PSG wins French Cup after beating Monaco 1-0 (AP)

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP)—Paris Saint-Germain won a French Cup for a eighthtime with Guillaume Hoarau’s extra-time header producing a usually idea inSaturday’s last opposite Monaco.

Hoarau headed in a rebound in a 105th minute after Claude Makelele playedChristophe Jallet in as well as a PSG defender dismissed a absolute set upon which wasparried by Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.

“I’m very proud of what my players have completed today,” PSG manager AntoineKombouare pronounced of a 1-0 victory. “It was a compare with a outrageous pressure. Wewere forced to win if you wanted to deliver a season, which has not been goodat all.”

“You have no thought how tough it was through a pain.”

Kombouare won a French Cup twice as a PSG player in a 1990s though this washis initial pretension as a coach.

Both teams have been in a middle of a French joining standings, as well as PSGsalvaged a lackluster season by light a prize as well as securing a European spot.

PSG dominated a last though squandered a number of chances prior to finallysealing victory. The Parisian club scarcely scored in a 82nd, when Turkishforward Mevlut Erding beat a offside trap though had his lob rebound off a bar.

“(PSG) had a auspicious environment: they played during home,” Monaco manager GuyLacombe said.

In fact, PSG plays a home matches during Parc des Princes in a Frenchleague, though a Stade de France, which hosted a final, is situated a few milesnorth.

“The environment was a bit tough for my immature team,” Lacombe said.“That’s what made a disproportion upon a pitch.”

PSG created chances after regularly pressuring Monaco in midfield to forceturnovers. Sylvain Armand dismissed a low shot which deflected off a! Monaco defenderin a 13th. On a indirect corner, a close-range flick from PSG defenderMamadou Sakho was privileged off a line by Colombian brazen Juan Pablo Pino.

A absolute set upon from PSG winger Ludovic Giuly was afterwards tipped over a barby Ruffier in a 15th.

“That’s what you work for: to win titles,” Giuly said. “We had a solid PSGteam. When everyone does his job, when you fool around similar to that, you know which you canbeat any team.”

Erding thought he had scored with a low erratic set upon in a 25th, though wasruled offside.

PSG went during it again three mins later, as Jallet charged down a rightflank to feed Erding, though Ruffier denied a Turkish brazen who was clear ongoal.

“We dominated a compare as well as you stumbled upon a goalkeeper who has qualitiesbut who additionally had a little luck tonight,” Hoarau said.

Monaco’s most appropriate possibility in a initial half came when South Korea brazen ParkChu-young cut a round behind toward a chastisement spot, where a rushing Nene missedan opportunity in a 35th.

Erding afterwards pounced upon a lax round to hit a low shot from 12 yards thatsailed inches far-reaching of a post in a 41st prior to Monaco brazen Pino skippedpast a PSG defense usually to have his set upon stopped by goalkeeper Apoula EdimaEdel in a 43rd.

“Back in a sauce room during halftime, a thought was to say thepressure you put upon Monaco,” Kombouare said. “I was hoping which they wouldfalter during one given moment, as well as that’s what happened upon a goal.”

Yet, PSG struggled to keep up a aggressive fool around after a break. Instead,Monaco threatened upon a counterattack in a 56th, as Pino ran a length of thepitch to fool around a one-two with Nene prior to firing straight during Edel.

Hoarau squandered PSG’s last possibility in regulation time, outjumping a Monacodefense usually to head a corner over a bar.

Hoarau missed ano! ther pos sibility eight mins in to extra time. Unmarked insidethe area, a PSG brazen unsuccessful to control a cross from Jeremy Clement, lettingthe round rebound off his legs as Ruffier rushed off his line to snatch it.

“(Hoarau) missed a little chances though he still created some,” Kombouare said.“The man has a outrageous mental toughness. He didn’t give in.”

Francois Modesto could not put much power upon his goalward header off acorner from Nene in a 114th, blank a possibility for Monaco to force a shootout.

“There’s a bit some-more majority during PSG,” pronounced Lacombe, who lost a FrenchCup last last year when he was Rennes coach. “They have some-more experiencedplayers.

“My players, most of them, played a last for a initial time.”

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Morelia rallies to beat 10-man Chivas in playoffs (AP)

MORELIA, Mexico (AP)—Morelia rallied to win 4-2 opposite 10-man Chivas, whilePachuca beat defending hold up Monterrey 1-0 in quarterfinal first-leg matchesSaturday in a Mexican Clausura.

Monterrey will host Pachuca as well as Chivas of Guadalajara will embrace Moreliain a lapse legs next Saturday.

Marvin Cabrera non-stop a scoring for Morelia in a 24th notation againstChivas, though Jose Enriquez struck an equalizer in a 40th.

Omar Arellano was sent off for Chivas dual mins later, though Omar Bravo putthe visitors forward with a idea upon a stroke of half time.

Morelia done a additional man equate in a second half, starting with LuisGabriel Rey’s left-foot equalizer from a corner of a box in a 55th minute.

Gabriel Pereyra headed Morelia in to a lead from a right wing cranky in the63rd as well as maestro striker Jared Borgetti gave a home side a two-goal advantagefor a lapse leg with a close-range header in a 66th.

Chivas won a record eight consecutive matches during a begin of a Clausuratournament, though won usually dual some-more after that. Though Chivas finished second inthe standings, it has played a last month without 5 of a top players whoare divided during a precision stay for Mexico’s World Cup team. Morelia mislaid twoplayers to national team duties.

Earlier in a day, Damian Alvarez scored a usually idea of a diversion forPachuca after swapping passes with Edgar Benitez as well as prodding a round pastMonterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco in a 30th minute.

The quarterfinal first-leg matches will be played upon Sunday when Pumas hostsSantos as well as America faces Toluca.

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Bayern on the verge of winning Bundesliga title (AP)

FRANKFURT (AP)—Bayern Munich is on a verge of capturing a 22nd Bundesligatitle after Thomas Mueller scored a hat pretence in a 3-1 win over Bochum onSaturday.

Schalke mislaid 2-0 during home to Werder Bremen, leaving Bayern 3 points clearahead of a final turn with a superior goal disproportion of 17. Bayern travelsto relegated Hertha Berlin as well as Schalke is during Mainz subsequent week.

The 20-year-old Mueller has been a explanation of a deteriorate after beingused in multiform positions.

“It’s a fantastic feeling. We’ve achieved what we’ve worked for allseason,” Mueller said. “My initial deteriorate as well as my initial championship—it’s asgood as it gets. We’ve gotten what you wanted a many as well as right away you can go aftermore.”

Bayern is in a final of a Champions League as well as a German Cup as well as canachieve a three-way in manager Louis outpost Gaal’s initial season.

“It gives my players a lot of confidence as well as right away you have dual weeks toprepare, as well as you can do even better,” Van Gaal said.

Hertha Berlin drew 1-1 during Bayer Leverkusen but was relegated usually one seasonafter finishing fourth. Berlin will be a usually vital European collateral without atop-division club.

Despite a loss, Schalke is sure of playing in a Champions League nextseason. Werder has a two-point edge over Leverkusen in third, which bringsChampions League qualifying.

Hannover thrashed Borussia Moenchengladbach 6-1 to pierce out of a dropzone. Hannover plays Bochum in a final turn as well as has thirty points, dual more thanBochum as well as Nuremberg, which mislaid 4-0 during Hamburg. Hertha is already demoted with24 points.

In Munich, a sellout crowd of 69,000 began celebrating a p! retensio n longbefore a final alarm after learning which Schalke was losing during home.

Mueller capped Bayern’s early dominance, sending a round in to a net withhis chest after a low cranky from Philipp Lahm in a 18th minute.

Two minutes later, Mueller doubled a lead. Lahm upheld opposite a goal toFranck Ribery, who volleyed a round behind in to a area for a using Mueller tohead under a crossbar.

Mueller strike a post in a 54th before completing his hat pretence in the69th, charging past dual defenders to score his 13th goal of a season.

Christian Fuchs’s giveaway flog in a 85th gave Bochum a goal.

Schalke had an interest for a penalty denied before long before halftime as well as KevinKuranyi later strike a crossbar. But Werder struck after a mangle with goalsfrom Mesut Oezil as well as Hugo Almeida to dash Schalke’s hopes of winning a firstchampionship in 52 years.

Schalke manager Felix Magath congratulated Bayern on a “well deservedchampionship,” but complained which some refereeing decisions had left againsthis team.

The home crowd gave Magath a station ovation despite a loss.

“It’s sensational, I’ve never gifted anything like this,” Magathsaid.

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Spurs, Man City set up Champions League showdown (Reuters)

* Spurs as well as City go toe to toe in conflict for fourth place * Villa better during Eastlands ends their chance of tip four (Adds detail, quotes)

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur as well as ManchesterCity set up a Champions League showdown subsequent Wednesday when theyboth won upon Saturday to strike Aston Villa out of a competition andleave Liverpool’s hopes of fourth place unresolved by a thread.

Spurs kick Bolton Wanderers 1-0 during White Hart Lane whileCity came from during a back of during home to kick Villa 3-1. Spurs right away have67 points with dual games to play, with City, who host Tottenhamon Wednesday, fifth upon 66, also with dual games remaining.

Villa, with a single game left, have been upon 64 as well as cannot right away finishfourth. Liverpool, seventh upon 62 points have to win their lasttwo games to have any hope. The initial of them is during Anfield onSunday opposite title-chasing Chelsea.

Chelsea tip a standings upon 80 points, a single forward ofManchester United, who revisit Sunderland upon Sunday.

Arsenal have been upon 72 points as well as look sure to finish third.They revisit Blackburn Rovers upon Monday.

DEBUTANT BLUNDER

Events seemed to be going Tottenham’s way as John Carew putVilla forward early thanks to a blunder by debutant Man Citygoalkeeper Marton Fulop as well as Tom Huddlestone sumptuously shotSpurs forward from 25 metres after 40 minutes opposite Bolton.

Considering a distance of a prize it was a low-key opening40 minutes during a City of Manchester track but a gameexploded into hold up in a frantic final 5 of a initial half.

Carlos Tevez equalised with a 41st-minute chastisement afterStephen Warnock tripped Adam Johnson, Carew strike a bar forVilla a notation later afterwards City pen! nyless a s well as Emmanuel Adebayor putthem 2-1 up.

The second half reverted to sort with conjunction side showingthe joining to attack which might have been expected since thesituation.

With Fulop, signed upon an emergency loan from Sunderland inmidweek, seeking a nervous wreck, City’s fans were gnawing theirnails in a final stages. They were no doubt cursing a clubofficial who unsuccessful to insert a recover clause in a loanagreement with Birmingham City which meant no lapse for Joe Hartto cover their goalkeeping injury crisis.

They were means to inhale again a notation from time whenShaun Wright-Phillips pennyless from his won half as well as set up CraigBellamy for an emphatic finish.

“We didn’t deserve to be during a back of but we one after another to playwell, got those dual goals during a finish of a initial half,” Citymanager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports News.

“It was important which we one after another to fool around football.”

“I consider we contingency kick Tottenham, it will be a large game.”

A season which betrothed so most for Villa ended indisappointment all round with better in a League Cup final,the FA Cup semi-finals as well as right away their failure to qualify for theChampions League.

Spurs can still dream yet after piling upon a vigour inthe second half during White Hart Lane. Jermain Defoe, RomanPavlyuchenko, Gareth Bale as well as Peter Crouch all went tighten butthey also needed a goalline clearance by Younes Kaboul toprevent Matt Taylor equalising.

They ran out deserved winners yet as well as have been nowtantilisingly tighten to a initial coming in a ChampionsLeague.

In a day’s alternative games bottom bar Portsmouth beatWolverhampton Wanderers 3-1, Birmingham City kick relegatedBurnley 2-1 while Stoke City opposite Everton was goalless.

(Editing by Kevin Fylan; To criticism upon this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Chivas USA, Seattle Sounders Make Roster Moves (Goal.com)

Chivas USA have voiced currently a signing of brazen Jose Macotelo upon loan from Puntarenas F.C. in Costa Rica. The conditions of a understanding were not disclosed.

"José is a young as well as dynamic aggressive player who can move a lot a club," pronounced Chivas USA conduct coach Martín Vásquez. "We’re excited to have him join a group as well as look brazen to seeing him in action."

Macotelo, twenty-four received his work Visa as well as is authorised to play for Chivas opposite Chicago this weekend.

Seattle Sounders FC additionally voiced a move currently as they traded Stephen King to D.C. United for a second-round draft pick in 2011.

A backup in his three-year MLS caeer, King only done 10 appearances for a bar in 2009 after making 20 with a Chicago Fire in 2008.

"We have been gratified to have concluded a traffic to acquire Stephen King. He is a plain player who functions hard defensively as well as can get brazen in a attack, as well as he will give us another great option in central midfield," pronounced United general manager Dave Kasper. "We look brazen to adding him to our register as well as welcome him at the back of to a DC area."

To make room, D.C. waived Tiyi Shipalane as well as Lyle Adams.

Seattle used a register space left at the back of by King to sign Miguel Montaño. The 18-year-old is an Under-20 Colombian international.

"Montaño is an exciting, young aggressive player with a big upside," pronounced Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid. "He has gait as well as is two-footed. We look brazen to his stay with Sounders FC."

For some-more upon Major League Soccer, revisit Goal.com's MLS page as well as join Goal.com USA's Facebook air blower page

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Marseille held at Auxerre in French league (AP)

AUXERRE, France (AP)—Marseille hold second-place Auxerre to a 0-0 pull Fridayto keep a five-point lead atop a standings as well as progress a chances to win afirst French joining pretension in 18 years.

Marseille has 72 points from 35 matches, as well as could bind a pretension in thenext turn if it beats Rennes as well as Auxerre fails to win at Lyon. Were Auxerre towin a last 3 matches, Marseille with a higher idea disproportion wouldjust need four points to finish first.

“It’s a great point earned,” Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara said.“Today you really did not want to lose a match. Now there have been 3 matchesleft. We’ll try to take a maximum number of points to quickly becomechampions.”

Auxerre lengthened a dominant run to twelve games as well as ended Marseille’sseven-game winning streak.

“We’re on a great run,” Auxerre manager Jean Fernandez said. “We wanted towin a compare though you were confronting a most appropriate group in a league.”

In a tactical first half, Marseille created a usually chance with a crossfrom Mathieu Valbuena which Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez could usually deflectwith his knee true into a arms of Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin in the21st minute.

Marseille stepped up a pressure after a break. Brazilian brazen Brandaocame tighten to opening a scoring with a bouncing header which sailed inches wideof a post in a 61st. A few mins later, Brandao had a set upon blocked byAuxerre defender Cedric Hengbart.

As Marseille gradually tired, Auxerre found some-more space as well as Poland forwardIreneusz Jelen sent a curling shot on top of a bar in a 72nd. Then Roy Contoutmade a low cranky opposite idea in a 88th though Jelen missed a round by incheswhen perplexing to hit it home.

!

̶ 0;We had a most appropriate chances nonetheless Auxerre had which event with Jelenat a finish which could have hurt us,” Marseille manager Didier Deschamps said.“We keep a destiny in a feet with 3 rounds to go.”

Brandao was lucky not to get a red label in a 56th for swinging an elbowinto Hengbart’s face.

On Saturday, Monaco plays Paris Saint-Germain in a French Cup final.

On Sunday in a joining it’s: Montpellier vs. Lyon; Bordeaux vs. Toulouse;Boulogne vs. Nice; Lille vs. Nancy; Rennes vs. Sochaux; Saint-Etienne vs. Lens;and Valenciennes vs. Lorient.

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German great Mueller picks Brazil to win World Cup (AP)

FRANKFURT (AP)—Former Germany great Gerd Mueller says Brazil is the favoriteto win the World Cup, and his own country doesn’t have the great team.

Mueller, one of the heroes of Germany’s 1974 World Cup delight during home, saysGermany coach Joachim Loew is being stubborn for still not picking Schalkestriker Kevin Kuranyi for the World Cup.

Mueller says “as long as he (Loew) is stubborn, you won’t have the best(Germany) team. He (Kuranyi) is the male scoring goals right now. … We don’thave the great team.”

Loew has pronounced he will consider Kuranyi’s return after kicking the strikeroff the group for disciplinary reasons in Oct 2008.

Asked to name the World Cup favorite, the 64-year-old Mueller says “Brazil.”

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Eriksson's WCup experience to help Ivory Coast (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Sven-Goran Eriksson believes a experience of two World Cups withEngland will assistance him turn Ivory Coast’s gifted people in to a teamcapable of making an stroke at this year’s contest in South Africa.

The 62-year-old Swede, who took England to a quarterfinals in 2002 and2006, has one of a toughest jobs of a 2010 World Cup when his Ivory Coaststars come up opposite Brazil as well as Portugal in Group G, with only two teamsadvancing to a knockout stage.

Eriksson said Friday he knew a organisation was tough when he took a pursuit as well as itwas up to him to work with players such as Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to turnthem in to an effective team.

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Seattle Sounders FC Vs Columbus Crew: Head To Head Preview (Goal.com)

On Form

Seattle Sounders FC, by John Zielonka: The confidence turn stays high notwithstanding earning a single point in dual uninterrupted divided matches in a four-day span which started with a pull in Dallas. In a Toronto match, a Sounders combined enough scoring chances to walk divided with renewed vigor notwithstanding losing 2-0. Seattle hold a edge in total shots (11-5) as well as those upon aim (4-3) in stormy Toronto. The reduced turnaround time in between games authorised Sigi Schmid to soak up 4 brand new starters (Patrick Ianni, Sanna Nyassi, Nathan Sturgis as well as Tyson Wahl) in to a lineup. This should assistance deepen a patrol as non-MLS competitions, such as a U.S. Open Cup as well as CONCACAF Champions League, start to climb in to a schedule.

Columbus Crew, by Nick Rosano: Columbus might not be personification a most beautiful soccer right now, but a fact is which a group stays undefeated this season, with dual wins as well as a draw. Guillermo Barros Schelotto has powered a group brazen with 3 goals as well as an assist so far, as well as he will surely be looked to again to assistance get a outcome opposite Seattle. Furthermore, goalkeeper Will Hesmer was in desirous form to keep a Salt Lake offense during brook final weekend.

Off Target

Seattle: The invulnerability struggled as goalie Kasey Keller as well as his defenders gave up mixed strikes in uninterrupted games for a initial time in franchise history. Usually constant defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso mislaid a ball which led to Toronto's initial goal.

Columbus: With few exceptions, a Crew struggled to maintain possession final weekend. This can partly be attributed to a soppy conditions, but it is additionally mostly indicative of a fact which a Crew offense has not unequivocally clicked as of yet. Despite a decent display opposite Salt Lake, Steven Lenhart has nonetheless to measure in MLS fool around! this de teriorate as well as will wish to mangle his idea drought.

Tactics

Seattle: Sigi Schmid continues to juggle his lineup game-by-game. With a offense starting to click more consistently, a veteran coach right away has mixed options during a midfield as well as brazen positions. Besides Freddie Ljungberg as well as Fredy Montero, it's anyone's theory as to which players will be starting where. The behind 4 defenders should sojourn unchanged (from a Dallas game) with Keller in between a posts.

Columbus: There have been rumors floating around which Robert Warzycha might keep Schelotto off of a synthetic turf during Qwest Field to keep a Argentine healthy, yet a physical education instructor is keeping his cards close to his chest upon which issue. Chad Marshall is an injury disbelief with a injure leg tendon complaint which kept him out opposite Salt Lake, whilst Danny O’Rourke could fill a boots of Gino Padula, doubtful with a knee injury sustained final weekend. Don’t expect much alternative movement from a side which Warzycha has used via a initial month of a season, though.

Intangibles

Seattle: Will a Rave Green tumble behind to their old offensive day to day during Qwest Field? The Sounders do fool around differently during home. Schmid still needs to figure out what prevents his group from scoring in front of 36,000+ home fans.

Columbus: Despite their dominant record, a Crew’s anemic fool around has failed to remonstrate most skeptics of their ability to keep up with a tip teams in a league. Will a pressure to fool around well get to them or can a offense eventually click as well as give Schelotto a helping hand?

Outcome

Seattle: Seattle Sounders FC 1 (Zakuani) - Columbus Crew 1 (Schelotto). The Sounders pull opposite Schmid's former team.

Columbus: Both teams have had difficulty scoring goals this season, so starting by form, a low-! scoring pull could be upon a cards. I think both offenses can assistance themselves to a idea though, 1-1 being a final score.

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Thiago Ribeiro's hat trick gives Cruzeiro win (AP)

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP)—Thiago Ribeiro’s first-half hat-trick guidedBrazil’s Cruzeiro to the 3-1 first leg win over Nacional of Uruguay in the CopaLibertadores round of 16 upon Thursday.

In alternative first-leg matches, Diego Rivarola’s late idea gave Universidad deChile the 1-0 win during Peru’s Alianza Lima, whilst 2004 champion Once Caldas ofColombia had the 0-0 draw with Libertad of Paraguay.

Cruzeiro, last year’s losing finalist, took the lead in the seventh minuteagainst Nacional when Ribeiro got at the behind of the invulnerability as well as slotted by thelegs of goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz.

Ribeiro earned his second with the header in the 22nd notation as well as again foundspace at the behind of the invulnerability to complete his three times with the low strike from the edgeof the box in the 42nd.

Mario Regueiro pulled the idea behind for Nacional five minutes after half time,but the Uruguayan bar faces the difficult task overcoming the necessity in thereturn leg subsequent Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Universidad de Chile has one-goal cushion forward of its home legafter Rivarola capitalized upon the mixup in the Alianza invulnerability to competition by andshoot tall past goalkeeper George Forsyth in the 86th minute.

The lapse leg will be played in Santiago subsequent Thursday.

The day’s last compare saw the warn 2004 champion Once Caldas heldscoreless during home.

Roberto Gamarra strike the post for Libertad with the prolonged operation expostulate followinga giveaway kick in the 52nd notation as well as Victor Caceres’ deflected shot battered thecrossbar for Once Caldas in the 65th.

The lapse leg in Asuncion will also be played subsequent Thursday.

In alternative first-leg results this week: San Luis 0, Estudiantes La ! Plata 1; Guadalajara 3, Velez Sarsfield 0; Universitario 0, Sao Paulo 0; Flamengo 1,Corinthians 0; Banfield 3, Internacional 1.

The Copa Libertadores is the top bar competition in Latin America,equivalent to the Champions’ League in Europe. The leader earns the place in theClub World Cup to be played in Abu Dhabi later this year.

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Blanc welcomes Agnelli to Juventus (AP)

TURIN, Italy (AP)—Juventus arch senior manager Jean-Claude Blanc has pronounced thatAndrea Agnelli’s appointment as Juventus boss is a “great opportunity”for a club.

Agnelli was presented as a brand brand new boss upon Thursday and a hope is thathe will yield direction to a club after a bad season.

“This is a brand brand new initiative,” Blanc said. “Andrea Agnelli’s attainment is abig opportunity for me and for Juventus. At a delicate time like these workingalongside Andrea will establish a future and we am assured which we will dowell.”

It is a second presidential change Juventus has made this season, afterBlanc replaced Giovanni Cobolli Gigli in October.

“Blanc will remain as arch executive,” Agnelli said. “He will beinvolved in every facet of a club, yet principally he will work upon revenuestreams and track development. we consider we will be means to assistance rise a cluband assistance a group we adore urge its results.”

Juventus is now in sixth place, nineteen points behind league leader InterMilan.

There has also been questions raised about a club’s transfer policy.Brazilian midfielders Diego and Felipe Melo have failed to have an impact, whileyouth group products such as Sebastien Giovinco have been unused.

Andrea’s father Umberto was a last Agnelli to be Juventus boss nearly50 years ago, while Giovanni Agnelli was a club’s longtime titular president.

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Claims by escort girl rattle French athletes (AP)

PARIS (AP)—A young lady rattling French football (soccer) claimed in aninterview Thursday which she had paid sex with several World Cup inhabitant teamplayers, though claimed which none of her business knew she was under eighteen during thetime.

French media have reported allegations which Zahia Dehar, now 18, had paidsex with several football stars, including Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema, andSidney Govou.

The players have testified to military as well as could face up to 3 years inprison as well as the euro45,000 ($60,000) fine if found guilty. Prostitution is legal inFrance, though prostitutes must be over eighteen years old, as well as clients have been liable ifthey have been not.

The case is only during the judicial exploration stage, as well as no charges have beenfiled, though the players’ reputations have been during stake.

“I never told anybody we was the minor,” Dehar pronounced in an talk publishedThursday by the French weekly magazine Paris Match. She pronounced she had been paidfor sex since the age of sixteen when she began partying in select Parisnightclubs as well as which she charged about ?2,000 ($2,650) for the night with acustomer.

“But I’m not the prostitute,” she pronounced in the interview, arguing she was an“escort girl” instead since she didn’t go to the network or the pimp, andsometimes chose not to have sex with business she didn’t like.

Dehar claimed she met Benzema during the nightclub as well as he paid for her services, andalleged which Govou had too.

Ribery flew her to the road residence in Germany for the night as the birthday present tohimself, she alleged. “I’m the nice present, aren’t I?” Dehar was quoted assaying, adding which she wasn’t “a groupie” a! s well a s which Ribery had paid the sameprice as the rest.

“Whether the football star or not, we don’t care, he’s the customer similar to anyother.”

None of the players publicly commented on Dehar’s allegations Thursday.

Dehar additionally acknowledged she had given each detail to military because, shesaid, they in jeopardy to devaluate her French citizenship. Born in Algeria, Deharsaid she as well as her family performed French nationality in 2009. She pronounced her familynever knew she worked in nightclubs, thinking she was spending nights during afriend’s house.

Dehar pronounced she initially became an escort to save income to buy the beautyparlor.

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Adriano penalty gives Flamengo 1-0 win over Corinthians (Reuters)

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES, April 28 (Reuters) - Ten-man Flamengo beatCorinthians 1-0 with an Adriano chastisement upon the mixed night forBrazilian teams in first-leg movement in the Libertadores Cuplast 16 upon Wednesday.

Internacional mislaid 3-1 away to Argentina’s Banfield and SaoPaulo drew 0-0 with Peruvian champions Universitario in Lima.Both Brazilian teams had players sent off.

A throng of 72,000 gathered during the Maracana to watch theclash in between Brazil’s dual most renouned teams after contrastingresults in the group phase.

Corinthians, previously unbeaten, had the best record andFlamengo the misfortune between the qualifiers for the initial knockoutround.

Flamengo, who won the trophy in 1981, were the man reduced fromthe 37th notation when midfielder Michael was sent off for hissecond booking after dual bad tackles in the space of sevenminutes.

A initial half in pouring sleet gave approach to the improved secondand Brazil’s Adriano converted the 64th notation penalty, his firstgoal for the month, after left behind Juan was brought down byMoacir.

It was Flamengo’s initial compare given sacking manager Andrade,who had directed them to the Brazilian title final year, after apoor group performance.

“In the circumstances, we think the feat was excellent.Congratulations to the players who honoured this shirt in amarvellous way,” said caretaker manager Rogerio Lourenco,Andrade’s former assistant.

TWO-GOAL LEAD

In Buenos Aires, Colombian forward James Rodriguez scoredhis fifth goal of the competition to put Banfield forward lessthan dual mins into the second half. He ghosted in unmarkedon the left to shoot from the tight angle past Inter’s Argentinekeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Inter strike behind three mins afte! r when d efender Klebervolleyed into the tip corner from the corner of the box, though thegoalscorer was sent off seven mins after for stamping onBanfield playmaker Walter Erviti.

Banfield went forward again from the giveaway kick interjection to agoal by midfielder Roberto Battion, which video replays showedwas offside.

Tempers flared for the couple of mins when Inter’s Uruguayancoach Jorge Fossati was strike upon the head by an object thrownfrom the crowd.

Banfield sealed the win 10 mins from time throughUruguay striker Sebastian Fernandez.

“We kick the great rival. Luckily we got the great difference(in the score) though it’s not decisive,” Erviti told Fox Sports.

Sao Paulo, three times South American champions, were themore dangerous group during the Monumental in Lima where they hitthe post in the initial half and had an additional effort cleared offthe line.

They were the man reduced for the final twenty-five mins after forwardRicharlyson was shown the true red card for the nasty plunge into onmidfielder Rodolfo Espinoza.

Tuesday was the mixed night for Argentine teams upon theirvisits to Mexico where holders Estudiantes kick San Luis 1-0but Velez Sarsfield mislaid 3-0 to Guadalajara. (Editing by Patrick Johnston; to query or criticism upon thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Beijing break China's ACL drought (Reuters)

BEIJING, Apr twenty-nine (Reuters) - Chinese football took a smallstep towards informal respectability when champions BeijingGuoan became a first bar from a country for 4 years toreach a impressive person stages of a Asian Champions League.

Beijing beat Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 at a WorkersStadium upon Wednesday to strech a final 16, a first Chineseclub since Shanghai Shenhua in 2006 to get out of a groupstage in a continent’s premier bar competition.

There has been small good news for Chinese soccer in thelast 4 years with a match-fixing liaison leading to thearrest of a conduct of a Chinese Football Association (CFA)and a national group again failing to qualify for a WorldCup.

Beijing will fool around Suwon Bluewings, one of 4 South Koreanteams in a final 16, for a place in a quarter-finals upon May11.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Alastair Himmer.To query or comment upon this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Liverpool, Fulham chase Europa League final first (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Liverpool aims to overturn Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 first-leg leadand Fulham bids to reject the Hamburg side that just dismissed its coach as the twosides try to have the initial Europa League last an all-English confrontation.

If that happens, it will be five-time European hold up Liverpool with arecord-equaling eighteen English joining titles opposite the bar that has never won amajor domestic trophy.

But Atletico is out to strech its initial European last given 1986 as good as Hamburgis essay to strech the last that will be during its own ground.

Although Liverpool was disappointed to be eliminated from the moreprestigious Champions League, it was assured it can beat Atletico during Anfieldon Wednesday as good as strech the last of what used to be good known as the UEFA Cup.

“We have been all aware of what is during stake,” pronounced Dutch forward Ryan Babel.“After the initial leg, nobody in the sauce room had their heads down becausewe knew you had the second leg to put it right.

“Luckily enough, you have to fool around it during Anfield. That is an advantagebecause upon European evenings you can always have them special as good as you certainlyhave certainty now. you would be so unapproachable to finish my career with the Europeanmedal. If you can go that far, during the end of the deteriorate you will be means to lookback as good as see things the small better.”

With Fernando Torres sidelined for the rest of the deteriorate as good as Dirk Kuyt andDavid Ngog struggling to shake off injuries, Babel has the good possibility of startingagainst an Atletico side that consumed multiform chances to set up the biggerfirst-leg advantage.

That was without dangling striker Sergio Aguero. But the Argentina starwill group up with regular aggressiv! e partne r Diego Forlan, who scored the onlygoal of the initial leg in Madrid.

Despite carrying such talent in the lineup, Atletico has struggled throughoutits domestic joining campaign nonetheless it has reached the Copa del Rey finalagainst Sevilla.

“It’s been difficult, what’s happened with us this year. But we’ve comeback well, got out of the bottom of the standings as good as right away here you have been with achance for dual trophies,” Aguero said. “Everything will rely upon ourselves.”

Fulham has had the remarkable route to the semifinal, knocking out UEFA Cupchampion Shakhtar Donetsk, overturning Juventus’ 4-1 lead to reject the Italianclub, as good as expelling German hold up Wolfsburg.

Guided by former Inter Milan coach Roy Hodgson, the west London group thenrestricted Hamburg to 0-0 during the Hamburg Arena where the last is to be playedon May 12.

“Just to get to the last of the Europa League would be the phenomenalachievement,” pronounced defender Paul Konchesky. “Obviously the single or dual of ourplayers have been there before, though there have been not the lot of us that know what itmeans, so hopefully you can get there.”

Hodgson pronounced upon Wednesday he will have the late decision upon the fitness of topscorer Bobby Zamora, whose nineteen goals have given him an outward possibility of makingEngland’s World Cup squad.

“When Bobby plays you know what you have been doing, as good as when he does not play, wehave people who come in as good as know what you have been doing, so you can leave it late inthat respect,” Hodgson said. “He will have diagnosis again tomorrow, afterwards goin front of the medical people, as good as you consider by lunchtime you should know whetheror not he has the possibility of playing.

“He wants to play, though he wants to fool around as the fit player rsther than than playand in any way bushel the chances of you do well.&! #8221;

Fulham is upon the brink of reaching its initial European last as good as faces the clubwhich dismissed Bruno Labbadia upon Monday after the 5-1 Bundesliga loss during Hoffenheimthe day before.

Hamburg has put partner coach Ricardo Moniz in charge as good as his job is torestore certainty for Thursday’s game during Craven Cottage.

-Source-

Qatar's bid for 2022 WCup includes cooling fields (AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Qatar officials insist the country’sblistering feverishness won’t be the cause if it wins the right to horde the 2022 WorldCup.

To have the case, the country’s organizers denounced the $4 billion planWednesday to set up 9 stadiums as well as renovate three others—all with ahigh-tech cooling complement they pronounced will keep temperatures upon the margin during 80degrees.

The solar-powered complement will pump cold air in to the stadium through grillsin the stands as well as be total with roofs written to protect fans as well as playersfrom the sun.

Even with temperatures outside reaching 122 degrees during the World Cup,officials pronounced all the stadiums will be comfortable.

“For summer temperatures, you can completely exterminate the predicament ofhosting the World Cup because of weather,” pronounced Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad binKhalifa Al Thani, the son of the emir as well as who heads the bid committee. “What wehave created now is for vast open space to be cooled as well as for the vast series ofpeople to suffer their time as they would any other month.”

There are 9 bidders for the 2022 tournament. Seven of those—includingEngland as well as the United States—are bidding for either the 2018 or 2022 event,while Qatar as well as South Korea are only opposed for the latter.

Qatar’s bid got the progress Saturday when FIFA boss Sepp Blatter pronounced theArab universe deserves to stage the World Cup.

Blatter, in Doha to meet with Qatar’s soccer officials, praised the bid’sinfrastructure upon Saturday as well as pronounced the government’s successful hosting of the2006 Asian Games showed it was capable of organizing big international events.

The tiny though rich Gul! f nation has used sport to try to progress itsinternational profile, staging the Asian Games as well as becoming the stop for severalmajor tennis tournaments. Qatar will horde the 2011 Asian Cup soccer tournament.

But it has struggled to draw the top events. Its 2016 Olympic bid fell flatand the feverishness might infer to be the hurdle to the World Cup aspirations, as thetournament is played during the warmest season.

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Four suspended after Libertadores fracas (Reuters)

ASUNCION, Apr 27 (Reuters) - The South American FootballConfederation has suspended 4 players for their part in amelee during a end of a 0-0 pull in between Lanus of Argentina andPeruvian champions Universitario in a Libertadores Cup.

Lanus teenage brazen Leandro Diaz sparked a fightingwhen he kicked Universitario goalkeeper Raul Fernandez duringthe Group Four match in Buenos Aires 12 days ago in which theArgentine team were eliminated from a knockout phase.

The 4 players, Diaz, Fernandez, Lanus midfielder AgustinPelletieri as well as Universitario defender John Galliquio, weresuspended for dual matches each.

Peru international Galliquio as well as Fernandez will skip bothlegs of Universitario’s tie with Sao Paulo of Brazil in thefirst knockout round. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis; Editing by Peter Rutherford;to query or criticism upon this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

-Source-

Estudiantes, Chivas grab first-leg wins in last 16 (AP)

SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico (AP)—Defending hold up Estudiantes claimed animportant divided win in Tuesday’s first leg of a Copa Libertadores turn of 16clash at Mexico’s San Luis, with Leandro Gonzalez giving a Argentines a 1-0victory.

In Tuesday’s alternative first-leg clash, Guadalajara salvaged some pride forMexico with a 3-0 better of Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield.

Estudiantes will horde San Luis in a lapse leg upon Wednesday, May 5. Velezis at home opposite Chivas upon Tuesday, May 4.

Gonzalez hit a erratic drive into a roof tiles of a net in a 25th minutefor what valid a winner.

Gaston Fernandez missed a chance to extend a lead as San Luis goalkeeperCarlos Trejo saved his chastisement just before half time.

Estudiantes fullback Clemente Rodriguez was sent off after receiving asecond yellow card in a 69th minute, though a Argentine club had littledifficulty safeguarding a lead.

Estudiantes, currently tip of a Argentine league standings, won despiteresting 6 first-team players, together with veteran playmaker Juan SebastianVeron.

In Tuesday’s alternative match, Omar Bravo scored twice in Chivas’ feat overVelez Sarsfield.

Bravo dived feet-first at a nearby post to convert Omar Arellano’s rightwing cross to give Chivas a lead in a 25th minute.

Bravo found himself alone in a box to conduct a second from a free kickafter Velez’ offside trap failed in a 78th minute.

Velez goalkeeper German Montoya was sent off for bringing down Bravo in thebox as well as Hector Reynoso rammed in a stoppage-time penalty.

Guadalajara was missing five first-team players—including recentManchester United signing Javier Hernandez—because they have been called up toa World Cup training camp with Mexico’s national team.

Th! e impres sive person turn of sixteen first-leg games continue Wednesday: Peru’sUniversitario hosts Brazil’s Sao Paulo, an all-Brazilian clash will see Flamengoentertain Corinthians, as well as Argentina’s Banfield is at home opposite anotherBrazilian side, Internacional.

On Thursday, Paraguay’s Libertad visits Colombia’s Once Caldas, Brazil’sCruzeiro hosts Uruguay’s Nacional as well as Universidad de Chile travels to Peru’sAlianza Lima.

Guadalajara as well as San Luis were since byes to a final sixteen after being forcedto lift out of final year’s contest at a same stage since of a hog fluoutbreak.

The Copa Libertadores is a tip club competition in Latin America. Thisyear, a contest will take a break after a quarterfinal stage to make wayfor a World Cup, with a semifinals as well as final to be motionless in July andAugust.

Estudiantes kick Cruzeiro in final year’s final.

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Peru midfielder Solano arrested on charge of rape (AP)

NEWCASTLE, England (AP)—Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano has been arrested onsuspicion of rape.

Solano, who plays for second-tier English bar Leicester, was expelled onpolice bail after being arrested at his house in Newcastle on Monday after anallegation was done by a 22-year-old woman.

“Nobby (Solano) denies a allegations in full as well as is auxiliary andassisting a military fully with their enquiries,” Leicester pronounced in astatement. “Nobby is looking for a speedy resolution as well as has a full support ofLeicester City Football Club.”

Solano became a initial Peruvian to fool around in a Premier League when hejoined Newcastle in 1998 from Boca Juniors.

-Source-

Inter looks to end Barcelona's impressive run (AP)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona’s considerable run underneath manager Pep Guardiola isin risk of suffering a initial big reversal unless a Champions Leaguetitleholder can overturn a two-goal necessity opposite Inter Milan upon Wednesday.

Barcelona has won 6 trophies with Guardiola during a helm, though faces thedaunting task of having to overturn a 3-1 first-leg necessity opposite an Interside led by Jose Mourinho, one of Europe’s many successful coaches in recentyears.

Barcelona contingency win a foe where pass players could be missing upon bothsides. A 2-0 feat is a smallest needed opposite a Serie A hold up for theCatalan club to reach a May twenty-two last during opposition Real Madrid’s Santiago BernabeuStadium.

“The impulse of law has arrived,” Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquetssaid upon Tuesday. “It should be a enchanting night.”

Mourinho’s group handed Guardiola his worst defeat in scarcely dual seasons incharge, limiting a Catalan club’s ability to find space as well as unleash it’sdangerous offense led by Lionel Messi, who has scored 29 goals in his last 29appearances though never opposite a group led by a Portuguese coach.

Barcelona expects more of a same in a lapse leg though will try to imposeits diversion plan improved this time after having dominated receive as well as managedmore shots in a initial leg.

“Tomorrow we have to control a in front of of a round as well as attack in abetter way than a initial leg,” Guardiola said. “(We must) be ourselves,basically. Inter doesn’t matter, their manager doesn’t matter—what matters iswe’re ourselves. If we do that, job done.”

Barcelona has shown it can beat Inter during home, getting a 2-0 feat in thegroup proviso after a! scorele ss draw in Italy. It also complacent multiform regularsduring Saturday’s 3-1 win over last-place Xerez, that allowed it to stay onepoint forward of Madrid in a Spanish league.

Guardiola will also goal striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic can provide a sparkafter his “feeling” led him to swap Samuel Eto’o as well as around $65 million (?49million) to Inter for a Swedish striker last summer.

But a Spanish hold up will be without captain Carles Puyol (suspended),while left back Eric Abidal (leg) is a game-time preference as well as midfielder AndresIniesta (leg) looks unlikely to return.

“I goal a atmosphere makes a Inter players hatred their profession for 90minutes,” defender Gerard Pique pronounced to stoke a 90,000-plus spectatorsexpected.

Barcelona has overcome larger deficits before, as well as a last time it ralliedfrom a 3-1 necessity was opposite Mourinho’s former group Chelsea in a 2000quarterfinals when it cumulative a 5-1 feat during a Camp Nou. Guardiola warnedhis players, who won’t be repeating as Copa del Rey winners this season, aboutlosing focus.

“Magic it’s not—it’s a diversion of football,” Guardiola said.

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder returned to training upon Tuesday after aleft thigh flesh problem left Inter’s pass playmaker sidelined for dual days.Since transferring from Madrid, Sneijder has turn a pass to Inter’s attackand set up multiple goals for forwards Diego Milito as well as Eto’o. The availabilityof a Netherlands midfielder, who scored in last week’s initial leg, providesextra service given possible replacement Dejan Stankovic is suspended.

Although two-time hold up Inter has never won a semifinal divided leg inEurope’s elite club competition, it has advanced from all though four of 43 seriesin that it won a initial leg. Inter, that last reached a last in 1972, alsoarrives upon a heels of retaking a lead in a Serie A with a 3-1 win over! Atalanta .

“This outcome should progress a spirit in view of a Barcelona game,” Interpresident Massimo Moratti said. “Right now we’re thinking only about theChampions League, though clearly as far as a confidence goes, retaking a leadreally helps.”

Inter striker Mario Balotelli was included in a 25-man squad despitethrowing his shirt to a belligerent in reply to jeers by home supporters in thefirst leg.

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Arsenal's Arshavin still dreaming of Barcelona (Reuters)

MOSCOW, Apr 27 (Reuters) - Arsenal forward AndreiArshavin, a long-time Barcelona fan, still dreams of playingfor a Spanish giants a single day, a Russian general hassaid.

“Even personification only a single season for Barcelona would make apinnacle of my whole career,” Arshavin, who longed for Arsenal’s6-3 aggregate better by Barcelona progressing this month with acalf injury, told Sport-Express newspaper upon Tuesday.

“Barca have been a most appropriate group in a world and we enjoy theirstyle of fool around so much. But after watching them opposite Arsenal(in a Champions League quarter-finals) a enjoyment hasquickly incited in to sorrow.

“They have been so most better than anybody else at a moment.”

Asked why Barcelona were beaten 3-1 by Inter Milan in thefirst leg of their Champions League semi-final, Arshavin said:“It’s all (Jose) Mourinho’s magic. He is a genius.

“I think there have been three coaches who have been a most appropriate in theworld—(England manager) Fabio Capello, Jose Mourinho and(former Russia manager) Guus Hiddink. If we would pick a coachfor a Russian inhabitant team, I’d wish a single of them to be ourboss,” he added.

“(Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger is also a good manager butnot for Russia.”

Arshavin, who turns twenty-nine subsequent month, could have simply endedup in a Catalan capital instead of London following hisimpressive performances at Euro 2008, where he helped Russia tothe semi-finals.

Barcelona’s bid for a means playmaker was deserted byZenit St Petersburg in July, 2008, before he assimilated Arsenal inJanuary final year.

(Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by Ian Ransom; Toquery or comment upon this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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LA Galaxy Midfielder David Beckham's Recovery From Achilles Injury Taking Longer Than Expected (Goal.com)

England midfielder David Beckham's recovery from an Achilles damage is receiving longer than expected, as well as a Los Angeles Galaxy star is expected to be out until November.

The damage equates to Beckham will not underline in Major League Soccer this season, unless a Galaxy make a playoffs.

The former Manchester United winger will not be fit enough to play for England until a 2012 European Championship qualifier against Wales on Mar 29, 2011.

Beckham ruptured his Achilles tendon personification for AC Milan as well as underwent surgery in March. He formerly believed he would be returning to action in Sep who it looks similar to a damage is worse than creatively thought.

"I won't be using for another 3 months, so we will be personification again in, probably, November," Beckham told U.S. TV network ABC.

"My genius is to kind of push it as well as get relocating as well as using as well as shortly as possible. But it's an damage that has to take time to heal.

"It's frustrating. It's patently disappointing since I've been working for a final two years to get in to a English squad [for a World Cup]."

Despite a damage Beckham is still approaching to travel with England to South Africa for a World Cup to play an critical role in a sauce room.

He added: "At a moment, it's only getting a suit behind in to a ankle, a tendon, since it's still repairing.

"I'm trying to get mobilization behind in to a ankle."

For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page as well as stick on Goal.com USA's Facebook air blower page

-Source-

Hayatou: African football can be proud (AP)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—African football confederation boss Issa Hayatou saidon Monday the continent can be unapproachable

No defenders, no problem for implacable Van Gaal (Reuters)

* Bayern assured they can measure in Lyon

* Lyon promise to show real face

Mourinho could deny Guardiola a repeat triumph (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Pep Guardiola’s bid to underline Barcelona’s standing as the bestclub team in the

Americans In The UK: Brad Friedel Bags Two Clean Sheets, Resurrects Villa's Champion's League Hopes (Goal.com)

Brad Friedel played really good upon Wednesday, interlude efforts from January Vennegoor of Heselink

Fulham 1, Everton 2 (PA SportsTicker)

By MICK ROBERTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Mikel Arteta snatched a late

Burnley relegated, Villa keep tabs on fourth (Reuters)

*Villa win derby to keep eye upon fourth

*Liverpool rout sends Burnley down

Estudiantes beat River, open two-point lead in Argentina (Reuters)

BUENOS AIRES, April 24 (Reuters) - Estudiantes kick RiverPlate 1-0 upon Saturday to take

Man United ends Spurs' run with 3-1 victory (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Manchester United finished Tottenham’s winning run Saturday with a3-1 feat that kept a

West Ham rally to beat Wigan 3-2 (PA SportsTicker)

By JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Scott Parker’s maiden Upton Park

Schalke draws level with Bayern atop Bundesliga (AP)

FRANKFURT (AP)—Schalke kept alive a hopes of a Bundesliga title with a 1-0win during

Brazil may scratch some cities from 2014 World Cup (AP)

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)—Brazil’s sports apportion says some cities slated to hostWorld Cup games in

Forgive Adebayor -- I have, Wenger tells fans (Reuters)

* we expect everyone to behave, says Wenger

* we don’t wish any debate -

Ready to retire? You must be joking says Ferguson (Reuters)

By Graham Chase

MANCHESTER, April twenty-three (Reuters) - After twenty-three years in assign atOld Trafford

Man City goes to Arsenal in 1st of 4 crucial games (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Manchester City will fool around Arsenal upon Saturday in a initial of fourPremier

Davies' World Cup hopes getting ever slimmer (AP)

PARIS (AP)—Charlie Davies’ chances of creation the U.S. World Cup patrol havetaken the significant

Corinthians to play Flamengo in Libertadores last 16 (Reuters)

BUENOS AIRES, Apr twenty-two (Reuters) - Corinthians will faceFlamengo in a first knockout round

Davies' World Cup hopes getting ever slimmer (AP)

PARIS (AP)—Charlie Davies’ chances of creation a U.S. World Cup squad havetaken a significant

Beckham leads Forbes list of highest earners (AP)

LONDON (AP)—David Beckham, even in the night before of his personification career, stillreigns autarchic

Benzema to be questioned in prostitution probe - source (Reuters)

* Benzema to be heard in procuring probe, says military source * Player has

Italy federation to examine new match-fixing phone taps (Reuters)

By Mark Meadows

MILAN, April twenty-one (Reuters) - The Italian soccer federationopened an review on

Estudiantes grabs top spot in Group 3 (AP)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Juan Sebastian Veron scored in blocking time togive defending hold up

Peter Nowak: Chris Seitz's Job Not In Danger (Goal.com)

Peter Nowak is not here to talk about the past.

"We need to

Bayern not the end of the road for Lyon - Puel (Reuters)

By Karolos Grohmann

MUNICH, Germany, April 20 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon havethe category to dissapoint

Howard: Everton belongs in Europe after recovery (AP)

WILMSLOW, England (AP)—Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has not given up onEuropean qualification after the

PREVIEW-Soccer-Rested Ribery ready to face road-weary Lyon (Reuters)

* Influential Frenchman ready to face compatriots

* French side forced into bar vans by

Inter host Barcelona in supreme clash of styles (Reuters)

MILAN, April twenty (Reuters) - Inter Milan host holdersBarcelona in the first leg of

Mutu banned for 9 months (AP)

ROME (AP)—Fiorentina forward Adrian Mutu has been suspended for 9 months bythe Italian Olympic

Torres expects to play in World Cup after surgery (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Spanish forward Fernando Torres expects to be ready for a WorldCup following knee

Ash cloud forces Barcelona to take bus to Italy (AP)

^

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona’s players are roving by train to Milanfor a first leg of

Casey double leads Colorado past Toronto FC 3-1 (AP)

COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (AP)—Conor Casey scored two penalties to assistance theColorado Rapids kick Toronto

Anderlecht wins 30th league title (AP)

BRUSSELS (AP)—Anderlecht clinched a 30th Belgian pretension by violence chiefrival FC Brugge 2-1 upon

Lazio, Roma fans clash ahead of Serie A derby (AP)

ROME (AP)—Police have intervened after Lazio as well as AS Roma fans threwfirecrackers during

Monterrey keeps rolling; Chivas loses again (AP)

MEXICO CITY (AP)—Abraham Carreno scored a leader Saturday as defendingchampion Monterrey defeated Club America

Independiente, Estudiantes lead, River end goal drought (Reuters)

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES, April 17 (Reuters) - Independiente andEstudiantes went tip of the

Wolverhampton 0, Fulham 0 (PA SportsTicker)

By JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Fulham prepared for their Europa

Hull City 0, Birmingham City 0 (PA SportsTicker)

By MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Hull unsuccessful to exert any

India's Chhetri brings rock-star status to Wizards (AP)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)—The headlines came in a singular line in a list of

Give & Go: New York Red Bulls Head Coach Hans Backe (Goal.com)

Backe’s highly mobile as great as well-traveled soccer career began in 1977. He coached

100,000 tickets sold in 1st day of final phase (AP)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—FIFA announced Friday which 100,000 World Cup tickets weresold in a first 24

Aston Villa-Portsmouth Preview (PA SportsTicker)

ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Aston Villa fear relegated opponents Portsmouth

Players clash after Universitario eliminate Lanus (Reuters)

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES, April fifteen (Reuters) - Riot police had to breakup fighting

Boca player tearfully accuses opponent of racist threat (Reuters)

(attn eds to strong language)

BUENOS AIRES, Apr 15 (Reuters) - Colombian defenderBreyner Bonilla of

Swiss club Neuchatel fires manager Schuermann (AP)

NEUCHATEL, Switzerland (AP)—Swiss bar Neuchatel Xamax has dismissed managerPierre-Andre Schuermann after five true defeats.

Schuermann

Gomez flies onto USA's World Cup radar (Yahoo! Sports)

Follow Martin Rogers upon Twitter during @mrogersyahoo

Any self-respecting Vegas child will tell we which

Trezeguet ruled out against Inter (AP)

TURIN, Italy (AP)—Juventus’ damage woes go on with forward David Trezeguetruled out of Friday’s

Rome derby start moved up for security reasons (AP)

ROME (AP)—Police as well as football officials have agreed to move up a kickoff forSunday’s Rome derby by two hours due to security worries.

The Lazio-AS Roma diversion will start at 6:30 p.m. (1630 GMT), as opposed to8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) as forme

Things to know about the World Cup (PA SportsTicker)

By BARRY WILNER AP Sports Writer

Everything we need to know about the World Cup. Well, almost.

Q: What is the World Cup?

A: A 32-team tellurian contest run by FIFA, the international association for soccer, it is the many renouned sporting eventua

World Cup altitude poses challenges for some (AP)

MEXICO CITY (AP)—Mexico is the longshot to win the World Cup, yet thecountry’s inhabitant group has the single cause going for it which few others can match.

Many of the players have already acclimatized to playing during altitude,growing up durin

Astrada forced out as River Plate coach (AP)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Leonardo Astrada was forced out as River Platecoach upon Monday, a day after a bar drew 0-0 at last-place Atletico Tucuman todrop to 17th in a 20-team Argentine league.

Under vigour from bar president Daniel Passarella, Astr

Report: Arsenal shareholder looking to sell stake (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Arsenal’s fourth biggest shareholder is reportedly perplexing to sellher stake, adding serve doubt to a future tenure of a PremierLeague club.

Nina Bracewell-Smith, who was forced off a board in December 2008, hashired U.S. in isolatio

River Plate coach Astrada sacked after goalless run (Reuters)

By Rex Gowar

BUENOS AIRES, April twelve (Reuters) - Crisis bar River Platesacked manager Leonardo Astrada upon Monday in a bid to stop a rotthat could see them fighting to equivocate relegation subsequent season.

Portsmouth shock Tottenham to reach FA Cup final (Reuters)

* Portsmouth set up last with Chelsea

* Spurs sunk by Piquionne as well as Boateng

(adds details)

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - Debt-crippled Portsmouthemerged from a maelstrom of a stormy season upon Sunday to reachthe FA Cu

Athletic beats Almeria to keep up European chase (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Athletic Bilbao kept up a chase for a Champions League placenext deteriorate with a 4-1 win over Almeria in a Spanish joining upon Sunday.

Javi Martinez scored dual goals—one of them following an considerable dribblearound 3 defenders

Bundesliga Sunday Round-Up: Hamburg Edge Bochum, Clinical Wolfsburg Beat Nuernberg (Goal.com)

Bochum 1-2 Hamburg

Struggling Hamburg got off to an glorious start when Robert Tesche headed in Dennis Aogo's corner upon eighteen minutes though saw their lead get erased 14 minutes after as Zlatko Dedic fired in a equalizer from distan

Chelsea beats Villa 3-0 to reach FA Cup final (AP)

WEMBLEY, England (AP)—Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda as well as Frank Lampard scoredsecond-half goals to lead fortifying champion Chelsea into a FA Cup last in a3-0 victory over Aston Villa upon Saturday.

Drogba scored upon a round from John Terry in a

Portsmouth relegated from Premier League (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Financially uneasy Portsmouth was relegated from the PremierLeague upon Saturday upon the eve of the FA Cup semifinal after West Ham beatSunderland 1-0.

If Portsmouth beats Tottenham upon Sunday it would finish the miserable deteriorate byfa

Bayern extend lead despite draw with Leverkusen (Reuters)

* Bayern increase lead during tip notwithstanding draw

* Schalke fall behind in pretension competition after losing to Hanover (Releads with Bayern Munich result)

Lechkov investigated for alleged abuse of power (AP)

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)—Prosecutors are questioning former Bulgariainternational Yordan Lechkov over alleged abuse of energy as mayor of a city ofSliven.

The Sliven prosecution bureau said Thursday a examine is focusing onLechkov’s activities over a

Jordaan: South Africa still has work to do (AP)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—World Cup organizing arch Danny Jordaan pronounced Thursday SouthAfrica still has hurdles to encounter usually dual months prior to a start of thetournament.

Security concerns following an upsurge in secular tensions as well as disappo

Man United to sign its 1st Mexican player (AP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Manchester United is set to sign a initial Mexicanplayer after agreeing to take striker Javier Hernandez from Chivas for nextseason.

United pronounced Thursday a Mexico international has upheld a medicalexamination as well as wi

Italian federation addresses scandal again (AP)

ROME (AP)—Italian soccer association president Giancarlo Abete has guaranteed“equal treatment for all” following new revelations in the match-fixingscandal.

Abete addressed the issue at the association assembly Thursday, the day afterJuventu

Girondins Bordeaux v Olympique Lyon - teams (Reuters)

BORDEAUX, France, April 7 (Reuters) - Teams for Wednesday’sChampions League quarter-final second leg compare betweenGirondins Bordeaux and Olympique Lyon during Chaban-Delmas stadium.
Girondins Bordeaux: 1-Cedric Carrasso; 25-Ludovic Sane,2-Michael Ciani, 27-Marc Planus, 28-Benoit Tremoulinas;18-Jaroslav Plasil, 4-Alou Diarra (captain); 10-Jussie, 8-YoannGourcuff, 17-Wendel; 29-Marouane Chamakh.

Rooney starts against Bayern after rapid recovery (AP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will startagainst Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals Wednesday despitehaving been ruled out for up to 3 weeks after deleterious ankle ligaments inthe initial leg.

Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 0 - latest (Reuters)

April 7 (Reuters) - Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 0 -Champions League quarter-final second leg latest:
At Old Trafford, Manchester.
Scorers: Darron Gibson 3, Nani 7
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
First leg: Bayern Munich 2 Manchester United 1
(Editing by Neil Maidment; to query or criticism upon this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Inter Milan advances to Champs League semis (AP)

MOSCOW (AP)—Inter Milan modernized to the European Champions League semifinalsfor the initial time in 7 years, violence CSKA Moscow 1-0 upon Wesley Sneijder’ssixth-minute goal Tuesday night to win the home-and-home array upon 2-0aggregate.

CSKA Moscow 0 Inter Milan 1 - result (Reuters)

April 6 (Reuters) - CSKA Moscow 0 Inter Milan 1 - ChampionsLeague quarter-final, second leg result:
Inter Milan win 2-0 on aggregate
At a Luzhniki stadium, Moscow
Scorer: Wesley Sneijder 6
Red card: Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow) 49
Halftime: 0-1
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
(Editing by Tom Pilcher)

'Hardman' Clemente takes reins at Valladolid (Reuters)

* Former Spain manager Clemente allocated to end of season
* Eight games left to avoid relegation
(Adds quotes, detail)
MADRID, Apr 6 (Reuters) - Real Valladolid’s brand new coachJavier Clemente promised to get difficult with anyone unwell toshow finish joining to their means when he was presented onTuesday.

Barcelona 0 Arsenal 1 - latest (Reuters)

April 6 (Reuters) - Barcelona 0 Arsenal 1 - Champions Leaguequarter-final, second leg latest:
At a Nou Camp, Barcelona
Scorer: Nicklas Bendtner 18
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
First leg: Arsenal 2 Barcelona 2
(Editing by Tom Pilcher)

Newcastle win immediate return to Premier League (Reuters)

* Newcastle return to tip moody after deteriorate away
* Promotion party starts though even playing (adds quotes)
By Mike Collett
LONDON, Apr 5 (Reuters) - Newcastle United gainedimmediate graduation back to a Premier League though playingon Monday after Nottingham Forest’s failure to kick Cardiff Cityin a Championship (second division).

Not so fast, Arsene! Walcott's the speed merchant (Reuters)

BARCELONA, Spain, Apr 5 (Reuters) - Spanish reporters’obsession with Theo Walcott’s gait ahead of Arsenal’s ChampionsLeague quarter-final second leg in Barcelona prompted a numberof questions about a England winger’s speed over 100 metres.

Newcastle promoted back to Premier League (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Newcastle hermetic the return to the Premier League upon Monday afterpromotion opposition Nottingham Forest unsuccessful to kick Cardiff, guaranteeing theMagpies the tip dual finish in the second harvesting machine League Championship.

Chelsea's Yury Zhirkov Blasts Manchester United's Antonio Valencia (Goal.com)

Chelsea winger Yury Zhirkov has accused Antonio Valencia of sly tactics during a Blues' 2-1 win over Manchester United upon Saturday.

Howard saves pen but Everton held 2-2 by West Ham (AP)

LONDON (AP)—American goalkeeper Tim Howard saved the chastisement shot to helpEverton to the 2-2 pull opposite West Ham, whilst Fulham flog Wigan 2-1 upon Sunday inthe Premier League.

West Ham draws 2-2 with Everton in Premier League (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Ilan scored a late equalizer as relegation-threatened West Hamended a six-game losing run with a 2-2 pull during Everton on Sunday whileLiverpool was held 1-1 by Birmingham to remove ground in a competition for fourth placeand a final Champions League spot.

Hanover stay in relegation zone after goalless draw (Reuters)

BERLIN, Apr 4 (Reuters) - Ten-man Hanover 96 stayed in theBundesliga relegation zone after a goalless pull during Hamburg SVon Sunday.
The visitors, who have won usually twice in their last 18league games, played a last half hour with 10 group afterforward Jiri Stajner was sent off in a 59th notation after beingbooked twice in a space of seven minutes.

Ronaldo, Higuain lead Madrid to win over Santander (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Gonzalo Higuain scored as Real Madrid beatRacing Santander 2-0 upon Sunday to safeguard it stayed scored equally with Barcelona during thetop of a Spanish league ahead of their match next weekend.

Chelsea beats United, Arsenal back in title race (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Chelsea transposed Manchester United during a tip of a PremierLeague with a 2-1 feat during Old Trafford upon Saturday, whilst an injury-timewinner by Nicklas Bendtner put Arsenal during a back of in pretension row with a 1-0triumph over Wolves.

Manchester City 6, Burnley F.C. 1 (PA SportsTicker)

By NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Manchester City roared in to fourth place in a Premier League as they rewrote a record books with a 6-1 rout of untimely Burnley at Turf Moor.

Strikes from Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy as well as Carlos Tevez had Roberto Mancini’s rampant visitors three goals up inside a initial seven minutes.

There was no approach behind for a shell-shocked Clarets as well as they conceded a fourth upon 20 mins with Patrick Vieira streamer home from a corner. Adebayor added his second only prior to a break to give a visitors a 5-0 interlude advantage, a greatest half-time lead in a story of a Premier League.

Vincent Kompany netted a sixth only prior to a hour prior to Steven Fletcher pulled one behind for a home side 19 mins from time.

Motta double helps keep Inter on top (Reuters)

* Inter’s Thiago Motta strikes twice in leaders’ 3-0 win

* Second-placed Roma as well as third-placed Milan win divided (updates after Catania v Palermo)

By Paul Virgo

ROME, April 3 (Reuters) - Midfielder Thiago Motta scoredtwice to help suspension-hit Inter Milan say their slimlead in Serie A with a 3-0 home win over Bologna upon Saturday.

The Brazilian’s goals were distant by a 52nd minute effortfrom 19-year-old forward Mario Balotelli, who returned to actionafter being solidified out for a month following a quarrel with coachJose Mourinho.

Second-placed AS Roma, who stayed in a track by beatingInter last week, remain just one indicate behind thanks to a 1-0victory during Bari.

AC Milan remained third after gnawing a three-match winlessstreak with a 3-2 feat during Cagliari.

With 6 matches to go, Inter have 66 points, Roma have been upon 65while Milan stayed in row with 63.

Fourth-placed Palermo’s bid for Italy’s last ChampionsLeague slot took a knock when they mislaid 2-0 during Sicilian rivalsCatania after a Maxi Lopez prop as well as they lag far behind upon 51.

Inter, though dangling party Samuel Eto’o, Lucio, Maiconand captain Javier Zanetti, enjoyed receive from a startwith Bologna’s usually real chance coming early upon when Adailtonhit a post with a freekick.

But, as in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in theChampions League quarter-final initial leg, they squandered manychances prior to Motta broke a deadlock with a erratic shotjust prior to a half hour.

Balotelli, who was included in a group after apologising toMourinho, sidefooted home to double a lead prior to Motta sealedthe feat with a crisp shot 5 mins from time.

COOL FINISH

Roma remain hot upon Inter’s heels after Mirko Vucinicspr! inted up on to a Luca Toni pass as well as produced a cool finish fortheir winner in a 19th.

In Sardinia Marco Borriello gathering a round into a bottomcorner after a one-two with Clarence Seedorf to put Milan infront after seven minutes.

Daniele Ragatzu took value of sloppy defending toequalise 10 mins later though Klaas-Jan Huntelaar respondedalmost immediately with a superb long-range left-foot strike.

Alessandro Matri dismissed Cagliari turn again usually fordefender Davide Astori to palm a value back to Milan witha 38th minute own goal.

Sampdoria increased their bid for Champions Leaguequalification when they kick Chievo Verona 2-1 divided to pulllevel upon points with Palermo.

But sixth-placed Napoli’s European expostulate slowed when theywere hold 1-1 during Lazio.

Juventus will stick on Palermo as well as Sampdoria upon 51 points ifthey win during relegation-threatened Udinese in a late game.

Atalanta increased their presence hopes by beatingsecond-bottom Siena 2-0 in a relegation dogfight, withdrawal themjust a indicate behind Udinese in a safety zone.

Lyon beats Rennes 2-1 in French league (AP)

PARIS (AP)—Michel Bastos as well as Lisandro Lopez scored Saturday to give Lyon a 2-1win over Rennes in a French league.

Lyon has 57 points, one some-more than Bordeaux, which mislaid 2-1 to Nancy for itsthird true defeat in all competitions.

Montpellier also has 56 points though can take a lead in a standings if itbeats Monaco later Saturday.

Also Saturday, it was: Valenciennes 1, Lille 0; Grenoble 1, Lorient 2; Nice0, Sochaux 0 as well as Saint-Etienne 2, Le Mans 0.

On Sunday, Marseille hosts Lens, Toulouse visits Boulogne, as well as Auxerre facesParis Saint-Germain.

Arsenal says Gallas likely to miss rest of season (AP)

LONDON (AP)—Arsenal physical education instructor Arsene Wenger likely defender William Gallaswill be sidelined for a rest of a Premier League season with a calf muscleinjury which jeopardizes his outing to a World Cup with France.

The defender was carried off a field during Wednesday’s 2-2 tie againstBarcelona in a Champions League after returning from a identical injury.

Wenger, who also mislaid Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin to injuries in thesame game, thinks Gallas will be out for 5 weeks.

“It was a gamble which did not compensate off. and was a mistake, yes,” Wengersaid.

Wenger pronounced Gallas return for a Champions League last on May 22, ifArsenal gets there.

France coach Raymond Domenech was quoted in Friday’s editions of L’Equipe assaying those not in a in front of to play by May 18 will not go to South Africa.

US striker Ching out at least several weeks (AP)

HOUSTON (AP)—U.S. striker Brian Ching will be sidelined for during least severalweeks after spiteful his left hamstring personification for Major League Soccer’s HoustonDynamo, an injury that could hamper his preparations for a World Cup.

Dynamo orator Lester Gretsch said Ching was re-evaluated by group doctorsFriday, but no MRI was taken since of a Good Friday holiday. He says Chingwill be out during least a couple of weeks but a projected length of a layoff won’t beknown until early subsequent week.

Ching was substituted in a Dynamo’s home opener against Real Salt Lake onThursday night since of a strain.

The 31-year-old from Hawaii done his inhabitant group entrance in 2003 and has 11goals in 44 general appearances. He was in a 2006 World Cup patrol butdidn’t play in Germany.

With Sochaux’s Charlie Davies still sidelined since of serious injuriessustained in an Oct car crash, a U.S. is capricious who will startalongside Hull’s Jozy Altidore. Ching and Colorado striker Conor Casey have beencompeting to have a 23-man squad.

The U.S. group will gather in mid-May ahead of the World Cup opener againstEngland on June 12 in Rustenburg, South Africa. The Americans have exhibitionsagainst a Czech Republic (May 25 during East Hartford, Connecticut), Turkey (May29 during Philadelphia) and Australia (June 5 during Roodepoort, South Africa) beforemeeting England.

West Ham United-Everton Preview (PA SportsTicker)

DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Gianfranco Zola has revealed West Ham’s players swayed him not to resign ahead of Sunday’s trip to in-form Everton.

Zola was on the verge of quitting Upton Park after last weekend’s 1-0 improved at home to Stoke extended their losing run to 6 matches.

The Hammers boss, whose side have been usually being kept out of the relegation section on thought difference, said: “I know we have the players behind me 100 per cent as good as which is all which matters.

“The usually time the manager should leave the pursuit is when he hasn’t got the support of the players or if somehow he is not means to do his pursuit properly.”

Zola has additionally shielded his decision to fly back to Italy as good as give his stars 3 days off in credentials for the trip to Goodison Park.

Former Chelsea midfielder Zola added: “The 3 days off were programmed the month ago given you were coming off the bustling duration as good as it was the good thought to give some players some time off.

“I know managers who give their players 5 days off whilst the limit you concede is 3 days. To be honest this is no the single else’s business though mine as manager.

“I know what my team need as good as if we give them the few days rest it is given we hold it is the right thing to do.

“I went to Sardinia as good as whilst we was there we did an advertisement, if you can call it that, to highlight the role of the father.

“It was an Italian government plan to promote the role of the father in the family given there have been problems in which respect in Italy.”

West Ham’s losing run has coincided with Everton’s upwards surge though defender Phil Jagielka has warned! his Tof fees team-mates not to blink the Hammers.

Jagielka said: “I have been astounded which West Ham have been in the relegation quarrel this season.

“The patrol they have got is still good as good as they have some good players though we consider the main word for their deteriorate is consistency.

“They haven’t put 4 or 5 good formula together which would see them climb up the table.”

Meanwhile Everton manager David Moyes is subsidy midfield conductor Mikel Arteta to gatecrash Spain’s World Cup squad.

Arteta has been in sensational form given returning from the year out with the knee injury as good as is among the candidates to reinstate crocked Fabregas.

Moyes said: “If Mikel hadn’t been injured last year we thought he’d have been the care for the Spain squad.

“Because he is personification in the Premier League as good as is the single of the improved midfielders here, which draws courtesy to the national team. But it additionally gives an indication of how clever Spain are.

“Maybe he’ll have to wait for after this competition as good as if he keeps personification good for Everton then may be he can get his approach into the patrol for the subsequent European Championship qualifiers.”

The Full English: All The Marbles (Goal.com)

I’m glad which MLS is back. I’m glad given we know which however fascinating an MLS compare might be, we know which we have English Premier League footy to watch which gets me which small bit some-more excited.

That’s not a strike upon a tip multiplication in this country, yet some-more of a ‘nice, we strike a snooze button as good as still have a small time left to sleep’ thing. Really doesn’t have any sense yet examination MLS upon a Thursday night is removing me uber vehement for a EPL this weekend.

Why? Well, Manchester United-Chelsea, of course. Probably a many tedious of all a Big Four matches, this tie is eternally displeasing. Despite this, we still get sucked in each time anticipating for a good match.

After which match, things have been pretty bare. Seems a scheduling gods wanted a full attention upon Old Trafford as good as Old Trafford alone. No qualms there. I’ll go forward as good as contend it now, we cruise we could see a good match. Maybe even some-more than a single goal…

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)

Manchester United vs. Chelsea (Old Trafford, Apr 3rd, 7:45 a.m. ET, ESPN2)

Top dual teams in a league. Only dual champions over a final five seasons. A eternally grouchy Scot as good as a heavily-browed Italian. Yeah, we cruise a compare is worth of a tip spot.

Looking behind during a final compare between a dual during Stamford Bridge, we saw a single goal. Surprise surprise. The contests between this pair have been never big upon scoring as they fool around approach too cautiously. Might as good call it a pull right away as good as save a hassle of carrying to get up during 7:30 to watch it. What am we saying? If which were a box I’d miss out upon a total bucket of Gary Neville pinned token kissing…

We know which Wazzapants will be out of a compare as good as which is! a outra geous blow for United. If any a single is a scoring threat in a diversion today it’s Rooney. Popping up wherever he sees fit, a lissome small Englishman is some-more dangerous than scurvy. Without him upon a field Chelsea can concentration upon guys similar to Dimitar Berbatov as good as yeah, uh, Dimitar Berbatov. we don’t wish to strike Berbatov given we cruise he’s been given a bad swat given fasten a Red Devils, yet I’m sure John Terry is alright with this situation.

For a Blues, they’ll have a second-most dangerous striker in a joining gunning shots during a other end, a single Didier Drogba. Just as fatal as Rooney as good as about 15 times scarier looking, Drogba will wish gain upon a obligatory mistakes done by Rio Ferdinand. we similar to Drogs to do a small repairs in this one, maybe even pulling a scoreline past a usual 1-0 rubbish.

As we pronounced in final week’s TFE, we cruise it’s starting to come down to a wing fool around once more. Aston Villa decided to not take my recommendation as good as well, we saw what happened to them. If United have been smart, as good as we bet your ass which SAF is, he’ll try as good as exploit a far-reaching areas. With guys similar to Nani, Antonio Valencia as good as a Welsh Wizard upon hand, it’s a unequivocally real possibility.



I’ve been upon a blockade about this a single for a while. we unequivocally cruise it’ll finish in a draw, yet anything is possible. Chelsea have been complacent as good as United aren’t, which is regularly something to consider. However, during Old Trafford, Fergie’s boys have usually mislaid once this season as good as have won 14 of their sixteen matches.

Put income upon a group who scores initial to win, or it’ll finish a draw. we contend United grab a initial a single a! s good a s in my continuing efforts to never pick a pull with a tip match, they take it late on.

TFE Prediction: Berba flashes a small some-more luminosity as good as a Zhirkov own idea to give a Red Devils a massive 2-1 win.

Birmingham vs. Liverpool (St. Andrews, Apr 4th, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus)

Should be a enormous match. Liverpool have been personification better, domestically anyway, as good as Birmingham have been regularly difficult during home…just ask Arsenal.

First, a home side. Still my warn group of a season, Brum have been sitting easily in 9th as good as should stay around which area until a finish of a season. Kind of similar to Stoke, they have been a vault during a behind as good as don’t concede most past them. Speaking of home form, Manchester United, Chelsea as good as Arsenal have all failed to take full points from St. Andrews this season. Quite impressive.

Stopping Liverpool is something different all together as a Reds have been this year’s mystery team, we usually never know who is starting to show up. Maybe it depends of Rafa’s mood pre-game or if Stevie G is interested in personification or perhaps if Fernando Torres’ headband is too tight. It’s a small things which this group can’t get right. The important stuff.

A midweek detriment to Benfica in Por-tu-gal will dent a confidence of a newly-healthy Reds yet it’s in a joining which they can fix things as good as Birmingham will be a plain exam to see where they stand. If Torres can keep we do his thing, we cruise they’ll be fine. If not, who’s starting to score? Glen Johnson? On his left? Hardly.

Won’t be some-more than dual goals in this one, we don’t think. Will either be dual from Liverpool or split down a middle. we learned my lesson blatantly picking opposite Rafa final week. Won’t do it again this time around as we cruise fourth place st! ill mean s something to a Merseysiders, if usually a little.

TFE Prediction: Reds squeeze by 1-0 interjection to a late Yossi strike…set up by Torres. Bam.

Stoke City vs. Hull City (Britannia Stadium, Apr 3rd, 10:00 a.m. ET)

Is it wrong of me to openly base opposite Hull in each diversion they have left this season? It’ll substantially save them in a finish given how most of a hex we am (or reverse hex in this case) yet we usually don’t cruise they merit to be in a tip flight.

That feeling has been subdued a bit given Phil Brown as good as his goatee left town, yet honestly, what do they bring to a league? Maybe it’s given I’m so bitter about Portsmouth or which we have a outrageous man crush upon Gio Zola, yet Hull have been useless in my eyes.

Pulling out a rather intolerable 2-0 win over Fulham final week showed which they actually still care enough to fight for their spot. Should we design it each week? Unlikely. Against a miserly group similar to Stoke (to be fair, Fulham have been a Shylock of stingy), we don’t see them removing much, especially given it’s upon a road. There’s no subject which it don’t take no guff

I similar to Stoke’s size value in this a single as good as they should be means to pull a Tigers around some. Will be a dirty match, yet we cruise Hull have been due for a small messy fool around as good as will get exposed. Stoke for a points.

TFE Prediction: Because I’m articulate about a road…Stoke 2-1.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL): The De-Gunned Edition

Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal: Firstly, a guy has heart. Taking a chastisement with a damaged leg sounds similar to a distressing idea. I’d flint it, for sure. Fact is, Cesc is right away out for a year as good as with him might be a Gunners title hopes. They’ve won prior to without hi! m, yet t hey usually appear to lack a certain punch as good as vision when he’s out of a lineup. Not to contend he’s a brain of a group or anything, yet without your personality as good as captain, where does which leave you?

Andrey Arshavin, Arsenal: The small Russian hint plug has been ruled out for three weeks, effectively stripping Arsene Wenger of his dual best playmakers. When Cesc has been out, Arshavin has been looked to widespread a round around as good as put in a goals. Now with a 28-year-old out, where do they turn? Well, Samir Nasri has been personification a small special round of late, I’d contend him. Biggest detriment for me is seeing his goofy faces each game.


William Gallas, Arsenal: The center behind joins Arshavin upon a disabled list as good as will leave a pretty big hole in their behind four. No fear, Sol is here! He’ll have to be a guy stop a attacks for Arsenal for a bit as good as if you’re a air blower of a team, have been we worried? we would be. He’s put in a small good performances deputizing for Gallas this season, yet he doesn’t have to pierce most to get things done. How prolonged prior to his girth is in a absolute wrong place?

Leicester Update

Can we usually skip this section today? Abysmal run by a Foxes. Four straight losses. Slipping out of a playoffs. Tears streaming down my face. Hold upon lads! Come on!

Philadelphia Union Update

Still reeling from their detriment to Seattle, a boys have a week off to reflect. The home opener is set for Apr 10th as good as it should be bip-bopping with Union fans. Nearly 40,000 of we loons. Can’t wait. Bring a noise, Philly…footy is here!

And Finally…The Black Pudding of a Week

World Cup 2010: we used Euro 2012 final week as good as figured I’d give a World Cup a small adore this time around. we can contend which it unequivocally hasn’t strike me which a contest is set for this summer. It seems oh-so-long ago which we was examination a 2006 World Cup. The contest is eventually here yet as good as we should design a small good things from a 32 nations involved. Under 70 days sojourn prior to South Africa take upon Mexico in a initial match. With it being which close it creates Euro 2012 appear some-more similar to Euro 2120. Strap in, footy fans…the next few months will be incredible.

Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears each Friday morning. Contact Shane during shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments as good as concerns, follow him upon Twitter during https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join a TFE/FCS Facebook air blower page!

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