Liverpool Need Brendan To Be Brave...

"With Emre you can see the importance of his role and the position he plays in there. Why disrupt that and try and fix something that could actually create another problem?" said Brendan Rodgers when asked whether he would move Can from the defensive role in which he has excelled since Christmas to cover for the injured Lucas Leiva against Tottenham.

It seemed the obvious solution - with Joe Allen seen as the only other viable and yet underwhelming alternative - but Rodgers had another scheme that was hatched against Bolton in the FA Cup, when Can moved forward late in the match "so he could control the game from there, and that pushed the other midfielders forward". Starting with Can in defence and Steven Gerrard in central midfield gave Liverpool a game-changing option; it seems likely that 'Lovren for Gerrard' had long been pencilled into the plans for a match Rodgers knew he simply had to win. On this occasion, bringing on a defender for a midfielder was a proactive, positive move for which the Liverpool manager should be applauded.

Rodgers stood accused of sentimentality when he left an ineffective Gerrard on the pitch for 90 minutes against Everton on Saturday but there was little danger of him repeating that mistake. This time, his moves were made early and decisively, with all three changes making a difference. Can brought an energy and drive into the midfield that Gerrard has lost and Allen never had, while Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli combined for the vital winner after a fading Daniel Sturridge had exited the stage. Whatever Rodgers' misgivings about Balotelli, he knew that the Italian was far likelier to conjure a winner than the willing but lumbering Rickie Lambert.

This was the Rodgers we had admired from last season, his starting XI screaming energy and intent. Jordon Ibe started once again at right wing-back when Glen Johnson or Jordan Henderson would have been safer options, doubling up with Lazar Markovic to pick on Tottenham's weakest link at left-back. And thus, Liverpool found a way to win without both Sterling and Lucas. It was brave, it was gung-ho, it was refreshing and it was exactly what Rodgers needed to claim what had escaped them since the last time they played Tottenham in August - victory over a side they were not entirely expected to beat.

Central to that was Rodgers' willingness to take risks. Moving Can out of defence was undoubtedly a gamble worth taking with the game poised at 2-2 with 22 minutes left on the clock. Well-timed disruption might just be the key to rescuing this stuttering season; it's certainly more fun than sleepwalking to seventh.

Ardley hails dogged display

The Dons boss was unhappy with the 65th-minute dismissal of defender Mark Phillips but was delighted with his side's performance as Albion dropped points for the first time at home since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took charge in November.

Ardley said: "I thought in the first half they were the better team as far as territorial advantage was concerned.

"But we tinkered with things for the second half and in the end I thought we had the best chances to win the game.

"It was obviously tough for us with the sending off. It made it more difficult and forced us to curb what we were trying to do."

In a direct reference to referee Seb Stockbridge, Ardley said: "It was a tough evening and I've got to be careful what I say, but the performance of someone out in the middle of that pitch who was not on my team was not acceptable.

"But I'm delighted with our performance. We defended resiliently, there's a good feel about the camp and we'll go away from here in good spirits."

Burton extended their unbeaten run to a club record of 11 Football League games but surrendered top spot after Shrewsbury grabbed two late goals to win at Carlisle.

The nearest Burton came to a goal was in the eighth minute when Adam McGurk headed a Lucas Akins cross against a post.

The Dons could have stolen the lead when Alfie Potter fired against the legs of home goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

And it was Potter who twice had chances to punish some unusually slack Burton defending straight after the restart. The winger fired one shot across the face of goal and saw another effort cleared off the line by Tom Naylor.

McGurk squandered an opportunity to put Burton in front before Phillips was shown a straight red card after clashing with striker Stuart Beavon.

Burton boss Hasselbaink said: "They frustrated us and I imagine they're frustrated as well.

"Both teams had their chances and with a little bit more luck we would have scored one of ours, but it was not meant to be on this occasion.

"It would have been a different story perhaps if the early header had gone in. Then the game would have opened up and the holes would have been bigger.

"In the end, it was always a game of who would make the first mistake or who would take their chance, but none of the two teams could do that.

"Playing against 10 men is always difficult if you have to score. If you're winning already it's a different ball game, but they were able to get nine men behind the ball to frustrate us.

"But it's all credit to my boys that Wimbledon came here and changed their system. It shows we've been doing well of late."

Bolton hit back to beat Fulham

The Manchester United teenager only completed his loan signing earlier in the day after last Monday's transfer deadline switch was held-up through red tape.

But he wasted no time making an impact, capping his impressive first appearance for Neil Lennon's side with a rasping 25 yard drive 10 minutes from time as Kit Symons side failed to capitalise on a promising start to the Sky Bet Championship encounter.

The Swiss-born youngster's stunning goal returned the Trotters to winning ways after three defeats and two draws from their previous five games.

He also provided the cross for Eidur Gudjohnsen's third goal of his Bolton comeback and his first from open play for the Trotters since 2000 when he also netted home and away against the Londoners.

Adam Le Fondre rubber-stamped Wanderers' deserved success after 89 minutes with his first goal since joining on loan from Cardiff after a dreadful error by Marcus Bettinelli.

Wanderers were excellent value for their win after a slow start. Indeed, Gudjohnsen's shot, blocked by Shaun Hutchinson, was the only meaningful goal attempt in a sterile opening 20 minutes.

The veteran Icelander, named as Wanderers' seventh captain of the season, appealed for handball but referee Graham Sutton remained unmoved.

And in their first attack, after 21 minutes, the Cottagers took the lead.

Nikolay Bodurov's flicked header was well saved by Andy Lonergan but from the resulting corner, Alexander Kacaniklic cut the ball back for ex-Motherwell defender Hutchinson to fire home his second goal of the season from close range.

Unmarked Ross McCormack fizzed another effort wide of a post before Janko dispossessed Ryan Tunnicliffe only for Gudjohnsen to shoot straight at Bettinelli from 18 yards.

Fulham, however, were the most effective side going forward and McCormack's angled right foot attempt was pushed out of harm's way by busy Lonergan.

Five minutes from half-time Wanderers had a much more vociferous handball protest rejected as Josh Vela's goalbound drive smashed into Bulgarian Bodurov. Boss Lennon, no lover of Championship referees since his arrival from Celtic, berated the fourth official as Fulham survived.

The reprieve was a brief one as Gudjohnsen broke Bolton's league goal drought against the Londoners dating back 640 minutes to Ivan Klasnic's strike at Craven Cottage on November 28, 2009.

Janko, making his first senior appearance since United's 4-0 League Cup humiliation at MK Dons, delivered an excellent right-wing cross. Unmarked Gudjohnsen controlled the pass superbly before glancing the ball wide of Bettinelli.

Bolton started the second half equally brightly with Bettinelli pushing over Janko's cross and Le Fondre hammering another effort past the target.

He was even closer after 55 minutes, denied a first goal since his arrival, by Kostas Stafylidis' goal-line clearance.

Fulham were on the ropes and Bettinelli thwarted Le Fondre to deny Wanderers a deserved lead. But it took a Janko pile-driver to finally put Bolton in front before Le Fondre applied the coup de grace.

Clough wants more from side

Jose Baxter scored twice for Clough's side while Jay McEveley and debutant Matt Done were also on target.

Sammie Szmodic's effort midway through the second half briefly provided the visitors with a glimmer of hope before Matthew Briggs' foul on Paul Coutts presented Baxter with the opportunity to apply the coup-de-grace from the penalty spot.

Baxter gave the hosts the perfect start when he scored in the eighth minute.

Done doubled their advantage when he applied the finishing touch to a memorable 38th-minute move.

McEveley combined with the impressive Coutts to smash home from long range on the hour before Szmodic scored.

The Blades sealed a deserved victory when Briggs tugged back Coutts as he powered into the box, which presented Baxter with the opportunity to complete his brace.

Clough said: "We've scored six goals in our last two league games at home and that's great to see. But we've just told the lads in the dressing room that we want even more.

"We expect more from them because we know they are capable of it. Such as, in the last 10 minutes, trying harder to increase the margin of victory without losing control. They're good players but there's always room to improve.

"Matt (Done) did really well on his debut and to score will cap it off for him. He was a pest out there and we've probably not had enough of that lately, to be honest. But he gave their defenders a torrid time by closing them down whenever they had the ball.

"We're back in the play-offs now with games in hand on those around us so we want to use this as a platform to go forward."

Colchester boss Tony Humes said: "If we don't defend properly then we aren't going to win games. We're in danger of becoming a nice side to watch but also a nice side to play against and it goes without saying that's not what we want.

"They scored some good goals but I think, from our perspective, most of them, if not all, were preventable. We had a good first half but didn't make that count and they came out more confident in the second half.

"Having said all that, I didn't see anyone shirking their responsibilities which was good. We're a young side and we're hoping to bring in a little bit more experience during the loan window, which will help. But we're not that close.

"We had two players in mind but their clubs have moved the goalposts which, from our position, makes those deals impossible to do."

Beto ruled out for two months

The Portuguese 32-year-old, who missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Getafe, underwent tests in Lisbon this week which ruled out the need for surgery.

A statement from Sevilla read: "After tests carried out by Dr. Cartucho, a specialist in Lisbon, Beto will not have to undergo surgery but will need approximately eight weeks to recover from the elbow injury."

Beto, who has made 18 league starts for Sevilla this season, is set to miss eight La Liga games and Sevilla's Europa League last 32 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach.

But he could return in time to face Barcelona on April 12.

Sevilla coach Unai Emery has discovered that three other players - Stephane Mbia, Iago Aspas and Coke - will be out of action for a stretch after getting hurt during Sunday's game.

Cameroon midfielder Mbia has a grade II muscular lesion in his right thigh and will be out for three weeks while Liverpool's on-loan striker Iago Aspas will be sidelined for a month with a right-abductor injury.

Spanish defender Coke suffered a hamstring problem and will be only return to action next month.

Setback to Bernabeu plans

The European champions have ambitious plans for the iconic venue but Madrid's High Court has put the renovation on hold with the club under investigation over a related land deal.

The club said in a statement: "The High Court of Madrid has overturned the agreement from November 15, 2012, issued by the community of Madrid's Governing Council, which approved the specific modification of the Madrid general development plan, a decision that affects the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Following this ruling, Real Madrid will work with the city council and the community of Madrid to address those aspects that require attention in order to make the Santiago Bernabeu reform project viable."

Real Madrid announced plans just over a year ago to make the Bernabeu "the best stadium in the world" with an estimated £297million development, which would include the construction of retail, leisure and restaurant zones, a hotel and underground parking.

However, in August last year the High Court upheld a complaint by environmental group Ecologists in Action to halt an agreement with the city council for the development whilst the club were under investigation by the European Commission for illegal state aid.

The Commission is investigating a land deal which saw the city council reclaim land in the Las Tablas area of the city for a value in excess of 22 million euros in 2011, 13 years after it was wrongly sold to the club for just under 500,000 euros.

To compensate the debt owed to Real Madrid the club were given land around the Bernabeu and in the Opanel and Valdebebas areas of the city, where the club's training ground now stands.

The agreement signed in 2012 would have seen the land in Opanel handed back to the council as well as a public park created on one corner of the ground in exchange for the commercial development next to the stadium.

Ruiz not heading to Levante

The 29-year-old forward 's planned six-month loan move to the Valencian outfit was scuppered with the paperwork received one minute after the transfer deadline on January 30.

"We have to accept and respect FIFA's decision but I still don't understand it," Levante president Francisco Catalan told his club's official website. "However, we will not appeal any further.

"FIFA simply state that the paperwork was received after the deadline and that one minute after midnight was already late.

"We are frustrated and disappointed."

Catalan revealed that Levante had been working with Fulham on completing the deal since January 21.

"The delay was from Fulham's end because the player wanted to come," he said. "They (Fulham) didn't realise the (Spanish) transfer deadline ended on Friday (January 30) and not on Monday (February 2).

"If there was a one minute delay it's because the paperwork didn't get there in time.

"Levante's only fault was to try until the end in order to bring a good player to Levante.

"Fulham considered Bryan an important player.

"The player's behaviour has been excellent.

"For Bryan, it was a dream come true to play in Spain."

Ruiz, who captained Costa Rica to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil last year, has scored four goals and set up two more in 17 Championship games for Fulham this season.

Levante are fighting to defend their top flight status this season and are 18th in La Liga, one point adrift of safety.