world cup Sunderland secure much-needed win

James McClean turned the clock back a year as Sunderland handed manager Martin O'Neill a long overdue Premier League victory. Twelve months to the day since making his senior debut for the Black Cats as a substitute in O'Neill's first game in charge, a 2-1 win over Blackburn, the Republic of Ireland international fired them into a third-minute lead which they were never in danger of relinquishing.

Striker Steven Fletcher, whose return from an ankle injury gave his team an all together more threatening appearance, increased the advantage with an audacious 28th-minute backheel, before Stephane Sessegnon rounded keeper Adam Federici at the death to secure just a third league win in 24 attempts and the first against 11 men since March.

O'Neill was adamant in the run up to the rearranged fixture that it was not a must-win affair, and with owner and chairman Ellis Short a supportive presence at the stadium before kick-off, the club was presenting a united front. However, a comfortable victory which lifted Sunderland out of the relegation zone was welcome nonetheless as some of the darker clouds hanging over the Stadium of Light dispersed.

The same cannot be said of promoted Reading, who remain locked in a battle for survival having won only one top-flight game to date, and who showed few signs of improving upon that record on Wearside in front of a crowd of 37,723.

It took Sunderland less than three minutes to get their noses in front when Royals keeper Adam Federici could only punch Adam Johnson's inswinging corner to McClean on the edge of the box, and he returned the ball with interest and saw it skid into the back of the net to get the Black Cats off to the perfect start.

Sebastian Larsson might have doubled Sunderland's lead within two minutes, who saw his right-foot shot beaten away by Federici. However, the Black Cats were almost caught by a sucker punch when central defender Alex Pearce was allowed to side-foot Nicky Shorey's ninth- minute free-kick just wide of Simon Mignolet's far post. 

Fletcher fires again
But Reading's cause became all the more forlorn within six minutes when full-back Danny Rose surged forward and delivered a low cross to the near post, where Fletcher flicked it outrageously past the helpless Federici. The Scotland international could have extended his side's lead further two minutes before the break when he met another Johnson corner unopposed, but he could only lift his header over the bar.

Johnson, who had earlier been felled by McAnuff with a crude challenge, failed to reappear after the break and was replaced by Phil Bardsley, who dropped in at right-back with Craig Gardner moving into midfield. Fletcher could not climb high enough to make meaningful contact with an early McClean cross as Sunderland attempted to pick up where they left off, but it was Reading who began to threaten as the half wore on.

Mignolet had to be at his best to keep out Nicky Shorey's curling 54th-minute free-kick after Danny Rose had been booked for a foul on McAnuff, and Mariappa headed wastefully wide after meeting the resulting corner at the near post.

Federici had to make late saves from Sessegnon, McClean and Gardner, but after Mignolet palmed away Noel Hunt's late header, Sessegnon applied the required finish to Carlos Cuellar's long ball deep into injury time to secure a precious and deserved victory.

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world cup Holt strikes to down Gunners

Norwich City recorded a deserved first Premier League win under new manager Chris Hughton as lacklustre Arsenal were beaten 1-0 at Carrow Road.

The Gunners, who included England midfielder Jack Wilshere in the squad after more than a year out with injury, were second best as Grant Holt's scrambled effort on 20 minutes following a mistake by goalkeeper Vito Mannone proved enough for all three points to move the hosts out of the relegation zone.

Arsenal, who have now lost two of their past three league games, were well below their usual fluent best and created very few openings as for once the Premier League's second-worst defence held firm. Norwich started brightly as winger Anthony Pilkington, watched by Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, fired a 20-yard effort wide.

At the other end, German forward Lukas Podolski cut in from the left and flashed a shot across the face of John Ruddy's goal. Norwich did not resemble a team which had shipped 17 goals in their previous seven games, and looked much more of an attacking threat with Wes Hoolahan tucked in behind Holt.

Holt strikes
The Canaries were in front on 20 minutes. Norway midfielder Alex Tettey let fly from 25 yards across a skiddy surface and Mannone - again deputising for injured No1 Wojciech Szczesny - parried the ball back out into the six-yard box, where Holt was quickest to react ahead of Per Mertesacker and stab home.

Arsenal had also fallen behind at West Ham United last time out, and soon went on the offensive again. Bradley Johnson, who was on Arsenal's books as a youngster, was cautioned for a late challenge on Santi Cazorla.

There was, though, panic in the visitors' box again when Holt drew Mannone out to the touchline and hooked the ball back across goal, where Carl Jenkinson hacked it clear as Pilkington was set to shoot at an unguarded net.

Despite all of their possession, Arsenal lacked a killer pass in the final third, and Norwich looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Centre-back Michael Turner planted a free header wide after a late run into the six-yard box from a corner.

At the other end, Gervinho was picked out by an angled free-kick from Mikel Arteta, but completely missed the ball - much to the delight of the home crowd.

Arsenal pressed Norwich back at the start of the second half, but again looked suspect from balls into their own area as Javier Garrido's floated cross from the left just eluded Holt at the far post. The Gunners broke quickly on 51 minutes, with Jenkinson's cross palmed away by Ruddy - but Olivier Giroud could only hook the loose ball wide.

Hoolahan thought he had sprung the offside trap as he darted through to net from Johnson's pass - but despite claims he could not hear the whistle, the Irishman was quickly shown a yellow card by referee Lee Probert. As the hour mark passed Norwich continued to press, with Holt again asking questions of the Gunners' defence.

Canaries keep lead
When Arsenal did break, Gervinho's header lacked any pace after a clever flick-on by Giroud. Wenger had seen enough and on 65 minutes Podolski was replaced by England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Turner went through the back of Giroud to concede a free-kick some 22 yards out, just right of centre. Cazorla curled his effort around the wall, but it lacked enough pace to test Ruddy. Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up what looked like a hip problem, and had to be replaced by Andrey Arshavin after less than ten minutes.

Norwich made a change for the final 12 minutes when winger Elliott Bennett was replaced by Robert Snodgrass, fit again after missing Scotland's FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers because of an ankle problem.

Holt capitalised on a slip by Thomas Vermaelen on the halfway line to rush clear, only to then float a tame chip at the goalkeeper with Hoolahan unmarked to his left.

Arsenal made their final change with eight minutes left when 17-year-old German Serge Gnabry replaced Aaron Ramsey. Arteta's low strike was held by Ruddy as Norwich closed out a hard-earned first league win through five minutes of added time.

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world cup Lampard nets again Michu brace downs QPR

Frank Lampard issued another timely contract reminder to Roman Abramovich as Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez with a 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge. Lampard lashed his 198th career goal for the Blues in the 86th minute to settle his side's nerves after the visitors had briefly threatened to pile more misery upon Benitez.

Ramires put Chelsea in front in the 23rd minute and Eden Hazard returned from his ball boy suspension when he struck a low right-foot shot to increase the home side's lead after 56 minutes. But Wigan reduced the deficit when Shaun Maloney scored from a tight angle on 58 minutes, and the Latics threatened before Lampard intervened to effectively seal the three points.

The home side gave the final score a slightly lop-sided look when late substitute Marko Marin headed his first goal for the club in injury-time.

Rock-bottom Queens Park Ranger sunk closer to relegation after a dismal 4-1 defeat at Swansea. Michu set the Swans on their way to victory with his eighth minute opener and Angel Rangel increased the home side's lead from close-range in the 18th minute.

Despite substitute Bobby Zamora briefly reducing the deficit, Pablo Hernandez restored Swansea's two-goal cushion on 50 minutes before Michu slid home his 15th league goal of the season to seal an easy win.

Ten-man Arsenal march on
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny produced some late heroics as the ten-man Gunners were forced to cling on for a 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Arsene Wenger's men played the last half-hour with ten men following Carl Jenkinson's sending-off for a second bookable offence.

Santi Cazorla made the decisive breakthrough in the 35th minute with a low shot past Simon Mignolet, who had earlier saved well from Aaron Ramsey. Theo Walcott hit the post early in the second half but Sunderland finished in style with both Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson denied late on by superb saves from Szczesny.

Elsewhere, Robert Huth headed his first goal since April last year to send Stoke City on their way to a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Reading at the Britannia Stadium. Huth nodded the opener in off the bar in the 67th minute and Cameron Jerome smashed home the Potters' second goal nine minutes from time. Adrian Mariappa grabbed a late consolation for the Royals.

Norwich City stretched their winless Premier League streak to nine games after a low-key goalless draw with Fulham. The result also means Martin Jol's Cottagers have won just two from their last ten.

In the lunchtime kick-off, more heroics from Gareth Bale boosted Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Champions League ambitions with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United. Bale's early free-kick put Spurs in front before Yoan Gouffran equalised for the Magpies on 24 minutes, only to be later carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Newcastle's misery was complete ten minutes from time when Bale converted at the end of a swift counter-attack to give his side the points.

 

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world cup Giggs talks greatest opponents Messi status

The Manchester derby on 30 April will decide the Premier League title race,?according to United midfielder Ryan Giggs. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Welshman made his prediction of an all-or-nothing decider.

United lead City by three points with eight?rounds remaining following their 1-0 win over Fulham last night. But crucially, City have a better goal difference and will be the hosts when the sides next meet.

"We have the experience, but City have the hunger," said Giggs. "If we both keeping going like this, everything will be decided in the derby."

Both sides would still have two games left after the fixture at the Etihad Stadium, including tricky away ties in the north-east.

As for his own career, Giggs is hoping to keep going for a while longer and wrack up 1,000 appearances for United. Last month he played his 900th game for the Red Devils against Norwich City, scoring an injury-time winner in the process.

Maradona and Pele won the World Cup with Argentina and Brazil. When Messi wins a World Cup with his country, he'll step on to the podium.Ryan Giggs

Looking back over his career, mostly as a left-winger, the 38-year-old named former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon?and Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti as the toughest opponents he has come up against.

Giggs said: "I faced Zanetti for the first time in the Champions League quarter-finals in 1999. He was the right-back and I was on the left. He impressed with his qualities: his speed, power, intelligence and expertise. I played against him on another two occasions and he was my most difficult opponent, a complete player."

But the Italian player who impressed?Giggs the most was Juventus's Alessandro Del Piero. When Manchester United qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since English clubs had been allowed back in Europe, I Bianconeri were the dominant force on the continent.

"The Juventus team of the 1990s was fantastic," said Giggs. "Del Piero is the best Italian player I've played against. We are the same age and I've followed his whole career."

Giggs talks EURO 2012, all-time greatest player
Looking ahead to UEFA EURO 2012, Giggs risked upsetting some of his team-mates by saying he doesn't rate England's chances. Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney are all likely to be a part of the England squad, while Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick and Chris Smalling are also in with a shout.

"Spain and Germany are the favourites, followed by France, Italy and Holland," said Giggs. "I can't see England winning, they still don't have a coach and Rooney is suspended for the first two games."

Recently there has been much talk of record-breaking Lionel Messi being the best player of all time, but Giggs reckons there is still something crucial missing from the Argentinian's?trophy cabinet.

The former Wales international opined: "Without a doubt he's the best in the world today. He scores a lot, almost every week, and always plays to a high level.

"But [Diego] Maradona and Pele won the World Cup with Argentina and Brazil. When Messi wins a World Cup with his country, he'll step on to the podium."

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world cup Soldado ready for physical challenge

New Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado has admitted he will need to toughen up if he is to prosper amid the breathless pace and physicality of the English Premier League.

The 28-year-old signed from Valencia in a club-record £26 million-deal earlier this month and arrives hoping to score the goals that will take Tottenham back into the UEFA Champions League.

The Spain international scored on his debut in a 1-1 friendly draw with Espanyol at the weekend, but ahead of Spurs' Premier League opener at Crystal Palace on Sunday, he knows he will have his work cut out in the English top flight. "I think the most important thing is to be in shape," he told AFPTV.

"The intensity of the Premier League, it's very different from La Liga and here football is a lot more physical and a lot more difficult. But I think that's good because it gives a lot of rhythm to the game and I think that can be good for me."

Despite the burden of expectation created by his price-tag, Soldado says he has no concerns heading into his debut campaign at White Hart Lane. "I am very happy to have this opportunity, to be able to play for a historical club like Tottenham and I'm really happy because it's a unique opportunity," he said. "I hope I won't disappoint and I will do everything I can to score a lot, which is why they hired me, and be even happier here."

Meanwhile, manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed midfielder Gareth Bale will not be fit to for the opening fixture at Selhurst Park. "He's been out injured for most of pre-season," the Portuguese coach said.

"He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; he pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he's been complaining of pain in the foot. I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace."

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world cup Rooney happy with Hodgson

Wayne Rooney accepts missing England's first two games at UEFA EURO?2012 is the price he must pay for a moment of madness in Montenegro.

With so few world-class stars at England's disposal, Rooney's absence from those Group D encounters with France and Sweden has dealt a major blow to the team's preparations.

Yet it could have been worse after Rooney successfully appealed against an initial three-match suspension for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic in Podgorica.

"It is the price I have to pay for making that mistake," Rooney told BBC TV's Football Focus. "It happened and I have to accept it. I will just prepare myself as if I was playing and hopefully come back into a winning team."

Rooney looks like he will get additional responsibility under new manager Roy Hodgson.

Rooney wore the captain's armband against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday following the departure of Steven Gerrard and was sat next to manager Roy Hodgson for the official team photo.

Already you can see he (Hodgson) is very organised, which is something we have lacked during my time with England. It is great to have an Englishman in change.England striker Wayne Rooney

So, whilst he was one of those who spoke out in favour of Harry Redknapp following Fabio Capello's exit, Rooney is happy working with Hodgson

"When you have a change of manager, regardless who it is, you always think they might be looking to bring fresh players in," he said. "He said straight away he would take me, which was nice to here.

"Already you can see he is very organised, which is something we have lacked during my time with England. It is great to have an Englishman in change."

Rooney revealed England cannot afford to get beaten by the French, if only because it would unleash the ridicule of Old Trafford team-mate Patrice Evra.

Optimism outside the camp is not high. Inside, though, Rooney feels there is enough belief to sustain a run to the latter stages of the competition.

"We are trying and no-one should even think we are just turning up," he said. "Sometimes when you lose, you have to hold your hands up.

"But when you look at our squad, I don't see why can't win it. There have been a lot of changes but I will expect big things.

"If other people don't that is down to them. But we are good enough to get in semi-finals and finals. That is the aim."

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world cup Speedy strikes and German joy

In FIFA.com’s england national soccer team jersey latest stats review, quick-fire goals from Manuel Lanzini and Theo Walcott?feature alongside remarkable feats from Bayern Munich, Ronald de Boer and Miroslav Klose.

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seconds were on the clock at the Bombonera on Sunday when Manuel Lanzini stunned home fans with the fastest goal in Superclásico history. The River Plate youngster’s fine early header surpassed by seven seconds the previous record-holder, which was scored by Boca Juniors’ Pablo Ledesma in 2007. Ledesma – now in his second spell with Boca – was there to see his record broken, and the two goals had much in common, with both coming in 1-1 draws at the Bombonera. Los Xeneizes did fight back to claim a share of the spoils but failure to take all three points resulted in their current winless streak being extended to a club record 11 matches.

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seconds had been played when Theo Walcott scored the fastest goal of the English Premier League season on Saturday?to set up Arsenal's 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers. The England international’s early strike is also Arsenal’s quickest-ever goal in the Premier League, eclipsing Robin van Persie’s 29-second effort against Sunderland in October 2011. However, while Walcott helped boost the Gunners’ hopes of claiming a UEFA Champions League place, the following day did not bring such positive news, with rivals?Chelsea achieving a matching 1-0 win away to Manchester United. In doing so, the Blues became the first team in 67 Premier League matches to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford, ending a run that dated back to 2009. Their cause was aided considerably by Rafael picking up United’s first red card of the league season, meaning that every club in England’s top flight now has at least one dismissal to their name in 2012/13.

7

unanswered Bayern Munich goals handed Barcelona their heaviest-ever aggregate defeat in Europe, and secured the biggest winning margin in a Champions League semi-final. Despite managing just two efforts on target, the German champions won 3-0 at the Camp Nou and ended their hosts’ 21-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League. They also became the first team since Dundee United in 1987 to win home and away against the Catalans in a European tie, and registered the biggest win by an away team at the Camp Nou since Sevilla triumphed by an identical margin in December 2002. Bayern’s reward for this hugely impressive triumph is, of course, the first all-German Champions League final, and the second in the history of European club competitions. The first came 33 years ago when Eintracht Frankfurt beat Borussia Monchengladbach, led by Bayern’s current coach Jupp Heynckes, on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw to claim the UEFA Cup.

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england home jersey goals in 40 minutes was the remarkable haul that provided Miroslav Klose with the most productive match of his career on Sunday. The Germany international all but single-handedly Wayne Rooney Away Soccer Jersey put Bologna to the sword in a 6-0 defeat and, in the process, became the first Lazio player to score five times in a competitive match. Klose is also the first player in over 27 years to manage such an impressive tally in a single Serie A fixture, with Roberto Pruzzo of Lazio’s city rivals Roma the last to hit five in a single game back on 16 February 1986. The division’s overall record is shared by Silvio Piola and Omar Sivori, both of whom scored six times for Pro Vercelli and Juventus in 1933/34 and 1960/61 respectively. Klose’s feat, meanwhile, was all the more remarkable as he was without a Serie A goal since mid-December, and was representing a team that had failed to find the net in six of their previous eight matches.

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consecutive Eredivisie titles is the tally that has enabled Frank de Boer to take his place amid some exclusive company in the Netherlands. The 42-year-old became the third coach to lead Ajax to a hat-trick of Dutch crowns, following in the illustrious footsteps of Rinus Michels (1966/67/68) and Louis van Gaal (1994/95/96). He also became only the second man?- after Guus Hiddink, who managed the feat with PSV in 1987, 88, 89 - to win the Eredivisie title in each of his first three seasons in the dugout. Furthermore, De Boer is now one of just two men – his old international team-mate Ronald Koeman is the other – who can lay claim to having won at least three Dutch championships as both a coach and a player.

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