Lunchtime Report: December 17

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has criticised the actions of Corinthians striker Emerson, following his red card in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

Cahill has accused Emerson of play acting to get him sent off as Chelsea lost 1-0 to the Brazilian giants in Yokohama.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill compared Robin van Persie to Lionel Messi, after Manchester United's win over the Black Cats on Saturday.

Van Persie scored his 15th goal the season in the 3-1 win, and O'Neil says the Dutchman is as important to United as Messi is to Barcelona.

Mario Balotelli is to take Manchester City to a Premier League tribunal this week in a bid to overturn his recent fine.

Balotelli was docked two weeks' wages by City due to continued on-field indiscipline.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says he is feeling more settled at the Emirates Stadium, and has told supporters he has plenty more to give.

Giroud is likely to start for the Gunners at on Monday evening as they meet Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Andre Villas-Boas has described his Tottenham players as 'outstanding' following their 1-0 defeat of Swansea at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Jan Vertonghen scored the only goal of the game as Spurs climbed back into the top four.