West Ham manager Slaven Bilic backs Adrian despite Stoke howler

Slaven Bilic has insisted he retains faith in Adrian despite the goalkeeper’s mistake costing West Ham United victory in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City.
The Spaniard needlessly rushed out to present substitute Bojan Krkic with the near-open goal into which the Stoke man scored to secure the visitors’ point.
The draw appeared a damaging result ahead of a run of league fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Adrian’s form had already come under scrutiny prior to the Stoke match, but Bilic has no desire to turn to Darren Randolph and will stick with his first choice.
“He is my number one for sure,” said the West Ham manager, who also hopes to have Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll available again after the international football break.
“I’ve got no concerns about his form. Okay, the goal was a big mistake from him. He misjudged the ball. Maybe it was obvious from the touchline he was not going to get the ball.

Manchester United’s Mourinho unaffected by touchline ban in Swansea win

Jose Mourinho said his touchline ban made no difference as Manchester United claimed a first win in five Premier League games at Swansea.
Mourinho was banished to the stand in south Wales after accepting two Football Association misconduct charges.
But United made light of their manager’s absence from the touchline as a blistering volley from Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s double gave them a comfortable 3-1 victory.
“I did what I do,” United manager Mourinho said when asked about having to sit in the stand.
“I made the changes, sent a message when something needs to be told to the team, and I was in the dressing room before the game and at half-time.
“One thing is the suspension that stops the manager to communicate, that is a problem.
“Another thing is the suspension when the manager can communicate with the team, see the team and speak to the assistants on the bench. So in this case it was not a problem.”

Robin van Persie in good condition despite eye injury – Fenerbahce

Robin van Persie was stretchered off with an eye injury during Fenerbahce's win over Akhisar Belediyespor.

Fenerbahce have played down fears over the eye injury that Netherlands striker Robin van Persie suffered on Sunday.
Van Persie, 33, scored the opening goal in Fener’s 3-1 Super Lig win over Akhisar Belediyespor but was carried off on a stretcher after 37 minutes, having taken a blow to the eye in a seemingly innocuous collision with an opponent.

Obiano hails FA Cup champions IfeanyiUbah

Governor of Anambra state, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, has congratulated FC IfeanyiUbah for winning this year’s Federation Cup in Lagos on Sunday, describing it as a gift to Anambra state.
The Nnewi based clubside beat their opponents, Nasarawa United 5-4 after a penalty shootout.
The elated governor who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, James Eze, praised the players and the coaching crew for demonstrating what he called the “Spirit of Anambra” on the field of play.
He said their victory was a product of resilience, focus and determination observing that though the club was a new entrant into Nigerian football, the players had approached the game with a tactical depth that was far ahead of their relative experience at this stage of competitive football.
“The lads showed the kind of resolve and concentration that you do not easily associate with new comers to this level of the game. They had everything going for them – focus, determination, tactical discipline and a hunger for victory.
“Although the Nasarawa boys put up their best effort, it was however easy to see that our boys