Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has reiterated his commitment to the Gunners, saying: "I don't want to fail here." Outgoing Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hinted a deal is already in place to sign Fabregas next summer. But the 22-year-old insisted earlier this week that he would not be distracted by such talk. He has again stressed that stance, vowing to remain at the Emirates Stadium to repay the faith shown in him by Arsene Wenger and to be successful with the north London club. "I am so happy here," he said. "And I want to continue to be part of what is happening here. Definitely. If not I would have left when I had the opportunity, three years ago, two years ago or last year. I believe in this team and I feel we can achieve things. The boss believes in us more than anyone, and I feel I am part of it. He makes me see that as well. And I don't want to fail here."

 Promising central defender Ciaran Clark has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Aston Villa. Clark, who made his Barclays Premier League debut against Fulham earlier this season, has committed himself to Villa until the end of the 2011-2012 campaign. The 20-year-old, currently captain of Villa's reserve side, has followed other highly-rated youngsters in Nathan Delfouneso and Marc Albrighton in putting pen to paper on new deals. Clark also earned his first call-up into the England Under-21 squad earlier this month and believes he is benefitting from working with experienced Villa defenders such as Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar. He said: "When you are training with defenders like Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar, it is a massive help. They really encourage you and, if you make mistakes, they keep your head up. If there is stuff they can help you with, they'll do that, and that helps you as a person and as a player. I've been with Villa since I was 12. It was great to make my Premier League debut and I hope I can push on and do well for Villa. I'm grateful and thankful for the new contract and now I'm going to knuckle down and work hard." 

 Sebastian Larsson has again expressed his desire to sign a new contract but insists he is "not worried" by the lack of activity so far from the new board in that direction. The Sweden international was offered a five-year deal by the previous owners but it was on ice after the takeover by Carson Yeung was put into operation. Larsson's current contract ends in June although City have a 12-month option in their favour that they could take up. The former Arsenal player said: "All I have said all along is that it's up to the club now to let me know what they want to do. Then we will see what happens. If we can agree on something, then I am more than happy to sign a new deal - but it's one thing just saying it, you need to start talking and agree something. I'm not worried about it. There is a lot of new stuff I suppose for the owners and the board to deal with, we will see." 

 Sam Allardyce was discharged from hospital after undergoing treatment for a heart complaint, his assistant Neil McDonald confirmed on Saturday night. Allardyce, 55, underwent an angioplasty, a procedure to correct narrowing to one branch of his coronary arteries on Saturday. He was recovering at home while his side drew 0-0 against Stoke at Ewood Park. McDonald said: "I believe Sam was discharged on Saturday afternoon and I imagine he is resting at home. I am told he is on schedule for next week as expected and hopefully we will see him then." 

 Gary Megson believes Ivan Klasnic is one of the Barclays Premier League's best strikers. The Croatia international was on the scoresheet in Wanderers' 1-1 draw at Fulham but was taken off in the second half. Megson was still full of praise for the forward, though, saying: "Klasnic is one of best strikers in the Premier League."    

 Burnley's Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture at home to Everton, scheduled for Monday 30th November, has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Meanwhile defender Tyrone Mears is hoping he will soon be eligible for England. Stockport-born Mears has been tipped for a surprise international call by his club manager Owen Coyle but he is currently unavailable due to erroneously playing for Jamaica nine months ago. The 26-year-old featured for the Jamaicans, then coached by former England international John Barnes, against Nigeria at Loftus Road in February despite having no links to the Caribbean country. Former Hammer Mears was under the impression his estranged father was from Jamaica but has since discovered possible links to Sierra Leone. Now he is attempting to have his international cap rescinded in the outside chance he catches Fabio Capello's eye in World Cup year. "The problem is I am registered with FIFA as a Jamaican player, which shouldn't have happened," said Mears. "I don't qualify for Jamaica. You have to hold a passport to play for a country. Because it was a friendly I was told it wouldn't count and I didn't think it was a big deal but apparently it is. I've spoken with lawyers and we've written to FIFA and I think everything's going to be sorted out. At the minute I couldn't play for England. I have to send some information to the FA and once they've signed off everything it should be fine, so it should happen in the next few weeks."

 Nicolas Anelka is hoping to sign a new Chelsea contract "soon" after admitting he would like to see out the rest of his career at Stamford Bridge. The 30-year-old has played for seven clubs prior to his move to west London in January 2008 but is now keen to settle at Chelsea, who are reported to be ready to offer him an improved contract. Anelka, who has scored six goals for the Blues in all competitions this season, said: "I hope to sign a new contract soon. I am very happy at Chelsea. I have found a home. Ever since I left Real Madrid I wanted to find a big club again and I have with Chelsea. I feel I am playing the best football of my career and want to carry on playing my best days with Chelsea."

 David Moyes was quick to praise on-loan Manchester City striker Jo, following his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. Jo, making his first start for more than a month, had the ball in the net twice in the first half but was flagged offside on both occasions. Moyes had no issue with the decisions and was happy with the Brazilian's performance in the 65 minutes he was on before being replaced by Louis Saha. "I thought Jo did really well and I also think the linesman got them (the offside decisions) both correct," said Moyes. "Overall I thought the players did a good job. I've got encouragement from today but it doesn't change our position," he added. 

 Roy Hodgson has revealed that striker Andy Johnson has undergone an exploratory operation in a bid to solve his groin problem. Johnson was missing from the Fulham side that drew 1-1 with Bolton on Saturday and Hodgson now fears that the former England international could be out for some time. Johnson has been struggling with the injury since early October and despite intensive treatment, he has continued to suffer in pain, as Hodgson revealed. "He had an operation on Saturday and I am waiting to hear what the results of that are," said Hodgson. "It is pretty much exploratory because he has tried so hard to get back. There have been days when we thought he has cracked it and got manageable pain but then the following day when he comes out to training, he does not have manageable pain. He is forced to go back inside again and that was the case on Friday and the day before. That has prompted us, after the numerous scans and alternative medicine, to operate and go into the area where he is suffering the pain in the hope of finding out what it is and put it right. I fear he will be out for some time."

 Phil Brown admits he would probably not be in a job had it not been for the response of his players in recent matches. Brown's position does not appear under immediate threat given he was on the verge of being sacked when new chairman Adam Pearson was installed earlier this month. A four-match unbeaten run that has yielded eight points has taken the Tigers four points clear of the drop zone, and Brown said: "I have had nothing but support from the changing room. A change of chairman always causes problems in terms of which direction the club is going in and what is round the corner. Change in football causes anxiety. But the response of the players is why I am still sat here as Hull City manager."

 Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed Fabio Aurelio has rejected a contract extension offer. The Brazilian has suffered with injuries during his time at Anfield but is still highly rated by Benitez, who was his manger at former club Valencia. However, Aurelio's deal expires at the end of the season and it would appear he will have to accept terms based on appearances if he wants to stay. Benitez said: "Fabio has been really unlucky. When we spoke to him about a contract extension he had an injury and he has had lots of injuries in the past. We made him an offer and his agent rejected it. Then he suffered another injury and we have had to analyse the situation again. We will talk again in the future because he is a good person, a great professional and a great player.Maybe his situation needs to be looked at in a different way and he needs to be realistic."   

 Mark Hughes is confident the club's owners know exactly the direction Manchester City are moving in and is adamant draws will be turned into victories pretty soon. Chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak looked on as City drew their sixth consecutive match in the 1-1 draw at home to Hull. Hughes, who spent £120m on new players last summer, said: "There is pressure to get results, any manager will tell you that. But we are still in the mix at the top end of the league. At times we look what we are - a team that has come together very quickly. At others we look strong and established. There is a process to go through and I believe the owners understand that concept as well. What we have to do is keep picking up points. We are doing that and it is only a matter of time before we start winning again."

 Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Ryan Giggs after the veteran midfielder netted on the eve of his 36th birthday to inflict defeat on Avram Grant in his first match in charge of Portsmouth. Giggs scored his 100th Premier League goal during the 4-1 win at Fratton Park, with Wayne Rooney grabbing a hat-trick including two penalties. With Giggs turning 36 on Sunday, Ferguson said: "He's an exceptional player. A rarity. He will play for two years yet. Happy Birthday. He's had it 36 times in his life, wait until he gets to 67. I think he'll be retired by then."

 Kevin-Prince Boateng has delivered a blow to Portsmouth by confirming he wants to play for Ghana. The news that the influential midfielder, who represented Germany at Under-21 level, now wants to play for Ghana may not go down well at Fratton Park. With the African Cup of Nations due to take place early next year, Boateng is now likely to be absent for Pompey's January schedule. Boateng said: "At my age I want to be playing at the World Cup and it would be difficult for me to get into the Germany team. My dad is from Ghana so it is a big celebration for my family. The African Cup of Nations is a massive tournament and we have a great chance of winning it so there was no question of me not going. I just have to make sure we have got more points before I go there."

 Tony Pulis is delighted with the progress being made at the club. The Potters took a point at Blackburn on Saturday, and could easily have taken all three. Pulis said: "We are better this year than last. To have 20 points from 14 games is first class for us. We've had only 18 months in the Premier League and you get built up. People get carried away with things but we need three years in the Premier League for a proper foundation to push the club forward. It has got to be step by step. We will keep our feet on the ground. The good thing at the moment is the amount of points we are gathering away from home."

 Steve Bruce has admitted he would love to end his career with England. Bruce admits he is loving life at Sunderland, who he took charge of in the summer, but has designs on the England job in the future. "If anything like that came along, I'd know I'd have to have done a wonderful job at Sunderland," he said. "If you do get the chance to manage your country, it has got to be the ultimate. I never got there as a player - I didn't even get in a single squad - but if the opportunity one day came along to manage my country, it would be the pinnacle. But I do believe the England job has to be your last job. I don't think there's a way back into club management after that, unless you do as Steve McClaren has done and go abroad. I'd be happy if this was my last job in club management. Sunderland is a great place to be, a great place to work at and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I don't think you can take anything for granted but I signed a three-year deal when I came here and I hope I can sign another one. That's the way I feel at the moment. It's going very well and we've got the makings of a decent team."

 Harry Redknapp has praised Jermaine Jenas' attitude after leaving him out of the thrashing against Wigan - and he expects the midfielder to get enough chances to impress before next year's World Cup. Jenas played 90 minutes for England against Brazil and found himself on the bench for the 9-1 win the following weekend but Redknapp was impressed the 26-year-old did not sulk about his situation. "It's a long season and they will play their games," Redknapp said. "JJ will play loads of games, so will Tom Huddlestone. They all have to be patient. Crouchy (Peter Crouch) was left out earlier in the season and he was patient. He showed a great attitude and was part of everything before the game, shook everyone's hand before the games and wished everyone the best. That is the type of atmosphere you need for a winning team. JJ showed that attitude and it was first class. It's hard when you're a regular you feel for them because they give everything and they desperately want to go to the World Cup in South Africa. It's a great World Cup and a tournament when they could be part of a winning England team." 

 Gianfranco Zola was happy to finally enjoy that winning feeling again after watching his relegation-battlers move clear of the bottom three as Burnley were beaten 5-3 at Upton Park. The Hammers were well in command at the break, through goals from Jack Collison and Junior Stanislas, before Carlton Cole - who would later go off injured - converted a penalty as Burnley were made to pay for poor defending after what had been a bright start by the visitors. Guillermo Franco headed in a fourth, with a penalty from substitute Luis Jimenez making it 5-0. However, Burnley - who have just one point from seven away matches on their return to the top flight - made a fight of it in the closing stages with a late double strike from Steven Fletcher and Chris Eagles strike after Steven Caldwell had been sent off. "It was an entertaining game, although I would have preferred to have conceded fewer goals - but you can't have everything," said Zola. "Right now we are very good coming forward, we just need to keep the balance when we are defending. We switched off too early. But we wanted the three points, and we have to be happy with that. I will take a lot of positives from this game - we scored another five goals. Going forwards we are doing very well."

 Roberto Martinez praised his players for the way they responded to last week's 9-1 mauling at Tottenham by beating Sunderland 1-0 at the DW Stadium. In a match of few chances Hugo Rodallega capitalised on Paulo da Silva's 76th-minute slip to coolly roll a left-foot shot past Marton Fulop from a narrow angle for his sixth Barclays Premier League goal of the season. "It has been a very testing week," admitted Martinez. "The reaction, to get a clean sheet and stop Sunderland playing - they only had one shot on target - it showed all the ingredients needed in adversity. I was extremely proud of the players. They were desperate to get on the pitch and they showed it. Everyone at the football club is a lot better after the week we have had. It is not frustrating because it is the reality of where we are. The work is towards getting rid of the inconsistency and trying to fulfil our potential. It was a cup final within a league competition. We had to win, we had to perform, we had to react and we did everything."

 Mick McCarthy was disappointed with his side's performance in the 1-0 home defeat to Birmingham on Sunday. Lee Bowyer scored the only goal of the derby for the visitors and speaking after the match McCarthy said: "I was not expecting us to play as poorly as we did in the first half. It was a hugely disappointing experience and we did not compete like we normally do. You expect to be beaten by Chelsea and Arsenal, as we have been in the last two games, but we expected to beat Birmingham. They deserved it, they were better than us on the day but we were 1-0 down before we had made a tackle and then it is always difficult. I can't blame the (4-0) defeat against Chelsea for what happened today. We were at home to Birmingham and didn't get the performance we wanted."