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Showing posts with label Sport News Today. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sport News Today. Show all posts

Cambodians cheer Pacquiao victory

Written By makara on Sunday, November 15, 2009 | 6:54 AM

pacquiao-finalstats
pacquiao-finalstats

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:55:00 11/15/2009

MANILA, Philippines -- It's not only Filipinos who are shouting in jubilation over Manny Pacquiao's victory.

Cambodians are also cheering for the Filipino boxer, who has gained a following in the Southeast Asian country, according to journalist Ung Chamroeun.

Chamroeun said in a live chat with this reporter, that the match between Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Manuel Cotto was broadcast live on free TV on the Cambodian Television Network (CTN). The airing was also uninterrupted by commercials. The match was also shown on two cable channels.

Chamroeun said Cambodians had gathered in coffee shops to watch the much-awaited match.

6:54 AM | 0 comments

Sandro focused on Inter

Written By makara on Sunday, August 30, 2009 | 4:39 AM

Internacional midfielder Sandro says he is not 'frustrated' that the club rejected an offer from Tottenham Hotspur.


The highly-rated Sandro has been hly-rated Sandro has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane, with reports claiming Spurs had offered �14million.

The Brazilian club's president Vittorio Piffero has described the bid as 'reasonable', but it is not enough to secure Sandro's signature.

Sandro is aware of the rumours surrounding his future, but he insists he is in no rush to leave the Porto Alegre-based club in order to join a European team.

"I am not frustrated by this matter," Sandro told the Brazilian media.

"For me to play in Europe is a dream, but there is time to have another chance to do this.

"At the moment I want to focus on my performances for Inter."

On Friday, Spurs announced a strategic partnership with Inter which could see players head to White Hart Lane from the Brazilian side
4:39 AM | 0 comments

Premier League round-up

Chelsea and Tottenham both maintained their 100 per cent starts to the new season on an afternoon when Liverpool came from behind to beat Bolton.


Champions Manchester United also hit back in the evening game to defeat Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford.

The Gunners controlled much of the first half and took the lead through an excellent long-range strike from Andrey Arshavin five minutes before the interval.

United improved in the second period and Wayne Rooney equalised from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after being brought down by Manuel Almunia.

Abou Diaby then headed a Ryan Giggs free-kick into his own net five minutes later to put United ahead, while the game ended with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger being sent off.

Chelsea were highly impressive as they chalked up a fourth successive league win via a 3-0 defeat of Burnley.

The Clarets will rue Martin Paterson's profligacy in front of goal with the scoreline blank, as once Nicolas Anelka broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time there was no way back.

Michael Ballack stooped to double Chelsea's lead after the break before Ashley Cole's stunning angled drive capped another imperious display from Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Tottenham left it late at White Hart Lane as Aaron Lennon's last minute strike against Birmingham City secured a 2-1 victory.

Worryingly for Harry Redknapp, Ledley King and Luka Modric hobbled off injured before the latter's replacement, Peter Crouch, scored his first Spurs goal with a looping second-half header.

Lee Bowyer restored parity via the scruffiest of efforts as Christian Benitez appeared to push Alan Hutton in the build-up to the goal, much to the ire of Redknapp, and the delight of a travelling Blues faithful.

It was, though, Spurs who had the last laugh as Lennon's impressive drive won it at the death.

Rafa Benitez has experienced better weeks in his football career and he'll be thankful for Steven Gerrard after his captain scored a thumping winner as Liverpool won 3-2 at ten-man Bolton.

Following Monday night's defeat to Aston Villa, things got a whole lot worse for Liverpool just past the half-hour mark when Bolton striker Kevin Davies stabbed home after a scramble in the box.

Davies' opener had come against the run of play so it came as little surprise when the in-form Glen Johnson restored parity before half-time when he cut inside on the edge of Bolton's box, before firing a daisy cutter beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen.

It was, though, a frailty at the heart of Liverpool's defence that was exposed again after half-time as Davies' flick header from a set-piece fell invitingly for Tamir Cohen to ram home.

Sean Davis saw red for two bookable offences before Gerrard struck the bar and Fernando Torres levelled matters with a neat finish. The scene was set fonish. The scene was set for Gerrard to emerge as a hero and he did just that with seven minutes remaining, via a searing drive from range.

Hull City and Wolves both went for three points in a bright game at Molineux but had to settle for one apiece after a 1-1 draw.

Stephen Hunt continued an encouraging start to his Hull career as his powerful run and cross from the left was headed in by Geovanni past Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Wolves struck back early in the second half when a free-kick from deep fell to Richard Stearman, who finished with aplomb for a centre-half.

Dave Kitson followed up his first ever Stoke goal in midweek, in the Carling Cup, with a debut league strike as his first-half effort was enough to give the Potters a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland following a scramble in the box.

Blackburn's game with West Ham at Ewood Park ended in a disappointing stalemate as neither club did enough to take the spoils.
4:35 AM | 0 comments

Kansas City Chiefs lose Matt Cassel to leg injury

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel grabs his left leg after he was sacked in the first quarter Saturday. (Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images / August 29, 2009)


Matt Hasselbeck threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns with newly signed Edgerrin James watching on the sideline, leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 14-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night in Kansas City, Mo., in a game in which the Chiefs lost quarterback Matt Cassel to a leg injury.

James, the NFL's active rushing leader, signed with Seattle on Tuesday but spent the game in sweats, pen and notepad in hand.

Hasselbeck put on a good show for his new teammate, leading the Seahawks on scoring drives to end the first half and open the second.

Kansas City had a woeful night on offense -- its only touchdown came on defense -- and lost two starters in the game's first three minutes: Cassel and cornerback Brandon Flowers (shoulder). Receiver Devard Darling also had to be helped off in the second quarter, favoring his left leg.

New York Jets 27, at New York Giants 25: Mark Sanchez, in his first game since being named the Jets' starting quarterback, completed a spectacular 31-yard touchdown pass play to Chansi Stuckey and put 20 points on the board in 2 1/2 quarters as the Jets took the annual New York braggin' rights game in East Rutherford, N.J. Sanchez overcame a slow start and a little early pressure to complete 13 of 20 for 149 yards for the Jets, who gave Rex Ryan his first victory as a head coach.

New Orleans 45, at Oakland 7: Drew Brees completed 14 of 17 passes for 179 yards and drove the Saints to touchdowns on all three drives he played.

San Francisco 20, at Dallas 13: Dallas rode Felix Jones and Marion Barber for most of a 94-yard touchdown drive, the highlight series during the first-half battle between the first-team units in a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.

at Pittsburgh 17, Buffalo 0: Ben Roethlisberger played a nearly flawless first half in his first game since injuring his right foot, James Farrior had a 22-yard interception for a touchdown and the Bills starting offense struggled yet again. Roethlisberger led two scoring drives while going 15 of 19 for 168 yards and 103.5 passer rating before sitting out the second half.

at Cleveland 23, Tennessee 17: Brady Quinn threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards and outplayed Derek Anderson in perhaps their final auditions for Coach Eric Mangini to be the Browns' starting quarterback.

at Detroit 18, Indianapolis 17: Third-string quarterback Drew Stanton threw a 21-yard pass to rookie Dan Gronkowski and a two-point conversion to John Standeford with 4:13 left to win it for the Lions.

at Atlanta 27, San Diego 24:

The Chargers' Philip Rivers led touchdown drip Rivers led touchdown drives in two of his three possessions in his first game since signing a contract extension, before the Falcons' backups rallied.

Baltimore 17, at Carolina 13: Joe Flacco threw for 247 yards and a touchdown and the Ravens' defense shut down Carolina's first unit.

Elsewhere

Byron Leftwich has won Tampa Bay's prolonged quarterback derby by beating out Luke McCown. Leftwich will start the team's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Buccaneers Coach Raheem Morris announced the selection after practice Saturday, saying Leftwich had an edge over McCown heading into training camp.

New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said Tom Brady left Friday night's exhibition game so the coaches could look at the backup -- not because of injury.

The team had announced at the game that Brady had a sore right shoulder.
4:22 AM | 0 comments

Lineup switch lifts Revs past Quakes

New England notches two late goals to extend winning streak
08/30/2009 01:56 AM
By Kyle McCarthy / MLSnet.com Staff


OXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The first UGH, Mass. -- The first half wasn't exactly what the New England Revolution had in mind as they carried a two-match winning streak into Saturday night's 2-1 win against San Jose.

All of the things that New England had done to achieve those wins against Seattle and Real Salt Lake last week -- tidy passing, opportunistic finishing and cohesive defending -- weren't on display. But for a few timely misses from the Earthquakes, the Revs would have entered the break down.

"We weren't too happy about our first half," Revolution midfielder Wells Thompson said. "We wanted to go out there from the start and get after it. We struggled a little bit. (Revolution coach Steve Nicol) just tried to calm us and get us together. We weren't down at half. The game wasn't over. We had another half to go out and give it to them. That's what we did."

Nicol made a couple of early switches in the second half, sending on Sainey Nyassi and Pat Phelan in place of Mauricio Castro and Kheli Dube. The moves were designed, Nicol said, to aid the Revolution's hold up play with midfielder Shalrie Joseph shifting into a target role.

"We were trying to get a lot more numbers up," Joseph said. "Our problem in the first half, and a little bit to start the second, was that when we got the ball up into the attacking third, it wasn't sticking."

The ball didn't need to stick for the Revolution's opener as Joseph flicked on Matt Reis' long clearance into the penalty area for Steve Ralston to chip over Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

"I was just trying to run off of it," Ralston said. "Shalrie makes a big difference. Kheli worked his butt off up there and was challenging everything, but I guess he doesn't have the body to win balls over their center back, who's a big guy. Shalrie was able to do that. He was able to hold the ball for us, and it made a big difference. On that specific play, I just tried to time it right and get off the center back's back shoulder. And the ball just sat up perfectly for me."

Ralston turned provider six minutes later when he set Thompson free down the right side and allowed him the opportunity to take Earthquakes left back Ramiro Corrales one-on-one. Thompson elected to cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a stunning effort into the far upper left corner to double the Revolution's lead.

After pointing out that he had struggled with indecision over the past few weeks, Thompson said he wanted to do a better job of making the right choices. The decision to go for goal instead of cut towards the end line stemmed from another area he wanted to improve.

"One thing I've been trying to do is shoot out a little bit more," Thompson said. "It workedhompson said. "It worked out."

Earthquakes midfielder Ramon Sanchez grabbed a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time, but that wasn't enough to put a damper on the Revs' third consecutive win on a dreary night in suburban Boston. New England's first three-game winning streak since May 2008 ensured it would end the weekend in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Thompson said his team can point to its positive response after the difficult start as the reason why it managed to achieve the result it needed.

"That's the great thing about soccer," Thompson said. "It's a 90-minute game. You can beat the other team for 80 minutes and still lose the game 3-0. We just had to keep our heads in it and stay positive, and contain and push forward. And when Steve (Ralston) got that goal, and we didn't want to stop there."
4:19 AM | 0 comments

Paul Goydos, Steve Marino tie for lead at Barclays



Both have triple birdies and shoot a three-under-par 68 in the third round to finish at nine-under 204.
Paul Goydos figured Liberty National at least would look good on television, with the Statue of Liberty and so many other New York landmarks serving as a spectacular backdrop at the Barclays.

Inside the ropes is starting to look pretty good to him too.

Goydos put together three straight birdies early in the third round Saturday to build a lead that stood up until Steve Marino ran off three straight late on the cloudy afternoon to catch him for the lead. Both shot three-under-par 68 and were at nine-under 204 at Jersey City, N.J.

Goydos has only two victories in his 17 years on the PGA Tour. Marino made his debut as a PGA Tour rookie in 2007 at the last tournament Goydos won (Sony Open) and is still looking for his first victory.

The focus shifted behind them on a day of light rain that didn't last long. Suddenly lurking is Tiger Woods, who struggled with his putter but made enough for a 67 that put him within five shots of the leaders.

The opening event of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup has several possibilities:

Of the top six players on the leaderboard, only Steve Stricker, who is three shots behind, has won this year. Stricker won the inaugural playoff event two years ago at the Barclays. He kept bogeys off his card, yet made only birdies on the par fives for his 68.

Marino had two chances to win this year, losing a playoff at the Colonial and sharing the 36-hole lead with Tom Watson at the British Open. He might find out how that experience will help him now.

Two shots out of the lead were Fredrik Jacobson (72), the Swede with moving parts in his swing, who is winless in his six years on the PGA Tour; and 24-year-old Webb Simpson, who overcame a triple bogey to shoot 72 and give himself a chance to become the first rookie to win on tour this year.

Champions Tour

Mark McNulty shot a seven-under 65 to share the lead with Loren Roberts entering the final round at the Boeing Classic at Snoqualmie, Wash.

Roberts had four birdies in his final six holes to match McNulty's 65 and finish at 11 under in the second round. The duo holds a two-shot lead over Bernhard Langer and first-round leader Mark O'Meara.

McNulty was four under on his first nine holes, then made another four birdies on the back nine.

LPGA Tour

Rookie Anna Nordqvist's three-under 69 moved her into a one-shot lead over Seon Hwa Lee and Ai Miyazato going into the final round of the Safeway Classic at North Plains, Ore.

Nordqvist, who won the LPGA Championship this year, was at 10-under 134 after the first two rounds.

Miyazato had three straight birdies on Nos. 8-10, all par-five holes, to edge up the leaderboard with a 68. Lee sank a birdie putt on the par-four 18th hole and wound up with a 70.

U.S. Amateur

Byeong-Hun An will fa0D
Byeong-Hun An will face fourth-seeded Ben Martin in his bid to become the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur.

After being 1 down heading to the 13th hole, the 17-year-old South Korean won four straight holes to close out a 3-and-2 victory against Fresno State sophomore Bhavik Patel at Tulsa, Okla.

Martin took a 4-up lead through six holes as Texas senior Charlie Holland got off to a sloppy start, and he cruised to a 5-and-4 victory.
4:06 AM | 0 comments

Ronaldo in winning start for Real

Written By makara on Saturday, August 29, 2009 | 9:32 PM

Former Man Utd star Ronaldo celebrates netting a spot kick


Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his La Liga debut for Real Madrid in a 3-2 victory against Deportivo La Coruna.

The £80m Portuguese - one of eight summer 'galactico' recruits - netted the second goal, but Real had to rely on Lassana Diarra for the winner.

Raul put Real ahead while Riki equalised for Deportivo, before Ronaldo drilled home a 35th-minute penalty after Raul was fouled by Aranzubia.

Juan Carlos Valeron levelled, only for Diarra to fire home on the hour.

"We created a lot of chances, but the most important thing was to achieve the victory," said £65m signing Kaka. "It wasn't an easy game."

Usain Bolt, fresh from his record-breaking exploits in the 100m and 200m at the athletics World Championships, was presented to the Bernabeu crowd prior to kick-off and launched president Florentino Perez's latest 'galactico' era with the ceremonial first kick.

Perez spent about 250m euros bringing in the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso to the Spanish capital, and they were all included in new coach Manuel Pellegrini's starting lineup.

Perez is keen to dislodge archrival Barcelona from the pinnacle of European football after the Catalan club became the first Spanish team to win the treble - the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey - in a season.

Although Real looked disjointed in the early stages, they took a 26th-minute lead when veteran Raul finished easily after Karim Benzema's shot was deflected onto the near post by Daniel Aranzubia.

Ronaldo should have made it 2-0 three minutes later but his header from fellow debutant Xabi Alonso's free-kick went over the bar.

Deportivo equalised from an almost identical situation, when Juca launched a free-kick into the box and Riki, the former Madrid youth-team player, got in between two defenders to direct a header past Iker Casillas from seven yards.

The equaliser fired Real into action and the spotlight was on Ronaldo when Raul had been sent sprawling by Aranzubia.

The Fifa World Player of the Year, Real Madrid's record signing, showed no signs of nerves as he drove his spot-kick just inside the post.

Real missed a few chances and were punished for their profligacy when, a minute after the break, Deportivo equalised again.

Andres Guardado's cross to the edge of the box found Valeron unmarked and the veteran had sufficient time to control the ball and fire past Casillas.

Ironically, given the publicity surrounding the high-profile signings this summer, Pellegrini had former Portsmouth player Diarra to thank for getting Real off to a winning start.

The midfielder took aim with a low 25-yard shot which crept inside the far post and handed Pellegrini's men the points as they seek to challenge Barcelona.
9:32 PM | 0 comments

Johnston arrives with global pedigree


Alastair Johnston has taken over the chairman's role at Ibrox


With Sir David Murray stepping down as Rangers chairman for the second time, Alastair Johnston has become the new man at the Ibrox helm.

But, with Murray remaining as the club's majority shareholder, Johnston's role will extend primarily to the everyday running of the club, rather than the investment side of the business, which was Murray's raison d'etre for much of his time in the chairman's seat.

Murray briefly relinquished the role between 2002 and 2004, during which time John McLelland assumed the chairman's title while his predecessor maintained the role of honorary Rangers chairman.

However, on this occasion, there is more of an air of finality to Murray's departure with it being described more as 'retirement' from the role. Furthermore, Murray has iterated that he is unlikely to ever return to the chair.

So Johnston has the opportunity to make the role his own during a turbulent time for ring a turbulent time for a club that posted a £3.9m loss and debts of around £25m in their annual accounts earlier this year.

An accountancy graduate from the University of Strathclyde, Johnston has had a near 40-year association with IMG, an international talent agency and production company that specialises in televised sport and endorsement.

Alastair's got far greater global reach in the sporting world than I've ever had

Sir David Murray

Johnston has served as chief operating officer of Arnold Palmer Enterprises and has also been heavily involved in IMG's worldwide golf interests.

Currently, Johnston is vice-chairman of IMG and splits his time between Florida and his homeland.

His association with Rangers began in 2004, when he joined the club's board of directors.

"I consider it a great honour to be appointed chairman of the club and can say to our supporters that the board, management and staff will spare no effort in striving to ensure that Rangers Football Club enjoys a successful future," Johnston said.

Murray added: "I am delighted that Alastair Johnston has accepted the chairmanship. He is an internationally renowned and respected businessman and will be an excellent servant to the club."

It is perhaps no surprise that Rangers have installed someone of Johnston's international background in the role of chairman.

Ever-frustrated by the limitations of thd by the limitations of the Scottish market, the Old Firm have long tried to promote their brands overseas.

It has borne fruit for Celtic, with the signings of Shunsuke Nakamura and Koki Mizuno bolstering the club's profile in Japan, where they also have a permanent scouting network.

"We are very fortunate to have Alastair," Murray told BBC Scotland on the day he announced he was stepping down.

"He's got far greater global reach in the sporting world than I've ever had, having managed Arnold Palmer for most of his career.

"He represents IMG with the R&A and Wimbledon and bigger sporting events

"He brings a completely different dimension and experience, which will be very beneficial. And, having been on board for five years, he understands the workings of the football club."

Murray has, for some time, been keen to sell his stake in Rangers and Johnston may play a big part in any proposed takeover.

But, in the meantime, Murray has outlined what is likely to be Johnston's mantra as the club look to reduce debt and boost profits.

"If Rangers make money, it'll have money to spend, it has to live within its means," said the entrepreneur.

"It's like every other business in the United Kingdom.

"Walter Smith made it quite clear at the agm last year that we were going to work with 20 senior players and youth. I made that clear in January. I believe that that is the best way forward for the club.

"We've won the league, we've won the Scottish Cup, we've kept our best players and I think things are better than people would like to perceive."
9:25 PM | 0 comments

Wally Masur previews the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York

Top guns ... Federer, Williams the players to beat. Reuters


Defending US Opens champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams are the players to beat once again. Fox Sports tennis commentator Wally Masur previews the New York grand slam.
Defending champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams would appear to be the players to beat once again in Flushing Meadows?

I definitely think Federer is. His wife had their twins not so long ago and he was a bit scratchy up in Canada, but he played awfully well in Cincinnati. And it almost seems as if the effort from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to catch the defending champion takes its toll in certain ways. They're all playing good tennis, but Federer just seems to have a few more gears to go to.

I also think Roger seems to like the US Open surface - it's a bit quicker, as is Cincinnati, and that plays into his hands because he's by far the best server of all the top players.

And in the women's draw ...

The Williams sisters seem to tune in and tune out a little bit on the tour, and they've been a bit disappointing in their lead-up events. They haven't played particularly well since Wimbledon, where Serena won the title. But the thing about the Williams sisters is they seem to catch fire when it matters most. And that's at the Majors.They've got a great record at the US Open. They seem to sharpen their focus at the US Open, with it being their home grand slam tournament.

I certainly lean towards Serena, provided there's no injuries. If she really wants it, she's the best athlete and the fiercest competitor.

There's question marks, still, over a lot of the Russian girls - Elena Dementieva, Svetlana Kuznetsovza, Dinara Safina - when it gets to the crucial moment on the big stage. Sometimes they can be found wanting when they come up against the likes of Serena Williams. They've certainly got the game to win, no doubt about that, but ...

We seemed almost to have written off Roger Federer as a force before he won the French Open for the first time; how wrong we seem to have got it!

It's interesting, isn't it. He sets such impossibly high standards, and the moment he dips just a little bit we're all writing him off. I was guilty of that. Ever since he got rid of Tony Roche, he hadn't hired another coach and he didn't seem to be to be ticking all the boxes to get back where he needed to be.

But he knew what he was doing, and he's done it his way. And as I said, the effort for Nadal and Djokovic to catch Federer in the points - it almost seems as if the effort has knocked those two out; Djokovic seems to be struggling a little bit mentally, and Nadal is struggling a little bit physically.

Federer, we have to forgFederer, we have to forgive him for a minor mid-career lapse. He seems to have got his foot back on the throttle, and he's just reminded us of just how good a player he is. The game seems to come easily to him.

You mention Rafa. Do you think he's fully recovered from his knee problems to play well on the hardcourts in New York?

The US Open's never been his best surface because, once again, it's a little quicker and Nadal likes a little time to create and set up on his forehand, in particular. And he gets a little caught up on return; remember that match he played Andy Murray at the US Open last year? Nadal was playing about four miles behind the baseline, and the amount of running he was forced to do catches up with you on that surface.

We know that he can play further up the court - we saw him do that at Wimbledon last year - but he seems reluctant to do that at the US Open, and he's had some losses there because of that. A few years ago, he lost to Mikhail Youzhny, who exploited that fact pretty well. I think he'll be very competitive, and he's always a dangerous player, I'm just not sure that he'll find his best tennis at the US Open so quickly after his layoff.

While everything seems to come to Federer very easily, Nadal's all effort, isn't he. Not only the way he plays but also the way he practises; I've seen him practise, and it's brutal. He only seems to have one gear, and that's flat out. He definitely hurts himself over the course of the year, on all surfaces. I would like to think he's got good people around him, and that he'll be able to manage that injury - patella tendinitis - to remain a great foil for Federer, but, as I said, I don't think he'll find his best tennis straight away. But he'll be back, no doubt about that.

Andy Murray? He made the final last year, and he's had a great season - winning five tournaments to claim the world No.2 ranking, including the Montreal Masters.

He's had a busy year and he's been very successful, but I think he has to be a little bit careful, too, to prevent himself kind of burning out. He just has to manage his schedule. Obviously, we're talking here about the US Open so he'll be right at the top of his game, for sure, and he's another player who's right on the cusp of being the world's best player. And he's got a great record against Federer. But, once again, he's had a very heavy workload so let's hope he's timed it right so he can play his best tennis at the US Open. He's certainly a player who can win it, in my eyes.

What about the Australian challenge? Can we look forward to a level of Australian success?

The exciting thing for us is the way Sam Stosur's been playing. While I think Sam would probably prefer a court slightly slower, and a bit more grippy, I still think she can be very dangerous at the US Open - all on the back of her serve and her forehand. If the rest of her game can come along for the ride, she can be very dangerous.

In the men's draw, Lleyton Hewitt remains our No.1 player. Chris Guccione is playing well; he just won a Challenger Tour title and he won some very good matches in Cincinnati. And Carsten Ball got to the final in Los Angeles.

We've got a situation where I'd like to think we can start to get some players back inside the top 100. Lleyton's made a nice move; he's seeded now and that'll give him some comfort even though he's been drawn to meet Roger Federer again in the third round. At least he's moving forward.

Ball's in the qualifying tournament, and I'd love to think he can make it though to the main draw. He's an awfully dangerous player, nearly 2m tall with a massive left-handed serve a little bit in the Wayne Arthurs mould. He's also competent from the back of the court, and he's gaining in confidence after reaching that LA final.

If Ball gets through qualifying, I can certainly see him and Guccione doing some damage. But we're a little thin on the ground, and obviously we look towards Lleyton in these big tournaments.

He showed us at Wimbledon that he's not too far away from playing some of his best tennis, and he is a player who loves playing on the US Open surface. Again, it's a little faster and the ball comes on to his racquet. It's not all about generating your own pace. You can use some of the pace of the court, and Lleyton does that better than anybody.

I'd love to see Lleyton play some good tennis, and it appears from Cincinnati, where he made the quarter-finals, that his doing well at Wimbledon wasn't just the grass, that he's starting to play well on all surfaces. I would love to see him do well at the US Open.
8:24 PM | 0 comments

Chelsea bring Burnley back to earth with 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea maintained their blistering start to the Barclays Premier League season, defeating Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to go top of the ladder.

The Blues chalked up their fourth successive win under new Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.

Ancelotti will have been thrilled by Chelsea's patience, as much as their panache.

The scoreline might look comfortable, but the title hopefuls were frustrated until deep into first-half stoppage-time, when Anelka finally broke through Burnley's defence.

Ultimately, however, this was a deserved victory against a side who had already beaten Manchester United and Everton this season.

"I am very happy," Ancelotti said.

"We have improved the confidence of our play and we are very happy. All the players are in very good condition.

"Every week we work to play well and for a coach it's important that we play good football. That's the most important thing of all because it means we are on the right way as a club.

"At the moment, I propose an idea and the players then develop this idea. They are doing this very well now.

"I know we have the possibility to win the title but the season is very long. It will be difficult, for sure, but we have the possibility to step up."

Burnley had travelled south with a spring in their step, but this defeat will serve as a reminder to Owen Coyle's promoted team that the top flight can be an unforgiving environment.

Coyle, however, refused to overreact in the aftermath, knowing that six points out of a possible 12 represents a reasonable return in their first season in the top flight.

"I have a remarkable group, and Brian (Jensen) is a very good keeper," Coyle said.

"He responds to everything we are doing and is an integral part of our group.

"I was never worried that the score would get out of hand because this group will always give us everything they have.

"We have been taught a bit of a lesson by Chelsea but the fact that we have come here and are disappointed with being beaten is a measure of how far we've come."

The only disappointment for Ancelotti was that his side did not bolster their goal difference by an even greater margin, and Anelka, for one, could have helped himself to a hatful in the first half alone.

Having already seen a low shot saved by Jensen, the Frenchman had an even more inviting chance in the third minute, when he snaffled possession from Tyrone Mears and burst clear. He ignored the waiting Didier Drogba in favour of trying to round Jensen, who saved at his feet.

But Anelka was not the only striker in a generous mood. Burnley's Martin Paterson was equally culpable in the 10th minute when he squandered a glorious chance to put the visitors into a shock lead.

After Frank Lampard had inexplicably gifted the ball to Mears, the full-back sprinted clear and picked out Paterson with a square pass. The Northern Irishman simply had to roll into the corner, but directed his shot just wide.

That, however, was a rare moment of threat from Burnley, who were reliant on Jensen to hold back the blue tide almost single-handedly.

He produced another magnificent stop to deny Ballack, after the German had been teed up by Lampard, and then reacted smartly to block a close-rangrtly to block a close-range volley from John Terry.

When Lampard then saw an almost identical chance fisted away, Chelsea might have feared the worst.
ve feared the worst.
ve feared the worst.
ve feared the worst.

They need not have worried. With Burnley eying the clock as it ticked into stoppage time, Michael Essien split their defence to release Drogba and the Ivorian's cross was bundled in at the back post by Anelka.

That left Burnley's hopes of snaffling a pont hanging by a thread and they were dashed entirely moments after the re-start, when Lampard's chipped cross into a crowded penalty area was headed in by the diving Ballack.

A two-goal cushion allowed Chelsea to relax and play some picture-book football. A particularly pretty move in the 52nd minute led to the third goal, Lampard's lofted pass allowing Cole to flash a first-time volley over the diving Jensen for just his third strike in three years.

From then on, Burnley's efforts were devoted to simply keeping the score down.

They succeeded, partly through Chelsea's profligacy - Anelka clipped the top of the bar when it looked easier to score - and also through Jensen, who produced outstanding saves to deny Essien, twice, and Ballack.

Mears also cleared an effort from Salomon Kalou off the line in the dying seconds, but by then the match was long decided.

Agence France-Presse
8:11 PM | 0 comments

Jarryd Hayne could be 'best ever' league player, Andrew Johns says

arryd Hayne ... 'all everybody is taking about'. Mark Evans


Jarryd Hayne can develop into the greatest player in rugby league history, and is "worth every cent" of his $1 million-a-season price tag, Andrew Johns says.
The Parramatta ace was mesmerising again as the Eels dismantled finals hopefuls Penrith on Friday to continue their own charge towards the play-offs.

Parramatta have won seven successive matches on the back of Hayne's brilliance, and they face a final-round showdown with ladder-leading St George Illawarra on Friday.

Hayne's blazing form has become the talk of the league world.

In two months, the Eels fullback has turned himself into the game's most influential player, leaving even Johns searching for superlatives.

"The way he's going, he's probably worth even more than a million a year," Johns said on Saturday.

"He can pack stadiums on his own. Why wouldn't there be full houses when you get to watch a kid of his freakish skills play?

"He's the best in the game right now and if he keeps going the way he is, he could be our best ever. He's all everybody is taking about."

Johns was in Townsville for the North Queensland Cowboys-Brisbane Broncos match on Friday night , but he rushed back to his hotel room to catch the second half of the Eels game on television.

"Some of the things he's doing on the footy field are mind blowing," Johns said.

"That inside ball he threw for Daniel Mortimer to score under the posts - only a handful of players in the world in either rugby code could have pulled that off.

"And then he rushes to the crowd and high-fives the fans. How good was that?

"If that sort of thing doesn't bring people flooding to our games, nothing will. It was just sensational."

Johns believes Hayne already is pushing the limits of greatness, and says he feels sorry for rival fullbacks such as Melbourne Storm custodian Billy Slater and Newcastle Knights No.1 Kurt Gidley.

"There is nothing wrong with the form of Billy or Kurt right now, but Jarryd is just unstoppable," Johns said.

"Billy was the best player in the world last year and he is probably playing at a similar level, but Jarryd is now in a world of his own.

"That's how good he's going."

Johns believes Hayne's Rugby League World Cup experience with Fiji last year was the catalyst for his extraordinary season.

"I know during the Origin series, he was telling everyone that playing for Fiji was the greatest thing he had done," Johns said.

"That's how much it meant to him.

"I'm not sure how, but it's turned his footy career around and it's probably helped turn his life around as well.

"He's still only a kid but he has grown up a lot. He seems a lot more settled off the field.

"Gihe field.

"Given what's happened, I'm surprised just how level-headed he is. It's a credit to him and the people around him.

"I know he is close to his mum, and she has obviously been a big influence."
7:57 PM | 0 comments

England women 3-2 Russia women

Kelly Smith's stunning goal earned England a fine comeback win in th a fine comeback win in their crucial Euro 2009 g their crucial Euro 2009 game against Russia.

Ksenia Tsybutovich headed Russia in front and when Oleysa Kurochkina made it 2-0 England were really struggling.

But Kaz Carney and Eniola Oluko got England on level terms before Smith's stunning 45-yard volley sealed a remarkable comeback before half-time.
Smith's goal was an inspired long-roal was an inspired long-range effort

Olga Petrova shot inches wide with the final kick of the game as England held on for a deserved win.

Russia began the stronger, with Valentina Savchenkova's long-range effort tipped over by England keeper Rachel Brown, and from the resulting corner, defender Tsybutovich was allowed to score from a free header.

606: DEBATE
I love the passion and enthusiasm our England ladies have for the game

2009 A Vintage Claret

England went all out in search of an equaliser, with Faye White going closest when she headed against the bar, but they paid the price when they fell 2-0 behind.

Lindsay Johnson and White failed to deal with a long ball down the centre and Kurochkina nipped in to poke home a second goal for Russia.

Within a minute, Carney had replied with a low curling effort into the bottom corner, and she then set up Oluko to slide in the equaliser from a tight angle on the right-hand side of the box.

Then Smith had the crowd on their feet with an audacious 45-yard volley as she returned the Russian keeper's clearance kick, as England turned the game on its head before half-time.

The interval broke up the momentum of the game and certainly seemed to disrupt England, who were never as fluent after the restart.

Petrova wasted a golden chance to equalise when she shot wide from close range, and she was off target again with the final kick of the game as Russia went out of the competitio
12:34 PM | 0 comments

Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal

Rooney converted from the spot to register his fifth goal of the season


By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Old Trafford

Arsene Wenger was sent from the dug-out in fury after Abou Diaby's own goal gifted Manchester United victory at Old Trafford and wrecked Arsenal's flawless start to the new season.

Arsenal were on course for a fifth successive victory in domestic and European combat when Andrey Arshavin's magical finish gave them the advantage over the Premier League champions just before the interval.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side had struggled to make any impact against Arsenal's resilient rearguard - but the shape of the game altered dramatically in the space of five minutes around the hour mark.

Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia needlessly fouled Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes to allow the England striker to equalise from the penalty spot.

606: DEBATE
Great result but I can't say I'm happy in the way we won

Giggs' Curliest Chest Hair

And the transformation in the game and the atmosphere inside Old Trafford was complete when Diaby, in a moment from his nightmares, headed Ryan Giggs' free-kick into his own goal in front of an ecstatic Stretford End.

Arsenal were shattered as their previous good work was squandered and boss Wenger's misery was complete when he was sent from his technical area by referee Mike Dean for kicking away a plastic bottle in frustration when Robin van Pertration when Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was ruled out for offside.

United keeper Ben Foster was culpable when he allowed Arshavin's 25-yard shot to fly in, but he was the hero when he prevented Arsenal taking what could have been an unassailable two-goal lead just after half-time as he blocked Van Persie from six yards when he seemed certain to score.

Van Persie also struck the bar before Diaby's calamitous own goal as a highly-anticipated encounter finally sparked into life after the break.

Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the bench and opted for width in the shape of Nani and Antonio Valencia - a formation that failed to trouble Arsenal in a disjointed first 45 minutes for the champions.

Much rested on the shoulders of Rooney, and he almost fashioned an early breakthrough when he set up Darren Fletcher in the fourth minute, but the Scotland midfield man failed to find the target from 10 yards.

Arsenal were able to re-introduce Van Persie and Arshavin to their starting line-up after the midweek Champions League win against Celtic, and they posed the biggest threat to United in an opening period lacking in quality until the Russian's wonderful goal.

Van Persie created a chance for himself inside the area, but was blocked by Patrice Evra before Arshavin capped an eventful few seconds by giving Arsenal a lead they just about deserved five minutes before the interval.

Arsenal had clear penalty claims rejected by referee Dean when Fletcher appeared to handle when he challenged Arshavin in the area - but as play progressed the little striker stunned Old Trafford by regaining possession and unleashing a rising angled drive from 25 yards that flew beyond Foster.

It was a moment of joy for Arsenal and Arshavin, but miserable for England keeper Foster, who should have done much better after getting his hand on the ball.

Foster went some way towards making amends for his mistake two minutes after the restart, making a vital block with his leg as Van Persie stole in on more wonderful work from Arshavin inside the area.

Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia was the central figure when United equalised after 59 minutes, making an ill-judged dash from his line and felling Rooney as he went away from goal. Rooney recovered to send Almunia the wrong way from the spot and United's hopes were revived.


Referee Dean took the unusual - but correct - step of booking both Rooney and Wes Brown in the same incident as they hacked at Diaby. And Van Persie almost inflicted more punishment on United with a swerving free-kick that rebounded back off the bar with Foster beaten.
If Arsenal were knocked back by conceding a penalty, Wenger was beside himself in his technical area after 64 minutes when his side gifted United a second goal.

Giggs could only direct his free-kick on to the head of Diaby who, with no other player in close attendance, inexplicably directed a header past Almunia into his own net.

The setback understandably knocked the stuffing out of Arsenal and Wenger made a change after 78 minutes, sending on Eduardo for Denilson. The striker received a hostile reception from the Old Trafford crowd in the wake of the controversy over his alleged dive in the Champions League against Celtic.

But their hopes of restoring equality suffered a blow shortly after when Arshavin limped off after appearing to sustain a muscle injury as he chased Van Persie's through ball.

As Arsenal pushed for the equaliser, they predictably left spaces at the back and United almost cashed in. Substitute Berbatov slashed a shocking finish wide and Nani was denied by Almunia.

But Arsenal's mood was summed up by the sight of a disbelieving Wenger being dispatched from the technical area after he thought Van Persie had equalised, only to see his joy cut short by a linesman's flag.

And the sight of Arsenal's manager being escorted towards the tunnel only increased the joy around Old Trafford as Manchester United celebrated a crucial three points.
12:19 PM | 0 comments

Colin Todd - football's fire fighter

Colin Todd had a busy summer completely rebuilding the squad at Darlington


Answer - he was the sole Quaker to start both the final game of last season and the first one of the new campaign.

Miller and skipper Steve Foster were the only senior players that remained at Darlington over the summer following a torrid few months that started when the cash-strapped Quakers entered administration in February.

George Houghton, the chairman when the club went into administration, pumped money into the club to ensure Darlington could complete their fixtures last season but, nonetheless, players did not receive their full pay, manager Dave Penney left for Oldham and a lot of the their non-football staff were made redundant.

Newcastle might have monopolised the crisis-club headlines but Darlington, 36 miles down the A1, have given their North East rivals an unwanted run for their money.

Colin Todd was brought in as manager in late May and was quickly made aware of the extent of the problems.

"It was very grave and serious in terms of what might happen to the club - people were expecting the worse," Todd told me.

"When I walked in what hit me was the state of the pitch. There was no groundsman and it had not been touched since the end of the previous season. It was in very poor condition."

The turf at the 25,500 seater Darlington Arena might have served as an apt metaphor for the condition of the club in general.

Last summer the Quakers had assembled a large and expensive squad by League Two standards as they went all out for promotion.

The dream proved to be unsustainable and the mandatory 10-point deduction that followed administration ended any hopes of going up.

I spoke to various people at different League Two clubs at the time and sympathy seemed to be thin on the ground, the prevailing view being that Houghton's Darlington had lived beyond their means (with a rumoured monthly wage bill of £270,000 for the playing staff) in an attempt to give them an advantage and should now suffer the consequences.

Todd found himself having to pick up the pieces. It was a huge task.

When he arrived the club was still in administration and its the remaining players were free to sign for other clubs.

"I had a meeting with the eight or nine senior players that were left, but that figure dwindled down to just two - Miller and Foster," said Todd, who told me he was not paid in full for the first few months because of the financial predicament at the club.

Todd, who lives in nearby Chester-le-Street, quickly persuaded Houghton to re-employ the groundsman (whose salary was initially funded by the chairman because the club was not in a position to employ anyone).

Much more difficult was the task of constructing a new squad. Todd could not offer a new player a contract until the club came out of atil the club came out of administration (this eventually happened the week before the season started) and was restricted by a wage bill that was roughly a third the size of last season's.

He had to renegotiate the contracts of both Miller and Foster, recalling that: "I had to be very positive with them."

Thankfully for Darlington, Todd, who had been in charge at Danish side Randers until the start of 2009, is no stranger to managing in adversity.

During the 60-year-old's largely successful spell as assistant manager to Bruce Rioch at Middlesbrough in the late 80s, the doors to Ayresome Park had been locked by the official receiver and the club was close to bankruptcy.

At Bradford, Todd stepped up from assistant to the role of manager after the departure of Bryan Robson in June 2004 - a period when the Yorkshire club was adjusting to the chastening reality of life after the Premier League.

He had a tough rebuilding job at Valley Parade. As with the current situation at Darlington, the club were in administration and had a threadbare squad.

But Todd, who has also managed Bolton, Swindon and Derby, is in no doubt his current role is his most arduous.



ColinTodd took over at troubled Bradford after Bryan Robson left the club

"It has been very, very difficult to put the jigsaw together," he said.

Todd seems to have the gritty, phlegmatic personality necessary to stay afloat in choppy waters and possesses a nice line in understatement. When I asked him what it is like trying to build virtually an entirely new squad during a summer, he replied: "It keeps your mind active."

He is adamant the key to wading through all the problems and restrictions at a club in administration is remaining a positive outlook and sticking strictly to your budget.

Todd had to reassure backroom staff, such as the physio and kit man, all of whom had been made redundant, that they had a future at the club.

And after persuading Miller and Foster to stay, the manager had to set about persuading players to disregard the uncertainty swirling around Darlington and sign for him.

Todd used his network of contacts and own knowledge of the lower leagues to quickly identify available players that the club might be able to afford.

Dean Windass turned down an offer from Port Vale to accept a player/coach role at the club while a spate of experienced professionals such as Lee Thorpe, Chris Lumsdon, Jeff Smith, Paul Arnison and Mark Bower agreed to join.

Most were running down contracts at their previous club and were guaranteed wages until their deals expired. It meant they would not go unpaid over the summer before signing formal contracts with their new club once it had come out of administration.

Todd also drafted several young players - Nick Liversedge, Curtis Main, Josh Gray, Dan Riley and Danny Groves - into his senior squad.

With Jamie Chandler and David Dowson signing from Sunderland on loan - the manager has fulfilled his first mission of building a squad.

The day before the new season started, Darlington finally left administration, with new owner Raj Singh completing his takeover at the club.

But footballing fairytales are in short supply and it is obvious Todd still has an awful lot of work to do.

Darlington lost 3-1 at Aldershot on the opening day of the season and followed that with a narrow Carling Cup defeat to Leeds.

The Quakers then lost to Bury, Crewe and Port Vale in League Two.

They are currently bottom of the table - propping up the entire Football League - though the situation might not be quite so bad but for two crucial penalty misses, against Bury and Port Vale.

Nearby Newcastle might be managerless and up for sale, but out of their travails they have at least retained a quality squad.

Darlington now also have a team to put on the field - and although they might be struggling, at the end of last season it was far from certain they would have enough players to at least try to compete.

"A lot of people thought it would not happen - but you have to make things happen," said the Quakers manager.

And having got over the first hurdle, Todd now has to make sure his team start picking up some points.
10:59 AM | 0 comments

Benitez and O'Neill on the offensive

###


Rafael Benitez marched briskly through Anfield's main entrance nearly two hours after defeat to Aston Villa and moved to reassure a conce moved to reassure a concerned Liverpool supporter with the words: "We keep going."

Early days to be delivering such a message - but there is no doubt unease is in the air at Anfield as Liverpool's second loss in their opening three league games ensured they equalled their total for the whole of last season.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, himself subjected to the first undercurrent of questioning about his tenure before this win, complained that it was "staggering" that prophecies were being made about a team's fate on the basis of one or two games.

And there is no reason for Liverpool to be discounted as Premier League title contenders on the basis of what can reasonably be described as undistinguished opening fortnight.

No-one, however, can escape from the reality that this has not been the start Benitez or Liverpool planned and it was reflected in the mood of deflation as the manager pointed an accusing finger at his senior professionals.

Benitez's (pictured below, left) body language was downbeat as he repeated the complaints he made about Liverpool in their defeat at Spurs - too careless in possession, lacking in precision. All words that once again drew attention to the Xabi Alonso-sized hole in Liverpool's team that Alberto Aquilani will be expected to fill when fit.


O'Neill may have been deep in contemplation, and he did acknowledge Villa's fans later, but his obvious disquiet later suggested otherwise.

I asked O'Neill whether he was hurt by the criticism and he said: "We have won at Anfield and the players were simply brilliant.

"I said at the time if you are booed off at the end of the game when you have not played well and you deserve that then fine, but I was disconcerted by it at half-time against Wigan. I didn't hear Liverpool being booed off at half-time when they were two goals down here."

Point made and he had one. It is a big season for O'Neill, his fourth at Villa and one when he needs to at least make close acquaintance with silverware, but to deliver a resounding raspberry in the general direction of such a manager and his team 45 minutes into a new season is nonsensical.

O'Neill will be delighted that after two defeats there were signs on show at Anfield that he has foundations in place, with Stewart Downing to come later in the season - although he will need to fill his squad out inside the next seven days for battles ahead.

Villa fit the traditional O'Neill template of pace on the flanks and power at the back. He must now ensure they do not run out of steam, as they did so spectacularly last season.

Expectations are even higher at Anfield and Benitez knows every defeat will bring more scrutiny as Liverpool attempt to end a 20-year wait for the title in a season when many pundits believe they have the team to achieve it.

Benitez will simply hope this is a false start as opposed to Liverpool failing to cope with the heightened expectations and pressure. It was a performance, however, with ominous undertones.

Liverpool's manager was unhappy. Aston Villa's manager was only marginally happier. And yet there was no doubt who departed Anfield the more contented man.
10:05 AM | 0 comments

Bolton 2 - 3 Liverpool

Torres was on target as Liverpool fought back to beat Bolton


PREMIER LEAGUE
Bolton 2-3 Liverpool
Liverpool twice came from behind to beat a stubborn behind to beat a stubborn Bolton side, who have Sean Davis harshly sent
Liverpool twice came from behind to beat a stubborn Bolton side, who had Sean Davis harshly sent off.

Kevin Davies put the hosts in front when he tapped in from a corner only for Glen Johnson to equalise with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Tamir Cohen restored Bolton's lead with a volley but then Davis was given a second caution for a foul on Lucas.

Steven Gerrard hit the bar before Fernando Torres finished clinically and Gerrard rifled in the winner late on.

It was a bitter blow for Bolton, having lost Davis to a debatable refereeing decision by Alan Wiley and some gamesmanship from Lucas, who waved an imaginary card towards the official.

The incident proved to be the turning point as Liverpool showed an urgency that had been lacking until that point.

That it should have happened only when had numerical superiority must have been a worry to manager Rafael Benitez, who had before the game called on his players to kick-start their season.

606: DEBATE
Tears of joy when stevie G got the winner but if this horrible defending keeps up it will be tears of pain for the rest of the season

WizardAlonso

With two league defeats in their first three matches, Liverpool's title credentials were already being called into question.

And doubts still remained after another unconvincing performance against a Bolton side also struggling for form.

Benitez had singled out Gerrard as having been below par in their opening games but the skipper responded in the perfect manner.

Although he was still not at his thrusting, influential best, Gerrard's main contribution was a decisive one as he thrashed in a volley in the 83rd minute to seal three points for his side.

Early in the match, Benitez prowled the touchline looking frustrated and unimpressed and his players showed little invention to lift his mood.

They looked uncertain at the back with debutant Sotirios Kyrgiakos having a few nervous moments - and they were punished for failing to clear a corner when Kevin Davies poked him from close range to give Bolton the lead.

Soon after, Torres incurred the wrath of the Bolton players after they felt he had looked to win a penalty despite Zat Knight cleanly taking the ball.

But from the resulting corner, the ball was only half cleared and fell to Johnson who struck a low shot beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen for his second goal of the season.

Bolton went into the interval feeling aggrieved but were back in front just moments after the restart.

Jaaskelainen punted the ball upfield, Davies flicked the ball on and Cohen volleyed home against the team his father, Avi, used to play for despite a despairing attempt to block by Jamie Carragher.

The two goals were the first that Bolton had scored in the league this season and at that point, another shock defeat looked on the cards for Liverpool.

But the decision to send off Davis changed everything and within seconds, Liverpool came piling forward and Gerrard smashed a vicious shot against the bar.

Moments later parity was restored when Dirk Kuyt chested the ball into the path of Torres and the Spaniard lashed home.

And although Bolton did their best to hang on as Liverpool chased the victory, it proved a fruitless task when a corner fell to Gerrard, the England midfielder found the top corner.

Liverpool almost scored again when Torres had a shot hacked off the line, but a wider margin of victory would have been flattering.

While Liverpool still need to improve to challenge for the title, they will be relieved to have won and Benitez will be pleased by his side's spirit.

Bolton, however, can also take some positives from a performance that gives them hope for the rest of the campaign.
9:55 AM | 0 comments

Smith backs Williamson's case


Tommy Smith believes ex-Watford team-mate Mike Williamson would be a good signing for Portsmouth.

Smith has confirmed manager Paul Hart has asked him what he thinks about the former Wycombe defender.

The 29-year-old believes Williamson is good enough to make the step up and has the e the step up and has the desire to succeed.
Step up

"I have spoken to the gaffer here about him and was asked what I think, and I certainly think he can step up," explained Smith.

"He's a good player, somebody who is hungry for the challenge and a very hard worker. I think he would be a great acquisition for the club."

Smith has confirmed he was close to joining Reading, but the lure of the Premier League was too strong to resist.

Medical

"I had done the medical and everything else at Reading and I was happy to make the move," he continued. "I was really happy with that deal.

"But then the Portsmouth call came, and the lure of the Premier League football was just too good. Any footballer wants to play at the top of their game.

"I've got quite a few years under my belt in the Championship, and it was always a case of looking for promotion or trying to find the right move. I feel I've done that."
9:29 AM | 0 comments

Evra takes swipe at rivals


Patrice Evra has questioned the winning mentality of Manchester United's Premier League rivals.

The lung-bursting left-back has also taken a swipe at Saturday's opponents Arsenal, brandishing their treatment towards him last term as "shameful".

United welcome the Gunners to Oldwelcome the Gunners to Old Trafford in what has been described as the first heavy-weight clash of the season.

The stand-out fixture proceeds Thursday's UEFA Champions League draw which has seen last season's top-four dealt manageable groups - leaving Evra wondering how European football will affect Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal's domestic campaigns.

The Frenchman believes now Europe's premier competition is about to get under way, the Red Devils' title challengers' league quests will falter, whereas United's will only intensify.

He told The Sun: "I think the difference between us and the other three of the so-called Big Four in England is that we are totally and utterly fixated by our major objective which is to win the title again and again.

"It's easy to win a title but the tough thing is to retain it.

"So to lift the Premier League trophy three or four times on the trot is a hugely impressive achievement."
Shameful

With Saturday's evening fixture wetting the appetite, Evra expressed his views ahead of the huge clash by reflecting on what he perceived to be brutal treatment he was on the receiving end of last season.

The France international believed he was the target for revenge in May after Manchester United swept aside the Gunners in the Champions League semi-finals.

Evra claims the challenges were so bad even referee Mike Dean warned him to be on his guard as it appeared Arsenal were targeting the United defender.

The 28-year-old said: "What Arsenal did that day was shameful. I was asked if it felt like there was a contract out on me and I had to say 'yes, yes, yes'.

"It's not at all the way in which Arsenal normally handle matches because they usually play really good football and are not overly aggressive - it was a big change. That's why I have to thank the referee.

"He came up to me and said 'Look I don't know what's going on but since half-time all the Arsenal players seem to be out to injure you. Don't get involved'."
9:25 AM | 0 comments

Ancelotti praises 'calm' Drogba

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti thinks Didier Drogba still has his best years ahead of him.

The Blues manager believes the Ivorian striker has matured since he took over at the club, and seems rejuvenated after signing a new three-year contract.

Drogba had an indifferent campaign in the Premier League last term, after falling out with former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Ancelotti believes he will play a massive part in Chelsea's season.

"I think Didier has had a very good career up to now," the Italian told the Daily Mirror.

"He can do better because at 31, he's not an old player. He's a player who's at the right time to do his best.

"Physically he's very strong. He hasn't had big problems in his career with injuries. He can do - he will do, I'm sure - the best."
History

Chelsea take on Burnley on Saturday, and it was against the Clarets in the Carling Cup last season when Drogba threw a coin back into the crowd.

The Ivory Coast international is also still serving a European ban after his reaction to the Blues' defeat to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, but Ancelotti believes the striker has improved his temperament.

"I didn't know him before," he said. "It can happen that one player, in the match, can lose his mind, can lose his control.

"But now, I think he's very calm. It's the past. I've seen a very good professional whose focus is on the team, on the play, and I don't think we'll have other problems.

"He is a very good guy. He likes to joke. But he knows very well when he can joke and when we must do the serious things.
8:50 AM | 0 comments

Ancelotti praises 'calm' Drogba


Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti thinks Didier Drogba still has his best years ahead of him.

The Blues manager believes the Ivorian striker has matured since he took over at the club, and seems rejuvenated after signing a new three-year contract.

Drogba had an indifferent campaignad an indifferent campaign in the Premier League last term, after falling out with former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Ancelotti believes he will play a massive part in Chelsea's season.

"I think Didier has had a very good career up to now," the Italian told the Daily Mirror.

"He can do better because at 31, he's not an old player. He's a player who's at the right time to do his best.

"Physically he's very strong. He hasn't had big problems in his career with injuries. He can do - he will do, I'm sure - the best."
History

Chelsea take on Burnley on Saturday, and it was against the Clarets in the Carling Cup last season when Drogba threw a coin back into the crowd.

The Ivory Coast international is also still serving a European ban after his reaction to the Blues' defeat to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, but Ancelotti believes the striker has improved his temperament.

"I didn't know him before," he said. "It can happen that one player, in the match, can lose his mind, can lose his control.

"But now, I think he's very calm. It's the past. I've seen a very good professional whose focus is on the team, on the play, and I don't think we'll have other problems.

"He is a very good guy. He likes to joke. But he knows very well when he can joke and when we must do the serious things.
8:50 AM | 0 comments

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