Delhi Daredevils
◦None of the players in the team managed to score a century in the 2007 – 08 IPL campaign. Virender Sehwag scored the highest individual score of 94 not out.
◦TM Dilshan has the best bowling average in the IPL. He has an average of 3. But interestingly he has bowled only one over in his seven matches.
◦DD fast bowler Mohammad Asif was involved in a drug scandal after the initial IPL competition. ◦Akshay Kumar is the brand ambassador of the team.
◦The IPL has been criticised by a few politicians and feminists for bringing in foreign cheerleaders, which is seen by many to not be in the traditional spirit of the game, as well as being against some Indian sensibilities.
◦Tejaswi Yadav the son of Union Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav played for Delhi Daredevils in IPL.
◦Delhi Daredevils captain, Virender Sehwag was the only skipper to win six consecutive tosses between May 15 and May 30, 2008.
◦Gautam Gambhir was the only Indian in the top scorers of IPL Season One.
Kolkata Knight Riders
◦The highest batting strike rate in the first edition of the IPL was that by Umar Gul whose primary role in the KKR is that of an opening bowler. He has a strike rate of 205.26.
◦KKR bowled the most number of extras in an innings - 28 extras in a match against DC.
◦Shah Rukh Khan made maximum money in the first season of the IPL despite the fact that his team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to even reach the semi-finals.
◦Ricky Ponting came to be known as Kaliyug Ka Manoj Kumar, as he was less worried about his own form and more concerned with how low his compensation was, just like the Indian veteran actor Manoj Kumar in a Sukhen Das flick.
◦KKR is the only franchisee to have a television show to select cheerleaders for their home matches.
◦The main theme of the team Korbo, Lorbo, Jitbo Re (We will do it, Fight for it, Win it) has been created by the Vishal - Shekhar duo. A Knight Rider album with several singers and music composers including Usha Uthup and Bappi Lahiri will also be created.
◦The club is owned by Shahrukh Khan’s Red Chilies Entertainment, along with Juhi Chawla and her husband Jai Mehta.
Mumbai Indians
◦Dilhara Fernando has a batting strike rate of 200.00. But interestingly he scored only 2 runs.
◦KXIP star player S Sreesanth was slapped by Harbhajan Singh, the stand-in captain of Mumbai Indians. Sreesanth was caught by TV cameras sobbing inconsolably on the field before the presentation ceremony.
◦The Mumbai Indians coach was subsequently fined 50% of his match fees for not stepping in between Harbhajan and Sreesanth in their slapping controversy.
◦With five run-outs in their innings at Mumbai on May 21, 2008, Mumbai Indians earned a dubious distinction in the IPL.
◦The team logo has the Sudarshana Chakra with the team's name engraved in it.
◦Hritik Roshan, superstar of Bollywood, is the brand ambassador of MI.
◦The MI home ground, Wankhede Stadium, hosted the most number of matches in the IPL 2007 – 08. It hosted the semi-finals and final apart from the MI home games.
Kings XI Punjab
◦Two cheerleaders from London were asked to leave the ground at Mohali "because of the colour of their skin". Both the girls also allege that an employee referred to them with the racial slur "nigger".
◦When Priety Zinta’s star friends came to visit her, she made a part of the squad move out of the hotel into “bargain-basement” accommodation.
◦An exciting last over from VRV Singh - which included a six, a four, a dropped catch and three crucial run-outs - allowed Kings XI Punjab to end Mumbai Indians' six-game winning streak.
◦The only batsman last year to face 400 balls in the competition was Shaun Marsh - 441. He aggregated 616 runs at an average of 68.44 in 11 games.
◦Even though KXI are owned by the Bollywood star Priety Zinta, their brand ambassador was Daler Maehndi.
Deccan Chargers
◦DC is the only team to have won by a margin of 10 wickets in IPL 2007 – 08.
◦Deccan Charges have lost all the matches in their home stadium.
◦DC captain VVS Laxman was initially awarded icon status, but he voluntarily opted out of it, so that the franchisee had more money with which to bid.
◦DC will be changing their colours in the second season from beige-black, to sparkling silver-blue. ◦The only team to have announced to change its captain after Season One was DC. They changed their captain from VVS Laxman to Adam Gilchrist.
Bangalore Royal Challengers
◦Bangalore Royal Challengers: The second most expensive franchise in the league stood second from the bottom.
◦Bollywood actresses Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone, and Sandalwood film stars Ramya and Upendra are the brand ambassadors of the team.
◦They were the only team in the IPL to try out 11 opening combinations in 14 games.
◦Charu Sharma was the first CEO of any franchisee to be sacked. He was replaced by Brijesh Patel.
◦Vijay Mallya wanted to associate one of his top-selling liquor brands, either No. 1 McDowell's or Royal Challenge with the team. The latter was chosen, hence the name.
◦A theme song called "Thakkath Geete" has been composed in support of the BRC, with the help of TV9.
Chennai Super Kings
◦Chennai Super Kings openers, Parthiv Patel and Stephen Fleming provide the only instance of both openers failing to open an account in an IPL game - versus Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur.
◦The team logo, a lion, was the insignia of the Pallava dynasty which ruled Southern India including the areas that constitute present day Chennai.
Rajasthan Royals
◦Dimitri Masceranhas was the only English player to have played the IPL in the inaugural season.
◦Shilpa Shetty is the new brand ambassador of the RR.
◦RR were fined for underbidding for players in the IPL Season One.
(Note: The fact sheet is based on an article from espnstar.com)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Carvalho: No repeat of collapse
Ricardo Carvalho admits Chelsea must learn from their mistakes against Bolton if they are finish the job against Liverpool.
Chelsea lead the Reds 3-1 after their superb performance at Anfield but the way they conceded three goals in nine minutes against Bolton would have given much inspiration to Rafael Benitez and his Liverpool squad.
Liverpool have to score at least three goals if they are to have any chance of turning the tie in their favour but Carvalho is convinced the Bolton debacle provided them with the timely wake-up call they needed.
"We have to learn from those mistakes and it is good to play three days after that game," said Carvalho. "We conceded too many when normally we are strong in our back four."
Chelsea will be without suspended centre-back John Terry but Carvalho is adamant they can compensate for the England captain's absence.
"We will miss John but we can't change the rules, he got suspended so we have to try our best," he added. "The back four has to be compact and play as normal."
The Portugal international insists Liverpool should not be taken lightly despite the two-goal cushion.
"We have to be aware, this competition means a lot for us so we want to go through," said Carvalho.
"We have to think first of ourselves and after look for them, but if you are in good shape you can win the game and go through.
"We are improving always, we had some problems in the previous months but I think you become stronger and now we are in good shape to win a competition for the club.
"I won in 2004 [with Porto] but lost last year, but to win the trophy you have to be there in the final."
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, and yet to beat an English club away from home in Europe, much will depend on whether Liverpool's midfield talisman Steven Gerrard shakes off a groin problem to play.
But even though the Reds have not scored three goals at Stamford Bridge in two decades, Benitez would have taken heart from Bolton's performance.
But it was also the perfect wake-up call for Guus Hiddink and his squad, and the Dutch coach is determined they will not sit back and defend their lead.
"It cannot be a cautious game where you have a kind of balance in a game where nothing happens for an hour, then maybe a team takes some risks at the end," said Hiddink.
"That's not in both teams' souls. We have to go for the win at home.
"Going 4-0 up against Bolton and then conceding as we did, was like an alarm clock ringing for this up-coming game.
"We should have controlled the last part of the game. We can concede one, at 4-1, but one alarm bell is enough.
"We've prepared very seriously. A lot of people have said, if you win an away game in Europe like we did, then you won't have any concerns for the second game.
"But we're not thinking like that. Liverpool are a very good team who play beautiful football, and we're very aware of that.
"There is no such reason, whatever the team you are playing against but especially Liverpool with what they did in the past, to have complacency."
Chelsea lead the Reds 3-1 after their superb performance at Anfield but the way they conceded three goals in nine minutes against Bolton would have given much inspiration to Rafael Benitez and his Liverpool squad.
Liverpool have to score at least three goals if they are to have any chance of turning the tie in their favour but Carvalho is convinced the Bolton debacle provided them with the timely wake-up call they needed.
"We have to learn from those mistakes and it is good to play three days after that game," said Carvalho. "We conceded too many when normally we are strong in our back four."
Chelsea will be without suspended centre-back John Terry but Carvalho is adamant they can compensate for the England captain's absence.
"We will miss John but we can't change the rules, he got suspended so we have to try our best," he added. "The back four has to be compact and play as normal."
The Portugal international insists Liverpool should not be taken lightly despite the two-goal cushion.
"We have to be aware, this competition means a lot for us so we want to go through," said Carvalho.
"We have to think first of ourselves and after look for them, but if you are in good shape you can win the game and go through.
"We are improving always, we had some problems in the previous months but I think you become stronger and now we are in good shape to win a competition for the club.
"I won in 2004 [with Porto] but lost last year, but to win the trophy you have to be there in the final."
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, and yet to beat an English club away from home in Europe, much will depend on whether Liverpool's midfield talisman Steven Gerrard shakes off a groin problem to play.
But even though the Reds have not scored three goals at Stamford Bridge in two decades, Benitez would have taken heart from Bolton's performance.
But it was also the perfect wake-up call for Guus Hiddink and his squad, and the Dutch coach is determined they will not sit back and defend their lead.
"It cannot be a cautious game where you have a kind of balance in a game where nothing happens for an hour, then maybe a team takes some risks at the end," said Hiddink.
"That's not in both teams' souls. We have to go for the win at home.
"Going 4-0 up against Bolton and then conceding as we did, was like an alarm clock ringing for this up-coming game.
"We should have controlled the last part of the game. We can concede one, at 4-1, but one alarm bell is enough.
"We've prepared very seriously. A lot of people have said, if you win an away game in Europe like we did, then you won't have any concerns for the second game.
"But we're not thinking like that. Liverpool are a very good team who play beautiful football, and we're very aware of that.
"There is no such reason, whatever the team you are playing against but especially Liverpool with what they did in the past, to have complacency."
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Five great European comebacks
Liverpool face an uphill task against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
However, the competition has seen its fair share of spectacular comebacks in recent years - and here espnstar.com looks at five matches which have turned around.
Deportivo La Coruna 4 AC Milan 0 (Deportivo won 5-4 on aggregate, champions League quarter-final, April 2004)
Deportivo left the San Siro after the first leg on the end of a 4-1 defeat facing the task of overhauling a three-goal deficit against an Italian defence including Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta. Walter Pandiani's early goal was added to by Juan Carlos Valeron's header half an hour later as the Spanish side started to believe. Just two minutes before half-time Albert Luque held off Nesta before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to put the home side ahead on aggregate. Veteran substitute Fran stunned the Rossoneri when he sealed the amazing comeback with a fourth goal 15 minutes from time.
Man United 2 Bayern Munich 1 (European Cup final, Barcelona, May 1999)
United trailed for nearly the entire game after falling behind to Mario Basler's sixth-minute free-kick. But, in the most amazing finish in the history of European Cup finals, United turned the game on its head. Substitute Teddy Sheringham equalised with a shot on the turn from eight yards and extra-time beckoned. But United had other ideas and, when David Beckham's corner was flicked on by Sheringham, fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rifled the ball into the roof of the net to spark joyous scenes among United's near-40,000 fans in the Nou Camp. United had become the first club to win the treble of European Cup, Premier League title and FA Cup.
Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties, Champions League final, Istanbul, May 2005)
Liverpool beat Milan in a penalty shoot-out to win the Champions League after sensationally coming from three goals down at half-time. Paolo Maldini gave Milan a first-minute lead, and two goals from Hernan Crespo put them in a seemingly unassailable position at the interval. Reds captain Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool hope, and Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell. Jerzy Dudek then saved from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko in the shoot-out to clinch a stunning victory.
Juventus 2 Man United 3 (Utd won 4-3 on aggregate, Champions League semi-final, 1999)
After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, going 2-0 down in the opening 10 minutes of the second leg at the Stadio Delle Alpi was not what the Red Devils had planned. Captain Roy Keane hauled his side back into the game, heading home from a corner before getting a booking which was to rule him out of the final. Keane pushed his team forward and Dwight Yorke levelled the scores with a diving header from Andy Cole's cross. Cole then netted United's third as they reached their first European Cup final in 31 years.
Basle 3 Liverpool 3 (Champions League group match, November 2002)
Liverpool trailed 3-0 in Switzerland as Julio Rossi, Christian Gimenez and Timothee Atouba all found the net in the opening half an hour. Danny Murphy's shot from the edge of the area restored some pride before Milan Baros set up Smicer for a sliding close-range finish three minutes later. Michael Owen got Liverpool level with seven minutes remaining, when he scored the rebound from his penalty. However, despite the comeback Liverpool still crashed out of the competition in the group stage.
However, the competition has seen its fair share of spectacular comebacks in recent years - and here espnstar.com looks at five matches which have turned around.
Deportivo La Coruna 4 AC Milan 0 (Deportivo won 5-4 on aggregate, champions League quarter-final, April 2004)
Deportivo left the San Siro after the first leg on the end of a 4-1 defeat facing the task of overhauling a three-goal deficit against an Italian defence including Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta. Walter Pandiani's early goal was added to by Juan Carlos Valeron's header half an hour later as the Spanish side started to believe. Just two minutes before half-time Albert Luque held off Nesta before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to put the home side ahead on aggregate. Veteran substitute Fran stunned the Rossoneri when he sealed the amazing comeback with a fourth goal 15 minutes from time.
Man United 2 Bayern Munich 1 (European Cup final, Barcelona, May 1999)
United trailed for nearly the entire game after falling behind to Mario Basler's sixth-minute free-kick. But, in the most amazing finish in the history of European Cup finals, United turned the game on its head. Substitute Teddy Sheringham equalised with a shot on the turn from eight yards and extra-time beckoned. But United had other ideas and, when David Beckham's corner was flicked on by Sheringham, fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rifled the ball into the roof of the net to spark joyous scenes among United's near-40,000 fans in the Nou Camp. United had become the first club to win the treble of European Cup, Premier League title and FA Cup.
Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties, Champions League final, Istanbul, May 2005)
Liverpool beat Milan in a penalty shoot-out to win the Champions League after sensationally coming from three goals down at half-time. Paolo Maldini gave Milan a first-minute lead, and two goals from Hernan Crespo put them in a seemingly unassailable position at the interval. Reds captain Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool hope, and Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell. Jerzy Dudek then saved from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko in the shoot-out to clinch a stunning victory.
Juventus 2 Man United 3 (Utd won 4-3 on aggregate, Champions League semi-final, 1999)
After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, going 2-0 down in the opening 10 minutes of the second leg at the Stadio Delle Alpi was not what the Red Devils had planned. Captain Roy Keane hauled his side back into the game, heading home from a corner before getting a booking which was to rule him out of the final. Keane pushed his team forward and Dwight Yorke levelled the scores with a diving header from Andy Cole's cross. Cole then netted United's third as they reached their first European Cup final in 31 years.
Basle 3 Liverpool 3 (Champions League group match, November 2002)
Liverpool trailed 3-0 in Switzerland as Julio Rossi, Christian Gimenez and Timothee Atouba all found the net in the opening half an hour. Danny Murphy's shot from the edge of the area restored some pride before Milan Baros set up Smicer for a sliding close-range finish three minutes later. Michael Owen got Liverpool level with seven minutes remaining, when he scored the rebound from his penalty. However, despite the comeback Liverpool still crashed out of the competition in the group stage.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
BPL Heroes and Zeroes 32
Liverpool's Fernando Torres has some way to go before he can even shine Marco van Basten's boots, says Eugene YS Han.
HEROES
MANCHESTER UNITED
The pressure was very much on Manchester United after Liverpool won in their lunch-time kick-off but the champions responded yet again. It was the second time in two weeks that United had to win to retake top spot. And win they did. And they did it the hard way, again. Sunderland, with Djbril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones, were proving a handful for the United defence. Sir Alex Ferguson bravely picked Ben Foster between the sticks and again chose to give Federico Macheda a chance on the bench. It was not all about the new faces in the team though. Paul Scholes reminded everyone why he will always be a threat in the box with a deft header to give United the lead. The 34-year-old may not be attracting the plaudits he deserves - he doesn't want it anyway - but his contribution to the team is right up there with the best.
LIVERPOOL
On an emotional day at Anfield, Liverpool did not disappoint their home fans. The Reds were also eager to purge the dismal Chelsea defeat in the Champions League out of their system. The victory over Blackburn helped ease some of that pain. Almost everyone - apart from the shaky Pepe Reina - played their part. Javier Mascherano's display was inspiring and showed how much Liverpool missed him in the Chelsea defeat while Xabi Alonso controlled the midfield by keeping it simple. Dirk Kuyt has not been playing as a striker as much as he would like these days but his selfless running opened up spaces for the others to exploit. So dominant were Liverpool that there could have been more than four goals. As a result, Liverpool kept up the pressure on leaders Man United in the title race. Although the Merseysiders are running out of games to overtake United, at least they are making sure the defending champions know they are earning the title the hard way.
FERNANDO TORRES
Just like Marco van Basten? Not quite, but Fernando Torres is almost there. Like the ever-cautious manager he is, Rafael Benitez tried to play down comparisons between the great Dutch striker and Torres, insisting there is still room for improvement for the latter. Rafa is right about Torres being the unfinished article as the Spaniard keeps on doing the unexpected. His first goal against Rovers demonstrated he can shoot from distance while his second showed how he can be physical when he wants to. Right now, he is one of the hottest strikers in Europe.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough are not out of trouble yet but this win over Hull will go some way in lifting any sagging spirits that is needed in their relegation fight. Tuncay Sanli played a big part in their win by scoring the crucial opening goal while Marlon King scored the killer third goal to help Boro win 3-1. It was a sweet moment for King who had fallen out with Hull manager Phil Brown and also gone through some personal troubles. King had also scored an injury-time equaliser against Portsmouth just a month ago at the Riverside. That game was marred by the home fans jeering their own team which prompted Gareth Southgate to defend his players. These fans, I am sure, are cheering now.
BOLTON
To score three goals away at Stamford Bridge and still lose is really, really unlucky. 4-0 down after 60 minutes, Bolton scored three times in 11 minutes through Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor to give the Blues an almighty scare. Had Deco not cleared a last-minute effort from Gary Cahill, Bolton could have escaped with a point and dealt a blow to the Blues' slim title hopes. Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will be watching the recordings of this game with great interest.
IN REMEMBRANCE
April 15, 1989 - remembering Hillsborough 96.
ZEROES
ASTON VILLA
The win-less run in the league continues for Aston Villa. Out of all Cup competitions, including the UEFA Cup which Martin O'Neill had forsaken for the league, Villa again failed to match Arsenal's result this weekend. To make matters worse for Villa, top-scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could be out for weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury. At least, they managed to avoid another defeat and not cede fifth place to an improving Everton side. The Toffees are just one point behind Villa with six more games to play and they look stronger in the run-in. Villa Park used to be a fortress for Martin O'Neill's side but they have only recorded five wins in 16 home games this season. Villa may have enjoyed a great first-half of the season, but they are looking very flat for the second.
MANCHESTER CITY
Mark Hughes could have gotten away with dropping Robinho to the bench if Manchester City had beaten Fulham. But instead he was left with eggs on his face after a 3-1 defeat that left some supporters baying for the City manager's blood. It begs the question: how long can Hughes hold on to his job? City's abundance of talent at Hughes' disposal can't be denied but it seems he is not able to bring the best out of the individual players - especially Robinho in away games. City do have a slim hope of silverware in the UEFA Cup but they have to make up a 3-1 deficit to Martin Jol's Hamburg in the quarter-finals this Thursday. For weeks, Jol has been campaigning for a return to the Premier League, what odds then for the former Tottenham manager to take over the reins at City?
BIG SAM
Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez have never gotten along ever since the Spaniard's arrival to England. Ahead of their clash at Anfield, Big Sam tried to get under skin by saying the Liverpool manager loves 'whingeing and moaning'. And Benitez's response was to let his team, sans Steven Gerrard, do the talking - on the pitch. After a 4-0 result, Big Sam tried to smooth matters by saying Liverpool can challenge for the title. Well at least Big Sam knows when to talk big and when to talk sense.
HEROES
MANCHESTER UNITED
The pressure was very much on Manchester United after Liverpool won in their lunch-time kick-off but the champions responded yet again. It was the second time in two weeks that United had to win to retake top spot. And win they did. And they did it the hard way, again. Sunderland, with Djbril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones, were proving a handful for the United defence. Sir Alex Ferguson bravely picked Ben Foster between the sticks and again chose to give Federico Macheda a chance on the bench. It was not all about the new faces in the team though. Paul Scholes reminded everyone why he will always be a threat in the box with a deft header to give United the lead. The 34-year-old may not be attracting the plaudits he deserves - he doesn't want it anyway - but his contribution to the team is right up there with the best.
LIVERPOOL
On an emotional day at Anfield, Liverpool did not disappoint their home fans. The Reds were also eager to purge the dismal Chelsea defeat in the Champions League out of their system. The victory over Blackburn helped ease some of that pain. Almost everyone - apart from the shaky Pepe Reina - played their part. Javier Mascherano's display was inspiring and showed how much Liverpool missed him in the Chelsea defeat while Xabi Alonso controlled the midfield by keeping it simple. Dirk Kuyt has not been playing as a striker as much as he would like these days but his selfless running opened up spaces for the others to exploit. So dominant were Liverpool that there could have been more than four goals. As a result, Liverpool kept up the pressure on leaders Man United in the title race. Although the Merseysiders are running out of games to overtake United, at least they are making sure the defending champions know they are earning the title the hard way.
FERNANDO TORRES
Just like Marco van Basten? Not quite, but Fernando Torres is almost there. Like the ever-cautious manager he is, Rafael Benitez tried to play down comparisons between the great Dutch striker and Torres, insisting there is still room for improvement for the latter. Rafa is right about Torres being the unfinished article as the Spaniard keeps on doing the unexpected. His first goal against Rovers demonstrated he can shoot from distance while his second showed how he can be physical when he wants to. Right now, he is one of the hottest strikers in Europe.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough are not out of trouble yet but this win over Hull will go some way in lifting any sagging spirits that is needed in their relegation fight. Tuncay Sanli played a big part in their win by scoring the crucial opening goal while Marlon King scored the killer third goal to help Boro win 3-1. It was a sweet moment for King who had fallen out with Hull manager Phil Brown and also gone through some personal troubles. King had also scored an injury-time equaliser against Portsmouth just a month ago at the Riverside. That game was marred by the home fans jeering their own team which prompted Gareth Southgate to defend his players. These fans, I am sure, are cheering now.
BOLTON
To score three goals away at Stamford Bridge and still lose is really, really unlucky. 4-0 down after 60 minutes, Bolton scored three times in 11 minutes through Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor to give the Blues an almighty scare. Had Deco not cleared a last-minute effort from Gary Cahill, Bolton could have escaped with a point and dealt a blow to the Blues' slim title hopes. Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will be watching the recordings of this game with great interest.
IN REMEMBRANCE
April 15, 1989 - remembering Hillsborough 96.
ZEROES
ASTON VILLA
The win-less run in the league continues for Aston Villa. Out of all Cup competitions, including the UEFA Cup which Martin O'Neill had forsaken for the league, Villa again failed to match Arsenal's result this weekend. To make matters worse for Villa, top-scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could be out for weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury. At least, they managed to avoid another defeat and not cede fifth place to an improving Everton side. The Toffees are just one point behind Villa with six more games to play and they look stronger in the run-in. Villa Park used to be a fortress for Martin O'Neill's side but they have only recorded five wins in 16 home games this season. Villa may have enjoyed a great first-half of the season, but they are looking very flat for the second.
MANCHESTER CITY
Mark Hughes could have gotten away with dropping Robinho to the bench if Manchester City had beaten Fulham. But instead he was left with eggs on his face after a 3-1 defeat that left some supporters baying for the City manager's blood. It begs the question: how long can Hughes hold on to his job? City's abundance of talent at Hughes' disposal can't be denied but it seems he is not able to bring the best out of the individual players - especially Robinho in away games. City do have a slim hope of silverware in the UEFA Cup but they have to make up a 3-1 deficit to Martin Jol's Hamburg in the quarter-finals this Thursday. For weeks, Jol has been campaigning for a return to the Premier League, what odds then for the former Tottenham manager to take over the reins at City?
BIG SAM
Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez have never gotten along ever since the Spaniard's arrival to England. Ahead of their clash at Anfield, Big Sam tried to get under skin by saying the Liverpool manager loves 'whingeing and moaning'. And Benitez's response was to let his team, sans Steven Gerrard, do the talking - on the pitch. After a 4-0 result, Big Sam tried to smooth matters by saying Liverpool can challenge for the title. Well at least Big Sam knows when to talk big and when to talk sense.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Aguero loyal to Atletico
Sergio Aguero has pledged his future to Atletico Madrid following comments made by former striker Fernando Torres.
The Liverpool striker warned his former team that they must continue to develop at the same rate as the Argentinian prospect or risk losing him to a bigger club.
In response Aguero has denied wanting to leave the Vicente Calderon, saying that a return to form could well ensure Atletico qualify for next season's Champions League."People can think what they want but the club and I know very well what we want.
"It's the club that will decide whether or not I stay. I have always said that Atletico Madrid have always treated me very well and the club knows that I want to continue here.
"Obviously nobody knows what will happen tomorrow but, for now, what I want is to ensure Atletico Madrid qualify for the next Champions League."
Nevertheless, cash concerns at the capital club continues to prompt speculation that they will be forced to cash in on their star asset this summer.
The Liverpool striker warned his former team that they must continue to develop at the same rate as the Argentinian prospect or risk losing him to a bigger club.
In response Aguero has denied wanting to leave the Vicente Calderon, saying that a return to form could well ensure Atletico qualify for next season's Champions League."People can think what they want but the club and I know very well what we want.
"It's the club that will decide whether or not I stay. I have always said that Atletico Madrid have always treated me very well and the club knows that I want to continue here.
"Obviously nobody knows what will happen tomorrow but, for now, what I want is to ensure Atletico Madrid qualify for the next Champions League."
Nevertheless, cash concerns at the capital club continues to prompt speculation that they will be forced to cash in on their star asset this summer.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Ancelotti rules out Chelsea move
Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed a move to Chelsea over the summer, insisting that he will remain with AC Milan.
"There's not much to say," Ancelotti said in an interview, when asked about joining the Blues, after Milan defeated Chievo on Saturday.
The Milan boss is weary of dealing with the speculation over his future and even used Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho to turn the attention away from himself.
"I just hope they stop talking about it by the end of May, because then I will be on holidays," Ancelotti laughed. "Maybe Mourinho will go. I, however, am going to continue to coach Milan."
Chelsea have announced that despite the initial success Guus Hiddink has had as coach of the club, he will not continue in the role next season, fuelling the fire that Ancelotti will be the one to succeed him.
"There's not much to say," Ancelotti said in an interview, when asked about joining the Blues, after Milan defeated Chievo on Saturday.
The Milan boss is weary of dealing with the speculation over his future and even used Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho to turn the attention away from himself.
"I just hope they stop talking about it by the end of May, because then I will be on holidays," Ancelotti laughed. "Maybe Mourinho will go. I, however, am going to continue to coach Milan."
Chelsea have announced that despite the initial success Guus Hiddink has had as coach of the club, he will not continue in the role next season, fuelling the fire that Ancelotti will be the one to succeed him.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Warne banking on Smith to win friends
Shane Warne is banking on Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel to win friends when the IPL gets underway in South Africa on April 18.
Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to title in the inaugural IPL season, had often subjected to verbal abuse by South African spectators most of the time he played here.
"I've always enjoyed playing here. I've been back a few times to play in poker tournaments at Sun City. The public have booed me most of the time but hopefully playing with the Rajasthan Royals they'll get behind me," said the spin legend.
"Hopefully when I come on to bowl, I'll get a clap, or a cheer or whistle. They're pretty vocal over here. They love their cricket. Having Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel in the side will help. It has surprised me how many people watched the IPL over here, and how many people liked the Royals," he told 'Sunday Times'.
Warne, who was involved in a verbal duel with Smith in 2005-06, had successfully managed to mend bridges with the South Africa skipper and also gave him the nickname, "Rock at the top." "We had a few beers after the first game and chatted about a lot of stuff," Warne said about last year's IPL.
"We hung out a fair bit. We've kept in touch since then and become good buddies. They (South Africa) have done well. He's matured a bit too. "He came in at a young age and wanted to try to mix it. He didn't want to take a backward step. He was so verbal and public about everything," said Warne.
"We won 5-0 (in 2005-06) and I said to him the other day, when something's not working, try to do something else. Don't just continue and let the ego get in the way.
"He said, 'Yeah, yeah, I've learned my lesson'. He learned a lot about himself and how things work. He has matured into a good captain."
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to title in the inaugural IPL season, had often subjected to verbal abuse by South African spectators most of the time he played here.
"I've always enjoyed playing here. I've been back a few times to play in poker tournaments at Sun City. The public have booed me most of the time but hopefully playing with the Rajasthan Royals they'll get behind me," said the spin legend.
"Hopefully when I come on to bowl, I'll get a clap, or a cheer or whistle. They're pretty vocal over here. They love their cricket. Having Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel in the side will help. It has surprised me how many people watched the IPL over here, and how many people liked the Royals," he told 'Sunday Times'.
Warne, who was involved in a verbal duel with Smith in 2005-06, had successfully managed to mend bridges with the South Africa skipper and also gave him the nickname, "Rock at the top." "We had a few beers after the first game and chatted about a lot of stuff," Warne said about last year's IPL.
"We hung out a fair bit. We've kept in touch since then and become good buddies. They (South Africa) have done well. He's matured a bit too. "He came in at a young age and wanted to try to mix it. He didn't want to take a backward step. He was so verbal and public about everything," said Warne.
"We won 5-0 (in 2005-06) and I said to him the other day, when something's not working, try to do something else. Don't just continue and let the ego get in the way.
"He said, 'Yeah, yeah, I've learned my lesson'. He learned a lot about himself and how things work. He has matured into a good captain."
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
"Kings XI favorites to win IPL title"
Kings XI Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh said he was banking upon his batting line-up and was looking to enhance his performance.
"We have a good team for this season. We have good batting line-up with players like Shaun Marsh, (Kumar) Sangakkara and (Mahela) Jayawardene. One thing we missed a good pacer Sreesanth but we have enough bowling options," the left-hand batsman said after launching his own merchandise with a brand called "Yuvi".
Admitting that his performance was not so good during the New Zealand tour, the stylish left hander said he was not happy with his performance but was confident to do well in the coming matches.
"I could have done better but could not. I will try to make amends in the coming matches. Besides I will try to play a good captaincy role in South Africa which is my favorite place," the flamboyant middle-order batsman said.
Refusing to comment on Kolkata Knight Riders' multiple-captain theory, Yuvraj said, "Every team has own rule and I do not want to comment on this. But we have no such plans." Launching his own merchandise, the Kings XI Punjab captain said, "I am delighted to have Cool Maal approach my agency Cornerstone to launch their first line of merchandise. There are a lot of fans to whom this will be a token of love and gratitude from my end."
"We have a good team for this season. We have good batting line-up with players like Shaun Marsh, (Kumar) Sangakkara and (Mahela) Jayawardene. One thing we missed a good pacer Sreesanth but we have enough bowling options," the left-hand batsman said after launching his own merchandise with a brand called "Yuvi".
Admitting that his performance was not so good during the New Zealand tour, the stylish left hander said he was not happy with his performance but was confident to do well in the coming matches.
"I could have done better but could not. I will try to make amends in the coming matches. Besides I will try to play a good captaincy role in South Africa which is my favorite place," the flamboyant middle-order batsman said.
Refusing to comment on Kolkata Knight Riders' multiple-captain theory, Yuvraj said, "Every team has own rule and I do not want to comment on this. But we have no such plans." Launching his own merchandise, the Kings XI Punjab captain said, "I am delighted to have Cool Maal approach my agency Cornerstone to launch their first line of merchandise. There are a lot of fans to whom this will be a token of love and gratitude from my end."
(This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
"IPL will help prepare for T20 WC"
The IPL will help India to prepare for their title defence in the World T20 Championships in June, feels Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir said getting the opportunity to play some quality Twenty20 cricket during the IPL would definitely act in favour of the defending champions ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"It's a blessing in disguise for us to play IPL in South Africa before the Twenty20 World Cup. We hardly get to play Twenty20 matches. But to get the chance to play 14 to 15 games in IPL against world class players will definitely help us in our preparations for defending the crown," he said.
Gambhir, who has been in dream form in the recent past and was adjudged player of the tournament during Indias historic New Zealand tour, feels any player's success in the international arena depends on his security in the team.
Meanwhile, Gambhir's Delhi Daredevils teammate and opening partner Virender Sehwag feels the bouncy South African pitches will not only assist fast bowlers but batsmen too can derive benefits from them.
Gambhir ready to bat at any position
"Pacers will undoubtedly have an edge in South Africa because of pace and bounce but that's good for batters too as they can play their shots on such conditions," Sehwag told reporters last night during a send-off event of the Delhi Daredevils team. The swashbuckling opener, however, rued the opportunity of missing home crowd during the second edition of the IPL in South Africa, which was shifted out of the country this year as it clashes with the general elections.
"We will miss Delhi crowd in South Africa but hopefully, there will be sufficient support for us in South Africa." Asked about the Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan's controversial multiple captaincy theory, Sehwag, who is also the vice-captain of the Indian team, said "No comments." Interestingly, his team-mate and leg-spinner Amit Mishra ridiculed the concept and said a team should have one skipper for a series.
"There should be one captain for a whole series and I'm happy that we have captain in Viru (Sehwag)," he said.
Gambhir said getting the opportunity to play some quality Twenty20 cricket during the IPL would definitely act in favour of the defending champions ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"It's a blessing in disguise for us to play IPL in South Africa before the Twenty20 World Cup. We hardly get to play Twenty20 matches. But to get the chance to play 14 to 15 games in IPL against world class players will definitely help us in our preparations for defending the crown," he said.
Gambhir, who has been in dream form in the recent past and was adjudged player of the tournament during Indias historic New Zealand tour, feels any player's success in the international arena depends on his security in the team.
Meanwhile, Gambhir's Delhi Daredevils teammate and opening partner Virender Sehwag feels the bouncy South African pitches will not only assist fast bowlers but batsmen too can derive benefits from them.
Gambhir ready to bat at any position
"Pacers will undoubtedly have an edge in South Africa because of pace and bounce but that's good for batters too as they can play their shots on such conditions," Sehwag told reporters last night during a send-off event of the Delhi Daredevils team. The swashbuckling opener, however, rued the opportunity of missing home crowd during the second edition of the IPL in South Africa, which was shifted out of the country this year as it clashes with the general elections.
"We will miss Delhi crowd in South Africa but hopefully, there will be sufficient support for us in South Africa." Asked about the Kolkata Knight Riders coach John Buchanan's controversial multiple captaincy theory, Sehwag, who is also the vice-captain of the Indian team, said "No comments." Interestingly, his team-mate and leg-spinner Amit Mishra ridiculed the concept and said a team should have one skipper for a series.
"There should be one captain for a whole series and I'm happy that we have captain in Viru (Sehwag)," he said.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Monday 13th April 2009 - Gibbs inspires South African victory
A fine century from Herschelle Gibbs led South Africa to a comfortable 61-run victory over Australia in Port Elizabeth.
The win in the fourth one-day international gives the hosts an unassailable 3-1 series lead.
Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming four for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.
Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.
The Australians began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game.
Johan Botha (one for 48) was first to strike, ending Haddin's 61-ball 78 when he had the wicketkeeper caught at long-on by Wayne Parnell.
Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) then claimed a triple blow by removing Clarke (50), Callum Ferguson (three) and Michael Hussey (two) to leave the visitors limping at 151 for four.
David Hussey and Ponting tried to rescue the situation, putting on 37 before the former also perished, this time caught and bowled by Steyn for 20.
Good Moments
The Australian skipper decided to take the batting powerplay in the 41st over and his decision initially looked like a good one as he plundered Steyn for four boundaries, whilst also raising his half-century in 66 balls.
But he went for one shot too many off the final delivery and was caught by Albie Morkel at mid-wicket for 53.
With Ponting went Australia's last chance of winning and only Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes (31) briefly threatened before South Africa dismissed their opponents in 45.5 overs.
Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field first.
The home team started out slowly, putting on 46 before Graeme Smith (20) was out in the 11th over, chasing a wide ball from Hopes and sending a thick edge behind to Haddin.
Debutant Shane Harwood (two for 57) followed that up by accounting for Jacques Kallis, caught at third man by Ferguson for 17, to leave the Proteas at 87 for two.
But that was as good as it got for the tourists with Gibbs and De Villiers piling on the misery in a 136-run stand.
Top Performer
The pair reached their half-centuries in 62 and 51 balls respectively, followed by a run-a-ball hundred partnership.
The flamboyant opener brought up his 21st one-day ton in 106 deliveries as South Africa raced past 200 in the 36th over.
Ferguson then dropped De Villiers off Nathan Hauritz diving forward at long-on, but Gibbs perished not long afterwards when Clarke took a simple catch off Nathan Bracken at long-on, ending his 116-ball stay.
Johnson (two for 59) removed Morkel (four) and De Villiers in quick succession, but the Australians did not help their chances by twice putting down JP Duminy in the deep.
The South Africa middle-order batsman was eventually out with the final delivery of the innings for 40, but he had already forged a 65-run partnership in just 44 balls with Mark Boucher (29 not out) to help the hosts end on 317 for six.A fine century from Herschelle Gibbs led South Africa to a comfortable 61-run victory over Australia in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth and an unassailable 3-1 series lead.
Match pictures
Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming four for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.
Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.
The Australians began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game.
Johan Botha (one for 48) was first to strike, ending Haddin's 61-ball 78 when he had the wicketkeeper caught at long-on by Wayne Parnell.
Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) then claimed a triple blow by removing Clarke (50), Callum Ferguson (three) and Michael Hussey (two) to leave the visitors limping at 151 for four.
David Hussey and Ponting tried to rescue the situation, putting on 37 before the former also perished, this time caught and bowled by Steyn for 20.
The Australian skipper decided to take the batting powerplay in the 41st over and his decision initially looked like a good one as he plundered Steyn for four boundaries, whilst also raising his half-century in 66 balls.
But he went for one shot too many off the final delivery and was caught by Albie Morkel at mid-wicket for 53.
With Ponting went Australia's last chance of winning and only Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes (31) briefly threatened before South Africa dismissed their opponents in 45.5 overs.
Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field first.
The home team started out slowly, putting on 46 before Graeme Smith (20) was out in the 11th over, chasing a wide ball from Hopes and sending a thick edge behind to Haddin.
Debutant Shane Harwood (two for 57) followed that up by accounting for Jacques Kallis, caught at third man by Ferguson for 17, to leave the Proteas at 87 for two.
But that was as good as it got for the tourists with Gibbs and De Villiers piling on the misery in a 136-run stand.
The pair reached their half-centuries in 62 and 51 balls respectively, followed by a run-a-ball hundred partnership.
The flamboyant opener brought up his 21st one-day ton in 106 deliveries as South Africa raced past 200 in the 36th over.
Ferguson then dropped De Villiers off Nathan Hauritz diving forward at long-on, but Gibbs perished not long afterwards when Clarke took a simple catch off Nathan Bracken at long-on, ending his 116-ball stay.
Johnson (two for 59) removed Morkel (four) and De Villiers in quick succession, but the Australians did not help their chances by twice putting down JP Duminy in the deep.
The South Africa middle-order batsman was eventually out with the final delivery of the innings for 40, but he had already forged a 65-run partnership in just 44 balls with Mark Boucher (29 not out) to help the hosts end on 317 for six.
The win in the fourth one-day international gives the hosts an unassailable 3-1 series lead.
Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming four for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.
Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.
The Australians began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game.
Johan Botha (one for 48) was first to strike, ending Haddin's 61-ball 78 when he had the wicketkeeper caught at long-on by Wayne Parnell.
Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) then claimed a triple blow by removing Clarke (50), Callum Ferguson (three) and Michael Hussey (two) to leave the visitors limping at 151 for four.
David Hussey and Ponting tried to rescue the situation, putting on 37 before the former also perished, this time caught and bowled by Steyn for 20.
Good Moments
The Australian skipper decided to take the batting powerplay in the 41st over and his decision initially looked like a good one as he plundered Steyn for four boundaries, whilst also raising his half-century in 66 balls.
But he went for one shot too many off the final delivery and was caught by Albie Morkel at mid-wicket for 53.
With Ponting went Australia's last chance of winning and only Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes (31) briefly threatened before South Africa dismissed their opponents in 45.5 overs.
Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field first.
The home team started out slowly, putting on 46 before Graeme Smith (20) was out in the 11th over, chasing a wide ball from Hopes and sending a thick edge behind to Haddin.
Debutant Shane Harwood (two for 57) followed that up by accounting for Jacques Kallis, caught at third man by Ferguson for 17, to leave the Proteas at 87 for two.
But that was as good as it got for the tourists with Gibbs and De Villiers piling on the misery in a 136-run stand.
Top Performer
The pair reached their half-centuries in 62 and 51 balls respectively, followed by a run-a-ball hundred partnership.
The flamboyant opener brought up his 21st one-day ton in 106 deliveries as South Africa raced past 200 in the 36th over.
Ferguson then dropped De Villiers off Nathan Hauritz diving forward at long-on, but Gibbs perished not long afterwards when Clarke took a simple catch off Nathan Bracken at long-on, ending his 116-ball stay.
Johnson (two for 59) removed Morkel (four) and De Villiers in quick succession, but the Australians did not help their chances by twice putting down JP Duminy in the deep.
The South Africa middle-order batsman was eventually out with the final delivery of the innings for 40, but he had already forged a 65-run partnership in just 44 balls with Mark Boucher (29 not out) to help the hosts end on 317 for six.A fine century from Herschelle Gibbs led South Africa to a comfortable 61-run victory over Australia in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth and an unassailable 3-1 series lead.
Match pictures
Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming four for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.
Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.
The Australians began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game.
Johan Botha (one for 48) was first to strike, ending Haddin's 61-ball 78 when he had the wicketkeeper caught at long-on by Wayne Parnell.
Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) then claimed a triple blow by removing Clarke (50), Callum Ferguson (three) and Michael Hussey (two) to leave the visitors limping at 151 for four.
David Hussey and Ponting tried to rescue the situation, putting on 37 before the former also perished, this time caught and bowled by Steyn for 20.
The Australian skipper decided to take the batting powerplay in the 41st over and his decision initially looked like a good one as he plundered Steyn for four boundaries, whilst also raising his half-century in 66 balls.
But he went for one shot too many off the final delivery and was caught by Albie Morkel at mid-wicket for 53.
With Ponting went Australia's last chance of winning and only Mitchell Johnson and James Hopes (31) briefly threatened before South Africa dismissed their opponents in 45.5 overs.
Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field first.
The home team started out slowly, putting on 46 before Graeme Smith (20) was out in the 11th over, chasing a wide ball from Hopes and sending a thick edge behind to Haddin.
Debutant Shane Harwood (two for 57) followed that up by accounting for Jacques Kallis, caught at third man by Ferguson for 17, to leave the Proteas at 87 for two.
But that was as good as it got for the tourists with Gibbs and De Villiers piling on the misery in a 136-run stand.
The pair reached their half-centuries in 62 and 51 balls respectively, followed by a run-a-ball hundred partnership.
The flamboyant opener brought up his 21st one-day ton in 106 deliveries as South Africa raced past 200 in the 36th over.
Ferguson then dropped De Villiers off Nathan Hauritz diving forward at long-on, but Gibbs perished not long afterwards when Clarke took a simple catch off Nathan Bracken at long-on, ending his 116-ball stay.
Johnson (two for 59) removed Morkel (four) and De Villiers in quick succession, but the Australians did not help their chances by twice putting down JP Duminy in the deep.
The South Africa middle-order batsman was eventually out with the final delivery of the innings for 40, but he had already forged a 65-run partnership in just 44 balls with Mark Boucher (29 not out) to help the hosts end on 317 for six.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Indian hockey team arrives home
The Indian hockey team, which won the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia after a gap of 13 years, returned home to a warm reception.
The Indian team contingent, including coach in-charge Harendra Singh, were received at Indira Gandhi International Airport here by officials and a few well-wishers.
IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee member AK Mattoo and ad-hoc selection panel chairman Ajit Pal Singh were there at the airport to receive the team members.
India regained the Azlan Shah Cup after 13 years after beating Malaysia 2-1 in the final in Ipoh yesterday.
Captain Sandeep Singh said the team's next target was to do well in the Asia Cup next month.
Next assignment
"It was a good performance by the team. Even before going for the tournament we knew we had a good team and we were confident. The next target is Asia Cup," he said.
Praising SV Sunil, who stayed back with the team despite his father's demise, Sandeep said, "Sunil is a true soldier. Even in that situation he wanted to stay back. We dedicate the win to his father." Harendra expressed satisfaction with the victory but said the boys will have to improve if they want to do well in other tournaments.
"It was satisfying (to win the Cup) but we need to improve a lot. We would sort out the problems in the camp before the next assignment," he said.
Senior player Dilip Tirkey, who became the most capped international player during the Azlan Shah Cup, said he would want to carry as long as possible and help the team win more tournaments.
"As a senior player there was always pressure to perform. My aim would be to keep playing as long as possible and help the team," said the former captain.
Team manager Dhanraj Pillay said the country can do well under Indian coaches.
"We can do well under Indian coaches. I don't think we need foreign coaches. Indian coaches are better, they have produced great players," he said.
The Indian team contingent, including coach in-charge Harendra Singh, were received at Indira Gandhi International Airport here by officials and a few well-wishers.
IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee member AK Mattoo and ad-hoc selection panel chairman Ajit Pal Singh were there at the airport to receive the team members.
India regained the Azlan Shah Cup after 13 years after beating Malaysia 2-1 in the final in Ipoh yesterday.
Captain Sandeep Singh said the team's next target was to do well in the Asia Cup next month.
Next assignment
"It was a good performance by the team. Even before going for the tournament we knew we had a good team and we were confident. The next target is Asia Cup," he said.
Praising SV Sunil, who stayed back with the team despite his father's demise, Sandeep said, "Sunil is a true soldier. Even in that situation he wanted to stay back. We dedicate the win to his father." Harendra expressed satisfaction with the victory but said the boys will have to improve if they want to do well in other tournaments.
"It was satisfying (to win the Cup) but we need to improve a lot. We would sort out the problems in the camp before the next assignment," he said.
Senior player Dilip Tirkey, who became the most capped international player during the Azlan Shah Cup, said he would want to carry as long as possible and help the team win more tournaments.
"As a senior player there was always pressure to perform. My aim would be to keep playing as long as possible and help the team," said the former captain.
Team manager Dhanraj Pillay said the country can do well under Indian coaches.
"We can do well under Indian coaches. I don't think we need foreign coaches. Indian coaches are better, they have produced great players," he said.
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Sunday 12th April 2009 - India lift Azlan Shah Cup after 13 years
India regained the Azlan Shah title after 13 years, defeating hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the finals of the five-nation tournament.
Arjun Halappa (8th minute), Prabhjot Singh (20th) and Shivender Singh (41st) sounded the board for India through neatly worked out field goals, while Misron (11th) reduced the margin for the hosts.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand pipped Pakistan 2-1 in a play-off match to secure the third spot at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
High on confidence after their 3-0 win against Malaysia during the round-robin stage, India, who last won the tournament in 1995, started making forays into the rival half from the word go.
The Indian forwards' efforts bore fruit as early as in the eighth minute of the match when Arjun scored a field goal to give India the lead.
The lead was, however, shortlived as Misron drew parity, much to the delight of the home crowd, in 11th minute through a field goal.
Undeterred, the Indian forwards stepped up the attack and started making repeated inroads into their opponent's citadel and eventually managed to regain the lead when Prabhjot scored through another field goal nine minutes later to go into the breather 2-1. The Indians, who last year lost in the finals 1-2 at the hands of Argentina, continued to maintain the pressure in the second session as well.Center-forward Shivender joined the party when it mattered and made it 3-1 just six minutes after the start of the second half.Trailing 1-3, the hosts tried hard to force their way into the match but the veteran Dilip Tirkey-led Indian defence stood firm and seemed in no mood to give Malaysia any opportunity of a comeback.With this victory, India enjoy a 3-0 win-loss record over Malaysia in the event. The Indians last time won against the hosts way back in 1985.
Meanwhile, the Indian coach Harendra Singh spoke to espnstar.com's Girish Bubna just after his team's victory.
"This win directly book a berth for us in the Asia Cup, which is a great achievement."
He further added: "I am really happy that we are heading towards our goal which is to finish within the top six in the ranking by the end of the year."
Arjun Halappa (8th minute), Prabhjot Singh (20th) and Shivender Singh (41st) sounded the board for India through neatly worked out field goals, while Misron (11th) reduced the margin for the hosts.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand pipped Pakistan 2-1 in a play-off match to secure the third spot at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
High on confidence after their 3-0 win against Malaysia during the round-robin stage, India, who last won the tournament in 1995, started making forays into the rival half from the word go.
The Indian forwards' efforts bore fruit as early as in the eighth minute of the match when Arjun scored a field goal to give India the lead.
The lead was, however, shortlived as Misron drew parity, much to the delight of the home crowd, in 11th minute through a field goal.
Undeterred, the Indian forwards stepped up the attack and started making repeated inroads into their opponent's citadel and eventually managed to regain the lead when Prabhjot scored through another field goal nine minutes later to go into the breather 2-1. The Indians, who last year lost in the finals 1-2 at the hands of Argentina, continued to maintain the pressure in the second session as well.Center-forward Shivender joined the party when it mattered and made it 3-1 just six minutes after the start of the second half.Trailing 1-3, the hosts tried hard to force their way into the match but the veteran Dilip Tirkey-led Indian defence stood firm and seemed in no mood to give Malaysia any opportunity of a comeback.With this victory, India enjoy a 3-0 win-loss record over Malaysia in the event. The Indians last time won against the hosts way back in 1985.
Meanwhile, the Indian coach Harendra Singh spoke to espnstar.com's Girish Bubna just after his team's victory.
"This win directly book a berth for us in the Asia Cup, which is a great achievement."
He further added: "I am really happy that we are heading towards our goal which is to finish within the top six in the ranking by the end of the year."
(Note: This article has been taken from espnstar.com)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wigan Athletic 1-4 Arsenal
A blistering fightback at Wigan will give Arsenal a great boost ahead of the return leg of their Champions League clash.
The scores are locked at 1-1 but the Gunners proved against Wigan they have the firepower to make the semi-finals.
Wigan were left stunned by a breathtaking second half-performance after taking the lead through Mido.
That was when all the goals came first from Theo Walcott, then Mikael Silvestre and finally Andrey Arshavin and Alexandre Song.
However, referee Alan Wiley sparked controversy in first half stoppage-time by handing only a yellow card to Keiran Gibbs after he hauled back Antonio Valencia. To complete Wigan's misery Ben Watson's free-kick smacked the post.
Arsenal were rocked in the 18th minute when Wigan took the lead from a set-play.
Watson swung in the corner and Emmerson Boyce headed it forward. Bacary Sagna only half cleared the ball to Mido.
The Egyptian striker struck a firm shot but Lukasz Fabianski looked culpable and helped it into the net.
Nicklas Bendtner headed wide following a cross from Arshavin as Arsenal attempted to get back on level terms.
Bendtner then made space for himself on the edge of the area only to drill his effort wide of the target.
Arsenal were left exposed four minutes later and Mario Melchiot was able to make a surging run down the right.
He attempted to pick out Mido who had raced into the area but Johan Djourou was able to make an important clearance.
It was Djourou's last kick of the ball, however, as he was carried off with Silvestre replacing him.
Arsenal were looking a bit lethargic and finding it difficult to break Wigan down.
Silvestre, however, got on the end of a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas in the 42nd minute but failed to get a decent touch and Wigan were able to scramble the ball to safety.
Fabianski was looking fragile and almost conceded a second goal when he came racing out to try and beat Mido to a header.
He chose the wrong option as the striker got there first but Gibbs showed good composure to clear his header off the line.
Mido was struggling after taking a number of knocks and was given a generous round of applause when he came off in the 58th minute. He was replaced by Olivier Kapo.
Three minutes later Arsenal were level after Arshavin threaded the ball through to Walcott.
He steadied himself and rifled a shot into the corner beyond goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to make it 1-1.
It was only Walcott's second league goal of the season but his seventh overall in the campaign.
He came off in the 68th minute with Emmanuel Adebayor coming on for a late run-out.
Arsenal had suddenly stepped up a gear and went ahead after 71 minutes with a simple goal that has become their trademark.
Arshavin prodded the ball into the path of Fabregas and he immediately released Silvestre, who made no mistake from close range for his second goal of the campaign.
Arshavin then added a third on the stroke of full time when he capitalised on a mistake by substitute Jason Koumas.
Song completed Wigan's misery in the stoppage time with a fourth after a surging run.
It was an amazing finish to the game and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was entitled to a smile of satisfaction after looking so frustrated for long periods.
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
Chelsea 4-3 Bolton Wanderers
Chelsea kept their title hopes alive after surviving an incredible Bolton fightback in a seven-goal thriller.
Chelsea were 4-0 in front at Stamford Bridge and cruising to victory when coach Guus Hiddink replaced Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in the 65th minute.
Two goals from Drogba, a Lampard penalty and Michael Ballack's first league goal of the season had put Chelsea in total command.
But battling Bolton scored three times in 11 minutes through Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor to give the Blues an almighty scare.
The result leaves Chelsea just four points behind leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
United also have a game in hand but Chelsea are determined to keep the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
Bolton had the better of the opening exchanges with Chelsea looking a pale shadow of the side that demolished Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek.
The home side were almost caught out in the second minute when a free-kick from Taylor was palmed away by goalkeeper Petr Cech as it arrowed towards the top corner.
Chelsea's best response was a 20-yard drive by Drogba that Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to keep out.
But Bolton continued to take the game to the home side and in the 15th minute Kevin Davies sent a 20-yard volley fizzing beyond Cech's right-hand upright.
Bolton went close again in the 21st minute when Ballack lost possession to Gardner.
The Bolton midfielder set off on a mazy run but was forced to lay the ball off to Davies on the left.
When his cross arrived Taylor headed inches over with Cech beaten.
But Lampard almost made Bolton pay when his 30-yard free-kick squirmed under Jaaskelainen's body and out for a corner.
Chelsea were not afraid to shoot from range and John Mikel Obi, back in the side in place of Essien, brought another fine save from Jaaskelainen.
But the goal Chelsea had threatened for some time finally arrived in the 40th minute.
Ballack began the move by setting Salomon Kalou free on the right and the Ivorian's low cross back into the penalty area was fired into the roof of the net by the German midfielder.
Kalou broke free again moments later but this time his low cross was just inches behind the lurking Drogba.
Gary Megson's side had struggled to cope once the home side had increased the tempo of the game but Davies almost equalised when he sent a right-foot drive inches wide of an upright in stoppage time.
Chelsea went two goals in front in the 48th minute when they punished Bolton for some poor defending.
J Lloyd Samuel brought down the marauding Kalou on the right-hand edge of the penalty area and when the free-kick was played into the box Drogba's left-foot sent the ball into the roof of the net.
In the 59th minute Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Gretar Steinsson handled Lampard's attempted pass and the England midfielder stepped up to send Jaaskelainen the wrong way from the spot.
Bolton's dismal afternoon got worse in the 63rd minute when a corner from Malouda was headed down by Ivanovic and Drogba reacted quickest to guide the ball into the net for Chelsea's fourth.
The goal was the signal for Hiddink to rest some of his players ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.
Deco and Nicolas Anelka were introduced into the action in the 65th minute for Lampard and Drogba respectively and it almost cost Chelsea dearly.
The changes removed the thrust out of the Chelsea attack and Bolton began to enjoy more possession and belief.
Ballack had to clear a Davies header off the line before O'Brien took advantage of a fumble by Cech to score in the 69th minute.
Bolton added a second in the 74th minute when Basham got on the end of a Davies header to guide the ball home.
Incredibly, Bolton made it 4-3 four minutes later when Taylor headed home a flick-on by Davies.
Malouda squandered an injury-time chance to finish Bolton off for the second time but Jaaskelainen saved superbly.
But more drama was to follow when Deco cleared off the line from Gary Cahill with virtually the last kick of the game to deny Bolton one of the most sensational comebacks of the season.
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
Rafa: Pressure all on United
Liverpool kept up the pressure on Man United with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Blackburn that had Rafael Benitez smiling.Benitez was able to rest two-goal hero Fernando Torres and midfielder Xabi Alonso.
He hopes the win will send a message to United.
"Hopefully Manchester United will make a mistake. You never know. The pressure is all on them," he told Sky Sports.
Torres had scored twice before the break against Rovers before late goals from Daniel Agger and David N'Gog completed a humiliating afternoon for Sam Allardyce's visitors.
Benitez was able to leave skipper Steven Gerrard on the bench throughout as the England international nurses a groin injury which could curtail his involvement over the closing stages of the season.
The Spaniard added: "We needed to play well and score goals and we didn't concede against a team good in the air so it's a very, very positive result.
"I'm pleased we scored four goals and we were able to rest Gerrard and change some players towards the end.
"In the first half and the second half we had two or three very clear chances so we could have scored even more."
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
Stoke City 1-1 Newcastle United
Alan Shearer's Newcastle finally mustered signs of life at Stoke after homegrown hero Andy Carroll's equalising goal.
Just when it appeared as if their supporters would be left waiting for their miracle to materialise from Tyneside hero Shearer, so the manager's fellow Geordie Carroll popped up to answer their prayers.
However, Newcastle should have been dead and buried by the time the Gateshead-born 20-year-old headed an 81st-minute equaliser, cancelling out a first-half opener from Newcastle old boy Abdoulaye Faye.
The fact they were not owed much to Stoke's failure to take the gilt-edged chances that came their way, and occasional right-time, right-place defending when it mattered most.
But make no mistake, this first point of Shearer's reign from his two games in charge does not mask the deficiencies that are still rife within a team that remain in the bottom three.
That was evident by the way Stoke scored their goal from Faye, who silenced St James' Park in early December when he scored a last-gasp equaliser that saw Stoke hit back from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw.
How inevitable that it was Faye on hand again to rub salt into wounds that deepen as each week passes, and as Newcastle seemingly slip further towards the relegation trapdoor.
You could almost imagine Shearer, in his former guise as a Match of the Day pundit, highlighting the inefficient marking that allowed Faye the easiest of headers.
But then he would also have pointed an accusing finger at referee Chris Foy for awarding Stoke the corner that led to the opener when replays showed the ball had clearly bounced off Ricardo Fuller.
When you are fighting for your life, those are the kind of breaks that go against you, and this one was punished.
Liam Lawrence, who had already tested the Newcastle defence with a number of piercing deliveries, made his fourth corner of the game count.
But as the Magpies markers went missing it made it a formality for Faye to plant a comfortable seven-yard header beyond stricken goalkeeper Steve Harper.
As early as the sixth minute Harper had been relieved to see a glancing header from Ryan Shawcross to another Lawrence inswinger flash across his goal and narrowly beyond the left-hand post.
Eight minutes later, though, Harper was almost left red-faced as he was beaten to the punch by a brave Fuller who had risen to meet a curling cross from Rory Delap after a woeful Damien Duff clearance.
Fuller was unlucky as his header shaved the crossbar of an empty net, with Harper in no-man's land and again breathing a sigh of relief.
But when the goal arrived it was deserved for Stoke who ended the half firmly in the ascendancy, but with penalty appeals for handball waved away against Shola Ameobi and Kevin Nolan.
There was also blood and bandages for striker James Beattie after he was caught on top of his head in a collision with Sebastien Bassong.
How Stoke did not then put the game out of Newcastle's reach early in the second period remains a mystery as they had the chances, but a little bit of luck was at least on the visitors' side.
Bassong and Ryan Taylor both found themselves on hand in clearing efforts from Glenn Whelan and Faye off the line.
Newcastle managed to survive the storm, but Shearer - sharp-suited as he often stood with his hands in his pockets inside his technical area - was still watching an impotent display.
That was until he brought on substitute Carroll in the 71st minute.
The young striker's impact was almost immediate as within moments he had headed narrowly wide a deep cross from Ryan Taylor, at that stage Newcastle's best chance of the game.
Then, within 10 minutes of his arrival, Carroll's instinct saw him rise to a deflected chip from Duff and loop a delightful header inside the right-hand post of Thomas Sorensen.
The draw means Stoke are one point nearer the 40 points mark which should see them safe, a target Newcastle find themselves 10 points adrift of, with just six matches remaining to save their Premier League skins.
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn Rovers
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's gut reaction was right, his side were good enough to beat Blackburn 4-0 without Gerrard.
The club captain was left on the bench as Liverpool cruised to a victory that keeps their title hopes alive.
They wiped away the bitter memory of the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea, thanks to a couple of top-line goals from Fernando Torres, taking his total to the season to 14.
The first was a tremendous hooked volley after five minutes, the second a fine header from Xabi Alonso's free-kick.
And in the closing minutes Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog wrapped up the points with further goals.
Steven Gerrard was only named on the substitutes' bench, such was the concern over his groin injury, and he can now be expected to lead the side at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-final second leg .
Liverpool made four changes from the side that lost to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Agger, Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua replacing Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva and Fabio Aurelio.
Relegation-haunted Blackburn were without El-Hadji Diouf, Jason Roberts and Morten Gamst Pedersen from the side that beat Spurs last time out with Benni McCarthy only on the bench from that side.
Andre Ooijer, Tugay, David Dunn and Keith Treacy came into the team.
With the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on Wednesday, the match was preceded by a minutes' silence.
And Blackburn's former Liverpool player, Stephen Warnock, carried a wreath onto the pitch and laid it on the turf in front of the Kop prior to kick-off.
Blackburn started with five across the back and just Christopher Samba up front.
Liverpool have had trouble with this style of defence all season at Anfield, but Rovers' resistance was broken after just five minutes with a sensational Torres goal.
Jamie Carragher's long ball was taken down by Torres on his chest and with a turn and shot that had a touch of Marco van Basten about it, the Spaniard's stunning hooked volley flew past Paul Robinson into the far corner.
Agger was booked for body-checking Treacy a minute afterwards, but Liverpool continued to attack and it could have been two after 15 minutes.
Dirk Kuyt broke at pace from a Blackburn clearance and set up Mascherano for a shot that Robinson saved. However, Torres arrived first to the rebound and managed to lift his eight-yard effort over the bar.
Robinson then produced a great save to keep out a close-range Kuyt header from Insua's cross. Somehow Benayoun blazed over from the rebound.
Robinson saved again, this time from Mascherano before Keith Andrews was booked for a foul on Albert Riera after 33 minutes.
And from the resulting Alonso free-kick out on the left, Torres scored his second with a fierce header having run virtually unattended from the corner of the box to meet the set-play.
Blackburn sent on Aaron Doran at the break for Aaron Mokoena, but the pressure continued. Twice Riera saw long-ranger shots clear the far post as Liverpool went in search of more goals.
Liverpool tried to be over-elaborate, Kuyt firing over and Agger mis-hitting one wide from 20 yards before Blackburn sent on Carlos Villanueva for Dunn after 59 minutes.
Seven minutes later Tugay was withdrawn, with Vince Grella taking over.
But Liverpool had taken their foot off the pedal, not the best course of action against any top-flight side, but you sensed they had Chelsea on their minds.
Torres departed after 73 minutes to be replaced by Nabil El Zhar, again with Chelsea in mind.
Alonso was booked for a trip on Doran before Jose Reina - playing his 200th game for the club - was called into meaningful action.
He saved well from Warnock and Villanueva before diving to his left to claim a low Samba effort.
Warnock cleared off the line from Riera while Mascherano wasted a close-range opportunity.
But the third eventually arrived when Agger ran from 40 yards out to blast a swerving foot shot past Robinson from just outside the box.
Substitute Ngog scored the fourth when he headed home in the last minute.
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com..)
The BPL Saturday Review
The Barclays Premier League title race remains too close to call after Liverpool and Manchester United both won.
Liverpool briefly overhauled United at the summit after a Fernando Torres brace helped them to a 4-0 victory over Blackburn in the early kick-off.
But the Red Devils made up the deficit only a few hours later, Italian teenager Federico Macheda scoring his second consecutive winner in the league as Sir Alex Ferguson's side defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
It means that United remain a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.
Click here for full match reports
After a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster Torres lifted the mood within five minutes with a sublime opener, the Spaniard taking Jamie Carragher's lofted ball down on his chest with his back to goal, turning as it bounced and looping it over Paul Robinson from the corner of the box.
Torres headed a second after 33 minutes from Xabi Alonso's free-kick and Daniel Agger made it three with a swerving long-range effort in the 83rd minute before substitute David Ngog's header put the gloss on the win in injury time.
United looked comfortable when Paul Scholes' 18th-minute header gave them the lead against Sunderland, but Kenwyne Jones equalised 10 minutes into the second half, heading the ball down and prodding it over the line from three yards.
However, Macheda came off the bench to divert Michael Carrick's shot past Craig Gordon in the 75th minute with his first touch to keep United top of the pile.
Click here for BPL Saturday in pictures
Third-placed Chelsea kept in touch with a 4-3 win against Bolton, who staged a remarkable comeback at Stamford Bridge having been 4-0 down with 20 minutes to go.
Michael Ballack put the Blues ahead in the first half and Didier Drogba doubled the lead three minutes after the break, poking the ball home after Frank Lampard had surprised the Bolton defence with a low delivery from a free-kick.
A Lampard penalty and Drogba's second made victory look like a formality for Guus Hiddink's side, but the visitors conjured three goals in eight minutes, strikes from Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matthew Taylor setting up a nervy finale.
Arsenal went nine points clear of Aston Villa in the final Champions League spot after coming from behind to win 4-1 win at Wigan.
Mido's snapshot crept under Lukasz Fabianski in the 18th minute but But Arsene Wenger's side stormed back after the break, Theo Walcott, Mikael Silvestre, Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song all scoring to secure a comfortable victory.
At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough moved above North East rivals Newcastle into 18th place with a vital 3-1 win against Hull at the Riverside.
Tuncay put Boro in front after three minutes but Manucho rose to head home Nicky Barmby's cross only six minutes later.
Matthew Bates (29) restored the home side's lead and Former Hull striker Marlon King made the points safe in injury time.
Portsmouth moved further clear of the drop zone but will wonder what might have been after a 2-2 draw at home against rock-bottom West Brom.
Younes Kaboul gave the hosts the lead but Jonathan Greening equalised minutes into the second half after David James had blocked James Morrison's shot.
Chris Brunt then put the visitors ahead but Niko Kranjcar restored parity direct from a free-kick.
Tottenham boosted their bid for a place in Europe with a 1-0 win over West Ham, Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring the winner midway through the second half.
In the late game on Saturday, Newcastle United drew 1-1 with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
Sunderland 1-2 Man United
Federico Macheda climbed off the bench to snatch victory for the second time in a week for Manchester United.
Thanks to his strike, United clawed their way back to the top of the Barclays Premier League table with a crucial 2-1 win over Sunderland.
The 17-year-old Italian needed just seconds to claim three points for his side with a 76th-minute winner at Sunderland and send the reigning champions back above Liverpool, who had briefly headed them as a result of their 4-0 win over Blackburn.
His intervention could not have been more timely with the Black Cats having dragged themselves back into the game courtesy of Kenwyne Jones' 55th-minute equaliser, his first goal since February 7.
United looked to be in complete control when Paul Scholes capped a dominant start by heading the visitors into a 19th-minute lead, but they allowed the Wearsiders back into the game in front of a partisan crowd of 45,408.
Sir Alex Ferguson's troops will now regroup ahead of their testing Champions League quarter-final, second leg trip to Porto on Wednesday evening knowing they remain a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand in the race for the Premier League title.
By contrast, Sunderland face a monumental home clash with fellow strugglers Hull at the Stadium of Light next weekend with their top-flight status very much in the balance.
For 20 minutes, United looked to be cruising with Scholes and Carrick in complete control in the middle of the park and Wayne Rooney a real menace wide on the left side of midfield.
Rooney fired a shot across the Black Cats' bows within 16 seconds of kick-off when he curled a right-foot effort just wide, but as the game unfolded, it seemed only a matter of time before his side took the lead.
They would have done just that with 17 minutes gone had Danny Collins not hacked Nemanja Vidic's towering header off the line and then looked on as the Serbia international sent an overhead kick just wide with United laying siege.
Ferguson's men did not have to wait much longer to edge their way in front when Rooney cut inside on to his right foot to deliver the perfect cross for the unmarked Scholes to glance a deft header past the stranded Craig Gordon and into the top corner.
Sunderland went close to an equaliser twice within seconds on the half-hour when first Djibril Cisse and then defender Calum Davenport, making his first start for the club, met Phil Bardsley crosses.
Then Kenwyne Jones fired just wide from another ball in from the right-back.
Keeper Ben Foster, deputising for Edwin van der Sar, had to tip Cisse's rasping 37th-minute effort from distance over, but he needed the help of the woodwork five minutes before the break.
Carlos Edwards, recalled on the right-wing, skipped past full-back John O'Shea and saw his driven cross flick off former team-mate Jonny Evans, only for the ball to come back off the foot of the post.
Park Ji-Sung smashed a shot across Gordon in first-half injury-time after United broke swiftly, but the visitors returned to the dressing room knowing the game was still very much alive.
United re-emerged looking as if they meant business with Rooney seemingly intent on securing the points single-handedly.
In the space of four minutes, he forced Davenport to cut out a cross and concede a corner, and also drilled a 25-yard effort inches wide.
The equaliser arrived with 55 minutes gone when Foster failed to claim Teemu Tainio's cross under pressure from Jones, and the striker stabbed the ball into the empty net to peg the visitors back.
Scholes smashed a volley wide and Carlos Tevez curled a free-kick over, and it took a fine block by Bardsley to keep out the Argentinean's 63rd-minute effort after Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov had combined to play him in.
The rested Cristiano Ronaldo eventually joined the fray as a 69th-minute replacement for Park, but Cisse shot into the side-netting within seconds of his arrival.
Berbatov had appeals for a penalty for handball against Grant Leadbitter waved away two minutes later, but it was Macheda's arrival as a 75th-minute replacement for the Bulgarian which changed the game.
The youngster had been on the pitch for just seconds when he steered Carrick's shot past the helpless Gordon to further enhance his blossoming reputation.
(The above article is taken from espnstar.com)
Fergie: Stop your sulking Ronaldo
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ordered prize asset Cristiano Ronaldo to stop sulking and start playing for the team.
The News of the World have reported that whilst Ferguson believes Ronaldo does not always get the protection he should from referees, the Red Devils gaffer is adamant that when things do not go Ronaldo's way, there is no excuse for the Portugal international to then switch off.
Twice in recent games Ronaldo - who was a second-half substitute during United's 2-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday - has conceded possession that has subsequently resulted in goals for Aston Villa and then Porto in the Champions League, something Ferguson will simply not stand for.
"No, I don't accept that he will give goals away because of the player he is. I speak to him about it. I don't accept that from anyone," Ferguson told the tabloid.
"In European football, in particular, you give the ball away and it takes a long time to get it back. It has always been a big part of our strategy and philosophy in Europe - keeping possession of the ball.
"It's really important. He's not immune from that. He always feels he's not getting the proper protection and I think that maybe in quite a few cases he is right, and a few cases he is not right.
"It's hard when a player who wants to entertain all doesn't get everything his way. You can't get everything your own way. He understands that, and there's not a problem with that.
"It's just a frustration that he feels that he doesn't get the decision and he gets upset about it. I think obviously he doesn't enjoy that and he knows he's letting himself down more than anything.
"He holds his hands up, I have had to remind him about that but I'm not getting into what has been said."
The News of the World have reported that whilst Ferguson believes Ronaldo does not always get the protection he should from referees, the Red Devils gaffer is adamant that when things do not go Ronaldo's way, there is no excuse for the Portugal international to then switch off.
Twice in recent games Ronaldo - who was a second-half substitute during United's 2-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday - has conceded possession that has subsequently resulted in goals for Aston Villa and then Porto in the Champions League, something Ferguson will simply not stand for.
"No, I don't accept that he will give goals away because of the player he is. I speak to him about it. I don't accept that from anyone," Ferguson told the tabloid.
"In European football, in particular, you give the ball away and it takes a long time to get it back. It has always been a big part of our strategy and philosophy in Europe - keeping possession of the ball.
"It's really important. He's not immune from that. He always feels he's not getting the proper protection and I think that maybe in quite a few cases he is right, and a few cases he is not right.
"It's hard when a player who wants to entertain all doesn't get everything his way. You can't get everything your own way. He understands that, and there's not a problem with that.
"It's just a frustration that he feels that he doesn't get the decision and he gets upset about it. I think obviously he doesn't enjoy that and he knows he's letting himself down more than anything.
"He holds his hands up, I have had to remind him about that but I'm not getting into what has been said."
(The above article has been taken from espnstar.com.)
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