LONDON, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Champions Manchester City go into 2013 facing a daunting seven-point deficit on Premier League leaders Manchester United and a testing encounter against stubborn Stoke City on Tuesday.

Roberto Mancini’s side ended the year which delivered their first Premier League title with a gritty 4-3 triumph over Norwich City, proving their high-profile players also have the mettle for a fight.

LONDON (Reuters) – The English FA has criticised UEFA for not sending a “strong enough message” on racism after European soccer’s ruling body fined Serbia 80,000 euros (64,998.76 pounds) over incidents at an under-21 match in October.

The Serbian FA (FSS) was fined on Thursday and told it must stage its next under-21 home match behind closed doors after players and fans were found guilty of improper conduct.

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) – The English FA has criticised UEFA for not sending a “strong enough message” on racism after European soccer’s ruling body fined Serbia 80,000 euros ($104,700) over incidents at an under-21 match in October.

The Serbian FA (FSS) was fined on Thursday and told it must stage its next under-21 home match behind closed doors after players and fans were found guilty of improper conduct.

LONDON (Reuters) – Alan Pardew was hailed last season as a steady hand on the Newcastle United tiller but finds himself contemplating an impending relegation battle ahead of a clash with wounded champions Manchester City on Saturday.

With the season nearing the halfway mark, Pardew is among a handful of coaches including City’s Roberto Mancini and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger who are already feeling the heat.

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) – Alan Pardew was hailed last season as a steady hand on the Newcastle United tiller but finds himself contemplating an impending relegation battle ahead of a clash with wounded champions Manchester City on Saturday.

With the season nearing the halfway mark, Pardew is among a handful of coaches including City’s Roberto Mancini and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger who are already feeling the heat.

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal suffered a humiliating League Cup quarter-final exit to fourth tier Bradford City on Tuesday, losing 3-2 on penalties after an absorbing game finished 1-1 at the end of extra time at a packed Valley Parade.

The Premier League side needed an 88th minute goal from captain Thomas Vermaelen to force the extra period but failed to make their superiority tell and it was Vermaelen who missed their final spot kick to send the minnows through.

LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Arsenal suffered a humiliating League Cup quarter-final exit to fourth tier Bradford City on Tuesday, losing 3-2 on penalties after an absorbing game finished 1-1 at the end of extra time at a packed Valley Parade.

The Premier League side needed an 88th minute goal from captain Thomas Vermaelen to force the extra period but failed to make their superiority tell and it was Vermaelen who missed their final spot kick to send the minnows through.

LONDON (Reuters) – Rafael Benitez made scuppering Chelsea’s Champions League hopes a pastime when he was at Liverpool but on Wednesday he has the chance to preside over an unlikely rescue act at Stamford Bridge.

His chances of steering the faltering European champions into the knockout stages of the competition are slim as they not only have to beat Denmark’s Nordsjaelland but also need Juventus to slip up against group leaders Shakhtar Donetsk.

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Rafael Benitez made scuppering Chelsea’s Champions League hopes a pastime when he was at Liverpool but on Wednesday he has the chance to preside over an unlikely rescue act at Stamford Bridge.

His chances of steering the faltering European champions into the knockout stages of the competition are slim as they not only have to beat Denmark’s Nordsjaelland but also need Juventus to slip up against group leaders Shakhtar Donetsk.

LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Barcelona’s early season form has been on a par with their habitually high standards but as they prepare to visit Celtic in the Champions League there remains a question mark hanging over their makeshift defence.

One more win in Group G on Wednesday would see the Catalans into the knockout stages but fans worry whether a back four that has an increasingly stand-in look about it can win a fifth European Cup.