factor that was earned in the Fergie years has been allowed to dissipate too easily. Recent displays have been a boost for Moyes and his players.
Head boy: Wayne Rooney.
Bottom of the class: Marouane Fellaini.
Manager: David Moyes knew he faced the hardest task in football. Has kept his head when all about were losing theirs. But United are supposed to win.
Must do better: Vulnerabilities must be conquered, and swiftly. United lack that sense of destiny of the past. Once gone, it will take a long time to regain it.
Grade: C+

Newcastle United

Working towards: Europa League, now. Not that anyone would seriously have thought that in August. Shows how rapidly sights are recalibrated.
Overall effort: A team one, but Alan Pardew deserves real credit, especially given the potential craziness that seemed set to take over in the summer.
Head boy: Loic Remy.
Bottom of the class: Papiss Cisse.
Manager: Pardew has bounced back in great style after last season’s flirtation with the drop. Held his nerve over Yohan Cabaye, too.
Must do better: Cohesiveness between club and fans would help, as would the end of the needless spat with the Tyneside media. What matters, though, is results.
Grade: B+

Norwich City

Working towards: A third straight year in the top flight, for the first time since the early 90s. That would be a success.
Overall effort: A very mixed bag. Too many poor days but always seem to dig out a result when really needed.
Head boy: Gary Hooper.

Action Images

Bottom of the class: Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.
Manager: Chris Hughton’s “negative” approach has alienated some fans but he will point, with reason, to the table.
Must do better: More goals, for certain. A bit more creativity too. And no more of the palsied performances at City or Liverpool.
Grade: C+

Southampton

Working towards: Despite their impressive start, a top half finish and the continued development of a fantastic crop of home-grown talent.
Overall effort: Newton’s Law of Gravity has applied - what goes up, must come down. But Saints have still over-achieved massively.
Head boy: Adam Lallana.
Bottom of the class: Victor Wanyama.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino has banished the doubters and made Southampton a pleasure to watch.
Must do better: Demonstrate the recentslump has been banished. Too many sloppy goals conceded in last six weeks.
Grade: B+

Stoke City

Working towards: Mid-table survival, allowing Mark Hughes time to see his footballing principles take root.
Overall effort: Not been easy at times and some negative comparisons with the Pulis era from supporters. They seemed to be easing before Newcastle debacle.
Head boy: Stephen Ireland.

Bottom of the class: Kenwyne Jones.
Manager: Hughes knows what he wants to do. Peter Coates is a chairman who will give him time to do it.
Must do better: Show that words can be translated into deeds by ensuring Stoke are no longer a by-word for pragmatis but must tighten up.
Grade: C-

Sunderland

Working towards: Salvation, from any source. It’s been horrendous for most of the season with Paolo Di Canio’s bedlam bequest hard to banish.
Overall effort: Was there any? Not at the start, which left the Black Cats in a filthy mess. Getting out of it from here will be a huge feat despite Everton win.
Head boy: John O’Shea.
Bottom of the class: Adilson Cabral.
Manager: Gus Poyet inherited a car crash of a club. Shame that they are still bumping into things.
Must do better: Stopping the own goals and silly red cards would help. But it needs more than that. A lot more.
Grade: E+

Swansea City

Working towards: Last season, if honest. Inconsistency and European demands have bedevilled the Swans although they start in a healthy place.
Overall effort: Like the curate’s egg, good in parts. At times they have looked great. On other occasions, very ordinary.
Head boy: Wilfried Bony.
Bottom of the class: Michu.
Manager: Michael Laudrup’s stock remains high but the summer turmoil was a disruptive distraction.
Must do better: A few more bodies would help but Laudrup knows he has to play better in the League. Michu needs to recapture his fitness and goal threat.
Grade: C-

Tottenham Hotspur

Working towards: A top four spot, which, despite themselves, is still possible. The table never lies. Even if you think it does.
Overall effort: Not good enough. The loss of Gareth Bale was always going to take its toll but the new boys let down themselves and the manager.
Head boy: Kyle Walker.
Bottom of the class: Roberto Soldado.
Manager: Andre Villas-Boas’ inflexibility proved his downfall. Contract or not, Tim Sherwood looks like a temporary plaster over the wounds.
Must do better: More courage when the going gets tough. No more pitiful collapses. And a few more goals.
Grade: C-

West Bromwich Albion

Working towards: A mid-table finish, even if the board thinks otherwise. Internal expectations have overtaken realities.
Overall effort: Impact of that last-gasp penalty at Chelsea was greater than anyone could’ve imagined. But the Baggies have rediscovered stability.
Head boy: Youssouf Mulumbu.
Bottom of the class: Nicolas Anelka.
Manager: Steve Clarke’s sacking seemed mystifying from the outside. Failure to recruit replacement underlines that view.
Must do better: Stop the moping and get on with it. Summer signings need to bring more to the party. Berahino a plus.
Grade: C-

West Ham United

Working towards: Being a top flight club when they move to the Olympic Stadium. Nothing else matters.
Overall effort: Apart from games with Spurs, miserable. The Upton Park fans are starting to turn and even Sam Allardyce accepts their right to do so.
Head boy: Ravel Morrison.
Bottom of the class: Mladen Petric.
Manager: Allardyce’s switch to no strikers should have been a gimmick, not a tactic. He has to get a proper front man in.
Must do better: Pretty much everything. The Hammers are locked in a dance with death. Unless they score more, they will face the ultimate fate.
Grade: D-

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Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United: Welbeck winner maintains champions' streak

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Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United: Welbeck winner maintains champions' streak

The second-half substitute's sixth Premier League goal of the season saw David Moyes' side secure a fourth consecutive top-flight win to close in on the top-four places

Danny Welbeck (2L) Norwich City v Manchester United

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Substitute Danny Welbeck came to Manchester United's rescue as his fourth goal in as many league games secured a 1-0 win over Norwich City.

Having replaced Ryan Giggs at half-time, the 23-year-old England striker made an almost immediate impact, netting his fifth goal of the campaign in the Premier League to move United into sixth place in the table.

Norwich had dominated the opening half but wasted a host of chances to take the lead, and their profligacy eventually came back to haunt them as United clicked into gear after the break.

Welbeck had a bit of luck in the build-up to the goal, as the ball bounced off Javier Hernandez into his path, but he showed great composure to open the scoring from there.

The introduction of Ricky van Wolfswinkel failed to have a similar effect for the hosts, who slipped to a fourth home league defeat of the season.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton made three changes to the side beaten by Fulham with Russell Martin, Ryan Bennett and Wes Hoolahan coming in for Steven Whittaker, Johan Elmander and the suspended Michael Turner.

With Wayne Rooney ruled out with a groin strain - he is expected to be back to face Tottenham on New Year's Day - United boss David Moyes recalled Shinji Kagawa, with the Japan international returning as one of five changes made by the Scot as they went in search of a fourth consecutive win in the league.

After a cagey start, the first chance of the game came in the 17th minute as Martin was released by Robert Snodgrass inside the penalty area and his shot was palmed into the path of Hoolahan by David De Gea, but the Republic of Ireland international failed to take advantage of an open goal.

Five minutes later, De Gea was called into action again as the Martin-Snodgrass combination again worked well to release the winger behind the defence. He rolled the ball back to Gary Hooper, whose shot on the turn was parried away.

Norwich continued to apply the pressure with Sebastien Bassong and Hoolahan both missing further chances, while only Hernandez could force a save from John Ruddy for the visitors.

Ashley Young and Nathan Redmond both went close in the opening stages of the second half, but it was Welbeck who finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

The striker charged down a Bennett clearance, the ball ricocheted off Hernandez back to the substitute and he rounded Ruddy before sliding the ball into the back of the net.

Hughton's attempt to lift his side late on with the introduction of Van Wolfswinkel and Elmander failed to have the desired effect, allowing United to secure a sixth away win in the league this season

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Jose Mourinho: Luis Suarez Liverpool injury would be blessing for Chelsea

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Soccer

Chelsea to launch raid on ex-Arsenal target Higuain as Diego Costa continues to stall

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CHELSEA are lining up a bumper bid for former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain as Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa keeps Premier League clubs at bay.

Chelsea are desperate to land at least one striker in the transfer window and Higuain could fit the bill [GETTY]

Higuain was hotly-tipped to join the Gunners in the summer but instead moved to Napoli to replace the Paris bound Edinson Cavani.
Jose Mourinho knows he is one in-form striker away from a serious Premier League challenge but at the moment he is left with three who are very much misfiring.
Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o have disappointed and Mourinho knows he has to make a big move if he is to have a successful first season back at Stamford Bridge.
While money isn't really an object for Chelsea, Mourinho can raise funds by getting rid of two of his flop strikers, Torres and Ba.
With Eto'o out of contract in the summer he is likely to stay until May and the on-loan Romelu Lukaku will return from Everton at the end of the season to bolster Chelsea's attacking options.
Higuain has scored 13 times in 21 games this season, the same amount as the Blues' three strikers have mustered in a combined total of 49 appearances.

Fernando torres, Demba Ba, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News,

Time could be running out for the misfiring Fernando Torres and Demba Ba

Jose Mourinho managed Higuain during his time as Real Madrid boss and it's a factor which could help them win any race to sign the forward.
The Argentine moved to Napoli for £34.5m in the summer but such is Chelsea's desperation for a top striker they are willing to give Napoli a quick-fire profit on the striker.
Diego Costa has been linked with Chelsea and a host of other number of Premier League clubs, but Atletico are putting up one hell of a fight to keep him.
The Brazilian native is desperate to represent Spain at the World Cup in his country of birth next year.
And staying in his adopted country, where he is clearly settled and scoring for fun, could be seen as the best chance for Costa to make the Spain squad.
Atletico will make it difficult for anyone to prize away their star striker so Chelsea have taken the step to broaden their search for a top striker.

Soccer