London, Dec 27 : Fresh from the FIFA Club World Cup win in Japan, Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that they can now launch a successful defence of their Premier League title.

"At this stage of the season coming from back from Japan, the energy was good and I think we have handled it well," The Mirror quoted Ferguson, as saying.

London, Dec 27: A video showing football stars speaking out against homophobia will be released next year as part of an unprecedented drive by the sport's governing bodies to tackle a sharp rise in abuse and discrimination.

The video will be shown in cinemas, on TV and in stadiums in an attempt to rid terraces and pitches of homophobic chants and slurs, The Guardian reported.

The Football Association (FA), the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, Kick It Out, the sport's diversity and inclusion campaign, and Peter Tatchell, of gay rights group Outrage, began work on plans for the video.

London - Liverpool rediscovered home comforts as they beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 on Boxing Day to maintain their place at the top of the English Premier League, while Chelsea and Manchester United kept pace with the leaders.

Robbie Keane scored twice and Albert Riera the other as Liverpool won at home for the first time in seven weeks, keeping them one point ahead of Chelsea, who stayed on their heels with a 2-0 win over bottom side West Bromwich Albion.

London  - Liverpool stayed ahead of Chelsea at the top of the English Premier League thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Robbie Keane scored twice and Albert Riera the other as Liverpool won at home for the first time in seven weeks, keeping them one point ahead of Chelsea, who stayed on their heels with a 2-0 win over bottom side West Bromwich Albion.

Madrid  - Spanish giants Valencia announced Thursday evening that Nikola Zigic had been loaned to Racing Santander until the end of the season.

Santander president Francisco Pernia intends to present Zigic to the media on Monday.

The gigantic Serbian striker was a great success when playing for Santander in the 2006-2007 season, scoring 11 league goals. He was then sold to Valencia, where he has failed to hold down a regular first-team place.

Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian superstar Ronaldo received the perfect gift on Christmas eve. His fiancee Maria Beatriz Anthony gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday, local media reported.

Ronaldo was present when his daughter, Maria Sofia, was born and even cut the umbilical cord. The baby is healthy at 49.5 centimetres and weighs 2.98 kilograms.

This is Ronaldo's second child. He has a son, eight-year-old Ronald, with his former wife and model Milene Domingues.