Borriello wants revenge to win over Juve fans

Marco Borriello has vowed to take revenge against those who protested against him during Sunday's 1-0 victory at Lecce and win over Juventus' fans.

Supporters held up a banner saying: "Borriello, a mercenary without honour or dignity."

That was an allusion to their belief that the 29-year-old turned down the opportunity to join the Old Lady of Turin a year ago when he left AC Milan for Roma.

But having now joined the Turin giants on loan, with a permanent eight million euro ($10.2m) deal lined up for the summer, Borriello wants to set the record straight.

"I was disappointed to see this banner at Lecce. In my life I've always conducted myself with dignity, both on and off the pitch, and I have a lot of respect for the Juve fans," he said.

"Milan decided to sell me after signing Ibra (Zlatan Ibrahimovic). Roma showed their interest straight away to buy me outright, while Juve were not in a position to do so.

"I have never boasted about turning down Juve and if today I have been given the opportunity to wear the black and white shirt, it's because I've always behaved in the right way.

"I want revenge and I want to show what I can do. I have five months to convince Juve and their fans."

Revenge is not just against those who have doubted him, though, as Borriello also has a point to prove to those who have discarded him.

Although he has played seven times for Italy and long been regarded one of the top forwards in the country, Borriello has twice already found himself surplus to requirements at a big club, first Milan and then Roma.

"I have a lot more to give than what I've done so far," he added.

"I've been a bit unlucky in my footballing life: I started playing seriously at Genoa, scoring 19 goals, but then the next season I was out injured for 10 months.

"Then I scored 15 goals in eight months but when I was establishing myself at Milan, Ibra arrived and two days later I decided to go to Roma with a five-year contract.

"Then they changed both coach and owners, and from one moment to the next I was no longer part of their project."

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Cox determined to keep place

Simon Cox has admitted he would love to remain at West Brom but is refusing to gamble on where his future may lie.

Striker Cox gave boss Roy Hodgson food for thought on Saturday by scoring a hat-trick to see Albion into the FA Cup fourth round thanks to a 4-2 win over npower Championship club Cardiff.

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He admitted last week he may have to consider leaving The Hawthorns to guarantee himself first-team football, and Cox claims he has had a conversation with Hodgson on Friday in which he was guaranteed a run of games in the side, saying: "It all sounded positive."

He added: "Let's hope what he says is right and I can stay in the team, but that comes from my performances, so hopefully I showed what I can do on Saturday and that has given him a headache.

"With the injuries we've got he said there could be a run of games for me at the moment, whether it be up top, on the left, the right or wherever. He said 'If you get the run of games, you've got to show what you can do'.

"That's all I've ever asked - to get three, four or five games on the bounce, not just go in for one and out for the next regardless of the result."

Cox, though, cannot rule out the prospect of moving on this month, and added: "Ideally, I'd love to be here. If I am here by February 1, I see myself being here at the end of the season, but it's not my choice, I don't know."

Cox's angst as to his future is understandable given he broke into the Republic of Ireland set-up last May and is now eager to secure a place in the squad for the Euro 2012 finals in June.

"This next six months is one of the biggest of my career so far," said Cox.

"I said to the gaffer on Friday that if I am to guarantee my place on that plane I feel I have to be as fit and as sharp as possible, and in as good form as possible."

Faurlin blow for Rangers

QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at MK Dons.

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The 25-year-old Argentinian was carried off on a stretcher after receiving lengthy treatment towards the end of Rangers' 1-1 draw at Stadium mk, leaving the visitors down to 10 men with all three substitutes having already been used.

He took to his Twitter account this evening to confirm the worst, and posted: "I just wanna let u know guys, its bad news for me I have rupture of the ACL,I'm out for the rest of the season! Really disappointed sad!"

He added: "Things never been easy for me! But for sure I will be back stronger!!I accept this test as professional and person as well!!"

Faurlin joined QPR in summer 2009 from Argentinian club Instituto and was voted player of the year by both players and supporters in his first campaign.

He then helped the club win promotion to the Barclays Premier League by winning the npower Championship last term.

Rangers lie 17th in the table, just one point and one place clear of the bottom three and having won only five of their 20 top-flight games this season - a run which earlier on Sunday evening cost manager Neil Warnock his job.

Henry to play in FA Cup clash against Leeds: Wenger

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry will make his second 'debut' for Arsenal during the FA Cup third-round clash against Leeds, more than 12 years since he made his first appearance for the club.

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Henry was registered in time for Monday's game at the Emirates, although Wenger is unsure whether the 34-year-old will start against their Championship opponents or come off the bench as he attempts to add to his 226 Arsenal goals.

The Frenchman is expected to receive a huge ovation from supporters following his six-and-a-half week loan deal from New York Red Bulls.

"It took a little while to get the paperwork done but finally it is done," Arsenal boss Wenger said. "He will be involved against Leeds but I haven't decided yet what I will do.

"He works hard, he is a bit behind physically of course. I think in one or two weeks he will be fine. Everybody is happy that he has joined the team."

It was only recently that Arsenal erected a statue to honour Henry's achievements with the club, with the striker moved to tears when it was unveiled before Christmas.

Wenger is confident Henry's legacy will not be tarnished by his second spell at the club.

"You cannot take away from people what they have done, and what he has delivered will stay forever," he said. "It can just make the statue a bit bigger, let's hope he will do that."

"He still has the quality. He is a bit less strong physically, because we all go down physically every day, nobody can stop that, you can only slow it down.

"Thierry had so many physical qualities, that he is still at a good level. His other quality was he always had a healthy life, he cared about his diet and usually these players go down as well, but less quickly than ones who do not do that."

Henry himself insists he is there to compliment the form of Robin van Persie, who has carried the club since the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Henry said: "Right now Robin is flying, I can be around and talk to him but he is doing what he does best: scoring goals.

"You don't want to disturb that, you want to help that and make sure you can give him some help.

"He went to the final of the World Cup and like the fans say, he scores when he wants. When the boss spoke to me about coming back, I wanted to make sure I didn't disturb the team that was in place.

"That was important to me, I am a fan don't forget that. The team did something incredible to come back to where they are right now, we are far from the first position but if you talk about what the team has done since (defeat at) Man United, they have done pretty well."

Van Persie is expected to be rested against Leeds, with fringe players given their chance following a busy Christmas schedule.

Meanwhile, Andros Townsend has more reason than most to want to dump Arsenal out at the first hurdle when Simon Grayson's Leeds side head to the Emirates Stadium.

Townsend, 20, is on loan from the Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham, having made an immediate impact by setting up the winner on his recent debut against Burnley to maintain the Yorkshire club's Championship promotion hopes.

The 20-year-old will have plenty of backing from family and friends in the stands, and the midfielder said: "It's a dream tie for Leeds and especially for me, being a Spurs boy. If I can score in that game, I can make myself a hero at White Hart Lane.

"All my family will be coming down and it's on the telly as well, so I've got a big chance to impress. I'm a big Spurs fan and it would be great to get one over the Gunners."

Fan bailed in Liverpool race row

A 20-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence during Liverpool's FA Cup clash with Oldham Athletic was bailed on Sunday.

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Oldham player Tom Adeyemi was allegedly abused by fans at Anfield's Kop end during Friday's third-round game, which Liverpool won 5-1.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, on Sunday confirmed he had spoken to Adeyemi and said "we can confirm that he was the victim of racist abuse".

"Tom has given a full witness statement to the Merseyside police regarding the incident and will continue to assist the police fully in their enquiries," added Taylor.

Adeyemi, who is on loan from Premier League side Norwich City, seemed to be in tears, and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard moved across to the corner of the ground where the incident occurred to comfort the 20-year-old.

A Liverpool statement issued Sunday, while apologising specifically to Adeyemi, insisted those responsible for the incident were not representative of the club as a whole.

"Whatever the outcome of what is now a police investigation, all of us are deeply sorry for what happened on Friday and our players and our club pass on our sincere regrets to Tom Adeyemi for the upset and distress he suffered as a result of the matter at hand," the statement said.

"Our supporters are renowned throughout the world for their outstanding commitment, passion and fairness. They are drawn from nationalities across the globe with widely diverse backgrounds and heritages.

"The actions of any one individual do not represent our fans. Their stance on these issues is just as resolute as the club's.

"Regarding the incident that occurred on Friday evening, we have given Merseyside police every possible assistance we can and will continue to provide the necessary support to their investigation in order to ensure this particular incident is dealt with properly.

"We will continue to take the strongest possible action(s) against unacceptable behaviour during our matches."

Friday's incident came with Liverpool on the defensive over their handling of the Luis Suarez affair, with the club reacting furiously after the Uruguay striker was banned for eight games and fined £40,000 ($62,000) for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

A report on The Guardian newspaper's website late on Friday cited witnesses saying Liverpool fans wearing Suarez T-shirts had racially abused Adeyemi.

Man City to appeal Kompany red card

Manchester City will appeal against the red card shown to captain Vincent Kompany in their 3-2 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United here on Sunday, manager Roberto Mancini confirmed.

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Kompany, with FA Cup holders City already 1-0 down, was sent off in the 12th minute at Eastlands after going in two-footed to take possession off Nani.

Although he won the ball cleanly, without appearing to make contact with Nani, the defender was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Foy for a two-footed challenge.

As the Ciy skipper has already been sent off for a straight red card offence once this season, he is facing a four-match ban unless he can get the red card card rescinded.

"We will appeal," said Mancini. "I am sure we will win."

This third round loss meant City's defence of the FA Cup lasted just one match but the Premier League leaders remain three points clear of second-placed defending champions United at the top of the table.

Macc hold on for Bolton replay

Macclesfield earned an FA Cup replay after a battling 2-2 draw against Barclays Premier League side Bolton.

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The Silkmen came from a goal down to lead 2-1 before David Wheater's header made it 2-2.

Macclesfield had trailed to Ivan Klasnic's close-range finish before Colin Daniel equalised, then Arnaud Mendy's stunning volley gave the home side the lead.

The tie was played against the background of the first anniversary of the death of Macclesfield's popular midfielder Richard Butcher, who died at the age of 29 from a rare heart condition.

Silkmen manager Gary Simpson, as he does for every match, wore the number 21 in memory of Butcher, as well as yellow socks in honour of Keith Alexander, who died in 2010 aged 53 when Simpson was his assistant at the Moss Rose stadium.

Macclesfield started brightly but the Premier League side took the lead in the seventh minute. The Silkmen's keeper Jose Veiga had done well to turn aside Chris Eagles' strike but from the following corner Klasnic pounced from close range after the home side failed to clear.

Macclesfield took the game to the visitors. And the pressure finally told in the 15th minute when George Donnelly burst down the left, found Daniel unmarked at the far side of the area and he kept his cool before burying a fierce low shot past Adam Bogdan.

In the 68th minute the game swung towards Macclesfield, and in stunning style. Wheater's attempted headed clearance failed to make any distance and, from 25 yards out Mendy flicked the ball up before producing a beautiful volley into the top corner.

The 21-year-old French-born Guinea-Bissau midfielder turned away in restrained celebration while his team-mates and most of the 5,757 inside the stadium went crazy.

Dreams of a famous victory proved short-lived however as Wheater headed Bolton back level 13 minutes from time. Martin Petrov's free-kick from the left was expertly delivered and Wheater held off his marker to head down and past a flat-footed Veiga.

Pardew purring after Ben Arfa wonder goal

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew led the praise for a wonder goal from France international Hatem Ben Arfa in their 2-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third round.

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"I've not seen a better individual goal," said Pardew after Ben Arfa went past several Blackburn players in a weaving run before powering a shot past Mark Benn.

"It's the greatest goal I've ever seen. You can volley into the corner or smash a goal from 40 yards, but to score a goal like that you need to be a special talent.

"It was an unbelievable goal and I'm really pleased for him because he's had a tough ride here with injuries, but showed today that hopefully Demba Ba won't be as sorely missed as we thought he might be."

Ben Arfa's remarkable contribution came after a week when he was quoted as having problems finding a role in Pardew's team, but the manager steered clear of any criticism of the former Paris St Germain player.

"I didn't have to clear the air with him. I thought his comments were spot-on. He understands this is a big agenda for him and he needs to do well here. At some other clubs it hasn't gone so well and he is doing everything in his power to do well here," he said.

"He's got to understand we are playing a high energy game and trying to fit him into that. There's a balance that's needed. You have to say he was outstanding in the second half when we moved him wider.

"There was a suggestion he didn't want to play wide, but he has to understand it's about the team and where we think he fits in best. His talent was there for all to see today.

"It's a great opportunity for him and he probably feels he could play for France. I know the France Federation are looking at him closely to see if he will emerge.

"He's got the talent as he showed today. Anybody who sees that goal will know he's a special player and you have to treat him in a special way sometimes."

Newcastle's other goal came in the dying seconds from Jonas Gutierrez after David Goodwillie put Blackburn ahead.

Pardew added: "Blackburn knocked us out of the Carling (League) Cup in the last minute, so it was nice to get this win."

The Newcastle manager also dealt with speculation linking Ba with Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp talked about last week.

Pardew said: "You don't want to talk about other players in the window and I'm sure he regrets it a little bit. He's a Newcastle player and has been brilliant for us and that's all I want to say about it."

Steve Kean, the Blackburn manager, was equally determined to deal with further speculation about the future of two of his players, Christopher Samba and Yakubu.

Kean said: "The message is simple - Yak is our player and performing very well. We bought him in the last transfer window and he's not for sale. He's very happy.

"Samba is our player and we want to keep him at the club. We want to add to the squad, not break it up. He's not for sale. He's seven or eight months into a five year contract and we feel he's a presence in both boxes.

"He's pulled us together when other defenders have been out injuured and is a big part of our future."

Neither played at St James Park as Blackburn were within 20 minutes of victory after Goodwillie's goal was accompanied by a gritty defensive display and a generous helping of good fortune.

Kean said: "We are disappointed we didn't see the game out or get a replay because the first half display merited it.

"First and foremost we wanted to get through to the next round and you could see that from the way we played in the first half.

Wolves, Birmingham in FA Cup stalemate

Birmingham and Wolves ground out a 0-0 draw to kick off a busy programme of FA Cup third round ties on Saturday.

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Premier League outfit Wolves struggled to gain the upper hand against their Midlands rivals from the Championship before a sparsely populated St Andrews.

Wolves could have snatched victory in the last minute of injury time only to be denied by a superb double save from Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

Doyle tipped a curling Matt Jarvis shot onto the post and then parried away Steven Fletcher's follow-up shot on the rebound as Birmingham clung on for a replay.

Liverpool had got the third round under way on Friday with a 5-1 victory over Oldham at Anfield.

In other matches on Saturday, League Two Cheltenham travel to high-flying Tottenham dreaming of an upset while non-league Tamworth head to Goodison Park to face Everton.

The pick of the third round ties falls on Sunday, when holders Manchester City take on bitter rivals Manchester United at Eastlands, with Arsenal entertaining Leeds on Monday.