This was the year in which Mancini’s team fundamentally altered the power balance in English football.
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Manchester City came of age in 2011 and set a new standard to help lift England ahead of Euro 2012
Here’s our take on the action surrounding the last round of matches of 2011.
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri could not hide his delight with his side’s excellent showing across 2011. The Italian side battled to a third place finish in Serie A which allowed them to enter the Champions League for the first time since the 1990-91 season.
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Napoli’s Walter Mazzarri salutes ‘extraordinary’ 2011 at the club
Reading boss Brian McDermott highlighted his side’s faultless attitude as key to their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town as his side moved into fifth place.
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McDermott delighted with Reading FC mentality after Ipswich win
Manager Andre Villas-Boas bemoans the poor finishing from his Chelsea side that condemns them to an “unfair” 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.
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Villas-Boas bemoans ‘unfair’ result
Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers says it has been an “iconic” year for the club and is happy that the team finished with a “outstanding” performance in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham.
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Rodgers happy with ending to ‘iconic’ year
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is full of praise for Swansea following his side’s 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium.
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Swansea are a pleasure to watch – Redknapp
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes his team deserved their 3-1 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, describing his team as “dangerous” against the title hopefuls.
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‘Brilliant’ new year win for McLeish
Chelsea’s top-four challenge suffers a blow as Aston Villa record a stunning win at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea 1-3 Aston Villa
Stoke City and Wigan Athletic both led in an entertaining game at the Britannia Stadium, with Ben Watson’s late equaliser from the spot ultimately ensuring a share of the spoils.
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Stoke, Wigan play out exciting draw
Manchester United FC missed out on the chance to begin the new year at the Premier League summit after a shock 3-2 defeat by Blackburn Rovers FC, while Chelsea FC also lost at home.
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Blackburn stun United to poop Sir Alex’s party
Sam Ricketts marked his return with a superb goal for Bolton but it was not enough to prevent his side starting 2012 at the bottom of the Premier League table.
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Bolton Wanderers 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1: match report
Match ends, Birmingham City 3, Blackpool 0. Second Half ends, Birmingham City 3, Blackpool 0. Foul by Jordon Mutch (Birmingham City). Chris Basham (Blackpool) wins a free kick.
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Birmingham City 3 Blackpool 0 matchcentre 31/12/2011
Lineups are announced and players are warming up. Match ends, Stoke City 2, Wigan Athletic 2. Second Half ends, Stoke City 2, Wigan Athletic 2. Substitution, Stoke City. Kenwyne Jones replaces Jonathan Walters because of an injury.
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Stoke City 2 Wigan Athletic 2 matchcentre 31/12/2011
Soccer in the snow? I don’t think so! Toronto FC of MLS (Major League Soccer) will forego its regular stomping ground of BMO Field in favour of the larger, indoor Rogers Centre for the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions League (North , Central American and Caribbean conference), quarter-final
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Toronto FC headed indoors in March
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says the third goal killed any chances they had of winning having come back from a two-goal deficit against Blackburn.
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Third goal was the killer – Ferguson
Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean says his team have built on their 1-1 draw against Liverpool with a courageous 3-2 win against Manchester United at “intimidating” Old Trafford.
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Blackburn can come through transition – Kean
ROVERS shock United to claim all three points and spoil Alex Ferguson’s birthday
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Manchester United 2 Blackburn 3
Match ends, Barnsley 4, Leeds United 1. Second Half ends, Barnsley 4, Leeds United 1. Attempt missed. Craig Davies (Barnsley) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Scott Wiseman with a cross.
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Barnsley 4 Leeds United 1 matchcentre 31/12/2011
Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald Seattle’s Lamar Neagle (right) wins a ball from New England’s Darrius Barnes. Photo taken 062611 Sports – MLS Soccer – New England Revolution at Seattle Sounders FC
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Who’s got next? Seattle Sounders FC forward Lamar Neagle
Munich – From tearing up and down the wings to swinging pinpoint crosses into the box and preventing opponents from doing the same, full backs need a full armoury of skills to and abilities to survive at the top.
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The "average" full back
Preview followed by live coverage of the Premier League game between Sunderland and Man City on New Year’s Day.
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Sunderland v Man City
Munich – Bastian Schweinsteiger is recognised worldwide as one of the best midfielders in the game. After suffering a fractured collarbone in November, the 27-year-old is due to make his return to action for FC Bayern Munich when the league restarts later this month.
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Pulling the strings
Out-of-favour Juventus striker Amauri has admitted that he would be honoured to replace Alberto Gilardino at Fiorentina , and stated that money will not be a deciding factor in his future.
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Juventus’ Amauri: I would be honoured to replace Alberto Gilardino at Fiorentina
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is to join Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
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Frimpong to join Wolves on loan
ZARAGOZA, Spain (AP) — Last-place Zaragoza reached an agreement with Javier Aguirre to terminate the Mexican coach’s contract on Friday. Aguirre took over the heavily indebted Spanish club last season and managed to keep it in the first division.
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Soccer Capsules: Last-place Zaragoza fires coach Aguirre
London, Dec 31 (ANI): Ace midfielder David Beckham has urged Frank Lampard to join LA Galaxy.
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Beckham asks Lampard to join LA Galaxy
Catania’s Maxi Lopez put his side ahead on the 18 th minute after his shot from inside the area beat Torino’s goalkeeper Davide Morello. Mariano Izco secured victory for Catania three minutes from time when his powerful rising shot beat the Torino goalkeeper.
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Catania defeat Torino to win quadrangular tournament
Everton loan signing Landon Donovan believes he is at the peak of his career as he prepares for his second stint at Goodison Park.
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Donovan eager to help Everton
A Qatari-funded plan to propel French football club Paris Saint-Germain into the elite ranks of European soccer accelerated on Friday with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian former manager of Chelsea and AC Milan, as coach.
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