Manchester United and Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of their star men as the second legs of their Champions League ties approach. Wayne Rooney missed Saturday's win at Wolves with a knee injury and Cesc Fabregas limped off in Arsenal's victory over Burnley.
Post-match interviews with both sets of coaching staff confirmed that the pair face a race against time to make the starting line-ups.
Arsenal have the more nail-biting wait as they trail Porto 2-1 from the first leg and have been hugely below-par whenever Fabregas is not in the side. Reaching the quarter-final will be a tough ask if the Spaniard misses the game.
United at least have a 3-2 lead heading into the second leg at Old Trafford and will fancy their chances of progressing, even if Rooney is unavailable. However, AC Milan have ample attacking threats and Sir Alex Ferguson will feel a lot calmer if Rooney recovers in time.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Soccer: Scholes the hero as United go top
With Wayne Rooney not fit enough to even make the bench, Paul Scholes stepped up to fire Manchester United to the top of the Premier League. The champions left it late but Scholes' calm finish with 17 minutes to go clinched a 1-0 victory over Wolves.
Sam Vokes spurned a glorious chance to level in injury time, firing over from close range, and Wolves crafted a number of good openings. On another day, they might have been celebrating a crucial three points.
Instead, United took their chance and moved two points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, who beat Burnley 3-1 at the Emirates.
Sam Vokes spurned a glorious chance to level in injury time, firing over from close range, and Wolves crafted a number of good openings. On another day, they might have been celebrating a crucial three points.
Instead, United took their chance and moved two points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, who beat Burnley 3-1 at the Emirates.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Cricket: Kieswetter and Morgan breathing life into England batting
Craig Kieswetter and Eoin Morgan have emerged as stars of the present and future for England on the tour of Bangladesh, with match-winning ODI performances.
Check back over the weekend for an assessment of England's tour to date.
Check back over the weekend for an assessment of England's tour to date.
NBA: Lakers stutter on the road, Mavs and Nuggets protect home court
Just when the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be romping away with the number one spot in the West, road woes have kicked in.
Kobe Bryant and company have lost in Miami and Charlotte this week, allowing the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets to keep believing they can steal top spot.
While the Lakers scored just 83 points in a humbling loss to the Bobcats, the Mavericks outlasted the Sacramento Kings 108-100 in Dallas. The Nuggets followed suit, beating the Indiana Pacers behind a big night from Carmelo Anthony.
The Lakers will bounce back and, in all likelihood, finish top of the pile but things are at least getting more interesting at the summit of the Western Conference standings.
Kobe Bryant and company have lost in Miami and Charlotte this week, allowing the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets to keep believing they can steal top spot.
While the Lakers scored just 83 points in a humbling loss to the Bobcats, the Mavericks outlasted the Sacramento Kings 108-100 in Dallas. The Nuggets followed suit, beating the Indiana Pacers behind a big night from Carmelo Anthony.
The Lakers will bounce back and, in all likelihood, finish top of the pile but things are at least getting more interesting at the summit of the Western Conference standings.
Soccer: United poised to go top
Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United players have a huge 90 minutes ahead of them against Wolves tomorrow. Victory will put the champions back at the Premier League summit.
With Chelsea in FA Cup action, United can still a march on their rivals but may have to manage without Wayne Rooney as they attempt to take three points at Molineux. Michael Owen is out for the season so Ferguson will be relying on Dimitar Berbatov to continue his improved run of form.
Meanwhile, Arsenal host Burnley and ought to grab an easy three points of their own, keeping themselves in the thick of the title race.
With Chelsea in FA Cup action, United can still a march on their rivals but may have to manage without Wayne Rooney as they attempt to take three points at Molineux. Michael Owen is out for the season so Ferguson will be relying on Dimitar Berbatov to continue his improved run of form.
Meanwhile, Arsenal host Burnley and ought to grab an easy three points of their own, keeping themselves in the thick of the title race.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
NBA: Nuggets back on track but road record needs work
After painful losses against the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets returned to winning ways in a 119-90 blowout victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Carmelo Anthony held the edge over Kevin Durant, dropping 30 points and scoring at will with his jumper, and the Nuggets moved to 40-21.
With the Dallas Mavericks overtaking Denver in the race for the second seed, this win was a timely boost for George Karl and his players, especially as the Thunder are a possible playoff opponent.
The Oklahoma City game was the first in an intriguing stretch for Anthony and company. Denver play 10 of 16 games on the road in March but a number of these are very winnable, including trips to New Orleans, New York and Minnesota.
The Nuggets have struggled on the road this season - a surprise considering the steady influence of Chauncey Billups - but this month presents chances to put that right.
Carmelo Anthony held the edge over Kevin Durant, dropping 30 points and scoring at will with his jumper, and the Nuggets moved to 40-21.
With the Dallas Mavericks overtaking Denver in the race for the second seed, this win was a timely boost for George Karl and his players, especially as the Thunder are a possible playoff opponent.
The Oklahoma City game was the first in an intriguing stretch for Anthony and company. Denver play 10 of 16 games on the road in March but a number of these are very winnable, including trips to New Orleans, New York and Minnesota.
The Nuggets have struggled on the road this season - a surprise considering the steady influence of Chauncey Billups - but this month presents chances to put that right.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Soccer: Villa unable to keep Rooney out of the headlines
Wayne Rooney might have started on the bench in the Carling Cup final but he still made the decisive contribution as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-1 to lift their first piece of silverware of the season.
James Milner's penalty put Villa ahead early on but Michael Owen quickly levelled with a classy low finish.
But an injury to Owen then presented Rooney with his chance to come on and steal the spotlight. He did just that, expertly heading Antonio Valencia's cross past Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.
Martin O'Neill's side rallied late in the game but could not find an equaliser, allowing United to begin what they hope will be the first of many big parties during this campaign.
James Milner's penalty put Villa ahead early on but Michael Owen quickly levelled with a classy low finish.
But an injury to Owen then presented Rooney with his chance to come on and steal the spotlight. He did just that, expertly heading Antonio Valencia's cross past Brad Friedel in the Villa goal.
Martin O'Neill's side rallied late in the game but could not find an equaliser, allowing United to begin what they hope will be the first of many big parties during this campaign.
Winter Olympics: Canada win dramatic hockey gold
Sidney Crosby's golden goal in overtime settled one of the most gripping hockey games in history as Canada beat USA 3-2 to win the gold medal. In doing so, Canada set a new record with the most golds ever for a host nation at the Winter Olympics - 14.
Leading 2-1 heading into the final seconds of the third period, Canada were within touching distance of the gold, only for Zach Parise to level with 24 seconds left.
But Crosby had the final say, firing home the winning goal from Jarome Iginla's pass to provide the perfect ending for Canadian fans.
Leading 2-1 heading into the final seconds of the third period, Canada were within touching distance of the gold, only for Zach Parise to level with 24 seconds left.
But Crosby had the final say, firing home the winning goal from Jarome Iginla's pass to provide the perfect ending for Canadian fans.
Soccer: Rooney left on bench for Carling Cup final
Aston Villa's hopes of lifting the Carling Cup received a timely boost an hour before kick off when Sir Alex Ferguson only named Wayne Rooney as a substitute.
The United boss preferred Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen up front - no doubt to the relief of Martin O'Neill, Richard Dunne and company.
The United boss preferred Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen up front - no doubt to the relief of Martin O'Neill, Richard Dunne and company.
Soccer: Saha earns surprise Les Bleus recall
After all the injury problems that have affected Louis Saha over the past five years, it is hard for anyone to begrudge him his recall to the French national team for Wednesday's friendly with Spain.
When he is 100%, Saha remains a top class goalscorer with the pace and power to trouble the best defences - as he did against Chelsea this month. Sadly, injuries have popped up far too frequently for his liking, hurting his chances of making his mark.
This week, though, he has a chance to enter the running for a World Cup berth. He is a latecomer to the race to get to South Africa this summer but, if he can reproduce his Everton form on Wednesday, he might just sneak into the squad.
It is for an opportunity like this that Saha went through the countless rehab programs to overcome injury and this opening is a deserved reward for his determination to continue performing at the highest level.
When he is 100%, Saha remains a top class goalscorer with the pace and power to trouble the best defences - as he did against Chelsea this month. Sadly, injuries have popped up far too frequently for his liking, hurting his chances of making his mark.
This week, though, he has a chance to enter the running for a World Cup berth. He is a latecomer to the race to get to South Africa this summer but, if he can reproduce his Everton form on Wednesday, he might just sneak into the squad.
It is for an opportunity like this that Saha went through the countless rehab programs to overcome injury and this opening is a deserved reward for his determination to continue performing at the highest level.
Soccer: Capello forced to test supporting cast against Egypt
England's friendly against Egypt on Wednesday was supposed to give Fabio Capello the chance to put his favoured XI through their paces ahead of the summer and iron out any kinks. Instead, he finds himself testing out some of his reserves.
It is in defence that Capello is particularly short-staffed, with Ashley Cole and new captain Rio Ferdinand injured. In addition, Wayne Bridge has put himself out of the reckoning in the wake of the Terry scandal.
So while Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard should all be fit - and the latter will wear the armband against the talented Egyptians - there are question marks elsewhere. Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock seem the likeliest players to cash in at left back while Wes Brown or Matthew Upson will fill in at centre back alongside Terry.
Then there is Aaron Lennon, who continues to be bothered by injury. He may well not be fit enough to take his place on the right flank and Theo Walcott is equally injury-dogged at present, leaving the door open for David Beckham or James Milner to start on Wednesday.
Having won three straight African Cup of Nations titles, Egypt will provide a stern challenge so, though it was hardly the original plan, Capello will at least learn more about his supporting cast this week.
It is in defence that Capello is particularly short-staffed, with Ashley Cole and new captain Rio Ferdinand injured. In addition, Wayne Bridge has put himself out of the reckoning in the wake of the Terry scandal.
So while Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard should all be fit - and the latter will wear the armband against the talented Egyptians - there are question marks elsewhere. Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock seem the likeliest players to cash in at left back while Wes Brown or Matthew Upson will fill in at centre back alongside Terry.
Then there is Aaron Lennon, who continues to be bothered by injury. He may well not be fit enough to take his place on the right flank and Theo Walcott is equally injury-dogged at present, leaving the door open for David Beckham or James Milner to start on Wednesday.
Having won three straight African Cup of Nations titles, Egypt will provide a stern challenge so, though it was hardly the original plan, Capello will at least learn more about his supporting cast this week.
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