Rooney wonder goal sinks Man City

 Football

Man Utd   2 - 1   Man City

Wayne Rooney's spectacular late winner put Manchester United's Premier League title assault back on course and left Manchester City devastated at Old Trafford.
David Silva's deflected equaliser put Roberto Mancini's side in sight of a point after Nani's first-half goal gave United a slender advantage in a tight and tense encounter.
It was Rooney, however, who produced a moment of inspiration to score a stunning overhead kick that will live forever in the memory of United's fans and extended City's dismal sequence of only one league win in their last 27 visits to Old Trafford.
Silva's fortunate leveller, unwittingly deflecting in substitute Edin Dzeko's shot via his back, had given City momentum but they were stopped in their tracks in the most dramatic fashion with only 12 minutes left.
Nani's cross from the right flank was high and behind Rooney as he lurked near the penalty spot, but he elevated an indifferent personal display to the heights by readjusting his position and sending an acrobatic, unstoppable overhead kick high past startled City keeper Joe Hart.
The quality of the goal was worthy of winning any game and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may even look back on it as a strike that won the title after they bounced back from their first Premier League defeat of the season at Wolves last Saturday.
Rooney, superbly shackled by City defender Vincent Kompany for so long as Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, had previously cut a forlorn and frustrated figure but his natural instincts continue to serve him and United so well.
And if his love affair with Old Trafford was strained by the saga of his demand to leave earlier this season, the bond was rekindled as United claimed a vital victory.
It enabled them to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points at the final whistle - and also inflicted a serious blow to City's own lingering hopes of mounting a challenge as they now stand eight points behind United having played a game more.
City were left to regret failing to make the most of some early supremacy when Silva squandered the perfect opportunity to strike a crucial blow early on in the second minute.
United boss Ferguson entrusted Rooney with a lone attacking role - and in the opening stages it was City who made all the running and should have taken the lead in the opening moments.
Silva, a significant influence as City dominated, exchanged passes with Carlos Tevez inside the area and was left with only Edwin van der Sar to beat. The angle was acute but the gifted Spaniard was wasteful as he rolled a tame finish across the face of goal and inches wide.
The hulking figure of Yaya Toure also cast a giant shadow over United's midfield as they struggled to assert any authority and he was frustrated when referee Andre Marriner ignored his penalty appeals when his cross struck Chris Smalling.
As United finally started to pose a threat, Darren Fletcher headed straight at City keeper Hart from Ryan Giggs' cross - and the seemingly ageless Old Trafford veteran was instrumental when they took the lead four minutes before the interval.
Rooney challenged for Van der Sar's clearance and Giggs pounced to deliver an inviting pass for Nani, who escape the attentions of Pablo Zabaleta to slide a composed finish past Hart.
City boss Mancini, who watched his team fail to capitalise on so much early possession, made a change early in the second half when he replaced Aleksandar Kolarov with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
And in an attempt to actually call Van der Sar into serious action, something City had failed to do, he then introduced Dzeko for James Milner.
The impact was exactly what City required as both substitutes were involved when they drew level after 65 minutes. Wright-Phillips' cross fell to Dzeko and his effort took a vital touch of Silva's back to wrong-foot Van der Sar.
Ferguson immediately introduced Berbatov for Anderson, but it was that moment of brilliance from Rooney that put them back in front and visibly deflated City.
City were stunned at being struck by such a blow and their threat fizzled out as Old Trafford buzzed with excitement at what had unfolded. United survived in comfort to close out a crucial victory.
news by bbc

Gayle wants to dominate the World Cup

Chris Gayle on Thursday announced that his ultimate goal is to get his hands on the World Cup trophy. The big left-hander, rated as one of the most destructive batsmen of all time, said he has a desire to become a world champions and bring back glory to West Indies cricket during the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.

"I'm looking forward to the tournament and the dream is to see the West Indies come out on top. The World Cup is the pinnacle of a player's career and it is good to be part of the tournament here in the sub-continent," Gayle told reporters during the team's open media session.

"It can't get any bigger than this. The West Indies have a legacy of winning and I want to give my best to win matches for us," Gayle said.

"Whenever I cross that boundary rope I won't leave anything on the field. I'm going to give it my all, give it my best shot. I am looking to try and dominate the World Cup," Gayle said.

I am sure we have the team to get the job done for the people of the Caribbean. We have the fire power - the bowling combinations are good, and we have good all rounders and quality in our batting. I am here now and I will be trying to make the most of it and win one for the fans."

He announced: "This is my third World Cup. I played in South Africa in 2003 and in the Caribbean four years ago. I don't know what the future holds and I don't want to sit back and wait for the next World Cup in four years time. I am going to treat this like my final World Cup."

In his career the 31-year-old Gayle has played 223 One-Day Internationals. He is close to 8,000 career runs, having made 7,917 at an average of 39 per innings. He has scored 19 centuries - equal with Brian Lara for the most by a West Indian.

Looking ahead to the next six weeks Gayle noted: "It will be one game at a time but in the back of our minds we are looking at the quarter-finals and then take it from there. We will look to build strength from the early stages and develop as we move along. It won't be an easy task but it has to be done and we as players have to do it.

"The pitches in Asia are usual good to bat on. Most teams are playing a lot of T20 cricket nowadays so guys are learning much better how to execute - especially in the powerplay overs. Ultimately we will have to just wait and see what happens, and as I said before, the team which does the better job on the day will win."

Smith targets CWC title before bowing out as SA ODI captain

Graeme Smith hopes to bow out as South Africa's one-day captain by winning the World Cup for the first time.

The Proteas have never won the tournament and have gained a reputation for choking at the crucial moment, but Smith said his team is confident ahead of the start of the Feb. 19-April 2 event in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"It will be an exciting and tense tournament and we need to peak at the right time if we have to go all the way," Smith said Thursday. "We have come here with lot of confidence and good preparation and hope to play to potential.

"The youngsters in the team are excited about the opportunity to play in such a big event. And, as captain I would love to win the cup and leave it at that."

Smith, who became South Africa captain at the age of 22, will give up the one-day captaincy after the tournament.

"I am proud of the achievements and hopefully we can win the trophy here," he said. "As captain it is important to trust the guys and hope they play well."

The 2011 World Cup is also likely to be Jacques Kallis' last chance to win the tournament, but the 35-year-old allrounder is still recovering from a right side injury.

"We will manage him as per the needs," Smith said. "He's (Kallis) is a huge asset if he's fit."

South Africa had a strenuous net session on Thursday ahead of a warmup game against Zimbabwe on Feb. 12 at the M A Chidambaram stadium. The Proteas then play Australia on Feb. 15 before beginning its World Cup campaign against West Indies in New Delhi on Feb. 24.

Smith has three specialist spinners in a squad selected with the sub-continent conditions in mind.

"I guess we have all the bases covered on the bowling front," he said. "India is India. To play a World Cup in the most passionate area is a dream come true for any cricketer and each player would give his best."

Deion's election represents style and substance

Nfl
DALLAS -- As slam-dunk selections to the Pro Football Hall of Fame go, maybe this one would be a little easier if the style didn't often get in the way of the substance.

Long ago, Deion Sanders' identity stopped consisting of a person and became a persona.

And let's face it: The Hall has never really done personas very well. Admission is supposed to be based solely on greatness on the football field. It has always been about style over substance.
You think about Canton, Ohio, and the first thought that comes to mind is numbers. You think about individual statistics, including longevity and, where applicable, championships. You think about excellence and production first, everything else last.

Until now.

"Prime Time" meet "Frozen in Time."

The Hall's selection panel didn't have much of a struggle with this somewhat awkward marriage, though. There was enough substance in Sanders' 14 NFL seasons for two players, certainly the right kind of credentials to comfortably put him in the company of all-time greats of any era.

And when he spoke about his selection, Sanders actually sounded somewhat humbled by the honor.

"I'm excited," he said. "Are you kidding me? It's unbelievable. It's hard to describe the feeling.

"I'm one who never put an emphasis on what someone thought about me, but to be held up in high standard by your peers and sportswriters around the country, I'm honored. I really am."

Never mind the nicknames, "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion" ... or the high-stepping into the end zone, followed by his patented dance ... or the do-rag ... or the jewelry ... or the fancy clothing ... or doubling as a part-time professional baseball player for nine years and becoming the only man to play in both a Super Bowl (as part of a victory with the Cowboys) and a World Series.

Never mind the electric personality that made the nickname a perfect fit even after he stopped playing, and went a long way toward allowing him to land a broadcasting gig with NFL Network.

Sanders, who spent time with five NFL teams, clearly had the Hall of Fame excellence. He was one of the best cover cornerbacks, routinely blanketing the best receivers in the game. He had the Hall of Fame stats, too. When he retired after the 2005 season, he ranked second in the NFL in all-time interception return yardage (1,331) and tied for second for most career interceptions returned for a touchdown (nine) and a season (three). In 1994, when he was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, he had returned interceptions of 90 and 93 yards for touchdowns to become the first player with a pair of 90-yard interception returns for scores in the same season.

Sanders also had six touchdowns on punt returns, including a 68-yarder on the very first of his pro career -- which came in the same week the two-sport star hit a home run for the New York Yankees. He also had three on kickoff returns. He finished four seasons as the NFL or NFC leader in punt-return average, kickoffs, and interceptions. And did we mention that he became only the third two-way <i>starter</i> in the NFL (after Chuck Bednarik and Roy Green) and caught 60 career passes for 784 yards and three touchdowns?

Serious numbers for a serious career, even though there were plenty of times when Sanders' seriousness wasn't always easy to gauge. What was easy was allowing yourself to get so caught up in the guy who seemed much more concerned with building his brand than being a quality football player, in the guy who wore so many different uniforms that it was hard to distinguish which one (and which sport) he really belonged to.

There were those first five seasons in Atlanta, when he established his stardom. There was that one season in San Francisco, where his career-best 303 yards in interception returns helped the 49ers win a Super Bowl.

There were those five seasons here, with the Cowboys, with whom he won his second Super Bowl. Then came that other one-year stint, in Washington, and after a three-year retirement, two more years in Baltimore.

The career path doesn't really matter, though. Nor do all of the other elements that transformed him from a person to a persona. All that matters is what he did with that career, not how he did it.

I asked a Hall of Fame cornerback, who requested anonymity, to give me the main reason he thought Sanders should join him in Canton.

Without hesitation, he said, "When the game was big, he always stepped up."

Isn't that what should be expected from someone known as "Prime Time?"
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Vick named Comeback POY

 Nfl
Michael Vick took a most unusual path to The Associated Press' 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award he received Saturday night.

In the 12-year history of the honor, no player has returned from jail to earn it.
After missing two seasons serving a federal sentence for dogfighting, then spending most of the previous year as a seldom-used backup in Philadelphia, Vick was back at his best in 2010. Taking over as starter in Week 2 after Kevin Kolb sustained a concussion, Vick ran and passed the Eagles to the NFC East title and a 10-6 record.

He also displayed the kind of reformation away from the game that impressed a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Vick received 29 ½ votes, easily beating Seattle receiver Mike Williams, who got eight.

"It's unbelievable," Vick said Saturday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access." "I have to give all glory to God and thank my coaches and my teammates. They put me in this position, they got me better as an NFL player, as a quarterback. They took advantage of my talents."

Vick said he had never had more fun playing football than his second season with the Eagles.

"I've come a long way. I hate to re-live the past, I always want to move forward, but everything happens for a reason," he said. "Being a part of the Philadelphia Eagles, having the type of season I had, being around the type of players I've been around, and having the type of coaching I've had over the last year and a half has been destined."

Coach Andy Reid, who dealt with family problems when two of his sons were arrested on drug charges, believed Vick could change around his life. Few of Vick's supporters have been as staunchly behind him as Reid.

"He had a plan and he stuck to that, both on and off the field," Reid said. "He knew certain things he wanted to get better at and he was open to the coaching on it, and he got himself back into shape. ... So, he did a great job with the football part of it.

"And then he spends a tremendous amount of time in the public, in particular on his days off ... speaking and doing the best he can to right the wrong. You can never erase that, but you can sure help change others from falling into that same problem."

A star in Atlanta for most of his six seasons as a Falcon after being selected first overall in the 2001 draft, Vick missed 2007 and 2008 while incarcerated for 18 months in a federal prison. The Eagles signed him to a two-year contract worth 6.8 million; he once had a $130 million deal with the Falcons that was the NFL's richest.

Philadelphia traded Donovan McNabb to Washington in April, believing Kolb would be the starter. He was -- for one game. With Kolb sidelined, Vick was sensational
He threw for five touchdowns overall in his first two starts, both wins, then damaged rib cartilage against Washington, forcing him out for 3 ½ games. But Reid let him keep the job, and Vick was even more dynamic when he returned.

In a Monday nighter against the Redskins, Vick had a performance for the ages, throwing for four touchdowns and running for two in a 59-28 win.

He also threw for three scores and ran for one in a 38-31 victory at the Giants, a game in which the Eagles trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter.

"Michael has great instincts. Michael's got it all at this point," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "Really, the most important quality, in my opinion, for a quarterback to have is gut instincts, then comes the decision-making and the timing and accuracy. Then comes the big arm and athleticism and those types of things. The gut instincts are critical for a quarterback, and you can see that."

Not only did Vick make a remarkable turnaround on the field, but his image is improving away from the game. Last month, Vick signed his first paid endorsement contract since his release from prison, a two-year deal with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore most of this season.

Vick reiterated on "NFL Total Access" that he wasn't affiliated with a Super Bowl party held in Dallas this week, despite it being advertised as being hosted by Michael Vick.

"Early on I tried to put a stop to it, just couldn't do it," Vick said. "The good thing is I didn't attend."

Vick also said he was happy with his contract status with the Eagles, who put the franchise tag on him for the 2011 season.

"Whatever happens, happens," he said. "I put that into my agent's hands, Joel Seagal, let him handle the contract situation. I'm very optimistic that things will work out."

Also receiving votes were Minnesota linebacker E.J.Henderson (3 ½), New England receiver Wes Welker, Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher and Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel (2 each), and Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu, Seattle running back/kick ereturner Leon Washington, and Tampa Bay rookie running back LeGarrette Blount (one each).

Polamalu won the Defensive Player of the Year award earlier this week.
news by nfl.com

Newcastle 4 - 4 Arsenal

Football
Newcastle produced a stunning comeback from 4-0 down to earn a draw that shocked title hopefuls Arsenal.
Theo Walcott scored after 44 seconds before a Johan Djourou header and a strike from Robin van Persie put Arsenal 3-0 ahead inside 10 minutes.
Van Persie headed Arsenal's fourth but Abou Diaby saw red after the break for pushing Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan.
Barton scored penalties either side of a strike from Leon Best before Cheik Tiote's long-range equaliser.
It was a blistering strike from Tiote, who showed great technique to volley the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards with three minutes of normal time left.
The goal prompted wild celebrations inside St James' Park and completed one of the most remarkable second-half performances in the history of the Premier League.
Newcastle were completely blown away during the opening half of the match but worked up a head of steam after the interval that saw them score four goals in 19 minutes against a bruised and beleaguered Arsenal.
The result is the perfect tonic for Newcastle, coming at the end of a week that saw the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool on Monday and an injury to Shola Ameobi during Wednesday's defeat at Fulham.
Arsenal could have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United, but they crumbled after the dismissal of Diaby.
The confidence and attacking flair that had characterised their play in the opening half was replaced after the break by a shaky and unsure side that could not defend a handsome lead against a team that had not won in their previous four games.
Arsenal had a frustrating time against the Magpies at the Emirates earlier in the season, creating a host of chances but eventually losing 1-0.
They quickly swept away those bad memories as their afternoon got off to the perfect start on Tyneside when Walcott struck the quickest goal of the day after recalled duo Diaby and Andrey Arshavin combined to send him through.
Fabricio Coloccini was momentarily level with Walcott but the England international quickly out-paced the Argentine before placing his shot in the bottom corner.
Arshavin then swung in a free-kick for a determined Djourou to head his first competitive goal for the Gunners.
As much as the visiting team were slicing open their opponents with decisive attacking play, Newcastle were also guilty of some abysmal defending.
The result is the perfect tonic for Newcastle, coming at the end of a week that saw the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool on Monday and an injury to Shola Ameobi during Wednesday's defeat at Fulham.
Arsenal could have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United, but they crumbled after the dismissal of Diaby.
The confidence and attacking flair that had characterised their play in the opening half was replaced after the break by a shaky and unsure side that could not defend a handsome lead against a team that had not won in their previous four games.
Arsenal had a frustrating time against the Magpies at the Emirates earlier in the season, creating a host of chances but eventually losing 1-0.
They quickly swept away those bad memories as their afternoon got off to the perfect start on Tyneside when Walcott struck the quickest goal of the day after recalled duo Diaby and Andrey Arshavin combined to send him through.
Fabricio Coloccini was momentarily level with Walcott but the England international quickly out-paced the Argentine before placing his shot in the bottom corner.
Arshavin then swung in a free-kick for a determined Djourou to head his first competitive goal for the Gunners.
As much as the visiting team were slicing open their opponents with decisive attacking play, Newcastle were also guilty of some abysmal defending.
Walcott was given far too much space to pick out Van Persie with a crisp pull-back after Jose Enrique stood off him and the unmarked Dutchman gratefully guided the ball beyond Steve Harper.
Van Persie ghosted between Mike Williamson and Coloccini to head Arsenal's third and he almost completed a first-half hat-trick but Harper saved his low strike at his near post.
Arsenal's cause was not helped when centre-back Djourou limped off after 48 minutes to be replaced by Sebastien Squillaci.
But the pivotal moment in the match came after 50 minutes when Diaby was dismissed by referee Phil Dowd.
The France international completely lost his composure after he and Barton both challenged for a loose ball.
The Arsenal midfielder put one hand on the back of Barton's neck before pushing him to the floor and then shoved Nolan.
Keeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Danny Simpson seconds later but Newcastle's improvement was rewarded with a goal, Barton sending Szczesny the wrong way after Laurent Koscielny clumsily brought down Best.
An unsavoury incident followed the goal when Kevin Nolan tangled with Szczesny as he tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net.
Szczesny palmed clear a header from Williamson before Toon striker Best had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside.
However, Best did make it 4-2 when he beat Clichy to a cross from Jose Enrique and shot beyond Szczesny from eight yards.
Some of the Newcastle supporters had appeared to leave at half-time, despondent at the scoreline, but by now the vast majority who remained were passionately roaring on their team.
And Newcastle scored again when Barton struck his second spot-kick after Koscielny was adjudged to have fouled Williamson as they challenged for an aerial ball.
And one of the most amazing comebacks was completed when Tiote smashed a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.
news by bbc

Wolverhampton 2 - 1 Man Utd

Football
Below-par Manchester United fell to a first league defeat of the season as bottom-of-the-table Wolves proved they are not certainties for relegation.
United led after three minutes as Nani drilled home inside the near post after turning George Elokobi inside-out.
But Elokobi headed in soon after with United's defence sleeping, Matt Jarvis executing a short-corner routine.
Kevin Doyle then glanced in just before the break, after which the visitors failed to carve out any clear chances.
Not only will Wolves' hopes of avoiding relegation soar with a fine win that puts them only two points behind 17th-placed Wigan with a game in hand, but United's Premier League title rivals will be seriously buoyed now that their daunting 29-match unbeaten run is over.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson looked puzzled with his United team as they failed to usurp the record of his 1999 Treble winners with a display that deteriorated rapidly after Nani's early opener.
Though Wolves remain bottom by virtue of an inferior goal difference to Birmingham and West Ham, they have now beaten five of the top seven - United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Sunderland - this season.
United appeared to pay the price for the absence of in-form England captain Rio Ferdinand, whose calf injury suffered in the warm-up meant Jonny Evans was pressed into action.
Instant drama ensued as Wolves appealed for a penalty as Brazilian right-back Rafael swept away any danger from Jarvis with his upper body after 40 seconds.
But United took the lead soon after as Nani showcased the superior side to his inconsistent game.
Breaking into the right side of Wolves' penalty area, he played with Elokobi over and over while ignoring both Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney as they lurked in the centre with arms aloft.
In a flash of movement he then sent Elokobi the wrong way before cutting inside to power a ruthless left-footed shot past Wayne Hennessey at the Welshman's near post.
The visitors could have added an instant second, but Rooney screwed an ugly attempt high into Hennessey's arms after Berbatov cleverly found the unmarked England striker.
Yet United may have paid the price for overconfidence as they completely lost their concentration after 10 minutes to let Wolves back in.
As Jarvis took a quick corner Rafael jogged into his penalty area with his back to the ball and United utterly disorganised.
And when it was quickly returned to Jarvis, with United failing to mark properly, his clean cross was met with a full-blooded header by former Colchester defender Elokobi, who had to stretch his neck back to add power.
Rooney then just failed to find Berbatov as the strong wind took his searching long pass out of his strike partner's stride.
Berbatov, who has scored 13 goals in his past nine Premier League appearances, then brilliantly found space in the box with a series of flicks but his weak shot caused Hennessey no trouble.
But, after Nani went close with a 28th-minute free kick, Wolves dug deep into their resources to turn the tide as they began to control the rest of the half.
Impressive debutant Jamie O'Hara, on loan from Tottenham, nearly squeezed the ball home at the near post but alert 40-year-old goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar improvised to kick the ball away for a corner.
Nenad Milijas almost put Wolves ahead when his 37th-minute free-kick from 20 yards nearly crept inside stranded Van der Sar's far post, but the wicked deflection off Nemanja Vidic's head took it just wide.
But his free-kick three minutes later, from wide on the right, proved a crucial assist.
Wolves team-mates Kevin Doyle and Elokobi both battled to get a headed touch as the ball flew into the net, although Doyle insisted his was the last as they celebrated in front of the joyous home fans at Molineux.
United did have a chance just before the break but, with Ferguson fuming on the sidelines, Nani headed Rafael's right-wing cross over the bar.
Midfield veteran Paul Scholes replaced the ineffective Michael Carrick for the second half.
But, for once, his enduring class failed to instigate a real sense of urgency for United, although he did come close to connecting with an early low cross.
Wolves, however, looked just as likely to extend their lead as United wasted the ball when well-placed in advanced areas.
Jarvis was a constant threat, and jinked well inside Rafael in the penalty area to work a smart pull-back for O'Hara.
But the midfielder needed more power behind his side-footer as Vidic cleared the danger.
Rafael then needed medical attention as he suffered an alarming-looking dislocated finger, although he was able to continue after it was reset.
Chris Smalling came on for injured Evans, before Mexican forward Javier Hernandez replaced Berbatov.
But Hernandez - United's late saviour on many occasions this season - could not work his magic as a substitute once more.
After O'Hara was replaced by Kevin Foley, seemingly to protect him from receiving a second yellow card, Nani then showed his more frustrating side as he shot wildly into the crowd with a host of team-mates well placed.
And United's desperation became clear when Scholes was booked for handling - rather than heading - a late attempt to steer a cross past Hennessey, although the keeper made sure of the save anyway as Wolves sealed the three points despite five minutes of added time.
news by bbc

West Indies field against second-string Sri Lanka

 Cricket

Toss West Indies chose to field v Sri Lanka

Darren Sammy won the toss at the SSC and chose to field under overcast skies in the final ODI of the series.

Having confirmed that they can not lose the series, Sri Lanka chose to rest their first-choice bowling attack. Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan and Nuwan Kulasekara made way for Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis and Thisara Perera.

West Indies too made changes to their XI, but they were geared towards finding the ideal combination to square the series. Seamer Kemar Roach was replaced by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, while the assurance of Shivnarine Chanderpaul was preferred over the slam-bang approach of Kieron Pollard.

West Indies: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Adrian Barath, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Ravi Rampaul, 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Carlton Baugh (wk), 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Nikita Miller

Sri Lanka: 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt and wk), 4 Thilan Samaraweera, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Mahela Jayawardene, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Rangana Herath, 9 Thisara Perera, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Ajantha Mendis

news by espncricinfo

Australia bat first in search of 6-1

Cricket
Australia will bat first in the final international of the summer as two depleted sides take the field at Perth. Brett Lee misses out for Australia while England have made three changes after injuries to Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan.

Liam Plunkett, who flew in from the Caribbean just for this match, plays in place of Chris Woakes and Steve Davies replaces Morgan who will fly home today after x-rays revealed he had a fractured finger sustained earlier in the series. It is yet another injury worry for England ahead of the World Cup.

Although Davies isn't in the World Cup squad he has taken Matt Prior's place alongside Andrew Strauss at the top of the order with Prior, who has had an inconsistent series, dropping down to No. 6. Luke Wright plays his second game of the series and there's no place for James Tredwell who has had just one game.

Australia travelled to Perth with 12 players so the side picked itself with Lee on the sidelines. Tim Paine will open alongside Brad Haddin with Shane Watson rested and Michael Clarke also stayed behind in the Sydney which means a recall for Adam Voges. With injuries to Xavier Doherty, Nathan Hauritz and Steve Smith, Jason Krejza has been given a debut.

Australia 1 Brad Haddin (wk), 2 Tim Paine, 3 Callum Ferguson, 4 Cameron White, 5 David Hussey, 6 Adam Voges, 7 Mitchell Johnson, 8 John Hastings, 9 Jason Krejza, 10 Doug Bollinger, 11 Shaun Tait

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Steve Davies (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Matt Prior, 7 Luke Wright, 8 Michael Yardy, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steve Finn
news by espncricinfo

Butt out for 10 years, Asif 7 and Amir 5

 Cricket
Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have been banned for 10, 7 and 5 years respectively after an ICC tribunal found them guilty of spot-fixing stemming from the Lord's Test against England last year. The sanctions against Butt and Asif have five and two years suspended, which means that the trio cannot play any official, sanctioned cricket, international or domestic, for a minimum of five years, until September 2015.

The suspended sentences on Butt and Asif have been made conditional on their making no further breaches of the code and participating in an anti-corruption education programme, under the auspices of the PCB.

Butt, who was captain during the series in England, received the maximum sentence but one charge against him - of batting out a maiden over during the Oval Test - was dismissed. However, he was found to have not disclosed an approach by Majeed that he should bat the maiden over. The other charges that were upheld relate to the subsequent Lord's Test, where Amir and Asif were found to have bowled deliberate no-balls and Butt was penalized for being party to that. Amir will appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration Sports, but the other two players have not yet said whether they will.

The announcement on Saturday evening followed a day of deliberations in Doha between the three-man tribunal - comprising the head Michael Beloff QC, Sharad Rao and Justice Albie Sachs - the players and their legal teams and the ICC's lawyers. The three players began the day requesting the tribunal for a deferral of any verdict, in light of the statement on Friday by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the players might also face criminal charges relating to the Lord's Test as the result of a separate investigation carried out by British police. The players, who continued to maintain their innocence, argued that a judgment today by the tribunal could be prejudicial to any criminal trial in the UK, but the request was rejected.

The length of the sentences may be considered surprising to the extent that at least one life ban had been predicted beforehand. Now, in theory, the 26-year-old Butt could return after five years if he complies with the conditions of the verdict. Amir, who will only turn 19 in April, could also conceivably harbour hopes of a return, though in practical terms a five-year gap from any competitive cricket makes the prospect of a return that much more difficult. The situation is most bleak for Asif, who will be 33 by the time the minimum five years are up.

It must also be noted that not until the full judgment is released will the picture become fully clear, especially with regards to the nature of the rehabilitation programme they must undertake and the role the PCB will have in that. The tribunal asked the ICC to publish the full judgment as soon as possible and it is expected to happen tomorrow. The question, however, of whether or not the full judgment may be deemed prejudicial to any criminal proceedings in the UK still looms.

A member of the ICC legal team told ESPNcricinfo that it is "very happy with the fact that the players were convicted." But given that the governing body was pushing for maximum sanctions, there will be at least a tinge of disappointment within the governing body.

The tribunal also recommended that the ICC make "certain changes to the code with a view to providing flexibility in relation to minimum sentences in exceptional circumstances." The lawyers of Butt and Amir later said that the tribunal would've given lower punishments had their hands not "been tied" to the code's range of sanctions.

News of the World, the tabloid that broke the spot-fixing story this summer, released a statement of its own, saying that "it is now clear to everyone in the game that corruption will not be tolerated," and added that it will continue to assist the police in any way it can.

A number of Pakistani fans waited outside the Qatar Financial Centre, some for the entire nine-hour duration of the proceedings, and gave vociferous support to the players when they eventually came out. Amir, in fact, was mobbed and had to return inside the building briefly.
news by espn

Amir lawyer 'surprised' at CPS timing

 Cricket

12.48pm As we wait for further developments, it is worth pondering over one issue that has dogged the spot-fixing scandal from the very start: how to proceed in a case where alleged breaches of a sporting code - the ICC's anti-corruption code in this case - may involve breaches of a country's law, in this case UK criminal law.

In the very early days of the case, when the three players were being interviewed by UK police and had been provisionally suspended by the ICC, the PCB expressed concern that, in effect, two separate investigations were being carried out against the players, by the ICC and UK police. Though the PCB pulled back support swiftly enough, the players have repeated those concerns subsequently.

Most recently Salman Butt asked the ICC to defer the January 6-11 hearing in Doha on precisely those grounds; Butt's legal representatives were aiming for a postponement of the hearings to a date after the UK's Crown Prosecution Service had dealt with the case. The request was rejected but the issue is something that has concerned at least one other lawyer involved in the case.

The CPS announcement yesterday, that the players will face charges in a UK court, has made the issue even more relevant now. There is precedent - as there always is - in a horse racing scandal in the UK early in the 2000s. In short, a race fixing scandal was treated only as a criminal matter and not by the relevant sporting body, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). The criminal case eventually collapsed four years later and the BHA's own disciplinary inquiries had stopped when the criminal case began and were unable to be resumed.

A subsequent report into the whole affair, by Dame Elizabeth Neville, gave a legal opinion on the sphere of governance of sporting bodies and when it overlaps with another sphere, of criminal jurisdiction. It's worth reading the report though the most significant recommendation or conclusion that the it arrives to is this:

"The Review Team considers that the BHA should investigate and prosecute alleged breaches of the Rules and Orders of Racing notwithstanding that this conduct may amount to a criminal offence, subject to the exceptions set out below. The only circumstances in which disciplinary matters which are under investigation by the BHA should be remitted to the police or the Gambling Commission for consideration for criminal investigation are:
# where the disciplinary powers of the BHA are so inadequate in an individual case that the evidence necessary to prove the charge cannot be obtained or the penalty would be ineffective;


# where the conduct disclosed to the BHA concerns substantial non-racing or non-betting matters of a serious nature;


# where a disciplinary panel, appeal board or the Board of the BHA recommends such a step at the conclusion of disciplinary proceeding."


It is worth also looking at points 8.16 and 8.18 in the 'Analysis' section, the 'Legal Analysis' that follows and point 8.26 in the 'Conclusion.'

As must be obvious by now, there are no real updates coming out other than that the hearing continues, nearly three hours in. The feeling is that the longer it goes on, the less the chances that a deferment of verdict is likely.

 news by espncricinfo

Steelers' Pouncey unable to play in Super Bowl; Smith out, too

 Nfl

The guessing game is over for two key Pittsburgh Steelers. Center Maurkice Pouncey and defensive end Aaron Smith have been declared out for Super Bowl XLV.

Smith, sidelined since Oct. 24 because of a torn triceps, never came close to playing again in the final days before the Super Bowl matchup with the Green Bay Packers. But the Steelers held out faint hope that Pouncey, the rookie keystone to their offensive line, might be ready after concentrated rehabiliation on his sprained left ankle.
Pouncey didn't appear at practice for the third consecutive day, rehabbing inside the Texas Christian University trainers' room, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said as his team left the session: "He's out."

Asked after the Steelers' two-hour practice inside TCU's Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility how Pouncey's absence will affect the Steelers' offensive game plan, Tomlin said: "It won't. Obviously he's a quality player, and how it affects the game, no one knows. But as far as what we do, we have a plan, and that won't change."

Pouncey was injured early in the Steelers' 24-19 victory over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game nearly two weeks ago, and he didn't practice last week either.

Pouncey needed crutches and wore a walking boot on his left foot as he got off the team plane in Dallas on Monday, but he didn't need either during the players' final media session Thursday.

Second-year pro Doug Legursky will make his first NFL start at center in the Super Bowl. Legursky has made four previous starts at guard for the Steelers, but never in the middle of the line, at such a key spot making calls and handling exchanges with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

There were times in the three days of Steelers practices in Fort Worth, Texas, that Legursky looked like a misfit in the land of the giants, at 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds. On average, his four starting linemates are four inches taller and 19 pounds heavier than Legursky.

"The NFL is made up of lots of players like him -- guys who somehow got an opportunity and seized it," Tomlin said. "We're completely confident that he will seize this opportunity and play well. That's why we're not changing what we do."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said at his morning news conference that his team wasn't focused on whether Pouncey or Legursky would play.

"We're preparing for their offense," McCarthy said. "I don't think their protection schemes or offense will change depending on who plays center.
"Ben Roethlisberger is going to make that offense go."

As has been the case for the past three months, second-year pro Ziggy Hood will man Smith's left defensive end spot on Sunday.

Friday's workout was the Steelers' third consecutive this week inside the TCU practice facility, and the third successive in shells, sweats and helmets. The Steelers, not surprisingly, didn't wear shoulder pads and didn't tackle all week, befitting a team trying to stay healthy and fresh after six months of practices and games.

Tomlin had crowd noise piped in for the first time this week as the Steelers went through their normal Friday routine of goal-line, short-yardage and two-minute plays. The team seemed loose, as it has all week. When Troy Polamalu picked off a Charlie Batch pass near the goal line, fellow safety Ryan Clark chanted: "MVP! MVP! MVP!"

"We've had a very good practice week, very normal," Tomlin said. "We're lucky to have guys who just love football and love one another. It's a special group."

Notes: The Steelers are welcoming team families into the facility Saturday for their final practice of the week, a light walk-through at 11 a.m. ET. On Saturday afternoon, the players and coaches will part with their families and go to a secret hotel for their last night before the game, the same practice the Steelers followed before the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals two years ago in Tampa, Fla. ... The Dallas-Fort Worth area has been hit by several inches of snow and subfreezing temperatures since the Steelers arrived, but Tomlin said it hasn't bothered the team. "We're kind of used to inclement weather," the coach said. "At least from my perspective, it hasn't changed how we've worked at all.
news by nfl.com

Rams QB Bradford picked as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

 Nfl

DALLAS -- Top draft choice, top rookie.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford won The Associated Press 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Friday.

The first overall selection in last year's draft, Bradford guided the Rams from the embarrassment of a 1-15 record to a 7-9 mark. In the weak NFC West, that was good enough to contend for the division title; St. Louis lost out on a tiebreaker to the Seattle Seahawks.

"I think the more I'm out there, the more comfortable I become," Bradford told The AP. "It's been like that all year. There's been some ups, there's been some downs, but I feel like for the most part I've learned from my mistakes each week. I think the game's stating to slow down a little bit, but I really still have a long way to go before I'm as comfortable as I want to be.
The voters certainly were comfortable with Bradford's passing and leadership.

Bradford received 44 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Only two other rookies received votes: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams four and Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey two.

"It's a tremendous honor to win an award like that," Bradford said in an interview Friday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access." "When you look at the past and see some of the guys who have won the award, and to know I've joined that grp of guys, it's really humbling."

Bradford is the fourth quarterback since 2004 to win the award. Before that, no quarterbacks had won it.

"If you asked me before the season, I probably wouldn't have said that we would have thrown the ball as much," Bradford said. "As a quarterback, you love to throw the football. So the fact that our coaching staff feels comfortable with the ball in my hands just gives me confidence. It makes me feel very good about going out there on Sundays."

Health was one of the major questions about Bradford when he came out of college.

Bradford won the 2008 Heisman Trophy as a redshirt sophomore, when Oklahoma lost to Florida in the BCS national championship game, then decided to stay with the Sooners for another season. It was cut short by an early shoulder injury, and Bradford barely played in 2009. Still, he so impressed pro scouts in postseason workouts that he was a consensus No. 1 pick.

The questions about Bradford's durability remained, and he answered them by taking every snap this season. He threw 590 passes, completing 60 percent for 18 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.

"I take a lot in that, especially coming off the shoulder injury last year and knowing that there were a lot of questions about my durability, about my ability to take hits in this league," Bradford said. "So the fact that I've been able to take every snap with this offense, I do take a lot of pride in that."
Bradford became the starter in training camp and never looked over that shoulder. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur placed their faith in him, and he came through like, well, a rookie of the year.

The organization's turnaround "definately wasn't just me," Bradford told "NFL Total Access." "It was everyone in the organization, everyone on our team. I really felt like we came together this year. You know, we believe in ourselves. Not a lot of people outside of the building gave us a chance to win more than two or three games, but we knew we could do it. We just kept battling all year, (and) we were one game away from making the playoffs."

Bradford's career didn't begin optimally: He threw three interceptions and was sacked twice in a 17-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. But he began to hit his stride in midseason, at one point going four straight games and five of six without being picked off.

Bradford's best performances came in a 36-33 victory over the Denver Broncos, when he had three TD passes and a season-best 308 yards through the air, and in a 20-10 win over the Carolina Panthers that featured 25-of-32 passing and two touchdowns.

"He's obviously extremely talented, and I think he works his fanny off to make sure that he does the right things and masters the game plan," said Shurmur, now the head coach in Cleveland. "So to say I would be surprised, I would say no.

"To be thankful that he is what he is, I would say yes."

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger was the first quarterback to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, in 2004, followed by Tennessee's Vince Young in 2006 and Atlanta's Matt Ryan in 2008.

Williams, a fourth-round pick (101 overall) from Syracuse, had 65 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Pouncey, the rare offensive lineman to collect votes, was a standout in helping the Steelers win the AFC North title and reach the Super Bowl.
news by nfl.com

The Blake debate -- rookie or not? -- bubbles to the surface

Nba

 The debate begins. Blake Griffin played in summer league and most of the exhibition schedule before being injured prior to the 2009-10 opener, and so one head coach flatly said he does not consider the Clippers All-Star power forward a first-year player and would not vote for him for Rookie of the Year. Another head coach, though saying Blake Superior tops his imaginary ballot, noted that, "I wouldn't be shocked to see him lose votes over that." Griffin will win ROY in a landslide when the media votes late in the regular season, and that's what matters, but it is possible he won't be a unanimous choice despite turning the race into a runaway by Christmas. If he isn't unanimous, it becomes a topic of discussion.

• One writer/potential voter, told of the comment that Griffin should not be a candidate for Rookie of the Year: "That's proof they need to extend drug testing to head coaches." The slightly expanded retort is that 13 media members, the people who will decide the postseason awards, were informally polled in recent days. Broadcasters and writers, based in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, covering a single team on a daily basis or the league as a whole as a national writer. All 13 said Griffin should be considered a rookie and will get their vote.

 news by nba.com

No cheap shot here: If D-Wade isn't MVP of his own team ...

 Nba
There is no conspiracy afoot in the NBA to deny Dwyane Wade the recognition and acclaim he is properly due or to thwart his hard work toward what conceivably, someday, might be his first Most Valuable Player Award.

But if there were, Dwight Howard surely would be a co-conspirator.

Howard's hard foul of a fully airborne Wade at the rim Thursday night, in the third quarter of what became Miami's 104-100 victory over their Southeast Division rivals, sent Wade crashing to the hardwood, landing on his back. It was business as usual from Howard, who vows similar treatment to anyone who attacks him and his basket. But it was symbolic, too, for what The Race has been accused of doing to Wade so far in this space.

And what, come to think of it, some of Wade's most staunch defenders have done in return to The Race: Wham! Slam! Bam!

The emotions have run hot in mail both snail and digital. One critic cited an Internet entry that frames Wade's lack of appreciation thusly: "LeBron is at most five percent better than Wade. But Wade gets at most five percent of the national recognition that LeBron does."

Another Wade supporter cites the Miami Heat shooting guard's ability to keep up, statistically, with his new dominant teammate at small forward as a sign that Wade deserves equal consideration for MVP. This reader makes the additional point that, if Wade and James were playing on different teams, separately, their production would put them 1-2 in some order atop The Race from season's start to finish.

At various points since Halloween, various visitors to this site have railed, moaned or otherwise lodged complaints that there is some great bias against Wade that not only kept him from proper MVP consideration in seasons past but is working against him now in overdrive to minimize his contributions in 2010-11, either out of some general disdain for the Heat, their threesome of stars and the way Wade orchestrated the summer signings or out of a particular disrespect for the Marquette alum himself. To which The Race, summoning as much careful thought and steely nerve as Colin Firth as King George VI, steps up en masse to the vintage microphone and states unequivocally ...

"Nah."

Here are points to remember regarding Wade and his MVP candidacy:

• Every member of this committee graduated from the same Milwaukee university as Wade. If anything, there would be a bias in his favor, along with occasional appearances in the MVP Top 10 rankings by Wesley Matthews and Lazar Hayward.

• James statistically has been the better player -- and not by a teensy amount. He is averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and shooting 48.2 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from the arc and 76.9 percent from the line. He ranks second in the NBA in efficiency (27.7), and has 20 double-doubles and three triple-doubles. Wade's corresponding numbers are 25.4, 6.7, 4.1, 49.8 percent, 30.4 percent, 72.9 percent, 24.07 efficiency, six double-doubles and no triple-doubles.

• James is separating himself from Wade more recently. He increased his scoring average in each of the season's first four months: 20.5 ppg in October, 24.6 in November, 25.2 in December, 30.6 in January. And he's currently averaging, uh, 51.0 in February after Thursday's performance at Orlando. Wade, according to the same splits: 21.5, 21.6, 27.9, 28.8 and, with Thursday's small sample, 14.0.

• Miami is 17-7 when James leads the team in scoring, 17-6 when Wade does so. When James tops 30 points, its record is 12-3; when Wade does that, Miami is 12-4. But James has led the Heat in scoring 24 times, in rebounds 10 times and in assists 38 times. Wade has done it 23 times, 15 times and 11 times, respectively.

• In terms of the big picture, James' arrival is the most obvious change from a year ago. Now the Heat is 35-14 after 49 games. Then it was 24-25. One guy is the reigning two-time MVP. The other guy finished third in the balloting in 2008-09 and fifth last year. His previous bests were sixth (2006), eighth (2005) and 12th (2007). If Wade was going to win an MVP award as his team's brightest star, he had seven seasons to do so. James had seven seasons, too, and got it done twice.

Wade is a marvelous talent, spectacular athlete, terrific leader and pretty nifty team architect. He is a future Hall of Famer, a perennial All-Star and one of the top four, five, six or seven players in the game, depending on the week. But he isn't the most valuable guy on his own team, which means he's not even in the Top 5 among candidates for MVP balloting.

That's not a conspiracy. Or even a hard foul. That's just logic. Here are this week's rankings:

news by nba.com

Pressure cooker clash a challenge for hothead Diouf

Football
El Hadji Diouf is not known for his self-control, which makes you wonder - or worry - about how Rangers' new signing is going to react to his first Old Firm clash on Sunday.

With next-to-no-time to settle in following his last-minute loan deal, a man often dubbed the 'most hated man in British football' is about to be catapulted into the most acrimonious fixture on these isles.

And what a reception it promises to be, for Diouf was already persona non grata with Celtic fans after spitting at one of their number when representing Liverpool in a 2003 Uefa Cup clash.

But this constant bedfellow of controversy - his latest incident, Jamie Mackie-gate, seemingly sparking his Blackburn exit (coach Steve Kean never selected him again) - claims to thrive on adversity and, one way or another, he's unlikely to go missing.
"I know people will boo me but I love that. The more you boo me the more power I get," says the Senegalese, who should be flying by the 90th minute in Ibrox given the vitriol that has already started. "I don't want people to love me - I just want them to respect me."

Yes, he did really say that - but respect is not the quality most have for the two-time African Footballer of the Year. After the incident with Mackie (which Diouf denies), QPR boss Neil Warnock described him as 'lower than a sewer rat'.
That's because his list of unsavoury misdemeanours is implausibly long and varied, so much so you probably couldn't name them all off the top of your head, but they range from repeated spitting through car crashes and drink-driving to endless verbal spats.

So why the character?

"People don't like me because I'm a bad loser," 'Dioufy', 29, has said before in an attempt at explanation.

In Senegal, greater insight comes from those who credit his behaviour from his childhood in impoverished Saint Louis, a coastal city whose crumbling facades reflect its faded colonial grandeur and harsh existence.

Diouf, they say, was used to having to defend himself on the streets and the mentality is so deeply ingrained that no amount of money nor privilege can exorcise it.

Nor popularity. Despite his infamy, his face still adorns posters representing some of Senegal's biggest businesses and he's more popular than the national president - his decisive and thrilling role in taking Senegal to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals never to be forgotten.

In fact, when he quit international football in 2007, superstar singer Youssou N'Dour was among those beseeching 'le badboy' to reconsider - which he did (only to retire again after the failure to reach South Africa 2010, although he has since made himself available).

His ability aside, the main reason most Senegalese tolerate Diouf is because he gives a great deal back to society, mainly through charitable donations.

Three years ago, he set up the KONFIDENCE foundation with another Senegalese star - the rapper Akon - with a brief to help hospitals, education, sick children and improve sports facilities so others can profit like he did.

And another charity aimed at boosting the fortunes of Senegalese children through further improvements in education and health is in the pipeline.

"Everybody in Senegal knows he helps a lot of people, which is why he's still so popular," says Dakar-based sports journalist Aliou Goloko. "Diouf has two faces. On the pitch, he has to win and will address any provocation, which some knowing opponents abuse. But off it, he's a very lovely person - and people find that surprising."

Speaking from my own experiences while based in Senegal, it would be remiss to state that Diouf was anything but charming and friendly on the occasions we met.

Few will defend the former Liverpool, Bolton and Blackburn forward but one man who regularly stands by him is Sam Allardyce, whose advice Walter Smith sought before deciding upon a move which has, in the eyes of some, already stained the Rangers boss' character.

Smith's challenge is how to maximise Diouf's undoubted ability and if he listens to Allardyce and other coaches who've got the best out of him - such as Joel Muller (Lens 2001-02) and Bruno Metsu (Senegal) - he'll know that giving him a degree of respect and freedom should reap dividends.

In return, an appreciative Diouf will work hard to repay that faith but Smith must ensure the Senegalese learns to keep his mouth shut, since his lip is often the catalyst for any downfall.

Smith has successfully handled other wayward characters before, e.g. Paul Gascoigne, but he may find Diouf needs only a steer here and there to produce his best.

For the passion to succeed should come from within as with time ticking on his career, the Senegalese only has one club honour to show from a 14-year European odyssey: the 2003 League Cup medal he won with Liverpool.

Although his pace has long gone, the versatile Diouf is still a highly-skilled player who can beat defenders and deliver dangerous crosses - hence, Smith's gamble as he tries to catch league leaders Celtic (Rangers trail by five points with two games in hand).

"I want him to be remembered for his football," says the Rangers coach, who has backed Diouf to handle the flak.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese says he wants to become a Rangers legend and despite his advancing years he certainly can deliver in Scotland.

But will controversy undermine him again - or can one of football's ultimate hotheads handle the pressure-cooker situation of an Old Firm derby?

His flashy feet will surely flourish - his legacy will come from his head.

Torres was worth £70m - Benitez

Football

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed a £70m deal for Fernando Torres was mooted last year, and that he would like to manage the club again.

Striker Torres joined Chelsea on Monday for a British record fee of about £50m, but he had been valued even higher.

"I think last year we were talking about £70m," Benitez said in an interview for the BBC's Football Focus.

The 50-year-old Spaniard also said he would be keen to manage the Anfield club again at some stage in the future.

Torres moved to Chelsea on transfer deadline day, although the Blues had reportedly made a bid in May 2010. Despite a knee injury at the end of last season, he featured in Spain's World Cup-winning campaign.

"People were talking about maybe you receive an offer from another club. They were talking about £70m," added Benitez.

Of Torres' transfer deadline day move to Stamford Bridge, Benitez said: "He was not playing at the same level the last time, but he is still a very good player. It is big money but could [have been] even better."

Benitez was sacked by Italian side Inter Milan in December only six months after it was announced he had left Liverpool by mutual consent following six years in charge.

He guided the Reds to Champions League success in 2005 and an FA Cup win the following year, and was in charge when Torres signed from Atletico Madrid for £20m in the summer of 2007.

Roy Hodgson was appointed as successor after Benitez's departure from Anfield, but he only lasted six months before Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish was drafted in until the end of the season.

With Liverpool's form improving under the Scot, and the club's owners spending the Torres cash on strikers Andy Carroll (£35m) and Luis Suarez (£22m), Dalglish looks set for a longer stay.

But Benitez said: "To be manager of Liverpool is a dream for me. This time, I know that Kenny is doing really well.

"I have to wait and keep watching games, but if you say to me in the future would you like to be manager, for sure, no doubt about this. When, that is the question. I have to move forward, anyway."

news by bbc

Johnson happy to 'win ugly'

Manager Martin Johnson believes there is plenty to improve on after England opened their Six Nations campaign with a first win over Wales in Cardiff since 2003.

Wing Chris Ashton scored a try in either half of 27-16 victory. Man of the match Toby Flood added 13 points with the boot and replacement Jonny Wilkinson kicked a late penalty.

Wales launched a spirited fightback from 23-9 down as Morgan Stoddart crossed and James Hook kicked a penalty to narrow the deficit, but England held out for a deserved win.

England now have three home games in a row and have the chance to set up a Grand Slam clash with Ireland in Dublin on the final weekend of the championship.

But Johnson is not looking beyond next weekend's Twickenham assignment with Italy.

"I am really, really happy with the win as that's what we came here for," he said.

"We have not won away from home for a while in the Six Nations so it's good, but if we play badly next week against Italy what would that feel like?

"So we have to keep going and keep improving and the great thing is there is a lot we can improve on.

"Winning- that's the main thing. Some of the guys thought we won a little ugly today, and I'll go with that. We put away the chances we had, but, believe me, there will be a number of rollickings handed out come Monday morning."

"Traditionally we've not played too well against the blitz defences, however detail makes the difference sand we executed a lot better under pressure today, adding another layer of understanding in the ten days build up.

"The great thing is when you get the same guys back in camp as you had on the summer tour and in the autumn, you get that continuity and you can go from putting foundations in place to putting more detail on to your plans and ensuring we execute under pressure and there is plenty more to come.

"We left some chances out there but that composure is getting there game on game."

The build-up to the game had been dominated by the comments Wales coach Warren Gatland had made about England hooker Dylan Hartley, in which he criticised the Northampton man's temperament.

But Hartley was immaculate in the line-out and his usual physical self around the field, and Johnson praised the way his side had coped with the heated atmosphere.

"They did not rise to any bait in the last 10 days," said Johnson of his squad.

"They had a good excitement about coming here and they were relaxed, almost too relaxed for my liking which I found a bit worrying!"

Johnson also paid tribute to the performance of Flood, who kept his composure admirably amidst the Millennium Stadium maelstrom.

"Toby is a very smart guy," he said.

"He wants to get better and learn. He did a great job, a fantastic job overall and we have Jonny there as well. You can see them getting better week on week."

New Zealand cruise to Sevens glory

New Zealand won the third round of the 2009 IRB World Sevens Series after beating England 29-14 at the Westpac Stadium.

The United States sealed the first of the trophies at the Wellington round of the IRB Sevens with a 19-12 win over France in a hard-fought encounter in the Shield final.

Tonga were unable to trouble the scorers as the succumbed 19-0 to a well-drilled Kenyan outfit in the final of the Bowl section.

Fiji edged perennial Plate performers South Africa in the final of the second section of the series, with the Islanders coming out on top 26-12 against a developing South Africa side.

All that was left was for the Kiwis to round of the competition in style with a great win to leave the home support in raptures.

Cup Final: New Zealand 29-14 England

New Zealand clinched victory at the NZI Sevens in Wellington, beating England 29-14 to draw level with them at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series standings after three events.

Declan O'Donnell was the home hero at a rainy Westpac Stadium, scoring four tries in the final to take his try tally for the tournament to 11 and secure a first home Cup title for New Zealand since 2008.

Isoa Damu's converted try gave England an early 7-0 lead but O'Donnell soon hit back for the home side and with England leading 7-5 nearing the break the same man scored again to give New Zealand a 12-7 half time lead.

Almost immediately after the resumption the New Zealanders extended their lead when playmaker in chief Tomasi Cama sliced through some unusually threadbare English defence and, although the 2009 champions refused to buckle, the Kiwis played an intelligent match despite being without injured captain DJ Forbes for most of the match.

With one minute remaining O'Donnell snatched a fourth score and although Simon Hunt touched down a late consolation try it was the home fans who went home singing.

New Zealand and England are now tied in first place in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings on 60 points apiece.

Plate Final: Fiji 26-12 South Africa

Despite relinquishing their NZI Sevens title at the Cup quarter-final stage, Fiji finished on a high at the Westpac by beating South Africa 26-12 to take the Plate, and 12 points towards their World Series tally.

The Fijians lost out to Samoa in their last eight clash but recovered to beat Argentina 28-0 in their Plate semi-final and were then equally impressive in seeing off the Boks in the final, winning 26-12 with tries by Ilai Tinai, Mitieli Nacagilevu, Watisoni Votu and Peni Gaunimeke.

Bowl Final: Kenya 19-0 Tonga

Kenya won their first HSBC Sevens World Series points of the season by beating Tonga 19-0 to secure the Bowl title. Tries by Biko Adema, Sidney Ashioya and captain Humphrey Kayange carried them to victory.

Shield Final: United States 19-12 France

USA won a fine Shield final 19-12 against France to take silverware back to the States one week out from their home tournament, the USA Sevens in Las Vegas. Tai Enosa, Ronald Suniula and veteran Paul Emerick all scored in a physical battle against the improved French.

Cup semi-finals:
New Zealand 26 - 5 Wales
England 7 -5 Samoa

Hosts New Zealand will be looking to win their first NZI Sevens title since 2008 when they face England in the final after beating rivals Australia 17-0 in the semis.

Declan O'Donnell scored his sixth and seventh tries of the tournament either side of a Tim Mikkelson effort, sending the home crowd into raptures as Gordon Tietjens' side cemented their place in the final.

HSBC Sevens World Series leaders England had already become the first side to reach the final by beating Samoa 7-5, meaning they have reached all three of the finals so far this season.

Ofisa Treviranus had given the reigning World Series champions the lead but a second half try from John Brake, converted by captain Ben Gollings, ensured England reached their third successive final. Samoa missed a golden opportunity when England were reduced to six men, but they could not score with the try line begging at the death.

Plate Semi-finals:
South Africa 22 - 5 Wales
Argentina 0 - 28 Fiji

Defending NZI Sevens champions Fiji will play South Africa in the Plate final after they beat Argentina 28-0 and Wales 22-5 in their respective semi finals as they rain began to fall at the Westpac Stadium.

Tries from Mitieli Nacagilevu (2), Apisai Navuoro and captain Emosi Vucago ensured Iliesa Tanivula's side would compete in the Plate final whilst Branco du Preez (2), Lubabalo Mtembu and Paul Jordaan all scored for Paul Treu's side who will be looking for their second Plate triumph this season.

Bowl Semi-finals:

Tonga 12 - 7 Cook Islands
Scotland 12 - 15 Kenya

Four Series points are still on offer for the winner of the Bowl competition which will be won by either Kenya or Tonga. Vaea Tangilau Poteki scored both Tonga's two tries as the 2008 NZI Cup semi finalists continued their good from on day two by beating the Cook Islands 12-7 in the semi finals.

Kenya were the first side through to the final after they scored with the last play of the match for the second time on day two.

Biko Adema crossed after the buzzer had sounded to record a 15-12 victory over Scotland whilst earlier, having trailed 14-12 for the entire second half in their Bowl quarter final, Andrew Amonde scored with the last play of the match to help Kenya beat Canada 19-14.

Shield semi-finals:

USA 7-24 Scotland
France 52-12 Papa New Guinea

USA reached the Shield final after a convincing 31-7 victory over North American rivals Canada. Canada had taken a 7-0 lead through Taylor Paris but tries from Justin Boyd, Tai Enosa (2), Zach Test and Roland Suniula secured a 31-7 victory for Al Caravelli's side.

Paul Albaladejo and Mathieu Acebes both scored twice in the opening half of the second semi final as France proved too strong for Shane Howarth's Papua New Guinea running out eventual 52-12 winners. 

news by plannetrugby