TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Celtic 1-1 Rangers Celtic's ineptitude in front of goal may prove as much a source of regret to Steve Conroy this morning as to the Parkhead manager Tony Mowbray.Conroy became the latest referee to become embroiled in a controversy which seldom fails to provide an Old Firm talking point. There was nothing wrong with the "goal" scored by Celtic's Marc-Antoine Fortuné 19 minutes into this meeting between the top two yet the official disallowed it for an apparent foul by the striker on Allan McGregor. Even taking into account that goalkeepers are now a more protected species than the panda, McGregor was afforded a major break.However to the Celtic manager's credit, he refused to pinpoint Conroy's error as pivotal. "I haven't seen the incident again," he said. "The referee makes decisions and we abide by them."In private, Mowbray will doubtless be haunted by his side's continued wastefulness in front of goal just as much as any dubious peep from a referee's whistle.Lack of goals undermined Celtic's bid to win the title last season; yesterday the home side were so dominant that Lee McCulloch likened the game to that night in Paris in 2007. On the Rangers midfielder's admission France had "battered" a Scotland team who somehow emerged with a 1-0 victory on that occasion."We are delighted to get a point that we probably didn't deserve," added the Rangers manager Walter Smith. "We got something out of a game we didn't really put anything into, in an attacking sense."To balance the shanked shots at goal, misplaced tackles and niggling fouls which one would expect to be on display at any third division match, there was a single moment of brilliance. McGregor clawed away a swerving and deflected shot from Georgios Samaras five minutes from time and which had it gone in would surely have ensured a Celtic victory.The fact that the three points did not eventually arrive will presumably increase Mowbray's anxiety to freshen up his squad this month. A team who fail to endorse territorial dominance with goals while also displaying defensive generosity, after all,will not win titles.Rangers' subdued showing must be explained in part by the absence of two key players, Kenny Miller and Madjid Bougherra. They should also have been without Kyle Lafferty before half-time, the striker somehow escaping a red card for a wild lunge on Andreas Hinkel.Lafferty's actions typified his team's frustration. Fortuné's effort aside, Celtic had come close with headers from Barry Robson, who hit the crossbar, and Aiden McGeady. Samaras also shot wide when sent clean through two minutes before the interval; McGeady passed up another opportunity before the Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was called into his first action, after more than an hour.In an intriguing subplot, Mowbray sent for a grumpy Scott McDonald. The Australian striker, surprisingly left among the substitutes at kick-off, made his point with a goal after stooping to meet a McGeady cross.Onlookers who sensed that should have been that had forgotten Celtic's regular inability to defend basic situations. McCulloch rose to connect with a Steve Davis corner, ensuring Rangers remain seven points clear in this championship race and leaving the home support to vent their anger towards Conroy. Some of it, however, should be reserved for their own wasteful players.Man of the match Aiden McGeady (Celtic)Scottish Premier LeagueCelticRangersEwan Murrayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
West Ham v Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolves can dare to dream. Written off in pre-season, Mick McCarthy's hardy team have adapted to the more rarefied air of the Premier League to give themselves an excellent chance of staying up. Unsung heroes such as Karl Henry personify their work ethic. Their margin for error, however, is zero, particularly in games against their rivals for the drop such as West Ham. Tension and commitment will frame this encounter. West Ham, for whom on and off-the-field drama has come as standard, feel that they must take the points. It will not be easy. David HytnerVenue Upton ParkTickets £35-51 (0871 222 2700)Last season n/aReferee P DowdThis season's matches 16 Y52, R4, 3.50 cards per gamesportingbet odds West Ham 3-4 Wolves 16-5 Draw 12-5West HamSubs from Kurucz, Nouble, Sears, Ilunga, Ngala, Lee, Stech, Edgar, Payne, Da Costa, DaprelaDoubtful Ilunga (hamstring), Parker (hamstring)Injured Cole (knee, 17 Jan), Gabbidon (hamstring, 17 Jan), Noble (hamstring, 17 Jan), Dyer (hamstring, Feb), Hines (knee, Feb), Boa Morte (knee, Mar), Davenport (legs, unknown)Suspended NoneForm guide LWDLLLDisciplinary record Y41 R3Leading scorer Cole 7WolvesSubs from Hennessey, Elokobi, Surman, Maierhofer, Castillo, Mancienne, Hill, Halford, Ebanks-Blake, Zubar, David JonesDoubtful NoneInjured Kightly (ankle, Feb), Murray (knee, Feb), Edwards (ankle, Mar), Keogh (ankle, Mar)Suspended NoneForm guide LLWLLWWDisciplinary record Y38 R2Leading scorer Doyle 5Match pointers• Wolves have not won a league match away to West Ham since March 1978• There have been 38 goals scored at Upton Park this season, more than at any other stadium in the division• West Ham and Wolves have both scored six goals from indirect free kicks, a joint high for the Premier League along with Bolton• Wolves have three players who have scored more than one league goal this term, fewer than any other side• West Ham have kept one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League matchesWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Hoffenheim loses Ba for 3 weeks German club Hoffenheim says striker Demba Ba will be out for at least three weeks with a thigh injury, but the club won't bring in any new players to boost its depleted squad. cbc.ca |
Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 1: match report John Utaka scored in each half as Portsmouth overcame an early Darren Bent goal to earn a place in the fifth round. telegraph.co.uk |
Zuma: No Worries About Security at World Cup DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) -- South African President Jacob Zuma said Wednesday his country is ready to ensure security for the upcoming World Cup, brushing off fears stemming from a deadly attack on Togo's national football team. feeds.nytimes.com |