Much will be made of Wayne Bridge's refusal to shake John Terry's hand but the most decisive talking point to come out of Manchester City's 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge is Chelsea's faltering form.
Victory over Wolves a week ago seemed to have pushed the Blues into a position of real strength. Seven days later, Manchester United are just a point behind.
And Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti's problems are staking up. Terry has been weighed down by his off-field antics, Ashley Cole is out with a broken ankle and now Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti must serve suspensions following red cards against City.
The form of Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard cannot be called into question but the Chelsea back line looks shaky, especially with Petr Cech on the sidelines.
The title race is wide open once again, with Arsenal closing in as well after a 3-1 victory at Stoke, and Saturday was a day of celebration for all of Manchester.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
NBA: Nuggets look for third win of the season against Lakers
After losing in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in last year's Western Conference Finals, the Denver Nuggets needed to come back strong against their biggest foe. Thus far, they have done just that.
The Lakers might have a firm grip on the number one spot in the West but the Nuggets have won both games between the teams this season - and comfortably at that.
Denver scored a 105-79 blowout at the Pepsi Center on November 13 then followed it up with a huge 126-113 win in LA on February 5, behind a career-high 39 points from Chauncey Billups.
Unquestionably, the pressure is on the Lakers heading into this one. Kobe Bryant and company need a win to regain confidence against a Denver team that they might well see again come playoff time. A 3-0 lead in the season series would hand the Nuggets even more psychological points.
Billups and Carmelo Anthony will once again carry most of the offensive slack but the Nuggets may have to manage without Kenyon Martin (knee), which is a concern against Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.
Following hot on the heels of the Suns-Spurs clash, it promises to be an intriguing afternoon of basketball.
The Lakers might have a firm grip on the number one spot in the West but the Nuggets have won both games between the teams this season - and comfortably at that.
Denver scored a 105-79 blowout at the Pepsi Center on November 13 then followed it up with a huge 126-113 win in LA on February 5, behind a career-high 39 points from Chauncey Billups.
Unquestionably, the pressure is on the Lakers heading into this one. Kobe Bryant and company need a win to regain confidence against a Denver team that they might well see again come playoff time. A 3-0 lead in the season series would hand the Nuggets even more psychological points.
Billups and Carmelo Anthony will once again carry most of the offensive slack but the Nuggets may have to manage without Kenyon Martin (knee), which is a concern against Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.
Following hot on the heels of the Suns-Spurs clash, it promises to be an intriguing afternoon of basketball.
Monday, February 22, 2010
NBA: Cavs look to snap losing streak while Thunder seek 10th straight win
Tuesday night throws up a couple of intriguing contests. The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost three in a row since the All-Star Game and look to end their slide against the New Orleans Hornets, winners of their last two.
Despite new face Antawn Jamison's solid night, the Cavs lost in Orlando on Sunday and need to steady the ship back on their home floor. The Hornets are just trying to stay in contention while Chris Paul recovers from his latest injury setback.
And over in Oklahoma, Kevin Durant will be bidding to extend his run of 25+ point nights against the visiting Phoenix Suns, who are expected to be without All-Star guard Steve Nash. The Thunder are on a stunning run at present, sitting fifth in the West, and will go after their 10th straight win.
Despite new face Antawn Jamison's solid night, the Cavs lost in Orlando on Sunday and need to steady the ship back on their home floor. The Hornets are just trying to stay in contention while Chris Paul recovers from his latest injury setback.
And over in Oklahoma, Kevin Durant will be bidding to extend his run of 25+ point nights against the visiting Phoenix Suns, who are expected to be without All-Star guard Steve Nash. The Thunder are on a stunning run at present, sitting fifth in the West, and will go after their 10th straight win.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Soccer: Portsmouth's misery continues
Bottom of the table Portsmouth suffered yet another setback in their disastrous campaign, losing 2-1 at home to ten man Stoke.
Pompey took the lead through Federic Piquionne but Stoke levelled five minutes after half time with a Robert Huth header.
Andy Wilkinson saw red for a second yellow card with almost 20 minutes to go but, with the home side desperately trying to capitalise on the numerical advantage, the Potters hit the knockout punch in the first minute of stoppage time through Salif Diao.
Diao was on loan at Portsmouth during the 2005/06 season but may now have condemned the South Coast side to relegation to the Championship.
Pompey took the lead through Federic Piquionne but Stoke levelled five minutes after half time with a Robert Huth header.
Andy Wilkinson saw red for a second yellow card with almost 20 minutes to go but, with the home side desperately trying to capitalise on the numerical advantage, the Potters hit the knockout punch in the first minute of stoppage time through Salif Diao.
Diao was on loan at Portsmouth during the 2005/06 season but may now have condemned the South Coast side to relegation to the Championship.
NBA: Nuggets-Celtics headlines Sunday schedule
A special ABC double-header awaits NBA fans on Sunday with four of the elite teams in action.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have dropped two straight since the All-Star break and will have their work cut out in Orlando against the Magic. Dwight Howard has stepped up his game and Vince Carter seems to have rediscovered his shot.
But it is the Denver Nuggets-Boston Celtics clash later in the afternoon that looks to be Sunday's best offering. The Celtics are out to prove a point and may have new face Nate Robinson suited up. Road wins in LA and Portland show that the Celtics mean business and are starting their push towards the playoffs.
Ray Allen looks revived by the week off, Kevin Garnett is hungrier and more mobile and Rajon Rondo continues to provide the spark. Now Boston just need a bigger contribution from Rasheed Wallace and a healthy Marques Daniels.
Denver has gone 5-5 in its last 10 games, albeit against tough opposition, and Friday's loss to the Washington Wizards was perhaps its most embarrassing of the season. Chauncey Billups continues to light it up, scoring 28 in Washington and averaging a career high 19.7 points a game. Since January, he has been on a tear.
Carmelo Anthony is shooting it well too. He had 40 points in Cleveland on Thursday but went 0-5 in the fourth quarter against the Wizards as the Nuggets threw the game away in the final 12 minutes.
With all the hype and expectation regarding a Cavs-Lakers, LeBron-Kobe showdown in the NBA Finals this year, the Nuggets and Celtics are perhaps the two likeliest teams to prevent it. Sunday's clash will assess just h0w ready they might be to do that.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have dropped two straight since the All-Star break and will have their work cut out in Orlando against the Magic. Dwight Howard has stepped up his game and Vince Carter seems to have rediscovered his shot.
But it is the Denver Nuggets-Boston Celtics clash later in the afternoon that looks to be Sunday's best offering. The Celtics are out to prove a point and may have new face Nate Robinson suited up. Road wins in LA and Portland show that the Celtics mean business and are starting their push towards the playoffs.
Ray Allen looks revived by the week off, Kevin Garnett is hungrier and more mobile and Rajon Rondo continues to provide the spark. Now Boston just need a bigger contribution from Rasheed Wallace and a healthy Marques Daniels.
Denver has gone 5-5 in its last 10 games, albeit against tough opposition, and Friday's loss to the Washington Wizards was perhaps its most embarrassing of the season. Chauncey Billups continues to light it up, scoring 28 in Washington and averaging a career high 19.7 points a game. Since January, he has been on a tear.
Carmelo Anthony is shooting it well too. He had 40 points in Cleveland on Thursday but went 0-5 in the fourth quarter against the Wizards as the Nuggets threw the game away in the final 12 minutes.
With all the hype and expectation regarding a Cavs-Lakers, LeBron-Kobe showdown in the NBA Finals this year, the Nuggets and Celtics are perhaps the two likeliest teams to prevent it. Sunday's clash will assess just h0w ready they might be to do that.
Soccer: Chelsea and Arsenal earn precious wins
Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of table with a 2-0 victory at Wolves courtesy of a Didier Drogba double.
The Ivorian struck in each half to sink Mick McCarthy's side, who could have given no more in terms of work rate and passion. Wolves just did not have the killer instincts of Drogba to call upon - and ultimately that was all that separated the two teams.
And at the Emirates, a Nicklas Bendtner goal was enough to send Sunderland to yet another defeat. The Dane tapped home in the 27th minute from Emmanuel Eboue's cross.
Having been written off three weeks ago, Arsenal are now just two points behind second-placed Manchester United and six points off the top.
The Ivorian struck in each half to sink Mick McCarthy's side, who could have given no more in terms of work rate and passion. Wolves just did not have the killer instincts of Drogba to call upon - and ultimately that was all that separated the two teams.
And at the Emirates, a Nicklas Bendtner goal was enough to send Sunderland to yet another defeat. The Dane tapped home in the 27th minute from Emmanuel Eboue's cross.
Having been written off three weeks ago, Arsenal are now just two points behind second-placed Manchester United and six points off the top.
Golf: Woods makes tearful apology
Tiger Woods spoke publicly on Friday for the first time about his infidelity and the scandal that has engulfed the golf world since the end of November.
"I was unfaithful, I had affairs and I cheated. What I did was unacceptable," he admitted.
"I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me."
Woods did not confirm when he would return to the Tour, stating only that he would be back at some stage.
"I was unfaithful, I had affairs and I cheated. What I did was unacceptable," he admitted.
"I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me."
Woods did not confirm when he would return to the Tour, stating only that he would be back at some stage.
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