Sports Quotes - John Giles

"Pele wasn't as gifted as George Best and I would definitely put George above Johan Cruyff because he had more heart,"

Johnny Giles

Manchester United, Leeds United, Republic of Ireland

Related articles

• Postscript: Johan Cruyff, Total Footballer (newyorker.com)
• Johan Cruyff dies after battle with cancer (dailypost.ng)
• The director of Football Manager talks about the game (Audio) (101greatgoals.com)
• International round-up: Olivier Giroud scores as France beat Holland 3-2 in Amsterdam (mirror.co.uk)
• Johan Cruyff passes away: Twitter tributes (sportsmole.co.uk)

Clarke Returns to Collect Rogers Points

West Brom stunned 10-man Liverpool with a resounding 3-0 victory to mark the start of the Steve Clarke era in style at the Hawthorns.

A superb strike from Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie's penalty, plus a header from on-loan newcomer Romelu Lukaku made it a miserable day for new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool had defender Daniel Agger sent off early in the second half and looked a shambles at the back in the final half hour.

Liverpool's day was summed up by striker Luis Suarez, who could have had a hat trick before Liverpool was swept aside after Agger's dismissal.

Albion, who also saw Shane Long miss a penalty, got to grips with the midfield area with James Morrison as an inspirational figure.

But for Rodgers, this was a reminder that there is much work to do before Liverpool re-emerges as a potent force.

West Brom took the lead after 42 minutes. Glen Johnson was booked for a foul on Peter Odemwingie and, though Reid's free-kick was deflected wide, the resulting corner led to the deadlock being broken.

Morrison's cross was headed away by Skrtel but Gera seized on the ball and in an instant flashed an unstoppable rising shot past Pepe Reina from 20 yards out.

The Reds were reduced to 10 men after 58 minutes when Agger pulled back Long just inside the box only for the Republic of Ireland striker's weak spot-kick to be saved by Pepe Reina.

But referee Phil Dowd awarded another penalty when he adjudged that Skrtel had tripped Long.

This time Odemwingie took the spot-kick and hammered the ball past past Reina.

Albion started brightly and Liam Ridgewell was only just too high with a 20-yard drive while Long's chip flew over the bar after he dispossessed Lucas Leiva.

But the first save of note came from Baggies keeper Ben Foster who parried away a powerful 20-yard drive from Suarez after a weaving run.

The home side were fortunate to win a free-kick when Long stumbled over Martin Skrtel, but Steven Reid was unable to take advantage as his set piece was deflected wide.

Suarez looked sharp and turned inside Gareth McAuley before forcing another save out of Foster.

He should have scored after half an hour when heading over from the edge of the six yard box after attacking a Glen Johnson cross.

Suarez's frustration boiled over in first half injury-time when he was yellow carded for dissent.

Liverpool started the second half on the offensive and Suarez floated a free-kick wide after being brought down on the edge of the box by Youssouf Mulumbu.

But the Baggies weathered the initial storm and doubled their lead from the second of two penalties awarded them in the space of six minutes.

Suarez later missed a golden chance when he shot over from six yards after Foster had dropped a Steven Gerrard corner.

But Albion was now carving chances at will and Morrison shot wide with the goal at his mercy before Lukaku put the icing on the cake for Albion after 77 minutes.

Mulumbu's shot was deflected into the path of Ridgewell and his lovely lob to the back post was headed in at the far post by the on-loan Chelsea player.

Clarke Takes Baggies Front Seat

Steve Clarke has been appointed West Bromwich Albion's new manager, replacing the departed Roy Hodgson

This is the first time that Clarke has taken on the managerial role, other than on a caretaker basis in the past.

"I'm delighted to welcome Steve to the club," Wets Bromwich Albion's sporting & technical director, Dan Ashworth, told the club's official website.

"We firmly believe we have appointed the right man to keep the club moving forward.

"After Roy was appointed as England manager, we cast the net far and wide to identify the most suitable candidate to fill his shoes.

"From the outset, we decided to pursue candidates who are renowned for their coaching ability and Steve was very much at the forefront of our thoughts because of the clubs he has worked at and the high regard he is held in within the game.

"After holding talks with Steve, he emerged as the outstanding candidate."

Clarke moved to Anfield in January 2011 following spells at Newcastle,Chelsea and West Ham.

A two year deal has been agreed.

It Could be Ralf at Hawthorns

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Hodgson in 4 Year England Deal

Roy Hodgson appointed England manager on a four-year contract.

Steven Reid Signs New Deal

West Brom defender Steven Reid has signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at the Hawthorns until the summer of 2014, the club have confirmed.

Reid's current deal was due to run out this summer although the club could have exercised a 12-month option which was in their favour.

But the new deal is a reward for the form Reid displayed before recently undergoing ankle surgery which has sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

Former Republic of Ireland international Reid, 31, has operated in midfield for the majority of his career, but he has been successfully converted into a right-back by the Baggies and played a major part in them becoming established in the Premier League.

Reid initially joined West Brom on a month's loan from Blackburn towards the tail-end of the 2009/10 season when they sealed promotion from the Championship.

He completed a permanent switch to Albion that summer when he also announced his retirement from international football after winning 23 caps.

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Tears for Fears for Baggies Visit

Tears have been a recurring theme in Manchester City's Premier League title race collapse 

and on Wednesday evening they will aim to avoid any more emotional moments when hosting West Brom.

City fan John Millington was pictured seemingly turning on the water works after the momentum-shifting defeat by Swansea in March, although he later denied he was sobbing at the Liberty Stadium.

But England defender Micah Richards has been less embarrassed to admit he has wanted to cry since defending champions Manchester United overtook City and opened an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

In fact, should City lose to West Brom and then on Saturday suffer defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road, United would regain their league crown if they pick up victories at Wigan, also on Wednesday, and then at the weekend collect another three points against Aston Villa.

It has been a monumental collapse from Roberto Mancini's City after initially remaining unbeaten in the Premier League until mid-December and Mario Balotelli's antics and the departure and eventual return of Carlos Tevez are just some of the reasons.

Sunday's defeat at Arsenal was the latest setback and West Brom will kick-off at Etihad Stadium with the hope of piling more misery on City, especially with Roy Hodgson refusing to allow his players to relax despite as good as securing top-flight football for another season.

A 3-0 success against beleaguered Blackburn on Saturday moved the Baggies onto 39 points and they are 11 points clear of the drop zone with six games left to play, with a top-half finish still not completely unachievable.

But City have been a force to be reckoned with at the Etihad in the league before their last home outing against Sunderland saw them drop points for the first time this season.

City, who have scored two or more goals against all but one of their last 17 visitors, are expected to be without Yaya Toure against West Brom, but the Ivorian is expected to return to face Norwich.

The midfielder hobbled out of City's defeat by Arsenal last Sunday with a knee injury after just 15 minutes.

But there is better news on David Silva, who was forced to sit out last weekend's trip to Emirates Stadium, and Mancini expects the Spaniard to face the Baggies.

Balotelli is suspended after his red card against Arsenal, but the controversial Italian avoided further punishment after the Football Association decided not to act on his studs-up challenge on Alex Song.

Hodgson, who has been full of praise for City, will be without captain and midfielder Chris Brunt and left-back Liam Ridgewell due to knee problems.

Paul Scharner and Nicky Shorey will be in contention to replace the duo.

Hodgson Relives Solbakken Collapse

Roy Hodgson says Fabrice Muamba's collapse last weekend stirred painful memories of when one of his own players suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.

Current West Brom head coach Hodgson was in charge of FC Copenhagen when midfielder Stale Solbakken, then aged 33, collapsed during a training session.

Hodgson said the former Norway international was pronounced "clinically dead" but eventually made a full recovery although it marked the end of his career.

Parallel

The manager said: "When I was at FC Copenhagen, exactly the same thing happened as with Muamba. It was a complete parallel.

"His heart stopped, he was clinically dead for a period of time. It happened on the training ground and we feared the worst when he left the training ground.

"As has happened at Bolton with Owen Coyle, the club shut down for three days.

"We had three days desperately waiting to hear news, what was going to happen, and when he was eventually going to be woken from the coma, what we would find?

"We waited to find if he would be fully recovered or had some major defect as a result of his heart stopping for that period of time.

"I remember how relieved and happy we all were when Stale woke up and started talking and the doctors told us there was no brain damage and he would be fit again.

"I am pleased to say Stale completely recovered 100% and has gone onto be a very successful coach and I only hope it is the same with Fabrice."

Hodgson added: "Stale didn't play again. Fabrice is a lot younger. Stale was 33 at the time. He had the pace-maker fitted but didn't play again on doctor's advice. That might not happen with Fabrice who is a lot younger.

"With Fabrice I know no more than what I hear on the news, but it all seems very positive and we are all very happy about that.

"Having experienced that myself, albeit in a training session, I can assure you it is not an experience you want.

"It is an experience which is a very chastening one and whenever people's lives are in danger in football, it makes you question where football really is in the grander scheme of things."

Ridgewell Moves Across Town

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of defender Liam Ridgewell from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Hawthorns, with the option of an extra year.

Ridgewell is not eligible to play in West Brom's Premier League trip to Fulham on Wednesday.

"Liam is a very experienced defender and has the added benefit of being left-sided," said Baggies manager Roy Hodgson.

"We do not have many of those defenders at the club. He can also play in two positions [left-back and centre-back] and he is used to playing in teams under pressure to get results to stay in the league.

"We hope we won't be one of those teams under pressure," Hodgson added. "But if we are, it is good to have someone of that experience."

Ridgewell made 152 league appearances for Birmingham after joining from neighbours Aston Villa for £2m in August 2007.

But he made it clear last summer he wanted to leave the Blues after handing in a transfer request.

He helped Birmingham to Carling Cup success last season, but was keen to return to the Premier League following the Blues' relegation last May.