Pellegrini: Manchester City finishing not good enough

 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini bemoaned his side's first-half profligacy following their 1-1 draw at Everton.

The Premier League champions came into the fixture level with Chelsea at the top of the table, and Fernandinho's 74th-minute header gave City the advantage at Goodison Park.

However, Steven Naismith earned Everton a share of the spoils after Joe Hart had needlessly rushed off his line from a Leighton Baines free-kick, allowing Jose Mourinho's side to move two points clear at the summit.

And Pellegrini says City were foolish if they thought a goal 15 minutes from time would be enough to win the game.

"I think we really dominated the game, especially in the first half," he said. "We had clear chances, but we didn't score.

"Fifteen minutes are a lot of minutes. You cannot think that because you are winning 1-0 and there are 15 minutes left that you have already won the game.

"We knew that Everton were a difficult team from set-pieces. They had their chances and they scored."

Pellegrini believes there might have been a different outcome if City had taken their chances while they were on top during the opening period.

"We never think before the game that this is an easy game to play," he added. "Always at Goodison Park Everton is a very good team.

"If the whole game was exactly the same as the second half, maybe it was a good draw, but I cannot forget about what happened during the first 45 minutes when we had too many clear chances.

"We played really well, which I am really pleased about, but we didn't finish well."

Solomon Akiyesi Gives Thanks To God For Protecting Him After Sleeping With Different Woman

 For 365 days I ate all kinds of food in all kinds of locations. I was not poisoned. For 365 days I flew in all types of aircrafts…thousands of feet off the ground and to thousands of kilometers in journeys across Nigeria and across the world….I suffered no aircrah So was i protected in all my land travels. For 365 days I met all manner of human beings….many with evil intentions but covered with crooked smile. I survived them all. For 365 days I went in between the leg…s of many women each with their spiritual orientation or disorientation. I came out unscathed. For 365 days I was sequestered into all forms of relationships including enemies who front as friends girlfriends who front as wives killers who front as brothers, haters who front as sisters. I went through each one putting them where they all belong. For 365 days I survived transcient good times and some bad times that just won’t go. But such didn’t take pre-eminence. For 365 days in pursuit of my career I assumed different characters. But they did not affect me negatively. Just as for 365days I mounted all forms of high rise buildings and bridges put together by ordinary men and non collapsed against me. In the last 365 days what killed others dId not kill me though the circumstances were identical. It can only take the abundance of grace and undying love to survive 365 days of uncertainty. And who else gives me this grace and protects me in His loving arms but the Father Himself, the lover of my soul and best friend, Jesus Christ! I glorify your name Lord for helping me finish 2014 strong and starting 2015 even stronger!!!!

The legendary former Juventus forward praised the Portuguese forward and Lionel Messi, but suspects the Bayern shot-stopper will be voted the best player of 2014

Alessandro Del Piero believes that Cristiano Ronaldo represents the future of football, but has backed World Cup winner Manuel Neuer for the Fifa Ballon d'Or on Monday.

The Real Madrid forward has won the accolade twice, and is the holder after ending Lionel Messi's streak of four consecutive triumphs, but Neuer starred as Germany romped to World Cup success last year and was brilliant for Bayern Munich in 2014.

Although he heavily praised Ronaldo for being a 21st century footballer and Messi for being such an incredible playmaker, the Juventus and Italy legend has tentatively stated that Neuer will go home with the gong on January 12.

"The three Ballon d'Or finalists are the best of the bunch, no question," Del Piero told Fifa.com. "Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal stats are truly impressive. A lot has been said about the concept of ‘the modern player’, well this guy is not just modern but also of the future.

"Messi, for his part, is the real deal when it comes to No10s. I remember during the World Cup in Brazil seeing countless kids wearing his jersey – even Brazilian youngsters wearing the shirt of an Argentine! He represents a type of football that transcends borders.

"As for Manuel Neuer, he’s given us a new way of interpreting the role of a goalkeeper: not only is he very good with his feet, he also brings more mobility to his team. On top of that, he’s obviously a superb shot-stopper and Germany’s world title owed a lot to him.

"I’ll chance a prediction and say the winner will be Neuer. He was integral to Germany’s great World Cup and to a wonderful season for Bayern in the Bundesliga.

"The situation is a bit like we had in 2006, when Gigi Buffon narrowly missed out on winning the Ballon d’Or to team-mate and fellow world champion Fabio Cannavaro."

The former Portugal star admits it is a tough choice for this year's Ballon d'Or, but which candidate is he backing?

Luis Figo has joked it is difficult picking between the "truffles and caviar" of the football world in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but backed the Real Madrid star to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or.

The 42-year-old should know a potential winner when he sees it having lifted the trophy himself back in 2000, and envisages a tight vote for this year's prize.

Ronaldo and Messi also face competition from Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for the individual accolade, handed to the world's best player over the last 12 months, but Figo has given his backing to his countryman.

He said: "It's hard to choose between truffles and caviar, but for me it has to be Cristiano. He’s had a fantastic year all the way through for Real.

Regarding Neuer's case, he added: "I know Germany won the World Cup and I understand there are those who think Neuer, who is such a great keeper and was a big part of their success, should win it."

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or for the last six years, with the Portuguese winning it twice and his Argentine rival on four occasions. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on January 12.

Figo was speaking at the launch of 'Network 90', a global private members' networking site of his creation for football professionals from local club players right up to the biggest stars in the world. 

The men between the sticks rarely get the recognition they deserve, but will that change as we enter the awards season?

Whenever the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon D’Or is produced, it features players of all positions.

When it is down to the final three, it typically comprises offensive players. Only in a few cases were defenders and goalkeepers shortlisted in the final three.

AC Milan Legend Paolo Maldini was a finalist in 1995, claiming second spot. Former Azzuri captain Fabio Cannavaro claimed the award in 2006, beating ex-Le Bleus star and three-time winner Zinedine Zidane. The other non-attack minded player to make the final three was former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in 2002. He took second place on the back of a splendid World Cup in South Korea/Japan, which Germany lost out toBrazil in the final. Brazil’s Ronaldo, who scored two goals past Kahn in the final, claimed his third World Player of the Year crown.

The 2014 FIFA Ballon D’Or features Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with regular finalists Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo have arguably been the best players in the game in the last decade. Both have appeared as finalists 13 times between 2007 and 2013.

Neuer makes the list at the back of a successful World Cup campaign where he made many fantastic saves which helped Germany to lift their third title. He was also in superb form for Bayern Munich last season.

Does Neuer deserve the lift the award on Monday, January 12, 2015 in Zurich?

Neuer | The world's greatest team, is he the world's greatest player?

He certainly does even in the stern battle against the world’s two best players. 

Attackers have made the final three most of the time because they are the entertainers in the game, scoring fantastic goals and displaying awesome skill and technique. However, the impact of goalkeepers should not be underestimated. Stoppers do more than enough to be regular contenders for the Ballon D’Or.

The likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Edwin van der Sar, Petr Cech are just some of the names who have done exceptionally well and who should have at least made the final three at one time or the other over the last several years. Unfortunately this was never to be. 

This indeed might be Neuer’s chance to break the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly. With the exception of 2010, the Ballon D’Or has been given to a player that won the World Cup. Since Neuer represents the winning German team, it’s as good as saying he is the winner based on that trend but will the award follow the trend this time around?

Back home in Africa, we have Nigeria’s very own Vincent Enyeama is a finalist for the CAF African Footballer of the Year.

Enyeama | Can he claim another award this week?

He competes for the ultimate price against three-time winner Yaya Toure and Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Enyeama was arguably the best Nigerian player in a mixed 2014 for the Super Eagles.

His exploits at the World Cup in Brazil pushed Nigeria to the last 16. Had it not been for him, the Super Eagles might not have equalled their best-ever tournament progression. 

His performances for his club, French side LOSC Lille during the 2013-2014 season were nothing short of excellent and he helped the Mastiffs to the His superb performances earned him the Ligue 1 African Player of the Year award. He also bagged the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award and was recently named the Best Goalkeeper in French football during 2014.

Goal Nigeria’s Ed Dove celebrated Enyeama for his consistency and his ability to impact the big games. Even though the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Afcon tournament in Equatorial Guinea, Enyeama was crucial in ensuring the quest for qualification was taken down to the wire. “Indeed,” as Dove asked, “would Nigeria have lost at home to the Republic of Congo at the beginning of the qualification campaign had Enyeama, rather than Austin Ejide, been between the sticks?”

Enyeama, just like Neuer, deserves to be celebrated above his outfield rivals during the awards season.

No keeper has been shortlisted in the final three since the award began in 1992. Current Morocco manager Badou Zaki is the only goalkeeper in Africa to win the award for Best African player. He won this when the award was still run by France Football Magazine. The award ran from 1970 till 1994. Within that period, a few keepers such as Robert Mensah, Kazadi Mwamba, Thomas N’Kono and Joseph-Antoine Bell made the final three.

If Enyeama and Neuer succeed in claiming the award in Lagos and Zurich respectively, it might give rise to greater recognition for goalkeepers. It’s about time the custodians between the sticks got the acknowledgement they deserve…could they receive it this year? 

From the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Goal brings you all the inside gist of the gala to award the best players and national teams from the continent

The big one is here. The one we've all been waiting for. The African Player of the Year award.
Vincent Enyeama makes CAF's XI. Here's hoping that is not the last time his name is mentioned tonight... Ahmed Musa also takes a spot in the attack.
African Footballer of the Year based in Africa. Nominees Akram Djahnit, Firmin Ndombe Mubele and El Hedi Belamieri... and the winner is: Firmin Ndombe Mubele of AS Vita!

Juve coach confirms Sneijder interest

MILAN - Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that the Serie A leaders are interesting in signing Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder from Galatasaray.
"It's not easy to reinforce Juve, but we have some very clear ideas and it's no secret that we are looking for an attacking midfielder and a defender," Allegri told reporters on Monday.
"Sneijder has tremendous technical quality and would complete an already very strong part of the team, creating competition for places.
"He wouldn't be able to play in the Champions League but we have to be realistic and see who is out there."