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Napoli moved into second spot on the Serie A table after a thrilling 4-3 win over Lazio, highlighted by a hat-trick from Edison Cavani.The entertaining encounter exploded into life in the last 35 minutes, when six goals were scored.

Lazio took a 29th-minute lead through midfielder Stefano Mauri and Brazilian Andre Dias doubled their lead 12 minutes after half-time.

But five minutes after Dias’ strike, scores were level.

Andrea Dossena scored on the hour mark before Cavani got the first of his treble two minutes later, but parity only lasted six minutes.

Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica turned the ball into his own net to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.

But Cavani would prove to be the hero with two late goals, taking his tally for the season to 22.

First, he was fouled by Giuseppe Biava in the penalty area and after the defender was given his marching orders, Cavani stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

The Uruguayan scored the winner two minutes from time to help Napoli to within three points of top side AC Milan, while Lazio sit in fifth.

Udinese suffered a shock 2-0 loss at struggling Lecce, missing a glorious chance to move closer to automatic European Champions League qualification.

A brace from Andrea Bertolacci ensured Udinese suffered their first league loss of 2011.

The 20-year-old midfielder was on the scoresheet in the 48th and 65th minutes to help Lecce into the safety zone.

Juventus kept their hopes of a Europa League berth alive with a 2-0 win over Roma at the Olympic Stadium.

After a goalless first-half, Serbian striker Milos Krasic gave Juve the lead just before the hour mark, and Alessandro Matri completed the win 15 minutes from the end.

The win sees Juventus, who are seventh in the league, cut sixth-placed Roma’s advantage to just two points with seven games to play.

Catania handed Palermo a 4-0 thrashing in the Sicily derby, moving five points clear of the relegation zone.

A brilliant second-half performance saw the hosts record an impressive victory in one of their biggest games.

An own goal from Palermo defender Federico Balzaretti sent them on their way three minutes after half-time.

Three goals in the space of 16 minutes ensured a romp as Gonzalo Bergessio, Pablo Ledesma and Simone Pesce got on the scoresheet.

It was Palermo?s sixth defeat in their last seven outings, all but ending their hopes of a spot in Europe.

Bari recorded just their fourth win of the season with a surprise 2-1 victory at Parma.

A 92nd-minute winner from substitute Honduran midfielder Edgar Alvarez put Bari within 11 points of safety.

The visitors had taken a lead through Alessandro Parisi in the 64th minute but Parma striker Amauri equalised 10 minutes from time.

Alvarez provided the winner to give Bari their first win since being 1-0 victors at Lecce on January 7.

Cagliari ended a three-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Genoa.

A goal from Robert Acquafresca in the 16th minute was enough to send Cagliari into 10th spot and leave Genoa in mid-table.

Cesena scored a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina.

Luis Jimenez gave Cesena an unlikely early lead but Alberto Gilardino ensured his side would go into the break on level terms.

Riccardo Montolivo looked like he had scored the winner in the 69th minute before Cesena substitute Fabio Caserta scored the equaliser four minutes from time.

Chievo and Sampdoria played out a scoreless draw, helping neither team arrest a recent drop in results.

Chievo have won just one of their last eight outings while Sampdoria have won one of their last 12 league outings.

Manchester City’s powerful right back Micah Richards has cast his future into doubt by arranging a meeting with high profile Italian agent Ernesto Bronzetti, reports The Daily Mail.

The Daily Mail’s report suggests that Richards has attracted attention from the mighty Barcelona and Italian giants Juventus in recent months. If these rumours are to be believed then Richards couldn’t wish for a better agent than Bronzetti to aid him, as the Italian has a close association with many of Europe’s elite clubs.

Richards who was rumoured to be surplus to requirements last summer at Eastlands, has suffered numerous niggling injury problems this season. This has limited him to a mere fifteen appearances in the league. Nevertheless, he has performed well when he has played, putting in some fine displays.

The Birmingham born Richards exploded onto the scene as an eighteen year old when he scored a late equalised in an F.A Cup 5th round tie against Aston Villa in 2006. He has two years remaining on his current City deal and any interest in the 22 year old from abroad is likely to be challenged by a number of English clubs.

The figure being bandied around for the England International is in the region of £15 million. However reports suggest City boss Roberto Mancini is intent on retaining the services of his player.

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World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi has reaffirmed his desire to return to management next season, and is keen to head abroad.The former Italy boss, who led the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup trophy in Germany 2006, has been on a much-needed coaching impasse since stepping down in 2010.

But Lippi, who has also won five Italian league titles and a Champions League trophy, said he was ready to make a return to coaching, but that it would not necessarily be in his native Italy.

“This year I’ve had many offers but I didn’t accept any of them because I had decided to have a year off,” Lippi told Radio Monte Carlo.

“Those that I will have for next season I will consider carefully and if there’s something interesting, like a country, we’ll see.”

“I prefer not to work in Italy any more, I’ve done what I needed to do. It’s difficult to enjoy yourself in Italy. If you lose two games, no-one enjoys themselves.”

“I prefer a national team but obviously if a club of a certain type makes an approach (then who knows).”

Well, it been a turbulent season, one which we didn’t think we would experience… and it’s still not over!!!

When you’re reading this one of three things could have happened to Wolves:

1. Wolves have clinched survival,

2. It still hangs in the balance,

3. Wolves have plunged to relegation.

Although we may not know if our fate has been sealed when you read this, we need to decide on the all important Player of the Season Award. We want you to help us pick who our player of the season should be from the shortlist we have put together below for who we think may deserve that accolade.

The hope is that we can give our award to the player who wins… but we’ll come to that bridge when the voting has closed though.

Vote on the shortlist below. We’ll close the poll at the end of the season and reveal the winner at the end of the season show.

Up the Wolves!

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Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri has signed a five-year deal to stay with the club which he guided to third in the Serie A this season.Mazzarri’s deal means he will lead Napoli into the group stages of the Champions League next season as they hope to replicate the form that saw them serious title challengers in the Serie A.

It was Napoli’s best league finish in 21 years and the signing of the coach is a big fillip for the club, after he had gone on the record that he was not assured of being at the Stadio San Paolo next season.

“President (Aurelio) De Laurentiis and coach Mazzarri cleared the air to reinforce their personal relationship,” a club statement said.

“After two years of collaboration which has taken Napoli into the Champions League before it was expected, the president and coach Mazzarri have agreed a new collaboration to continue the club’s development for a further five years.”

It is believed that the length of the contract negotiations occurred because Mazzarri felt he was not appreciated at the club.

“Each side must play his game but I should be appreciated, even if some people think I’ve messed up,” Mazzari said before the meeting on Monday, which led to him agreeing terms.

“Thank God I have players who listen to me and I’m serious in my dealings with the club for which I work. I can look everyone in the eye. Before I talk to the press I must do so with the club about future plans and everything I’ve got in my head.”

Mazzarri has been at the club for two years, initially guiding them into the Europa League before this season’s success.

Prior to Napoli, Mazzarri was at Sampdoria – a club he also guided into European competition.

Tottenham have given USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel the opportunity to continue to play in the Premier League for the next two seasons. But at 40 years of age is this really the best option for Tottenham? After all there were alternatives that could have offered Premier League experience, but also a longer period of time to maintain consistency. The move for Friedel on a two year contract suggests that Tottenham feel the player can play until he is 42.

The American does offer experience and he is still an excellent goalkeeper with a high level of consistency. There is continued speculation over current Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and this signing seems to suggest that the Brazilian will be playing his football elsewhere next season. It seems unlikely that Friedel would join a club at this stage in his career where he isn’t going be first choice.

Although, some may argue that there are younger goalkeepers out there – the bottom line is Spurs probably feel that they can rely on the American. After some of the mistakes Gomes has made they probably wouldn’t have wanted to take a chance on another goalkeeper that may not adept to the Premier League. Tottenham may also look over at Manchester United and recall the performances of Edwin van der Sar this season – the Dutchman may be retiring but clearly can still play at a high level at 40 years of age.

As an alternative to Friedel, Tottenham could have looked at Manchester City shot stopper Shay Given – who would appear to be available because he is behind Joe Hart for a starting place. At 35, he would appear to have more years to offer than Friedel, but we don’t know how fit he is after all he hasn’t been playing and has also had some serious injuries of late. Playing games allows a player to stay fit and perhaps could prolong their career.

Time will tell if this is the right signing for Tottenham and ideally you would want a player that could offer 4 to 5 years of service. Clearly Friedel cannot offer that, but he does bring experience and quality of the highest level to the table. Now if Tottenham are smart they will now look for a top quality young goalkeeper and aim to bring him into the club this summer. That way they can learn off one of the very best Premier League goalkeepers and be that step ahead when they take over from Friedel. It will also be interesting to see if Tottenham keep Friedel around after his retirement in some sort of coaching role.

So have Tottenham made the right decision on Friedel? Follow me on Twitter and let me know.

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Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make a last-minute move for Newcastle target Mevlut Erding, according to The Metro.

Erding was first linked with the Tyneside club last summer. The club have since sold Andy Carroll and are keen to bolster their attacking options, despite the acquisition of Demba Ba from West Ham.

Erding, 24, has been with French side Paris Saint-Germain for 2 years following a €9 million move from Sochaux. PSG have since signed former Newcastle target Kevin Gameiro and would now listen to offers for the Turkish International.

However, with Newcastle yet to agree a fee, Tottenham could move for the striker. Manager Harry Redknapp is looking to overhaul his striking options this summer after a disappointing finish to last season.

Erding has scored 28 times in 70 games for PSG. Despite representing France at Under-17 level he switched to the Turkish set-up and won the first of his 10 caps in 2008.

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Newcastle have also been linked with Swansea left-back Neil Taylor. With current left-back Jose Enrique stalling on a new deal amid interest from other clubs, the 22-year old Welsh international could be an ideal replacement.

Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric is believed to have handed in a written transfer request in a bid to force through a transfer to London rivals Chelsea.

In a tug of war between the two sides, the Stamford Bridge club have made £22million and £25 million offers for the 25-year-old, but Spurs have rejected both and are intent on keeping the Croatian at White Hart Lane.

The former Dinamo Zabreb player, currently on a pre-season tour with his current employers in South Africa, is keen on a move to Andre Villas Boas’ side however, and both The Telegraph and the Daily Mail state that he handed in the request to leave to chairman Daniel Levy on Wednesday night.

With Michael Essien facing a spell of up to six months on the sidelines following a knee injury, Chelsea are determined to strengthen in midfield, and are expected to come back with a £30 million bid, which Harry Redknapp’s team would find hard to turn back.

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The 2010/11 Premier League runners up have also been linked with a move for Scott Parker, with a year long loan deal from West Ham being speculated in the press. The Hammers are eager to secure a £4 million fee for the temporary move, and want the Premier League side to pay his £65,000 per week wages.

All the talk around the Emirates, once again this week, has been about players leaving the Gunners with Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas continually linked with a move away. Reports suggest that Nasri is apparently said he will be happy to see out the last year of his contract, although the temptation to cash in on his last year of his contract may force Arsenal’s hand.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Gunners blogs that include Wenger’s £20m gamble, Arsenal right to query deal, while the failure to replace Viera has hurt the club.

We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week.

*

‘If Football Clubs Were Musicians’ – Part ONE

‘Suits you sir!’ – The Premier League club’s Kit collection for 2011/12

The failure to replace Vieira is what has hurt Arsenal

Wenger’s £20m gamble?

Arsene Wenger well within his rights to query deal

Stubborn Wenger still Arsenal’s Heartbeat

Martinsson confirms Arsenal deal is close to being sealed

Arsenal weigh up £8m move to fill Clichy’s boots

Should FIFA stop Cesc ‘suffering’ by gagging Xavi?

*Best of WEB*

Is Samir Nasri really worth a pay rise?? – Highbury House

Here Arsene, let me tell you a few signs of intelligence in life that you are sadly lacking – Le Grove

Isn’t the manager meant to manage the club? – Online Gooner

One Of Us Speaks: Let’s Get X-Rated – A Cultured Left Foot

Is football slowly losing its appeal thanks to mega-rich clubs? – Gunnersphere

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Click on Wayne Bridges’s misses below to see her in all her glory

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While the governing bodies in English football have done a lot to kick racism out of the beautiful game, there is still more to be done. There are simply not enough black coaches and managers in the top level of football, but the FA has made a significant step to address this.

The FA has launched “COACH” to inspire coaches from black and minority ethnic communities. Backed by the Premier League, Football League, LMA, PFA and Kick It Out, the full 11 minute film is titled COACH and aims to show coaching as a full-time career for the BME community, while promoting Black and Minority Ethnic coaches as role models.

Through highlighting coaching opportunities to the BME community, The FA hopes to encourage greater participation at grassroots level and guide aspiring coaches towards the relevant qualifications on the coaching pathway.

FA Chairman, David Bernstein, commented: “We want football to be able to draw on coaches from the widest possible talent pool and I hope that the COACH film will inspire a new generation of BME coaches to follow in Noel and Hope’s footsteps.”

Premier League General Secretary, Nic Coward, said: “Quality coaching is vitally important and we all want to see coaches of the best ability being given the opportunity to progress in the game regardless of their backgrounds.”

Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the LMA commented: “The COACH film is a fantastic production which provides valuable information and highlights coaching opportunities to the BME community. Football and football management continues to make steps on the journey towards diversity and ensuring there is a level playing field for all.”

Hopefully there will be plenty more Paul Ince’s around in the future. Look out for England coaches Noel Blake and Hope Powell plus Birmingham City’s Chris Hughton and Chris Powell of Charlton Athletic in the video below…

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For more information log onto TheFA.com/coach.

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