Carlos Tévez hopes he can repay the support offered to him by Manchester City's fans during the ordeal of the birth of his second daughter by continuing the rich seam of form which has taken Roberto Mancini's side to the brink of Champions League qualification.
Carlos Tevez says he wants to repay Manchester City's fans for the support they gave him during the birth of his second child.
Tévez's first campaign on the sky blue side of Manchester was interrupted by his emergency return to Argentina in February to be with his wife, Vanesa, after the premature birth of Katie, the couple's second child.
City granted the player indefinite compassionate leave but struggled in his absence, failing to win any of the four games the Argentine international missed, while it was suggested Tévez's relationship with Mancini had become strained because of the striker's failure to keep the club aware of his plans.
Tévez's ardent supporters in the stands, though, have backed the striker regardless, and it is a loyalty which the player is keen to reward.
"I have a great feeling for the supporters of City and I want to win for them," he said. "The best way to thank them for their support is by scoring goals for them. All the goals I have scored are for the fans and the team. It feels great to be here and get all of this support when I go on the pitch."
The former Manchester United forward's blistering 14-minute hat-trick against Wigan on Monday night sent City to within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham in the race to reach the Champions League and brought his own personal tally to 25 for the season, equalling his first campaign at Corinthians, the most prolific of his career.
"I am in really good form and I am playing the way I want to play," he said.
"I am very happy with 25 goals I have scored so far but I still want to get more goals. But the most important thing is to achieve fourth place for the team."
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Chelsea and Tottenham are eyeing up a £13m move for Everton's Steven Pienaar following rumours that the midfielder wants to play Champions League football. Caughtoffside.com
Liverpool are planning an audacious move for Real Madrid striker Raul and want the 32-year-old to partner fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres up front. Caughtoffside.com
Albert Riera's proposed switch from Liverpool to Spartak Moscow has stalled after the 27-year-old winger failed to agree personal terms. Daily Mail
Blackburn are ready to sign striker Aruna Dindane in a £2m deal - and let him play on for Portsmouth to save his FA Cup and World Cup dreams. Daily Mirror
Chelsea midfielder Deco could be on his way to Fluminese. The Brazilian side are trying to get the 32-year-old midfielder on the cheap but Corinthians and Flamingo are also interested. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are checking out Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto and may try to prise him away from Serie A side Catania with a £9m bid. Caughtoffside.com
Bolton manager Owen Coyle wants midfielder Jack Wilshere, 18, to stay for another season following a string of impressive performances since moving on loan from Arsenal in January.
Daily Star
WAG OF THE DAY
http://www.maxim.co.uk/girls/celebrity/ ... zanni.html
OTHER BOLLOX
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is not leaving Villa Park and instead has held a crunch meeting with his players in which he demanded a vast improvement after their 7-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. Daily Mirror
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell is set to sign a new four-and-a-half-year deal with the Toffees, earning him £25,000 a week. The news will disappoint Manchester United and Chelsea, who have had their eyes on the 19-year-old. Daily Mirror
Blackburn midfielder Martin Olsson will not be charged with improper conduct, despite admitting that he dived to win his side a penalty against Burnley on Sunday. Daily Mail
West Ham's joint-chairman David Sullivan is in Dubai seeking new investment in the club. The Sun
Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has had a ticking-off - not from boss Rafael Benitez but his English teacher. The Italian, who joined the Merseyside club from Roma eight months ago, said: "I'm not having regular lessons at the moment. At first I did but it has been difficult more recently and my English teacher is angry about this." The Sun
