GROUP A: Chelsea, Roma, Bordeaux, CFR Cluj
GROUP B: Internazionale, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta
GROUP C: Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk
GROUP D:Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid
GROUP E: Manchester United, Villarreal, Celtic, Aalborg
GROUP F: Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, Fiorentina
GROUP G:Arsenal, Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kiev
GROUP H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, Bate Borisov
Ads JN
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Brilliant Hamilton wins in Germany
"Lewis Hamilton overtook Heikki Kovalainen, Felipe Massa and Nelson Piquet in the closing stages to win a thrilling German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. The British McLaren driver won his second successive race to take sole possession of the lead in the drivers' championship, four points ahead of Ferrari's Massa.
Renault's Piquet, operating a one-stop strategy, claimed his first podium finish in Formula One in second, with Massa third and Kimi Raikkonen sixth. Despite setting a blistering pace throughout, Hamilton nearly lost the race thanks to a tactical blunder by his team.
A big crash involving Timo Glock brought the safety car out but Hamilton, who was leading, opted not to take a pit stop and as a consequence was relegated to fourth after he pitted later in the race. However, Hamilton used his superior pace to overtake Heikki Kovalained, Massa and Piquet, all at the same hairpin, to secure a magnificent victory.
"I didn't plan on doing that. I'd have much preferred an easy, comfortable afternoon out front," he said. "Overall it was a very, very good weekend. It's got to be the best weekend up to now," added Hamilton. "I think that we're really on top of our game right now."
Polesitter Hamilton led from pole position and immediately built a commanding advantage over Massa, while world champion Raikkonen continued to struggle with his set up and languished in the lower points positions. The 23-year-old seemed set for a routine win before Glock's crash just after half distance changed everything.
The German's Toyota suffered suspension failure entering the start-finish straight and smashed into the pit wall. Glock was taken to hospital, although Toyota said he had no visible injuries, and his retirement prompted the safety car to come out.
While the other front-runners all pitted at the first opportunity, McLaren bizarrely decided to keep Hamilton out. Massa emerged from his stop and caught up with the safety car, just 50 metres off the leader who still had to come in. Hamilton proved unable to build a sufficient gap and emerged from his stop in fourth behind Piquet, Massa and team-mate Kovalainen with 16 laps remaining.
The Briton proved to be a myth the claim that there is no overtaking in Formula One, streaking past all three men and taking a huge step towards a first world championship. Hamilton moves on to 58 championship points, four clear of Massa, seven ahead of Raikkonen and 10 ahead of BMW's Robert Kubica, who was seventh.
Kubica's BMW team-mate Nick Heidfeld was fourth, while Sebastian Vettel took the final points position for Toro Rosso. David Coulthard had to settle for 13th following a collision with Honda's Rubens Barrichello, who retired after the incident. Jenson Button was the last finisher in 17th."
Alex Chick / Eurosport
Renault's Piquet, operating a one-stop strategy, claimed his first podium finish in Formula One in second, with Massa third and Kimi Raikkonen sixth. Despite setting a blistering pace throughout, Hamilton nearly lost the race thanks to a tactical blunder by his team.
A big crash involving Timo Glock brought the safety car out but Hamilton, who was leading, opted not to take a pit stop and as a consequence was relegated to fourth after he pitted later in the race. However, Hamilton used his superior pace to overtake Heikki Kovalained, Massa and Piquet, all at the same hairpin, to secure a magnificent victory.
"I didn't plan on doing that. I'd have much preferred an easy, comfortable afternoon out front," he said. "Overall it was a very, very good weekend. It's got to be the best weekend up to now," added Hamilton. "I think that we're really on top of our game right now."
Polesitter Hamilton led from pole position and immediately built a commanding advantage over Massa, while world champion Raikkonen continued to struggle with his set up and languished in the lower points positions. The 23-year-old seemed set for a routine win before Glock's crash just after half distance changed everything.
The German's Toyota suffered suspension failure entering the start-finish straight and smashed into the pit wall. Glock was taken to hospital, although Toyota said he had no visible injuries, and his retirement prompted the safety car to come out.
While the other front-runners all pitted at the first opportunity, McLaren bizarrely decided to keep Hamilton out. Massa emerged from his stop and caught up with the safety car, just 50 metres off the leader who still had to come in. Hamilton proved unable to build a sufficient gap and emerged from his stop in fourth behind Piquet, Massa and team-mate Kovalainen with 16 laps remaining.
The Briton proved to be a myth the claim that there is no overtaking in Formula One, streaking past all three men and taking a huge step towards a first world championship. Hamilton moves on to 58 championship points, four clear of Massa, seven ahead of Raikkonen and 10 ahead of BMW's Robert Kubica, who was seventh.
Kubica's BMW team-mate Nick Heidfeld was fourth, while Sebastian Vettel took the final points position for Toro Rosso. David Coulthard had to settle for 13th following a collision with Honda's Rubens Barrichello, who retired after the incident. Jenson Button was the last finisher in 17th."
Alex Chick / Eurosport
Friday, July 11, 2008
Life in the football sweat shop
As Cristiano Ronaldo's enslaved plight at Manchester United illustrates, these are desperate times for multi-millionaire footballers the world over. Not since pit workers endured 23-hour shifts, slept on hard wood floors and returned to the mines an hour later, has an industry asked so much of its workforce.
With this in mind, we've decided to highlight the plight of five of the game's most high-profile "victims" - five men for whom playing the game they love for a living, earning vast sums of money and enduring the prolific attentions of glamourous women has become a living hell.
Let their struggle be your inspiration...
1) We begin with Carlos Tevez, who earns £90,000-a-week playing upfront for Manchester United before thousands of adoring fans, but would gladly sacrifice all for a two-week package deal to Benidorm.
"I am playing 70 or 80 percent of what I can give," he said in January. "I finish games very tired. In the last 25 minutes I die, I fall. It's difficult topic, because my body is asking me to rest a bit. I've not had a holiday for two years. I want to have a quiet day with my family, without thinking about anything."
2) The Brazilian showboat and marketing gold that is Ronaldinho couldn't agree more. Despite taking home just shy of £7million a year from Barcelona, he had this to say last February.
"It can be really hard for the players when you have so many matches throughout the year and it is important that training and travel is organised well so that we don't suffer. We are lucky that at Barça everything is so professional, with massages and good facilities. This helps, but we need to rest too I don't feel like I need a holiday right now. But there are times, like at the end of the season, when I do."
3) Up next is Marcel Desailly, who appeared to be yearning for afternoons down the bingo, weekend trips to Eastbourne and summers on an allotment, when he said this during his time at Chelsea in 2003.
"Too much weariness will make me stop...it is a daily battle. I am beginning to tire of everything. Training does not please me every day. There are mornings when I don't want to go. It is a daily battle against this feeling. Sometimes I ask myself what I am still looking for in football with all the things I have won."
4) Poor Alexander Hleb. Judging by recent comments, the Belarus international - who earns £35,000-a-week - has been forced to queue at Waitrose, and remains completely unaware of habitable areas outside central London. Some claim a Sunday trip to Ikea tipped him over the edge.
"I'm unhappy with life in England. Everyone races around all day and I can't get used to it. I'm tired and I'm uncomfortable...Life in London has left me mentally tired."
5) Finally, how about this for perspective from England midfielder Joe Cole in September 2006. By the sounds of it, Jose Mourinho was running a thinly veiled sweat shop. Seriously, what kind of boss makes their employees work past lunchtime?
"I've been pulling my hair out trying to ensure I get fully fit again and staying at the training ground until 5pm every day."
Source from - Will Tidey / Eurosport
With this in mind, we've decided to highlight the plight of five of the game's most high-profile "victims" - five men for whom playing the game they love for a living, earning vast sums of money and enduring the prolific attentions of glamourous women has become a living hell.
Let their struggle be your inspiration...
1) We begin with Carlos Tevez, who earns £90,000-a-week playing upfront for Manchester United before thousands of adoring fans, but would gladly sacrifice all for a two-week package deal to Benidorm.
"I am playing 70 or 80 percent of what I can give," he said in January. "I finish games very tired. In the last 25 minutes I die, I fall. It's difficult topic, because my body is asking me to rest a bit. I've not had a holiday for two years. I want to have a quiet day with my family, without thinking about anything."
2) The Brazilian showboat and marketing gold that is Ronaldinho couldn't agree more. Despite taking home just shy of £7million a year from Barcelona, he had this to say last February.
"It can be really hard for the players when you have so many matches throughout the year and it is important that training and travel is organised well so that we don't suffer. We are lucky that at Barça everything is so professional, with massages and good facilities. This helps, but we need to rest too I don't feel like I need a holiday right now. But there are times, like at the end of the season, when I do."
3) Up next is Marcel Desailly, who appeared to be yearning for afternoons down the bingo, weekend trips to Eastbourne and summers on an allotment, when he said this during his time at Chelsea in 2003.
"Too much weariness will make me stop...it is a daily battle. I am beginning to tire of everything. Training does not please me every day. There are mornings when I don't want to go. It is a daily battle against this feeling. Sometimes I ask myself what I am still looking for in football with all the things I have won."
4) Poor Alexander Hleb. Judging by recent comments, the Belarus international - who earns £35,000-a-week - has been forced to queue at Waitrose, and remains completely unaware of habitable areas outside central London. Some claim a Sunday trip to Ikea tipped him over the edge.
"I'm unhappy with life in England. Everyone races around all day and I can't get used to it. I'm tired and I'm uncomfortable...Life in London has left me mentally tired."
5) Finally, how about this for perspective from England midfielder Joe Cole in September 2006. By the sounds of it, Jose Mourinho was running a thinly veiled sweat shop. Seriously, what kind of boss makes their employees work past lunchtime?
"I've been pulling my hair out trying to ensure I get fully fit again and staying at the training ground until 5pm every day."
Source from - Will Tidey / Eurosport
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
News
First of all, Congratulation to spanish coz won the Euro 2008.... You are marvellous team... keep it up...
1. Peter Crouch has edged closer to a sealing his move from Liverpool to Portsmouth after agreeing personal terms with the south coast club. The England striker is due at Fratton Park in the next 48 hours to undergo a medical before completing the deal, thought to be worth in the region of £10 million. A statement on Portsmouth's official website read: "The two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old England international."
2. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says he expects Frank Lampard to see out the terms of his contract - even if the England midfielder fails to agree a new deal.
The England international is being tracked by Serie A giants Internazionale, who have already tabled an £8 million bid for the midfielder, but Chelsea refuse to sanction a move. The 30-year-old's current contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season and accordingly Chelsea have tabled a fresh deal in a bid to keep Lampard at the club. But Chelsea claim Lampard has turned down this offer.
3. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists the Italians will sign only one of Emmanuel Adebayor and Ronaldinho - which could spell good news for Manchester City.
The pair have been linked with switches to the San Siro this summer, with Galliani claiming Arsenal have sent him a letter saying they are willing to discuss a deal for Adebayor but remaining tight-lipped regarding Barcelona's Ronaldinho.
4. Striker Ivica Olic insists he is not interested in a move away from Hamburg and has committed his future to the Bundesliga club. The burly Croatia international, who featured for his country in their impressive run at Euro 2008, had been linked with a move to Liverpool. But the 28-year-old has followed team-mate Rafael van der Vaart in ignoring overtures from abroad and pledging to stay with Hamburg.
5. British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton led the way in the wet again as Formula One teams tested at Germany's Hockenheim circuit for the first time since 1993.
The 23-year-old McLaren driver, who leads a three-way tie with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at the top of the standings halfway through the season, lapped the venue for next week's German Grand Prix in one minute 15.483 seconds. His Mercedes-powered team ran a new aerodynamic dorsal fin, similar to those used by Renault and Red Bull this season, on top of the engine cover of the MP4-23 car.
1. Peter Crouch has edged closer to a sealing his move from Liverpool to Portsmouth after agreeing personal terms with the south coast club. The England striker is due at Fratton Park in the next 48 hours to undergo a medical before completing the deal, thought to be worth in the region of £10 million. A statement on Portsmouth's official website read: "The two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old England international."
2. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says he expects Frank Lampard to see out the terms of his contract - even if the England midfielder fails to agree a new deal.
The England international is being tracked by Serie A giants Internazionale, who have already tabled an £8 million bid for the midfielder, but Chelsea refuse to sanction a move. The 30-year-old's current contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season and accordingly Chelsea have tabled a fresh deal in a bid to keep Lampard at the club. But Chelsea claim Lampard has turned down this offer.
3. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists the Italians will sign only one of Emmanuel Adebayor and Ronaldinho - which could spell good news for Manchester City.
The pair have been linked with switches to the San Siro this summer, with Galliani claiming Arsenal have sent him a letter saying they are willing to discuss a deal for Adebayor but remaining tight-lipped regarding Barcelona's Ronaldinho.
4. Striker Ivica Olic insists he is not interested in a move away from Hamburg and has committed his future to the Bundesliga club. The burly Croatia international, who featured for his country in their impressive run at Euro 2008, had been linked with a move to Liverpool. But the 28-year-old has followed team-mate Rafael van der Vaart in ignoring overtures from abroad and pledging to stay with Hamburg.
5. British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton led the way in the wet again as Formula One teams tested at Germany's Hockenheim circuit for the first time since 1993.
The 23-year-old McLaren driver, who leads a three-way tie with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at the top of the standings halfway through the season, lapped the venue for next week's German Grand Prix in one minute 15.483 seconds. His Mercedes-powered team ran a new aerodynamic dorsal fin, similar to those used by Renault and Red Bull this season, on top of the engine cover of the MP4-23 car.
Very Very Sorry
Sorry for long time no updated this blog. I'm very busy with my work n to concentrate my home transfer process. By today i will be back to continue the report, info n the breaking news... hope u can get more information from my blog
Thanx you
Thanx you
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
news update
1. AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports linking him to the vacant managerial role at Chelsea. In a statement made to Italian media, Ancelotti scotched speculation that his advisors had already sewn up a deal at Stamford Bridge, and instead pledged his future to the Rossoneri.
2. Jens Lehmann has finally left Arsenal and signed a one-year deal with German side Stuttgart. The 38-year-old finalised the move before flying to Mallorca with the Germany squad to begin their Euro 2008 preparations. Lehmann made 147 appearances for the Gunners after joining in 2003 from Borussia Dortmund. After replacing David Seaman, he won the title in his first season when he played every game of Arsenal's unbeaten league campaign. He also won the FA Cup the following season.
3. Blackburn have confirmed they have reached agreement with Manchester City over compensation for manager Mark Hughes. Hughes, who has also been linked to the vacant managerial position at Chelsea, is now expected to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson, who left City by mutual consent on Monday and was named manager of Mexico soon afterwards. He was reported by SkySports to have travelled to London to meet City officials. A figure of £5 million is thought to have been agreed on, which Blackburn will receive for the loss of both Hughes and his backroom staff.
4. Fabio Cannavaro will be out for a "few months" after tearing ankle ligaments in Italy's first training session in Austria before Euro 2008. The defender, who would have been captain for the world champions in the tournament that starts on Saturday, said he would be staying with the squad. He expected to have an operation on Wednesday following the injury sustained on Monday. "This was my last European Championship. We are footballers and these things happen," the 34-year-old Cannavaro said.
5. Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out plundering his old club to boost his Inter Milan squad. Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard have already been linked with a move to Inter now that Mourinho has been installed as their new boss. Lampard is understood to be in discussions with Chelsea about a new long-term extension to his current deal which expires next year. The England midfielder is believed to want to stay at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea will have to improve his wages if they are to keep him. Mourinho, who was officially unveiled as Inter's new boss at their training ground on Tuesday, declined to say whether he was interested in signing any of his former players at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, there was no hiding his esteem for the players he had at the Blues and Mourinho admitted he would be willing to buy - if Chelsea are willing to sell.
all news from eurosport.com
2. Jens Lehmann has finally left Arsenal and signed a one-year deal with German side Stuttgart. The 38-year-old finalised the move before flying to Mallorca with the Germany squad to begin their Euro 2008 preparations. Lehmann made 147 appearances for the Gunners after joining in 2003 from Borussia Dortmund. After replacing David Seaman, he won the title in his first season when he played every game of Arsenal's unbeaten league campaign. He also won the FA Cup the following season.
3. Blackburn have confirmed they have reached agreement with Manchester City over compensation for manager Mark Hughes. Hughes, who has also been linked to the vacant managerial position at Chelsea, is now expected to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson, who left City by mutual consent on Monday and was named manager of Mexico soon afterwards. He was reported by SkySports to have travelled to London to meet City officials. A figure of £5 million is thought to have been agreed on, which Blackburn will receive for the loss of both Hughes and his backroom staff.
4. Fabio Cannavaro will be out for a "few months" after tearing ankle ligaments in Italy's first training session in Austria before Euro 2008. The defender, who would have been captain for the world champions in the tournament that starts on Saturday, said he would be staying with the squad. He expected to have an operation on Wednesday following the injury sustained on Monday. "This was my last European Championship. We are footballers and these things happen," the 34-year-old Cannavaro said.
5. Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out plundering his old club to boost his Inter Milan squad. Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard have already been linked with a move to Inter now that Mourinho has been installed as their new boss. Lampard is understood to be in discussions with Chelsea about a new long-term extension to his current deal which expires next year. The England midfielder is believed to want to stay at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea will have to improve his wages if they are to keep him. Mourinho, who was officially unveiled as Inter's new boss at their training ground on Tuesday, declined to say whether he was interested in signing any of his former players at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, there was no hiding his esteem for the players he had at the Blues and Mourinho admitted he would be willing to buy - if Chelsea are willing to sell.
all news from eurosport.com
Thursday, May 29, 2008
News
1. Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has stepped into the row with Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo by accusing the Spanish club of trying to "naturalise" the forward. Alex Ferguson's number two used historical references to explorer Christopher Columbus to put across his point to the Spanish champions, who have upset United in their dogged pursuit of the Portuguese winger. Earlier in the week, Real coach Bernd Schuster angered Ferguson with his claim that a deal to take Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer was as good as done.
2. Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has called for the club to abandon its strictly imposed salary cap for fear of losing their best players. The Dutch marksman has expressed his concern that the Gunners' wage policy is limiting the club's ability to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Already this summer, Mathieu Flamini has quit the Emirates to sign a far more lucrative deal with Milan and fellow midfielder Alexander Hleb is reportedly on the verge of penning a deal with Barcelona.
3. The Portuguese FA has confirmed Chelsea's interest in appointing Luis Felipe Scolari as their new manager. Chelsea are in the hunt for a new boss after parting company with Avram Grant last Saturday and a host of bosses from across Europe are believed to be contenders for the Stamford Bridge hot-seat. The likes of unsettled Inter chief Roberto Mancini, ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes and Russia coach Guus Hiddink are all understood to be targets. And, according to the Portuguese Football Federation's vice-president Amandio De Carvalho, Portugal manager Scolari - who is out of contract after Euro 2008 - is also on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's short-list.
4. Ipswich boss Jim Magilton is poised to make a move for Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza, according to the player's agent. The 29-year-old's contract is set to expire at Eastlands this summer and he is believed to be on the lookout for a new club. Ipswich first enquired about the availability of the Belgian international in March when a loan move was touted but an offer was subsequently rejected by the striker who said he was not fully fit.
5. Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen paid £160,000 for a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Hollywood actress Sharon Stone at a Monaco Grand Prix charity auction. The car, stored in Los Angeles and said to have just four miles on the clock, was one of the top lots at a glittering Amber Fashion show in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation on Friday night.
all news from eurosport.com
2. Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has called for the club to abandon its strictly imposed salary cap for fear of losing their best players. The Dutch marksman has expressed his concern that the Gunners' wage policy is limiting the club's ability to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Already this summer, Mathieu Flamini has quit the Emirates to sign a far more lucrative deal with Milan and fellow midfielder Alexander Hleb is reportedly on the verge of penning a deal with Barcelona.
3. The Portuguese FA has confirmed Chelsea's interest in appointing Luis Felipe Scolari as their new manager. Chelsea are in the hunt for a new boss after parting company with Avram Grant last Saturday and a host of bosses from across Europe are believed to be contenders for the Stamford Bridge hot-seat. The likes of unsettled Inter chief Roberto Mancini, ex-Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes and Russia coach Guus Hiddink are all understood to be targets. And, according to the Portuguese Football Federation's vice-president Amandio De Carvalho, Portugal manager Scolari - who is out of contract after Euro 2008 - is also on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's short-list.
4. Ipswich boss Jim Magilton is poised to make a move for Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza, according to the player's agent. The 29-year-old's contract is set to expire at Eastlands this summer and he is believed to be on the lookout for a new club. Ipswich first enquired about the availability of the Belgian international in March when a loan move was touted but an offer was subsequently rejected by the striker who said he was not fully fit.
5. Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen paid £160,000 for a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Hollywood actress Sharon Stone at a Monaco Grand Prix charity auction. The car, stored in Los Angeles and said to have just four miles on the clock, was one of the top lots at a glittering Amber Fashion show in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation on Friday night.
all news from eurosport.com
Friday, May 23, 2008
News Updated
1. Celtic won the Scottish Premier League on a dramatic final day of the season with a 1-0 win over a spirited Dundee United at Tannadice. With 20 minutes of an absorbing contest remaining Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink met Paul Hartley's corner with a towering header from five yards that left 'keeper Lukasz Zaluska with no chance. A Celtic win meant Rangers would need to produce a goal-fest of staggering proportions to take the title away from their arch-rivals, though they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
2. Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Paul Parker will be pleased to see the back of Didier Drogba if he leaves Stamford Bridge. "If, as expected, Didier Drogba leaves Chelsea this summer, his final performance will have summed his time at Stamford Bridge nicely. There were flashes of brilliance, but unfortunately the bad outweighed the good. He has always had a streak of indiscipline and in the end it may well have cost his team the Champions League. Had he taken the fifth penalty and not John Terry, Chelsea would probably have brought the European Cup home with them.
3. Manchester City concluded their post-season tour of Asia with a humiliating 3-1 loss to a South China Invitational XI in Hong Kong, a match that could prove to be Sven-Goran Eriksson's swansong as manager. Dietmar Hamann opened the scoring for City, who were missing numerous first-team regulars, but the hosts levelled before half-time through Giovane Da Silva. The Invitational XI - a select band of Hong Kong players - went ahead three minutes after the interval when Festus Baise struck before Liang Zicheng added a third in the 71st minute. City failed to respond to end their disappointing tour with a second defeat following last Saturday's 3-1 reverse to Thailand Premier All-Stars, a defeat played under the watchful eye of club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
4. Manchester United have left Moscow after their Champions League victory, with uncertainty still surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. As he has done consistently for the last year, the 23-year-old winger issued mixed messages about his future plans in the aftermath of what was a rollercoaster night for him in the Luzhniki Stadium. Within minutes of having declared, "I am going to stay - there is no way I'm leaving after this," Ronaldo qualified that commitment with a reminder that "the future ... no one knows."
5. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on Ferrari with the fastest lap in Thursday's Monaco Grand Prix practice. The 23-year-old Briton, runner-up in the Mediterranean principality in a McLaren one-two last year, showed his mastery of the tight and twisty streets with an afternoon lap of one minute 15.140 seconds. His friend and rival Nico Rosberg, also running on the softer tyres, was second quickest in a Williams.
**all news from eurosports.com
2. Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Paul Parker will be pleased to see the back of Didier Drogba if he leaves Stamford Bridge. "If, as expected, Didier Drogba leaves Chelsea this summer, his final performance will have summed his time at Stamford Bridge nicely. There were flashes of brilliance, but unfortunately the bad outweighed the good. He has always had a streak of indiscipline and in the end it may well have cost his team the Champions League. Had he taken the fifth penalty and not John Terry, Chelsea would probably have brought the European Cup home with them.
3. Manchester City concluded their post-season tour of Asia with a humiliating 3-1 loss to a South China Invitational XI in Hong Kong, a match that could prove to be Sven-Goran Eriksson's swansong as manager. Dietmar Hamann opened the scoring for City, who were missing numerous first-team regulars, but the hosts levelled before half-time through Giovane Da Silva. The Invitational XI - a select band of Hong Kong players - went ahead three minutes after the interval when Festus Baise struck before Liang Zicheng added a third in the 71st minute. City failed to respond to end their disappointing tour with a second defeat following last Saturday's 3-1 reverse to Thailand Premier All-Stars, a defeat played under the watchful eye of club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
4. Manchester United have left Moscow after their Champions League victory, with uncertainty still surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. As he has done consistently for the last year, the 23-year-old winger issued mixed messages about his future plans in the aftermath of what was a rollercoaster night for him in the Luzhniki Stadium. Within minutes of having declared, "I am going to stay - there is no way I'm leaving after this," Ronaldo qualified that commitment with a reminder that "the future ... no one knows."
5. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on Ferrari with the fastest lap in Thursday's Monaco Grand Prix practice. The 23-year-old Briton, runner-up in the Mediterranean principality in a McLaren one-two last year, showed his mastery of the tight and twisty streets with an afternoon lap of one minute 15.140 seconds. His friend and rival Nico Rosberg, also running on the softer tyres, was second quickest in a Williams.
**all news from eurosports.com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Euro Champions League Final
MAN UTD 1 1 CHELSEA
(man utd win penalty 6 - 5)
MANCHESTER UNITED KING OF EUROPE & KING OF ENGLAND
(man utd win penalty 6 - 5)
MANCHESTER UNITED KING OF EUROPE & KING OF ENGLAND
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Selection dilemma for Fergie
Manchester United took a full-strength 24-man squad to Moscow to prepare for the Champions League final on Wednesday against Chelsea. The party, led by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, flew out of Manchester Airport at lunchtime on a private charter. Ferguson has already admitted he will have a tough job, not just picking a team but choosing his seven substitutes.
It means six players will be left watching the game from the stands at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Paul Scholes has been promised a place in the starting line-up after missing the European Cup victory in 1999 through suspension. It might also be a memorable night for Ryan Giggs as he is poised to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 758 appearances.
Manchester United squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Brown, Neville, O'Shea, Silvestre, Pique, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Park, Nani, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Saha,
-eurosports.com-
It means six players will be left watching the game from the stands at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Paul Scholes has been promised a place in the starting line-up after missing the European Cup victory in 1999 through suspension. It might also be a memorable night for Ryan Giggs as he is poised to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 758 appearances.
Manchester United squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Brown, Neville, O'Shea, Silvestre, Pique, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Park, Nani, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Saha,
-eurosports.com-
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Uefa - Final
Zenit St Petersburg 2 0 Rangers
"Igor Denisov's 72nd-minute goal broke Rangers' stubborn resistence as Zenit St Petersburg ground out a 2-0 victory in a predictably tight UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium. Denisov slotted past Neil Alexander with 18 minutes to go to break the hearts of Walter Smith's men and the estimated 100,000 fans they brought down from Glasgow to Manchester.
Midfielder Konstatin Zurianov prodded home a second to seal the win with the last kick of the match. Rangers were predictably cagey game until the hour mark as Dick Advocaat's side struggled to find a way through the blue wall, but Zenit took advantage of the increasing space in the final half-hour to grab the goals that make them only the second Russian club to lift the trophy.
Rangers had endured an epic journey which saw them play no fewer than 18 European games to come this far only to fall at the final hurdle at the hands of the Russian champions, denying the Scots their first European trophy for 36 years. Contrary to all the pre-match hype, the match enjoyed an open start and both sides had early chances; first Andrei Arshavin shot the wrong side of the near after he was released down the left channel, before Jean Claude Darcheville opted to cross rather than shoot when through on the left, Radek Shirl intercepting on his own six-yard line.
After their early chance, Rangers settled back as Zenit mounted some pressure on their goal, the Scots finding it difficult to maintain any decent possession as the Russian side harried and pressed in midfield. But despite all their possession in the Rangers half, Zenit were unable to create any decent shooting opportunities as the blue wall did its job on the edge of the box, although the Russians were disappointed not to be awarded a penalty moments before the break when Arshavin's cross hit the arm of Kirk Broadfoot.
Rangers were convinced they should have had a penalty of their own ten minutes into the second half. Darcheville's first-time shot on the turn brought a fine save out of Vyacheslav Malafeev and when Barry Ferguson pounced on the rebound, the ball bounced up and struck a Zenit arm - although the referee ruled the defender knew nothing about it. As Rangers finally began to commit a few more players forward, Zenit also began to look more threatening and the Russians came within a whisker of taking the lead just after the hour-mark.
Keeper Alexander made a rash decision to come out of his goal as Arshavin chased a long punt upfield, and the goal opened up when the striker just nicked the ball away from the keeper 35 yards from goal - however, his chip goalwards was headed off the line by the retreating Sasa Papac. However, the chance seemed to spark some renewed belief in Zenit and after a spell of pressure, they finally made the breakthrough with 18 minutes remaining.
Rangers were caught on the hop after they surrendered possession from their own throw just inside their half; the ever dangerous Arshavin running at the heart of the Rangers defence before slipping a fine pass through to the run of Denisov, who finished calmly past Alexander. Rangers boss Smith quickly sacrificed a defender for substitute striker Nacho Novo, although Zenit had an immediate chance to double the lead moments later, midfielder Zurianov screwing a shot wide after a low cross found its way through to him at the far post.
Novo almost grabbed Rangers a last-gasp equaliser, but he prodded over the crossbar from eight yards out after Ferguson's long throw bounced through to him at the back post. And Zurianov made sure of the victory when he burst into the box to bundle home Tekke's low cross after the Turkish striker had been released again by the brilliant Arshavin."
Alex Sharratt / Eurosport
"Igor Denisov's 72nd-minute goal broke Rangers' stubborn resistence as Zenit St Petersburg ground out a 2-0 victory in a predictably tight UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium. Denisov slotted past Neil Alexander with 18 minutes to go to break the hearts of Walter Smith's men and the estimated 100,000 fans they brought down from Glasgow to Manchester.
Midfielder Konstatin Zurianov prodded home a second to seal the win with the last kick of the match. Rangers were predictably cagey game until the hour mark as Dick Advocaat's side struggled to find a way through the blue wall, but Zenit took advantage of the increasing space in the final half-hour to grab the goals that make them only the second Russian club to lift the trophy.
Rangers had endured an epic journey which saw them play no fewer than 18 European games to come this far only to fall at the final hurdle at the hands of the Russian champions, denying the Scots their first European trophy for 36 years. Contrary to all the pre-match hype, the match enjoyed an open start and both sides had early chances; first Andrei Arshavin shot the wrong side of the near after he was released down the left channel, before Jean Claude Darcheville opted to cross rather than shoot when through on the left, Radek Shirl intercepting on his own six-yard line.
After their early chance, Rangers settled back as Zenit mounted some pressure on their goal, the Scots finding it difficult to maintain any decent possession as the Russian side harried and pressed in midfield. But despite all their possession in the Rangers half, Zenit were unable to create any decent shooting opportunities as the blue wall did its job on the edge of the box, although the Russians were disappointed not to be awarded a penalty moments before the break when Arshavin's cross hit the arm of Kirk Broadfoot.
Rangers were convinced they should have had a penalty of their own ten minutes into the second half. Darcheville's first-time shot on the turn brought a fine save out of Vyacheslav Malafeev and when Barry Ferguson pounced on the rebound, the ball bounced up and struck a Zenit arm - although the referee ruled the defender knew nothing about it. As Rangers finally began to commit a few more players forward, Zenit also began to look more threatening and the Russians came within a whisker of taking the lead just after the hour-mark.
Keeper Alexander made a rash decision to come out of his goal as Arshavin chased a long punt upfield, and the goal opened up when the striker just nicked the ball away from the keeper 35 yards from goal - however, his chip goalwards was headed off the line by the retreating Sasa Papac. However, the chance seemed to spark some renewed belief in Zenit and after a spell of pressure, they finally made the breakthrough with 18 minutes remaining.
Rangers were caught on the hop after they surrendered possession from their own throw just inside their half; the ever dangerous Arshavin running at the heart of the Rangers defence before slipping a fine pass through to the run of Denisov, who finished calmly past Alexander. Rangers boss Smith quickly sacrificed a defender for substitute striker Nacho Novo, although Zenit had an immediate chance to double the lead moments later, midfielder Zurianov screwing a shot wide after a low cross found its way through to him at the far post.
Novo almost grabbed Rangers a last-gasp equaliser, but he prodded over the crossbar from eight yards out after Ferguson's long throw bounced through to him at the back post. And Zurianov made sure of the victory when he burst into the box to bundle home Tekke's low cross after the Turkish striker had been released again by the brilliant Arshavin."
Alex Sharratt / Eurosport
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
News
1. West Ham striker Dean Ashton will meet the club at the end of the week to start discussions over terms for a new contract at Upton Park. The 24-year-old has two years left on his current deal and is thought to be on the radar of Manchester Untied, Portsmouth and Newcastle.
2. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to pledge his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract extension in the summer. The Czech Republic international has moved swiftly to counter suggestions he was ready to quit Stamford Bridge. Instead, Cech has revealed he and his agent, Pavel Zika, will discuss a new deal when the time is right.
3. Czech winger Pavel Nedved has signed a new one-year contract with Juventus after deciding not to retire. The Serie A club have finished third in their first season back in the top flight following their demotion for match-fixing in 2006. They will enter the Champions League qualifiers next season, prompting the 35-year-old left winger to stay.
4. Outgoing Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted he could see himself playing for Stuttgart but has not ruled out retiring from the game altogether. The Bundesliga club have reportedly made an approach for the 38-year-old stopper, who will leave the Gunners on a free transfer this summer. Stuttgart's number one, Raphael Schafer, has failed to live up to expectations since joining from Nurnberg last season and has been dropped for the final game of the season after making one mistake too many. Lehmann, who lost his place to Manuel Almunia after a shaky start to the campaign, has long been expected to return to his home country for a final swansong.
5. Lewis Hamilton is determined to achieve his aim of winning the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, but is not expecting any preferential treatment from his McLaren team. Hamilton came within a whisker of victory last season, only to lose out to then team-mate Fernando Alonso after a team orders rumpus that sparked the feud between the duo. Although the 23-year-old was undoubtedly quicker than Alonso in the second half of the race, and was itching to pass, he was told to hold station in second. It was a decision that rankled with Hamilton at the time.
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2. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to pledge his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract extension in the summer. The Czech Republic international has moved swiftly to counter suggestions he was ready to quit Stamford Bridge. Instead, Cech has revealed he and his agent, Pavel Zika, will discuss a new deal when the time is right.
3. Czech winger Pavel Nedved has signed a new one-year contract with Juventus after deciding not to retire. The Serie A club have finished third in their first season back in the top flight following their demotion for match-fixing in 2006. They will enter the Champions League qualifiers next season, prompting the 35-year-old left winger to stay.
4. Outgoing Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted he could see himself playing for Stuttgart but has not ruled out retiring from the game altogether. The Bundesliga club have reportedly made an approach for the 38-year-old stopper, who will leave the Gunners on a free transfer this summer. Stuttgart's number one, Raphael Schafer, has failed to live up to expectations since joining from Nurnberg last season and has been dropped for the final game of the season after making one mistake too many. Lehmann, who lost his place to Manuel Almunia after a shaky start to the campaign, has long been expected to return to his home country for a final swansong.
5. Lewis Hamilton is determined to achieve his aim of winning the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, but is not expecting any preferential treatment from his McLaren team. Hamilton came within a whisker of victory last season, only to lose out to then team-mate Fernando Alonso after a team orders rumpus that sparked the feud between the duo. Although the 23-year-old was undoubtedly quicker than Alonso in the second half of the race, and was itching to pass, he was told to hold station in second. It was a decision that rankled with Hamilton at the time.
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Monday, May 12, 2008
GLORY GLORY MAN UTD
WIGAN 0 2 MAN UTD
CHELSEA 1 1 BOLTON
Manchester United sealed their 10th Premier League title in 16 years with a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic.On the day he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 first-team appearances, Ryan Giggs scored the second goal late on to seal a nervous victory. Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a first-half lead with a disputed penalty - his 31st league goal of the season.
Bolton's injury-time equaliser against Chelsea meant United ended with a two-point cushion, but the result at Stamford Bridge was rendered irrelevant thanks to the Reds' vastly superior goal difference. Chelsea proved no less efficient at achieving results, but their inability to produce the fantasy football demanded by Roman Abramovich eventually proved fatal to their title hopes - and could also sound the death knell for Avram Grant's reign as manager.
They will regroup ahead of the Champions League final - against United - in Moscow in 10 days' time.
Breaking news
1. A late goal by Danny Murphy gave Fulham a 1-0 Premier League win at Portsmouth and an unlikely escape from relegation to the Championship. Murphy was left all alone to nod in a Jimmy Bullard free-kick on 76 minutes in an even match that never saw Fulham panic or lose their discipline.
2. Ferrari's Felipe Massa won the Turkish Grand Prix from pole position for the third year in a row after tyre concerns slowed Lewis Hamilton's challenge. The Brazilian took the chequered flag 3.7 seconds ahead of the 23-year-old McLaren driver, who ran most of the race on the harder tyres and had to make three pitstops compared to his rivals' two. It was Massa's seventh win in Formula One, at the anti-clockwise track where he took his first in 2006, and his second in five races this season. Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen saw his overall lead trimmed to seven points from nine after finishing a close third.
3. Birmingham City were relegated from the Premier League despite defeating Blackburn Rovers 4-1 at St Andrews. Reading's win at Derby condemned the Blues to the Championship, while Fulham finally grabbed a goal against Portsmouth to also send the Royals down to the second tier.
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2. Ferrari's Felipe Massa won the Turkish Grand Prix from pole position for the third year in a row after tyre concerns slowed Lewis Hamilton's challenge. The Brazilian took the chequered flag 3.7 seconds ahead of the 23-year-old McLaren driver, who ran most of the race on the harder tyres and had to make three pitstops compared to his rivals' two. It was Massa's seventh win in Formula One, at the anti-clockwise track where he took his first in 2006, and his second in five races this season. Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen saw his overall lead trimmed to seven points from nine after finishing a close third.
3. Birmingham City were relegated from the Premier League despite defeating Blackburn Rovers 4-1 at St Andrews. Reading's win at Derby condemned the Blues to the Championship, while Fulham finally grabbed a goal against Portsmouth to also send the Royals down to the second tier.
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Saturday, May 10, 2008
News Updated
1. Ferrari's Felipe Massa set his sights on a Turkish Grand Prix hat-trick after taking pole position for the third year in a row. The Brazilian, winner in 2006 and 2007 at the anti-clockwise Istanbul Park circuit, will have Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren alongside him on the front row on Sunday with the Finn coming back strongly from a heavy crash in Spain. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was third quickest with Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen joining the 23-year-old Briton on the second row.
2. Avram Grant insists the only way to separate Chelsea and Manchester United would be a play-off to decide the Barclays Premier League title. The two clubs are level on points going into the final day of the season with Grant's Chelsea closing the gap in the last month but trailing on goal difference. United's freescoring style has given them the edge despite Grant targeting more attractive football since taking over from Jose Mourinho
3. Honda will try to help Japan's Takuma Sato and Briton Anthony Davidson after the demise of the Super Aguri Formula One team, according to Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry. "It's something that we are thinking about at the moment. Obviously both drivers have done a super job over a number of years and if we can help, I'm sure we will," Fry said. "But there's nothing planned at the moment." Super Aguri were formed with Honda's backing at the end of 2005 after Sato was dropped by BAR Honda in favour of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.
2. Avram Grant insists the only way to separate Chelsea and Manchester United would be a play-off to decide the Barclays Premier League title. The two clubs are level on points going into the final day of the season with Grant's Chelsea closing the gap in the last month but trailing on goal difference. United's freescoring style has given them the edge despite Grant targeting more attractive football since taking over from Jose Mourinho
3. Honda will try to help Japan's Takuma Sato and Briton Anthony Davidson after the demise of the Super Aguri Formula One team, according to Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry. "It's something that we are thinking about at the moment. Obviously both drivers have done a super job over a number of years and if we can help, I'm sure we will," Fry said. "But there's nothing planned at the moment." Super Aguri were formed with Honda's backing at the end of 2005 after Sato was dropped by BAR Honda in favour of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
MAN UTD OR CHELSEA ?
The important match this weekend - Sunday 11 May 2008
Wigan vs Man Utd
Chelsea vs Bolton
Who are the champions EPL 2007/2008?
Other matches
Birmingham City vs Blackbur Rovers
Derby County vs Reading
Everton vs Newcastle
Middlesbrough vs Manchester City
Portsmouth vs Fulham
Sunderland vs Arsenal
Tottenham vs Liverpool
West Ham vs Aston Villa
Wigan vs Man Utd
Chelsea vs Bolton
Who are the champions EPL 2007/2008?
Other matches
Birmingham City vs Blackbur Rovers
Derby County vs Reading
Everton vs Newcastle
Middlesbrough vs Manchester City
Portsmouth vs Fulham
Sunderland vs Arsenal
Tottenham vs Liverpool
West Ham vs Aston Villa
News Updated
1. Manchester United winger Nani has apologised for his red card against West Ham.
The Portuguese star headbutted West Ham skipper Lucas Neill in Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Old Trafford, earning himself a three-match ban. He also faces internal disciplinary action, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson vowing to "deal with" the player. Nani said: "I recognise that my action was a thoughtless one, but I also have to say that I was provoked and attacked. I know it serves as no excuse, but that's exactly what happened.
2. Newcastle United and Manchester City are reportedly tracking Porto defender Bruno Alves. Alves has been in excellent form for the Portuguese Liga champions, and reports claim scouts from both United and City have been monitoring his progress. The 26-year-old's current contract runs until 2012, and it is claimed that Porto would not accept an offer of less than 30million euros (£23.6million). The central-half's agent, and father, has confirmed that a number of clubs are interested in signing Alves.
3. Wigan boss Steve Bruce is expected to step up his efforts to sign Egypt striker Amr Zaki over the next few weeks. Bruce watched Zaki score twice last night as his club El Zamalek beat Aluminum 5-1 win in the Egyptian General League. Zaki, who has scored 21 goals in 40 internationals, is a top target for Wigan, who reportedly had a £4.1million bid rejected in the January transfer window. With the Latics securing their Barclays Premier League status for a fourth successive season with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, Bruce is now eager to strengthen his squad.
4. Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe has warned a quartet of clubs to forget any hope of signing in-demand striker James Beattie this summer. Beattie has had a superb first season at Bramall Lane following his £3million move from Everton last summer, scoring 22 goals in the Championship. He has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Bolton, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and new boys Stoke all reportedly interested. However, McCabe has warned the top flight clubs that it will be extremely difficult to prise Beattie away from his long-term deal.
5. Super Aguri have withdrawn from the Formula One World Championship following problems over funding. The team, which owes engine and support supplier Honda around £100 million, had fought tooth and nail for its survival for many months. A takeover by Magma Group, funded by Dubai money, collapsed last month and Honda were lukewarm about an 11th hour rescue bid from Germany's Weigl Group. The team was effectively created to give an F1 seat to Japanese driver Takuma Sato, who was dropped by Honda in 2005, while Briton Anthony Davidson was chosen for the second car in 2008.
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The Portuguese star headbutted West Ham skipper Lucas Neill in Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Old Trafford, earning himself a three-match ban. He also faces internal disciplinary action, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson vowing to "deal with" the player. Nani said: "I recognise that my action was a thoughtless one, but I also have to say that I was provoked and attacked. I know it serves as no excuse, but that's exactly what happened.
2. Newcastle United and Manchester City are reportedly tracking Porto defender Bruno Alves. Alves has been in excellent form for the Portuguese Liga champions, and reports claim scouts from both United and City have been monitoring his progress. The 26-year-old's current contract runs until 2012, and it is claimed that Porto would not accept an offer of less than 30million euros (£23.6million). The central-half's agent, and father, has confirmed that a number of clubs are interested in signing Alves.
3. Wigan boss Steve Bruce is expected to step up his efforts to sign Egypt striker Amr Zaki over the next few weeks. Bruce watched Zaki score twice last night as his club El Zamalek beat Aluminum 5-1 win in the Egyptian General League. Zaki, who has scored 21 goals in 40 internationals, is a top target for Wigan, who reportedly had a £4.1million bid rejected in the January transfer window. With the Latics securing their Barclays Premier League status for a fourth successive season with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, Bruce is now eager to strengthen his squad.
4. Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe has warned a quartet of clubs to forget any hope of signing in-demand striker James Beattie this summer. Beattie has had a superb first season at Bramall Lane following his £3million move from Everton last summer, scoring 22 goals in the Championship. He has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Bolton, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and new boys Stoke all reportedly interested. However, McCabe has warned the top flight clubs that it will be extremely difficult to prise Beattie away from his long-term deal.
5. Super Aguri have withdrawn from the Formula One World Championship following problems over funding. The team, which owes engine and support supplier Honda around £100 million, had fought tooth and nail for its survival for many months. A takeover by Magma Group, funded by Dubai money, collapsed last month and Honda were lukewarm about an 11th hour rescue bid from Germany's Weigl Group. The team was effectively created to give an F1 seat to Japanese driver Takuma Sato, who was dropped by Honda in 2005, while Briton Anthony Davidson was chosen for the second car in 2008.
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Sunday, May 4, 2008
News Updated
1. Chelsea are reportedly planning an astonishing £80million move for Lionel Messi.
Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has authorised the blockbusting swoop for Barcelona's Argentinian superstar, according to the News of the World. Messi showed his brilliance to English fans by performing superbly in Barca's Champions League semi-final clashes with Manchester United. The only man in world football capable of putting Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade could be the subject of a world record-breaking Chelsea bid that would dwarf the £48million that took Zinedine Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.
2. Speculation is mounting that Zinedine Zidane will be sensationally appointed as Queens Park Rangers manager on Sunday. The France legend has not held a full-time job since retiring from football after the 2006 World Cup final, has no formal coaching experience and does not speak English. QPR owner Flavio Briatore has promised a major announcement before the final game of the season against West Bromwich Albion, and Sunday's People newspaper claims Zidane's appointment will be announced
3. Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on fourth spot in La Liga, and a berth in the Champions League qualifiers, with a 3-0 home win over Recreativo Huelva. Two-goal midfielder Ignacio Camacho, who turns 18 on Sunday, got on the scoresheet for the first time while fellow teenager Sergio Aguero weighed in with his 17th goal of the season. Atletico have 58 points, three behind third-placed Barcelona and five clear of Racing Santander who both play on Sunday.
4. Werder Bremen beat Energie Cottbus 2-0 on Saturday to strengthen their grip on second place in the Bundesliga and leave Bayern Munich with a little work to do to secure their 21st league title. Werder's victory leaves them nine points behind leaders Bayern with three games left to play. Bayern have a big advantage in goal difference but to be mathematically sure of the title they need a point from their final four matches, starting away to VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday. If they claim at least a draw from that game, they will be celebrating their 20th title since the Bundesliga era began in 1963 and their 21st of all time, including their first German championship success in 1932.
5. Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president, said Hekki Kovalainen was extremely lucky to escape serious injury when he crashed during last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Looking ahead to next weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, Haug recognises that the team still has work to do in order to counter the Ferrari challenge. "Heikki was really lucky, and we were too of course. The MP4-23's safety cell prevented the outcome from being worse, as did the safety barriers at the race track. This accident might have had more serious consequences, had it not been for the FIA and the teams working intensively and continuously on improved safety standards over the past 14 years."
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Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has authorised the blockbusting swoop for Barcelona's Argentinian superstar, according to the News of the World. Messi showed his brilliance to English fans by performing superbly in Barca's Champions League semi-final clashes with Manchester United. The only man in world football capable of putting Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade could be the subject of a world record-breaking Chelsea bid that would dwarf the £48million that took Zinedine Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.
2. Speculation is mounting that Zinedine Zidane will be sensationally appointed as Queens Park Rangers manager on Sunday. The France legend has not held a full-time job since retiring from football after the 2006 World Cup final, has no formal coaching experience and does not speak English. QPR owner Flavio Briatore has promised a major announcement before the final game of the season against West Bromwich Albion, and Sunday's People newspaper claims Zidane's appointment will be announced
3. Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on fourth spot in La Liga, and a berth in the Champions League qualifiers, with a 3-0 home win over Recreativo Huelva. Two-goal midfielder Ignacio Camacho, who turns 18 on Sunday, got on the scoresheet for the first time while fellow teenager Sergio Aguero weighed in with his 17th goal of the season. Atletico have 58 points, three behind third-placed Barcelona and five clear of Racing Santander who both play on Sunday.
4. Werder Bremen beat Energie Cottbus 2-0 on Saturday to strengthen their grip on second place in the Bundesliga and leave Bayern Munich with a little work to do to secure their 21st league title. Werder's victory leaves them nine points behind leaders Bayern with three games left to play. Bayern have a big advantage in goal difference but to be mathematically sure of the title they need a point from their final four matches, starting away to VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday. If they claim at least a draw from that game, they will be celebrating their 20th title since the Bundesliga era began in 1963 and their 21st of all time, including their first German championship success in 1932.
5. Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president, said Hekki Kovalainen was extremely lucky to escape serious injury when he crashed during last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. Looking ahead to next weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, Haug recognises that the team still has work to do in order to counter the Ferrari challenge. "Heikki was really lucky, and we were too of course. The MP4-23's safety cell prevented the outcome from being worse, as did the safety barriers at the race track. This accident might have had more serious consequences, had it not been for the FIA and the teams working intensively and continuously on improved safety standards over the past 14 years."
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EPL RESULTS
Saturday 3 May 2008
Manchester United 4 1 West Ham
Bolton 2 0 Sunderland
Aston Villa 0 2 Wigan
Blackburn 3 1 Derby County
Fulham 2 0 Birmingham
Middlesbrough 2 0 Portsmouth
Reading 0 1 Tottenham
Manchester United 4 1 West Ham
Bolton 2 0 Sunderland
Aston Villa 0 2 Wigan
Blackburn 3 1 Derby County
Fulham 2 0 Birmingham
Middlesbrough 2 0 Portsmouth
Reading 0 1 Tottenham
Saturday, May 3, 2008
News Updated
1. After their midweek caution, Manchester United returned to their usual swashbuckling selves with a raucous 4-1 win against West Ham. Two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, taking him to 30 in the Premier League and 40 in all competitions? A quite magnificent 30-yard screamer by West Ham old boy Carlos Tevez? An overhead kick of equal brilliance from reported Manchester United target Dean Ashton? Or Nani's red card for a stupid and feeble headbutt aimed at Lucas Neill? All this took place in a breathless first half that saw United romp to a three-goal lead before Ashton and Nani caused bums to squeak around Old Trafford. But a goal from another Upton Park old boy, Michael Carrick, helped United hold on for a win that takes them closer to their 10th Premier League title in 16 season.
2. Real Madrid can wrap up the league title if Villarreal fail to beat Getafe or if they win at Osasuna this weekend. Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro said his side have not had it easy this season. "Now everyone is saying that it is easy to win the league, but it hasn't been," the Italian told a news conference this week. "We were very strong in the first half of the season, getting a record number of points and winning at difficult grounds like the Nou Camp, Vicente Calderon and Mestalla. We were a little bit worried when Barcelona and Villarreal were close to us. So it hasn't been an easy league."
3. Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that Liverpool have made "an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges" for Gareth Barry. Earlier reports had suggested Liverpool had made a £10million cash bid to try and lure Barry to Anfield from Villa Park. But O'Neill has revealed the offer is far from straight forward and has also criticised the Reds for leaking news of the approach. Barry, who has two years to run on his current contract, recently admitted he might have to consider his future at Villa as he wants to be challenging for honours at this stage of his career.
4. Niko Kranjcar's father has confirmed that Arsene Wenger is big fan of the Portsmouth star. The Croatian midfielder is believed to be high on Wenger's list of summer targets and with the futures of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb far from certain, a move for Kranjcar could be in the offing. Zlatko Kranjcar is former national coach of Croatia and is a huge influence on his son's career and he has confirmed Arsenal's interest. "Wenger likes players with a sense of the game," Kranjcar senior told Croatian tv station Index.
5. McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen said he had no fears about returning to racing in next week's Turkish Grand Prix after his big crash in Spain last weekend. "I want to get back to racing as soon as possible," the Finn said. "Since the accident at Barcelona it has been my only focus. "Everyone involved in the sport, the FIA in particular, is always working on improving safety for the drivers but Formula One is a risky business. You know that as a driver, but you don't think about it.
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Thursday, May 1, 2008
News Updated
1. Former England defender Paul Parker says his former club Manchester United must lay down the attacking gauntlet to defeat Chelsea in Moscow. "If Man Utd play the way they do week in week out in the Premier League they will win the Champions League final. They must attack, play their game and go for the win. If they try to match Chelsea like for like, they'll lose out. That's what happened in last year's FA Cup final. Both sides cancelled each other out and Chelsea won it. I expect United to go 4-4-1-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney up front, but Carlos Tevez is going to be hard to leave out. He was phenomenal on Tuesday and he's scored some really vital goals this year - so maybe the option is to play Rooney on the left of the midfield. The problem with that is he'll run all over the place and could tire easily.
2. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri believes only a Champions League final victory will prevent the Blues from sacking Avram Grant this season. Italian coach Ranieri was sacked in 2004 when owner Roman Abramovich decided to bring in Jose Mourinho from Porto and while Grant was chosen to succeed Mourinho early this season, speculation persists that he will be ousted this summer. The Blues secured their place in the European Cup final on May 21 with an extra-time victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and Ranieri, now coach of Serie A giants Juventus, was pleased for the Israeli coach.
3. Barcelona are preparing a major overhaul at the club after the team's failure to live up to expectations this season. "The poor performance means we have to make changes," sporting director Txiki Begiristain told Barca TV. "Now is the time to analyse the situation and we will make the decisions at the end of the season." Barca's 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League this week meant that the Catalans have now gone two seasons without winning a trophy despite making heavy investment in new players.
4. France captain Patrick Vieira said that he intends to finish his career with Italian champions Internazionale. Vieira has had a frustrating season with injuries but he is back in the side for the crucial Serie A run-in, beginning with Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Milan derby. The 31-year-old midfielder joined Inter in 2006 after his previous club Juventus were demoted for match-fixing.
5. Malaysia have been drawn in Group B together with three European football powerhouses -- Ajax Amsterdam of Holland, Chelsea of England and AC Milan of Italy --in the second edition of the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) to be held from Aug 2 till 16.
Event promoter London-based Gifted Group's chairman Jonathan Price said it was a surprise when Malaysia and Chelsea were drawn in the same group. "In last year's tournament, Malaysia and Chelsea were in the same group and in their group match at the Sarawak Stadium, Malaysia and Chelsea were locked to a goalless draw. Once again, this year's group match between Malaysia and Chelsea will be an interesting one," he told reporters here Tuesday. All group B matches will be held in Penang.
Malaysia's opening match will be against AC Milan on Aug 6, followed by Chelsea (Aug 8) and then Ajax Amsterdam (Aug 10).
2. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri believes only a Champions League final victory will prevent the Blues from sacking Avram Grant this season. Italian coach Ranieri was sacked in 2004 when owner Roman Abramovich decided to bring in Jose Mourinho from Porto and while Grant was chosen to succeed Mourinho early this season, speculation persists that he will be ousted this summer. The Blues secured their place in the European Cup final on May 21 with an extra-time victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and Ranieri, now coach of Serie A giants Juventus, was pleased for the Israeli coach.
3. Barcelona are preparing a major overhaul at the club after the team's failure to live up to expectations this season. "The poor performance means we have to make changes," sporting director Txiki Begiristain told Barca TV. "Now is the time to analyse the situation and we will make the decisions at the end of the season." Barca's 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League this week meant that the Catalans have now gone two seasons without winning a trophy despite making heavy investment in new players.
4. France captain Patrick Vieira said that he intends to finish his career with Italian champions Internazionale. Vieira has had a frustrating season with injuries but he is back in the side for the crucial Serie A run-in, beginning with Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Milan derby. The 31-year-old midfielder joined Inter in 2006 after his previous club Juventus were demoted for match-fixing.
5. Malaysia have been drawn in Group B together with three European football powerhouses -- Ajax Amsterdam of Holland, Chelsea of England and AC Milan of Italy --in the second edition of the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) to be held from Aug 2 till 16.
Event promoter London-based Gifted Group's chairman Jonathan Price said it was a surprise when Malaysia and Chelsea were drawn in the same group. "In last year's tournament, Malaysia and Chelsea were in the same group and in their group match at the Sarawak Stadium, Malaysia and Chelsea were locked to a goalless draw. Once again, this year's group match between Malaysia and Chelsea will be an interesting one," he told reporters here Tuesday. All group B matches will be held in Penang.
Malaysia's opening match will be against AC Milan on Aug 6, followed by Chelsea (Aug 8) and then Ajax Amsterdam (Aug 10).
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
GLORY GLORY GLORY MAN UTD
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 0 BARCELONA
"Paul Scholes's stunning first-half strike earned Manchester United a nervy 1-0 win over Barcelona at Old Trafford that sent them through to the Champions League final.
Scholes put United ahead with a superb long-range effort after a quarter of an hour before Ji-sung Park, Nani and Carlos Tevez all went close.
Lionel Messi proved a constant threat with his daring running from deep, but as in the goalless first leg he was unable to provide the spark Barcelona needed. Instead United held firm in a frantic last 10 minutes of constant Barcelona attacks to secure a place in the final in Moscow on May 21 and ensure that the winner of the 2007-2008 Champions League will definitely be an English side. "
all news n foto are from eurosport.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
Breaking News
1. Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic are both major doubts for Manchester United's Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona after missing training on Monday. The pair both suffered injuries during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Chelsea and have less than 36 to recover in time for Tuesday's game at Old Trafford. Vidic was left groggy and bloodied with a split lip after an accidental collision with Didier Drogba in the first half, while Rooney appeared to injure his hip in the act of scoring United's equaliser.
2. Frank Lampard returned to training with Chelsea on Sunday to lift his hopes of playing against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Lampard missed Chelsea's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over Manchester United on Saturday following the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia last Thursday. But the England midfielder is understood to have trained and is expected to be back with the rest of the squad on Monday.
3. Frank Rijkaard has admitted he believes Ronaldinho has played his last game for Barcelona and refused to commit his own future to the club. The Dutch coach was talking on Catalan television when he opened up about what lies ahead for the Brazilian superstar and for himself and he reverted away from his usual conservative style. When asked whether Ronaldinho would leave in the summer, he replied: "You would have to think so."
4. Brazilian star Kaka would relish the prospect of playing alongside international team-mate Ronaldinho at AC Milan next season. The Rossoneri appear to be in pole position to acquire the playmaker, who is widely thought to be on the move after just 13 appearances for Barcelona this term. He would add to a growing list of Brazilians already with the Serie A giants. And Kaka believes the influence of compatriots Dida, Cafu, Serginho, Digao, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo would help Ronaldinho settle in no time at all.
5. McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen could return to action in time for the Turkish Grand Prix next weekend despite a horrifying crash in Barcelona that saw him airlifted to hospital. The Finn, who was leading the race after both Ferraris and team mate Lewis Hamilton had pitted, speared straight into the tyre wall at speed on the 22nd of 66 laps with the car penetrating the barrier. Circuit doctors attended to Kovalainen, who was extracted from the car before being taken away on a stretcher in a neck brace, while the safety car was deployed for the second time in the race.
All news from eurosport.com
2. Frank Lampard returned to training with Chelsea on Sunday to lift his hopes of playing against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Lampard missed Chelsea's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over Manchester United on Saturday following the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia last Thursday. But the England midfielder is understood to have trained and is expected to be back with the rest of the squad on Monday.
3. Frank Rijkaard has admitted he believes Ronaldinho has played his last game for Barcelona and refused to commit his own future to the club. The Dutch coach was talking on Catalan television when he opened up about what lies ahead for the Brazilian superstar and for himself and he reverted away from his usual conservative style. When asked whether Ronaldinho would leave in the summer, he replied: "You would have to think so."
4. Brazilian star Kaka would relish the prospect of playing alongside international team-mate Ronaldinho at AC Milan next season. The Rossoneri appear to be in pole position to acquire the playmaker, who is widely thought to be on the move after just 13 appearances for Barcelona this term. He would add to a growing list of Brazilians already with the Serie A giants. And Kaka believes the influence of compatriots Dida, Cafu, Serginho, Digao, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo would help Ronaldinho settle in no time at all.
5. McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen could return to action in time for the Turkish Grand Prix next weekend despite a horrifying crash in Barcelona that saw him airlifted to hospital. The Finn, who was leading the race after both Ferraris and team mate Lewis Hamilton had pitted, speared straight into the tyre wall at speed on the 22nd of 66 laps with the car penetrating the barrier. Circuit doctors attended to Kovalainen, who was extracted from the car before being taken away on a stretcher in a neck brace, while the safety car was deployed for the second time in the race.
All news from eurosport.com
F1 - Spanish GP
"Lewis Hamilton battled to a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix as Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa secured a Ferrari one-two. Raikkonen's 17th grand prix win - from pole position - left the Finn with 29 points, nine clear of closest rival Hamilton, and catapulted Ferrari back in front of BMW Sauber in the constructors' standings.
"If we wanted, we could have gone a bit faster but there was no point in pushing more than we need to," said Raikkonen, who still set the fastest lap. Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who started on the front row for Renault, retired on lap 35 with a blown engine but he had already fallen down the field after being the first driver to refuel.
Massa, winner in Bahrain, had got past double world champion Alonso at the start while Hamilton slotted into fourth place after muscling past BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica from fifth. "When we qualified fifth we knew it would be very difficult to beat the Ferraris," said Hamilton. "The key was to get a good start and make up as many places as possible.
"We had two bad races and to come back on the podium is fantastic." While Raikkonen had an uneventful afternoon in the sunshine, his compatriot Heikki Kovalainen was flown to hospital with concussion after his McLaren plunged across the gravel and into a tyre wall.
Kovalainen had been leading at the time after both Ferraris and Hamilton had made their first pitstops. "He banged his head in the accident and has concussion. As a precaution he is going to hospital to have more checks," McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said.
Briton Hamilton, who suffered a similar accident at the Nuerburgring last year, said he had been concerned until team boss Ron Dennis had assured him on the radio that Kovalainen was conscious and stable. The safety car was deployed following Kovalainen's crash, having already been brought out after Sebastian Vettel's Toro Rosso and Force India's Adrian Sutil collided on the first lap.
Poland's Kubica finished fourth, moving him up to third in the championship with 19 points, ahead of Massa on 18, with Australian Mark Webber fifth in a Red Bull. Britain's Jenson Button finished sixth for Honda's first points of the year while Japan's Kazuki Nakajima was seventh for Williams and Italian Jarno Trulli eighth for Toyota.
Ferrari lead the constructors' standings with 47 points to BMW Sauber's 35. McLaren have 34. The first European race of the season ended with an entirely predictable result, with the Circuit de Catalunya setting a record as the track with the longest run of successive winners from pole position. Raikkonen, the only driver to have won twice so far this season, was the eighth in a row to have triumphed in Barcelona from pole."
Reuters
"If we wanted, we could have gone a bit faster but there was no point in pushing more than we need to," said Raikkonen, who still set the fastest lap. Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who started on the front row for Renault, retired on lap 35 with a blown engine but he had already fallen down the field after being the first driver to refuel.
Massa, winner in Bahrain, had got past double world champion Alonso at the start while Hamilton slotted into fourth place after muscling past BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica from fifth. "When we qualified fifth we knew it would be very difficult to beat the Ferraris," said Hamilton. "The key was to get a good start and make up as many places as possible.
"We had two bad races and to come back on the podium is fantastic." While Raikkonen had an uneventful afternoon in the sunshine, his compatriot Heikki Kovalainen was flown to hospital with concussion after his McLaren plunged across the gravel and into a tyre wall.
Kovalainen had been leading at the time after both Ferraris and Hamilton had made their first pitstops. "He banged his head in the accident and has concussion. As a precaution he is going to hospital to have more checks," McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said.
Briton Hamilton, who suffered a similar accident at the Nuerburgring last year, said he had been concerned until team boss Ron Dennis had assured him on the radio that Kovalainen was conscious and stable. The safety car was deployed following Kovalainen's crash, having already been brought out after Sebastian Vettel's Toro Rosso and Force India's Adrian Sutil collided on the first lap.
Poland's Kubica finished fourth, moving him up to third in the championship with 19 points, ahead of Massa on 18, with Australian Mark Webber fifth in a Red Bull. Britain's Jenson Button finished sixth for Honda's first points of the year while Japan's Kazuki Nakajima was seventh for Williams and Italian Jarno Trulli eighth for Toyota.
Ferrari lead the constructors' standings with 47 points to BMW Sauber's 35. McLaren have 34. The first European race of the season ended with an entirely predictable result, with the Circuit de Catalunya setting a record as the track with the longest run of successive winners from pole position. Raikkonen, the only driver to have won twice so far this season, was the eighth in a row to have triumphed in Barcelona from pole."
Reuters
Sunday, April 27, 2008
F1 - Spanish GP - Qualifying
Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen denied home hero Fernando Alonso a stunning Spanish Grand Prix pole position. The 115,000-strong crowd gave Alonso a standing ovation after Renault's double world champion pulled out all the stops at the Circuit de Catalunya only to be pipped by the Finn in the dying seconds by 0.091. The pole was championship leader Raikkonen's first of the season and the 15th of his Formula One career.
Result EPL
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Chelsea 2 1 Man Utd
Birmingham 2 2 Liverpool
Manchester City 2 3 Fulham
Sunderland 3 2 Middlesbrough
Tottenham 1 1 Bolton
West Ham 2 2 Newscastle
Wigan 0 0 Reading
Chelsea 2 1 Man Utd
Birmingham 2 2 Liverpool
Manchester City 2 3 Fulham
Sunderland 3 2 Middlesbrough
Tottenham 1 1 Bolton
West Ham 2 2 Newscastle
Wigan 0 0 Reading
Saturday, April 26, 2008
News Updated
1. Tottenham have won the race to sign highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric for a fee believed to be £15.8million. The Barclays Premier League club have agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, who was reportedly courted by many of Europe's top sides, and he will leave Dinamo Zagreb for White Hart Lane this summer subject to his passing a medical. Modric must also obtain a work permit but that will be a formality given his status as one of the continent's most coveted talents.
2. Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen made a strong start to Formula One's European season by dominating Spanish Grand Prix free practice. The Finn, championship leader after the opening three long-haul races, set a best time of one minute 20.649 seconds in the morning and then topped the afternoon timesheets in 1:21.935. His Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa, who scored his first points of the season when he won the previous race in Bahrain, was second fastest on a sunny morning but only fifth in the later session.
3. Nemanja Vidic looks set to play in United's lunchtime trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday after recovering from a stomach virus. The Serbian defender missed the Reds' Champions League clash in Barcelona on Wednesday, but was able to train on Friday morning and is all but certain to start against Chelsea.
4. Sir Alex Ferguson says his players are fully prepared for what could be a monumental four days in the club's history. United have the chance to all but seal a tenth Premier League title with victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
And the Reds can book their place in next month's Champions League final in Moscow with victory over Barcelona on Tuesday at Old Trafford. Sir Alex is relishing the tasks ahead and has the uppermost confidence in his team to rise to the occasion.
All news from eurosport and manutd.com
2. Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen made a strong start to Formula One's European season by dominating Spanish Grand Prix free practice. The Finn, championship leader after the opening three long-haul races, set a best time of one minute 20.649 seconds in the morning and then topped the afternoon timesheets in 1:21.935. His Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa, who scored his first points of the season when he won the previous race in Bahrain, was second fastest on a sunny morning but only fifth in the later session.
3. Nemanja Vidic looks set to play in United's lunchtime trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday after recovering from a stomach virus. The Serbian defender missed the Reds' Champions League clash in Barcelona on Wednesday, but was able to train on Friday morning and is all but certain to start against Chelsea.
4. Sir Alex Ferguson says his players are fully prepared for what could be a monumental four days in the club's history. United have the chance to all but seal a tenth Premier League title with victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
And the Reds can book their place in next month's Champions League final in Moscow with victory over Barcelona on Tuesday at Old Trafford. Sir Alex is relishing the tasks ahead and has the uppermost confidence in his team to rise to the occasion.
All news from eurosport and manutd.com
Team News - EPL
Saturday
Chelsea v Manchester United (12:45)
Frank Lampard misses out following the death of his mother with Michael Essien, who was suspended for the Blues' European clash with Liverpool on Tuesday, set to return in place of the England midfielder. Chelsea boss Avram Grant has no further selection worries.
United defender Nemanja Vidic looks set to return to the side after a stomach bug ruled the Serb stopper out of the midweek game against Barcelona. Other than long-term casualty Louis Saha, Alex Ferguson has a full squad to choose from. Anderson is expected to start in midfield having not featured at the Camp Nou while Darren Fletcher could return to the squad from a long-term knee injury.
Birmingham v Liverpool
Midfielder Sebastian Larsson is set to make a comeback after a knee problem but Damien Johnson serves the final game of his three-match suspension. Olivier Kapo is pushing for a place in the starting XI.
Rafa Benitez is set to ring the changes once again and is likely to field a reserve side with one eye on next week's Champions League semi-final second leg with Chelsea. That could mean a call-up for youngster Damien Plessis. Fabio Aurelio is out for the rest of the season with a groin injury.
Man City v Fulham
Defenders Micah Richards and Nedum Onuoha are both out for the season and skipper Richard Dunne is doubtful after limping off during last week's win over Portsmouth. But Sven-Goran Eriksson could be boosted by the return of Sun Jihai after an illness.
Jari Litmanen will miss out again after sustaining an ear injury during a freak training ground incident so David Healy and Brian McBride will continue up front together. Kasey Keller continues to deputise for Antti Niemi (shoulder) despite the Finn having trained this week.
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Jonny Evans is doubtful for the Black Cats after sitting out last week's derby with Newcastle and Phil Bardsley is out for the rest of the season as he prepares to undergo knee surgery. Dwight Yorke (knee) is also a doubt and Dickson Etuhu remains sidelined after a knee operation.
Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer could return from a back problem but there are fresh concerns for his deputy Ross Turnbull. Robert Huth is doubtful with a foot problem while Gary O'Neil remains sidelined with a long-term injury.
Tottenham v Bolton
Paul Robinson could return from an ankle injury for Spurs and Pascal Chimbonda (calf) and Jonathan Woodgate (ankle) are also in line to feature. But Gareth Bale (foot) and Ledley King (ankle) are out for the season. Tom Huddlestone could replace Didier Zokora in the centre of midfield.
Bolton striker Kevin Davies completes a two-match ban but Joey O'Brien returns to the squad from a hamstring injury. Grzegorz Rasiak is set to replace Davies up front, despite receiving a cut eye in last weekend's clash with Middlesbrough.
West Ham v Newcastle
Dean Ashton could return for West Ham after having missed last weekend's outing against Derby. Otherwise, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has a similar squad to choose from. James Tomkins could again stand in for Anton Ferdinand (hamstring).
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has no new injury concerns. Emre (calf), Stephen Carr (hamstring), Claudio Cacapa (groin), Peter Ramage (knee) and James Milner (foot) are all nearing returns.
Wigan Athletic v Reading
Emile Heskey (hamstring) and Marcus Bent (cut leg) have been passed fit and are in contention while Erik Hagen is available after illness. Erik Edman remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Reading midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson has suffered a setback following a groin operation and Jimmy Kebe is doubtful after having made his debut last weekend. Leroy Lita has returned from his loan spell with Charlton and is available for selection.
Sunday
Portsmouth v Blackburn (13:30)
Portsmouth striker Kanu could win a recall to the side to partner Jermain Defoe up front. David Nugent and Pedro Mendes are doubtful with slight knocks while Hermann Hreidarsson is suspended. Lauren is expected to switch to left-back to fill in for the Icelandic defender with Glen Johnson poised to return from illness.
Blackburn are likely to name an unchanged side after having taken a point off Manchester United last weekend as boss Mark Hughes has no new injury concerns.
Everton v Aston Villa (16:00)
Everton will have Leon Osman back after a hip injury, but there are still doubts over Mikel Arteta's fitness. The Spaniard, who has been suffering from stomach and groin problems, faces a late fitness test.
Villa have no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. Gabriel Agbonlahor has a slight cold, but is expected to play. Craig Gardner is still sidelined with a thigh problem and Curtis Davis (Achilles) is out for the rest of the season.
Monday
Derby v Arsenal (20:00)
Midfielder David Jones (calf) is a doubt for Rams boss Paul Jewell and faces a late fitness test while Marc Edworthy is struggling with a cracked rib. He joins Claude Davis and Giles Barnes on the sidelines.
Manuel Almunia returns for Arsenal after a wrist injury, but Alexander Hleb starts his three-match ban and misses out on the trip to Pride Park. Denilson is in line for a rare start as injuries to Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky have ruled them out.
Eurosport
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Result - champions league semi final
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Liverpool 1 1 Chelsea
John Arne Riise's dramatic injury-time own goal secured Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield. Liverpool had been on course for a well-earned victory after Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener, but Riise's inadvertent last-gasp intervention now tips the tie firmly in Chelsea's favour.
news and foto from eurosport
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
TOP 5 NEWS
1. Fernando Torres has warned fans Liverpool's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea may not be easy on the eye. The striker told Eurosport that a cagey, tactical game could be in store when the Blues visit Anfield. "I think these are two very similar teams. Two teams very well organised tactically, who don't concede many goals," he said. "That is what has happened in previous years. One went to penalties and the other had only one goal. These are matches with few goals, tactically very tight and which will be decided by a detail."
2. Aston Villa striker John Carew has said he would be happy to end his career at Villa Park. The big Norwegian has been seen as something of a journeyman after having spells at six clubs before making the move to Villa in 2007. Carew has impressed for Villa this season and the 28-year-old believes the future looks bright for Martin O'Neill's exciting young side. The former Lyon and Valencia hit-man says he is enjoying life at Villa and would consider staying at the club for the rest of his career.
3. Borussia Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski felt that he was undeservedly sent off in the 2-1 German Cup final defeat to giants Bayern Munich. The Poland international was shown a second yellow card in the second period of extra-time after a challenge on Christian Lell. Five minutes earlier, Dortmund had conceded what proved to be the winner and Luca Toni's second goal of the night. "I felt very bad when I was leaving the pitch," Blaszczykowski told Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. "I got the first red card in my career and it was undeserved.
4. Internazionale striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted that he may seek a move away from Serie A in the future. "They have better technique and more finesse both in Spain and in England and you never know what will happen in the future", he told Swedish television station SVT. Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined with a knee problem, and is a doubt for the home game with Cagliari on Sunday.
5. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said he does not want to sign double world champion Fernando Alonso to the Formula One team, believing such a move would be "damaging". Alonso has denied that he has an escape clause in his contract with struggling Renault that would allow him to leave at the end of the season, although he also voiced his admiration for the Scuderia. However Di Montezemolo does not want to partner him with current world champion Kimi Raikkonen in a 'dream team' line-up.
"To line up a Raikkonen-Alonso double act would mean wanting to damage yourself," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want two equal drivers that work together."
news from eurosport
2. Aston Villa striker John Carew has said he would be happy to end his career at Villa Park. The big Norwegian has been seen as something of a journeyman after having spells at six clubs before making the move to Villa in 2007. Carew has impressed for Villa this season and the 28-year-old believes the future looks bright for Martin O'Neill's exciting young side. The former Lyon and Valencia hit-man says he is enjoying life at Villa and would consider staying at the club for the rest of his career.
3. Borussia Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski felt that he was undeservedly sent off in the 2-1 German Cup final defeat to giants Bayern Munich. The Poland international was shown a second yellow card in the second period of extra-time after a challenge on Christian Lell. Five minutes earlier, Dortmund had conceded what proved to be the winner and Luca Toni's second goal of the night. "I felt very bad when I was leaving the pitch," Blaszczykowski told Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. "I got the first red card in my career and it was undeserved.
4. Internazionale striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted that he may seek a move away from Serie A in the future. "They have better technique and more finesse both in Spain and in England and you never know what will happen in the future", he told Swedish television station SVT. Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined with a knee problem, and is a doubt for the home game with Cagliari on Sunday.
5. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said he does not want to sign double world champion Fernando Alonso to the Formula One team, believing such a move would be "damaging". Alonso has denied that he has an escape clause in his contract with struggling Renault that would allow him to leave at the end of the season, although he also voiced his admiration for the Scuderia. However Di Montezemolo does not want to partner him with current world champion Kimi Raikkonen in a 'dream team' line-up.
"To line up a Raikkonen-Alonso double act would mean wanting to damage yourself," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want two equal drivers that work together."
news from eurosport
Champion League - Semi Final
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Liverpool vs Chelsea
(Anfield Stadium)
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Barcelona vs Man Utd
(Nou Camp Stadium)
Liverpool vs Chelsea
(Anfield Stadium)
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Barcelona vs Man Utd
(Nou Camp Stadium)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Result EPL
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Newcastle 2 0 Sunderland
Aston Villa 5 1 Birmingham
Manchester City 3 1 Portsmouth
Newcastle 2 0 Sunderland
Aston Villa 5 1 Birmingham
Manchester City 3 1 Portsmouth
Sunday, April 20, 2008
News
1. A late Carlos Tevez header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United away to Blackburn Rovers, despite a majestic performance by Brad Friedel. Tevez glanced the ball home to equalise Roque Santa Cruz's opener three minutes from time just as it looked like they would be denied.
2. Goals in each half from Robert Koren and Zoltan Gera saw West Brom stretch their lead at the top of Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norwich. Koren opened the scoring in the second minute when he beat David Marshall to the rebound after the Canaries goalkeeper had parried Kevin Phillips' low shot from the edge of the area.
3. Luca Toni struck twice to earn Bayern Munich a 2-1 extra-time win over Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final. The victory gave the Bavarians a record 14th win in the competition and set up a likely domestic double. Toni had scored his first in the 11th minute and Bayern were heading for a victory before Mladen Petric struck in the second minute of added time to level the scores and bring heroic Dortmund back from the brink at the Olympiastadion.
4. Barcelona's faltering title bid took another blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou by city rivals Espanyol while Atletico were beaten at home by Real Betis and Sevilla were also taken apart on their own patch 4-1 by Almeria. Barca dominated possession in the first period but could not find a breakthrough, with Eidur Gudjohnsen, Gianluca Zambrotta and Xavi all going close. The story was much the same in the second half despite the best efforts of substitute Lionel Messi, meaning Barcelona could fall 11 points behind league leaders Real Madrid if they win at Racing Santander on Sunday.
5. Roma's title hopes were dealt a serious blow after they could only draw 1-1 with relegation-threatened Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico. Mirko Vucinic broke the deadlock to put the Romans ahead as they coasted through the match, only for substitute Alessandro Diamanti to punish them for their complacency with a stunning free kick seven minutes from time that keeps Roma three points behind league leaders Internazionale, having played a game more.
All news from eurosport and reuters
2. Goals in each half from Robert Koren and Zoltan Gera saw West Brom stretch their lead at the top of Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norwich. Koren opened the scoring in the second minute when he beat David Marshall to the rebound after the Canaries goalkeeper had parried Kevin Phillips' low shot from the edge of the area.
3. Luca Toni struck twice to earn Bayern Munich a 2-1 extra-time win over Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final. The victory gave the Bavarians a record 14th win in the competition and set up a likely domestic double. Toni had scored his first in the 11th minute and Bayern were heading for a victory before Mladen Petric struck in the second minute of added time to level the scores and bring heroic Dortmund back from the brink at the Olympiastadion.
4. Barcelona's faltering title bid took another blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou by city rivals Espanyol while Atletico were beaten at home by Real Betis and Sevilla were also taken apart on their own patch 4-1 by Almeria. Barca dominated possession in the first period but could not find a breakthrough, with Eidur Gudjohnsen, Gianluca Zambrotta and Xavi all going close. The story was much the same in the second half despite the best efforts of substitute Lionel Messi, meaning Barcelona could fall 11 points behind league leaders Real Madrid if they win at Racing Santander on Sunday.
5. Roma's title hopes were dealt a serious blow after they could only draw 1-1 with relegation-threatened Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico. Mirko Vucinic broke the deadlock to put the Romans ahead as they coasted through the match, only for substitute Alessandro Diamanti to punish them for their complacency with a stunning free kick seven minutes from time that keeps Roma three points behind league leaders Internazionale, having played a game more.
All news from eurosport and reuters
Result - EPL
SATURDAY - 19 APRIL 2008
Arsenal 2 0 Reading
Fulham 0 2 Liverpool
Middlesbrough 0 1 Bolton
West Ham 2 1 Derby County
Wigan 1 1 Tottenham
Blackburn 1 Man Utd
Arsenal 2 0 Reading
Fulham 0 2 Liverpool
Middlesbrough 0 1 Bolton
West Ham 2 1 Derby County
Wigan 1 1 Tottenham
Blackburn 1 Man Utd
Saturday, April 19, 2008
WEEKEND NEWS
1. Owen Hargreaves appears set to miss Manchester United's trip to Blackburn with a hamstring strain. The England midfielder felt the injury in the aftermath of Sunday"s 2-1 defeat of Arsenal at Old Trafford, and could also be ruled out of United"s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona on Wednesday. With his side just two points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to risk fielding a weakened side at Ewood Park.
2. Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will seek assurances from manager Martin O'Neill regarding his summer transfer plans before deciding on his future. Barry is desperate to win trophies after a decade at Villa and believes the current squad needs considerably strengthening if he is to have a realistic chance of achieving that goal. The England midfielder is being linked with a move to Liverpool and knows he is approaching the peak of his career.
3. Fernando Torres has rubbished rumours that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez could be sacked. Torres said he could not imagine Anfield without his compatriot, and credited Benitez for his fast start in English football. "I have learned a lot with him, he is someone with whom you can learn a great deal," he told Eurosport.
4. Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he is ready to return to management this summer although he has insisted that he is not currently in discussions with anybody. "I will be somewhere next season," he told the Times. "I've not agreed anything but it's a good time for me for many reasons. "I have no contact with clubs. They know where I am. They know the kind of clubs I want, the level of challenge I want. When the leagues finish that's when they make decisions. "I had some good options this month. Some good clubs and some good countries"
2. Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will seek assurances from manager Martin O'Neill regarding his summer transfer plans before deciding on his future. Barry is desperate to win trophies after a decade at Villa and believes the current squad needs considerably strengthening if he is to have a realistic chance of achieving that goal. The England midfielder is being linked with a move to Liverpool and knows he is approaching the peak of his career.
3. Fernando Torres has rubbished rumours that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez could be sacked. Torres said he could not imagine Anfield without his compatriot, and credited Benitez for his fast start in English football. "I have learned a lot with him, he is someone with whom you can learn a great deal," he told Eurosport.
4. Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he is ready to return to management this summer although he has insisted that he is not currently in discussions with anybody. "I will be somewhere next season," he told the Times. "I've not agreed anything but it's a good time for me for many reasons. "I have no contact with clubs. They know where I am. They know the kind of clubs I want, the level of challenge I want. When the leagues finish that's when they make decisions. "I had some good options this month. Some good clubs and some good countries"
Friday, April 18, 2008
NEWS TODAY
1. Chelsea kept alive their Premier League title ambitions with a tense 1-0 defeat of Everton at Goodison Park. Michael Essien's first-half strike ensured Avram's Grant side climbed within two points of league leaders Manchester United, and went some way to banishing thoughts of Monday's lacklustre draw with Wigan. Once again Chelsea were far from convincing. Despite dominating possession they struggled to create clear-cut openings and were ultimately forced to cling on as Everton searched in vain for an equaliser.
2. Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov's agent has claimed that he and his client have "given up" on negotiations over a new contract. Emil Dantchev believes that talks have broken down because Tottenham cannot set an asking price for the Bulgarian striker that would form part of the new agreement. Dantchev said that the 27-year-old's future would be sorted out in the summer, revealing that there are several clubs interested in Berbatov who could offer him Champions League football.
3. Nuremberg coach Thomas von Heesen has urged his side to stand up and be counted as their bid to avoid relegation reaches a critical stage. The 3-0 mid-week defeat at Stuttgart left the club five points from safety at the foot of the table. Their fortunes this season form a stark contrast to the achievements of the last campaign, when they won the DFB Pokal and finished sixth in the Bundesliga. After a poor start to the season, Von Heesen arrived in February as a replacement for sacked predecessor Hans Meyer, but the club are in a worse position now than we he took over.
4. Heavy rain spoilt the fourth and final day of Formula One testing at the Montmelo circuit, which will host the fourth grand prix of the season on April 27. Times recorded by the Ferrari of reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Heikki Kovalainen in a McLaren, Robert Kubica of BMW Sauber and Nelson Piquet Jr in a Renault were at least three seconds slower than those of the first three days.
2. Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov's agent has claimed that he and his client have "given up" on negotiations over a new contract. Emil Dantchev believes that talks have broken down because Tottenham cannot set an asking price for the Bulgarian striker that would form part of the new agreement. Dantchev said that the 27-year-old's future would be sorted out in the summer, revealing that there are several clubs interested in Berbatov who could offer him Champions League football.
3. Nuremberg coach Thomas von Heesen has urged his side to stand up and be counted as their bid to avoid relegation reaches a critical stage. The 3-0 mid-week defeat at Stuttgart left the club five points from safety at the foot of the table. Their fortunes this season form a stark contrast to the achievements of the last campaign, when they won the DFB Pokal and finished sixth in the Bundesliga. After a poor start to the season, Von Heesen arrived in February as a replacement for sacked predecessor Hans Meyer, but the club are in a worse position now than we he took over.
4. Heavy rain spoilt the fourth and final day of Formula One testing at the Montmelo circuit, which will host the fourth grand prix of the season on April 27. Times recorded by the Ferrari of reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Heikki Kovalainen in a McLaren, Robert Kubica of BMW Sauber and Nelson Piquet Jr in a Renault were at least three seconds slower than those of the first three days.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
News Today
1. Highly-rated Valencia striker David Villa has revealed that, should he move to England, Arsenal would be his preferred destination. Chelsea are known to be one his many admirers, with Avram Grant believed to have already enquired as to the Spanish hitman's availability. However, Villa appears to have dashed the Blues' hopes of taking him to Stamford Bridge by revealing that he would rather be a Gunner.
2. Leeds United will begin attempts to overturn their 15-point penalty when an independent tribunal adjourns in London on Wednesday. A three-man arbitration panel will consider the validity of the sanction imposed on the club by the Football League at the start of the season, with sports law specialist Richard Cramer claiming Leeds have no more than a 30% chance of overturning the ruling. United's lawyers will attempt to convince the panel the League acted outside their jurisdiction when docking the points as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.
3. Torino have sacked coach Walter Novellino and brought back former boss Gianni De Biasi, according to reports in Italy. A Torino spokesman said nothing was official and that club president Urbano Cairo would hold a news conference later. De Biasi is coach of the Spanish Liga's bottom club Levante.
4. Bayern Munich are set to welcome back Franck Ribery for Wednesday's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. The French international has recovered from a foot injury which meant he missed the weekend's 5-0 stroll over Dortmund. Ribery suffered the injury in last week's UEFA Cup quarter-final triumph over Spanish outfit Getafe.
5. German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel is likely to switch to Red Bull Racing from smaller sister team Toro Rosso next year, according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Vettel last year became the youngest driver to score a point in a Formula One race when he finished eighth for BMW Sauber at the U.S. Grand Prix while still only 19. The German has failed to score a point in this season's opening three races but has still impressed in the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso.
2. Leeds United will begin attempts to overturn their 15-point penalty when an independent tribunal adjourns in London on Wednesday. A three-man arbitration panel will consider the validity of the sanction imposed on the club by the Football League at the start of the season, with sports law specialist Richard Cramer claiming Leeds have no more than a 30% chance of overturning the ruling. United's lawyers will attempt to convince the panel the League acted outside their jurisdiction when docking the points as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.
3. Torino have sacked coach Walter Novellino and brought back former boss Gianni De Biasi, according to reports in Italy. A Torino spokesman said nothing was official and that club president Urbano Cairo would hold a news conference later. De Biasi is coach of the Spanish Liga's bottom club Levante.
4. Bayern Munich are set to welcome back Franck Ribery for Wednesday's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. The French international has recovered from a foot injury which meant he missed the weekend's 5-0 stroll over Dortmund. Ribery suffered the injury in last week's UEFA Cup quarter-final triumph over Spanish outfit Getafe.
5. German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel is likely to switch to Red Bull Racing from smaller sister team Toro Rosso next year, according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Vettel last year became the youngest driver to score a point in a Formula One race when he finished eighth for BMW Sauber at the U.S. Grand Prix while still only 19. The German has failed to score a point in this season's opening three races but has still impressed in the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
News
1. As a chorus of discord swept the blue quarter of London, sharply focused by Emile Heskey's late equaliser for Wigan which effectively hamstrung Chelsea's title ambitions, Avram Grant's rule under the Roman Empire appeared headed for ruin.
Despite promising a more expansive tactical approach, the embattled Chelsea manager has failed to gain currency where his mercurial predecessor, Jose Mourinho, enjoyed extravagant wealth - amongst the club's outspoken following. As he trudged forlorn from the field last night, boos rung out around Stamford Bridge. Favour for the Chelsea manager was in short supply
2. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has agreed a new five-year contract worth a reported £130,000-a-week. The announcement from his agent Pini Zahavi scotches talk that the 29-year-old was considering quitting Old Trafford for Barcelona.
3. Felipe Massa set the pace on the opening day of testing at Circuit de Catalunya.
After three fly-away Grand Prix, the three week gap between the Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix enables testing to resume in Barcelona this week and the Ferrari man was quickest with a best lap of 1:18.339 seconds, a cool 2.7 seconds clear of his nearest rival.
4. Internazionale striker Adriano is in line for a Brazil recall after impressing for his loan club Sao Paolo since the turn of the year. Adriano, beset by physical and reported alcohol problems in the past 18 months, has only played once for Brazil under coach Dunga, in last year's 2-0 friendly defeat by Portugal.
5. Jon Dahl Tomasson's season appears to be over as the Villarreal striker continues to struggle with a stomach injury. The 31-year-old sustained the injury two weeks ago and in his absence Villarreal have fallen to consecutive defeats against Sevilla and Almeria and slipped to third place in La Liga. And it now looks unlikely the Denmark international will play again this season as the injury he sustained has proved to be worse than first thought.
All source from eurosport/reuters
Despite promising a more expansive tactical approach, the embattled Chelsea manager has failed to gain currency where his mercurial predecessor, Jose Mourinho, enjoyed extravagant wealth - amongst the club's outspoken following. As he trudged forlorn from the field last night, boos rung out around Stamford Bridge. Favour for the Chelsea manager was in short supply
2. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has agreed a new five-year contract worth a reported £130,000-a-week. The announcement from his agent Pini Zahavi scotches talk that the 29-year-old was considering quitting Old Trafford for Barcelona.
3. Felipe Massa set the pace on the opening day of testing at Circuit de Catalunya.
After three fly-away Grand Prix, the three week gap between the Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix enables testing to resume in Barcelona this week and the Ferrari man was quickest with a best lap of 1:18.339 seconds, a cool 2.7 seconds clear of his nearest rival.
4. Internazionale striker Adriano is in line for a Brazil recall after impressing for his loan club Sao Paolo since the turn of the year. Adriano, beset by physical and reported alcohol problems in the past 18 months, has only played once for Brazil under coach Dunga, in last year's 2-0 friendly defeat by Portugal.
5. Jon Dahl Tomasson's season appears to be over as the Villarreal striker continues to struggle with a stomach injury. The 31-year-old sustained the injury two weeks ago and in his absence Villarreal have fallen to consecutive defeats against Sevilla and Almeria and slipped to third place in La Liga. And it now looks unlikely the Denmark international will play again this season as the injury he sustained has proved to be worse than first thought.
All source from eurosport/reuters
Monday, April 14, 2008
News
1. After a difficult start to his Formula One career, Nelson Piquet has vowed to emulate Heikki Kovalainen and begin to rise up the grid. Kovalainen, the Finnish rookie who switched to McLaren for 2008, was slammed by Renault boss Flavio Briatore following a dire debut in Australia last year. Piquet had a similarly grim Melbourne opener for the team, and has been consistently out-qualified by team-mate Fernando Alonso.
2. Real Madrid opened up the gap between them and Barcelona to nine points after they beat Real Murcia despite being down to 10 men for much of the match. The league title is now firmly in their hands after Wesley Sneijder's 58th-minute goal proved the difference between the defending champions and the struggling Andalucian side, who are now eight points clear of safety in 19th place.
3. Hamburg have given defender Vincent Kompany time off because of a drop in form following the death of his mother in November. The former Anderlecht ace signed for the Bundesliga club in the summer of 2006 for a fee of 8 million euros but failed to make an impression at the Nordbank Arena during his first season after sustaining an Achilles injury.
4. Paul Hartley insists Celtic are ready to pile the pressure on Rangers by cutting their lead at the top of the SPL to one point on Wednesday. The champions trounced Motherwell 4-1 at Fir Park on Sunday to get their title aspirations back on track, eight days after the Steelmen seemed to have derailed them with a shock 1-0 win at Celtic Park. Much-criticised striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink grabbed a double as the Hoops reduced the deficit between them and SPL leaders Rangers to four points, although the Ibrox side have two games in hand.
5. Milan striker Ronaldo has admitted it would be "difficult" to play for Flamengo as part of his recovery from knee surgery. Ronaldo was at the Maracana on Sunday to watch a Rio de Janeiro state championship match between Flamengo and Botafogo, wearing a white T-shirt with an "I Love Flamengo" slogan. The 31-year-old has stated he would like to play for a couple of months at Flamengo before making his comeback with Milan, while Flamengo president Marcio Braga claimed negotiations will start this week.
all source foto and news from reuters/eurosport
Results - EPL
13 April 2008
Liverpool 3 1 Blackburn Rovers
Man Utd 2 1 Arsenal
"Manchester United came from behind to earn a 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at Old Trafford. Emmanuel Adebayor put the Gunners ahead early in the second half but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and Owen Hargreaves free-kick secured a vital win for United, who established a six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the table. The defeat effectively ruled Arsene Wenger's side out of the title race, nine points off the lead with four games remaining.
Before that, Liverpool eased to a 3-1 win over Blackburn in the Premier League at Anfield thanks to goals by Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin. All three strikes came in the second half and Torres's goal was his 30th in his debut season in England. Roque Santa Cruz scored late on for Rovers, who stay ninth after the defeat."
Source from eurosport
Liverpool 3 1 Blackburn Rovers
Man Utd 2 1 Arsenal
"Manchester United came from behind to earn a 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at Old Trafford. Emmanuel Adebayor put the Gunners ahead early in the second half but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and Owen Hargreaves free-kick secured a vital win for United, who established a six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the table. The defeat effectively ruled Arsene Wenger's side out of the title race, nine points off the lead with four games remaining.
Before that, Liverpool eased to a 3-1 win over Blackburn in the Premier League at Anfield thanks to goals by Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin. All three strikes came in the second half and Torres's goal was his 30th in his debut season in England. Roque Santa Cruz scored late on for Rovers, who stay ninth after the defeat."
Source from eurosport
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Breaking News
1. Birmingham City slipped to within two points of the relegation zone as they drew 1-1 at home to Everton while Bolton and Fulham both won. A close-range header from Joleon Lescott looked like it would give Everton a win they hardly deserved, but Mauro Zarate levelled with a stunning free-kick on 83 minutes. Despite a good performance and an acceptable result, Birmingham were dragged back into a dogfight by results elsewhere and have four games to save their top-flight status, including a derby against Aston Villa and a 'six-pointer' against Fulham.
2. A goal by striker John Stewart gave Queen of the South a thrilling 4-3 win over Aberdeen and their first appearance in the Scottish Cup final. The Doonhamers, from the second tier of Scottish football and founded in 1919, had gone into the semi-final as underdogs against their Premier League opponents. But they took the lead three times, each equalised by Aberdeen, before Stewart grabbed the winner against his old club on the hour mark.
3. Werder Bremen swept to a 5-1 home victory over Schalke 04 to move up to second place behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The goals came from Frank Baumann, Boubacar Sanogo, Markus Rosenberg and Ivan Klasnic, who scored twice, as Schalke once again paid the price for failing to take their chances. Eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday due largely to their poor finishing, Schalke were no better as they dominated Werder in the first half hour.
4. Ronaldinho has agreed initial terms with Milan, who will now speak to Barcelona about a deal according to the Serie A club and the player's agent. The 28-year-old Brazilian has had a difficult few months at the Camp Nou because of injury and loss of form and a move has long been mooted. The forward is out for the rest of the campaign with a leg injury, although it has been suggested by a club director that he has been sidelined as punishment for an unprofessional attitude.
5. Kedah became Super League champions two years in row when they defeated Terengganu 2-1 Saturday night. Before tonight the Canaries had accumulated 50 points after 20 matches and only needed one more point going into the match to take the crown. Their nearest rival Selangor had the misfortune of having three points docked from the 42 points they had by the FA of Malaysia on Thursday for a disciplinary offence.
Source from reuters/eurosport/bernama
2. A goal by striker John Stewart gave Queen of the South a thrilling 4-3 win over Aberdeen and their first appearance in the Scottish Cup final. The Doonhamers, from the second tier of Scottish football and founded in 1919, had gone into the semi-final as underdogs against their Premier League opponents. But they took the lead three times, each equalised by Aberdeen, before Stewart grabbed the winner against his old club on the hour mark.
3. Werder Bremen swept to a 5-1 home victory over Schalke 04 to move up to second place behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The goals came from Frank Baumann, Boubacar Sanogo, Markus Rosenberg and Ivan Klasnic, who scored twice, as Schalke once again paid the price for failing to take their chances. Eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday due largely to their poor finishing, Schalke were no better as they dominated Werder in the first half hour.
4. Ronaldinho has agreed initial terms with Milan, who will now speak to Barcelona about a deal according to the Serie A club and the player's agent. The 28-year-old Brazilian has had a difficult few months at the Camp Nou because of injury and loss of form and a move has long been mooted. The forward is out for the rest of the campaign with a leg injury, although it has been suggested by a club director that he has been sidelined as punishment for an unprofessional attitude.
5. Kedah became Super League champions two years in row when they defeated Terengganu 2-1 Saturday night. Before tonight the Canaries had accumulated 50 points after 20 matches and only needed one more point going into the match to take the crown. Their nearest rival Selangor had the misfortune of having three points docked from the 42 points they had by the FA of Malaysia on Thursday for a disciplinary offence.
Source from reuters/eurosport/bernama
Results
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Birmingham 1 1 Everton
Bolton 1 0 West Ham
Derby County 0 6 Aston Villa
Reading 0 2 Fulham
Sunderland 1 2 Manchester City
Tottenham 1 1 Middlesbrough
Friday, April 11, 2008
News today
1. Juventus's Czech winger Pavel Nedved has been ruled out of the big game with Milan on Saturday with a head injury. Nedved suffered a clash of heads in last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Palermo and despite returning to full training he will not be risked because he is not yet heading the ball.
2. Pillipp Lahm will stay with Bayern Munich until at least 2009 according to the Bundesliga giants' chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The Germany international is currently negotiating a new deal with Bayern but should talks break down, Rummenigge has already ruled out the possibility of the full-back leaving the Allianz Arena before his contract expires at the end of next season.
3. Argentine forward Lionel Messi has returned to the Barcelona squad ahead of their trip south to face struggling Recreativo Huelva on Saturday. The 20-year-old tore a muscle in his left thigh at the beginning of March during the 1-0 Champions League win over Celtic at the Nou Camp. His return will be a boost to Frank Rijkaard's side, who are third in the standings, as they seek to close the seven-point gap on leaders Real Madrid, with seven games left. Barca have only won once in their last six outings.
All source from eurosport
2. Pillipp Lahm will stay with Bayern Munich until at least 2009 according to the Bundesliga giants' chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The Germany international is currently negotiating a new deal with Bayern but should talks break down, Rummenigge has already ruled out the possibility of the full-back leaving the Allianz Arena before his contract expires at the end of next season.
3. Argentine forward Lionel Messi has returned to the Barcelona squad ahead of their trip south to face struggling Recreativo Huelva on Saturday. The 20-year-old tore a muscle in his left thigh at the beginning of March during the 1-0 Champions League win over Celtic at the Nou Camp. His return will be a boost to Frank Rijkaard's side, who are third in the standings, as they seek to close the seven-point gap on leaders Real Madrid, with seven games left. Barca have only won once in their last six outings.
All source from eurosport
Ronaldo heads PFA award list
"Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo heads a six-man shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award. The Portuguese international is expected to be a near-unanimous choice for the award but could face competition from Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who has struck 29 goals in his debut season.
Torres is joined by his club captain Steven Gerrard, while Arsenal boast two nominees in Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor. Title-chasing Chelsea have no contenders, while the surprise package of the list is Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, currently enjoying the best form of his life aged 37.
Ronaldo, Torres and Fabregas are also among the nominees for the Young Player of the Year award, and are joined on the shortlist by Aston Villa pair Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, along with Manchester City defender Micah Richards."
Eurosport
Torres is joined by his club captain Steven Gerrard, while Arsenal boast two nominees in Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor. Title-chasing Chelsea have no contenders, while the surprise package of the list is Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, currently enjoying the best form of his life aged 37.
Ronaldo, Torres and Fabregas are also among the nominees for the Young Player of the Year award, and are joined on the shortlist by Aston Villa pair Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, along with Manchester City defender Micah Richards."
Eurosport
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Results
Champions League - 9 April 2008
Man Utd 1 0 AS Roma (Man Utd Win, Agg 3 - 0)
Barcelona 1 0 Schalke (Barcelona win, Agg 2 - 0)
Man Utd 1 0 AS Roma (Man Utd Win, Agg 3 - 0)
Barcelona 1 0 Schalke (Barcelona win, Agg 2 - 0)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
RESULT
Champions league - 8 April 2008
liverpool 4 2 arsenal (Liverpool win, agg 5 - 3)
Chelsea 2 0 Fernerbahce (Chelsea win, agg 3 - 2)
English Premier League
West Ham 0 1 Portsmouth
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