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. "


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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.

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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

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

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.



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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

Result - Champions League Semi Final

23 April 2008


Barcelona 0 0 Man Utd

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.


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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."



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