Monday's B*ll*x (updated)

[Chinners]

Nigel de Jong says half-time row inspired Manchester City at Wembley
Nigel de Jong said a half-time confrontation inspired his side's second-half performance against Manchester United. Manchester City's victory against Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final was inspired by a dressing-room row between the players at half-time. The City midfielder Nigel de Jong said that the players had confronted each other over a sluggish first-half performance, inspiring a vastly improved second-half display that secured the club's first appearance in the FA Cup final for 30 years.
"I won't give you the details but, obviously, everybody wants to win," said De Jong. "And sometimes you come face to face with each other. It happened in the dressing room and it is just a small thing. But it keeps the fire alive. Everyone wants to win the main prizes and we showed a great spirit in the second half. The belief has always been there. Obviously we've had our ups and downs and that's normal for a team that wants to progress. But in the second half we showed that belief. We came out of the dressing room and dominated United."
City now have an opportunity to win their first major title since the 1976 League Cup and, in the process, truly begin to transform the general perception of the club. The League Cup claimed for Chelsea by José Mourinho in 2005 is regarded as the catalyst for the flurry of honours which followed, with the Premier League's latest nouveaux riches hoping to generate similar momentum.
Yet while De Jong said that the eye-catching victory over United would serve as a "statement" of intent in terms of City's development, he also warned his team-mates that their season would be a failure if qualification for the Champions League was not achieved. City could be in fifth place, behind Tottenham Hotspur, by the time they resume their Premier League campaign at Blackburn in a week's time, with a potentially critical fixture against Harry Redknapp's team still to come at Eastlands.
"We put a statement out there for the other teams but for the club as well," said De Jong. "It's a big step forwards for us. Everyone has been talking about City spending all this money and seeking out prizes, and now we're only one game away from winning our first silverware. For me, the guys are hungry but you've got to start somewhere in feeding that hunger. We did that against United.
"Now we must make a final push to take this club forward and make it happen. United have so many prizes but City is a big club as well. And now you have two clubs in Manchester dominating two of the competitions [the FA Cup and Premier League]. History is a big part of this club but we are trying to change that history.
"But we just have to maintain our focus now. Our main goal this season was a top-four finish. This result will give us a big boost in confidence for the last six games of the season. We have to take a Champions League place because, otherwise, winning the FA Cup would all be for nothing. We can't just have one. We have to go for both. We can enjoy having reached the FA Cup final, but we have to focus on finishing in the top four too because we have important games to play."
Yet, even given the reality that qualification for Europe's elite competition is the principal target, there were acknowledgements of the urgent need to end City's trophy drought. "It's about winning that first one," said the midfielder Gareth Barry. "The first's always the most difficult, but maybe more will follow. It's a massive moment for the club to reach the final. That was the perfect team performance."
The goalscorer on Saturday, Yaya Touré echoed those sentiments and dedicated the victory to his brother, Kolo, who was present at Wembley but is suspended pending a hearing into a failed drugs test.
"It's been very hard for Kolo and has been for me and all our family," said the midfielder. "I came to Manchester City to play with him and win something. I've won trophies with other clubs but I've always wanted to win something playing alongside him. He's still in some trouble, but he is a strong guy. His mentality is strong. I am very sad for him, but this if for him, the fans and the club."

Vieira eyes famous five as Manchester City midfielder targets FA Cup triumph
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira is relishing the prospect of winning a fifth FA Cup medal.
Vieira, 34, won the famous tournament with the Gunners in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Now he is hoping to add to his tally with Manchester City following their dramatic 1-0 victory against Manchester United in the semi-final at Wembley.
Short and sweet: Vieira (sliding) was a late, late substitute at Wembley
Vieira enjoyed a cameo role, replacing David Silva with four minutes to go. And he revealed his team-mates had been winding him up about winning another medal.
'The players were teasing me about it before the game and I was hoping it would happen. I am really happy, ' he told City's website.
It is a fantastic achievement by the club as it is never easy to beat United.
Same again: Vieira with the FA cup in 2005 - Arsenal's last piece of silverware
'Our strength is the players fight for each other and the commitment everyone gave from beginning to end was fantastic.'
Yaya Toure scored the winner with a wonderful solo effort in the 52nd minute and Vieira added: 'We just said to ourselves we cannot go all season without winning a trophy.
'They players have worked really hard. I think we deserve to go to the final.'

Manchester City v Manchester United: clubs face FA wrath as Rio Ferdinand says sorry for pitch row
Manchester City and Manchester United could face disciplinary action from the Football Association after Mario Balotelli sparked ugly post-match scenes involving players from both clubs following City’s FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley.
The FA has confirmed it will study referee Mike Dean’s report of the mêlée in which United’s Anderson, Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar clashed with City players and coaching staff after Balotelli had celebrated in front of opposition fans at the end of the game.
With Dean still on the pitch at the time, the Wirral official could prompt an FA investigation if he cites the clashes as an exceptional incident. Off the pitch, the Metropolitan Police made 34 arrests surrounding the game for offences including affray, common assault, ticket touting and possession of an offensive weapon.
Balotelli’s behaviour proved to be the catalyst for the on-field clashes, however, and United winger Nani criticised the controversial Italian forward for inflaming tensions.
Nani said: “He was showing his badge to our fans and Anderson just took him out from in front of our fans. Rio was very angry because it is not fair, it was very disrespectful to do that in front of the fans. We were not happy with that.”
United defender Ferdinand, who was driven to Manchester at 2.30am on Saturday for the birth of his daughter, clashed with Balotelli and City coach David Platt. Ferdinand said he was angered by the failure to control the players, before later apologising to Platt. The former England captain issued a public apology on Twitter: “If u score a goal+give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that, but at the final whistle, go to your own fans+enjoy it not opposing fans. If I offended anyone, I apologise, emotions obviously running high."

OTHER BOLLOX
Striker Diego Forlan could make a sensational return to Manchester United after signalling his desire to leave Atletico Madrid. The 31-year-old striker has been involved in a bust-up with his manager, Quique Sanchez Flores, and the Spanish club are prepared to entertain offers of about £9m for the player, who left Old Trafford for Villarreal in 2004. Daily Mail

Manchester United are edging closer to sealing a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa after the player's agent confirmed his client's interest in a possible move to Old Trafford. caughtoffside.com

Everton boss David Moyes wants Wigan hitman Hugo Rodallega to solve his club's goalscoring problems. The Latics are likely to want £10m for the striker, who has a year to run on his contract. Daily Mirror

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will conduct a drastic clear-out of players this summer as he looks to make way for new additions. The likes of midfielders Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Denilson, plus strikers Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner are all at risk of being sold. caughtoffside.com

Blackburn's Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic has revealed he will have to move if he does not start getting some first-team action at Ewood Park. Daily Star

Celtic boss Neil Lennon is chasing Swansea City's Welsh international defender Ashley Williams. Daily Mirror

Chelsea are lining up former Netherlands and Ajax boss Marco van Basten as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement, with Turkey manager Guus Hiddink - who was caretaker coach at Stamford Bridge for three months in 2009 - taking on the role of director of football. Daily Express

However, Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has defended Ancelotti and has claimed the Italian still has the full support of his players. Daily Mail

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale, who has been voted player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association, has stressed the importance of Spurs following up their run in this year's Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League again this season. Metro

Defender Jamie Carragher has praised Liverpool's youngsters John Flanagan and Jack Robinson for the maturity they have shown since coming into the side. talkSPORT

Aston Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister has hailed the performances of "outstanding" duo Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. The wingers have been in fine form recently as struggling Villa have put together a three-game unbeaten run. talkSPORT

Villa manager Gerard Houllier has likened striker Darren Bent to Robbie Fowler, who the Frenchman managed during his time at Liverpool. Bent has scored six goals in 11 starts games joining Villa from Sunderland for £24m in January. the Sun

Former Sunderland left-back Michael Gray believes the sale of Bent has not caused the Black Cats run of nine games without a win. "I do speak to a few of the players and they tell me no [him leaving didn't affect them], they said if he's not happy there is no point keeping him at the football club, which is totally right, you don't want somebody upsetting your dressing room," said Gray.
talkSPORT

Jose Mourinho's relationship with the Spanish media has soured further as Real Madrid prepare for the next Clásico confrontation. Mourinho was unhappy with reporters for refusing to talk to his assistant Aitor Karanka, who the Portuguese put up to deliver the pre-match briefing before Saturday's 1-1 draw with Barcelona. Daily Telegraph