Premier League: Fulham's Scott Parker hails the impact of head coach Rene Meulensteen

The former Manchester United first team coach joined forces with compatriot Martin Jol in November and is already bringing an air of confidence to the changing room, according to Parker.

Meulensteen, who in five years as Sir Alex Ferguson's understudy helped guide the club to 10 trophies, is vastly experienced having worked in the Netherlands, Qatar, Denmark and Russia, as well as the Premier League.

Parker insists the Dutchman's credential do not lie and believes the Fulham squad have plenty to learn from the 49-year-old.

"It's much like when an electrician comes through your front door," he told the Daily Mail. "You quickly work out if the guy's going to burn down your house.

"I can only say good things about Rene. You only have to look at his track record, who he's worked with, he's very positive with lots of good ideas.

"After a couple of sessions you know if a coach knows what he is doing. Rene has that confidence I like."

Such confidence and experience will be called upon, as Fulham strive to make their way out of the drop-zone after winning just three of their opening 12 top-flight matches, but Parker remains comfortable under the leadership of Jol and Meulensteen.

Confidence

"It's something I've seen in the Dutch before," he added. "There's a fine line between arrogance and confidence by these guys have it right.

"The manager is the same and having them here makes you feel safe."

Fulham are less than safe in their Premier League standing however, languishing in 18th with only 10 points to their name.

Parker has experience of relegation battles having survived the dreaded drop with West Ham and the playmaker acknowledges he must draw on that experience to lead Fulham to safety.

"My experience at West Ham gives me an understanding of what it takes to get out of this kind of situation," he said.

"It's still early in the season and there are a lot of teams around us, so we need to stay as positive as we can.

"It's the games coming up that are crucial. The Christmas period, too.

"But I believe that, if you put in the hard work, things will turn and with a new coach coming in and the manager working hard, I see no reason why it can't turn for us."

Via: Premier League: Fulham's Scott Parker hails the impact of head coach Rene Meulensteen

Marseille 2-0 Montpellier: Hosts extend Ligue 1 unbeaten streak with simple win

Olympique de Marseille extended their unbeaten streak to four Ligue 1 games with a comfortable 2-0 win over Montpellier at the Stade Velodrome on Friday.

Florian Thauvin deservedly put the hosts in front after 36 minutes, before substitute Saber Khelifa sealed their win with the last kick of the game.

Khelifa was only introduced in the 88th minute, but slotted past Geoffrey Jourden in injury time to ensure Marseille moved four points clear of Nantes in fourth place.

Andre-Pierre Gignac almost put Elie Baup's men ahead early on, but Marseille had to wait until nine minutes before the interval to see their pressure pay dividends as Thauvin poked home his fourth goal of the season.

Victor Montano almost drew Montpellier level just before the hour as he almost got on the end of a whipped cross, and Siaka Tiene had a free kick saved by Steve Mandanda soon after.

However, Tunisia international Khelifa had the final say when he scored late on to condemn Montpellier to their sixth Ligue 1 game without a win.

Via: Marseille 2-0 Montpellier: Hosts extend Ligue 1 unbeaten streak with simple win

Premier League preview: Everton host Stoke at Goodison Park

Roberto Martinez has a number possible options to come in for the England full-back including Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo, untested John Stones, midfielder Gareth Barry or even centre-back Sylvain Distin.

Midfielder Darron Gibson and striker Arouna Kone (both knee) are out long term while central defender Antolin Alcaraz is edging closer to his debut having been sidelined by injury since arriving in the summer.

Stoke will be forced into at least two changes from the side which beat Sunderland.

Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic and defender Robert Huth have both been ruled out, with the German possibly requiring surgery on his knee.

Matthew Etherington and Oussama Assaidi are both in contention to replace Arnautovic, while Marc Wilson, Geoff Cameron and Marc Muniesa could all replace Huth.

Via: Premier League preview: Everton host Stoke at Goodison Park

Premier League: Cardiff host leaders Arsenal looking to claim another major scalp

Jack Wilshere scored both goals against the French side but it is fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey who is set to attract most of the attention as he returns to face his former club.

Theo Walcott could be in line for a return to the starting line-up after a couple of run-outs as a substitute, while Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla could also be recalled if Arsene Wenger wishes to freshen up his midfield.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby remain long-term absentees and Lukas Podolski is not yet ready to return despite training this week following a lengthy lay-off.

For Cardiff, Andreas Cornelius was back on the bench against Manchester United after missing ten weeks with an ankle injury, and will hope to feature.

Malky Mackay has a fully fit squad at his disposal and midfielder Gary Medel is available after escaping disciplinary action following his clash with Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini.

There are unlikely to be too many changes from the side that drew with United, although Kim Bo-kyung will hope to start after coming on to score a 90th-minute equaliser.

Via: Premier League: Cardiff host leaders Arsenal looking to claim another major scalp

United loan out Keane twins

Michael Keane, a 20-year-old centre-back, has joined Derby and will remain with the Rams until January 2.

Striker Will Keane has joined Wigan on loan until January 1 - and the pair could come face to face at the DW Stadium on Sunday when the Latics take on Derby in a Championship fixture.

England U21 international Michael Keane has made three Capital One Cup appearances for United and also had a loan spell with Leicester City last season.

United have now allowed him to leave the club again on an initial short-term basis to enable him to gain further experience.

Keane will link up with former Old Trafford coach Steve McClaren at Derby who have won a battle with several other Championship clubs for his services.

Will Keane, who trained with the England U21 squad earlier this month, has made one senior appearance for United as a substitute in the 3-2 home defeat to Blackburn back on 31 December 2011.

He missed last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered while playing for England's U19 side and is making his first loan switch.

Meanwhile, United have allowed Welsh forward Tom Lawrence to join Carlisle United on loan until January 4.

There has also been further loan movement at Derby with striker Callum Ball moving to Notts County on loan until January 2.

Via: United loan out Keane twins

Juventus 3-1 Copenhagen: Vidal hits hat-trick in vital victory for Bianconeri

Arturo Vidal scored a hat-trick as Juventus moved from the bottom of Champions League Group B to second place courtesy of a 3-1 win over Copenhagen.

The Chilean converted two penalties either side of Olof Mellberg's equaliser before nodding in a third to take his tally to five goals in the competition this season.

The result, which eliminates Copenhagen, leaves Juventus second in Group B, two points clear of Galatasaray, whom they visit in their final game with just a point needed to progress to the knockout stages.

Vidal's first penalty came shortly before the half-hour mark when Lars Jacobsen handled, but the hosts were momentarily stunned in the 56th minute when Mellberg levelled the scores against his former club.

Midfielder Vidal claimed his second from the spot five minutes later following a foul by Mellberg before completing his hat-trick with a header two minutes later.

The hosts made one change from the weekend as Leonardo Bonucci replaced Claudio Marchisio, while Claudemir and Christian Bolanos came into the Copenhagen side in place of Cesar Santin and Igor Vetokele, respectively.

Paul Pogba wasted the first chance of the game in the seventh minute, firing a weak shot at Johan Wiland from the edge of the box after beating the offside trap.

In the 29th minute, Juventus were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Jacobsen inexplicably handled a cross while under pressure from Pogba and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Vidal stepped up and slammed the penalty low to Wiland's right for his third successful spot-kick in this year's competition.

Juve were dominant as the half wore on, Pogba rippling the side-netting from the edge of the area four minutes before the break.

Copenhagen equalised 11 minutes into the second half when Mellberg hooked the ball home from 10 yards after the Juve defence failed to clear a long throw from the left.

Parity lasted just five minutes, however, Mellberg's evening turning sour as he hauled down Fernando Llorente inside the area, Vidal once again sending the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner.

Vidal put some daylight between the two sides two minutes later, hanging in the air at the far post to meet Pogba's left-wing cross and loop a header into the far corner.

The remainder of the game proved uneventful with Juventus happy to sit back and soak up pressure to claim their first win of the campaign at a crucial time.
Via: Juventus 3-1 Copenhagen: Vidal hits hat-trick in vital victory for Bianconeri

Australia 1-0 Costa Rica: Cahill heads winner in Postecoglou's first game in charge

Substitute Tim Cahill's second-half header earned Australia a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in Ange Postecoglou's first game at the helm.

The veteran midfielder scored just 17 minutes after being introduced from the bench, heading home Tommy Oar's 69th-minute corner with the help of a notable deflection at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.

It allowed Postecoglou, who replaced Holger Osieck after a 6-0 loss to France, to mark the occasion of his first match in charge with a promising victory.

Mark Milligan and Robbie Kruse starred for the home side, while youngster Tom Rogic looked dangerous in a 25-minute second-half cameo.

Australia almost suffered a disastrous start when Jason Davidson prodded the ball past his own goalkeeper following a mix up, but Ivan Franjic stepped in to clear to safety.

The hosts settled in to the game after that, with Patrick Pemberton becoming increasingly occupied in the Costa Rica goal.

After Milligan had set up Mathew Leckie to shoot wide, Kruse's heavy touch let him down after he had been sent clear by Rhys Williams' excellent throughball.

Postecoglou's men continued to probe, earning a corner from which Mile Jedinak fired a shot on goal from inside the six-yard box, but Pemberton made a comfortable save.

The first chance of the second half fell to Costa Rica but Wellington Phoenix striker Kenny Cunningham miscued with only goalkeeper Mat Ryan to beat.

Cahill was brought on in the 52nd minute, replacing Leckie, and he rose highest to nod in Oar's excellent delivery, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Junior Diaz on its way in.
Via: Australia 1-0 Costa Rica: Cahill heads winner in Postecoglou's first game in charge