Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 2/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

Pic Courtesy of the Bleacher Report

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Nani after further accusations of the Portuguese winger being a consistent ‘simulator’.

He was criticised again following the Red Devils’ defeat against Tottenham on Saturday evening. But Sir Alex gave those allegations short shrift.

"As a subject it is not worth going down,” he said.

“We have known for quite a few years there are plenty of players diving and, you have to say, particularly foreign players. 

"Nani is not the type to dive. He has never been that type of player." 

United are set to be without four key players for tonight’s Champions League tie at CFR Cluj.

Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs are both suffering from illness, and have not been risked for the trip to Romania. 

Antonio Valencia missed the game against Spurs, and still hasn’t recovered from the ankle injury that kept him out, whilst Paul Scholes played 90 minutes in that game and the 37-year-old has been rested.

Meanwhile, QPR remain anchored to the foot of the Premier League table after being beaten 2-1 by West Ham last night.

Matt Jarvis gave the Hammers a dream start after three minutes, and Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the lead shortly before half-time.

The Hoops rallied after the break, and Adel Taraabt soon reduced the deficit. But it was not to be, and to rub salt into the wounds Samba Diakite was sent off late on after picking up a second yellow card. 

In a feisty encounter, West Ham received EIGHT bookings, and are likely to be fined up to £25k as a result of their ill-discipline.

Jimmy Bullard has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 33-year-old has suffered terrible luck with injuries in his career, including two cruciate knee injuries. And the former Wigan, Fulham and Hull City man has decided to call it a day.

"My old knee injury has never allowed me to get back to where I want to be as a football player," he said.

Bullard had signed a deal with MK Dons, and made three appearances this season.

While one midfielder bows out another makes his comeback, as Jack Wilshere had his first taste of football in over a year yesterday.

The 21-year-old played for an hour in Arsenal’s Development Team’s fixture against West Brom, as he makes his latest step on the road to recovery following an ankle injury.

 “I’m shattered,” was all he could say, in news that will delight Arsenal and England fans alike.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 20/9/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to. 

Pic courtesy of Totally Cool Pix

A debut double from Oscar was not enough for his new Chelsea team-mates, as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Juventus.

It was defensive lapses from Mikel and John Terry that allowed the Italian club to pinch a point in this Champions League Group E curtain raiser, after the £25 million Brazilian had given his side a two goal cushion.

A rare Michael Carrick strike was enough for Manchester United to claim a narrow 1-0 win against Galatasaray in Group H.

Despite the result it was a night to forget for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, for whom Nani missed a penalty, and the Turkish side will be disappointed not to have taken at least a point home with them.

They were denied a spot kick of their own when Nemanja Vidic bundled Umut Bulup to the ground, and went on to hit the woodwork three times. A close shave for United then, who will have been buoyed by the first appearance for eleven months of Darren Fletcher.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that his top goalscorer Demba Ba could leave the club in January.

The Senegalese marksman has a £7m buy-out clause in his contract, and talks over a new deal have yet to surface. Vultures from across Europe will be getting ready to swoop.

"There is that clause in his contract and it makes us vulnerable," Pardew said. "It's still open in the next window."

In the Championship, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday played out a rip-roaring Yorkshire derby, with the Terriers taking the plaudits 3-1.

Both sides were reduced to ten men in this feisty encounter, with the result seeing Simon Grayson’s men leap into sixth place.

Elsewhere, Leicester City beat Burnley 2-1 and Wolves took the spoils following a 2-0 win at Ipswich.

England women’s team qualified for the 2013 European Championships following their 3-0 victory over Croatia.

Hope Powell’s ladies secured automatic qualification with goals from their captain Casey Stoner, Eni Aluko and Jill Scott. They finished top of Group Six, following an exceptional campaign in which they remained unbeaten.