England manager Roy Hodgson has backed Joe Hart despite the goalkeeper's poor performance during the Three Lions 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden on Wednesday night.
The Manchester City No. 1 had a torrid time against the home side's talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who netted four times, including a 35-yard free kick and a 30-yard bicycle kick with Hart at fault for both. Despite the 25-year-old's disappointing display, the 65-year-old boss showed his support for the keeper, stating England will have "a lot of success" with him between the posts.
"We're not bothered about Joe Hart, and we think for the future, going forward, he's a very good goalkeeper and we will have a lot of success with him in the goal, and if tonight it wasn't maybe one of his absolute best days, this happens in football," Hodgson said.
Hart failed to stop a powerful Ibrahimovic volley for Sweden's second goal and was beaten from distance at his near post by the imposing forward for the third as Sweden went ahead in the game for the second time.
For the fourth, Hart raced from his line in the 90th minute to deal with a long ball, but could not get a clean connection with a headed clearance, and PSG striker fashioned a majestic volley from distance to seal the victory.
Hodsgon is still confident in his No. 1 goalkeeper, suggesting a dip in form is simply part and parcel of any footballer's life - and maintained Hart will recover and lead England on to better days.
"These things happen. I think the third goal got a slight deflection, and it was a shot from distance where we wouldn't normally think of conceding a goal," Hodgson said. "The fourth one, he got a very unpleasant bounce. The ball actually really pitched up, and he couldn't get the purchase on his header, and it led of course to Zlatan scoring his acrobatic goal."
Sweden 4-2 England: Inspirational Ibrahimovic sours Gerrard’s big night
Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Sweden to a 4-2 victory over Roy Hodgson's England after hitting all four goals, including a stunning fourth, as the hosts came from behind to secure victory in Stockholm.
Sweden 4 vs 2 England
PlayedNovember 14, 2012 2:30 PM EST
Friends Arena — Solna
Referee: S. Moen
Attendance: 49967
20′ Zlatan Ibrahimovic Danny Welbeck 35′
78′ Zlatan Ibrahimovic Steven Caulker 38′
84′ Zlatan Ibrahimovic
90+1′ Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic: Gerrard must quit Liverpool to win more silverware
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has urged Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to quit his club in a bid to win major trophies before he retires from professional football.
The Paris Saint-Germain star thinks that the 32-year-old - who is due to win his 100th cap for the Three Lions against the Scandinavians on Wednesday - could still win major competitions, but would have to leave the club he has spent his whole playing career with in a bid to add to his trophy cabinet.
"Every time we play against Steven, the coach always says to be careful because he is the player that makes the difference," Ibrahimovic told reporters. "But I would like to see Steven in - of course, Liverpool is a big club - but in a big international club.
"I would like to see it also for England, because it is very exciting when someone goes abroad and shows who he is in another competition."
The Anfield legend played his 600th game for the Reds against Chelsea last weekend and has won a vast array of silverware, including two FA Cup titles, the UEFA Cup in 2001 and the Champions League, as Liverpool captain, in 2005.
"For me, a fantastic player can make a difference in every country wherever he plays," Ibrahimovic continued. "I’m pretty sure that Steven would do that. He is playing in one of the best leagues in the world. He’s a fantastic player."
The Paris Saint-Germain star thinks that the 32-year-old - who is due to win his 100th cap for the Three Lions against the Scandinavians on Wednesday - could still win major competitions, but would have to leave the club he has spent his whole playing career with in a bid to add to his trophy cabinet.
"Every time we play against Steven, the coach always says to be careful because he is the player that makes the difference," Ibrahimovic told reporters. "But I would like to see Steven in - of course, Liverpool is a big club - but in a big international club.
"I would like to see it also for England, because it is very exciting when someone goes abroad and shows who he is in another competition."
The Anfield legend played his 600th game for the Reds against Chelsea last weekend and has won a vast array of silverware, including two FA Cup titles, the UEFA Cup in 2001 and the Champions League, as Liverpool captain, in 2005.
"For me, a fantastic player can make a difference in every country wherever he plays," Ibrahimovic continued. "I’m pretty sure that Steven would do that. He is playing in one of the best leagues in the world. He’s a fantastic player."
Chelsea reveals that Terry will be out for 'weeks' rather than 'months' after MRI
Chelsea has confirmed John Terry will be sidelined for 'weeks' rather than 'months' following the defender's MRI on his cruciate ligament injury.
After being left out for the club's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, Terry put Chelsea ahead in the first half against Brendan Rodgers side before being stretchered off in the 38th minute with suspected cruciate ligmanet damage. However, the club has since moved to confirm that the injury is not as bad as first feared.
"Today's MRI scans on John Terry's right knee thankfully show no significant damage to the cruciate ligaments," a statement on the club's official website read. "Chelsea Football Club's medical team will conduct further tests over the next two or three days once the swelling has subsided to determine how long John will be out, but it will be a matter of weeks not months."
Liverpool equalized in the second half courtesy of a Luis Suarez header and manager Roberto Di Matteo pointed to the Terry injury as a turning point in the game, stating the rest of the side missed his influence.
"Well you saw how he started the game. He was old fashioned with his quality and experience and obviously scored the goal as well," Di Matteo told Sky Sports.
"Certainly he’s very influential in our game and our team and certainly we miss him."
The game marked the Chelsea captain's first league appearances since serving a four-match ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
After being left out for the club's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, Terry put Chelsea ahead in the first half against Brendan Rodgers side before being stretchered off in the 38th minute with suspected cruciate ligmanet damage. However, the club has since moved to confirm that the injury is not as bad as first feared.
"Today's MRI scans on John Terry's right knee thankfully show no significant damage to the cruciate ligaments," a statement on the club's official website read. "Chelsea Football Club's medical team will conduct further tests over the next two or three days once the swelling has subsided to determine how long John will be out, but it will be a matter of weeks not months."
Liverpool equalized in the second half courtesy of a Luis Suarez header and manager Roberto Di Matteo pointed to the Terry injury as a turning point in the game, stating the rest of the side missed his influence.
"Well you saw how he started the game. He was old fashioned with his quality and experience and obviously scored the goal as well," Di Matteo told Sky Sports.
"Certainly he’s very influential in our game and our team and certainly we miss him."
The game marked the Chelsea captain's first league appearances since serving a four-match ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
Gangnam Style Breaks Guinness World Record For Most YouTube Likes… Oppa!
For now Psy- Gangnam Style have 716,963,029
World Player of the Week: Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - Manchester United
Manchester United's remarkable record of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat this season continued last week, with Mexico striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez the hero for the Red Devils with three goals in two appearances (though he will no doubt claim four).
The 24-year-old capped his side's win away at Sporting Braga in midweek to seal its progression to the Champions League knockout phase, rounding goalkeeper Beto before poking high into the roof of the net after his initial effort was cleared off the line.
However, it was during Saturday's victory over Aston Villa that Hernandez had his biggest impact. Introduced at halftime and with his side trailing 2-0 after 50 minutes, the 'Little Pea' turned the game on its head, first slotting coolly beneath Brad Guzan following Paul Scholes' pass before driving Rafael's cross in off defender Ron Vlaar.
With only three minutes of normal time remaining, the former Chivas hitman sealed another vital win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, steering Robin van Persie's free kick into the bottom corner with a superb diving header, extending United's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
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