THE BOLLOX
Atletico chairman Cerezo 'calm’ over Falcao transfer talk as Mancini watches Colombian score against Malaga
The Italian, who is understood to be interested in signing the prolific striker, was at the Vicente Calderon to see the 26-year-old head home after just six minutes
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was in attendance at the Vicente Calderon as Falcao scored in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 victory over Malaga on Sunday evening.
The striker, who has been linked with a possible January move to the Premier League champions or Chelsea, scored after just six minutes, heading in an Emre cross as his side moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The Colombian has recently indicated his desire to one day play in England, but Atletico chairman Enrique Cerezo is not worried about the future of the prolific 26-year-old, despite being aware of Mancini's presence in Madrid.
"We know that Mancini has come to watch the game but we are calm with the topic of Falcao," Cerezo told Cadena Ser.
"I guess Mancini came here to search for a home in Malaga," he also later joked to Canal +.
Falcao has already scored 11 goals this season, including a breathtaking hat-trick against Chelsea in a 4-1 European Super Cup win.
The goals have continued to flood in for the former Porto man, who struck 36 times in all competitions for Atletico during the 2011-12 campaign, his first season with the Spanish side.
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Richards deserves England spot, insists Zabaleta
The petulance of Mario Balotelli, storming directly down the tunnel to the dressing-room after being substituted early in the second half, again dominated the soap opera headlines that attend the Premier League champions' every move but, at the other end of the field, there was a far more significant development.
Micah Richards, playing for City for the first time in five months in the centre-half position many feel is his best, turned in a performance that suggested he is an obvious replacement for shamed and recently retired England defender John Terry.
Persistent question marks remain over Richards' ability at the very highest level -- as the fact he possesses just 13 caps from a near six-year international career testifies -- but, at the age of barely 24, he is surely worthy of strong consideration.
"I think Micah is a fantastic player and he deserves to be in the national team," said team-mate Pablo Zabaleta. "Micah came back to the team, he was very solid at the back.
"He is young, he is strong and he can give to England what he gives to Manchester City. Terry's not in the international team any more so maybe that is a good chance for him to get into the England team again."
Richards himself declines to discuss his standing with Roy Hodgson and the England squad although, having formed an impenetrable pairing with Joleon Lescott in front of England goalkeeper Joe Hart on Saturday, it is tempting to imagine he can envisage a return to the international fold.
"I was excited to be back out there after being out for so long, me and Joleon haven't played together too many times," said Richards.
"A lot of people don't realise how good he is. He's played for England and he's a top-class centre-back. People always say the foreigners make City's team but we have a good six or seven English lads in the squad.
"When we come in and get our chance we give 100pc."
Richards' return coincided with City's first clean sheet of the season -- although perhaps it was no coincidence -- but the England man was arguably not even the best defender on display.
Full-back Aleksandar Kolarov was a force in defence and scored a magnificent fourth-minute direct free-kick before laying on a second goal for Sergio Aguero, whose 55th-minute introduction so infuriated Balotelli.
The Italian forward is clearly becoming an irritant to manager Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt, who refused to answer questions properly when quizzed over Balotelli's show of disrespect.
As City proved with last season's Carlos Tevez debacle, of course, such distractions matter little to the club, given their colossal financial resources. They have a squad whose depth is unmatched in the Premier League and James Milner's late free-kick completed the rout -- and their 33rd unbeaten home league game.
Far more worrying have been City's defensive performances to date and, for this reason, their display in overwhelming a poor Sunderland team that had somehow remained unbeaten until this point, could prove to be significant.
"In games like this you want to keep it goalless as long as you can, but by conceding early it meant a tough game got even tougher," said Black Cats goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Many more teams look poised to experience the same problem in the weeks to come. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
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Manchester United are considering making a move for Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland. The 31-year-old Norwegian's contract expires at the end of the season, but United are contemplating making a bid for the defender in January. Metro
Arsene Wenger is planning to hold fresh talks this week over Theo Walcott's contract. The 23-year-old forward is away on international duty but Arsenal hope to negotiate with his advisers.
New contract talks planned between Arsenal and Theo Walcott, but Juventus interested in the forward Daily Mirror
Juventus have joined the queue of clubs ready to move for Walcott, should he become available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Unless he agrees a new deal, Walcott can sign a pre-contract agreement in January. Metro
Ashley Cole is set to be left out of the England team against San Marino on Friday as punishment for the tweet the left-back, 31, sent criticising the Football Association over the John Terry saga. Daily Mirror
Roy Hodgson is set to call Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 20, into his England squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier. Daily Mail
Tony Fernandes insists he will not sack Mark Hughes as QPR boss, despite the Hoops having not yet won a single Premier League game. The Sun
Blackburn Rovers managing director Derek Shaw says Alan Shearer has the credentials to be considered for the managerial vacancy at Ewood Park, but that his popularity among fans should not be a decisive factor. Guardian
Brazil's Ronaldinho broke down in tears after opening the scoring in Atletico Mineiro's 6-0 victory over Figueirense. The 32-year-old's stepfather had died the day before from a heart attack and the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward dropped to one knee and cried. Metro
Former England captain David Beckham received a hug from a female fan after the midfielder, 37, gave the woman his shirt following LA Galaxy's 2-1 defeat by Real Salt Lake.
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