Frank Lampard has revealed he spent much of 2013 "fully expecting" to leave Chelsea this summer, but insisted that he would never have signed for another Premier League side. GettyImagesFrank Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2001 • Blog: Blues wave Rafa goodbye Lampard, 34, who broke the club's all-time scoring record and signed a new one-year contract extension with the Blues earlier this month, admitted he had all but given up hope of prolonging his stay at Stamford Bridge. Yet the club's attitude towards his future changed over the last couple of weeks and the midfielder is delighted to have signed a new deal. Manchester United were strongly linked with a move to sign Lampard if he were to leave Chelsea, yet any notion
Football Update
United look forward after Ferguson says goodbye
Robin van Persie said Manchester United were already looking to the future after Sir Alex Ferguson closed the book on his 26-and-a-half-year managerial tenure with an incredible 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.The madcap game brought Ferguson's long, record-breaking reign to a breathless climax and meant United finished the season 11 points above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.United will begin life under new manager David Moyes on 1 July and despite sadness at Ferguson's departure, Van Persie said he and his fellow players were already plotting their assault on next season's silverware."That's our standard for this team. This is a great team and, hopefully, we can go for even more trophies. I'm sure we
Deportivo climb out of bottom three
RC Deportivo La Coruña climbed out of the Liga relegation zone with a 2-0 victory against RCD Espanyol, lifting themselves ahead of Real Zaragoza, who suffered a late 2-1 loss to Athletic Club.Bruno Gama put Deportivo ahead with a powerful, curling shot from outside the area on 50 minutes, and Nélson Oliveira sealed the result in added time with a lobbed effort on the counterattack.That hauled the hosts up into 17th spot and a point clear of Zaragoza, but their rivals responded by taking a 14th-minute lead through Hélder Postiga against Athletic. Fernando Llorente levelled the scores with ten minutes to go, however, and Ibai Gómez left Zaragoza floored with a last-gasp winner.Also on Sunday, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid recorded
Kenwright: Everton close to appointment
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says he is closing in on his preferred candidates to replace David Moyes as manager. PA PhotosBill Kenwright has a certain type of manager in mind to replace David Moyes • O'Farrell: Moyes' best XI• Moyes to advise on successor Moyes will leave Goodison Park this summer after 11 years to take over as Manchester United manager. A number of names have been linked to the role including Roberto Martinez, Neil Lennon, Malky Mackay and Gus Poyet. There are also reports that Kenwright could promote from within, with captain Phil Neville and coaches David Weir, Steve Round, Duncan Ferguson and Alan Stubbs all in the frame. In an interview with the Sunday People, Kenwright is quoted as saying that he is "not too
Maccabi Tel-Aviv capture 19th Israeli crown
Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC's ten-year drought is over after they clinched their 19th Israeli championship with a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon FC.The Ramat Gan Stadium was full to its 40,000 capacity with Maccabi fans hoping to cheer their side over the line; any nerves were salved with Israel Under-21 midfielder Dor Micha's 19th-minute opener. Rada Prica's strike 12 minutes from time sealed a win that leaves Óscar García's men with an unassailable 13-point advantage over Maccabi Haifa FC with four games remaining.It ends a barren decade for the Yellows and underlines their status as the most decorated club in Israel. It also rewards the new philosophy installed by Mitchell Goldhar, the Canadian owner who made wholesale changes
Kellerman hails Wolfsburg scorers, Arsenal reflect
VfL Wolfsburg secured a 2-0 UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first-leg win at Arsenal LFC and coach Ralf Kellerman praised the goalscoring knack of Conny Pohlers and the loyalty of Martina Müller after their strikes proved decisive. Arsenal defender Gilly Flaherty was disappointed with her own and the team's performance, but manager Shelley Kerr is staying positive.Shelley Kerr, Arsenal managerThe positives are that we created a lot of chances. We created four or five chances that perhaps could have turned into goals. We need to be focused, disciplined and at our best in the away leg. But we are extremely positive as a club and that's what we'll do for the return leg.We responded really well [to the early Wolfsburg
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal must hold nerve
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his players they have to hold their nerve to claim a top-four spot in the Premier League. GettyImagesArsenal celebrate Lukas Podolski's goal • Blog: Substitutes help save lacklustre Arsenal The Gunners jumped into third spot on the table after a late three-goal salvo claimed a valuable 3-1 win against Norwich City on Saturday. However, the north London club is only a solitary point above its rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, while Everton remain in the hunt a further three points adrift. And with Chelsea holding a game advantage over Wenger's men, the race for a spot in next season's Champions League is expected to go right down to the wire. However, Wenger said the club's current position on the table was of