PL agent fees fall by £3m

The Premier League has announced that clubs have cut their spending on agents' fees by more than £3million last year.
Latest figures to be released show that payments have fallen from more than £70.7million to £67.1million within the year ending at 30th September 2010.
Champions Chelsea topped the list of spenders with a huge 9.3million being shelled out, but mega-rich rivals Manchester City reduced their outlay by more than half, spending just £6million compared to last season's total of £12.8million.
Newly-promoted Blackpool, meanwhile, spent just £45,000, but Liverpool increased their spending from £6.6million to over £9million in a time they were embroiled in takeover problems.
The Premier League came to an agreement in June 2008 that from last season onwards each club must publish the total amounts paid during the previous two transfer windows.
The below table show payments made by clubs to agents in the period from 1st October 2009 to 10th September 2010. The amounts shown include payments made by clubs on behalf of players.
PREMIER LEAGUE Total
Arsenal: £3,660,199.00
Aston Villa: £2,279,536.50
Birmingham City: £1,518,529.09
Blackburn Rovers: £1,623,232.92
Blackpool: £45,000.00
Bolton Wanderers: £3,549,316.72
Chelsea: £9,293,751.48
Everton: £3,599,040.51
Fulham: £2,087,373.55
Liverpool: £9,032,528.49
Manchester City: £5,952,261.33
Manchester United: £2,312,726.00
Newcastle United: £2,417,776.00
Stoke City: £2,196,968.50
Sunderland: £4,421,990.72
Tottenham Hotspur: £5,361,229.87
West Bromwich Albion: £614,195.73
West Ham United: £3,419,089.99
Wigan Athletic: £2,461,500.00
Wolverhampton Wanderers: £1,291,794.00
Total £67,138,040.40
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Schmeichel's keeper warning

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes Anders Lindegaard is not the answer to the club's goalkeeper dilemma.
The Red Devils are in the market for a new keeper as current No.1 Edwin van der Sar is approaching the end of his career.
Denmark international Lindegaard, who is on the books of Norwegian outfit Aalesund, has been indentified as a potential replacement, with talks already held regarding a £3.5million deal.
Former Old Trafford favourite Schmeichel has warned Sir Alex Ferguson off his countryman, though, insisting the 26-year-old is not ready to take on a prominent role at such a prestigious club.
He feels United should be looking to buy a proven world-class performer, rather than a player with potential who could buckle under the pressure of life in the Premier League.
"We are talking about Manchester United here," said Schmeichel, who cemented a reputation as the world's best goalkeeper during an eight-year stint at Old Trafford in the 1990s.
"You can look at young talent, you can look at young, good players. You don't want that. You want someone who can go in straight away and give performances in 80 per cent of the games the No.1 keeper will play for Manchester United.
"Too many goalkeepers have been in and out of the doors. Now, for this team to win trophies, that position has to be someone who is of the very, very highest quality but also with the right experience."
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Premier League round-up

The Manchester derby produced a lifeless stalemate as Premier League leaders Chelsea beat Fulham and Arsenal overcame Wolves.
West Ham United and Wigan Athletic remain in the bottom three after home draws, while Everton left it late to grab a point against Bolton Wanderers.
Sam Allardyce savoured a winning return to Newcastle United, while Aston Villa returned to form with a home triumph over Blackpool.
A much-anticipated derby between City and United failed to live up to its billing after a dreadful 0-0 draw at Eastlands.
In a game of no real clear-cut chances, Dimitar Berbatov had a couple of volleys easily saved and former United striker Carlos Tevez tested Edwin van der Sar with a first-half free-kick.
Chelsea maintained their impeccable home record this season as Michael Essien scored and was then sent off in a 1-0 victory over local rivals Fulham.
The champions made the decisive breakthrough on the half-hour mark as Salomon Kalou's cross from the left was headed home by the unmarked Essien.
However, Ghana midfielder Essien blotted his copybook in the final minute with a two-footed challenge which warranted a straight red card.
Marouane Chamakh scored at the start and end of the game as Arsenal bounced back from a surprise defeat at the weekend to win 2-0 at Wolves.
Arsenal enjoyed a dream start by taking the lead inside the opening minute when Alex Song's cross picked out the unmarked Chamakh to head home.
The second half saw both sides have shots cleared off the line and Andrey Arshavin hit the post before Chamakh made certain of the points by scoring in stoppage-time after being played in by Cesc Fabregas.
Liverpool's recent winning run came to a halt at the DW Stadium as Wigan Athletic came from a goal behind to force a 1-1 draw.
Fernando Torres followed up his double against Chelsea by giving Liverpool the lead on seven minutes by racing on to Steven Gerrard's excellent through ball and finishing clinically past Ali Al Habsi.
Wigan levelled seven minutes into the second half when Hugo Rodallega slammed home the loose ball after Pepe Reina had pushed out Ronnie Stam's cross.
Blackburn secured a fifth successive win at St James' Park as substitute Jason Roberts clinched a 2-1 success over Newcastle.
Allardyce had an early smile on his face upon his return to his former club as Morten Gamst Pedersen capitalised on Cheick Tiote's dallying in the box to drill a low shot into the net on three minutes.
Newcastle hit back two minutes after half-time when the lucrative source of Joey Barton and Andy Carroll combined as the former's deep free-kick was headed beyond Paul Robinson by the in-form England hopeful.
But moments after going in front, Magpies midfielder Barton was fortunate to escape a red card when he punched Pedersen in the stomach behind the back of referee Mike Jones.
Rovers' winner came eight minutes from time when Roberts outmuscled the home defence from Paul Robinson's punt and slotted the ball past Tim Krul.
James Collins scored an 89th minute winner as Aston Villa beat a Blackpool side featuring 10 changes 3-2 at Villa Park.
Villa edged ahead in the 28th minute when Stewart Downing ran from the halfway line and exchanged passes with Ashley Young before seeing his shot from the edge of the area deflect past Richard Kingson.
But former Villa striker Marlon Harewood returned to haunt his old club just before half-time as he wriggled free and fired past Brad Friedel.
Young provided the assist for Villa's second goal on the hour as he played in Nathan Delfouneso, who kept his cool to finish beyond Kingson.
Substitute DJ Campbell thought he had earned the Seasiders a point with a deflected equaliser on 87 minutes, but two minutes later Collins stooped to head home the winner from a corner.
West Ham remain bottom of the table after letting a second-half lead slip to draw 2-2 with West Brom at Upton Park.
West Brom were in front on 38 minutes through Peter Odemwingie's penalty after Luis Boa Morte had needlessly bundled over Steven Reid when tussling for a corner.
The Hammers were level before the break, though, as the inspirational Scott Parker cracked a stunning 25-yard shot into the top corner.
And the turnaround appeared complete five minutes into the second half when Frederic Piquionne scored from the spot after Gabriel Tamas was harshly adjudged to have fouled Kieron Dyer.
However, West Brom refused to buckle and levelled on 71 minutes when Chris Brunt's cross found the unmarked Pablo Ibanez to head home at the far post.
Jermaine Beckford's first Premier League goal in the last minute salvaged a 1-1 draw for Everton at home to Bolton.
All the action at Goodison Park arrived in the final 11 minutes as Bolton went ahead when Ivan Klasnic nudged Matt Taylor's teasing cross over the line.
Everton had Marouane Fellaini sent off four minutes from time for kicking out at Paul Robinson before Beckford curled a superb shot into the top corner to earn his team a point.
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Martinez - Fear has gone

Roberto Martinez insists Wigan no longer fear big clubs ahead of the clash with Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
The Latics take on the Reds at the DW Stadium in the Premier League, having dispatched of the men from Merseyside 1-0 last season.
Last term marked a turning point for Wigan as they also claimed victories over Chelsea and Arsenal at home, having previously struggled against the teams at the top end of the division.
Martinez believes there is no longer a mental barrier when the big boys arrive in town, and he is backing his team to work hard and earn a result.
"We are taking risks and we have no mental barrier any more," he said in the Daily Express.
"When you win games you get confidence, that brings you luck, and at the moment we need to work harder on that to get more luck.
"The boys are focused and I want them to get all the rewards they deserve."
Liverpool's defeat at the DW last season marked the beginning of the downfall of former coach Rafa Benitez's reign at Anfield.
Benitez has since launched a number of attacks on the new regime at the club, including manager Roy Hodgson, and some strange ramblings have seen him spout phrases such as 'some can't see a priest on a mountain of sugar', and 'white liquid in a bottle has to be milk.'
While these are thought to be well-known Spanish sayings, compatriot Martinez admits he was surprised to hear their use.
"That took me by surprise. It must have been for a bet or something," he added.
"It is a phrase, 'if you cannot see a black priest on a mountain of sugar there must be something wrong with you', but that is in Spanish.
"White in a bottle - we all know what it is. But you don't say 'milk' so maybe he had a bad day in training. It was strange."
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Premier League round-up

Park is mobbed after his late winner
Man Utd left it late to beat Wolves at Old Trafford, Bolton upset European heroes Tottenham and Sunderland overcame Stoke.
Blackpool shared the spoils with Everton after an action-packed clash at Bloomfield Road, while Blackburn got back to winning ways against Wigan.
Fulham denied Aston Villa all three points at Craven Cottage with a last-gasp leveller and Birmingham battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with West Ham.
Park Ji-sung's last-gasp goal earned Manchester United a fortuitous 2-1 win over battling Wolves at Old Trafford.
United looked set to miss the chance to close on Chelsea by dropping two points until Park popped up deep into stoppage time with a crucial winner.
Owen Hargreaves saw his long-awaited return to action for last less than five minutes as he limped off with an apparent hamstring problem.
Hargreaves was a shock inclusion in the starting XI in his first Premier League start since September 2008 because of long-term knee problems.
However, the England international's injury jinx struck again in the opening five minutes when he appeared to pull his hamstring when crossing the ball from the right and he was forced to limp off to be replaced by Bebe.
Somewhat against the run of play United broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time as Darren Fletcher picked out Park inside the box with a clever pass and the South Korean slotted past Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Former United man Sylvan Ebanks-Blake came off the bench to draw Wolves level on 66 minutes when Nenad Milijas' mis-hit shot fell into his path inside the box and he fired his shot between the legs of Edwin van de Sar.
That looked like earning Wolves a famous point, but Park broke their hearts as he cut in from the right and drilled a low shot past Hahnemann to send the home fans into raptures and move United to within two points of leaders Chelsea.
Tottenham were brought back to earth after their midweek European heroics after going down 4-2 to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
Kevin Davies scored twice for the home side, one from the penalty spot, with further goals from Gretar Steinsson and substitute Martin Petrov rendering Alan Hutton and Roman Pavlyuchenko's superb efforts mere consolations.
Bolton broke the deadlock just past the half hour mark in controversial circumstances when Taylor robbed Sandro in possesion and fed Davies who was in an offside position, but the offside flag stayed down and Davies drilled his left-footed shot past Heurelho Gomes.
The home side added a second on 56 minutes when Johan Elmander picked out Steinsson inside the box for the full-back to drive home his first goal of the season.
Bolton won a penalty 14 minutes from time when Benoit Assou-Ekotto barged into the back of Lee Chung-yong and Davies scored with ease from the spot.
Three minutes later Spurs pulled a goal back when Hutton cut in from the right and curled a brilliant left-footed shot high into the net past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Substitute Pavlyuchenko reduced the arrears further three minutes from time with a stunning volley from an acute angle to set up a tense finale.
However, Bolton ended any hopes of a shock comeback from the visitors when Petrov raced clear from Davies' flick to slot coolly past Gomes.
Birmingham came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with basement boys West Ham at St Andrews.
After dominating the first half West Ham deservedly grabbed the lead three minutes into the second half when Luis Boa Morte sent Frederic Piquionne clear on goal and he slotted past Ben Foster.
Ten minutes later West Ham added a second when Carlton Cole squared the ball for Valon Behrami to slot after some careless defending from the home side.
Birmingham gave themselves hope on 64 minutes when Nikola Zigic headed Sebastian Larsson's cross down into the path of Cameron Jerome who nipped in to knock the ball past Robert Green.
The home side drew level 17 minutes from time when Green could only parry Larsson's free-kick straight into the path of Liam Ridgewell who reacted quickly to convert the rebound.
Asamoah Gyan marked his first Premier League start for Sunderland with both goals in a controversial 2-0 win over Stoke.
The Ghana international gave Sunderland the perfect start when he found the net from close-range after just nine minutes.
Sunderland missed a great chance to double their lead just before the half hour mark when Jon Walters pulled back Gyan inside the box to concede a penalty, but Asmir Begovic produced a superb save low down to his left to keep out Steed Malbranque's spot-kick.
Stoke felt they had equalised midway through the second half when Lee Cattermole appeared to clear Kenwyne Jones's header behind his own goaline with a combination of his arm and head, but to the visitors' astonishment referee Martin Atkinson only awarded a corner to Stoke.
Things got worse for Stoke when Ryan Shawcross was sent off for a bodycheck on Danny Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area seven minutes from time
Sunderland made the game safe four minutes from time when Gyan converted his shot just inside the box.
Everton twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Blackpool.
Neal Eardley gave Blackpool the lead after just 10 minutes with his first goal for the club with a superb curling free-kick from 25 yards past Tim Howard.
However, the lead proved short-lived as Yakubu Aiyegbeni crossed for Tim Cahill to head powerfully past Matt Gilks
David Vaughan restored Blackpool's lead three minutes into the second half when he scored at the second attempt after an almighty goalmouth scramble inside the Everton box.
Again Blackpool failed to hold onto their lead with Everton equalising for a second time two minutes later as former Blackpool loanee Seamus Coleman saw his shot squirm under the body of Gilks who really should have done better with the shot.
Brede Hangeland's last-gasp goal earned Fulham a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Marc Albrighton looked like celebrating his new deal in style with the winning goal, but Hangeland popped up with an unlikely equaliser for Fulahm to deny Gerard Houllier's side all three points.
Barry Bannan was the creator of the goal as he picked out Albrighton with a sublime crossfield pass and the winger brilliantly controlled the ball without breaking stride before slipping his shot past Mark Schwarzer.
Fulham secured a share of the spoils with almost the last attack of the game as Hangeland broke the visitors' resistance.
Blackburn climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Wigan at Ewood Park.
After a goalless first half Blackburn made the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Morten Gamst Pedersen curled an unstoppable free-kick from way out on the right high into the net past Ali Al-Habsi.
The home side doubled their advantage on 67 minutes with former Latics striker Jason Roberts converted Brett Emerton's cross for his first goal of the season.
Charles N'Zogbia gave Wigan hope 16 minutes from time when he somehow curled his free-kick through the Blackburn wall and in off the post past Paul Robinson.
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Premier League preview

Liverpool: Chelsea test A full programme of top-flight fixtures this weekend starts with Tottenham Hotspur's trip to Bolton Wanderers before Liverpool host Chelsea in a potentially explosive meeting.
The action begins at the Reebok Stadium as Tottenham aim to carry on their momentum achieved from a fine scalp of European champions Inter Milan on Tuesday when they tackle Bolton at lunchtime on Saturday, live on Sky Sports HD2. Spurs are positioned fifth in the table after they were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford last Saturday. Victory in the North West would ensure Harry Redknapp's men, who boast the on-fire Gareth Bale, apply pressure on and leapfrog Manchester City, who do not play until Sunday. Bolton lie 11th in the standings and have managed just one victory in their last eight Premier League fixtures. Goals can be expected in this match-up, with Spurs without a clean sheet since the opening day of the term and the Trotters achieving only one shut-out in their last 18 top flight games.
Roy Hodgson's Reds appear to have turned a corner after their late win at Bolton last Sunday made it back-to-back league successes for Liverpool, which in turn lifted them up from the relegation zone into 13th spot. Incredibly, such is the tightness of the division at present, the Reds are now just three points behind fifth spot, despite their disastrous beginning to the season. But they face a fierce test against champions Chelsea, live on Sky Sports HD1 & also in 3D. The Blues currently boast a five-point lead at the summit, having demonstrated resolve by coming from a goal down to win at Blackburn. Frank Lampard is expected to make his return from injury as manager Carlo Ancelotti aims to bring Liverpool back down to earth with a crash at Anfield.
Manchester United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Old Trafford in one of six 3pm kick-offs on Saturday. These two sides met recently in the Carling Cup as the Red Devils edged their way into the quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory. Furthermore, in last campaign's corresponding league match-up, there was much controversy as Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made wholesale changes to his team and saw them comfortably beaten 3-0. McCarthy will unlikely repeat his actions, in particular after he was handed a suspended fine for fielding a so-called weaker side. Wolves head into this clash buoyed by a first win since the opening day, after they valiantly overcame City. United, meanwhile, are in excellent form, with the club unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches.
West Ham United are in danger of becoming isolated at the wrong of the table with the club currently bottom, with three points separating them from their nearest rival. Had the Hammers not capitulated against Newcastle a fortnight ago then the club would have been staring at being within three points of mid-table. Therefore, Avram Grant's side travel to Birmingham City in need of a win - this is West Ham's lowest-ever points tally after 10 games in the Premier League. The Blues' four points gained from their previous two matches have lifted the club, although a lack of firepower remains a concern. Indeed, Birmingham have failed to score in three of their last four league matches at St Andrews.
Everton will strive to maintain their excellent upturn in form when they make the trip to Bloomfield Road to face newly-promoted Blackpool. The Toffees have climbed to eighth in the division following of five matches unbeaten, of which they have won three. And David Moyes' charges are now just two points behind Tottenham, despite their ropey start to the season. Blackpool, meanwhile, sit just a place below Everton following their intriguing 2-1 defeat of nine-man West Brom. The result was the Seasiders' fourth win of the term, and their first first top-flight home victory since 1971. Speaking after the game, boss Ian Holloway hit out the critics who suggested his team would be the worst in Premier League history. Another positive result this weekend would go further to prove those doubters wrong.
Sunderland simply must respond from their heavy 5-1 loss at bitter rivals Newcastle when Steve Bruce's men host Stoke City at the Stadium of Light. The aforementioned battering will still remain sour in the mouths of Black Cats supporters, to it is up to manager Bruce to ensure his team achieve a result which will help wash away their painful medicine received on Tyneside. Bruce can at least take heart from a strong record on home turf, having lost only once in the league on Wearside since Boxing Day 2009. For Stoke, the club are on a run of three straight league defeats for the second time this season. They followed that previous series with a return of 10 points from a possible 12.
Aston Villa have slid down the table of late, with Gerard Houllier's side now occupying 14th. The Frenchman will be desperate for his charges to respond when they make the journey to Craven Cottage to lock horns with Fulham, who ended a poor run last time out. Indeed, Mark Hughes' team landed just their second league three-point haul of the term as they beat Wigan. And the Welshman will demand that Fulham notch back-to-back league triumphs for the first time since February. Goals are a major concern for Houllier, as Villa have gone 344 minutes without hitting the back of the net, while they have not travelled well of late, with five losses notched in their last six games on the road.
Lastly on Saturday, Blackburn Rovers do battle with North West counterparts Wigan Athletic. The former currently sit in the drop zone by a point after, despite an impressive effort, they were undone by the league leaders. But Rovers manager Sam Allardyce will have taken much encouragement from the performance, and will hope his players can maintain that standard against the Latics. Wigan are the team placed above Blackburn after a decent run of four matches without a loss came to an end at Fulham. Rovers may be without a win in their last four league matches at Ewood Park, but Roberto Martinez's team have taken all three points in just one of their last 12 league matches on the road.
On Sunday lunchtime, Arsenal welcome Newcastle United to Emirates Stadium, live on Sky Sports HD1. The Gunners are in sound league form having emerged victorious from their last three outings, but their rhythm was somewhat disrupted as they lost in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was disappointed with his side's complacency in that defeat and will demand full focus against the Magpies, who they beat in the Carling Cup 4-0 last week. Newcastle will head into the match with their tails up following a 5-1 hammering of their North East rivals, but manager Chris Hughton, whose future should surely not even be in debate, will be aware of the test that lies ahead in North London.
At 3pm on Sunday, West Bromwich Albion face Manchester City. The pressure has mounted on City manager Roberto Mancini's shoulders after his side slipped to successive Premier League losses with a shock defeat at Wolves, which was followed by a further reverse in the Europa League. Mancini will be aware of the importance of a response, in particular ahead of next week's Manchester derby. The Baggies are unbeaten at home in the league this season, while Roberto Di Matteo's team performed well with nine men in their last match at Blackpool. Said defeat was a first in seven matches for the Baggies, who sit sixth in the table following a great start to the campaign.
Liverpool v Chelsea 1st Goalscorer: Drogba, D. 7/2
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Silberbauer eyes Prem switch

FC Utrecht star Michael Silberbauer could be tempted by a move to a Premier League or Championship club, according to his agent.
The 29-year-old, who can play in central midfield or on the right wing, has impressed at Utrecht since arriving at the Eredivisie outfit two years ago.
Captain Silberbauer, a Denmark international, is out of contract with the Dutch club in the summer.
And the player's agent Michael Johansen has revealed the Dane is keen to ply his trade with an English club, insisting a January move is not out of the question.
"Premier League would be really good, but the top of the Championship would also be a possibility," Johansen told TV2.
"The most important thing is that he plays regularly and stays in the national team frame.
"It has to be the right offer. Michael's contract expires in the summer and we are not in a hurry."
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Manchester United always come first but Arsenal have recently reserved a place in my affections

But I have supported Manchester United since I was a child in Manchester, so the adoption of the first person plural seems an entirely natural sentence structure.
I follow them because my great uncle Cal, in his infinite wisdom, bought a season ticket.
He took my dad to see the Busby Babes and my dad took my brother to see George Best. And that was that.
We were stuck with United through the dog days of the 1970s, the slightly uneasy 1980s, the all-conquering 1990s, and are stuck with them still, whatever happens in these anxiety-inducing Glazer years.
I can no more imagine switching my allegiance than I can visualise swapping my children – or my husband for that matter.
However, that loyalty is coming under pressure from the ways in which football is changing. For example, when I was growing up I always regarded Man City as a sort of benign retirement home for United players when they were just past their best.
It was unsettling when Denis Law, Brian Kidd or even – more recently – Peter Schmeichel turned up in sky blue, but it didn't seem like a betrayal.
Admittedly, the transfer of Carlos Tevez triggered slightly different feelings, not least because he seemed so aggressively joyful about his move.
However, I cheered on City when they were playing a team from the soft South. So I was shocked that people would threaten Wayne Rooney with death should he switch sides.
This level of vehemence has always been there; football fans traditionally divide into those who love football and support a club, and those who love a club and follow football.
I am definitely in the first camp, and so flinch at the vicious chants and the malicious rumours about managers and players that always filled the terraces and now swamp the internet.
Nevertheless, I can't help feeling that the spirit of ferocious but fair competition is also being corrupted by the amounts of money washing in and out of the game, where the richest owners are trying to buy success with the power of their chequebooks and the smaller clubs struggle.
Now, I recognise as I type those words, that one reason other football fans hate United so much is that we have always seemed like the rich gits, flashing our wealth around like bankers using their platinum credit cards.
But even at the height of their power, United (like Liverpool before them) always put something back, not just in terms of the encouragement of young players, but also in a belief in football itself, a way of playing that justified its title as a beautiful game.
This is what I have most valued about my club – and because of that, I am having to examine my most heartfelt footballing conviction. Whisper it very softly, but I don't hate Arsenal anymore.
Truth be told, I have so many pals who support the north Londoners that I haven't criticised them aloud for years, because if I had I wouldn't have any friends.
But now, as I watch the fluent, clever, attacking football they are playing, I am overwhelmed by something very like affection.
Whatever you think of Arsène Wenger, it is his patience, his belief in skill and training, his quiet discovery and development of young players that has produced such a lovely thing.
I can't imagine ever including Arsenal in my familial "we", but as other teams attempt to purchase their success, I have increasing respect for the way the Gunners are trying to earn theirs.
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Tottenham wing Gareth Bale was impossible to control, says Inter Milan defender Maicon

Bale's devastating displays in both Champions League legs against the defending European champions has made him one of the most talked about footballers in Europe.
Lauded in the media across the continent since Tuesday night's 3-1 win, the Brazilian defender has been quick to give Bale the credit he is due.
"Bale is phenomenal," Maicon said. "He played a great game and he is a great player, a great champion. We have to give great praise to him. We knew what he could do, but he was impossible to control.
"He put in a great performance. All of Tottenham did. We gave it a go, but the third goal sealed it. Tottenham made the most of home advantage. We have to look immediately to the next match. We have to beat Twente and we are now working towards that."
Twenty-one-year-old Bale struggled when he first started out at Tottenham, playing in a record string of 24 Premier League games without a win.
But now, showing the form Harry Redknapp believed would shine through, he is earning plaudits from around the world, not least from his Tottenham team mates.
Luka Modric said he doubted whether there was a defender in Europe that could tame Bale.
"I don't know how you stop Gareth," the Croatia midfielder said. "If he plays like he did in the last few games, he is unstoppable.
"He is so quick on the pitch, he is unbelievable. He is showing his class.
"I said after the match against FC Twente that he can play for anyone in Europe and he showed that against the champions of Europe, Inter Milan."
Tom Huddlestone said: "I don't know how you can defend against him. If you drop off, he can pick a pass and if you get too tight, then he is just going to run you."
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How Gareth Bale stepped up to the mark to embrace his top-flight footballing dream

A final decision had to be taken by the following Monday morning.
Among the few dozen spectators at Norwich City's training ground were Bale's parents, Frank and Debbie, and Malcolm Elias, then head of recruitment at Southampton and the man charged with determining his future.
"I remember the day very clearly," Elias said. "His parents had driven all the way from Cardiff to Norwich in the knowledge that it was make or break for Gareth. He knew that it was make or break too. There was uncertainty.
"It was obvious that he was a good player but he kept missing games and there were question marks about his physicality. It sounds unbelievable now, but it was: 'Is he going to be physically and mentally tough enough'?"
For a period of two years, Bale had been growing rapidly and enduring disorientating periods of shooting pains in his back that were restricting his ability to run.
Yet his work ethic had still impressed the Southampton coaches, particularly the way he would spend hours honing his left-footed delivery.
Debbie Bale had also left a lasting impression on Huw Jennings, then Southampton academy director, when she outlined just how much her son wanted the chance to become a professional.
Time was running out, but Bale felt sufficiently fit to play for the Southampton Under-18s against Norwich in circumstances that, in their own way, were as intense as anything he will face with Tottenham.
"The pressure was massive," Elias said. "He'd had so many injury problems that evaluating him was very difficult because he never played enough games.
"Myself and Georges Prost [then Southampton's Under-18 manager] were praying it would go well for him because we knew he had talent. And his performance that day was flawless.
"He looked comfortable, composed and took everything in his stride. He showed his strength of character."
With Bale wreaking havoc down the left, and his room-mate, Theo Walcott, scoring a hat-trick by half-time, Southampton demolished Norwich 5-1.
"I remember seeing Gareth's mum and dad after the game," Elias said, "and I told them that they should have an enjoyable trip back to Wales. Thank goodness we got it right – it shows what a thin dividing line there can be in sport.
"Gareth has had some low points in his career, but he has always been able to use any set-back to get stronger. It is credit to him and the people who stuck by him. It is just an enormous pleasure to see him doing so well."
There is also confidence that Bale has the temperament and support structure to cope with becoming one of the most revered footballers in Europe.
"His parents are the salt of the earth and brought him up well in giving him time and love," Bale's uncle, Chris Pike, said. "I'm sure he won't change.
"I've known him for 21 years and know how grounded he is. He is not motivated by money, by fame, he just loves playing football."
Elias sent Bale a text message of congratulations yesterday which said: "All the low spots and uncertainty should make this even more special."
Bale's prompt reply of thanks underlined that neither had forgotten that cold Norfolk morning almost six years ago.
Gareth Bale timeline
Sept 26 2009
Bale comes on, in the 84th minute against Burnley with Spurs 4-0 up. Spurs score again and Bale features in a winning Premier League for the first time in 25 appearances.
Jan 26 2010
Bale starts in a winning Spurs side for the first time in the League, the 2-0 victory over Fulham at White Hart Lane.
April 14 2010
Bale scores his first League goal for Spurs, the winner against Arsenal, at White Hart Lane – their first League success over their neighbours since 1999.
April 17 2010
Three days later the Welshman scores again -- and again it proves to be the winner over London neighbours, with Chelsea’s title challenge halted by Bale in the 2-1 White Hart Lane defeat.
May 3, 2010
Bale named Spurs’ International Supporters Clubs' Young Player of the Season and Junior Members Young Player of the Season .
Aug 24 2010
Bale scores both Spurs’ goal in the 2-1 win at Stoke, their first victory of the season.
Oct 4 2010
Bale honoured with Wales’ Footballer of the Year award, in Cardiff.
Oct 11 2010
Brian Flynn, Wales’ caretaker manager, describes Bales as a match winner ahead of the European Championship qualifier in Switzerland. Wales lose 4-1 but Bale scores his third international goal.
Oct 20 2010
A remarkable night at San Siro where Bale scores a hat-trick against Inter Milan, in the 4-3 defeat – the first Tottenham player to score an away treble in Europe since Alan Gilzean, in 1971.
Nov 2 2010
Bale takes Inter apart, making two goals in a never-to-be forgotten 3-1 win over the reigning European Champions. Leaves with a bottle of Champagne – but insists he doesn’t drink.
Speed kills... ask Maicon
Gareth Bale scorched his way across the White Hart Lane turf on Tuesday, leaving Inter’s Brazilian defender Maicon trailing in his wake. Here are some his remarkable statistics:
7.45 miles covered by Bale – the most of any player on either side. The next highest were Luka Modric (7.27), Javier Zanetti (7.15), Peter Crouch (6.97) and Tom Huddlestone (6.95).
0.49 miles Bale covered at sprint pace, which is measured at 14.91 mph or more. That is 45 per cent higher than the Premier League average.
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Aston Villa's Emile Heskey out for a month

Heskey suffered the setback in training on Wednesday and will require surgery.
The former England player has started the season in fine form and is joint leading scorer with four goals.
It is another striker setback for Villa manager Gerard Houllier, as Gabriel Agbonlahor is still recovering from groin surgery.
John Carew, who has struggled to make an impact so far this season, is the club's only fit senior forward ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Fulham.
England Under-19 player Nathan Delfouneso will also be in contention to face Fulham.
Heskey, who quit international football after the World Cup this summer, has been revitalised since the arrival of Houllier as Martin O'Neill's successor.
The former Liverpool player has finally started to win over the Villa fans after adding goals to his performances.
A club statement read: "Emile Heskey will miss the clash with Fulham after picking up a knee injury.
"Heskey tore the medial meniscus in his right knee yesterday in training [Wednesday] with no other player involved in the incident.
"The injury will require an operation and he faces between three to four weeks out of action."
Carew was Villa's leading scorer with 17 goals last season after an impressive second half of the campaign.
He previously played under Houllier at Lyon before moving to Villa in a swap deal with Milan Baros in Jan 2007.
Delfouneso has had only limited opportunities this season but impressed for the reserves in their 2-0 away win over Arsenal.
Midfielder Steve Sidwell is battling to overcome flu in time to take on Fulham after missing training.
But defender Ciaran Clark, who operated in an unaccustomed midfield role against Birmingham on Sunday, is expected to recover from a dead leg.
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Gareth Bale's two-year transformation at Tottenham

Pat Sheehan, 30 November 2008, The Sun, reporting on 1-0 loss to Everton.
“One glance at the score and any Spurs fan will tell you without looking at the line-up that Gareth Bale must have played.”
Matt Barlow, 1st December 2008
“Redknapp had won his first five home games as the Tottenham manager but was left to contemplate the wisdom of sending on jinxed fullback Gareth Bale … This was his 18th appearance without a win and Moyes ought to have known the points were safe when he saw Tottenham’s No 3 trotting on, 23 minutes from time.”
Harry Redknapp, December, 2008
“He has everything to be a top player. He has to learn how to defend, learn how not to let people play balls inside him, learn to recover, just learn parts of his game … But it’s all there. He’s 6ft tall, a great athlete and I didn’t know he had a long throw until the NEC game in the Uefa Cup the other night – it was amazing he threw it that far, he’s never showed that before, he’s kept it up his sleeve! He may have to play forward until he learns the position better, but I can see him being a top left-back.”
Matt Lawton, 20th January 2009, Daily Mail, after 1-1 with Portsmouth result on 18th January
“Poor old Bale, still waiting for that first Premier League win.”
Martin Tyler, 19th November 2009, blogging for Sky Sports
“The stats certainly do not make good reading for the Welshman.”
Gareth Bale, January 2010
“I was young when I came here and I'm still quite young now but I'm learning every day and I want to become a better player. Nobody likes sitting on the bench, so it has been frustrating but it has also been a learning curve and that is what I need to go through. I'm happy to be back playing. I never really thought about leaving the club and I don't doubt myself. I know I'm a good player but I just needed the chance to prove it. When you get a run in the team, you have the confidence of the manager and that gives you confidence in yourself. You believe.”
Harry Redknapp, March 2010
“Alex Ferguson said to me last year, ‘You can’t pick him, you’re mad’, and I said, ‘It’s difficult’ … But now he looks fantastic, an amazing left-sided player. If he was English, he’d be in the England team, for sure, because he could solve two problems.”
Michel Salgado, March 2010, Blackburn Rovers’s former Real Madrid defender
“He’s a great footballer. He has good pace, he drives the ball well. He has quality to cross and, for me, he is a complete player.”
Harry Redknapp, April 2010
"We're looking to build a team here. We wouldn't be looking to sell players like him. He's the future of the football club."
Harry Redknapp, August 2010, on how he resurrected Bale's career.
“I just said, 'C'mon Gareth, stop f***** about with your barnet ” "He was always at it."
Gareth Bale, August 2010
"It was a bit annoying that people went on about that statistic but it didn't affect me at all. It was just one of those things that freakily happened. I knew as soon as I got my chance to play we'd win a few games and it'd be done …. This has been the first time you've really seen me as a player, playing all of the time. It's being able to show what I can do. I was given my chance and I'd like to say I took it."
Huw Jennings, October 2010, former Southampton and current Fulham academy director.
“It was a great move by Harry to get the monkey off Gareth’s back by bringing him on when they were 4-0 up at home,”
Harry Redknapp, October 2010
"Bale's got everything. He's incredible … My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world. Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team …. I would go so far as to say that Gareth is the best player to come out of Wales since Ryan Giggs. As an Englishman, I am highly disappointed he is Welsh.”
Gareth Bale, October 2010
"It's good – I'm just enjoying playing my football. I always believed in myself that if I got my chance I would be able to play well and do well for Tottenham, so I'm happy. I'm happy to be playing every week and doing my best for the team."
Harry Redknapp, November 2010
"Luis Figo said that Bale is just amazing, just amazing. When Figo says that he has to be good because he was such a fantastic footballer himself. He said ‘he (Bale) killed us (Inter) twice’. He didn’t ask about buying him, he just said Bale was fantastic.”
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West Brom defender Pablo Ibanez wins red card appeal

The Football Association confirmed that Ibanez's claim for wrongful dismissal had been upheld by an independent regulatory commission.
Ibanez's one-match ban has been withdrawn with immediate effect and he will be available for Sunday's game against Manchester City.
The Spaniard was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver in the 11th minute at Bloomfield Road after he was adjudged to have brought down Blackpool striker DJ Campbell inside the area.
The official deemed Ibanez to have denied Campbell an obvious goalscoring opportunity, a verdict the Baggies disputed after viewing the incident from various television angles.
West Brom finished the game with nine men after Gonzalo Jara was also dismissed for a lunge on Luke Varney shortly before the half-hour mark.
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Gabriel Obertan hopes to retain Manchester United spot after impressing against Bursaspor

Having scored his first United goal in Tuesday night's 3-0 win over Bursaspor and with Nani ruled out of the impending meeting with Mick McCarthy's men after suffering a groin injury in the first-half, Obertan's chance to make an impact at Old Trafford has finally arrived.
"It is going to be difficult to keep my place but I am going to work hard and make sure I have no regrets if I don't make the squad at the weekend," said the 21 year-old.
"But I am working towards making it and I hope the coach picks me."
Ferguson may end up with little option given the huge number of injuries he is carrying at the moment, even if Nani should not be sidelined for the same length of time as Antonio Valencia, who is out until next year with a double break of his ankle.
And the United manager has already indicated he would be happy to place his faith in their back-up wide-men Obertan and Bebe, who was also on the scoresheet against Bursaspor, for the contest with Wolves.
"Gabriel has been derailed quite a bit by injury," Ferguson said.
"It has been a problem for the lad. He had two or three last season and then picked up another in Texas this pre-season that kept him out for five or six weeks.
"But he is back now and as he showed tonight, he has fantastic talent."
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Roy Hodgson welcomes Damien Comolli's arrival at Liverpool

''I feel very good about it. It is something the owners were very keen to put in place,'' he said.
''It is a strategy which I think makes sense, especially for our club at this moment in time because we are in a period of transition with new owners.
''They want a management structure in place which they can identify with, from American or European models and not necessarily an archetypal, if somewhat outdated, English model.
''The days of the dictator-type English manager have long since passed when everything went through one man and no one dared even buy a paper clip without that person's approval.
''There are people who dip into the roles which Damien will take over but I think it is important we have someone who will co-ordinate things in that area.
''He will certainly take a lot of the minor things that you have to deal with, allowing me to concentrate on the team management and he will help us bring the team forward.
''As far as I am concerned it does not have any effect on my role as manager; I shall be selecting the team and working with the team and making all the decisions which revolve around the team and the matches we play.
''There is no impact for me as such on my daily work, where he will help the club and help me is in the matter of player recruitment.''
John Henry, principal owner of New England Sports Ventures (NESV), mooted the idea with Hodgson last week and went out to secure Comolli, who has also worked at Arsenal.
''Today's announcement is just the first step in creating a leadership group and structure designed to develop, enhance and implement our long-term philosophy of scouting, recruitment, player development and all of the other aspects necessary to build and sustain a club able to consistently compete at the highest level in European football,'' said Henry.
Further appointments at the top end of the club are expected but as a former Inter Milan manager, Hodgson is not worried by that at all.
''In Europe I am very used to having a situation where you work alongside people like that,'' he added.
''I think we can only profit from it as a club.
''In most clubs it is a question of titles but when I worked at Fulham I worked very closely with (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh.
''He didn't have the title of sporting director but the way we worked together I would have called him that.''
Hodgson has this week held more meetings with Henry, who will be at tomorrow's Europa League Group K tie against Napoli.
Much work has been done behind the scenes since NESV's takeover last month but Hodgson admits there is plenty more to be achieved.
Having spoken with Henry, he is pleased the owner is planning for the long term.
''There is an awful lot of work to be done at this club and we need a management structure that is going to allow us to take that on,'' he added.
''Damien's appointment is another step into the right direction from our new owners to show they have the philosophy and vision.
''They are going to do everything in their power to make sure we get it right and we get the right players in and move forward.
''Their management structure was made very clear to me. They thought the way we were structured was not as it should be and they wanted to bring in at least one person to add to the management team.
''Whether they will appoint someone else at the head of the organisation I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me because they have a clear idea of how this club should operate.
''They want a management team that is fully functioning, which brings a lot to the table and is going to help them rebuild the club to some extent.
''I think the fact they have moved so quickly to get Damien in after maybe speaking to me about a week ago shows how intent they are to get things right."
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Liverpool takeover cleared without debt guarantee

Previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett said in their offer document, when they bought the club in 2007, that the interest payments on the £200 million they borrowed for the purchase did not “to any significant extent” depend on the business of Liverpool. But they went on to pay the massive interest costs from money the club earned.
This prompted a backlash from Liverpool supporters, who complained that the development of the team was suffering and that much-vaunted plans to relocate the club to a new stadium were being jeopardised.
Henry’s promise to free Liverpool of debt proved persuasive in winning over Broughton and Purslow as well as the fans. However, Henry was not pressed for a written guarantee on this because, according to sources close to the pair, they felt it was not legally enforceable.
Henry has subsequently paid off the previous owners’ acquisition debt, although Liverpool still owe £37 million to Royal Bank of Scotland for development work on the proposed new stadium. Henry’s company, New England Sports Ventures, has said it will review this.
The new owner paid another visit to Merseyside yesterday to meet manager Roy Hodgson as well as the players and staff. He did not elaborate on how NESV had acquired the finances to buy Liverpool, saying such disclosure would go against the company’s confidentiality policy.
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Tottenham bring Inter Milan to their knees: Italian newspaper reaction

"Sooner or later the Inter landslide was going to happen and it did in London. Like a precious vase falling from a shelf, Inter's night fell into a million pieces. The mistakes not only compromises qualifying (which has now also opened up to Twente) but bares the image of a team looking like the crumpled shell of the European Champions."
Corriere dello Sport: Bale flattens Inter in 3-1 victory
"Faced with a brilliant and aggressive Tottenham side driven by Bale, Inter stumbled awkwardly. Tottenham have revolutionised the standings in Group A. Inter must reflect that qualification is not compromised but the problems are all over the place.
Calciomercato: Inter pay the price
"What a beautiful game! Inter v Tottenham was one of the most interesting head-to-heads of the season so far. Needless to say much of the credit lies with Spurs who played the perfect game. For Inter's part witnesses saw a team in trouble, numbers and condition. With this came deserved defeat.
"In modern football being Italia champions and European champions is not enough. You have to impose yourself everywhere and if you fail to be the best you pay the price."
Gazzetta dello Sport: English lesson. Inter fall to Tottenham
"Inter had no answers against Tottenham's fast-attacking display. The Nerazzurri fell in front of a big Tottenham and you have to admire the talent and athletic strength overflowing of Bale. The result will no doubt complicate the race for first place in the group."
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West Ham midfielder Mark Noble ruled out for a month

Noble has enjoyed his best season so far for West Ham and was being considered for a call-up for England’s friendly against France later this month.
West Ham lost their last two Premier League games, have won just one of a total of 10 and remain at the foot of the table, three points adrift of Wolves and Blackburn.
Manager Avram Grant has been beset with midfield problems. He has been without young Welsh international Jack Collison all season with a knee problem and he is not expected back until the New Year.
And Thomas Hitzlsperger, signed on a free transfer from Lazio in the summer, had been impressive in pre-season games but yet to make his League debut after suffering a thigh injury while captaining Germany in the pre-season friendly against Denmark and a recent operation means he will not return until February at the earliest.
Noble was at the club’s Chadwell Heath training ground on Monday when he complained of abdominal pains and was admitted to hospital after being examined by club doctor Ges Steinbergs.
The former England Under-21 international subsequently underwent an appendectomy on Monday night and is now recovering, but is expected to be out for a month, with the Carling Cup quarter-final, on Dec 1, targeted as his possible return game.
Noble, playing alongside Scott Parker, has recently been back to his best form in the centre of midfielder and his absence is another problem for Grant who faces three vital games in eight days, beginning on Saturday at Birmingham.
The trip to a club that has lost once at home in 13 months will be special for co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who formerly owned the St Andrew’s club – especially as West Ham have not won away in 23 games, taking just eight points from a possible 69 on the road.
Next Wednesday West Ham return to Upton Park to face West Bromwich Albion, followed by the visit the following Saturday of another newly promoted team, Blackpool.
Gold and Sullivan have been supportive of their manager despite their team's poor start but with the club’s position becoming increasingly precarious, they will expect Grant to win maximum points, at least, from the two home games.
There was some good news emanating from Chadwell Heath on Tuesday. Matthew Upson, who has featured in just one of the last four games, has begun training after recovering from a hamstring problem and is on course to face former club Birmingham.
But Kieron Dyer has also missed the last three games through injury and Grant must shuffle his attacking midfielders at Birmingham.
Radoslav Kovac, their Czech Republic international, could return or Valon Behrami could be moved from the right side to central midfield with Mexican Pablo Berrera recalled.
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Spurs winger Gareth Bale determined to keep his head despite eulogies from football world

“Taxi for Maicon,” the Tottenham supporters sang, somewhat cruelly, but it summed up the glorious dominance of Europe’s elite team. Who could blame them.
“I recognised Maicon as the best right-back in the world,” Bale said on Wednesday after Spurs’ astonishing 3-1 Champions League victory which propelled them to the head of Group A.
“I think everyone did. He plays for Brazil ahead of [Dani] Alves so I think that says it all. He’s still a great player. I just got the better of him last night.”
Such a personal triumph is almost a throwback. It is the essence of football, the individual duel, the contest within the contest, the “personal battle”, the winger against the fullback. It sends the stadium seats tipping up.
Such is the belief coursing through Bale right now that he can say: “When I get a one-on-one I’m confident. I’m enjoying my football, my confidence is high, I’m playing week-in, week-out.
“It’s starting to come together and I want to progress as a player, keep learning. The manager has shown confidence in me, confidence in the team and that’s what you saw in a performance like that.”
It’s about as far as Bale will go in delving into self-analysis and he demonstrated a shyness when asked about the effect his performance — following on from his hat-trick in Milan two weeks ago – against the European champions has had.
Is he even aware of the impact? The buzz he has caused within the world of football?
“I don’t know the full extent of what people are talking about,” Bale said. “I’ve had my mum ring me up and say stuff but I’ve not taken too much attention.”
Bale’s parents, Frank and Debbie, were at White Hart Lane for Tuesday’s match along with some of his school friends from back home in the Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch, where the Bales still live.
He went back there last week after being given four days off by Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who is fearful of burnout for a talent who has come so far so quickly.
The raciest thing Bale did was have a round of golf at nearby Celtic Manor. Didn’t he think of going to a perennial footballers’ haunt, such as Dubai?
“I was going to go abroad but it was a lot of hassle,” he said. “We don’t get too many days off so when I do get a chance I just like to see my family and friends. It’s just normal.
"I’m a normal person. I’ve still got my friends from school and they were at the game last night.”
What did they say to him? “I saw them after the game and they were just messing around like normal, joking around like they usually do.
It was fun, a great night,” Bale said. “It’s good to have friends I can trust and they are like brothers to me really.”
He came off the pitch, last as usual, applauding the supporters, with his name ringing in his ears, a night “I will never forget”. From that chaotic, joyous din that he described as “unbelievable”, to the still quiet of home.
Dog tired, “too tired”, he could not sleep as the clock ticked round although he watched “bits” of the game back.
“The adrenalin was still rushing,” he said. “You are going from the noise of the stadium to nothing at home, then you have to get back down.”
And when his head hit the pillow? “I think about the game and that we won. That’s the most important thing – I know that and won’t get carried away. I’ve had my highs and lows in the game.”
That was in reference to the growing pains he suffered as a young teenager, which put his back out of alignment and almost put paid to his football career, the injuries he suffered soon after joining Spurs and the struggle he had in breaking into the team.
On top of that, the 'jinx’ of not winning any of his first 24 matches as a Premier League player.
“I don’t think it was entirely my fault, to be honest!” he joked about that sequence, now a distant, “crazy statistic”.
Performances like the one Bale delivered on Tuesday represent career landmarks.
It’s a staging post in achievement, no matter how many times he talks about staying “grounded”, of the achievements of the team, of not “getting carried away”. He may not say it – and may not yet believe it – but something has changed.
Bale, talking at the BT Centre in the City of London, launching the new 'Life’s a Pitch’ website, is adamant that he will see out all four years of his contract at Spurs.
Redknapp, asked whether an offer of £25 million or £30 million would tease Bale away, has stated again he is not for sale, but knows that resolve will be tested.
Inter have bid before and may well do so again, while Real Madrid are very interested in Bale’s services. Manchester United, who missed out on Bale when he left Southampton three years ago, must be crestfallen. Chelsea and Manchester City must be debating what to do.
Despite having previously professed an interest in eventually playing abroad, Bale is content where he is. “We are a big club and we want to go as high as we can and show how well we can do against the best,” he said.
“It’s nice to play in the Champions League. Every player wants to play at the highest level and prove himself.”
He is doing just that in a story that is turning into the season’s most compelling.
Gareth Bale is supporting the launch of BT’s Life’s a Pitch website, the new football fanzine site, which offers exclusive football.
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Newcastle United's Joey Barton thinking of England again but puts Geordie Nation first

Barton spoke out following calls on Tyneside for him to be called into Fabio Capello’s England set-up along with Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan and striker Andy Carroll.
Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson pressed the case for the trio to be called up for national service following the 5-1 demolition of Sunderland in which all three played starring roles
The game was watched by England head coach Capello’s most trusted advisor, Franco Baldini, and even though Barton insists he is putting club before country for now he would clearly relish a return to the international arena.
He gained his solitary England cap in a friendly against Spain four months before leaving Manchester City for Newcastle in the summer of 2007 and is now playing his best football since he was called up by then England manager Steve McClaren.
“The most important thing for me is being part of Newcastle United’s side,” Barton said.
“I am enjoying my football at the moment and playing in a good side that is winning football matches.
“It’s for other people to label me and put me where they think I should be. It isn’t something for me to say.
“If it comes, it will be great, an honour and a privilege. But if it doesn’t, I’ve got more pressing matters at this club.”
Barton is now starting to repay the club for the £5.7-million fee paid to City for his services following a stint on Tyneside that has been beset by well documented off-field problems and injuries.
“I missed a lot of time with injury and that is what drives me on every single day,” Barton said. “I put it all into every training session, game and performance.
“At the end of the game against Sunderland I stood in the middle of the pitch and looked around and took in the atmosphere.
“Those dark days in the gym and grafting and getting myself back fit meant it was important for me to acknowledge what had happened.
“It’s great to have known we’ve brought that kind of jubilation to the Geordie faithful.”
Barton, 28, continued: “When we walked out on Sunday it was just something else to see all that black and white. I don’t know what the opposition must have been thinking!
“Even just talking about it now makes you emotional. It was fantastic to see the fans back the team and back the manager the way they did. I think it paid dividends on the pitch.”
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