London, Dec. 2: Manchester United coach-cum manager Alex Ferguson is nowadays plotting to snare his eleventh title in football.

He believes that in the New Year, his team will be perfectly poised to strike.

“You look at the first half of the season and we’ll have played away to almost every team who finished in the top 10 last season. That’s incredible. I have to say having home advantage against those teams at the end of the season should help us,” he was quoted by the Sun, as saying.

London, Dec. 2: Portuguese and Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the level of scrutiny he is often subjected to, can get irritating at times.

“I have come to understand that every movement I make, on or off the pitch, is analysed to death. If I don’t celebrate goals, it is because I am sad. If I talk to the public, it is because I have lost my humility. My slightest gesture gets every type of criticism,” the Sun quoted Ronaldo, as saying.

London, Dec. 2: Brazilian footballer Robinho has described his Manchester City teammates as a bunch of losers, and added that when he was playing for the Spanish football club Real Madrid, he learnt the art of winning.

“City have good players but the mentality of a small side. What they lack is the mentality of champions. At Real Madrid, I learned a will to win,” The Sun quoted Robinho, as saying.

London  - Defiant Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said that his side deserved more than the point they earned in Monday's 0-0 draw with West Ham United.

The point was enough to put Liverpool atop the English Premier League, one point clear of Chelsea, with champions Manchester United another five points back, albeit with a game in hand.

After Chelsea's defeat on Sunday by Arsenal, Monday's draw was a missed opportunity for Liverpool, who have now drawn back-to-back matches at home in the league.

London  - Liverpool hit the top of the English Premier League on Monday night despite being held to a goalless draw at home by West Ham United.

The home side dominated possession but failed to break down a resolute West Ham defence and were held to a goalless draw at home for the third time this season.

Despite the failure to win, the draw moved Liverpool one point clear of Chelsea at the top of the table, with champions Manchester United another five points behind in third.

Madrid  - Spanish champions Real Madrid announced on Monday evening that defender Pepe would be out of action until January.

The Portugal defender tore the cuadriceps muscle in his left leg in Saturday's 3-1 defeat away to Getafe, and the club doctors believe that he will be out of action between four and five weeks.

Wesley Sneijder and Miguel Torres both limped out of the Getafe defeat with pulled muscles, and will both be out of action for around ten days.

Real's other injury victims are Gabriel Heinze, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Gonzalo Higuain.

However, Arjen Robben and Fabio Cannavaro will probably be able to return next Saturday against Sevilla, after being out for two weeks.