TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Manchester United's Michael Carrick eager to experience FA Cup clash against Leeds Midfielder can't wait for his first War of the Roses experience, with United-Leeds games missing from the fixture list since 2004. telegraph.co.uk |
De Vos: Is gambling among teammates common in professional sports? A few weeks ago, during a locker-room dispute over a reported unpaid gambling debt, NBA all-star Gilbert Arenas allegedly pulled a gun on Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton. Not to be outdone, Crittenton returned the favour, resulting in a standoff. cbc.cacbc.ca |
Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool Rafael BenÃtez was denied refuge from the storm threatening to engulf him by a 90th-minute equaliser from Robert Huth. Liverpool thought they had won it with a scruffy second-half goal from Soitirios Kyrgiakos, but battling Stoke refused to accept defeat and their spirit had its reward at the death.Liverpool were quick to point out that they were denied a penalty when Lucas was brought down inside the area by Danny Higginbotham, and that Dirk Kuyt might have won it in added time, when he headed against a post when it seemed easier to score.Stoke were plucky but prosaic – as one might expect from a team for whom no player has scored more than three league goals all season – and it speaks volumes for Liverpool's decline that they could not see them off. Last year's runners-up would have been out of sight by half-time.The first surprise came early, with the announcement of the Liverpool team. There had to be sympathy for BenÃtez over the absence of Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun, who between them have contributed more than two-thirds of Liverpool's goals this season, but there was only head-scratching over the selection of Philipp Degen ahead of Alberto Aquilani in midfield. Degen, who regards himself principally as a defender, has been such a flop since his arrival from Dortmund 18 months ago that he had previously made only one start in the Premier League, at Fulham, where he was sent off.Among the sizeable scouse contingent present, there was also apprehension – unfounded as it turned out – about the promotion of another poor signing, the hirsute Kyrgiakos, who covered for the injured Daniel Agger in central defence. In the circumstances, it was with some relief that Liverpool saw Rory Delap, of the howitzer throw, depart hors de combat midway through the first half. With him went Stoke's likeliest route to goal.The only incident of note in a tediously mundane first half saw Liverpool refused a penalty when Lucas, cutting in from the right, was floored by Higginbotham. It was clearly a foul, but the referee compounded one obvious error with another, booking Lucas for diving.The theory that it could only improve proved correct in the 57th minute, when Fabio Aurelio's free-kick from the right was spilled by Sorensen and Kyrgiakos bundled the ball over the line from three yards.Suddenly the mood changed. From having the home fans taunt him with choruses of "You're getting sacked in the morning", BenÃtez heard his name chanted by the travelling loyalists.But the vocal backdrop was to change to "You're not singing any more" when Matthew Etherington's corner from the right was headed back across goal from the far post by Higginbotham for Huth to equalise from point-blank range.Stoke CityLiverpoolPremier LeagueJoe Lovejoyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Leicester in talks with Birmingham defender Taylor • 30-year-old left out of Birmingham's training trip to Malta• Leicester keen on loan but Blues want permanent dealBirmingham City's fit-again central defender Martin Taylor has emerged as a target for Championship promotion hopefuls Leicester City.The 30-year-old has not travelled with Birmingham for their four-day training camp in Malta so he can hold talks with the Leicester manager Nigel Pearson. A stumbling block, though, could be that Leicester want to sign Taylor on loan whereas Blues would prefer a permanent deal.Taylor suffered ankle ligament damage during pre-season and is now back available and featured in recent squads. But he faces a battle to regain his place given the form of summer signings Roger Johnson and Scott Dann while the manager, Alex McLeish, also has back-up in Liam Ridgewell, currently playing at left-back, and Franck Queudrue.Taylor's current deal expires in the summer although Birmingham have a two-year option they could exercise.The former Blackburn Rovers player made unwanted headlines two years ago when he broke the leg of Arsenal striker Eduardo in a Premier League game at St Andrew's.Taylor's days at Blues looked numbered when he moved to Norwich City on loan but he re-established himself at St Andrew's last season and helped the club gain promotion from the Championship.McLeish, meanwhile, is continuing to search for a new striker and has been linked with Kenwyne Jones of Sunderland, Ryan Babel of Liverpool, Roman Pavlyuchenko of Tottenham Hotspur and Maxi Lopez from FK Moscow.Transfer windowBirmingham CityLeicester CityPremier LeagueChampionshipguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ferguson urges fans to back club Sir Alex Ferguson pleads with Manchester United fans to put aside dissatisfaction with the club's owners and back his team as they attempt to retain their Barclays Premier League title. foxsports.com.au |