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{ McInnes's side have kept clean sheets in their last six home gamesSt Johnstone manager Derek McInnes insists Scottish Premier League survival remains his primary target.

The Perth side can realistically finish in the top six this season.

"We're on a budget similar to St Mirren and Hamilton," McInnes said. "Of course, we want top six, but there's got to be a realism.

"We're up against a lot of big clubs - Hibs, Dundee United, Motherwell, Aberdeen - to try and get into that next bracket."

With bottom club Hamilton 16 points behind St Johnstone, McInnes still believes his side need to consolidate their SPL status.

"The players will give everything they can to get as many points as we can to try and get there, but there's a few points to get, I feel, to make sure the SPL safety's there and I don't make any apologies for that.

"We need to work towards it - that's our first target."

Of the game against United, McInnes admitted the McDiarmid Park pitch made it difficult for either side to find fluency.

"It was a frustrating night for the players, both sets of players. It was difficult to get any pace or tempo on the surface," McInnes told BBC Scotland.

"There's no point in bleating and moaning about it.

"We're well aware of the difficulties of our pitch. We want nothing more to have a good surface."

McInnes says the Perth club aim to replace the pitch at the end of the season.

"The chairman's already indicated that, as soon as we can, towards the end of the season, the last game, we'll be ripping this pitch up and ready to start the work," McInnes said.

"We want to take pride in our surface. A lot of surfaces are suffering because the winter has run from the first real bad snap we had in the first week in November. We're now almost into March and we're still getting difficult conditions.

"The pitch has suffered and it's not got good enough drainage to try and cope with that and it's brought everything to a head.

I never felt we were going to lose a goal and that's a great feeling to have as a manager

McInnes was pleased with his side's defensive prowess against a United team he rates highly.

"The two teams showed each other a lot of respect," he said. "It's a good point. We wanted all three.

"The one area where we let ourselves down was that we had plenty of traffic in and around their box through set plays and the like and I don't think we took full advantage of it. Murray Davidson's had a good chance that's just gone by the post.

"I never felt we were going to lose a goal and that's a great feeling to have as a manager.

"The other side of it was, you want to make sure you try and carry more of a threat and I don't think either side showed enough quality in the last wee bit. But, as I say, I think there are factors in that."

Agences de presses

Labels: Johnstone, Manager, McInnesaposs, priority, Sport, still, Survival

{ Highlights - Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic

Celtic beat Aberdeen for the third time in 10 days and in doing so moved eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Andrew Considine was sent off within two minutes for fouling Celtic's Scott Brown but Jamie Langfield saved Anthony Stokes' resultant penalty.

Gary Hooper and Stokes combined for two of Celtic's three goals, the former finishing a one-two for the opener.

Mark Wilson headed a 75th-minute second and Hooper fed Stokes for the third.

The match could scarcely have begun more dramatically. Dons boss Craig Brown had just finished shaking hands with his Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon when Hooper picked out Brown making a run into the box.

Hooper's delicious cross-field pass was controlled and nudged towards goal by the Celtic captain in a flowing move, but as Brown shaped to score he was hauled down by Andrew Considine and referee Alan Muir pointed to the spot.

While Stokes grabbed the ball for the penalty, Muir presented the shell-shocked Dons defender with a red card and his involvement was over after 95 seconds.

Considine's foul was apparent but Aberdeen could argue that a yellow card was sufficient as Zander Diamond was racing across to cover.

Jamie Langfield did not have the best of games against Celtic at Hampden in the 4-1 Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final defeat, but he denied Stokes a penalty goal with a dive to his left - an inspirational save.

But Celtic could smell blood and they tore the Reds apart in the 12th minute.

Quick-thinking Hooper worked a one-two with strike partner Stokes, raced past a static Aberdeen defence and slid the ball beyond Langfield for his 11th Scottish Premier League goal.

Worse was to follow for the home side. Ryan Jack had started the match in midfield in favour of Derek Young but had moved into defence with Considine's sending-off.

Soon he was hobbling off injured at the same time as David McNamee, who had switched from right- to left-back, was wincing in pain with a groin injury.

Considine's red card in the second minute set the tone for the Dons' evening

Brown threw on Derek Young and new loan signing Steven Smith for the duo as Aberdeen's decimated defence contemplated a long evening.

Celtic's Kris Commons had looked lively, firing over the bar after 10 minutes, and tested Langfield twice more with his left foot in the first half.

He smacked a first-time shot at the Dons goal that was well saved in 22 minutes, and 10 minutes later the Aberdeen keeper was down smartly to his right to turn the former Derby player's shot round the post.

The pressure on the Dons goal was constant. Brown blasted a shot at goal that Zander Diamond blocked with a combination of head then arm, then Beram Kayal stole into space 25 yards out and curled a powerful shot around Langfield that cracked off the inside of the post.

Aberdeen's Rob Milsom cleared off his goal-line with Stokes ready to pounce before Aberdeen made a late first-half rally.

Nick Blackman had three Celtic players puzzled when he left them in his wake with a 180-degree turn and shot just wide in 38 minutes, then Chris Maguire belted a first-time angled volley that stung Fraser Forster's palms.

Reaching half-time a goal down was an achievement for Aberdeen. They would have been level in 42 minutes had Forster not been alert to a sweet volley by Scott Vernon from eight yards as he connected with a corner.

While Celtic have been consistent in racking up the SPL points, their defence has been shorn of any sort of pattern. Efrain Juarez, Mark Wilson, Charlie Mulgrew and Emilio Izaguirre were in at the back, with Glenn Loovens, Thomas Rogne and Daniel Majstorovic injured and Darren O'Dea and Jos Hooiveld out on loan.

Aberdeen worked hard to limit the chances in the first 20 minutes of the second half; enough, indeed, for Lennon to withdraw Kayal for Paddy McCourt to try to increase Celtic's attacking intent.

In 66 minutes the pacy Commons evaded a desperate challenge by Smith, rounded Langfield then struck the post when he ought to have rolled the ball into the net.

Wilson's last goal was five years ago but it was the defender who eased Celtic's nerves that they may be stung by Aberdeen when he rose to meet Commons' in-swinging corner. His powerful header from six yards gave Langfield no chance at all.

The Dons were three goals down after as many minutes had passed since Wilson's header.

Hooper was running away from goal in the Aberdeen box but managed to find his strike partner Stokes, who cut on to his left foot and shot between Langfield and his near post.

Celtic are unbeaten in 12 league games and are applying pressure to their title rivals.

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Scottish Premier

Hooper 12Wilson 75Stokes 78Final Result Full Time 90:00+2:13 The referee ends the match. 90:00+1:53 Scott Vernon takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster. 90:00+1:03 Unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Paul Hartley results in a free kick. Mark Wilson takes the free kick. 90:00+0:09 Scott Vernon sends in a cross. 88:17 Charlie Mulgrew produces a right-footed shot from 35 yards and missed to the left of the goal. 87:41 Foul by Chris Maguire on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick. 86:41 Corner taken by Chris Maguire from the left by-line, clearance by Mark Wilson. 86:41 Booking The referee shows Charlie Mulgrew a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 84:08 Substitution Lewis Toshney on for Scott Brown. 82:15 The ball is swung over by Daryl Murphy, Zander Diamond makes a clearance. 81:42 Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Chris Maguire results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Efrain Juarez. 78:55 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Kris Commons, Scott Vernon makes a clearance. 78:55 Substitution Daryl Murphy comes on in place of Anthony Stokes. 77:23 Gary Hooper provided the assist for the goal. 77:23 GOAL - Anthony Stokes:Aberdeen 0 - 3 Celtic Anthony Stokes grabs a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic. 76:27 A cross is delivered by Nick Blackman, Mark Wilson makes a clearance. Paul Hartley produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target. 76:27 Substitution Lukasz Zaluska joins the action as a substitute, replacing Joe Ledley. Correction - 76:06 The ball is crossed by Nick Blackman, clearance made by Mark Wilson. Shot from just outside the box by Paul Hartley goes over the bar. 74:37 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the right by-line, assist by Kris Commons. 74:37 GOAL - Mark Wilson:Aberdeen 0 - 2 Celtic Goal scored by Mark Wilson from inside the six-yard box to the top right corner of the goal. Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic. 71:45 The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance by Zander Diamond. Short corner worked by Scott Brown. Patrick McCourt produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the target. 69:53 Emilio Izaguirre gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Maguire. Free kick taken by Chris Maguire. 68:22 Joe Ledley fouled by Paul Hartley, the ref awards a free kick. Kris Commons crosses the ball in from the free kick, Rory McArdle manages to make a clearance. 66:05 Kris Commons takes a shot from inside the six-yard box that strikes the post. 63:25 Chris Maguire gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Wilson. Free kick crossed by Charlie Mulgrew, comfortable save by Jamie Langfield. 63:25 Substitution Patrick McCourt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Beram Kayal. 63:25 Booking Chris Maguire booked. 60:58 Robert Milsom produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target. 60:21 Chris Maguire fouled by Scott Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steven Smith. 58:54 Foul by Scott Vernon on Emilio Izaguirre, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew. 58:54 Booking Scott Vernon goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. 57:15 Chris Maguire concedes a free kick for a foul on Mark Wilson. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons, clearance by Steven Smith. 56:13 Unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Scott Vernon results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre. 55:52 Steven Smith sends in a cross, clearance by Mark Wilson. 55:07 Mark Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Maguire. Direct free kick taken by Steven Smith. 54:02 Chris Maguire is caught offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick. 53:34 Kris Commons delivers the ball. 52:41 Effort from deep inside the area by Kris Commons misses to the left of the goal. 51:02 A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre. 49:55 Unfair challenge on Paul Hartley by Emilio Izaguirre results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Langfield. 49:19 Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line. 47:26 Paul Hartley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Efrain Juarez. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick. 47:26 Booking Booking for Paul Hartley for dissent. 46:43 Inswinging corner taken by Chris Maguire from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Mark Wilson. 45:59 Unfair challenge on Zander Diamond by Gary Hooper results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Jamie Langfield. 45:01 The second half begins. Half Time 45:00+2:16 The ref blows to end the first period. 45:00+1:17 The assistant referee signals for offside against Anthony Stokes. Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick. 45:00+0:43 Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Robert Milsom results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mark Wilson. 44:01 Zander Diamond concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Stokes. Anthony Stokes has a direct shot on goal from the free kick. 41:59 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rory McArdle by Gary Hooper. Rory McArdle takes the direct free kick. 40:49 Corner taken by Robert Milsom from the right by-line, Rory McArdle takes a shot from 6 yards. Mark Wilson gets a block in. 39:39 Nick Blackman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick. 38:49 Shot from 18 yards by Chris Maguire. Save by Fraser Forster. 37:55 Effort from outside the penalty area by Nick Blackman goes wide left of the goal. 37:15 Zander Diamond fouled by Anthony Stokes, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick. 36:28 Beram Kayal takes a shot from a long way out and strikes the post. 31:59 Kris Commons takes a shot. Fantastic save by Jamie Langfield. Corner taken by Kris Commons played to the near post, Zander Diamond makes a clearance. Shot from long range by Emilio Izaguirre goes wide of the left-hand post. 31:08 Chris Maguire fouled by Emilio Izaguirre, the ref awards a free kick. Robert Milsom crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster. 29:51 Kris Commons fouled by Derek Young, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick. 29:51 Booking The referee shows Derek Young a yellow card. 27:03 Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Hartley on Beram Kayal. Free kick taken by Mark Wilson. 26:18 Foul by Efrain Juarez on Robert Milsom, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Paul Hartley from left channel, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance. 25:29 Foul by Zander Diamond on Anthony Stokes, free kick awarded. Efrain Juarez takes the free kick. 24:53 Centre by Beram Kayal, save made by Jamie Langfield. 23:48 Effort on goal by Scott Brown from 18 yards. Save by Jamie Langfield. 21:30 Scott Brown takes the outswinging corner, Rory McArdle manages to make a clearance. Kris Commons has a drilled shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield. 19:44 Nick Blackman sends in a cross. 18:37 Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Zander Diamond makes a clearance. The offside flag is raised against Anthony Stokes. Free kick taken by Jamie Langfield. 17:29 Substitution David McNamee leaves the field to be replaced by Steven Smith. 16:40 Joe Ledley is caught offside. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick. 15:35 Chris Maguire concedes a free kick for a foul on Kris Commons. Fraser Forster takes the free kick. 15:35 Substitution Derek Young is brought on as a substitute for Ryan Jack. 15:07 Scott Vernon is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Mark Wilson. 14:39 The assistant referee signals for offside against Anthony Stokes. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick. 11:52 Assist on the goal came from Anthony Stokes. 11:52 GOAL - Gary Hooper:Aberdeen 0 - 1 Celtic Gary Hooper scores a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic. 10:49 A cross is delivered by Paul Hartley. 9:39 Kris Commons has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post. Correction - 6:28 Joe Ledley challenges Scott Vernon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick. 6:28 Joe Ledley challenges Scott Vernon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick. 5:53 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Ryan Jack. Mark Wilson takes the free kick. 4:34 Paul Hartley has a volleyed shot. Blocked by Mark Wilson. 4:08 Centre by Ryan Jack, clearance by Mark Wilson. 2:32 Kris Commons takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Zander Diamond makes a clearance. 2:32 A save by Jamie Langfield from penalty by Anthony Stokes. Aberdeen 0-0 Celtic. 1:35 Andrew Considine gives away a Penalty for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown. 1:35 Sent off Andrew Considine sent from the field by the ref for professional foul. 0:00 The game begins. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Agences de presses

Labels: Aberdeen, Celtic, Sport

{ Kubica was seriously injured when his Skoda Fabia hit a wallRobert Kubica is recovering well and is psychologically "strong", according to a surgeon who has operated on him.

The 26-year-old Pole has been in hospital near Genoa, Italy, since he was seriously hurt in a crash while competing in a rally on 6 February.

Dr Igor Rossello said: "The good news is there have been no complications following all the surgery he has had.

"He is doing pretty well and his condition is positive considering what he has been through."

Dr Rossello, who operated on Kubica's right hand, which was nearly severed in the crash, added: "What is very important is there is no sign of infection, which is the main concern, and he also no longer needs intensive care, so he has begun the rehabilitation process."

He added that Kubica, who finished eighth in the 2010 drivers' table, had regained "a little bit of sensitivity" in the hand and was able to slightly flex his fingers.

Kubica has undergone three operations since his car left the road in the Ronde di Andora.

In addition to the hand injury, he sustained multiple fractures to a leg and arm.

Fellow drivers and F1 staff paid tributes to the Pole during testing

The medical team attending Kubica say he will spend at least two more weeks at the Santa Corona hospital in Petra Ligure, while he is recovering from the operations.

Kubica is expected to miss the entire 2011 season, although he told Gazzetta dello Sport last week that he was aiming to return to F1 before the end of the year.

Renault have since named his former BMW Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld as his stand-in.

"He [Kubica] is no longer in pain and his psychological condition is pretty good," added Rossello, in an interview on the Renault website.

"He's obviously keen to start the rehabilitation work as soon as possible. For the next couple of weeks he will stay here so we can monitor his condition.

"During that time there is still the possibility of infection and other complications, so he will have the dressings on his hand changed every few days."

Agences de presses

Labels: aposrecovering, Kubica, Robert, Sport, surgeon, wellapos

{ Beckham trained with Spurs during the Major League Soccer off-seasonManager Harry Redknapp has insisted David Beckham is "welcome back any time" at Tottenham after the midfielder returned to Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham trained with Spurs during Major League Soccer's off-season although a proposed loan move fell through.

Redknapp has no immediate plans to sign the 35-year-old when his MLS contract expires in November but a further training spell could be arranged.

"He's been great to have around, he's welcome back any time," Redknapp said.

Beckham had hoped to turn out for Spurs when he began his six week training spell with the club in January but negotiations between the Galaxy and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy broke down.

When you get a lad who wants to come here and train every day when he could be sitting at home having a month's rest, it tells you everything about him

And speaking ahead of Tuesday's Premier League game against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road Redknapp admitted that there have yet to be any discussions about a potential return for the former England captain.

"I think he would like to see what the future holds for him," he reasoned.

"I've not looked into bringing him back in November.

"He can still play, he still pick a pass out. I've not looked into bringing him back in November - the chairman would need to look at that, I don't know what the financial side of it would be."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder should feature in the Galaxy's season opener against Seattle Sounders on 15 March.

And commenting on Beckham's willingness to uproot to London for six weeks of training Redknapp said: "He's a busy lad, his life must be unbelievable, but when you get a lad who wants to come here and train every day when he could be sitting at home having a month's rest, it tells you everything about him."

Agences de presses

Labels: Beckham, David, Hotspur, return, Sport, Tottenham

{

On a rain-hit day in Barcelona, the German was able to gain experience of Pirelli’s intermediate tyres in the morning, before switching to slicks as the team worked through a number of set-up comparisons.

His quickest time of 1:23.168 came during a series of qualifying simulations late in the afternoon, which included use of KERS and the adjustable rear wing.

Vitaly Petrov was second for Renault, with his quickest time just three tenths slower than Rosberg. The Russian was able to complete over 90 laps running through a set-up programme, and changes to front and rear suspension, before making tyre comparisons.

Lewis Hamilton was almost seven tenths slower than Rosberg with a 1:23.858 as McLaren looked to overcome recent reliability issues, but the 2008 world champion had to abandon several runs in the morning.

With the problems fixed, Hamilton was able to set quick times towards the end of the morning session, before going third in the dry conditions in the afternoon during qualifying simulations. He eventually completed 93 laps as McLaren slowed the pace and worked on aero-mapping.

Pastor Maldonado endured a frustrating day, spinning his car in the early wet conditions, while an alternator problem on the FW33 later in the morning also limited running.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber went further than any other driver with 139 laps in the RB7. His quickest time, a 1:24.995, came on the first lap following a tyre change, while in the middle of a race simulation.

Jarno Trulli was hampered by a lack of spare parts for the T128 as Team Lotus experienced further problems with a water leak from a cracked pipe.

The team were however able to give the Italian a decent run in dry conditions in the afternoon with his quickest time of 1:25.454 coming on lap 45 of 48. Trulli also got his first experience of Pirelli’s wet and intermediate tyres in the morning.

Sergio Pérez completed 115 laps for Sauber, like most teams exploring options with the wet and intermediate tyres, before running a race simulation in the afternoon on the hard and medium compounds to lap within a tenth of Trulli before a rear wing problem ended his day.

Adrian Sutil covered over 100 laps as he continued work on set-up programmes and the adjustable rear wing on the VJM04, setting a quickest lap of 1:25.720 as Force India improved the car’s balance.

Toro Rosso opted to split their day with reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo taking the morning session—his last opportunity before the first race practice session of the season—before Sébastien Buemi took over in the afternoon.

The Swiss driver completed just 32 laps with limited runs on two sets of slicks, leaving him with more options for the final day of testing on Monday as he finished four tenths slower than Sutil.

Felipe Massa had an eventful day in the Ferrari F150th Italia, twice causing a red flag in the morning when running on intermediate tyres, while his afternoon consisted of a full race simulation with a view to making the tyres last as long as possible without ever really looking to set a quick time, leaving him tenth quickest with a time of 1:26.508.

Timo Glock added mileage to the MVR-02 for Virgin Racing on his way to 11th quickest with a time of 1:26.598 as he also experienced the full range of Pirelli compounds, first in the morning with wet and inters, and then slicks in the afternoon.

Giorgio Mondini enjoyed his first run-out for Hispania as another driver under evaluation by the Spanish team, after Tonio Liuzzi had a similar test on Saturday.

The Swiss driver, who was Midland’s third driver for part of the 2006 season, was a credible 12th quickest, 2.5s ahead of Hispania’s only confirmed driver for 2011, and only 1.6s slower than Glock.

Daniel Ricciardo’s quickest time was 1:28.329 on slicks on the drying track towards the end of the morning, only finishing some five seconds off Rosberg’s quickest time set in the afternoon.

His lowly position is a result of no running in dry conditions, but the decision to make an early switch of tyres will help Toro Rosso with vital data on the crossover period between compounds.

Like Ricciardo, Narain Karthikeyan also drove in the morning session, and could manage a time of just 1:30.722 as he completed 32 laps as the times tumbled in the afternoon’s dry running.

Agences de presses

Labels: Barcelona, quickest, Review, Rosberg, Sport, Three

{ By Sarah Holt
BBC Sport at the Circuit de Catalunya
Webber is the first major F1 figure to voice an opinion about holding the raceRed Bull's Mark Webber has expressed doubts about whether the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix should go ahead as unrest in the country continues.

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport that the decision whether to hold the race on 13 March would be down to the Gulf state's crown prince.

Webber said: "When you hear of people losing their lives, this is a tragedy.

"It's probably not the best time to go there for a sporting event. They have bigger things, bigger priorities."

Protestors have re-occupied a square in the centre of Bahrain's capital Manama following the decision of the crown prince, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah, to withdraw security forces.

In the early hours of Thursday, six people were killed as police cleared Pearl Square, firing live rounds at protestors.

The crown prince, who established the grand prix, has been charged with holding talks with opposition groups over reform in the country.

Opposition figures have said they want political reforms that will lead to a constitutional monarchy.

Some protesters have also called on King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah, the crown prince's father, to step down.

Webber, who finished third in the drivers' championship in 2010 after leading it for much of the season, is the first major F1 figure to voice concerns about whether it would be right to race in Bahrain in the circumstances.

The Australian, 35, added: "In the end the right decisions will be made. Maybe it is still the first race, maybe Melbourne is the first race, we don't know.

"It's not a big deal to be honest because there are more things than Formula 1 in Bahrain.

"They have bigger things, bigger priorities and that is what they want to work on over there, generations of issues.

"That's the most important thing for them to sort out and not to worry about Formula 1."

Protestors have reoccupied Manama's Pearl Square as talks are offered

Earlier on Sunday, Ecclestone told BBC Sport he felt the crown prince was the right man to make the decision about whether to hold the race.

"He will decide whether it's safe for us to be there," Ecclestone said.

"I've no idea. I'm not there, so I don't know.

"We won't advise people to go unless it's safe."

The 80-year-old said a decision about the event would be made on Tuesday.

Complicating the issue is that the final pre-season test is scheduled to be held at Bahrain's Sakhir track a week before the first race, from 3-6 March.

That would mean many F1 team members being in the country for more than two weeks at a time when the situation is changing by the day.

Teams have already discussed contingency plans amid widespread expectation that the Bahrain test will be cancelled and moved to either Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Jerez in south-west Spain or the Portimao track on the Portuguese Algarve.

Agences de presses

Labels: Bahrain, doubts, Grand, Sport, voices, Webber

{ Hleb made over 100 appearances for ArsenalBirmingham City midfielder Alexander Hleb may miss the Carling Cup final after injuring his knee in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Belarusian was carried off following a strong challenge by Wednesday defender James O'Connor.

Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "Alex is limping heavily. He will have a scan hopefully over the next 24 hours."

Birmingham face Hleb's former club Arsenal in their first Wembley cup final in 55 years on 27 February.

Hleb has recently been sidelined by an ankle injury and was making his first appearance since January.

"It is his knee," said McLeish. "We don't believe there is any cruciate problems but he got a fair rattle. The guy was very late in the tackle.

"We presume we can get something done on Sunday and we will know after that if there is any damage.

"He is a great player and we still believe he will make an impact for us at some stage this season and, hopefully, he will be OK for the final."

Hleb arrived on loan at St Andrew's from Barcelona on transfer deadline day in August 2010 and has made 20 appearances for McLeish's side.

Agences de presses

Labels: Carling, final, Sport

{ Higgins is looking to win his second major title of the year
John Higgins continued his defence of the Welsh Open with a comfortable 6-2 win over Ali Carter in the semi-final.

In a repeat of last year's final, Carter started brightly with a 118 before the world number one hit back with breaks of 71 and 76 to lead 2-1.

Carter levelled at 2-2 but then his Scottish opponent turned on the style after the interval, with two quick frames and knocks of 69 and 55.

Higgins powered on in Newport and will now play Mark Selby or Stephen Maguire.

Carter, who last won the title in 2009, struggled after the interval and was unable to stay at the table for any substantial length of time as his opponent took hold of the match.

Higgins now has his sights set on his second major title of the year after marking his return from a six-month ban by winning the UK Championship.

The 35-year-old is competing for the first time since pulling out of the German Masters after his father, also called John, lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

Tomorrow's final will be his fifth at the event, with Higgins looking to add to the titles he won in 2000 and 2010.

Agences de presses

Labels: beats, Carter, final, Higgins, reach, Sport, Welsh

{ McCall's side won their second match in five days
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall hopes his side can continue the positive approach he feels has contributed to two straight wins.

The 1-0 victory over Hamilton followed a midweek triumph at Aberdeen, with St Mirren and Celtic visiting Fir Park over the next eight days.

"Three points (against Hamilton) is huge," McCall told BBC Scotland.

"We've got to be as positive again on Wednesday night (against St Mirren) and get at them again."

Having had indifferent results at the start of his Motherwell reign, McCall's side are starting to find their form and are well in the mix for top six places.

"You take nothing for granted just because you're at home against a side below you, it showed (against Hamilton) just how difficult it can be," McCall said.

"Teams like Hamilton and St Mirren are fighting for their lives down at the bottom there and we've got an aim as well.

"The game on Wednesday comes and then Celtic come on Sunday so two home games to look forward to and St Mirren will be a big one again."

Of the win over Hamilton, McCall said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I thought we fully merited a victory.

"We knew what type of game it was going to be; always tough, even though Hamilton are at the bottom, they don't lose lots of goals.

"Their keeper's pulled off two or three excellent stops, our keeper's not had anything to do. I'm not saying the results wasn't in doubt but we fully merited a victory.

"Overall, if you look at chances and possession of the ball and everything, we were the most prominent side without a doubt."

Motherwell's winning goal came from the penalty spot, John Sutton converting after he was pulled down in the box by Martin Canning.

"My first reaction was that Sutty had rolled the boy and the boy clawed him to the ground," added McCall.

"From where I was I thought it was a penalty, Sutty says it was definitely a penalty kick.

"We're pleased that he stepped up and slotted it in the corner. I was confident in Sutty and delighted for him to take that."

Agences de presses

Labels: continue, looks, McCall, Motherwell, Sport, Stuart, winning

{ Glover's takeover took Wakefield out of administration Wakefield have been docked four points by the Rugby Football League for going into administration.

It is the same penalty Crusaders were given after they entered administration late last year.

But new owner Andrew Glover says he will do everything possible to ensure the club gains a new Super League licence after completing his takeover.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "We are going to make sure everything that needs to be done to get it is done."

He added: "We are going to try our hardest to get it."

The governing body has already stated that one current Super League club will not get a new licence from next season.

And Glover, whose takeover was rubber-stamped on Thursday, has a fight on his hands to convince the RFL that the side deserve a new three-year licence.

Wildcats have suffered this season following their administration and additional problems around their attempts to get their new stadium built at Newmarket.

Glover admitted he has contemplated dropping down a division, adding: "We have to bare with the reality that we might not get a licence, but that doesn't mean we are just going to sit back and expect not to get it.

"We go all guns blazing now into not just trying to get the licence but also pushing on with the stadium.

"We have our work cut out here but we feel we have all the right people in the right places to make it all work."

Glover also insists the Wildcats will be his main priority as he takes a backseat from his other company, West Yorkshire Windows.

"This will be my daily job, I imagine I'll be here everyday for the next few years. My team at the window company know what they are doing, so they'll be fine looking after that.

"I'll be here daily for the foreseeable future as we look to keep Wakefield on the right track."

Agences de presses

Labels: docks, points, Sport, Trinity, Wakefield, Wildcats

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2212: That's enough from me. Thanks for your company. You can read Andy Campbell's match report here and we'll have reaction from Rangers manager Walter Smith later. 2210: Rangers goalscorer Steven Whittaker:"The tie is still alive for us. We just need to go over there and score and I'm sure we're capable of doing the job." 2207: "I was expecting a defensive player to come on around 85 minutes. One, to waste a bit of time and, two, to shore things up and make the team more solid. I was astonished that changes weren't made." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds. 2202: It was all looking so good for Rangers but 1-1 at home is a horrible first leg score. How do Rangers approach the return in Lisbon? They will have to score to progress and look blunt in attack without the ineligible Nikica Jelavic. 2157: Full-time: Rangers 1-1 Sporting
That's a sore one for Rangers, losing a goal so late. Increased aggression paid off early in the second half and Steven Whittaker's header put the home side in a strong position before that late sucker-punch. Kyle Lafferty squandered a number of good chances on a night he won't look back on with much fondness. 2155: Lafferty is free once more but again hits the ball straight at the visiting goalkeeper. That's just not good enough at this level. 2154: Kyle Lafferty drives through the middle and smacks a shot at Rui Patricio. The big striker heads the rebound straight back at the keeper, who makes a flashy diving save for the cameras. Rangers are punished for sitting deep and not closing down their opponents as Joao Pereira speeds down the right flank and delivers a cross for the unmarked Matias Fernandez to steer into the bottom corner of the net with his head. 2152: GOAL Rangers 1-1 Sporting (Fernandez) 2149: Helder Postiga is off as Sporting make the last of their permitted three changes. Walter Smith has not used any of his substitutes. 2147: Sporting are seeing much more of the ball now but the Rangers defence is standing firm. 2144: Rangers are sitting deeper now, with a few legs looking weary in the home ranks. Kyle Lafferty picks up a booking for mouthing off. 2140: Sporting's tubby midfield schemer Maniche tosses the tracksuit top handed to him away in disgust as he is taken off. The visitors must be frustrated after their bright first-half performance. 2137: Vladimir Weiss is booked for kicking the ball away in frustration after his galloping run down the left is brought to a halt, with the linesman deciding the ball had gone out of play. 2135: Will Rangers continue to show the same aggression now they are in front or will they try and protect their 1-0 lead? 2133: "It's being played like a real cup tie now." BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg is enjoying the game at Ibrox. The increased tempo from Rangers pays dividends as good work from Diouf earns a corner. Vladimir Weiss swings in an excellent delivery and Steven Whittaker rises highest to thump home a header from seven yards. 2129: GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Sporting (Whittaker) 2127: That thrilling run from Weiss has cranked up the volume from the fans in Glasgow but Steven Whittaker can make nothing of the resultant free-kick. 2126: Vladimir Weiss drives from inside his own half to the edge of the opposition penalty area, only to be manhandled by Daniel Carrico. The Sporting skipper is booked and will miss the return leg. 2124: Cristiano fires a long-range strike wide after some neat ball-juggling from Postiga. 2122: Sporting appear to have weathered that storm from Rangers. The visitors are looking composed again and the decibel level has dropped inside Ibrox. 2119: Kyle Lafferty finds room to drive at the Sporting defence but does not advance far before a well-timed tackle from Daniel Carrico stops him in his tracks. 2116:Colin, Royston, via text on 80295: "Can someone ask the Rangers management team WHY Kyle Bartley isn't playing tonight? The lad was outstanding on Saturday." 2113: That's 1-1 in terms of bookings as Yannick Djalo fails to impress the referee with a daft theatrical tumble in the middle of the park. 2110: Rangers look fired up now and the atmosphere in the ground has picked up as Lafferty sees an effort blocked and it's a third corner for the home side since the second half started. 2108: Great chance for Rangers! Lafferty flicks the ball on to Steven Whittaker, who keeps his shot low from the edge of the penalty area, but Rui Patricio does enough to usher the ball out. 2107: The Rangers team are back out. No changes in personnel. 2104:BBC Radio Scotland's Chick Young is calling for Diouf to be hooked at half-time, while fellow pundit Gordon Smith would like to see Kyle Bartley come on, with Steven Whittaker moving back to his regular beat at right-back. All are agreed that Rangers need to improve after the break. 2054: Half-time; Rangers 0-0 Sporting
Sporting have bossed possession in the first 45 minutes but the two best chances have fallen to Rangers' lone striker Kyle Lafferty, who headed high and wide on both occasions. 2052: First booking of the night goes to El-Hadji Diouf for simulation. He shirked out of a tackle that never materialised and it probably didn't help that he'd been having a good moan at the ref earlier. 2051: Another wasted header from Kyle Lafferty. The big man got up well to reach a cross from Weiss but put too much on it and sent the ball high and wide from six yards. 2050: It's warming up now as Steven Whittaker's drilled shot from 22 yards draws an unconvincing save from Rui Patricio. Lafferty is flagged offside as he reaches the loose ball. 2048: More good work from the impressive Postiga in the Rangers penalty area sets up Yannick Djalo but Allan McGregor spreads himself well to make a vital blocking save. 2047: "Pedro Mendes has been roundly applauded by the home fans when taking corner kicks. Thank goodness they've found something to cheer in this desperately poor match," BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont at Ibrox. 2046: A headed clearance from Pedro Mendes falls to Steven Whittaker on the edge of the penalty box but the home midfielder's awkward first-time volley floats well wide. 2044: Rangers are wilting a bit under pressure as Postiga heads wastefully wide and the home fans are very quiet as half time approaches. 2041: Two quick corners for Sporting but Rangers see off the danger without too much trouble. 2040: David Weir makes a crucial intervention on the edge of the penalty area as two Sporting players looked to profit from a slack piece of play from Steven Davis. 2038: Rangers threaten for the first time as Diouf whips in a good cross from the right and Lafferty sends a stooping header over the crossbar from a near-post position. 2036: "It's going to be like this all night for Rangers. Rock solid, not taking too many chances. Not gambling." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds has lost some of his earlier enthusiasm. 2033: Still 0-0 and it's been pretty scruffy stuff. It's all very narrow from Rangers, with neither full-back able to push on. 2031: Steven Whittaker, playing wide in midfield tonight, is having a bit of a mini-'mare. In the last few minutes, he's given the ball away three times. 2029: First corner of the game goes to Sporting after an ambitious shot from Evaldo is deflected wide. Pedro Mendes swings in a good delivery and Daniel Carrico heads over from a near-post position. 2026: The home crowd are on their feet after an enterprising run down the left from Vladimir Weiss but the move comes to nothing. Play quickly switches to the other end and Postiga drills an angled shot a yard or so wide. 2024: A miraculous recovery from the Rangers defender. Bougherra is back on his feet and Bartley is pulling his trackie top back on. 2023: Ouch! Madjid Bougherra is clutching his shoulder in agony after an awkward fall. Kyle Bartley is getting ready to come on if the big Algerian doesn't recover. 2020: The Portuguese side have just shaded the opening 15 minutes but neither goalkeeper has had much to do. Diouf and Weiss have been quiet for Rangers. 2018: Apologies for the lack of BBC Radio Scotland commentary online. Contractual reasons, I'm afraid... 2016: Kyle Lafferty takes a tumble on the edge of the penalty area, only to get a withering look and a shake of the head from German referee Manuel Grafe. 2012: Madjid Bougherra and Helder Postiga trade long-range shots. The effort from the Rangers defender bobbles gently into the arms of goalkeeper Rui Patricio, while the former Tottenham striker finds row R in the Copeland Road Stand. 2011: El-Hadji Diouf has made a bright start to the Scottish chapter of his often-turbulent career and the Rangers fans have taken a real shine to the on-loan Blackburn man. A new streak of blue hair on his mostly-shaven head suggests the warm feeling is mutual. 2009: Sporting are knocking the ball around neatly in the opening exchanges. No goalmouth action to report. 2005: Sporting kick off, wearing white shirts and black shorts. The visitors have ditched their usual green and white hoops. Maybe they didn't want to upset the locals any more than they had to. 2002: The teams are in the tunnel at Ibrox; not long now... 1958: Rangers sub Jamie Ness has hurt himself in the warm-up and his place on the bench has been taken by Greg Wylde. 1954:BBC Radio Scotland expert Gordon Smith tells us why 1-0 would be a great result for his old team. "It gives you a win, with no goals against," he explains earnestly. Whatever he's getting paid, it's not enough! His esteemed colleague Chick Young is going for "1-0 either way or a 0-0". Talk about hedging your bets. 1948: An anonymous text from a Newcastle fan (referring to the link with Allan McGregor) on 80295: "Chick couldn't be further from truth. nufc don't need a goalie - targets are in Sporting line-up. Tyneside press have been talking for weeks about nufc trying to buy Fernandez and Djalo." 1946: Rangers can boast an excellent record against Sporting, having beaten the Portuguese on the two previous occasions they have been drawn together in Europe. The Ibrox side prevailed on away goals as they went on to win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and they won 2-0 in Lisbon after a 0-0 in Glasgow en route to the 2008 Uefa Cup final. 1939:BBC Radio Scotland's Chick Young has described the Rangers line-up as "very un-Walter-like", referring to Mr Smith's previous penchant for a defensive formation in European ties. 1935: Sporting are going through a hard time financially and leading goalscorer Liedson was allowed to return to Brazil in January. Sound familiar? Rangers' stringent belt-tightening has been well documented in recent seasons and 22-goal Kenny Miller moved on mid-campaign. The similarities come to a screeching halt when it comes to team colours; the Portuguese sport green and white hoops... 1930: The BBC Radio Scotland team reckon Newcastle are keeping tabs on Rangers keeper Allan McGregor tonight. 1924: "I think Rangers can get to the final again, and win it this time," BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds is getting a little ahead of himself but you can't fault the former Ibrox forward's enthusiasm. 1919: We have a Scottish team in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time since Rangers reached the Uefa Cup final in 2008. With Jelavic out and Kenny Miller now plying his trade in Turkey, a lot rests on the angular shoulders of big Kyle Lafferty. However, manager Walter Smith will want El-Hadji Diouf, Vladimir Weiss and Steven Whittaker to drive on and support the lone striker. Sporting are struggling on the home front and an early goal for the hosts would be a real test of their mettle. Ibrox isn't a sell-out but we should be in for a noisy night of drama. 1914: Former Rangers favourite Pedro Mendes lines up in the Sporting engine room, alongside fellow long-haired playmaker Maniche. That's a pretty handy pair of centrocampistos. 1910:TEAMS FROM IBROX:
Rangers: McGregor, Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss, Diouf, Lafferty. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Ness, Hutton.
Sporting: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Daniel Carrico, Anderson Polga, Evaldo, Mendes, Maniche, Zapater, Cristiano, Postiga, Djalo. Subs: Tiago, Carlos Saleiro, Fernandez, Andre Santos, Diogo Solomao, Coelho, Vukcevic.
Referee: Manuel Grafe (Germany) 1908: Rangers make three changes from the team that hammered Motherwell 6-0 at the weekend. In the absence of the cup-tied Nikica Jelavic, Kyle Lafferty leads the attack, with El-Hadji Diouf given a supporting role in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Steven Naismith is suffering from a tight hamstring so Richard Foster comes in at right-back and Steven Whittaker moves into midfield. On-loan youngster Kyle Bartley drops out to be replaced by Maurice Edu. 1905: Good evening and welcome to our coverage of Rangers v Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League.


Agences de presses

Labels: happened, Rangers, Sport, Sporting

{

NEWBURY RACES 1210-1535 GMT, Friday
1245 Aon Chase 1315 Game Spirit Chase 1350 Totesport Trophy Hurdle Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio 5 live, report/results on BBC Sport website

Runners at Newbury racecourse in January 2011Newbury is set to stage its rescheduled meeting on Friday six days after two horses were killed by electrocution.

The horses died in the parade ring before the first race of Saturday's fixture, which was abandoned after the opening contest was completed.

Officials say the course is now safe after an underground cable was removed.

Cheltenham Gold Cup contender What A Friend, part-owned by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, is among those due to run at the Berkshire track.

The dual Grade One winner faces four rivals in the Aon Chase.

Walkon, who is entered for the Champion Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival, tops the field for the Totesport Trophy.

On Thursday, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced the deaths of horses Fenix Two and Marching Song were most likely due to "accidental electrocution".

Post-mortems revealed both suffered heart attacks and no suspicious substances had been found.

An electricity cable which ran beneath the parade ring has since been disconnected and removed.

The two horses died on Saturday before the first race, which was run before the remainder of the meeting was abandoned.

BHA expert Professor Tim Morris on cause of horse deaths

Newbury officials have assured the BHA the parade ring area is safe for use by horses and humans.

On Friday, What A Friend could book a place at Cheltenham for him and young jockey Harry Skelton.

Trainer Paul Nicholls boasts a strong Gold Cup team, with Ruby Walsh set for Kauto Star, Sam Thomas to be reacquainted with Denman and Nick Scholfield having partnered Pride Of Dulcote.

"He's going to need to run well if he is going to go for the Gold Cup but it's a nice prep for him," said champion trainer Nicholls of What A Friend.

Nicholls has a second runner in former Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Noland, the mount of champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Ben Case runs Dance Island, who was pulled up when fancied for the Welsh National, while the versatile Fair Along and Carronhills, who is in both the Gold Cup and the Grand National but has not run for more than two years, complete the field.

Walkon, trained by Alan King, is among the market leaders for the Totesport Trophy.

Last year's winner Get Me Out Of Here, who will be ridden by McCoy for trainer Jonjo O'Neill, is seeking a second victory in the race.

The seven-year-old was an impressive winner of the competitive handicap 12 months ago and went on to finish second to Menorah in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: "He was a bit disappointing early in the season and we could never find a lot wrong with him.

"He just didn't run well for what ever reason, but lets hope he puts it together at Newbury."

King hopes the delay will have worked in Walkon's favour.

"I always said that the race could come a week early as it had only been three weeks since his Ascot comeback and circumstances have given us an extra six days," he said.

King also saddles Salden Licht and The Betchworth Kid, while the 15-strong field includes Brian Ellison pair Bothy and Palomar, plus the John Quinn-trained Recession Proof.

Solix is set to make his first start on British soil for Nicky Henderson having arrived from France, while the trainer also runs last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Soldatino and Eradicate.

In the Game Spirit Chase, Take The Breeze could give Paul Nicholls his sixth victory in the last eight runnings of the contest.

Nicholls also has Haldon Gold Cup winner Tchico Polos, the mount of McCoy.

Agences de presses

Labels: delayed, meeting, Newbury, Sport

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2220: OK, that is quite enough from me. Sam Lyon will be with you on Saturday to guide you through that day's football action. Many thanks for all your thoughts and words of wisdom. 2218: Almost time to call it a night as far as this live text is concerned, but I won't be going anywhere before I deliver Chris Whyatt's verdict. Sidewick Raymond on Twitter: "Summary of the Liverpool-Prague game: A tedious series of throw-ins punctuated by some moderately firm backwards passes." 2213: I'm now being told salmon can comfortably exceed more than 20 mph. Speedy. Rangers goalscorer Steven Whittaker:"The tie is still alive for us. We just need to go over there and score and I'm sure we're capable of doing the job." Europa League Jon: "Young Boys - tonight might be the night you finally become men. In the last minute of injury time substitute Emmanuel Mayuka has only gone and sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Zenit St Petersburg." 2217: RANGERS 1-1 SPORTING LISBON
Colin Moffat reports: "That's a sore one for Rangers, losing a goal so late. Increased aggression paid off early in the second half and Steven Whittaker's splendid headed goal put the home side in a strong position but they sat back in the closing stages and were hit by that late sucker-punch. Kyle Lafferty squandered a host of good chances on a night he won't look back on with much fondness." Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher: "We've got to make sure we do the job at Anfield." Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish: "There's a lot of value coming out of the game. It was not a classic. The onus is on the home team to put pressure on us and they did not really do that. On the night 0-0 was probably fair enough." Jez Meyer on Twitter: "Spurs beat Milan, Arsenal beat Barca, Liverpool barely manage a shot on target against Sparta Prague..." Europa League Jon: "Comeback o'clock - Spartak Moscow have only gone and turned a 2-0 deficit into a glorious 3-2 advantage away at Basle, Ananidze grabbing what will surely be the winner in injury time. Not gloating now, are you CSKA fans?" 2200: Hey, they gave us goals. Two of them. 2158: FULL-TIME: Rangers 1-1 Sporting Lisbon 2157: In the final minute of normal time at Rangers Kyle Lafferty has another opportunity from the edge of the area but his shot is straight at Rui Patricio and the goalkeeper beats the ball out once again. Europa League Jon: "Lille - boasting one of Europe's best home records - have shipped two in a minute and are now tied at 2-2 against PSV. Former Aston Villa man Wilfred Bouma got the first, Ola Toivonen completing the comeback seconds later. Porto have also struck late, Freddy Guarin putting them 2-1 up at Sevilla"
2156: Rangers goalscorer Kyle Lafferty races through on goal moments later but his low shot from the edge of the area is kept out by Rui Patricio. 2155: Lets be positive - a clean sheet for Liverpool. 2154: FULL-TIME: Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool 2130: Substitute Matias Fernandez evades the Rangers defence to head a right-wing cross into the bottom corner from eight yards. 2153: GOAL Rangers 1-1 Sporting Lisbon Terry Mahoney on Twitter: "Come on, Paul, display one of my tweets so that I don't feel that the last two hours has been entirely wasted." 2151: Three more minutes in Prague. 2150: Somebody has just texted to say that salmon can swim at 14 mph. Which perhaps tells you something about, in particular, entertainment levels in the Liverpool game. With three central defenders on the pitch, Liverpool are just ticking down the clock. 2146: Cracking effort from Sparta's Kamil Vacek, who drills a 20-yard effort narrowly wide as Pepe Reina attempts an athletic save. 2145: Joe Cole corner. Straight out of play. As a moment to epitomise the encounter in Prague I think it serves rather well. 2144: Ok, make sense of this please. Eight minutes left and King Kenny makes a change, lone striker David Ngog comes off, defender Martin Skrtel replaces him. What we have, we hold, perhaps? Europa League Jon: "Rolando - an anagram of a much better player - scored for Porto to put them up against Sevilla only for Freddie Kanoute to equalise seven minutes later. And they'll be doing whatever the opposite of dancing is in the streets of Basle as the Swiss side blow a two-goal lead, Kombarov and Dzyuba scoring to bring Spartak Moscow back level."
2143: Almost flashback time for Liverpool fans as Marek Matejovsky smashes a long-range strike narrowly wide. He once scored against the Reds for Reading. 2140: No major alarms for Rangers since they took the lead. The salmon line, by the way, is of the 'rose like a salmon' type, just to satisfy those of you who asked. 2136: Wow, the fog really seems to have lifted (the home fans and team) in Prague. And we have a chance. Pepe Reina makes a sharp low save to deny Leonard Kweuke with a cracking effort on the turn. 2134: A lot of smoke drifts across the pitch in Prague. And I mean a lot. He has disappeared from view. Like something out of a John Carpenter horror film. I half expect pirates to appear out of the mist. 2134: A goal eh. Just thought I'd dwell on that for a second or two. 2130: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Cracking, fantastic header from Steven Whittaker, who climbs above everybody else, salmon-like, to crash home Vladimir Weiss' corner. 2130: GOAL Rangers 1-0 Sporting Lisbon 2130: Roughly 25 minutes left in both Prague and Glasgow. No goals so far. Right now I would settle for just the one to tell you about. 2125: Not seen too much of Joe Cole so far. Strong defending from Sotiros Kyrgiakos, who pushes the dangerous Vaclav Kadlec off the ball. 2123: I want to tell you something meaningful and exciting - oh, I can. Cracking effort from Sparta striker Leonard Kweuke, who heads narrowly wide from 14 yards. 2122: Wonder what Kenny makes of European club management? 2121: Tight and cagey at Ibrox. Not the best pitch by any stretch of the imagination. Not that it can be used as an excuse for some of the misses. Zain Patel on Twitter: "Just think how bad it must be for Paul Fletcher! He has to watch both games!."
Thanks Zain. I feel kind of responsible. Europa League Jon: "One late first-half goal I failed to mention and it's gone to Basle who now lead Spartak Moscow 2-0 courtesy of Marco Streller's far post header from a 41st minute corner. As you were everywhere else as… hang on just a moment. Young Boys have equalised through Senad Lulic at home to Zenit St Petersburg."
2115: I am going to say this is an effort to provoke some response. The Liverpool match is feeble, dour and poor. Just give us something, anything to clutch on to, to persuade us to stick with you. Yes, OK, so we have had a surfeit of riches this week but just provide one jewel of your own. 2112: Straight from the re-start Kyle Lafferty flicks on a long ball from Richard Foster, Steven Whittaker latches onto it but his low left-footed shot from 15 yards is tipped around the post by Rui Patricio. 2109: Play back under way at Ibrox. BTW, one change I should have mentioned in the Liverpool game - naughty of me not to do so - Joe Cole is on for Fabio Aurelio, who was injured late in the first half. 2107: Play resumes in Prague. Can we do better this half, please? Loyal Royal, via text: "Speaking of familiar faces, Liverpool will be all too familiar with the sight of Marek Matejovski, who was in the Reading squad that knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup last year." RANGERS 0-0 SPORTING LISBON
Colin Moffat's half-time snap shot: "Sporting have bossed possession in the first 45 minutes against a nervous home defence but the two best chances have fallen to Rangers' lone striker Kyle Lafferty, who headed high and wide on both occasions." Gary and Cameron, via text: "Dear Kenny, we are going to the 2nd leg. Please do not win or lose heavily. 0-0 is good so keep the talk at half-time low key. Thanks Gary & Cameron." 2051: Half-time: Rangers 0-0 Sporting Lisbon Calum McClurkin on Twitter: "Switching over between the Liverpool and Rangers game and I don't know which one is worse. Both equally bad." SPARTA PRAGUE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
Chris Whyatt's half-time snap shot: "Barca-like possession from Liverpool initially but Sparta's penetrative wide men turning the tide." Europa League Jon: "Lille have doubled their advantage against PSV with Tulio de Melo grabbing his fifth goal of the season. FC Basle are also ahead, Alexander Frei scoring for them at home to Spartak Moscow, whose fans will only be further discouraged to learn that CSKA Moscow are a goal up at PAOK Salonika. And Young Boys, who not so long ago were leading AC Milan's midweek conquerors Spurs 3-0 in a Champions League qualifier, are a goal down at home to Zenit St Petersburg. How the worm turns..." 2051: Half-time: Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool 2050: Chances started to flow now. Rangers keeper Allan McGregor makes a cracking smothering save after Yannick Djalo dances through the Scottish team's defence. 2048: Best chance so far for Liverpool. David Ngog heads down a corner but Dirk Kuyt cannot quite make contact with a shot on the turn. 2046: Rangers are having a good spell at the moment. Steven Whittaker lifts the ball over the Sporting keeper as Rui Patricio advances off his line but it also clears the crossbar. Ed Morris on Twitter: "I have only just realised how boring football is when Arsenal and Barcelona are not involved." 2044: Not lost it has he, old Repka. I refer, of course, to the aggression and hint of malice. He is booked after tangling with David Ngog, who is unlucky to also find his way into the book. 2042: Finally something of a sight of goal for Liverpool but Sparta close down the largely anonymous David Ngog very quickly and his shot is blocked. 2040: A sweeping move from Rangers ends disappointingly when Kyle Lafferty heads over from close range. Poor. Over in Prague, Marek Matejovsky has a dangerous looking strike blocked. 2038: Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fails to hold a cross from the right and the loose ball drops to the heavily involved Manuel Pamic, but he shoots wastefully wide. 2035: Half an hour gone in Prague and, disappointingly, there has not really been a clear-cut chance. 2033: Who is that being given a talking to from the ref after nailing an opponent. Oh yeh, Sparta Prague's Tomas Repka. Elliot Sims on Twitter: "Oddly happy to see Lech Poznan get through. Maybe it's because I'm a City fan, but I'm not sure." 2031: Another chance for Sporting, created by another familiar face. Pedro Mendes, once of Tottenham, Portsmouth and Rangers, crosses but Daniel Carrico heads wastefully over. Europa League Jon: "A great start for France's Ligue 1 leaders Lille who take the lead against PSV Eindhoven through Idrissa Gueye. Apparently it's a 20-yard drive from a half-cleared corner - might be worth watching later."
2027: On an evening rich in familiar faces, former Spurs striker Helder Postiga drills a left-foot strike wide for Sporting after creating space with a sharp turn. Ricardo, Preston, via text: "Re Suarez - there's some long uefa rule which basically says you can't play in the same tournament for 2 clubs, or a tournament which your old club is still involved in. Suarez obviously fails under the latter. Pity, get Carroll fit!" 2024: Problems for Rangers. Madjid Bougherra picks up a shoulder injury and it looks as though Rangers will be forced into a change but he is able to continue. 2022:More problems for Liverpool. Martin Abena plays a cracking ball through to Manuel Pamic, whose left-foot strike across goal is palmed clear by Pepe Reina. 2021: Sparta win a corner and the ball is cleared to the 20-yard line. Another disappointing shots follows but it nevertheless is indicative of the fact that Sparta have started to climb into this contest a little. 2020: Rangers threaten to break forward but, oh hold on, there is a distinct lack of support players once a bridgehead is established at the half-way line. 2018: A sight of goal for Sparta, though I don't think Pepe Reina was too concerned as Andrej Keric drilled his strike wide from a tight angle. 2017: Possession, possession, possession. I wonder if the Liverpool players watched events at the Emirates on Wednesday. Europa League Jon: "Alas it looks like the gamblers among you will be going to work tomorrow after all as the all-aways accumulator has come unstuck. Dynamo Kiev did their bit by winning 4-1 at Besiktas, Andriy Shevchenko among the scorers but normality returned elsewhere. Benfica came from behind to beat Stuttgart 2-1, Lech Poznan edged a tight game with Braga 1-0 while the Napoli v Villarreal and BATE Borisov v PSG matches finished tied, 0-0 and 2-2 respectively." 2012: Rangers boss Walter Smith watching his team form up in the stands. No big drama so far although former Chelsea player Maniche drags a shot well wide. Ish Kadodia on Twitter: "Vaclav Kadlec....18 year old for Sparta Prague been in the first team since 2008! Watch out for him..." 2010: Decent start from Liverpool. Dominant indeed. Sotiros Kyrgiakos cannot quite get his head on a free-kick from Fabio Aurelio. 2006: Play has started at Ibrox, Rangers in their normal blue, Sporting in white. No green in sight. 2005: The match has started in Prague, Liverpool in white shirts and black shorts. Johnnyboy, via text: "It's a strange rule that allows Torres to play for Chelsea in the Champions League despite him playing for Liverpool in the Europa League but Ajax started in the Champions League and dropped into the Europa League. So why is Suarez ineligible when he has not played on this competition?" 2001: The Sparta and Liverpool teams working their way out of the tunnel. Rangers and Sporting have yet to quite reach that stage. 2000: Sparta Prague back in action tonight after their winter break. I could do with one of those. I guess there has to be some plus points to living in a country that has very cold winters. Tomas Repka in the Sparta side. Remember him? Europa League Jon: "One 1800 GMT kick-off has finished with Ajax celebrating a 3-0 win against Anderlecht, Danish teenager Christian Eriksen adding to his burgeoning reputation with the second goal. Incidentally, stat fans, that is the third away win on the trot tonight - could there be a multi-millionaire in the making out there?" 1956: Apparently 16-year-old Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling did not make it on to the bench because he had some homework to finish. Not really, but he is on half term and apparently did take some school work with him. Dedication, that's what it takes. 1953: Just a quick line on Liverpool forward Luis Suarez. He is not involved tonight because he is not eligible to play having already played for Ajax in Europe this season. Hope that clears that one up. Bored Serbio, via text: "In some tedious market research focus group in Wimbledon - good luck David Ngog. Deserves the start. Please deliver." Arkwright on Twitter: "Greetings from Poland, Poznan 1 Braga 0, 5 mins to go. The nutters are playing in a snowstorm, but do the home fans care?" Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish: "It's a great thrill [being back in Europe]. It's been a long time. We're in a competition that doesn't mean a lot to anybody that's not in it. But it means something to us, and we want to do our best. Sparta have got a couple of new signings and they've had a winter break, and this is their first game back. So it'll be a difficult game for us. But we know roughly what to expect." ilan dee on Twitter: "All the talk this week about Raheem Sterling (5 great goals in the youth game!) - shame to see it didn't make the bench." 1945: SPARTA PRAGUE v LIVERPOOL
Chris Whyatt reports: "Liverpool are a totally reinvigorated club now following the second coming of Kenny Dalglish as manager. Remarkably, given his epic exploits as a phenomenal player bewitching the continent's best, King Kenny has never taken charge of the Anfield club on the European stage. Until now. That's as far as it goes for history in tonight's tie with Sparta Prague, who sit second in the Czech league. Tantalisingly, if 16-year-old [and 71 days] Raheem Sterling had featured, he'd have become the club's youngest ever first-team player. Not even on the bench." 1945: Time for a little shameless self-promotion. Around the time Kenny Dalglish returned to Liverpool with the aim of reviving his former club's fortunes, Stockport fans favourite Peter Ward was put in charge of the Hatters. Forget about Europe, his aim is to keep Stockport in the Football League. I spoke to him recently and found out that it isn't proving easy, at all. 1940: RANGERS v SPORTING LISBON
Rangers: McGregor, Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss, Diouf, Lafferty. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Ness, Hutton.
Sporting: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Daniel Carrico, Anderson Polga, Evaldo, Mendes, Maniche, Zapater, Cristiano, Postiga, Djalo. Subs: Tiago, Carlos Saleiro, Fernandez, Andre Santos, Diogo Solomao, Coelho, Vukcevic.
Referee: Manuel Grafe (Germany) 1936: Help needed. Without you this live text is nothing. So, tweet via the hashtag #BBCFootball, ask me a question direct @Paul__Fletcher or text me via 81111 (UK). Thanks in anticipation. Europa League Jon: "Two results to tell you about from the day's early matches and they're good news for anyone going for a five away wins forecast. FC Twente won 2-0 at Rubin Kazan thanks to late strikes from Luuk de Jong and Peter Wisgerhof and will be confident of easing through next week's return leg. And Leverkusen effectively sealed their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 victory at Metalist, Sidney Sam scoring twice in injury time for the side currently second in the Bundesliga." 1934: SPARTA PRAGUE v LIVERPOOL
Sparta Prague: Blazek, Kusnir, Repka, Brabec, Pamic, Keric, Vacek, Kadlec, Matejovsky, Abena, Kweuke. Subs: Zitka, Podany, Sionko, Bondoa, Zeman, Husek, Pekhart.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Kuyt, Lucas, Maxi, Aurelio, Ngog, Meireles. Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Pacheco, Jovanovic, Kelly, Coady, Skrtel.
Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany) 1931: RANGERS v SPORTING LISBON
BBC Sport's Colin Moffat reports: "We have a Scottish team in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time since Rangers reached the Uefa Cup final in 2008. With Nikica Jelavic cup-tied and Kenny Miller now plying his trade in Turkey, a lot rests on the angular shoulders of Kyle Lafferty. The Northern Irishman leads the home attack and manager Walter Smith will want El-Hadji Diouf, Vladimir Weiss and Steven Whittaker to drive on and support him. Sporting are struggling on the home front and an early goal for the hosts would be a real test of their mettle. Ibrox isn't a sell-out but we should be in for a noisy night of drama." 1930: Thursday, that can mean only one thing - and I am not talking about Question Time (although that is, I reckon, a pretty good show). It is very much Europa League night, with Liverpool in action at Sparta Prague and Rangers hosting Sporting Lisbon. We are down to the last 32 in this competition, snappily termed the round of 32 by Uefa. I like to call it the approach towards the business end.


Agences de presses

Labels: Europa, happened, league, Sport

{ Hendry has won the World Championship a record seven timesStephen Hendry opened his Welsh Open second round match against Stephen Maguire with a 147 break but lost 4-2.

It was Hendry's 10th maximum, putting him level with Ronnie O'Sullivan, but he then lost the next three frames.

World champion Neil Robertson lost 4-1 to Graeme Dott and Matthew Stevens beat Ryan Day 4-3 to reach the last eight.

Ali Carter ousted obdurate Peter Ebdon 4-1 and will play Ding Junhui, who came from 3-1 down to beat Mark Allen 4-3, with a break of 79 in the final frame.

Hendry, the seventh player to make a 147 this season, could not find his rhythm again after his magnificent start and his next highest break was 49.

Asked about his maximum he said: "Who cares? I lost my focus in the second frame, I had about 59 chances to win it but couldn't take them. After that I was garbage, total garbage. I had enough chances to win the whole tournament."

Maguire, who plays world number two Mark Williams in the quarter-finals, recorded a fluent 129 in frame three and closed out the match with a 55 after a mistake by Hendry on a straightforward red.

Dott avenged last year's World Championship final defeat against Robertson, with four consecutive frames after the Australian had taken the opener with a break of 51.

The Scot levelled after a scrappy second frame then reeled off three successive half century breaks.

Stevens won the opening frame against his fellow Welshman with a 58 but Day, who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in round one, came from 3-1 down to force a decider which Stevens eventually claimed after a 66.

The match produced some high quality break building, with Day levelling at 1-1 after a well-crafted 89.

Stevens went ahead again with a 43 but Day compiled a 74 and then took the match to the final frame.

Day responded to his opponent's 66 with a 42 but after a tense tactical battle on the brown, world number 21 Williams, twice a beaten finalist at the World Championship, prevailed to book a quarter-final against defending champion John Higgins.

"I was feeling comfortable at 3-1 and missed a simple black. I should be out, I'm just pleased to be through," Stevens said.

"I love playing John, he's one of the all-time greats and I'm really looking forward to it. It's probably the first time I've been in the quarter-finals of the Welsh for about 20 years!"

World number eight Carter raced into a 3-0 against Ebdon, the world number 12, and closed out the match with a break of 74.

Williams whitewashed Jamie Cope 4-0 but said: "It looked easy on paper, but Jamie could have won a couple of them. It's flattering - it wasn't a 4-0 match."

Agences de presses

Labels: beaten, break, despite, Hendry, Sport, Stephen, Welsh

{ Manchester City forward Silva is foiled by the Greek side's defence

Manchester City could not find a way through a resolute Aris Salonika defence as the first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie ended goalless.

Striker Edin Dzeko failed to convert Aleksandar Kolarov's low cross from City's best chance of the first half.

Dzeko's header forced a great save from Michalis Sifakis, before Neto sent a fierce effort just wide for Aris.

Mario Balotelli returned for City as a late substitute and saw a bicycle kick float wide in the dying stages.

The hosts had never lost in 24 European matches at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium and in finishing second in Group B had beaten the cup holders Atletico Madrid.

City manager Roberto Mancini may take solace from the fact that Aris' two previous English opponents at the ground, Chelsea and Ipswich, went on to respectively win the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and the Uefa Cup in 1981 after failing to win in Greece.

A fevered atmosphere doubtless helped build Aris' formidable home record and after the teams had emerged to a flurry of tickertape and a firework display, Raul Bobadilla fuelled the home fans' enthusiasm as he prowled dangerously around Jerome Boateng.

But City dominated the early possession and David Silva's dipping shot forced Sifakis into a plunging save before Micah Richards' appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco.

Dzeko was supported by an attacking trio of Carlos Tevez, Silva and Shaun Wright-Phillips interchanging positions and probing dangerously behind him, but struggled with his finishing.

The Bosnian's first sight of goal was provided by Kolarov's low cross threaded through a forest of legs, but, although Dzeko's control was sharp, his stabbed shot looped up tamely for Sifakis to gather.

Shortly afterwards, the former Wolfsburg player's trundling shot on the edge of the box failed to match the neat turn that had preceded it.

Daisuke Sakata's darting runs down Aris' left flank had appeared their best hope of an unlikely breakthrough before Gareth Barry and Joe Hart accidentally collided, nudging the goalkeeper out of his area as he attempted to clear upfield.

It was a good opportunity for Brazilian free-kick specialist Neto, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

City finished the half on top as a through-ball from Tevez sliced open the Aris rearguard, but the pass proved a touch too strong as Dzeko chased in vain.

In the second half, Aris pushed forward trying to change the momentum of the match and immediately posed more questions of the visiting defence.

Ricardo Faty glanced a header wide when a less subtle touch was required before Juan Carlos Toja shaped menacingly to shoot but only found Hart's midriff with a skidding 20-yard effort.

Dzeko then had Sifakis at full stretch as he nodded Barry's cross goalwards before his swerving effort crashed into the hoardings with the goalkeeper struggling to cover his ground.

In between those attempts, Neto gave Hart a fright as he unleashed a long-range effort that the England number one could only palm away.

Mancini introduced Ballotelli from the bench for his first appearance since picking up a knee injury in December, but appeared to have settled for the draw as he withdrew Dzeko in favour of Pablo Zabaleta with seven minutes remaining.

A late flurry of attacks almost earned City a lead to take to Eastlands for the return but Balotelli's overhead kick strayed wide, before Richards fluffed a headed chance from a corner.

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Europa League

Final Result Full Time 90:00+2:13 The final whistle goes and the game is over. 90:00+2:01 Effort from the edge of the box by Micah Richards goes wide of the right-hand upright. 90:00+0:24 Aleksandar Kolarov takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Danijel Cesarec. 88:20 Aleksandar Kolarov takes the inswinging corner, Micah Richards has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright. 87:10 Substitution Darcy Neto leaves the field to be replaced by Nery Castillo. 86:20 Mario Balotelli concedes a free kick for a foul on Garbini Michel. Michail Sifakis restarts play with the free kick. 85:45 Danijel Cesarec is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Aleksandar Kolarov. 82:52 Free kick taken by Garbini Michel. 82:52 Substitution Pablo Zabaleta replaces Edin Dzeko. 82:52 Carlos Tevez challenges Nikos Lazaridis unfairly and gives away a free kick. 81:44 Long range effort by Gnegneri Toure Yaya goes wide right of the target. 78:27 David Silva challenges Garbini Michel unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Michail Sifakis. 78:05 Juan Carlos Toja handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Aleksandar Kolarov. 77:10 Garbini Michel produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal. 76:05 Darcy Neto restarts play with the free kick. 76:05 Substitution Mario Balotelli is brought on as a substitute for Shaun Wright-Phillips. 76:05 Booking The referee shows Edin Dzeko a yellow card. 75:56 Edin Dzeko challenges Ricardo Faty unfairly and gives away a free kick. 72:41 Foul by Carlos Tevez on Thanasis Prittas, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Michail Sifakis. 71:24 Substitution Danijel Cesarec replaces Raul Marcelo Bobadilla. 71:06 Effort by Darcy Neto from a long way out goes over the crossbar. 70:18 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Thanasis Prittas by David Silva. Free kick taken by Thanasis Prittas. 69:21 Long range shot by Edin Dzeko goes wide right of the target. 66:52 Garbini Michel takes a shot. Blocked by Gareth Barry. 65:11 Darcy Neto takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. Darcy Neto decides to take a short corner. 64:08 Foul by Juan Carlos Toja on Carlos Tevez, free kick awarded. Jerome Boateng takes the direct free kick. 63:20 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by David Silva played to the near post, Raul Marcelo Bobadilla makes a clearance. 62:59 Edin Dzeko takes a shot. Save made by Michail Sifakis. 61:56 Juan Carlos Toja takes a shot. Save made by Joe Hart. 61:04 Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya on Raul Marcelo Bobadilla, free kick awarded. Darcy Neto delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing. 57:26 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya on Raul Marcelo Bobadilla. Shot on goal comes in from Darcy Neto from the free kick, save made by Joe Hart. 56:58 Shaun Wright-Phillips takes a shot. Comfortable save by Michail Sifakis. 55:16 The referee blows for offside against Shaun Wright-Phillips. Indirect free kick taken by Michail Sifakis. 54:34 Raul Marcelo Bobadilla is caught offside. Kolo Toure restarts play with the free kick. 53:38 Unfair challenge on Ronaldo Guiaro by Edin Dzeko results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ronaldo Guiaro. 49:37 Short corner taken by Darcy Neto. 47:39 Juan Carlos Toja produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post. 46:05 Aleksandar Kolarov takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Nikos Lazaridis manages to make a clearance. 45:01 The second half begins. Half Time 45:00+1:07 It is the end of the first-half. 45:00+0:11 Raul Marcelo Bobadilla challenges Jerome Boateng unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes the free kick. 43:30 The referee penalises Raul Marcelo Bobadilla for handball. Kolo Toure restarts play with the free kick. 42:19 Carlos Tevez concedes a free kick for a foul on Juan Carlos Toja. Michail Sifakis takes the free kick. 38:22 The referee gives a free kick against Joe Hart for handball. Darcy Neto shoots direct from the free kick. 37:24 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Darcy Neto, Nikos Lazaridis takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. 37:08 Corner taken by Darcy Neto. 34:36 Foul by Gnegneri Toure Yaya on Nikos Lazaridis, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Michail Sifakis. 34:07 Corner taken by David Silva from the right by-line, clearance by Ronaldo Guiaro. 32:45 Edin Dzeko concedes a free kick for a foul on Ronaldo Guiaro. Ronaldo Guiaro restarts play with the free kick. 32:22 Ricardo Faty takes a shot. 31:46 Edin Dzeko has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target. 28:15 The ball is sent over by Aleksandar Kolarov. 27:29 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gareth Barry on Raul Marcelo Bobadilla. Juan Carlos Toja restarts play with the free kick. 27:11 Edin Dzeko takes a shot. Michail Sifakis makes a save. 26:48 Ricardo Faty challenges David Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Gareth Barry. 25:09 David Silva is ruled offside. Michail Sifakis takes the free kick. 21:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov by Thanasis Prittas. Gareth Barry takes the free kick. 21:13 The official flags Daisuke Sakata offside. Joe Hart takes the free kick. 20:18 Aleksandar Kolarov takes the outswinging corner, Header from deep inside the area by Edin Dzeko goes over the bar. 19:34 Juan Carlos Toja challenges Shaun Wright-Phillips unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Kolo Toure. 19:07 Gareth Barry concedes a free kick for a foul on Darcy Neto. Thanasis Prittas takes the free kick. 18:23 Daisuke Sakata takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a comfortable save. 15:48 Foul by Kristi Vangeli on Carlos Tevez, free kick awarded. Aleksandar Kolarov delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Nikos Lazaridis makes a clearance. 15:05 Edin Dzeko takes a shot. Save by Michail Sifakis. 13:17 Carlos Tevez produces a right-footed effort from long distance that goes harmlessly over the bar. 12:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gareth Barry by Ricardo Faty. Aleksandar Kolarov takes the direct free kick. 11:07 Inswinging corner taken by Aleksandar Kolarov. 8:56 Unfair challenge on Darcy Neto by Edin Dzeko results in a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Garbini Michel, blocked by Edin Dzeko. 8:29 David Silva takes a shot. Save by Michail Sifakis. 7:18 The referee gives a free kick against Edin Dzeko for handball. Kristi Vangeli restarts play with the free kick. 6:21 Ricardo Faty challenges Aleksandar Kolarov unfairly and gives away a free kick. Aleksandar Kolarov restarts play with the free kick. 5:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kristi Vangeli by Edin Dzeko. Direct free kick taken by Kristi Vangeli. 3:11 Edin Dzeko is caught offside. Free kick taken by Michail Sifakis. 0:33 Raul Marcelo Bobadilla takes a shot. Comfortable save by Joe Hart. 0:00 The game gets underway. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Agences de presses

Labels: Salonika, Sport

{ Barcelona 'super favourites' - Wenger

UEFA Champions League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Wednesday, 16 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and Live on ITV 1

Arsene Wenger has challenged Arsenal to prove they have what it takes to win the Champions League when they meet favourites Barcelona in the last 16.

Arsenal lost to Barca in the quarter-finals last season but the Gunners boss says his side are now better equipped.

"We are highly motivated to show we are a different team today," said Wenger ahead of Wednesday's first leg.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world. If you knock them out you have a good chance to win the competition."

Arsenal are still awaiting a first victory over the Catalan giants having lost three and drawn two of their five previous encounters.

Wenger's men held Barca at the Nou Camp in the 1999-00 group stage before losing 4-2 in the return at Wembley (Arsenal played their Champions League home games at Wembley for the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons).

The Spaniards came from behind to win 2-1 in the 2006 Champions League final and the pair faced off again in 2010.

Pep Guardiola's team produced a devastating first-half display at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal held firm and, despite falling 2-0 behind early in the second, they fought back to secure a 2-2 draw.

The Gunners, missing several key players, took a surprise lead in the second leg but Barca's class soon told and Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as they ran out 4-1 winners (6-3 on aggregate).

"Last year they were the better team but I believe in my players, they have the quality 100% to do it," stated Wenger.

"In the first half of the home game we were spectators and a little bit inhibited. Now I believe we are a completely different team.

"Losing to Barcelona made us better because we came out of the second game with a lot of frustrations after missing the turning point when we were 1-0 up.

"But more than looking at the past we want to show how good we are. We want to win this competition, we know we face the super-favourites but the only way to do it is to knock them out.

"The players don't deny the quality of Barcelona. What is important is to say 'look who we are now, we are capable of knocking you out now'. That is our target."

Barcelona top La Liga and have been in superb form this season, although they did suffer a blip at the weekend when they needed a sublime late David Villa goal to snatch a 1-1 draw against Sporting Gijon.

That draw ended Barca's 16-match winning run in the Spanish league and Wenger believed the Londoners could take positives from Barca's weekend stutter, saying: "It is always difficult after internationals but when you end a series [of wins] it always takes something out of you of course."

Arsenal are fresh from a commanding 2-0 victory over Wolves last weekend that kept them second in the Premier League, while they also remain in contention for the FA Cup and will contest the Carling Cup final against Birmingham on 27 February.

By the time they played Barca last season, the Londoners had already missed out on both domestic cups and were struggling to keep pace with the Premier League's top two.

After losing the second leg in Spain, Arsenal suffered three defeats and a draw in their remaining five games of the season to ensure their trophy drought would run into a sixth year.

"We are now a stronger team because we have attitude and I have not seen many teams with such consistent focus every day," added Wenger.

"We have made our own way by challenging for the title when nobody predicted we would. I believe we are a stronger team because we have attitude and focus.

"We are in ideal condition to face Barcelona. We have the belief and confidence and the players available are close to 100%. That was not the case last year.

"We want to show how good we are. We want to show the belief we have in our game and in our quality.

"Everyone expects an exciting game because it is two teams that play quality football. We want to be faithful to our philosophy and pass the ball well so we can dominate the game."

Agences de presses

Labels: Arsenal, Barcelona, challenge, Sport, urges, Wenger