Barcelona returned to within five points of Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 4-2 defeat of ten-man Real Betis, on a day when Athletic Club improved their European chances by beating Levante.

Josep Guardiola's men made an explosive start at Camp Nou as Xavi Hernández opened the scoring after ten minutes and Lionel Messi took his league tally to 18 shortly afterwards.

By Chris Wright

The 'UAE Stars' took on a side of Formula One drivers (Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Walter Zenga, etc) in an annual charity fixture in Abu Dhabi last night, with the Arab legends running out 5-4 winners thanks chiefly to a hat-trick from their big man up top Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Es una de las sensaciones de la temporada en la Premier League y en la Liga de Campeones. El Manchester City lleva varias temporadas siguiendo una estricta política para llegar a codearse con los clubes más importantes del panorama inglés y europeo. El talonario ha sido clave en la espectacular trayectoria del conjunto 'citizen' y eso le ha permitido contar con varios de los mejores futbolistas del mundo.

Real Betis perfect start in La Liga was brought to an end tonight after going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at struggling Getafe, although the promoted outfit remained top of the standings.

Diego Castro's 31st-minute goal decided the match in Getafe's favour at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez as Betis were brought crashing back to earth after winning their opening four games since returning to the top flight.

Thanks (in part) to the delectable Roque Santa Cruz, Real Betis are top of the La Liga table. Beauty is a powerful thing, Kickettes. Image: CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images.

It's that time of the season where nothing makes any sense and teams we rarely bother about report on are topping tables.

Real Betis vs Zaragoza 4-3 Highlights Goals Video La Liga 2011 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Real Betis vs Zaragoza 4-3 Highlights Goals Video La Liga 2011 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Real Betis vs Zaragoza ( Real Betis vs Real Zaragoza) Score and result:- Betis vs Zaragoza 4-3 ( Roque Santa Cruz*2, Salva Sevilla, Benat/ Efrain Juarez, Juan Carlos*2) 22 September, 2011-Estadio Benito Villamarin- [.

Champions League Preview: Manchester Plots European Domination - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester City get the chance to finally definitively emerge from the shadow of their cross-town Red rivals as this year's UEFA Champions League commences. They'll do so with a team which, while not having ever competed in the the Champions' League as a unit, possesses a significant amount of top-flight continental experience.

Well, at least the kids at Real Betis still love Roque Santa Cruz! / via Daylife

Tweet This Post

Apparently, Roque isn't the only person in this photo? Let us know if you manage to tear your eyes off him, would you? Image via realbetisbalompie.es.

If we were in charge of Manchester City, Roque Santa Cruz would never be out of our plush office suite, let alone our team selection. Unfortunately for City fans (and Joe Hart), Roberto Mancini does not submit to the same romantic 'urges' that we do, so the hot Chilean is off to La Liga side Real Betis for a one year loan.

Real Betis have confirmed the signing of Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz on a one-year loan from Manchester City.

Thirty-year-old Santa Cruz joined City from Blackburn in 2009 but has struggled to tie down a first-team berth with the big-spending Premier League club and returned to Rovers on loan for the second half of last season.

Nicolas Anelka has always said he wants to stay at Chelsea. OK, he only has one year left on his contract and would I guess be more than happy to see it out, remain a part of the squad in AVB's first season and to try and gain some more success here before he walks away.
However, it seems that newly promoted Real Betis, with money to spend are looking to rejuvenate their forward line for the coming season and with Roque Santa Cruz expected to sign for them tomorrow, it seems that they have turned their attention to Anelka.

The Insider: Milos Krasic, Marko Futacs, Roque Santa Cruz, Sam Baldock

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this summer. Don't miss your daily Insider instalment here for Friday, August 26.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-08-26 16:22:49 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Rayo remain hopeful over duo

Rayo Vallecano remain hopeful of landing strike pair Dani Pacheco and Roque Santa Cruz on loan.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-08-23 21:53:33 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Mais um amistoso, foi disputado no dia 11/06/2011, na cidade de Assuncion-PAR, no Estadio Los Defensores del Chaco, onde jogaram as seleções do Paraguai (23º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Romênia (42º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções nunca haviam jogado.

Another Disappointing Season For Tottenham? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Tottenham managed to reach the quarterfinals in their debut run in the UEFA Champions League last season but they will have to do with Europa League this season.

Spurs have a very good team but this transfer window should have been used to add some depth to the squad.

By DAVID MOSSE

Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar has emerged as an unlikely hero in this 2011 Copa America after helping his team earn another shootout victory on Wednesday against Venezuela. Gerardo Martino's side has yet to claim a single victory in five games but will take on Uruguay next with an opportunity to capture its first Copa America title since 1979, and Villar figures to be busy again.

Brazil were fortunate to draw with Paraguay in the Group stage

Brazil take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America this afternoon in La Plata. With hosts Argentina out of the competition, Brazil are now the firm favourites but Paraguay will be a tricky opponent. In the Group stage, the pair drew 2-2; Fred coming off the bench to secure a late equalizer for Brazil.

By FRANCO PANIZO

It took longer than expected, but Argentina finally had a reason to celebrate.

Argentina recorded its first win of the Copa America, topping Costa Rica, 3-0, on Monday night in the final match of Group A. The victory advanced the albiceleste to the quarterfinals as it finished in second place of the group with five points.

BRASIL vs PARAGUAY

El peso de ser más equipo que individualidades hoy quedó claro en Córdoba. Paraguay hizo que se prolongara la crisis Brasileña en la Copa América, por amplios espacios del partido le quitó la pelota y jugó al ritmo y de la forma que la convenía, dejando a Brasil tratando de recuperar el balón y no creando como es su estilo.

Copa America 2011, Cordoba
Brazil 2:2 Paraguay
1-0 Jadson 38', 1-1 Santa Cruz 54', 1-2 Valdez 66', 2-2 Fred 89'.
Group B could be becoming the group of death in this year's Copa America after a third consecutive draw.
Jadson, the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder, gave Brazil a first-half lead with a long-range effort but a shock was soon on the cards after the break as Roque Santa Cruz equalised for Paraguay and then Nelson Haedo Valdez gave La Albirroja the lead in the 66th minute.

By CALEB SONNELAND

It isn't really any surprise that Carlos Tevez is in the headlines once again.

The Manchester City striker has come out and made it clear that he intends to quit the club and move home to Argentina to be closer to his family.

While Tevez is quick to show his respect for City, its fans and owner, he asks for sympathy for the fans' understanding that he has been away from his daughters for the past year.

Throughout the next week, we'll be sharing what to watch for in this edition of Copa América, with a compilation of short perspectives from our friends from some of the football sites around. We kick things off with James Tyler, editor of Unprofessional Foul, preparing us for telling us how Argentina has managed to be both the headline story of the tournament and a drama filled with subplots.

Los guaraníes no hacen una semifinal desde el año 1983 en copa America incluso en la pasada fueron goleados por México 6 goles a 0, en esta ocasión llegan con mas brios, después de alcanzar por primera vez en su historia los cuartos de final en el Mundial de Sudáfrica 2010.

Another Transfermations, this time, Blackburn...

Where that stand:

Avoiding relegation was the priority last season, but Blackburn are a thinning squad with Phil Jones gone and Christopher Samba on his way. It's obvious that The Venkys need to strengthen somewhat to avoid a repeat.

By Chris Wright

With the transfer window just beginning to creak in the wind (of change?), we at Pies reckon it's high time to begin speculating and hypothesising on the ins-and-out – quite literally – of this summer's prospective transfer activity.

This week, Manchester City and Tottenham are bought before the beak.

Alan Hansen has pin-pointed the up-coming games against Manchester City and Arsenal as a way of measuring the squad's strength in depth.
City visit Anfield on Monday night, with the Reds travelling to the Emirates six days later to face Arsene Wenger's men.
The Kop legend believes the two games will give manager Kenny Dalglish a good evaluation of his current squad's capabilities.

You won't buy him, I'm sure of it just like you didn't buy Sylvan Ebanks-Blake last weekend, but he could certainly score, just as SEB did and prove the doubters wrong... Again, major caveat here: This is a HUNCH ... Continue reading →

By Puck Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back into another Happy Hour—a special GAMEDAY!!! Edition. This week has been bittersweet for Puck. On one hand, the Champions League Quarterfinal draw resulted in a very intriguing all-England matchup between Chelsea and Manchester United that promises to be a "real cracker.

By Ollie Irish

We're happy to help plug the admirable Roque Santa Cruz Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged kids, especially in Roque's native Paraguay. One condition, though: Please don't make us listen to 'Let your love shine' ever again. Thanks.

As widely predicted Johnathan Woodgate has been included in the squad for the trip to Blackburn. With so many injuries and suspensions it seemed inevitable that the player would be called up and according to the manager he may even start.

Harry said: "He'll be involved in some way but I've got a mind to throw him in at the deep end.

January Transfer Window 2011 done deals (Premier League) is a post from: Just Football

Here, as a handy resource for you to browse over, is the full list of completed Premier League deals that took place in the January transfer window 2011. The total spending, some £215.5 million, is a league record.

Houllier's much rotated side ensured their place in the draw for the 5th round of the FA Cup thanks to goals from Ciaran Clark, Robert Pires and Nathan Delfouneso, but were forced to see out just under 30 minutes with 10 men after Nathan Baker was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on David Hoilett.

We know. Javier's hair. We'll discuss in a minute. Images: Zimbio.com.

Italian footballers! Oh, how we love to love. And yet? Much like the rude arse Yetis placed outside our favourite nightclubs whose sole purpose in life is to push us away from guest list queue towards the one full of peasants, footballers' fashion choices often act in a similar, aggressive shoving manner to our senses.

By Ollie Irish

Assistant referee Sian Massey in action on the touchline during Wolves vs Liverpool. Massey was the target of sexist comments by Sky's Andy Gray and Richard Keys, for which the pair were suspended.

Liverpool's Raul Meireles scores their second goal of the game at Wolves, with a perfectly executed dipping volley.

BLACKBURN, England Blackburn manager Steve Kean celebrated his long-term contract with a third home victory in a row as Rovers claimed a 2-0 win over West Brom at Ewood Park to climb up to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League. Kean this week signed a deal to keep him at the club until [...]

The great exodus has begun. The overrated and the overpaid have started to scatter, some complaining of the coldness of a manager who doesn't appear to appreciate their gifts. Few seem to be expressing gratitude for the munificence that has allowed them to amass millions without actually doing anything of worth.

For a few year's now I've complained about the transfer window. Not in the general sense of the why's and why not's of why it was put into place and if it does or doesn't have a positive effect on the game, but rather that it's usually for the majority just well, dull.

Sky Sports news can get as excited as they want and Jim White's voice an get higher and higher but it doesn't change the fact that for the last few seasons, it's not just the weather that's been cold in January but the transfer window itself.

Jones, 29, joins Rovers on loan until the end of the current season and joins Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz in reinforcing manager Steve Kean's squad in January.

Good move.

JJ flies the Schalke coop

With TSG fave Steve N'Zonzi shelved for most of the year and Blackburn under new management, the procurement has begun.

Yesterday it was Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz.

Today? Every American soccer fan's favorite German, Jermaine Jones.