Luiz: Critics don't get me down

Chelsea defender David Luiz insists he will not let criticism affect him - as he has endured much worse in his life than fans' abuse.

Luiz has been made one of the scapegoats for the Blues' stuttering season, with the errors he has made forever being highlighted.

But the the man who arrived from Benfica for a reported £26.5million just over a year ago enjoyed one of his best days in a Chelsea shirt in Saturday's 3-0 win over Bolton.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring with what is fast becoming a trademark goal and, more importantly, helped Chelsea keep a clean sheet.

Luiz was raised in the unforgiving Sao Paulo satellite town of Diadema and left home at 14 after being told by his local club he was not big enough to be a footballer.

His 1,200-mile move to Esporte Club Vitoria on Brazil's north-east coast forced his parents into debt, so the flak he has taken this season pales into comparison to his previous problems.

Luiz said: "The guys who have never touched a ball can't kill me. This is impossible.

"Because I know my life when I didn't have anything, I know my life when my family needed me a lot.

"I know my life when I left home at 14 years of age and I told them 'I will come back one day and give you a good life'."

Luiz admitted criticism was "normal" when a team produced a winless run like the one Chelsea ended on Saturday.

He added: "I play in a big team and when a big doesn't win for five games or six games, the pressure's so, so big.

"I believe in my job, I believe in my work every day, I believe in me.

"I know my football, I know my personality."

Luiz refused to take credit for what was only Chelsea's third clean sheet at home in the league under Andre Villas-Boas.

He told Chelsea TV: "All the players defended well, not just David, not just (Gary) Cahill, not just Ashley (Cole) or Ivo (Branislav Ivanovic) - all the team defended well.

"This is needed for the rest of the games.

"I want now a clean sheet for the next game."

Some of Luiz's critics have suggested he should be moved from defence to midfield, where he learnt his trade before converting to a centre-back seven years ago.

But manager Villas-Boas said: "I think he has excellent central-defender characteristics and we will continue to promote him in that position."

Giggs: I look forward to next season

After hitting the 900-game mark for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs has expressed his desire to continue playing for at least another season.

The Welsh player told manutd.com that he is enjoying his time on the field for now, and he can still see himself playing for the Red Devils next season.

"I'm enjoying my football more than ever. The club want me to carry on so I want to carry on. I'm hungry and still want to play. I look forward to next season - hopefully after winning something this season." Giggs said.

Having been a Manchester United fan since boyhood, the winger shared his pride in achieving the 900-game landmark at the club, a record he never expected to attain when he first donned the Red Devils kit.

"To play 900 games for Manchester United is obviously something to be proud of. When you start off, you just set yourself little goals - to get into the team and obviously to stay in the team."

"Then you get a little bit greedy and want to win things, and then win more things. I don't think you ever envisage you're going to play that many games."

Taking pointers from team mate Paul Scholes' recent reversal on football retirement, Giggs has revealed that he still requires more time before deciding when he would call an end to his playing career.

"Seeing how much Scholesy missed it and seeing him now enjoying training and games, and playing so well, that is something I've got to think of as well," he concluded.

Giggs will be hoping to take the field this Sunday at White Hart Lane when Manchester United clash with Tottenham in their Premier League fixture.

Rooney inspired by Fergie

Striker hails manager's influence ahead of title run-in

Wayne Rooney: Striker insists Sir Alex Ferguson will guide Manchester United to their 20th title

Sir Alex Ferguson is the key to Manchester United retaining their Premier League title, according to talismanic striker Wayne Rooney.

The footballing knight has steered the famous club to an impressive haul of major honours including 12 championships since joining in 1986.

And with this year's race set to go down to the wire, with his side sitting two points adrift of bitter rivals City, Rooney insists Ferguson will give United the edge.

"He is a great manager," Rooney told Fifa's official website. "He knows which players he can speak to and which players he can shout at, if he needs to.

Mentality

"He knows how the players react and how to get the best out of them. That's important especially in this day and age.

"His mentality for the game, his commitment and desire are obviously things that the players try and take on themselves.

"For me personally, he's been brilliant. He is a great leader for our team.

"We are only a couple of points behind and we have a lot of games to go. We are confident that we can push on now, and start being a bit more consistent towards the end of the season."

Enrique cools Barca talk

Spaniard wants to see out Roma contract

Luis Enrique: Has cooled talk tipping him as Guardiola's successor

Roma coach Luis Enrique has played down speculation he could succeed Pep Guardiola as Barcelona boss should he leave Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Guardiola has been linked with a potential exit from Barca in the summer when his current deal expires, with the Spaniard yet to pen new terms with Primera Liga giants.

Former Barcelona player Enrique has been tipped as a possible successor but the 41-year-old insists he wants to see out his Roma contract, which runs until 2013.

"I'll stay Roma until the end of my deal," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I live in the present.
"After Roma I don't know whether I'll leave football or go elsewhere.

"The only thing I know for sure is, should Roma want me, I'll stay here until the end of my contract."
Ex-Spain international Enrique formerly coached Barcelona's B side before taking over at Roma last year.

He notched up over 200 appearances for the Catalan club during his playing days, and also spent five years at fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Primera Liga round-up

Ronaldo keeps up Real Madrid's title charge

Cristiano Ronaldo: Notched a stunning backheel as Real Madrid won again

Cristiano Ronaldo's brilliant backheel saw Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid win again, while Barcelona, Osasuna, Real Sociedad and Sevilla also claimed victories.

Rayo Vallecano were left to rue a glut of missed opportunities as Ronaldo's backheel earned Real Madrid a 1-0 victory at Vallecas to notch a seventh consecutive league victory.

Piti struck the post and Michu was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Sergio Ramos in the first half.
The hosts were then made to pay as Ronaldo skilfully backheeled in from 10 yards on 54 minutes after Rayo had failed to clear Mesut Ozil's corner.

Michu missed another great chance when he blazed over after being played in by Diego Costa, and his day was summed up a minute from time when he was sent off for a tackle from behind on Sami Khedira.

Second-placed Barcelona won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid to remain 10 points adrift.
Lionel Messi had a goal disallowed before Dani Alves put the visitors ahead on 36 minutes.
Falcao equalised for the hosts four minutes after the re-start but Messi won it with nine minutes remaining.

Goals by Gary Medel and Jesus Navas saw Sevilla come from behind to claim a surprise 2-1 victory at Valencia.

Tino Costa put the hosts ahead in the 25th minute before Medel equalised nine minutes before the break.

Navas then secured victory for Michel's team with a goal on 70 minutes as they claimed their second successive win.

Narrow victory

Javad Nekounam and Dejan Lekic scored twice in three first-half minutes as Osasuna earned a narrow 2-1 victory over Granada.

Nekounam and Lekic pounced in the 26th and 29th minutes, although Mikel Rico pulled one back just a minute later.

Francisco Punal was then sent off for the hosts for a second bookable offence with 16 minutes remaining but Osasuna held out for the win.

Defeat brought to a halt Granada's recent improvement under Abel Resino while Osasuna kept up the pressure for the European places.

Substitute Nilmar scored a vital equaliser 23 minutes from time as Villarreal came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao.

In a thrilling encounter that swung one way and then the other, it was the hosts who started the brighter and went ahead on 10 minutes thanks to Marcos Senna's wonderful free-kick.

Marcelo Bielsa introduced Fernando Llorente at half-time and the Spain international brought Athletic level with a calm header at the back post before the visitors took the lead on the counter-attack as Markel Susaeta broke clear to slot past Diego Lopez.

Villarreal levelled immediately, though, as Gorka Iraizoz spilled Alejandro Martinuccio's shot and Nilmar nipped in to side-foot home just his third goal of the season.

Real Sociedad climbed above Real Mallorca in the standings as Imanol Agirretxe's late winner earned a 1-0 victory for the hosts at the Anoeta.

Agirretxe lashed into the top-left corner in the 79th minute to settle the match in Sociedad's favour, lifting the hosts to 13th in the table - two points ahead of their visitors.

Villas-Boas fears sack

Under-fire Chelsea boss sees comparisons to Ancelotti dismissal

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed for the first time his fear that the 'cultural pattern' at Chelsea could continue and he could be sacked.

Villas-Boas has repeatedly insisted he retains the full backing of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, but has now confessed to the first seeds of doubt about whether he would keep his job.

Speculation has been rife over the future of Villas-Boas during what is currently Chelsea's worst season since Abramovich joined the club in 2003.

Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton ended a miserable run of five games without a win and four victories from 14, easing the pressure on Villas-Boas.

Behaviour

In an interview with Portuguese radio station TSF which took place two days earlier but which was only broadcast on Monday, the 34-year-old reiterated he felt he retained the "confidence" of Abramovich.

But he compared his situation to that of Carlo Ancelotti, who the Russian sacked at the end of a trophyless season in May.

"We are now in the exact same moment as last year," Villas-Boas said. "It is an exact copy. "The pattern of behaviour of the owner has led to a (manager's) downfall in similar situations or even 'better' situations.

"What will be the reaction? It will be one of the two, a continuation of the project and full support or just the cultural pattern that has happened before. We don't know."

Parker named player of the year

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker has expressed his pride at being voted England's Player of the Year.

The award, voted for by England fans, follows a year when Parker cemented his place in the national side, featuring in seven of their nine games, during which time he has suddenly become one of the most important components.

Indeed, behind Steven Gerrard, the 31-year-old - who was sent off in Sunday's North London derby defeat at Arsenal - is currently second favourite to succeed John Terry as Three Lions skipper. Parker succeeds Ashley Cole in winning the award and confirmed how proud he felt at the accolade.

"It's a great honour," he said. "Just looking at the names that are on the trophy, it's quite an achievement. It's a proud moment for me, I'm delighted.

"When you feel the fans are appreciating what you've done, it's extra special. It's been a good year for me at international level so I'm delighted the fans have picked me."

Impact Parker took 17 per cent of the 15,000 votes cast, with Joe Hart second and Ashley Young third, the FA confirmed on its website. Ignored for so long, Parker suffered the ignominy of being axed from Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad without playing in either of the two warm-up games against Mexico and Japan.

So, when he was introduced as a half-time substitute in the friendly against Denmark just over 12 months ago, he realised it was probably his last chance. His impact was so great he started the vital Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Wales a month later, since when he has never looked back.

"I don't think I ever lost hope that I could make it at international level," he said. "I crammed in a lot in one year. I realised time was ticking. "The Denmark game was pivotal. I came on for 45 minutes and then I got a start against Wales in a big game [and that] was massive for me.

I played in [midfield] with Jack [Wilshere] and Frank [Lampard] and we got a great result. It ended up being a great game. Exciting "From there I played a lot more games. It was a very exciting year for me internationally and I'm looking forward to more action.

"It's a proud moment every time I pull on the England shirt. It's something I've always wanted to do, whenever I was playing outside, whenever I was playing at the park with my mates it was always England you try to emulate and try to be."

Parker singles out Wilshere as someone who had a good 2011, although the midfielder's injury problems derailed him in the summer.

However, Parker believes goalkeeper Hart has the greatest reason to be aggrieved that he won the award. "Joe Hart stood out," he said.
"He's a fantastic 'keeper and he has done exceptionally well. "I'm sure he [Wilshere] will be a future winner but Joe Hart stands out as a player who has done really well."

Villas-Boas targets incredible Hulk

CHELSEA boss Andre Villas-Boas has made Brazilian striker Hulk his top summer transfer target.

The burly hitman was part of Villas-Boas' Porto side that won the quadruple in Portugal last season.

And with Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this campaign, Hulk could be set for a reunion with his old manager.

Villas-Boas said: "We have Kalou and Malouda, both of whom are nearing the end of their contracts, while Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge are the future.

"As such, there will surely be a place to fill and I see room for an explosive player on the wing, someone who is strong in one-on-one situations and Hulk fits that profile."

However, Porto are desperate to hang on to their prized asset, with president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa slapping a whopping £85million fee on Hulk's head.

Fergie: Giggs and Scholes are simply the best

ALEX FERGUSON insists Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are the best players in Manchester United's history. The veteran midfielders defied the ageing process by scoring at Norwich.

Scholes, 37, headed the first and Giggs, 38, grabbed a last-gasp winner on his 900th appearance for the club.

Boss Fergie said: "Scholes and Giggs are the best players this club has ever had. Given the career Ryan has had, to score the winning goal with the last kick of the game... I think he deserved that.

"We could have played him against Ajax on Thursday but this game was more important and I knew we would need all our experienced players and Ryan and Scholesy in particular. "That experience is really going to help us in the next couple of months.

"We won't get nervous, that's for sure. We're used to being in this situation. "You saw that when we conceded an equaliser. How did we react? We started playing again and got the winner." Giggs will celebrate the 21st anniversary of his United debut this Friday.

The Welshman said: "It's a great day for me personally — 900 games for United is a real honour and to score the winner as well... it doesn't get any better than that. "I first scored at Norwich in the first season of the Premier League but this one feels even better.

"It's always great to score the winning goal and I have to make sure I savour days like this." Ferguson was far from happy with the way his team almost allowed Manchester City to hold a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Grant Holt's 83rd-minute goal looked to have earned the Canaries a draw and it needed Giggs' late strike to give United victory.

Ferguson added: "Everyone knows we never give in. No matter who plays us, they know they will have to battle right to the death. "But we were lucky because Norwich were the better team. "They had a lot of thrust about them, they were determined and kept crossing the ball into our box."

David de Gea starred in goal and Fergie insisted: "We always knew he had the potential. But this game was confirmation of how good he's going to be."

Norwich boss Paul Lambert was gutted to lose at the death and said: "A kick in the teeth? More like a kick in another region.

"United have been doing this for 25 years and this week it's our turn to take our medicine. "We were running on empty at the end and it shows you how far this club has come in two years that we're disappointed at losing in the final minute to Manchester United."

Scholes’ title target

PAUL SCHOLES believes Manchester United must win every remaining match to retain the title.

United are two points behind Manchester City, who they meet three games before the end of the season. So maximum points will do the title trick.

Ryan Giggs hit a dramatic last-minute clincher at Norwich on Sunday.

And Scholes, 37, said: "There is no doubt we had to win and we realise we may have to win every game to win the league."