The three-horse race at the top of the Premier League goes on as Chelsea and Arsenal picked up important wins on Saturday, piling the pressure on Manchester United who face Fulham on Sunday.
Chelsea beat struggling West Ham 4-1 at Stamford Bridge to return to the top of the table but Arsenal left it late to grab the three points at Hull. The Gunners needed a last gasp Nicklas Bendtner goal to snatch a 2-1 win.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
NBA: Nuggets bring solid form to face Grizzlies
Carmelo Anthony is looking unstoppable again, Chauncey Billups has barely put a foot wrong and Nene is asserting himself down low. So far, the Denver Nuggets have to be pleased with their form in March.
Since a disappointing loss in Phoenix on March 1, the Nuggets have won five straight, beating playoff teams Portland and Oklahoma City along the way. Coach George Karl is not with the team due to his cancer treatment but his players are doing him proud.
After cranking up their performance in the second half to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets outlasted New Orleans 102-95 on Friday and arrive in Memphis hot on the heels of second seed Dallas.
The Grizzlies still have playoff aspirations. Regardless of what happens over the next month, they have undoubtedly exceeded expectations for this season and talents like Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo have big futures.
But it is the frontcourt that will test Denver the most on Saturday night. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are a potent double act on the boards and the Nuggets must do without the services of Kenyon Martin, who is still nursing a knee injury.
And that could be the decisive element. Nene, Johan Petro and Chris Andersen must challenge the Grizzlies' big men on the glass if Denver is to stay perfect on this four-game road trip. If they stay competitive in the rebounding battle, you can be sure that Anthony and Billups will do the rest.
Since a disappointing loss in Phoenix on March 1, the Nuggets have won five straight, beating playoff teams Portland and Oklahoma City along the way. Coach George Karl is not with the team due to his cancer treatment but his players are doing him proud.
After cranking up their performance in the second half to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets outlasted New Orleans 102-95 on Friday and arrive in Memphis hot on the heels of second seed Dallas.
The Grizzlies still have playoff aspirations. Regardless of what happens over the next month, they have undoubtedly exceeded expectations for this season and talents like Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo have big futures.
But it is the frontcourt that will test Denver the most on Saturday night. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are a potent double act on the boards and the Nuggets must do without the services of Kenyon Martin, who is still nursing a knee injury.
And that could be the decisive element. Nene, Johan Petro and Chris Andersen must challenge the Grizzlies' big men on the glass if Denver is to stay perfect on this four-game road trip. If they stay competitive in the rebounding battle, you can be sure that Anthony and Billups will do the rest.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Soccer: Pjanic the hero as Lyon stun Real Madrid, reach last eight of the Champions League
Miralem Pjanic's goal rocked the Bernabeu and left Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka et al devastated. You heard it here first:
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2010/01/21/pjanic-can-help-lyon-make-mark-in-europe/16168/
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2010/01/21/pjanic-can-help-lyon-make-mark-in-europe/16168/
Cricket: West Indies' struggles a sad sight
The West Indies have won two of their last three games yet leading the ODI series against Zimbabwe is nothing to get excited about - especially given the team's struggles in securing those victories.
With Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul - plus the returning Dwayne Bravo - the only top class players in the West Indian team, they are currently as out of their depth as ever when compared to the other top nations.
If they are stuttering to modest totals against the Zimbabwe attack, what are they likely to manage against South Africa, Australia or India? The Zimbabweans have played their part in making it an exciting series, with some clever batting and tight bowling, but above all these three games have underlined how far the West Indies have fallen.
With Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul - plus the returning Dwayne Bravo - the only top class players in the West Indian team, they are currently as out of their depth as ever when compared to the other top nations.
If they are stuttering to modest totals against the Zimbabwe attack, what are they likely to manage against South Africa, Australia or India? The Zimbabweans have played their part in making it an exciting series, with some clever batting and tight bowling, but above all these three games have underlined how far the West Indies have fallen.
NBA: No let up from West's elite
In the race for home court advantage come playoff time, the Western Conference battle looks set to go right to the wire.
The LA Lakers ended their three-game slide by edging past the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday nights. And on Wednesday the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz extended their winning streaks. The Lakers have lost three fewer games than the second-placed Mavs but all four teams will have plenty to say down the home stretch.
The Nuggets have the toughest schedule but, with Chauncey Billups having the best scoring season of his career, they still have their eyes on the big prize. And there is also a case for arguing that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, who are both within touching distance of fourth place.
For the West's elite, now is not the time to falter - and this week, they haven't.
The LA Lakers ended their three-game slide by edging past the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday nights. And on Wednesday the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz extended their winning streaks. The Lakers have lost three fewer games than the second-placed Mavs but all four teams will have plenty to say down the home stretch.
The Nuggets have the toughest schedule but, with Chauncey Billups having the best scoring season of his career, they still have their eyes on the big prize. And there is also a case for arguing that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, who are both within touching distance of fourth place.
For the West's elite, now is not the time to falter - and this week, they haven't.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Soccer: Beckham set for deserved ovation as he returns to Old Trafford
When David Beckham walks out at Old Trafford for AC Milan on Wednesday night, Manchester United supporters will finally get the chance to show their appreciation for the midfielder's years of service for the champions.
Beckham emerged from the United youth system alongside Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and the other Fergie Fledglings, won countless league titles and starred in the Treble-winning side of 1999. The standing ovation that he will surely receive ahead of the Champions League second round second leg will be fully deserved.
But there is unlikely to be a lot else for Beckham to smile about. Even if Wayne Rooney misses out through injury, United are too good for the Italians and, of course, hold a 3-2 advantage from the first leg. Expect Sir Alex Ferguson's men to comfortably move into the quarter-finals.
In Wednesday's other action, Real Madrid have a fight on their hands against Lyon. The Spaniards trail 1-0 and will need some magic from their heavyweight attack. Cristiano Ronaldo was masterfully smothered in the first leg but will be on a mission at the Bernabeu. However, if the Frenchmen find the net, Real will need three goals to advance and that might even be beyond the Galacticos.
Beckham emerged from the United youth system alongside Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and the other Fergie Fledglings, won countless league titles and starred in the Treble-winning side of 1999. The standing ovation that he will surely receive ahead of the Champions League second round second leg will be fully deserved.
But there is unlikely to be a lot else for Beckham to smile about. Even if Wayne Rooney misses out through injury, United are too good for the Italians and, of course, hold a 3-2 advantage from the first leg. Expect Sir Alex Ferguson's men to comfortably move into the quarter-finals.
In Wednesday's other action, Real Madrid have a fight on their hands against Lyon. The Spaniards trail 1-0 and will need some magic from their heavyweight attack. Cristiano Ronaldo was masterfully smothered in the first leg but will be on a mission at the Bernabeu. However, if the Frenchmen find the net, Real will need three goals to advance and that might even be beyond the Galacticos.
Soccer: Malouda proving his quality
Florent Malouda has been one of Chelsea's unsung heroes this season.
Check out http://www.insidefutbol.com/2010/03/07/malouda-mainstay-of-chelsea-trophy-drive/18661/
Check out http://www.insidefutbol.com/2010/03/07/malouda-mainstay-of-chelsea-trophy-drive/18661/
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