Soccer-Ronaldo penalty takes United to within whisker of title
Sat May 5, 2007 2:45PM BST
By Mike Collett
LONDON, May 5 (Reuters)
Manchester United took a giant step towards the Premier League title when they beat Manchester City 1-0 in a one-sided local derby on Saturday to open up an eight-point lead over defending champions Chelsea.
United have 88 points with two matches to play which means Chelsea, on 80 points with three matches to go, must win at Arsenal on Sunday to keep alive their now slim hopes of a third successive championship.
Although United dominated the match at the City of Manchester Stadium, the game came down to a tale of two penalties -- one scored by United and one missed by City.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored for United after 34 minutes while Darius Vassell saw Edwin van der Sar save his 81st minute penalty with his out-stretched legs.
It was the second successive home match in which City had missed a penalty. They ended their last home game of the season without a goal in eight successive home matches since New Year's Day.
Their Tally of 10 home league goals is the all-time worst record in the English top tier since league football began in 1888.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Man were definitely not united!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AC Milan 3-0 Man Utd (Agg: 5-3)
By Caroline Cheese
AC Milan will face Liverpool in the Champions League final after crushing Manchester United at the San Siro.
Milan started the semi-final 3-2 down but were ahead on away goals after just 11 minutes when Clarence Seedorf headed down for Kaka to drill into the corner.
Seedorf capitalised on confusion in the United defence to fire in a second after half an hour.
And substitute Alberto Gilardino broke away to wrap up an easy win as United limped out in disappointing fashion.
News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson
The result ended United's dreams of repeating their 1999 Treble, but they can have no complaints after being totally outclassed by their Italian opponents.
Sir Alex Ferguson named Nemanja Vidic in his starting line-up after the defender's recovery from a broken collarbone but the Serb, like his colleagues, was overwhelmed by Milan's superior passing and movement in wet conditions.
The thunderous skies only added to the intimidating atmosphere at the San Siro, and when Milan began at a blistering pace, United were simply awestruck.
The hosts threatened in the very first minute when Kaka delivered a dangerous ball across goal, after three minutes when Seedorf forced Edwin van der Sar to tip over and again on seven minutes when Kaka shot straight at the United keeper.
The goal, then, was no more than Milan deserved, Seedorf nodding the ball down for Kaka to hammer home his 10th Champions League goal of the season.
United's much-vaunted attack was proving toothless.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who started on the left, was hardly in the game, Ryan Giggs was similarly anonymous, while Wayne Rooney's touch deserted him.
The England striker was guilty of giving the ball away on numerous occasions but at least his errors were nowhere near as catastrophic as Gabriel Heinze's moment of madness.
As United tried to play their way out of defence, the left-back inexplicably passed back to Vidic, who then compounded his team-mate's error by slipping as he scrambled to clear.
Milan regained possession and the ball eventually fell for Seedorf, who rode Vidic's challenge before finding the same corner as Kaka.
At half-time, optimistic United fans might have pointed to their side's recovery from two goals down in the 1999 semi-final against Juventus in Turin, but Milan were simply too good for such lacklustre opponents.
United had far more possession in the second half but rarely threatened a calm and composed Milan defence nor did they manage to test Milan's out-of-form keeper Dida.
Rooney finally found an accurate pass to set up Darren Fletcher, but he skewed wide and that was as good a chance as United fashioned.
And Milan booked a repeat of the 2005 final against Liverpool when Gilardino galloped through a gaping hole in the United defence and stroked the ball past a stranded Van der Sar.
AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Gattuso (Cafu 84), Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Kaka (Favalli 86), Inzaghi (Gilardino 66). Subs Not Used: Kalac, Bonera, Serginho, Brocchi.
Booked: Ambrosini, Gattuso.
Goals: Kaka 11, Seedorf 30, Gilardino 78.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea (Saha 77), Brown, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Smith, Solskjaer, Richardson, Eagles.
Booked: Ronaldo.
Att: 78,500
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).
Story from BBC SPORT:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/europe/6603095.stmPublished: 2007/05/02 20:35:46 GMT© BBC MMVII
By Caroline Cheese
AC Milan will face Liverpool in the Champions League final after crushing Manchester United at the San Siro.
Milan started the semi-final 3-2 down but were ahead on away goals after just 11 minutes when Clarence Seedorf headed down for Kaka to drill into the corner.
Seedorf capitalised on confusion in the United defence to fire in a second after half an hour.
And substitute Alberto Gilardino broke away to wrap up an easy win as United limped out in disappointing fashion.
News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson
The result ended United's dreams of repeating their 1999 Treble, but they can have no complaints after being totally outclassed by their Italian opponents.
Sir Alex Ferguson named Nemanja Vidic in his starting line-up after the defender's recovery from a broken collarbone but the Serb, like his colleagues, was overwhelmed by Milan's superior passing and movement in wet conditions.
The thunderous skies only added to the intimidating atmosphere at the San Siro, and when Milan began at a blistering pace, United were simply awestruck.
The hosts threatened in the very first minute when Kaka delivered a dangerous ball across goal, after three minutes when Seedorf forced Edwin van der Sar to tip over and again on seven minutes when Kaka shot straight at the United keeper.
The goal, then, was no more than Milan deserved, Seedorf nodding the ball down for Kaka to hammer home his 10th Champions League goal of the season.
United's much-vaunted attack was proving toothless.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who started on the left, was hardly in the game, Ryan Giggs was similarly anonymous, while Wayne Rooney's touch deserted him.
The England striker was guilty of giving the ball away on numerous occasions but at least his errors were nowhere near as catastrophic as Gabriel Heinze's moment of madness.
As United tried to play their way out of defence, the left-back inexplicably passed back to Vidic, who then compounded his team-mate's error by slipping as he scrambled to clear.
Milan regained possession and the ball eventually fell for Seedorf, who rode Vidic's challenge before finding the same corner as Kaka.
At half-time, optimistic United fans might have pointed to their side's recovery from two goals down in the 1999 semi-final against Juventus in Turin, but Milan were simply too good for such lacklustre opponents.
United had far more possession in the second half but rarely threatened a calm and composed Milan defence nor did they manage to test Milan's out-of-form keeper Dida.
Rooney finally found an accurate pass to set up Darren Fletcher, but he skewed wide and that was as good a chance as United fashioned.
And Milan booked a repeat of the 2005 final against Liverpool when Gilardino galloped through a gaping hole in the United defence and stroked the ball past a stranded Van der Sar.
AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Gattuso (Cafu 84), Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Kaka (Favalli 86), Inzaghi (Gilardino 66). Subs Not Used: Kalac, Bonera, Serginho, Brocchi.
Booked: Ambrosini, Gattuso.
Goals: Kaka 11, Seedorf 30, Gilardino 78.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea (Saha 77), Brown, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Smith, Solskjaer, Richardson, Eagles.
Booked: Ronaldo.
Att: 78,500
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).
Story from BBC SPORT:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/europe/6603095.stmPublished: 2007/05/02 20:35:46 GMT© BBC MMVII
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
It's just not cricket
Liverpool's penalty hero burgled Liverpool FC's heroic goalkeeper Pepe Reina was burgled on Tuesday night as he was helping send the club through to the Champions League final.
The 24-year-old Spaniard saved two out of three spot kicks in a penalty shoot-out against Chelsea at Anfield.
But he returned from celebrating the win in the early hours of Wednesday to find his home in Woolton, Liverpool, had been ransacked.
A number of high value items and the player's Porsche Cayenne were taken.
Paperwork taken
The grey-coloured car - which has Spanish number plates - was found burnt out in Fleetwood Walk at 0630 BST.
Merseyside Police said the burglary happened sometime between 1900 BST on Tuesday and 0045 BST on Wednesday.
Officers were called to the address at 0145 BST after Reina discovered the break-in.
The goalkeeper, who joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005, does not want to comment on the incident.
As well as the car, officers said paperwork, jewellery, and a Bang and Olufsen entertainment system were taken.
Footballers targeted
Reina is the latest in a line of footballers who play in the city to be targeted by burglars, often while they were taking part in matches.
The home of his fellow Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was burgled in June 2006 while he was on holiday in Poland. His Porsche, jewellery and football memorabilia were taken by thieves.
Daniel Agger, who scored for Liverpool on Tuesday night, had his home in Wirral burgled in September 2006.
In the same month, Reds striker Peter Crouch's house in Alderley Edge was hit by thieves while he was on England duty.
Meanwhile, Dutchman Andy Van der Meyde - who plays for Everton - was burgled twice in 2006.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/6615493.stmPublished: 2007/05/02 12:44:04 GMT© BBC MMVII
The 24-year-old Spaniard saved two out of three spot kicks in a penalty shoot-out against Chelsea at Anfield.
But he returned from celebrating the win in the early hours of Wednesday to find his home in Woolton, Liverpool, had been ransacked.
A number of high value items and the player's Porsche Cayenne were taken.
Paperwork taken
The grey-coloured car - which has Spanish number plates - was found burnt out in Fleetwood Walk at 0630 BST.
Merseyside Police said the burglary happened sometime between 1900 BST on Tuesday and 0045 BST on Wednesday.
Officers were called to the address at 0145 BST after Reina discovered the break-in.
The goalkeeper, who joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005, does not want to comment on the incident.
As well as the car, officers said paperwork, jewellery, and a Bang and Olufsen entertainment system were taken.
Footballers targeted
Reina is the latest in a line of footballers who play in the city to be targeted by burglars, often while they were taking part in matches.
The home of his fellow Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was burgled in June 2006 while he was on holiday in Poland. His Porsche, jewellery and football memorabilia were taken by thieves.
Daniel Agger, who scored for Liverpool on Tuesday night, had his home in Wirral burgled in September 2006.
In the same month, Reds striker Peter Crouch's house in Alderley Edge was hit by thieves while he was on England duty.
Meanwhile, Dutchman Andy Van der Meyde - who plays for Everton - was burgled twice in 2006.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/6615493.stmPublished: 2007/05/02 12:44:04 GMT© BBC MMVII
Some jokes at the expense of the French
Political Jokes
French Jokes - Funny Quotations About France
"The only way the French are going in is if we tell them we found truffles in Iraq." —Dennis Miller
"I would call the French scumbags, but that, of course, would be a disservice to bags filled with scum. I say we invade Iraq, then invade Chirac." —Dennis Miller
"You know why the French don't want to bomb Saddam Hussein? Because he hates America, he loves mistresses and wears a beret. He IS French, people." —Conan O'Brien
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!" —Jay Leno
"The last time the French asked for 'more proof,' it came marching into Paris under a German flag." —David Letterman
French Jokes - Funny Quotations About France
"The only way the French are going in is if we tell them we found truffles in Iraq." —Dennis Miller
"I would call the French scumbags, but that, of course, would be a disservice to bags filled with scum. I say we invade Iraq, then invade Chirac." —Dennis Miller
"You know why the French don't want to bomb Saddam Hussein? Because he hates America, he loves mistresses and wears a beret. He IS French, people." —Conan O'Brien
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!" —Jay Leno
"The last time the French asked for 'more proof,' it came marching into Paris under a German flag." —David Letterman
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Extract from L.A.Times ~ Boxing with her/him self
LA Times: Sex Ed in the Sports Section
Posted by Kristen Fyfe on April 26, 2007 - 17:22.
Sports fans checking the box scores this morning got a lesson in "transsexualism" when they opened the LA Times. Mike Penner, one of the paper's sports writers, announced in his column he is taking a few weeks off. When he returns he’ll be known as Christine Daniels.
The column detailed Penner's 40-year struggle with “transsexualism.” He said that “extensive therapy and testing” show that his brain was “wired female.” He defended the “medical condition” as “widely misunderstood” and a “natural occurrence.”
Penner describeed his coming out process and said he “gave it as good a fight as I possibly could. I went more than 40 hard rounds with it. Eventually, though, you realize you are only fighting yourself and your happiness and your mental health – a no win situation any way you look at it.
“When you reach the point when one gender causes heartache and unbearable discomfort, and the other brings more joy and fulfillment that you ever imagined possible, it shouldn’t’ take two tons of brinks to fall in order to know what to do.”
He detailed the painful and reluctant coming-out process he started a few months ago and said that his friends and colleagues “almost universally have been supportive and encouraging.” He added that he is now “happier, more focused and more energized” when he writes, no longer suffering from “wicked writer’s block.” He shared his therapist’s opinion that such freedom is what comes when transsexuals “integrate.”
While no one can deny that Penner has been through some intense personal struggles, his column read like a brochure from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). One wonders how many young sports fans opened up the paper to find out how their favorite team did and ended up with an unexpected sex-ed lesson.
Posted by Kristen Fyfe on April 26, 2007 - 17:22.
Sports fans checking the box scores this morning got a lesson in "transsexualism" when they opened the LA Times. Mike Penner, one of the paper's sports writers, announced in his column he is taking a few weeks off. When he returns he’ll be known as Christine Daniels.
The column detailed Penner's 40-year struggle with “transsexualism.” He said that “extensive therapy and testing” show that his brain was “wired female.” He defended the “medical condition” as “widely misunderstood” and a “natural occurrence.”
Penner describeed his coming out process and said he “gave it as good a fight as I possibly could. I went more than 40 hard rounds with it. Eventually, though, you realize you are only fighting yourself and your happiness and your mental health – a no win situation any way you look at it.
“When you reach the point when one gender causes heartache and unbearable discomfort, and the other brings more joy and fulfillment that you ever imagined possible, it shouldn’t’ take two tons of brinks to fall in order to know what to do.”
He detailed the painful and reluctant coming-out process he started a few months ago and said that his friends and colleagues “almost universally have been supportive and encouraging.” He added that he is now “happier, more focused and more energized” when he writes, no longer suffering from “wicked writer’s block.” He shared his therapist’s opinion that such freedom is what comes when transsexuals “integrate.”
While no one can deny that Penner has been through some intense personal struggles, his column read like a brochure from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). One wonders how many young sports fans opened up the paper to find out how their favorite team did and ended up with an unexpected sex-ed lesson.
Latest twist in Woolmer saga.
TWIST IN WOOLMER DEATH PROBE
By Vicky Shaw, PA
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was poisoned before being strangled, apparently rendering him unable to fight back, according to Panorama.
Preliminary tests revealed a drug in Woolmer's system that would have incapacitated him, according to the BBC programme.
Programme makers said it now seems certain that as 6ft 2in tall Woolmer was being strangled, he had already been rendered helpless, explaining how he could have been overpowered.
The final results of the toxicology tests are due to be handed back to Jamaican police next week, but are expected to confirm the preliminary findings, the investigative programme said.
The 58-year-old was found unconscious in the Pakistan team's hotel in March, a day after his side lost to Ireland in a humiliating defeat which knocked them out of the World Cup.
Details of the poison could hold a significant clue to finding his killer.
The BBC1 show said investigating officer Mark Shields felt it would be difficult to strangle a man of Woolmer's size.
He told the BBC: "It's difficult and it's rare. A lot of force would be needed to do that.
"Bob Woolmer was a large man and that's why one could argue that it was an extremely strong person, or maybe more than one person, but equally the lack of external injuries suggests that there might be some other factors and that's what we're looking into at the moment.''
Shields, the chief investigator in the murder, said last week that the "huge and complex'' inquiry needed more time before naming any suspects.
The officer took the programme's reporter Adam Parsons to the 12th floor of the hotel.
A suspected heart attack was the first suggested cause of death but initial post-mortem results were inconclusive and the rumour mill went into overdrive.
Theories surrounding the mystery of his death ranged from potential links to match-fixing allegations to a fan with a grudge.
Panorama examined whether religious beliefs could have a bearing on the case.
The team's former media manager, PJ Mir, said that Woolmer agreed with Mir's view that senior members of the squad, some members of the strict Muslim movement Tablighi Jamaat, were more focused on religion than cricket.
Mir told the programme: "I mean Bob had his reservations that the boys, rather than focusing on the religious aspect, they ought to be focusing more on cricket.
"He wasn't particularly pleased when players were going out to say their prayers in the middle of the game...and a substitute was coming in. This continued. He was totally against it.''
Mir told the programme that a Fatwah has been issued against him, forcing him to flee the country - and believes Woolmer might have faced a similar level of anger.
He added: "Let's put it this way - if Bob had said what I'd said I think there would have been a Fatwah on him as well -there's no question of that.''
After the team's World Cup defeat by rank outsiders Ireland, a rumour circulated that a huge row erupted on the bus back to the hotel.
But Panorama said bus driver Bertram Carr claimed there was no row - and indeed very little communication at all.
Woolmer's wife, Gill, told programme makers she wanted answers.
She said: "Well just that we find out who, what and when and why. That would put my mind at rest.''
Panorama also broadcast final images of Woolmer taken before he died - CCTV footage from the Pegasus hotel as he headed back to his room on the 12th floor.
His remains have reportedly been returned to his home in South Africa for a private funeral.
By Vicky Shaw, PA
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was poisoned before being strangled, apparently rendering him unable to fight back, according to Panorama.
Preliminary tests revealed a drug in Woolmer's system that would have incapacitated him, according to the BBC programme.
Programme makers said it now seems certain that as 6ft 2in tall Woolmer was being strangled, he had already been rendered helpless, explaining how he could have been overpowered.
The final results of the toxicology tests are due to be handed back to Jamaican police next week, but are expected to confirm the preliminary findings, the investigative programme said.
The 58-year-old was found unconscious in the Pakistan team's hotel in March, a day after his side lost to Ireland in a humiliating defeat which knocked them out of the World Cup.
Details of the poison could hold a significant clue to finding his killer.
The BBC1 show said investigating officer Mark Shields felt it would be difficult to strangle a man of Woolmer's size.
He told the BBC: "It's difficult and it's rare. A lot of force would be needed to do that.
"Bob Woolmer was a large man and that's why one could argue that it was an extremely strong person, or maybe more than one person, but equally the lack of external injuries suggests that there might be some other factors and that's what we're looking into at the moment.''
Shields, the chief investigator in the murder, said last week that the "huge and complex'' inquiry needed more time before naming any suspects.
The officer took the programme's reporter Adam Parsons to the 12th floor of the hotel.
A suspected heart attack was the first suggested cause of death but initial post-mortem results were inconclusive and the rumour mill went into overdrive.
Theories surrounding the mystery of his death ranged from potential links to match-fixing allegations to a fan with a grudge.
Panorama examined whether religious beliefs could have a bearing on the case.
The team's former media manager, PJ Mir, said that Woolmer agreed with Mir's view that senior members of the squad, some members of the strict Muslim movement Tablighi Jamaat, were more focused on religion than cricket.
Mir told the programme: "I mean Bob had his reservations that the boys, rather than focusing on the religious aspect, they ought to be focusing more on cricket.
"He wasn't particularly pleased when players were going out to say their prayers in the middle of the game...and a substitute was coming in. This continued. He was totally against it.''
Mir told the programme that a Fatwah has been issued against him, forcing him to flee the country - and believes Woolmer might have faced a similar level of anger.
He added: "Let's put it this way - if Bob had said what I'd said I think there would have been a Fatwah on him as well -there's no question of that.''
After the team's World Cup defeat by rank outsiders Ireland, a rumour circulated that a huge row erupted on the bus back to the hotel.
But Panorama said bus driver Bertram Carr claimed there was no row - and indeed very little communication at all.
Woolmer's wife, Gill, told programme makers she wanted answers.
She said: "Well just that we find out who, what and when and why. That would put my mind at rest.''
Panorama also broadcast final images of Woolmer taken before he died - CCTV footage from the Pegasus hotel as he headed back to his room on the 12th floor.
His remains have reportedly been returned to his home in South Africa for a private funeral.
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